March 2026 Liberty Hill Independent Monthly

Returning a Mother's Love

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BIZ BRIEFS:

What’s New?

Latest business news and what’s coming soon to Liberty Hill

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Jojo's Side Porch Treats

305 Normal School Way, Liberty Hill

Dixie Forkl, formerly of Never Trust a Skinny Cook, has rebranded her business to Jojo's Side Porch Treats, which includes a cottage bakery and mobile trailer serving Liberty Hill and surrounding communities with baked goods and custom beverages.

Curries & Momos

7500 Hwy. 29, Georgetown

A new food truck called Curries & Momos has opened on the border of Liberty Hill and Georgetown. The truck serves a variety of Indian, Thai and Nepali cuisines.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Kaylee's Country Kitchen County Road 207, Liberty Hill

• Aspen Creamery

2082 Hwy. 183, Leander

RETAIL

Batteries Plus

7680 Hwy. 183A Toll Rd., Leander

Batteries Plus is a family-owned and operated business serving both retail and commercial customers with reliable power, lighting and technology solutions. The store offers thousands of battery options for automotive, marine, RV, powersports, household and

for creatives and collectors alike. Focused on exposure rather than competition, Hill Country Creative features a new local artist each week, sharing their work across social media for five consecutive days. The free program aims to strengthen regional cultural identity by making local art more accessible.

Morgan & Maids ATX

Mobile, Liberty Hill

specialty needs, along with residential, commercial and emergency lighting products. Services include automotive key cutting, key fob programming, and mobile phone and tablet repair. Customers can also find chargers, jump starters, power banks and other essential accessories.

Bijou's Blooms County Road 204 & Hidden Oaks Lane, Liberty Hill

A new farm stand offering a wide variety of plants, including tomatoes, zucchini and watermelon, has recently opened. Bijou's Blooms also offers gardening consultations, hands-on classes and more.

OTHER

NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Basket Babes & Company Online, Liberty Hill

SERVICES

Hill Country Creative Online, Liberty Hill

Hill Country Creative is a newly launched platform dedicated to connecting and celebrating artists across the Texas Hill Country. The initiative highlights authentic local art while fostering collaboration, visibility and community support

service, recently launched an app for her business that includes workouts, habit support and more. The app is available on both Apple and Android platforms.

Empowered Women's Fitness Center

and site improvements rather than new construction. Filings indicate work could begin as early as June and conclude in September.

VFW Building

102 Myrtle St., Liberty Hill

Morgan Clift recently launched Morgan & Maids ATX, a locally owned cleaning service focused on building strong client relationships and delivering dependable home cleaning solutions. As part of its customer-first approach, the company offers competitive pricing by matching quotes from other cleaning providers.

PickleTex

6827 Hwy. 29, Georgetown

PickleTex is a family-owned pickleball facility serving residents of Liberty Hill, Leander and Georgetown. The premier venue will feature nine fully covered and lighted outdoor courts designed for players of all skill levels. Offerings will include open play, reserved courts, coaching, clinics and community events. The facility will also include a pro shop and concessions. PickleTex is expected to open this summer.

OTHER NOTABLE PROJECTS

• Petbar

State Hwy. 29 & Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill

• Gerber Collision and Glass 11990 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

• BS Storage 16600 Hwy. 29, Bertram

• bex+Co.

State Hwy. 29 & Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill

• Georgetown Center of Oral

+ Maxillofacial Surgery

2021 Kauffman Loop, Liberty Hill

ON THE MOVE

Warrior Wellness

606 Rolling Hills Rd., Liberty Hill

Holly Johnson of Warrior

Wellness, a fitness and wellness

100 W. FM 243, Bertram Empowered Women's Fitness Center closed its doors in Bertram on Jan. 31. Owner Lydia Ortiz-Nixon cited the closure was due to her retirement.

Tune Up and Jam ATX

21 CR 200, Liberty Hill

Local music school Tune Up and Jam ATX celebrated its one-year anniversary in Liberty Hill in February. Students of the school can learn to play everything from piano to the fiddle.

Main Street Marketplace

704 Main St., Liberty Hill

A few new vendors have joined the ranks at Main Street Marketplace, including LHTX Embroidery by Skyler, Couture Home & Body and Sweetheart Chocolates.

Gathering Grounds

147 E. Vaughan St., Bertram Bertram coffee shop Gathering Grounds celebrated two years in business in February.

CrossTech Automotive

1069 CR 264, Bertram

In February, CrossTech Automotive owners announced the vehicle repair shop would be closing and a new shop, J Bird's Garage, would be taking its place.

CEFCO

717 S. Hwy. 183, Liberty Hill

A CEFCO along U.S. Highway 183 in Liberty Hill is slated for renovation and rebranding. The store will undergo a $550,000 remodel, converting the site into a Casey’s General Store. The project includes updates to the approximately 5,200-square-foot building

Demolition at the former VFW building in downtown Liberty Hill began this month. Following recent assessments, conditions were identified that made starting fresh the most responsible path forward for this site. This step allows the land owner, the Liberty Hill Economic Development Corporation, to thoughtfully plan what comes next.

L4 Cares

Mobile, Liberty Hill

Nonprofit organization L4 Cares celebrated its ninth anniversary on March 1. L4 Cares is committed to supporting families and individuals facing life’s most difficult challenges, particularly children battling terminal illnesses.

Thirsty Penguin

14751 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

Thirsty Penguin celebrated four years in business in February. The business continues to offer drive-thru drink service as well as a patio for customers.

Mark Pearce, A. Gandy & Co.

111 Grange St., Liberty Hill

Mark Pearce is the newest Realtor to join the team at A. Gandy & Co. Pearce's real estate career began in 2008.

A trip around the district

Liberty Hill ISD bus tour offers community members a firsthand look at bond dollars at work

BY JACE BRAZIEL STAFF WRITER

As the population of Liberty Hill Independent School District continues to grow, so too does the need for more infrastructure to support it.

Schools, transport depots, administration buildings – every year it seems old projects wrap up and new ones break ground. It can be difficult to keep track of what exactly the district is working on at any given time.

One of the ways the district sought to address this was to showcase some of those projects to interested community members, firsthand. Superintendent Travis Motal led a district-wide bus tour at the end of February, joined by Executive Director of Operations Dustin Akin and members of the communications team.

The first leg of the tour lasted about an hour, with Motal explaining the purpose and general timelines of the different renovations and expansions as each of the sites was passed. Akin provided more granular information, like specific costs or technical specifications. Questions from the group seemed encouraged, and were fielded by whoever amongst the staff was best informed on the topic.

A key takeaway, as Motal explained, is

that the district is in a different position now than it has been for the past few years. The number of students enrolling each year has dropped from a staggering 900 to 1,200 down to an admittedly still large, but more manageable 400 to 600. This allows the district to be more proactive in the opening of new campuses.

After reaching Legacy Ranch High School, the group disembarked, donned hardhats, and were led around the enormous new campus. The journey around the site took just under an hour, and Motal and Akin shared information at each stop – why the library was built the way it was, how many games can be supported on each court, and how certain walls can fold in to combine different rooms.

Seeing how far along construction has come – getting to walk around inside the site – puts the expected opening date of August (and the price tag) into perspective in a way that reading documents or hearing a presentation simply can’t.

The district is holding another bus tour on March 12 at 11 a.m., free of charge, and signups are available on the district’s Facebook page at facebook.com/libertyhillisd.

For the curious or the cost-critical, the tour is a chance to learn and ask questions about any of the district’s current and upcoming construction projects.

see inside some of the district’s new schools. Above is the Legacy Ranch High School auditorium. At right is the bus entrance lobby at LRHS. Below is the football field at LRHS.

Right here at home

American Legion approves Liberty Hill’s first-ever post

BY BRAD MARTIN STAFF WRITER

On Dec. 31, 2025, George Strable received the long-awaited news the application for Liberty Hill’s first and only American Legion post had been approved.

