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 over 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 • Patrick St. Cin
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT • Dawn Goodall
IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne
CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel
ADVERTISING INFORMATION dawn@myjarrell.com Office 512-598-6598 • Cell 512-677-3400
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
WHO WE ARE
In an age where the rush of daily news often overshadows the deeper narratives that shape our community, My Jarrell Monthly constantly strives to be an eager beacon of positivity and unity. Far more than just a lifestyle magazine, our publishers and staff are committed to creating a means of getting to know what makes our community thrive—its people and their impact.
Since its inception in 2021, My Jarrell Monthly:
Has grown with the community – we originally mailed to 4,200 homes and businesses in 76537 and now mail to approximately 9,000 homes and businesses monthly.
Works closely with Jarrell Independent School District, the Jarrell Chamber of Commerce, Sonterra MUD, Jarrell Economic Development Corporation, Jarrell Community Library and Resource Center, and the City of Jarrell.
Is a local business, located in Jarrell, that employs local people.
Has, to date, mailed over 300,000 magazines within the 76537 area.
But we are also good at doing what we do – showcasing prominent community agencies and initiatives like the Jarrell Education Foundation, Jarrell ISD students, FFA, 4-H, and many more on our covers and in multi-page features. These not only celebrate their contributions but also inspire readers to personally engage and participate in the missions of these community pillars.
In every story, from first responders and community leaders to the latest events and programs, our purpose is to foster a sense of pride and connection. In short, we believe My Jarrell Monthly is more than a magazine; it is a vital part of the community’s fabric that spotlights advocacy, education, and celebration. We hope you will agree it stands as a testament to what we can all achieve when we choose to focus on the positive and the possible.
Jarrell Fire and Rescue Junior Fire Cadet Camp was just the start of myriad family-friendly summer events around town.
Between the summer reading programs at the library, the Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo, Independence Day fireworks, and the Dive-In movies at the Sonterra Pool, there's plenty of summer fun to keep your family entertained. Stay cool!
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Meet our Pros — industry professionals, business owners, and subject matter experts from leading local companies who share their knowledge and expertise to bring readers practical advice, how-to tips, best practices, and current and emerging trends. To learn more about becoming a featured pro, contact dawn@myjarrell.com or 612.677.3400.
DID YOU KNOW?
by Linda A. Thornton • images courtesy Christen Killebrew
MAKING WAVES
INSIDE THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL MERMAIDS
W hile being a mermaid sounds glamorous, it takes a lot more work than one might think, with much required physically, mentally, and emotionally to become certified.
A QUICK DIVE INTO MERMAIDS AND MERMAIDING
Stories of these beautiful mythical sea creatures have always been a part of maritime culture. According to legend, when a Syrian goddess named Atargatis dove into a lake to become a fish, the gods, entranced by her beauty, transformed her lower half into a fish while leaving her top half human.
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen was first published in 1837 and Ariel, the main character, still charms audiences through Disney adaptations.
In the 1940s and 50s, Esther Williams, U.S. swimming champion turned movie star, captivated movie audiences with exciting water ballet and underwater segments.
Since 1947, the mermaids at Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs have performed three shows a day, every day of the year and still wow crowds with their synchronized swimming as well as eating and drinking — all underwater!
With the rise of social media, freelance professional mermaids soon garnered attention. Elle Jimenez, also known as Mermaid Elle®, is a mermaid entertainer and performer, with more than 4 million followers on social media, and a booking fee of $10,000 an hour.
PHOTO BY CAMY REYNOLDS
Today, mermaid career opportunities include performers, entertainers, instructors, and professional competitors. The World Mermaid Championship, Miss Mermaid International and the Merlympics offer contestants monetary prizes and a chance to travel the world.
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Your mermaid adventure can simply be a professional photo shoot or basic lesson to experience what it’s like to wear a tail, but if you are serious about the sport – made official by USA Artistic Swimming and Aquamermaids – it’s important to be properly trained.
