Online At: Canyonlakemagazine.Com

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 1 2 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 3 contents Publishers: 6 Canyon Lake High School Sows Seeds of Community Circular Magazines Success a division of 9 Hill Country Insurance Agency: Hometown Customer Service Backed by a Major National Insurer 10 Tejas Smiles Brings Grins to Community 13 Marrying for Love...Not Money! 16 Camp Bullis: Meet Your Neighbor Sales Rachel Danley 20 San Antonio Family Helps Fight Against Terrorism Graphic Design Sheryl Hawkinson Jessica Combs 23 Schlitterbahn: The Henry Family Adventure Katrina Gelino Administrative 28 An Astronaut’s Cosmic Perspective Jared Hawkinson Jack Hatcher Faith Pena Jared Hawkinson 31 Finding the Right Personal Trainer Albert Salazar 32 Flight to the North Pole To advertise your product or services in 36 Football Exhibit Canyon Lake Magazine, please contact 40 New Braunfels Railroad Museum Rachel Danley at 210-348-3709 or by email at 44 St. Jude’s [email protected] 46 Spring Branch Tennis Center Stalled for Funding 48 Canyon Lake Dam Canyon Lake Magazine is published by Community Circular Magazines, a subsidiary product of White- 51 Puzzles Frisbie Media. It is provided for the enjoyment and education of its readership. The information presented in this magazine is believed to be true at the time of Canyon Lake Magazine is a periodical published for the enjoyment of the greater Canyon Lake publishing. Community Circular Magazines does not area. The magazine is intended to cover entertaining and informative topics that are of interest to guarantee or warranty any of the services or products the Canyon Lake area community. The magazine is not affiliated with the City of Canyon Lake produced by the companies represented herein. or any other government agency and is supported by its advertisers. If you have any feedback on this publication, please We want your feedback! contact us at 210-348-3709 or visit our web site at What do you think of our all-new Canyon Lake Magazine? As a reader, we want to hear from www.CanyonLakeMagazine.com you. If you have feedback on any of our articles, or the magazine itself, we want to know about it. We encourage you to visit our web site at www.CanyonLakeMagazine.com and let us know what’s on your mind.

4 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 5 Canyon Lake High School (CLHS), of the Comal Independent School District (CISD), has many outstanding teachers and innovative programs in place to cultivate the harvest of our youth. In response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to reduce childhood obesity, CISD has joined with their food service provider, Chartwells, to bring chefs to each of the schools in the district to teach kids about nutrition and healthy eating. With regard to the school, Superintendent Dr. Marc f that is true, then we might also say Walker says this high school spotlights rigorous academics, that the minds and imaginations of exemplary extracurricular and athletic programs. But perhaps even more importantly, CLHS provides unique our children are the rich soil in which learning modalities designed to improve the lives of weI grow our future. To use another, students through extra-ordinary opportunities. more modern metaphor (one for the “Th e campus oﬀ ers a broad range of challenging knowledge worker in the information academic courses as well as skilled workforce opportunities that students can expect to encounter after they graduate age in which we live), best-selling author school. Th ey also gain skills to support any career venue as Stephen R. Covey asks and answers this they navigate life after high school.” question: “When in one’s lifetime is the So students leave CISD better adjusted to life and better best time to get the cultural overlay, the prepared to get jobs than most schools and they’ve already learned how to apply their skills in practical terms when software, to be completely in harmony they enter college. with our ‘hardwired’ gifts?” You might CLHS is CISD’s newest “comprehensive” high school. say teachers and coaches sow the seeds of One of the standout programs at CLHS is their audio/video success and provide a nurturing growth production class. Th is popular discipline gives students hands-on experience in ﬁ lm production, environment. from script to screen. With literally hundreds of broadcast and cable channels available on television, the explosion of digital media, mobile applications and the Internet, content creation is an area of explosive career growth.

6 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com Canyon Lake High School (CLHS), of the Comal Independent School District (CISD), has many outstanding teachers and innovative programs in place to cultivate the harvest of our youth. In response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to reduce childhood obesity, CISD has joined with their food service provider, Chartwells, to bring chefs to each of the schools in the district to teach kids about nutrition and healthy eating. With regard to the school, Superintendent Dr. Marc f that is true, then we might also say Walker says this high school spotlights rigorous academics, that the minds and imaginations of exemplary extracurricular and athletic programs. But perhaps even more importantly, CLHS provides unique our children are the rich soil in which learning modalities designed to improve the lives of weI grow our future. To use another, students through extra-ordinary opportunities. more modern metaphor (one for the “Th e campus oﬀ ers a broad range of challenging knowledge worker in the information academic courses as well as skilled workforce opportunities that students can expect to encounter after they graduate age in which we live), best-selling author school. Th ey also gain skills to support any career venue as Stephen R. Covey asks and answers this they navigate life after high school.” question: “When in one’s lifetime is the So students leave CISD better adjusted to life and better best time to get the cultural overlay, the prepared to get jobs than most schools and they’ve already learned how to apply their skills in practical terms when software, to be completely in harmony they enter college. with our ‘hardwired’ gifts?” You might CLHS is CISD’s newest “comprehensive” high school. say teachers and coaches sow the seeds of One of the standout programs at CLHS is their audio/video success and provide a nurturing growth production class. Th is popular discipline gives students hands-on experience in ﬁ lm production, environment. from script to screen. With literally hundreds of broadcast and cable channels available on television, the explosion of digital media, mobile applications and the Internet, content creation is an area of explosive career growth.

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 7 Walker says that students work in the classroom in teams to (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp.) go on to join the military. develop characters and build plots for short fi lms. Once the storylines Th is past year CLHS is also extremely proud of graduating senior are complete, they develop pre-production documents and produce Zach Henshaw who was nominated for the High School Football the shorts. Each year, CLHS fi lm students enter their movies in the Awards (aka Inspireum Awards). Th is is a national competition that internationally acclaimed SXSW Film Festival held in Austin in the honors students who demonstrate exemplary traits of character, “High School Experimental Category.” courage, contribution and commitment and inspire their teammates. CLHS has also developed special programs geared for students Henshaw was one of only 50 semi-fi nalists selected by a prestigious interested in science, technology, engineering and math. STEM panel of professional athletes including former NFL quarterback Troy programs, as they are called, include the rigorous curriculum of Aikman. Congratulations Zach Henshaw! Way to go buddy. classes like engineering math. “Th e primary focus of engineering Comal ISD has clearly planted some innovative seeds to help math is robotics, which takes into the lesson such STEM concepts guarantee the successful growth of their students at all three high as mechanical engineering, computer programming, hydraulics and schools. To learn more about the district’s plans and to get up-to-date pneumatics,” Walker says. news, address and information about any of the CISD schools, visit Th e school also has an active Army Junior Reserve Offi cers Training them at: Corps for students interested in a career in the armed forces. JROTC was founded with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916 Comal Independent School District “to instill in students in secondary educational institutions the values 1404 IH 35 North of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and New Braunfels, Texas 78130 a sense of accomplishment.” According to the armed services chiefs of (830) 221-2000 staff , 30-50 percent of graduating JROTC cadets from all branches www.comalisd.org

8 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com With Allstate, they say, “you’re in good hands.” With Allstate agent reputation and a good product. I know because I was a customer and personal fi nancial representative Harbans Soni, you’re in hands before I was an agent.” that not only can help you secure property and casualty insurance, but Indeed, the insurance business is a “second life” for Soni. He also fi nancial security for your future. Soni’s Hill Country Insurance decided to become an Allstate agent after selling his successful San Agency in Canyon Lake is a one-stop shop for those who seek both Antonio pest control business a dozen years ago. He chose Allstate insurance and fi nancial products including IRAs, mutual funds and because he had always been a satisfi ed customer. He had to fi le claims retirement plans. fairly often for “fender benders” his employees had in his company’s All fi nancial services are free. “Th at’s how Allstate works,” Soni says. vehicles. “Th ere were no problems,” he says. “Th ey always handled “If you go to another company, you may pay a fee. We can do the the claims fast and honestly.” same thing for you, but without a fee for the service.” Soni explains Th e Allstate reputation is one reason Soni’s customers keep coming he receives a commission from the sale of a product such as a mutual back, but customer service is another. Soni’s is a friendly – and fund, much like a realtor receives a fee from a home’s sale. familiar – face to those in the Canyon Lake area, as he both lives and Since 2000, Soni has helped his Canyon Lake-area neighbors works there. He prides himself on knowing and understanding the fi nd fi nancial products and insurance policies, whether they need to people in the community. “People can stop by here and talk to me cover their homes, vehicles, health or even their lives. “Most of our rather than calling someone and not ever seeing a face,” he says. customers are in our area: New Braunfels, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Accessibility is another convenience Soni off ers his customers. Hill and of course, Canyon Lake,” Soni says. “But we do have customers Country Insurance Agency is open Monday through Saturday. “A lot all over Texas. We’re licensed to serve the entire state.” of people work Monday through Friday and don’t have time during Since January 2012, Soni has been telling his customers about the week,” he says. “Th ey can come in or call on Saturday, and I’m Allstate’s new “claim satisfaction guarantee.” Customers who feel a here to service them.” claim wasn’t settled or handled in a satisfactory way can receive a credit toward their premium. “Allstate is so sure about the [performance of their] claim handling department that they’re not worried,” he says. “And honestly, that’s why I joined them. … Th e company has a good

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 9 diabetes or heart disease, which can lead to oral complications. More complicated cases are asked to make an appointment at one of the dentists’ offi ces or given a recommendation for a specialist. With a tough economy, the number of patients wanting to take advantage of Tejas Smiles’ free services has only risen. Many of the people in the county have been struggling with unemployment or can’t aff ord insurance, Johec said. Some simply don’t have the ability to travel for dental care, particularly elderly patients in far rural areas. Poor education and denial are also two large problems, Haerens said. “People don’t think of dental care as that important,” Haerens said. “A lot of times people may have dental problems but may not t’s amazing how many people underestimate the power of a smile. Lucky for realize it, or may put it on the back burner. People are watching Bulverde, Melvin Johec and Dr. Olaf Haerens do not. every penny. What they don’t know is that dental care is a big part of “When you have a patient in need, they appreciate the smallest thing you do the body. Periodontal disease is connected to heart disease, diabetes, for them,” Haerens said. “Whether you’re replacing a tooth or giving them a smile so even cancer.” they can go back into the workplace; people are so grateful. It’s very fulfi lling to make And patients with chronic disease or cancer often require the most a diff erence in someone’s life.” care. Johec says many get turned away from clinics or other doctors, Tejas Smiles, the non-profi t organization created by CPA Melvin Johec and Comal and Tejas Smiles is the only option they can aff ord. County dentist Haerens, off ers free dental care to patients who otherwise could “We want to help as many people as we can,” he said. “But we not aff ord it in a mobile, traveling unit. Th e idea came after Haerens heard nurses have more people than we can help.” discussing how many people in Comal County couldn’t aff ord dental care. Haerens, Eventually, Tejas Smiles would like to have a stationary clinic and who had served in another non-profi t organization for two years, expressed great full-time offi ce. Th ey hope to obtain more grants and help more interest in continuing to serve individuals in need that didn’t have the ability to pay. customers than they are currently servicing, which changes month Along with several other professionals, dentists and nurses, Tejas Smiles often travels to month. However, Haerens doesn’t see that happening anytime in far and wide to bring dental care to the public. the near future. “Th ere’s a lot of need,” Haerens said. “Th e need is greater than what the health “It’s hard times,” he said. “We’re on our way, but in these times, services can provide. We can go into the places where people don’t have access.” it’s hard to fi nd paying grants. But we do see patients and we off er Tejas Smiles is supported by grants, memorials and Comal County United Way. continuing care, not just emergency care. We don’t see you one time; For Johec, Tejas Smiles is a labor of love. you become a recurring patient.” “I know what it’s like to be less fortunate,” Johec said. “As soon as I became For more information, visit Tejas Smiles at www.tejassmiles.com. comfortable, I wanted to help others.” Johec is particularly sensitive to the younger patients coming through Tejas Smiles’ doors. “If a youngster has a pain in their tooth, he can’t concentrate and get a good education,” Johec said. “When you’re in pain, you can’t think of anything else. It’s not a good situation.” Th e dentists and nurses at Tejas Smiles work for cost or provide their services for free. Th e non-profi t recently had to close its offi ce to save on administrative costs and is purely mobile, with Johec running the show behind the scenes. Every penny goes to the patients and dental care, he says. “We have more people show up than we can aff ord to treat,” Johec said. “Th ere’s a lot of elderly who can’t aff ord medical care. But we’ll provide dental care and take care of the most serious patients, fi xing two or three problems if we need to. We want to fi x them.” Haerens often draws on his past-military experience when working on Tejas Smiles patients. After several years of working for Tejas Smiles, he’s found that the rural areas the mobile clinic travels to have the greatest need and the most severe types of cases. “We come to you,” he said. “It’s like when I was in the military, you learn to work in any situation. You get prepared to do all the things you need to do in a mobile clinic. It’s quite an undertaking and takes ingenuity. You have to think outside of the box.” Haerens and other volunteer dentists perform extractions, fl uoride treatments, fi lings, cleaning and polishing. Many patients suff er from chronic conditions like [Continued on Page 43] 10 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com

Marrying For Love … Not Money! By Attorney James N. Voeller

Online at: CommunityCircular.com Marrying For Love … Not Money! By Attorney James N. Voeller

