In this episode of "The Boerne Brew" on Boerne Radio, host Kerry Barboza interviews longtime Boerne resident and sports photographer/writer Russell Hawkins. They discuss Russell’s journey from El Paso to Boerne, his career in sports journalism and photography, memorable moments covering local high school football, and stories about legendary coaches and community figures. The conversation is filled with personal anecdotes, reflections on Texas high school football culture, and tributes to influential people in the Boerne sports community.

00:00 – Introduction: Kerry Barboza introduces Russell Hawkins

00:34 – Russell’s background: Moving to Boerne, early career

01:37 – Starting in sports photography and writing

03:00 – Working at Hill Country Recorder and Boerne Star

04:20 – Life in El Paso, Hobbs, and Odessa

06:00 – Odessa High vs. Permian rivalry stories

08:00 – Refereeing football in El Paso

10:00 – Moving to Boerne, finding a home, and starting at the Recorder

12:00 – First experiences as a sports writer and photographer

14:00 – Memorable coaches: Jeff Dyke, Tommy Bluda, Danny, and Keith Kaiser

18:00 – Lake Travis football and state championships

20:00 – Meeting Dave Campbell of Texas Football Magazine

23:00 – Reflections on Texas high school football culture

25:00 – Sam Champion stories and the origins of Champion High School

28:00 – Russell’s retirement, receiving a jersey, and final games

30:00 – Closing thoughts, gratitude, and birthday wishes for Russell

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Boerne Brew, Jeff Flinn (Managing Editor, Boerne Star) sits down with Maggie Dominguez (Boerne ISD Communications Director), Donnie Person (Boerne High School Band Director), and Israel "Avi" Avila (Champion Theater Director) to discuss the upcoming school year, band and theater programs, new teacher initiatives, and everything parents and students need to know for back-to-school in Boerne ISD.

00:00 – Introduction & Tax-Free Weekend
01:18 – School Start Dates & Guests Introduction
02:00 – Meet Maggie Dominguez, Donnie Person, and Avi Avila
03:00 – First Day of School Plans
05:00 – Band Camp: Early Start, Practices, and Fun Activities
07:00 – Theater Department: Fearless Camp & Productions
09:00 – Training Freshmen & Sophomores in Band and Theater
12:00 – Leadership, Mentorship, and Student Growth
14:00 – Convocation & New Teacher Orientation
16:00 – Community Support & School Facilities
18:00 – New Teachers and “Signing Day” for Future Educators
20:00 – Band and Theater: Upcoming Performances
22:00 – School Schedules: Bell Times and Drop-Off Tips
24:00 – School Website, Resources, and Fine Arts Calendar
26:00 – School Lunches: Prices and Nutrition
28:00 – Back-to-School Bash & Community Involvement
29:00 – Transportation, Bus Routes, and Final Tips
30:00 – Closing Remarks & Good Luck for the School Year

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Boerne Brew, host Kerry Barboza interviews Leighann Goode, national champion from the University of Texas softball team. Leighann shares her journey through the College World Series, the excitement of winning the national title, memorable moments, team dynamics, and her personal growth as an athlete. Get insights into the championship run, behind-the-scenes stories, and what’s next for Leighann and the Longhorns.

Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction: Meet Leighann Goode, National Champion
00:33 – Summer after the championship: Camps, lessons, and adjusting
01:13 – Emotions after winning: Still on cloud nine?

01:48 – Public appearances and recognition
02:25 – Media interviews and hometown support
03:30 – Championship trophy and ring ceremony
04:10 – Reflections on the team’s achievement
04:27 – Playoff run begins: Hosting regionals
04:42 – Playing in extreme heat and team accommodations
05:23 – Super Regionals vs. Clemson: Weather delays and late-night games
06:00 – Losing the first game, fighting back
06:35 – College World Series: Facing Oklahoma and other top teams
07:07 – Beating Oklahoma in the World Series
07:29 – Finals vs. Texas Tech: Interference call controversy
08:31 – Handling tough calls and emotions
09:13 – Game three: Texas Tech pitcher fatigue and Leanne’s home run
10:13 – The feeling of hitting a home run in the championship
11:16 – Celebrating the win: Dog pile and team reactions
12:00 – 2 million viewers: Growth of women’s softball
12:30 – Teammate Tegan’s story: Playing through loss
13:20 – Family and friends’ support
13:50 – Comparing state and national titles
14:20 – Summer league and staying in shape
15:00 – Injury recovery and future plans
15:30 – Professional softball aspirations
16:00 – Team communication and leadership
16:40 – Superstitions and pre-game rituals
17:30 – Looking ahead: Defending the title and personal growth
18:00 – Closing remarks and congratulations

Original Airdate: August 2nd, 2025 at 8:00AM CST as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

Contact: The Boerne Star

https://www.boernestar.com - 830-249-2441

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Boerne Brew, Jeff Flinn, Managing Editor of The Boerne Star interviews April McDonald (Co-chair, Comfort Chamber of Commerce) and Lisa Jenkins (Free Thinkers General Store) about Comfort, Texas’ recent flood, the community’s response, and how local businesses and volunteers came together. Discover Comfort’s best places to stay, eat, shop, and upcoming events, plus how you can support this resilient town.

