Fathers Day weekend for 91-year-old Arnold Cook of Killeen, Texas was even more special this year.    Cook, a retired Air Force pilot who flew more than 10,000 missions during World War II and the Korean War, left home Saturday morning thinking everyone was heading to Fredericksburg.  The real destination, however, was Burnet, Texas, home to the Commemorative Air Force Highland Lakes Squadron and Bluebonnet Belle, a 1944 C-47 Skytrain just like the ones he manned during his service years.   Cook’s family completely surprised him with the gift of a ride on this vintage aircraft, still going strong (like Captain Cook!).   The Austin American-Statesman’s Esther Robards-Forbes wrote a great story for their Sunday edition.   Captain Cook was in heaven.

Summer’s not officially here for a couple of weeks, but it sure feels that way, doesn’t it?   One fun thing that began its summer run last Friday evening at the historic Georgetown square is the city’s  Music on the Square series of free summer concerts held each Friday beginning at 6:30p.m. on the lawn of the Williamson County Courthouse.   The events, which continue through August, are sponsored by the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Williamson Museum, and the Downtown Georgetown Association.   On a relatively-cool (for Texas) Friday night, I enjoyed the music of Ed Kliman’s Cajun Duo.   Mr. Kliman was able to sing quite well, but left the picking to guitarist Jeffrey Glenn Tveraas since Ed was working with a fractured arm sustained in a ladder fall.   The show must go on, but did so quite well.   Bring your lawn chairs, dancing  shoes  and blankets and enjoy some summer fun that won’t cost a dime.

Photographing fireworks is always tricky.   Here’s my latest effort, this from the grand finale of a Festival of the Arts concert last weekend at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown.    This photo made it to the Life front of the Williamson County Sun.

The stadium at Georgetown High School was packed with family and friends of this year’s 2013 graduates last Friday  as they gathered in their bright blue caps and gowns on a very warm early-June evening to receive their diplomas.   Zoe Bradley, a big fan of all things Superman, came dressed in her custom-made Superman dress under her formal finery.  She’s excited about the latest movie version of the Man of Steel coming to area theaters soon.   Carlton Tucker, the longtime principal at Georgetown High,  was there to hand out diplomas and give a commencement speech even though he officially retired this spring.   And graduate Laura Guadalupe Lopez, 18,  held her diploma high in the air for family to see, including little sister Biridiana  Lopez, 16, one of several members of the Lopez family on hand for the big occasion.   Best of luck to all the graduates!

The Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Sun City, Texas  was host for Monday’s Memorial Day observance, marking its 10th year on this holiday.   As usual, a huge crowd was there to mark the day we honor our military personnel.  Guest speaker this year was Raymond F. Chandler III, Sergeant Major of the Army (there’s only one in the entire Army), an impressive man.   No less impressive, carrying a feather-endowed walking stick, was retired Army Colonel Gerald Allen Wilcomb, a 5th Infantry veteran of both Korea and Vietnam.   Colonel Wilcomb sat way in the back, obviously not wanting to draw attention to himself.    Intriguing people, however, stand out, as he did.   Here are some photos I shot for the Williamson County Sun.

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.