Liberty Hill junior first baseman Mason Baty bats cleanup for the Panthers and will likely be a key to their playoff success.
(Photo by Kathy Canady)

By Joseph Garcia

He has a quick, yet powerful bat, cat-like reflexes and a sound baseball mind. He is Liberty Hill first baseman Mason Baty.

The junior from Irving moved to Liberty Hill when he was a sophomore. Now, in his first year on varsity, he is a major component on a district championship team about to embark on what they hope is a deep playoff run.

Baty is the ultimate team-first player.

“We play as a team and play well together,” Baty said. “Yes, we tease each other all the time, but it’s just how we are around each other. If we play as a team and keep doing what we have been doing, then we will become a state championship team.”

Liberty Hill’s sure-gloved first baseman is also the clean-up hitter, who has come through for his team time and time again this season.

Back on April 5, in a 4-4 game against Llano, with two outs and the bases loaded, Baty drove a 3-1 pitch to center field, just beyond the reach of a Yellowjacket fielder, scoring the go-ahead runs. The Panthers defeated Llano 6-4 that night in a comeback victory. It was just one example of Baty’s baseball abilities, in addition to his excellent fielding skills.

“Mason (Baty) has done a great job (this season) at first by catching everything thrown his way,” said Liberty Hill Coach Mike Kristan. “(He) has come up with big at-bats and his glove is (one of) the best we have had. He has made our infield look good.”

There is a line of Baty baseball players, with Mason, 16, being one of the youngest. His grandfather Chuck and his father David both played “America’s Pastime.”

There are more to come, too, with his younger sister, Brandyn, 13, and brother, Walker, 11, involved in softball and baseball, football and basketball, respectively.

“(Baseball) is in my blood because my grandpa and my dad played as well,” Baty said. “My dad played college baseball at Lamar and was offered to play in the major leagues.”

While Baty has evolved into an all-district type of player, he is not satisfied with where he stands. He is constantly working to hone his craft. He practices on the weekends with his father and plays with Total Pro Baseball during the summer.

“I try to perfect (my craft) because I need to get better and learn more about the game,” he said. “I hit the ball pretty well and I have good hand-eye coordination. (I feel) I can compete well against pitchers.”

Baty, or “Baty Bird” as his teammates call him, is not the only Liberty Hill player to play with Total Pro, however. Teammates Kannon Prior, Cody Remore, Colt Stofle and Tristan Heidelberg all play with him during the summer.

Baty’s hobbies include hanging out with friends such as the guys on Total Pro. He also enjoys fishing and hunting. And it was on a hunting trip he had an experience of a lifetime.

When Baty was just 11, he successfully hunted down a Texas Dall ram with a bow and arrow. It was a moment he called one of his “best experiences” and he did it in his namesake city of Mason.

“It was a trip of a lifetime to hunt it,” he explained. “I had always wanted to shoot an exotic with my bow.”

The hand-eye coordination was evident from age 11 and Baty plans to use that skill to hopefully play baseball at the next level. He hopes to play at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. His ultimate dream would be to play pro baseball, but if that does not work out, he wants to become a physical therapist.

In the interim, however, Baty’s focus is squarely on his team and their Area opponent, Castleberry. There is no rally cry or pep talk that Baty and the Panthers need, just each other.

“We just play the game,” Baty concluded.

Liberty Hill Coach Charice Hankins delivers words of encouragement to her team on the mound during a hard-fought playoff battle. (Photo by Kathy Canady)

By Joseph Garcia 

GLEN ROSE — It was not supposed to turn out this way, but it did.

Brimming with momentum, confidence and talent, the No. 2 ranked Liberty Hill Lady Panthers were widely thought to be the favorites to come out of Region I and play for a state title. It was not meant to be, however.

Following their bye, the Lady Panthers were pitted against a tough Iowa Park team ranked No. 17 in the state in the Area Championship at Glen Rose High School. The best-of-three series began Thursday, May 2, on a cold, breezy and misty evening in which Iowa Park squeezed out a 1-0 victory.

The next day, the Lady Panthers figured it was their time. It certainly looked as if the series would go to a third game with Liberty Hill taking a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. However, with the wind swirling around, Iowa Park managed to hit a few bloop singles that fell in play to keep the game alive.

