DISCOVERSummer FunSummer Fun

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Get in, get wetGet in, get wetCover story page 13

creo

features....Jeff Walker, David Short,Tyler Mayforth, Bibb Underwood, Robin Woodcover photo...."Repose on a Summer Afternoon" taken on the San Marcos River by San Marcos resident Barbara Williamsonphotos....Jeff Walker, David Short, Gerald Castillodesign....Karen Ray, Jeff Walker, Brandon Bowling, Lea Ann Watson

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• Brave Combo will play at Summer in the Park July 28

• Dr. Roberto Galvanis a Master of Language

• Alicia Westfall has healthysummer cooking, eating tips

• Parks and naturalareas offer chancesto explore the great outdoors

WIDE OPENSPACES

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5MUST-ATTENDEVENTS

WONDER(ful)What a

WORLD

summer fun

Advertise in our Discover magazine, 512.392.2458

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BY JEFF WALKER

First year Summer in the Park co-chair Barry Brittain couldn’t be moreexcited about this year’s line up. Fromflamenco to bluegrass rockabilly,there’s a band for everyone this year,he says.“This year has a very cross-demo-

graphic appeal. We really wanted toappeal to a very broad base audiencebut yet have programs that peoplecome back every week and see a quali-ty show,” Brittain said.The 25th annual Summer in the

Park Concert Series will kick off at 7:30p.m. June 2 at San Marcos Plaza Parkwith California-based Latin fusiongroup Incendio. The next 10 weeks pro-vide musical entertainment on the localfront (Terri Hendrix, Ponty Bone, SalsaDel Rio) to nationally popular acts likeBrave Combo and Two Tons of Steel.It will also likely be the last year for

long-time event coordinator ArlisHiebert, who is looking to hand thebaton to Brittain in 2012.“He’s been doing this for 13 years

and needs to take a break,” Brittain

JAMSSUMMER IN THE PARK CONCERT SERIES

Kick

25th annual music series at San Marcos Plaza Park begins June 2; features Brave Combo, Ponty Bone, Two Tons of Steel and more

Salsa del Rio

See SUMMER page 9

Brave Combo, above, will perform July 28 at San Marcos Plaza Park. Pictured below, left, is Terri Hendrix.

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SPACESWIDE OPENBikers take off

down thePurgatory Creektrail. (Photos byGerald Castillo)

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Local parks and natural areas offerchances to explore the great outdoors

BY BIBB UNDERWOOD

he once bucolic little townof San Marcos, home toTexas State University,nee Southwest TexasState University, neeSouthwest Texas StateTeachers College, today

finds itself situated between two behe-moths — Austin on the north and SanAntonio on the south. Further,Interstate 35, one of the most heavilytrafficked highways in Texas—maybethe country, runs through it. The onceinnocuous little teachers college hasmorphed into a 32,000 student bodythat sits atop the hill and overlooksdowntown San Marcos. It is the tailthat wags the dog.So, one might presume that the

encroaching behemoths from northand south, the traffic on IH-35 andthe over-populated university havechoked out the city’s green space andmade park development and expan-

sion, impractical, if not impossible.One would be wrong. In the past

few years, San Marcos has pursued anaggressive program of acquisition anddevelopment of park land with thegoal of creating a system of naturetrails, hike/bike trails and parksencircling the city.Three fairly recent acquisitions

include Prospect/Purgatory CreekPark, Ringtail Ridge Natural Area, andSpring Lake Preserve.

PROSPECT/PURGATORY CREEKPARK is a 350 acre tract that wasacquired a few years ago among nosmall amount of controversy. Therewere many questions about the pricepaid for the land, the city’s ability todevelop it as a park and what kind ofpark it would be. Most of those ques-tions have been answered.It is a park today, albeit, a rather

primitive one. Do not expect to find

See PARKS page 14

Bibb Underwood looks out over SpringLake Preserve, a primitive area ofabout 250 acres that sits above theheadwaters of the San Marcos River.

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said.One addition to this year’s line

up is blues guitarist Marc Benno,a household name in the record-ing industry and former guitaristfor Leon Russell.Brittain is especially proud to

be headlining talent of the localarea, including San Marcos resi-dents and Texas music main-stays Hendrix and Ponty Bone,as well as Wimberley-based blue-grass act Billy Bright and theWaynebillies. Texas State’sMariachi Nueva Generacion andSalsa del Rio will also return.“We live in a remarkable area

for talent. For every group wechose, there’s another dozenaround here that would havebeen a terrific choice,” Brittain,who previously performed atSummer in the Park with theGrant Mazak Band, said.

Here’s a look at the line-up:• June 2: Incendio

(Flamenco/Latin Fusion)

• June 9: Ponty Bone and theSqueezetones (Texas Zydeco)

• June 16: Terri Hendrix(Texas Singer/songwriter)

• June 23: Mariachi NuevaGeneracion

• June 30: Hill CountryCommunity Band (stage bandw/patriotic theme)

• July 7: Salsa Del Rio (Latinsalsa)

• July 14: Mission City HotRhythm Cats (Swing Jazz)

• July 21: Billy Bright and theWaynebillies (bluegrass)

• July 28: Brave Combo(Nuclear Polka)

• Aug. 4: Marc Benno (TexasBlues/Rock)

• Aug. 11: Two Tons of Steel(Rockabilly)

SummerContinued from page 4

Incendio performs a variety of flamenco andLatin fusion. (courtesy photo)

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Dr. Roberto Galvaninside his San Marcoshome. (Photo by JeffWalker); opposite,Galvan with his wifeEva, whom he met inUvalde.

ofAMaster

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BY JEFF WALKER

mid a lifetime full ofaccomplishments, Dr.Roberto A. Galvan’sgreatest asset has beenhis education.It’s even gotten him

out of a few jams.The 88-year-old was

on a Greyhound busin 1948 traveling fromAustin to San Antonio.

