Welcome to the second issue of GeorgeTown & Country Magazine, a resource for both residents and newcomers alike. The magazine’s primary focus is on Georgetown and secondarily, the beautiful Hill Country area.

In this issue the second annual “Up the Chisholm Trail Cattle Drive and Chuckwagon Cook-off” event is featured as well as another popular event, the annual Christmas Stroll. For bike-riding enthusiasts, there’s a nice little ride to Walburg and back from Berry Springs Park. Discover one of Georgetown’s newest businesses on the Square for the artistry of fine jewelry making, and another new business for the wine-making experience. A quick day trip, the Blanton Museum in Austin, is recommended in this issue, as well as a trip to a popular winery, Flat Creek. Now that the courthouse has reopened, the “You Can’t Do That, Dan Moody” play has returned to the original courtroom, a Georgetown classic. And there are two other events featured in this issue-the popular Holiday Home Tour by the Heritage Society and the Taste of Georgetown... These are just a few of the articles, so sit back, relax and find out about our wonderful city!

If you would like to be an advertiser or would like to contribute an article for the magazine, please contact me at 512-863-3263.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and find it useful!

Lucas Adams, Publisher

Fall - Winter2007

Your Guide to Georgetown & the Hill Country

2 Up the Chisholm Trail Cattle DriveCelebrate Texas history with Georgetown’s second cattle drive.

4 Reopening of the Dan Moody PlayHistory in the making, performances are held in the restored courthouse on the Square.

5 Alma Thomas Theater Reopens After a two years of remodeling, Southwestern’s premier theater will reopen this fall.

6 Two Austin MuseumsGreat art and history.

8 To Walburg and BackEnjoy a bike ride starting in Berry Springs Park.

16 Artisan JewelerLocal jeweler creates and casts his own jewelry.

18 A Taste of Georgetown Sample food and wines from the area.

22 Heritage Homes Tour Historic homes are open to the public.

24 Stroll Into the Season 27th Annual Christmas Stroll.

© 2007 Lucas Adams. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without express written permission from Lucas Adams, of any portion of this publication is prohibited. Reasonable efforts have been taken to prepare this publication for accuracy, however the publisher assumes no liability for errors. Content in GeorgeTown & Country Magazine may include paid advertisements. Booklet designed, photographed and published by Lucas Adams.

8th Street StudiosAmore’ BoutiqueBeen Around the BlockChantal’s Bistro & Wine BarCianfrani Coffee CompanyD’Vine Wine of GeorgetownDown the Alley BistroFranklin & Company JewelersGatheringsGeorgetown Antique MallGeorgeTown & Country MagazineGeorgetown Heritage SocietyGeorgetown Shirt CompanyHarper-Chesser Historic InnHeavenly Oasis Ponds & WaterfallsHill Country BookstoreJust Kidds & MoreLaurie’s TooLone Star PropertiesMoreland PropertiesOaks at WildwoodQuenan’s JewelersRanch House B&BRazmataz SalonRufina’s Pottery and DecorShe, Etc... International Day SpaSweet SerendipityThe CollectorThe EscapeVolvo of GeorgetownWildfireWise CouncilWonderful ThingsZoe’s Gifts & Accessories

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The Intersection of 8th Street & ArtArt is emerging in Georgetown in more and more places... the new library, the courthouse annex, and next door to the library at 8th Street Studios. Jeff Lanfear’s new business is multifaceted; a ceramics studio where one can go to learn clay, an art studio offering fine art lessons ranging from painting to sculpture to jewelry making, and an art gallery.

Students come in all ages and experience levels and so the classes are tailored to the individual’s needs, which is a great way to learn. Even with no experience, a student can learn and have fun glazing a piece of ceramic, which Jeff then fires. Professional instructors provide one-on-one attention or in small groups in the well-equipped space that was recently remodeled from an almost-derelict building.

