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.
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 WRITERS/COPY EDITORS
Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Linda A. Thornton
GRAPHICS & DESIGN
Sandra Evans • Zion Eaton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Christianna Bettis
DISTRIBUTION • David Schumacher
IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne
As we move into the warmer months, there’s no denying the excitement that comes with the season of outdoor events. From concerts to food fairs, summer activities to murals and sculptures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Jarrell and towns around.
If you’re like me, you are already trying to mentally prepare for summer and find creative ways to entertain your kids. Thankfully, the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center has done the legwork to provide summer fun in our own community.
We have also listed a full year’s worth of festivals and events taking place across Williamson County and in Austin. You’ll want to save those pages, mark your calendars, and get ready to experience the best in art, music, culture, and community spirit.
We’re also highlighting the mural commissioned to celebrate Williamson County turning 175 years. The project was personally significant to me and other members of the community who were invited to participate. It was a neat experience to paint alongside the artist and leave our little mark on history. My kids love driving by and pointing out the parts they painted.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION info@myjarrell.com 512-746-4545
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You may also want to use our mural and sculpture map (pg 18) to spend an afternoon exploring the street art around Georgetown.
We hope you enjoy this issue, and that it inspires you to get out and experience the magic of Central Texas for yourself.
And, for all you moms, grandmoms, stepmoms, foster moms, and every woman who makes people feel like family, may your Mother’s Day be filled with love, laughter, and the appreciation that you deserve.
Located in the beautiful countryside, Calumet offers a variety of homes in the City of Jarrell. The Calumet Subdivision is a master planned community located at 891 W FM 487 near Jarrell High School. It is ideally located with quick access to IH 35. The subdivision offers competitively priced single-family homes, multi-family homes and townhomes to fit a variety of needs.
There will be 55 townhomes in the Subdivision with a variety of two and three bedroom units. They will be nicely appointed and will provide a more cost effective entry for the home buyer along with opportunities for the multi-family investor.
• Open Concept Floorplans & 2 Car Garage
• City of Jarrell Utilities
• Engineered Foundations
• R13 Walls with R37 Ceiling
• Firewall Between Units
• Energy Efficient Features & Appliances
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The Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center has something for everyone this summer, including learning how to create your own video game, brushing up on your financial literacy, and enjoying movie days and other family-friendly activities.
This year’s library fun kicks off with a “Who Stole Our Summer Reading Plans” escape room May 27–June 10. “It’s an exciting event for families and friends to spend quality time and problem-solve together,” Library Director Susan Gregurek says.
The fun at the library continues throughout June and July. There are numerous activities to enjoy, including story time for all ages, arts and crafts, and movie days. There will also be some unconventional but super practical options available, such as children's financial literacy classes instructed by R Bank, and a Firetruck and Ambulance Day for kids hosted by Jarrell Fire & Rescue.
And don't forget to mark your calendars for June 10 when the library will be hosting Dads and Dogs Day in celebration of Father’s Day. This special event will feature games and activities for kids to enjoy with their dads, as well as delicious hot dogs and bratwursts to savor.
The library encourages reading program participants of all ages to read one hour per week during the summer (it counts if parents or caregivers read aloud). Summer readers can record their minutes in the Beanstack tracker app and receive prizes and tickets for drawings at the end of the summer. “The adults are as eager as the 4-year-olds to win the prizes out of the treasure box,” Susan adds.
She says the video game design camp is among the most eagerly awaited events, as children acquire coding abilities, make new friends, and learn how to create their own video game. “It was a great success last year. Participants enjoyed it so much that they came to the library all summer to play their games with each other and continued to add detail and complexity to them.”
All that positive feedback inspired her to expand the class from 6 to 12 hours of instruction over two weeks, June 6–15. The total cost is $120 and “we would love to have community members sponsor children who can't afford it. Last year one person sponsored six kids and it’s the beginning of the future for them. It’s amazing.”
