Brazos 360 Summer 2019 by The Eagle Advertising Department

INSIDE Meet singer-songwriter Joey McGee, check out ‘The Roost’ tiny house and take a nostalgic trip through history at Corner of Time.

SUMMER 2019

FAMILY TRADITION

A long line of Cottingham siblings have come to Texas A&M THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

Inside

EVENT CALENDAR

Get ready for Cheers to Craft Beer in Downtown Bryan, Messina Hof’s Harvest Festival and Fourth of July festivities.

BY THE NUMBERS

Fun figures on Game of Thrones baby names, hit by pitch history in baseball and the odd tale of “New Coke.”

360 PROFILE

Meet singer-songwriter Joey McGee, who recently released his El Camino Real album.

COVER STORY

The Cottingham siblings lean on each other while attending Texas A&M.

360 PROFILE

“The Roost” is a tiny house and Airbnb rental, complete with chickens in the backyard.

360 PROFILE

Nostalgia and antiques are in full supply at Corner of Time in Downtown Bryan.

PARTY PICS

Photos from Kite Fest, the CForce Chuck Norris 5K and the Go Red for Women Luncheon.

WHAT’S IN YOUR OFFICE?

Pop culture surrounds Jeremy Brett, curator of science fiction and fantasy research at Cushing Library.

THE LAST WORD

Kids need the oldies, even if it makes them groan. 2

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

STAFF Crystal Dupré PUBLISHER

Rob Clark MANAGING EDITOR

Darren Benson EDITOR

Linda Brinkman ADVERTISING MANAGER

Dave McDermand Laura McKenzie PHOTOGRAPHERS

ON THE COVER Michael, Taylor, Chris and Tom Cottingham are among seven of 11 siblings who have attended Texas A&M University.

October 29 & 30, 2019

February 18 & 19, 2020

March 17 & 18, 2020

7:30 PM • Rudder Auditorium

SPONSORED BY

TOM AND MARY KIRK (McGregor, Texas)

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Local EVENTS CHEERS TO CRAFT BEER The event features craft beer tastings at participating downtown retail stores and restaurants. It is a self-paced walking event, and tickets include a keepsake tasting glass and a map of all participating merchants in Downtown Bryan. Details: July 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. in Downtown Bryan. Check-in at the Palace Theater. $30 advance tickets. downtownbryan.com. MAMMA MIA! The Theatre Company’s season ﬁnale is the musical that features the hit music of Swedish pop group ABBA. The storyline is of a young bride bringing together the three past loves of her mother in hopes of meeting her father.

Eagle photos by Laura McKenzie Guests can pick and stomp grapes during Messina Hof’s annual Harvest Festival in August.

ings, food, contests, mystery dinner theater and more. Reservations are required for many events. messinahof.com.

Moonlit Harvest: The event kicks off the festival featuring the Blessing of the Vines, grape picking and stomping and a dinner featuring a vineyard cuisine buffet Details: Aug. 2-18. Fridays and Saturdays and a wide selection of wine. July 26 and at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at Aug. 10 from 7:15 to 10 p.m. $59.95. 2 p.m. $15 for matinees, $20 for evening Daytime Harvest Festival: The famshows. theatrecompany.com. ily event includes a day of picking and stomping the grapes that will go into MesSUMMER FILM SERIES: ‘ZOOTOPIA’ sina Hof’s ports. There will also be a tour, The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library tastings, a vineyard cuisine lunch buffet and Museum will present the 2016 Disney and a food and wine pairing class. July 27, animated film. Bring your blankets and Aug. 3, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17 starting at 8 lawn chairs to enjoy the film under the a.m. Final event starts at 1:30 p.m. $35 stars. Games and free refreshments will to $80, $12 for children 12 and under. be served. Murder Mystery Dinners: The setting for the murder mystery dinner theater varies. Details: Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. at the George Guests enjoy vineyard cuisine with wine H.W. Bush Presidential Library and while collecting clues on who killed the Museum. The film will begin at sundown. victim. Each guest will receive a character bush41.org. assignment beforehand, which will help to decide on a costume. July 27 and Aug. 9 HARVEST FESTIVAL at 7 p.m. $69.95. Messina Hof’s annual three-week festival Outdoor Gourmet BBQ: An outdoor event celebrates the fun of the harvest with with Texas barbecue paired with Messina picking and stomping grapes, tours, tastHof’s wines. Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. $30. 4

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

Drew Kersey, left, and Rachael Fargerson stop by Brazos Glassworks to sample New Republic Brewing Co.’s Ale Mary session ale poured by Ryan Hubert at the 2018 Cheers to Craft Beer.

Harvest Cellar Tour and Dinner: Guests tour the estate and learn the history of the Bonarrigo family and the winery. The tour includes antiques, machinery, awards and wine tastings directly from the tanks. After the tour, guests receive an appetizer and a three-course meal. Aug. 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. $69.95. Grand Finale Gala: An evening of new wine releases, vineyard cuisine and the winemaker introducing each wine. Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. $99.95.

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The Beneﬁts to Taking a Cruise Metro Creative Connection

acations come in many forms. Some people want nothing more out of their vacations than to get some rest and relaxation on a beach while others prefer the adventure of traveling to faraway lands and seeing some sights. Would-be vacationers who arenÕt sure where they fall on that spectrum might be surprised to learn thereÕs one type of vacation that provides both R&R and adventure. Cruise ships are loaded with luxury amenities that passengers might expect to find in high-end resorts. And because cruise ships typically dock in various ports during their time at sea, travelers who want to experience new and unique cultures can get their fill of adventure. Some people may only know cruise ships from the stories they hear of ships stranded at sea. For example, in early spring of 2019, a Viking Sky ship suffered an engine failure, temporarily stranding the ship and its roughly 1,300 passengers off the coast of Norway. As scary as that situation may have seemed, itÕs important to recognize that the ship was ultimately towed to safety, and all passengers and crew were okay. In fact, a 2017 study from the cruise and tourism consultancy group G.P. Wild notes that while worldwide cruise ship capacity grew by more than 41.5 percent between 2009 and 2016, the number of significant operational incidents in that same period

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declined to just 19.4 incidents per year. Safety is just one of the many reasons why would-be vacationers may want to take to the high seas on their next getaway. CONVENIENCE: People who want to jetset around the world donÕt need a jet to do so. In fact, a cruise ship is a much more convenient way to visit multiple locales on a single trip. Cruise passengers wonÕt have to worry about checking in and out of multiple hotels, which also saves them the hassle of unpacking and repacking their bags several times during their trips. FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Many cruise lines offer cruise vacation packages that cater to families. Packages

vary by cruise line, but such offerings tend to have kid-specific activities planned throughout the trip, affording parents a chance to get some alone time together. Many cruise lines even boast late-night kidsÕ activities, giving parents a chance to enjoy romantic dinners together. VARIETY: Like resorts, cruise ships come in various shapes and sizes. Some travelers may want the feel of being on a floating city, while others may want something more intimate. Many cruise lines offer both experiences and everything in between. Cruise vacations make the ideal getaways for those who want to combine R&R with the thrill of visiting exotic locales.

