Liberty Hill digest
M A R C H 2022
YOUNG AT HEART FITNESS, FACTS AND FUN FOR YOUR FAMILY
“A HAPPY FAMILY IS BUT AN EARLIER HEAVEN.” ~George Bernard Shaw
This month's focus on Kids & Family is a fun mingling of people, activities, and expert advice for springtime and summer planning! MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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POOLS
PATIOS
LANDSCAPES
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714 S. Austin Ave., Ste. 201 Georgetown, TX 78626
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INSIDE
FEATURES 6 FOR LOVE & BBQ
Good Food, Family Time, and Fun For All in Liberty Hill's Favorite Backyard
10 TOO TWO CUTE
Celebrating LHISD Creativity
20 WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"
A History Primer for New Texans
SPECIAL FOCUS KIDS & FAMILY FUN
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Inner Space Cavern
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SAVE THE PLANET Teaching Kids to Use Less
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ASK THE EXPERTS Dental Hacks for Kids
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WELL-BEING Benefits of Indoor Play
FAVORITES 5
EXPERIENCE LIBERTY HILL Community Barbershop
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WORTH THE DRIVE Willow City Loop Wildflowers
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PEOPLE A Personal Journey to Ukraine
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BELLE CHIMES IN Deus Ex Matrem Caritatem
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FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND You Must Be Kid-ding Me
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FOOD Make-it-Myself Kids Recipes
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WHY IS THIS A THING? Daylight Savings Time
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PARTING SHOT Twirling and Training for Life
10 AGAPE BBQ
Good food, family times, and fun for all in Liberty Hill's favorite backyard.
MARCH FOCUS KIDS & FAMILY FUN
Fitness, facts, and fun for your family!
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Next Month... AP R I L FO CU S HOME IMPROVEMENT & REAL ESTATE MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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Liberty Hill digest
EDITOR’S NOTE | MEGAN DIANE BEATTY
Published by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC
To me, March means the start of camping season. I have so many great childhood memories of camping. It’s important to me that my kids make those same cherished memories. When I was younger we would camp in a tent with no electricity and no bathrooms and we took our baths in the lake. Now that I am older, I need a shower and a place to plug in my fan. March has a breeze but it’s still a very “Texas” breeze.
PUBLISHER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ann Marie Kennon
Cathy Payne
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Megan Diane Beatty
Megan, a mom of two, has been a part of the Liberty Hill community for 11 years. Originally trained as a nurse, today, she channels her passion to help others into throwing birthday parties for kids battling cancer. Megan’s other passion is running, and that same zest for life flows into her writing and sharing the inspiring stories of Liberty Hill. SENIOR WRITER / EDITOR Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cassidie Cox • Linda A. Thornton GRAPHICS & DESIGN Sandra Evans • Ann Marie Kennon CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christianna Bettis Photography
My parents, aunts, and uncles put us in one tent to put on a shadow show. One of the adults would beam the flashlight onto the outside of the tent and the other adults would act out funny skits to make us all laugh. I love that I now get to do this fun camping tradition with my kids, nieces, and nephews. But I'm not the only one loving on family and community. High school sweethearts Anthony and Tracy Kendig are bringing hope and haircuts to Liberty Hill. This power couple started a church and opened a barbershop all at the same time. Their story of following God’s plan is inspiring and I know you will enjoy reading it. While you're out, you can’t go wrong with good live music and even greater barbecue. I am looking forward to Agapé Barbecue's family friendly backyard music series that kicked off this month. I love the atmosphere at this place and I always leave feeling full and loved. I hope to see you there! Happy spring Liberty Hill!
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR • Jenny Campbell DISTRIBUTION • David Schumacher IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
ADVERTISING Jenny Campbell 254-251-9167 (Cell) 512-598-6538 (Direct) jenny@lhtxdigest.com
Liberty Hill Digest is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper. Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. Liberty Hill Digest is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in Liberty Hill, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to Liberty Hill Digest, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537.
Email: info@lhtxdigest.com
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Our backyard music fun starts on March 3! Visit agapebbq.com for our lineup!
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M A R C H 2022 LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T
experience liberty hill
BROTHERS AND HEROES ly, we felt a greater opportunity for impact in our community by focusing on smaller, intentional groups and an emphasis on discipleship, fellowship, and acts of service. Our heart’s desire is to see lives changed by living closely in relationship with those around us, and leading others to do the same.
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he Digest sat down with High school sweethearts Anthony and Tracy Kendig to talk about the mission— and ministry—of the City Collective and Community Barbershop. What brought you to Liberty Hill?
