texasgadgetcompany.com
Dripping Springs’ premier fine jeweler offering hand-selected diamonds, custom creations, and heirloom worthy pieces. We bring luxury, artistry, and heartfelt service to our community and beyond. DIAMONDS | GEMSTONES | BRIDAL | PEARLS | DESIGNER JEWELRY | CUSTOM DESIGNS
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Text: 214-813-4250 | Call: 512-829-4186
Danyale Keim Design brings fearlessness and practicality to luxury home interior design.
From redlining floor plans to collaborating seamlessly with builders, architects, and trusted vendors, DKD guides every decision— from roofing materials to cabinet finishes. With 16 years of hands-on experience, we cut through the chaos so you can focus on loving the result.
A rare offering of 86 homesites in a gated community, thoughtfully crafted on the banks of Barton Creek and among the treasured landscape of the Texas Hill Country.
Led by Lara Dudek, MD, Board Certified Ophthalmologist, we’re proud to welcome Dr. Marilyn Kelinske, MD and Dr. Christina Payne, OD to our team.
From Dripping Springs to the Greater Austin area, we’re expanding access to advanced eye care, while staying grounded in the personal approach our patients trust.
Everything you ever wanted to know about parapets. Starting with, “what’s a parapet?”
ĒSO is an Austin-based, woman-led architecture design studio that believes that great design starts with clarity, collaboration and trust. We take the time to explain the why behind every decision, balancing ambition with reality to translate technical details into plain language and practical choices. Because even the loftiest of dream projects needs to be rooted in reality. Our open, transparent process gives you the space to find your space. How many stories is your story? Let’s find out.
Built for gathering. Crafted for living. Custom outdoor kitchens by Alkire Construction ensure your backyard becomes the best room in the house.
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Highest quality craft beer, handcrafted deep in the heart of Texas. Our tasting room is open daily and also offers local wine and a food truck. Now offering Turcotte Deli & Butcher food truck.
G o A n y w h e r e . E n j o y E v e r y t h i n g .
Digestive care designed to keep up with your life—at home and beyond.
Don’t let digestive discomfort or unanswered questions get in the way of new destinations, great meals, and time well spent this summer.
With an office in Dripping Springs since 2018, Austin Gastroenterology brings a more refined approach to GI and liver care combining advanced technology with highly personalized treatment. From preventive screenings to specialized procedures, our board-certified physicians deliver expert care with clarity, discretion, and confidence, so you can feel your best wherever life takes you.
Tumbling, ninja, events and full day summer camps available
Rise, fight and win with the only Division 1 All Star Competitive Cheer program in Dripping Springs! Teams available for all ages. Summer skills clinics also available.
This letter to my mom has been written over many years. I hope it might inspire men to honor their mothers and raise children who never take them for granted.
Mom,
I was 30 when you left us—still unprepared to understand what I had in you. You fought for 18 months, and even then I failed to show up the way a son should. I had time to sit with you longer, listen more closely, thank you more sincerely … and I neglected you.
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry for the dinners I didn’t take you to, the walks we never went on, the conversations I rushed. I’m sorry for treating your presence like something less than a blessing from God. I’m sorry for the weight of my mistakes that you carried. You didn’t deserve it.
You always told me I had a good heart. I doubted that, and I didn’t live like it. You told me to trust God, no matter the circumstance. You lived that truth, especially when it was hardest.
I wasn’t a gentleman when you were here. I still had growing up to do, and I didn’t do it in time. But your lessons didn’t die when you left this world. They followed me into every moment that mattered afterward.
For you, I continue to strive to be a better husband, more present father, more thoughtful brother and uncle, a neighbor who shows up, and a man of faith who tries—every day—to trust God the way you did.
Raising our three boys has been my greatest responsibility and my deepest reminder of what I lost. I tell them about you—not just who you were, but how you loved. I push them to never take their mother for granted: Sit at the table, go on the walk, have the conversations, be available. It feels like a small way of ensuring your absence teaches something powerful.
My regrets still run deep. They soften over time, but they still find me. I’ve had to learn to give myself grace without forgetting the lesson.
If I could sit with you one more time, I’d listen. I’d thank you. I’d tell you that you were right about me—that underneath it all, there was a good heart. You just saw it before I did. I hope, somehow, you can see me now. Still learning. Still trying. Still your “Willito.”
Thank you, Mom.
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Will Rivera | will.rivera@citylifestyle.com
CO-PUBLISHER
Karen Rivera | karen.rivera@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Whitnie Strauss | whitnie.strauss@citylifestyle.com
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INTERN Leia Grenat
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Stacy Berg, Sophia Erskine, Jimmy Fedorkevich, Jesse Hardy, Shannon Holzwarth, Rob Jacob, Sarah Lambie, Kristi Sellers, Shannon Shea, Christina Thompson, Chae Tracy, D.C.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Isabella Aldrete, Stacy Berg, Summer Miles, Claire Mulkey, Georges Schemagin, Nicholas Vedros
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
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CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
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Hours: Monday - Wednesday 8-5, Thursday 8-3, Friday Appointment Only
1: Dripping Springs Independent School District hosts record-breaking teacher fair 2: Dripping Springs Independent School District breaks ground on a second high school 3: Walnut Springs Elementary School students shine at Field Day 4: WillPower Celebrates first Bingo & Big Hearts event 5: The Eberly Team enjoys Oakwood Public Market's Soda Shop 6: Patriots' Hall of Dripping Springs receives Texas DAR Service Award 7: Hope Full Farm Texas raises $235,000 at Junior Chef Challenge
The Hrabovsky Team at Rate Advantage is dedicated to making home financing simple, transparent, and tailored to each client’s needs. With 20+ years of experience and a commitment to exceptional service, our team guides home buyers, homeowners, and real estate professionals through every step of the mortgage process. Whether you're purchasing your first home, refinancing, tapping into home equity, custom building or investing in real estate, we offer a wide range of loan solutions designed to help you achieve your goals.
We take pride in our personalized approach, ensuring that every borrower receives expert advice, competitive loan options, and a seamless experience from application to closing. Our team specializes in a variety of loan programs, including Conventional, FHA, VA, Jumbo, Dr Loans, and innovative Non-QM products such as bank statement, asset based, PNL Only and stated income loans By combining industry expertise with a client-first mindset, The Hrabovsky Team at Rate Advantage is here to help you finance your future with confidence.
On May 23, Twisted X Brewing Company celebrated 15 years of craft beer with a full day of festivities, live music, and the release of its newest brew, Fuego Jalapeño Pilsner. Cheers to 15 years of community, creativity, and great beer in Dripping Springs! TwistedXBrewing.com
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A new boutique has arrived in Dripping Springs. Ritzy Rexann, founded in 2025, brings vintage western flair with modern feminine style. Located just off Highway 290, the shop offers apparel for women, men, babies, toddlers, and seasonal favorites. RitzyRexann.com
The Switch BBQ in Belterra Village is now booking private events and receptions. Its private dining room is ideal for celebrations, gatherings, and special occasions. Catering is also available for off-site events at your chosen destination. Email catering@stilesswitchbbq.com for details. TheSwitchDripping.com
+ BUILD
Teaching Others to Find Their Voice Through Music
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABELLA
I was 4 when I begged my parents to buy a piano. It was my earliest childhood memory. I remember the day my dad brought home an old brown upright that he later refinished. The piano keys felt big when I put my hands on them, but it also felt that they belonged.
Fast forward a month or two and I was getting my knuckles rapped by an old German piano teacher every Monday at 7 a.m. before school started. I don’t remember that it hurt, but I do remember that I enjoyed it. I don’t know if it was more about the music or the fact that I was doing something I was good at, or both.
Lessons continued until I was 18, but it didn’t stop at piano. Later came the violin, trumpet, guitar, accordion, organ, and pedal steel guitar. My parents were more than willing to let me take lessons on whatever I wanted, as they saw potential in me. Their lofty goal was for me to play in church, which I did at the age of 7. The congregation couldn’t see me above the upright piano, so they thought it was playing itself.
