Features

After February’s freezing weather, San Marcos yards remain in recovery mode until warmer temperatures encourage new growth. So instead of a featured yard for March, here’s a selection of March winners from recent years. Most homeowners face challenges with water management (drought or deluge) and/or browsing deer, but native plants in local landscapes usually survive cold weather, even if cut back near the ground.

It’s fun to see what all of the horticultural pundits write about after the plant trials run their course across the country. I can tell you that Medusa was, and still is, the talk of the town. I know you are already wondering, ‘Medusa who?’ And does she have snakes coming out of her head? The answer is no, and she is Sweet Caroline Medusa Green ornamental sweet potato.

Birds flitting around the neighborhood are a common sight during spring and summer, and these welcome guests can be enjoyable to observe as they nest, feed and interact. When the weather cools in fall and winter, many birds seek out warmer climates, but a good number of these feathered friends stick around.

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Big Bend National Park saw 394,000 visitors in 2020. Although this is 15% fewer than 2019, it includes over three months of park shutdown, and six months with record-breaking numbers, reflecting a significant increase in overall visitation to Big Bend. A seasonal rundown provides insight into a busy year.

Because of the recent cold weather, my journey brought back memories of winters past. I spent my formative years in west Texas on a ranch (cow/calf operation); and winter was not a good time to be a cow. Mother cows were range cows with no man-made structures for protection. During the bitter cold mornings, my task was to break the ice crust on the stock tank/pond with an ax in the early morning hours for the cows to access water. In tandem, dropping bundle feed or hay off the back of a pickup completed the work — Cold, cold!

Bread pudding is a tasty concoction made with simple ingredients that, when combined, pack a delicious punch. Bread pudding often can be crafted from ingredients one likely already has in the kitchen. In addition, recipes can be adjusted depending on the number of servings desired.

Maurice T. Suttles VFW Post 3413, Commander Stephanie Brown worked to put out the word in the community for people that were without water and now broken pipes.

The San Marcos Art League hosted a graphic design contest throughout the beginning months of 2021, and the deadline for entries closed on March 1. Now is the time where the Art League asks San Marcos community members to vote on their favorite design, where the winner will have their design showcased on the 2021 Art Squared tote bags as well as a $100 cash prize. Second and third runner-up designs will receive a $75 cash prize and a $50 cash prize.

After our recent spell of Arctic weather, I am happy to see my backyard birds seem to be in good shape. I have a nice mixture, with robins, chickadees, titmice, goldfinches and cardinals. Plus an occasional black vulture which likes to wade in my birdbath.

For the third consecutive year, art by women is the focus of a new gallery show held in conjunction with International Women’s Day, which takes place on March 8. “From Challenge Comes Change” features 81 individual works by more than 50 area women displayed throughout the first-floor galleries of the Price Center now through March 27. The show is free and open to the public daily. A virtual celebration planned for March 8 is also in production.