As the sun set that evening and he said goodbye to 2025, he found himself with a new purpose and a way to further invest in the community he loves. In the two short months since, much has happened, but it’s time for a call to action. As this small town’s big heart always does, it’s time to help see this dream through to fruition.

Founded in 1919, The American Legion has been a fundamental part of ensuring veterans and service members, including their families, have access to continued support and benefits both during and long after their service ends. From longstanding benefits such as the GI Bill and the VA Healthcare System, The Legion continues to lead the charge in de-stigmatizing mental health support and offering peer-to-peer resources aimed at the prevention of veteran suicide.

Williamson County is home to thousands of veterans and to see these resources find their way to Liberty Hill is something that Strable holds close to the heart.

“I love people – I love everything about the sense of community,” he said as he spoke of

how veterans intertwine with their communities. “Veterans don’t have to be intimidated. We started in the community before we joined the service, and we did it for the community. So, coming back into the community, we don’t have to be left alone in the corner. All we want to do is tell our stories, too.”

Strable, a 25-year U.S. Army veteran and now commander of Post 247, will soon offer just the place for those stories to be told.

He didn’t have to look far for the new post’s namesake – local fallen hero Anthony “Tony” Martin. A 22-year U.S. Air Force veteran himself and with 15 years of dedicated service to the Austin Police Department under his belt at the time, Martin tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Liberty Hill in September 2022.

To Strable, it was a no-brainer to honor, and extend, Martin’s legacy through the American Legion Post. With the blessing of and help from Martin’s widow, Amberlee Martin, his name will now live on for generations to come.

Though there has been much excitement surrounding this new endeavor, it has come with its own unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to funding.

As a 501c non-profit organization, Strable and his team rely heavily on donations and although they embrace the growing community of Liberty Hill as it hangs on tight to its

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JOB OPPORTUNITY

Private Portuguese Teacher (Homeschooling)

Location: Liberty Hill, Texas

Contact information: rosana.radford@gmail.com

We are seeking a highly qualified and dedicated Private Portuguese Teacher to provide in person homeschooling instruction for 2 children, aged 5 and 7, in Liberty Hill, TX.

Position Overview

The selected candidate will deliver structured Portuguese language instruction using developmentally appropriate practices aligned with early elementary education standards. Instruction should include literacy development, foundational grammar, vocabulary acquisition, and conversational fluency.

small-town feel, the price of real estate has proved to be a major obstacle in their search for a forever home. So, to the community they turn and are looking to gain more presence through various fundraising events and even good old-fashioned word of mouth.

“I’m not the type of guy to ask for help,” said Strable. “But I have to keep in mind the understanding we need that help just to get going.”

Whether it’s a lead on a suitable location, a spot in a parking lot for a barbecue fundraiser, or simply spreading the word around town, Strable is confident the stars will align and the community will show up like they always do.

“If it’s worth doing, it’s worth the effort,” he said.

As the ball continues to roll and the funding eventually paves the way for things like a physical location, the Anthony “Tony” Martin American Legion Post 247 plans to introduce many initiatives into the community. From scholarship funds to highlighting Liberty Hill’s “Hometown Heroes” and much more, the roots will quickly take hold, further strengthening the rich and fertile soil that continues to produce such a close-knit group of people.

And speaking of close-knit, the Legion will not falter from its core mission – to be a leading advocate for veterans and their families, just as it’s been since its founding over a century ago.

“We are fully committed to serving our veterans, our service members, their families and the amazing community of Liberty Hill for many years to come,” said Strable. “Our mission is to build a strong, supportive and

engaged place where service continues even after the uniform comes off.”

For up-to-date information, including upcoming fundraisers, how to make a tax-deductible donation, or how to volunteer, follow the Anthony “Tony” Martin American Legion Post 247 page on Facebook. To learn more about The American Legion, visit legion.org. For 24/7 crisis support for veterans and their family members, dial 988 and press 1, chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.

Responsibilities

- Design and implement age-appropriate lesson plans aligned with early childhood learning standards

- Develop foundational literacy and language acquisition skills in Portuguese

- Apply differentiated instruction strategies when appropriate

- Monitor, assess, and communicate student progress regularly

- Create an engaging, structured, and nurturing learning environment

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Languages, or related academicfield

- Diploma or certification in Special Education

- Demonstrated knowledge of bilingual instructional methodologies

- Understanding of English language teaching methodology

- Experience with cross-curricular integration, including Art Education as a complementary instructional tool

- Native or fluent proficiency in Portuguese

- Prior experience teaching children aged 5+

- Experience with homeschooling preferred

- Strong communication, organizational, and instructional planning skills

Professional Approach

The ideal candidate will utilize a bilingual instructional approach, integrating language development strategies across disciplines. Emphasis will be placed on cross-curricular integration, incorporating creative arts to enhance cognitive development, engagement, and linguistic proficiency.

Schedule

- In-person instruction

- Full-time position

- Long-term position

- Days and hours to be agreed upon

Compensation

- $13 per hour

Application Instructions

- A brief professional introduction

- Relevant teaching experience with Portuguese language

Building strong athletes, stronger community in Liberty Hill

BY LESHELLE VALLEJO STAFF WRITER

In a fast-growing community like Liberty Hill, families are always looking for programs that not only build skills, but also nurture confidence, character and a sense of belonging.

For many local families, that place has become Gold Medal Gymnastics, a state-of-theart facility founded with heart, experience and a clear mission to support young athletes in a clean, safe and encouraging environment.

At the center of Gold Medal Gymnastics are co-owners and head coaches Michelle Tro a and Victoria Preister.

Their lifelong connections to the sport has shaped every aspect of the program.

“We knew Liberty Hill was growing and that it was missing a gymnastics program,”

Tro a said. “We wanted to build something that wouldn’t just benefit our family, but other families in the area as well.”

Tro a and her family have been part of Liberty Hill Independent School District since her oldest child started school. Today, she and her husband are raising three children in the community – a freshman at Liberty Hill

High School who plays tennis, a sixth-grader who competes on Gold Medal’s team and a three-year-old who already loves being around the gym.

Tro a’s journey in gymnastics began early. A er an injury in middle school ended her competitive career, she immediately transitioned into coaching and volunteering.

“I started coaching when I was 15 years old and never really stopped,” she said. “It was my job through high school, college and beyond. Even when I stepped away for a bit to stay home with my kids, gymnastics was always part of my life.”

However, it was her daughter’s growing involvement in the sport that ultimately brought Tro a back full-time – and into business ownership.

“I realized it was time to get back in,” Tro a said. “I wanted to create the kind of environment I would want for my own child.”

Gold Medal Gymnastics originally operated out of a small warehouse space before quickly outgrowing it. The rapid growth led to the construction of their current 12,000-squarefoot custom-designed gym – complete with in-ground trampolines, foam pits, efficient

equipment layouts and a spacious second-floor viewing area for parents.

“It’s not huge, but it’s designed exactly the way we wanted,” Tro a said. “We’re very efficient with our space.”

According to Tro a, what truly sets Gold Medal Gymnastics apart is its mindset.

“It’s not about glory for us; it’s about the kids,” she said. “We want a clean, safe, productive program where athletes are progressing, enjoying themselves and being supported mentally and physically.”

Gold Medal Gymnastics takes a holistic approach to athlete development, focusing not only on skill progression but also emotional well-being. The gym emphasizes trained, professional coaches, low turnover and consistent instruction.

“We really invest in our staff,” Tro a said. “We make sure our coaches are trained, supported and love what they do – that filters down into the experience every athlete has.”

The gym serves athletes as young as 18 months through high-level competitive gymnasts, Today, Gold Medal Gymnastics serves nearly 400 athletes overall, with approximately 65 to 68 gymnasts on their competitive teams – a number that continues to grow each year.

