Images Tyler, TX: 2008 by Journal Communications

2008 | IMAGES-TYLER.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES TM T M

OF TYLER, TEXAS

ALL A BIG ACT Cowan Center provides first-rate facility for performing arts groups

BIKE, HIKE OR DIVE IN State park offers something for everyone

Homes on the Range SPONSORED BY THE TYLER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2008 EDITION | VOLUME 3 TM

OF TYLER, TEXAS

CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 18

HOMES ON THE RANGE With excellent residential options surrounding top-notch courses, Tyler has earned a reputation as a golfer’s paradise.

22 FLOWER-POWERED FESTIVALS Two major annual events are why tourism just keeps coming up roses – and azaleas.

26 TAKING CARE OF EAST TEXAS Tyler is the heart of health-care services for residents throughout the region.

30 PITCHING CAMP Summer around here holds promises of s’mores, sleeping bags, swimming and stargazing, thanks to three area camps.

34 BIKE, HIKE OR DIVE IN Tyler State Park grows in popularity with offerings to suit nearly every visitor.

38 IT’S ALL A BIG ACT The Cowan Center provides a ﬁrst-rate facility for performing arts organizations.

ON THE COVER Photo by Antony Boshier The Cascades golf and residential community

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TYLER BUSINESS 42 Business You Can Really Bite Into Quality and substance are keys to success for local enterprises that specialize in food and drink products.

46 Biz Briefs 49 Economic Proﬁle

D E PA R TM E NT S 14 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Tyler culture

52 Portfolio: people, places and events that deﬁne Tyler

58 Image Gallery 63 Health & Wellness 67 Sports & Recreation 69 Arts & Culture 71 Education 73 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know

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What’s Online More lists, links and tips for fo orr newcomers o n new

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WEB SITE EXTRA

MOVING PICTURES VIDEO 1 INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Tyler through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at images-tyler.com.

VIDEO 2 TYLER ROSE PARK Stop and see the roses by gazing at the thousands of gorgeous blooms within Tyler Rose Park at images-tyler.com.

VIDEO 3 CALDWELL ZOO See some of Tyler’s most colorful residents on this tour of Caldwell Zoo at images-tyler.com.

PLUS SEARCH OUR ARCHIVES Browse past issues of the magazine by year or search for speciﬁc articles by subject. INSTANT LINKS Read the entire magazine online using our ActiveMagazine™ technology and link instantly to community businesses and services. EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; ﬁnd related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

GARDENING IN TEXAS Texans have excellent opportunities for establishing all kinds of gardens. There are many wonderful plants available, and Tyler is known nationally for its glorious roses and azaleas. Find out more at images-tyler.com.

BARBECUE: A SIMPLE SOUTHERN PLEASURE One of the simple pleasures of Southern dining is the down-home barbecue experience. Beef is most often the meat of choice for Texas barbecue. Get a taste of regional cuisine at images-tyler.com.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Tyler is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Tyler tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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It Was the First Trivia answer: Tyler’s first property ever to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places was the Goodman-LeGrand Home, located on North Broadway Avenue. The home is now known as the Goodman Museum, and it originally began as a one-story, four-room house constructed by Samuel Smith in 1859. The home is now named for the family of its third owner, Dr. W.J. Goodman. The family lived in the home for more than 70 years. The residence underwent several additions and renovations to give it a Classical Revival look by the 1920s, and the mansion has remained largely unchanged since. The museum is open for public tours, with many of the Goodman family’s antique furnishings on display.

Larry, Cat in Space Plenty of star power can be found at Hudnall Planetarium. The astronomy-based building was built in 1963 on the campus of Tyler Junior College, and is used as an educational exhibit room and domed viewing theater. The dome of the theater is 30 feet in diameter, and the planetarium offers an assortment of telescopes for the public to view the heavens. Hudnall Planetarium also hosts a number of children’s programs, including “The Friendly Stars” that provides an overview of planets. Another program is called “Larry, Cat in Space” that features a cat who lives with his owner, Diana, on the first science outpost on the moon.

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Andrew Would Be Proud It was the first building in Tyler to have running water, and it served as the city’s public library until 1980. The historic 1904 Carnegie Library Building is one of the few original Carnegie libraries remaining in Texas, and today is home to the Smith County Historical Society. Andrew Carnegie granted funds to the city for the construction of the library in the early 1900s, and its architectural features include a domed ceiling in the meeting room and an arched stage in the auditorium. The building was renovated in 1982 to its current state, and today serves as a historical museum.

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Almanac

Fast Facts Where To Go Ape Is that a black-backed jackal? Is that a bongo? Caldwell Zoo began in the 1930s as a small petting zoo in the backyard of a Tyler couple’s home, and today the 85-acre park features more than 2,000 animals from all over the world. The animals live in their natural habitats, and Caldwell Zoo welcomes 300,000 visitors each year. Animals on site include anteaters, warthogs, wildebeests, blue monkeys, African lions and black-footed penguins. One of the latest additions to the zoo arrived in September 2007 when a baby rhinoceros named Phineus was born to resident rhinos Christa and Cornelius.

Multiple Choices Want to give it the old college try? Try Tyler. The city is home to several higher education opportunities, including The University of Texas at Tyler, Texas College and Tyler Junior College. Besides academic curriculums, all three institutions pride themselves on helping to train a skilled workforce for the local economy. UT Tyler, which joined the University of Texas System in 1979, expanded to a four-year institution in 1997 and now has approximately 6,000 students. Texas College, a historically black college, was founded in 1894 and has grown to an enrollment of nearly 1,000 students. Tyler Junior College, which opened in 1926, offers a variety of two-year associate degree programs for its 12,000 students.

Q The Cotton Belt Railroad Depot, built in 1905, now houses Tyler Transit and a railroad memorabilia museum. Q A historical marker is now in place at the site of Camp Ford along U.S. Highway 271. The camp was the largest Civil War prisoner of war compound west of the Mississippi River. Q Tyler keeps it cool with representation by two major names in air conditioning located here – TRANE Residential Systems and Carrier Corp. Q Tyler is located near the East Texas Oilfield, the largest single oil field in the contiguous United States. Q “The Singing Fisherman,” Johnny Horton, one of the most influential honky tonk and rockabilly singers of all time, was raised in Tyler.

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Tyler, visit images-tyler.com.

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Almanac

Hit the Bricks Here is a hard fact: In 2004, the Brick Streets neighborhood in downtown Tyler became the city’s sixth historic district when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district encompasses 29 blocks and approximately 250 structures, and the neighborhood actually dates all the way back to 1848. In the 1920s, the area began to develop quickly thanks to oil exploration, and it became a desirable spot for residential and commercial development. Once prosperous merchants and professionals began moving in, red brick streets were built throughout the district to add cohesiveness to the neighborhood.

They’re Only Kidding It’s better than a babysitter and more educational. Discovery Science Place offers a hands-on math, science, technology and culture learning experience for kids. The museum opened in 1993 and features three exhibit halls within its colorful downtown location. The facility has become a destination for field trips and schedules a variety of camp courses during the summer months. One of the most popular attractions at Discovery Science Place is Discovery Landing, an 85-component area complete with a model mountain, a ship and an earthquake simulator. Another popular exhibit is Hometown USA, which features a miniature model of Tyler itself.

Tyler | At A Glance POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE) Tyler: 101,106 LOCATION Tyler is in northeast Texas, about 90 miles east of Dallas and 90 miles west of Shreveport, La. BEGINNINGS Tyler, named after President John Tyler, was officially incorporated in 1848. It is the county seat of Smith County and has the distinction of being the only city in America named for the 10th U.S. president.

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DALLAS 155

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New Chapel Hill 64

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 315 N. Broadway Tyler, TX 75702 Phone: (903) 592-1661 Fax: (903) 593-2746 www.tylertexas.com

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SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Tyler at images-tyler.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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on the

Range DEVELOPERS DISCOVER THAT GREAT GOLF DRIVES RESIDENTIAL INTEREST

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

howcasing an array of private clubs and upscale residential communities built around challenging courses, Tyler has earned a reputation as a golfer’s paradise. It’s a reputation that is expected to grow as savvy real estate developers key into the needs and desires of a large retiree population, many of whom are looking to relocate to warmer climates that are perfectly suited for the sport. And there also is a fairly steady number of individuals who enjoy the amenities afforded by golfresort living, regardless of age. Among the newest stakeholders in Tyler’s golfing community is The Cascades, a 500-acre golf and residential community on Lake Bellwood. The Cascades offers homes and condominiums in a variety of styles and price ranges, as well as common areas and central buildings. The golf course, which opened in 2004, is the centerpiece of the development, says Steve Braley,

president of Cascades Properties. “We’ve made the largest commitment to golf ever made in this region of the country and, as evidence of that, are one of only three Jack Nicklaus golf academies in the United States,” Braley says. “We have students come from all over the United States to take golf lessons here.” The Cascades also is the home of the Texas State Open, which Braley says is the largest nonPGA golf tournament in the country. “That’s a big deal for us, and it’s a historic event,” he says. “It has launched a lot of famous Texans’ golf careers.” Many of those Lone State golf legends have been immortalized in the development’s streets, which are named for them. “In a place like Tyler, if you want to stand out in

Hollytree Country Club, which began in 1983, was among the first to offer Tyler residents desirable golf-lifestyle amenities that are convenient to their homes.