For me, music was a means to communicate in another language, a way to translate the sounds I heard in my head to my hands, and if we’re digging deep, it was another way to bring attention to myself despite being an introvert.
In fact, I was so introverted that I pretended I was tone deaf until I was 19 so I wouldn’t have to sing. However, one pastor who believed in me and my gifts practically made it mandatory for me to sing. This experience, along with my 25 years of performance, my degree in K-12 music education, plus
“Imagine hearing a song on the radio and learning how to play and sing it, or, better yet, write your own song. The pursuit is a worthwhile journey regardless of age.”
my empathy, made me realize the importance of instilling in students not just musicality but also the acceptance of stage fright, the importance of stage presence, and the tools to overcome their nerves as their confidence builds.
To me, music isn’t just about the music. Every child is different, so you have to teach differently. My job is to find a way to communicate with them and, no matter what else is going on in their lives, instill in them confidence while having fun. Sometimes it’s not about the music. I teach the child first and then the instrument.
Adults are no exception. I have students from age 5 to 65. It’s never too late to start or relearn an instrument. You might not become a rock star, but you can romance your partner or create wonderful family traditions that bring comfort and joy during special occasions.
Imagine hearing a song on the radio and learning how to play and sing it, or, better yet, write your own song. The pursuit is a worthwhile journey regardless of age. I’ve run into too many adults who wish they had kept taking music lessons. It’s not too late to continue your journey.
Music is easy to listen to and it really doesn’t take much to play or sing it yourself. Really! Besides that, music is therapeutic. By using rhythm and melody to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, alleviate pain, and improve mood, music can be healing. I’m sure it’s helped many of you when you were down or when you needed a boost with a killer workout. Sitting down at a piano or picking up a guitar and being able to play your favorite song either for yourself or for others is a gift everyone possesses. Music isn’t that hard.
For more information on learning piano, voice, or guitar—or for help with stage presence or media coaching—email info@thefeddhouse.com or visit us online.
TheFeddHouse.com | 512.969.8211
“I have students from age 5 to 65. It’s never too late to start or relearn an instrument.”
The world rarely slows down, but home should. A place where life moves with intention and purpose. We believe your home shouldn't just complement that rhythm—it should feel like a natural extension of the way you live.
With a holistic approach to custom construction, Strong Roots partners with you to create spaces that feel grounded, thoughtful, and built to last for generations to come.
Let’s build what matters.
buildwithstrongroots.com | 512-766-9099
“WHEN PEOPLE TAKE AND IMPLEMENT THESE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES, IT NOT ONLY MAKES THEM BETTER, BUT THEY MAKE EVERYONE AROUND THEM BETTER AS WELL.” LEIF BABIN
Over a 13-year career in the U.S. Navy—including nine years as a Navy SEAL—Leif Babin earned the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and a Purple Heart for his service, which included leading major combat operations as a platoon commander in Iraq during the Battle of Ramadi in 2006. In this humbling, high-stakes role, Babin learned what it takes to lead others effectively under pressure, a focus that would become his life’s work.
FORMER NAVY SEAL LEIF BABIN REFRAMES LEADERSHIP AT HOME, AT WORK, AND IN THE COMMUNITY
After leaving active duty, Babin had planned to attend law school. But August 6, 2011 marked the largest single-incident loss of life in the 20-year Afghanistan war and in SEAL history. Several of his personal friends and teammates were lost that day, including Chief Petty Officer Brian Bill, who had attended Babin’s wedding just one month earlier.
That tragedy was a wake-up call for Babin. “It was a stark reminder that life is short, and you can’t waste a day of it,” he reflects. “To me, the best job in the world was being a SEAL platoon commander. But the second-best job was teaching leadership.”
For two years, Babin had taught a leadership course required for every junior officer graduating from the SEAL training pipeline, reshaping SEAL leadership instruction based on his hard-earned combat experience.
This gave Babin a deeper understanding of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to leadership. After he left the Navy, he recognized that the most meaningful way to carry those lessons forward was to teach leadership to others.
His commitment to developing leaders then took on a new form when he reunited with his SEAL teammate and former Task Unit Commander Jocko Willink. Together, they founded Echelon Front, a leadership development and consulting firm built on the principles they had learned on the battlefield.
Now, across industries around the world—from global corporations to startups, nonprofits, educators, first responders, and more—Echelon Front shares lessons aimed to help people become better leaders in every capacity. “When people take and implement these leadership principles, it not only makes them better, but they make everyone around them better as well,” Babin says. “They become a better parent, a better spouse, a better leader in the workplace, and a better leader in their community.”
One of the key leadership principles Babin teaches is “extreme ownership,” which emphasizes that leaders must take full responsibility for their failures and successes, refusing to blame others and implementing solutions to solve problems and drive greater performance.
“Extreme ownership means that there is no one else to blame. There are no excuses. You have to own everything in your world, everything that impacts your mission,” Babin explains. “That is a simple concept, but it is extremely difficult to apply in real life.”
“THE
Along with Jocko Willink, Leif Babin co-authored the number-one New York Times bestseller Extreme Ownership, which introduces the core concept that a leader is responsible for everything within their sphere. Its sequel, The Dichotomy of Leadership, also a bestseller, explores the careful balance leaders must strike, such as being disciplined but not rigid. Echelon Front provides leadership training and development through in-person and online programs, events like the Extreme Ownership Muster, experiential learning such as Field Training Exercise (FTX), and customized programs and strategic advising for organizations and individuals seeking to build high-performance teams and achieve personal growth.
Those real-life applications extend well beyond combat. In Babin’s family, leadership is by example and through teamwork. With his three children, he has found ownership is contagious. “You can’t control anybody else; you can only control you,” Babin says. “If you want others to take ownership, you take ownership. Then, you get a team of people that are solving problems and working together to accomplish the goal.”
For Babin, that kind of leadership at home is more important now than ever. “Hollywood in recent years does not often celebrate men that exhibit strength … that protect and provide for their families, that protect their communities,” he says. In a time when strong male role models in pop culture can be difficult to find, he believes the home provides an opportunity to model these principles, with strong families offering the examples that help shape future leaders.
In turn, these individuals have the power to influence entire communities.
“I think that if I could pass one lesson on to the men of our community, it’s that humility is the most important quality in a leader,” Babin says. “Rather than having all the answers or issuing constant instructions, the best leaders are humble, listen to others, keep an open-mind, and empower others to lead.”
That humility is evident in a leader’s ability to both give and receive direction.
“To be a good leader, you also have to be a good follower,” Babin explains. Effective
leaders must be ready to step up and take charge when needed but also be willing to follow others on the team when they have a good idea—even those who are junior to them—as well as support the leaders above them in the chain of command.
With that balance, leaders must set goals and give others ownership of the outcome, creating trust and accountability. Instead of dictating the plan, Babin recommends asking the team, “Here’s the goal—how do you want to accomplish it?”
In fact, Babin notes that some of his most successful SEAL operations required very little direction from him. “In the combat operations that I’m most proud of, I didn’t have to say anything because I had a team of leaders at every level that understood what the goal was,” he says. “And when you’ve got leaders that are solving problems and making things happen, overcoming obstacles, and moving toward the goal, that’s a team that can run circles around every other team.”
It’s this kind of quiet, tightly connected team—built on ownership, humility, and trust—that Babin envisions for the men of Dripping Springs: “The best leaders are confident enough to let others lead. You want to be the silent leader that doesn’t have to bark orders at people because the team knows what to do,” he says. “You want to be the leader that empowers your family, your team at work, and others in your community to step up and lead.”
EchelonFront.com | @echelonfront
From Special Forces to the Hill Country: Two Veterans Bring Hard-Earned Expertise to Hog Heaven
At Hog Heaven Sporting Club, strength isn’t just measured in marksmanship—it’s reflected in character, service, and a deep sense of responsibility. Leading that example on and off the range are general manager and instructor Adam McCaw and senior instructor Casey Duran.
Both McCaw and Casey share a common foundation as former U.S. Army Green Berets, yet their paths to Hog Heaven are as distinct as the men themselves. Their stories now converge on 120 acres outside Dripping Springs, where they pour decades of hard-earned experience into building confident, capable citizens.