Gold Medal’s competitive teams stay busy throughout the season, typically competing from January through February, with athletes advancing to state and regional meets in March and April. The gym also hosts an inhouse meet each fall to help prepare athletes for the season ahead.

Each year includes one travel meet – most recently in Nashville – giving athletes an opportunity to compete beyond Texas.

“We’ve started bringing home lots of first place team banners,” Tro a said. “When we were smaller, we didn’t even have enough kids to form teams. Now we do and it’s been

really exciting and our kids love to see us bring banners home.”

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of the journey has been the overwhelming support from families.

“Our parents are amazing,” Tro a said. “They helped move equipment, unload trucks, volunteer and even donate equipment or help with expenses. It really feels like a family.”

Like any growing business, Gold Medal Gymnastics has faced challenges – especially balancing rapid growth while maintaining the integrity of the program.

“Victoria and I not only own the gym, but we coach full-time on the floor,” Tro a said. “Finding trained staff who share our values and can grow with us has been one of our biggest challenges.”

Still, their guiding principle remains clear.

“Our goal is to offer a supportive, healthy environment and create happy athletes,” Tro a said.

Tro a also credits her experience as both a coach and a parent with shaping how the gym operates.

“We spend more time with these girls during the school year than their parents do some days,” she said. “It’s important for us to be role models – almost like second moms –and to understand both the athlete and parent perspectives.”

With its continued growth, strong community roots, and commitment to athlete well-being, Gold Medal Gymnastics is quickly taking root with young gymnasts in Liberty Hill – and Tro a believes this is just the beginning.

“At the rate we’re growing, I wouldn’t be surprised if we need a second location in a few years,” she said.

For more information, visit goldmedalgymnasticstx.com.

This is a paid advertising feature for Gold Medal Gymnastics.

The click heard ‘round the table

Mahjong’s rising popularity reaches Liberty Hill

BY LESHELLE VALLEJO STAFF WRITER

Across Liberty Hill and communities nationwide, a familiar sound is gaining momentum – the rhythmic click of Mahjong (pronounced MAH-jong) tiles.

What began as a centuries-old cultural pastime has transformed into a modern social experience bringing neighbors, families and friends together around the table.

From its rich global history to its growing popularity locally, Mahjong is capturing the interest of a new generation of players seeking connection, strategy and meaningful in-person experiences.

Mahjong originated in China in the 19th Century before spreading globally in the early 1900s. The American version of Mahjong, played widely today, emerged roughly a century ago when a group of women standardized rules from several variations of the game.

Local Mahjong enthusiasts say that sense of community has always been central to the game.

“About 100 years ago, a group of women took this game with many variations and standardized it to what we now know as American Mahjong,” said Emily Zink of Bluebonnet Mahj Co. “It became a game of women getting together – especially during the day when their kids were at school – and being in community with each other.”

about it. The tiles are beautiful, the sound of mixing them, it’s a tangible experience – it really checks all the boxes.”

For many, the excitement of the game itself keeps them coming back.

“There’s something very thrilling and almost addicting about completing a Mahjong hand,” said Kylee Win’e, also of Bluebonnet Mahj Co. “It’s like a dopamine rush – once you start playing, you want to keep going.”

Players also point to the game’s ability to create meaningful social time, particularly for busy adults seeking connection and community.

“It gives people – especially moms – a chance to step away and have that girls’ night atmosphere while using their brains and having fun,” Zink said. “You think you’ll play one game and suddenly it’s hours later.”

While Mahjong may appear complex, its core objective is straightforward. The game is typically played with four players using a set of decorative tiles featuring numbers and symbols. Players draw and discard tiles to build specific combinations based on patterns listed on a card shared by all players.

“The goal is to build a hand of 14 tiles that matches a specific pattern on the card,” said Win’e. “When you complete that pattern and call ‘Mahjong,’ everyone celebrates – it’s a really great communal moment.”

share in the joy of play.

The four friends first learned Mahjong together in August 2025 through their book club. What began as a shared learning experience quickly became a passion.

“We sat down and learned together and just started playing consistently,” Win’e said. “Once people are introduced to it, they don’t want to stop.”

They officially launched Bluebonnet Mahj Co. in January 2026 and now host beginner classes, intermediate sessions and open play events designed to help new players learn the game in a welcoming environment.

The group also created a community Facebook page where local players connect and organize games independently.

“We’re already seeing women meeting each other, buying their own setups and playing at home,” said Win’e. “They’re building new friendships and relationships through the game.”

And judging by its rising popularity, the sound of clicking tiles may soon become a familiar part of our community’s social landscape.

For more information on Bluebonnet Mahj Co., visit them on Facebook and Instagram @bluebonnetmahjco.

Mahjong Terms to Know

• Mahjong (Mahj): The winning call made when a player completes a full hand of tiles that matches a required pattern.

• Tiles: Mahjong is played with 144 decorative tiles featuring numbers, symbols and characters.

• The Wall: The stacked tiles placed in the center of the table that players draw from during the game.

That tradition of gathering and connection continues to fuel Mahjong’s resurgence today.

Mahjong’s modern revival reflects a broader cultural shift toward intentional social experiences – activities that bring people together face-to-face rather than through screens. Players say the game’s appeal lies in its unique blend of strategy, sensory experience and social interaction.

“It’s a very thoughtful game – you’re stretching your brain and thinking about strategy and the moves you’re making,” Zink said. “There’s also something very aesthetic

In American Mahjong, the National Mahjong League releases a new card each year with updated hand combinations, ensuring fresh challenges and keeping the game engaging for both new and experienced players.

Locally, interest in Mahjong continues to grow as residents form social groups and learning opportunities throughout the area. Among those helping introduce the game to the community is Bluebonnet Mahj Co., founded by Liberty Hill and Cedar Park area residents Win’e, Zink, Bre Escochea and Melissa Yeilding.

Organizers say the most rewarding aspect of Mahjong’s growth is the community it creates. Gatherings often turn into hourslong social experiences filled with conversation, laughter,and connection.

Despite its long history, Mahjong continues to evolve with each generation of players. What began as a cultural pastime has transformed into a modern social activity that brings people together through shared experience and meaningful connection.

As surrounding communities continue to grow, activities like Mahjong reflect the important emphasis on relationships and engagement. Whether played competitively or simply for fun, the game offers something timeless — a chance to gather, connect and

• The Card: In American Mahjong, players follow a yearly card issued by the National Mahjong League listing all possible winning hand combinations.

• Hand: The set of tiles a player builds throughout the game. A winning hand typically includes 14 tiles.

• Charleston: A series of tile exchanges at the beginning of the game.

• Pung: A set of three identical tiles.

• Kong: A set of four identical tiles.

• Rack: The holder where players organize their tiles.

KARMM Dental focuses on personalized care, modern dentistry

BY LESHELLE VALLEJO STAFF WRITER

When Dr. Arati Shah and her partners le behind three thriving dental practices in the Northeast, they weren’t chasing growth –they were chasing purpose.

“We realized during COVID the lifestyle we had wasn’t how we wanted to raise our families,” Shah said. “We wanted something quieter, more community-oriented – somewhere small businesses, families and social gatherings were the focus.”

That search led Shah, her husband Dr. Mooni Shah, and longtime friend and colleague Dr. Ankur Desai, to Liberty Hill. Nearly two years a er opening KARMM Dental, the trio says the move has reinspired both their professional and personal lives.

“Just the sense of pride people have in living here and the potential of this area is what a racted us,” Shah said. “This small community in Texas has truly re-inspired us at this point in our lives.”

KARMM Dental isn’t just a practice name – it’s a tribute.

The le ers represent the first initials of the doctors’ five daughters, who grew up alongside their parents’ careers and were part of building each practice along the way.

