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Texas Hill Country2nd Issue

2014

.com

We Are . . .

the BEST of TEXAS!

$3.95FREE fo r our cu s tomer s !

And the Facebook Photo Contest winner is...

See page 8 Thank you to everyone who entered

and to all who voted

Welcome to Texas Hill Country, Brownwood! p. 6

Brownwood ReunionSept. 19th - 21st p. 22

The Come Back...Lizard? p. 10

Old Times Here Are Not Forgotten p. 16

Harmonious Hill CountryHarvest p. 18

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Texas Hill Country

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Texas Hill Country

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In This Issue... Y’all visit us online now, Ya Hear!

www.TexasHillCountry.com www.Texas-Hill-Country.com

www.facebook.com/TexasHillCountrywww.twitter.com/MrHillCountry

Contact: Texas Hill Country TourismPO Box 3 Brady, Tx 76825

MrHillCountry@Yahoo.com

Cover Photo provided by: Bonnie Feaster Chapa

via Texas Hill Country’s Facebook Photo Contest

Published by: JARco Publishing, LLC

PO Box 704 Llano, TX 78643www.jarcopublishing.com

©2014 JARco Publishing, LLC & ©2014 Texas Hill Country Tourism, LLCAll Rights Reserved.

Welcome to the Hill Country Brownwood, Texas p. 6

TexasHillCountry.com Facebook Photo Contest Winners p. 8

The Come back... Lizard? p 10

Showing Texas Pride p 14

Old Times Here Are Not Forgotten p 16

Harmonious Hill Country Harvest p 18

Hunters’Appreciation Dinner p 20

Brownwood Reunion p 22

Dining & Libations p 24

Bed & Breakfasts / Hotels p 28

Advertisers Index p 30

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The Lone Star State – big, beautiful, enticing and full of flavor. Folks are proud to say they are from Texas. With all this great state has to offer, it is really no wonder people from around the world want to visit. However, the sheer size makes it difficult to know where to start.

More than 50 years ago, the Texas Tourism Office divided the state into seven geographical regions in order to better inform tourists of its diversity. The state’s website, Travel-Tex.com shows these seven regions have widely different landscapes. “You’ve got beaches. You’ve got rolling hills and canyons. You’ve got seven different places in one.”

Big Bend Country - The grandeur of the Old West.Gulf Coast – Pack your flip flops and sunscreen.Hill Country – Unwind in the Heart of Texas.Panhandle Plains – Rolling plains that are anything but plain.Piney Woods – Mother Nature with a Texas accent.Prairies & Lakes – Big cities, small towns, & everything in

between.South Texas Plains – Vibrant sites & personalities.

Since the development of these regions, Brownwood and Brown County was designated in the Panhandle Plains region. Those who aren’t familiar with the Brownwood area might agree that this is an appropriate fit, but for those in the area and some wanting to visit, this particular

region didn’t make sense. The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce had many reports from visitors that they had difficulty finding information about Lake Brownwood or Brown County in state directories and guides as well as on state websites, mostly because people assumed the listing would be in the Hill Country Region due to the County’s topography and central Texas location – only 22 miles from the geographical center of the state.

In 2011,Governor Rick Perry’s office approved re-desig-nating Brown County from the Panhandle Plains Region to the Hill Country Region. The change came as a result of a joint letter submitted to Governor Rick Perry’s office from County Judge Ray West, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, and the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce who requested the new classification in September of 2010. Prior to the letter’s submission, the Chamber worked over the three previous years contacting various state agencies to make sure there would be no objections to the requested change. Officials with the Texas Department of Transpor-tation Tourism Division, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were all includ-ed in these discussions and showed support for the change.

In January 2011, the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce announced that Brown County was officially included in the Hill Country Region of Texas and grad-ually would be in state publications, lists and websites as such. The change from Panhandle Plains to Hill Country is already reflected on the state’s tourism website Travel-Tex.com and will be updated in future publications. Brad Smyth, Deputy Director of Tourism for Texas told Brown-wood Chamber officials that the change will be reflected in print publications such as maps and travel guides as they go through their regular scheduled printings in the future.

Location, location, location…this new regional assign-ment has been a vital component in drawing more visitors to the area and has given Brownwood and Brown County much more visibility and will undoubtedly help future growth of Lake Brownwood and the state park, the hunting industry, museums, and other attractions. The office of the Governor of Economic Development and Tourism com-piles data on the economic impact visitors have on cities, counties, regions, and the state as a whole. To put it into financial perspective for 2013:

Panhandle Plains Region generated $3,496.6 million in direct visitor spending with sales tax revenue of $264.4 million and employs 37,000 in the tourism industry with earnings of $820.3 million.

Hill Country Region generated $6,404.4 Million in direct

Welcome to the hill country, BroWnWood, texas By Sunni Modawell , Tourism Director of Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce

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visitor spending with sales tax revenue of $521.2 million and employs 67,000 in the tourism industry with earnings of $1,888.6 million.

Brown County is a great Hill Country destination; close enough to home, but far from ordinary. There’s just something about this place that called home. It feels right, it feels comfortable, it just feels like home. If you’ve nev-er been to Brown County, you’d understand by walking through Historic Downtown Brownwood or sitting down to visit with the locals in a home-owned cafe.

Brown County is more than just another county in Central Texas; it is home to legendary Underwood’s BBQ, Coach Gordon Wood, and over fifty Historical markers. Brownwood has five museums, including the Martin and Francis Lehnis Railroad Museum across from the Depot Plaza, as well as the Brown County Museum of History and the Firearms Museum of Texas, which are housed in the 1902 jail house resembling a European castle. Each tells the story of Texas and Brown County. The Lehnis Railroad Museum showcases model trains and a large collection of railway artifacts, as well as miniature train rides. The Gordon Wood Hall of Champions showcases the “winnin-gest” high school football coach, Gordon Wood. The Hall of Champions holds artifacts from Coach Wood’s honor-able career and highlights outstanding players and support coaching staff.

The area is a sportsman’s paradise, with miles and miles

of rolling terrain filled with pecan trees, live oak and whitetail deer. We are home to three golf courses and several shade-covered parks and Lake Brownwood in our back yard. With almost 100 miles of shoreline, it offers activities such as water skiing, boating, swimming and fishing. Family reunions, retreats, and outdoor enthusiasts make it their home away from home in the lodges, retreat centers and camps around the Lake. Lake Brownwood State Park is a jewel of the Hill Country with 537 acres to camp, picnic, fish, hike, swim and bird watch.

Brown County is a focal point on the Way out Wineries Trail, the Texas Forts Trail, the Great Texas Wildlife Trail, and the Texas Paddle Trail. The Brownwood Regional Airport supports private planes and has a 24-hour fuel station. There is lodging to satisfy any group, from cozy lodges, to new hotels making Brownwood and Early ideal for family reunions, group meetings or just a weekend getaway.

If you’re looking for a place where you can slow down, and do the things you love to do, not the things you have to do, then come see us. You won’t get stuck in traffic, and you’ll see the stars at night. Folks will wave for no reason, so brace yourself for pure Texas hospitality and the option to relax and do nothing!

To find out more about the county and Brownwood, visit us at www.VisitBrownwood.com

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CONGRATULATIONS! to the first place winner of the

August photo contest:

Bonnie Feaster ChapaRiver Terrace The Frio River,

Leakey, Tx. Votes Received: 336

(Cover Photo)

Join in the fun at www.facebook.com/TexasHillCountry

TexasHillCountry.com Facebook Photo Contest Winners!

2nd PlaceGuadalupe River in Gruene TX.

Taken July 19, 2014 by Kimi A. Phillips

←

3rd PlaceLake Travis

Taken May, 2014 by Quina Vallejo

←←

Be sure to “Follow” Texas Hill Country on Facebook to keep up-to-date on fun and in-

teractive things to do such as contests, trivia, and more!

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About 30 years ago, the phrynosoma was a familiar sight in the Texas Hill Country. Most over the age

of 35 can recall catching them to play with. The guys will remember stuffing them into their pockets and carrying them to school to pester the girls. Pretty much anytime one felt the need to go out and catch horned lizards, they could be found. Unfortunately, like the once prolific pop-ulations of quail in the region, the horned lizards faded away and many of our kids have never seen one in the wild. Fortunately, there is a small group of people who are working to find out if the horned lizard can make a come-back in the Texas Hill Country.