The remodeling was started more than a year ago

A D-Vine Taste of GeorgetownA new business has opened its doors, one that adds a unique flavor to our downtown as well as an interesting activity to expand one’s horizons.

Imagine making your own wine and bottling it with your own custom label! It’s one of those, “Why didn’t I think of that?” businesses, and their name is D-Vine Wine of Georgetown.

The service they offer is an educational experience, that of learning the age-old secrets of successful wine making. They also offer private bottling parties, free wine tasting and other business services for restaurants and retail stores, such as exclusive private label wines created specifically for events or promotional items.

Go by and visit their new store, located across the street from the Palace Theatre, at 817 South Austin Avenue, Suite 100, or for more information on their services give them a call at 869-8600.

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Watch cowboys drive a herd of longhorn cattle from San Gabriel Park to the historic downtown Square on Saturday, September 29, an event held in recognition of the city’s location on the historic Chisholm Trail. The celebration will begin at San Gabriel Park and conclude on the Square in Georgetown, with entertainment for visitors of all ages including live cowboy music, tasty food, a trick roping show, western craft exhibitors, petting longhorns, chuckwagon displays, pony rides, western authors, historical trail drive re-enactors and exhibits by modern-day cattle raisers. An authentic chuckwagon cooking contest in San Gabriel Park will kick off the event (8am to 3pm), and visitors will be able to sample authentic trail drive cuisine.

The event follows in the tradition started by Williamson County trail drivers in the 1860s, people like the father of the Longhorn Chisholm Trail, Peter Preston Ackley, who coined the phrase “Up the Chisholm Trail.” Ackley was a famous trail driver who made his first trip up the trail to

Going Up the Chisholm Trail Cattle Driveand Chuckwagon Cook-off

September 29thContinued on page 13

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The Palace Theater announces the return of You Can’t Do That, Dan Moody!, the hit play dramatizing the nation’s first successful prosecution of the Ku Klux Klan. The year was 1923; the place was the 26th District Court in the Williamson County Courthouse, Georgetown, Texas. The chief prosecutor was 27-year-old Dan Moody, a tall, lanky, redheaded kid from Taylor, who just happened to be the youngest district attorney in the history of Texas. The nationally watched trial vaulted Moody to statewide prominence, first as Texas attorney general and then as the youngest governor in the state’s history. (For more information on him visit the Williamson County Historical Museum in Georgetown or the Moody Museum in Taylor)

The play was written, directed, and produced by Tom Swift and is based on Ken Anderson’s popular book of the same title. It was presented by the Palace as part of the

festivities celebrating the 1998 sesquicentennial of Williamson County and the City of Georgetown. It proved so popular that it ran for two more seasons and after a three-year hiatus had a fourth successful

Play recreates famousku klux Klan trial

run in 2004, just before the historic courthouse was closed for restoration. All told, in its first four seasons the play was seen by more than 5,000 theatergoers.

Thanks to the restoration, patrons of this year’s performances will be the first to experience the play as the original courtroom gallery saw the trial; complete with the newly replaced balcony which had been removed in the 1960’s to put in a third-floor office to house the county treasurer’s staff.

As part of the rededication of the restored historic courthouse, the play will run for 15 performances from September 14 – October 14, 2007, on Fridays and Saturdays, at 8 P.M., and on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 P.M. The performances usually sell out, so get your tickets early!

State Representative Dan Gattis will reprise his role of the young prosecutor, and veteran actor Harold Steadman recreates the narrator, retired Governor Dan Moody. A third Dan Moody also appears in the play: the nine-year-old schoolboy, growing up in Taylor, Texas. The cast numbers 45 actors of both genders and all ages.

For further information,call Tom Swift at 512-818-3999.

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Williamson County Historical Museum Mural Artist: In Your Space Studios

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Located at The University of Texas in Austin, the Jack S. Blanton Museum of Art is one of the state’s finest museums, with over 17,000 works of art in their collection. They are located across the street from another favorite Texas destination, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress Avenue.

