My Jarrell Monthly • March 2024

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 vice president of the Jarrell Education Foundation, is on the District and Igo's Educational Improvement Committees, was a director on the Sonterra MUD Board for five years, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has just under 2,000 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 WRITERS/COPY EDITORS

Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Linda A. Thornton • Rachel Strickland

GRAPHICS & DESIGN

Sandra Evans • Zion Eaton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Christianna Bettis

DIRECTOR OF SALES • Allison Smith

IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne

CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

nick@myjarrell.com 512-746-4545

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All rights reserved. MyJarrellMonthly 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

EDITOR'S NOTE | CAMY REYNOLDS

Dear Readers,

Although it’s only March and the beginning of spring, the sneaky heat has slipped in and tricked me into thinking it is already summer. It’s a small reminder that school will be out before we know it and there is no better time than the present to start planning for it. Sonterra MUD Parks and Recreation has taken the pressure off by offering an extensive list of summer camp opportunities right here in our own community. Whether your child enjoys sports, cooking, or STEM building, our camps have a little bit of everything, guaranteeing your child will have a blast this summer!

Some of the area's most frequently asked questions center on road repairs and improvements. We sat down with Precinct Four Commissioner Russ Boles to get an update on the latest projects and what the county has slated for this year.

In the spirit of celestial wonder, we focus on the excitement and anticipation of the April 2024 solar eclipse. Across our region, watch parties are springing up, turning this astrological event into a unifying moment. We also delve into the details and cool facts about this cosmic curiosity.

I want to thank Jarrell ISD Police Chief Mezayek for working diligently to ensure the safety and protection of our children not only in the classroom but also at their extracurricular activities. My kids have enjoyed getting to know him on Saturdays during their basketball games. We also congratulate Chief Mezayek for being named Citizen of the Year at the Jarrell Chamber Gala.

There are so many exciting things happening all around us that we don’t want you to miss. From a sold-out Jarrell Chamber Gala and new church launches in our town, to extraordinary members of our community like Dr. Marsha Farney, serving where they live, we’ve got it all for you and more to read in this issue.

ASK AN EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS

COVER FEATURE

FITNESS

RAISE THE BAR: Paige Parliament 817-526-1934

Alec Brem 254-265-3162

Monday - Thursday • 200 CR 306, Suite 4400

Fridays at Sonterra Pool • 510 Sonterra Blvd

Themed water games: 80s, Your Favorite Superhero, and 2024 Summer Olympics

 9am-10am | 5-8 years

$100 for one week; $150 two weeks*

 10am-11:30am | 9-13 years

4:30pm-6pm | 14-18 years

$150 for one week; $200 two weeks*

*$25 EACH ADDITIONAL CHILD IN SAME HOUSEHOLD

The primary focus of the Fit Kids program will be to meet children's developmental levels, natural abilities, and interests while exposing them to the gym environment and helping them set and achieve wellness goals.

COOKING

NERDY COOKS: Jessi Cano 512-761-7144

Monday - Friday • 9am - noon or 9am - 4pm | 6-12 years

Half day: $175 / Full day: $325

Teaching skills via interactive activities to keep children engaged and nurture a lifelong love of cooking.

STEM: LEGOS®

ESTEAM LEARNING LABS: Joshua Roush 256-996-5745

Monday - Friday • Full day 9am-4pm • $275

Half day 9am-noon • 1pm-4pm • $135

Build, program, battle, explore, create stop-action movies, and more. Young builders, engineers, and creatives are given age-appropriate LEGO® lessons, games, and activities.

BASKETBALL

TRIPLE THREAT CAMP: Chez Slayton 469-693-9818

Monday - Thursday only • 9am - noon | 8-15 years

$100

Players (beginner to intermediate levels) will learn fundamentals of the sport from a referee's perspective through friendly competition. Chez and her clinician have pinpointed areas kids need to strengthen to remain competitive.

SPORTS CAMPS

SKYHAWKS VOLLEYBALL / SOCCER / FLAG FOOTBALL: Sydney Hall 954-501-9738

Monday - Friday • 9am - noon | 6-12 years

$169

Group play according to ability.

SPORTS DISCOVERY

AMAZING ATHLETES: Emilie Campbell 512-548-0550

Monday - Thursday only • 9am - 11am | 4-7 years

all abilities • $125

Skills-based camp with games and interactive sports lessons: soccer, baseball, football, basketball, lacrosse, and hockey. Kids work on speed, agility, flexibility, muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness, hand-eye coordination, balance and more. Designed to allow children of all athletic levels and abilities to participate. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes.

KINESIOLOGY

KIDOKINETICS: Sam Farber 512-522-8655

Monday - Friday

 9am - 10:30am | 18 months - 4 years

 9am - 10:45am | 5-8 years

 11am - 12:45pm | 9-12 years

$150 - $200

Enhances cognitive development through movement via 20 different sport activities. Bring a towel for splash pad breaks.

DANCE

KINDERDANCE: Heather Hardesty 512-468-7419

Monday - Friday

 9am - noon | 3-7 years • $165

 1pm - 4pm | 7-10 years • $165

Join us for a week of dancing, crafts, tumbling, and so much more. Kampers need to bring a water bottle and snack each day. A show-off for families will be on Friday of camp - 11:45 am for morning group and 3:45 pm for afternoon group.

SPORTS 'N SPLASH

SPORTS 'N SPLASH: Emily Schlueder 512-818-5096

Monday - Friday • 9-am - noon | 5-10 years

$100

Focus is on getting kids outside and moving to have fun. Group games /warm up activities, followed by interactive games focused on learning the basics of soccer, basketball, and volleyball. Camp days conclude with an hour of cooling off at the splash pad.

WK 7 JUL 22-26

WK 8 JUL 29AUG 2

LEGO®

Adv Engineering 8-15 yrs

Extreme Maker 6-9 yrs

Net

Flag Games: capture the flag, tag

KIDOKINETICS

Backyard Games: kickball, baseball, corn hole, horseshoes

KIDOKINETICS

Field Days: tug-of-war, relays, sack races, balloon toss

YouTube Mythbusters Camp

FLAG FOOTBALL

WK 9 AUG 5-9 FITNESS

ALL CAMPS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Registration is now open and available online at each provider's website or ParksAndRec.Sonterramud.org/ community/pass/. Students will also receive fliers with QR codes to bring home after Spring Break. Please contact Sonterra MUD Parks & Recreation at parks@sonterramud.org if you have questions, or call your camp director (phone numbers on facing page).

Sonterra MUD Parks & Recreation will have staff members assisting with check-ins and waivers on the first day of each session. All camp participants should bring their own water bottles plus snacks and sunscreen where appropriate.

POOL SEASON

The Sonterra Pool will open Saturday, May 25. Scan the code to register for swim lessons today.