Have you ever wondered what might happen to your estate if you died and your spouse remarried? e following is one of the most tragic stories that I have heard in my 30 years as a lawyer. Several years ago a couple, Don and Judy, came into my o ce to discuss their estate planning goals. When I asked them what it was that was motivating them to do their planning, Don sadly shook his head and began telling me the following story: “Jim, I grew up as the only child of my hard-working parents. My great grandfather immigrated to South Texas from Germany in the 1800’s. roughout my childhood, and as a young man, I worked alongside of my father on our ranch. I can still hear him saying to me with pride, “Someday this will all be yours, son.” It was a hard life, and money was tight, but we always had enough. My parents taught me how to work After expressing my sympathy to Don for his tragedy, I explained hard and they taught me to always be careful with money. to Judy and him that most of my clients have arranged their a airs Life went on just fi ne through the years until one day, several years like my wife and I have arranged ours. I explained that when I die, my ago, my mother got sick and died. Dad stayed on the ranch as long half of our community property will be left in trust for my wife. She as he could, but eventually he moved into an assisted living facility will be the trustee and the benefi ciary of the trust. She gets to use the nearby. While he was at the assisted living facility, my father met a income that the trust produces and if she needs the principal, she can woman, Helen, to whom he grew very attached. Within no time my use that too. But if my wife chooses to remarry she will lose her interest dad started talking about getting married to Helen. in the trust unless she gets a prenuptial agreement with her new spouse. ere wasn’t anything that I could do about it. Dad married Helen e new spouse has to agree that he will never make a claim against and seemed happy enough. About three months later, my father the trust assets that I leave for her – or against her assets. I don’t mind became very ill. He died in his sleep, with Helen by his side. if she gets remarried, I just want to make sure that her new spouse is A few days after the funeral, I found out that while he was at the marrying for love–and not money! assisted living facility, my father signed a new will–leaving all of his When I explained this option to Don and Judy, they looked at assets to his new wife, Helen. I immediately hired a lawyer to help me at’s what try to unravel this mess. ey had come into my o ce discouraged at what Jim, I went to the probate court and tried to prove that my father had happened to them, but they left with a new confi dence that their lacked capacity or that he signed his new will under duress – but children would never have to experience the type of tragedy they had I lost. Meanwhile, during the litigation, Helen had a heart attack gone through. and died. Helen’s will left everything to her two daughters. Helen’s If you would like to learn more about protecting your spouse and daughters now own the ranch that had been in my family for over children through thoughtful estate planning, call us at (210) 651- 150 years. Oh, and by the way,” Don Said, “did I mention that the 3851 for a complimentary initial consultation. ranch was located on one of the four corners of a major intersection on Loop 1604? When I lost the ranch, it had already become a multi- The Voeller Law Firm million dollar commercial property! 19311 FM 2252 San Antonio, TX 78266 We’re here today, because we don’t want anything like this nightmare Phone: (210) 651-3851 email: [email protected] to happen to our kids when we die.” Chicken Breast Marinade Juice of 2 medium size lemons (strain for no pulp or seeds) Juice of 2 medium size oranges, Valencia preferred (strain for no pulp or seeds) 1 ⁄4 cup of olive oil 1 garlic clove, smashed and chopped 1 teaspoon of fresh, cracked black pepper 1 ⁄4 teaspoon of Mexican oregano 1 I have been lucky enough to hunt in some far flung corners of the Truth be told, I was more than a bit ignorant about what a custom ⁄2 teaspoon of meat tenderizer (make sure tenderizer has papian as ingredient) world, but I’m not a gun nut. Put a rifle in my hands, let me send a rifle should be, until I found myself on the phone with custom rifle- Directions: few rounds down range to get it dialed in and I’m going hunting. maker Charlie Sisk. He asked me questions about what I like to hunt, ith holiday gatherings just around 1. Place 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 6-7 oz each) in a large shallow pan. That’s what I’ve done on the Alaskan tundra, carrying a borrowed T/C where I liked to hunt and how I like to hunt. He asked about my body 2. Squeeze the juice from the lemon halves and oranges into a separate bowl, then the corner, delicious recipes take Encore in .300 Win. Mag, and in Africa with the PH’s .375 H&H of type and what I thought of recoil. (Not a big fan.) whisk in the oil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper or place all ingredients in a blender dubious pedigree and cracked stock held together with a piece of bicycle Not long after that, I became the proud owner of a Sisk Point Five in center stage. Although roasted and blend for about 20 seconds turkey,W ham, and veggie casseroles are tried- innertube. I’m not, or wasn’t, a person who really ever thought about .308. Listening to Charlie’s advice, I closed my eyes, pulled the gun to 3. Pour this marinade over the chicken. Place the lemon halves in between the chicken and-true choices, surprise your guests this year breasts, cover the pan tightly. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. owning a custom gun. my shoulder and opened my eyes to find I was looking directly through Custom. The word alone conjures up images of fiddleback walnut the scope. No bobbing and weaving trying to find the sight picture. with a recipe by George Ojeda, Executive Chef 4. Grill the chicken, occasionally turning and brushing with any remaining marinade and a receiver cut by a third-generation engraver whose grandfather I sent a few rounds down range, off-hand, and managed to ding the at Encanto Mexican Grill. “It’s a great dish for until the juice runs clear or the inner temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove from the grill and place on a plate and pour cream sauce (see recipe below) over came over on a boat sometime around the turn of the century. I suppose bowling pin a couple of times. the fall because it can be made on a cold winter chicken breast. those custom guns of my imagination were accurate, but in my mind On the bench, it was even more impressive.The gun shot better than I day to warm up and turkey breast can be used they were primarily works of art, brought out of the gun case only to be thought I was capable of shooting. And, it ain’t half bad looking. In fact, instead of chicken breast,” said Chef George. Chipotle Cream Sauce Recipe 16 oz heavy whipping cream passed around at cocktail parties. at my next cocktail party, I just might pull it out of the safe and show it Th e creamy and spicy dish pairs well with white 1 ⁄4 cup of white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Gris) I wasn’t about to own a gun like that, more for the gun’s sake off to all my friends. rice and sautéed vegetables. If you’re out of time 1 tablespoon of shallot, fi nely minced (substitute white onion) than mine. I tend to treat my stuff a little rougher than most, and I A custom rifle can be synonymous with art, if accuracy is your idea or simply want to try it out before attempting 1 tablespoon olive oil don’t get invited to many cocktail parties. If I owned a custom rifle, of beauty, accuracy that comes from fit and performance. Not unlike a 1 the recipe at home, dash into Encanto Mexican ⁄4 teaspoon garlic, fi nely minced or a custom rifle like I imagined them to be, I’d be too scared to knife that feels like an extension of your hand or a car that’s built for both Grill for a taste. 3 oz of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce take it in the woods for fear I’d scratch it. speed and comfort. And, well, if it looks nice, you hit the trifecta. 8 oz chicken stock, warmed before adding 2 tablespoon of roux (see recipe below) 1 ⁄4 teaspoon of white pepper Kosher salt to taste Directions: 1. In a medium sauce pan at medium high heat, add olive oil and simmer pan (to coat entire pan with oil) 2. Add shallots and garlic. Sweat for about 2 minutes, and stir with a spoon. 3. Deglaze pan with white wine and reduce by half (about 2-3 minutes) 4. Add cream and warm chicken stock. Bring to a light simmer. 5. Add chipotle peppers with adobo sauce 6. Simmer sauce on low heat for about 5 minutes 7. Add white pepper and salt, if needed. 8. Using a hand mixer, blend entire sauce until smooth. (If using a blender instead, do not cover entire blender with cap, allow steam to escape to prevent sauce from overfl owing.) 9. Adjust seasoning or add more chile peppers, if more heat is desired (be sure to blend again). 10. Th icken sauce with roux (see below). Roux Recipe 2 tablespoons of butter 2 tablespoons of all-purpose fl our

Directions: 1. Place butter in a small sauté pan at medium high heat. 2. Melt butter until foamy. 3. Add ﬂ our and whisk until ﬂ our and butter are incorporated. 4. Set aside for later use.

Online at: CommunityCircular.com

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jeffersonbank.com Puppy Dolan is the 500th dog bred through the program. He is currently being raised by a San Antonio family.

ike and Rosa Reinert of Champion for the puppies until one year of age. In addition to protecting our nation’s mass-transit systems, puppies bred and raised in the TSA Springs were always dog people. puppy program have gone on to provide security for Air Force One. M In order to keep program offi cials on task and constantly reminded For years their toy poodle and loveable of the role these dogs play in our national security, each dog is named after someone who lost their life in the 9/11 attacks or soldiers who mutt completed their family. Th at was have paid the ultimate price in the fi ght against terrorism overseas. Yellow-Dogs in the TSA program, like Uvanni, are recognizable Quick was named after Army Sgt. Marquees A. Quick, a 28-year-old until they opened their home and hearts by their “uniforms.” These red vests let passers by know they soldier from Alabama who was killed Aug. 19, 2006 in Ramadi, Iraq, are working. to a dog with a greater cause. when his unit came under a grenade attack on a mission. As “Puppywalkers,” the Reinerts main responsibility was to “I saw a story on the news about the puppies being bred at Lackland socialize Quick and get him comfortable around people. From walks and it intrigued me,” recalls Mike. “I thought it was a great way to give in crowded parking lots to monthly trips to area car shows, Quick weekend, the school year to summer. It’s ideal.” Quick is doing on the job. We know, in some small way, we’re a part back to this country and do my part in the fi ght against terrorism.” quickly became accustomed to the diff erent sights and sounds of the Th e process certainly worked for Quick. Once the Reinerts role of that success.” Soon, the Reinerts became one of hundreds of families who are traveling public; a skill that he would eventually put to use on the was complete, Quick entered training and today is working in New Th e Reinerts enjoyed their experience with Quick so much that playing a vital role in the Canine Breeding and Development Center’s job. Jersey for the New York Port Authority. they soon welcomed Noel into their home and lives as well. Puppy Program. Th ey became foster parents to 10-week-old Quick, “We love going to car shows, so Quick would come with us,” “I knew giving him up was part of the deal, and it was tough. It’s “I’d do it again, because I whole-heartedly believe in what they are an energetic, black Labrador Retriever who would call their Stone explained Mike. “It worked for us and fell right into what we liked to a family member who you’ll teach, train, and send out in the world doing,” added Mike. “I always believe that if one of these dogs, mine Oak residence “home” for the next eight months. do on the weekends. Just to be around bunches of people and loud to do good,” admitted Mike. “What I really appreciated was after he or one in San Antonio, is able to save a life, that to me is what it’s all “I am held in awe of all the volunteers who have done so much for noises were perfect for him. He loved to run, so we’d take him on left our home and graduated from the program, program offi cials about.” this program,” said Scott Th omas, CBDC program manager. “I can playgrounds and near construction sites so he could learn to navigate have kept in touch with us. We still get to know all the great things never express strongly enough how the backbone of this program is diff erent terrain and diff erent stimuli.” our volunteers, who are to me our heroes.” Th omas says without the dedication and commitment of foster Th omas runs the 10-year-old program out of Lackland Air Force families like the Reinerts the program would not be as successful. Base in San Antonio. A division of the Transportation Security “Many people think that dogs raised in a kennel environment Flag, one of the more than 500 dogs bred through Administration, the program is part of a global eff ort to breed their entire lives would be more adept when they reach the right the TSA program, is trained to keep America’s If you are interested in learning more about the TSA Puppy working explosives detection dogs. Center offi cials are breeding age for training, but the opposite is the case,” said Th omas. “Our domestic traveling public safe. Program or want to be a volunteer Puppywalker, you can visit better detector dogs to work at airports, ferry Puppywalker families are exposing these puppies to sights, sounds www.tsa.gov and enter “Puppy Program,” or call 210-671-1624. terminals and rail stations, while regular and scenarios across the city that we could never accomplish on a The program depends on volunteer families in San Antonio and citizens are performing a vital part weekly basis. A kennel environment is the same day after day, but a Austin, Texas to raise puppies from age ten weeks to 12 months, by serving as foster families family’s home environment is constantly changing from workday to when they can enter explosives detection training. During this time, families are responsible for providing their pups with a well-rounded, socialized and nurturing environment. Dogs raised through the TSA program, like The program supplies food, equipment and medical care for the Bosely, have gone on to provide security to Quick is a TSA success who today keeps puppies while in foster care. The pups are returned to the program Air Force One and the Dali Lama. travelers safe inspecting cargo and bag- for one week each month for medical and behavioral evaluation. gage for the New York Port Authority. The program provides feedback to the foster families on how the puppy is developing. At approximately one year of age, the pups are returned to the program to start their offi cial training. Potential foster families must have a secure fenced yard, a vehicle in which the pup can be transported, no more than two other dogs in the home, and the time to raise a very active puppy. Due to the overwhelming generosity of the American public, the program currently has a very lengthy waiting list to adopt a puppy. However, if you would like to be added to the list please visit www. tsa.gov and enter “Puppy Program.”

Online at: CommunityCircular.com Puppy Dolan is the 500th dog bred through the program. He is currently being raised by a San Antonio family.

