Community Life - Christmas 2013

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Life

ommunity The magazine for Johnson County and surrounding areas November-December 2013 Vol. 8, No. 6

2013 Whistle Stop Christmas Edition

Cowan Costumes a hidden treasure in downtown Cleburne Andrew Maddox • Pamela Lea • Stacy Singleton

(GLWRU¡V 1RWH Welcome to the sixth and final edition of Community Life magazine in 2013.

Another year has passed so quickly. In January Community Life begins its ninth year of publication and the Times-Review begins its 110th year. Both are pretty amazing to me. It just seems like yesterday we started the magazine. Out of all of the projects we have done over the years, I’m probably most proudest of Community Life. I don’t believe I’ve ever received a phone call or email with someone upset over a story. If you are in the newspaper-magazine industry, you know that is an amazing feat. Community Life is a team effort. We have great staffers, advertising representatives and advertisers who make it happen. But above all, it’s the people of Johnson County who provide us with the great stories. In this edition, we have our annual Whistle Stop Christmas information, which includes Save Old Cleburne’s Candlewalk Tour of Homes. As for stories, this edition is not lacking. We have Rio Vista graduate Andrew Maddox, a former Marine and aspiring astronaut. He

admits to being a “terribleâ€? student in high school, but he is more than making up for it now. We also have a story on Cowan Costumes in Cleburne. John Austin tells us the story behind the business and owner Karen Cowan. Burleson Fire Marshal Stacy Singleton is another story in which you see a hard-working individual start at the bottom and rise to the top of their profession. A love for fighting fires at an early age turned into a career for Singleton. We also have Cleburne High School Athletic Director Pamela Lea. She overcame the stigma of being a woman working in a man’s world to become one of about 20 females in the state of Texas working as a school’s AD. Lastly, Monica Faram gives us some Christmas gift ideas in her latest tech column. Âł 'DOH *RVVHU PDQDJLQJ HGLWRU

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Community Life, the magazine for Johnson County Š 2013 by Cleburne Times-Review. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Community Life is inserted into the Times-Review and distributed around the county free of charge.

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leburne’s Andrew Maddox may be the first Johnson County resident to embark on a mission outside Earth’s atmosphere. The 27-year-old Rio Vista High School graduate is in Pensacola, Fla., where he’s in basic flight training for six to eight months. A newly commissioned naval officer, Maddox said the goal is to be in space by his mid-30s. The lifelong journey is a childhood moment, a wish, suspended in time — a replication of Project Mercury, as close to the real thing as 1983 movie producers could get. “Ever since I was a little baby it’s been my goal to fly in space,� Maddox said. “My parents showed me the movie ‘The Right Stuff’ when I was little. I can’t describe it to you; it just, like, grabbed me. I’ve seen it hundreds of times probably. I love it. “ Maddox, who describes himself as a former “terrible� student has risen above his indifference to studies to graduate at the top of his class from Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I., serving as class president and as regimental commander. The new Navy Ensign O-1 graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in engineering and OCS within the span of three months this year. That follows four years with the Marine Corps, including two tours of duty overseas.

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Flying ambitions An avid but hardly competitive football player, power lifter and runner at Rio Vista High School, Maddox said he was more interested in girls and sports than algebra and physics. “I was all heart and no talent,� he said with a laugh. “My ambition far outweighed my talent.� But listening to the stories that older brother Kris, who was in the Marine Corps, brought home from overseas made Maddox realize his boyhood dream was on target. After all, Maddox said, he had been taking flying lessons at Cleburne Municipal Airport since age 11. So there was something there, at least, as far as “the right stuff � was concerned. “Even when he was a little bitty kid, he talked about wanting to be like Chuck Yea-

ger, a famous test pilot,� mother Mary Ellen Maddox said. “He took the flying lessons even when he was a pretty young kid and then got his pilot’s license even when he was a little bit older.� Mary Ellen said she figured that after sending her eldest son off to war twice, that perhaps Andrew would pick a different route and continue his journey toward becoming a pilot in a more traditional way. “Just hearing all the stories about Kris’s time overseas, I couldn’t just sit in class at that point in time,� Andrew said. After graduating from RVHS, instead of choosing college, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. The teen joined Sept. 13, 2004, just months after his high school finals, and never looked back. A Marine sniper sergeant by the

age of 20, Andrew spent two tours of duty overseas. “The first was very violent,� he recalled. “We lost several Marines.� Maddox said he was pleased to have gone through the training to earn his title, because not only were snipers used to great effect during the war, “the advantage of a sniper is you decide on a time and place in which you engage the enemy,� Maddox said. And while there was a turning point and lessened violence between his two tours, it didn’t make much difference to his family who had to say “goodbye� to a son for the fourth time. “The Marines was a little bit of a deviation,� Mary Ellen said. “We thought he would go to college. Although he always talked about going to college, he put that off

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for four years. He grew up a lot in those four years and was able to get his mind focused on what it needed to be.� Andrew’s attention to detail and focus came largely as a result of his being in the Marines, he said. After teaching himself Arabic and being the sole interpreter for his company during his second deployment in Ramadi, Iraq, the then-21-year-old was awarded the Bronze Star for his skills in interpretation. That award came during an international training program in South Korea during which his company learned from and helped teach Korean armed forces at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex. After wrapping up the second tour, Maddox returned home, left the Marine Corps after his required four years and enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington. “It was intimidating, it was,� Andrew said. “I was intimidated by engineering. In order to be an astronaut you have to have an engineering degree or a math or science degree. “So I walk into the advising office and they have all these crazy geometric puzzles and stuff like that and you know, like problem-solving stuff. I felt like Bart Simpson in the episode where he accidentally gets sent to the gifted and talented school. “And so, yeah, I was intimidated by all the calculus and the physics and the applied sciences — and the rigor of it. My Marine Corps discipline kicked in and I said, you know, I am just going to take it one step at

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a time just like I did the war and we’ll get through this one.� Andrew said that at the time he had absolutely no math or science skills under his belt, and of course, engineering is all math and science. So to make sure he studied, he

watched “The Right Stuff.� And he turned off his cellphone. Just like the war, he got through it. Becoming a naval officer “It’s pretty interesting,� Andrew said. “My

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enlistment date for the Marine Corps was Sept. 13, 2004. My commissioning date in the Navy was Sept. 13, 2013. Exactly nine years from [enlisting] I became a naval officer.� He left in late September for flight school in Pensacola, Fla., and is in the thick of training on the T-6 Texan II, a single-engine turboprop aircraft. Training could last up to eight months, Andrew said. And, just like OCS, Andrew’s sights are set high. His goal is to graduate at the top of his group, at which point he will have more freedom to choose which direction he’ll go. Ultimately, he said, he wants to go the route of the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, a twin-engine fighter aircraft based on the smaller McDonnel Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. “It’s the all-purpose fighter attack airplane of the United States Navy and the Marine &20081,7< /,)(

Corps,� Andrew said. “It’s used for everything. From dogfighting, to air attacks, electronic warfare — it does it all. It’s a carrierbased jet so they are the guys that take off and land on air carriers.� The Super Hornet is also able to take off in rougher airfields and, while it does need a runway, “It can operate in some pretty nasty areas,� Andrew said. After about a year flying on whatever platform he’s sent to, Andrew will then spend several months doing “on the job� training, and a couple of fleet deployments — meaning the possibility of going back to war. “Throughout that process I will be applying to test pilot school,� Andrew said. “So, those are tours on a ship or out in a war zone somewhere. And you know with the frequency that this nation goes to war ... Am I scared? Yeah, but there’s no point in worrying about

it. The whole business of war is uncertain so I kind of learn to turn it off. If it comes it comes, if it doesn’t, great. “If I fly the Hornet, those will be on aircraft carriers and I’ll tour around the South Pacific or I’ll tour around the Mediterranean or the Middle East. If I fly a helicopter, it’ll be on a destroyer or cruiser or aircraft carrier just port to port. Kind of hanging out going to different places. The tours are typically six to seven months a piece. Of course we are the 911 force of the nation. With the situation in Syria, the whole carrier group was sent to prepare for a possible strike. If the president deems military force necessary and proper then we will do so. We will be those people.� Andrew’s father Barney Maddox, a semiretired Cleburne physician, said that he is proud of his son’s accomplishments and wishes him nothing but the best that life can bring.