This year’s national Summer Reading Program theme, “All Together Now,” is especially fitting for Jarrell, Susan says. “As division grows in our nation, the American Library Association feels this theme is the most appropriate for where we are today. ‘Let’s come together and work as a community.’ ”
The “All Together Now” theme is also fitting for the library as it continues working to become a community anchor. The building has evolved and become a central hub that offers prospects for networking as well as amenities like a food pantry and complimentary COVID-19 testing. “We are here to build community and introduce our new neighbors to each other,” Susan says. “People are asking every day, ‘Where can I meet new people?’ We want to be that social place for the community. When they — children and adults — come to the library, they will have opportunities to make friends and maintain their reading skills.”
The library also welcomes volunteers. If you are a student in need of volunteer hours or simply wish to help make the library's summer activities a success, staff encourage all interested adults and teens age 13 and up to visit and complete a volunteer application.
MAY 27 – JUNE 10:
“Who Stole Our Summer Reading Plans” escape room. Admission is $5 per person for the library fundraiser event.
JUNE 6, 8, 13, 15:
Video Game Design Camp for ages 9-18, $120 per child
JUNE 10:
Dads and Dogs Father’s Day event
JUNE 12 – JULY 30:
Movie Day at 4pm on Wednesdays
JUNE 12 – JULY 30:
Adult and Teen Crafting at 4pm on Wednesdays
JUNE 12 – JULY 30:
Summer Reading Program Activities
- 10:30am Tuesdays, Pre-K ages 4-5
- 2pm Tuesdays, grades 4-5
- 3pm Tuesdays, Bilingual Storytime for all ages
- 3pm, Wednesdays, middle school and high school activities
- 10:30am Thursdays, ages 0-3
- 12:30pm Thursdays, grades 2-3
- 2pm Thursdays, grades K-1
- 10:30am Saturdays, Family Storytime
Each event has a limited number of spots; learn more about the library’s summer activities and how to register at jarrellcommunitylibrary.org.
254-228-9870
lara.ingalsbe@outlook.com
LaraIngalsbe.com
Spring is finally here, and with the warmer weather comes the urge to refresh and rejuvenate your outdoor spaces. As the flowers start to bloom and the grass turns green, it's the perfect time to start thinking about your landscaping. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and welcoming outdoor space this spring.
Start by giving your yard a good cleaning. Remove any debris and leaves that may have accumulated over the winter months and rake up any dead grass. This will give you a good foundation to work with and help your lawn breathe.
Planting annuals is a great way to add pops of color to your yard. These bright and vibrant flowers will add a cheerful touch to your landscaping and can be planted in containers, hanging baskets, or in your garden bed.
Using native plants when landscaping is not only good for the environment but can also be low maintenance. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, which makes them more resistant to pests and disease. They also require less water and fertilizer, which can save you money on your water bill.
Adding a focal point to your yard can help tie everything together. Some ideas for a focal point include a water feature, sculpture, or a large tree. This will draw the eye and make your outdoor space feel more cohesive.
Adding fresh mulch to your garden beds not only gives them a neat and tidy appearance but also helps retain moisture in the soil. Choose a color that complements your home and landscaping, and make sure to add a layer that's at least two inches thick.
Outdoor lighting can add depth and dimension to your yard. Choose your lighting to highlight your landscaping, illuminate walkways, and create a warm ambiance. These simple tips can help turn your yard from drab to fab, just in time for spring. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, there's no better time to get outside and enjoy the beauty and freshness of the season.
Opening Day is Saturday, May 27 at Noon
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO PRIOR TO COMING TO GET YOUR POOL PASS ON OPENING DAY?
1. Scan the code to register with Community Pass and create your account or sign in if you are a returning resident from last year.
2. Add all family members in your household to your account.
3. Register for Family, Couple or Individual pool pass “membership”.
4. Follow prompts for membership.
REMEMBER:
Bring your ID and a copy of your water bill* to verify residency in the Sonterra MUD district (required). *Renters may bring a copy of their current lease.
All HOA fines and fees must be paid IN FULL prior to receiving a pool pass. The HOA will have a table set up at pool pass registration where this is verified. Payment will also be accepted at this time.
