Banking on Belief
LHHS students pitch unique business ideas during "Shark Tank" event p.9
WilCo Commissioners green light Ronald Reagan Boulevard toll study p.8
BIZ BRIEFS:
What’s New?
Latest business news and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Chuy's Kau man Loop, Leander
A new Chuy's restaurant has been announced at Bar W Marketplace, where H-E-B is located. The new restaurant will be the first Chuy's in the Leander-Liberty Hill area.
F3 Co ee & Tea
14251 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
A family- and firefighter-owned co ee and tea truck is opening in Liberty Hill this month. F3, which stands for faith, family and fire, will serve a variety of co ees, energy drinks and refreshers, and will o er seating inside its custom built trailer.
OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS
• The Bread Shed
185 Flexus Lane, Liberty Hill
RETAIL
Sunset Nursery
1300 RM 243, Bertram
Sunset Nursery opened in Bertram in April. The nursery o ers plants, shrubs, trees and bagged mulch to both residential customers and landscape contractors.
Pennie's On The Dollar
118 E. Vaughan St., Bertram
A new consignment store, called Pennie's On The Dollar, owned by Pennie McKenery, recently opened inside Cherokee's Blessings & Beauty Hair
Salon in downtown Bertram. The store sells a variety of clothing, shoes and accessories.
Sparked Boutique
12780 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Sparked Boutique, a permanent jewelry boutique, is opening June 1 inside Rame Beauty Studio. Sparked Boutique o ers permanent bracelets, necklaces, anklets and more.
OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS
• Hold The Mother Co. Online, Liberty Hill
• Truck Tech Outfitters 113 Bevers Road, Liberty Hill SERVICES
Martinizing Cleaners
14241 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
A Central Texas military family is launching two eco-friendly Martinizing Cleaners locations—one in Cedar Park and the other in Liberty Hill, which is opening May 3. Led by Zhane Thomas, the store o ers non-toxic, tech-forward dry cleaning services with free pickup and delivery to the community.
Lone Star Performance Academy
12780 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
A new dance studio is launching this month in Liberty Hill under the direction of McKenzie Gomez, who has over 20 years of baton twirling and dance experience. The studio will o ers lessons in multiple styles of dance, including tap, ballet and jazz.
Dance Republic
209 CR 214, Liberty Hill
Dance Republic, a new dance studio in Liberty Hill, is set to open in July in the District 29 center. Owner Maggie Rains will be o ering a variety of summer camps, as well as dance classes for children and adults at the new facility.
SRH Travel Pros
Online, Liberty Hill
SRH Travel Pros is a new travel agency based in Liberty Hill and owned by Sheri Howe.
SRH Travel Pros specializes in travel coordination for trips including cruises and resorts.
OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS
• Wilco Scout Guide
Online, Liberty Hill
• Luxe Beaute Studio (inside The Luxe)
12001 Loop 332, Liberty Hill
• Liberty Hill Martial Arts/ LH Learning Hub
1201 Main St., Liberty Hill
• GO Sports Texas
6827 W. Hwy. 29, Georgetown
• Elevations Massage
2021 Kau man Loop, Leander
• Brooksville RV Resort
12527 FM 487, Florence
• Mowing Legends LLC
Mobile, Liberty Hill
• ATX Home Pros
Mobile, Liberty Hill
• AA Masonry
1013 Main St., Liberty Hill
• Soccer Pups
295 CR 214, Liberty Hill
ON THE MOVE
Terry McGonigal, Optima Pools
109 Hannah Trl., Georgetown
Terry McGonigal is celebrating his fifth year anniversary with Optima Pools. Responsible for project management, McGonigal has over 24 years of pool planning and building experience. His favorite part of pool building is seeing the final product come together and having satisfied customers. His project coordination in the complete outdoor oasis is a part of Optima's success.
Shin Gan Dojo/Urban Defense Academy
141 Jonathan Drive, Liberty Hill
Shin Gan Dojo/Urban Defense Academy rcently announced a new martial arts class for children ages 5 to 7 on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to six students. Additionally this month, Sensei Brian Simmons is celebrating 30 years of teaching martial arts to kids, teens and adults.
Julie Sullivan, Liberty Hill
Police Department
1120 Main St., Liberty Hill
Julie Sullivan, administrative assistant for the Liberty Hill Police Department, recently announced her retirement. Sullivan has been in her role at the department since 2018.
Red Apron Confections
Online, Liberty Hill
Red Apron Confections, owned locally by Jordan and Amanda Folmar, recently celebrated six years in business.
Freedom Bikes
15399 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Local bicycle and accessories shop Freedom Bikes celebrated three years in business in April.
The Frozen A air
316 E Vaughan St., Bertram Ice cream shop The Frozen A air recently moved locations and is now operating out of a trailer next to Vaughan St Mercantile.
Bahama Bucks
112 CR 214, Liberty Hill
Bahama Bucks owners announced in April that the snow cone truck previously located at the Liberty Hill Food Truck Park would not be returning for the 2025 season.
The Indigo Salon
1013 Main St., Liberty Hill
The Indigo Salon owner Jaime Amezquita announced in April the downtown salon would be closing its doors and moving to a new location in Cedar Park, inside Copper+Mane Salons. Some of the existing stylists will be moving with the salon. AA Masonry will be moving into the salon's former space.
The Standard on Vaughan
145 E. Vaughan St., Bertram Fine dining restaurant The Standard on Vaughan celebrated its second anniversary in April.
Angela Palmer, Liberty Hill
Public Library
355 Main St., Liberty Hill
Library director Angela Palmer resigned from her role at the library in late March. Following
the May election, the library board will begin a search for a new library director.
Munch Munch Wa es & More
9073 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
Munch Munch Wa es & More owners Baka a and Crystal Casey recently announced they will now be franchising the wa e restaurant.
123 Playroom
13750 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
123 Playroom closed permanently on April 26. The playroom opened in August 2024 and o ered open play times, mommy and me classes and more.
Whitestone Brewery
15390 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill
The Liberty Hill location of Whitestone Brewery closed permanently in late April. The brewery's original location in Cedar Park remains open.
Health Di erent Chiropractic
1900 Main St., Liberty Hill
Health Di erent Chiropractic celebrated its first anniversary in business in April.
WORC Fitness
217 CR 214, Liberty Hill
WORC Fitness celebrated its first year anniversary in its new location in late April.
Kristen Barrett, Sound Mind
Liberty Hill
Kristen Barrett is the newest therapist to join the team at Sound Mind Integrative Psychotherapy. She is passionate about working with kids, teens and families.
It’s Back and It’s Back and Than Ever ! Than Ever ! WILDER WILDER
Liberty Hill Public Library District’s Liberty Hill Public Library District’s Summer Reading Program! Summer Reading Program!
Mark your Calendar:
May 5 - Sign-up and start reading
May 27 - Tote Bags and Badges Day
May 28 - Disc Dogs
May 29 - Mike the Reptile Guy
June 4 - Gene’s Karate Dance Party
June 6 - Big Rig “Truckin’ Safari” Petting Zoo
Stop by the library and sign up for this year’s program.
Kids (ages 0–12) can track their minutes and earn cool prizes as they read their way through summer.
Teens & adults score raffle tickets for every book they finish — and a shot at winning local business gift cards!
The adventure runs now through July 24.
I’m paws-itively wild about this shirt!
Don't be a lazy cat— pre-order your summer reading shirt now! Scan here to download shirt order form
Josh Armstrong
Josh Armstrong joined Liberty Hill as the city’s new finance director in December 2024. Armstrong holds a degree in public administration from the University of North Texas and most recently worked as director of finance for the City of Justin. He has experience in finance, city management and public administration.
BY RACHEL N. MADISON STAFF WRITER
LHI MONTHLY: How have your first few months as Liberty Hill’s director of finance been for you?
ARMSTRONG: I really appreciate that the people have been fantastic. Everyone’s been extremely nice and supportive. I’ve only been here for a little over four months now, but I really love this community. It’s been a warm welcome. One of the things that really drew me to the City of Liberty Hill is that we’re in a very unique position in that we are going to be growing for many, many years. We need to capitalize on that growth, but it just requires a lot of careful financial planning in order to do that.
LHI MONTHLY: Tell us more about your background and experience with finance and the roles of your current position.
ARMSTRONG: I’ve worked in this profession for 12 years now and I’ve always been in a small city. I think that provides a unique amount of experience in a short amount of time because when you work for a small city you wear a lot of hats. You do many jobs that the City of Dallas, for example, has maybe 100 people for. I think first and foremost [this role involves] ensuring that we have the internal policies and procedures in place to so that money is always safe, both internally in terms of how we budget but also how we process incoming money. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens of Liberty Hill
to make sure we are doing the right thing. First and foremost, that involves internal procedures, policies and controls. I’m a very long-term thinker. I like to plan on a 20-year process and then we break that up into fourto five-year periods. We budget one year at a time and constantly check our work halfway through the year. At the end of the year, we review with the audit to ensure that we plan for the future.
LHI MONTHLY: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from past positions that you bring to your role with Liberty Hill?
ARMSTRONG: I think the biggest thing is that small cities have the same issues that every big city has with a fraction of the resources to address those issues. It’s just about the order of magnitude. Small cities don’t have that kind of economy of scale that larger cities do. In a small city you truly have to find the efficiencies in your staff and leverage technology and other options that are at your disposal in order to do the same things that the City of Austin or Houston do, but just on a much smaller scale. When you are then also faced with a community and an area like Williamson County that has explosive growth, you have to be able to manage that growth properly and get ahead of it, otherwise it swallows you. Working in a small city you learn to be more agile and adjust along the way.
LHI MONTHLY: What is your biggest objective as you enter this role?
ARMSTRONG: My biggest objective in this
them completed so that we can start planning for the next 10-year process. I cannot wait see what Liberty Hill looks like 20 years from now. I think if we really elucidate a plan to get to that point and identify how we know we’re going to get there financially then we can achieve that goal. The third goal is the audit and budget awards because I believe that following best practices and having an audit document or a budget document that communicates clearly what we are doing helps build trust with the community so that when we disseminate information, they know that it is factual and we can make the best decisions based on that information. Those awards help bolster your credibility and accountability.
LHI MONTHLY: What is your favorite part of the job?
role is financial transparency and reporting. I think we can do better in multiple ways to disseminate information that helps people understand what it is we’re doing. I think that we need to be able to provide answers to why are we doing this and why are we paying X number of dollars for this thing. It’s crucial to build trust with citizens and stakeholders in this community. If you don’t have that trust, you’re not going to be able to succeed. I think that when you put it all out there and shine a light on your books, you’re saying you don’t have anything to hide. We are going to be showing the community this via monthly reporting, quarterly reporting, mid-year reporting and annual reporting. We want to make those reports clear to anybody that reads them that this is what is happening.
