July/August 2015 by County Line Magazine

county line UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS

JULY/AUGUST 2015

M A G A Z I N E

HANNAH KIRBY

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WILDLIFE TRACKING. MUDDY JAKES. DOG DAYS OF SUMMER. UNCERTAIN. LEGO ART.

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CONTENTS 22

STAGE 24 Menopause the Musical. Gigi. Just Desserts. Hello Dolly 25 Stage Events

FILM 26 Three Uncertain Men on Caddo Lake By P.A. Geddie 27 Spirit Riders

LITERARY 28 Confessions of a Comma Queen By Edward H. Garcia 29 Poetry By Rachel Humphrey and Steve McFarland

MUSIC 30 Glenn Miller. Battle of the Bands Musgraves’ New CD By Tom Geddie 31 32 Music Listings

FOOD & DRINK 34 Muddy Jakes By Cindy Roller 36 Tastefully Done By Lyndsay Caldwell 38 Food News/Events

EXPLORE 40 Admiring the Birds in Northeast Texas By P.A. Geddie

LIVING ROOM 42 Enjoy Summer Entertaining Tips By Debbie Stubbs 43 Hiring Smart for Water Damage

14 FEATURES 8 Hannah Kirby’s Music Mission

After a successful run on The Voice, Sulphur Springs’ Hannah Kirby is booking gigs and creating a new CD. By Tom Geddie

12 The Art of Wildlife Tracking

Learning to look for footprints and other signs of wildlife helps put together stories about the elusive lives of animals. By Heidi Bailey

14 The Dog Days of Summer

A few ideas for spending quality time with furry friends at pet-friendly stores, parks, and dog parks. By P.A. Geddie

FEEL GOOD

DEPARTMENTS 5 Editor’s Note. 7 Letters.

44 Nourish Summer Skin By Michelle Lintner 45 Alzheimer’s Coalition, Earl Campbell Scholarship, Heart Grant

THIS TIME OF YEAR 18 Independence Day, Celebrity Birthdays, Remembering Jim Reeves 19 Bob Luman, Lowry’s Car Wash, Battle of the Neches

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT 20 Becknell Cemetery Receives Marker 21 Events. Dance Longview.

THE ARTS 22 Lego Bricks Exhibit Comes to Tyler Texarkana Summer Art Camps 23 Regional Arts Juried Exhibition Mineola League of the Arts Classes Art Events

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Hannah Kirby photo by Luis D. Noble

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MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR P.A. Geddie CONTRIBUTORS Edward H. Garcia Cindy Roller Lyndsay Caldwell Tom Geddie Debbie Stubbs Michelle Lintner Heidi Bailey Rachel Humphrey Steve McFarland SALES P.A. Geddie COPY EDITORS Terry Britt

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers,

Kacey Musgraves has a new outstanding CD that we’ve reviewed in this issue and she’s planning a big concert in her hometown of Mineola in September so look for more information about that in our next issue.

Welcome to the second half of summer in the Upper East Side of Texas. We’ve got some great ideas on things to do like birdwatching, quality time with your pooch, theatre, movies, restaurants, and lot of arts and music and a few good festivals.

We’ve expanded our Food & Drink section a bit to make room for “Tastefully Done” recipes by Chef Lyndsay Caldwell. These were featured in the monthly Feast Texas eNewsletter so those who subscribe to that may have already tried them out. If you’d like to get a copy of the eNews each month, see directions for subscribing on page 38.

Our cover story is about Hannah Kirby from Sulphur Springs. Many saw her for the first time on this latest season of NBC’s The Voice. Her amazing talent kept her in the top eight of the finals. Already set on a music career from a very early age, The Voice just added fuel to her desire to be a professional singer and musician. She’s booking gigs and working on a new CD and it will be fun to keep up with her on this journey.

Here’s hoping for smooth sailing during these dog days of summer. P.A. Geddie Publisher & Managing Editor

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINT PRODUCTION Jette Stephens ADMINISTRATION Annette O’Brien 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.

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LETTERS Dear Editor, We enjoyed the March/April 2015 issue so much that we thought we should subscribe. My husband was born and raised in Delta County and particularly liked the article on the Delta County lawmen/ musicians. Thank you. Patricia McBride Big Sandy This (Best of 2015) is a nice way to be kept informed of places to eat and places in East Texas. madmetalmngt eMagazine I was so impressed to read the article in the May/June issue, Lost Girls of Northeast Texas. Thank you so much for publishing this article to raise awareness of what is really going on. Human trafficking is modern day slavery. It is a 35 billion dollar industry worldwide. Risk factors are poverty, being a youth, homelessness, desperation, substance abuse, family his-

tory of abuse, and low education, as well as kidnapping, as in the movie, “Taken.” But being unaware and uninformed in today’s society is also a huge risk factor, and that is something we can all intervene and become a part of. It is so sad to note that 42 percent of recruiters into this system are women, just as the article points out. Having recently attended a Presbyterian Women Global Exchange to the Caribbean, in which women from the U.S. convened with leaders in church, community, and the justice system in the Caribbean to address human trafficking and gender based violence I am now also actively promoting awareness of human trafficking through the church. I am currently travelling to Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas to share this information and help raise awareness.

What is the role of the church and community? Raise awareness, educate, facilitate and be vocal, and support the fight against human slavery and trafficking. I am excited to find out about the Refuge of Light in Tyler, and our local resources on this subject. I just learned that The Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services in Waxahachie offer a transition living program for any young person who has aged out of foster care at age 18 through 24, and has no where to go. They help provide employment and educational services in addition to a safe place to live. This article is a great resource to share as well. Thank you again for publishing this timely and much needed information for all of us, and for making a difference in some young person’s life. Colleen Cates Athens

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 7

Hannah Kirby Continues Music Mission By Tom Geddie So, who is Hannah Kirby? By now, since she finished in the top eight on “The Voice” competition, millions of people know something about her: her name, that she has a fantastic voice, that she plays fiddle, and that she has a spunky personality. Beyond that, who is this 21-year-old Sulphur Springs resident? That’s a little more complicated because there’s so much more to know than what we see in TV sound bites, even sound bites that are several minutes long. She likes to make faces at people. Her fashion sense might best be described as “gypsy.” She’s into science fiction and fantasy movies, books, and video games. So into that scene that she’s now writing three books, although her recent schedule has slowed her progress. Although “The Voice” may be her favorite TV show for now, “The Big Bang Theory” is a close second. Then there’s “Miranda.” She believes in basic human rights for everybody on Earth. Kirby’s musical tastes span so many genres that she struggles to put the songs on the CD she’s working on into a genre; she settles on alternative pop-rock. There’s Canadian composer-singer-multi-instrumentalist Loreena McKennitt. And contemporary Christian musician Carman. And Bob Dylan. And so many more. Let’s expand just a little on each of these points. Kirby really does make faces at people. “I like to make weird/funny/creepy faces while talking with people.” Why? “It pretty much always works for me. Either people will laugh or people will make the face back at me, so it’s a good conversation starter. The people who make the face back, it lets me know we probably are kindred spirits and that we’ll probably be friends.”

Photo by Luis D. Noble

Kirby’s fashion sense is hard to describe, except it begins with her favorite color: black. “Black is calming yet intense and fierce at the same time,” she said. “I like to wear jewelry that looks like something Indiana Jones would find in a cave or temple, and I have two clothing styles. One is a little punk rock or Goth. The other is really my main style, sorta a gypsy kind of Old World thing or even like Native American traditional or Asian traditional or Eastern European traditional. I guess ‘gypsy’ is the best word.” While science fiction and fantasy used to be considered boys’ and men’s realm, that’s a stereotype that’s been changing for a number of years now.

8 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

“Movies, books, and video games are just a platform for storytelling, ways to tell a story and get across a message,” she said, citing Isaac Asimov as her favorite writer. “A couple of my songs have been heavily influenced by a certain video fantasy game that I love. And I love to write my own fiction, so in my mind I’m just always a writer. Everything to me is an inspiration. Just walking outside. And things that happen in my life. Science fiction and fantasy are a place for new ideas, for things that don’t exist. “I actually had someone send me a message via my website who prompted me to try to finish some of my original fiction. I’ve got about three novels but it’s hard to find time to finish them. I’m a perfectionist, and when I write I want to sit in

quiet room and spend a day writing one chapter. So that’s difficult for me to find the time.” “The Big Bang Theory” – four science nerds and the beautiful blonde – makes Kirby laugh. “I like that I pretty much always know what’s going on, as far as the stuff they are interested in. And the show is just really funny,” she said. “I love things that are witty, and the show makes me laugh. Not just internally but externally. I watch it with my mom a lot.” Another favorite show is less well known: “Miranda.” It’s a British comedy that sometimes shows up on PBS. Kirby also favors basic human rights for everyone in the world. “I am very comfortable with people who have different beliefs than me. I believe in tolerance. ‘God is love’ and love is what people need no matter what they believe,” she said. “The state of basic human rights around the world is in my opinion the biggest problem right now. Human trafficking is happening right now all over the world, which is appalling. And in many countries, women have barely any rights.” That world view is one of the reasons she likes McKennitt’s music so much. “I just really look up to her and respect her as an artist. She’s independent after all these years and she plays music from all over the world with instruments from so many different countries. She just has this timeless sound that just goes so far back into history. It’s just some of the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard and it’s very spiritual.” Carman – Carmelo Domenic Licciardello – “has a lot of songs that were totally different genres to me. One that had sort of a Latin, kinda Santana vibe, another totally like 1990s synthesized pop music, and one that is sorta hip-hop,” she said. “He just did what he wanted to do with his songs, which is very important to me with my songs. Listening to his music, you don’t feel like you’ve already heard the song. Every song is sort of its own little world. That’s the way I like to think of my songs. I want to be that sort of artist, someone who is just such a fantastic arranger, just produces them so you never get bored listening to the music.”

Dylan? At the time of this interview, Kirby was still contemplating whether to add an unnamed Dylan cover to 10 of her own songs on her alternative pop-rock CD.

enough money to go to the mall and buy a good bit of clothes.”

If I covered a Bob Dylan song, I would most likely try to stay as true to what he did because I really respect him as an artist. I don’t want to mess with Bob Dylan.”

“Hopefully, I want to do some sort of set tour, not like a radio tour but just want to set a lot of dates and get on the road and play. That’s something I haven’t done yet. That’s a goal I’m working really hard to reach right now when the album comes out.”

Kirby planned to have two singles available online this summer. “Initially, I was working pretty slow just because this is my first album of original music,” she said. “Now it’s at top speed. I’m working as fast as possible to keep interest up (after “The Voice” success), and I’m ready for people to hear what my sound is. They heard a little bit of that on the show, but I wasn’t singing original music.” Kirby was born in Dallas and moved with her family to Sulphur Springs when she was in second grade. Soon, she was taking violin lessons with Sarah MasatHolmes until Sarah and her husband Ross Holmes moved to Nashville. Sarah traveled back to Richardson to do most of the piano work on the upcoming album, which is produced by Dave Walser of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band. Kirby’s first paid gig was when she was 12 at “one of the jamborees in East Texas;” she believes it was in Mount Pleasant. “I did a lot of jamborees. My violin was sort of my gateway into playing, especially a little girl with violin singing. They had like tip baskets and I know I made

She’s in the process now of getting a band together and finalizing gig dates.