According to Christen Killebrew, local mermaid entertainer and instructor, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Mermaid™ courses are the most popular accreditation program, incorporating conservation education and a high level of safety standards into their training. Each level of instruction begins with independent online classes and progresses to hands-on water skill sessions. While wearing a monofin – a swim fin that attaches to both feet and is built into a mermaid tail – you will learn different types of kicks, turns, and glides as well as rescue skills.
If you progress to freediving and advanced classes, you will learn breath holding techniques in both confined and open water sessions, and practice static and dynamic apnea – the art of holding your breath while stationary
“ANYBODY CAN BE A MERMAID. YOU JUST NEED A LITTLE MAGIC AND FAITH.” ~ CHRISTEN KILLEBREW, MERMAID
and while swimming. Adjusting your weight belt for proper buoyancy and learning emergency hand signals are both crucial.
Once certified, Christen suggests the best way to practice safely is to join a mermaid pod — a group of mermaids who are like-minded in their training skills, safety ability, and attitude toward conservation.
Now that you can swim like a mermaid, you need to look like one, keeping in mind that mermaid tails can cost thousands of dollars. The global mermaid tail market is projected to grow from $151.4 million in 2023 to $240.2 million by 2029, demonstrating that beyond the enchantment of bringing aquatic mythology to life is a respected industry that continues to preserve its magic and mystery.
by Charlotte Kovalchuk
WGearing Up for Safety
JARRELL ISD PD HOSTS BIKE SAFETY COURSE
ith so many young bike riders in the Jarrell community, Jarrell ISD Police Chief Sharif Mezayek decided to offer a learning opportunity this summer to help ensure kids enjoy a safe summer out on the streets. “We sometimes see kids riding down the middle of the road, which is not the safest, so we want to get a message out for bike safety.”
In June, Jarrell ISD PD hosted two bike safety courses and will host its final session from 9am to noon on Saturday, July 12 at Igo Elementary. The comprehensive course, taught by Chief Mezayek and Sergeant Jason Wolf, will educate participants on essential biking skills, including obeying traffic rules, controlling their bikes and checking them for roadworthiness, and adhering to proper bike etiquette. The session will also focus on the importance of safety equipment such as lights to enhance visibility during night rides. To support this lesson, the department will provide headlights and taillights for the kids’ bikes, generously donated by the Masonic Lodge in Georgetown.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
The course will also offer hands-on learning opportunities, including an obstacle course and bike ride in the school parking lot alongside Chief Mezayek and Sergeant Wolf. “Bikes can be a really fun way to get exercise and travel around with friends but we also need to teach the kids safety. Overall, we just want them to have fun but be safe doing it,” the chief says. He adds, “What I’m most excited about is hanging out with kids in a different setting so we can continue building the relationships we strive to build every day.”
While the class targets elementary students, kids of all ages are welcome to attend the class and no pre-registration is needed.
For more information, scan the code or visit Jarrell ISD’s events calendar at jarrellisd.org/Page/ 2#calendar1/20240620/month.
The extraordinary talent displayed by girls who had no prior gymnastics background inspired them to launch a competitive team. Jake and Emily are especially proud of their girls this year, who participated in 15 meets in the Dallas and Houston areas and won many top awards. Jake is pleased to note this is a remarkable achievement for a small gym competing against larger, more established ones. Three gymnasts – Ariel Londigan, Isabella Jimenez, and Kylee Diaz – each took first place all around at the final state meet for their coordinating team.
Cultivating Champions and Lifelong Skills iTumble Girls Soar in Gymnastics Competitions
When Jake and Emily Clear opened iTumble six-and-a-half years ago, their initial focus was on providing a fun, recreational gymnastics hub.
SUCCESS IN AND OUT OF THE GYM
Jake and Emily’s daughter Gracee has been another standout performer, earning more than 100 medals in the past three years. “It’s been a very long three years, especially with competitions every weekend, but it was a lot of fun. Having my teammates there and cheering each other on and being able to do something that I loved was just amazing,” she says.
