May/June 2015 County Line Magazine by County Line Magazine

county line UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS

WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM

Flying Fun in the Friendly East Texas Skies

COMPLIMENTARY COMPLIMENTARY COPY COPY

TO TO SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE SEE SEE PAGE PAGE 21 21

MAY/JUNE 2015

M A G A Z I N E

Kids Poetry

LOST GIRLS

KID ICARUS. STANLEY, BOB & JOSEPH’S BBQ. TOUGH BY NATURE. SUMMER FUN.

CREATIVE DESIGNS, EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY WWW.PAULMICHAELCOMPANY.COM | 903.567.0363 CANTON, TX | 2100 N. TRADE DAYS BLVD. |

2 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Discover the East Texas Oil Fields of the 1930s

The East Texas Oil Museum is located on the campus of Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. This fascinating museum houses the authentic re-creation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s from the largest oil field inside U.S. boundaries.

MUSEUM HOURS Tues-Sat 9am - 4pm April-Sept 9am - 5pm Sun 2-5p.m. Hwy. 259 at Ross St, Kilgore, Texas On the Kilgore College Campus, 903.983.8295

www.EastTexasOilMuseum.com

You’re invited... to Celebration Market

Sulphur Springs TEXAS

Just play. Have Fun. Celebrate!

hopcal.com sulphurspringstx.org

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 3

CONTENTS 12

STAGE 26 ArtsView Children’s Theatre 27 Stage Events

FILM 28 Best WWII Films By Jules Scroggin & Jess LeBeau 29 Short Film Competition

LITERARY 30 Mighty Girl Books By P.A. Geddie 31 Doll Donations Needed

MUSIC 32 Kid Icarus Project is a Slice of Americana By Tom Geddie 33 Raye, Kweller Play GMA 33 Music Listings

FOOD & DRINK 36 Bob’s Bar-B-Que is a Family Affair By Patti Light

EXPLORE THE UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS 40 Enjoy an Adventurous Summer 2015 41 Outdoor Events

LIVING ROOM 42 Homeowners Should Choose Wisely for Foundation Repair

FEEL GOOD

18 FEATURES 8 Flying Fun in the Friendly East Texas Skies

Aviation enthusiasts enjoy the wide open spaces, $100 hamburgers, special events, and youth activities the region offers. By Mark Miller & P.A.Geddie

12 Northeast Texas

Poetry in Schools Contest

DEPARTMENTS 5

Editor’s Note. Letters.

THIS TIME OF YEAR 20 National Train Day; Stanley, Bob & Joseph Month; Accordian Awareness; Mother’s Day; Father’s Day 21 Audie Murphy, Rose Month

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

From the ages of six to 18, the winners of this year’s poetry contest cover topics of dinosaurs, death, curiosity, nature, fear, confidence, and being human.

22 Rains County Fest Texas State Railroad AlleyFest Toyota Texas Bass Classic 23 Events

18 Lost Girls of Northeast Texas

THE ARTS

The people of Refuge of Light and Grounds for Justice bring hope to victims of human trafficking in East Texas. By Alia Pappas

25 American West Women Art Exhibit Texarkana Student Exhibition Art Events

SEE WEBSITE EXTRAS! www.CountyLineMagazine.com 4 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

44 Borrowed Dogs Make Great Companions By Edward H. Garcia 45 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Texas Asthma Camp

fl&g +

county line Since 2000

MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR P.A. Geddie CONTRIBUTORS Mark Miller Patti Light Alia Pappas Edward H. Garcia Tom Geddie Jules Scroggin Jess LeBeau SALES P.A. Geddie COPY EDITORS Terry Britt Mark Miller

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, We’re kicking off early summer with some great ideas for fun in the region. Read about adventurous pilots taking to the wide open skies with a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the beauty of the area even if it’s just flying over to a nearby town for a “$100 hamburger.” There are numerous opportunities for the aspiring aviator or those of us who enjoy watching man in flight from the ground or the passenger seat. Many, many other entertaining events and attractions fill the Upper East Side of Texas this time of year and you’ll find out all about them in this issue and on our new responsive website that works on your desktops, pads, and mobile phones through countylinemagazine.com.

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINT PRODUCTION Jette Stephens ADMINISTRATION Natalie Marshall DISTRIBUTION Pam Boyd Bombyk David Michelina County Line Magazine is published every other month, 6 timess a year. It is available free of charge in the Northeast Texas area in select businesses, limited to one copy per reader. Subscription costs: $18 per year in Texas, and $22 per year outside Texas. Bulk rate postage paid at Ben Wheeler, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to County Line Magazine, P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754. Contents COPYRIGHT 2015 County Line all rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in articles appearing in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 Phone: 903.963.8306. E-mail: info@countylinemagazine.com Website: www.countylinemagazine.com. Free listings are entered on a space available basis. Advertising space may be purchased by calling 903.963.8306.

Serving the Upper East Side of Texas

We are so proud of the winners of this year’s Northeast Texas Poetry in Schools Contest and know you are amazed at what they are writing. This exercise is so important, not only to the winners, but to all the children and teens who dared to put pen to paper and write their thoughts and feelings down for all to see. The process is great for building awareness and self esteem. Another group helping children is Refuge of Light in Tyler. The organization opened a Safe House for victims of human trafficking. Yes, it’s happening in East Texas. Please read this important article. May this season bring peace and joyful days to all. P.A. Geddie Publisher & Managing Editor

LETTERS Dear Editor, Picked up a copy of your fine magazine on a recent visit to East Texas. Please send more. (subscribed) Hank Oneal New York, NY Had a most interesting but bitter sweet three-day visit to Athens, Tyler, Ben Wheeler, and Edom in mid-December last. Your area is very similar to middle Wisconsin. (subscribed) Bruce M. Agacki Oak Creek, WI Thanks for the great article on Frilly Pepper. We appreciate it a lot. We are opening the Ben Creative Art Center (BCAC) offering art instruction for ages 4-adult, classes taught by local, professional artists, workshops, events, camps, etc. In conjunction, we are sponsoring several exhibits a year. A portion of proceeds benefit the BCAC Scholarship Fund and the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation. Details of

all events can be found on our Ben Creative Art Center Facebook page. Again thanks for all your support. Kelli Holmes Ben Wheeler “Good Grub by Great Artists” (In the Kitchen with Beth Brown, Nov/Dec 2014) was a wonderful project. We have enjoyed every recipe in the book several times. It’s always fun to be with creative folks and see how they add creativity to every aspect of their lives. We wish you best dishes. Zeke & Marty Edom

Let us hear from you. Please feel free to send us your comments.

County Line Magazine P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 email: info@countylinemagazine.com Find us on Facebook and Twitter. Go to LETTERS on www.countylinemagazine.com.

CHECK OUT COUNTY LINE DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS @ www.CountyLineMagazine.com New responsive eMagazine works great on DESKTOPS, PADS, and MOBILE PHONES! Set up a SHORT CUT TO THE COUNTY LINE ON YOUR DEVICES! Subscribe to eNewsletters including Weekender, Food & Drink, and The Arts! MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 5

6 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 7

Flying Fun in the Friendly East Texas Skies By Mark Miller and P.A. Geddie Growing up on rural farms around the turn of the 20th century, famous Northeast Texas-born pilots Bessie Coleman and Wiley Post probably wished they could fly as many have throughout history from the first spotting of birds and other aerial critters gliding freely through the sky. Centuries of adults and children alike jumped off many a hill, tower, or rooftop with feathers strapped to their arms or sturdy capes tied to their bodies longing to soar to new heights. This determination eventually led to the invention of kites, hot air balloons, parachutes, gliders, helicopters, and airplanes that delight young and old to this day. Coleman and Post made careers out of their love for flying airplanes and both enjoyed entertaining others with their skills through “barnstorming” stunt flying and setting world records. Today’s pilot community in Northeast Texas isn’t so much concerned about world records as they are in getting

the “$100 hamburger.” That’s aviation slang pilots use to fly, typically, within a couple of hours distance, to an airport with a nearby restaurant and then fly home. The $100 refers to the cost of the trip taking into consideration fuel and wear on the plane.

takes guests outside where more than a dozen aircrafts are on display.

The region has a number of favorite locations where pilots are known to fly in to hang out with fellow aviators and get a bite to eat, explore the town perhaps, or take care of business.

“I’ve been here just over 21 years and you see that building has a lot of life going on, has a lot of activities, some things that are really good for special needs groups and special events like for World War II vets is very exciting,” said airport manager Davis Dickson.

The old terminal at Tyler Pounds Regional Airport has the Skyline Cafe located adjacent to the landing strip. It has large windows facing the runway where even the non-pilot public can enjoy watching the small planes taking off and landing while they dig in to the grub. The cafe not only boasts having the best “$100 hamburger” but claims pilots love their “$100 Reuben” and even “$100 pancakes.” The old Tyler terminal building also holds the Historic Aviation Memorial Museum showcasing aviation memorabilia from the Wright brothers through present-day activities. Part of their tour

Since the new commercial airport at Tyler Pounds was opened in 2002, the old terminal is a welcome place to gather for aviation enthusiasts.

Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport is another great treasure for adventurous aviators. Airport manager Joey Baker says they get people flying in often that are looking for a meal or to go into downtown Sulphur Springs. “Some of our pilots just come in for fun,” he said. “They might go across the street to eat at the Red Barn Café or borrow a courtesy vehicle and go to town to eat and look around. We’ll have people that live 100 miles or less mostly that stop in just for the fun of flying somewhere.”

Pilot Mike DeCanio enjoys flying around Northeast Texas in his 1985 Nanchang CJ-6A ex-Chinese trainer plane when he’s not working for Southwest Airlines. Photo by Emily Schroeter. 8 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Although – for security reasons – the general public is not often allowed on the runways and around the hangars, Baker said they welcome people at the airport. “We encourage people to come look and ask questions at the terminal building,” he said, where takeoffs and landings are highly visible. Sulphur Springs airport and many other aviators are members of the worldwide Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), a community of aviation enthusiasts who promote and support recreational flying. One of the things they do is a program called Young Eagles, which introduces kids from 8 to 17 to aviation. They give free flights from volunteer pilots and learn about airplanes on the ground and in the sky. Many of the cities in the Upper East Side of Texas have municipal airports. Some have amenities including food and drink. Others don’t even have hangars or fuel. And the people involved range from community-employed aviation directors to current and former commercial, military and private pilots to retired pleasure flyers. While some pilots keep their planes at nearby airports, others have their own private country runways and hangars and some even live in residential airpark neighborhoods. There are a number of those in the region like Aero Estates Airpark on Lake Palestine and Tailwind Airpark near Canton. Opening in 1998, Tailwind Airpark features a residential community filled with people who share a love of aviation. Residents can build a home in one of two lot styles that include hangars for their private planes. They have access to the runway and other airport amenities including fuel and maintenance plus fishing and jogging trails. One property style allows owners to build a custom home and incorporate an adjacent hangar. The other is a hangar home that’s a metal building with a large hangar door on the inside for an aircraft but with the back or side framed up to include a home. “From the outside it looks like a metal building, but when you walk in the living quarters of it, it’s just as nice as any brick home in the country,” said Mark

Katie Dyer’s love of flying started early in life – she’ll be with the Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-in May 29-31 at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. Courtesy photo.

Thompson, owner of the 200-acre airport. “It’s a different concept. It’s a matter of personal preference. It’s a little bit less maintenance and taxes typically are a bit lower.” About 50 custom home sites are available, the same as the hangar homes. The typical owner is retired or near retirement many of whom are or have been affiliated with commercial airlines, the military, and/or freight companies. “A lot of people commute to work and while we may think of commuting from here to Dallas or Tyler, they’ll commute to Dallas, get on a plane for Chicago and maybe start their trip,” Thompson said. “Living on an air park allows them to commute to their jobs but yet when they come home they have their home in a small, private airport and a private airplane and lets them fly here locally and enjoy their hobbies.” For some those hobbies include building their own planes as members of the EAA. Thompson Field Airport has a local EAA chapter of about 40 members who meet monthly to talk aviation.

the rest of my life,” said the 52-year-old Thompson. “I jokingly tell people I’m too broke to quit and too dumb to do anything else. “But I enjoy what I’m doing. We also do aircraft maintenance. We have hangars for people who don’t live here fulltime. They may live in the country and are looking for a place to store their airplane and have access to a runway. We also have a retired military guy who teaches 6-8 people a year.” Other pilots prefer their own pasture runways to living in a neighborhood and with the wide-open spaces available in the region, that’s an option chosen by many of them. Mike DeCanio resides on 95 acres of land outside Murchison. He has been a Southwest Airlines pilot for more than 18 years flying three to six times daily for three straight days each week after commuting to Dallas’ Love Field. His property is one of many that include a private grass runway from where he flies his two private planes. He said you can tell airplanes fly there from the little orange balls on the power lines.

Thompson learned about aviation at age 11 when his rancher/farmer father Jesse built and flew crop dusters. When growing crops and corresponding agriculture aviation slowed down, the Thompsons decided to get into the airpark business.

One of DeCanio’s planes is a four-seat traditional Cessna 180. He spends most of his free time in a vintage Nanchang ex-Chinese trainer, a two-seat World War II-looking style he acquired about eight years ago.

“This has gotten large enough now that I see it for many, many years, probably

“It’s unique,” DeCanio said. “It’s loud and aerobatic and unusual but been a Continued on page 10 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 9

Summer 2015 Aviation Events and Attractions in and Around Northeast Texas EVENTS May 9

Volunteer pilot Steve Garrett buckles in an aspiring young pilot at the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport during a Young Eagles event. Courtesy photo.

FLYING continued from page 9 lot of fun for me. It came to me pretty well restored. I put a new motor to it and I do some of the maintenance on it but for the most part it’s an airplane I take to air shows and fly-ins around the Dallas area.” DeCanio’s passion for flying goes back to the Navy which he joined after college. After completing his nearly eightyear stint, he flew charters and freighters for several years before joining Southwest, “We joke that when I go to work, it needs to be smooth, you can’t spill any coffee, must be on time and do all the procedures correctly,” he said. “When I fly my little airplanes, I still do the procedures correctly but I’m not worried about flying upside down.” Like DeCanio, Kate Dyer has a grass runway on her property north of Honey Grove. She too had an early introduction to flying while growing up in suburban Chicago. “When I was really little we’d watch airplanes take off and land and I was always fascinated,” she said. “I always was climbing on and jumping off of trees. I loved the sensation of flying. We even had a big flight of stairs at our house and I’d try to jump the entire flight at once.” Dyer’s first flying lesson came in 1982 at age 16 in a Cessna 152 model and her flying career took off from there. 10 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Continuing to fly through high school and college, she was teaching people to be pilots at age 21 while flying charters. By 23, she was a captain for old Midway Connection airlines. The next year she was hired by UPS where today she flies all over the world. Among the planes on which she learned to fly was an old World War II taildragger, a small plane with conventional landing gear. Dyer’s early obsession with flying carried over to those now non-traditional planes to where she joined a group called Ladies Love Taildraggers which holds its sixth-annual Fly-In/Splash-In event May 29-31 at Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. “I always thought tailwheels were the purest form of flying,” said Dyer, who has lived in the region since marrying her native Texan pilot husband Pat in 1997. “I always had this vision as a kid of having a place with a grass strip. I pursued that very early.” She and her husband own three planes, two of which — a 1950-vintage Call Air and a 1994 model Pitts single-engine — are taildraggers. She did 12 air shows with the Pitts in 2014 and plans to bring it to Sulphur Springs. The Upper East Side of Texas has a lot to offer pilots, young aspiring aviators, and those that just enjoy watching the excitement of humans in flight. *Read more about Bessie Coleman and Wiley Post in the County Line Archives.