The Blanton’s art exhibits range from traditional old-master paintings and sculpture to the more modern contemporary art. Albrecht Dürer, one of the most prolific artists of all time, will be showcased from September 8th to November 25th.

As with many museums, there’s a rotating exhibit during the year so check out their websitewww.blantonmuseum.org for the schedule.

Exploring Two of Austin’s Museums

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is across the street from the Blanton Museum. (With the giant bronze star sitting out front, you can’t miss it.) The complete history of Texas is represented in their displays, so if you want to know something about the state, it’s probably there. They also have an IMAX theater, so check their schedule for show times.

For more information visit www.thestoryoftexas.com.

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Continued from page 1and involved a total face-lift from the ground up. Jeff’s vision of the final building was translated

into reality, a great plus for the continuing efforts to keep the downtown area vital and unique.

Drop in and visit with Jeff (and his cool dogs) or call 869-1900 for more information on class schedules and offerings. 8th Street Studios also carries a variety of ceramic and art supplies. Enrich your life and the lives of those around you with the gift of art!The website address is www.8thstreetstudios.com.

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To Walburg… and backby Ellen Davis

Berry Springs County Park and Preserve is one of the newest, nicest additions to the Williamson County park system, without exception. This 300-acre park, located off CR 152 just east of the new toll road, is a great place to walk, picnic, or even camp. A large grove of pecan trees along the creek provides shade and scenery, making the park ideal for getting away from the noise and traffic of other parks. Just a few minutes from downtown Georgetown, there’s even a local and national history associated with the park. Be sure to check out the historical marker at the entrance.

Berry Springs Park also makes a good starting point for bike rides, because there are good parking and restroom facilities available. As a result, several local bike groups gather there on a regular basis to do rides. To get to the park, take Austin Avenue north and turn right on CR 152 just past the high school and 9th grade campus.

One nice route that can be done from the park is a ride to Walburg and back. It’s about a 13-mile trip and offers a chance to see a part of Williamson County that is far removed from the bustling Interstate corridor. If you want to work up an appetite for a German food lunch or dinner at the famous Walburg Restaurant, try biking there! (Another dining option is Dale’s Essenhaus about a block away, serving great burgers and fries.)

The scenery along the way is rural farmland with cattle grazing, a soothing ride that is fairly free of traffic. There are no shoulders along the way, but traffic is light except for the stretch leaving Walburg on FM 1105. Use caution on this part of the ride as there is a little more traffic. You can make the ride longer by riding to the park from your house, or by starting at the high school on Austin Avenue.

Route map on following page, and a related article on page 10

Entrance to Berry Springs Park

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The ride:

Start at the parking lot of Berry Springs County Park and Preserve.

Turn left going out of the park on to CR 152.

2.3 Turn left on CR 140.

3.2 Turn right on CR 150.

4.1 Bear left at the “T” and continue on CR 150.

5.9 Turn right on FM 972 by the Texaco station.

6.4 Turn right on FM 1105 just past the Walburg Restaurant.

9.0 Turn right on CR 149.

10.6 Turn right on CR 140.

10.7 Turn immediately left on CR 152 and return to the park.

Total distance: 13 milesHow To Get to Berry Springs Park

Use Caution

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Walburg: A Little Bit of Bavaria Just North of Georgetown

Fall is the time to enjoy Oktoberfest, and if you live in Georgetown, you don’t have to travel far to get authentic German food and music.

The small town of Walburg, just north of Georgetown, is home to an outstanding German Restaurant called the Walburg Restaurant. The restaurant, which is located in an old mercantile building, is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.

The restaurant has a full menu of German cuisine, or you can enjoy their all-you-can-eat buffet, which is served Friday night, Saturday night, and all day Sunday. The buffet includes salads, potato soup, sauerkraut, cabbage, German fries, noodles, catfish, homemade sausage, and a variety of beef, chicken and pork dishes.

