county line
Upper East Side of Texas
MAY/JUNE 2021
M A G A Z I N E
Susanna CLARK More than a muse to Texas’ best songwriters
SUMMER FUN FORAGE WEAR MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS TREEHOUSE GETAWAY FARMERS’ MARKETS BLUEBERRY TIME MINEOLA ARCHITECTURE ART GALLERIES PERFECT PICNICS
www.CountyLineMagazine.com
VisitMarshall
VisitMarshallTX
Locally Grown GOOD FOOD, GOOD TIMES
GREENVILLE
www.ci.Greenville.TX.us/market
HENDERSON
www.VisitHendersonTX.com
LONGVIEW
www.HistoricLongviewFarmersMarket.com
MARSHALL
www.facebook.com/MarshallTXMarket
MINEOLA
www.MineolaFarmersMarket.com
MOUNT VERNON
www.MountVernonTXFarmersMarket.com
PALESTINE
www.VisitPalestine.com
PARIS
www.ParisTexas.gov
ROCKWALL
www.RockwallFarmersMarket.org
UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS
Farmers’ Markets 2 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
SULPHUR SPRINGS www.SulphurSpringsTx.org
WINNSBORO
www.WinnsboroFarmersMarket.com
presents
DOWNTOWN ROCKWALL, TX
Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Overcoming Obstacles LIVESTREAMING
Clara Schumann Piano Trio and Dmitri Shostakovich Piano Quintet
ENJOY The sunshine /DOWNTOWNROCKWALL
/DOWNTOWNROCKWALLTEXAS
◆
Monday, June 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm
Children’s Concert
The Cat Who Wore Boots VIRTUAL PERFORMANCE AMERICAN PREMIERE
903.563.3780 WWW.MOUNTVERNONMUSIC.ORG
THE TIMBERS AT THE PARK
Welcome Home Premiere Luxury Apartment Community
Nature. Playground. Controlled Access. Clubhouse. Dog Park. Pool. Fitness Center.
201 Timber Court, Terrell, TX • 972.992.7940 • www.TimbersAtTheParkApts.com MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 3
CONTENTS
FEATURES
8 Susanna Clark
54
Her influence on the Texas-Tennessee music fusion that came out of the 1970s and beyond is huge. Meet the woman who was muse to our most famous songwriters and her journey back home. By P.A. Geddie
18 Six Summer Adventures
Exploring the roads less traveled, find a few fun excursions this summer in the Upper East Side of Texas. By Emily Harris
22 Mothers & Daughters
Moms and daughters playing and working together and lifting each other up like no other duo can. By Lisa Tang
DEPARTMENTS 5 Editor’s Note
THIS TIME OF YEAR
28 The Ritters, Audie Murphy, Carroll Shelby, Tyler Film Fest, Wine Time
34 51 22
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT 30 31 32 34 40
Foraging Bandana Event Picks Butterflies by Lisa Hilbers Mineola Architecture Treehouse Getaway
ARTS & CULTURE
43
42 Tyler Student Art Exhibit 43 Gallery Expands in Palestine
county line
Upper East Side of Texas
MAY/JUNE 2021
M A G A Z I N E
LITERARY 48 New Lady Bird Book 49 Poetry
MUSIC
Susanna CLARK More than a muse to Texas’ best songwriters
SUMMER FUN FORAGE WEAR MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS GETAWAY FARMERS’ MARKETS BLUEBERRY TIME MINEOLA ARCHITECTURE ART GALLERIES PERFECT PICNICS
TREEHOUSE
www.CountyLineMagazine.com
Susanna Clark, early 60s. Courtesy photo
SEE WEBSITE EXTRAS! www.CountyLineMagazine.com 4 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
50 Blueberry Bluegrass Concert 51 Kevin Tinney, Beat Root Revival, Already Gone, Michael O’Neal
FOOD & DRINK 52 Farmers Markets Open for Season 54 Plan a Perfect Picnic
county line Since 2000
MAGAZINE
Serving those living & playing in the Upper East Side of Texas
PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR P.A. Geddie
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lisa Tang CONTRIBUTORS Emily Harris Judy Peacock Tracy Torma Lisa Hilbers Nicole Herrera Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson Joseph Gonzalez
ADVERTISING pa.geddie@countylinemagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
EDITORS’ NOTES Dear Readers, My co-editor Lisa Tang had the idea of talking to a few mothers and daughters about their lives together for this issue. These kind and adventurous duos cover all ages and it’s refreshing to hear how much they respect each other and enjoy spending time together. My own mother and I have that same special bond. She sets an example to me and many others of how to live our best lives. Stay positive, care about others, have a sense of purpose, keep moving those body parts, and enjoy several hobbies are the messages she shares. She doesn’t have to say them out loud because she lives by them every single day. In the photo at right, we are in Sedona, Arizona. That trip was her first time to fly in an airplane at the age of 80 and she loved it. There were a lot of firsts during that trip and memories of our time together that I will cherish always. We especially enjoy laughing together — we clearly share the same funny bone. I’m so proud of her and know she is proud of me too. There are other wonderful people to meet in this issue including Susanna Clark. I’ve long known the wife of legendary singer songwriter Guy Clark was
Lucille and P.A. Geddie
from little Atlanta, Texas, but had no idea of how huge her influence was on songs and art I’ve enjoyed for decades. I also didn’t know that her hometown was her favorite place on earth, so much so, that her ashes were taken there after she died. Much of Susanna’s journey reflected authenticity, simple pleasures, and the value of art in every day living. She held close the things she learned from her small town beginning and that’s clear in everything she touched. Enjoy this issue for more of the people, places, and fun things to do that ooze beautiful, creative small town charm in the Upper East Side of Texas. P.A. Geddie
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 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 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.
The Official Arts Advocacy
The Official Artsfor Advocacy Organization Texas Organization Texas Texans for the Arts is at the forefront for of empowering artists,
CHECK OUT COUNTY LINE DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS arts leaders, committed supporters, and citizen activists like
Texans foryou! theTogether Arts isweatcan theamplify forefront of empowering artists, our powerful voices to increase both committed public and private resourcesand to build strong, dynamic, arts leaders, supporters, citizen activists like and creative communities all across Texas. you! Together we can amplify our powerful voices to increase both public and private resources to build strong, dynamic, and creative communities all across Texas.
www.CountyLineMagazine.com
LISA & LAUREN Lauren is genuinely the sweetest joy of my adult life. I am blessed beyond measure to have shared many special times with her while she was growing up. Lately I’ve so enjoyed watching her grow into the smart and capable young lady she is today at 20, now an adult in her own right. I often tell Lauren she’s the best decision I ever made. She’s sweet, affectionFor over 20 years, For over 20 years, ate, generous, sociable, adventurous, Texans for the Arts Texans for the Arts and extremely strong-willed. I couldn’t has consistently has consistently worked to: worked to: imagine our lives without her, and my Protect Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) arts funding Protect Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) arts funding Increase funding for the Texas Commission on the Arts is Increase for the Texas Commission on the Arts in whatprayer shefunding will find happiness Expand the conversation about the vital role the arts play in ourExpand schools the and conversation communities about the vital role the arts in our and to communities ever shetaxplaypolicies chooses Support andschools other measures that do. help artists arts organizations andSupport tax policies and other measures that help
Advocate artists for increased funding for the National and arts organizations
for the Arts and for federal policies that OurEndowment best memories from moments artists Advocate fororganizations. increased fundingare for the National support and arts Endowment for the Arts and for federal policies that we share but she’s also insupport together artists and arts organizations. dependent and does many things on her own. In this photo, we’re enjoying
Lisa and Lauren Tang
lunch in College Station during a brief visit last fall at Texas A&M, where she’s in the Corps of Cadets. I’m looking forward to sharing more experiences and memories with her as she continues on her chosen path. Lisa Tang
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 5
county line
weekly MAGAZINE
GOOD NEWS for the Upper East Side of Texas
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE to receive good news in your inbox every Sunday morning.
stay
shop dine
play Between County Line eEditions, read more about the people, places, and things that make the Upper East Side of Texas the best place to live, dream, and explore. Includes events, attractions, articles, food, drinks, arts, culture, lifestyle, entertainment, people profiles, and more.
Go to www.CountyLineMagazine.com and click on SUBSCRIBE to find the WEEKLY or email your address to info@countylinemagazine.com with WEEKLY in the subject line. For assistance, call (903) 963-1101.
6 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
county line
MAGAZINE
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are made of dirt.
blogs Subscribe to County Line Magazine for the inviting road less traveled.
www.CountyLineMagazine.com
Pine Creek COUNTRY INN
Nacogdoches, Texas
the getaway place www.PineCreekCountryInn.com • (936) 560-6282 Getaways • Retreats • Receptions • Business Meetings MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 7
SUSANNA CLARK Artist, Writer, and Muse to Texas’ Famous Outlaw Songwriters
By P.A. Geddie Susanna Talley was born March 11, 1939, in Atlanta, Texas, a small town between Marshall and Texarkana in the Upper East Side of Texas. Hickory Street in her hometown was her favorite place in the whole world.
“I’ve got a woman I love, she’s crazy and paints like God She’s got a playground sense of justice, she don’t take odds I got a tattoo with her name right through my soul And I think everything she touches turns to gold.” Guy Clark, “Stuff That Works”
The sixth of nine children of John and Virginia Talley, she was courageously creative. Especially with paint and words. She married the love of her life — singer songwriter Guy Clark — in 1972. As Guy’s best friend and Susanna’s soulmate, legendary poet Townes Van Zandt was best man at their wedding. That’s the kind of creative energy she attracted, and expected.
much as his. Set to Guy’s most famous songs, viewers see family photographs, vintage film footage and radio talk shows, and hear Susanna’s sometimes pained remembrances from her private journals and secret audio diaries. When Townes Van Zandt died January 1, 1997, their outlaw family took it hard, none more so than Susanna. She was depressed and ill off and on for the next few years, progressively getting worse the final years of her life. She died June 27, 2012. Guy died four years later.
The Clark house was home base for Nashville’s songwriting community throughout the 1970s and beyond with Susanna the consummate thread holding it all together. They were a big part of the “outlaw” musicians and rowdy writers who wrested creative control from record companies and made music that was authentic, poetic, and uncompromised. Far from standing in the shadows of Texas’ most famous songwriters, Susanna was their muse, their light, the angel of mercy with the golden touch. She also created her own extraordinary work. Her spirit forever flows through timeless art and music she breathed into life in her 73 years on earth. So it’s no surprise that directors Tamara Saviano and Paul Whitfield chose to tell Guy Clark’s story from Susanna’s perspective in their film Without Getting Killed or Caught. The documentary is narrated in Susanna’s voice by Academy Award-winner Sissy Spacek, a fellow East Texan who grew up in Quitman, a short distance away as the crow flies from Susanna’s hometown of Atlanta. The film won this year’s SXSW Louis Black “Lone Star” award and is showing virtually through ticket sales from www. withoutgettingkilledorcaught.com.