Devin Erxleben is the TPWD wildlife biologist at the McGillivray and Leona McKie Muse Wildlife Management Area, located in Brown County, near the town of Blan-ket. Comprising only 1,975 acres, smaller than the typical WMA, the Muse is a low-fence Area where Devin and others conduct surveys of wildlife, including game spe-cies, small mammals, birds, reptiles, and vegetation. The Area is also used for experimentation in habitat manipu-lation and as an educational tool for ranchers interested in implementing wildlife management practices on their own properties. The Muse WMA was given to the TPWD in 2006 and Devin came on board a couple of years later, when they began to do the surveys.

“I had an interest in horned lizards, because they should be here. We have plenty of ants and they should be here. But, we never found any, using several different methods,” he said on the day this writer was lucky enough to tag along.

“So, we decided maybe they were pushed out by graz-ing. We had red harvester ants, but not in huge numbers.

We think overgrazing and possibly some pesticide use pushed the red harvester ants out of this area.” He noted it is estimated 60 percent of the horned lizard diet is the red harvester ant.

Devin attributes the demise of the horned lizard popula-tions to a variety of factors: fire ants, the pet trade, climate, and pesticides used to kill the fire ants and inadvertently also killing the red ants.

“So, by losing that main food source, that could have pushed the horned lizards out of their native range.”

Probably, according to Devin, the biggest known det-riment to the demise of the horned lizards is just habi-tat change and habitat loss. This region has seen a lot of

The comeback… lizard?by Kevin Holamon

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changes in land use over the last 30 years and that’s caused habitat loss, also affecting other species such as the quail. In this area of the state, in particular, many of the old large ranches have been subdivided repeatedly, as the elder gen-erations have left their properties to their progeny. Devin acknowledged this was quite likely a contributing factor.

“We’ve got all these small parcels and possibly each is being managed differently.”

“A lot of people have asked and we’ve wondered for some time, can we reintroduce them and bring them back. Due to the popularity of the Prop 11 Wildlife Tax Evaluation more and more ranchers are actually managing for wildlife these days and there’s profit to be made from managing for wildlife. We kind of feel like a lot of the habitat in our re-gion is better now than it may have been 30 years ago and we think a lot of horned lizard habitat has possibly been improved so that it could support them.”

After five years of planning and preparation, Devin and fellow biologist Nathan Rains launched the experiment in reintroducing the horned lizard in Central Texas, in the spring of 2014. Livestock grazing had ceased in 2006, allowing native seed grasses and forbs needed by the red harvester ants to come back and thrive.

“It seems our ant numbers are increasing. So, we thought it was the right time. We did some habitat manipulation to try to open up some areas that had the right soil types (sandy loam soil that they can burrow into), because they like it open, kind of like quail. They need to be able to nav-igate. The area we chose for the horned lizards was because of the soil type and there is a high density of ant colonies per acre. Some of our neighbors also told us that this field in particular had lizards in it about 30 years ago.”

The preparation included the construction of a 10’ x 10’ welded wire enclosure, placed over an ant colony, where

the lizards spent the first couple of weeks on the property. Devin said that allowed them to acclimate to the soils, the weather conditions, and everything else that was different from what they were accustomed, protected from preda-tors.

Fourteen lizards were captured on private property, west of San Angelo, and released into the enclosure, in what Devin referred to as “a soft release.” After the initial couple of weeks, sections of the wire cage were opened and the lizards were allowed to disperse on their own. But, not

before each was fitted with a radio transmitter to allow the staff to track them.

Tracking is done every day, seven days a week. Rowdy White, seasonal technician, and Dacia Griffin, summer intern, all take part in the daily task.

“We typically all go out on Mondays, when we actual-ly handle each lizard, getting body weight, do an overall health assessment, and we check the transmitter. The rest of the week is pretty much just tracking, getting a visual location and logging the GPS coordinates.”

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At the office, Devin inputs the GPS data into a GIS map-ping program, enabling them to immediately start looking at habitat use and what they are doing.

“We really don’t know much about horned lizards. We don’t know much about their home range size, habitat use, foraging behavior, sources of mortality. All that is import-ant to see if this could work and be successful.”

Tracking began in late May and Devin said they have already learned a lot about habitat use and dispersal. The lizards dispersed a lot further than what they thought they would, initially. He said the thought was that they had a home range of two to four acres. A few of the lizards im-mediately dispersed and moved out away from the enclo-sure, establishing a pretty large home range. As summer has gone on and it’s hotter and drier, their home range sizes have shrunk and they’re not moving as much, which was to be expected.

In the beginning, tracking was done several times a day. Rowdy, who lives on-site, would go out at 10 o’clock, or midnight, or 2 in the morning, just to see what they were doing. Everyone wondered, are they sleeping the whole night, are they burrowing into the ground or are they just hunkered down under the brush.

“On cooler evenings, they would kind of create a nest bowl and slightly burrow into the soil. On warmer eve-nings, they just lay up in real thick brush. As it’s gotten warmer, they’re really active in the morning. In late spring, they were pretty much asleep until 10:30 or 11, then they’d be active until 2 o’clock. Then they would just kind of loaf, until about 6:30 or 7, they’d get active again and feed, just before night. Now that it’s hotter, they’re active from about 8 until 10:30 or so, then they head for the shade. So, lately, more of our tracking has been in the morning hours, mainly because it’s easier on us.”

Of course, there were concerns from the start, such as loss to predators and whether or not sufficient food sourc-es existed to allow the lizards to thrive.

“We did have some predation, early on. It looked like it was more small mammal predators, like mice and rats, were eating some of our lizards. It was unfortunate. As they quit moving as much and became a little more local-ized, the predation really dropped off. It’s been about two months since we’ve lost a lizard, so we’re pleased with that.”

The data collected, however, alleviated the second con-cern. The lizards’ weight has consistently climbed, indicat-ing those that remain are healthy and finding plenty to eat. In fact, another encouraging sign is the establishment of two nests.

“We’ve got eggs now in nests and we’ve got cages over them to protect them from predators. We’re monitoring those nests daily and we’re hoping we’re going to have

some babies soon. So that’s pretty neat that reproduction has happened here again, after probably 30 years. It’s pretty exciting.”

Devin said the lizards are really social, in their natural en-vironment. He said there is a high density of lizards, where these were caught, and they are pretty much communal. Here, after they initially scattered, some have come back and spent some time together. In fact, those identified as Lizard 10 and Lizard 14 have since remained pretty much side by side.

“We’ve had some males and females that came togeth-er for a few days and we think there was probably some breeding going on and we’ve had a couple of females that spent some time together. Lizard 12 and Lizard 13 spent about a month and a half together and all of a sudden, 13 has gone off north and she’s on her own now, a long way from the others. They’re all pretty spread out now. 7 and 11 are pretty close to each other and 10 and 14. Lizard 5, down in the south, she’s been pretty much isolated since

(Lizards continued)

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Kevin Holamon is a freelance writer, covering topics from the outdoors to politics. He may be contacted at

kevin.holamon@gmail.com.

day one. She actually went way west, out onto the neigh-bor’s property and spent about three weeks there and then came back to us.”

The initial experiment appears to be a tremendous success, with promising data and observational evidence suggesting the desired outcome is likely. So much so, the program is on target to expand next year, with plans to introduce and additional 30 lizards on the WMA. Along with the eight current residents and nest sizes ranges from 15 to 30, Devin and his staff could well be tracking 40 to 50 lizards, next summer. Although he is cautious about estimating numbers from a hatch, considering the success rate is only about 30 percent. It could get exponential, if they start breeding and everything goes well. Devin said, if that happens, they will likely hire a graduate biology student to work the project on a full-time basis.

