My Jarrell Monthly • November 2022

PUBLISHERS

Mike Payne

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 Commit tees, 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 com mittees; 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.

EDITOR'S NOTE | CAMY REYNOLDS

As I plan and prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving with my loved ones and friends, I am mindful of all the blessings my family has received over the months. One of the biggest blessings I stumbled upon this year was our local Buy Nothing Facebook group. Whether you are giving or receiving you will be blessed by the members of the group alone. They truly embody the qualities and characteristics that give Jarrell the reputation for having a huge heart. One community member who fits this description to a tee is Brooke Van Peski, who reaches her neighbors though the delicious bread she gives away each week.

When you hear the words Mexicano Grille you instantly think about sizzling fajitas and creamy queso, but what you may not know about is the family behind the deliciousness. You will enjoy our feature on the Leon family and all the ways they are impacting the residents of Jarrell beyond their food.

If you are anything like me, you are already planning a ridiculously long list of holiday events to enjoy with your family. If you haven’t started on your list don’t panic because I have done the work for you! There is plenty to keep everyone enter tained and in the holiday spirit starting as early as mid-Novem ber.

This year’s Homecoming Parade did not disappoint as all you could see was a sea of blue and white along the parade route. This is one of my favorite traditions because it unifies all of 76537 as we celebrate all our athletes, school clubs and local businesses. We are also cheering on our Cougar football team in the playoffs this month. We are all Cougar Nation.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

CORAZÓN THE WAY TO JARRELL’S

When José and Marcos León opened the Mexicano Grille and Bar in Jarrell 13 years ago, they joked about opening a restaurant in a town with mostly undeveloped land and 1,600 people. “I told my brother, ‘We’re just going to feed cattle out here,’” José says.

With the restaurant industry in their DNA, the two pushed through the days before Jarrell’s growth spurt, a recession, and a pandemic to turn the Mexicano Grille and Bar into the com munity staple it is today.

AUTHENTIC FAMILY BUSINESS

Growing up on a ranch in Guadalajara, Mexico, José remembers his mom cooking everything from scratch and inspiring all 15 of her children to pursue culinary careers after their family emigrated to the United States in the ’60s. The León family went on to open Mexicano Grill and Bar restau rants and serve Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine in Temple, Waco, Belton, Jarrell, Sugarland, Stafford, Cleburne, and Mexia. At 17, José was managing the Temple location and, at 19, he began building his own Mexicano restaurant, drawn

José and Marcos León (circa 2011) have always made family and community a priority.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy José León

by the “I-35 gold mine for the restaurant business” and a real estate friend’s mention of Jarrell’s growth potential.

After opening the Jarrell location in 2009, José per severed and was one of the few local businesses able to weather the recession. “Many of them have come and gone,” he says. “We’ve been part of the growth of Jarrell, and the growth has been part of us. Knowing the customers who come to the restaurant and seeing the same faces for 12-plus years—I really enjoy seeing regu lar customers, and knowing they enjoy the food. That’s what keeps me going.”

Customers are what also helped him through 2020, when communities had to shut down and he was forced to let go of most of his team. “It’s been nearly three years and we’re barely getting our full staff back in place. It was a struggle,” he says. “But opening a drive-through and being overwhelmed with community support made a huge difference.” As a result, José and his brother were able to add a second eatery to Jarrell’s food scene in October—Taco-Tex & Micheladas opened just north of the Mexicano Grille and Bar. Both locations embody José and Marcos’s dedication to cooking from scratch using their mom’s recipes—particularly the customer favorite fajitas. The restaurants also host Tacorita Tuesdays (tacos and margaritas) and family friendly Karaoke Nights on Thursdays.

GIVING BACK

From the beginning, José and Marcos have maintained the importance of giving back to the community that has given so much to them. “They’ve supported us for 12-plus years. If not for the community, we wouldn’t be in business so it’s our responsibility to give back,” José says.

Several local organizations have enjoyed their gen erosity, including the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, which receives a percentage of both restaurants’ sales the first Monday of every month. José and Marcos have also sponsored school sports teams and donated countless meals to softball gatherings.

Elizabeth Berumen has been a regular at the Mexicano Grille and Bar since it opened and remembers how José and Marcos were immediately on board when she and her husband asked if they would be willing to donate some meals for a youth league luncheon. The brothers

went above and beyond, making food donations for years afterwards to the league as well as continuing to sponsor many Jarrell ISD events. Elizabeth says, “They’ve been wonderful for our community and school. I feel like everyone is doing a great job in turning it right back and giving them support.”

