This week, managing editor Jeff Flinn sits down with Greg Pratt (Event Director) and Shawn Hudson (IT Director) of the Tour de Boerne — one of Texas's premier cycling events — ahead of their June 27th ride at Joshua Springs Park and Preserve. With 1,000 registered riders from across the country, three challenging Hill Country routes, and over $70,000 raised for local charities last year, the Tour de Boerne has grown into something truly special. Tune in to find out everything you need to know before race day.

0:00 — Welcome & Introduction to Tour de Boerne

0:42 — How Tour de Boerne Got Started (2019, St. Peter's Church)

1:22 — Surviving COVID in 2020 & Moving to Don Strange Ranch

1:45 — New Venue: Joshua Springs Park & Preserve

2:06 — Growth to 1,000 Riders & $70,000 in Charity Donations

2:25 — Local Organizations Supported by the Ride

3:06 — Volunteers: 200+ from Knights of Columbus & Catholic Daughters

4:48 — A Premier Texas Cycling Event (Riders from 7 States, Manu Ginóbili!)

5:22 — The Three Courses: 28, 45, and 63 Miles

5:38 — SAG Vehicles, Air Force Cycling Team & Motorcycle Marshals

6:13 — Routes Through Center Point, Waring, Comfort & Sisterdale

7:20 — Event Amenities: BBQ, Beer, IV Service & Chiropractor

9:15 — It's a Ride, Not a Race (But Finisher Medals Are Earned)

10:25 — How to Find Course Maps: tourdeboerne.com

11:25 — Family Activities at the Event (YMCA Partnership)

13:03 — Rider Testimonials & What Makes This Event Special

14:01 — Parking, Logistics & Rider Experience Planning

18:41 — Rider Safety, Road Etiquette & Course Signage

19:38 — Rest Stops, Pickle Pops & SAG Support Details

22:27 — Packet Pickup at Free Roam Brewery (Friday, 3–7 PM)

23:19 — Emotional Wrap-Up & Honoring Last Year's Flood Victims

24:26 — Final Details, Sign-Off & "Hotter Than Hell with Hills"

🚴 Registration & Course Maps: tourdeboerne.com

📦 Packet Pickup: Friday, June 26 | Free Roam Brewery | 3–7 PM

🏁 Ride Day: Saturday, June 27 | Joshua Springs Park & Preserve | 7:00 AM start

The Boerne Brew airs every Saturday on Boerne Radio 103.9 FM in partnership with The Boerne Star.

Original Air Date: June 20, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Boerne Brew – Trent Nesmith Interview Summary

Guest: Trent Nesmith, Athletic Director, Geneva School of Boerne

Host: Kerry Barboza, Sports Editor, Boerne Star

Timeline

0:00 – Henderson Cup Overview

Geneva won their 12th Henderson Cup (best all-around school award from TAPPS) — their 5th in 4A classification. Scored 78 points, beating Lubbock Christian (65) and Covenant School of Dallas (64). Points come from athletics, fine arts, and academics throughout the year.

6:04 – Standout Sports This Year

Football: Final Four (state semifinals)

Girls soccer: State title game (again)

Boys soccer: First-ever Final Four appearance

Girls tennis: State champions; Boys tennis: State runner-up

Orchestra: Multiple-year state champions

7:57 – Henderson Cup Point Breakdown

Full breakdown of 78 points: 52 athletics (28 girls, 24 boys), 26 fine arts (orchestra 10, art 8, band 6), 2 academics.

8:34 – Summer Schedule & TAPPS Calendar Changes

TAPPS shifted football to 10-game regular seasons, ending before Thanksgiving. Other sports (basketball, spring sports) starting later to reduce season overlap. First game August 26.

10:39 – Seven-on-Seven & Sand Volleyball

Football in week 2 of seven-on-seven (Sachs League), heading to Waco for competition. Volleyball team competing in TAPPS sand volleyball tournament.