The title comes from Guy’s song “L.A. Freeway” that favors small towns to the false allure of big cities. “Pack up all your dishes / Make note of all good wishes / Adios to all this concrete /Gonna get me some dirt road back street / If I can just get off of this L.A. freeway / Without getting killed or caught / I’ll be down the road in a cloud of smoke / To some land I ain’t bought / Oh Susanna don’t you cry, babe / Love’s a gift that’s surely handmade / We’ve got something to believe in / Don’t you think it’s time we’re leavin’.” Yes, she’s that Susanna. Forever immortalized in a classic. In Without Getting Killed or Caught, the couple’s closest friends and musical allies — including Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Vince Gill, Verlon Thompson — talk about her influence on them as
8 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Sherri Talley Lemaire inherited her Aunt Susanna’s important things, some of which Saviano used to tell their story, first in a book with the same title that released in 2016, then with the film this year. “Everyone involved did a beautiful, dignified job,” Lemaire says. “They told the story in a very gentle way. There was a lot of heartache and a lot of wonderful things too. Tamara handled the tragic parts well.” She says Guy and Susanna would be proud of the film. “Fairness, accuracy, and the truth are what should matter. And that’s what Guy and Susanna felt was important in the purity of writing. They would appreciate it.” (Above) Susanna Talley Clark (circa 1980s). (Right) The talented trio of Townes Van Zandt and Susanna and Guy Clark, wrote many songs together and played hosts to the outlaw TexasTennessee songwriters in the 1970s and beyond. Photo by photojournalist Al Clayton in 1972
As Guy’s publicist, Saviano started the process of writing his book many years ago with the full support of both Guy and Susanna. “He had a lot of trust in Tamara,” Lemaire says, “and felt fine with whatever way she wanted to tell it. She didn’t mince words.” At Susanna’s request, Saviano got to know Lemaire and her relationship with her famous aunt through many letters and family treasures. Lemaire says she has wonderful memories of Susanna, some her own as they grew close as adults, and others told to
her by her father who was Susanna’s brother. Growing up in Atlanta, Texas, was always high on their list of favorite stories. “They talked abut the memories so fondly,” Lemaire says. “It was a really special place for them their entire lives.” Lemaire says everyone in the Talley family told great tales. “They were master storytellers,” she says. “Every word mattered. They would sit around taking turns and listening was as much a part of that as telling. They were fascinating and told with
such great wit. It was a very intelligent wit, often hilarious in the telling. It’s no wonder Susanna gravitated to that type of art.” At some point in Susanna’s childhood, the family moved to Oklahoma City as her father’s entrepreneurial endeavors became more successful. The city was also home to some of her mother’s family, the Kirkpatricks, who were part of a wealthy oil dynasty. Susanna and her siblings became members of “high society” and involved with the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center, the main performance venue at Oklahoma City University still continued page 10
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 9
SUSANNA continued from page 9 today. It was dedicated to relatives, Eleanor and John Kirkpatrick, in 1967. Around that time, Guy Clark played shows in Oklahoma City and he met Susanna’s sister Bunny who was executive director of the Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation. They kept in touch as Guy toured with Van Zandt and others and home based out of Houston. Like her sister, Susanna was involved with creative projects and taught art classes. Sadly, Bunny committed suicide May 3, 1970, at the age of 25. Guy came to the funeral and sat next to Susanna. In a Texas Monthly article, he told John Spong that he and Susanna were together from then on. “I sat next to Susanna at the funeral, and it just never ended. It was a loss for both of us, and she needed some place to go other than family. I don’t think we were ever apart after that.” Susanna went with Guy to live in Houston. In a 2004 documentary, “Be Here To Love Me,” about Townes Van Zandt, the couple recounts early memories with Van Zandt during her first months in Houston.
“There was a certain part of my life that Townes admired,” Guy says. “Figure it’s mostly Susanna. Susanna and Townes were like serious soulmates.” Susanna talks about meeting Van Zandt for the first time. “On July 4th, I moved down to Houston where Guy lived and I didn’t know one soul.” There were a lot of people at Guy’s place and they were partying heavy and she was a bit uncomfortable. Guy implies that was because of her more elite lifestyle. “Susanna was a debutante coming from the highest dollar family in Oklahoma City,” Guy teases.
The Talley Family in Atlanta, Texas. (l-r) John, Dee, Sally, Billie, Joan, Bunny, Dan, Susanna, Jack, Jim, and Virginia. Susanna’s memories of growing up here made it her favorite place in the world. The kids had a favorite playground near this house on Hickory Street which is where most of her ashes were released after her death in 2012. Photo courtesy of Sherri Talley Lemaire.
he always had to keep one eye on him and Susanna saying he was never inappropriate with her. The couple left Houston and moved to Los Angeles for one year as Susanna encouraged him to follow his artistic passions rather than sticking with a monotonous desk job. Here’s where they met “Skinny Dennis” and seeds were planted for “LA Freeway.”
She waves dismissively at Guy as he laughs and she continues.
VIDEO
“Anyway, Townes comes up to me in all this and says, ‘Susanna, I don’t know you very well, but if Guy loves you, I love you.’ And he put his arms around me and held me for a long time. He said, ‘I mean that.’”
Guy and Susanna then kid around with each other about what Townes’ intentions were to Susanna with Guy saying
10 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Interview with both Guy and Susanna Clark from the 2004 documentary "Be Here To Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt" by Margaret Brown.
When Guy got a song publishing deal in the fall of 1971, they moved to Nashville where their artistic partnership merged with Van Zandt and others in their close-knit songwriters community and they all left the world with a big bucket of timeless music for the soul. “Guy, Susanna, and Townes leaned on each other and believed in each other,” Saviano writes in her book. “Guy wrote songs. Townes wrote songs. Susanna painted and composed poetry.” Susanna was loved deeply by Guy and their friends. She was often the subject of or inspired their lyrics. Rodney Crowell wrote “Angel Eyes” for her and then later, “Life Without Susanna,” where he calls her a “pure angel of mercy, East Texas style.” “She was as no BS as Guy was,” Crowell says in Without Getting Killed or Caught. Steve Earle notes, “We learned to write songs from Guy and Townes, but we learned how to carry ourselves as artists from Susanna.”
VIDEO
Everybody loved Susanna. “I think there are so many qualities that go in to that,” Lemaire says. “She was almost larger than life. She didn’t mince words. She didn’t tell you what you wanted to hear. She would call you on your behavior. She demanded that you be as real as she was in her presence.” As a child, Lemaire looked up to her Aunt Susanna and admired her artistic talent but in the “wild 70s” she was not allowed to hang out with her. She was about 26 years old and hadn’t seen Susanna in years when she decided it was time and gave her a call in Nashville. “Susanna said, ‘I don’t know where you’ve been but I’m sending you a plane ticket.’” “We met for lunch at the Grand Ole Opry,” Lemaire remembers. “I walked in and we immediately knew each other. We looked so much alike. We had the best time. We talked and talked and were close from then on.” continued page 12 (Top) Sherri Talley Lemaire’s favorite picture of her aunt Susanna from her early years in Nashville. (Center) An illustration of Susanna and her words written in “Come From the Heart.” (Bottom) Susanna and Guy Clark in the early days of their marriage. MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 11
SUSANNA continued from page 11 Lemaire said they talked often on the phone and Susanna would call and sing her a new song she’d written. “She had a thing for words and I did too. We loved telling each other witty sayings and things that were brilliant and original that our friends had said. We talked about everything and nothing for hours.”
VIDEO
Lemaire was living in Shreveport during those years and Susanna came to visit her there and she’d go see her in Nashville too. One of the last times she saw Guy and Susanna together she was visiting them in Nashville after Susanna had some of her cancerous lung removed. They were sitting around the kitchen table and Susanna was still smoking. “Guy and I were trying to get her to quit smoking and it was a tense conversation,” Lemaire remembers. “Then Guy told me to, ‘go downstairs and get that Polaroid picture on my work bench and bring me the lyrics of “My Favorite Picture of You.” And bring me #12’ — that was the 12th guitar he made. “I brought them up and he played the song before it was released.” Although Susanna was a little ticked cause they’d been after her about smoking, Guy knew that would change her mood.
where / Your wings are showing / Oh and your arms are crossed / Your fists are clenched / Not gone but going / Just a stand up angel / Who won’t back down / Nobody’s fool, nobody’s clown / You were smarter than that.” While Guy received much more notoriety for his music, Susanna also wrote songs. “I’ll Be Your San Antone Rose,” was first recorded by RCA artist Dottsy in 1975. Jerry Jeff Walker recorded several of Susanna’s songs including “We Were Kinda Crazy Then.” She co-wrote “Heavenly Houseboat Blues” with Van Zandt. “Easy From Now On” was recorded by her co-writer Carlene Carter as well as Emmylou Harris and later Miranda Lambert. She co-wrote six songs with Guy including “Black-Haired Boy” and “The Cape.”
“She had this wonderful feeling on her face listening to her husband play this song. Like it was overdue. It was very emotional for me. She wasn’t emotional, though — she thought it was cool.”
She co-wrote “Come From the Heart” with Richard Leigh. It was recorded by Don Williams and became a #1 song for Kathy Mattea in 1989 with some of country music’s most famous lyrics.
The energy between them flowed playfully like that much of the time — like each of them thought the other was the coolest person in the world.
continued page 14
Guy released the song on his studio album “My Favorite Picture of You” in 2013. The photo was taken in the late 70s or early 80s and the story goes that Susanna was fed up with the shenanigans of Guy and Van Zandt on this particular day. Someone snapped a Polaroid with her standing on a porch with her arms crossed “staring straight into the lens.” “My favorite picture of you / Is the one 12 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
VIDEO
Jerry Jeff Walker and Susanna Clark on stage together in 1991 perfoming her song “We Were Kinda Crazy Then.”
VIDEO
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 13
SUSANNA continued from page 12 “You’ve got to sing like you don’t need the money / Love like you’ll never get hurt /You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching / It’s gotta come from the heart if you want it to work.” Susanna’s gifts went beyond words. She painted many pieces and illustrated several album covers including Willie Nelson’s Stardust; Guy’s Old No. 1, Emmylou Harris’ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town, and Nanci Griffith’s The Dustbowl Symphony. Lemaire said Susanna visited Atlanta,
Texas, over the years and the place that nurtured her formative years became important to Guy too.
Guy didn’t make it back to Atlanta, but he gave the urn with most of Susanna’s ashes to Lemaire.
“They both loved Atlanta,” Lemaire says. “When he and Verlon played in Linden, they’d stay as close to Atlanta as possible.”
“He said, ‘she probably would want them in Atlanta, but I’ll leave that to you.’”
In an interview with the Austin Chronicle a year after Susanna’s death, Guy said she didn’t want a service and he had her ashes with him in his home. “If I ever get back to Atlanta, Texas, I’m going to drop them at the end of the street,” he told the reporter.
There was a special place where Susanna and her siblings used to play near their house on Hickory Street, Lemaire says, and that’s where she spread her ashes. “It began to rain and I took a picture of the area and showed it to Guy when I returned to Nashville to see him. I wanted him to see where she was laid to rest. He said, ‘That’s just beautiful.’” Guy reserved some of the ashes for himself. Those ended up with Rodney Crowell after Guy passed away. Just weeks ago on what would have been her 82 birthday, he gathered friends and in a simple ceremony they said goodbye to Susanna and sent her remaining ashes sailing down the Little Harpeth River near Nashville. Susanna was posthumously inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. Lemaire has her journals, some of her artwork, and other personal things and has willed some of them to The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University in San Marcos where Guy’s ashes rest at the entryway in a crow sculpture created by Terry Allen. Some of her original work — including the painting for Willie Nelson’s Stardust album cover — is in the reconstructed Guy Clark workshop in the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in Nashville. Part of the exhibit “Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring 70s,” a piece of the Clark home is the perfect place for visitors to get a feel of this era of cultural and artistic Texas-Tennessee fusion. Susanna’s spirit is there as surely as it is in her golden playground in the sky over Atlanta, Texas.