The Parks & Recreation department still has openings for lifeguards ($16/hr), pool managers ($20/hr), and front desk recreation leaders ($18/hr). Blake says he hopes to have job fairs coming soon to enable the department to recruit quality employees easily. Be on the lookout for more information or contact parks@sonterramud.org.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

Chasing Shadows

Millions will have the chance to enjoy a rare, fleeting cosmic spectacle during this year’s total solar eclipse that will cast a shadow across North America next month. On April 8, the moon will pass between the sun and Earth and completely block the sun, leaving viewers in darkness for a few minutes. (Not to be confused with last year’s annual solar eclipse, in which the moon passed between the sun and Earth but appeared smaller than the sun because the moon was at its farthest point from Earth.)

Unlike the annual solar eclipse in October, a total solar eclipse is much rarer. “A total solar eclipse is one of the most beautiful natural occurrences you can experience,” says Mark Bottorff, associate physics professor at Southwestern University. “If you live in the ‘lower 48,’ know that this will be the last total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous United States for a long time. The next one will be on August 23, 2044. So, you will either have to wait two decades or plan to travel abroad to see one!”

Preparing for the Total Solar Eclipse

Total solar eclipses are rare not because they occur infrequently – one takes place every 18 months – but because they are only seen from a tiny portion of the Earth’s surface each time. The path of the 2024 total eclipse will cover less than 1 percent of Earth’s surface, stretching across Mexico, 13 states in the U.S., and Canada.

Whether you plan to watch from your backyard, attend a local viewing party, or take a road trip to a solar eclipse festival, here are some tips to help you prepare for this awe-inspiring celestial show.

In Williamson County, the full eclipse will start at 1:36pm on Monday, April 8 and last just over three minutes. To see all stages of a total solar eclipse, you must view it from a location along the path of totality.

FEATURE

 Safety first: Be sure to wear glasses designed for solar viewing (regular sunglasses are not sufficient and can cause permanent eye damage). Do not look at the eclipse through a camera lens, telescope, or binoculars. The only time it is safe to look at a total eclipse without eclipse glasses is during the brief period of “totality” when the sun is completely blocked by the moon.

Cosmic Celebration

 Plan ahead: Due to an increase in visitors coming through Central Texas to view the eclipse, residents should limit travel on major roadways on Eclipse Day, as well as refrain from stopping on road shoulders to view the eclipse. Plan ahead for possible travel delays, consider carpooling, and allow extra time to get to your destination before and after the eclipse. In addition, fill up on gas, food, and essential items prior to the eclipse as visitors to the area will affect available inventories.

 Monitor the weather: You’ll find out what the weather will be like at your chosen eclipse spot about three days beforehand. (Eclipsophile.com is a great website for checking short-term weather forecasts before Eclipse Day.) Prepare a Plan B in case of cloudy weather.

 Viewing parties: Check out Worth the Drive for a list of solar eclipse viewing parties!

Scan the codes to learn more about the 2024 total solar eclipse.

eclipse.aas.org

greatamericaneclipse.com

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A LOCAL VIEWING PARTY OR ARE WILLING TO TRAVEL TO ONE OF THE

MANY ECLIPSE EXTRAVAGANZAS, CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING LIST OF EVENTS TO PLAN YOUR CELEBRATION OF THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE APRIL 8.

RIVER RANCH COUNTY PARK

Enjoy a view of the eclipse from Liberty Hill, with hands-on activities, viewing equipment, and refreshments. Experts will be on hand to provide educational information about the eclipse.

Pay Use Entry Fee • 194 Reveille Way, Liberty Hill

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Assoc. Professor of Physics Mark Bottorff will be on site with telescopes; or bring your own to Academic Mall. Complimentary eclipse glasses provided on a first-come-first-serve basis. Food, refreshments, and commemorative eclipse-themed t-shirts and stickers available for sale. 11am–3pm.

Free Admission • 1001 E University Ave., Georgetown

INNER SPACE CAVERN

Nature enthusiasts can experience the wonders of the sky as well as the underground at Inner Space, which will host an eclipse viewing party from 12-3pm and cavern tours from 9-10:30am and 3-4pm. Picnic tables available and guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Viewing party tickets are $25.99/person and include a $10 tour discount that can be used any time.

4200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Georgetown

WORTH THE DRIVE

AUSTIN

UNIVERSE IN VERSE

An annual celebration of science featuring musicians, writers, poets, artists, physicists, and astronauts who gather to give poetry readings and tell science-themed stories. This year, on the eve of the eclipse, the public is invited to gather under Waterloo Park’s starlit skies as writer Maria Popova takes listeners on a journey through the scientific discoveries of Newton, Kepler, and Galileo, as well as stories of the historic eclipse expedition that made Einstein famous and of the forgotten woman who published the first popular science book on eclipses. Throughout the event, authors will intersperse Maria’s lecture with poetry readings.

6-9pm Sunday, April 7, tickets by donation. • Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park, 1401 Trinity St

TOTAL ECLIPSE VIEWING PARTY • APRIL 8

The Long Center will host a viewing party on its lawn with live music, a visual storytelling experience, and eclipse-themed beer from local breweries as well as food and other refreshments. The first 1,000 guests will receive eclipse tote bags and all guests will receive complimentary viewing glasses. 11am–3pm

Free Admission; must reserve tickets online • 701 W River side Dr

SPACE-THEMED STORYTIME • APRIL 9

The next morning, Radiolab host Molly Webster will lead families through a reading of her book, Little Black Hole, a space-themed story about belonging and the power of friendship. 10–11am

Free admission • Meredith Heritage Tree Deck at Waterloo Park, 1301 Trinity St

KERRVILLE

KERRVILLE ECLIPSE FESTIVAL

Guests can look forward to scientific speakers, live music, and children’s programming at Louise Hays Park. NASA will livestream the eclipse at the park with the City of Kerrville, one of only three cities in the U.S. chosen by NASA to livestream the eclipse. Festival grounds will open in the morning, free and open to the public.

Louise Hays Park, 202 Thompson Dr

KERRCLIPSE MUSIC FESTIVAL • APRIL 5-8

Guests can enjoy food and craft vendors, live music, solar eclipse-themed science presentations, live music, and camping. Ticket prices vary.

Quiet Valley Ranch, 3876 Medina Hwy kerrvillefolkfestival.org

SCULPTURE PRAYER GARDEN

Glimpse the eclipse from this 24.5-acre garden park that features Christian art. Christian author Troy Brewer will be joined by international worship minister Paul Wilbur, and food vendors, T-shirts, and eclipse glasses will be available for sale. Free admission • 520 Benson Dr

BOERNE

CAVE WITHOUT A NAME • APRIL 6-9

Visitors can enjoy a three-day, family friendly camping experience featuring cave tours, cave and outdoor concerts, eclipse viewing party, and stargazing. Ticket prices vary.

