Georgetown’s Palace Theatre has another fine production for Central Texans, “Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Musical” playing weekends on the Springer Memorial Stage weekends through June 16.   It’s a lively show, the lead role of Milllie  Dillmount  played quite well by Sara Burke.   If you’re looking for something to pick up your spirits, this show may just do the trick.    Here’s a few photos to accompany a Williamson County Sun review by Joyce May.

Saturday was a milestone day in my life.   It was on a Saturday, May 18, 1974 that I graduated with a degree in journalism from University of Texas at Austin.   Perhaps I’ve come full circle.   39 years after graduating from this greatest of universities, I was in the shadow of the UT Tower for the 130th Spring Commencement of my alma mater, this time photographing for the Austin American-Statesman.   Much has changed through the years, but much is (thankfully) the same, at least on this patch of land.   8,300 students became UT graduates on this special evening.   Among them was Shelby DeMuth (she’s second from left in the group of four ladies), who hails from my hometown of Texarkana.   Shelby, a Marketing graduate, has already landed a job in Manhattan!  Another very young fellow I photographed, 5-year-old Sanders Thomas Wiggins, is also from Texarkana!   He was there to watch his grandmother receive her PhD in Education.  An interesting side note:  Sander’s grandfather, Paul Wiggins, graduated with me from Texas High School!   It was certainly hot, but Jeff Rasansky of Dallas came prepared with his nifty blue portable fan that mists water.   I’ve gotta get one of those!   Here’s a few photos from this happy occasion.

I headed to the City of Round Rock’s new Centennial Plaza on Saturday morning to join families as they celebrated Mother’s Day weekend under sunny skies.   The photos with this post were for the Austin American-Statesman, who rewarded me with a main metro cover photo and a nice gallery on their site.   Among the attendees were Scarlett Tracy (opening photo) of Charlotte, North Carolina, having a grand time with daughter Carolina, 2 (the little lady at left), and her niece Elaiza Gutierrez, who turns 2 in July.  Elaiza’s mom, Anne, is Scarlett’s sister and lives in Manor with her family, including newborn son Kimball, born just 9 days ago on May 3 (last photo in this group).  Crossing generation lines were 3-year-old Evelyn Mani, her grandmother Susana Mani, 46, and her great-great grandmother Cesearea Mani, 84.   There was plenty of entertainment, including mariachi bands.   One of my favorites were members of the Round Rock Ballet Folklorico, always a colorful favorite with my cameras.   Mom Christina Fite of Round Rock, danced along with daughter Lauren, 11 months old, accompanied by daughter Caitlynn, 3.   13-year-old Dede Wares was there to give a big hug to her grandmother, Shirley Hardin.   Dede really towers over her elder! And Round Rock city councilman Carlos Salinas donned a sombrero to dance with members of the folkoric dance troupe.    This is the fourth year for the celebration, hosted by the Williamson County Hispanic Heritage Committee.

The little town where we live, Taylor, Texas, is home to a little over 15,000 people, but they’re big enough to have a great annual celebration, Zest Fest.   I joined in the fun last weekend for the event and recorded a few photos for the Williamson County Sun.   It’s always fun to take in the colorful and educational dance rhythms of Taylor’s own Folkloric Dance Collaborative, ably directed by Alma Holiday.   For those wanting some fine singing, there was The Golden Oldies Show, comprised of Larry Nichols and Johnny Youngblood.   Enjoying a dance to their music were Willie Johnson and his wife, Jeanette, Austin residents who will soon become Taylor residents.  Adding a bit of life to downtown sidewalks with some bright chalk art were members of the Taylor Artists Guild.

On a recent evening, I joined Williamson County Sun columnist Bonnie Stump as we accompanied 37-year-old James “Bones” Henderson pursuing feral hogs across a scenic, grassy area in Milam County, Texas.    He’s an imposing figure of a fellow, a full 6’5″ man  who’s very fast on his feet and a good marksman as we chase the elusive creatures across this land filled with scrub brush and (I found out near the end of our session) rattlesnakes galore.   Thankfully, I didn’t encounter any reptiles while trying to keep pace with Bones.   These wild hogs are a menace in Texas, destroying acre upon acre of rich farmland and crops each year.   They’re not your “Green Acres” version of Arnold the pig by any means.   Bones knows firsthand, having been gored by one of these critters in February.   A small part of me feels for these creatures, but coming from farm people, I know they  must be contained.  That’s where folks like Bones come in.   While some are shot and killed, others are caught in traps, taken to his home, to later be shipped overseas, mostly China.  Here are a few photos from our adventure.   Read Bonnie’s story here.