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“I hope he gets to fly on a plane and in the deployments that he wants to fly on,� Barney Maddox said. “That’s what we’re hoping for Andrew. He wants to fly off aircraft carriers around the world. In his four years in the United States Marines, he was not in a lot of great places.� Test pilot school, possibly the toughest step towards earning that coveted astronaut

title, Andrew said, should be several years out, with the opportunity to then fly two dozen different planes and learn how various wings, engines and other components make planes feel to the pilots. Asked whether he has any regrets about the lengthy process, Andrew laughed. “No! None,� he said. “Nuh-uh. I am totally satisfied at this point in my life. Military

service is a very rewarding end. If any youngsters out there are restless and kind of floundering in life, you know, join the military. “And if you really want to kick your life into high gear and you really want some great opportunities, join the military. “You can be everything from a sniper to an astronaut to a Marine drill instructor, There is just so much great stuff out there to do.�

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY Tammye Nash

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tacy Singleton always loved fire trucks. When he heard sirens or saw trucks go racing past as a boy, he would jump on his bicycle and ride down to watch the firemen work. Even when he was older, after he had traded his bike for a car, he would go when he could to watch the firefighters battling a blaze. “Finally, one of the firefighters, Chester Smith, told me, ‘You ought to just join the volunteer fire department,’” Singleton said. That was 1984, when Burleson still had an all-volunteer department. “We had no formal training back then,” he said. “We would just all meet at the station on Monday nights and someone would show us how to use the air packs and everything.” Singleton was put on the roster on a Monday night, and the next day was sent to a car fire. “They stuck a hose in my hand and told me to get to work,” he said. “Then the tires [on the burning vehicle] blew up. [One of the other firefighters] had to grab me by the coat or I’d probably still be running.” Singleton was working for B&W Wrecker Service at the time and later worked for Hinkley Electrical Contractors. Through it all, he continued to volunteer for the Burleson VFD.

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In June 1991, things changed. The city’s fire marshal left, and city officials asked Singleton, who was also a reserve peace officer, to step in as interim fire marshal. Three months later, he was hired full time, and the city started sending him to training — fire inspector school, arson investigator school and more. Transitioning from firefighter to fire marshal Many people think that the fire marshal is a fireman. But that isn’t true. “Even after I was hired as fire marshal, I still volunteered nights and weekends as a firefighter,” Singleton said. In 2010 the city switched to a completely professional — and paid — fire department and the volunteer fire department dissolved. In his 26th year as a Burleson VFD volunteer, Singleton’s status as a firefighter ended. &20081,7< /,)(

“I run the city’s fire prevention division,” Singleton said. “I am not considered a firefighter. I will assist on the operations side during a fire, but my job is investigating the fire after it is over, not fighting it while it’s happening.” In fact, Singleton said, his main duties these days have little to do with fires after the fact. Instead, he focuses on making sure fires don’t happen in the first place. Singleton said that builders and developers have to submit building plans to his office for every commercial building that goes up in Burleson. Then, he has to review each and every page of each and every plan, making sure that the plans meet all of the city’s codes and requirements related to fire prevention and safety. As fire marshal, Singleton is also in charge of all the city’s public education programs on

fire safety, especially programs educating children on fire prevention and safety. “We do get help from the fire department on that,” he said. And when a fire does happen, Singleton steps in to investigate the cause. Singleton has another duty as fire marshal, as well. He is in charge of Burleson’s command truck. The truck is a mobile communications platform with satellite phones and a Smart Board and telephone and video conference capabilities. “It is a mobile headquarters for incident commanders in the event of a large-scale event,” Singleton said. Singleton and the command truck went to West in April when the fertilizer plant exploded. In July, when a 6-year-old girl went missing in Saginaw, Singleton took the command truck there to serve as command center for the

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searchers. “This truck has gone down to the Texas coast a couple of times during hurricanes,� he said. “We bought the command truck in 2007 with a Homeland Security grant. To get the money, one of the things we did was that we agreed to use it as a regional resource. We agreed to use it for the police, for fire departments, whatever [public safety agency] might need it.� A busy man, a family man For his first 14 years as fire marshal, Singleton held down the fort by himself. In 2005, the city hired some help, in the form of Inspector/Investigator David Butler. One look at the stack of commercial building plans filling the corner of Singleton’s office at Fire Station No. 1 on Alsbury Boulevard provides ample evidence of the need for a second inspector. Add in all of Singleton’s other responsibilities, and the need grows even larger. Singleton is in his second year as president of the Texas Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He is also chair of the Regional Emergency Preparedness

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Committee and treasurer of the Tarrant County Fire and Arson Investigators Association. There is more to his life than work. His wife, Janet, and son, Tanner, top his list of priorities. Janet Singleton teaches at Wheat

Middle School in Cleburne. Tanner graduated in May from Burleson High School and is studying at Tarrant County College to become a firefighter like his father. “He is already a volunteer with the Briar-

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oaks Volunteer Fire Department. He just got his black helmet [signifying the end of his probationary period],� Stacy Singleton said. “One of my proudest moments ever is knowing that he is following in my footsteps.� Tanner said he has wanted to be a firefighter as long as he can remember, much like his father. “I remember thinking how neat it was that he was a firefighter and knew one day I would be too,� Tanner said. “At 16 I joined the Briaroaks Volunteer Fire Department as a cadet. When I turned 18, I was able to become a firefighter.� Tanner’s involvement with the Burleson FFA — he showed all four years at BHS — prompted his father to get involved there, too. Singleton is Burleson FFA Alumni president. All three of the Singletons enjoy hunting deer and birds, and he reluctantly admits that his wife “has the biggest deer on the wall right now.� “We all like to hunt and fish. We like to go camping, and usually when we go camping, we go with a big group of friends,� Singleton said. “We enjoy spending time with our friends.�

Singleton is also dedicated to the youth of his community and to his church, Burleson Church of Christ. He said he and his wife have been members since they got married there 22 years ago, and he is now a youth deacon for the church. “I just try to be involved in helping the youth of our church and in Burleson any way I can,� Stacy Singleton said. Fire Chief Gary Wisdom has known Singleton for about 15 years. And while the firefighters like to tease the fire marshal about his “country voice,� they are all happy to work with him. “Stacy is a top-notch fire marshal,� Wisdom said. “He was raised here in Burleson, and he cares deeply for this community. He has seen Burleson grow to the size it is today, and he has regulated and enforced the fire codes to meet this growth. He has spent his career making Burleson a safer place to work and live for everyone. “He is just an overall, well-rounded guy that is great to work with,� Wisdom said. Sally Ellertson, public information officer for the city of Burleson, first met Singleton

about 26 years ago, back in the day when he was a volunteer fireman. Through all those years, she said, he has remained dedicated to Burleson youth. “He has a huge heart, especially for the kids,� Ellertson said. “That is obvious when he and his church youth group volunteer every year for the city’s Breakfast With Santa event. I stopped counting the number of teenagers who came over to give him a hug.� Singleton can also “always be depended on the follow through when he commits to an event or project,� Ellertson said. “And he has a knack for making people laugh, and we all need more of that.� Good and bad memories After about 30 years as a firefighter and fire marshal, Singleton has piled up a lot of memories. But some, of course, stand out. “One of the strongest memories I have is of a car wreck on Interstate 35W back when I was still a volunteer firefighter,� he said. “A gentleman was coming home from work. He lost control and went off the road and hit a tree. I was a captain then, and I was in charge