Although the restaurant serves excellent German food all year, things really get hopping from March to November when the biergarten, which is located in a converted cotton gin, is open. On Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. to midnight, you can relax with a wide variety of beers and enjoy music from groups such as the Walburg Boys led by yodeler and accordionist Ron Tippelt.

To get to the Walburg Restaurant from Georgetown, go north on I-35 and take exit 268 to Walburg. The restaurant is 4 miles east on FM 972, just before the intersection of FM 1105. Come early for the biergarten because the parking area fills up quickly! Reservations are recommended for the restaurant around Oktoberfest time.

– Ellen Davis

For more information:

Walburg Restaurant512-863-8440Walburgrestaurant@yahoo.comwww.walburgrestaurant.com

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Curtain Rises at Southwestern’s Alma Thomas Theater

The Alma Thomas Theater, located in the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center at Southwestern University, will re-open late in the fall after more than two years of renovation. The theater has undergone a major transformation in several areas: from eliminating environmental interferences such as air conditioning and/or adjoining room noises, to improvements in the educational experience via better rehearsal areas as well as better stage/set designs, to enhancing the audience experience by improving acoustics and theater functionality. Additionally, there are new “open architecture” entrances of glass on both the east and west sides of the building which will give the theater an inviting, spacious look. The Alma Thomas Theater’s lobby is planned to be an informal gallery of student artwork as well as a gathering place for patrons of the arts, a recipe for stimulating conversation. Check Southwestern’s website, www.southwestern.edu, for more information and events schedule.

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Here’s a recipe from Created for You Catering. You may be familiar with their pastries, which can be found at Cianfrani Coffee Company on the downtown Square. Enjoy these...

Brownies¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter1 heaped cup (6 oz) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)1 tablespoon espresso powder*1 tablespoon vanilla extract2 cups sugar½ teaspoon salt4 eggs½ teaspoon baking powder¾ cup all-purpose flour*if espresso powder is not available substitute 1 tablespoon very strong brewed coffee or espresso

Brownies: Lightly grease a 9x13-inch pan. Over medium-low heat, or in the microwave, melt together the butter and chocolate, stirring till smooth. Stir in the cocoa, espresso powder, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Whisk in the eggs one at a time. In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder and flour, then stir these dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture until just blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake the brownies in a preheated 350º oven for 34 to 38 minutes, until their top is shiny but the middle is still soft. Remove them from the oven, and cool for 30 minutes before icing.

Icing: In a medium sized bowl, mix the espresso powder and hot water, then stir in the sugar and heavy cream or milk. Spread the icing over the brownies, or drizzle over the top slowly from a large spoon, then sprinkle with the toffee bits. Cool the brownies for several hours before cutting into squares. Yield: 24 brownies.

C o f f e e T o f f e e B r o w n i e s

Icing & Topping1 tablespoon espresso powder*1 tablespoon hot water*1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk½ cup Heath Toffee Bits

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Up the Chisholm TrailCattle Drive & Chuckwagon Cook-off

