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🪶 Letter from the Editor

As this year closes, it does so the way most things do around here — quietly.

The holidays wind down. The roads thin out. Porch lights stay on a little longer than necessary. And somewhere between the last gathering and the first ordinary morning of January, there’s a pause that feels earned.

2025 asked a lot of our region. We felt it in the weather, in loss and recovery, and in the way plans shifted without warning. We watched neighbors rebuild after storms, including the devastating July 4th floods that forever marked Kerrville and surrounding towns. And we were reminded — again — that what holds this place together isn’t perfection or certainty, but people showing up when it matters.

This week’s Townie is an invitation to take stock — not with pressure, not with resolutions, but with calm clarity. To notice what carried us through. To acknowledge what we’re ready to set down. And to step into 2026 without rushing to define it.

You’ll find business insight, community notes, events to look forward to, and a longer reflection on what this year revealed about who we are — and how we move forward together. It’s not about reinvention. It’s about steadiness, intention, and staying connected to the places and people that make this region home.

Thank you for being here, for reading, for sharing, and for helping keep this modern-day front porch alive.

Here’s to a steady start.

— Katie Milton Jordan
Editor, The Townie
📬 [email protected] // 📞 325-475-4991

The Two Insights Your Business Needs Right Now

Running a business in this region has never been simple — but right now, it’s especially easy to misread the signals.

Some things are working better than they look. Other things feel “fine” right up until they aren’t. Based on what we’re seeing across shops, services, ranch-adjacent businesses, and Main Street operations, here are two insights worth sitting with this week.

Insight #1: When Margins Tighten, Clarity Beats More Effort

Across the region, many solo service providers are in a similar spot:
work is steady, conversations are happening, calendars aren’t empty — and yet the business feels more fragile than it used to.

That tension isn’t a personal failure. It’s a signal.

What we’re seeing right now is a growing gap between activity and commitment. More inquiries. Longer conversations. Slower decisions. And thinner margins once the work is secured.

In moments like this, the instinct is often to push harder — respond faster, say yes more often, add offerings, stay “on” longer.

But the owners navigating this stretch most effectively are doing something quieter:
they’re getting clearer.

They’re tightening who they’re for.
They’re noticing which inquiries convert cleanly and which linger.
They’re protecting pricing and terms that reflect the real cost of delivery.

This isn’t the season for more effort across the board.
It’s the season for better filters.

When margins compress, clarity becomes the leverage.

Insight #2: Stability Is Not a Signal to Keep Pushing — It’s a Moment to Re-Shape

Many solo operators assume that if the business is stable, the only responsible move is to keep pressing forward.

But stability isn’t always a green light for expansion. Sometimes it’s a pause point — a chance to adjust the shape of the business before momentum locks you into something unsustainable.

The strongest owners we’re watching aren’t asking, “How do I grow this?”
They’re asking:

• What work actually supports the life I want to sustain?

• Which parts of this business feel repeatable instead of draining?

• What am I tolerating out of habit rather than intention?

This isn’t about shrinking. It’s about aligning.

The businesses that last aren’t just profitable — they’re carryable.
They’re designed around real capacity, not an idealized version of it.

If you’ve felt a quiet urge to simplify, refine, or let go of something that technically “works” but feels heavier each month — that’s not regression. It’s discernment.

A small Townie takeaway

Right now, many smart business owners are standing at the same intersection — steady, capable, and quietly asking, What’s next?

The answer usually isn’t louder marketing or more hustle.
It’s clearer positioning. Better boundaries. And conversations with others who can see the pattern from the outside.

That’s where community becomes more than encouragement — it becomes perspective.

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Fresh off the Porch

Events

• Mason — Mason County Chamber Annual Awards Night (Thu, Jan 29, 6:00 PM, The Old Peanut Mill) — Mason County Chamber of Commerce.
  A celebratory evening honoring local businesses and community contributors from the past year. Dinner, awards, and plenty of Hill Country handshakes as neighbors gather to toast what makes Mason special.