“We’re going to continue to do this for the next several years, to learn as much as we can from them and see if we can get a new colony established. If so, then we’ll be inter-ested to move out onto other properties in the area and see if we can extend their range over this portion of the coun-ty. We’ve also considered looking at some other counties that used to have horned lizards, maybe going to some dif-ferent regions and testing it there, maybe moving further south into the Edwards Plateau and in the Hill Country, where they had lizards at one time, but don’t now. We’ve

had some folks in east Texas on the Wildlife Management Areas interested in participating, where they are know to have been in the Post Oak Savannah eco-region. We even-tually may have some sister sites, where we’re doing the same thing and monitoring in different parts of the state and make comparisons so we can learn more about how they react in different parts of the state.”

Horned lizards are an icon of the southwest and they ought to be here. Devin pointed out a comment by Nathan Rains, in a video about the project posted to the TPWD Youtube channel, when he said good horned lizard habitat is typically good habitat for quail, turkeys, deer, and every-thing else, which encourages landowners to get on board.

The Eyes of Texas are upon Devin, Nathan, and the rest of the staff, as well as those eight horned lizards. Only time will tell, but this writer, for one, is cheering them on. With a little luck, our grandchildren may get the chance to witness what we once took for granted.

While every state exhibits its own regional pride, as they should, Texans are unique in the ways they

displays their pride. Where else can one find items rang-ing from frying pans and ice cube trays to tortilla chips shaped like their state? If it can be marketed or sold, there is a good possibility you’ll find it in the shape of Texas. I’ve seen no other place in the country where the state’s colors and symbols are so commonly and promi-nently displayed. It wasn’t too long ago that I drove from Austin to a hundred miles north of Boston. Once I left Texas, the only time I saw a state flag in any other state was in front of a government building or on the door of a police car. Other states just do not display their pride anywhere on the scale with Texas.

Rare is the Texas community where the Texas Flag is not flown visibly and proudly. Drive through neigh-borhood after neighborhood, you only have to travel past a few houses or blocks before you come across the Lone Star displayed in their yard or somewhere on their property. It is not uncommon to find people who have a flagpole or two installed on their property flying the

Texas flag right alongside “Old Glory.” If only one flag is unfurled, it is, more often than not, the Texas colors.

Texas lends itself to marketing. Think about it. Here’s a state so big that a number of automobile manufacturers have designed Texas models or packages directly targeted at Texas’ consumers. Ford has developed a King Ranch model of pickup truck. I don’t believe I’ve seen the Wis-consin version of the Chevy Trailblazer.

Just look around and you’ll quickly see the Texas colors and symbols are displayed frequently and in almost lim-itless imaginative ways.

Perhaps one reason for this is that the colors and sym-bols naturally lend themselves to be used in a number of ways. The Texas state colors are essentially the same as the national colors. Americans are proud of their home-land and are quick to wrap themselves in the red, white, and blue when the mood or the situation arises. Texans are no less proud of their “country” and embrace all the symbolism that is part of being a Texan—and Texas has plenty to choose from. Make no mistake, there is a pal-pable nationalism that still thrives in Texas, and they love to show it. It was pointed out to me recently how Texans never refer to their boundaries as state lines—they are called borders. After I thought about that for a moment or two and realized how true that is. Texans just naturally think of the boundaries as borders. It is a throwback to the days of when this was all the Republic of Texas. Think about it. All sovereign nations have borders.

There are an infinite number of ways to market Texas. Why, Texas even has its own “National Beer of Texas!” You’d be hard pressed to name another state that has a “national beer!” Fact is, you can’t name another one.

The most prominent images include the outline of Tex-as, the state flag, the Alamo profile, lone stars, longhorns, cowboys, boots—even the capitol building in Austin fea-tures elaborate door hinges. Regardless of which corner of the state you encounter as you travel across this great state, you are constantly reminded that you are always deep in the heart of Texas.

Showing Texas Prideby Tweed Scott

Tweed ScottProfessional Speaker & Author of

3-Time National Award-Winning Book,Texas in Her Own Words

www.TweedScott.com

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Home of the Hill Country Mural

on a Cistern

Just across the road from the Llano River, and RIGHT in the MIDDLE of FUN!

www.CircleYourWagons.com

Y‛all Co

me See U

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Kayak Rentals OnsiteLlano Golf Course less than a mileEnjoy Swimming, & Fishing at Robinson ParkRodeo Arena and Events Center Next DoorJust Minutes From Historic Downtown Llano Shopping & Dining

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Old Times Here Are Not ForgottenKendal Hemphill

As unlikely as it may sound, the oldest continuously operated gun store in the United States sits on Fisk

Avenue in Brownwood, Texas. Yes, Brownwood. No offence to the store in Manhattan, but it seems fitting that the grand-daddy gun store in the U.S. should be located in the Lone Star State.

Weakley-Watson, of course, has been a staple in Brown-wood for generations. After serving during the War of North-ern Aggression, J.C. Weakley moved to Comanche Texas, by way of Missouri, New Orleans, Galveston, and Waco, and set up a tin shop. In April of 1876 he came to Brownwood to put a tin roof on a building on the square, and must have done a

fine job, as that roof remained for over 100 years. Weakley moved to Brownwood that same year, and set him-

self up in business on South Broadway Street, on the court-house square. He probably sold wire cutting pliers to the infamous fence cutters of the day, and the same pliers to the

ranchers to repair their cut fences. A couple of years later he moved the business to North Center Avenue, where it stayed for ten years, before he moved it to Fisk Street.

Lee Watson went to work for Weakley in 1893, later mar-rying Weakley’s daughter and becoming a partner in the business. Another daughter married R.L. Miller in 1900, and Miller, too, entered the family business. Throughout the intervening years, Weakley-Watson has remained a solid, dependable hardware store with a sterling reputation, and has remained family-owned for generations.

Recently the sporting goods division of the company was bought by David Furry, who will move his acquisition to nearby Early, but plans to make sure the business remains open during transition. Weakley-Watson will still be the old-est continuously operated gun store in the United States.

No picture remains of Weakley’s first store, on South Broad-way Street, but a Weakley-Watson Centennial newspaper published in 1976 bears a photograph of the storefront at 105 North Center Avenue in 1878. The front of the building proudly announces ‘J.C. Weakley, Stoves, Hardware, Agricul-tural Implements.’ The facia of the awning advertises ‘Guns, Pistols & Amunition.’ Yes, ‘ammunition’ is spelled incorrectly, but Weakley’s heart was in the right place.

Weakley-Watson has been selling guns in Brownwood since 1876, but that fact alone is not what makes the store special. Few gun stores, especially those in fairly small cities, have as many guns to choose from, or anywhere near the selection available at Weakley-Watson. The prices are comparable to those at the big box stores, and often Weakley-Watson has items unavailable anywhere else except by mail order. The variety is impressive.

Besides the fantastic firearms line, Weakley-Watson offers scopes, slings, cases, and all the other paraphernalia shooters need, and the variety there is staggering, also. There are few gun stores, anywhere, that can compare with the selection available at Weakley-Watson. Gun enthusiasts often stop in just to see the latest firearms offered by manufacturers.

The move to Early will keep Weakley’s entrepreneurial spirit alive. The Furry’s are building a new, 10,000 square foot building to house the store itself, and has acquired the long, narrow, concrete block building out back that once was home to the China King restaurant. He plans to build a pistol shooting range in that building, and meeting rooms where concealed handgun permit classes can be held.

All that remains is for the record to be set straight, and the world to learn the truth about the oldest continuously operating gun shop in the country. That honor belongs to Weakley-Watson.

And the Furry’s plan to keep it that way.

According to Wikipedia, a gun shop on Grand Street in Manhattan, claims the title of “Oldest Gun Store in America” selling firearms under

the same name since 1911. Wikipedia is wrong.

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WEAKLEY-WATS N SPORTING GOODS

SINCE 1876

102 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801325-646-2200

www.weakleysport.com

FISHING AMMOGUNS ATHLETIC

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The bustling harvest season is an exciting time around the local Texas Hill Country Wineries.

Wine-makers, winery owners and staff work around the clock from mid-July through the end of August harvesting the new vintage of grapes and beginning the wine-making process. After late freezes devastated the 2013 vintage, growers and wine-makers are looking forward to the promising 2014 vintage. Many of the wineries depict 2014 as a stellar year for Texas wine. The weather during the 2014 season was filled with Spring rains, relatively dry weather during the important Sum-mer season and very mellow temperatures in comparison to the scorching 100+ degree typical of a Texas Summer.

