Welcome to the sixth issue of GeorgeTown & Country Magazine, a resource for residents and newcomers alike. The magazine’s primary focus is on Georgetown and secondarily, the beautiful Hill Country area.

We’re happy to announce that we are expanding the publication of the magazine from twice a year to four times a year! Public art has been in the news lately, and it’s covered in this issue as well as the Georgetown Festival of the Arts. Another event, the 4th of July in San Gabriel Park, is included in this issue and there’s also a feature on Berry Springs Park & Preserve. We’re also covering the success of Georgetown Winery, which recently won 5 medals at 2 wine competitions. Our day trip in this issue is the LBJ Ranch combined with a visit to the Benini Galleries and Sculpture Ranch. Our contributed informational piece for this issue comes from Attorney Charles Lance and is on Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship. Be sure to check out the call for artists for the Up the Chisholm Trail Event. We also have information on the Habitat ReStore across from the high school.

It’s been a lot of fun to bring this publication to fruition and we value your feedback, so let us know if there’s something that you think might make it better! Also, if you would like to be an advertiser or would like to contribute an article for the magazine, please feel free to contact me at 512-863-3263.

I hope you enjoy the magazine and find it useful!

Lucas Adams, Publisher

Summer 2009

Your Guide to Georgetown & the Hill Country

2 Art in GeorgetownDiscovering public art

6 Music FestivalWeek-long event

7 Berry Springs Park & Preserve Serene & tranquil

10 Georgetown Winery Award-winning winery on the Square

11 Sertoma 4th of July San Gabriel Park hosts family event

15 LBJ’s Hill Country Day trip to Stonewall

19 Sculpture Ranch Art in the Hill Country

21 Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship General information

24 Habitat ReStore Recycled building materials

© 2009 Lucas Adams. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without express written permission from Lucas Adams, of any portion of this publication is prohibited. Reasonable efforts have been taken to prepare this publication for accuracy, however the publisher assumes no liability for errors. Content in GeorgeTown & Country Magazine may include paid advertisements. Booklet designed, photographed and published by Lucas Adams. Phone 512-863-3263.

Abbey’s Home FurnishingsChantal’s BistroC & G Summit RealtyCianfrani Coffee CompanyCopper Ridge AntiquesDia Thai CuisineDog-Eared BooksFranklin & Company JewelersGeorgetown WineryGeorgetown Antique MallGeorgeTown & Country MagazineHarper-Chesser Historic InnHollandaze GourmetInner Space CavernJust Kidds & MoreKeller Williams RealtyLaurie’s TooLone Star PropertiesNonna’sNovitá Day SpaPlaka Greek CafeSan Gabriel House B&BSweet SerendipityThe CollectorThe EscapeTribal ImpressionsWhimsey AppraisalsWildfireWindberg GalleryWonderful ThingsZoot Pet Hospital

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Dog-Eared BooksPreviously located across from the high school, Dog-Eared Books is now open on the north side of the historic downtown Square between Novitá Spa and Diva Home Decor. For more information, phone 512-219-3300.

Austin Fine Art LiveAFAL provides a service to create artwork at parties or events. For more information, phone 512-686-1644.

Chantal’s BistroThe previous issue of this magazine had the wrong info on the days of the week when the restaurant is open. The correct days are Thursday through Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to closing and Sunday brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, phone 512-535-6143.

Franklin & Co. JewelersFranklin & Co. is now carrying a popular new product line, Chamilia charm beads. The Chamilia product line includes an exclusive collection of classic Disney® designs as well as traditional beads. For more information, phone 512-869-2300.

Mama Fu’sLocated at 1003 West University in Wolf Ranch Shopping Center, Mama Fu’s is the newest addition to Georgetown’s Asian food restaurants. For more information, phone 512-686-1955 or visitwww.mamafus.com.

Copper Ridge AntiquesOn May 25th, Copper Ridge Antiques will hold an antique/classic car show from 11 a.m. to 3:p.m. at their new location, 3700 Williams Dr. There will be door prizes and refreshments. For more information, phone 512-868-2112.

Tony & Luigi’s RestauranteLocated at the corner of Church Street and East University, Tony and Luigi’s serves a variety of menu items, all prepared in-house with the finest of ingredients. For information, phone 864-2687.

