September/October 2023 County Line Magazine

county line

Upper East Side of Texas

COWBOY CULTURE

Land Between the Lakes

Longview Pumpkins

Paddling Paradise

Tornado Photographs

Fantasy Writers

Steakhouse Dining Events, Music, Art

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

P.A. Geddie

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lisa Tang

CONTRIBUTORS

Ine Burke

Ann Bush

Terri Cage Photography

Dana Goolsby

Rachel Gross

Emma Hill

Shelly Niebuhr

Prouty Photography

Strickland Photography and Film

Lauren Wacaser

Jim Willis

ADVERTISING

pa.geddie@countylinemagazine.com

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www.countylinemagazine.com/subscribe

County Line Magazine eEdition is published every other month, 6 times a year in digital format. Material may not be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in articles or advertising appearing in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Mailing address: P.O. Box 705 Winnsboro, Terxas, 75494

Phone: (903) 312-9556. 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) 312-9556. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement we deem incompatible with our mission.

Western lore and cowboy tales are more than our region’s past; they’re also part of a vibrant present-day culture centered on the cowboy way of life. The living heritage of cattle ranching blends well with art forms that captured old Western traditions and continue celebrating the cowboy spirit today.

Cowboy culture continues in many types of Western music popular around the world. Many still write and perform cowboy poetry similar to what was heard around campfires along the trails of the old cattle drives. Visual arts often feature cowboys, cowgirls, or ranch themes.

The town of Winnsboro commemorates the region’s cowboy culture during the 65th annual Autumn Trails, which feature a variety of Western-themed events — from rodeos to chuck wagon dinners. On Saturday, September 30, Winnsboro Center for the Arts features entertainment by today’s stars of cowboy poetry and song. Award-winning poets and mu-

sicians performing include Jay Snider, Teresa Burleson, Kristyn Harris, Andy Hedges, and Dom Flemons.

A Western-themed exhibit at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts features fine art by more than 60 talented artists from the region.

Also featured in this issue is a pictorial article on Four Winds Steakhouse near Wills Point. The restaurant’s upscale rustic atmosphere complements its classic menu of tasty steaks and fine seafood. The steaks are cut from meats grown in the state. Among the decor at Four Winds, guests find a jersey worn by the ranch house’s former owner, Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan.

Put on your boots and experience a bit of cowboy culture this fall in the Upper East Side of Texas.

— Lisa Tang

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COWBOY CULTURE

Trail Rides and Rodeos Fuse with Art, Music, and Poetry

By P.A. Geddie

Most Texans know when someone says “cowboy up” it’s time to get tough and work through a difficult situation. Just putting on a cowboy hat and kicker boots can make a human of any age, race, or gender feel a little taller, a little stronger, and ready to persist.

The original cowboys of America were cattle handlers who rode horses and worked on ranches with lassos to help control the cattle, and spurs to help control the horses. Somewhere along the way big ole belt buckles got added to the ensemble.

Cattle drives became popular in the 1800s as cowboys herded livestock from Texas into other parts of the country. Many East Texans owned or worked on ranches and joined the drive efforts

along trails mostly on the west side of the state where the terrain was less forested.

During cattle drives, the cowboys stopped to camp along the way. Covered wagons carried cooking utensils and food and after eating, the men would sit around a campfire telling stories, singing songs, and reciting poetry and prose as entertainment.

Poet laureate Lysius Gough, born July 29, 1862, in Lamar County, was just 14 when he ran away from home and got his first job as a cowboy for B.L. Murphy, who ran cattle in Hopkins and Hunt counties. Then he punched cattle on several drives and earned the nickname “Parson” at the T Anchor Ranch because he never swore. Gough got off the trails eventually and wrote books about cowboy life. His first book of cowboy verse is Western Travels and Other Rhymes. He published Spur Jingles and Saddle Songs

Above: “A Nice Gather” by Kristine Byars. Byars is the judge for the 2023 Cowboy Tales art exhibition. Opposite page: Kristyn Harris is one of the concert performers at Winnsboro Cowboy Music and Poetry Gathering on September 30. From McKinney, Texas, Harris has won many awards in Western entertainment and was dubbed in a recent national magazine as one of 10 women who make it “Cool to be Cowgirl.”

in 1935. The last poem by Gough was still scrolled in the typewriter when he was found dead in his home in 1940. It was entitled “Gone.”

Pioneer cattle baron John Simpson Chisum, also from Lamar County and later Hopkins and Fannin counties, started working as a cowboy on a large ranch and by the early 1860s had accumulated more than 100,000 head of cattle continued page 8

Photo by terri Cage PhotograPhy

COWBOY continued from page 6

of his own. He began moving his herds into New Mexico where he built a cattle ranching empire. Chisum’s story involves the famous Lincoln County War between cattle barons, the notorious Billy the Kid, sheriff Pat Garrett, and a number of other interesting characters. He is buried in the Chisum Family Cemetery in Paris. His story is portrayed in film with John Wayne playing him in 1970’s Chisum.

There was quite a bit about Chisum’s real life story that didn’t make it into the movie or even into his obituary. Like the fact that he was common law married to Jensie, a former slave. They had two daughters and lived in Bonham. One wonders if those things were discussed around the campfire. A semi-biographical story, Miss Chisum: A Colorful 19th Century Texan Romance, was written by Russ Brown in 2019 with much of the story told by Chisum and Jensie’s granddaughter.

Another colorful character who told stories around campfires and in books was Ben King Green of Cumby, Texas. Book reviewers describe him as having “crawled out of the cradle and into

a saddle” as horses became his whole world during early childhood. He worked in wagon yards, mule barns, and livery stables. He learned the art of trading and doctoring horses and by the time he was 16 years old he could make a living at it.

From his book The Village Horse Doctor, West of the Pecos, Green tells tales of his struggles with mean stockmen, yellow weed fever, banditos, poison hay, and “drouth,” and covers similar themes in his other books in between horse tales.

Those include Horse Tradin’ followed by Some More Horse Tradin’, and Wild Cow Tales, Horse Tales, The Last Trail Drive, A Thousand Miles of Mustangin’, The Color of Horses, and Horse Conformation. Green is buried in the Cumby Cemetery in a 100 square foot plot that gives him his own wide open resting place.

Frank Reaugh is another East Texan that comes to mind when thinking of stories and other art forms that captured the spirit of the cattle drive era. He moved with his family to Terrell, Texas, in 1876, and traveled the West as an adult, capturing scenes of longhorn herds and the cowboy life for his paintings. His work is

in museums across Texas in art collections displaying the most realistic images of that time. A book of his works, Windows on the West: The Art of Frank Reaugh, was published in 2015.

Reaugh is heralded as the “Dean of Texas Artists,” and donated the first painting to establish the Dallas Art Association that became the Dallas Museum of Art. A mural in Terrell features a reproduction of his “The Approaching Herd,” completed by artist Charlie Bullock of Athens, Texas, with the addition of a likeness of Reaugh as he might have appeared while painting the landscape. Reaugh died in 1945

and is buried with

Above: Andy Hedges (left) performed at last year’s Winnsboro Cowboy Music and Poetry Gathering and was joined in a surprise visit by Michael Martin Murphey. Hedges is one of six scheduled award-winning entertainers for this year’s show. Photo by Jim Willis Opposite page: A mural by Charlie Bullock in downtown Terrell, Texas, honors native son Frank Reaugh who earned the distinction of being the Dean of Texas Artists. The painting on a building on North Adelaide Street is a version of Reaugh’s 1902 “The Approaching Herd,” but with a likeness of him off to the side under a red umbrella busily painting the Texas longhorns. Photo by Prouty PhotograPhy

his family at Oakland Memorial Cemetery in Terrell.