Before he ever stepped onto the range at Hog Heaven, McCaw spent years behind both a rifle and a camera. He deployed four times as an infantryman and later as a Green Beret, serving in some of the world’s most demanding environments. As a photojournalist, he went on to cover the refugee crisis in Berlin, embedded with militia groups in Iraq, and lived with the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes in Montana.
That blend of service and storytelling now informs the way he leads and teaches. McCaw brings a calm, observant presence to the range—focused on giving members training that is honest, real-world, and deeply respectful of the responsibility that comes with carrying a firearm.
Duran’s journey began in Garden Grove, California, and led to a 20-year career in Army Special Forces before his retirement in 2025. Ask Duran who he is, and he’ll start with family: “I’m first and foremost a husband and dad before I ever consider myself an ‘operator.’ I live my life to work as hard as I can for my family so we can play hard.” That mindset shapes everything from the way he runs a class to how he talks about risk, responsibility, and readiness.
After leaving the military and moving from Colorado to Texas, Duran joined Hog Heaven as a senior pistol and carbine instructor. “My career was built on the emphasis of special operations, but my true passion lies in mentorship,” he shares. He spent years honing the capabilities of top-tier operators, but today, he says he finds “even deeper purpose in bringing a similar level of knowledge to dads, moms, protectors, Americans.” Providing people with the training to protect and defend what they love most, he adds, “is more than a job; it is the most rewarding application of what I’ve achieved in my wild life.” And when he’s off the clock, he keeps it simple: “I also love to sit with tequila on a body of water just being an absolute bum.”
Together, McCaw and Duran embody what Hog Heaven strives to offer: elite-level experience grounded in humility, family, and a genuine desire to serve others. For both men, the mission didn’t end with the military—it just found a new home.
HogHeaven.com | @hogheavensporting
WITH A FOCUS ON DIGESTIVE HEALTH, AUSTIN GASTROENTEROLOGY HELPS DRIPPING SPRINGS PATIENTS FEEL BETTER FROM THE INSIDE OUT
In a city where mornings can start with a green juice and end with tacos under the stars, wellness in Austin is about balance. It’s a place that celebrates living fully, and that includes food and conversation. Lately, those conversations include something once overlooked: gut health.
At Austin Gastroenterology, that balance between lifestyle and wellness is at the heart of everything they do. Home to a large network of specialists, the practice serves patients across the Austin area with a wide range of digestive care.
At the Dripping Springs location of Austin Gastroenterology, David Kim, M.D., and Adam Hafemeister, M.D., take an approach that reflects a broader shift in how we think about health. “We practice compassionate, patient-focused, evidence-based medicine,” says Kim. “We stay up to date with the latest to provide the best care for all our patients.”
In many ways, gut health has become one of the most important, and most talked about, pieces of overall wellness. Often referred to as the body’s “second brain,” the digestive system influences everything from energy levels to mood. When it’s in balance, it tends to go unnoticed. When it’s not, it can quietly affect nearly every part of daily life.
“The gut and brain are in constant contact through a strong connection called the gut-brain axis. When the gut is balanced, you feel better not only in regards to bowel regularity but you’re also more likely to have a better mood, clearer thinking, and better day-to-day energy,” says Hafemeister. “However, when the gut is imbalanced, you not only suffer from digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain and irregular bowels but also frequently experience fatigue, low mood, and even brain fog.”
Everyone can take small steps to ensure optimal gut health: Incorporating larger amounts of fiber, including fresh vegetables and fruits, is a simple way to improve your gut health. “This doesn’t require any special preparation and is a quick and easy way to improve your diet and gut health,” says Kim.
Preventative care plays a critcal role in that awareness. Screenings like colonoscopies are essential tools in maintaining long-term health.
“WE PRACTICE COMPASSIONATE, PATIENT-FOCUSED, EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE.”
- DAVID KIM, M.D.
“WHEN THE GUT IS BALANCED, YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A BETTER MOOD, CLEARER THINKING, AND BETTER DAY-TODAY ENERGY.” -ADAM HAFEMEISTER, M.D.
The staff at Austin Gastroenterology understands that digestive issues can be a sensitive topic and they work hard to ensure all patients feel comfortable.
“We take great pride in our staff’s professionalism and kindness, which is critical as they are a patient’s first point of contact during a visit,” says Hafemeister. “During the visit, I aim to give my patients room to speak and be heard, get all their questions answered, and leave feeling confident and comfortable with a plan that we agree on.”
But beyond screenings and procedures, there’s a deeper conversation happening that connects digestive health to everyday living. Stress, for example, is a major factor. In a fast-moving world, it’s easy to overlook how much tension can impact the body. The gut and brain are closely connected, and finding ways to slow down can make a meaningful difference.
“We focus on improving the community’s awareness of digestive health and providing education about common digestive conditions,” says Hafemeister. “I often will spend time with multiple generations in a family on these topics, as many digestive conditions have a familial component.”
Both physicians are fully committed to providing the very best of care to their patients. “I feel privileged and honored to be in a field where I can not only diagnose and treat problems, but also prevent cancer,” says Kim.
According to Hafemeister, “Seeing sick people get better never gets old. I often meet a patient when they’re not feeling well. I aim to work with them to come up with a plan for diagnostic testing and treatment. If all goes well and we can get them back to enjoying time with friends and family, that’s a win.”
AustinGastro.com | @austingastrotx
THE COMMUNITY TEES UP TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE NEW DRIPPING SPRINGS COMMUNITY LIBRARY
The second annual Birdies & Books Golf Tournament delivered a winning day at Plum Creek Golf Course on March 30.
Presented by Dripping Springs City Lifestyle magazine and made possible by an incredible group of sponsors—including SouthStar Bank, SpawGlass, Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room, Frost, and MPOWER—along with many other generous supporters, the tournament brought the community together for a meaningful cause.
More than 120 golfers teed off in support of the Dripping Springs Community Library (DSCL), raising an impressive $51,000 in proceeds toward the library’s expansion.
“Thanks to the support of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers, our second Birdies & Books Golf Tournament was a great success,” says Mindy Laird, DSCL executive director. “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who came out to play, connect, and support our new library.”
The morning began with breakfast from Ranches At and plenty of energy as golfers mingled with sponsors, explored interactive booths, and eyed an exciting lineup of raffle prizes. After 18 holes, players gathered for a well-deserved lunch from Chick-fil-A Belterra while celebrating tournament and raffle winners.
“Thanks to the support of our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers, our second Birdies & Books Golf Tournament was a great success.”
- Mindy Laird
Organizers credit the day’s success to the enthusiasm and generosity of the entire community, from dedicated sponsors and volunteers to the golfers who showed up ready to have fun and support a great cause.
With momentum building, plans for the new library continue to move forward, fueled by strong community support. In fact, the library was recently voted “Nonprofit of the Year” at the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce Star Awards. “These ongoing fundraising efforts not only sustain the dynamic resources and programming our patrons enjoy today, but also lay a strong foundation for the future as we prepare to open the doors to our new building,” says Laird.
To learn more about the future of the Dripping Springs Community Library or to contribute, visit DSCL.org/future and follow @dscommunitylibrary for more upcoming events.
The Dripping Springs Community Library began 40 years ago in a single classroom at Dripping Springs High School. As community demand grew, residents rallied together to fund and build the current library, which opened in 1998. Today, the library is entering a new chapter with a capital campaign to create a larger, more robust facility designed to serve as a true community hub. The vision is a dynamic space that supports lifelong learning for all ages, from toddlers to seniors.
Thank you to all of the amazing sponsors of the second annual Birdies & Books Golf Tournament:
Ally Medical
Charity Golf International
Chick-fil-A Belterra
Coffman Real Estate
Contour Strategies
Deep Eddy Vodka Tasting Room
Dripping Springs City Lifestyle
Frost Bank
JMT
MPOWER
My Ultimate Garage
Outdoor Jack
Ranches At Dripping Springs
Ranger Window + Door Co
SouthStar Bank
SpawGlass
Texas Gadget Company
THOR Off Road
Transforming Spaces. Elevating Experiences.