With Liberty Hill just needing one more out to send it to a Game 3, back-to-back singles gave Iowa Park a 6-4 lead it would not relinquish, ending the Lady Panthers’ season and playoff run. Liberty Hill’s final record for the season is 27-4.

For Liberty Hill Coach Charice Hankins, the main reason for the early exit was not taking advantage of scoring opportunities by leaving too many runners on base.

“Bottom line is we left 21 runners on base in our two playoff games vs. Iowa Park, and that killed our chance to take control of the series,” Hankins said. “When we lost Thursday, we left 10 runners on, but I felt Iowa Park’s pitcher controlled our hitting by being very effective, hard throwing and keeping us from getting too much of the ball and getting into any rhythm.”

As for Friday’s game, Coach Hankins said she never thought they were going to lose.

“We came out excited, motivated and focused on being aggressive and we scored first, and I felt we had control of our destiny the whole game,” she said. “Our hitters were making their pitcher throw a lot of pitches and we battled her at the plate every at bat.”

In Game 2, Liberty Hill nabbed a 2-0 lead in the second inning after Baylie Bevers reached first base on an error, which allowed Alyson Sulak to score. The next batter was Delaney Red, who put down a perfect bunt for a single to load the bases for Paige Lafferty. Lafferty grounded out, but the second run scored during her at-bat on a passed ball for the 2-0 score.

Iowa Park came right back to tie it up 2-2 in the third inning on a two-out single and a passed ball.

With Samantha Junkin dealing on the mound, the Lady Panthers kept it close and finally broke through for two more runs in the fourth inning.

With the bases loaded and one out, senior Presley Walker smacked a single to center field that scored Lafferty and Kallen Floyd to make the score 4-2.

Iowa Park made it 4-3 in the fifth inning on a solo home run that sailed over the center field wall, leaving Liberty Hill with no room for error.

Looking to close the game out, Junkin stayed on the mound and struck out the first batter, allowed a single to the second and struck out the third. The Lady Panthers were one out away from a win until back-to-back singles gave Iowa Park a 6-4 lead.

Liberty Hill had the last at-bat, but could not get anything going as its season ended in a flurry.

“The game went by so fast,” Hankins explained. “We were up 2-0, tied up 2-2, we went up 4-2, they hit a home run to make it 4-3, and we went into the seventh inning with a ‘close out plan’ with a one run lead. We had two outs and only needed one out to get us to game three and they (hit) a couple of blooper balls on which they ended up scoring, and that took a little wind out of our sail.”

Hankins said she felt like her team beat the pitcher for six innings and they won 20 of their 21 outs. But that last out, Iowa Park won.

“And at that point of the game, it is the only out that mattered,” she said.

Yes, it was an incredible regular season for the Lady Panthers in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. But that just goes to show how much young talent is gushing out of Liberty Hill’s softball program.

They are good, but the emphasis is on their youth. Coach Hankins figures that was another big reason for the short postseason run.

“I think lack of playoff experience was a part of our tentativeness,” she said. “This was technically a rebuilding year for us. Coaches and players have always felt like this was a strong team and we had what it took to continue to play deep in the playoffs, and had a shot at making it back to state.”

The reality for the Lady Panthers was that there were only three starters back from last year’s state semifinal team and they fielded six starters this season that had no previous playoff experience.

Still, standards were high for Liberty Hill as it carried a top ranking for most of the season at No. 2. And with the bulk of those players returning, the future is bright yet again for Liberty Hill softball in 2014.

“I think our expectations were high all season, and we won 27 games, some of which were huge,” Hankins said. “But when it came time to play for the Area game, the stakes are high and no one wants to make mistakes, so it leads to a little safe playing.  Next year, these kids will have the experience, and I know they will do better – and there will not be 21 runs left on base.”

Six months ago, Joe Schram  bought his dream home on 11 acres and moved from the bustle of Round Rock to the country where he could raise goats, enjoy the breezes and retire amidst the pristine Central Texas landscape.

He never imagined that he would suddenly find himself in a fight to protect his dream from a wastewater treatment plant.

Schram lives on Craigen Road near Ronald Reagan Blvd., close to the site of the Santa Rita and Middlebrook subdivisions — two developments that will bring hundreds of homes to the Liberty Hill area in the coming years.

Developers are proposing to build a wastewater treatment plant about 2.5 miles north of the intersection of Ronald Reagan Blvd. and State Highway 29. According to documents obtained from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the agency considering a permit application for the facility, treated effluent will be discharged to an unnamed tributary that makes its way into Sowes Branch. From there, the treated wastewater would flow into the North Fork of the San Gabriel River.