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While golf reigns supreme as the top draw, private wine lockers and formal dining facilities are among the many amenities available at Hollytree Country Club.

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the top of its game, says Casey Dirksen, membership director. “We’ve just remodeled the entire club, and redone several of the greens,” Dirksen says. “We’ve redone the locker rooms, added a fitness room, remodeled the pool, redid the dining room … you name it, we did it.” Although the club hosts several special events throughout the year, golf still reigns supreme, Dirksen says. “Golf will always be No. 1 here, no doubt about that,” Dirksen says. “We have a lot to offer, but golf is the big thing around here.”

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the crowd you have to really excel,” says Braley of the local golf scene. “You have to do exceptional things, and that’s what we’ve attempted to do. Tyler has a rich golf history, and we’re trying to continue that.” Resort-style lakeside living and high-quality golf are also the lure at Eagle’s Bluff, a 540-acre community on Lake Palestine. Eagle’s Bluff’s amenities include a French Country clubhouse, fine dining, a 24-hour fitness center, tennis courts, a pool with bungalows and much more. GolfWeek magazine named Eagle’s Bluff as a Course of Distinction for three years running, and it also is included in the magazine’s America’s Best Residential Golf Courses listing. In 2004, The Dallas Morning News labeled the course the sixth toughest in the state, but the people showing overwhelming interest in the development’s villas and available property seem to be willing to tackle that challenge. “The development has been very successful,” says Steve Rambo, general manager of Eagle’s Bluff. “Tyler is growing quickly, and we’re situated just south of the city, in the direction that it’s expanding. It’s a very hot market here, and we’re really well situated for people who want to be a short distance from town.” Another top-notch stop on any Tyler golfing tour is Hollytree Country Club, which has been offering residents and visitors quality golf and more since 1983. The club’s course, which was designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin, has four sets of tees from 5,102 to 6,805 yards. The club itself boasts 10 lighted hard-court and two lighted clay tennis surfaces, a family aquatics center, and a clubhouse. Hollytree remodeled the golf course in 2005, replanting greens with Champion Bermuda grass, rebuilding some tees and upgrading the irrigation system. That work, along with recent improvements to the clubhouse, has kept Hollytree at

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Right and below: The Cascades, which is located only four miles from downtown Tyler, offers quality golfing and stylish homes.

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Flower-

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Powered

Festivals TYLER BLOSSOMS WITH TOURISTS WHO STOP TO SMELL THE ROSES AND ADMIRE THE AZALEAS

STORY BY CAROL COWAN

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ourism in Tyler just keeps coming up roses – and azaleas. The city hosts two annual festivals that are celebrating major anniversaries in 2008 and 2009, the Texas Rose Festival, and the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail. Each spring and fall, the events draw tens of thousands of visitors to drink in the beauty and fragrance of Tyler’s flowers and to take part in the festivities that are as much a part of the city’s identity as the flowers themselves. Known as the Rose Capital of the Nation, the city is home to the Tyler Rose Museum and the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, a magnificent 14-acre park with more than 38,000 rose bushes of some 550 varieties – the largest rose garden in the country and a major tourist attraction. Tyler produces about 20 percent of

the nation’s commercial rose bushes, says Susan Travis, convention/tourism coordinator at the Tyler Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Texas Rose Festival first drew attention to Tyler’s blossoming rose industry in 1933. It proved such a success that, except for during the World War II years, the gala has been held annually ever since. The festival celebrates its 75th anniversary in October 2008. The anniversary theme, A Royal Tribute to the Rose, will reflect on past festivals, and a 75th-anniversary commemorative book is being published, says James Wynne III, president of the Texas Rose Festival Association. “The anniversary will be very special,” Wynne says, regarding the mysteryshrouded “main event,” the coronation of the Rose Queen during a spectacular Broadway-style pageant with dramatic stage sets and lavish costumes. “But the

Tyler’s Azalea and Spring Flower Trail celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009 and showcases some of the city’s most stunning private gardens each year.

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SEE VIDEO ONLINE

Explore Bountiful Blooms

Above left: Sarah Elizabeth Clyde, Rose Queen 2008 Above right: Tyler is known as the Rose Capital of the Nation because it produces approximately 20 percent of all the commercial rose bushes grown in the United States. Right: Portraits of rose queens and their courts, along with their gowns, are among the items displayed at the Tyler Rose Museum. PHOTO BY TODD BENNETT

dresses and production are all under wraps until the event.” Still, the rose isn’t the only flower in Tyler’s gardens. After azaleas were introduced to local gardeners in the 1930s, the popularity of these plants, with their vibrant, colorful blossoms, spread through the town like wildfire. By 1960, their ubiquitous beauty drew so much attention that the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce designated a five-mile, 60-home viewing route, and the Azalea and Spring Flower Trail was born. To celebrate its 50th anniversary in the spring of 2009, the trail, which showcases the city’s most stunning private gardens, will be extended beyond its current two routes covering eight miles. The Azalea and Spring Flower Trail spans four weekends and includes numerous special events. 24

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PHOTO COURTESY OF HERB NYGREN/TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH

WEB SITE EXTRA

“We’ve started the Main Street Flower Market, which has been a huge success,” Travis says. “[The Market has] all kinds of plants and cut flowers for sale. And we have a lot of things the history people would like,” she adds, listing as examples a Civil War battle reenactment, the wildly popular Historic Homes on Tour and a walking history tour through the Oakwood Cemetery. Additional happenings include artsand-crafts shows, sports competitions, fine and performing arts events, and a chili cook-off. The visitors’ bureau records attendance of nearly 100,000 – roughly half of whom are tourists – at each of the annual celebrations, Travis says, and the estimated economic impact of each festival exceeds $2 million per year. See www.texasrosefestival.com and www.tylerazaleatrail.com for dates and additional information.

ee many of the 38,000-plus rose bushes within the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden during this glimpse of the grounds. At 14 acres, it is the nation’s largest rose garden. The park is the site of the Queen’s Tea, which is held each year during the popular annual Texas Rose Festival. During this public event, visitors to the garden are greeted by the Rose Queen and her court, all dressed in their dazzling festival gowns. SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a tour of the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden at images-tyler.com.

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Taking Care SUPERIOR FACILITIES AND SOPHISTICATED TREATMENTS CREATE A HEALTH-CARE HUB

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East Texas STORY BY JOE MORRIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

hree major hospitals, a strong corps of clinics and other medical-support outlets provide a strong pulse for the Tyler economy and reinforce the city’s status as the heart of health-care services for residents throughout the region. East Texas Medical Center has been picking up awards and adding new technology to enhance its offerings. The hospital recently won the Designated Trauma Facility Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services, while Dr. William Moore won the EMS Medical Director award from the organization. The hospital also is expanding its CyberKnife of Texas program, a collaborative effort between the ETMC Regional Healthcare System and Tyler Neurosurgical Associates, and has broken ground on a $38 million, 97,000-square-foot facility in Pittsburg, which will anchor a 40-acre campus at the intersection of U.S. Highway 271 and County Road 4114. The new Pittsburg campus is slated to be complete in 2009. “The ETMC success formula is simple,” says Elmer G. Ellis, president and CEO of the ETMC Regional Healthcare System. “Do what’s best for the patient, and everything else will fall into place. One of the key aspects of this philosophy is extending as much care as possible into the local communities we serve.” Trails also are being blazed at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, a recognized leader in interventional pulmonary medicine. Dr. Ted McLemore, director of interventional pulmonology and professor of medicine at UTHSCT, is pioneering a new procedure,

Lee Fite, chief radiation therapist at the East Texas Medical Center Cancer Institute, demonstrates the center’s new CyberKnife treatment technology.

