Good morning, Kerr County!
We're headed for another beautiful day in the Hill Country. Highs in the high 70s, lows in the 50s. We can expect this trend to continue through Sunday when we could see rain again — maybe.
On today's The Lead Live!
We're not going to have a lot of signature dishes today, but we do have solid representation from Buzzie's Bar-B-Q, Cafe at the Ridge and The Bayou. We can also expect visits from Pat and Keri Wilt to discuss wine pairings and Museum of Western Art Executive Director Darrell Beauchamp stops by. We can also expect our usual suspects of the Kerrville Convention and Visitors Bureau's Julie Davis and Leslie Jones, along with the financial advice of Andrew Gay. Join us at 9 a.m.
Delectable Desserts has a winner — Betty Trejo!
Betty Trejo with her award-winning pound cake.  |
Betty Trejo knows how to make someone smile — a good old-fashioned baked good. However, this is a recent revelation for Trejo, who has called Kerrville home for more than 30 years.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Trejo noticed many people were sad or depressed by the shutdowns. So, she dug into her mother's cookbook to find some recipes. She delivered many of those baked goodies to the Kerrville Police Department, where Trejo is a Citizen on Patrol Program member.
Trejo has gotten so proficient that she started a small side hustle called — Betty Bakes. On Wednesday, Trejo was a guest on The Lead Live and was the judge's favorite baker during the show's first-ever Delectable Desserts contest.
Trejo's offering was a pound cake with raspberry and white chocolate. It looked like frosting, but Trejo carefully corrected us on that assumption. She also had a name for it: "It's called mother's love in a box," she said.
Trejo did everything for her family, sacrificing a career and discovering the joy of baking. "Now, I have all the time in the world," Trejo said.
While this was all in good fun, we found that our participants took this event seriously, and Trejo was thrilled when she was named the winner — edging out a scrumptious bread pudding by Carte and Co.
When Trejo is not baking, she's volunteering in support of public safety departments in Kerr County. She's a Kerr County Citizen Emergency Response Team member, which helps aid residents in times of disaster. She frequently serves as a translator for Spanish speakers.
It was Kerrville Police Department Sgt. Jack Lamb, who recommended Trejo participate. She said she was grateful for his support. Now, she's ready to deliver something tasty to you.
Pumpkin tart (gluten-free) by Wild Flour Bakery at Cafe at the Ridge in Kerrville. |
Chocolate chip cookies by Tivy High School student Paul Segovia. |
Chocolate mousse cake by home baker Shimmna Gammack of Kerrville. |
Nachos made by Vecino's food truck in Kerrville. |
Bread pudding by Carte and Co and Cartewheels in Kerrville. |
Salted chocolate chip cookies by Delayne Sigerman, using a recipe from Ina Garten. |
Chocolate pie from 323 Bakery in Ingram. |
Here's the Delectable Desserts replay
In case you missed Wednesday's dessert show, here's the full video with a wide range of dessert offerings. Former Kerrville City Councilwoman Delayne Sigerman entered at the last minute with some salted chocolate chip cookies, while Tivy High School junior Paul Segovia was also part of the competition. The judges both gave high marks to their efforts. Another home baker was Shimmna Gammack, a native of England, who lived in Italy and Scotland before coming to Texas. Gammack baked up a gluten-free chocolate mousse cake. Daisy Owen, who sells her signature apple cake at Pint and Plow, earned a third-place award for her entry. We also saw strong representation from 323 Bakery in Ingram, Carte and Co. of Kerrville, Pint and Plow and the Wild Flour Bakery at Cafe at the Ridge.
Today's events
Tivy Homecoming
- Parade — Along Water Street from Hugo Street east to Earl Garrett Street, 5:30 p.m. Expect delays along Francisco Lemos, Sidney Baker and Earl Garrett Streets and a full closure of Water Street to accommodate the parade.
Shopping
- Ciders and Succulents — The Ridge Marketplace, 5:15 p.m. Information: https://www.shopsattheridge.com The details: Get your friends together and come out and make a beautiful succulent planter in a pumpkin or a pot. $40 gets you a planter, a succulent starter pack, and two glasses of cider. Call for reservations — 830-896-0430.
Chamber's Big Night
- Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce Centennial Awards — Happy State Bank Expo Hall, 5:30 p.m. The details: The Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 100th anniversary with its annual awards banquet.
Live music
- Chad Boyd — Southern Sky Music Cafe, 6:30 p.m. Information: https://www.southernskymusiccafe.com
Email clarity from Kerrville City Councilmember Roman Garcia
After making a second request of Kerrville City Councilmember Roman Garcia for email communications related to the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library banned book event last month, we received them on Wednesday.
In all, there were 32 emails delivered to The Lead. Garcia apologized for the oversight of missing the deadline for the documents. In most cases, the entire City Council received emails from concerned residents about the banned book display.
Garcia led two efforts to investigate the incident, both rejected by the City Council. The few lone emails Garcia received praised his efforts.
"I saw how they treated you at the last city council meeting, and I was appalled," wrote Sara Bauch to Garcia. "I'm sorry you have to go through that. Please keep fighting for us and our children. You were the only one on City Council that even looked like you wanted to be there. Hopefully, all the others will be voted out on the next round."
Another resident, Julee Reeves, supported an investigation into the matter.
