My Jarrell Monthly • July 2022

JULY 2022

We B u i l d Co m m u n i t y

Uniting 76537

NATURE'S TWITTER FOLLOWERS

GET CLOSE IN CENTRAL TEXAS July Special Focus Retirement Lifestyles A Multi-Feature Look at Retirement, Resources & Recreation in Jarrell and Towns Around

1 J U LY 2 0 2 2  M Y J A R R E L L M O N T H LY Happily Serving the Jarrell Community! • 104 Town Center Drive • Jarrell

INSIDE SPECIAL FOCUS

RETIREMENT LIFESTYLES

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76537 LIFE The Best of Jarrell's Senior Clubs

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SHELTER STORIES Pet Perks for Seniors

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SAVING FOR THE FUTURE Financial Planning Tips

Upcoming... August Focus

PETS, ANIMALS & MICROBREWERIES

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FEATURES & FAVORITES

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BIRDS, BEAUTIFUL BIRDS!

Visit Wild Birds Unlimited at Wolf Ranch in Georgetown

JARRELL'S #1 FAN

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WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED Feeding Your Birds, and New Hobbies

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PEOPLE Meet Jarrell's New Fire Chief

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AROUND TOWN Farewell To A Great Community Supporter

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WORTH THE DRIVE Leona General Store

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS" Here's the Beef

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NEIGHBOR LEIGH The Fun Of Being Gen-X

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PARTING SHOT WCSP Rodeo 2022

Robin Barfield receiving a fundraising check for the library from the Granary in 2021.

18 ON THE COVER: The Painted Bunting makes a stop in central Texas for a few week every summer.

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PUBLISHERS

Cathy Payne

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Mike Payne

Ann Marie Kennon

COMMUNITY EDITOR Camy Reynolds Camy is a native Texan and mom of three who has lived in Jarrell since 2009.

She serves her community as a director on the Sonterra MUD Board, is on the board for the Jarrell Education Foundation, on the District and Igo's Educational Improvement Committees, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has over 1,400 members.

COMMUNITY LIAISON Janet Hage Janet Hage has been part of the Jarrell community for almost 30 years. She has been involved in community fundraisers, campaigns, and committees; volunteered with JISD, and worked for the City for more than seven years. She is a development partner of NW Wilco, LLC and serves on the Community Library Board of Directors.

Janet focuses her energy on serving, giving back, and uniting the community in positive ways.

SENIOR WRITER / EDITOR Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda A. Thornton • Cassidie Cox GRAPHICS & DESIGN Sandra Evans • Ann Marie Kennon

•

Cassidie Cox

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Todd White • Christianna Bettis SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR DISTRIBUTION

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IT/WEBMASTER

•

Jenny Campbell

David Schumacher •

Jesse Payne

CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel

ADVERTISING Jenny Campbell 254-251-9167 (Cell) 512-598-6538 (Direct) jenny@myjarrell.com My Jarrell Monthly is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper.

Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. My Jarrell Monthly is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in the 76537 zip code. Mail may be sent to My Jarrell, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537.

Email: info@myjarrell.com 4

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EDITOR'S NOTE | CAMY REYNOLDS Happy 247th Birthday, America! I hope you enjoyed your celebration as much as I did. My family and I had a quintessential 4th of July celebration—you know, if there isn't barbecue, you've already messed up. Macaroni and cheese is a must, cooked just like my Meme taught me—with an disproportionate amount of cheese to noodles. And of course, Independence Day would not be complete without some ice cream while watching the fireworks.

Another celebration this time of year is the season of Painted Buntings. Our feature story shares all about this vibrant colored bird and how you may be able to attract them to your yard.

Our special section includes some practical advice and narratives about the fun and success you can enjoy during your retirement years. From savings to sports, there are plenty of local experts and resources to set your plans in motion.

I want to join the community in welcoming our new Fire Chief Ron Stewart to Jarrell. I encourage you to read his story to learn more about him and his plans for Jarrell.

Finally, those who know Robin Barfield are already familiar with her contagious passion and heart for serving those in our community. She has worked hard to help make Jarrell the town we love, and as she picks up her stakes here for a new home in Comanche, all of us at My Jarrell wish her the very best in her next adventure. She's sure to build community wherever she goes!

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Birds, Beautiful Birds!

WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED HAS SO MANY WAYS TO FEED FEATHERED FRIENDS... and your new favorite hobby

by Ann Marie Kennon

C

hris Darlington (above) is just one of the reasons Wild Birds Unlimited is the largest and most recognized source for backyard bird feeding and nature related products in North America. Feeders have long been a popular way to connect with nature but what she is really selling is joy.

With her knowledge of natural science, business expertise, and the delight she takes in her client base, it is no surprise sales have exploded in the past few years and she wants everyone in this growing area to know about her store. She is also planning to open a third store in Williamson County in the near future and is looking forward to helping new customers learn about and enjoy painted buntings and other native species.

"It is my joy to educate customers and help them learn what they can add to their own backyards that will help them appreciate the creatures that come to eat and add to the beauty. "

PRO TIP: Buntings (cover photo) like millet and prefer a spot to eat by themselves.

Although part of a nationwide franchise, Wild Birds Unlimited feels more like a cozy boutique and is staffed with local experts who not only love birds but go through a lot of training. Every staff member can and is excited to answer questions about feeders, seed, nesting, local species, eating periods, and the best use of anything in the store to help nurture new hobbies and interests. Even as the owner, Chris often helps customers in the store herself; "My favorite place is out on the floor. When I hear familiar voices I head out to give a hug, talk to them, ask about their birds, and look at photos they have to share."

SHARING KNOWLEDGE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

As a child in Michigan and Ohio, Chris was inspired by her mother's love of birds and still notes sightings in her mom's dog-eared Audubon book. She carried her passion for nature to the classroom and before she became a store owner she taught sixth grade science for 15 years; "I just love sharing knowledge and, working in the store, I am still teaching about nature, just to a different demographic."

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Chris notes staff do not work on commission and she never wants customers to have buyer's remorse; "For instance, we have the best feeders—most are guaranteed for life—but we will not sell you a bluebird feeder if there aren't any bluebirds in your area. Plus, we carry only the best seed you can buy. There are no fillers and you can recognize every element in them; e.g., peanuts or hulled

sunflowers, etc. Our mixes include the best seed grown and many of our seed products are made here in Texas."

PRO TIP: WBU rotates seed products continuously because even bird seed gets stale. Chris recommends having a sniff before buying seed anywhere else just to make sure the product smells sweet. Birds find their food by sight but it is also important that it smells fresh. They also have specialized taste buds so whatever you see on the ground below your feeder is not to their liking.

Precisely organized: cage and cylinder feeders, seed, gifts, suet, books, bird houses and baths, and even a fix-it shop for WBU's guaranteed-for-life feeders.

Chris learned the value of WBU seed years ago when her neighbor explained that yes, anyone can get a 20-pound bag from a big box store but she happily drove 30 miles to the Lakeline WBU to get hers. Once Chris tried another brand and no birds came to her yard, she was inspired. She got online that night, realized it was a franchise, and the rest is history. She purchased the Lakeline store and opened the Georgetown location four years later.

Her Wolf Ranch store is well organized and crammed full of products; tray feeders, cylinder feeders, bird baths, books, and nearly 7,000 pounds of seed and mixes per week. "We are problem solvers," she says. "If you're not sure what types of birds live near you, put out some good seed to see who shows up. Just remember to keep those feeders clean and they will come." She also carries many products with hot pepper flavor or dusting to keep most mammals from ruining the party.

WALKING ALMANACS Even before the pandemic, birdwatching was second only to gardening in home hobbies. Chris says, "Every place has birds so unless something drastic happens in your lifestyle, it is an activity you can do anywhere. Once people get interested, it just keeps growing, until they run out of room for feeders. I have some customers who spend in the five figures every year but I also share that it is easy enough to feed hummingbirds with a quarter cup of table sugar and one cup of water. Simply put, it's your home, it's a natural focus, and a great lifestyle."

Anyone at WBU can get you started and, typically, the first questions her experts ask are: What trees you have? Do you have squirrels? What birds have you seen? What would you like to attract? Do you have open space?

PRO TIP: Chris recommends trying a cylinder feeder and a seed cylinder to start. Place it in a space where the birds will see it; i.e., not up in the branches, then sit back to see who shows up.

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PEOPLE

Welcome Jarrell's New Fire Chief

by Cassidie Cox

“My first priority is taking care of the guys,” Chief Stewart says.

“If they are not safe then we cannot take care of the citizens.

They are my first priority.”