17th Annual Corsicana Airshow. Corsicana. Food, drinks, and souvenirs available. Bring lawn chairs. Gates open 9:30 a.m. Visitors may walk among the airplanes until approximately 11:30 a.m. Show begins at Noon. $10/person, $20/car. Veterans and active duty personnel admitted free. Corsicana Municipal Airport. 903.257.8282. www.coyotesquadron.org.

May 15-16

Tailwind Regional Balloon Festival. Canton. Two days of hot-air balloon fun, rides, balloon glow, live music, care show, carnival, 5K Glow Run, kids fun area, and more. 903.567.1849. www.visitcantontx.com.

May 29-31

Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-In. Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. 903.885.4911. http://www.slr.aero.

May 30

Memorial 150 Air Race. Terrell. Terrell Municipal Airport. 972.551.1122.

June 6-7

Heart of Texas Airshow.

Waco. Featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, a D Day commemoration, Trojan Phlyers Demo Team and a full line up of non-stop air show action. Entertainment includes military jet and parachute teams, warbirds, wing walkers, comedy routines, aerobatic airplanes, re-enactors and much more in the air and on terra firma.

Flights are available to the public in historic warbirds throughout the day. Exhibits, vendors, food, and aviation-themed kid’s area are also part of the day. 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 303.862.8629. www.heartoftexasairshow.com.

July 21-26

Great Texas Balloon Race. Longview. Pilots compete for the 2015 U.S. National Championship. Interact with hot air balloon pilots and staff and learn how they operate. Activities include balloon glows, Kids Land, arts, crafts, vendors, food and beverages, and more. 903.753.3281. www.greattexasballoonrace.com.

September 12-13

Mid America Flight Museum. Mount Pleasant. 903.573.2888. www.midamericaflightmuseum.org. Salt Palace. Grand Saline. Not only is this worth the trip to see the only building in North American made of salt, but as the birth town of famous aviator Wiley Post, the museum offers a nice display of memorabilia about him. 100 W. Garland St. 903.962.5631. Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum. Gilmer. Dedicated to preserving and enhancing local historical heritage by showcasing the aircraft and equipment of the armed forces. The multi-use building not only houses an operations base for Dean Lumber

Company’s business aircraft, but is also home to the Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum. The museum provides local school groups an opportunity to learn more about the diverse roles of aviation in their daily lives. Located on the Gilmer-Upshur County Airport. The multi-use building not only houses an operations base for Dean Lumber Company’s business aircraft, but is also home to the Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum. The museum provides local school groups an opportunity to learn more about the diverse role that aviation plays in their daily lives. Dean received the Texas Forestry Association Award for Best Design in Wood Buildings for 1997. 903 8435543. flightofthephoenix.org

Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. Performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels which added two female members to their team last year for the first time in history. Many other performances including U.S. parachute team, aviators Kevin Coleman, Manfred Radius, Dan Buchanan, Rob Holland, and many more. Fort Worth Alliance Airport, 2221 Alliance Blvd. 800.318.9268. www.allianceairshow. com.

September 19-20

Flights of Our Fathers. Terrell. Fly in static and dynamic displays of military aircraft, Warbirds, vintage and new aircraft, Texas Heatwave Aerobatics Team, radio controlled airplanes, guest speakers and book signings, kids zone, museum tours, pancake breakfast, barbecue cook-off, and food court. Terrell Municipal Airport. 972.551.1122.

AIRPORTS Call local City offices to get detailed information on their airports and activities.

MUSEUMS Historic Aviation Memorial Museum. Tyler. Memorabilia from the Wright brothers through current aviation, plus tours of airplanes in the old Tyler Pounds Regional Airport hangars. 903.526.1945. www.tylerhamm. com.

RESTAURANT – LIVE MUSIC – FULL BAR — MOORE FUN! OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK. ENJOY SPORTS TV. FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS. EVERY TUESDAY Kids Eat Free 5-8 p.m.

EVERY THURSDAY Karaoke 7 p.m.

4th THURSDAYS 5/28 & 6/25 Cruise Night

2nd SATURDAYS 5/9 & 6/13 Horseshoe Tournament

4th SATURDAYS 5/23 & 6/27 BEAN WHEELER Our version of Cornhole

LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY

SAT MAY 2 Wesley Pruitt Band

FRI MAY 22 Breaking Southwest

SAT MAY 23 Wayland Hicks

FRI MAY 29 Damn Quails

No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum. Terrell. A collection of log books, training materials, World War II memorabilia and uniforms celebrating the first and largest school for training thousands of British pilots and some American military pilots. Open Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 10am - 4pm. Other times by appointment. Admission is FREE. Box 6, 119 Silent Wings Blvd. 972-551-1122.

FRI MAY 1 Swampadelic. SAT MAY 2 Wesley Pruitt Band. FRI MAY 8 Texas Rebellion. SAT MAY 9 Kimberly Dunn. FRI MAY 15 TBD. SAT MAY 16 Ben Lowery Band. FRI MAY 22 BreakingSouthwest. SAT MAY 23 Wayland Hicks. FRI MAY 29 Damn Quails. SAT MAY 30 Matt Dunn.

Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Center. Pittsburg. Contains the Ezekial Airshop, a flying machine invented by Reverend Burrell Cannon in 1902, based on descriptions from the Book of Ezekiel in the Bible. 204 W. Marshall. 903.856.1200.

SAT JUNE 13 FRI JUNE 26 FRI JUNE 19 SAT JULY 4 Bri Bagwell Max Stalling Stratoblasters Thieving Birds FRI Jun 5 Mike Ryan. SAT JUN 6 Cody Wayne. FRI Jun 12 Group Therapy. SAT JUN 13 Bri Bagwell. FRI JUN 19 Bugs Henderson Tribute/The Stratoblasters. SAT JUN 20 TBD. FRI JUN 26 Max Stalling. SAT JUN 27 Troy Cartwright. FRI JUL 3 Mike & the Moonpies. SAT JUL 4 Thieving Birds.

BUGS HENDERSON TRIBUTE

www.mooresstore.com • 903.833.5100 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 11

The winners of this year’s poetry contest produced exceptional poems evoking a full range of emotions from light-hearted humor to dismal despair. Each cleverly-written word penned by these children and teens expressing their creative individuality is celebrated.

FIRST GRADE FIRST PLACE

Dinosaurs Dinosaurs used to be everywhere I’ll never see one Not here anymore because of asteroids Omeisaurus lived on land Strong and fierce Ankylosaurus is one dinosaur’s name Upset because I can’t see one Roamed the world a long time ago Soooooo want to touch one Josue Morones Nacogdoches SECOND PLACE

My Grandma The big blue sky makes me want to cry. Tell me why my grandma had to die? I miss her but why? She makes me want to cry. One day I will die and see her again. Destiny Greer Longview THIRD PLACE

Elephant, Elephant Elephant, elephant, big as a house! They tell me you are afraid of a mouse. Samantha McConathy Lindale

SECOND GRADE FIRST PLACE

Good Luck, Good Night The big screen T.V. Jacob climbing the ladder. The zombies moaning. Jacob starting up his car.

12 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Bacon cooking on the stove. Popcorn popping in the microwave. The salt on the popcorn. The delicious bacon. The controller in my hand. Me pressing the buttons. I feel so HAPPY playing this video game. David Brown Nacogdoches SECOND PLACE

I Made My Mother Mad I made my Mother mad when I did a flip outside and got stuck in a tree. I’m telling you, you don’t want to do that. She made me sleep with my dog for over a month. One day a tree fell on our house. My Mom blamed me, but I didn’t care. Until I had to be nice to my brother. Kaylee Wilkerson Henderson THIRD PLACE

Great Presidents of America George Washington, one. He did NOT cut down a cherry tree. He did fight in the Revolutionary War, Despite the fact of the blizzard. Abraham Lincoln, sixteen. He’s a master at tallness. He fought in the Civil War, Despite the fact he was assassinated. Today, America holds up high with our Military: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Salute! Cole Greenhouse Henderson

THIRD GRADE FIRST PLACE

I Asked I asked the bluebird why it was blue, And it chirped and flew through the air with its wings spread wide. I asked the kangaroo why it was tan, And it hopped away with its joey in its pouch. I asked the duck why it was yellow, It honked and swam away. I asked myself what was missing, And then the sun set and the sky turned pink and orange. I kept quiet and everything was perfect. Avery Bryan Henderson SECOND PLACE

I am Smart and Curious I am smart and curious, I wonder what animals really see. I hear the rabbits scampering, I am smart and curious. I pretend to be a horse, I feel the ground under my hooves, I touch my rider’s hands. I worry about my family, I cry that someday I will die I am smart and curious, I understand that we are all loved I say there is more to life than you see. I dream that I can dream a dream, I try to see over tall people. I hope it will happen someday, I am smart and curious. Bethany Grandgeorge Henderson

THIRD PLACE

My Life It was a wakin’ up early It was a prayin’ for the day It was a goin’ to school That’s the day my family had It was a feedin’ the pig It was a feedin’ the horses That’s the day me and my Daddy had It was a balin’ hay It was a workin’ cattle It was a ridin’ horses That’s the day my Daddy had It was a huntin’ and a fishin’ It was a shootin’ a limit It was a goin’ camping That’s the weekend my family had It was a goin’ to church It was a prayin’ for others It was a livin’ for Jesus That’s the life my family lives That’s my life Landri Laing Lindale

FOURTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

I am… I am different and strong I wonder about my future I hear voices I see a beautiful place I want to start over I am different and strong I pretend I’m not hurt I feel weak inside I touch people’s lives I worry I’m unheard I cry to make myself feel better I am different and strong I understand I’m not perfect I say I’m okay I dream of a different world I try not to hurt others I hope people think good of me I am different and strong Hanna Barron Fruitvale SECOND PLACE

The Sound of Red Have you heard the sound of red? Someone agitated at their friend A jealous somebody standing alone watching his date with another man Love between two people in a café. Have you heard the sound of red? A cardinal chirping a peaceful tune

The U.S. flag fluttering around in the wind The sunset going to the other side of the Earth That’s the sound of RED! Have you heard the sound of red? A dagger covered in speckles of blood A person taking revenge on his acquaintance An apple fresh enough to bite Have you heard the sound of red? An M & M chocolate candy A stop sign in the corner of a sidewalk A cherry scoop of ice cream That’s the sound of RED! Sage Linch Henderson THIRD PLACE (TIE)

The Best Big Brother Oh how much damage me and my brother cause when we wrestle Oh how the house shakes and windows almost brake when we scream at each other. Oh how everywhere we go we get into an argument and fight. Oh how we put so much pressure on our parents Oh how we break each other down and discourage each other. Oh how we shrug our shoulders when we see each other Oh how we say we hate each other and show it on the outside But in the midst of the night when we’re alone… He checks for the creeps und my bed and tells me, “if anyone is there they have to come through me to get to you,” which shows me he loves me on the inside. Abbey Everitt Henderson THIRD PLACE (TIE)

This is the Time This is the time to dream This is the time to be a companion This is the time to pay tribute This is the time to love This is the time to shed tears This is the time to entertain This is the time to take responsibility This is the time to celebrate This is the time to comprehend This is the time to perform This is the time to accomplish This is the time to shine This is the time to exist. Braden Lear Henderson

FIFTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

Austin Many, many people walking, jogging. Their long hair, short hair flapping in the cool breeze. Laughing, screaming, crying too. Cars honking, shoes clanking, and plates clattering. Music playing, girls whooping, and guitars strumming. Barbeque roasting, sweet perfume, and strong alcohol in men’s breath. Sweet air and warm grass. Hot, savory meat; its sauce is sweet and tangy. Ice cream, smooth and cold dripping down my chin. And cold, fresh lemonade, ice crunchy and hard. Soft, slimey stingrays brushing against my cold, wet hand trying to get food. Bird’s talons clawing at my shoulder and then leaping off. Overwhelmed. Excited. My heart about to explode. Lorelai Parkhurst Nacogdoches SECOND PLACE

Well I’m so sorry Papa, I know you really liked her… “Well, I guess I’ll keep on lookin’.” Sir, I have regrets to tell you that you did not get the job… “Well, back to beggin’.” You have any more food Papa? “Well no, I’m sorry son, let’s keep lookin’.” Sorry, but there has been an incident and you’ll have to pay the fee. “Well, I ain’t got money but I got a pair of hands and a mind ready to work.” You’re hired! You met our standards and I see good in you. “Well, things might actually be okay.” Carter Wheat Henderson THIRD PLACE

Rebel My name is William and I am 15. I am what Britain calls a rebel. I am what my family calls a patriot. Continued on page 14 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 13

POETRY continued from page 13 I am what General Washington calls a soldier. But I just don’t know what I am at times. I know the colors I wear and, I know which side of the hill I’m fighting on. But sometimes my heart chooses a different path. I do not wish to fight the British who have saved us in hard times. I rise up to look over the earth work. Bullets speed past my head. My life flashes before my eyes. British march up the hill. Now I know what I am... I am an American. I am fighting for my independence. I am a rebel. Luke Horton Carthage

SIXTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

To Hold the Night

As darkness fell upon the earth Cold stars rebuked the frozen Moon Who knew her glow paled all others. Below, hills whispered secrets black as ink And far away, deep in the twilight, Atlas groaned under the heavy sky As Echo carried his curse in the folds of the wind That rends the shadows leaping and crawling over unseen creatures Amidst hisses and moans plucked by invisible hands snapping and grasping for a shred of life. Those nights have long since passed, Time, like Atlas, holds them back As stars of distant memories. But never can it hold me from their pale beauty For the ethereal glow of the Moon will always linger in me. Julianne Mallari Tyler SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

I Am Me I am a lightbulb RUNNING out of time shining bright for all to see. I live the life of a sparrow, unique and bold forming a statement. I am a partly-cloudy day, happy or sad, unexpecting I will be I am me. Chatty and short, funny and weird. me I am not you, I am somebody I’m not. I am me. Carter Williams Kilgore

SEVENTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

14 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Helen Tang Kilgore

Morning to Night and Back The day blooms, like a beautiful rose. Sweet, rich smelling, and the color of gold. Then comes noon, in a hot fury. He withers plants and animals, playing executioner and jury. At last arrives dusk, her dark veil shrouding, yet revealing. She brings twinkling stars and fills the air, with a calm, peaceful feeling. And so the cycle repeats, daybreak, noon, night. To once more come around, and bring dawn’s hazy light. And so this pattern continues in all of its splendor. For Mother Nature designed it this way, and no one will contend with her.