Beyond the medals and trophies, the Clears are proud of how the girls represented iTumble with their support, kindness, and integrity, whether by helping injured teammates to the podium or encouraging one another and other teams during their events. During three competitions, judges praised the kind and encouraging spirit shown by iTumble’s teams. Even opposing coaches noted their kindness, saying their own teams could learn from the iTumble girls.
Jake also notes the personal growth and confidence the girls have developed during their iTumble experience. “We’ve seen so many girls overcome incredible challenges, from injuries to severe shyness. Their passion has helped them excel, even though it was really hard for them,” Emily says.
Jake recalls Kylee’s journey from extremely shy girl to winner of this year’s spirit award during one of the meets for being
a vocal champion for her teammates. “She’s so much more vocal and confident. Gymnastics gave her that confidence. It does that for many kids.”
Kylee’s mom Presley says, “She was too shy to do any sort of group activity for the longest time and when we finally found iTumble, they really worked to build that confidence and break her out of her shell.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY
The Clears take pride in the closeknit community they have created at iTumble. “We know their favorite colors, their interests, and we encourage them to communicate and support each other. It feels like more than just a gym to them; it’s a home,” Jake says.
The Clears are excited about the future of iTumble, which will include a new platinum competitive team and grow the gymnastics team roster to about 50 girls, reflecting the growth and success of the gym’s program and the remarkable achievements of its athletes.
SILVER 2024
AROUND TOWN
1
Sonterra Splash Pad 510 Sonterra Blvd., Jarrell
Splash pads, an increasingly popular feature in Williamson County’s parks, neighborhoods, and playgrounds, offer a water play experience that is fun and environmentally friendly. Unlike traditional swimming pools, splash pads conserve water through efficient design and operation. These water play areas use a closed-loop system, in which water is continuously recycled, treated, and recirculated. This system drastically reduces the amount of fresh water needed, as the same water is used multiple times.
Wetzel Park Splash Pad 821 Main Street, Liberty Hill 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
San Jose Park & Splash Pad 1707 San Jose St, Georgetown
Rabbit Hill Park 1109 Blue Ridge Drive, Georgetown
Garey Park 6450 RM 2243, Georgetown
Downtown Georgetown Splash Pad 816 S. Main St., Georgetown
Robin Bledsoe Park 601 S Bagdad Rd, Leander
Williamson County Regional Park
The Quarry Splash Pad 3005 County Road 175, Leander
Lakewood Park 2040 Artesian Springs Crossing, Leander
Additionally, splash pads are designed to minimize water waste. They often feature motion sensors that activate the water when users are present, ensuring water flows only when needed. This smart usage of water prevents the constant flow often seen in fountains or pools, leading to significant savings. Moreover, the water used in splash pads typically drains into an underground tank where it is filtered and sanitized before being pumped back out.
As well, the stepping surfaces and apparatuses at splash pads are typically made of non-porous materials, which also help conserve water by directing all used water back into the recycling system. By combining these innovative technologies, splash pads offer a sustainable and enjoyable water play option that aligns with modern water conservation efforts.
THE BEST LEADERS SUPPORT THEIR TEAMS
by fostering open and honest communication. One of the first steps to foster open and honest communication in your team is to set clear expectations for everyone. This includes defining the goals, roles, responsibilities, and deadlines of each team member, as well as the communications chain of command. Having clear expectations helps avoid confusion, and assumptions that can lead to frustration. It also helps align the team around a common vision and purpose and creates a sense of accountability and ownership.
I FEEL MOST ALIVE
WHEN I feel that I was able to make a difference in someone’s life. When I get to see a smile on the face of a stranger. When I get to spend time with friends and family.
