The Lead Nov. 18, 2025: We are in countdown for Thanksgiving, and the Kroc will tell us about how to help!

Good morning, Kerr County!

Good news and more good news in our weather forecast because rain is coming. We can expect showers tonight and into Saturday, but the rainy weather should miss the Kerrville Lighted Christmas Tree Parade! It's going to be cold on Saturday — highs in the low 40s. So, you're going to want to bundle up for the parade. The rain could continue into Sunday. So, that's the good news!

On today's episode of The Lead Live!

We're welcoming Capt. Jeremiah Romack from the Salvation Army today. Romack, along with his wife Missy, are the Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center commanders in Kerrville. They're prepping for next week's epic Thanksgiving celebration that features dine-in service at The Kroc, at rest stops just east of Kerrville along Interstate 10, and delivery service to hundreds who can't make it to the Kroc for dinner. It's a huge effort. With a big weekend ahead of us, the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau's Julie Davis updates us on all the big events this weekend. Andrew Gay connects with us from the global headquarters of Texas Hill Country Advisors to provide us with the latest on the world of finance.

And here's a bear of a story

Clifton Fifer Jr. appeared on Thursday's edition of The Lead Live to promote a living history event at the Doyle School Community Center from 2-4 p.m. today. He also delivered something else — a crazy story. The story involved the River Hills Mall, a television bear and Santa Claus. Let's be clear — Fifer was involved in all three! Watch the video here:

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Today's event, by the way, will feature some of Fifer's favorite things — sans the bear — with Mountain Men, snakes and Western-themed stuff. Check it out.

Speaking of events, here we GO!

Today!

Friday, Nov. 18

Light the Island

With a new electrical connection, the 5:30 p.m. lighting of Tranquility Island in Louise Hays Park will take on even more special meaning this year with this display. It will be a massive night of fun to see the new light display.

Performing Arts

• A Christmas Carol — Hill Country Arts Foundation, Time 7:30 p.m. Information: https://www.hcaf.com/2022-theatre-season/ The details: A Christmas Carol recounts the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an elderly miser who is visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. After their visits, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder, gentler man.

Live Music

• Brennen Leigh and Asleep at the Wheel — Arcadia Live, 8 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org The details: Western swing is a fine genre year after year, and you can't beat Asleep at the Wheel, and Brennen Leigh is every bit their peer.
• Dave Kemp — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
• MC and the Mysytx Band — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: https://www.pier27riverlounge.business.site
• Robbie White — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6:30 p.m. Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
• The Flashbacks — Joanne Marie and Me Wine Boutique, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.facebook.com/wineboutique1

Science and nature

• Star Party — Schreiner University, 6:30 p.m. Information: kdarvidsson@schreiner.edu The details: The event is free to attend and open to the public. Participants will be able to view celestial objects in the Hill Country sky in the domed observatory containing Schreiner's 16-inch telescope. Several eight-inch telescopes will also be available for public viewing. Free parking is available adjacent to the center. The entrance gate is along East Main Street across from the Schreiner University baseball and softball fields and is marked by a flagpole. The star party will generally go until about midnight, and participants may come and go at any time. The event will be canceled if the sky is overcast.

The arts

• Texas Furniture Makers Show — Kerr Arts and Cultural Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Information: https://www.kacckerrville.com The details: Texas Furniture Makers' Show® is an annual statewide Competition of the Finest Custom Furniture Makers in Texas. The show is held at the beautiful Kerr Arts & Cultural Center.
• Works We Love Show — Museum of Western Art, 10 a.m. Information: https://www.museumofwesternart.com The details: "Works We Love," featuring Fred Harman, creator of "Red Ryder and Little Beaver." Also on display are works from our permanent collection.
• Art Mart — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 17. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: The annual Hill Country Arts Foundation showcase of hand-made arts and crafts by area artists. Gift ideas that are perfect for holiday giving.

Saturday's events

The Christmas Parade!

• Kerrville's Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting — Downtown Kerrville, Water and Earl Garrett Streets, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.kerrvilletx.gov The details: Officially welcome the holiday season with a lighted parade and the arrival of Santa Claus on his signature fire truck. The parade will commence at the corner of the G St. Bridge and Water St. It will travel westbound on Water St., make a right on Earl Garrett St. and end at the Kerr County Courthouse. After the parade, enjoy a Christmas program, caroling, and the lighting of the Courthouse & 45’ tree ceremony.

