by Phil Houseal | Nov 12, 2025 | All Articles, Education, Events, History, People of the Hill Country, Venue
In 2019, Lee Ann Whatley set off on a scavenger hunt to track down all the original paintings done by her grandfather, Lee Ethel. Like every good treasure hunter, she uncovered more than she originally sought. Lee Ethel was a successful graphic designer in Dallas for...
by Phil Houseal | Sep 10, 2025 | All Articles, Events, History, Music, People of the Hill Country, Venue
Sept 10, 2025–How does it feel to take center stage at The Grand Ole Opry? “Well, it was wonderful.” So saith Gary Nicholson, who as a Hall of Fame Songwriter and Grammy Winner, got his first solo spot under country music’s biggest spotlight at the age of 75. Not that...
by Phil Houseal | Sep 3, 2025 | All Articles, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Sept 3, 2025–How many connections to “important” people do you have because they were neighbors? I am curious about how connected we are to well-known/accomplished/famous/key people simply due to randomness. Many times, when I am looking for a favor or trying to find...
by Phil Houseal | Aug 20, 2025 | All Articles, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Aug 20, 2025–Remember when casual Fridays became a thing? All of us who were relegated to office jobs looked forward to that one day each week when we could tear off the ties, put on our khakis, and lace up our tennis shoes. But a funny thing happened on the way to...
by Phil Houseal | Aug 13, 2025 | All Articles, Education, History, People of the Hill Country, Philosophy
Aug 13, 2025 “My nose itches. I smell peaches. Someone’s coming with a hole in his britches.” That is an example of an ominous adage delivered in a pleasing rhyme. I don’t know what it means, but it’s fun to say because it could portend doom while sounding like...
by Phil Houseal | Jul 16, 2025 | All Articles, Events, People of the Hill Country
July 16, 2025 “It’s a lot of emotions happening all at once, and your adrenaline is pumping. You feel grief and the shock of destruction contrasted with gratitude for the community support and pride to be in a position to help. Only after you get back home do you feel...
