   
Southwestern announces
2022-23 theater productions
Southwestern University last week announced its upcoming 2022-23 theater season.
Tickets go on sale July 11.The Mathers Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 1-5 p.m. while online purchasing goes live at midnight.
Discounted tickets are available for seniors over 62, youth under 16, and students with a valid high school or college ID, educators, and military personnel.
Tickets also can be purchased online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/southwestern/915
— Katherine Anthony
Theater schedule
How I Became a Pirate
A normal day at the beach turns into a day of adventure when young Jeremy Jacob spots a band of pirates rowing to shore. In between singing, dancing and finding a place to bury their hidden treasure, hopefully Jeremy Jacob can make it home in time for soccer practice.
September 23-25; September 30-October 2
Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Theater
Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., Saturday mornings at 10 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Witch
A devil visits the small village of Edmonton, offering a select few people an opportunity to sell their souls in exchange for a wish. While some people are willing to sell their souls quickly, Elizabeth, the town outcast and “witch,” has a few more reservations. This dark comedy, inspired by the 1621 play The Witch of Edmonton, weighs the odds between happiness and self-worth in a world that seems void of hope.
November 11-13; November 18-20
Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Theater.
Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Ride the Cyclone
In this dark comedy, the Saint Cassian High School Chamber Choir boards the Cyclone roller coaster, dying minutes later when the front axle breaks, sending them to their tragic demise. When they awake in a strange purgatory, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell the story of a life interrupted — with the promise of a prize like no other — a chance for one of them to return to life.
April 21-23; April 28-30
Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Theater
Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Central Texas Philharmonic
Tickets are available at CentralTexasPhilharmonic.org.
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The Little Lemon at the Library opened its doors on Tuesday, June 21. The cafe is serving a variety of beverages, pastries, sandwiches and other treats. Brigid Cooley Photo
The Little Lemon at the Library
Local restaurant opens cafe inside Georgetown Public Library
By BRIGID COOLEY
After finding the perfect pile of books to check out at the Georgetown Public Library, patrons can now relax with a hot cup of coffee and a tasty pastry at The Little Lemon at the Library.

This map shows areas in Williamson County where fireworks are restricted within city limits (black checkered) and where specific ordinances put additional restrictions in place (red stripes). Courtesy of Williamson county
Tinderbox hot
Burn ban halts sale of certain fireworks
By NICHOLAS CICALE
Williamson County on Thursday announced that businesses in the county will not be selling two specific types of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July this year due to ongoing drought conditions and wildfire risk in Central Texas.
GISD’s new $177M budget up $12.4M over last year’s
Growth in bond construction costs also a force in ballooning expenses
By KATHERINE ANTHONY
Georgetown ISD trustees on Monday night approved a $177.851 million district budget for the upcoming 2022-23 school year that is a $12.4 million increase from last year.
Homesowners would save money
Homestead exemption rising

Under the bright lights at Dell Diamond and in front of a sea of blue supporters, Eagle players celebrate a win last week. Nicholas Cicale Photo
By NICHOLAS CICALE
Homeowners with a primary residence in Georgetown are set to receive some tax relief, with city council Tuesday approving a proposed increase of the city’s homestead exemption rate on first reading.
A homestead exemption is a property tax break provided to qualifying homeowners who used their local property as a primary residence on January 1 of the tax year.
Through the city’s proposal, the city’s homestead exemption rate will increase from $5,000 or 3 percent of the home’s value, to $5,000 or 5 percent of the home’s value.
According to Erica Young, the city’s senior budget analyst, with the new exemption rate, the average Georgetown homeowner would see an about $30 decrease in their city tax bill.