Pool Hours: Tues-Sun Noon-9pm • Family Swim Tues- Fri 10am-Noon
Adult Swim (lap pool only) Tues-Fri 10am- Noon
Pool Location: 510 Sonterra Blvd.
More information and pool rules: https://parksandrec.sonterramud.org
PARKS AND TRAILS
by
Jarrell Fire & Rescue provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical first responder service to 75-square miles of north Williamson County. On September 11 last year, the new west side location opened at 212 North Fifth Street, the same location as the city’s original volunteer station.
A career as a firefighter requires four months of fire training, one month of emergency medical technician training, a written exam, physical agility test, and an interview. Candidates may start their career at age 18, and there is no retirement mandate as long as personnel are able to maintain the necessary physical ability. After three years active service, firefighters may move up to driver/ engineer and promotions to lieutenant and captain require an additional three years of service, along with a written exam.
Jarrell firefighters work two 24-hour days on and four days off, with seven firefighters on each shift — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. According to Chief Ron Stewart, the highest performing fire departments are those in which the personnel share the daily ritual of shopping, cooking, and eating meals together. Everyone pitches in and, naturally, there are no complaints when the good cooks take over. He says, “Many problems are solved around the dinner table.”
Chief Stewart recommends that each household be proactive and complete a form on the Community Connect website (scan code below). This provides the department with critical information when called to your location mobility issues, pets, medication, and property. The information for this voluntary program is stored on a secure encrypted website.
When 24-year-old firefighter Jake Owen was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, Jarrell Fire & Rescue’s initial feelings of helplessness soon turned into a show of strength and support. Nearly all of his coworkers have proudly displayed their newly shaved heads, a gesture that quickly gained attention and earned them an appearance on a local TV station and a segment on "Good Morning America".
Plus, to ensure Jake never misses a paycheck, his fellow firefighters signed up to work extra shifts for free and donated their sick days. His father Craig, also a firefighter, has experienced similar support from his Georgetown brethren, making it easier for him to be at Jake’s bedside in a Houston hospital as often as possible.
Like the firefighters, the community’s reputation for showing up for its neighbors never seems to disappoint. Jake’s GoFundMe page quickly met its initial goal of $10,000 and now stands at $38,000, so the family is trying to meet a new goal of $40,000.
Jake’s illness also had an impact on Chief Stewart’s daughter, Skylar, who is about Jake’s age. She designed and sold 50 T-shirts in Jake’s honor and donated $4,400 to the fund. Scan the code to donate to Jake's GoFundMe page.
bring people together to celebrate and showcase different interests, ideas, and cultures. As summer approaches, you may be thinking about fun or family friendly outdoor activities. To help out, our writers have compiled a list that is sure to have something for everyone perhaps to introduce you to a new world of music or food, or the delightful wackiness of a UFO festival.
MAY EVENTS
May 6 • Leander Kite Festival
Kick off the summer with the annual Kite Festival at Devine Lake Park, a free community event for all ages that includes kite events, food and craft vendors, and lots of high-flying fun! Bring your own kite or bring the family to watch other kites soar. leandertx. gov/parksrec/page/kite-festival
May 20 • Liberty Hill Whimsy and Wonder
Each year, Liberty Hill's Main Street is transformed into an eclectic fusion of all things whimsical and wonderful, with live music, art demonstrations, wine tastings, artisan vendors, street performers, and a Children’s Imagination Garden. experiencelhtx.com/whimsyandwonder/
Please note, while we have made every effort to represent accurate dates and details for each, we recommend checking online for schedule changes before heading out for the day.
For a unique art experience close to home, head to Georgetown with our art map (page 18) and explore the many vibrant murals and street art around the city.
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
September • Georgetown
Art Hop
With artwork displayed at both the Georgetown Public Library and the Georgetown Art Center, viewers can “hop” across the Square to enjoy diverse pieces created by artists who live all over the state.
September 30 • Georgetown
GTX Film Festival
Annual cinematic celebration featuring a full day of films. gtxfilm.org
OCTOBER EVENTS
October 6-7 • Round Rock
Round Rock Chalk Walk
May 21 & June 18-25
• Georgetown, Liberty Hill, & Austin Texas Bach Festival
Annual celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other classical composers.