ARTICLE BY MELISSA SVOBODA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ISABELLA ALDRETE
In Dripping Springs, the next generation of men is on the rise.
Across this town that values community and hard work, several teenage boys are building businesses the old-fashioned way by showing up, getting their hands dirty, and earning trust one job at a time. What started out as simple ideas—clean a grill, haul some junk, pick up yard work—has turned into something more. Forward-thinking, industrious, and courteous, you might even call these teens gentlemen While teenagers are often cast as disconnected, these young men have stepped up to take on real-life responsibility and hands-on service. Along the way, they’re learning lessons that can be hard to come by these days: how to communicate, manage their time, solve problems, and take pride in a job well done. Here are a few of the young entrepreneurs who are making Drip proud.
A recent graduate of Dripping Springs High School, 18-year-old Colton Hanson wasn’t necessarily looking for a business idea; he was just paying attention. After watching his dad tackle the greasy job of cleaning his outdoor grill, he took note of the transformation—and the time and effort it required. It made him think: How many people actually keep up with this chore? And that sparked the idea for Flame Fresh.
Flame Fresh specializes in deep cleaning grills to restore them to look—and cook—like new. Hanson also offers full outdoor kitchen cleanings, from stainless steel polishing to pressure washing countertops and surrounding areas.
It didn’t take long for Hanson to realize he was onto something. Shortly after launching and spreading the word about Flame Fresh, Hanson was out of town for spring break when his phone started blowing up with calls and texts from potential customers. “That’s when it hit me that this business was working,” he says.
It became even more real when he brought his brother along on a job. Teaching someone else gave him a new perspective. “Seeing him pick it up and learn was really cool, and it made me realize how much I’ve learned myself,” says Hanson. “It also made the whole job more fun and showed me this could grow into something bigger.”
Beyond the technical skills required to restore grimy grills to their bright-and-shiny best, Hanson has also developed an ability to manage his time, communicate clearly, and build trust with people he’s meeting for the first time: “I’ve learned how to make things easy for customers.” @flamefreshtx | 512.806.1380
When 17-year-olds Colton Zahn and Grayson Wehmeyer started seeing social media posts seeking trash hauling and junk removal, they recognized an opportunity. With access to a truck and trailer, they figured they could build a business of their own—and Drip Junkies was born.
Their first big job quickly tested that confidence. What sounded manageable became more than they bargained for: a multi-day project that included demolishing a shed and clearing debris across a sprawling property. By day two, the teens realized they had wildly underestimated the scope, but now they look back on the challenge as a valuable—and amusing—learning experience. “The most memorable part was definitely taking down the shed with a sledge hammer,” they laugh.
They adjusted, recalibrated, and kept going. Within a few weeks, Zahn and Wehmeyer had doubled their workload. Today, Drip Junkies handles everything from full garage cleanouts to hauling off furniture, car parts, trash … “pretty much anything you can think of.”
Running the business has reinforced the value of honest, hard work: “We have learned that a little elbow grease, respect, and good communication can get you a lot further than any book smarts,” they say.
For the two recent DSHS graduates, building Drip Junkies together has been as rewarding as the work itself. “My favorite part of running my own business is getting to do it with a close friend,” says Zahn. They also appreciate the Dripping Springs community, which generally finds them through social media. “Our business relies on the people around us,” they share, “and we are very lucky to be in such an amazing place.”
DripJunkies.com | 512.619.1379
Looking to make some extra money and build a reputation, rising DSHS sophomores Sam Davis and Jack Bogan started with a pressure washing business. When demand was slow, they expanded into yard work and quickly found their footing.
Now, the two friends can often be spotted cruising through their neighborhood in a golf
cart filled with rakes, shovels, and other tools, ready to tackle a wide range of outdoor jobs. DS Yard and Wash offers everything from mowing, weeding, and mulching to pressure washing surfaces and trash cans.
Like any new venture, the work has come with a learning curve. Davis recalls their first mulching job, which ended up being much bigger than they had expected. After three days of grueling work under a hot sun, the larger lesson was clear: “That job taught me how good it feels when hard work pays off,” he says. “Even though it was one of the most challenging jobs I have done, it taught me perseverance and determination.”
As the business grows, Davis and Bogan have learned much more than how to mow a lawn; they’ve gained the real-life experience of planning ahead, managing schedules, communicating with customers, and figuring it out on their own.
While earning some spending money is a clear benefit, it’s not the main takeaway. The deeper satisfaction comes from finishing what they start. Looking back at a particularly long day, Davis remembers, “I didn’t feel good during my last job, but I knew I had to finish it. And once I did, it felt really rewarding.”
MOST GUYS WAIT FOR PAIN, BUT HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD PRIORITIZE YOUR BODY BEFORE IT SHUTS YOU DOWN
ARTICLE
BY SUMMER MILES
Here’s the reality: Most men don’t deal with their health until something forces them to. In 20-plus years of practice, I’ve seen it over and over. Guys grind, push through, take care of business, and ignore their body until it finally says, “enough.”
Back goes out. Energy tanks. Something doesn’t feel right. And then it becomes urgent. But it didn’t start there.
If pain is the only thing that gets your attention, you’re already behind. Pain is the last thing to show up and the first thing to go away.
So if you’re judging your health based on whether something hurts, you’re missing most of what’s going on.
YOUR BODY WAS TALKING—YOU IGNORED IT
Your body gives you warnings long before it breaks down; you’re just not listening.
Before the injury, before the “I just bent over and it went out,” there were signs: Tightness, fatigue, weakness, poor recovery, and low energy are not random. They are symptoms indicating that your system is under stress.
Years of sitting, bad posture, repetitive movement, and skipping recovery all add up. That “one moment” is just when the bill comes due.
“This isn’t just about avoiding injury; it’s about how well you show up—in your work, your home, your life.”
Most guys think they’re fine because they can still push through. But let’s be honest: Are you running at full energy every day? Are you sharp and focused? Are you present with your family? Are you actually performing at your best?
If not, that’s a health problem.
This isn’t just about avoiding injury; it’s about how well you show up—in your work, your home, your life.
Your brain and spinal cord control everything:
movement, energy, recovery, function. If that system isn’t dialed in, nothing else is either.
You can eat clean, take supplements, and work out hard, but if your body isn’t communicating properly, you won’t fully benefit from any of it.
That’s where most guys miss the mark.
Quick fixes and meds can mask the problem. They don’t solve it. If you want real results, you’ve got to address the root. When your system is functioning right, you move better, recover faster, have more energy, and perform at a higher level. That’s the goal.
You take care of your business. You take care of your family. Your health should be no different. Waiting until something breaks isn’t a strategy—it’s a liability.
You can ignore your health for a while, but eventually, it’s going to slow you down— or take you out. And when it does, it affects everything, from your work and family life to your ability to lead. So handle it now.
Stay strong. Stay sharp. Stay in control. Because nobody’s coming to do it for you.
FFChiro.com | @curis.drippingsprings
When Success Isn’t Enough: Coaching Men Toward Clarity and Purpose
You want your life to matter.
That’s it. That’s what lies beneath every decision you’ve made. The career you chose. The family you built. The mortgage you’re carrying. The mornings you get up and do it again. Underneath the ambition and the logistics and the noise, there’s a quieter ask: Let this mean something.
From the outside, the life looks right. Career moving. Family growing. House paid down. But from the inside, something has started to tilt. You look up one day in the middle of it all and you don’t quite recognize the man looking back at you.
You keep moving because stopping feels dangerous. Because if you slow down long enough to ask the question, you might not like the answer. Most men file it under stress, exhaustion, or the cost of being a responsible adult. They keep going.
The culture will keep telling you that strength is having it together. That real men don’t need help.
Don’t believe it.
The alternative is quieter than a crisis. The years pass; the life keeps working on paper; and the man in the mirror stays a stranger.
I coach men (and couples) here in Dripping Springs through exactly this season. I know it because I walked it. I built a life that looked right from the outside and left me a stranger to myself and my family. The men who do the honest work on the other side of that realization are doing the most important work of their lives.