Segregation Segregation Segregation ended between African Americans & Caucasians. Did it really? It is not a legal separation it is mental separation. For example we live in different parts of town and we only talk to each other. I for one want to end mental segregation. Alex Mobley Fruitvale

Darkness and mistake Weak is yellow With its parasitic ways Leaching the courage you thought you possessed, Leaving only emptiness. The sunset is orange, a dying day. The failure of fire, Jaded, desperate. Hoping against hope for a better tomorrow. Red is the cause of sacrifice and pain. Ruthless and remorseless An iron will to survive. To be the last to die. The freshly spilt blood, once invisible, Is now displayed in brown. As leaves complete Their twisted flight down, As their voices are drowned. Come winter, all will be numbed by white. The fallen will be forgotten. Come spring, what lay below Will nourish a new false hope.

Tasnia Bari Chapel Hill SECOND PLACE

The Fall to Obscurity Rebirthed This is the time of year When summer’s burning light Is soothed by a pre-winter breeze... It starts with green, of life, But also of deceit, Covering the undoings of character. Doubt and misery

THIRD PLACE (TIE)

Nightfall The sky is streaked orange and pink as the sun begins to sink. The blue slowly fades away make the end of another day. Shadows are gradually consumed as the darkness begins to loom. A cool breeze fills the air and people say a bedtime prayer. Beautiful stars shimmer up high like thousands of diamonds in the sky. The wind becomes a beast blowing north, south, and east. Children are tucked into bed as parents get ready for the day ahead. The moon begins to appear meaning nightfall is finally here. Mackenzie Ibarra Chapel Hill THIRD PLACE (TIE)

I Am Beautiful Some people won’t be happy till they push you in the ground The words like a knife constantly stabbing you in the gut The pain is real You’re fat You’re stupid You’re ugly You’re a loser

You’re a freak You’re worthless You have no one They tell me every day that people like me will never matter in this world But I do matter in this world I AM Beautiful I AM smart I AM fearless I AM strong I AM different I AM never alone I AM a diamond, They can’t break me, They may scratch me, But they will NEVER break me Kyla Moran Cushing

THIRD PLACE (TIE)

Just Me My life isn’t promised from one day to the next. So I don’t need any drama that makes it complex. I try to do my best to do what is right. And say my prayers every night. I include the ones I love. Also the ones that live in heaven above. So if you look at me and I don’t fit your style. That is on you so don’t live in denial. This is who I am that is all I can be. So take me as I am. I am just me. Kendale Barker Cushing

EIGHTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

The Piano Chord A chord is struck All three white It’s just normal Like pigeon cooing in a busy city A chord is struck Some black some white This one is different and beautiful Like a magpie caroling in the forest Caleb Liebengood Longview SECOND PLACE

Human Beings

Sometimes it’s okay to cry. Like when someone goes And leaves our side. But then were forced to strike a pose. Sometimes it’s okay to break. Like when someone lies And then they’re fake. But then we’re forced to walk on by. Sometimes it’s okay to run. Like when the past is looking you in the face And then nothing else can become much fun. But then we’re forced to play a game of chase. Sometimes it’s okay to fight. Like when someone talks back And starts a fire with a simple light. But then we’re forced to take the smack. It’s okay to do these things. To cry, to break, to run, or to fight. It comes with us all being human beings. But never let the wind blow out what brings you your light. Kasey Whitenack Longview

THIRD PLACE (TIE)

Do You Believe Do you believe in life Life at its finest Where everything finally falls together Where everything seems so real Do you believe in coincidence Or do you believe that everything works together Like the parts of a four wheeler Do you believe in happiness Or is life a book With a page missing Do you believe in love Or are you just A stray dog On the streets What do you believe? Alexa Green Cushing

NINTH GRADE FIRST PLACE

Here’s to the Girls Here’s to the girls Who aren’t comfortable In their own skin, Who know what it’s like To rip their own skin open, Who know hunger pains, Who have mastered the fake smile, Who have been through everything And are still here, Who over think, Who overreact, Who never get treated right, Who never think they’re good enough,

Who at most, Get 3 hours of sleep. Here’s to the girls just like me. Megan Sperry Cayuga SECOND PLACE (TIE)

Tell My Baby Her weak hand squeezed mine as we realized The light was draining out of my gem We couldn’t get the life we idealized So she said, “Tell my baby I love them.” The doctors knew exactly what was wrong There’s no cure to let her see her child grow The doctors said it was only so long “Tell my baby I didn’t want to go.” It was almost time, her pulse got slow My angels going to heaven, I knew Tears streamed down my face but she loved me so She said, “Tell my baby I believe in you.” With one final push her eyes fluttered close She told me goodbye which filled me with dread I knew this was the decision she chose “Tell my baby I’m sorry,” she said Her soft smile was the last thing on her face From seeing her newborn baby cry I cried as I looked up towards sky and space And I said to him, “tell my love goodbye.” Jacquelyn Emery Lago Vista SECOND PLACE (TIE)

Home After Home Home after home after home The drifting leaf never finds a place to rest. Home after home after home The child is all alone. Jail after jail after jail They are trapped in a broken system. Jail after jail after jail They are abused, forgotten, afraid. Day after day after day They wait for a hero to save them. Day after day after day They watch for the parent that never comes. Dream after dream after dream Continued on page 16 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 15

POETRY continued from page 15 The restless infant tries to find sleep. Dream after dream after dream They wish for a chance, a chance for a family. Zachary Van Leer Tyler THIRD PLACE

Mountain I stand high over cities deep in the clouds. No weapon can knock me down Not even an army. Inside me are great treasures as far as the eye Can see like ruby’s sapphires and even diamonds you see. no man can Scale me trust me they’ve tried. I am a mountain. Lucky Lusk Tyler

when it comes to me, You appear to be helping, But really you’re killing me, You are the roots and I am the tree, The oldest love story in all of history, You hide underground and grip the earth, So I can sprout and grow to be tall, But what you enjoy more than anything, Is how the sky tempts me, I crave to be free, to fly, to live, and breathe, But with you holding me to the ground, I can’t ever leave, If you get hurt I’m the one who suffers, You control me, I’ve grown tired of serving to gravity, You gave me a home, Nourished me, and gave me all I need, I truly do love you, But I hate what I am, And you’re the only thing, That keeps me a tree. Claire Simmons Cushing

10th GRADE

THIRD PLACE

FIRST PLACE

Addicted

The Seasons I stroll the foliage covered trail, Seeing various colors of orange, brown, and red. I begin to envision my future, And ponder what lies ahead. Settled upon the winding path, A brown, tattered leaf peacefully slept. All the days it must have seen, All the secrets it has kept. Like an infant, it was born In the warmth of spring. Unaware of the events to come, And the joys that life would bring. Through summer time, it grew, Taking on a new form. Embracing the rays of sunshine, And weathering every storm. With the fall came changes. Its youth coming to an end, The lovely green fading away, Leaving the red to transcend. On this brisk, winter day, It lies broken and severed. Its story has made me realize This life won’t last forever. Dana Cooner Harleton SECOND PLACE

Roots and Trees You and I are forever bound, You’re twisted and tangled 16 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

I fell in love with the feeling I get After I grip a pen… Scribble a verse from beginning to end. Addicted to the written art I create, it’s like my mind is confined between the lines, And all that I’ve given is what keeps me driven. Because I’ve devoted so much time, Not only would I be lying to say I put my back into it, It would be an understatement, ‘cause my spine, to my last bone went into every line I’ve ever written. I don’t expect anything in return. This is the reason for my living, And if I’ve earned something, let it be The privilege to keep doing this till the day I stop my breathing. Abigail Perez Mount Enterprise

11th GRADE FIRST PLACE

The Small Things of Life Life is short. You eventually learn to enjoy the small things. The way the sun rises and sets in its never-ending cycle. The way the winds blow through the grass

in a sweet melody, and the way the brook gurgles a harmony along with it. You learn to enjoy the small things. The way the birdsong flitters through the trees in its jubilant cacophony, and the somber howling of the wolf, with its wistful reminiscing, raises to the moon. You learn to enjoy the small things. The way the world explodes in color, The way it renews itself year after year, and the way you live in harmony with it. You learn to enjoy the small things. And then… you learn to enjoy life. Emily Mimms Tyler SECOND PLACE

Lost Causing so much loneliness and grief, When I watched the happy couples dance together, Taken from me the only sanity I had, But then I met you. Your eyes reminded me of summer nights, The calming shade of blue tides. Rays of sunshine warmed the sand of beaches, And I drowned in waves of blue. The leaves fell and trailed from the trees, Just the way your lips fell onto mine. Slowly, anticipating the fall, I close my eyes, And waited for the gentle leaves to land on the ground. I can’t decide if I believe some things last forever, Although I think I’m starting to. I’m losing myself in the leaves of fall and the Waves of summer, And I pray I’ll never be found. Bridgette Valdetero Overton THIRD PLACE

Negro Who you calling Negro? When I’m done making you rich from my sweat, bearing the children you’re calling bastard. When I’m done cleaning up your mess and as soon as I sit down to rest, And you’re calling me names Who you calling Negro? The same person who heals you When you’re sitting on your lazy

butt in bed, The same one who keeps your tears in a bottle, But you never give notice to them at all. Well this Negro is proud! This Negro is done, And this Negro is running things now. This Negro is sitting in your office chair, marrying your only daughter. This Negro is climbing the ladder. I’m proud to be a Negro! So who do you think you’re calling Negro now? Cristian Garcia Longview

12th GRADE FIRST PLACE

Stronger than Fear There is Hope For that sad little girl Owning nothing but her fear Not knowing who to trust Not knowing she’s not alone There is Hope For the alcoholic father Living with the fear he’ll lose it all Thinking he can’t stop Always pushing rehab to tomorrow Something they should know One thing they can count on If nothing else All of their fears, your fears Can be overcome Because the only thing there will always be Is Hope And true Hope Just happens to be The only thing Stronger than fear. Alyssa Masters Elysian Fields Winner of the $500 Rusk County Poetry Society Scholarship

SECOND PLACE

Absolute What is it like to be absolute? To feel as light as a feather instead of imprisoned by unintentional walls? To speak loudly over the crowd instead of softly into the pages? To still allow yourself to believe in the beliefs of the boldly naïve? With calloused hearts and shaking hands we lay false claims on tomorrow When we can’t even acknowledge yesterday long enough to learn from it.

We lie to ourselves and everyone around us, Praying that one day it will be more than a memorized familiar. But what if we stopped the act, let the cards fall where they may? Would we then be absolute as we hope? Or would we still be broken? Brittani Rainer Cayuga THIRD PLACE (TIE)

Once High Up Once, high up, in a distant land, was a place to living people banned. A beacon of light when reflected in full, reached only by the decaying and dull. Once a young man who cared for those gone, wrote a requiem to sing until dawn. Laying under the starry sky, he stayed in song till his throat ran dry. A young lady, hearing him sing it so, knew she had found her true love, although, when she spoke to him she did not tell, in a few weeks his eyes would swell. Once, high up, in a distant land, was a place to living people banned. A beacon of light when reflected in full, reached only by the decaying and dull. Every night, they sang together, improving the lyrics, making them better. These two were in love, a wondrous duo, lamenting up high from the branch of a willow. Their song reminded them of their past, family members, their ashes glassed, But soon, the man would sing for another, the woman couldn’t sing any more, his lover. Once, high up, in a distant land, was a place to living people banned. A beacon of light when reflected in full, reached only by the decaying and dull. Bedridden, silent, the woman lay; their future together had gone astray. The secret she kept was of her health, which she hid with remarkable stealth. Soon the man was alone again, his sore voice he would push and extend For his loved ones in the sky, his throat would once again run dry Once, high up, in a distant land, was a

place to living people banned. A beacon of light when reflected in full, reached only by the decaying and dull. Kendrick Green Lago Vista THIRD PLACE (TIE)

Pieces of Wrath There once was a spider above all the rest, Insects were wary and birds scared to leave the nest. Everyone cowered and tried to stay clear, Especially when Eloise the Spider was near. She left a trail of bodies everywhere she went, It was as though her wrath was hell sent. Now I’m sure she had a reason to be that mean and cruel; Perhaps she was beaten as a child or made fun of in school. Whatever the reason, something had to be done, I’m sure it was great for her, but for US NOT so fun. On a cloudy spring day, somehow different than the rest As the rain began to lightly fall we put our plan to the test Down On the forest floor, lay a falsely injured prey, Eloise could sense the Innocent’s life in dismay. She wondered on over to see if she could help, But everyone knew she was shopping for a new pelt. The anxious birds from our forest of green Got into position and spread their wings Some felt a little guilty, “WHO are we to say it’s her time?” But after a flight over the graveyard, they soon changed their mind. In one swift movement the birds leapt to life, Each grabbing a leg of Eloise and heading for the sky. Once above the evergreen with no REMORSE in sightSome went left and some went right. THERE ONCE WAS SPIDER ABOVE ALL THE REST, But now she’s in pieces And I’m sure it’s for the best. Kyle Fears Cushing MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 17

Lost Girls

Organization fights for justice for

of Northeast Texas

By Alia Pappas Sixteen-year-old Lilly is perched uneasily on a grimy barstool 300 miles away from home. It’s the sixth city she and her female “friend” Val have visited so far this year. Cruising around the sticky floor and smoky haze of the room, Val searches and finds a man eager to assault Lilly in exchange for money. A little scared and numb from the lifestyle, Lilly does as Val says, night after night, day after day. It wasn’t always like this. Although her relationship with her mother grew increasingly difficult over the years, Lilly once had dreams of doing great things with her life. Somewhere along the way she lost sight of that amid the peer pressure and shaky family and community support systems and the odds of a good life got slimmer. By the time Val approached her and promised to take care of her, she was in dire need of love and attention and followed along with whatever Val wanted her to do. In a very distorted way, Val became a mother figure to Lilly, providing her with food and a place to live, and fed a growing addiction to crystal meth. Lilly’s story is a true account of human trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery, occurring in Northeast Texas. It’s a horrendous practice by people finding a way to make money at the expense of other people — often children — and becoming increasingly pervasive in the region. “It is the buying and selling of a person,” said Missy Zivney, co-founder of Tyler’s anti-human trafficking organization, Refuge of Light. “Child sex trafficking is very prevalent in Northeast Texas,” Zivney said. “This is 18 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

something that’s going on at every one of our hotels here, and it’s not just women that are 18 and older. These are children who are not being identified. They have fallen through the cracks.” According to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center there were more than 5,000 cases reported in 2014 with Texas having the second-highest number of incidents by state just behind California. The organization’s hotline received more than 21,000 phone calls and there are thousands more incidents that go unreported each year. As Zivney began to learn more about this problem and discuss it with her parents, they decided to form an organization to try to help victims of human trafficking and in 2010 they soon established a longterm safe home – Refuge of Light -- to provide physical, mental, and spiritual healing to victimized girls under age 18. “The Lord just impressed upon us that we needed to formulate a non-profit, Refuge of Light,” Zivney said. “If a child has made an outcry, if there’s indicating factors that are just stacked up so that we believe that this child has been trafficked, we take the steps to provide the resources for healing, provide the resources for a placement. That’s our focus.” Human trafficking largely affects disadvantaged children who are runaways, are in Child Protective Services programs or are in the foster care system. However, this tragedy can harm all people across any demographic. “There can be kids that come from very well-to-do families that are disadvantaged just because of the demographics in the home,” Zivney said. “Across the board, it reaches all demographics.”