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East Texas Medical Center in Tyler is at the center of the ETMC Regional Healthcare System, which comprises 14 hospitals throughout East Texas. Right: Trinity Mother Frances Hospital is a leader in advocating communitywellness initiatives throughout Tyler.

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electromagnetically guided bronchoscopy. “This new technique allows the biopsy of small lung nodules located in the periphery of the lungs without invasive surgery,” McLemore says. “It offers promising treatment options for this type of lung cancer for patients who are not good candidates for surgery. This is the new standard of care for diagnosing lung cancer, determining what stage the cancer has reached and treating it.” New developments are gaining attention at Trinity Mother Frances, a third major hospital in the area, as well. In 2003, the facility opened the Ornelas Tower, which includes the Trinity Mother Frances Heart Institute and the Center for Advanced Surgery and Technology, and in 2007, followed that with the Trinity Mother Frances Neuroscience Institute. Current projects include a neonatal intensive care unit, which hospital officials say will be Tyler’s first. Trinity Mother Frances also has partnered with Premier Fitness to open fitness centers throughout the region. This is one of several efforts the health-care provider is making on the community-wellness front, says Lindsey Bradley, FACHE, president of Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics, who adds that the more services that can be provided locally, the better. “Residents of Tyler and the surrounding region are fortunate to have access to not only excellent primary health care, but also many medical specialties,” Bradley says. “Any time a patient has the option of being treated close to home instead of commuting to distant cities, such as Dallas, Shreveport or Houston, that is a huge benefit for everyone.” TYLER

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Pitching

Camp 30

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STORY BY SARAH WARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAME

THREE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR CAMPERS, FAMILIES AND RETREATS

STORY BY SARAH WARD

STAFF PHOTO

ummer is the favorite season for many young people in Tyler, because it holds promises of s’mores, sleeping bags, swimming and stargazing, thanks to the popularity of three area camps. Sky Ranch Camps have been in existence since 1955 and comprise locations in Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. The East Texas location is nestled in the piney woods of Van. The Christian facility offers standard camp activities like sailing, swimming and canoeing, but since church groups use the camps primarily, the focus is kept on worship. “We emphasize the importance of communicating with summer campers about Christ and are very particular about our counselors because they serve as this model,” says John Barker, senior director of operations at Sky Ranch. Sky Ranch offers nine youth pro-

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grams for ages 5-18, a family camp, group programs, and outdoor overnight and day retreats for businesses and church groups nine months out of the year. With 11 meeting rooms and 33 cabins, the Van campus can accommodate business and church groups as large as 900 to 1,200 people. Rockin’ C Ranch is another Christian camp in the area, and was founded in Lindale in 1997. A working ranch, Rockin’ C offers summer camp programs for ages 5–16 and outdoor education programs for fourth-, fifth- and sixthgraders. Summer campers’ responsibilities each day include caring for a baby calf, as well as the 15-20 chickens that are assigned to each cabin. This hands-on experience teaches campers about responsibility in a beautiful and serene setting. The 150-acre camp is filled with

Campers are happy to don their best outdoor camouflage gear for a program at Pine Cove Christian Camp. Left: Tranquil wooded scenes set the stage for campers’ summer adventures at several facilities in the Tyler area.

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Pine Cove Christian Camps’ six Tyler sites and two Columbus sites incorporate games that emphasize relationship building. Right: Rockin’ C Ranch camper Zion Dennis practices before taking on the camp’s challenging ropes course. Left: The water slide is a big hit with campers at Sky Ranch.

pines, pastures, rolling hills, creeks and a 10-acre lake, all perfect amenities for horseback riding, swimming and taking on a challenging high ropes course. Rockin’ C Ranch also provides a scholarship program for campers who wish to attend camp but do not have the means to do so. “We have always wanted for our camp to be available to all kids,” says Matt Clapp, camp owner, “not just those with big bank accounts.” At Rockin’ C, there also are three airconditioned cabins and meeting room facilities to accommodate retreat groups as large as 180–200 people, nine months out of the year. Campers and event planners have even more options in the area, with Pine Cove Christian Camps’ six Tyler sites and two Columbus sites. Pine Cove TYLER

hosted its first group of campers in 1968 at its Pine Cove Woods Camp in Tyler and has grown by leaps and bounds in the four decades since. Programs include weeklong overnight summer camp programs for grades 2 through 12, as well as family camps and two-day camp programs. All of the sites offer swimming, paint ball and elaborate ropes courses. “We are a relationship-based camp,” says Phil Baker, senior director of marketing and development. “People come back because of the relationships they build with God, one another and the camp staff while they are here.” From August to May, Pine Cove teams up with churches and other Christian organizations to create retreats at the camps for all ages and price ranges. I M AG E S -T Y L E R . C O M

Bike, Hike or

Dive In TYLER STATE STA PARK HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER EVERYONE NE

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Tyler State Park includes a 64-acre lake. PHOTO BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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STORY BY DANNY BONVISSUTO

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

hoever coined the phrase “the great outdoors” was surely standing on one of Tyler State Park’s 985.5 acres, taking in the sweeping scenery of East Texas and thinking of the best possible way to describe the view. Located just north of Tyler in Smith County, the park is host to approximately 250,000 visitors a year for everything from boating to bird watching, making it the area’s No. 1 tourist attraction. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened in 1939, the park will celebrate its 70-year anniversary as a historical and cultural resource in 2009. Tyler State Park boasts a 64-acre lake park superintendent Bill Smart calls “a main draw.” “It’s known for its clarity, so we have a lot of scuba diving going on,” Smart says. “And we have a very well-designed swimming area that’s heavily used in the spring, summer and early fall.” Bring your boat or rent one, swim or

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The Real Iron Chefs sun on the side, or “wet a hook” and see if you can outsmart any number of crappie, perch, catfish and bass in the well-stocked waters. But the most fun at Tyler State Park may be on two wheels. “We have 12 miles of multiuse trails for pedestrian and mountain bikes,” Smart says. “It’s probably the No. 1 used facility in the park.” Tyler Bicycle Club president Joe Canal agrees. “There’s an outer road that goes around the whole thing with feeder roads that go down to places like the swimming area and picnic facilities,” he says. “It’s got some pretty challenging hills with open access to the road and great parking. It’s the place we ride most, and the trail is better than any in the area.” The park has facilities and features for days – hiking trails, camping accommodations, canoes, paddleboats and kayaks – and attracts a wide range of groups and organizations. One of the more specialized of the bunch is The Dogwood Chapter of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society, a group that shares

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an interest in cast-iron cookery [see sidebar at right]. “It’s called a D.O.G. for Dutch Oven Gathering,” Smart says. “They come out once a month, camp, make meals, perform demonstrations and try to recruit new members.” Park visitors and overnight guests share space with more native inhabitants including deer, raccoons, squirrels, opossums and varied species of birds – and everyone gets along just fine. “It’s a very well-used park, but even when it’s full it doesn’t feel like you’re with a large crowd of people,” Canal says. “A lot of people, when they think about East Texas, think of the Hill Country where it’s scrub trees and prairies. But East Texas is hilly with a lot of pine forests and very scenic. And Tyler State Park is a really good example of what East Texas has to offer.”

Visitors to Tyler State Park may rent paddle boats, below, or canoes, at left, in order to experience the beautiful scenery on the lake.

n Texas, where barbecue is king, grills, smokers and all the shiny equipment that goes with them are the name of the game. But once a month in Tyler State Park, a group turns the culinary clock back a few centuries and really puts on the D.O.G. “We have a monthly D.O.G., or Dutch Oven Gathering,” says Andy Young, advisor of the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society, Dogwood Chapter. “Some families camp and some just come for the day. It’s all to promote family fun and to educate people how to use and care for Dutch ovens. And there’s a lot of eating. Our motto is fun, food and fellowship.” Sound primitive? Young doesn’t disagree. “Camp Dutch ovens were manufactured in England and brought over by Dutch traders when the colonies were settled,” Young says. “They have little stubby legs on the bottom and the top is concave so you can put it over coals and also put coals on top.” Young counts over 50 active members in his chapter – the largest in the society. “We have members who have had cast iron handed down to them for two and three generations,” he says. “And one who really loves making bread has a sourdough starter that originated on the Oregon Trail.” Young says the pots on the table during their monthly noon meal contain everything from steamed vegetables and stews to cakes, pies and cobblers. “I cook a killer crab appetizer in mine,” Young says. “Anything you can cook at home you can cook in a Dutch oven.” For more information, visit www.lsdos.com. – Danny Bonvissuto