(Top left) Susanna Clark with her niece Sherri Talley Lemaire circa 1995 who inherited most of her aunt’s belongings after her death in 2012. (Left bottom) Guy and Susanna attending her nephew’s wedding in New Orleans in 2000. (Right) Guy and Susanna in their early years together. Courtesy photos 14 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 15
county line
MAGAZINE
ADVERTISE WITH US. IT WORKS!
We at Winnsboro Center for the Arts in Winnsboro established a relationship with P.A. Geddie and County Line Magazine over five years ago. They worked with us then in developing an advertising plan and continue to work with us now on ad content and direction. CLM has always been responsive with the changes and edits that are a part of the changing needs of advertising and promotion. The staff at CLM has a passion for promoting the Upper East Side of Texas and all of the many events, concerts and activities in it. They have created a truly excellent magazine and it's not unusual for folks to tell us that they saw us in County Line Magazine. Jim Willis Director of The Bowery Stage Winnsboro Center for the Arts County Line Magazine is our “go to” publication for marketing Mineola, Texas, to our target audience in the North by Northeast Texas area. We know that County Line Magazine will present our entertainment and leisure information in the best light possible with attractive ads and interesting articles that its readers will notice and enjoy. Visitors to our city often comment that they saw our information in the County Line Magazine. Fast response on ad proofs and changes make working with staff a pleasure. We love County Line Magazine. Lynn Kitchens Director of Marketing Asst. Director Economic Development City of Mineola
Reach those Living & Playing in the Upper East Side of Texas
County Line has always been and continues to be a significant partner to our community. The magazine is beautifully laid out, filled with relevant information, and reaches our most important target market — the Northeast Texas drive market. The County Line Team is always very professional and the magazine is a great asset to the entire area. Kevin Banks Manager, Greenville CVB P.A. Geddie and the County Line are a tremendous asset for us at Four Winds Steakhouse. We have worked together for about 14 years. Through the years I have seen the publication grow and consistently get better. It has been a great local tool for our business and its reach continues to grow. They do a great job putting our ads together and I enjoy working with P.A. Frank Rumore Four Winds Steakhouse
www.CountyLineMagazine.com • (903) 312-9556 16 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Sidetrack in Mineola!
Mineola Nature Preserve 7:30 a.m. until sunset No admission fee
H i k i n g a n d B i k i n g Tr a i l s P h o t o g r a p h e r s Pa r a d i s e W i l d l i f e V i ew i n g S t a t i o n s E q u e s t r i a n Tr a i l s RV H o o k - U p s / E q u e s t r i a n Pe n s Pa v i l i o n & A m p h i t h e a t e r Re n t a l Disc Golf Course Wildscape Garden B i r d wa t c h i n g F i s h i n g Po n d s
www.VisitMineola.com 1.800.MINEOLA
f
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 17
Six Summer Adventures On the Roads Less Traveled
By Emily Harris Off-roading is usually a term which relates to vehicles and fun in the mud. But what if visitors and residents in the Upper East Side of Texas applied that mentality to their summer vacation? Sunshine and swimming kick off the season, but then too often, the “doldrums” set in. After years of doing relaxing but perhaps mundane traditions, adventures to spice up the hot weeks and get off the beaten path might be what is in order. There’s an abundance of memorable and safe outdoor activities at the fingertips of anyone venturing down the road.
Captain Ron’s Swamp Tours East Texas can tout many titles and the wonder of its prehistoric past is one of the most intriguing. Step away from the hustle and bustle of the highway and into the open air and wonder of Caddo Lake, home to more than 250 bird species, alligators, Spanish moss, and cypress trees.
Captain Ron’s Swamp Tours provides a nice outdoor experience on a 28-footpontoon boat. Owner Jean RhodesWerneke says the tours are not only fun, but also informational. “It’s magical, mystical, unusual, and prehistoric,” she says. Visitors can book a tour Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Adults can board for $25, while children are charged $15, and seniors $20. The tours last anywhere from 1 and ½ to 2 hours. Guests board at the Big Pines Lodge Restaurant at 756 Pine Island Road and can stop in and grab a bite before or after the ride. The spot has been open for more than 50 years. Get more information on www.captronswamptours.com or call (903) 679-3020. Caddo Outback Tours is another fun option in the area to check out; they offer personal private tours. Call (903) 789-3384 and visit www.caddolaketours. com.
18 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
New York, Texas Zipline Adventures
An airborne adventure might be the stuff of childhood dreams, but one popular spot has made it a reality. New York, Texas Zipline Adventures offers a heart-dropping but gorgeous view of the Piney Woods, all from the safety of a harness. “This year, people are ready to get some fresh air,” says owner Connie Shultz. She added social distancing is in place. She and husband Charles opened the zipline in 2008, as the first course in North Texas. The spot is just a few miles east of Athens, in Larue. Visitors must sign a waiver and make reservations prior to participating and can take a practice run before taking on the big tours. Prices differ depending on the tours, which last anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. The 6 Line Zipline Tour is $60 per person while the 9 Line Zipline Tour is $95. To make a reservation, call (903) 681-3791
and go to www.goziptexas.com for more information. If visitors find themselves in love with the sport, other fun spots to check out include Thomas Falls Event Center & Zip-line Challenge Course in Diana and Zip Nac in Nacogdoches.
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
The city of Jacksonville might be famous for its tomatoes, but another gem just off the highway garners just as much attention. Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari has the perks of a zoo, just with the option of driving. It offers both safari favorites and exotic species, all from the comfort of the car. The 300-acre park is home to alligators, bison, dromedary camel, several species of deer, miniature donkeys, kangaroos, and a host of others. Located off County Road 4405, it is just a few miles from Jacksonville. Prices are $17.95 for adults, $12.95 for children, and $15.95 for seniors. Group continued page 20 MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 19
ADVENTURES continued from page 19
enthusiasts or anyone wanting to get in the saddle and enjoy the fresh air.
rates depend on the amount of people. Guests must remain in their cars but can purchase food for the animals to feed on the drive.
The horseback riding service is located just off County Road 43 near Mount Sylvan. Throughout the year, riders can sign up for private lessons, group lessons, or a monthly barn membership.
Picnic areas grace the park as well. Reservations are not needed. Visit www. cherokeetrace.com or call (903) 6833322 to get any questions answered. Grapeland Safari, off Highway 287 North, is another park to add to the list to check out before summer is over. See more information on www.grapelandsafari.net.
RH Equestrian Traveling one of the several “back ways” from Tyler to Lindale takes a driver past every horse lover’s dream. RH Equestrian has mastered the magic of the equine and has plenty to offer equine
This summer, horsemanship camps are a specialty. Some are for the younger crowd, ages 5 through 11, and require no prior experience. Others are open to all ages, but riders need some horse knowledge. Each camp runs three days and are $275 per person. Half of the deposit is required to hold a spot. Gear is provided as well. The camps kick off at the end of May and are sprinkled through June. Trail rides of 45 minutes are offered to those at least 7 years old. The cost is $35-$45 per person. Social distancing is enforced.
20 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
There is no shortage of horseback riding opportunities in East Texas. Other spots to check out include the Broken Spur Ranch in Jacksonville, Peirce Equestrian in Tyler or D&L Deer Valley Ranch Trail Rides in Hawkins.
Waldo Way Dairy Farm In today’s food industry, the search for wholesome and real nourishment is on. And what better way to get back to the basics this summer than to check out an authentic dairy farm? The Waldo Way Dairy Farm in Mineola offers just that in the form of raw milk and milk products. Fresh milk is not pasteurized or homogenized, and it is produced and packaged on location. Shoppers can also browse for beauty products, fresh eggs and a variety of meats in their store. The farm holds the title of first robotic dairy farm in the state and offers tours. Groups must meet a minimum before
Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson
admittance. If customers feel like staying a little longer, The Gatehouse Inn in Mineola is available for the night. Reservations are required. Check out the Mineola store at 395 County Road 2482, the Tyler location at 13325 Highway 69 North or call (903) 569-4210. Find their website at www. thewaldoway.com. Trimble Farms in Big Sandy, Jersey Girls Dairy in Winnsboro, Southspoon Farm in Yantis and Full Quiver Farms in Kemp are other spots to check out for whole milk, milk products and good food.
Echo Springs Blueberry Farm
Berry-picking is a timeless pastime, enjoyed by young and old alike. At Echo Springs Blueberry Farm, the owners have the task down to a science. With 80 acres of blueberries and 12 acres of blackberries, there is plenty of room to spread out and fill baskets for the summer and stock up for the winter. The farm is located in between Browns-
boro and Murchison, just south of Highway 31. Owner Phyllis Vaseleniuck says they owe their success to the superb berry taste to the natural underground springs which run under the bushes. The farm provides an eating area, baskets to pick berries or bags of picked produce, and a bake shop. Depending on the weather, Memorial Day is typically the soonest that visitors can start enjoying the fruit, but Vaseleniuck says the February freeze could play a factor in that time line this year.
jonflaming wrangler april 11 – july 11 Tyler Museum of Art 1300 South Mahon Avenue • Tyler, TX www.tylermuseum.org
Contact the farm at (903) 852-5277 and visit www.echospringsblueberryfarm.com to be sure the berries are ready. Tyler Berry Farm on County Road 429 and Blueberry Ridge Farm in Mineola also offer plenty of berry-picking fun, as well as Blueberry Hill Farms in Edom. This is by no means a comprehensive list of best kept secrets. With the wide open spaces in the Upper East Side of Texas, the options are essentially endless. Make this summer memorable and jump off the road into an adventure. MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 21
Mothers and Daughters
Shared Experiences Create Treasured Mother-Daughter Relationships By Lisa Tang As many moms know, motherhood is a world unto itself. Life sets each woman on a new path the moment she hears her first infant’s cry. Her life changes instantly, becoming forever fuller as she welcomes a new life to the world. Deep down the mother and baby know they have a special bond. If the child is a girl, the new life they share together may be even sweeter. Many moms and daughters around the Upper East Side of Texas have positive stories to tell of how they work together, encourage and uplift each other, or simply enjoy doing things together. We’re sharing their stories to celebrate Mother’s Day and motherhood.
Ana Hernandez and Aalia Thompson
Life can be full of struggles for some, but having a daughter who appreciates those struggles can bring great joy. Ana Hernandez and her daughter Aalia Thompson of Lindale study Brazilian jiu jitsu — a form of martial arts. Hernandez recently earned a brown belt after several years of study. That’s a huge accomplishment on its own, but Hernandez is not new to meeting challenges head on. As a single mom, she struggles to make ends meet for herself and her three kids, who are just entering adulthood. She makes a point of being close to her kids because she had a poor relationship with her own parents. “My kids are my friends, my confidants,” Hernandez says. “I want my kids to know they can come to me with anything.” Thompson studies music and voice at Tyler Junior College and shares what she learns with her mom because she never had time to take classes. She also shows appreciation by washing the dishes and making lunch for her mom every day. “I realize what she’s done for me and Aalia Thompson and Ana Hernandez 22 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Riley and Bethany Browning
my brothers,” Thompson says. “I feel like she just doesn’t get enough appreciation for it. I wish that other people would appreciate her more.” Their feelings are mutual. Hernandez also speaks admirably of her daughter. “She’s become this amazingly talented, strong, beautiful young woman that’s going to take over the universe sometime in the near future,” Hernandez says.