Many years ago we were prompted to start a church, although we didn’t quite know where we were going. After much prayer and consideration, we knew God was drawing us to settle here in Liberty Hill. Originally from Georgetown, my wife and I were deeply eager for the opportunity to become part of a community that was reminiscent of our own small town. The full story about our arrival to Liberty Hill is equal parts God’s faithfulness and unexpected plot twists, but in a nutshell, we are absolutely confident God has us here to serve this incredible community for a reason and a purpose. What made you decide to provide this new kind of small group and worship? We did not feel called to a traditional brick-and-mortar sense of the word church, but instead were inspired by the story of the early church in the book of Acts. Personalphotos courtesy Anthony Kendig
How are people responding to your paradigm of Thursday worship? Knowing our church was going to be based in our home, we took a poll of those we knew were going to attend, and Thursday was the general consensus. People are positively responding to this approach to worship and study because we are purposing to meet them where they are. Our plan is to help develop and empower leaders to create opportunities for others to experience the love of Christ, by living intentionally in fellowship and community with those around them. It might be in a home, business, or a hangout.
be a pillar of service and gathering for the city of Liberty Hill and surrounding areas. We offer haircut services, beard trims, and classic hot-towel straight razor shaves in an inviting atmosphere where traditional barbering services combine with a contemporary vibe. In addition to barbering services, we will also have a small space for members of the community to use. Want to come an hour early for your haircut to get uninterrupted work or study done? As our tagline suggests: “you’ll come for the cut and stay for the community.” Community Barbershop will be open Monday through Friday 9AM6PM, closed Saturdays and Sundays.
What can we look forward to with your new barbershop? It’s a little crazy to start a church and open a barbershop at the same time, but we are so excited. For us, the vision of the barbershop and the church go hand-inhand. Called Community Barbershop for a reason, we desire to MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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For Love and Barbecue by Cassidie Cox • photos courtesy Brandon Reinoehl
I
f Texans know anything, its good barbecue and knowing how to make people feel like family instantly, perhaps with delicious food or a fun atmosphere. Here in Liberty Hill, one place that combines all of these quintessential Lone Star concepts in a place that feels truly like home. Brandon Reinoehl, Jeremy Archer, and Lonnie Wendling opened Agape BBQ in 2020 with a shared passion for barbecue and the knowhow to create a place where everyone was welcome. Today, their little house, tucked away in town, is a local favorite and quickly becoming a destination for many in and around Williamson County.
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WHAT THEY'RE ABOUT The term agape is Biblical, co-owner Brandon Reinoehl says. It is one of five Greek words for ‘love’, specific to the unconditional and never-ending love of God. “We named it that to further that mission and spread that love,” Brandon says, “and to be a place for people to enjoy and relax.” Locals come at all hours of the day—to order coffee before their day starts, and then back to enjoy lunch and dinner. Workers and cooks behind the counter call out the names of the regulars and engage them about their days while the food is prepared. The restaurant’s popularity is growing primarily due to the delicious food. Their barbecue is traditional Texan style, per-
around town fected by grill masters and served by friends. Other prepared items on the menu—potato salad, beans, and more—keep customers coming back for every meal they can. But the food is not the only thing that makes folks come back time and again—it’s the total commitment to loving and accepting everyone who walks through the door. Owners and staff agree they are excited to interact with everyone who walks in, and they enjoy playing a part in new connections and friendships being made inside the restaurant and in their large backyard.
For those are already fans of the food and the atmosphere, there is still more to make folks want to come back and bring friends. As spring and summer approach, Agape adds live music in the backyard every weekend. Many of the musicians are friends with Agape’s owners and report their gigs feel more like a family getting together for good food and fun.
The backyard is the dining area behind the restaurant surrounded by three-hundred-year-old oak trees, with cornhole games and plenty of room for the whole family. Brandon says, “[Customers] come for the backyard, down-home feel. Parents can let their kids run around and do whatever…it’s a backyard after all.”
The bottom line at Agape BBQ is their mission to make everyone feel welcome, whether just looking to hang out with friends and family or grab a bite to eat. “Just have fun,” Brandon says, “that’s the only rule.”
If you want to plan ahead, save the date for Mother’s Day Ladies Night, or check their website for movie nights, singalongs, and Name-That-Tune bingo.
Come for the food, stay for the family, and return for it all again.
MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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worth the drive
Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@lhtxdigest.com
TEXAS ROAD TRIP JEWEL:
Wildflowers on Willow City Loop F
or decades, wildflowers have been the #1 roadside attraction in Texas—the only place in the world where bluebonnets grow naturally. Every year, these floral rainbows stretch across Central Texas, enthralling many a visitor in the Hill Country and Willow City in particular and they will soon make a dazzling appearance on the Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg. Just 90 minutes away, visitors describe this 13-mile byway as nature’s eye candy thanks to the abundance of flowers, but the views are also rich with granite, red sand, cliffs, valleys, creeks, springs, and mesquite trees, and wildlife like deer, cattle, and wild turkey.
WHEN TO GO Be sure to visit during peak wildflower season—March to May—when the loop is lush with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, sunflowers, and poppies. Now is the time to plan your trip to a Fredericksburg vineyard or nearby Wildseed Farm, the nation’s largest working wildflower farm. With more than 1,000 cultivated acres and 200-plus acres of wildflower fields, locals say as Wildseed fields begin to bloom, they know it is time for a sojourn across 8
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the countryside to see nature at its best. The farm also has a Market Center featuring gifts, home decor, Texas native plants, and pottery. While spring is the most popular time to visit, the drive is delightful all year; in summer, the rocky hillsides offer beautiful views and long shadows create great photo ops in wintertime. For a quieter, more relaxed outing, plan a mid-week road trip as the loop can be extremely busy, especially on peak wildflower weekends. Trip advisors recommend photographers visit in the early morning and late afternoon for the best light.