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It’s

All a

Big

Act

COWAN CENTER PROVIDES FIRST-RATE FACILITY FOR PERFORMING ARTS

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TODD BENNETT

STORY BY JOE MORRIS

“W

e used to go to Dallas a lot; now we just go now and then.” That comment always brings a smile to Susan Thomae-Morphew’s face. As director of the R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center at The University of Texas at Tyler, that tells her not only is the Cowan Center doing its job, but that the overall local arts scene is thriving, as well. “You don’t have to leave town to find national and international touring performers any more,” ThomaeMorphew says. “We know people are going to drive and enjoy

other places, but with the art museum, the civic theater, the children’s theater … there’s so much here for a town of less than 100,000 people.” The Cowan Center opened in 1997 with one performingarts series, and now it has five that range from Broadway shows to productions for area schools and a distinguished lecture series. The 2,012-seat venue also has become the venue of choice for many local arts organizations, including Ballet Tyler and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. “The venue has enabled things that already existed to grow,” Thomae-Morphew says. “The university has been able

The R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center at The University of Texas at Tyler regularly hosts national touring productions. Left: Ballet Tyler has made the Cowan Center its performance venue of choice. STAFF PHOTO

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to utilize the Cowan Center in so many ways that connect us with the community.” One group making good use of the facility is the East Texas Symphony Orchestra, which began as the Tyler Symphony Orchestra in 1936. With a production schedule that includes family and outdoor concerts, as well as performances for schoolchildren and a subscription series, the orchestra continues to reach out in as many directions as possible, says Patty Machin, marketing director. “We do five masterworks concerts a season, which is the hardcore classical music, and then one extra concert that’s usually something a little bit lighter,” Machin says. “And along with our young people’s series we do a series of school concerts for grades four through six. This year we’ll have more than 5,000 students come through.” The symphony works with educators to present music that

can be tied into classroom learning. In 2008, Gustav Holst’s The Planets will be the featured composition, allowing teachers to integrate the performance into astronomy lessons. Ballet Tyler also performs at the Cowan Center and provides another example of a local company that has done nothing but grow in stature since being founded in 1988. In addition to a signature spring ballet, the company also has spawned the School of Ballet Tyler, which works with corps dancers and community members alike. “We do a Christmas ballet every year, which is a complimentary performance for the community, and then we have our full production every spring,” says Kym Lanier, artistic director. For its 20th anniversary, the ballet presented Peter Pan in April 2008. The ballet holds a tea party along with the spring presentation every year, with a theme tied to the production. For Peter Pan, a treasure hunt was held. But whatever the production, the ballet knows it can count on community support. “The fact that we have a symphony as old as ours, and that the ballet and other organizations and venues in town are doing so well, shows the long-standing support that arts organizations in Tyler have,” Thomae-Morphew says. “The community really supports the arts tremendously.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE ITASHIKI

Vaughn Auditorium at the Cowan Center Below: Performances at the R. Don Cowan Fine & Performing Arts Center at The University of Texas at Tyler have included the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.

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Business

Business You Can Really Bite Into QUALITY AND SUBSTANCE MEAN SUCCESS FOR TYLER FOOD AND DRINK COMPANIES

STORY BY SHARON H. FITZGERALD

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PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

ne look at the box, and you know something wonderful is inside. Bright-yellow-and-whitestriped with a cornflower blue ribbon, the parcel holds one of Janie Clapp’s specialties – a baked-from-scratch pound cake just like her great-grandmother taught her to make. “When everybody else was asleep in the afternoons, she would get me in the kitchen and we’d start baking,” Clapp recalls about her annual summer trips to “Papu’s” house in Austin. “Everybody woke up from their nap, and we had treats!” Clapp says. Also tending to Clapp’s culinary education was her mother, a gourmet chef. Thus, it’s no surprise that, after honing her skills at the Culinary

Shipping boxes line a shelf at Janie’s Cakes. Left: Janie Clapp prepares her signature pound cakes at her all-natural bakery in Tyler, Janie’s Cakes.

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PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

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Business

Tyler is home to Distant Lands Coffee Roaster, which has been an estate coffee grower since 1965. Left: John Soules Foods produces precooked fajita meats at its state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot facility in Tyler.

Institute of America in New York, Clapp opened Janie’s Cakes in January 1987. The all-natural bakery is just one of a cornucopia of food-based businesses that lend Tyler’s economy a certain distinctive flavor. “Don’t skimp. Use the freshest ingredients you can,” Clapp advises, sharing the secret of her delectable creations. Clapp and her husband, Matt, live on a working cattle ranch where about 300 chickens, housed in what the couple dubs the Hilton Hen, are the source of the eggs used exclusively by Janie’s Cakes. “I think that’s a huge plus,” she says. The cakes that aren’t sold at the bakery are packaged and flash-frozen “so they travel well,” Clapp adds. And what goes better with pound cake than coffee? Tyler is the home of Distant Lands Coffee Roaster, an estate TYLER

coffee grower since 1965. The company owns 14 farms in Costa Rica and three milling facilities, selling its coffee under its own brand names or for private labeling by restaurants and grocery chains. “Ours is the best-tasting coffee on the planet. In 13 years, we’ve never been beaten in a professional cupping competition against any other coffee company,” says Distant Lands’ director of customer service, Brian Feiden. About 200,000 of the 800,000 pounds grown annually at the company’s flagship farm are packaged under the premier La Minita label. “We go through a quality sorting process, and only the best of the best coffee is tagged with La Minita. If you were to go to Barnes & Noble and buy 10 books on coffee, nine of the 10 would probably have La Minita referenced in

them,” Feiden says. Another Tyler-based food company enjoying wide acclaim is Greenberg Smoked Turkey. Zeleck Greenberg turned his mother’s smoked-turkey recipe into a business in 1940, and his son, Sam, is president today of the company that ships more than 220,000 turkeys annually. “A turkey like none other” is how Oprah Winfrey described the Tyler bird when she included it in her Favorite Things list for 2003. “I’m telling you, it’s the best turkey I’ve ever had,” Winfrey says on her Web site. Meat is also the bread and butter of John Soules Foods, a Tyler company that has carved a niche for itself in the fajita business, marketing seasoned beef and chicken strips for the discriminating Tex-Mex palates of local residents and customers nationwide. I M AG E S -T Y L E R . C O M

TODD BENNETT

Business | Biz Briefs

The Lone Ranger is the newest location for Yahooz, a Tyler network of creatively decorated, cowboy-themed coffee shops. Each location sports a giant cowboy hat on the roof and a roadside sign resembling a steaming cup of coffee.

COFFEE WITH A COWBOY KICK Some people might be shocked to see a 110-gallon hat perched on top of a double drive-through, unless you are from Tyler. There are three Yahooz coffee shops: Home of Cowboy Joe, the startup location in Gresham; Home of the 110 Gallon Hoss Hat in Whitehouse; and the newest, The Lone Ranger, located in Tyler. In addition to the enormous hats atop the roofs of each location, the shops also feature tall signs peaking in giant coffee cups that produce actual steam. “From order to delivery, it only takes us two and a half minutes,” says Valerie Smith, owner. “We have the best customer service.” Not to mention outstanding airroasted coffee. Yahooz has its own unique blend and eight specialty drinks 46

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served hot, cold or blended with titles ranging from Big D and Southern Gentleman to Lonestar and Giddy Up. The menu also includes teas, natural smoothies, handmade milkshakes, and a variety of delectable breakfast, lunch and dinner items made-to-order, all using the freshest ingredients available. There are plans to sell franchise rights to others in the future, and with such delicious offerings and lightningfast service, the word on Yahooz won’t be kept under the hat for long. MARVEL OVER THEIR MARBLE Ashcraft and Southern Marble Co. Inc. is a proven leader in the cultured marble industry with over 37 years of experience. Ashcraft and Southern Marble Co. Inc. grew out of a consolidation of two companies: Ashcraft Marble Co.

and Southern Marble Co. Both companies were founded in East Texas and are known for their quality, reliability, service and expertise in cultured marble products. “Our main goal is customer satisfaction,” says owner Charles Ashcraft. “We manufacture and install any manmade cultured marble product, and everything is custom-made to fit our customers’ needs.” Products include bathtubs, vanity tops, lavatory bowls, shower walls, kitchen countertops and sinks, and accessories like shampoo and soap holders. Depending on the desired product, surfaces include cultured marble; solid surfaces, Corian® and Montelli®; quartz, Avanza® and Zodiaq®; and granite. The 10,500-square-foot manufacturing facility is located in Tyler and employs 35 people. TYLER

NO GROUT ABOUT IT Granite Division Inc. is the oldest and largest slab yard in East Texas – built on a solid reputation by offering top-quality granite and marble for installation in local businesses and residences. The company’s new and innovative patented product, GraniteLoc, creates a high-quality surface without unattractive grout lines by binding tiles together with a polyester resin. As a result, countertops, shower walls, tub surrounds, fireplaces and wainscoting have a smoother, lightweight exterior that minimizes stains, is low-maintenance and easy to install. “The GraniteLoc system allows us to do things in natural stone like onyx, marble and granite that are totally unique,” says David Rasco, CEO of Granite Division Inc. “The result is a product that cannot be beat on looks and price and is totally repairable.” Several local businesses have used GraniteLoc, such as The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Brookshire’s Grocery Co.’s flagship store.

