Thankful
FOOD + BEVERAGE
WHATLEY WINES SERVES UP SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY
LOCAL SERVICES
LOCAL LIBRARY FULL OF MORE THAN BOOKS
Truly Thankful
In 1847 German immigrants and Native Americans of the Comanche nation signed a treaty that was never broken right here in Fredericksburg, Texas.
This significant event is upheld within our community standards, even today. It allowed for a peaceful settlement of immigrants to reside, rebuild, farm the land and raise families in this region with relative peace. This history is memorialized with a striking bronze statue in our downtown Marktplatz. There is a magnetic compass that draws people to our region in efforts to rebuild, find peace and purpose.
In this issue we look at a family who pulled up roots and literally planted them with Whatley Wines.
We also explore the roast masters of Fredericksburg Coffee Co. who spent many years on the road in an RV and staked claim in our region as expert coffee artisanal roasters.
We have a librarian who pulled off the side of Main Street, intrigued by our nationally acclaimed and historically registered library, and who quickly found herself in a position to revive the historic building to relevance again. At a time when many libraries are closing, ours continues to thrive and serve our community.
We also look at our contributing recipe writer, JeriLynne Clifford, who migrated here in search of her purpose to serve and network into a beautiful meld with her newly published cookbook. This accomplishment unites food and wine culture in a sincere way, truly highlighting the love of our region and our agricultural efforts.
This Thanksgiving I encourage our readers to commend and appreciate our small business owners and those we will continue to highlight each month in Fredericksburg City Lifestyle.
I give my thanks to all in Fredericksburg and Kerrville for supporting and receiving this publication with open arms.
We will continue to grow, peacefully and with thanks, just as our ancestors wanted from our inception.
I am beyond grateful for our community’s embrace and for the local photographers and writers who contribute to each issue.
My many thanks this season!
Kindly
KIMBERLY GILES, PUBLISHER
The photo shows the bronze statue in Fredericksburg's Marktplatz commemorating the unbroken treaty between John O. Meusebach and the Comanche people.
In the October 2025 issue, the story “Visit Michael Ros Winery” incorrectly stated Tim Drake to be the husband of Proprietor Rosann Mitrione.
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Kimberly Giles | Kimberly.Giles@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Brent Burgess | brent.burgess@citylifestyle.com
STAFF WRITERS
Andre Boada | Andre@vinocadre.com
Ada Broussard | adalisab@gmail.com
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jason Risner, Risner Photography, jason@risnerphoto.com & Jeff Peterson, Be Free Film, BeFreeFarm@gmail.com.
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas
Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.
Proverbs 3:5-6
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
Friends of Fredericksburg City Lifestyle gathered at the Courtyard at Elk & Main on Tuesday, Sept. 16 to celebrate the magazine's launch. 1: Andre Boada from Six Twists and John Washburne from Side Street Hospitality 2: Ellis Schmidt, Regan Schmidt and Ada Broussard 3: Jonathan Card of Card & Company Architects and Eric Mustard of Mustard Design 4: Gabriel and Litsza Folse of Style 208 5: Chef Ashley Odom of The Harvey and Andy Bray of Mustard Design 6: Amy Slaughter, Patricia Tankey, Sydney Cohn and Abby Schlehuber of Slaughter Design Studio 7: Jaclyn and Matt Felts of Paloma Cabinetry
WHATLEY Wines
FREDERICKSBURG WINERY CREATES THANKFUL EXPRESSIONS
ARTICLE BY ANDRE BOADA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASON RISNER
Melissa and Tyler Whatley are inspired by their faith to aim for elegant hospitality
Often, when exploring Texas Hill Country wineries, there is a spark that resonates within a sommelier’s arena. In the case of Whatley Wines, there’s a unique personality of gratitude that proudly shines brightly at the forefront. It’s that spiritual gratitude we all need to explore as we approach Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season.
Whatley Wines, a family-owned winery, is young in essence yet finding its mark by creating high-scoring, micro-production Texan wines. It doubles down with a Texas-Alabama style of hospitality curated by the owners Tyler and Melissa Whatley.
Tyler Whatley, a true Texan, stands tall and represents sincere Texas grit, reflecting an honest hard-working mentality, yet with a finesse of kindness. His wife, Melissa, hails from the lovely southern charm of her Alabama roots. She has a spellbinding personality, eminently focused within family gatherings. They galvanized each other with a strong spiritual background to push gratitude and well-being. Together, they have crafted an utterly perfect balance to create unique food and wine experiences at Whatley Wines.