While cattle drives are no longer part of Texas life, cowboy culture is evident throughout the Upper East Side of Texas today with horse and cattle ranches dotting the rural countryside along with other agriculture environments. Rodeos, trail rides, and dude ranches provide authentic experiences and just about every small town has at least one shop ready to get a guest into a pair of boots, a hat, and other Western attire.

One town in the region stands out for celebrating cowboy culture for several weeks each year fused with the arts. Winnsboro is one of the first seven Cultural Arts Districts to receive the official designation from the State of Texas in 2009. The town celebrates each fall with weeks of activities embracing cowboy culture, including the importance of storytelling, music, poetry, and visual art.

At the center of the Cultural Arts District is The Bowery Pedestrian Park. The Bowery gets its name from its late 1800s

history with saloons, gambling halls, and bath houses that catered to cowboys and rowdy timber loggers looking for entertainment across from the railroad depot. Today, it is anchored by the refined Winnsboro Center for the Arts and lined with upscale boutiques, galleries, and eateries. Gone are the derelict establishments but the cowboy spirit lives on.

Kicking off activities this year in Winnsboro is Cowboy Tales, an art exhibition running from September 27 through November 25 at Winnsboro Center for the Arts. Featuring the works of select talented artists with their interpretations and depictions of cowboy culture, the show includes paintings, drawings, ceramics, metal art, and more.

On Saturday, September 30, the Winnsboro Cowboy Music & Poetry Gathering fills downtown with the sounds and stories reminiscent of those heard around campfires during cattle drives of the 1800s.

A chuckwagon sets the scene with cowboys telling stories while serving up beans, cornbread, and cobbler. Musi-

cians and poets share cowboy, country, and western tunes and lyrics. Local restaurants keep the cowboy vibe going with specials like Lasso Lattes and Saddle Up Tacos. Photo opportunities with costumed cowboy characters and musicians and art are found in several locations.

At 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. are ticketed concerts at Winnsboro Center for the Arts featuring international award-winning performers telling stories, reciting poetry, singing, and playing instruments, all of which embody cowboy culture.

Following that event, Winnsboro’s 65th Autumn Trails takes place every weekend in October. Activities include trail rides, rodeos, parades, a beard and mustache contest, chili cook off, and much more.

For more information about the Cowboy Tales art exhibition and Winnsboro Cowboy Music & Poetry Gathering, go to www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com or call (903) 342-0686. For a detailed schedule of events taking place for Autumn Trails, go to www.winnsboroautumntrails.com or call (903) 342-1958.

Land Between the Lakes

Emory, Texas, Offers Shopping and Other Adventures

By P.A. Geddie

Nestled between two very popular fishing lakes in the Upper East Side of Texas is the small town of Emory, Texas. It’s the county seat of Rains County, the Bald Eagle Capital of Texas.

Eagle sightings are common near and around Lake Tawakoni and Lake Fork and they wander over the town of Emory from time to time. The lakes are nesting and feeding grounds for bald eagles and more than 260 other bird species.

Visitors to Emory find a quiet downtown square with a stately courthouse as its centerpiece. Inside are several staircases and a small stage. The courthouse exhibits a unique cruciform plan with projecting wings. The exterior is ginger brick and designed in the Classical Revival style. It features pilasters and pedimentcapped entries, as well as a central dome.

A stroll around the square leads to the discovery of hidden treasures behind rustic, nostalgic facades. Shoppers enjoy a clothing boutique, furniture store, and a popular feed store. A variety of dining options include a bistro in a renovated gas station and a coffee shop nestled in a Craftsman-style building.

Just down the street is one of East Texas’ outstanding hardware stores. Hooten’s Hardware is “more than just nuts and bolts.” Their fully stocked 40,000-squarefoot store has everything one would need to build or tear down anything, as well as an expansive lawn and garden and outdoor living center, appliances, and a general store with home decor and local products.

A long-standing bakery called Cinnamon Bears takes visitors back in time, with workers dressed in traditional Mennonite attire. Besides their homemade cookies, cakes, and fried pies, the store is full of jellies and salsas, candies, and colorful home-sewn country aprons.

Emory Heritage Park is located off U.S.

Highway 69, next to the Rains County Public Library. Dedicated to the preservation of rural cultural and architectural history in the area, the park is home to many interesting structures from the early 1900s era.

In the surrounding Emory area are several popular venues for weddings and public occasions. Scarbrough Haven holds afternoon teas and other events throughout the year and is a favorite photoshoot backdrop with its walking trails and lake view, among meadows and wooded areas.

Alford Family Farm features nine acres of mature pecan trees and several acres with blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries in season. Wildflower Yurts offers “glamping in style,” with each yurt having a modern boho vibe.

For more information in planning a visit to Emory, visit www.cityofemory.com or call (903) 473-2465.

Above: Bald eagles are frequently sighted above nearby Lake Fork. Photo by lisa hilbers Opposite page: A historic gas station in the Emory Heritage Park.

Photo by ine burke

MUSIC AND LOVE

Heart and Mind

Love and Conviction

Irresistible dance music from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico; fresh new sounds from Benedikt Brydern; and the emotional beauty of Brahms.

Sunday, September 17, 2:30 pm

Mount Vernon

Wednesday, September 20, 7 pm

Plano

Elizondo, Benedikt Brydern

Love of Nature and Unity

The rich tonal color of the bassoon, and the wonder of nature in music by Antonio Vivaldi and Peteris Vasks, who prays “...in the forest, on the seashore, everywhere, because the world as God created it is so beautiful.”

Sunday, October 29, 2:30 pm

Mount Vernon

Monday, October 30, 7:30 pm

Dallas

Jose

Peteris Vasks, Richard Danielpour

Longview Festival Lets the Pumpkins Roll

Back in 1870 Longview city founders stood on Rock Hill above the area they mapped out to be the new East Texas city — so the legend goes. The same location hosts the Great Pumpkin Roll competition and festival from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, at 420 North Center Street.

Participants of all ages are invited to bring their own pumpkins and roll them down the hill to win up to $500 in prizes. The cost is $2 per roll and a limited supply of pumpkins are available for purchase. In past years pumpkins have rolled up to two city blocks.

The festival also features a maze, outdoor

games, and vendors, food trucks, and a pumpkin pie eating contest. No registration is required.

The East Texas Alzheimer’s Alliance also hosts Barrels and Brews at the Longview Arboretum that day.

Visitors can enjoy beer and wine from wineries and breweries from around the region, and art, music, and food from local vendors.

Proceeds benefit the Alliance’s caregiver resources, respite program, and Hope & Help Day Club. The non-profit organization assists 8,000 families living with Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia.

Other related events are held by Ollie’s Skate Shop and the Longview Cruisers.

The skateboard shop holds a Downhill Bomb from the top of Center Street at 2:30 p.m. and a Downtown Takeover Skating Competition on Tyler Street from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tyler Street. Registration of $5 to $35 are required to participate in skateboarding events, but are free to attend.