Galvan was living in SanAntonio at the time and work-

ing on a Master’s degree in Spanish at theUniversity of Texas. At a routine stop, Galvan got out andnoticed a Border Patrol officer stationed just off the bus. Theman stopped him and asked for proper ID.The young student had nothing on him at the time.“I was scared. I thought I would end up in Mexico,”

Galvan recalls.Luckily, he remembered he had just gotten his report

card. Galvan reached into his pocket and pulled out the slipof paper, which contained straight A’s inevery subject. He handed it to the officer.“I gave it to him and his eyes almost

went out of his sockets. And then he said‘OK, you can go,’” Galvan said.It was a fortunate break, but Galvan’s

career has not been made up of luckymoments. It’s been defined by years ofhard work and determination and plowingover racial barriers. The professor emeritusat Texas State University became the firstLatino Ph.D. to be hired at what was thenSouthwest Texas State College in 1964.The former Chair of the SpanishDepartment there is also a correspondingmember of the Mexican Academy and amember of the North American Academy of

the Spanish Language.Back in San Marcos, he’s received the highest award pos-

sible from the Local Lions Club, which he’s been a membersince 1984: The Melvin Jones Fellowship.Galvan speaks softly, but his achievements shout suc-

cess. He wants his accomplishments to, if nothing else,inspire a new generation of students. Galvan lives by an oldfamiliar cliché that he likes to bring up often in conversa-tion: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”“Hopefully my story will inspire others to do well,” Galvan

said. “I hope that people will continue to see that we all areready to do the best we can and prove ourselves.”Galvan was born Feb. 25, 1923 and grew up in South

Central San Antonio. Starting in junior high, he and hisbrother shined shoes and sold newspapers, earning threecents for shoe shines and a penny for papers sold. A pennywas enough for two eggs, he said; seven cents could buy apound of stew meat.“I was a Depression child. Everybody we knew was very

poor,” Galvan said. “Many of the kids on the streets weredelinquents; They stole a lot, and even stole my bicycle onetime. But my brother and I didn’t get in any trouble becausemy mother was a strong disciplinarian. We never stolebecause we were afraid we’d get caught, and my mother

would give us a good spanking.”In high school, Galvan joined the

ROTC and looked at pursuing acareer in bookkeeping. Days aftergraduating, he found a want ad for abookkeeping job. He jumped on hisbicycle and rode to the office on theoutskirts of San Antonio.Galvan recalls that as he touched

the door knob to go in, he chickenedout. He didn’t have the confidence toapply for a job then and there.“I got on my bike and came home,

and my mother said that the principal

Spanish professor Dr. Roberto Galvan inspires otherswith academic success and history of public service

A

See GALVAN page 15

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BY JEFF WALKER

It’s a classic, Central Texas way to beat the summer heat —jump in a tube and take a float. Take in the nature around you,the cool, clear water beneath you.The corridor is home to the San Marcos, Comal and

Guadalupe rivers, all viable — though slightly different — tubingexperiences. Tubing season usually kicks off Memorial Dayweekend and lasts through Labor Day.

SAN MARCOS RIVERTubers enter the water at City Park and wind their way to Rio

Vista Falls, where they’re greeted with three chutes.What you’ll find on the San Marcos River is beauty in natural,

TUBE TIMEGet in, get wet and embrace local waterways

SeeTUBE page 22

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manicured lawns, dotted with picnic tables, crystal clearponds, harboring majestic swans or shady man-madearbors where one can find a cool respite.

There have been efforts to make this tract of landuser-friendly. There is a well-defined trail systemthroughout a large portion of the park. In places thetrail is an easily traveled caliche and gravel coveredwalkway. In other places, it is a primitive path, definedsimply by the footprints that have worn away the grass.The most readily accessible entrance to the park andtrailhead is at the intersection of Hunter Road and theWonderworld extension. Parking is available at the parkentrance. An alternative entrance is at the end ofProspect Street, located in the Westover district of SanMarcos.

Rock hounds, bird watchers and people seeking a bitof solitude will find this park and its trails a real mag-net. Rustic benches have been spaced along the trailand interpretive markers explain certain unique featuresof the trail and park.

RINGTAIL RIDGE NATURAL AREA is a 40 acre tract,located just off Ranch Road 12. There are two trailheadsthat serve this area. Approaching the area from down-town San Marcos, the first trailhead is located just pastthe Community Baptist Church at 1800 RR 12. Thistrail begins immediately off RR 12 and leads directly intothe wooded area.

The sign designating the trail is difficult to see fromthe road, so the church is the most prominent landmarkin the area. The second entrance to the park is betweenthe Dakota apartment complex and the Crestview stripcenter. It is no less difficult to locate than the first. Justlook for the U-Haul depot and take the dirt road northfor about a quarter-mile.

From the entrance at the church, plan to walk yourbike a quarter to a half-mile before the trail becomesgentler and less challenging. An accomplished mountainbiker with a reasonably good bike can negotiate theearly phases of this trail.

