Brick & Elm | March/April 2024

A Century of Care

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FirstBank Southwest is

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FirstBank Southwest’s personalized financial solutions and unwavering support have turned our banking experience into a relationship, not just a transaction.

Je and Marci Barnhart, FBSW Customers for 16 Years

PHOTO BY ABIGAIL SUMMERS,

OF DIANE DICK MODEL &

AMARILLO’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

AMARILLO’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

PUBLISHERS

PUBLISHERS

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

DESIGNER

DESIGNER

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kait Bradford Bellmon

Ralph Duke

WHhen I look back over the past few months, it feels like ages since I last wrote an editor’s note, and then at other times the weeks have flown by. In the middle of January, it seemed my days of typing up my last-minute thoughts prior to printing a magazine were over. And then … a miracle.

istory buffs, this issue of Brick & Elm is for you. Even if you think you’re not a fan of history, this isn’t your high school (or college) history class. The cover story and other topics we feature in this magazine will engage even the most history-averse among you. Our 100-year celebration of some of the city’s key institutions tells the story of why Amarillo is a great place to live. It’s our origin story—the beginning of the way we first ensured we were watching out for one another. We’re proud to share these in-depth features with residents new and old alike.

Shannon Richardson

Angelina Marie

Scott Thomas

Shannon Richardson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mason Dudley

Jonathan Baker

My longtime writing partner Jason Boyett became my new business partner and Brick & Elm was born. This “hyper-local” magazine was created in meetings at our respective homes, and it’s the compilation of everything we’ve ever hoped a Panhandle-focused publication could be. The community outpouring for our new project has been overwhelming in the best way. My friends and local businesses have sent streams of encouraging messages of support. Now I truly know what it means to say my cup overflows

We’re also excited to help the Sod Poodles kick off another year of thrilling baseball in Hodgetown. Read about the impressive upgrades to the ballpark and the new coaching staff beginning on page 73. The rest of this hefty issue is full of the voices, faces and talent of our amazing contributors and residents, who I am fortunate to work with as we craft every issue of Brick & Elm. We’re glad you’re with us as we continue to grow and celebrate our city.

Jon Mark Beilue

Gray Gillman

Chip Chandler

Meaghan Collier

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Andy Chase Cundiff

Nick Gerlich

Ruthie Landelius

Chip Chandler

Ryan McSwain

Andy Chase Cundiff

Patrick Miller

Wes Reeves

Wes Reeves

TO SUBSCRIBE: brickandelm.com

This is the first of many fantastic Amarillo-centric issues created by a true dream team—Jason and the incomparable Kayla Morris. I’m thrilled beyond measure to share Brick & Elm with you. Thanks for reading.

Thanks for reading!

TO SUBSCRIBE: brickandelm.com

Print subscription: $34.99/year

Print subscription: $14.94/year

Digital subscription: $8.94/year

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: mm@brickandelm.com 806.414.5235

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES:

mm@brickandelm.com

ADll the best parts of my career began in the Amarillo College Journalism Department. There, in the mid1990s, I learned to write fast. I learned to edit. I learned desktop publishing, design and photography. But what I learned most of all is that I really liked magazines. I ended up the editor of AC’s award-winning campus magazine, AC Current, and fell in love with the process of creating a publication, start to finish.

iane Dick is a legendary figure, not just in the Amarillo modeling world, but globally. That she chose to base her multidecade career here in the Texas Panhandle says a lot about the community she loves. Diane is a treasure trove of stories, and when she first told us about Nyanwiy Deng, we knew we had to write about her. The four of us—Diane, Nyanwiy, Michele and I—sat down in Diane’s office on a chilly winter day and heard Nyanwiy share about her journey to Amarillo. As she spoke, you could see the loving, respectful way Diane interacted with her, seamlessly switching between the roles of coach/agent and motherly friend. It’s such an honor to be able to tell Nyanwiy’s story in this issue.

Brick & Elm Magazine is published bimonthly by Edgebow Media. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Here I am again, more than a quarter-century later. For years, Michele and I have worked together telling stories about our city. A few months ago we decided the time was right to launch a new, sophisticated, independent magazine about Amarillo. It feels appropriate that our first issue covers topics like trail-building, business reopenings, creative problem-solving and breathing new life into historic structures. We feel like all of those are metaphors for Brick & Elm, and maybe for print magazines in general.

Beyond that, of course, these pages reflect everything I love about publishing a local magazine. From Nick Gerlich’s history-of-flight feature to our enormous cover package about institutional anniversaries, we are so proud of the storytelling in this issue. I continue to be fascinated that decisions made 80 or 100 years ago still influence local people. The 1920s were such an inflection point in our history. I can’t help but believe the 2020s will be as well.

So here’s to fresh starts and a new way to shine a spotlight on the city we love. Thanks for reading. We’re honored that you’re here with us, at the beginning.

Thanks for continuing to read, follow and support this project. With every issue, we’re grateful for the opportunity to tell the stories that matter.

KAYLA MORRIS

Kayla has been designing professionally for more than 10 years. She was raised in the Panhandle and graduated with a design degree from West Texas A&M University.

SHANNON RICHARDSON

Shannon has been a commercial/advertising photographer for almost 35 years. His work can be seen at shannonrichardson.com.

contributors

RALPH DUKE

Ralph has been a photographer for more than 40 years. His images have appeared in newspapers, magazines, advertisements and Web pages. Each assignment combines those years of experience with the immediacy of the moment of light. See his work at ralphduke.com.

NICK GERLICH

Nick is Hickman Professor of Marketing at West Texas A&M University, where he has taught since 1989. In his spare time, he travels around the country, including his beloved Route 66, in search of vintage signage and other outdoor advertising. He can be found on Instagram @nickgerlich.

WES REEVES

Wes was raised in Wellington and has lived in Amarillo since the early 90s. He serves as chairman of the Potter County Historical Commission and as a member of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission board of directors.

MEAGHAN COLLIER

Meaghan works in communications and marketing for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo and spent 15 years as an anchor, reporter and producer in local television news. She and husband Cody live in Amarillo with their dog, Bradford.

JONATHAN BAKER

Jonathan’s work has appeared in The Daily Beast, and he has been featured on The Other Stories podcast. Originally from Canyon, Texas, he writes crime novels set on the High Plains.

BRADFORD BELLMON

Kait is the owner of Three Feather Photo Co, a local lifestyle and wedding brand that specializes in destination elopements. See her work at threefeatherpho.co and @threefeatherphotoco.

RYAN MCSWAIN

Ryan is the author of Monsters All the Way Down and Four Color Bleed He’s written for the best industries in Texas. You can find him at ryanmcswain.com.

JON MARK BEILUE

Jon Mark worked at the Amarillo Globe-News from 1981 until his retirement in 2018. He spent 17 of those years as sports editor, and the last 12 as the newspaper’s general columnist. He received 16 statewide and national awards for his work. Beilue is a native of Groom and graduate of Texas Tech University. He and wife Sandy have two adult sons.

KAIT

Creative Mind Lecture Series is sponsored by the AMARILLO COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Garry L. Nall Lecture in Western Studies PRESENTS

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

AMARILLO NATIVE AND FORMER WT STUDENT

GEORGE SAUNDERS

7 P.M. APRIL 4

JACK B. KELLEY LEGACY HALL, WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

G

March:

MOVIES

The sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two finally worms its way into theaters March 1. Other movie highlights include horror film Imaginary and animated sequel Kung Fu Panda 4 on March 8; drama Arthur the King and thriller Love Lies Bleeding on March 15; Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, horror flick Immaculate and a first theatrical run of Luca on March 22; and monster flick Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on March 29. Special engagements will include Cinemark’s Oscar Movie Week from March 4 to 10, featuring screenings of the 10 Best Picture nominees plus animated and live-action short films; Labyrinth on March 6 and 10; and La forma del Destiny on March 9 and 13 and Romeo et Juliette on March 23 and 27 for The Met: Live in HD, all at Cinemark Hollywood 16, 9100 Canyon Drive.

BRICKANDELM.COM MAR/APR 2024 12EVENTS

Get buzzed at Beerology: Science on Tap, featuring craft beer, bar food and the science of brews on March 1 at the Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive. Other event highlights include the Amarillo Policeman’s Ball on March 2 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St.; the Make-A-Wish Car Show on March 2 and 3 at the Civic Center Complex; Mania: The ABBA Tribute, recreating one of the disco band’s most memorable concerts, on March 2 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle’s 25th annual Salt & Pepper Luncheon on March 7 in the Civic Center Grand Plaza; Smile Big Texas’ drag experience fundraiser Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Tribute on March 9 at The Arts in the Sunset; Amarillo Kart Complex’s annual barbecue and chili cook-off on March 9 and 10 at the complex, 275 FM 2373; Peak Fighting Championship MMA bouts on March 16 in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum; kids’ favorite Bluey’s Big Play on March 19 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; the Center City Mural Run on March 23 in downtown Amarillo; Amarillo Botanical Gardens’ Wonderland-themed Mad Hatters Ball fundraiser on March 23 at the gardens, 1400 Streit Drive; the return of the Harlem Globetrotters on March 24 in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum; Contagion Athletics’ 20,000 Easter Egg Hunt on March 30 at the gym, 8210 Amarillo Blvd. West. Plus, don’t miss Amarillo Wranglers hockey games on March 22 and 23, Amarillo Bombers soccer games on March 8 and 9, and Amarillo Venom indoor football games on March 10, 17 and 30, all in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum.

ARTS

Chamber Music Amarillo explores the Mozart-Tchaikovsky Connection in a special concert featuring horn player Guglielmo Manfredi, violinist Evgeny Zvonnikov, conductor Mark Bartley and the Amarillo Virtuosi on March 2 at AmTech Career Academy, 3601 Plains Blvd. Other arts highlights will include First Friday Art Walk on March 1 at The Arts in the Sunset; Amarillo Symphony’s A Spring Symphony on March 8 and 9 in the Globe-News Center; Broadway Spotlight Series’ My Fair Lady on March 20 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; Amarillo Little Theatre Academy’s The Little Mermaid from March 22 to 31 at the ALT

Allen Shankles MainStage, 2019 Civic Circle; Amarillo Museum of Art’s 20x20 Exhibition and Silent Auction March 28 at the museum, 2020 S. Van Buren St.; the West Texas A&M University Concert Band on March 3 and a WT art alumni exhibition opening March 21, both at WT in Canyon.

MUSIC

Music icon Herb Alpert is still blowing and going, bringing his latest tour to town March 28 at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St. Other concert highlights will include Christian star Matthew West on March 1 at the Church at Quail Creek, 801 Tascosa Road; rapper Lil Xan’s Amarillo debut March 2 at the Azteca Music Hall, 500 N. FM 1912; Kirk House Band on March 2 at Western Horseman, 2501 I-40 East; Nashville star Josh Turner on March 8 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; Texas country stars Blue Water Highway on March 8 at Western Horseman, 2501 I-40 East; Miranda Lambert tribute act Gunpowder & Lead on March 9 at Shark Beach Burgers, 1505 E. FM 1151; Ronnie and The Redwoods on March 2, Brother and The Hayes on March 8, Jarrod Morris on March 15, Colby Acuff on March 22, Bowling for Soup’s Jaret Ray Reddick on March 28 and Cole Barnhill on March 30, all at Golden Light Cantina, 2908 SW Sixth Ave.; a Panhandle Songwriters song swap on March 23 and Guy Forsyth on March 30 for the Everhart Concert Series at Westminster: The Church in Austin Park, 2525 Wimberly St.

April:

EVENTS

Yellow City Comic Con returns with a full slate of anime, sci-fi and comic book celebs, plus tons of vendors and the annual cosplay competitions, on April 19 through 21 in the Civic Center Complex. Other events to watch for include the Ruffles and Rust Expo from April 5 to 6 in the Civic Center Complex; Amarillo Angels Mom Prom on April 6 in the Civic Center Complex North Exhibit Hall; Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Wine, Women & Shoes fundraiser on April 11 in the Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom; a Stoex Design Gallery market featuring vendors, live music and a dance party on April 13 at 723 S. Georgia St.; the 420 Fest, featuring local bands and vendors, on April 20 at 2801 Duniven Circle; and kids’ fave Baby Shark’s Big Broadwave Tour on April 21 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium. Plus, get riled up for Amarillo Venom indoor football

Visit brickandelm.com for Chip’s expanded event coverage and movie reviews. Better yet, subscribe to our email newsletters for breaking entertainment news every week!

CHIP CHANDLER

matches on April 12, 20 and 27 in the Civic Center Complex Coliseum, and Amarillo Sod Poodles games April 5 to 7, April 16 to 21 and April 30 to May 5, all at Hodgetown, 715 S. Buchanan St.

MUSIC

Texas rock band Giovannie and The Hired Guns kicks off the concert series at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive, on April 13. Other music highlights include Aiden Logsdon & The Outlaws on April 5, Mila Rae on April 6, Joint Custody on April 13 and Parker Ryan on April 26, all at Golden Light Cantina; Boston tribute act Dallas Boston Xperience on April 6 and REO Speedwagon tribute act High N Fidelity on April 27 at Shark Beach Burgers; Christian band Sidewalk Prophets on April 27 at Oasis Church, 8201 Canyon Drive; and folk duo Adler & Hearne on April 27 for the Everhart Concert Series at Westminster: The Church in Austin Park.

ARTS

Amarillo Symphony closes its 100th anniversary season with Ludwig Beethoven’s iconic Ninth Symphony and a guest appearance by the Harrington String Quartet and others on April 19 and 20 at the Globe-News Center. Other arts highlights will include Amarillo College Art Force Piano Series’ Journey to the East concert with Alex Lee and Sophie Hung on April 2 in the Concert Hall Theatre; WT Theatre’s Rumors from April 4 to 14 in the Branding Iron Theatre; Amarillo Opera’s new take on the iconic Gianni Schicchi on April 6 at the Globe-News Center, followed by a sock-hop fundraiser; Broadway

can’t miss

WITH CHIP CHANDLER

Spotlight Series’ Mean Girls on April 8 in the Civic Center Complex Auditorium; ALT’s playful version of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility from April 11 to 21 in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle; Lone Star Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on April 12 and 13 at the Globe-News Center; Chamber Music Amarillo’s season finale featuring pianist Diego Caetano and the Carpe Diem string quartet April 13 at AmTech Career Academy; TheatreAC’s The Hello Girls musical from April 26 to May 4 in the Amarillo College Experimental Theatre; WT horn choir on April 7, WT jazz bands on April 11, the WT brass choir on April 14, the Harrington String Quartet and WT choirs on April 30, all in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; WT Opera’s Cosi fan Tutte on April 25 to 28 in Northen Recital Hall; and WT Dance’s Portraits of Dance on April 25 to 28 in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre.

MOVIES

Acclaimed director Alex Garland’s latest is the frighteningly timely Civil War on April 12. Other movie highlights are scheduled to include animated adventure Dragonkeeper and thriller Monkey Man on April 5; horror flick Sting on April 12; war drama The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, anime film Spy x Family Code: White and horror film Abigail on April 19; sports drama Challengers and family drama Unsung Hero on April 26. Special engagements will include 85th anniversary screenings of Gone with the Wind on April 7, 8 and 10; Irena’s Vow on April 15 and 16; The Hopeful on April 17 and 18; and La rondine on April 20 and 24 for The Met: Live in HD

Presented by

AMARILLO TRI-STATE CHILI COOK-OFF

THE BIG CHEESE

The 40th-annual Make-A-Wish fundraiser was held on Jan. 13 at the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds. Scores of local chefs fed hundreds of local chili fans. (Provided Photos)

The Hope & Healing Place’s annual comfort food cook-off and fundraiser was held on Jan. 18 at the Rex Baxter Building on the Amarillo Tri-State Fairgrounds. Guests filled up on mac-and-cheese from local businesses and high school student groups. (Provided Photos)

Burrowing Owl RECOMMENDS

THE TURTLE HOUSE BY AMANDA CHURCHILL

Moving between late 1990s small-town Texas to pre-World War II Japan and occupied Tokyo, an emotionally engaging literary debut about a grandmother and granddaughter who connect over a beloved lost place and the secrets they both carry.

It’s spring 1999, and 25-year-old Lia Cope and her prickly 73-year-old grandmother, Mineko, are sharing a bedroom in Curtain, Texas, the ranching town where Lia grew up and Mineko began her life as a Japanese war bride. Both women are at a turning point: Mineko, long widowed, moved in with her son and daughter-in-law after a suspicious fire destroyed the Cope family ranch house, while Lia, an architect with a promising career in Austin, has unexpectedly returned under circumstances she refuses to explain.

Though Lia never felt especially close to her grandmother, the two grow close sharing late-night conversations. Mineko tells stories of her early life in Japan, of the war that changed everything, and of her two great loves: a man named Akio Sato and an abandoned Japanese country estate they called the Turtle House, where their relationship took root. As Mineko reveals more of her early life—tales of innocent swimming lessons that blossom into something more, a friendship nurtured across oceans, totems saved and hidden, the heartbreak of love lost too soon—Lia comes to understand the depth of her grandmother’s pain and sacrifice and sees her Texas family in a new light. She also recognizes that it’s she who needs to come clean—about the budding career she abandoned and the mysterious man who keeps calling.

When Mineko’s adult children decide, against her wishes, to move her into an assisted living community, she and Lia devise a plan to bring a beloved lost place to life, one that they hope will offer the safety and sense of belonging they both need, no matter the cost.

A story of intergenerational friendship, family, coming of age, identity and love, The Turtle House illuminates the hidden lives we lead, the secrets we hold close, and what it truly means to find home again when it feels lost forever.

“OUT OF THIS WORLD” OPERA GALA

MARDI GRAS PARTY

West Texas A&M University Opera paid tribute to retiring Dr. Robert Hansen on Jan. 27. The evening fundraiser included dinner and performances by WT Opera students and faculty. (Provided Photos)

Family Support Services’ annual Cajun-themed festivities returned to the Amarillo Civic Center Complex on Feb. 3. The fundraising event included dinner, casino games, and music from The Solano Project. (Provided Photos)

Winning, settling, and losing lawsuits are alway entrepreneurs and their businesses, and avoidi with is the best case scenario. The newest WT E HR Pro, aims to help entrepreneurs with that.

HR

THE NEWLYWED GAME

COWBOY SWEETHEART DINNER

Arts in the Sunset and Amarillo Art Institute hosted a sweetheart dinner and dance on Feb. 13, featuring cowgirl singer Jean Prescott and featuring dinner from Cask & Cork. (Provided Photos)

Amarillo Rotary West hosted a classic game show-themed fundraiser benefiting AmTech Career Academy on Feb. 13. The dinner was emceed by Guy Bell and raised funds for Interact student leadership camps and educational scholarships. (Provided Photos)

he first P.E.T.S. Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic opened in 2006 in Wichita Falls. Faced with animal overpopulation, founder Leslie Harrelson thought “there had to be a way to shut off the faucet instead of just standing at the bottom with buckets.” A permanent spay-andneuter clinic resulted from those efforts.

TWichita Falls is 225 miles away, but Amarillo has a similar problem. In 2019, local resident Dacia Anderson—a self-described “animal person” and former teacher with experience working for veterinarians—began investigating whether a similar clinic could work in the Panhandle. “We didn’t have anything locally,” she says. Anderson reached out to the P.E.T.S. clinic in Wichita Falls.

Harrelson spoke to her board and the organization decided Amarillo could act as a self-funded satellite of the Wichita Falls organization. “We really had no idea what we were doing,” Anderson admits. Harrelson and her team helped her start fundraising and launch the organization. “We have her backing and knowledge behind us,” Anderson says. “It came together quickly and we’ve been trucking since.”

P.E.T.S. in Amarillo is open every Monday through Thursday, along with one Saturday every month, and has performed 22,000 surgeries since opening. All spay and neuter procedures are by appointment only. The cost for dogs is $65 for females and $60 for males, and $45 for female cats or $35 for male cats. For families in need, P.E.T.S. subsidizes the surgeries to only $10.

The nonprofit also offers a daily shot clinic providing animal vaccinations.

The Amarillo P.E.T.S. clinic opened in August 2019 with Anderson as executive director and Dr. Natalie Harrison as the local, on-staff veterinarian.

Donations allow P.E.T.S. to keep the surgeries affordable. “Everything we raise here stays here,” Anderson says. The organization also hosts a Community Cat Fund for residents working to spay or neuter the abundant stray cats in their neighborhoods. “They’re not their cats, but they love them and feed them and take care of them,” she says.

Animal welfare has been a high-profile issue in Amarillo over the past decade, and Anderson believes the city still lags behind other regions in addressing overpopulation of strays. “We’re just bailing out water. To really solve that problem, you’ve got to get the spay-and-neuter [solution] under control.” She points out that the work of P.E.T.S. won’t provide an overnight solution, but the Wichita Falls clinic has seen a gradual lowering in shelter numbers. Long-term, P.E.T.S. hopes to see the same decline in Amarillo.

To learn more about the organization, visit petsclinic.org

PROVIDED

Dr. Allie Hughey has joined Swann Vet Clinic at the Plum Creek location.

Stephen Sutter has launched SHP Marketing, an SEO, Google campaign and business consulting company.

Business and Executive Coach Tiffany Carter has joined Amazon as an area manager.

Alexis Gunter is the new executive assistant at Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau

Luz Aguilar has joined the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau as the visitor services coordinator.

The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers has confirmed Jason Herrick as its new board chairman. Herrick is the president of Pantera Energy Company, a family-owned exploration and production company headquartered in Amarillo.

Beth Dumaoal has been named the 2024 Teacher of the Year at AmTech Career Academy

Amy Henderson of Amarillo National Bank has been reappointed to the Governor’s Commission for Women

Aubry Johnson has been hired as the facilities manager at Amarillo Area Foundation

Johnny E. Trotter has been appointed to the Texas Animal Health Commission for a term set to expire on Sept. 6, 2029. Trotter, of Hereford, is president of Livestock Investors LTD and owner of Bar G Feedyard.

Senior Warden Adam R. Gonzales of the William P. Clements Unit has been selected as the 2023 Warden of the Year.

Dr. Christina Chan, a board-certified small animal internist, joined the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Education, Research & Outreach program on the West Texas A&M University campus.

West Texas A&M University is listed among nine other Texas universities in Forbes Advisor’s ranking of Best Texas Online Colleges of 2024

Dr. Brad Johnson is the University’s new Lanna and Bob Hatton Professor of Rural Community Leadership

Kathryn Coppinger has been named a key account manager working with Xcel Energy’s large commercial and industrial customers in the company’s Texas and New Mexico service area.

For the 11th year in a row, Xcel Energy has been honored as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazine.

Xcel Energy announced that its employees, contractors and retirees, supported by the company’s Foundation, provided more than $11 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in 2023 to support charitable organizations and causes.

BSA Health System has appointed Jon Bush, MD, as its chief medical officer.

City of Amarillo Secretary Stephanie Coggins has earned the Texas Municipal Clerks Certification designation.

The City of Amarillo has been declared a Certified Gigabit City powered by Vexus Fiber.

The City of Amarillo announced the appointment of Amarillo Police Department Assistant Chief Jimmy Johnson as Interim Chief of Police.

Dj Entertainment Amarillo has been selected as a 2024 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings This accolade represents the top local wedding professionals reviewed by real couples on The Knot

The Amarillo Chamber of Commerce has hired Christy King as the new membership director.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System announced the appointment of Lauren Uriegas, MHA as the new associate administrator.

NWTHS has welcomed Annie Mendoza, RN, MSN, FACHE as the chief nursing officer.

SkyRite Sign Co. was recently awarded the prestigious Frank Page Award for Innovation in Signage Design.

To highlight your business briefs, promotions or awards in this section, email a press release or your information to mm@brickandelm.com.

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100 CLUB OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE

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ELEVATE AMARILLO MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

MEET STEPHANIE MADRIGAL!

Stephanie is the founder of Yellow Rose Pinup Society and the owner of Yellow Rose Pinup Clothiers located on Sixth Avenue inside of Aunt Eek’sBooks and Curiosities. The Yellow Rose Pinup Society aims to spread the joy and culture behind the many types of fashion that fall within the realm of “pinup,”while creating a community of amazing people who contribute their own unique interpretations of the style. Stephanie has been published in multiple national pinup magazines and represented Amarillo’s stretch of Route 66 in various pinup pageants in the Tri-State area. She has also coordinated the Miss Texas Route 66 Pinup Pageant, Car Show and Lowrider Cruise last June at the Texas Route 66 Festival. Thank you, Stephanie, for creating events that will continue until the Route’s 100-year anniversary in 2026! We are grateful for the sense of confidence and community she has been able to create in Amarillo through pinup fashion!

MEET ASHLEY HAMPTON!

As the Charitable Engagement Director at Maverick Boys & Girls Club of Amarillo, Ashley brings more than seven years of dedicated experience to her role. With a strong commitment to serving children, Ashley supports the organization’s efforts in supporting 650 youths, a significant portion of whom come from families facing economic challenges—more than 85 percent live below the poverty line. Her passion lies in empowering and inspiring young individuals to reach their fullest potential. We celebrate Ashley for her leadership and passion to create a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and equipped to thrive.

KNOWLEDGE. CONNECTIONS. OPPORTUNITIES.

Elevate Amarillo is an organization of emerging leaders rooted in Amarillo and rooting for Amarillo. Our community of young professionals, ages 20 to 40, are the future leaders of Amarillo. We enjoy unique experiences, grow professionally and personally, and make a difference in the community. Our members are involved in a wide variety of Amarillo’s business, civic and service endeavors. For more information or to join, visit elevateamarillo.org .

PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER A DATA BREACH

BY JANNA KIEHL

Recent news regarding compromised security and cyberattacks, both local and national, has some consumers wondering about the security of their personal information. In any security breach, the scammers may attempt to use the information they steal immediately. Occasionally, they may wait a period of time. But don’t wait to take measures now to protect your personal information, then continue monitoring it regularly. While you may not be responsible for charges you did not make, there are many ways your identity can be stolen. Cleaning up identity theft can be a long and burdensome process.

If you were affected or could have been affected by a data breach, you should have received a letter explaining what happened and what measures to take to protect your information. Read the letter carefully. Consider those suggestions as one way to protect your personally identifiable information (PII). By law, the company must provide you with this information, including monitoring of your credit, for a period of time.

