About four miles east of present-day Austin the men stopped to rest and water their horses at Walnut Creek. They were attacked by a large contingent of Indians and one of the settlers was killed in the first minutes of battle.  Wilbarger had both legs pierced by arrows and a flesh wound in his hip. Another would-be settler was mortally wounded as they struggled towards their horses. Two of the men reached their horses and looked back to see Josiah Wilbarger take a rifle ball in the back of the neck that exited his chin. 

The two survivors spurred their mounts out of rifle range and looked back to see their companions being stripped and scalped. It was the first massacre by the hands of Indians in what is now called Travis County, and the beginning of a bloody era.

Wilbarger was momentarily paralyzed, but conscious when the Comanche scalped him. He was such a bloody mess that the Indian took him for dead, and did not bother to slit his throat.  He later said he felt no pain as his scalp was ripped away, but the sound was like distant thunder.

He regained consciousness during the night and clawed his way to the creek to drink, then began to drag himself towards home. Exhausted, Josiah leaned against a scrawny post oak and wavered in and out of consciousness throughout the night. He saw an apparition of his sister standing before him, telling him to be strong, friends were coming to his rescue. Josiah had no way of knowing that his sister had died the day before, in Missouri.

The two survivors of the attack made their way to the homestead of Reuben Hornsby, Wilbarger’s closest neighbor, and related the events of the massacre. They declared the other members of their party to be dead, and it was decided a group of men would recover the bodies the next day. That night Mrs. Hornsby had a dream in which she saw Wilbarger scalped and bleeding, but alive. She woke her husband and told him of the dream and he told her to go back to sleep. Dreams were only dreams. She persisted to the point that the men left early and found Josiah alive under the tree. They carried him back, dressed his wounds and nursed him back to a semi-healthy condition. Skin never grew back over the top of his head and the bone of his exposed skull began to exfoliate, eventually exposing the brain. That made it necessary to continuously wear a head cover which served its purpose until the day he bumped his head on the beam of a low doorway to his gin cellar. Josiah Wilbarger lived 11 years after being scalped. Almost two hundred years after his death, he still lives as a footnote in Texas history.

(Jim McJunkin has been a photographer for over 50 years and has been involved in a number of art and photography shows around the country. He has work in the permanent collection at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, Illinois, and has authored several photography related books. Jim and his wife Beth have lived in Wimberley for 20 years. jim@jmcjunkin.com )

My name is Charlotte and I love Texas. I also love picnics — elegant, elaborate, simple or purchased. Walk with me and share my adventures in nature’s arms, learning about some of our wonderful state parks and how to create your own perfect picnic.

Guadalupe River State Park, 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 

Including parks, historic sites, and natural areas, there are currently more than 90 State Parks in Texas, comprising over 630,000 acres. From Big Bend State Park’s 300,000 acres of raw wild terrain to Old Tunnel State Park’s 16.1 acres, there is every reason to pack a picnic basket and explore Texas any day of any month.

Situated east of Boerne and west of Wimberley, Guadalupe River State Park is a lovely oasis of green trees, blue sky, and ancient stone. The park is 1,938 acres of trees, cliffs and trails, with the river running through and along its northern edge. Acquired by the state in 1973-74 from private owners, it was opened to the public in 1983.

All of the Texas state parks are beautiful and unique, but there seems to be a common denominator for each one of them in the Texas Hill Country — a body of water in some form is always at its heart. On the privately owned north banks, sheer cliffs drop to the water; along the southern banks, where park visitors can access the river, there are switchback trails that make for an easy descent.

Picnic tables dot the hillside along the trails and above the water, and even though the park has over 11 miles of trails, it is the river that draws visitors. Kids and adults alike flock to it like a magnet. Guadalupe River State Park has been the site of many picnics for us in past years, especially during the summer months when tiny grandchildren appeared on our doorstep. 

During the early spring of 2020, the U.S. and every other country in the world shut down, closed their doors, and locked them down tightly to slow the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19. Isolation was the only weapon available.

At the end of April, everything was still in lockdown, but thankfully, the Texas governor realized that people needed to breathe and get out in the fresh air. He opened the state parks to limited attendance with masks and reservations required.

As soon as I heard this, I told my husband we were going on a picnic. However, my cupboard was bare, well, almost bare. I had flour, butter, eggs, and bacon. I found a hunk of Gruyère, safely shrink-wrapped from a local box store, stuck in the back of the cheese drawer. I knew there was only one thing to fix, and it had been years since I last made it.  

We found a table with a view of the water at the top edge of the picnic area, well away from others. The day was so glorious, and it was so wonderful to feel almost normal, that instead of having a single slice each of this European ham-and-cheese sandwich, we ate the whole thing. We nibbled and nibbled and nibbled until it was gone. The pickled grilled asparagus was the perfect foil. After that indulgent feast, we definitely needed to take a walk on one of those trails by the river. The day was so special, the adventure so welcome, that we made a pact to explore every park we could easily drive to each week, for as long as the weather cooperated.

“The Simplest Picnic Ever”

Lunchtime Giant Gougère

Pickled Grilled Asparagus

Olives

Lunchtime Giant Gougère

6 servings

10-ounces thick-sliced bacon

1 cup milk

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter

1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal® Kosher Salt

Freshly ground black pepper  to taste

1 cup all-purpose flour, loosened with a wire whisk before measuring  

4 large eggs, at room temperature

6 - 8 ounces Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated

Preheat the oven to 400°F, and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

For bacon: Slice each strip in half lengthwise, then cut the strips into small squares. Fry at low heat until bacon has rendered all of its fat, then drain well on paper towels. Set aside.

For the gougère: In a large saucepan, over medium heat, combine milk, butter, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil. As soon as the mixture boils, remove it from the heat and add the

flour all at once. With a sturdy wooden spoon, off the heat, stir briskly until the liquid absorbs the flour and forms a cohesive lump.

Place the saucepan’s contents in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and run it for a minute or two to help release the heat from the flour mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the cheese and drained bacon, beating until incorporated.  

Drop the dough by large spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet to form a large oval ring, about 12 to 14 mounds. Place in the 400°F oven and, after baking for 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

A lifetime food enthusiast and cook, Charlotte Caldwell loves to entertain and enjoy fine food in the beauty of the outdoors. She has catered everything from weddings to charity events and, of course, picnics for family, friends and organizations who can’t get enough of her recipes. She is the author of “Charlotte’s Texas Hill Country Picnics,” from which these columns appear. To learn more, contact charlotte.caldwell@yahoo.com with the subject line “COOKBOOK.”