Delaney resident Jeanine cuddles George. Katherine Anthony Photo
Dog brings smiles to senior center
By katherine anthony
With a spring in his step and love in his heart, little Delaney George begins his rounds each morning through the halls of The Delaney Senior Living Center on Shell Road. The jaunty rescue dog — once just a day away from euthanasia at an animal shelter — is greeted by residents and staff every day with smiles, pats and treats as he walks around the facility. “George is a source of unconditional love to everyone here,” said Mindy House, director of social media for The Delaney. “It’s amazing to see the impact he’s made on our residents. He spreads sunshine everywhere he goes.” The journey to love at The Delaney was a long and winding road for the half-Westie, half-Maltese ball of fur.
George was adopted by The Delaney in November 2021, from Living Grace Canine Ranch, a Bertram shelter for elderly dogs. But before coming to Living Grace, he was on death row at a Dallas-area animal shelter. Due to malassezia dermatitis, a skin condition that requires daily medication and frequent grooming, George had been surrendered to the shelter. After just a week, staff there determined he was unadoptable and George was scheduled to be euthanized.

Jake Vance competes in saddle bronc riding at last year’s Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo June 25. Sun Archive Photo
It’s cowboy time at the Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo
By KATHERINE ANTHONY
Pull on your boots and grab your hat. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo is coming up June 24-25 in Jarrell.
The location is the Posse’s arena in Solana Park, 1600 County Road 305.

The Eagles softball team poses Saturday afternoon with their UIL trophy and medals after competing in the State Tournament finals. courtesy of tim swan
Silver still stellar
Lady Eagles take second place in State tournament
By NICHOLAS CICALE
It was a bittersweet weekend for the Eagles Softball team, which went deeper into the State Tournament than ever before, but ultimately lost in the finals to Lake Creek 7-0.
The team headed into Saturday afternoon’s State Tournament finale with confidence. One year after being eliminated in the tournament’s opening round, a 3-2 Georgetown win against Aledo in Friday’s semifinal match put the girls within striking distance to reach their ultimate goal.
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Community
SHERIFF’S POSSE RODEO
June 24-25
The Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo is coming up June 24-25 at the arena in Solana Park, 1600 County Road 305, Jarrell. Ticket prices include live music and dancing following the rodeo with One Ton Country on June 24 and JR’s Jukebox on June 25. This year’s rodeo events will include bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, bareback and saddle bronc, steer saddling and wrestling, mutton bustin’, kids’ calf scramble, and girls’ break-away roping. www.wcsprodeo.com
Art
PORTUGAL’S WINE STROLL
Through June 30
The art exhibit will be at the Round Rock Public Library from June 1 to June 30 by Ellen Greeney. The 16 colorful photos capture the essence of the amazing scenery of Portugal's Douro Valley, famous hillside vineyards, historical sites and storied venues. The library is located at 216 East Main Street in Round Rock. It's open Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays 1 to 6 p.m.
Performances
TEXAS BACH FESTIVAL
June 20-26
The Texas Bach Festival returns to Georgetown this month with its 2022 program, “Bringing It Bach Again.” Five concerts will be held in Georgetown and two in Austin from June 20-26, with a different program each day. Locations include Wellspring United Methodist Church and Grace Episcopal Church. The Austin concerts will be held at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church. All concerts also can be viewed virtually. Full concert information, schedule and tickets are available at www.texasbachfestival.org
Agriculture
HERB GARDENING
June 25, 10 a.m.
Hands On In the Garden is a free monthly gardening program and the topic for June is “Herb Gardening.” Members of the Herb Garden team will present three mini-programs about using herbs to make tea, body scrubs, and vinegar. They will also discuss garden design and the importance of good drainage. The class will be 10-11:30 a.m. in the Demonstration Gardens at 3151 Southeast Inner Loop. Please bring a lawn chair for your comfort.
Happenings
CHRIS KELLEY MEMORIAL RUN
June 25, 8:30 a.m.
The seventh Annual Chris Kelley 5K will honor the life of Sergeant Detective Chris Kelley. Sergeant Kelley was killed in the line of duty while working for the Hutto Police Department. Runners, walkers and strollers are welcome to join us. This is a rain or shine event. www.chriskelleyfoundation.org or follow on Facebook at Chris Kelley 5K or #ck5k.
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