Ligon Writing Portfolio

06/30/2025

In Bourdain’s wake: Beer, shared plates and almost-loves

A personal tribute to Anthony Bourdain through global bar stops, unexpected connections, and the quiet rituals of grief, growth, and remembering.

Scooter Cannonball

Kerrville Daily Times • 06/27/2025

Scootin’ into town full throttle: Scooter Cannonball Run rolls through Texas Hill Country

More than 250 riders on powered scooters journey coast-to-coast in the 2025 Scooter Cannonball Run, passing through the Texas Hill Country as part of an epic 4,000-mile rally across eight states.

The Pearl

Hill Country Culture • 05/29/2025

Three Hill Country food trucks worth chasing

A guide to Kerrville’s top food trucks, including The Pearl, Taquitos Bautista and Shim’s Be Blessed.

Shelby Ligon

"Napoleon Dynamite" stars Efren Ramirez, who played Pedro, Jon Heder, who took on the title role of Napoleon Dynamite, and Jon Gries, who portrayed Uncle Rico, greet a local fan holding a "Vote for Pedro" T-shirt during the screening of the cult favorite on Friday, Sept. 13, at the Arcadia Live in downtown Kerrville.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Gosh! Fans join ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ cast to celebrate 20th year of cult fave

A fan-filled anniversary screening of Napoleon Dynamite at Kerrville's historic Arcadia Live Theater, featuring Q&A with actors John Heder, Efren Ramirez and Jon Gries.

Shelby Ligon

Vivian and Livia Fore are co-owners of Pookie's Patisserie in downtown Kerrville.

Hill Country Culture • 03/20/2025

The scoop on Pookie's: Local grade school entrepreneurs to open gelato shop

Pookie’s Patisserie, co-owned by 10-year-old Livia and 7-year-old Vivian Fore, opens in downtown Kerrville with mint green-inspired décor and authentic Italian pastries, gelato, and espresso. This charming family-supported venture brings handcrafted treats and seasonal flavors to the community.

Kerrville Folk Festival

Hill Country Culture • 05/20/2025

Tune in: Music and tradition take center stage at the Kerrville Folk Festival

Enjoy 18 days of live folk music, family-friendly activities at the legendary Kerrville Folk Festival. Join thousands of music lovers from around the world for a unique community experience celebrating songwriting and folk traditions.

Justin Bright

Kerrville Daily Times • 04/07/2025

Wheeling across Texas: Skateboarder helps pioneer a trail across the Lone Star State

Moondog Roop embarks on a three-month thru-skate, pioneering the 1,500-mile xTexas long-distance trail from Orange to El Paso. This skateboard adventure explores Texas backroads, gravel tracks, and single-track paths while mapping water, food and camping access points.

Shelby Ligon

Hill Country Culture • 03/30/2025

Cardoshinsky Confections brings sweet treats to the Hill Country

Discover Cardoshinsky Confections, a Kerrville bakery known for beautifully decorated sugar cookies, handmade treats, personalized cookie decorating workshops and seasonal specials.

Shelby Ligon

Hill Country Culture • 03/30/2025

East End Vintage Market: An endless treasure trove of antiques

East End Vintage Market in Kerrville is a must-visit antique shop featuring over 20 dealers offering a wide selection of antiques, vintage furniture, original artwork, jewelry and collectibles. This spacious market provides a relaxed shopping experience with well-curated booths and constantly updated inventory.

Tom Torget

Senior Living • 03/27/2025

Lending a hand: Seniors who volunteer

Volunteering offers powerful benefits for seniors in Kerrville, helping reduce loneliness, boost physical activity and improve mental health. Local organizations like Dietert Center, Museum of Western Art and Riverside Nature Center provide diverse volunteer opportunities for adults 65 and older.

Shelby Ligon

Kerrville Daily Times • 06/05/2025

Mary's Tacos planning to expand and relocate

Mary’s Tacos, a beloved family-owned taco spot in Kerrville, plans to expand with a new $1.25 million, 4,364-square-foot restaurant at 1515 Broadway.

Shelby Ligon

Senior Living • 03/27/2025

Keep it moving: Seniors who exercise

Regular exercise offers vital health benefits for adults 65 and older, including improved sleep, reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure and decreased risks of dementia, heart disease and falls. Kerrville’s Center for Fitness provides tailored programs like SilverSneakers specifically for seniors.