Shockingly, it’s often the families that are responsible for leading their own children into the lifestyle. “Honestly, what we see more of here in East Texas is children who are in their own homes that are either being sold by their mother or their fatherr,” Zivney said. Other situations where children are pulled in to lives of forced prostitution happen in a variety of ways. “What (traffickers) do is they start finding ways to position themselves in this child’s life,” Zivney said. “All they have to do is hang out around the places where these kids surface. They start noticing patterns, they start noticing that this kid’s by themself all the time or this kid’s wearing the same clothes two or three days in a row. Then they start this process of befriending them, winning their trust, luring them in.” The Internet is a hotbed for human trafficking predators. They friend teens and watch for signs of any problems and then swoop in to “save the day.” In one case in North Texas, 14-year-old Hope had an argument with her mother. She posted “I hate my mother” on social media and within seconds a woman messaged her and said Hope could stay with her and they’d have fun together. The woman then showed up at Hope’s house and picked her up. From there they went straight to a motel and Hope was assaulted that night and the woman and her male accomplice took her to Amarillo and out of state where she was assaulted by roughly 30 men for money in just a few days. They also photographed her and posted those pictures online to solicit people to have sex with her for money. Hope was rescued after about three weeks and her captors are now in prison. She has a long way to go before she heals

Zivney knows this story all to well. “(The female traffickers) realize there’s a breakdown in the family, they step in, and they’re going to be the hero,” she said. “They say, ‘I’m going to take care of you, I’m going to bring you into my home.’ And then, the next thing we know, they’re taking them from bar to bar all across the state of Texas and they’re selling these girls.” Tess was another child who experienced a breakdown in her family and eventually found her way to Refuge of Light. Her trafficker was her own mother, a drug addict, who sold her daughter’s body to fuel her addiction. Subsequently Tess had unimaginable things done to her just short of murder. She was ultimately arrested for a crime she did not commit and lived in a constant state of survival mode at just 15 years old. These are just a couple of girls Refuge of Light is helping to gain self-esteem and move forward to building better lives for themselves. To support the endeavors of Refuge of Light and the SafeHome, Zivney opened Grounds for Justice coffee shop February 14, 2014, at 2318 E. Fifth Street in Tyler.

Besides good coffee, tea, and gift items Grounds For Justice also contains a research center so the public may educate themselves about how to stop sex trafficking. There are a few key factors to look for when suspicious that a girl is in trouble. “Probably their conversations with their friends are a little bit older and definitely more sexually-oriented,” Zivney said. “They talk of a boyfriend who’s 10-plus (years) older than them. ‘Are these kids showing up with new purses? Are they showing up with things that you know that their parents can’t physically buy them, and they don’t have the means to do that?’ Immediately, that’s a red flag. I would just tell people to report, report, report. What does it hurt for you to call a hotline number if you have a suspicion about something? You could save a child’s life.” To report a potential child sex trafficking case, call the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 800-THELOST or report online at missingkids. com. To help at-risk youth before they may be preyed upon educate them not to reveal personal information on social media and encourage them to ask for help. Grounds for Justice offers counseling and mentoring services.

For more information on how to support Refuge of Light and help girls like Lilly and Tess, visit refugeoflight.org and visit Grounds For Justice in Tyler. *The accounts in this article are about actual victims and traffickers. Names are changed for the victims’ privacy and protection.

RELATED VIDEO

The Texas State Railroad (TSR) runs through the piney woods of East Texas between the towns of Palestine and Rusk, with Maydelle in between. It was established in 1881 by the state prison system. Inmates built the line which was used to transport hardwood for furnace fuel at the prison-operated iron smelter at the Rusk Penitentiary.

May is National Barbecue Month and there’s no better way to celebrate than with Stanley, Bob, and Joseph in the Upper East Side of Texas. Three barbecue restaurants consistently win kudos and contests with County Line readers and recently were named in Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Best Barbecue Joints in the World.

ACCORDIAN AWARENESS

30-minute public TV documentary about the Texas State Railroad featured on Great Scenic Railway Journeys. youtube.com/ watch?v=1NEtoVnfoGk

JUNE 21 FATHERS DAY

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person — he believed in me. Jim Valvano

Some people proclaimed June as National Accordian Awareness Month. It just so happens we have an accordian expert living and creating the instruments right here in East Texas. Check in to the County Line archives and meet the remarkably talented Brian LeFleur of Athens.

Celebrating Audie Murphy

PAPER

Indulge YOU DESERVE IT

Audie Leon Murphy was born 90 years ago on June 20, 1925, to Josie Bell (Killian) and Emmett Berry Murphy in Kingston, Hunt County. He is the most decorated combat soldiers of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism. After the war he became a famous movie star in more than 40 pictures from 1948 to 1969. He played himself in the 1955 autobiographical To Hell and Back but most of his films were westerns like The Kid from Texas, The Red Bandge of

Courage, and The Wild and the Innocent. He died in May 28, 1971, in a plane accident. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. There’s an Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum in Greenville and Farmersville honors him with a special day around his birthday each year as well as throughout the year at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial. Audie Murphy Day is Saturday, June 27 and includes such activities as a parade, military exhibits, and programs honoring local veterans. For information call 972.784.6846 and visit farmersvilletx.com.

JUNE - ROSE MONTH the Tyler area ideal for rose propagation. The first known commercial production there began in the 1870s when industry pioneers sold rosebushes. Business expanded in the 1920s with more rose production and new methods introduced in 1924 helping to move the industry forward.

A Texas Historical Commission historical marker at the Tyler Rose Garden outlines a bit of history for Tyler, Texas, officially designated as “The Rose Capital of America.” According to the experts it was a combination of sandy soil, year-round rainfall, and a long growing season that makes

The Texas Rose Festival began in October 1933 and the Tyler Rose Garden, a 22-acre municipal park, was created in 1952. Today the rose industry is vital to the economy of Smith County. In 1973 the value of bushes and flowers shipped around the world by local nurseries totaled $9 million. One-half of the rosebushes produced each year in the United States come from the Tyler area. Learn more at visittyler.com.

SUBSCRIBE! In celebration of our

15th anniversary get a one-year subscription in 2015 for just $15 per year! SUBMIT ORDER ON WEBSITE OR MAIL TO P.O. BOX 608 BEN WHEELER, TX 75754

county line Upper East Side of Texas Regional Magazine

fl&g 903.963.8306 countylinemagazine.com

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 21



CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT Rains County Festival Announces Event Lineup

The Rains County Founders Day Festival takes place April 30-May 2 with a Savor the Flavor event, featuring food tastings from area restaurants, starting things on April 30. On May 1, a golf tournament takes place at Lake Fork Golf Course, followed by a concert on the square that evening featuring the Jamie Richards Band at 9 p.m. with Gary Kyle opening at 7:30 p.m. The concert site is the downtown square in Emory. Admission to the concert is free, however, all donations are appreciated. Any donations go towards building a band stand/amphitheater in the new city park. The final day, May 2, features the traditional festival activities: Lions Club pancake breakfast, Founders Day parade, five-on-five basketball tournament, fishing tournament hosted by the Rains High School fishing team, Emory Volunteer Fire Department chicken roast lunch, the duck race and flaming duck derby. Festival activities start at 8 a.m. and continue through 2 p.m. For more information, visit the website at foundersdayfestival.org.

Texas State Railroad Touts May Events

For the first time the 27th annual Spring Fair in Rusk Depot grounds of the Texas State Railroad. This event features a carnival and local appreciation train rides on May 1-2. The Rail Fan Photographer’s Special expands to two photo shoot opportunities this year. May 2 features a night photo shoot and May 3 is the traditional daytime photo shoot. This special event gives rail fans and photographers of all levels an opportunity to photograph the train at various locations along the route that are not normally accessible to the public. A Mother’s Day Brunch appears on this year’s schedule. It departs from the Palestine Depot at 10:15 a.m. on May 10. Rounding out the spring schedule is 22 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Check out the eMAGAZINE www.countylinemagazine.com for extended event listings.

the 17th annual Salute to the Armed Forces event. This event pays tribute to all branches and all eras of military service to the United States. Current and former military with ID get to ride The Patriot Train for free.

Anchor Down. At 7 p.m. Bri Bagwell from CMT’s “Next Superstar” takes the stage, followed by featured artist Jack Ingram, a country music Texas-born songwriter and performer, beginning at 9 p.m.

Patriot Trains run on May 23-24, departing from the Palestine Depot at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Able Company, a premier WWII reenactment group, provides shows at various times, in various locations on the railroad.

More information is available at alleyfest.org.

There also are flag raising and lowering ceremonies each day, a ceremony to recognize those from Anderson County who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and an event on the grounds featuring living history exhibits, static military displays and booths by military support groups. For more information, go to TexasStateRR.com or follow the Texas State Railroad on Facebook. Tickets are available online or by calling 903.683.3098.

AlleyFest Set for May 16 in Downtown Longview AlleyFest 2015 in downtown Longview is scheduled for May 16. The annual street festival which celebrates the arts of East Texas takes place on Tyler, Fredonia and Center streets. Alley Run, presented by Citizens National Bank, is the first event of the day starting at 7 a.m. with 10K, 5K and one-mile runs. Gates to the festival open from 10 a.m.11 p.m. for Marketplace, which will feature artists, crafters and food and beverage vendors. Marketplace is presented by Patterson Nissan Longview. Admission is $5 until 5 p.m. and $10 after 5 p.m. Children 12 and under are free. Kids Fest is presented by AAON Coil Products and opens from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Kids Fest features free kids activities including arts and crafts, discovery tents, the Rad Hatter, Alley Bus and the Pied Piper of Percussion. Music Fest, presented by R&K Distributors opens at 4 p.m. with local favorite

Bass Classic Tournament Returns to Quitman

Tickets to the ninth-annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) are now available for purchase. The event takes place Memorial Day weekend, May 23-25, at the Sabine River Authority in Quitman. Single day general admission tickets are $8 in advance (online) and $15 at the door during the tournament weekend. Three-day general admission passes are available at Brookshire’s Grocery Stores, Kim’s Convenience Stores and Academy Sports + Outdoors throughout East Texas for $15. Children ages 15 and under get free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. In honor of Memorial Day weekend, military members and their families get free admission all weekend. New to the tournament this year are two upgraded daily VIP ticketing options, Stage Pit and Lunker Club tickets. Both are only available in limited quantities. Daily Stage Pit tickets are $30 and include general admission, a TTBC concession meal voucher and exclusive access to the pit area in front of the stage during the headline concert. Daily Lunker Club tickets are $75 and include general admission, access to a climate-controlled hospitality tent with a prime view of the stage, catered buffet and a full bar for those 21 and older. “We are very excited to offer a funfilled Memorial Weekend with world class fishing and entertainment for the entire family. We are honored to allow U.S. Military and their families free admission. For the first time we are offering the public a chance to obtain VIP level tickets to the Toyota Texas Bass Classic,” tournament director Lenny Francoeur said. To purchase single day, Stage Pit

and Lunker Club tickets, go online at ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or call the TTBC tournament office at 866.907.0143. The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is a worldclass bass fishing tournament, featuring the world’s top 35 bass anglers along with a festival to include exceptional entertainment and a variety of family and industry activities. The tournament includes live music and events that appeal to the whole family. This includes a variety of games and activities at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoor Adventures Area, food and a fishing industry expo, featuring seminars and the latest in fishing equipment, gear and accessories. Concerts this year are Billy Currington on Saturday, Lee Brice on Sunday, and Joe Nichols and Rodney Atkins on Monday. Proceeds benefit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. For more information click here to visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife page. tpwd.state.tx.us For additional information, ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com or 866.907.0143.

visit call

EVENTS May 1-3

Lone Star Round Up. Tyler. A United States Equestrian Federation AA rated Hunter and Jumper Horse Show with Olympic Caliber riders competing in the $25,000 Grand Prix. Texas Rose Horse Park, 14078 Hwy 110 N. 940-240-1207. southboundshows.com.

May 1-2

Rail Fan Photographer’s Special. Rusk. Friday night, May 1, a round trip train will depart the Rusk Depot at 6 p.m. to Maydelle and back for a special local appreciation train ride. Saturday May 2, trains will depart the Rusk Depot for a round trip to Maydelle and back at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Rusk Chamber of Commerce will host vendors, a Saturday 5K run “Who Let the Dogs Out” and carnival rides day and night on the Rusk Depot grounds. $10-$20. Texas State Railroad. 877.726.7245. texasstaterr.com.

May 2

19th Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration. Longview. Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. longviewcincodemayo.org. Cinco de Mayo Celebration. Athens. Features performances of traditional Mexican

dances in the Hart-Morris Convention Center beginning at 11:30 a.m. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center presents a hawks and owls show at 1 p.m. Athens-area restaurants compete in a salsa contest, which is judged at 2:30 p.m. All Cince de Mayo activities are included with regular admission to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. 9 a.m. TFFC Admission: $5.50 adults, $4.50 seniors 65+, $3.50 children ages 4-12. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 FM 2495, 903.676.2277. athenstx.org.

May 23-25

May 8

Southwest Showdown. Tyler. A United States Equestrian Federation AA rated Hunter and Jumper Horse Show. Olympic riders compete in feature event for the $25,000 Grand Prix. Texas Rose Horse Park, 14078 Hwy 110 N. 940-240-1207. southboundshows.com.

Leadership Broadcast -- The Brave Ones. Tyler. One-day leadership event broadcast LIVE from Atlanta, Georgia, to hundreds of locations around the world. Featured speakers are Andy Stanley, Malala Yousafzai, Ed Catmull, Seth Godin, Rudy Giuliani, Aja Brown, Bill McDermott, DMDR Rorke Denver, and Bill and Giuliana Rancic. 8 a.m. $65-$80. Green Acres Baptist Church-Crosswalk Center, 1607 Troup Highway. 903.592.1661. tylertexas.com.

May 16

AlleyFest. Longview. Celebrating 37 years, the event features arts, crafts, music, kids activities and Alley Run. Downtown Longview. 903.237.4000. alleyfest.org.

Toyota Texas Bass Classic. Quitman. Competition between the top 35 anglers for the world championship of bass fishing. Kids activities; ATV test track; outdoor expo with an Apache helicopter, a 3,000 horse power racing boat; BBQ cook-off, food court, and concerts by Billy Currington, Lee Brice and Joe Nichols and Rodney Atkins. Sabine River Authority, FM 288. 713.580.5392. toyotatexasbassclassic.com.

May 24

June 6

Annual Big Cypress Corvette Classic Car Show. Jefferson. Corvettes line the downtown streets. Activities include a dinner cruise, show and shine and live music. Free. Austin Street. 903.665.2672. jefferson-texas.com

June 6

Tailwind Regional Balloon Fest. Canton. Hot air balloons, rides, and glow; Road Rebels Car Show; live entertainment; battle of the bands; kids fun area, carnival, and more. $20-$25. First Monday Grounds, Hwy 859. 214-679-4780. visitcantontx. com.