The Downtown Longview Cruise Night car show is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Methvin Street. There is no fee to participate or view the classic cars as they cruise through downtown. For information call (903) 753-3281 or go to VisitLongviewTexas.com/Pumpkin.

Texas Country Reporter Throws 50th Anniversary Bash

Bob and Kelli Phillips are bringing their show to Waxahachie on Saturday, October 28, for the Texas Country Reporter (TCR) Festival. The show has produced more than 2,000 episodes since 1972, when freshman reporter Bob Phillips began journeying around the state and reporting for 4 Country Reporter in the sauntering, wayfaring style of CBS television’s popular show On the Road With Charles Kuralt.

On the TCR website Phillips explains how the show got its start when he was a junior reporter at KDFW-TV Channel 4 in Dallas.

“In 1972, after pleading with management for months, they finally let me and a ragtag bunch of reporters and photographers try an idea we had. We thought

we could do stories in the Kuralt vein but, instead of airing them on the nightly news, package them all together on a weekly half hour show,” Phillips says.

“So, on the first Saturday of October 1972, the first episode of 4 Country Reporter went on the air. It’s been on the air ever since that time.”

Phillips set out on his own and formed his own production company in 1986 and renamed the show Texas Country Reporter. Today’s episodes air in 60 million homes nationwide and bear many similarities to those of five decades ago — with one exception.

Kelli Lee Phillips joined the crew in 2015 after a career in television news reporting. The couple married in 2007.

TCR has produced 26 episodes a year over 50 years and is the longest running independently produced television program.

On October 28 the Ellis County Courthouse Square features vendors, artists, and artisans — including many from the show’s history. Top attractions also include dozens of food trucks, TCR stars Bob and Kelli Phillips, and several live music acts.

Some performers from TCR’s five decades of programming play music all day; Neal McCoy performs a free concert at 6 p.m.

For information call (214) 741-1300 or visit www.texascountryreporter.com/festival.

Cool Events Happening Around the Region

Many cool events, festivals, and other activities are happening around the region this fall. Here are a few special picks and many more are listed on www.County LineMagazine.com.

Visit Canton the weekend prior to the first Monday of each month for First Monday Trade Days — also known as the World’s Largest Flea Market. The four-day event welcomes vendors from miles around and features antiques, handmade crafts and goods, and home decor beginning Thursday, August 31, to Sunday, September 3, Thursday, September 28, to Sunday, October 1, and Thursday, November 2, to Sunday, November 5. For information visit www. firstmondaycanton.com.

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site holds Caddo Culture Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 2. Members of the Caddo Nation return to their ancestral homelands in Cherokee County to teach, share, and celebrate Caddo culture with food, dance, artisans, vendors, and more. Cameras are permitted and lawn chairs are encouraged. The site is located roughly 25 miles east of Nacogdoches at 1649 State Highway 21 West, Alto, Texas. For information call (936) 858-3218 or visit www.thc.texas.gov.

Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs returns to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney Saturday, September 2, through Monday, February 19, 2024. The life-size dinosaurs move and roar for visitors along a paved pathway that is wheelchair and stroller-friendly. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The exhibit is included in general admission and free for Heard Museum Members. For information visit www. heardmuseum.org.

Mineola’s Mini Train Rides continue this fall in Iron Horse Square at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 9 and 23 and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 21, and 28. Rides are on a 15-inch gauge replica of a Union Pacific train specially built for

the city by the Swannee River Railroad Company in Lufkin. Rides are one-quarter mile and located near the old Union Pacific Depot which still serves as an Amtrak train station. Admission is free for kids of all ages. For information visit www.ironhorsesquare.org.

McKinney celebrates German and American cultures in Oktoberfest September 22 to 24. The weekend of German-themed fun in historic downtown McKinney includes authentic German food, domestic and imported beer, live music, games, and more. For information go to www.visitmckinney.com.

The East Texas State Fair in Tyler features carnival rides, live music, commercial vendors, food trucks, and livestock shows from Friday, September 22 to Sunday, October 1. This year’s special performances include the Nerveless Nocks Jetpack Water Circus, a butterfly exhibit, and more. For information visit www.etstatefair.com.

Grand Saline celebrates its heritage during the 49th Annual Grand Saline Salt Festival from September 28 to 30. Events include a concert, a cornhole tournament, a quilt show, a car show by

the Salt Shakers Auto Club, a Weiner Dog Derby, and other contests. The event is hosted by the Grand Saline Salt Festival Heritage Association. For information visit their SITE.

The Texas Motorplex in Ennis hosts the Stampede of Speed from Friday, October 6, to Sunday, October 15, and kicks off with a cattle drive in downtown Waxahachie around the Ellis County Courthouse. The event is dubbed The Fastest 10 days in Texas with music, drag racing, and fan experiences. The Stampede leads up to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Texas Fall Nationals. For information visit www.stampedeofspeed.com.

Autumn in Bonham is the name of a bicycle rally hosted by the Bonham Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, October 7. Riders can choose from various routes, family entertainment activities, or the 100 Mile Century Ride that commemorates the town’s ongoing 175th anniversary celebration. For information visit www.cityofbonham.com.

Tyler celebrates the Texas Rose Festival Saturday, October 21. The event includes a parade, the Rose Festival Arts & Crafts Fair, the Queen’s Coronation, the

Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Alto celebrates Caddo Culture Day Saturday, September 2. Photo by Dana goolsby

Queen’s Tea, an art show, and vendors. Take a haunted tour of Longview with the Gregg County Museum at 6, 7, or 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 21. The Historic Haunts and Legends Walking Tour explores the downtown’s spooks, haunts, and legends — including ghosts of the opera house, a haunted mirror that hangs in a local house, and a girl who haunts the museum’s upper floor. Tickets are $10 each and are available on Eventbrite. For information call (903) 753-5840 or visit www.gregghistorical.org.

Ennis celebrates Autumn Daze from Friday, October 27 to Sunday, October 29. The festival is free and includes live music, carnival rides, a hay maze, pump-

kin patch, cornhole tournament, professional pumpkin carvers, food, shopping, and more. For information go to www. visitennis.org.

Palestine’s Hot Pepper Festival is set for 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. The festival includes a parade, a hot pepper eating contest, a Lolly Lick-aThon, a chili cook off, an Atomic Wings Eating Contest, a turtle race, live music, and a Chili’s Street Dance. For information call (800) 659-3483 or go to www. visitpalestine.com.

Longview celebrates Día de Los Muertos — the Day of the Dead — with a festival from 4 to 10 p.m. and a 6 p.m. parade on Saturday, October 28, in

Authentic Bavarian folk dancers are part of Oktoberfest in McKinney taking place September 22-24. Celebrating German culture, the event includes domestic and imported beer, authentic German food, lively polka music, a kids’ area, and weenie dog races. Courtesy Photo

Heritage Plaza. The event features food, dancing, children’s activities, contests, and more. For information visit www.visitlongviewtexas.com.

McKinney also celebrates Dia de Los Muertos on Saturday, October 28, with dancing, a costume contest, face painting, food, and crafts that celebrate Hispanic Heritage. For information go to www.visitmckinney.com.

Paddle Into Paradise at Martin Dies Jr. State Park

By Ann Bush

Deep in the Pineywoods in East Texas where two rivers meet is a paddling paradise. The Martin Dies Jr. State Park lies in the Big Thicket National Preserve where the Neches and Angelina rivers create Lake Steinhagen. The best feature of this beautiful reservoir is the uninterrupted views of nature because development has been prevented.