When Elizabeth Berumen's daughter left her phone at the eatery a few years ago, they were told the phone had been found, only to find out the next day that the staff couldn’t find it after all. José got right on it, she says, and two hours later she was told one of the employees had been fired for stealing the phone. It was this incident that persuaded her to appreciate the León brothers’ business ethics as much as their food.

“I was impressed with their standards, that they’re not going to have people who work for them who are like that,” Eliza beth says. “I would ask that the community recognize, if they don’t already, how much José and Marcos do for us and that we continue to support them. It’s one thing to have a successful business in your town, but it’s a whole other thing when time after time they will drop ev erything and do whatever you need to support you, even at their own expense. I tell José time and time again, ‘You guys have no idea how much we appreciate y’all. You’ve been the best thing that’s ever happened to Jarrell.’ ”

Mexicano Grille and Bar mexicanogrillejarrell.net 512-746-5262

205 Sonterra Blvd, Jarrell Taco-Tex & Micheladas 512-872-5868

11720 S IH 35 Service Rd Suite 900, Jarrell

Mexicano Grille & Bar Exterior

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Facebook Group Proving Nothing is Good

by Camy Reynolds • photos courtesy Brianna Briggs

Since 2013, the Buy Nothing Group movement has taken its mission of building community through local gifting around the world. Jarrell has joined the growing fraternity of cities and towns getting better acquainted and fostering community connections through a gift economy.

Daphanie Toro founded the Jarrell & Salado group in 2019 and since that time it has grown large enough to necessitate two splits. Today, Salado has its own group and Jarrell has divided into North and South groups.

Danielle Petersen says, “We gifted a washer and dryer to pay forward the set that had been gifted to us. I love when the life of something can be extended and help others get through a rough patch without having to dig a hole to get out of. Having big items gifted means we help a neighbor not have to make the choice between a meal and a necessary appliance for their family.”

Scan the code to review the Jarrell boundaries and deter mine which group you may join then follow your group on Facebook.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Buy Nothing is about gifting things to members of the community without the expectation of a reward, so buying, selling, trading, or bartering are not allowed. Members may post three types of ads:



GIFTS: Goods or services to share, loan, or give away. Members may also offer gifts of:

• Self: something one can do for another, e.g., babysit, run errands

• Talent: anything one can teach another, e.g., knit ting, sign language

• Time: offering or asking for a neighbor to spend time with you, e.g., workout partners, play dates.





ASK: Requests for goods or services you’d like to borrow or keep.

GRATITUDE: Expressing your gratitude for the goods or services you borrow or keep.

To facilitate authentic connections, members may only join one group and membership is determined by geography, i.e., neighborhoods, depending on size. Despite Jarrell’s small size compared to other cities, it does have several dense neighborhoods, which allow groups to grow and sprout quickly. Daphanie says, “We have noticed when a group becomes too large, there is an obvious shift in which people become focused on giving and receiving things instead of creating relation ships.”

Brianna Briggs, admin for Buy Nothing Jarrell (South) sums up its mission; “The Buy Nothing group is the community. Every wish and gift is a way to give back. As they always say, it takes a village. Not just for children, but for life, and Buy Nothing gives you the opportunity to be the village for someone else.”

Wellness from Ketamine?

A MENTAL RESET IS POSSIBLE

WHAT IS KETAMINE?

Ketamine has been around for decades, but its role as a potent tool against depression, anxiety, and chronic pain is relatively new. Ketamine was initially developed as a surgical anesthetic; it received FDA approval for this use in 1970 and is now considered an essential medication by the World Health Organization.

Because of the drug’s remarkable ability to induce a trance-like state with minimal side effects, ketamine was added to first responder pro tocols to calm agitated and actively suicidal patients. Providers realized that the immediate mood-lifting ef fects of ketamine often lasted much longer, with some patients showing complete remission of depression with a single dose.

In 2006, a landmark study on the use of ketamine in treating depres sion, published by the National Institute of Mental Health, revealed a single intravenous dose of ket amine produced "robust and rapid antidepressant effects" within just a few hours. Since then, several other studies have shown similar findings. As a result, a growing number of physicians across the country are turning to ketamine to provide po tentially life-changing solutions for people in need of rapid relief from a number of debilitating condi tions—depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.

ReKonnect Wellness in George town provides ketamine injections and intravenous infusions to treat several conditions commonly resis tant to traditional medical interven tions. Ketamine has the remarkable ability to provide relief almost im mediately, with effects lasting days, weeks, or months at a time.