But don’t let that be the only attention you give to the issue. The management and security of your personal information is your ongoing responsibility. Make sure you are doing all you can to keep your information safe. Take measures to secure your information on a regular basis—especially after you have been warned of a security breach.

Here are a few things you can do, proactively, to protect your good name:

• Check all your accounts and change passwords. Consider using a password authenticator app.

• Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, the only website authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to provide you with a free annual credit report. Review your credit report and make sure the information is complete and accurate. Whether or not you have been the victim of a data breach, you should check your credit reports annually.

• Be wary of direct ads, emails, phone calls and social media messages claiming to offer free credit reports.

• If you use a debit card, check your bank account frequently. Debit cards do not have the same protections as credit cards—debit

transactions withdraw funds directly from your bank account. Consider keeping only what you need for daily transactions in that account.

• If you are concerned about your debit card, ask your bank to issue a new debit card. Some banks and credit card companies will automatically issue new cards to affected customers in the event of a data breach.

• Consider putting a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit reports with the three major credit reporting agencies. A credit freeze will prevent anyone from accessing your credit report or scores. This means you cannot apply for new credit without lifting the freeze. A fraud alert flags your account but does not automatically halt new credit being opened in your name.

• Monitor your credit card account for charges. Make sure any charges were requested by you and that you have receipts to back them up. If you notice unusual activity, report it to your credit card company immediately. Keep receipts in case you need to prove which charges you authorized and which ones you did not. Don’t only look for large charges. Look for any unusual activity and any activity not authorized by you. In some cases, a charge may be only a dollar or two to detect whether the card works.

• Check with the website of the company that was breached for the latest information. Always type the company name directly into your browser. Do NOT click on a link from an email or social media message.

• Sign up for the free monitoring mentioned in a data breach notification letter.

• Don’t be fooled by phishing scams, and don’t click on unsolicited links. Unfortunately, scammers follow the news and attempt to gain from unfortunate circumstances. They may state they are from the retailer, your bank, or your credit card issuer, telling you your card was compromised and suggesting actions to “fix” the problem. Phishing emails may attempt to fool you into providing your credit card information or ask you to click on a link or open an attachment. This can download malware onto your computer.

If you feel your identity has been stolen, report it at ftc.gov or 877.IDTHEFT (877.438.4338). The online tool will walk you through the steps to protect your identity.

Spring cleaning should apply to your personal information as well as your home. ID theft can occur in many forms. Although recent news stories are talking about electronic breaches, ID theft can happen in several ways. Remember these additional tips.

Clean out your wallet/purse:

• Only carry and use credit cards you need. If you aren’t using a card, cancel it.

• Don’t sign your card write “check photo ID” on the signature line.

• Sign up for alerts from your credit card company to notify you of unusual activity.

Be careful with your mail:

• Place outgoing mail in a secure box.

• Pick up incoming mail as soon as possible.

• If you do not receive mail in a locked box, consider a post office box or central delivery into locked boxes.

Janna is

Pay attention to what you leave in your car:

• Check your glove box and other areas of your vehicle and remove personally identifiable documents.

• Lock your car and take personal items such as your purse or wallet with you when you leave it.

• If you cannot take personal items with you, keep them out of view.

Watch what you throw out:

• Shred all documents containing personal information.

• Remove your name from pre-approved credit card offers. Call 888-5OPTOUT; 888-567-8688.

REALTORS ®

Since the pandemic, the real estate market has been … complicated. Boom times and soaring prices. Supply chain disruptions and declining supply. Inflation. Interest rate changes. A lot of uncertainty at every level. This complexity has left a challenging environment for both buyers and sellers to navigate. That’s why working with a trusted REALTOR® is so critical. We’re honored to introduce readers to a few of the best in the business.

PICTURED FROM FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: TERESA FRANCO, BRETT SPALDING, LEONA GRUBBS, RYAN WHITE, CINDI BULLA, ANA HARRISON AND BRANDON DILLER ABOVE: SHAWN WALSH

Cindi Bulla Broker/ REALTOR®, GRI Realty Central Services

What skills are necessary to succeed as a REALTOR®? The most fundamental skill set cannot be taught. Our agents are passionate, engaged members of their communities and exceptional communicators who began earning trust among potential clients years before they began selling real estate. Those community bonds are then paired with principles of real estate brokerage to make the cost of our services a great investment. Unlike many professional services, REALTORS® must be a resource beyond our licensed authorities. We are not attorneys, but guide our clients on questions to ask theirs. The same applies to insurance, taxes, surveys, title, inspections and more. Our services are generally billable only when a transaction closes, but before and after every transaction, we work on relationships and hone our skills through constant education.

How does your team maintain its expertise? We adhere to rigorous continuing education standards, but each RCS agent also has what many consumers think of as “alphabet soup” at the end or our names. Those letters are specialized credentials signifying additional education and expertise. Most of our agents are C2EX certified, signifying peer-to-peer excellence. We also hold certifications in buyer agency, negotiating, pricing, military, senior and graduate REALTOR® Institute credentials.

How do you motivate your team and maintain a positive culture? A positive culture starts with positive people. When I started RCS, I intentionally focused on a small business model so I could hand-pick agents who shared my vision to be more than just transaction managers. As we have navigated the recent years of social and economic turmoil, we doubled down on support for one another and our communities. If you practice the Golden Rule and put others first, you will not only be happier, you will also be more prosperous.

How has your team’s marketing strategy changed post-pandemic? When the pandemic hit, we were in a good place technologically. We had already begun to embrace platforms like Zoom and remote notary services, which helped us to get right back to work. I was serving as the chair of Texas REALTORS® in 2020, so I was able to share best practices and our Governor’s plans for a safe return to work in real time with colleagues—not just at my office, but throughout the state.

What challenges has your team overcome this past year? The slowing markets of early 2023 brought both real and perceived challenges—all of which were real to our customers. We began to shorten our market analyses to one- and three-month windows to ensure we were on top of a softening market. This helped us guide our clients on offers and list prices even before we were all feeling the change. After interest rates doubled, we didn’t want to make it worse by suggesting that the economy and employment numbers had fallen off a cliff—because they had not. As we navigate back to a more historical, normal market for our area, that public trust in our approach is still vital.

What advice do you often share with local buyers? How about sellers? You have choices! Every real estate professional has a different business model, skill set and price. Interview us and make us earn your business. For buyers, that sign in the yard signifies that an agent represents the seller, not the buyer. You can use the agent whose name is on that sign but you don’t have to.

What changes do you foresee in the real estate market in 2024? Our clients will continue to become more sophisticated in their knowledge of real estate and their options as consumers. They will demand more from the professionals they hire. Technology will continue to evolve, with artificial intelligence providing both opportunities and threats. We will avail ourselves of those opportunities and work to protect ourselves and our clients from those threats.

4804 LEXINGTON SQUARE

806.322.4663

REALTYCENTRALAMARILLO.COM

Leslie Cunningham, Associate Broker Keller Williams Realty

Ihave an education background in banking and finance, and hardware and software sales, but in 2006, began realizing the importance of a sense of home for families and communities. I built homes for a few years, but found more fulfillment in representing buyers and sellers. I obtained my agent’s license in 2015 and my broker’s license in 2020.

Listening to and hearing your client is the most significant skill for a REALTOR®. We are entrusted with someone’s savings, where their children will go to school, and where memories will be made. Each client’s motivations are unique, and there are a lot of emotions in home buying and selling. My job is to bring calmness to this experience while acting as my client’s fiduciary.

I prioritize education. Our market center at Keller Williams offers professionally led educational opportunities on contracts and marketing trends. While driving, I listen to podcasts including Think Like a CEO by Gary Keller and Mel Robbins and Hey Amarillo

I joined Keller Williams—the largest global residential real estate company—to keep my business on track with the rapid growth of my business. Also, I’ve hired transaction coordination staff to provide my clients with better support. Referrals primarily drive my business, so I work hard to cultivate relationships.

The past year has brought significant challenges. In 2019, the median-priced home in Amarillo was $180,000 with a mortgage rate of 3.94 percent. This year, the median-priced Amarillo home has increased to $246,000, with a mortgage rate of 6.60 percent. This makes it difficult for families to take advantage of the equity in their homes, particularly when 80 percent of homeowners currently have a mortgage rate of 5 percent or less. They are hesitant to move up the property ladder.

Both buyers and sellers need a strong team, starting with an experienced agent who can guide them through the process. Buyers need to be pre-approved, preferably with a local lender. Sellers need to understand their motivation to sell, set timelines, be patient and price their home correctly. They also need to be realistic: Homes are now staying on the market at an average of 140 days. I expect a gradual decrease in mortgage interest rates this year, hopefully below 6 percent. Prices may soften, but won’t drop significantly due to limited inventory.

Staying informed is crucial. I send out daily/weekly market updates to buyers and sellers beforehand, so they know the pulse of a neighborhood before entering the market. I always suggest that buyers understand their finances and be flexible. For sellers, make repairs, and clean, clean, clean the property before listing.

Charli Rae Gause, REALTOR®, GRI, SRES Lyons Realty

What brought you to a career in real estate? Growing up, my commercial loan officer parents made seven-figure agriculture loans. I remember looking at maps and spending time riding around large farms with appraisers. I learned so much about lending! In college, I earned a graphic design degree, but have always been fascinated with architecture. My career began with design and marketing, and when the timing was right, I jumped into real estate.

What skills are necessary to succeed as a REALTOR®? Strong interpersonal skills are essential for understanding client needs and building trust. Adaptability and problem-solving skills are valuable for navigating the dynamic nature of real estate and overcoming challenges that may arise during transactions. You also need a solid understanding of market trends, property valuation and legal regulations to help clients make the best decision.

How do you maintain your expertise? In this industry, it’s vital to learn and adapt. Laws, contracts and the market are always changing. I take more continuing education credits than the state requires. It’s also important to surround yourself with a network of experts in different areas of the industry.

What challenges have you overcome this past year? After three years of a fast-paced market, last year’s shift back to the 2019 pace was notable. I saw it as an opportunity to prioritize tasks I hadn’t previously been able to address and take time to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of 2024.

What advice do you often share with local buyers? Stay patient and be adaptive. The “perfect” house doesn’t exist, but the best fit for you is out there. Look at how you and your family will be able to live and function in it. Viewing your home as a long-term investment helps you recognize its potential through a different lens.

How about sellers? Be realistic and price accordingly. We often see sellers overvaluing their home, but savvy buyers won’t look at it if it’s overpriced. Then, over time, frequent price reductions make buyers wonder what’s wrong with the property—even though it’s fine. Sellers who overprice net less at closing and stay on the market longer than if they would have priced at market value.

What changes do you foresee to the real estate market in 2024? Interest rates going up in 2023 helped slow the market down, but we are still dealing with a housing shortage. Homeowners who bought at lower interest rates are hesitant to list right now, which means fewer homes on the market. I expect slow, steady interest rate cuts, which are great for buyers and the market. The flip side is that, with a smaller inventory and higher demand, I wouldn’t be surprised if prices come up. Our housing market is strong and will continue to be strong.

Tia Van Ryn Legends Realty Group Regal Realtors

What brought you to a career in real estate? I began my career in 2012 in property management with JRK Property Holdings as their National Leasing Director, traveling around the country training leasing agents. But I wanted something where I could be home more with my husband and start a family. I got my license in 2016 and it has been the greatest decision I ever made! I have a passion for helping families find their forever home.

What skills are necessary to succeed as a REALTOR®? Communication is one of the utmost factors in being a REALTOR®. It is very important when choosing your REALTOR® to make sure they have extensive knowledge of the current market conditions and are able to understand your ultimate end goal. Knowing the city and its neighborhoods is crucial when helping clients understand where they want to buy or sell.

How do you maintain your expertise? As a REALTOR® we are required to do continuing education every two years. I also keep my brokers’ responsibility hours up to date to make sure I am aware of any changes with the Texas Real Estate Commission and to keep my team compliant. I have local mortgage lenders, title companies, insurance agents and home inspectors give trainings at our Monday meetings for my team and me.

How has your marketing strategy changed post-pandemic? Since the pandemic, many things have become virtual, which is great in a competitive market. I offer video tours, extensive photos, virtual walkthroughs and more for clients who are unable to attend an in-person showing or open house.

What challenges have you overcome this past year? This past year the market shifted quite a bit where we saw listings sit longer than we were anticipating. My team and I got creative and started hosting “MEGA” open houses during the week for anyone who couldn’t attend on weekends. I also tried unique advertising, such as billboards, commercials and wearing bright pink to make our listings and my team stand out.

What advice do you often share with local buyers? How about sellers? I ask buyers and sellers what their ultimate real estate goals are and try to set realistic expectations from there. I encourage buyers to get a pre-qualification letter before looking at any homes, narrow down their needs, and trust that with patience and my guidance the perfect house will come along as we search. My advice to sellers is that no house will sit on the market too long if it’s priced correctly. I run free comparative market analyses for each seller, showing them how to list their home for top dollar and give them a detailed net sheet of how much their proceeds will be at a certain list price—ensuring we are all on the same page.

What changes do you foresee in the real estate market in 2024? With interest rates decreasing and inventory picking up, I suspect we will see more buyers and possibly more multiple offers happening again. I don’t think we will see home prices dropping anytime soon. I believe the amount of homes being built and coming up for sale will continue to increase due to home prices going up significantly.

806.206.0078

Frances Frost

Rev Realty Group of Fathom Realty LLC

What brought you to a career in real estate? I have always loved looking at houses and architecture. After many Sundays at open houses and dreaming of being a real estate agent, I finally took the leap, took classes and passed the real estate exam on the first try. Thus began my career in real estate!

What skills are necessary to succeed as a REALTOR®? You have to be a self-starter. Being a REALTOR® means you are your own boss. Nobody is going to tell you what to do or when to work—you must have enough discipline to motivate yourself.

How do you maintain your expertise? I take the required continuing education courses to maintain my license, and also other courses for specific real estate designations. I read monthly periodicals and articles that keep me abreast of changes in the real estate industry, and attend classes both in-person and online. Staying a top-producing agent ensures that I’m getting continuous experience and maintaining negotiation skills, contract writing and more.

How has your marketing strategy changed post-pandemic? The pandemic changed the way we do business. I have become more visible online, both in marketing myself and the homes I sell. So much of being a real estate agent is being recognizable. I LOVE when somebody sees me and instantly knows who I am, either because they saw an ad, billboard, article I wrote, or even my wrapped car.

What challenges have you overcome this past year? In 2023, the real estate industry as a whole saw a decrease in sales. Trying to stay relevant and active was top of mind. Because I am very motivated, I was able to stay a top producer and sold 47 homes for a total of almost $9 million in sales.

What advice do you often share with local buyers? How about sellers?

My best advice for local buyers is to know what your “deal breakers” are. I want to find my clients the house they really want at the best price. Also, get an inspection! It might not catch everything, but it’s a good way to know exactly what repairs to negotiate or what needs to be taken care of immediately. For sellers, it’s important to realize that buyers aren’t overpaying for houses anymore. Those days are gone—for now, anyway. Sellers need to be realistic about buyers’ expectations. Make any noticeable repairs before putting a house on the market. First impressions are everything, so make sure it’s a good one!

What changes do you foresee in the real estate market in 2024?

I believe we’re about to see real estate sales increase, not only in residential, but also commercial properties. Interest rates are coming down, which will help buyers afford more for their money. With Amarillo’s industry growth, we’re going to see people moving in and new construction continuing. It’s going to be a great year to buy real estate, and I’m here to help anybody that is ready to buy or sell!

AKNEE REPLACEMENT FOR BEGINNERS

t the dawn of time, I played American football. Many a season. I loved every minute, and I would do it all again.

However, quite a few years later, I began feeling pain in my knees. “You probably have osteoarthritis,” my friends told me. “Ridiculous!” I replied. “How could I have arthritis? Old people have arthritis.”

Two things I had yet to understand: 1. Osteoarthritis can and does afflict young people, and 2. I wasn’t that young anyway.

The pain gradually worsened over time. One knee would hurt like crazy, then the other. Strangely, mercifully, I don’t remember both knees causing pain, at least in the extreme, at the same time. Equally curious was the active pain coming to a kind of abrupt end a couple of years ago.

When I tried to walk, however, my knees suddenly remembered their old grudge against me, and that pain was electrifying.

I reached out, on friends’ recommendations, to Amarillo Bone & Joint Clinic. A wonderful lady named Mindy told me that eventually I would need X-rays, and quite possibly knee replacement surgery. On both knees. Being the big chicken that I am, I asked if there was any way to avoid replacement surgery. She said she could give me injections that would postpone the inevitable, and before she could finish the sentence, I said, “Glad to hear it! Let’s do that!”

The subsequent X-rays proved what she had been telling me. No cartilage was left. “Bone on bone.” Sounded barbaric to me.

Still procrastinating (which is a very bad habit on every level, and I do not recommend it for others), I hobbled into my first appointment, smiling like someone who thought he had dodged a big bullet. But when a needle goes into one of your joints, the stark realization comes to you that you have dodged nothing.

My friend Mindy soothed me with her voice, patted my leg to distract me, and was as gentle as anyone could be, under the circumstances. Still, for two seconds I had vivid pictures in my head of the Spanish Inquisition. I was ready to confess everything when she said, “That’s it. You did really well!” The whole thing was over in seconds, but, you know, a coward dies many deaths.

I decided to take all the advice and set up a consult appointment with a surgeon, Dr. Toby Risko, who I already liked because I thought his name sounded like a gunfighter on the Westerns. When I met him, he was even better. Friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and no guns. He scheduled my surgery for Dec. 18.

This is where I again must sing the praises of my amazing superwoman wife, Danielle. She asked for the date over the Christmas holidays in order to be off work so she could help me rehab. She is, as they say, ALL that.

The surgery day was actually a little exciting. I was ready to make

progress on my disability and become mobile again. As I came out of the fog, someone told me they’d had some trouble waking me up, and I tried to say, “I like to sleep late,” but it came out, something like, “Blearptoslurpiniatz.”

Anesthetics can ruin a great joke.

Later that night, my brain decided I was going to actively participate in my own physical rehabilitation, and I got up to go to the bathroom without adult supervision. I crashed over my walker, my wife, and my bedpan. I landed on my tailbone.

All of this, of course, was against doctor’s orders. My new best friend Dr. Risko returned to repair the stitches I had torn loose, and cleaned the wound. I am sure he is a gracious, patient person. I have tested those graces myself.

The fall ensured that I would spend the next week at Vibra Rehab Center, where I am thankful they did not strap me down to the bed. I went to physical therapy until I could walk and perform daily tasks. The nurses, trainers and nutritionists at Vibra were stellar. I fell in love with all of them. (“Fell” might not be a good word, but you get the idea.) My Danielle brought a guitar and little P.A. system, and I played some Christmas music for friends, family and those beautiful people who took care of us during the holiday. It was a huge blessing.

I’d heard horror stories for years about the pain of knee surgery. “You will hurt for a month,” or “You may not be able to sleep for a couple of weeks.”

Thanks to Dr. Risko, robotics technology, and the constant upgrades in procedure, my pain level has never been above 2 (out of 10), and most of the time, negligible or zero. I know everyone is different, and my other knee—soon to be replaced—may be my problem child, but I can only hope and pray that if you are reading this and you need this kind of surgery, your results are as good as mine. I am so very grateful!

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF

Andy is an artist, singersongwriter, music producer and musician. In every issue, his column explores the parts of his life that don’t always make it into his songs, accompanied by his own illustration.

SAVE THE DATE

Seasons come and go. The longer we live, the more opportunities we have to grow. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.” Thankfully, March brings us spring and April supposedly provides us with rain showers to bring May flowers. Opportunities arise as long as we are willing to devote ourselves to the act of cultivating the path on which we travel.

Spring is a time of renewal after the dark and cold of winter. In education, spring is when many educators grapple with the decision of whether or not to apply for a promotion, transfer or seek an external career opportunity. The sports world looks forward to spring training. During a presidential election year like this one, political primaries pave the way for nominees to set their sights on winning in November. Spring is a time of preparation and optimism and planning for the future. Regardless of where you find yourself this time of year, I encourage you to keep pushing forward.

Hopefully, you’ll make intentional efforts about your next move. If so, try not to get lost in analysis paralysis. It’s wise to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of any decision, but don’t allow doubt to interfere with your passion or calling. Make a decision, then own it. Steer clear of thoughts about what would have been. Things may get tough, but live in the reality of the decision you made. We can’t live in the past or in an alternate version of reality. Accept that fact and continue pressing forward. Accept your choices, embrace introspection and use your knowledge as experience for whatever life throws your way. Sometimes you must be willing to bet on yourself.

I trust some of you accepted the challenge I posed in the January/ February 2024 issue to learn, grow and improve throughout this calendar year. If so, you may be well on your way to achieving personal or professional goals. Keep going!

If you’ve experienced a setback, you are in good company. Thomas Edison once wrote, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” If that isn’t enough to inspire you, surely learning from the greatest basketball player in history will help. Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is

WITH PATRICK MILLER

why I succeed.” Everyone has a purpose. Allow yourself grace as you discover how to use your skills to serve others. The consequences of inaction are too serious to risk wasting any of your potential.

When the time is right for you to take a leap of faith, you’ll know. Just dare to jump.

When the rubber meets the road, your faith must be larger than your fear. Walt Whitman said, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” Too often, dwelling on the past prevents us from evolving, which inevitably leads to complacency. In a conversation I once had with a great Episcopal priest, I was reminded of the power that comes from moving forward in peace with three simple words, “It is done.”

Negative past experiences do not have to determine future performance. Mistakes only cripple you if you refuse to learn from them. Your faith and resilience can lead you farther than you have previously ever known.

This can be a season of growth and exploration or one of complacency and conformity. Ultimately, the choice is yours. Your dreams were not designed to fill a void, but to achieve a purpose beyond yourself. Langston Hughes wrote, “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is like a brokenwinged bird that cannot fly.” Only you know whether or not your dream is worth chasing and only you can achieve it. When push comes to shove, will you sit still or will you dare to fly? Use this season to determine the answer for yourself. I know I will.

PATRICK MILLER

A passionate local educator, Past President and current executive officer of Amarillo Branch NAACP, Patrick writes in every issue about education, faith and forward momentum.

Why Willpower Doesn’t Work (and the Mindset Hack You Need)

Many of us grew up believing if we worked hard enough, then we could accomplish anything: Lose weight. Get out of debt. Build a dream business. Find a loving relationship. Set firmer boundaries. Be happy.

Drive Research reported in 2023 that 38 percent of people made New Year’s resolutions but only 9 percent of them stuck to them all year. Eighty percent of those resolutions were forgotten by February.

There is a reason why you struggle to change, feel stuck or lack the motivation to achieve your goals. It’s not because you’re a loser.

WILLPOWER ISN’T ENOUGH

In 2000, I woke up at 4:30 a.m. every day to work on my debut novel while I was home on maternity leave with my second child. I had a husband, 3-year old daughter and newborn son—plus a job, volunteer commitments, family and friends, but I was like a woman possessed trying to get that story into a book.

I did it, but I also became a hot mess years later because my willpower turned into won’t power. Forcing myself was no longer an option. It’s not just me. This is why you might:

• Keep having the same argument with someone.

• Get the same workplace evaluation every year.

• Make money then lose it.

• Keep dating (or marrying) the wrong person.

• Fear failure. Fear success. Lack motivation. Imposter Syndrome. There’s a smarter, more science-rooted way to succeed.

YAY, SCIENCE!

Mindset is your mental programming from the past, and it affects your relationships to everything: family, friends, coworkers, romance, career/business, finances, faith, health/fitness, hobbies, politics and more.

More than 1 billion nerve fibers make up your nervous system. It starts at the base of your neck and runs throughout your body, monitoring automatic functions like blinking, breathing and your heartbeat. Your nervous system records and remembers everything you’ve ever said and done—as well things said to you—and prefers familiarity. It wants to operate on autopilot. That’s why it overvalues your childhood programming on love, money or success. It resists changes—even good changes.

This skews it toward negative thoughts like:

I’m not good enough. I’m too young/old. I don’t have enough experience. I don’t know what to do. I don’t matter. I’m powerless. I’m bad.

The bigger the change, the more your nervous system resists. When you get stuck and can’t make headway, the obstacle is old programming. You need a reset.

MY MINDSET BACKSTORY

Here’s my loudest inner critic: I’m not good enough. Nobody ever said these words to me, but somewhere along the way, I learned to hustle for my self-worth. To prove myself with grades, awards, approval. That drive got me into a good college, and earned me promotions and

bonuses in the working world.

I believed if I wanted more, then I had to do more. Be more. It worked, until it didn’t.

The good news is everything is changeable. No matter what inner programming you grew up with, you can rewire your thoughts, behaviors and outcome. Mindset is everything. Here’s how to reset it:

GET CLEAR

What do you want? Be specific. Don’t just say, “To be more successful.”

Success means different things to everyone. It might be a million dollars in the bank. Or spending more time with family and friends. To travel the globe.

Since your brain prefers familiarity, it can be hard to articulate what you want. Try this: What do you not want? Make a list of your complaints. (Friends or family might be able to help with this.)

Once you have clarity, write it down. Describe your new, incredible life and how it would make you feel: Grateful? Happy? Proud? Confident? Secure? Joyful?

This is your WHY. It’s important. Return to your WHY often, especially when you want to quit.

GET STARTED

Change doesn’t happen overnight so taking aligned action is key. Overthinkers might be tempted to research first. Procrastinators may also struggle. These are old programs that keep you stuck. So take the first, ugly baby step. Then the next. Learn from others doing what you want to do. Watch videos, read books, join a group. Support is everywhere.

You don’t have to wait for fill in the blank to happen. Remember your WHY. Feel those feelings now. The more you tap into those positive emotions, the quicker you’ll rewire your mind toward your new identity.

GET COMFORTABLE WITH DISCOMFORT

Once you start to change, negative thoughts will bombard you. Expect mental resistance. Mistakes, detours and failures are all part of the process. Keep going. Get back on track when you fall off—because it will happen.

Find what calms you down and lifts your spirits: Walk with a friend, watch a funny sitcom, listen to music you love, garden, ride your bike, do yoga. Be creative.

What do you do if life happens and disrupts your well-made plans (March 2020, anyone)? Begin again.