“Our passion is that a glass of wine is something with meaning, something you enjoy as you are making memories and writing the unforgettable stories of your life,” Tyler Whatley shared about the wine experiences they aim for. “We strive to be hands-on owners, creating personal experiences during your visit that enhance that vision.”
Melissa and Tyler Whatley
Whatley Wines' tasting room is peaceful and elegant
The old 1860 German homestead is hosted by Melissa Whatley, who explores new holiday food and wine “flight” pairings that she personally creates in the kitchen tasting room.
Each pairing reflects family recipes and is made by scratch, making a visit feel like a lovely family gathering. Favorites include an oven-baked cornbread laced with cranberries and goat cheese. One might be pleasantly surprised to learn that they will be taking holiday orders for Thanksgiving parties of this purely entrancing dish.
“We are very thankful for the opportunity to welcome new friends to join our table to enjoy our wines and pairings with us, and also, to be building life as a family in this wonderful community,” said Melissa invitingly. “We are committed to standing in our faith, honoring the land, buildings and stories we inherited while adding our own. Join us this season and add your stories to our Blessings Tree.”
elegance, offering sensational balance and texture. Definitely on point for Semillon as a grape varietal.
$34 per bottle / $11 glass.
Red - 2022 Cabernet Franc “Vingo Vineyard” Texas High Plains.
A tapestry of powerful black fruit flavors that spar with your palate. Imagine yourself engulfed within a diversity of aromatics intertwined with seamless perfection. It hits your senses harder than Mike Tyson in his prime, yet perfectly balanced throughout.
$54 per bottle / $18 glass.
"Our passion is that a glass of wine is something with meaning..."
This tasting room, guesthouse B&B and vineyard, located just a few minutes from downtown Fredericksburg on North US Highway 87, showcases a magic of pure enticement, always striving to be welcoming.
- Tyler Whatley
When visiting Whatley Wines explore all the experiences they offer online. Be sure to do a vineyard tour with the owner, followed by a food & wine educational tasting. By-the-glass and bottles are available at Whatley Wines with on-site kitchen crafting curated bites. Wine club membership is also offered. The property often features special events, live music, and pets are welcome in the courtyard.
Each space has history and refined elegance surrounded by perfect family-inspired hospitality. Whatley Wines is certainly a must-visit destination to explore in Fredericksburg, Texas.
RECOMMENDED
WINES:
White – 2023 Semillon “Triple D Vineyard” Texas High Plains.
An absolute zenith of a wine with high-toned energy surrounded by layers of zingy acidity yet caressed with citrus and honey aromas. This wine has Grace Kelly
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Wednesday to Saturday – 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHATLEY WINES IS LOCATED AT:
4076 North Highway 87, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Contact Whatley Wines at 830-444-4779, or by email at: concierge@whatleywines.com Andre Boada is a sommelier & founder of VinoCadre.
e v e n t s + g a t h e r i n g s
COOKING ALWAYS GIVES BACK
JeriLynne Clifford overcomes challenges, realizes cookbook dream
JeriLynne Clifford and her husband Scot moved to Fredericksburg in 2019 after a long season of raising six kids in Massachusetts.
“We loved the sun, German heritage, history and wine culture in Fredericksburg,” Clifford said.
The Cliffords decided to plant their roots here and continue exploring, sipping, tasting and cooking up new plans as residents in this little burg.
Cooking has always been an important familial event for Clifford, whose grandmother and aunt left
"The Vineyard Table" features family recipes and is meant to be a kitchen companion
an indelible impression on her growing up in a German and Southern Virginian household, merging different recipes.
In 2001, Clifford was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Her greatest fear was soothed by looking at her family’s recipes. “I was determined I was going to pass on my family recipes so that my children did not eat McDonalds every day,” Clifford said. “So, I began teaching them all how to cook.”
From meatballs to Dutch horns, Clifford found comfort in cooking with her children as it fulfilled a sense of purpose and control, at a time when she had none. Cooking, gathering and sharing moments with her family in the past, and during her battle with cancer, formulated a new adventure for the Cliffords in Fredericksburg.
“I wanted to write something that was a friend," Clifford said. "A kitchen companion - something that was helpful and not intimidating.” Meanwhile, her son, a Michelin star winning chef, cheered her along the way and her editor, Anna, pushed her to write a cookbook.
This was precisely her plan as she set out to enroll in cooking courses abroad and research all she could. This was the methodical map she used to complete her cookbook goal when tragedy struck yet again.