Event ScheduleSaturday, September 29

Chuckwagon viewing open to Public9:00 am-3:00 pmLonghorn viewing9:00 am-5:00 pm

Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Arena - San Gabriel Park

Western Demonstrators & Vendors3:00-9:00 pm

On the Courthouse Square

Chuckwagon Food Competition Judging1:00 pm

San Gabriel Park

Chuckwagon Food for Public1:30 pm

San Gabriel Park

Chuckwagon Awards Ceremony3:00 pm

San Gabriel Park

Cattle Drive to Courthouse Square5:30 pm

Leaves San Gabriel Park

Up the Chisholm Trail Event4:30-9:00 pm

On the Courthouse Square

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Kansas as a teenager in 1878. Ackley spearheaded the trail marking movement in the 1930s in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, with the goal of placing a “Going Up the Chisholm Trail” marker in every county that the trail passed through. One of these historically significant trail markers still stands at the southwest corner of the Courthouse lawn and is featured as a tribute to Williamson County trail drivers. A lecture will be held at Main Street Baptist Church fellowship hall on Thursday the 27th at 7 pm. The speaker, Karen Thompson, will give a talk on “The Women on the Cattle Trail.” Texas cowboys drove more than five million cattle and a million mustangs up the Chisholm Trail from 1867 to 1885, making it the largest migration of livestock in world history. Some of the earliest cattle drives originated in Williamson County and this heritage continues today with modern day Williamson County cattle raisers pioneering the “New Chisholm Trail,” the I-35 corridor. For more information on the event please visit the website at www.wchm-tx.org or phone the Williamson County Historical Museum at 943-1670.

Chris Dyer

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Relocating to Georgetown Can Lead To Important Money Decisions (part 2)Retirement Plan distributions – Many people moving to Georgetown have recently retired and must make important decisions about how to handle company retirement plan distributions. Here are some common situations that require close attention:

To Roll or Not to Rollo ? Should you roll 401k funds into an IRA? It depends on your age and if you need income immediately or not from the plan assets. Big mistakes are often made here, so be sure you know the rules prior to making a final decision.

Income from 401k prior to 59 ½o ? If you need income from your 401k plan before reaching age 59 ½, then you might qualify for the age 55 exception. If you turn 55 before you retire, you can leave some money in your 401k or other retirement plan and make distributions without a 10% penalty. This exception does not apply to IRAs.

Income from your IRAs prior to 59 ½o ? You can take income early from your IRAs using equal annual or monthly distributions over five years or until you turn 59 ½, whichever is longer. Make sure you do this correctly because a single mistake triggers the tax penalty retroactively on all the distributions taken.

Stock in your 401k?o If you have highly appreciated company stock in your 401k plan, look at using a technique called Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA). This allows for favorable tax treatment if you take your stock out of the plan in kind and then keep it or sell it after the distribution.

Divorce and 401k Plans?o Divorce sometimes precedes people coming to Georgetown . The court may issue a QDRO ordering a split of one spouse’s 401k plan balance. The spouse that doesn’t own the account is allowed to roll their share of the division into their own IRA. But, if you need money from the distribution and you are not yet age 59 ½ then tread carefully. You are not penalized if you take a distribution prior to doing the rollover. But after the rollover is completed, you are subject to normal IRA distribution restrictions.

Minimum Required Distributions If you are nearing or already age 70 ½, then it’s time to simplify your accounts by consolidating them as much as possible. The IRS penalty for not taking the correct required amount each year from your IRA or other retirement plans is 50% of the amount that should have come out. You pay regular tax on top of that penalty. It’s smart to have fewer accounts to keep track of to reduce the chances of a mistake on the distributions. It also simplifies your beneficiary planning as discussed earlier.

Georgetown resident Robert W. Huntley, CFP®, ChFC is President/CEO of Wise$Counsel and author of “Retire is a VERB!” Contact him at 869-3003 or bhuntley@wisecounsel-inc.com

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Georgetown’s Artisan Jeweler casts his own using the age-old

lost wax processHaving done the cire perdue (French for lost wax casting) process myself several times, I can truly appreciate the artistry and mastery of one of Georgetown’s newest jewelers. Located on the historic downtown Square in what is now known as the Gold’s Building, Franklin Pulliam creates original jewelry from conception to finished product using the lost wax casting process.

What is the process? It is one of the most important discoveries in the history of civilization, now used primarily only for fine art bronze casting as well as jewelry. Originally, however, it was used by the early Egyptians and Greeks to make fine bronze parts for doors, latches, tools, sculpture, weapons and scientific apparatus, just to name a few. The advent of newer mass production techniques which don’t involve the whole lost wax process have changed the way these parts are now made, but the technique is still the same.