Chris Brundrett of William Chris Vineyards says, “ Temperate weather has really given the wines lower ph and better acidity. That coupled with Texans learning to water more efficiently is shaping up to be an exceptional harvest.” Chris expects this year’s vintage to produce wines with exceptional aging potential and mentions two varietals consumers should look for in the future. “We are really excited about the Tannat this year from the Hye estate. It’s looking very nice. Mourvèdre is also a varietal

A Harmonious Hill Country Harvest for Texas Wine!By Amanda Koraska

p. 19

that makes me very excited about the vintage.”Flat Creek Estate is also optimistic about the 2014 vin-

tage. This year’s harvest yielded better than normal production at 60 tons of fruit off the 20 acre estate on the north shore of Lake Travis. This was wel-comed with open arms after the freeze affected 2013 harvest yielded only 42 tons off the estate and almost no fruit was available from the Texas High Plains, an American Viticulture Area that many wineries in the Hill Coun-try depend on for grapes. Flat Creek Estate Wine-maker Tim Drake is most excited about his 4-Horsemen Red Blend comprised of Sangiovese, Syrah, Montepulciano and Tempranillo sourced from the Hill Country estate. Tim’s utilization of open-top fermenters for his line of high-quality red wines allows the wines to benefit from increased oxygen exposure during the fer-mentation process. The small production 4-Horsemen will be available to the Flat Creek Estate Club members.

If there is one thing growers in Texas know it’s that loca-tion is key. Less than 10 miles south of Flat Creek Estate, Stone House Vineyards is experiencing a much smaller

yield than past vintages. Although the quality of the fruit is consistent with past vintages, Owner Angela Moench

is estimating a 3 ton yield during this year’s Norton harvest compared to 5 tons on average. Consumers should watch closely for the 2014 vintage of the Stone House Vineyard Claros comprised of estate grown Norton grapes. The popular style Stone House has developed over the past 12 years of growing and producing wines has created a cult following that is sure to purchase all available 2014 Claros soon after release.

The wineries of the Texas Hill Country invite you to visit their vineyards and

tasting rooms to see for yourself the quality wines Texas is producing. Many offer guided tours of the production area, volunteer harvest opportunities, grape stomps and vineyard walking paths. Named one of the 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations 2014 in the world by Wine Enthusi-ast, it’s a must do excursion during your trip through the Hill Country.

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It’s almost that time of the year again, when small towns start seeing “tourists” and “outsiders”

flooding into town, it’s the yearly migration of hunt-ers. Often, most of these “tourists” and “outsiders” are longtime friends and family members returning to their old “stompin’ grounds” to get away for a little R&R. Almost every little community gets a big boost in the economy when the hunters move in and take over the hotels, restaurants, local stores, shops, and other businesses. Suddenly, there’s a “pick up” in business and few more “pickups” in their parking lots as the hunters and families converge on their favorite “secret huntin’ spots”.

Some of those communities are so appreciative of the hunters that they put on a big “Hunter’s Dinner” which can include not only dinner, but music, danc-es, raffles, games, and other festivities. The dinner can be anything from “Wild Game” to the local favorite BBQ, but you’re guaranteed a good meal and good time for not only the hunters, but everyone is invited. Usually the host is the local Chamber of

Commerce like what Mason, Texas has successfully done for many years; and theirs is getting bigger and bigger every year. Sometimes a local community program like the Haven Family Shelter of Brady Texas steps up and makes it their own, allowing the hunters and community to extend their good will to others.

The Haven Family Shelter of Brady Texas took a chance last year in mixing a “domestic violence and sexual assault shelter” with hunters and guns. Who would of “thunk it”, yet it worked out great. They were able to raise over $20,000 to help more families in their community because hunters, businesses, and the community stood together and said “Hunting is a sport, abuse is a crime”.

It goes to show that “all things can work together for the good” as long as those involved have good intentions and relationships. So support your local Hunter’s Dinner. Chances are, it will give back to the very community that is giving to you.

Hunting Season and Hunters’ Dinners Bring Boosts to Communitiesby Scott O’Neill, Brady Resident

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Green Bean Bundles

Wheather dressed up in an elegant bundle or laid �at to save time.

�is dish will blow away the old “Green Bean Casserole”

3 cans Whole Green Beans�in sliced bacon

1/2 c. melted bu�er1/4 c. brown sugar

7 splashed of soy sauce1/4 tsp garlic powder

Wrap 10 to 12 green beans in a bundlewith bacon and secure with a toothpick

Place in 9x13 pyrex dish.Combine remaining ingredients

& heat until dissolvedPour over beans and refrigerate overnight.

Cook at 350 for 30 min.

NO TIME for bundles.Lay beans in a dish and cover with bacon

and proceed with rest of recipe

Recipe Provided by: Donna Hendricks

p. 22

There’s at least one time a year when folks in Brownwood don’t have to ask each other, “What

are you doing this weekend?”Of course, that’s the third weekend in September, when people come from far and wide for the biggest street party these parts have ever seen—the Brown-wood Reunion Celebration!What are we doing this weekend? How much time do you have for me to tell you?We’re going to get downtown early, while it’s still nice and cool, and find a great spot for the Grand Parade. Then we’ll start making our way around the streets. We want to make sure we get to see every one of the dozens of vendors—every year there are hidden and exotic treasures to be found, if you know where to look. We’re not going to rush, because we have all weekend to hit all the tents and we don’t want to miss anything!After a bit of a stroll, maybe we’ll want a snack. But once we get close enough to smell the food court,

probably we’ll just go ahead and make that snack into a meal. How can you pass up a good turkey leg, or old fashioned BBQ? Or kabobs, or funnel cake? Do you like fried food? You’re a good Texan, so of course you do! And this wouldn’t be a good Texas street party without plenty of things you can get fresh out of the fryer, each one tastier than the last.Worried about your figure, though? Don’t. We can always burn off those calories marching around to see the rest of the vendors (seriously, there are so many of them!), or chasing our kids around the Family Carnival with its dozens of rides and attractions or taking them to the bounce houses and corn tubs in the always-popular Children’s World. About the only way we can get our little ones out of the corn tubs is to take them over to David Hira’s awesome magic show—we think it’s pretty magical that his shows are FREE!If you’re looking for even more action, we can sign you up for the 5k/10k run; if that’s a little too much,

2014 Brownwood Reunion has the Eye of the Tiger

p. 23

you can do the 1.5k walk.After you’ve earned back some calories, check out the BBQ Cook-off. It’s always one of our favorites! And when we get a little too warm from standing too close to all those big smoker pits, we cool off by heading over to the Coliseum for the Classic Car Show. And after we’ve seen these big-boy toys, we’re off to see some even bigger ones—at Military World! We’ll also go check in on those brave (and stubborn!) contes-tants at Hands-on-a-House. Who wouldn’t want to win that awesome prize? But they sure do earn it!Probably by now it’s time for another snack, right? Or maybe a few live shows? There are three different stages for local acts, so you’ll always find something you love—just like the food court, but a little kinder to the waistline. Everyone at the Front Porch Pickin’ or the Hometown Hero or the Carnegie Corner stages is great, but we sort of can’t wait until the sun starts to set—that’s when we know to head over to the Cele-bration Stage and catch the Brownwood’s Got Talent show and grab a prime spot to catch the big shows Friday and Saturday nights.Friday we’re going to rock out to Survivor—go ahead and do your best “Rocky” dance…you know you want to! Saturday, we’re swaying along to Lonely Heart. And both nights we’re getting great deals on all sorts of drinks—they even take cards now, too!So, what are we doing that weekend? It’s more like, “What AREN’T we doing?!”We’re going to Celebrate Brownwood at the 14th Annual Brownwood Reunion Celebration, along with hundreds of people from around the state and be-yond—and who-knows-how-many people watching live online!What are you doing that weekend? After this, do I even need to ask?

Visit the Reunion’s website http://www.celebratebrownwood.com

and the Reunion’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/brownwoodreunion

for more information, including wristband sales and event registration forms.