HOW TO ENJOY THE TRIP While driving is the easiest and most common way to enjoy the floral display, Willow City Loop is also extremely popular with bikers and cyclists. Both groups enjoy the slower pace and, due to its low elevations, the route is fun for cyclists of all levels. For runners, the 13-mile distance allows for perfect half-marathon practice. For those non-motorized outings, visitors may park in the Willow City School parking lot before heading out on two wheels or on foot, making sure to exercise caution as the roads do not have shoulders.
D R I V E A N D P H OTO G R A P H AT YO U R O W N PA C E . B E AWA R E T H E L A N D A LO N G T H E R O A D I S P R I VAT E LY O W N E D ; V I S I TO R S A R E D I S CO U R A G E D F R O M S TO P P I N G , PA R K I N G , A N D E X P LO R I N G O N F O OT W H I L E O N T H E LO O P.
ON THE LOOP While either terminus provides a great starting point for the trip, the majority of the wildflowers are visible on the northern half of the route. Photographers may also want to stop along the TK The Hill Country Wildflower Report provided a teaser based on last fall's rainfall report. Yellow on this map indicates below normal rainfall in October through Ranch (see map inset), which has a barbed wire fence November 7. Any location not colored in yellow has a better chance for plants to adorned with upside down cowboy boots, and is one exist as nearly all spring annual wildflowers germinate in the fall. More recent rain in February helped encourage root growth for larger plants. of the most photographed spots in Central Texas. (Williamson County in white)
MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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TWO CUTE, TOO They may not have met up for Tootsie pops and tuna sandwiches with Bishop Tutu in Tunisia, but the Liberty Hill teachers and students did not miss a creative opportunity to enjoy Tuesday, 2-22-2022. We hope they perhaps interrupted their tutoring at 2:22 to toot some tunes on tubas as well. There were tutus, twosomes, twins, and Twin-kies to celebrate the rare numerical occurrence and we're happy to share their results.
photos courtesy LHISD 10
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MOORE LIBERTY BUILDINGS Space for You, Storage for Your Life
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MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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K I D S & FA M I LY F U N
A DV E RTO R I A L
Always Something New at I
nner Space Cavern has been a staple of local and regional tourism for many years. First discovered in 1963 by surveyors boring into bedrock at the future site of IH-35, the caves have become a place of escape to a time long forgotten. Even the name inspires visions of a new world just waiting to be discovered, from the classic large rooms to dark passages. Visitors, travelers, and students of all ages enjoy the famed cavern yearround and, although Inner Space has been a popular destination for decades, those who make the beloved cavern what it is always make sure there is something new to discover.
For passionate adventurers, it might be fun to book a Wild Cave Tour ahead of time. This tour takes visitors through the smaller spaces of the cave and provides the most raw and authentic subterranean experience this Georgetown attraction has to offer. Taunya adds, “Even if you have visited Inner Space in the past, there is always something new to discover, whether it’s a new formation in a familiar room, or a new program we have added to our already diverse offerings.”
The Adventure Tour is a wonderful introduction to the cavern and is open every day. This guided tour winds through the cavern’s larger rooms on a paved and lighted path and is great for all ages.
The newest and most exciting addition to the cavern celebrates the world above the Texas Hill Country. The Saber Tooth is a two-seat zip ride located on the property. Similar to a ski lift, the ride begins on the south end of the property, lifts two passengers 130 feet into the air—facing south, for spectacular views of the hill country, quarry, and other fantastic sites around Inner Space—then slopes them gently to the ground at 30mph. The Saber Tooth opened in May and with spring fast approaching the time to try out this new attraction is upon us again.
For those who prefer “a little bit more exploring”, as manager Taunya Vessels says, the Hidden Passage Tour is the perfect fit. It is much different from the Adventure Tour—it has no paved paths or lights. Each adventurer is provided a flashlight and follows the tour guide into and through smaller cavern rooms, allowing for up-close looks at the cavern’s features. This tour is also open every day and is appropriate for visitors seven years and older.
FOR YOU IN 2022
The team at the cavern are excited to welcome you, share all the tours you love and remember, and introduce you to exciting new additions sure to bring you back. Scan the code for tickets and information.
VISIT INNER SPACE AT 4200 S. I-35 FRONTAGE RD INNERSPACECAVERN.COM 512-931-2283
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compiled by Ann Marie Kennon
Paper towels and napkins are an easy target for reducing paper goods in the home. Encourage kids to use reusable cloth towels and napkins. Ditch paper plates and disposable cutlery for the real thing. And that notepad everyone uses to make lists and reminders can be replaced with digital apps the whole family can share.
At the table
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t may seem like children don’t have much agency in reducing consumption in the home, but even the smallest members of the family can play a role. Bearing mind that 'consumption' is not always about food but also includes accumulation of material things and the waste we create. Addressing consumption habits early can help children create habits that will maintain later in life, lead to better money management, and create less waste.
Culture fight New Dream, a national organization that addresses issues related to material consumption says, on average, American children can recognize 100 brand logos by age 3. Marketers and advertisers are increasingly targeting young children in their efforts, not for their own spending but for what they might ask their families to spend on them. Parents can soften kids' impulses to ask, and their own impulse to buy with less screen time, and modeling behaviors. Experts and educators suggest talking about advertise-
ments with children and teaching them to think critically about the advertisements they do see. Be especially aware of Internet and social media advertising. More and more, advertising doesn’t look like a Saturday morning commercial. They are branded or free games that have in-app purchases; ringtones, and backgrounds. Be aware of what is on your children’s devices and how much time they spend on them.