“I will be the closest neighbor to the plant, and I’ll be able to see it from my (swimming) pool,” Schram said.

Schram is one of dozens of property owners living near the proposed site of the plant who plan to share their opposition during a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Cowan Creek Amenities Center in Georgetown. The meeting, hosted by TCEQ, will be held in the Florence Room at the Center located at 1433 Cool Spring Way in Georgetown.

Schram said when he purchased his home in November 2012, he was not informed about plans for a wastewater treatment plant nearby. He said he heard about the proposal just two weeks ago from a neighbor.

“This is going to be close enough to me that I’ll be able to smell it,” Schram said. “I moved to the country so I wouldn’t have to deal with that.”

The application for the permit states that an initial review of the facility “determined that existing water quality uses will not be impaired by this permit action. A Tier 2 review has preliminarily determined that no significant degradation of water quality is expected in North Fork San Gabriel River, which has been identified as having a high aquatic life use. Existing uses will be maintained and protected.”

According to TCEQ, the Executive Director has made a preliminary decision that the permit, if finally issued, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements. The purpose of Monday’s public meeting will be to discuss the proposed facility and accept comments.

TCEQ staff and the permit applicant will be present to answer questions, however, only formal comments will be considered prior to making a decision on whether to grant the permit. Formal comments are those submitted in writing and presented during the Formal Comment Period at the meeting.

“This is a huge injustice,” said Schram. “I wouldn’t have found out about this at all had I not been notified by a neighbor.”

Matthew Voigt said he notified Schram and others along their road after he heard about the proposed plant and researched it online.

“The plant will be built just east of us, and the prevailing winds here are from the southeast,” Voigt said. “I have a new water well and I’m concerned about how it might be impacted.”

Voigt said he purchased his homeplace about 20 years ago, well before the construction of Ronald Reagan Blvd.

He said he also plans to speak at the meeting Monday and will ask developers to consider moving the location of the facility away from adjacent lands and further into the development.

“I know what they say, that this water (once treated) will be just as good as pool water, but I wouldn’t want to drink pool water either,” Schram said. “If I were to empty my pool, it would kill the trees out here.”

For more information about the proposed wastewater treatment plant for Williamson County Municipal Utility District No. 19, see the application and supporting documents at the Liberty Hill Public Library.

An attempt by the majority of the City Council to seat an interim city manager was thwarted by the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro Tem at a special called meeting Monday. 

Mayor Jamie Williamson and Mayor Pro Tem Vicki Brewer did not attend Monday’s special meeting called by Council members Connie Fuller, Wendell McLeod and Sammy Pruett. Because of their absence, there was no quorum present to hold the meeting.

“This is just an example of how the Mayor stonewalls and refuses to cooperate with anything the Council requests,” said Mrs. Fuller. “If it’s not what she wants, she doesn’t do it.”

On the agenda for Monday’s special meeting were several items on which the Mayor and Mrs. Brewer have publicly expressed disapproval. Primary among them was an ordinance creating the position of an interim City Administrator and the adoption of a Scope of Services for Greg Boatright, a former Williamson County Commissioner whom the Council voted to hire as an interim manager at its meeting on April 23.

In April, the Council voted 2-1 to hire Boatright at the rate of $5,000 per month starting May 1 and continuing through September. The vote authorized the City Attorney to prepare a contract outlining the services Boatright would provide. Shortly after that meeting, Mayor Williamson said an ordinance was needed to create the position because the Council had voted in 2012 to abolish it.

Boatright was present for Monday’s meeting that was not called to order after waiting 15 minutes for the Mayor and Mrs. Brewer to arrive.

City Secretary Tammy Kirk told The Independent that Mayor Williamson was at City Hall “for about an hour” on Monday. She sent an email to Mrs. Kirk saying she would not be attending the meeting, but no explanation was given.

Mrs. Kirk said Mrs Brewer was not at City Hall on Monday and Mrs. Kirk was not notified by Mrs. Brewer that she would not be attending the meeting.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Brewer told The Independent via email, “I received notice, by email late in the afternoon on Friday, May 3, that a special meeting had been called.  Unfortunately, I was not consulted as to my availability. Hence, I had previous obligations on Monday.”