I HANDLE NEGATIVITY
BY controlling what I allow to occupy my mind. It may sound crazy, but I tell myself that I should evict the negative thoughts that don’t pay rent to occupy my mind time. I don’t spend much time with people who are negative and draining. I tell people all the time, spend time with people who want to spend time with you, and pray for the others. By keeping your life in balance, you are better equipped to handle the negative comments or situations that come your way. I feel that this world can throw things at us that we are not equipped to handle, and it’s though the power of our faith and prayer that we see the healing we so desperately need.
WITH PAUL LEAL PCT. 4 CONSTABLE QUESTIONS
I DEFINE A GREAT ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE
AS one that is formed by investing in the success of their employees. This is done by providing development training, initiatives, coaching, and new responsibilities for employees. Here at the Williamson County Pct. 4 Constable's Office, all our sworn personnel have been awarded their FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Certification and we are the only Constable’s Office in the nation to have earned our Agency FBI-LEEDA Agency Trilogy Award.
ONE THING I TRY TO DO EVERY DAY
is remind others that they matter, and that they are valued. I try very hard to remind myself that life is too short and to make the most of every day.
TO AVOID DISTRACTIONS
I look at my calendar the day before and set my clothing out the night before. I make a list of things that must get completed for that day. I turn off distractions. I try my best to get comfortable. I set goals for the day, try to get good sleep, and set small rewards for myself.
ONE THING THAT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME BUT I ENJOY
is public speaking. The ability to read your audience and know whether you are connecting or not can be a challenge. To leave your audience always wanting more than wishing they had gotten less. When everything lines up, the enjoyment you feel is like no other.
3
FIVE
8
MY BEST ADVICE FOR HANDLING
CHANGE IS to know that change is coming is the first line of defense. Life has a way of changing things. We must remember that no one gets through life alone. It is okay to ask for help. That’s a sign that you know yourself well enough to realize you need some assistance and someone to talk to. I have a group of trusted friends and family members that I know I can reach out to. Again, we must remind ourselves not to let negativity occupy our mind time.
IN TEN YEARS I HOPE TO
still be your Williamson County Pct. 4 constable. I hope to be a grandfather to many more grandbabies. I hope to be moved out of my two-story home with no more stairs. I hope to be enjoying good health and preparing for retirement.
PAUL LEAL’S 25+ year career in law enforcement includes stints as a police sergeant for the City of Hutto and the Williamson County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office as well as his current role as Precinct 4 constable since 2021. Just a few of his recognitions include the 2022 State of Texas Law Enforcement Achievement Award for Public Service, multiple congressional and Texas Senate awards, and his Facebook Constable nickname for the viral You Dump It, You Clean It campaign he implemented to combat illegal dumping in his precinct. A lifelong Taylor resident, Paul and his wife Michelle have been married for 31 years and have six children –“two biological and four we picked up along the way.” 10
NINE
FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND
H2O-M-G
Water is not just an Earthly phenomenon. It's abundant in space, found in comets, asteroids, and even on moons like Europa (Jupiter) and Enceladus (Saturn), where it exists as ice and possibly liquid beneath their icy crusts.
At extremely high pressures, water can exist in a state called "hot ice" or ice VII, which is denser than liquid water and forms a solid at temperatures that would normally melt it.
A single dripping faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Fixing leaks can significantly reduce water wastage and save money on utility bills.
Texas is home to more than 7,000 man-made reservoirs, making it the state with the most reservoirs in the U.S. The largest, Lake Texoma, spans the Texas-Oklahoma border and covers about 89,000 acres.
Water can remain liquid below its freezing point in a state called supercooling. If supercooled water is disturbed, it can instantly freeze.
The concept of "virtual water" refers to the hidden water used to produce goods and services. For example, producing one pound of beef requires about 1,800 gallons of water, while a single pair of jeans takes about 2,900 gallons.
The average American has a water footprint of about 2,000 gallons per day, which includes direct water use and the virtual water embedded in food, products, and services.