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of the scene. He was trapped in the car, and I was talking to him. It took us about 45 minutes to get him out, and I was talking to him the whole time.� Although the firefighters were able to free the man from the wreckage, he died just minutes after they got him out, Singleton said. “I had been talking to him, and I had gotten to know him a little,� he said. “It’s kind of tough, you know, to lose a guy like that, someone you had spent that time talking to like that.� Another prominent memory is of a fire where his own life was on the line. “We had responded to this house fire in Joshua, and Tommy Foster and I were inside. Tommy’s the deputy fire chief now. But we were inside, and the fire was burning above us real good. Then the roof caved in on us, and I was totally disoriented. I didn’t know which way was out.� One of the older firefighters, Foy Dunaway, got Singleton and Foster out of the burning house safely. Singleton said without Dunaway’s help, he doesn’t think he would have made it out alive.

a.m. and just go on all day long “ Singleton’s job as fire marshal has left him with some memories, too. “We haven’t had that many arsons here to investigate,� he said. “But there was one case where this guy came down here to Burleson and burned his ex-wife’s car. He swore up and down that he wasn’t there, that he wasn’t the one who did it. But we kept going until we found the evidence that proved it was him.�

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Singleton said that being a volunteer fireman all those years meant he spent far too few Thanksgivings and Christmases at home. “We always seemed to have grass fires all day long on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day,� he said. “The fires would start about 9

What the future holds Singleton said he doesn’t have any plans to retire, but he has given a little bit of thought about what he wants to do next. “One of my goals is maybe to run for sheriff of Johnson County some day,� he said. “I was a reserve officer for Burleson starting in 1984, and then I was a reserve officer for the county for a couple of years. I just think it would be an interesting job to be sheriff. “Burleson’s been very good to me all these years. I like working for this city, and I love serving the citizens of Burleson and Johnson County. I want to keep on serving this community.�

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verybody knows the NBA’s Mavericks hail from Dallas. But it’s a fair bet that not one fan in a million knows that the Mavs’ mascots — Champ, a blue horse, and Mavs Man — come from Cleburne. Or, that the Dallas Cowboys’ and the Texas Rangers’ mascots will also, as of this season, be created in an old building a few steps from the Johnson County Courthouse Rowdy, the Cowboys mascot and the rest are, or will all be, all crafted by Cowan Costumes Inc., a company that has found a way to make it big in the little business of costuming characters such as Chuck E. Cheese and Champ for athletic teams and corporations.

In a place whose local economy runs on natural gas and agriculture, it’s an unlikely saga that began when Karen Cowan and her husband moved to Alvarado from her home state of Indiana in the mid-1980s to help his step-father with a puppet business. “We ended up buying the business in 1986,” 58-year-old Cowan said, “and moving it to Cleburne.” Through the dotcom bubble, Great Recession and natural-gas boom, Cowan has kept the crew busy, stitching, gluing and molding fabric and plaster into some of America’s best-known custom-character figureheads.

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The CEO, however, is no figurehead. Cowan runs the dayto-day business, knows every employee’s name and can talk in detail about the handcrafting process behind her characters. She also knows every nook and cranny of the shop, down to the back door of the laundry room where costumes are cleaned. It still retains the steel cross bars that have protected Cowan from an attempted burglary, along with the marks of the replacement patch where the failed break-in artist cut a hole. “This business, it’s always been a roller coaster,” said Cowan, explaining that because walk-around characters are a less-expensive form of advertising, companies invest in them, even during recessions. “Then, there’ll be a period where we’re listening to the crickets chirp and watching the tumbleweeds roll by.” A family business Cowan occupies a ground-floor office in the old brick building at 108 S. Caddo St. Outside, big rigs grind to a stop at the red light. Upstairs, about 14 full-time, permanent employees, including seamstresses, mold makers and designers are creating characters. Her husband, Brad, works at Gerdau Steel in Midlothian, but it’s a hands-on business for the rest of the family. The payroll includes a son, Joey, 25, and daughter, Katie, 24. On the day of a recent tour, Katie, a recent college graduate who aspires to a coaching job, was running the costume-rental shop downstairs. Joey was upstairs at a table, crafting little shoes for a big Chuck E. Cheese order. There’s nothing slick about the operation. Some of the second-storey interior walls retain the real-log cabin motif from the room’s earlier life as an art gallery. Apart from some molding machines, one of which was upstairs, the stitching, cutting and gluing process could be going on in some 19th-century loft or atelier. Even for large-scale projects, each character and costume is made in downtown Cleburne.

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“I wanted something with a lot of windows and a lot of light,� and the building, which said Cowan said once housed the ticket office for the old interurban electric rail service, fit the bill. “We started out doing a lot of trade shows.� Representing companies worldwide Traveling to those International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions shows isn’t nearly as big a part of the business these days. The Internet makes it easy for teams and companies that need an promotional character to find the right source, even if the source happens to be somewhat off the beaten path. The list of companies that have found their way to Cowan has grown to include the likes of Frito-Lay, Proctor & Gamble, KFC and PepsiCo. The University of Texas at Dallas, Michigan State University and the University of Kentucky, among others, also rely on Cowan to create and maintain their distinctive costumed mascots. UT-Dallas’ Temoc — the word “comet� in reverse — is in the shop for maintenance on its orange mane and grinning blue face. The same goes for Michigan State’s Sparty, a gladiator mascot with an oversized head. As for Kentucky’s Smokey — visualize a shopworn black and tan hound’s head, swollen to the size of a medium watermelon — he’s upstairs too, where a staff member is at work duplicating the beast. The Cleburne Yellow Jackets, along with numerous other high school teams, also get their mascots from Cowan. “We are going to focus more heavily on the high-school mascots,� Cowan said. “Right now it’s not a focus, but it will be.� Some of the products corporate America has tried to promote

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have been forgettable, but after 27 years in the business, the reminders are everywhere. Opposite Cowan’s desk, the head of a startled, oversize black-and-white cow character stares at the CEO. The gaping tongue and gigantic yellow plastic teeth make the beast look like it’s been Tased. Essentially it is a three-dimensional cartoon, created to promote a drink called Raging Cow. The berry-flavored beverage drink didn’t make a splash, but once seen, the cow’s image is indelible. Even successful operations, such as KFC, trot out characters that may not become household names: Kris P. Chicken character, for example. Even though the chicken is KFC’s corporate mascot, Cowan said, “very few stores bought one.� But Cowan and company wouldn’t be in business if they had not crafted a lot of successful critters and characters. Take the M&M peanuts, for example. All &20081,7< /,)(

the company’s U.S. retail stores are slated to receive big plush walk-around peanut mascots from the upstairs workshop. Other M&M peanut characters are headed to the company’s Paris store, in multiple colors. “We felt very fortunate that they have entrusted that to us,� Cowan said, “because it’s their brand history.� But Cowan’s bread and butter, or more accurately, its big cheese, belongs to a familiar rodent. Chuck E. Cheese, a destination for generations of youngsters’ birthday parties, was recently the source of a deal that saw Cowans’ mostly female staff cranking out 565 larger-than-life rodent costumes, complete with feet and paws. “It is a fun job,� said 20-year veteran Joyce Allen, who was working on a big red M&M destined for France. “During the 565 Chuck Es, not so much. I was seeing that rat in my sleep� Somebody reminded Allen that they love the rodent.

“I think of it as more love/hate,� Allen said. Cowan laughs, along with the women, then moves on down the line to finish touring the building. Champ, the Dallas Mavericks’ mascot, just took delivery of his new costume. Speaking through his sports agent and trainer, Ted Ovletrea, Champ said he loves everything about it. Because Cowan is in North Texas, he could come in for fittings. The new suit will allow Champ to flip around on the floor, rappel from the ceiling and give him more ability to see what he’s doing, Ovletrea said. “It’s a perfect costume,� said Olvetrea, who helped design the costume. “It was collaborative. A lot of things they brought to my attention I’m using.� Humble beginnings There was not anything about Cowan’s childhood that would suggest she’d grow up to run a unique business in Texas.

