November/December 2022 County Line Magazine

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

LITERARY

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EDITOR’S

Dear Readers,

Many of us gladly anticipate the end of the year when the temperature drops and we start to plan events with friends and family. Events like Thanksgiving and religious holidays offer feelings of comfort and familiarity. They are like a light in the window we can look forward to when the skies darken and the winds begin to howl.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Liberty Hall in Tyler screens classic holiday films.

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR

P.A. Geddie

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Lisa Tang

CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Wacaser

Katie Rose Watson

Rachel Gross

Darrell Lindsey

David Tripp

Uliana Yurchenko

Chad Kopal

Tracy Torma

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County Line Magazine eEdition is published every other month, 6 times a year in digital format. Material may not be reproduced with out 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 Web site: 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.

Our article about the region’s symphonies provides an in-depth look at the value of en during classical music and reminds us that fine music has many qualities worth enjoying year after year.

P.A. Geddie’s article “Whistle Stop: Texas State Railroad Country” explores indelible railroad sights and sounds while exploring the region.

Heritage festivals are coming soon. The Starr Harvest Market Fair, Henderson’s Syrup Fes tival, and the Edgewood Heritage Festival help us understand the past through demon strations of traditional crafts.

Holiday sights are also welcome reminders of tradition. Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights raptures guests with a dazzling display of lights and plentiful activities while McKin ney’s Main Street welcomes everyone Home for the Holidays. Tyler Junior College offers

This issue’s arts also provide a sense of the familiar. The Tyler Museum of Art’s exhibit Texas! Selections From the Grace Museum dis plays Texas scenes and artists. An upcoming concert at the Cowan Center pays tribute to the late Aretha Franklin while the Annie Moses Band brings popular Christmas tunes to Greenville. Even Darrell Lindsey of Na cogdoches recalls a voice from the past in his poem titled “Sometimes I Feel Like George Jones.”

If you don’t have a nice sweater to reach for, the East Texas Fiber Festival provides plenty of inspiration and supplies to explore this craft.

Or you may want to try out the fabulous recipes in our Food+Drink section. Ama retto Figs and Homemade Vanilla make ex cellent gourmet gifts. Enjoying Mini Pump kin Cheesecakes With Cinnamon Whipped Cream or mixing a Maple Leaf Cocktail can improve almost anyone’s day.

Sit back and enjoy reading this edition of County Line Magazine. We aim to create a little more comfort in the Upper East Side of Texas.

Lisa Tang

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Symphonies Enrich Lives Across the Region

By Lisa Tang

Symphony orchestras offer powerful cultural influences with phenomenal impact. Consider these extraordinary sounds filling the air in the Upper East Side of Texas throughout the year:

A brass quintet accompanies the light ing ceremony of the Harrison County Courthouse to open Marshall’s Wonder land of Lights.

A cadre of 100 young musicians per form onstage at Tyler High School in a holiday concert after weeks of dedicated preparation.

Each summer the Northeast Texas Sym phony Orchestra holds a free Indepen dence Day concert in Sulphur Springs — for more than 3,000 people.

An internationally acclaimed guest con ductor leads a symphony in Tyler in No vember.

The list goes on.

Symphonies are part of the region’s lifeenriching cultural landscape.

Intriguing Programs

The East Texas Symphony Orchestra (ETSO) has evolved since 1936 — more than eight decades ago — when the Ty ler Women’s Club started the first Tyler Symphony Orchestra. The group’s name changed in 1956 to reflect the broader region it serves.

Today ETSO is a professional symphony orchestra. Musicians sign a contract to perform throughout the season and be long to a union that represents their in terests. Maestro Richard Lee joined the Tyler-based symphony 13 years ago.

Lee advocates attending the symphony for many reasons. It is both more chal lenging to appreciate and more intellec tually stimulating than popular music.

Occasional star performances by leading international players or conductors bring outside cultural influences to the region. Renowned conductor Yoav Talmi of Is rael is guest conductor at ETSO’s No vember 12 concert.

One of ETSO’s strengths is offering concerts that appeal to a wide range of

interests. Some programs include scores from popular television and film produc tions; others feature the music of popular symphonies, such as the Boston Pops or classic Christmas tunes.

“We really do try and offer something for every taste,” Lee says. “We’re trying really hard to be as approachable and af fordable as we can but still present the best music that we can on the planet.”

ETSO performs to a screening of The General starring Buster Keaton at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Performing Arts Center. The silent film is a classic and considered one of the best films of all time.

Pops programs are helping symphonies broaden their public appeal and draw larger audiences.

“I think we provide incredibly meaning ful art and music at a very high quality

Maestro Richard Lee conducts the East Texas Symphony Orchestra at the University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Performing Arts Center.

in the middle of East Texas — which is really hard to do, actually,” Lee says.

Lee is most looking forward to the May 13, 2023, performance of “Haydn’s The Creation,” which includes choral inter ludes and text from the book of Genesis and Milton’s Paradise Lost.

“That story is a pretty dramatic story,” he says. “All the stuff that’s in the story is really, really hard to represent. How do you represent nothingness? How do you represent the light?”

Lee considers conducting “The Cre ation” an honor.

“I hope folks are as intrigued about it as I am,” he says.

The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra of fers a similar mix of classical masterpiec es and pops concerts in the 2022-2023 season. Pianist Andrew Staupe performs Strauss’ “Metamorphosis” on November 5. On December 11 TSO teams up with Texarkana Jazz Orchestra and the TSO Chamber Singers to perform “Christmas at the Perot” at the Perot Theater.

A classical concert on February 4, 2023, features violinist Jennifer Frautschi with the TSO performing Mahler’s First. It’s followed by a pops concert featuring John Williams’ score to Jurassic Park with a screening of the original movie. TSO’s final performance on April 15, 2023, is titled “Spectacular Stories” and features Brian Dunbar on flute.

Incorporating New Voices

The Marshall Symphony Orchestra (MSO) encourages opportunities for new voices to sing or play with the symphony as musical partners.

MSO celebrates 71 years of classical and contemporary performances in Marshall and its surrounding communities this year. MSO’s traditions range from free educational concerts in schools to free outdoor concerts for children and adults.