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The Henry Family Venture Pioneers in the Water Park World have Humble Beginnings in New Braunfels by Rachel Danley

Oklahoma natives living in the Houston area, Bob and Billye, decided to leave the large city where Bob, then 42, practiced as a CPA and was in search of opportunities for self-employment. Billye The Henry Family discovered Landa Resort in New Braunfels was available for sale (Left to Right) - Jeff, in a newspaper. The Henrys considered this resort, among other Bob, Billye, Jana locations, and decided to purchase the property in 1966. “Bob wanted and Gary. a community where he could raise his children in a small town and fulfill his dream of self-employment,” his son, Jeff Henry, recalls. With their three children, Gary, age 13, Jeff, age 11, and Jana, Nestled over 65 acres in the heart of New Braunfels stands age 9, Bob and Billye moved in immediately and began what would what many believe is the world’s greatest water park, the be an ever- growing family production at Landa Resort. “It was third ever built. Situated along the tree-lined Comal River, 13 acres with 34 screened cabins, a swimming pool with a diving board and slide; it was on the Comal River, which had not really the park offers family fun to over one million guests a been developed,” Jeff said. “We all had jobs that we helped with. We year, who enjoy the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, cooked in the kitchen, served breakfast, then cleaned the kitchen. Afterwards we’d go out and start helping dad build buildings. He along with countless rides and attractions. Founded had already begun framing and creating. Billye was the operator and and still owned by the Henry family, Schlitterbahn’s Bob was the builder,” Jeff says. The Henrys built their first waterslide in 1967, a small tube chute amazing history begins 46 years ago with hard-working into the river. “Many, many years before any ‘water parks’ existed, we entrepreneurs Bob Henry and his wife, Billye. were already in the water park business,” Jeff said. “We added a rope

Online at: OnlineCommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com1 swing into the river. Our goal was to provide entertainment and rent rooms.” Jeff and his cousin, Phil, decided to take a road trip to Florida in 1976, where they discovered concrete waterslides and water-based SchlitterFirsts amusement parks officially titled “water parks”: Wet-n-Wild and SouRCE: SCHLiTTERBaHN.Com River Country of Walt Disney World, which had just opened. Jeff, then age 20, eagerly phoned his parents back home. He asked them Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort has a long history of firsts, including: to get on an airplane and come to Orlando where he’d take them on a tour. In his conversation he said, “This is what we need to do in New • The first swim-up refreshment bar was introduced in 1980. Braunfels with our property. And before you leave, you need to buy • The first family wave pool with a maximum depth of four feet the adjacent property next to ours.” Bob wasn’t sure if he could afford opened in 1989. it, but managed to purchase the property for around $64,000. When • The world’s first fantasy-themed, shallow children’s water Bob and Billye saw the parks in Orlando, they knew immediately playground, Polywog Pond, designed specifically for young children, that was the right thing to do. opened in 1989. Today the park has eight water playgrounds. Then in 1976, Bob and Billye went on a trip with other New • The first professional competition on a man-made wave took place Braunfels businesses to Germany. Bob made notes of German names in 1992 on the Boogie Bahn surf ride. he viewed around the country. One of the resort employees, and • The world’s first uphill water coaster, Dragon Blaster, created a world-wide buzz in 1994. The park now has a six-story version called friend of Jana, Michelle Robinson, spoke German. She took Bob’s Master Blaster® that opened in 1996. very lengthy ten-word suggestion for the name of the planned water • The first Torrent River® which offers customizable, computer- park and formulated, “das Bad Schloess Schlitterbahn.” The four- controlled waves also opened in 1996 in the Blastenhoff section of word name includes German words for swimming pool and castle. Schlitterbahn East. “Schlitter, is ‘to slip on ice,’ and Bahn is the ‘fast road’ or ‘highway,’” • The first USA Triathlon-sanctioned Kids’ Triathlon that takes place in Jeff said. “’Slippery Road’ became the abbreviated translation of the and around a theme park occurred in 2004. Schlitterbahn name in 1976.” Bob drew the original permit submission for city approval with crayon, marker, and pencil. Construction plans included a castle, Humble Beginnings: Drawn on 12/14/1978 slides, tube chutes, a pool, children’s areas, a stage with a dance area, by Bob Henry in marker and crayon, this was and a river walk that stretched along the Comal River. Each of these the original plan submitted to the city of New was created by the Henry’s and most are still being enjoyed today. Braunfels, outlining the Henrys’ new water park. Note the longer name “däs Bad Schloess Jeff, who had forgone college to continue working full time in Jeff (Left) and Gary (Right) Henry on Schlitterbahn,” which was later shortened. construction of the property, worked alongside his father to bring the Site at the Construction of the Treehaus rides to reality. He recalls his experience in building the original tube Lodges, part of Schlitterbahn’s Newest chute years earlier for Landa Resort. “It was a learning process for me. Expansion, Tubenbach. I began at age 16, experimenting with tile, concrete, and the natural

Fun SchlitterFacts flow of the river. Dad would hammer in wooden stakes to mark the since.” Jana worked in operations handling everything from food and SouRCE: SCHLiTTERBaHN.Com route, and I’d start digging.” beverage to the life guarding and first aid departments, even receiving “The inspiration came from natural rivers. The reality was that we her certification as an EMT. Jana also helped with construction, “I • Schlitterbahn West has 16,000 black inner tubes to choose from—in all sizes would be competing with free natural rivers that were fun,” Jeff said. remember helping build the White Water tube chute, welding in a and shapes. Schlitterbahn East only uses colored vinyl tubes because the “It was hard for me to imagine we could create something that would bathing suit, and helping lay shingles on the main building,” she said. chlorinated water causes black tubes to make marks on the walls. compete with the river.” The Henrys’ goal was to create a safe family Jana received her degree in Fashion Merchandising from Texas • Schlitterbahn Waterpark has been voted “The World’s Best Waterpark” for 13 fun environment. “We immediately realized that we had a niche; we State University and continues to handle retail operations for three consecutive years in a poll of park fans conducted by Amusement Today. could attract families. And we immediately realized that’s what we of the parks across the state, as well as the Kansas location. She also • Schlitterbahn guests consume about 45,000 turkey legs and 90,000 wanted for customers; for mom and dad to bring the kids and enjoy served as Head of Marketing for many years, which is now handled sausages-on-a-stick each season. Add that to roughly 10 tons of hamburgers, their time together.” by her husband, Rick Faber. Over the years Jana managed operations 22 tons of chicken strips, and 7 miles of foot-long corn dogs, and you may Construction would stop during the summer season and Jeff until handing over this position to another lifelong employee of the wonder how many packets of ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise guests need: would serve as general manager. Building projects would then company, and current Chief Operating Officer, Terri Adams. 1 million! pick up again as they expanded each year before reopening in the Gary Henry received his Master’s Degree in Accounting from The • Since 1995, Schlitterbahn has reigned as the nation’s most popular seasonal summer. Jeff helped with marketing by visiting hotels across the state, University of Texas at Austin and currently serves as CEO, handling water park, only topped in attendance by year-round water parks. and offering free tickets to hotel workers, hoping they would share among other things, the finances of the company. As his sister Jana • Schlitterbahn pumps 72-degree spring water from the Comal River through their experiences with guests. He became what he calls a concrete puts it, “We all work best in our own areas. We are all passionate some of the rides in the main park. The water is pumped from one end of the expert and an ‘Applied Materials Technologist’: an expert in creative about our parts in the company.” Gary explains, “My job is to support park, circulated through several rides in Schlitterbahn West, and then flows construction. Jeff continued, “My purpose is to build beautiful, safe, Jeff’s ideas, fund them, and make them run.” back into the Comal River. imaginative places for families.” This statement is exemplified to all Billye served as head of the resort, retiring just 10 years ago. She • The six-story Master Blaster uphill water coaster was voted “The World’s Best who enter the Schlitterbahn parks. and her husband Bob, now 84, still visit the park routinely. Waterpark Ride” for the 11th time in 2010. It works by using state-of-the art The business was founded as a family production. Siblings, Jana The Schlitterbahn brand grew to include NBGS International, technology to blast riders uphill on high-velocity streams of jetted water. The photo by Travis White (Henry) Faber and Gary Henry, also worked in the family business as a water park development and construction company, in the mid- 1,000-foot-long ride takes riders through six uphill sections and features a they grew up. Jana recalls, “I was the first lifeguard at the park. As the 1980s. Jeff explains, “We had a phenomenal construction crew that coaster-style 36-degree, 27-foot drop. park grew, I grew with it, and I’ve never worked for anyone else ever was available year round. Our core group of 100 employees would

2Online at:Online CommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com swing into the river. Our goal was to provide entertainment and rent rooms.” Jeff and his cousin, Phil, decided to take a road trip to Florida in 1976, where they discovered concrete waterslides and water-based SchlitterFirsts amusement parks officially titled “water parks”: Wet-n-Wild and SouRCE: SCHLiTTERBaHN.Com River Country of Walt Disney World, which had just opened. Jeff, then age 20, eagerly phoned his parents back home. He asked them Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort has a long history of firsts, including: to get on an airplane and come to Orlando where he’d take them on a tour. In his conversation he said, “This is what we need to do in New • The first swim-up refreshment bar was introduced in 1980. Braunfels with our property. And before you leave, you need to buy • The first family wave pool with a maximum depth of four feet the adjacent property next to ours.” Bob wasn’t sure if he could afford opened in 1989. it, but managed to purchase the property for around $64,000. When • The world’s first fantasy-themed, shallow children’s water Bob and Billye saw the parks in Orlando, they knew immediately playground, Polywog Pond, designed specifically for young children, that was the right thing to do. opened in 1989. Today the park has eight water playgrounds. Then in 1976, Bob and Billye went on a trip with other New • The first professional competition on a man-made wave took place Braunfels businesses to Germany. Bob made notes of German names in 1992 on the Boogie Bahn surf ride. he viewed around the country. One of the resort employees, and • The world’s first uphill water coaster, Dragon Blaster, created a world-wide buzz in 1994. The park now has a six-story version called friend of Jana, Michelle Robinson, spoke German. She took Bob’s Master Blaster® that opened in 1996. very lengthy ten-word suggestion for the name of the planned water • The first Torrent River® which offers customizable, computer- park and formulated, “das Bad Schloess Schlitterbahn.” The four- controlled waves also opened in 1996 in the Blastenhoff section of word name includes German words for swimming pool and castle. Schlitterbahn East. “Schlitter, is ‘to slip on ice,’ and Bahn is the ‘fast road’ or ‘highway,’” • The first USA Triathlon-sanctioned Kids’ Triathlon that takes place in Jeff said. “’Slippery Road’ became the abbreviated translation of the and around a theme park occurred in 2004. Schlitterbahn name in 1976.” Bob drew the original permit submission for city approval with crayon, marker, and pencil. Construction plans included a castle, Humble Beginnings: Drawn on 12/14/1978 slides, tube chutes, a pool, children’s areas, a stage with a dance area, by Bob Henry in marker and crayon, this was and a river walk that stretched along the Comal River. Each of these the original plan submitted to the city of New was created by the Henry’s and most are still being enjoyed today. Braunfels, outlining the Henrys’ new water park. Note the longer name “däs Bad Schloess Jeff, who had forgone college to continue working full time in Jeff (Left) and Gary (Right) Henry on Schlitterbahn,” which was later shortened. construction of the property, worked alongside his father to bring the Site at the Construction of the Treehaus rides to reality. He recalls his experience in building the original tube Lodges, part of Schlitterbahn’s Newest chute years earlier for Landa Resort. “It was a learning process for me. Expansion, Tubenbach. I began at age 16, experimenting with tile, concrete, and the natural