"I also want to thank you for moving to start an investigation into the issue with the library," Reeves wrote. "I feel there is more than meets the eye here too. In other towns, libraries are having drag queen storytime. Is the ALA behind all this now I wonder? Might be good to find out what all the ALA supports in deciding if our town should continue to participate.
"I hope you will respond to my email. I look forward to future meetings and hope Kim (Clarkson) takes some additional B-12 because it helps with the moodiness."
Garcia did not respond in some cases, especially the shot at fellow Councilmember Clarkson, but he did push back against suggestions that he had orchestrated a meeting with library staff.
"First, I did not set up a meeting nor did I have a formal meeting with the Library Director," Garcia wrote to Assistant City Manager Kim Meismer. I attended the library for multiple reasons, one of which was to view the Banned Books Week display. As I was there, Ms. Diane Miller (who introduced herself to me as the soon-to-be Assistant Library Director) asked if I could use any assistance. I stated that I had heard about the display from constituents, so I wanted to check it out myself."
5 other things we learned from our email requests
- Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library Executive Director Danielle Brigati revealed that she had never belonged to the American Library Association until last month. Brigati said she feared she would need outside legal representation that the ALA offered to protect herself.
- City staff said they received 127 phone calls in support of the library staff while receiving just three in opposition.
- Even among the sensational suggestions that the books were porn, many opposed to the books didn't want them removed from the library, but with a warning label similar to movie or game ratings.
- Many seemed to be following talking points, urging the firing of Brigati and terminating an arrangement with the American Library Association.
- The American Library Association doesn't accredit the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library; that's up to the Texas Library Association.
Once you're retired, you head to the golf course
American music legend Robert Earl Keen will kickoff the start of Monday afternoon's Habitat for Humanity Kerr County's 15th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Riverhill Country Club.
The 1 p.m. start time features 30 players in the sold-out event. However, one of the big highlights is when a KPUB bucket truck drops numbered balls on the tenth green. The numbered ball closest to the hole wins. The ball drop winner will win a Robert Earl Keen personalized, autographed guitar.
Habitat for Humanity Kerr County partners with local companies and community leaders to demonstrate their dedication and love for Kerrville, all while helping Habitat for Humanity Kerr County address the much-needed affordable housing in our community.
Kerrville resident provides an award-winning moment
In this courtesy photo, Kerrville resident Rex Gooch presents an award to Air Force ROTC Cadet Samantha Gortmaker at South Dakota State University. |
Kerrville's Rex Gooch, an award-winning author and former U.S. Army combat helicopter pilot, presented the Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement to Air Force ROTC Cadet Samantha Gortmaker at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Gooch represented the Legion of Valor at the Oct. 6, 2022, presentation attended by more than 60 students, Air Force ROTC cadets, and university dignitaries.
The Legion of Valor is the nation's oldest Veteran Service Organization, dating back to 1890. The members of this prestigious organization are recipients of the nation's two highest awards for valor in combat: The Medal of Honor and the second highest award – the Army
Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, and the Air Force Cross.
Established in 1957, the Bronze Cross for Achievement is the highest award for achievement in ROTC programs. This year, the Legion of Valor presented 67 Bronze Cross for Achievement awards to high school and college ROTC cadets across all service branches. Cadet Gortmaker is one of only four Air Force ROTC cadets nationwide to receive the prestigious award.
Cadet Gortmaker, who served as wing commander for the Spring 2022 semester, was not only the top cadet in her class but the entire cadet wing. She was recognized as a Distinguished Graduate in her Field Training encampment in 2021 and received the Warrior Spirit award from her peers. Gortmaker is an Honors College student with an impressive 3.9-grade point average.
Gortmaker will graduate in May 2023 with her master's in economics and will be commissioned an Air Force officer on the evening of commencement. After completion of training, she will fly with the Air Force as a Combat Systems Officer.
Gooch, who lives in Comanche Trace, is the author of two award-winning books about Army Aviation in the Vietnam War. The Legion of Valor selected Gooch to make the presentation because his book, ACE: The Story of Lt. Col. Ace Cozzalio, tells the story of a highly decorated Legion of Valor member who is currently being considered for the Medal of Honor.
A big sound coming on Friday at the Kroc Center
You're not going to want to miss this brassy sound on Friday evening. The Salvation Army's Brass Concert features USA Southern Staff Band from 5-6:30 p.m. at The Salvation Army Kerrville Kroc Community Center. Admission is free.
The Southern Territorial Band has been closely linked to the ministry of The Salvation Army across the country for nearly a century. 95 years. The
band is proud of its roots in the traditional brass band genre, which combines the musicality and agility of the symphony orchestra with the power of the marching band. They offer a wide variety of music, including arrangements of hymns, classical works, jazz, Latin, and blockbuster hits.
For more information, please visit our website at www.kerrvillekroc.org or call The Salvation Army Kroc Center's front desk at (830) 315-5762.
Author Sara Dykman speaks about native plans at library
The Native Plant Society-Kerrville, Riverside Nature Center and the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library welcome author Sara Dykman at 2 p.m. on Saturday, to discuss her book "Bicycling With Butterflies" in the library meeting room. In her book, Dykman chronicles her adventures travelling across three countries and 10,000 miles on a pieced together bicycle following the monarch butterfly on its storied annual migration to Mexico.
A book signing and sale will be held at the end of the event. Light refreshments will be served.
The presentation is free to the public but registration is requested. For more information and to register, please contact the library's reference desk at (830) 258-1274.