In 2023, while in Italy at a coveted cooking school, the Cliffords’ house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. She lost everything, including her family recipes. With this tragedy, Clifford shared that coming home was sad but also remembered that her community was there to help them rebuild. “A rising tide lifts all ships,” is how Clifford relays it.
Her family soon moved into a small cabin without a kitchen while her home was rebuilt.
Despite these obstacles, JeriLynne did not give up on her dream of publishing and sharing her cookbook. Despite having no kitchen, she continued to find creative ways to achieve her goal. Her husband reminded her, “Cooking always gives back.”
As of 2025, JeriLynne, despite all of the challenges, has now published her first cookbook. “The Vineyard Table” was written as she relied on her community vintners, growers and wineries, and merged a lifetime of her own recipes. The most beautiful part of this story is the Cliffords found their home in Fredericksburg and are so grateful for those who supported them through the tragedies.
JeriLynne commented that not one winery said no to her request for involvement with her cookbook. “They all asked, ‘How can we help? Do you need a kitchen?,’” JeriLynne conveyed. “Not one winery asked what was in it for them.”
“The Vineyard Table” is a remarkable cookbook highlighting some of the best Texas Hill Country wines paired with lush recipes. The family food treasures pay homage to her heritage.
JeriLynne has created a kitchen companion indeed. It invites the readers into her practical and no-nonsense way of putting simple ingredients together to share with others. These are the building blocks for overcoming obstacles and hosting loved ones, truly the things JeriLynne values most in her life. She is honored to share these tips, tricks and wine pairings with her new readers.
“The
Vineyard Table”
“The Vineyard Table” is a remarkable cookbook highlighting some of the best Texas Hill Country wines paired with lush recipes. The family food treasures pay homage to her heritage.
Despite threats to her dream, JeriLynne Clifford published her cookbook, "The Vineyard Table"
BUILDING AND COLLECTION TELL TALES OF TOWN HISTORY
Living Library
Between bookshelves are beautifully framed windows
Old card catalogs were converted into seeds for a seed library
ARTICLE BY ADA BROUSSARD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENT RYAN BURGESS
Pioneer Memorial Library once served as a courthouse for Gillespie County
The building itself carries Fredericksburg’s story
in its
bones.
Since being built in 1882, the Pioneer Memorial Library has been a showstopper in Fredericksburg. Designed by architect Alfred Giles, the building first served as the Gillespie County Courthouse. By the 1960s, after decades of use as a courthouse and then a patchwork of offices, the stately structure had fallen into disrepair. In 1967, thanks to philanthropists Eugene and Margaret McDermott, it was given new life as the community’s public library - replacing the smaller Vereins Kirche building across the street.
The building itself carries Fredericksburg’s story in its bones. Its limestone was quarried locally, and its beams were built from lumber from Stein’s Lumber Company.
The details that make this library so beloved are small, like the engraved door hinges, and grand, like the striking dual staircases. There is even a hidden spiral staircase which once offered judges a discreet entrance to the upstairs courtroom.
These days the library feels less like a hushed museum and more like a community hub. The women’s bathroom glows with the vintage butter-yellow tile, and the trim bears that unmistakable olive green of another era, but it is actually fresh paint. The smell of old paper lingers, but the energy is fresh. This is not your grandma’s library.
Step inside and within minutes any sense of solemnity melts away. Staff greet patrons by name, and friendly chatter ensues.
Upon entering, Library Director Erika Caputo greeted at least four visitors by name including local resident Tim Dooley who, after hearing what we were chatting about, warmly applauded the staff on the recent progress he has seen. At one point, a young girl handed Erika a handmade thank-you card which got pinned on the lounge bulletin board, next to a few others just like it.
Before earning her master’s degree in library and information science, Caputo worked in “a million different bookstores,” as she puts it. She’s always been surrounded by books; smalll independents, big box chains, and eventually, libraries across the country. She has worked beneath the shiny facades of urban systems in cities like Miami. But it was Fredericksburg’s historic limestone landmark that stopped her in her tracks.
“We rolled into Fredericksburg, and I drove past this building, and I was like, what is that?” Caputo said about her first sighting of the beautiful building. She soon found the open position, applied and was hired.
When Erika arrived in January 2024, there was plenty of work to be done. Some of the collection was outdated.
“We had to really remove a lot of books that were not in use, old information and damaged,” she recalls. “There was some funny retro stuff I kept in my office, but to grow, we had to make space for new titles.”