Using their own money The best way to teach kids the value of a dollar is to have them spend—and possibly also earn— their own money. Knowing the price of things goes a long way toward teaching kids the difference between cost and value. When the child is the one paying the bill, sometimes the cost of buying all the items in the latest collection of branded toys feels much higher than their actual value.
It is also recommended families green up the menu to reduce waste of food products and packaging. Eating more fruits and vegetables, especially locally grown ones, can help reduce your family’s environmental impact in a big way. Look for local farmers who use sustainable practices at local grocer or farmers markets. There are several local butchers and ranchers who provide raised and harvested animals, and also use all cuts of the animal. Most will even give you cooking tips. Plus, when dinner is finished, most produce and non-meat leftovers can be used as compost. Scan the code for the Environmental Protection Agency's guide to beginner composting.
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K I D S & FA M I LY F U N
In the kitchen
K I D S & FA M I LY F U N
www.christiannabettisphotography.com
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M A R C H 2022 LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T
K I D S & FA M I LY F U N
Twice a Day Keeps the Yellow Away
compiled by Ann Marie Kennon
P
arents, rejoice. We've canvassed the experts for some proven (and sometimes sneaky) hacks to help keep smiles cavity-free. Keep xylitol wipes handy for late-night cleanings. If your little one requires nighttime feedings and/or medications, wipe down the teeth afterwards to reduce exposure to harmful sugar or acid overnight. Most varieties use xylitol, a safe, natural sweetener that inhibits the growth of plaque. Check that wipes are free of paraben and formaldehyde and, remember, they are an aid, and not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Encourage a drink of water after a sweet treat. A little H2O right after dessert helps minimize sugar-to-teeth contact and can dislodge tough food particles to help restore the mouth’s pH balance. Cleansing the palate by drinking water (and brushing, if possible) can also diminish an incessant sweet tooth. Speaking of pH, for a healthy mouth we want to maintain a neutral pH between 5.6 and 7.9. Once the pH hits 5.5 or lower, teeth begin to demineralize and risk cavity development. Try incorporating foods that balance the alkalinity of saliva. Some great foods on the high end of the pH spectrum include spinach, broccoli, cucumbers, onions, sweet potatoes, green beans, blueberries, mangos, avocados, and peas. Other options for picky eaters include lemons and limes, which taste acidic but, once metabolized, produce alkaline byproducts. Some foods that have a lower pH include: soda, beef, bread, artificial sweeteners, pasta, pork, and coffee. Before your child heads to a party and is faced with all sorts of food temptations, have him or her eat just beforehand. Offering a plate of nutritious food can help fill the stomach and make a cavity-causing cake and dessert binge less likely.
NOTHING BEATS BRUSHING AND FLOSSING With all the clever products and advanced science out there, good mouth wellness still comes down to the basics. But we all know kids have many things to do that are—in their minds—way more fun. If you want to take a creative approach to motivating your kids: Take kids with you to the store and let them have their choice of toothbrushes and toothpaste. Better yet, share the activity with them; they will likely mimic your motions and the time you spend brushing. Play their favorite song. Dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes. To motivate your child to brush for those full two minutes, play a favorite song or video that lasts at least two minutes. Playing an upbeat song can make the time fly and your child will be having fun as he or she brushes. Download an app. Yes, there are apps for toothbrushing. There are many free and low-cost apps available that use the camera to create avatars of the users and children may be likely to watch their cartoon selves longer. Plus, they get rewarded with stickers and badges if they follow along and brush the places they might normally miss.
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K I D S & FA M I LY F U N
Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@lhtxdigest.com
Adventure Exercise!
Why Play is a Growth Industry
by Ann Marie Kennon
I
t is common knowledge that playing is great for children's health and growth, but gone are the days when kids could explore or ride their bikes around the neighborhood, or the town, all day until the streetlights come on. Parents may also be at a loss when Texas weather feels like the Inferno's front porch. Both of these paradigms mean commercial play has greater appeal for after school, weekends, and birthday parties. The $658 million in domestic revenue at indoor play parks, even in pandemic-stricken 2021, seems to confirm their growing popularity. Industry trends indicate that number will continue to grow as the economy continues to reopen and families have discretionary income again. Indoor play areas allow children to stay active and entertained in safety and air conditioning, plus many supply snacks and drinks in-house, all of which are a bonus for parents as well.
BENEFITS In a time when electronics are so attractive to most kids, indoor play parks have great diversity in type and style of activity. Multiple trampolines, zip lines, and rock walls are not practical in a typical suburban home, but large converted commercial buildings allow for all of these things in one place, at one price. 18
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Additionally, business establishments are legally required to provide supervision and a superlative level of safety. Children are free to experiment and attempt to master new skills without fear of injury. Socially, children are faced with situations and challenges when they bond and interact with other children, which helps them develop imagination. With an indoor play area, they have the freedom to explore and develop their creativity while interacting with friends they might not otherwise have met in their school or neighborhood. Play also encourages children to socialize and understand particular social behaviors, but with supervisory staff or coaches who are actively watching. With parents also nearby, indoor play enables many layers of safety for children to learn new things via trial and error. Crawling, climbing, balancing, stepping, running, and jumping provide support for gross and fine motor development, and experts agree that children who engage with physical activity regularly are healthier both mentally and physically. For neuro-atypical children, medical experts add that swinging, spinning, and pushing are a great way for your child to 're-boot' the brain and provide focus. As a result, all of our children are more likely to want to face tasks and challenges head on, which is a great attitude for indoor soft play.