“They would pick colors, help with designs – they were always part of it,” Shah said. “When we opened this practice, we asked if we could incorporate their names somehow. The mnemonic ‘KARMM’ is made from the first initials of all five girls.”

The result is a business grounded in family – something that shapes how they treat every patient who walks through the door.

With more than 21 years of experience, Shah and her partners offer a wide range of services under one roof, including routine cleanings and exams, fillings, crowns and veneers, root canals, cosmetic dentistry, clear aligner orthodontics, fluoride treatments, digital x-rays and intra-oral photography.

“We practice very similarly because we went to the same school and continue to take the same continuing education courses,” Shah said. “Dentistry is always changing. Education is a must for us.”

While the practice refers out highly specialized procedures, when necessary, they strive to keep most care in-house for patient convenience. They are also currently expanding, with plans to add additional treatment rooms and introduce dental implants and more complex oral surgery services in the near future.

What truly sets KARMM Dental apart, however, is their approach.

“We treat everyone like they’re our family,” Shah said. “If someone is scared, we spend extra time. If they don’t understand what a crown is, we explain it. Dentistry can be intimidating and we don’t want people to feel overwhelmed.”

Dental anxiety, Shah said, is far more common than many realize.

“It’s a real thing,” she said. “Our goal is to make people feel welcome and cared for –not stressed.”

Starting over in their 40s wasn’t easy. A er leaving behind an established patient base in the Northeast, building from the ground up in Liberty Hill became their biggest hurdle.

“On paper, it sounds easy,” Shah said. “But building your patient base from scratch again was definitely our biggest challenge.”

Community events and neighborhood gatherings helped introduce KARMM Dental to local families.

Shah also organized a community blood drive early on – one of her most meaningful moments since opening.

“The turnout wasn’t huge, but the appreciation was,” she said. “Seeing people come together to help others was very special.”

The practice continues to support local charities, volunteer at food banks and organize blood drives and health initiatives throughout the year.

Beyond patient comfort, affordability is a major focus for the practice.

KARMM Dental accepts most PPO insurances and offers in house plans especially meant for patients without dental insurance. Several financing options are also available to make it easy to afford.

“We are a small private practice,” Shah said. “We take pride in offering personalized care while making treatment possible for families.”

As KARMM Dental continues to grow, the doctors remain focused on what brought them to Liberty Hill in the first place – relationships.

“Our goal is simple,” Shah said. “To keep patients healthy, happy and confident about their smiles.”

When asked what advice she would offer aspiring business owners, Shah didn’t hesitate.

“Be patient,” she said. “Follow your gut. If you’re truly passionate and you persevere, everything will fall into place.”

For the KARMM Dental team, that leap of faith brought them exactly where they were meant to be – right here in Liberty Hill.

This is a paid advertising feature for KARMM Dental.

Run for the Board of Directors

PEC members in districts 2 and 3 have an opportunity to shape the cooperative’s future by running for a seat on the PEC Board of Directors.

All original copies of candidate nomination materials are due by 5 p.m. on March 20.

More than football: The Pitchford family’s journey of faith, resilience

BY ABBY JENKINS EDITORIAL/PHOTOGRAPHY INTERN

The last name Pitchford has meant something to the Liberty Hill community for over six years, with stars Joe and Jack Pitchford dominating the Panthers football program and now pushing on to the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs football powerhouse.

But many people don’t understand what these two brothers and their father, Don Pitchford, have overcome since 2020, with their mom, Melanie Pitchford’s, life-changing early-onset familial Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

education consultant for the ACT Southwest Region Office located in Austin. So we moved to Leander in 2006 and lived in Crystal Falls. I coached our kids all through youth sports and developed a strength, conditioning and nutrition program that they all began at an early age.”

That love of football grew for the Pitchfords’ two boys. Youngest child Jack joined the program in middle school and, with his brother Joe being two years older, he would eventually watch him commit to play football at TCU in Fort Worth, pushing him to work harder and keep the family tradition of all three of his older siblings being Horned Frogs (his older sisters Katie and Jennie also attended the university).

“We can’t get much closer,” Jack said. “Even though Joe is up at TCU, we still talk almost every night — we’ve supported each other through all of our challenges on and off the field. I remember watching Joe at national signing day two years ago and watching him commit to a Division I school like TCU was almost surreal, and it pushed me to work even harder. Going to TCU has become a family tradition because my two sisters and brother are all Frogs — it’s a great school academically, athletically and socially. It checks all the boxes for me and it’s only two and a half hours away.”

“Melanie and I met at Oklahoma State when I was working in the admissions and athletic department,” Don said. “We grew up living in red dirt and listening to red dirt music and were married in 1996 in St. John’s Catholic Church in Stillwater. We bought a ranch and had our first three children — Katie, Jennie and Joe — in Oklahoma. I worked at OSU for 16 years, finished my doctorate and then was recruited by ACT, best known for the college admission test. ACT recruited me to serve as a higher

choices, his parents have shaped the person who made those decisions.

The tight-knit family has been formed by caregiving, from parent to child and then child back to parent. Both Jack and Don have expressed the profound impact caring for his mom has had on the Panthers senior.

“I’ve taken on all responsibilities of a caregiver from hygiene and feeding to physical and emotional support,” Jack said.

Don reflected on Joe overcoming adversity during his Liberty Hill gridiron career.

“Despite battling through injuries his entire high school career, Joe was recruited heavily and had offers by several colleges,” Don said. “The summer before his senior year, he had an outstanding camp performance at TCU and was offered by both the running backs coach and the linebackers coach. He committed to TCU his senior year, immediately became a leader on special teams as a freshman and is now projected to be in the running back rotation this fall. Their older sisters were both admitted to TCU and Joe and Jack spent six years visiting their sisters there and going to football games — this is how their fixation, affection and desire to play for TCU began.”

While his siblings have inspired Jack’s

“Serving as a teen caregiver for my mom has taught me all I need to know about servant leadership. I consider myself lucky for the chance to care for the one who cared for me. It has taught me the importance of sacrifice and service.”

Don highlighted the stark difference between his children’s existence compared to most of their peers and the profound impact it has had on them in shaping the people they are.

“All of our children have led atypical childhoods as they have served as teen caregivers for their mom and, before that, their grandparents,” Don said. “We moved their grandparents in with us when their health failed and took care of them in their final days.”

As the family grapples with Melanie’s advancement to Stage 7 early-onset familial Alzheimer’s, marked by a total loss of the ability to respond to the environment, converse or control movement, both father and children are learning to depend on one another and trust the Lord.

“Of course, you feel sadness, but you also think about things like all the good memories — even at this stage of her battle, we still have a lot of good laughs,” Jack said. “Again, we are a very close family — we never miss an opportunity to tell each other we love them and are thankful for them. All of my siblings are grateful for our life trajectories and none of it would be possible without each other’s support. My mom and dad were good role models and are still teaching us every day how to best succeed in this world and in our faith.”

Don is watching his four kids enter their next stage of life with hope and faith.

“As Melanie is in the final stage of her battle, our family is fortunate, as Joe and Jack will be living together up at TCU,” he said. “They’re going to school and playing for the team they grew up dreaming about playing for. They will have support from their sister Jennie, who lives near campus and works for the TCU College Advising Corporation, their sister Katie, who lives out in Midland, and of course from Mom and Dad out on the ranch here in Liberty Hill. We have always been a tight-knit, private family, spending most of our time between home, church, hunting and sports. Caring for Melanie has made our time even more precious and limits our social activity. Our inner circle of friends has always been very small. Although challenging, serving as caregivers for Melanie has established a very strong bond in our family we have learned to cherish.”

Complete effort sees Lady Panthers defeat Hays, 2-0

Liberty Hill currently in third in district standings

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER

At Panther Stadium during Liberty Hill’s home district matchup with Hays, perhaps the two loudest shots of the night failed to find the back of the net in a 2-0 victory for the Purple-and-Gold.