Maestro Kermit Poling describes MSO performances as a “cultural opportu nity.” Professional musicians from East Texas, Southern Arkansas, and Northern Louisiana perform with MSO through out the year. Poling hails from Shreveport

page 10

Above: ETSO performs a free concert at Bergfeld Park in Tyler. Below: Philip Mann of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra conducts at the Perot Theater.

P hoto by U liana y U rchenko

SYMPHONIES continued from page 9 where he is also Associate Conductor of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra.

MSO seeks innovative ways to involve the community in its programs. The Voices 4.0 Downtown Concert allows community members to audition to per form with the symphony in live outdoor concerts.

“We do a series of tryouts and we feature talent from all over the region, so we’ve had winners from Marshall, Carthage, Jefferson, and other areas,” Poling says.

“They compete and the winners get to perform in a concert doing music we have chosen that is both classic rock and classic country and some contemporary stuff, and it’s an opportunity to perform with the orchestra.”

MSO performs educational concerts throughout the season that are funded by a grant from the Jonesville Foundation.

MSO performs “Mozart and More” with renowned guitarist Giovanni De Chiaro at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at East Texas Baptist University’s Baker Auditorium and on Sunday, November 6, at the Christ Episcopal Church in Jef ferson. The concerts feature the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, Joplin, and others.

On February 18, 2023, MSO offers “American Inspirations” with a theme of unity in honor of Black History Month. The performance is by bass opera singer Keron Jackson of Dallas. Jackson is also a motivational speaker with a background of struggle and homelessness before be ing discovered.

Diversity among performances can chal lenge audiences intellectually and emo tionally while the subject matter uplifts previously excluded voices.

Opportunities For Youth

East Texas Youth Orchestra (ETYO) provides opportunities for youth ages 9 to 22 to gain experience performing in front of a live audience. Students who have played an instrument for at least six months can audition to join ETYO.

Practices and performances are held in Tyler as a central location for the region and the orchestra enrolls roughly 100

Maestro Kermit Poling directs the Marshall Symphony Orchestra at Baker Auditorium at East Texas Baptist University (top). Guitarist Giovanni de Chiaro performs with the MSO November 5 in a concert titled “Mozart and More” (bottom left). Keron Jackson performs with the Marshall symphony February 18.

students per year. Players come from as far away as Winnsboro, Nacogdoches, Longview, and Palestine — but most live in Tyler.

Performances take place at different venues to keep overhead costs low. Tyler High School is the location of this sea son’s first two performances.

The youth symphony has roots in the Women’s Symphony League, which started a small group of violins in 1955. The Tyler Youth Orchestra started in the 1970s and later changed its name to ETYO in 2014.

ETYO’s most advanced ensemble is the symphony orchestra, which rehearses for two hours and 45 minutes on Sunday af ternoons.

The organization has a significant im pact on the students’ lives. ETYO alumni sometimes choose careers in concert mu sic and continue studying music in col lege.

“We have students who go on to do great things in music but we also have students who go on to become doctors and law yers and do other great things,” Music Director Felix Torres says.

Families pay tuition of $300 to $350 a year for students to attend ETYO and scholarships are available.

Torres says he selects music programs suitable for larger orchestras to include as many players as possible. His goal is to provide opportunities that challenge students and allow them to experience quality performances.

Those who prefer musical genres other than classical are also welcome. ETYO has a vibrant jazz band and Torres says a mariachi band is being formed.

The New Texas Sinfonia offers oppor tunities for young children to experience classical music and more occasions for audiences of all ages to hear music per formances.

Sinfonia is a group of professional musi cians from around the state who started playing concerts in Tyler in 2021. At a free concert in October, kids came dressed up in animal costumes to hear East Texas Youth Symphony rehearses at various locations in Tyler (top, center). Members of New Texas Sinfonia at the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler (below).continued page 12

“Carnival of the Animals” by French Composer Camille Saint-Saëns.

Sinfonia’s performances include roughly 20 to 30 musicians.

SYMPHONIES continued from page 11 groups such as Mount Vernon Mu sic show tireless dedication in bringing quality musical performances to under served areas and audiences. Sympho nies in larger cities — Tyler, Marshall, Longview, Sherman, and Texarkana — offer live performances in concert halls or at public schools.

“[Its size is] in between symphony and chamber music,” founder and Conduc tor Weston Jennings says. “A lot of classi cal symphonies by Haydn or Mozart are written for smaller orchestras. They’re often pieces people haven’t heard for a while.”

Sinfonia hosts a Fiddle Zoo for Kids that allows children to try out stringed instru ments such as violins, violas, and cellos. It offers music-themed games and activi ties and opportunities to meet musicians. Sinfonia performs their second season in 2022-2023 at the First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. They intend to play in other towns around Texas in the future.

Education And Outreach

Several symphonies around the region support music education. Musician

The Sherman Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has established a significant pres ence in Northeast Texas through con sistently good performances and pro gramming. SSO began in 1966 as a joint venture between the Sherman Sympho ny Association and Austin College.

Maestro Daniel Dominick has led the SSO since 1992 and has seen the organi zation grow in several positive ways with support from the community.

Another asset is the 1,300-seat KiddKey Auditorium in the Sherman Cul tural District. The performance hall was originally built in 1937 and features high quality acoustical design. The hall was refurbished and restored 15 years ago to its 1937 vintage look.

SSO includes 70 to 75 professional musi cians and performs nine programs a year. Education programming and outreach are two other strengths.

Symphonic music can have an invaluable impact on individual lives – especially at a young age. Children learn listening skills and begin to appreciate how music is made while watching performances.

Under Dominick’s direction the SSO provides on-site education inside the Kidd-Key Auditorium to 2,500 fifth grade students each year. This year’s program is more than a listening experi ence for the 10 and 11-year-olds. They are learning to sing the music at school before coming to perform at the audito rium with the symphony.

“They can get an idea of what it feels like to rehearse,” Dominick says.

During the fifth grade students decide on which electives they take as sixth graders — band, choir, art, and others — so ex posure to the performing arts helps them determine a path.

Dominick leads four programs a year that bring live performances into the public schools to play for students. He is particularly proud that students are also welcome to attend most SSO perfor mances free of charge.

“I don’t know of any orchestras that have concerts that are free to all students,” he says. “That’s part of our educational out reach as well.”