Dr. Aaron S. Gingrich at reKonnect Wellness in Georgetown provides ketamine therapy in a calm, spalike setting. A registered nurse administers each dose and care fully monitors each patient for any adverse effects. Blankets, eye masks, and curated playlists are available during each session. It is important to note insurance companies have not formally recognized ketamine treatment for depression and chron ic pain, so treatment is typically managed on a self-pay basis.1

Dr. Gingrich explains, "For mental health this is a wonderful complement with other kinds of therapies to a holistic approach to wellness. It provides a powerful reset for the mind and helps change thought patterns. For those with chronic pain, it is a great alternative to addictive pain relievers."

HOW IT WORKS

Clients begin with a consultation with Dr. Gingrich to discuss client goals for ketamine therapy and to create a treatment plan. An initial treatment plan typically consists of six ketamine sessions spread over two weeks. Each appointment lasts approximately 90 minutes to allow patients to prepare and recover adequately before and after their infusion.

During a treatment session, most patients experience a brain trip. "Ketamine is classified as a psyche delic, but is safely administered in low doses under constant medical super vision," Dr. Gingrich says. "Patients do not sleep but some report seeing vi sions or may have extremely calming out-of-body experiences. Some feel better right away, or after a few hours, and the calming effects may extend from a few days to a few months."

Dr. Gingrich adds, "Ketamine therapy is effective for about 80 percent of our clients, and we are on a mission to help the 20 percent who don't experience the full effects. In all cases, however, there is still two hours of peace, and a brief respite from whatever is diminishing their quality of life."

Scan the code to visit their website and click the News link to watch a treatment documentary.

1 Typical cost for a single infusion is $350-400

NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT KETAMINE, BY THE TIME YOU FINISH READING THIS PAGE, YOU MAY BE THINKING IT IS RIGHT FOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU LOVE.

Ketamine infusion clinics have been growing—and thriving—for the past few years, and Georgetown is now part of that trend.

Sourdough Bringing Sweetness to Life

by Emily Tilly • photos courtesy Brooke Van Peski

From developing dough to developing new friends, Brooke Van Peski's journey has just begun. While overcoming the challenges of baking the perfect loaf of sourdough bread, she has also begun to overcome challenges in mental health.

As she learned more about the process, Brooke's loaves improved with every new batch. “Baking sourdough every day has a certain rhythm to it. There are several daylong steps so when I bake every day the work overlaps.” She is also careful to keep notes for each loaf to track recipes, humidity percentage and temperature inside and out, and who the bread is promised to. "I always ask recipi ents to send me pic tures of the inside and include those in my logs. I also try to get detailed feedback on taste and texture with every new variety."

new hobby. It offers structure, a rhythm, and a routine, which have all proven to be very healing.” She is pleased she is now able to attend family weddings and other events, which, prior to January, would have been impossible.

Brooke learned a bit about sourdough baking from her father and brother, but last November she found a new passion for it and it has become her true hobby. She admits she had a few trial-and-error bakes at the start but Artisan Sourdough Made Simple (Raffa, 2017) helped her clear a few hurdles. “I started using the recipes right away and my bread started really improving," Brooke says. "I then joined two Facebook groups for beginner sour dough bakers and have been asking questions ever since."

Brooke says while it felt good to bake bread every day she soon had to find ways to give it away. Luckily, the Buy Nothing Group on Facebook (story on p. 10) was a hungry audience and in January she gave away her first of nearly 250 loaves.

The Unexpected Bonus

Brooke says many are curious to know how baking bread helps im prove mental health and, to her, the two go hand-in-hand. Although she suffers from debilitating bipolar one, depression, and anxiety disorders, she says, “As I began to bake and share my bread, I felt more relaxed and began to crave socialization. I attributed this improvement to my

“I know people are enjoying my bread, but it's really me that is benefiting.”

“The Buy Nothing Group has been absolutely wonderful and a godsend. I have a never-ending supply of peo ple I can make bread for, which is the biggest blessing I could ever ask.”

How it Works

Brooke posts details on the Buy Nothing Group when she begins the Day 1 process and is preparing two loaves for gifting on Day 2. She chooses two people to receive the loaves and confirms their pickup between 12-7:30pm. Recipients re ceive a come-n-get-it message when the bread is ready for pickup at her home and it is rare that a loaf is not picked up on the first match.