LHI MONTHLY: What are three goals you have for the city’s finances over the next five to 10 years?
ARMSTRONG: For the first five to 10 years, my goals are to ensure that the city has the ability to fund water and wastewater infrastructure needs for the next 30 years. If we build a solid foundation today, then we are setting ourselves up for success in the future. I believe with a proper budget and a realistic timeline you can achieve just about any goal you set for yourself. The next would be completing the Downtown Master Plan and some of the other major projects that have either been approved by council or slated to be coming up in front of them. Liberty Hill has so much potential, and I think that we need to follow through on these plans and get
ARMSTRONG: I really do love the budget process. I know that might seem weird because it is a huge and daunting task but it’s kind of like a giant sudoku puzzle but like even more complicated. It has so many parts to it. I also love helping departments identify the means to achieve the goals and objectives set forth by council and the citizens. It’s an important process because it’s about accountability. When we win and the citizens win, we all feel good about that. When you complete a fiscal year and it turns out how you planned, it makes you feel better about the budget you were moving into and how successful it can be. When you’ve been with a city for longer than five years, you can see the actual results of your labor. It’s extremely rewarding to start to physically see how things play out over time. It’s about budgeting, but it’s also about community building. I believe that everybody should be a part of the budget process in the community from the citizens and stakeholders to council and staff. We all need to come to a consensus and get on the same page so that we all move forward together.
LHI MONTHLY: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
ARMSTRONG: My favorite hobby is reading all kinds of books. I think I do have a pension for fantasy and sci-fi. I was introduced to Brandon Sanderson last year with the Mistborn series and I went through the first three books in about three weeks. I really enjoyed it and then picked up the the second arc of that series. I’m planning to read his entire collection of books, but that is going to take me some time. Other than that, I love eating any kind of food! I love a hole in the wall as much as I like a high-end restaurant. This summer I’m planning a ‘restaurant tour’ of Austin with my brother. It’s going to be a fantastic time.
WilCo Commissioners approve Ronald Reagan Boulevard toll study
CTRMA
to conduct comprehensive traffic and revenue study for corridor
BY RACHEL N. MADISON STAFF WRITER
On April 13, the Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a resolution for a comprehensive study analyzing the viability of adding toll lanes along a 28-mile stretch of Ronald Reagan Boulevard, spanning from FM 1431 in Cedar Park to I-35 in Jarrell. The study, to be conducted and funded by the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, will assess cost and revenue to determine the feasibly of an eight-lane controlled access roadway for the corridor.
As major cities in Williamson County continue to grow, increasing traffic has put a strain on transit.
“The congestion on the southern segments of Parmer Lane right now is ever increasing. We’re addressing the northern segments’ congestion by building a second frontage road. The southern segments’ congestion is getting to be extreme,” said Bob Day, Williamson County senior director of infrastructure, at an April Commissioners Court meeting. “As you look out into the future, at some point in time, main lane construction will be needed.”
“Over a quarter of a century ago, the Williamson County Commissioners Court recognized there would be extensive growth of Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill and communities north,” added Day. “The court therefore joined with Travis County to form the CTRMA as an economic engine for mobility for large and expensive transportation projects.”
The court now hopes to collaborate with the CTRMA for the toll road study.
“In the Wilco Transportation Plan, the Ronald Reagan Boulevard corridor is envisioned as a major transportation corridor north-south for the region, and in that plan, it shows main lanes and frontage roads,” said Day.
Following Day’s presentation, commissioners approved a resolution asking the CTRMA to begin conducting a two-part traffic and revenue study. Day clarified that, should construction go forward following the study, Ronald Reagan Boulevard itself will not be converted into a toll road, and all existing free lanes will remain so for drivers.
“The project will only look at adding tolled lanes to confront the increasing congestion in Williamson County,” said Day.
The study is expected to take up to nine months to complete and cost around $600,000, all of which will be funded by CTRMA.
“There will be zero cost to the taxpayers of Wilco,” Day told commissioners.
Should the study advance, the CTRMA has been instructed to return to the Commissioners Court to relay the viability findings. Williamson County will then share this information with local cities to determine each phase of the project’s next steps and schematic design, if applicable, by segment.
County Commissioner Cynthia Long, of Precinct 2, which includes Liberty Hill, said the implementation of this project, if approved, will be a lengthy process.
“The other project [that the CTRMA has] done in Williamson County is 183A. The plans for 183A were put on books in 1985. The first phase opened in March 2007, and they just opened Phase 3 on April 9, 18 years later,” she said. “Transportation projects take a long time, and construction happens in phases.”
Williamson County’s comprehensive planning for each of the five phased segments of the tolled corridor have been conducted jointly with surrounding cities, including Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander and Liberty Hill. County officials said they are in communication with city partners to determine priority sections and create a long-term vision for the corridor project.
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a resolution for a comprehensive study analyzing the viability of adding toll lanes along a 28-mile stretch of Ronald Reagan Boulevard, spanning from FM 1431 in Cedar Park to I-35 in Jarrell. COURTESY GRAPHIC
The CTRMA states on their website that, to date, “no funding has been identified, and no construction timelines for any of the segments have been determined.”
If approved, construction will occur in phases as funding is secured. Currently, only Segment B of Ronald Reagan Boulevard, spanning from State Highway 29 and FM 3405 north of Liberty Hill, has construction funding, secured by 2013 Road Bonds as part of the County’s Long-Range Transportation Plan.
This segment will be the primary focus of the approved traffic and revenue study.
“If the project moves forward, it would
provide two additional lanes in each direction, which would help move traffic more efficiently in the area,” Long told The Independent. “It would help individuals from Liberty Hill that are using Ronald Reagan move through the area more quickly with less congestion.”
If the study proves viable, the CTRMA would assume all maintenance costs for the new frontage roads once constructed. This would not only “provide increased mobility and safety for the residents of Williamson County, but also alleviate the burden of many millions of dollars from city’s budgets
that we are currently having to expend on a yearly basis for the maintenance of the frontage roads in that corridor,” said Day. If constructed, the new tolled corridor would become a user-pay system, in which the maintenance costs are covered by toll income, Long said.
“The users that are driving that road are the ones that are paying for it – not your property taxes,” she said.
The CTRMA has been informed of Williamson County’s request for the study, and commissioners anticipate further discussions with the organization soon.
Thinking, teaching and learning outside the box
LHHS students test sharkinfested waters while showcasing entrepreneurial minds
BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER
If there was ever an indicator that our free market society, one of the cornerstones of our cherished democracy, is not only alive and well but also in good hands, this year’s Entrepreneur Showcase would be it.
The students at Liberty Hill High School’s Entrepreneur I and II classes, part of the “Incubator Edu” program, made quite the showing, each taking center stage at the Performing Arts Center in mid-April to showcase their business ideas that they now hope to bring to fruition.
The businesses were as diverse as the student body itself, touching a wide assortment of industries. And these weren’t the typical door-to-door lawnmowing services that may come to one’s mind when they envision a high school kid looking to cut their teeth in the business world – these were well thought-out business plans that had ambitious goals of either introducing
groundbreaking new products or shaking up the competition in already established markets.
From an internet startup looking to compete directly with Indeed and LinkedIn, to a fascinating concept of micro-chipping golf balls to track swing analytics and location, it was clear that the entrepreneurial spirit was prevalent in these young minds. There were unique approaches to many industries that, at first thought, have reached the point of full saturation when it comes to innovation, but that notion was turned on its head during the presentations of a mobile car detailing startup that targets high-volume sales via employers, and a clothing company that has seemed to conquer the pitfalls of general sizing, tailoring their products to fit the end-user, not the general market.
Other notable products were an all-natural, pet-safe bug repellent; a solar-powered charging device capable of charging an array of handheld devices; shoes with interchangeable soles for different sports; and a handheld shower device that provides warm water and soap for bathing pets and livestock.
Every presentation was well thought-out, not just from a product perspective, but
from the marketing and financial details as well. If any of the judges from the hit television show Shark Tank had been present, it’s doubtful that the words “I’m out” would’ve been heard even once.
As talent tends to recognize talent, many of Liberty Hill’s established entrepreneurs were in attendance of the showcase, both as event sponsors and mentors alike. Local businesses Blue Ocean Pools, Texas Taco Kitchen and Oak Crest Advisors sponsored the event and there was a four-person panel of judges. At the judges table sat Young Han of Blue Ocean Pools; Robert Lee of National Financial Services Company; Yvonne Castillo, project manager for Liberty Hill’s Economic Development Corporation; and Katie Amsler, director of communications and community engagement for the City of Liberty Hill.
In addition to the local vendors, sponsors and judges, the mentors involved in the LHHS entrepreneur program were present and in full force as their efforts shined vicariously through the bright and budding students ready to take on the world of business ownership.
Steve Schiff teaches the Entrepreneurship I, II and III classes at LHHS. He is also a seasoned entrepreneur. Between himself and the many mentors that rotate in and out of the program, the students are able to receive guidance based upon real-life scenarios and experiences rather than standardized, one-size-fits-all textbooks. For Schiff, it’s a way to scratch more than one
itch when it comes to fulfilling a purpose.
“I’ve always been an advocate for education,” he said. “And I’m an advocate for community. This really ties both of those things together for me personally. I’m here to advocate the program, to get students to start thinking a little more creatively out of the box and then, hopefully, to do something that they’re passionate about every day.”
This year’s winning pitches went to two genuinely unique products and included students from both the Entrepreneurship I and II classes. “Switch It Shoes” is a brand that offers shoes with interchangeable soles as they apply to different sports like baseball, football and training.
“Pawer Shower” is a device that attaches to any hose and dispenses heated water and soap for bathing pets and livestock.
Along with the recognition of their efforts and the validation that they are onto something that the free market may desire, the winners receive a financial reward, but it comes with the clear expectation that it is used to fund the next critical steps in getting their ideas off the ground and into the hands of the consumer.
Once considered an “easy A,” the entrepreneurship classes continue to see growing enrollments by students more interested in the subject matter than some easy sailing through an elective. The trend holds promise for the program and for the future of this small town’s local business footprint.
Switch It Shoes won big for their innovative sport shoe design that features interchangeable soles that adapt to different turf styles. COURTESY PHOTO
Pawer Shower, a handheld shower head type of device for bathing pets and livestock, was one of two top winners at the annual showcase. COURTESY PHOTO
Panther House Friday School offers innovative learning option
BY LESHELLE VALLEJO
ahead of the curriculum with real academic
needs.”