A

s members of the Jarrell community prepare to bid a fond farewell to a beloved fire chief, they are pleased to welcome Chief Ron Stewart to meet the needs for safety and protection in our growing city.

Chief Mark McAdams is retiring this summer from his term of duty at the Jarrell Fire Department. While at the helm, he made many improvements to keep up with the increasing demands of this growing community. Coworkers and locals alike have expressed gratitude for his service, and wish him well in the next stage of his life. Fortunately, Chief McAdams has left the fire department, and our safety, in the very capable hands of with our newest Fire Chief Ron Stewart.

THE NEW CHIEF Chief Stewart grew up in Belton, and studied Aviation at the University of Central Texas. He became a flight school instructor and paramedic and, after 13 years flying, he was given a new opportunity to grow as a training captain at his local fire department.

For their part, the firefighters appreciate his passion. Fire Marshall Bobby Belcher says, “We will miss our old chief, but the new one is a great fit. He already has good ideas.”

VISIT THE STATION “The weight of this responsibility is huge,” Chief Stewart says, “because Chief McAdams built everything we see here today. He planted the seed for this, and now we get to enjoy the shade.”

Chief Stewart has big shoes to fill, but is already making plans to keep Jarrell safe and keep things familiar with the department. His plans include a focus on the safety and health of his crew. Making sure the equipment is maintained, sanitized, and up to health standards means firefighters stay prepared for anything Jarrell needs.

Another of the new chief's priorities is to nurture positive relationships with residents of Jarrell. He has an 'open-door' policy at the station to allow people in Jarrell to get to know him and his firefighters, and he is already planning a 2023 summer camp for kids who want to learn more about being a firefighter.

“It is easier to take care of people when they know and trust us, and can recognize us around town,” Chief Stewart says. Residents can take advantage of his open invitation to say hello and learn more at 155 County Rd 313.

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A RO UND TOWN

by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy Robin Barfield

A Grateful Farewell to Robin Barfield Jarrell Champion, Advocate & Fan

R

This and other community organizations, as well as helping guide Jarrell’s growth, were some of Robin’s goals on the City Council dais.

“Jarrell is in a really exciting place right now...and depending on who’s leading the community, it could go really great or really bad,” she says.

“We’re getting to the point where a community of this size should have an HEB, lawyers, dine-in restaurants, and other amenities that make it feel like home. We have two dentists, a vet, two doctor's offices, and a Bluebonnet Clinic. That’s great but we need so much more.”

obin Barfield doesn’t believe in complaining about a problem.

“I’d rather be part of the solution.

If I don’t like something, I have the power to change it,” she says as she sits inside the Jarrell Community Library—one of several civic endeavors she has been involved in during her time in Jarrell. “I really had this drive to shape the future of the community and think about what Jarrell will look like 20 years from now.”

When she and her family moved here from California almost 30 years ago they got to work making a difference in their community. Her husband Russ was president and assistant fire chief of the then volunteer fire department, while Robin was a City Council member and volunteer at the Jarrell Community Library.

GRATEFUL FAREWELL

LITERARY LOVE A lifelong reader with fond memories of frequenting the library as a child, Robin was drawn to a Facebook post about an effort to start a public library, not only for her love of literature but also her enthusiasm for getting involved on the ground floor, building things up, then allowing others to take them to the next level.

For the next four years, she fought to secure a location, funding, and city support alongside several other volunteers. She remembers when they started with “a whole bunch of books, but not a whole lot of money.”

Thanks to great community support, the library has thrived—gaining not only a location at the Sonterra

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Top: Receiving 2020 Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year award • 2019 American Legion convention • Below: Playing a pig at the library Homecoming parade entry for which they won the Spirit Award.

MUD building, but also city funding, a recent $54,000 grant from St. David’s Foundation for adult mental health services, and accreditation from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission—a rare feat for a library less than five years old.

She has loved seeing the library take off and become a place for residents to hang out and enjoy programs like Storytime, Senior Gals, Gab and Games, ESL, and textiles classes.

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She and her husband are leaving Jarrell for the next stage of their lives in Comanche but Robin hopes others will pick up where she left off. “One thing I know is Jarrell takes care of Jarrell even with newer people here. If something bad happens, we step up for each other. I’m hoping that continues after I leave and more people are inspired to step up and make this a better place. We’re at a crossroads—are we going to be a great community or a community in which the residents have no real connection? In order to be that great community, people need to step up and step outside their comfort zone.