Dining & Libations Bertram

El Rancho, 535 TX 29, 512.355.3759Good Graz’in Café, 240 W. TX 29, 512.355.9340Hwy 29 BBQ, 110 Texas 29, 512.277.7020Las Rosas Mexican & American, 102 Castleberry Court, 512.355.3542Tony’s BBQ, 200 CR 258, 830.613.4292Young Guns Pizza and Cafe, 525 I TX 29, 512.355.2432

BlancoBlanco Bowling Club & Café 310 4th St, 830-833-4416Chess Club Café, 1020 U.S. 281, 830-833-4930Oak Creek Cafe ,419 3rd st, 830-833-3063Old 300 BBQ, 318 4th st, 830-833-1227Papa Joey’s Pizzeria and Italian Food, 306 Pecan St, 830-833-5305Redbud Café, 410 1/2 4th St, 830-833-0202Uptown Blanco Restaurant, 503 3rd St, 830-833-1579

BradyBoondocks, 2027 S Bridge, (325) 597-9009Chicken Express , 2206 S. Bridge St, (325) 597-1056Mac’s BBQ , 1903 S. Bridge St, (325) 597-6227Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant , 100 S Church, (325) 597-1037Moonlight Catering (325) 456-1386Mr. China , 300 S. Bridge, (325) 597-2141Patio on Church Street, 801 Crothers Ave, (325) 597-0569Sonic Drive In , 1311 South Bridge , (325) 597-1722The Spread Pit BBQ , 2010 S. Bridge St, (325) 597-1111

BrownwoodCommon Grounds Coffeehouse & Deli 2208 Austin (325) 643-3354 Lemons’ Bar-B-Q 3202 Coggin (325) 646-9655 Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant 1020 Early Blvd (325) 641-8226 Ricardo’s Tortilla Bakery 904 Booker (325) 643-3333 Runaway Train Cafe 3600 Stephen F.Austin (325) 646-3333Section Hand Steak House 4412 Hwy 377 South (325) 643-1581 Studebaker’s Cafe and Grill 409 E.Commerce (325) 643-8090 Triple T Grill 1411 Indian Creek Dr. (325) 646-8619 Underwood’s Cafeteria 404 W.Commerce (325) 646-1776

Buchanan Dam AreaHoover’s Valley Country Cafe, 7203 Park Road 4 W., 512.715.9574Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub, 19605 E. TX 29, 512.793.3333Rolling H Cafe´, 318 CR 222, 325.379.1707Tamale King, 15405 E. TX 29, 512.793.2677The Dam Grille, 15490 E. TX 29, 512.793.2020Chris’ Landing, 3630 Park Road 4 West Burnet, 714.323.4023

BurnetAranya Thai Restaurant, 1015 E. Polk St., 512.756.1927Burnet Feed Store BBQ Restaurant, 2800 S. Water St., 512.715.9227The Overlook at Canyon of the Eagles, 16942 RR 2341, 800.977.0081Café Twenty-Three Hundred, 2300 West TX 29, 512.756.0550Crazy Gal’s Café, 414 Buchanan Drive., 512.715.8040Don Pedro’s Mexican Food, 609 E. Polk St., 512.756.1421El Rancho, 608 E. Polk St., 512.715.0481Gude’s Bakery & Deli, 307 W. Polk St., 512.715.9903Hacienda El Charro No. 2, 306 Water St., 512.756.7630Highlander Restaurant & Steakhouse, 401 W. Buchanan Dr., 512.756.7401Juanes Mexican Restaurant, 504 Buchanan Dr., 512.715.0415Las Comadres, 1001 S. Water St., 512.715.0227Las Palmas, 200 S West St, 512.234.8030Longhorn Cavern Grill, 6211 Park Road 4 512.756.4680Mei Yuan, Asian Cuisine, 402 N. Water St. 512.756.8000Payne’s BBQ-Shack, 616 Buchanan Dr., 512.756.8227Post Mountain BBQ, 310 S. Main St., 830.613.1055Storm’s, 700 N. Water St., 512.756.7143Texas Tea-Licious, 216 S. Main St., 512.756.7636Texas Pizza Co., 903 Water St., Suite 400, 512.715.8070The Cookie Café & Bakery, 107 E. Jackson St., 830.613.0199The Green Fly Bar-B-Q, 10425 NH 281 North, 830.385.6635The Maxican, 3401 S. US 281, 512.756.1213

FredericksburgSilver Creek Beer Garden & Grille, 310 E. Main Street, 830- 990-4949K-Bobs Steakhouse, 518 East Main Street, 830-307-3125August E’s, 203 E. San Antonio Street, 830- 997-1585West End Pizza Co. 232 W. Main St, 830-990-8646Hondo’s on Main, 312 W. Main St, 830-997-1553Friehelm’s Bavarian Inn, 905 W Main St, 830-997-6300Crossroads Saloon & Steakhouse, 305 W Main St, 830-992-3288Clear River Ice Cream, Bakery and Deli, 138 E Main St, 830-997-8490The Sunset Grill, 902 S Adams St, 830-997-5904

p. 24

Dining & LibationsBejas Patio Bistro, 209 E Main St, 830-997-5226Porky’s Hamburgers and Onion Rings Co. 904 W Main St, 830-997-6882Gatti’s Pizza 2931 S State Hwy 16, 830-997-9797Airport Diner, 155 Airport Rd, St, 830-997-4999Vaudeville, 230 E Main St, St, 830-992-3234Cotton Gin Village, 2805 S Hwy 16 St, 830-990-5734Pasta Bella Italian Restaurant, 103 S Llano St, 830-990-9778The Peach Tree Gift Gallery & Restaurant, 210 S. Adams St, 830- 997-9527Fredericksburg Pizza Kitchen, 326 E. Main St, 830-990-4044Mahaley’s Café,341 E. Main St, 830- 997-4400Rose Hill Manor, Inc,.2614 Upper Albert Rd, 830-644-2247Race Barn,35 Fair Dr, 830-997-4058Rathskeller Restaurant, 260 E. Main St, 830- 990-5858Hilda’s Tortilla Factory,149 FM 2093, 830-997-6105 Auslander Biergarten & Restaurant, 323 E. Main St, 830-997-7714Fredericksburg Bakery,141 E. Main St , 830-997-3254Java Ranch Espresso Bar & Café, 114 E. Main St, 830-990-4517Otto’s German Bistro316 E. Austin St, 830-307-3026Fredericksburg Brewing Company, Inc. 245 E. Main St, 830-997-1646Lincoln Street Wine Market, 111 S. Lincoln Street, 830-997-8463Cranky Frank’s BBQ Co., 1679 Highway 87 South, 830-997-2353El Milagro Twenty Twelve, 249 E. Main St, 830-307-3051Der Lindenbaum, 312 E. Main St, 830-997-9126Ginger & Spice,116 N. Crockett St., Ste. A, 830-997-9919 Fredericksburg Herb Farm, 405 Whitney St, 830-997-8615Wheeler’s Restaurant, 204 East Main St, 830-990-8180Cultures Grill & Bar, 318 E Main St, 830-997-8100David’s Old Fashion Pit BBQ, 342 W Main St, 830-997-7753Sweet Marley’s, 107 S Llano St, 830-307-3104Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant, 506 E Main St, 830-997-9546Navajo Grill, 803 E Main St, 830-990-8289Fredericksburg Gourmet Coffee & Tea, 338 W Main St, 830-997-8327Andy’s Steak & Seafood Grill, 413 S Washington St, 830-997-3744Buc’s Bar & Grill, 304 N Llano, 830-990-1283Buffalo Nickel Bar & Grill, 105 S. Llano, 830-997-3700Cabernet Grill Texas Wine Country, 2805 S Hwy 16, 830-990-5734Cruz, 222 W Main St, 830-997-2140Hill Top Café, 10661 Hwy 87 N, 830-997-8922

Granite Shoals Autenticamente El Mexicano Taqueria, 4110 Valley View Lane, 830.596.1699El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant, 6924 W. RR 1431, 830.598.2394Farm House, 8037 W. RR 1431, 830.598.2934La Cabana Mexican Food Restaurant, 7005 Hwy. 1431, 830.598.5462Ryder’s Bar & Grill Dance Hall, 7911 W 1431 830.598.8232