In October the mixed forest changes from summer greens to fall gold and rust hues that are perfectly mirrored in the water on a windless day — creating an upside-down spectacle.

Kayaking and Canoeing

Martins Dies offers a variety of activities, including many unique paddling options. Nearly 14 miles of marked paddling trails meander around and through the park. The Neches Paddling Trail circles various islands neighboring the Neches River to an open water experience next to the park area. The Walnut Paddling Trail circles the northern section of the park and includes both open water and an amazing inland trail with low-hanging cypress trees full of tangled moss with ample shade.

There are boat ramps at various places, one where canoes and kayaks can be rented. Ranger-led classes on the basics of kayaking are often offered on Saturday mornings. A few campground sites along the water’s edge have access to the paddling trails, but stepping into the muddy shoreline and pushing the kayak out through tall reeds might be necessary. The estimated time to complete each trail ranges from one to three hours; however, paddle time really depends on the paddler. Slow cruising allows paddlers to take photos or glide along and enjoy the beauty of the scenery.

Fishing and Birding

Lake Steinhagen anchors the B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir inside the state park and is fed by the fast-moving Neches River. The park is divided into three units: Cherokee, Hen House Ridge, and Walnut Ridge. Each has boat ramps leading to some of the best fishing in Texas. Fishing is allowed along several fishing piers and along the banks of campgrounds.

Seven varieties of bass make Lake Steinhagen their home, along with four species of catfish, two bullhead species and

crappie, carps, sunfish varieties such as bluegill, redbreast, gar, suckers, eel, bowfin, pickerel, and warmouth.

No wonder the area is full of waterbirds with fishing also on their minds. Graceful egrets and herons seem undeterred by kayakers slowly floating by them. The occasional kingfisher zips by for an insect hovering over the water. The anhinga, cormorant and bald eagles are fishing superstars watching and waiting patiently on tall trees along the shoreline’s forest.

Hiking and Biking

The mixed forest of loblolly, longleaf and shortleaf pines, oaks, evergreens, maples, and sweet gum trees mingle with shorter under story plants such as wax myrtles, yaupon holly, and beautyberry bushes, resulting in a visually pleasing walk.

The park offers more than seven miles of land trails. Some follow the shoreline. The Island Trail is the easiest and shortest, circling one of the islands and offering picturesque vistas of the lake. The Slough Trail has 16 bridges over streams during the spring after a rain, all made of natural materials and a popular selfie setting.

Photo by texas Parks anD WilDlife DePartment

The forest and wildlife trails go through extremely large Southern magnolia trees so old they are twisted and hollow but still hanging onto life.

The park has left dead trees uncut, creating the perfect habitat for woodpeckers such as the majestic Pileated woodpecker along with Downy, Hairy and the elusive Red-cockaded woodpecker. Along the hiking trail, listen for the tap tap tap of their beaks hitting a tree to find insects and follow the sound to see them.

Wildlife Viewing

The diverse habitat of a forest, wetlands, and open water draw a large variety of wildlife such as deer, raccoons, opossums, armadillos, and the rarely seen bobcat. The nine-banded armadillo is the designated Texas State Small Mammal and a skilled digger for grubs. They create deep burrows for the birth of their young. Armadillos always have identical quadruplets — all are born the same sex because they share the same placenta.

Bobcats in Texas are medium-sized, reddish brown or grayish in color, and found in all parts of the state. Small tufts at the tip of their ears are their feature identifying trait, and long fur on the sides of their head. Their long legs are perfect for sprinting over a forest floor and their large feet for climbing up rocky canyon walls. These reclusive wild cats are mainly active at night or early sundown when they hunt and choose dense thickets for den sites.

Where there is water in East Texas, there are probably alligators. The American alligator lives in all bodies of water in Martin Dies Jr. State Park and often stretch out along the banks warming their bodies.

Their hunting tactics include never letting go and dragging their victim to the bottom of the river to drown. The good news — it has never happened in

Top: Small piers allow paddlers direct access to their boats along the lake. Middle and bottom: Cypress trees line the waterways of Lake Steinhagen, which is formed from the confluence of the Neches and Angelina rivers.

Opposite page: Wildlife such as bird, mammal, reptile species are commonly seen along the paddling trails of Martin Dies Jr. State Park. Photos by ann bush

the park, but don’t be the first so keep a steady scan for floating eyes.

Many species of snakes live in the park, but most are non-venomous. Turtles, salamanders, and frogs of all kinds thrive in this watery world and are often spied from a kayak sunbathing on logs or lily leaves. Fourteen bat species make Martin Dies their home, helping to reduce the mosquito population.

Stargazing

Since the park is far from development or towns, light pollution is low creating the perfect place to see the amazing star show above. My bird watching binoculars provided a good view of amazing stars from one of the fishing ports. However, one year a fellow camper in our group brought his sophisticated telescope and shared an extraordinary view of the Milky Way.

Camping

The Walnut Ridge Unit and the Hen House Ridge Unit both have sites available for tents offering only water provided to large RV sites complete with 50-

amp electricity ports. Screened shelters are available in two units that can sleep eight and allow tents nearby. Cabins large enough for eight people are in the Hen House Ridge Unit.

Bathrooms are always close to all these camping sites. More information can be found at www.tpwd.texas.gov. Other activities in the park include swimming,

volleyball, and a nice playground for the little ones.

During a weekend getaway Martin Dies Jr. State Park is the perfect place a family can share a journey through history, share dreams in a fairy tale forest, and explore a floating menagerie of wildlife. For information call (409) 384-5231 or visit www.tpwd.texas.gov.

Langham’s Tornado Photographs Take Over LMFA

Longview Museum of Fine Arts (LMFA) presents Robert Langham III — Tornados from September 7 to December 20. Langham’s exploratory still life photographs are both mysterious and beautiful. He uses found objects to create stunning and imaginative artistic forms.

The native Texan received the Guggenheim Fellowship in photography in 2022. A teacher, photographer and lecturer, Langham’s works are included in regional and national collections — the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Gernsheim, Rauchenberg and Comer Collections, The Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Amon Carter Museum of Art.

LMFA is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $0 to $5. The museum is located at 215 East Tyler Street in Longview. For information call (903) 753-8103 or visit www.lmfa.org.

Horsefeathers Gallery Features Three Guest Artists

Horsefeathers Gallery in Mineola is holding shows for three guest artists this fall — each for three days only.

Steven M. Drew of Fort Worth exhibits his works of nostalgic and western subjects Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., September 21 to 23. The gallery features works by Mineola-based Pamela Sumberaz from Thursday, October 12, to Saturday, October 14. She paints landscapes and animals in a variety of media. November’s guest artist is Midge Jackson of Tyler, who creates a range of wearable fashions from natural yarns she spins and weaves by hand. Jackson’s exhibit runs Thursday through Saturday, November 2 to 4.

Horsefeathers is a multi-faceted art gallery that features fiber arts, pottery and ceramics. The gallery was founded by local artists Karen Musgraves and Cathy Pegues in 2022 and is located next to the historic Beckham Hotel at 121 East Commerce Street near Mineola’s Iron Horse Square. For information call (903) 232-8068 or visit on Instagram.