When asked whether she was aware that the Mayor would not be in attendance, Mrs. Brewer said, “I was not aware of Mayor Williamson’s intentions for Monday night.”

When asked about her whereabouts on Monday, Mayor Williamson forwarded the email to The Independent that was directed to Mrs. Kirk at 4:22 p.m. May 3.

“I am not available for the special meeting on Monday,” she wrote in that email.

The Mayor did not respond to the newspaper’s question as to why she was not available.

Mrs. Fuller said the three members who called Monday’s meeting attempted to call the special meeting last week, but the meeting was not posted due to a technicality.

“We tried to have a special meeting last week,” Mrs.

Fuller said. “We were told it would be posted then received a letter saying we did not get our agenda items in on time.

“The normal deadline is Wednesday at noon. I had no clue that there was a resolution passed in 2012 that items had to be in by 9 a.m. The City Secretary did not inform me or I could have had items there by 9. Wendell did have his item at 8:30, but it was ignored. So we have tried to have two called meetings and the Mayor has blocked it. She has no regard for any council decisions,” Mrs. Fuller said.

Although there was no meeting Monday, City Attorney Cathy Riedel was in attendance. She said she was not sure how much she would bill the City for her time, however, she was present 30  minutes and spent time preparing for the meeting.

“I normally charge for preparing for the meetings,” she said.

According to information provided in response an Open Records Request, Ms. Riedel charges $175 per hour.

In addition to Mrs. Kirk, City Receptionist Karen Smith and Police Chief Randy Williams were also present Monday.

As the three council members waited for a quorum, the City Attorney answered individual questions regarding the rules for posting meetings and  conflicting language that was discovered between a city ordinance and a resolution adopted later.

On Monday’s agenda was a proposed change in the cut-off time to submit items for a special meeting agenda.

Chief Williams, who said he was speaking as a citizen although he was in uniform on duty, said it appeared that Ms. Riedel was having a meeting with the council although there was no quorum to call a meeting to order.

The suggestion of a possible violation of the Texas Open Meetings Act appeared to rattle the attorney who then refused to continue the conversation.

“I will just talk to you individually,” she said to the council members.

“We knew she (Mayor Williamson) wouldn’t be here, but we didn’t know about Vicki (Brewer),” Mrs. Fuller said.

“I think they’re trying to stymie this (discussion) until after the election,” said McLeod, as the Council waited for a quorum.

“You think?” responded Mrs. Fuller.

On Saturday, city voters go to the polls to decide one contested race for Place 3 where candidates Elizabeth Branigan and Rodney Ingram are vying to fill an open seat formerly held by Byron Tippie who did not seek re-election.

In Places 1 and 5 respectively, Mrs. Fuller and Liz Hannah Rundzieher are running unopposed. Pruett, who currently holds the Place 5 seat did not seek re-election.

In addition to the issue of hiring a city manager, the Council was also scheduled to discuss Monday “the powers and duties of the mayor and curtailing some of those powers and duties.” That item was requested by McLeod.

Mrs. Fuller had requested two additional items be placed on the agenda regarding the reassignment of duties of Receptionist Smith and Mrs. Kirk.

In April, the panel voted to create the position of Treasurer/Investment Officer and appointed Mrs. Kirk to fill it without posting the job or conducting interviews. At the same time, the Council approved the promotion of Mrs. Smith to City Secretary to replace Mrs. Kirk. The City Secretary job was also not posted. Both of those job changes are to take effect June 1.

“My vote on this item was contingent upon the Mayor’s agreement to actively pursue a city manager,” said Mrs. Fuller. “Mayor has not only shamed me and told me how wrong I am to pursue a city manager, but has blocked every atempt.”

Mrs. Fuller said she wants the Council to vote again on the reassignment of duties for Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Kirk.

Also on the special meeting agenda was discussion and possible action on a septic system for City Park. A site evaluation and design prepared by Kevin Moore, a registered sanitarian, was included in the meeting packet.

Also scheduled for discussion was a proposal to give control of the Economic Development Corp.’s checkbook to the EDC Board.

Both the Mayor and Mrs. Brewer have publicly stated their opposition to installing a septic system at the park.

They have also opposed the continued service of EDC President Frank Spinosa, and without the approval of the EDC Board attempted to persuade the Council to authorize the use of EDC funds for water infrastructure.