Shelby Ligon

"Texas Ranger Fronter Battalion" by Richard O. Cook.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/24/2025

Museum of Western Art acquires Ranger statues

Three bronze statues from the Former Texas Rangers Foundation in Fredericksburg have been relocated to the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville. The statues, including works by Richard O. Cook, Eric Christenson, and Dustin Payne, now stand prominently near the museum entrance.

Mo-Ranch

Kerrville Visitors Guide • 03/20/2025

Mo-Ranch: An outdoor adventure hidden in the hills

For 75 years, Mo-Ranch in Hunt, Texas, has offered a unique blend of lodging, outdoor education and recreational activities at the headwaters of the Guadalupe River. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, birding and faith-based programs on 500 scenic acres.

Shelby Ligon

Construction workers begin the installation of playground equipment at a newly designed inclusive park on Guadalupe Street.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

New inclusive playground goes up on Guadalupe Street

Construction is underway on a new inclusive playground at Guadalupe Park in Kerrville, featuring wheelchair-accessible ramps, shade structures and safe artificial turf. The playground is designed to welcome children of all abilities, including those with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities.

Al Rendon

Barrett and Kent Black of Black’s Barbecue display some of their sausages.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

'We Are What We Eat' symposium dives into the history of Texas sausage

Experience Texas culinary heritage at the “We Are What We Eat: An Immersive History of Texas Sausage” symposium hosted by Alstadt Brewery and Schreiner University’s Texas Center. Join local historian Michael Barr, photographer Al Rendon and Chef Philippe Verain for a unique blend of art, history and food.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Blind Boys of Alabama bring their holiday show to town

Celebrate the season with Grammy-winning gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama as they bring their soulful Christmas tour to downtown Kerrville. Known for their powerful harmonies and inspiring performances, the group will perform holiday classics and fan favorites from their acclaimed albums.

BSA Troop 111

Kerrville Daily Times • 05/20/2025

Boy Scout Troop 111 celebrates 3 decades

Highlighting its legacy of Eagle Scouts, community service and life-saving acts, Kerrville's Boy Scout Troop 111 celebrates thirty years. NBC correspondent Morgan Chesky spoke at the event.

Shelby Ligon

Members of the Kerrville Fire Department unload next to the old EntertainMart building on Main Street. Local first responders are using the building for training exercises before it is demolished.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Old building sparks new training opportunities for local firefighters

The Kerrville Fire Department is conducting live fire training at the former EntertainMart building. This rare training opportunity — made possible by the building’s upcoming demolition — allows firefighters to sharpen real-world skills in controlled scenarios.

Hill Country Archeological Association

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Digging into our past: Archeology group will celebrate 25 years of unearthing local history

Celebrate 25 years of local history and heritage with the Hill Country Archeological Association. The anniversary event will feature hands-on demonstrations in flintknapping, paintmaking, cording, and atlatl throwing, along with kid-friendly activities like stone painting and artifact digging.

Shelby Ligon

Bessie Fifer and Clifton Fifer Jr. serve “working man’s stew” at the Doyle Community Center’s Martin Luther King Day celebration.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Doyle Center celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Doyle Community Center hosted a Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration bringing Kerrville residents together for a luncheon honoring Dr. King’s enduring legacy. Reverend Amos D. Duncan of San Antonio delivered a speech on King’s fight for civil rights, social justice and economic equality.

Amanda Meigs

Jerzey Morgan and Richie Childers join in the color run event at Camp CAMP’s Camp Sign.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Camp CAMP: A good sign

Camp Sign returned to the Children’s Association for Maximum Potential campus in Center Point for the first time since 2019, offering a weeklong overnight experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth ages 8–17. The camp featured ASL-fluent staff, inclusive activities and immersive exposure to deaf culture.

Shelby Ligon

Julia Finger laughs as Mike Wilson delivers a crown to her during her 105th birthday party at Riverhill Country Club on March 4.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

‘An extraordinary lady’ — Riverhill celebrates 105th birthday of resident Julia Finger

A longtime member and devoted golfer at Riverhill Country Club, Julia Finger was celebrated on her 105th birthday for her contributions in the annual Julia Finger Challenge and decades of volunteer work with Texas Children’s Hospital and Peterson Regional Medical Center.

Kerrville Daily Times • 03/20/2025

Deep in the Heart 5K: Peterson Health hosts first annual race

Join Peterson Health’s first Deep in the Heart 5K on Feb. 22 in Kerrville to support American Heart Month. Walk, jog, or run the River Trail and learn about heart health. Proceeds benefit cardiac care at Peterson Health.