Brown county fall 2015 by RedFin

FALL 2015

Kevin Elkins: Sunshine and Strength

Shylah Bertrand’s medical charts may be marked ‘Muscular Dystrophy’ but those who love and admire her see only a strong, determined and loving woman.

SPUR MAKER & SILVERSMITH Brown County craftsman creates unique pieces designed with the working cowboy in mind.

Chamber Guide

Your local membership directory for Brownwood and Early.

Hometown Li v ing At Its Best

SM A

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Made Made In In Texas Texas By By Texans Texans

Comanche Electric Cooperative Cooperative(CECA) (CECA) its roots Comanche Electric hashas its roots in thein the tough-minded, tough-minded,independent independentspirit spiritof ofthe themen menand andwomen womenwho whomade madetheir living off the land. By the mid-1930's, 98 percent of the farmers and ranchtheir living off the land. By the mid-1930's, 98 percent of the farmers ers rural Texas wereTexas still pumping by hand, houses andofranchers of rural were still water pumping water lighting by hand,their lighting with lamps, burning woodburning for warmth, theirkerosene houses with kerosene lamps, woodand for cooking warmth,and andworking by dint ofand muscle and grit, while people in cities enjoyed the cooking working by dint of muscle andthe grit, while people inlabor the saving benefits of electricity. cities enjoyed the labor saving benefits of electricity. Although Texans lived livedininrural ruralareas, areas, private Although nearly nearly 40 percent of Texans utility companies saw no potential for profit in extending power lines across private utility companies saw no potential for profit in extending great expanses of countryside. Recognizing the far-reaching advantages of power lines across great expanses of countryside. Recognizing the bringing electricity to rural America,electricity Congress,toinrural 1935,America, approved the Rufar-reaching advantages of bringing ral Electrification Government-backed loans opened the Congress, in 1935,Administration. approved the Rural Electrification Administration. way for rural communities form member-owned and telephone Government-backed loans to opened the way for ruralelectric communities to cooperatives. form member-owned electric and telephone cooperatives. CECA CECAwas wascreated createdin in1938 1938totoserve servethe therural ruralareas areasofofNorth NorthCentral Texas in Texas our service area. Today serves serves seven seven counties Central in our service area. your Todaycooperative your cooperative with approximately 5,000 miles of line. membership consists of more counties with approximately 5,000 milesThe of line. The membership than 8,800 at more than 16,000 meters. Electric serconsists ofmembers more thanbeing 8,800served members being served at more than vice with CECAElectric ranges service from fence to industrial sites,chargers schools to 16,000 meters. with chargers CECA ranges from fence hospitals. to industrial sites, schools to hospitals. In serves 3,200 3,000members memberswith with 5,000 In Brown Brown County alone, CECA serves meters. CECA makes a dedicated effort to be involved in all Brown 6,000 meters. CECA makes a dedicated effort to be involved in all County Communities through our donations of donations time and money Brown County Communities through our of time to: andVolunteer Fire Departments in Bangs, Blanket, Brooksmith, Brownwood, Early and money to: Volunteer Fire Departments in Bangs, Blanket, Brooksmith, May; Project Graduation in Bangs, Brownwood, May, and Brownwood, Early and May; ProjectBlanket, Graduation in Bangs,Early, Blanket, Zephyr; The Ark; Club ofArk; Brownwood; Samaritan Brownwood, Early,Boys May,and andGirls Zephyr; The Boys and Good Girls Club of Ministries; Goodfellows; BrownMinistries; County United Way; Empty Bowls Project; Brownwood; Good Samaritan Goodfellows; Brown County Brown Relay Bowls for Life; and many more. UnitedCounty Way; Empty Project; Brown County Relay for Life; and Thank you Brown County for allowing us to be a part of your commany more. munity. Thank you Brown County for allowing us to be a part of your community.

Shackelford

Stephens

Callahan

Eastland

Brown

Comanche

Mills

Dedicated to improving the quality oftolife in the comDedicated improving the munities serve through quality of lifewe in the communities Cooperative Principal #7: we serve through Cooperative Commitment to Community. Principal #7: Commitment to Community.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Brown County Living

Expect the Best

325-646-1547 1900 AUSTIN AVENUE | BROWNWOOD, TX 76801

www.BrownwoodRealEstate.com

contents

Sunshine and Strength

Shylah Bertrand’s medical charts may be marked ‘Muscular Dystrophy’ but those who love and admire her see only a strong, determined and loving woman.

Spur Maker Turned Artist Creates One-of-a-Kind Pieces

Kevin Elkins’ true passion is creating works of art that he sees in his mind’s eye.

Changing the Lives of Children in Texas and Abroad

Dr. Bowles has traveled thousands of miles since 2009, working to correct facial deformities and give children in Columbia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic a second chance at life.

Calm Waters: New Texas Paddling Trail Opens on the Becan Bayou

Nestled along the Pecan Bayou, the new Texas Paddling Trail offers residents and visitors the chance to enjoy the peaceful view.

Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program Latch Key after school program mentors local children.

Mud and Mascara

Haley Painter is proving that dirt bike racing isn’t just for boys.

Brown County Living

about t he cover

The boots on the cover showcase a pair of handmade spurs created by Brownwood artisan Kevin Elkins. To read more about Kevin and his one-of-a-kind creations, turn to page 20.

Experience BROWN COUNTY HISTORY

Railroad History Model Trains Mini-Train Rides The Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum 700 East Adams • Brownwood, TX 76801 325-643-6367 • Google: “Lehnis Railroad Museum”

Historic Jail World War II Camp Bowie The Brown County Museum of History 209 N. Broadway • Brownwood, TX 76801 325-641-1926 • browncountyhistory.org

www.visitbrownwood.com Hometown Living At Its Best

contents

Love of the Past ~ Roadway to the Future

Identical twins and attorneys Donnie and Ronnie Lappe share many common interests including a love of history and community involvement.

For God, Family, Country

Local businessman David Furry shows that if your heart is in the right place, by the grace of God everything will work out.

Brownwood Foundation for Excellence: Helping Students Attain Excellence

BFOE helps to unleash each child’s full potential by helping them discover and develop the leadership qualities within them.

Working for Children: C.A.S.A Volunteers Stand in the Gap

CASA is a program that recruits, trains and supports citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities.

American Hogger, American Hunter

A&E show American Hoggers features Jerry Campbell and his family’s business of clearing feral pigs off of people’s property.

inisesvueery

Hometown Happenings

A glimpse inside a few of the exciting events recently held in Brown County.

134

Scenes of Brown County

Take a look at a few more of the reasons why we think Brown County is a great place to live. 6

Brown County Living

Diversity

Dual Credit

Career Pathways

Advanced Technology

! s s e c c u s r o f s t n e d u t s g Preparin brownwoodisd.org/connect Hometown Living At Its Best

From the Publisher PUBLISHER Red Fin Publishing Justin & Hayley Six Kyle & Halsey Clark

I hope all of you had a great summer and made some good memories! Going back to school is such a great time of year. As a school kid, sharing memories with friends and filling them in on what you did over the summer was what it was all about. We’re so excited to bring you this edition of Brown County Living and hope you learn more about your area and why it’s so special. In this issue you’ll read about Kevin Elkins and his extraordinary talent. True handmade items and western culture both symbolize true Texas traditions. You’ll also read about Shylah Bertrand and all that she shares with and gives to the community. Wow, Brown County is made up of so many special people! We would like to introduce to you a new member of our team - Kyle Clark and his wonderful family. We are beyond excited to bring them aboard and look forward to what the future holds. In the near future we’ll be launching Brown County Living its own individual website, designed and tailored specifically for Brown County. Within the pages of each edition you’ll have a business directory for both the Brownwood and Early Chambers of Commerce. We would like to thank the chambers for their continued support, and look forward to providing Brown County with many more issues of your hometown publication. Be sure and like us on Facebook at: Brown County Living Magazine for additional updates and keep an eye out for the www.BrownCountyLiving.com website coming soon. We want to thank our advertisers for their contribution and support. Help us express thanks to them by shopping local! Their involvement allows this publication to come free of charge to you. Go by any advertiser’s location to pick up your complimentary copy. Thank you, and we look forward to a long relationship with this area, as well as many more wonderful issues of Brown County Living! Wishing you many blessings,

Justin and Hayley Six Kyle & Halsey Clark Justin.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 301-3828 Kyle.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 304-1044

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Brown County Living Magazine 8

Brown County Living

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Brittny Sanchez

CREATIVE | DESIGN

enVision Creative Services

OFFICE MANAGER Hayley Six Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Rusti Fisher

CONTENT DIRECTOR Brittny Sanchez Brittny.RedFin@gmail.com CONTENT COORDINATOR

Noel Betush Noel.RedFin@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

PROOF READER

PHOTOGRAPHERS COVER PHOTO

SALES

Halsey Clark

Hayley Six Anthony Reine Photography Cody Wright Photography Emily Peisker Heather Nix Photography Landi Whitefield Photography Leah-k photography Mikka Hill Photography Plan-it ink Riley Studio Photo by Riley Studio Brittny Sanchez Dustin Whitley Justin Six Kyle Clark

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amanda Leija Connie Lewis Leonard Chandler Condra Jessa McClure Kim Benestante Peggy Purser Freeman Rebecca Parvaresh Terry McKeown CONTRIBUTORS

Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Brownwood Independent School District Early Chamber of Commerce Howard Payne University Kyle Riley

Brown County Living© is published semi-annually by Red Fin Publishing. www.redfinpublishing.com P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 301-3828 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

Same Family New Name COMING OCTOBER 2015

325-646-4186

www.moseley-realestate.com 1001 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802

Brown County Living

Sunshine and

Stren gth BY PEGGY Purser FREEMAN PHOTOS BY RILEY STUDIO, MINT PHOTOGRAPHY AND PROVIDED BY THE CUTBIRTH FAMILY

“ God has used MD in my

life to make me who I am today. When I am weak, He is strong. I love serving people and always get more out of it than what

” - Shylah Bertrand I give.

Born and raised in Brownwood, Shylah Cutbirth Bertrand is known for her dynamic faith and determination to do anything. As a Brownwood Lion, she achieved academic awards and honors. As a young adult, she worked in missions around the world and has been an advocate for the disabled, all of this as she pushes through her own barriers of pain and illness. “God has used MD in my life to make me who I am today.” Shylah summarizes her illness, “When I am weak, He is strong. I love serving people and always get more out of it than what I give.” Tracy Wells describes her daughter: “Shy is very determined, always a leader not a follower. She has touched the lives of youth here in Early. Now, as a first grade teacher, she will teach self-worth, the worth of others and how to succeed. Shy has impacted people 12

Brown County Living

all over Texas as a past State Goodwill Ambassador for MD. She often shared her story with crowds of 300 to 500 people at golf tournaments, community events and fundraisers, always working to help find the cure for MD.” Every year, the Labor Day MD Telethon keeps Shylah busy as she travels to Abilene to help raise funds. “Many people have Muscular Dystrophy much worse than I do.” Shylah explained as she prepared her classroom at Early Primary School for the first day of classes, “When I hear their story, I am very touched. These people don’t deserve MD, and I would do anything to find a cure. When I was young, some people said that by high school graduation, I wouldn’t be able to walk across the stage. But I did. I graduated college, got my teaching certification and have become a first grade teacher.” Shylah’s family is a huge support team. “They don’t

Hometown Living At Its Best

Brown County Living

stop me from doing anything I want. They are right beside me. My mom cheers me on and always wants me to reach my goals. My dad, my hunting buddy, has taught me everything. My brother is always the best big brother. My husband, Phillip, is the most genuine and kind person. He stands beside me always.” Brian Callaway, Principal at Early Primary School bragged on Shylah, “She has such a heart for kids and a excitement for education. We love her team spirit and are so proud to have her begin her teaching career here.” Where more athletic activities didn’t work for Shylah, hunting with her dad and brother did and gave her unforgettable experiences. “I think hunting is good for people with disabilities because ANYONE can do it. You don’t have to be athletic. I grew up on a ranch and love the outdoors. Hunting with my dad always makes special

memories.” Shylah has worked with the Texas Trophy Hunters Association, creating Texas Hunt videos to inspire disabled hunters. Kyle Cutbirth shared his memories hunting with his daughter. “The most memorable hunt for me was when Shy was fourteen. She was sick, really sick, but still wanted to go. She rested some in the blind, until I woke her when I spotted two bucks. She wanted me to tell her which one to harvest. But I told her she had to decide which one. She took aim and got the biggest one. Two weeks later her bother harvested the other one. Sure enough, hers was biggest by four inches. She loves to hold it over him that she holds the family record.” Shylah’s father talked about the hard times. “The hardest thing ever was putting my 17 year-old-daughter on a bus to Africa with people she didn’t know. I begged Hometown Living At Its Best

“… I am strong

when I am on your shoulders; you raise me up to more than I can be. -

”

Josh Groban

Brown County Living

her to not go. But she loves Africa in a way I can’t explain. She says in Africa you forget about all of the material things we love here. In Africa it’s about the people and how we can help them.” Shylah admits that her favorite mission trip would probably have to be Africa. “I have been on many mission trips to Brazil, Mexico, Alaska and Africa (which is where I met my husband). Sometimes, I could easily sit around and be upset about having Muscular Dystrophy, but God gives me the strength to keep going. I can do everything I want to do, maybe just in a different way.” A different way describes Shylah’s wedding. Phillip is the Youth Minister at Salt Creek Baptist in Early. One night recently as he drove home from youth meeting, he talked about the day they met. “I knew some of Shy’s Brownwood friends in high school, but not her, even though I lived ten minutes away. Then, I went on a mission trip to Africa. I was going to college in Dallas at the time, and our groups took two different vans at the airport in Uganda. Somewhere along the way, Shy

transferred to my van. I found her in my seat, and said, “This is my seat, so you’ll have to sit next me. By the end of the trip, we both knew.” Phillip laughed. “She is unbelievable. Determined, strong-willed, even a bit stubborn, she loves life. She is a servant and to me, the image of the Bride of Christ—selfless and loving.” Beau shared about his part in his sister’s wedding. “I carried her. She is stronger than the average person. Even though she has difficulty walking, she goes on mission trips, while so many of us who have no physical difficulties stay home. So, on the day of her wedding, I got to carry her.” Beau carried his sister to the place where she could walk with her dad down the outdoor aisle where Phillip waited. After the ceremony Phillip swept her up in his arms and carried her back. Josh Groban penned the words, “… I am strong when I am on your shoulders; you raise me up to more than I can be.” Those who know Shylah Bertrand are the ones raised to stand on mountains, to see her faith and share her strength. Family friend Amy Boscamp said, “When you look at Shy, you don’t see MD. You see sunshine, strength and love.”

“ When you look at Shy, you don’ t see MD.

You see sunshine, strength and love. -

” Amy Boscamp Hometown Living At Its Best

254-965-9099

6688 S. US Hwy. 377 Stephenville, TX 76401 Firearms • Safes • Tactical Accessories Gun Smith • Archery • Yeti • Ammunition

Brown County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Brown County Living

SPUR MAKER TURNED ARTIST CREATES ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES by JESSA MCCLURE photos by RILEY STUDIO & PROVIDED BY KEVIN ELKINS

Because Elkins has become known for his artistic style, customers more often than not trust the spur maker to put his own spin on their designs. Hometown Living At Its Best

In a small shop outside of his home, spur maker and silversmith Kevin Elkins works with painstaking accuracy to cut a piece of 1/8 inch steel. In a matter of minutes, something begins to emerge from the metal. Elkins buffs the edges and punches holes in the piece, creating what will become a belt buckle for what the Brown County native calls a “working cowboy.” After he is satisfied with the size and feel of the piece, he then begins the truly artistic part of the job—soldering silver on top of the steel to create a one-of-akind piece of art. “I do belt buckles more than anything,” Elkins said. “It’s something that will last a customer a really long time. They’re built with the working cowboy in mind.” The personalized buckles, that usually contain brands or initials, have become the most popular item in Elkins’ line of products. But, even though he enjoys creating these pieces for his clients, he says that his true passion is creating works of art that he sees in his mind’s eye. “I did a heart-shaped snaﬄe bit that I’m especially proud of,” Elkins said. “It was a gunmetal style, which is where you leave the engraving in the forefront. It takes a lot more time.” 22

Brown County Living

Elkins said that his artistic style has developed over the 22 years since he began creating these pieces out of silver and steel, and now customers and other silversmiths recognize his work.

Hometown Living At Its Best

This particular piece took the silversmith six weeks to finish. And although he entered it into a sale for the International Guild of Spur Making, he wasn’t quite ready to part with it. “I’ve still got it,” he said. “It’s an exceptional piece and shows the artistic side of this business. I had it in my brain and I had to create it.” Elkins said that his artistic style has developed over the 22 years since he began creating these pieces out of silver and steel, and now customers and other silversmiths recognize his work. “People that see my pieces all of the time see my style and know it,” he said. “I’ve been standing close to conversations where one person will ask, ‘is that Elkins’ buckle?’ It’s based entirely on the look that we have. I do a lot of silver overlays and an antique finish that people really like.” The silversmith’s technique includes covering his pieces with a blue gun finish and roughing up edges with a piece of steel wool. Because Elkins has become known for his artistic style, customers more often than not trust the spur maker

Brown County Living

to put his own spin on their designs. “A lot of times they’ll tell me the style of buckle they want, and they’ll tell me they want their brand on it and the rest is up to me,” he said. “They say, ‘you’re the artist, just do what you think is best.’” Customers have been so happy with his work that his pieces have become well known in the world of spurmaking and silver work. His reputation has helped him secure opportunities to create artwork for the likes of President Bush and country singer Blake Shelton. “One of my clients got an invite to a function at the White House. He called me and said, ‘build a belt buckle with President Bush’s initials on it and send it to me,’” Elkins said. “He gave it to George Bush. Then one day I was sitting in my shop and a got a call from the White House. I told the lady, ‘you’re going to have to say that again, because I don’t get phone calls like this every day.’” The woman, who worked for the White House, said she was checking on the buckle and wanted to speak with the man who created it. Since then belt buckles have become his most popular piece. Elkins said he creates what the customer wants so

Hometown Living At Its Best

that he can work on pieces that are less about making money and more about artistic expression. “You have to build what your customers want in order to get to do what you want,” he said. Elkins’ business, Cowboy Custom Designs, started more than two decades ago when his father began collecting spurs. “I had retired from riding saddle broncs in the professional rodeo and I needed something to do to occupy my time,” Elkins said. “My dad showed me some new spurs he had and I looked at them and said, ‘I can do better than that.’” Without any of the proper tools or experience, Elkins dove into spur making, piecing everything together little by little. “I started silver work because I knew some cowboy was going to come down and order a pair of spurs and he was going to think of his wife and was going to want to order some jewelry.” Now Elkins’ product line contains not only spurs and belt buckles, but earrings, necklace charms, and wedding bands. The silversmith has seen great success with all of his creations, even though he doesn’t focus on advertising or self-promotion. “It’s basically all word of mouth,” he said. “I do have a Facebook page and an Instagram account, but most of my customers hear about my work from others who’ve

Brown County Living

bought from me.” Elkins knows a lot about the power of word of mouth, growing up in what he calls “small town Texas.” He was raised south of Brownwood where everyone knew each other and word traveled fast. Not only did his childhood inspire his method of promotion, but it also inspires his passion for creating pieces for cowboys. “We didn’t always have a lot growing up, but we always had horses, we always had ropes, and we always had saddles,” he said. “Life pretty much had to do with horses pretty much every day.” Now Elkins is helping to create unique pieces for other men, women, and children whose lives revolve around horses. But even though his pieces are created with the working cowboy in mind, he wants them to be high quality, created without using any manufactured parts. “You wouldn’t buy a piece of art that had part of the background printed on it, and the artist finished the rest,” he said. “It’s the same thing with silver work.” Although, Elkins is not able to work full time on his pieces right now, he hopes that when he retires from his work at a local factory that he will be able to put more time into his hobby turned passion. “When I retire, the plan is to do it on a little larger scale,” he said. “I don’t know necessarily what that means, but we’ll . see what the public brings to me.”