325 Kreutzberg Rd

TEXAS TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE HALF MARATHON • APRIL 8

Celebrate the eclipse with a marathon ranging from a 0.5-mile Fun Run to 5k and 10k races, followed by an after-party with the City of Boerne. Some eclipse glasses will be available. 7:30am $40+ • 102 City Park Rd

Here's to clear skies, warm hearts, and the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos. Happy eclipse viewing to all!

Transports Guests to Tuscany ChamberJarrell Gala

Several businesses and community leaders were honored with awards:

1. Newcomer of the Year: Heaven and Hair Salon

2. Best Place to Work: Taylor Press Products

1.

4.

5.

by Camy Reynolds

With elegant jazz music and decadent dishes, the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce’s annual gala certainly fit its A Night in Tuscany theme. Sherry Smith, president and CEO of the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce, says she was thrilled with how the sold-out event turned out and enjoyed seeing all the chamber members come out to support one another.

Tammy Young serves as chair of the Jarrell COC and says, “It was truly gratifying to see the business community show up and enjoy the gala this year. We have so much planned for the coming year and look forward to collaborating with Jarrell's businesses, making the Chamber an even more valuable resource.”

3. Civil Servant of the Year: JISD Chief of Police Sharif Mezayek

4. Business of the Year: CTX Mowing and Landscape

5. Chairman’s Award: Whitney Hicks

2.

3.

What is junior kindergarten?

Our junior kindergarten is an accelerated pre-k class that was developed for children who “just miss” the birthday cut-off (age 5 by Sept 1st) for kindergarten. During your child’s year in junior kindergarten they will build foundational phonics and math skills while developing a love for learning through student-led inquiry and hands-on activities!

*Phonics and STEAM based curriculums

*Academic instruction alighted with the TEKS

About our School

*Focus on Biblical character trait building

*Weekly Bible study and monthly school-wide Chapel

*16:1 student-teacher ratio

*Fine Arts program

*Field trips

*Community engagement

Does my child meet the criteria for junior kindergarten?

To qualify for junior kindergarten students must mee the following criteria:

*Will turn 5 between Sept. 2nd and Dec. 31st of the current school year.

*Has completed a pre-k program prior to enrollment OR been assessed by administration and granted admission

At the heart of Kids’ Zone Christian Academy is Christ! We strive to give our students a strong academic foundation while preparing them for life as a Christian leader with a heart for service!

Beginning in junior kindergarten, our students are exposed to a wide vartiety of educational experiences taught through a combination of traditional instruction, inquiry based learning, and hands-on activities.

Charter development and social-emotional education are also integral to our program. We integrate Conscious Discipline throughout our school and implement a Biblical character trait curriculum to encourage and promote the developtment of positive, Christ-like character.

Class sizes are kept at a 16:1 student to teacher ratio. Small classroom ratios are imperative to providing each of our learners with differetiated instruction through small groups and one-on-olne learning.

Along with academic studies, student life is enriched with Physical Education (P.E.), Music, Art, and Chapel.

Kids’ Zone Christian Academy currently serves students junior kindergarten through fourth grade.

To apply for the 2023-2024 School year, please contact us: admin@kidszonechristianacademy.com | 512•595•1080

www.kidszonechristianacademy.com

by Ann Marie Kennon • images courtesy Williamson County

Driving Growth with Road Projects

STRATEGIC ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN JARRELL

Jarrell growth will soon reach a new threshold as the city welcomes its first stoplight, a milestone that highlights the city's continued growth. Plans were revealed in December by Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, who said the new light, at the intersection of FM 487 and C. Bud Stockton Loop, will be installed and working within the next six months.

Adapting to this growth, especially near school areas, has meant officials are also considering widening roads to improve safety. Addressing Com-

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

missioners Court, Jarrell ISD Superintendent Toni Hicks praised the efforts the county has made so far but — recalling an incident in which a student was struck by a car — emphasized the importance of increased safety at the high school's single egress.

So, in addition to the stoplight, the county is also widening C. Bud Stockton Loop and building a median. These enhancements are particularly important along the sections adjacent to Jarrell High School, which will benefit from additional access points for safer student and vehicle movement.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles explains, "Commissioners are always assessing growth and moving forward on road projects as quickly as we can. However, challenges arise because while private developments and subdivisions are required to meet compliance requirements at the state level, they do not need approvals from the county for construction. So, often, the first time we are aware of a new development is when the plat is recorded. By that time, construction may have already begun on county roads that weren't originally designed for the type or volume of traffic that immediately follows."

We are often in a position of trying to bring safety to the area — playing catch-up — as quickly as we can as soon as we know that new growth is coming.

~ Commissioner Russ Boles

TRANSPORTATION

CR332

Williamson County broke ground on the County Road 332 expansion project in February (facing page), a $2.5 million roadway makeover. This project is a typical example of strategic road safety improvement.

By reconstructing CR 332 to include smoother curves and shoulders, the project aims to enhance motorist safety and mobility, a move Commissioner Boles highlights as beneficial for the community's quality of life. “This is a great road safety project for residents. I believe parents should be home to have dinner with their families, not stuck in traffic.” The county anticipates construction will be complete by fall 2024.

Local residents will likely rejoice to see one important infrastructure improvement, notably the long-awaited repair of the pothole that has caused problems for so long, due to its size and enduring fails, that it has its own Facebook page.

CR 314

Williamson County is also planning to widen CR 314 from the IH 35 Frontage Road, 3.6 miles east, to the turnoff towards FM 1105. The existing roadway is a narrow two-lane road (one lane in each direction) with no shoulders. The new road will be reconstructed as a three-lane roadway with one lane in each direction, a continuous center turn lane, and shoulders to improve safety and mobility. Design is underway and should be completed soon; construction will begin in summer 2024.

WILCO'S MOST FAMOUS POTHOLE

Known as "Lake Sonterra" by residents, the pothole project is unique among the approval of Williamson County road bond projects because it is a repair to a city-managed street to be paid for with county funds. This singular exception is due to Commissioner Boles' commitment to fixing a problem that was actually not his to fix. He says, "That pothole is the number one complaint I get from residents in Sonterra so, even though it is not a county responsibility, the impact it has on residents makes it one of my top priorities." His commitment to resolving issues that impact the community underscore his inclusive approach to facilitating the growth in Jarrell and Sonterra and addressing its challenges head-on.

"We are in the process of selecting an engineer and following the pothole repair," he adds, "the county will make sure there is an aisle lane in place for the city to maintain but our primary goal is to improve the drainage around that section. Poor drainage is what caused the road to fail and where most of the expense lies. Improving the drainage then repairing the road will enable the former pothole site to have a much longer life than what residents are used to seeing now."

For more information about road projects included in the Williamson County Bond for Jarrell and Precinct 4, scan the code to receive the county's quarterly newsletter "Transportation on the Grow."