Online at: OnlineCommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com3 stay on during the summer season to build modular play equipment Galveston Island (an indoor park that remains open year-round canyon with wild waves that connects to The Falls and offers a never- for other parks.” The construction team was instrumental in on weekends), Schlitterbahn Beach South Padre Island, and ending water ride. Other new attractions, Boogie Bay Hot Tub and Jana (Henry) Faber, completing parks across the world including: China, South Africa, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in Kansas City, Kansas. Each park Boogie Bay Kids’ Area: Butterfly Bayou also opened in 2011. Head of Retail operations. Brazil, and Dubai. In 2005 the company stopped selling concepts includes imaginative water attractions the Henry Family is known Treehaus lodging units were also added the New Braunfels Park and shifted over to building parks owned and operated by the family for. They are all owned and operated by the company and have that and are yet another brilliant creation. The Treehaus resort rooms are in the United States. special touch started by Bob and Billye over 45 years ago. interconnected by elevated walkways above the banks of the Comal Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels grew Terri Adams, COO, serves in operations of all four locations. River on a combination of reclaimed trees and artificially-created dramatically in 1991, when the family acquired 25 acres of property Terri started with the company at age 15, and she began working tree posts. Inside the Treehauses, the resort rooms are made of wood- known as Camp Warnecke, now Schlitterbahn East. Construction full-time as a college student. “The Henrys have allowed me to be an constructed walls and ceilings. The breathtaking craftsmanship in the of Surfenburg began immediately in 1991 and Blastenhoff followed entrepreneur. We are always doing something new and constantly spacious rooms can now be enjoyed by 12 to 14 guests in each Treehaus. in 1996. doing things better,” she said. “Doing the right thing has always been Jeff explains the many one-of-a-kind elements salvaged and Schlitterbahn is responsible for the patent of soft foam and part of our core values.” Schlitterbahn employs over 2,000 teenagers repurposed for used in the project, a process used since the beginning numerous other progressive water park technologies. According to and adults in New Braunfels and diligently works to obtain the best of the park, “It’s an organic process. It’s the way we were raised. We Jeff, he and his brother Gary were involved in the invention of the staff available. Local employment varies. In years and months with didn’t buy the newest materials; we used and re-used what we had.” FlowRider Boogie-Bahn, which was developed with Tom Lochtefeld, fewer applicants or available employees, Schlitterbahn brings in Boulders and trees were taken from other construction sites locally a California surfer and business owner, and Dr. Frenzel, a German international workers from other countries. and across the state. Pine trees of East Texas, live oak trees from the Scientist. Jana remembers testing the surfing ride with tubes and Schlitterbahn currently holds three proposed sites for future parks, Austin area, Brazilian hardwood reclaimed from a 1,000 foot bridge, discovering it is best for boogie borders who ride the simulated wave. They are: Corpus Christi, Texas; Cedar Park, Texas (in the Austin and 100-year-old fir taken from a ship and milled locally by Jeff are Jeff added, “But I’m more of a tubing guy, not a surfer. We gave the area); and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. all used in the Treehauses and walkways. Salvaged metal is also used exclusive rights of the Boogie-Bahn technology to Tom Lochtefeld. Construction is of a new park area in Schlitterbahn East of New as a cover for the walkways. A few years later Tom returned the favor and traded his idea and Braunfels was completed in the summer of 2011. The new area is Darren Hill, General Manager of Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, patent for the Master Blaster technology to us.” The Henrys now called Tubenbach, and includes the world’s longest tube chute, said, “We are excited to announce the largest expansion in nearly 15 Darren Hill (left), Gm of hold the exclusive license for the Master Blaster technology which The Falls, which stretches 3,600 feet and holds up to 1,500 riders. years. Not only do we feel that this is the most exciting new collection Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, allows tubers to ride uphill through uphill water coasters. The Master The whitewater ride allows guests to enter through no-wait lines of attractions to open in 2011 in Texas, but we are also honored to with Lifeguard Supervisor and EmT, Juan Valdez. Blaster ride has been rated the best water attraction almost every year and move though interconnected attractions along the Comal introduce another world record-breaking ride for our guests.” since its completion in Blastenhoff, and the technology is now used River. The innovative ride utilizes a model created by Jeff, called In addition, Schlitterbahn has announced the next great expansion to in rides all over the world. Transportainment™. Guests float the tube chute for entertainment take place: A year-round indoor waterpark hotel located on South Padre Schlitterbahn now operates parks in four locations, including the while also using the chute for transportation from one park to another. Island. The new beachfront resort will include lodging in 221 rooms, original Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn Tubenbach also includes the Deluge Whirlpool River, a swift moving retail, restaurants, year-round indoor water attractions and special access to the summertime Schlitterbahn Beach outdoor waterpark. This unique project is a new concept for Schlitterbahn, but it draws Jeff Henry Examining 100-year- off of many existing concepts and company principles. For example, the old Fir being used in the New new park will include a retractable roof and indoor attractions, much Treehaus Walkway. artist like Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark. And it will be done Rendering by reclaiming existing structures of what was previously Holiday Inn of the New Sunspree Resort. Braunfels “We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop our new upscale waterpark hotel Treehaus Lodges, concept right here on South Padre Island,” explained Jeff Henry. “Our team has been which working on the creation and design of this world-class destination for more than two opened in years and we are excited to be announcing this project today. Without the support and 2011. financial commitment of our partner, American National Insurance Company, and the local government, the realization of this dream could not have become a reality.” The project is a multimillion-dollar investment that is expected to bring hundreds Terri adams (Far Right) is Schlitterbahn’s Coo and of thousands of guests, provide several hundred new jobs and provide an economic oversees all Four Parks. She has worked with the boost to the whole region. company since age 15. “The Henrys have allowed me to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels also includes a Christmas Shop and Jana K’s Boutique, be an entrepreneur,” says adams. “We are always doing located in a 150-year-old home near Schlitterbahn. The shop offers three floors of something new and constantly doing things better.” interior photo of a newly beautifully adorned holiday-themed rooms and a women’s boutique with purses, jewelry and clothing. Boutique items such as Yellow Box Shoes are also available in every gift shop. photos by Travis White The Blastenhoff expansion constructed Treehaus Lodge. was opened in 1996 and Schlitterbahn is a gracious contributor of Communities in Schools, a New added a larger wave pool, Braunfels organization created to keep kids in school and also supports annual visits from Sunshine Kids, an organization for terminally-ill children a new uphill water and their families. “We offer day trips and overnight visits for families. When they arrive, we have prepared rooms with goodies, and we provide all coaster, and several meals so that they can enjoy a stress-free trip,” Jana shares. “Every department helps, and it’s a true blessing to work with these families.” other attractions. The Schlitterbahn legacy is also being passed down to the third generation of Henrys working in the business. Jeff “J.J.” Henry Jr. is currently working as Family Representative for Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, Kansas. Jeff’s son-in-law Brandon Ridell was construction manager of the new Tubenbach park edition. Michael Wilkinson works alongside his mother, Jana, with various projects, such as restoration of the historic home now serving as the Christmas Shoppe. Gary’s grown children are also active in the family business. Daughter Tasha Blythin is working in the resort while her sister Tara is an operations manager and her brother Will is a foods manager. Jana Faber sums up a general feeling of the Henry Family, “We are blessed to be in New Braunfels and each of the communities we operate in. It’s fun to work here and be in a business we can do for the rest of our lives.”

4Online at:Online CommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com stay on during the summer season to build modular play equipment Galveston Island (an indoor park that remains open year-round canyon with wild waves that connects to The Falls and offers a never- for other parks.” The construction team was instrumental in on weekends), Schlitterbahn Beach South Padre Island, and ending water ride. Other new attractions, Boogie Bay Hot Tub and Jana (Henry) Faber, completing parks across the world including: China, South Africa, Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in Kansas City, Kansas. Each park Boogie Bay Kids’ Area: Butterfly Bayou also opened in 2011. Head of Retail operations. Brazil, and Dubai. In 2005 the company stopped selling concepts includes imaginative water attractions the Henry Family is known Treehaus lodging units were also added the New Braunfels Park and shifted over to building parks owned and operated by the family for. They are all owned and operated by the company and have that and are yet another brilliant creation. The Treehaus resort rooms are in the United States. special touch started by Bob and Billye over 45 years ago. interconnected by elevated walkways above the banks of the Comal Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels grew Terri Adams, COO, serves in operations of all four locations. River on a combination of reclaimed trees and artificially-created dramatically in 1991, when the family acquired 25 acres of property Terri started with the company at age 15, and she began working tree posts. Inside the Treehauses, the resort rooms are made of wood- known as Camp Warnecke, now Schlitterbahn East. Construction full-time as a college student. “The Henrys have allowed me to be an constructed walls and ceilings. The breathtaking craftsmanship in the of Surfenburg began immediately in 1991 and Blastenhoff followed entrepreneur. We are always doing something new and constantly spacious rooms can now be enjoyed by 12 to 14 guests in each Treehaus. in 1996. doing things better,” she said. “Doing the right thing has always been Jeff explains the many one-of-a-kind elements salvaged and Schlitterbahn is responsible for the patent of soft foam and part of our core values.” Schlitterbahn employs over 2,000 teenagers repurposed for used in the project, a process used since the beginning numerous other progressive water park technologies. According to and adults in New Braunfels and diligently works to obtain the best of the park, “It’s an organic process. It’s the way we were raised. We Jeff, he and his brother Gary were involved in the invention of the staff available. Local employment varies. In years and months with didn’t buy the newest materials; we used and re-used what we had.” FlowRider Boogie-Bahn, which was developed with Tom Lochtefeld, fewer applicants or available employees, Schlitterbahn brings in Boulders and trees were taken from other construction sites locally a California surfer and business owner, and Dr. Frenzel, a German international workers from other countries. and across the state. Pine trees of East Texas, live oak trees from the Scientist. Jana remembers testing the surfing ride with tubes and Schlitterbahn currently holds three proposed sites for future parks, Austin area, Brazilian hardwood reclaimed from a 1,000 foot bridge, discovering it is best for boogie borders who ride the simulated wave. They are: Corpus Christi, Texas; Cedar Park, Texas (in the Austin and 100-year-old fir taken from a ship and milled locally by Jeff are Jeff added, “But I’m more of a tubing guy, not a surfer. We gave the area); and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. all used in the Treehauses and walkways. Salvaged metal is also used exclusive rights of the Boogie-Bahn technology to Tom Lochtefeld. Construction is of a new park area in Schlitterbahn East of New as a cover for the walkways. A few years later Tom returned the favor and traded his idea and Braunfels was completed in the summer of 2011. The new area is Darren Hill, General Manager of Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, patent for the Master Blaster technology to us.” The Henrys now called Tubenbach, and includes the world’s longest tube chute, said, “We are excited to announce the largest expansion in nearly 15 Darren Hill (left), Gm of hold the exclusive license for the Master Blaster technology which The Falls, which stretches 3,600 feet and holds up to 1,500 riders. years. Not only do we feel that this is the most exciting new collection Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, allows tubers to ride uphill through uphill water coasters. The Master The whitewater ride allows guests to enter through no-wait lines of attractions to open in 2011 in Texas, but we are also honored to with Lifeguard Supervisor and EmT, Juan Valdez. Blaster ride has been rated the best water attraction almost every year and move though interconnected attractions along the Comal introduce another world record-breaking ride for our guests.” since its completion in Blastenhoff, and the technology is now used River. The innovative ride utilizes a model created by Jeff, called In addition, Schlitterbahn has announced the next great expansion to in rides all over the world. Transportainment™. Guests float the tube chute for entertainment take place: A year-round indoor waterpark hotel located on South Padre Schlitterbahn now operates parks in four locations, including the while also using the chute for transportation from one park to another. Island. The new beachfront resort will include lodging in 221 rooms, original Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, Schlitterbahn Tubenbach also includes the Deluge Whirlpool River, a swift moving retail, restaurants, year-round indoor water attractions and special access to the summertime Schlitterbahn Beach outdoor waterpark. This unique project is a new concept for Schlitterbahn, but it draws Jeff Henry Examining 100-year- off of many existing concepts and company principles. For example, the old Fir being used in the New new park will include a retractable roof and indoor attractions, much Treehaus Walkway. artist like Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark. And it will be done Rendering by reclaiming existing structures of what was previously Holiday Inn of the New Sunspree Resort. Braunfels “We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop our new upscale waterpark hotel Treehaus Lodges, concept right here on South Padre Island,” explained Jeff Henry. “Our team has been which working on the creation and design of this world-class destination for more than two opened in years and we are excited to be announcing this project today. Without the support and 2011. financial commitment of our partner, American National Insurance Company, and the local government, the realization of this dream could not have become a reality.” The project is a multimillion-dollar investment that is expected to bring hundreds Terri adams (Far Right) is Schlitterbahn’s Coo and of thousands of guests, provide several hundred new jobs and provide an economic oversees all Four Parks. She has worked with the boost to the whole region. company since age 15. “The Henrys have allowed me to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels also includes a Christmas Shop and Jana K’s Boutique, be an entrepreneur,” says adams. “We are always doing located in a 150-year-old home near Schlitterbahn. The shop offers three floors of something new and constantly doing things better.” interior photo of a newly beautifully adorned holiday-themed rooms and a women’s boutique with purses, jewelry and clothing. Boutique items such as Yellow Box Shoes are also available in every gift shop. photos by Travis White The Blastenhoff expansion constructed Treehaus Lodge. was opened in 1996 and Schlitterbahn is a gracious contributor of Communities in Schools, a New added a larger wave pool, Braunfels organization created to keep kids in school and also supports annual visits from Sunshine Kids, an organization for terminally-ill children a new uphill water and their families. “We offer day trips and overnight visits for families. When they arrive, we have prepared rooms with goodies, and we provide all coaster, and several meals so that they can enjoy a stress-free trip,” Jana shares. “Every department helps, and it’s a true blessing to work with these families.” other attractions. The Schlitterbahn legacy is also being passed down to the third generation of Henrys working in the business. Jeff “J.J.” Henry Jr. is currently working as Family Representative for Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark, Kansas. Jeff’s son-in-law Brandon Ridell was construction manager of the new Tubenbach park edition. Michael Wilkinson works alongside his mother, Jana, with various projects, such as restoration of the historic home now serving as the Christmas Shoppe. Gary’s grown children are also active in the family business. Daughter Tasha Blythin is working in the resort while her sister Tara is an operations manager and her brother Will is a foods manager. Jana Faber sums up a general feeling of the Henry Family, “We are blessed to be in New Braunfels and each of the communities we operate in. It’s fun to work here and be in a business we can do for the rest of our lives.”

Online at: OnlineCommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com5 if try earn his bachelor of science in civil the middle-man between the operational bluegrass singer/songwriter. Rebecca says the ground. Looking back on his stellar engineering from the USAF Academy in pilot and the engineers. Tom asked her to dance and they’ve been USAF and NASA careers, Tom doesn’t 1974. But then he went on to complete his A mere handful of the Top Guns dancing ever since. Rebecca and Tom single out any one thing as the high point.

