News

The sun is warmer, the birds are singing, the snails are snailing and the Texas native wildflowers and perennials are blooming. The sight of fields alive with colorful blooms signals a joyful spring for many Central Texans. These flowers — reseeding annuals and herbaceous perennials — thrive in our harsh Texas environment and are tolerant of wildlife.

My name is Jim Jones, and I am a native Texan, born in Corpus Christi in 1964. I moved to Wimberley about 25 years ago when I gained custody of my three children. I recently retired from the military after serving in all three components of the US Army for over 38 years, including two combat tours in Iraq. I was on active duty over 20 years and a total of five times, starting with an enlistment in the Regular Army in 1985, serving in Germany and at Ft. Sill, and ending as an Ac- tive Guard and Reserve (AGR) officer serving with US Army North (5th Army) in San Antonio. I have a BS in Multidisciplinary Studies and an MBA, both from Liberty University.

Upwards of 500 people attended the Emergency Fair at the VFW Fairgrounds on Saturday. Visitors received “passports” that obliged them to visit the various presenters in order to win prizes. Emergency Medical Services Director Ken Strange emceed the event, keeping visitors in the know of Fair events and drawings. Kate Sowell, Executive Director of the Barnabas Connection along with Board Member Mike Crusham and Tim Tempfer, VFW Judge Advocate and FEMA hazard mitigation supervisor, ably wrangled the event from the front lines.

Jacob’s Well Elementary special education teacher Leslie Campbell was named the inaugural “Texan of the Month,” the honor given in the Wimberley Independent School District’s new employee recognition program. Honorees are nominated by WISD co-workers for positively exemplifying the district’s vision of excellence, innovation and service.

TreeFolks plants 2,000 native trees in Hays County and pilots new water catchment technology to increase tree resilience and survival rates in Central Texas’s changing climate

Week of March 29 - April 4 March 30

Wimberley’s Big Band is presenting a concert for local music lovers before the town hunkers down for the eclipse. They will perform their “WINE & UNWIND” Concert and Dance on April 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wimberley Valley Winery at 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road.

Is It Just Me?

Relaxed, in good voice and company, Eliza Gilkyson performed at Susanna’s kitchen last week with multi-instrumentalist Don Richmond of the Rifters, a New Mexico- based band from Alamosa. You might remember that Don performed alongside Michael Hearne during the Winters Night concert and offered his insights and experience as one of the instructors at the Winters Night workshop. He is also a producer for Realiza Records.

Riffs, Roams and Raves uncovers the creative, noteworthy and accomplished in the Wimberley Valley and beyond with tips on who to hear, where to go and what to see from managing editor Teresa Kendrick.

WimberleyArts.org is offering multiple scholarships for creative Wimberley High School, Katherine Anne Porter, homeschooled or gap-year graduates. Valued at a minimum of $5,000 each, the Robert Moreman Memorial Scholarship is a non-traditional scholarship for graduates who are passionate about pursuing higher education for a career in one of Wimberley Arts’ artistic pillars — visual, literary, performing and culinary — or, in a building trade-related profession. The deadline to apply is April 15. For more information go to wimberleyarts. org/scholarships.

Patriot Pen essay contest winner Ella Brassow advanced to state level after winning first place in the Wimberley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6441 local, and then district contests. Ella received an additional $500 prize from the district and went on to take eighth place at the state level for her essay on how she is inspired by America. Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level and the national first place winner wins $5,000.

On Saturday, May 4 the City of Wimberley will hold its election for city council to elect a new mayor and to fill two council positions, Place Two and Place Four.