Meet The Team Lindsey Kasprzak
PUBLISHER, ART & MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leslie Henderson MANAGING EDITOR
Dawn Allen EDITOR
Taylor Smith WRITER
Welcome to Lone Star Local Guide! My name is Lindsey and I am so proud to not only call myself a Texan, but also a Houstonian. My family history is not only deep in the heart of Texas but deep in the heart of Houston since I’m a direct descendant of the Allen Brothers. I’m therefore very proud that my digital publication represents the area where I live and where my family is from. I am passionate about my community and the businesses that reside in it. Without a community, we have no place to call home and nothing to leave the next generation. I believe strongly in the power of the small business and what it represents. When you shop at a small business, you’re not only supporting your community, but you’re also supporting a family. I started Lone Star Local Guide to showcase these local businesses. I strive to find unique small businesses, each offering something different. You may not have even known some of these companies were local to you and my hope is that I’ll be able to give them exposure and support for their businesses. Along with promoting these unique businesses, the Guide will also include informational, educational, and just plain interesting articles on various issues and topics that I hope you will enjoy. Here’s a helpful tip: every ad is linked directly to the advertiser’s website so no more having to write it down- just click and go! Thanks again for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you again in the next issue! Please help spread the word by liking and following us on Facebook and Instagram, where we’ll regularly post upcoming local events, news, and, of course, awesome local businesses!
Beth Waytt SALES
CONTRIBUTORS:
Meet Our Publisher
MAJOR ROBERT KASPRZAK TRACEE EVANS CLAUDIA LAIRD W.F. STRONG RAIGAN MAYO JENNIFER BROWN CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER
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table of
CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2019
Business of the Month Makeup Junkie Bags - Page 6
Features
6
Squeaky Pig Living Keto - Page 5 Spring Fire Department - Page 9 On The 20th Century, And The 22nd - Page 13
5
A Page From History - Page 17 Come And Explore It - Page 21 It’s Never Too Late - Page 29
17
Learn From Lady Justice - Page 33 Lone Star Local Savings - Page 34 Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - Page 36
21 Lone StarEdition Local Guide Dock Line Magazine - Atascocita AprilPage 20183 3
Lone Star Local Guide Page 4
Dark Chocolate Cocoa
By: Raigan Mayo Food Blogger
Favorite Hot Beverages During this time of year I like to enjoy a night time hot cup of yumminess. Now, while I love a great cup of eggnog I have yet to perfect that recipe. However I do have two that I love: Hot Chocolate and Golden Milk. Golden Milk has be known to help with inflammation, digestion, and recovery. Both of these are great snacks that are filling and warms you from the inside out.
1 TBL Dark Cocoa Powder Unsweetened 1 TBL* of Sweetener of choice( I use xylitol or Sola) *if using artificial sweetner this amount will be too much. 6 OZ Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk Sprinkle of Cinnamon 1 TBL of MTC Oil Heat Almond Milk, then use a blender or immersion blender to incorporate the warm almond milk with all other ingredients. Top with whipped cream. Golden Milk you can find at your local grocery store or Amazon. Its fantastic! 1 scoop of golden milk powder(scoop in container) I prefer Garden of Life but Gaia is good too. 6 OZ Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk 1 TBL* of Sweetener of choice( I use xylitol or Sola) *if using artificial sweetner this amount will be too much. 1 TBL MTC Oil Heat Almond Milk, then use a blender or immersion blender to incorporate the warm almond milk with all other ingredients. I hope you enjoy these hot beverages! Happy Holidays! Give my blog a read and let me know if you want to see something Keto Styled!
Lone Star Local Guide Page 5
By: Taylor Smith
If you’re not yet familiar with
life: an efficient yet
Makeup Junkie Bags, let me tell
beautiful makeup
you about these fabulous acces-
bag to organize
sories, designed and manufac-
her cosmetics.
tured right here in Conroe, Texas.
MJ started out
From a humble beginning on her
just making a few
kitchen table with one sewing
bags for herself—
machine to having almost 100
but friends and
employees, Meredith Jurica has
family took notice
made quite a name for herself
and wanted bags of their own.
with her one-of-a-kind products.
She obliged them, and as time
countant and covering the busi-
“MJ” had a career as a speech
went on she found herself having
ness basics, MJ was on her way
pathologist in a local school dis-
quite a side business. It naturally
to what we now know as Makeup
trict for over 10 years. But as a
got her to wondering if she could
Junkie Bags.
self-professed “makeup junkie,”
make her beautiful bags into a
One evening after her business
she was missing something in her
business. After talking to an ac-
was operating for about a year, MJ was watching “Shark Tank,” and she was inspired to apply to the program. “It’s about taking chances with your business and seeing what happens. You’ll always get ‘nos’ but just keep pushing and a ‘yes’ will come!”