The Wimberley Players will present Paul Slade Smith’s clever and fast-moving political comedy, April 24 through May 17 at the Wimberley Playhouse. 
For audiences ready for a break from the real-world news cycle, “The Outsider” offers an evening of sharp comedy, strong performances and the simple pleasure of watching a terrific ensemble bring a very funny story to life. 
Directed by Whitney Marlett, the play centers on Ned Newley, a reluctant and deeply awkward politician who unexpectedly finds himself rising in the polls — largely because he lacks the ability to spin, posture or convincingly lie. As his accidental authenticity begins to resonate with voters, his campaign team, the press corps and the political establishment scramble to decide whether his honesty is a liability or the secret to his success.
Blending rapid-fire comedy with surprising warmth, “The Outsider” offers a timely but good-natured satire of modern politics that focuses less on partisanship and more on the universal absurdities of public life.
Director Whitney Marlett says the show’s appeal comes from both its humor and its humanity.
“At its heart, this play is about what happens when someone who never expected to be in the spotlight suddenly finds themselves there,” Marlett said. “It’s incredibly funny, but it also has a lot of heart. Audiences will recognize these characters — not just from politics, but from everyday life.”
The production features Joanna Gunaraj as Paige Caldwell, Samuel Ellisor as Dave Riley, Reji Smith as Louise Peakes, Greg Dew as Ned Newley, Robert Moritz as Arthur Vance, Allie Lawrence as Rachel Parsons and Carter Holland as A.C. Peterson.
Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for students.
Tickets may be purchased online at wimberleyplayers.org or by calling the box office at 512-847-0575. The theatre is located at 450 Old Kyle Rd.
The Outsider is presented by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.
 

I’ve heard many baby boomers claim their mother invented the dish out of necessity to feed incessantly hungry kids back in the 1950s. I’ve heard claims that their grandmothers had been making something like Frito pie since the ’20s, which would have been a neat trick since Fritos weren’t invented until 1932.

A version of Frito pie was served at a gathering of the Dallas Dietetic Association in 1949. The recipe came from the Frito Co. itself and originally called for putting a layer of Fritos in a casserole dish, covering it with chili and then covering everything with liberal amounts of cheese and onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can see how this got MacGyvered into just pouring chili into bags of Fritos for efficiency and transportability. Today, you’ll also find it with the added ingredient of a mound of jalapeños on top.

Whatever the case, Fritos and the pies are Texas originals.

Charles Doolin of San Antonio created the chips, putting his own spin on a recipe he bought for $100 from a Mexican restaurant in 1932. He fried strips of corn dough, and Fritos were born. It’s interesting that most Texans now associate the chip with piles of meat, as Doolin was a vegetarian.  He called them fritos, Spanish for “fried.” Doolin also invented Cheetos, around 1948, by the way.

In the 1960s, my mother made something she called “creamed tacos,” which was a cheesy chili con carne poured over a plate of Fritos. Exceptionally filling, the recipe no doubt came from Frito-Lay itself. Though the company, now based in Plano, had its own brand of chili by then, my mother, like Hank Hill, preferred Wolf Brand Chili (“Neighbor, how long has it been?”), another Texas original.

This type of mixing and matching was encouraged in the early days of Fritos - as they were not marketed as a stand-alone snack. They were sold as an ingredient for casseroles. The inventor’s wife, Mary Kathryn “Kitty” Doolin, even experimented with pouring chocolate over Fritos and baking them on a cookie sheet.

Kitty also is credited with coming up with the original chili pie recipe. We know this because her daughter, Kaleta Doolin, wrote the most thorough history on the subject you can find, her 2011 book Fritos Pie: Stories, Recipes, and More. It’s an incredibly detailed history that provides all manner of Fritos recipes you have never imagined. Maybe there’s another classic in there, waiting to be popularized in today’s world of spicy snack foods.

Along with her mother, Kaleta gives credit to another woman for popularizing the dish. She writes with admiration that Teresa Hernandez sold thousands of Fritos Chili Pies at the Woolworth’s counter in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in the 1960s, reportedly selling 56,000 bags in one year.

And at the same time, it was all the rage in San Antonio and across Texas at football games as fundraisers for civic and student groups. Who knows how many kids were sent to college on profits from Frito Pies.

(W. F. Strong broadcasts ‘Stories from Texas’ and other commentaries bi-weekly on Texas Standard´s NPR network out of Austin. He is a Professor of Communication and Culture at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.  drwfstrong@gmail.com )
 

In a small community, the impact of collective action can be especially powerful. Simple efforts, when multiplied across neighbors, can create meaningful change. You can organize a local clean-up day for your local neighborhood or join one of the Adopt-A-Highway teams, helping keep natural spaces beautiful and safe.

Reducing waste is another practical step. Households can commit to recycling more, composting food scraps, and cutting back on single-use plastics. Supporting local farmers and businesses also reduces the environmental cost of transportation while boosting the local economy.

Education plays a key role as well. Attend a local event or a workshop at the library and learn more on conservation, water usage, and sustainable living. Even small habits—like turning off unused lights, conserving water, or using reusable bags—add up over time.

Earth Day stands for awareness, responsibility, and action. It reminds us that protecting the environment is not just a global effort but a local one. By working together, small communities can lead by example, proving that even modest changes can have a lasting impact on the health of our planet.  To learn more about KWB activities, visit our website: www.keepwimberleybeautiful.org.

Cypress Creek Church hosted its traditional Easter Egg Drop and Hunt, releasing 8,500 eggs from a helicopter for children to gather on the church’s grounds. As part of its service to Wimberley, the church also donated $8,500 to the Feeding Wimberley food program to bolster those facing food insecurity. Photos by Hunter Anderson

In the rodeo stands with my sister and cousins, we witnessed a reenactment of cavalrymen riding into the arena carrying the Texas flag. We heard bugles sound and smelled sawdust in the air. H.H. McConnell’s life came alive. It was the first I learned about his service in the 6^th Cavalry during 1866-1871. My great-grandmother played the organ, and the audience sang patriotic songs.

Later, we drove across town and pulled into the iron gate of the Fannie Atkinson McConnell Knox mansion. It was the home of Fannie’s third husband whom she outlived, but to me it was like coming into a movie set. The mansion was a grand three-story house sitting on seven acres not far from the town square. Relatives greeted us with warm hugs. Stories of my Texas roots swirled around me. When I was just nine years old, I had heard about my great-great-grandfather’s first-person account of life on the early Texas frontier. Those stories sparked my imagination and a sense of connection to my family’s history.

There were many visits to Jacksboro growing up, but I lost the thread of history even though we visited Fort Richardson a few more times. I was more interested in the big house with its fancy, exotic furnishings and stories of Sunday tea dances in the third-story ballroom.

In 1967, “Five Years a Cavalryman” was reprinted by the Oklahoma University Press. The first printing was in 1889, twenty years after my great-grandfather’s stint in the cavalry. My grandmother, Amy McConnell, gave copies of the book to all her grandchildren which was the first time I read his personal account of the Wild West. Aunt Jeanne, my biological mother’s only sibling became a funnel of family information since my mother had died of respiratory polio when I was two. I began to ask questions and family secrets were revealed.

My schools bore the names Lamar, Crockett and Fannin - legendary Texas figures whose accomplishments were both educationally and culturally ingrained. Margaret Mitchell’s novel “Gone With the Wind” and the big screen film adaptation lured me into an idyllic antebellum dream of the South. I found myself sucked into both the romanticism of the South and culture of the Wild West.

