Hill Country Horse Club Scholarship Ride - 10/4-5

What could be finer than spending a beautiful fall weekend with good horses and good company, in scenic Willow City, Texas? This Ranch Ride features varied terrain, gorgeous scenery, and guaranteed peace and quiet. All Ride fees and auction proceeds will benefit the HCHC Scholarship Fund – we’ve been helping to sending cowboys and cowgirls to college for the past 10 years. Please call Sue Lawson at 325/347-1014 or email her at sueann@ctesc.net for more information.

Volksmarch on the LBJ National Historical Park & Ranch - 10/4

Come join us in the gorgeous Hill Country with the Fredericksburg Volksport Society as they partner with the National Park Service to sponsor a nationally sanctioned Volksmarch on the historic LBJ Ranch, East of Fredericksburg on Highway 290 in Stonewall, Texas. Pre-registration is required. Please call 830/992-2053 for more information.

Texas Wine Maker Vintner Dinner Series

Enjoy a multi-course celebration of Texas wines and unique Hill Country cuisine, featuring Texas winemakers at Cabernet Grill, on Highway 16 South, Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Cost is $59.95 plus tax and gratuity per person. Please call 830/990-5734 for more information and reservations

118th Annual Saengerfest - September 27

When the German settlers arrived in the Texas Hill Country and founded Fredericksburg, Texas, they brought along their debating societies, athletic societies, and their singing societies. The German communities of the Hill Country would get together and sing songs from the homeland. The tradition continues today. This is the 118th annual Hill Country-area German singing festival, and will be hosted by Hermann Sons Choir, featuring regional German singing clubs. Choirs from New Braunfels, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Fredericksburg wil be performing at Gillespie County Farm Bureau, 237 Equestrian Drive, at 1:30 pm. Free admission! Music by the Fredericksburg Blaskapelle Community Band.

"German Cooking" Cooking Class 9/27

Learn to prepare some classic German dishes from Fredericksburg Culinary Arts. The class will be held at Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, 1406 Highway 87 South, from 3-5 pm. Cost is $50 per person. Please call 512/905-7737 to make a reservation.

First Annual Seed Stomp at LBJ State Park - 9/27-28

Children and their families are invited to come scatter wildflower seeds in open areas and fields at LBJ State Park, east of Fredericksburg on Highway 290 in Stonewall 1:30-3:30 pm Saturday and Sunday. Seeds provided. Make a difference in our world. Please call 830/644-2252 for more information.

Health Yes! Preventive Screening - 9/25

Be Proactive. Stay Healthy. HealthYes!™ will be performing easy, affordable, non-invasive screenings for Stroke, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), Osteoporosis and Heart Disease at the Fredericksburg VFW post on Thursday. All screening results are reviewed by Austin-area, Board-Certified Radiologists and returned to patients within 4 business days. Pre-registration is required as appointments are limited. Reserve your spot by calling 1-800-555-9190.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg Fall Fundraiser

Celebrate Habitat for Humanity at the Fall Fundraiser and Bird House Auction at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 601 W. Creek Street Thursday at 6 pm. Enjoy drinks and snacks, then a buffet dinner by Delicious Details. A live and silent auction of the unique bird houses will follow. A raffle will also be held. Cost is $45. Please support this wonderful cause. Please call Melodi at 210/380-5275 or Michelle at 830/992-2996 for tickets and to ask how you can help.

Put a Pencil to Your Spending, A Financial Literacy Program - 9/22

Dollars & Sense, a financial literacy program for the community presented by Schreiner University. The program will present six free 40-minute workshops lead by Schreiner faculty members with expertise in that particular area. Program organizers ask that participants bring a brown bag lunch, paper and pencil. Drinks and dessert will be provided. The lack of understanding which the public has about the basics of personal finance has reached a crises level in our country. With Americans losing their homes at an unprecedented rate these last weeks and months, we have to educate consumers regarding how to manage their money and their access to and use of credit. For more information about the workshop series, call Toni Bryant at 830/792-7229.

Roots Concert - 9/27

For the final 2008 Roots Music concert at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg on Saturday, Sept 27, three bands push Irish music into a new light, using influences from rock, African, Caribbean, and Cajun music to create a new "world" style.

Beth Patterson is the leading instrumentalist on the Irish harp known as the bouzoukis. She pulls from eclectic influences as far-ranging as Cajun and Caribbean, African and Greek.