This isn’t a crisis. It’s an invitation.
Your Purpose & Principle-Driven Life 2.0 is built on four pillars: Clarity about who you are and why you’re here; alignment between what you believe and how you live; fitness that builds the capacity to carry it, day after day; and legacy that outlasts you, because your dash (the line between the dates on your headstone) was spent on something that mattered.
CONTINUED >
Clarity names the life. Alignment orders it. Fitness carries it. Legacy is what it leaves behind.
Clarity. Alignment. Fitness. Legacy. The life you were built for, lived on purpose.
Most of the time, this work is quiet. It looks like finally making the therapy appointment you’ve been putting off for three years. It looks like sobriety—removing the thing that was numbing the signal long enough to hear what the noise was covering up. It looks like faith that stops being inherited and starts being chosen. It looks like prayer becoming a conversation instead of a ritual and scripture landing like it was written for you specifically—because it was.
For most men, it’s some combination. Not a program or a formula, but a willingness to stop running and sit with themselves long enough to hear something true.
The men who do this work get quieter before they get clearer. The bravado fades. The deflection drops. They stop needing the room to think they have it all figured out. They’re finally more interested in figuring it out than in appearing like they already have.
They start asking better questions like “What am I actually building, and why?” and “Who am I when no one’s watching?”
That shift, from performing a life to inhabiting one, is what an identity reckoning looks like. And it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens in the margins with subtle shifts. In the honest conversation you keep putting off, in the morning quiet before the house wakes up, in the moment you finally say out loud the thing you’ve only ever thought.
What’s on the other side isn’t a finished product. It’s a direction, a calling, a sense that the life you’re living could mean something. Not because you achieved more, but because you finally got honest about what you’re here for.
The man on the other side of this work is more grounded, more present, and more worth knowing.
You wanted your life to matter. That desire was never the problem. It’s the signal. Follow it.
The work is worth it.
And so are you.
P2Driven.com
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ARTICLE BY SOPHIA ERSKINE
For Chef Louis Ciola III, chef at Cousin Louie’s in Dripping Springs, the path to the kitchen was never a question; it was simply part of who he is.
As a third-generation chef, Louis grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds, and aromas of Italian cooking. Some of his earliest memories come from standing beside his father in the kitchen, where dough was mixed, sauces simmered slowly, and family recipes were passed down with care.
The roots of Cousin Louie’s Italian Restaurant stretch back to 1949, when his uncle Dominick Ciola opened the first Ciola’s restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Ciola’s quickly became a local treasure, renowned for its hearty Italian dishes and the warmth of family tradition.
Inspired by that family heritage and a desire to continue sharing the flavors that made Ciola’s legendary, Louis completed his studies at the Culinary Institute of America, where he formally trained and refined the skills he had been developing since childhood. As he learned new techniques and broadened his culinary perspective, the heart of his cooking remained grounded in the traditions he grew up with: handmade pasta, scratch-made breads, and dishes built from simple ingredients.
Today, that philosophy is at the center of Cousin Louie’s, located in the Belterra shopping center, where Louis brings his family heritage to life. At Cousin Louie’s, guests
can enjoy the timeless Ciola family favorites that made the original restaurant a household name.
Cousin Louie’s is part of Tc4 & Co., an Austin-based hospitality group led by Tony Ciola (Louis's cousin) and Creed Ford IV. Founded in 2011, Tc4 is rooted in Central Texas and built on a commitment to hard work, high standards, and genuine hospitality—values shared by both partners, who come from multi-generational restaurant families.
Today, Tc4 & Co. operates a growing portfolio of restaurants across the Austin area, including The League Kitchen & Tavern, Tony C’s Coal-Fired Pizza, Tony C’s Pizza & Beer Garden, and Mighty Fine Burgers Fries & Shakes. Together, Ciola and Ford have built a collection of concepts centered on approachable, well-crafted dining experiences and continue to expand throughout Texas.
The Cousin Louie’s culinary team will always offer a core menu of Italian favorites, but they also enjoy taking the guests on culinary journeys throughout the year with special menus that feature different regions of Italy. The next installment of the restaurant’s Italian Tour Menu series will feature the Campania region and will be available in June.
For Louis and TC4 & Co., the overall mission remains simple for Cousin Louie’s and all concepts in their portfolio: Honor the past, cook with intention, and share the kind of food that brings people together around the table.
Cousin-Louies.com | @cousinlouiesitalia
“Some of his earliest memories come from standing beside his father in the kitchen, where dough was mixed, sauces simmered slowly, and family recipes were passed down with care.”
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Modern gentlemen are rethinking how they show up—focused at work, recovered after long days, present socially, and connected at home. With low-dose of CBD, they’re finding a way to stay sharp without burnout, ease physical strain, enjoy a drink alternative, and be more engaged in the moments that matter most.
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Dr. Marino aims to provide holistic care, trust, and a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship via Direct Primary Care. Her mission is to connect people to integrous, high quality, and personal primary care in the forms of a functional approach to preventive health, in-depth investigation into chronic illness, and holistic care of acute health issues.
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BY STACY BERG
After a Life-Altering Surgery, Rob Jacob Turned Faith Into Purpose, Leaving Corporate America To Help Local Entrepreneurs Build Lasting Businesses With Clarity, Discipline, and Impact
Rob Jacob, co-founder of realCFO in Dripping Springs, isn’t your typical fractional CFO. He’s a man on a mission to leave a lasting legacy by equipping local entrepreneurs with world-class financial planning and analysis (FP&A). His goal is straightforward yet powerful: Give small-business owners the clarity, tools, and confidence to build something that endures.
In 2019, Rob stepped away from Corporate America—where he had served as director of FP&A for a publicly traded company—to serve the small-business world. The lessons came quickly and have stayed with him: Do more with less, choose tools that truly move the needle, master delegation (even when you know you could do it better yourself), set clear and measurable goals, and understand the difference between chasing perfection and actually getting things done.
Entrepreneurs in Dripping Springs often share a fierce drive. They believe they can do it better than anyone, and they want their “baby” to be flawless. That passion can lead to paralysis while waiting for everything to align perfectly. Rob helps them break through by demystifying the numbers and showing how focused, deliberate effort creates real momentum—without waiting for ideal conditions.
At the heart of realCFO is delivering world-class FP&A to businesses that usually can’t access it. Solid accounting and financial insight aren’t flashy, but when done right, they deliver unemotional truth. Rob often sees disorganized bookkeeping where owners make decisions based on bank balances instead of understanding the story behind the numbers.
What fuels him is the visible impact: watching entrepreneurs take a few intentional steps and seeing their businesses truly thrive. Whether it’s securing SBA loans for expansion, guiding first-time founders from idea to grand opening, cleaning up bookkeeping so cash flow becomes transparent, or simply providing peace of mind for big decisions, this is the kind of hands-on, meaningful work he couldn’t achieve in the corporate arena.
That perspective was shaped by more than just his professional experience. More than a decade ago, Rob underwent the Whipple procedure, a major pancreatic surgery. Instead of allowing the surgery and its aftermath to define or defeat him, he turned to faith and discovered deeper physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. That journey inspired his
book, Whippled but Not Whipped: Finding Healing in God—a personal testimony of resilience and the transformative power of trusting God through life’s hardest trials.
That season unfolded while Rob and his wife, Morgan, were raising their young family—a role he still considers his greatest responsibility. Today, their son Lucas is at Texas A&M, while Ryan is a sophomore at Dripping Springs High School. Morgan, whom Rob calls the heart and soul behind the scenes at realCFO, balances her own career while supporting both the business and their home life with remarkable grace.
“JUST AS HE LEARNED TO FACE UNCERTAINTY WITH CLARITY AND FAITH, ROB NOW HELPS BUSINESS OWNERS CONFRONT THE UNKNOWN IN THEIR OWN COMPANIES—WITH
SYSTEMS, AND THE CONFIDENCE TO MOVE FORWARD.”
This foundation of family and resilience carries into his work today. Just as he learned to face uncertainty with clarity and faith, Rob now helps business owners confront the unknown in their own companies—with better information, stronger systems, and the confidence to move forward.