IMAGE CREDIT FACEBOOK/LAKE SONTERRA

10 WITH DR. MARSHA FARNEY QUESTIONS

2

I DEFINE A GREAT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS ONE THAT celebrates the successes of others and recognizes and encourages team efforts to meet organizational goals.

3 THE BEST LEADERS SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS

by recognizing the accomplishments and value of their team members and encouraging them to explore potential areas for growth to lead/share with the team.

4

I FEEL MOST ALIVE WHEN

I am outside in nature.

ONE THING I TRY TO DO EVERY DAY is actively seek to meet the needs of my students, parents, and colleagues.

ONE FIVE

TO AVOID DISTRACTIONS

I place sticky notes around my workspace that remind me of what is needed from me that day.

photo

PEOPLE YOU NEED TO KNOW

As a counselor at Jarrell Middle School, DR. MARSHA FARNEY’S passion and professional background has always centered on education. She earned her BS and MS in education from Texas A&M and her PhD in curriculum and instruction at the University of Texas. Her professional background includes working as an award-winning classroom teacher, an elementary, middle, and high school counselor, and an adjunct university professor in the College of Education at Texas A&M training future teachers in commerce. She was also elected to and served as vice chair of the Curriculum Committee on the State Board of Education, focusing on math curriculum. She won numerous awards as a legislator in the Texas House of Representatives where she worked to strengthen and improve public education. Personally, she is blessed with three wonderful grown children, a fantastic son-in-law and daughter-in-law and three amazing grandchildren. Traveling is her hobby and her family likes to take trips together and see the world and explore different cultures. She says, “My precious family makes me smile daily as well as my wonderful colleagues and students at JMS!”

6

I HANDLE NEGATIVITY BY trying to be supportive and explore solutions without being dismissive of the difficulty creating the negativity.

ONE THING

THAT

IS DIFFICULT FOR ME BUT I ENJOYis helping students struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts to make safe choices.

8

7

MY BEST ADVICE FOR HANDLING CHANGE

IS to recognize change is a necessary part of growth and to embrace it rather than fight against it.

IN TEN YEARS I HOPE TO...

continue to travel and spend time with my children and grandchildren.

NINE

10 I DEFINE SUCCESS AS making a positive difference in the lives of others, having contentment and peace while growing old gracefully and with joy.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy AMH

Empowering Mothers in Crisis

ANNUNCIATION MATERNITY HOME PLANS EXPANSION PROJECTS

When Grace Davis first came to Annunciation Maternity Home, she was 17 years old and 12 weeks pregnant. Not only did AMH help her achieve her goals of having a healthy baby and finishing high school, it also gave her the opportunity to earn a certificate in culinary arts from Austin Community College.

Grace is grateful for the valuable life skills she learned at AMH, including budgeting, healthy parenting, cooking, sewing, and self-care. Today, she serves as a life skills teacher at the maternity home, giving other young women the tools they need to thrive beyond the walls of AMH. “I felt I had a calling to help girls in the same way AMH helped me. AMH made me into the woman and mom I am today, and I hope I can be a mentor and a guide to the girls in our care.”

Grace’s experience is just one of the success stories Jennifer Morgan has heard during her time as director of donor interest at the maternity home. Thanks to several expansion projects in the works, she is excited to see the growing number of moms who will find refuge and support at AMH.

Transforming Lives

Annunciation Maternity Home was founded in 2001 in north Georgetown after the previous executive director realized many women facing crisis pregnancies were searching for a home rather than a shelter or pregnancy resource center. The only nationally accredited and state licensed maternity home in Texas, AMH serves young women 12 to 40 years old

and provides counseling, life skills classes, assistance with education and job placement, and transportation to jobs and medical appointments.

Although AMH was founded primarily to serve Central Texas, a significant number of residents have come from Houston, Dallas, Temple/Belton, and even out of state. Many of them, Jennifer says, are homeless or trying to escape a domestic violence situation. “I think, with the growing homeless population in Central Texas, we can help avert mothers and children being part of that population,” she says, adding “a lot of girls just don’t have anyone, and we’re an all-women staff, so they have many role models to look up to here.”

Growth Vision

This spring, AMH will break ground on a housing project that will expand the organization’s capacity to serve from 12 to 20 adult moms. AMH currently has the capacity to serve eight teen moms. The new, fully staffed Rita Village will feature amenities like a communal kitchen and living space as well as a community center with exercise and computer rooms. The second phase of the project will expand the Infant Development Center with the goal of providing childcare for more moms while they attend parenting classes.

For those interested in supporting AMH in its mission of serving mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies, the organization welcomes monetary donations, sponsorships for its annual banquet and golf tournament, as well as volunteer mentors, volunteer groups, and diaper and canned food drives.

Planting Faith in Jarrell

Inaugural Service  March 31 at 10:02am Breakfast provided at 9:30am

It's springtime in Jarrell and, as Lenten anticipation merges with the same for bluebonnets, the seeds of Jarrell Community Church (JCC) have also been sown.

Four years ago, Lead Pastor Mason Carmichael and his wife Hannah, after six years of faithful service at River Rock Bible Church in Georgetown, felt a divine pull towards establishing a new faith community in Jarrell. This vision for JCC, deeply rooted in the desire to live out the Great Commission, led them to relocate here in August 2022. Filled with hope and determination, they are now preparing for the church's launch and to weave the message of the Gospel into the fabric where they live, work, and play.

Pastor Carmichael says JCC's mission is founded on the goal of making disciples of Jesus Christ within the community. "We aim to touch every aspect of daily life with the Gospel's transformative power. The vision is clear and profound: To ensure every individual in Jarrell has the opportunity to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be commissioned to make disciples."

He adds that the initial 18 months of JCC's existence have been marked by significant milestones and heartening transformations. "Lives were

changed, and hearts were won for Jesus, affirming our belief in our calling and the community's need for such a spiritual and communal hub."

OUTREACH

Beyond spiritual guidance, JCC is deeply invested in the welfare of Jarrell's residents. This commitment is evident in their approach to community service, which includes partnering with Education Connections and reading to students at Double Creek Elementary. "We have a soft spot for teachers, students, and their families," he adds.

Pastor Carmichael says, "Our goal is to serve our community in a variety of ways: service projects, family care, and recovery ministries. We don’t just want to create temporary solutions, we want to invite everyone in Jarrell to experience the genuine life change that comes through a growing relationship with Jesus and His people."

JCC's leaders plan to offer an array of services and programs to cater to the diverse needs of the community. Future programs — from children and youth ministries to monthly breakfast gatherings for men and women — will create spaces for meaningful connections and spiritual growth. Small

group Bible studies, hosted in homes throughout Jarrell, will provide intimate settings for deeper exploration of faith.