Nonna’sJoin them for their 6th anniversary on June 4th, at 124 East 8th Street! For more information, phone 512-863-3442.

Dia Thai CuisineDia is located at 114 East 7th Street and offers authentic exotic Thai food which is prepared using Dia’s own recipes. They also offer take-out as well as catering. For more information, phone 512-868-0023.

Tribal ImpressionsLocated in the south side of the downtown Square, Tribal Impressions has opened a unique western-southwestern theme business featuring hats, boots, clothing and jewelry. Phone 512-864-2081 for more information or visit www.indianvillagemall.com.

Business Happenings

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A r o u n d G e o r g e t o w n

Public art has been in the headlines lately in Georgetown with the unveiling of artist Bob Coffee’s sculpture titled Waterin’ the Work Mules.

The sculpture was the result of the new Arts and Culture Board’s first public art project, the culmination of a year-long effort to bring unique visuals and culture to Georgetown. Located in the pocket park just outside of the City Council Chambers at the corner of 7th and Main, the bronze sculpture best represents the work ethic that made this country so strong and viable.

Also at the corner of seventh and main, a large public mural painted on the wall of the Visitors Center has a strong visual appeal, with its old-style pictures and design qualities. The mural was designed and painted by Sarah Blankenship and a group of volunteers over a two-month period. Another mural that is in the works is the Dan Moody story, also designed by Sarah Blankenship, which will be located near the Palace Theatre.

Our newly restored courthouse is the location of two other sculptures. There is a large marble sculpture of a Civil War soldier at the south entrance of the courthouse, sculpted in 1916 and donated by the U.D.C., a reminder of the loss of life that took place in the growth and evolution of our nation.

The other is a bronze bust of Sheriff Matysek, sculpted by H. Clay Dahlberg, which is located on the southeast side of the courthouse lawn. The sculpture was donated by the Kiwanis Club in 1975 in memory of a man who dedicated several years of his life to public service.

Another bronze bust is located outside the front door of the Visitors Center, that of Harry L. Gold. Mr. Gold was a local business person, philanthropist and City Councilman, well-known and respected in the community. When he passed away in 1998, several of his friends donated the sculpture to the community. Continued on page 3

Discover Art in G-Town

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Continued from page 2

Southwestern University is home to an original Charles Umlauf sculpture titled, Mother and Child. Its carved from a large piece of limestone and is located in the courtyard next to the chapel. Mr. Umlauf was a professor of art at The University of Texas and gained international recognition for his sculptures. There is a sculpture garden just off of the Barton Springs Road in Austin that has a number of his pieces.

Another sculpture at Southwestern titled Creator, Recreator, Receiver by Robert L. Lancaster, is located in the courtyard at the Alma Thomas Fine Arts Center. He was the chair of the Art Department from 1959 to 1974.

Our new library also has a nice bronze sculpture of two children reading a book, titled Danielle’s Dream, located just outside of the south entrance. The work was done by Dan Pogue, who also did the casting of the mules. The piece was donated by the Schwenk family.

The children’s room at the library also has a large colorful mural depicting a rainforest scene that is a favorite with the kids.

Off the historic Square, there is the bronze memorial to Nathan Chapman, the first soldier who gave his life in the war against terror. The sculpture, which is 7 feet tall, was done by artist Bob Pack and is located at the Williamson County Courthouse Annex. Several businesses, organizations, foundations and families were involved in this contribution to our community.

The largest and most prominent sculpture in Georgetown, of course, is Themis, atop the newly restored courthouse. The sculpture is constructed from the copper repose process, the same as the Statue of Liberty. The statue is 11 feet tall and almost a hundred years old.

Discover Art...

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Welded steel and chrome pieces form a life-size longhorn titled Madison by artist Bettye Hamblin Turner, on display at the Stacy Group Real Estate office on Williams Drive. There are only five of these sculptures in existence – two others can be seen at the Benini Galleries & Sculpture Ranch near Stonewall, Texas (See the related article on page 19).

The Wind Plaza at Wolf Ranch is home to a large mobile overlooking a nice view of the Hill Country. It is welded metal with a brushed and painted finish and is titled Wind Seeker by John Mishler.