In addition to goals by Faith Romney and Maggie Giessinger in the 16th and 18th minutes, respectively, it was sophomore midfielder Berkley Pacheco who rang not one, but a pair of shots that both boomed off the crossbar.

However, although the additional goals would’ve padded Pacheco’s stats, they ultimately weren’t needed on the scoreboard as junior goalkeeper Sarah Hagerty posted her 10th shutout of the campaign and fi h consecutive clean sheet – all in district play.

years in Brooklyn Escobar, but now she’s finally ge ing the chance to step up in the spotlight.”

On this night, though, Liberty Hill’s No. 1 keeper didn’t even have to get her gloves dirty in only being forced into a single save the entire evening, which was a testament to overall team defense, said Huffman.

“Critical to winning games is having a good defense because if you don’t give up any goals, you can’t lose a game,” she said. “So, we’ve done a lot of work with our defense this season.”

The Lady Panthers bossed possession from the outset in pressuring the Hays goal until finally a er a pair of early corners had gone wanting, Romney found the ball at her feet in the middle of the Hawks box and made no mistake with a clean, right-footed finish and a 1-0 advantage in the 16th minute for the junior striker’s team-leading 10th goal of the season.

Romney – who stands an imposing 5-foot-9 – said she uses her size and strength to her advantage in being able to body off defenders.

“I like to muscle my way through,” she said. “So, I don’t have to worry about touches as long as I’ve go en myself through the gap with my frame.”

Romney has already topped her haul of eight goals last season, a fact Huffman a ributed to dogged determination.

her shot to be saved.

From there on, the visitors struggled to cross the halfway line into Liberty Hill’s side of the field, as the Lady Panthers controlled the game smoothly for the duration.

“We still looking to clean up some of the

small stuff, but I think as a team right now we’re phenomenal,” said Huffman. “Our possession soccer has been great and we have fluid rotations we’ve been working on since August, so if we just keep playing the way we did tonight, I feel confident.”

In fact, a er conceding a pair of goals in the Lady Panthers’ 2-1 loss to Leander in the league opener, Liberty Hill is now riding a five-game winning streak, all with Hagerty between the sticks without having allowed a goal since.

According to Lady Panthers head coach Rebecca Huffman, the current run of good form for Hagerty has been in the works for awhile.

“Sarah’s been waiting,” said Huffman. “She had a really good mentor the past two

“Faith has meant so much to our team this season,” she said. “She set a goal for herself over the summer to be our leading scorer and a true striker – she’s one who does all the extra work on her own, has been incredible and is just ge ing started.”

Only two minutes later in the 18th, Giessinger doubled the home side’s lead with her fi h goal of the season leading to an eventual 2-0 hal ime advantage.

One of the pre iest plays of the contest came in the 47th minute when Pacheco started a play with a pass to Giessinger, who quickly dished to Romney, who then returned to original sender Pacheco only for

SPORTS Panthers play Cedar Park to scoreless draw

Liberty Hill remains in third place in district standings

BY SCOTT AKANEWICH OWNER/PUBLISHER

In soccer, you can’t win a game without scoring, but can not lose one without finding the back of the opposition’s net and that was exactly the case in Liberty Hill’s 0-0 home district draw against Cedar Park.

However, it wasn’t as if the Panthers were without scoring chances throughout the evening, as the home side generated eight opportunities in the a acking third over the course of the contest – five in the first half and three in the second.

According to Liberty Hill head coach Stefano Salerno, the issue was finishing off those chances when they presented themselves.

“We did something a li le different tactically tonight and the kids bought in,” said Salerno. “We ended up stealing balls and had chances in transition, but didn’t have

enough energy or players in that part of the field to be dangerous.”

In the 11th minute, Danny Guitierrez had the first sight of goal for the Purple-andGold with a shot that was successfully dealt with by the Timberwolves goalkeeper, then in the 19th, it was the combination of Alonso Aguayo and Zeke Gracia that teamed up on a break into the Cedar Park box, only for the keeper to once again make the save.

Perhaps the best chance the Panthers had to get on the scoreboard in the first half was when senior Vance Stanley got on the end of a through ball, but sent a shot wide le of the goal and the game remained scoreless at hal ime.

Cedar Park had its fair share of chances to open the scoring, including the result of a free kick awarded in the 47th minute, but sent the effort wide.

Gutierrez had a free kick from 35 yards out in the 49th minute, but once again was

denied by the keeper.

At the other end, Panthers senior goalkeeper Angel Cardenas made a diving save on a Cedar Park cross in the 57th minute to preserve his end of the clean sheet and of the two netminders, was definitely the busier in the second half, as the visitors poured forward in search of a potential winner.

Finally, it was Gutierrez who had another couple of chances to at last break the deadlock in the closing minutes, but the game was destined to end scoreless.

Salerno said both sides needed to do more at their respective offensive ends of the field.

“We played a really good first half and underperformed in the second,” he said. “They had three chances fall in our box in the second half and couldn’t put them away.”

On a blustery night with the wind at their backs in the second half, the Panthers attempted to take advantage of the conditions, said Salerno.

“When you send those long balls in, they need to be diagonal,” he said. “So, you have a be er chance of ge ing to them.”

Following a season that saw the Panthers win the Class 5A state championship by pu ing together a masterful playoff run a er rebounding from a slow start to the campaign, Salerno added this season has presented more of a challenge as a result.

“This year the approach to games has been more difficult – everyone wants to beat the state champions he said. “But, I can’t fault these guys – all the games we’ve played, they’ve put their hearts into, understood what we’re trying to do and the work rate is there.”

Salerno said the final few playoff spots in the league standings should prove to be a dogfight right to the end the regular season, which should bode well for another postseason run.

“If you look at all our games in district, they’ve been tough,” he said. “So, if we’re lucky enough to make the playoffs, we’ll be ba le-tested.”

Wranglers wrestler excels at state tournament

Legacy Ranch sophomore finished third in Class 5A

BY PHOEBE JOHNSON-QUAIFE EDITORIAL INTERN

David McNally, a formidable wrestler from Legacy Ranch High School, showcased his talent at the state tournament by earning an impressive third-place finish.

On Feb. 14, McNally made his second appearance at the state tournament, competing in the highly competitive Class 5A Division in the 144-pound weight class. Over the course of six matches at the UIL State Championship, McNally’s determination and skill were on full display. In the decisive third-place match, he defeated Victor Medina of Dallas Sunset, securing his spot on the podium.

Despite only being a sophomore, McNally has already adapted seamlessly to the competitive wrestling style of upperclassmen. Earlier this season at Glenn High School, he displayed his defensive prowess by shutting down every scoring attempt from his opponents.

When asked about handling his clear advantage, McNally said, “To maintain focus, I remind myself that I am blessed to compete and to be grateful.”

McNally’s ability to adapt appears to be his superpower. Transitioning from the 120-pound weight division as a freshman to over 10 pounds heavier as a sophomore, he found the move remarkably smooth.

“The transition to the higher weights was not very difficult, because I was able to put on enough size to be big enough for the weight class. My style changed for the better,” he said.

Wranglers head coach Rustin Feller

described McNally as embodying the Tim McGraw song “Humble and Kind.”

McNally credits his success to maintaining a balance between fierceness and humility.

“Keeping a good character on and off the mat is important to success,” he said. “Especially showing respect and kindness.”

According to McNally, training for state came easily to him.

“Training leading up to state was the same as I do all year,” said McNally. “I was putting in at least two hard practices a day, except when I got sick the week of state and wasn’t able to practice.”

While at the event, McNally kept composed by calming himself with reassuring thoughts.

“At state, I just felt blessed and grateful God gave me the opportunity to compete,” he said. “I was just having fun.”