Broadcasts of the symphony’s perfor mances on CBS-12 reach cities in north ern Texas and parts of Southern Okla homa. The broadcasts feature one or two pieces in a half-hour format and the annual Christmas Pops broadcast is an hour long.

The symphony’s website also offers re sources for music students and teachers through curriculum materials and vid eos. Tours of the region include per formances in Denison and Greenville, Texas, and Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Dominick is looking forward to offering a variety of concerts in the 2022-2023 sea son. The weekend of December 3 and 4 the symphony performs a family-friendly annual Christmas Pops concert at Aus tin College which includes scores from television and film. The seating is around tables inside a gymnasium so families can bring snacks and do activities with chil dren while enjoying the music. Pictures with Santa, candle lighting, and trivia are part of the fun.

The March concert features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Dominick says au diences enjoy listening to the dramatic masterpiece played live and calls it “ex citing to hear.”

In April 2023 Sherman Symphony per forms an opera concert with soloists and adult and children’s choirs.

Americana At Its Best

Attending the symphony is a participa tory experience for everyone. Listening, watching, and applauding are all essen tial in appreciating a live performance. Ask anyone who has attended the In

dependence Day Festival in Sulphur Springs.

The Northeast Texas Symphony Orches tra performs at least twice a year. Annual performances include a children’s con cert in March and the Independence Day Concert. The July celebration is accompanied by fireworks and occurs annually at the Hopkins County Court house Square for thousands of visitors.

“We’ve heard many people say it is a Norman Rockwell moment,” says Lin da Galligher, secretary of the Sulphur Springs Symphony League.

“The musicians play while veterans march in and colors are posted and then present a marvelous concert.”

The concert is free to the public but costs roughly $40,000 because the league hires a conductor and musicians. A fundraiser in November hosted by KSST Radio helps with expenses but most of the funds are donated by local businesses.

The event has come together through years of dedicated fundraising from thousands of supporters and business partners who see the value of continu ing it.

NTSO also performs an annual concert at the Sulphur Springs Civic Center for children in the third, fourth, and fifth grades in Hopkins County. The purpose, according to the League’s mission state ment, is to develop the students’ cultural understanding and improve their social skills.

The educational and outreach efforts of the region’s symphonies prove they work hard to reach as many lives as possible with their music.

Dominick says symphony music is both “stimulating and enjoyable” and encour ages participation from everyone.

“They don’t have to be some kind of classical highbrow to come and appreci ate the concerts,” he says. “Seeing music in person is really a different experience than listening to it on an iPod.”

The Sherman Symphony performs inside the Kidd-Key Auditorium (opposite page). Meastro Dan Dominick of the Sherman Symphony Or chestra (above). A fireworks display accompanies Americana music played by the Northeast Texas Symphony Orchestra at its annual Independence Celebration on the Hopkins County Courthouse lawn (below) Photo by chad koPal

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WHISTLE STOP

Exploring Texas State Railroad Country

By P.A. Geddie

Trains are a big part of the history and today’s ambience of the Upper East Side of Texas. Many people in small towns throughout the region hear the long, haunting whistle of the iron horse daily. Sometimes the trains slow down, wheels screeching to a halt on the rails, as they stop at a station. Far more of them pass on through, blowing whistles at cross roads to alert pedestrians and automo bile traffic.

For an up close and personal experience, visitors to the Texas State Railroad climb aboard vintage steam and diesel locomo tives taking them across the piney woods of Anderson and Cherokee counties. The 50-mile round trip runs between the quaint towns of Palestine and Rusk. Depending on the season, passengers ex

perience spring blooms of dogwood or the autumn trees as they change vibrant colors. This time of year, guests are treat ed to the holiday adventure, The Polar Express.

Hosted by friendly and informative at tendants, guests ride in comfortable early 1900 coaches traveling along gen tly rolling hills. The route passes over 24 bridges, one more than 1,000 feet long. Unusual railroad structures — such as the locomotive turntable located midway — dot the historic route.

The four-hour ride includes an hour layover with plenty of time to peruse both the Rusk and Palestine depots with upscale gift shops and historical story boards. Each end of the route has a beautiful park with a depot complex with its own identity. The Palestine depot rep

The Polar Express

November 18 — December 27

The Palestine depot of the Texas State Railroad offers a festive holiday set ting featuring lights, tinsel, garland and constumed characters surrounding the theme of the classic children’s book, The Polar Express by Chris Van Alls burg. Guests are invited to show up in their pajamas as the historic steam train goes to the North Pole to meet Santa and his elves and enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, and cookies.

Special seating and unique accommodations are available. Several Presiden tial Class Cars provide a variety of ambience including comfortable living room seating and an art deco inspired car. The Dome Class car features booth style seating with convenient tables under a glass-top dome giving an unobstructed birds-eye view. First Class features comfortable tabletop seating and Coach has traditional Pullman-style, padded bench seats — the historic seating arrangement that charactereizes train travel from its inception. Every car becomes a stage for a live musical performance with Cocoa Chefs serving hot chocolate and cookies while dancing and singing.

Tickets sell out quickly. Visit www.texasstaterailroad.net or call (855) 6327729 for more information.

resents the Victorian era of architecture popularized when steam engine trains first crisscrossed the American landscape more than a century ago. The Rusk de pot is a beautiful rock edifice. It has a vin tage movie theater and on select evenings shows movies filmed on the Texas State Railroad including The Great Debaters starring Denzel Washington, O’ Brother, Where Art Thou with George Clooney and John Goodman, and Rough Riders featur ing Tom Berenger and Sam Elliot. The Rusk complex offers overnight camping accommodations with the exclusive ex perience of staying onsite at a historic railroad station.

The train rides are perfect for families, group getaways, and romantic excur sions. Several experiences include the adults-only presidential car, the exclusive glass-top dome car, caboose rides, open air coach, and a diesel engine cab ride.

There are many other adventures found in Anderson and Cherokee counties.

Palestine is the seat of Anderson County. Founded in 1846, it has a rich history that is reflected in the buildings and features that shaped the history of the city. Pal estine has more than 1,800 recognized historic resources and more buildings in the National Register of Historic Places than any Texas mainland city.

The city’s history includes key contribu tions from citizens of African descent and a driving tour called Black History and Heritage Tour tells their legends and legacies. The fifteen stops include Mount Vernon African Methodist Episcopal and several other churches, and the Douglas School, McKnight Plaza, Jesse and Alma Stein Home and other houses.