The Council’s regular meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 13. Members present this week said they intended to add all of the items scheduled for discussion this week to the May 13 agenda.

He was born on July 27, 1919, to his loving parents George and Mary (Risner) Scott in Terrell, Texas. However, Dee was raised by his beloved Aunt Tippa and Uncle Ollie Whitehead in the Strickland Grove area of Georgetown.

Dee married the love of his life, Mavis Montgomery of Liberty Hill, Texas, on September 19, 1940, in Georgetown. He selflessly volunteered to serve our country during World War II in the United States Navy. He loved to work and always had a job, even during the Great Depression. Dee mastered his craft as a brick mason and was co-owner of Lyda and Scott Construction. Dee’s company built and/or repaired many businesses in the Williamson County area. After retirement, he was unable to stay idle for long and founded Scott Birds, Inc. In 2003, Dee closed Scott Birds to provide care for his wife. He was extremely service oriented and very active in the Georgetown Church of Christ. He enjoyed teaching classes and studying God’s word from a very early age.

Dee was a productive citizen and participated in numerous activities for the City of Georgetown. He and Mavis contributed over 1.6 acres of land to begin Georgetown’s Hike & Bike Trails. Dee served as a City Councilman and was the Mayor of Georgetown in the 70’s. He was instrumental in helping bring Lake Georgetown to the area and securing drainage projects for the urban areas of Georgetown. He was also a long time member of Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse and Riding Club.

Dee was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Mavis Scott; parents, George and Mary Scott; Aunt Tippa and Uncle Ollie; son, Gary Scott; three sisters, one brother, one sister-cousin and four brother-cousins.

To cherish his memory, Dee leaves behind his daughter, Patsy Knudsen and husband Tommy of Georgetown; granddaughter, D’Ann Steenken and husband Chuck of Georgetown; grandsons: Scott Knudsen and wife Tracy of Fredericksburg,  and Chad Knudsen and wife Kathy of Georgetown; great grandsons: Colton Knudsen and Clint Knudsen both of Georgetown; great granddaughter, Hailey Knudsen of Fredericksburg; as well as three sisters and one brother.

A time of visitation was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013 in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home with funeral services following. Dee will be laid to rest next to his wife, Mavis at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Georgetown, Texas.

You may share a message or memory in the memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.

Mike Fowler shares stories about his father, Mel Fowler, during Saturday’s dedication of a new sculpture to the International Sculpture Park. (Photo by Kathy Canady)

By SHELLY WILKISON

The short trip from Hutto to Liberty Hill stirs fond memories of a time when Mike Fowler’s father was close enough to share a glass of wine and good conversation.

From his studio in the old Stubblefield Building on Main Street, Mel Fowler created an unknown number of sculptures and inspired the community to propel itself to the forefront of the international art world.

“When Dad came to Liberty Hill  (in 1971) he immersed himself into art like a madman,” said Mike Fowler, the eldest of Mel Fowler’s two sons and a real estate broker in Hutto. “His art was inspired by classical music, reading and his own creative thoughts” — creativity that his son partly attributes to his love for Liberty Hill and the beauty of Central Texas.

Mel Fowler, who passed away in 1987 at his home in Italy, was remembered Saturday as part of the dedication of a new home for the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park. The collection of sculptures, which is currently housed on the campus of Liberty Hill Junior High, will be moved to Lions Foundation Park.

Mel Fowler, described as a visionary by his family and those in the art world, forever changed the Liberty Hill landscape in 1976 when he invited the most talented sculptors from across the globe to raise giant pieces of art from Central Texas limestone. The Liberty Hill International Sculpture Symposium was the first event of its kind in the Southwest.

“It (the International Sculpture Symposium of 1976) reflected what was happening in the most avant guarde centers of the country at that time,” said Mary Morris, president of the Texas Society of Sculptors. “Artists were exploring pure forms, creating huge things.”

Ms. Morris, a sculptor and retired university professor who now lives in Austin, is leading the organization that Fowler founded in 1972. Much like his vision for the sculpture symposium in Liberty Hill, Ms. Morris said Fowler saw the need to create an organization that would promote sculpture as an art form in Texas.

“They (sculptors at that time) were missing the stimulus that artists need. They were looking for input, and the exchange with other artists,” she said. “TSOS was founded with that intention.”

Ms. Morris said those living in the Liberty Hill area during the sculpture symposium were “blessed to see the process” of changing tons of rock into art forms.