Watch for posts by Brooke for opportunities to get some of her delicious bread.

“I'm not a big bread eater, so I don't really taste the bread I make. But, the pepper cheddar sour dough infuses my home with the best smell.”

SETTING THE STANDARD

The Good, the Bad, and their Money

by Ann Marie Kennon

When good guys Sheriff Mike Gleason and District Attorney Shawn Dick are not out catching and prosecuting bad guys, they are personally helping the most vulnerable people in Williamson County child victims of abuse and neglect. Both elected officials represent the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center (WC CAC) as members of its board but they are also on mission, as head of their respective county agencies, to assist with the healing process as well. They recently put bad money to good use by gifting $200,000 to the WCCAC capital campaign.

PERSONAL ADVOCACY

DA Dick has been a member of the board since taking office in 2017 and said his $100,000 donation was meant to inspire others to do the same. "My office donates $10,000 every year to help fund operations at the CAC but it was important to me that we set an example for other agencies to sup port the capital expansion as well."

Newly voted to the board, Sheriff Gleason has been working in Wil liamson County since 1993 and was a crime fighter under six other sher iffs. After his election in 2020 he was tasked by WCCAC Executive Direc tor Kerrie Stannell and collaborated with several city police chiefs and caseworkers to create the CAC's multi-disciplinary team. Today, as a board member, he is eager to put

his many connections and strong relationships to work in advocacy for the children and families at the center. "We all took oaths as law

enforcement officers to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves and in many of these WCCAC cases, it's the people who are supposed to love them most who are hurting them."

The sheriff insists his first $50,000 donation was simply the right thing at the right time for the right reason. "I spent my whole career seeing the worst part of this process and I am happy to see the results that can come when we have strong victim advocacy. I am happy I can help make it better. I have a great working dynamic with Kerrie and we will donate another $50,000 when construction is complete and it's time to outfit the interior."

BAD MONEY DOING GOOD

The money donated from both agencies comes from discretionary

Left: D.A. Dick and Sheriff Gleason turn dirt with donor Julie Herrera, Commis sioner Terry Cook, and WCCAC Exec. Director Kerrie Stannell

funds built from asset forfeiture. DA Dick explains, "Someone driving back to the border from Dallas with $150,000 in drug money is simply taking it back to a cartel. We have to take it but what else should we do with it?"

Both agencies are entitled to use seized and forfeited funds, within certain guidelines, at their discre tion. Seized funds are often used for training and equipment or to fi nance task force operations. Sheriff Gleason says, "I am solely respon sible for it and the federal govern ment audits it, but they cannot tell me how to spend it. I can’t think of a better way to spend money coming from a bad guy or girl who has a history of abuse or is bringing poison into our community."

Having worked in county law en forcement for some time, the sheriff adds, "I know how things work in

Above: District Attorney Shawn Dick at the WCCAC groundbreaking ceremony in January.

the county and once that building is complete they will need chairs and microwaves and coffee pots. My idea was to fund whatever they will need. I don't want them to open the doors on that first day and only then realize there's a bed without a blanket. I am also pleased that all the detectives will have a home there within arm's reach of forensic interviews so I want to make sure the officers and deputies have secure spaces to protect their information and work products."

DA Dick says while there are some steps that must be taken to ensure judicious outcomes and avoid abuses, he is vigilant about due process and only assigns crim inal funds after cases have been adjudicated. "It feels great to have money that would otherwise have gone to fund criminal activity and change it into something really good," he says. "And I want to help create a cen ter that is a model for all other CACs around Texas."

THE CAMPAIGN

Williamson County is growing at record rates, as is the corresponding rise in trauma cases. Sheriff Gleason reports that although the pandemic has waned, the increase in outcries has not; in fact, it has continued to grow. "Mental health concerns that have emerged since the lockdown period are through the roof and just hav en't gone down. We're seeing a desensitization to crimes of all kinds."

Meanwhile, the new WCCAC construction is well underway but is in need of continued financial support. “The space we had was no longer suitable for our essen tial services,” Kerrie says. “Our new building will provide ample and state-of-the-art space for forensic exams and interviews, case review meetings with investigative partners, trauma therapy, and confidential meetings on behalf of and with families.”

The sheriff, district attorney, and center director invite everyone in the community to pass the message along about what the CAC does for children and what they need. Sheriff Gleason asks, "Attend our gala and sponsor a group. Create an event or attend our clay shoot. Make a phone call and ask for a check. Volunteer at the center or an event. There are so many ways to help children." DA Dick adds, "Above all else, if you see something, say something."