My interest in Texas history peaked after living away for thirty years pursuing a career. I wondered about the reasons H.H. McConnell left Philadelphia to join the cavalry in Texas, after having been well-educated as the son of a Princeton-trained physician. It didn’t make sense to me that he had also left his wife and first-born son. The lure of the west was prevalent during his lifetime, and I sensed other underlying motivations.

Now, living in what I think of as my “third trimester,” I understand that inheritance is not just what we receive, but what we choose to carry forward. As a great-grandmother of four, a grandmother of six, with two bonus adult children, and now being a family Elder, finding my footing in a shifting family landscape is tricky. I feel the grace of those who came before me. Their courage and contradictions, their risks and regrets, echo in the choices I’ve made and the questions I continue to ask. Texas, like any family, remains a narrative in progress, shaped by reckoning as well as by pride. I have come to believe one enduring truth: our lives are braided across generations, and whatever future emerges will be one we create together.

(DuAnne Redus is an executive coach and change consultant with over three decades of experience guiding individuals and organizations through transformative journeys. Her background in psychology, business, and organizational behavior equips her with unique perspectives on personal development. She is author of three books. duanne@duanneredus.com)

Here is another plug for our native plants as they are the most enduring. Some Bluebonnets, pink Mexican Primroses, purple verbena, Blackfoot daisies, yellow damianita bushes and Antelope Horn Milkweed are blooming. All of these wildflowers mentioned above are native and, except for the Mexican Primrose, are deer resistant.

If you are new to Hill Country you might wonder about our oaks that are now losing their leaves. Those stringy yellow threads that drop from the oak trees this time of year are the flowers. This is their annual Spring pattern.

In April, Earth Day is officially April 22. We have several events and ways to help the earth. April 11 is the Wimberley Community Clean up from 8 a.m. to noon, or until trucks are full, in the Lions Club parking lot on FM 2325. The event is a partnership between the City of Wimberley, Texas Disposal Systems, the Wimberley Lions Club, Ozona Bank and Keep Wimberley Beautiful.

In addition to general cleanup disposal on April 11, Ozona Bank is teaming up with Keep Wimberley Beautiful to co-fund a Shred-It truck that will be available on site during the same hours. The secure shredding service gives residents a safe way to dispose of old financial records, sensitive documents and personal paperwork. No metal binders are allowed, only paper.

Keep Wimberley Beautiful has teamed up to support the Constable’s Drug Take Back on Saturday April 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Constable’s Precinct 3 Office, 100 Stillwater. Expired and unused prescription drugs can be safely disposed.

On April 11, the band will perform at the Wimberley Valley Winery, 2825 Lone Man Mountain Road, at 7 p.m. , and on Sunday, April 12, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Wimberley First Baptist Church, 15951 Winters Mill Parkway.

“Rings of Fury” musical selections include Tolkien’s Trilogy from Lord of the Rings, including the “Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and the “Return of the King.”

Set in Middle-earth, the story tells of the adventures of the young hobbit, Frodo Baggins, who sets out on a journey to Mount Doom in the land of Mordor to destroy the Ring and keep it from falling into evil hands. Filmed in Peter Jackson’s native New Zealand, the film trilogy earned many Academy Awards, including “Best Picture” and “Best Original Score,” written by Howard Shore.

Shore’s score, critics wrote, “created a cohesive, deeply emotional soundscape for Middle-earth, using diverse instrumentation and thematic development. The music mirrors the characters’ journeys from the pastoral Shire to the industrial, brutalist sounds of Mordor and Isengard.”

The concert includes a part of Richard Wagner’s “Ring Cycle.” From his opera “Die Walkure,” the “Ride of the Valkyries” is famous for its powerful, dramatic sound that became a cultural shorthand for impending battle or chaos. In the film “Apocalypse Now,” it was used in the depiction of a helicopter assault in Viet Nam.

Completing the program will be “Entry of the Gladiators,” a rousing march by Gerald Gardner.

The HCCB is directed by Dr. Manuel Arambula, and the concerts will be family-friendly and are always free to all. Parents are encouraged to bring the entire family.

Hailed as “More relevant than ever,” by Indiewire, the documentary follows the Native American art collective, Postcommodity, as they construct “Repellent Fence,” a two-mile long outdoor artwork, straddling the U.S.-Mexico border as they place land art in a tribal context.

In 2015, artists worked with communities on both sides of the border to install a series of 28 huge inflatable spheres emblazoned with an insignia known as the “open eye,” a component of Indigenous cultures from South America to Canada for thousands of years. Artists and intellectuals include Chris Taylor of Texas Tech University’s LandArts of the American West program, writer Lucy Lippard and Matt Coolidge of the Center for Land Use Interpretation.

According to imdb.com, “the artwork crossed the border a mile in each direction and symbolized a suture stitching back together cultures that have inhabited the land long before borders were drawn. Scenes with other artists and intellectuals working in the land art realm provide context and insight as well. These include scenes with Chris Taylor of Texas Tech University’s LandArts of the American West program, writer Lucy Lippard and Matt Coolidge of the Center for Land Use Interpretation.”

Directed by Sam Wainwright Douglas and produced by David Hartstein, the documentary premiered at the Museum of Modern Art’s Documentary Fortnight, SXSW and the Smithsonian Institute.

The New York Times wrote, “One of the best documentaries about the contested area.”

The 75 minute film is presented in partnership with The Center for the Study of the Southwest. A question and answer period with both the director and producer will follow.

Doors open 6:15 p.m. Complimentary refreshments from Pie Society and Middleton Brewing are from 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7. Tickets are $9 and available at firsttuesdaysmtx.com. The Price Center is located at 222 W. San Antonio, San Marcos.

We think the Milkshake may be a blend of terrier and hound, meaning you get the best of both worlds: playful energy, a curious mind, and loyal heart. Milkshake is the kind of pup who will happily explore the yard one minute and curl up beside you the next. She’s eager to learn, enjoys attention, and is ready to soak up all the guidance and love her forever family has to offer.

At this young age, Milkshake is a wonderful blank slate—perfect for someone excited to help her grow into a confident, well-mannered companion. Whether it’s walks, playtime, or cozy evenings at home, she’s ready to be right by your side through it all. Milkshake is only six months old weighs 16 pounds.

To set up a no-obligation meet and greet with Milkshake, please visit wimberleywagrescue.org and fill out an application.

April 3

Concerts in the Park 2026 live music series, sponsored by Friends of Wimberley Parks, begins with a performance by the Hill Country Honeys, 6 to 8 p.m., on the Swim Lawn at Blue Hole. Food and drink offerings include Schoolyard Dogs, Monster Treats, and beer and wine from Roughhouse Brewing. Free to attend. Weather permitting.