Trails ring this natural area and criss-cross it in sev-eral directions. While it is only 40 acres, it offers a won-derful hiking or biking experience. One can find soli-tude, unique rock formations and, in one instance, Ifound a sizable cactus growing in the elevated branchesof a post oak tree. As is the case in all three parks,benches and respite areas are available.

SPRING LAKE PRESERVE is a primitive area ofabout 250 acres that sits above the headwaters of theSan Marcos River and overlooks the Texas River Center,formerly Aquarena Springs. Like the other two parks,Spring Lake Preserve has become a park with very littledisturbance of its primitive state.

The main entrance to this park is at the Texas RiverCenter. Off Aquarena Springs Drive take the entrance towhat was formerly Aquarena Springs and continue tothe end of the road. Parking is on the left. The trailheadis marked by a wide caliche path that meandersthrough the thick growth of juniper, cedar, mesquite,scrub oak and prickly pear.

If a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of the cityis your goal, San Marcos offers plenty of opportunity.However, no matter which park you choose and no mat-ter which trail you take, be prepared to share the quietand solitude with the ubiquitous train whistles as theyannounce their passage through our once bucolic littletown.

• bibbunderwood@yahoo.com

ParksContinued from page 7

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of the high school had called while I was gone. I called him back, and he saidhe had a scholarship for me to attend junior college. I said I’d take it.”In 1941, Galvan attended San Antonio Junior College and majored in

Spanish. While there, he was chosen as a lab assistant for the zoology classes.He attended school two years, and the week before he was to take his finalexams and earn his associate’s degree, Galvan was called into active militaryduty.“The administrator agreed to give me the tests and I took them and passed, so

I got my degree before I left.”Stationed in Illinois for five months in the Medical Corps, Galvan eventually

headed to European Theater operations where he worked in a hospital giving outclothes to the soldiers.“In 1943 I was sent out. We didn’t know whether we were going to Japan or

Europe at first. Because of the German U-boats, we went to the North Pole andthen to Greenland, and then on to Liverpool.”Galvan was honorably discharged on March 18, 1946 and sent to Fort Chaffee

in Arkansas. There he was told he could attend college for five years under theGI Bill, so that’s what Galvan did.He obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Spanish at Trinity

University in 1946, and then eventually a Master of Arts Degree with a Spanishmajor from the University of Texas in 1949.He then returned to Trinity to teach. But the chairman of the department told

Galvan that to earn a full time position, he’d need a doctorate. Galvan had visit-ed Tulane University before, and badly wanted to go there. Without contactinganyone at the university, he bought a big trunk, put his books in it and took thetrain to New Orleans.“I liked the campus, the weather was good and I could go to Mardi Gras. I had

heard of it and wanted to see what it was all about,” Galvan said, laughing. “Iwent to the department of Modern Languages and gave the chairman my tran-script, and he said ‘you’re in.’”After earning his doctorate, the chairman back at Trinity had left so Galvan

had no job. Undeterred, he found an opening at Southwest Texas Junior Collegein Uvalde. It was here that he met his wife Eva.“I went into the post office one day and she was sending money to take a cor-

respondence course to be a nurse’s aide. And then I kept coming back to whereshe worked. We were married within five months,” Galvan said.He and Eva have seven kids: Robert Rene, Rosalinda, Nancy Louise, Marie

Yvette, Nora Noel, Sylvia Dee and Albert Gregory.Eva has been the primary subject of another passion of his — poetry. Galvan

has published an anthology of poems in Spanish and written more than 200poems, both in English and Spanish. He’s written about everything from his loveof Eva to the Apollo missions.“I write about life and more important events in our history, a lot of subjects,”

Galvan said.In 1964 Galvan was hired at then-Southwest Texas State College in San

Marcos. In addition to coordinating the Spanish department for 11 years andserving as interim chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Galvanadvised five student organizations, including the National Collegiate HispanicHonor Society and the Association of Mexican American Students. While in SanMarcos, he even contributed to the Diccionario de la Lengua Espanola, the offi-cial dictionary of the Spanish language.But Galvan takes pride in his community, too. Among fellow Lions Club mem-

bers, the retired professor is well known for routinely selling more MexicanDinner tickets than other members com-bined. He estimates that he sells at least 100more tickets to the annual fundraiser thananybody else.“I go everywhere, you know? I’ll approach

anybody,” Galvan said. “It’s all about helpingpeople.”And it’s not just through selling $5 dinner

tickets. But they’re a small sampling of oneman’s determination. Galvan has spent a life-time providing a model for success.Hopefully, he says, his own story will helpothers do the same.Where there’s a will, there’s always a way.

GalvanContinued from page 11

“Hopefully my storywill inspire others to dowell. I hope that peoplewill continue to see thatwe all are ready to dothe best we can and

prove ourselves.”

— Dr. Roberto Galvan

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BY JEFF WALKER

If you live in Central Texas — or you’re just visit-ing — you’re in luck.The Hays County area has summer festivals and

events of all varieties.These are events that cele-brate Hays County’s culture, the beautiful out-doors and just good quality time with friends andneighbors.Summer is here in San Marcos. Here’s five

events that every resident should check out:

•TEXAS WATER SAFARIWhen: June 11Where: Boaters take off from headwaters of SanMarcos RiverThe lowdown: They call it the world’s toughest boatrace, and they’re not joking. Hundreds of boaterstake off in all kinds of crafts from the San MarcosRiver, all the way down to Seadrift and the Texascoast. Teams must cross the finish line by the 100-hourdeadline.Info: Texaswatersafari.org

• JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND COOK-OFFWhen: June 17 and 18Where: San Marcos Plaza Park

The lowdown: You’lllikely smell the burningmesquite and simmeringribs and brisket fromblocks away. The SanMarcos tradition is amust for anyone whoappreciates good barbe-cue, as teams competefor best fajitas, beans,brisket and more. Other activities for theannual event, which cel-ebrates the release ofslaves in Texas in 1865,include a parade, cakeauction and kids’ activi-ties.

