Meet The Team Lindsey Kasprzak
PUBLISHER, ART & MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leslie Henderson MANAGING EDITOR
Dawn Allen EDITOR
Taylor Smith WIRTER
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 CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER
Lindsey Kasprzak Click Here To Download Our App
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LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE © 2019, all rights reserved. All editorial and advertising copy belongs solely to LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Articles are the opinions and experiences of other people and we do not necessarily approve, agree with, and/or condone those opinions.
table of
CONTENTS
NOVEMBER 2019
Business of the Month Heritage Museum - Page 6 6
Features Texans Are Experts At Spinning Tall Tales - Page 5 Spring Fire Department - Page 9 Squeaky Pig Living Keto - Page 13
13
A Page From History - Page 15 Learn From Lady Justice - Page 17 Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - Page 19
15
Come And Explore It - Page 21 Time-Traveling - Page 29 Lone Star Local Savings - Page 34
21 Lone StarEdition Local Guide Dock Line Magazine - Atascocita AprilPage 20183 3
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By: W.F. Strong We Texans have long had a reputation for tall tales, for stretching the truth in entertaining ways. I wondered to what extent this cultural DNA has survived. So I asked this question of Texans on Facebook: What is the most outrageous white lie you ever told your kids? I got several hundred responses and chose these as the best among them. Cynthia told her kids: “Oh. The smoke detector is a Santa camcorder. How do ya think Santa knows if you are naughty or nice?” Jim said that his uncle taught them that windmills were cow fans. Kept all those cows cool in the hot months. Many wrote that they told their kids, “The ice cream truck turned on the music to signal that it was out of ice cream.” This bum steer was so popular as a submission that it no doubt rates as an urban legend for kids. Tammy said that as she passed the cotton fields on the way to Port Arthur she would say to her Northernraised grandson: “See, we grow our snow here.” And from Rose we have this: “To get my boys to let me trim their nails we would plant them in the window box and watch them grow.” Rose actually planted one bean for each. Very clever Rose. Tammy P. said, “I had my kids convinced that I could see through walls because all moms had superpowers.” Rhonda had a great one that she told her children. “Sorry kids, you can only go to Chuck E. Cheese’s if you’ve been invited to a birthday party.” Evidently a company rule. David had his youngest daughter convinced he could see through
walls. He told her to run to any part of the house and he’d tell her where she was. Dave just had to listen to her footsteps and never missed. His daughter was blown away by his omnipotence. Leah told her kids she was a retired ninja. She had an impressive large necklace that looked like an award, and so that was her secret ninja badge. Unfortunately, her ninja suit was always at the cleaners. Kris would tell his kids “Twilight Zone“ stories as though they happened to him. It was part of his autobiography. I love this from Samantha: “When you go through the drive-thru they give you car fries and house fries.” So, once the kids had had a few fries, she’d say, “Sorry, that’s all the car fries they gave us. Have to wait now until we get home.” Glynda said her kid wanted to ride the elephant at the circus, and she said, “You need an elephant-riding license for that. Unfortunately, we don’t have one.”
And we have this about a fish tank where all the fish died. Kristi recalls, “Well, we were cleaning the tank and its contents, and preparing the water for new fish while we waited for payday so we could buy more. The kids were disappointed when they came home from school and there were no fish. So I convinced them that we had bought ‘crystal’ fish that are crystal clear. I told them if you watch real close you’ll see the reflection of the lights on their scales occasionally as they swim by. Entertained them for days.” Karen M. has the tallest tale, I think, if not the most devious. She said, “My youngest refused to eat meat (or any protein) as a child. From 3 to about 12, my kids believed I would take them to the doctor for a ‘meat shot’ if their protein wasn’t eaten. I showed them the meat shot injector, my turkey baster.” So, like I said, I’m glad to see we Texans have not lost our talent for tall tales. Edward “Tex” O’Reilly, creator of Pecos Bill, would be proud of us.u
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If you’re a proud Texan and history lover like myself, then you need to check out the Heritage Museum of Montgomery. Located right next to Candy Cane Park in Conroe on the I-45 feeder road, you’ll spot a white house that was built in the 1920’s. The house was once the home of the Grogan-Cochran family- two families that owned and operated 25 sawmills back in the
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early 1900’s. When I first walked in, I was greeted and escorted to all the different galleries. Gallery One, “Glimpses of Montgomery County,” explains the history of Montgomery County, including the sawmills, oil fields, the birth of our Texas flag, and the founders of the area. Walking across the hall to Gallery Two, I couldn’t help but notice