Forget willpower. Mindset is the key to making your dreams come true.

MARCY MCKAY

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Save the Books

Every year brings new interior design trends, and one of the now-viral buzzwords taking over TikTok these days is referred to as “bookshelf wealth.” It highlights carefully curated shelves—including books, art, plants and other items—to reflect a person’s interests and character. These bookshelves are lived-in, not for show, and they contain beloved books. The “wealth” of the trend is that it means something.

This article isn’t a guide to #bookshelfwealth. But the trend got us thinking: If our culture values authentic home libraries and meaningful books, how do we protect them? We insure precious jewelry. We preserve valuable art. But what about books?

If you’re going to go to the trouble of curating a significant and expressive home library, how do you care for it?

To answer these questions, we spoke to two local experts on book preservation. Dallas Bell is the owner of Burrowing Owl Books, which stocks carefully considered new and used books within two locations in Amarillo and Canyon. Warren Stricker is an archivist and director of the Research Center at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, where he cares for some of the most precious books and documents in the history of this region.

Here are their suggestions for taking care of books.

Keep books upright on your shelves. Books are built for vertical placement rather than stacking, says Bell. “It’s important to stand them on shelves straight up and down, using bookends, as well,” she says. “This will keep the integrity of the paper and bookbinding and everything.” When books are stored horizontally for a long time, the weight of the paper can cause the spine to sag or become misshapen. “Gravity does what it’s supposed to do,” she says.

The Library of Congress recommends shelving books of similar size together. This allows each book to offer maximum support to its neighbors. But for especially heavy volumes that won’t fit properly on a shelf, flat storage might be necessary. “A lot of the time, it’s best to store [large books] flat rather than upright due to the weight of the text between covers and the stress on the binding,” Stricker adds.

Choose a stable environment. No TikTok-er is posting #bookshelfwealth videos from a dusty garage, and there’s a reason

for that. Avoid extremes, Bell says. Storage in attics, garages and basements will expose books to wild fluctuations in temperature and humidity. “Garages make them exceptionally dirty,” she adds. For books, “the ideal temperature is something you and I are comfortable in.”

Cool and dry conditions are best, Stricker says. “The dry part is not hard in this part of the country,” he adds. In fact, sometimes it can be a little too dry in the Panhandle. “What I worry about most is extreme lack of humidity. It does make books and glue brittle,” Bell says.

Exterior walls aren’t usually the best choices for home libraries due to fluctuating temperatures. Also consider proximity to heating and air-conditioning vents.

Avoid high-intensity light. Ultraviolet and bright sunlight can cause paper to deteriorate faster than normal. That means home libraries should be out of the sun and, preferably, away from fluorescent light. “You can put UV filtering on windows, but it’s easier to just make sure outside sunlight isn’t going directly on your items,” says Stricker at PPHM. At Burrowing Owl, most books are intentionally kept away from bright sunlight. “In front of windows, the light can cause fading of colors,” Bell says.

Both the bookshop and museum have been working to replace fluorescent lights with more protective LED lighting.

Keep books clean. When customers bring used but undamaged, high-quality books to Burrowing Owl to trade, Bell and her team give them a thorough cleaning. “These are books people are wanting to look brand-new,” Bell says. “Adhesive damages books. We remove all stickers that we can with gentle products that can take off adhesive. We will wipe them down with a soft cloth.” Never use water, she says. “Even for a leather book cover, don’t use leather oil or dressing. Just use a soft towel.”

Make sure to wipe down both the cover and the edges.

Protect the pages. Both Bell and Stricker are aghast at readers who dog-ear book pages rather than using a bookmark. It’s obvious: folding pages damages the paper. “Caring for items is just using good common sense,” Stricker says.

Rubber bands, paperclips and sticky notes also cause damage. Bell points out that even low-tack Post-It notes have an amount of

acid in them that can discolor or damage paper over time. “Whatever you have on hand, all of that is better than anything adhesive.”

Un-shelf properly. With hardcover books, it’s tempting to hook a finger onto the top of a spine in order to tilt a book out from a shelf. Over the years, however, that repetitive motion can cause the spine to detach. Instead, push back the two books on either side of the book you’re after, then grasp and pull the central book off the shelf. This is especially important with older, more fragile books.

Consider the type of shelving. At PPHM, historical documents and bound books are largely stored on metal shelving. “Wood shelving is obviously commonly used in homes and libraries, but generally it’s not the best material for shelving because of the acidity of the wood or chemicals used in finishing,” Stricker says. “These can give off gases over time that can be harmful to a book.”

Of course, he realizes metal shelving isn’t the most attractive option for a home bookcase—and, for what it’s worth, most homeowners aren’t storing artifacts like Col. Charles Goodnight’s 19th-century account ledger.

Use a phase box. The museum places particularly valuable or fragile books into a protective enclosure called a phase box. These are usually made from acid-free cardboard and protect the book from dust and other pollutants. “It’s a method of storage developed over time,” Stricker says. “They form an enclosure for the book, can hold a loose cover in place and protect it from light.” While these are most often used by libraries and archivists, it’s not uncommon to use them for collections at home.

Stricker has been caring professionally for books and documents for more than three decades. Bell has been buying used books at garage and estate sales from here to Nevada. Both love the idea of carefully curated home libraries, but also recognize it can become overwhelming. “You have to manage your books and not let them manage you,” Bell says. “It’s a constant labor of love.”

Books We Love

Brick & Elm co-founders Michele McAffrey and Jason Boyett are both avid readers and book collectors. Here are a few that sit prominently on their shelves:

Michele McAffrey

• The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe series (C.S. Lewis): I have had my boxed set of the series since elementary school. I’ve read it multiple times, always recalling the comforting sound of my sixth grade English teacher’s voice as she read it to us. I imagined Turkish delight had to be the very best treat ever—until I tasted it as an adult (it’s gross!).

• East of Eden (John Steinbeck): I read a borrowed copy of the classic in my young twenties, until my husband purchased a gorgeous leather edition for me. I still think about Steinbeck’s biblical parallels, particularly humanbeings’ struggles with jealousy and guilt.

• Tales of the City (Armistead Maupin): My good friend Chip Chandler introduced me to Maupin. Once you meet the cast of characters, you’ll grow to love them, and you’ll miss them when you’ve finished the novel. I found myself wondering how everyone was doing afterwards, even knowing it was fiction. I loved it that much.

• Fates and Furies (Lauren Groff): This book isn’t for everyone. It explores the 24-year relationship and marriage of Lotto and Mathilde, and the exquisite lines “more than the highlights, the bright events, it was in the small and the daily where she’d found life. These silent intimacies made their marriage” resonated with me. Marriage and intimacy are built on the simple things we share with our spouse. I think of it often.

Jason Boyett

• A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving): My wife and I both read this novel in the mid-1990s, early in our marriage, and were so moved by the story that we named our son Owen.

• Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry): I first read it in high school. I’ve read it three times since, including once during a travel season in Europe. I’ll likely read it again. And again.

• A River Runs Through It and Other Stories (Norman Maclean): “I am haunted by waters.” Ours is a fly-fishing family, and my dad and I talked about the fly-fishing Maclean family all the time.

• Stories of Your Life and Others (Ted Chiang): This novella inspired the film Arrival, and its reflection on life and death and language is one I think of on a regular basis.

• The Passage Trilogy (Justin Cronin): At the height of Twilight mania, this series by a Texas writer completely redefined the vampire genre with a sprawling, provocative post-apocalyptic epic.

• Wisdom Hunter (Randall Arthur): A mostly obscure bit of religious fiction I read as a college student, and it ended up being personally transformative. I’m still on the surprising journey this book launched.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: NWTHS' FOUNDATION ON COULTER STREET; CLARENDON COLLEGE POSTCARD, EARLY 1900S; AN EARLY BOYS RANCH RODEO COMPETITOR

Boom Town: 1924-2024

Boom Town:

Key Amarillo institutions celebrate milestone anniversaries

Amarillo boomed in the first half of the 20th century. Starting in the early 1920s, the discoveries of helium, oil and natural gas in the Texas Panhandle brought a surge of social, economic and educational activity. Life in and around the city would never be the same.

Historian Paul H. Carlson chronicled that period in his book Amarillo: The Story of a Western Town. “Madness followed,” he writes about that long-ago petroleum boom. “New housing subdivisions opened. New businesses appeared, and older ones grew larger. The country club expanded. Job opportunities increased. The population increased. Bank deposits increased. Wealth proliferated. Amarillo became an exciting place.”

The population would triple over the next decade. Oil money gave the city a legitimate downtown skyline. And thanks to that “madness” a century ago, the coming years will mean acknowledging dozens of major milestone anniversaries. Many organizations are celebrating 100 years, and trace their origins to the 1920s. Last fall, we celebrated the 100th birthdays of the Tri-State Fair and Amarillo Symphony. This year, we’re observing the 100th anniversaries of organizations like the United Way, the Amarillo Children’s Home and Northwest Texas Hospital. Other organizations, like Boys Ranch (80 years) and Clarendon College (125 years) observe milestones that reflect the early ambitions of the region.

According to the old Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” Did local leaders think 80, 90 or 100 years into the future when they launched these ideas? Possibly so. Probably not. But the cluster of anniversaries in the present moment testifies to their vision, to the resilience of the city, and to the optimism present during a period of rapid growth.

Amarillo Children’s Home

Amarillo Children’s Home

100 years of support for kids in need

By MEAGHAN COLLIER

“You hear the word calling a lot,” John Forbis says. “People who come to work at Amarillo Children’s Home are answering a call, and we feel this is a call from the Lord.”

When Forbis, the executive director, speaks about the organization’s mission, his passion is evident. He believes that for the past 100 years, children at their height of need have found restoration on the grounds and within the walls of ACH.

“As a Christian organization, we believe that Jesus Christ came to restore what was created—to restore lives, to redeem lives,” Forbis shares. “I believe that as a follower of Jesus Christ, I’m in that redemption. That was what was done for me. So, now, we can do the same thing. We see these kids and what they’ve gone through and what they’ve endured. It’s traumatic; it’s tough. What the Lord did for me, we get to enter in and do for a kid.”

That philosophy is why Forbis is a passionate foster parent in his own home, and it’s why he began his journey with Amarillo Children’s Home as executive director last year.

ACH’s journey to restoration began in 1923 when Dr. R. Thomsen, a minister at what became First Presbyterian Church in Amarillo, met friends for coffee at the Amarillo Hotel. The men noticed three crying children standing outside. They were orphans, hungry and in need of clean clothing and shelter. Immediately, the group of men helped the children, but Dr. Thomsen went a step further to remedy the problem that so impacted him. On March 1, 1924, he opened the Presbyterian Home for Children. It was the first iteration of ACH and was built as a dormitory-style home. In the late 1940s, land was purchased from Charles Wolflin to build the current version at 34th and Bowie Streets—several cottagestyle homes meant to offer a more familial experience for the children.

“The kids moved from that single-site location, and they started hiring house moms,” Forbis says. “That was very forward thinking at the time, and that, to me, resonated. Having had foster kids in our home, it’s just so important to their restoration to have a safe home environment, a mom, dad and siblings. The home is such a special place.”

Many years later, in 2007, the Pickens Cottage was built on the campus to house its Transitional Living Concepts program, which gives foster youth ages 16 and older the skills needed to successfully

transition and thrive in adulthood.

Today, ACH is made up of seven homes and serves children from ages 5 to 22. The average stay is just short of 17 months, and the average age of residents is 14. ACH focuses on serving older teenagers and sibling groups who are harder to place in the foster care system. The staff serves about 50 children in a year. That number has decreased in the past several years because of sweeping changes to how and when state agencies can remove vulnerable kids from their homes and place them into the foster care system.

Many Texas lawmakers championed legislation that focuses on keeping kids with their families when possible, pointing to the trauma that comes with entering the system. “What that means is there are fewer kids in care, but we are working with kids that are at a higher level of trauma,” Forbis explains. “We need to adjust what we are doing to care for these kids with higherlevel needs.”

Those needs are massive. He says children arrive with a host of experiential baggage—from human trafficking to abuse and neglect. Forbis understands the urgency of his job: Some children arrive at ACH with only a few months left before they age out of the system, and are in desperate need of a more sustainable and supportive path as they transition into adulthood.

“It’s a pretty big jump for a kid to age out of care and go out on their own,” Forbis says. “There are some new programs that provide a phased approach to care as children age out

roommates and a mentor. They can live in a setting like that and work through some processes, and we can support them and help them out along the way.”

Consider one current ACH resident, a high school student who became homeless after being kicked out of her adopted father’s house. (Brick & Elm is withholding her name to protect her identity.) She moved into a friend’s house. Then she stayed with a teacher. She ended up in a motel before ACH came to the rescue.

“I’m 18, so I’m considered too old for foster care, but I’m still in high school,” she says. “I just want to be able to go to school and not worry about where I’m going to sleep.” She plans to attend Amarillo College to get certified as a phlebotomist, and hopes to work in a hospital setting. But first she needs to graduate high school, and the instability of homelessness makes that incredibly difficult.

For her, ACH has offered exactly what was intended 100 years ago—a restorative, safe place for a child to thrive. She has now lived there for several months. “I have learned so much about friendship and feeling safe,” she continues. “I can concentrate on school and work because I’m not worried about where I’m going to sleep or how I’m going to eat. I’ve learned not everyone in life is going to hurt you. I’ve learned asking for help doesn’t make me weak. I’ve learned being myself is not only OK, it’s what I’m meant to do. I’m learning more about who I am, and I’m becoming more authentically me.”

Forbis recalls story after story—little victories—of residents having life-changing experiences during and after leaving the care of ACH. One went into the military, returned to Amarillo to become a successful professional, and is now a part of ACH’s

AMARILLO CHILDREN'S HOME OPENED MARCH 1, 1924

vision for the future. A group of siblings was reunited right before Christmas so they could be together in a single home. One teen moved in right before the holidays, went bowling with her house family and joyfully told Forbis this was the best Christmas she’d ever had.

Those stories and more are being shared and celebrated at the annual Roots & Wings fundraising banquet in early March, where attendees at this centennial celebration will hear stories from 100 years of restoration. In addition to financial support, Forbis says ACH is always looking for house parents.

“I’m constantly talking with people that have had some kind of involvement with us over the decades, whether they grew up in the neighborhood next door and came over in the 1960s and played with our kids on the trampoline or rode bikes with the kids,” he says. That involvement is citywide. For instance, Amarillo High School has operated a food drive for ACH for 90 years, even though most ACH residents attend Tascosa. “They still support us,” Forbis says.

Many local families have donated through generations. “I love that the community, as a whole, has really invested in our kids and our mission,” he says. “It has looked different, but it’s decades of our community seeing a need and stepping in to help kids in whatever form that looked like.”

ACH By the Numbers

In one year of caring for its residents, the Amarillo Children’s Home goes through*:

1,005 gallons of milk

682 boxes of cereal

11,325 gallons of gas

3,884 hours in carpool

431 tubes of toothpaste

4,485 rolls of toilet paper

1,399 hours of therapy

789 doctor appointments

*estimates provided by ACH

COTTAGE PHOTOS BY RALPH DUKE

United We Stand: United We Stand: The United Way Celebrates a Century of Local Service

By WES REEVES

Among the top headlines in the summer of 1924, the story of a live newborn found swaddled in a rag and left in a bucket near St. Anthony’s Sanitarium was hard to miss. For Amarilloans accustomed to a daily diet of positive news about the future of their city, this must have been mystifying.

This was, after all, the Amarillo of possibilities—a rapidly growing city gaining thousands of new inhabitants lured by jobs and opportunity in the wake of an oil boom. But in this crowded field of ambition and optimism, a mother felt compelled to leave her newborn in a bucket, in hopes that someone would give her baby a better life than what she could provide. The aspiring metropolis, it turned out, was not immune to the desperation that seems to hide in the folds of plenty.

It’s unknown how life turned out for the abandoned baby, other than that the infant boy was expected to live. But another local news story later in the same year would be updated again and again. And as they say in the news business, the story still has “legs.” As summer turned to fall in 1924, a united effort to advocate for society’s most vulnerable in a more meaningful way resulted in the formation of the Amarillo Community Chest—what we know today as the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon.

Now in its centennial year, the United Way’s job still isn’t done as society continues to change and its deficiencies evolve with it. United Way changes, too, but the strong attributes that have kept it going through the Depression, wars, economic upheaval and a worldwide pandemic have remained remarkably the same for 100 years.

The Common Good

Mary Coyne is a marketing and advertising professional serving on the Executive Board of the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon. She began volunteering with United Way early in her career. With a perspective of more than 40 years of the United Way’s century of service in Amarillo and Canyon, she believes the organization has survived and thrived by staying true to a simple core mission.

“Our board has spent some time thinking about why the United Way was started

100 years ago and what has carried us through,” says Coyne. “We’ve had some good discussions around what we perceive to be the ‘essence’ of the United Way, and we came up with this statement: We gather community resources to advance the common good. The thread woven through all these years is the understanding that it’s imperative we help one another. As it turns out, people here have always been really good at that.”

Coyne’s marketing career started with The First National Bank of Amarillo, a business guided for decades by some of the area’s leading professionals. While small and individual efforts and giving the “fair share” are foundational in the United Way’s giving strategy, business leaders and corporate support have long been a guiding force behind United Way. And much of the heavy lifting is often done by young careerists with an eye on moving up in the corporate ranks after proving their mettle on a United Way campaign.

Not long into her job at First National, in the early 1980s, Coyne joined the United Way Campaign Cabinet. Like many other young professionals, she began United Way service as a loaned executive, sanctioned by her employer to take leave from the office to help plan and execute the annual United Way campaign. This program is a hallmark of how United Way navigates the rigorous fall weeks when rallies and events crowd the business and social calendar.

“We have literally hundreds of people still in this business community who have participated in that program,” Coyne says. “Typically we’ve taken the group offsite for a couple of days and really helped them understand what’s special about the United Way, how we can help them help the community and just fall in love with the United Way and the work that we do to make the community better. It’s been a national benchmark for how United Ways should do this.”

Serious Work, Serious Fun

In the earliest years of the nation’s unified fundraising movement, ministers, rabbis and social workers organized community solicitations. By the time Community Chests were being organized in the first two decades of the 20th century, the business community had been firmly engaged. It was the Board of City Development, the

PROVIDED PHOTOS

predecessor of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, that helped launch the first Community Chest campaign locally in December 1924 with a $25,000 goal, a dollar figure almost equal to the number of people who called Amarillo home at that time.

Amarillo’s Community Chest was organized strictly as a fundraising effort, with the stated aim of making solicitation more efficient for all involved. An ad in the Dec. 7, 1924, Amarillo Globe stated that “the Community Chest plan makes for better social work, as the workers and executives of the agencies can put their time in on service, instead of money raising.”

Press updates on that first campaign’s progress read like field reports from the battlefield. It was practically a door-to-door effort with teams of Community Chest volunteers fanning out into various quadrants of the city to collect cash or pledges. As the drive neared the end of December, bad weather slowed progress. It wasn’t until early 1925 that the first campaign wrapped.

Coyne contrasts those early efforts with contemporary campaigns by pointing out that the element of fun was eventually added into the serious work of enticing businesses and individuals to donate money for vital social services in the area.

“Over the years I’ve seen some of the most creative things happen within companies around the United Way campaign just to get people to focus on the United Way, what we do, and have some fun in the meantime,” Coyne says. “And that is such an important part of so many companies’ cultures.”

Adam Leathers, senior director of community impact at United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, says United Way encourages campaign leaders to get people engaged in whatever way they can, especially in a postpandemic world where traditional office rallies may not effectively reach workers on hybrid work schedules.

United Way is also placing more emphasis on smaller businesses and their employees, hoping to tap into a pool of potential new donors.

“We’re refocusing to engage smaller businesses a lot more than we have in the past,” Leathers says. “We’ve had all those major partners—Pantex, Tyson, Xcel Energy—that are still faithful, but right now we’re looking at some of these smaller- to medium-size businesses just to develop a good relationship with them.”

This continual retooling has been critical in keeping United Way relevant and, at certain times over the past 100 years, solvent. After that first fledgling effort in 1924, Community Chest perfected its process just in time to be tested in ways never before imagined.

Enduring Turbulence

The onset of the Great Depression was slightly delayed in Amarillo, but by 1931, the value of commodities produced in the Panhandle had dropped precipitously and more Amarilloans were falling on hard times. Growing food insecurity led Community Chest to procure a 5,000-bushel wheat bin for donated grain that was ground into flour and distributed to poverty-stricken families. If it weren’t already bad enough for the city’s vulnerable and the agencies tending to them, Community Chest itself almost went under. A supplemental fund drive had to be organized just to keep the organization afloat. Community Chest rebounded during the years of World War II, and its ongoing success tracked with Amarillo’s phenomenal growth in the 1950s. The organization was rebranded as the United Fund of Amarillo in 1957, and played a pivotal role in nurturing other agencies that were being established to address evolving needs in the community.

“We’re trying to tailor giving opportunities to the individual businesses and individual people, so there’s a wider variety of events for them to sponsor based on what they’re interested in,” he says. “We’re putting out a lot more events this year to really let people give in the way that works for them.”

Amarillo’s growth was severely stunted in the 1960s with the gradual closure of the Amarillo Air Force Base, a significant source of donations for the United Fund. The 1966 campaign fell short of its goal, forcing the United Fund to lower expectations by more than $25,000 the following year.

Operating under the name United Good Neighbors Fund in the latter part of the decade, the organization doubled down, adding new donors and boosting per capita giving. The final tally of the 1969 campaign—the first without the air base—was more than $16,000 above goal. It was higher than the total raised when the air base was at full capacity.

In 1971, the United Fund emerged from this turbulent era with yet another new name—the United Way. At its 50-year mark in 1974, the United Way became a service provider itself in a move that continues

2023-2024 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS (L-R): LAURA STORRS, DEAN FRIGO, JEREMY PEPPER, STEVE STOCKTON, BILLY MAY, PRESIDENT LESLIE MASSEY, KILEY MURRAY, DANE WILLIAMS, MARY COYNE, JUDY DAY, AND MARY EMENY

to prove the organization’s relevancy to the present time.

In 1973, a community study backed by the Junior League of Amarillo revealed a breakdown between available community resources and the information needed to access them. United Way received grant funding to create an information and referral service, and in 1975 hired noted social worker Frances Powell to run the program. Powell took calls at the United Way office on Line Avenue and used note cards to track needs and resources. This service became known as the United Way Helpline. In 2005, it became part of the Texas 2-1-1 referral system.

Janell Menahem is the current director of Texas Panhandle 2-1-1/ United Way Helpline, an agency of the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon. Through the 2-1-1 system, her team operates a Texas 2-1-1 Area Information Center, or AIC, that covers the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. Menahem says 2-1-1 agents not only match resources to the callers’ needs but also work to educate them on ways to stop the “domino effect” of predicaments that exasperate the desperation in their voices.

“If Mom is living paycheck to paycheck and she’s spent all the money on bills and gets paid every other week, and they walk out and there’s a flat tire, they don’t have money to pay for that flat tire,” Menahem explains. “They don’t have a way to get the flat tire to the place to get the flat tire fixed. And now Mom can’t get to work, can’t get the kids to school, so the kids miss over a week of school so that’s going to put the child behind as well as not being able to feed them because they’re probably on free lunch at school—that’s how they eat.”

Serving ALICE

This litany of troubles is becoming more common, Menahem says, and affects more people who aren’t typically considered impoverished. United Way places callers, such as the mom with the flat tire, in what it calls the ALICE demographic—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

In his role as the director of community impact, Leathers believes it’s imperative that the community recognizes the struggles of this often overlooked group to keep them from falling into poverty, and his team is doing everything they can to raise awareness.

“These are folks who live above the poverty line, so it means they typically don’t qualify for much governmental assistance,” Leathers says. “But they live beneath the cost of living—what it takes to make ends meet.”

Those caught in the ALICE demographic try to work their way out on their own, but if they take a second job or ask for more hours, they could lose what little assistance they receive, Leathers says. Every choice can lead to more struggle.

But for Leathers, Menahem and others working on strategies to help these clients, ALICE represents another unique moment in time when a rising tide of challenges can be met with a unified community effort to do more than just address immediate needs.

Coyne sees the United Way’s purpose as facilitating and supporting efforts that help people advance in life—to thrive and not just survive. The organization carries out this mission through programs such as 2-1-1 and, as it has for 100 years, by raising funds for the work of community partners that are united in their efforts to remove the barriers that prevent people from advancing. The United Way’s focus for its centennial year, Coyne says, is to build an even broader base of donors to help fund this work.

“I want a better community, and I think we all do,” Coyne says. “I just personally find the United Way and its focus and the way it does business is the best way to help the community because it takes all of us, living United.”

PHOTOS BY RALPH DUKE

PHOTOS OF PAST BOARD PRESIDENTS LINE THE HALLS OF THE UNITED WAY'S OFFICE

UNITED WAY STAFF (L-R): ADAM LEATHERS, AMY MONTOYA, JANELL MENAHEM, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KILEY MURRAY, JACKIE MIKESKA AND JASON MCCOY

WRITER WES REEVES (RIGHT) INTERVIEWS UNITED WAY'S ADAM LEATHERS AND JANELL MENAHEM AND BOARD MEMBER MARY COYNE.

A Century of Care: A Century of Care: Northwest Texas Hospital Celebrates 100 Years

By JONATHAN BAKER

If you grew up in Amarillo and you’re less than a century old, there’s a strong chance you were born at Northwest Texas Hospital. Now officially known as Northwest Texas Healthcare System, the facility has been, for decades, a stalwart companion in times of trouble and times of joy for hundreds of thousands of Panhandle residents—and those farther afield.

Nowadays, Amarilloans think of Northwest as a healthcare behemoth—one of the two big hospitals that dominate the Medipark area of town. And the 500-bed hospital is certainly imposing, offering numerous services, from orthopedics and respiratory care to emergency services, stroke services and a sleep disorders center. There’s even a children’s hospital.

However, this massive health complex—now such a fixture of the Amarillo landscape—started small. And it hasn’t stopped growing for a hundred years.

Humble Beginnings

as president of the Potter County Hospital Board. The facility officially opened on March 22, 1924, as a community hospital for the citizens of Potter County. Patients were charged $6 per day for a room with a private bath, $4 for a double room, and $2 a day for a ward bed.