Rendering of the new WCCAC currently under construction at Inner Loop in Georgetown. The new building will double the space available for counseling and support for children and families.

What happens at the center is vital and crucial to being able to hold offenders accountable. Forensic interviews and medical exams are vital to successful prosecution. Everyone at WCCAC is working for the wellness of children so we have to get it right.

~District Attorney Shawn Dick

RENDERING: COURTESY WCCAC

PHOTO COURTESY WCSO

WORTH THE DRIVE

Holiday Events

Lighting of the Georgetown Square

November 25th starting at 5:30pm.

Enjoy Christmas carols sung by Uptown Carolers, visit the shops on the Square—which will be open late—and join the countdown to turn on more than a quarter-mil lion lights around the Georgetown Square and William son County Courthouse.

Georgetown Christmas Stroll

December 2nd from 5pm to 9pm December 3rd from 10am to 8pm on the Georgetown Square

Leander Old Town Christmas Festival

December 3rd from 9am to 9:30pm in the area around Leander City Hall

Holiday activities include the Old Town Rudolph Run, Christmas Marketplace, Hometown Parade, pictures with Santa, live performances, and local food and craft vendors.

Liberty Hill Christmas Festival December 3rd from 10am to 3pm in Downtown Liberty Hill. The parade begins at 6pm.

62nd Annual Salado Christmas Stroll December 2nd-4th and 9th-11th

Salado Lighted Christmas Parade

December 1st from 6pm to 8pm

Parade Route begins at ROYAL & MAIN (corner of Sugar Shack and Stagecoach Inn) 371 South Main Street and ends at SALADO CIVIC CENTER (671 North Main Street)

Parade will run SOUTH TO NORTH along Main Street. The sidewalks will be lighted for the entire parade route. All seats are good seats so bring chairs and smiles!

Christmas on Main Street

Florence TX December 10th from 9am to 3pm

The parade will begin at 10am and proceed down College St. then turn right at Main St and end at VeraBank by turning left on Brewster.

Customers, Confidence, Community

LOCAL SERVICE & REPAIR IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN CARS

At Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair, half the team is family, while the rest have become like family. This auto shop prides itself not only on its family legacy, but also the honesty and integrity that set it apart from other auto shops like the one owner Joe Bob Kay worked at when he became a mechanic at the young age of 18. “I was working in Austin for a guy who, I felt, was taking advantage of people. Fortunately, in 1994, the opportunity arose for me to come out to Georgetown and open a shop,” he says.

After moving from Round Rock to Georgetown, Joe Bob purchased the business and changed the name to Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair with a dedication to treating customers right. “We won’t take advantage of anyone. There are enough broken cars out there—you don’t have to make stuff up,” he says. His daughter and accounting director, Ashley Kay Huey, adds, “That is especially true when it comes to prioritiz ing things. We advise our customers, ‘You need to do this immediately, it’s a safety concern,’ or ‘Hey, this is maintenance, you don’t have to do it.’ We aren’t pushy. A lot of elderly customers are in tears when they leave, saying, ‘I trust you all. I know you’re always going to take care of me and not take advantage of me.’ ”

Previously located just off I-35 and now on Austin Avenue, Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair continues to operate as a full-service auto shop, providing everything from oil changes, inspections,

and maintenance to transmissions, engines, and brakes. The shop also works with extended warranty companies and offers third party financing. “We take appointments and typically provide a same-day turnaround on most repairs depending on availabil ity,” Ashley says.

GIVING BACK

Having enjoyed a great reputation in George town for the last 28 years, Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair is always on the lookout for ways to support the community, from sponsorships of local organizations to helping out a customer with her transmission who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. “If we see people struggling, we help them,” Joe Bob says. Ashley adds, “We try to spread and share the love with any organization that comes—extracurric ulars, churches, athletics. The community is what keeps our doors open.”

The Kays are considering expanding to another growing community, Georgetown's neighbor to the north. “We have employees and customers who live in Jarrell and some of them have mentioned, ‘We need another auto shop here,’ ” Joe Bob says.

“Being a family owned and operated establishment— is that going to be more important than a chain coming in that gives Jarrell a big-town feel?” Ashley says.

“Do people want a shop in Jarrell?” Joe Bob asks. Wherever Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair expands, Joe Bob, Ashley, and the rest of the team plan to stay true to their family foundation while modernizing and revamping for the future. “We don’t want to be a big corporation with 14 locations,” Ashley says. “We want to have a small expansion with a few locations and try to keep the legacy going.”