Beyond academics, Panther House will focus on enrichment based on student interests. That could mean dance, origami, cra s, nature exploration, or even visits from local experts.
with access to five different classrooms that
students will be learning in their tradition-
“Our goal is to support – not replace –what’s happening in school,” said Dunn. “In an ideal world, we’d love to communicate directly with teachers in the district so we can tailor our work to each student’s
“We want to bring in people from the community to share their passions,” Dunn said. “If kids see learning as something that reflects their own interests and hobbies, it becomes something they look forward to.”
Health and wellness are also baked into the school’s vision. Physical activity, nutrition education, and mental wellness support will be integrated into the Friday schedule to ensure a whole-child approach.
Panther House Friday School will officially open its doors on the first Friday of the 2025–26 school year and will be available for roughly 25 Fridays throughout the year.
Three cohorts will be offered to keep class sizes low and instruction highly personalized.
Though classes don’t start until the fall, enrollment at Panther House is already open. The tuition rate will be $550 per month.
“We know the cost is higher than traditional daycare – but this isn’t daycare,” Dunn said. “This is certified Texas teachers, working in real classrooms, preparing academic and enrichment lessons every week. It’s elevated learning.”
As the community adapts to a new kind of school week, Panther House is ready to help families make the most of it – one Friday at a time, Dunn added.
For more information or to register, visit Panther House’s website at pantherhousefridayschool.com.
Bebop Coffee Shop brings java, jazz and joy to Liberty Hill
BY LESHELLE VALLEJO STAFF WRITER
In the heart of Liberty Hill’s growing food truck scene, just across from QT and Cart Castle at 112 CR 214, Bebop Coffee Shop is quickly becoming a local favorite—not just for its rich, smooth coffee, but for the rhythm of community it’s creating with every pour.
At the helm are Brandon and Kayla Kollmorgen, a husband-and-wife duo who’ve seamlessly blended their passions for music, education and specialty coffee into something special.
The Kollmorgens met in Arizona while teaching high school marching band, and a er a few years of marriage and a post-COVID lifestyle shi , their love for coffee—and community—grew.
“It really started when a former student of mine began roasting coffee,” Brandon said. “That sparked something for both of us. We dove deep into learning the cra , and the more we explored, the more it felt like we were onto something meaningful.”
A er relocating to Texas last July to be closer to family, the Kollmorgens opened Bebop Coffee Shop with a vision: to bring people together through great coffee and great music.
“Liberty Hill has this unique charm, and we immediately felt at home here,” Brandon said. “We wanted to contribute something positive to the community that welcomed us with open arms.”
Bebop Coffee Shop is more than just a mobile espresso trailer. It’s a passion project that reflects the Kollmorgen’s core values: education, creativity and heart.
Their “artist menu” is a jazz-lover’s dream, with drinks named a er iconic musicians.
Popular favorites include The Birks, a caramel, vanilla and mocha drizzle named a er Dizzy Gillespie; The Bird, a smooth blend of white chocolate and almond, a tribute to Charlie Parker; and The Weather Report, a surprise drink inspired by the barista’s mood, nodding to the legendary fusion group.
“We wanted to keep it playful, creative and a li le unexpected,” said Brandon. “It’s always fun when a customer picks up on the play on words.”
Bebop is known for popping up at events like The Market at LHTX and collaborating with other local vendors, but their dream is to one day open a brick-and-mortar space that doubles as a performance venue for young musicians.
“Our end goal is to have a coffeehouse with a small stage where students can perform and get real feedback,” Brandon said. “This isn’t just a job for us—it’s a way to give back to a community that’s given us so much.”
That spirit of giving is already in motion.
Recently, Bebop donated an entire day’s sales to support the Liberty Hill High School band, where the Kollmorgens once again channeled their love for students and education.
The fundraiser also sparked support for the Liberty Hill High School tennis team, showing how a single act of generosity can ripple across a community.
Starting a coffee shop from scratch wasn’t easy. The Kollmorgens chose not to take on debt, instead saving diligently to open their business outright.
But even with planning, the unexpected came calling—like the espresso machine that broke down during a January freeze.
“That was a tough day,” Brandon said. “But challenges like that teach you how to pivot. I always tell people—don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. That’s how you learn.”
Bebop Coffee is built on more than beans. Its foundation is honesty, preparation and relationships—values the Kollmorgens once instilled in their students and now carry into their business.
The shop sources local beans from Austin and uses locally cra ed syrups whenever possible.
Bebop Coffee Shop is open during the
week in the Liberty Hill Food Truck Park and makes regular appearances at local events.
“We’ve met so many amazing people, and those relationships have become the
heart of what we do,” Brandon said.
To follow Bebop Coffee Shop’s journey or see where they’ll be next, check them out on Instagram @bebopcoffeeco or visit their trailer at 112 CR 214.
At left, Brandon and Kayla Kollmorgen are the duo behind the Bebop Co ee Shop. Above, the Bebop Co ee Shop trailer is easily spottable around town and at the Liberty Hill Food Truck Park. COURTESY PHOTOS
Latika brings holistic self-care to community
Family-run wellness business recently moved operations to Liberty Hill
BY RACHEL N. MADISON STAFF WRITER
Over a decade ago, Mazzi and Erez Peled decided to bring their family-owned self-care business to Austin. Originating as a creative soap company by Mazzi Peled in her homeland of Israel, Latika has grown in popularity and demand over the last 12 years. It can now be found in retail stores and outlets nationwide.
Mazzi grew up “under the apron” of her aromatherapist and skin esthetician mother. She always had a spark of passion as she watched her mother create natural and healthy wellness products. In college, she decided to combine her knowledge of the natural beauty industry with her love of creative design.
Her goal?
“Make [the product] good for you, but also cute,” she told The Independent So, she began making soaps that looked like desserts.
“It started as a side-hustle,” Mazzi said. “It was something I did for fun.”
At the time, she had a business professor who was excited about her startup and encouraged her to think about the possibility of expanding it into a company.
“Once I did, I realized it was a very big opportunity,” she said. “I thought about how much I could do with it and how creative I could get.”
Shortly thereafter, Latika was born. Inspired by a character in the movie Slumdog Millionaire,
Latika roughly translates to “little vine,” which Mazzi believed was perfect for her self-startup company.
The company is guided by its commitment to both mental and physical wellness and its belief in the transformative power of self-care to enrich lives. It is guided by its core values of kindness to planet, transparency, quality products and making it fun.
Mazzi’s little business quickly grew in Israel, with the help of her photographer husband, Erez. Eventually, someone approached them and asked, “What if you did it in America?”
They decided to go for it.
After a lengthy immigration process, the Peleds founded Latika in Austin in 2012, where they established their 15,000-square-foot headquarters.
“At first, we did a lot of markets and events in Austin,” said Erez.
This included the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, among others, where customers gained familiarity of their products.
“We got a lot of feedback on our early product iterations through the experience,” he added.
This helped them understand customers’ preferences so they could better serve them and grow the company.
Over time, demand for Latika products quickly outgrew their space, and the Peleds had to routinely double the size of their warehouse to keep up with orders. After a short feature on Good Morning America and an H-E-B partner-
ship, things really blew up.
“We got thousands of orders in a minute,” said Erez. “We had to fulfill all of them within 72 hours, and we did it in two days.”
Since then, it’s just kept growing.
The Pereds officially moved their headquarters to a new 10,000-square-foot facility, located at District 29 at 241 CR 214 in Liberty Hill, in February.
Erez had long been looking for a spot to relocate and thought Liberty Hill was perfect.
Latika’s newly renovated space features a comprehensive warehouse, fully equipped lab, a retail outlet store, and creative team workspace and breakrooms to accommodate for every step of the process, from conceptual design to manufacturing to marketing to distribution.
“It all happens under one roof,” Mazzi said.
The typical process from concept on paper to product on shelf takes around six months. Mazzi described this as “lightning fast” for the industry.
The Peleds, who serve as co-CEOs and co-founders, each bring their personal expertise to the company, helping it flourish. Mazzi serves as the creative and innovative visionary for the product lines, guiding fragrance and aesthetic design decisions, while Erez brings his photography background, financial management skills, and organizational skills gained from his decade of military service to manage logistics and dayto-day operations.
They couldn’t do it all without their closeknit team of staff, which they strive to support through a supportive and flexible work environment.
“The team is the biggest investment you make in a company,” Mazzi said.
The Peleds understand their staff, many of whom are mothers with families, have unique scheduling challenges and eagerly adjust team schedules to accommodate their needs.
“We want them to have fun here and enjoy their job and be able to invest and show their commitment by doing the job well,” she said. They also regularly host team events and outings to create a welcoming community culture.
In the future, the Peleds hope to expand use of their new space to host workshops and even add a photography studio to bring in young creatives to help with digital marketing, content creation and social media. They hope to soon fill their team with more Liberty Hill locals.
The Peleds still pinch themselves at the success of their business. Latika can be found in retail stores like H-E-B, Urban Outfitters, Anthropology, Patina and Massage Envy, as well as endless gift shops, hotels and boutiques nationwide.
Latika’s products total nearly 100 across seven categories, from bath bombs to scrubs to soaps to soaks to shower steamers, and everything in between. Their 12 creative collection lines vary by fragrance and design.
Over a decade ago, Erez and Mazzi Peled decided to bring their family-owned self-care business to Austin and have now relocated to Liberty Hill. COURTESY PHOTO
Latika offers a wide variety of products, which can be found in retails stores and gift shops nationwide. COURTESY PHOTO
Mazzi said each collection is carefully curated with a central theme in mind. Some of their collections include Energy Boost, Self-Care, Vitamin C, Coffee, Calm, Stress Release, Magnesium, Wildflower, the newly launched Black Hatchet men’s line, featuring black charcoal, and the Texas collection, with coconut milk and rose clay.
“Everybody can find something they like,” said Mazzi.
Once a year, the team updates their collections.
“In summer, we revise everything we offer, and we shave things off the ends and bring new things in to refresh [the brand],” said Mazzi.
Latika launches new products each January and releases seasonal items for holidays like Christmas, Day of the Dead and Halloween.
This requires extensive advanced planning, especially to get into large outlets that secure vendors years in advance, Erez said. However, long-term relationships and Latika’s high-quality help them stay competitive.
Latika’s products are USA-made and cruelty free. All are sourced from high-end, local ingredients and include premium multi-essential oil blends. Some products, like their bath bombs, feature as many as five-oil blends from coconut and avocado to lavender and shea bu er.
Not to mention, their bath bombs are
designed to look like geodes and some even change color as they dissolve, making the experience not only soothing for customers, but fun.
The Peleds believe their commitment to quality and comprehensive product assessment is what truly sets Latika apart.