For patients who were too poor to pay, Potter County and the City of Amarillo would cover the two dollars to provide beds, medical services and food to these “pauper patients.” To this day, Northwest has maintained its dedication to treating all who need care, including those who are homeless or indigent. Dr. Pablo Diaz-Esquivel retired last month after working as an ob/gyn at Northwest for 45 years, while also serving for a time as president of the medical staff. “This hospital takes care of everybody: the rich, the poor, everybody,” he says. “I have [so much] respect for Northwest’s tradition of excellent care for patients.”

A century ago this month, in March 1924, Northwest Texas Hospital opened its doors as the first public medical facility in Amarillo. (St. Anthony’s Hospital, a private facility, opened in 1901.) Given how much the city was growing, it’s clear that Amarillo needed a public hospital—and Amarillo was definitely booming, largely as a result of oil being discovered in the Panhandle during the 1920s. At the beginning of the decade, the Yellow City held a little more than 15,000 residents; by 1930 the population would almost triple, swelling to more than 43,000.

The original hospital was located between West Sixth and Seventh Avenues, a little more than a mile from downtown. That stark brown and white building, built in the Gothic Revival style with pointed turrets on top, held 75 beds. (If you’re too young to remember when Northwest Texas hospital was located on Seventh Avenue, you might know the building better as “The Canyons,” a low-income retirement community that closed in recent years. The building now holds private apartments.)

The new hospital was the product of a meeting held at the office of B.T. Ware of Amarillo National Bank, who also served

In those early days, the hospital hired a few registered nurses to work temporarily until the student nurses of the Northwest Texas School of Nursing—a cadre of dedicated healers engaged in learning at the nascent hospital— could take over. There was also, in that first year, a single pathologist and radiologist for the hospital— Dr. Walter Van Sweringen—plus a single employee to run the drugstore and answer phone calls.

Expanding Care

From that modest beginning, the hospital would continue to grow inexorably throughout the next century. In 1940, a 75-bed addition was

built onto the hospital; the new wing was a project of FDR’s Public Works Administration program. Then in the 1950s, as the U.S. experienced a baby boom and widespread postwar prosperity, Amarillo continued to explode. During that decade, the city’s population grew by 84 percent, necessitating a need for more hospital beds. Further expansions in 1952 and 1960 grew Northwest’s facility to hold 275 beds.

More importantly, in 1958, Texas citizens voted to approve an amendment to the state constitution that would allow for municipalities to create citywide hospital districts. In 1959, Amarillo voters responded, voting overwhelmingly in favor of creating the first citywide hospital district in the history of the Lone Star State. The Amarillo Hospital District then took over the obligation of managing Northwest Texas Hospital. That same citywide initiative tasked the Hospital District with the care of Amarillo’s indigent patients.

After the creation of the Hospital District, Northwest continued to expand, staying abreast of medical developments and the needs of Amarillo’s citizenry. The 1960s and ’70s saw the completion of a new surgical recovery unit, an intensive care unit, a NICU facility, a cancer treatment unit and an extended care facility. Notably, in 1967, Northwest opened the new Psychiatric Pavilion, an acute mentalhealth facility with 20 beds. Now commonly known simply as The Pavilion, the 90-bed facility represents the only behavioral health hospital within a 250-mile radius of Amarillo. It serves residents from Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Colorado.

The Big Move

Despite these celebrated improvements, by the 1970s it was becoming increasingly clear to district officials that Northwest’s location was simply not large enough to care for the needs of a growing city. So, in 1982, Northwest Texas Hospital moved to its new location on Coulter Street. And make no mistake: the move was a massive undertaking. Just to name one example, the neonatal unit had to move infants from one facility to the other, a few at a time—babies who required a great deal

of life-preserving technology to go along with them. Expert nurses were stationed at both locations—as well as some who cared for the infants in transit—to ensure the safety of these tiny lives. Bonnie Baker was hired at Northwest in 1957 and spent four decades at the hospital, in a number of roles. “[The move] was a whirlwind,” she remembers. “We had to do stuff so fast it was unbelievable.”

The move’s difficulties weren’t limited to learning the ins and outs of a new location, though. At the new hospital, nurses, doctors, administrators and other staff had to adapt to a new state-of-the-art computer system and a new phone system. “Everything was handwritten before the move,” Baker recalls.

In all, there were 13 new systems at the facility that everyone had to learn to navigate—and quickly, as mistakes might literally be a matter of life and death. Kaye Cole, who worked in patient financial services at NWTHS from 1978 to 2017, remembers vividly the difficulties of the transition. “Back in the old days, everything was manual. That was a heck of an adjustment for all of us. Nobody knew how to use the computers,” she says. Amazingly, there were no major glitches or mistakes in those early days at the new location—a testament to the dedication and expertise of the Northwest staff.

Dr. Diaz-Esquivel played a particularly notable role in the move. “When they built the new hospital, we all were anxious to come to the new facility,” he recalls. He spent that first morning delivering a baby at the old hospital, and the mother needed a small, post-delivery procedure after moving into recovery at the new one. “So, I did a very simple surgery, and it was the first surgery done at the new facility in 1982.”

Maintaining Excellence

In the 42 years since the move to the western edge of town, Northwest has continued its decades-long dedication to providing the highest level of quality care with compassion and integrity. In 1996, the hospital went corporate after being purchased by Universal Health Services, Inc. Staff who were employed by the hospital at the time were quick to note that the quality of care and the level of compassion didn’t drop even a little bit after the sale.

In the intervening four decades, many improvements have garnered statewide and even national attention. In 1994, a top-notch new emergency room and critical care room opened. The medical air transportation service LifeStar joined the NWTHS team in 1998, and in 1999 the hospital was designated a Level III Trauma Center. In 2023, that designation was raised to Level II, meaning the facility is able to provide trauma patients with 24-hour immediate coverage by

PROVIDED PHOTOS

general surgeons and a host of other specialists.

Meanwhile, the hospital continued to stay at the forefront of technological innovations. In 2003, the stateof-the-art Children’s Hospital and Heart Hospital opened to great fanfare. And in 2016, the hospital became the first in the state of Texas to boast a da Vinci surgical system, a high-tech robotic surgical system that uses a minimally invasive approach.

A Legacy Of Community

Today, the staff and administration of Northwest say they’re confident that the hospital will continue to serve as a beacon of hope in the Amarillo community for another century and beyond. After all, the institution is built on a bedrock of benevolence and charity. “I was so blessed to have spent my life at that place,” Cole says. “I just feel so lucky. I’ve had wonderful bosses. I can’t think of a single one that I didn’t like. We had smart people from all over the nation surrounding us.”

Charlyn Snow retired 10 years ago after working at the hospital for more than 30 years. “You don’t stay that long if you don’t like it,” she says with a laugh. “I know lots of people who were there for a very, very long time. People were always really close. Good friends, comrades, working as a team, meeting for dinner in the cafeteria … we call it the Northwest family.”

Dr. Diaz-Esquivel agrees: “There has always been an emphasis on compassion. An emphasis on patient care. An emphasis on [providing] all patients with the best care, and the best staff, who do everything possible to serve the citizens of the Panhandle of Texas.”

Long Focus: 95 Years of Broome OpticaL

By JASON BOYETT

Two years after the Fisk Building was completed in downtown Amarillo, local optician Ed Broome started an optical business on its second floor. Broome Optical joined several other medical offices in the historic building at 724 S. Polk St.

Most of those early tenants and medical practices have been lost to time—the Fisk Building itself is now a Courtyard Marriott—but Broome Optical still exists, and celebrates its 95th birthday in 2024.

For Rick Blankenship, Broome’s director of operations since 1999, Broome Optical is a third-generation family business. Ed Broome was Blankenship’s great uncle. “My father, Gary Blankenship, went to work for him in 1940,” Rick says. The elder Blankenship left Amarillo to fight in World War II, then returned to the company in 1945 as an optician.

In 1956, Gary Blankenship and optometrist Jess Ghormley partnered to purchase the company from Ed. They were joined a few years later by Dr. Dean Beddow, who retired in 2021 after more than a half century in eyecare.

Rick Blankenship, now 70, first joined the family business at age 14, grinding lenses in the Fisk Building lab during the summer months.

Broome Optical eventually opened a second location in Wolflin Village. As businesses began to leave downtown, however, Broome built its current location on Olsen in 1978, consolidating the Fisk and Wolflin VIllage operations into one.

Today, the company is owned by five partners with eight optometrists and 40 employees serving patients—some of whom have been going to Broome for decades. “This company’s been good to our family for generations,” says Rick, who returned to Broome in 1999 after his own career in the optical business.

He recognizes companies like Broome Optical are increasingly rare. Most small businesses don’t last even a few decades before being bought out, or changing names, or even closing their doors for good. Ninety-five years of business under the same name is an incredible milestone.

“We’ve been approached numerous times to be purchased by private equity firms that want to come in and realign and change the name,” Rick says. “Our doctors have been wise in saying, ‘thanks, but no thanks.’ The optometrists that have come through here are local people that weren’t as interested in making a ton of money as in taking good care of our patients. That has held true all these years.”

Maverick Club and Boys Ranch adapt as they age Maverick Club and Boys Ranch

By JON MARK BEILUE

When Cal Farley got an idea in his head, a cup of coffee in his hand, and some friends around him, the world underneath the Texas Panhandle began to shift.

In 1934, in the throes of the Depression and Dust Bowl, Farley, along with Roy Pool and Chancellor E. Weymouth, believed boys had too much wild free time, which was only going to lead to worse things.

What they needed was a supervised boys club. With $300 apiece from the three, and a building at 313 N. Van Buren St. donated by Mary E. Bivins, the Maverick Club was formed. The name, of course, described a wild and independent calf.

Just five years later, having seen the early success of the Maverick Club, Farley still saw a need to reach a segment of boys who were in trouble, whose family lives were in disrepair, who needed an outlet beyond a boys club.

“The Maverick Club, and later Kids, Inc., took 90 percent of the problem as Cal Farley saw it, but he was worried about the boys running around at all hours, that 10 percent that were not supervised at all and getting into trouble,” says Mike Pacino, who’s held a number of positions at Boys Ranch over 37 years. Today, he serves as the organization’s major gift officer.

When Julian Bivins, son of Mary Bivins, agreed to donate the original 120 acres at Old Tascosa, 37 miles northwest of Amarillo, Boys Ranch became home to nine boys from Amarillo.

Well-meaning ideas often fade in time. Institutions crumble. Necessary money dries up. But not with the Maverick Club and Boys Ranch.

In 2024, the Maverick Club celebrates 90 years, and right behind is Boys Ranch at 85 years. Within Boys Ranch is its most famous event, the Boys Ranch rodeo, which itself turns 80.

As the decades rolled by, these two institutions have adapted and evolved while remaining true to Farley’s original visions. More than 30 years ago, what were once boys-only destinations have now opened their doors to girls.

The Maverick Club

The Maverick Club originally was home to wrestling, boxing, gymnastics, swimming and basketball teams. Athletes qualified for the Olympics, and won national and state titles under the legendary Ralph Dykeman, who was executive director from

1934 to 1982. Today, sports are just a portion of the mission, and symbolic of how the club has changed.

Located at 1923 S. Lincoln St., homebase for the past 80 years, the Maverick Boys & Girls Clubs is a haven for families below the poverty line, a beacon for at-risk students of working parents ages 5 to 18, a key to opening a new future.

The Maverick Boys & Girls Clubs serves approximately 650 youth across the city. The club picks up students after school from 26 of the 35 elementary schools in Amarillo ISD, and currently has programs in Hamlet, San Jacinto, Bivins, Rolling Hills and Glenwood elementaries.

Within the club’s premises are an art room, computer room, learning center, library, game room, teen center, STEM room, dance studio and nutrition zone, along with a gymnasium and trampoline park.

“We’re famous for all the athletes who have come out of here, but studies show not even one percent, if that, of any group— and that includes our 650 kids—will be professional athletes,” says CEO/Executive Director Donna Soria. “But if we can get 650 to graduate high school and all have an equal playing field, then they can do so many things with their life—military, a trade or college.”

That is Soria’s goal for the children she serves. “We focus on education, and yes, we incorporate sports, but our focus today is education because that is what is going to help a child get further. We are a fun, safe place for kids to get off the street but we’re not warehousing kids and babysitting.”

A partnership with Tyson Foods is in its second year, and the first of its kind nationally. With support from Tyson, 50 children from parents of Tyson workers on the shift that ends near midnight come to the Maverick Club after school.

Following study hour and a meal, when other children go home at 7 p.m., those students stay with supervision and are fed again, follow up with homework and have some free time until bedtime. Parents then pick them up by 1 a.m. after work

“It’s our big shining star,” Soria says.

Boys Ranch

Change is a regular occurrence at Boys Ranch, which continues to adapt to the needs of its students. One major change coming this year—which the public will notice—is that

the 80th Annual Ranch Rodeo won’t take place on its traditional Labor Day weekend, but on Oct. 12 to combat the heat.

And as the name suggests, there’s a lot of ranch life at Boys Ranch. The western and agricultural way of life has been a central hub since the beginning. But today, the spokes are a little more varied.

“Training has evolved a lot, and our programs have, too,” says Amanda Rogers, director of communications and marketing at Boys Ranch. “Ranching was the primary part of Boys Ranch back in the day, while today it’s just a part of what we do.

“Yes, we have ag, equine and meat processing, but we also have culinary, photography, 3D printing and woodworking. It’s still the ranch, it’s always Christ-centered and that continues, but we have adapted as well.”

One of the changes—and challenges—has been the aftermath of the pandemic. Today only 105 residents live at Boys Ranch, from ages 5 to 18. Before 2020, the population was more than three times that, more than 300 residents.

The challenge is in the number of house parents needed to fill a maximum of 17 homes. Right now, the ranch has about half that number. Boys Ranch could accept more at-risk boys and girls, but despite enhanced recruiting efforts and additional perks, house parents have not come close to pre-pandemic levels.

While more than 130 residents have graduated or been reunified with family since 2020, the number of new residents admitted since that time is much lower. More house parents on staff would allow for those on the waitlist to come to Boys Ranch to live.

“The hardest thing is we can’t get staff,” Mike Pacino says. “Prior to COVID, that was not an issue.”

He hopes the staffing struggle is a temporary one, because the needs haven’t changed. “The need is always going to be there. You could build 5,000 Boys Ranches and not take care of all the adolescent boys’ and girls’ needs. We have just got to figure out how to staff this. The pandemic has changed things—not permanently—but right now,” he says.

THE ORIGINAL MAVERICK CLUB BUILDING, 1940S

PROVIDED PHOTOS

PROVIDED PHOTOS

MAVERICK CLUB BOYS IN 1954

RALPH DYKEMAN (RIGHT), AND 1949 FOOTBALL CHAMPS

‘I’d probably be dead or in prison’

Boys Ranch gave KAMR’s Andy Justus the normalcy he needed

By JON MARK BEILUE

Andy Justus, possibly Boys Ranch’s best-known local alumnus, told officials at the Ranch simply to call him anytime they needed someone to speak to the young residents of the place that was his home for nearly six years. The longtime weeknight news co-anchor at KAMR is more or less on retainer there. But unlike a lawyer, his services come at no charge.

When he shares with them, the details of his message vary slightly, but the heart remains unchanged.

“I tell them that Boys Ranch is only as good as you make it,” Justus says. “All the tools, all the resources are there, but you have to choose the adventure, you get to choose how successful you want to be. There’s a quote that I tell kids all the time—‘If it is to be, it’s up to me.’”

At 12 years old in July 1985, Justus was unknowingly about to live that mantra. He was already at a crossroads in his young life. He was desperate for a safer, sturdier path, aware even at that age that he needed an about-face to turn around a life starting to spin out of control.

He had just completed the sixth grade at Humphrey’s Highland in Amarillo, his ninth elementary school in six years. His single mom had an eighth-grade education, working the 2-10 p.m. shift as a truckstop waitress. Andy and his brother were more or less on their own.

No money, no direction, no future.

“Most kids who grew up around here were teasingly threatened with Boys Ranch—‘If you don’t quit doing that, we’re going to send you to Boys Ranch,’” Justus says.

Threatened? Justus wanted to go to Boys Ranch. He’d seen television commercials about the Boys Ranch rodeo. He was aware

the residential community 37 miles northwest of Amarillo was a place for at-risk boys.

That sounded good to him. How do I get out there? Justus made it happen. He did an end-run around his mother, had a family member take him to the Amarillo office for an introductory talk, and that led to a visit to the 1.6 square mile pastoral setting for him and his brother Richie, then 7.

“We came back and I asked my mom to send us out there, and she said, ‘Absolutely not,’” Justus says. “But it was through constant pestering and badgering that she finally agreed to send me and my younger brother out there.”

It’s hard to say how Justus’ future would have spun had he not taken the initiative to change it. But the results are clear:

• An accomplished stage actor in high school

• Graduated with honors from West Texas A&M University, with a double degree in Radio, TV and Film, and Speech Communication—later inducted into the WT Communication Hall of Fame

• A quarter-century at KAMR, including four years as sports director

• Husband to Michele—together they are also Realtors—father to Mayzie Grace and Piper June

Boys Ranch was the springboard. “If not for Boys Ranch, I’d probably be dead or in prison, and at the very least, nowhere close to any success in life had it not been for Boys Ranch,” he says. “Not just Boys Ranch the entity, but all the people who make up Boys Ranch. People like (Coach) Paul Jones and Jack McCallie who was the athletic director. They invest in people’s lives.”

Justus was 12 and had never made a bed until living in the Veigel

CAL FARLEY WITH BOYS RANCH RESIDENTS

CAL FARLEY WITH RODEO WINNERS

Home with house parent Mike Orr, one of five house parents during his time. Until Boys Ranch, he drifted like a fallen twig in a river.

“When I first got out there, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, what have I done?’” he says. “I went from no structure to copious amounts of structure. But I also had these expectations put on me that ‘you can do this.’ I had never heard positive reinforcement before. I often say that I got addicted to hearing praise at Boys Ranch.”

In the pinball existence of schools in Amarillo, Justus was two grades behind in math, one grade behind in English, and was reading at a remedial level. Within those first six weeks in the fall of 1985, he made the A-B honor roll and never looked back, eventually graduating second in his class in 1991.

Craving Normalcy

Richie Freeman, his younger brother, didn’t thrive. Their mother removed him from Boys Ranch in the middle of his freshman year. Richie dropped out of Tascosa. He jumped into the wrong crowd, and later died in an accident.

Why did Andy choose a different path?

“I craved normalcy,” Justus explains. “I wanted to know I had three meals a day, a bed, friends, a safe place, people who looked after me. It’s the things many take for granted.”

Normalcy was the potting soil of potential, and potential bloomed into achievement. Justus, like all, had dorm chores and ranch work— on a cleaning crew and scooping ice cream at the visitor center— which earned a paycheck.

Justus dabbled in wrestling at 95 pounds and played some basketball, but it was theater and speech and debate that was his niche. Under Drama and Speech Teacher Denise Green, Justus was named Best Actor in the UIL state competition in Volpone, which won state. He debated and read prose and poetry in UIL academic competitions.

Justus was a national officer in the organization Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. Once at a national convention in Las Vegas, he found himself at McCarran Airport late at night and alone. He had the wherewithal and confidence to locate transportation and his hotel.

After finishing as salutatorian, Justus planned to attend Wayland

Baptist until WT Speech Professor Guy Paul Yates called. Yates casually assumed Justus was going to WT and told him about speech tournaments the school would compete in.

“After I hung up the phone, I thought, ‘Well, I guess I’m going to WT,’” says Justus.

That fork in the road proved fortuitous. Dr. Leigh Browning, a mass communication professor, soon convinced Justus to take a radio class—again with positive reinforcement. “You’d be good at it,” she said.

Justus was good at it, and a career was born. After graduation, he became a film photographer at KVII for news and sports. He loved that, but not the $5.75 an hour. He left journalism for St. Louis and a job with IBM for a year. He was miserable.

On a visit back home, Justus learned that KAMR had an opening in sports. Justus didn’t have an audition tape. He asked management to take a chance on him. Give him a month, and if he wasn’t up to standard, he’d leave.

That month turned into 25 years. In 2003, news director Ny Lynn Nichols asked if he was interested in filling a weeknight news anchor spot. Andy was sports director at the time, and he loved sports. But the job came with a sizable raise, and if Justus turned down the offer, one of the three people in the sports department would be let go in a downsizing move.

That was enough to convince Justus to leap. With Walt Howard of KFDA having retired in 2022, Justus—who will be 51 in April—is now the longest-tenured Amarillo anchor in a nomadic profession known for instability.

“I just love it here, and I love the people,” he says. “I feel like if I had gone to something in a bigger market I don’t think the money and prestige would be worth giving up the peace and passion I have here.”

A six-year stay at Boys Ranch 35 years ago was the key to it all, where small encouragements—like positive greetings from secretary Pat Waldrip, and Jack McCallie telling Justus “I got you” after the death of his absentee father—continue to resonate in Andy’s life.

“Boys Ranch has never been just the physical place,” he says. “There’s no magic to the actual place. The magic and the difference come in the people who sacrifice so much of their life to work there.”

ANDY JUSTUS, GENIE FARLEY HARRIMAN, CAL HARRIMAN AND SHERM HARRIMAN

OCelebrating Clarendon College:

Celebrating Clarendon College: 125 Years of Higher Education

By RYAN MCSWAIN

n the western edge of Clarendon, Texas, you’ll find the Athens of the Panhandle. “I think the locals named us that,” says Clarendon College President Tex Buckhaults. “Early studies at the College featured a classical education. And if you’ve been by, you’ve seen the white columns. They bring to mind ancient Greek architecture. We’ve tried to continue that as we’ve grown.”

The original Athens dates back thousands of years, but the “Athens of the Panhandle” is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Founded in 1898, it’s older than all but a few local businesses or organizations, and has been in continual operation longer than any other institution of higher learning in the region.

“We’re the bestkept secret in the Texas Panhandle,” Buckhaults says.

From Classrooms to Cowboys

According to Buckhaults, the school’s smaller size is an asset. “Depending on the program, we have between a 15-to-1 and 19-to-1 student-teacher ratio,” he says. Each student receives more individual attention, which translates into higher graduation rates and successful transfers.

“It gives students a head start with college and then university.”

Many students, including a large number of education majors, start at Clarendon College before finishing elsewhere. Of its 250 graduates each year, 100 end up at West Texas A&M University “We push all of our academic students into university. We have programs to help students transfer directly into online and in-person programs with WTAMU and Texas Tech. We also work with schools like Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, and Eastern New Mexico University.”

Along with the 107-acre campus in Clarendon, the College maintains branches in Amarillo, Childress and Pampa. “Amarillo is cosmetology,” says Buckhaults. “Our other sites have technical training. Pampa has welding, RN and BSN nursing, cosmetology, industrial maintenance and academics. Childress has cosmetology, nursing and academics. Clarendon focuses on face-to-face classes and ranch and feedlot operations.”

The college offers two-year Associate in Science and Associate in Arts degrees and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. By enrollment, cosmetology is its largest program, followed by nursing. But its agricultural impact is much older. “Our legacy program is ranch and feedlot operations,” says Buckhaults. “We’re seeing third- and fourth-generation students, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Going through that program, they get a lot of training on operating farms, ranches and feedlots. There are plenty of field trips!”

The Ranch and Feedlot Operations Program only accepts 28 students a year. “I can’t brag on those cowboys enough. They know how to make it in today’s world,” he says. In the program, students learn creative methods for keeping a farm or ranch profitable, from hunting leases to wind and solar energy.

Clarendon College works with local school districts as well. “We’re one of those schools with a high rate of dual credit,” Buckhaults says.

Regardless of their educational focus, attending Clarendon College launches students into a bright future. “For a long time, 100 percent of the kids in ranch and feedlot operations go into well-paying jobs. Same with our nursing program,” Buckhaults says. “As it stands right now, all of our graduates this year are already working part-time or have offers for jobs as soon as they graduate.”

Sports, Spurs, and Spotlights

Clarendon College didn’t just break educational ground in the Panhandle. The school has played a major role in West Texas sports history. In fact, the first interscholastic football game in the Panhandle took place between Clarendon College and Goodnight Academy back in 1903. (Clarendon came out on top, 16 to 10.) But there’s more to the

PANHANDLE LITERARY SOCIETY, CLARENDON COLLEGE, 1906

ALL CLARENDON COLLEGE HISTORIC PHOTOS FROM UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES, THE PORTAL TO TEXAS HISTORY, TEXASHISTORY.UNT.EDU; COURTESY OF PANHANDLE-PLAINS HISTORICAL MUSEUM

CLARENDON COLLEGE STUDENTS, 1920S

school’s athletic prowess than football. “In our first 30 years,” Buckhaults says, “this was one of the first schools with women’s sports like tennis and basketball.”

The Clarendon Bulldogs now compete with active baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, track and cross country programs. Student-athletes have gone on to play for university programs across the country. One of many notable alumni is Ryan Rohlinger, who played third base for the San Francisco Giants from 2008 to 2011.

Other teams compete in different arenas. “We field a livestock judging team from the students in our [ranch and feedlot operations] program,” Buckhaults explains. “They judge all kinds: sheep, goats, hogs, cattle. We have a meat judging program winning competitions at the national level. Sports Illustrated did a story on us a few years ago.” In that May 2019 piece, the magazine identified Clarendon College as a “pipeline program” for Texas Tech’s perennially competitive meat judging team. The school’s rodeo and ranch horse teams have also brought home championship titles.

History in the Making

Like many universities, the school’s establishment began with a religious focus. Rev. W. A. Allen and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, founded the Clarendon College and University Training School in 1898 with 21 students and four teachers. By 1916, growing enrollment made it one of the largest junior colleges in the southern U.S. But in 1927, the Methodist Church elected to move the institution to Abilene, where it became what is now McMurry University.

The Clarendon College property—its facilities and its name—remained at the original location. Several interested parties attempted to purchase the facilities, but the Clarendon Independent School Board came out on top and used the property to establish a municipal junior college. After separating from the school district, the college moved to a new location in

President Buckhaults has been part of the school’s history for a long time himself. “I started as an adjunct in ’96, went full time in ’99. Been here ever since! I became the full-time

president in June 2020,” he says.