I spent a busy Saturday on the Georgetown square photographing the city’s annual Red Poppy Festival celebration, which included a parade, a vintage car show,  music, vendors and plenty of food.    Among the parade participants were the Sun City Georgettes dance team (the opening photo).   Enjoying the action were Tye Glassscock and Kayley Fajkus, both 2.    Jack, an 8-week-old Old English bulldog who belongs to Leslie Kruse of Coupland, had his very own stroller to take in the car show.   Everyone was having a good time, but it was getting a bit warm by mid-afternoon.   Hensley Anderson, 4, came prepared for that with his cool Mohawk haircut.

Berry Springs Park & Preserve in Georgetown was the staging area for last weekend’s 6th Annual Austin Autism Bike Ride, a fundraiser that benefits autism research.    The event is coordinated by the Autism Society of Greater Austin.   Over 400 people signed up to enjoy the wonderful east Williamson County countryside for several rides, including distances of 62, 42, 24 and 9 miles, plus a 2-mile family ride.   Among the participants were Eric Janssens of Leander, who had his son, Ivan, 5, securely on board for the 24-mile event.    Dad said this was the furthest he’s ridden with Ivan, who is autistic.    Ivan was certainly enjoying the wind in his face!   They’re the final photo in this entry.   Events like this ride help to pay for much-needed research.

Keeping Native American heritage alive and well is important for all of us.    I recently attended the 9th Annual Powwow hosted by Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.   One of people who keeps in touch with these traditions is Benjamin Nava (opening photo), a Lipan Apache and a longtime staffer at the school.   It’s always a colorful and moving day for me even though I sometimes slip up and make an error.  While photographing a young lady practicing her dance moves, a 60ish gentleman approached, tactfully but forcefully advising me to NOT photograph the Gourd Dance.   I wasn’t, but it may have appeared so to  him.  Live and learn.   Presented here are a few photos taken for a recent story in the Williamson County Sun.

Keiko and Matt Makarczyk and their 9-year-old son, Kenji, are living a peaceful  life on a few acres south of Taylor, Texas.   They’ve got a few dogs, chickens, a feline friend or two and a nice horse.   But the glue that binds them together are a herd of beautiful, fluffy Suri alpacas they raise on their place, Wisteria Suri Ranch.  These lovely animals are native to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile, but these guys seem to be faring quite well in Central Texas.    What helps, of course, is the once-a-year shearing of their fleece, which not only makes them more comfortable during our Texas summers, but also provides a marketable product for the Makarczyk family.   Shearing is an art best left to the pros like Biosecure Alpaca Shearing, a group of folks based in Nashville, Ohio who travel the country each Spring to do the job right.  Four strong young fellows showed up at the ranch early on a recent Friday morning.   The haircuts were performed on 17 alpacas in less than two hours.

The newly-shorn alpacas are ready for summer.   A couple of mamas are expecting babies soon.   I hope to post that blessed event in the near future!

7-year-old Hunter Williams loves baseball.   A bright-eyed young man, he doesn’t let the walker he uses for mobility deter him from having fun.   Thanks to Central Texas Ability Sports, he and a lot of kids with disabilities don’t have to.    Last week, I attended the opening day of their baseball season at Memorial Park in Round Rock.   55 athletes, accompanied by their family, friends and supporters were on hand to lend a hand when needed, or just cheer them on.   Central Texas Ability Sports was founded in 2010 by friends John Lorek, Felix Madrid and Travis Duncan.   The league (so far) now has 72 participants.  In addition to baseball, they also enjoy golf, kickball and basketball.  The activity is free and open to anyone.   Right now, however, the focus for April and May is baseball.   The group also wants to build their own special needs adaptive baseball field, but that costs big bucks, about $350,000.   So far, they’ve raised around $132,000.   If you’re looking to give to a really inspirational and deserving bunch, check them out at www.huttochallenger.webs.com

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