Erika’s office is home to a few valuable and treasured documents marking Fredericksburg’s history, including one of the early legal books informing the legendary and never-broken peace treaty between town founder John O. Meusebach and the local Comanche.
She also questioned some long-held rules. The Main Street–facing balcony, for example, was considered off-limits. After consulting a structural engineer, she learned the balcony could safely hold 25 people. Now, on special occasions, she opens the balcony to the community.
Libraries across the country are closing at alarming rates. In a world driven by digital media and short attention spans, a library must stay relevant to survive. Successful libraries go beyond the books - they’re expected to serve as community centers:
CONTINUED >
Step inside with the hushed reverence you might expect of a historic building, and within minutes that solemnity melts away. “ ”
The library is stocked with games, toys and activities for children
Joanna "Jojo" McPherson uses the library computers to hunt for her next read
offering internet access, digital literacy, maker spaces, meeting places and even social services (e.g. helping with job searches, tax prep, etc.).
At the same time, they are navigating funding cuts and rising costs. There is wisdom in adapting. Under Erika’s leadership, Fredericksburg’s library feels more relevant than ever. Now Alfred Giles' limestone walls hum with new life.
With a deep priority for space for children and youth, a small upstairs room hosts a group of teenagers who gather weekly to game.
“Teens need their own space... Give them a room where they can close the doors. Teens are loud. But guess what, that’s [developmentally] appropriate,” Erika said.
On other nights it’s chess club, adult literacy programs, craft nights, book clubs or author talks. Downstairs, “Itty Bitty Read & Play” welcomes parents and toddlers to sing, listen to stories and tumble through bins of blocks and puzzles.
The Native Plant Society now gathers there, and the old card catalog has been reborn as a seed library. Meanwhile, tech sessions invite seniors to master their new iPhones.
CONTINUED >
Erika Caputo shows off some of the play areas and games available to kids
“We help them send a text, make a FaceTime call-whatever it is they need,” Erika explains.
Did you know our library also includes a “library of things” where you can actually rent a sewing machine? Or an egg incubator?
And the work doesn’t stop at the doors. It spills out onto the picturesque grass, where families gather for Concerts on the Lawn. It even travels across town, where staff roll carts of large-print books and DVDs into senior centers, serving those who can’t make it to the library.
The numbers tell the story best. In the summer before Erika arrived, the library hosted about seven summer reading events. This past summer? Seventy-two. Just click on the “Upcoming Events” tab of the library’s website and one can see the calendar brimming with offerings.
“When I first started, we asked the community what they wanted,” Erika says. “They wanted more children’s programming, more author visits and more reasons to come in. So, we listened-and we built it.”
Donna Elmore, president of the Friends of the PML Library, a former teacher and a passionate champion of children’s literacy, lights up when she talks about the used bookstore tucked into the library’s ground floor. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the shop has quickly become a vital part of the library’s ecosystem.
“When I started, our budget was three or four thousand dollars,” Donna recalls. “This past year it
was eighteen thousand, and next year will probably be more.”
The funds this nonprofit group raises go directly towards library programming. More funds mean more ways to serve the community.
“Programs bring traffic, traffic brings book donations which leads to more programs. It’s a domino effect,” Donna said.
Sometimes, the difference comes down to the simplest gestures. A sandwich board set out on Main Street, pointing toward the bookstore, has turned countless passersby into patrons.
“People walk up to the building and go… can I go in? They think it’s a museum,” Donna remarked.
Fredericksburg is a town of change and growth. Just scroll through the local Facebook pages and you’ll see the wide spectrum of opinions on the subject. But when it comes to the library, the best way to ensure it weathers the storm and thrives for future generations is simple: Use it.
“Just keep us as a place for whatever it is you need,” Erika says.
As was said, it’s not your grandma’s library. Walk through the carved wooden doors and the mood is less a formal institution, more of a best friend’s kitchen. You feel welcome, free to linger, to ask a question and to laugh out loud. That’s the hum about the library these days.
Don’t believe me? Go take a peek.
Michele Papan and Bella Kirchoff gather for some mom time with their children Dorothy (on lap), Mary, and Sage
SUSTAINABLE AND TASTY SIPS
Fredericksburg Coffee Co. beans are available in shops throughout Fredericksburg
Chef Dionne's artisanal roasts are perfect Fall flavors
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY
BRENT RYAN BURGESS
As the Fall chill sets in and Winter draws near, we fill our mugs with the best coffee we can sip. One local roaster, chef turned coffee epicurean, is bringing the world’s best beans to Fredericksburg.