FURNISHING HOMES FOR A CENTURY Having served the Tyler area for more than 100 years, Swann’s Furniture Gallery knows the value of offering superior customer service and products at competitive prices. “We take pride in our attention to detail, quality and selection,” says Liz Ballard, manager. “Listening to our customers’ needs is of utmost importance to us – we want our products to be the right fit for their homes.” Swann’s offers a variety of products to furnish bedrooms, home offices, dining rooms and living rooms. Their

services include a design service, custom bedding service, rug selection and full in-service decorating – which includes f loor plan arrangement, color and fabric consultation, presentation drawings, and professional installation. Swann’s quality and array of services have not gone unnoticed. They were the exclusive furniture provider for the 2005 HGTV Dream Home. “We were honored to be the first retail establishment approached by the network,” Ballard says. “It was a very positive experience.” – Sarah Ward

TARGETING HISPANIC BUSINESS NEEDS The Hispanic Business Service Office aids in the development of Hispanic businesses in Tyler and Smith County through publications, seminars, workshops and information on business loan programs. The office opened in June 2007 as a collaborative effort between the Hispanic Business Forum, East Texas Hispanic Leadership Council, Small Business Development Center at Tyler Junior College, Service Counselors of Retired Executives (SCORE), Hispanic Business Center at The University of Texas at Tyler, The University of Texas at Tyler HUB program and The University of Texas Health Center HUB program. “It has been very important for us to have the Hispanic community involved in the office’s formation,” says Henry Bell, chief operating officer of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Various services and programs hone in on specific topics to better meet the needs of new and current local Hispanic business owners. “We try to focus on the areas where these businesses need assistance,” says Price Arredondo, director. TYLER

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5701 S. Br oad way Ave. • Ty l e r, T X 7570 3 • T (9 0 3) 5 61- 5 8 0 0 • F (9 0 3) 579 -9 916 • w w w.h ise l e c t .co m / t y l e r t x

Are you building, remodeling or looking for good ideas? A visit to our showroom can provide some illuminating inspiration.

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Business | Economic Profile

TYLER BUSINESS CLIMATE Tyler is the manufacturing, health-care, educational and retail center of East Texas with easy access to Dallas and Shreveport, La.

Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) (903) 839-7136

Oklahoma City, 250 miles San Antonio, 300 miles Shreveport, 90 miles

TAXES

TRANSPORTATION Airport Tyler Pounds Regional Airport (903) 531-2343 Rail Union Pacific Railroad (402) 544-5000 (888) 870-8777

2006 (estimated) City of Tyler population, 101,106 Tyler MSA Population, 194,635 Tyler MSA Labor Force, 97,622

Unemployment Rate, 4.7%

Property Tax – City of Tyler $.2110 per $100 property value Income Tax Texas has no state income tax. Sales Tax Total sales tax, 8.25% State, 6.25% Tyler (city), 1.00% Half Cent Sales Tax Corp., .50% Smith County, .50%

LABOR STATISTICS

Employed, 93,046

Better Business Bureau (903) 581-5704

BUSINESS RESOURCES Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, (903) 592-1661 Tyler Economic Development Council, (903) 593-2004 Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau, (903) 561-1661

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES

Tyler Main Street/Heart of Tyler, (903) 593-6905

Austin, 225 miles

Tyler Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, (903) 593-6026

Dallas, 90 miles

Hispanic Business Alliance (903) 592-1661

Houston, 199 miles Little Rock, 240 miles New Orleans, 432 miles

Small Business Development Center, (903) 510-2975

Leadership Tyler (903) 535-9242

BUSINESS INCENTIVES Freeport Exemption In 1989, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment giving local taxing jurisdictions the option to exercise or not exercise their authority to tax specific personal property known as freeport goods. Smith County is one of only a few counties in the state in which all taxing entities elected to grant the Freeport exemption, providing a substantial financial benefit to Smith County primary employers, which by definition, manufacture or distribute products that are shipped outside of Texas. Tax Abatement The city of Tyler and Smith County have set up reinvestment zones for development. Companies

WELCOME TO TYLER – Service Above and Beyond

TYLER 4300 Kinsey Dr. • Tyler, TX 75703 Ofﬁce: (903) 581-7117 Ext. 126 Mobile: (903) 530-3675

Laura L. Corbett REALTOR

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Fax: (903) 581-6159 E-mail: llcorbett1@msn.com

Multidisciplinary Care Pain Management Occupational Medicine Family Practice Physical Medicine Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Return to Physical Therapy Work Programs ON-SITE, AFTER-HOURS SERVICE Board Certified Physicians Pre-Employment Testing DOT & non-DOT Services Physicals Drug Testing Vision/Hearing Testing

906 E. Front St. Tyler, TX 75702 (903) 593-9999 www.directrehabmed.com

Psychological Services Cognitive Rehabilitation CARF Accredited Work Conditioning Chronic Pain Management

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Business | Economic Profile investing in the zones are eligible for up to 10-year 100 percent abatement of taxes on all new plants and equipment.

loan allowed is $200,000. Eligible uses include equipment, working capital and land acquisition.

Enterprise Zones The city of Tyler and Smith County have partnered with the State of Texas to encourage job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas. The Texas Enterprise Zone Program offers sales tax refunds to qualifying firms investing in areas with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent. Other incentives, such as tax abatement, may also be available to these companies.

OTHER INCENTIVES

Tax Increment Financing The city of Tyler has established a tax increment financing zone that includes the Tyler Junior College West Campus. It was used to finance construction of the 70,000-square-foot Skills Training Center. The center is a joint venture between Tyler Junior College and Tyler Independent School District for the purpose of providing state-of-the-art technical skills training in a variety of emerging technologies. Training Programs The State of Texas offers the Skills Development Fund, which provides grants averaging $1,500 per qualified employee for training. The Tyler Junior College West Campus provides customized training programs at their location or at the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facility and can help complete the application for this grant. Smith County Revolving Loan Fund The Smith County Revolving Loan Fund is available to manufacturing firms and other primary employers who create or retain permanent jobs in Smith County. The maximum

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Skills Development Fund The State of Texas offers this grant to assist companies by designing, financing and implementing customized job training programs in partnerships with public community and technical colleges for new or existing jobs in local businesses. Enterprise Project Designation A company may be nominated by a city or county as a State of Texas Enterprise Project. Designation by the state makes the company eligible for sales tax refunds and other tax incentives. Tax Increment Financing A company may fund infrastructure improvements for new job-generating investments by freezing taxation levels for a specified period of time. Texas Enterprise Fund The Texas Enterprise Fund is a state grant, established in 2003 and used to attract new business to Texas or assist with expansion of an existing business as part of a competitive recruitment strategy. Self-Sufficiency Fund The purpose of the SelfSufficiency Fund is to provide training for employment opportunities primarily for atrisk individuals. A single business may be limited to $500,000 in grant money. Training Programs Colleges and universities in East Texas have numerous skill training programs that will support manufacturing and technical operations.