The whole experience of “The Voice” was “totally incredible” and likely has jumpstarted Kirby’s career like similar experiences did for fellow East Texans Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. “I was recording before I started this whole process. Basically, nobody was even going to know I recorded an album,” she said. “I had like only 50 followers on Twitter, and social media is so important for musicians today. The whole reason I tried to get on the show was exposure and, for me, it was like mission accomplished. Now I have between 20,000 and 30,000 followers.” So who is Hannah Kirby? “I truly knew that no matter where I was or what I was doing, that I would always be a musician. I’m always going to be that. When I was like a young student, I decided that if I wasn’t a popular musician making a lot of money, I would just have a basement built on to my parents’ house to play. You have to believe, though, that if you are a musician, then nothing will keep you from doing that.”

Hannah Kirby of Sulphur Springs made it to the Live Playoffs on the latest season of NBC’s The Voice, finishing in the top eight. The experience has jumpstarted her career as her performance calendar fills up and she’s working on a new CD. Courtesy photo. JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 9

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The Art of Wildlife Tracking Discover the Elusive Lives of Animals Through Reading Signs By Heidi Bailey, Texas Parks & Wildlife Biologist As a kid I was always fascinated by the Indian scouts on the old-time Westerns that squatted down, looked at some tracks in the dirt, and determined, “They went that away!” The same goes for those trappers in buckskin clothes and coonskin caps that could follow a trail of two-day old mountain lion tracks and ultimately find their way to the cat.

out there that can help teach you what to look for in each species. Most of my favorites are by master tracker and instructor Mark Elbroch, but there are many other good ones as well. There are even some smartphone apps (iTrack is by far my favorite) that can save you from having to lug around a bunch of books when you head out to the field.

I never lost that interest in tracking nor the admiration for those who could do it well. Fortunately for me, I’ve managed to land myself in a job where I regularly get to hone my own wildlife tracking skills as well as teach this disappearing art to others.

After determining what animal’s tracks you are looking at, then you can work on figuring out what the animal was doing when it left the tracks or sign.

To many, wildlife “tracking” implies just following an animal’s footprints. I prefer the more inclusive old-timer references to “cutting sign” or “reading sign” whereby tracks, scat (poop), dens and nests, feeding signs, etc. are all studied to tell an animal’s story. An effective tracker has to have a good imagination and be a pretty good storyteller in addition to just being able to identify what animal made that track. “A cottontail was sitting here chewing on that dandelion until a coyote came along, pounced, and carried him away,” makes for a much more interesting tale than “That’s a cottontail track.” Honestly, reading sign is sort of like Wildlife C.S.I. There’s a couple of keys to putting all of the pieces of the “crime scene” together. Obviously, being able to differentiate one wildlife species’ tracks from another is critical to the story line. Which animals have five toes? Which have four toes? Which have five, but only four show up consistently in tracks? What is the overall size and shape of the foot? Does the animal leave a tail drag? How does it move—does it walk, hop, bound, or lope? Answering questions like these can help identify the critter. Fortunately, there are some great books and field guides

Was it in a hurry or just walking along? What was it eating? Where was it going? Is that a regular den or just a one-time resting spot? How long ago did the animal pass through here? Then comes the fun part — time to ask the question “why.” This is where the imagination kicks in and the tracker gets to think like the animal. This is also the point where having some knowledge of the biology and behavior of an animal species can help answer some questions and weave the story line. I’m not talking about book learnin’ biology, either. Most of the best trackers I’ve ever known are just folks who spend a lot of time out in the woods and/or in the deer blind watching animals do what they do. As with many skills, practice is one of the main things that makes you a good tracker. In many cases, once you’ve seen a particularly unusual track or sign, you will never forget it. I remember a question during a tracking field test in California that had the entire group stumped — except for one tracker. Evaluators had drawn a large circle in the dirt around a jumble of bobcat tracks, deer tracks, and regularly occurring “swoosh” marks. Our question was, “What happened here?” Long story short, we all offered up our theories on what the strange marks were caused by, but all but one of us was wrong. The “enlightened” tracker

12 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

ultimately told us that the swoosh marks were caused by a wing dragging in the sand from a large bird that was carried by a bobcat. Sure enough, when you knew what you were looking at all the marks made perfect sense. How did the tracker know what it was? He had seen it before in the snow in New Hampshire and never forgot. Practice is key, but being a good observer is important too. Look for patterns and anything out of the ordinary. Look hard at the details, as sometimes it’s the littlest things that tell you the most important things. Look not only at what’s there (the print itself), but also at what’s not there (the negative space between the toes and in between the toes and pad of the foot). Don’t just look at one track, but instead follow the trail as far forward and backward as you can. Not only will this help you identify the animal, but it will also give you a look into the animal’s behavior. Try to get out in the woods with folks you consider to be good trackers. As with many skills, you can learn some things from a book, but a good outdoorsman and teacher helps you to grow exponentially as a tracker. Part of the beauty of tracking is that it can be done nearly anywhere anytime. Of course, checking out a mud flat after a good rain is a great place to start. Mud is good because it picks up and holds a lot of detail that you might not otherwise see in loose soil. I love to see what’s been coming into our stock tank for a drink when the dry summer evaporates some water and leaves exposed mud on the sides of the pond. Deep sandy areas are another place to go track hunting, although wind tends to erase the slate pretty quickly in sand.

My absolute favorite place to go track hunting, though, is under bridges. There’s always mud there, the tracks are typically protected from rain and wind, and it serves as a natural choke point for wildlife. Tons of wildlife species will head under bridges for shelter from the elements, and many more species can be found “just passin’ through.” I’ve seen otter tracks, beaver sign, plenty of feral hog tracks (always), alligator and turtle tracks, and plenty of coyote, bobcat, deer, and rodent tracks just to name a select few. One final recommendation is to take a camera with you when you go. Not only can you use the photos to document your finds, but if you are stumped on identifying something, you can always take another look when you get home and are surrounded with books and the internet. Folks regularly send us “biologist types” photos of tracks or sign that they have found for a little help with identification. A couple of tips for taking track photos are: 1) Put something in the photo next to the track to give a sense of size. If you don’t have a tape measure, coins work great. 2) If possible, take photos both in the sun and with the track shaded. You would be amazed at how different light conditions can really make the details of a track stand out. 3) Take a couple of pictures of the same track from different angles. Once again, this can help you see things that you might otherwise miss. No matter whether you have a camera or field guides or a teacher, just be sure to get outside and enjoy the wild outdoors. Whether or not you see the actual critters, I promise you they are out there.

Critter tracks by Heidi Bailey. LEFT COLUMN Top to Bottom: House cat, a jumble of house cat and raccoon tracks, and a red fox. RIGHT COLUMN Top to Bottom: River otter and squirrel. JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 13

Spend Some Fun Time With Furry Friends During the Dog Days of Summer By P.A. Geddie East Texans love their pets and often look for places to go and things to do with them. The hot dog days of summer are good times to find a nice shady path or a kick back with cool drink to share with furry friends. The “dog days of summer” phrase came about to define the sultry part of the summer occurring during the period that Sirius, the Dog Star, rises at the same time as the sun, around July 3 to August 11 although other accounts have the dog days running through the entire months of July and August. Here are a few dog-friendly places to explore in the Upper East Side of Texas this summer.

Dog Parks (no leash) Lufkin Dog Park. Dogs can run inside

a gated area with no leash. Open daily from sunrise to sunset. All dogs must be current on vaccinations and owners are expected to remain in the park with their dogs. 936.634.8881. Stragent Dog Park. Longview. Pets and owners enjoy three fenced acres for small dogs and six fenced acres for large dogs. 903.803.0100. Meadowbrook Bark Dog Park. Kilgore. Brand new, opening earlier this year. 903.984.5081. Harry Myers Dog Park. Rockwall. Plenty of open space for dogs to run freely. Fenced areas are sectioned off for smaller and another for larger dogs. There is also a common drinking water area for people and pets to refresh. The dog park is surrounded by nature trails where dogs are welcome on a leash. 972.771.7700.

14 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

Spring Lake Dog Park. Texarkana. 903.798.3978.

Restaurants Quite a few restaurants in the region allow dogs on their patios and outdoor areas. Call ahead to be sure but ones we are aware of include some of the Applebees, Moore’s Store and The Forge in Ben Wheeler, Liefie Li Vine in Winnsboro, Juls and FRESH in Tyler, Central Perks in Marshal

Lodging Most La Quintas allow pets and some provide nice walking areas. A few other hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, and RV parks are pet friendly as well.

Stores Life With Pets. This great store in Tyler (and at First Monday Trade Days in Canton) is full of natural products and

is not only a good place to bring pets to shop but they will dog sit for short periods of time. 903.714.2172. Tractor Supply. Various locations. Lowes. Various locations. Home Depot. Various locations. Petco. Various locations. PetSmart. Various locations.

Attractions

Historic Jefferson Train Ride. As long as dogs are on a leash they are welcome on this 40-minute train ride through the woods and wetlands along the Cypress River. 866.398.2038. Caddo Lake Steamboat Company. Uncertain/Marshall. 903.789.3978. Millard’s Crossing Historic Village. Nacogdoches. Dogs allowed on the grounds but not in buildings. 936.564.6631. Stephen F. Austin Mast Arboretum. Nacogdoches. Dogs allowed on the grounds but not in buildings. 936.468.1832. East Texas Arboretum. Athens. 903. 675.5630.

Events

Most of the outdoor events in the region are leashed pet friendly. Call ahead to be sure.

Nature/Walking Trails & Parks — Leash Only

Mineola Nature Preserve. 903.569.6983. Trail de Paris. 903.517.9778. Cargill Long Park Trail. Longview. 903.237.1021. Cooper Lake State Park. Cooper. 903.395.3100. Lookout Mountain. 903.586.2217.

Jacksonville.

Caddo Lake State Park. Karnack. 903.679.3351. Daingerfield State Park. 903.645.2921. Please let us know about any other places that are dog friendly so we can spread the word. Leave a message on this article on countylinemagazine. com, or email market@countylinemagazine.com, text 903.312.9556, or leave a message on facebook.com/CountyLineMagazine.

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Y NAUGHE McCO confused way from dazed and a long

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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 JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 17

THIS TIME OF YEAR AUGUST 20, 1923 — JULY 31, 1964

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Remembering Jim Reeves

Van Cliburn

Reeves breakthrough single came in 1953 with a song called “Mexican Joe.” The peak of his career came in the early 1960s with the success of the single, “He’ll Have To Go,” which reached number 2 in the U.S. hit record charts, ultimately reaching three million in sales. Some of his other romantic balladeer hits included “Am I Losing You,” “Four Walls,” and “I Love You Because,” (also recorded by Bob Luman and others). James Travis “Jim” Reeves was born August 20, 1923, in rural Panola County and he grew up to become one of the best singers of all time. His fame was widespread, not only in America, but also in Britain, India, Scandinavia and South Africa. Reeves initially wanted to be a professional baseball player but those dreams ended with an ankle injury. Soon he turned to singing and working as a disc jockey. Around 1948 Reeves partnered with another East Texas legend, disc jockey Tom Perryman (who’s still working in radio in Tyler and turns 88 July 16) and they worked together at KSIJ in Gladewater while Reeves fronted a band on the side. One night Perryman took an agent from Abbott Records to see Reeves perform and three days later Reeves signed a recording contract in Perryman’s office. The rest is country music history.