We’re all busy, but you will make time for the things you care about.

There’s so much personal satisfaction in doing good things for your community.”

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RETIREMENT LIFEST YLES

7 6537 LI FE

Days of Fun

T

here is always something to do in Jarrell and, fortunately, a lot of ways to do it with friends. We have several senior programs and clubs open to new members, and their missions are to connect seniors with this town and its people.

A few years ago, a group of friends decided they wanted to see each other more often than just Sundays at church. Thus began their weekly get-together to play games, eat, and talk. Since then, this day out for a group of friends has bloomed into the Senior Gals Gab and Grub Club. They meet every Tuesday at 1pm at the Jarrell Public Library to try new games and they welcome ladies of all ages to play and get to know them.

Three of the original members of the club are Aileen Kidwell, Lynn Sivert, and Edith Bailey. After meeting with them during one club meeting, they talk about how important their weekly meetings have become to them.

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by Cassidie Cox

“It’s a day out,” Lynn says. “We get together and we play, but mostly it’s about just being together and catching up.” While talking they were playing a new card game introduced to them by a member of the club, and are looking forward to sharing it with others. Being able to meet with ladies of all ages in a fun, regular environment can be perfect for getting to know the community.

SCHOOL SPIRIT Another fun program to enjoy is the Golden Cougar Pass, which allows people aged 65 and older to go to all Jarrell ISD events for free. The pass is the size of a credit card—fits perfectly in your wallet. Visit the ISD office at 108 E. Avenue F in Jarrell, or call 512-746-2124 to pick up a Golden Cougar Pass.

Nick Spinetto, Director of Communications at JISD, encourages all seniors to get a pass. “It is a courtesy the district extends to our older residents to say, ‘Thank you for supporting the district',” he says.

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RETIREMENT LIFEST YLES

Pet Perks for Seniors

P

et ownership is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have. A personal companion who greets you with enthusiasm when you get home, no matter how long you were away (Yes, sorry we left you behind to grab the mail, Spot!).

A companion whose unconditional love is just the right thing when we are down or feeling lonely. A pet who makes us smile each and every day. These are just a few of the incredible joys all pet parents enjoy.

One of the added benefits for seniors is the opportunity to get out of the house for exercise while walking a canine companion. Seniors are sure to meet new people on their walks in and around the neighborhood or at a dog park. That, in turn, creates opportunities for new friendships. Owning a pet dog or cat also helps reduce stress, lowers blood

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contributed by April Peiffer, WCRAS Marketing Director

pressure and cholesterol, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Studies have even shown that people recover from surgeries faster when they have pets at home. The result of all of these things—people may enjoy longer and happier lives in general, thanks to their furry companions.

The Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is dedicated to making great matches for everyone it serves—the pets and the people. One of the programs staff strongly believe in is their Senior For Senior program, in which anyone age 65 or older can adopt a dog or cat over the age of 6 for free. If you’d like to take advantage of all these wonderful bonuses to one of life’s most rewarding relationships, scan the code to check out all of the available pets at wilcopets.org and come to the shelter, located at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown, and open from 12-6pm seven days a week.

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RETIREMENT LIFEST YLES

Saving for the Future

Saving for the Future

Saving for the Future Start your journey to financial freedom with these tips from financial planner Stephen Benold

Many people make three mistakes when it comes to saving for the future: 1. Not having an emergency fund 2. Saving too little and too late in life 3. Making saving a last priority

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Build an emergency fund “Before you even think about saving for retirement or college, you must create an emergency fund,” Stephen says.

An emergency fund is a savings account for things not covered by insurance. These may include anything from unexpected medical expenses requiring hospitalization to a broken air conditioner in the middle of summer.

For a family with one person making money, set aside six months of funds for mandatory expenses.

Families with two earners should set aside three months' worth.

Start saving right away A common thought is, ‘I’ll wait until I have a bigger salary or I’ll wait until I have my first home. Then I’ll save,’ ” Stephen says. “That doesn’t work. It is a big mistake to wait until too late in life to start saving. You need to begin saving as soon as you possibly can.”

For example, Ben and Arthur graduated college at 22 years old and worked in similar paying jobs.