Bethany and Riley Browning
Bethany Browning of Rockwall and her nine-year-old daughter Riley enjoy doing a range of activities together. With Riley now old enough to participate in accompanying mom to work-related events, she’s finding she enjoys doing almost everything her mom likes to do. As Main Street and Art in Public Places Manager for the city of Rockwall, Bethany often brings Riley to Saturday events such as the farmers’ market, where she finds ways to help by greeting guests or organizing supplies. “I get to meet new people and I get to go and volunteer,” Riley says. Riley also enjoys playing volleyball, golfing, and swimming — sports Bethany enjoys and encourages Riley to play. She also enjoys going on walks with her mom. “I like to go walk with her because we get to talk about a lot of stuff,” Riley says. Riley recently learned to ski — with lessons and a lot of mom’s patience. It happened gradually as Bethany gently coaxed Riley and skied beside her. “I just let her decide when we were doing things that day,” Bethany says. After learning to ski Riley is proud of her new ability and wants to go again. “She’s a lot like me,” Bethany says. “I was super mature for my age and she is too.” The Brownings’ story is familiar to many moms who enjoy teaching their daughters new skills and independence. Because they share so much in common, daughters sometimes adopt their mothers’ feelings and preferences while others decide to follow their own paths.
Tiffany and Shasta Carwell Education is a major focus for Tiffany and her daughter Shasta Carwell — they’ve also learned quite a bit from each other. When Shasta was in the fourth grade, she went to visit her mom’s classroom after school to wait while Tiffany finished her day’s work at Westwood Elementary School in Palestine. “She has really been a front-row witness to my educational journey,” Tiffany says. “I decided to go back and pursue an associate’s degree when she entered public school.” Tiffany pushed Shasta to earn higher grades and achieve as she grew older. Eventually, as Tiffany’s career in education advanced — with a master’s in
special education and a promotion as Director of Special Programs for the district — Shasta also began focusing on a future career, deciding to become a broadcast journalist. Tiffany always made it clear to Shasta she was her mom, especially when her only daughter began outgrowing her in height. “I would always tell her, ‘I’m not your little friend,’ Tiffany says. Admiring her mom’s achievements, Shasta developed strong study skills. Right after Tiffany finished her second degree at the University of Texas at Tyler in 2016, it was Shasta’s turn to enroll. “I would definitely call her a power continued page 24
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 23
Tiffany and Shasta Carwell
MOTHERS continued from page 23 house woman,” Shasta says. “She’s always inspired me to just take on more than what I thought I could.” Last year Shasta completed a bachelor’s degree in mass communication at UT Tyler then re-enrolled in the master’s of business administration program. Her decision to move home to Palestine has been challenging, however because she is having to rethink the career she had set her mind on for so long. “I was going to be the next Oprah Winfrey,” Shasta says. Instead she’s experiencing another side of education as a fourth grade teacher. At 22 and 40, the Carwells are close enough in age to be mistaken for sisters — even though Shasta is not sure if Tiffany sees her as an adult. “I think she kind of sees me as an adult,” Shasta says. “When I come home and talk about my [teaching] job, I’m talking to somebody who understands. That adds a different aspect to our relationship.”
Jen Dwyer and Meghan Dwyer Rogers
Some moms are grateful to have their daughters around because they’re simply the best help available. Meghan Dwyer Rogers is her mom’s right-hand woman at the family’s ranch in rural Delta County, where the bucolic lifestyle may seem peaceful and relaxing. That’s not the case for Jen Dwyer and her daughter, however. The mom and daughter team own and operate two businesses — a bed and breakfast in Cooper known as The Emma Grace and BTF Ranch that sells cattle and grassfed beef. The tasks and responsibilities required of the family’s two businesses are seemingly endless, yet provide a busy lifestyle in which they both thrive. “There’s a constant communication, a constant dialogue for both businesses,” Jen says. “It’s beneficial to us to always be in motion.” While Jen performs outdoor tasks
24 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
around the ranch, Meghan works behind the scenes paying bills and ensuring things run smoothly. Their bed and breakfast business recently achieved a 10-star rating on the travel platform Expedia. Aside from accommodating guests and hosting events in the bed and breakfast’s event space on weekends, the pair also have many responsibilities at the ranch, such as selling beef at local farmers markets. With so much to do, they say their background as mom and daughter allows a higher level of trust that boosts their communication and performance. “I really feel like we’re a good team,” Jen says. “We’re always able to circle around and still remain friends as mother and daughter and as confidants.” Rogers enjoys the constant activity. “I really like it because I’m not stagnant,” she says. When Rogers was growing up, Dwyer was always around. “Any time we took on a project we always did it together,” Rogers says. “We’ve al-
ways had a strong dynamic within the family. We’ve just changed the workload.” Rogers lived in Boston in 2018 when Dwyer opened The Emma Grace but moved back to Texas a year ago just before the birth of her son D.J.
Jen Dwyer and Meghan Dwyer Rogers
After 15 years of experience working for other employers, Rogers says she prefers working with family. “You have a built-in relationship that helps move you forward,” she says.
Brenda Lee and Shelby Lee Perry Adult daughters lucky enough to share experiences with their moms also know that time spent together is precious. They cherish past experiences and memories while forming new ones. Brenda Lee of Henderson and Shelby Lee Perry of Palestine recently collaborated on a children’s book together. Perry has always admired her mom’s artistic ability. While growing up she learned to love reading picture books and doing art projects from her mom, who taught for Henderson schools. When she wrote her own book last year, Perry couldn’t imagine asking anyone else but her mom to illustrate it. Perry is a preschool teacher and wrote the book to explain the family’s move to a new town to her kids. At the time her son and daughter had mixed feelings about leaving their home, school, and friends in Henderson and moving to Palestine. “I wrote [the book] for them so I could have something that would speak my heart to them,” Perry said. However when Perry proposed the project, Brenda at first doubted her own ability. She had not practiced art for years. “It was a challenge. I had never illustrated a book before and I was out of practice,” Brenda says.
Aalia Thompson and Ana Hernandez
Despite her doubts, Brenda decided to brush up on her skills and take the opportunity to work on the project with her daughter. Leaving the Pride tells about the Perry family’s move from Henderson to Palestine, where they would lead a new church. Brenda depicted the members of her daughter’s family as lions — Henderson’s mascot. The book helped Perry’s children through their transition. Moreover the process of illustrating the book became an opportunity for both to share a new experience. With the book completed and published, Brenda says she is looking forward to collaborating with her daughter on more projects, maybe a book about one of the family farm’s animals. The possibilities for new experiences are endless. MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 25
SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE E-EDITION
• Get notified via email each time a new issue is released (6 times per year). • Allows for flipping the pages. • PDF downloads available for entire issue or individual articles. • Share the entire issue or individual articles on social media or via email. • Includes live links to explore more on topics of interest. • Watch video right on the pages.
You owe it to yourself to make Bridgewood Ranch the place you call home.
• Read from desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. • Unlimited access to issue archives. • Some audio articles available.
county line
MAGAZINE
E-EDITION 4100 VISTA LANE, KAUFMAN, TX • 972.932.7711 • www.BridgewoodRanchApts.com 26 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
www.countylinemagazine.com
Emory, TX Let us lure you
“The Land Between the Lakes”
Emorya great place to shop while he goes fishing!
381 381W. W.Lennon LennonDr. Dr. 903-473-0061 903-473-0061
www.emorytx.com
1026 E. Lennon Dr. 903-473-2022
VISIT HENDERSON, TEXAS APRIL 17
SIP & SHOP
10 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Hot Rod Rebellion DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT
26TH ANNUAL
Antique Tractor & Engine Show April 23-24 Shop Downtown Rusk County Expo Center Historic District
April 15thMay 31st Rusk County Wildflower Trails
Visit the Gaston Museum
MAY 15, 2021 • DOWNTOWN HENDERSON www.theHotRodRebellion.com City of Henderson Department of Tourism
See history and artifacts at the largest rural school in the world in the 1930s.
www.VisitHendersonTX.com
Hwy 64W • (903) 722-9016 www.gastonmuseum.org
866-650-5529
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 27
THIS TIME OF YEAR JUNE 14, 1941
MAY 25
Remembering the Ritters Colorful Life
Winery Getaways
May 25 is National Wine Day. The Upper East Side of Texas is home to many wineries, some of them winning international awards through the years. Put a few of these on your bucket list to enjoy some afternoon or evening amidst our beautiful nature-filled rural region.
• Phinesse Farms Winery, Sulphur Springs • Landon Winery, Greenville • Grand Oaks Vineyards & Winery, Mineola Tex Ritter and Dorothy Fay Southworth married June 14, 1941. They met while performing in movies together and had a long and colorful life. Find out more about them and their famous children and grandchildren in The Legacy of Tex Ritter in the County Line Archives.
Kilgore College Rangerettes:
• Valle Della Pace Vineyards & Winery, Garden Valley • Kiepersol Winery & Vineyard, Tyler • Pelle Legna Winery, Tyler • Green Goat Winery, Edom
Celebrating 80 Years
• White Fox Vineyards, Murchison
A Photographic Essay
• Tara Vineyard & Winery, Athens
by O. Rufus Lovett ON DISPLAY
215 E. Tyler St. Longview, TX 75601
THROUGH JULY 3
903.753.8103
LMFA.org
Admission is Free for Members, $5 for Guests. Visit the website for exhibit details.
28 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
• Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, Pittsburg
• Triple N Ranch Winery, Cedar Creek Lake • Castle Oaks Winery, Athens • Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery, Harleton
JUNE 20, 1925
JUNE 9, 2000
Shelby Mustang is Still King of the Road
Happy Birthday Audie Murphy Audie Leon Murphy was born on June 20, 1925, to Josie Bell (Killian) and Emmett Berry Murphy in Kingston, Hunt County.
“Eleanor,” an ultra-rare 1967 Ford Shelby GT500, was a big hit in the 2000 remake of Gone in Sixty Seconds which released that year on June 9. It starred Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie stealing dozens of luxury sports cars and classics. The car is officially named for auto icon Carroll Shelby of Leesburg, Texas (between Winnsboro and Pittsburg). Read more about him in the County Line ARCHIVES.
Downtown Tyler Film Festival Scheduled Tickets are on sale for the 2021 Downtown Tyler Film Festival taking place virtually June 10 through 13. They will share short films form all over the world. No longer than 15 minutes each, they represent a variety of genres including comedy, drama, documentary and science fiction.
He is the most decorated combat soldier of World War II, receiving every military combat award for valor available from the U.S. Army as well as French and Belgian awards for heroism.
Ticket holders are emailed a link emailed two hours before the start of the event each night. The video page is not accessible until the stated event time and is unavailable an hour after the event is finished.
After the war he became a famous movie star in more than 40 pictures from 1948 to 1969. He played himself in the 1955 autobiographical To Hell and Back but most of his films were westerns like The Kid from Texas, The Red Badge of Courage, and The Wild and the Innocent. He died in May 28, 1971, in a plane accident. He’s buried in Arlington National Cemetery. There’s an Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum in Greenville, and Farmersville honors him with a special day around his birthday each year as well as throughout the year at the Audie L. Murphy Memorial. Audie Murphy Day includes such activities as a parade, military exhibits, and programs honoring local veterans. For information call (972) 784-6846 and visit farmersvilletx. com.
Get tickets at www.TylerFilmFest.com and www.LibertyTyler.com. Passes for individual nights are $15 each, or purchase a four-day pass for $50.