April 4

Mothering Earth Water Wise Series presents Rainwater Harvesting & Water Conservation, 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM2325. Speakers include Dr. Larry Sunn of RainBees and Dee Rambeau, Wimberley resident with whole-house rainwater collection. Register at wimberleylibrary.org, scroll down to Calendar, find the date and register.

Wimberley Market Day at Lions Field, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, with approximately 500 booths filled with great finds, tasty concessions and wonderful people.

April 7

First Tuesday SMTX Film Series will present the documentary, “Through the Repellent Fence,” A Land Art Film, on Tuesday, April 7 at the Price Center in San Marcos. Doors open 6:15 p.m. Complimentary refreshments from Pie Society and Middleton Brewing are from 6:30 p.m. and the film starts at 7. Tickets are $9 and available at firsttuesdaysmtx.com. The Price Center is located at 222 W. San Antonio, San Marcos.

April 9

“Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel,” lecture by Paolo Amadio, a Rome native, and passionate Italian art enthusiast will take place on Thursday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM 2325, in collaboration with the Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance (WVACA). The event will include a raffle for a pair of tickets to attend the Sistine Chapel Experience in Austin; attendees must be present to win. Lectures is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Nomi González at programs@wimberleylibrary.org.

Weekly Events

Monday

The Wimberley Group of Alcoholics Anonymous beginners meeting, 7 p.m. at the clubhouse, 16933 RR12. Open to the public and interested parties. For more, call 512-694-4898.

Wednesday

Adult Craft LAB, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM2325. Tinker and craft program for adults 18 and up.

The LOUD Crowd Parkinson’s Voice Group, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deer Creek of Wimberley, 555 FM3237. Vocal practice, accountability, support and encouragement for those living with Parkinson’s. For more, call 512-847-5540 or 214-949-3229.

Thursday

Farmers and Artisan market, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Cowboy Church, 120 Green Acres Drive. Fresh foods from growers, arts, crafts and other vendors.

Yoga with Carla Daws, noon to 1 p.m, at the Community Center. $10 per class. Bring a mat and water bottle. Pay at WCC office (card only).

Friday

Friday Night Bingo at VFW Post #6441, 401 Jacob’s Well Rd. Doors open 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo 7 p.m., regular bingo at 8 p.m. Family friendly. BYOB. More at vfw6441.com.

Overeaters Anonymous, 2:30 p.m., Wimberley Presbyterian Church library, 956 FM2325. Whatever the food issues, all are welcome. Contact Kira, 661-435-5757.

Zumba with Tanya at the Community Center. 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mon, Wed, Fri $5 per class. Pay at WCC office (card only).

National Mahjongg League groups meet Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Valley Library, 400 FM2325. Sets available, players should bring their own card. On Wednesdays, a group meets 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens room at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR12. Bring sets, cards and a $1 donation for coffee and snacks.

42 Players meet Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens Center. Partners not necessary. A $1 donation supports coffee and snacks. Look for the Senior Center suite and entrance on the right side of the Wimberley Community Center.

Wimberley Al-Anon Family Groups meet Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR 2325. There is a ZOOM ONLY meeting on Sundays at 3 p.m. in which participants do not meet at the church. Zoom Meeting ID: 892 5112 9571 Zoom Passcode: 914106. Newcomers are welcome. Any Questions- Contact us at wimberleyafg@gmail.com.

Monthly Events

Players Script Club, a monthly play-reading group, meets the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Rd. to read new scripts. For information, contact Roxanne Strobel at rstrobel@wimberleyplayers.org.

The Hill Country Bead Society meets the second Thursday of the month in the Craft Lab at the Wimberley Village Library, noon to 3 p.m. Please visit our Facebook page.

The Wimberley Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month in the meeting room at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM2325, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. More at wimberleygardenclub.org.

The Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America meets the third Wednesday of the month in the meeting space at Emily Ann Theatre and Gardens, 1101 FM2325. More at hillcountryherbsociety.org. Or email valentine_lisa@msn.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets the first Thursday in the Presbyterian Church Library, 956 FM 2325, 12:45 to 2 p.m. To learn more, contact Linda Germain, Volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512-924-3661.

The Jacob’s Well Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets in Wimberley every second Monday. To learn more, email jacobswellnsdar@gmail.com.

The Wimberley Valley Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR2325, at 10 a.m. For more, email info@wimberleyquiltguild.org.

Coffee and Cars meets the first Sunday of the month at Blanco Brew, 14200 RR12, 8 to 11 a.m. Drivers with a hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic vehicle, classic truck or otherwise unique ride are welcome to put their car on display. More at 12kingscarclub.com.

The Wimberley Valley Museum in the historic Winters-Wimberley House, 14068 RR12, is open for visitors on the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by appt. Please call 832-545-5036. More at wimwic.org.

The Wimberley Apron Society meets the first Monday of the month at Wimberley Village Library Community Room, 400 FM 2325, at 6 p.m. to exchange ideas on healthy sustainable lifestyles, gardening, cooking and homesteading. More at Facebook.

The long awaited ribbon cutting ceremony for the Karst Canyon Preserve will take place at 10 a.m. at the Jacob’s Well Natural Area, 1699 Mt. Sharp Rd. Participants should arrive early to park in Parking Lot A at Jacob’s Well Natural Area for the short 0.8 round trip hike to the ceremony site. Park staff can transport some guests by golf cart.

March 27, 28, 29

The Central Texas Theatre Academy will hold a Broadway Nights Fundraiser on three separate evenings at the CTTA, at Plaza del Sol, 12111 RR12. Beloved Broadway songs from Phantom of the Opera, Sweeny Todd, Little Shop of Horrors and other Broadway hits will be performed Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m. A silent auction, decadent desserts and sparkling beverages are part of the experience. Proceeds go directly to the student scholarship fund that enables every student to participate in the theatre’s classes and programs. Tickets are $30 and available at centextheare.org. Seating is limited.

March 28

The annual Wimberley Emergency Preparedness Fair, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VFW Post #6441, 401 Jacob’s Well Rd. The family friendly event brings together first responders, law enforcement, nonprofits and other experts in emergency management, more than 25 presenters in all, to prepare residents for short and long term disasters in our community.

Wimberley Valley Big Band will present an outdoor concert, from 3 to 5 p.m., at Willow Lake Watering Hole, 110 Old Kyle Rd. Free

The Village Store Community Thrift Shop will hold a ribbon cutting and 25^th Anniversary celebration, from 9:30 to 2 p.m., at 450 Old Kyle Rd.

Super Dimension Gaming, takes place from noon to 6 p.m., at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR12. Tickets are $10 for adults; kids under 12 may participate accompanied by an adult ticketholder. Go to wimberleyparksandrec.com/community-center/.

March 29

Rising Stars of Wimberley music festival, a Wimberley Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance initiative, with Sam Dowing and the Bandits, Hemlock, Imogene and Waylan Gruenberg, Soma Jerome, the Wimberley High School Choir’s a capella octet and the WHS Jazz Band will perform, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the EmilyAnn Theatre, 110 FM 2325. Free.