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A ﬁreworks show headlines the daylong “I Love America” Celebration at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie

‘I LOVE AMERICA’ CELEBRATION The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum hosts the College Station Noon Lions Club celebration with live music, train rides, games, food and a performance by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, followed by a ﬁreworks show. The event will honor the late former president. The museum offers free admission from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Details: July 4 starting at noon. Fireworks start at 9:40 p.m. Free. bvso.org.

KURTEN FIREWORKS SHOW The Brazos County District 2 Volunteer Fire Department’s annual fireworks show is a free event and primary fundraiser for the volunteer fire department. The event features concessions, free activities for children and a fireworks show. Details: July 4 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Kurten Community Center.

NAVASOTA PARADE AND INDEPENDENCE DAZE The parade will head west down Washington Avenue to Brosig and will end at the Navasota Center, where food and activities will be provided until 2 p.m. Details: July 4, starting at 10 a.m. at Prosperity Bank. Free. navasotatx.gov.

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6 Fun Ways To Get Your Family Moving

ou know that exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle, but did you know that the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends adults get at least 2.5 hours of physical activity a week and kids get an hour per day? While the time commitment might seem intimidating, meeting these guidelines doesn’t have to be a chore! There are plenty of ways you and your whole family can get active while having fun. 1. CHANGE GEARS Biking is a low-impact exercise that can get your heart pumping. Your little ones can even participate with training wheels or a tricycle. Find a speed that fits the ability of all your family members, choose a safe path around the neighborhood or a bike trail, and don’t forget your helmets! 2. PLAN A RACE Jogging and running are great forms of cardiovascular exercise, and all you need to start are some running shoes! Picking a race to participate in can also give you a goal to strive for. Many family fun runs even offer a 1K option for kids. “Start slow and short, then increase your distance as you build up endurance,” advises Neal Spears, MD, pediatrician at CHI St. Joseph Health in College Station. 3. SPLASH AROUND As the days get hotter, nothing could be better than jumping in the water! Whether swimming in the pool or heading to Lake Bryan, keep these safety precautions in mind. Bring life jackets for inexperienced swimmers,

actively supervise your children at all times, stick to areas patrolled by a lifeguard, and don’t forget the sunscreen! 4. SCORE A GOAL Whether your family prefers bouncing a basketball or tossing a football, playing a friendly game together can get you running. Pick up a ball and find a park with a basketball court, a soccer field, or an open area where you can all let loose. 5. DANCE IT OUT Dancing isn’t just a great exercise—it can also help your children unleash their creativity! You can try and learn the newest dance craze with your kids, or make up the steps as you go. Just be sure to have a great playlist ready! 6. WALK THE DOG Walking the family pet around the neighborhood or

through a park can increase your heart rate and teach your children about the responsibility of caring for an animal. Some parks and trails don’t allow pets, so do some research ahead of time to find dog-friendly ones. If you’re looking for the perfect place for outdoor activity, look no further than our Local’s Guide to BryanCollege Station! No matter what you choose to do, be sure to have fun and take all necessary safety precautions. Always consult a doctor before beginning any new exercise routine. Visit your CHI St. Joseph Health primary care physician or pediatrician for a physical or advice. They can also help you create a family fitness plan, a roadmap to achieving a balanced diet, and much more. Sources: Health.gov | Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

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Kid-friendly Weekend Getaways in the Great Outdoors

Metro Creative Connection

eekend getaways in the great outdoors can be a great way for families to break from the norm and spend some quality time together while getting some fresh air. Such trips are popular, as the U.S. Travel Association notes that nearly three out of four domestic trips are taken for leisure purposes. Families looking to get away from home on weekends often look for activities or locales that appeal to kids and parents alike while getting everyone out of the house. The following are a handful of outdoor getaway ideas the whole family can enjoy. HIKING: By 2015, the United States was home to nearly 240,000 miles of hiking trails on federal and state lands. Hiking opportunities also are abundant in Canada, where the 2016 General Social Survey found that 44 percent of Canadians go hiking in a given year, making it the country’s most popular

outdoor activity. Hiking is a rewarding, healthy hobby that also happens to be free, which can be especially appealing to budget-conscious parents. When exploring potential hiking destinations, parents should look for parks with kid-friendly trails. Many parks have paved trails on flat surfaces, which are ideal for families with small children. RIVERS/LAKES: Escaping to a nearby river or lake for a day on the water can make for a memorable, family-friendly getaway. Look for activities like fishing and bring your own rods or rent from nearby bait and tackle shops. If cruising is more your family’s style, look for boat tours that offer a chance to explore local history while giving the whole family a chance to relax on a boat and soak up some sun. ZOO/AQUARIUM: According to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, there are more than 220 accredited zoos and aquariums in the United

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States and Canada. That makes it easy for families that live just about anywhere to plan day trips to local zoos, where they can spend the day soaking up some sun and marveling at exotic wildlife. Zoos and aquariums with outdoor exhibits make for wonderful, family-friendly weekend getaways. THEME PARKS: Theme parks make for a great weekend getaways for families. Many

theme parks even offer rides and attractions for young children, but parents should call ahead to confirm this before planning their trips. Weekend getaways are great ways for families to spend time in the great outdoors and take advantage of local attractions. With some simple investigation, families might find there are lots of local attractions within driving distance of their homes.

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By the Numbers

No. 4 That’s the highest ranking on the Billboard Hot 100 for Summertime, the still-great hit by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, which was achieved on Aug. 3, 1991. The hot summer months have inspired a plethora of hits over the years. Here’s a summer song soundtrack sampling: Sam Cooke’s Summertime; Sly & the Family Stone’s Hot Fun in the Summertime; Mungo Jerry’s In the Summertime; Bananarama’s Cruel Summer; The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Summer in the City; Don Henley’s The Boys of Summer; Seals and Crofts’ Summer Breeze; Bryan Adams’ Summer of 69; Frank Sinatra’s Summer Wind; Summer Nights from Grease; and Eddie Cochran’s Summertime Blues. Bonus track: The Jamies’ Summertime Summertime, which mentions variations of “summer” a total of 50 times.