Texas has a unique system of water rights known as the "prior appropriation" doctrine, where the first person to use water for a beneficial purpose has the right to continue using that amount of water. This system is crucial for managing the state's scarce water resources.
An inspired MIT student created "smart ice cubes" that can track how much alcohol you drink. The cubes change from green to yellow to red to alert you to how much you've consumed. If you continue to drink in the red, a text will be sent to a designated friend to ask him or her to step in.
Earth has a closed water cycle, so it just keeps recycling. That means every sip of water could have been part of an ancient swamp or even an ice age glacier. This means the water molecules you drink today may have once passed through a dinosaur.
WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?
by Linda A. Thornton
Buc-ee's Dams the Bridge Between Convenience Store
and Amusement Park
The year was 2012 and excitement was building. Cintas, a corporate supplier to the service industry, was about to announce the winner of its annual nationwide restroom contest. Gathering nominations from the public, the judges would then select 10 finalists based on cleanliness, visual appeal, innovation, functionality, and unique design. Final voting would be open to the public, allowing them to choose which upscale venue would take the throne for Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom Award.
That year, the Academy Award of Lavatories went to Buc-ee's in New
Braunfels, Texas — at the time the world’s largest convenience store. Set on 18 acres, the 68,000-squarefoot store that featured 60 fuel pumps and 1,000 parking spaces emerged into the national spotlight.
A SHREWD BUSINESS PLAN
In 1982, Arch “Beaver” Aplin had just graduated from Texas A&M and started working at his father’s construction company. He decided to open a standard 3,000-square-foot convenience store in his hometown of Lake Jackson. With no actual plan in mind, it was when he met Don Wasek, another nearby convenience store owner, that the magic began.
They decided to team up, opened their first store together in Clute, Texas and began adding more across the state. The name Buc-ee's was a combination of Beaver’s childhood nickname, his dog’s name, Buck, and the then Ipana toothpaste mascot, Bucky the beaver.
The term “travel center” seemed like a better name for the expanded version of the store that Beaver and Don opened together in Luling, Texas in 2003. The 35,000-square-foot store sparked the concept for their new enterprise:
f “Clean, friendly, and in stock” was their new motto.
f New locations would be modeled after truck stops, imitating their size and volume. Ironically, commercial trucks would not be allowed at their gas pumps.
f Their target audience would be the affluent market segment.
f Private label merchandise would allow for bigger profit margins.
f Discounted products would not be offered.
f Bargain-priced real estate and low interest rates at the time would finance expansion.
f Customers would be lured off the road with the combination of gas pumps and fabulous restrooms.
WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?
The owners of the privately owned chain tend to stay away from the spotlight. Beaver and Don each own 50 percent of Buc-ee's Holdings, Inc., and have clearly defined roles. Beaver, the more animated of the two, focuses on construction, expansion, and marketing while Don, who shuns publicity, manages operations.
A CULT FOLLOWING
The metal sculpture of Buc-ee outside every store stops most in their tracks for a photo op. In keeping with the slogan that “everything is bigger in Texas,” the super-size store overwhelms many with the sheer breadth and scope of the product selection, with most featuring Buc-ee’s smiling face. Baked goods, tacos, fresh sandwiches, and self-serve drink and coffee stations surround the fresh brisket, turkey and pulled pork continuously being sliced at the big horseshoe-shaped “Texas Roundup” barbecue stand in the store’s center.
The restrooms are a particular source of pride to Beaver, who designed them himself, with walls rather than stalls, metal doors, and a 24-hour, year-round cleaning staff. He keeps on top of new innovations and is always working to perfect the original design.
In 2018, the company began expanding outside of Texas. Since then, Buc-ee’s locations total almost 50 and can be found in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
Every few years, Buc-ee's keeps the folks at the Guinness Book of World Records on their toes:
In 2012, the New Braunfels location was named the largest convenience store in the world at 68,000 square feet.
Then in 2023, Sevierville, Tennessee took the title with their new 74,707-square-foot Buc-ee's.