Vintage Mexican Art is the subject of a presentation from Mike Miller, Professor Emitus of Mexican Cultural History, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Art on 12 Gallery, 13811 RR12.

April 1

A Wimberley Sip & Shop takes place 4 to 8 p.m., at local boutiques and businesses. Support small businesses, discover something new and soak up the local charm.

April 3

Concerts in the Park 2026 live music series, sponsored by Friends of Wimberley Parks, begins with a performance by the Hill Country Honeys, 6 to 8 p.m., on the Swim Lawn at Blue Hole. Food and drink offerings include Schoolyard Dogs, Monster Treats, and beer and wine from Roughhouse Brewing. Free to attend. Weather permitting.

Weekly Events

Monday

The Wimberley Group of Alcoholics Anonymous beginners meeting, 7 p.m. at the clubhouse, 16933 RR12. Open to the public and interested parties. For more, call 512-694-4898.

Wednesday

Adult Craft LAB, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM2325. Tinker and craft program for adults 18 and up.

The LOUD Crowd Parkinson’s Voice Group, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deer Creek of Wimberley, 555 FM3237. Vocal practice, accountability, support and encouragement for those living with Parkinson’s. For more, call 512-847-5540 or 214-949-3229.

Thursday

Farmers and Artisan market, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Cowboy Church, 120 Green Acres Drive. Fresh foods from growers, arts, crafts and other vendors.

Yoga with Carla Daws, noon to 1 p.m, at the Community Center. $10 per class. Bring a mat and water bottle. Pay at WCC office (card only).

Friday

Friday Night Bingo at VFW Post #6441, 401 Jacob’s Well Rd. Doors open 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo 7 p.m., regular bingo at 8 p.m. Family friendly. BYOB. More at vfw6441.com.

Overeaters Anonymous, 2:30 p.m., Wimberley Presbyterian Church library, 956 FM2325. Whatever the food issues, all are welcome. Contact Kira, 661-435-5757.

Zumba with Tanya at the Community Center. 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mon, Wed, Fri $5 per class. Pay at WCC office (card only).

National Mahjongg League groups meet Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Valley Library, 400 FM2325. Sets available, players should bring their own card. On Wednesdays, a group meets 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens room at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR12. Bring sets, cards and a $1 donation for coffee and snacks.

42 Players meet Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens Center. Partners not necessary. A $1 donation supports coffee and snacks. Look for the Senior Center suite and entrance on the right side of the Wimberley Community Center.

Wimberley Al-Anon Family Groups meet Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR 2325. There is a ZOOM ONLY meeting on Sundays at 3 p.m. in which participants do not meet at the church. Zoom Meeting ID: 892 5112 9571 Zoom Passcode: 914106. Newcomers are welcome. Any Questions- Contact us at wimberleyafg@gmail.com.

Monthly Events

Players Script Club, a monthly play-reading group, meets the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Rd. to read new scripts. For information, contact Roxanne Strobel at rstrobel@wimberleyplayers.org.

The Hill Country Bead Society meets the second Thursday of the month in the Craft Lab at the Wimberley Village Library, noon to 3 p.m. Please visit our Facebook page.

The Wimberley Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month in the meeting room at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM2325, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. More at wimberleygardenclub.org.

The Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America meets the third Wednesday of the month in the meeting space at Emily Ann Theatre and Gardens, 1101 FM2325. More at hillcountryherbsociety.org. Or email valentine_lisa@msn.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets the first Thursday in the Presbyterian Church Library, 956 FM 2325, 12:45 to 2 p.m. To learn more, contact Linda Germain, Volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512-924-3661.

The Jacob’s Well Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets in Wimberley every second Monday. To learn more, email jacobswellnsdar@gmail.com.

The Wimberley Valley Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR2325, at 10 a.m. For more, email info@wimberleyquiltguild.org.

Coffee and Cars meets the first Sunday of the month at Blanco Brew, 14200 RR12, 8 to 11 a.m. Drivers with a hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic vehicle, classic truck or otherwise unique ride are welcome to put their car on display. More at 12kingscarclub.com.

The Wimberley Valley Museum in the historic Winters-Wimberley House, 14068 RR12, is open for visitors on the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by appt. Please call 832-545-5036. More at wimwic.org.

The Wimberley Apron Society meets the first Monday of the month at Wimberley Village Library Community Room, 400 FM 2325, at 6 p.m. to exchange ideas on healthy sustainable lifestyles, gardening, cooking and homesteading. More at Facebook.

Hanz is playful, affectionate, and loves spending time with people. Whether he’s exploring the yard, playing with friends or soaking up attention from his humans, Hanz does it all with a happy spirit and wagging tail. He came to us with his brothers, Fritz and Klauz, and it’s clear that these boys were raised with love and have the makings of wonderful family companions.

Hanz is the perfect age—young enough to be fun and playful, but mature enough to be ready to learn the routines of a loving home. With guidance and consistency, he’s sure to thrive and become a loyal, devoted member of his forever family. Hanz weighs 22 pounds and is two years old.

To set up a meet and greet with Hanz, please visit wimberleywagrescue.org and fill out an application. There is no obligation to adopt when submitting an application—it simply helps us arrange the best possible match for both you and Hanz.

Originally created and designed by artist Linda Schuler, the boot’s toe, set with mosaic tiles, had deteriorated. Cody, the Wimberley Pharmacy manager, went in search of Schuler but was not able to locate her. From there, she reached out to the Austin Mosaic Guild for guidance. The guild put a call out for a mosaic artist and Jo-Dee Benson took up the challenge.

According to Benson, restoring the boot took about two weeks. The process included removing the broken tiles and following a well-worked out design plan. “Thankfully the weather was gorgeous,” said Benson, who worked on it from its place in front of the pharmacy.

Benson earned a degree in art from the University of Wisconsin - Madison before going on to pursue a career in corporate marketing communications. Jo-Dee’s introduction to mosaics came in January 2022 at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria art school where her passion for mosaics was ignited. She continues her studies at the Chicago Mosaic School and seeks out opportunities to learn from visiting artists. She is a member of the Austin Mosaic Guild, Contemporary Mosaic Art2 and the Society of American Mosaic Artists. Samples of her work can been seen on her Facebook page, Jo-Dee Benson Mosaics.

As an artist herself, Benson said, “It was important to me maintain the integrity of the original design. The top of the boot retained its original painting by Linda Schuler and my work was to restore the toe.”

“We love these whimsical expression of local artistic spirit,” said Doug Oldmixon. He is, along with Benson, co-owners of the Rock House Grove retail complex on RR12. They are currently “custodians” of the award-winning Wimberley Adoption Group, or WAG, boot located on the property.

“I’m grateful to have been able to do a small part to preserve one of Wimberley’s Bootiful Boots. It was wonderful to bring it back to life,” said Benson.

The narrator, Norwood Pratt, meets the diminutive fellow on a trip to New York City from his home in Ralph, Texas. “If you were out somewhere without anything else around you, like a desert,” Norwood muses, “and I was to start walking towards you I would walk right into you because I would think you were further off than what you were.”