“Twister” by Robert Langham III.

“Walk This Way,” 18 x 24 inches, charcoal on paper by Steven M. Drew.

Experience Arts Around the Region This Fall

Several art events are happening in the Upper East Side of Texas in galleries, museums, outdoor festivals, art walks, and live theater events. Many of the region’s towns and venues offer art events this season.

Art Exhibitions

211 Gallery in Athens features an exhibit titled Slice of Life in September and October and opens Celebrate! on Saturday, October 21. An opening reception for Celebrate! is set for 5 to 7 p.m. on October 21. For information call (903) 292-1746 or visit www.artgallery211.net.

Gallery Main Street in downtown Tyler exhibits a juried exhibit titled The Story of Film from September 8 through November 6. Admission is free and hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is located at 110 North College Avenue.

In addition to the Tornados exhibit featuring photography by Robert Langham, LMFA also hosts the Flora & Fauna exhibition at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview through December 15. The free exhibit celebrates Gregg County’s 150th anniversary with a show of works by artists from the region. The hospital is located at 700 East Marshall Avenue.

Also showing at LMFA is Stories From the Vault, which showcases works from the museum’s permanent collection — including some by Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. This exhibit continues through December 21.

The Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council (TRAHC) presents From Their Texarkana to Our Texarkana: A Reimagining of Historic Texarkana Photographs from September 19 through November 25. The exhibit features works by 15 artists who selected historic photographs from the Texarkana Museums System Wilbur Smith Research Archives and added their own unique interpretations and is held at the Regional Arts Center at 321 West 4th Street. Their Texarkana is presented as part of

TXK150, the Texarkana Sesquicentennial. For information call (903) 792-8681 or visit www.trahc.org.

The Tyler Museum of Art exhibits

Tyler Collects: Texas Art 1920-1970 — including works from its permanent collection — through Sunday, September 17 — including works from its permanent collection — through Sunday, September 17, and Impressed: Prints From the Permanent Collection through Sunday, November 26. The exhibition features works on paper from the museum’s Permanent Collection including recent acquisitions. For information call (903) 595-1001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.

Winnsboro Center For the Arts displays its Women in the Arts exhibit through September 23 and Cowboy Tales featuring Western art from September 27 through November 25. The gallery

is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. For information call (903) 342-0682 or visit www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com.

Events and Festivals

The Tyler Art Festival is all day on Saturday, September 9, at Gallery Main Street at 110 South College Avenue in conjunction with the Tyler Film Festival. For information visit www.downtowntyler.squarespace.com.

Terrell holds a free Mural Walk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 14. The self-paced tour includes Terrell’s existing historic downtown murals and the recent Jamie Foxx mural. For information visit www.terrelltexas.com.

Mineola League of the Arts (MLOTA) includes several guilds representing various art forms. The Line Dancing

“A Little Time for Yourself,” 24 x 30 inches in acrylic by Christi Barrett is part of 211 Gallery’s Slice of Life Exhibit.

Guild — known as the Lone Star Steppers — hosts MLOTA Kickin on Saturday, September 30. The Quilt Guild hosts its annual Quilt Show on Friday and Saturday, October 13 and 14. MLOTA is located at 200 West Blair Street in Mineola. For information call (903) 5698877 or visit www.mlota.org.

The Palestine Art Walk is held the first Saturday of each month in the Main Street Historic District. The upcoming art walks are set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, and October 5. Participants can pick up a map of the walk at The Gallery at the Redlands, located inside the Redlands Hotel at 400 North Queen Street. For information call (903) 922-5794 or visit www.dogwoodartscouncil.com.

ArtWalk Longview returns to the downtown Arts Longview Cultural District from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 5. The quarterly event is managed by Arts!Longview and brings together artists and creators, local businesses, and the community in a celebration of the Longview area arts scene. Food trucks, vendors, and live music contribute to the atmosphere as visitors shop the downtown area adorned with murals and sculptures. For information call (903) 738-1865 or visit www.visitlongviewtexas.com.

The Edom Art Festival is held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15. The festival features dozens of juried artists who create in a variety of media — fiber arts, ceramics, pottery, glass, paintings, metal, wood and stone sculpture, jewelry, and more. Gourmet food trucks, beverage vendors, and live music are offered. Admission is free. For information call (903) 258-5192 or visit www.edomarts.com.

Support the Longview Museum of Fine Arts at the annual Magic & Mayhem event at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14. The gala is themed “Adventure Into Wonderland” and features live music by The Social Club, a full bar, a spirits pull, Black Jack and Roulette tables, and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded. Admission is $125 and up. For information call (903) 753-8103 or visit www.lmfa.org.

Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival returns from 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, November 11. Shoppers browse works by juried artists from around the nation and sample beverages from local wineries in the town’s Cultural Arts District. Live music performances and gourmet food vendors contribute to the festivities. For information call (903) 342-0686 or visit www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com.

Live Theater

Winnsboro Center For the Arts players present a new version of Much Ado About Nothing set in a Vietnam-era MASH unit. Shakespeare’s timeless language and storylines are accompanied by classic rock and Motown hits of that period In the comedy, a group of doctors arrive in Vietnam and surgery quickly takes a back seat to romance. The set is the brainchild of the center’s theater director John A. Price.

Performance dates are September 8 to 10 and September 15 to 17. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $12 to $15 and are available on Eventbrite. Winnsboro Center for the Arts is located at 200 Market Street in historic downtown Winnsboro. For information visit www.WinnsboroCenterForTheArts. comto learn more and purchase tickets.

Greenville Theatre Works presents Clue!, the classic comedy based on the 1985 Paramount movie and the board game by Hasbro. Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 8 and 9, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 10. Tickets are $12 to $15 and available at www.showtimeatthegma. com. For information call (903) 457-3179.

Tyler Civic Theater presents the classic British comedy Noises Off from Friday, September 8, through Sunday, September 24. They also host a performance of 12 Angry Men from Friday, October 20, to Sunday, November 5. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays at the Tyler Civic Center at 400 Rose Park Drive. For information visit www.tylercivictheatre.com.

Cowan Center features Madagascar the Musical at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 7. The musical is based on the animated film Madagascar by DreamWorks and is suitable for all ages. The Cowan Center is located at the University of Texas at Tyler.

Lake Country Playhouse performs

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at the Historic Select Theater in Mineola from September 22 to October 1. The performance celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s classic comedy. All 37 of Shakespeare’s plays are featured in this 97 minute play by three actors. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays from September 22 to October 1. Call (903) 569-2300 or visit www.lakecountryplayhouse.com for information.

Palestine Community Theatre performs Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring at the Historic Texas Theater at 213 West Crawford Street from Friday, October 13 to Sunday, October 22. Performances are held at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. on Sundays from September 22 to October 1. Visit www.thetexastheater.com for information.

Film Festivals

Liberty Hall hosts the Tyler Film Festival from Thursday, September 7, through Saturday, September 9. Doors open at 6 p.m. and screenings begin at 7 p.m. The festival celebrates storytelling through film with a strong preference for short films made in the region. Admission is $9.50 per night and festival passes cost $25. Liberty Hall is at 103 East Erwin Street. For information call (903) 595-7274 or visit www.libertytyler.com.