“Everything we do is just a little bit elevated, so that’s what sets me apart from other people.” - Pete Dionne
For Pete Dionne, owner of Fredericksburg Coffee Co., it all begins with the beans. On a map on his wall, markers point to small family-owned farms around the world where Dionne pays a premium to acquire the best beans; beans almost entirely hand-picked while red on the plant.
From there, Dionne goes the extra mile to treat the beans well, never using chemicals on them and packaging them in foil lined bags with a one-way valve to ensure flavor preservation.
“Everything we do is just a little bit elevated, so that’s what sets me apart from other people," Dionne said. This process keeps Fredericksburg Company Co. as an exclusive artisan roaster, a designation Dionne works to maintain.
“There is a rating system on coffee,” Dionne described. “Because I’m an artisan roaster I can only buy anything rated above 80.” Coffees rated below 80 are used by commodity roasters who purchase lower quality beans on a larger scale.
THE PERFECT ROAST
While working as a chef in Michigan, Pete met his wife. The two married and immediately opened their own restaurant, an experience Dionne described as “intense.”
The couple then spent time traveling, and Dionne practiced roasting coffee as a hobby. These travels consistently brought them back to Texas, where the couple landed for good. By the time Dionne launched Fredericksburg Coffee Co., he had established 13 years of roasting experience.
Dionne recognizes that many of Fredericksburg’s residents and visitors appreciate the delicate characteristics of wine, and that coffee provides a similar sipping experience. With his blends, Dionne roasts each bean type individually to its ideal specifications before the blend is combined.
“I tell people, when they buy coffee from me, I don’t want to just be the guy they buy coffee from,” Dionne said. “I want to be their coffee partner.”
Pete and Jessica Dionne take extra care of coffee beans to provide the perfect natural roast
Top: Classes on coffee origins and the roasting process are provided at Fredericksburg Coffee Co. to both the public and retail partners
Bottom: Pete Dionne works with family-owned growers in regions throughout the world to get high quality hand-picked coffee beans
PARTNERS
At times, Dionne’s coffee roasting room is filled with students where Dionne teaches the staff of his restaurant and retail partners everything he knows about coffee.
Fredericksburg Coffee Co.’s classes are available to the public for $50 but their retail partners have access to them free to simply increase their passion and knowledge of the product.
With easy going but consistent growth, Pete and his wife now offer 18 varieties of single roasts and blends available to their customers and retailers. Individuals can purchase coffee directly from Fredericksburg Coffee Co. or find retailers of the artisanal brand by visiting the “find us” tab of their website.
GRATEFUL & GROWING
Here in this season of Thanksgiving, Dionne expressed a deep gratitude for the community he serves and the work he gets to do.
“We grew it steadily and I absolutely love what I do,” Dionne said, who will be age 50 soon. The Dionne family have no intention of growing into a large coffee business.
“Every other business owner that we come into contact with has been amazing to work with," Dionne sad. "They all support us as much as we want to support them.”
Fredericksburg Coffee Co. can be found online at fredericksburgcoffeeco.com. For information about their coffee classes, email fbgcoffeeco@gmail. com. Their premium coffee beans can be purchased at locations throughout the region including Sunday Supply, Hill & Vine, The Market at Elk & Main and Hill Country Herb Garden.
Curried Parnship Soup & Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad
Fall offerings for your gathering table
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY JERILYNNE CLIFFORD
This Thanksgiving, bring balance to the table with two dishes that complement the holiday classics.
First, a shaved Brussels sprout salad. This salad is crisp, bright and brimming with flavor.
For something warm and unexpected, try curry parsnip soup with lump crab. This soup is comforting and elevated with the delicate sweetness of crab meat.
Shaved Brussels with Castelvetrano Olives
• 2 large lemons
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Diamond Crystal kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed
• 1/3 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and rough chopped
• 1/2 cup of Parmesan or Pecorino cheese, shaved
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts, toasted
Method:
In a small bowl, grate the zest of one lemon. Juice the two lemons into the bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Using a mandolin or food processor, thinly slice the Brussels sprouts. Add them to a large bowl. Take the olives and cheese and add to the Brussels sprouts. Drizzle with lemon dressing. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Finish by adding pine nuts.