The first step is the creation of a wax model to the exact size and shape that the finished metal piece will have. The model can be carved from a solid block of wax using small fine tools, grinders and knives or it can be an additive process where molten wax is built up on a surface... or it can be a combination of both. Every detail that is represented in the wax comes

out in the final metal, even fingerprints, so much care must be given to creating the most perfect wax possible. A stone or jewel can be placed temporarily in the setting to aid the carving. To this end, a wax carver will usually wear magnifying eye loupes to

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ensure the highest quality carving. Many hours of tedium and a steady hand are involved to get a high quality model. (Novices in wax carving can forego the wax carving step by simply buying pre-carved models, but they are not created with the same

artistry and uniqueness that are generally desirable.) When finished, the original wax can be cast directly into metal, or a rubber mold can be made if several reproductions are wanted.

The next step involves placing the wax into a material called investment, which is like plaster of Paris. The wax model, with a wax pouring funnel attached, is placed in an open-ended container called a flask.

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Continued from previous pagePlaster is poured into the flask and immediately placed in a small vacuum chamber, which pulls all

of the air out of the investment creating a perfect mold. In the old days this was done by tapping or vibrating the flask so as to dislodge the bubbles, which was usually only partially successful.

After setting up overnight, the next step is the removal of the wax from the hardened plaster. This can be accomplished by putting the flask into a kiln, which is a high-temperature oven, and slowly bringing the heat up. This burns out the wax, leaving

a hollow shape inside the mold. (An improvement over this smoky part of the process involves pre-steaming the flask to melt out the wax.) The flask is removed from the kiln while it

is still red-hot and placed onto the vacuum table, which pulls a vacuum through the bottom of the investment. The molten metal is then poured into the opening, filling the void that left behind when the wax was melted out. The hot flask with the casting in it is then dipped into a bucket of water, and the hot investment instantly disintegrates with

a boiling action, leaving the casting behind. The jewelry is then cleaned and detached from the pouring funnel. The spot where the pouring funnel was cut off is then ground down and polished, after which the stone or jewel is incorporated into the design, leaving a beautiful original

piece of hand-made artwork.

Franklin Pulliam got into his profession almost by accident. He didn’t intend on becoming an artisan jeweler,

but after taking a high school elective “to kill an hour,” he discovered a talent for it. In college he majored in music and fell into various jewelry jobs with companies, accumulating equipment and expertise along the way. One of the businesses he was located in during the ’80s suddenly closed, so he got his own store and displays, focusing on what had then become his profession. To further his education, he studied with a master wax carver, Yanula Blacy, which gave him the benefit of her expertise and knowledge.

He moved to Georgetown from New Mexico after his brother found a job in Austin and encouraged him to move here. Located on the north side of the Square in downtown Georgetown, his shop also carries fine art, sculpture and unique clocks.

To see his fine craftsmanship, visit his store on the north side of the downtown Square two doors down from the Visitor’s Center.

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If you like to indulge in fine foods and wines, the Taste of Georgetown might just be for you! Imagine being able to sample different restaurant’s cuisine, desserts and wines from around the area with a few of your closest friends, outdoors under the stars... That’s the “Taste.”

The event was originally started by the Downtown Georgetown Association three years ago and held in the Grace Heritage parking lot. It quickly became a huge success, so well attended that a larger venue was needed. The water plaza at Wolf Ranch was used as the staging ground last year allowing for a little more elbow room, and more food.

It will be held again this year at Wolf Ranch on October 11th, sponsored by First Texas Bank, the Downtown Georgetown Association, Wolf Ranch, Sysco Foods. D’Vine Wines, Tasus and others. Tickets are on sale at the DGA office, Sun City Community Association, and the local HEBs. They are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For more information call 868-8675.

Taste This!

G e o r g e t o w n E v e n t

A Taste ofGeorgetown

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Day Trip: Flat Creek Vineyard and Winery

– Ellen Davis

One of the nice things about living near the Texas Hill Country is the abundance of wineries located in the area, many of which are quite good.