• Mason — 10th Annual Mason Chamber Music Festival (Fri–Sun, Mar 27–29; times vary, Odeon Theater & First United Methodist Church) — Mason Chamber Music Festival.
  A beloved weekend of world-class chamber music returns to Mason. Performances span three days, from intimate midday concerts to a Saturday evening gala at the historic Odeon.

• Brady — Rockin’ J Smokehouse Grand Opening (Sat, Jan 17, 11:00 AM, 2018 S Bridge St) — Brady/McCulloch County Chamber of Commerce.
  A ribbon cutting and community celebration welcomes Brady’s newest BBQ spot. Free samples while they last, live music, and a warm welcome for a new locally owned business.

• Brady — Heart of Texas Country Music Festival (Thu–Sat, Mar 19–28, evenings, Brady Civic Center) — Heart of Texas Productions.
  The 37th annual festival brings two weekends of classic country music, dancing, and Texas legends. A long-standing tradition that fills Brady with boots, hats, and hometown pride.

• Fredericksburg — Fredericksburg Trade Days (Fri–Sun, Jan 16–18, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, Sunday Farms) — Fredericksburg Trade Days.
  Hundreds of vendors, antiques, boutique goods, live music, and food vendors make this winter market a favorite for shoppers and wanderers alike.

• Luckenbach — Luckenbach Blues Festival (Sat, Jan 17, 1:00 PM, Luckenbach Dancehall) — Luckenbach Texas.
  An afternoon of soulful blues in an intimate Hill Country setting. This year’s festival honors the late Marcia Ball and supports a local nonprofit.

• Fredericksburg — Second Annual Fredericksburg Book Festival (Sat, Jan 17, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, multiple downtown venues) — Fredericksburg Book Festival.
  A full-day celebration of Texas authors, storytelling, and readers of all ages. Panels, signings, and kids’ programming spread across downtown.

• Kerrville — Kerrville Renaissance Festival (Weekends Jan 17–Feb 1, 10:00 AM, River Star Arts & Event Park) — Kerrville Ren Fest.
  Jousting knights, period music, artisans, and turkey legs return for three weekends of medieval fun. Costumes encouraged, imagination required.

• Llano — Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF) (Fri–Sun, Feb 27–Mar 1, Grenwelge Park) — Llano Earth Art Fest.
  Home of the World Rock Stacking Championship, LEAF blends art, music, nature, and family fun along the Llano River.

• Menard — Jim Bowie Days & Chamber Banquet (March, dates forthcoming) — Menard Chamber of Commerce.
  Menard’s signature spring celebrations return with BBQ, live music, and recognition of local leaders. Final dates expected soon.

Community Features

• Mason — Community Photo Contest Highlights Local Beauty
  Residents are invited to submit their favorite Mason County photos for the annual Chamber photo contest. A creative way to celebrate the landscapes, wildlife, and everyday moments that define life here.

• Menard — Santa’s Special Delivery Brings Holiday Cheer
  Santa rolled through town just before Christmas, delivering gifts and smiles to local kids. Volunteers and donors came together to make sure no child was missed.

• Harper — Stock Show Honors Beloved Ag Educator
  This year’s Harper Livestock Show was dedicated to longtime ag teacher Doug Townsend, recognizing decades of mentorship and service to local youth.

Business / School Highlights

• Brady — New Chamber Leadership Begins 2026
  The Brady/McCulloch County Chamber welcomed a new Board Chair and celebrated its first Leadership Brady graduating class, signaling strong momentum for the year ahead.

• Junction — Eagles Earn All-District Honors
  Junction High School football players received multiple All-District recognitions, reflecting a strong season and deep community pride.

• Llano — Downtown Revitalization Takes Shape
  Sidewalk improvements, renovated storefronts, and new small businesses are on the way as Llano invests in its historic downtown.

Awards & Recognitions

• Brady — Farm Bureau Earns Statewide Communications Award
  McCulloch County Farm Bureau received a top Texas honor for outstanding public outreach and community engagement.

• Menard — Pecan Show Celebrates Multi-Generation Growers
  Local growers dominated this year’s county pecan show, showcasing Menard’s long-standing agricultural traditions.