the beautiful wood floors and original wooden 1920’s door frames. My tour guide informed me that everything in the house was in its original state from
when the house was built. It is obvious that this house is loved and cared for! Gallery Two, “Towns, People & Events,” demonstrates how Montgomery County has grown in the last 100+ years and who were the people who have most influenced its growth. I know what you’re thinking, “I can’t take my kids here! It’s a museum and they’ll get bored!” Oh, think again, my friend! Not only is the Heritage Museum full of history for all ages, but Gal-
lery Three, the “Discovery Room,” is a whole room just for the kids (and the kid in you) to touch things. In the Discovery Room, kids of all ages can explore a log cabin and a turn of the century general store. There is “oldtimey” clothing to try on, a period general store for pretend shopping, and the opportunity to be a mercantile shop keeper with a working antique cash register. The log cabin provides insight into the past and the much simpler, though not necessarily easier, life in the typical pioneer home. The items on display in the home and store awaken a whole new world of the history of the times, clothing, and conveniences and offers a brief escape from the modern-day technology of today. Now you may be thinking “that has to be it, what else could you possibly fit into a 1920’s house?” How about an art gallery? Gallery Four houses the Mark C. Clapham Art Gallery. This exhibit consists of a comprehensive collection of paintings, drawings, and sculp-
tures that’s were the life work of the renowned Texas painter and Sculptor, Mark Clapham. He loved the area so much that, upon his death in 2012, he wanted the contents of his studio and much of his remaining artwork to be available at the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County for the enjoyment of the community. Honoring his distant Chickasaw Indian heritage, Mark devoted his many talents to the heritage and culture of Native Americans. The winner of many prestigious awards, you may recognize Mark’s work on the mural that spans SH 105 in downtown Conroe, TX, between the courthouse buildings. After checking out the amazing artwork, I headed over to the giftshop and picked up some Texas souvenirs that every true Texan has to have. I the hallway towards the exit, there is even more beautiful frame work on the walls. Finally, the museum offers an area in the hallway where anyone is welcome to come a do research on the county history or their own family history. I actually found myself and my family in the historical book that they have for sale. For more information about the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County visit: www.heritagemuseum. us Some information in this article was sited from heritagemuseum.us Lone Star Local Guide Page 7
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Fall is the Busiest Time of Year By: Tracee Evans
special needs children and adults into Station 71 for a morning of activities, fire safety and refreshments. This year, Southwestern Energy provided fire safety gift bags for all the participants and the participants enjoyed touring Spring Fire’s new handicapped accessible fire safety house and using a window to safely exit. Knowing two exits out of any room is a key safety tip in case of a fire. Spring Fire’s 2020 calendar went on sale in October and even caught (Pictured: Spring Fire Station 75)
It’s been a busy Fire Prevention
department’s most rewarding annual
Month for the Spring Fire Depart-
events is Spring Fire’s Special Day for
ment. From the opening of the new
Special People where we welcome
the eye of People magazine, which featured Spring firefighters on their “Stories to Make You Smile” page. Thanks to People magazine, peoContinue on page 11 u
Fire Station 75 to Truck or Treat on Hallowe’en
eve-
ning, the department has made teaching
safety
their fall goal. U.S.
Repre-
sentative Crenshaw
Dan spoke
to the more than 500 Spring citizens who came out to tour the new station. One
of
the
(Pictured: Spring Fire’s new inflatable fire education house.) Lone Star Local Guide Page 9
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tion bay while being scared by firefighters like John Nanninga (pictured below). Spring Fire is closing out October with Truck or Treat at all 9 fire stations on Halloween evening before kicking off a busy November and December, which will include toy and food drives for Toys for Tots and the Houston Food Bank. Please drop your donations at any Spring Fire Station or the Administration Building to help a family in need during the holiday season. Still to come: *The Fall Time Change Smoke Alarm Blitz *An Open House at Station 78 on November 16 *Cookies with Santa on December 14u
ple from dozens of states and as far
first
ever
away as Singapore have purchased
Haunted
Spring Fire Calendars over the inter-
(Fire)House
net at www.SpringFD.org. There are
at
Station
still calendars available so you can
75.
Over
help Spring firefighters help shelter
400
tick-
pets find foster and forever homes.
ets
were
In addition to participating in
sold to go
National Night Out events and vis-
through
iting dozens of schools this month,
the maze
Spring firefighters also produced their
in the staLone Star Local Guide Page 11
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I do try and buy grass fed beef and organic products when the price makes sense for our household budget. I use my ninja cooking system which I could never live without but you could use a slow cooker or stove top method.