Scan the code to let us know your thoughts.

georgetownautorepair.com

Call or text: 512-863-4308 1002 N Austin Ave, Georgetown Open 7:30am to 5:30pm Mon-Fri

Georgetown Interstate Transmission & Auto Repair wants to know: “Would you rather keep Jarrell small and keep that small-town feel, which would oblige you to drive to a nearby town for a repair? Or, would you like someone like us in town, so you don’t have to make a trip any time you need a vehicle repair?”

SHELTER STORIES A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Foster a Holiday Companion Starting November 18

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

This fall, give a shelter pet the gift of a Home for the Holidays. “It’s the perfect opportunity for the animals to be in a home environment, decompress from the stress of living in the shelter, and it gives shelter staff much needed information to help match them with the best families for them,” says April Peiffer, community programs coordinator for the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter.

Shelter Respite

For more than 10 years, Home for the Holidays has given pets a much-needed break from the shelter and allowed individuals and families to enjoy having a pet throughout the holiday season. Starting November 18, residents can come to the shelter and pick out a medium-to-large adult dog or an adult cat to take home for the holiday season. The pet will remain available for adoption during their Home for the Holidays break, and the program will end Jan uary 2. “People really love this program,” April says. “Home for the Holidays gives people the opportuni ty to give back in a different way, and impact many lives at once.”

Benefits All Around

April says the program has been a big success, always making needed space for new animals that continue to come in every day. As well, being in a home allows the animals to be themselves and assimilate a bit to home life. This gives staff valuable information about a dog or cat that can’t be learned when they are at the shelter. “Is the dog house trained? What does she like or dislike? Does she enjoy a lot of attention or exercise? Does this cat like dogs? So much is learned when they are able to live in a home environment, and

it makes our job of matching them to new families much easier.”

Participants may choose to adopt their Home for the Holidays foster pet at any time during their stay, with many ending up adding a new furry friend to their family. “People have sometimes decided they just can’t part with their Home for the Holidays foster pet and end up adopting. We love when that happens!”

Potential fosters can scan the code today to begin foster ing Novem ber 18.

WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

by Ann Marie Kennon

LET'S TALK TURKEY

To discern what makes a Thanksgiving distinctly Texan, let's start with the Texas town named Turkey. Located at the southern end of the panhandle with a population around 400, Turkey's claims to fame include being home to the first Phillips 66 gas sta tion in Texas, professional gambler Amarillo Slim, and country music performers Bob Wills and Joe Barnhill. The town was also in the news in 2011 when PETA petitioned its leadership to change the name temporarily to "Tofurky" for an annual campaign aimed at encouraging people to not eat meat.

But a name isn't everything. Despite the translation meaning leather or hide, the southeast Texas town of Cuero the self-pro claimed Turkey Capital of the World makes the bigger fuss over Thanksgiving. Cuero's annual Turkey Trot began in 1912 with a turkey drive in which thousands of the birds were herded through the streets and humans went on to enjoy a carnival, dance, football game, and agricultural exhibits. The

THE REAL FIRST THANKSGIVINGS

Not surprisingly, history records distinctly thankful communal events in Texas long be fore the pilgrims arrived. Predating the May flower by nearly 80 years, Coronado led an expedition to find the Seven Cities of Cibola in 1541. He was guided by a Pueblo Indian the Spaniards called La Turque (or, the Turk). When they arrived at Palo Duro Canyon near modern-day Amarillo, Friar Juan de Padilla celebrated Mass in thanks for their success.

Then, in 1598, an expedition team of 500 people, led by Juan de Oñate, spent 50 days crossing the Chihuahuan Desert. They reached the Rio Grande at the future site of El Paso and gave thanks for surviving their desert trek by feasting on fish and fowl. As well, in what must have been the first

Cuero Heritage Museum even has a per manent exhibit to honor the event and its impact on the community.

Thanksgiving play, Captain Marcos Farfán de los Godos rendered the event in a script, including the Pueblos' conversion to Christianity. In 1991, El Paso residents re vived the script and now reenact the event every April.

THE TEXAS WAY

As they have often done, Texans held on to their own Thanksgiving traditions long after President Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as the na tional holiday. For many years, regional Texans contin ued to celebrate the 16th century dates too. Even when Congress specified the fourth Thursday—in answer to the "What if there are five Thursdays in the month and Christmas shopping is delayed?" problem Texas con tinued to celebrate on the last Thursday for some time, perhaps to coincide with the enshrined Texas vs. Texas A&M football game.