• WATERMELON THUMPWhen: June 23-26Where: Downtown LulingThe lowdown: This four-day outdoor festival featuresmelon eating contest, seed spitting contest, championmelon judging, live music and plenty of food and bev-erage. The festival is celebrating its 58th year.Info: www.watermelonthump.com

• WIMBERLEY VFW RODEOWhen: July 1-3

5MUST-ATTEND

EVENTS San Marcos and Hays County have plenty to offer this summer;start with these local staples

Continued on next page

Luling Watermelon Thump

A kayakertakes to thefalls duringthe TexasWater Safari.(Daily RecordFile Photos)

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Where: VFW Rodeo Grounds, justnorth of town on Ranch Road 12The lowdown: One of the largestrodeos in the world, the 66th annu-al Wimberley tradition includesbare back and saddle bronc riding,mutton bustin,’ women’s breakawayroping and barrel racing and thecalf scramble. Proceeds benefit localveterans and veterans programs.Info: visitwimberley.com

• SUMMERFEST SANMARCOS AND FOURTHOF JULY EVENTWhen: 5 to 11 p.m. July 4Where: San Macros Plaza ParkThe lowdown: Celebrate ournation’s independence with friendsand neighbors along the SanMarcos River. The family-friendly, alcohol freeevent includes live musical enter-tainment, food booths, a children’sparade and, of course, a fireworksshow.Info: Summerfestsanmarcos.com Mutton Bustin’ is a popular event at the Wimberley VFW Rodeo.

Continued from page 16

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Buddy Mostynexplains how he anda friend builtMystery Mountain20 years ago. (Photoby David Short);opposite, studentsvisit the WonderWorld Cave. (DailyRecord File Photo)

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WONDER(ful)WORLD

What a

Buddy Mostyn, who’s been hard at work at local theme park since age 10, looks to pass on his skills to a new generation

pproaching the elevator at the base of the observa-tion tower inside Wonder World Park, ownerBuddy Mostyn slides the door shut, locks it inplace and begins his ascent up to the top of thetower. Feeling a gust of wind through the metalgrate, he adjusts his blue cap, the words “WonderWorld Park” emblazoned across the front of it, and

gazes down on the gift shop below him and the mountain andwaterfall across the street — the one he and a friend built them-selves 20 years ago. And then Mostyn talks a little bit about the early days. He

chuckles over the thought of his first job there.“I started working on bumper strips; out there in the hot sun

cleaning bumpers and putting on bumper strips for people whovisited the park,” Mostyn said. “I did that for a number of years.Then my dad pushed me up to the snack bar, then from there totour guide, all the way up through college.”Wonder World Park has been a part of Mostyn’s daily life since

he was 10 years old. After graduating from college, Mostyn eager-ly took over the park for his father and has been running thingssince. The San Marcos staple, situated in the middle of a neigh-borhood with its petting zoo and anti-gravity house, is in manyways a mid-century homage to simpler times and simpler tech-nology.But Wonder World Park has survived the advent of high-speed

thrill rides and state-of-the art amusements built along the inter-state.Over the years, Wonder World Park has created it’s own little

niche in San Marcos’ unique personality, and Mostyn’s beenaround for most of it. He, his family and his staff have estab-lished a unique, family-friendly place that defies the test of time,remaining that familiar San Marcos landmark with the signatureman-made Mystery Mountain waterfall accompanied by thesounds of wild animals heard throughout the nearby neighbor-hood.While the 63-year-old has no plans to retire, Mostyn knows he

See WONDER page 27

ABY JEFF WALKER

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BY JEFF WALKER

When the summer heat becomes too much to bear, a littleindoors fun never hurts.Hays County has a lot to offer during the summer months

when it comes to live theater. Here’s a look at what’s outthere:

CIRCLE ARTS THEATER“THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER”When: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m.Sundays July 7-31Where: Circle Arts Theater, in Landa Park at 124 ElizabethStreet, New BraunfelsInfo: www.circleartstheatre.orgToe-tapping musical brings new life to Mark Twain’s classicstory of Tom, Huck and Becky.

EMILYANN THEATRE“ALICE IN WONDERLAND”When: 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays June 3-26Where: EmilyAnn Theatre, 1101 FM 2325 in WimberleyInfo: www.emilyann.orgOriginal musical by Michael Sirrota makes its Texas pre-miere.

“HAMLET”When: July 25 - Aug. 6 Monday through SaturdayWhere: EmilyAnn Theatre, 1101 FM 2325 in WimberleyInfo: www.emilyann.orgProduction is chosen selection for EmilyAnn’s 21st season of“Shakespeare Under the Stars.”