JUNE EVENTS
Weekends on or near June 19 Juneteenth
Parades, live music, food, and activities in various locations in Georgetown, Round Rock, San Marcos, Austin, Killeen
JULY EVENTS
July 3 • Leander
Leander Liberty Fest
Celebrate Independence Day with Liberty Fest at Lakewood Park! Leander's largest annual event includes live music, food, children's activities, and a spectacular fireworks display.
July 3 • Liberty Hill
Liberty Hill Independence Day Spectacular
This festival celebrates the Fourth of July with live music, food vendors, and a fireworks display. experiencelhtx.com/ independence-day-spectacular/
July 4 • Georgetown
4th of July Celebration
This Independence Day event hosted by the Georgetown Sertoma Club features a parade, auto show, arts and crafts, food vendors, live music, amusement rides, petting zoo, inflatables, and a fireworks show. georgetown4th.org
AUGUST EVENTS
August 5 • Georgetown
Blazin' Beer Crawl
An antidote for thirst for heat-weary Texans, the Blazin' Beer Crawl offers craft beer tastings at downtown retail stores and restaurants. mainstreet.georgetown.org/beercrawl/
This unique event features sidewalk chalk artists who turn the pavement into a stunning canvas of colors and designs. Visitors will also have the chance to explore a variety of vendors as well as enjoy food, live music, theatrical performances, and children's activities. chalkwalk.org
October 21 • Georgetown
South Main Arts Festival
Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities. arts.georgetown.org/ southmainartfest/
October 21 • Liberty Hill
International Sculpture Festival
Each year, Liberty Hill’s Sculpture Park features live sculpting demonstrations, hands-on art activities, vendors, live music, a street dance, and a silent disco. experiencelhtx. com/sculpture-festival
October 26-29 • Taylor
Williamson County Fair and Rodeo
This fair features carnival rides, live music, food vendors, and exhibits showcasing local agriculture and crafts. wilcofair.com/
NOVEMBER EVENTS
November 16 • Round Rock
Beaujolais Nights
A global celebration of the opening and tasting of the George Dubeouf Beaujolais Nouveau wine at this 21-andover festival celebrating culinary, performing, and visual arts. Free admission and complimentary wine tastings. roundrocktexas.gov/event/beauiolais-nights
November 24 • Georgetown
Lighting of the Square
The Lighting of the Square kicks off the holiday festivities with traditional carolers and a mass countdown to switching on thousands of lights downtown.
DECEMBER EVENTS
December 1-3 • Georgetown
Christmas Stroll
Each December, the Georgetown Square is transformed into a hotspot for the holidays with a parade, festive marketplace, Bethlehem village, and activities just for kids.
December 9 • Liberty Hill
Christmas Festival
Shop, eat, and enjoy live music while the kids have a blast ice skating, playing in real snow, and meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. Don't miss the dazzling, lighted Christmas parade along Loop 332.
Late December - Early January • Liberty Hill
Cedar Park Winter Festival
Family friendly event featuring live music, food vendors, carnival rides, and a holiday-themed light display.
JANUARY EVENTS
January 17 • Killeen
MLK Freedom Festival
Celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with a parade, live music, and cultural performances.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February • Taylor
Hops for Houses Craft Beer Festival
Visitors can enjoy beer samples from over 25 craft brewers along with live music, a silent auction, food trucks, games, and more! williamsonhabitat.org/hops-for-houses/
February • Austin
Carnaval Brasilerio
Carnaval grew from a small party for homesick Brazilian students in the 1970s to the largest indoor Carnaval party on the planet. Music, dancing, costumes, and general bacchanalia. (Think Brazilian mardi gras.) sambaparty.com
MARCH EVENTS
March 8-16 • Austin
South by Southwest (SXSW)
This annual festival is a convergence of music, film, and technology that attracts thousands of people from around the world to experience live performances, screenings, and interactive events. sxsw.com
March • Georgetown Georgetown Swirl
Savor the flavors of local wineries and food vendors at this annual wine tasting event. All proceeds benefit the Georgetown Main Street Facade & Sign Grant Program, which awards grants to over 90 downtown property and business owners. swirl.georgetown.org
March • Georgetown
GTX Photography Festival
A one-day festival jam-packed with photo walks, educational classes, and meet-and-greet opportunities with featured photographers. All classes and photo walks are free and open to the public on a first-come basis by registering in person Saturday morning at the Williamson Museum. georgetowntexasphotographyfestival.com
March • Austin
Rodeo Austin
An annual 15-day celebration, Rodeo Austin features livestock and horse shows, carnival activities, live music, and hands-on learning experiences in agricultural education for youth.