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G e o r g e t o w n E v e n t

Georgetown Festival of the Arts kicks off on Saturday, May 30th, with a concert in the gazebo in San Gabriel Park, followed by a great fireworks finale. The Temple Symphony Orchestra, directed by Thomas Fairlie, will perform Dvořák’s Symphony Number 9 in E Minor, Op 95 (From the New World). Take your lawn chairs, blankets and cooler to relax and enjoy what has become a favorite annual event under the stars.

There are numerous other concerts and lectures

throughout the week in venues around town: the Palace Theatre, Southwestern University and the Klett Center for the Performing Arts at Georgetown High School. For a complete schedule of events and locations, visitwww.gtownfestival.org.

The final concert performance of Stabat Mater will be held at the Klett Center for the Performing Arts at 4 p.m., on Sunday, June 7th. Kenneth Sheppard will conduct the Dvořák Festival Chorus and Orchestra with Mela Dailey, soprano, Virginia Dupuy, mezzo-soprano, Scot Cameron, tenor and Bruce Cain, bass. There is a pre-concert lecture at 3:15 p.m. by Ellsworth Peterson on Meditating on the Mother at the Foot of the Cross.

Performance at the Klett Center for the Performing Arts

Performance at the Gazebo in San Gabriel Park

May 30th ~ June 7th

Georgetown Festival of the Arts:Dvořák in Georgetown

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A r o u n d G e o r g e t o w n

Located on approximately 300 acres of beautiful farmland with large pecan and oak trees, Berry Springs Park and Preserve is a tranquil setting perfect for hiking, camping, picnics, fishing and biking. Best of all, it is just minutes from downtown Georgetown.

The park has pavilions and improved camping sites with restrooms, as well as a playground for the kids. There are concrete walkways that meander

under the huge pecan trees, as well as gravel trails. The hike and bike trails run for 2.5 miles and are planned to connect eventually to Georgetown’s Parks and Recreation trails, which extend all the way to the lake.

If its history that you’re interested in, the park has plenty of that, too.

The park is named after John Berry, one of the earliest settlers in Williamson County. Born in 1786 in Kentucky, Berry was a veteran of the War of 1812. In 1846 he settled on the location of what is now Berry Springs Park and Preserve.

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A blacksmith and gun shop owner, he started a spring-driven grist mill near what we now call Berry Creek. Over the course of his life, he had 18 children with three wives. One of his most famous descendents was Audie Murphy.

Murphy, who was Berry’s great-grandson, was the most decorated soldier in American history. He later played various roles as an actor, having gained attention from the notable effort he made in service to his country. Murphy’s first role was after the war, when he played himself as a soldier in the movie To Hell and Back, based on his personal memoirs. He went on to other roles in such movies as The Red Badge of Courage, Six Black Horses, and Ride Clear of Diablo.

There’s a family cemetery located in the park that holds the remains of John Berry, who died in 1866, as well as three other family members. Over the course of the last 150 years the land has been used for agriculture – farming and a dairy. There’s an old homestead in the park, which gives a nice nostalgic feeling to the area. Be sure to check out the numerous historic markers and the old cemetery just behind the old farmhouse.

This park was created in 2000 as one of several that Williamson County voters approved in a $25 million bond election. Texas Parks and Wildlife also gave a grant to help fund the park.

For more information on the park, call 512-930-0040 or e-mail berrysprings.wilco@yahoo.com.

Another phone number for the Williamson County Parks & Recreation Department Office is 512-260-4283 or e-mail parks&rec@wilco.org.

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Their new location is at 715 Main Street, on the east side of the historic downtown Square. For more information phone 512-869-8600, or visitwww.georgetownwinery.com.

Georgetown Winery, formerly known as D’Vine Wine of Georgetown, recently moved to their new location on Main Street. Owners Dan Marek and his wife, Becca, started the business a year and a half ago and it has steadily gained in popularity. The winery has received several awards for its outstanding wines, a testament to the quality of their vino.

Georgetown Winery took two bronze awards in the 9th Annual Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in Rochester New York in March of this year! The medals were for their Ice Wine and their Chocolate Cherry Port. Dan was also invited to be a judge at the event (of course he had to recuse himself in the judging of his own wine).