Excelling as an underclassman can be overwhelming at times, often leading to heightened expectations, but McNally said he simply takes it all in stride by being a consummate leader for the entire squad.

“To help my teammates get better, I try my best to push them and work with them on technique as much as possible,” he said.

McNally may be the perfect figure to look up to as a role model. He isn’t bothered by hard competition and knows what’s expected.

“I don’t feel like I have a target on my back because I’m constantly putting in work and practicing,” he said. “So the pressure of other people doesn’t affect me much. I know I need to focus on what I’m doing.”

Many athletes – especially professionals – possess the remarkable ability to remain focused under pressure. This skill enables them to perform and compete at an elite level, unaffected by fear.

Impressively, McNally shares this quality with top athletes, which is a key factor in his exceptional performance.

Looking ahead, McNally has set ambitious goals for himself before graduating in 2028.

“Before I graduate in 2028, I definitely would love to win a state title,” he said. “Also, I would love to win a national title at NHSCA (National High School Coaches Association).”

With his exceptional talent and relentless work ethic, McNally is well-positioned to turn these aspirations into reality.

Given his determination and proven performance, it would be no surprise to see him stand atop the podium at both state and national competitions in the years to come.

Panthers roll past Clear Springs in dominant 10–2 victory

BY CHAD SJOLANDER PHOTOGRAPHY INTERN

The Liberty Hill Lacrosse team played their second game of the season Feb. 21 against the Clear Springs Chargers, and it was one to remember.

The Panthers came out hot from the start, with senior Jack Howard scoring the first two goals to set the tone early. After that, it was a cakewalk for Liberty Hill. Senior Luke Benson got in on the

action, adding a goal of his own to keep the momentum rolling. In the third quarter, Dylan Radziwon took over, scoring three goals and breaking the game wide open.

From there, the Panthers continued to pour it on, dominating both ends of the field. When the final whistle blew, Liberty Hill secured an impressive 10–2 victory.

Read our round up to learn more about the biggest news stories affecting our community

BY JACE BRAZIEL STAFF WRITER

LHISD board tackles attendance boundaries and more

February was an impactful month for Liberty Hill Independent School District, with action being taken on attendance boundaries, employment contracts and ongoing construction projects, among other things.

The topic of attendance boundaries has been looming for some time now. An attendance boundary advisory committee was formed in fall 2025, and the group met monthly to carve out an effective plan for how schools in the district would be zoned. Attendance zones for the middle and high schools remain unchanged from those originally proposed in the fall. Students living to the west of U.S. Highway 183 will attend Liberty Hill Middle School, as well as Liberty Hill High School.

Those to the east of U.S. Highway 183 will be zoned for Legacy Ranch High School. Homes east of Ronald Reagan Boulevard will largely be zoned for Santa Rita Middle School, with the exception being the northeastern reach of the school district.

Residents living in that area will join those living between Ronald Reagan Boulevard and U.S. Highway 183 in being zoned for Legacy Ranch Middle School.

The new recommendations for elementary school zonings differed from the district’s original proposal, with the following notable changes:

Liberty Hill Elementary: Communities along County Road 201, such as Mesa Vista Ranch and Stagecoach, will now be zoned for Liberty Hill Elementary, rather than Lariat Trails Elementary.

Bill Burden Elementary: Wildleaf and Grand Oaks have been added back to Bill Burden, with the idea of reevaluating when Saddleback Elementary opens next year.

Santa Rita Elementary: The Eldorado Village of Santa Rita Ranch has been officially added to Santa Rita’s zoning for the 2026-27 school year. Despite its proximity to Saddleback from a bird’s-eye view, the lack of a direct road connection between El-

dorado and Saddleback makes this a more traffic-friendly approach until a connection between the two subdivisions is made.

Additionally, the new attendance boundaries include a carveout for Saddleback Elementary, which is not expected to open its doors until August 2027. For the 2026-2027 school year, those zoned for Saddleback will attend Louine Noble Elementary.

The school board approved the proposed attendance boundaries, and a full breakdown, along with a link to an interactive map, can be found on the district’s website.

Several employment contracts were accepted during the board’s meeting as well. Travis Motal shedded the “interim” from his title following the finalization and acceptance of his contract as superintendent.

Joyce Milam was named the next principal of Bill Burden Elementary, and will take on this role as Christina Gamez, the current principal, begins her new position as principal of Lariat Trails Elementary. Milam served ass assistant principal at Bill Burden, and has been with the district for 23 years.

Peter Bongard, currently an assistant principal at Liberty Hill High School, was named as the founding principal of Legacy Ranch Middle School. He has been with the district for four years, and has 16 years of education experience.

Executive Director of Operations Dustin Akin presented the board with updates about ongoing construction projects around the district, along with updated timelines.

Legacy Ranch High School, as of January, is 91% complete, and is expected to reach substantial completion in June.

Expansions to Liberty Hill High School’s band hall and cafeteria will be completed in June. Interior renovations to the choir hall, robotics and arts rooms, black box theater, as well as a new wrestling room, will begin in May, and will be completed in August.

Construction on Lariat Trails Elementary began in Febuary 2025, and substantial completion is expected in May. Ground has not yet been broken for Saddleback Elementary, but construction is slated to begin in April, with substantial completion expected in the summer of 2027.

City of Liberty Hill approves changes to bylaws, calls special election

Liberty Hill City Council had an eventful start to February, broaching hot topics during their first regular meeting of the month.

The meeting in the latter half of the month, though, included a number of important items that flew under the radar.

A proposed set of changes to the Planning and Zoning Commission’s bylaws – specifically those laying out the requirements for membership – was criticized by one member of the community during public comments.

“We’re a community… and that doesn’t just mean just people in the city limits,” he told council. “I’m asking respectfully that you guys not change the residency requirement for these volunteer committees.”

The changes to the bylaws were approved, with a number of further changes being made following a discussion both on the dais and in executive session. Notably, membership is now directed by the city’s Code of Ordinances, which currently states that “at least four members [of the commission] shall be residents of the City and up to one member may live outside the City, but must be a resident of the Liberty Hill Independent School District.”

Council approved the calling of a special election on May 2, seeking the public’s approval to reauthorize the Street Maintenance Sales and Use Tax. This sparked some concern among residents, with many seeing this as an increase to the sales tax. However, this is not the case, as City Finance Director Josh Armstrong explained.

“This is part of the total Texas sales tax of 8.25%,” he said. “If the funding were to lapse, it would not reduce the total sales tax rate. The funding would just be reallocated to the [Emergency Services District] in our area.”

In the second regular meeting of the month, City Council approved changes to the Boards and Commissions Handbook, updating language to be more consistent with Liberty Hill’s designation as a HomeRule City, as well as removing boards from the handbook that have already been dissolved.

Council opted to approve an amendment to the professional services contract with the consultant firm involved in the rewriting of the Unified Development Code (UDC). This amendment increases the scope of that contract to include public engagement, as well as additional funding of up to $99,000.

The added funds will support a new

public engagement strategy, allowing the hosting of additional open houses, community meetings and developer roundtables, among other things.

Two such events – a developer roundtable and a community open house – will be held at the Liberty Hill Learning and Event Center on April 9 at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

The UDC rewrite project is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2026.

City council considered two action items related to water infrastructure, as well. The first was approval of an engagement letter with McCarthy and McCarthy, a law firm with the sole practice of advocating for water-related issues across Texas. As the executive summary of the agenda item explained, the purpose of this action was to get ahead of any potential problems related to state funding of the Advanced Water Purification Program.

“This engagement would start that process… to ensure that we are protecting the City’s rights under State Law,” states the document.

The second of the water-related items dealt with wastewater infrastructure. Specifically, council approved the final design process for the North Fork Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Garver Engineering was selected to complete the final stretch of design, which will include survey services, design deliverables, permitting and, notably, construction administration and oversight once ground is broken.