“One day I was sitting in my shop and a got a call from the White House. I told the lady, ‘you’re going to have to say that again, because I don’t get phone calls like this every day.’” Hometown Living At Its Best

JUDSON WOODLEY

•Criminal Defense •Family Law

EMILY MILLER

•Bankruptcy Law •Criminal Defense

O 707 Center Avenue • Brownwood, TX 76801

325-646-7685 www.woodleydudley.net

Brown County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Changing the Lives of Children

in Texas and Abroad 30

Brown County Living

By Jessa McClure Photos provided by Future Smiles and Drawing Alegria Foundation

DR. BOWLES HAS TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF MILES SINCE 2009, WORKING TO CORRECT FACIAL DEFORMITIES AND GIVE CHILDREN IN COLUMBIA, MEXICO, AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

Hometown Living At Its Best

As Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Dylan Bowles enters the clinic his team has set up in preparation for this day, he knows that he is about to help change the lives of children and their families. Dr. Bowles has traveled thousands of miles since 2009, working to correct facial deformities and give children in Columbia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic a second chance at life. “What people don’t understand is that [Cleft Lip and Palate] is not just a cosmetic facial deformity, it’s also a functional deformity,” he said. “These children (and adults) suffer from failure to thrive and are malnourished because they essentially have a communication between their nose and mouth and throat that keeps them from creating a seal or suction with their lips. Due to this functional deficit the children have severe problems with nursing or breastfeeding. The children also typically suffer from speech impediments.” In addition, the corrective surgeries must be done at the proper age in order for the normal development of speech. “Our patients may range in age from 3 months to 50 years,” he said. While many cleft lip and palate cases are related 32

Brown County Living

to genetics, often times the deformity comes from the mother’s lack of nutrition while carrying the child, particularly when it comes to folic acid. Having a cleft lip and palate is more prevalent in South and Central America where nutrition and prenatal care are lacking. “In our own society, patients with facial deformities often times suffer from depression or behavioral health problems and it is no different in other countries,” Dr. Bowles said. “During our most recent trip to Ibague, Colombia, we evaluated several patients with syndromic features that often not only affect the face, but also heart and extremities like Treacher Collins, Crouzons, and Hemifacial Microsomia.” But, the real question may be, why does the doctor do this? “Our motto is, we do it for the kids. The kids are helpless and with properly sequenced surgical procedures form and function can be restored. Helping these little kids has been so rewarding, spiritually and emotionally,” he said. “You feel so accomplished because you’re giving back to someone who would not otherwise have the opportunity to have this type of surgery.” But going on medical missions isn’t just Dr. Bowles’

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our motto is, we do it for the kids.â&#x20AC;?

Drawing Alegria Ibague mission team. Hometown Living At Its Best

Jesse Bowles, RN, MBA in recovery with one of their youngest patients. 34

Brown County Living

Dr. Garzon and Dr. Bowles triaging a patient.

passion. It is something his family participates in as well. “My wife wears many hats. She is typically one of the mission coordinators, patient organizers, preoperative nurse, first assistant, or in the post anesthesia care unit with the patient, recovering the babies,” he said. “It’s really important to have her there with me. We’re our own team.” Dr. Bowles has had the privilege to work with several International Foundations that host cleft lip and palate missions. The Ibague mission is made possible by the Drawing Alegria Foundation. Dr. Dario Garzon, who is the lead physician and co-founder of Drawing Alegria Foundation, has been performing facial deformity corrections for several years in Columbia. His foundation’s primary objective is to help children with cleft lip and palate deformities. He has created an extensive network of mission locations to be able to carry out their precious work. What most do not understand is that the staff involved in mission work are never paid. The travel, instrumentation, supplies, lodging, and food expenses are usually left to that of the volunteer. “My wife and I have developed Future Smiles Foundation,” Dr. Bowles said. “It’s an organization where we will have the ability to provide international and

Hometown Living At Its Best

Dr. Bowles, with wife Jesse, was recognized by the Columbian Rotary Club as International Rotarian Participants.

Brown County Living

“The secret to life is to be able to give. It’s the greatest gift of all.”

local surgical care for patients with cleft lip and palate deformities. We wish to partner with foundations, such as Drawing Alegria, to not only provide a service, but also to assist them in monetarily aiding their service with the help from our local communities as well.” As a Rotarian, Dr. Bowles works with other rotary clubs in Texas that are interested in international or local help for kids with cleft lip and palate care. Dr. Bowles developed a passion for facial deformity correction in children and others with facial reconstructive procedures when he was still early in his training. And when he joined the Army in 2003 he saw just how valuable corrective surgery could be. “In the military, I had the privilege of caring for our soldiers wounded in battle,” he said. “Several advances have been made from my experiences in the military, and it was an honor to serve in the military for eight years.” Dr. Bowles carries his team approach training to the cleft lip and palate teams, which may consist of pediatricians, surgeons, orthodontists, speech pathologists, and pediatric anesthesiologists. “Usually the first day is our screening clinic where we see at times up to 200 patients,” he said. “There are so many patients in need, that we often work from daylight until dark to treat as many children as possible. We typically have several doctors in each specialty that work together in a team effort. The nurses and surgical technicians are instrumental in the efforts to provide a successful environment.”

The doctor’s trips usually last anywhere from seven to 10 days, and are very different than life back in the States. But, after providing essential services and surgeries to the people of Central and South America, Dr. Bowles returns to his home state where he was born and raised. The maxillofacial surgeon grew up in the small town of Eastland, Texas. After earning degrees in universities all over the state, he found his way back to the Brownwood area, intent on raising his family outside of the city. “I’m from this area and I always wanted to come back here and take care of the kind of people I most associate myself with,” he said. Dr. Bowles became a part of the staff at Brownwood Regional Medical Center in 2011, and said part of his motivation for returning to the Brown County area is to provide his specialized services. “They didn’t have anyone in the area that provides the full-scope services or type of surgical care that I provide,” he said. “It’s something that’s typically found in a major metropolitan areas. So, I think it’s the best of both worlds. I don’t have to raise my family in the city, and the people of Brown County have access to care.” While Dr. Bowles loves treating patients at the Texas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery, he says going on medical missions has become part of his way of life, and something he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “The secret to life is to be able to give,” he said. “It’s the greatest gift of all.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Brown County Living

www.hiwayauto.com 2805 Hwy. 279 Brownwood, TX

325-646-8254

“Specializing In Late Model Used Auto Parts”

“Paying Top Dollar For Your Scrap Metal” Hometown Living At Its Best

Calm Waters New Texas Paddling Trail opens on the Pecan Bayou

By Amanda Leija Photos by Riley Studio and provided by Debbie Morelock

he slow moving water of the Pecan Bayou has been a hidden treasure Debbie Morelock hopes to shine a light on with the newly established Texas Paddling Trail. “Some people don’t realize the beauty in it,” Morelock said. “It’s extremely peaceful to paddle through and it’s rare to see a fisherman. When we paddle it, we’re usually the only ones on the water.” Morelock and her husband Don, owners of the Stars of Texas Bed & Breakfast, have paddled down the Pecan Bayou for more than 15 years. With all of the experiences they’ve shared, the Morelocks have often encouraged their guests to go down the Pecan Bayou. “Some of our guests don’t have access to nature like we do,” Morelock said. “It’s definitely an experience for our guests to come out and see the red birds on the trail and to see the stars. When you live in the big city, you don’t see all that nature has to offer.”

Brown County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

Starting the Trail After serving on the Brownwood tourism board for several years, Morelock knew the addition of a paddling trail with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department would be another recreational opportunity for visitors and residents to enjoy. “We’re not a tourist destination,” Morelock said. “I saw the paddling trail as another stream to get more [people] interest in our area.” Morelock made the inquiry to Texas Parks & Wildlife in 2010 regarding the necessary steps to establish a trail. Since Morelock and her husband travelled down the Pecan Bayou for many years, the application process was easy to complete and had to include the distance of the proposed trail, wildlife along the trail, and approval from the City of Brownwood. 42

Brown County Living

“I’ve paddled [the Pecan Bayou] enough to know a lot of what the application was asking,” Morelock said. “Everyone has been real supportive in making this trail possible. David and Artie from the Parks and Recreation department were a big help in getting things together.” The Texas Paddling Trails program helps promote habitat conservation through sustainable economic development, while providing additional recreational opportunities to the public. According to the Texas Parks & Wildlife, more Americans paddle (canoe, kayak or raft) than play soccer — making it one of the fastest growing nature tourism experiences. Due to unusual and unforeseen circumstances, the final approval from the Texas Parks & Wildlife did not occur until the end of 2014. The Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail officially opened on March 12, 2015 with a ribbon cutting with the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, residents

Bird watchers can enjoy spotting eastern bluebirds, several species of owls, herons, egrets and woodpeckers year-round, as well as winter species such as brown creeper, northern pintails, blue-winged teal and yellow-bellied sapsuckers. along with members of the chamber paddled through a short portion of the trail. “The trail itself is unique,” Morelock said. “The Pecan Bayou is a slow moving water which makes it easily to navigate through in either direction.” The Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail can be accessed through Fabis Primitive Park and paddlers can choose to do the either the 3.2-mile loop — upriver and back from the park — or do the 4-mile loop downriver to the dam and back. Rainfall and overflow from Lake Brownwood

fills the slow moving Bayou. Float time can vary from one to three hours depending on several factors like the water level, winds, and flow rates. The Pecan Bayou flows through a mature pecan orchard composed of numerous pecan trees that are more than 100 years old. Bird watchers can enjoy spotting eastern bluebirds, several species of owls, herons, egrets and woodpeckers year-round, as well as winter species such as brown creeper, northern pintails, blue-winged teal and yellow-bellied sapsuckers. Hometown Living At Its Best

“When I started kayaking, it allowed me to enjoy the water in a different way by slowing things down— it’s nice and peaceful.” ~Scott Owen

Brown County Living

New Venture It was a mutual love for the outdoors that brought Todd Lewis and Scott Owen together to create Pecan Valley Kayaks. “As the principal at Coggin [Elementary School], I knew his kids,” Lewis said. “I knew he enjoyed the outdoors, so one day I invited him and his son to go with me and my son to kayak part of the South Llano River.” The kayaking trip was not Owen’s first time on the water. “I’ve always enjoyed being outdoors and on the water,” Owen said. “I grew up boating with my grandparents. When I started kayaking, it allowed me to enjoy the water in a different way by slowing things down— it’s nice and peaceful.” Since the trip, the two have gone on countless kayaking trips. Hometown Living At Its Best

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Lewis said. “I have 10 years of good memories from kayaking with my son. It’s a chance to get away from computers and really spend time with your family and friends.” Both Owen and Lewis started collecting kayaks for personal use. When he read about the opening of the Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail, Owen called Lewis up to talk about working together to start up a kayak rental business. “We looked into it and found that no one in the area provided that service,” Lewis said. “We both really enjoy kayaking and with our business we can get other people interested in it.” Owen notes the calm waters of the Pecan Bayou are perfect for beginners to venture into kayaking. He notes the lack of a strong current makes the trail easy to 46

Brown County Living

navigate through since paddlers do not have to worry about going against the current. “It’s a nice, relaxing paddle that’s great for first timers,” Owen said. “You don’t have to worry about rapids like some rivers have. You can pick up the skills pretty fast and it’s a safe place to learn.” For a small rental fee of $30, interested paddlers can rent a kayak for the day to use for the Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail, Riverside Park, or Lake Brownwood. The rental fee includes the kayak, paddles, life jackets, and delivery and pickup of the kayak. “The water is great now,” Owen said. “As long as people want to keep going and the water is not too cold, we’ll have the kayaks available.” For more information about Pecan Valley Kayaks or . to rent a kayak, contact Owen at (325) 647-6799.

Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings Brownwood ISD Happenings The 2014-2015 school year was abundant in fun and educational activities both in and out of the classroom. Brownwood ISD students and staff took part in chess tournaments, parades, philanthropy, and the 100th day of school, just to name a few. What an amazing year it was and now with the 20152016 year underway, we look forward to seeing what they do next. Go Lions!

Photos courtesy of BISD

6th Grade Track Meet

BHS Theatre - History of Tom Jones

3rd Grade Chess Tournament

Brownwood Reunion Parade

BHS Graduation

Pink Out 2015

BHS Senior Night

BHS Class of 1965 Art Donation

3rd Grade Chess Tournament

BHS Soccer - Senior Night

BHS Jazz Christmas Concert

Northwest Elementary - 100th Day of School

BMS National Junior Honor Society Inductions

Coggin Elementary Book Fair

Veterans Day - Woodland Heights Elementary BHS Marching Band

Pink Out Check Donation from Brookshireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

East Elementary Thank You to Home Depot for Classroom Benches

BHS Valedictorian & Salutatorian

Cinco De Mayo - Woodland Heights Elementary

Brownwood Intermediate - Red Nose Day

BHS Lionettes

Community Resource Fair

6th Grade Track Meet

BMS - Point of Light Ceremony

Photo by Plan-it ink

Christmas Under the Stars PARADE Thursday, Dec. 3rd 6:30 PM - Downtown

FESTIVAL Friday, Dec. 4th 4 PM - 8 PM Saturday, Dec. 5th 4 PM - 8 PM

at the Depot Complex, and Lehnis Railroad Museum

VISITBROWNWOOD.COM

Parade * Kids Activites Food * Music * Santa and more

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Brown County Living

By Chandler Condra, Howard Payne University senior Photos by Emily Peisker, HPU junior

With a few hours between the end of the school day and the end of the work day, finding a safe, supervised environment for their children to play and do homework can be difficult and expensive for parents. The Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program is a non-profit local after school program for families with working parents. More than a dozen teachers and volunteers help the children with their homework and play with them after a day at school. After classes each weekday, Brownwood ISD buses the Latch Key children to the facility at First Christian Church where the kids have snacks, receive help with homework and participate in classroom activities supervised by Howard Payne University students. “We are an afterschool program for families in the Brownwood Independent School District with children from prekindergarten to sixth grade,” said Jessica Hardy, the director of the Latch Key Program and a 2001 HPU graduate. “We do arts and crafts, games and, if the weather is nice, we go outside to the courtyard which has a basketball goal and a playground.” Hometown Living At Its Best

The program is divided into classrooms by age, with each class led by a designated instructor. The students are supervised in and out of the classroom, from arrival to departure. “In order to qualify for our program, parents have to be working or going to school during afterschool hours and meet other certain requirements,” said Hardy. “Thanks to our volunteers and community donations, our program is offered at no cost.” Brownwood Union Presbyterian Church founded the Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program in 1983 as a local mission. Pearl Griffin was a member actively involved with the children in the church. After her passing, the memorial was created to serve the children and families of Brownwood by providing after school care free of charge. The program now utilizes Howard Payne students looking for local work-study opportunities. “The program started small with 20 to 25 children, but it has grown over the years,” said Hardy. “Today we

are licensed to have 85 kids, of whom we currently have 83 enrolled.” As the program has grown, so has the need for space. In 1999, the Latch Key Program was moved entirely to First Christian Church where it has operated ever since. Besides Hardy, all staff members are Howard Payne University student workers. This has helped lower the costs of the non-profit program as well as provide a unique learning opportunity to the students. HPU students benefit from the arrangement in other ways. For some, the program is an excellent opportunity for career practice. For others, it has been an experience for personal growth. “Getting to know each of the students has really made an impact on my life,” said Candace Montgomery, a sophomore at HPU. “I’m going to be a teacher, so this has helped me learn how to interact with kids and is growing me toward my career.” Many student workers are studying a major that can

Latch Key Staﬀ (Back L to R): Chris Phelps, Chelsea Garcia, Bethany Harper, Elizabeth Rainey, Bethany Lee, Stephanie Upfold, Hayley Sullivan, Amber Jackson, (Front L to R) Ashley Willis, Candace Montgomery, Gabrielle Segura.