MJ
took
that chance when she decided to apply to the show, and it was a big “YES” from them. “Never stay stagnant, and always Lone Star Local Guide Page 6
try to keep your business growing” is how MJ runs her company. She strives to regularly develop new products, made with her loving creativity, that her customers will appreciate and treasure. MJ is a creative thinker who believes in hiring an equally-gifted staff. She surrounds herself with in-
the looks of it Makeup Junkie is
is a program for cancer survivors
growing like a weed, as we say
and those going through cancer
here in the South.
treatments. They enjoy a retreat where they can take cooking
novative employees who help her
classes, yoga classes, visit a hair
develop great new products. She
salon, and much more. MJ was
runs all her ideas through her team
over the moon to be chosen as
for their honest opinions, and by
a sponsor where she could give
the sounds of it, Makeup Junkie
back to these wonderful ladies
Bags is getting ready to hit another
fighting for their lives.
home run with its new tote bags,
You can order your Makeup
makeup line and curling iron cov-
Junkie Bags at makeupjunkie-
ers.
bags.com. Be sure to give her
“Always be growing! That’s the
a follow for all the upcoming
key to a successful business.” By
products on her Facebook and MJ is grateful for the support
Instagram!
her business has received from the beginning, and she believes in “paying it forward” to
express
that gratitude. Makeup Junkie Bags was a main sponsor of the foundation “In The Pink”
which Lone Star Local Guide Page 7
Lone Star Local Guide Page 8
Honoring Outstanding Achievements on the Fireground By: Tracee Evans
On Saturday, November 23, the Spring Fire Department honored firefighters who went above and beyond for the citizens of Spring in 2019. Five exceptional people were honored with Spring Firefighter of the Year Awards. Chosen from each shift, as well as from the volunteer and part-time ranks, these firefighters set the example of how a public servant should be. Volunteer District Chief Shawn Babendure presenting Volunteer Firefighter of the Year Marc Corbeil with his award.
A Shift District Chief Kevin Wiseman presenting firefighter Bradley Whitlock his firefighter of the year award while holding Whitlock’s daughter.
A Shift’s firefighter of the year is Bradley Whitlock. B Shift’s firefighter of the Year is Michael Villarreal. C Shift’s firefighter of the year is Ryan Rebarcak, who also serves as the department’s Health and Wellness Coordinator.
C Shift District Chief Jimmy Stewart presenting firefighter Ryan Rebarcak with the C Shift Firefighter of the Year Award.
The 2019 honor for volunteer firefighter of the year went to Mark Corbeil, who is a Lone Star College math professor when not responding to 9-1-1 calls in Spring. Captain David Paige was honored as Spring’s Part-time Firefighter of the Year. Special Awards were handed out for four significant events that Spring firefighters worked in 2019.
Captain Hamilton Ledkins receiving his Silver Life Saving Award.
This Exceptional Duty Commendation is awarded to a member of the department for a highly credible accomplishment bringing public acclaim to the department, or fire service, as a result of devotion to duty or service to the public. Also receiving commendations are District Chief Chris vonWiesenthal, Captain Shannon Stryk and firefighters Jeremy Cobb, Logan Hall and Jason Wal.
All four Spring Fire District Chiefs presenting Captain David Paige (center) with his Parttime Firefighter of the Year award.
Trench Rescue On May 14, 2019, the Spring Fire Department Rescue Team was dispatched to assist the Klein Volunteer Fire Department with a trench collapse, which left one man trapped up to nearly his waist. Once appropriate shoring elements were placed for safety, the arduous digging process continued for several hours until the victim was freed. “The rescue team members who worked inside the trench to help free the victim received the Silver Life Saving medal,” said Spring Fire Chief Scott Seifert. “Those who supported their actions from the ground level received the exceptional duty commendation.” The Silver Life Saving Medal is awarded only to those principally involved in saving the life of another person and whose personal actions were directly responsible for the lifesaving act. On Saturday night, Captain Hamilton Ledkins, Apparatus Operator Kevin Wise, and firefighters Michael Villarreal and Cameron Warnock received both Silver Life Saving Medals and Exceptional Duty Commendations.
District Chief Chris vonWiesenthal, firefighter Logan Hall, Captain Ledkins and firefighter Jason Wal receiving their Exceptional Duty Commendations.