Now, as of this past June, the largest Buc-ee's in the world resides in Luling, Texas at 75,000 square feet with 120 gas pumps.
At the Luling Texas opening, one customer waited patiently in line all morning to be able to say he had visited every one of the Bucee's locations. When interviewed, he noted that he was traveling one day, stopped for gas and a bathroom break, and was hooked from then on. Another customer mentioned the downside of living in the same town as a Buc-ee’s. He said he was sure he and his family would be welcoming more house guests who would invite themselves to visit so they could tour the famous addition to their town. For more information about Buc-ee’s, visit buc-ees.com
WORTH THE DRIVE
by Rachel Strickland
Chill Out: Cool Spots to Beat the Summer Heat in Central Texas
While pools and lakes are popular spots for escaping the Texas heat, numerous other unique outdoor destinations await within a short drive of Jarrell. From stunning waterfalls in Austin to the crystal-clear waters of Wimberley’s Blue Hole, Central Texas is home to a variety of scenic spots that offer refreshing fun for the entire family.
t GORMAN FALLS
Nestled deep within Colorado Bend State Park, Gorman Falls is a stunning 70-foot spring-fed waterfall that rewards those willing to embark on a rigorous 1.5mile hike over rocky terrain. The journey along the Gorman Falls Trail is dotted with sights such as prickly pear cacti, Ashe junipers, and other native Texas vegetation. The breathtaking falls are accessible year round, with the park open daily 6am - 10pm. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children 12 and under. 1201 Colorado Park Road, Bend, 1.5-hour drive from Jarrell.
WIMBERLEY BLUE HOLE
Wimberley’s Blue Hole features stunningly clear, tranquil waters fed by Cypress Creek, making it an idyllic place to cool off on a scorching summer day. Located in Blue Hole Regional Park, the swimming hole is surrounded by hiking trails, bike paths, and picturesque picnic spots. Blue Hole's swimming season runs from May 1 through Labor Day, with weekends in September. Reservations are required to access the swimming area. 333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, 1.5hour drive from Jarrell.
TWIN FALLS & SCULPTURE FALLS
WORTH THE DRIVE
t KRAUSE SPRINGS
Krause Springs, situated in Spicewood, is a 115-acre swimming and camping site privately owned by the Krause family for over 50 years. Recognized for its historical significance, Krause Springs is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites and features more than 30 springs, several of which feed both natural and man-made pools. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 4-11, and free for children under 4. 424 County Road 404, Spicewood, 1.5-hour drive from Jarrell.
For an adventurous day, take the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail to discover Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. This 3-mile trail follows Barton Creek and features two stunning waterfalls. The trailhead, located off MoPac Expressway, offers free parking. Twin Falls is about a half-mile from the trailhead, though the path is rocky, while Sculpture Falls lies further north along the trail. 3918 S. MoPac Expy, Austin, 1-hour drive from Jarrell.
t NOLAN CREEK
Belton’s Nolan Creek is an ideal destination for swimming, kayaking, or tubing without straying far from civilization. Originating from springs in the Fort Cavazos area, the creek features clear waters and plenty of ducks to feed, as well as several limestone drops for easy access and an area for tubes and kayaks near the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge. The scenic 1.2mile hike and bike trail winds through Harris Community Park, Yettie Polk Park, and Liberty Park, offering multiple access points. One popular spot is near The Gin, a historic area with restaurants, shops, and ample parking. 219 S. East St., Belton, 20-minute drive from Jarrell.
Irecently read about the Museum of Failure – a traveling exhibit that showcases the world’s most fascinating flops. The description reads: "Innovation needs failure. All progress, not only technological progress, is built on learning from past failures and mistakes. The museum aims to stimulate productive discussion about failure and inspire us to take meaningful risks."
I’m totally on board with this idea. Is there anything more American than using failure to come back even stronger? How many test rockets blew up before Alan Shepherd left Earth gravity? Eight years later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon.