One of the closest wineries to Georgetown

is the Flat Creek Vineyard and Winery, which is located off FM 1431 about 6 miles west of Lago Vista. It’s about a 44-mile drive from Georgetown and makes a nice weekend day trip. You can get there either by taking I-35 south to FM 1431 and winding your way west to the winery, or by going west on Hwy. 29 to Liberty Hill and taking some back roads south to FM 1431. Either way, you will be treated to some of the most spectacular scenery in the Hill Country.

As its name implies, Flat Creek has both vineyards and wine-making facilities on its 80-acre estate. It also has a nice tasting room, gift shop, an event center, and even a bed and breakfast.

The tasting room is open Tuesday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.My favorite wines from Flat Creek are the

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Muscato D’Arancia and the Muscato Blanco, both of which are sweet, fruity white wines that have won national and international acclaim. They also have a Pinot Grigio, a Cabernet Sauvignon and several Ports. Picnic lunches are available for purchase on weekends, or you can bring your own and enjoy it in the estate’s picnic area.

In late July through early September, guests are invited to join the vineyard’s harvest team. In exchange for several hours labor, volunteers are treated to a light lunch upon completion of the day’s harvest and an invitation to a celebratory dinner at the end of the harvest season. Guests may also sign up to spend a day helping with the actual wine making.

Flat Creek offers a variety of other special events such as dinners, cooking classes, wine classes and concerts. Check their Web site for detailed event listings.

The event center at Flat Creek, which can accommodate up to 100 guests, makes a lovely setting for a wedding reception or other special

occasion. The estate’s “Vintner’s Quarters” can accommodate 2-6 guests. Prices range from $169 to $229 a night, depending on the number of persons staying.

For more information:Flat Creek Vineyard and Winery24912 #1 Singleton Bend EastMarble Falls, Texas 78654512-267-6310www.flatcreekestate.com

Sitting on the porch overlooking the vineyard

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Epcon communities brings single-story, maintenance-free living to Georgetown

A new way of life has just been introduced to the Georgetown area: “Single-Story Maintenance-Free Living.” After perfecting these luxurious condominiums in 29 states and over 200 cities with huge success, Epcon Communities has brought this new lifestyle to Georgetown.

The Oaks at Wildwood condominium development has been designed to give the sense of single-family living in a neighborhood or small village. “It looks like a home on the outside and feels like a home on the inside,” said David Blackburn, Sales Manager for the Oaks at Wildwood.

The homes are not linked together in a linear, side-by-side

configuration. Four homes are grouped in a pinwheel design. Epcon Communities has mixed and matched homes that offer different floor-plans adding a pleasing architectural element

to the exterior. A well-appointed clubhouse with big screen TV, pool table, fireplace and full kitchen is a hub for social activities. A heated, outdoor pool and fitness center are among the places homeowners gather. The summer months are filled with fun activities that include grilling on the clubhouse patio, a luau and monthly card clubs. With various activities such as book clubs, cooking classes and exercise classes throughout the year, the Oaks at Wildwood’s sense of community knows no season.

To reach the Oaks at Wildwood, go west on Williams Drive. Go through the Shell Road intersection and go 3.5 miles to Wildwood Drive (at the blinking light) and turn right. The Oaks at Wildwood is on your left, with home prices starting in the $210,000s.

The clubhouse/sales and information center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Call 512-864-3210 or, for additional information, visit www.epconcommunities.com.

Advertisement

Heritage Society Home TourThe Georgetown Heritage Society’s Holiday Home Tour in historic Georgetown features some of the finest restored old homes located in the downtown area. Held on the second weekend in December, the Tour offers a rare opportunity to view inside some of the loveliest historic homes dressed for the holidays.

The Heritage Society’s Home Tour began in 1976 and remains a much-anticipated holiday activity for Georgetown residents and visitors alike. Each year five different homes are featured, allowing guests an up-close glimpse at the craftsmanship and detail of several architectural styles. Tour guides are present to answer questions and give a brief history of the homes, with tales of the construction, former owners and happenings in each room - some homes even have a ghost story or two! Often filled with beautiful antiques and fascinating history, the featured homes are sure to impress and reaffirm the need for restoration and preservation.