House Fire Entrapment On September 3, 2019, Spring Fire Department crews were dispatched to a Spring Lakes house fire where someone was trapped inside. Upon arrival, Engine 73’s crew entered a second-floor bedroom window to rescue the trapped woman. Captain Paige ascended a ground ladder and broke out a window to reach the woman and pull her to safety. Firefighters Jonathan Hart and Jordan Hendricks assisted Captain Paige down the ladder. Quickly transported to the hospital by Cypress Creek EMS, the woman was able to make a full recovery. Captain Paige was honored with Continue on page 11 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 9
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Captain David Paige (left), who received the Silver Lifesaving Medal and firefighter Jordan Hendricks receiving the Meritorious Unit Award.
the Silver Life Saving Medal and joined Apparatus Operator Kevin Jennings and firefighters Jonathan Hart and Jordan Hendricks in receiving the Meritorious Unit Award. Tropical Storm Imelda On September 19, 2019, Heavy Utility 70 responded to a flooding emergency during tropical storm Imelda in Eastern Montgomery County. “For over 12 hours straight, a Spring Fire crew of two evacuated over 100 residents to safety under extreme flood conditions,” said Spring Fire Chief Scott Seifert. “For this devotion to service, firefighters Santiago Eckhardt and Louis Rougeou received Exceptional Duty Commendations.”
to be staffed and arrive on scene quickly that fateful day.” Engine 77 crew brought five civilians down on ladders in a matter of minutes. Honored with the Silver Life Saving Medal were Captain Jermaine Wilson and firefighters Shawn Kohl, Nathan Smith and Christopher Soliz. “At this same incident, Deputy Chief Jerod Davenport spotted a man preparing to jump from a third story window to escape heavy smoke,” said Seifert.” “Deputy Chief Davenport grabbed fire-
Deputy Chief of Training Joel Crenshaw receiving his 25 years of service pin.
Bowker, Aaron Chaplin, Kyle Fisher, William Lara, Stoney Parker, Kevin Price, Richard Rakus, and Ryan Rebarcak. Fire Chief’s Award Every year Fire Chief’s Award goes to an incredible person whose commitment makes the department a better place for staff, volunteers and the Spring community.
A Shift District Chief Kevin Wiseman presenting firefighter Shawn Kohl, Captain Jermaine Wilson and firefighter Nathan Smith with the Silver Life Saving Medal (left to right).
fighter Jeff Paige and threw an extension ladder to the third floor where firefighter Rodger Hernandez assisted with bringing the victim down the ladder. For their efforts in saving this life, Chief Davenport and firefighters Paige and Hernandez are awarded the Silver Life Saving Medal.” “Assistant Chief Robert Logan and Deputy Chief Davenport’s leadership, level of calmness and actions on that day as incident commanders led to multiple rescues,” added Seifert. “If these of-
District Chief Jimmy Stewart presenting firefighter Louis Rougeau with an Exceptional Duty Commendation.
Motel 6 Fire On October 9, 2019, the Spring Fire Department was dispatched to a hotel on fire at the Motel 6 near I-45 and Cypresswood. Upon arrival, the crew of Engine 77 found multiple people trapped on the third floor hanging out of windows. “If this hotel fire had occurred 6 months earlier it could have had a completely different outcome,” said Seifert. Due to the Harris County Emergency Services District Seven board approving the hiring three additional personnel that were not initially funded in 2019, the Spring Fire Department was able to staff all nine of our fire stations beginning in August. “Why is that important?, asked Seifert . “Because there would have been no one staffing Station 77 and Station 71’s crew was training at Station 78, so the two closest fire stations wouldn’t have been able respond immediately. That ESD funding decision allowed Engine 77
Walter Juarez, David Paige, Noel Webber and Larry Wilkinson; Apparatus Operators Michael Alaniz and Kevin Wise; and firefighters Cedric Allen, Colby Bates, Gary
Volunteer Fernando Martinez receiving his 10 years of service pin. Not pictured, Mark Hutchison who also was honored with a 10 years of service pin.
Captain Rocky Langone and Volunteer Firefighter Randy Sandell receiving their 15 years of service pins.