GASLIGHT BAKER THEATER“FOR BETTER”When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays June 10-25; matineesat 2 p.m. June 19 and 2 p.m. June 25Where: Gaslight Baker Theatre, 216 S. Main in LockhartInfo: www.gaslightbakertheatre.orgIn this plugged-in world of email, text-messaging and cameraphones, do a bride and groom really need to be in the samecountry to go on a honeymoon? A romantic comedy for thedigital age, new farce pokes fun at our overdependence on

Romeo, played by Dylan Bakka, and Juliet, played byKylie Zeko, profess their love for each other in lastyear’s “Shakespeare Under the Stars” production.(Photo courtesy of EmilyAnn Theatre).

SUMMERSTAGEon the

The Heiress (Celeste Coburn) with her suitor (DavidMcCullars) and the ubiquitous and prim maid (KateConroy) in “The Heiress” by the Wimberley Players.

Local theatre troupes offer full slate of plays, musicals

SeeTHEATRE page 21

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the gadgets in our lives.

WIMBERLEY PLAYERS“ANYTHING GOES”When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays June17-26; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.Where: Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle RoadInfo: www.wimberleyplayers.orgThe S.S. American, sailing from New York to England, car-

ries an unusual group of passengers. Production is theselection for Lee Colee’s annual Kids Summer Musical.

“HAY FEVER”When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m.Sundays July 29-Aug. 21Where: Wimberley Playhouse, 450 Old Kyle RoadInfo: www.wimberleyplayers.orgNoel Coward comedy introduces you to the Bliss family: aretired actress mother, a novelist father, and two children forwhom all the world, literally, is a stage.

Continued from page 20

Theatre

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undisturbed surroundings. The spring-fed river flows at aconstant 72 degrees, and the San Marcos River is home toseveral threatened or endangered species including theTexas Blind Salamander, the Fountain Darter and TexasWild Rice.The San Marcos Lions Club rents tubes here as a

fundraising project for various local charities and socialservices. Rental hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. dailythroughout the summer, and services include a bus rideback to City Park. Exit IH-35 onto Aquarena SpringsDrive, turn left onto Charles Austin Drive and then turnright behind Strahan Coliseum. Call 396-5466.

COMAL RIVERAt three miles long, the Comal River is literally the

shortest river in the world — but it sure does pack intubers.The Comal, which winds through the middle of New

Braunfels, is a shorter, calmer journey than theGuadalupe. Several local companies rent tubes for theComal. For more information, call the New BraunfelsChamber of Commerce at (800) 572-2626.

GUADALUPE RIVERThe Guadalupe River’s tubing opportunities run from

Canyon Dam to New Braunfels, serving up tubing routesup to five hours long. Water levels vary throughout theseason, so check with local outfitters before setting out.Call (800) 572-2626.

TubeContinued from page 13

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Tyler Mayforth (orange)and skydive instructorBrian Ganousis fly highabove San Marcos.

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BY TYLER MAYFORTH

should have been petrified.I mean in-a-horror-movie-with-the-killer-

bearing-down-on-you scared.But I wasn’t.Even though I stood at the edge of a Cessna

Caravan single-prop airplane 13,000 feetabove the Hill Country, it felt normal.Don’t get me wrong. I hate heights.If you point to something higher than my

reach and it requires a ladder to get to it, I’mknock-kneed after just two rungs.It took me one ride on the tallest roller

coaster in the world (Kingda Ka at Six FlagsGreat Adventure in New Jersey) and severaltrips to Six Flags Fiesta in San Antonio toget me comfortable with thrill rides.While I’ve jumped off 60-foot cliffs into

water and gone zip-lining, both involvedcopious amounts of coaxing.So when I called my parents two days before my

scheduled tandem jump at Skydive San Marcos, Iexpected them to question my sanity, not my fear ofaltitude. My assumption was wrong.“I can’t believe that,” my mom said. “How could you

keep this in for so long? I thought you loved flying.”She’s right. I do enjoy taking trips in airplanes.Maybe that was the reason I was so calm nearly

three miles in the air with only my jump instructor,Brian Ganousis, and a parachute strapped to my back.“That’s definitely not it,” Nick Gartner, another one

of the four instructors in the plane, said. “That’s likesaying you enjoy swimming when you’re on a boat.”As much as I wanted to say, “Thanks, Nick,” I could-

n’t help but agree with him.If you choose to go skydiving, you’re going to jump

out of an airplane. There are no ifs, ands or buts aboutit.Well, you can always chicken out and take your seat,

but you’d always have the regret of not doing it.Plus, if you have a fear of heights, Chief Instructor

Hank Prewitt has a quick way of assuaging those wor-ries.

“This is a completely different animal than anythingyou experienced,” Prewitt said during a tour of thefacility a few days earlier. “When you’re climbing a lad-der, you can see what you might hit if you fall. Whenyou’re 10,000 feet in the air, everything becomes a blurand it’s sensory overload.“Sometimes I get down to the ground with a tandem

and they wanted to do a backflip out of the plane. So Iask them, ‘How was that backflip?’ Nine times out often, they’ll ask, ‘What backflip?’”With that knowledge, I was still foolish enough to

ask Brian if we could rotate backwards out of the planeand well, it didn’t go right. I jumped a bit too soon andhigh, sending him into the door frame before exiting.Everything else went without a hitch, from the one-

minute free fall at 120 miles per hour to the ripcordpull at 5,000 feet to the relaxing canopy ride to Earth’ssurface.Once we landed, I took off my gear and Brian, Hank

and Nick went up with another load of tandemjumpers.For them, it is just another day at the office. For me,

it’s another amazing experience that I wouldn’t hesitateto recommend for people trying to get a new perspec-tive on life.Life is too short. Why not jump?