A middle child, she was born in the middle of America — Terre Haute, Ind. — in 1954: more or less the middle of the decade. Her mom stayed at home to rear the five kids and her dad was an engineer who worked for the state. She grew up in Crawfordsville, Ind., a town she describes as being about the size of Cleburne. Cowan describes herself as being an art geek in high school: funky; hippy. Instead of enrolling in a university after graduation, she went to work as her town’s first female dog catcher. Eventually, Cowan began managing the shelter. Married at 24, Cowan laughed when asked about what gave her the confidence to take over what was at the time an inactive business and make it her own. “I don’t know. I guess I was delusional,� she said. “When the opportunity came to buy the business it was a risk I was willing to take. “The first project I did, I did by myself. I did it on my living room floor,� Cowan said, recalling that the goal was to make a big drop of liquid paper for a company based in Puerto Rico. “I got loans a couple of times. I needed some sewing machines. “I went in asking for $1,000. I had to put up everything I had to get a $1,000 loan.� She quickly tired of running the company out of her living room and started looking for a building. Cowan came downtown, looked up and found what she wanted: the building she’s still in. “I called; I got lucky,� she said. “It already had heat and air conditioning. I rented half the upstairs. In a couple of months I took over the whole space.� Now, she said, “The note is paid. It’s mine.�

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The first really big job was for the ShowBiz Pizza Place. “I pretty much said, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ I got the job,” Cowan said. “I have learned over the years to trust God. “I feel very strongly that if he wants me to be in the costume business, I’ll be in business. I’m going to try not to sweat that too much.” From that first job, Cowan Costumes has gone on to gross around $700,000 annually. Cowan said the company hit $1 million one year. There has, however, been some struggle long the way: In addition to having to make payroll and generate business, in 1999 Cowan was diagnosed with colon cancer. She is now cancer free. Cowan talks about surviving cancer as matter of factly as she does building the company. “I learned not to sweat the small stuff,” Cowan said, “and most of it is small stuff.” In addition to their jobs, Cowan and her husband both do volunteer work at First Christian Church Cleburne, where she takes pictures for the directory and serves as an elder. When she’s not working downtown or at church, she and Brad like to visit Fredericksburg. “It’s just a very quaint town,” Cowan said, adding that for her husband, “I’m sure it’s the beer.” Cowan laughs about how boring her life sounds when she describes it. But she isn’t

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fact that because the company exists, there are people who have a job. Jobs they can be creative with. It’s a creative outlet for myself. And knowing it’s the kind of products, it’s going to make people smile when they see it.”

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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS STAR SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARDS In keeping with the mission of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, the STAR Small Business of the Year awards recognize Chamber members who represent the best in savvy business management, innovation and entrepreneurship. Entrants in the BACC STAR Program complete a standard application based on the US Chamber Award program. Companies are reviewed for best business practices by an independent panel of judges, who select the winners in each category. “I have been very fortunate to win internal awards from my company,� said Norm Meyers, owner of Christian Brothers Automotive Center and a 2013 STAR Winner. “But to be recognized by your community as being the best of many -- it just means so much more. The STAR award truly was one of the most meaningful awards I have ever received.� Applications are available at www.burlesonareachamber.com, and are due by January 3, 2014. E %VI VGI IWSR 'SQQI Finalist will be announced on February 12th and winners awarded at the Chamber’s Annual P V Y & V SJ FI Award Luncheon on Thursday, February 20th, 2014. Q E 'L VI M L W P M ; 7 ; 8< 8LI 1MWWMSR SJ XLI &YVPIWSR %VIE 'LEQFIV SJ 'SQQIVGI MW VPIWSR V GSQ &Y I F XS FI ER EHZSGEXI JSV FYWMRIWW QIQFIVW ERH XLI GSQQYRMX] Q IEGLE V E F] KMZMRK WYTTSVX IRGSYVEKIQIRX ERH TVSQSXMSR SJ PSGEP R S W SRI I P V Y FYWMRIWWIW XLVSYKL ZEVMSYW EZIRYIW SJ RIX[SVOMRK XS WLEVI F 4L E\ [[[ * MHIEW KVS[ FYWMRIWW ERH LIPT IEGL SXLIV WYGGIIH &20081,7< /,)(

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7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

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14th Annual Breakfast with Santa Enjoy breakfast and meet Santa in the Winter Wonderland! Located at the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) 550 NW Summercrest Blvd. Advance Breakfast with Santa tickets are available at the BRiCk starting Nov. 1 at $4 for children $5 for adults. Tickets at the door Dec. 7 are $5 for children/ $7 for adults. Call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104 or 817-426-9106 for more information. Christmas Craft Show Located at the Burleson Senior Activity Center (216 SW Johnson Ave. Bring cash because most vendors will not accept checks or credit cards. Call 817-295-6611 for more information. Burleson Rotary Club presents the ‘Annual Parade of Lights’ Steps off from Kerr Middle School and winds through Old Town. For route information visit http://tinyurl.com/8znxc35 The parade will start on the Irene Street side of the school parking lot, turn right on Gregory Street, right on Johnson Avenue, and right on Ellison Street. The Christmas parade will then turn right at the intersection of Ellison and Warren Street (next to Community Bank and Burleson City Hall) and head back to the middle school parking lot. The parade will not go past city hall. For more information, call Lisa Keese at 817-447-7300. Visit Santa in his sleigh. Contact: Burleson Parks & Recreation 817-426-9104 Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks In Old Town Burleson at the corner of Johnson & Ellison Free to the Public. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 PM. Tree Lighting and Fireworks Display at 7 PM. Visit Santa in his sleigh. Contact Burleson Parks & Recreation, 817-426-9104 for more information.

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hristmas shopping for someone who seems to have it all? There are several technology gifts that provide great options for gifts. Why not give them something they can’t live without?

Protective phone case One of the biggest things I can’t live without is my Otterbox. There are several different protective smartphone cases on the market, but to me Otterbox is No. 1. Otterbox offers several series of cases, from just a basic case to a complete protective covering. The newest line called Armor Series boasts it is waterproof for 30 minutes in up %\ 0RQLFD to 6.6 foot water, can )DUDP survive 10 foot drops 7HFKQRORJ\ and can withstand 2 tons of crushing force. Just what I need for my toddler. They offer cases for Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia and Samsung tablets and smartphones. They also offer dry cases for any products. Another protective case option is Lifeproof, but they only offer cases for iPhone, iPad, iPod and Samsung Galaxy. Lifeproof cases claim to have four proofs: water, dirt, shock and snow. If you’re looking for a new phone case, you have several options. Most are available at retail stores, on the company’s website or on other sites such as Amazon or eBay. Beware of cheap imitations on eBay and Amazon that are not as reliable as the real deal. Streaming service Another great gift is a subscription to an online streaming site such as Netflix or Vudu. For $7.99 a month, Netflix users gain access to thousands of movies and TV episodes, right on their phone, tablet, computer, TV, game system … you name it. Netflix boasts more than 40 million members globally, making them the leading online subscription service. I like the flexibility of it. We can watch movies on our TV at home or I can hand my toddler my phone and let her watch TV shows on my phone while we’re out running errands. Vudu is a service that claims to have hundreds of new releases before Netflix. Thousands of movies are available for $2 for two nights, vs. Netflix’s monthly subscription. Vudu also boasts 1080p True Digital video and Dolby Digital Plus &20081,7< /,)(

WKH\ FDQşW OLYH ZLWKRXW 7.1 surround sound, creating a better visual and audio experience. The service is also available on most video game systems, HDTV/Blu-ray, smartphone and computer. Backup drives One of the best gifts you could ever give a techie geek is an external hard drive. Especially if that techie geek enjoys storing lots of photos and videos on their computer. My drive of choice is Western Digital. They offer a variety of drives — including the transportable My Passport — in a range of prices and sizes. Another option is a subscription to an online backup site such as Dropbox or Mozy. Both sites offer a limited amount of space for free with options of more for varying prices. This is a great option for a businessman who travels light or someone who wants access to their files from more than one location. Other gift ideas A digital photo frame is always an easy, can’t-go-wrong gift. Technology on digital frames have advanced so much that now you can find ones that automatically import photos from Facebook and other social media sites. That’s a great idea for a parent or grandparent that might not know how to add pictures. You can add photos from home, no matter how far apart you are. Another no-brainer gift is an iTunes gift card if the person you’re buying for has an iPhone, iPod or iPad. Why not let them pick their own gift? Cards start at $5 and go up as much as you’d like to spend. They add them to their iTunes account and purchase as many apps, songs or videos as they’d like.