Brown County Living

Pearl Griﬃn Memorial Latch Key Program Board of Directors (Back L to R): Hank Hunter, Jared Trowbridge, Sterling Lentz, Gene Deason, (Front L to R) Katherine Palmer (Treasurer), Jeannette Pattillo (President), Carol Nicholas (Secretary), Jessica Hardy. Not pictured: Evy Winn (Vice President), Glenda Lemke, Tom Bird.

benefit from the hands-on work the Latch Key Program requires. Stephanie Upfold, an HPU junior, sees new leadership growth from the program. “Working at Latch Key has really brought me out of my bubble,” said Upfold. “I used to be very quiet and I wasn’t much of a leader, but now I’m responsible for these children.” Most of the HPU students say that the best experience has been seeing their students grow. The mentors work closely with the same students each day, and seeing them learn and mature is its own reward. “I love Latch Key more than anything. It’s been my best experience at college, hands down,” said Amber Jackson, a junior at HPU and the assistant to the director. “Not only is it my job, but I get to invest in these kids.” The workers value the opportunities to see their students grow in age and academic ability. They are not the only ones interested in investing in the Latch Key youth, though. Volunteers from the community sign up on an individual basis or as an organization to supervise the children or hold special events. “We have volunteers like representatives of the fire department and the health department who will give classes on fire safety and how to wash your hands,” said Hardy. The Latch Key Program constantly strives to bring in volunteers with unique expertise to instruct the children in useful skills. “We have a lot of different people from the

community involved in our program,” said Hardy. “Our Board of Directors is all volunteer as well.” Since the Latch Key Program is a non-profit organization, the majority of its funds come through fundraising events and the patronage of local citizens. The program always accepts donations and holds annual fundraising events as well. “Every April we have a hamburger fundraiser,” said Hardy. “The kids do all the decorations, and my staff and the Board of Directors volunteer to work it.” The meals are affordably priced to attract as many potential donors as possible, and a bake sale is held simultaneously. Another annual event is “100 from 100.” Near the beginning of each year, a prominent member of the community is asked to write a letter to supporters asking for donations. The goal of the drive is to receive $100 from 100 donors. More information on ways to donate can be found at latchkeyprogram.org. Regardless of the constant challenge to make ends meet, the director cannot see herself being more fulfilled in any other place. “I actually worked as a teacher here my junior and senior years of high school and then as assistant director my junior and senior years at Howard Payne,” said Hardy. “This is a very rewarding job. To make a difference in these kids’ lives means the world to me. This is my life, and I love it here.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings 3rd Annual Skeet Shoot

The Early Chamber of Commerce held their 3rd Annual Skeet Shoot on August 21 & 22, 2015 at Crab Pittâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place in Early. The event had a good turnout with participants coming from all across the Lone Star State, including 77 entries in 5-stand, 58 skeet entries, and 69 Put-Out/Annie Oakley entries. Photos courtesy of Early Chamber of Commerce Adult Put-Out/Annie Oakley

Youth Skeet Shoot

Adult 5-Stand

Adult 5-Stand Youth 5-Stand Shoot

Women Skeet Shoot

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Brown County Living

By Kim Benestante Photos by Leah-k photography and provided by Haley Painter

There’s a driving force behind Haley Painter.

ust last March, the 15-year-old sophomore at De Leon High School revealed she wanted to start riding dirt bikes; today, she is a female competing—and winning—in a sport traditionally

dominated by men. Painter’s revelation came when she was recovering from a tonsillectomy. “I got real sick and my dad asked, ‘What would make you happy right now?’” she recalled. “I said, ‘I want to race dirt bikes.’”Her family was astonished. Until then, Painter had expressed mediocre interest in conventional school sports. “I tried different things,” her dad, Bill Painter, said about introducing his daughter to various sports. “She’d do them for a little while and then she’d lose interest—nothing seemed to work.” Her mother, Cindy Painter, was equally baﬄed over her daughter’s wish. “Nothing when she was little indicated she would be this passionate about a sport,” she said, noting her daughter had never

Hometown Living At Its Best

“It’s kind of eat/ sleep/breathe type of th ing.” – Haley Painter

shared her love of athletics. “She wasn’t die-hard about other sports…I was just surprised.” Once his daughter healed, Bill took her to local ATV dealer House of Wheels. “We ran across a salesman; they got to talking, and before I knew it, we were looking to get a new bike,” he said. The salesman was longtime motorcycle racer Patrick Tharp—the store’s general manager and soon-to-be owner. Still competitive despite being hit with Multiple Sclerosis three years ago, Tharp leads two championship divisions currently, and has a shot at competing in a professional championship next year. His father, Jim, opened the store in 1962 and their family has been a staple on the racing circuit for decades. “When we first talked in the shop, the one thing I noticed—we were walking and talking at the same time— through all the commotion was she never quit listening to what I was saying,” Tharp recalled. “I was giving her all the ‘uglies’ of racing. Most kids quit listening—she didn’t.” Painter selected a Yamaha YZ85. “It’s a special kind of bike,” she said, explaining how her dad and Tharp helped her adapt it—initially to ride Motocross, the off-road, allweather style of racing that includes hills and jumps. The men “taught me the basics of what I should and shouldn’t 60

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do,” she said. But instinctively being guided, Painter realized

Motocross wasn’t her niche. Instead, she attempted Tharp’s specialty, Flat Track-style racing, and the group began to adapt the YZ85 accordingly. “You take off the brake and front fender, and put slick tires on,” she explained, then elaborated on the mechanics of the race: “You do like NASCAR does—you go in an oval circle and turn left,” she said matter-of-factly. Flat Track racing is known as “America’s premier dirt track racing series,” according to the American Motorcyclist Association’s Pro Racing website, “and is highly regarded as the most competitive form of dirt track racing in the world.” Painter recalled that day she began practicing Flat Track riding at Brownwood’s car racing track, Expressions. “So I went out there and they saw me progress so much throughout the day; I went from an F to an A,” she said about her swift progress and sudden awareness that she’d found her proverbial calling. She is not a typical kid who gets everything she wants, when she wants it. “I really didn’t have that in my budget or my plans,” Bill said about buying his daughter the bike, or allowing her to participate in what’s widely known as a risky sport; “but I thought, if it keeps her out of trouble and focused—all right.”

The sport isn’t cheap. On average, each race is $45, and sometimes Painter races up to four races a day with some events lasting two days. When she’s not practicing, she’s figuring out ways to earn money for travel and race entries, Cindy said. And Tharp, who also is now Painter’s coach, often tows his prodigy’s bikes with him in absence of the family owning a towing trailer, Cindy added. While many other competitors show up at race events in state-of-the-art RVs and trailers, “she just gets out there and races,” Cindy said about her daughter’s pure passion for the sport. Having to work hard to raise money for race entries and travel, coupled with consistently practicing to improve her skills has catapulted Painter’s progress. “What impresses me, is that me and her dad are divorced; her dad’s a farmer, and I work for a sand paper company in Stephenville,” Cindy said about the family’s normal, middle-class lifestyle. “She comes from everything not being handed to her,” Cindy said. “I tell her dad, ‘You’d be impressed at how much this girl is maturing and how much she’s improving.’” Painter constantly practices. “It’s kind of eat/sleep/ breathe type of thing,” she said. “We basically ride until we feel happy and comfortable—it’s basically developing the comfortable feel of the bike.” The practice has paid off:

she’s placed in the top three of all but a couple of races. “I’ve gotten lots of comments from people who say she’s a natural,” Cindy continued. “She looks like she’s been doing it a long time.” Arguably, Painter’s ability is innate—somewhat like a volcano lying dormant until it explodes—as she comes from a line of successful bike competitors. Her greatgrandfather on her dad’s side, William Vernon Painter, was a Hill Climb racer in the early 1930s, Bill said about his grandfather’s love of the motorsport popularized in Europe in the late 1800s where drivers compete against the clock, driving uphill. “My grandfather was also a pilot—he was a real character…he rode a Harley until he was in his 70s.” Bill’s grandmother also rode a motorcycle, and had a sidecar for her son, Lonnie Painter—Painter’s grandfather—in which he rode starting at about four years old, Bill said. And although Lonnie wasn’t into racing, he was a trick rider, climbing up and down seesaws on his motorcycle, Bill said. He recalled a story he’d heard about his father’s escapades: “They were riding home one night and the bridge was out,” he said; “so they built some kind of ‘jump,’ and jumped the creek with their motorcycles.”

Hayley with her trainer Patrick Tharp.

Hometown Living At Its Best

By the time Bill was in the first grade, he had his first motorcycle. Once his grandfather retired, he bought, sold and worked on motorcycles as a hobby. “I always had three motorcycles at a time,” Bill said about his entrée into racing. Soon he began racing 3-Wheelers around the region, including state championships in Texas and nationals in Oklahoma in the early 1980s, winning over 100 trophies. His career ended in 1984, he explained, after he pushed himself too far during a bout of mononucleosis that left him hospitalized for a week. “My mom and dad saw the writing on the wall,” he said, lecturing him to sell his cycles. Bill’s experiences and knowledge of the risks of bike racing keep him wary of his daughter pursuing the sport indefinitely—especially after Painter’s crash on a turn going 85-95 mph late last year at the speedway in Mesquite, Texas known as the Devil’s Bowl. “The name of it really does fit it,” she said, explaining her multiple 62

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injuries, including a fractured knee and a broken collarbone that still needs surgical treatment. “It cut nerves and I couldn’t feel anything in my arm…none of that’s really healed yet because I haven’t taken the time to have surgery.” It was also her first race on her new bike, a YZ250, purchased by her late, beloved grandmother, Nina— Bill’s mother—who helped raise Painter and her brother, Hayden, while their parents worked. Bill recalled the incident at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, noting his daughter was just about to take first place against a man in his early 50s, when she hit a slick spot on the track—likely the result of leftover fuel on the track from a previous wreck. “She got hurt pretty bad and had to go to Dallas Regional by ambulance,” he said; but on the way to the hospital, “all she could talk about was, ‘What place did I get?’” The dramatic event was captured on film by an 11-year-old Texas bike builder named Zeke who posted the three-minute footage to YouTube at https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=symHGw2Erv8.

Painter was undaunted and has continued to practice and compete—hoping to postpone the surgery until the end of the season, despite the loss of feeling and grip with her left arm and hand. “I try not to let it bother me; it does hurt sometimes but it’s something I love to do. I’m not going to let it stop me,” she said. Devil’s Bowl may be her worst accident, but it’s not her only. Cindy has seen almost all her races—and all of her crashes. “My mom supports me in everything I do,” Painter said. “She’s a nervous wreck whenever I wreck but she knows what I’m getting into, and she knows I know what I’m getting into.” Painter also loves the camaraderie of the sport as much as the competition. “It has its up and down moments, but overall it’s so exciting—plus being there with the whole family is special,” she explained about the racing community. “After the race, we have a big cookout and nobody puts each other down. We’re all one big family—I love it.” Painter has a special affinity for togetherness. While Cindy and Bill remain friends after their divorce, they each acknowledge family strife during the ordeal, which impacted their daughter. “She had to grow up pretty fast,” Bill said. Those experiences arguably have made Painter stronger—and more focused, helping her to realize another goal. “I want to be a family divorce lawyer, because I know what other kids are thinking,” she explained. “I’ll be able to make a connection to them. My lawyer didn’t understand that; so I kind of want to change that. I sat in a room bored and kind of scared of what was going to happen. I just want other kids to know they’re not alone.” She also has aspirations of going to school to learn how to work on her bike since many times at races, there’s no one available to help with repairs. “I have this whole philosophy that I like doing everything that guys do— like law school: there’s not as many girls as guys; same as mechanics school—not as many girls. “If it’s something you dream, just don’t give up and don’t let boys push you around, because I know some boys that tried to talk me out of it—especially Motocrossing; that just makes me want to go further and aggravate them as much as I can,” she said about her internal drive. She also does it for Nina, Cindy said, known

affectionately as Meme to her grandchildren. Painter placed a sticker on the YZ250 Nina bought her that reads “In Memory of Meme,” she said. “I miss her because I was with her every day. It’s hard not having her here—that’s where I’d get all my advice from, and everything I need to know about growing up.” And in honor of her dad and desire to ride like him, Painter has adopted Bill’s former racing number, 52. She has aspirations of going as far as she can with racing and hopes to inspire others to live their dreams as well, she said. “Handing knowledge down—that’s what all racers want to do,” Tharp said. In the meantime she’ll strive for her next big goal: Getting her driver’s license when she turns 16 in . November. Hayley with her dad Bill Painter

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Love of thePast

Roadway to the Future By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Riley Studio and provided by the Lappe brothers

Born before sonograms existed, Ronnie and Donnie’s parents didn’t know they were going to have twins because the doctor heard only one heartbeat. Ronnie said, “Our folks were quite shook up. I don’t know how long it took them to recover. They kept the arm bracelets on from the hospital so they could tell us apart. Pretty soon, they could distinguish the difference in crying as to which one it was.” Ronnie and Donnie have always done everything together, including the measles and the mumps. They had all their classes together, except in seventh grade when the teachers decided to split them up. “One seventh grade teacher told our parents that at first she didn’t know we were twins. She said that she thought that child has the oddest personality. One day he was friendly, speaking or waving at me when he saw me in the hall. Then, the next day, he wouldn’t even know me. She saw us walking home from school one day and realized there were two of us and we are identical twins. We dressed alike when Hometown Living At Its Best

“ we don’t study If the past, we don’t have a roadway to the future.” - Ronnie Lappe

we were in school. We thought that was a part of being a

we were big time when the Cinema Twins opened up. We

twin. Our mother used to sew our names on our pockets

only got three TV stations, and we didn’t know what a

so the teacher could tell us apart. A few times we wore the

computer was.”

wrong shirt (with the wrong names) and shook everybody up,” Ronnie said. By eighth grade, they were back in the same classes

After graduating from Brownwood High School, the Lappe twins attended Howard Payne University. It’s small with a friendly atmosphere, where everyone knows

because the school only had one accelerated class for each

everyone. They each received a major in the Douglas

subject. When they graduated from Brownwood High

MacArthur Academy of Freedom, an honor survey of the

School, Ronnie ranked second in the class, their good

social and political sciences. The degree requires senior

friend Lee Haney third, and Donnie fourth. They were all

level hours in economics, psychology, sociology, political

just a few decimal points away from each other in grade

science, and government. The name has recently been

point average.

changed to the Guy D. Newman honors system. Ronnie

Ronnie said, “Brownwood was a good place to grow

said, “I guess they think that students now wouldn’t

up. I think we were related to half the town and knew

recognize the name Douglas MacArthur. I think the high

the other half. It’s good to go to the grocery store or

school history books now only have one chapter on WWII

somewhere and always know someone. It’s odd that we

as if it were just a sidelight to history.”

can go to Corpus Christi or New York City and run into

While attending Baylor Law School, the Lappes could

someone from Brownwood. We were in high school in

not participate in extracurricular activities because they

the highlight of the Gordon Wood days. We just assumed

spent all their time studying. After graduating from

everyone went to a school with state championships every

Baylor in 1980, it was just natural for the twins to go into

few years. When we were growing up, there were very few

law practice together, although Donnie does more real

restaurants in Brownwood, and eating out was not very

estate law and Ronnie does more criminal law.

common. There was only one movie theater in town, the Bowie Theatre, where the Glamour Shop is. We thought 68

Brown County Living

They would have majored in history, if they could have done something other than teach. In their youth,

their road trips were traveling to history museums, and they stopped to read all the historical markers along the road. Ronnie said, “I think studying history is important for who we are. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, ‘We are all a part of all that we have met.’ That’s true, even for generations and societies. If we don’t study the past, we don’t have a roadway to the future.” Their ancestors emigrated from Germany to escape oppression. After World War I, they didn’t want to acknowledge their heritage, so they did not speak German. None of the German traditions were practiced, but they did pass down stories like the Lappe Castle in Germany. The family also told a story about a German POW escaping from Camp Bowie, making his way to the Lappe home in Blanket, Texas. The prisoner wanted help getting back to Germany. Another story their grandmother told was that her fift h great-grandparents were king and queen of Scotland. Her name was Stewart, spelled differently from the royal Stuarts. In genealogy research of Scottish kings and queens, “We discovered for every legitimate heir, each king had ten illegitimate children, so maybe we didn’t really want to know anymore.” Hometown Living At Its Best

Ronnie being sworn in while serving as Justice of the Peace.

Ronnie with Governor George Bush.

Their love of history led to community involvement. Donnie serves as president of the Brown County Historical Society, a non-profit organization created to study and preserve local history.Â The group was organized hoping to raise money for a museum. They started collecting material for books on local history to sell for the museum fundraising. Of the 30 books, most are still in print. Ronnie is the chairperson of the Brown County Historical Commission, which oversees county museums and historic cemeteries, erects historical markers, and preserves local history. Donnie and Ronnie supported the Lions Club for 25 years, each serving as president. Ronnie worked with the Brown County Museum of History, helping to obtain many museum exhibits, such as the log cabin and the kerosene egg incubator. Ronnie was on the Greenleaf Cemetery board for 17 years, serving as president for ten years. Two years out of law school, Ronnie was elected County Justice Of The Peace, serving for 24 years. He spent ten years as City Judge in Bangs. Donnie was city attorney in Early for 22 years.

Brown County Living

Their love of history led them to become collectors of

“We estimate that we have heard over 10,000 sermons in our lifetime. That has to affect you.” - Ronnie Lappe

Christmas villages, nutcrackers, cookie jars, and teapots. Ronnie said, “Some people think our office looks more like an antique store than a law office. If something happens to us, they will have to call American Pickers.” An important part of their family heritage is their Christian values. Their parents taught them right from wrong, honesty, and integrity. Ronnie said, “We came from the ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’ generation. We didn’t know what a time out was! We have gone to the Vine Street Church of Christ all of our life. Our folks believed that we were to be at church every time the door was open. We never skipped a Sunday, unless we had 104 fever or something, and only on Wednesday if we had so much homework that we couldn’t finish it if we stopped for church. We estimate that we have heard over 10,000 sermons in our lifetime. That has to affect you. The Bible says, ‘Raise up a child in the ways of the Lord and he will not stray far from it.’” Hometown Living At Its Best

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Hometown Living At Its Best

For God, Family, Country By By Kim Kim Benestante Benestante || Photos Photos by by Mikka Mikka Hill Hill Photography Photography and and provided provided by by David David Furry Furry

“If you work for yourself and work hard enough, t here’s a good chance you’ ll be successful.” Longtime resident David Furry arguably is one of Brown County’s best examples of living the tenet, “Pro Deo, Familia, Patria;” or translated from Latin: “For God, Family, Country.” “I was raised in a strong family environment, and that’s the way I run my businesses,” Furry said recently about the successes he has achieved with the four Brown County-based companies he operates with assistance from his entire family. Those achievements have afforded him worldwide recognition and success, which he’s generously shared with the local community where he was born and mostly lived since childhood. Furry is the founder of the internationally acclaimed Leak Surveys, Inc., a 13-year-old company headquartered in Early that implements infrared technology from the air via helicopters to detect gas and toxic leaks from pipelines and refineries. The company is headed by his youngest son, Josh. Furry also is the owner of the 27-year-old CMS Health Care, Inc., the only home-owned and largest home healthcare provider for Brown, Coleman and surrounding counties, which he purchased five years ago. His daughter-in-law, Jennifer—married to Furry’s oldest son, Chris—is a Licensed Vocational Nurse and runs CMS with Administrator Lisa Callihan. Similarly, four years ago Furry and his son Chris started Heart of Texas EMS. And then two years ago, Furry bought Weakly-Watson Sporting Goods in Brownwood. Established in 1876—the same year as the Battle of the Little Bighorn when Ulysses S. Grant was President—Weakly-Watson is the oldest, continuously operated gun store in the United States and operated by Gerry Laing.

Brown County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

While Furry’s achievements are impressive, he is humble about his accomplishments, frequently crediting his family and people with whom he works. Notably, he often refers to his hardworking, industrious parents, Wayne and Bertha, and how they equipped each of their five children with a strong foundation of family and high morals. “Family; faith in God that we’re doing the right thing—that’s really the main two things,” Furry said about core lessons he derived from his parents. Early in his life, Furry attained an ability to recognize and keep his priorities in correct order, and to appreciate the gifts of his circumstances—including the challenging ones. Born in northwest Brown County, he spent half his childhood growing up around Blanket, where his family farmed peanuts, and the other half in the Permian Basin. “My dad always went back and forth to the oil fields of West Texas,” he explained. Furry attended a big school in Monahans during that period, but values his local education the most—graduating in 1973 with just 14 others from Blanket High School. “There’s just so

many advantages with a small school: the one-on-one you get with the teachers; the camaraderie—I think it’s a blessing,” Furry said, both proud and appreciative of his humble beginnings. “The whole school is your friend with a small school—it’s just a whole lot different atmosphere.” Observing his parents’ hard work and perseverance in the proverbial ups and downs of the farming and oil businesses helped Furry develop his own sense of dedication and endurance. After high school, he attended Midland College, enrolling in accounting classes. “My plan was to be an accountant some day and that just never worked out,” he recalled, but added his strong family foundation enabled him to avoid the pitfalls of a socalled “college dropout,” he said. “I probably had some advantages over other people: my family has always been entrepreneurs—you do things yourself and work on your own. My dad taught me the value of working,” Furry said. “If you work for yourself and work hard enough, there’s a good chance you’ll be successful.” Furry also has an innate ability: “Numbers have

“Family; fait h in God t hat we’re doing t he right t hing—t hat ’s really t he main two t hings,” Furry said about core lessons he derived from his parents.”