00:32 – Comfort Chamber of Commerce: April McDonald’s story
01:00 – Flood impact and evacuation experience
02:00 – Community response: Meals, supplies, and volunteers
04:00 – Social media’s role in relief efforts
06:00 – Local business support and stories
08:00 – Where to stay in Comfort: Hotels, B&Bs, Camp Comfort
11:00 – Best places to eat: Pizza, Tex-Mex, fried chicken, breakfast spots
14:00 – Shopping in Comfort: Unique stores and galleries
17:00 – Comfort’s art scene and local artists
19:00 – Annual events: Christmas in Comfort, Art Fest, Diva Day
22:00 – How to support Comfort and closing thoughts

Guests:

• April McDonald, Comfort Chamber of Commerce
• Lisa Jenkins, Free Thinkers General Store

Learn more:
Comfort Chamber of Commerce: https://www.comfortchamber.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boerne Radio's Roland J Ruiz sat down with Kerry Barboza, Sports Editor for The Boerne Star newspaper. This episode delves into the intricacies of local sports in Boerne, Texas, including the challenges and triumphs faced during the offseason, covering multi-sport athletes, and the dynamic growth of Boerne's school system. Discussions about major sports events, coaching strategies, and notable athletes like Brooks Perez. Dive into the history and local legacies of Boerne's celebrated institutions and personalities such as Sam Champion, Tyler Voss, and Stan Leech. Kerry Barboza adds insightful reflections on his 23-year career in covering Boerne sports and the community's evolving landscape.

00:00 Introduction and Host Switch-Up

00:49 Challenges of Covering Sports in the Off-Season

01:52 Upcoming Sports Events and Camps

02:50 High School Sports Dynamics and Changes

04:29 Spotlight on Brooks Perez

06:17 Boerne's Transition to a Two High School Town

11:39 Remembering Samuel Champion and Tyler Voss

19:59 Geneva's Rise as a Private School Powerhouse

23:02 Reflections on Boerne's Growth and Future

24:23 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Original Air Date: July 19, 2025, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Boerne Brew, Jeff Flynn, managing editor at the Bernie Star Newspaper hosts a special interview with the cast and playwright of 'The Mountain King,' a new theatrical production at the Boerne Community Theater. Meet the characters Arcadius Clay, Joshua Weaver, and Buck Brewster, as portrayed by Steve Harris, Davis Hayes, and Martin Vidal. Gain insights into the intriguing storyline set in 1876 in the Wild Dakota Territory and hear directly from the playwright, Lemuel Mitchell, about the inspiration and creative process behind this Western drama. Tune in for a blend of live performances, fascinating background stories, and details on how you can catch this must-see play.

00:00 Welcome to the Bernie Brew

00:26 Introducing the Cast of Mountain King

01:15 The Story of Mountain King

04:37 A Glimpse into the Play

08:17 Meet the Actors

11:14 Behind the Scenes

13:11 Reflections and Anecdotes

14:32 Final Thoughts and Farewells

15:22 Introducing the Playwright

16:13 The Inspiration Behind 'The Mountain King'

17:08 Challenges of Adapting a Western for the Stage

19:55 Character Development and Writing Process

21:22 Historical Context and Other Works

23:10 Reflections on Playwriting and Future Projects

25:17 Closing Remarks and Show Information

Original Air Date: July 12, 2025, as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM

https://www.boernestar.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The episode features an interview with Jordan Ballin, a UTSA baseball player and graduate of Boerne Champion. Hosted by Kerry Barboza, the sports editor of the Boerne Star, the conversation revolves around Jordan's recent baseball season, including playing through injuries, his surgery, and recovery.

Jordan discusses his experience of playing with a broken hand, undergoing surgery, and missing summer league games to focus on recovery. The conversation covers his college baseball journey at UTSA, playing in the fall league, and achieving success in the super regionals.

Jordan reflects on his time at Boerne Champion, where he played high school baseball and football, and how those experiences shaped his collegiate career. The episode highlights the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and maintaining a balance between sports and academics, with Jordan studying kinesiology aiming for a future career in physical therapy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Flinn from the Boerne Star interviews Nelly and Erin, two members of the 'Dining Divas,' a team of four women who anonymously review local restaurants in Bernie. The divas use aliases from the TV show 'The Office' to maintain their anonymity. During the discussion, they highlight their experiences, the diverse restaurants they've visited, and their focus on evaluating food, service, and atmosphere. They also share insights on some favorite dishes and how they've grown more comfortable and expressive in their reviews over the past six months. Additionally, the conversation touches on future restaurant visit plans and invites community suggestions for new dining places to review.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.