Buckhaults isn’t just the president. He also owns the school’s mascot, a gift from his family: Barcus is a fullblooded English bulldog named after the Reverend J. Samuel Barcus, the fourth president of Clarendon College (1901-1903).

Looking Forward

Clarendon College has lasted despite operating in one of the least-populated college service areas in Texas. “We have eight counties to focus on,” Buckhaults says. “If you add them all together, you’ve got 50,000 people. We joke with the Amarillo people, ‘You’ve got 200,000 just in Amarillo proper!’”

To encourage enrollment, the college offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and maintains a presence across local high schools. State legislation has further boosted funding for community colleges. “House Bill 8 has been very helpful for us to focus on rural students. That particular model is performance-based, and our local kids do very well. We have an outstanding graduation rate,” he says.

Despite those challenges, Buckhaults remains optimistic about the next 125 years. “We’re currently exploring and modernizing ranch and feedlot operations. There’s new drone technology for checking fences, counting animals. With [artificial intelligence], you can plot the drone to count the animals for you,” he says. In addition to AI, agriculture students are learning to use a portable

For a century, the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon has been connecting Texas Panhandle residents with resources to improve their lives. Not only is the organization a fixture within the nonprofit community— providing much-needed services to advance the common good—but for many locals, it becomes their first introduction to meaningful volunteer service. So many dedicated donors, board members and other charity advocates got their start as Day of Caring volunteers or United Way loaned executives. This special section highlights just a few of the ways the organization and its work continue to impact the city today.

WDAY OF CARING

hether it involves building ramps for residential homes, ripping up dusty carpets, or a plethora of other meaningful tasks, the Day of Caring organized by United Way of Amarillo & Canyon embodies the spirit of unity and service. This annual event brings together individuals, companies, and organizations in a collective effort to make tangible improvements in our neighborhoods. Day of Caring leaves a lasting mark on our community. This year’s Day of Caring is April 26, 2024.

More than just physical transformations, the Day of Caring fosters a sense of togetherness and empowerment among residents. It serves as a powerful reminder that remarkable achievements are possible when people come together with a shared purpose— people helping people.

At United Way, we work closely with companies, organizations, and the community to create meaningful volunteer opportunities that impact lives and instill hope. Our team diligently plans the annual Day of Caring event, coordinating with partners and volunteers to tackle projects that can be completed in a single day.

Any Amarillo or Canyon 501(c)(3) can submit projects for consideration or express an interest in joining the Day of Caring Team. Our volunteer committee reviews project requests at least twice a year, carefully selecting activities that align with our mission and have the potential to make a significant impact.

Volunteering at a Day of Caring event is a transformative experience. Participants witness firsthand the power of investing time and effort into the community, creating a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. For those who may be unsure where to start with volunteering, the Day of Caring provides an excellent entry point.

Not only is the Day of Caring an opportunity for individual volunteers, but it also offers unique team-building experiences for organizations, companies, and industries. United Way of Amarillo & Canyon is proud to extend personalized Day of Caring events to individual companies, providing a tailored experience that aligns with their values and objectives.

The Day of Caring is a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when a community comes together for a shared purpose. It is a beacon of hope, fostering collaboration and empowering residents to create lasting change in our neighborhoods. As we continue to make a difference, one project at a time, we invite you to join us in building a stronger, more connected community through the Day of Caring.

Contact United Way for more information at 806-376-6359

EDUCATION

HEALTH INCOME

BASIC NEEDS

Access to Health

COHS - Nurse Family Partnership

Family Support Services, Counseling

Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance

Family Care Foundation, Dental Assistance

Childcare/Enrichment

Amarillo Wesley Community Center, Behind the Scenes

Amarillo Wesley Community Center, Wesley Wrestling Club

Boy Scouts, Golden Spread Council, Cub Scouts, Scoutreach

Family Support Services, Education and Prevention Programs

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Girls at School

Maverick Boys & Girls Clubs of Amarillo, Academic Success

Children's Learning Centers of Amarillo, Low Income Child Care

Homelessness

Amarillo Coming Home Project

Guyon Saunders Resource Center, Community Day Room

The Salvation Army, Emergency Shelter Services

Senior Programs

Amarillo Wesley Community Center, Senior Citizen Program

Advocacy

Amarillo CASA

Buckner Children & Family Services, FYi Center

Emergency Response

American Red Cross, TX Panhandle, Disaster Services

Family Crises Intervention

Food Insecurity

Catholic Charities of the TX Panhandle, InterFaith Hunger Project

PRPC/Area Agency on Aging, FoodNet

Job Training/Placement

Family Support Services, Veterans Resource Center

Goodwill of Northwest Texas, Job Training/Placement

2-1-1 TEXAS PANHANDLE UNITED WAY HELPLINE

In February 1973, a task force led by the Family and Child Welfare Council was formed. They recognized the need for a community Information and Referral (I&R) line to community resources. Amarillo’s I&R (United Way Community Helpline) became active on Jan. 1, 1975, with funding provided by the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon and a three-year decreasing grant given by the Junior League of Amarillo. In 2004, 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle United Way Helpline was designated as a 2-1-1 Area Information Center by the Texas Information & Referral Network (TIRN). In 2005, 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle United Way Helpline achieved National Accreditation from the Alliance of Information and Referral Services (AIRS), now known as Inform USA, and has maintained that accreditation.

2-1-1 Texas Panhandle United Way Helpline is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and United Way of Amarillo & Canyon. They are committed to helping the citizens of the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, their goal is to present accurate, well-organized, and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs.

2-1-1 is a free, confidential helpline operated by United Way of Amarillo & Canyon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The 2-1-1 Texas Panhandle United Way Helpline connected more than 47,000 of our neighbors with help in 2023. The top calls were for utility assistance, rent and mortgage assistance, housing, public benefits assistance, and food assistance.

Whether you need help finding childcare, food stamps, care for an aging parent, or a haven from domestic violence, 2-1-1 is the number to call when you don’t know who to call. Our trained helpline specialists are good listeners, blending understanding and expertise to provide information and referrals drawn from a comprehensive database of social services.

Explore 2-1-1 Texas/United Way Helpline at 211texas.org

TESTIMONIALS FROM 2-1-1 CLIENTS

The Smiths are a Randall County family of four. Mom and Dad have multiple jobs between them, but their 3-year-old son was born with a heart defect, and their brand-new baby girl with a skull defect that requires a specially designed helmet that would not be covered by insurance. After prioritizing their children’s health, they could not afford their next mortgage payment. UWAC’s Specific Aid Rent/Utility Assistance Program paid for a month’s mortgage so their family—including their newborn daughter—could stay in a safe, happy home.

Mr. Strickland is a 76-year-old veteran who struggles with memory and cognition issues. His adult son promised to take care of his bills using the disability payments Mr. Strickland received from his time serving our country. Unfortunately, the son didn’t keep that promise and had been pocketing the money. When it came time to pay the electric bill, his son left town. Through UWAC’s Specific Aid Rent/Utility Assistance Program, this veteran will continue to have electricity, keeping his lights and appliances on, including his mini-freezer, which is fortunate—Mr. Strickland loves popsicles!

Katrina has full-time and part-time jobs. However, she was the victim of fraud. Her small savings were completely drained from her account. Although theft was proven, delayed reimbursement meant that Katrina was about to be evicted from her home. Through UWAC’s Specific Aid Rent/Utility Assistance Program, she will not be evicted and can begin to recover. She is even beginning to take night classes.

One day, Victoria’s husband and father of her children left without a word. He cannot be found. He had plunged them into debt, but she was kept in the dark about their finances. Since then, Victoria has gotten a full-time job but did not have funds built up to pay rent. Through UWAC’s Specific Aid Rent/Utility Assistance Program, Victoria and her children will not be forced to stay in a shelter and can begin to rebuild their lives.

SMALL BUSINESS UNITED INITIATIVE

Small Business United is a leadership circle of local business owners dedicated to serving the community where we all live, work, and play. Small businesses are pivotal to maintaining a thriving local economy, and their partnership and leadership are equally important to the ongoing success of the United Way.

LOANED EXECUTIVES

Loaned Executives (LEs) are employees of local companies who are loaned, on a part-time basis, by their employers to help with United Way campaigns. LEs assist local companies in conducting a successful United Way campaign. They serve as a United Way spokespersons, conveying the needs of the community and promoting community involvement.

WHY SHOULD A PROVIDER APPLY FOR PROGRAMMING?

Aqualified nonprofit provider serving in the fields of education, health, income or basic needs should apply for funding from the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon (UWAC) because funding is only one element of our support. UWAC endeavors to develop connections, partnerships and collaborations in the nonprofit, private, public and faith-based sectors. We believe the needs and challenges in Amarillo and Canyon require all of us working together toward improving the lives of those who are in need.

UWAC has a rigorous and meticulous funding process, maintaining extremely high standards. This means the programs UWAC funds are those that demonstrate only the highest standards of explicit outcomes. In other words, being a Program Provider of the United Way of Amarillo & Canyon means something.

UNITED WAY OF AMARILLO & CANYON 2024 EVENT SCHEDULE

Bustin’ Clay for United Way

April 19

Amarillo Gun Club

4-person team | $800 per team

Sponsorship opportunities available. Register online at uwamarillocanyon.org/ bustin-clay-united-way

Annual Day of Caring

April 26

Sponsorship opportunities available.

Victory Celebration Luncheon

May 10, 11:30 a.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom

United Way Kick-Off

August 27, 9:00 a.m.

Amarillo Civic Center Complex

Heritage Ballroom

Second Annual United on the Green Golf Tournament

September 12

Ross Rogers Golf Course

4-person scramble

Sponsorship opportunities available.

United on the Range Gala

October 5, 6:00 p.m.-11 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities available.

Youth Leadership Day

October 2024, date TBA

Sponsorship opportunities available.

Call 806-376-6359 for more information or visit uwamarillocanyon.org

Pitching a New Look: Upgrades and Changes at Hodgetown

The Amarillo Sod Poodles are coming off one of the most successful seasons of an already successful—and incredibly popular— Minor League Baseball franchise. Last September, they won their second Texas League championship in four seasons. Earlier in the year, subscribers of The Athletic voted them the top team name in the minors. And in November, MiLB announced that the Sod Poodles had won the prestigious Organization of the Year Award, citing its wildly popular Calf Fries alternate identity, its record 31 sellouts in 2023, and the team’s ongoing charity initiatives.

“It’s the pinnacle award that we can win as an organization,” says Tony Ensor, Sod Poodles President and General Manager. “It doesn’t have anything to do with wins and losses. It has more to do with our community and our organization.” He adds that the honor also recognizes the incredible support the Sod Poodles have received from the fans. “We are the No. 1 full-season ticket team in the nation,” he says, and that includes major-market teams in Nashville, Charlotte and Las Vegas. “We’re able to do those things because we have a community that has bought into what the Amarillo Sod Poodles are.”

But the Sod Poodles aren’t content to coast on those accomplishments. The new season opens on April 5, when the Sod Poodles begin their season against the San Antonio Missions, and while counting down to the season, the organization is also finishing up a number of upgrades to Hodgetown. Some of these won’t be visible to fans. They include locker room renovations and hospitality upgrades required by new Major League Baseball regulations. Others represent a growing organization, like new office and storage spaces for personnel.

Much of the upgrades are mandated across all 120 minor league teams in the nation by MLB and none of them come at any taxpayer cost. These upgrades are funded in part by a public/private partnership between the team and City of Amarillo along with the Hotel and Occupancy Tax, while some are completely funded by the team.

The City Federal Fiesta Deck

Locals traveling downtown may have seen off-season construction along Hodgetown’s right field foul line. The new City Federal Credit Union Fiesta Deck represents the first significant structural addition since the ballpark opened in 2019. This executive hospitality area offers brand-new aerial views overlooking the first base line. Regular fans know this part of the stadium remained hot and bright on summer evenings, at least until the sun dipped low enough on the horizon. The new covered deck will solve that problem.

Presented by City Federal Credit Union, the new deck will be open for large group rentals and parties, offering 100 to 150 VIP tickets with Fairly Group Club access. The deck experience offers an incredible perspective on the game, along with multiple large televisions. Plus, it can also include a fully catered meal with an assortment of Pepsi products and full-service hospitality with a private server and bartender.

“It’s going to be an escape,” Ensor says. “It will be very communal, a very nice luxury area. We wanted a place for those bigger companies who have staff that want to come out and enjoy the game. It just creates this luxurious feel and fun environment, which is what we want for the fans.”

TDigital LED Ribbon

he Hodgetown fan experience will also be enhanced this season by the installation of a high-tech new digital LED ribbon board, which has been added just below the suite level of the stadium. This replaces the existing static signage that was part of the original ballpark construction in 2019.

The new ribbon is 3 feet tall and 455 feet wide. It contains more than 1.3 million total pixels and represents the kind of technology used in some of the largest sports venues in the nation. Fans can expect entertaining animations and enhanced in-game communication. The Sod Poodles’ business partners can expect exciting digital marketing and sponsorship opportunities, giving them high-impact opportunities at an affordable scale.

Tony Ensor says the team’s investment in the digital ribbon will give Hodgetown even more of a Major League Baseball feel. “We have said since the beginning that we wanted to do our best to bring a Major League experience to the community on our Minor League scale and this new LED ribbon technology will do just that,” he says. “It’s going to fill up the seating bowl with light, with excitement. The whole thing’s about the fan experience.”

The new LED ribbon will also provide the business community an affordable way to market their brands and products to the entire West Texas region, and local businesses are already signing up. “We are very appreciative of our partners who are jumping on this opportunity,” he says.

Visible across the outfield and down both foul lines, the ribbon also gives fans an enhanced view of the score, inning, pitch count, pitch speed, player statistics, and other details about the game.

“A lot of my fondest memories are at the ballpark. Baseball’s only a part of what we provide [at Hodgetown]. The ribbon boards and technology and excitement are part of it. We create memories.”

—Tony Ensor

New Manager Tim Bogar

Leading the Sod Poodles in their Texas League title defense this season is new Head Coach Tim Bogar, a three-time Minor League Manager of the Year and the third manager in Sod Poodles history. Former manager Shawn Roof, the Sod Poodles’ all-time winningest manager, is now guiding the Triple-A Reno Aces.

Bogar has spent the past six seasons with the Washington Nationals, and was the first base coach under Dave Martinez when the Nationals won the 2019 World Series. Prior to that, he coached with the Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners, and managed minor league teams at a variety of levels.

As a player, Bogar made his MLB debut as an infielder for the Mets in 1993 and also logged stints with the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the late 1990s with the Astros, he contributed to one of the franchise’s most successful stretches, and was considered one of Houston’s “Killer Bs” along with standouts Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman.

“We could not be more excited to have Tim join and lead our Amarillo Sod Poodles Team,” says Sod Poodles President and General Manager Tony Ensor. “His resume and experience speaks for itself and shows a real love of the game.” Ensor points to the depth of Bogar’s experience. As player and manager, he has enjoyed success in both the Major and Minor Leagues. This makes him the kind of MiLB leader young players are drawn to as they pursue their goal of getting called up.

“I know our Amarillo fans and community will welcome Tim with open arms when the team arrives for the 2024 season,” Ensor says.

Sod Poodles 2024 Coaching Staff

Joining new manager Tim Bogar are a mix of new and familiar faces (L-R below):

• Pitching coach Tom Gorzelanny is back after guiding the team to 77 wins last season and the Texas League championship.

• Hitting coach Terrmel Sledge returns after helping the Sod Poodles log the highest team average (.271) last year in Double-A.

• Ronnie Gajownik serves as the team’s new bench coach. She was part of the Sod Poodles organization in 2022 before joining the Hillsboro Hops in 2023—where she became the first woman to manage at the high-A level.

• Athletic trainer Connor Oates and strength and conditioning coach Ryan Harrel also join the Sod Poodles after spending the past few years within the Diamondbacks organization.

BEYOND FIELD TRIPS: EDUCATION AT PPHM

It’s no secret that kids of all ages love PPHM. Its collections of dinosaur bones, classic cars, cowboy gear and other displays are quick to capture kids’ imaginations. Their parents might view the museum as a cherished landmark in Canyon, Texas, or the largest history museum in the state.

But students and teachers understand that this sprawling campus, located on the grounds of West Texas A&M University, has quietly become one of the most powerful educational spaces in the Panhandle.

Today, PPHM serves as a trusted educational resource for students and schools in a 25,000-square-mile radius, says Executive Director Dr. Andrew Hay. Over the past year, the museum welcomed students from more than 70 nearby school districts for instructional tours, field trips, and opportunities to use resources like its STEAM Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

“Some of the most important people in the museum, at any given time, are the student visitors and teachers,” Hay says. That’s why the museum has a dedicated educational team to oversee its broad spectrum of educational programming, helping students engage with the collection at PPHM and the stories that accompany these artifacts.

GUIDED EXPERIENCES

Beyond school tours and field trips, PPHM offers guided experiences—like “Fun with Fossils” or “Life of the T-Anchor Ranch”— that use hands-on activities to connect students with the past. Many teachers reinforce subjects taught in the classroom by guiding their students through interactive exhibits like Pioneer Town, People of the Plains or the Panhandle Petroleum Story.

2503 FOURTH AVENUE CANYON, TEXAS

806 . 651 . 2244

PANHANDLEPLAINS.ORG

INSPIRING EVENTS

Inspiring annual events, like Constitution Day in September, offer rotating activities with creative educational impact. In April, the Week of the Young Child brings in Pre-K and Kindergarten students for multiple days of educational content. “Teachers and students love coming to the museum because we offer engaging activities and lessons in a nontraditional classroom setting,” says Kristin Johnson, PPHM’s Director of Education and Visitor Experience. “All of our programs are TEKSbased and can be tailored to fit all classes.”

CUSTOMIZED OUTREACH

Other educational options take the museum on the road, bringing its expertise into classrooms. Outreach trunks can be rented for teacherled programs including Bison on the Plains, Cowboys in the Panhandle, World War II and other topics. “Have Art Will Travel” offers museumrelated art activities customized for each grade level.

“The museum is not only concerned with the history makers of this region, but also with the future historymakers,” adds Hay, “those individuals who will positively impact the region, state, nation and world.” That focus requires creativity, knowledge and a connection to the past. Educating that next generation is central to PPHM’s mission, and that’s why its Education Department continues to innovate and grow.

To learn more, visit panhandleplains.org, or call 806-651-2249 today to schedule an educational experience in one of the most unique settings in the Texas Panhandle.

IN AMARILLO Flying High

TBY NICK GERLICH

he nation’s midsection is often derided as “flyover country,” which may very well be true for those shuttling to and from coastal cities. But Amarillo represents an exception to that dismissive statement. Air travel has been part of the local landscape for more than a century, reflecting the city’s beginnings as a transportation hub, first for rail, then later by air and highways. From here north to Canada, only one airport— Rapid City Regional in South Dakota—comes close to Amarillo’s annual enplanement and deplanement numbers.

That’s only the passenger side of the equation. Once you factor in military, freight and private aircraft, around 200 flights a day come into and out of Amarillo. And it all started in very unexpected places.

Cleared For Landing and Take-off

The first documented landing of an airplane in Amarillo proper happened in 1918, somewhere along the 500 block of North Polk Street, which was pasture at the time. The plane rolled south to what would be the corner of Northeast Fourth Avenue and Polk, where it refueled, and then took off once more. It may not have been ceremonious, but it was a start.

The next year, the Panhandle Air Service and Transportation

Company formed, then Bivins Field and a flight school opened in 1920, all financed by Lee Bivins and H.E. Fuqua. Apparently, that one brief refueling stop raised eyebrows to the possibility of more air travel in and out of Amarillo.

The casual observer may never notice where Bivins Field was once located. The area bounded by Southwest 10th Avenue on the north, Southwest 15th Avenue on the south, Georgia Street on the west, and Travis Street on the east, comprise the Bivins Addition. At street level, nothing may seem odd, but pay attention to the overhead view of the awkward intersection of North Julian Boulevard and South Julian Boulevard. Those two streets run perpendicular to one another, then veer off at 45-degree angles east of Bonham Street. Tree-lined medians grace both roads.

A developer’s whimsy? Not so fast. Those two streets were originally the runways of Amarillo’s first airport, and a hangar once stood near Southwest 15th Avenue and Crockett Street. The houses filling out those runways were built in the mid-1940s to early-1950s, long after the airport ceased to exist.

In 1928, Bivins built the new Bivins Flying Field three miles northwest of town, in part to sidestep increasing car traffic in town. Harold English soon assumed management of the fledgling airport, and the operations were renamed Bivins-English Field. The next year, though, much happened in Amarillo’s aviation

TRADEWIND AIRPORT

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF PPHM

scene, with the building of the Old Municipal Airport (known as “Old Muny,” and owned by the city). It was located along the north side of NE Eighth Avenue (aka Amarillo Boulevard), between Columbine and Evergreen Streets. Instead of hiring English to manage it, the city chose Otis Williams, which raised English’s ire.

Later that same year, Bivins-English Field relocated outside of town along US Highway 60. At this point, it was rechristened English Field, the result being competing airfields. The parent company was Amarillo Airport Corporation, headed by English and his brother-inlaw, Thornton Oxnard, a strong-headed duo intent on being a thorn in the city’s side. English also bought out Bivins’ interests in his airport.

It was Old Muny, though, that had the notoriety of welcoming Western Air Express service to town a couple of days after opening. Charles Lindbergh himself was there for the first flight. But the luster wore off quickly for Old Muny, because in 1930, English lured Western Air to his airport. Southern Air Transport and Braniff Airways followed shortly thereafter. The war was on, and English was determined to win it in the end. But before the rest of Amarillo’s aviation history could unfold, Amarillo helped play a role for a short time in the delivery of U.S. airmail, something that was not in any airport developer’s business plan.

Delivering Air Mail

In the 1920s, the first air mail was carried by independent Contract Airmail pilots, who flew their own planes, day and night, without sophisticated navigational tools. It wasn’t that they flew under the radar. There was no radar.

Amarillo became a U.S. mail distribution hub from 1926 into the early 1930s, when pilot navigation meant looking for 70-foot-long concrete arrows placed every 10 to 15 miles, or watching for blinking red lights atop 50-foot-tall beacon towers by night. When in doubt, pilots followed the “iron compass” of railroad tracks, which typically went to the same destinations. From Amarillo, the mail split into multiple airways.

The Los Angeles-Albuquerque-Amarillo Airway was the westward

leg of an airway that ultimately connected to New York City, but only after many bounces on the tarmac along the way, dropping off and picking up mail, as well as refueling. Flights through Amarillo were in and out of both the Municipal Field and English Field.

Heading north and east, the Amarillo-Kansas City Airway saw pilots following the same breadcrumbs. From an altitude of roughly 1,000 feet, those arrows and beacons were relatively easy to follow, especially considering there was little or no competing light pollution at the time.

This primitive method of air mail delivery did not last long, thanks to rapid improvements in airplane technologies and radio communication. Many beacon towers were scrapped during the war effort, and the concrete arrows destroyed to keep enemy pilots from an easy potential road map. A handful of the arrows from both of these airways still exist on private land in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. They point to and from Amarillo.

Finding Our Wings

The subsequent years found Amarillo aviation growing in fits and starts. English died in a car crash in 1935, leaving Oxnard alone to run the airport. In 1937, a fire nearly destroyed English Field. It was rebuilt from 1939 through 1943, but during that time, in 1941, the city bought English Field. It then added paved runways and ramps.

Local aviation was not limited to airports. “Practically every ranch had a runway,” says Dr. Amy Von Lintel, a professor of art history at West Texas A&M University, and author of the forthcoming Art Stories of the Texas Panhandle, which includes a chapter on aviation.

The JA Ranch even used its runway and vast land holdings to host a 1940 fly-in. Brothers Monte and Dick Ritchie held the First Aerial Roundup in April that year, with 102 planes and 205 attendees. No small affair, guests stayed at the Herring Hotel in downtown Amarillo, where they also dined and danced the night away. Elaborate invitations were sent, and a pilots’ airplane was his “brand of admittance,” according to Von Lintel. Planes parked at nearby English Field, and ground transportation was provided. She reports the

"CITY OF AMARILLO," AMARILLO AIR FORCE BASE, 1962

guests came from far and near, creating unique visual and auditory memories as they would circle and descend en masse.

In 1942, with World War II demanding reallocation of human, technical and natural resources, the Air Technical School adjacent to English Field became a training site for Flying Fortress mechanics and technicians. It opened in May 1942, and was renamed Amarillo Army Airfield. It remained in operation throughout the war, closing in September 1946, at which point it was returned to the city.

Tradewind Airport opened on the southeast side of town that same year. The privately-owned public use airport focused on general aviation back then and still does today. “It was established in 1946 by Shelby Kritser, who was part of the crew to fly the first transatlantic flight for Pan Am,” says Jon Kuehler, manager of the airport.

Tradewind started with post-WWII surplus round-top hangars, which were wiped out in a 1949 tornado. Kritser rebuilt by 1951, then found success as a dealership. “Tradewind was the first Beechcraft sales center in the country. A very large number of Bonanzas were sold here,” Kuehler continues.

Krister died at English Field during an airshow crash in 1966. His estate sold the airport to Jimmie Whittenburg, who then sold to Perry Williams in 2001. Williams continues to own the airport, and has made

many modernizations, including more than 20 hangars. “It’s one of the busiest airports in the Panhandle and West Texas. We have more than 140 airplanes based here,” Kuehler says.

Amarillo Air Force Base

Old Muny survived until 1951. Its last tenant—Amarillo Flying Service—left in June 1950, moving to Tradewind Airport. English Field remained the only airport that could handle commercial passenger flights. It took a decade, but the city realized that one airport was enough for it to run. They subsequently renamed the field Amarillo Air Terminal in 1952 and invested in a new terminal in 1954.

It was also in 1951 that Amarillo received another boost from the federal government, which reopened and redesigned the old Army Airfield as the Amarillo Air Force Base. As many as 5,000 students were on base at a time during the 1950s.

The base was declared a permanent installation in 1954. The runway, which measures 13,502 feet and is one of the longest in the U.S., was built in 1959 and would one day be considered an alternate landing point for the Space Shuttle Challenger. Thousands of mechanics and repairmen trained at this important Strategic Air Command base, which grew to more than 16,000 personnel.