Known as “Gentleman Jim” with the velvet voice, it was with great sadness to many when he died in a plane crash when his Beechcraft debonair aircraft went down in bad weather on July 31, 1964, near Nashville.

July 12, 1934 — February 27, 2013 Kilgore

Margo Martindale

He is buried at Jim Reeves Memorial Park three miles east of Carthage. The inscription on his memorial statue states, “If I, a lowly singer dry one tear or soothe one humble human heart in pain, then my homely verse to God is dear and not one stanza has been sung in vain.”

July 18, 1951, Jacksonville

Don Henley

Jim Reeves was inducted posthumously to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967. He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage in 1998. His legacy lives on as one of the greatest voices in recorded music, country or otherwise. — P.A. Geddie

JULY 4

July 22, 1947, Gilmer/Linden

Lee Ann Womack

August 19, 1966, Jacksonville 18 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

JULY 16, 1839

The Battle of the Neches

Cherokee Chief Diwali Bowles was killed in the battle of the Neches on July 16, 1839, by Texas militia. It was the last stand of the Texas Cherokees. The state of Texas erected a marker at the site of his death. The descendants of Chief Bowles and other tribes involved in the battle put up their own sign disputing the state’s version. The historic land is open to the public off State Highway 64 near the Smith and Van Zandt County line. A memorial ceremony is held on the property each year in July. See the County Line archives to learn more. SUMMER 1965

PAPER

Indulge YOU DESERVE IT

50 Years Ago

Lowry’s Car Wash

By 1965 automatic car washes were appearing all over the world. But people in rural Arp were probably just as thrilled when Vaughn Lowry opened a self-serve, one-stall coin-operated car wash there that’s still in operation today. It cost 50 cents to wash with hot water and 25 cents to vacuum back then. He added a second stall about five years later. Lowry’s son Terry took over operations in 2005. Fifty years later, it’s now a dollar to wash and 75 cents for vacuuming and they are in the process of overhauling the system to provide even better service. They plan a celebration of their anniversary mid-July.

Bob Luman

It was 50 years ago this summer when East Texas-born Robert Glynn “Bob” Luman released a new album, Livin’ Lovin’ Sounds featuring some of his biggest hits including “I Love You Because”

SUBSCRIBE! In celebration of our

15th anniversary (written by fellow East Texan Leon Payne), “Oh Lonesome Me,” “Hey Joe,” “Let’s Think About Living,” and “You Win Again.” Luman was born in Nacogdoches April 15, 1937, and began playing music at an early age. He attended high school in Kilgore and formed his own band during that time. After meeting and being inspired by Elvis Presley he soon became a regular on the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. In the coming years he wrote and recorded songs and appeared in the movie Carnival Rock. In 1960 just before being drafted into the U.S. Army, he released the single “Let’s Think About Living” which hit the Top 10 while he was in the service and started a long line of country hits. He joined the Grand Ole Opry and toured regularly. He performed for the last time with the Grand Ole Opry on December 15, 1978. He died just two weeks later on December 27 at the age of 41 from pneumonia. Johnny Cash sang at his funeral. He was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage in 2007.

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JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 19



CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

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

Becknell Cemetery Receives Historical Marker The Texas Historical Commission recently designated The William Becknell/Robbinsville Cemetery as a Historic Texas Cemetery. It is located six miles west of Clarksville on U.S. Highway 82. William Becknell was known as the “Father of the Santa Fe Trail.” The trail became America’s first great international commercial highway and for nearly 60 years thereafter was one of the nation’s great routes of adventure and western expansion. Becknell was an American frontier soldier, trader, farmer, rancher and politician. He was born in Virginia in 1787 or 1788. He married and moved to the Missouri frontier in 1811. He served during the War of 1812. The following spring, he joined Daniel Morgan Boone’s company of United States mounted rangers as a first sergeant and fought under the command of Major Zachary Taylor in the Battle of Credit Island in Iowa in 1814. After the war and the death of his wife, Becknell married again and in 1821 organized a trading party to cross the great plains to Mexico. Because of information given to him by Mexican soldiers, Becknell was the first U.S. trader to arrive in Santa Fe after Mexico won its independence from Spain and, therefore, “opened” legal international trade. From 1825-27, Becknell played an important but unofficial role in the Sibley Survey established by congress to mark the Santa Fe Trail. In 1827, he was appointed Justice of the Peace in Saline County, Missouri, and then was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives. It wasn’t until 1835 that he and his family moved to Red River County where he

The Becknell/Robbinsville Cemetery is located six miles west of Clarksville and contains a historical marker at the grave site of William Becknell, founder of the first international commercial highway in America. Photo by Diane Peek.

commanded a militia unit known as the Red River Blues to protect settlers from raiding Native Americans. Becknell became captain and his men were guardians of Red River County until 1842. He was appointed to supervise the Texas congressional elections in 1845 and 1856. He had a sizable estate in land and cattle named Becknell’s Prairie. He died and was buried in the cemetery in 1856. To learn more about Becknell visit williambecknell.com. For more information on the site call the Historic Red River County Chamber of Commerce at 903.427.2645.

EVENTS 1st & 3rd Weekends Jefferson Flea Market. Jefferson. Shop for new and antique items, arts and crafts, garage sale items, furniture, fixtures, books, dishes, office supplies and much more, all in a safe, fun and family-oriented environment. Jefferson Flea Market, 213 W. Broadway. 903.431.0043. jeffersonfleamarket.net.

2nd Thursday Night Owls, Shop LATE Till 8. Rockwall. Stores open until 8 p.m. Discounts, specials and refreshments offered. Downtown Rockwall. Rusk and Goliad. 972.437.2360. rockwalldowntown.com.

July 2-5 First Monday Trade Days. Canton. The oldest, largest, continuously-operating outdoor market in the United States draws up to 400,000 shoppers a few days every month. More than 7,000 vendors present wares in almost 400 acres around the downtown area of the city. 903.567.6556. firstmondaycanton. com. 20 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

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.

Dance Longview

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. Fireworks at the Fishery. Athens. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center opens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for regular paid visitation. Free admission for the fireworks show starts at 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to fish in the stocked casting pond until 8:30 p.m. while waiting for the fireworks, which begin about 9 p.m. No license is required to fish, and bait and tackle are furnished for free as long as supplies last. Fishing ends approximately 30 minutes before the fireworks begin. Food and beverages are available for purchase, and people are encouraged to bring picnics. KCKL (FM95.5) will broadcast patriotic music during the show. Pets, alcohol, tobacco products and private fireworks, including “snap caps” and sparklers, are not allowed. The event has become an area tradition, with many people dressing in red, white and blue in keeping with the holiday theme. Free after 4 p.m. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center, 5550 FM 2495. 903.676.2277. athenstx.org/things-to-do/fireworks-at-the-fishery-2015

July 21-26

Great Texas Balloon Race. Longview. 903.753.3281. visitlongviewtexas.com.

July 25

3rd Annual Glow Run. Athens. 5K and onemile family-friendly fun run. Enjoy the warm summer night in a colorful display of glowing sticks, necklaces and lights along the route. Adult registration $30, Children 12 and under $15, Dogs $10. 8 p.m. Cain Center, 915 S. Palestine. 903.677.2000. athenstx.org/things-to-do/3rd-annual-glow-run.

July 30-August 2

First Monday Trade Days. Canton. The oldest, largest, continuously-operating outdoor market in the United States draws up to 400,000 shoppers a few days every month. More than 7,000 vendors present wares in almost 400 acres around the downtown area of the city. 903.567.6556. firstmondaycanton. com.

Two groups in Longview offer dance lessons and dancing afterwards throughout the month. Longview Swing Dance Association holds ballroom dance lessons and open dancing every first, third, and fifth Tuesdays of the month. They start at 7:30 p.m. and the cost is $5 for members and $8 general admission. Singles and all ages are welcome. Activities take place at Stafford Fitness, 2111 Courthouse Drive. Visit longviewswingdance.com for more information.

Ballroom Longview presents two-step dance lessons and open dance on July 18 and ballroom dancing takes place throughout the month in various locations. They do potluck snacks and ask participants to adhere to a dress code to help set the mood: men, pants and shirt with dress slacks and ties encouraged; women, modest dress, skirt, or pants, and top. The July 18 event is at The ROC at First Baptist Church Longview, 212 E. South Street. Find out more at facebook.com/ballroomlongview.

August 7

workers to give to traumatized children. Texas State Railroad, U.S. Hwy 84, Park Road 76. 903.683.3451. texasstaterr.com

The Teddy Bear’s Train Ride. Rusk. Train departs Rusk Depot 11 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The train runs to Maydelle where the engine turns around on the historic 1890’s turntable and then returns to Rusk. The ride features special snacks, children’s music, teddy bear coloring book pages and more. There is an opportunity to meet the entire Beary Bear family, including Boomer, a 10- year old bear made famous through this summer’s Facebook postings about his many travels and adventures. Children 12 and under who bring their teddy bears to ride the train with them get to ride for free. $15-$45 otherwise. They also collect donations of teddy bears and baby blankets for the Blankets and Bear’s Children’s Fund of Anderson County (Palestine) which then donates items to patrol officers and ER

August 22 Run It Like It’s Hot! Miracle Mud Run. Longview. Charity Mud Run featuring 3.1 miles of trails, lots of challenging obstacles, and plenty of mud. Separate mini-course for children ages 6 to 11. Activities include music and vendors. Spectator only passes available. All proceeds go to the construction of The Miracle League baseball field — a field specially constructed to serve the 18,000 plus East Texas children who are physically and mentally challenged. Main course: Registration is $65 each, or $60 each for teams of 4. Lear Park Athletic Complex, 100 H.G. Mosley Pkwy. 903.239.1241. runitlikeitshot.org.

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 21

 THE ARTS

Lego Bricks Exhibit Comes to Tyler The Art of the Brick is a global touring exhibition rated by CNN as one of the world’s “must see exhibitions.” These are the first art exhibitions to focus exclusively on the use of LEGO® bricks as an art medium and artist Nathan Sawaya has taken it to new heights. This award-winning artist has multiple unique exhibitions created solely from standard LEGO bricks often with several new sculptures created specifically for each exhibition. Each show has countless colorful LEGO pieces which Sawaya has transformed into whimsical and awe-inspiring creations. Sawaya’s ability to transform this common toy into something meaningful, his devotion to spatial perfection and the way he conceptualizes action, enables him to elevate what almost every child has played with into the status of contemporary art. Sawaya said his goal for the exhibition is to elevate this simple plaything to a place it has never been before. The exhibit takes place from July 10 through September 13 at the Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 S. Mahon. For more information call 903.595.1001 and visit tylermuseum.org.

Summer Art Camps, Classes Continue

Arts on Main in Texarkana offers summer camps and classes for students of all ages. These continue through July with a variety of subjects. The schedule is as follows: Camp Create Jr (June 29 – July 2), ages 5-6

ArtWall Camp Sr (July 20 - 24), ages 8-11 Picasso-rama Sr (June 15 - 19), ages 9-11 Picasso-rama Sr (July 13 – 17), ages 9-11; Mosaics (July 9-15), ages 12 and up; Drop-In Art (free admission, July 25), ages 4–11

Picasso-rama Jr (July 27 - 31), ages 7-8

Ars on Main offers something for every artistic level, from beginner classes for budding artists, to advanced workshops for serious artists. Taught by local and regional professional artists, classes at are a fun, easy way to learn new skills, meet people, and create art.

