Good morning, Kerr County!
Are you ready for a heat wave? We didn't think so. However, that's what the National Weather Service forecasters are saying and today through Wednesday could produce record temperatures of 100 degrees or hotter. Fun! Here are the details:
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On today's The Lead Live!
We welcome back Tom Fox of the Texas Hill Country Podcast to tell us about the stories he's been sharing as he gets to know Kerr County and surrounding areas. Texas Hill Country Advisors Andrew Gay and Gilbert Paiz join us for an update on the financial markets, and we will undoubtedly discuss the rapidly falling gas prices. The Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau's Leslie Jones is our co-host and updates us on all the happenings this week.
Coming Thursday
Our first-ever Health, Wellness and Beauty Show is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Our tentative lineup of guests are:
- 8:10 a.m., Russel Nemky of Kerrville Physical Therapy.
- 8:40 a.m., The Apothecary Shoppe, Kerrville's lone compounding pharmacy.
- 9:10 a.m., Fresh and Fit.
- 9:40 a.m., Karina Alvarado of Big Game Training.
- 10:10 a.m., Peterson Health's Hannah Shoemaker discusses "Falls Prevention" and other Peterson Health rehab services.
- 10:40 a.m., Peterson's Health's Kelly Ellis discusses "Back to Life" Total Joint Replacement program and other orthopedic services.
- 11:10 a.m., Peterson Health's Tim Rye "New Physicians and Current Comprehensive Services" from Peterson Medical Associates ( Meeting the Needs of our Region!).
- 11:40 a.m., Kelly Barker of Precision Dermatology.
- 12:10 p.m., Renewed Pathways.
- 12:40 p.m., StretchZone Kerrville.
- 1:10 p.m., MHDD
- 1:40 p.m., Redox
- 2:10 p.m., Open.
- 2:40 p.m., Danielle Monclav of Sante Research.
- 3:10 p.m., Open
- 3:40 p.m., Kerrville's Center for Fitness.
If you're a health, wellness and beauty business or practitioner, we've got two spots remaining on the show — 2:10 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. Each segment costs $50. For more information, contact Louis Amestoy at louis.amestoy@kerrcountylead.com.
Uvalde response plagued by systemic failures
The first official examination of the murderous shooting rampage at Robb Elementary School showed failures across every aspect of the day leading up to it and the response to the shooting.
The 77-page report released Sunday and authored by a special committee of Texas Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock), Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) and Texas Supreme Court Judge Eva Guzman found systemic failures in the law enforcement response to the shooting that led to the deaths of 19 children and two teachers. Despite having no firearms experience, the shooter also wounded 17 others and held 376 officers at bay for more than an hour.
Read more: https://kerrcountylead.com/report-blames-everyone-for-uvalde-shooting-failings/
Other reports:
- The Texas Tribune: In total, 376 law enforcement officers — a force larger than the garrison that defended the Alamo — descended upon the school in a chaotic, uncoordinated scene that lasted for more than an hour.
- New York Times: Yet even as details became clearer, the larger contours of what is known about the deadly event remained the same: The gunman entered the school without being confronted by any officer, through one of three exterior doors that were not locked, and went directly to the classrooms where he began shooting.
- San Antonio Express-News (subscription required): https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Uvalde-school-shooting-Texas-report-17310525.php
Sheriff's Office tamps down on misinformation
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office urged people not to jump to conclusions after online rumors suggested a serial killer was loose in the Hill Country.
"Bandera and Real Counties are currently working three missing persons cases that have made local media reports, but evidence of a connection has not emerged," the office said on Facebook. "Alarming posts or texts can have unintended consequences due to the fear that is created. Such disinformation can cause real problems for readers and law enforcement."
The cases of Jordan Tompkins, Brittany McMahon and Dimitri Perez sparked plenty of speculation after all went missing in the last few months. However, on Saturday, Bandera County Sheriff's found the remains of McMahon, 33, who went missing last month. McMahon's body was found near Bandera Pass. McMahon and Tompkins, who went missing in April, are both from Lakehills. Perez, who is from Leakey, was reported missing in April.
The missing people led rise to a raft of online speculation.
"We encourage you to follow vetted and official sources, including law enforcement social media and approved press releases," the Sheriff's Office said. "You can find our releases here on Facebook. We encourage you to like, follow and share with friends."
A big-time party at MOWA for Becky Crouch Patterson
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You better deliver when you're hosting a reception for an artist whose lineage descends from one of the great Texas party hosts of all time.
On Saturday, that's what the Museum of Western Art faced when Becky Crouch Patterson's collection of works debuted at the Kerrville museum, and the party was a good one. Crouch Patterson is the daughter of Hondo Crouch — the famed originator of Luckenbach's good times.
View more photos from the big MOWA party: https://thekerrcountyleadphotography.zenfoliosite.com/zg/becky-crouch-pattersons-mowa-reception
Hondo Crouch lived a larger-than-life life, dying from a heart attack at 59 in 1976. His children took his lessons to heart, including a passion for art and storytelling.
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"He was a Texas folk hero and that means you're loved by a lot of people forever," Crouch Patterson said.
