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

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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.

Kim Blohm joins the Boerne Brew to discuss Boerne Lemonade Day, a national youth entrepreneurship program locally run by the Boerne Chamber of Commerce. This year features 425 registered kids and ~200 stands across Boerne and Kendall County. Kids develop full business plans, attend financial literacy classes sponsored by Sonora Bank, and compete for awards — with winners donating their $250 prize to a nonprofit of their choice. The episode covers the program's history, logistics, fun stories from past events, and how to find stands via the interactive map at boernlemonadeday.org.

0:00 – Intro & guest welcome

0:24 – History of Lemonade Day (founded by Judge Kirsten Cahoon)

1:05 – Growth: from 15 kids to 425 registered this year

1:22 – Event details: Saturday May 2nd, 11am–2pm, Hill Country Mile

2:18 – National program background (out of Houston/Galveston)

2:41 – Boerne winner competed nationally & interviewed on Shark Tank

3:36 – How the program works: permits, business plans, financial literacy

4:17 – Awards: Best Tasting, Best Stand, Best Entrepreneur ($250 to a nonprofit)

5:24 – Stand count: 425 kids, ~200 stands; registration is free

7:17 – Best Tasting Lemonade competition: Thursday April 30th, 5–6pm at Boerne Sips Nutrition

8:19 – Rules: linked to a business, need owner permission; no size/age limits

9:14 – Other May 2nd events: Champion Band, Fire Dept. open house, Hill Country Music Mile

10:51 – Age inclusion: Boerne ISD Life Skills 18+ program participating

13:06 – Heartwarming story: shy student who started from home now wins Best Tasting

14:42 – New this year: People's Choice Award via Facebook voting

16:19 – Memorable products from past years (Star Wars glitter, pizza stand)

18:53 – HEB welcoming stands for the first time this year

19:09 – Finding the map: bernelemonadeday.org or boerne.org/lemonadeday

22:21 – Full circle: Lemonade Day kids are now Boerne business owners

24:01 – Closing: invite to tasting event & final call to support the kids

Original Air Date: April 25, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Host Kerry Barboza (sports editor, Boerne Star) interviews Amy Ruede, head girls basketball coach at Boerne High School. The wide-ranging conversation covers:

San Antonio Sports All-Star Game – Amy's experience doing color commentary with Hector Ledesma, and her evolving philosophy from "must win" to "just have fun" across her two years coaching in the game.

Shot clock & rule changes – Amy shares her support for adding a high school shot clock and a timeout-to-advance-the-ball rule, arguing both would make the game more exciting.

Former players in college – Updates on Avery Aaron (Louisiana Tech), Chloe Donnell (South Alabama, entering transfer portal after elbow surgery), and Abby Smith (Flagler, FL).

Daughters Jamie & Jenna – Jamie set a three-point record at Trinity, now doing video work for the A&M football team. Jenna played in the All-Star game last year.

2024-25 season recap – Boerne finished second in district behind Wagner, lost to Cedar Park in the first round of playoffs two years running (once on a half-court buzzer beater, once in a free-throw drought).

Freshman standout – District newcomer of the year Sutherland is a cornerstone of the program's future.

New district – Moving to a district with Boerne Champion, Alamo Heights, John Jay, Harlandale, and others — seen as a step down in difficulty, giving the program more opportunities to develop depth.

Fredericksburg rivalry – Reflects on the intense 4A rivalry with Coach Groa, who is retiring after her daughter Ryland finished playing.

Champion's new coach – A fourth coach at Boerne Champion is expected to be announced at the next school board meeting.

17-year tenure – Amy has been at Boerne High since fall 2009, taking it year by year as long as she loves it.

Tennis – As assistant tennis coach, she's excited about seniors Aiden and his brother Gavin heading to regionals with state medal potential.

Closing thoughts – She enters a "basketball depression" in the offseason, but got into the WNBA last year thanks to Caitlin Clark's impact on the league.

Timeline

Time Topic

0:00 Intro – Kerry introduces himself, and guest Amy Ruede

0:36 San Antonio Sports All-Star Game – color commentary experience

3:03 Coaching philosophy shift: Year 1 (win-focused) vs. Year 2 (fun-focused)

4:58 Shot clock discussion – support for high school adoption

6:54 Timeout-to-advance-ball rule idea

8:31 Former players – Avery Aaron, Chloe Donnell, Abby Smith college updates

10:40 Daughters Jamie & Jenna – All-Star history, Jamie at A&M football

12:30 2024-25 season recap – tough district, playoff losses to Cedar Park

14:12 Cedar Park loss analysis – free throw drought, youth as a factor

14:25 Freshman Sutherland – District Newcomer of the Year, future cornerstone

14:42 New district preview – Boerne Champion, Alamo Heights, John Jay, etc.

17:03 Fredericksburg rivalry with Coach Groa; her upcoming retirement

20:08 Boerne Champion getting a new (4th) coach

20:57 Amy's 17-year tenure at Boerne High; record vs. Champion

21:30 Shout-out to Amy's mom (and late father) as biggest fans

23:03 Tennis update – Aiden & Gavin heading to regionals, state medal hopes

24:12 How much longer coaching? Year by year, as long as she loves it

25:16 Basketball offseason "depression," excitement about WNBA/Caitlin Clark

25:53 Wrap-up and sign-off

Original Air Date: Apri; 18, 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, sits down at the Boerne Brew with Rob O'Connell and Will Smith to discuss the National Day of Prayer events coming to Boerne, Texas on Thursday, May 7th. Now in its fourth year, the Boerne National Day of Prayer has grown from a small gathering at the gazebo to a full-day celebration featuring a Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, a noon prayer at Main Plaza, and an all-new youth-led evening event called "Light Up the Square." The conversation covers the history of prayer in America, the importance of faith in community, and why everyone in Boerne should be there.

Timeline:

0:00 – Introduction & welcome to the Boerne Brew

0:33 – Meet the guests: Rob O'Connell & Will Smith

0:44 – History of the Boerne National Day of Prayer (4 years)

1:20 – Will Smith on his personal faith journey and why prayer matters

2:53 – How the National Day of Prayer task force works & the national prayer

3:29 – Presidential & gubernatorial proclamations; Mayor Frank Ritchie's role

4:34 – Mayor's Prayer Breakfast details: location, tickets, speakers

5:07 – Full lineup at the breakfast: worship, prayer for nation, state & youth

5:26 – "Light Up the Square" — the new youth-led evening event

9:00 – How to welcome people into a spirit of prayer (Will Smith)

11:22 – America's covenant with God: history from 1607 to George Washington

13:01 – Event recap & call to action

13:15 – The Bible as a living tool; faith through tragedy and blessing

16:35 – First Chronicles 16:24 — the national prayer theme

20:37 – The Bible's place in history; generational memory & 9/11

21:22 – Final event rundown & encouragement to attend

22:35 – Rob & Will reflect on planning and prayer leading up to the event

23:14 – How a small team of 5–6 organizes a citywide event

24:05 – Ticket info, closing remarks & God bless

🙏 Event Details – Thursday, May 7th:

8:00–9:00 AM – Mayor's Prayer Breakfast @ Loscas Guitars Restaurant (911 Main St) — $15 tickets at BerniePrays.org

Noon–1:00 PM – National Day of Prayer @ Main Plaza Gazebo (FREE)

7:00–8:00 PM – Light Up the Square (Youth-Led) @ Main Plaza Gazebo (FREE)

🌐 Boerneprays.org

Original Air Date: April 11, 2026, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.