Poor Man’s Fortune keeps crowds hopping with a whirlwind take on traditional folk songs, using instruments from around the world.

Blaggards play "stout" Irish music, performing traditional Irish tunes in a rock and roll style that shows off the roots of familiar tunes.

In the afternoon from 2 to 5 pm, musicians of all ability levels are invited to join the free acoustic jam under the trees.

For the first time, the Longhorn Street Cafe will handle the meal, with a menu of Pork Loin stuffed with bacon, mozzarella and rosemary, mashed potatoes and green beans; or Irish Stew served with potato bread; or Corned Beef and Cabbage. Dessert is Apple Oatmeal Crisp with Irish Whiskey Cream. Meal with dessert is $9, and will be served from 5:30 pm until the concert ends, along with beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Admission is $10, with tickets sold at the gate. Visitors can receive a $2 discount by printing out the web page at www.pioneermuseum.com. Students age 17 and younger are free. Guests are welcome to bring in lawn chair.

The Pioneer Museum is located at 309 West Main Street in Fredericksburg.

This is the final concert in the 2008 series. Proceeds support the mission of the Gillespie County Historical Society. More information is available by calling 830-997-2835.his is the final concert in the 2008 series. Proceeds support the mission of the Gillespie County Historical Society. More information is available by calling 830-997-2835.

Grand Opening of the Dambach-Besier House - 9/21

The Pioneer Museum will celebrate the Grand Opening of the reconstructed Dambach-Besier house. The museum grounds and buildings will be open for free public viewing. Visitors can enjoy complimentary refreshments and live German accordion music by Terry Theis. There will be children's activities and refreshments. The Dambach-Besier house is a significant step in accomplishing the transformation of the Pioneer Museum. This building marks a tangible milestone in the Society's plans to transform the Pioneer Museum into an exciting and inspiring visitor experience. It also represents the beginning of what is yet to come, as we see 'History in the Making.' This is truly a community event. The two-story rock house will become the new entrance for the museum, as well as the site of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau's Visitor Welcome Center. The site offers public restrooms and exhibit space for examples from the museum'scollection of vintage maps, photos, and artifacts. It will display reproductions of two historic area maps, the Treaty of Peace between the Comanche tribe and John Meusebach, and the Peace Treaty painting by Lucy Meusebach Marschall. The building serves as the new home of the museum gift shop, with a large collection of local history books and nostalgic folk toys, shoppers will find authentic German lace and an old-fashioned candy counter. Please call 830/997-2835 for more information.

Kiolbassa & Kab at 290 Winderies - 9/20

Seven wineries, all within 5 miles of Highway 290, have contracted with a major restaurant (or catering company) to prepare Kiolbassa sausage to taste with one of the wineries fine wines. The trail will be September 20 from 10:00 AM till all the sausage is gone (300 servings are available at each winery), and it’s only 45 miles from Chisholm Trail Winery to Texas Hills Vineyard (the western-most winery to the eastern-most winery). It’s fun to tour the wineries, but even more fun when food is involved and at no extra charge, just whatever the winery normally charges for tasting.

Wineries involved: from west to east Chisholm Trail Winery, Fredericksburg Winery, Grape Creek vineyard, Torre di Pietra, Becker Vineyard, Woodrose Winery, and Texas Hills Vineyard. (Reverse if coming from Austin Hwy 290 or coming in on Hwy 281).

Restaurants/Catering companies involved: Alan & Susan Dean, Chisholm Trail, Bonterra Restaurant, Rathskeller Restaurant, Silver-K, Cabernet Grill, and Silver Creek.

Kiolbassa Varieties - Each restaurant will be serving its selection of Kiolbassa Sausage:

1. Kiolbassa Polish Style Smoked Sausage – a blend of pork and beef, this traditional sausage has a classic flavor.

2. Kiolbassa Beef Smoked Sausage - same fresh spices as Polish, made only with fine cuts of beef.

3. Kiolbassa Jalapeno Beef – real jalapenos and beef sausage. Not to hot, just enough to spice things up!

4. Chorizo Kiolbassa (Mexican Style Sausage) – A long time favorite across Texas, made with the finest cuts of pork and fresh spices.

For information call 830.868.2321.

Open House at Trois Estate - 9/17

Join Trois Estate and Troisi's Italian Ristorante as they welcome new chef, John McCormack from 5-10 pm. Live music, appetizers, beer and wine will be served. Please call 830/685-3415 for more information

Job Fanch Fair at Boot Ranch - 9/16

Job Fair for positions at Boot Ranch Welcome Center, North of Fredericksburg on Ranch Road 965, a private golf club. Please call 830/997-6200 for more information or to set an appointment.