The author of Norwood (Simon & Schuster, 1966) is the late Charles Portis, best known for his novel True Grit. He’s hardly known at all as the author of four other novels that are altogether different from the American classic that John Wayne made famous on the silver screen. Set in the 20th century, they feature memorable misfits and offbeat characters given to droll observations like the one above.

“His fiction,” the humorist Roy Blount, Jr., has said, “is the funniest I know.” Writing in Esquire in 1998, critic Ron Rosenbaum described Portis as “Perhaps the most original, indescribable, unique talent overlooked by literary culture in America.”

Portis was an Arkansas native who worked as a journalist in Memphis, Little Rock, New York and London, where he was bureau chief for the “New York Herald Tribune.” In 1964, he moved back to Little Rock to write novels. He died in 2020 at age 86.

In a way, Portis is now a posthumous Texan. In April 2024, my friend Steve Davis, recently retired as the literary executor of the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University, acquired Portis’s archive, including previously unknown material discovered in 2022 in the crawl space of a house that Portis had bought for his parents years ago. The Portis family also discovered an unfinished novel, “The Woman from Nowhere.” (“Harper’s Magazine” published an excerpt in the April 2025 issue.)

Steve and I were talking by phone recently, trying to get at the essence of Portis’s humor. It’s an impossible task, as futile as trying to explain a joke. “What he does is so difficult to pull off,” Steve said. “It’s a daunting intellectual acrobatic art.”

The Wittliff Collections, which also houses material from Larry McMurtry, Cormac McCarthy, Sandra Cisneros and other notable writers, went head to head with UT-Austin’s world-renowned Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center to acquire the Portis archive. Driving back to San Marcos from Little Rock, his rented SUV packed with 13 banker’s boxes of invaluable material, Steve couldn’t help but chuckle occasionally at his unlikely haul. He could have been a Portis character himself.

Visitors to the Wittliff Collections–on the seventh floor of Texas State’s Albert B. Alkek Library–can enjoy a lobby exhibit featuring Portis’s life and work. I regret to say they won’t see a fictional set of false teeth from a Tijuana denture factory that’s mentioned in “The Dog of the South.” The El Tigre model, as described by Dr. Reo Symes of Ferriday, La., “had two extra canines and two extra incisors of tungsten steel. Slap a set of those Tiger plates in your mouth and you can throw your oatmeal out the window. You could shred an elk steak with those boogers.”

(Joe Holley, author of six books - mostly about Texas, has been a speechwriter for Gov. Ann Richards, a staff writer for The Washington Post and a Houston Chronicle editorial writer and columnist from 2012 until the present. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2017 and 2023 and a Pulitzer Prize winner in 2022. djholley10@gmail.com )

He absolutely loves his toys. Moonlight also enjoys a rousing game of fetch, is good on leash and is house-trained. Moonlight really seems to like being indoors — he would be the perfect home companion.

Moonlight, an Australian Kelpie mix, is about eight years old and weighs 45 pounds. If Moonlight has caught your eye, we’d love for you to meet him. To set up a no-obligation “meet and greet,” please visit wimberleywagrescue.org to fill out an application. He may be just the companion you’ve been looking for.

Susan Gibson will perform at Susanna’s Kitchen, 7:30 p.m. at the Wimberley United Methodist Church located at the corner of RR12 and CR1492. Tickets are $25. Cash or check only. Doors open at 7. Tamales, pizza, pie, coffee and soft drinks are available for purchase.

March 20

“50 years of the Wimberley View” reception will celebrate a half century of telling the Wimberley Story, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM 2327. Free.

March 21

Land. Water. Connection. The Watershed Association kicks off its series with “Land and Water in our Valley: Understanding the State of Hill Country Water,” 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM 2325. Speakers include Watershed Association Director, David Baker and Public Engagement, Advocacy and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Watershed Association, Zane Porterfield. Register at watershedassociation.org and click “Events” from the top men. Free. Donations gladly accepted.

The Water Wise Series, hosted by Salwa Khan of Mothering Earth, begins it series with a talk on the Legal Battle with Aqua Texas and Rainwater Harvesting, 10 a.m. to noon at the VFW Hall, 401 Jacobs Well Rd. Speakers include Debra Hines, Mayor of Woodcreek and Andrew Weber, President, Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association. Register at https://wimberleylibrary.org/ and scroll down to “Calendar,” find the date and register. Free.

Ride to Defeat ALS will take begin at Willow Lake Watering Hole and Mercantile110 Old Kyle Rd, beginning at 7:30 a.m. for the 60 mile group; 8:15 a.m. for the 37 mile group ride; 9:15 a.m. for the 20 mile group ride; and 10 a.m. for the 10 mile group ride. Riders must preregister in advance at als.org/rideTexas. Find out more at als.org/rideTexas.

Glass Egg Quest and Spring Folic, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wimberley Glassworks, 6469 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, between Wimberley and San Marcos. Glassblowing demonstrations of Giant Blown Glass Eggs, Swing Vases and Sun Platters at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 and 2 p.m. Learn more at Wimberlyglassart.com.

Weekly Events

Monday

The Wimberley Group of Alcoholics Anonymous beginners meeting, 7 p.m. at the clubhouse, 16933 RR12. Open to the public and interested parties. For more, call 512-694-4898.

Wednesday

Adult Craft LAB, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM2325. Tinker and craft program for adults 18 and up.

The LOUD Crowd Parkinson’s Voice Group, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deer Creek of Wimberley, 555 FM3237. Vocal practice, accountability, support and encouragement for those living with Parkinson’s. For more, call 512-847-5540 or 214-949-3229.

Thursday

Farmers and Artisan market, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Cowboy Church, 120 Green Acres Drive. Fresh foods from growers, arts, crafts and other vendors.

Yoga with Carla Daws, noon to 1 p.m, at the Community Center. $10 per class. Bring a mat and water bottle. Pay at WCC office (card only).

Friday

Friday Night Bingo at VFW Post #6441, 401 Jacob’s Well Rd. Doors open 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo 7 p.m., regular bingo at 8 p.m. Family friendly. BYOB. More at vfw6441.com.

Overeaters Anonymous, 2:30 p.m., Wimberley Presbyterian Church library, 956 FM2325. Whatever the food issues, all are welcome. Contact Kira, 661-435-5757.

Zumba with Tanya at the Community Center. 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mon, Wed, Fri $5 per class. Pay at WCC office (card only).

National Mahjongg League groups meet Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Valley Library, 400 FM2325. Sets available, players should bring their own card. On Wednesdays, a group meets 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens room at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR12. Bring sets, cards and a $1 donation for coffee and snacks.

42 Players meet Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens Center. Partners not necessary. A $1 donation supports coffee and snacks. Look for the Senior Center suite and entrance on the right side of the Wimberley Community Center.