Brown County Living

always been easy for me,” he explained. Using his math skills and buoyed by his family’s support, Furry went to work for his father, along with brother Don and sisters Reca, Kim and Cayla, in the family’s oil-field services and electrical businesses in Wickett, Texas until the oil economic energy crash in the early 1980s. “We sold most of those businesses and went different directions,” Furry recalled. “During the ’80s, I tried several little businesses,” he added, noting most of those ventures didn’t work out. Forging ahead, Furry leaned on his family for moral support and asked questions like, “What could I have done better?” “I wish I could say all my businesses were successful, but sometimes they just flat don’t work,” he said, adding The Furry Family

The Furry boys in the old Weakly Watson Store (L to R) Chris Furry (son), Don Furry (brother), David Furry and Josh Furry (son).

invaluable learning experiences come from every business that doesn’t succeed. During the next decade, Furry worked as a consultant for the City of Brady, operating the town’s natural gas gathering system along a pipeline that was installed in 1918. “It was badly deteriorating,” Furry recalled, explaining it was his team’s job to constantly check for leaks via maintenance meters installed every ten miles along the system. “I had two guys, and that’s what they did every day,” he said. “I started looking for an easier way for us to find leaks.” After years of trial and error, Furry’s inventive mind in 2003 created a nowpatented, groundbreaking camera— handheld and portable—that implemented infrared technology to detect gas leaks from the ground and air in real time. He started Leak Surveys, Inc., or LSI, and began approaching companies who could use their technology. About a year later, he received a call from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the new camera, “asking us to come to Houston and test it at a refinery.” Hometown Living At Its Best

When Furry and co-worker Jason Hatchett arrived in Houston from Brown County, the EPA set up a competition called a “Scan Off ” between Furry’s infrared camera and the optimal technologies on which EPA contractors had been working. “They called our technology Smart LDR (Leak Detection and Repair),” Furry said. “We got down there—two country boys—and we competed against Sandia Laboratories and one camera they’d spent $14 million on. When we got in there, there were about 30 PhDs,” he said, recalling the highlycredentialed staff he was competing against. “When we went in, everybody was laughing at us; but in about 15 minutes, nobody was laughing anymore,” Furry said. “They knew immediately what we had was way better than what they’d been working on. “It was by the grace of God—it all just fell together. It was incredible;” Furry continued, recalling the contracts “started rolling in: Exxon, BP, Shell—that’s what got LSI started.” Soon, he began traveling to Northwest Europe and 78

Brown County Living

other international locations, attaining multiple contracts; he’s made presentations in 24 countries since 2003. His proudest achievements with the camera’s invention also stem from the Houston area. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, LSI’s camera helped reduce levels of ethylene in the city by 60 percent, Furry said. And at ExxonMobil’s Baytown plant—the largest petrochemical complex in the United States and the second largest oil refinery in the country— two of Furry’s LSI staffers, Stephen Cochrell and Terry Brown, noticed a leak on a late Friday afternoon, and decided to investigate before heading home. Subsequently, they discovered the source of the leak was from a corroded pipe leading into the main pipeline of the complex. “The plant manager called me personally and said he wanted to buy Serial #1 when we put the cameras up for sale!” Furry said about the gracious ExxonMobil supervisor. “He called it, ‘my million dollar leak.’ Those guys (Cochrell and Brown) were willing to stay late and check it out, when they could have just said, ‘it’s been a

long week, let’s go home,’” Furry recalled, preventing a potentially-catastrophic incident. “That’s another thing: the success of the system is the quality of people I’ve been able to get right here in Brown County,” he said. “They were willing to go above and beyond.” Furry’s LSI has been awarded the TCEQ’s Innovative Technology Award. Similarly, LSI was awarded the same award on a national level from the EPA in regards to its Clean Air Act. In recent years, Furry, his wife Becky and the rest of their family have diversified via their other companies; in total, they employ almost 200 people. “We don’t have all of our eggs into one business,” he explained about some of his reasons for hedging. Mostly though, Furry loves business. “It’s not a hobby. It’s what I really, really enjoy. Business is business. It’s all numbers.” Plus, “it’s in my family’s blood,” he said modestly about his entrepreneurial spirit, noting his 89-year-oldmom still goes to work every day and keeps the books at Early’s Cullen’s Home Town Market, the produce market she purchased five years ago from the Sliger family, and where Reca, Kim and Cayla also work and are part owners. Furry anticipates his companies’ legacy will continue through the next generation via his children and grandchildren Emily, 15; Cassie, 14; Brady, 12 and Cole, six. “Family is so important,” he reiterated. “Our family is huge—it’s a support system, also…we all run together; we’re real tight.”

David on the family farm, working the ground before

The grandfather of four doesn’t try to impress business, per se, on the kids. “I try to let them grow up, but Emily is already ready to go to work at the store,” he noted. “I was raised that way: you go to work young, and I try to raise my kids this way... I always found the boys something to do so they have a little money, and in turn, they learn how to work. It’s not just me—everybody in my group works hard and we’re teaching the grandkids to do the same. “I can’t stress this enough: you’ve got to have good morals—to do the right thing. You also have to treat your people right,” Furry stressed, emphasizing he also considers his staff family. “We have a great working relationship. It’s a great group of people. I hurt when they hurt, and I laugh when they laugh.” He applies his love of family into the community too, frequently aiding local law enforcement with locating missing persons via the LSI helicopter and infrared technology. “A person’s body is 98 degrees,” he said. “You can image a person at night. If someone is lost at night, we can see them,” explaining he feels compelled to assist his community. “We’re from Brown County and are Brown County.” Going forward, Furry says LSI will continue to work with other companies to develop new projects and is ready for potential challenges. When asked about overcoming obstacles, “I tell them, ‘It’s not my first rodeo. I’ve been down that road before.’ It just takes time and patience— and sometimes you don’t get paid. Sometimes you have to wait; but eventually, if you just work hard and wait, by the grace of God, it will work out. “I don’t know where we’ll head next. I really don’t. I’ve found if you just be patient, opportunity comes to you.”

“I was raised in a strong family environment, and t hat ’s t he way I run my businesses.”

peanut season. Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Happenings RiverFest 2015 The Brownwood Jaycees held their annual RiverFest Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Riverside Park. The event featured Raft Races down the Pecan Bayou, live music, a Heartland Cruisers Car Show, a Lone Star Barbeque Society sanctioned cook off, and a Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner featuring waterslide kickball. Proceeds from the family friendly event helped the Jaycees purchase 10 iPads for the Senior Center and donate $1,252 to the Salvation Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School Supply Drive. Photos courtesy of Anthony Reine Photography

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HELP YOU BUY OR SELL! Hometown Living At Its Best

Brownwood Foundation for Excellence:

Helping Students Attain Excellence By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos provided by BFOE and BISD

h s a e l n u o t s p l e BFOE h hild’s full each c helping y b l a i t n d n pote a er ov c s i d m p i h the s er d ea l e h t develop within them. s e i t i l a u q

Established in the 70s, the Brownwood Foundation for

To receive a grant from the BFOE, projects are reviewed

Excellence is a group of individuals made up of ex-students,

for eligibility and judged on the basis of their innovation,

community members, parents, local business owners, and

approach, and application. Grants may not replace normal

retired professionals that are dedicated to providing funding

funding from tax-based sources. Products purchased with grant

for Brownwood ISD student activities in which students are

funds become the property of the district, not the individual.

striving to attain a level of excellence. The foundation may also

One of the BFOE grants went to Woodland Heights

collect, administer and distribute gifts for BISD’s educational

Elementary School. Principal Jenny Swanzy said the grant will

programs and projects as designated by the donor or grantor.

be used for supplies and materials to implement “The Leader

Eric Evans said, “Through the years the Foundation has

in Me,” based on the book by Stephen and Sean Covey. The

had differing levels of activity and over the course of the last

goal is to allow educators to “Inspire Greatness, One Child at a

ten years or so was basically dormant. Last year the Foundation

Time.”

was brought out of this dormant state through a generous

The school-wide model enables educators to unleash each

anonymous donation of several hundred thousand dollars for

child’s full potential by helping them discover and develop

the Brownwood High School Girls Softball stadium. Once

the leadership qualities within them. The seven habits are:

reactivated, the BFOE saw the potential for others to contribute

Be Proactive, you’re in charge of you; Begin with the End in

to a foundation that speciﬁcally exists to help students/teachers

Mind, set goals and have a plan; Put First Things First, work

of BISD to accomplish something that is just outside of the

ﬁrst, then play; Think Win-Win, getting what I want with

budget.”

consideration for what others want; Seek First to Understand,

Brown County Living

p m.

Hometown Living At Its Best

The current board members include: Adam Lancaster, President Michael Coppic, Vice President Brad Wells, Second Vice President Treasurer, Eric Evans Secretary, Jennifer Williams Mike Smith Missi Malone Johnny Dodds Peter Romig Jenny Swanzy Julia Taylor Larry Mathis Ashley Chilcote Jamie Munson Julie Moore Shawntay SparksHubbard Christy Barron Mona Pitts Ray Tipton Priscilla Monson Ex-Oﬃcio members include: Liesa Land, Charlie Musgrove, and Karen Dempsey.

Brown County Living

o s o d d an e b n a g c n i s l b d i b K “ bu n a h t e or g m n i s h s c a u p m d n a s er d in answ y can lead an e h T . o.” t d s e y e at h t t a h w n i zy excel n a w S y n n e J ~

Then to be Understood, listen before you talk; Synergize, together is better; and Sharpen the Saw, balance feels best, take care of yourself. Swanzy, the counselor, two teachers and the superintendent attended the “Leader in Me Symposium” in San Antonio. A core group of twelve teachers are committed to the program. They observed several schools using the program,

are involved in a book study, and are teaching other teachers. Swanzy says, “This is a grassroots process. It will be more successful if we start slow.” The staff has painted a tree mural as a visual representation of the effective habits. The roots are the ﬁrst three personal goals. The next remaining goals form the trunk and the branches of the tree. Books that reinforce the concepts are being added to classroom libraries. Leadership binders will help kids track their personal and academic progress. Swanzy plans to create clubs, “a place for every kid to feel like they belong and excel, a place where they do one thing really well and shine.” During the school day, there will be reading and math buddies. Before school, they already have a running club. After school, one day a week, clubs will take the place of tutoring. Volunteers will lead a dance club, a gardening club, a math/science club, a Spanish club, something that ﬁts everyone. Beginning in kindergarten, leadership habits are taught. By the time students leave Woodland Heights, it will be a part of who they are. Swanzy says, “Kids can be and do so much more

than bubbling in answers and passing a test. They can lead and excel in what they do.” The other grant for 2015 went to Brownwood High School Theatre Department in the amount of $5,000 to help fund the upcoming trip to the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF), which is sponsored by The Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Brownwood High School was one of 345 schools across the nation to be nominated. After the intense application process, which includes: enrollment and grades in the theatre department; the philosophy of training students; festivals, competitions, and conventions attended in the past three years; colleges and universities attended by graduates of the program; names of alumni who have become successful in professional theatre; clippings, reviews, testimonials, pictures, and DVDs, Brownwood High School was chosen along with 48 other schools to participate in the festival. This huge honor should be a source of pride for the entire community of Brownwood. The Edinburgh International Festival began in August 1947 to promote peace and unity following World War II. Eight theatre companies showed up that ﬁrst year. Twenty-one years Hometown Living At Its Best

l oo h c S h g i H d oo w h t n i w ow g Br on l a n e s was cho schools to 48 other te in the a p i c i t . ar d p n a l t o c S n i l a festiv

Brown County Living

learn how to apply pirate makeup. On Thursday, October 22, they will wear costumes and perform a choreographed routine for the audience. November 7, will be the Cabaret Dinner Theatre with the Disney Villains singing their villainous songs. This is also the date of the silent auction. In January, students will perform the musical Hairspray, and in March, they will perform their UIL competition One Act Play. In May, they will perform the play they will take to Scotland. It would be wonderful if the community would come out and support the Brownwood High School Theatre Department to help make this dream of a lifetime a reality for twenty hard

BHS Theatre students accepting the $5,000 grant from the BFOE to help fund their upcoming trip to the American High School Theatre Festival.

working students and their sponsors. Donations can also be made directly to the BFOE and designated for the BHS Theatre trip to Scotland

ago, the AHSTF sent the first group of American students to the Fringe Festival. Now, the community of 500,000 hosts over a million people from all over the world. During three weeks in August, 400,000 plays are produced. Students will embark on their journey in August 2016. They will spend three days in London. The first day will be at the Theatre on West End, which is comparable to New York’s Broadway. The second day, students will attend a master class at the Globe Theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company. The third day, they will tour London. Then students will take a train up the coast to Scotland where they will spend seven days in Edinburgh, during which time they will perform their play. This once in a lifetime opportunity comes with a high price tag. The cost is $5,000 per student. The theatre department used part of the $5,000 BFOE grant to purchase 1,000 t-shirts they designed. Students will sell the t-shirts for $15 each, with profits being applied to their individual accounts. Patrons, who wear the t-shirts on opening night of each of the four main stage shows, get free admission. People who purchase tickets can say, “I’m here for Jane Doe,” and the money is applied to that student’s account. This past summer, students conducted two five-day theatre camps. Shannon Lee said, “I was just the facilitator. The kids did the all the work including directing.” The students will conduct a mini camp prior to each of their main performances. The theatre department will also have a booth at the Brownwood “Feels Like Home Celebration” September 18-20 to help raise more funds. Productions planned for this year begin with Treasure Island, October 22-25. Participants in the kids’ mini camp Hometown Living At Its Best

Hometown Hometown Happenings Happenings Early Pioneer Days

Early Pioneer Days 2015 is just around the corner! Last year’s event was a huge success and this year’s it’s going to be even better. Our 5K or DYE run will have a new course, new location, and more color. New to Pioneer Days will be a Lone Star Sanction BBQ Cook-Off, and Kyle Park will be the Saturday night headliner. Stop on by for some good ole family fun! For more information www.earlypioneerdays. com or call the chamber at 325-649-9317. Photos courtesy of Early Chamber of Commerce

EARLY PIONEER DAYS 2015

October 16th – 17th For more information visit www.earlypioneerdays.com or call the chamber at 325-649-9317

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Brown County Living

By By Rebecca Rebecca Parvaresh Parvaresh || Photos Photos by by Landi Landi Whitefield Whitefield and and provided provided by by CASA CASA

CASA is a program that recruits, trains and supports citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in courtrooms and communities.

The moment a child is removed from a home life riddled with abuse or neglect, they often have feelings of relief but sometimes, waves of a new fear. With the overload of cases that Child Protective Services (CPS) receives, there is often a fear that begins due to the uncertainty the child may be facing. Their parents may be losing their parental rights; they may be entering a foster home with family members or with strangers. This level of constant change creates a gap in the care they receive due to limited resources. In 1977, Seattle Superior Court Judge David Soukup saw this gap in care in his own courtroom. He was tasked with the job of making decisions on the placement of a child with limited firsthand information of anyone close to that child. That need led to the creation of C.A.S.A, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children. Since that time, CASA agents have been standing in the gap to help guide court officials in making the best decisions for children in active abuse, neglect and welfare cases. “When CPS gets involved with a family and determines that abuse and/or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur in the foreseeable future and determines

that the child or children cannot safely remain in the home, they request permission from the court to remove the child or children,” explained Michelle Wells, Executive Director of CASA in the Heart of Texas. “If the court grants them permission to remove, each child is required by law to have a Guardian ad Litem (guardian for the case). CASA in the Heart of Texas is appointed by the presiding judge as the Guardian ad Litem for children removed in our service area (Brown, Comanche, and Mills counties). Our program is notified by the court and CPS about the new appointment. The case is reviewed by me, the Executive Director, and then assigned to a Volunteer Supervisor/Case Manager. The Volunteer Supervisor identifies a volunteer who would be a good match for the case. We get to know our volunteers and help identify their strengths in working cases in order to match the volunteer with what skills are needed on a particular case. The volunteer is contacted by the supervisor to see if they are interested. If they are, the volunteer then comes into the office to get more information about the case and to sign the necessary paperwork to accept the case. Once assigned a case, Hometown Living At Its Best

the volunteer’s role is to get to know the child and their situation so they can make recommendations about what is in the child’s best interest.” The local chapter, CASA Heart of Texas, moves quickly to connect a child in need with a volunteer. That volunteer has spent over 30 hours of classroom training and additional hours of court observation so that they can accurately assess how to help the child in this situation. The curriculum used is the same curriculum put together by the National CASA and is used in all 50 states. It teaches volunteers about the CPS system, the role of a CASA advocate, communication techniques, substance abuse and mental heath issues in order to prepare the volunteer for as many situations as possible. “If someone is interested in becoming an advocate, they contact our office to get an application packet,” said Wells. “During the application process, applicants are filling out an application to volunteer as well as authorizing the program to conduct various background checks (i.e. CPS history check, local criminal records check, sex offender registry checks, driving record check, and reference checks) necessary to ensure that a person is 92

Brown County Living

qualified to serve as an advocate. Once the application has been returned and the background checks are initiated, the applicant comes into the CASA office for a pretraining Interview. During this interview, applicants are given more information about CASA and what is involved in being an advocate for children. In addition, program staff go over various questions to find out more about the applicant and their background. After the interview, if it is determined that the applicant is a good fit for the program, the applicant is accepted into the training class to begin the process of becoming an advocate.” CASA relies on the volunteers from the community to help with the many cases that come across their desks each day. In the past, they’ve had enough volunteers to assign 100% off the cases they’ve received. Currently they are operating at 80% assignment due to the lack of advocate volunteers. For many who come forward to help as a CASA advocate, they generally aren’t sure what to expect. Once they start their pre-interview training, the picture is painted of what they may see. “We talk a lot about what is involved in being an advocate through CASA, in an effort to hopefully clarify that for them. The questions that we ask volunteers during the interview sometimes helps

us better understand their expectations, too. Often times, applicants have lots of questions about what is involved, including some of their concerns related to the role. We desire to provide information so that prospective advocates are aware of what is involved in volunteering for CASA so they can fully commit to their role as an advocate for children through CASA.” Their advocates commit to the children and their case for various time periods. The case could take 12-18 months until the child is found a permanent home. The court gives a family one year to correct whatever actions led to the CPS case. There is also a possibility of a 6-month extension. On average a volunteer spends 10-20 hours a month helping a child in an active CPS case. “Volunteering for CASA is a very rewarding experience, although it comes with a great deal of responsibility,” according to Wells. “Prior to working for CASA, I worked for Child Protective Services in Brownwood. I was working as a CPS supervisor at the time and actually attended most of the first new volunteer training class in February to March 2001. I

CASA Heart of Texas Staff: Michelle Wells Executive Directory of CASA Heart of Texas

Marquis Robertson Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer

Amanda Hayden Volunteer Supervisor/ Case Managers

Howard Volunteer Supervisor/ Case Manager

Jana Wright Administrative Assistant

Hometown Living At Its Best

was asked to speak about CPS at one of the initial classes and

Volunteers do that by spending time with the child in

then attended most of the other sessions, too. I was impressed

various settings (i.e. at home, school, with family, etc.).

with the training curriculum and the information that was

Our policy requires volunteers to see the child at least one

being provided to the volunteers! Once CPS began serving

time per month, unless the child is placed further than

children, I did not interact with the volunteers a lot, as I was

an hour away. However, if you are trying to get to know

not supervising the conservatorship workers, although I had

someone and develop a relationship and know what is best

a great deal of respect for the work that the volunteers were

for him or her, one time per month is likely not enough!

doing! I have been the Executive Director of CASA in the Heart

We encourage our volunteers to have a lot of contact with

of Texas since August 2003. I believe that CASA volunteers can

the child. Also, our volunteers talk to other people involved

make as big if not a bigger difference in the lives of the children

in the child’s life - caregivers, parents, extended family

served as the professionals working on the case. It is impactful

members, family friends, school teachers, counselors,

to the children served that their volunteer is not getting paid

medical professionals, caseworkers, attorneys. We believe

to advocate for them, but is doing it to ensure that the child’s

that everyone has a piece of the truth, so our volunteers

needs are being met!”

gather information from a variety of sources and then put

For Wells, doing their part to make sure a child gets out

the information together into a cohesive picture of the child

of the system of change and into a permanent situation is the

and their situation. We make fact-based recommendations

goal with every case. They work to determine a child’s needs,

based on the information gathered with regard to the

they advocate to the court for those needs and then they follow

child’s placement and any service needs that the child and/

through after court orders are in place to make sure the orders

or family may have.”

are followed. “Once a volunteer is assigned to a case, their goal is to get to know that child or children so they can make recommendations about what is in the child’s best interest.