In April, they took three more from the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition – a silver medal for their Chocolate Cherry Port, a silver medal for their Sweet Peach Wine and a bronze medal for the Sweet Blueberry Wine. In 2008, they won their first two medals at the Lone Star International Wine Competition, a silver medal for their Sangiovese and a bronze medal for their Super Texan. In the 2009 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Wine Competition, they won two more medals, a gold for their Sangiovese and a bronze for their Chocolate Cherry Port.

When asked how he started in the business, Marek said, “I used to make it with my dad... we’ve had other businesses and I just wanted to do something that would be enjoyable.” He followed up with, “I really look forward to going to work now.” Dan and Becca recently moved to Georgetown from Rockdale, having fallen in love with the town.

The underlying concept behind the winery of offering wine-making services has not changed – the public can still learn first-hand how to make and bottle their own wine. It doesn’t require any prior knowledge and the winery supplies all of the ingredients and equipment needed to produce any number of flavors of wine. The really neat facet of the process is that you can also create your own custom label, perfect for gifts, special events or just for fun. It takes about a month from start to finish, so plan ahead.

A r o u n d G e o r g e t o w n

The Grapes of Georgetown

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Sertoma’s 4th of July

CelebrationSertoma Club’s annual 4th of July celebration in San Gabriel Park is a genuine hometown event that kicks off at 11 a.m. with a kid’s bike parade followed by a judging to pick the best participant. There’s lots to do, with arts and crafts booths lined up under the giant lush canopy that lines the river. Live music, a food court and a children’s area with carnival rides, petting zoos and pony rides make for a fun afternoon with the whole family. The

culmination to the nation’s birthday celebration is a spectacular fireworks finale later in the evening.

G e o r g e t o w n E v e n t11

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Mark your Calendars for th eWil l iamson Museum ’ s

Up th e Chi sho lm Tra i l Even tSept ember 1 1 & 12, 2009

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Call for Artists:

The Up the Chisholm Trail event is

expanding to include a western and

southwestern fine art show in San Gabriel

Park. Artwork may be any medium,

including photography, painting, sculpture,

welded steel or any combination of

materials. For more information, contact

the Williamson Museum at 512-943-1670

or Lucas Adams at 512-863-3263. Visit

www.upthechisholmtrail.org to obtain an

application form.

Mark your Calendars for th eWil l iamson Museum ’ s

Up th e Chi sho lm Tra i l Even tSept ember 1 1 & 12, 2009

Phot

o by

Elle

n D

avis

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Continued on page 17

D a y T r i p

Discovering LBJ’s Hill CountryLyndon Johnson, who served as the 36th president of the United States, referred to the Texas Hill Country as a “very special” part of the world where “people knew when you were sick and cared when you died.”

Today, visitors can see what the Hill Country of Johnson’s life looked like through a set of state and national parks.

“Within 13 miles you can see the story of four generations of the Johnson family,” says Luci Baines Johnson, the president’s youngest daughter and an Austin resident.

A good place to begin exploring Lyndon Johnson’s connections to the Texas Hill Country is at the Visitors Center for the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park, which is located in Johnson City. Johnson City is about 70 miles from Georgetown, and is best reached by taking Highway 29 west to Burnet, and then Hwy. 281 south to Johnson City.

From the Visitors Center, a self-guiding nature trail goes around the Johnson Settlement, which includes the log cabin that belonged to Johnson’s grandparents, Sam and Eliza Johnson. Down the street from the Visitors Center is the home where Johnson lived from the age of five until his high school graduation in 1924. He launched his bid for Congress from the east porch of this home in 1937.

Thirteen miles west of Johnson City on Hwy. 290 is Lyndon’s Johnson’s ranch in Stonewall, which served as the Texas White House during his presidency.

The 600-acre ranch remains a working cattle ranch, and descendents of Johnson’s original herd of Hereford show cows still roam freely. “The cows have the right of way on the road,” a park service ranger explained on a recent visit.

The centerpiece of the ranch is the main house, which was originally built in 1890 from local limestone. Lyndon Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, purchased the house from Lyndon’s aunt in 1952, and added several rooms to it, along with an indoor swimming pool. After Lyndon Johnson died in 1973, Lady Bird Johnson continued to live at the ranch part time until her death in 2007.