It got me thinking: What if we all curated our own Museum of Failure? I can imagine throwing a party for my faceplants and belly flops, right alongside my triumphs. Although I do continue to be grateful that my 20s and 30s did not include YouTube and TikTok (so that night I spent $60 on fancy drinks, all of which wound up in a dumpster, is not memorialized forever on the Internet — so, yeah, epic fail).
Maybe if we start viewing our spectacular faceplants as part of our victory laps, we might just summon the courage to stare down our fears and take a few audacious leaps we’ve been dreaming of. Embrace the flop, dance with the disaster, and remember that every glorious misstep is just another chapter in our life success saga.
Sadly, in the publishing business, mistakes don't just happen, they are
Leigh’s Hall of Failures
also replicated in hundreds or thousands of printed things that go out into the world. My whole list wouldn’t fit here but here are just a few tributes to my thought-it-was-a-good-idea-atthe-time moments.
Trying to save the company money on a massive print job by choosing an economy grade paper stock. The printer messed up the perfect-bound page order and ran out of my special paper stock to fix it. So, 75,000 copies of a federal employee annual digest had a page 7 and a page 7a and an incorrect table of contents.
Unfortunate typo on the cover of [County Name] Public Schools Capital Improvement Plan, which went out to 14,000 school employees without the L in public.
My very first promotion of a website to my association’s member companies wasted a lot of company money. But, back in 1993, did you realize how picky the Internet was and that www.website/com would get you nowhere? So, 4,000 mailing labels went in the trash.
That time I wrote an epic investigative series, thinking all the while it would put me on the map and prove I had what it took to be a professional writer. What I learned was maybe I might have asked whether the story *should* have been written rather than how viral it was going to be. The lesson there was no matter how vicious you think the Internet is, when you are the one in the cross hairs, it is so much worse. In other words, make darn sure your 15 minutes of fame are worth the vitriol you will most assuredly receive.
In my defense, I’ve been in publications for almost 35 years and probably written a few million words by now — many before spell-check and A.I. were a thing. But reflecting on it, each of these flops has shaped what I do today. I am hysterical about grammar and proofreading, and I get a happy dopamine rush when I catch errors in my own, or anyone’s documents, or billboards… or junk mail… or anything. And on those few occasions when I get a cheerful note from someone who liked what I had to say, or how I said it, I still do a little happy dance to have received a slice of approval from a stranger.
I also recognize the stress of a perfection-based industry and remember to live my professional life like Jean Giraudoux, who said, "Only the mediocre are always at their best." Plus, while I agree A.I. is a great tool, I still edit the helvetica out of it. At my keyboard, I am Apollo Creed in “Rocky II”… A.I. writes great, but I’m a great writer.
Even with the many headslaps, I’m still writing and producing things and remembering my 12th grade English teacher's words: “Writers become great by weight.” Back in the 20th century, the output was paper, which had mass and volume. I suppose today we become better writers by the byte, but it doesn’t sound as sexy.
So be like Leigh — and the U.S.A. — and go celebrate your losses as necessary precursors to your future wins. Maybe you’ll get to have your very own page in a magazine someday too.
Summer Fun Heats Up in Jarrell
Summer in Jarrell is in full swing with a variety of exciting events that brought the community together throughout June. Sonterra MUD Parks and Recreation hosted its first movie night of the summer at the Sonterra Pool, with families gathering to watch Trolls World Tour while floating in the pool or lounging on the deck. June also marked a milestone for the Jarrell Fire & Rescue Junior Fire Cadets, who graduated from their academy after learning CPR and fire safety procedures, climbing aerial ladders, using fire extinguishers, planning an escape route from their homes, and engaging in many other educational, confidence-building activities. Visitors also enjoyed a weekend celebration of all things western at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo that featured heritage rodeo traditions as well as live music, food vendors, clothing and craft booths, and a kids’ zone.