Horseshoe Bay & Cottonwood ShoresHole in 1 Sports Bar and Grill, 7401 West FM 2147, 512.731.5320Julie’s Cocina, 4119 W. RR 2147, Plaza del Sol, 830.265.5804Lantana Grill & Bar, 200 Hi Circle N. 830.598.8600On the Rocks, 4401 Cottonwood Dr. 830.637.7417Pizza Mia, 4119 RR 2147, Ste. 3. Plaza del Sol, 830.693.6363Saucy’s Restaurant, 4005 Hwy 2147, A, 830-693-4838LBJ Donuts, 3817 FM 2147, 830.693.4209

Johnson City AJ’s Pizza Shoppe 104 N Us 281 830-868-2404Black Spur Emporium, 100 W. Main Street 830-868-7675Chantilly Lace Country 625 Nugent Avenue 830-660-2621Chrome Cactus Burgers 801 South Highway 281 830-868-2375Friendly Bar Bistro 106 N. Nugent Avenue 830-868-2182Pecan Street Brewing 106 E Pecan 830-868-2500Ronnie’s BBQ 211 Hwy. 290/281 S. 830-868-7553Silver K Café 209 E. Main 830-868-2911

Kerrville1011 Bistro, 1011 Guadalupe St, 830-896-1169Acapulco Restaurant, 1718 Sidney Baker N, 830-257-6222Alpine Lodge, 1001 Junction Hwy, 830-257-8282Bamboo Asian Buffet, 1303 Sidney Baker N, 830.895.2878Bella Sera, 2124 Sidney Baker Suite A, 830-257-2661Bella Vita, 1550 Junction Hwy, 830-895-0820Billy Gene’s Restaurant, 1489 Junction Hwy, 830-895-7377Bonzai Sushi & Sake, 218 Sidney Baker S, 830-315-6888Branding Iron, YO Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker N, 830-257-4440Cafe at the Ridge, 13439 S. Ranch Road 783, 830-896-0420Chili’s on the River, 1185 Junction Hwy, 830-895-2445China Town, 735 Hill Country Dr, 830-896-6688Conchita’s on Main, 810 Main St, 830-895-7708Cowboy Steak House, 416 Main St, 830-896-5688Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, 2110 Sidney Baker N, 830-896-7808Del Norte, 710 Junction Hwy, 830-257-3337Denny’s Restaurant, 209 Sidney Baker S, 830-257-7115El Sol de Mexico, 1028 Water St, 830-257-9777Francisco’s, 201 Earl Garrett St, 830-257-2995Grape Juice, 623 Water Street, 830-792-9463Guadalupe River Club Oyster Bar, 1483 Junction Hwy, 830-896-3354Hill Country Cafe , 806 Main St, 830-257-6665IHOP Restaurant, 1429 Sidney Baker N, 830-792-4940Kukaroo Pub & Eatery, 701 Water St, 830-896-2000LaFour’s Seafood Restaurant, 1705 Junction Hwy, 830-896-1449

p. 25

Dining & LibationsLakehouse, 1655 Junction Hwy, 830-895-3188Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantina, 215 Junction Hwy, 830-895-2441Meltdown Grill, 1201 Broadway, 830-890-5894Mencius’ Gourmet Hunan, 208 Cully Dr, 830-257-8868Pier 27 & 8 Ball Billiards & Pizzeria, 1521 Junction Hwy, 830-896-7437Pinnacle Grill, 3074 Bandera Hwy, 830-895-8500Rails…a Café at the Depot¸ 615 Schreiner St, 830-257-3877Save Inn Restaurant, 1806 Sidney Baker N, 830-257-7484Taqueria Jalisco Restaurant, 2190 Junction Hwy, 830-257-0606Valentino’s Italian Café, 809 Sidney Baker, 830-257-2634Yeo-Bo’s, 804 Water St, 830-890-5873

Kingsland Alfredo’s Mexican Restaurant, 4139 RR 1431, 325.388.0754El Bracero, 1516 RR 1431. 325.388.0022Grand Central Cafe, 1010 King Court, 325.388.6022Kingsland Coffee Co., 1907 RR 1431, 325.270.0863Lighthouse Grill and Lounge, 118 Club Circle Dr., 325.388.6660Spyke’s Bar-B-Que, 14601 W. RR 1431, 325.388.6996Sweet Things Bakery, 3003 RR 1431, 325.388.3460

Lampasas

Sweet Pickle Deli & More 1908 S Hwy 281 (512) 556-8330County Seat 402 Live Oak (512) 556-2400Eve’s Café 521 East Third St. (512) 556-3500 2 Brothers Smokehouse & Restaurant 904 North Key Avenue (512) 556-5230Country Kitchen 307 N Key Avenue (512) 556-6152

Llano

Acme Cafe, 109 W. Main, 325.247.4457Badu House Wine Pub, 601 Bessemer, 325.247.2238Bella Sicilia, 901 W. Young, 325.247.5511Berry Street Bakery, 901 Berry St., 325.247.1855Burger Bar Cafe, 608 Bessemer St., 325.247.4660Castell General Store, 19522 TX 152 at Castell, 325.247.4100China Wok, 103 E. Grayson St., 325.247.5522Chrissy’s Homestyle Bakery, 501 Bessemer St., 325.247.4564Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, 604 W. Young 325.247.5713Fuel Coffee House, 106 E. Main, 325.247.5272Inman’s Kitchen & Catering, 809 W. Young, 325.247.5257Laird’s BBQ & Catering, 1600 S. Ford (TX 16 & 71), 325.247.5234Hungry Hunter, 702 W. Young, 325.247.4236Rosita’s Mexican Restaurant, 101 E. Grayson St. 325.247.3730Stonewall’s Pizza Wings & Things, 101 W. Main St., 325.248.0500Sweet Home Cookin’, 102 W. Dallas, 830.613.7893The Country Fryer, 303 E. Young, 325.247.3289

Marble FallsBella Sera, 1125 US 281, 830.798.2661Bluebonnet Cafe, 211 US 281, 830.693.2344Brothers Bakery, 519 US 281, 830.798.8278Chili’s, 702 First St., 830.798.1298China Kitchen, 705 First St., 830.693.2575Chuspy’s Burritos, 1808 US 281 N, 830.693.1407Darci’s Deli, 909 Third St., 830.693.0505

Doc’s Fish Camp & Grill, 900 RR 1431 W. 830.693.2245Double Horn Brewing Company, 208 Ave. H, 830.693.5165El Rancho, 2312 N. US 281, 830.693.4030Fornos on Main Street 830.637.7878Ginger & Spice, 909 Second St., 830.693.7171Grand Buffet, 1208 RR 1431 830.693.7959 Holy Smokes BBQ and Catering, 2704A Commerce St., 830.201.4145Houston’s Depot, 307 Main St., 830.637.7282Inman’s Ranch House Bar-B-Que, 707 Sixth St., 830.693.2711Janie’s, 710 Ave. N, 830.693.7204Ken’s Catfish BBQ & Bakery, 1005 Main St., 830.693.5783Main Street Coffee, 108 Main St., 830.613.5054Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 1205 W. RR 1431, 830.693.7434Noon Spoon Café, 610 Broadway, 830.798.2347Papa Murphy’s, 1008 US 281, 830.693.9500Peete Mesquite BBQ, 2407 US 281, 830.693.6531Real New Orleans Style Restaurant, 1700 W. RR 1431, 830.693.5432River City Grille, 700 First St., 830.798.9909Russo’s Restaurant, 602 Steve Hawkins Pkwy., 830.693.7091R Bar and Grill, Third & Main, 830.693.2622 Super Taco, 2200 US 281, 830.693.4629Tea Thyme Café, 2108 C US 281, 830.637.7787Thai Niyom, 909 US 281, 830.693.1526

Mason

Coopers Pit Bar-B-Q, Hwy 87 South of Square, 325-347-6897Nacho’s Café ,621 Ft. McKavitt , 325-347-6759Santo’s Taqueria , South East Corner of Square , 325-347-6140Texas Deadwood BBQ , 1005 Ft. McKavitt, Hwy. 87 N, 325-805-1007Topaz Confections , 106 S Live Oak St, 325-347-7055Short Stop (Pizza Pro), Hwy 87 North of Square , 325-347-6648Square Plate, 212 Ft. McKavitt Northside of Square, 325-347-1911Willow Creek Café , North Side of Square , 325-347-6124