AT THE TABLE

Texas feasts are a great reflection of the Lone Star State itself. With an eclectic variety of traditional Amer ican, Hispanic, German, and Southern tastes, a Texan's table is quite likely to be a melting pot of flavor as much as it is nostalgic. To begin with, you are allowed to eat your holiday dinner at Whataburger, but if you decide on a turkey, Texas has two traditional ways of cooking the bird deep fried or beer can. To ratchet up the Southern flavor, Texans forego dinner rolls for biscuits, which are much better for sopping up gravy and make better leftovers for breakfast.

Regardless of your favorites, however, it is important to know, if one wants to receive or retain one's Texas card, remember... it is dressing, not stuffing! See page 24 for an ultra traditional recipe.

And, perhaps not exclusively in Texas, but at least commonly, the turkey may be complemented with tamales. Pork is the favorite but tamales are great with everything from cheese to sweet raisin, depending on which abuela or local hookup is providing the goodies. For dessert, a state-nut-pecan pie is not required by law but it is the best bit of sweet goodness to serve with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream.

AFTER DINNER

While the UT-A&M game is no longer a factor due to A&M changing conferences, some are consoled know ing they can kick back and watch the Dallas Cowboys as the tryptophan begins to kick in. While not a league contract, the late afternoon game has been a tradition since 1966. It began as one of several brilliant publicity grabs by team manager Tex Schramm to bring national attention to the Cowboys prior to their league domi nance in the 1970s. Fans beat attendance records at their first Thanksgiving game and the Cowboys have played nearly every year since.

Tex was also the one responsible for hiring profes sional dancers as cheerleaders, and the annual holiday exposure didn't hurt their ascendancy in the entertain ment world either.

WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?

Regardless of your favorite food or football team, our My Jarrell team wishes all our readers and neighbors a healthy, happy, and very Texan Thanksgiving.

NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach

Photo Dallas Cowboys © Jerry Coli

A Texas Thanksgiving

Texas Thanksgiving is a great reflection of the Lone Star State itself. With an eclectic variety of traditional American, Hispanic, German, and Southern tastes, a Texan's table is quite likely to be a melting pot of flavor as much as it is nostalgic. While it is not technically against the law to serve these dishes without sweet tea, it is recommended for those who would like to keep their Texas card.

Cornbread Dressing and Giblet Gravy

This old-fashioned cornbread dressing is flavorful, tender, and moist. Not fancy, its ingredients are simple. Grandma didn't hold with the notion that the more stuff you put in cornbread dressing, the better it is. ~TexasCooking.com

THE CORNBREAD

• 3 tbsp bacon drippings

• 2 large eggs

• 1-1/2 cups corn meal

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1-1/4 cups buttermilk

THE DRESSING

• 9"x13" pan of cornbread, crumbled

• 10 white or whole wheat bread heels (left out overnight)

• poultry seasoning*

• rubbed sage*

• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

• 3 large stalks celery, chopped

• 1 onion, chopped (2-1/2 to 3 cups)

• 1 large green pepper, chopped

• 3/4 cup butter

• 4 cups chicken stock

• 1 cup turkey pan drippings

• 3 large eggs, slightly beaten GIBLET GRAVY

• 3 tbsp butter

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1 cup drippings from roasting pan; skimmed of fat

• 1 cup chicken broth

• salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp dry Sherry

• 1 to 1-1/2 cups turkey giblets (chopped, cooked liver and neck)

MAKING THE CORNBREAD...

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Put bacon drippings in 9x13-inch baking dish and put in the oven while preheat ing. Drippings will melt.

Beat eggs in a medium bowl until frothy. Add corn meal, salt, baking soda and baking powder, and stir to combine. Add buttermilk and stir well. Remove the hot dish from the oven. Swirl to coat it with melted bacon drippings, pour the bacon drippings into the batter and stir to combine.

Pour batter into the pan, and bake 20 to 25 minutes. The cornbread will begin to pull away from the sides of the pan. Leave it out, uncovered, overnight.

MAKING THE DRESSING...

One hour prior to the meal... preheat oven to 375°F.

Crumble cornbread and white bread into very large baking dish or pan

In large skillet, sauté celery, onion, and green pepper in butter over medium heat until onion is transparent. Combine sautéed vegetables with bread crumbs and mix well. When you are ready to bake, add beaten eggs, chicken stock and turkey pan drippings, and stir. (May add more chicken stock better too moist than too dry.) Add 2 tsp poultry seasoning, 1/2 tsp rubbed sage, black pepper, and mix thoroughly.