Firefighter Jeff Paige and Deputy Chief Jared Davenport with their Silver Life Saving Medal (left to right).
ficers had not be on scene the outcome may have been fatal for a civilian or a firefighter but due to their actions, everyone went home like they were supposed to.” For their successful leadership, Logan and Davenport were awarded Exceptional Duty Commendations. Before the night was over, former Fire Chiefs had received their badges. Pins honored Lifetime Members, 25, 15, 10 and 5 members were handed out. Sixteen Spring Fire Department employees and volunteers received fiveyear service pins, including HR Director Steve Kiebzak, Captains John Irwin,
For 44 years, the Spring Fire Department functioned with only volunteers. For the next 16 years, part-time firefighters joined the department. In 2013, Spring Fire began an ambitious hiring process to hire enough full-time firefighters to be able to staff nine stations by 2020. In those six years, we have hired 87 full-time firefighters who had to be trained to the highest level. “The person I chose to receive this year’s Fire Chief’s Award was instrumental in starting our Spring Fire New Hire Academy and has continued to improve it with each new class of cadets,” said Seifert. “The new hire training academy has grown from one week to three solid weeks of instruction under Captain Noel Webber’s leadership. Captain Webber is the recipient of this year’s Fire Chief’s Award because he is exactly what I am looking for from everyone within our department.”u Lone Star Local Guide Page 11
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By: W.F. Strong
In 1918, there were fewer than
have been talking about WW III for
Germany would help them get Texas
250,000 vehicles on the road in Texas.
some time but fortunately, nobody
back.
No driver’s license was required, by
has been able to produce it yet.
5200 Texans died during the war.
the way. Given that there were only
A million Texans registered for the
About a third of them died from
about 5 million of us back then, we
draft and 200,000 fought in the Great
the other devastating event of that
had one vehicle for every 20 people.
War. Texas volunteerism was high,
year, the influenza pandemic, better
That made getting to the family re-
perhaps because Germany had
known as the Spanish Flu. It was par-
union a tight squeeze.
offered Mexico a deal in the Zim-
ticularly sad that we had soldiers sur-
Today there are 22 million ve-
mermann Telegram. They said that
vive four years of unholy trench war-
hicles on the road in Texas – some-
if Mexico threw in with Germany,
Continue on page 15 u
times I think all of them are in the I-35 corridor when I’m there. There are 28 million Texans. Subtract the children and you have damnear one vehicle for every Texan of driving age. Since 1918, cars and trucks have proliferated far faster than Texans. We’ve seen a twenty-fold increase in vehicles and only a 6-fold increase in people. We’re adding cars and trucks faster than we’re making Texans. In 1918, World War I ended. Incidentally, it was called The Great War then. It didn’t become WW I until we had a WW II, which created the unique war labeling. Many people
George Fuermann, “Texas and Houston” Collection, 1836-2001/ Wikimedia Commons A view of a World War I homecoming parade, looking south on Main Street from Rusk Avenue.
Lone Star Local Guide Page 13
Lone Star Local Guide Page 14
fare and mustard gas only to come
riety is not impossible, most experts
more than 80 million by 2118. This as-
home to die of the flu.
feel it is highly unlikely. But we cannot
sumes that Texas will obtain technol-
The Spanish Flu was unusual in that
say the same for World Wars. It always
ogy and other factors to increase the
20-40 year old adults were most at risk
seems one surprise assassination of
water supply,” he said.
rather than children and old people.
an obscure archduke away.
From this number, we can see
A common story of the time was of
Turning to the future, what will
that this would put us in the neighbor-
four healthy women who played
Texas look like in 100 years, in 2118?
hood of present-day Egypt for size
bridge late into the night. They went
All one can do is look at trends and
and population.
to bed and the next morning, three
guess. As Peter Drucker said, “Trying
Murdock also said that in the 2050-
were dead.
to predict the future is like trying to
2060 decade, Texas will be about 55
Children who survived the flu that
drive down a country road at night
percent Hispanic and 20 percent
year, some believe, went on to live
with no lights on while looking out the
white. It’s hard to predict trends be-
healthier lives than most because
back window.” So with that warning,
yond that point. He said we need
they developed powerful immunities.
let’s try anyway.
very much to ensure educational op-
My mother had the flu when she was
If we go by the futurists at Google,
portunity for all or we will not have the
eigh years old. She lived to be almost
we can predict that there will be
success in the century ahead that we
102. She was in good company: Walt
fewer cars on the road, per capita,
enjoyed in the last one.
Disney had it, Woodrow Wilson had
than now. We will have many types
My personal guess is that Texas will
it, and so did Texas novelist Katherine
of public transportation such as self-
be incredibly urban in 2118, as com-
Ann Porter, who later wrote a novella
driving buses and cars. Fewer people
pared to today, particularly east of
based on the epidemic called “Pale
will own their own cars and trucks in
I-35. DFW, Houston and San Antonio
Horse, Pale Rider.”
the future. Experts believe we will sim-
will be super cities. Austin may well be
A study by Vanderbilt University in
ply hail self-driving taxis using some
a kind of giant suburb of San Antonio.
