Cold Weather Good for Peach Crop

Jamey Vogel of Vogel Orchard, recently said a cold, wet January is exactly what the peach orchards need. The “chilling hours” are necessary to allow the buds to break dormancy later on and also deter insects and diseases. The moisture is important at this time of the year for root growth and development. Of course, there are still spring storms to contend with, but the peach growers are optimistic at this point.

Mid-Winter Chorale Concert - 2/3

Presentation of new chorale drama, "The Soul Takes Flight,”" created by students at St. Joseph's Halle, 212 West San Antonio Street. Admission is free-will donation.

"Fairy Tale Felon" Children’s Theater Production - 1/27-28 & 2/2-3

HILL COUNTRY CHILDREN'S THEATER (HCCT) announces the beginning of ticket sales for its tenth dramatic presentation, "Fairy Tale Felon". Based on the popular story of “Cinderella”, this original tale follows the beloved character as her and her prince husband return from their honeymoon. Instead of their “happily ever-after” ending, the couple finds themselves caught in a police investigation into the disappearance of one of Cinderella’s step-sisters. Palace to prison, Cinderella and the royal family must fight to clear her name before she is found guilty. Complete with well-known characters and a mysterious plot, “Fairy Tale Felon” has something for all ages!

Performances are Saturdays and Sundays at the Fredericksburg Middle School, 110 W Travis Street in Fredericksburg. Tickets are $5.00 in advance and $7 at the door. Children under ten attend all HCCT functions for free. Tickets may be purchased in Fredericksburg at Small Town City Girl or by contacting the theater’s main office at the above listed phone number.

All shows, except Sundays, start at 7:30pm. Sunday’s matinees are at 3:30pm.

Flavors of Fredericksburg - 1/28

Fredericksburg's best restaurants, caterers, and wineries showcase their talent at this annual event in Fredericksburg. Taste of Fredericksburg will be held at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds on Hwy. 16 South. Call (830) 997-2359 for more information.

Hangar Dance USO Style

The Hangar Hotel's USO-style Dance features live music playing 8PM - 11:30PM. Tickets are $20 per person. Beer, wine, & concessions available. Please call (830) 997-9990 for more information. The Hanger Hotel is at 155 Airport Road.

Story-Book Evenings - 1/20 7:30 pm

This month’s Story –Book Evening will feature two exceptional artists bringing short stories to life for you on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s hall at 212 West San Antonio Street. Tickets are $15.00 for Adults and $5.00 for students. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Grasshopper and Wildhoney located at 113 East Main Street. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information, please call 830-997-0212.

Robert Waller will read two of his short stories for our performance. Among Robert's publications is the best-selling novel, The Bridges of madison County, with 12 million copies in print in 36 languages, which also was a major film and has stage productions currently running in seven countries. Taken together, his books have sold approximately 17 million copies. He also has published six other novels, has published five additional books on various topics, and has completed a photography-poetry book. His novel Puerto Vallarta Squeeze has been made into a motion picture starring Harvey Keitel and Scott Glenn and is available on DVD and presently has been running on Showtime. His most recent novels are: A Thousand Country Roads (2002), High Plains Tango (2005), and The Long Night of Winchell Dear, which was published in November 2006.

Robert lives on a small farm in the Texas Hill Country and, as the spirit moves him, pursues his various interests in economics, mathematics, photography, music, and fly fishing for trout in locations throughout the United States. He is married to Linda Bow, and his daughter, Rachael, is a professional photographer.

Sam Carter Gilliam will bring her magical interpretations of two short stories to conclude the evening. Sam currently teaches in the Department of Speech and Drama at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Sam’s career in the professional theater and arts education spans 35 years. She has performed throughout the United States. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association. Closest to her heart is Sam’s growing collection of story portraits of Old and New Testament biblical women. Her storytelling has taken her to a wide variety of Christian denominations. She has performed with the Texas Lutheran University Choirs for the past four years in the TLU Christmas Vespers services.

Sam also works as a visual artist with her husband, Steve, in their theatrical design company, SLG Design & Creative Talent. They live in San Antonio.

Vereins Quilt Guild Meeting - 1/20

Vereins Quilt Guild meeting at Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 415 W. Austin. Doors open 830 a.m. Business meeting and “show and share” starts at 9 a.m., followed by Nancy Hinds from Covington, LA lecturing on “Common Threads – a Journey from Traditional to Contemporary”. Visitors are welcome.