Local sports reporter gets newperspective on life after skydiving tripJUMP!I

Might as Well

“If you choose to go skydiving, you’regoing to jump out of an airplane.

There are no ifs, ands or buts about it.”

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DIG UP AGOOD BOOK

BY ROBIN WOOD

The San Marcos Public Library’s Summer ReadingProgram, Dig Up A Good Book!, offers more than 80 freeevents for children and their families during June andJuly.

The Summer Kickoff is scheduled for Friday, June 10and will feature the Circus Chicken Dog in three freeshows. Ringmaster Darren Peterson is an Austin chil-dren’s entertainer who will astonish audiences with hisdogs, parrot and unicycle. Magic tricks, juggling, ropespinning, animal stunts and other daring feats of skill willamaze kids of all ages.

The free tickets required for admission will be available

Summer reading funstarts in June at SMPL

See READING page 32

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can’t run the park forever.“I’ve been here just about my entire life. I’m not retiring,

but I’m trying to let the next generation take charge andeventually take over,” Mostyn said. “What I want to do isleave it where they’ll miss me maybe, but the place goes on.It is a very vital part of San Marcos, and I would personallyfeel it as my obligation to leave it that way.”The two managers right now running the park day-to-day

are Hank Lewis and Ross Roberts, who Mostyn says are bothin their mid to late 20s, and both capable of running thepark.“Buddy kind of lets me and Hank do our thing,” Roberts

said. “ I’ve learned pretty much everything I know from him.Wonder World Park is just good old fashioned American fam-ily fun, without becoming too over-corporatized.”Mostyn’s parents have been in tourism since the day he

was born. Starting at a place called Murdock’s Pier inGalveston, his father eventually had an itch to move to theHill Country.When Wonder World Park became available in 1957, the

Mostyns moved to San Marcos to take over. The anti-gravityhouse and the cave were the only features there at the time.Established in 1903 as the first commercial show cave opento the public in Texas, the cave was rumored to be a hangout spot for tourism leader — and one time owner of SanMarcos’ Aquarena Center — A.B. Rogers and his friends.The cave is one of the only spots to offer a unique view of

the Balcones fault line. It also remains the biggest draw toWonder World Park.

“The cave itself is one of a kind. There’s no other cave likeit in the United States. Being able to go down and see thelargest opening along any fault line known is quite unique,”Mostyn said. “You’ve a got a little jewel here.”It’s a jewel that’s required a lot of sweat equity from

Mostyn. Back down from the tower, Mostyn walks acrossProspect Street, explaining how the Mystery Mountain andwaterfall came to be 20 years ago.At the time, a park in Gatlinburg, Tenn. and the nearby

Aquarena Center both had a walk-through mountain thatwas made of foam. Mostyn wanted something like that as anentry way into his wildlife park.“Well, Aquarena’s set fire and the one in Tennessee

burned to the ground. I thought, wait a minute, I don’t wantanything made out of foam,’” Mostyn said.So he and friend Jeff Henry, operator of Schiltterbahn at

the time, set out to make their own. They first constructed afoundation slab all the way around with superstructure upin the air, and then followed by shaping and bending rebar.They lined the back with plastic and chicken wire and thefront with metal, and finally blasted the structure withgunite.Henry went on to build something similar at

Schlitterbahn, and was later hired by Disney to build astructure in Orlando.Staring at the structure here that he and Henry construc-

tion with their own hands, Mostyn can’t help but smile.“Not everyone can say they built a mountain,” he says,

laughing.But Mostyn didn’t just build a mountain. He’s helped

build a San Marcos institution.

Continued from page 19

Wonder

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Alicia Westfallshows a fewkid-friendlyrecipes.(Photoby David Short)

29

BY DAVID SHORT

What’s a parent to do? School’s almost out for thesummer, kids will be home burning energy and hun-gry all day long! Yikes!With the rising obesity rate, many parents are

searching for solutions that will make a difference,especially in San Marcos. According to researchers atTexas State University in the Best Food Fits program,“too many children in San Marcos are overweight andobese. They are not eating enough fruits and vegeta-bles. Overweight children are more likely to sufferfrom early onset Type 2 diabetes, early stages of heartdisease, high blood pressure, asthma, bone deformi-ties and depression.”But solutions can be easy and fun, according to

Alicia Westfall, RD, Food and Nutrition manger atCentral Texas Medical Center.“Involve the kids in preparation, let them go with

you to the store and encourage them to pick out newproduce and fruit to try,” Westfall said.“Children are very attuned to texture, what it looks

like, what it feels like,” she said.By letting your kids help in cooking process too,

you not only teach them about cooking but alsoincrease their interest in trying out the new creations.And it makes for great bonding time too.Westfall said that it can take up to 10 times for a

SolutionsFO O DSummer

With the kids home fromschool, some healthycooking and eating tips

See EATING page 31

31

child (or even adult) to “like”something new and suggeststrying a variety of recipes usingnew fruits and vegetables dur-ing that “learning” process.

Among the snacks that arehealthy, Westfall says remem-ber to include protein.

“Peanut butter is a great one.You can put it on apples, incelery, many items that kids will love and enjoy,”Westfall said. “Another option is low fat cheese sticks.”

Westfall recommends that everyone, adults as well aschildren, eat six small meals rather than three large oneseach day.

“Six small meals vs. three large ones will increase yourmetabolism and thus help with weight loss. Low fat,grilling and fresh produce can all be healthy and tasty,”said Westfall. “And remember that every fruit and veg-etable has different vitamins and minerals that the bodyneeds.”