Sculpt-a-rama Sr (July 13 - 17), ages 8-11

Texarkana Regional Arts and Humani-

Sculpt-a-rama Jr (July 20 - 24), ages 5-7 ArtWall Camp Jr (July 13 - 17), ages 5-7 Picasso-rama Jr (June 15 – 19), ages 7-8

22 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

ties Council’s Arts on Main is a vibrant visual arts community education program which provides courses in drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, theatre, photography, fiber arts, and more for children and adults. The council also offers a limited number of needs-based scholarships for children. For more information, contact Amy Donohoe at 903.792.8681 or adonohoe@trahc.org.

TRAHC Juried Exhibition on Month-long Display

The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC) hosts its 27th annual Juried Exhibition celebrating local, regional and national artists.

The exhibition is on display to the public July 10-August 8 at the Regional Arts Center at 321 West Fourth Street. This annual art competition is hosted by TRAHC and sponsored by E-Z Mart, Inc. The exhibition entries in drawing, mixed media, painting, print-making and sculpture. The opening reception for the exhibit on July 10 from 5:30-8 p.m. includes the presentation of the awards at 7:30 p.m. Awards include: Yates Collection Purchase Award - $1,000; Best of Show $1,000; First Place - $750; Second Place - $500; Third Place - $300; and Fourth Place - $200. For more information, contact Amy Donohoe at 903.792.8681 or email adonohoe@trahc.org.

July 31-August 1

Sculpting - Body Sketch. Artist, Suzanne Cromer teaches a class on body sketch out of clay. Clay isprovided by Mineola League of the Arts. 9:30 a.m. Call 903.569.8877 or visit mlota.org for more information.

ART EVENTS Through July 3

6x6@110 Exhibit. Tyler. Features about 1,000 unique works of art all 6x6 inches in size. Sale of the pieces support Gallery Main Street. Gallery Main Street, 110 West Erwin Street. 903.593.6905. cityoftyler.org/ Departments/MainStreet/GalleryMainStreet.aspx.

Through July 12

2015 September 8-24 Partnerships for Peace Music • Film • Art Children’s Activities Poetry • Peace Mural Peace Pole Living Peace Sign!

Mineola League of the Arts Presents Classes

The Mineola League of the Arts is holding a variety of classes this summer at 200 West Blair Street in Mineola.

www.tylerpeace.com

July 17

Fussy Cut Techniques. Quilter Nancy Gibson teaches the basics of fussy cut techniques for quilting. $20/25. 10 a.m.

July 20-24

Knit Camp for Teens. Learn the basics of knitting and finishing an item. Ages 10 and up. $25, all supplies included. Watercolor class with Herb Bryant. $40/50. Beginning Stain Glass class. Nancy Gibson teaches the basics of stain glass. Participants learn to design, cut glass, grind, put pieces together and solder. $25/35.

July 27-31

Stain Glass Workshop. Nancy Gibson teaches a workshop on stain glass. Participants design their own piece, cut glass, grind, piece together and solder. Wear long sleeve shirt, pants, closed toe shoes. Bring glass, foil and solder and safety glasses. $50/60. 9 a.m.

July 27

Painter’s Demo. Artist Robin Enneking demonstrates the art of print making. 2 p.m.

July 10-August 8

27th Annual Juried Exhibition. Texarkana. Features artists 18 years and older living in the United States, whose work was selected by a local judge. Prizes are awarded and each year, one work is purchased and added to the Texarkana Regional Arts Center’s permanent collection. Regional Arts Center, 3 2 1 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.

Ladies’ Night!

Marbled ing B ak

ls ow

July 25

CLASSES FOR ALL AGES

July 24

June 8 S August 14 Tough by Nature. 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. Tyler Museum of Art, 1300 S. Mahon. 903).595.1001. tylermuseum. org.

with Lindsey Eberhart

August 20 • 6-8 P.M. AGES 21 & UP • BYOB & FRIENDS $20 per person in advance • $25 at the door

Story, Image, Poem & Song

Thursday,August 20 LECTURE HALL • 6

P.M.

Through August 14 ArtWorks Summer Classes. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts, 215 E. Tyler Street. 903.753.8103. lmfa.org.

215 E. Tyler St. • Longview, TX 903.753.8103 • LMFA.org

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 23

STAGE

Menopause the Musical Takes the Stage in Texarkana

by the composer-lyricist team but subsequently got “lost” after their hit “My Fair Lady” appeared on stage and in film. Only recently has a new production been mounted and is currently running on Broadway. According to theatre director Marcia Thomas, “We were extremely lucky to get permission to do this show when we did. I had no idea it would be playing on Broadway. Normally the company that maintains the rights to these shows will not allow groups to do the same show that is playing Broadway.” The role of Gigi is played by Hannah Howard and Gaston is portrayed by Zach Phillips. The role of Mamacita is played by Penny Mann and Alicia is played by Penny Tackett. There are several smaller roles played by theatre regulars Kayleigh Seavey, Wessley Carter, Sara Davis, Mike Davis, Jonathan Elms, and newcomer Carmen Bradley.

Perot Theater in Texarkana hosts “Menopause the Musical” at 7:30 p.m. July 30. Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra and memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more. This joyful musical parody features classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Tickets start at $35 and guests can use code HOTFLASH to save 20 percent on tickets. For show reservations, call Perot Theatre Box Office at 903.792.4992.

Edom Civic Theatre Presents “Just Desserts”

The Edom Civic Theatre continues its 19th season with “Just Desserts” July 1011 at the Edom Community Center off Highway 279 in downtown Edom. In this audience-interactive mystery play, Judge Cogsworth has grudgingly agreed to judge a charity bakeoff even though he hates sweets. Countless entries have been whittled down to three – a raspberry tart by Lucy “Scooter” Bright, a nail salon owner; a Depressionera recipe baked by Edna Mae Carter, the local librarian; and a rich chocolate torte created by Margaret Mason, a local society lady. When there is a murder in the middle of the judging, it’s up to Miss Peabody, head of the contest, and the audience to determine the murderer. There will be clues and a chance to question the three suspects.

The cast includes Lee Shults, Lloyd Smith, Jennifer Wood, Glenda Penn and Mary Reynolds. Desserts will be available at intermission benefiting the Edom Civic Theatre scholarship fund. “Just Desserts” is directed by Mary Ann Garrett. Tickets are $12 for non-subscribers, $10 for seniors and students. All seats are reserved. For reservations, contact Lee Shults at leeshults@aol.com or 903.352.3158.

“Gigi” Set For July 2-4 at Jefferson Opera House

Jefferson’s Opera House Theatre Players presents the musical-comedy “Gigi” July 2-4 in the city’s Transportation/ Tourist Building. The musical is based on a novel by the French writer Collette and is set in 1890s Paris. With music by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, the show is one of the most beautiful ever mounted

24 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

For more information, contact Thomas at 903.665.2310.

‘Hello, Dolly!’ In Greenville During Holiday Weekend

On the July Fourth weekend, Greenville Family Theater presents the enduring musical, “Hello, Dolly!” The performances take place July 2-5 at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium. “Hello, Dolly!” is produced and performed by a talented and passionate team that’s been committed to community theater for years. The team has been involved with many local productions, including “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie,” live radio drama and one-actplays. Greenville Family Theater is a community theater program committed to providing an educational experience for local youth and artistically giving back to our community. The theater presents quality dramatic performances with stories of hope and humanity that inspire, uplift, and entertain. Tickets for this event are $7-10. For more information, contact the GMA at 903.457.2994 or visit www.ShowtimeAtTheGMA.com.

STAGE EVENTS Through July 26

Texas Shakespeare Festival. Kilgore. Celebrating its 30th season the festival presents plays and other events almost daily including Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Nerd, Twelfth Night, Man of La Mancha, The Belle of Amherst, and The Princess and the Players. Other events include The Shakespeare Garden, Chinese Theatre Night, tours of the festival center, talent showcase, backstage tours, and discussion panels. Van Cliburn Auditorium, 1611 S. Henderson Blvd. 903.983.8601. texasshakespeare.com.

August 13-16

West Side Story. Rockwall. Performances transport audiences to the vibrant battleground of the 1950’s New York City west side. Written by Arthur Laurents and inspired by Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the story follows the doomed trajectory of love for Tony and Maria, as their rival gangs, the Jets and Sharks, clash over territory and power. $17.95-$19.95. RHS Performing Arts Center at Utley, 1201 T L Townsend Dr. 972-.771.3700. rockwallsummermusicals.org.

July 6-17

Children’s Theatre Classes. Wills Point . Children ages 5 to 18 are invited to take classes in acting, dance and theatre performance. On the last day friends and family are invited to a performance. $120-$130. The Talent Box Theatre, 244 North 4th Street. 903.873.8945.

July 30-August 2

Into The Woods. Longview. $10-$12. ArtsView Children’s Theatre, 313 W. Tyler St. 903.236.7535. artsviewchildrenstheatre.com

August 14-15

Fun with the Music Man. Longview. $5. ArtsView Children’s Theatre, 313 W. Tyler St. 903.236.7535. artsviewchildrenstheatre.com

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 JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 25

FILM

Three Uncertain Men on Beautiful Caddo Lake

By P.A. Geddie Uncertain is an independent film for which directors, Anna Sandilands and Ewan McNicol just won the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director at the Tribeca Film Festival. And Newsweek named it one of the best documentaries of 2015 (so far). The southern gothic tale — an observational documentary — is set in Uncertain, Texas, with the backdrop of Caddo Lake. It follows the stories of three men — Henry, Wayne, and Zach — battling their own demons in search of forgiveness and redemption as the town struggles to save their lake, and livelihood, from an invasive aquatic weed. McNicol and Sandilands said they were first intrigued by the town’s name and set out to find out more about it. “When we arrived we were immediately taken with the feeling of the small, oneroad town, and the hub of activity at Johnson’s Ranch, the town’s boat launch, general store, and bait shop. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone, in some way, is relying on the land. And the lake was breathtaking, almost primeval with its moss-laden giant cypress. We spent our

first days there feeling as though we’d gone back in time.

But we didn’t know where their stories would take us.”

“We met Henry within our first hours of arriving, and he took us out on the lake in his boat. It’s fair to say we fell in love with him. A straightforward and honest man who seems to belong to another time. And very we quickly we came to find out he’s not without a mischievous side.

They filmed just over a year and a half and said they tried to do justice to the stories of these three men and to the beauty and mythical quality of the lake.

“We met Wayne the next day and he took us out to the middle of the woods to show us his hunting stand. When we asked him why he hunts with a powder rifle he told us he was a convicted felon. Both our hearts skipped a beat. Then he told us why. We were so touched by his honesty. Why would he tell this to two perfect strangers, with a camera? “When we met Zach we felt we’d met the town jester — the one who tells it as it is. So bright an affable, with the world in front of him, but almost too gentle to get himself unstuck. “These men couldn’t be more different from each other. But they are each honest, candid, and very funny. And it seemed clear that each of their lives was in some kind of limbo. “We knew we had met three amazing men, great characters with great stories.