Public Hunts at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

From 10PM January 16th to 2PM January 19th, access to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will be restricted due to public hunts going on at the park. For more information on the public hunts, please call (325) 247-3903.

Walking Art Tour - January 20th

A walking art tour of Fredericksburg Art Gallery, Photography 414, Berkman Books and Whistle Pik will be held on Saturday, January 20, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The tour will be lead by Sherryl Brown and will focus on local artists Steve Talley, Jim Fox, David Berkman and John Austin Hanna. Cost is $5 per person. Call Brown at (830)990-9305 to make reservations.

Jazz in January - 1/13

Escape from the doldrums of Winter at Chisholm Trail Winery when a Thomas Beltzer performs for you! Enjoy tastings, glasses, or bottles of Chisholm Trail wine and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. The show begins at 2 pm and lasts until 5 pm. Chisholm Trail WInery is at 2367 Usener Road, just 9 miles west of Fredericksburg. For information call (830) 990-2675.

Gillespie County Youth Livestock Auction&BuyersDinner

The Gillespie County Youth Livestock Show is sponsoring an auction and buyers' dinner on Saturday, January 13, 2007, at the Gillespie county Fairgrounds of State Hwy 16 South in Fredericksburg, Texas. Social hour is from 12PM - 1PM, and the auction starts at 1PM until it's over.

The kids are 4-H and FFA member/students who will use the money for their college/educational fund. For more info, please call (830) 997-1864.

Southern Living Readers’ Choice Awards Announced

Fredericksburg was selected by some 25,000 readers of Southern Living as one of the top three “Small Southern Towns.” Truly amazing is that Fredericksburg was the ONLY Texas entity (town, city, restaurant, beach, shopping, etc.) that made the readers’ top three lists. Route 66 was selected and that goes through Texas, as well as other states. San Antonio was included in the “Southern City” category by the magazine’s editorial staff, but not by the readers.

4th Annual Windows on Texas Music Festival

Experience some of Texas' best & brightest musical talent when they gather in Fredericksburg for the 4th annual "Windows on Texas" music festival. Presented by Texas Rebel Radio - KFAN 107.9FM in Fredericksburg/Johnson City and KEEP 103.1FM in Bandera - this four-day emerging artist showcase is scheduled January 11 - 14, 2007. Thirty artists will perform at various venues city-wide during the weekend. All performances are admission free.

The party starts Thursday, Jan. 11th at the Auslander Biergarten on Main Street when Mighty Orq takes the stage at 8PM. On Friday at 6PM a panel discussion will be held at the Bell Mountain Tasting Room on Highway 290 east, followed by Highspeed Hayride performing at Hondo's on Main at 8PM. Melody Mann will perform at 9PM at Bonterra of Fredericksburg, located just west of downtown on US Hwy. 87 west.

Saturday, Jan. 13th is jam-packed with artists performing at locations including August E's, Hill Top Cafe, Auslander Biergarten, Hondo's on Main, Silver Creek Grille & Beer Garden, Red Barron's, and Primeaux Cocktails and Lounge. Sunday wraps up the weekend with a songwriters circle at 11AM at the Fredericksburg Athletic Club. The grand finale is the 2007 Windows on Texas Wrap-up Party and KFAN's 15th Anniversary Birthday Bash at 4PM at Luckenbach, Texas, located east of Fredericksburg off FM 1376. Mighty Orq, George McCorkle, Jay Boy Adams, Pauline Reese, Michael O'Neal, Lantana, Ben Beckendorf, Kevin Deal, Sheila Marshall, Sean Reefer, Ashley Rose, Carol Ames, Lisa Hayes, and other surprise guests will rock the town!

Public Hunts at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - 1/7-11

From 10PM January 7th to 2PM January 12th, access to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will be restricted due to public hunts going on at the park. For more information on the public hunts, please call (325) 247-3903.

Fredericksburg Standard Late this week

Due to the New Years' holiday, The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post will be published one day later than usual, on Thursday, January 4.

Public Hunts at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - 1/2-5

From 10PM January 2nd to 2PM January 5th, access to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area will be restricted due to public hunts going on at the park. For more information on the public hunts, please call (325) 247-3903.

Happy New Year!

We're taking the day off, here in Fredericksburg. Enjoy the New Year!