79 Let’s go back to the odd summer of 1985, when “New Coke” was unveiled, putting the long-established original soft drink out to pasture. New Coke was a sweeter take on the formula, intended to fend off competition from Pepsi. (The rather ridiculous “cola wars” phrase became a thing back then.) CBS quoted Jesse Meyers, publisher of Beverage Digest, as saying, “This has got to be the boldest consumer products move of any kind of any stripe since Eve started to hand out apples.” A survey showed just 13 percent of people liked the new version. New Coke lasted a whole 79 days, according to the Associated Press, before the original formula returned, rebranded as Coca-Cola Classic. In a weird twist, Coke has partnered with Netﬂix’s 1980s-era hit Stranger Things for a New Coke promotion this summer.

4 There is a certain excitement locally when Blue Bell unveils a new ﬂavor, and there have been four since the start of 2018: raspberry fudge brownie (February), cookie cake ice cream (April), chocolate peanut butter cookie dough (March 2018) and key lime mango tart (July 2018). It’s a testament to the Brenham creamery’s fan base that people will venture to the grocery store just to nab the new stuff. It’s smart marketing, too. Whataburger recently teamed up with Dr Pepper for a special milkshake, which Southern Living calls “the ultimate Texas-inspired treat.” Oreo is another brand that frequently cranks out new twists. Food & Wine reports that new Oreos set for debut this summer include a space-themed Oreo with marshmallow in honor of Apollo 11, a Baskin-Robbins mint chocolate chip version, and a maple crème edition.

2,545

Add “name idea guy” to George R.R. Martin’s talents. After the success of Game of Thrones, 2,545 children born in the U.S. in 2018 were named Arya, as in the Thrones character, according to NBC News data editor Joe Murphy. Other GoT names from Murphy’s examination of Social Security data are Tyrion (58), Brienne (33), Sansa (29), Theon (14) and Daenerys (eight). There are issues with some of these decisions, starting with Daenerys’ path in the ﬁnal season. And would you want to go through life being named Theon, after “that guy that had those horrible things happen to him?” There was one Arya born in College Station in 2018, according to Jay Socol, director of public communications for the city of College Station, who compiles a fun local breakdown of baby names each year. No report of kids named Hot Pie, The Hound or Grey Worm.

287 The next time you see a batter get hit by a pitch in baseball, make a little toast to Hughie Jennings. He holds the career record for getting hit with 287, according to baseball-reference. com. Jennings played from 1891 to 1918, and was hit 51 times in 1896, also a record. Beloved Astros star Craig Biggio ended his career in 2007 with 285 HBPs, just two behind Jennings, including his career-high of 34 in 1997. As for pitchers who did the plunking, Gus Weyhing, who played from 1887 to 1901, is the career leader with 277 HBPs. Former Rangers and Astros great Nolan Ryan ranks 15th, with 158 HBPs. Phil Knell had the most HBPs in a season, with 54 in 1891.

— ROB CLARK

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

360 Profile

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

JOEY MCGEE

A musical journey L

to the Brazos Valley Story ROB CLARK

ocal music fans who have seen Joey McGee perform around town might be surprised to know what his musical ambitions were in his younger days. “I wanted to be a heavy metal shredder,” he says. “… My fingers weren’t fast enough.” The 52-year-old singer-songwriter grew up around all sorts of music in New Orleans. He likens the mix of soul, rock, gospel and blues to gumbo. “It’s interesting, because I didn’t start music until [after leaving], but you grow up and you’re getting it from the womb,” he says. “The town is just saturated with music. So in that respect, it’s like a soup or a stew of music that you’re just a part of.” McGee started college at the University of New Orleans, then transferred to the University of Texas-San Antonio, quickly falling in love with the Lone Star State. He moved to Pittsburgh for a job opportunity and finished his studies at Duquesne, graduating with an English degree in 2002. “I’m really into writing,” he says. “I thought about teaching, but I really hated that idea. Really, it’s about writing and developing myself as a writer.” Music was a constant through church groups, and he gravitated toward folk and Americana. He began playing

Photo LAURA MCKENZIE

in bands in Pittsburgh, then on his own. He also met his future wife Christine in Pittsburgh. They celebrate their 19th anniversary this summer. But McGee says he missed the South, from the culture to the food, and the couple decided to move to Texas in 2007, with a longtime friend serving as a connection to Bryan. McGee hosts open-mic night at Village Café, and has branched out to performing in New Braunfels, including the legendary Gruene Hall. His latest album, released in February, is El Camino Real. The title comes from the historic Spanish trail that dates back to the late 1600s, which includes Old San Antonio Road. McGee found its path connected to his own. “It’s an uncanny parallel to my life,” he says, “in that the road comes from Louisiana, passes through the Brazos Valley, down through the Hill Country and San Antonio and into Mexico.” His affection for the state is clear on the album’s final track. He wrote Deep in the Heart when he was still out of state. “When I was living in Pittsburgh, I was always telling people about Texas,” he says. “Texas is God’s country. Texas rocks. I was talking trash the whole time. … I was like, man, it doesn’t matter wherever I roam, Texas is gonna be my home. Texas has my heart.”

Q&A How would you describe the music scene here? I would say it’s emerging. It’s still bubbling. … Downtown has great potential. It seems to be a music incubator. There’s Rev’s. First Friday has been awesome. If we can get more First Fridays going, if they can become ﬁrst, second, third and fourth Fridays, I think that would be great. I think as the school grows, and as it expands in more areas, it’s drawing people who are more into the music scene. … It’s growing, I guess that’s the crux. How do you enjoy hosting open-mic night? It’s cool. I dig it. I’ve seen a ton of people from different ages, from teenagers to retirees, come through and share their art. For some instances, it’s their very ﬁrst time performing a song in public. There are retirees who are like, “Man, I just want to get back into guitar.” And then there are a lot of students who are just stellar-ly — I don’t know if that’s a word —

talented. To experience that and also be comfortable in my own skin as a musician, so that it’s not an intimidating thing … I can appreciate where people are, and see the potential of where they can go. It’s really cool. It must take a lot of guts for people to get up onstage and do that. I’m sure. Just to step up to a microphone. And I love that. Courage — there’s a line in one of my songs that says “Courage is a virtue.” Courage, it just takes guts to get stuff done. And so I can laud it and appreciate it on all kinds of levels. How was Gruene Hall? So the difference between here and there … here, I feel like I gotta ﬁght to vie for attention. It’s like, “Oh, hey, there’s somebody playing over there.” ... At Gruene Hall, there’s an anticipation of, “Man, what does this guy have to bring?” … It’s almost like a positioning. Here

you’re much more background noise. For a lot of my gigs — not all of them — you’re a lot of background noise, and there are people who do appreciate it. But there, people are going there for the explicit purpose of appreciating music and songwriters. It’s like buttah. It’s just smooth, it’s creamy, it’s great. How is life as a full-time musician in BryanCollege Station? It’s like sales. It’s very up and down. … You have seasons where you’re very busy. March was a pretty busy season for me. February and March. I had just released an album. Summertime, in this area especially, it slows down and it picks back up in the fall. It’s a challenge. I’ve done a couple of side jobs, working for a sound company, and sometimes I’ll do things related to music, not necessarily performing. … It’s like a hustle, man. You gotta do what you need to do to get the job done.