The store is open seven days a week, but you don’t need to go to Georgetown to enjoy the fun. The SCOOPS ICE CREAM TRUCK is available to rent for events. 703 S MAIN ST • GEORGETOWN • 512-868-2659
With a heart for kids, KIDS’ ZONE LEARNING CENTER is committed to offering Christ-centered education for children 0-12 years at four locations across Jarrell and Georgetown. Kids’ Zone is Texas Rising Star certified and teaches FrogStreet, ABC Jesus Loves Me, and ABEKA curricula. Children enjoy a family atmosphere, Christian character building; and experienced, award-winning teachers along with a low student-teacher ratio. Private school classes include Gifted & Talented, ESL certification, Phonics, and STEM, which are designed to meet all TEKS so students easily integrate into public school. Kids’ Zone offers private schooling from Kindergarten through 3rd grade as well as an after-school program and child care at the following locations: Jarrell: 104 Copper Lane, 512-746-2333 Jarrell West: 105 Western Sky Trail, 512-598-3900 Jarrell Downtown: 107 S. 7th Street, 512-746-4144 Georgetown: 4802 Moreland Drive, 512-868-8300
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ALL THINGS KIDS is a favorite for kids of all ages who visit Georgetown. Founded in 2011, the battery-free store is run by Karen and Christian Soeffker and their son Carl. Their selection of toys and activity sets represent the best in imaginative play and are a perfect complement to snow cones, a decadent selection of 400 kinds of candy, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and 48 flavors of premium hand-scooped ice cream. Relax and indulge in their cozy book niche with your choice of sweets and all your favorite children's classics.
WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? Here's Some Stuff Y'all Oughta Know
M
arch 6 is the 186th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. Most Americans are familiar with that history and, if you went to public school here, you most likely had Texas history for a full year before reaching seventh grade. If you didn't, here's some stuff you may have missed.
MORE THAN A THEME PARK The story behind Six Flags' name dates back to 1933, when Texas began pledging allegiance to our state flag. Sixteen other states do the same, but a survey of newcomers revealed most didn't know if their home state had a state pledge and certainly never recited it daily at school or at civic meetings and sports events. 20 20 20
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I P L E D G E A L L E G I A N C E TO T H E E , T E X A S , O N E S TAT E U N D E R G O D, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. This pledge is so important to Texans because, since the 17th century, Texas has been under six sovereign flags. The earliest flags were for Spain and France, which controlled parts of Texas at different times. Next was Mexico, after the nation gained independence from Spain. In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico—remember the Alamo—and became a Republic under interim President David Burnet. Sam Houston was the republic's military commander, and later president.
image credit: car2go.com
So You're New to Texas?
by Ann Marie Kennon
Te xas prim e r REMEMBER THE OTHER IMPORTANT BATTLES TOO The Texas revolution for independence from Mexico officially began in 1835 at the Battle of Gonzalez and soon after recorded 50 Texans storming the presidio at Goliad. This was the period in which Jim Bowie made a name for himself—with fewer than 100 men, he defeated 450 Mexicans at the Battle of Concepción. On February 24, 1836, the second day of the siege at the Alamo, William Travis wrote one of the most famous letters in American history. He addressed it “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World" to ask them for help. He ended the letter “Victory or Death,” and local printers made 700 copies of the letter to encourage Texans to join the fight. After the defeat at the Alamo, the Mexican army continued to advance. At the end of March, nearly 400 Texans who had not evacuated the presidio were brutally executed at the Goliad Massacre, under orders from Mexican General Santa Anna. Often called "the second Alamo," it spurred Texans and Americans to greater resistance and amended the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" In April, in what has been called the most important event in Texas history, Texans—some of whom arrived after reading Travis' letter and were triggered again by Goliad—defeated Santa Anna's forces at the Battle of San Jacinto. This was the decisive win for independence that turned Texas into a sovereign republic. In 1845, after much negotiation about what statehood would mean for both sides, Texas was admitted to the United States. It bypassed the normal process of becoming a territory first and went straight into statehood, at which time it raised the fifth—American—flag.
The agreement came with the understanding that the Union would always respect Texas' history as a sovereign nation, and why the Texas flag is raised to the same height as the American flag. Hawaii is the only other state that, having been sovereign at one time, can do the same. In 1861, Texas seceded to join the Confederacy (the sixth flag), and was readmitted to the Union in 1870. Thus, the flag has always meant something very specific in Texan history. In 1933, state legislators decided to formalize it and require schoolchildren to recite a pledge to the Texas flag.
THE CULTURE OF SELF-GOVERNMENT While Texans are notorious for rebelling against federal overreach, legal experts suggest Texas may not leave the Union legally. The annexation resolution of 1845 stipulated that Texas could, in the future, choose to divide itself, and create four states plus the original Texas. Some joke that the new Texas would look like a pie, sliced outward from a circle around the Alamo, so every Texan could still claim it. Meanwhile, Texas still has an outlet if secession becomes necessary. We have our own power grid (and plenty of oil and natural gas to fuel it), which is immune from Federal interference because the power lines do not cross state lines.