Crouch Patterson's artwork is driven by story, faith and color — it's abundant in all of her work. It's also steeped in Texas history, but it's also something of an outlier for MOWA.
"It's different," said Darrell Beauchamp, MOWA's executive director. "It's a departure in a lot of ways. We tend to favor Cowboys, Indians, Saloon Girls, Mountaineers, things like that."
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In the collection, Crouch Patterson's liturgical tapestries — those found in churches — command one wing of the museum. Her original oil paintings, handmade scarves and clothing, and Hondo and Luckenbach memorabilia are in another wing.
Crouch Patterson's family history isn't one of just Luckenbach but of the pioneers who persevered to carve out a life in the rugged Hill Country. She can claim descendency from the Stielers, the Schreiners and many more of those pioneering families.
As Beauchamp pointed out, MOWA's initial intent was on Cowboys — one that still lives through the museum today. However, Beauchamp has sought a broader interpretation of the West. For Crouch Patterson, history points to wrangling sheep and goats, rather than steers. It's the story of Kerr County and the Hill Country — fortunes made from mohair.
"Cherishing a sense of place," is how Crouch Patterson explained it. The work celebrates people — of all sorts. She sings in Spanish and has a close connection and love of Mexico in her work.
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"And you know, she's never been one to sell herself short, but I'm going to add that this is the evangelist of Luckenbach," Beauchamp said. "This is the person who has for the past 46 years, since her father's passing in 1976, and her family have kept Luckenbach as a thing."
What makes Crouch Patterson's work impressive is the scale and, in some cases, the anonymity. Early in her career, James Avery commissioned her to make tapestries for his company's retail stores — those tapestries hung behind the cash registers.
"Our parents were friends, and he'd say, just do something to go with his rug and do something to match this and he made my wedding rings," Crouch Patterson said of her friendship with Avery.
Of course, Luckenbach's story is music, including Waylon Jenning's famous "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)." It's a revered place for millions because of Jennings, accompanied by Willie Nelson, simple words — "Out in Luckenbach, Texas, ain't nobody feelin' no pain."
And with Crouch Patterson, it's clear the work celebrating music, art and love is still something worthy of singing.
"We want everybody to come to see the great work, the great, you know, folk art and fine art of Becky Crouch Patterson," Beauchamp said.
Artistic joy on Water Street
Anfisa Brewer reacts with joy upon seeing her works displayed at Herring Printing Co. |
Anfisa Brewer could hardly contain her excitement Friday as Joe Herring Jr. revealed her graphic design work one by one in the picture windows at Herring Printing on Water Street.
The 2022 Schreiner University graduate, Brewer is one of the latest artists to have their work shared at the print shop. The effort is part of the Big Seed Arts, a movement shepherded by artist Kristen LaRue and Pint and Plow owner Jeremy Walther.
"I'm a little overwhelmed but very proud," Brewer said.
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Brewer is a printmaker, meaning each of her colorful graphic designs was carefully blocked, inked and pulled. She needed to pull the color many times to get the right shade to get an orange gradient.
The impromptu galleries were Herring's idea because he's been told by the city of Kerrville that thousands of motorists pass by his Water Street business. If they're stopped at Water and Sidney Baker streets, there is a good chance they will be backed up long enough to see the six prints hanging from the windows.
Finding something sweet in Ingram
Just some of the sweet treats at 323 Bakery in Ingram. |
When Andrew and Kristen Liskey returned to Kerrville, they knew they were ready to do something entrepreneurial, but their question was what and where?
The couple, parents to four- and five-year-old daughters, found it in Ingram and opened 323 Bakery about a year ago. For Andrew Liskey, working in the kitchen is something he first learned as a teenager, but now he and his wife are establishing their menus and recipes.
Iris Liskey enjoys a chocolate croissant. |
"I've always like making the dough part," Andrew Liskey said of his endeavor. "(Kristen) is really good at making cakes."
Their shop offers muffins, rolls, croissants, cookies, pies, fresh bread and an array of other baked delights. On the day The Lead visited, the gluten-free blueberry muffins stood tall. A wonderful treasure of flavor that makes it hard to differentiate between gluten and non-gluten offerings.
The business is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. On Saturdays, they're also selling at the Heart of the Hills Farmer's Market in Kerrville.
The Liskey's neighbor is Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique on Texas 39, and down the street are food trucks Que-Zeen Barbecue, Monty's Tacos and Down on the Loop Beer Garden. It's an influx of new energy in the historic shopping area.
Initially, the Liskey's first business was Kristen's part-time floral arranging. It's a business that still thrives, but for the Liskey's, their work allows them to care for their daughters — Iris, 5, and Willow, 4. Iris has a fondness for helping her parents and consuming their chocolate croissants. Willow has special needs and will require a lifetime of care, which is one reason the couple returned home to Kerrville — family support.
Willow, however, has a bright smile and loves Elsa and Anna from Disney's "Frozen." Her parents carry on their work knowing that this small business allows them two things — to care for their girls and make delicious things every day.
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The best of the weekend from Instagram
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