The extreme drought of recent months has placedwater on everyone’s minds. But it’s not only importantfor the land, it’s critically vital for the human body too.

“Texas is special because of the heat and dryness soit’s important to take in more water in the summermonths,” Westfall said.

For grocery shopping, Westfall offers these tips: Makea list ahead of time and stick to it. Deciding what mealsyou might want to fix can ensure that you’ll have all theingredients you need. Also, fix a snack for everyonebefore going to the store, never go hungry which leads totemptations in buying things you don’t need.

And read the labels, comparing items to see which offerthe least amount of fat and the most amount of fiber.

One option for cooking athome is to plan meals which canbe placed in the oven and leftalone while you spend qualitytime with the kids.

“Roast beef with carrots andpotatoes, baked tilapia with zuc-chini, or baked chicken withgreen beans and brown rice areall excellent options,” Westfallsaid.

Another idea is to buy frozenvegetables if you are worriedabout “spoiling” the fresh ones,Westfall said.

The benefits to a healthy eat-ing plan seem obvious ashealthy kids are not only happi-er but have fewer medical prob-lems.

And not just now, but for alifetime.

Continued from page 29

Eating

Alicia Westfallshares herhealthy recipeson page 34

“Involve the kidsin preparation,

let them go withyou to the storeand encourage

them to pick outnew produce

and fruit to try.”— AliciaWestfall

512.392.6143

Get it,Buy it,Read it.

San Marcos Daily Recordsanmarcosrecord.com

32

for pick up at the library starting June 1.Other special events include the Flying Theater

Machine, an interactive comedy improv troupe whichwill perform on Friday, June 24 with free tickets avail-able June 15 and Mad Science, a fun-filled event ofeye-popping, jaw-dropping experiments which willtake place on Friday, July 15 with free tickets avail-able July 1.Toddler Storytimes will be held every Thursday at

10:15 a.m. forbabies through age2. PreschoolStorytimes, forchildren ages 3 to6, will take placeon Tuesdays at10:15 and 11:a.m.as well asThursdays at 11a.m.Family Night will

be every Tuesdayevening at 7 p.m.with a wonderfulassortment of pro-grams includingpuppet shows, artsand crafts, visitsfrom San MarcosFirefighters andconcerts.Kids’ concerts

are scheduled forTuesday, June 14at 7 p.m. withMarilisa, the Waggle Taggle Gypsy; Friday, July 1 at10:30 a.m. with Marvelous Miss Molly Hayes; andKids Rock! with Andy Hartsock on Friday, July 8 at10 and 11 a.m.San Marcos Firefighters will visit the library with

hot stories and cool trucks on Tuesday, July 12 at 7p.m. and Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m.A Father’s Day Craft will be offered on both

Wednesday and Friday, June 15 and 17. The Red,White and Blue Craft to celebrate Independence Daywill be Wednesday, June 29. Excavate your creativityand dig into a Dino-Craft prehistoric art activity bydesigning your own dinosaur to bring home onWednesday, July 13. Craft walk-in hours will be from10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Can't get enough Manga and Anime? Teens and

tweens ages 11 to 16 will get together with other devo-tees of the genre to watch anime, read the newestmanga, review anime-related websites, learn aboutJapanese culture, and discuss all things Japanese.AniManga Club will meet on Mondays at 1 p.m. begin-ning June 13. Registration will start June 1.Stop by the library beginning June 6 to pick up

reading logs and check out library books for a chanceto win awesome prizes for kids, teens and adults.For every reading log you turn in, you get a drawing

slip and kids get coupons for free or discounted good-ies from generous local businesses.Prize drawings will be held at the end of July.For more information about any of these Summer

Reading programs, call the San Marcos Public Libraryat 393-8200.

Continued from page 26

Reading

Christal Lee creates art with thehelp of Beverly Mangham.

BarbecueBRANDING IRON3939 IH-35 South #F6San Marcos396-7004

FUSCHAK'S1701 IH-35 NorthSan Marcos353-2712

HAYS COUNTY BBQ2601 Hunter RoadSan Marcos392-6000

KIP’S BARBECUE690 Centerpoint PlazaSan Marcos392-4424

CafesCAFE ON THE SQUARE126 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos396-9999

CEDARS220 N. Edward GarySan Marcos754-8358

COOL MINT CAFE415 BurlesonSan Marcos396-2665

COTTAGE KITCHEN308 E. HopkinsSan Marcos392-4295

PRICE CENTER TEA ROOM222 W. San AntonioSan Marcos392-3114

Chinese/ThaiWOK & ROLL812 S. GuadalupeSan Marcos392-5665

IMPERIAL GARDEN1104-L Thorpe LaneSan Marcos353-3355

ROSE GARDEN

700 N. LBJ Ste. 114San Marcos805-0880

TASTE OF CHINA1721 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos392-5898

THAI THAI CAFE829 N. LBJ, Suite 101San Marcos395-8424

Coffee/DonutsDIXIE CREAM DONUTS201 S. LBJ Dr.San Marcos392-5551

JO ON THE GO312-B University DriveSan Marcos353-4880

MOCHAS & JAVAS700 N. LBJ Dr., Ste.103ASan Marcos396-5282

PHOENIX RISING BAKERY1904 Ranch Road 12Ste. 116, San Marcos392-7473

TEXENZA COFFEE121 IH-35 NorthSan Marcos236-0776

SHIPLEY’S DONUTS401 W. HopkinsSan Marcos393-5011

TANTRA COFFEEHOUSE217 W. HopkinsSan Marcos558-CAFE

THE COFFEE POT129 E. Hopkins, Ste. 100San Marcos392-3080

THE STRATOSPHERE2358 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos393-5001