As well, the church facilities, courtesy of a partnership with Jarrell ISD, including the use of their annex and Paw Prints Daycare, underscore a shared commitment to community support and engagement.

JCC is about knowing Jarrell doesn't need another church — it needs to be a community of disciples.

Evelyn McLean,

Small Group Leader

EASTER • MARCH 31

Save the date for JCC's inaugural service, March 31. There will also be three Easter egg hunts on March 30 at 10am in neighborhood parks across Jarrell. All three are free to the public and a great opportunity for families to get connected to JCC.

For more info, scan the code below, email info@jarrellcommunity.com, or visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

Pastor Mason and Hannah Carmichael

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

The Write Way to Wellness

GETTING STARTED

After grabbing a notebook and pen, consider how you want to use your journal and what to write in it. You might note things like what you are thankful for, self-improvement goals, daily activities, and positive affirmations.

If you prefer typing over handwriting, journaling apps like Day One and Diarium offer features like location and weather, as well as an option to incorporate multimedia elements — audio files, drawings, and photos.

In addition, creating a writing routine and scheduling journaling time, such as a few minutes after breakfast or before you go to bed, can help you stay on track even on days when you are feeling uninspired.

JOURNALING STYLES

 REFLECTIVE JOURNALING helps you uncover any deeper motivations, values, and beliefs by recording and reflecting on personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Some prompts to guide your writing: What has been on my mind lately? What did I enjoy about today?

 GRATITUDE JOURNALING is the practice of recording and reflecting on things you are grateful for on a regular basis. Be specific and write things like “I’m grateful for my friend bringing me soup when I was sick” instead of “I’m grateful for my friends.”

As a teenager you might have kept a diary hidden under your mattress as a judgment-free outlet to confess your thoughts and feelings. While that habit might have faded after reaching adulthood, journaling is still an effective way to manage anxiety and alleviate stress by providing a safe space to process emotions, reflect on past experiences, and track progress on your life goals. Check out the following tips to kickstart your journaling journey, along with the wide range of journaling styles and some local events designed to help you connect with other growth-minded individuals.

 STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS JOURNALING involves recording your thoughts as they come to mind without any filter, structure, or judgment, allowing for a raw and authentic expression of your thoughts and feelings. Let go of the need for perfection and write without judgment. Keep the pen moving – if writer’s block hits, write “I don’t know what to write” until new thoughts come out.

ART JOURNALING is a visual diary in which the writer creatively expresses thoughts and feelings through a combination of writing, drawing, painting, collage, and other artistic techniques.

CREATING IN COMMUNITY

 FRIDAY INTENTION SETTING, YOGA & JOURNALING

Join other growth-minded individuals who meet weekly to relax with yoga as well as set intentions to feel confident about the week ahead. Fridays at 7am, Vuka - Bouldin Creek, 411 W Monroe St, Austin. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

 JOURNALING AND WRITING CLUB

Designed to create a supportive, creative space for adults to explore journaling and writing, this club meets monthly and provides a variety of prompts and exercises to help people get started with journaling and writing, with an option to offer feedback on participants’ work. 6-7:30pm on Wednesday, March 20 at Leander Public Library, 1011 S Bagdad Rd, Leander. Free admission and no registration required.

 PAGE MAGE MEET-UP

Enjoy a shared space offered quarterly to reflect on the previous season and stay connected to yearly intentions, track progress of goals, and acknowledge accomplishments throughout the year. Reflection templates and art supplies will be provided.

Spring Reflection on Sunday, June 2 at Medici Roasting, 2222B Guadalupe Street, Austin. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

HEALTHY HABITS

JUNK JOURNALING is a creative form of art journaling that involves using found or recycled materials such as old book pages, magazine clippings, fabric scraps, and postage stamps. This journal can be used in a variety of ways, including as a memory keeper, travel journal, coffee table book for guests, or simply as a piece of art. Unlike higher quality scrapbooks, junk journals usually use old or existing notebooks you find at home.

 ART JOURNALING

This class is designed to help participants express their feelings through colors, shapes, and forms in a safe, judgment-free environment. Watercolor paints, pastels, markers, stamps, and collage materials are provided. Tuesdays at 1 – 2:30pm at Killeen Creators, 701 N 10th St, Killeen. Tickets are by donation and available on Eventbrite.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Corn Hill

Come celebrate with us for Holy Week & the Resurrection of the Lord

Holy Week Schedule

Holy Thursday March 28 7:00 pm

Good Friday March 29 3:00 & 7:00 pm

Holy Saturday March 30 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday March 31 Masses at 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30 am

8626 FM 1105, Jarrell

mainoffice@holytrinityofcornhill.org

Who can resist the tiny mews from a kitten?

WHAT ABOUT A WHOLE LITTER OF THEM?

It’s tough, we know. With kitten season approaching, now is a good time to talk about the best approach if you come across a tiny family of cute and cuddly kittens with Momma Cat nowhere in sight.

contributed by April Peiffer, WCRAS

It’s Kitten Season!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

STOP! Don’t be a “kit-napper”! Before you spring into action, let’s assess the situation to find out if they need intervention. If the kittens are not in immediate danger, injured, or suffering, your first move is to find out if Momma Cat is nearby. You may not see her — she might be out hunting for that much-needed food to feed her babies. Or she might be hiding from you. In either case, she is best equipped to care for her little ones and you should leave them where they are for the time being. To be sure she’s around and able to care for them, you can do a kitten stakeout to watch for her return. Or — try a trick of the kitty trade — sprinkle some flour around the kittens. If the flour has been disturbed when you return a few hours later, you know that Momma Cat is present and taking care of her babies.

WHEN TO SHELTER

 If they are sick, hurt, or in immediate danger, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter is ready to help.

 If they are active — running, jumping, playing — and eating solid food, bring them to WCRAS; they will be spayed/ neutered and vaccinated and staff will help them find loving new homes.

 If you’ve watched out for Momma Cat and she hasn’t returned in 8 to 12 hours, the kittens do need your help and you should bring them to the shelter.

KITTEN SEASON

Kitten season is quickly approaching, and you can play a vital role in assisting the shelter to care for every animal that arrives. Should you find yourself bringing in kittens, we encourage you to offer to foster them immediately. This crucial step enables our staff to evaluate them thoroughly and integrate them into our system. After their initial check-up, you'll have the opportunity to bring them into your home and nurture them until they are ready for adoption.

Fostering kittens is an incredibly fulfilling experience, and our dedicated volunteer mentor team is here to support you, offering all the guidance and knowledge you need to get started.

But remember, no one can care for kittens better than their momma can and leaving kittens where you found them may be the best course of action.