The Pegasus Project Horse Rescue - Ride for a Rescue. Murchison. Bring your horse and ride the beautiful Miars Arabian Ranch. Limited to the first 50 riders. Enjoy a beautiful guided ride followed by fun horse games and a catered meal. Every penny benefits the Pegasus Horse Rescue. $85 before May 24, $100 May 24 - June 1. Last day to register is June 1. Miars Arabian Ranch. 903-707-5866. PegasusRescue.

May 17

June 13

Show Jumping Classic. Tyler. A United States Equestrian Federation AA-rated Hunter and Jumper Horse Show. Olympic riders compete in the feature event the $25,000 Grand Prix. Texas Rose Horse Park, 14078 Hwy 110 N. 940-240-1207. outhboundshows.com.

May 23-24

17th Annual Salute to the Armed Forces. Palestine. This patriotically decorated train leaves the Palestine Depot at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. for an approximately 1-hour round trip to the Jarvis Wye and back. On the Palestine Depot grounds are flag raising and lowering ceremonies, booths, living history displays, static military displays and re-enactment groups representing various wars and conflicts. WWII group (Able Company) is putting on a show on the grounds and on the train at the Jarvis Wye. All current and former military with ID ride the Patriot Train free. Food concession is available. Those who served or are currently serving in the military receive a FREE ride on this special train decked out in red, white and blue. $15-$30. Texas State Railroad. 877.726.7245. texasstaterr.com.

4th Annual Juneteenth Rodeo. Athens. The Henderson County Black Rodeo featuring RCA, Real Cowboys Association, features relay races, bull riding, calf roping, ladies barrel racing and much more. 7:30 p.m. Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex, 3356 Hwy. 31 East. 903-275-9468. athenstx.org.

July 3-4

July Fest. Gun Barrel City. Concerts, fireworks, food, and fun including arts and crafts, 5K run, car show, carnival and the Ninja Turtles. Music line up includes Vanilla Ice, Aaron Watson, Johnny Cooper, ZZ Top tribute band Trio Loco, Led Zeppelin tribute band The Hindenburg Project and a Battle of the Bands contest. Gun Barrel City Park. 903.887.1087. gunbarrelcityfestivals.net.

July 4

4th of July Fireworks and Freedom Celebration. Longview. Activities include amusement rides, food and beverages, live music, hot dog eating contest, and more including a fireworks display at dark. Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex, 100 Grand Blvd. 903.237.1230.

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 23



24 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

 THE ARTS

Women of American West Art Exhibit Comes To Tyler

Acclaimed artist Lynda Lanker’s singular take on a vanishing way of life – and the spirit and stories of the women who shaped it – comes to the Tyler Museum of Art (TMA) as the next stop on the national tour of “Tough By Nature: Portraits of Cowgirls and Ranch Women of the American West.” This solo exhibition of Lanker’s work continues through July 12 at the museum, located at 1300 South Mahon Avenue on the Tyler Junior College main campus. “Tough By Nature” culminates a two-decade “labor of love” for Lanker, a native of Kansas City who grew up in Wichita, Kansas. An artistic journey that began at Wichita State University eventually led her to travel through 13 Western states, documenting the rich histories of more than 50 iconic women of the region through interviews, sketching, painting and photography. “I undertook this project because the character of these women is right there on the surface, more so than anybody who’s got layers and layers of urban culture,” Lanker said in her artist’s statement. “Their honesty was so genuine. Nothing to chip away, just right there ready for me to express on paper, or canvas, or whatever...I wanted to go deeper and show the true women instead of the stereotype.” The more than 40 portraits featured in “Tough By Nature” showcase the artist’s versatility in capturing her subjects across a broad range of media, including charcoal and graphite drawings as well as stone and plate lithographs, acrylics, oil pastels and egg tempera. Text panels detailing the stories of the women portrayed accompany each of the works. A fully-illustrated hardcover exhibition catalog, featuring contributions by the artist as well as Larry McMurtry, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and Dr. Maya Angelou, is available for purchase in the (LEFT) A portrait of Ella Dean Bitt by Lynda Lanker is included in the exhibit “Tough by Nature: Portraits of Cowgirls and Ranch Women of the American West” at the Tyler Museum of Art through July 12.

TMA Gift Shop. The exhibition was organized by the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where it premiered in fall 2012, and is toured nationwide by Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles. Local support for “Tough By Nature” is provided by Collectors’ Circle-Gold Sponsors June and Steve Hillis, Sara Simons and Agnes and Frank Ward. Exhibition admission is free for TMA members, $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Students, children under 12, and TJC faculty and staff are admitted free. Family Days are from 2-4 p.m. on May 9, June 13 and July 11, and free First Friday Seniors’ Day tours take place at 11 a.m. May 1 and June 5. To RSVP or for information on becoming a TMA member, call 903.595.1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.

Student Exhibition Set for May 16-June 27

The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council invites students to participate in the 23rd-annual Juried Student Exhibition sponsored this year by David and Debbie Haak. This exhibition is open to all K–12th grade students within the Four States area. Elementary, middle and high school entries are judged in three separate categories and works selected are showcased at the Regional Arts Center May 16-June 27. The deadline for submissions is May 1 at 3:45 p.m. Teachers should deliver artwork to the Regional Arts Center on or before that date. Download the submission packet and school artwork inventory form at www.trahc.org/exhibits-and-events/27766-trahcs-23rd-annual-juried-student-exhibition. Award winners are announced at the opening reception on May 16 from 11:30 a.m.-noon at the Regional Arts Center. Cash prizes go to middle and high school students who receive top honors for their work. For high school and middle school entries, respectively, prizes for Best of Show are $80 and $50; prizes for first place are

$60 and $35; prizes for second place are $40 and $25; and prizes for third place are $20 and $15. There also are two honorable mention awards, two merit awards, and a people’s choice award for each category. For more information, contact Amy Donohoe by phone at 903.792.8681, ext. 132, or by email at adonohoe@trahc.org.

ART EVENTS Through May 2 Re-Western Exhibition. Nacogdoches. Paintings and sculpture of Felice House and Dana Younger. Griffith Art Gallery, 2222 Alumni Drive. 936.468.1131. art.sfasu.edu/griffith. Spring Blooms Exhibition. Winnsboro. Spring Blooms is an art exhibition featuring works of any medium portraying spring florals. Winnsboro Center for the Arts, 200 Market Street. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterfort

Through May 4 Exploding Boundaries: A Fiber Arts Exhibit. Tyler. Presented in cooperation with the Eastside Fiber Artists organization, features two- and three-dimensional original art. Fiber art includes all traditional fiber techniques such as spinning, weaving, embroidery, quilting, sewing, dyeing and others, but also can include traditional techniques applied to non-traditional materials (woven wire or metal, three-dimensional fiber sculptures, etc.). Gallery Main Street, 110 West Erwin Street. 903.593.6905. cityoftyler.org/Departments/MainStreet/GalleryMainStreet.aspx.

Through May 9 High School Art Exhibition. Emory. Friends of the Rains County Public Library present a high school art exhibition in the library’s Meadows Cultural Art Gallery featuring twoand three-dimensional pieces by promising student artists from Rains, Lone Oak, AlbaGolden, Quitman, and Winnsboro high schools. Meadows Cultural Art Gallery, Rains County Public Library, 150 Doris Briggs Pkwy. 903.335.4076.

Through June 27

Linda Ridgeway and Brian Moore Exhibit. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street. 903.753.8103. www.lmfa.org.

Through June 28

Tin Toys & Raw Realities. Tyler. A solo exhibition of works by John Hartley. Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 S. Mahon Ave. 903-595-1001. tylermuseum.org.

Continued on page 27 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 25

STAGE

ArtsView Children’s Theatre Production Set for June

ART EVENTS continued from page 25

Through July 12 Tough by Nature. Tyler. Tyler Museum of Art. 903.595.1001. tylermuseum.org.

May 9 Dangerous Curves Exhibit Opening Reception. Athens. Free. Gallery 211, 211 North Palestine St. 903.292.1746. artgallery211.net.

May 16-June 27 23rd Annual Juried Student Exhibition. Texarkana. A diverse selection of visually exciting artwork created by local and regional middle and high school students. Free. Regional Arts Center, 321 West 4th Street. 903.792.8681. trahc. org.

May 18-21 ArtWorks Classes: Clay Sculpting with Bobbe Gentry. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street. 903.753.8103. lmfa.org.

June 1-August 14 ArtsView Children’s Theatre recently conducted auditions for its upcoming production of Celeste Raspanti’s “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.” More than 15,000 Jewish children passed through Terezin, and only about a hundred were still alive when Terezin was liberated at the end of the war. One of the survivors, Raja – having lived through it all, teaching the children when there was nothing to teach with, helping to give them hope when there was little enough reason for hope, creating a little world of laughter, of flowers and butterflies behind the barbed wire – tells the true story of the children. It’s her play and it’s theirs. There were no butterflies at Terezin, of course, but for the children, butterflies became a symbol of defiance, making it possible for them to live on and play happily while waiting to be transported. Veteran ArtsView director Laura Bowen directs the production, which features a cast of 12-16 youths ages 13-18. Before taking the show on the road, the cast performs “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” for area audiences the weekend of June 5-6. The week following, the troupe takes the production to the 20th annual Texas Non-Profit Theatre Youth Conference in Bastrop. Young people from all 26 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

across Texas who are interested in the performing arts attend the conference. The 2015 conference features performances by up to 15 youth companies, as well as workshops and social events. For more information on this production and to find out more about the 2015 Season or ArtsView’s PATHS (Performing Arts THeatre School), visit the website at artsviewchildrenstheatre.com.

ArtWorks Summer Classes. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street. 903.753.8103. lmfa.org.

July 10-August 8 27th Annual Juried Exhibition. Texarkana. Free. Regional Arts Center, 321 West 4th Street. 903.792.8681. trahc.org.

July 11-September 26 East Texas Regional Artists Show. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street. 903.753.8103. lmfa.org.

STAGE EVENTS May 1

8th Annual Dr. Teretha Harper Reader’s Theater: Overcoming Barriers. Texarkana. The inspiration for Voices of Freedom: Overcoming Barriers came from the Smithsonian Institute Exhibit called Freedom’s Sisters. Local citizens portray notable African Americans’ struggles to overcome barriers to personal, economic, education, social, political and legislative freedom. Free. Regional Arts Center. 321 West 4th Street. 903.792.8681. trahc.org.

May 9

When A Mother’s Fed Up. Tatum. $10-$15. Tatum High School Auditorium, 600 Crystal Farms Rd. 903.753.7699. dramaticpraise. com.

May 14-23

The Living Mrs. Del Vecchio. Athens. Black Box Presentation - Rated Theatre R for Adult Situations and Language. Laura Del Vecchio has just buried her husband and is trying to process her new and unexpected situation

by getting drunk with her best friend. Then, her uptight daughter-in-law reveals she suspects Laura’s son of having an affair. After many adult beverages the three women devise an outrageous plan to force the supposed philanderer into confessing. $12-$17. Henderson County Performing Arts Center, 400 Gibson Rd. 903-675-3908. hcpac.org.

June 18

Million Dollar Quartet. Texarkana. The new smash-hit musical inspired by the famed recording session that brought together rock and roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Perot Theatre, 219 Main Street. 903.792.4992. trahc.org. oming Barriers came from the Smithsonian Institute Exhibit called Freedom’s Sisters. Local citizens portray notable African Americans’ struggles to overcome barriers to personal, economic, education, social, political and legislative freedom. Free. Regional Arts Center. 321 West 4th Street. 903.792.8681. trahc.org.

Featured in Southern Living, Texas Monthly & Texas Highways!

East Texas’ only professional theatre!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Directed by Steve Tague

The Nerd

Man of La Mancha

Directed by Lenny Banovez

The Belle of Amherst

Directed by Raymond Caldwell

Directed by Lee Ernst

Twelfth Night

Directed by Deb Alley

The Princess and the Players

Written and directed by Jason Richards

June 25 – July 26 Van Cliburn Theatre in Kilgore, Texas TSF Ticket Office 903-983-8601 www.TexasShakespeare.com

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 27

FILM

Classic Movie Takes on the Best WWII Films By Jules Scroggin & Jess LeBeau

The Bridge on the River Kwai

A painting of (l-r) Alec Guiness, William Holden, and Jack Hawkins as depicted in The Bridge on the River Kwai.

This movie takes place toward the end of World War II in a Japanese prisonerof-war camp in Burma. Filmed in Ceylon, it tells of an escape of one of its prisoners, Commander Shears, played by William Holden. He is convinced to

return with a contingent of British soldiers to take out a railway bridge with explosives that the Japanese are forcing the prisoners to build over the river Kwai. British Lieutenant Colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness in an Academy Awardwinning performance) builds his soldiers’ morale by instilling in them national pride; that as British soldiers they cannot only complete the bridge but it will be a tribute to British superiority. In doing so, however, is the question: is he aiding the enemy? His nemesis Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) is first a brutal tyrant but realizes the colonel’s expertise and ability to rally his men will be essential if the bridge is to be completed on time. However, he ends up being demoralized realizing that the colonel has “bested” him and while his mission is accomplished it is done so at the cost of his honor.

The song the “Colonel Bogey March” (which is whistled by the prisoners) becomes almost another character of the movie. Kenneth J. Alford wrote the march in 1914 but Malcolm Arnold incorporated it into the film score which won an Academy Award. The film won seven Academy Awards overall including best picture. There are many moral questions that the movie poses including at what cost is the mission accomplished when so many die for a questionable cause: the building of the bridge? Directed by David Lean in 1957, it is considered one of the best war movies ever made.

The Best Years of Our Lives

Betty Davis once said she believed this was the greatest movie ever made. It tells of three GIs returning to their hometown after World War II and how they readjust to civilian life in very dif-

Saturday, May 16, 2015 10am - 11pm • $5 until 5pm • $10 after 5pm

Market place

June 5 & 6, 2015 28 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Alley Run

Kids Fest

Music Fest

903.753.3281 • VisitLongviewTexas.com 410 N. Center Street • Longview, Texas 75601

Short Film Competition Announced in Tyler Entries are open for the fifth-annual Downtown Tyler Film Festival September 23-26 in Tyler’s Liberty Hall. Filmmakers may enter through Film Freeway by going to www.TylerFilmFest.com.

Harold Russell and Cathy O’Donnell play love interest in The Best Years of Our Lives.

ferent personal ways. Al Stephenson (Fredric March) is a bank executive who drinks too much and is married to Milly (Myrna Loy) with a daughter Peggy (Teresa Wright) and son. In his absence, they have grown up and the world has changed; especially his outlook in dealing with veterans who need bank loans. His perspective is more sympathetic to them which causes him some trouble with his boss who tells him they must have collateral to get a loan. Fred Derry (Dana Andrews) is a soldier from the wrong side of the tracks who was an Air Force major in the war but must go back to being a soda jerk because he cannot find work. Homer Parrish (Harold Russell) is a double amputee who must not only adjust to his disability but to how his family and friends view him with pity. He cannot believe his girlfriend Wilma (Cathy O’Donnell) feels anything but pity for him. Hoagy Carmichael plays his uncle, the owner of a bar who plays the piano with him and dispenses wise advice on giving Homer’s family time to adjust to his new situation. Peggy becomes interested in Derry when it becomes evident that his wife Marie (Virginia Mayo) is not interested in him anymore except as a soldier in uniform. Major Derry wants to put the memory of the war behind him. A romance develops between Peggy and Fred. Peggy must decide if she wants to “break up” his marriage. Directed by William Wyler, The Best Years of Our Lives was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won seven including for best picture, actor (March), supporting actor (Russell), screenplay (Robert E. Sherwood), editing, and musical score. It is an iconic movie of veterans’ poignant readjustment to life after war.