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Enjoy a Safe and Happy Independence Day Metro Creative Connection

ndependence Day is a celebration of the United States of America. The holiday is marked by fanfare and large parties, complete with barbecues, fireworks and parades. As fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly. An estimated 11,000 people visited the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries in 2016, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. However, fireworks aren’t the only danger this time of year. In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities. For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe. Otherwise, utilize any number of ridesharing services or available taxis. SWIM SMARTLY. Always swim with a buddy, and consider hiring a lifeguard if you’ll be hosting a pool party and cannot keep a watchful eye on guests in the pool. Adults also should not swim intoxicated, as it can impede the ability to stay afloat and may lead to risky behaviors.

LEAVE FIREWORKS TO THE PROFESSIONALS. Watch a public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the street or in the backyard. EXERCISE CAUTION WITH SPARKLERS. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers. REVIEW SAFE BOATING PRACTICES. If July 4th festivities find you out on the water, be sure that life jackets are worn and set boating and water safety rules for the family. CHECK IN WITH A VET. The Fourth of July

can be traumatic for pets not accustomed to fireworks and other loud noises or crowds. Behavior therapy, medication and ensuring that pets do not run away from home and get lost may be necessary. WATCH FOOD TEMPERATURES. Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour. These are some of the safety strategies that can keep Independence Day celebrations both safe and enjoyable.

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BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

Cover Story

Michael, Taylor, Chris and Tom Cottingham are among seven of 11 siblings who have attended Texas A&M University.

Seven of 11:

Siblings are drawn to Aggieland Story CAITLIN CLARK

Texas A&M has seen a steady stream of Cottinghams over the years. First, there was Sarah in 1995. Then came Catie, Amie, Tom, Chris, Michael and Taylor. That’s seven of 11 for the Cottingham siblings — an objectively high rate of enrollment for the children of two parents from Kansas. Randy Cottingham, the siblings’ father, said he and his wife both went to Kansas State University. What they knew of A&M before moving to Texas mostly had to do with football, agriculture and its past as an all-male military school. But he makes one thing clear: “We can’t stand t.u.,” he said with a laugh. “It’s kind of like [the University of Kansas].

Photos LAURA MCKENZIE

It’s the kind of cross-state rival. It’s the same difference, so we’ve liked that a lot.” So how do seven siblings from non-Aggie parents end up in College Station? For Tom, Chris, Michael and Taylor — who were all on campus at the same time until Chris graduated in May — it wasn’t by design. Family is important to them, and they say they’ve all grown to love A&M’s traditions. Having four siblings with an age range of 18 to 26 on campus at the same time, they concede, is somewhat unusual. But the Cottinghams each say they made their way to College Station for their own reasons. “When I started thinking about college, I didn’t know if it would be A&M, because

I felt like it was just doing what my siblings had done,” said Taylor, the youngest of the siblings. Taylor, 18, had considered Abilene Christian University as an option. But her acceptance into A&M’s biomedical science program gave her the push toward Aggieland, as well as the assurance that she would have three older brothers on campus. The Cottinghams, who grew up in the San Antonio area, attended a small private high school. Taylor graduated in a class of 13 students, and said the size of A&M was at first intimidating. Tom, 26, had an even smaller graduating class of nine. Continued on Page 14

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Continued from Page 13

He first attended A&M starting in 2011, knowing that he wanted to pursue engineering. But he said he had a hard time adjusting. After moving home for a couple of years and getting married in 2016, he moved back to Bryan-College Station and took classes at Blinn College before re-enrolling this spring. The oldest of the four Cottinghams on campus this spring, Tom said he has fond memories of visiting his older sisters in College Station when he was younger, which played into his decision to become an Aggie. “For the most part, it was just seeing how much people I knew loved coming here, just sharing their experiences and seeing how well everybody did afterward. It was kind of a no-brainer,” he said. “At least for us, we’re so spread out in age it wasn’t like, ‘We have to go together.’ It did sort of just happen.” Now an industrial engineering senior, Tom was in the College of Engineering this spring with Chris and Michael. Michael, 20, is a mechanical engineering sophomore, and Chris, 22, just graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering. For Chris, the atmosphere of the campus and his career goals in engineering pushed him toward A&M. For the first year and

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

The Cottinghams grew up in the San Antonio area before coming to Texas A&M.

a half he was in school, Chris was the only Cottingham on campus. Michael said he had similar reasons for choosing A&M, adding that having Chris nearby was a positive factor. “We are the closest in age, so for most of my life we spent a lot of time together on sports teams and such, so it’s definitely good to keep hanging out with him,” Michael said. While it wasn’t a deciding factor, the Cottinghams say having family on campus has

been reassuring. Taylor said knowing family was close by helped ease her into her freshman year at one of the biggest universities in the country, whether she needed someone to go to a football game with or for the moments she didn’t want to be alone. Chris, looking back, said going to school at the same time with three siblings was nice “most of the time.” And the other times? “Sometimes you feel like you’re at home,” he joked. “But it’s a lot of fun.”

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ENJOY SUMMER ACTIVITIES AT THE GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM BY DAVID ANAYA George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

he College Station Noon Lions Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Love Americaâ&#x20AC;? Fourth of July Celebration takes place on Thursday, July, 4. The museum will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with free admission for everyone all day. Concessions start at noon and include roasted corn, Slovacekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sausage on a stick, beverages by Coca Cola and FREE watermelon while supplies last. Live entertainment starts at 7:00 p.m. and the Kids Zone opens at 6:15 p.m. The evening will culminate with a concert by the Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and a spectacular fireworks display. Come early and bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Free parking is available at Fan Field, the gravel parking lot on Research Parkway. There will not be shuttles from West Campus Garage or Reed Arena. Handicapped parking is available in Lot 41 in front of the Bush Library and Museum entrance. Schedule subject to change, please visit www. bush41.org for details.

