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Features
Jurgen Schulz grew up in one of the most intriguing family businesses imaginable, and one that will probably never be duplicated. Many of the world’s zoos, and for that matter, the world’s people, are beneficiaries of the Schulz family’s work, which continues (on a slightly less ambitious scale) in the Texas Hill Country today. The story starts in 1898, when Jurgen’s grandfather, Christoph Schulz, worked as a chef on a German ship, sailing the west coast of Africa.
While Spanish exploration had begun as early as 1732, only a few brave souls had seen the beautiful landscape of San Saba County when Texas became an independent republic. Populated mainly by “bear and buffalo,” the county was frequented by Comanches and other tribes who had sided with the Mexican army in the revolution and continued to resist Texan expansion.
Stories & Photos
In times of uncertainty and pessimism, like we’re going through now, everyone needs to meet someone like JoAnne Brooks (not that there are many like her!) Despite the fact that polio robbed her of the use of her arms and right hand at a very early age, Brooks has always had a “can-do” attitude and a restless energy that helped her overcome numerous obstacles and accomplish many impressive feats without a trace of self-consciousness or self-pity.
Eden is a friendly little town at the northwest corner of our Hill Country map, where the hills have softened into a rolling prairie, and folks seeking big-city amenities head to San Angelo instead of Austin or San Antonio. Eden is the biggest town in Concho County, and a regular stop for travelers on Highways 83 and 87, which intersect in downtown Eden.
I freely admit that it is very hard for me to remain unbiased or impartial when discussing Texas Tejano.com (that’s dot com as in www.texastejano.com) and all that it has accomplished in its brief, yet influential existence. This is mainly to my having been involved with the company since its inception over six years ago.
The Backstreet Players theatre troupe in Junction is attracting audiences from around the area. “Come along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway” whispers a popular song, but in the Hill Country it fairly shouts. In 2000, about six local people had an idea, placed an ad in the newspaper and held a meeting for those interested in starting a community theatre. Within months, a dinner theatre production of Who Dunnit was performed at the Kimble Senior Citizens Center.
Most casual observers of the Hill Country know Kerrville as a modern, upscale (though comfortably small) city with cutting-edge industries, world-class healthcare and a variety of cultural and recreational attractions. Those who are more well-acquainted with the town will realize that Kerrville is also a community with a rich history and unique character, with “old west” traditions, larger-than-life heroes and dozens of historic buildings dating from its rugged early days.
Sonja Howle was multi-tasking. At work one day (incidentally, she works in a barn), she picked up her boss’s coffee-table-style picture-book called Nature Calls: the History, Lore and Charm of Outhouses. She was greatly intrigued and, since her job is business development for Sand Creek Post & Beam, she set out with Sand Creek owners Stan and Pam Hegener to come up with a fun and interesting promotion involving old-fashioned privies. The project has grown into an amazing regional artistic event.