The last weekend in March • Salado
Wildflower Arts and Crafts Festivals
Visitors can enjoy this family-friendly festival that features arts and crafts vendors selling handcrafted items from all over the state. visitsaladotexas.com/event/wildflower-arts-and-craftsfair/2023-03-25/
March & April • Austin
ABC Kite Fest
Day-long activities for all ages, including the traditional kite flying contest and showcase, and MossFest, a children’s music concert.
APRIL EVENTS
April • Austin
Eeyore's Birthday
Eeyore's Birthday Party is a fundraiser run by the Friends of the Forest Foundation to benefit local 501c3 nonprofit groups in Austin. eeyores.org
April • Austin
Austin Reggae Festival
Music lovers can enjoy live reggae music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. austinreggaefest.com
April • Austin
Lone Star Rod & Kustom Round Up
This huge outdoor car show and live music festival features miles of vintage hot rods and custom cars driven by folks on an annual pilgrimage to Austin from all over the country and the world. lonestarroundup.com
April • Temple
Bloomin' Temple Festival
This festival features live music, food vendors, and other family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo and inflatable games.
April • Georgetown
Spring Art Stroll
Visitors can enjoy artist demonstrations, performances, live music, and art shopping opportunities.
Late April • Georgetown
Red Poppy Festival
This festival celebrates the city's official flower, the red poppy and features live music, food vendors, a parade, and artisan booths. poppy.georgetown.org
FALL ENROLLMENT
NOW OPEN!
Ages 1 - 5 Years
Meet Tuesdays & Thursdays
8am - 2pm
Scan QR Code to Register or For More Info
YOUTH
Wednesday Evenings
6:00-8:00 PM
Fun, Games, Food, Friends, Worship, Devotional & more!
YOUTH
6th-12th Grade
Every Wednesday
KIDS 4 CHRIST
1st-5th Grade
First Wednesday each Month
RESCUE ISLAND V.B.S.
June 5th - 8th, 6pm - 8:30pm
(Kids entering 1st - 6th Grade)
Scan QR Code to Register
Small-town festivals are an essential part of Texan culture, celebrating everything from local history and ethnicity to music, food, and art. Each year, hundreds of small towns across the state host festivals that draw neighbors together, with the additional incentive to entice us to visit and spend a few dollars to support local businesses. These festivals also offer an opportunity to experience the unique charm and hospitality of Texas while also providing a platform for artisans, artists, and musicians to showcase their talents.
There is no shortage of activity to explore in the Lone Star State. This month, have a closer look at some family friendly options near Jarrell and what makes them so special.
The history of that quirky Oatmeal Festival starts with the typical Texas type of moxie that, quite literally, put Oatmeal on the map. At its founding in the 1840s, the community was a group of German settlers living near Oatmeal Creek. Many say the name was an Americanization of the family that owned the area’s first gristmill — Othneil. It did have a post office by 1853 but, for decades, official state maps did not include Oatmeal because it had was no highway intersection.
Finally, in 1978, a resident named Ken Odiorne had a brilliant idea to spoof the Texas chili cookoff
cliché and create a unique event that would draw visitors and attention to his little community. As Oatmeal had only 20 residents, Ken wrote to all the major producers of oatmeal cereal for assistance. National Oats, the maker of 3 Minutes Oats, responded and the Oatmeal Festival was born.
The festival has become a beloved tradition and every Labor Day, rain or shine, draws visitors from all over the state to enjoy oatmeal-themed treats, games, and live music. In addition to putting the small town back on the map, it raises money for local initiatives, including college scholarships for high school students, and construction of a community center in Oatmeal and open-air pavilion in Bertram.