Today, the National Park Service is gradually opening the house to the public. The first room to be opened was the office, where some of the best and brightest minds of the day worked with Johnson to help craft the policies that became known as the Great Society. The living room and dining room are expected to open in August, along with a small building that housed the Secret Service.

In front of the house is a 400-year-old live oak tree, under which Johnson often held meetings with important guests. The house also was the site of many barbecues, including a famous one that Johnson threw for the president of Mexico in 1967. Today, the Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park recreate this barbecue each May.

Unlike many national parks, the LBJ ranch is free to the public, as Johnson and his wife stipulated when they donated it to the National Park Service. Anyone interested in visiting the ranch can get a free driving pass at the LBJ State Park and Historic Site Visitor Center, which is located across the Pedernales River from the ranch. This park also has several cabins typical of those built by early Texas settlers, as well as a herd of longhorn cattle.

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Discovering LBJ’s Hill Countryby Ellen Davis

Continued from page 16

Although all the Johnson-related sites in Johnson City and Stonewall could be visited in a day trip, it would be ideal to spread the visit over two days and spend a night in either Stonewall or Fredericksburg, which is about 14 miles west of Stonewall on Highway 290.

A day trip to the Johnson City/Stonewall area can be enhanced by visiting the Benini Sculpture Ranch outside Johnson City (see article on page 19), which is located on

. . . LBJ’S Hill Country

Luci Baines Johnson was 25 years old in December 1972 when her father announced that he and his wife, Lady Bird Johnson, had decided to donate their beloved Hill Country ranch to the American people as a national park.

“I was disappointed at first, but it was absolutely the right thing to do,” says Luci, who had been coming to the ranch since she was five years old.

Today, Luci and her second husband, Ian Turpin, help share what the ranch meant to President Johnson by organizing and leading an annual bike ride through the ranch that benefits the park.

The ride begins on the ranch airstrip, where Luci explains that flying was “the love of Lyndon’s life.” Her son Lyndon has inherited that love and is flying overhead in a National Park Service plane.

The first stop on our tour is the main house, which Johnson and his wife bought from his Aunt Frank in 1952. Luci explains that her mother was not thrilled about the house purchase (she didn’t want to take on renovating a house in the country along with all of her other responsibilities at the time), but she dutifully went along with it after seeing how excited her husband was when his aunt agreed to sell the house. On the sidewalk leading to the house, visitors can see where Lyndon Johnson wrote a note in the wet concrete as the home was being remodeled: “Welcome to the LBJ Ranch, 1952.”

Luci’s eyes tear up as she tells the story of how staff at the ranch were preparing to host a barbecue for President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, when they received word the president had been shot. “Who is going to eat my pie?” she recalls a kitchen worker saying upon hearing the news.

After her father became president, Luci says he often

Johnson’s former hunting property, and by visiting some of the local wineries in Stonewall. One of the newest wineries is the area is Pedernales Cellars, which is located two miles south of Highway 290 on RR 1623. For $6, you can sample six of their wines, and the tasting fee is waived if you make a purchase. The winery has the largest underground barrel cellar in Texas and offers a beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country.

worked 18 hours a day at the Texas White House. “He brought people into his bedroom at all hours,” she says.

The second stop on our tour is the Johnson family cemetery, where both Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson are buried under live oak trees overlooking the Pedernales River, along with his parents, grandparents and several siblings. Luci tells how her father used to walk down to the cemetery to help recover after one of his heart attacks. “It gave him immense comfort and inspiration,” she says. Across from the cemetery is the small house where Lyndon Johnson was born.

The last stop on our tour is the one-room Junction School, where Lyndon Johnson got a head start on his education. “Lyndon’s mother lived in terror she would lose him to the (Pedernales) river, so she sent him to the school at age 4,”

Luci explains. “The teacher, Miss Katie (Deadrich), wouldn’t let him just sit there, so she made him study.”

This education from Miss Katie, Luci says, inspired her father and was the key to fulfilling his dreams. She says one of her father’s proudest moments came in 1965 when he returned to that schoolhouse to sign the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, with brought excellence to schools in rural areas and inner cities. The act has been reauthorized several times since, and is now known as the No Child Left Behind Act.