“You (Liberty Hill) have a real jewel here,” she said.

Ms. Morris and TSOS volunteers will be assisting the Development Foundation with the sculpture relocation efforts, helping to restore some pieces that have weathered over time.

Fowler said his father discovered Liberty Hill through his friendship with Oscar “Ozzie” Klein during the Vietnam War.

Mel Fowler served 32 years as a fighter pilot in the US Air Force and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1971. Prodding from Klein, who was serving in the OSS at that time, brought him to Liberty Hill where he would find inspiration to devote the rest of his life to art.

“Art and flying were the things that Dad loved most,” his son said.

As a young man, Mel Fowler obtained his father’s permission to join the Royal Canadian Air Force “for a chance to fight Hitler” during World War II, Mike Fowler said. When the United States entered the war, Mel Fowler transferred to a US detachment. After World War II, he served in Korea and Vietnam and ended his career as a highly decorated pilot.

On Saturday, Fowler’s many metals, his flight jacket and photographs were on display.

“He could do things with an airplane that were unbelievable,” said Mike Fowler, adding that his father had a real respect for flying. At the time of his death in 1987, Fowler was building an airplane that he planned to fly around the world.

During his military service, Fowler spent a great deal of time drawing. During his service in Vietnam where he flew some 240 combat missions, his paintings became impressionistic, his son said.

After retirement from the military, Fowler was recruited by Klein, who passed away in 1997, to serve in the CIA and was assigned to Italy where he spent about six months of every year.

Mike Fowler, who is writing a book about his father, said his death at his home in Italy in September 1987 was suspicious and he has spent a great deal of time searching for answers from the CIA.

After his death, Fowler’s ashes were spread from an airplane over the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park.

“The people of Liberty Hill are so fortunate to have something like this here,” he said.

John VanCamp unveils his sculpture “Frozen Dance”, which was donated to the International Sculpture Park in Liberty Hill on Saturday.
(Photo by Kathy Canady)

An artist who says he was “rescued” by his hometown after a fire destroyed his livelihood more than 20 years ago, unveiled a gift to the community Saturday — the first addition to Liberty Hill’s International Sculpture Park in more than 30 years.   

“Frozen Dance”, which was sculpted over three years by artist John VanCamp from Indiana limestone, was presented Saturday to the International Sculpture Park. The sculpture’s dedication was part of an event hosted by the Liberty Hill Development Foundation to commemorate the 1976 International Sculpture Symposium in Liberty Hill while ushering in a new era of community spirit through the arts.

VanCamp said it was that kind of spirit and pride in this place that prompted a community to rally around him after a fire destroyed his workshop and studio in 1997. The stone mason, who is reluctant to refer to himself as an artist because he said he received no formal training in the arts, had no insurance at the time and very little money.

“The next morning (after the fire), people began walking up to me and handing me $20 bills,” he recalled. “Basically, this town created the workshop I have on Main Street. I was humbled and honored when I was asked to donate a sculpture to the park.”

VanCamp, who now resides in Brownwood, said he hopes his contribution will help revive the dream of the late Mel Fowler to make Liberty Hill a world-class center for sculpture and art.

In 1976, Fowler spearheaded an effort to bring the world’s most talented sculptors to Liberty Hill to create a lasting treasure of giant art in honor of the US Bicentennial. He was able to rally the support of the community, attracted the attention of international media, and put Liberty Hill on the cultural map as well as on the books of the Smithsonian Institution.

At the conclusion of the fall 1976 symposium, the artists left their works as a gift to the Liberty Hill community. In 1987, the pieces were moved from downtown to the campus of what is now Liberty Hill Junior High and the park was rededicated by then First Lady of Texas Rita Clements.

Today, with the growth of the school district and campus expansions, the sculpture park will soon find a permanent home in the privately owned Lions Foundation Park where the Liberty Hill Development Foundation also has plans for a museum to house Liberty Hill history. The Foundation is seeking donations to help finance its future plans for the park and museum.

For many in the audience Saturday, the event was educational. About 50 attended the dedication, many of whom were too young to remember the 1976 symposium or were not living in the area at that time.

Foundation President Larry Nicholson shared the history of the park. Local historian Gary Spivey told stories about the symposium and the International Sculpture Park. And, former school superintendent Paul Curtis spoke of the school district’s willingness to house the artwork at what was then the high school campus.

