History

Our History

The Hill Country Sheep and Goat Organization is a member of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA) and organized to help in the promotion of the sheep and goat industry.

The first meeting of this organization was held on a day in April 1949 at the ranch home of Lillian and Felix Real, Jr.  A yard meeting was planned, but due to rain, the meeting moved to the garage.  The organization’s first president was Lorene Cowden.

The chapter’s membership of about 75 women stemmed from the half dozen Hill Country counties that form the nucleus of the sheep and goat ranching business.  As members have always been from different counties, it has been the practice to have officers represent different communities and the quarterly meetings have rotated between different towns.

The chapter has not only cooperated with the state auxiliary program but has also been active in various projects.  The organization has sponsored “Make It Yourself With Wool” contests, placed mohair draperies in the Butt-Holdsworth Library, contributed to renovation projects at the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ building in San Angelo as well as placing an Olive Vandruff painting of sheep and goats in the Memorial Hall of the same building.

Since the early 1970s, the organization has sponsored style shows featuring wool and mohair fashions to support projects.  In recent years, the fashion shows have been held in the Live Oak Ballroom of the YO Ranch Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville.  Also, in recent years, the organization has funded scholarships to high school seniors and college students from the Hill Country Area.

The organization’s main goal is always to promote wool, mohair, and agribusiness.

Past Presidents

1949-1950…………………………. Lorene Cowden, Kerrville

1951…………………………………. Clarabelle Snodgrass, Mountain Home

1952…………………………………. Ada Mae Dickey, Camp Verde

1953…………………………………. Betty Witting Bishop, Fredericksburg

1954…………………………………. Jean Schwethelm, Kerrville

1955…………………………………. Lorene Henke, Fredericksburg

1956…………………………………. Mary Virginia Holekamp, Kerrville

1957…………………………………. Edna Priour, Ingram

1958-1959…………………………. Betty Strohacker, Kerrville

1960…………………………………. Waldean Groff, Kerrville

1961…………………………………. Kathryn Anderegg, Harper

1962…………………………………. Darlene Hoggett Vautarin, San Antonio

1963-1964…………………………. Alice Thomas, Fredericksburg

1965…………………………………. Foye Brown, Harper

1966-1971…………………………. Pat Auld, Kerrville

1971-1973…………………………. Nell Kothmann, Junction

1973-1975…………………………. Josephine Dodo Parker, Kerrville

1975-1977…………………………. Terry Wallace, Kerrville

1977-1979…………………………. Billie Hall, Mountain Home

1979-1981…………………………. LaVerne Kothmann, London

1981-1983…………………………. Fay Kelley, Comfort & Fredericksburg

1983-1989…………………………. Marj Nicholson, Kerrville & Mountain Home

1989-1993…………………………. Carolyn Trimble, Junction

1993-1997…………………………. Cindy Hough, Mountain Home

1997-2001…………………………. Frances Dendy, Harper

2001-2003…………………………. LaVerne Kothmann, Menard

2003-2005…………………………. Brenda Seidensticker, Comfort

2005-2009…………………………. Suzy Stewart, Harper

2009-2011…………………………. Jo Beth Pickens, Harper

2011-2013…………………………. Suzy Stewart, Harper

2013-2017…………………………. Peggy Matli, Fredericksburg

2017-2023……………………… Sharon Kott, Fredericksburg

Honorary & Lifetime Members

Waldean Groff
Josephine Dodo Parker
Lillian Real
Ruby Sieker
Clarabelle Snodgrass
Jo Ann Whitworth
Robert Kensing
Doris Kensing
Aubrey Kothmann
LaVerne Kothmann
Al Wilson