CASA volunteers with Judge Mabray. 94

Brown County Living

If you are ready to step into the gap to advocate for a child in need, please contact Michelle Wells or visit their website for further information at www.casabrownwood. org.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We believe that everyone has a piece of the truth, so our volunteers gather information from a variety of sources and then put the information together into a cohesive picture of the child and their situation.â&#x20AC;? - Michelle Wells, Executive Director of CASA Heart of Texas

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR

Baby, Event or High School Senior FEATURED IN OUR NEXT EDITION OF

Brown County Living? Email us to find out more:

Brittny.RedFin@gmail.com

Brown County Living

peHnings onwHnaHpIG t e m o w H to e Hom

Please join

ardson Cody Rich HS Class of 2015 Brownwood

h graduates wit seniors and wn County’s ors. tulating Bro future endeav phy us in congra hes for their Photogra wis Nix ll er we ath CS prayers and rtesy of He rtesy of CT Photos cou Photos cou

nally Carson McA HS Class of 2015 Brownwood

niss Mason Cab HS Class of 2015 Brownwood

kett of 2015 Matt Mer HS Class Brownwood

Hometown Happenings RiverFest 2015

The Brownwood Jaycees held their Sierra annual RiverFes 5 t Back s of 201to School Bash on Saturday, August 2015 at Riverside Park. The event ood HS Clas 15, featured Raft Brownw Races down the Pecan Bayou, Cruisers Car Show, a Lone Star live music, a Heartland Barbeque Society sanctioned cook off, and a Kid’s Corner featuring waterslide kickball. Proceeds from the family friendly event helped the Jaycees purchase 10 iPads the Senior Center and donate $1,252 for to the Salvation Army’s School Supply Drive. Stoutt

Photos courtesy of Anthony Reine Photography

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Hometown Living At Its Best

Brown County Living

By Terry McKeown Photos by Mikka Hill Photography and provided by Jerry Campbell

rowing up, Jerry Campbell, star of A&Eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hit TV show American Hoggers, was a student of the hunt. Among some of his favorite teachers were the legendary Lee Brothers, famous for hunting mountain lions and bears all over the country in the 1920s and 30s; and former Texas game warden, Captain Bob Snow, arguably one of the best trackers and hunters in state history.

Hometown Living At Its Best

15 year old Jerry with his blue tick hound “Treeing Little Lady”

Krystal, age 2, with Jerry, Robert (brother), and a gold medal class Russian Boar killed by Tommy Faught in Brown County 100

Brown County Living

“As a kid I wasn’t an athlete,” Jerry confessed. “I was too slow and a lot of times too heavy. I didn’t fit in. While all the other kids were into things like basketball and football, I was studying about the Lee Brothers.” And there was one commonality that Jerry’s idols and all the great American hunters shared: they all had hunting dogs. “The best form of predator control is a man with a good pack of hounds who knows what he’s doing,” Jerry said. “I hunted every night with my dogs, and I found out pretty early on, that I had a knack for training them.” As Jerry grew into a young man he found work as a government hunter under the Department of the Interior Bureau of Sports Fisheries and Wildlife. He even got to work with one of the people he looked up to most: Captain Bob Snow. The two hunted together on the legendary Y-O Ranch in Kerrville. “[Bob Snow] was a legend back when I was a kid,” Jerry said. “So, just getting to meet him and hunt with him was one of the great highlights of my life.” Jerry says that his line of work has provided him the opportunity to meet and hunt with a wide range of people throughout the years. “I’ve got to meet a lot of interesting and different folks from Governor Dolph Briscoe to President George Bush to actor Sam Elliot, and country music singer Ray Price.” Jerry says that more than anything he just always wanted to be a cat hunter. “My passion has always been hunting cats: bobcats and mountain lions and jaguars,” Jerry said. “That separates the hunters from the wannabes right there.” He’s been all over the country hunting cats, and even made a few trips to Mexico. But these days, Jerry Campbell is probably best known for hunting wild hogs— thanks in part to the television show he stars in, but more on that later. Here in the state of Texas one of the worst predators of land, cattle, and harvest is the feral hog. It’s estimated that there are upwards of 2 million feral hogs in the state alone, and that they cause a staggering $400 million in damages each year. “They’re the best judge of livestock there is,” Jerry said, “and they only kill only the best. They don’t kill anything sick or inferior.” To understand why and how these animals have

exploded into uncontrollable numbers, one needs only look back through Texas history. In the tumultuous times of the Lone Star State gaining independence, many settlers lost land and livestock. Hogs escaped or were released from farms and became wild animals. And in the 1930s, European boars were brought into Texas for the sole purpose of sport hunting. These boars bred with the feral hogs, and when you consider the fact that these pigs can breed at six months old and produce as many as twelve in a litter, there’s little wonder why there’s such a population problem. Around 1973, Jerry started his own business of exterminating feral hogs for landowners. In his thirties, Jerry met his wife, Kathie, on a blind date. “She is just a pure angel,” Jerry says of his wife of 36 years. “I’ve known two angels in my life. One of them is my mother and the other is Kathie.” Jerry and Kathie raised two children, Krystal and Robert, and they were definitely raised to hunt. In 2009,

Krystal, the younger of the two Campbell children, was featured in Outdoor Life Magazine as Hunter of the Month for shooting a bear and a mountain lion in the same excursion. Jerry says this led to Hollywood knocking on his door, as apparently a reality television producer saw the magazine and became interested. Jerry was then contacted by Thom Beers, a producer for shows such as Ice Road Truckers and Ax Men, and told that they were interested in doing a show that focused on hunters in Texas. “They interviewed 125 people that advertised hunting on their website. About two or three weeks later, they called and said they narrowed it down to three people. And I was one of them,” Jerry said. “They sent a crew down here and they stayed here at the ranch for a few days. They talked to us and asked us a billion questions and wanted to see if we knew what we were talking about. They came back three weeks later and said that we got the show.”

“My passion has always been hunting cats: bobcats and mountain lions and jaguars...”

Hometown Living At Its Best

101

“As long as I have a heartbeat, I’m going to be following my hounds!” 102

Brown County Living

Arah (Robert’s wife) and Bailey Rose (Nashville recording artist) with Jerry at his Brown County home.

American Hoggers is the name of the A&E show that features Jerry Campbell and his family. The show centers on the family business of clearing feral pigs off people’s property. The cast includes Jerry, of course, and his wife Kathie, the matriarch of the Campbell clan, and their children, Krystal and Robert. Also included are Lea Penick, a family friend; and the Creek Boys: Ronnie Creek, Randy Tate, Dave Shepper and Cody Whitish. And season three introduced a new character in the form of a bartender-turned-hog-hunting-protégé, named Katie Ball. If you’ve watched the show at all, you know that Ronnie Creek and Randy Tate are the Campbell’s rivals in the hog hunting game, and sometimes things get pretty fierce. However, as cutthroat as they may get in front of the cameras, Jerry says they always apologize to each other after every episode. “Ronnie Creek is actually a very good friend of mine, and those boys are good hunters and they’re good people,” Jerry said. “In fact, if I ever needed to buy a good, trained

Letter from George Bush to Jerry thanking him for a hunting invitation.

hunting dog or if something happened or if I got out of the business, I’d probably call Ronnie Creek.” Viewers often question how much of a reality show is real and what is staged, but Jerry was quick to clear things up. “There are no scripts whatsoever,” he said. “They don’t correct us either. Every once in a while they’ll give us a little bit of a story line, but not much. They kind of just let us take off.” Jerry also said that he learned something very important from his father and uncle that has helped him out in the show. “They were true masters in Texas ‘bs’ and I learned everything from them,” he said laughing. For those unfamiliar with the show—and without giving too much away—viewers see firsthand how dangerous hog hunting can be, the frustrations of the work, and the ins and outs of the business. Starring in a television show for four seasons, Jerry said that everywhere he goes, someone knows him. “I’ve been to Canada and all over the United States and Hometown Living At Its Best

103

Jerry killed a mountain lion during his 2006 trip to New Mexico.

A mountain lion displayed in Jerry’s game room. 104

Brown County Living

wherever I go, somebody asks me, ‘Aren’t you that guy from American Hoggers?’ And I say: ‘Yes sir, that’s me.’” Even at home, Jerry’s a celebrity. He recalled a time at the post office when some one told him that he put Early, Texas on the map. “They said to me, ‘You know you’re the first person to ever graduate Early that went to Hollywood.’ And I said, ‘I didn’t go to Hollywood, Hollywood came to me!’” Now, the show is on somewhat of a hiatus. As far as what will happen with the program, Jerry says he’s not entirely sure. “The show is about my family,” Jerry said. “But my kids have gotten married now and kind of moved on, so I don’t know where we’re going. They keep telling me they are going to ‘reinvent’ American Hoggers. What that means, I don’t know! I don’t know what the future holds.” But there is one thing Jerry does know. He says, “that as long as I have a heartbeat, I’m going to be following my hounds!” You can catch past episodes of American Hoggers on A&E’s website.

Jerry and wife Kathy Hometown Living At Its Best

105

Hometown Happenings Woodland Heights Green Team Woodland Heights Green Team was established in the 2008-2009 school year by two students with a simple idea of helping the Earth. Since then it has developed into a team of 20-25 members who are not only helping the Earth, but also learning why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so important and how to work as a team. This past year they surpassed their goal by over 5,000 pounds and recycled a total 42,219 pounds of materials. Thank you Green Team! Photos courtesy of BISD

Jordan Roberts, one of the founding members of the Green Team, is seen with the team as she loads the 37,000th pound!

Brownwood DECORATING 2627 Austin Avenue

FOOD CANDY VENDORS GAMES MOVIES COSTUME CONTEST

4th Annual

Trick or Treat Trail

October 29th 5pm-7pm

325-646-8123

Anthony J Reine Photography “MY EYE THROUGH THE CAMERA LENS” 512 750-2774

Anthonyjr12000@yahoo.com

LIKE ME ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ajreine12

108

Bell County Living

Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Www.visitbrownwood.com

Est. 1996

515B Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802

325-643-4826

Your vision. Built to spec. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to see. You have pretty clear ideas about the equipment you need to succeed. So we used them as a blueprint for our E-Series Skid Steers. You wanted more foot room. We achieved it by making the floors flat. You wanted more horsepower. We upped it by 10 percent on our large-frame models. You wanted switchable controls. We offer selectable ISO, H-pattern, and foot controls as an option on all models. You wanted easier attachment hookup. We hooked you up. To learn more, see Clark Tractor.

www.clarktractor.com

De Leon, TX Hwy 6 West 254.893.2061

Comanche, TX 11150 Hwy 36 325.356.2593

CLARK TRACTOR & SUPPLY Hometown Living At Its Best

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BROWNWOOD & EARLY

CHAMBER

Directory 2015

110

Brown County Living

y l r a E & d o o w n w o Br BY Category

ACCOMMODATIONS

Brownwood Hillside Cottage

1710 12th St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-5297 www.brownwoodhillsidecottage.com

Budget Inn Suites

515 E. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2551

Classic Inn

Comfort Inn*

204 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-3400 www.comfortinn.com

Darbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Joy

45 FM 586 East Brownwood, TX 76801 (830) 486-6116 www.darbysjoy.com

Executive Inn

1204 CC Woodson Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-5611

Flagship Inn*

8875 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-7656 www.flagshipinntx.com

Gate 1 Motor Inn

4410 Hwy 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5463 www.gateoneinn.com

Hampton Inn*

1103 Riverside Dr Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1122 www.hamptoninn3.hilton.com

504 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-8085 www.hiexpress.com/brownwoodtx

Lake Brownwood State Park 200 State Highway Park Road 15 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5223 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest findadest/parks/lake_brownwood/

LaQuinta Inn & Suites* 103 Market Place Blvd. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1731 http://6147.lq.com

Ponderosa Lodge

8991 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-6032

The Lodge at Locking Horns Ranch 3735 CR 270 Richland Springs, TX 76871 (325) 247-8631 www.lockinghornsranchlodge.com

Warren Ranch

2949 PR 1342 Santa Anna, TX 76878 (325) 624-5531 www.warrenranch.net

ADVERTISING SERVICES

Blue Sky Entertainment Group, Inc.* 1100 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 320-7975 www.bluesky.rocks

BrownwoodNews.com (325) 642-5472 www.brownwoodnews.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Down Home Digital

Heart of Texas Mechanical Contracting

3903 3rd Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 200-1169 www.downhomedigital.net

203 Cordell Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1655 www.hotmechanical.com

Good2CUtexting

1955 W. South Loop Stephenville, TX 76401 (254) 968-4228 www.good2cutexting.com

Roberts & Petty*

Heart of Texas Area Wide Phone Book

Tongate Services*

Lamar Advertising Company*

Abilene Regional Airport

2709 Stephen F. Austin Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6452 809 E. Hall St. Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 752-1020 www.tongateservices.com

2825 Sherwood Way, Suite 400 San Angelo, TX 76901 (325) 949-1910 www.area-wide.com

AIRPORTS

1112 West Commerce Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-0241 www.lamar.com

2933 Airport Blvd. St. 200 Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 734-5316 www.iflyabi.com

APARTMENTS

Main Street Hub

720 Brazos, Ste 1100 Austin, TX 78701 (512) 614-3272 www.mainstreethub.com

377 Villas of Brownwood Apartments, LLP

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING 1 Source Technical Services, Inc. 11934 E Highway 84 Zephyr, TX 76890 (325) 641-8811

Aaron Cone Air Conditioning 2314 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1821

Air Temp Refrigeration* 300 Main Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3000 Airtemprefrigeration.com

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

607 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3567

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

4235 Hwy 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 200-4894

Brownwood Apartments I & II 322 Bluff view Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1393

Brownwood Housing Authority* 1500 Terrace Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0790

Camelot Apartments 2001 Slayden Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4591

Hometown Living At Its Best

111

Market Place Apartments 340 Marketplace Blvd. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2579 www.wilhoitproperties.com

The Oaks Apartments 1034 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-2104

Oakwood Apartments 3501 Rhodes Road Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4723

Southside Village Apartments 2801 4th st Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 510-3514 www.southsidevillage.net

Wildwood Trails

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

1500 Davis Ln Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1200 www.wilhoitproperties.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Arts Council of Brownwood P.O. Box 489 Brownwood, TX (325) 643-3410 www.brownwoodartscouncil.org

Brownwood Art Association, Inc 215 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2916 www.brownwoodart.com

Lyric Performing Arts Company 318 Center Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 998-2801 www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com

AUTO BODY & PAINT

Blevins Body Shop* 207 N. Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2571

Quality Body Works* 405 W. Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1397

Sparks Finish Line Collison, Inc 1061 Early Blvd Early, TX 76801 (325) 646-1300

AUTO DEALER

Big Country Ford Lincoln Mercury* 500 West Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1651 www.bigcountryflm.net

Big J Auto Sales 500 Garmon Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3683

Firestone Tire and Service Center 509 W. Commerce Square Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6513 www.firestonecompleteautocare.com

Hi Way Auto Parts, Inc.*

2210 Belle Plain Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1150

Bruner Auto Group*

Kwik Kar Oil & Lube*

224 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-9511 www.brunerauto.com

212 E. Commerce St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6415

Bruner Toyota

518 W. Commerce St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7000

224 Early Blvd Early , TX 76802 (325) 646-9511 www.brunerauto.com

Car Corral

1200 Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801

Lee Hoffpauir Chevrolet Buick 1260 US Highway 84 W Goldthwaite, TX 76844 (325) 648-2273 www.lhchevy.com

Little Creek Auto Sales 702 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-8116

Longhorn Auto Sales Inc 903 W Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2994

Stanley Dodge, Crysler, Jeep, Ram of Brownwood* 1003 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2616 www.stanleybrownwood.com

AUTO SERVICE, REPAIR & PARTS

Auto Express

413 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3191 www.autoxpresstx.com 106 N. Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0435

Brown County Living

406 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0716

2805 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8254 www.hiwayauto.com

Bostickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Auto & Truck Sales

Brownwood Glass & Alignment

112

Brownwood Muffler & Automotive

Quick Lane

Trans Texas Tire, Inc. 109 S. Broadway Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1541

Wildfire Tires & Customs 415 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-8473

BANKS & CREDIT UNIONS

Citizens National Bank* 1 Carnegie Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3545 www.cnb-brownwood.com

F & M Bank*

118 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-4000 www.fmbank-tx.com

First Central Credit Union* 2101 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2943 www.firstcentralcu.com

First Financial Bank, N.A. 206 W College Street Rising Star, TX 76471 (254) 629-6133 www.ffin.com

Mid-Tex Federal Credit Union*

Mills County State Bank - Brownwood 3101 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1798 www.mcsbtexas.com

Mills County State Bank - Early* 411 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0313 www.mcsbtexas.com

Propersity Bank - Early

305 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-2748 www.prosperitybankusa.com

Prosperity Bank - Brownwood 1221 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1714 www.prosperitybankusa.com

Texas Bank*

400 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-9200 www.texasbank.com

Western Bank

1110 Clements St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2265 www.thebank.net

BED & BREAKFAST

Star of Texas Bed & Breakfast & Extended Stay* 650 Morelock Lane Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4128 www.star-of-texas.com

BEVERAGE & FOOD DISTRIBUTORS

Ben E. Keith Beverages* PO Box 549 Llano, TX 78643 (325) 247-4224 www.benekeith.com

Coca-Cola Refreshments 1000 E. Overland Trail Abilene, TX 79604 (325) 437-5000

Dr. Pepper Bottlers, Brownwood, Inc.* 3321 Milam Dr. Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-9583

3808 Hwy. 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4571 www.mtfcu.org

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Keg 1 O’Neal, LLC*

104 E. Industrial Blvd - Suite E Early, TX 76802 (940) 325-6971 www.keg1llc.com

BOAT SALES & SERVICE

NB’s Boat Repair

5817 Hwy. 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 437-6543

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Day Stone

2800 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-9040 www.daystonetexas.com

Home Depot

100 Market Place Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1381 www.homedepot.com

McCoy’s Building Supply Center

Sweetwater Steel Co., Inc.* 1047 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-1345 www.sweetwatersteel.net

BUSINESS FORMS

English Business Forms 9200 CR 237 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6650

CABLE TV

Harris Broadband LLP* 500 Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9493 www.harrisbb.com

CAMPS

Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat 9030 Retreat Road Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5133

CAR WASH

Baird Brothers Express Car Wash* 116 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0604 www.BairdbrothersExpress.com

410 Main St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5001

CARPET & RUG CLEANING

ServiceMaster*

307 W. Baker Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1266

CATERING

C R Catering

1906 Hwy 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 647-2551 www.crcateringbycasey.com

CELLULAR

AT&T*

210 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2355 www.att.com

West Central Wireless

CHIROPRACTORS

Heartland Chiropractic 919 Early Blvd, Ste 2B Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-2541 www.325BACK.com

CHURCHES

Coggin Avenue Baptist Church 1815 Coggin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1506 www.cogginchurch.org

Early Church of Christ

900 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-2504 www.earlychurchofchrist.com

Early First Baptist Church 103 Garmon Drive Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-6596

First United Methodist Church - Early

300 West Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0972 www.westcentral.com

1073 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-2300 www.earlyfumc.org

CEMETARIES

Freedom Fellowship Church

1921 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-9125

1040 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-8349 www.jimmaxwellministries.org/

CHILD CARE

Grace Baptist Church

Eastlawn Memorial Park, Inc.