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY The Tyler/Smith County economy is very diverse and not dependent on one or two drivers for economic support. 7%

13%

10%

11%

20%

19% 5% 2%

Government Other services Leisure & hospitality Education & health services Professional & business services Financial activities Information Trade, transportation & utilities Manufacturing Natural resources, mining & construction Source: Texas Workforce Commission

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 315 N. Broadway Tyler, TX 75702 Phone: (903) 592-1661, (800) 235-5712 Fax: (903) 593-2746 www.tylertexas.com

Sources: www.tedc.org www.tylertexas.com www.census.gov

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Portfolio

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Gracefully Holding History BONNER-WHITAKER-McCLENDON HOUSE PROVIDES ELEGANT EDUCATIONAL SITE

ince the days when Queen Victoria sat on the throne of England, the Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House has served as a backdrop for all of life’s highlights in Tyler. “Gala events, political strategy sessions, major business transactions, births, deaths and a lot of good living” have taken place in the historic home, says Daye Collins, board president of the Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House Society, a nonprofit organization that oversees operation of the house. Today, it remains a memory-making place, with its Eastlake Bracketed Victorian architecture and the shadows of previous occupants lurking in the corners. The late Washington news correspondent Sarah McClendon was even born there. Today’s tour guides teach visitors about East Texas history from the pre-Civil War era to the 1980s, and the nonprofit organization hosts murder mystery dinners and grand Victorian Christmas tours. There are even Spirit Tours conducted on October weekends, when visitors can call on the spirits of former residents. The two-story house was built in the 1870s on land Judge M.H. Bonner bought from his former law partner, J. Pinckney Henderson – the first governor of Texas. Bonner gave two of site’s more than 200 acres to his daughter, Mattie, who with her husband built the house at West Houston and Vine. Features of the home were a gasification power plant and a grass tennis court. After the last two McClendon sisters moved out in the 1980s, the home was restored. It was opened to the public in 1988 as the Designer Showcase for Historic Tyler’s Azalea Trail Heritage Tour. The house is recognized as a Tyler Historical Landmark and is listed on the Texas Historic Record and the National Register of Historic Places. The Bonner-Whitaker-McClendon House was built in 1878 and is the birthplace of the late Washington news correspondent Sarah McClendon. The home has been fully restored and opened to the public in 1988.

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Portfolio Tyler 21, the city’s strategic plan, aims to ensure that the area is well positioned for growth as development continues.

PHOTOS BY ANTONY BOSHIER

Blueprinting for the Future

SALLY KEENEY INTERIORS Furniture & Accessories Antique drapery rod hardware in stock

Hourly room arrangement with your own treasures Custom fabrication of drapery, bedding, pillows … Design consultation

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reserving the past and building for the future just got easier for Tyler’s leaders. Tyler 21, a framework for future actions, defines the city’s goals and policies and outlines strategies and action items for attaining them. The 13-chapter comprehensive plan was 18 months in the making, largely because the citizens had extensive input. More than 300 people attended a community visioning retreat, and there also were six open houses and a survey. Focus groups, interviews with community leaders, a newsletter and a Web site were all used to elicit comments. Another 100-plus volunteers worked in groups to further define the key issues and strategies for fulfilling the city’s future needs. “With this plan, we can ensure that every step we take in the future is in line with what our citizens want and what our future needs will be,” says Mayor Joey Seeber. The plan encompasses several aspects of the community, from improving traffic flow in South Tyler to downtown development and preservation to a lakes master plan that covers recreational and other uses of city-owned land around Lake Tyler, Lake Tyler East and Bellwood Lake. The next step is to develop a Unified Development Code to translate the plan into zoning and development codes. Seeber says he doesn’t intend for the nearly 500-page plan to sit on a shelf. Instead, he hopes it will be used to mold the future of the city rather than seeing it turn into “yet another distant metroplex suburb. The central challenge we face today is whether we will allow that to happen or whether we will be able to maintain the quality of place – this place – that we all take pleasure in and value.” For more information about Tyler 21, visit www.tyler21.com. TYLER

Clearing the Air

ust bunnies, Fido’s fur and other allergens are about to undergo closer scrutiny and possible eradication. Researchers in the Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute hope to introduce better ways to measure and improve indoor air quality. The institute, nicknamed TxAIRE, is a collaboration headed by The University of Texas at Tyler and includes The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler and The University of Texas at Austin. A $3.75 million grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund is serving as seed money for the project. Improved sensors, filters and an array of yet-to-be-imagined products are on the horizon, says James Nelson, dean of engineering and computer science at UT Tyler. “This is a good economic investment for Texas and a project that has really practical applications,” Nelson says.

“You can just look around at all the people suffering from allergies and sinus problems, and you can imagine the benefit these products are going to have for them. It’s exciting, both from a research perspective and from an economic standpoint.” This is the first time such research is being conducted in hot, humid conditions. It also is the first time test homes will be used as data collectors. Previous indoor environmental research has been done in the cold conditions of Nordic countries. Lab equipment has been installed in UT Tyler’s new Ratliff Building North on campus, and a survey of existing conditions will begin before the end of 2008, Nelson says. Swedish scientist Jan Sundell is the institute’s executive director and J. Torey Nalbone, an environmental engineer at UT Tyler, is associate director.

The University of Texas at Tyler will be home to the Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute.

Amenities • Wireless high-speed Internet access, AM/FM alarm clock radio • Remote-controlled 25-inch cable television with in-room pay movies • Business Class rooms which feature a well-lit work desk with ergonomic chair, microwave and refrigerator • Veranda Bar and Grill serving breakfast and dinner daily • Outdoor pool area in beautifully landscaped garden setting

Conference Center Tyler, TX • Fitness center with cardio-aerobic equipment • Over 7,600 sq. ft. of flexible banquet and meeting facilities, including five meeting rooms for up to 300 people • Our location puts you just minutes from the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler Junior College and the Medical District as well as numerous offices and shopping centers Located conveniently at the intersection of Loop 323 and Hwy. 110 3310 Troup Hwy. • Tyler, TX 75701 • (903) 593-3600 Toll-free: (866) 381-3600 • Fax: (903) 533-9571 www.ramadatyler.com

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Established for Fans of Flying Things F the ground. The museum was created to teach about the history of aviation through the 20th century, and in 2007, it expanded into the North Terminal Building, the former airline terminal. The expansion allowed for additional exhibit space, an enlarged gift shop and library, and the creation of a multimedia theater room. Bill Halbert, a retired Air Force colonel who flew combat in three wars, is one of the former military personnel

who leads tours at the museum. He says the museum reaches more people and teaches more than a classroom lecture or a book could. “I think for the younger generation, history is so fleeting,” Halbert says. “I think this is something that makes history come alive for them. It puts things in perspective.” Halbert leads tours and answers questions, but he also tries to deliver an urgent message to those on the tours. “If one of the youngsters on my tour says his relative flew in a war, I ask that child to go home and hug their grandpa or their great-grandpa and tell them thank you for serving,” Halbert says. “You only get a few chances to do that, and I want them to see that. With World War II veterans dying at the rate of about 1,000 a day, our opportunities are dwindling.”

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ans of flying things flock to the newly expanded Historic Aviation Memorial Museum on the grounds of Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. The museum has 25 indoor and outdoor exhibits that provide a glimpse of aviation in days gone by. Memorabilia and World War II airplanes are placed throughout the museum. Occasional fly-ins provide many youngsters with their first experiences with small aircraft, and a simulator allows visitors to experience flying while safely on

The Historic Aviation Memorial Museum has several interesting aircraft on display for visitors.

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Serving Tyler and East Texas Since 1991 Special Health is committed to excellence in programs serving youth, adults and families. We promote positive family communication; professional drug and alcohol prevention, intervention and treatment; client-centered HIV/AIDS education, outreach, testing, intervention and treatment.

The traditions of the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles date all the way back to the 1940s. Above, an early-years team poses for a publicity photo.

Caring for an epidemic of needs, one person at a time …

The Dancing Diplomats E

xtreme courtesy and captivating choreography are the trademarks of the Tyler Junior College Apache Belles, a precision dance and drill team outfitted in their trademark cowboy boots, hats and short shorts. Broad smiles and high kicks that rival the Radio City Rockettes are standard for the team, which celebrated its 60th year in 2007. The group performs at football and basketball games and at special events such as the Rose Festival and Rose Queen coronation. The Belles have traveled to military bases in Hawaii, China, Germany, France and Ireland. In addition to demonstrating their finely honed dancing skills, the 18- to 21-year-old young ladies serve as ambassadors for their school, city and state by being poised, polite, wellgroomed and enthusiastic, says Apache Belles director Ruth Flynn. The minimal expectation, she says, is for the women to devote up to 21 hours a TYLER

week to practice and to maintain a 2.0 grade point average with an academic course load of at least 12 hours. In return, they are given scholarship money and an opportunity to perform worldwide. Saying “Yes ma’am” and “No ma’am” is a given, says Flynn. “Above all, we want them to be ladies, to make good choices and to be respectful,” Flynn says. The women who want to be in the group are “special girls who have got something in them that makes them want to work this hard and do this,” Flynn adds. “It’s definitely not easy; It’s not just dancing, it’s more than that. It’s athletics and hard work, dedication to carrying on this tradition and an attitude of grace and goodwill. They balance all of this while continuing their educations.” For learn more about the team, visit www.apachebelles.com. – Stories by Kelli Levey

1308 Clinic Dr. Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 597-7558 (800) 853-9689 Toll-free (903) 597-9107 Fax

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Image Gallery

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER

Azalea and Spring Flower Trail

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Image Gallery

First Baptist Church

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

Cliff Lasseter plays his guitar in between appointments at his barbershop, Cliffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Precision Kuts.