A Personal Tour of the LBJ Ranch

Luci Johnson leads the annual LBJ 100 bike ride

Johnson tells ride participants about the history of the LBJ Ranch

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The Cody Memorial Library at Southwestern University

LBJ’s Connections to Georgetown

Most people associate Lyndon Johnson with Johnson City and Stonewall, but Johnson also had connections to Georgetown.

These connections dated back to 1937, when Johnson was elected to represent Texas’ 10th Congressional District, which included Georgetown. Johnson secured funds from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to build the Cody Memorial Library at Southwestern University, which was dedicated in 1939.

In 1943, Johnson helped secure a Navy V12 program for Southwestern. This program brought nearly 400 servicemen to the university for training, which helped compensate for the outflow of male students during the war years. Johnson came to Southwestern to inspect the unit on Aug. 27, 1943.

The Special Collections section of Southwestern’s A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library has numerous pieces of correspondence between the Johnson and various people in Georgetown, including former Southwestern President Russell Score.

After Johnson and his wife, Lady Bird, purchased radio station KLBJ in Austin, Lady Bird produced a series of half-hour programs that aired from the auditorium of Southwestern’s Administration Building, which is now known as the Cullen Building. Lyndon Johnson received an honorary degree from Southwestern University in 1943 and Lady Bird received one in 1967.

For more information on the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/

For information on the annual LBJ 100 bike ride, visit http://www.lbj100bicycletour.org/. The tour offers routes of 32, 45 and 62 miles in addition to a 10-mile historic tour led by Luci Baines Johnson.

For more information on the annual BBQ at the LBJ ranch sponsored by the Friends of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, visit www.friendsoflbjnationalpark.org

For more information on the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/

For more information on Pedernales Cellars, visitwww.pedernalescellars.com

The Georgetown Heritage Society is sponsoring a bus trip to the LBJ ranch Sept. 23. For more information on the trip, see page 26.

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D a y T r i p

Master’s Dream 36” x 48”

Marathon,Bettye Hamblen Turner

Paradox of Bling, LaPaso

The Seed, Sam Spiczka

Untitled, Bob Fowler

Benini in front of his Deep in the Heart painting

After a bike ride at the LBJ Ranch in the spring, my wife wanted to visit a sculpture ranch that she had read about. It was about 5 miles down a side

road off of Highway 290 and from her description, it seemed like it was out in the middle of nowhere. It was...

Heading back toward Johnson City from Stonewall on 290, we took a right onto Flat Creek Road, marked by the presence of a large welded chrome and steel longhorn and drove until we saw the sign to turn onto Shiloh Road. (I had passed the longhorn sculpture several times over the past three years, always wanting to stop and take a picture, but never did. I had always wondered why it was there.)

The paved road turned into caliche on Shiloh Road and we began to see the sculptures lining the side of the road. It was amazing to have such fine work so far away from everything and as we drove slowly down the single-lane road we encountered other cars heading out. The presence of these large, unique and very different sculptures had the effect of drawing us in even more. Why were they there?

We soon found out as we rounded a corner, coming upon a parking lot in front of a rock building with a curved metal tower. The parking lot was packed, which again seemed unusual that so many people would be out in the middle of the wide-open hill country.

This was the Benini Galleries.

Entering the building, we discovered that it was a large Quonset hut that had been converted into a gallery. The artwork was visually magnetic, and it suddenly did not matter that it was in the middle of nowhere. It was like stepping off of the planet into a spaceship full of color and form, a visual feast for the senses. Large flowing paintings floated off of the walls and looking at them with a technical eye, I realized they were not 3-dimensional. They were flat, perfectly painted giving the appearance of being sculpted. They were actually acrylic paintings on canvas stretched over aluminum.

The educational experience continued with a rather large group of people in the back of the gallery enjoying various lectures, one on winemaking and the other on welded steel, both very informative.