Grace Heritage Center, 811 South Main Street, is home to the Heritage Society offices and will serve as the Hospitality Center. The historic white chapel in downtown Georgetown invites guests to stop by and enjoy refreshments, purchase tickets and shop for unique gifts.

The 2007 Tour will be held December 8th and 9th from 12 noon until 5 pm. Tickets are $10 and will be on sale at the Visitors Center at 7th and Main Streets and other area locations beginning mid-October. For more information please call(512) 869-8597 or visit www.georgetownheritagesociety.org.

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by Susan Firth

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Quenan’s Building Project on TrackQuenan’s Jewelers, in business on the Square since 1999, will be moving to their newly remodeled building at the corner of 7th Street and Austin Avenue sometime this fall. The new building will be another nicely renovated structure for downtown, having been completely re-done from floor to roof.

The original building was part of the old P&K Hardware store and was not historic, so the proposal to redo it gained early support.

Steve and Kyra Quenan bought the building in 2006 and began to renovate the structure. They completely removed the floor down to the dirt and the roof as well, leaving only the walls standing. After several unforeseen delays (and about 2 solid months of rain) the building is back on track to be completed in the fall and promises to be more in the style of the other older buildings. Georgetown’s Main Street Program awarded a grant from the facade fund to help facilitate the transformation of the building, in their continuing effort to preserve and maintain a vital historic district.

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27th Annual Christmas Stroll

The holiday season in Georgetown is a wonderful time of year, a celebration shared with friends and neighbors at events like DGA’s annual Christmas Stroll.

Held on the first Saturday in December, the Stroll features over 100 arts and crafts vendors from all over the state, a tasty food court, children’s activities and more. The ambiance of the historic Victorian downtown combined with plenty of Christmas spirit makes for lasting memories and photos that are unique to Georgetown. (One of my personal favorites was a small dog dressed in holiday attire, pulling a small sleigh.)

The celebration of the Stroll will be a special one this year, thanks to the re-opening of the historic courthouse and the charm that it will bring to the event as a perfect backdrop for Santa and carriage rides around the Square.

For more information on the Christmas Stroll, call the Downtown Georgetown Association at 868-8675 or visit online at www.downtowngeorgetownassociation.com.

December 1st

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The Georgetown Project is proud to present Ballet Austin Touring Company’s highly acclaimed production of The Nutcracker for a limited engagement, November 17th at 7:30 p.m. and November 18th at 2 p.m.

The performances will be held at the Georgetown ISD Klett Center for the Performing Arts with the added bonus of Georgetown’s own children being cast to play in the children’s roles! Two tiers of seating will be available: $50 Premium (front half) or $30 General (back half). Tickets will be available for purchase at Georgetown HEB stores beginning October 5th.

Proceeds from these performances will go to benefit the Georgetown Project, a non-profit organization that is devoted to shaping a community that works together to provide solutions which create a healthier environment for our children and youth. Partners include parents, youth, business, government, teachers, health and human services and religious communities.

(On a personal note, having taught art for several years in the After School Action Program, I can attest to the importance of this endeavor. I think it is important to provide our youth with opportunities and the education needed to succeed. Your support of the Georgetown Project will help tremendously in this effort. L.A.)

Phone 943-5198 or visit online atwww.georgetownproject.com

Ballet Austin Comes to Georgetown

G e o r g e t o w n E v e n t

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Announcing:Hersday on Thursday

There’s a new event specifically for the ladies, an opportunity to get pampered at a discount... and especially on Thursdays!

It’s called Hersday and it is the brainchild of Sandra Dronet at She Etc... and Rene Morgan of Been Around the Block Designs.

Several businesses are participating around the Square, with discounts, snacks and beverages, so check it out! This is another one of those events that is sure to catch on.

Be sure to tell them where you heard about Hersday!

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