The REEL East Texas Film Festival is November 9 to 12 in Kilgore and features a variety of films from around the world as well as teaching workshops, discussion panels, and networking opportunities. Events and screenings are held in the historic Texas Theater and the Old Post Office. Admission is $10 per screening and weekend passes cost $50. For information visit www.reeleasttexas.com.

Martin Murphey TWO SHOWS: 4 P.M. & 7:30 P.M.

& Jodi James HARMONIOUS AMERICANA DUO

‘Women in the Arts’ Exhibition Is Presented in Winnsboro

Winnsboro Center for the Arts celebrates and showcases the creativity of women artists in an annual exhibition titled Women in the Arts. More than 70 women created 132 pieces in this year’s show. It is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday through September 23 in downtown Winnsboro.

Exhibition co-coordinator, Donna Page, says the women artists range in age from 16 to 80-plus, and most hail from the Winnsboro area and other cities in Northeast Texas. Mediums include paintings, ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, pottery, photography, quilting, and mixed media.

The artwork is for sale with prices ranging from $20 to $2,000. A percentage of

sales goes to the nonprofit Winnsboro Center for the Arts to help with expenses in serving Northeast Texas communities through educational programming, cultural experiences, and entertainment.

For more information visit www.WinnsboroCenterForTheArts.com or call (903) 342-0686.

Opposite page: “When the Artist Becomes the Art,” by Anita Caldwell Jackson. Top: “Field of Poppies,” by Shaune Bartoo. Lower left: “Consequences,” by Lauren Parish. Lower right: “The Bits That Glow,” by Doris Vasek.

Howard’s Unique Style Hiding in Plain Sight

By Lisa Tang

Dennis Howard enjoyed going to school in Grapevine when he was young only because he liked his art classes. A teacher encouraged him to practice art and his first exhibit showed in the school library when he was 12. Sixty years later he’s taken many art classes and still creates beautiful works at age 72.

Nowadays his mixed media works are on display at the Edom Art House, Modern Country Art Gallery in Winnsboro, the gift shop at Winnsboro Center For the Arts, and on several murals in Wood County.

Howard also enters 10 to 12 art shows each year. This year he’s the featured artist at the Harvest Moon Art Festival in Granbury on October 28 and 29. He also shows at the Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival on November 10 and 11.

Favorite subjects include landscapes, florals, and musical instruments. He creates each work in layers using mixed media. He often starts with liquid inks then applies acrylics and modeling paste for texture. Sometimes he adds a clear pour epoxy to make the surface look like glass.

Bold colors and abstract forms dominate Howard’s art, which bears influences from famous artists of the early 20th century — Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, and more.

He paints in a vibrant and sometimes whimsical style that seems to come from many directions and sources all at once. His figures are abstract but identifiable. “I’m considered what you’d call an outsider artist,” Howard says, referring to his eclectic style.

“What a Hoot” was inspired by a fellow artist who painted a similar owl very plainly. Howard added vibrant color, texture, and geometric shapes to create his own interpretation. In some large paintings Howard includes hidden figures that become apparent when viewers study the works closely.

“I did this one similarly with an abstract twist,” Howard says. “I like to do paintings that hold people’s attention.”

After graduating from school Howard enlisted in the US Army and served three years during the Vietnam War. Afterward he studied art at Central Texas College in Killeen before deciding to move to upstate New York, where he studied at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He worked and sold art for 45 years before moving back to Texas to avoid the bitter winters.

Settling in Winnsboro seven years ago landed Howard in the vibrant local art scene, but building his reputation locally still required some legwork.

Recent commissions with the Wood County Walls project are putting his art in plain sight on the walls of downtown Mineola and Winnsboro — sometimes as collaborations with other artists. As Howard’s reputation continues to grow it won’t be long before more folks recognize his unique style. Visit this link to his Facebook business page, Dennis Howard Art.

Above: Dennis Howard with some of his paintings. Opposite Page: “What a Hoot,” mixed media by Dennis Howard.

East Texas Fantasy Writers Bring Books to Life

by Emma Hill

In a sweet little home tucked away in Alba, Texas, a husband and wife practice sword fighting in the backyard. Two dwarf Nigerian goats, Spyro and Daruk, watch with wide eyes from behind their fence. Occasionally, the couples’ black cat Yuna will interrupt the clash of steel to demand attention with an arched back and expectant green eyes. Their two dogs, Watson and Rosie, prefer the air conditioning. Around the couple, cicadas buzz in the heat of a Texan summer, but in their minds, they are in an entirely different world — one where a queen is embarking on her first adventure.

Beyond the eyes of their home-based critters, Rayleigh and Joshua Setser take their sword fighting escapades to much larger audiences through the books they create together. Their choreographed fight scenes make their way into a medieval fantasy series they are creating called The Tunockian Chronicles.

The couple started writing jointly as two lovestruck teenagers. They texted alternating scenes in a story about a princess who befriended a man with dragon wings. Now, under the writing name RJ Setser, Rayleigh and Joshua have three published books and one more on the way.

As a writing couple, finding balance between writing and real life is crucial. Writing sessions start with months of planning that look, at least to an outsider, like “fangirling.” Rayleigh and Josh send one another songs that remind them of the story, tag each other in Pinterest boards, and spend weeks in discussion until it comes to life in both minds.

Then Rayleigh starts the writing process. As she writes, she checks in periodically with Joshua, but he usually waits until the first draft is done to read the novel. After reading, he suggests edits based on his view of the story. Both authors con-

Rayleigh and Joshua Setzer practice sword fighting to develop story ideas for their books.

Photo by striCklanD PhotograPhy anD film

tribute to the editing process until the final draft is submitted for publication.

Rayleigh began writing as an escape, but over time it became as important as breathing to her. The Tunockian Chronicles are the product of nine years of drafting, rewriting, and development of a complex world full of adventure, medieval politics, and sweet (clean) slow burn romance.

The first book in the series, A Queen Is Knighted, released in 2021. The characters were imperfect and lovable, and the twists were twisty enough to surprise readers without twisting into overkill.

After writing A Queen Is Knighted, Rayleigh and Joshua took a break from The Tunockian Chronicles and entered a Snow White retelling novella competition. The story that emerged from that contest evolved into Program MIRA, a futuristic story about a girl trying to find her place in a world full of corruption and technology. It released in 2022.

Nathaniel Luscombe, author of The Ones With Gilded Bones, describes Program MIRA

as, “A dystopian Snow White retelling that had me at the edge of my seat.”

While drafting the second book of The Tunockian Chronicles, Rayleigh and Joshua wrote a short story for the anthology Where Giants Fall. The book offers writing from authors like Angela R. Watts, Michaela Bush, S.D. Howard, Sara Francis, and Nathaniel Luscombe. “The Silver Dragon,” is set in The Tunockian Chronicles universe. It explores heartbreak and grief while providing hope within the pain.

From an Amazon review by Erin Phillips, author of A Crown of Chains, she says, “This story was absolutely incredible, giving me lots of chills and a feeling of being seen, reading like a D&D campaign colliding with David’s Psalms of anguish. “The Silver Dragon” is for anyone who has experienced loss, and needs guidance to find hope in the darkness of heartache.”

A Prince Is Lured — the second book in The Tunockian Chronicles — releases October 25. Continuing the story of A Queen Is Knighted, A Prince Is Lured introduces new characters, deeper mysteries, and a great

call to adventure that “will change the world forever.”