MISCELLANEOUS TEXAS... � “Don’t Mess With Texas” was originally an anti-littering campaign. But today, Texas is by far the state with the most residents serving in the military. � The left lane is for passing. If you're going to drive in it, you should be at least 10 miles over the speed limit. � Chili. Does. Not. Have. Beans. Tacos are for breakfast. H-E-B. Whataburger. Sweet tea. No soda or soft drinks or pop, just cokes. Football. Church.
Above, the logo of Artists of Texas. Credit: ©Artists of Texas 2009–2015 - Exhibited Under Fair Use Doctrine
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a personal journey
by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@lhtxdigest.com
Going Home... For the First Time
Charlotte Kovalchuk is the senior writer for the Liberty Hill Digest. Her mother emigrated from Ukraine in 1991 and shared her first return home with her two daughters. Following are Charlotte's personal reflections on her first visit to her mother's home country this past December.
G
rit is defined by Merriam Webster as a firmness of mind or spirit, unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger. It’s a fitting description for my family in Ukraine. Growing up, I heard stories about how my great-grandparents survived the Ukrainian famine in 1932 by eating grass soup, how my mom and her family faced rejection from society because they were Christians and refused to become communists. Later, despite heavy influence against practicing Christianity, and the requirement to be a communist in order to get a college education, my mother found a way to go to college anyway. As an English major, I especially loved the story of my grandfather putting up a portrait of Ukrainian
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poet Taras Shevchenko on his wall in defiance of Russia’s cultural repression. In 1991, my mom left her home to trade that cultural and religious oppression for American prosperity, not knowing it would be 30 years before she would find her way back home, this time with two daughters in tow.
CULTURE SHOCK My mom did the best she could to prepare my sister and I for Ukraine— including warning us that if we acted like American pedestrians and took the right of way in front of a driver, we would die. And, after listening patiently to my attempts at speaking Ukrainian, saying, “Don’t try to talk to anyone, honey.” Nothing could have fully prepared me, though, for the adventure and gift of Ukraine.
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Knowing Ukraine is a close-knit country with multi-generational homes, I was still surprised how many people lived in my Aunt Natalya’s tiny apartment. Along with my mom, sister, and me, ten family members got to know each other pretty well over two weeks in December and January—as well as we could with the language barrier. That barrier was especially difficult during church, as services were twice as long as they are here in Texas and I couldn’t understand a word of it. Still, I could feel everyone’s zeal for God. People knelt and prayed out loud together, and instead of heralding the new year with a countdown and cheers, they prayed their way into 2022.
a personal journey her kids, and now I know why it was so important to her. Like cooking, music connects people.
THE GREATEST FLATTERY Wanting to embrace my Ukrainian roots, I was excited about the prospect of listening to Ukrainian music and buying clothes with Ukrainian phrases, only to find that every major store I visited blasted American music and sold shirts with American phrases. But I ended up being grateful for that westernization, because it means more people are learning English. Many were excited to practice their English with us, especially Aunt Natalya, who was trying to get a promotion and joked that we should have a conversation in English in front of her boss to increase her chances of getting a better job.
I was shocked, however, to see everyone sharing the same two communion cups. Knowing my germaphobia, my mom and sister teased me about my reluctance to participate. I reminded them, “We’re in a pandemic!”
BONDING OVER FOOD AND TUNES The hardest part about staying in a foreign country wasn’t the language barrier or cultural differences—it was not having Chick-fil-A for two weeks, or eating out at all, as it turned out. As one guy noted with surprise when I told him Americans eat out all the time, “It’s too expensive to eat out!”
At first, I couldn’t understand Ukraine’s obsession with America, as I was raised to believe that “everything is better in Ukraine.” My aunt corrected that notion with a laugh: “Everything is better in America.” Indeed, visiting a country that struggles with poverty and few job opportunities made me appreciate my life in America. But I’m grateful my family and I got to visit Ukraine and learn the value of family bonds and connections through food and music. My mom, who emigrated right before Ukraine won its independence in 1991, is especially glad she was able to see her homeland free. We continue to pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine as they struggle to hold onto that freedom.