The common thread throughout was the community’s willingness to work hard and work together toward a common goal — creating something positive for future generations to enjoy.

Lance Regier (left) and Zach Hamilton are renovating the historic Globe Theatre at 132 W. Vaughn Street in Bertram. They found the original marquee sign in a goat barn outside of the city. (Courtesy Photo)

By Catherine Hosman

BERTRAM — When the historic Globe Theatre in Bertram closed its doors in 1982, it stood dormant for decades until Lance Regier and Zach Hamilton got the idea to return it to its original art deco splendor.

Friends since childhood, they purchased the theater in 2008. Now when they are not working at their day jobs, Regier in manufacturing and Hamilton in diesel engine development, they are at the theater renovating the building they hope to finish by the end of this summer.

Once completed, Hamilton said the theater will be a multi-use venue. On movie nights, theatergoers will enjoy classic movies from the silent era, such as Charlie Chaplin films with piano accompaniment, early talkies, John Wayne marathons and local independent films, all played on the original reel-to-reel projector.

“Our main focus is providing a social center for the community,” Regier said. “We have equipment to show 35mm films. Since most new movies are digital, and digital projectors are quite expensive, this limits us to classic film.”

Hamilton said they also want to present themed events to bring people and families out for a “full entertainment experience.”

“It will be a big draw for the local and surrounding communities who are looking for things to do,” he said.

Evan Milliorn, Bertram city secretary described the theater as “once the heart of the Bertram community.

“The Globe Theatre is a historical and cultural novelty being restored by two pioneers beyond their time,” he said. “Lance and Zach want to restore this crown jewel of a building and bring back a piece of history that played an integral role in Bertram. The workmanship and attention to detail that is going into this restoration is absolutely amazing.”

From schoolmates to business partners, Regier and Hamilton grew up in Liberty Hill, but went their separate ways for high school.

Regier graduated from Hilltop Baptist Academy in Cedar Park, and Hamilton from Liberty Hill High School.

“We’ve never not known each other,” Hamilton said. “We have similar interests and similar outlooks on life, but we each bring something unique to the relationship.”

Both are married and said they have the complete support of their families in their quest to bring the Globe Theatre back to life.

“I think they all see the value we bring to our families and the community by taking on this venture,” Regier said. “Hopefully our kids will keep the Globe alive in years to come.”

The theater originally opened in 1935 and had seen its share of celluloid evolution up to the time it closed in 1982. But the decades-long lack of use left the building in a serious state of disrepair. Time and weather had taken its toll on the roof and much of the equipment was not salvageable.

“Our first step was to save what little we could, which amounted to a few seats, the projectors and some sound equipment,” Regier said.

And after a little research, he and Hamilton found the original “GLOBE” sign in a goat barn on the outskirts of town.

“Knowing we had the original sign was pretty exciting,” he said.

They salvaged what they could then turned their attention to the building. But their efforts were not without drama. After cutting one board in the roof, Hamilton said “the entire roof collapsed saving thousands of dollars in demolition costs.”

“No one was hurt. I think God was looking out for us that day,” he said.

They replaced the roof and added an extension to the back of the theater for restrooms, since the original building didn’t have any. This took the pair two to three years to complete. Over the past year, Regier said they have “progressively worked on the inside rebuilding the stage, the ceiling, the balcony and now the projector room.

“The outside marquee and renovation of the original GLOBE sign will be the last task after installing seats,” he said.

The project

  Regier said Hamilton was the first to see the theater and take an interest in it.

“I had my eye on it since the 1990s but the seller wouldn’t commit,” Hamilton said.

All that changed in 2008 when the pair decided to approach the owner with their interest to buy the old theater. Regier said it was about that same time that the owner was ready to sell. There were numerous other interested parties, but most of them wanted to fill in the sloped floor and turn the theater into an average looking building.

They met with the theater’s previous owner, Tommy Knight, who interviewed them about their plans for renovation. After a successful interview where they “answered all the questions correctly and promised Knight he could run the projector, a deal was made.

“Tommy has a long history with the theater,” Hamilton said. “He ran projection, helping his older brother in the 1940s and 1950s. In the 1970s he acquired the theater, as well as some drive-in theaters in Burnet and other places.”

Their vision is to stay true to the original look of the theater as possible.