Rob Jacob was Whippled, but he is definitely not whipped. He’s right here in Dripping Springs, supporting the entrepreneurial spirit that makes this community special and building a legacy—one clear financial insight, one thriving local business at a time.
RealCFO.net
New West Hays County Director Brings Decades of Ministry, a Heart for Students, and a Vision To Expand Faith Through Sports
We’ve all seen it. Under the bright stadium lights and the roar of the crowd, a player pauses, points to the sky, drops to a knee, and bows their head for a brief prayer before the next play.
It’s a familiar moment in sports, one that cuts through the noise and points to something higher. In a world where faith is often private, it’s a rare glimpse of it lived boldly. It makes you wonder what could happen if more young athletes were shaped by that kind of influence.
For Adam Grubb, the new Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) director for West Hays County, that question isn’t hypothetical; it’s the mission.
“My heart is to see faith come alive in coaches and athletes,” Grubb says. “I want to help them grow deeper, live boldly, and become disciple-makers who impact their teams, schools, and communities far beyond the game.”
Founded in 1954, FCA operates on a simple but powerful idea: If athletes can influence culture through brands and performance, they can also influence it through faith. In West Hays County, serving Dripping Springs and Wimberley, Grubb is stepping into a leadership role designed to multiply that impact.
For him, FCA isn’t new; it’s a full circle.
A standout football and baseball athlete in high school, Grubb served as FCA president and was named FCA’s 2001 Panhandle Male Christian Athlete of the Year. His involvement deepened at Hardin-Simmons University, where he played tight end and helped lead FCA on campus.
But it was an unexpected moment at an FCA summer camp that clarified his calling.
Assigned to lead a small group of seventh-grade boys, Grubb watched several begin relationships with Jesus. “It was one of the clearest affirmations I’ve ever received,” he says. “This is what I’m supposed to do for the rest of my life.”
He went on to spend more than 20 years in vocational ministry, serving in student, college, and worship leadership roles. Then came a season of change. Sensing renewal, he stepped out of church ministry and into the classroom as a middle school teacher.
Even there, his mission didn’t shift. He continued investing in students as an FCA volunteer huddle coach.
“I knew I still wanted to impact students and families,” he says. “Teaching gave me a new way to do that.”
That season is symbolized by a phoenix tattoo on his forearm—a mark of rebirth and new beginnings. It was also during this time that he started teaching eighth-grade U.S. History at Sycamore Springs Middle School, married Marla Barnard-Grubb, and planted roots in Dripping Springs.
FCA offers meaningful ways to invest in local student athletes. Volunteers can serve as campus huddle leaders, mentor students, or support community events like Fields of Faith. Financial partners help fund staff, camps, Bibles, and outreach efforts.
“I’m looking forward to expanding FCA’s reach not only in schools but across all levels of sports.”
So, when FCA approached him about returning to full-time ministry, he says, “It felt like an answer to prayer.”
Now, as West Hays County director, Grubb’s focus extends beyond individual campuses. He’s building and leading a team to expand FCA’s reach across every level of athletics. Currently, FCA is active in two high schools and three middle schools locally, connecting with more than 7,000 athletes and 700 coaches on and off campuses.
But Grubb’s vision reaches further.
“I’m looking forward to expanding FCA’s reach not only in schools but across all levels of sports,” he says. “From youth leagues to potentially developing FCA’s own sports programs, to even exploring things like FCA Outdoors or Rodeo, the potential is huge.”
Like all FCA staff, Grubb is also raising support to fund his role and local ministry efforts—from camps and events to Bibles and discipleship resources.
“There are so many ways to be involved,” he says. “Whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, or giving, people can play a part in what God is doing through FCA.”
For Grubb, the vision is simple: help shape a generation of athletes whose faith is as visible as their talent, and whose influence lasts long after the final whistle.
FCAAustin.org/hays-county | @drippingspringsfca
ARTICLE AND
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY STACY BERG
Every morning at Walnut Springs Elementary School, just as the sun is rising, something unexpected happens.
Cars pull up. Doors open. Sleepy kids climb out, backpacks half-zipped, still shaking off the early hour. And then—almost instantly—the energy shifts.
“Hi, Tom!”
The children don’t just say it. They yell it. They light up.
And there he is.
Tom, a retired grandfather, stands at the drop-off line, dressed head to toe in a costume. Not occasionally. Not for a special event. But every Tuesday—Taco Tuesday—and again on Fridays, when the costume changes but the spirit stays the same.
Today, he’s a taco—full taco costume, complete with shell and all—greeting children like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
One little voice calls out his name, and Tom fires right back, “How did you know it was me?”
The kids erupt. Laughter bounces across the pavement. One runs up, throws their arms around him, then pulls back for a high five.
“Whoa, careful,” Tom says, stepping back dramatically. “You’re gonna crack my shell!”
More laughter—bigger this time.
If you ask Tom why he does it, his answer is simple. If he can bring a smile to a kid who’s had a hard morning, it’s worth it. If he can remind a child—before they step out of the car—to tell their mom “I love you,” that matters. That’s the part he carries with him.
He’ll tell you he gets just as much—maybe more—than he gives. That the energy he puts out comes right back to him. That joy somehow multiplies when it’s shared.
And he’s not doing it for attention. There’s no audience beyond a line of minivans and a handful of teachers trying to keep things moving. No spotlight. No recognition. Just a man who decided, somewhere along the way, to show up for kids in the most joyful, consistent way he could.
Every week, he chooses to be a reason someone smiles before the school bell rings.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
No grand gesture. No big announcement. Just presence. Just effort. Just joy, on purpose.
And in a world that can feel heavy before the day even begins, Tom stands there, sometimes in a taco suit, sometimes in something entirely different, reminding a line of kids that mornings can be fun, people can be kind, and someone is genuinely happy to see them exactly as they are. Start first.
Not when it’s convenient. Not when it’s noticed. Just show up.
Even if it’s in a taco costume.
Have You Seen Kindness in the Wild?
We’re collecting real-deal, everyday moments of kindness happening right here in Dripping Springs. Whether you witnessed it, felt it, or were the one who offered it, we want to hear your story.
Get in touch at CityLifestyle.com/drippingsprings
Got a photo? Even better.
Big or small, if it made your heart beat louder, we want to know.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY SOUTHERN LAND COMPANY
The best communities are built around the natural rhythms of daily life and the places that make those rhythms possible. At Lunaroya, that objective has shaped every decision made around the Club to create a collection of spaces designed to hold what matters: movement, wellness, connection, and the kind of gathering that happens naturally.
Todd Wascher, partner at Lake Flato, explains the design intent: “Inspired by the site’s central location within the community and Southern Land Company’s (SLC’s) vision for Lunaroya, Lake Flato designed the Lunaroya Club to embrace the natural beauty of the land. Each program is housed in its own building, creating a small village organized around shared outdoor spaces that encourage connection and engagement.”
The materiality reflects the same philosophy that shapes the custom homes at Lunaroya: architecture rooted in the land, limestone quarried from the region, wood and metal that honor their origins, and structures positioned to preserve natural rock outcrops and native habitats.
“The Lunaroya Club becomes an extension of the design intent for the entire community, where modern architecture blends with Hill Country tradition,” says Dan Hutts, president of SLC Homes Texas.
Lunaroya Club is designed as a collection of individual buildings, each dedicated to distinct programming. Separate structures for movement, strength, spa services,
and social gathering create the kind of separation that allows the kitchen to remain a place for cooking and conversation, while the wellness spaces are focused on movement and recovery.
The wellness facilities include private treatment suites for spa services, cold plunge and hot tub, sauna and steam rooms in separate men’s and women’s areas, a recovery lounge, movement studio for yoga and classes, and dedicated cardio and strength spaces. Each building is positioned around shared courtyards oriented toward Barton Creek.
Lunaroya and the Lunaroya Club are being developed by SLC, a privately held, family-owned real estate firm founded in 1986 with a long-standing commitment to creating enduring places where community lives. Every SLC community is shaped by a belief that thoughtful design, long-term care, and respect for the land lead to places that age gracefully over time.