By: Raigan Mayo Food Blogger
Beef Chili During the summer season I focus on many cold dishes but as fall/winter calls for hearty comfort food. There is a definite go to dish that screams comfort and that is Beef Chili. Before keto, I would pile up some corn chips and make a frito pie or serve it over rice. Now, I like to serve mine with some garlic cauliflower rice, sour cream, avocado, and cheese. This recipe is great for cuddling up on the couch while binge watching your favorite show or great for Saturday and Sunday football potluck.
Ingredients: 1 LB Grass Fed Ground Beef 85/15 1 Cup Diced Tomatoes in Juice 2 TBL Tomato Paste 1 can Tomato Sauce(8 oz) 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped 1/2 Cup Yellow Onions, chopped 2 TSP Adam’s Reserve Cowboy Campfire Seasonings (optional) this is a chipolte coffee rub. 1 TBL Cumin 1.5 TBL Chili Powder Salt and Pepper to taste
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TIME PASSAGES Robert A. Kasprzak Major, USAF (Retired)
Time is eternal yet fleeting. It has a tendency to soften memories while maintaining a reluctance to acknowledge that, as we grow older, memories tend to fade and blossom into what we imagined things were like in the past. The older I get the
better my stories become! Trying to reconcile past experiences with current memories is often a frustrating and confusing endeavor. A case in point is the famous photograph taken by Life magazine photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt on
Tuesday, August 14, 1945. You’ll recall the iconic image of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square after victory was declared in World War II. Several sailors and nurses claimed to be in that photograph. I have no doubt Continue on page 17 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 15
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their memories justify their perspectives but, unfortunately, we’ll never actually know who is really in the photograph. Nevertheless, I’ll share what I believe to be the most accurate account of that famous kiss. At 7:00 o’clock PM on August 14th, President Truman announced via a radio address that the war with Japan was over. Almost immediately, spontaneous celebrations erupted across the country...especially in New York City’s Times Square. On hand were numerous photographers including Mr. Eisenstaedt. According to Life magazine, he took four photos of a sailor kissing a nurse and found the one ultimately published in Life to have the best “composition”. Unfortunately, he never obtained the names of either the sailor or the nurse. As a result, numerous theories, studies, and candidates have emerged. This is where my story begins. In the August 14, 1995 issue of the Dayton Daily News, there was an article commemorating the 50th anniversary of the famous kiss. The article noted the nurse was a woman named Edith Shain and she identified the sailor as a retired New York City police detective named Carl Muscarello. Edith claimed he was the only sailor who accurately described the kiss. Additionally, Edith was interviewed by Mr. Eisenstaedt in 1980 (contents of the encounter are in the August 1980 issue of Life magazine) who acknowledged she was the woman in the photograph. I subsequently spoke with Mr. Muscarello and received a wonderful letter from Ms. Shain. I also received their autographs on a copy of Life. Finally, both Edith and Carl were in Times Square to help dedicate a statue of the famous kiss in 2005. They would not be there if they were not in the original photograph. Based on this data, I believe Edith and Carl are the ones in the photograph. HOWEVER. Other sailors and nurses also claimed that distinction so it will be impossible to prove who is cor-
rect. As I originally indicated, memories tend to blur the past. In fact, before she died, Edith did not recall with certainty that Carl was the sailor. Nevertheless, the fact she knew it was Carl some twenty years earlier (when her memory was clearer) indicate to me Mr. Muscarello was the sailor. The bottom line is we will never know the true identities of the couple. We should recognize the influence of time passages and perhaps accept the evidence closest to the period when the event occurred. Although not a perfect solution, the true story is ultimately lost to time and history. Robert A. Kasprzak, Major, USAF (Retired)u Lone Star Local Guide Page 17
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ak ey Kasprz By: Linds
Montgomery, Texas
When you think of the area you live in do you think to yourself,
to do in Montgomery one weekend may not even be enough time.