pilot training at Craig Air Force Base in from the Air Force and Navy are selected at married in 1993, between his second and “I loved it all.” Selma, Alabama and then his F-4 conver- out of hundreds who apply. en, they get third NASA mission. She wrote a song “One of the things you come sion training at Homestead AFB in to go through another 1-2 years of rigor- and titled her CD “Dance with Me” away with is how thin and fragile our Miami, Florida. Now Tom had earned the ous training before being awarded the title based on the night they met. atmosphere is.” Tom believes everyone title of ghter pilot. Most people know of astronaut. As fate would have it, the “I spent Independence Day should be looking for ways to reduce their

that it’s no small feat to earn your wings. 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle accident again and keep trying. 1995 in space aboard the Space Shuttle carbon footprint and use alternative Tom ew the F-4 Phantom (a Vietnam era happened just six months after Tom first Discovery. To celebrate, we broadcast energy. So it’s not surprising that he’s jet) in ghter squadrons in England and arrived in Houston to train as an astro- patriotic songs over the radio to Mission now involved with SKYOT, a business Iceland. en, in 1980, the Air Force naut. e Challenger brought about a lot Control in Houston as we crossed over a that distributes Green Stu a non-toxic reassigned him to Top Gun School at of changes. For one thing, the Space nearly cloudless U.S. e views were absorbent that soaks up hazardous liquids Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV. Shuttle was grounded for the next three spectacular. e painted deserts of the like petroleum and acids. Green Stu is It was right around this time that years. at slowed the ight rate and is Southwest, snow-covered peaks linking primarily used around drilling operations An Astronaut’s Tom rst set his sights on becoming an why Tom didn’t pilot a space shuttle Utah to Montana, all the Great Lakes in but re departments also use it to clean astronaut. He says that becoming a ghter mission until 1991. one scene and the diverse terrain of Texas up hazardous industrial spills.” pilot is what gave him the condence to go Tom’s rst space mission was transitioning to the Gulf Coast stretching Tom worked in sales, marketing for it. Even so, Tom applied to NASA four aboard the Atlantis, which launched the to Florida. Did I mention that I never and government business development at times over a span of eight years before evening of Nov. 24, 1991. eir primary tired of looking out the window? But e Timken Company and Textron Inc. you don’t succeeD... traveling at 17,500 mph (5 miles a (Bell Helicopters) before becoming Cosmic second), we went coast to coast in just president of Aviation Week, a McGraw- three songs. My fondest musical memory Hill company. His accomplishments at all from space occurred the next day when three companies are nothing short of Perspective Rebecca was smuggled in to Mission outstanding. With Tom, even the sky isn’t Control and sang me Happy Birthday.” the limit. In 2000, Tom established his an open cockpit. at way they could By Susan Marx Rebecca was born in Dallas and own rm; aptly called “Henricks Enter- really get the lay of the land. It’s hard to went to college in East Texas. She prises, Inc.” and helps executives and say if Tom was always this way but he recorded her rst album in 1989. She corporations achieve peak performance to likes to pull back as far as possible to get composes, plays acoustic guitar and sings drive their careers and companies into the the big picture. e day they closed on regularly with fellow country bluegrass proverbial stratosphere. the property was the rst time they musicians Milo Deering (mandolin and About three years ago, Tom and actually drove out of the development. dobro) and Rocky Gribble (banjo and Rebecca bought property outside of Wouldn’t you know, they have a shared guitar). Rebecca’s most recent album is Blanco and have been building their runway. “Sunday Morning,” and represents a dream home on it. ey’re currently live Tom has been awarded the return to her gospel roots. It’s not always in Dallas but hope to move into their new Distinguished Flying Cross (among easy as an astronaut’s wife, Rebecca says, place in the Spring. Tom says they’ve been others), own 30 dierent types of because they don’t work normal living in cities for seven years and are aircraft and logged more than 6,000 hours…sometimes they’re in the simula- looking forward to getting back to the hours. He holds an FAA commercial pilot tor until after midnight. country and connecting with the rating, has completed 749 parachute id you ever dream of someday being he always wanted to y but he didn’t allow nally being accepted. So the second objective was to deploy a Defense Support All told, Tom piloted two and community. Besides, “then at night we jumps and achieved a Master Parachutist an astronaut? ousands, and prob- himself to dream of being an astronaut. message Tom has for young people is, be Program (DSP) satellite. After 110 orbits commanded two NASA Space Shuttle can see the stars.” rating. Tom currently consults with ably millions, of young men and Why? Because he didn’t think he could persistent. If at rst you don’t succeed… of Earth, they landed safely, Dec. 1, on the missions before leaving government Once a pilot always a pilot. Corporate Aviation and Analysis, Inc. women dream that dream. at’s why ever join their ranks. at’s why Tom’s rst try again and keep trying. Tom’s initial lake bed at Edwards AFB. What was it D service in 1997 to pursue a career in While searching for the right place to (CAAP) the premier provider of consult- it’s a little surprising to learn that Retired message to young people is to never limit “failures” paid o because he didn’t stop at like? business. But he also achieved quite a settle down, Tom ew them around in his ing, strategic planning and transactional United States Air Force Colonel/former themselves. the rst disappointment. Eventually his “Being in space is a very visual record working with NASA engineers on antique Stearman bi-plane, the kind with services in business aviation. NASA astronaut Tom Henricks says he You don’t know what you can eorts taught him what it would take to experience. It’s an adventure I wish every- didn’t think that big at rst. Tom was born achieve until you try. Once you try, the make the cut. one could have because you suddenly on July 5th nearly a decade before Presi- world starts to open up to you. Picture a Only after Tom had attended the realize Earth is pretty small. We went dent John F. Kennedy’s speech in Texas rocket on the launch pad, a machine so USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB around it every 90 minutes and gained a declaring the goal of landing a man on the heavy it takes enormous thrust just to get it in California and worked as an F-16C test perspective that we’re all just one human Moon. o the ground. An explosion of concen- pilot and Chief of the 57th Fighter Weap- race, sharing life on a spaceship called Tom grew up on a farm in Ohio. trated energy, however, explodes it out of ons Wing that NASA nally selected him Earth.” Even though astronauts John Glenn and the known atmosphere and into what we as a candidate. It was 1985. Tom says In-between these mind-altering Neil Armstrong (the rst man to set foot call “outer space” – a virtually limitless becoming a test pilot made the dierence. adventures in space, Tom went on a blind on the moon in 1969) were fellow Ohio- frontier with countless worlds much larger A ghter pilot is trained for war, whereas a date at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. ans, he was happy to be the rst in his than the green/blue orb we call home. test pilot tests the craft, the systems, and Her name was Rebecca Grantham, a family to get a college education. Tom says Tom was pretty thrilled just to the weapons and tactics. e test pilot is fourth generation Texan and country

6Online at:Online CommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com if try earn his bachelor of science in civil the middle-man between the operational bluegrass singer/songwriter. Rebecca says the ground. Looking back on his stellar engineering from the USAF Academy in pilot and the engineers. Tom asked her to dance and they’ve been USAF and NASA careers, Tom doesn’t 1974. But then he went on to complete his A mere handful of the Top Guns dancing ever since. Rebecca and Tom single out any one thing as the high point.

Online at: OnlineCommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com7 earn his bachelor of science in civil the middle-man between the operational bluegrass singer/songwriter. Rebecca says the ground. Looking back on his stellar engineering from the USAF Academy in pilot and the engineers. Tom asked her to dance and they’ve been USAF and NASA careers, Tom doesn’t 1974. But then he went on to complete his A mere handful of the Top Guns dancing ever since. Rebecca and Tom single out any one thing as the high point. pilot training at Craig Air Force Base in from the Air Force and Navy are selected married in 1993, between his second and “I loved it all.” Selma, Alabama and then his F-4 conver- out of hundreds who apply. en, they get third NASA mission. She wrote a song “One of the things you come sion training at Homestead AFB in to go through another 1-2 years of rigor- and titled her CD “Dance with Me” away with is how thin and fragile our Miami, Florida. Now Tom had earned the ous training before being awarded the title based on the night they met. atmosphere is.” Tom believes everyone title of ghter pilot. Most people know of astronaut. As fate would have it, the “I spent Independence Day should be looking for ways to reduce their that it’s no small feat to earn your wings. 1986 Challenger Space Shuttle accident 1995 in space aboard the Space Shuttle carbon footprint and use alternative Tom ew the F-4 Phantom (a Vietnam era happened just six months after Tom Discovery. To celebrate, we broadcast energy. So it’s not surprising that he’s jet) in ghter squadrons in England and arrived in Houston to train as an astro- patriotic songs over the radio to Mission now involved with SKYOT, a business Iceland. en, in 1980, the Air Force naut. e Challenger brought about a lot Control in Houston as we crossed over a that distributes Green Stu a non-toxic reassigned him to Top Gun School at of changes. For one thing, the Space nearly cloudless U.S. e views were absorbent that soaks up hazardous liquids Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, NV. Shuttle was grounded for the next three spectacular. e painted deserts of the like petroleum and acids. Green Stu is It was right around this time that years. at slowed the ight rate and is Southwest, snow-covered peaks linking primarily used around drilling operations Tom rst set his sights on becoming an why Tom didn’t pilot a space shuttle Utah to Montana, all the Great Lakes in but re departments also use it to clean astronaut. He says that becoming a ghter mission until 1991. one scene and the diverse terrain of Texas up hazardous industrial spills.” pilot is what gave him the condence to go Tom’s rst space mission was transitioning to the Gulf Coast stretching Tom worked in sales, marketing for it. Even so, Tom applied to NASA four aboard the Atlantis, which launched the to Florida. Did I mention that I never and government business development at times over a span of eight years before evening of Nov. 24, 1991. eir primary tired of looking out the window? But e Timken Company and Textron Inc. traveling at 17,500 mph (5 miles a (Bell Helicopters) before becoming second), we went coast to coast in just president of Aviation Week, a McGraw- three songs. My fondest musical memory Hill company. His accomplishments at all from space occurred the next day when three companies are nothing short of Rebecca was smuggled in to Mission outstanding. With Tom, even the sky isn’t Control and sang me Happy Birthday.” the limit. In 2000, Tom established his an open cockpit. at way they could Rebecca was born in Dallas and own rm; aptly called “Henricks Enter- really get the lay of the land. It’s hard to went to college in East Texas. She prises, Inc.” and helps executives and say if Tom was always this way but he recorded her rst album in 1989. She corporations achieve peak performance to likes to pull back as far as possible to get composes, plays acoustic guitar and sings drive their careers and companies into the the big picture. e day they closed on regularly with fellow country bluegrass proverbial stratosphere. the property was the rst time they musicians Milo Deering (mandolin and About three years ago, Tom and actually drove out of the development. dobro) and Rocky Gribble (banjo and Rebecca bought property outside of Wouldn’t you know, they have a shared guitar). Rebecca’s most recent album is Blanco and have been building their runway. “Sunday Morning,” and represents a dream home on it. ey’re currently live Tom has been awarded the return to her gospel roots. It’s not always in Dallas but hope to move into their new Distinguished Flying Cross (among easy as an astronaut’s wife, Rebecca says, place in the Spring. Tom says they’ve been others), own 30 dierent types of because they don’t work normal living in cities for seven years and are aircraft and logged more than 6,000 hours…sometimes they’re in the simula- looking forward to getting back to the hours. He holds an FAA commercial pilot tor until after midnight. country and connecting with the rating, has completed 749 parachute id you ever dream of someday being he always wanted to y but he didn’t allow nally being accepted. So the second objective was to deploy a Defense Support All told, Tom piloted two and community. Besides, “then at night we jumps and achieved a Master Parachutist an astronaut? ousands, and prob- himself to dream of being an astronaut. message Tom has for young people is, be Program (DSP) satellite. After 110 orbits commanded two NASA Space Shuttle can see the stars.” rating. Tom currently consults with ably millions, of young men and Why? Because he didn’t think he could persistent. If at rst you don’t succeed… of Earth, they landed safely, Dec. 1, on the missions before leaving government Once a pilot always a pilot. Corporate Aviation and Analysis, Inc. women dream that dream. at’s why ever join their ranks. at’s why Tom’s rst try again and keep trying. Tom’s initial lake bed at Edwards AFB. What was it service in 1997 to pursue a career in While searching for the right place to (CAAP) the premier provider of consult- it’s a little surprising to learn that Retired message to young people is to never limit “failures” paid o because he didn’t stop at like? business. But he also achieved quite a settle down, Tom ew them around in his ing, strategic planning and transactional United States Air Force Colonel/former themselves. the rst disappointment. Eventually his “Being in space is a very visual record working with NASA engineers on antique Stearman bi-plane, the kind with services in business aviation. NASA astronaut Tom Henricks says he You don’t know what you can eorts taught him what it would take to experience. It’s an adventure I wish every- didn’t think that big at rst. Tom was born achieve until you try. Once you try, the make the cut. one could have because you suddenly on July 5th nearly a decade before Presi- world starts to open up to you. Picture a Only after Tom had attended the realize Earth is pretty small. We went dent John F. Kennedy’s speech in Texas rocket on the launch pad, a machine so USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB around it every 90 minutes and gained a declaring the goal of landing a man on the heavy it takes enormous thrust just to get it in California and worked as an F-16C test perspective that we’re all just one human Moon. o the ground. An explosion of concen- pilot and Chief of the 57th Fighter Weap- race, sharing life on a spaceship called Tom grew up on a farm in Ohio. trated energy, however, explodes it out of ons Wing that NASA nally selected him Earth.” Even though astronauts John Glenn and the known atmosphere and into what we as a candidate. It was 1985. Tom says In-between these mind-altering One of the things you come away with is Neil Armstrong (the rst man to set foot call “outer space” – a virtually limitless becoming a test pilot made the dierence. adventures in space, Tom went on a blind on the moon in 1969) were fellow Ohio- frontier with countless worlds much larger A ghter pilot is trained for war, whereas a date at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. how thin and fragile our atmosphere is. ans, he was happy to be the rst in his than the green/blue orb we call home. test pilot tests the craft, the systems, and Her name was Rebecca Grantham, a family to get a college education. Tom says Tom was pretty thrilled just to the weapons and tactics. e test pilot is fourth generation Texan and country

8Online at:Online CommunityCircular.com at: CommunityCircular.com Online at: CommunityCircular.com with their antics, paints their faces, and creates balloon animals. Last year, Batman and Raggedy Ann and Andy mingled among the kids, and this year, they hope to add the Spurs’ Coyote to the cast of characters. They’re also hoping to have an interactive Jack-in-the-Box this year that’s built by airport mechanics. Thanks to the San Antonio Airport Fire Department, the kids can explore “Big Bertha,” a huge re truck, and they can tour the spiy equipment onboard and flight to the

the re suits worn by during emergencies. A very long and sleek “funny car” Students from Alamo Heights HS help dragster is also expected to be on hand like it was last year, and with adult with the Flight to the North Pole. supervision, the kids can play with remote-control airplanes. Volunteers from radio station K-LOVE 91.3 play holiday music for the kids. Last year, they spotted a 5-year-old boy in a cute cowboy outt so they Soon after, the kids board their “ ight” home with their goodies in tow Some Special Kids Visit Santa’s Workshop and they re-join their family and friends at the terminal who’ve been By Scott Sparks played a country song for him. To everyone’s delight, this boy danced up a storm and was joined at the end by a little girl. After the song ended, the waiting for their return. What a story each child now has to share about their great adventure to Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole! Now in its 27th year, this annual event includes kids from “0 to 14.” Each boy told the girl that he had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the girl told him year, up to 100 kids are chosen for this special adventure to visit Santa at his she had lymphoma. Kids being kids (but also poignantly reminding those If you want to donate funds workshop because each one is ill with cancer. Let’s pray not, but this may be within earshot that this was a special occasion), the boy and girl bantered the last Christmas that some of these kids have outside of a hospital. for “bragging rights” about who was sickest. or volunteer for this event: This annual event is made possible by an all-volunteer partnership between Finally, a private jet called “The Nick 1” appears and the door slowly opens. It’s Call the San Antonio chapter of the American Cancer Society at the American Cancer Society, United Airlines, a private carrier, and the Santa Clause!!! Santa welcomes and thanks each child for visiting his workshop. 210-614-4212 and designate “Flight to the North Pole” for your Alamo Heights High School Interact Club with sponsorship from the Alamo donation. Heights Rotary Club. Local employees at the airport in San Antonio deserve After each child gets special attention and Santa must leave, Mrs. Clause joins him inside The Nick 1 and the kids wave to wish them a good ight. Or contact Connie Harrison, a volunteer (who is also Mrs. Clause a special nod to make this “Flight to the North Pole” seem as real as possible. at this event but that’s a secret), at 210-345-5460 or email her The non-prot Partnership for Corporate Aviation Training plays an integral at [email protected]. role in organizing and planning the Flight to the North Pole.