2008 found that people like my mom
future version of smart phones which
It’s quite possible that San Antonio
still had the Spanish Flu antibodies,
probably won’t be called phones
and Houston will fight over city limit
working hard 90 years after they had
anymore. I wonder if we will have taxi
signs.
the flu.
pickup trucks, nicely lifted, with an
If the big tech giants have the
occasional set of longhorns strapped
future properly envisioned, our cities
to the front, just for nostalgia.
like Dallas and Houston will be more
Texas cities like El Paso were particularly hard-hit, partially because of Fort Bliss, the military base there. 600
I asked former official State De-
people-friendly – pushing vehicles out
people died in El Paso, almost 1 per-
mographer of Texas, Steve Murdock
of our streets and reclaiming many as
cent of the population, and many
(everybody’s go-to guy for the future
green spaces for walking and biking
more, of course, survived the flu.
of Texas) what the Texas population
and sports. And we will all have artifi-
would look like in 2118.
cial intelligence robots.
Today, we have the flu vaccine, which was invented by Jonas
“If Texas continues to grow as it
I just hope the robots say things
Salk and Thomas Francis in 1933. So
has in the recent past, one would ex-
like “howdy” and “fixin’to” and “while
though a pandemic of the 1918 va-
pect it to increase its population to
I’m up, can I get y’all a beer?”u Lone Star Local Guide Page 15
Lone Star Local Guide Page 16
DID YOU KNOW… ROLE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IN WWI MILITARY AVIATION Robert A. Kasprzak Major, USAF (Retired) soldering”. About the same time, the USAAS proposed a joint training capability be established with the Canadian Royal Flying Corps (CRFC).
The
Canadians were well experienced having fought in Europe for the past three years. The proposal called for the Americans to be trained in Toronto and a training base be established in the Southern United States
“Hot, Dusty, Rattlesnakes” Pvt Sowers Did you know when the United
mission ready.
States entered World War I on 6
Shortly after War was declared,
April 1917, our military was under
a massive and aggressive recruit-
equipped, untrained, and under-
ment campaign began. It was so
manned.
That situation quickly
successful that enlisted men began
changed especially when it came
to arrive at Kelly Airfield near San
to military aviation. During my re-
Antonio as early as May 1917. Their
search on the 28th Aero Squadron,
goal was to construct a military in-
I learned how important a role Tex-
stallation. As one of the men (Pri-
as played in preparing our military,
vate Cliston Sowers) wrote, it was
particularly our U.S. Army Air Service
“hot, dusty, and full of rattlesnakes”.
(known as the USAAS). This article
Nevertheless, the unit was desig-
provides an overview on how Texas
nated as the 28th Aero Squadron
helped the 28th Aero (as well as
on 22 June 1917 and the personnel
other Aero Squadrons) become
began learning the “rudiments of
to be run by the CRFC. Ultimately, the Canadians decided the base was to be established near Fort Worth. The base, known as Taliaferro Field, was comprised of three auxiliary fields known as Field 1 (Hicks), Field 2 (Everman), and Field 3 (Carruthers). The 28th Aero Squadron left Texas for training in Toronto on 22 August 1917 and returned to the U.S. on 7 November 1917. The 28th was ultimately assigned to Hicks Field outside Saginaw, Texas. While there, the CRFC provided flight training, gunnery practice, and Continue on page 19 u Lone Lone Star Star Local Local Guide Guide Page Page 17 17
Lone Star Local Guide Page 18
leading edge of training our early Airmen of the U.S. Army Air Service. That tradition continues today. For example, the 28th Aero Squadron, now known as the 28th Bomb Squadron, is stationed at Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene. The 28th is responsible for conducting advanced training for the B-1 bomber crews of the U.S. Air Force.
In ad-
dition, numerous Air Force bases, both training and operational, can
Train with 28th Aero Squadron leaving for Toronto, Canada
be found throughout the State. It all started over 100 years ago at a hot,
ground crew operations. After six months of training, the 28th Aero
Texans
should
be
justifiably
proud of the fact they were at the
dusty, rattlesnake infested location near Fort Worth!u
Squadron left Texas a fully trained unit on 21 January 1918...only six months after the United States declared War. During
the
course of it’s existence, the Canadians at the Taliaferro
Complex
trained 450 pilots, 2,500 ground support
personnel,
1,600 personnel
ancillary (such
as safety and motor transport), and 1,500 Canadians.