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It appears they did accomplish that, but a more appropriate title to the film might be, “Three Uncertain Men on Beautiful Caddo Lake.” From the trailer and initial reviews, the film does not give a good depiction of the entire community of the town — one full of a diverse group of interesting, cultivated, and hard-working people that both live and visit there on a regular basis. The larger community of Uncertain may do well to take a cue from another Northeast Texas town depicted in the movie Paris, Texas, which premiered in 1984. Although it is not a documentary, the film does use the town’s name and the story has very little to do with the real town. In the long run, it’s done an enormous amount of good versus harm in the way of publicity for the real Paris, Texas. Uncertain is playing at film festivals around the world at this time and not in local theaters “just yet” the producers say. Look for it on DVD for sure in the coming months.

Spirit Riders Features Local Scenes, People, and Horses

Spirit Riders was partly filmed in Mount Vernon and Winnsboro and viewers may catch a glimpse of the Franklin County courthouse, horses from Oasis Farms, as well as a few local faces. Pictured here are Lance Henriksen (Aliens, The Terminator, Millennium) who plays Rex the owner of a ranch where rebellious teenager Kacie, played by Allie

Deberry (Mission Air). Spirit Riders is the name of the ranch, an equine therapy camp for disabled and physically challenged youths and Kacie finds herself out of her element and having to adjust to the rules. She finds a kindred spirit in Blaze, a retired racehorse having difficulty adjusting to his new domesticated life. The movie is now out on DVD.

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. 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 cre-

ativity, 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. JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 27

LITERARY

Confessions of a Comma Queen profit organization of public libraries in Smith County. TAP is a coalition of nonprofit community partners advocating, promoting, and supporting literacy among children and adults in the city of Tyler and surrounding communities.

Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen by Mary Norris Norton, $24.95 Review by Edward H. Garcia

Co-chairs for the 2015 ETXBF are Dr. Dee Brock, Ph.D., a retired PBS Vice President of Education, and Dr. Kouder Mokhtari, Ph.D., Anderson-VukeljaWright Endowed Professor of Literacy Education, University of Texas at Tyler.

Between You & Me is part memoir, part insider story about the production of The New Yorker magazine, and part geeky examination of, of all things, punctuation. Each part is delightful and instructive, even the chapters on apostrophes and hyphens. Mary Norris began her career at The New Yorker working in the library and eventually became a copy editor — “a page OKer” in an elaborate system with multiple layers of proofreading and fact checking. For fans of the magazine, Norris offers a rare look at the inner workings of what many think is the most carefully edited magazine around. We are used to hearing about the stars of The New Yorker--Thurber, Ross, E. B. White, Liebling and Mitchell, but not the people who have to get the magazine out week after week. As a copy editor, Norris is fascinated with the details of language usage — grammar, punctuation, and spelling — which are her business. If that sounds dull or daunting (or dull and daunting), not to worry. Norris has a way of making even hyphens funny and interesting. Of course it helps if you have a strong opinion about “cooperate” vs. “co-operate.” She also has a chapter on the apostrophe, one on commas and another on the pencil which might send a reader to Amazon to pick up a Blackwing pencil and to Logan, Ohio, to visit the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum. Between You & Me devotes a fair amount of attention to what The New Yorker does about matters of grammar and punctuation, but her attitude toward correctness is surprisingly and refreshingly relaxed. As she says, “The dictionary is a wonderful thing, but you can’t let it push you around.”

“SALT and TAP are both really excited by the way this event is shaping up, and we urge the community members to mark their calendars now for August 21-22,” Mokhtari said.

She devotes a chapter to profanity, with a liberal sprinkling of George Carlin’s seven words you can’t say on TV or radio and their cousins. She doesn’t think censorship works, but rejects the overuse of four-letter words:”If we are going to use them, let’s use them right. Profanity ought to be fun.” Between You & Me is the perfect book for word nerds and fans of The New Yorker and anyone who has ever wondered why the British spell “color,” “colour” and we don’t (see page 25).

NEWS East Texas Book Fest Returns To Tyler The seventh annual East Texas Book Fest (ETXBF) takes place August 2122 at the Harvey Convention Center at 2000 West Front Street in Tyler. This celebration of libraries and literacy fills the hall with celebrated authors, scholars, musicians, actors and readers of all ages. The Smith County Area Libraries Together (SALT) and the Tyler Area Partners for Literacy (TAP) are partnering to host two full days of exciting and fun events. SALT is a 501 (c)(3) non-

28 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

Day 1 requires a $40 registration fee for attendance at seminars and workshops. There are two tracks: Track 1 presents well-known literacy scholars and professionals who demonstrate best practices in teaching reading and writing and the use of those skills. Track 2 focuses on the craft of writing and publishing books. Outstanding authors, agents, and publishers lead seminars and workshops on these topics. Continuing education credit is available for many of these workshops and seminars. Attendees who register in advance for Day 1 receive a free lunch. Day 2 is free to the public. Texas authors exhibit, sell and autograph books while chatting with attendees. Breakout sessions provide opportunities to learn more about selected authors, agents, publishers and literacy projects. Rounding out the celebration, musicians, videos, costumed actors, games and storytellers entertain participants throughout Day 2. Brock added, “We’ll be announcing more information in the following weeks as authors, scholars, other artists and entertainers sign up to take part.” One confirmed presenter is Bruce Foster, an award-winning paper engineer, who entertains and challenges partici-



 POETRY Taking Stock

Underwater

Speeding down the highway to get from A to B, Not caring, nor knowing all the things you didn’t see.

I close my eyes and dive down low, Bubbles dancing to and fro. The crystal water closes in, I feel my face break into a grin.

To trade the frenzied freeways for the path less taken, May seem folly and misguided, but better to be stirred than shaken.

I kick my legs and start to glide, My hands acting as a guide. They brush against the side, and I push away from a collide.

Missing the springtime flowers courting butterflies and honey bees, The deer and other denizens milling ‘neath the red oak trees.

My feet touch against the rough floor wrinkled like the old man who lives next door. I am as free as a bird, I feel the water around me, stirred.

The greenery of spring and awesome colors in the fall, How sad to be unaware; to waste and miss its call. Sometimes it’s better to slow down and take stock; To idly drift in dreamscapes of needed, peaceful thought. Perhaps we’d be happier if we weren’t always on the clock. Just pull over for a while; might not be for naught.

I put my feet down on the ground, I feel the water circle around. I lift my head up above my little world that I love.

Taking the winding back roads might not be a waste. In rhythm with nature, you might find your place. Steve McFarland Wills Point

Rachel Humphrey Age 13, Tyler

pants in the art of pop-ups. Foster has paper engineered more than 40 books in all genres, including his work with director Kevin Lima for the Disney film, Enchanted. Foster presents three times during the fest. Friday and Saturday he presents a two-hour interactive seminar, “A PopUp Workshop in Three Courses.” Also on Saturday he will make a 45-minute presentation, free to attendees, “The Magic and Math of Paper Engineering.” For additional information visit the event website at www.etxbookfest.org.

Tyler Public Library Announces Projects The Tyler Public Library features Toddler Time for children up to the age of three and their families every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Families enjoy songs, finger plays, and stories. The event is free. The Tyler Public Library’s Adult Summer Reading Program presents a series of books, movies and lectures about overcoming obstacles in life.

The program runs through July 31. A library card is required to participate. New this year is the ability for patrons to track reading progress online through the library’s partnership with ReadSquared. Participants can log materials read and earn points towards prizes. Bonus points are earned by participating in library events, reading from special reading lists and visiting summer reading club sponsors. Participants who submit book reviews also get entered into the grand prize drawing held in August. For more information about this event or any library programs, visit the library at 201 South College Avenue or call 903.593.7323. The library website is www.TylerLibrary.com.

Writers Meet Monthly for Support and Reviews

Marlow Releases 50th Book, Hot Texas Morning

Northeast Texas Writers Organization meetings take place the second Thursday of each month and are open to writers in all genre and abilities for support and encouragement. Published and non-published authors are welcome. Locations vary so call 903.738.1474 and visit netwo.org for more information.

Local author Herb Marlow just released his 50th book, “Hot Texas Morning.” The book contains Western short stories (six of them) and was published by Sarah Book Publishing. It’s available in ebook and print formats at www.sarahbookpublishing.com, www.amazon. com, and www.barnesandnoble.com.

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 29

MUSIC

Glenn Miller Orchestra, Summer Musical In Mineola

should submit a DVD or link of their performance to be considered. Please limit submissions to three songs that may feature any genre of music, one of which must be an original song.

The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra comes to Mineola for one show only July 1. Tickets are $20 each and available at the Lake Country Playhouse and Historic Select Theater box office at 114 North Johnson Street in Mineola.

A panel of judges reviews the submissions to narrow the competition. Artists are judged on performance, stage presence, dead air, visual, audience reaction, vocal quality and overall musicianship.

Also in July and early August, the Lake Country Playhouse presents its summer musical, “The Fantasticks,” directed by Bob Hibbard.

On the night of the show, each artist has 30 minutes to set up, play and get off the stage. Timing is important and is considered in judging. Artists are encouraged to get their fans to attend as showing a following will also be considered in judging.

Performance dates are July 24-26 and July 31-August 2. For show times or to purchase tickets, call the box office at 903.569.2300.

Tyler’s Liberty Hall Hosts Battle Of The Bands Event

The artists selected to move forward are posted on Liberty Hall’s Facebook page and voted on by the public. The field is then narrowed down to five bands that compete at the event.

Liberty Hall is accepting entries for the battle of the bands event, “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” set for 8 p.m. on August 1. Bands from the East Texas area who are interested in performing in this show

“Each entrant will receive a profession-

ally recorded video of their performance at Liberty Hall to use to market their music for future bookings,” Liberty Hall Manager Anne Payne said. “I am contacted by many musicians that want to play at Liberty, but we cannot feature them all. This event opens up the doors to new artists in our area and gives them that opportunity.” Bands can mail their DVD submissions to Liberty Hall at 110 W. Erwin St., Tyler, TX 75702 or email a link to apayne@tylertexas.com with the subject line Rock, Paper, Scissors. For further questions, call Payne at 903.595.7274.

Farris in Concert At Pines Theater

The Pines Theater at 113 South First Street in Lufkin presents Mike Farris in concert on August 13 at 7 p.m. Farris has toured as lead singer for the southern rock band Screaming Cheetah Wheelies and, following the demise of blues and rock legend Stevie Ray

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Vaughn, as the lead singer for the incomparable blues band Double Trouble. In his solo career, Farris won the prestigious Americana Music Award for Best New and Emerging Artist and a Dove Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album of the Year. Tickets to this show are $35 for the floor level and $30 for the balcony. Tickets are available online at cityoflufkin. com/pines/events_2015.htm.

Perryman Honored At Tyler Senior Center

The Tyler Senior Center recently hosted a reception at the Rose Garden in honor of legendary DJ Tom Perryman. Tyler Mayor Martin Heines read the official proclamation for “Tom Perryman Day.” With a career spanning more than 70 years, Perryman has been a fixture in Country Western radio in the East Texas area. A natural on the airwaves, he was responsible for helping bring stars like Elvis Presley, Ray Price, Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash to this area. “Mr. Perryman is always so kind to announce our bands and entertainers for our Friday Night Dances or any other Park and Recreation events that are happening in Tyler,” said Kay Odom, supervisor at the Tyler Senior Center. “His involvement and love for this community deserves to be recognized and honored. Odom added, “He does so much for our seniors in Tyler and surrounding areas. He’s a great man with so many lifetime achievements.”

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.