BRANIFF 707 AT AMARILLO AIR TERMINAL, 1960

By 1964, though, the Department of Defense announced the base would close, and on Dec. 31, 1968, the facilities were transferred to the city and other entities—with the proviso that the U.S. government had the right to reclaim and reuse it should a national emergency occur.

The city then broke ground in 1969 on a new terminal along the south of the runway. It opened in 1971—atop an area formerly used for B-52 parking—signaling a new era in Amarillo aviation. Five years later, a U.S. Customs Point of Entry office was established, and the name was changed to Amarillo International Airport.

A variety of carriers have come and gone in the decades since. The Air Base and English Field facilities are still visible across the tarmac, reminders of a memorable history of air travel in the city. The airport also has the distinction of being one among only three airports in the U.S. that once had Route 66 running through the property. A tiny fragment of 1920s-era Portland cement roadway is still visible just inside the east fence along Northeast Eighth Avenue, running under a second shorter runway, and then the tarmac and longer runway to the west.

The 1990s presented challenges for the airport when the last full-sized jet service from Amarillo to DFW Airport—via American Airlines—changed to commuter jets. The city had to subsidize American Airlines $1 million a year to keep full-size jets in operation, worrying that failure to do so would cripple the local economy.

The 21st Century

This century, the airport has continued to evolve, first being renamed Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in 2003

following the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. In 2011, the airport was completely renovated, removing two concourses and rebuilding it as one arc with seven gates. Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and United Airlines service passengers today.

Like all airports across the world, our airport took a hit during COVID. For fiscal year 2020 (which ended in October), arrivals and departures stood at 403,000, down from 705,000 the year prior. It took until 2022 for the total to return to that level. But last year, passenger service surged forward, totaling 777,000 arrivals and departures.

“If you read the numbers nationwide, business travel is still down, but I don’t think for the foreseeable future we’re going to see any downturn in the leisure market,” says Michael Conner, director of aviation at RHAIA.

While there remain only three carriers at RHAIA, Conner is satisfied. “From an air-service standpoint, the carriers that we have serve the markets that are needed, for the most part,” he adds.

Today, the airport is modernizing safety applications, relying on services provided by Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system software. “There’s been a big push from the FAA to move our record and record retention to digital platforms. It helps us with which items need to be repaired,” says Thomas Oscarsson, assistant director of aviation at RHAIA.

The airspace over Amarillo may have many flights passing by at 35,000 feet, but there are many swooping down to leave and pick up passengers. We’ve come a long way since that first touch-and-go back in 1918.

AMARILLO AIR TERMINAL, 1959

AMARILLO AIR TERMINAL, 1959

AMARILLO AIR FORCE BASE

Amarillo resident Nyanwiy Deng opened the door of the Diane Dick Model & Talent Agency on Washington Street and stepped inside—all 6 feet 2 inches of her. She didn’t have an appointment. She just walked in.

Diane, the legendary local agent and model, looked up from her desk, gasped, and asked, “Where have you been?”

That, indeed, is the question. Nyanwiy is about to become a big deal, and she’s going to be talking about her origins on a regular basis. Represented by Dick’s agency, Nyanwiy (pronounced “ne-ON-wee”) just won Female Model of the Year at January’s International Modeling & Talent Association convention in Los Angeles. IMTA is a biannual gathering of unsigned talent—once a year in L.A. and later in New York City—which hosts modeling competitions in a variety of categories. Ashton Kutcher got discovered there. So did household names like Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria and Elijah Wood.

BY JASON BOYETT

REFUGEE on the Runway

If the stars continue to align, Nyanwiy Deng may soon be headed toward that kind of A-list recognition. “I see New York, Paris, Milan, the top,” says Dick of her model’s future. “The best designers: Givenchy, Gaultier, the very best. She really could be the next big star.”

The apex of high fashion, in other words. That world is already a long way from Amarillo, and definitely a long way from the reality Nyanwiy knew before 2019, when she and her family arrived in the United States from Africa.

A DREAM COME TRUE

“My parents are South Sudanese, but I was born and raised in Kenya in a refugee camp,” Nyanwiy explains in soft, ever-so-slightly accented English. Literally, she was born a refugee. The ongoing civil war and ethnic violence in South Sudan drove many families into neighboring countries like Kenya. Nyanwiy doesn’t know her father, but she and her mother ended up at Kakuma, a notorious refugee camp in Kenya’s northwest corner.

Nyanwiy spent most of her upbringing in that environment before moving further southeast to the Dadaab refugee complex in Garissa.

PHOTOS

Every aspect of life was a struggle. Occasionally, they didn’t have safe water to drink. Sometimes there wasn’t enough food for regular meals. She had to walk long distances to get to and from her school building.

“There were a lot of challenges over there,” Nyanwiy says, in an incredible understatement. But that world was all she knew. She’d never experienced life outside a refugee camp. “We had learned how to live like that.”

She went on to attend high school in Nairobi until her family, which at that point included a younger brother and sister, received approval to resettle in the U.S. The Dengs left everything behind to board a flight to America. They spent their first six months in Memphis, Tennessee, before moving to Amarillo, where several members of their extended family live.

“Then we had to find our own jobs,” Nyanwiy says. She and her family had struggled to find work in Memphis, but Amarillo was different. “There, we were looking for jobs. Here, the jobs were looking for people. It was easier to find jobs here, and they were paying good, too.”

In September 2019, Nyanwiy got hired by the Tyson Foods plant in northeast Amarillo. She boxed and labeled packed beef. She took a stint as a trimmer, working in refrigerated coolers. In the process, she earned her GED because her Kenyan high school diploma didn’t transfer to America.

It was hard work, but she was happy. “It was a dream come true coming to America,” she says. “America was like heaven to us because we would see it on TV. The buildings, the lights and the life. I had better opportunities than I would ever have back at home.”

And that perspective—one of gratitude for her new surroundings and the hope generated by opportunity—dates back to when she was working in food production.

That was then. Over the past few months her workplace has changed. She’s on the cusp of a brand-new career, and it’s considerably more glamorous than trimming beef.

BEST OF THE BEST

Nyanwiy had dreamed of becoming a model but didn’t exactly know how to make it happen. She wasn’t going to be discovered on a refrigerated assembly line. But some of her colleagues at Tyson began to tell her that Amarillo was home to a legitimate modeling agency. “People came over to me, people who knew Diane, and were like, ‘You need to go find a lady called Diane,’” she says. “They literally came with papers with the address on it to show me exactly where to go.”

So she went. One day last year, Nyanwiy just showed up at Dick’s agency. Diane just happened to be there.

“The first thing I thought, and I’m totally sincere about this, was, ‘Thank you, God,’” says Diane. “I think there are times when God brings certain people into your life. I think it was a God thing.”

Diane Dick is a veteran of the fashion world. Now 80, she began working as a model in the 1960s, then in 1966 established her own agency, based in Amarillo, which represents local talent around the world. Her models have appeared in film and television, on the covers of international fashion magazines, and in advertising campaigns from Texas to China. She’s a charter member of industry organizations like IMTA, and has been attending that conference since it began.

Diane knows the international modeling world and the modeling world knows Diane.

She’s never seen anyone quite like Nyanwiy. “She’s got this gorgeous, beautiful face,” Diane begins to say, then stops herself and looks at her model. “Don’t listen to this part. I don’t want your head to get too big.” Nyanwiy smiles and looks down. She’s definitely listening.

Diane continues. “Her skin is just incredible. Her body is perfect for [modeling]. She’s intelligent. She’s pleasant to work with. She’s eager to learn. She’s flawless for this business. Those are all things that combine to make her more than just the ordinary person,” she says.

A few weeks ago, the judges and industry leaders at IMTA seemed to agree. “Agents come from all over the world to look for new faces and new talent,” Diane says of that event. “People from all over the world come to compete. It’s the best of the best.”

The 2024 Los Angeles IMTA represented Nyanwiy’s first competition—and probably her last. “You have no idea how incredible she is,” Diane says. She racked up the wins. First place in Makeup. First place in Swimsuit. First place in Runway. First place in Fashion Print. First place in Jeans.

And then, the apex of the competition: Female Model of the Year and Most Sought-After Female Model.

After the event ended, an IMTA staff member came to Diane. “I don’t know if you realize this,” the woman said of Nyanwiy, “but she had more callbacks than any other model ever in the history of the IMTA.”

What does that mean? “It means every single top agency that was there wanted [to sign] her,” Diane says.

Diane Dick’s agency in Amarillo will always be Nyanwiy’s “mother agency,” in industry terms—the agency of discovery. But it will be up to larger modeling agencies to take her career to the next level, and countless agencies were ready to attach themselves to Nyanwiy’s future stardom. In late February, Nyanwiy had garnered exclusive contract offers from Hop Models (Atlanta), BMG (NYC, LA, Chicago), AMTI (Canada), and was in contract negotiations with Milk Management (London).

INCREDIBLE TRAJECTORY

Already, high-profile fashion photographers are interested in Nyanwiy. Advertisers are calling. Designers want to get her in their clothing, but Diane sees more than fashion in her client’s future. “She could go right into movies. You talk about someone that looks like a queen, that looks like royalty. That’s her,” she says. “Everything about her is just so regal.”

Nyanwiy smiles again. “It would be cool to be a queen,” she says softly.

She realizes her time as an Amarillo resident has been all too brief. She lives here for now, but she’s about to move on. Her new career will take her across the United States and around the world. “She’ll get to shoot in some of the most exotic locations on the face of the earth,” Diane says, “with the most talented, creative, innovative people. I’m just thrilled to death for her.”

Nyanwiy Deng is going to travel the world. She’s going to become a template for the world’s best designers and a muse for the world’s greatest photographers. She may reach the pinnacle of the fashion world and her gifts may propel her even further than that.

“I know for a fact that it’s going to be a change in my life, a big change,” she says.

But this city in the Texas Panhandle—where so many of her cousins and aunts still live, working hard and building new lives in a new place—will remain part of her story.

“I like it here. It was a blessing for me,” she says. Nyanwiy made the decision to walk in the door, but describes her meeting with Diane Dick as “an opportunity that just fell out of the sky.”

A blessing. An opportunity. A “God thing.” Whatever it was, it is a gift. A gift for Diane Dick’s agency and a gift for Nyanwiy’s burgeoning career.

“It was definitely the beginning of a different and better life for me,” Nyanwiy says. She looks up and smiles at Diane, her mentor. Nyanwiy’s training takes over. She sits up straighter, pushes her shoulders back, and embraces the height, elegance and confidence that make her an extraordinary beauty in a decidedly ordinary landscape.

We’re not familiar with kings or queens in the Texas Panhandle, but this much is clear: Nyanwiy Deng looks like no one else, and she’s about to capture the world’s attention.

elevate your plate

WITH RUTHIE LANDELIUS

KITCHEN RESOLUTIONS

I’ve enjoyed settling into the new year like a cozy bed with a side of warm cookies and a tall glass of hope, but with springtime right around the corner, I continue to find myself pondering on the things that bring me comfort: family, good food, connection, time for self, and … did I mention good food? Although we are on the other side of the holidays—thank goodness—I still feel like I haven’t had much time for rest. Cheese and crackers, I need more time! What I need is mindfulness and to connect to my craft by honing in on a few kitchen resolutions. Springtime is the best time to wake yourself up and bloom with eagerness to cook fabulous meals.

To start, trade your “I don’t give a darn” card for one that turns your kitchen into a serene sanctuary of self-discovery and creativity. This is the time to set intentions for what’s important to you! Do you feel that fire I’m throwing your way? Find the ember in your life, and feed it fuel! For me, my ember is a pilot light, forever waiting for me to ignite its potential. And it’s waiting to dance, baby. So, put on some music and let’s boogie with ingredients, careful consideration, and personal connection.

CONNECT TO YOURSELF

Start your mindful cooking journey by connecting to yourself. Pause, breathe and let go of the day’s hustle and stress. Yes, I know— someone left the idiot bag open on the streets, but you made it home. Big breath in through the nose and out through your mouth. Engage your senses in the present moment as you cook. Feel the textures, inhale the aromas, and revel in the visual symphony of colors you’re creating in your kitchen.

In the winter, I crave dimly-lit dinners, 1940s music, nostalgia and a slow meal. We’re still within that season, so to capture this comfortfood essence, I imagine a softer texture like smooth parsnip potato mash with a drizzle of white truffle oil and a scant sprinkle of fleur de sel. I envision the aromas of cinnamon, cardamom, clove and garlic wafting through the air. The colors on my plate are oranges, muted reds and caramelized browns. Do you feel all of that? Connection engaged.

CONNECT WITH OTHERS

Ah, my favorite. Mindful cooking isn’t a solo act, it’s a social dance. Invite loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Share stories, laughter and the joy of creating something together. Strengthen your bonds through the experience of cooking with one another and savoring the fruits of your labor. I’m going to say it again: stories, stories, STORIES! Breaking off a piece of yourself and handing it to another passes on your love, joy and reminiscences. It is so important to this equation. I’m a sucker for food memories and the beautiful stories they’re always wrapped in.

INJECTING CREATIVITY

If there’s anything you take away from my words, let it be this: Cooking is the canvas for your culinary creativity. Recipes are cool and all, but now and then, let intuition be your guide as you prepare a meal. Experiment with flavors and play with various herbs and spices.

Your kitchen is your art studio.

There are times when I spend hours perfecting a dish in my kitchen. The flavors must be spot-on. The way I arrange the food on the plate in the right light and the utensil I choose to eat my meal are all taken into account. Trust me when I say it all matters.

The recipe I’ve included here, Roasted Winter Fruits and Vegetables, was a delight for me to cook. I craved earthiness, sweetness, saltiness and all the warm, rich colors of a past fall. Yes, I miss fall! This simple dish brings it back.

S ELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH INGREDIENTS

You have stories to tell, as do your ingredients. Dive into the narrative of your produce, herbs and spices. Let their origin and journey to your kitchen inspire your cooking. The more you know about your ingredients, the deeper your connection to your culinary creations.

I know I’m about to sound super nuts and maybe a little half-baked, but I hear me out: Ingredients are characters, weaving their unique tale about their provenance and the very hands that cultivated them. Aromatic spices release the cultural sagas of their distant lands into the air you breathe as they simmer in a soup on the stove. Sizzling garlic in hot oil—its hissing steam unfolds a new chapter of flavor— a beautiful metamorphosis all just for you, honey. When I describe ingredients this way, does it make you want to cook a stellar meal?

As you navigate your culinary landscape this year, let mindfulness be the guiding star. Dive into those kitchen resolutions, connect with yourself, infuse creativity into every dish, discover the stories within your ingredients, and strengthen bonds with those who matter. And remember, kids, cooking isn’t just about meals; it’s a journey of selfdiscovery and connection, one mindful bite at a time.

RUTHIE LANDELIUS

Ruthie owns Black Fig Catering and is proprietor of a food blog at blackfigfood.com. Learn more about her online classes at blackfigfoodprograms. com.

ROASTED WINTER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

This recipe makes for a beautiful side dish or can be enjoyed all on its own. Add crusty bread and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, and you’ve got a cozy winter weeknight meal.

One bunch orange baby carrots

One bunch purple baby carrots

Two bunches baby beets (golden, red or candy)

One acorn squash, halved, seeds removed, and sliced Red grape cluster, on or off the vine

Olive oil for drizzle

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Fresh thyme and rosemary, roughly chopped

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse carrots, beets and grapes under cold water, removing dirt. Dry with a paper towel and set aside in a large mixing bowl. Add sliced acorn squash, olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon and sugar; toss lightly with your hands. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the fruit/vegetable mixture evenly onto the sheet, and roast for 30 to 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat an iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and sliced apples to skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the edges are brown. Remove apples from pan; set aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add prosciutto and pearl onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in apples, apple cider vinegar, a pinch of kosher salt and pepper, and then remove from heat; set aside.

Once the fruit and vegetables are roasted to perfection, remove from oven and transfer to a serving platter. Carefully add sauteed apples, prosciutto and pearl onions. Sprinkle with fresh thyme and serve.

Makes 2 to 4 servings

Amarillo

stands at the forefront of health education, fueled by the same grit and spirit that has remained at the heart of the High Plains for half a century.

Serving the people of the Panhandle is a call to service that we hold proudly. Our TTUHSC community creates a fabric of skills and experiences that can only be achieved with the discipline, collaboration and courage to face even the toughest challenges.

Our determination drives change. We are The Future of Health

A Micro But Mighty

marillo’s Katie Hodges has turned tiny leaves into a big business. The owner of Hodgepodge Farm—an urban farm in southwest Amarillo—she grows a variety of microgreens, selling the power-packed veggies to local restaurants as well as the general public.

“Microgreens are just baby plants,” she explains.

Hodges points to a series of shallow trays, grown in a backyard greenhouse. Tiny leaves and stems— around an inch or two tall—poke up from a bed of damp soil, reaching toward the artificial grow lights. She identifies them: “This is a salad mix. That’s cabbage. Broccoli, red amaranth, spicy mustard, radish, cabbage. These are basil,” she says.

The term “microgreens” refers to the first sets of leaves a seedling grows, tiny shoots that fuel a plant’s early stages before it develops “real” leaves. (From a technical standpoint, these baby leaves are known as cotyledon leaves.) When harvested before maturity, these leaves are packed with nutrition and intense flavor.

they add a healthy, visually striking garnish to a dish. That’s why Hodges has built a business clientele of local restaurants that seek out her products, including Girasol Cafe & Bakery, OHMS Cafe & Bar, Cask & Cork and Six Car Pub & Brewery. “The restaurants like the prettiness of [microgreens], but they are so nutritious. Broccoli is about the most nutrient-dense microgreen you can get,” she adds.

Hodges also sells her products at the ongoing Lil’ Ranchers Farmers Market and, this summer, at the Canyon Farmers Market.

“They are four to 40 times more nutritious than mature plants,” Hodges says, “because you’re getting all that nutrition for the baby plant.”

They grow quickly, too, which means there’s no need for pesticides or herbicides. “I’m putting nothing but water on these plants,” she says.

The tiny shoots are usually consumed raw. Nutritionists love microgreens as a powerful source of fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Home cooks like to include them on soups and salads, or in sandwiches and smoothies. And chefs love microgreens because

Chef Sam Blackburn, a graduate of the Scottsdale Culinary Institute and a corporate chef with Sodexo, has been relying on Hodges’ microgreens for several years. He says most professional chefs appreciate microgreens for a variety of reasons, starting with appearance.

“They set your dishes off better than the traditional minced parsley dusting we’re so accustomed to,” he says. “They add a textural component and a little bit of nutritional value.”

Personally, Blackburn loves to use fresh microgreens in salad. “We’ll just toss them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. They’re a nice salad by themselves and a great way to get your nutrients,” he says. The two recipes included here were developed by Blackburn.

The tiny size and short growth cycle allow Hodges to grow her microgreens in a relatively small indoor space, and she spent years cultivating the tiny plants indoors. But this spring, she moved her operation into a sizable backyard greenhouse.

“It just keeps growing,” she says of Hodgepodge Farm. “I love the fact of letting people be able to afford their food and knowing what’s on it. I was just kind of meant for it,” she says.

PHOTO BY GARNISH PHOTOGRAPHY

Grilled Lamb Chops/Chipotle Raspberry Reduction/Blueberry Lacquered Baby Carrots/Radishes/Lion’s Mane Mushrooms/Swiss Chard

6 ounces fresh raspberries

1 ½ cups cabernet

½ shallot, sliced thin

1 teaspoon minced garlic

½ teaspoon chipotle powder

¼ cup honey

1 teaspoon butter

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer until almost syrupy. Remove from heat and whisk in butter. Set aside.

12 to 14 baby carrots with tops

6 to 8 radishes, tops removed

2 (½ pints) blueberries

⅓ cup balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Toss carrots and radishes in oil, season to taste. Lay on sheet tray and roast for 30 to 35 minutes, until tender. Meanwhile, bring one ½ pint blueberries, balsamic and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer to a simmer and reduce by half. Blend, strain and return to pan. Add remaining blueberries to pan. Brush blueberry reduction over carrots and spoon blueberries over top.

2 lion’s mane mushrooms, sliced ¼ inch thick

1 to 2 cups swiss chard, cut into ribbons

1 ½ tablespoons grapeseed oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Salt and pepper

Heat oil over medium-high heat. Season both sides of mushrooms. Sear mushrooms for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Add swiss chard and garlic, saute 1 to 2 minutes.

4 lamb chops

Grapeseed oil

Salt and pepper

Heat grill to medium high. Lightly coat each side of lamb chops with oil and season. Grill lamb chops quickly on both sides, until internal temperature reaches 125 degrees. Remove from heat; cover with foil and allow lamb to rest for 3 to 4 minutes.

To assemble, serve 1 lamb chop with 4 to 5 carrots and radishes and mushroom and swiss chard saute. Drizzle lamb chop with raspberry reduction. Top with your favorite local microgreens.

Makes 4 servings

Espresso Rubbed Blue Cheese & Currant-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin/Asparagus/ Peppers/Sweet Potatoes

½ cup minced shallots

1 tablespoon minced parsley

1 tablespoon French herb blend from SALT Spices & Specialties

3 tablespoons Maille old-style mustard

3 tablespoons Zante currants

½ cup plus 1 tablespoon blue cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

2 pork tenderloins, silver skin removed Espresso rub from SALT Spices & Specialties

Butcher’s twine

Combine shallots, parsley, French herb blend, mustard, currants and blue cheese in a bowl. Mix to combine and season with salt and pepper. Spread a piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Butterfly pork tenderloins, splitting down the middle, and

1 bunch fresh asparagus

1 tablespoon butter

1 bell pepper, julienned

1 tablespoon minced garlic

Bring large pot of water to a boil; salt heavily. Drop asparagus in boiling water and cook for roughly 3 minutes, then plunge directly into an ice bath. Heat butter in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat. Add peppers, season and saute for 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute 30 seconds more. Add asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

then fan out on top of wrap. Cover with another layer of plastic wrap. Pound tenderloins with a mallet until about ½ inch thick. Remove top layer of plastic wrap and season inside with salt and pepper. Spread blue cheese mixture evenly on inside of pork, leaving about ¾ inch around edges. Roll the pork tenderloin so the stuffing remains on the inside. Season outside of tenderloins liberally with espresso rub. Tie 4 sections of the tenderloin with 4 lengths of butcher’s twine to hold it together. Using plastic wrap, tightly roll tenderloin up so it retains its shape. If available, vacuum seal. Otherwise, place in a Ziploc bag and slowly push them underwater, closing the bag after it has been submerged up to the opening. Set up a sous vide bath at 135 degrees and sous vide pork for 2 hours. Remove pork from bags and plastic; heat grill to medium high. Pat tenderloins dry, and then finish quickly on the grill, marking each side.

2 sweet potatoes, medium dice

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Bacon salt from SALT Spices & Specialties

Pepper

Smoked garlic herb blend from SALT Spices & Specialties

In a large saute pan, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add sweet potatoes; season with bacon salt, pepper and smokey garlic herb blend. Saute for 5 to 7 minutes, until potatoes are tender.

To serve, slice pork tenderloin into 2-inch lengths. Serve with 4 ounces sweet potatoes and 4 ounces asparagus and peppers.

Makes 4 to 5 servings

Hold the Tomatoes

Most vegetables and herbs are safe to consume as microgreens—but not all. A few crops are actually toxic at the seedling stage, including tomatoes and a few other members of the nightshade family (including peppers, eggplant and potatoes). The harmful compounds in their leaves and stems can cause illnesses, especially when consumed in high quantities.

PHOTO BY GARNISH PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

HEALTH

From dental care to physical therapy to surgeries, the people of the Texas Panhandle rely on Amarillo. All 26 counties of the Panhandle travel here for health care, as do residents of Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado. The expert providers they seek out— including our nationally acclaimed hospital systems—work hard to ensure professionalism and compassion as they improve quality of life. We spoke to several local leaders for this special Health section, which focuses on the key health issues in which they specialize.

Anthony Mancuso II, D.O.S

How long have you been in practice? I just completed six years of orthopedic training in July 2023, and started practicing with Northwest Physicians Group in December 2023.

What is your primary focus? My primary focus is orthopedic trauma, meaning I take care of fractures all over the body in all age groups, from pediatrics to geriatrics and everything in between.

Where did you receive your training? I completed my five-year Orthopedic Surgery Residency in Toledo, Ohio, at Mercy HealthSt. Vincent Medical Center, followed by completing a one-year fellowship in Orthopedic Trauma at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

What influenced your career choice? With orthopedic trauma, you see people in a state of pain and brokenness as a result of the injuries they have sustained. For me, being able to take care of those patients, to literally put them back together, and give them their life back is immensely rewarding. Also, when it comes to trauma, you never know what type of injury you’ll see during a shift or even limping into the office. Trauma keeps you on your toes, and each patient and fracture are different, requiring your entire attention to detail.

What sets you apart from other specialists? My specific specialty allows me to care for the polytraumatized patient— the people who are the sickest and most hurt. Additionally, I have trained, focused and dedicated my life to fixing all types of broken bones. From long-bone fractures, fractures around joints, pelvis/acetabular trauma, or fractures around previous implants/total joint replacements, and even to fractures that have not healed or healed in the wrong spot. My training has afforded me a special set of skills to care for all those injuries and the patients that present with them.

How do you stay involved in the community? As I have just recently moved to Amarillo, I am actively seeking ways to become involved in the community outside of work. Having school-aged children allows me to be involved in the community through their school and extracurricular activities. This lets me and my family get to know their friends and what they enjoy, which helps familiarize us with the community and what is important to them.

What fulfills you most as you practice orthopedic trauma? One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is being able to care for people who are injured, broken and in a dark place; being able to help them get their lives back and heal their injuries is immensely rewarding. Each patient encounter allows me another opportunity to get to know a different patient, help find things that bring them joy, and have a mutual goal with them to get them back to those activities. I am a member of AO Trauma North America, OTA, AAOS, and Mid-America Orthopedic Association.

Bradley Trinidad, M.D.

How long have you been in practice? Three years.

What is your primary focus? Vascular and endovascular surgery. It is a very unique specialty in general—it’s a specialty that combines other specialties, in a way.

First and foremost, I am a surgeon, but I am also an interventionist and a primary care physician. This combination allows me to provide my patients with comprehensive care.