Taliaferro Complex‌28th Aero at Hicks Field Lone Star Local Guide Page 19
Lone Star Local Guide Page 20
e Travel
gablond n with Va w ro B r e if By: Jenn
As we enter a new year and NEW
Top Trends
and mental benefits as longer vaca-
DECADE, our travel needs and de-
• Active or adventure trips
tions do. Though you may only be
sires continue to evolve. Vagablonde
• Environmental Travel
gone for 2-4 days, you will still benefit
Travel, an accredited and nationally
• Authenticity and growing closer
from stress relief, creative boosts, and
recognized travel agency predicts
to the culture of a destination
cultural expansion as you will be leav-
that 2020 will be a year of travel ex-
• Micro Trips
ing your own comfort zone regardless
ploration, fueled by technology as
• DNA Trips
of where you are going. Micro Trips
well as a growing sense of responsibil-
• Multigenerational travel (grand-
are perfect for on the go millennials!
ity and deeper connection with the
parents taking grandkids)
people and places we visit.
•Celebration or milestone travel
Environmental Travel The term ‘environmental travel’
Micro Trips
can have many different meanings
blonde Travel founded the agency
Let’s face it, not everyone in the
to many different people, from sus-
in 2017 and she hasn’t looked back
world has the time, money, or know-
tainable travel methods and loca-
yet, now servicing thousands of cli-
how to plan an extended vacation,
tions to natural habitat vacations, or
ents, dozens of destination brides,
in fact, very little of the active travel-
maybe even volunteer vacations.
and handfuls of different destinations
ing population does. That’s why 2020
The thing is, all of these ‘green’ travel
every year!
is the year to embrace Micro Trips,
trends are on the rise, and we love
Here are some of the trends we
short yet experience-dense mini va-
them all! We oftentimes send groups
expect to see in 2020. Maybe you
cations. Micro Trips are more work/
on volunteer vacations, trips in which
can relate or want to take one of
vacation time friendly, more budget-
they spend their time helping clean,
these trips.
friendly, and more schedule-friendly,
plant, or build in a natural area that
Jennifer Brown, owner of Vaga-
yet they provide the same cultural Continue on page 23 u
Lone Star Local Guide Page 21
Lone Star Local Guide Page 22
needs it. We also have groups that request eco-friendly travel methods such as national parks and natural habitat locations such the Serengeti in Tanzania. We predict environmental travel will be at an all-time high in 2020! DNA Trips There’s always been an appetite for visiting where our ancestors came from. What’s changed is DNA technology has become so much more accessible. DNA Trips are on the rise. The desire to track down our genealogical background is overwhelming today, and when you sign up for things such as a 23andMe DNA kit you actually get a visual breakdown of where your ancestors came from. That means you can have us plan a trip, solely based on your newly found roots! They will literally send you a map with your origin percentages by the appropriate area/country. This type of travel is so popular that a recent poll actually stated that 23% of ‘long haul’ Scotland guests are visiting based upon ancestry! Top Emerging Destinations • Croatia • Antarctica • Iceland • Japan
Greece – “Moon beach -because its landscape resembles a scene from an extraterrestrial place”
• Portugal
Top Honeymoon Destinations
• Galapagos
• French Polynesia
• South Africa
• Italy
Top Millennial Destinations
• Greece
• Greece
• Bali
• Bali
• Maldives
• Croatia
So, the golden question I always
• Iceland
get asked, is when should we book?
• Cambodia
What if I told you that the travel in-
Hawaii – “In Hawaiian culture, Mana is spiritual energy of power and strength, it exists in objects and persons. Help build a forest in Hawaii when you stay”
dustry has our own version of Black Friday—but that instead of a single day of deals, it’s an entire seaContinue on page 25 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 23
Lone Star Local Guide Page 24
“Uncruise Adventures for the thrill seeker” son of discounts that takes you from
you are comfortable with a price, pur-
January is certainly the best time to
“should we take a vacation” to “book
chase it or allow Vagablonde Travel
start planning trips and setting airfare
this right now”? Welcome to what we
to bundle it in a package for a dis-
alerts.
travel agents call “wave season.”
counted package deal! If you know
Why not put down your deposit
Wave season begins once Janu-
where you want to go in 2020, start
payment and just pay on your trip a
ary comes around and most people
tracking prices with apps like Hopper.
little at a time. Yes, Vagablonde Trav-
have hit that post-holiday travel fa-
Even if you’re not ready to book,
el allows payment plans just like this
tigue and lasts until the end of March.
so let’s take the globe for a spin and
There are reports that claim January
start planning your next trip! Consult-
is the best time to book inexpensive
ing and planning fees start with a low
flights but as an industry professional,
cost of $50!