Ben saved regularly for 10 years and stopped when he was married, with two kids, and wanted to buy a

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house. Arthur, on the other hand, bought a new car, lived in a fancy apartment, and spent everything he made. At 32, he began setting aside money every month and will continue until he turns 65. Although Ben saved money for a shorter period of time, he will have more money than Arthur when they reach retirement age. “That’s the power of compounding,” Stephen says.

Save first, not last When most people get their paycheck, they spend it on everything they need and only save if anything is left. “That’s a big mistake. Put your savings on autopilot and have those deducted first,” Stephen says, adding that it’s best if your employer has a retirement plan that automatically deducts savings from your paycheck. “If you wait to make it last instead of first, you’ll wind up not saving enough or save none at all.”

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? Exactly how much should you be saving? “This is the one thing virtually no one knows," Stephen says.

"If you ask 100 people from age 20 to 70 what they believe the right amount to save would be, almost no one can answer."

The answer, he says, is 15 percent of your income. For those who are concerned that a $1,500 paycheck—after taxes, social security, health care, and an additional 15 percent into savings—has just $1,000 for living expenses, Stephen says, "The reality is, if you don’t save 15 percent, you will be working when you’re 75 years old."

He adds the standard complaint heard by many in the financial business is that workers feel they need every penny of their paycheck every week. "The truth is," he says, "Someone is living on 15 percent less money than you are. You can save. You just have to choose not to eat out as much, or have the latest cell phone plan, cable streaming services, nicest car, etc. Anyone, even people in a lower income bracket, can save.”

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W ORT H THE DRIVE

ENJOY Texas Food, the Texas Way

by Ann Marie Kennon

by Ann Marie Kennon

LEONA GENERAL STORE, 136 NORTH LEONA BLVD, LEONA, TX 75850 • LEONAGENERAL.COM CATFISH THURSDAY 5:30-8:30PM • CHICKEN, STEAK & RIB EYE FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5:30PM - 9PM $15.99 AND UP • KIDS MEALS $10.00

A small town in a country setting, a family business, and a dinner experience much like being at a neighbor's home.

And we haven't even mentioned the perfectly seasoned, grilled steaks by the ounce.

Simply put, if you're a fan of hidden gems—and beef or chicken—the two-hour drive to the Leona General Store should be your very next road trip. Get there early; the dinner fans begin lining up along the

Rest assured you will not wait long once the doors open. There are several airy dining areas brimming with Texas ambiance, and the service...? Imagine the graciousness of a Chick-fil-A, casual like a tailgate, and the food of a blue-chip steakhouse.

There's no menu—just tell your server how much steak or chicken you want and how you like it. Plates start at 10 ounces and go up in 2-ounce increments— the 72-ouncer barely fits on the plate and you can bring your own beverages of choice. You should also bring friends and family but don't plan to spend too much time chatting.

The beauty of having no menu is the meat cutter and grill masters are already fast at work adding a proprietary rub (also for sale in the store) and cooking over multiple charcoal grills. Our party of eight was eating and sharing, literally, minutes after we placed our order, including a heaping serving of sides.

FAMILY HISTORY Built in 1921, the General Store sold staple items and cold drinks until 1997, when Jerry and Cynthia House (left) stopped by to get a couple of cokes. Not quite on impulse, they brought the 'for sale' sign to the counter as well. As it happened, the House family had been in Leona since the 1870s and it was Jerry's dream to own a restaurant.

fence in the side yard at least an hour before opening and enjoy getting to know each other via shared anticipation. Our friendly and fascinating line buddy happened to be a graduate of Southwestern University who now works with nuclear weapons.

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As the new proprietors, the Houses thought it might be a nice barbecue stand hobby to keep Jerry busy while Cynthia did some knitting. They soon decided the best course was to do one thing—steak— and do it well.

And they have both been doing it really, really well for 25 years.

Kelly demonstrating just one of the reasons dinner was fast and good.

Today, on any given weekend, the staff of 22—including the Houses' adult children, their spouses, several relatives, and even an occasional church friend and elected official—serve up 800 to 1,000 steaks and chicken breasts to a customer base five times larger than the town's population. All of the employees have full time jobs during the week but return every weekend—true compatriots of the House family and devotees of the efficiency, profitability, and Texas hospitality of the business. When not at the store, the butcher is a custom home builder, daughter Emily House is the marketing director for Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Kelly the server has her own house cleaning business.

below 4.5 stars. When you've eaten your fill of steak and shared a cobbler or pudding, stop by the general store next door, which still sells cold drinks but also has ice cream, coffees and teas, and all manner of charming roadside trappings. Be sure to add your name to the guest book—already filled with visitors from five continents—then relax and enjoy your snacks on the porch. Perhaps even let the folks waiting for the second seating know they are in for some of the best steak and chicken in Texas.