Just 30 minutes from Jarrell, save the date, September 30-October 1, for this annual testament to the ingenuity and humor of small-town Texans. This year's event features the Miss Oatmeal Pageant, live music, barbecue dinner, live auction, pet parade, and the grand parade, as well as kids zone and vendor booths.
Cuero has a rich agricultural history and an annual festival to celebrate the farm product that made it famous: the turkey. In 1908, the first processing plant opened on the edge of town, making it easier for farmers to deliver flocks to a central location for processing and shipping. Since it was 1908, there weren’t many trucks around so getting the birds to town was no easy feat. Resourceful farmers herded the turkeys on foot like a cattle drive and the annual trek through the streets began to draw visitors from far and wide.
And the crowds grew. In 1912, the city hosted the first official Turkey Trot and more than 30,000 people flocked to Cuero to see the spectacle of 18,000 turkeys being herded down Main Street snapping up corn scattered in the streets to keep them moving. The town leaders added agricultural shows, a carnival, big band dances, a football
game, floats and gowns decorated with turkey feathers, and the crowning of the first Turkey Queen, Minnie Lee Mangham.
Legend has it that visiting entrepreneurs were struck by the days-long population explosion and noticed merchants renting out rooms and selling hot meals. They suggested local business leaders create an event around it and the idea for the Cuero Turkeyfest was born.
With the turkey industry slowly moving out of town and turkeys themselves unable to march in the parades anymore, the original Turkey Trot race bowed out in 1972 but a committee formed to keep the festival and the Turkeyfest continued, sans round-up, with many turkey-themed activities and contests.
Save the date, October 13-15, 2023, and witness the "World's Largest Turkey Fryer" just over a two-hour drive from Jarrell. Visitors will also enjoy live music performances, carnival rides, a turkey calling contest, turkey race, and more.
The Czhilispiel Festival has been a beloved annual event in Flatonia since 1973 and is a great way to experience the unique culture and hospitality of the area. The festival's name is a playful Czech take on the word chili and the German word spiel, meaning play. The 2023 festival is a family-friendly event that takes place October 27-29 and includes a pageant, 5K, and Halloween costume contest.
Flatonia was established in 1873 and named for pioneer merchant F.W. Flato. It was known as a melting pot for immigrants from all over western Europe, including English, German, Bohemian, Czech, and Italian. Today, while still a small town, it is a well-known spot for train watchers, with one of Texas' longest-standing manually operated railroad switching towers featuring North-South and East-West cross rails.
The festival began as a fundraiser to support a local Flatonia student's medical school education. At the
time, Flatonia did not have a doctor, so the community organized a Czech heritage festival and chili cook-off, Czhilispiel, to raise money for his tuition. The student agreed to serve the community for five years after completing medical school, but ended up staying longer and made a lasting impact on the town's medical care. Today, Czhilispiel continues to use proceeds from the festival to support scholarships and community services.
One of the main attractions of the Czhilispiel Festival is the czhili cook-off, which draws participants from all over Texas to compete for the title of best chili. Other food vendors offer a variety of Czech and Texan cuisine, including kolaches, sausages, and barbecue. In addition to the food, the Czhilispiel Festival features live music performances, carnival rides, and a variety of games and contests, such as the young farmers egg toss, tricycle races, and jalapeño eating contest. There is also a parade, beer garden, and marketplace featuring local artisans and craftspeople.
Ican still see you standing at the sink, washing dishes by hand, and thinking myself clever to have figured out that the ever-present stains on the hips of your house clothes came from the thousands of handwipes there. Always too busy multitasking to remember where the dishtowel landed last. Cooking, cleaning, helping with homework, and stretching that coiled telephone cord across the kitchen, keeping up with dozens of friends who were likely doing the same things in their own kitchens. The cord seemed to be perpetually at running-kid-throat height and resulted in many a comical, feet-up Looney Tunes moment. Ahh, childhood.