C. MILLER DRILLING Water Wells Done Right Deep Well Drilling & Service
Residential •Agricultural • Commercial • Pump Service, Pulling & Sales Ask About Our Sand-Free Water Guarantee Every Deep Well Pressure Cemented
www.cmillerdrilling.com
Serving North East Texas Since 1983 Master Texas License 2464
let us install your well right
• 7355 East Hwy 154 • Winnsboro
800-594-2187 • 903-725-6524
north east texas area
• wood county
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 29
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
Check out the eMAGAZINE www.countylinemagazine.com for extended event listings.
Foraging Bandana Provides Survival Tool By Lisa Tang The “Foraging Bandana” created by Texas survivalist Mark Vorderbruggen, PhD is nice enough to wear, but is also useful. It displays pictures and text to help people survive in the wilderness and makes a great gift for people who enjoy the outdoors. The bandana lists 12 edible and medicinal plants and fungi common in North America and a range of uses for each. Identifying and foraging plants correctly is important to Vorderbruggen who consulted with Nicole Apelian of Raymond, Washington, on the bandana’s design for Wazoo Survival Gear. Widely known by the nickname Merriwether, Vorderbruggen appears annually at venues in the Upper East Side of Texas as a speaker about foraging and wilderness survival. He’s also the expert naturalist behind the Foraging Texas website and products by Medicine Man Plant Co. Vorderbruggen says the purpose of the bandana and other survival tools is to get people home safely. He calls them “get back home gear.” The bandana’s field uses include cooling down, keeping sweat out of the eyes and sun off the head, bandaging wounds, or immobilizing a broken arm or ankle. The bandana is also useful for filtering water, serving as a potholder for boiling water, or even as tinder for starting a fire.
VIDEO
Watch this video where Mark Vorderbruggen talks about the bandana foods that are edible or not.
Eleven of the plants and fungi are common throughout the Upper East Side of Texas. Burdock is available along the Red River on the northeast border of Texas, but not farther south. Yarrow is the most useful medicinal plant featured. “Yarrow stops bleeding and is very antimicrobial,” Vorderbruggen says. “Make yarrow tea and the antibiotic effects help prevent infection in the wound.”
Most of the realistic botanical illustrations come from an 18th century German scientific textbook. A contemporary artist added a few drawings in the same style.
An inner circle around the field guide repeats the phrase, “Be Thy Food — Be Thy Medicine,” by Hippocrates. Known as “the father of medicine,” the famous physician lived more than 2,000 years ago.
The 12 featured plants and fungi represent only a fraction of all edible and medicinal plants in North America but were chosen for ease of identification and wide availability. They include yarrow, wapato, turkey tail, maple, stinging nettle, violet, plantain, cattail, prickly pear, willow, burdock, and dandelion.
Like Hippocrates, Vorderbruggen teaches and writes prolifically about natural medicine. He’s written a book, Idiot’s Guides: Foraging (2016). He also presents the weekly online show “Merriwether’s World!” and guest lectures at schools and other venues.
30 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Caddo Mounds State Historic Site in Cherokee County and the Texas Survival School in Collin County feature his talks two or more times a year. The bandana includes “5 Steps of Identifying Edible Plants” by Samuel Thayer, a Wisconsin-based forager, and Merriwether’s “Rules and Ethics of Foraging.” Vorderbruggen learned about foraging while spending time in the wilds of Minnesota and later earned degrees in medicinal and organic chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. He’s now developing a line of natural medicinal products for Medicine Man Plant Co. of Houston. Aside from bringing the Foraging Plant Bandana and a pocket knife on a wilderness trip, Vorderbruggen recommends two pocket lighters, a metal pot to boil water and a whistle. Go to www.foragingtexas.com to learn more.
EVENT PICKS
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Comes to Dallas
Find more events on our website, subscribe to our weekly newsletter and our new issue notifications for the best of WHAT’S UP in the Upper East Side of Texas. Be sure to call ahead to confirm the details before starting your next adventure.
Every Third Friday
Poetry Reading. Winnsboro. Monthly meeting hosted by the Winnsboro Live Poets Society. Guests are invited to read their own or others’ poems or songs or just listen. BYOB. 6 p.m. Free. Culture Club Art Gallery, 107 E. Elm. (903) 347-6036, www.cultureclubgallery.com
May 1
Festival of Books 2021. Winnsboro. Free. Downtown Cultural Arts District. (903) 3420686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com
May 5-6
Keb Mo Livestream. $20. www.citywinery.com
May 7
Randy Rogers Band. Terrell. $30-35. Silver Saloon. (972) 524-7111. www.silversaloonterrell.com Wine in the Pines Train Excursion. Palestine. $129. Texas State Railroad, (855) 632-7729, www.texasstaterailroad.net Eiffel in Love with Quilts. Paris. Love Civic Center. (903) 491-5182, www.parisquiltshow.com
May 8
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea: Brunch with Elvis. Emory. Meal is inspired by the music, movies, and favorite foods of Elvis Presley. Seating is limited. Reservations are required. $30. Scarbrough Haven. (903) 2315165, www.scarbroughhaven.com John McEuen and the String Wizards. Winnsboro. $39-49. Winnsboro Center for the Arts, Downtown Cultural Arts District. (903) 342-0686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com
May 14-15
Waltstock & Barrel Worldwide. Online Texas Music Festival with Walt Wilkins, Mike Blakely, ShAnnie, Woody Eastman, Chad Richard, Jed Zimmerman, Johnny Nicholas, Drew Kennedy, Josh Grider, Kelley Mickwee, Tommy Alverson, Michael Hearne, Ron Flynt, Bill Small, Larry Seaman, Tina Mitchell Wilkins, Corby Schaub, Ben Jones, Chris Beall, Max & Heather Stalling, Courtney Patton, and The Gimbles. $50. (512) 677-7542, www. waltstockandbarrel.com
May 15
Hot Rod Rebellion. Henderson. Downtown. (775) 400-4339, www.hotrodrebellion.com
May 19
TinMan and the Sheepdog, Jeb Brooks, and Lincoln Goodman. Winnsboro. The Barrel House. (903) 347-1282, www.thebarrelhousewinnsboro.com
From creators of the blockbuster show in Paris seen by more than 2 million visitors, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit brings the art of Vincent to life in Dallas June 17 through September 6. Viewers see 300,000 cubic feet of flawless projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre as they wander through entrancing, moving images that highlight brushstrokes, detail, and color. Immersed in Van Gogh’s works – from his sunny landscapes and
night scenes to his portraits and still life paintings, the installation includes the Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), the Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les Tournesols (Sunflowers, 1888), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1889), and more. Tickets range from $29-$59 and provide access to the exhibit at a specific hour on a specific day. www.dallasvangogh.com
May 22
Center. (903) 439-4705. www.hopkinscountydairyfestival.com
Diva Du Race. Mineola. Run. Bike. Wine. Mineola Nature Preserve. (903) 569-6983.
May 29
Already Gone Concert. Nacogdoches. Eagles tribute band. $5-10. Festival Park. (936) 564-7351, www.visitnacogdoches.org 90th Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion. Free. Downtown Athens. (903) 675-8039
June 4
Pints in the Pines Train Excursion. Palestine. Texas State Railroad, (855) 6327729, www.texasstaterailroad.net
June 11
Jason Boland & The Stragglers. Terrell. Silver Saloon, 1708 State Highway 34 South. (972) 524-7111. www.silversaloonterrell.com
June 18
Junebug Summer Fair. Ben Wheeler. The Forge Bar & Grill. (903) 833-5970. www.theforgebenwheeler.com
June 19
Dogwood Jamboree. Palestine. (903) 7233014. www.visitpalestine.com
June 18-20
Great Texas Balloon Race. Longview. (903) 753-3281. www.greattexasballoonrace.com
June 26
Beat Root Revival. Winnsboro Center for the Arts, Downtown Cultural Arts District. (903) 342-0686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com
June 12
Michael O’Neal. Sulphur Springs. Backstory Brewery. (903) 438-2337. www.backstorybrewery.com Hopkins County Dairy Festival & Ice Cream Freeze Off. Sulphur Springs. Hot air balloons, parade, homemade ice ream, carnival, street dance, museum and learning center, and more. Hopkins County Civic
Contact city offices for Independence Day details.
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 31
Butterflies by Lisa Hilbers Wood County, Texas
Butterfly Life She looks for a butterfly life in the sky of his smile, waits for the bouquet of flowers he’ll leave at the front door of her world. She dreams of all the sunshine their laughter and love will bring to even tough times, how their hearts will still be singing when they float away some unclouded day to that far garden where their butterfly life first began. Darrell Lindsey, Nacogdoches
32 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 33
Railroad History Adds Charm to Mineola Architecture
By Lisa Tang The city of Mineola offers a variety of architectural gems built during its past 140 years as a transportation center and railroad hub. Far from a relic of the past, the city continues to lure visitors with its unique charm. Landmark historic buildings in downtown Mineola are in use today and Union Pacific and Amtrak trains continue to rumble through town. The exceptional condition and historic significance of buildings in the Main Street District earned Mineola a spot in the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings represent characteristics of the cultural and economic era of their time, while the Main Street program’s success reveals city leaders’ dedication to preserving the town’s past.
“Our goal is to preserve that look of downtown that makes Mineola unique,” says James Phillips, chairman of the Mineola Landmark Commission. “The people that live here love the downtown area, and our goal is to try to preserve that so future generations can enjoy.”
a western boomtown, but a fire in the 1880s destroyed 18 of the town’s original buildings.
In 1873, two railroads raced to build lines through the town to make Mineola a railroad junction. Building to the north from Tyler, the International-Great Northern Railroad finished building its tracks 15 minutes before the Texas and Pacific Railroad laid its east to west line through town.
Mineola’s role as a transportation hub helped the town weather even the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Texas & Pacific Railroad made Mineola a home terminal in 1929, bringing more jobs to the town.
Later when the Katy Railroad built a line from Mineola to Greenville in 1881, people could travel from Mineola in any direction. The town’s commercial district just north of the tracks at first represented
34 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
The town’s commercial success in the following decades provided capital for today’s enduring landmarks.
“In 1929 that was an economic boom because it happened right before the Depression hit,” Phillips says. “Hundreds of employees moved to Mineola to work on the railroads.” The Texas & Pacific Railroad continued running its trains through town until the 1990s.
(Left) The former Mineola State Bank building at the corner of Broad and Johnson streets in historic downtown Mineola. The building most recently housed David Lott Insurance Agency. (Above) Tudor revival architecture is a prominent feature of Mineola’s Henry Hotel built in the 1920s. (Right) Detail of the hotel’s main entrance.
In recent years, city leaders continue to promote their heritage by restoring the town’s original character. The street lamps lining the streets today are not original, but are intended to replicate ones installed as early as 1929 when the city began burning them to guide railroad workers going to work at night and in the wee hours of the morning. Iron benches, historical markers, a large gazebo, and beautiful outdoor murals are other effects that continue to lure visitors to explore Mineola.
The downtown historic district includes many commercial and civic buildings ranging from one to three stories in height as well as brick streets. Brick is the dominant exterior material within the district with most buildings having commercial storefront of cast iron, wood, or aluminum-inflamed glass. A few buildings have notable influences of late-19th and early 20-century architectural styles, including Italianate, Classical Revival, Beaux Arts, and Art Moderne.