TRULY WORTH THE DRIVE If you don’t want to take our word for it, there are nearly 1,500 reviews of the Leona General Store just on their first page of web results and none are

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? by Ann Marie Kennon

HERE's the Beef!

M

ost Texans will smile politely and nod when listening to a person who says beef is bad. That’s because Texas is the top beef-producing state in the nation, and raising cattle is the largest part of Texas agriculture. Fortunately, science—not media—assures us that beef is good for us and good for Texas, and cheers our centuries-old tradition of enjoying beef well done, regardless of how it is prepared.

SOME HISTORY For much of their early history, Americans did not eat much beef; settlers ate plenty of bison, fowl, and fish. Longhorns, descended from Spanish cattle, were abundant in the Spanish mission area of eastern Texas, but were mostly traded for their hides and rendered fats because the meat wasn't considered high quality.

By the 1850s, as longhorns interbred with other European cows, beef had become a more popular food so ranching had diversified and grown. Just prior to and during the Civil War, however, the northern Army blockaded trade at the Mississippi and, as a result, many cattle were simply stuck in Texas. By war's end, there was a glut of mature cows in Texas in need of consumers, which dropped the price to about $5 per head. Fortunately for traders, they were worth $40 a head to hungry folks in big cities across the eastern half of the country and ranch profits took off.

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From the 1870s until the mid-1890s, cattlemen and cowboys herded more than 5 million

cattle to rail yards and cow towns and helped make a few millionaires along the way. Among them were Gustavas Swift who, through several patents and trials, facilitated use of the first refrigerated railway cars. This allowed Texas ranchers to stay in the Great Plains and ship their cattle to Chicago meat packing plants, which could distribute products quickly and safely in greater quantities.

THE INDUSTRY Today, while energy is still #1 in Texas, agriculture is #2 and beef and cattle are the tops there—about two cows (beef and milk) for every three people in the state. Capital Land & Livestock CEO Jim Schwertner says, “Every county outside our metropolitan areas is still all about agriculture. Two percent of the population is feeding the rest of us and we have the safest food on the planet. I am very proud of our USDA food inspection for beef and other meat products. It is one thing our government does very well. This nation’s beef is fresh, wholesome, and safe."

As for the future of cattle, ranching, and beef, Jim says, “I tell my children, ‘Don’t get nervous until you go into a McDonald’s or a steak house and they are empty.’ As long as people are eating beef, we and the cattle business will survive. We are feeding America. Anyone who tells you that beef is not sustainable, or that it’s not ‘natural,’ I remind those people that no rancher would let his children or grandchildren eat anything that wasn’t good for them."

GOOD FOR YOU, NOT SO BAD FOR THE PLANET Jim is right. Three 2019 studies in the Annals of Internal Medicine analyzed 61 past studies of more than 4 million participants to see whether red meat affected the risk of developing heart disease and cancer. All three concluded decreasing red meat consumption had little to no effect on reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, or stroke.

As well, plant-based meat trades on the outdated perception that it is healthier; however, a lean beef burger has an average of nearly 20 percent fewer calories and 80 percent less sodium than the top-selling veggie burger brands. Even-healthier Longhorn beef has 33 percent fewer calories, and 74 percent less fat. Fake meat is also highly processed and often made with palm oils, which tend to raise LDL cholesterol and contribute to cardiovascular disease 1.

1 N at io n al I n sti tu tes o f Hea l th ht t p s: //p ub med. nc b i. n l m . n ih . g ov/1345319/

On the large scale, while a plantbased diet may have health benefits, a 2017 USDA study concluded that the nation would not be healthier if we stopped eating cows. "Eliminating food animals would increase deficiencies in calcium, vitamins A and B12...and would require individuals to eat more food and more daily calories to meet their nutritional needs...because the available foods from plants are not as nutrient dense as foods from animals."

Further, it concluded that producing additional planted crops and the use of more synthetic fertilizer (replacing manure) would only represent a drop of about 2.6 percent of total U.S. greenhouse emissions 2.