BUCK, COOPER, AND SCOUT ARE THREE “LONGTIME LOVABLES” AT THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY REGIONAL ANIMAL SHELTER. THE THREE BOYS ARE EAGER TO MAKE NEW BEGINNINGS FOR THEMSELVES IN NEW LOVING HOMES, AND THEY’VE EACH GOT SOMETHING UNIQUE TO SHARE WITH A NEW FAMILY THAT WILL BE GREAT ADDITIONS TO THE RIGHT HOMES .

You Had me at WOOF

is an outgoing and sociable fellow that is sure to bring joy and positivity into your life. He’s an allaround good boy, enjoying a good long walk, fetching a ball in the backyard, or lounging on the couch with you after a

contributed by April Peiffer, WCRAS

SCOUT  is what we call a distinguished goofball. Slightly aloof when meeting new people, he wants a moment to get to know folks before accepting them into his circle. He enjoys sniffing around a yard, playing with toys, and long, leisurely walks.

What’s more, once Scout has claimed you as one of his chosen ones, he’ll show off that goofball side with a big slobbery kiss for a greeting.

COOPER  has smarts. He will leave you impressed and wanting to see what more he can learn! He’s already got a full menu of cues under his belt, and he’s got the energy to continue learning every day. He’s even bilingual — esta verdad! If that’s not impressive enough, he’s also a cuddlebug. In other words, Cooper’s a catch!

These three Longtime Lovables are each waiting patiently and eagerly to meet a new family of their own. Each of them is also a senior dog, and all have been given the gift of an Adoption Angel, which means THEIR ADOPTIONS ARE FREE.

If you would like to meet Buck, Cooper, or Scout, send the shelter an email at adoption@wilco.org to schedule an appointment. Or drop in between noon - 6pm daily.

1855 SE INNER LOOP IN GEORGETOWN

WHO WE ARE?

Come enjoy a delicious meal out and help support your cougar community! Every 1st Monday of the month from open until close, a portion of the revenue earned will be donated to the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center!

We are the Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center. Our goal is to create a safe inviting environment for community members to; utilize digital resources, receive information on community businesses/services and mental health resources, provide early childhood education, community education classes (English, ASL, S.T.E.M., ART) and enjoy literature.

WHAT WE DO?

The Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center staff works diligently to create a safe, inviting community center for our neighbors. We offer accessibility to technology, where patrons can navigate through their digital, research, educational and personal needs. Our space is available for book clubs, activities, arts and crafts, social clubs, educational classes and meeting spaces.

Library Director: Susan Gregurek

Catalog and Circulation Clerk: Gina Paja

Library Front Desk: Wanda Keefe

“Great Libraries Build Communities” -R. David Lankes

Your donation makes a difference to our community! Jarrellcommunitylibrary.org/donate Venmo @jarrelllibrary

DIGITAL HUB:

• Google Classes

• Technology for community use (TV, projector, document camera)

• Printing/Scanning/Fax Services

• Chromebooks for group activities

• SIMPLYE Digital Reading

• Space for web-based meetings

If you’d like to volunteer, please contact us: jarrelllibrarystaff@gmail.com | jarrellcommunitylibrary.org | 512-541-1036

Hours of Operation: SUN & MON: CLOSED | TUES-THURS: 10AM-6PM | FRI: CLOSED | SAT: 10AM-2PM

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Revolutionizing First Response

JARRELL INVENTOR'S RESCUE DEVICE ENHANCES LIFE-SAVING EFFORTS

When people ask Charles Ashby what inspired his HandsFree Extractor invention, he will say he wishes it were a more interesting story. “I would love to say that I was on the 14th floor of a high-rise building and sprang into action [to save someone’s life], but that’s not the way it happened. I was sitting on a recliner watching an old Western and had a thought about how firefighters save people.”

A former president of the Williamson County ESD #5 / Jarrell Fire Department Board, Charles would review training videos showing firefighters how to rescue victims from crisis situations by grabbing them under their arms and dragging them out of harm’s way. “It’s the same way a caveman would have drug someone.

...Typically you’re going backwards and can’t do anything with your hands or eyes. Too many times, the rescuer becomes a victim.”

So Charles decided to create a device that would provide a better way to save lives.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Charles Ashby

"SWISS ARMY KNIFE"

Designed to help first responders remove victims from harm's way as fast as possible, the Hands-Free Extractor (HFE) also called the “Jefe,” is a light, compact tool that allows rescuers to attach themselves to victims and pull them to safety, while keeping their hands free and moving in any direction.

While he designed the HFE with firefighters in mind, Charles calls it the Swiss Army knife of rescue tools since it can be used for various purposes. “I have pulled two calves out of their mamas with this thing. You can use it if you have a dog that gets hurt, or as an animal drag for hunters. If you have a felled tree, you can use this to pull it out of the way.”

INVENTION JOURNEY

Charles’ innovative venture has led him to trade shows all over the U.S., where he has met many first responders who are grateful for his life-saving invention. “I went to a Navy Seal reunion that wanted to see this in action. One guy said, ‘God, where’s this been? This is a game changer.’”

Former Jarrell Fire Chief Mark McAdams agrees, calling the HFE a versatile tool for firefighters whenever they find themselves in dangerous environments. Each Jarrell firefighter now has a HFE, and Charles says he looks forward to helping them with their training “on the numerous ways it can benefit them and their victims. I certainly hope they never have to use the HFE, but if they do, I know it will save time, energy, and lives. Then I look forward to getting the HFE to all first responders, law enforcement, and the military, nationwide.”

FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND

Things they Didn’'t Teach You in Science

Sloths and manatees are the only mammals that do not have seven vertebrae in their neck.

If you squeezed an average cumulus cloud into a container, the water content would weigh about one million pounds.

Every C in “Pacific Ocean” is pronounced differently.

The 'black' box on the airplane is painted orange to make it easier to find after an accident.

Tornadoes are invisible. We can't see wind what we see is cloud vapor and all the stuff churned up from the ground by the vortex.

It's a good thing Greenland sharks live to be about 400 years old. They aren't able to reproduce until they are about 150.

The technical term for this... # is "octothorpe."

A postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University believes the purpose of a yawn may be to cool the brain. The stretching of the jaw to yawn increases blood flow in the neck, face, and head. At the same time, the deep intake of breath forces a downward flow of spinal fluid and blood from the brain. The air breathed into the mouth cools these fluids.

William Shatner actually went into space in 2021 at age 90, so... did you know Gene Roddenberry wrote lyrics for the Star Trek theme song because he wanted the composer to have to split the royalties with him?

All other mammals —field mice to giraffes— have seven.

Soooo... you're saying being bored or sleepy makes our brains hotter?

Beyond / The rim of the star-light My love / Is wand'ring in star-flight I know / He'll find in star-clustered reaches Love, / Strange love a star woman teaches. I know / His journey ends never His star trek / Will go on forever. But tell him / While he wanders his starry sea Remember, remember me.

Yes, you'll be humming it all day... you're welcome.