Curried Parsnip Soup with Crab
• 5 parsnips, peeled and diced very small
• 1 onion, chopped
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 1 ½-2 tablespoon curry powder
• 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
• Lump crab meat
• Fresh chives, chopped for garnish
Method:
Over medium heat, melt the butter. Sauté the onions until softened. Add the curry powder and stir until fragrant. Add the parsnips and stock. Simmer until parsnips are tender. Using a blender or stick blender, puree until smooth. Add the cream. Add the crab and warm it through. Serve immediately. Top with chopped chives.
JeriLynne Clifford is founder and owner of Hill Country Bon Vivant. Her cookbook is titled "The Vineyard Table: Cooking, Wine and Stories of Hospitality."
FOR SOMETHING WARM AND UNEXPECTED, TRY CURRY PARSNIP SOUP WITH LUMP CRAB. THIS SOUP IS COMFORTING AND ELEVATED WITH THE DELICATE SWEETNESS OF CRAB MEAT.
Curried parsnip soup with crab
Shaved Brussels sprouts salad
H O P E
Begins with YOU A SEASON TO SEE THE UNSEEN
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
Get Christmas Ready at Liebeskind
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS NOVEMBER 2025
NOVEMBER 1ST
Arch Ray Resort’s 2nd Annual Harvest Festival
4160 E US HWY 290, Fredericksburg, TX | 11:00 AM
Arch Ray will celebrate Fall with vendors, live music and food and drinks from the resort. Event is free to the public.
NOVEMBER 8TH
1st Annual Car Show at Michael Ros Winery
Michael Ros Winery, 982 Old San Antonio Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas | 11:00 AM
Classic and exotic cars will be on display in celebration of Veterans Day at Michael Ros Winery. Event proceeds will go to Tunnel to Tower Foundation supporting military veterans.
NOVEMBER 8TH
Garrrison Brothers Red, White & Bourbon
Garrison Brothers, 1827 Hye-Albert Rd., Hye, TX | 10:00 AM
Garrison Brothers will honor military veterans and all who have served with the release of its limited edition small batch Red, White & Bourbon bottle and a special celebration at the distillery.
NOVEMBER 11TH
Veteran’s Day Commemoration
Memorial Garden at National Museum of the Pacific War, 340 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, TX | 11:00 AM
A program will take place at the Memorial Garden honoring those who served in the U.S. military. The event is free admission to the public.
NOVEMBER 22ND
66th Annual Historic Home Tour & Holiday Market
GCHS Historic Sanctuary, 312 W. San Antonio St., Fredericksburg, TX | 9:00 AM
Friday, Nov. 21 will kickoff the annual event with a preview party from 6-8 p.m.
The Holiday Market will run Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the Home Tour taking place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for all events must be purchased at pioneermuseum.org
NOVEMBER 26TH
Fredericksburg Christmas Nights of Lights
Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg | 5:00 PM
Each evening an audio presentation will take place at Marktplatz square in downtown Fredericksburg with a nightly countdown to turn on the downtown Christmas lights. The nightly event will continue to January 6, 2026.
Want to be featured?
THE ROOT AWAKENING
The Root Awakening, served at Otto’s German Bistro in Fredericksburg, is an earthy, crisp and zingy cocktail perfectly flavored for Fall.
A refresher full of Fall flavors
Ingredient Specifications:
• 2 oz. batch -1.5 oz. beet vodka -.25 oz. rowanberry brandy -.25 oz. St-Germain
• .75 oz lemon juice
• .75 oz ginger syrup
Shake and serve in wine glass with medium ice. Top with sparkling wine and garnish/express with a lemon peel.
Batch:
• 1500 ml beet vodka
• 250 ml rowanberry brandy
• 250 ml St-Germain
• 100 ml Angostura Bitters
• 100 ml Peychaud’s Bitters
Beet vodka: Ginger syrup:
Add 6-7 large roughly peeled and chopped beets to 2 liters of vodka and infuse three or more days.
Make a 1qt:1qt simple syrup on the burner. Once the sugar dissolves, add two cups of chopped ginger and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Then, remove from heat and cover it with a kitchen towel until it cools, then strain.
The Root Awakening
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This is our story, what's yours?
Just four miles north of Fredericksburg, Whatley Wines is more than a vineyard and tasting room—it’s a story of dreams and faith. From restoring an 1860s homestead at Melissa’s Farmstead and a Disabled Veterans Hall to nurturing vineyards and crafting wines with meaning, every sip connects you to our journey.
Come taste, break bread, share conversation, savor the story and the wine.
TEXAS BOURBON