I’ll stand by that there is no crystal ball
Jennifer Brown
that will tell you when the best flight
Owner – Vagablonde Travel
prices will appear, they can change within 5 minutes and sometimes do. If
Next Trip: Tahiti Dec 3-11, 2020 “The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora exudes an effortless luxury”
Follow @vagablondetravelu Lone Star Local Guide Page 25
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Lone Star Local Guide Page 28
By: W.F. Strong
Texas has produced and nurtured
Spanish and English, and his unique
ing, “Hang ‘em first and try ‘em lat-
a great number of colorful charac-
persuasion skills became prized. The
er.” Though it certainly worked as a
ters, but none more colorful than
Texas Rangers liked his style and re-
deterrent, the truth is he never ac-
the prismatic Judge Roy Bean. He
cruited him to become Justice of the
tually hung anybody. It’s true. There
squeezed many showy lives into one
Peace in those parts. And he took to
was no jail in Langtry, so Judge Bean
lifetime. In fact, he didn’t become
the role like he was sent there from
would often keep accused crimi-
the Judge Roy Bean that Paul New-
central casting. Bean made it known
nals chained to a mesquite tree out-
man immortalized on film until he was
that he was the “Law West of the Pe-
side until he could have a trial. On a
almost 60 years old. This proves my fa-
cos.” He was actually playing on an
few occasions he would sentence a
vorite maxim: “The greatest mistake
older saying that went like this: “West
young man to hang for some gener-
in life is thinking it’s too late.”
of the Pecos there is no law; west of
ally unhangable offense. The night
In his earlier years, he was living in
El Paso, there is no God.” So at least,
before the hanging, Bean would
a poor area of San Antonio named for
now, there was law west of the Pe-
leave the lock open, allowing him to
him. It was called Beanville. He tried
cos. He hung out a sign saying so.
escape. The young criminal would
and failed at many things, mostly for, ironically, running afoul of the law. He
Bean was also famous for say-
Continue on page 31 u
failed at selling firewood because he cut down trees that didn’t belong to him. He failed as a butcher because butchering other people’s maverick cows before you’ve bought them is frowned upon. He failed at selling milk because he watered it down. One customer complained that he found a minnow in his milk. Bean defended himself by saying, “That’s the last time I let that cow drink out of the creek before I milk her.” He eventually had some success when he opened a saloon in Beanville, but he sold out when he heard that there were rare opportunities out in west Texas where they were building the railroad. It was in the lawless railroad camps that Bean’s vast knowledge of people, his bilingual fluency in Lone Star Local Guide Page 29
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never be seen in those parts again.
that anyway. He believed that if he
gal there, too, though only a misde-
In time, Bean opened his famous
made the mistake of marrying them
meanor. Nonetheless, the governor
saloon there in Langtry on the right
he should be able to correct the mis-
of Chihuahua sent troops to Juarez
of way of the railroad. He was actu-
take by setting them free. Bean also
to make sure the fight didn’t happen
ally just squatting there, but the rail-
officially pronounced people “dead.”
there, either. Finally, in steps Judge
road, because they liked him, even-
He merged his duties on occasion. He
Roy Bean. He sent a telegram to the
tually created a legal arrangement
would use his official pronouncement
promoter saying they could have it in
so he could stay. He named his bar
of death as the last thing he said at a
Langtry, right across the river on a Rio
the Jersey Lilly in honor of Lillie Lang-
wedding: “I pronounce you man and
Grande sand bar. Technically, Mexi-
try, of England, one of the world’s
wife. May God have mercy on your
co, yes, but miles from any authority
most beautiful women at the time.
souls.”
that would be able to stop it.
Bean wrote to her and asked her to
The Jersey Lilly was also where
So the whole menagerie of unlike-
visit Langtry, Texas, which he claimed
Judge Bean held court. And so, natu-
ly associates, boxers, gamblers, Texas
was named for her (it wasn’t). She did
rally, you couldn’t be on a jury if you
Rangers, high-rollers from the East,
come to see him, too, but she had
didn’t drink. Right in the middle of
and spectators of all stripes, board-
to visit him in his grave. She was ten
happy hour, you might say, he would
ed a train bound for parts unknown
months too late. But that’s another
assemble a jury and swear them in.
because the destination was kept a
story.