Wandering around we met Benini and his wife, Lorraine, engaging and friendly. Talking with them, we learned that he was born in Italy in 1941 and lived in several countries doing what he loves – painting. In fact, he paints every night, turning out masterful compositions that have to be studied to be truly appreciated. His range of paintings is broad, having started with classical paintings early in his career,

Benini GalleriesAnd

Sculpture Ranch

The Magician 33” x 41”

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Fire and Light: Fire from Benini’s 1980 series of shaped roses

Gallerieseventually evolving into the fantastic creations of today. In 1977 he immigrated to the United States, eventually settling in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Interestingly, the 140-acre sculpture ranch is actually located on LBJ’s old hunting ranch, just outside of Johnson City. In my mind’s eye, I pictured LBJ riding around in his red convertible (page 16), which he had converted just to be a hunting car. I couldn’t help but feel that he would have been very pleased with the use of this beautiful setting and the perfect usage of it. He had, after all, given the LBJ ranch to the people of this country to enjoy and learn from.

As we headed out, we continued the tour of the sculpture ranch which extended behind the gallery by many acres. Pausing here and there to read the titles and artist’s names, my wife and I began to talk about the importance of art in our lives, how it has a real attraction and is a natural draw for people. After all, how many people were out here in the middle of nowhere – which was really somewhere simply by virtue of the fine art – to see and experience these man-made wonders?

As we drove back to Georgetown, we reflected on the public art that is in our own community, and the idea for the “Discover Art in G-Town,” article came about (See page 2).

Want to see more of the sculptures at the Benini Galleries & Sculpture Ranch? Visit www.benini.com or www.sculptureranch.com. Or, better yet, take a drive out to experience some of the best art in Texas.

Mark your calendar for the ARTS Encounters May 30th and 31st

Benini GalleriesAnd

Sculpture Ranch

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Power of Attorney vs. Guardianship

One of our readers recently called our office to ask if we had literature on the difference between a Durable General Power of Attorney and a Guardianship. Due to the overwhelming number of times our office has been asked that question, we chose to make it the topic of this month’s Elder Law Today.

What is a Power of Attorney?A power of attorney is a legal document where one person (the principal) authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf. There are financial powers of attorney which allow your agent to make decisions regarding your property and healthcare powers of attorney which allow your agent to make decisions regarding your health care needs. Your power of attorney can be broad in scope, giving your agent the ability to make any and all financial and personal decisions for you (a General Power of Attorney) or you can limit your agents authority by specifying the types of decisions you would like them to make on your behalf (a Limited Power of Attorney). You also have a choice whether you would like your agent to have the ability to make decisions both now and if you become incompetent (a Durable Power of Attorney) or your agent can be limited to make decisions only when you become incompetent (a Springing Power of Attorney).

What is a Guardianship?Guardianship is a legal relationship whereby the Probate Court gives a person (the guardian) the power to make personal decisions for another (the ward). A family member or friend initiates the proceedings by filing a petition in the Circuit Court in the county where the individual resides. A medical examination by a licensed physician is necessary to establish the condition of the individual. A Court of law then determines the individual is unable to meet the essential requirements for his or her health and safety and appoints a guardian to make personal decisions for the individual. Unless limited by the court, the guardian has the same rights, powers and duties over his ward as parents have over their minor children. The guardian is required to report to the court on an annual basis. A guardianship of the estate is a legal relationship whereby the Probate Court gives a person (the conservator) the power to make financial decisions for another (the ward). The Court proceedings are very similar to those of a Guardianship of the person except the Court of law determines an individual lacks the capacity to manage his or her financial affairs and appoints a guardian to make financial decisions for the individual. Often the court appoints the same person to act as both guardian for the individual and the estate. Like the guardian of the person, the guardian of the estate is required to report to the court on an annual basis.

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The DifferencesA power of attorney is a relatively low-cost and private way to decide which family member or trusted friend will have the legal authority to carry out your wishes if you can no longer speak or act for yourself. If you do not have a power of attorney or if your power of attorney is not drafted properly, and something happens that results in your inability to make decisions, your family/friends may later face court proceedings and court-supervised Guardianship. A court proceeding is not only costly, but the person appointed as your Guardian may not be the person whom you would have chosen yourself. Contact an attorney to see which is most appropriate in your situation.