“The door knobs, light fixtures, color scheme and seats will all be from the period of the 1930s and 1940s,” Hamilton said, adding that much of the interior was acquired through architectural salvage in Chicago and Bloomington, Ill.

To help with the effort, the Bertram Economic Development Corporation awarded them with a grant from the Façade Grant Program to assist them with the façade reconstruction of the theater. However, after years of planning and working on the project, Regier said their biggest, and possibly last hurdle, is purchasing the seats that will maintain the original look of the theater.

“We are searching for seats that are not only in good condition, but also have historical significance,” Regier said.

There are companies that refurbish and resell seats from older movie theaters that have either been torn down or are looking to upgrade, but Regier said prices vary on the condition and availability. Next month, the men will launch a fundraiser on kickstart.com to help raise funds to purchase seats. Donors will receive theater gifts based on amount and will range from free movie or event tickets to a name plaque on a seat.

“We hope the community views the Globe as a worthy cause and supports this effort,” Regier said.

For more information, and to see photos of the project’s progression, visit their Facebook page at Globe Theatre TX.

The Liberty Hill Development Foundation, which is spearheading an effort to relocate the International Sculpture Park into Lions Foundation Park, received a gift of original drawings from the last local member of the Liberty Hill Cultural Affairs Council. The drawings by American artist Catchi depicted the sculptors who participated in Liberty Hill’s International Sculpture Symposium in 1976. The last remaining funds from the Council and the artwork were donated by Dorothy Klein, who served as the committee’s secretary-treasurer. Seated from left are Mrs. Klein, Don Cunningham and Bob McCullough. Standing from left are Mary Morris, Larry Nicholson, Gary Spivey and Dean Klein. The group is displaying a Catchi drawing of the late Mel Fowler.
(Courtesy Photo)

By SHELLY WILKISON

At age 86, Dorothy Klein can remember the fall of 1976 like it was yesterday.

Mrs. Klein’s family was one of more than a dozen local families who housed sculptors during the Liberty Hill International Sculpture Symposium that year. Organizers credited their generosity for the success of the three-month event, which brought artists from as far away as Italy, Japan, Germany, France and Canada.

Mrs. Klein was a member of the Liberty Hill Garden Club in 1976, and the club volunteered to prepare meals every week for the artists in residence.

“We all just started doing something,” she recalls. “The Garden Club cooked meals and tried to take some of the pressure off local families who were housing the artists in their homes. There was no hotel in town.”

During the day, sculptors chiseled and sanded on granite and marble and formed steel into magnificent sculptures from downtown Liberty Hill — where the VFW Post 8200 now stands.

Mrs. Klein remembers Wanda’s Cafe downtown sending over coffee at breakfast. Lunch was typically catered at the park by church groups, clubs and organizations.

“At night, there were lots of parties,” she said.

Although 36 years have passed since Canadian sculptor Harry Noordhoek stayed in her guest bedroom, she remembers clearly the dust and durt he brought home every day. Mrs. Klein did Noordhoek’s laundry in addition to preparing meals.

“I never knew that sculpting was so dirty,” she laughed.

“We became good friends, and he liked it here so much that he asked me after several weeks if he could bring his wife over,” she said. “After she got here, she took over his laundry and she was a great cook.”

Noordhoek passed away in 1992, but Mrs. Klein continued to stay in touch with his wife, exchanging Christmas cards every year.

“We’re a small town and not much was happening here. I thoroughly enjoyed being involved. It was a great experience,” she said.

Mrs. Klein, whose husband Oscar “Ozzie” Klein was a close friend of symposium organizer and local artist Mel Fowler, is one of the last members of the Liberty Hill Cultural Affairs Council still living in Liberty Hill. The Council was the host of the event, and Mrs. Klein was later asked to serve as its secretary-treasurer.

When she heard that the Liberty Hill Development Foundation was working to relocate the sculpture park into Lions Foundation Park and had plans to build a museum there, she invited Foundation Board members to her home to present them with memorabilia from the 1976 symposium.

Mrs. Klein presented the Foundation with the original drawings of artist Catchi of Manhassett, New York, who used oils and charcoal to illustrate and document the symposium. Her collection included illustrations of the sculptors creating their artwork.

“I want to see a museum built to keep all of these things safe, so others can enjoy them,” she said.

Mrs. Klein also presented the Board with the remaining funds from the Council — about $6,000 — which will be used toward the relocation of the sculpture park.