Our 2019 Summer Film Series includes the following: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zootopiaâ&#x20AC;? on August 16 and â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lego Movieâ&#x20AC;? on September 7. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs as we enjoy five fun films under the stars. Free refreshments and games will begin at 7 p.m., and the movies will start just after sundown. The movie themes coincide with our newest exhibit called, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wit and Humour: American Political Cartoons opening July, 15, 2019. Featuring original artworks and artifacts, including collections from the Library of Congress,Â Wit and Humor: American Political CartoonsÂ will show how cartoons have changed since the early days of the Republic. This exhibit will highlight important cartoons from artists regarded as giants in their field, like Thomas Nast and Patrick Oliphant and will be on display in the Ansary Gallery of American History from July 15, 2019

to January 5, 2020.Â Registration is now open for Exploring History Summer Camp. The STARS (STudio ARt and Science) summer camp will focus on STEAM elements. The camp will include fun and fascinating activities, such as making a science model able to move (used on the space station), cartoon drawing, art animation, and role-playing! Each Camper will receive a FREE T-shirt and backpack. The camp is for children ages 7-11 years old.Â Summer Camp dates are: July 8-11, 15-18 and 22-25. All camps start at 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.Â Cost is $30 per day and $120 per week. Call 979-691-4069 or visit bush41.org/ education/summer-camps to register.

SUMMER UPCOMING EXHIBITS AND EVENTS

movIeS bY THe ponD

Friday, august 16 - Zootopia Friday, september 27 - the lego movie JULY TO JANUARY This exhibit will highlight important cartoons from artists regarded as giants in their field, like Thomas Nast and Patrick Oliphant.

SAve THe DATe!

louder than Words:

FROM THE

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum

roCK, poWer & politiCs

Opening March 2, 2020 to January 3, 2021

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love AmeRICAâ&#x20AC;? CelebRATIon July 4, 2019 â&#x20AC;˘ Free admission 9:30 a.m.

STARS SummeR CAmp

July 8-11, July 15-18 and July 22-25 PER DAY OR FOR THE FOUR DAY CAMP 9:00 am to 4:00 pm â&#x20AC;˘ ages 7 - 11 years old

To register www.bush41.org/education/summer-camps or 979-691-4006

1000 George Bush Drive West College Station, TX 77845

979.691.4000 â&#x20AC;˘ www.bush41.org

@Bush41Library THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

360 Profile

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

Ann Boehm (left), owns The Roost with her husband Rodney. The couple turned the tiny house into an Airbnb rental for when family members aren’t visiting.

A ‘tiny’ solution for family and visitors Story MORGAN DYER

Rodney and Ann Boehm moved to College Station after their youngest child graduated high school. They soon realized that with six kids eventually having families of their own, their new house wouldn’t be able to hold everyone. To make room, Rodney and Ann decided to build a “tiny house” in their backyard. The house — affectionately called The Roost because of the chickens that live behind it — sleeps eight people and allows the Boehms to host their large family. “When they come to visit we want somewhere for them to have their own place,” Ann said. “We wanted somewhere where we could be together, but three days living in somebody’s house can be a little tricky. Th is gives us a place where we can hang out, all see each other, but we all have our private space.” Tiny houses are a trendy real estate phenomenon, helped in part by programming

Photos LAURA MCKENZIE

on HGTV. Traditionally, tiny houses are less than 600 square feet, according to the channel’s Tiny House Hunters, which follows people who are looking for a more simple approach in their homes. The Boehms purchased a slab — 13 feet by 30 feet — from Ground Force Building Systems and began construction. After working with the city of College Station to make sure everything followed the proper code and that their tiny home was safe, The Roost was officially done in August 2017. Since the house is not in use year-round, the Boehms decided to offer it as a rental on Airbnb — the hospitality service that allows travelers to rent rooms or homes from willing hosts — when their family members aren’t visiting. “I’m getting to meet all kinds of people that are wanting to spend time in the BryanCollege Station area,” Ann said. The Roost, she says, allows people visiting

the area to have a home away from home. From church groups to families visiting their children attending Texas A&M to worldchampion archers, a wide range of people has stayed at the house, Ann said. “One family stayed for two weeks,” she said. “Their daughter was a swimmer and diver for A&M. ... They were from California, and the mom was able to stay here and cook for her daughter and be here for her.” The Roost has its own kitchenette, but to stay in compliance with code, it does not have a stove or oven. Guests are still able to use a hot pot, convection oven and an outdoor brick pizza oven. To accommodate eight people, the Boehms have taken steps to make sure everyone can comfortably fit. “We employee the old Murphy bed system,” Ann said. “We have two queen-size Murphy beds that fold up at the end of the

Continued on Page 18

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

Continued from Page 17

day to make more room, and we also have an upstairs loft that sleeps four more guests.” Ann said that the loft is a big hit with her grandchildren, or any child that stays at The Roost. “Because it sleeps eight we were very purposeful in the way we set it up,” Ann said. “Every piece of furniture is mobile, and the lavatory is separate from the shower.” The Roost is 400 square feet, with a 300-square-foot porch that houses a table big enough to fit eight. “With this covered porch, we’ve nearly doubled the living space,” Ann said. “It is not uncommon for us to look out a window in the morning and see someone sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee.” The Roost is decorated with items native to College Station to help stay true to its roots, Ann said. “When they were updating the suites at Kyle Field, I was able to get my hands on a piece of granite from one of the old suites,” Ann said. “I had it made into this rolling table for the guests to use in the kitchen.” Light fi xtures were made from New Republic Brewing Co. kegs, and Ann serves her guests What’s The Buzz coffee. The backyard features a chicken coop,

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

Chickens roam the coop in the backyard of the Boehm family’s tiny house.

beekeeping area, vegetable garden and lots of flowers. “We want our guests to feel welcome, so we’ve made this serene area in the middle of town for them to stay and feel at home,” Ann said. “They can wake up in the morning and grab some fresh eggs from our chickens and pick some veggies from our garden and make breakfast.” Ann said that the chickens, which she

refers to as “the girls,” have been a great addition to their backyard: “When our six kids left home, I said, ‘What do you do when your chicks fly the nest? You get more chicks.’ The girls love having visitors, and all of our guests have loved the chickens. “... We have this space that isn’t being used year round, so why not open it up to the public,” she said. “We have an open home and an open heart.”

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

A.L. Buck Buchanan II (left) sits at Corner of Time Antiques and Collectibles Mall in Downtown Bryan. Above, Abby Daylong serves Sophie Ragucci ice cream.

Corner of Time brings connections to the past Story KENNY WILEY

On a recent Wednesday afternoon inside the Corner of Time Antiques and Collectibles Mall, owner and auctioneer A.L. Buck Buchanan II exchanged smiles with a young customer at the soda fountain and ice cream bar. The regular, 4-year-old Lizzy, sat to the left of her grandfather, Clem Hausmann. She playfully engaged with Buchanan and with Corner of Time employee Abby Daylong. Lizzy was captivated as Daylong served customers ice cream, smoothies and shakes. As country hits played overhead, Buchanan shared stories about the history and mission of the mall, which he described as a place for young and old to gather, enjoy cool refreshments and make connections with the past. Buchanan and his wife Christine run Corner of Time, which opened in May 1992. Today, the 6,000-square-foot showroom floor in Downtown Bryan holds a wide variety of items, along with a soda fountain and ice cream bar that the Buchanans built

Photos LAURA MCKENZIE

themselves. “The soda shop was really an evolution — it didn’t start out that way,” Christine said. “We’d have a lot older folks who grew up here come in and sit here and drink coffee. The nature of this business is to just visit. They would tell us stories about coming downtown and going to the soda fountain, and we thought it would be fun to add that element.” “The soda bar was developed as a complement to the area, and to those old timers who used to come down here,” Buck said. “It’s also for the kids to have something.” The items in the mall range from intricate art, glassware and pottery to Texas-themed memorabilia. Doris Day posters and coloring books were set out after the actress and singer died May 13. A metal World War II-era pedal car, household scales, Star Wars posters, dolls and tea sets are among the array of items that can be found at the mall.