Once everyone is onboard the plane, the windows shades are drawn shut and the plane taxis around for about 20 minutes to simulate the “ ight.” While en route to the North Pole, the kids are entertained by clowns and told the story about this magical plane. Upon arrival at Santa’s Workshop (the plane actually stops inside the climate-controlled environment of a private carrier’s hangar), the kids are greeted one-by-one by none other than Mrs. Clause herself! Each child immediately receives a stued toy and an elf’s hat to wear. The kids are free to explore this huge, sparkling, magical world of Santa’s Workshop. There’s a 45-foot Christmas tree with presents galore underneath, n Saturday, December 3rd, nearly 100 excited kids will gather at toys and dolls may come to life at any moment, holiday music lls the air, a United Airlines terminal at San Antonio International Airport for a and everyone gets all the chicken nuggets, pizza slices and juice-boxes that very special ight to the North Pole to visit Santa’s Workshop. Each child they want. All adult and high school volunteers are dressed in brightly colored The Jolly Joeys help brighten the day for may be accompanied to the airport by up to four people, but only one lucky festive costumes and each one is there to bring joy to these special children. many children attending the event. adult gets a boarding pass to accompany their child on this magical trip. A local professional clown troop called the Jolly Joeys entertains the kids

Online at: CommunityCircular.com with their antics, paints their faces, and creates balloon animals. Last year, Batman and Raggedy Ann and Andy mingled among the kids, and this year, they hope to add the Spurs’ Coyote to the cast of characters. They’re also hoping to have an interactive Jack-in-the-Box this year that’s built by airport mechanics. Thanks to the San Antonio Airport Fire Department, the kids can explore “Big Bertha,” a huge re truck, and they can tour the spiy equipment onboard and flight to the

Online at: CommunityCircular.com

Online at: CommunityCircular.com he University of Texas at San Antonio fi nally has a football team to play on Saturdays this fall. Go Roadrunners!!!T It all began in March 2009 when UTSA’s Athletic Director Lynn Each zone features videos, artifacts, text, and hands-on activities. their spirit, energy, and even self worth into football like Texans.” He Hickey, the only female AD in Texas to oversee both men’s and Visitors are invited to have fun and learn while engaging in the says “Football defi nes us as dreamers, as hard workers, as the best we women’s sports, hired Larry Coker as head football coach to guide following activities and many more: can be. Football means everything in Texas.” and develop the new program from scratch. Coker has impressive “Football: Th e Exhibit” remained open at the Institute of Texan credentials, having led the Miami Hurricanes to a national • Step into the passing cage to test your throwing skills. Cultures long enough for two home games to be played by the football championship in 2001. After two years of preparation, • Race on a short track against the lights that move at the Roadrunners at the Alamodome in early September. Th e exhibit the Roadrunners kick off their inaugural football season against speed of professional players. closed after September 13, but football at UT San Antonio has only Northeastern State (Oklahoma) at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 3 • Squeeze the handle and compare the strength of your grip just begun. at their home stadium, the Alamodome. to professional linemen. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Institute of Texan • Use an arthroscope to examine the inside of a simulated Cultures (ITC) opened “Football: Th e Exhibit” last May. Th is knee. traveling exhibit examines the science, mechanics and technology Permanent Exhibits at the Institute • Test your reaction time to sound and light cues to compare behind the game and explores the history and cultural phenomenon of Texan Cultures with friends and family. of football. “Th e physics and math at work in a game of football The Back 40 • Perform collision experiments on the momentum track. are extraordinary,” said Lupita Barrerra, director of education and • Test your balance on a balance board. This outdoor exhibit offers a hands-on learning experience interpretation at the museum. “But we’re not going to show you a in a historic Texas setting. The museum’s living history lot of equations on a blackboard. Football is a contact sport and this Beyond learning about the science and math underlying all of these complex includes a one-room schoolhouse, a “dog trot” log is a contact exhibit.” activities, the exhibit showcases the history of football, its traditions, Organized by the Arkansas Museum of Discovery, “Football: Th e house, a barn, an army barracks, and an adobe house – all and America’s obsession with the sport. Exhibit” is designed to be highly interactive, encouraging hands-on typical of Texas in the mid to late 1800s. Dressed in period Because “Football: Th e Exhibit” is a traveling show, it targets a participation by kids of all ages. Th e exhibit is comprised of nine clothing, knowledgeable instructors offer glimpses into the national audience instead of focusing on a particular region. Th at’s diff erent zones, each one with a theme that addresses a diff erent why ITC designed a complementary exhibit to specifi cally take day-to-day hardships and joys of 19th century Texans. To aspect of football: History of the Game, Th e Forward Pass, In the a closer look at football culture in the Lone Star State from the reserve group tours, call (210) 458-2291 Open Field, On the Line of Scrimmage, Th e Kicking Game, Medical perspective of its residents. Technology, Cheerleaders and Bands, and Football and Society. ITC sent oral historians into the community to ask Texans one Leaving Home, Finding Home: Texas Families Remember simple question: “What does football mean to you?” Visitors to the Mexican Revolution the museum are invited to listen to their answers, to hear what This exhibit explores the turmoil and social upheaval that The Institute of Texan Cultures is the museum of the University of Texas Texas football means to players, coaches, parents, cheerleaders, band at San Antonio and serves as the forum for the understanding and appreciation Moms, fans and many others at ITC’s complementary exhibit, “Texas was set in motion by the Mexican Revolution of 1910 when of Texas and Texans through research, collections, exhibits, special events, and cultural celebrations. Affi liated Football: In Th eir Words.” Th eir responses shed a light on how thousands of Mexicans fl ed their homeland to seek refuge in football impacted their lives and infl uenced Texas culture. with the Smithsonian Institution and located at HemisFair Park, the museum features 45,000 square feet of Texas. This personal experience exhibit incorporates photos A visitor to this section of the exhibit is greeted at the entrance by exhibit space and is family-friendly with many hands-on activities for kids. and oral histories as told by Texans who share stories of a life-size cutout of none-other-than new Head Coach Larry Coker. hardship and achievement that were passed-down to them Location: 801 E. Durango Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78205. On the UTSA HemisFair Park Campus and only a When you push his button, he says “I know the fan base here and the by their immigrant families who assimilated their Mexican short walk from the Alamo and the Riverwalk. interest in football in Texas is just off the charts!” heritage into their new Texas home. Regular hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Rhett Rushing, an oral historian at ITC, says “Texans do football better than anyone else on earth. No one on earth invests as much of Admission: $8 for adults (ages 12-64); $7 for seniors (ages 65+); $6 for children (ages 3-11); free with membership, UTSA or Alamo Colleges identifi cation. For more information: Call 210-458-2300 or visit TexanCultures.com.

Online at: CommunityCircular.com Getting measurable results?

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For a free consultation, contact: Allegra Marketing · Print · Mail 10443 Gulfdale #101, San Antonio, TX 78216 (210) 340-1841 • allegrasanantonio.com [email protected] MARKETING PRINT MAIL WEB MARKETING | EMAIL PROGRAMS | CROSS-MEDIA PROGRAMS PERSONALIZATION | LEAD & RETENTION PROGRAMS | QUALITY FULL-COLOR PRINTING | DIGITAL ON-DEMAND PRINTING | PROJECT CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT GRAPHIC DESIGN | MAILING SERVICES | TRADESHOW & EVENT SOLUTIONS | PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS DIRECT MAIL | VARIABLE DATA | ONLINE ORDERING | SERVICE TO YOUR FRONT DOOR Chicken Breast Marinade Juice of 2 medium size lemons (strain for no pulp or seeds) Juice of 2 medium size oranges, Valencia preferred (strain for no pulp or seeds) 1 ⁄4 cup of olive oil 1 garlic clove, smashed and chopped 1 teaspoon of fresh, cracked black pepper 1 ⁄4 teaspoon of Mexican oregano 1 I have been lucky enough to hunt in some far flung corners of the Truth be told, I was more than a bit ignorant about what a custom ⁄2 teaspoon of meat tenderizer (make sure tenderizer has papian as ingredient) world, but I’m not a gun nut. Put a rifle in my hands, let me send a rifle should be, until I found myself on the phone with custom rifle- Directions: few rounds down range to get it dialed in and I’m going hunting. maker Charlie Sisk. He asked me questions about what I like to hunt, ith holiday gatherings just around 1. Place 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 6-7 oz each) in a large shallow pan. That’s what I’ve done on the Alaskan tundra, carrying a borrowed T/C where I liked to hunt and how I like to hunt. He asked about my body 2. Squeeze the juice from the lemon halves and oranges into a separate bowl, then the corner, delicious recipes take Encore in .300 Win. Mag, and in Africa with the PH’s .375 H&H of type and what I thought of recoil. (Not a big fan.) whisk in the oil, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper or place all ingredients in a blender dubious pedigree and cracked stock held together with a piece of bicycle Not long after that, I became the proud owner of a Sisk Point Five in center stage. Although roasted and blend for about 20 seconds turkey,W ham, and veggie casseroles are tried- innertube. I’m not, or wasn’t, a person who really ever thought about .308. Listening to Charlie’s advice, I closed my eyes, pulled the gun to 3. Pour this marinade over the chicken. Place the lemon halves in between the chicken and-true choices, surprise your guests this year breasts, cover the pan tightly. Refrigerate 6 hours or overnight. owning a custom gun. my shoulder and opened my eyes to find I was looking directly through Custom. The word alone conjures up images of fiddleback walnut the scope. No bobbing and weaving trying to find the sight picture. with a recipe by George Ojeda, Executive Chef 4. Grill the chicken, occasionally turning and brushing with any remaining marinade and a receiver cut by a third-generation engraver whose grandfather I sent a few rounds down range, off-hand, and managed to ding the at Encanto Mexican Grill. “It’s a great dish for until the juice runs clear or the inner temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Remove from the grill and place on a plate and pour cream sauce (see recipe below) over came over on a boat sometime around the turn of the century. I suppose bowling pin a couple of times. the fall because it can be made on a cold winter chicken breast. those custom guns of my imagination were accurate, but in my mind On the bench, it was even more impressive.The gun shot better than I day to warm up and turkey breast can be used they were primarily works of art, brought out of the gun case only to be thought I was capable of shooting. And, it ain’t half bad looking. In fact, instead of chicken breast,” said Chef George. Chipotle Cream Sauce Recipe 16 oz heavy whipping cream passed around at cocktail parties. at my next cocktail party, I just might pull it out of the safe and show it Th e creamy and spicy dish pairs well with white 1 ⁄4 cup of white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Gris) I wasn’t about to own a gun like that, more for the gun’s sake off to all my friends. rice and sautéed vegetables. If you’re out of time 1 tablespoon of shallot, fi nely minced (substitute white onion) than mine. I tend to treat my stuff a little rougher than most, and I A custom rifle can be synonymous with art, if accuracy is your idea or simply want to try it out before attempting 1 tablespoon olive oil don’t get invited to many cocktail parties. If I owned a custom rifle, of beauty, accuracy that comes from fit and performance. Not unlike a 1 the recipe at home, dash into Encanto Mexican ⁄4 teaspoon garlic, fi nely minced or a custom rifle like I imagined them to be, I’d be too scared to knife that feels like an extension of your hand or a car that’s built for both Grill for a taste. 3 oz of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce take it in the woods for fear I’d scratch it. speed and comfort. And, well, if it looks nice, you hit the trifecta. 8 oz chicken stock, warmed before adding 2 tablespoon of roux (see recipe below) 1 ⁄4 teaspoon of white pepper Kosher salt to taste Directions: 1. In a medium sauce pan at medium high heat, add olive oil and simmer pan (to coat entire pan with oil) 2. Add shallots and garlic. Sweat for about 2 minutes, and stir with a spoon. 3. Deglaze pan with white wine and reduce by half (about 2-3 minutes) 4. Add cream and warm chicken stock. Bring to a light simmer. 5. Add chipotle peppers with adobo sauce 6. Simmer sauce on low heat for about 5 minutes 7. Add white pepper and salt, if needed. 8. Using a hand mixer, blend entire sauce until smooth. (If using a blender instead, do not cover entire blender with cap, allow steam to escape to prevent sauce from overfl owing.) 9. Adjust seasoning or add more chile peppers, if more heat is desired (be sure to blend again). 10. Th icken sauce with roux (see below). Roux Recipe 2 tablespoons of butter 2 tablespoons of all-purpose fl our

Directions: 1. Place butter in a small sauté pan at medium high heat. 2. Melt butter until foamy. 3. Add ﬂ our and whisk until ﬂ our and butter are incorporated. 4. Set aside for later use.