So, what’s so historic about Montgomery you ask? Well, guess where
“There’s nothing cool around here!” or maybe “Nothing historic has ever really happened here!” Well if you live in Montgomery County and you’re thinking those things then you would be wrong. Take a drive down highway 105 with me to the historic town of Montgomery, Texas. Not only will you find a town brimming with Texas history, you’ll also discover a wonderful place to spend the weekend boutique shopping, wine tasting, touring historic sites, or perhaps indulging at a relaxing spa. Yes, there is so much Continue on page 23 u
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the perfect size to roam and explore. The main block is full of shops and galleries to enjoy. The downtown area is
Pat Spackey in the center at the Voices from the Past Cemetery Tour at the Charles B. Stewart Gravesite at the New Cemetery in Montgomery!
replete with old historic homes often open for tours; bed and breakfast homes for lodging, and restaurants
the Texas flag was born? Yup, right
granddaughter of Dr. Charles Stew-
for a meal or to reserve for a special
here in Montgomery County in the
art. She loves to educate the public
occasion.
city of Montgomery designed by
on her great-grandfather’s significant
If you’re overwhelmed by the
Charles B. Stewart in 1839—almost six
contributions to the State of Texas. A
number of historic homes to see or not
years before Texas joined the Union
bronze bust of Dr. Stewart is displayed
sure where to start I suggest down-
as the 28th state. If you visit Mont-
at Montgomery County’s City of Con-
loading the free “distrx” app. It’s an
gomery during a historical celebra-
roe Park as a tribute to his legacy.
essential app that will guide you
tion, you’re most likely to run into Mrs.
Feel like walking around town?
throughout Montgomery, providing
Pat Spackey, the three-times-great-
Perfect! Downtown Montgomery is
insight on historic sites and locales, as well as info on dining, shopping, lodging, and local attractions—all conveniently on your phone! What’s that you say? Where’s the wine?! That’s an easy one. You’ve got three places right smack in town that offer anything your wine heart could desire. First let’s head over to “Rancher’s Daughter.” This unique wine bar and boutique offers a variety of reds Continue on page 25 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 23
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a glass, sit on the lawn and listen to a local artist play music. Be sure to check out their website for a list of upcoming events and performers. So, there you have the town of Montgomery in a nutshell. This native Texan will testify to the pleasures found in the small town atmosphere of Montgomery, and I trust this has whetted your appetite to head on out to EXPLORE!u
and whites—plus their boutique is full
to splurge on a unique treasure! Just
of trendy closets, wines, souvenirs and
across Highway 105 you’ll find “Cork
local products to fulfill any gift need.
This,” a winery with a wonderful flight
Once you’re done at Rancher’s
to choose from along with some fan-
Daughter you can walk across the
tastic sweet wines to complement
street to “The Cozy Grape” where
your dessert.
you can have a lovely dinner and
Now if you haven’t started drink-
savor their extensive wine assort-
ing or if you want to take an Uber, head out to the beautiful vineyard of “Bernhardt Winery” where you can try some award-winning local wines. This vineyard is a great place to grab
ment. Both Rancher’s Daughter and The Cozy Grape are right downtown, surrounded by cute antique shops— and if you’re anything like me, by the third glass of wine you’ll be inclined
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By: W.F. Strong
If I could have any wish I would
Olmsted left us such a book about
tire country headed toward civil war.
choose to be a time-traveler. Some
his travels through Texas in the 1850s.
Before I share a few of his obser-
say time travel will be possible one
It’s called “A Journey Through Texas:
vations, let me tell you who he was.
day, and some say it is the stuff of
Or a Saddle-Trip on the Southwestern
He was a farmer and eventually he
fairy tales. So, I guess until Elon Musk
Frontier.” With his brother, he traveled
became the most famous landscape
invents that mythical machine, books
several thousand miles around Texas,
architect in America. He designed
will have to do.
on horseback, chronicling his experi-
Central Park in New York and Ni-
Books give us the next best thing.
ences for The New York Times – today,
agara Falls State Park, as well as the
They can help us understand how
we’d call him a blogger. His book is
grounds of the U.S. Capitol and the
people lived and thought and talked
a gem, an absolute treasure, a price-
White House. A contemporary said
long ago, especially when the books
less time-sensitive ethnography. It is
of Olmsted, “He paints with lakes and
were written by people who con-
more than a snapshot; it is an intricate
wooded slopes; with lawns and banks
sciously sought to catalog such things
mural of Texas and Texans a decade
and forest-covered hills; with moun-
in the time they lived. Frederick Law
after becoming a state, while the en-
tainsides and ocean views.” These
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achievements would come later but
with a capital L. The German com-
idly but noiselessly over pebbles and
they give us an idea of his rare aes-
munities and natural magnificence
between reedy banks.” But it was still
thetic sense and farmer practicality
of the lands along the Guadalupe
the Wild West. He wrote of the near
when he came to Texas.
River were so impressive to him that
weekly gunfights in the plaza. “As the
He arrived in Nacogdoches in
he almost stayed in Texas. He was en-
actors are under … excitement, their
January of 1853 and then mean-
chanted by the springtime wildflow-
aim is not apt to be of the most care-
dered on horseback all over Texas.
ers in the Hill Country and he fully em-
ful and sure; consequently, it is, not
He explored the Piney Woods, the Hill
braced the German saying that “the
seldom, the passers-by who suffer.”