Texas farmers and ranchers have mastered sustainability and embraced technologies that reduce emissions and increase efficiency; i.e., they do more with less, because they are committed to producing the world’s food in a sustainable way. The cows themselves do their part in converting

plants that are inedible for humans into protein people love. So, here’s to your health and the Texas economy...enjoy that hamburger.

WE HAVE THE SPACE Texas has the most farms, land in farms, cattle & beef cows in the United States.

Twelve percent of the cattle in the United States are in Texas.

Texas has more cattle than 43 states have people.

Texas has more cattle on feed than Australia and Canada combined.

While chili is the official state dish, Texans believe steak is the better Texas icon by 14 to 1. ~ B eef 2L i ve.com and Tabletop.texasf ar mbureau.org

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N E I GH BOR LEIGH

The Fun of Being Gen-X T

he social media-verse has enjoyed the rivalry between Millennials and Boomers for years now and we Gen-Xers have actually enjoyed being ragged on for not caring about either side in the debate. Being sandwiched between elderly parents who hate smart phones and the generation that will never know the pain of reading Mapquest directions on actual paper, has been fun.

We are the happy ones because we were raised just prior to the technology explosion that has made current life what it is—Internet, wi-fi, smart devices, and ever-cheaper technology—but we are still excited about and can use them intuitively. For instance, among the living generations, I believe we have the greatest appreciation for voice mail because we were the first to have answering machines but we had to actually go home to see who called. We also had to pay the phone company when we *69-ed to find out who we just ghosted.

We have the greatest appreciation for DVRs because we remember the anxiety of someone hollering from the living room, "IT'S BACK OOOON...." and we had to race out of the bathroom or kitchen so we didn't miss a minute of our favorite TV show. Of course, if we did miss something, we had to time it just perfectly in the summer to see what was missed in the rerun. Or worse, in the years before basic cable, we had to wait two or three years for the solitary single local channel to run it in syndication.

Personally, I love that my 1980s self would be completely stunned to consider streaming. Today, it's not unusual for someone to call, wherever I am, and ask, "What are you watching?" the answer is, "Well, I'm sitting in McDonald's right now and I'm watching 'Elementary' for the third time." I'm not just enjoying an episode I've seen before on the flat screen mounted to the wall of the restaurant—I'm watching the whole series whenever I feel like it. Or I could choose one of a thousand other shows whenever I feel like it.

My generation may eventually come around to calling TV shows and movies 'content' but we will probably always say we 'taped' them.

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Millennials, Zoomers, and Alphas may also never appreciate binge-watching like we do. No commercials, or the agony of having to wait all summer to find out who shot J.R., or whether Sam proposed to Diane over the phone. Answering TV's great historical questions now only requires the time it takes to push this button .

Even so, binging has its downsides. Watching a show in succession for a weekend or—depending on the number of seasons—a month, once you've watched the finale, it feels almost like a breakup. After spending so much time with the characters you like, it's a letdown when they're gone. Then you have to go on a blind date with another show—because your friends or family said you'd really like it—and just hope for the best.

Gen-Xers also appreciate iTunes and Spotify more than most. Everyone makes fun of the mix tape, but it was all we had. With bad reproduction, weird sounds, and cutting off the best song at the end because the tape ran out...how can we not love the digital equivalent of 45rpm singles we can buy for $1.00 but can now listen to out of hearing aid-sized speakers rather than a 30-pound boom box compressing our spine?

Who else could appreciate VR glasses but the former adolescents who fought over Atari consoles?

I also remember watching my mom make a big production out of piling up all the mail, getting a sandwich and drink, then spending an hour writing checks and licking stamps. Then she would sort through a 1/4" stack of last month's canceled checks, which came in an envelope, to balance her account. Then I smile because I can pay most of my bills on my phone in the time it takes to sit through a red light, and some are set up to pay themselves when I'm not even looking.

Say what you will about our latch-key attitudes, and weird outfits, it's nice to live in a time with so much to appreciate, and actually be old enough to appreciate the difference.

On the flip side, I do think we should probably apologize for Grunge.

JARRELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OUR THANKS TO OUR PLATINUM MEMBERS!

JOIN THE CHAMBER TODAY! Visit our website to apply

www.JarrellCOC.com • info@JarrellCOC.com • 512-677-5501

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PA RT I N G SHOTS

image credit: Facebook/WilliamsonCountySheriffsPosse

WCSP RODEO 2022 JARRELL•TEXAS

The 78th Annual Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo, June 24-25

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