“Latika is a gi able and aesthetic product, but is also very nourishing and high quality,” said Erez. “It doesn’t just fizz. You soak in all this goodness.”
Far more than being a spectacle in a tub, Latika products offer nourishment and care for mind and body alike.
One of the Peleds’ priorities in their brand was ease of use and a er use. O en overlooked by beauty brands, they described stories of customers’ nightmares with other products, like bombs that would stain tubs or skin. Selfcare is supposed to be relaxing, a er all, not an added stressor.
“Very early on, we decided that it has to be a good experience,” said Mazzi. “The experience has to encompass a 360 view.”
This includes consideration of the product’s aesthetics when first seen on shelves, to ease of use, to it providing everything the customer wants, and, ultimately, leave them feeling good, no cleanup required.
“When I first became a mother and kept
bombs to scrubs to soaps, and everything in between. COURTESY
growing my business, I didn’t take care of myself,” said Mazzi. “I thought about it as something that required special timing and felt daunting. I don’t want that to be the experience for people.”
She hopes her products can help people reconnect to the self-pampering experience.
“We want you to do self-care on a daily basis, and we want to make it easy. If it’s easy and approachable, you’ll do more of it,” she said.
The Peleds are excited for the opportunity to further collaborate with the local community and have already begun partnering with several Liberty Hill businesses, including Clean Slate Waxing Lounge and The Vinew Shop, which now sell Latika products.
“The business community here feels very welcoming,” said Mazzi. “It feels like the right place. We want to embed ourselves in the community here and be a part of Liberty Hill that contributes to Liberty Hill.”
To learn more about Latika, visit latikasoap. com or follow them on social media @latikaskincare.
PHOTO
Another world close to home
Wimberley provides eclectic tourism experience
BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER
Imagine you’ve been swept away to a foreign world, full of awe and wonder.
As you navigate the banks of a pristine river that seems to glow from the reflection of the setting sun, you look up in amazement at the trees that stretch so far into the sky they have to be from another world.
The prevalent ancient stonework forms pathways and old-world structures alike that all seem to meld into one, housing oddities that tantalize each of the five human senses. Everything and everyone seem connected, as if you’re all there for a distinct purpose. And then it hits you – everyone is there for a distinct purpose –to get away.
As far off as this place may seem and so unreal that it must be a place only visited in the deep recesses of the imagination, it’s not. In fact, it’s in our proverbial backyard, and part of a true living wonder : the Texas Hill Country, a magical little place called Wimberley.
The drive into Wimberley was almost as peaceful as the town itself. As we navigated through the Balcones Canyonland Preserve, then through Marble Falls, Johnson City and Blanco, I was reminded of just how lucky we are to live in Central Texas. After all, who needs the silver screen when seemingly out-of-this-
world places exist in abundance at every twist and turn of the Texas backroads? As we drove deeper and deeper into the woods surrounding the Wimberley area, the scenery was almost unreal, kicking off the theme of whimsy that would dominate this weekend getaway. As we approached our cabin in the woods that we would call home for the days ahead, that theme shot straight into the stratosphere.
We always seek out the most unique accommodations possible when traveling. I’ve seen enough hotel rooms in my day that, if I never see one again, it’ll be too soon. Though we had an idea of what this place would be like via the pictures on the reservation site, we certainly drove through a portal and entered another dimension as soon as we turned into the entrance at The Snuggle Inn.
Every square inch of the place lent itself to a scene straight out of a fairy tale. Nestled within a unique family of oak and cedar trees, the cabin, built almost entirely with reclaimed materials from a time long, long ago, had a soul of its own. In a moment of stillness brought on by the serene surroundings, I could have sworn I saw the place breathe.
A walk through the grounds of the place offered one timeless treasure after another, from the old grain silo to the many thoughtfully placed artifacts from yesteryear, each with a wonderful story to tell. If there was ever the
perfect refuge for a writer to settle into as they embark on their next novel, this place would be it, hands down. In a word, “cozy” would easily describe the place, but that or any further attempt to describe it would fail to do the place any justice at all. Completely infatuated, we didn’t want to leave the place – ever – but we had an agenda, so on we went, meandering a bit further down the road into Wimberley proper. I still can’t quite put my finger on why, but downtown Wimberley had an almost medieval vibe that evening. Maybe it was the setting sun triggering the dim lights upon the ancient stone facades, or its ability to demand a slower pace from all who walked its grounds, but we were, yet again, swept away to another time. If it weren’t for the cars and the modern attire, I would have started to ask for the town mystic in hopes that they could point the way back home –once we’d had our fill, that is.
We decided to eat at Chill’s on the Creek and thankfully, they were on a long wait. Granted, being grateful for a long wait at a restaurant isn’t the norm, but you’d understand if it forced you to wander the town center.
The entire town seemed connected, both literally and metaphorically. As we entered one oddity boutique after another, before we knew it, we were in a completely different shop or out on a beautiful stone patio overlooking the river again. It made no sense, and that was the best part.
As we crossed the street and moved farther away from the hustle and bustle of the riverfront, the theme shifted from medieval to the old west. The charm and allure of the structures that resembled an occupied ghost town (if there is such a thing) just kept offering new discoveries around every corner. If my old man were still with us, he’d look around and say, “I wonder
how anything gets done around here,” speaking of what looks to be nothing more than a village of artists and a lack of those with, again as he’d jokingly put it, “real jobs.”
Well, my hat is off to those who’ve built such an eclectic and vibrant community – a job well done. We’d almost forgotten about our table at the restaurant, but we somehow managed to make it just in time to be seated at the patio overlooking the river.
There were no frills or aesthetically unique features to Chill’s on the Creek itself – the location wore that hat perfectly well. Our expectations were admittedly low, but as proof that we were traveling on a different plane of existence, the food was unimaginably good.
For our main course, we split a beef cheesesteak. And let’s be honest, just how good can cheesesteak be? I don’t know what sacred cow gave up the beef or which black cauldron the bread was concocted in, but there is no way that I will ever have another cheesesteak anywhere near that good again. It was further proof that we had traveled to another dimension. We left the city center completely satisfied yet curiously perplexed by such a surreal experience.
After a nearly perfect night on the patio back at the cabin, we awoke to day two, which began as a day trip within a weekend getaway to San Antonio for a dear friend’s book release and signing event. We couldn’t leave on an empty stomach though, so we opted for some quick breakfast tacos, again, that were not of this world. Shamrock Tacos in nearby Blanco was the only place we could find that was open, most likely because they were alien creatures from a distant planet.
The tacos were barely describable. The eggs were fried, not scrambled, the bacon was impossibly perfect, and the refried beans didn’t make
Nestled within a unique family of oak and cedar trees, the cabin, built almost entirely with reclaimed materials from a time long, long ago, had a soul of its own. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN
The Snuggle Inn provided rustic accomodations that seemed almost surreal. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN
the delicious, homemade tortilla soggy in any way, even a er being wrapped in foil for over 20 minutes. Are you kidding me right now? Seriously, what planet are we on?
A er a wonderful midday spent with friends and family in San Antonio, and on what seemed to be planet earth as we know it, we headed back to the space portal, or Wimberley, if you will, as quickly as we could. We’d been stricken with space madness, and we were ready for more.
We prepared for another evening downtown by lazing around our cabin, which continued to offer up new discoveries in every nook and cranny. But before we knew it, our stomachs were growling so we strapped into our German rocket ship on wheels and headed toward that final frontier.
Our dinner plans were much more specific on this particular evening. In keeping with the theme, we’d stumbled across Dos Olivos Market, another purveyor of other-worldly foods, during the previous night’s self-guided tour. Maybe they draw inspiration from regions across this planet that we call home, but they break all the rules, quite possibly to not cause any suspicion of their human form. When I saw the barbacoa donuts (seriously?) on the menu, I started looking for the hidden cameras as I was finally convinced Ashton Kutcher had
revived the hit TV show from the early 2000s, Punk’d. Along with the barbacoa donuts (which were so strange but so, so good), we had the mushroom and truffle croquetas, ko a tacos, and chicken karaage, all of which blended Mediterranean, Spanish, American and Asian cuisines.
On paper, it felt like the vast array of extremely different ingredients and cooking styles would’ve wanted to have a fight to the death, but they all got along surprisingly well, and our bellies were thankful for their camaraderie.
A er a couple of hours enjoying ourselves at our downtown sidewalk table where our li le dog, Millie, became quite popular amongst the fellow patrons and the occasional passerby, we decided to head back to the cabin for a night under the stars, which ended up hiding behind the clouds. Still, a er a couple of cocktails on the patio and a soak in the hot tub, we brought our weekend getaway to a close and prepared to teleport back home.
Texas is a big state and it is chock full of enough whimsy and wonder to fill up 20 lifetimes. Not to take anything away from the other 49 states that share this wonderful country and certainly not to exclude the countless destinations beyond our borders, but here at home in Texas, you’re never far from what can
o en seem like another world from another time.
Wimberley was a trip for the record books, and The Snuggle Inn will be forever etched into our memories. Adventure is out there waiting for you –whether in another world, or right here at home.
A walk through the grounds o ered one timeless treasure after another from the old grain silo to the many thoughtfully placed artifacts from yesteryear, each with a wonderful story to tell. PHOTO BY BRAD MARTIN
Read our round up to learn more about the biggest news stories affecting our community
COMPILED BY LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT STAFF
Liberty Hill resident takes reins at University Interscholastic League
Liberty Hill resident Dr. Jamey Harrison was recently named executive director of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). His appointment took effect April 1, officially elevating him from the role of deputy executive director, a position he has held since 2011.
Harrison replaces longtime UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt, who will retire at the end of August.
“I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to serve Texas students and schools as UIL executive director,” said Harrison. “The education-based activities we oversee provide life-changing opportunities that enhance the overall educational experience for students across our state.”
“These experiences teach valuable life lessons and leave lasting impacts on students, parents, and communities,” Harrison added. “I look forward to building on this legacy while preserving what makes UIL the greatest organization of its kind in the world. Today, UIL faces one of the most complex landscapes in its 115-year history and I am passionate about meeting these challenges head-on to preserve the core values of UIL: fair, community-based competition grounded in education. It’s a mission that has defined us for more than a century, and one I am committed to continuing.”
Prior to joining the UIL, Harrison served as Bridge City Independent School District’s superintendent and has served on several education-related national committees.
City awards engineering bid for City Park parking lot
Liberty Hill resident Dr. Jamey Harrison is the new executive director of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). COURTESY PHOTO
orders.
“This project is very important to us,” said Deputy City Manager Mike Etienne. “The west side of the city has had issues with water pressure, especially with Butler Farms subdivision and this project is critical.”
The elevated tank is part of the city’s long-term solution for the subdivision’s water pressure issues, and is estimated to take 16 to 24 months to build.
City hosts youth league sports workshop meeting
On April 23, City Council held a special workshop meeting to discuss the unique needs and plans for accommodating for the growth of Liberty Hill’s youth league sports.
Nicole Bauer, chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, made a presentation to council followed the board’s conversations with the leagues in October 2024, where representatives outlined the core needs of their leagues.
Widespread calls for more field space, lighting and funding were paramount across the leagues, many of which are now sharing limited and undersized fields in order to maintain practice and game space for their growing teams.
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Richard Fibish presented various recreational funding and support options for council’s consideration, including potentials for receiving a portion of future hotel occupancy taxes, tournament and equipment rental income, and increasing maintenance staff.
Council made no further decisions at the meeting.
Council approves retail water and wastewater utility rates increases
At their April 23 meeting, council heard a presentation and held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to raise retail water and wastewater utility rates.
Council conducted a workshop to discuss proposed rate recommendations on April 7 as part of updates to the city’s water and wastewater master plans.
Council approved the ordinance’s 6.5 percent increase on wastewater rates and 10.5 percent increase on water utility rates.
City approves UDC, code of ordinances text amendments for vape shop regulation
At an April meeting, City Council amended text within the Unified Development Code and Liberty Hill Code of Ordinances for regulation of vape shop stores, including hours of operation, zoning laws and penalties for violation.
This conversation follows prior council conversations and deliberations about ordinances on vape shop regulation which began last fall.
The consultants will provide preliminary engineering, construction documents and construction phase services for adding a paved parking lot to the park, located at 255 CR 200, which was the top priority of the public according to a survey conducted in 2024.
City approves Pape-Dawson task order for Butler Farms elevated water storage tank
Following lingering concerns from Butler Farms residents regarding ongoing water pressure issues, the Liberty Hill City Council unanimously approved a task order in April for the preliminary engineering services and design documents for an elevated water storage tank for the subdivision in an amount not to exceed $70,750.
Interim Director of Public Works James Herrera said the task order includes design for electrical and hydraulics aspects of the project, which accounts for the initial 30 percent of the plan for the tank. The other 70 percent will be included in subsequent
On April 9, the city awarded an engineering bid for the construction of a paved parking lot at Liberty Hill City Park to Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $148,000. This bid kicks off phase one of the city’s master parks plan, Katie Amsler, director of communications and community engagement, told council.
“We’re turning kids away and we don’t want to,” said Katie Amsler, director of communications and community engagement. “Volunteers are investing so much time and energy into field maintenance, and we hope that we can one day help relieve that as a department.”
Amsler then announced that the city will be using secured funding to convert one of the Liberty Hill City Park fields to an 11-by-11 space, and will also be constructing a lacrosse practice wall to help alleviate the needs of the leagues, based on their prior feedback.
She also said the city will be applying for a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant this year for additional funding support.
The UDC describes vape shops as, “A commercial establishment that sells vaping products, including e-cigarettes, e-liquids, or related accessories, including flavored vaping products as defined herein. This definition shall be construed to include establishments known variously as retail tobacco stores, tobacco product shops, hookah cafes, tobacco clubs, tobacco bars, smoke lounges, smoke shops, vape lounges and similar establishments but shall not include an establishment which derives more than 50 percent of its gross revenue from food, beverage or gasoline fuel sales.”
The original ordinance proposed requiring a 1,000-square-foot distance between said shops and certain family-oriented, public, or childcare areas including schools, arcades, parks, libraries, places of worship, residential zones and more. A 1,000-square-foot distance is also required between any new vape shop and existing vape shop.
On April 15, the Planning and Zoning Commission proposed amending the stated 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours of operation for vape shops to 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. and recommended deferring to state laws about the legality of people under the age of 21 on the
As part of the conversation, Fibish also announced the updated vision and mission statements for the Parks and Recreation Department as envisioning “a future where Liberty Hill’s parks and outdoor spaces reflect the heart of our town: welcoming, active and rooted in community,” and whose goal is to “enrich the community by advocating for safe and sustainable parks and recreation that inspire connection, wellness and conservation of green spaces.”
premises.
Any existing vape shops will be permi ed to operate legally, but will become a “legal nonconforming use,” designating them as “a lawful use within a zoning district that does not conform to the requirements of the code but did at the time of the use being permitted,” explained the P&Z presentation.
Council approved the proposed text amendments, with the exception of maintaining the 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours of operation for the commercial zone covering the downtown area.
Council approves professional services contract for former VFW property
The Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation joined city council at their April 23 meeting to present details of the former VFW property, an EDC-owned property on Myrtle Street.
Following the presentation, council approved a professional services contract between the Liberty Hill EDC and Headwater and The Kim Group for management of the property in an amount not to exceed $55,000.
The property was purchased by the EDC
in 2023, and is slated to be a development project intended to revitalize the downtown area by remodeling the existing property’s structure to make it a pillar of the Liberty Hill community to foster community engagement, events and commerce.
More information on the project will be shared with the community at Liberty Hill’s Downtown Day on May 10 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Forrest Coffee House, 103 Forrest St.
LHISD partners with YMCA for Friday childcare
Interim Superintendent Travis Motal updated the school board at its April meeting that the Liberty Hill Independent School District has finalized its partnership agreement with the YMCA for Friday childcare offerings.
ISD families will now be able to sign up for Friday YMCA childcare for $33 per day.
Motal said YMCA childcare will offer sites on campuses on both sides of the district. LHISD staff will have access to free Panther Care for the Fridays off.
This collaboration emerged from discussions and concerns regarding childcare options for the new four-day ISD
school week calendar, adopted earlier this year for the 2025-26 school year.
Motal said the district is “very excited for this partnership,” and that the district will be continuing communications with parents in coming weeks.
LHISD to relocate portables to Santa Rita Middle School
At their April meeting, school board members approved the relocation of two portable buildings from Liberty Hill Elementary and Liberty Hill Middle School to serve as additional classroom space for Santa Rita Middle School.
The board passed the motion to relocate, which will cost $108,570, coming out of the general fund.
The school is projected to have enrollment of 1,450 students in the 2025-26 year, pu ing it over capacity.
The board expressed concerns that moving portables is not their ideal scenario for accommodating the immediate need for more classroom space.
However, cost analysis and consideration of existing budget limitations revealed the portables as the most feasible short-term solution.
Board purchases land tract for future school site
The LHISD school board approved the purchase of a 13.46-acre tract of land during closed session at the April 21 meeting, and has now entered final negotiations.
Interim Superintendent Travis Motal said he anticipates the site, which has not been disclosed publicly, will eventually be used to serve as the location for a future elementary school.
No further details were given.
This rendering depicts one potential look for the former VFW property located on Myrtle Street. COURTESY GRAPHIC
Panthers awarded state title due to ineligible player
BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER
Stefano Salerno went to sleep early on the Friday night a er the Panthers had been defeated by Highland Park, 2-0, in the Class 5A Division II state championship game.
A er all, the Panthers head coach had worked tirelessly for weeks in helping his squad go on a memorable playoff run that had finally come to an end without li ing a trophy. Or, at least he thought.
“I had gone to sleep at about 9 p.m. and put my phone on silent,” said Salerno. “I was trying to get at least seven or eight hours.”
However, his slumber was interrupted about halfway through the prescribed plan.
“I woke up at 1 a.m. and saw (Liberty Hill ISD athletic director) Justin Carrigan had been trying to call me for a 10 p.m. Zoom meeting,” he said. “Then I saw on my security camera one of
my players at my front door.”
Salerno answered the door and was u erly surprised at what he saw, he said.
“Standing there were 14 or 15 of my players saying, ‘Coach, we won state!’” said Salerno. “They didn’t know exactly what house I lived in, but knew the neighborhood and found my car. So, that’s how I found out.”
Approximately six hours a er the completion of the contest, it was determined by the UIL Highland Park had used an ineligible player and was therefore vacated of the title with the championship instead being awarded to Liberty Hill. Certainly a cause for celebration – regardless of the time of night – said Salerno.
“We invited everyone in and all of a sudden, my wife was making pancakes for everyone,” he said. “Everybody was there until about 3:30 or 4 a.m.”
Indeed, despite the profound disappointment that had been experienced just hours earlier
by players, coaches, parents and all the Purpleand-Gold supporters that had made the short trip east on Highway 29 for the game, Salerno and his squad was properly rewarded for their efforts.
“We would’ve preferred to have taken care of business on the field,” he said. “But, this is a life lesson you have to do things the right way. We’re extremely excited to be the first Liberty Hill team to win a championship at the Class 5A level.”
Any asterisk placed next to their names in the record book will be irrelevant, said Salerno.
“Our kids don’t care how it happened,” he said. “They deserved it.”
Salerno said the happy-ending-a er-all was a fi ing conclusion – if not exactly what he had envisioned.
“Our goal was to find a way for these kids to win,” he said. “But, even in my wildest imagination, I didn’t expect it to end this way.”
Liberty Hill soccer defeated by Highland Park in state title game, 2-0
BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER
At the end of a season that included an improbable playoff run that led all the way to the Class 5A Division II state championship game, Liberty Hill couldn’t muster one last masterclass in a 2-0 defeat to Highland Park in the title contest at Birkelbach Field in Georgetown.
Despite a determined effort against a Scots squad that entered the game with only one loss all season, goals in the fi h and 22nd minutes relegated the Purple-and-Gold to runner-up status to the Dallas-area side.
Panthers goalkeeper Angel Cardenas picked up right where he le off in the state semifinal win over Lake Creek last Thursday with a save in the third minute as Highland Park looked to gain a quick advantage, which it did moments later when a throw-in from the right corner bounced high in the penalty area and deflected in off
Scots midfielder Jack O’Grady as Cardenas mistimed his jump for the ball.
According to Liberty Hill head coach Stefano Salerno, the early goal against drastically changed what the Panthers would do moving forward in the contest.
“Completely,” said Salerno. “We had studied this team for the past five or six days and knew how we could hurt them and our game plan was to take on some pressure in the beginning, try to frustrate them and get them on the counter where we saw a couple weaknesses. But unfortunately conceding in the first five minutes changed our game plan completely – we had to go to our second formation in the first 12 minutes of the game, which wasn’t the original plan.”
A er having conceded the early goal, Liberty Hill’s a ack came to life and it was midfielder Danny Gutierrez who fired a pair of shots in the 10th and 11th minutes, but to no avail.
In the 22nd minute, Highland Park’s Sebastian Benitez swung a corner into
the box where Hafeey Shah headed it past Cardenas to double the Scots’ lead at 2-0, which was where the score remained at hal ime.