Country, the Coastal Plains, South-
sky is nearer in Texas.”
west Texas and even rode a ways into
Though Olmsted didn’t arrive in
Riding out west to Eagle Pass,
the south as a staunch abolitionist,
he killed an enormous six-foot rattle-
he saw the contrast between slave-
Frederick Law Olmsted wrote of-
snake. A man came by and told him
based economies and those that re-
ten of the famous Texas northers be-
he had just killed an even bigger one
lied on paid labor, and found the lat-
cause he was several times caught
up the road a ways. Olmsted worried
ter far more successful. He said that
out in open country with sudden
in the daytime that his horse would
a monopoly on cotton and devotion
fierce winds and rapid drops in tem-
get bit, and at night he worried that
to a one-crop economy left no room
perature. He wrote that a norther hit
a rattler would snuggle up with him
for the progress that only economic
them on the prairie west of the Bra-
in his bedroll. On this part of his jour-
diversity could bring. He objected to
zos. The wind kicked up mightily and
ney he saw his first horny toads and
slavery on moral grounds as well, but
the temperature dropped 12 de-
so loved the little creatures that he
found that pro-slavery advocates re-
grees in 12 minutes, from 67 to 55. He
shipped some back home to New
sponded best to arguments based
wrote, “In five minutes, we had all got
York where he kept them as exotic
on pragmatics rather than righteous-
our overcoats on and were bending
pets for a couple of years.
ness.
Mexico.
against [the wind] in our saddles.”
In San Antonio, it was the river he
Take a horseback ride through
By 6 p.m. that evening it was 40 de-
fell in love with. “We are so struck by
Texas with Olmsted. It’s the best op-
grees; the next morning it was 25. Ol-
its beauty,” he wrote. “It is of a rich
tion in time-traveling now available.u
msted said he couldn’t get his horse
blue and pure as crystal, flowing rap-
shoed that day because the black-
This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
smith said he wouldn’t work as long as the “damned norther lasted.” The Bastrop paper wasn’t published that day either because, the editor explained, the “printing office was on the north side of the house.” Seems reasonable. When he arrived in Austin, population 3,000, Olmsted stayed at what was supposed to be the best hotel, but found it dirty and the food inedible. He was also dismayed that there was not one bookstore in town. Nice to see that 170 years later those shortcomings have been impressively remedied. He loved Neu-Branfels – loved Lone Star Local Guide Page 31
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Montgomery County Courts: What they Do (Part One of Two) In order to understand what our
are specifically applicable to that
information process where a judge
courts do; one must understand a
area of specialization. The specialty
reviews the case for probable cause
little bit about the law. Other than
areas of civil cases include family
before the government may file it
the Constitution, drafted by our
law cases (divorce, child protective
with the courts.
founding fathers, the law comes from
cases, child custody cases, and child
cases are filed everyday by lawyers
two sources: the legislature and the
support cases) and probate cases
and non-layers alike without any re-
courts.
Since we have state and
(guardianship cases over persons
view process beforehand.
federal legislatures, it follows that we
with disabilities and administration of
have state and federal laws. This law
the estates of deceased persons).
In opposition, civil
Civil cases go through a discovery and motions phase that can be
is called statutory law. Courts are not
Criminal cases are filed by the
exhaustive and may result in resolu-
supposed to make new law, only rule
government, with a District Attor-
tion without a jury. A criminal case in
on the application of and clarify the
ney, County Attorney or Attorney
contrast to a civil case has very little
law made by the legislature. And just
General’s office filing the case. Be-
discovery or motions practice and
as we have federal and state legisla-
fore the case may be filed, the case
culminates with a jury trial.
tures, it follows that we have federal
must go through an indictment pro-
and state courts. This law is called
cess whereby a grand jury reviews
common law.
the case for probable cause or an
Be sure to read next months article as we conclude on this topic.u
There are hundreds of types of cases, but at its core the law can be split into two major subparts: civil and criminal. The easiest way to discern a civil from a criminal case is to determine whether the case stems from an arrest or ticket issued by a police officer. If so, then the case is a criminal case. Civil cases include all the remaining types of cases. Examples of civil cases include medical malpractice, products liability, personal injury, property title disputes, breach of contract cases, and many more. Also included in civil cases are specialized areas of civil law. These areas have civil rules as the basis, but have additional rules and laws that Lone Star Local Guide Page 33
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