Where did you receive your training? I earned my medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine and completed my residency at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.

What certifications do you hold? I am board-certified in vascular surgery.

What influenced your career choice? When I was young, I would go to my grandfather’s art gallery. My grandfather was an artist and he was also in a band called Raul and the MDs. He was the lead singer and the rest of the band members were doctors. So I got my first up-close look at doctors from a more social aspect. As I got older, I decided medicine was something I wanted to do. I was heavily influenced by my mentors in medical school. I always saw vascular surgeons as the “cool” surgeons.

What sets you apart from other specialists? The ability to offer patients both traditional open surgery as well as minimally invasive endovascular procedures sets me apart. I can offer patients one or the other, or a combination of both procedures. The trust between a physician and patient is very important; the stronger the trust, the better the outcome for a patient, particularly with vascular surgery. Once someone becomes my patient, they are often my patient forever.

How do you stay involved in the community? Through my children’s school and through my hospital.

What fulfills you most as you practice medicine? The long-term relationships I make with my patients mean more to me than anything else. I am often the last line of defense—typically, when a vascular surgeon is called, that’s when things are most serious and people need help.

C. Edward Sauer, Jr., DDS and Nathaniel Avirett, DDS Shemen Dental Group, LLP

SBEFORE AFTER

hemen Dental Group provides a variety of modern dental services, from teeth cleaning and fillings to Invisalign® clear aligners. But some patients need more significant treatment, including dental implants. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are attached to the jawbone and provide a functional, comfortable replacement for missing teeth. Implants are the gold standard for replacing natural teeth, both in appearance and function.

Shemen now offers new digitized technology that makes the dental implant procedure faster, more efficient, more predictable and much easier for the patient.

Q:How long does it take to get dental implants? What is the procedure like?

A standard procedure consists of removing all teeth in a given arch (upper or lower, and sometimes both) in order to place 4 to 6 implants. The implants convert a denture to a fixed appliance that allows the patient to leave the office with teeth that are attached and not removable like traditional immediate dentures with little or no pain.

This first appliance is a temporary one. In most cases, it is not strong enough to serve as a permanent solution. Within a year, it needs to be replaced with a final appliance—often using a zirconia or titanium bar—that will be fused to the jawbone and strong enough to last for a long time. The conversion from the initial appliance (temporary) to fixed appliance (permanent) used to take several hours and required multiple steps.

New technology at Shemen, however, has made this process much faster and far more comfortable for patients. The process starts with a 3D digital X-ray of the mouth using cone beam computed tomography, along with a digital scan of the teeth and surrounding tissue. An initial restorative setup is developed and approved. At the next visit, the dentist will remove the teeth and deliver the temporary appliances.

At the final delivery appointment, the dentists and technicians will trim the tissue and bone before placing the implants. After this, special scan bodies are attached to the implants while a specialized camera scans the mouth, locating the scan bodies and their exact position. The scan bodies are removed and a digital scan of the tissue is performed. While the patient is still resting comfortably in the office, these are sent to a special design lab that combines the scans to create a final developed prosthesis that perfectly fits the implants and tissue. This appliance is five times stronger than the temporary appliance, with a precise fit to allow ideal conditions for healing. We receive the digital file and print the appliance in-house using 3D printing technology. The entire design and printing process takes around 90 minutes total, providing customized, highly accurate and aesthetic results while optimizing patient comfort and convenience.

Dr. Eddy Sauer is a native of Amarillo, receiving his Bachelor of Science from West Texas State University and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1987. He has practiced in Amarillo for the past three decades and also teaches other dentists across the United States in the latest technology and advanced practices in the profession. He and his wife, Tina, have been married for 40 years and have four daughters, three grandchildren and two more on the way.

Dr. Nathaniel Avirett is a native of Amarillo, receiving his Bachelor of Science from West Texas A&M University and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Texas A&M College of Dentistry in 2011. Dr. Avirett has practiced in Amarillo for more than a decade and recently retired from serving

our country as a reservist in the Texas Army National Guard with the rank of Major. He and his wife, Dr. Erin Avirett, and together, they are raising three children.

Dr. Ahmad Khalil was born and raised in Houston. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2008, graduating Cum Laude. He then earned a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Khalil is married to his wife, Mubeena, a Chicago native and a professional in the financial services industry. As a general practitioner over the past few years, Dr. Khalil has treated adults and children of all ages, garnering experience in multiple disciplines.

806.358.2472 SHEMENDENTAL.COM

Texas Tech Physicians Surgery

At Texas Tech Physicians Surgery, our providers are dedicated to delivering exceptional care across various specialties. Our surgeons also serve as faculty members at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine, ensuring patients receive expert-driven care in the High Plains region. Notably, all our surgeons have completed fellowships.

What does it mean to be fellowship-trained? A fellowship is an advanced, specialized training program following the completion of a medical residency. It’s an immersive experience lasting a year or more, allowing physicians to delve deeper into a specific area of expertise. This additional training empowers our providers to offer more comprehensive and specialized care. All physicians at Texas Tech Physicians Surgery in Amarillo are fellowship-trained, making us the only surgical team in town with this distinction.

Texas Tech Physicians Surgery provides general and minimally invasive surgery, along with various sub-specialty services. Our surgeons specialize in trauma and critical care, colorectal health, hernia, bariatrics, surgical oncology, hepatopancreaticobiliary, wound care, burns, soft tissue masses, lipomas, breast surgery, and other general surgery needs.

Can you explain the partnership Texas Tech Physicians has with area hospitals? While we offer outpatient services at our Texas Tech Physicians clinic at 1400 S. Coulter St. in Amarillo, our providers also have privileges at hospitals such as BSA, Northwest Texas Healthcare System and Hereford Regional Medical Center, where we provide surgical patients with state-of-the-art medical care with compassion and skill.

We are proud to collaborate with Northwest Texas Healthcare System in celebrating its recent Level II Trauma Center verification by the American College of Surgeons. This designation ensures 24-hour immediate coverage by general surgeons and coverage in various specialties, emphasizing our commitment to providing accessible care. Our partnership with BSA, a recently named Level III trauma hospital, supports access to trauma surgery and other emergency services, as well as support for smaller, regional trauma centers. What exciting things are on the horizon for Texas Tech Physicians Surgery? Texas Tech Physicians Surgery is focused on serving the entire region, encompassing 350,000 people. As longstanding surgeons in the area retire, a need will arise to recruit surgeons to care for Panhandle residents. We are committed to filling that gap. As members of the TTUHSC School of Medicine faculty, we are responsible for educating medical students during their third and fourth years in Amarillo. As we aim to grow the health care workforce in the Panhandle, we are committed to establishing a surgical residency program at TTUHSC in the coming years. Residents will provide additional medical support at area hospitals while they’re getting their training, with the goal of retaining these physicians to practice in the area after completing their residencies or fellowships. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, 66.1 percent of individuals who completed residency training in Texas stayed in the state to practice medicine after finishing. This endeavor will be no small task, but we look forward to growing our partnerships with local hospitals and community stakeholders to ensure the people of the Panhandle are the healthiest they can be.

Trey H. Miller, DDS, FAGD, LVIF Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo

How long have you been in practice? After graduating from UT School of Dentistry in May 2018, I moved back home to Amarillo to join Dr. Clint Esler in his cosmetic dental practice. Upon our partnership, we renamed the practice Advanced Dentistry of Amarillo. Dr. Esler retired two years later. I have been managing the practice since then, and it has been my joy and passion to serve the fine people of the Panhandle with the best cosmetic dentistry has to offer.

What is your primary focus? Staying up to date with the very latest in cosmetic restorative dentistry. We focus on working with smiles that have been worn out and restoring them back to masterpieces of esthetics and function.

Where did you receive your training? I received my undergraduate in Biology and Chemistry at Texas Tech University College of Arts & Sciences and Honors College. Afterwards, I attended the University of Texas School of Dentistry, graduating as the top student in the department of Operative Dentistry. After dental school, I furthered my specialty education in cosmetics at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, where I hold a Fellowship. I have also taken many courses through the SPEAR Center and through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I hold a Fellowship through the Academy of General Dentistry, an achievement held by less than 6 percent of all U.S. dentists.

What influenced your career choice? My desire to help others achieve confidence and function regarding their smiles, when that confidence was not present before. It is amazing to see someone’s personality improve because they are now confident to smile, after feeling like they had to hide that part of themselves before.

What sets you apart from other specialists? Our specialty training and laser focus on cosmetic restorative dentistry, porcelain veneers, TMJ and sleep apnea. We are not a “do-it-all” office—we are highly focused on these specific procedures, so our patients can feel reassured knowing their smiles are in the hands of specialists.

How do you stay involved in the community? I am proud to be the next President of the Panhandle Dental Society. I also regularly attend local dental meetings and continuing education events. My family and I actively attend Hillside Christian Church, Amarillo charitable events, and the Amarillo Symphony.

Re-Form Physical Therapy, Pilates & Aesthetics

Established in 2016, Re-Form took the first small steps in its journey to becoming a premier destination for physical therapy and Pilates. Recognizing clients’ evolving needs, the company swiftly expanded its offerings to encompass a comprehensive approach to wellness. Today, Re-Form stands as a beacon of holistic care. Physical therapy and Pilates are still central to its services, but Re-Form has now integrated aesthetics, massage therapy, and pelvic floor training into its wellness approach.

“At Re-Form, self-care isn’t just a service—it’s a philosophy,” says owner and founder Jentry Williams, PT, DPT. “Every visit is an opportunity to prioritize well-being, allowing our clients to embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal.”

Re-Form maintains a dedicated staff of RNs and aestheticians to help skin-care clients look and feel their best:

Ashley Smith, RN, focuses on getting her clients’ skin as healthy as possible, especially for those dealing with common conditions like sun damage, acne, or a compromised skin barrier and rosacea. Smith establishes a custom, long-term plan for better skin health. She got started in aesthetics by training under some of the top clinicians in Dallas, Texas. She says being able to blend her nursing skills with aesthetic treatments has been incredibly fulfilling.

Brittani Worsham, aesthetician, focuses on prioritizing skin health and empowering her clients to feel confident and radiant in their own skin. Worsham’s commitment to continued education and her ability to embrace and adapt to the ever-evolving field of skincare helps her stay abreast of the latest trends and innovations. She holds various certifications, including those in dermaplaning and chemical peels. She is also a ZO Skin Health Expert.

With 13 years of service in the nursing field, Lacy Bailey, RN, began her journey in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Northwest Texas Hospital. She then transitioned into aesthetics, where she specializes in the latest technology in lasers and the artistry of injectables, including neurotoxins and dermal fillers. Bailey’s commitment to education and expertise with advanced techniques—along with the personalized care and treatments she provides—set her apart in the Amarillo market. Her philosophy centers on embracing each patient’s uniqueness, crafting a customized aesthetic plan aimed at achieving authentic, confidence-boosting results.

Taking care of your skin goes beyond just surface-level pampering; it’s an essential aspect of holistic wellness. From facials to laser treatments, prioritizing your skin’s health doesn’t just profoundly impact how you look, but also how you feel. And the journey to radiant skin doesn’t end after you visit Re-Form—it’s a partnership between professional care and diligent self-care. By complementing your treatments with nourishing facials and high-quality skincare products, you’re nurturing your skin’s newfound vitality and ensuring lasting results.

Investing in your skin is an investment in your overall well-being. With proper maintenance and sun protection, the benefits can endure for years, becoming a cornerstone of your self-care ritual.

Christina Huseman, M.D. Women’s Healthcare Associates

How long have you been in practice? I’ve been in practice for almost two years at WHA, following a robust four-year residency at Texas Tech. My journey in medicine has been enriched by nearly six years of intensive training and hands-on experience.

What is your primary focus? My focus is on providing comprehensive obstetric and gynecologic care from prenatal care and well-woman visits to delivering babies and performing surgeries. My aim is to build long-lasting relationships with my patients, providing them with the knowledge and care they need to make informed decisions about their health.

Where did you receive your training? I graduated from Randall High School here in Amarillo and completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Bioinformatics at Baylor University. I completed my medical and residency training at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

What influenced your career choice? Ultimately, I chose this field because of the complexities and the profound impact of obstetric and gynecologic care. It’s not every day you get to be a part of such pivotal moments in someone’s life, even if it means your schedule is far from the standard 9 to 5.

What sets you apart from other specialists? My commitment to personalized care combined with a deep-rooted connection to our community. Having grown up and now practicing within the same community, I bring a personal touch to my practice that’s hard to find. My patients are not just names on a chart; they are my neighbors, former classmates and friends. This unique perspective allows me to tailor my care to the specific cultural and community needs of my patients, fostering a deeper trust and understanding.

How do you stay involved in the community? Though my attendance at church has become sporadic since welcoming my now 6-month-old son, my faith and values continue to inspire my approach to medicine. I bring empathy, integrity and a commitment to service into my practice, reflecting the principles I’ve valued in my spiritual life.

What fulfills you most as you practice medicine? The most rewarding part of my job is building lasting relationships with my patients, supporting them through various stages of life. Whether it’s helping a teenager navigate puberty, assisting a couple in their journey to parenthood, or guiding a woman into menopause, the trust and bond we form are incredibly fulfilling. Knowing I’ve made a positive difference in their lives is what motivates me every day.

Join us for an exciting gift announcement for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

10 a.m. March 7

Simulation Lab on the Baptist Community Services Nursing Education Floor in the

Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center 720 S. Tyler St.

OISHII JAPANESE SUSHI & SAKE

Amarillo’s newest Asian restaurant definitely elevates the local sushi experience with creative flavor combinations and presentation. A partnership between local restaurateurs La Pham and James Bouamidi, Oishii Japanese Sushi & Sake is located in the former home of Embers Steakhouse and has transformed that traditional setting into a modern Asian fusion dining experience.

And eating there is an experience. The menu is huge. The seafood is fresh. The dishes are designed to induce gasps as they arrive at the table.

As our secret food critic wrote in a recent “Cloak & Diner” review of Oishii, “all areas of the menu pay attention to presentation, but it’s not all style and no substance at Oishii.” (Be sure to subscribe to Flavorillo, our free email newsletter about the local restaurant scene, for access to these monthly reviews.)

Consider the Lobster Bomb, a signature sushi roll containing tempura lobster tails, avocado, cucumber, asparagus, tempura flakes and masago, and served with the empty carapace of a lobster tail propped up against a martini glass overflowing with tempura lobster bits. It’s a lot. Or the Salmon Bomb, an appetizer from the sushi bar that intriguingly wraps spicy kani (crab sticks) with salmon topped with thinly sliced strawberries. The unconventional pairing uses the sweetness of the strawberry to cut through the richness of the salmon.

The Oishii Chili Ceviche was an unexpected favorite appetizer, featuring thin-sliced red snapper topped with fresh lime zest, onion, thai chili peppers and a house umami fresh lime sauce.

For less adventurous diners, the traditional Asian staples are just as worthwhile, from the House Fried Rice to the Udon Drunken Noodles.

Oishii opened this past summer under the leadership of Bouamidi, who serves as general manager and came to the U.S. from Laos in 2007. Known by the restaurant staff as “Uncle James,” he operated the Oishii restaurant in Clovis, New Mexico, before opening in Amarillo. Prior to that, Bouamidi spent more than a decade at a prominent sushi restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida. “I’ve been doing it for a long time,” he says of creating sushi dishes and menus. “I like to bring new ideas.”

He leads a team including Jackie Ketalath and “Uncle Randy” Vongphachan. La Pham describes them as “the artwork and taste of every sushi dish that comes out of the restaurant.”

Bouamidi admits that access to quality seafood in Amarillo is a little more challenging than what he experienced in Florida, but Oishii receives shipments three times a week to make sure the fish is as fresh as possible. All the sauces are made from scratch in-house by Vongphachan. Patrons have responded: The restaurant has been incredibly busy since opening, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

2721 Virginia Circle 806.877.2464

PHOTOS BY SHANNON RICHARDSON

THE 806 COFFEE + LOUNGE

Art meets coffee—and a surprisingly delicious vegetarian and vegan menu—at this locally owned, atmospheric shop on Sixth. (The brunch is especially good.) Time it right and you’ll catch live music or an art show. If you’re ready to ditch the minimalist coffee scene, start here. 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 806.322.1806, the806.com $

80/20 MEAL PREP

Healthy meals to go. Build your own meal using already prepped foods, or choose from a flexible menu of options based on diet needs, whether vegan, trying to manage diabetes, or wanting enough protein to add muscle. Gourmet meals and meal-prep using highquality, whole food ingredients. 2511 S. Georgia St., 806.282.5434, eightytwentymeals.com $

THE AÇAÍ BAR

Don’t worry about how to say it. Just order one of these fruity, flavorful bowls or smoothies. They’re perfect for post-workout refueling or a light, nutritious lunch. The ingredients are mostly organic and the owners are local. Pro tip: It’s pronounced “ah-saw-ee.” 7306 SW 34th Ave., Suite 9, 806.367.9724, theacaibaramarillo.com $

ALDACO’S TACOS

old Toot-n-Totum buildings, this is the spot for affordable, authentic tacos and tamales. 3623 SW Sixth Ave., 806.374.4945 $$

ASPEN CREEK GRILL

This comfort casual chain has very few locations, but ours on I-40 is constantly busy. The appetizers are great for sharing and the popular Happy Hour is ridiculously affordable. Each location offers a signature menu. Try a Black Angus steak or pizza. 4110 I-40 West, 806.398.2776, aspencreekgrill.com/amarillo $$

BANGKOK TOKYO

The name should give you an idea of the Asian fusion available here. The dining area is very small—thanks, weird triangle roofline!—but you can get fantastic Thai food combined with even better sushi. Takeout orders are quick, and it also now offers an expanded glutenfree menu. 2413 S. Western St., Suite A, 806.353.4777 $$

BAR 3

$ $$ $$$ MAR/APR 2024 104

This out-of-the-way spot is located south of town at Preston West Golf Course, but it’s got a loyal patronage. We might even say it’s worth the, um, long drive. Hit it on Taco Tuesday, or grab traditional bar/grill food the rest of the week. Regular drink specials quench your thirst. 9101 S. Coulter St., 806.353.7003 $

This family-owned bakery is known across the city for its cookies and cakes, but the restaurant side has a passionate clientele of its own. Grab an enormous breakfast burrito with Roasters coffee. For lunch, try the soup or a panini. Belmar also has great box lunches and party trays. 3325 Bell St., 806.355.0141, belmarbakery.com $

BIG JIM’S PIZZA CO.

Formerly La Bella Pizza on Olsen, a locally owned pizza place with a dedicated clientele and a delightfully diverse menu. The pizza is great, of course—the 24-inch size is one of the biggest available in town—but they also serve burgers, gyros, calzones, subs, ribs, chicken and more. Full dining room and a full bar with live music. 3801 Olsen Blvd., Suite 9, 806.352.5050, ilovebigjimspizza.com $

This is not a comprehensive list of local restaurants. From issue to issue, we will try to include a wide variety of dining options based on the space available. If you notice an error, please email mm@brickandelm.com.

Most entrees under $10

Most entrees $11 to $20

BUNS OVER TEXAS

“Amarillo, your buns are up!” This no-frills burger joint with the embarrassing announcements has locations elsewhere in the state, but started in Amarillo in 1989. Build your own burger, quench your thirst from a huge variety of iced tea, and don’t forget the best cheese fries in Amarillo. 6045 SW 34th Ave., 806.358.6808, bunsovertexas.com $

CADA VEZ COCINA MEXICANA

This always-reliable Town Square restaurant continues to get raves for its classic Tex-Mex fare. The savory birria tacos are wonderful, and so are the salsa selections—with 22 beers on tap and excellent margaritas to wash it all down. Try the weekend brunch! 9200 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1000, 806.418.6976, cadavezamarillo.com $$

CAFE MARIZON

Lots of nostalgia here, from the daily desserts (BTS cake!) to the historic photos and Amarillo memorabilia on the walls. The downhome burgers are favorites, served on homemade bread. Try the French dip, the spicy chicken salad, or lunch specials like the green chile pie. 6151 Hillside Road, 806.352.2046, cafemarizon.com $$

CALICO COUNTY RESTAURANT

This Amarillo favorite isn’t fancy—the rusty farm tools on the cabin-style walls make that clear—but the homestyle food is always good, from breakfast fare to chicken-fried steak. This is the kind of friendly place where you always order the same thing (and you’re happy you did). 2410 Paramount Blvd., 806.358.7664, calicocountyrestaurant.com $$

CHOP CHOP RICE CO.

This long-standing fast-casual Asian restaurant is Amarillo-owned, with two locations here and three in Lubbock. It’s a favorite of high school and college students, who appreciate its generous portions and reasonable prices. 3300 S. Coulter St., Suite 1, 806.457.0700/2818 Wolflin Ave., 806.731.4499, chopchoprice.com $

CITY CAFÉ AND ESPRESSO

“Wanna eat at the PD?” Don’t be surprised at the question. This basement location at the Amarillo Police Department offers a full breakfast—it’s very affordable—and lunch menu with an espresso bar. The daily specials are popular, along with sandwiches, wraps, flat bread, burgers and salads. Call-in and to-go orders welcome. 200 SE Third Ave., Level B, 806.378.6104 $

DELVIN’S RESTAURANT & CATERING

After opening in 2015, this North Heights restaurant quickly gained a diverse, dedicated clientele from across the city thanks to its generous portions and made-from-scratch flavors. (The buttermilk pie is worth a trip by itself.) 1300 N. Hughes St., 806.310.9410, delvinsrestaurant.com $

DOUG’S HICKORY PIT BAR-B-QUE

In Amarillo, nostalgia is spelled D-O-U-G-S. Generations of locals visit this teensy little shack, which developers have just built around at 34th and Georgia. Your friends ate here in high school, regardless of your age. You won’t go wrong with a chopped beef sandwich and a bowl of beans. 3313 S. Georgia St., 806.352.8471 $

EAT-RITE HEALTH FOOD & RESTAURANT

This legendary cafe is nestled inside a longtime health food store in Wolflin Square, so you can feel good about everything on the menu. Its owner pioneered serving organic food in Amarillo. We’ve always loved the marinated carrots and enchiladas. Thirsty? Try the juice bar. 2425 I-40 West, 806.353.7476, eat-rite.com $$

EL BURRITO RICO

This little red-and-yellow walk-up hut is one of the true gems in the River Road neighborhood. Located near Pleasant Valley Elementary, it’s locally owned and open early for breakfast, serving incredible breakfast burritos and tortas. The well-seasoned lunch and dinner portions are large. 4404 River Road, 806.383.4545 $

EL CHARRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

The prominent I-40 location probably negates the title “hidden gem,” but we suspect a large percentage of Amarillo’s Mexicanfood aficionados haven’t visited El Charro. That’s a mistake. The fresh-made salsa is wonderful and the food flavorful and authentic. Travelers and locals alike rave about the friendly service. 4207 I-40 East, 806.373.4555 $

ELMO’S DRIVE INN

Ordering a burger in this long-lived San Jacinto drive-in feels like stepping back in time—in all the best ways. You may wait a few minutes for your order, but the old-fashioned burgers and fountain drinks are worth the wait. One of the carhops has worked there for more than 30 years! 2618 SW Third Ave., 806.374.3566 $

FAVS

FAVs stands for “Fruits and Vegetables,” and that’s precisely the healthy focus of this small, family-owned shop. Beyond the smoothies and fruit bowls, FAVs serves salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and fresh pressed juice, now with two locations in Amarillo. 706 SW 16th Ave., 806.803.9171/3333 Coulter St., D4, 806.318.2243, favsworld.com $

FIRE SLICE PIZZERIA

A little hard to find—this pizzeria is hidden on the back-alley side of the Summit Shopping Center—but it’s definitely worth the discovery. We love the fun atmosphere, calzones, paninis, craft beer and shareable starters. The brick-oven pizza toppings are inventive, too. 7306 SW 34th Ave., Space 10, 806.331.2232, fireslice.com $$

FRUTILANDIA

It’s easy to miss this tiny shop located right behind Fiesta Foods on Southeast 10th. Don’t miss it! Inside you’ll find beautiful ceviche, colorful fruit cups, gazpacho, shrimp cocktail, elote en vaso (corn in

ARTS PERFORMANCE series

a cup), bubble tea and addictive Doritos chili pie. 1010 SE 10th Ave., 806.370.6761 $

FUN NOODLE BAR

A relative newcomer to the city’s Asian restaurant scene, this is one of just a few places with decent ramen, dumplings and bao in Amarillo. The lunch specials are served until 3 p.m., and the orders arrive fast. Like most new restaurants around here, it stays busy. 2219 S. Georgia St., 806.803.2219 $$

THE GOLDEN LIGHT CAFE

This doesn’t need an introduction from us, but are you a real Amarilloan if you’ve never dined at this icon? In business since 1946 at the same location, it’s the oldest-operating restaurant in Amarillo and maybe even along Route 66. Fantastic greasy burgers with outdoor dining and a music venue next door. 2908 SW Sixth Ave., 806.374.9237, goldenlightcafe.com $

GOLDEN WAFFLE COMPANY

One of the proprietors of this women-owned business also owns the Golden Light, so its local heritage is already strong. This strip-mall spot features sweet and savory waffles with toppings. Its weekend brunch is extremely popular, along with its creative mimosas and micheladas. 6017 Hillside Road, Suite 250, 806.367.8141, goldenwafflecompany.com $

GRANDMA’S COCINA

Just like Abuela’s house, the full menu is available all day long at this little spot on 45th. New owners took over in early 2021, but the quality continues. Locals swear by the breakfast burritos as well as the fresh-cut fries and burgers and Tex-Mex favorites like asada and chili verde plates. 3609 SW 45th Ave., 806.398.9999 $

GREEN CHILE WILLY’S GRILL

This iconic location on I-27, tucked away between Amarillo and Canyon, is worth the short drive if you’re a fan of chicken-fried steak, country music, and a homespun family restaurant feel. The green-chile gravy is amazing, as are the hand-cut grilled steaks, burgers, and grilled chicken. 13651 I-27, 806.622.2200, greenchilewillys.com $$

HAPPY BURRITO

A good burrito always makes people happy, and this small dine-in and takeout restaurant on the Boulevard does it right. Almost everything on the menu is less than $5, and loyal customers tend to order online and pick it up. Interestingly, we hear a lot about the burgers here. 908 Amarillo Blvd. East, Suite B, 806.379.8226 $

HOUSE DIVIDED RESTAURANT & SPORTS GRILL

This locally owned, sports-themed bar and restaurant in west Amarillo serves pretty much everything—pub grub, steaks, Texasstyle entrees, pizza, Italian and Mexican food, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Trying to find a place everyone will like? Go here. 7609 Hillside Road, 806.350.4377, housedividedamarillo.com $$

HUMMERS SPORTS CAFE

Hummers is an Amarillo landmark dating back to the early 1980s, before sports bars were all the rage. This institution and its environs on Paramount have evolved since then, but the burgers are still fresh and delicious, the beer is still ice-cold and the good times are still really good. Our tip? Order the steak bites. 2600 Paramount Blvd., Suite B2, 806.353.0723, hummerssportscafe.com $$

IT’S A PUNJABI AFFAIR

Indian food is hard to find in Amarillo, but this hut across from Sam Houston Park takes a friendly, youthful approach to Indian-style street food. Our go-to orders include the butter chicken, lamb curry, and marinated and fried tilapia—plus options for vegans and vegetarians. 4201 Bushland Blvd., 806.414.2114, itsapunjabiaffair.square.site $

JASON’S DELI

We know why this deli chain is always busy. It’s definitely the amazing salad bar. And probably the free, family-friendly soft-serve ice cream.

At Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, we are all about breakfast. Many people say it’s the most important meal of the day.

After a restful night’s sleep and before folks embark on the adventures of the day, guests at Starlight Canyon are treated to some of the most delicious, hearty, hot breakfasts the world has to offer. Starlight Canyon delivers these hot breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings for weekend guests, but many return guests during the week will eagerly add a hot breakfast during their weekday stay because, well, they know. Folks who haven’t experienced this special meal are treated to homemade cinnamon rolls or other breakfast pastries with a continental breakfast. We’ll save our story about cinnamon rolls for another time—this story is about a recipe from the childhood of owner Nate Green.

Growing up in the “Great White North” of Minnesota, Nate had an actual Aunt Betty. Truth is, it was his dad’s Aunt Betty, so she will always be Great Aunt Betty to Nate.

Aunt Betty and Uncle David had a beautiful cabin on a lake shore just outside of Duluth. Days were filled with fishing, swimming and boating while listening to the beautiful calls of the common loon. On frequent visits to the beloved cabin, Great Aunt Betty would cook up her specialty for breakfast: Aunt Betty’s Egg Dish. It was a family favorite and Nate and his family would look forward to it every time.

Aunt Betty guarded that recipe for years. Many asked for the secrets and all were denied. She never told anyone the recipe—until Nate’s family moved to Colorado. Trips to the lake became less frequent. Having serious withdrawals, Nate’s mom finally convinced Aunt Betty to share the recipe. She learned to make this delicious breakfast, then she taught the secrets to Nate.

Today, after more than a decade in the kitchen at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, Nate has perfected the recipe and carries on the tradition of filling bellies with this amazing dish.

There are no real secrets in this recipe—the truth is, it simply needs to be made with love! The ingredients are simple and the process is just as easy. We are sharing the recipe here to invite everyone to try their hand at recreating it for their loved ones. Afterwards, visit us at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast and see if it was just as good as Aunt Betty’s. Nate has a ton of recipes up his sleeve. From his delicious, homemade cabin dinners to romantic fourcourse candlelight dinners. There are also other breakfast recipes to try, like our most requested recipe: our breakfast enchiladas! Whatever your getaway looks like, you will be well fed at Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast.

Nate has adjusted the recipe to make individual portions for canyon visitors, but the recipe here is the original.

Great Aunt Betty’s Egg Dish

Seasoned croutons

2 pounds cooked, crumbled and drained breakfast sausage

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

8 large eggs

1 ½ cups milk

1 can cream of mushroom soup (mixed according to directions on the can, but not cooked)

In a 9- by 13-inch casserole dish, scatter a single layer of croutons. Next layer on sausage; spread it evenly so there’s sausage in every bite. On top of sausage, spread shredded cheese. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs and add milk. Pour egg mixture over casserole, then cover with foil and let it rest in the fridge overnight.

First thing in the morning, heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cream of mushroom soup and pour it over casserole. Place dish in the oven, uncovered, and cook for an hour and a half. After cooking, let rest for at least 5 minutes; cut into portions and enjoy!

Makes 12 servings

Or maybe it’s all the other generously-portioned menu options, including sandwiches, paninis, wraps, baked potatoes and soups. (We recommend the muffalettas.) 7406 SW 34th Ave., 806.353.4440/ 2600 Wolflin Ave., 806.803.9160, jasonsdeli.com $

JOE’S PIZZA & PASTA

Technically, this venerable Bushland restaurant isn’t in Amarillo, but it’s absolutely worth the drive. You’ll be surprised at the quality of this Italian food, from the New York-style pizza to the hot subs, pasta, lasagna and even the steak. The sauce is homemade and you can tell. 19151 I-40 West, 806.356.8191 $

K-N ROOT BEER DRIVE-IN

This legendary, traditional drive-in opened in 1968. And while it recently lost its iconic covered parking in a windstorm, the wonderful burgers, shakes and floats are still around. And the root beer is served in a frosty cold mug! As the sign used to say, it’s “truly a bargain at today’s prices.” 3900 Olsen Blvd., 806.355.4391, knrootbeer.com $

KABUKI ROMANZA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

The first true Japanese steakhouse in Amarillo—vintage Amarilloans remember it from way before the move to the boat-shaped dining room on I-40—Kabuki always pleases. If you like flamboyant fried-

rice prep interrupted by rain and light shows, this is your spot. Dinner only, with 2 p.m. openings on weekends. 8130 I-40 West, 806.358.7799, kabukiromanza.com $$

LA FRONTERA

This neighborhood eatery has been open for more than 30 years and has a well-deserved reputation for extra cheesy Tex-Mex. Seriously: Everything’s covered in fresh grated cheese and that’s a good thing. (So is La Frontera’s generous community support.) Try the unique hot sauce! 1401 S. Arthur St., 806.372.4593 $

MAC JOE’S KITCHEN & CELLAR

Always a popular date-night choice, Mac Joe’s is an Amarillo institution known for elegant ambiance and attentive service. The menu relies on Italian dishes but also offers fantastic steaks— with one of the best wine lists in all of the Texas Panhandle. 1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite D1500, 806.358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$-$$$

METROPOLITAN STEAK & SEAFOOD

Part of Town Square from its 2016 beginning, this elegant environment offers great service, a full bar, and excellent cuisine. It’s open for lunch at 11 a.m., but also makes for a delightful datenight in the evenings. Metropolitan is a sweet spot to linger, with a seasonal menu, full bar and live music.

9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1201, 806.242.0117, metroofamarillo.com $$

MI GENTE

With a food-truck kitchen and a brickand-mortar dining area across from Hodgetown, the Latin-inspired menu of Mi Gente (“my people”) offers a unique indoor/outdoor experience. Chef Paul Leal arrived in Amarillo from a high-end Metroplex restaurant career in 2020. His savory, fusion-style dishes like the Cuban Sanguish and Steak Fajita Eggroll have attracted a dedicated clientele.

800 S. Buchanan St., 806.576.5467 $$

NAPOLI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

This downtown favorite offers live music, a full bar and a spacious private patio with views of one of the 2021 Hoodoo murals. Expect to become addicted to the housebaked bread knots, and to find something you love on the traditional Italian menu. The calzones are huge and worth sharing.

700 S. Taylor St., 806.220.2588 $$

PAN-HANDLERS CAFE

The best restaurants never seem to shout their presence, and this applies to this tasteful lunch spot hidden in the basement of Amarillo National Bank Plaza One. It’s locally owned and has a fantastic salad bar, plus sandwiches and daily specials. It’s always, always good. 410 S. Taylor St., 806.352.2590, thepan-handlers.com $

PESCARAZ ITALIAN RESTAURANT

This locally owned Italian place is very involved in the community, has a full bar, and serves up the most irresistible free bread twists in the city. You’ll eat so many, you won’t be able to finish your pasta, pizza or calzone. In the evenings at Pescaraz, you’ll almost always hear live music. 3415-K Bell St., 806.350.5430, pescaraz.com $$

PIZZERIA NOMAD

A relative newcomer with a food truck origin story, Pizzeria Nomad catches your eye with its colorful exterior mural, then brings you inside for inventive toppings and a lot of local acclaim. That brickoven crust, y’all. The young, husband-and-wife-led team is also known for convenient call-in and online ordering. 2648 SW 34th Ave., 806.477.2660, pizzanomad.co $$

THE POTATO FACTORY

Think potatoes aren’t exciting? Then you’ve never had one of the gigantic spuds at this local institution, where you can load your tater with one of more than 20 unique toppings. The prices are affordable,

and the hot dogs are good, too. (Surprise: There are hot dogs!) Decadent and delectable. 4631 S. Western St., 806.463.7783 $

RAIN PREMIER SUSHI BAR & LOUNGE

The sushi is good and the all-day Wednesday Happy Hour specials are even better. Popular with the downtown crowd, this spot is open for lunch and dinner, with a full bar and contemporary Asian cuisine. During Happy Hour, sushi rolls and appetizers are incredibly affordable. 817 S. Polk St., 806.331.1155, rainamarillo.com $$

ROSA’S CAFÉ & TORTILLA FACTORY

Owned by the same company that owns Taco Villa, locals can be forgiven for loving this regional Tex-Mex chain. The portions are big and the prices affordable. Patrons love the convenient drive-thru, the queso, the free salsa bar (inside dining only) and the homemade tortillas. It gets really busy on Taco Tuesday. 4312 SW 45th Ave., 806.351.1194/3820 I-40 West, 806.352.8227/6007 S. Soncy Road, 806.803.9145, rosascafe.com $

SAM’S SOUTHERN EATERY

This Louisiana-based chain has been around for more than a decade, but the Amarillo location is still pretty new. The portions are big and the prices are low for shrimp or crawfish po’boys, catfish, crab, seafood platters, shrimp and more. Our city may not be known for seafood, but Sam’s is. 4317 Teckla Ave., 806.437.1349, samssouthernamarillo.com $$

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SHARK BEACH BURGERS

The FM 1151 location south of town isn’t particularly convenient for Amarillo residents. But this shack is worth the bite. The big cheeseburgers are amazing, as is the busted-egg sandwich. (For a side, get the cheese curds.) Then grab a cherry-lime or Mexican Coke and enjoy it on the nice, sunny patio. 1505 E. FM 1151, 806.335.5644 $, sharkbeachamarillo.com

SHI LEE’S BARBECUE & SOUL FOOD CAFE

We love this place. One of the owners calls his chicken-fried chicken the “comeback kid,” because if you order it, you’re guaranteed to come back. He’s right. But everything on the menu is good, especially for takeout given the small dining area. (The portions are always big, though.) 1213 SW Third Ave., 806.220.0032 $

SINALOA HOT DOGS AND MEXICAN FOOD

If you’ve never had a Mexican hot dog, then stop reading and head over to the Boulevard right now. This is a small place, but the flavor is huge. We also love the fire-grilled chicken, tacos, tortas, carne asada, quesadillas, burritos, and mulitas. But that hot dog! (You’ll need napkins.) 2618 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.367.8935 $

SPICY MIKE’S BAR-B-Q HAVEN

The spice is nice at this very popular barbecue joint in west Amarillo, known for chopped brisket sandwiches, tender pork ribs and more.

We also love the daily specials—like Saturday’s smoked turkey sandwich—and homemade cobbler for dessert. 6723 S. Western St., 806.358.8550, spicymikesbarbqhaven.com $

SUNDAY’S KITCHEN

Everyone loves Chef Ron, but they especially love his West Texas twist on Gulf Coast and Cajun cuisine. This downtown dive is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday. It’s closed on Saturdays, but don’t miss the Sunday brunch. Try the Pit Master Mac & Cheese. 112 SW Sixth Ave., 806.418.6477 $$

TAQUERIA EL TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Most locals assume the most authentic Mexican food is on the city’s east side, but this joint serves authentic Jalisco-style Mexican food near 34th and Coulter. The menu is huge, but we love the breakfast, massive parrillada meals and seafood. (There’s also a Dumas location.) 3410 S. Coulter St., 806.331.6248; 5630 Amarillo Blvd. West, 806.803.3220, tapatiotx.com $

TOOM’S RESTAURANT

Experts know that a lot of “Thai” food actually has origins in Laos, and that fusion is on display at Toom’s, one of our favorite spots on the northeast side. The family owners are super friendly, the space is incredibly clean, and the authentic flavors pop. Get the sticky rice and beef jerky. 3416 NE 24th Ave., 806.381.2568 $

WESLEY’S BBQ

River Road restaurants aren’t always on the radar of every local resident, but Wesley’s has been around forever and deserves its legendary reputation. Loyal customers return again and again for the genuine Texas-style barbecue, especially the baby-back ribs, brisket and—yep—the beans.

6406 River Road, 806.381.2893 $, wesleysbbq.com

YOUNGBLOOD’S CAFE

An Amarillo classic, where you can grab a hearty breakfast starting every day at 6 a.m. or wait a few hours to try its illustrious chicken-fried steaks. Our favorite thing at Youngblood’s? It’s gotta be the free banana pudding for dessert (while supplies last).

620 SW 16th Ave., 806.342.9411, youngbloodscafe.com $$

The hit 2006 animated movie Cars inspired Americans to fall in love with Route 66 again. While the plot focused on the challenges that fictional Radiator Springs faced when the freeway bypassed it, it served as a metaphor for every small town’s struggles.

Tucumcari, New Mexico, was one of the Route 66 towns that inspired the Pixar team when they were doing their homework before production began. While no one town can lay claim to being the lone exemplar for the movie (Radiator Springs truly is an amalgam), Tucumcari can proudly say that one of its classic motels was represented well. The movie’s Cozy Cone Motel is part Blue Swallow Motel from Tucumcari, and part Wigwam Motel found in Arizona and California.

Only 90 minutes away from Amarillo, this Mother Road relic is accessible for a day trip, or, better yet, an overnight stay to get the full experience.

Founded in 1901, Tucumcari was first a tent town known as Ragland, and subsequently Six-Shooter Siding, where the Chicago Rock Island and Southern Pacific Railroads converged. The gunslinging name was evidence of the bullets-and-booze ethos of the day. Shots had been fired.

But when the railroad made the settlement a division point in 1908, the name was changed to one with much greater marketing legs. Tucumcari is the name of the mountain (actually, a mesa) south

Nick’s Picks

Neon! Tucumcari is an outdoor museum of vintage signage, a portion of which still illuminates the nighttime sky. Be sure to photograph and marvel at these voices from the past.

Spend the night. Tucumcari has many period motels amid the usual chain offerings near the freeway. Motel Safari, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, Blue Swallow Motel (each on 66) and Desert Inn Tucumcari are all maintained at modern standards, yet offer guests a glimpse of what lodging was like decades ago. Can anyone say “retro-tel?”

Murals appear throughout town, the work of Doug Quarles. His canvas ranges from the brick walls of business structures to entire defunct gas stations. He has changed the appearance of Tucumcari one brush stroke at a time, capturing the essence of this small Route 66 city. His murals have become a point of pride.

Be sure to check out the historic Odeon Theatre on Second Street. While screenings are limited, you might just be able to take in a film in a tastefully appointed and restored cinema.

of town.

And that’s where the story gets interesting, because every town needs a legend. Never mind that it is most likely that “Tucumcari” is just the Comanche word for “lookout point.” That doesn’t have much allure, though. It needed some romance.

So a local minister concocted a yarn in 1907 about the dying Apache Chief Wautonomah and his daughter, Kari. Worried about who his successor would be, the Chief summoned his two ace warriors, Tocom and Tonopah, to a duel for his daughter’s hand. But Kari secretly loved Tocom, setting the stage for much drama to come.

Tonopah deftly killed Tocom with his long knife, but Kari had hidden in the brush. She emerged with her own knife and killed Tonopah, before turning the blade on herself. If you’re keeping score, three are now dead.

But wait, there’s more.

The Chief then came upon the bloody scene, and seeing his lifeless daughter, took her knife and plunged it into his abdomen, crying in agony his last words: “Tocom-Kari.” A mesa, then a town—and much later, a motel—all bore this name in various spellings. A better legend has not yet been written.

The Ozark Trail network of highways had sent a leg westward from Texas around 1913. In 1926, that portion was renamed US Highway 66, ushering in the era of the automobile. Life and business changed along Tucumcari’s Gaynell Avenue, which took on the 66 moniker. Motels, cafes and service stations lined the road.

Tucumcari has plenty of good eats. There’s no need to cave to the call of fast food when there are mom-and-pop gems like Del’s Restaurant, Kix On 66, Watson’s BBQ, La Cita, Loretta’s Burrito Hut, and Las Chaparritas Mexican Restaurant.

Step into the past and visit TeePee Curios, a legit trading post that sells the same quirk and kitsch that was once sold on the Mother Road in the west. Moccasins, anyone? Tchotchkes?

And then there’s shopping! Desert Rose Center is hugely popular among quilters, while The Market Gallery, Main Street Boutique, and Blanco Creek Boutique offer a variety of needs and wants that are surprisingly top shelf for a town this size.

Is history your thing? The New Mexico Route 66 Museum, Tucumcari Historical Museum, Tucumcari Railroad Museum, and Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory all preserve the past for us to enjoy today.

Not lacking in alliterative skill and taglines, the city posted billboards either side of town for many miles, inviting motorists to stay in “Tucumcari Tonite,” where at one time 2,000 rooms awaited. Depending on the decade, there was once one room for every three or four residents, making Tucumcari a true destination.

Time was not friendly to Radiator Springs, and it also has presented difficulties for Tucumcari. A lot of the city’s newer businesses are now down by the freeway, much like Radiator Springs. Life goes on at a slow pace. But guests can cool their engines while stepping into a time capsule, at least those who purposefully take the off-ramp.

During the summer, Tucumcari is packed with nostalgic tourists. The well-kept classic motels stay full. The shoulder season (November through February) is best if you like to avoid crowds, but a summer visit means you will be sharing evening campfires with folks from all over the world. That can be priceless.

Bring your camera and shoot it up—maybe not quite like when it was Six-Shooter Siding, but as a lover of period-piece architecture and business. Tucumcari is among the best in that regard. You can travel Old 66 much of the way from Amarillo (use the north Frontage Road to Exit 18/Gruhlkey, hop on I-40 to NM Exit 369, then resume the north Frontage to San Jon, dogleg south a half mile, then right on South Frontage).

Or—perish the thought—take I-40 the whole way. Just remember to leave the interstate, because that’s where the good stuff starts.

take the off-ramp

CADE HORNECKER

As a photographer, Cade Hornecker catches people off-guard. Why? To start, he’s 7 feet tall and a Division I basketball player. An Amarillo High standout who graduated in 2022, Hornecker was recruited by college programs across the nation, ultimately choosing Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He injured an ankle before this season—his second at SIU—and surgery sidelined him from competition. After recovering, he’ll have three years of eligibility remaining.

The injury has given him more time for a secondary passion: photography. “My mom was the one who originally introduced me to photography. Growing up, she always had a camera, always trying to make me and my brother pose for pictures,” Hornecker says. Eventually his grandparents gave him a digital camera and he was hooked.

Like many in his otherwise digital generation, Hornecker has become fascinated with film. “Growing up with phones and computers just inches away at all times of my life has made me appreciate the truly analog ways of life,” he says. “I love writing in journals, reading books and anything that lacks internet or a screen. Film photography is no different. With film I can have beautiful colors and images at a much slower and intentional pace that always allows me to stay in the moment.”

He’s also used his camera to explore his new home in Illinois, where trees, hills and lakes have replaced the flat plains of the Panhandle. “Last year I could walk out of my dorm to a beautiful lake on campus, which I frequently walked around with a camera just to capture it all,” he says. “I want to capture and share as much as I can while I’m here.”

Basketball and school still occupy most of his time. Despite his injury, Hornecker has continued to travel with the Missouri Valley Conference team. He almost always has a camera with him. “If something is important to you, then you make time for it. I love capturing life and can’t use being busy as an excuse to not do something I truly love,” he says.

See more of Hornecker’s work on Instagram at @cadehornecker and @picsbycade

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Whenever things get good in Amarillo, people get a sudden urge to build something before things get bad again. But several notable building projects throughout our history somehow missed their window of opportunity and wound up partially completed—or not built at all.

Memories of these unfulfilled dreams have been lost to time, but visual clues are fairly obvious in and around Amarillo if you know what you’re looking for.

If you’ve eaten at OHMS Cafe & Bar on the north side of Atrium Plaza, downtown along Tyler Street, you might’ve taken note of the peculiar layout of the plaza outside its front door. The offices below ground level that are accessed from the plaza appear to be a funky 1970s addition. They’re not, actually. These are an architectural smoothing-over of an aborted building project from the 1920s.

Not long after the 14-story, 600-room Herring Hotel opened in 1926, plans for an even taller downtown hotel were announced. The Davidson Hotel (sometimes referred to as the Baker Hotel) was designed to rise 17 stories above the intersection of Southwest Seventh Avenue and Tyler Street. When completed, it would join the ranks of fine hotels managed by the Baker Hotel chain, which also built Baker hotels in Dallas and Mineral Wells.

Noted Fort Worth architect Wyatt C. Hedrick unveiled a stunning classical design with short Spanish Renaissance towers on the top corners, similar in style to the Texas Tech University Administration Building in Lubbock, another of his projects. By the end of 1927, a double basement had been finished. Steel was erected to the second or third levels. And then, mysteriously, work stopped and never resumed.

It’s still unclear what brought the hotel to a screeching halt. It’s possible Amarillo wasn’t quite ready for hundreds of new hotel rooms and the Davidson’s financial backers panicked. But the hotel’s failure to launch was left in place for everyone to see until the late 1940s when the newly founded Amarillo Club was built on the east side of the Davidson building site, taking in part of the double basement and extending to the northern edge of the property where OHMS is now located.

In 1952, the American National Bank erected a new building over the remaining Seventh Avenue frontage of the Davidson site, but didn’t extend the building across the entire hotel footprint. That left a large part of the northern end of the basements with nothing above them but a concrete lid. A row of planters in front of OHMS roughly demarcates what would’ve been the back of the Davidson Hotel, giving us a good idea of the project’s scope.

At Palo Duro Canyon State Park, the El Coronado Lodge visitors center is another visual oddity and vestigial reminder of a project that didn’t quite make it. At various times in the 1930s,

the National Park Service considered siting a national ecological park at the new Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Amarillo architect Guy Carlander produced designs for a massive expansion of El Coronado Lodge, which had been constructed in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corp. Carlander also designed cabins and other park features, including a “wind organ” that was to be carved into a cliff face and fitted with an amplifier and speakers to make music from the wind.

Surviving sketches of Carlander’s Palo Duro Canyon plans reveal structures that subtly blend with their rocky environs, reminiscent of the communal houses built by the Panhandle’s ancient Antelope Creek people. Additionally, Carlander produced renderings for an amphitheater on the canyon floor down the hill from the lodge.

The National Park Service eventually abandoned its plans because of the high costs of acquiring additional land around the canyon. The earlier, smaller version of El Coronado Lodge remained to serve the state park and still waits on its lonely perch for someone to follow through. And though it took another 30 years, the Dust Bowl-era dreams of Carlander and others to attract thousands of tourists to the canyon were realized in part by construction of the Pioneer Amphitheater, home to the Texas Musical Drama

Possibly the most grandiose local building project that never materialized was a massive multipurpose development called Estateland Center. Planned near the confluence of Western Street and the Canyon Expressway south of 45th Avenue, this development was the dream of John McCarty, a former newspaper editor and author who struck gold with his Estate Life Insurance Company in the 1950s.

McCarty was convinced that Amarillo’s population would grow to 370,000 people by 1970, and he planned to cash in. His architect, Edmund Jura, sketched out a large shopping center in the most modern of styles. It would feature a new Blackburn Brothers department store, a hotel and apartment buildings. The planned centerpiece was a striking office tower rising 20 to 30 stories high. Nearby, McCarty planned entertainment attractions, such as a bowling alley and a swimming pool.

McCarty got as far as building a new one-story office for his insurance company. He also completed the bowling alley— today’s Western Bowl—and a swimming pool that’s now gone. But the acquisition of another struggling life insurance company dragged Estate Life down with it. The money dried up and plans for Estateland Center were scrapped.

These unbuilt projects are just three examples of grand visions that were clouded by economic realities. It’s easy to look back now and label them as gross miscalculations until we remember that, in our own time, we’ve conjured several civic centers, natatoriums and arenas that were never built. But hey, it does look like we’re finally getting that Buc-ees out on I-40, so let’s keep dreaming big.

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JOSEPH B. PETERSON, JR. CFP, CEPA EDWARD JONES

The best advice I ever heard is: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou

My three most recommended books are: Outliers, The Tipping Point, and Blink all by Malcolm Gladwell. He is my favorite author. I love his writing style.

To me, success means: I can hear my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

People who know me might be surprised that I: started as a financial advisor at age 25.

My biggest pet peeve is: other people’s bodily fluids ie. sneezes, coughs, boogers. I was like this before COVID!

Everyone in Amarillo needs to experience: Palo Duro Canyon and The Lighthouse Trail.

If I could change any one local thing it would be: If I had a magic wand, I would fix all the streets permanently so there wouldn’t be any more road construction. We can all wish!

This city is amazing at: southern hospitality. We welcome people from all over the world into the Panhandle family with open arms. It doesn’t take long for people to feel at home here. I experienced this firsthand nearly 30 years ago.

My favorite place in Amarillo is: Medi Park. I remember going to Medi Park with my parents and sister and rollerblading around the park. My wife and I have taken our children to Medi Park to feed the ducks. I look forward to the day when we rollerblade around the park together. That will be a real full-circle moment.

A local organization I love right now: Youth Success Project. YSP inspires students and families to see and understand the importance of graduating from high school and pursuing postsecondary success. YSP is actively “Changing the Narrative.” Just one college degree, vocational certificate, or military career can have an incredible impact, creating a ripple effect that lasts for generations.

PHOTO BY VENICE MINCEY

Listen to Joseph‘s interview on the Hey Amarillo podcast