Salerno said the Scots’ second goal increased his side’s urgency even more, which required strategic and tactical changes across the board.
“We ended up playing four or five formations to try to find a way against this team, but we just couldn’t get through,” he said. “We had four or five chances to get a goal in the second half, but we couldn’t get it done.”
Cardenas began the second half as he had the first with a save in the 42nd minute, then Gutierrez did the same with a shot in the 49th – one of his six on the game – then threatened the Highland Park net with a corner that was saved in the 56th minute.
With 20 minutes le and Liberty Hill chasing the game, Cardenas moved up front with Logan Bruno taking over in goal
and perhaps the Panthers’ most dangerous opportunity of the day came in the 73rd minute when Cardenas got his head on a cross from Alonso Aguayo on the right flank that was saved – an effort that ended up being their last serious chance of pulling back a goal.
Liberty Hill ended its season with an overall record of 16-7-7 to go with a 6-3-5 mark in district play that was good for a fourth-place finish and posted 17 shutouts on the campaign.
In closing out his second season in charge of the Panthers’ program, Salerno said one of the biggest objectives has already been accomplished.
“When I got the job last year, one of the top priorities was to put our crest on the map – not just in Liberty Hill, but in the state of Texas,” he said. “I think what these guys have done this year playing in a state championship game and being competitive in every game a er graduating so may guys speaks volumes.”
PHOTOS BY ALEX RUBIO
Lady Panthers pound Cedar Park, 18-2, to claim co-district title
Liberty Hill finishes regular season tied with Rouse atop the standings
BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER
Fittingly enough on Senior Night featuring Liberty Hill’s final contest of the regular season against Cedar Park, it was one of the five seniors in the starting lineup that had the biggest impact on the proceedings as Aubri Ettinger was the winning pitcher and hit a pair of home runs – including a grand slam – to go with five runs batted in during an 18-2 victory that ended with the home side still batting in the third inning.
According to Ettinger, there’s nothing quite like knowing a pitch is immediately destined to be a souvenir.
“As soon as it comes off the bat, you know it’s over and it’s such a good feeling,” said Ettinger, who is hitting .328 with four home runs and 19 RBIs on the season. “You can just jog it out and celebrate with your teammates, which is cool.”
However, the opening inning didn’t exactly go as planned for Ettinger, with the visitors
scoring a pair of runs, as seven Cedar Park hitters combined to supply what was ultimately their only output of the evening.
Lady Panthers head coach Kristin Brewer said the moment might have gotten to Ettinger and her teammates early on following the pregame festivities.
“As far as the two runs, we just came out a little shaky,” she said. “When there are theme nights like Senior Night with all kinds of emotions and things going on, it’s kind of hard to get their focus back and that’s what we saw in the first inning.”
But, the Timberwolves’ uprising was quickly put down in the bottom half when Kyrinn Vaughn drew a leadoff walk, then scored on a triple off the bat of senior Addison Shifflett, who then came home on a Bella Nicholson sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2.
Skylar Strable then tripled home Maddie Kingslien, who then scored on an RBI single by Megan Buchanan and it was 4-2.
While Ettinger settled down in the circle, she and her teammates continued their as-
sault at the plate with five runs in the second, highlighted by an inside-the-park home run by Strable, followed immediately by a long ball of the traditional variety from Ettinger to make it a 9-2 game after Nicholson and Hadley McBeath had both struck RBI doubles earlier in the inning.
Ettinger then retired the side in order in the third, including back-to-back strikeouts to close out the Timberwolves.
Eleven Liberty Hill batters strode to the plate in the bottom half in adding another nine runs – including Ettinger’s grand slam to left field – and RBI hits by Shifflett (single) and Nicholson (triple) at which the game was called.
Ettinger was 2-for-2 with two home runs and five runs batted in, while Nicholson went 3-for-3 with five RBIs, Strable was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and three batted in and Shifflett was 3-for-3 with a pair of triples, four runs and two RBI on the night.
In all, the five Lady Panthers seniors (Etting-
er, Shifflett, Strable, Buchanan and Shelby Broderick) were a combined 9-for-12 with 10 runs scored and 11 runs batted in.
Brewer said Ettinger is currently at the peak of her powers.
“Aubri did a great job in the circle keeping hitters off and with her at-bats, we’ve talked to her about letting go a little bit of pressure and flattening things out,” she said. “With the adjustments, you’re seeing she’s a big hitter.”
Liberty Hill (21-4-1, 11-3) finished tied with Rouse atop the district standings and are co-champions with the Raiders, entering the opening round of the Class 5A Division II state playoffs.
Brewer said her team is ready for whatever the postseason presents it with.
“I’m always going to believe and trust in our girls,” she said. “We know we have the ability and skill to do this – it’s just putting all the little things together and making them count. So, let’s go show the world who we are and what we can do.”
Liberty Hill’s Aubri Ettinger (12) hit a pair of home runs – including a grand slam – and had five runs batted in during the Lady Panthers’ 18-2 home district win over Cedar Park. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO
At left, Lady Panthers senior Addison Shifflett (14) was 3-for-3 with two triples in Liberty Hill’s 18-2 home district win over Cedar Park. At right, the Lady Panthers seniors were celebrated on Senior Night before Liberty Hill’s 18-2 home district win over Cedar Park. PHOTOS BY ALEX RUBIO
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Loving life behind the plate
Panthers catcher thrives on backstop role
BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER
Everything could’ve been very different for Carson Sharp.
“Growing up, I wanted to be just like my brother who was a shortstop,” said Sharp. “But, I didn’t have the right body type or quickness for the position.”
Instead, he took the advice of another figure that had an influence on his early baseball life.
“When I was playing 8U, I had a coach named Josh Ford, who was the starting catcher for Baylor and got drafted by the Diamondbacks,” he said. “He really made me love catching, but not only catching – being a strong leader.”
Years later, Sharp is Liberty Hill’s starting catcher and ever since that fateful position switch has been on an upward trajectory that has seen him verbally commit to playing at Louisiana Tech University following his Panthers career.
But, it certainly wasn’t an overnight process.
After moving to Liberty Hill his fresh-
man year, Sharp – who made the varsity squad as a first-year player – found himself blocked at backstop by Carson Riley, who was a senior at the time and a fixture in the Panthers’ lineup.
So, he resorted to Plan B – albeit temporarily.
“At that point, I just wanted to get on the field wherever the team needed me,” said Sharp, who played other positions while waiting for his turn behind the plate. “I knew I was going to have to step up.”
Finally, after Riley’s graduation, Sharp took over his namesake’s spot as a sophomore where he quickly had to assimilate himself into an equation featuring a veteran pitching staff that included seniors Blaze Milam and Gavin Voth, who had become accustomed to having Riley receive their pitches.
According to Panthers head coach Brandon Creek, working with the duo helped speed up Sharp’s maturation process as a game manager.
“Carson did a really good job – especially with those seniors on the mound,” said Creek. “I’m different from most coaches in
I’ll let a catcher call pitches and he’s proven more than capable.”
However, as valuable as Sharp is squatting behind the plate, he’s just as crucial standing beside it with a bat in his hands as the Panthers’ most prodigious power threat.
In fact, this season, Sharp had already hit seven home runs to lead the team after launching only a pair of long balls last season – an increase he attributes to attention to detail off the field.
“Before this season, I really made more of a commitment to baseball,” he said. “Working hard in the weight room and making sure I eat right.”
So, what are Sharp’s dietary habits these days?
“Usually, I’ll start at lunch with a fruit and protein-based meal,” he said. “Then before practice, I’ll have a sandwich and down a couple bottles of water.”
Sharp said the reason behind the nutritional switch was simply the result of an epiphany he had regarding what it would require to continue his career after high school.
“I always wanted to play at the highest level and I realized to be a Division I player just being good on the field isn’t enough,” he said. “I needed to take better care of myself off it, too.”
Creek said Sharp has shown the right mentality for a player that found himself alongside the big boys on campus right off the bat.
“Being on varsity as a freshman is really good for a kid,” he said. “But, it can be challenging for the ego because you might think ‘Okay, I’ve made it.’ But, Carson was around kids that helped him grow and has really turned into a great leader.”
In addition to Sharp’s prowess around the plate, he also deals 60 feet, six inches away on the mound with a fastball that touches the low 90s and has been known to close the odd game for the Purple-andGold with a win and a save to go with a 2.00 earned-run-average in seven innings of work – and has designs on continuing his two-way play at the college level.
“I’m going to try to do both, but whatever gets me on the field,” said Sharp, who was hitting .485 with seven home runs and 31 runs batted in on the season with only one regular-season game remaining on the schedule. “But, as a catcher there’s a lot of wear-and-tear.”
With Sharp providing the foundation for his team, Creek said his squad is capable of excellence.
“Good teams are led by players, not coaches,” he said. “If you’re good through the middle, you have a chance to be a great team and that starts behind the plate.”
Now that he’s assumed role-model status himself, Sharp takes every opportunity to impart wisdom on the Panthers’ younger players – just as he benefited from, he said.
“Play the game with passion and compete every pitch,” said Sharp. “Care about everything you do and you’ll be rewarded.”
In addition to his catching duties, Panthers junior Carson Sharp (23) pitches with a fastball in the low 90s. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO
Liberty Hill’s Carson Sharp (23) originally aspired to be a shortstop, but found a home behind the plate as a catcher. PHOTO BY ALEX RUBIO
Catching on
Legacy Ranch freshman steps up, covering more than home plate
BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER
The Legacy Ranch softball program recently wrapped up their inaugural season.
In a year that has seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye, it has brought with it something new at every step. From the new, albeit temporary digs that sit across the street from an even newer soon-to-be campus to the new students donning the new colors of Columbia blue and navy, it’s safe to assume the Legacy Ranch class of 2028 might be looking forward to their sophomore year, simply to shed at least some of the “new” from the narrative.
As nice as that may sound to some, one standout performer likely yearns for more of the same as she settles into her newfound role – one of a leader.
Catcher Finley Morris got a heaping extra helping of “new” this year, some of which was welcomed and some that came as a shock to the system. Regardless of her level of comfort, all of it played a major role in her growth on and off the field.
Wranglers head coach Matthew Cannon lit a proverbial fire under Morris when he had the unfortunate mid-season question come to mind that she might not “be the one” behind home plate. The result was a change of scenery that found her at third base and a wake-up call to boot.
The position change was short-lived, however, as Morris answered the call to action, going from a shy, quiet member of the team to a high-performing, experienced contributor that also saw the opportunity to build up her teammates right alongside her.