Monday-Saturday

Live Music. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-BQ, 525 s. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

Continued on page 32

Musgraves Releases New CD By Tom Geddie Kacey Musgraves’ new CD, Pageant Material, should be, perhaps, named for the full lyric itself in the title song: “(I’m not) Pageant Material.” While there’s no doubt that, if she put her mind to it, she could do well in the sorts of show-off pageants she writes and sings about in this song, that’s definitely not where her mind is.

Nashville on the whole CD, to my ears, is the whistling on the opening, otherwise fine “High Time,” where she sings that she’s been too low so it’s high time that she catches up with her old self. Can we separate the song from the writer, the fiction from the fact? Maybe. Maybe the songs are a bit of each because writers — even co-writers — draw from what they know.

It’s a fun, playful song, a proud sort of self-deprecation where the Mineolaraised Musgraves acknowledges that she sometimes puts her foot in her mouth and that she can’t fake who she is. If there’s any doubt, in this packaged world of corporate country, about whose CD this is, know that Musgraves produced it with frequent co-write collaborators Luke Laird and Shane McAnally.

“(I’m just a) Dime Store Cowgirl” who “got too big for my britches,” she sings, but she still loves her hometown.

“Pageant Material” is not necessarily the best song on the mature album, which is a mix of serious and humorous songs coming from that really nice voice that can combine hope and ache in the same line. There are enough clever lines here to please any country audience; the lines also fit with the often — but not always — familiar themes of the songs.

The philosophical “Biscuits” reminds us to mind our own biscuits and life will be gravy.

The only “sour note” on the excellent, 13-song country offering from Mercury

“This Town,” which opens with gossiping voices, is big enough for a ZIP code. It has a good Mexican restaurant, a beauty shop or two, Methodists and Baptists and the Church of the Nazarene, and it’s “too small to be mean, way too small for secrets because they’re too small to keep.”

On “Somebody to Love,” Musgraves sings that we are all “just tryin’ to hold it all together, wishin’ our best was better.” Pageant Material is filled with good, well performed and played songs that ought to produce more well deserved hits for Kacey Musgraves.

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 31

MUSIC

MUSIC EVENTS continued from page 31

Every Wednesday-Saturday Live Music. Ben Wheeler. The Forge Bar & Grill, 1610 FM 279. 903.833.5970. theforgebenwheeler.com.

July 3

Thieving Birds. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

July 10

Choctaw Wildfire. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

for Texas Sounds awards during two fourday weekends (Thursday - Sunday). 30 acts (bands, duos, and solo artists) from 15 nations. Diamond Don Event Center, 1602 Hwy 49 East. 925.497.3915. TexasSounds.org.

July 31

Mike & the Moonpies. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

Chance Anderson. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

Paul Cauthen/Porter Davis. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

A Live One. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit BarB-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

Fridays After 5 - The Darby Warren Project. Kilgore. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and enjoy music under the stars. 8 p.m. World’s Richest Acre, 100 N. Main Street. 903.988.4117. kilgoremainstreet.com.

Pushwater. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

July 4 Vanilla Ice, Aaron Watson, Johnny Cooper. Gun Barrel City. City Park. 903.887.1087. www.gunbarrelcity.net.

Country Living Magazine features Miranda Lambert

July 11

Wesley Pruitt. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

July 17

Justin Dean. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Kopastetic Music. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

July 18

Gary Patrick. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com. Donny Edwards, Elvis Tribute Artist. Palestine. Proceeds benefit BARC, The Humane Society of Anderson County. Tickets: outhousetickets.com/Event/Event7000. $20.7 p.m. Palestine Civic Center, 1819 W. Spring Street. 903.729.8074. barctx.org.

Country Living’s choice for the first person ever featured on the cover of the magazine is Lindale native Miranda Lambert. The country superstar was featured on the cover of the June issue and also is the guest editor for the publication. The home and lifestyle magazine says it has never featured a person on its cover in its 36-year history. The issue explores how country music influences country style. Lambert also talks about her husband Blake Shelton’s green thumb; he plans to plant tomatoes and strawberries, and they plan to make jam.

Guy Forsyth. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell Bar, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

August 7 NightOwls. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-BQ, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com. Kris Gordon. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

August 8 Wesley Pruitt. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

August 14 Luke Wade. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-BQ, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com. Wood & Wire. Nacogdoches. The Liberty Bell Bar, 422 E. Main Street. 936.622.6425. libertybellbar.com.

July 24

August 15

Jesse Dayton. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit BarB-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

Beyond the Pale. Winnsboro. $10-$15. The Bowery Stage, Winnsboro Center for the Arts. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts.com.

Blair’s West. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

August 21

Fridays After 5 – Shinebox. Kilgore. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and enjoy music under the stars. 8 p.m. World’s Richest Acre, 100 N. Main Street. 903.988.4117. kilgoremainstreet.com.

July 25

Professor Porkchop and the Dishes. Winnsboro. $10-$15. The Bowery Stage, Winnsboro Center for the Arts. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts.com.

Telegraph Canyon. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

August 28 Graham Wilkinson. Tyler. Stanley’s Famous Pit Bar-B-Q, 525 S. Beckham Ave. 903.593.0311. stanleysfamous.com.

August 29

Gary P. Nunn. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store, 5135 Hwy 279. 903.833.5100. mooresstore.com.

Tribute Quartet and The Hootens Southern Gospel Concert. Athens. $15-$18. 6:30 p.m. Texas Gospel Music Hall, Hwy. 19 South Palestine. 903.477.8084. texas-gospelmusichall.com.

July 30-August 9

August 30

2015 Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards. Jefferson. Country music musicians from around the world compete

32 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

Miguel Antonio. Winnsboro. $10-$15. The Bowery Stage, Winnsboro Center for the Arts. 903.342.0686. winnsborocenterforthearts.com.

& DRINK FOOD Muddy Jakes Serves Up Good Food and Entertainment By Cindy Roller People strolling along the streets in the “celebration” dining district of downtown Sulphur Springs are often drawn to the hot spot on the corner of Main and Davis Streets known as Muddy Jake’s Sports Grille & Pub. This once abandoned historic building found new life in a renovated downtown back in 2009. A year later the addition of karaoke on Friday nights spurred another kind of crowd at the sports bar which inspired an outdoor addition in 2013 to the north rightfully deemed, “The Backyard” and live music. On its five year anniversary Scott Keys , president and co-managing partner of Muddy Jake’s, announced the Sulphur Springs location was so successful they were able to expand to another location in Denton which opened earlier this year. The concept of Muddy Jakes began

long after the name was a permanent fixture in Keys life, he said.

sive challenge to get the idea off the ground,” Keys said.

“The name Muddy Jake’s was actually around several years before the concept of the restaurant and pub. Muddy and Jake were two chocolate labs owned by me. Just putting those names together got me thinking it would be a cool name for a sports bar,” Keys said.

The Sulphur Springs location opened on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. They’ve added fun entertainment and then came karaoke.

He pitched the idea of putting in a sports bar in a building purchased downtown Sulphur Springs — previously owned by his family in the 1950s and 1960 — to his partner Kristi Hayes. In 2008 they both wanted to be involved in the fun of the upcoming downtown renovation of “Celebration City” while doing something outside of their work at Echo Publishing Company. “Seeing how neither one of us had any kind of clue what we were doing (in the restaurant business), it was a mas-

34 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

“The funny thing is I was completely against karaoke,” Keys said. “I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. But Kristi was for it and our first manager was for it, so I gave in. And they were right,” admitted Keys. “Karaoke paved the way for our weekend entertainment package, live music, comedy, etc. It also helped solidify Muddy Jake’s as the place to be on the weekends in Sulphur Springs. To me, a small venue like Muddy Jake’s lets you get more involved with the artist when they are performing an acoustic set. We will have comedy and we will have dueling pianos on occasion, and I think

both will be big hits. And, of course, I’m a believer in karaoke now.” “Karaoke nights are our biggest nights,” added the restaurant’s manager Lonnie Fox who also owns the karaoke entertainment, Good Vibrations Karaoke & Sound. “I love all our customers but if I had to choose one it would be karaoke regular Lonnie Massey, aka Johnny Cash. It just doesn’t get much better than eating spicy wings, drinking a cold one and hearing ‘Ring of Fire’ echoing under the glow of the neon and party lights. When the weather is nice and timing is right the outdoor live music performances in “The Backyard” are very successful in fact a recent Battle of the Bands packed the street spanning from one end of block to the other with fans. Picnic table dining and customers tossing washers make for a great way to spend an East Texas evening. Muddy Jakes menu includes fajita nachos, shaved ribeye sandwiches, buffalo wings, queso, margarita chicken, burgers and fries, salads, wraps, chicken fried steak, and much more. On the pub side they have a wide variety of beers in bottle and on tap, some wines, and a full liquor bar. To see the entire menu and learn more visit muddyjakes.com and call 903.885.6833. LEFT: Muddy Jakes has a popular “backyard” for every day crowds and special events like the recent Battle of the Bands. ABOVE: Adrian Caballero enjoys being part of the entertainment during a dueling pianos show. BOTTOM: Muddy Jakes often has entertainment like John Fox and Mansion Family acoustic show. Photos by Cindy Roller

east F T E X A S

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

903-567-6551

www.dairypalace.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 35

FOOD & DRINK

Tastefully Done by Chef Lyndsay Caldwell Mini Blueberry Pies Makes 4 servings 1 pkg. refrigerated pie crusts 1 egg white, lightly beaten 1 ¾ cups fresh blueberries, divided 1/3 cup sugar 2 tsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur or orange juice 1 Tbsp. orange zest Pinch of salt 4 Tbsp. whipped cream

Fresh Blueberries Make Delicious Mini Pies The best time of year for berries is here. If you are like me, this is a highly anticipated time of the year. I love to forage wild blackberries, blueberries, dewberries and anything else I can find growing along a fence line this time of year. With all the rain, the ripening of many of these berries was delayed but just a little bit of sunshine goes a long way in ripening them up. These blueberry pies can easily be shared if you so choose but there’s no shame in eating one all by yourself.

This Quinoa Salad Makes a Delicious Summer Meal When you hear someone talking about Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) you may give them the puppy headturn confused look, or you may be wellversed in this special seed. Either way, this impressive food that acts and cooks like a grain, is packed with nutritional value and protein so it’s sure to fill you up and loosen your jeans. Most importantly, it cooks easily and quickly. Quinoa comes in three types: white, red, and black. They are all nutritionally compatible but yield slightly different flavors. The black quinoa has an

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly coat 4 muffin cups with nonstick spray. Cut 4, six-inch circles from the pie crusts and transfer to muffin cups. Fold the edges over and pinch or crimp as desired. Pierce the bottoms and sides of each crust with a fork. Lightly brush egg whites on each crust and bake until golden brown, 13-15 minutes. For the filling combine 1 cup of blueberries, sugar, corn starch, liqueur, orange zest, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer for 2-4 minutes until mixture thickens. Stir as necessary. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir remaining blueberries into the cooked mixture. Divide filling among the baked pie shells and top with whipped cream if desired.

