Features

Pitzer’s Fine Arts celebrated 45 years of gallery ownership last weekend with a celebration of music, food and invited artists. On hand to mark the milestone was founder Rob Pitzer and his wife, Lynda, who visited the gallery early in the celebration. Gallery manager Pamela Rudd, who organized the bash, as well as artists represented by the gallery, greeted visitors and collectors who came to mark the anniversary. In the early part of the celebration, sculptor Gerald Balciar of Parker, Colorado sculpted a rabbit while visitors looked on and asked questions about his technique and background. Early in the event, watercolorist Jim Street and oil painter Betty Edmond talked with collectors about their work while Stanley Albert played guitar in the gallery’s courtyard. Later in the day, Penny Stone performed with Hill Country Honeys members Rose Gabriel on guitar and Janice Stone on the acoustic bass.

A glittering world of trees, Christmas music, decor and festive treats awaited merrymakers visiting the Winter Wonderland at the Community Center last weekend. A Chamber of Commerce annual event co-chaired by Jerri Roberts and Daina Slover, the two-day affair paired vendors with shoppers anticipating the upcoming holidays. As the Hill Country Band filled the room with lush melodies, Santa visited with children and buyers bid on holiday-themed items created by chamber members. Visitors voted on their favorite items. The winner of the Best Full-Sized Tree went to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce; Best Wreath was won by Texas Regional Bank; and Best Centerpiece was awarded to Karen Poe. Lloyd Bishop of the Square Inn provided buggy rides, courtesy of Clydesdale Mickey, in a wintery white carriage perfect for ushering in the holiday spirit.

The year 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war. Veterans will mark the anniversary with a National Vietnam Veterans Parade along the famed Waikiki beach in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. The Texan Band of Wimberley High School has been selected to represent the state of Texas in the parade.

A waterwise practice by the Wimberley Café was observed on the Square last week as air conditioning condensate was captured to water plants at the nearby Marco’s Italian restaurant. Jim Venable of Percheron Construction, with help from Roger Elsey, ran lines from four air conditioning units on top of the Café to a portable 250 gallon tank. From there, a hose from the tank ran across the construction of the Café’s kitchen expansion to plants at Marco’s Italian restaurant. Jay and Jen Bachman, owners of the Café, bought Marco’s Italian business in April.

For the creative, hardworking members of the Wimberley Valley Quilt Guild, it’s all about their esprit de corps and sharing their talents with others.

The scarcity of rainfall, the prolonged drought and ongoing population surge have central Texans worried about how to remedy the dwindling aquifers of the region. The people of Richard’s Rainwater believe they have a blueprint to solve the problems not only locally but globally.

Tucked into the parking lot behind Ranch Brand Wine & Spirits on RR12 is the new Wimberley Valley Cigar Lounge. Inside the sleek black Airstream, visitors will find genial owner Tim Busby, along with ample seating, a large humidor and an entertainment center tuned to sports and streaming mellow tunes.

Comedy Producer, stand-up comedian, and Wimberley homeboy Jack Schutze (pronounced Shoot-zee) is bringing stand-up comedy to Wimberley’s Opera House at 7A Ranch. His show, “Outlaws in the Opera House,” features three seasoned comics: Ryan Shields, Ellis Aych and Jason Johnson. All are regular marquee headliners in Texas and several of the most requested return acts in Schutze’s shows. All know something about growing up in a small town.

Riffs, Roams and Raves:

When the Wimberley Players announced their 2023 season, I applauded their lineup of classic plays that included “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde and “Sense and Sensibility” by Kate Hamil (from the Jane Austin novel of the same name). But I secretly wondered how they could pull off “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Riffs, Roams and Raves:

Kotarba & his ‘Music in the Course of Life’

In a handsome, tastefully appointed space at the corner of FM12 and RR3237 in the Keller Williams building is Wimberley’s very own haberdashery, Felix T. Jack. Since opening in November 2021, the shop acquired the handsome patina of a destination, where choosing quality clothing and accessories is part of an unhurried, intentional experience.