• Junction — Teacher of the Year Recognized
  Junction Elementary educator Maria Rivera was named Regional Teacher of the Year for her creativity and dedication to students.

Hill Country Weather

A mild first week of the new year brings sunny afternoons in the 70s and cool nights in the 40s. A weak front late in the week may nudge temperatures down slightly, but no major rain systems are expected.

Rural Policy & Funding Watch

Texas enters 2026 with a major boost in rural healthcare funding, aimed at stabilizing hospitals, expanding mental health services, and supporting telemedicine in small communities. Broadband access and rural infrastructure remain top priorities as state and regional groups push for long-term investment.

Economic & Small Business Intel

Local businesses report steady holiday sales and cautious optimism heading into the new year. Workforce shortages remain a challenge, but downtown revitalization efforts and new business openings point to resilient rural economies across the Hill Country.

Agriculture & Livestock Notes

Drought conditions persist across much of the region, with many ranchers feeding hay earlier than usual and burn bans still in effect. Cattle markets remain favorable, hay supplies are stable, and producers are watching winter rains closely.

Market Snapshot

Pecan demand stayed strong through the holidays, though wholesale prices remain low. Cattle prices are holding firm, hay prices are steady, and goat markets remain favorable ahead of spring demand.

Grant Watch

Several rural and agricultural grant programs are open or expected to open soon, including specialty crop grants, rural business development funding, and heritage land recognitions. Local nonprofits and producers are encouraged to prepare applications early.

Tourism Pulse

Winter tourism remains steady, fueled by mild weather, hunting season, wine tourism, and outdoor recreation. Lodging interest is already building for spring wildflower season and the April 2026 total solar eclipse, expected to bring a significant visitor surge.

Editor’s note: All listings verified and current for the January 1, 2026 edition of The Townie.

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As the Year Turns: What We Carry Forward

By the time a year ends around here, it rarely does so with fireworks.

More often, it slips out quietly—between porch lights left on a little longer, the last casserole dish returned to its rightful kitchen, and the moment you realize the calendar really is about to turn. The rush of the holidays fades. The roads thin out. The air gets sharper. And suddenly, there’s room to breathe.

That’s where we find ourselves now.

2025 asked a lot of this region. Not in headline ways, but in the steady, human ones. It was a year of weather that didn’t behave, plans that shifted, and moments that reminded us—sometimes abruptly—that control is mostly an illusion. From the storms that rolled through in May and June to the devastating July 4th flash floods that forever marked Kerrville and neighboring towns, many of us learned again what it means to rebuild—not just structures, but routines, confidence, and a sense of normal.

And yet.

If you look closely, what also showed up this year was resilience—not the loud, bumper-sticker kind, but the quieter version that looks like checking on neighbors, clearing debris without being asked, reopening doors even when things aren’t fully fixed yet. It looked like church parking lots doubling as supply drop points. Like school gyms turned into meeting places. Like back roads driven a little slower, not out of fear, but respect.

Around here, resilience doesn’t announce itself. It just keeps going.

As summer gave way to fall, and fall to winter, something else happened too. The pace changed. The urgency softened. The conversations shifted from “Did you hear?” to “How are you holding up?” The region settled—not because everything was resolved, but because we remembered how to live inside uncertainty without letting it harden us.

That’s an underrated skill.

There were no grand reinventions this year for most folks. Instead, there were small recalibrations. Same businesses, same storefronts, same service trucks—but run with a little more intention. Same families, same routines—but with sharper awareness of what actually matters. Many discovered that visibility doesn’t require volume, and progress doesn’t always look like expansion. Sometimes it looks like steadiness. Sometimes it looks like choosing what not to push.

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that strength here has never been about speed. It’s been about continuity. Showing up. Keeping the lights on. Opening the doors again.

Winter has a way of clarifying that.

There’s something about January mornings—coffee steaming on the porch, frost still clinging to the edges of the day—that invites reflection without demanding answers. It’s not the kind of reflection that leads to grand declarations or lists of resolutions taped to the fridge. It’s quieter than that. It asks gentler questions.

What did we survive?
What did we learn to let go of?
What did we keep, even when it would’ve been easier not to?