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Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

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Health & Wellness

Training Nurses To Be Doctors NEW PH.D. PROGRAM WILL PREPARE NURSING STUDENTS TO PURSUE RESEARCH & TEACHING CAREERS

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evolves, Klotz says it’s important that its practitioners evolve with it. “A lot of health policy involves much more than you would normally think of as regular nursing activities,” she says. “One of the blessings of this kind of degree is that the people who complete it can stay in their own communities

TODD BENNETT

ith plenty of hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities within its borders, Tyler is a natural magnet for nurses. And many of them are homegrown, thanks to The University of Texas at Tyler’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The college is focused on producing highly trained nurses who can go to work in Tyler or anywhere in the country, but these days it’s also making sure that its graduates can move into specialized areas such as research and teaching. Like nursing in general, those fields are suffering from a chronic shortage of well-qualified professionals, something the college and its staff are working to address. To that end, the college will launch its Ph.D. program in fall 2008. The doctoral program will be taught entirely online, allowing the college to open its doors to students from anywhere. So strong was the interest that, even before final approval had been granted, there were more than 100 applicants, says Dr. Linda Klotz, dean. “We hadn’t even advertised it, because we had just finished getting all the necessary approvals through the system,” Klotz says. “That really shows the level of excitement about the program.” Depending on how much time the doctoral candidates spend on their dissertation and research, it’s expected that each will take between two and three years to graduate. Because the program is completely online, it will be global both in nature as well as in enrollment, Klotz says. “They’ll be looking at issues that can be found anywhere, from rural settings or the inner city,” she says. “Issues from maternal health to access to health care, everything is going to be covered.” That kind of broad-based approach is a departure from traditional nursing studies of the past, but as the profession

and enrich health care in that particular setting, or they can move into the other side of it, going into research and teaching.” Producing qualified educators is a major goal of the program. The nation continues to face a nursing crunch, but that’s not so much due to little interest as it is to a shortage of teachers. “We’re all turning away qualified applicants because we don’t have the teachers for them,” Klotz says. “Now we’re going to be growing our own. And as hospitals look more for nurse scientists and researchers, we’ll be able to supply some of those needs as well.” – Joe Morris

Students enrolled at The University of Texas at Tyler College of Nursing and Health Sciences practice taking a patient’s blood pressure.

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Health & Wellness

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yler is deservedly known as a caring community. If you’re looking for a first-hand example, speak to any one of the 10,880 uninsured patients who received free or dramatically discounted services last year at the Bethesda Health Clinic. The brainchild of Tyler’s medical community, the clinic began to take shape in the late 1990s. First Baptist Church’s willingness to lease an 11,000square-foot building to house the facility was a major catalyst, and the doors opened in 2003. Since then, the numbers tell the tale. Clinic visits have risen steadily each year: Patients received 1,482 prescriptions valued at $881,623 in 2007; and donors including churches, foundations, business, organizations and individuals contributed almost $1 million in 2007. “Community support is the key for us,” says Dr. John English, executive director. “About 15 percent of our income comes from patient fees and about 25 percent from foundations, and the rest is from the community. We are so very grateful for and dependent on them. A broad range of folks give their time and more to us, so we really benefit from that.” More than 200 doctors and a similar number of nurses volunteer their time and talents at the clinic, along with hundreds of volunteers. These days, the clinic is working on preventative programs as well as ongoing care and treatment, particularly in the area of diabetes. – Joe Morris

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Back: Joan Burns, John Owen, Brandy Sawyer Middle: Don Stanley, Donna Shay, Vicki Waldron, Andy Guinn Front: Mary Anne Davis, Mary Simpson, Audrey Pongetti

(903) 581-4141 • www.cornerstonebrokerage.com

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(903) 581-7900

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Sports & Recreation

Hitting It Out of the Park TJC’S WIN PRODUCES STORYBOOK ENDING FOR CITY’S FIRST TIME TO HOST THE JUNIOR COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

TODD BENNETT

yler Junior College and SporTyler worked furiously in advance of the 2007 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Baseball World Series to ensure a successful event. The event was so well planned that the only uncontrollable variable was which team would emerge victorious. Fortunately, the TJC Apaches baseball team picked up the ball on that front. “The event was well received by the community and well received by the teams,” says Walter Wilhelmi, who served as chairman of SporTyler in 2007. “The weather was great, and the fact that Tyler Junior College won it was unbelievable.” The World Series victory added to TJC’s impressive trophy collection in Division III athletics. It was the 37th national championship in the school’s history. Additionally, the school finished the 2006-07 school year in the Top 10 in the nationwide Pepsi Cup, which measures overall success in men’s and women’s sports.

“Our program is pretty strong nationally in all of our sports,” says Tim Drain, Tyler Junior College’s athletic director. Tyler has also built an impressive reputation as a host, which aided its efforts to attract the World Series. The school served as the host of the NJCAA Soccer Championships for eight years at Pat Hartley Field, while the tennis national championships have also been conducted in the community. “They like to come down here,” Drain says of the NJCAA. “The hotels are good and the hospitality is phenomenal.” The World Series was landed through the combined efforts of the school and SporTyler, a nonprofit organization that reformed in 2006. One of SporTyler’s three primary functions is to attract and promote high-level sporting events to the community. “These are exactly the types of events we have sought to promote,” says Mark McDaniel, the deputy city manager who is the 2008 chairman of SporTyler. The World Series pulls in eight teams for the six-day event. Most of the 2007 field consisted of teams from the east coast, plus the local team. Though trophy-less, the visitors went away impressed. “There weren’t many negative comments at all, and that’s always a positive when you’re hosting for the first time,” Drain says. Still, the SporTyler officials are convinced that with a little bit of practice, the community can do even better. And Tyler will get the chance, as TJC and Mike Carter Field will host the event for the next two years. The 2008 dates are May 16-22. – Dan Markham

Quality sports facilities such as Tyler Junior College’s Mike Carter Field enable the city to draw major events.

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“Without music, life would be a mistake.” -Nietzsche, German Philosopher

The East Texas Symphony Orchestra enters its 65th season of presenting world-class live performance, unique education initiatives and programming, and a broad spectrum of community engagement as it strives to be a leader in the vibrant arts community of Tyler and East Texas. Our live concerts will nourish your soul and rekindle your spirit. JOIN WITH ETSO AND FIND JOY THROUGH THE POWER OF SYMPHONIC MUSIC.

526-ETSO www.etso.org Photo by Dr. Scott Lieberman

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Arts & Culture

Expanding for Art’s Sake NEW FACILITY WILL ENSURE CONTINUATION OF MUSEUM’S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY

place where the community and artists converge, the Tyler Museum of Art has been a cultural East Texas mainstay since it opened in 1971. With the 2007 purchase of 13 acres on which to build a much larger structure, the museum promises to continue its role as a prominent Tyler asset. “The museum has really risen to its challenges as far as being a positive impact for the city,” says Director Kimberley Tomio. Tomio moved to Tyler in 2000 for a six-month stint at the museum while she and her new husband, Ken, explored art-related career options in larger cities. The couple met in Dallas, where they worked together at the Crow Collection of Asian Art. Today, he is the TMA’s curator and education department head. “When we got here, we fell so in love with Tyler, and we both got so involved at the art museum,” Kimberley Tomio recalls. “We just think Tyler is our place for the rest of our lives.” When Tomio arrived on the scene, the museum boasted about 600 pieces of TYLER

mostly contemporary Texas art, and another 150 pieces of early Texas art from the 19th century through the early 20th century have been added since. A gift of contemporary photography rounds out the collection. A promised gift of 400 to 600 pieces of Mexican and Latin American folk art makes construction of the new facility a more urgent need. “That’s a huge leap for us for the collection,” Tomio says. The folk-art collection is a 20-year labor of love by Dan and Laura Boeckman of Dallas and is considered one of the nation’s premier collections of modern and contemporary art of its type. It includes carved wooden pieces, ceramics, textiles and clothes, paper maché objects, and even sugar skulls, traditional art from Mexico used to celebrate the Day of the Dead. “It’s an incredible, comprehensive collection,” Tomio says. “The Boeckmans always felt like they wanted to have this collection stay together and be given in one group to a museum that would preserve it and explain it. Some of these

artists have since passed away and some of the family members did not continue the tradition, so these things are ephemeral in many ways.” Even before the Boeckman largess, museum officials were laying the groundwork for a new facility. After more than two years of study, the museum’s board of directors decided on property at the corner of University Boulevard and Lazy Creek Drive, a heavily wooded parcel that promises a scenic landscape for the 42,000-squarefoot museum. While a timetable for construction isn’t set, museum officials already are working with a Dallas architect, Tomio says. In 2006, the TMA received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, which is a recognition that fewer than 17 percent of all U.S. museums achieve. – Sharon H. Fitzgerald

A visitor admires paintings on exhibit at the Tyler Museum of Art. PHOTO BY TODD BENNETT

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Education

TODD BENNETT

Hogg Middle School student Connor Steele shows members of the Tyler Independent School District Foundation a computer program the school was able to purchase, thanks to a $5,000 foundation grant.