After baking approx. 15 minutes, stir dressing down from the sides of the pan so that it cooks uniformly.

Total cooking time should be about 30 minutes.

MAKING THE GRAVY...

May be made early and kept warm or re-heat before serving.

Over medium-low heat, melt butter in a large saucepan until bubbly, sprinkle in flour and stir quickly to cook the flour. Slowly stir in turkey drippings and chicken stock; cook over medium heat, stir constantly, until gravy is smooth and thickened. Reduce heat to low, and check seasonings. Add salt and pepper if necessary. May add a tablespoon or two of sherry at this point. Add giblets and simmer for about 10 minutes.

For a more moist consistency, add more stock. Feel free to use as much or little want to make it the way you like it.

PASTOR ANTHONY VANNOY

Holiday Bingo

Ilove the holidays. It’s a chance to stockpile things to keep my “ideas for Leigh column” notebook full. By that, I mean… family is here. Yippie-ki-yay!

I love my family. I even love my family that are not my own people. Family is my favorite thing about Thanks giving and Christmas. If I had a lot of money and a B&B in my backyard, I would probably love them even more.

I don’t mind at all that I haven’t been able to do my own laundry for near’bout a week. BUT there is never enough time to channel my inner Aunt Bea when some one asks, for the tenth time, “Are you going to let your son eat/watch/play/do that?”

Why is it that relatives who eat healthy offer to cook whatever weird food they like, full of spices I’ve never heard of, and vegetables with hair, and insist I’ll enjoy it “because it’s good for me”. So I’ll eat the veggie burgers and candied asparagus because I’m polite. And wait for January when there are no more brunches, lunches, dinners, parties, cookie exchanges, and, in my case, a visit from Insulin Claus, so I can go back to my bacon covered tater-tot waffles.

Let’s not forget the people who want to get up at 6am on a holiday to run a 5K Turkey Trot. These are people you need to know about before you marry into them; a no-fun-run pre-nup! I can’t remember the last time I Googled restaurants, job sites, or retail stores, that I didn’t include “within 10 miles” in the filter. I won’t even drive 26.2 miles.

In any case, this year I decided to play “Family Bingo” with my favorite brother to make things more interest ing. Here are some ideas if you are looking forward to the quiet of January, and the long dark days until Texas assumes my preferred surface-of-the-sun weather.

Get yourself a 5×5 grid and add all the things you are most likely to experience—funny or annoying—when your family is gathered. The person with the most bingos doesn’t have to host the holidays next year. It’s only fair, right?

Some of these classics will require a dabber at my house, and perhaps yours as well.

 “Are you going to let your son eat/watch/play/do that?” (I mention twice because it gets a full row of squares.)

 “Did I tell you how much is in my 401K?”



Family member starting home business, brings sam ples, and/or needs “associates.”

 “Whatever happened to [name of person you broke up with]?”



“Your hair has gotten a lot grayer since I saw you last.”

 Argument from ten years ago re-starts during meal or board game.  “Have you lost/gained weight?”  “You still haven’t found a job?”

 Argument about masks and/or vaccine status.  “Haven’t you had enough [alcohol, TV, food, screen time] already?”

 “When are you going to settle down / give me grandchildren?”



Child calls out adult for saying bad word.  “Well that’s nothing; let me tell you about the time I…”  “Remember that time you snuck out of the house…”  Strict avoidance of any words / topics that will prompt the 100th telling of a story.  “Who stole the remote?”

 Story re-told for the 100th time anyway.

 New partner / spouse insists the pets be put outside or in a locked room.

 “It’s all because the [Democrats / Republicans] won/ lost the election.”



CENTER SPACE: Hugs and kisses and exclamations that we need to not wait for next Thanksgiving to do this again!

COUGAR SPIRIT ON DISPLAY AT HOMECOMING PARADE

Not much gets the community of Jarrell as excited as the annual home coming parade. Families eagerly line up along the parade route as the kids wait in anticipation for mounds of candy to be collected as each float passes by. This year’s parade did not disappoint as each float was unique ly decorated and packed with kids supporting the clubs and organizations represented. The parade and the streets were a sea of blue and white as far as the eye could see. The parade concluded with a community pep ral ly at the football field and of course the lighting of the signature “JC”.

by Camy Reynolds