Historical artifacts, including a set of 1861 Confederate bonds and money from all over the world, are in supply. Buck held a small item with “March 4, 1873” engraved on it, as well as a famous 19th-century U.S. leader’s signature. “We think it’s a pocket ashtray that belonged to Ulysses S. Grant,” he said. “Can you imagine stumbling into that, a presidential piece like that, dating back to that time period?” History is important in Buck’s family, too. One of his ancestors, James Buchanan, registered as a colonist in Austin’s Colony in 1834 with his wife Mary. James Buchanan was a member of the Alamo garrison and died at the Alamo on the morning of March 6, 1836. Buck has been an auctioneer since 1984, and conducts estate auctions, cattle sales and business liquidations in Texas and other Continued on Page 22

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

Figurines are displayed in a glass case at Corner of Time Antiques and Collectibles Mall in Downtown Bryan.

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states, including Colorado and New Mexico. He said that customers or community members have come in and told Corner of Time employees that they worked as a “soda jerk” in high school or college, a term used to refer to the person who pulled on the soda draft arm or device. “It’s neat to hear their stories,” Buck said. “My thought behind helping the community is, what do you do for an area that gives back, and helps the community develop and grow? I think you need to reach for its natural resources.” A number of vendors rent space from the Buchanans inside Corner of Time to sell their items. As the store’s operating manager, Christine keeps track of which vendor’s items have been sold, among other responsibilities. “We collect the sales tax and pay the sales tax, and then issue them a check,” she said. “It’s pretty turn-key. You bring your stuff in here and we take care of everything for you.” On this Wednesday afternoon, retired football coach Jim Petty stood near the front door and carried on in conversation with Christine. Petty, who coached in Waco and Bryan in the 1970s and 1980s, sells glass, crystals and china, along with records and other items. Petty said he is at the mall three or four times per week. He said it was quite

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

a transition from coaching to selling items, which he’s now been doing for more than a decade. “It was really different,” Petty said. “I really like to hunt for stuff and find unique items.” Petty said he tries to learn about the history of the items he procures, since connections with the past are often a major force in a person’s pursuit of antiques. “Sometimes that’s the thing they like more than anything — finding out about the history,” he said. Buck said that he and Christine have long taken an interest in the building in which their business operates. They completely restored the building, which they dated back to about 1909, in 2002 and 2003. It spent much of its time as a furniture store, and the Buchanans learned the names of the store’s previous iterations. “One of the biggest things I like is having had the opportunity to restore this building correctly, so it is something the community can have in the future instead of tearing it down,” Buck said. As his granddaughter Lizzy watched Abby Daylong scoop ice cream, Clem Hausmann praised the store as a good place to spend an afternoon. Hausmann, a Vietnam War Army veteran, visits along with Lizzy multiple times per month. “It’s about the people. She knows them and they know her,” Hausmann said. “It’s like it

was when I was kid. I love the selection of ice cream, and I retired and moved here from the Houston area, so this is like a small town experience.” Sophie Ragucci, 8, is another regular. Sitting at one of the tables near the ice cream and soda bar with her mom, A&M French professor Sylvie Ragucci, Sophie said her favorite flavor is cookies and cream. “It’s been my favorite for a while,” Sophie said. “My favorite thing about this store is that it has ice cream in it, but sometimes I like to go and look around at the stuff in the aisles. It’s an ice cream shop and a store.” “The people here are incredibly nice,” Sophie’s mother Sylvie said. “You’re not rushed. You can come in and hang out, and they take the time to work with her and figure out what she wants.” For about three years in the mid-2000s, Corner of Time displayed early 20th century cars, the Buchanans said, including the Model T and Roadster models. Christine told a story of an older couple who came in to reminisce about dates taken in a Roadster similar to one that was in the shop. “I like meeting other people who like antiques as much as I do,” she said. “It’s fun. We meet people from all over the world, especially because of A&M. People who travel want to explore the town, and often end up in here.”

Did You Know? Metro Creative Connection

Various ingredients in many popular sunscreen can enter the bloodstream after just one day of use, according to a recent study published in the medical journal JAMA. The study conducted by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research examined

CONTEMPORARY B&B

24 healthy volunteers who were randomly assigned to a spray or lotion sunscreen that contained avobenzone, oxybenzone or octocrylene or a cream sunscreen that contained the chemical ecamsule. Volunteers applied their sunscreen to 75 percent of their bodies each day for four days. By the end of the first day, five of the six participants who applied the ecamsule cream had levels of ecamsule in their blood that are considered significant. Participants who applied the other sunscreen, especially those who used products that contained oxybenzone, also showed significant levels of the chemical in their bloodstreams by the end of the first

day. These findings are significant, as the chemical oxybenzone has been shown to be a common cause of contact allergies. Oxybenzone is also being studied for its potential connection to other conditions, including lower testosterone levels in adolescent boys and shorter pregnancies and disrupted birth weights in babies. However, scientists who responded to the study warned that it should not prevent people from applying sunscreen, as the Skin Cancer Foundation notes that more Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined.

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SUMMER FASHION PREVIEW Brazos 360’s seasonal guide to a more stylish you!

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BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

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April 28  Wolf Pen Creek Park

undreds of people turned out for the fifth annual Kite Fest on April 28 at Wolf Pen Creek Park in College Station. The event is put on by Texas A&M Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences students. In addition to kite-flying, activities included three-legged races, a frozen T-shirt contest and a performance by the Lil’ Aggie Wranglers. Photos Dave McDermand

TOP: Lil’ Wranglers and crowd. TOP MIDDLE: Threelegged race. MIDDLE LEFT: Finn Gooch (left) and Eli Ward work together to capture the win in their heat of the three-legged race. ABOVE: The large Kite Day crowd did its best to keep the tails and sails of kites from getting entangled. BOTTOM LEFT: Corliss and Eric Outley came out to enjoy the perfect weather and variety of activities at Kite Day. LEFT: Bryan Parks of Bryan tries to get his parrot kite to find its wings. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ashlyn McDaniel and Emily Dedmon were among the 11 organizers of this year’s Kite Day event.