11:58 – New Football Coach: Adam Foran

Previous coach Bob Rosenstiel left for St. Michael's (Austin). Foran, coincidentally the office coordinator at St. Michael's, was hired in late April. Strong start — highly organized with great energy.

13:00 – Other New Coaches

Joel & Landon Murphy (boys soccer): Ground-ball philosophy worked; furthest boys soccer has gone

Trey Smith (softball): Promoted from assistant after Tim Milledge retired (Milledge moonlights as groundskeeper, has worked at Wrigley Field, San Antonio Missions)

14:28 – Nesmith Takes Over as Baseball Coach

Steve Rippe retired after spring 2025; Nesmith stepped in after 3 years as assistant + running the middle school program. Plans to continue coaching alongside AD duties.

15:49 – Nesmith's Baseball Background

Played college baseball; coached 10 years at the collegiate level in Kansas. Notable connections: coached Scott Presser (San Francisco Giants) and Kevin Cash (managed Tampa Bay Rays) during a summer league team in 1999.

18:18 – Johnny Manziel & Coach Rippe Stories

Coach Rippe (San Antonio Baseball Hall of Fame) coached Johnny Football at Kerrville. Anecdote: Manziel was reportedly a better baseball player, but chose football; opposing teams walked the #9 hitter just because of him.

19:32 – New District Realignment

Hill Country Christian and John Paul II (Schertz) moved up to 5A. Brazosport, Baytown, and St. Francis join the district — meaning travel to Houston area every other year. Described as a "strong football district."

20:47 – Superstitions, Coaching Staff Updates

Baseball superstition: pants up to the knees, don't step on the white line. Coaching staff largely returning; only changes are new football coach and need to replace swimming coach (Claudia Flores departing after 3 years).

23:08 – Farewell to Libby Lunsford

Libby Lunsford retired after 20 years as a Geneva administrator. Amy Simmons and Justin are her replacements.

23:42 – Personal: Vacation & Family

Nesmith and his son Cannon (now teaching PE at Geneva's grammar school) are heading to Maine for a golf trip in July. Nesmith and wife love Boerne and the Hill Country.

Original Air Date: June 13, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Flinn, Managing Editor of the Boerne Star, hosts the Boerne Brew on Boerne Radio 103.9 FM. This special June 6th episode features the first-ever Das Festival of Kendall Queen candidates — Trinity Wangen (high school), Natalie Stewart (middle school), and Rayne Robertson (elementary) — along with pageant director Yvonne Faldyn. The group discusses the upcoming Das Festival of Kendall weekend (June 19–21) at the Main Plaza in Boerne, Texas, including the queen coronation ceremony, parade, dachshund races, stein holding, and more.

0:00 — Intro & D-Day remembrance (June 6th tribute)

0:56 — Birthday mentions: Nathan Hale, David Abercrombie, Bjorn Borg, Bill Bates

1:55 — Das Festival of Kendall queen coronation announced (Friday, June 19th)

2:20 — Meet the queens: Trinity Wangen, Natalie Stewart, Rayne Robertson

3:19 — Pageant director Yvonne Faldyn explains the three age divisions

4:40 — Trinity talks about stepping out of her comfort zone & cheer background

5:42 — Natalie talks about being middle school queen

6:48 — Rayne's friends shout-out (Cora, Gemma, Sadie)

7:41 — Parade details, dasfestival.org, open entry info

8:20 — Das Festival activities: dachshund races, stein holding, sack races, egg toss

9:50 — History of Das Festival (revamped Burgess Fest, now in year 3)

11:46 — Trinity on stepping out of your comfort zone

13:11 — Natalie on representing Das Festival & growing the pageant

14:10 — Rayne's favorite musician (Taylor Swift) & what queens wear (dirndls!)