In-Service Training AvailableThe Lance Elder Law Offices offers in-service training on topics related to:Division of AssetsMedicaid PlanningGuardianshipPowers of AttorneyOther Elder Law Issues

Elder Law Today is published as a service of Lance Elder Law Offices, Charles E. Lance, J.D., 3613 Williams Dr., Suite 701 Georgetown, TX 78628. This information is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific questions you should consult a qualified attorney.

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Playbill Cover Art

ContestGeorgetown Palace Theatre, Inc., is a non-profit community-based theatre. For the first time, we are looking to the community to provide designs for the season cover of our playbills (2009-2010 Season). The winning designer will receive 2 season tickets; the winning entry will be displayed in the Palace lobby; and the designer will be recognized in all Palace uses of his or her work.

Over 30,000 individuals attend performances at the Palace each season, and the art work could be featured in promotional activities as well as on the playbill covers – such as advertising in various print media and on the cover panel of the 2009-2010 Season Brochure.

Here are the details:

1. Designs should feature a recognizable image of the Palace exterior (or some portion of same).2. Any media (including photography) is acceptable as long as the design can be printed. (Playbill cover measures 5 ½ inches wide X 8 ½ inches vertical.) 3. The design should be in color.4. Entries are due on or before 4 p.m. June 15, 2009.5. The winning design will be selected in July, and the winning designer will be notified by August 1, 2009 awarded the season tickets for the coming season.6. The winning entry becomes the property of Georgetown Palace Theatre, Inc., for use in its promotional activities. The artist will be recognized in any use.

Application forms are available at the Palace office (open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday) or by calling (512) 869-5081, or by e-mailing georgetownpalace@verizon.net.

Thanks for your participation!

The Palace Theatre810 S. Austin Avenue

Georgetown TX 78626(512) 869-7469 or 869-5081

www.thegeorgetownpalace.orggeorgetownpalace@verizon.net

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Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County’s ReStore is a find, literally, for affordable building materials, interior fixtures, lighting, doors, windows and more.

Many of the donated items are new or gently used, and are at least half the price that they were originally. It’s well worth checking the ReStore first if you’re working on a project - the savings as well as the benefit to the environment are substantial.

Instead of throwing away that lighting fixture, sink, or counter top, the ReStore will take them, which is obviously a better option than sending them to the landfill.

The additional upside of doing business with the

ReStore is that Habitat for Humanity benefits from your purchases, as the proceeds help build NEW homes for Habitat partner families in Williamson County. Habitat builds affordable homes in our community to help eliminate poverty housing and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

For more information about Habitat, the ReStore, or if you’re interested in donating to an extremely worthwhile endeavor, here’s the info.

Christie S. JohnsonResource Development DirectorHabitat for Humanity of Williamson County701 North Austin Ave., Georgetown, TX 78626P.O. Box 737, Georgetown, TX 78627Phone 512-863-4344 ext. 25christiej@williamsonhabitat.org

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Georgetown Heritage Society Sponsoring Bus Trip to LBJ RanchThe Georgetown Heritage Society is sponsoring a bus trip from Georgetown to the LBJ National Historical Park in Stonewall on Wednesday, September 23rd.

The trip will include a guided tour of the LBJ ranch given by the former president’s youngest daughter, Luci Baines Johnson Turpin. The tour of the ranch will include a visit to the former Texas White House, which is gradually being opened to the public. Two more rooms in the house – the dining room and the living room – are expected to be open by the September 23rd tour.

The tour will depart from the Grace Heritage Center, 811 Main St., at 10 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Cost of the trip is $70 for GHS members and $75 for non-members. Trip price includes bus fare, lunch at the Silver K Café in Johnson City, admission to the former Texas White House, and a contribution to the Friends of the LBJ National Historical Park.

To sign up for the tour, send a check to the Georgetown Heritage Society, 811 South Main St., Georgetown, TX 78626. Checks should be made payable to Georgetown Heritage Society.

For more information on the trip, call the Heritage Society office at512-869-8597 or write georgetownhs@aol.com.

Bring this coupon in for a complimentaryMimosa at Sunday brunch or a glass of winewith entree. Limit 1 per coupon.

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New Location on the Historic Downtown SquareAt 109 West 7th Street, Suite 115

512-868-3363

Huge selection of hardback & paperback books•Bring your books in for store credit•

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