The project timeline projects 100% design completion in July, with the plant’s construction finishing up in the summer of 2029.

The city has also changed the location of some of its departments’ offices.

Katie Amsler, director of community engagement and eommunications, told The Independent:

“As our staff continues to grow, we are making some thoughtful internal adjustments to ensure every team has the space they need to serve our community effectively. The [Liberty Hill] Police Department will be expanding into the current planning building [on Forrest Street], with the planning department relocating to the Stubblefield [on Main Street], the parks and recreation department moving to Grove Street, and I have joined the team at City Hall.

“These shifts allow us to better support our growing staff and operations while making the most of the facilities we already have, helping us meet current needs without the immediate expense of acquiring additional space.”

April 8, 1942 - Jan. 22, 2026

Dorothy Anne (Martin) Page, 83, passed away at her home in Liberty Hill, Texas, on January 22, 2026, at 7:13 p.m., surrounded by love, with family by her side and on the phone.

Born April 8, 1942, in Fairfax, Vermont, Dorothy was the daughter of Elisabeth Bernadette (King) Martin and Clyde Donald Martin.

Dorothy married the love of her life, Clifford Arnold Page, on July 9, 1960, and devoted herself to being an athome mom to four girls.

After marriage, they made their home in Bakersfield, Vermont, where she built a life focused on family and friendship until mom’s soul mate left us on April 5, 2000.

Mom grew up in the Catholic Church and continued to practice that faith until her move to Texas. Once she landed in Texas, the Methodist Church welcomed her with open arms, and she remained a member of Cross

Dorothy Anne (Martin) Page

Track Methodist Church until she left to join our dad.

Crocheting lap blankets for veterans, dish cloths for us, hats and mittens for whoever needed some was another activity mom made time for.

She always had yarn nearby at the ready for when she needed a gift for special occasions (birthdays, Christmas) and most likely a Hallmark Christmas movie playing on the TV while she crocheted her gifts of love. If you needed a crochet project made, fixed, or figured out – Mom was your person.

After her Clifford was gone from her everyday life, she needed to be with her girls. Mom packed up her life and family that couldn’t let her leave without them and moved to Texas.

Mom called Liberty Hill, Texas, home for 25 years. She never forgot her roots but was proud to be a Texan.

Once in Texas, Mom quickly gathered a tribe of girlfriends.

Mom was happy to join her friends

at The Over the Hill Gang. She cherished her weekly girl time – games, crocheting, laughter, wine – and her annual beach trips with her gang of gal pals.

Janet Welch was one of those special friends that was always there and continued to be there through it all.

Dorothy (mom) is survived by her sister Patricia Whitehead (1 of 5 siblings); her daughters Annette (Peter) Savage, Carrie Van Meeteren, Angie (Mike) Midkiff, and Cindy (Steve) Van Meeteren; her grandchildren Natasha (Aaron) Savage, Page (Zach) Van Meeteren, Glenn Van Meeteren, Elisabeth Duhaime, and William Duhaime; her great-grandchildren R.J. Wilson, Kylie McFadden, Jaycee Harrington, and Charli Van Meeteren; and countless people (Kim) who became family along the way.

Mom’s wish to be cremated was granted and her ashes will be interred next to our dad at Sandersons Corners Cemetery in Fairfax, Vermont.

Summer intern program initiated by Chamber of Commerce

BY STEVE SCHIFF CHAMBER PRESIDENT

Since its launch in the summer of 2023, the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce Summer Intern Program has quickly become a meaningful bridge between education and real-world business experience.

Designed to provide hands-on exposure to chamber operations, the program reflects Liberty Hill’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders while strengthening connections within the local business community.

In just two summers, four students from Liberty Hill High School have successfully completed the program. Each intern entered with curiosity and a willingness to learn, and each le with a deeper understanding of how a local chamber supports economic growth, business advocacy and community engagement.

From day one, interns are immersed in the day-to-day operations of the Chamber. They assist with marketing initiatives, including social media content, event promotion, and member spotlights. By contrib-

uting to the outreach efforts, interns gain valuable insight into how consistent messaging and relationship-building drive visibility and engagement for local businesses.

Financial literacy is another cornerstone of the program. Interns are exposed to the fundamentals of chamber financials while learning how revenue is generated through membership investments, sponsorships, and events, and how responsible budgeting ensures longer term sustainability. This behind-the-scenes experience offers students a practical understanding of the monthly financials and organizational accountability.

Membership development is also a key focus. Interns assist with membership outreach, retention efforts, and database management, learning firsthand how strong relationships are built and maintained. They observe and participate in conversations with local business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders, gaining a deeper appreciation for the collaborative spirit that defines Liberty Hill’s business environment. Perhaps the most visible aspect of their experience is involvement in monthly luncheons and chamber events. Interns

help coordinate logistics, greet a endees, assist with check-in processes and support each event. Through these interactions, they develop confidence, professionalism and communication skills that will serve them well in any career path.

Beyond operational experience, one of the program’s greatest successes has been the networking opportunities it provides. Each intern has had the opportunity to connect with business owners, city leaders, educators and nonprofit representatives. These connections have allowed students to expand their professional networks significantly before they have even begun college. The relationships formed during the internship frequently extend beyond the summer, providing mentorship, references and future career guidance.

The program’s impact is twofold. For students, it offers meaningful exposure to entrepreneurship, civic leadership and organizational management. For the Chamber and its members, it provides fresh perspectives, youthful energy and additional support during the busy summer season. The interns’ contributions to marketing,

financial tracking, membership engagement and event coordination have added tangible value to Chamber operations.

As the Chamber’s membership continues to grow and the needs of its business community expand, the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce remains commi ed to sustaining and evolving the Summer Intern Program. The organization recognizes that as membership increases, so too does the opportunity to provide students with even broader exposure to business development, community leadership and event management.

The Chamber plans to continue investing in this initiative, ensuring that future interns benefit from expanded responsibilities and enhanced learning experiences that align with the Chamber’s growth.

In just two years, the Summer Intern Program has proven to be more than a seasonal initiative it has become an investment in Liberty Hill’s future workforce and leadership pipeline. The Chamber continues to demonstrate its commitment not only to local businesses, but to the leaders who will shape the community in the years ahead.

Sponsored content paid for by the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce

Schools have played important role in Liberty Hill for more than 170 years

BY JAMES WEAR COLUMNIST

Schools have long been the cornerstone of the Liberty Hill community and while the incredible growth in the district over the past decade has led to many challenges, providing the community’s youth with a solid education remains a driving force, just as it has for the past 170-some-odd years.

In researching the history of Liberty Hill schools, we find reports of a one-room log cabin being built near Liberty Hill Cemetery back in 1854 that doubled as a Methodist church and school.

A preacher by the name of Julius Cicero Landrum, who hailed from Atlanta, Ga., was recruited by early pioneers John Bryson and Anthony Smith to serve in a dual role as teacher and preacher.

A few years later, in 1871, a new school and church were constructed on the grounds where Cross Tracks Church is located.

Liberty Hill’s first school board election, according to documents provided by local historian Gary Spivey, was held in 1867 with three trustees elected, including E.S. Johnson, T.P. Pool and J.W. Schifflett. Johnson and Schifflett received eight votes apiece while Pool collected seven in an election that attracted only eight voters.

The establishment of Liberty Hill Normal and Business College, chartered in 1984, was a milestone in local education efforts. The school, which was located on the grounds where the Liberty Hill Independent School District administrative offices are now located on Forrest Street, came about after the community had built a new school building in 1882-83.

According to information found on the Texas State Historical Association website, the college opened in 1985 and within just a few years had four teachers and 166 students. By 1910, the college closed and its facilities were given to the public school system.

Other early schools in the Liberty Hill area included one in the Rock House Community, located off FM 3405. Rock House, according to information found on the Texas State Historical Association website, had a school established by 1878 and was considered one of the larger rural schools in Williamson County. It boasted 96 students and two teachers in 1903. Rock House eventually consolidated with Liberty Hill in 1947, according to the TSHA.

A few years ago, while poring over some of my father’s papers, I came across several

issues of a publication titled The Broadcaster, which apparently was distributed throughout Williamson County and included information about the county’s schools. Included in one issue was a teachers directory for 1925-26. Rock House had two teachers, identified as Miss Emma Duncan and Miss Iris Gregory, while another rural school in the Liberty Hill area, Hopewell, also had two teachers, identified as Miss Minerva Hereford and Miss Mollie Warren. Yet another rural school in the area, Concord, had three teachers listed – Mrs. Ray Shannon, Miss Mary Elsie Hancock and Miss Edna Marie Stinson.

Concord was located near the intersection of CR 200 and CR 202. An excellent narrative of the history of the Concord school, written by Milton Pogue, may be found on the Williamson County Historical Commission website. According to the text found on a historical marker at the site, “First settled in the 1850s, this area boasted a school named Clear Creek by 1857. Concord School was established in nearby Brizendine Mills in 1883. By 1888 the Concord School was in the Bear Creek settlement, succeeding the Clear Creek School. In 1896 H. N. Elliott and J. E. Elliott gave their land on the shore of Bear Creek for the site of a one-room schoolhouse. A new structure was added in 1921, and the facility was expanded as necessary. Enrollment peaked at 133 in the 1930s, but the school declined in the 1940s as enrollment dropped and young men and women departed to participate in the war effort. Graduates of the Concord School served Williamson County, the State of Texas, and the nation.”

Concord, according to a 1925 issue of The Broadcaster, had 92 students and a seven-month school year. Its trustees included A.N. Brown, J.D. Lentz and J.P. Henry. Rock House was listed as having 71 students with a six-month school year with trustees including W.R. Pipkin, E.A. Staton and A.C. Joseph. Meanwhile, out at Hopewell, there were a total of 55 students attending school for a seven-month period with the trustees including G.C. Renick, W.J. Johnson and W.P. Standlee.

The Broadcaster also published the names of those who served on the County Board of Education, with C.F. Hickman of Liberty Hill holding that position for Precinct 2. There were four precincts in all, with H.L. Egger of Georgetown serving as county superintendent. George Mahan was listed as the Liberty Hill superintendent.

According to The Broadcaster, there were a total of 11 independent school districts in

Williamson County, while “common” school districts totaled 88. Included among the common school districts were Leander, with a total of 143 students and five teachers, and Cedar Park, with a total of 66 pupils and five teachers.

Hopewell, which is located about five miles west of Liberty Hill off RR 1869, is said to have a school in the late 1870s, according to information found on the THSA website. It is also noted that Hopewell’s black school was the largest in Williamson County (140 students and two teachers) while the white school is said to have had one teacher and 39 students. Hopewell schools consolidated with Liberty Hill in 1945.

Another small local school was known as Matthews School. According to Culture of the Shin Oak Ridge Folk, written by J. Gordon Bryson, the school was in a one-room cabin that was originally built for a company of surveyors who were surveying land east of the South San Gabriel River for John G. Matthews and his wife. Matthews himself was among those surveyors. The couple would later build a home on their property. In 1976, a historical marker was erected near the entrance to the homeplace.

The cabin became a school in 1872, and Matthews would serve as a trustee. Bryson’s book includes a quote from a book written by Matthews’ son, Joseph Neely Matthews: “The first school of the community was held in this log house and taught by Mr. De Kirkpatrick. It was customary in those days for the patrons to subscribe so many pupils. I remember my father saying that he subscribed three and a half pupils. I am still wondering if they didn’t count me as the half pupil.”

Joseph Matthews attended that school

until he was 15, according to documents compiled by his daughter, the late Myreta Matthews.

Myreta Matthews, who gained acclaim during her lifetime for her research into Liberty Hill’s early years, died in 1993.

Joseph Matthews would go on to spend more than 30 years as a teacher and principal in various schools in Williamson County. After leaving the teaching profession in 1922, he published a newspaper in Liberty Hill known as the Liberty Hill Index for four years before being appointed as the local justice of peace, a position he held for several years.

Bryson’s book also notes that a free school was built near the cabin school around 1884 and also known as Matthews.

According to Bryson, “terms lasted three to five months, with one teacher responsible for from 15 to 75 pupils.”

Bryson identified Finis Foster as the teacher for that school.

EVENTS CALENDAR

March 7

HOP AROUND THE HILL

BOUTIQUE CRAWL

Liberty Hill Boutiques/Restaurants

Liberty Hill

10 a.m.-5 p.m. facebook.com/holidayaroundthehill

10TH ANNUAL SIMS STRONG BBQ BENEFIT & COOK-OFF

12805 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (Indian Mound Ranch) All day facebook.com/Simsstrong

March 9

LIBERTY HILL REPUBLICAN WOMEN MONTHLY MEETING

15395 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill

6-8 p.m. facebook.com/ events/3181982325295889

NATIVE AND ADAPTIVE PLANTS

Williamson County Master Gardener 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown (Georgetown Annex)  6:45-8 p.m. txmg.org/williamson

March 10

MUSIC BINGO

Liberty Tavern 3000 RR 1869, Liberty Hill 7 p.m. facebook.com/libertyhilltavern

March 11

WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA

Liberty Hill Beer Market 13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-9 p.m. facebook.com/even ts/1593572278508198/159357233517 4859/

March 13

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH SPIRAL MISCHIEF

Agape BBQ

3610 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

6:30-9 p.m.

facebook.com/agapebbq

March 14

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FESTIVAL

San Gabriel River Brewery

500 Chapparal Dr., Liberty Hill

12 p.m. sangabrielriverbrewery.com

March 15

MARCH BUCKLE SERIES SHOOT

Hill Country Bowhunters

520 CR 258, Liberty Hill 8 a.m. facebook.com/HillCountryBowhunters

March 19

KARAOKE

Liberty Hill Beer Market

13851 Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill 7-10 p.m. facebook.com/ events/2156736291798011

March 21

SUPERBRONC ROUGHSTOCK CHALLENGE

12 p.m. batteriesplus.com

March 28

LIBERTY HILL ISD CAREER FAIR

Santa Rita Elementary

532 Santa Rita Blvd., Liberty Hill 9-11 a.m. facebook.com/ events/1916051469051402

Williamson County Cowboy Church 8355 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

7 p.m. facebook.com/ superbronc. roughstock

March 22

PACK WALK

United K9 Academy of Liberty Hill CR 258, Liberty Hill (Tejas Park Trailhead)

9 a.m.-12 p.m. facebook.com/ UK9ALibertyHill

FAMILY SHILOH

Dahlia Cafe 2450 RR 1869, Liberty Hill

12-2 p.m. facebook.com/ FamilyShiloh

March 26

GRAND OPENING EVENT

Batteries Plus 7680 183A Toll Rd., Ste. 204, Leander

THE MARKET LHTX

Louine Noble Elementary

101 Main St., Liberty Hill 10 a.m.-2 p.m. themarketlhtx.com

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE

Cross Tracks Church

101 Church St., Liberty Hill 10 a.m.-3 p.m. redcrossblood.org

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Divine Savior Academy

23857 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Liberty Hill

10 a.m. facebook.com/DivineSaviorAcademySantaRitaRanch

THE HAPPY-EST MODEL HOME TOUR

Santa Rita Ranch

504 Exploration Circle, Liberty Hill

10 a.m.-2 p.m. facebook.com/SantaRitaRanchAustin

5TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL

Fire Oak Distillery

4600 CR 207, Liberty Hill 1-7 p.m. fireoakdistillery.com