RJ Setser books are available from major online retailers and at A Wicked Read bookstore in Canton and Gifts on Main in Grand Saline. Visit www.rjsetserauthor.com to learn more and see them in person December 9 at the East Texas Book Bash at Mill Creek Ranch Resort in Canton. Tickets are on sale now at www.easttexasbookbash.weebly.com.

Rayleigh and Joshua Setzer. Photo by striCklanD PhotograPhy anD film

Check the County Line eMagazine for an extensive list of events and things to do.

www.countylinemagazine.com

Catch a Variety of Great Sounds This Season

Enjoy some cool live music shows around the Upper East Side of Texas this fall by performers representing a range of music genres — from country crooners to rockers and folk and jazz aficionados to classical chamber ensembles and symphonies. Listeners of all musical tastes can find something they enjoy.

Ennis

The Stars Over Texas Music Festival at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis is set for Saturday, October 7 to Sunday, October 8. Activities include professional bull riding, a Jambo BBQ Shootout, a Craft Beer Expo, Exhibition Match Racing, and lantern and firework displays.

Live country western music begins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, including performances by Clay Walker, Sawyer Brown, Diamond Rio, Blackhawk,

and Ricochet. The Sunday lineup includes performances by Ian Munsick, Wade Bowen, William Beckmann, and Tyler Halverson. For information visit www.starsovertexasfestival.com.

Crockett

The Piney Woods Fine Arts Association brings two special country western sounds performances to the Crockett Civic Center this fall. Mark Chesnutt performs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 27, and Neal McCoy takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 17. Tickets are $45 to $55. For information visit www.pwfaa.org.

Grand Saline

The Bellamy Brothers perform at the Grand Saline Salt Festival at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 30. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Greenville

Greenville Municipal Auditorium offers a variety of musical styles this fall. Awardwinning country artists Dailey & Vincent perform live at the GMA Friday, September 29. The duo host their eponymous national television series on the Circle Network every week and frequently lead festivals known as Dailey & Vincent’s American Made Music Festivals.

“Endless Summer — America’s Beach Boys Experience” is a tribute group coming to the GMA on Saturday, September 23. The group combines har-

Above: Dailey & Vincent perform in Greenville September 29. Opposite page, top: The Quebe Sisters perform at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium on October 21. Courtesy Photos

mony, showmanship, and antics to create an immersive experience featuring popular sounds from the 1960s.

The Quebe Sisters play three-part violin and sing harmony in the progressive western swing genre on Saturday, October 21. Their music is both traditional and honest to the genre’s roots as well as innovative. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra opens their 49th season in Greenville on Wednesday, October 25, with a full orchestra concert featuring music that celebrates Halloween.

The Bob Wills Fiddle Festival returns to downtown Greenville Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5, with live performances by The Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium, free live performances at the Greenville Farmers’ Market, vendors, and food from local restaurants. The festival also features fiddling contests at The Texan Theater. For information visit www.bobwillsfest.com.

GMA shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Information and tickets are available by calling (903) 4573179 or visiting www.showtimeatthegma.com.

The Texan Theater in historic downtown Greenville is an intimate listening venue with food available for purchase during shows that begin at 7 p.m. Singer/songwriters Terry Klein, Heather Little and Stefan Prigmore perform on the Texan stage on Wednesday, September 20. Tickets are $30 per person. Little co-wrote “Gunpowder and Lead” and “Me and Charlie Talkin’” — both performed by Miranda Lambert. The Texan also welcomes the high energy American roots rock band BoDeans (“Closer to Free”) at 7 on Friday, September 22; the upbeat country western artist Chuck Wimer (“Dancing in the Rain”) on Saturday, September 29; and Austinstyle rock roots performer Jeff Plankenhorn (“Sleeping Dogs”) on October 27. For tickets call (903) 259-6360 or visit www.texantheatergreenville.com.

Hawkins

Uncle Lucius is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 16, at the Red Rooster Ice House in Hawkins.

Kilgore

The Back Porch on Broadway in Kilgore is a hotspot for cool music. The Darrin Morris Band performs from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, and Bailey Rae brings her full band performance at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. Also performing at The Back Porch are Sheila & the Caddo Cats on Saturday, September 23, and The Tuxedo Cats on September 30. For information call (903) 984-4181 or visit www.thebackporchkilgore.com.

Lindale

Texas City Music in Lindale hosts The Haggertys at 8 p.m., Saturday, October 7. The band plays a variety of genres from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s, including classic and Texas country music and 90s alternative music.

Linden

Music City Texas Theater in Linden hosts Nacogdoches-based artist Jonathon Webster at 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.

Longview

Downtown Live offers free music on Friday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. in September and October in downtown Longview. The Kim Donette Band performs September 1, followed by The Usual Suspects on September 8, the Ace’s & 8’s on September 15, Clint and the Cosmic Wake on September 22, and Sheila & The Caddo Kats on September 29. The October line-up includes Jen Ford on October 6, Rick Brown & Lone Star Bootleggers on October 13, Jake Williams on October 20, and Mack Guice on October 27.

The Longview Arboretum and Nature Center presents Live Music in the Gardens: Roots Concert Series on the arboretum stage in September and October. Concerts are held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and gates open at 5 p.m. The Jazz Connection performs September 28 followed by Low D on October 5; The Purple Hulls on October 12; Covie on October 19; and Dagnabbit on October 26. Tickets are $10 for

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adults, $5 for ages 7 to 12, and free for children 6 and younger. Outside food and drink are allowed and lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. The arboretum is located at 706 West Cotton Street. For information call (903) 212-2181 or visit www.longviewarboretum.org.

The Longview Museum of Fine Arts holds two concerts this fall. Taylor Tumlinson & Ben Woolley perform at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 9; Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines perform at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 4.

LeAnn Rimes performs at the Belcher Center in Longview at 7 p.m. Friday, October 13. The performance is part of a tour titled “LeAnn Rimes: the story...so far tour” and features powerful vocals from her recent album titled god’s work. Rimes is an award-winning songstress famous for singing the Grammy-winning “Blue” in 1996 at age 13. Rimes has since produced 19 albums as she continues performing across the globe. For information call (903) 233-3080 or visit www.belchercenter.com.

Marshall

Memorial City Hall in Marshall hosts two shows in early fall — T. Graham Brown at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 and the Judy Carmichael Trio on Saturday, October 28. Graham is known for his powerful performances in the country singles “Hell and High Water,” “Don’t Go to Strangers,” “Darlene,” and “You Can’t Take It With You.” Fans appreciate his honest, throaty ballads that tell familiar stories of love and heartache. Carmichael is a jazz pianist and vocalist of the highest caliber. The Judy Carmichael Trio performs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. She is a Steinway Artist and Grammy nominee and has been called one of the greatest interpreters of stride and swing piano in the world. The performance often has audiences dancing in the aisles with high energy interpretations from the Great American Songbook and Carmichael’s own witty compositions.

McKinney

The Guitar Sanctuary inside McKinney’s The Sanctuary Music & Events Center features eclectic live concerts that begin

at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. Performances include Beatlegras with special guest Songbird Jones Friday, September 8; The Pat Travers Band on Friday, September 22; Madam Radar with special guest Remy Reilly on Friday, September 29; and Scott Mulvahill with special guest Zach Keckendorf on Saturday, October 21.