The case would be presented, ver-
secret. Bean met them at his rail-side
The trains would stop at the Lang-
dicts arrived at, and sentencing pro-
saloon, sold everybody beer at the
try depot for water and all the pas-
nounced, all within an hour or two.
exorbitant price of a dollar each, and
sengers would get down to have a
Often the sentence for misdemean-
then escorted them across a pon-
drink at the Jersey Lilly. When Judge
ors was to buy a round of drinks for
toon bridge to the Mexican side of
Roy Bean served customers in his sa-
the jury. He was very patriotic about
the river. The Texas Rangers watched
loon, he never had change. So if a
Texas, too. He often preceded sen-
from the Texas side, satisfied that they
customer paid for a 25 cent beer with
tencing with words like: “You have
had no jurisdiction in the matter. The
a dollar, he wouldn’t get back the 75
offended the great state of Texas by
fight ensued, and before the specta-
cents. If he complained, the judge
committing this crime on her sacred
tors could get settled in for a good,
would fine him 75 cents for disturbing
soil… “
long match, it was over. Fitzsimmons
the peace.
One of his most famous cases had
knocked out Maher in the first round.
Stories about the abusive Judge
to do with a dead man who fell off a
The fight lasted 95 seconds. But the
Roy Bean got out in the world, and
bridge there in Langtry. Bean found
big winner was Judge Roy Bean. He
rather than drive people away, ev-
$40 on him and a pistol. He fined him
sold a lot of beer and his name went
eryone on the trains wanted to stop
$40 for carrying a concealed weap-
out over the wires worldwide as the
and get harassed by the irascible
on. That was enough to get him bur-
clever man who made the fight pos-
Bean. You could say Bean’s Jersey
ied.
sible.
Lilly was a precursor to Dick’s Last Re-
Bean rose to international promi-
Judge Roy Bean lived his life in
nence when he promoted the World
ascendancy, saving the best for last.
He had a law book called the
Heavyweight Championship prize-
Had he died twenty years earlier,
“1879 Revised Statutes of Texas0.” He
fight between Fitzsimmons and Ma-
you never would have heard of him.
liked that one. Even though the legis-
her. Believe it or not, prizefighting,
I wouldn’t be talking about him. His
lature sent him new books every two
back then, was illegal in Texas. It
fame is still bringing some 40,000 visi-
years, reflecting new laws, he burned
was considered uncivilized. At first,
tors a year to Langtry, over a century
them. He said he liked the old book
the fight looked like it might be held
after his death. Not bad numbers for
better and he like those laws better,
on the sly in El Paso, so the Texas
a dead man. As a lifelong showman,
too.
governor sent 25 Texas rangers over
you can be sure he’s grinning in his
As a justice of the peace, he
there to make sure it didn’t happen.
grave.u
could marry people. He had no legal
Then, it seemed like it might be held
right to divorce people, but he did
in Juarez, but such fighting was ille-
This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
sort in today’s world.
Lone Star Local Guide Page 31
Lone Star Local Guide Page 32
Propositions Although part one of a two part series on court functions was published last month, part two will be de-
Proposition 8:
“This Nov. 5 bond was created by the
Creates a Flood Infrastructure
CISD board of trustees following the
Fund: PASS
failure of a $807 million bond in May.
layed one month to allow for a follow
Proposition 9:
Proposition A features $144.25 million
up on the recent votes.
Authorizes property tax exemp-
for Phase 2 construction at Conroe
tion for precious metals held in de-
High School, a new $80.63 million ju-
positories: PASS
nior high in the Caney Creek feeder
On November 5, voters decided on 10 proposals in a statewide constitutional amendment election. Here is a list of propositions and if they passed: Proposition 1:
Proposition 10:
zone and mechanical improvements
Allows for transfer of law enforce-
at Oak Ridge High School—all items
ment animals to handlers or others if
included in May’s bond. Proposition
in animal’s best interest: PASS
B is one item: adding turf to athletic
Allows persons to serve as more
Of particular interest to some
fields.” Community Impact Newslet-
than one appointed or elected mu-
Montgomery County voters was the
ter “Early Voting Shows Support for
nicipal judge: FAIL
CISD bond vote. This vote followed
Proposition A of Conroe ISD Bond”
Proposition 2:
on the heels of a failed bond pro-
posted 11/5/19.
Allows the Texas Water Develop-
posal and was again hotly contest-
Proposition A passed and Proposition
ment Board to issue up to $200 million
ed. This time voters had two options.
B failed.u
At the final vote
in bonds: PASS Proposition 3: Authorizes
temporary
property
tax exemption for disaster areas: PASS Proposition 4: Prohibits the state from levying an income tax on individuals: PASS Proposition 5: Dedicates revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to parks, wildlife, and historical agencies: PASS Proposition 6: Authorizes the legislature to increase bonds for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute: PASS Proposition 7: Increases distributions to the state school fund: PASS Lone Star Local Guide Page 33
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