For some, the answer is community. For others, it’s faith, or routine, or simply the decision to stay when leaving might have seemed simpler. Around here, staying has never meant standing still. It’s meant tending—to land, to people, to work that matters in unflashy ways.

As we look toward 2026, there’s no single “right” way to enter it. No shared agenda. No mandate to be better, faster, or more impressive. If anything, the invitation feels more like this: arrive steady. Arrive awake. Arrive honest about what you can and can’t carry forward.

New beginnings don’t always require reinvention. Sometimes they just require space.

Space to acknowledge the year that was without reliving it. Space to honor what was lost without being defined by it. Space to recognize that clarity often comes not from pushing harder, but from standing still long enough to see what remains once the noise dies down.

Here, that clarity tends to show up in familiar places—at the feed store counter, over breakfast at the café, in the nod exchanged with someone you’ve known forever or just met last month. It shows up in the way we keep waving, even when we’re tired. In the way we check in, even when we don’t have solutions.

That’s not accidental. That’s culture.

So as the year turns, maybe the question isn’t “What will I accomplish next?” but “How do I want to move through what’s next?” With what pace? With what attention? With what grace for myself and the people around me?

2026 doesn’t need to be conquered. It just needs to be entered.

May we do so calmly.
May we do so together.
And may we remember—when the next storm comes, as it inevitably will—that we already know how to meet it.

Editor’s Note
During December, as an experiment, I released a 4-part AI Action Class Series based on The Best Year by Intelligent Change. It’s designed to help people reflect on the year that’s passed and thoughtfully prepare for the year ahead—combining the book’s concepts with simple AI workflows so the insights can be applied immediately.

Each workshop is under 30 minutes and available to watch here.

If you’d like to run the corresponding AI workflows alongside the journal, just hit reply and I’ll send you the PDF attachments.

Here’s to a steady start.

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Dear Hazel Mae & Fern,

It’s January, the holidays are finally put away, and my garden looks like it’s taking a long winter nap — or maybe it’s just given up on me altogether. I live here in the Hill Country and want to do right by my yard this year, but I don’t know where to begin when everything’s brown, crunchy, and a little depressing. What should I actually be doing in January to plan for a good garden year?

— Hopeful but Muddy in Mason County

Hazel Mae Says:

Well now, Hopeful, January’s when a garden tells the truth about itself. No flowers putting on airs. No tomatoes distracting you from the mess. Just you, the soil, and all the decisions you didn’t make last year.

First thing: walk your land. Not fast — I mean stroll it like you’re sizing up a church potluck. Where does water sit? Where does the sun linger? Where did things flat-out fail last summer? January is honest that way.

Next, clean but don’t fuss. Pull what’s dead-dead. Leave what’s just resting. Cut back perennials that look ragged, but don’t scalp everything like you’re mad at it. And if you’ve got leaves — bless them. Chop ’em up and lay them down. Free mulch is a Hill Country love language.

Now here’s my tough love: don’t over-plan. Pick a few things you want to grow well this year instead of trying to raise the entire seed catalog. Three goals. Write them down. Tape it to the fridge. That’s how gardens — and marriages — survive.

And if you’re itching to do something, sharpen your tools, clean your pots, and order seeds before the good ones disappear. That right there is productive impatience.

Fern Adds:

January is the quiet conversation season. The garden isn’t asking for action so much as attention.

This is a good month to feed the soil, not the plants. A thin layer of compost, aged manure, or leaf mold now will settle in slowly, improving structure and moisture before spring rains arrive. Think of it as tucking the soil in with a warm quilt.

It’s also the right time to plan with restraint. Hill Country soil is thin and stubborn, but it rewards those who work with it. Choose plants that belong here — ones that don’t demand constant watering or pampering once summer heat bears down.

Sit with a notebook. Sketch your beds. Notice what you already have that survived last year’s extremes. Those are your allies.

And remember: rest is part of growth. A garden doesn’t need constant improvement — it needs understanding. January gives you space to listen.

Hazel Mae (one more thing, because of course):

If you feel behind, you’re not. January gardeners are the ones who end up smug in May — quietly sipping iced tea while everyone else wonders why nothing’s coming up.