Instead, I watched people bond in the kitchen. Whether it was my aunt and cousins preparing Christmas dinner, or a young adults church group making snacks for a gathering, I learned that cooking is more than just another chore to add to one’s to-do list. When you do it with other people, it becomes a shared act of service that inspires joy from creating something together. I enjoyed learning from my aunt how to make New Year’s dishes like varenyky (potato dumplings) and olivye (potato salad). Treasured just as much as food, music flowed everywhere I went in Ukraine. Whenever there was a lull in the conversation at a gathering, someone would reach for the nearest instrument. Usually it was the piano or guitar and my mom, who plays both, always hoped to pass on her gift of music to MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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BELLE
Deus ex Matrem Caritatem I
'm borrowing from a famously ill-advised literary device that means “God in the machine”. It’s when storytellers run out of logical ideas to save the day and come up with a magical solution out of the blue, like Superman (II) finding a green crystal lying in the rubble of his fortress that will give him his superpowers back after he supposedly gave them up forever. However, I think God in Mother Love is not so farfetched. Since I'm thinking about kids and family this month, I have to say I think being a parent is one of the greatest means of understanding part of the unknowable nature of God, as many people think of Him. When they’re born, empirically speaking, babies offer nothing but work, lack of sleep, and frustration. They have earned nothing, and yet we are eager and delighted to cater to and nurture them 24 hours a day. We are stunned and fascinated and brought to tears simply staring into their little faces. I would instinctively throw myself in front of a bus on fire to save him from suffering, simply because he lives, and he is mine. The mere idea that I made a whole person in my own body is the craziest notion, and yet we all have the equipment to do so. Even on his worst day, I still love him and can’t wait until he’s happy again. I have been shamefully able to stay mad and hold a grudge against practically every other human being I know, except this little person who isn’t thanking me or helping me and is mad at me because he didn’t get a second bowl of goldfish crackers. I want to squeeze him and kiss him even while he’s muttering about me behind a slammed door. I’m only sad when he acts like he doesn’t love me. I go to smelly circuses, massively expensive parks, and ridiculous animated movies just to enjoy his happiness. There is nothing more satisfying than his laughter and knowing I found a thing or created an experience for him to enjoy. Although I may roll my eyes when I realize it was just for five more minutes. 24
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After a few years of mothering, I often feel the need to apologize to my own mother. I can’t imagine my son will ever know the depth of feelings I have for him and I don’t think he could reciprocate it entirely. Maybe because I chose, and went to a lot of medical effort, to make him and took it upon myself to be responsible for his very survival. It’s by design, I suppose; you pretty much have to love something in tidal waves to continue to do that kind of work. All the jokes about moms being teachers, maids, counselors, cooks, chauffeurs… it’s all true, and you do it because they must be safe and fed and happy. If we didn’t love them with such wild abandon, we’d never have changed the second diaper. On the flip side, as a daughter, my whole goal was to grow up and get away from my parents. If I did love them as much as they loved me, I’d never have left. Maybe that’s why moms and dads are the ones crying in the commercials where the kids drive away in the new car, or close the dorm room door. My mom still tries to mother me and it’s annoying because I am surviving just fine without her help. I used to wonder why she still tries so hard. I know now that she still loves the baby that needed her, and the little girl that idolized her. I know that because I often look at my own little boy and grieve a little for that tiny person who is no more. The one I could hold in my arms when he smelled good and I was the glowing center of his universe. When he is 50 years old, I will still time-travellove the two-year old who laughed when I fake-sneezed. Aaaaand now I’ve made myself cry. All that to say, imagine a Supreme Being who multiplies that feeling by all 160 billion people who have lived on this Earth. That’s a lot of love. Much like a dog that will never learn calculus, I'll never truly understand God, but I'm thankful to have a 12-year old sliver of Him in my house.
facts to blow your mind
You Must Be KID-ding me Play-Doh started out as a wallpaper cleaner before the head of the struggling company realized the non-toxic material made a good modeling clay for children and re-branded it.
In the 1940s, a retired schoolteacher came up with Candy Land to entertain children who were hospitalized from polio. Because its color system required no reading, young kids could easily play.
Scooby Doo's real first name is Scoobert.
Before 1913, parents could mail their kids to Grandma’s— through the postal service.
At around the 28th week of pregnancy, babies can begin to smell the same smells as their mother. In fact, the amniotic fluid enhances a baby’s sense of smell.
If babies’ bodies grew at the same rate as their brains, they would weigh 170 pounds by the time they turn 1 month old.
When researchers offered kids broccoli or a chocolate bar, four out of five kids picked the chocolate, but when an Elmo sticker was placed on the broccoli, fifty percent chose the broccoli. (NutritionFacts.org)
Mozart’s kids used to taunt him by playing incomplete scales on the piano forcing him to rush downstairs and complete them.
You might know a or a soccer mom, but do you know a 'lawnmower' mom... who goes to whatever lengths are necessary to mow down adversity, struggle, or failure for her child.
"Mickey Mouse" was the secret password used by Allied intelligence officers leading up to the D-Day invasion of 1944.
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food
Do-It-Myself Recipes for Kids Grilled Pizza Roll Ups (nut free) • WeeLicious.com
INGREDIENTS
• 4 slices sandwich bread • 4 mozzarella sticks or 1/2 c grated mozzarella • 4 pepperoni, diced optional • 1/2 cup marinara sauce, warmed • 1 tablespoon butter
DIRECTIONS Cut the crusts off the bread. Using a rolling pin, roll out the pieces of bread until flat. Place a cheese stick or 2 tablespoons of cheese on the edge of the bread closest to you and add diced pepperoni if desired. Tightly roll up the bread pressing the seam/end down to adhere. Heat butter in a sauté pan over medium heat and cook the roll ups seam side down for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Continue sautéing the rollups on each side until golden all over. Cut each roll up into 4 “sushi rolls” and serve with marinara sauce
Chocolate-Marshmallow Mug Cakes • 1/2 c sugar • 1/2 c buttermilk • 1/4 c vegetable oil • 1 egg • 1/2 t vanilla • 1/3 c flour • 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder • 1/8 t baking soda • pinch salt
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Whisk sugar, buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth. Whisk in flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. Butter 4 small microwave-safe mugs and divide the batter among them. Microwave, one at a time, until a toothpick comes out clean, about 2 minutes. Make a slit in the center of each cake and pipe marshmallow cream into the slit. Top the cake with warmed chocolate frosting, then pipe white frosting squiggles on top.