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* As a member of the Connect Hearing network, if we don’t already have the lowest price, we will match any valid competitor quote or advertised price on hearing aids within 60 days of purchase. ** 0% financing offer is subject to credit approval. If at the time of your application you do not meet the credit criteria previously established for this offer, or the income you report is insufficient based on your obligations, we may not be able to offer this financing. Complimentary hearing screening and consultation required. Some restrictions apply. Offer expires 12/31/13.

All major health plans accepted Remember to use your benefits by the end of the year.

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leburne ISD Athletic Director Pamela Lea is no stranger to breaking barriers and being in an unfamiliar territory as a woman in previously male-dominated professions. After graduating from Phillips University in Oklahoma, where she played basketball and field hockey, she went on to do her master’s work at Oklahoma State University in health, physical education and recreation. After school, Lea went into teaching. Her first coaching job came in 1974 at Vian High School in eastern Oklahoma. How she broke through in a male-dominated profession originally occurred by chance. “That field wasn’t really open to women at that time,” Lea said. “After I finished at Oklahoma State, I taught kindergarten and elementary PE. My husband took a job in eastern Oklahoma as a park ranger. We were expecting our first child and he would come by in the evenings and I would fix dinner for him and one of the other rangers, who was also a teacher in Vian.

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“The girls basketball coach there had recently quit, and he said, ‘We need a girls basketball coach. Wayne said you’d played basketball in college. Have you ever thought about coaching?’ And I said, ‘I haven’t really thought about it because there weren’t that many women coaches then.’ “My husband said, ‘Nobody would hire you nine months pregnant and no experience.’ So I called the school the next day and got an interview with the superintendent. Then I interviewed with an all-male school board the night that our daughter was due. So I was nine months pregnant with no experience and they hired me. That was my first coaching job. And I was the coach: seventhgrade, eighth-, ninth- and varsity.” Lea said female coaches at that time were few and far between at any level. “There just weren’t a lot of women coaches in that time frame and it wasn’t really a profession that women were encouraged to go in to,” she said. “It’s just amazing to me that I can have this [athletic director] position now, because back when I went to college, women were nurses, teachers, secretaries or stay-at-

home moms. Those were the jobs for women back then.” In Lea’s first year of coaching at Vian, she only coached against one other female coach. From Vian, Lea moved on to Van Buren High School in Arkansas, where she rejuvenated the girls’ basketball program. She only spent a year there before moving on to Carl Albert State Junior College, where she started the women’s basketball program. “The first year I coached in Vian, I only coached against one other female,” Lea said. “And then when I was at Carl Albert, I only coached against one other female in the year and a half I was there. It was a male-dominated field. There were definitely some discriminatory things that happened during that time. “One night, I showed up at Murray State in Oklahoma, and the male girls’ basketball coach said to me, ‘Well, where’s the coach?’ And I said, ‘I’m the coach.’ And he said, ‘Like I said, where’s the coach?’” During Lea’s time at Carl Albert, she said she and her husband had an important decision to make. “When we were at Carl Albert and we left

to pursue his career with the Corps of Engineers, we were kind of at a crossroads on who’s career we were going to pursue, and we made a mutual decision to pursue his,” Lea said. After a year-and-a-half at Carl Albert, Lea’s husband was transferred near Fort Worth. Lea was a stay-at-home mom then, but also coached the girls’ basketball team at Country Day, a private school in Fort Worth. She also taught night classes at TCU. Following a brief stay there, Lea and her family moved to Albuquerque, where she again started out as a stay-at-home mom. But another opportunity presented itself and Lea ran with it. “The assistant job for the University of New Mexico girls’ team opened up,” she said. “I applied and was selected. My primary job was being a recruiter. I had three children by this time (ages 5, 3 and a baby) and there weren’t a lot of women in the field that had children. I mainly recruited the western half of the U.S. I did extensive traveling. “Wayne was still working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was very tough because there was no cellphones and I had to

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work in the evenings a lot because that’s when I called recruits. ... It was a lot of work. “It was a fun job. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a good job for a mom with a family and especially kids that young. So I just did one year because I couldn’t be the kind of mom I wanted to be. And then we had the fourth child while we were still in Albuquerque. We were kind of worried about the public education there. Our family lived in Oklahoma and we wanted to be closer to them. We knew that Texas has a great education system, so my husband looked for a job in Texas and we moved back to this area.� Coming to Johnson County At that time, Lea hadn’t held a teaching or coaching job at a public school in a few years. When they moved back to the Fort Worth area, she wanted to get back in the public coaching profession. “I was really looking for a basketball position because that’s where my experience was,� Lea said. “I actually had an interview at Joshua, and the HR director didn’t show up the day of our interview, so I stopped by Burleson on the way home and left an application. Their volleyball coach had quit the day before, so the principal asked if I could coach &20081,7< /,)(

volleyball, and I said, ‘You bet.’ — I hadn’t seen a high school volleyball game until I coached in one. Oklahoma volleyball was not established back then. ... They offered me the job and I took it.� The Pamela Lea-era of Burleson volleyball got off to a surprising start in her first year in 1983. “In my first year, we had two returning players and the previous year they had their best record,� Lea said. “They told me there’s not a lot of expectations because it was a rebuilding year and they lost eight seniors from the year before. We finished second in the Arlington district and went to the playoffs for the first time in school history in my first year there.� Lea went on to coach Burleson volleyball for 14 more successful seasons, including the Stacy Sykora-led Lady Elks who reached a No. 5 state ranking in Class 5A in 1994. “That was the best we did while I was there,� Lea said. “We met Martin in the regional quarterfinals that year. It was a threegame match and there were about 1,100 people there. There was a very controversial call in the third game. We were ahead 12-9 and the call changed the momentum, and we ended up getting beat 15-12.�

Lea said that was one of only two times she ever really blamed an official or referee for affecting the outcome of a game in the more than 1,000 games she coached. Lea not only coached volleyball for the Lady Elks, but she also coached freshman basketball, track and she started the girls’ soccer program. She was the head volleyball and head girls’ soccer coach for eight years until her last year in 1997. “When I left Burleson, we were co-district champions with Cleburne in 1997,� she said. “We were in the same district with Cleburne when Cleburne was 5A in the early ’90s. I really enjoyed playing against Cleburne because they were always competitive. I coached seven Cleburne girls on a club volleyball team in 2000. ... I really always liked Cleburne’s work ethic and competitiveness. There’s something about this community that winning is a high priority. The parents and community are willing to do what it takes to be successful.� From Burleson, Lea moved on to Fort Worth ISD as an assistant athletic director, where she oversaw volleyball, tennis, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, and girls and boys track for 14 years. She experienced several state championship runs with Fort Worth ISD schools.

“In 2009, I got to sit behind the bench at the state basketball tournament with Southwest,” she said. “I got to hire the coach that won two state championships at Dunbar. We had some great success. I traveled with the track teams when we won a state championship in 2001 at O.D. Wyatt and again in 2011 at Southwest. It was really fun being a part of that success.” Lea never said she felt discriminated against during her tenure at Fort Worth. “It’s a lot more accepted now,” Lea said of women coaches and administration. “In Fort Worth, I was over boys basketball, boys soccer and boys track, and really, in truly, I never felt like there was any discrimination there. All of the men coaches were very respectful and good to work with.” After being one of the first head girls coaches in Oklahoma and after spending 14 years as an assistant athletic director with Fort Worth, Lea said she wanted to take the next step and be a head athletic director somewhere, and she ended up at New Caney ISD. “I was glad to get the opportunity to be an athletic director there,” Lea said. “Being

an AD was a goal I had set for myself. New Caney was a really good experience. I learned a lot of valuable things. But with three of our four kids living in the Metroplex and putting 40,000 miles on our car in one year, we decided we wanted to move back closer, so I felt very lucky I was selected for here at Cleburne.” Although there was no gender discrimination with Fort Worth, she said there was some apprehension at New Caney. “Maybe there might have been a little apprehension in the community at first,” she said. “I had a few people come to see me kind of to check me out. ... There was a little concern and people mentioned they were surprised that their community would hire a female for that position.” Following a year-and-a-half tenure at New Caney, where she helped pass a $97.5 million bond and assisted in the planning of a $20 million stadium, Lea was named the Cleburne athletic director in May. “I embrace the mentality of Cleburne so much because I like the winning attitude,” she said. “Not just the fact that we are win-

ning but that the attitude and expectation is there.” Lea, who has experienced several instances of gender discrimination at some previous stops in her career, said she has been warmly received in Cleburne. “I couldn’t have asked to be more welcome anywhere than I have been here,” she said. “There has not been any hint of discrimination. It’s been a very welcoming and very embracing environment. I feel really blessed to be here because the people here are about wanting to be successful and that’s their primary goal. It doesn’t matter your gender. I think you’re judged more by your work and not your gender.” After being one of a handful of women to break through in the head coaching profession in the ’70s, Lea has continued succeeding in places where few women have even ventured. With more than 11,000 schools in Texas, there are fewer than 20 female head athletic directors in the state, Lea said. “It’s kind of fun to think that maybe you’re a trailblazer — maybe you’re opening up a field that hasn’t previously been opened.”

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Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

LQ UHYLHZ he Cleburne Chamber of Commerce faced some changes this year, but came out stronger than ever and ready to tackle 2014, chamber President Cathy Marchel said. The chamber was frequently involved in activities and events around the community, beginning with its 94th annual chamber banquet held at the end of January. Houston-based ventriloquist Ian Varella served as entertainment for more than 350 guests. Outgoing board of directors President Erik Dumas introduced incoming President June Bates who told attendees that the chamber board shared the same vision as others in Cleburne: making the city a destination, not just a stop along the incoming Texas 121. The Citizen of the Year award was presented to Jason Cech. Other winners included Cathy Campbell, Athena Award; Amber Witte, Young Business Professional Award; Johnson County Heritage Foundation Chisholm Trail Project, Community Service Award; and Dena Bartlett, Wall of Fame

Award. Pat Cleburne Days was held the second week of April to celebrate the city’s namesake and is scheduled for the same time in 2014. The 14th annual golf tournament was held a week before tornadoes trekked through the city and demolished many homes and buildings on the west side of Cleburne, including many Westlake village homes and houses along the shore of Lake Pat Cleburne and Cleburne Golf Links. In response, the city banded together to assist each other. “May 15th kind of set a few challenges before the community but it was amazing to see how the community came together,� Marchel said. The Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Foundation put together the Cleburne Area Relief Fund as a way to help residents either uninsured or underinsured through donations to Pinnacle Bank. “We were able to assist 70 families; we helped get them back on their feet,� Marchel

said. “I feel very honored to help those that are in need and be there through the process. I was amazed. It’s pulled the community together in strength.� In July, the chamber welcomed new Executive Vice President Tara Janszen, who replaced former Vice President Kim Wiley. Janszen, a 2003 graduate of Cleburne High School, began her new job the week the Randy Rogers Concert for Cleburne tornado relief benefit held at Buddy Stewart Park. “Randy Rogers was so generous to come out here and help with the relief,� Marchel said. “Everyone had a great time. Buddy Stewart Park was a great place to have an outdoor concert.� The annual Fourth of July and boat parade event at Lake Pat Cleburne want off without a hitch, H-E-B Grocery was the presenting sponsor and has been for more than 25 years. Leadership Cleburne, a nine-month class focused on learning about the ins and outs of Cleburne kicked off in September and is off

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Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

to a great start, Marchel said. The class features weekly visits to different city locations where about a dozen participants annually learn more about the city, county, local and state government, education and public safety, among other topics. It has been a part of the chamber’s offerings since 1984. In October, the annual Business Expo — boasting the chamber’s largest attendance ever — was held at the Cleburne Conference Center. “It was a great success,� Marchel said. “We had over 3,000 people there and used the whole facility.� This was the first time the expo used both floors in the conference center and Marchel said plans are on tap to do the same next year, along with most of the businesses that participated in October. Whistle Stop Christmas is the next event, which is slated to bring in families from all over North Texas through Dec. 31. The annual event, which features more than 3 1/2 million lights, brings thousands of guests to Cleburne and ignites Christmas spirit in all involved. The month-long event begins with the lighting ceremony on Nov. 25 at Hulen Park.

WK EDQTXHW WR EH KHOG -DQ hose who come to the 95th annual Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Jan. 30 might notice a few differences compared with years past. Though the past few years have featured entertainers like Austin-based illusionist Billy Riggs or Houston ventriloquist Ian Varella, attendees this year will be treated to mingling and networking while awaiting the annual chamber banquet awards. “We’ve done programs and entertainment but we’ve notice people don’t have the chance to visit with each other,� chamber President Cathy Marchel said. “They will be looking at the opportunity of 400-500 people networking with each other, and then we’ll do the awards.� Because this is the chamber’s 95th banquet, there are also plans to tie in the anniversary in some way, Marchel said. “The awards will be the same,� she said, noting that the hope is to give another Lifetime Achievement Award — which is no easy task to be nominated for.

“You have to have been involved in the community for numerous years and really make a contribution with businesses, smart business decisions,� she said. Three Lifetime Achievement Awards have been presented to George Marti, Lowell “Stretch� Smith and Howard Dudley. Chamber officials are taking nominations for the annual awards through Jan. 3. The Young Business Professional Award has been given twice, to Sears Hometown Store owner Jason Cech and Senior Vice President of Pinnacle Bank Amber Witte. Those nominated for the Young Business Professional Award should be younger than 40 years old, a manager or owner of a business and involved in a community business for at least two years while showing leadership qualities and community commitment. Ambassador Award recipients are chosen based on a point system on the number of hours of volunteer work completed during the year with the chamber. An ambassador team and individual are chosen for this

award. Other awards are chosen by a committee of five past winners. The Athena Award is chosen by a group of as many past recipients attending the award presentation meeting. The event lasts until about 8:30 p.m. Individual banquet tickets are $35 and corporate tables are $600. “We like the keep the price where everyone can come,� Marchel said. “We are also in need of sponsorships, which help keep the prices of tickets down.� For more information on becoming a sponsor or for tickets, call the chamber at 817645-2455.

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/,*+7,1* histle Stop features live entertainment throughout the holiday season including train rides for children, singers serenading attendees at the annual lighting ceremony, holiday plays and a parade that winds through downtown Cleburne and back to Hulen Park where children can visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus and parents can shop for stocking stuffers and tasty treats. The event committee, which is open to anyone who wants to participate, meets all year long in preparation for the month-long light show. It is made up of 11 board members and about 75 volunteers. A 501(c)(3) organization, Whistle Stop Christmas is established under the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Throughout the month of December, an estimated 250,00 cars pass on Westhill Drive to look at the lighted area of 12 acres.

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sponsor is Heritage Trails Nursing and Rehabilitation. Whistle Stop kicks off at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Hulen Park with the lighting ceremony, followed by the Texas Tradition Chorus ladies choir performing. This year’s event theme is “Christmas Memories,” an idea that came out of discussions with the community and other individuals interested in coming up with the theme. “Anybody you know says Christmas is all about making memories,” said chamber President Cathy Marchel. “This will give people the opportunity to really show what they remember about Christmas.” The park will remain lighted until the end of December. The annual Christmas parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6, and Santa and Mrs. Claus are getting ready for the trip to Cleburne, Marchel said. CampFire USA Tesuya Council returns this year to take Santa photos at the pavilion the night of the parade. Visitors to Hulen Park will also have the chance to blow the park’s train horn during the parade celebration.

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Jesus is the Reason Throughout the holiday season, children will be able to take train rides around the park on Friday and Saturday evenings for $3 rider. Supervising adults ride for free. “That was very popular last year,” Marchel said. New this year is horse-drawn wagon rides also available on the weekends. Cost is $5 per rider. “It will be a neat perspective on the city,” Marchel said. “And fun for the kids because it’s kind of like a hay ride.” Marchel said Whistle Stop would not be possible without the dedicated volunteers that come out each year to put the event together. “Students who help with Whistle Stop can fill out an application for a senior scholarship,” Marchel said. “We also encourage home school and private school students to apply.” All are invited from far and near to visit Whistle Stop Christmas. There is no admission fee. There is ample parking for tour buses and vehicles of all sizes. This is a great place to bring your family for a memorable Christmas outing and to enjoy walking through Hulen Park throughout the evening. Visit our Whistle Stop website, www.whistlestopchristmas. org, for the activity schedule or call 888-5CLEBURNE.

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his year’s annual Downtown Cleburne Association’s Festival of Lights Christmas parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6. “The main reason it’s in downtown Cleburne is to bring people downtown,� said Angela Reynolds, chairwoman of the parade. “The parade is very well attended. It couldn’t be possible without the city staff, police department, fire department and others. It’s a great event for the entire community.� This year’s theme is “Christmas Memories.� Entries are $35 and deadline to enter is Dec. 2. Entries will be limited to 100 and will be accepted by decision of DCA. The parade will begin at South Main and First streets, proceed to Third and Caddo, then head north to North Caddo and Brown. It will turn left and travel behind Layland Museum, then head south on North Main to South Main and Westhill. Entries will then return to the start. Prizes will be presented for Creativity Award, Best Child’s Entry, Best Mounted Entry, Best Illuminated, Best Christmas Theme and Favorite Vehicle. Before and after the parade, Christmas in the Park is from 5-9 p.m. in Hulen Park. Food and Christmas vendors will be set up, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures after the parade. Live entertainment is provided, as well as a chance to blow the train whistle on the historic 3417 steam engine. Both events are part of Whistle Stop Christmas. Lights in Hulen Park are turned on every night at dusk until New Year’s Eve. For information, visit www.whistlestopchristmas.org.

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3OD]D &DUQHJLH &KULVWPDV VKRZV laza Theatre Co.’s Christmas show, “White Christmas,� runs through Dec. 23. Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas� tells the story of Bob and Phil, who after leaving the Army following World War II, team up to become a top song-anddance act. They soon meet a pair of beautiful sisters who also have an act. When the girls travel to a Vermont lodge to perform a Christmas show, Bob and Phil follow, only to find their former commander is the lodge owner. A series of romantic mix-

ups ensue as the performers try to help the general. Bob is played JaceSon Barrus, and Jonathan Metting plays Phil. Daron Cokerell enters her 25th Plaza show in her role as Betty, with Jill Nicolas and Julianna Keller double cast as Judy. Gen. Waverly is played by Doug Henry. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and students and $13 for children. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday. For information, call 817202-0600 or buy tickets online at www.plaza-theatre.com.

he Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players will present Barbara Robinson’s play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,� on Dec. 6-15. The play is a favorite both with Carnegie’s patrons, as well as the actors and crew involved. In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids — probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem — and the fun — when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on. This comedy is adapted from the best-selling young adult book, and has become a holiday staple for theatres across the United States. This pageant features plenty of roles for children and adults, a few favorite Christmas Carols, and a lot of laughs. “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever� is directed by Kate Hicks. It plays at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. Matinees begin

at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15. Performances are in the theater at the Cleburne Conference Center. Season tickets for 2014 are available now. Included are four Broadway musicals: “Fantasticks,� “Titanic the Musical,� “Pump Boys and Dinettes� and “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.� Tickets are $9 for students and seniors and $13 for a regular adult, including a $1 surcharge for the conference center. Tickets and information for all Carnegie shows can be found online at www.carnegieplayers.org.

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&KULVWPDV +RXVH hristmas House, hosted by the Hearts of Gold King’s Daughters Circle, is from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at Wright Plaza. Items and activities include unique keepsakes, ornaments, homemade treats and crafts, face painting pictures with Santa on his sleigh and a raffle for a Coach purse. Proceeds benefit Goodfellows. From left are King’s Daughters Pam Yarbrough, Kellee Coates, Debbie Kuklies and Rachael Bond. For information, visit hogschristmashouse.com.

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&DQGOHZDON 7RXU +RPHV he Save Old Cleburne Christmas Candlewalk Historic Home Tour celebrates its 37th anniversary this year. The organization continues to preserve what it considers to be the historic parts of Cleburne. The Candlewalk Tour is known as the oldest holiday home tour in this area. This year’s Candlewalk sponsor is Heritage Trails Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Beginning in 1976, two couples, owners of turn-of-the-century homes who had become alarmed by the destruction and neglect of many of Cleburne and Johnson County’s historic homes and landmarks, came together to form Save Old Cleburne. The organization has grown over the years and claims about 30 area households as members. In addition, about 100 Cleburne-area homes bear Save Old Cleburne signs. Cindi Thomas came to Cleburne in the late 1970s and joined SOC shortly afterwards. At that time, she said, “the old houses were reasonably priced, and people who were buying the houses cared about their neighborhoods and wanted to do something to [revitalize] those neighborhoods.� Other Cleburnites, though, were “a little afraid� to join the organization, Thomas said, worried that SOC would want to impose restrictions on how these older homes could be

restored, repainted or remodeled, or try to dictate what changes could be made. The Candlewalk tour of homes was started to introduce Save Old Cleburne and its mission and goals to the community, “to promote our neighborhoods and to get people interested in the history and heritage of these homes and buildings,� Thomas said. The first Candlewalk featured three homes and two churches — the Zimmerman House, the old Barr House on North Anglin Street, another home at the corner of McCoy and Anglin streets, First Baptist Church and Holy Comforter Church. In the early 1980s, the Candlewalk tour was featured on the cover of Texas Monthly magazine. That year, some 6,000 visitors came to town to take what was then a two-day tour. Over the years, according to Thomas and former SOC President Saundra Williams, the tour has evolved in a variety of ways to attract visitors. Some homeowners choose to dress in period clothing to add to the experience. Save Old Cleburne has evolved as an organization. In the spring 1977, the group became associated with the Johnson County Historical Society as a committee of the society. SOC members came from all walks of life and all kinds of backgrounds, and each one had their own concerns and reasons for joining. But they all banded together to meet once a month to combine their concerns and efforts and communicate about matters of importance. One of the main common objectives was promoting the preservation of Cleburne’s older homes and neighborhoods. SOC members also found they shared a sense of history and experience with each other. Old homes, SOC members believe, have a romance and a character that newer homes lack. They were built by hand and made to last, which is obvious when a visitor stops to look at the workmanship and detail individual carpenters put into the houses they built. “Older homes have soul. You can feel it,� Thomas said. “You don’t find that in

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newer homes.” SOC members help each other preserve that craftsmanship and character, that soul, by assisting each other with advice on restoration techniques, sources for materials and the elbow grease necessary to preserve their homes. The association has helped foster many long-lasting friendships over the years. Save Old Cleburne was incorporated as a nonprofit group in 1986 and has been using the proceeds from the tour and other events and efforts for various preservation and neighborhood stabilization projects. SOC members have long believed a historic district plan is needed as a primary method of preserving historic Cleburne, and the organization, from 1979-87, spent more than $20,000 on research and documentation for historic surveys. These surveys are used to compile materials in the process of nominating historic sites in Cleburne. Expert interpretation of the surveys revealed that four concentrations of older structures could be defined as representing historical districts, SOC members say. Those areas are: ][ Anglin, Robinson and Wilhite streets ][ Prairie, Forrest, Bellevue and Featherston streets

][ Buffalo Street to Granbury Street ][ Downtown Cleburne SOC’s other activities and accomplishments over the years include helping preserve Amtrak service for the city of Cleburne, establishing a research area in the Layland Museum, presenting awards of merit recognizing the restoration of historic buildings, providing funds to clean and restore Market Square, placement of park benches on the courthouse square, donations and scholarships to students and junior historians, presenting awards for high school students to research local history, funding two citywide historic surveys in Cleburne, funding the Buffalo Creek Project and preservation of the “Little Old House” on Buffalo (Cleburne’s oldest home). Heritage Trails Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is this year’s tour sponsor. Tickets are $10 through Dec. 6 and after they are $12 for adults and $5 for children. Tickets are available at the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, 1501 W. Henderson St.; Layland Museum, 201 N. Caddo St.; Anglin Rose Bed and Breakfast, 808 S. Anglin St.; Heritage HomeVintage Inspired Living, 116 E. Chambers; and Little Old House on the day of Candlewalk. For information, call 817-240-2295 or www.soc-cleburne.com.

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his is the 37th year of Save Old Cleburne Christmas Candlewalk Tour of Homes. We have a wonderful tour planned this year with beautiful homes decorated for your pleasure. I invite you to come to this year’s Candlewalk. Every year offers something new and interesting for everyone, even those of you who have taken the tour. This year we have five wonderful homes, two that are new to the Candlewalk Home Tour. From a Victorian Christmas to the

Lynn Buker

Cattle Barron’s Christmas, this tour offers something for all ages and interests. In addition to the Tour of Homes, we have four downtown businesses you won’t want to miss, Johnson County Feeder Supply, Chisholm Trail Family Dentistry, Wright Plaza and Heritage Home — Vintage Inspired Living. And back this year is our carriage rides that will take our ticket holders for an old fashioned horse and buggy ride. Our other features on tour is Layland Museum, Church of the Holy Comforter, First Baptist Church, the Little Old House, Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum, Holiday Gift Mart and, last but not least, Whistle Stop Christmas at Hulen Park. We hope you enjoy this year’s Candlewalk Tour of Homes. Have a safe and happy holiday Season. President Lynn Buker Save Old Cleburne

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his year free carriage rides are available for Candlewalk Tour of Homes ticket holders. Heritage Home — Vintage Inspired Living 116 E. Chambers St. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Antiques, home décor and gifts. You can purchase your Candlewalk ticket here. Carriage rides start at this location and run from 1-7 p.m. Holy Comforter Episcopal Church 209 E. Wardville St. 1-6 p.m. Believed to be the oldest standing church building in Johnson County. Stop in and enjoy. Little Old House 409 N Buffalo St. 1-8 p.m. Always included is the Little Old House, the oldest home in Cleburne built in 1867. The home is being restored by Save Old Cleburne and Johnson County Historical Commission. Decorated with period furnishings, Terry’s Texas Rangers will be there in period costume. Layland Museum 201 N Caddo St. Noon to 6 p.m. Stop by and tour the wonderful historic displays throughout. Tickets can be purchased here.

Johnson County Feeder Supply 302 S. Caddo St. 1-8 p.m. Come by to tour this historic building that once housed the Battery B, 132 Field Artillery of the 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. Marks can still be seen in the old door sills and the concrete ramps off Caddo Street. Wright Plaza 1 E. James St. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wright Plaza is in the historic Wright building. The Wright Plaza shops are an eclectic group that include a café, boutiques and a gallery. There is something for the whole family. Whistle Stop Christmas Hulen Park Celebrating its 14th anniversary, Whistle Stop Christmas features more than 3.5 million lights illuminating Hulen Park. Lights are turned on at dusk through Dec. 30. Holiday Gift Mart Cleburne Conference Center 1501 W. Henderson St. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shoppers will find a number of different gift ideas ranging from jewelry, unique children’s apparel, home décor, health and beauty

items, to Scentsy, Tupperware and Pampered Chef products. This market will be held at the Cleburne Conference Center, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 4 p.m. Admission is $2 for adults, children under 12 free and half-price dmission for Candlewalk Home Tour attendees. Each vendor will donate door prizes to be given away every 30 minutes throughout the day. Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum 2500 S. U.S. 67 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum features Indian teepees; life-sized silhouette cattle drive; an old windmill; stagecoach station; the jail; the newest addition the school, where they hold classes; and Wardville Courthouse, the oldest log cabin courthouse in Texas built in 1854. Chisholm Trail Family Dentistry 209 S. Buffalo St. Dr. Eric Braunlin purchased the dental practice of Berry & Berry Dental Associates in Cleburne and the office is now doing business as Chisholm Trail Family Dentistry. Braunlin is family-oriented, and he said he has felt at home in Cleburne since the first time he visited more than 10 years ago.

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We offer our residents a warm family-oriented atmosphere. Residents enjoy a wide variety of activities - sightseeing trips in the Center’s bus, relaxing chats on the porches & patio, a Wii bowling league with other nursing centers, and frequent sing-alongs with local entertainers.

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Holy Comforter Church (Anglican) 209 E. Wardville Ave. The 120-year-old nave of Holy Comforter Church (Anglican) is an annual stop on the Save Old Cleburne Christmas Candlewalk, but those making the tour this year will have an opportunity to take in not only the historic beauty of the building but also its music. Those who can arrange their visit to Holy Comforter at 6 p.m. will be treated to a short service of Advent lessons and carols. The addition of Advent music is appropriate, as the tour date always falls during the liturgical season of Advent, so the nave is decorated for that time on the church calendar rather than for Christmas itself. Located at 209 E. Wardville, the church building includes the 1893 nave and is the only 19th century structure in continuous use in Cleburne. This is the second building for the parish, the first having served the congregation 1871-93. The current nave and sanctuary are classically carpenter Gothic in style and cruciform in design and were completed at a cost of $5,000. They have never been remodeled, though notable additions over the years have enhanced the structure. +RO\ &RPIRUWHU &KXUFK $QJOLFDQ

Features include stained-glass windows, antique stations of the cross plaques, hand stitched needlepoint kneeler covers, herringbone-patterned beaded ceiling and impressive scissor beaming throughout the congregational area and sanctuary. The pulpit, lectern and rood screen were hand carved in Wisconsin and date to the early 1900s. For the service of lessons and carols, the choir will be directed by organist-choirmaster Cliff Varnon, who will accompany on the pipe organ. Tours will be given from 1-4:30 p.m. Candlewalkers are invited to attend a service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 5 p.m. Tours will resume at the conclusion of the service, with the last one beginning at 7:30 p.m.

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The Hudson Home 720 N Robinson St. Jackie and Linda Hudson welcome you to their fully restored late-1800s cottagestyle home, known as the “House of Dreams.� Full of antiques, handcrafted treasures and a backyard retreat designed for outdoor living and entertainment. The Hudsons’ home is one of the older homes in Cleburne. The first owners and the exact date of the home are unknown. All records were lost in the fire of the Cleburne courthouse in 1912. It does not appear on the Sanborn map until 1910. However, the title of the land it sits on was filed in 1856. The land was originally owned by the heirs of Christopher Cheney, who received two separate land grants for 1,600 acres from the Republic of Texas around 1842. Jackie bought the house in 1977 and remodeled, reconstructed and restored the home. Earthy colors and shades of red with antiques warm the each room. The sitting room has a pictorial history wall of both their families. The pictures date back to the 1870s. This room features their Christmas tree decorated with traditional ornaments and family memories. In the living room a built-in faux fireplace cleverly disguises a window, while a bookshelf with birdcage housing wooden birds disguise some wiring. Originally a back porch, the house has expanded through the years to a country kitchen full of collections of everything red and white, and his and her hobby

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