Broccoli Fritters

Makes 8-10 fritters 3 cups chopped fresh broccoli 1 large egg 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese 2 small cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 tsp Kosher salt 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (opt) 2 tbsp of olive oil for frying Dipping Sauce: 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt Juice from 1/2 lemon 1 tsp of minced garlic Kosher salt, to taste Chop broccoli florets into 1-inch chunks, peel stems, and slice into ½-inch lengths. Steam broccoli pieces until tender but not mushy. Lightly beat egg in a large bowl. Add flour, cheese, garlic, salt, and crushed red pepper. Add in slightly cooled broccoli and mash using a potato masher until just blended. Gently mix all ingredients in bowl with a spoon. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large heavy bottom pan over medium high heat. Spoon 2 tbsp of mixture per fritter into pan and gently press down to slightly flatten the fritter. Cook 2-4 minutes per side, until fritters are golden brown. Do this in batches; use remaining oil as you go.

earthier, nuttier flavor but they all will take on the flavor profile of whatever you choose to pair with them. Since we grow the best grapefruits in Texas, a quinoa and Texas grapefruit combination made for a perfect match in this salad.

¼ cup hazelnuts, toasted 2 or 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste

Mint Citrus Quinoa Salad

Stir in quinoa, cover, and lower the heat to simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.

4 cups water ½ tsp. salt 1 cup quinoa ¼ c. fresh mint, chopped ½ grapefruit, peeled and sectioned 2 cups spinach, stems removed 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. honey 1 tsp. serrano pepper, minced

Put quinoa into a medium-size mixing bowl, and cool.

Makes 4-6 servings

36 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

In a small saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil.

In a small bowl, combine mint, grapefruit, spinach, lemon juice, honey, serrano, hazelnuts, and oil together. Mix well. Stir in quinoa and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Best Steakhouse

County Line Magazine Hall of Fame

Use Farm Fresh for the Best Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs — they are a staple at potluck dinners and adorn many southern, holiday tables. According to The History Channel, they are traced back to the fourth and fifth century A.D. “Deviling” was a term that referenced making food spicy. Eventually after centuries of traveling around the world, the deviled egg became the creamy, paprika-laden morsels we know today. There’s even a special dish made solely for their transport. I suggest using farm fresh eggs for any deviled egg recipe. Not only are the yolks brighter and more flavorful, they peel easier, and usually have yolks that are more centered making your platter even more beautiful. If you really want to throw your consumers off, use quail eggs. They’re adorable and flavorful. Just reduce your cook time to 3 minutes. For the most part, an egg is a blank canvas used to host a variety of ingredients. But in the spirit of history, I’m giving you a couple of options to spice up your deviled eggs.

Horseradish Deviled Eggs 12 eggs 5 tbsp mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. fresh horseradish ½ tsp. paprika ½ tsp. cumin ½ tsp. Worcestershire ½ tsp. lemon Salt and pepper to taste Garnish: fresh dill

Texas Deviled Eggs 12 eggs 4 Tbsp mayonnaise 1 Tbsp brown mustard 3 dashes of hot sauce, such as Tabasco 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice (about ½ a lime) ½ tsp chili powder (plus some for garnish) ¼ tsp cumin 2 tsp. Fresh cilantro Salt and pepper to taste Garnish: Fresh jalapenos INSTRUCTIONS Hard-boil the eggs. Place one layer of eggs in medium sauce pan and cover the eggs with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and cover for 8-10 minutes. Cool, peel, and halve them; carefully remove the yolks. Reserve the whites. Combine the egg yolks, and all other ingredients (except the whites) in a medium, nonreactive bowl. Season well with salt and pepper, then mix well until the yolks are broken up and the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Evenly pipe or spoon the yolk mixture into the reserved egg white halves.

Lyndsay Caldwell is the food editor for County Line Magazine publications including the monthly Feast Texas eNewsletter. To sign up to receive the monthly eNews to your browser and type in http://bit.ly/1FMW4qx

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www.fourwindssteakhouse.com JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 37

La Madeleine Franchise Set To Open in Tyler

MORE FOOD & FUN!

The country French cafe that began on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas and grew to more than 70 locations has plans to add another at the corner of Old Bullard Road and Loop 323 in Tyler. Construction of a shopping center is underway with plans for the restaurant to open by early 2016.

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

countylinemagazine.com/ Food-Drink

Two Summer Cooking Classes Offered In Tyler

Tyler Parks and Recreation offers two upcoming cooking classes at Harvey Convention Center. The July 14 class is “Southern BBQ” taught by Chef Dion Emanuel of Willowbrook Country Club. The August 11 class is “End of Summer Bash” taught by Chef Jack Lewis of Jack’s Catering and Chef Danny Cace of Reinhardt Foods. Both classes take place from 6-8 p.m. in Hall 3 of the convention center, located at 200 West Front Street. These classes are open to adults ages 18 and older. The cost of each class is $15

and space is limited. Registration forms are available online at http://parksandrec.cityoftyler.org/EventsPrograms. aspx. For more information, call Debbie Isham at 903.531.1214.

EVENTS Through July

Pick’n Edom. Pick your own blueberries and blackberries and enjoy the country store with blueberry lemonade, jams, salsas, a bakery and more. The event brings in more than 5,000 visitors each season from

FIND FRESH

Fruits and Veggies at Your LOCAL Farmers Market HealthyEastTX.org Made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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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.

July 25

Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vinyard 3rd Annual Grape Stomp. Palestine. Activities include grape stomp and footprint t-shirt, an “I Love Lucy” grape stomp look-a-like contest, and food by Chef Simon Webster. Bring a blanket/lawn chair. Rain or shine. No pets. Children must be supervised. Times may vary. Sabor a Pasion Estate & Vineyard, 110 ACR 406. 903.729.9500. saborapasion.com.

August 28

Moonlight Special Dinner Train. Palestine. The special dinner train departs the Palestine Depot at 6:30 p.m. for an enjoyable ride through beautiful East Texas countryside to Maydelle and back on the night of a full moon. Passengers enjoy a delicious meal prepared and served by Contemporary Catering of Palestine. Beer and wine are available for purchase by the glass. Nonalcoholic beverages are also served for the meal. Reservations must be booked by 5 p.m. Wednesday August 26. Texas State Railroad-Palestine Depot, US HWY 84 E, Park Road 70. 903.683.3451. texasstaterr.com.

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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 JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 39

EXPLORE

Admiring the Birds in Northeast Texas

By P.A. Geddie Pretty much any park or natural environment in the Upper East Side of Texas is going to give bird lovers a great show. To the delight of many that live here, their own backyards provide endless hours of entertainment by their fearless flying friends. For visitors and those that like to venture out beyond their own environment, exploring the parks, lakes and nature trails in the region is a favorite pastime. Here are a few suggestions for spotting beautiful birds in the area. Lake Bob Sandlin, Barefoot Bay Marina & Resort in Pittsburg, and Titus, Camp, Morris, and Franklin counties. A group of professional birders recently recorded more than 52 bird species at the Barefoot Bay Marina’s nature trail alone in just two hours. From there they went on

to locations around Lake Bob Sandlin and Camp, Morris, Franklin, and Titus counties and found a total of 95 species during their tour. Contact the PittsburgCamp County Chamber of Commerce for helpful information at 903.856.3442. Angelina National Forest/Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Key birds in the area include the wood duck, woodpeckers, nuthatch and Bachman’s sparrow seen yearround. Look for scissor-tailed flycatcher, warblers, indigo and painted buntings in the summer. 936.897.1068. Caddo Lake/Caddo Lake State Park and Wildlife Management Area. Summer finds include roadrunners, wild turkey, indigo and painted buntings, purple gallinule, king rail, and Mississippi Kite. 903.679.3351. Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens. The center holds bird and nature watching outings the second Satur-

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day of each month. Explore interpretive wetland trail and other areas of hatchery. These outings are good 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. 903-676-2277. Mineola Nature Preserve. Lots of trails and close to 200 species of birds to see and hear. 903.569.6983. Other areas worth checking out are Camp Tyler, Lake O’ the Pines, WrightPatman Lake, Lake Fork, Daingerfield State Park, Lake Murvaul, and Martin Creek Lake. The Tyler Audubon Society holds regular field trips and invites the public to come along. They are also a good resource for helping to find the best birdwatching areas. 903.839.8359. www.tyleraudubon.org.

VISIT

Rains County ...THE LURE BETWEEN THE LAKES

FARMERS CITY OF ARP

MARKET

photos courtesy of the Rains County Leader

Classics ‘Round the Square car show – Sat., Sept. 12 for more info, visit Classics Round The Square on Facebook or call 903-243-3926

Rains County Fair – Tues.-Sat., Sept. 15-19

Junior Livestock Show and Sale • Mutton Bustin’ Contest • Pageants • Chili Cook-Off Creative Arts and Commercial Exhibits • Carnival Rides • Gospel Singing Night for more info, visit rains.agrilife.org or call 903-473-4580

Sealy’s Big Bass Splash – Fri.-Mon., Sept. 18-21 for more info, visit sealyoutdoor.com

Local Lodging Axton’s Bass City 903-473-7224 axtonsbasscity.com Bent Tree 903-473-0061 Best Western 903-473-2022 bestwesterntexas.com/emoryhotels

Bryant’s Fishing Camp 903-473-3018

Collins Landing 903-456-1844 Highland Lake Lodge 903-473-7268 highlandlakelodge.com Lake Fork Sportsman’s 903-473-3367

Lake Fork Ranch Resort 800-317-6445 lakeforkranchresort.com

April — October

Lakeview Lodge 903-473-7224

New Vendors Welcome. No booth fees.

North Shore Landing 903-473-4087 lakeforkrvandstorage.com

903.859.6131

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

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

Original Handmade Stoneware 903.852.6473 www.pottersbrown.com

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 41

LIVING ROOM

Enjoy Summer Entertaining with These Handy Tips By Debbie Stubbs Summer is here. Let the fun begin! Enjoy your next soiree by making a few preparations ahead of time. Invited guests can help themselves to drinks without the hassle of waiting in line. One of my favorite tricks is to fill pint size mason jars with the beverage of your choice and have them waiting for guests as they arrive. All you have to do is pour, secure the lid, and place the jars on ice in a creative container. Secret hint: galvanized washtubs are fun and super convenient. During your summer soiree, help your guests keep up with their mason jar by placing chalkboard stickers on each jar. You can also provide fun colored chalk so guests can personalize their jar. This is a cute addition, plus you will not have

as many jars to clean up later. Another party tip to prevent watered down drinks is to make ice cubs from the same beverage. We also love to freeze lemon, lavender, or raspberries in the ice cubes to make a refreshing addition to ice tea or lemonade. Be green this summer and replace paper napkins with fabric kitchen towels. They are washable and good for many uses, not to mention you can find these in many great patterns and colors. Plan a playlist of background tunes to keep things going. Make sure it’s not so loud that your guests can’t hear each other -- you don’t want the conversations to stop. To add color to your entertainment area and help keep your guests comfortable throw out colorful pillows on

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the furniture and even on a deck floor or on blankets on the ground. A fun idea for identifying food on a table is to place craft or parchment paper as a runner on the buffet table with pen or painted labels next to each dish. You can even list out the ingredients if you have picky participants. One last trick to impress your guests with attention to details is to harvest flowers, foliage, and herbs from your garden to add color and interest to your décor. Rosemary and lavender may even detour unwanted guest such as mosquitoes. We hope these tips will help you relax and enjoy your guests this summer. Debbie Stubbs owns A Touch of Nature Floral & Gifts near Edom.