First National Bank Building The Mineola Chamber of Commerce building was erected in 1912 as the First National Bank Building in the ornate Sullivanesque style and has not been altered. Architect Louis Sullivan of Pennsylvania (1856-1924) used ornate embellishments to decorate tall buildings and continued page 36 MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 35
MINEOLA continued from page 35 skyscrapers in the early 20th century. The building follows Sullivan’s tripartite design with a distinct entryway, a midsection with vertical windows, porthole windows near the top and a decorative cornice at top. This building was built over a natural spring that runs through downtown Mineola. Pumps were built in the basements of the First National Bank building and at least two other buildings that endure today — the First Baptist Church and the old post office. In the town’s early days a pump supplied water at a well at the corner of Johnson and Broad streets.
Mineola Depot Museum Built in 1905, the Mineola Depot Museum houses a small transportation museum. Though a remodel in the 1950s removed the depot’s historic character, it is now restored to its original look. Phillips says that after World War II, many cities and towns wanted to erase the historic character of their towns to make them look more modern. “It was remodeled in the 1950s after World War II because old was [considered] bad,” Phillips says. Though the Texas & Pacific Railroad stopped running its trains through Mine-
ola in the 1990s, the town became an Amtrak stop in 1996, where passengers can board and ride to Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso, and as far west as Los Angeles. Union Pacific trains also continue to carry supplies between Longview and Dallas. City leaders restored the depot to its original form in 2005, rededicated it in 2006, and have since installed a museum with a 1930s model train and other reminders of the era.
Beckham Hotel The Beckham Hotel stands across the street from the depot. The three-story brick facade hotel was rebuilt in 1928 after a fire destroyed it. The building contains a ballroom on the second floor, and efforts are currently underway to restore it for commercial use. Logan’s Restaurant opened on the bottom floor of the hotel in 2019.
Mineola Historical Museum Mineola’s former post office at 114 North Pacific Street was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration in the Art Moderne Style popular in the 1930s. Its architecture features geometric forms with stylized and horizontal detailing around the tall windows. After the post office moved to a new location, the City of Mineola purchased the building and it now houses the town’s historical museum.
36 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
(Above) The Beckham Hotel across from the Mineola Depot was rebuilt in 1928 after a fire. The hotel features a ballroom on the second floor and is currently under renovation. (Bottom right) The First National Bank Building built in 1914 is now home to the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. (Top right) A detail of the chamber building shows the building’s ornate Sullivanesque style, named for architect Louis Sullivan.
An outstanding feature in the original post office was a mural by artist Bernard Zacheim painted in 1938. The artist’s son or grandson later recreated it for the current museum. Titled “New and Old Methods of Transportation,” the mural celebrates Mineola’s role as a railroad center and represents different types of transportation through American history.
Kitchens Hardware Formerly known as Kitchens Hardware, the building at 119 East Broad Street now houses Kitchens Restaurant, the town’s oldest operating business. The Kitchens family started a hardware store in 1899 and continued through the 1980s when a new owner converted the store into a restaurant that displays local memorabilia. Phillips, whose family has lived in Mineola and the surrounding area for genercontinued page 39
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 37
38 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
MINEOLA continued from page 36
VISIT
Gun Barrel City
ations, says Kitchens was the go-to place for necessities. “If you needed it, they had it. That’s what my grandfather used to say,” says Phillips, whose maternal and paternal grandfathers were engineers for the Texas & Pacific Railroad.
...Shootin' Straight for 50 Years
Today’s clientele rave about the good homestyle food served at Kitchens, which provides indoor and outdoor seating and a full-service bar.
Henry Hotel
Come Stay & Play. We Aim to Please!
The Henry Hotel at 206 West Broad Street was built in the English Tudor Revival style popular in the 1920s with half timbering, brick and stucco veneer, and distinct stone entryways. The Henry Hotel has housed many businesses through its 100-year history. Visitors can see a pyramid-shaped stone historical marker placed for the 1936 Texas Centennial that commemorates the site where Texas governor James Hogg had a law office. The Hogg family lived behind the hotel’s present location, where Ima Hogg was born in 1882. He started in journalism in Longview but Wood County recruited him to represent the city’s interests during the early days of the railroad before they became a common transportation mode. Shortly after Ima’s birth, the family moved to Tyler in the 1880s, where Hogg’s early career took off. Hogg later became the first governor of Texas actually born in the state.
Iron Horse Square Iron Horse Square celebrates the town’s history with recreational activities for kids and adults alike. The square is located just west of the depot. It offers train rides in a 15” gauge replica of a Union Pacific train, a railroad-themed playground, and a gazebo built around 1996. Construction of a walking trail is in progress. For more information about Mineola’s history, visit the Mineola Historic Museum’s website. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday and Saturday. (Left) The Kitchens building holds the town’s oldest operating business.
903.887.1087 • www.gunbarrelcity.net
Red Barn Treasures Vendor Mall with Gifts, Handcrafted Items, Vintage Treasures & More
Also shop online auctions Northeast Texas Antiques & Auctions
827 S. Main Street, Winnsboro (903) 975-1209
www.netxauctions.com
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 39
Getaway in a Treehouse at Prayer-E-Land By Judy Peacock The Treehouse at Prayer-E Land just a few miles outside of Terrell, Texas, offers a fun, unique way to enjoy a getaway. As expected when sleeping in a treehouse, the space is small with a sofa that converts to a full size bed, a tiny kitchen area, and a corner chair, the perfect size for one or two people. It is comfortable to sit in and sleep in, and is decorated with lots of colorful, eclectic décor.
guests have all the room needed to spread out and enjoy the surroundings. Thoughtful and whimsical touches are everywhere around the grounds — bottle trees, antique metal bed springs strung with lights, tractor seat barstools, artsy yard art and planters, and so much more. It is fun to keep spotting all the unique decorations.
The bathroom is a short walk away in a community bathhouse.
This is a dog friendly place to stay, and guests will more than likely be greeted at the entrance gate by the owners’ four friendly dogs.
The treehouse has two levels of decks with seating where people can eat a meal, work remotely, or just sit and enjoy nature. There is also a sitting space underneath it with a swing made from tractor seats and some chairs so that
Prayer-E-Land is a secluded area where guests feel safe among the sounds of the outdoors, such as crickets and birds, a possible far off coyote or owl, and the distant roaring of the neighbor’s lions and tigers from Pride Rock Wildlife Refuge.
40 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
The hosts of Prayer-E-Land are very friendly, kind, and great to work with. They are helpful in making sure that everything is set up to their guests’ liking. They leave special muffins or snacks and drinks upon arrival, and either provide face-to-face help and instruction or give their guests privacy, based on preference. The community bathhouse is clean with toilets and a full private shower room. There is also a community fire pit, picnic tables, and an outdoor barbecue grill. Other places to stay in this small glamping-style community include the Miner’s Shack and the Shasta Trailer, two other small unique places with their own distinctive decorations and amenities. All can be found on Airbnb.com. Go to www.linktr.ee/prayereland, for more information on each of the facilities.
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 41
ARTS + CULTURE Tyler Museum Exhibit Showcases Young Artists Since 2005, Tyler Museum of Art (TMA) has held a juried competition for seniorlevel art students throughout the region. This gives the students their first opportunity for a full museum exhibition. This year the museum has works by 75 students from 13 high schools and eight
counties. Four outstanding works were selected by the jurors, including an overall Best in Show, as well as three Honorable Mentions. Guests are invited to stop by and place a vote for the Viewer’s Choice Award. Winning Best of Show is Alex Rodri-
guez of Sulphur Springs with “Class of 2020.” (right) Honorable Mentions include (below, top to bottom) Gage Moncrief of Tyler for “Intertwined,” Leslie Elizondo of Sulphur Springs with “Untitled,” and Shelby Phillips, Tyler, “Eyes of the World.” The show began at the end of March and runs through May 16. TMA is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
42 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 43
Gallery Expands With New Artwork Variety By Lisa Tang After four years of one-man shows at The Redlands Hotel in Palestine, artist David Tripp and his wife Sandi Jones recently purchased The Gallery at Redlands and expanded it to celebrate a kaleidoscope of artistic talent. The gallery now features a variety of original artwork by 12 artists whose media vary from pottery and sculpture to watercolor and photography. Tripp calls them “The Twelve.” The combination of their work is alluring and stunningly attractive. Bold pop art portraits of cultural icons mingle with delicate, realistic watercolor paintings, striking fantasy scenes, and exquisitely carved stone sculptures. “For four years I was really proud of it to be my showcase, but I knew it was getting stale,” Tripp says. “So when I took over ownership, the first thing I decided was, now it’s going to be a full-blown gallery.” Jones says she’s proud of the gallery’s new variety. “It’s an honor to display the artwork of so many different people.”
paintings of nostalgic small-town settings and outdoor scenes like a cowboy cooking by the fire.
black and white heifers surrounding her. See more of Bramhall’s art online at www.ceciliabramhallart.com.
Tripp takes on a variety of subjects. Majestic trains, realistic landscapes, buildings, and storefronts with historic charm make their way into his paintings.
Paula Cadle
The most prominent thread on Tripp’s blog features Turvey’s Corner, an imaginary Missouri town reminiscent of Tripp’s early years. White — an outdoorsman and retired farrier — is the inspiration for the blog’s main character as he relates his experiences while traveling around the countryside. Tripp studied art in college, but later studied and taught theology and religion in schools and community colleges in Arlington for more than 20 years. He returned to painting full-time about 10 years ago, deciding he could paint at least 100 works per year. Jones also retired from teaching.
MEET THE TWELVE Cecilia Bramhall
The gallery now showcases a variety of styles by artists who influence Tripp’s creative journey. Besides having differences in genre and media, The Twelve also vary in geographic location. Artists Cecilia Bramhall, Deanna Pickett Frye, Grace Hessman, and Candice Lord live in the Palestine area. Other Texas artists include Paula Cadle, Mark Hyde, Tommy Thompson, Elaine Jary, Stacy Campbell, and Ian Watson. Painter Lorraine McFarland and outdoor photographer Wayne White live in the St. Louis, Missouri, area where Tripp grew up. White and Tripp became friends in grade school and later revived their friendship, going on hunting and fishing expeditions. Tripp’s life and art are full of stories, which he shares in the award-winning blog, “Recollections 54: The Art of David Tripp.” The stories complement his
Artist Cecilia Bramhall paints fantasy subjects in oils. Imaginary animals, fairies, elves, and even dragons grace some of her woodland scenes. “I love to manipulate reality to capture my dreams,” Bramhall says. “My passion is to ignite your imagination to see beyond the mundane.” Bramhall’s “Be a Unicorn in a Herd of Heifers” captivates with poignancy and symbolism. The unicorn’s shadowy lavender and purple dominate and mystify the scene, offering a contrast to the
44 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Paula Bruestle Cadle of Arlington, Texas, designs pottery and fine art. She fashions traditional pottery such as bowls, platters, and canisters and more imaginative pieces such as birdhouses, piggy banks, and teapots. Using white earthenware clay and sometimes stoneware clay, she paints original designs in bright colors two or three times before glazing and firing them. “My joy is in making the clay artwork and decorating it,” Cadle says. “Once finished, it is time to let go and move on to a new design or idea.” See more of Cadle’s works online at www.buymypottery.com. continued page 46
Artwork of David Tripp
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 45
GALLERY continued from page 44 Stacy Campbell
Artist Deanna Pickett Frye teaches art at Trinity Valley Community College. Her 48 by 48-inch canvases feature bold paintings of delicate flowers in vibrant colors with surrealist effects. “I’m always drawn to environments that are enticing and bold, often relating to mid-century design or forms found in nature,” Frye says. “I often bounce back and forth from painting intuitive abstracted compositions to realism.” Learn more about Frye’s work on Facebook @DeannaPickettFrye.
