Features

‘Orchid Flower’ is the Color of the Year for 2022 and The Garden Guy is beyond thrilled. I know the color of the year is mainly geared toward fashion and interior decoration but WGSN and their color systems company, Coloro, believe this will cross all segments of life. But did they think about gardening too?

Last week, the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter held two adoption events across town in its effort to get pets out of the shelter and into homes. The first was held at Ivar’s River Pub on Nov. 14, where two dogs, one from foster and another from the shelter, were adopted and the second, held at the assisted-living community. Brookdale North on Nov. 19, saw the adoption of six cats. From the 301 animals in their care, 166 of those are currently in foster homes.

A front yard filled with colorful Texas flowers and a backyard garden producing vegetables is still a San Marcos scenario as the year draws to a close and our northern neighbors deal with freezing weather. As December’s Yard of the Month, Spring Lake Garden Club features the home of Richard and Aleene Howser on Crystal Cove in the Hills of Hays neighborhood, east of Iinterstate 35 on Staples Road. A showy front garden is the result of hours of planning and tending, but also the advantage of location — an area of fertile farmland and grazing acres before new homes were built in the late 1980s.

Stephanie Umoh’s career in theater began as many others do: thrust upon an elementary school stage, only to be immediately seized by paralyzing stage fright.

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

My journey, looking toward Christmas, takes me to the Salvation Army’s iconic Red Kettles Campaign for Hays County. Each year we are given the opportunity to share our time and efforts in staffing one of the kettle locations. Ringing the bell as a volunteer is an investment not only to help those in need, but also in myself as a responsible adult — a “pay it forward” for the many blessings I have received.

Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413 received 50 goody bags from HEB Store No. 2. Kayla Reyna and Rudy Ortega delivered the goody bags for “Operation Appreciation” to Commander Stephanie Brown and Quartermaster Aaron Brown for the post’s veterans on Veterans Day.

“Tell The Tale” is an in-person art exhibition taking place at the Texas State University Galleries from Nov. 29 through Dec. 3. Opening reception for the exhibition will take place on Nov. 29 from 5 - 6 p.m. in the lobby of the J.C. Mitte building at Texas State University.

Around my place, a goldenfronted woodpecker is showing up to peck at a hanging suet block. But another bird watcher near me has reported a more unusual visitor.