The Downtown Tyler Film Festival is a celebration of storytelling through film in East Texas. This is an international film festival, which seeks to encourage local East Texas independent works. Only short films of 15 minutes or less are accepted. Films may be of any genre but must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2014. There is also a student category for films produced entirely by filmmakers under the age of 18. Every year, the student film category grows increasingly competitive and festival coordinators hope to receive even more entries from local East Texas schools. “Students are the perfect model of independent filmmaking: endless creativity, lots of experimentation, and no money,” film festival chairman Justin Reese said. “We want to encourage them to hone their craft by providing an audience and a cash prize they can use to fund their next film.” Awards with cash prizes go to Best of the Fest, Best East Texas Film, Best Student Film and Audience Favorite. The deadline for film submission through Film Freeway is July 31, but applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible for lower entry fees. East Texas filmmakers receive a discounted entry fee by submitting to the East Texas Short Films category, and are eligible for a special Best East Texas Film award (in addition to being eligible for the Best of the Fest award). More information is available at www. TylerFilmFest.com or by following Tyler Film Fest on Facebook and Twitter. Any inquiries are handled by the Main Street Department at 903.593.6905. MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 29

LITERARY

A Mighty Girl Notes Empowering Books By P.A. Geddie Someone recently introduced me to amightygirl.com, a site that promises to inspire the next generation of history makers through its collection of books, toys and movies for smart, confident, and courageous girls. Book recommendations feature mighty women like Rosie the Riveter, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, Eleanor Roosevelt, Emily Dickinson, and Helen Keller, and characters like Nancy Drew and Pippi Longstocking. I thought Pippi was about the coolest chick in the world when I was a kid -she was strong and independent and went on great adventures and was very playful and refreshingly different from many of the female characters in traditional story books and fairy tales. One group of books A Mighty Girl highlights is for those with an interest in aviation and several of those books are about one of our own Northeast Texas heroes. Born in Atlanta, Texas, in 1892, Bessie Coleman’s chances of becoming a pilot as a young black woman were slim. But she never let her dream die and became the first licensed African-American aviator. Reeve Lindbergh honors her memory with a poem that sings of her accomplishment in “Nobody Owns the Sky.” With bold illustrations by Pamela Paparone, the book recommended for ages 5-8 inspires readers to follow their dreams. “Talkin’ About Bessie” is written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis for ages 4-8. It focuses on how she was always being told what she could and couldn’t do during a time when segregation was a way of life. But Bessie didn’t let those difficult times stop her. Although she was only 11 when the Wright brothers took their historic flight, she vowed to become the first African-American female pilot. Her sturdy faith and determination helped her overcome obstacles of poverty, racism, and gender discrimination. 30 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

In Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman, Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger write about her time in East Texas working in cotton fields instead of going to school. Together with illustrator Teresa Flavin the book is recommended for ages 7-10 with inspiring tales of overcoming difficulties to find success and she often shared with

young people, “You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me.” There are several other books about Bessie Coleman noted as well as Amelia Earhart and many other inspiring women from history and beautifully created characters of strength and intelligence. Keep reading with amightygirl.com.

Doll Donations Needed for Library Program

for years and we are excited to bring dolls into the program,” Tyler Youth Services Librarian Linda Gray said. “Too expensive for many families to own, we are hoping for more than one doll to loan to the children of Tyler.” Donations of dolls and accessories can be dropped off at the Library located at 201 South College Avenue during regular business hours. Tax receipts are provided upon request. For more information, please visit www. TylerLibrary.com or call 903.593.7323.

EVENTS May 14 and June 11

Northeast Texas Writers Organization Monthly Meeting. Open to writers in all genre and abilities for support and encouragement. Published and non-published welcome. Location varies. 903.738.1474. netwo. org.

May 1-2

Your Best-Seller Book Boot Camp Weekend. Nacogdoches. Two-day intensive training in writing, publishing and marketing nonfiction books. $995. Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 3807 South Street. 936-652-7801.

The Tyler Public Library is seeking donations of new or gently-used American Girl dolls so that its youngest patrons can have the experience of learning history through the American Girl culture. Since the library owns only one American Girl doll, Kit Kittredge, the American Girl of 1934, the library is hoping for donations so that more children can participate in the ‘American Girl on the Go’ program. In the program, families can check out an American Girl doll for one week and have the chance to experience local and national history while making new memories. Each American Girl doll travels from home to home in a special case complete with an outfit, bed, information booklet about the American Girl doll, journal for the child to document the events during the doll’s visit and historical guide of Tyler during the doll’s time period. “Our monthly American Girl Book Club, along with our American Girl book collection, has been popular at our library MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 31

MUSIC

Kid Icarus Project is a Slice of Americana

By Tom Geddie Singers and guitarists Clint Alford and Ian Chandler joined forces some time back in 2006 “to make extra money and be goofy” by playing funny cover songs in front of an audience. That worked for seven years, until 2013, when the duo added percussionist Mike Hill and, soon, fiddler Klint Killion to turn the duo into a band: Kid Icarus Project. Here’s how the band describes its sound: “We play old stuff. We play new stuff. We play their stuff, and we play our stuff. But whatever we play, we have fun doing it.” Hill puts it this way: “We call it acoustic Americana. Generally, it’s like if Zac Brown and Tom Petty had a baby.” With 300 or so songs to choose from, Kid Icarus Project’s shows range from classic country including Conway Twitty and Patsy Cline to some Snoop Dogg. These are songs to which just about everybody can recognize and respond. “We still do a little bit of the comic stuff,” Hill said. “It depends on the mood of the crowd. If the crowd seems pretty serious, we don’t do it so much, but if everybody’s up and dancing and whooping and hollering, Ian is hilarious. He tells funny stories. “Ian grew up listening to classic country, and it’s almost like once he hears a song he knows it. If somebody in the crowd yells out some song and we’ve 32 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

never played it, we turn our backs to the crowd, fumble around some chords, then play it.” The covers respect the originals, but Kid Icarus Project adds its own sound. “We try not to do an exact copy,” Hill said. “We put our own stamp on it. A lot of them are songs that were obviously written for full band, so ours sound a little different because we are acoustic. If the guys happen to get a request and don’t know all the lyrics, but recognize another one in the same chord, we sorta turn it into a medley to please whoever requested it. “We have a guy who always requests ‘Stairway to Heaven’ so we’ll play about the first third, then turn it into ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and then something else and end it up back to ‘Stairway to Heaven.’ It’s pretty insane. Every show we do is never the same.” Alford wrote 35-40 or so originals that sometimes make their way into the shows, too. “Clint pulls pretty heavily from his emotions,” Hill said. “Because of that, a lot of our (original) songs are slower and emotionally driven, maybe ballads. We have some up-tempo ones, too. That’s another reason the dynamic works so well; we don’t let the energy level drop off.” Influences range across decades for the four band members. “I am the oldest,” Hill said. “I grew up

in the 1980s with the hair bands. If it’s a song you instantly recognize, that has a lot to do with what influences you. I’m about to turn 44, Clint and Ian both are in their 30s, and Klint is in around his mid-20s so that’s almost a 20-year range.” The band – three of the members are from Rusk and Hill is from Tyler – is looking to record its first CD when Hill finishes building his own studio. “Last year we won the battle of the bands at The Forge, and studio time comes with that,” Hill said. “We recorded a little bit but basically burned through all of our time. People ask all of the time for CDs. It doesn’t matter where you play, CDs are what people are looking for. That’s the one thing we don’t have.” Kid Icarus Project plays in numerous locations in Tyler, Nacogdoches, and Ben Wheeler and plans to expand to the rest of Northeast Texas and into the Dallas and Shreveport areas. The label “Americana” is so nebulous that it’s hard to pin down. Hill describes it as “just kinda rootsy music. It can be country or classic rock, something that kinda takes you back to growing up a little bit, maybe. It just feels like this area of Texas maybe.” To sample the music, go to reverbnation.com/kidicarusmusic. Not all 300 songs in the repertoire are available, but there’s plenty of old and new stuff, “theirs” and “ours” to hear.

Indie rock icon Ben Kweller has captured the hearts of fans and critics for 15 years. Through his schizophrenic approach to music making, constant touring and a punk-rock refusal to be pigeonholed, Kweller has built the kind of career that rolls on regardless of fads and trends. His genre-jumping catalog of five albums, four EPs and multiple singles has sold more than half-a-million copies worldwide.

Music City Texas Theater in Linden welcomes Cody Canada and The Departed on May 2. Canada was the lead singer and songwriter for the Oklahoma-based rock-country band Cross Canadian Ragweed during the band’s entire run from 1998-2010. The group sold more than a million albums. The Departed is Canada’s newest four-piece band. Its show at Music City Texas begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25, all seats reserved. Call the theater at 903.756.9934 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to purchase tickets.

Raye, Kweller To Play Show Benefiting GMA

Collin Raye, left, and Ben Kweller headline a benefit concert for the Greenville Municipal Auditorium (GMA) New Seat Campaign on May 16.

An evening of music benefiting the GMA New Seat Campaign takes place May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium, located at 2821 Washington Street. The public is invited to hear Greenville natives Collin Raye and Ben Kweller perform their favorite songs as well as share fond memories of the historic Greenville Municipal Auditorium. Country artist Collin Raye was one of the true hit makers of the 1990s and still continues to crank out soulful, heartfelt material with the honesty and richness that is signature to his vocals alone. With

24 top 10 records, 16 No. 1 hits, and having been a 10-time male vocalist of the year nominee (five County Music Association and five Academy of Country Music), this truly electrifying performer of his era remains one of the great voices of our time. Raye is nothing if not passionate. His soulful delivery has set country standards in such searing ballads as “Love, Me,” “In This Life,” “Not That Different” and “If I Were You.” Always an energizing showman, he has also blazed through such vivid rockers as “My Kind of Girl,” “That’s My Story,” “I Can Still Feel You” and “I Want You Bad.” Raye has consistently used his stardom to advance social causes. Among the organizations he has supported are Boys Town, First Steps, Al-Anon, Special Olympics, Country Cares About AIDS, Catholic Relief Services, Parade of Pennies, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, The Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence, The Emily Harrison Foundation, Childhelp USA, Silent Witness National Initiative, Easter Seals, The Life and Hope Network and Make a Difference Day. It came as no surprise when in 2001 at the Country Radio Seminar, Clint Black presented Collin Raye with the organization’s Humanitarian of the Year award in recognition of Collin’s issue-oriented music and his tireless charity work.

Most recently, Kweller’s boutique record label, The Noise Company, is in the business of signing new up and coming talent such as Austin Music Awards’ “Best new Artist” Wild Child. Kweller produced the band’s album, “The Runaround,” which was released in 2014. There’s absolutely no telling what Kweller will do next, but as he has always said, “I have no backup plan. All I know if music. All I’ve ever known is music and I’ll continue to make it until the day I die.” Ticket prices are $35-$70. For more information, contact the GMA at 903.457.2994.

EVENTS Every Saturday

Gladewater Opry. Gladewater. Country music show. 8 p.m. 108 E. Commerce. 903.845.3600. thegladewaterorpy.com.

Every Wednesday-Saturday

Live Music. Ben Wheeler. The Forge Bar & Grill. 1610 FM 279. 903.833.5970. theforgebenwheeler.com.

May 1

Swampadelic. Ben Wheeler. $7. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Kid Icarus Project. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

May 2

Wesley Pruitt Band. Ben Wheeler. $10. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Tony Ramey. Edom. 7:30 p.m. $12 -$15 door. The Old Firehouse, 8241 FM 279. 903.852.2781. heoldfirehouse.net. MilkDrive. Nacogdoches. Liberty Bell, 422 Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

Continued on page 34 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 33

MUSIC

MUSIC EVENTS continued from page 33

May 8

Sheila Marshall. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

May 8

Texas Rebellion. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

May 9

Pat Green. Nacogdoches. Banita Creek Hall, 401 West Main Street. 936.462.8000. banitacreekhall.com. Kimberly Dunn. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

May 15

Susan Gibson. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar. com.

May 16

An Evening of Conversation and Song with Peter Yarrow. Winnsboro. Legendary folk singer/songwriter, most notably with 1960s music trio Peter, Paul, and Mary. The Bowery Stage @ Winnsboro Center for the Arts, 200 North Market Street. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts.com. Ben Lowery. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. The Bellfuries. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar. com.

Award-Winning Shelley King Takes Winnsboro Stage

May 22

Breaking Southwest. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

May 23

Wayland Hicks. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Sam Hunt. Nacogdoches. Banita Creek Hall, 401 West Main Street. 936.462.8000. banitacreekhall.com.

May 29

Damn Quails. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Shelley King. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar. com.

May 30

Dustin Becker. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar. com. Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion. Athens. Thought to be the oldest fiddlers gathering running continuously year after year. Fiddlers contest begins at 9 a.m. on the courthouse lawn and runs all day. A street dance kicks off at 8 p.m. and lasts until midnight. Concession stands and a carnival. Free. Athens Downtown Courthouse Square, 100 W. Tyler St. 888.294.2847. athenstx.org.

June 5

Mike Ryan. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore. com.

June 6

Cody Wayne. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore. com.

Dan Dyer. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

June 12

Longview Symphony: Pasta & Puccini. Longview. The Longview Symphony jumpstart to 2015-2016 season with fundraiser and a night of fun led by Jerry Steichen. $75 + Table options. Pinecrest Country Club, 214 Club Drive. 903-236-9739. longviewsymphony.org.

Joe Vega. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

34 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

A two-day, two-stage celebration of the legendary bluesman and East Texas native Aaron “T-Bone” Walker and Blues music. Features 20+ music acts on two stages Friday evening and all day Saturday. Plus antique and custom car show, food vendors and more. The event features delta blues and electric blues musicians including Los Lonely Boys, Rick Derringer, Tab Benoit, Eric Gales, Jonathan & “Boogie,” Long, Jimmie Wallace and The Stratoblasters, Cary Morin, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Lance Lopez, Trudy Lynn & Steve Krase, Peterson Brothers, Tyler Lenius, Ally Venable, Wesley Pruitt Band, Gus Samuelson, Alan Fox Band and many more. $10-$100. Maude Cobb Activity Complex, 100 Grand Blvd. 903.237.1230. tbonewalkerbluesfest.com.

June 26

June 13

Shelley King. Winnsboro. The Bowery Stage @ Winnsboro Center for the Arts, 200 North Market Street. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts. com.

June 5-6

Harpeth Rising. Winnsboro. The Bowery Stage @ Winnsboro Center for the Arts, 200 North Market Street. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts.com. Group Therapy. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

June 27

10th Annual T-Bone Walker Blues Fest Set in Longview

Bri Bagwell. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

June 19

Bugs Henderson Tribute with Stratoblasters. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

Max Stalling. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore. com.