That commitment extends beyond development. Working for the owners will be a dedicated concierge whose responsibility is ensuring the Club becomes what it was designed to
be. This includes curated programming tied to life in the Hill Country: access to local wineries and venues, programming for members on property, and seasonal gatherings. The day-to-day details are handled— from scheduling treatments to arranging private dinners in the demonstration kitchen—making community feel effortless.
The Lunaroya Club is a private club for Lunaroya owners and their guests. It is a place designed for gathering, wellness, retreat, and connection, supported by a team dedicated to making the community grow.
Lunaroya features 86 homesites over 225 acres featuring 1.5- to 4-acre homesites that back up to a 385-acre nature preserve on the banks of Barton Creek and Little Barton Creek. To learn more about Lunaroya Club or the homesites now available for sale, schedule a private appointment and tour.
Lunaroya.com | @lunaroyatx
“The Lunaroya Club is a place designed for gathering, wellness, retreat, and connection.”
The
Memberships available and open to the public. Competitive Camps offered for ages 12+ with prior play experience required.
A Spirited Roundup of Local Distilleries, Where Craftsmanship, Heritage, and a Little Friendly Rivalry Are Always on the Menu
ARTICLE BY SHANNON HOLZWARTH
Out here in the Texas Hill Country, distilleries aren’t hard to come by. What used to be a handful of laid-back stops along winding ranch roads has turned into a seriously competitive scene, with each brand trying to stand out and claim a little ground of its own.
And let’s be honest. When you put this much whiskey, pride, and personality in one place … well, boys will be boys. But beyond the barrels, live music, and those Instagramworthy views, what really separates these distilleries isn’t just what they’re pouring; it’s how they think. This is a look at four that are doing things a little differently, and together, they’re shaping what Texas spirits look like right now.
As co-owner of Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits, West Stone believes in doing things cleaner and definitely without shortcuts. In a Wimberley Hill Country scene that’s getting more crowded by the day, this industry veteran isn’t trying to follow the pack.
I believe Stone is truly carving out his own lane. He sums up Ranch Brand simply: sustainably grown wines and spirits, zero additives, and full transparency. How refreshing is that? I loved the zero-fluff, no-mystery way he explained their process.
That mindset shows up loud and clear in Ranch Brand’s vodka, which Stone confidently stands behind. “We have the cleanest vodka you can drink,” he says, and honestly, he might be onto something. Made from corn grown in Lytle and Dalhart and cut with Hill Country limestone water, it’s crafted to be smooth, crisp, and free of those harsh, burn-your-throat notes. (Yes, please.)
If there’s one thing I picked up from Stone, it’s that he’s all about precision. “Clean” isn’t just a trendy word here; it’s something you can actually taste from the very first sip.
And speaking of sipping, the “Southern Sling”—Ranch Organic Vodka mixed with lemon juice, black cherry, caramel simple syrup, and sparkling water—is right up my alley. And when those Texas temps start creeping into triple digits, you’ll absolutely find me parked in an Adirondack chair on the Ranch Brand patio with a “Watermelon Daisy”—a frozen, grown-up slushie made with vodka, watermelon, agave, lime, and a Tajín rim. I mean … come on.
When it comes to specialties, Ranch Brand takes pride in its Old Fashioneds. “We have a great Old Fashioned menu at the tasting room in Wimberley, and we are working on one that will be bottled for retail. Just pour and serve,” says Stone
I also learned that Ranch Brand is a founding member of the “clean wine initiative.” As Stone explains, that means farming sustainably, listing every ingredient on the label, and skipping additives altogether.
And that’s a bigger deal than most people realize. Did you know that mass-produced wines in the United States can legally include dozens of additives, ranging from simple sugars to more industrial and toxic compounds? I didn’t. Ranch Brand, on the other hand, keeps things tight and intentional, even fermenting its wines down to just 0.2 to 0.4 grams of sugar per liter.
So yes, being able to sit back with a crisp glass of Snake Charmer Sauvignon Blanc, knowing exactly what’s in it (and what’s not) and not bracing for that next-day headache? That’s yet another win in my book.
When I asked Stone who they love seeing at the distillery, his answer was simple: “Adventurers—people who are open-minded and want to explore different cocktails, wine, or spirits.”
And honestly, he might as well have just described me walking in. I am ready to try it all and more than happy to make myself a regular while I’m at it.
RanchBrands.com | @ranchbrandwineandspirits
Garrison Brothers doesn’t try to be subtle, and being out in the Texas Hill Country, they don’t have much reason to. The distillery sits on working ranch land in Hye, Texas, a small town tucked into a stretch of cattle country and wildflowers, where, as they like to say, the population is smaller than the proof of their signature Cowboy Bourbon. Since opening to the public in 2008, it’s become a steady stop for bourbon lovers, travelers, and a good mix of curious first-timers.
When I asked Garrison Brothers to describe what they’re doing out there, they didn’t overthink it: “We make authentic, handcrafted Texas bourbon … with a whole lot of grit, pride, and attention to detail.” And then came the part that really sums up their outlook: “Garrison Brothers is about doing things the hard way because that’s how you make something worth drinking.” There’s not a lot of wiggle room in that philosophy, and they don’t seem interested in adding any, which I immediately loved.
That approach is baked into everything they do, starting with Garrison Brothers’ Small Batch Bourbon, which they call “the heart and soul of this distillery.” It’s the one they’ll pour first, and if you want to understand Garrison Brothers, “that’s where the conversation starts,” they say. Neat in a glass, maybe a drop of water to “open it up” is the introduction. No drama, just the bourbon doing the talking.
A big part of what shapes that bourbon, they explain, is something you can’t control: climate. “Texas heat changes everything,” they say. The barrels age under that relentless Hill Country sun, pulling character from every shift in temperature. It’s not a gentle process, and it’s part of what gives the whiskey its depth, intensity, and unmistakably local personality.
Walking the property, that philosophy shows up everywhere—live music on weekends (I am SO there), open skies that seem to stretch forever, and the smell of bourbon drifting through the air. It’s not built to feel like a polished, modern showroom. Instead, it just feels comfortable and lived in.
“We make bourbon with real Texas character, and we welcome folks like we mean it,” says Rob Cordes. “A lot of places can give you a drink. We give you a story, a handshake, and something you’ll remember.”
“This isn’t just a distillery stop,” he adds. “It’s a Texas experience.”
Well said, Garrison Brothers. Well said. GarrisonBros.com | @garrisonbros
If you haven’t experienced the “pack” in Spicewood yet, consider this your sign. Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery isn’t just a place to grab a drink; it’s a full-scale experience built on Texas pride, bold flavor, and an unmistakable sense of belonging.
And if you have been there, you know what I am talking about. Since opening in 2017, the distillery—which sits on 15 sprawling acres—has leaned hard into its “wolf pack” identity, creating a space where community and character matter just as much as what’s behind the bar.
For co-owner Randy Aylieff, the mission is simple but intentional: “Celebrating life and sharing good times with friends and family … coming together as a community and enjoying unique experiences.” That mindset shows up clearly across the property—from live music stages and “sip and shop” farmers markets to wide-open spaces built for gathering.
And what is the flavor they seem to stand behind most? Hotscotch—a unique butterscotch whiskey. Co-owner Jordan Watters describes it: “It’s uniquely sweet and a little spicy and recently voted best flavored whiskey in Texas and also Whiskies of the World.” But what makes it go down smoothly isn’t just the flavor—it’s the confidence behind it.
Iron Wolf isn’t trying to replicate tradition; they’re rewriting it. Behind the scenes, that same mindset carries into their process. Their bourbon is “hot barrel aged,” a method designed to push deeper flavor and complexity—another example of how Iron Wolf chooses bold over conventional. Just look at their cocktail menu, featuring unique twists on the classics, such as the Hotscotch espresso martini and the “New Fashion” made with half Iron Wolf Bourbon and half Hotscotch.