Farm to RoadsMarket

WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

by Linda Thornton

In the early 20th century, Texas found itself at a crossroads. With more than 127 million acres dedicated to agriculture, and 97 percent of its farms being multi-generational family operations, the state leading the nation in terms of the number of farms and ranches. Recognizing farmers were the backbone of Texas's economy and cultural heritage, state leaders were faced with a critical challenge: How could Texas expand opportunities for its farmers in a way that would enable them to remain on the land they cherished?

THE FM ROAD IS BORN

In an effort to create a system of better-quality roads that would connect rural and agricultural areas to towns, cities, distribution centers, and railroad hubs, the Texas Highway Department established the Farm to Market Road system statewide. Defined as a state highway or a country road, the first FM road built in 1936 was just 5.8 miles of pavement.

The program received instant acclaim and prompted the need to increase it to more of the vast, isolated areas of

the state. By 1949, the legislature had passed an annual appropriation of $15 million ($200 million in 2024 dollars) from the State General Fund for the construction of farm to market roads.

FARM TO MARKET V. RANCH ROADS

In 1932, to appease ranchers who wanted to recognize that not every area of the state was farmed, the Highway Department added the Ranch Road (RR) designation to the FM Road System. Agricultural roads east of U. S. 281 are generally farm to market roads. Those west of U.S. 281 are ranch to market roads. Although the signs read “Farm Road” and “Ranch Road,” the actual designation is FM - ”farm to market” and RM - “ranch to market.”

Owned and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the -to Market system accounts for more than half of the mileage of TxDOT’s road system. In total, 3,550 routes are designated within the FM system, of which 3,370 are FM and 180 are RM and, today, the term is mostly associated with Texas.

According to TxDOT, Texas is the only state to have farm to market roads, though Louisiana, Missouri and Iowa have similar supplemental routes.

FM roads are maintained and paved at highway standards, with one lane traveling in either direction though some have transitioned into what are considered freeways with speed limits up to 75 mph. Others have maintained their rural charm and many a Texan will tell you there is no mistaking a country FM road, with its narrower, more winding route that distinguishes it from other highways.

TO FM OR NOT TO FM?

When TxDOT realized some FM roads transitioned into urban road counterparts with the same route number, it seemed reasonable that Texas might have outgrown the use of its historic terminology and FM roads should be renamed.

Texans staunchly argued “farm to market” was a better fit for the state’s identity and the costs associated with signage were not justified. TxDOT acquiesced to the growing grassroots campaign and decided against renaming FMs, transitioning all urban roads

WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?

back to their original FM designation. With more than 500,000 road signs on state-maintained roads — more than any other state — no doubt the TxDOT sign department breathed a collective sigh of relief.

FM STATS

 The longest Farm to Market Road  is FM 168 at 139.421 miles.

 The shortest Farm to Market Road  is FM 742 at 0.175 mile.

 The longest Ranch to Market Road  is RM 187 at 81.9 miles.

 The shortest Ranch to Market Road  is RM 3474, at 0.694 mile.

Years later, Texas continues to ponder the question: did the FM roads keep people on their farms or, instead, were they responsible for introducing farmers to the cities? Did farmers send their crops and then their children down the FM road? Is that how the Texas landscape changed, slowly replacing prairies with shopping centers?

The latter is true in at least one place. Next time you travel, take note of the highway sign one block from the Houston Galleria shopping mall. The eight-lane Westheimer Road, also known as FM 1093, may just be a part of some Texans’ daily commute, but to others, it’s the intersection of the old and the new Texas.

FM Country Road Etiquette 101

 Take a minute and wave to each other on the back roads.

 On two lane roads, move over if it’s safe to let another car pass you.

 When merging onto a highway, learn to look for trailers loaded with animals or hay that will not always be able to quickly move over.

 Keep your distance and remember livestock, horseback riders, tractors and other farm equipment have the right of way.

 Be aware of animals and creatures crossing the road.

Savory Spring Dining

TEA-BRINED DOUBLE-FRIED CHICKEN

There's nothing quite like al fresco dining when our Texas weather is just right. Fortunately, April provides many opportunities to take our meals outside and savor the fresh air. Check out these delicious comfort food recipes that are perfect for a cool evening meal at the end of a warm day.

And don't ignore a few health benefits of taking meals out of doors. Natural sunlight gives us Vitamin D and being away from screens and distractions allows us to enjoy our food mindfully.

Plus, studies have shown spending time in nature can help boost the immune system. Exposure to fresh air and natural sunlight can help increase white blood cell count and reduce inflammation, leading to a healthier immune system.

With all that in mind, maybe go ahead and have a second piece of chicken!

BRINE

• 8 c. sweet tea

• ½ c. Kosher salt

• 10 sprigs thyme

• 1 head garlic

• ½ lemon (sliced)

• 4 drumsticks

• 4 chicken thighs

COATING

• 3 T chili paste

• 3 T molasses

• 3 garlic cloves

• 1 T cayenne pepper

• ½ c. lard or unsalted butter

• Salt

 In large saucepan, bring 4 cups of sweet tea just to a boil. Add kosher salt and stir until dissolved. Add thyme, halved garlic head, lemon slices and remaining 4 cups of sweet tea and let cool completely, then refrigerate until well chilled.

 Add chicken to the brine, cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

 Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

 Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine 3 garlic cloves with the chili paste, molasses, and cayenne and puree until a paste forms. Add lard and puree until smooth. Season with salt. Scrape the chili mixture into a very large bowl.

 In large saucepan, heat 3 inches oil to 350°F. Set a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Spread 1 cup flour in a pie plate. In medium bowl, whisk remaining 1/2

BREADING

• 1-½ c. all-purpose flour (divided)

• 1-½ T cornstarch

• 1 c. seltzer

• canola oil for frying

cup flour with cornstarch, and a generous pinch of salt. Whisk 3/4 cup of seltzer until a thick batter forms, adding more seltzer if needed.

 Dredge 4 chicken pieces in the flour, tap off excess and transfer to the rack. Dip 1 piece of chicken at a time in the batter, let the excess drip back into the bowl and add chicken to hot oil. Fry chicken at 350°F, turning occasionally, until pale golden and crisp, about 8 minutes; transfer chicken to the rack. Repeat with the remaining 4 pieces.

 Return first 4 pieces of chicken to the hot oil and fry at 350°F until golden and reaches internal 165°F, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining 4 pieces of chicken. Add chicken to very large bowl with the chili mixture and toss to coat. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve right away.

FOOD

THE BEST DINNER ROLLS

• 4-5 c. all-purpose flour

• 2 T rapid rise, instant yeast

• 1/3 c. granulated sugar

• 1 t salt

• 1-½ c. warm milk (110°F)

• 5 T butter, softened

• 1 egg, room temperature

INGREDIENTS

Combine 3 cups flour and remaining ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer.

Attach the dough hook and mix on lowest speed until flour is incorporated, scraping sides of bowl as necessary.

Pinch off pieces of dough and form 24 rolls. Size may vary but, if weighed, they should be about 2 ounces each.

Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Add 1/2 cup flour and blend with dough hook until incorporated. Add another 1/2 cup flour and repeat, mixing at medium speed 2 minutes until a ball forms.

Add additional flour as necessary. Dough should be slightly sticky, soft, and pulling away from the bowl’s edge.

Transfer dough to lightly greased bowl and cover with towel or plastic wrap. Let rise 30 minutes at room temperature. Remove cover and deflate dough by punching down slightly.

GREEN GRAPE PIE

In 19th-century Texas, spring was not a time for great dessert fruit. Pioneers did have sugar from local mills, which they used to sweeten the readily available but very tart green Mustang grapes.

“Green” means unripe. Pick them when they are nearly full size, but still green. The seeds will not have had a chance to harden; they are still soft and relatively small so they will not be noticeable in the pie.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg beaten • 1-½ c. sugar

• 3 T flour • ¼ t salt

• 1 c. heavy cream

• ¼ t vanilla

• ½ t lemon juice

• 1 c. de-stemmed green grapes

• 1 unbaked pie shell with top lattice strips

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

Transfer rolls to lightly greased quarter baking sheet or 9”x13” baking dish. Cover with towel or plastic wrap and let rise an additional 30 minutes at room temperature.

Bake in pre-heated 375°oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Tent with foil to avoid too much browning.

Remove rolls and, while hot, brush with melted butter. Serve immediately or store cooled in a plastic bag for up to three days.

Mix first 7 ingredients to make a custard. Then mix in the grapes and pour the mixture into the pie shell. Add crust strips to make a lattice.

Bake 45 – 50 minutes, or until golden brown.

Home Office Heroine

Leigh is reflecting this month on the grand saga of modern — particularly post-COVID — life. She has truly become part of that breed of hero rarely celebrated: the Work-FromHome Warrior. A valiant soul, armed with nothing but a trusted computer and Wi-Fi connection that oft functions with an air of ambivalence, she embarks daily on epic quests from the comfort of a pajama-clad kingdom.

The typical tale begins as Leigh’s alter ego, Lady Pajama, rises from slumber to face a primal challenge: acquiring the sacred elixir known as black tea. With a mighty yawn and a search for the slippers that speak for the growing national trend of plantar fasciitis — as many workers in her guild labor without shoes in the later days — Lady Pajama shuffles to the kitchen, where she is confounded by the dreaded empty canister.

Mild panic ensues as she realizes she must brave the perilous journey to the outside, to the Mart of Walton, a mere three-minute trek but rife with the possibility of having to talk to people. Summoning her courage, along with some tedious socks and outside shoes, Lady Pajama dutifully sojourns, battling traffic and fellow warriors who are similarly unhappy to be wearing shoes. After what feels like an eternity, she returns triumphant, holding aloft a fresh box of English Breakfast like a dragon's head on a pike.

With oversized mug resting against her chin in the tender embrace of always-cold hands and sending sweet-

ened steam to a cold nose, Lady Pajama prepares to face her next challenge: the Zoom call. Armed only with her wit and the mute button, she selects a green-screen background, the necessary reflexive expression of her identity of the day like a mood tartan. This day she chooses Trinity College library, to reflect an arcane and thoughtful mood and perhaps avoid drawing attention. Her subtle smile of greeting betrays her wish that her window shall simply be relegated to the bottom left corner, where none might pay her mind. As she bends an ear to the barons of bottom lines and ramblings on mystical words like synergy and KPIs, Lady Pajama wonders if perhaps she has stumbled into a parallel dimension where time has no meaning and productivity is but a distant memory.

On this day, she merrily notes the face of a favored fellow she-warrior among the pixelized portraits. Happy to see one with whom she has oft aligned in the kingdom, she commences immediately to out-of-sightof-the-digital-eye phone scribing. The arduous challenge now before her is to endeavor to refrain from expressing great mirth whilst others converse about non-funny things like synergistically-thinking-outside-the-box-actionable-new-paradigms.

As the day wears on, Lady Pajama finds herself locked in mortal combat with her arch-nemesis: the bed desk.

What was once a cozy refuge for late-night Netflix binges has now become a siren call, tempting her with

a lack of back pain and promises of midday naps. With every click of the keyboard, Lady Pajama feels the pull of temptation, threatening to drag her into the abyss of unproductivity. But fear not, for our heroine is made of sterner stuff. With steely determination, she banishes the bed desk to the realm to which dogs, the DVR, and other distractions are cast away, and returns to her rightful place at the desk.

And so, dear reader, the saga of the Work-From-Home Warrior continues, filled with triumphs and tribulations alike. Though the battles may be fought in pajamas rather than armor, and the spoils come in the form of virtual high-fives rather than gold and glory, one thing remains true: the spirit of the home office hero burns bright.

Yea, in the gloaming of Boomers and Gen-Xers, for whom digital life retains its aura of magical Jetson’s-esque convenience, the glow of the home office hero casts a radiant beacon to latter generations for whom the technology frontier will forever be relegated to “in the days of yore.”

Yet, here, amidst the hallowed halls of hearth and home, Lady Pajama gratefully weaves the tapestry of domestic life with the threads of professional duty. Pleased to be able to kindle her hearth ere day is done with deeds both great and small—garments are washed and twilight feasts begun—all whilst standing steadfast in the service of myriad callings of the realm of commerce. Huzzah!

by Camy Reynolds

TCOMMUNITY HEROES

American Legion Donation Empowers Jarrell Fire & Rescue

hanks to Jarrell’s Joe Kott American Legion Post #317, the Williamson County ESD 5 / Jarrell Fire & Rescue was able to purchase a new utility terrain vehicle. Emboldened by a request from the fire department several months ago, the Legion presented the department with a $10,000 check in February to contribute to the vehicle.

Jarrell Fire & Rescue extended a heartfelt thanks on Facebook to the Legion for their partnership in making the purchase of the Wildland UTV a reality. “Our new UTV will come with [a] Post 317 logo on each side as a constant reminder of our friends therein and the cooperative relationship that made this moment possible.”

As a veteran-centered organization, the American Legion shares a kindred spirit with those who serve the community, including Jarrell Fire & Rescue. Legion Commander Mary Simek says, “Just as we were boots on the ground during our military service, they are now boots on the ground in service to our community. We feel that, as such, we are all family, and we have a responsibility and an obligation to help each other succeed.”

She adds that Legion members were proud to be able to contribute to such a worthy cause and pledge to continue to donate, as they are able, to the fire department and other entities in the community.

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 diagnostics at our new, larger facility. We hope to serve you and your pets and help keep them healthy for years to come. Our team looks forward to welcoming you and your fur babies soon!