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why is th is a th ing ?
by Ann Marie Kennon
Daylight Savings Time W
e know it’s going to happen twice every year, but we still can’t seem to grasp the time change when it happens. But we’re not alone in our befuddlement, and it’s not a modern thing at all. To start, the Romans created “civil time” with the sundial in 263 BC—their day was always 12 units of time before the meridian and 12 after. Those units varied, seasonally, to accommodate actual daylight. By our clocks, Roman summer “hours” were about 75 minutes; in winter they shrunk to 44 minutes. Fast forward two millennia to Benjamin Franklin, who proposed moving clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. He published an article in 1784 that proposed saving money on candles by rising earlier to use morning sunlight. His idea was pretty much satirical since, without mass transit or communication, or even a standard work day, the 18th century did not thrive much on precise scheduling. Jump ahead again to the end of the 19th century, when several scientists, businessmen, and even government assemblies began discussing the many benefits of changing civil timekeeping to accommodate summer’s extra daylight hours. Early thinkers included New Zealand entomologist George Hudson, who wanted to take advantage of after-hours daylight to collect more insects. William Willett was an English builder who thought people shouldn’t sleep in during summer months. (He also didn’t like having to cut his evening golf game.) His idea was to move clocks 20 minutes every Sunday in April and September. Not exactly helpful to people trying to remember when to be at the train station. Over in the New World, Port Arthur, Ontario became the first city to enact DST in 1908. In 1916, in an effort to save coal during wartime, Germany made the change nationally, followed by Britain, its allies, Russia and,
finally, the United States in 1918. DST went out of style at the end of the war but came back again during World War II, and was made into law in 1966 under the Uniform Time Act. It took on greater appreciation in the West in the 1970s as a result of the energy crisis. While, technically, Uniform Time was supposed to be, well...uniform, Hawaii and Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Reservation), said “no thank you.” Hawaii, being so close to the equator, doesn’t have much variation in the number of daylight hours anyway. In Arizona, the considerable heat during active hours causes residents to use more energy to cool off than the time change was designed to prevent. Even the U.S. time change has changed a few times—after a few energy policy revisions—and there are current proposals to make “summer” hours permanent. Studies have been done on the pros and cons for energy use, safety, health, and transportation, and while the data did not definitively prove either side, it does mean benefits to retail, sports, and tourism.. as in extra few hundred million in annual revenue. Those in the agriculture world don’t love it so much because cows and corn don’t care what time it is. The main argument for Year-Round DST seems to be that our lifestyles are not really dependent upon the kinds of time tables that were standard for a few hundred years. The argument against is that, like cows and corn, our millennia-old biorhythms are happier syncing with the sun than mechanical clocks. While a few states have passed their own bills for year-round time, the U.S. Congress has yet to get it out of committee for the whole country. Meanwhile, in Texas, we will be changing our clocks...
Sunday, March 13 at 2:00am
It’s also time to check your smoke detector batteries. Plus, keep an eye out for the date of manufacture stamped on the device. Smoke detectors lose their efficacy after 10 years and require replacing just like carbon monoxide alarms.
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by Charlotte Kovalchuk • charlotte@lhtxdigest.com photo by Ashley Wood
PARTING SHOT
Twirling and Training for Life
L
iberty Hill High School junior Shaylee Sjolander is twirling her way to a state UIL competition after being awarded the highest rating at the region UIL baton twirling contest in February. Shaylee (center) also won her X-Strut and placed in the top 5 at the Twirl in the Woods Championship in January. Two other Liberty Hill twirlers— Laurel Scallan (left), a sixth grader, and elementary student Hazel Hull (right)—placed in the top five in their events at Twirl in the Woods as well. All three twirlers will compete at the National Baton Twirling Association Southwest Regional Championship in March. “She loves the challenge of learning new tricks,” Tonya Sjolander says about her daughter, who has twirled almost ten years, gaining confidence as well as speaking and leadership skills along the way.
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Baton twirling isn’t what most people think, Shaylee’s Twirl ATX Coach Ashley Wood says. She describes the sport as a unique combination of dance, tumbling, gymnastics, and even juggling (Shaylee has twirled multiple batons at once), with the ultimate goal of twirling at the college level. Baton twirling performances have taken place throughout the country at football games, parades, theme parks, carnivals and even on Broadway—although Coach Wood notes competitions are where the real action happens. “When people think of twirling, they think of ma-
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jorettes in high boots on the field. Baton twirling is more like rhythmic gymnastics in the Olympics, with walkovers, leaps, jumps, spins, and dance moves,” Coach Wood says. Beyond a strong worth ethic and hand-eye coordination, baton twirling instills confidence and communication skills through a pageant portion where contestants are interviewed by judges, which Coach Wood notes isn’t anything like Toddlers & Tiaras. “It’s teaching them how to walk into a job interview and learn how to talk with anyone and make a good impression,” she says.
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MARCH 2022 LIBERTY HILL DIGEST
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