Start slow. Stay curious. And don’t apologize to a garden for taking your time. It’s doing the same.

Until next week,
Hazel Mae & Fern 🌱

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🌟 New Year 2026 Readings — Week of 1/1/2026

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 19)
You come into this year like a screen door swinging open — sudden, loud, and full of intention. There’s a spark in you that doesn’t want another rehearsal. It wants action, now. Just remember: momentum works best when it’s aimed, not scattered.

This week asks you to choose one brave thing and commit. Not ten. One. Let the rest wait their turn. The road ahead is long, and you don’t need to run it barefoot.

Taurus (Apr 20 – May 20)
The year opens slowly for you, like a kettle warming on the stove. That’s not resistance — that’s wisdom. You’re shedding habits that once felt safe but now feel heavy, and you’re allowed to take your time doing it.

Pay attention to what brings comfort without costing you peace. This is a year for sturdy joy, not shiny distractions. Build something you’ll still love come August.

Gemini (May 21 – Jun 20)
Your thoughts are busy this week, hopping like sparrows along a fence line. New ideas, old conversations, half-finished dreams — all asking for airtime. The trick is deciding which ones deserve a reply.

This year invites you to speak more honestly, even when it complicates things. Especially then. Clear words will clear paths you didn’t know were blocked.

Cancer (Jun 21 – Jul 22)
You’re stepping into the year tender but strong, like soil after a good rain. There’s been a quiet recalibration happening inside you, and now you’re noticing what no longer fits.

Home — emotional or literal — is your anchor in 2026. Start there. Fix what leaks. Keep what nourishes. You don’t need to explain your need for softness; it’s how you survive and thrive.

Leo (Jul 23 – Aug 22)
This year doesn’t ask you to shine louder — it asks you to shine truer. You’re done performing for rooms that won’t listen. Good. That frees up energy for places that will.

This week brings clarity around where your generosity has gone unreturned. Pull it back without guilt. Your warmth is precious, and it deserves appreciation, not expectation.

Virgo (Aug 23 – Sep 22)
You’re entering 2026 with a quiet to-do list written in pencil, not ink. That’s growth. You’re learning that flexibility can be a form of care, not chaos.

This week favors small resets: a cleared drawer, a kinder boundary, a better bedtime. These little choices stack up. By spring, you’ll look back and realize you rebuilt your footing one thoughtful step at a time.

Libra (Sep 23 – Oct 22)
Balance looks different this year. Less symmetry, more truth. You’re no longer interested in smoothing things over if it means smoothing yourself out.

This week encourages honest conversations — the kind that wobble a little before they settle. Trust that discomfort doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It often means you’re finally being real.

Scorpio (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
There’s a deep internal shift happening, like roots stretching in new soil. You don’t need to name it yet. You just need to honor it.

This year asks you to release old loyalties that drain you. Not with drama — with resolve. What you protect now will define the strength you carry forward.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
You’re itching for movement, even if it’s just rearranging the furniture or driving a different way home. Good. Stagnation doesn’t suit you.

This week reminds you that freedom isn’t always distance — sometimes it’s permission. To rest. To stay. To choose joy without justification. Let this year be wide without being reckless.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
You step into 2026 with a steadiness others lean on, whether you notice or not. But this year asks you to soften your grip just a touch.

You don’t have to carry everything to prove your worth. This week is about delegation, trust, and letting someone else light the fire while you sit a minute and warm your hands.

Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Your perspective feels sharpened, like winter air. You’re seeing patterns others miss, and it may leave you feeling a step ahead — or a step apart.

This year invites you to ground your ideas in real connection. Share them. Test them. Let community shape the vision instead of carrying it alone.

Pisces (Feb 19 – Mar 20)
You’re drifting into the new year with a full heart and tired edges. That’s okay. Sensitivity is your compass, not your weakness.

This week favors rest, ritual, and gentle beginnings. Light a candle. Write a wish you don’t show anyone. The year ahead will ask courage of you — but for now, it asks care.

💫 Until next week, may the road ahead meet you kindly and the porch light stay on.

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