“I didn’t really understand what being a leader is because I’ve always been the shy person and didn’t know what to say or what to do,” said Morris. “But when I came in –because I’ve had multiple years of playing – I saw those people that didn’t know how to play and I was like, ‘Wait, I actually have to help out these people and it took a while to understand that. Coach Cannon helped me and taught me how to improve and help these people.”
Cannon took notice of Morris’s newfound efforts, something he welcomed and as he put it, needed from his short list of players with prior softball experience on a team top-heavy with first-time recruits. For Cannon, every opportunity to push her outside of her comfort zone is seen as an opportu-
nity for growth.
“I thought this (interview) would be a great opportunity for her to grow and to speak, because she is quiet,” said Cannon. “I do see Finley as a leader. She understands she’s got to help bring along those other people and that’s exactly what we need out of her.”
With her freshman season now behind her, Morris has had the chance to reflect on her recent growth and it has brought forth an understanding of more than just leading those in need, but taking charge of moments she might have let pass her by only weeks before.
“I feel like you have to go in and find the opportunities,” she said. “If you just sit there and look, nothing’s going to come for you. That’s what life is – you have to go look for everything. You can’t stay and wait for those opportunities to come.”
Something not so new to Morris is what drives her to perform at the highest level possible. Drawing from a variety of sources, her motivational inventory is vast and in abundant supply.
“It’s mostly everything,” she said. “The coaches, my family, my friends. My family is here watching me. They give up their time and their money to come and support me, so I have to come up and support them and be who I actually need to be.”
Morris went on to cite her primary source of inspiration.
“My father,” she said. “Before I even started softball, I went through every other sport and he was like, ‘Hey, why don’t you try softball?’, and I did and he pushed me and taught me, ‘If you want to be out here, you’ve got to do the work.’”
Morris enjoys her life outside of softball, especially when outside of the city limits and even the state line. With countless miles of family travel under her belt, she hopes to continue down new roads towards new adventures one day. But her eyes aren’t straying too far from the softball field for now.
With her lucky socks on her feet (she wears them to every game and practice) and a quickly approaching off-season regimen standing between her and the season ahead, she takes the leader’s approach toward the new horizon.
“I don’t expect us to win every game,” she said. “But, if you’re going to be here, let’s put in the work, let’s show up and yes, we will start winning.”
Wranglers freshman Finley Morris takes aim at the looming off-season in preparation for a stellar sophomore season. COURTESY PHOTO
Legacy Ranch catcher Finley Morris has answered the call to lead, the result of a tough inaugural season. COURTESY PHOTO
Defining the standard
Wranglers baseball program fits the mold well, rises to the occasion
BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER
Every team or organization has a standard. Somewhere in the origin story lies the phrase or slogan that meant something – to someone – at some point. It’s on every business card and in every conference room, but it’s meaning escapes the minds of most who toil away, day after day.
The ‘standard’ becomes a bar that, although it was once set high, now sits in a janitorial closet somewhere, simply because that standard – the so-called driving force behind the organization – has failed to have been defined, resulting in high expectations without the proper direction to meet them.
The Legacy Ranch baseball program, being in its inaugural season, has arrived with crystal clear expectations from the district, the community, and above all else – its players. Starting with nothing other than a blank slate, the blueprint has begun to take shape and its benchmark is the team standard – defined.
Wranglers head coach Emery Atkisson is
no stranger to building winning teams.
After years of continued success at Salado, he and his family were drawn to the Liberty Hill community and didn’t hesitate at the chance to call it home once that opportunity arrived. In terms of Atkisson and his family, the lure of the community was the caliber of its people and the focus on its youth, making it a great fit in terms of raising their children. But Atkisson saw another luring quality, rampant throughout – this place was a breeding ground for champions.
“I think our players, having been raised in the culture of Liberty Hill, the town itself, the people, the community, the support that athletics has received throughout the years – I mean, it’s almost second nature to these guys,” said Atkisson.
When it comes to the general feeling of getting to build a baseball program from the ground up, let alone in a school where similar opportunities exist and the experience so far this season, it seemed as if the dust was only starting to settle.
“I think it’s just surreal,” said Atkisson. “To be in an incredible community with
great kids, creating something that’s going to last longer than all of us – all we’re trying to do is create a culture where kids compete in every arena, building champions in academics, character and community and I think we’ve done that.”
Atkisson went on to talk about his players – a group of freshmen that might not yet realize just how special this opportunity is but might not necessarily need to, either. In their eyes, whether in a first-year program or a perennial powerhouse, they came to compete with the best of them and win.
“We’ve planted the seed,” he said. “We’ve matured them from day one to where we are now as a baseball program – it’s night and day. We’ve got an incredible group of kids and that’s half the battle right there. They’ve done an outstanding job of putting the team first.”
The sea of Purple-and-Gold continues to welcome Columbia Blue-and-Navy to its palette – “welcome” being the key word.
For the Liberty Hill Independent School District, as well as the community, Legacy Ranch has seemed to fall right in line with the culture that has defined this place for so many decades.
“I think the district has done an incredible job of making sure that we understand that, even though we’re two high schools, we’re still one district and the expectations across the board are the same,” Atkisson said. “I think that our administrative team has done a great job of pushing us as coaches and teachers to be the best that we can
be.”
Though a lack of direction and misguided expectations may be prevalent amongst some organizations, LHISD isn’t one of them. From day one, the expectations have been clear and Atkisson has risen to the challenge.
“If we’re told to build champions and build a championship team, we’re going to do that,” he said. “And I think our players have bought into it, I think our coaches have bought into it, our faculty and staff have bought into it and that’s why this year has been so special.”
As for what lies ahead for this program, as it marches toward the varsity stage, Atkisson and his players have their sites set on victory, but with a keen eye on the bigger picture.
“We try to relay to them all the time that it’s not about ‘us’,” he said. “In 20 years, when people are talking about Legacy Ranch baseball and asking why they are the way the way they are, it’s because the Class of ’28 made sure to set it up that way.”
There will be many opportunities and challenges alike in the coming seasons, but the path is clear, thanks to the clear expectations and a path that has been cleared by definition.
“Our slogan is ‘Standard,’” he said. “I hear coaches all the time use the word ‘standard’ in whatever capacity. Well, we decided to define what that standard is to us and we’ve defined it as ‘Do the best you can - in all you do – all the time.’”
Wranglers head coach Emery Atkisson has laid the groundwork for a champion team and a legacy of winning. COURTESY PHOTO
The Legacy Ranch baseball team has offered a promising start to the year-one program with a winning season under its belt. COURTESY PHOTO
Nearby Oatmeal dates back to mid-1800s
BY JAMES WEAR COLUMNIST
Newcomers to the Liberty Hill area are likely discovering something new every day about the history of the Shin Oak Ridge area they’re now calling home and may be surprised the area’s communities first a racted se lers back in the mid-1800s. One such community is Oatmeal, which is located a few miles west of Bertram on FM 243. By 1978, Oatmeal had been forgo en by many, including the state of Texas, which failed to include the community on its official state map.
Legend has it that the omission angered many and led to the creation of the Oatmeal Festival, which has since grown to be among the most popular small-town festivals in the state.
Held annually in September, the event draws thousands to the Bertram-Oatmeal area with proceeds benefiting many civic projects over the years.
Historians say Oatmeal is the second oldest community in Burnet County and according to the Texas State Historical Association, “a German family reportedly named Habermill came into the area in 1849 and spent a season or two in the vicinity of the headspring of the stream now known as Oatmeal Creek. The town name is either an alteration of the name of a Mr. Othneil, who owned the first gristmill in the area, or a supposed translation of the name Habermill (Haber is a German dialect word for Hafer, ‘oats’).”
That account slightly differs from an uncredited article I came across in the Aug. 12, 1976, issue of The Libertarian that claimed a family by the name of Oatmeal se led in the area for a couple of years before leaving for parts unknown. Some years later, the article noted that heirs returned to the area and a empted to lay claim to the land.
Historians say John R. Sco , who would later become Burnet County’s first county judge, was among the first permanent settlers in the area.
Judge Sco is said to have set out the first orchard in Burnet County and his grandson, George, is said to have been the first white child born in the county. Judge Sco is also among those to have served as postmaster for the Oatmeal Post Office, which was established on Dec. 13, 1853 and is also credited with having the first and perhaps only, cheese factory to ever operate in Burnet County. It is said to have been located in the rear of his home.
But Judge Sco , who had become wealthy in the California gold rush before coming to Texas, would meet an untimely death at the hands of what historians describe as Confederate bushwhackers.
Sco , who had been born in New York and raised in New Jersey, had pro-Union sentiments during the Civil War, even though it is said he had four sons serving with the Confederate Army and he himself was providing the Confederates with supplies. His life was threatened and friends suggested he flee to Mexico.
Saying farewell to his family, he headed out and was joined by another Union sympathizer identified as Mr. McMasters. The two were ambushed between Smithwick and Marble Falls with McMasters robbed and hung while Judge Sco was shot and relieved of the $2,000 he was carrying. The men’s bodies were thrown into Dead Man’s Hole and remained there until a few years a er the Civil War ended.
The Civil War also impacted the Oatmeal community in other ways.
A er the war ended, it is said a group of former slaves se led the area on the eastern side of the se lement with each family having a small farm. A building was erected that served both as a church and school and the
for
only all Black cemetery in Burnet County was established. The se lement has long since disappeared.
Historians say the first Oatmeal school was built in 1858. The one-room schoolhouse was located in a lush pasture and legend has it that a few patrons found it necessary to tie a heavy wash pot to an ox and create trails so children could find their way to the door.
By 1869, growth in the community led to the building of another school.
Tom Woodward, said to be a master stone mason, was hired to build it and was paid $65 and a shotgun for his efforts. The building remains today, having been marked with
for
a State Historical Marker back in 1968. It is said that between 1858 and 1948, the year that Oatmeal consolidated its school district with Bertram, that more than 100 teachers had taught in Oatmeal schools.
Oatmeal was also given some consideration as being the location of the Burnet County courthouse seat and it is said a er the county was created in 1852 a fierce political ba le raged over the location – with Hamilton, now known as Burnet, emerging as the choice.
Also located in Oatmeal is the Oatmeal Cemetery, with Judge Sco ’s married daughter, Mary Holland, being the first person buried there.