Fundraiser

• Monte Carlo Night — Hill Country Youth Event Center, 6 p.m. Information: https://hillcountrycrisiscouncil.com/casinonight/ The details: A fun-filled night with all your favorite Vegas-style table games, plus slot machines. Winnings turn into raffle tickets with many high-end items to choose. Dinner and drinks are included with the ticket.

Science and Nature

• Bird Walk and Talk — Riverside Nature Center, 8 a.m. Information: Please contact the Nature Center for the location of the walk, 830-257-4837 The details: Join Paul and Deloris Sellin on a stroll along the River Trail for a wonderful morning identifying and admiring birds in the Hill Country area. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
• Tanner Usrey — Arcadia Live, 9 p.m. Information: https://www.thearcadialive.org The details: Hailing from Prosper, TX, Tanner Usrey is a singer and storyteller with a vocal styling all his own. Since beginning his career, Tanner’s style has developed into a soulful, Americana-rock sound with heart wrenching lyrics and soul-touching vocals that provide the cherry on top of his unforgettable melodies and hard-hitting sound. As Usrey continues to grow, he has performed at many notable venues and festivals across the nation and with that momentum most recently landed his single “The Light” on the Season 4 finale of Paramount Networks’ hit TV show, Yellowstone.
• Broken Duck Feet Band — Inn of the Hills, 8 p.m. Information: https://www.innofthehills.com
• Kevin McCormick — Cafe at the Ridge, 6 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com
• Gary Patrick — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6:30 p.m. Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
• Star Seed — Pier 27 River Lounge and Pizzeria, 8 p.m. Information: https://www.pier27riverlounge.business.site

Fun Runs

• Kerrville Board of Realtors Tuition Trot — Louise Hays Park, 9 am. Information: https://www.athleteguild.com The details: Kerrville Board of Realtor's scholarship fundraiser for local high school students.

Markets

• Heart of the Hills Farmers Market — Riverhills Mall parking lot, 8 a.m. Information: https://www.heartofthehillsfarmersmarket.com
• Alternative Christmas Gift Market — First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Information: https://www.fpckerrville.org The details: There will be five ministries offering fair trade items for gifting.
• Art Mart — Hill Country Arts Foundation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Dec. 17. Information: https://www.hcaf.com The details: The annual Hill Country Arts Foundation showcase of hand-made arts and crafts by area artists. Gift ideas that are perfect for holiday giving.

Don't forget the fundraisers!

• A River Runs Through it Online Auction — Riverside Nature Center, through Nov. 21. Information: director@riversidenaturecenter.org. To enter the aucton: bit.ly/3E7nYT9 The details: Riverside Nature Center is launching a fundraising campaign to benefit Hill Country's environmental education and community outreach programs. To better serve their community, RNC is raising donations with an online auction on the virtual fundraising platform. Some coveted eco-adventure travel and sports items include a guided fly-fishing trip, a three-day kayak or paddleboard package for two, a birdwatching tour and cabin for two, and an Electra Townie 7D Comfort bicycle.

A special guest shares an inspiring story

One in every 10,000 Americans will face a perplexing syndrome with no known cure and very few treatments, but it does not necessarily define them — just ask Kerrville's Lora Walters.

On Thursday, a giddy Walters was a guest on The Lead Live to discuss Williams Syndrome — an intellectual disability first categorized in 1961 by a New Zealand cardiologist. Walters has called Kerrville home since 1979.

Her battle with the syndrome is well supported by her husband of 31 years — Mark. The two shared their story with The Lead.

"A lot of people are discovered when they have a heart condition," said Mark Walters, who spent considerable time learning about the syndrome after he met Lora.

For Lora, the chief battles are with her heart, depression and anxiety.

"They go through a lot of depression and anxiety," she said.

But for Mark and Lora Walters, there's plenty of support.

"I mean Kerrville is fantastic," she said. While there's no dedicated support group, Walters said she meets with a counselor regularly. MHDD is also a support mechanism through the years. She's also taken advantage of the Special Opportunities Center, where she once held a job.

But as her interview progressed, people started showing up to say hi and were greeted with a warm embrace from Lora Walters. And that's what makes her special, because no matter her situation she's got an infectious smile and enthusiasm.