Ben Hur Shrine Circus - 9/16

The circus is coming to the Gillespie County Fair Grounds on Highway 16 South. Show times are 4:30 & 7:30PM. Cost is $14 for adults and children 12 and under $12. Tickets go on sale at the box office an hour before show time.

Schreiner University Monday Night Fiction Series - 9/15

Monday Night Fiction series at Schreiner University's Logan Library in the Scarle Phillips Room tonight at 7 pm will discuss "Out Stealing Horses," by Per Petterson. This literary event is free and the public is welcome. Please call 830/792-7352 for more information.

"Soda & Floats" Tennis Social - 9/21

The Fredericksburg Tennis Association (FTA) is hosting their monthly tennis social at the Lady Bird Park Tennis Courts, on Highway 16 South. The event is free to members, with guests playing and eating for $5. Memberships to the FTA are available. Please call 990-7503 for more information.

Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing 2008 USA Tour - 9/12

Honoring our Veterans, the 2008 USA Tour of the Commemorative Air Force Arizona Wing. The Arizona Wing will offer unforgettable rides to the public aboard B-17 Sentimental Journey. The cost is $425 per person-with a minimum of 5 persons per flight. Minimum age of the passengers is 18 years. Please call 602/448-9415 for reservations.

"More Easy Bakers" Cooking Class - 9/13

Students' requested more quick, easy pastries and Fredericksburg Culinary Arts responded. The class will be at Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, 1406 Highway 87 South from 3-5 pm. Cost is $45 per person. Please call 512/905-7737 to make a reservation

Open House at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm - 9/11

The Fredericksburg Herb Farm has undergone recent “sprucing up,”, and the public is invited to an open house to see what’s happening On Thursday from 5-7 pm. Stop by, tour the revamped facilities and help new owners Dick and Rosemary Estenson celebrate this exciting transformation with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. For more information, call 830/997- 8615.

Sunset Dinner at Riven Rock Ranch - 9/9

Join Riven Rock Ranch at 390 Hermann Sons Road in Comfort for their Sunset Dinner featuring French cuisine. Seating available between 5:30 to 8:30PM. Cost is $49.95, plus tax and gratuity. Please call 830/995-4045 for reservations

"Friday Night Lites" Cooking Class - 9/6

This class from Fredericksburg Culinary Arts will show some fun dishes for Friday evening before-the-game or Sunday afternoon game-watching-party. Cost is $50 per person at Fischer & Wieser's das Peach Haus, 1406 Highway 87 South, from 3-5 pm. Please call 512/905-7737 to make a reservation.

Pioneer Museum Entrance has Moved

The main entrance to the Pioneer Museum Complex is now located at 325 W. Main Street at the corner of West Main and South Milam. The entrance is in the renovated Dambach-Besier House. The building also houses the museum's gift shop and a set of new public restrooms - for use by museum patrons and Fredericksburg visitors. The museum's telephone number remains the same - 990-8441. In two weeks, the Visitor Welcome Center will also open in the building.

Timeless Photographys by Imogen Cunningham - 9/6-11/1

The exhibit at Photography 414, 414 E. Main Street, will feature silver and platinum prints from the Imogen Cunningham trust. Gallery hours are Fridays and Saturdays 11:00AM - 6:00PM. Please call 830/990-1330 for more information.

Boxstoberfest 2008

Largest gathering of Porsche Boxsters in the central US, Boxstoberfest starts Friday night at the Auslander. Saturday morning we line up close to 80 Porsches at the airport, then off to drive the hill country. Saturday afternnon the Porsches arrive back in Fredericksburg, for dinner and discussions of the days drive. Please call 832/693-5319 for more information.

Red and Black Golf Classic - 9/6

The Hill Country Chapter of the Texas Tech Alumni Association is having their annual Red and Black Golf Classic. Registration and lunch at 11:30AM, with a shotgun start at 12:30PM. Proceeds from the tournament will fund scholarships for Hill Country students attending the Lubbock campus and Texas Tech University at Fredericksburg. Please call Larry Crump at 830/990-2303 or email at llc@ktc.com or Tom Hutton at 830/669-2944 or email at jthomas_hutton@yahoo.com for registration information. Entry forms are available at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course. Everyone is welcome to play.