San SabaBar D Brewhouse, 213 N High St, 325-372-6100Diggs Steakhouse, 1035 E Hwy 190, 325-372-3010Larry’s Corner Café, 902 W. Wallace, 325-372-5094Pepperbelly’s Mexican Food Restaurant, 517 E Wallace, 325-372-4462Rick’s Pizza, 306 N. High, 325/372-6028Top Donuts, 106 S. Cherokee, 325-372-3121

Spicewood Angel’s Icehouse, 21815 TX 71, 512.264.3777Down Under Deli & Eatery, 21209 TX 71 West, 512.264.8000It’s All Good Bar-B-Q, 22112 TX 71 W., 512.264.1744J5 Steakhouse, 21814 Hwy 71 West, 512.428.5727La Cabaña, 21103 TX 71, 512.264.0916Lee’s Almost by the Lake, Pace Bend & Bee Creek Rd., 512.264.2552Little Country Diner, 22000 TX 71 W., 512.264.2926Moonriver Bar & Grill, 2002 N. Pace Bend Road, 512.264.2064Opie’s BBQ, 9504 Hwy 71 E, 830.693.8660Poodie’s Hilltop Bar and Grill, 22308 TX 71, 512.264.0318R.O.’s Outpost, 22518 W TX 71, 512.264.1169Spicewood General Store, casual cafe, 9418 TX 71, 830.693.4219Willie’s Burgers & BBQ., 21018 Texas 71 Spicewood, 512.264.8866

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p. 27

Your Business Card Here

Email: MrHillCountry@yahoo.comwww.TexasHillCountry.com

Bed & Breakfasts / HotelsBertram

Cedar Creek Inn, 352 E Vaughan St, 512-355-3400San Gabriel River Inn, 8327 CR 210, 512-355-2102

Blanco

Blanco Riverside Cottages, 20 Main Street, 830-330-4324Blanco Settlement, 1705 Ranch Road 165, 830-833-5115River View B&B, 52 Pecan Street, 512-968-8989Tow Dam Guest Cottages, 240 Water’s Edge, 830-549-3141

Brady

Best Western/Brady Inn , 2200 South Bridge, (325) 597-3997Holiday Inn Express & Suites Brady , 2320 S Bridge, (325) 597-1800Selah Springs Ranch , 507 W 13th St, (325) 597-2602Sunset Inn , 2108 South Bridge St, (325) 597-0789

Brownwood

Brownwood Coliseum 500 E.Baker (325) 646-3586 Gate 1 Motor Inn 4410 Hwy 377 South (325) 643-5463 Ponderosa Lodge 8991 Hwy 279 (325) 784-6032 Star of Texas Bed & Breakfast 650 Morelock Lane (325) 646-4128The Historic RB Rogers House 707 Center Ave (325) 320-1880

Burnet

Airy Mount Historic Inn, 1819 Polk St, 512-756-4149Arrowhead Motel, 100 N West St, 512-756-6151Best Western Post Oak Inn, 908 Buchanan Dr, 512-756-4747Canyon of the Eagles, 16942 RR 2341, 512-334-2070Highland Lakes Hotel, 810 S Water St, 512-756-1789La Vista Motel, 502 Buchanan Dr, 512-756-4367Painted Sky Inn, 1400 CR 128, 512-715-9896Sundown Inn, 205 N Water St, 512-756-2171Verandas Guest House, 108 E League St, 512-715-0190Circle H Lodge, 931 C.R. 301, 210-870-9075

Fredericksburg

Texas Wine Country Camping Resort, 10618 US Highway 290 East, 830-990-2267Absolute Charm Luxury B & B, 709 West Main St., 866-244-7897Grape Creek Vineyards, 10587 East US Highway 290, 830-644-2710Buffalo Creek Ranch Cottages, 5108 S. Highway 16, 361-332-9554 The All Seasons Collection, 708 W. Main Street, 830-997-7797Alamo Springs Country Cabins, 110 Alamo Road, 866-427-8374The Lazy T B and B, 2203 Upper Live Oak Road, 972-658-6252Carriage House of Fredericksburg, 312 E. Travis St, 855-955-2623Sugarberry Inn, 210 N. Llano 512-963-9145Paradise Loft on Main, 223 E. Main Street, 866-244-7897115 Austin Place,909 E. Main Street, 830-997-0443Cotton Haus, 501 East Creek Street, 830-456-2513Barons CreekSide, 316 Goehman Lane, 830-990-4048Ab Butler’s Dogtrot at Triple Creek, 801 Triple Creek Road, 830-456-8335The Roadrunner Inn, 306 E. Main Street, 830-997-0153The Blue Cottage, 606 N. Adams Street, 866-427-8374B & B on Knopp School Road, 580 Knopp School Road, 830-997-3080Metzger Sunday House, 406 W. San Antonio Street, 830-997-3967Country Inn & Cottages, 1644 Highway 290 West, 830-997-21851 Big House, 2805 S. Hwy 16, 830-990-5734

A Barn at the Quarry, 154 Deike Hunter Lane, 830-997-86872 Wee Cottages, 108 E. Morse Street, 877-437-7739Clover Haus B & B, 505 East Creek Street, 830-456-2513Ada’s Peach Street Hideaway Guesthouse, 529 W. Peach Street, 254-722-1776Spotted Pony Ranch, 343 Black Bear Lane, 830-443-4520 The Back Forty of Fredericksburg, 457 Bob Moritz Dr., 830-992-9034Cameron Inn, 106 S. Washington, 830.997.0153Meusebach Creek Enterprises, 1735 Meusebach Creek Rd., 830-997-7896202 and Cottage @ 202, 202 South Crockett, 830-992-1719 Bungalow on College, 309 E. College St., 830-998-1650Main Street Bed & Breakfast, 337 E. Main Street, 830-997-0153Fredericksburg Herb Farm, 405 Whitney Street, 830-997-8615Barrister’s Guest Quarters, 807 S. Adams Street, 830-997-3437Inn on the Creek, 107 N. Washington Street, 866-244-7897Palo Alto Creek Farm, 90 Palo Alto Ln, 800-997-0089A. L. Patton Suites on Main, 232 W. Main Street, 830-997-0443Keidel Inn & Gasthaus, 403 E. Main Street, 830-997-2749Day Dream Cabins, Inc., 323 Pioneer Lane, 830-997-8027Kitty’s Kountry Kottage, 9693 Highway 87 North, 830-669-2530A Quiet Hill Ranch, 110 Quiet Hill Ranch Road, 830-669-2253Cottages at Limestone on Main, 706 W. Main Street, 830-997-8396Alte Welt Gasthof, 142 E. Main Street, 830-997-0443Legacy Suite on Main, 604 Prickly Pear Court, 830-997-2749 John’s Cabin, 630 Bear Creek Road, 830-997-4833Messina Hof Hill Country, 9996 US Highway 290 East, 830-990-4653The Schandua Suite, 205 E. Main Street, 830-990-1415Diamond Belle at Palo Alto Crossing, 616 W. Main Street, 866-427-8374Austin Street Retreat, 408 W. Austin Street, 866-427-8374Pullman Train Car Bed and Breakfast, 303 E. Live Oak , 830-997-7194Lillie Marlene, 406 N. Adams Street, 830-997-8566Magnolia House Bed & Breakfast, 101 E. Hackberry Street, 830-997-0306Amoroso Cottage, 202 S. Bowie, 830-992-2006Angels Lodge Above the Creek, 415 E. Austin Street, 830-997-1615Baines House Bed & Breakfast, 112 West College Street, 830-997-3048A Place in Time, 614 S. Washington Street, 830-997-5110Cat’s Meow Bed & Breakfast, 9848 Highway 290 West, 830-997-0888Commander’s Place/ Nevels House B & B, 514 Franklin Street, 830-997-6891Dalton House, 908 N. Crockett, 830-992-0696Rose Hill Manor, Inc, 2614 Upper Albert Road, 830-644-2247 Ava Haus, 1447 Royal Oaks Place, 830-997-5612Hoffman Haus, 608 E. Creek Street, 830-997-6739Palazzo Toscana Resort, 207 N. Edison Street, 830-998-5134Agarita Farms, 968 Braeutigam Road, 830-896-9140Runnymede Country Inn, 184 Fullbrook Lane, 830-990-2449Fredericksburg Bed & Brew, 245 E. Main Street, 830-997-9990Way of the Wolf B&B and Retreat, 458 Wolf Way, 830-977-0711Fredericksburg Guest House Reservations, 321 East Main Street, 830-997-5839 Cotton Gin Village, 2805 S. Hwy 16, 830-990-5734 Brickner Guest House, 243 Emu Lane, 830-997-0772KingWood Suites, 401 South Lincoln Street, 830-992-9681The Italian Place, 236 Loring Street, 888-802-7288Chuckwagon Inn B&B, 1156 FM 2093, 830-990-2777Settlers Crossing, 104 Settlers Crossing Road, 800-874-1020 The Victorian Mansion, 302 West Travis, 866-244-7897 Trois Estate at Enchanted Rock, 300 Trois Ln, 830-685-3090

Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay Resort, 200 Hi Circle North, 830-598-8600

Johnson City

Chantilly Lace Country Inn Bed & Breakfast, 625 Nugent Ave, 830-660-2621

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Bed & Breakfasts / HotelsExotic Resort Zoo, 235 Zoo Trail, 830-868-4357Hillside Acres, 4032 R 3232, 830-868-7515Lighthouse Hill Ranch, 4951 Hwy 281 S, 512-587-9656Sandy Road Guest Haus, 9242 RR 1320, 281-300-7177Songbird Meadows B&B, 1022 Stanton Ranch Loop, 830-868-2468Stanton Ranch Vacation Rentals, 203 Stanton Rd, 254-793-3363

Kerrville

Riverhill Cottages, 107 Riverhill Club Lane, 830-896-1400Days Inn of Kerrville, 2000 Sidney Baker N, 830-896-1000La Quinta Inn & Suties, 1940 Sidney Baker, 830-896-9200Super 8, 2127 Sidney Baker St, 830-896-1511Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel, 2033 Sidney Baker n, 830-257-4440Flagstaff Inn, 906 Junction Hwy, 830-792-4449Hampton Inn, 2038 Sidney Baker, 830-257-0600America’s Best Value Inn, 1804 Sidney Baker, 830-896-8200Motel 6, 1810 Sidney Baker, 830-257-1500Holiday Inn Express, 2114 Sidney Baker N, 830-895-9500Comfort Inn, 2001 Sidney Baker, 830-792-7700Inn of the Hills Resort, 1001 Junction Hwy, 830-895-5000Hill Country Hideaway, 101 Hidden Hollow, 830-257-9004Best Western Sunday House, 2124 Sidney Baker, 830-896-1313

Kingsland

Antlers Hotel, 1001 King St, 325-388-4411Packsaddle Motel,2919 W RR 1431, 325-388-4943Llanorado Lodge, 223 RR 1431, 325-388-4823Lake LBJ Resort and Marina, 667 Sandy Mountain Dr, 325-388-9393Lake LBJ Motel, 13813 W FM 1431, 325-388-4571

Lampasas

The Inn at Lampasas, 1200 Central Texas Expwy (512) 556-9292 Country Inn, 1502 S Key Ave (512) 556-6201 Boone RV Park, 1907 S HWY 281 (512) 556-5171 The Peach House B&B, 502 N Walnut (254) 223-1377 M & M Creekside, 1177 County Road 3010 (713) 857-8159 Loose Nuts Lodge, 1702 CR 2800 Lometa Tx 76853 (512) 752-5321

Llano

Circle Your Wagons Bed & Breakfast, 2236 West RR152, 325-423-1040Birmingham House, 325.247.2720 Cabin at Crooked Creek, 719.337.0098 Casa de Castell, 325.248.3805 Castell Cottages on the Llano River, 325.248.4270 Chaparral Lone Star Inn, 700 W Young St, 325-247-4111Dabb’s Railroad Hotel, 112 East Burnet St, 325-247-2200Llano Motel, 507 W Young St, Llano, TX 78643, 325-247-5786Phoenix Nest Guest House, 325.247.2720 Rio De Looney, 512.454.6962 Rockin River Cabins, 830.693.5549 Sandstone Street B&B, 508 E Sandstone, 325.423.2581 The Sunday House, 325.247.2720 Days Inn & Suites, 609 Bessemer Ave, 325-247-1141

Marble Falls

Best Western Plus,1403 Hwy 281 N, 830-693-5122Hampton Inn On the Lake, 704 1st St, 830-798-1895

Hill Country Motel, 1101 US Hwy 281, 830-693-3637Holiday Inn Express 714 Corazon Dr, 830-693-0707La Quinta Inn & Suites, 501 Hwy 2147 W, 830-798-2020Motel 6, 1400 Ollie Ln, 830-265-6565Quality Inn, 1206 Hwy 281 N, 830-693-7531

Mason

Hill Country Inn, 2 Blocks North of Square on Hwy 87 North, 325-347-6317Fort McKavitt Inn, Half Mile North of Square on Hwy 87, 325-347-5750A Storybook Cottage, 511 West Rainey Street , 325-347-0809Apple Cottage Bed & Breakfast, 517 Austin Street, 325-347-1885Kozy Kottage, 714 San Antonio St, 325-347-2968Stagecoach Stop, 405 Magnolia St, 325-805-1212The Townhouse, 716 Westmoreland , 325-347-5733

San Saba

Bar D Inn & Suites, 702 W Wallace, 325-372-7530Evening Star Cottages, 702 W. Wallace, 817-559-5995Executive Inn, 1010 North High, 325/372-5191Fisher Street Bed and Breakfast, Goldthwaite, Tx, 325-938-6619Freedom Acres Retreat, 744 CR 110, 325/372-3881Hill Country Inn, 1805 E. Wallace, 325-372-4111Springs of Cold Creek Bed & Breakfast, 14762 CR 310, 325-251-6611Sulphur Springs Camp, Inc., 2935 CR 446, 325-628-3252Two Rivers Lodge, 2301 W Wallace, 325-372-5408

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Arrowhead Bank Pg. 4Ben E. Keith / Anheuser-Busch Pg.32Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Pg. 9Brownwood Museum Pg. 7Brownwood Reunion Pg. 22Choccolatte’s Pg. 13Circle Your Wagons Pg. 15CMS Healthcare Pg. 23Flat Creek Estates Pg. 19Fiesta Winery Pg. 31Fornos on Main Street Pg. 27Grapevine, The Pg. 29Haven, The Pg. 20KNEL Radio Pg. 20

La -Ti -Da’s Pg.27Lampasas Chamber of Commerce Pg.21Lemon’s BBQ Pg.27Lighthouse Country Club Pg.15Llano Chamber of Commerce Pg. 10Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce Pg.30Perri Mancil / Joe Bruns Real Estate Pg.27Pottery Ranch, The Pg.27R-Bar & Grill Pg.24Satellite Station Pg. 9Uptown Theater, The Pg.27Weakley-Watson Sporting Goods Pg.17Whitman Insurance Agency Pg.14

Thank you to all of our supporters.

www.TexasHillCountry.com www.Texas-Hill-Country.com

www.facebook.com/TexasHillCountrywww.twitter.com/MrHillCountry

Contact: Texas Hill Country Tourism

PO Box 3 Brady, Tx 76825 MrHillCountry@Yahoo.com

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Spend it in Marble Falls with yours, taking in the sights and the savings withlow weekday hotel rates. Go biking through wildflowers, vineyard touring, bald eagle spotting, boating and fishing in the only place in the Texas Hill Country with lakes.

WEEKS HAVE A BETTER HALF.

Plan your next great escape today at Marblefalls.org.

p. 31

Spend it in Marble Falls with yours, taking in the sights and the savings withlow weekday hotel rates. Go biking through wildflowers, vineyard touring, bald eagle spotting, boating and fishing in the only place in the Texas Hill Country with lakes.

WEEKS HAVE A BETTER HALF.

Plan your next great escape today at Marblefalls.org.

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