14:36 — Das Festival fundraising & charity recipients

16:07 — Final queen introductions & sponsor recognition

18:44 — Father's Day weekend connection to Burgess Fest history

19:35 — Yvonne Faldyn on becoming pageant director & volunteer effort

21:25 — Queen recruitment: flyers, lemonade days, diva night

22:23 — Queen sponsors announced

23:17 — Final words from the queens & "Auf Wiedersehen" sign-off

Original Air Date: June 6, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

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Host Kerry Barboza (sports editor, Boerne Star) welcomes back Stan Leach, Boerne ISD Athletic Director in his 27th year, for the annual end-of-year athletics wrap-up. They recap the spring sports season across both Boerne High and Champion High School: soccer (Champion boys fell to defending state champs Liberty Hill in a shootout), basketball (Boerne High girls lost to Cedar Park; Champion boys dealt with key injury to leading scorer Gavin Pack), and baseball (both teams made playoffs — Champion boys went four rounds in a strong run under coach Ben Wojcik). They celebrate standout individual performances including Presley Merkens (freshman, silver medal at state track in the 800m, breaking a school record), Aiden and Gavin Seabe plus Nick Dube (tennis bronze medals at state), and Elizabeth Leachman (cross country star, signing with Stanford despite a health battle). The conversation moves to upcoming summer camps (38th annual boys' basketball camp, now using four gyms), the new district alignment (including Great Hearts Monta Vista's departure), the hiring of new girls' basketball coach Scott Hurt (formerly of Smithson Valley), and the Lone Star Cup standings. Stan also shares his summer travel plans — Texas Rangers games and a golf trip to Ruidoso.

0:00 - Introduction & Stan Leach's 27th year as AD

0:46 - Soccer recap: Champion boys vs. Liberty Hill shootout

1:30 - New district alignment & optimism for soccer

2:52 - Basketball recap: Boerne High girls lose to Cedar Park

3:07 - Champion boys basketball & Gavin Pack injury

3:22 - Gavin Pack moving away next year

4:18 - New basketball district: Alamo Heights, Boerne, Champion & more

4:22 - Baseball recap: both teams make playoffs

4:42 - Champion boys go four rounds; series with Leander Rouse

5:03 - Ben Wojcik's 5-year legacy coaching Champion baseball

6:08 - State track: Presley Merkens wins silver in the 800m (freshman)

6:28 - Stan's own state championship coaching memories (Courtney Darter, Adam Comer, 1998)

7:00 - Merkens breaks school record; next goal: Boerne ISD record

7:15 - Courtney Darter now on the school board

7:39 - State tennis: Aiden Seabe bronze in singles

7:55 - Gavin Seabe & Nick Dube: bronze in doubles

8:15 - Aiden's ankle injury at state semis

8:53 - Elizabeth Leachman signing with Stanford

9:33 - Leachman's 5 state medals & national championships / Olympic trials

10:50 - Great Hearts Monta Vista withdraws from new district

11:27 - Summer camps overview

12:39 - 38th annual Greyhound/Champion Boys' Basketball Camp (Stan founded it in 1989)

13:28 - Camp growth: 60 kids then vs. 300+ now; using four gyms

15:29 - Stan's summer schedule: THSADA conference, Rangers trip, Ruidoso golf

16:32 - Pressure to stay competitive year-round / no long breaks

17:15 - New girls' basketball coach: Scott Hurt (from Smithson Valley)

18:21 - Girls' basketball outlook for both schools in the new league

19:00 - Any other coaching changes? Everyone hired — for now

20:15 - Lone Star Cup recap: Champion won it in 2011 (smallest 4A school)

21:28 - Boerne High's Lone Star Cup history (best finish: 2nd)

22:08 - Both schools' combined 12 Express News Lone Star Cups

22:25 - Champion's edge: water polo & swimming state championship

22:45 - Wrap-up & thanks

Original Air Date: May 30, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

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The Boerne Brew – Hill Country Archaeological Association

103.9 FM Boerne Radio | Host: Jeff Flynn, Managing Editor, Boerne Star

Guests: Kelly Skovberg (President, HCAA) & Richard Tomlinson (Board Member, HCAA)