Palestine’s downtown area has many boutique and antique shops and the Red lands Hotel, a beautifully restored his toric building, is a destination all its own. Comfortable guest suites, an art gallery

and gift shop, a bar, and fine dining at the Queen St. Grille ensure guests enjoy their stay. The hotel is centrally located to downtown popular places like Eilen berger’s Bakery — the oldest bakery in Texas — and the historic Texas Theatre with performances throughout the year.

Just a few blocks away is charming Old Town Palestine, a lively neighborhood of revitalized historic structures with shop ping, dining, and ongoing activities with in easy walking distance. This is where visitors find many of the locals congre gating for concerts or sharing a beer or cup of coffee.

Shelton Gin often has live music and oth er special events. Wells Creek Crossing is a superb gift and home decor shop and adjacent to Cream & Coffee. The Pint & Barrel Drafthouse has delicious food in a pub-type environment with craft beer. Visitors are wise to leave room for

amazing pie from Oxbow Bakery across the street with so many homemade pies to choose from giving in to temptation to try a few is perfectly acceptable.

Walking into Bralys Ace Hardware store in Palestine is a unique shopping expe rience. In the historic Rusk Elemen tary School building, it received a Texas Treasure award and was deemed by Ace Hardware as one of the “Coolest Stores on the Planet.”

An unusual find in rural East Texas is NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Fa cility. It launches large unmanned, high altitude research balloons and tracks and recovers the scientific experiments sus pended beneath them for NASA centers and universities from all over the world. Private group tours are available.

North of Palestine is Sabor a Pasion Es tate and Vineyard. Owner and chef Si

mon Webster serves market fresh salads, pasta, wood-fired pizza, and specialty desserts. Guests dine al fresco at the Tus can Table with a vineyard view or relax in the rustic elegance of the Restaurant Aubergine dining room. Overnight acco modations include several cottages.

Other communities in Anderson Coun ty include Tennessee Colony, Cayuga, Montalba, Elkhart, and Frankston each with their own claim to fame and unique offerings.

Visitors find fall foliage driving trails throughout the forest and piney woods region of the Upper East Side of Texas. Some communities make it easy for trav elers to find their way around. One of the defined routes is the Pineywoods Au tumn Trail, a 145-mile road trip between Palestine and Athens that includes his

Old Town Palestine is a favorite place for locals and visitors alike (top). Zebras are one of the many animals to see up close at Cherokee Trace near Jacksonville (bottom left). The more than 100-year-old Texas Basket Factory in Jacksonville is the largest producer of baskets in the world, shipping an average of 10,000 baskets each day (bottom right). Photo by tracy torma Ritual is a destination dining, lodging, and spa center (opposite page).

torical markers and magnificent fall col ors. Autumn color happens mid to late November but it is always best to call a local tourism center before making a trip.

Crossing the Neches River, travelers enter Cherokee County, named for the Cherokee Indians who lived in the area long before European settlers ar rived. Rusk is the county seat, named for Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Rusk, Texas, was the birthplace of an other Texas leader, early governor James Stephen Hogg. Governor Hogg is me morialized through the Jim Hogg Me morial Park, a 180-acre piney woods area east of town. The park opened in 1941 to honor the first native-born gov ernor, serving from 1891 to 1985.

A fascinating find in Rusk, located just off of the courthouse square downtown, is the 546-foot Rusk Footbridge, con structed in 1861 to allow passage over a flooded creek bed. Rebuilt in 1889, the footbridge is the longest of its kind in the nation.

Train Robber Ranch near Rusk offers overnight accommodations with hik ing and horseback riding and the excit ing experience of seeing the Texas State Railroad crossing through the ranch property.

North of the county seat of Rusk is the active community of Jacksonville. The Vanishing Texana Museum there gives visitors some idea of the character of the town and surrounding area — local leaders don’t let a little thing like city lim its determine their boundaries and wel come people and artifacts from all over the world.

The museum houses an impressive col lection of regional antiquities and curi osities dating back from 1830 through 1950 and from foreign regions as far back as 238 CE. Included in the displays are Native Indian relics, farm equipment, photographs, dolls, and typewriters. An antique coin exhibition showcases cur rency hailing from the Roman Empire. Surrounded by forests and several lakes,

Jacksonville has a lot to offer travelers, in cluding Lake Jacksonville, boasting more than 13 acres of “liquid playground” including beautiful sunset views. Just minutes from downtown, visitors find campsites, public boat ramps, and two swimming spots with crystal-clear water and a foundation of clean sandy loam underfoot.

Downtown Jacksonville is home to Ritu al, a dining, lodging, and spa destination.

Just 12 miles east of Jacksonville is Cher okee Trace, a wildlife park that is home to a variety of wildlife. Guests see more than two dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. A selfguided drive takes visitors through the hills and open savannahs of this threeacre preserve. People observe, feed, and photograph the animals in a natural en vironment with miles of roads that seem like a whole different world.

Neches River National Wildlife Refuge is nearby. It protects wintering, nesting, and habitat for migratory birds to ensure protection of the bottomland hardwoods for their diverse biological value. Visitors find several trails, each with its own set

of things to discover. They see wildlife, take photographs, and learn about native vegetation. Wildlife often spotted at the refuge includes white-tail deer, squirrels, rabbits, bobcats, raccoons, and river ot ters. Birds include waterfowl, mallards, teel, wood ducks, and larger colonial egrets. Attracted to the many flower spe cies, butterflies and dragonflies are abun dant.

Other towns in Cherokee County to explore include Reklaw, Maydelle, New Summerfield, Cuney, and Gallatin.

Just four miles north of downtown Jack sonville is Love’s Lookout. It’s a rest stop for travelers, and a delightful destina tion all its own. Visitors go for picnics, to take photographs, and to soak up the scenic surroundings. At an elevation of 720 feet above sea level and rising 240 feet above the surrounding terrain, the vaulted ridge affords a panoramic view of the eastern horizon as far out as 30 miles on a clear day.

This article is taken from the book Upper East Side of Texas, Small Towns & Cultural Districts available on Amazon this fall. Go to www.speckled crow.com to sign up for notification of its release.

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Henderson Pours Out For 33rd Syrup Festival

Henderson’s annual flagship festival cel ebrating the heritage arts and syrup mak ing draws thousands to the Rusk County seat each November. This year’s 33rd festival occurs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat urday, November 12.

The festival is held at two locations. Heri tage arts are displayed at the Depot Mu seum Grounds and vendors and enter tainment are held in Historic Downtown Henderson.

Folks in Henderson began the Heritage Syrup Festival more than 30 years ago to

pass down the heritage art of cane syrup making to younger generations and to increase awareness of it.

The festival includes an antique trac tor show, food, and demonstrations of the heritage arts such as blacksmithing, weaving, broommaking, storytelling, and more.

In downtown Henderson the festival of fers 15 blocks of vendors selling arts and crafts, a car show, and live music and entertainment throughout the day. A hayride shuttle runs between the Depot

grounds and downtown Henderson all day so everyone can see and participate.

Admission to the syrup making demon stration at the Depot Museum Grounds is $3 for adults and $1 for children. The hayride shuttle costs $2 for an all-day pass.

There is no charge for admission to downtown activities. For information about the 33rd Annual Heritage Syrup Festival call (866) 650-5529 or visit www. visithendersontx.com.

The syrup-making team includes members of all ages to ensure the tradition continues for years to come.

coUrtesy Photo

Edgewood Heritage Festival Celebrates 45 Years

The 45th Annual Edgewood Heritage Festival takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at the Heritage Park Museum of East Texas in Edgewood. The park includes three city blocks of roughly 20 buildings that pre serve the architecture of the past. The annual festival raises funds to maintain the restored and furnished buildings that preserve the history of life in Van Zandt County in the early 1900s.

During the festival the park comes to life with artisans and craftsmen and women demonstrating vintage skills. Visitors can see artisans at work spinning, weaving, or making candles. Other trades include blacksmiths, barbers, antique printers, and more.

Visitors can enjoy live music throughout the day and shop holiday fare, baked goods, and jams and jellies. Activities include mini bike races, a pinto beans cook-off, a classic car show, an old West reenactment, arts and crafts, children’s activities, and pictures with Santa.

The outdoor museum opened in 1876 as a Bicentennial project and grows larger each year. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For infor mation call (903) 896-1940 or visit www. edgewoodheritagefestival.com.

Enjoy Festivities At Starr Harvest Market Fair

The Starr Family Home State Historic Site in Marshall celebrates fall with the Starr Harvest Market Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, November 5. The festival features lo cal vendors, food trucks, and a live band.

Guests can visit a black smith and shop with local ven dors and artisans. Relax under a shade tree and listen to live music, the Joanitones, or enjoy activities on the lawn.

The Starr Family Home State Historic Site is one of the Texas Historic Commission’s official sites. The campus includes several structures built by the Starr family begin ning 150 years ago.

The Starr Family Home is located at 407 West Travis Street in Marshall, Texas. For information call (903) 9353044 or visit www.visitstarrfamilyhome.com.

See Marshall’s Magical Wonderland

Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights is the most brilliant holiday sight in the region year after year. Delicate white lights adorn the historic Harrison County Courthouse built in 1901 as if decked in jewels.

Shops around the courthouse square hold special events and weekly com munity activities also draw visitors. The

Courthouse Lighting Ceremony is at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23 and there’s a Wassail Walk on Main Street from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 26.

The festival begins December 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. and features an outdoor ice skating rink, vintage carousel, mini train, and a Santa’s Village made of tiny houses providing family-friendly activi

ties such as crafts and cookie decorating. Festivities continue in December with a Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 and an Outdoor Christmas Market on Main Street at 10 a.m. on Sat urday, December 17.

For information visit www.visitmarshall texas.com.

The Nutcracker Ballet Returns to Tyler Junior College

Mineola Hosts Winter Whirl and Annual Holiday Parade

Tyler Junior College’s Academy of Dance presents its 34th production of The Nutcracker, December 1-4, in five per formances. The academy includes chil dren as young as six years old.

The ballet is held inside the Wise audi torium in the Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center on the TJC campus. Tick ets are available beginning November 1. Click HERE for information.

Mineola Winter Whirl is an all-day event in the historic Main Street district on Saturday, December 3. The annual Christmas parade be gins at 5:30 p.m. Both events are free of charge. For information call (903) 569-6183 or visit www.mineola.com.

McKinney Welcomes Everyone Home for the Holidays

Main Street McKinney’s three-day festi val begins November 26 and continues through the weekend Saturday and Sun day, November 27-28. The free festival offers family activities, food, and enter tainment. Kids can visit Santa and have their pictures taken while adults can en joy shopping at the Yuletide Market.

The 14-block, 165 year old historic downtown district is decked for the holi days and features a Community Christ mas Tree. The special tree is made pos sible through a community fundraiser and a gift from First United Bank. The 34-foot Blue Spruce tree from Michi gan arrives the last week in November in time for the lighting ceremony during the Home For the Holidays festival.

For information visit www.mckinney texas.org/1500/McKinney-ChristmasTree.

Grinch Steals the Show at Anderson County Jail

Palestine’s historic Anderson County Jailhouse in Palestine becomes the Grin ch’s Lair for five weekends each No vember and December. Guests wander through a winding maze of fantastically decorated rooms that recall themes from the original book by Dr. Seuss — How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The kid-friendly tour includes meeting the Grinch and other characters inside the Grinch’s lair, sampling hot cocoa and cupcakes, and writing letters to Santa at the North Pole.

Admission is $12 per person and chil dren ages two and younger are free. The lair is open 12 to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday, from November 18 to Decem ber 18. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

For information call (903) 480-1212 or visit www.txjailhouse.com.

Liberty Hall Screens Classic Holiday Movies

What do Macaulay Culkin and Jimmy Stewart have in common? They both star in classic holiday films at Tyler’s Liberty Hall in December. Culkin’s Kevin McAl lister in Home Alone is every bit as memo rable as Stewart’s George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life — and both can be enjoyed year after year.

Watch the classics at Liberty Hall in His toric Downtown Tyler this year. Home Alone airs at 9 p.m., Thursday, De cember 1. Liberty Hall screens the same 1946 version of It’s a Wonderful Life — one in full color at 7 p.m. on Friday, Decem ber 9 and the second in the original black

and white at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Decem ber 10. White Christmas Sing Along (1954) screens at 7 p.m. on Saturday, December 17.

Tickets are $8 to $14. For information or to purchase tickets call (903) 595-7274 or visit www.LibertyTyler.com.

From left: Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life (center), and White Christmas Sing Along (right).

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Visit Royalty At ShangriLlama in Royse City

ShangriLlama in Royse City is home to a castle and six royal llamas and offers ex periences for curious visitors. Guests can participate in “Llama Llessons,” “Llama Walks,” “Virtual Llama Meetings,” and even weddings with llamas, if desired.

ShangriLlama is the name of their ranch featuring an Irish castle barn located near Royse City, between Rockwall and Greenville. Their caretakers keep the ad dress private for the llamas’ safety and disclose it after guests make reservations.

Llama lessons are available inside the castle barn from May to October when the heat is too intense for long walks. The indoor encounters are both entertaining and educational. Guests laugh as they learn 150 facts about llamas that make them different from other animals.

During cooler months visitors walk the llamas along a path through the 10-acre private property while learning how to walk them. The Llama Walks are avail able November through April.

Each of the tall furry creatures has his own delightful royal name and personal

story. The Dalai Llama has white fur and bright blue eyes and is known as “King of the Castle Barn.” He’s known for his part in a GameStop commercial a few years ago.

Como T. Llama starred in his own liveaction comedy titled “Llama Cop” by the Starz Digital and Ambitious Media channel on Youtube called Union Pool. He played a renegade cop recruited to solve a crime with a detective partner in six webisodes.

All the llamas sport colorful royal cos tumes, gorgeous coats, and unique per sonalities. Other star llamas include Viscount of the Castle Barn Pajama Llama, Baron of the Castle Barn Drama Llama, and Knight of the Castle Barn Sir Lance-O-Llama.

Llama lessons are $20 per person and Llama walks are $50 per person. An on line schedule designates days and times for most activities.

Other events can be arranged in ad vance. For information call (972) 6329385 or visit www.shangrillama.com.

King of the Castle Barn Dalai Llama starred in a talking role in a Game Stop commercial a few years ago.

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TMA Features Texas Art From Grace Museum

Tyler Museum of Art exhibits TEXAS! Selections from The Grace Museum through November 27. The exhibit features works by several Texas artists from the collec tion of the Grace Museum in Abilene, which is housed inside the city’s historic Grace Hotel built in 1902 for railroad passengers.

The exhibit features works by artists Cindi Holt, Margie Crisp, Tony Lasalle, Keith Carter, Linda Ridgeway, and Ev erett Spruce. The works are in fiberglass, mesh and graphite, woodcuts, acrylic, mixed media, pastel, and silver gel prints. TEXAS! is made possible by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Tyler Museum of Art is located at 1300 South Mahon Avenue on the Tyler Ju nior College campus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for museum members and children 12 and younger. For information call (903) 5951001 or visit www.tylermuseum.org.

Gallery Main Street Blooms With ‘Empires of Enchantment’

Gallery Main Street celebrates art from the Rose City with a juried exhibit titled Empires of Enchantment on display through November 7. Empires features visual arts in a variety of media, including stained glass, oils, acrylics, watercolors, photog raphy, and mixed media.

The theme includes a variety of works. A stained glass mosaic titled “St. Igna tius” by Pam Smith features a colorful and fierce dragon and a mixed media work titled “Realm of Asgard” by Jason Barrows shows a space-themed fantasy world.

Themes of royalty are present in “Queen Elizabeth II” by Stephanie Nickel and “Four Queens” by Dace Kidd. Other subjects include floral arrangements and images, architecture, and landscapes.

Gallery Main Street is located at 1101 College Avenue in Tyler and is open seven days a week. Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. Ad mission is free.

For information visit www.downtownty ler.org/gallery-main-street.

“Texas Governor’s Mansion: Sam Houston Bedroom,” 1999, oil on canvas by Cindi Holt.

“Queen Elizabeth II” 28 x 22 inches, mixed media collage by Stephanie Nickel.

‘Colorful Moments’ Adorn Gallery 211

Colorful Moments is 211 Gallery’s current exhibit featuring the works of several art ists from Athens and the Cedar Creek Lake area through Thursday, January 5. The nonprofit gallery formed in 2012 to sell the work of local artists and now holds themed exhibits throughout the year.

The exhibit is an opportunity for local artists to display works with vivid colors. Vibrant hues draw the eye and often cre ate a mood. One piece is a bright blue surfboard painted with contrasting im ages of the deep ocean and seafoam by Pamella McAdams.

A work by Thalia Barentine uses a gold background against a scene of bright poppies. A painting by Christine Rob inson uses a deep purple background to represent outer space surrounding a vi brant blue and green planet Earth.

211 Gallery is located at 211 North Pal estine Street in Athens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Fri day and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For information call (903) 292-1764 or visit www.artgallery211.net.

“Bright Bouquet” by Thalia Barentine

Untitled painting by Christine Robinson

Untitled painting by Mary Rylant Batson

Regional Festivals Celebrate Visual Arts

While Winnsboro continues its successful 13th annual art and wine festival in No vember, two other art festivals are pop ping up in the region. Gun Barrel City sets the stage for its first Electric Arts Festival Friday and Saturday November 4-5 and the City of Tyler introduces the Tyler Art Festival along its brick streets Saturday, November 12.

Winnsboro Art & Wine Festival

Historic Downtown Winnsboro is an of ficial Texas cultural arts district and the Winnsboro Art & Wine festival is its pre miere event. The festival attracts artists from around the country to participate in its juried event so shoppers get the oppor tunity to meet and purchase from qual ity professional artists. Artworks of many kinds are featured — painting, pottery, glass, silk, wood, sculpture, and mixed media.

Several Texas wineries display their award-winning wines and offer tastings. Craft beer, specialty foods, cigars, and food truck fare are also available.

The festival is 1 to 7 p.m. Friday, Novem ber 11, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Satur day, November 12. Admission is free. For information visit www.winnsborocenter

Electric Arts Festival in Gun Barrel City

Gun Barrel City debuts a juried arts festi val with an eclectic mix of art by dozens or artists from around the US. The festi val is open to visitors 18 and older from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Satur day, November 4 and 5. The free event features more than 100 artists, live music, and food and drink vendors who are par ticipating in a “best of” culinary contest.