June 27

Troy Cartwright. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 1535 Farm to Market 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Southern Raised Band & Grounded Quartet. Athens. 6:30 p.m. $15-$18. Texas Gospel Music Hall, HWY 19 South Palestine. 903.477.8084. texas-gospelmuichall.com.

RELAX. REJUVENATE. RETIRE. HISTORIC & NATURAL MINEOLA TEXAS.

ENJOY A SHOPPING ADVENTURE

Mineola Market

1.800.MINEOLA • www.mineola.com

MAJOR CONCERT SEPTEMBER 26. MINEOLA NATURE PRESERVE Kacey’s Hometown Hang!

& DRINK FOOD Bob’s Bar-B-Que is a Family Affair

Allen does not do a recommendation. “Anything on that board that your taste buds want,” he smiles as he lines up my brisket on the cutting board. So, let me and my taste buds point out a few ideas. The chicken is smoked long and slow and falls off the bone. The sausage is mild and always juicy. If you like hot get the hot link or savory boudin. My favorite meal is a half-pound of smoked sausage cut with beans and a piece of round cheddar cheese. The key to eating at Bob’s is to take the simple way. The gentlemen trim all the bark and fat off your beef, so if you want it ask for it. For some bark fans, you may be disappointed, the smoke ring is in the meat, but the bark is not layers thick.

Bob’s Bar-B-Que and Catering Service 1205 Pope Street Henderson, TX 75652 903-657-8301

East Texas lined up for a juicy chopped beef sandwich. Then in 1987, the family moved to the current restaurant location where people stream in and out all day until the family closes at 7 p.m.

Reviewed by Patti Ramey

“If we won’t eat it, we won’t sell it,” Allen states proudly. After 35 years of serving hungry East Texans and other folks craving true East Texas barbecue all over the world, Allen still sticks to the simple basics of good people and good food to keep everyone happy.

Driving down Highway 79 in Henderson you can’t miss the red flags dancing in the wind stating “barbecue” at the corner of Pope Street. Almost no one in Henderson needs a map or assistance to find this small brown storefront that has smoked savory meats and sides since 1987 — it’s Bob’s (or in my family Mr. Bob’s). Bob Allen and his wife Billie began serving up ribs and chopped beef sandwiches under a shade tree by the now-demolished Washington Grocery in 1980 with a pit and warm hospitality. They soon became so popular they moved the business to a small one-room walkup on Highway 79 across from the current location. Folks from all over

east F T E X A S

36 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Allen always wanted to cook and is a legend to many in East Texas. These days he leaves most of the cooking to his sons, Michael and Mitchell. Allen family members don’t just make great food, they make great friends. When Bob retires, the smoke will keep billowing from the building filling the streets with hickory scents and the stories still will be served at the counter with St. Louis-style ribs by the next generation.

The turkey is smoked and trimmed deli-thin, but order some to go for lunch the next day. Ribs are smoked all day and you can order them by the pound or half-pound. If you are alone, order a one, two, or three-meat plate and pile on the creamy potato salad and beans. Sauce is on the side unless you ask for it. Home is what Bob’s Bar-B-Que defines for many locals. Folks drive from everywhere to get the taste that brings them rooted back to family and friends. “I have kids that stop to see me and get food before they go see their parents when they are coming home,” said Bob, who laughs as customers flow through getting a Thursday night dinner. It is true, I have been one of those kids. There are many great pit masters in East Texas and the world, but there is only one team like Bob, Billie, Michael and Mitchell Allen creating love, pride and legacy with hickory wood and spice for anyone who is hungry.

SUBSCRIBE FREE MONTHLY CULINARY NEWS FROM COUNTY LINE MAGAZINE

http://bit.ly/1FMW4qx

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 37

EVENTS

Cooking with Herbs Workshop. Edom. Sample fresh food, get great recipes, and learn time-saving tips. Blue Moon Gardens. 13062 FM 279, 903.852.3897. bluemoongardens.com.

a delicious brunch served on the train. The train departs at 10:15 a.m. and returns at approximately 2:45 p.m. Reservations must be booked by 5 p.m. Wednesday May 6. Menu: Appetizers: chocolate covered strawberries, bagels and cream cheese, and assorted jams; Entree options: ham and cheese strata, hash brown and chicken casserole, gruyere and prosciutto strata, or potato egg bake for the vegetarian/gluten free option. Served with a garden salad and grated Parmesan cheese. Cheese and crackers and grapes. Sliced coffee cake or Honey Berry Compote or a Cherry Danish Pastry. Coffee, tea, water, orange juice. Bloody Mary’s and Mimosa’s available for purchase at $7 per glass $50-$80. Texas State Railroad. 877.726.7245. texasstaterr. com.

May 10

May 15-16

May 2

Best Steakhouse

County Line Magazine Hall of Fame

Garden Salad Workshop. Edom. Sample fresh food, get great recipes, and learn timesaving tips. Blue Moon Gardens. 13062 FM 279, 903.852.3897. bluemoongardens.com.

May 2 Mudbugs & Music. Longview. Crawfish boil, beer and margaritas, and live entertainment. $50. Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex. 903.753.0723. arcofgreggco.org.

May 9

Mother’s Day Brunch Train. Palestine. Treat Mom to a special day out with the family by taking her on a relaxing ride through beautiful East Texas countryside while enjoying

MORE FOOD & FUN!

Piney Woods Wine Festival. Mount Vernon. $5 admission; $1 each tasting. Features 17 wineries of the Piney Woods Wine Trail. Arts, crafts, vendors, food, live entertainment. Downtown Mount Vernon. 113 East Main Street. 903.537.4070. mtvernonwine.com.

May 16 Mexican Feast Workshop. Edom. Sample fresh food, get great recipes, and learn timesaving tips. Blue Moon Gardens. 13062 FM 279, 903.852.3897. bluemoongardens.com.

May 23 Easy Summer Picnics. Edom. Sample fresh food, get great recipes, and learn time-saving tips. Blue Moon Gardens. 13062 FM 279, 903.852.3897. bluemoongardens.com.

Tuesday & Wednesday

DINNER SPECIAL Mixed Green Salad Choice of Fresh Fish of the Day, Ribeye Steak, or Filet Mignon Served with Whipped Potatoes and Green Beans $26.00

Top 100 American Steakhouses

June – July Go to County Line eMagazine for more fun food and drink articles, recipes, dining ideas, wineries, farmers markets, and events.

countylinemagazine.com/ Food-Drink

OpenTable.com

Located in a beautiful lakeside lodge at 21191 FM 47 in Wills Point,one block north of Interstate 20, Exit 516 Open Tuesday - Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Available for Special Events

Make A Reservation

903.873.2225

www.fourwindssteakhouse.com 38 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Pick’n Edom at Blueberry Hill Farms. Edom. Pick your own blueberries and blackberries - enjoy the country store with blueberry lemonade, jams, salsas, a bakery and more. The event lasts from around June 1 through the end of July bringing in more than 5,000 visitors each season from around Texas and nearby states to enjoy this truly unique experience on the farm and in nearby Edom. It’s been featured on Texas Country Reporter and in numerous other TV programs and magazines. Blueberry Hill Farms,10268 FM 314. 903.852.6175. blueberryhillfarms.com.

June 13

Open 24/7 Full Menu Breakfast Anytime! Hwy 19 near I-20

903-567-6551

www.dairypalace.com

Texas Blueberry Festival. Nacogdoches. Celebrating the annual blueberry harvest, this festival features a smorgasbord of activities including blueberry pancake breakfast, petting zoo, bounce park, arts and crafts, pet parade, classic car show, Blueberry Hill Soda &amp; Sweet Shoppe, motorcycle show, pie eating contests, live music and entertainment, food and merchant vendors. Various locations. 936.560.5533. nacogdoches.org.

Enjoy Farmers’ Markets in the Upper East Side of Texas

SOME OPEN YEAR ROUND. CHECK WEBSITES FOR DAYS AND TIMES AND INDIVIDUAL MARKET AND FARM OFFERINGS.

EDOM BlueberryHillFarms.com • GREENVILLE GreenvilleFarmersMarket.com MINEOLA MineolaFarmersMarket.com • MOUNT PLEASANT MtPleasantTx.com MOUNT VERNON facebook.com/MountVernonTxFarmersMarket • PARIS ParisTexas.gov ROCKWALL RockwallFarmersMarket.org • SULPHUR SPRINGS SulphurSpringsFarmersMarket.com WINNSBORO WinnsboroFarmersMarket.com MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 39

EXPLORE THE UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS

Enjoy an Adventurous Summer 2015 From water parks to lakeside picnics, intriguing museums to exploring a community, the Upper East Side of Texas has no shortage of things to do for families and adventurous souls of all ages during the dog days of summer. Here are a few ideas to get started. 1. Have a zoo fest by going to the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler one day and plan to visit the more intimate Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin on another. The Caldwell Zoo is 85 acres of more than 3,400 animals dwelling in six main habitats or exhibits including the African Savanna, North America, South America, African Aquarium, North American Herpetarium, and the Wild Bird Walkabout. The Lufkin zoo has close to 700 reptiles, birds and mammals from around the world including a Maasai giraffe and white rhinoceros. There’s a train ride that goes around the zoo and across Ellen Trout Lake. Caldwell Zoo, 2203 Martin Luther King Blvd. 903.593.0121. www. caldwellzoo.org. Ellen Trout Zoo, 402 Zoo Cir. 936.633.0399. cityoflufkin.com/zoo. 2. While in Lufkin check out the Naranjo Museum of Natural History that features exhibits with cave bears, the Whooly Mammoth, bison, and many dinosaurs. Also, the museum recently unveiled an almost four billion-year-old moon rock on permanent loan from NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It came from the Apollo 14 space mission and is the largest moon rock sample in NASA’s display collection. 5104 S. 1st St. 936.639.3466. naranjomuseum.org. 3. Speaking of NASA, Hemphill in Sabine County has a number of markers and memorials where debris fell when the Space Shuttle Columbia shuttle exploded February 1, 2003. There’s also a museum in Hemphill that tells the story of space exploration from the first Columbia mission through its final mission and honors that crew. Patricia Huffman Smith Museum, 375 Sabine St. 409.787.4827. nasacolumbiamuseum.com. 40 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

Divers can investigate dozens of wrecks submerged in the warm spring-fed lake at the Athens Scuba Park. Courtesy Photo

4. Go to the Athens Scuba Park for some diving fun and check out the Enchanted Fair Garden at the East Texas Arboretum while in town. A farmers’ market takes place twice a week and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has birdwatching and many other activities as well as fishing. 903.677.0775. athenstx.org. 5. Celebrate Memorial Day weekend at the ninth-annual Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) with a world-wide fishing tournament, concerts by Billy Currington, Lee Brice, Joe Nichols, and Rodney Atkins, and much more on the banks of the beautiful Lake Fork. 866.907.0143. ToyotaTexasBassClassic.com. 6. Call local city offices to find out about July 4th celebration details. A couple of notable events with great music are the Gun Barrel City July Fest with Vanilla Ice, Aaron Watson and more, and Ben Wheeler’s celebration honoring the late Brooks Gremmels. 7. Go to local farmers’ markets and pick your own centers. The Upper East Side

of Texas is home to many fantastic markets that not only help the farmers and provide healthy foods but make a day of fun activities including music and cooking demonstrations. 8. Check out Bob, Stanley, and Joseph’s barbecue joints in Henderson, Tyler, and Jefferson, respectively. All three are regular winners in the region and the state for the best barbecue. Read more about each of them in the County Line archives, countylinemagazine.com. 9. Take a train excursion. The Texas State Railroad has really beefed up its offerings this year from full meals to photography opportunities to holiday treats leaving from both the Palestine and Rusk depots. 877.726.7245. texasstaterr.com. 10. Check out the extensive list of events and things to do on County Line eMagazine. From resource listings to exploring individual communities, the possibilities are endless. countylinemagazine.com.

EVENTS May 9 and June 13

Bird and Nature Walk. Athens. Explore interpretive wetland trail and other areas of hatchery. These outings are perfect for both beginning and advanced birdwatchers. Birdlife changes with the seasons and each outing should see a variety of species. Expect to see 25 or more different species on each outing. 9 a.m. TFFC Admission: $5.50 adults, $4.50 seniors 65+, $3.50 children ages 4-12. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 FM 2495. 903.676.2277. athenstx.org.

May 30

Cherokee Neches Paddling Trail Launching Party. Jacksonville. Includes the unveiling of an information kiosk and a ribbon cutting on the river dedicating the trail followed by paddlers entering the river. The public is invited to bring kayaks and canoes and join the adventure. From its starting point at Neches River Run Park the trail continues downstream on the Neches River to the takeout location at Highway 79. The seven-mile paddle usually takes the average paddler with normal river conditions about three hours. With kayaking and canoeing being the fastest-growing segments in outdoor recreation according to the Outdoor Industry Association, the Cherokee Neches Paddling Trail provides an opportunity to see the historic Neches River up close and personal. 11 a.m. Neches River Run Park. 903.586.2217. jacksonvilletexas.com.

June 6

National Fishing Day. Athens. Kick off to National Fishing and Boating Week with a family fishing trip with free admission for kids 12 and under plus free fishing for the whole family and free hot dogs and drinks from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A tournament for the largest catfish caught from the TFFC casting pond will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tournament is open to children ages 12 and under. The winner must be present to collect the prize at 2 p.m. In addition to fishing, visitors can walk the wetlands trail, see a diver hand feed fish; learn about the history of fishing in the freshwater fishing museum; shop for a souvenir in the Flat Creek Bait and Goods Gift Shop and watch the alligator feeding at 3:30 p.m. National Fishing and Boating Week comes at the start of the summer vacation season and is designed to encourage families to spend time together on and around water. No fishing license is required anywhere in the state on the first Saturday in June, which is designated Free Sportfishing Day. Adults $5.50, Seniors 65+ $4.50. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 FM 2495. 903676-2277. athenstx.org.

June 14

Longview Summer Boat Show. Longview. 3515 Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex, 100 Grand Blvd. 903.753.3515. visitlongviewtexas.com.

Yama Yoga Wellness Spa & Boutique

Where Your Journey Begins

Full Service Salon • Natural Hormone and Thyroid Therapy • Massage Infrared Dry Sauna • Reflexology • Ionic Foot Bath • Facials • Reiki Yoga Daily Classes • Stretch • Beginner • Flow • Vinyasa & 200 HR Teacher Training 1023 S. Trades Day Blvd. (Hwy 19), Canton, TX 75103

WWW.YAMAYOGA.INFO 903.567.0077 MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 41

LIVING ROOM

Homeowners Should Choose Wisely for Foundation Repair The erratic Texas weather can wreak havoc on home foundations. All homes settle and adjust with time, so it is not uncommon for a foundation to develop minor cracks which do not necessarily need repair. However, it is important to be proactive when it comes to foundation repair, as identifying potential problems early means less complicated and less expensive repairs. Likewise, foundation problems can cause damage to the rest of your home. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reminds consumers of the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to searching for a trustworthy foundation specialist. “Regardless how expensive or attractive a home or building is, without a proper foundation, the structure is at risk,” said Rick Humes, owner of Humes Inspection and Foundation Company. The most commons signs of foundation issues which need attention include uneven floors, mold build-up in closets, weak spots in flooring, and doors and windows sticking or not latching properly. “Unfortunately, many foundation repair companies will gladly take your money for unnecessary fixes, and some take advantage of a consumer’s lack of knowledge by performing shoddy work,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “That’s why it’s so important to do your homework to make sure you are dealing with a reputable contractor.”

ferrals, compare several price quotes which can be done using BBB’s Request A Quote. Always confirm the contact information of the contractor you choose. • Ask questions. Find out how long the company has been in business, what method of payment they accept (never pay in full up front), and who performs the work (employees of the company or temporary labor). • Beware of red flags. High pressure sales tactics, full upfront payment or low estimates that may potentially balloon over time or foreshadow shoddy work to come are all red flags to look out for. • Ask about warranties. Be sure you understand the warranty agreement before you sign the contract. In the foundation repair industry, most contracts contain a clause indicating that conditions (such as structural deficiencies) might appear during foundation work that was not visible when the bid was submitted. In these cases, the desired results may not be obtained. After the extended warranty period, a service agreement may be available to cover beyond the warranty period at an additional cost. Other companies may not transfer the warranty if you sell the house or may charge a fee for the transfer. No matter what, the conditions of the warranty or guarantee should be clearly listed in the contract.

BBB recommends the following tips to help consumers find reputable foundation repair companies:

• Review your contract. Be sure to read, understand, and agree with everything listed in your contract. Do not sign a contract that has blanks or if you don’t agree with something. Make sure the work is being performed according to the bid proposal.

• Check with your insurance. Some homeowner’s policies will cover foundation repair, so check with your insurance prior to signing a contract.

• Ask for before and after photos of the work performed. Check to make sure the workers clean up the mess after the work has been completed.

• Do your homework. Check with BBB before choosing a contractor. Get re-

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraud-

42 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

ulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, call the BBB Hotline at 903.581.8373.

EVENTS April 30-May 2 Magnolias and Muskets: 68th Jefferson Historical Pilgrimage. Jefferson. Presented by the Jessie Allen Wise Garden Club this annual event pays tribute to the rich and colorful history of the town. It includes home and garden tours, a parade, crafts, and a play that takes guests back in time to the true story of Diamond Bessie and her murder. Downtown Jefferson. 903-452-3836. jeffersonpilgrimage.com.

May 2 - June 27 Enchanted Fairy Garden. Athens. Fairies, gnomes and trolls, fairy houses, castles and art in the garden. East Texas Arboretum, 1601 Patterson Rd. 903.675.5630. athenstx.org.

May 5 and June 2 First Tuesday in the Garden. Tyler. An informative lecture covering seasonable gardening topics. Held on the patio of the IDEA garden, the lecture is approximately 30 minutes with a Q&A session following. Seating is limited. Bring a chair. May 5, Getting Ready for Hot Weather. June 2, Did She Say, “Cut off their heads” Summer Perennial Care. Free. Tyler Rose Garden, 420 Rose Park Dr. 903.590.2980. txmg.org/smith/comingevents/

May 30 Smith Count Master Gardener Annual Garden Tour. Tyler. A unique opportunity to view five private gardens and landscapes around Tyler. 9 a.m. $10 advance, $12 day of tour. 903.590.2980. txmg.org/smith/comingevents/.

May 30 East Texas Daylily Society Show. Edom. Showcases wide variety of more than 75 daylilies. Blue Moon Gardens, 13062 FM 279. 903.852.3897. bluemoongardens.com.

June 6 Jewels in the Garden Gardening Conference. Tyler. The Smith County Master Gardeners host a one day gardening conference. Three noted gardening experts give four presentations. Local vendors will have items for sale. Tours of gardens designed and maintained by the Master Gardeners, within the Tyler Rose Garden, after the program. Lunch included. Open to the public. $25-$35. Tyler Rose Garden Center, 420 Rose Park Dr. 903-5902980. txmg.org/smith/jewels/

Indulge in

PAPER

YOU DESERVE IT Upper East Side of Texas Regional Magazine

SUBSCRIBE! In celebration of our 15th anniversary get a one-year subscription in 2015 for just $15 per year!

« « « « «

EVENTS

KilGogh • March Avalon Faire • March/April Rangerette Revels • April Texas Shakespeare Festival • June/July Baseball, Balloons & Root Beer • July

« East Texas Oilmen’s Chili Cook-off • November « East Texas Pipe Organ Festival • November « Snow Hill Festival • November « Christmas Under the Stars • November / December « Rangerette Christmas Extravaganza • December

county line

903.963.8306 • countylinemagazine.com SUBMIT ORDER BY WEBSITE, PHONE, OR MAIL TO P.O. BOX 608 • BEN WHEELER, TX 75754 Texas Shakespeare Festival Kilgore College Rangerettes

COUNTY LINE MARKETPLACE

H Bar Hauling

Hay. Equipment. Livestock. Meeting all your hauling needs. Derek Hazel 903.316.6091

WE SELL CARS FOR LESS Ray Ridings Buick GMC Canton, Texas 903-567-4131 www.RayRidings.com

Ray Ridings Wills Point Chevrolet Wills Point, Texas 903-873-2561 www.willspointchevrolet.com

We BUY cars too! “Our World Class Service is Second to None”

World’s Richest Acre

East Texas Oil Museum

To advertise, call 903.963.8306 or email sales@countylinemagazine.com

Authorized E-File Provider

Bill Hullum, CPA PC

N WHEEL O G A W ANTIQUE MALL

649 W. Main • Box 545, Van, TX 75790 903.963.5865 625 Hwy 31 East #6 • Chandler, TX 75758 903.849.4994

www.billhullumcpa.com

Pawpa’s House in the country

Satellite • Wireless Internet Jacuzzi Tub • Hot Tub Fully Equipped Kitchen • Handicap Accessible Near Canton, Ben Wheeler, Lindale, Tyler, Mineola. One hour to Dallas. 1601 VZ County Road 1512 Van Texas

903.571.3620 • www.pawpashouse.com

Voted Best Antique Store by County Line Magazine readers

12,000 square feet

Home Decor & Furniture

Vintage Vinyl Records, Art Pottery, Art Glass, Silver, China, Candles, Fine American and European Furniture, Texas Primitives, Western Collectibles, Rugs, Gifts, Chandeliers, and so much more! Open 7 Days, Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 1-5

903-469-4321 7150 SH 31E • Murchison www.wagonwheelantiquemall.com MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 43

FEEL GOOD

Borrowed Dogs Make Great Companions She wasn’t really chasing cars; she was racing them. After a while we didn’t see Martina any more on our morning walks and heard she was hit by a car. Of course, that’s one of the disadvantages of our casual relationships with these dogs – they go away as mysteriously as they come to us, and we don’t get to tell them a proper goodbye.

By Edward H. Garcia One of the joys of walking around in our community is the companion dogs we often pick up. Over the years on our daily walks, my wife and I have had at least a dozen part-time pets. Typically, we’ll walk in front of a certain house and there is the dog we call Emily or Tess or Martina, a dog who belongs to someone else, but who keeps us company for a block or two before returning home. We’ve run into a couple of dogs we were afraid of, but, for the most part, they are friendly, and dangerous only in their exuberance. Right now, when we walk the streets around our house, we often are met by Tess and Baby Bear. Those are almost certainly not their real names – just the names we call them. Tess is a lovely golden retriever who looks like our long-deceased Tess, hence the name. Baby Bear is a fluffy puppy with coloring like, well, a baby bear. The two dogs rush up and greet us. Baby Bear is especially rambunctious. Both take their petting and the highpitched baby talk people usually use on dogs, and then follow us for a block or two, sometimes all the way home. We like the companionship, and we like 44 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

that we don’t feed them, clean up for them or take them to the vet. I think my wife might like to own a dog someday, but for me, our occasional walks together are all the dog I need. Our first borrowed dog we called Chula. (In Spanish, Chula means something like “cutie”). She was a beautiful Lab. She walked with us around the neighborhood, and sometimes we ran across her far afield. One memorable day, she came to us while we were working and sat contentedly next to us as we cleared our lot. Among our favorite temp dogs are a pair who joined us a few years back on another of our walks, Martina and Rake. Martina was a white Lab-looking shorthaired dog who ran back and forth around us with incredible athleticism. That was where we came up with the name. We were thinking of Martina Navratilova. Rake was a thin, muscular Catahoula mix who followed Martina around slavishly. His name came from his leanness and from a poem by Theodore Roethke which goes, “She was the sickle; I, poor I, the rake. Coming behind her for her pretty sake.” Rake followed Martina wherever she went, including sprints alongside cars.

Our relationships with these dogs must seem puny and superficial to those who live and die for their pets, but aren’t all dogs, all pets in a sense borrowed – the way all children are adopted, no matter how they come to us? It seems to me that everything in life – and life itself – is borrowed. We might think we own it. We might cling to it fiercely, but finally things, pets, friends, parents, children, and life are taken from us. Like the books I borrow from the library on my Kindle, all things, all people, and eventually we, suddenly disappear. My wife and I have had 20 dogs over the last few years, each one appropriately named, enjoyed and fondly remembered. They are a reminder to seize and enjoy every borrowed thing we are lucky enough to have.

Wood County Salons Join in Awareness Campaign

Wood County Victim/Legal Advocate Christian Entwistle with the East Texas Crisis Center (ETCC) Wood County Outreach office announced the launch of its 2015 “Cut It Out” awareness campaign. The Professional Beauty Association’s (PBA) “Cut It Out: Salons Against Domestic Abuse” program is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to fight the epidemic of domestic abuse in communities across the United States by building awareness and training salon professionals to recognize warning signs and safely refer clients, colleagues, friends and family to local resources. The East Texas Crisis Center is calling on beauty professionals, and salons in

Wood County to support the “Cut It Out” program by participating in the “Give the Power Back” awareness campaign. Aimed at raising awareness and funding to stop domestic violence, salon professionals in particular have an extraordinary opportunity to help.

Men Walk a Mile in High Heels to Raise Awarness of Violence Against Women and Gender Relations

“Cut It Out” is a year-round effort that builds awareness by offering complimentary training and display materials to salon professionals, which enables them to recognize warning signs of abuse. The goal is to safely and confidently help clients, colleagues, friends and family find local resources for help. The “Give the Power Back” drive is an opportunity for salon owners and beauty professionals to host a fundraiser of their choice during October to bring awareness to this growing epidemic. Proceeds benefit the East Texas Crisis Center Wood County Outreach office and its mission to continue to provide safety, shelter and education to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other violent crime. As well, ETCC assists victims in restoring dignity and purpose in their lives while promoting public compassion and awareness to help reduce violence in the community. Hosting a fundraiser is not mandatory to participate in “Cut It Out,” however, it is a great way to speak out and show your support. Fundraising suggestions include donating tips, donating a percentage of sales, donating a percentage of each service and/or soliciting donations from clients. Entwistle provides each participating school, salon or spa in Wood County complimentary “Cut It Out” posters and safety cards to display in the salon. Each participant also receives information about ETCC Wood County Outreach programs and services, local phone number, 24-hour hotline number and location. This information is easy to pass on to someone who is a victim of domestic violence and needs help. Participation is simple and can help save a life. To learn more and take the “Cut It Out” pledge, contact Entwistle at 903.342.6111 or email woodadvocate@ etcc.org. If you or someone you know is being abused, call 903.342.6111 or 24 the 24-hour hotline at 800.333.0358.

May 30

East Texas Crisis Center 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. Athens. The East Texas Crisis Center in Henderson County will host its 3rd-annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the international Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Violence against Women. A Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is a playful opportunity for men in our community to raise awareness about the serious causes, effects and remediations to sexualized violence. Men walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes. It’s not easy walking in these shoes, but its fun and it gets the community to talk about something that is really difficult to talk about: gender relations and sexual violence. It demonstrates that men are willing and able to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place. All proceeds of this event will benefit victim services provided by the East Texas Crisis Center in Henderson County. For more information contact Carla Gandy at 903.675.2137. $200 sponsorship for individual, $500 sponsorship for a team. Athens Town Square. Northwest Corner of Tyler & Prairieville St. 903.675.2137. etcc.org.

Texas Asthma Camp Scheduled In June

The annual Texas Asthma Camp takes place June 21-26 at Camp Tyler, located on Lake Tyler. Since 1985, the camp has hosted more than 2,000 youths, making it the oldest and one of the largest asthma camps in Texas. Campers have lots of fun while learning how to take an active role in managing their asthma at home, at play and during school. Campers are accepted based on the date the application and application fee are received, the degree of the child’s illness and number of years at Texas Asthma Camp. If the camp is full, applicants are offered the opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. Any child who has been diagnosed with asthma by a physician and is between the

ages of 7-14 is encouraged to apply for the Texas Asthma Camp. The benefits of attending asthma camps are well documented. Research has shown that for the year following attendance at an asthma camp, asthmatic children show better management skills and have fewer missed school days, physician or emergency room visits and hospital admissions because of their disease. The total cost of the camp this year is $250. A $25 non-refundable application fee (made out to UT Health Northeast) is required for all applications. Applications are not considered complete until the application fee is received. For those paying by cash, cashier’s check, or check, the balance of $225 is due no later than June 15 unless other arrangements are made by calling 903.877.7075. Make checks payable to UT Health Northeast. Financial aid is available. MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 45

46 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2015

www.VisitEdom.com

DRAGONHEAD RETREAT B&B on 25 Wooded Acres at 675' Outside Living Area • WiFi • Kid Friendly 903-520-2069 • www.Vrbo.com/559168 www.dragonheadretreat.com

WOOD HAVEN CABINS Relax & Unwind 903.279.2308 www.woodhavencabins.com

VINTAGE EDOM Coffee Shop. Mid Century Cool Items. Vintage Antiques. Boutiques. Collectibles Arts & Crafts. Yard Art & Ornamental Fixtures 903.852.5552 • EdomGallery.com

THE FARM HOUSE RETREAT A Unique East Texas Experience Lodging, Weddings, Retreats 903.749.1682 www.facebook.com/thefarmhouse retreatweddings POTTERS BROWN STUDIO & GALLERY Original Handmade Stoneware

MARIPOSA CABIN Quiet Relaxation in the East Woods Hand-crafted, lofted 1 bedroom cottage 903-571-2423 • www.Vrbo.com/354940

BLUE MOON GARDENS Perennials. Herbs. Garden Art. Gift Shop Open Daily 9-5 • 903.852.3897 www.bluemoongardens.com

BLUEBERRY HILL FARMS Pick Your Own Blueberries. Country Store Open June & July. 10268 FM 314. Edom. 903.852.6175 • www.blueberryhillfarms.com

903.852.6473 www.pottersbrown.com

MAY/JUNE 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 47

“Nobody knows Texas better.” Jay Novacek

Texas Rancher Former All-Pro Tight End Dallas Cowboys

When it comes to financing land, a country home, hunting and recreational property, an ag operation or just about anything else in Texas, Heritage Land Bank is the name to know. For almost 100 years, Heritage has helped Texans make the most of rural living. If you’re looking to buy land, build a home or improve your place in the country, talk to the lender who knows how to help.

903.534.4975 • HeritageCounty.com EQUAL HOUSING LENDER

NMLS# 408898