Be Smart When Hiring To Repair Water Damage Water in unwanted places can cause a lot of damage, and there was a lot of unwanted water in East Texas during May as severe thunderstorms caused power outages, flooded roads and tornadoes. It’s important not to treat water damage lightly; not only can it ruin furniture and other prized possessions, it is also the perfect breeding ground for mold, which, in severe cases, could lead to poor indoor air quality, asthma, even severe illness. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides some tips on dealing with water damage and advice on choosing a contractor. • Contact insurance company immediately. Inquire about policy coverage and specific filing requirements. This gets the ball rolling on the claim process. • Know the difference between flood insurance and homeowners insurance. Flood damage is typically caused by water that has been on the ground before damaging your home. Water damage occurs when water damages your home before the water comes in contact with the

ground (broken pipes, a leaky roof, etc.). These claims would be covered by homeowners insurance. • Do what you can to start mitigating further damage. If you’re worried about wet carpets or rugs, get fans and dehumidifiers going. Talk to an expert to see if the carpet/rugs or furnishings can be salvaged. • Document the damage to your property. Take pictures or video if possible. Before hiring a contractor:

• Never pay in full for all repairs in advance, and do not pay cash. • Don’t be pressured into making an immediate decision with a long-term impact. Although you may be anxious to get things back to normal, avoid letting your emotions get the better of you. Make temporary repairs if needed. Storm/flood damage victims should never feel pressured to make a hasty decision or choose an unknown company. Always do your research.

• Find out if the contractor is insured. Ask for copies of insurance certificates and make sure they’re current, or you could be held liable for any injuries and damages that occur during the project. The

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, please call the BBB Hotline: 903.581.8373.

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• Prepare a written contract agreement with anyone you hire. It should specify the work to be done, techniques to be used, and the price breakdown for both labor and materials. An agreed-upon timeline is also a good idea.

• Check work history and references. Ask for a list of references to determine if the contractor is familiar with your type of project. A contractor should be able to give you names and phone numbers of at least three clients with projects like yours. Ask each client how long ago the project was and whether it was completed on time.

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FEEL GOOD

Support and Nourish Your Skin this Summer

By Michelle Lintner Baring a make-up free face may sound frightening to some, but shouldn’t that be the overall skin care goal for all of us? It’s rather uncomfortable to wear make-up in the summer months, especially here in Texas. Wouldn’t it be nice not to worry about how your make-up is “wearing” throughout the day while you are desperately trying to stay sweat-free, hydrated and sun protected? After all, if we are being honest, our scorching temperatures typically begin in June and last all the way until late October. Let’s talk about the possibility of achieving beautiful, make-up free skin this summer during this stretch of time that seems to last forever.

Be mindful of hydration.

Your skin’s moisture content is imperative for glowing, radiant skin. Proper hydration, internally and topically will make all the difference. While drinking lots of WATER ensures moisture is being taken in, it also flushes out toxins that create a sallow complexion. Topical ingredients are also an important component to this equation. Look for products containing super hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, sodium PCA, and deuterium oxide. All these ingredients bind and trap moisture into the skin leaving it supple and plump. Hyaluronic acid alone holds 1000 times its own weight in water which is quite impressive! Don’t forget the delicate eye area when considering hydration because they are often the first to show our age.

Reduce breakouts.

Hotter months bring on sweating, lots of sweating. Keeping your skin clean and controlling bacteria on the surface is a must. Always cleanse your skin BEFORE and AFTER workouts, yard work, or any activity that induces sweating. Think about what your skin is doing when you sweat! In an effort to reduce your body temperature, your

pores open up to release toxins and other lipids. At the same time, your skin will then take in what is sitting on the surface of your skin. A simple, yet thorough cleanse prior to these activities, and also afterwards, will help prevent the opportunity for break outs to occur. Products containing ingredients with bacteria reducing properties like salicylic acid, totarol, and the heart of green tea will aid in keeping breaks out at bay.

Load up on peptides and antioxidants.

During sun exposure, free radicals attack the collagen and elastin in the skin breaking down the skin support matrix. Don’t neglect to use serums containing antioxidants and peptides to protect your skin from this degradation process. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent photo-aging (i.e. sun spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkling). Did you know that 90% of wrinkling is due to sun exposure??!! Peptides are amino acids that are linked together for a specific function based on that grouping. Peptides helpful in this situation are signaling peptides that when applied send a signal for your skin to produce collagen and elastin. This action thereby repairs damage and prevents damage of the skin’s matrix.

44 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

Products containing intelligent ingredients like L-Absorbic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 Complex, and Super Oxide Dismutase are amazing for free radical defense and strengthening.

Protect your skin. Sunscreen is the #1 line of defense in preventing premature aging. It is also important to avoid chemical sunscreens containing these chemicals: Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, and Avobenzone. Each of these chemicals have harmful effects on the skin and body varying from hormone function disruption, increased rates of cancer and free radical generating abilities. Instead choose a mineral-based (zinc) sunscreen that reflects UVA/UVB rays and truly protects your skin in a healthy manner. Today’s sunburn is tomorrow’s photo-damage!!! Use these tips to support and nourish your skin this summer. Make glowing, make-up free skin a reality when carefully considering these simple steps and putting sophisticated ingredients to work for you. Michelle Lintner is a master aesthetician with more than 13 years experience. She owns Aesthetic Glow Skin Studio in Canton and can be reached at 214.862.5664. Learn more at www.glowskinstudios.com.

Alzheimer’s Coalition Receives Funding

The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) awarded funding up to $20,000 to the Alzheimer’s Coalition of Henderson County (ACHC) to provide education and counseling for families and victims of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. The ACHC is a newly formed organization offering personal consultations with licensed professionals, education and referral services to residents of Henderson County affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The formation of the ACHC began last summer when the AAA hosted an Alzheimer’s Education Forum in Athens with experts from all over the state. This forum, led by Alzheimer’s advocate John Nash (president of the ACHC), included more than 100 participants from Henderson County and surrounding areas. After this day-long forum, and many meetings with concerned citizens, the Alzheimer’s Coalition of Henderson County was formed. In February, the Alzheimer’s Coalition of Henderson County was formally introduced to its community at a kickoff celebration. Along with its current services, the group plans to add respite services in the future, as well as servicing individuals outside of Henderson County. To find out more about ACHC, visit http://www.alzhendersoncotx.org/ or call 903.330.6306. For individuals in East Texas looking for other senior services, call the AAA at 800.442.8845 or 903.218.6500.

Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Scholarship Awarded

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award announced its first-ever high school scholarship winner recently at a luncheon held at Willow Brook Country Club. The $5,000 scholarship went to Schuyler Wages who is a graduating senior at Chapel Hill High School. Wages plans to attend LeTourneau University and major in Chemistry or Biochemistry. She is involved in many activities including Student Senate, National Honors

YAMAYOGA spa school retreat Massage. Aroma Touch. Reiki. Facials/Chemical Peels. Pedicures/Manicures. Natural Hormone Replacement/Medical Weight Loss. Boutique. Infrared Sauna. YOGA Daily Classes • Stretch • Beginner • Flow • Vinyasa & 200 HR Teacher Training 1023 S. Trades Day Blvd. (Hwy 19), Canton, TX 75103

WWW.YAMAYOGA.NET 903.567.0077 Society and National Technical Honor Society, Leaders of the Pack and she is on the varsity volleyball team. “It was always the intent of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award committee to give back to the community with a scholarship fund to help young athletes attend college,” Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler Vice President said. “We’re very honored to present the first scholarship to this talented young lady.” The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose High School Scholarship was established by SPORTyler Inc. in 2014. This scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from Smith County high schools that participated in varsity athletic programs. The intent of the Earl Campbell Scholarship is to encourage student athletes to succeed on and off the field. Recipients should exemplify the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell, the scholarship’s namesake: integrity, teamwork, sportsmanship, persistence and community involvement. The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year D1 Texas college.

AHA Research Grant Awarded To Professor Dr. Benjamin Tseng at the University of Tyler was awarded a $140,000 research grant from the American Heart Association to potentially revise stroke prevention guidelines by investigating risks in certain older adult populations, Dr. Michael Odell, vice president for research and technology transfer, recently announced. With the grant, Tseng plans to conduct a six-month randomized controlled trial consisting of an exercise and a control group in adults aged 55-75 years with clinically diagnosed paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, or AFib. UT Tyler health and kinesiology graduate students Colby Craddock and Kasra Debeshlim, both of Tyler, are assisting with the study. “The objective of this two-year clinical intervention study is to determine if moderate aerobic training reduces stroke risk by improving arterial stiffness, brain blood flow and decreasing cardiovascular burden in AFib patients,” said Tseng, an assistant professor who directs the UT Tyler Laboratory of Brain Aging and Neuromotor Behavior. “If effectiveness of our non-pharmacological approach is confirmed, we’ll apply this method on a large-scale clinical investigation and hopefully change the stroke prevention guidelines via AHA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,” he added. For more information about the study, contact Tseng at 903.566.7042 or btseng@uttyler.edu.

JULY/AUGUST 2015 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 45

Neighbors are There for Each Other in East Texas It was no surprise to East Texans that when tornadoes tore through parts of the region in May killing two, injuring many, and destroying homes and businesses, neighbors from near and far swarmed in to help. In fact, the outpouring of clothing, water, and food was such that those collecting for the victims had to put up signs after just a few days to say they didn’t need any more and much of the overflow was shared throughout the region. People were generous with financial donations as well in the days after the storms. Strangers handed checks directly to victims that lost their homes and organizations quickly set up fundraising efforts to assist. Cherokee and Rusk counties advise their financial needs are met at this point through state funding and do not need volunteers. In Van Zandt County, and in the city of Van in particular, the needs are still great in the way of financial assistance and for volunteers. The Van Area Long-Range Recovery Group was established to help manage those needs. Members of the Van Community Ministries, Precinct 4 Judge Scott Shinn, and other business leaders and concerned citizens formed committees to address the needs of the victims and they welcome continued assistance. The Van Independent School District is also in need of school supplies and other needs as they rebuild and ready classrooms to start August 24. Here are helpful contact numbers: • VICTIMS TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (expires July 28): Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 1.800.621.3362. • DONATIONS FOR RESIDENTS: Van Area Long-Range Recovery Group/Van Community Ministries, 903.963.1616, www.vancm.org. • DONATIONS FOR VAN ISD. https://www.crowdrise.com/vanisdtornadorelief/fundraiser/vanisdeducationfound. vanschools.org, 903.504.4262, email ask@vanvandal.com, Twitter @VanISDTX, facebook.com/VanISD • VOLUNTEERS. Van Volunteer Resource Center, 903.600.1865. • COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE. Precinct 4 Judge Scott Shinn, 903.833.5695.

46 • COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • JULY/AUGUST 2015

TOP PHOTO. A Vietnam veteran gave a check to one of the families that lost their entire home in Van. ABOVE. Neighbors poured in to the Van Church of Christ as well as the other churches in town bringing mountains of clothes, food, and water. BELOW. Photographs, letters, yearbook pages, and other personal belongings are still being found along streets and neighborhoods. Photos by P.A. Geddie.

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“Find your Texas hideaway and just kick back.” - Amy Novacek

Amy Novacek knows a thing or two about country living, including how to enjoy it. That’s the reason she and husband Jay leave the financing to Heritage Land Bank. When you’ve found your ideal Texas hideaway, turn the financing over to Heritage and all that’s left for you to do is kick back and enjoy it.

Amy Novacek lives on a working ranch in Johnson County with husband, former Dallas Cowboys tight end, Jay Novacek.

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