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Dead Man’s Hole is where one of Oatmeal’s early settlers, Judge John Scott, is said to have met his demise. To visit the historical location, follow U.S. Highway 281 past Marble Falls to FM 2147 and go east (left). Take your first street on the right which will be CR 401/Shovel Mountain Road (it will be about 1/2 mile down). Follow CR 401 for almost a mile and the dirt road turn
it will be on the right (look
the sign). Follow the short dirt road and the hole will be at the end. COURTESY PHOTO
Emily Joyce Burden Stohler Adney
Oct. 24, 1952 – April 22, 2025
Emily Joyce Burden Stohler Adney, 72, of Burnet, Texas, died on April 22, 2025. She was born on October 24th, 1952, in Raymondville, Texas, to William Grady Burden and Joyce Gaynelle Boone Burden. Her early childhood was spent in San Perlita, where her father was appointed superintendent of schools, the youngest in the state at that time, then Banquete, then Raymondville, where she had wonderful childhood memories of growing up with her brother Bill and her girlfriends, who adored coming to her house with its warmth and hospitality. She participated in many high school activities and emerged as a natural leader, graduating as the student council president, accumulating many awards and honors. Emily started college at Sam Houston State University then
June 26, 1938 – April 11, 2025
Joy Glendean Gilmore, 86, passed away April 11, 2025 peacefully in her sleep. Joy was born in Liberty Hill, TX June 26, 1938 To Buck and Lorene Glosson. Sister Vern Wright and
transferred to the University of Houston, where she graduated at twenty years old in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Summa Cum Laude. Her next degree was earned by commuting 72 miles for five years (as a full-time teaching single mom) to receive her Master of Education from Texas State University in 1991, being named Outstanding Graduate Student for the School of Education.
Emily married Bill Stohler, who played football for the University of Houston, in 1971 and after graduation they moved to South Padre Island, where Bill began his hotel management career, then to the Historic Village Towne of Smithville, New Jersey, to work for ABC Television, Bill as resort manager and Emily as public relations director for the resort. Their son Billy was born in Somers Point, NJ in 1976. They later moved back to Alvin, TX, where they built and owned two restaurants, and where Rebecca was born in 1978. Then the family relocated to Liberty Hill, where the kids made memories including cheerleading, sports, horseback riding and fishing right in the neighborhood. It was a charmed childhood.
Emily married Kenneth Adney in 1993 and lived in Liberty Hill, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, Spicewood and Burnet, building and selling houses as they went.
Emily’s diverse educational work experience included the positions as elementary teacher, Certified Academic Language Therapist, District Reading Coordinator, System Curriculum Director, and Assistant School
Superintendent for the Liberty Hill school system. Later, Emily, representing the Texas Education Agency, was proud of travelling extensively to central Texas area school districts, instructing teachers on evaluation procedures. After retirement, Emily became an adjunct professor at Texas State University, supervising classroom student teachers’ training for education graduates, encompassing six school districts in the Austin area. She also supervised classroom teacher training as a consultant for Texas A&M University. Emily was the epitome of an “outgoing personality”. A typical story is that, as a fiveyear-old on her first day of school, her teacher sent a note home to her mother, saying she had to ask Emily to stop talking and get down off her desk. Emily’s beautiful, confident smile and informal manner instantly put an individual or a large group comfortably at ease. Her dynamic personality was evident from her leadership roles in high school and throughout her career as an educator, administrator and adjunct professor. She was the light switch that turned on the party. She constantly cultivated and nourished her friendships, of which she had an abundance. She refused to allow late-in-life medical issues to dampen her love of life, spending time with her neighbor friends Jan, Diane, Martha and MaryAnn. Emily’s faith was a great support in her battle with health issues. Emily was a member of Cross Tracks Church, a United Methodist Church in Liberty Hill. Pastor Michelle Lott provided much-appreciated Christian support and guidance and
Joy Gilmore
brother James Glosson, along with son Gilbert Gilmore preceded her in leaving this life.
Joy loved the Lord and lived a life for Him from an early childhood. By the time she turned 21 she had 3 sons. Her life revolved around the Lord, her family, and friends. She instilled in her sons how to pray and how to live for Christ.
Many times the car radio was off and she sang hymns and choruses as we travelled. She instilled in her sons the importance of being respectful, of how to treat ladies, how to keep a home clean and tidy. But she also taught her three sons how to have fun; sleeping in the yard, nights on Galveston beach, catching fireflies, and how to live a great life.
Joy worked for the US Postal Service. She began her career in the old downtown Austin Post Office sorting letters. Her career took off when she earned a promotion to supervisor for Joe Wiley in Cedar Park. She took advan-
tage of this opportunity and began a climb up the management ladder. She achieved her goal of being the Postmaster in her hometown: Liberty Hill.
She cherished this position and brought to it a personal touch. The Liberty Hill Post Office became a place where you could find out who was sick, who was getting married, who had passed away. It was not only a place for mail but a connection point for the community.In retirement Joy used the free time to interact with grandkids and family. She kept busy.
When Grace Alive church came into existence, she jumped on board with a commitment, a heart, a burning desire to see God’s kingdom grow. You better not say anything bad about her pastor, Pastor Dawn Slack. She knew God put her there and that is all mom needed to know!!!! She worked with kids, a special place in her heart, but also wherever God saw fit to call her to.
was dearly loved by Emily. When Michelle was transferred, Rev. Dr. Brad King became a dear friend, who visited almost weekly. Emily was preceded in death by her father, William Burden and her mother, Joyce Burden.
Emily is survived by her husband, Kenneth Adney, her children, Billy Stohler and Rebecca Wedel, son-in-law Derek Wedel, granddaughter Jasmine and her husband Joel Cruz, great-granddaughter Leia Joyce Cruz, grandson Jesse Cruz, and stepsons Will Adney, his daughters Katarina and Milena, and Marek Adney and his children Calista, Sadera, Odin, Freya and Thora. Minh Nguyen and her son Beau are special to Emily like a daughter-in-law and her child would be. Emily is also survived by her brother, Bill Burden and wife Lori, and their daughters, Jamie and husband Josh Moser and children Brooks and Dusty, Jennifer and husband Parker Bailey and daughter Hazel, and Julie and her husband Wayne Svetlik. Also surviving are Ken’s brothers, Terry Adney and wife Dana and Wesley Adney and wife Linda, and sister Gail Kathleen Acord.
Emily found great comfort through all 25,000 who visited her Caring Bridge site. A Celebration of Life was held at Cross Tracks Church in Liberty Hill at 10 a.m. on April 28, 2025, followed by a private family graveside ceremony at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Fredericksburg, and a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bill Burden Elementary School Library, 315 Stonewall Pkwy., Liberty Hill, TX 78642.
Sadly the later part of her years were spent in the agony of Alzheimer’s disease. While at Bertram Nursing & Rehab she earned the nickname Joy Joy. Elena and the staff took care of mom and loved on her so much. For that we are so grateful. The disease robbed of her memory, but put on gospel music and mom’s eyes would light up. Jesus was reaching the inner part of her soul and she could feel His love.
Joy is survived by her sister Jane Allman, sons Travis and Billy (wife Cindy), daughterin-law Denise Armstrong-Gilmore, grafted in daughter Michelle McMurry, numerous grandkids and great-grandkids.Joy’s favorite verse: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40.31. A celebration of life was held April 24, 2025 at 6 p.m. at Church of Glad Tidings in Liberty Hill.
EVENTS CALENDAR
May 3
CINCO DE MAYO
Fire Oak Distillery
4600 CR-207, Liberty Hill 1-6 p.m. www.facebook.com/ events/646682878122065
BOB WILLS’ TEXAS PLAYBOYS
Globe Theatre
132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8-10 p.m., $35-$300 globetheatretx.com
May 9
CHRISTIAN FAMILY BARN DANCE
Williamson County Cowboy Church 8111 FM 1869, Liberty Hill 6:30-10 p.m. familydanceclub.org
THE DECADES
The Vineyard at Florence 111 Via Francesco Way, Florence 6-9 p.m. thevineyardatflorence.com
May 10
SPRING CITY CLEANUP
Liberty Hill Municipal Court 2801 FM 1869, Liberty Hill
8 a.m.-12 p.m. experiencelhtx.com
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Williamson County Master Gardener Jarrell Community Library 113 Limestone Terrace, Jarrell 10-11a.m. txmg.org/williamson
DOWNTOWN DAY
Forrest Coffee House 103 Forrest St., Liberty Hill 3-5 p.m. www.facebook.com/ events/1181833643318294
SECOND SATURDAY SUNSET MARKET
The Market LHTX
Main St. & Myrtle St., Liberty Hill 4-8 p.m. themarketlhtx.com
May 12
TOMATOES: KNOW BEFORE YOU GROW
Williamson County Master Gardener 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown (Georgetown Annex) 6:45-8 p.m. txmg.org/williamson
May 13
2ND TUESDAYS ENTREPRENEUR NETWORKING
Forrest Coffee House
103 Forrest St., Liberty Hill
8:30-11 a.m. www.facebook.com/even ts/1192143531844194/1192143565177 524/
May 15
LIBERTY HILL FAIR & RODEO
Harvest Ranch Arena
8355 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
5-10 p.m. libertyhillprorodeo.com
May 16
LIBERTY HILL FAIR & RODEO
Harvest Ranch Arena
8355 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 5-10 p.m. libertyhillprorodeo.com
May 17
1ST ANNUAL CAR SHOW PRESENTED BY GOLDEN SPURS BOOSTERS Legacy Ranch High School
450 CR 258, Liberty Hill
9 a.m.-12 p.m. www.facebook.com/ events/677805778022836
LIBERTY HILL FAIR & RODEO
Harvest Ranch Arena 8355 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 5-10 p.m. libertyhillprorodeo.com
WHIMSY & WONDER
Downtown Liberty Hill
6-10 p.m. experiencelhtx.com
May 21
TRIVIA NIGHT
Liberty Hill Beer Market
13851 SH 29, Liberty Hill
7-9 p.m. lhbeermarket.com
Texas Playboys
May 23
CLASS OF 2025 GRADUATION
Liberty Hill High School 16500 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 8 p.m.
May 24
CAR SHOW & VENDOR MARKET
The Market LHTX
Liberty Hill Middle School 13125 SH 29, Liberty Hill 10 a.m.-2 p.m. themarketlhtx.com
May 25
AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY Globe Theatre
132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8-10 p.m., $45-$400 globetheatretx.com
May 27
NAME THAT TUNE BINGO Liberty Tavern
3010 RR 1869, Liberty Hill
7-9 p.m. libertytavern.co
May 27
OPEN MIC NIGHT
Agape BBQ
3610 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6 p.m. agapebbq.com
May 31
SATURDAY UNDER THE OAKS WITH THE STEEL BELTS
Agape BBQ
3610 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 6:30 p.m. agapebbq.com
RADNEY FOSTER
Globe Theatre
132 W. Vaughan St., Bertram 8-10 p.m., $25-$300 globetheatretx.com
Whimsy & Wonder
Bob Wills’
Liberty Hill Fair & Rodeo