Online at: CommunityCircular.com By Susie Marx New Braunfels Railroad Museum Home to Train Modeling Society

nce upon a time, the International Great Northern e existing New Braunfels Train Depot, built in O Railroad (I&GN) built a railroad from Longview 1907, was made of a new construction method utilizing through Palestine, Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, San concrete blocks and served as an operating station until 1976, Antonio and south through Laredo. e year was 1880 and just a few short years after Amtrak took over all passenger rail rail travel was the only game in town if you wanted to go travel in the U.S. ere it sat, deteriorating visibly in the heart anywhere or ship anything fast through the rst part of the of downtown as Missouri Pacic freight trains, often a 20th century. hundred cars long, ran by just a few feet from the building e New Braunfels Railroad Museum’s mission In the early years, the station agent at the train depot vibrating its tall Victorian glass windows up to 30 times a day. statement emphasizes preservation, education and children’s tapped out messages in Morse code and transmitted them to en in 1986 the New Braunfels Historic Railroad activities. Albright said Kids Run the Train is their most other depots along the line using the telegraph. ese were & Modelers Society made a deal with the city, who now outstanding O and S scale traveling module. With it, children abbreviated notes that typed out the code and transmitted owns the real estate, to renovate the old building and of all ages learn how the train works and how to operate the them through a network of electric lines, the precursors to establish a museum. Since then, the New Braunfels depot throttle. ey are then allowed to operate the model train land-based phone lines later used by Western Union. has been fully renovated and transformed into a repository of under the supervision of a master engineer. Certicates and New Braunfels Railroad Museum President David Albright restored full-size train cars. ese include a cosmetically pocket cards are given to each new junior engineer. said “Telegraph messages were the rst form of texting.” e railroad restored steam engine, a box car, a bright red Mopac caboose One of the exhibits tells the fascinating story of how telegraph was a party-line and everybody had their own code. It was and a Pullman dining car that can be rented for parties, the railroads became the time keepers of the nation. Albright all about letting everyone along the line know where the trains were dinners and meetings. e depot also houses artifacts, said that before 1883, everybody in the U.S. ran on ‘sun time’. and when they were supposed to go. Albright said, “ e whole idea memorabilia and several fully functioning model trains that ere were 53 recognized times in the U.S. when I&GN was to keep the trains moving on time and to avoid collision.” mimic life-sized rail yards and their switching systems. started running in New Braunfels. is would never do.

Online at: CommunityCircular.com By Susie Marx New Braunfels Railroad Museum Home to Train Modeling Society

Online at: CommunityCircular.com Superintendents got together and asked Frank Allen to gure out how to harmonize varying times across the states into a system that would help the trains run safely and on time. Allen came up with the idea of the Eastern, Central, Mountain and Paci c Time zones. ey were all ocially adopted on Nov. 18, 1883. Each day at noon, Eastern Time, the Naval Observatory in Washington D.C. sent the correct time over the telegraph. en in 1893, following a catastrophic train crash involving a 4 second time delay, all watches were required to keep accurate time within 30 seconds a week. Everyone synchronized their watches daily and all railroad employees were required to carry a pocket watch, which was inspected every month. Albright said about 6,000 visitors sign the register every year and another 2,000 come through the museum during Wassailfest. In the baggage room visitors see an antique Sheeld Velocipede, a 3-wheel hand car that traveled the rails with rowing motion and auxiliary foot power. People used velocipedes to travel on the tracks when they weren’t carrying trains and railroad employees used them to inspect the tracks. ere you’ll also nd photographs and diagrams of armored trains, which came into existence after the Civil War but weren’t used until WWI.

THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED AT 302 WEST SAN ANTONIO STREET www.newbraunfelsrailroadmuseum.org OR CALL US AT(830) 627-2447 Membership in the New Braunfels Historic railroad and Modelers Society is open to all who are interested. Meetings are held at the depot on the rst and second ursdays of each month at 7:15 p.m. and is open ursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Online at: CommunityCircular.com [Continued from Page 10]

diabetes or heart disease, which can lead to oral complications. More complicated cases are asked to make an appointment at one of the dentists’ offi ces or given a recommendation for a specialist. With a tough economy, the number of patients wanting to take advantage of Tejas Smiles’ free services has only risen. Many of the people in the county have been struggling with unemployment or can’t aff ord insurance, Johec said. Some simply don’t have the ability to travel for dental care, particularly elderly patients in far rural areas. Poor education and denial are also two large problems, Haerens said. “People don’t think of dental care as that important,” Haerens said. “A lot of times people may have dental problems but may not t’s amazing how many people underestimate the power of a smile. Lucky for realize it, or may put it on the back burner. People are watching Bulverde, Melvin Johec and Dr. Olaf Haerens do not. every penny. What they don’t know is that dental care is a big part of “When you have a patient in need, they appreciate the smallest thing you do the body. Periodontal disease is connected to heart disease, diabetes, for them,” Haerens said. “Whether you’re replacing a tooth or giving them a smile so even cancer.” they can go back into the workplace; people are so grateful. It’s very fulfi lling to make And patients with chronic disease or cancer often require the most a diff erence in someone’s life.” care. Johec says many get turned away from clinics or other doctors, Tejas Smiles, the non-profi t organization created by CPA Melvin Johec and Comal and Tejas Smiles is the only option they can aff ord. County dentist Haerens, off ers free dental care to patients who otherwise could “We want to help as many people as we can,” he said. “But we not aff ord it in a mobile, traveling unit. Th e idea came after Haerens heard nurses have more people than we can help.” discussing how many people in Comal County couldn’t aff ord dental care. Haerens, Eventually, Tejas Smiles would like to have a stationary clinic and who had served in another non-profi t organization for two years, expressed great full-time offi ce. Th ey hope to obtain more grants and help more interest in continuing to serve individuals in need that didn’t have the ability to pay. customers than they are currently servicing, which changes month Along with several other professionals, dentists and nurses, Tejas Smiles often travels to month. However, Haerens doesn’t see that happening anytime in far and wide to bring dental care to the public. the near future. “Th ere’s a lot of need,” Haerens said. “Th e need is greater than what the health “It’s hard times,” he said. “We’re on our way, but in these times, services can provide. We can go into the places where people don’t have access.” it’s hard to fi nd paying grants. But we do see patients and we off er Tejas Smiles is supported by grants, memorials and Comal County United Way. continuing care, not just emergency care. We don’t see you one time; For Johec, Tejas Smiles is a labor of love. you become a recurring patient.” “I know what it’s like to be less fortunate,” Johec said. “As soon as I became For more information, visit Tejas Smiles at www.tejassmiles.com. comfortable, I wanted to help others.” Johec is particularly sensitive to the younger patients coming through Tejas Smiles’ doors. “If a youngster has a pain in their tooth, he can’t concentrate and get a good education,” Johec said. “When you’re in pain, you can’t think of anything else. It’s not a good situation.” Th e dentists and nurses at Tejas Smiles work for cost or provide their services for free. Th e non-profi t recently had to close its offi ce to save on administrative costs and is purely mobile, with Johec running the show behind the scenes. Every penny goes to the patients and dental care, he says. “We have more people show up than we can aff ord to treat,” Johec said. “Th ere’s a lot of elderly who can’t aff ord medical care. But we’ll provide dental care and take care of the most serious patients, fi xing two or three problems if we need to. We want to fi x them.” Haerens often draws on his past-military experience when working on Tejas Smiles patients. After several years of working for Tejas Smiles, he’s found that the rural areas the mobile clinic travels to have the greatest need and the most severe types of cases. “We come to you,” he said. “It’s like when I was in the military, you learn to work in any situation. You get prepared to do all the things you need to do in a mobile clinic. It’s quite an undertaking and takes ingenuity. You have to think outside of the box.” Haerens and other volunteer dentists perform extractions, fl uoride treatments, fi lings, cleaning and polishing. Many patients suff er from chronic conditions like

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 43 need to be in a home and see how a normal family functions.” While most children stay at the ranch for about one year, some children have been there for up to four years. And nally, give your time. Roussett says that by Amy Francisco while the material donations are needed and much- Bulverde Lion's Club appreciated, spending time with the children at the ranch makes all the dierence. “We have donors we appreciate so much for giving us things, and we need that to continue,” Makes a Big Impact Roussett explains, “but the Lion's Club not only gives, they show up. It makes a big impact on the kids.” At Local Home for Children Bulverde Lion’s Club Members deliver Wish List: donations to the St Jude’s Ranch. Pictured are (L to R) Lion’s George McNew, Red Waner, Jerry Steward (project nown as the “Front Porch of the Texas Hill Country,” it's no the former Comal County Emergency Children's coordinator), and Joel Selko. secret that Bulverde is a place where people value neigh- Shelter in New Braunfels. All St. Jude's campuses borly behavior. One local group, the Bulverde Lion's Club, provide children with therapeutic services in safe, changing, includes common household items such as toothpaste K exempli es that spirit through its charitable activities, home-like surroundings. and hygiene items, batteries, bedding and sports equipment. especially those bene ting the St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Being There for the Kids “We have ve houses at the ranch, so everything that Located 12 miles northeast of Bulverde on Ridge Creek somebody needs in their house, we need times ve here,” Roussett Lane, many Bulverdians may not even know the ranch is there. e Bulverde Lion's Club has been helping to make says. “Shampoo, conditioner, pots, pans. We need it all times ve. But it's home to 38 children, age 5 and up – all state of Texas foster On top of that, we always need clothes – gently used clothes the ranch feel even more like home to the children for about three children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. appropriate for the ages of kids we serve.” years, according to program director Tara Roussett. Each August, In November 2011, the Lion's Club collected and deliv- About the Ranch the club holds a hot dog cookout for the kids in conjunction with ered wish list items from members, their families and friends, and a Bulverde Chamber of Commerce back-to-school backpack and It's a common misconception, but the ranch is not other community members. e club also has encouraged other school supplies drive. aliated with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While they local organizations and businesses to support the ranch. A local “It's something the kids really look forward to,” Roussett www.bulverdelionsclub.com share a namesake, St. Jude, the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes, church donated gift cards, a retailer gave end-of-season merchan- says. “If they've been at the ranch more than a year, they start to ask St. Jude's Ranch for Children was founded more than 40 years ago dise, and a dentist provided two cases of toothbrushes. when the backpacks are coming and when the Lion's Club is coming by the late Father Jack Adam, an Episcopal priest who envisioned with the hot dogs. … e Lion's Club members are always so nice; a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children in How You Can Help they really talk to the kids. And because they're all men, they're great Boulder City, Nevada. role models for the boys who live here. ey don't have a lot of You may donate items to St. Jude's Ranch for e Bulverde campus is the organization's second. It also positive male inuences in their lives.” Children at any time. anks to the Lion's Club, you has a third campus nearby: e men of the Lion's Club seem to enjoy the don't even have to leave home to do so. “Call any cookouts as much as the kids. “I fell in love with Bulverde Lion's Club member and we'll be glad to pick those kids,” says Jerry Steward, who has led the it up and take it out there,” Steward says, “or you're Lion's Club eorts at the ranch since 2011. “ey're more than welcome to take stu out yourself.” such a delight. Every one of them walked up to us, Roussett says the ranch accepts donations any introduced themselves and thanked us for being time. “We're here every day 24/7. We have administra- there. at pulls on your heartstrings.” tive hours, but we don't want that to stop people from coming out. ey can pull right into our gates and we'll Making Wishes Come True direct them where to go.” Another way you can help is by supporting e Lion's Club also helps out during the Lion's Club's fundraising events such as the holidays. is year, club members took the kids gift cards to a variety of area businesses. But Stew- 36th Annual Wild Game Dinner, Friday, ard says that's not enough. “It's great to give at April 13, at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, Christmas,” he says, “but their needs go 24/7. ey don't stop because the holiday is over. ey email: [email protected]. always need help.” Proceeds support the club's charitable activities. So the Lion's Club also works to ful ll the Still another way that Bulverdians can help is by ranch's wish list – available at serving as foster parents. “If anyone has the heart for being a www.stjudesranch.org. e list, while always foster parent, please contact us,” Roussett says. “ese kids