Boys & Girls Club of Brown County 1600 Ave K Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2582 bgcbrownwood.org

Heartland Child Care of Early 1073 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3156

Little Dude Ranch

1601 Stewart St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8877 www.littledudeonline.com

Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program 2411 Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2138 www.latchkeyprogram.org

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

103 Salt Creek Dr. Early, TX 76802 (325) 200-8531

Union Presbyterian Church 700 Fisk Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8569 www.unionpresbrownwood.org

COFFEE SHOPS

Common Grounds Coffeehouse & Deli* 2208 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3354

COLLECTABLES

Jomio and Rueliete’s Cards and Comics 2101 CR 381 Early, TX 76802 325 998-5783

COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE Apollo Computers Inc.* 611 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-8184 www.acisolution.com

Legacy IT, LLC*

104 E. Industrial Blvd. Ste., C Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-1961 www.legacyit.net

CONCRETE & PAVING

Angerstein Concrete Contractors, Inc.

3427 Milam Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2730 www.angersteinconcrete.com

Cement Solutions, LLC P.O. Box 368 Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 217-5709

Ingram Concrete, LLC 4301 Danhil Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6518 www.ingramconcrete.com

Pruett Concrete and Construction, LLC 3121 Shady Oaks Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-4598 www.pruettconcrete.com

CONSTRUCTION

Concho Valley Foundation Repair 3317 N. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX (325) 673-7899

Kelcy & Son Paving Contractors, Inc 518 Lucas Drive Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-4026

Kirby Cabler Enterprises 119 E. River Oaks Rd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-6125 www.kirbycabler.com

Waldrop Construction Co. Inc.* 3208 4th Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2529 www.waldropconstruction.com

Hometown Living At Its Best

113

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

3605 Highway 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2638 www.mccoys.com

Main Street Car Wash

CONVENIENCE STORES/GAS STATIONS

Cousin’s Super C 915 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-3453

PF&E Oil Company dba Food Plaza 3805 Hwy 377 S. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1584

Skinny’s Inc.

1203 Fisher Goldthwaite, TX 76844 (325) 642-7527 www.legacyplaza.org

DENTISTS

Avenue Dental

1206 Looney Street Brownwood, Texas 76801 325-649-9600

3457 Curry Lane Abilene, TX 79606 (325) 692-8200 www.scstores.com

Rick Evans, DDS

COUNSELING

Robert Goodwin, DDS

The Taylor Clinic

205 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-4357 www.thetaylorclinic.com

CPA’S & TAX SERVICES

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

CULTURAL & EVENTS

Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center

Bill Blagg, CPA

102 N. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4443

H & R Block - Early 707 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802(325) 646-9766 www.hrblock.com

H&R Block - Brownwood 517 W Commerce Ste. A Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7255 www.hrblock.com

Krischke CPA, PC*

201 Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6576

Saladino & Robison, LLC CPAs 309 Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2573

Sun Loan and Tax Service 515 W. Commerce Ste. A Commerce Square Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1211 www.sunloan.com

Julia Taylor, CPA

205 N. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0466 www.juliataylorcpa.com 114

Brown County Living

2601 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1561 3004 Coggin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3755

Robert Johnson, DDS 105 Southpark Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7823

Kyle Kirkland, DDS* 2600 Coggin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4622

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Brownwood ISD

2707 Southside Drive Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-5644 www.brownwoodisd.org

Castle Keep Services

Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 338-6736 www.castlekeepservices.com

Early Independent School District

DRUG SCREENING

Central Texas Drug and Alcohol Testing

3106 Hwy. 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 www.centraltexasdrugtest.com

DRY CLEANERS

Comet Cleaners & Laundry 1514 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8248

Shaw’s Laundry-Dry Cleaning 508 N. Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7559

1814 3rd St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-9222

Grimsley Electric, Inc.

PO Box 1671 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 998-5237

Howard Payne University* 1000 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-8009 www.hputx.edu

Independent Damsel In- Melissa Sanderson Gauny*

People Smart Tools*

401 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9727

Digger Diamond Electric

Education Service Center – Region 15

6624 FM 2632 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-8000 www.kingspointcove.com/

DISCOUNT STORES

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIES

Elliott Electric Supply Co.*

Early, TX 76802 (325) 642-9736 www.SafeandSassyMelissa.com

Wal-Mart #813*

901 CC Woodson Rd Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2223 www.victorylifeacademybrownwood.org

101 Turtle Creek. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-7934 www.earlyisd.net

DEVELOPERS

King’s Point Cove

Victory Life Academy*

2242 CR 434 Rochelle, TX 76872 (325) 642-1116 www.peoplesmarttools.com

Premier High School* 819 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3735 www.respoiveed.com

Ranger College*

300 Early Blvd., Ste. 105 Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-5726 www.rangercollege.edu

Saint Mary’s ABC Academy 1101 Booker St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7455 www.sm1familybwd.org

Texas State Technical College West Texas* 305 Booker St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-3918 www.westtexas.tstc.edu

4300 Danhil Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6566

2104 Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-0564

Pecan Valley Electric Company, Inc. 302 Second St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3566

Weldon Wilson Electric, Inc.* 4507 Danhil Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3110

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Air Evac Lifeteam

122 South Park Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-8988 www.lifeteam.net

Allegiance Ambulance*

511 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-4870 www.allegiance-ambulance.com

Heart of Texas EMS

1102 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (855) 641-0210 www.heartoftexasems.com

EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES

Choice Hire Staffing L.L.C. 3106 Highway 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1416 www.choicehirestaffing.com

Demand Staff, Inc.* 1200 Looney St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-8583 www.demandstaff.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Experience Works Inc. 1500 Dublin St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1319 www.experienceworks.org

Personnel Services of Brownwood* 3665 US Hwy 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1238 www.psstaffing.com

Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas* 2202 Hwy 377 S. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1591 www.workforcesystem.org

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Leak Surveys, Inc.

1102 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-8147 www.leaksurveysinc.com

Ag-Mart/Nelson Wholesale* 2400 Hwy 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3636 www.Nelsonwholesale.com

Richmon Farm Supply, Inc. 5600 FM 45 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3833

Tractor Supply Company* 315 A. East Commerce Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2256 www.tractorsupply.com

Wildlife Nutrition Center LLC 948 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (326) 646-0197

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Easyfinancial Services 1214 Looney St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6500

FINANCIAL PARTNERS

Insurance Specialists/ Voya Financial* 201 N. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-5080 www.brownwoodadvisors.com

201 W. Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2959

Strong Business Solutions, LLC 310 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8969

Thrivent Financial

311 N. Center Avenue Ste. 306 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-0706 www.thrivent.com

FITNESS CENTER

Brownwood Regional Therapy Zone 101 Streckert Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-3160

FLOOR COVERING

Brownwood Decorating* 2627 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8123

Heart of Texas Flooring*

400 S. Broadway Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4928 www.heartoftexasflooring.com

Jones Carpet

501 Carnegie St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6044

Spring Crest Carpet and Drapery 609 S. Main St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6793 www.area-wide.com

FLORISTS

Bangs Flower and Gift Shop 7498 HWY 67-84 Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 752-6825

Davis Floral Co.

505 Fisk Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9595 www.davisfloralco.com

Early Blooms & Things*

504 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-1803 www.earlybloomsandthings.com

Flowers by Phyllis

115 E. Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0820

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

K Leshae Designs

Washboard Appliance Repair

119 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-1743

952 Early Blvd, Ste B Early, TX 76802 (325) 430-1018 www.washboardappliancerepair.com

FOSTER CARE

GARAGE DOORS

Caring Family Network* 114 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-3222 www.cfntexas.com

Early Glass and Brownwood Door

FUNERAL HOMES

Overhead Door Company

110 E Industrial Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-7031 608 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-4996

Blaylock Funeral Home 1914 Indian Creek Road Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 203-4027

GLASS - AUTO

Davis Morris Funeral Home & Cremation*

Auto Glass Magic*

100 N. Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9789

800 Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5555 www.davismorrisfuneralhome.com

GLASS - PLATE, MIRROR, DOORS

Heartland Funeral Home & Cremation*

Brownwood Glass & Mirror 1609 Coggin Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7575

303 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-9424 www.heartlandfuneralhome.net

GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBS

Netherton Funeral Home & Cremation

Brownwood Country Club*

1412 Belle Plain St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9000

5875 CR 225 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1023 www.brownwoodcountryclub.com

FURNITURE & APPLIANCES

The Hideout Golf Club*

Aaron’s Sales & Lease Ownership* 219 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-8023 www.aarons.com

Dart Furniture 909 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-2267

Easyhome

1214 Looney St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2100 www.easyhome.us

6680 FM 2632 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-4653 www.thehideoutgolfclub.com

GOVERNMENT

Brownwood Chamber of Commerce 501 Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9535 www.brownwoodchamber.org

Brownwood Economic Development Corp.

Southwest Appliance

501 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6751 www.brownwoodbusiness.com

This Ol’ House

501 Center Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5771 www.ci.brownwood.tx.us

100 CC Woodson Rd. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8773 3275 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-1800

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

FARM & RANCH PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Painter & Johnson Financial*

City of Brownwood

Hometown Living At Its Best

115

City of Early

960 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-5451 www.earlytx.net

Early Economic Development Corp 104 E. Industrial Dr. Early, TX 76802 (325) 649-9300 www.earlyecondev.com

Early Chamber of Commerce

514 B Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-4826

‘Nspired Nail Bar

203 W. Commerce St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2810

The Rage-Salon and Day Spa

104 E. Industrial Dr. Early, TX 76802 (325) 649-9317 www.earlychamber.com

1601-A Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3920

State Representative Jim Keffer’s office

Pate’s Hardware, Inc.*

P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 (512) 463-0656 www.capitol.state.tx.us

Texas Juvenile Justice Department

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

HAIR & NAIL SALONS

Cutting Edge Barber Shop & Salon

HARDWARE

1104 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0668 www.pateshardware.com

Weakley-Watson True Value Hardware*

800 FM 3254 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-4240 www.tjjd.texas.gov

1414 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0536 www.weakley-watson.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

HEALTHCARE AND HOSPITALS

Doodlebug Designs 1911 Vincent Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-5851

GROCERY STORES

Big G Grocery 800 E Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0999

Brookshire’s Food Store 1400 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2234 www.brookshires.com

King’s Grocery 113 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5415

Kroger*

302 North Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7546

United Supermarkets* 300 East Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 510-3370

Abilene Behavioral Health 4225 Woods Place Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 698-6600 www.acadiahealthcare.com

Brownwood Family Care 125 Southpark Ste. D Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2500

Brownwood Family Practice 120 S Park Dr, Ste F Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1600

Brownwood Regional Medical Center* 1501 Burnet Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8541 www.brmc-cares.com

Cross Timbers Health Clinic - Brownwood* 3804 Hwy 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5167 www.crosstimbersinc.org

Fresenius Medical Care 110 South Park Drive Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-9510 www.fmc-na.com

116

Brown County Living

One Source Health Clinic 2005 Highway 183 North Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3300

Plexus Worldwide

(325) 647-1875 www.demitacrofford.myplexusproducts.com

River Crest Hospital

1636 Hunters Glen Rd. San Angelo, TX 76901 (325) 949-5722 www.rivercresthospital.com

Walker Cancer Center 1501 Burnet Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-5000

HEALTH & BEAUTY

doTERRA Essential Oils

1619 Wood Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-9310 http://www.mydoterra.com/lahondablevins

Mary Kay Independent Sales Director, Leann Bush 1912 Ave B Brownwood, Texas 76801 325-203-7689 http://www.marykay.com/leannbush

HEALTH & NUTRITION

Honey Bee Natural Foods* 909 North Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7017 www.healthfoodhoneybee.com

HOME & GARDEN

Cullen’s Hometown Market* 113 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5415 www.cullensmarket.com

Juice Plus

(325) 643-3030 www.adelita.towergarden.com

Leland’s Portable Buildings*

Tilson Home Corporation 925 I-20 West Weatherford, TX 76087 (817) 594-4592 www.tilsonhome.com

Yellow Rose Estates 3310 Stephen F. Austin Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-9333

HOME HEALTH CARE

BHCS Home Health - Brownwood 3657 Highway 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4999 www.bradyhealthcareservices.com

CMS Health Care Inc.*

1102 Early Blvd. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4900 www.cmshomehealthcare.com

First Aide Agency*

9705 Highway 183 N Early, TX 76802 325-642-2512 www.firstaideagency.com

Gentiva Health Services* 107 S. Park Dr, Ste. E Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5718

Girling Home Health Care, Inc 118 S Park, STE D Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5525

HOSPICE

Interim Healthcare Hospice 120 South Park Drive Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-1113 www.interimhealthcare.com

ICE VENDORS

Kooler Ice

705 W. Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-0074

INDIVIDUALS

109 E Industrial Early, TX 76802 (325) 203-1609 www.early.lelandbarns.com

Bob & Ann Beadel

HOME BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS

Burns Ranch

Avalon Custom Homes 109 Meadow Glen Early, TX 76802 (214) 707-6957 www.avalonhomestx.com

8801 FM 45 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5104 15000 Hwy 183 N May, TX 76857 (512) 965-3907

Brian G. Kight

PO Box 269 Breckenridge, TX 76424

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Evelyn Hutchings 11000 FM 1476 E Blanket, TX 76432

Gayla Locks

5901 CR 321 Blanket, TX 76432 (325) 203-0038 www.yourinsignia.com

Grover Beakley

PO Box 1264 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-5187

Nancy Byler

196 Abby Road Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-0445

Jerry DeHay

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

Roberson Rent-All

3102 Morris Sheppard Dr Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7732 www.robersonrentall.net

INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES & SERVICES Starr Sales*

1511 Drisco Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2524 www.starrsales.com

INSURANCE

AFLAC

801 Quail Run Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0643

105 W. Anderson St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2255 www.aflac.com

Richard Gist

CT Ham Insurance Agency

500 FM 2126 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9318 11500 CR 367 Early, TX 76802

Brad and Ginger Locker 4600 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3198

Buddy and Donna Reynolds 4600 Oak Ridge Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1377

Craig Seger

7795 County Road 551 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-7080

Barbara Stewart PO Box 3183 Early, TX 76803 (325) 643-1780

Helen Tatum P O Box 3211 Early, TX 76803 (325) 646-3848

Dr. Dale Wheelis

3510 4th St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7167

Farmers Insurance

2412 College Hills Blvd., Ste. 210 San Angelo, Texas 76904 325-486-9700 www.farmersagent.com/ecrawford

Harriss Insurance Agency 2421 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1600 www.farmers.com

Landmark Life Insurance Company* 5750 S County Road 225 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6579 www.landmarklife.com

Larry Holder Insurance* 1203 Coggin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7526 www.larryholder.net

Porter Insurance Agency* 100 N Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9586 www.porterins.com

Robnett Integra Insurance Services 508 Main St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2886 www.robnettintegra.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Edward Jones*

Sparks Insurance

JANITORIAL SERVICE & SUPPLIES

201 W. Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4578 www.smithandsharpeins.com

1105 Riverside Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2777 www.edwardjones.com

414 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-2600 www.sparksia.com

Brownwood Janitorial & Fire Extinguisher* 1200 C C Woodson Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6278

State Farm Insurance - Larry Pullin 400 CC Woodson Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2624

Draco’s Janitorial & Auto Detailing Inc* 2103 Fisk Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0611

State Farm Insurance - Mike Hall Agency*

807 Center Ave Suite C Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8600 www.mikehallinsurance.com

Lone Star Janitorial Service

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Brown County*

Texas-Clean*

The Insurance Lady

Young’s Jewelry

6935 FM 1176 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 203-2620 405 East Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2779 www.texas-clean.com

2450 Highway 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5516 www.txfb-ins.com

JEWELERS

PO Box 3144 Early, TX 76803 (325) 643-1040

1906 S. Bridge St. Brady, TX 76825 (325) 597-0493

INTERIOR DESIGN

LAWN CARE

Joe Sheppard Designs

Brasher & Co.

500 Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3399

3210 4th Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2415

INTERNET DEVELOPMENT

Cox Landscape & Irrigation 4440 Westridge Dr Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 203-8491

Image1Plus

1209 High Mesa Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 647-6066 www.Image1Plus.com

Mercer Yards & More

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS

Echo Wireless Broadband*

607 Old Comanche Rd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 642-2153

Top Cut Lawn Care*

1002 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 1-800-643-3246 www.echowibb.com

P.O Box 102 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 647-6703

INVESTMENT SERVICES

Jennifer W. Broughton - Attorney at Law

Edward Jones*

500 Main St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2544 www.edwardjones.com

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

Johney Griffin

2800 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1583 www.farmers.com

Smith & Sharpe Agencies*

LEGAL SERVICES

311 N. Center Avenue Ste. 300 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9800

Hometown Living At Its Best

117

Tom F. Duren, Attorney at Law 211 South Broadway Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5877

Haynes Law Firm, P.C. 309 N Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2821

Law Offices of Jason M. Johnson 315 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2777 www.jasonjohnsonlaw.com

Scott A. Morelock, Attorney 207 N Fisk Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-9795

1001 Vine St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3500

MALLS & SHOPPING

Heartland Mall*

Serendipity

412 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7711

MANUFACTURERS

3M Company*

Airtite Products

108 East Baker Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7685 www.woodleydudley.net

4008 S. Treadaway Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 672-5774 www.airtiteproducts.com

LENDERS

DanHil Containers II, Limited

AgTexas Farm Credit Services 1197 South Loop Stephenville, TX 76401 254-965-3151

Cash Store

310 W Commerce St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1757

Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA* 1038 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-5563 www.centraltexasaca.com

Council Finance, Inc. (325) 518-4942

Toledo Finance Corp.* 203 E Baker Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6797

MAPS

Texas Trails Maps*

US Dock’s Wild Duck Marina

Woodley & Dudley, Attorneys

506 E. Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 600-4200 www.affiliatedbank.com

2900 Morris Sheppard Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8591 www.superioressex.com

300 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-8531 www.heartlandmall.net

201 Mark Allen Dr Early, TX 76802 (325) 998-1009

Affiliated Bank

Superior Essex

207 E. Main Llano, TX 78643 (325) 247-5183

4501 Highway 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3551 www.mmm.com

Perry Sims

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

LIQUOR STORES

Depot Liquor Beer & Wine

4500 Danhil Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2009 www.danhilcontainers.com

Diamond P Enterprise

3300 Milam Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5629 www.diamondpenterprises.com

Kohler Company

4601 Hwy 377S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2661

Loadcraft Industries Ltd.* 1001 Gifford St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1718 www.loadcraft.com

Performance Pipe, Inc. 1400 Drisco Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6561 www.performancepipe.com

SMK Fabricators, Inc. 16901 Hwy 183 May, TX 76857 (254) 259-3906 www.smkfab.com

MARINAS

320 High Top St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-7100 www.us-dock.com

MEDIA

Brown County Broadcasting, KBWD/KOXE 300 Carnegie Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3505 www.koxe.com

Farris Broadcasting, KNEL-AM/FM 117 S. Blackburn St. Brady, TX 76825 (325) 597-2119 www.knelradio.com

KTAB KRBC TV*

4510 S. 14th Street Abilene, TX 79605 (325) 692-4242 www.bigcountryhomepage.com

KTXS/KTXE/NTXS/KTES* 4420 N. Clack St. Abilene, TX 79601 (325) 677-2281 www.ktxs.com

KYOX 94.3 ‘’The Ox’’ 218 N. Austin Comanche, TX 76442 (325) 356-3090 www.kyoxfm.com

KXVA-TV

4127 S. Danville Abilene, TX 79605 (325) 672-5606 www.myfoxzone.com

Red Fin Publishing*

P O Box 1239 Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 301-3828 www.redfinpublishing.com

Wendlee Broadcasting, KXYL-AM/ FM, KQBZ-FM, KSTA-AM* 600 Fisk St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3535 www.wendleebroadcasting.com

MEDICAL SPA

Creative Image Laser Solutions* 3661 HWY 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1927 www.creativeimagelasersolutions.com

Timeless You*

101-A Southpark Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1616

MEDICAL SUPPLIES

‘’AA’’ Prosthetic Services, Inc. 2408 Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 200-4467

Choice Medical Supply 101-D South Park Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-9411

MEETING FACILITIES

Heart of Texas Baptist Camp & Conference Center* 8025 N. FM 2125 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5821 www.heartoftexcascamp.com

Small Business Incubator 104 E Industrial Early, TX 76802 (325) 649-9300

Texas 4H Conference Center* 5600 FM 3021 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5482 www.texas4hcenter.tamu.edu

MONUMENTS & ENGRAVING

Sterling Monument Co. 2701 S Hwy 377 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-5701 www.sterlingmonument.com

MOVING & BOXES

Leach Brothers Mfg. Co. & U-Haul 210 N.Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9301

MUSEUM

Brown County Museum of History 212 N. Broadway Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1926

118

Brown County Living

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum* 700 E. Adams Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 6436376 www.ci.brownwood,tx.us

Rufus F. Hardin Museum Inc.* 1009 Hall St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2779 www.rufusfhardinmuseum.org

MUSIC STORES

Brady Music

1906 S. Bridge St. Brady, TX 76825 (325) 456-5130 www.bradymusicstore.com

Brownwood Music Company* 201 W. Baker Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1365 www.brownwoodmusic.com

NATURAL GAS & PROPANE

4304 Danhil Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (888) 286-6700 www.atmosenergy.com

Bob’s Fuels Inc.*

1107 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7571 www.bobsfuelsinc.com

Solar Centex

1901 E. FM 2410 Harker Heights, TX 96548 (254) 300-1228 www.solarcentex.com

Tri-County Propane

Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2598 www.txchi.org

Lake Brownwood Community Development Council*

Kirbo’s Office Systems*

Pecan Valley Genealogical Society

3800 Hwy 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3800 www.docsbrownwood.com 1210 C.C. Woodson Road Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-2500 www.docsearly.com

Jacobs Family Pharmacy

213 South Broadway Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6006 www.browncountytexasgenealogy.com

220 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2345

2701 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1100 www.jacobsfamilypharmacy.com

Print Solutions

Walgreens*

TXTC Foundation

211 West Baker Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3446 www.GoToPrintSolutions.com

650 E. Hwy. 80 Abilene, TX 79601 (325) 738-3349 www.tstc.edu/westtexasabout/foundation

NURSERIES

Sue’s Backyard*

404 E. Depot Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4634

NURSING HOMES & ASSISTED LIVING

Bangs Nursing Home

1105 Fitzgerald Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 752-6321 www.savaseniorhealthcare.com

Brownwood Nursing and Rehabilitation 101 Miller Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9555

CARE Nursing & Rehabilitation*

Cross Country Health Care Center*

700 Carnegie Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2541 www.brownwoodbulletin.com

Doc’s Drugstore of Early*

Office Furniture Specialist

TXU Energy

Brownwood Bulletin*

OFFICE EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES

8017 Co. Road 564 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 998-1138 www.brownwoodlake.com

200 CR 616 Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5521 www.carenursingcenter.com

NEWSPAPERS

Doc’s Drugstore - Brownwood

2500 Songbird Circle Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4750

3005 Hwy 377 S Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3383 www.kirbos.com

4650 HWY 183N Brownwood, TX 76802 (325) 646-6116 www.centraltexasenergy.com 810 Westview Drive Abilene, TX 79603 (325) 642-4988

Songbird Lodge

1514 Indian Creek Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6529 www.seniorlivingproperties.com

Oak Ridge Manor

2501 Morris Sheppard Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2746

Senior Care of Brownwood*

2700 Memorial Park Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9801 www.brownwoodskillednursing.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Staples

531 West Commerce Street Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-1200 www.staples.com

OPTOMETRISTS

Comolli & Ethridge* 1200 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5511

Texas State Optical* 310 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-6625

PARTY RENTAL

Green Acres Rental

2304 US Highway 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7779 www.greenacresrental.com

PARTY SUPPLIES

Wally’s Party Factory

601 Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8533 www.wallyspartyfactory.com

PEST CONTROL

200 W Commerce St Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8923 www.walgreens.com

PHYSICAL FITNESS

Anytime Fitness*

1101 Clements Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1909 www.anytimefitness.com

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

ATMOS Energy*

NON - PROFIT

Cultural Homestay International

Brownwood Fitness Center

104 N. Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-3488 www.brownwoodfitnesscenter.com

Fitness Evolution

300 Early Blvd, Ste 36 Early, TX 76802 (325) 513-6040 www.fitnessevolutiontx.com

PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS

Brownwood Cardiology* 2510 Crockett Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-8648

Brownwood Behavioral Health & Associates 125 South Park Dr. Ste. F Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 646-0400

Andy’s Pest Troopers*

Brownwood ENT & Allergy

PHARMACIES

Brownwood Medical Associates/ Narendra Nigalye, MD*

1025 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2571 www.andyspesttroopers.com

Best Med, Inc.

116 Southpark Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9414

2410 Crockett Dr. Ste. B Brownwood, Texas 76801 (325) 643-5695

125 South Park Dr. Ste. H Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 649-0999

Hometown Living At Its Best

119

Brownwood Surgical Associates* 125 South Park Suite A Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1122

Brownwood Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clinic

120 Southpark Dr. Ste. C Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2686 www.brownwoodwomensclinic.com

Family Medical Home

175 Roberts Lane Early, TX 76802

McMillian Plumbing 2514 Waco Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6102

PLUMBING SUPPLIES

Winston Water Cooler

Condor Document Services 2104 11th St. Marble Falls, TX 78654 (830) 637-7204 www.condordocs.com

H & H Resources

210 Main Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2100

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

HCD Graham Investments, LLC 1805 16th St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2044

REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS

Blasingame Appraisal 104 E Industrial, Ste O Early, TX 76801 (325) 642-3858

101-A South Park Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6568

817 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5127 www.winstonwatercooler.com

Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers

Heart of Texas Foot Care Center

POLITICAL

Heartland Payment Systems*

Brown County Republican Women

501 CR 282 Rising Star, TX 76471 (806) 241-9444 www.heartlandpaymentsystems.com

West/Central Texas Valuation Services

Pecan Valley Republican Women

Mid-Tex Human Resource Management Assoc.

REALTOR/ REAL ESTATE AGENT

103-A South Park Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0715

Heart of Texas Gastroenterology* 100 Miller Dr. Ste. B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7733

Heart of Texas General Surgery*

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

Goode Plumbing

125 South Park Dr., Ste. E Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-2384

Heart of Texas Internal Medicine Assoc* 109 South Park Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3300

Heart of Texas Orthopaedics/Stephen Roberts, MD* 103 South Park Dr., Ste. B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-8080 www.heartoftexasortho.com

North Central Texas Urology 831 E. Eureka St. Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 599-6633 www.NCTurology.org

Pediatrics of Brownwood 2500 Crockett Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5456

Texas Center for Oral & Facial Surgery

201 River North Blvd STEPHENVILLE, Texas 76401 (254) 918-0159 www.texasoralfacial.com

PLUMBING

Black Plumbing, Inc* 2314 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5215 www.blackplumbing.com 120

Brown County Living

P O Box 1783 Brownwood, TX 76804-1783 (325) 642-6705 P O Box 1044 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 998-3880

Republican Party of Brown County

PO Box 1081 Blanket, TX 76432 (325) 748-4691 www.browncountytexasrepublicanparty.com

POOLS

Heartland Pool Co.

3427 Milam Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2730 www.heartlandpools.com

PORTABLE TOILETS

Pitts Stop Porta Pottys* PO Box 1054 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-4399

PRINTERS

Moore Printing Company* 407 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7181 www.mooreprintingco.com

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Bob Turner, Rural Issues Consultant

Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 451-4046 www.heartoftexascrimestoppers.com

PO Box 841 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-1634 www.mid-tex.shrm.org

Ann Jones Real Estate

Nova Franchise Services, LLC

Coldwell Banker Mark Campbell & Associates*

3009 Gilmer Ave. Abilene, TX 79606 (325) 939-8457

Tarleton State University - Small Business Development Center* 105 N. Stockton St. Granbury, TX 76048 (817) 573-7681 www.tsusbdc.org

Texas Midwest Community Network 3702 Loop 322 Abilene, TX 79602 (325) 795-8626 www.texasmidwest.org

West Texas Rehabilitation Center 4601 Hartford Abilene, TX 79605 (325) 793-3510 westtexasrehab.org

PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS

CT Promotional Products

40-CR 340 Voss, TX 76888 (325) 669-1717

1204 Private Road 684 Brady, TX 76825 (325) 792-8422 www.ctpromotional.com

Brownwood Municipal Police Association

Insignia

1050 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2525 www.brownwoodpd.org

4651 Hwy 377 South Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-0307 www.monsonappraisals.com

5901 CR 321 Blanket, TX 76432 (325) 203-0038 www.yourinsignia.com

104 Lake Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-6967

1900 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1547 www.brownwoodrealestate.com

Donnie Stegemoller Realtors 2700 Hwy 377 S. Suite 101 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5656 www.wehavethekey.com

Elvin Hutchins, Realtor

8603 HWY 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5100 www.texasrealtybrownwood.com

Julie Gribble Town & Country Real Estate* 302 Second St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1900

Heartland Association of Realtors* 503 E. Anderson Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8712

McCluskey & Associates*

1515 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3200 www.brownwoodproperties.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Nesa Morelock

1900 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-4932

Jennifer Newton, CRS, GRI Broker Associate 1900 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-2100 www.jennifernewton.net

Prudential Moseley Real Estate* 1001 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-4186 www.moseley-realestate.com/

Stephens Ranch Hand Real Estate 500 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-1229 www.ranchhandrealestate.com

Texas Goldstar Real Estate 2222 S. Hwy 377 Ste. 1 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-4781

8603 N Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5100 www.texasrealtybrownwood.com

Tootie Kelly Real Estate - Brownwood*

1500 Melwood Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7058

City of Early Beautification Commission 960 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 325-643-5451 www.coebc.com

Keep Brownwood Beautiful

1111 Willis St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-0533 www.keepbrownwoodbeautiful.org

RENTAL PROPERTY

Early Professional Plaza 201 N. Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5080

RESTAURANTS

AJ’s Red Wagon LLC

Dairy Queen

Skillet’s Restaurant

Domino’s Pizza

Sonic Drive In

1012-B Coggin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3112

211 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6812

Humphrey Pete’s*

Sonic Drive-In Brownwood #2

1620 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6132

102 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-8576 www.humphreypetes.com

1500 Austin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5510

Jerry’s Burgers & Shakes

974 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3434

McDonald’s*

300 Early Blvd, Ste 25 Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3910 www.chickfila.com

Ricardo’s Tortilla Bakery*

Chili’s Grill and Bar*

Runaway Train Café*

1900 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-1179 www.RealEstateByGaryTwiford.com

Vann Stanford, Realtor 1100 Early Blvd Early, TX, TX 76802 (325) 642-2088

Wells Team – Coldwell Banker/Mark Campbell & Associates 1900 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-5994 www.wellsteam.com

CiCi’s Pizza

1107 Clements St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3700 www.cicispizza.com

Cook’s Fish Barn Restaurant & Catering 3669 Hwy 36 Comanche, TX 76442 (254) 842-5409

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Taco Casa*

207 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-7810 www.tacocasatexas.com

Mi Familia Mexican Restaurant*

Tootie Kelly Real Estate - Early*

Gary Twiford, Realtor*

547 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1466

204 E. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1408

221 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3100

210 E. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1314

Taco Bell

Lemons’ Bar-B-Q

7551 Highway 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 784-5270 www.tootiekellyrealestate.com 111 B Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-2444 www.tootiekellyrealestate.com

211 E Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7878

108 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-5294

Buffalo Wild Wings

Chick-Fil-A*

SUBWAY

La Botana Mexican Grill

401 N Main Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1599

Chicken Express

Sonic Drive-In of Early

1016 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-6140

3202 Coggin Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9655 www.lemonsbarbq.com

511 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1400

500 E Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-4185

1020 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 641-8226 wwww.mifamiliaearly.com 904 Booker Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-3333

3600 Stephen F. Austin Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-3333 www.runawaytraincafe.com

SAWA Japanese Steak House 515 E. Commerce St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7292 www.sawabrownwood.com

Schlotzsky’s Deli

919 Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6661

The Turtle Restaurant & Gelateria 514 Center Ave. Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-8200 www.theturtlerestaurant.com

Triple T Grill

1411 Indian Creek Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8619

Underwood’s Cafeteria* 404 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1776 www.underwoodsbbq.com

RESTORATION SERVICES

ServPro of Brownwood

PO Box 1161 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-1445 www.marblefallslampasasbrownwood.com

RETAIL

Bruce’s Big & Tall Clothing 702 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-8116

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121

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

Texas Realty * ‘’Where the Star Shines Bright’’

RECYCLING

Brownwood Iron & Metal

Cloud 9 Vape 704 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-8273

Dazzling Diva’s*

1601 Coggin Avenue, Ste. C Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2564 www.shopdazzlingboutique.com

Factory Connection

300 Early Blvd., Ste 34 Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-4218 www.factory-connection.com

Glamour Shop

405-411 Center Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2633

Hamilton’s

500 Center Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7195

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

Racks N Rustics*

1507 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1540

Sue’s Upscale Resale 1301 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-1019

The Southern Junkie

112 W. Anderson Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5865 www.thesouthernjunkie.com

The Water Store 611 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-7789

Vicksburg Retirement Community* 3020 4th Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6938 www.vicksburgretirement.com

ROOFING CONTRACTORS

Clear Fork Roofing, Inc. 3080 E US HWY 80 Abilene, TX 79601-6423 (325) 646-4090 www.clearforkroofing.com

Lydick-Hooks Roofing Co., Inc. 2001 S. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 646-9581 www.lydickhooksbrownwood.com

Smith Roofing Company, Inc.* 713 Belle Plain Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7516

Tunnell Construction, Roofing and Water/Fire Restoration* 716 Main Blanket, TX 76432 (325) 642-7540 www.tunnellconstruction.com

RV PARKS

Harlowe RV Park* 615 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5589 www.harlowesrv.com

SANITATION

Progressive Waste Solutions/IESI 6800 Hwy 377S Blanket, TX 76432 (940) 654-9619 www.progressivewaste.com

Kiwanis Club of Brownwood

PO Box 322 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 642-2044 www.facebook.com/BrownwoodKiwanis

Revitalizing Our Community (R.O.C) 2103 Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0611

Rotary Club of Brownwood Brownwood, TX (325) 642-3344 www.brownwoodrotary.org

VFW Post 3278 Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries 2300 Stephen F. Austin Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8113 www.vfwpost3278.org

SHIPPING & MAIL SERVICES

Box-N-Mail

901 Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1037 www.neighborhoodpostal.com

SIGNS & BANNERS

Ace’s Full Signs & Wraps* 304 North Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 203-6503

SOCIAL SERVICES

Aldersgate Enrichment Center* 5001 E. Hwy 183 - 84 E Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-5608 www.aldersgate-center.com

American Cancer Society

SCREEN PRINTING & EMBROIDERY

3228 College Hills San Angelo, TX 76904 (325) -944-2500 www.cancer.org

318 Bluff view Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-1123

909 Pecan Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2128 www.gotowillies.com

American Red Cross, West Central Texas Chapter

Redstone Park Retirement and Assisted Living Community*

SERVICE & CIVIC CLUBS

RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES

Brownwood Retirement Village

2410 Songbird Circle Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9056 www.redstonepark.com

The Chatfield Assisted Living* 1605 Calvert Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 200-4904 www.ChatfieldAssistedLiving.com

122

Brown County Living

Willie’s T’s*

Brown County Fair Association 4206 Hwy 377 S. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6365 www.browncountyfairandrodeo.com

Cowboy Capital Rollergirls

PO Box 2227 Stephenville, TX 76401 (763) 232-3191 www.cowboycapitalrollergirls.com

901 Avenue B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0196

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brown County* 901 Avenue B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5600 www.bbbstx.org

Brown County United Way* P. O. Box 1026 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-5084

Brownwood Community Resource Council to Benefit TJJD 800 FM 3254 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 641-4240

Brownwood Public Library

600 Carnegie St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0155 www.brownwoodpubliclibrary.com

CASA in the Heart of Texas* 901 Ave B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2557 www.casabrownwood.ort

Center for Life Resources* 408 Mulberry Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9574 www.cflr.us

Family Services Center* 901 Ave. B Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5939 www.familysc.net

Good Samaritan Ministries* 305 Clark St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2273 www.goodsambwd.org

Goodwill Brownwood 829 W. Commerce Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9896 www.goodwilltexas.org

Heart of Texas Children’s Advocacy Center* 1409 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-7148

Heart of Texas Christian Women’s Job Corps 2410 Coggin Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-1788

Salvation Army Bwd Service Center* 403 Lakeway Drive Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5369 www.salvationarmytexas.org

The ARK*

P O Box 1202 Brownwood, TX 76804 (325) 643-2699 www.arkshelter.org≠

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

SPORTING

Cen-Tex Soccer Association

2211 Crockett Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8230 www.centexsoccer.org/Home_Page.html

Circle B. Ranch

9400 County Road 258 Early, TX 76802 (325) 203-6578

Heart of Texas - Buckmasters Am. Deer Foundation PO Box 851 Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 752-6064

Heart of Texas Friends of NRA* c/o Julie Taylor 205 N. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-1382

SPORTING GOODS/ SUPPLIES

Bishop Distributing

Weakley-Watson Sporting Goods* 102 Fisk Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-2200 www.weakleysport.com

SPORTS & RECREATION

Academy Lanes*

1101 Austin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0637 www.academylanesbowling.com

Early Game & Skate* 300 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-4263

Hoffpauir Outdoor Superstore Goldthwaite 2114 Highway 84W Goldthwaite, TX 76844 (325) 648-3341 www.hautogroup.com

SEAL Gymnastics, Inc 3315 Hwy 183 N Early, TX 76802 (325) 642-4111 www.sealgym.com

3109 Hwy 279 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8582

Stewart Street Storage*

1800 Stewart St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 217-8236 www.stewartstreetstorage.com

WT Harris Company, Inc. 2908 Stephen F. Austin Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-7521 www.wtharriscompany.com

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Batts Communications

TRANSPORTATION

Oncor*

City and Rural Rides

912 Sharp St Brownwood, TX 76801 (888) 313-4747 www.oncor.com

Echo Transportation

Austin Avenue Pet Clinic

5012 Mosson Road Ft. Worth, TX 76119 (817) 572-4114 www.echotransportation.com

2705 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0514 www.aapetclinic.com

Safe Charters/VIP Sports Getaway

Brown County Animal Clinic*

1031 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (800) 710-2277 www.cityandruralrides.com

VETERINARIANS

401 Cypress St., #500 Abilene, TX 79601 (325) 676-1199 www.vipsportsgetaway.com

105 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-1523

Texas Rock Crusher Railway

3807 South Hwy 377 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8775

Cadenhead Veterinary Clinic

4110 S. Treadaway Abilene, TX 76901 (325) 690-1222 www.battscom.com

204 W. 8th St. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5105 www.txr-rr.com

Mike Bullard Telephone & Wiring

TROPHIES & AWARDS

2406 Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2020 www.cornerstonepethospital.com

220 N Main Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-0379 www.allstarawardsplus.com

Small Animal Medical & Surgical Center*

271 Jackrabbit Circle Zephyr, TX 76890 (325) 643-2881

Verizon Communications 3020 14th Street Mail Code TXA20BWD Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-5805 www.verizon.com

TITLE COMPANIES

Brown County Abstract Co. 201 S. Broadway Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-6591 www.bcacinc.com

Heart-Land Title Company 404 North Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-0509

Pecan Valley Title Co. 208 E. Anderson Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-6666 www.pecanvalleytitle.com

TRAILERS

Early Trailer Sales, LLC* 901 Early Blvd Early, TX 76802 (325) 646-2022 www.earlytrailersales.com

Sanderson Trailers

208 Garmon Dr Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-3626 www.sandersontrailers.tx.com

*Asterisks indicate listings with joint membership in Brownwood and Early Chambers.

Cornerstone Pet Hospital

ASAP Creative Arts*

TRUCK ACCESSORIES

Taylors Mini Mall

804 Melwood Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-9903

1001-A North Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2275 www.brownwoodpetclinic.com

WEDDING

Albero Wedding Garden

TV - CABLE & SATELLITE SYSTEMS

Harris Broadband L.P.*

8132 CR 182 Bangs, TX 76823 (325) 642-6722

Sparkles and Spurs Wedding Venue

500 Fisk Ave Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-9493 www.harrisbb.com

9900 FM 1850 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 642-5572

WHOLESALE STORES

Shaw T.V., Sales & Service 1621 Austin Ave. Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-8183 www.shawtv.net

Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club

5301 S. 1st Abilene, TX 79605 (325) 691-5480

UTILITIES

Grooms Seed

American Light and Power 1015 N. Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 (855) 485-4258 www.americanlp.com

3420 CR 180 Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 646-5562

Comanche Electric Cooperative*

203 W. 8th Street Brownwood, TX 76801 (325) 643-2521 www.wallmoulding.com

1801 CR 338 Early, TX 76802 (800) 915-2533 www.ceca.coop

Wall Moulding & Associates

Hometown Living At Its Best

123

CHAMBER DIRECTORY

119 E Industrial Dr. Early, TX 76802 (325) 643-2588 bishopdistributinginc.com

STORAGE FACILITIES

Access Storage

Wa ter

CONSERVATION TIPS CONSERVA

ODD ADDRESSES

Monday and Thursday Watering Only midnight to 9 AM and 7 PM to midnight

EVEN ADDRESSES

Tuesday and Friday Watering Only midnight to 9 AM and 7 PM to midnight

BROWNWOOD AND EARLY ARE CURRENTLY UNDER STAGE 2 WATER RESTRIC TIONS • Install water-efficient appliances such as high-efficiency toilets that can save an average of 4,000 gallons per year compared to regular toilets.

• Don’t wait to fix water leaks. Check your water meter to see if it’s spinning when all of the faucets are turned off. It can expose an invisible or unnoticed water leak.

• Practice good water-use habits such as: • Running the dishwasher and washing laundry only when there are full loads. 124

Brown County Living

• Turning the water off while brushing your teeth. • Taking shorter showers instead of baths. • Design a water-wise landscape by planting trees, shrubs, plants and grass that are native to the area and typically require less watering. Examples of water-efficient grass are: COMMON BE R MUDA – requires watering every 8-10 days HYBR ID BE R MUDA – requires watering every 5-8 days BUFFALO G R ASS – requires watering every 2-5 weeks

CIT Y OF EARLY BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION REC YCLING CENTER FREE-FREE COUNTY-WIDE

FREE- FREE COUNT Y-WIDE RESIDENTIAL CLEAN UP AND ELEC TRONIC COLLEC TION

Water

April 2016

Clean It Like You Mean It! Free County Wide Clean Up

RVATION TIPS

BROWNWOOD

RESIDENTIAL CLEAN UP AND ELEC TRONIC COLLEC TION

960 Early Blvd NEW HOURS FOR 2nd Saturday of each month 8am-12pm

What: Getting rid of unwanted items from your HOME

What: Getting rid of unwanted items from your HOME When: Saturday, October4, 2014 8am to 1pm Where: Under the Austin Avenue Overpass Ave. A & Brady When: April 2016 BROWNWOOD Cars, Vans, and Pickups only. Where: Under the Austin Avenue Overpass Ave. A & Brady Trailers must go to landfill where there will be no charge between the hours

IN- TOWN RECYCLING

9AM UNTIL NOON Every 1st and 3rd Saturday under the Austin Avenue Ove at Brady Avenue and Avenue A

IN -TOWN REC YCLING of 8 am and 2pm. By law, loads must be covered.

EARLY IN-TOWN RECYCLIN (Residential ONLY)1st and 3rd Saturday of each month 9am-12pm 8AM UNTIL NOON Cars, Vans, and Pickups only. Under the Austin Ave. Overpass at Brady Ave.2nd andSaturday Ave. Aof each Month at the Early City Hall Trailers must go to the landfill where there will be no charge. Acceptable Clean Up Items: Brush, yard debris, household garbage, latex & spray paint (limit 10 More information to come. ITEMS ACCEPTED: metal, refrigerators (must be free of food), stoves, ovens, a/c units, ITEMS TO RECYCLE: By law, loads must be covered. (Residential ONLY) gallons), Newspapers anti-freeze, car batteries, passenger car tires (max 8 per household, no tires

Newspaper accepted from tire dealers or tire resellers. 20 inches or less. No tractorMagazines or 18 Cardboard wheeler tires!), used motor oil (limit 5 gallons), recycling will be collected at Acceptable Clean Up Items: Magazines Plastic-#1 only (eg water bottles, soft drink bottles) the Community Plaza across the street from underpass. White office paper Brush, yard debris, household garbage, latex & spray paint (limit 10 gallons), (NO HAZARDOUS WASTE!!!) Aluminum Cans – no food containers Aluminum beverage cans

metal, refrigerators (must be free of food), stoves, ovens, a/c units, anti-freeze, Metal Food Cans – clean only **NEW SERVICE…DOCUMENT SHREDDING (3 boxesWhite maximum)** car batteries, passenger car tires (max 8 per household, no tires accepted from office paper (no junk mail) tire dealers or tire resellers. 20 inches or less. No tractor or 18 wheeler tires!), Bagged shredded white paper Electronic Items: used motor oil (limit 5 gallons), recycling will be collected at the Community Cardboard Computers, monitors, printers, copy machines, fax machines, scanners, cameras, batteries VCR/VCD/DVD players, MP3players. If it has anPlease electricalremove lids Plaza across the street from underpass.(NO HAZARDOUS WASTE!!!) cord, we’ll probably take it. **NEW SERVICE…DOCUMENT SHREDDING (3 boxes maximum)** ALL items must be CLEAN! Electronic Items: Computers, monitors, printers, copy machines, fax machines, scanners, cameras, batteries VCR/VCD/DVD players, MP3players. If it has an electrical cord, we’ll probably take it.

Glass jars and bottles Metal food cans #1 plastic clear bottles Please remove lids ALL items must be CLEAN!

Partnership of Keep Brownwood Beautiful and the City of Brownwood and the City of Early Beautification Commission. For more information, call 641-0533 or 641-8832.

Partnership of Keep Brownwood Beautiful, the City of Brownwood and the City of Early Beautification Commission.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL 641-0533 OR 641-8832

Hometown Living At Its

Recycle

INFORMATION Hometown Living At Its Best

125

Outdoor

PARKS & REC

OUTDOOR R ECR E ATION

The Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center is one of the area’s most popular attractions. Open during the summer months, key features of the Camp Bowie Family Aquatic Center includes a slide tower with slide, water geysers, a tot slide, coolbrellas, a pavilion, 4 lap lanes, a diving board, zero entry beach, a current channel, and much more. There is also a concession stand with light snacks, bath house, and small lockers available for rent. The new facility is located directly across the street from Gordon Wood Stadium.

amongst the area’s best layouts. The practice facility is one of the most all-inclusive in the area. The driving range includes four target greens with varying distances. Included in the practice facility, a 5,000 square foot putting green will boost one’s short game to perfection. Come enjoy a hospitable day on the links while situated on a piece of land that proudly supports the conservation of all its natural surroundings.

Brownwood Country Club is a private club offering numerous opportunities for a great day at the club with family and friends. Some of the activities include Golf, Swimming, Fishing, Lake, and Racquetball Court.

The Hideout Golf Club is located on Lake Brownwood situated on rolling terrain, dotted with numerous lakes and ponds. The golf course, designed by Bill Johnston, opened all 18 holes July 2008. The Hideout features many well placed bunkers and water features to provide a challenging yet relaxing round of golf. Our four sets of tees accommodate golfers of each skill level. These 18 holes of Championship Golf, while still premature in age is widely considered 126

Brown County Living

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES OF BROWNWOOD AND E ARLY, VISIT US AT W W W.VISITBROWNWOOD.COM W W W.E ARLYCHAMBE R .COM

If you’re looking for a place where you can slow down, and do the things you love to do, not the things you have to do, then come see us. You won’t get stuck in traffic, and you’ll see the stars at night. Folks will wave for no reason, so brace yourself for pure Texas hospitality and the option to relax and do nothing! NATUR E PAR K S Camp Bowie 36th Division Memorial Park Center Park Fabris Primitive Park Margaret & Stuart Coleman Plaza Riverside Park -

• 46.43 acres adjacent to the Pecan Bayou on E. Commerce. • Large playground area, Picnic Tables, BBQ Pits, Restroom Facilities

• • • • • • •

Disc Golf Sand Volleyball Court Boat Ramp Nature Trail Pavilion RV hookups One mile by 8 foot wide concrete Walking Trail.

• Exercise stations Festival Park Early City Park

• Large playground, picnic area, & concession stand • 6 Regulation size fields • 1 T-Ball field Earl Q. Wilson Arena/Brown County Youth Fair Grounds

R ECR E ATION PAR K S

Gordon Wood Stadium

Allcorn Park

Longhorn Stadium

Cecil Holman Park

Bert V. Massey II Sports Complex

Cen-Tex Soccer Fields Coggin Park -

• 15.15 acres on Austin Avenue. • Large Playground area, picnic tables, BBQ pits, water fountains • Five lighted Tennis Courts • Four Baseball/Softball Practice Fields • Two Soccer Fields • Full-size Basketball Court • Sand Volleyball pit • Horseshoe & Washer pits • Pavilions • Pecan Orchard • Walking trail

• opened in 2010 • 4 Little League fields with covered playground, picnic area, & concession stand • 4 Softball fields, with covered playground, picnic area, & concession stand • 2 adult Softball fields, with covered playground, picnic area, & concession stand • 2 teenage Baseball fields, with covered playground, picnic area, &concession stand

Hometown Living At Its Best

127

r a d n e l a C OF EVENTS

JANUARY

Brown County Youth Fair

FEBRUARY

Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit

MARCH

Empty Bowls Lone Star Fair and Rattlesnake Roundup Bluebonnet Relays Silver Spur Gun and Blade Show

APRIL

Early City Wide Yard Sale Early Community Wide Appreciation Dinner Heart of Texas Wings Rally

MAY

Spring Swing Golf Tournament Gordon Wood Hall of Champions Banquet Buckmasters Banquet Bangs Mayfest Bluebonnet Jr. Golf Championship Lake Brownwood State Park Open House

JUNE

Heartland Rod Run Hill Country Culinary Weekend Juneteenth Celebration Brown County Rodeo, Parade, & Dance (2nd Weekend in June)

AUGUST Skeet Shoot

Scheduled Performances throughout the Year Lyric Performing Arts Company

SEPTEMBER

Brownwood Business Showcase Feels Like Home Celebration

OCTOBER

HPU Homecoming Trick or Treat Trail Greenleaf Cemetery Talking Tombstone Tour Early Pioneer Days

NOVEMBER

Silver Spur Gun and Blade Show Hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Appreciation Dinner

DECEMBER

City of Early Beautification Commission Christmas Tree LightingEarly Chamber of Commerce/Early EDC Open House Lighted Christmas Parade Christmas Under the Stars Festival

FO R MO R E C ALE N DAR O F E V E NT S I N FO R M ATI O N, V ISIT W W W.V ISITB ROWNWO O D.COM / W W W. E AR LYCHAM B E R .COM

Photo by Plan-it ink

in nd u o rr ars su & 0 ye d 3 oo er nw r ov w o o f Br es ing unti v r o Se c

DREAM

DESIGN

DEVELOP

DEPLOY

VISIT US ONLINE

www.envisionrocks.com

We build custom design in ground pools with service maintenance and repair. Visit our store, we offer free water testing and full line of pool chemicals and parts.We are now offering Saber grills and can build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.

201 E. Pearl Street, B102, Granbury, TX 76048 201 E. Pearl Street, C102, Granbury, TX 76048

o. 817-330-9015 info@envisionrocks.com o. 817-330-9015 e. info@envisioncreativeservices.com

254-445-2484 | 3230 S.W. Hwy 377 | Dublin, Texas 76446

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Hometown Happenings Guys and Dolls The Brownwood Lyric Theatre transformed their stage into the early 1940s New York City during their 12th annual Summer Musical, Guys and Dolls, which ran July 16-26, 2015. To learn more about the Lyric Theatre and their upcoming productions, visit their website at www.brownwoodlyrictheatre.com. Photos courtesy of Heather Nix Photography

110 E. Industrial | Early, TX 76802 325-646-7031 | www.earlyglassnbwddoor.com

A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES FOR YOUR HOME AND BUSINESS: DOORS, WINDOWS, GARAGE DOORS & OPENERS, MIRRORS, SHOWER DOORS & ENCLOSURES & STOREFRONTS

504 Early Blvd. • Early, TX www.earlybloomsandthings.com 132

Brown County Living

www.casabrownwood.org

ForYour All Your For All Healthcare Needs Healthcare Needs WIC Nutrition Services 325-330-3351

Visit Us At www.crosstimbersinc.org | WIC Nutrition Services: 325-330-3351

Brownwood

3804 Hwy. 377 S. Brownwood, TX 76801

325-643-5167

De Leon

Speak up for a foster child. 901 Avenue B | Brownwood, TX | 325-643-2557

1100 W. Reynosa De Leon, TX 76444

254-893-5895

Brownwood

104 S. Park Drive Brownwood, TX 76801

325-646-0704

Stephenville

135 River North Blvd. Stephenville, TX 76401

254-965-2810

“Temp and Temp to Hire”

325-641-8583 WWW.DEMANDSTAFF.COM

1200 LOONEY ST. BROWNWOOD, TX 76801

Hometown Living At Its Best

133

HOMETOWN SCENES

Photo by Cody Wright Photography

“Nothing

is IMPOSSIBLE, the word itself says,

I’m Possible” -Audrey Hepburn

Photo by Cody Wright Photography

Photo by Riley Studio

What makes Brown County a great place to live? Right now, it’s the kids returning back to school, the anticipation of cooler temperatures, and spending time with family. Take a look at a few more reasons why we love

Brown County

Photo by Cody Wright Photography

“You can never go where

God is not.”

Photo by Leah-k photography

-Max Lucado

index of advert isers

Aaron Cone Air Conditioning, LLC..............89

Early Blooms & Things....................................132

Affiliated Bank..................................................... 97

Early Chamber of Commerce.......... 29, 57, 73

Anthony Reine Photography....................... 108

Early EDC................................................ 29, 57, 73

Blevins Body Shop.............................................65

Early Glass & Brownwood Door..................132

Brown County Living.............................. 96, IBC

enVision Creative Services........................... 129

Brown County Museum of History................ 5

HiWay Auto Inc...................................................39

Brownwood Area Chamber

HiWay Scrap Metal Recycling.......................39

of Commerce...............................29, 51, 108, 129

Jacob’s Pharmacy...............................................81

Brownwood Decorating................................. 108

Lehnis Transportation Museum....................... 5

Brownwood EDC...............................................132

Mills County State Bank................................... 72

Brownwood ISD.....................................................7

Morrison Supply..................................................64

Brownwood Regional Medical Center........ 73

Plan-it ink..............................................................47

Cain Pool & Spa................................................ 129

Prudential Moseley Real Estate...................... 9

CASA..................................................................... 133

Riley Studio..........................................................38

Clark Tractor & Supply...................................109

S. Middleton and Associates, LLC.............. IFC

Coldwell Banker.................................................... 3

Star Arms...............................................................18

Comanche Electric Co-Op................................. 1

Texas Custom Interiors..................................... 97

Creative Image Laser Solutions....................89

Vann Stanford.......................................................81

Cross Timbers Health Clinic......................... 133

Wells Group..........................................................64

Cutting Edge Barber Shop & Salon..........109

Wildfire Tires & Customs................................. 72

Demand Staff..................................................... 133

Wilson Cleaners..................................................65

Doc’s Drugstore.....................................................2

Woodley & Dudley Law Firm.........................28

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible! 136

Brown County Living

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