Summary:

Jeff Flynn sits down with Kelly Skovberg and Richard Tomlinson from the Hill Country Archaeological Association (HCAA) to explore what real archaeology looks like in the Texas Hill Country. They discuss an active multi-component dig site near Hunt along the North Fork of the Guadalupe River — dating back over 10,000 years — including fascinating finds like obsidian traced to Idaho, St. Mary's Hall points, and earth ovens. They also cover the HCAA's survey of the historic Wren Cemetery in Boerne, what it means to be an avocational archaeologist, and how everyday landowners can get the organization involved on their property. The episode closes with exciting news about a new permanent lab space at the Sisterdale Sanctuary with the Cibolo Center for Conservation.

Timeline:

0:00 – Introduction: Jeff Flynn welcomes Kelly Skovberg & Richard Tomlinson; debunking Indiana Jones & dinosaur-dig misconceptions

1:02 – What is archaeology? Paleo-Indians, the Hunt/Guadalupe River dig site, and its 10,000+ year history

1:59 – Describing the terrace site: access to water, chert for tools, ideal conditions for nomadic groups

4:25 – Trade networks: obsidian traced to Idaho found at the site; the Archaic Period (~4,000–5,000 years ago)

6:05 – Scope of archaeology: from Paleo-Indian to historic sites; the Wren Cemetery survey for a Texas historic marker

7:00 – Arrowheads vs. atlatls: correcting common myths; megafauna hunting and early weapons

8:03 – Origins of the first Americans: land bridge theory vs. evidence of 20,000–25,000-year-old settlements

9:54 – HCAA's approach on private land: no artifact collecting, anonymity for landowners, returning lithics after cataloging

10:56 – Lab curation & pattern recognition: radiocarbon dating, the St. Mary's Hall point + buffalo bone find

12:52 – Kelly's origin story: lifelong passion for digging ("Mud Hen"), connecting with HCAA before retirement

13:27 – Richard's origin story: holding ancient tools, Carlsbad Caverns cliff paintings, feeling connected to early humans

15:08 – Earth ovens explained: layering rocks & plant matter (sotol, lechuguilla); communal cooking & social organization

16:43 – Nomadic life: moving with food sources, no permanent tribes, inter-group communication and trade

17:37 – How a dig begins: burn rock middens, surveying the mound, and the step-by-step excavation process

19:12 – Excavation method: hand-digging 6+ feet, screening dirt, cataloging finds for scientific record

19:58 – Looting vs. archaeology: why picking up arrowheads destroys scientific value

20:50 – How to contact HCAA: hcarcheology.org / connect@hcarcheology.org

21:44 – Memorable finds: Kelly's first scraper; Richard's near-perfect St. Mary's Hall point

23:26 – How to join HCAA: no credentials required; operating across 7 Hill Country counties

24:21 – New permanent lab at Sisterdale Sanctuary (Cibolo Center for Conservation): public access, outreach, and hands-on education

26:15 – Closing: call to action for landowners; thanks and sign-off

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Kerrry Barboza (sports editor, Boerne Star) sits down with producer Roland J. Ruiz to celebrate his induction into the 2026 class of the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame. The conversation covers Roland's 40+ year career in broadcasting — from his roots as a musician in San Antonio, his first radio job at the legendary KBOP in Pleasanton, and stints in Victoria, Nashville (CMT/Gaylord Entertainment), and multiple San Antonio stations under Clear Channel and Cox Broadcasting. They discuss the evolution of radio (AM to FM to internet), the art of public address announcing for the Spurs, Missions, and high school sports, and the key differences between radio, TV, and PA work. Roland also talks about his passion for playing guitar and performing with the Vinyl 45s and the King Beez. The episode closes with Roland plugging the return of the San Antonio Toros of the Continental Football League.