I still marvel, though, that with all your problem solving, I still get text photos of your foot when you try to pick up a Facetime call. But I also envy your life because I can’t think of two friends I’ve had the time (and mental space) to casually chat up on the phone in the last few months.
I remember being so annoyed during most of my childhood for the free labor we kids provided. It remains not funny that the answer to, “Why can’t we get a dishwasher?” was always, “Don’t need one, I have four of them.”
I would always have preferred to be watching afternoon reruns of Gilligan’s Island and Bugs Bunny rather than peeling potatoes or hanging clothes on the line outside. And what kid in her right mind would have been happy to give up a Saturday afternoon in the basement ironing, the only distraction a television that didn’t have a picture unless you banged on the screen to make the tubes light back up? I feel like scolding my younger self for not appreciating the peace of a single task in a quiet room and the simple sense of “doing for my family.”
I also recall a recent dinner gathering and the shock and awe of those who couldn’t believe I know how to do things like grow food and snake a drain. I can only wish that my son would sit by my side for hours today in idle fascination and random conversation while I make strawberry jelly from berries we picked ourselves, cut patterns for sundresses, or wallpaper the kitchen.
I remember being awakened in the middle of the night to take medicine and it didn’t occur to me that you must have set an alarm, without complaint, to wake yourself at 2am to make sure I didn’t miss a pill. I remember how hard I tried to please you, and how much I wanted you at every game, play, and piano recital, because I knew the praise was already forthcoming and I couldn’t wait to hear it. None of us thought to thank you for handing us your change every Sunday so we could all have something to put in the collection basket when it went by.
We made fun of your crazy hats and weird orange lipstick even if it was the 70s. We laughed at your bad puns and intentional goofs to test our grammar and history facts. And the photos of the six of us in matching homemade tank tops at Six Flags (so you could see us in a crowd) would likely have been mildly viral in a later time. But even today, I make an effort to be funny or silly because your laughs are genuine, and you are easily filled with joy.
Here’s the thing, Nance. I am only now old enough to recognize the value and utter uniqueness of growing up with a mom who was raised with Depression-era values. I still save bread bag ties and mend my clothes. I often have a moment of guilty entitlement when I realize I filled up my whole grocery cart without adding up the prices in my head. I remember the dignity you always showed when you handed me items to take back to the shelves because we didn't have enough money that day.
Perhaps neither of us realized it at the time, but I am so grateful for the self-reliance that came, via osmosis, through the chores and all the “mom’s little helper” times. I am happy to be a link in a thousand generations of folk wisdom that binds me to all those moms before us.
For my part, I'll probably have to settle for sharing my AI search engine tricks over a Zoom call to help my son navigate the digital era and cross my fingers that he might stop by for homemade fried chicken once in a while.
For everything we never thought was simply making me the mother that I am, Happy Mother's Day
I have tried many chiropractors and have had the good fortune to meet many good practitioners. Dr. Taryn stands out from most because of her intuitive and healing approach. Her adjustments are gentle and I always feel great afterwards. She has helped me develop better posture and body awareness with the exercises and stretching techniques she has shown me. She is the only one I use now and I highly recommend her!
For some Jarrell ISD students, the best part of the school year is being able to participate in the Special Olympics. Last month, more than 650 athletes from all over the region gathered in Georgetown to compete in track and field events.
As the seven athletes representing JISD headed out, they were surprised to see the band, cheerleaders, fellow students, and community members standing outside to wish them luck with a parade send-off. Andrea David, Director of Special Education for Jarrell ISD, says the energy and excitement around the field was contagious and students could be heard encouraging each other while getting pepped up to compete.
“Our kids did amazing! It was a lot of work, but it was so worth it. Congratulations to all seven of our athletes for bringing home a medal in every event!”
Andrea David, JISD Director of Special Education
We are a full-service veterinary practice that provides comprehensive medical, surgical, and dental care for the furry members of your family. We believe in providing thorough and caring clinical services to every animal we meet and we are proud to enhance this care with upgraded, state-of-the-art equipment and diagnositcs at our new, larger facility. We hope to serve you and your pets soon, and help keep them healthy for years to come.