Wimberley Al-Anon Family Groups meet Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR 2325. There is a ZOOM ONLY meeting on Sundays at 3 p.m. in which participants do not meet at the church. Zoom Meeting ID: 892 5112 9571 Zoom Passcode: 914106. Newcomers are welcome. Any Questions- Contact us at wimberleyafg@gmail.com.

Monthly Events

Players Script Club, a monthly play-reading group, meets the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Rd. to read new scripts. For information, contact Roxanne Strobel at rstrobel@wimberleyplayers.org.

The Hill Country Bead Society meets the second Thursday of the month in the Craft Lab at the Wimberley Village Library, noon to 3 p.m. Please visit our Facebook page.

The Wimberley Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month in the meeting room at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM2325, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. More at wimberleygardenclub.org.

The Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America meets the third Wednesday of the month in the meeting space at Emily Ann Theatre and Gardens, 1101 FM2325. More at hillcountryherbsociety.org. Or email valentine_lisa@msn.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets the first Thursday in the Presbyterian Church Library, 956 FM 2325, 12:45 to 2 p.m. To learn more, contact Linda Germain, Volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512-924-3661.

The Jacob’s Well Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets in Wimberley every second Monday. To learn more, email jacobswellnsdar@gmail.com.

The Wimberley Valley Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR2325, at 10 a.m. For more, email info@wimberleyquiltguild.org.

Coffee and Cars meets the first Sunday of the month at Blanco Brew, 14200 RR12, 8 to 11 a.m. Drivers with a hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic vehicle, classic truck or otherwise unique ride are welcome to put their car on display. More at 12kingscarclub.com.

The Wimberley Valley Museum in the historic Winters-Wimberley House, 14068 RR12, is open for visitors on the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by appt. Please call 832-545-5036. More at wimwic.org.

The Wimberley Apron Society meets the first Monday of the month at Wimberley Village Library Community Room, 400 FM 2325, at 6 p.m. to exchange ideas on healthy sustainable lifestyles, gardening, cooking and homesteading. More at Facebook.

Jay White, owner and publisher of Texas Gardener magazine, will present a talk to the Wimberley Garden Club on March 11 at 10 a.m. Social time is 9:30 a.m. Find out more at wimberleygardenclub.org.

March 13, 14 & 15

Last chance to see Death Trap, written by Ira Levin and superbly acted by the Wimberley Players, this weekend. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Rd. Tickets are $30 and available at wimberleyplayers.org.

March 19

Susan Gibson will perform at Susanna’s Kitchen, 7:30 p.m. at the Wimberley United Methodist Church, located at the corner of RR12 and CR1492. Tickets are $25. Cash or check only. Doors open at 7. Tamales, pizza, pie, coffee and soft drinks are available for purchase.

Weekly Events

Monday

The Wimberley Group of Alcoholics Anonymous beginners meeting, 7 p.m. at the clubhouse, 16933 RR12. Open to the public and interested parties. For more, call 512-694-4898.

Wednesday

Adult Craft LAB, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wimberley Village Library, 400 FM2325. Tinker and craft program for adults 18 and up.

The LOUD Crowd Parkinson’s Voice Group, 10 a.m. to noon, at Deer Creek of Wimberley, 555 FM3237. Vocal practice, accountability, support and encouragement for those living with Parkinson’s. For more, call 512-847-5540 or 214-949-3229.

Thursday

Farmers and Artisan market, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Cowboy Church, 120 Green Acres Drive. Fresh foods from growers, arts, crafts and other vendors.

Yoga with Carla Daws, noon to 1 p.m, at the Community Center. $10 per class. Bring a mat and water bottle. Pay at WCC office (card only).

Friday

Friday Night Bingo at VFW Post #6441, 401 Jacob’s Well Rd. Doors open 6:30 p.m., early bird bingo 7 p.m., regular bingo at 8 p.m. Family friendly. BYOB. More at vfw6441.com.

Overeaters Anonymous, 2:30 p.m., Wimberley Presbyterian Church library, 956 FM2325. Whatever the food issues, all are welcome. Contact Kira, 661-435-5757.

Zumba with Tanya at the Community Center. 9 to 9:45 a.m., Mon, Wed, Fri $5 per class. Pay at WCC office (card only).

National Mahjongg League groups meet Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Valley Library, 400 FM2325. Sets available, players should bring their own card. On Wednesdays, a group meets 10 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens room at the Wimberley Community Center, 14068 RR12. Bring sets, cards and a $1 donation for coffee and snacks.

42 Players meet Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Senior Citizens Center. Partners not necessary. A $1 donation supports coffee and snacks. Look for the Senior Center suite and entrance on the right side of the Wimberley Community Center.

Wimberley Al-Anon Family Groups meet Mondays and Fridays at 12 p.m. and Thursdays at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR 2325. There is a ZOOM ONLY meeting on Sundays at 3 p.m. in which participants do not meet at the church. Zoom Meeting ID: 892 5112 9571 Zoom Passcode: 914106. Newcomers are welcome. Any Questions- Contact us at wimberleyafg@gmail.com.

Monthly Events

Players Script Club, a monthly play-reading group, meets the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle Rd. to read new scripts. For information, contact Roxanne Strobel at rstrobel@wimberleyplayers.org.

The Hill Country Bead Society meets the second Thursday of the month in the Craft Lab at the Wimberley Village Library, noon to 3 p.m. Please visit our Facebook page.

The Wimberley Garden Club meets the second Wednesday of the month in the meeting room at EmilyAnn Theatre & Gardens, 1101 FM2325, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. More at wimberleygardenclub.org.

The Hill Country Unit of the Herb Society of America meets the third Wednesday of the month in the meeting space at Emily Ann Theatre and Gardens, 1101 FM2325. More at hillcountryherbsociety.org. Or email valentine_lisa@msn.com.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group meets the first Thursday in the Presbyterian Church Library, 956 FM 2325, 12:45 to 2 p.m. To learn more, contact Linda Germain, Volunteer for Alzheimer’s Texas, at 512-924-3661.

The Jacob’s Well Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets in Wimberley every second Monday. To learn more, email jacobswellnsdar@gmail.com.

The Wimberley Valley Quilt Guild meets the first Wednesday at the Wimberley Presbyterian Church, 956 RR2325, at 10 a.m. For more, email info@wimberleyquiltguild.org.

Coffee and Cars meets the first Sunday of the month at Blanco Brew, 14200 RR12, 8 to 11 a.m. Drivers with a hot rod, muscle car, sports car, exotic vehicle, classic truck or otherwise unique ride are welcome to put their car on display. More at 12kingscarclub.com.

The Wimberley Valley Museum in the historic Winters-Wimberley House, 14068 RR12, is open for visitors on the first and third Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by appt. Please call 832-545-5036. More at wimwic.org.

The Wimberley Apron Society meets the first Monday of the month at Wimberley Village Library Community Room, 400 FM 2325, at 6 p.m. to exchange ideas on healthy sustainable lifestyles, gardening, cooking and homesteading. More at Facebook.