YouTube Timeline

0:00 - Introduction & Roland's Hall of Fame induction

0:38 - How he was nominated (by Hector Reyes / SOSARB)

1:44 - Did he ever think he'd make the Hall of Fame?

2:32 - Career highlights & the people he worked with

3:10 - How Roland got into radio (musician first)

4:00 - First radio job at KBOP in Pleasanton, TX

4:18 - Radio influences: B. Bailey Brown, Bruce Hathaway, Casey Kasem

5:44 - Sonny Melendrez & San Antonio radio history

6:03 - AM radio's dominance in the '70s / FM converters

6:58 - TV work: CMT network announcer in Nashville

8:08 - Writing for the Kerrville Daily Times / all-media career

8:21 - Internet's impact on broadcasting

9:13 - Career journey: Pleasanton → Clear Channel → Victoria → Nashville → Cox

11:04 - Ricky Ware, Judd Ashmore & San Antonio radio names

11:50 - Living in Spring Branch / always returning to San Antonio

12:15 - Kerry's own career path to the Boerne Star

13:07 - Roland's start in sports broadcasting (~1998-99)

14:00 - Do you get nervous on the mic?

14:25 - PA vs. radio vs. TV: the differences

14:53 - High school PA announcing pitfalls

15:10 - Favorite medium: like picking a favorite child

15:47 - Baseball on radio & great voices (Gene Elston, Eric Nadel, Roy Acuff)

16:29 - PA work at Spurs, Missions & Texas State

17:38 - Research and prep for a PA job

18:21 - Getting player name pronunciations right

19:05 - Ever wish you hadn't said something on the mic?

19:26 - Bill Schoening & Kevin Harlan — great broadcasters

20:33 - Radio vs. TV: painting a picture with words

21:10 - Roland's music career: Vinyl 45s & King Beez

21:27 - 50+ years of playing guitar & singing

21:46 - Musical influences: Doug Sahm, Augie Meyers, Buddy Holly

22:25 - Austin music scene

23:00 - The Continental Football League Toros return (May 24th, UIW)

24:03 - AC Lex: Boerne ISD's great football player and former Toro.

25:00 - Wrap-up & closing thanks

Original Air Date: May 16, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Boerne Brew, host Jeff Flinn sits down with Doug Mackle, Logistics Administrator for the Hill Country Fire Coalition of Texas, and Toby Vicknair, Lieutenant with the Boerne Fire Department, to discuss National Wildfire Awareness Month. They cover how to wildfire-proof your home, the free property risk assessment program offered by the Hill Country Fire Coalition, and what it's really like to fight massive wildfires across the country — from the Texas Panhandle to the California Palisades.

The Boerne Brew airs on Boerne Radio 103.9 FM.

Timeline:

0:00 – Introduction & recent rain in the Hill Country

0:50 – Meet the guests: Doug Mackle & Toby Vicknair

1:29 – How the Hill Country Fire Coalition was formed (2023–2024)

2:35 – Home fire safety: embers, gutters, roofs & vegetation

5:50 – Wooden fences, decks, and fire breaks

6:45 – Fence fire break story

8:23 – How to contact the Hill Country Fire Coalition

9:05 – Upcoming Firewise property work in Sisterdale (May 12–13)

9:51 – Ladder fuels and fire behavior explained

10:27 – Wildfire stats: 85–86% are man-caused

11:10 – Toby's deployment: the 18,000-acre Lavender Fire in the Panhandle

13:05 – How firefighters are deployed via TIFMAS

18:41 – What deployment looks like: strike teams, 12-hour shifts

19:47 – California deployments: Palisades & Park Fire (429,000 acres)

24:24 – Recap & wildfire safety reminders

26:05 – Free property risk assessments — how to get one

30:03 – Wildfire season is now year-round

32:39 – Closing remarks & July 4th flag run plug

📞 Hill Country Fire Coalition: 830-326-9031

📧 info@hcfcoftx.com

Original Air Date: May 9, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.