Grace Hessman
Sculptor Mark Hyde of Fort Worth creates simple, elegant forms that use symbolism to convey his ideas about the human condition. Hyde began cutting furniture and progressed to sculpting in wood and mixed media, even creating wood sculptures overlaid in gold leaf. However, he now enjoys the experience of carving marble, travertine, alabaster, and Texas limestone. Hyde says his sculptures — ranging from 12 to 36 inches — often begin with a formal idea, but often take on a life of their own. Visit Mark Hyde online at www. lmarkhyde.com.
Elaine Jary
Artist Stacy Campbell’s bold pop art paintings feature famous figures in black acrylic paint on large and oversized canvases. Her portraits range from singers Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton to other cultural icons such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, or John Wilkes Booth. “I want the viewer to have an instant joy, a comforting feeling, as well as complexity of thought toward the subject matter,” Campbell says. “The viewer sees something alive in the familiar faces and feels a fondness toward them, perhaps evoking memories of concerts, movies, or people they love.”
Grace Hessman of Elkhart, Texas, paints landscapes and other outdoor scenes in pastels. She focuses on light and its effects and often enjoys plein air (outdoor) painting. “Light transforms, embellishes, and illuminates,” Hessman says. “I liken the experience of painting to childhood — fleeting and to be cherished.” Visit Hessman’s work online at www.gmhstudios.com.
Mark Hyde
See more of Stacy Campbell’s art at www.stacycampbellart.com.
Deanna Pickett Frye
Watercolorist Elaine Jary of Fort Worth paints natural subjects such as birds and flowers in exquisite detail. She takes reference photos of the birds she paints through a window that looks out on her own backyard and calls her paintings “windows to nature.” “I want to capture a moment of beauty in our natural world that is perhaps fleeting and easily overlooked,” Jary says. See more of Jary’s fine watercolors at www.elainejaryart.com.
46 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Candice Lord
“My signature medium has been a hybrid watercolor using fine detailed inkline with acrylic color wash,” Thompson says. “This allows a high development of detail and a rich color palette.”
Wayne White
See more of Thompson’s work at www. tomsart4u.com. Candice Lord paints a variety of landscapes in acrylic. She paints scenery of the southwest and other landscapes she sees on her many travels.
Ian Watson
Lorraine McFarland
Photographer Wayne White lives in the St. Louis, Missouri, metropolitan area. A retired farrier, White is also a naturalist and outdoorsman featured as Hank in Tripp’s blog and future book, “Turvey’s Corner.”
Artist Ian Watson of Amarillo paints bold, abstract pieces on large canvases in vibrant colors. He first learned about art in classes taught by Tripp at Lamar High School in Arlington and has been painting ever since. “[I believe] that all art is essentially abstract, whether it is representational, non-representational, or conceptual,” Watson says in his artist’s statement. Lorraine McFarland of Missouri paints landscapes on small canvases in pastel. She calls herself a plein air artist, enjoying the natural beauty of the outdoors while competing with others. McFarland draws on her experiences as a former wildlife biologist and photographer while painting natural landscapes. “I am proud and humbled by what I have learned from these experiences and from the (mostly) friendly competition with my fellow plein air competitors,” McFarland says. “My work has improved faster and more furiously than it ever could have in the studio.”
Watson follows the tradition of abstract artists Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko but relies on his own individualism. He prefers to paint on the floor on a stretched canvas in the style of some indigenous painters. Learn more about Watson’s art on his Facebook page.
White’s photographs capture the serenity of natural landscapes with lush greens and placid waterways. Many of his nature photos feature outdoor activities such as fly fishing or hunting. See more of White’s photography on his blog, “DoubleDAcres: Ramblings of a Farrier” at www.ramblingsofafarrier. com. Prices for original works in the gallery range from $175 to $2,400. Greeting cards and reproductions are also available. The gallery is located at 400 N. Queen St. inside The Redlands Hotel. It is open seven days a week with artists onsite from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays. Call (817) 821-8702 or (817) 821-8670 for more information. Learn more about Tripp’s art and find his blog at www.davidtrippart.com.
Visit www.lorrainemcfarlandart.com for more information.
Tommy Thompson
Artist Tommy G. Thompson fills his canvas with bright, colorful forms that depict a variety of scenes — from New Orleans nightlife to American landscapes. New Orleans’ Liberty Gallery featured Thompson’s work for more than 30 years, but he now paints from a Texas studio. MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 47
LITERARY
Book Offers New Look at Lady Bird’s Impact Perhaps the most underestimated First Lady of the 20th century, Lady Bird Johnson was also one of the most accomplished and often her husband’s secret weapon. Managing the White House in years of national upheaval, through the civil rights movement and the escalation of the Vietnam War, Lady Bird projected a sense of calm and, following the glamorous and modern Jackie Kennedy, an old-fashioned image of a First Lady. In truth, she was anything but. As the first First Lady to run the East Wing like a professional office, she took on her own policy initiatives, including the most ambitious national environmental effort since Teddy Roosevelt.
Julia Sweig has written a new book, Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight, that portrays the Karnack, Texas, native as having much more impact on the country than planting wildflowers. From Random House Publishers, the book notes countless examples of her influence during her husband Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency. In the spring of 1964, he had a decision to make. Just months after moving into the White House following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy — he had to decide whether to run to win the presidency in his own right. He turned to his most reliable, trusted political strategist: his wife, Lady Bird Johnson. The strategy memo she produced for him, emblematic of her own political acumen and largely overlooked by biographers, is just one revealing example of how their marriage was truly a decadeslong political partnership.
Occupying the White House during the beginning of the women’s liberation movement, she hosted professional women from all walks of life in the White House, including urban planning and environmental pioneers like Jane Jacobs and Barbara Ward, encouraging women everywhere to pursue their own careers, even if her own style of leadership and official role was to lead by supporting others. Where no presidential biographer has understood the full impact of Lady Bird Johnson’s work in the White House, Julia Sweig is the first to draw substantially on Lady Bird’s own voice in her White House diaries to place Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson center stage and to reveal a woman ahead of her time — and an accomplished politician in her own right. Praise for the book runs high. “Sweig has given us a fascinating portrait of a marriage — and of a shrewd, tough, tender, and wise woman who understood the uses and limits of power.
Her biography of Lady Bird Johnson is a magisterial, revealing, and rewarding work.”—Evan Thomas, author of First: Sandra Day O’Connor “This is the best book ever written about one of the most influential—and least understood—First Ladies in history. In Julia Sweig’s beautifully rendered, intimate portrait, one can finally take the full measure of Lady Bird Johnson as environmentalist, feminist, and shrewd political strategist on whom her husband always depended but should have heeded more.”—Michael Kazin, Georgetown University, co-author of America Divided: The Civil War of the 1960s. “Julia Sweig has gifted us with a most timely and splendidly enhanced portrait of Lady Bird Johnson: daughter of Alabama and Texas wealth—historian, journalist, activist, speechwriter, campaigner, successful businesswoman. Lady Bird championed the New South and was partner to LBJ’s efforts regarding civil rights, human rights, and the Great Society. We learn about Lady Bird’s previously unknown work for real environmental change, which extended far beyond ‘beautification’ and floral plantings—with profound visions for a Green New Deal. This riveting portrait gives us an important revision of a long-neglected First Lady.”—Blanche Wiesen Cook, author of Eleanor Roosevelt, vol. 1–3. “Sweig has written an inviting, challenging, well-told tale of the thoroughly modern partner and strategist Lady Bird Johnson, whose skill and complexity emerge fully in this rich tale of history and humanity.”—John Dickerson, author of The Hardest Job in the World Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight is available on Amazon and in bookstores.
READ A GOOD BOOK LATELY? Book review submissions welcome. Submit your book review for possible inclusion in a future County Line Magazine to editor @countylinemagazine.com. 48 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
POETRY Poetry Readings Take Place in Winnsboro
Colors of the Rainbow
From the County Line Archives, here are a few poems by kids when they were in grades 1 through 5.
Light The light is bright. It shines on me. The light is up all day. When the day is over I feel sad. But the next day I see my friend again. Olivia Servin, Fruitvale
I Am a Snowflake I am a snowflake so light and so free. I fall down from above on my journey.
At a recent poetry reading at Culture Club Art Gallery in Winnsboro, Joe Dan Boyd entertained the room with his colorful readings. He recited two poems by Odena Brannam and Lucy Germany, former members of the Winnsboro Live Poets Society (WLPS). WLPS holds the readings every third Friday at 6 p.m. Guests are invited to read their own or others’ poems, songs, or other creative writing or just listen and are welcome to bring their own beverages. The Culture Club has a bookstore onsite and galleries of art by local and famous artists. They are located at 107 E. Elm at one end of the historic downtown cultural arts district. For more information, call (903) 347-6036, www. cultureclubgallery.com.
ATTENTION POETS Submit your poem for possible inclusion in a future County Line Magazine. All ages.
editor@countylinemagazine.com
When I finally get to my destination down below I and the other snowflakes cover the earth with snow. The sun comes out and I melt away, But I will come back another winter day. Grant Hammonds, Mount Vernon
Colors Blue is the sky Blue is the sea Purple is a grape Purple is Barney Green is grass Green is for apple Gray is a raincloud Gray is a mouse Zachary Fisher, Fruitvale
I Love You Roses are red like your lips As red as cherries. Violets are blue Just like your eyes. You are like honey dew. I love you bread and jelly. So please don’t say no. Please marry me. Say yes. I’ll say I love you. Please say yes. Oh please oh please say yes. Cassie Johnson, Fruitvale
What is pink? A rose is pink, By a fountain’s brink. What is red? Poppies laid beautifully in their bed. What is blue? The sky is blue, Where the clouds float through. What is white? A swan is white Sailing in the light. What is yellow? Bananas are yellow, Rich, ripe, and mellow. What is green? The grass is green With small flowers in between. What is violet? The clouds are violet, In the summer twilight. What is orange? Bright and colorful, Makes me smile and feel wonderful, Just like all of the colors of the rainbow. Shelby Bettis, Quitman
The Woods, The Girl, and The Harp The rivers rush, and the branches sway as the sun falls ever away. And through the trees then you will see the great wonder and mystery. On a rock at the river’s edge, a golden harp sits like a dock. And just below the silent strings, the water ripples, and a girl will sing. For her gown as white as cloud, her hair as black as coal, her eyes like sapphire, we just stare for a while. But then, soon, she sings into the depths, and then, o how she wept, longing for the harp to play. The harp, the harp, is still there to this day, waiting for someone to come and play. Bryce Brewer, Rockwall
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 49
MUSIC Blueberry Bluegrass Concert Set for June VIDEO
Hickory Hill performs at the Blueberry Bluegrass concert June 11 along with The Farm Hands, The Purple Hulls, and Gent Mountain Grass Burrs. Click the video above to hear “Cadillac” recorded at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas. Courtesy photo
The Texas Blueberry Festival kicks off with the Blueberry Bluegrass Concert in the Park, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 11 at Festival Park in downtown Nacogdoches. This free outdoor concert will allow for safe social distancing, and organizers encourage attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Pets on a leash are welcome. The family-friendly bluegrass concert features three well-known musical acts: The Purple Hulls, Hickory Hill and The Farm Hands. The up-and-coming Gent Mountain Grass Burrs are also performing. The Purple Hulls are identical twins Katy Lou and Penny Lea Clark. The
LIVE MUSIC Check the County Line Calendar for live music and live streaming shows.