And if that edge doesn’t carry through the experience, nothing will. Rather than targeting a narrow crowd, Iron Wolf attracts a loyal following that reflects the “wolf pack” mentality—diverse, social, and just a little bit rebellious. As Aylieff puts it, their brand carries “strong appeal across ages, genders, and demographics … with some bold Texas attitude mixed in.”
In a region crowded with distilleries, Iron Wolf doesn’t try to blend in. If anything, it’s been underestimated— locals often tell them, “You are the best-kept secret.”
For Watters, that “secret” is best understood in person: “It’s all about the vibe … the look and feel is one of a kind,” he says. “You have to come experience it for yourself!”
IronWolfRanch.com | @ironwolfranchanddistillery
One of the newest players on the Hill Country distillery scene, Stillworks—which will soon launch under a different name—is building with intention and shaped by a clear idea: Whiskey should bring people together, not separate them. As the team puts it, “Great whiskey is best enjoyed with the people who feel like home.”
The new venue off Ranch Road 12 in Driftwood will feature openair gathering spaces, live music woven into the rhythm of the property, and an environment where a Saturday afternoon can stretch longer than expected.
At Stillworks, commitment is everything. Their releases are hand-selected, finished thoughtfully, and bottled right there onsite. Nothing feels rushed or overdone. They seem to know exactly who they are, and they stick to it.
That’s most evident in their double barrel bourbon. It’s not trying to be anything crazy, and it doesn’t have to be. They call it “the bourbon that best represents who we are ,” and honestly, it just works. It’s balanced, easy, and something I would order again and again without overthinking it.
That same vibe carries through everything else. It’s not just the whiskey, it’s how they’ve put the whole place together.
“We’ve put a lot of focus on building both a quality whiskey program and an experience that stands apart,” says Jason Kowalkowski, vice president of operations. “We’re one of the few places in the Hill Country where you can find thoughtfully crafted whiskey alongside a space designed for the whole family, from a two-story tasting room and live music to a dedicated kids’ area. It’s not just a place to stop in for a drink; it’s somewhere you can spend time and come back to.”
Along with the opening of the new space, the team will also introduce a new name and brand identity for the distillery. Keep an eye out for their upcoming grand opening, where you can enjoy uninterrupted Hill Country views and a layout that accommodates a casual drop-in or a full afternoon spent on the patio. It’s a place designed for people who don’t want to rush. Or leave. “Welcoming. Intentional. Rooted.” Three words, but also a blueprint.
StillworksTX.com | @stillworkstx
Taken together, these four distilleries don’t just represent different spirits or locations. They’re really four different answers to the same question. “What does Texas whiskey culture actually stand for right now?” Depending on who you ask, there are four very different answers:
For Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits, it’s about clarity and control. Nothing unnecessary, nothing hidden. For Garrison Brothers Distillery, it’s grit, patience, and letting the Texas climate do its thing. At Iron Wolf Ranch & Distillery, it’s energy, scale, and building a following that matches the personality behind the bar. And at Stillworks Texas, it comes down to intention—something grounded, consistent, and made for people who actually want to stay awhile.
And in a region where new names seem to pop up every time you turn down a back road, there’s definitely a little friendly competition running underneath it all. Nothing too serious, but just enough pride in the glass to keep things interesting. Which, in the end, feels pretty “on-brand” for the Hill Country, anyway. No wrong turns on this trail … just pick your flavor and enjoy the ride.
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Please join us on January 12th at 5:30 p.m. for an Informational Meeting to learn more about our school, explore our classrooms, and meet our wonderful teachers!
Open enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year begins February 1st. Please email admin@sunrisechristianschoolhouse.org for more information.
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AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
HONEY GINGER SYRUP:
Homemade honey ginger syrup is what gives a Penicillin its depth and signature warmth. Fresh ginger brings a gentle heat and brightness that bottled mixes can’t replicate, while honey offers a rich, rounded sweetness.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup honey
• 3-inch piece of fresh ginger
DIRECTIONS:
1. Peel and chop the ginger into ¼-inch thick pieces.
2. Combine ginger, water, and honey in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves.
3. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes.
4. Strain out the ginger and allow the syrup to cool before using
ARTICLE BY DRINK TO REMEMBER PHOTOGRAPHY BY STACY BERG
There’s something about a well-made cocktail that feels like a reward earned at the end of a long day. The Penicillin fits that mood perfectly. Warm, citrusy, and just a touch smoky, it’s a modern classic that is masculine yet smooth.
Created in the mid-2000s by renowned bartender Sam Ross at Milk & Honey, the Penicillin was never meant to taste medicinal—but it was designed to feel like a cure-all. Ross leaned into flavors that evoke comfort and restoration: soothing honey, fresh lemon, the spice of ginger, and a smoky float of Islay Scotch. The name itself is a clever nod to that idea. Even though this drink won’t fix all that ails you, it certainly makes things feel a whole lot better.
What makes the Penicillin especially appealing is how approachable it is. Even for those who don’t typically reach for Scotch, this cocktail has a way of winning you over. The honey-ginger syrup softens the edges; the lemon keeps it bright; and that final layer of smoky Scotch adds just enough intrigue. It’s equally at home poured after a long day or served up when good company gathers.
INGREDIENTS:
• 1½ ounces blended Scotch
• ¾ ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
• ¾ ounce honey ginger syrup
• ¼ oz Islay Scotch (floater)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Shake the blended Scotch, fresh lemon juice, and honey ginger syrup vigorously for about 20 seconds.
2. Pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
3. Gently top with the Islay Scotch to create a smoky float.
4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and/or candied ginger.
The Penicillin Blends Honey, Ginger, Lemon, and Scotch Into a Bold Yet Balanced Cocktail That Feels as Good as It Tastes
JUNE 2026
JUNE 5TH
Lucky Arrow Retreat: 3600 Bell Springs Road | 5:00 PM
Unwind with Mavericks with flavorful food, handcrafted drinks, and scenic Hill Country views. This family-friendly evening offers the perfect mix of great atmosphere, casual dining, and summer fun in Dripping Springs. LuckyArrowRetreat.com
JUNE 12TH
Dripping Springs Methodist Church: 28900 Ranch Road 12 | 8:00 AM
Uncover rare treasures and unbeatable bargains at this annual garage sale hosted by Women In Mission. This event serves the needs of the community, with all proceeds donated to local charitable organizations. Shop early for great items! WomenInMission@dsmethodist.org
JUNE 13TH
The Salt Lick: 18300 RM 1826, Driftwood | 11:00 AM
Enjoy a full day of live music featuring more than 15 bands on two stages, plus food, drinks, vendors, and family-friendly fun. This beloved annual festival celebrates community while supporting the Connor Kind Scholarship Fund. do512.com/ events/2026/6/13/driftwood-chiggerfest-music-festival-tickets
JUNE 13TH
Bell Springs Summer Party
Bell Springs Winery & Brewery: 3700 Bell Springs Road | 6:00 PM
Enjoy a lively evening featuring music, refreshing drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere at Bell Springs Winery. Bring the family, relax outdoors, and soak in the spirit of summer in the Hill Country. BellSprings.orderport.net
JUNE 27TH
Dripping Springs Ranch Park: 1042 Event Center Drive | 9:00 AM
This family-friendly collectible show features comics, video games, VHS, records, toys, art, apparel, and pop culture treasures for collectors of all ages. HeritageEventCompany.com/ austin-retromania-comic-toyshow-june-2026
JUNE 27TH
Field to Fire: Jesse Griffiths
Hog Heaven Sporting Club: 24905 Ranch Road 12 | 2:00 PM
Enjoy an unforgettable Hill Country culinary experience with Jesse Griffiths, featuring live-fire cooking, expertly crafted dishes, and an immersive outdoor dining event celebrating Texas flavors. SFHogHeaven.com
Want to be featured? GET IN TOUCH AT CITYLIFESTYLE.COM/ DRIPPINGSPRINGS
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Captured here in its element, two Purosangues move as one— precision-engineered power meeting the open road with effortless grace. Beneath the sculpted exterior lies a naturally aspirated V12, delivering an exhilarating drive that remains true to Ferrari’s racing DNA.
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