Pentimento isn’t a flaw. Quite the opposite. It’s a window into the artists’ thought process, like catching them in mid-sentence. It demonstrates that even the great masters made revisions, changed their minds, or obeyed the wishes of patrons.

Unlike forgeries or alterations made by others, pentimento is genuine and often celebrated. It can even add value or historical interest to a work and can help to authenticate it.

Pentimento reminds us that art isn’t static. It’s alive, evolving, sometimes uncertain - and always more than meets the eye. What we see now may only be the final chapter in a much longer story.

In 1973, playwright Lillian Hellman published a memoir titled “Pentimento: A Book of Portraits”, in which she used the term metaphorically. She described people from her past as images that had changed meaning over time - like old paintings revealing something unexpected beneath the surface.

In 1977 Hellman’s book was made into a wonderful multi-award winning film - “Julia”. It chronicles the author’s relationship with her lifelong friend who had fought against the Nazis in the years prior to World War II. The film stars Jane Fonda as Hellman and Vanessa Redgrave as Julia. It co-stars Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, Maximilian Schell and Meryl Streep, in her film debut.

Years ago, I collected vintage cameras. I ended up with close to 100. Back then they were relatively cheap and easy to find in small town antique stores, junk shops and flea markets. A special bonus was when I found one that still had film in it. I had a homemade darkroom in a spare bathroom at my house, and I was able to develop the old black and white film. Most of the time the film was ruined - aged beyond saving. Occasionally though, I would find composed shots of what looked like family vacations and gatherings. Other times there were just ghostly images. Who were these people? Where were they, and what were they doing?

After my Dad died and I was going through his belongings, I found a box of old photographs, obviously taken when he was a youngster. I never knew that he had taken photographs or even that he had owned a camera. These were not run-of-the-mill landscapes or pictures of the family. They were obviously posed (by him) - set-up scenes that portrayed some drama: elaborate fight scenes starring his friends; costumed theatrical stagings that he invented; furtive ‘spy’ pics - probably of the neighbors - with the vantage point of the camera from behind a bush or a tree. He had an artistic flair and a far more interesting childhood than he ever told me about.

Recently, Jan - my friend and co-owner of the gallery Art on 12 in Wimberley - sent me a text that felt less like a message and more like the opening line of a fable. While she had been working at the gallery, a dazzling white moth had been hanging around all day - trying to get in whenever she opened the door. That evening, as she locked up, she snapped a photo of the moth poised on the glass, peering in like a guest who’d arrived after the party was over. For another day or two it kept vigil near the back door, lingering with a quiet, insistent devotion. Whatever was calling to it from inside the gallery - paint, light, the silence of the art itself - was something it could not ignore.

(Don Minnick is a clinical psychologist and organizational consultant and the author of books linked to business and the arts. He has found a home in the creative and culture-rich Wimberley valley. He is a Board Member of Wimberley Arts.org. (djmminnick@gmail.com)

In order to accommodate a one-hundred-percent increase in their summer Youth Arts Program classes, projectART’s Executive Director Kristy Peloquin reached out to HippoCampus Learning Center in Wimberley to sublease their site, which includes two classrooms, a shared multi-purpose room, kitchen and green space, for the summer. Peloquin said that ARTSPACE, projectART’s mixed-use gallery and education space, just isn’t large enough to host as many children as the organization would like.

“projectART has realized tremendous growth over the past few years. In 2025, nearly every summer class in our Youth Arts Program filled and waitlisted. In 2026, we’ve doubled the number of summer Youth Arts Program classes to meet the demand for youth art education. However, this meant finding additional space since our gallery ARTSPACE simply can’t hold as many children as we would like to serve. We’re so grateful that the HippoCampus Learning Center has sublet their space to us for our summer classes.”

projectART’s new Education Manager, Lauren Slubar, an educator with experience as a classroom teacher and a Dyslexia Coordinator and Interventionist, joined the team in January and hit the ground running to coordinate the schedules and curricula of 20 instructors.

“I was up for the challenge,” said Slubar. “Our teachers are incredible and came up with a lot of the class ideas, and we made sure to lean into their strengths as teachers or artists. Our first priority was to offer classes for many ages to best serve our families’ needs.”

The projectART team has curated an extensive ensemble of options for students going into Kindergarten through ninth grade.

“We also have worked to make camps accessible to more families with tuition assistance opportunities, thanks to the generosity of our sustaining members and donors,” said Slubar.

For Peloquin and Slubar, the expansion of summer camp offerings signals the growth of the whole program, which results in impacting more youth.

“Children and teens growing up in rural areas do not have access to art schools in their communities like youth in urban communities do,” said Peloquin. “projectART wants to change this reality. We believe that every child—no matter their zip code—deserves access to the transformative power of the arts. Our YouthArts Program provides critical access to arts education for children and teens so they can learn, build skills, gain deeper arts appreciation and be better prepared for careers in the arts, which ultimately benefits the cultural capital of our community. More classes translates into more positive community impact.”

Information and registration for projectART Summer Camps can be found at projectartwimberley.org/programs/classes-camps.

Afternoon tea, one of the fine aspects of English culture, is a time to slow down, spruce up and meet up for bite-sized food, a soothing cup of tea and conversation designed to connect with others.

Such was the Civic Club’s “Time for Tea” event held last week at the Price Center in San Marcos. It was one of the Civic Club’s many Spring Events, like the Home Tour and Trivia Night, created by members every year to raise community funds.

Most of the guests embraced tradition by wearing floral-themed dresses set off by angled fascinators and crisp organza hats. Once they were seated at tables beautifully laid with French and English china, guests dined on crustless sandwiches of cucumber, cranberry chicken salad and cream cheese salmon. Those were followed by scones, lemon bars, cakes and of course, tea. Guests selected from a wide assortment of premium black teas and fruit teas.

Over travel stories and the talk of hobbies, friends and acquaintances layered scones with jam, clotted cream or lemon curd and passed tiered trays around the table until everyone was sated. Ronnie Andrade, a pianist in the Texas State University music department, played jazz piano while Sigma Nu volunteers kept cups topped up and plates cleared.

“Everyone who attended seemed to lean into the spirit of the tea,” said Becky McCullough, who was one of the many people who helped Spring Event organizers Tricia Linklater and Becky Selman coordinate the event, along with Dina Rodriquez, Nicolle Ryan and Karen Meyers.

To learn more about this year’s Spring Events and to purchase tickets, go to wimberleyccc.org.

He’d like you to know one thing right up front: Lucas has one good eye. It doesn’t slow him down or dampen his spirit one bit—and he’s hoping you’ll look past it and see the sweet, lovable boy he is.

Lucas is new to WAG, so we’re still learning all about his personality. What we already know is that he’s truly adorable and ready for a fresh start with a family who will care for him and love him for exactly who he is. Lucas weighs 20 pounds and is two years old.

To set up a no-obligation meet and greet with Lucas, please visit wimberleywagrescue.org and fill out an application. We can’t wait for you to meet this special boy!