www.countylinemagazine.com
Clark sisters were raised on a working family farm in Kilgore and they paid for college with money from the family’s purple hull harvest. After graduation, they moved to Nashville, where they began touring with various country artists and writing songs for Nashville’s largest publishing company, Sony Tree. The sisters returned home in 2012 to care for their terminally ill father and they stayed in East Texas after he passed away, helping their mother with the farm while continuing their music career. This will be the Purple Hulls’ fourth appearance at the Blueberry Bluegrass Concert. Celebrating their 40th anniversary in September 2019, Hickory Hill has proven to be one of Texas’ most popular and enduring acoustic groups. The band continues to emphasize original material, seldom heard “gems” and songs adapted from other styles of music. Original and classic gospel songs are some of the band’s favorites. With over 80 national awards and nominations, the Farm Hands are one of the most exciting and in-demand bluegrass
50 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
bands in America. Touring over 150 dates each year, this talented foursome features veterans of the world famous Grand Ole Opry, Grammy award winners, hit songwriters, and celebrated instrumentalists. The Farm Hands are always a huge presence at the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America awards, and last year was no exception. They were named Gospel Group of the Year, and Tim Graves was presented with a SPBGMA Grand Master award after winning the Dobro player of the year for the fifteenth time. Food trucks will be on the concert grounds and include some local favorites like barbecue, corn dogs, fried green tomato sandwiches, soft drinks, blueberry lemonade and snow cones. The Texas Blueberry Festival continues Saturday with a full day of activities in downtown Nacogdoches, including a Blueberry pancake breakfast, competitions and more live entertainment. For more information, visit tbf.nacogdoches.org or call (936) 560-5533.
Hear Kevin Tinney’s New Song, “You’re Not Here”
Beat Root Revival Plays in Winnsboro VIDEO
VIDEO
Kevin Tinney of Winnsboro recently released a new song called You’re Not Here. “I’m really proud of this one and thankful for the friends that helped record it,” he says. Those friends include producer and drummer Darrell Edwards and Chase Barrett on guitar, with harmonies by Heather Little, Meredith Crawford, and Chase Glover.
Beat Root Revival brings their creative melodic sound to The Bowery Stage at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. June 26. Originally from England and Ireland, the multi-instrumentalist roots duo is made up of Ben Jones and Andrea Magee. Tickets range from $17 to $27 and are available on www. winnsborocenterforthearts.com. Call (903) 342-0686. Courtesy photo
Learn more about Tinney and find out where to see him live on his Facebook page, Kevin Tinney Music.
Already Gone Brings the Eagles to Nac
Catch Michael O’Neal in Paris and Sulphur Springs
VIDEO
VIDEO
Michael O’Neal is performing several times in his hometown of Paris this summer and he plays at 7:30 p.m. June 12 at Backstory Brewery in Sulphur Springs. Check out this interview with him from the County Line archives and see a list of his upcoming shows on www.michaelonealmusic.com.
The Eagles tribute band Already Gone is performing from 8 to 10 p.m. May 29 in Festival Park, downtown Nacogdoches. They are one of a series of concerts there this summer featuring evenings of nostalgia and making new memories. Hear the classics live in person and relive the good ol’ days with friends and family of all ages.
The venue is in the heart of downtown Nacogdoches with lawn seating surrounded by historic brick buildings. Food trucks and adult beverages are available for purchase. Tickets are $10 for 18+ and $5 for 17 and under. Call (936) 564-7351 for more information and visit www.visitnacogdoches. org/summer21.
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 51
FOOD & DRINK Farmers’ Markets Deliver Fresh Food and Fun Living and playing in the Upper East Side of Texas for about six months of the year means easy access to fresh, locally grown produce. Rural folks and small town leaders know how to make a party out of anything and their markets are no exception. Find delicious ingredients for really tasty meals, local wines, breads, preserves, and more, and enjoy some live music and demonstrations while you’re at it. Each market offers their own unique twist to the day. Find the County Line Regional Partner Farmers’ Markets in Greenville, Henderson, Longview, Marshall, Mineola, Mount Vernon, Palestine, Paris, Rockwall, Sulphur Springs, and Winnsboro. Click on the town name to go directly to their website to get all the details. Enjoy a splendid 2021 season.
Celebrating the Celtic Nations OPEN: Mon-Thur 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri/Sat 9 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. BYOB
217 MARKET ST. • WINNSBORO, TX (903) 347-1105
Find us on
52 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
Just play. Have fun. Celebrate! Best Steakhouse
County Line Magazine Hall of Fame
Downtown Dining District
Tuesday & Wednesday
DINNER SPECIAL
Mixed Green Salad Choice of Fresh Fish of the Day, Ribeye Steak, or Filet Mignon Served with Whipped Potatoes and Green Beans $32.00
Top 100 American Steakhouses
f
www.VisitSulphurSpringsTX.org An East Texas Tradition
OpenTable.com
Located in a beautiful lakeside lodge at 21191 FM 47 in Wills Point,one block north of Interstate 20, Exit 516 Open Tuesday - Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Available for Special Events
Make A Reservation
903.873.2225
www.fourwindssteakhouse.com
Burgers, Premium Hand-Dipped Ice Cream, Breakfast Anytime, and more
Open 24/7 at
I-20 & Hwy 19 in Canton, TX An East Texas Tradition
903-567-6551 • dairypalace.com
Burgers, Premium Hand-Dipped Ice Cream, Breakfast Anytime, and more
An East Texas Tradition
I-20 & Hwy 19 in Canton, TX
Open ROCKS! 24/7 at
Open 24/7 at
903-567-6551 • dairypalace.com
RURAL
Burgers, Premium Hand-Dipped Ice Cream, Breakfast Anytime, and more
I-20 & Hwy 19 in Canton, TX
Subscribe to County Line Magazine for every creative step.
903-567-6551 • dairypalace.com
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 53
Plan a Perfect Picnic Getaway Photo by Lisa Tang
By Lisa Tang Late spring and early summer are wonderful times to head outdoors to enjoy fresh air, sunshine, and beautiful scenery. It’s an ideal time for a short trip to a nearby park to enjoy the outdoors. Preparing a themed picnic is a fun staycation getaway without the hassle of longer travels, and helps families relax and reset for the week ahead. Just a little shopping and planning are needed to assemble a fabulous lunch or dinner before heading out to one of the beautiful parks around the region. To make the perfect picnic even better, pack a tablecloth, napkins, paper plates and cups, utensils, and ice. Here are a few inspiring themes and settings to consider.
Lakeside Seafood Picnic
Pack a seafood-themed picnic meal and bring it to a lakeside park and allow the family to enjoy waterside activities such as fishing, swimming, or boating. Most have picnic tables or even covered pavilions that offer gentle breezes and relaxing lakeside views. Make the day
even more enjoyable by bringing sunscreen and other equipment for enjoying the water. MENU Catfish Po’ Boy Sandwiches Shrimp Scampi Pasta Salad Corn on the Cob Strawberries or cantaloupe Raspberry Lemonade or Iced Tea SETTING Tom Finley Park near Gun Barrel City sits on a small island in Cedar Creek Lake. The park features a peaceful view of the lake by land or boat. Amenities include a swimming area, a playground, shaded picnic tables, boat docks, a fishing pier, a pavilion, and public restrooms. Admission is $3 per person. Other good lakeside settings include Lake Forest Park in Henderson, Graham Park in Greenville, The Harbor in Rockwall, and Texas State Parks throughout the region.
Main Street Picnic Make Main Street a backdrop for enjoying a traditional southern picnic. Many historic districts offer quaint pocket parks with sheltered picnic tables. Take
54 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2021
some time after the meal to explore the town. Pack a picnic basket with a tablecloth and tableware then head to the deli of a local grocery to gather some favorites. Brookshires, Brookshire Brothers, or Kroger offer a good selection in their delis. MENU Fried or Roasted Chicken Pieces Potato Salad Coleslaw Watermelon Wedges Iced Tea Mini Fried Pies SETTING Historic downtown Henderson and McKinney provide pocket parks with tables. Sulphur Springs’ Celebration Square is a park unto itself with shaded picnic tables that line the perimeter. Elevated park gazebos — like the one in Palestine’s Reagan Park — may provide splendid views of historic buildings or residences.
French Picnic in the Texas Countryside The Texas countryside is blooming with beautiful wildflowers this time of year,
Photo by Nicole Herrero
so here’s an idea for planning a unique way to enjoy them. Pack a French country picnic, and voilà, you can enjoy a lovely afternoon, rivaling even those in the French countryside. Jean LaSalle and expedition members who toured the Texas countryside almost 500 years ago witnessed the same beauty but would be jealous of the provisions we can whip up in our modern kitchens. If you’re feeling adventurous enough, try packing a basket with these items suggested by Lea and Steve Bishop of 55 Degrees + Local Market in Carrollton, and set out to create your own romantic adventure. MENU Salad Niçoise (tuna, green beans, red potatoes, hard-boiled egg, capers, black olives, tomatoes, vinaigrette) Baguette or French bread with thinly sliced ham or cured meat, sliced Brie, or paté Honey or Preserves Cornichons and Crudités Grapes or Pears Cream Puffs Wine pairings: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Albariño, or Sparkling Rosé
SETTING Mineola Nature Preserve on the Sabine River — which La Salle crossed to enter Texas — is an ideal setting to enjoy a country picnic. The preserve is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Activities include walking or biking on paved or mountain bike trails, horseback riding on equestrian trails or derby, an 18-hole disc golf course, disc golf and chain games, fishing ponds, and a playground. The preserve also offers picnic tables at the People’s Pavilion. Other enjoyable nature settings include Oak Trails Nature Park in Marshall, Ja-Lu Community Park in Greenville, and Caddo Mounds State Historic Site near Alto.
Veggie-table Farmers’ Market Picnic
Plan to sit down to enjoy a picnic during your next trip to the local farmers’ market. With lots of foods to choose from, it’s the ideal location for a midday meal or snack. Shopping for fresh veggies on the spot means carrying around fewer items, and many local markets stand next to an adjacent park where spreading out a quick meal is easy in nice weather.
Before leaving home, pack potable water, a knife, cutting board, tablecloth and a few cups, plates, and napkins. Many markets offer fresh baked breads. Bring healthy dips or salad dressings. While shopping, look for foods that are easy to wash, cut, and serve immediately. Bring a variety of vegetarian dips with protein to add sustenance to the plant-based meal and enjoy trying out the different flavors. For drinks, look for a stand selling fresh lemonade or local wines. MENU Veggies: Zucchini, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions Fruits: Peaches, grapes, strawberries, blueberries. Vegan Dips: Hummus, nut butters, guacamole, bean dip High Protein Options: Pimiento cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt Drinks: Lemonade, Local Wines SETTING Find great farmers’ markets in Greenville, Henderson, Longview, Marshall, Mineola, Mount Vernon, Palestine, Paris, Rockwall, Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro.
MAY/JUNE 2021 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 55
county line
Regional Magazine for the Upper East Side of Texas
MAGAZINE
got you covered
VIDEO
We specialize in creating strategic communication plans that work through a multi-channel approach including eEditions, newsletters, websites, blogs, guides, email, and social sites. Let us help you choose the most cost-effective, results-oriented promotion campaigns for the success of your business.
CALL TODAY. (903) 312-9556. PA.Geddie@COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM