Heart Of Texas Today
March-April 2014
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830-739-4673 Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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Publisher
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Spring
Alice Sadler Graphics & Production Golden Monkey Productions Head Writer
5 Liberty Tax Makes A Difference 6 Is It Easy to Show Your Property 9 What is an OBDII and Other Acronyms Mechanics Use Everyday? 10 Meet Colin Bastable
David Blackburn Staff Writer Cynthia Jones Contributing Writers Kelly Dooley
14 What’s Safe – What Isn’t, While Pregnant?
David LeMeilleur
16 A Texas State of Mind… A Short Story From A Tall Texan: The Power of Advertising
Lainie Johnson
18 The Kerrville Art Club Spring Show 20 The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, How it All Began
G. Wayne Hacker Ada Brown Cheryl Murray
22 A Life Well Used
Cover Photography
26 AGLOW Central Texas Area Conference
William Kierce Kierce Photography
28 Spring Recipes 29 Winnie the Pooh On Friendship
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The Opinions expressed in Heart Of Texas Today are those of the advertisers and writers. And not necessarily those of this magazine.
Is It Easy to Show Your Property? by Kelly Dooley, Realtor®
There are many hints and ideas to help your property sell. One simple issue that is often overlooked is making your property as easy to show as possible. The easier it is to show your property, the more likely it is to be shown, thus allowing more prospective buyers to tour your property. The best scenario is a key lockbox at the property, and property owners vacating the property (along with their animals) for showings. Today, many Realtor® organizations, such as the Kerrville Board of Realtors®, make available to their members special key lockboxes which provide records of member only showings as a safety feature; in contrast to the old lockboxes with codes that can be used by anyone who has the code. If a buyers agent has to make multiple calls, pick up a key, give a long notice, arrange showings when listing agents can be present, and/or go through other steps, showings and prospective buyers can be missed. Also, many buyers feel uncomfortable if a property owner is present and therefore don’t stay at the property as long or really investigate the property during their tour. These are things to consider when choosing a listing agent as well. Can a buyer’s agent make an appointment to show your property with your listing brokerage office, or do they have to get in touch with the listing agent who may be unavailable at times? Does your agent work with the special key lockboxes, or only the old-fashioned code style? While it is obvious that making your property easy to show can possibly bring a quicker sale, your showing arrangements with your broker/agent need to work for you as well. So, make this a topic of discussion when choosing the broker/agent that will represent you in selling your property.
Ed Hamilton
Email: Kelly@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 459-0452
The contents of this article are the opinion of Kelly Dooley, a professional real estate agent with Sherman & Co., Realtors® in Kerrville, Texas. Other professional real estate brokers and agents may disagree or have other views. Comments and questions are welcome by email at Kelly@ShermanCo.com. Your comments and questions and/or Kelly’s response may be printed in an upcoming issue.
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Kelly Dooley
Email: Ed@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 739-0056
SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS ® 819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028 OFFICE: 830-257-7588
www.ShermanCo.com
WIDE OPEN SPACES WITH SOARING CEILINGS at this prestigious address in Riverhill subdivision in Kerrville. Impressive multi-level main living areas with 14 to 16 foot ceilings, rock fireplace, and wet bar for entertaining. Large dream kitchen with island, sub-zero refrigerator, breakfast area, & powder room. Luxurious master suite on main level with his/her baths & walk-in closets.Wine room. 3-car garage. Large lot with back decks in private backyard. Offered at $399,500. MLS #82370. Call Kelly Dooley at 830-459-0452 or Ed Hamilton at 830-739-0056 for a private showing.
HOA LAKE PICTURE-PERFECT ROCK HOME BUILT IN 2008 on 2 peaceful acres close to Homeowner’s Park with Lake. Less than 15 miles from Kerrville or Comfort, closer to Camp Verde. Open floor plan with soaring ceilings & tile flooring. Fabulous kitchen sports granite counters, hickory cabinetry, pantry, breakfast bar, stainless appliances. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus bonus room. Luxurious master suite. Large covered back patio to enjoy the serenity and the wildlife. 2-car attached garage, plus 30X21 man cave. Offered at $325,500. MLS #81291. Call Kelly Dooley today!
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
WHAT A DEAL!!! Built in 1999 with open floor plan. Combination living area, kitchen, and dining area. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths with tub/shower combinations. Ceramic tile floors throughout home. Large fenced backyard with wood privacy fence. 1-car attached garage. Only $89,900!!! MLS #83103. Call Kelly today!!!
Email: Kelly@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 459-0452
Email: Joann@ShermanCo.com Phone #: 830-329-2902
SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS ® Kelly Dooley
819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028 OFFICE: 830-257-7588
Joann Faust
www.ShermanCo.com
When only the best will do… it takes this hilltop Tuscan home with quality workmanship & the finest materials from TOP TO BOTTOM (from the standing seam metal roof & 12-14 ft. ceilings with custom treatments to the hand-cut travertine stone tile floors) & FRONT TO BACK (from the custom iron double doors at the front entry to the large covered back patio overlooking Kerrville), and… only these rolling green 79.48 ag exempt acres so close to town could be the perfect setting. No lack of storage with large walk-in closets, walking height attic, many custom alder wood cabinets, Christmas tree closet, and even a palatial laundry room. Gated private drive to 3-car attached garage. Potential pond sites. 3 tracts make up the 79.48 acres, so already platted for family compound or for selling a tract if less acreage is needed. 1600-sq. ft. metal storage barn for livestock or other uses, or workshop for the hobby enthusiast. Offered at $1,800,000. MLS #82673. Call Kelly Dooley at 830-459-0452 or Joann Faust at 830-329-2902 for more information or to schedule a private showing. Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
Orphans & Widows Hope Project Local Ministers with an international ministry. By Sharing the love of God through providing food, clothing,eductation and medical care to orphans & widows in Africa. They change countless lives. Our goal (and hope) is that every fatherless child whom God has given to us will grow up healthy and educated, to become faithful citizens and that every widow will know the care of the lord. Mission Statement To touch with compassion and material help the fatherless and widowed whom God has given to us to care for. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep ones self unstained by the world.” (James 1:27 NNAS) To make a donation or for more information contact Elizabeth Brown 830-377-0243 P.O. Box 291130, Kerrville TX 78029
What is an OBDII and Other Acronyms Mechanics Use Everday? by David LeMeilleur So you take your car to your mechanic because you have the amber check engine light on the instrument cluster glowing. The mechanic tells you he is going to plug into your car with his OBDII diagnostic tool (scanner) and pull some codes to see what the problem may be. He later calls you and tells you the codes being set are a MAF, EVAP and a TPS code. You may be at this point scratching your head and trying to figure out what in the world is he talking about. In laymen's terms let's break down some of the more common acronyms and just what is the OBDII diagnostic tool he is using. In 1996 all vehicles were mandated by the government to be equipped with On-Board Diagnostics, which uses the OBDII to connect to the scan tool to determine the malfunction causing the check engine or MIL, Malfunction Indicator Lamp to set. It provides monitoring of nearly all engine controls, and also some other parts of the vehicle (chassis, body, etc.). The most useful part of OBD to most drivers is the ability to read information from the vehicle. You can read trouble codes, and even monitor real-time statistics such as RPM, vehicle speed, etc. By giving vehicle owners this early warning with the MIL lamp, OBD protects not only the environment but also consumers, identifying minor problems before they become major repair bills. So you may still be asking yourself, What do all those other codes mean? So let's look at the basic codes you will hear the most when it comes to "Shop Acronyms". Mass air flow sensor (MAF) is used to find out the mass flow rate of air entering a fuel-injected internal combustion engine. The purpose of the automobile evaporative emission system (EVAP) is to reduce or eliminate the release of vaporized hydrocarbons (HC) into the atmosphere. A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a sensor used to monitor the position of the throttle in an internal combustion engine. (TPMS), tire pressure monitoring sensor, the system for detecting tire pressure below the accepted minimum psi for the vehicle. the throttle, Electronic throttle control (ETC) "connects" the accelerator pedal to replacing a mechanical linkage. Sometimes you hear the mechanic say you need to replace your (FICM), or your fuel injection control module, this module controls the fuel injectors on the diesel engine. It is responsible for stepping up the battery voltage, which is required to activate the injectors. Positive crankcase ventilation valve, (PCV) valve is important because it helps vent the pressure that can build up in the engine while it is running. Another common acronym is the (O2 sensor), or Oxygen sensor. The sole purpose of this sensor is to determine the amount of oxygen that comes out of the engine from the combustion process into the exhaust. So at this point you have a vague understanding of the need for some sort of diagnostics and maybe even a repair to your vehicle. But, you may still be wondering how do I know I even need a part or how much is it going to cost. An ASE certified mechanic should be able to give you a written estimate with a fairly accurate diagnosis of the necessary repairs based on the codes being set and give you the peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be repaired properly. One final word of caution, if the mechanic uses the word, Kanutter valve (other) or Muffler Bearings, You just may want to find yourself another mechanic! The last vehicle to use a kanutter valve probably never left the assembly line in Detroit, yep, you got took! Find yourself a real tech or as they are known today in the automotive repair industry; Professional Service Provider.
Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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Meet Colin Bastable IT entrepreneur Colin Bastable was inspired by the item on Cellphone Theft by Ada Brown in Heart of Texas Today last year. "Reading the article, I realized that it is incredibly hard to prevent someone with unauthorized access running up a massive phone bill and stealing personal data." he said. "If you lose your phone, or it is stolen, how do you stop it being used? Who do you call? What do you do?" "So I decided to fix the problem" Originally from England, he has been riding motorcycles since he was nine. Living in Andover, MA, and unable to face yet another winter of 110" of snow, high taxes and bad roads, in October 2010 "I packed the Jeep, put the bike and my grill on a trailer, and 18 hours later I was in Austin" he said. As he was the only employee of Mi-Token Inc., the company relocated with him, and has not looked back. "We now have staff developing, supporting and selling our security products globally, with offices in Texas, Australia, Europe, Japan and the Middle East". Last year. he took a ride on his Triumph motorcycle ("yes", he says, "they still make them, but now they start first time!") and discovered The Hill Country. So he moved to Kerrville on the spur of the moment. "Great roads, friendly people, wonderful countryside in the heart of Texas. I love it!" Bastable has several technologies which help companies and governments manage data security and prevent identity theft, but consumers don't have an IT helpdesk to call when they need help. So he set up a new business, PhoneLockr.com, to leverage that skill and develop a consumer solution to this multi-million dollar problem. "We have a very powerful corporate system, so we are developing a very friendly front end (called the UI, or User Interface) to deliver that power in a way that every user can understand and use, with no need to learn about security. "We decided to pilot PhoneLockr in the Hill Country, as a free service. People will be able to sign up online, and register their phone or tablet. If they lose it, or it is stolen, they just go online and lock the phone, or reset the PIN, send a text message to the phone, or wipe it." Initially PhoneLockr.com will support Android phones and tablets, but they intend to offer this free service to iPhone and iPad users too. To register, users can sign up online at www.phonelockr.com in just a few seconds.
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
This article by Ada Brown was in our Sept-Oct 2013 Issue
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Check phonelockr.com or email signup@phonelockr.com for details! All Trademarks Recognized.
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 25
Tamara Pfiester Pate August 23, 1971-January 28, 2014 On January 28, 2014, our beloved Tamara Jeanette Pfiester Pate, 42 years old, of Kerrville, passed away in Fredericksburg, Texas. She was born in Key West, Florida to Carlos & Patricia Pfiester on August 23, 1971. On June 3, 2000 she married Greg Alan Pate in Fredericksburg, Texas. Together, they have three beautiful children, Cassie Ryan Pate (10 years), Colton John Pate (7 years) and Chloe Sage Pate (3 years). Tamara graduated from Tivy High School in 1989. After attending San Angelo State University she worked in several management positions. For the last 10 years she has been employed by Starbucks, and served as the manager here in Kerrville. Her vivacious energy and love of life will be remembered by all. The passionate love that she had for her family was felt by everyone that she knew. She was an adoring mother, loving wife and beloved sister and daughter. Tamara lived her life to the fullest with enviable strength and joy, and with a love for others that surpassed understanding. She touched and inspired the lives of all who knew her with her love for God, passion for her family, and her own brand of sarcastic, witty humor - a rare combination united beautifully in this strong, amazing, woman of God. She leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth, leaving all of us endeavoring to love as big and as well as she so effortlessly did. Tamara is survived by her husband, Greg Alan Pate; her children, Cassie Pate, Colton Pate and Chloe Pate; her brother Carl Pfiester and sisters Tiffany Pfiester Way and Ashley Pfiester Causey; her parents, Carlos Edwin Pfiester and Patricia Peters Pfiester, her great- grandmother, Irene Pearson as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at Calvary Temple Church on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the Tamara Pfiester Pate Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank in Kerrville, Texas.
Put Jesus Here
What’s Safe – What Isn’t, While Pregnant? It’s important to remember that we are parents even before our baby is actually born. If you wonder about an activity that might be harmful to your baby, it’s best to hold off on doing it until you check with your doctor. However, some activities are known to cause harm during pregnancy. For instance cat litter and raw meat carry a parasite that causes a flulike illness that might be so mild you don’t even know you have it. But, to your baby it could cause brain or liver damage or even blindness. So, while you’re pregnant get someone else to clean the litter box and be sure that the meat you eat is thoroughly cooked beyond the medium stage. Did you know that antihistamines are considered safe during pregnancy, but decongestants are not? Always check with your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter medication. Exercise during pregnancy is good for you and will give you a feeling of well-being. It might also reduce backache and tiredness, but pregnancy is not the time to train for a marathon or surf, scuba dive or water-ski. Radiation is everywhere—sunshine, cell phones, airplanes—but don’t panic, the exposure is small. Be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant so you can be covered with a lead apron to protect your unborn baby. Avoid lifting when you are pregnant, or bend and lift with your legs, not your back. Remember you have looser ligaments while pregnant and your center of gravity is changing—let someone else lift things for you. Coloring or perming your hair should be avoided during the first trimester as experts do not know the effectsthey could have on your baby. They do know however, that hair color is absorbed through the scalp and enters your bloodstream. Herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA, and some could be toxic to you or your unborn baby. As with other over-the-counter medications, always check with your doctor first. Whatever you spray into the air is breathed into your lungs and passed via your blood to your baby. So always use aerosols in well-ventilated areas and try not to breath the fumes of any cleaning products or household chemicals. Also stay away from any chemicals that kill weeds and bugs. If you live in an older home and your pipes might be made of lead, drink bottled water to be safe. To learn more, please contact us at www.thepregnancyresourcecenter.org We offer FREE parenting classes, on an individual basis to address whatever concerns you may have about your child – from conception to teens.
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
The Power Of Advertising by David Blackburn
If anyone ever tells you that advertising doesn’t really work, just remind them of how many millions of people think yogurt tastes good. Advertising is the lubricant that keeps the giant economic wheel of America in motion; it is the method that links the buyers with the sellers. It is also an alchemical blend of science, research, intuition, entertainment, and hypnotism. This publication is a great example of how advertising blends perfectly with everything else in the world we live in—our advertisers keep us informed about the products and services that are available to us and that message is delivered in a manner that makes us remember it. Most people pick up Heart Of Texas Today to read the ads as well as the articles (and we like that—it makes our advertisers very happy). This point is illustrated by a story recently told to me by a close friend who had been hospitalized with a serious illness. She had gotten the flu just before Christmas and it developed into pneumonia; her lungs filled up with fluid and she had to spend almost two weeks in the hospital. She was critically ill and came close to death; her condition was so serious that her doctors placed her in a medically induced coma in order to help her recover. I had no prior knowledge of her illness when I
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
called her in January to wish her and her husband a happy new year. “Oh, my goodness!! You just won’t BELIEVE what happened to me since I talked to you last!!” “Really? Did you win the lottery or something?” “No, no, NO,” she said. “I got real sick and everybody thought I was a goner for sure!” She then proceeded to tell me of how she had to be taken to the Emergency Room by ambulance, how the doctors were alarmed and freaked out by how sick she was, and the decision to place her in the coma. She was obviously upset by the entire ordeal, as anyone would be, but there were some additional twists and turns that no one expected. “You know, I always heard that when you were in a coma, you were supposed to be unconscious, but I wasn’t. I could hear everything that people were saying and I could even see a little bit out of the bottom part of my eyes. They weren’t closed all the way and I had a little narrow slit at the bottom where I could see stuff. But---I couldn’t talk and I couldn’t move. It
was like one of those dreams where you want to wake up but you can’t, you know what I mean?” We have all had those types of dreams and they are very unpleasant for me; I always feel helpless, out of control, and scared. I said that being in a state like that must have been very uncomfortable. “Well, it dang sure WAS uncomfortable and I was like that for EIGHT DAYS IN A ROW! The doctors and family were all talking about whether I was gonna die or not and I was pretty scared, but that wasn’t the worst of it. Not by a long shot.” What was the worst part, I inquired? Was it the fear of being so critically ill and the apprehension of what might come next? Was she in pain? Her response needs to be prefaced with the knowledge that this wonderful lady is one of the biggest animal lovers I have ever known; she lives on forty acres out in the country and has dogs, cats, horses, goats, and is constantly picking up strays and finding good homes for them. I truly think she would give her last bite of food to a hungry animal, even if it meant that she would go hungry herself. “All this happened around Christmas and being in the hospital is depressing enough,” she said, “but being there over the holidays is the pits. No one seemed to know that I was able to hear and see, but they turned my head towards the television and left the dadburn thing running 24 hours a day all the time I was there. And you know what they put on television during the holidays, don’t you?” I thought for a minute and I replied that they always show that old Jimmy Stewart movie “It’s A Wonderful Life” over and over as well as that movie about the kid who wants a BB gun for Christmas. “NO, NO, NO,” she exclaimed. “I don’t mean the movies, I mean the commercials. They kept playing that commercial about the abused animals and asking for donations. You know the one I mean---the one that shows the little puppy shaking in the cold and scared to death and the poor skinny dog that has been mistreated and starved. And the poor little kitten with one eye. And that sad, SAD music that goes along with it. You know that one?”
couldn’t turn my head away from the TV. I had to watch it and listen to it over and over. And I swear to you that they played that damn commercial every fifteen minutes, all day and all night, for the entire eight days I was in that coma. I thought I would lose my mind!!” What an ordeal, I thought. It seemed like a never ending purgatory for an animal lover and I told her I felt bad for her. She took a breath and concluded her story. “Finally I started getting better and the doctors decided to bring me out of the coma. I had two tubes going down my throat; one going into my stomach for feeding and another going into my lung to drain the fluid out. They took those things out and gave me some medicine that started to bring me back. I started to get some control over my body and could move a little and I was able to open my eyes all the way. I tried to talk, but my throat was so sore from those dang ol’ tubes I was real hoarse. I tried to speak to my poor husband, who had been there nearly every minute, but all I could get out was a scratchy croak. “He knew I was trying to talk and he said to me, ‘What is it, Honey? Are you all right? Do you know me?’ And I tried to tell him what I wanted, but all I could say was one word. I said to him, ‘Get…get… get…” “Get what, sugar? Do you want a drink of water for your throat? Are you cold; do you want me to get you a blanket? Tell me what you need; I’ll get anything you want, I promise!” “Well, I summoned all my strength and kept trying to talk. I said, ‘get…get…checkbook…get..CHECKBOOK!’ “ The puzzled husband looked at her and asked what she meant. “Get the checkbook? Honey, we don’t need to do that. The insurance will take care of the hospital bills….” “No, no…,” she rasped as she rose up on her elbows, “get..checkbook…AND SEND A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO THE S.P.C.A!!!” Never, NEVER underestimate the power of advertising……
Yes, I said, I was familiar with that spot and I can barely stand to watch it because it is so depressing. “It IS depressing. And you know how much I love animals. I can’t stand to watch that darn thing when it comes on at home; I always flip the channel to something else. But I couldn’t change the channel in the hospital because I couldn’t move. I
Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League, How it All Began by G. Wayne Hacker The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistance League actually got its start when Connie Townsend (who was Potter then) and Marlene Heavner sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy a cup of coffee on New Years day, 2002. They discussed many things, but when the conversation shifted to how Bandera and the surrounding counties were overrun with stray cats and dogs, many of which that had been abused, they decided to take on the monumental task of nursing them back to health, spay and nurture them, and lastly, find them good homes. Once they got started, what they found would break a persons normal heart. I can’t start to tell you how many abandoned and scared pets have been rescued off the highways and back roads over the years - many in need of medical treatment or surgery from being hit or run over by
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
passing cars. Nor how many strays have been pulled from beneath mobile homes, abandoned houses or porches with litters of newborn puppies covered in ticks and fleas. We’ve had kittens placed in cardboard boxes and dumped at our store to suffer for days on end before we finally return to work and find them – many time already expired from a lack of water and food. It makes you cry at first, but then you get angry and cynical. I think it was Mark Twain that once said, “The more I see of people, the more I love animals.” After three years of talking people into fostering animals until she get them adopted, Marlene talked the Bandera County Sheriff into allowing her and a small band of volunteers to clean the county’s shelter in exchange for a promise that they would not kill any more animals. Meantime, they continued to hold adoptions to find permanent homes for animals. When a new sheriff took office and nixed the agreement, Marlene took the animals to her home and boarded them there. It was then that a man named Bobby Heller came forward with the money to construct a modern new shelter. In an interesting note, when Bobby couldn’t find any volunteers to help construct the kennels, he pretty well built them himself, which I can assure you, wasn’t his plan. He completed the facility in 2009 and a year later, completed a separate building which houses modern bath and medical faculties, as well as a storeroom for pet food. In that same year, another big-hearted gentleman named, Richard Connor offered CCPAL a house to use for a resale store on highway 16 South, near Pipe Creek. After three years of hard work and increasing support from the community, the shop has become a ringing success – earning much needed capital for the care and upkeep of the animals in the shelter. In addition, CCPAL has two annual fundraisers - the Sweetheart Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction in February and the Community Pet Parade on the 4th of July weekend. As for volunteers, there has been many come forward with good intentions, only to back out when they discover how much work is involved. Today, the organization has eleven hearty souls, with only three that date back to the days at the county animal shelter. Four of the members work in the store, two tend the kennels, two take care of the Cans for K-9 program and the other three do whatever needs to be done. If anyone would like to lend a hand, we could always use the help at our kennels. But be warned, the only pay you will receive is the thrill of occasionally getting to see puppies being born and the unrestricted love of a bunch of appreciative canines. If you are one of these people that are crazy about animals and don’t mind hard work, we could sure use you. The best way to reach us is to call 210-867-1769 and ask for Marlene, or simply drop by the store and we’ll put you in touch with her. If you can’t find the time to volunteer, we are a 501(c) 3 charity and have an intrinsic need for money, so we accept monetary donations open-heartedly. I’ll do you one better, if you will drop the check off at the CCPAL Resale Store at 8469 Hwy 16 South, we’ll gladly give you a receipt to help with your taxes. If you ever wonder what drives us to do so much work without pay or recognition, you only need to look into the happy face of one of the more than 1,500 wonderful pets that we’ve placed since our inception and you’ll have your answer. Have a wonderful 2014 and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the store or at one of our adoptions.
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Kerrville was without a pastor and Don was asked to supply. The people were so impressed that he was asked to be Interim Pastor. The stability and leadership he provided led the church to call him as full-time pastor. He served there until he reretired in 1995.
Don Murray was born March 13, 1928 in San Saba, Texas - one of eight children. His childhood was spent on ranches in the area. An alcoholic father and an overworked mother left Don and his siblings unsupervised much of the time. Don dropped out of high school and joined a gang. Although he was wild and headed down a tragic path, the Lord had very different plans for him. As a young teenager, Don met Jeanie - and what a difference a girl can make! As a dedicated Christian, she refused to date Don unless he “got his act together.” He reformed outwardly and a relationship began that would change his life - eternally! In the meantime, WWI interrupted. Don was too young to enlist in the military, but the Merchant Marines weren’t quite so concerned about details like birth certificates. He lied about his age and signed up, ready to do his part in the war effort. But the night before he was to ship out, he took Jeanie for a driving lesson so that he could leave his car with her. There was an accident and he wasn’t expected to live, but again, the Lord had other plans for Don. One evening Don went to pick up Jeanie from church. Approaching the church doors, he heard people praying for him by name. The experience rocked him to the core and it wasn’t long before he trusted Christ as his Savior. At the ripe old age of 17, Don married Jeanie who was 18 and began working for a moving company in San Antonio. While still a teenager, Don’s grandmother, the only other Christian in the family, had the entire family gather around her deathbed, demanding that they listen to Don preach. He had no formal training yet, so he just preached what he knew - the Love and Grace of God!
there he pastored a church, held down several secular jobs to support his wife and two infant sons, and made the Dean’s List every semester. Kind of gives new meaning to the term “wise guy!”
Less than a week after retiring, his dear Jeanie suffered a brain-stem stroke and was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After 58 years of devoted marriage, Jeanie passed away in 2003.
Upon graduation, he went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Times were hard, but the Lord provided. Their parents had predicted that the young family would end up back on their doorstep begging for help, but yet again, God had other plans!
I have to wonder if Jeanie ever thought of the ripple effect her testimony had and will continue to have through the generations. If it weren’t for her, Don might never have been saved. During his ministry of over 50 years, who knows how many individuals he led to salvation?
During the course of his ministry Don pastored churches in Texas, Hawaii, Colorado and New Mexico. He also served as Director of Missions and Evangelism for the Colorado Baptist Convention.
And then there were their sons of whom they are both so proud. Don Jr. has faithfully served as Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Trustee, etc. of his church.
In the late 1980’s Don began having some heart issues. During a routine angioplasty his aorta was severed. It “so happened” that one of the country’s best heart surgeons was in the hospital teaching a conference and he was rushed in to perform the repair surgery. Don was not expected to survive, but again, God had other plans. Are we beginning to see a pattern here? Don was advised to retire for health reasons, so he and Jeanie visited her sister in New Braunfels. At the time, First Baptist Church in
Don enrolled in Howard Payne University where he was allowed to take an entrance exam in lieu of a high schoolHeart diploma. During his years 22 of Texas Today | January - February 2014
Charles recently retired from pastoring and is now the Executive Director of the Baptist Medical Dental Fellowship which organizes mission trips to provide free medical and dental clinics to people in deprived areas of the world. Also, all of Don and Jeanie’s grandchildren are committed, serving Christians, and I can only imagine what their influence has been, and will continue to be. An untold army of souls will spend eternity in Heaven because of one teenaged girl who trusted God and stood firm in her convictions. Thank you God for Jeanie Murray. What a lesson in faithfulness for each of us. This inspirational story was written by Cheryl Murray, Don’s current wife of 9 years. They both attend Sunrise Baptist Church in Kerrville where Cheryl is the Administrative Assistant to the pastor.
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Bandera County Convention and Visitors Bureau 126 State Highway 16 S, Bandera, TX 78003 1-800-364-3833 路 cowpoke@banderacowboycapital.com Contact us for our current events
Visit the Chamber at 630 Hwy 27, Comfort, TX 78013 Chamber Hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-3 pm (830) 995-3131, or FAX (830) 995-5252 www.comfortchamberof commerce.com Contact us for our current events.
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
“Stir the Sauce” Maria had just gotten married, and being a traditional Italian she was still a virgin. On her wedding night, staying at her mother’s house, she was very nervous. Her mother reassured her; ‘Don’t worry, Maria, Tony’s a good man. Go upstairs and he’ll take care of you. Meanwhile, I’ll be making pasta sauce.’ So, up she went. When she got upstairs, Tony took off his shirt and exposed his hairy chest. Maria ran downstairs to her mother and says, ‘Mama, Mama, Tony’s got a big hairy chest.’
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‘Don’t worry, Maria,’ says the mother, ‘all good men have hairy chests. Go upstairs. He’ll take good care of you.’ So, up she went again.. When she got up in the bedroom, Tony took off his pants exposing his hairy legs. Again, Maria ran downstairs to her mother. ‘Mama, Mama, Tony took off his pants and he’s got hairy legs!’
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‘Don’t worry! All good men have hairy legs. Tony’s a good man Go upstairs and he’ll take good care of you..’ So, up she went again. When she got there, Tony took off his socks and on his left foot he was missing three toes. When Maria saw this, she ran downstairs. ‘Mama, Mama, Tony’s got a foot and a half!’
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Spring Recipes Bacon “N” Egg Bundles Ingredients 1 teaspoon butter or margarine 12 to 18 bacon strips 6 eggs Fresh parsley sprigs
Lightly grease six muffin cups with the butter. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until cooked but not crisp. Drain on paper towels. Cut six bacon strips in half width-wise; line the bottom of each muffin cup with two bacon pieces. Line the sides of each muffin cup with one or two bacon strips. Break an egg into each cup. Bake, uncovered, at 325°F for 12-18 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not firm. Serves 6
Oven-Roasted Asparagus
Ingredients: 1 bunch thin asparagus spears, trimmed 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced (optional) 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Directions: Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place the asparagus into a mixing bowl, and drizzle with the olive oil. Toss to coat the spears, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. Arrange the asparagus onto a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. Sprinkle with lemon juice just before serving. 4 Servings
Glazed Ham
Original recipe makes 12 servings •1 (8 pound) bone-in shank ham •4 cups water, or as needed •1/2 cup honey •1/2 cup brown sugar •2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring •2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce •1 pinch ground cloves Directions Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Place ham in a roasting pan. Pour in water to a 2 inch depth. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Bake for 6 to 8 hours in the preheated oven (all day or all night). Remove from the oven, pour off drippings and reserve. Debone ham, removing any excess fat as well, and return to the roasting pan. Skim fat from the top of the drippings, and discard. In a small bowl, mix one cup of the drippings with honey, brown sugar, liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce and cloves. Pour this over the ham, cover and return to the oven. Remaining drippings may be discarded or reserved for other uses. Bake for another 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
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Heart of Texas Today | March - April 2014
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