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Did You Know?in the late 1880s, he was riding horseback through the area and was mesmerized by the rolling hills, deep valleys and the “stream that flows through the property, the water of which is as clear as crystal...”His ranch, purchased in 1898 on the headwaters of Helotes Creek on a ridge that separates the flows of two bodies of water (Helotes Creek to the West and Leon Creek tributaries to the East), today called Krempkau’s Divide, was “formerly the chief source of water supply for farmers for miles around, said Mr. Krempkau, and even in late years they have been getting their water from the springs [there].” He raised cattle and horses on the four-hundred-acre ranch but resided primarily in San Antonio.In 1892, six years before he purchased his Helotes ranch, he married Emma Sams (1858- 1941), a native of Wayne County, Illinois, who had a son, Henry Ward Sams (1875-1932), then 17 years old. Henry married Anna Monken (1879-1946) in 1902. Krempkauoutlived his wife, stepson and daughter-in- law. Upon his death, he left his ranch to the Sams’ six children.Although several acres of the ranch were soldovertheyears,morethantwentyofSams descendants still reside on the subdivided Krempkau Ranch off Sam’s Ranch Road. One of them, Ann Toepperwein, was granted status as an affected party in a contested case hearing, along with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District and the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance, in opposition to a wastewater permit for the proposed Guajolote Ranch development that would be adjacent to the former Krempkau Ranch and Toepperwein’s property, and which would allow the dumping of an average of one million gallons of treated sewage per day into Helotes Creek.One does not have to wonder what William Krempkau, who purchased his Helotes ranch because of its pristine beauty and crystal-clear water, would think aboutChristianity yet, but that doesn’t change the reality of His truth of selfless Love. If we as a people, both collectively and individually, would embrace this one simple truth, we will find the strength to “do the right thing”. Those who refuse this truth, are destined to struggle with the consequences of selfishness.As we approach Christmas and celebrate Christ’s birth, let us reflect on what Christ did by giving up his divine position in Heavan to do. He came to die on the crossWBy Cynthia Leal Masseyilliam “Billie” Krempkau (1863- 1953), famed pioneer freighter, trail driver, peace officer, andcattleman, hosted 200 members of the Pioneer Freighters’ Association, including spouses, children, grandchildren, and friends, on his Helotes ranch on May 21, 1922. The approximate middle of the property he called “Rancho de los Helotes” was where Scenic Loop intersects today’s Babcock Road. The gathering was prompted by his idea of organizing a “Sons and Grandsons of Pioneer Freighters” association to keep the memory of the early freighters alive.Krempkau had myriad careers, but working on the trail for the cattle firm Smith & Elliott of Springfield, Illinois starting when he was sixteen held his fondest memories.In a San Antonio Light newspaper article detailing the pioneer freighters’ event and describing the ranch, Krempkau told the reporter that when he was a deputy sheriffWilliam Krempkau (center) with Howard Varga (left) and Howard’s father, Alex Varga (right), owner of Lone Star Saddlery Company, San Antonio, circa 1900.Photo courtesy of Lynette Munson.this proposed use of the creek.Cynthia Leal Masseyis the author of several books on the history of Helotes. For more information, visit her website, cynthialealmassey. com, and her Facebook page, CLM Books.for your sins even before you ever existed or knew Him. He loves you that much. Let us choose to ‘love others as He has loved us’ and live selflessly instead of selfishly.Sincerely,Rich WhiteheadRich Whitehead MayorMayor’s CornerDoing The Right ThingJDea.r Residents,ust do the right thing. Seems like such a simple maxim to follow. Yet our jails are filled and overflowing suggesting that our society has yet to grasp the basic simplicity of“just do the right thing”. To be certain our society is a conglomerate of various religions and intellectual discords as to what ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ is on many social issues of the day.... But lets focus on some of the majors.... Murder, stealing, causing harm to others. Universally, all religions and stable individuals will agree that, at minimum, those 3 items are wrong.... Yet our prisons and court systems are overflowing with society’s inability to ‘just do what’s right’.So what’s at the core of these issues that plague society. Quite simply... Selfishness. Prioritizing your own immediategratification and needs above others at whatever cost. At its core, selfishness is the opposite of Love. So, we need more love... but what is love? Centuries of science have no biological explanation of what love is.... But the Bible explains it clearly as a truth. 1 John 4:8 states ‘God is Love’. 1 Corinthians 13 explains that Love is Patient, Kind, does not envy, does not boast, is not self-seeking, does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.John 13:34 furthers this concept by saying “Love one another as I have loved you”You may not believe in God or acceptShare Your Love Story Contest!enchanting stories as we can. To participate, simply email your love story, in 150 words or less, accompanied by a photo, to contest@ highlightspub.com.Remember, the deadline for submissions is January 9, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to share your beautiful love story and possibly win!By Sally KalosCelebrate Love with Highlights Publications .This February, Highlights Publications is calling on all romantics to share their unique love stories in our special contest! We’re eager to hear about that magical moment when you met your sweetheart, with a chance for you to win$50.Whether it was a case of love at first sight,or a tale of long-distance romance that culminated in marriage, we want to hear about it. Perhaps your story is one of chance - meeting unexpectedly at a dancehall, on an airplane, or even while waiting in line at the grocery store. Or maybe it was a setup by mutual friends or a blind date that turned into a lifelong journey.At Highlights, we believe that when you find ‘the one’, it’s an unmistakable feeling, almost indescribable – like having the world at your feet. We are excited to hear how you captivated your sweetheart or how they swept you off your feet in an unforgettable way.We aim to share as many of youryour local geico agent makes bundling simple.Home + Auto = easyLOCAL OFFICERod Musslewhite210-673-2391¡Hablamos Español!Limitations apply. See geico.com for more details. GEICO & affiliates. Washington, DC 20076. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2022. © 2022 GEICO. 21_6333121294www.heloteshighlights.comDec. / Jan. 2024-25