A variety of art is available at the festi val — from two- and three-dimensional mixed media to painting, photography, digital art, and printmaking — to wood and furniture, metal, fiber, glass art, and ceramics.

A special ticketed electronic dance music show featuring dance/electronic artists Trivecta, Esther Anaya, Raddix, Ten sion, and Altruist begins at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday. Tier 1 general admission is $15 and Tier 2/VIP general admission is $25 per person. Gun Barrel City Park has 34 acres and is located at 301 Municipal Drive in Gun Barrel City. For informa tion visit www.electricartsfestival.com.

Tyler Art Festival

Main Street Tyler is inviting artists to fill the downtown square at 100 Broadway Street with their works from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 12. The inaugural Tyler Art Festival features lo cal artists who create their own paintings, sculptures, photographs, textiles, and mixed media works. Artists are required to attend the show. The Tyler Art Festi val is a free community event intended to draw visitors to downtown Tyler and increase visibility of local artists.

Live music, food trucks, and booths by arts-related businesses and nonprofit or ganizations are also featured. The event is hosted by the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition. For information visit www. downtowntyler.org/downtown-art-festi val.

forthearts.com.

Fiber Arts Festival Returns to Canton

The East Texas Fiber Festival returns to Canton 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, November 18 and 19 at the Canton Civic Center.

The event connects hundreds of fiber artists from around the region, provid ing a way to meet vendors and learn new techniques.

The fiber festival features classes and demonstrations. Dozens of vendors come from the Upper East Side of Texas and around the US selling everything from tools and yarns to beautifully fin ished products. Most are willing to share their techniques with beginners.

Some artisans farm their own fibers like cotton from cotton seed pods, linen from flax stems, silk from the spun cocoons of silkworms, and wool from sheep hair.

Once the product is in hand, the next step involves spinning, knotting, twin ing, plaiting, coiling, and other forms of treating the fibers to get them into work able material. Many artists dye the mate rial to get the colors they want in their finished products.

The fiber arts include many techniques of working with yarns of all varieties. Spinning, silk fusion, and rope making prepare fibers to be used in knitting, crochet, and weaving. Other techinques

include quilting, applique, embroidery, canvas work, macrame, felting, silk screening, and basketry.

Visitors get to glimpse the artists who create wearable and decorative designs throughout the year. Many fiber artists get their start at festivals like these and the seasoned artists offer sage advice to beginners. Some are attracted to the fi ber arts because they offer the chance to make their own wearable products.

The Canton Civic Center is located at 800 Flea Market Road. For informa tion and news about the East Texas Fi ber Festival, visit their Facebook page or www.easttexasfiberfestival.weebly.com.

Artists from Enchanted Fibers of Bennett, Coloroado, bring their luxury alpaca fibers to the East Texas Fiber Festival in Canton November 18 and 19. One of many vendors featuring wearable art, the festival also provides yarns and other supplies for beginner and experienced fiber artists.

Check the County Line eMagazine for extensive list of events and things to do. www.countylinemagazine.com

Penny & Sparrow Sing At Liberty Hall

VIDEO

Austin-based Penny & Sparrow bring their folk-indie tunes to Liberty Hall at 8 p.m., Saturday, November 12.

The duo includes Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke, who started recording indie songs as roommates at the University of Texas in the early 2010s.

Many of the duo’s singles set a relaxed mood with throaty vocals, simple guitar rhythms, and melodic keyboards. Their reflective lyrics address timeless and

hopeful themes of love, belonging, and human existence.

The group’s most recent album is Olly Olly, which they self-produced. They re cently played in international venues in Europe and the US after releasing popu lar singles “Cheyenne,” “Adeline,” and “Need You.”

Tickets range from $38 to $152 for box seats. Call 903-595-7274 or visit www. libertytyler.com for information.

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Catch Respect at the Cowan Center

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. celebrates the music of Aretha Franklin at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10, at the Cowan Performing Arts Center at the University of Texas at Tyler.

The tribute stars a live band and talent ed vocalists who perform the Queen of Soul’s original hits while telling her life story of tragedy, courage, and triumph.

The one-night concert includes Frank lin’s top hits such as “Natural Woman,”

“Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me,” Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” and more.

The performance is currently touring theaters across the US under the musical direction of keyboardist Darnell White.

Singer and actress Trejah Bostic is the lead vocalist.

For information call (903) 566-7424 or visit www.cowancenter.org.

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are made of dirt.

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few are made of dirt.

Annie Moses Band Brings Holiday Music to GMA

VIDEO



Greenville Municipal Auditorium wel comes the Annie Moses Band at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 22, for a perfor mance titled “Christmas With the Annie Moses Band.”

The band includes five siblings from Nashville and trained at Julliard in New York City. Their top-notch performance abilities have been described as “genredefying.”

They have performed for more than a decade for audiences at the Grand Ole Opry House and on the Public Broad casting System (PBS) specials Christmas with the Annie Moses Band, The Art of the Love Song, and Tales From My Grandpa’s Pulpit.

The siblings grew up in Nashville and were born to parents and songwriters Bill and Robin Wolaver. They are high cali

ber musicians drawn together by bonds of faith, family, and love of performing.

Annie Moses is lead vocalist for the group, which is producing a new televi sion series called the Annie Moses Show in the style of television shows by Carol Bur nett and Lawrence Welk.

Tickets range from $10 to $45. For infor mation call (903) 457-3179 or visit www. showtimeatthegma.com.

 POETRY & SONG

Sometimes I Feel Like George Jones

He watched a love that proved untrue from a window up above and couldn’t walk through this world without Luke the Drifter’s shoes

Oh as I look at all my choices I know that the race is on and the cold hard truth is sometimes I feel like George Jones I may cry to a bartender share more than a few of my blues talk about the golden ring that tore my tender years into Perhaps she thinks I still care and will till the grass grows over me but the closing of the door still echoes from the last time she set me free

Oh as I look at all my choices

I know that the race is on and the cold hard truth is sometimes I feel like George Jones

— Darrell Lindsey, Nacogdoches

VIDEO

He Stopped Loving Her Today

He said, “I’ll love you till I die”

She told him, “You’ll forget in time”

As the years went slowly by She still preyed upon his mind

He kept her picture on his wall Went half crazy now and then

But he still loved her through it all Hoping she’d come back again

Kept some letters by his bed Dated 1962

He had underlined in red

Every single, I love you

I went to see him just today

Oh, but I didn’t see no tears

All dressed up to go away First time I’d seen him smile in years

He stopped loving her today

They placed a wreath upon his door

And soon they’ll carry him away

He stopped loving her today

You know, she came to see him one last time (ooh)

Ah, and we all wondered if she would (ooh)

And it kept runnin’ through my mind (ooh)

“This time he’s over her for good”

He stopped loving her today

They placed a wreath upon his door

And soon they’ll carry him away

He stopped loving her today

— Songwriters: Bobby Braddock / Curly Putman

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FOOD & DRINK

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes Offer Big Flavor

By Katie Rose Watson

This is the best mini cheesecake I’ve ever eaten. The crust is a buttery graham cracker crust with a pinch of cinnamon; the cheesecake itself is so luscious; and the cinnamon whipped cream goes per fectly with the cheesecake.

This recipe makes 10 mini cheesecakes but would easily double. With any cream cheese recipe, it’s imperative that the cream cheese is at room temperature or else it will never blend properly. Pull the cream cheese out of the fridge a couple of hours before you want to make this to ensure a perfectly creamy cheesecake.

Ingredients

For the crust:

12 Graham Crackers (3/4 cup crumbs)

2 tablespoons of granulated sugar

2 1/2 tablespoons melted butter

Pinch cinnamon

For the filling:

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey pure vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Fresh nutmeg

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 large egg, room temperature

For the cinnamon whipped cream:

1 cup whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 10 muffin tin cavities with paper liners and spray with nonstick spray.

Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, melted butter, and a pinch of cinnamon in a food processor to make the crust. Divide the crust evenly among prepared paper liners, gently patting down with a spoon. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside.

While the crust is baking, make the fill ing: beat softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla. Add cinnamon and grate some fresh nutmeg right into the batter. Mix in the pumpkin until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go. Add the egg.

Divide batter evenly among the crust and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the center of the cheesecake looks set. Cool completely in the pan, then remove from muffin tin and chill in the fridge for at least three hours or overnight.

Beat whipping cream with a whisk in a metal bowl until soft peaks form. Whisk in cinnamon, vanilla, and powdered sug ar. Spoon into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe cinnamon whipped cream on top of mini cheesecakes and enjoy.

Katie Rose-Watson is the author of the beautifully illustrated cookbook The Rose Table and the cook ing and entertaining blog, www.therosetable.com. Her imaginative Disney! Dinners have been featured on several national news media outlets.

Photo by katie rose Watson

Gourmet Gifts

Sweet Amaretto Figs Are Ripe For Sharing

By Lauren Wacaser

Fig season typically runs from late summer to early fall and is proven as an abundant fruit. Fresh figs should be consumed fairly quickly or pre served shortly after harvesting to en sure quality and to prevent spoilage. Preserving them briefly in an alcohol syrup and stored in the refrigerator is a simple way to allow you to enjoy them much longer. Any variety of fig works beautifully in this recipe.

1 quart sized, clean jar ~about 2 cups fresh figs, halved

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 cup Amaretto

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Gently fill the jar with fresh figs, being careful not to squish them.

In a small pot, bring the water/sugar/ Amaretto mixture to a boil. Stir fre quently. Boil for 5 minutes then re duce to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes.

Allow the syrup to cool before pouring over figs so that your glass jar doesn’t shatter from the temperature change.

Place a lid on top and store the jar in the refrigerator overnight. Consume within four days.

These sweet, syrupy figs are amazing on top of vanilla ice cream, French toast, or pancakes.

Make Homemade Vanilla For A Lasting Gift

By Lauren Wacaser

Vanilla is a well-known flavor used world wide in recipes for baking and flavored syrups. There are many varieties of vanil la beans but three main ones are used by home cooks and each has its own unique flavor profile. Madagascar vanilla is the most popular with its classic, rich flavors. Mexican vanilla is also very common and has richer, darker tones, while Tahitian vanilla carries a lighter, floral note.

For homemade extract, Grade A Mada gascar vanilla beans are preferred and can be purchased in the spice aisle of most stores or conveniently online. This recipe makes a wonderful gift for friends and family during the holidays and can be enjoyed year round. You’ll need:

1 cup or more of alcohol (vodka, brandy, bourbon, or rum)

4 vanilla beans, preferably Madagascar beans

4 individual gift-size glass jars

Slice each bean in half lengthwise in half and place both halves into a gift jar. You may cut the vanilla bean into smaller pieces to make it fit into the jar of your choosing. Pour alcohol into each jar so that it covers the bean entirely and is filled about ¼ inch from the lid.

Place a tight-fitting lid over each jar and store in a cool, dark place for about six weeks. However, the longer you allow them to extract, the better the flavors. Tie a beautiful ribbon or handmade tag around each lid as a gift idea.

For a large quantity of vanilla extract at home, you may slice four to six vanilla beans lengthwise and place them directly into your favorite alcohol bottle. Allow six to eight weeks for extraction before use. Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place and the beans will remain in the solution until it is used up.

Lauren Wacaser is the founder of “Let’s Eat Well,” featuring recipes, preparation, and discussion as she and her family create wholesome and innovative meals. She has a cookbook in the works and enjoys growing her own food, and teaching cooking and gardening classes.

Her goals include inspiring others to cook at home, con nect with their families and friends, and grow their own produce. See more on her “Let’s Eat Well” site.

Photo by laUren Wacaser

Photo by laUren Wacaser

Mix A Mighty Good Maple Leaf Cocktail

By Katie Rose Watson

Looking for the perfect fall cocktail? This easy cocktail is a little sweet and a little sour. Maple is one of my favor ite fall flavors and this cocktail has it in spades. This is the perfect cocktail to serve on Thanksgiving Day.

I used Still Austin limited edition cask strength bourbon for this particular cocktail. I’m a huge Still Austin fan and wow, this bourbon is not for the faint of heart. The 118 proof (59% ABV) bourbon tastes a bit like brown sugar and toasted pecans. It’s phenomenal.

Ingredients

2 oz bourbon

1/2 oz maple syrup

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

1 cinnamon stick

Directions

Combine bourbon, maple syrup, and fresh lemon juice with ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well, then strain into a highball glass. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

P hoto by k atie r ose W atson

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