Nacogdoches

Banita Creek Hall in Nacogdoches features country western sounds from the Huser Brothers on September 2; Braxton Kieth on September 9; Gabby Barrett on September 16; Randall King on October 7; and Priscilla Block on October 21. Performances are set for Saturdays at 10 p.m. For information call (936) 4628000 or visit www.banitacreekhall.com.

Palestine

Curtis Grimes (“Cowboy Constitution”) is one of the main acts at the 47th Annual Labor Day Bluegrass Music Festival on Saturday, September 2, at

Salmon Lake Park in Grapeland, south of Palestine. Grimes brings his country tunes back to the area at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 13, to Hambone’s Cajun Grill. Hambone’s is located in Old Town Palestine — the town’s quaintest district — where good food, drinks, music, and shopping are within a short walking distance. For information call (800) 6593484 or go to www.visitpalestine.com.

Rockwall

Rockwall continues its live summer music series in early September. The San Jacinto Music Series is held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. through September 16. Visit www.rockwall.com/ mainstreet_music.asp for information.

Royse City

Royse City Main Street’s Music on Main series offers free evening concerts on Friday evenings at Cookston Court at 7:30 p.m. through September 22. Visit Royse City Main Street on Facebook for information.

Leann Rimes performs in Longview at the Belcher Center on October 13. Opposite page: The Judy Carmichael Trio performs at Memorial City Hall in Marshall October 28. Courtesy Photos

Terrell

Charlie Robison brings his iconic country hits to the Silver Saloon in Terrell at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 29. Robison is best-known for his songs “Loving County,” “My Hometown,” and “News Year’s Day.” The performance is part of the singer’s comeback that started last year — four years after announcing his retirement in 2018 due to vocal problems. The hiatus ended when Robison returned to the stage at the Red Rooster Ice House in Hawkins, and he’s performed several shows since, including the Red Dirt Barbecue Festival in May.

The Silver Saloon is a hot spot for country western music and features Treaty Oak Revival on Friday, September 1; Tyler Farr on Saturday, September 23; the Read Southall band on Saturday, October 7; and the Josh Abbott Band on Friday, October 13. Shows start at 8 p.m. Call (972) 524-7111 or visit www.silversaloonterrell.com.

Texarkana

The Perot Theater in Texarkana hosts the Eli Young Band at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 16. The four-piece instrumental band performs hits from their Grammy-nominated album Love Talking (2022).

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra also performs “An American in Paris” featuring accomplished jazz pianist Mary Scott Smith at Texarkana’s Perot Theater on October 7. The show features sophisticated compositions by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, and Joseph Maurice Ravel.

Tyler

The East Texas Symphony Orchestra (ETSO) performs a free Labor Day Symphony in the Park at Bergfeld Park in Tyler at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September

2. ETSO opens the 2023-2024 season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, in a special high-energy performance with American Western Swing band Asleep at the Wheel at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Center.

The Cowan Center in Tyler features a variety of live music events this fall.

Singer/songwriter Ann Wilson —

formerly of Heart — performs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 28, with the band Tripsitter. Wilson is known for her powerful vocals in the singles “What About Love,” “Barracuda,” “Crazy On You,” and “Magic Man.” The Barricade Boys perform a medley of tunes from Broadway favorites at the Cowan Center at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 5. Country music singer Craig Morgan performs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 12. His show is titled “Craig Morgan — God, Family & Country.” Morgan’s baritone voice and heartfelt lyrics have resulted in his induction into the Grand Ole Opry and dozens of hits including “Bonfire,” “Almost Home,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” and “This Ole Boy.” For information call (903) 566-7424 or visit www.cowancenter. org.

Tyler also hosts the Rose City Music Festival featuring Whiskey Myers, Ludacris, and Deejay Shane Payne in an event by Townsquare Media, from 2 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at 100 North Broadway Avenue. Tickets to the event range from $90 to $222 and include food samples from participating restaurants.

Winnsboro

Winnsboro Center For the Arts features the Americana sounds of Clay Parker

& Jodi James on the intimate Bowery Stage on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m. on September 2. Country western artist Michael Martin Murphey performs at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.

Yantis

Neon Moon Restaurant & Club in Yantis (near Lake Fork in Wood County) features several popular acts this season that begin at 8:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. T. Graham Brown performs Saturday, September 2; the Caleb Hamby Band on Saturday, September 9; Eric George on September 16; Brandon Kruger on Saturday, September 23; Mark Wills at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, September 29; Meredith Crawford Saturday, September 30; Doug Stone on Friday, October 6; Fun Pianos Dueling Piano Show at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, October 20; Aaron Tippin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 28; and Eric George on Saturday, November 4.

Other live music/restaurant venues to check out include Stanley’s Famous Pit BB-Q in Tyler, the Rowdy Creek Lounge in Gilmer, the Sunset Lounge in Paris, The Tattler Lounge & Listening Room in Quitman, the Rockett Café & Club in Waxahachie, and Southern Junction Royse City. Check out live music events on the calendar at www.countylinemagazine.com/calendar.

Enjoy Classic Steak and Seafood at Four Winds

The award-winning Four Winds Steakhouse offers a memorable destination dining experience near Interstate 20 between Terrell and Wills Point. Guests enjoy upscale rustic dining and classic steakhouse fare created by Chef Frank Rumoré.

Chef Rumoré spent 25 years with Del Frisco Steakhouse, with 15 of those as executive chef at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse in Dallas, before moving to the former ranch of Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan.

Specialties include a 26-ounce rib eye steak with a brandy peppercorn sauce, 12 and 14-ounce New York strip or ribeye steaks, sugar-cured pork chops, chicken-fried beef tenderloin, and marinated grilled chicken breast served with fresh vegetables.

Seafood specialties include Australian cold water lobster tail, fried jumbo shrimp, pecan-crusted catfish, and fresh fish of the day. The menu also offers jumbo lump crab cakes, shrimp Remoulade, shrimp cocktail, and New Orleans style BBQ shrimp as appetizers.

The dining experience features picturesque views of the 1,100 acre ranch and quality service from an experienced staff. Four Winds has received numerous accolades from the Dallas Observer and County Line Magazine and is one of OpenTable. com’s Top 100 Steakhouses throughout the nation.

The dining room at Four Winds can accommodate groups and intimate dining. The steakhouse is a popular venue for birthday parties, anniversaries, and other celebrations. Reservations are required.

Four Winds Steakhouse is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For information, visit their Facebook page and website, www.fourwindsteakhouse. com. Call (903) 873-2225 or visit www. fourwindssteakhouse.com to make a reservation.

Top: The 12 oz Ribeye steak features a simple presentation and is perfectly cooked to order. Below: The Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes are made with fresh crab and a spicy orange-mustard cream sauce. Opposite page: The great fireplace, chandelier, and windows create an upscale rustic dining atmosphere at Four Winds Steakhouse. The ranch was previously owned by former Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Lee Roy Jordan. Photos by ine burke

ABOVE: Some of the savory dishes and appetizers at Four Winds Steakhouse include (Clockwise from top left): Australian cold water lobster tail; the tender 6 oz Filet Mignon; house-made mozzarella, tomato and onion salad, served with basil balsamic vinaigrette and mixed greens. The Escargot is baked in a traditional garlic-herb compound butter and served with hot fresh bread. BELOW: The Four Winds dining room overlooks a large pond on an 1,100 acre ranch near Wills Point. Photos by ine burke