Building a Successful Foundation TYLER INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDRAISING GROUP EXCEEDS GOALS

onsidering the Tyler Independent School District Foundation exceeded its fundraising goal for 2008 by $185,000, it is easy to comprehend the level of support this community extends to its public schools and young people. The foundation’s I Love Tyler ISD campaign has raised $385,000 in the past year, allowing it to continue making a real difference for teachers and students within the Tyler public school system. Throughout its 17-year history as a nonprofit corporation, the Tyler ISD Foundation has sought to provide teachers with resources to improve teaching and learning through private grants and donations. The group raises its funds through various fundraising methods, such as the annual fund drive, Gil Hitt Memorial Golf Tournament, and private and corporate grant requests. The mission to continuously improve and enrich the quality of public education is one of the best ways people can invest and know it will have a direct impact on the future of their communities, as well as the nation as a whole, explains Larry Goddard, executive director of the Tyler ISD Foundation. “Ninety percent of youth are enrolled in public schools nationwide,” Goddard says. “This means that the success of our country’s future lies in those individuals enrolled in the public school system.” Since Goddard came on board in April 2006, the foundation’s budget has increased from $100,000 to $600,000, which, Goddard points out, has little to do with his presence, but with the dedication of both the foundation as well as the Tyler community. TYLER

“Tyler has a big heart,” Goddard says. “It is great to see such support for public education; the impact it is having on the lives of these teachers and students is evident.” Doctors, lawyers, parents, CEOs and retired school personnel fill the 30-member board of directors, with each promoting the foundation and its mission while personally soliciting donations. Funds that are generated by the foundation go toward innovative teaching grants, advanced placement programs, staff development, facility improvements, and student and teacher recognition programs. Some special events include a district-wide back-to-school convocation, a teacher of the year banquet, an anniversary celebration that honors teachers and staff, and an academic recognition event that celebrates the academic achievement of both students and teachers. Most recently, the foundation awarded grants totaling $80,000 to three programs. Advancement Via Individual Determination, a program that prepares students in grades six through eight for college, received a $35,000 grant. Emerging Technologies, a program which incorporates an electronic blackboard into science classroom learning, received $35,000. A third grant of $10,000 was given to Student Safety, a program that uses ID scanning to check the backgrounds of all school campus visitors. “In order to have an exemplary school system, we need to make it our goal and stand behind it,” says Mike Thomas, president of the Tyler ISD Foundation. “Hands-on experience goes a long way, and the foundation provides teachers and students with opportunities to enhance their academic experiences.” – Sarah Ward I M AG E S -T Y L E R . C O M

Jim Toman Insurance

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Community Profile

TYLER SNAPSHOT Pro Body Affectionately referred to as “the real rose of Texas,” Tyler is a garden city known for its roses. It is the site of the annual Texas Rose Festival, held in mid-October and attended by thousands. And don’t forget the impressive spring festival celebrating the region, the 8-mile Azalea and Spring Flower Trail.

Gas Centerpoint Energy (800) 259-5544 534-9393

CLIMATE The climate is consistently mild, making it a gardener’s paradise.

Phone/Internet AT&T (800) 464-7928 Street Lights Oncor (888) 313-4747

Average high January, 57 F April, 78 F July, 94 F October, 80 F

Trash Removal Tyler Solid Waste Department 531-1388

Average low January, 36 F April, 55 F July, 71 F October, 56 F

Water/Sewer Tyler Water Department 531-1230 or 531-1237

Average rainfall 43.1 inches annually

EDUCATION

Average sunny days 245 annually

Public Schools Tyler Independent School District 262-1000 www.tylerisd.org

UTILITIES Cable/Phone/Internet Suddenlink, 595-4321 Electricity Power To Choose (866) 797-4839

Private Schools Tyler is home to nearly a dozen private educational institutions. For a complete listing, visit www.tylertexas.com.

Higher Education The University of Texas at Tyler 566-7200 www.uttyler.edu Texas College 593-8311 www.texascollege.edu Tyler Junior College 510-2200 www.tjc.edu Tyler Junior College West Campus 510-2900

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 315 N. Broadway Tyler, TX 75702 Phone: (903) 592-1661, (800) 235-5712 Fax: (903) 593-2746 www.tylertexas.com

Sources: www.tylertexas.com www.tedc.org www.visittylertexas.com www.cityoftyler.org THIS SECTION IS SPONSORED BY

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Visit Our Advertisers All Saints Episcopal School www.all-saints.org

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COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS KIM MADLOM, BILL McMEEKIN, ANITA WADHWANI ASSISTANT EDITOR REBECCA DENTON STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN DIRECTORIES EDITOR KRISTY WISE EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DANNY BONVISSUTO, SHARON H. FITZGERALD, KELLI LEVEY, DAN MARKHAM, JOE MORRIS, SARAH WARD SENIOR INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER JOE THOMAS SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, BRIAN M CCORD CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS

Conaway Homes www.conawayhomes.com

WEB DESIGN DIRECTOR SHAWN DANIEL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER

Cornerstone Brokerage www.cornerstonebrokerage.com

SENIOR PRODUCTION PROJECT MGR. TADARA SMITH PRODUCTION PROJECT MGRS. MELISSA HOOVER, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JESSICA BRAGONIER GRAPHIC DESIGN CANDICE HULSEY, ALISON HUNTER, JANINE MARYLAND, LINDA MOREIRAS, AMY NELSON

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WEB PROJECT MANAGER ANDY HARTLEY WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN CORY MITCHELL AD TRAFFIC MEGHANN CAREY, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN

Eagle’s Bluff www.eaglesbluff.com East Texas Children’s Therapy Services www.childrens-therapy.net

SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER

East Texas Medical Center www.etmc.org

Special Health Resources for Texas Inc. www.shrt.net Swann’s Furniture Gallery www.swanns.com Talon Insurance Agency www.talonins.com Texas Bank & Trust www.texasbankandtrust.com Texas Spine & Joint Hospital www.tsjh.org The Brook Hill School www.brookhill.org The Granite Girls

V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITOR/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL

East Texas Symphony Orchestra www.etso.org

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS

Express Personnel Services www.expresspersonnel.com

RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH MARKETING DIRECTOR KATHLEEN ERVIN IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE

EyeCare Associates of East Texas www.eyecaretyler.com

IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE CUSTOM SALES SUPPORT PATTI CORNELIUS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER

The Hospice of East Texas www.hospiceofeasttexas.org The Isaksen Group LTD www.theisaksengroup.com The University of Texas at Tyler www.uttyler.edu

First Federal Bank Texas www.ffbtx.com

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler www.uthct.edu

Greater Tyler Association of Realtors www.gtar.com

Trinity Mother Frances www.tmfhs.org

Holiday Inn Select www.showhotel.com/ holidayinn/7570301

Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce www.tylertexas.com

OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM

CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images of Tyler is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questionsor comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce 315 N. Broadway • Tyler, Texas 75702 Phone: (903) 592-1661 • Fax: (903) 593-2746 www.tylertexas.com VISIT IMAGES OF TYLER ONLINE AT IMAGES-TYLER.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Jim Toman Insurance Kelly Community Federal Credit Union www.kellycommunity.org

Tyler Independent School District www.tylerisd.org Tyler Junior College www.tjc.edu

Ramada Tyler Conference Center www.ramada.com

Tyler Lighting Gallery www.tylerlightinggallery.com

Re/Max Tyler – Laura Corbett www.remax-tyler-tx.com

Tyler Museum of Art www.tylermuseum.org

Member Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Please recycle this magazine

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