TOP LEFT: One-year-old Aarfah Dhuka at Kite Day. TOP MIDDLE: Tamera Ospina-Vega and her son Paulo, 9, succeed in launching their kite. ABOVE: Four-yearold Zefra Yurttas with dad Yusuf. LEFT: A line of Lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wranglers smile for parents, friends and media after their performance. BOTTOM FAR LEFT: Britton Douglass of College Station concentrates on raising his Dragon Kite into the sky. MIDDLE: Brandie Semma of College Station tries to catch the wind with her colorful kite. BOTTOM MIDDLE: Corbin Penny, 3, looks at a mirror being held up for him to inspect a dragon he just had painted on his cheek. BELOW: Four-year-old Ella Castelan gets a fun swing-around by mom Elena Ledezma.

May 4 ď &#x2C6; George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum

ore than 5,000 people, many of them dressed as action star Chuck Norris, took to the streets around the Texas A&M campus on May 4 to compete in the first CForce Chuck Norris 5K charity run. Norris, a Grimes County resident who has starred in television shows and movies, was at the finish line to congratulate each runner. Photos Laura McKenzie TOP LEFT: Jennifer Foster, left, and Vanessa Servantes. TOP MIDDLE: Jackie and Michael McCrady. TOP RIGHT: Kelsey Wilmore, left, and Leah Buse. ABOVE: Hannah and Howard McGuire. RIGHT: Laura Rogers, Jessica Rogers, Vanessa Nordell and Cynthia Werner. BOTTOM LEFT: Scott and Lisa Gilmore. BOTTOM RIGHT: Kimberly Brooks and her daughter, Coral, 8 months .

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

RIGHT: Eddie Wells and Anna Pope. FAR RIGHT: Jenna Harrison, Aiden Lopez, 9, and Myrna Lopez. BELOW: Joel and Kim Wilstead and their children Zachary, 12, Clayton, 6, and Trevor, 11. BELOW RIGHT: Valerie Howell, Miguel Orellana, Richard Schmidt and Kristy Dark.

MIDDLE LEFT: Jeff Kearns, Katy Brown, Connor Brown, Susan Brown and Christine McWhorter. ABOVE: JoAnn Talkington and Richard Maynard. FAR LEFT: Sarah, Christina and Traci Lopez. LEFT: Jeanette Reynolds, left, and Tami Vanderwilt.

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

Go Red for Women Luncheon May 2 ď &#x2C6; College Station Hilton

he Go Red for Women Luncheon is an annual event to raise awareness about heart disease and money for the American Heart Association. The May 2 event at the College Station Hilton included the personal stories of two survivors of cardiac trauma. Photos Laura McKenzie

TOP LEFT: Sherry Jennings, left, and Kristina Lee. MIDDLE: Gloria and Tony Best. MIDDLE RIGHT: Michele Skinner, Jackie Kempenski and Jennifer Slovacek. ABOVE: Shannon Madlock, left, Pam Cemino, Autumn Spivey and her daughter, Halle, 2, and Theresa Bluhm. RIGHT: Brittany Cervantes, left, and Leslie Martinek.

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

TOP LEFT: Annie Gomez, left, and Alex Speer. TOP RIGHT: Sally Godfrey, left, Carol Robinson and Kay Carrabba. MIDDLE LEFT: Josie Wytaske, left, and Jessica Lane. MIDDLE RIGHT: Betty Hagen, left, and Ann Kellett. ABOVE: Sherri Welch, left, and America Farrell. FAR RIGHT: Michael Oder, left, and Josh Gorbutt. RIGHT: Brooke Amador, left, Jen Brazeal and Carolina Jones.

THE EAGLE | BRAZOS360.COM

What’s in your

OFFICE?

JEREMY BRETT Curator of science ﬁction and fantasy research at Cushing Library

eremy Brett experienced a bit of a media blitz in April, thanks to the long-awaited return and final season of HBO’s Game of Thrones. Brett, curator of Cushing Memorial Library’s science fiction and fantasy research collection, is well-versed in all things George R.R. Martin, whose literary archives are housed at Cushing on the Texas A&M campus. The buzz about the show sparked media interviews and fan visits to Cushing, and a pop-up exhibit at Evans Library of weapon replicas and toys. “It’s been great,” Brett says. “The more people that know about us, the better. Cushing is kind of a hidden gem for A&M. It’s a special collections library. It’s not like Evans, where all students in theory have to go to get something. Not as many people have to come here, so not as many people know about us. So it’s always good for people to find out we exist, even if it’s just in relation to George R.R. Martin.” Brett earned a history degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and his master’s in history and library science at the University of Maryland. He and his wife, Mary Campbell, an associate professor in the sociology department, moved to the area in 2012. Not surprisingly, Brett’s office is a sci-fi showcase. Wall space is filled with posters and art prints, and shelves are lined with toys and action figures. A Tom Servo robot trinket from Mystery Science Theater 3000 sits next to a photo of Campbell (“I’m a big MSTie,” he says). A Sigourney Weaver Alien action figure is near an autographed photo of Jenette Goldstein, who played a tough-talking character alongside Weaver in 1986’s Aliens. The room is dominated by women in sci-fi. Brett says he’s particularly interested in strong female characters. “I’ve always found the heroines to be really interesting,” he says. “There aren’t as many of them, but it’s popping up now. Certainly, as a kid it was all about Superman, Batman and there was Wonder Woman, to a degree. ... Only more recently are you starting to see more interest in people like Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel and Black Widow, and all the other female comic book characters, who are kinda coming into their own, which is nice. And Game of Thrones, it has of course its share of important women characters. There’s Dany, and there’s Arya and there’s Sansa.” Brett calls his office “kind of a window into my mind,” and says that as the science-fiction curator, he thought he should “nerd it up.” “I figure you have to spend so many hours in a day in your office that you might as well make it look like you.”

Story ROB CLARK | Photos LAURA MCKENZIE

Know an interesting nominee for a future ofﬁce feature? Email us at brazos360@theeagle.com. 32

BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

I can’t remember where I got that. That’s always fun. It’s a point … I mean we do hold all your records. Don’t piss us off, because we can shred every piece of your life. ... That’s just fun. There’s not much in here to indicate what I do — it looks like I collect toys all the time. So it’s nice to see there are some things referencing my work.

These are all Orphan Black. I love that show. It’s over now, it was on BBC America. It’s a really great show. All ﬁve of these characters are clones, they’re all played by the same actress, Tatiana Maslany. … Each one is different and has a different personality, acts differently. And Tatiana Maslany is such an amazing actress, she actually managed to play each one differently. They do scenes where they’ve spliced them together, to the point where you forget that it’s the same actress. It’s pretty well known for that.