44 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com need to be in a home and see how a normal family functions.” While most children stay at the ranch for about one year, some children have been there for up to four years. And nally, give your time. Roussett says that by Amy Francisco while the material donations are needed and much- Bulverde Lion's Club appreciated, spending time with the children at the ranch makes all the dierence. “We have donors we appreciate so much for giving us things, and we need that to continue,” Makes a Big Impact Roussett explains, “but the Lion's Club not only gives, they show up. It makes a big impact on the kids.” At Local Home for Children Bulverde Lion’s Club Members deliver Wish List: donations to the St Jude’s Ranch. Pictured are (L to R) Lion’s George McNew, Red Waner, Jerry Steward (project nown as the “Front Porch of the Texas Hill Country,” it's no the former Comal County Emergency Children's coordinator), and Joel Selko. secret that Bulverde is a place where people value neigh- Shelter in New Braunfels. All St. Jude's campuses borly behavior. One local group, the Bulverde Lion's Club, provide children with therapeutic services in safe, changing, includes common household items such as toothpaste K exempli es that spirit through its charitable activities, home-like surroundings. and hygiene items, batteries, bedding and sports equipment. especially those bene ting the St. Jude's Ranch for Children. Being There for the Kids “We have ve houses at the ranch, so everything that Located 12 miles northeast of Bulverde on Ridge Creek somebody needs in their house, we need times ve here,” Roussett Lane, many Bulverdians may not even know the ranch is there. e Bulverde Lion's Club has been helping to make says. “Shampoo, conditioner, pots, pans. We need it all times ve. But it's home to 38 children, age 5 and up – all state of Texas foster On top of that, we always need clothes – gently used clothes the ranch feel even more like home to the children for about three children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. appropriate for the ages of kids we serve.” years, according to program director Tara Roussett. Each August, In November 2011, the Lion's Club collected and deliv- About the Ranch the club holds a hot dog cookout for the kids in conjunction with ered wish list items from members, their families and friends, and a Bulverde Chamber of Commerce back-to-school backpack and It's a common misconception, but the ranch is not other community members. e club also has encouraged other school supplies drive. aliated with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While they local organizations and businesses to support the ranch. A local “It's something the kids really look forward to,” Roussett www.bulverdelionsclub.com share a namesake, St. Jude, the Patron Saint of Desperate Causes, church donated gift cards, a retailer gave end-of-season merchan- says. “If they've been at the ranch more than a year, they start to ask St. Jude's Ranch for Children was founded more than 40 years ago dise, and a dentist provided two cases of toothbrushes. when the backpacks are coming and when the Lion's Club is coming by the late Father Jack Adam, an Episcopal priest who envisioned with the hot dogs. … e Lion's Club members are always so nice; a safe haven for abused, abandoned and neglected children in How You Can Help they really talk to the kids. And because they're all men, they're great Boulder City, Nevada. role models for the boys who live here. ey don't have a lot of You may donate items to St. Jude's Ranch for e Bulverde campus is the organization's second. It also positive male inuences in their lives.” Children at any time. anks to the Lion's Club, you has a third campus nearby: e men of the Lion's Club seem to enjoy the don't even have to leave home to do so. “Call any cookouts as much as the kids. “I fell in love with Bulverde Lion's Club member and we'll be glad to pick those kids,” says Jerry Steward, who has led the it up and take it out there,” Steward says, “or you're Lion's Club eorts at the ranch since 2011. “ey're more than welcome to take stu out yourself.” such a delight. Every one of them walked up to us, Roussett says the ranch accepts donations any introduced themselves and thanked us for being time. “We're here every day 24/7. We have administra- there. at pulls on your heartstrings.” tive hours, but we don't want that to stop people from coming out. ey can pull right into our gates and we'll Making Wishes Come True direct them where to go.” Another way you can help is by supporting e Lion's Club also helps out during the Lion's Club's fundraising events such as the holidays. is year, club members took the kids gift cards to a variety of area businesses. But Stew- 36th Annual Wild Game Dinner, Friday, ard says that's not enough. “It's great to give at April 13, at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, Christmas,” he says, “but their needs go 24/7. ey don't stop because the holiday is over. ey email: [email protected]. always need help.” Proceeds support the club's charitable activities. So the Lion's Club also works to ful ll the Still another way that Bulverdians can help is by ranch's wish list – available at serving as foster parents. “If anyone has the heart for being a www.stjudesranch.org. e list, while always foster parent, please contact us,” Roussett says. “ese kids

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 45 ince 2006, the Spring Branch Tennis Center board and com- The children are excited S mittee chairs have worked to get 10 tennis courts and a clubhouse built about the prospect of finally on a tract of land at the Jumbo Evans Sports Park. ey have really struggled having a home base, but if to raise the funds needed for construction. According to Erinn Murray, funding cannot be secured, Executive Director of Spring Branch Tennis Center, “Many of the founda- Comal County might rescind tions and corporations that would contribute to a project such as ours are the grant money put aside for not funding capital improvement projects, largely due to the economy. We the project and use it elsewhere. have not given up hope; we continue to ask for support from all avenues.” On February 8, 2011, Comal County agreed to fund $64,475 to build two courts. Spring Branch Tennis Center intended to use this money with what schools. She says, “Tennis is a sport that cannot be secured for the court would hopefully be a match by the Texas anyone can play. I teach the basics and construction, Comal County could Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Recreational the love for the sport, and then I turn rescind the park funds put aside for the Grant. “We had to stop the project when those kids over to coaches who can project and use it elsewhere. we applied to Texas Parks and Wildlife further develop their skill.” e Spring Branch Tennis because they won’t commit funding to a Spring Branch Tennis Center Center will be more than just public project that is already in progress.” prides itself on no-cut coaching which tennis courts. It will be a place where Murray said they received word in August allows all children interested in learning our youth can learn leadership skills, PHOTO BY: ABBY PRESCOTT that they did not receive the grant. Now, to play tennis the opportunity to partici- self-condence, and respect for others SPRING BRANCH the project is unable to move forward as pate. “What has surprised me the most is in a fun and safe environment. It’ll be a the lowest bid received by the county to see kids who might not excel in tradi- sad day in the Texas Hill Country if we came in $68K above the expected cost. tional team sports do really well with can’t make this center a reality. e idea to build the tennis tennis. Once the center is built, I’d like facility came about when Murray began to see adult and senior programming SAM ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY to question the lack of organized tennis added as well as adaptive tennis and Tennis CENTER programming and tennis court avail- wheelchair tennis, so that we can better ability for the general public. She points serve the community.” out “the closest public courts are Spring Branch Tennis Center STALLED FOR FUNDING located in San Antonio. e courts participates in the United States Tennis nearby are located at private clubs or Association’s Junior Team Tennis neighborhoods which are not accessible League in San Antonio. ey have Michele Gwynn, to everyone. e high school courts are grown from one team to eight teams Contributing Writer often locked and unavailable for use, participating in the league in one year. even with a formal request. In the fall of 2011, the 14 and Under Spring Branch Tennis Center Rookie Division “Scorpions” placed started an after school tennis program 2nd in the state championship for their with Comal Independent School division. e children are placed on District a few years ago. e programs teams depending on their age and level include Junior Tennis for 11-18 year of prociency. With all of the local from left to right olds at Smithson Valley Middle School, interest in tennis, Spring Branch Tennis this is a 4-week program for beginner to Center struggles to provide practice ERINN MURRAY intermediate players. e program also locations for each of these teams. oers 10 and under tennis for 5-10 year e children are excited about Executive Director olds. is is also a 4 week program the prospect of nally having a home of the SBTC rotating through the Elementary base. However, if additional funding 46 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com ince 2006, the Spring Branch Tennis Center board and com- The children are excited S mittee chairs have worked to get 10 tennis courts and a clubhouse built about the prospect of finally on a tract of land at the Jumbo Evans Sports Park. ey have really struggled having a home base, but if to raise the funds needed for construction. According to Erinn Murray, funding cannot be secured, Executive Director of Spring Branch Tennis Center, “Many of the founda- Comal County might rescind tions and corporations that would contribute to a project such as ours are the grant money put aside for not funding capital improvement projects, largely due to the economy. We the project and use it elsewhere. have not given up hope; we continue to ask for support from all avenues.” On February 8, 2011, Comal County agreed to fund $64,475 to build two courts. Spring Branch Tennis Center intended to use this money with what schools. She says, “Tennis is a sport that cannot be secured for the court would hopefully be a match by the Texas anyone can play. I teach the basics and construction, Comal County could Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Recreational the love for the sport, and then I turn rescind the park funds put aside for the Grant. “We had to stop the project when those kids over to coaches who can project and use it elsewhere. we applied to Texas Parks and Wildlife further develop their skill.” e Spring Branch Tennis because they won’t commit funding to a Spring Branch Tennis Center Center will be more than just public project that is already in progress.” prides itself on no-cut coaching which tennis courts. It will be a place where Murray said they received word in August allows all children interested in learning our youth can learn leadership skills, PHOTO BY: ABBY PRESCOTT that they did not receive the grant. Now, to play tennis the opportunity to partici- self-condence, and respect for others SPRING BRANCH the project is unable to move forward as pate. “What has surprised me the most is in a fun and safe environment. It’ll be a the lowest bid received by the county to see kids who might not excel in tradi- sad day in the Texas Hill Country if we came in $68K above the expected cost. tional team sports do really well with can’t make this center a reality. e idea to build the tennis tennis. Once the center is built, I’d like facility came about when Murray began to see adult and senior programming SAM ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY to question the lack of organized tennis added as well as adaptive tennis and Tennis CENTER programming and tennis court avail- wheelchair tennis, so that we can better ability for the general public. She points serve the community.” out “the closest public courts are Spring Branch Tennis Center STALLED FOR FUNDING located in San Antonio. e courts participates in the United States Tennis nearby are located at private clubs or Association’s Junior Team Tennis neighborhoods which are not accessible League in San Antonio. ey have Michele Gwynn, to everyone. e high school courts are grown from one team to eight teams Contributing Writer often locked and unavailable for use, participating in the league in one year. even with a formal request. In the fall of 2011, the 14 and Under Spring Branch Tennis Center Rookie Division “Scorpions” placed started an after school tennis program 2nd in the state championship for their with Comal Independent School division. e children are placed on District a few years ago. e programs teams depending on their age and level include Junior Tennis for 11-18 year of prociency. With all of the local from left to right olds at Smithson Valley Middle School, interest in tennis, Spring Branch Tennis this is a 4-week program for beginner to Center struggles to provide practice ERINN MURRAY intermediate players. e program also locations for each of these teams. oers 10 and under tennis for 5-10 year e children are excited about Executive Director olds. is is also a 4 week program the prospect of nally having a home of the SBTC rotating through the Elementary base. However, if additional funding Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 47 CanyonCanyon LakeLake predictspredicts murkymurky outlookoutlook ForFor springspring lakerslakers By Miranda Koerner

lthough the Army Core of loss of hydropower bene ts, and loss of If the drought persists, Schimank says that Engineers says Canyon Lake water supply as well as environmental the closings will remain when the lake A Dam maintains a high risk degradation and adverse economic fun facts: reopens to the public April 11 inde nitely. rating since June 2011, people looking impacts. Unfortunately, the rainy “e Corps’ primary concern is to cool o in the Texas heat this summer December has not helped Canyon The top of the conserva- public safety,” Schimank said. “is is why won’t nd themselves high and dry. Lake’s condition. we have a dam safety and water safety According to the Army Core of Engi- “Most of the rain we’ve received tion pool of Canyon Lake is program. With lake levels falling, it’s neers, the high risk categorization is has been below Canyon Lake,” said at elevation 909 and can important for recreation users to exercise merely due to the possibility of failure if LaMarriol Smith of the Guadalupe extra caution when on the water. Hitting there were to be a ood, not the current Blanco River Authority. “In terms of hold approximately any hazards (like a tree stump or shoal) dam performance. having been aected by drought condi- 386,200 acre-feet of water. with a boat, skis or personal watercraft “To begin, it’s important to note tions, it has been and it hasn’t been fully would likely cause damage, injury and that there are inherent risks associated recovered. But when you look at other One acre-foot is one acre possibly death. We want visitors to enjoy with any dam,” said Marcus Schimank, reservoirs throughout the state like the of land covered by one the natural beauty of Canyon Lake with Canyon Lake Manager. “Canyon Dam is Colorado River in Austin, the Canyon family and friends but more importantly still classi ed as having high risk charac- Lake reservoir has a pretty high capacity foot of water. One acre- we want them to do it safely so they can teristics. It’s very important for people to by comparison. It’s not as low as some of foot is equivalent to return to make more great memories.” understand that Canyon Dam is not in the other lakes. We still are about 70 to “We always ask people to exercise imminent danger of failure and there are 80 percent full when the Highland Lakes 325,900 gallons. caution on the lake because there are no major issues that give the U.S. Army had gone as low as 40 percent in height things typically submerged that may come Corps of Engineers cause for concern. of the drought.” The ﬂood control pool goes to surface as the lake level declines,” Smith Additionally, the condition of the dam Still, while people won’t be from elevation 909 to said. “In 2008, you could see cars that had has not changed. ere are no plans to banned from going to the lake, they will run into the lake. But it’s not nearly as low alter the operation of the lake and dam at have to be cautious. Lowered water levels elevation 943 (34 vertical as it was then.” this time.” mean possible hazards like rocks, trees and feet) and can hold an In addition, the Army Core of shoals. Boat docks and shing areas will Engineers is worried about the ecologi- While the dam is not at the additional 346,400 acre- highest rating, engineers do note close. Currently, the majority of boat cal and economic eects to the concern for loss of life, loss of property, docks, ramps and swim beaches are closed. feet of water. surrounding area. “A larger concern is

48 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com CanyonCanyon LakeLake predictspredicts murkymurky outlookoutlook ForFor springspring lakerslakers By Miranda Koerner

Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 49 the drought itself and how it impacts native plant species survival and recruitment,” Schimank said. “ ese are the majority of plants that exist beyond the lake shore and need rain to survive. As this habitat is diminished by the drought, the wildlife that depends on it will also suer.” Like the Boy Scouts, the unof- cial motto of the Army Core of Engi- neers is safety rst. Sandbags are kept on site in case of a ood situation. Although the Core is more concerned about the water rising rather than falling, precautions are exercised. e dam is monitored with daily observa- tions, monthly and quarterly instru- mentation readings and inspections. In addition, they train in safety exercises through out the year. “To give you an idea of how well Canyon Dam has performed, from 1964 through September 30, 2011 Canyon Dam has prevented $465,400,000 in ood damage,” Schimank said. But unlike previous years, this summer may see more hopeful boaters and swimmers ock- ing to Canyon Lake over the Guada- lupe River. “We’re anticipating a larger number of people than last year, mainly because of New Braunfels’ Blame the Can campaign,” said Richard Smith of the Canyon Lake Chamber of Com- merce. “A lot of people who typically went to Comal River are coming here.” Even if they can’t swim, the Army Core of Engineers wants people to enjoy themselves. “A lot depends on the weather,” Schimank said. “Even if the drought persists we still anticipate a good showing of campers and day use customers that will come out to picnic and just enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. As far as boaters are concerned, with fewer ramps and lower lake levels that create more boat- ing hazards I would anticipate fewer boaters. As always, we want to encourage everyone that comes out to Canyon Lake to have fun and be safe.”

50 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com 51 52 Online at: CanyonLakeMagazine.com