SandwichesALVIN ORD’S204 University Dr.San Marcos353-8042

BIKINIS1437 IH-35 NorthSan Marcos396-2337

CENTERPOINT STATION3946 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos392-1103

GIL’S BROILER328 N. LBJSan Marcos392-4595

GIL'S FRIED CHICKEN714 E. HopkinsSan Marcos353-3911

GRINS RESTAURANT802 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos396-0909

RIVER PUB & GRILL701 Cheatham StreetSan Marcos353-3747

ROOT CELLAR CAFE215 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos392-5158

SPUD RANCH1330 Aquarena Springs Dr.San Marcos805-7783

MexicanANCHO GRILL2050 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos396-3690

CASA MARIA706 S. Guadalupe St.San Marcos392-9302

EL GOLFO DE MEXICO900 IH-35 North

San Marcos805-8530

EL PRIMO TACOS1310 Alamo St.San Marcos353-2232

GARCIA'S403 S. LBJ Dr.San Marcos353-0099

HERBERT’S TACO HUT419 RiversideSan Marcos353-7440

JL MEXICAN307 W. MLK Dr.San Marcos878-1184

LOLITA’S CAFE1501 Aquarena SpringsSan Marcos392-3441

LOS CUCOS1617 Aquarena Springs Dr.San Marcos805-2444

M&M TACO CORNER1303 HopkinsSan Marcos392-9308

MAMACITA’S1400 Aquarena Springs Dr.San Marcos353-0070

MANA’S807 Alabama St.San Marcos392-4068

ROGELIO’S RESTAURANT625 S. LBJ Dr.San Marcos392-4141

TA MOLLY’S Y MAS1101 Thorpe LaneSan Marcos392-3567

Local Restaurant ListingsDINING SPOTS IN AND AROUND SAN MARCOS

Continued on page 34

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TAQUIERA LA FONDA1204 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos392-8363

TAQUIERA MATZALAN1210 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos754-2155

TRES HERMANAS2550 HunterSan Marcos353-3470

Italian/PizzaD’BLAZIOS1904 Ranch Road 12San Marcos392-5234

ITALIAN GARDEN415 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos392-8730

NOPALITO’S206 W. San AntonioSan Marcos392-3449

PIZZA CLASSICS205 UniversitySan Marcos392-6005

SUNNY’S PIZZA507 Craddock AvenueSan Marcos392-7437

VILLA ITALIA3939 IH-35 SouthSan Marcos392-2279

ZENS PIZZA BISTRO700 N. LBJ Dr.San Marcos396-7445

Alicia Westfall, RD, Food and NutritionManger at Central Texas Medical Center,provides the following recipes for kidsthis summer.While they’re out of school, it’s up to theparent to keep meals healthy.

INFUSED FRUIT WATER• 3 gallons water• 2 oranges, sliced• 10 strawberries, sliced• 1 small bunch of fresh basil

Place sliced fruit at the bottom of a 3gallon water pitcher. Slightly bruise basilby scrunching in hand and add topitcher. Pour water and chill for at least4 hours.

ZESTY FRUIT SALAD• 2 cups cantaloupe, cubed• 2 cups quartered strawberries• 5 kiwis, chopped• 3 tbs. honey• 3 tbs. fresh lime juice• 1 tsp. lime zest• 3 tbs. mint leaves, finely chopped

Place chopped fruit in a large bowl. In asmall bowl, whisk the last four ingredi-ents together. Pour over fruit and tosslightly.

BAKED SPRING SALMON• 1 large tomato, seeded and diced• 6 to 8 leaves fresh basil, cut into thinstrips• 2 5 oz. salmon fillets• 1 tsp. olive oil• 2 small zucchini, thinly sliced• 2 green onions or 1/4 white onion,thinly sliced• 1 clove garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 450. Brush salmon withoil and arrange on 12-inch square offoil. Top with vegetables and seasonwith salt and pepper. Fold foil diago-nally to form a triangle and sealedges.Place foil packets on baking sheet andbake for 15 to 20 minutes until salmonis opaque and veggies are tender.

LEMON-PARSLEY ORZO• 1 14 oz. can fat-free, low sodiumchicken broth• 1 cup uncooked whole wheat orzo• 2 tsp. olive oil• 3/4 cup finely chopped seededplum tomato• 1 garlic clove, minced• 1/4 tsp. salt• 1/4 tsp. black pepper• 2 tbs. chopped parsley

• 1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon rindBring broth and orzo to a boil in amedium saucepan, cover, reduce heatand simmer 7 minutes or until tender.Remove from heat and let stand 5 min-utes.While orzo cooks, heat oil in a smallskillet over medium heat. Add tomato,garlic, salt and pepper. Saute 2 min-utes. Combine orzo and remaining in-gredients.

BERRY SHERBERT• 2 cups fat free milk• 2 cups frozen mixed berries• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract• 1/8 cup artificial sweetener

Combine all ingredients in a blenderand blend until smooth. Place in afreezer safe container and freeze untilfrozen or about 4 hours.Place a 1/2 cup of sherbert in a bowland enjoy.

KEEPING KIDS HEALTHY

Examples of foods recommended by Westfall.

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