That’s Mary McDonnell. She’s one of my favorite actresses. I fell in love with her in 1990, when she was in Dances With Wolves. She played Stands With a Fist. She’s famous in genre circles because she played Laura Roslin in Battlestar Galactica, which is where that photo comes from. Years ago I sent her a fan letter, and she sent me that back and she wrote a card for it. She was at Comicpalooza two years ago and I went, and got my picture taken with her and met her. So that was kinda fun.

Saturday Evening Post, which is still a thing, is an old-timey magazine. ... I think [these prints get] the heart of how children love superheroes, how they actually have meaning for them. They have meaning for adults too, but they’ve always had meaning for children especially. It’s this nice relationship. They’re very quiet. Wonder Woman is talking to a little girl who is holding a Wonder Woman comic book. Here’s Clark Kent — it’s also meta — reading a story about Superman in the Daily Planet, which he would’ve written because he’s Clark Kent. And there’s this kid next to him reading the Action Comic where Superman ﬁrst appeared. It’s also nice, it shows how you’ve got white kids but you also have black kids who like superheroes and comic books, and over here you have a girl. So it shows love of superheroes isn’t conﬁned to just white guy, white boys. Everyone likes superheroes.

I went last year to Con of Thrones, which is kind of like Comicpalooza for Game of Thrones. My colleague and I went, we had a booth talking about the archives. We met some of the actors there. … That is Esme Bianco, who played Ros, the prostitute. … Ros was sort of like the outside character, kind of representing the viewer, like “Let’s look at this new world we’re in.” And once the story starts to accelerate, and you start to have all these characters that were in the books, you start to need to give them more time.

That’s Arya and her list. I picked that up from [artist Brian Linss], he has a booth at Comicpalooza. He does these really interesting pop culture posters where he never shows their faces. That’s the list Arya makes in her head of all the people she’s going to murder, because all the people who have wronged her family, who have murdered members of her family. There’s Joffrey Baratheon and Cersei and Walder Frey; Ilyn Payne, the executioner who killed Ned; the Hound is on there. … It’s a representation of how Arya has basically turned into Batman. She watches her father get murdered, grows up and trains herself to ﬁght and to seek revenge on crime in general. Essentially, she’s Batman.

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BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Lessons learned in embracing and passing down the oldies

t was at the dinner table when I offered perhaps my greatest moment of parental advice. “Eleanor Rigby is not a good song for dabbing.” (This may not surpass such standards as “Put your seatbelt on” and “Don’t bite anyone at school.” But it’s close.) Previously unfamiliar with The Beatles’ dark and sorrowful classic, my youngest was gleefully pounding her head into her elbows during the dramatic chorus. Six dabs for the six syllables in “all the lonely people.” Music appreciation matters, so it was a ROB CLARK teachable moment. rob.clark@ This is important theeagle.com stuff, as I know from my upbringing. I was blessed with parents who tried to introduce me to good music. It didn’t always work. To my father’s chagrin, I turned up my nose at Willie Nelson’s nasally voice and Gordon Lightfoot’s baritone. Chalk up these sins — for which I have atoned in adulthood — to youthful ignorance. Music transports us, and childhood flashbacks often come with a soundtrack. Hearing Michael Martin Murphey’s Wildfire, Donna Summer’s Dim All the Lights or Linda Ronstadt’s Blue Bayou throws me into the back seat of a Datsun 210, on a long family move across the country in 1981. The local oldies station dominated our daily commutes to school, which only inspired yawns. But when music really started to matter, around fifth grade, my dear mother added a modern pop station into the mix. She got a kick out of most of it: Lionel Richie, The Police, Hall and Oates, Eurythmics, David Bowie and the big three: Prince, Madonna and Michael Jackson. If any racy lyrics came up, however,

Mom would quickly turn the channel. So Like a Virgin was a hard pass, before Madonna could even finish the third word of the title in the chorus. During a rude portion of The Time’s otherwise fun hit Jungle Love, I’d cough loudly or ask out-of-the-blue questions to try to distract her. It never worked, and we were sent right back to the oldies. Despite my groans, prolonged exposure to these old songs did have a positive effect, of course. Every child should grow up with a solid foundation of Motown and The Beatles. I needed to appreciate Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) and Here Comes the Sun, despite my preference at the time for Mr. Telephone Man and One Night in Bangkok. Now it’s our turn to do the same for our little monsters. There are easy victories, songs that are tailor-made for kids, like Yellow Submarine and Daydream Believer. But we’ve had plenty of misses as well. Marty Robbins’ 1959 masterpiece El Paso was on the radio recently as we drove around town. Despite the intricate Western-movie storytelling and Robbins’ swooping vocal range, my middle child declared — with alarming authority — “This is NOT a good song.” (That is the equivalent of “Roger Staubach was NOT a good quarterback.”) She was swiftly and thoroughly corrected. It’s interesting to see what they pick up on. My oldest once heard America’s 1971 hit A

Clockwise from top left: Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, Linda Ronstadt, Sly Stone and Willie Nelson. AP photos

Horse With No Name, but she wasn’t puzzled by the puzzling anonymous steed. Instead she smartly stopped on a lyric that could’ve used some editing. Like a mini music critic, she asked, “Did he really just say, ‘There were plants and birds and rocks and things?!’” Just as in my parents’ car, the oldies station rules most of my commutes. An early favorite during drives to preschool, thanks to Classic Hits 107.3, was War’s Low Rider. There are few cuter things than hearing a 3-year-old mimic the alto-sax hook: “doo-doo-doo-doodoo-doo-DOO.” We often have background music playing at dinner, including a streaming funk station that delivers a steady dose of Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly & the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, the Staple Singers, Al Green and Bill Withers. It turned into a name-that-singer contest with my wife. The kids have joined in, though they don’t know Parliament from Paddington. My youngest is stuck on one band. No matter the song or genre — I could play Aretha Franklin, Tom T. Hall or They Might Be Giants — she still guesses “The Commodores!” As for modern music, it was inevitable: They have been pulled in by pop’s tractor beam. There’s some good stuff out there — it’s hard to fight the sunny vibes of Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling and Pharrell Williams’ Happy, for instance — but plenty that makes me grumble. Let’s just say I’ve had to feel the Imagine Dragons’ thunder more times than I’d like. I long for the charming, pre-diva version of Taylor Swift. And I once had to ask, “What is a JoJo Siwa?” We’re doing our best to let them figure out their own tastes, and to supplement the current with the classics. It’s enjoyable to share what we love, and to see the kids perk up when they hear September, Sir Duke, Raspberry Beret and Lovely Day. And some things never change. All these years later, for completely opposite reasons, I still have to make loud diversion coughs during Jungle Love.

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BRAZOS 360 | SUMMER 2019