Meet The Team Lindsey Kasprzak
PUBLISHER, ART & MEDIA DIRECTOR
Leslie Henderson MANAGING EDITOR
Robert Kasprzak 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
Visit us online at:
www.LoneStarLocalGuide.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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
OCTOBER 2019
Business of the Month Reagan Mold Consultants and Air Quality Specialists - Page 6 6
Features Squeaky Pig Living Keto - Page 5 Spring Fire Department - Page 9 A Page From History - Page 13
5
How Moms Use The Legend Of La Llorona To Keep Their Kids In Line- Page 15 Learn From Lady Justice - Page 17
13
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - Page 19 Come And Explore It - Page 21 10-and-a-Half Frightening Facts About the Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Page 27 Lone Star Local Savings - Page 34
21 Lone StarEdition Local Guide Dock Line Magazine - Atascocita AprilPage 20183 3
Lone Star Local Guide Page 4
By: Raigan Mayo Food Blogger
Mini Chicken Tacos Since football season has started I figured why not feature a great sunday football snack. I love to make quick and easy meals and this one fits in great. I typically get a rotisserie chicken from my local grocery store and we often have leftovers. Reinventing leftovers is key to making my life easier and reducing food waste. For this recipe I used leftover chicken and diced it really small, mix with taco seasoning, add juice of one lime. Next I make the cheese taco shells by adding shredded cheddar in small piles on a sheet pan and cook at 350 degrees until the edges start to brown. Add chicken, top with a little queso and guacamole and enjoy!
Makes 6 mini chicken tacos Ingredients 1 1/ 2 cups of leftover chicken(depending on how many you want to make) 1 Lime 1 tsp Chili Powder 1 tsp Onion Powder 2 tsp Cumin Powder 1 tsp Salt( I use Himalayan pink salt, be forewarned that if you table salt or kosher salt it will take less) 2 TBL of Bacon Fat Heat bacon fat in a pan, add spices to fat(this allows seasonings to bloom and activate naturally occurring oils), then add chicken. Heat chicken to 145 degrees, squeeze lime juice and mix well and set aside. Cheese Tacos I use cheddar but you could use any kind. I take about 1/8 cup (or about .25 to .33 ounces) of cheese and make 6 separate piles on a non stick pan. Bake at 350 until the edges are turning brown. While the cheese tacos are still hot, add 1/4 cup of chicken, drizzle with queso. I use a pre made queso. You can serve these with sour cream, guacamole, or ranch.
Lone Star Local Guide Page 5
By: Taylor Smith MOLD! The Black Death for your
Specialists is your super hero when it
understand the process” Reagan
home or business! Most people think
comes to finding any type of mold or
added.
once they find mold in their home
poor air quality. “People always think
Blaine has lived in Montgomery
they might as well burn it to the
the worst when it comes to mold but
County his whole life and couldn’t
ground and just start over but, in fact,
really it’s a very easy thing to fix.”
think of any better place to start his
it’s the complete opposite.
Reagan says. “I love putting custom-
business. He graduated with a Bach-
Blaine Reagan, owner of Rea-
ers’ minds at ease and I try my best to
elor of Science degree from Sam
gan Mold Consultants and Air Quality
go that extra mile to make sure they
Houston University and starting as an intern with a Mold Remediation Company, setting up containment, removing and treating homes and businesses with mold issues, from there he was hired by Farmers Insurance as a claim’s adjuster. As time went on, his brother suggested Blaine should start his own business as a mold and air quality consultant. This profession is in demand, would provide Blaine with a little more freedom, and offer a more personal experience when it came to helping people. That sounded great to Blaine so shortly thereafter, he was running his business and helping his local community deal with a persistent
Lone Star Local Guide Page 6
good idea to have the air test in your home or business at least once a year. After
interviewing
Blaine, I realized that mold and poor air quality
isn’t
catastrophic.
It’s actually a very easy thing to clean up if you have the right company.
Blaine has the
tools to find the source of mold even if you have no idea where it
Testing For Moisture problem in our humid Texas climate. When it comes to mold in our homes or offices, Blaine said to look for warning signs. He recommended that if you see moisture stains or if you notice that you’re sneezing a lot or having watery eyes inside your building, you should have an air quality test. This test checks the air in your building (the same air you are actually breathing) to see if there are any mold particles floating around. He said it’s actually a
is because sometimes it’s not visible. Once he completes your air test, he personally delivers them to the lab to make sure your test is put in the right hands. Within a few days you will get your results. Blaine will interpret the lab results and help you find the right company to remove the mold or clean the air ducts as needed. It’s all a very simple process.
Blaine makes
sure your experience is as pleasant as possible. He’s also going to let
you in on a few money saving tips if at all possible. If you think you might have mold or poor air quality in your home or business, you can contact Blaine at: www.reaganmoldconsultantsandairqualityspecialist.com. Be sure to follow him on Facebook and Instagram as well.
REMEMBER:
the average
person spends about 93% of their life indoors, so shouldn’t the air you’re breathing be as clean as possible??? Contact Blaine to help you live in a cleaner and safer environment!u
This tool draws in the surrounding air and collects all the particles. The sample is then set to the lab to get your results. Lone Star Local Guide Page 7
Lone Star Local Guide Page 8
Spring Fire is All Fired up for Fire Prevention Month! By: Tracee Evans
decade. The commu-
ment and firefighters responding from
nity celebration kicks
home or work,” said Seifert who has
off at 10 am with a
seen Spring’s population double in
special ceremony in
just a generation. “Spring firefighters
the bay of the new
now serve about 44,000 homes, that’s
Station 74. KTRH Morn-
compared to 20,000 not that many
ing Host Jimmy Bar-
years ago.”
rett is the Master of
The original Station 74 could fit in
Ceremonies and U.S.
the apparatus bay at the new Station
Congressman
74 – and there would still be plenty of
Dan
Crenshaw will be the special guest.
U.S. Representative Dan Crenshaw
This October will be the Spring Fire
room to park a fire engine. The new station is 16,553-square-
There will be fun
feet and located at the corner of Al-
fire safety activities for
dine Westfield and Old Aldine West-
the whole family. The
field roads.
old Station 74 had al-
The Spring Fire Department is
ready been around
holding Fire Prevention coloring, es-
for over a dozen years
say and speech contests for students
when Spring Fire Chief
who live in the district. The winners will
Scott Seifert began
be honored at the Grand Opening of
volunteering in 1990.
Station 74.
“We’ve come a long
In addition to visiting dozens of
way from raising do-
area schools during Fire Prevention
nations to buy equip-
Week, the Spring Fire Department Continue on page 11 u
Department’s biggest Fire Prevention Month to date. Fire Prevention Month kicks on Thursday, October 3 when the Insurance Council of Texas arrives at Spring Fire Station 71 with hundreds of smoke alarms for three area departments, including Spring Fire. On Saturday, October 5, the Spring Fire Department will celebrate the Grand Opening of the department’s 6th new fire station built this Lone Star Local Guide Page 9
Lone Star Local Guide Page 10
members in mind. The event begins at 10 am. Other fun events coming this October include Spring Fire’s first ever Haunted Firehouse at Station 75 the weekend before Hallowe’en and the return of “Truck or Treat” on closes this important week with the
those with special needs.
Hallowe’en evening at all nine Spring
second annual Special Day for Spe-
If you know someone with a child
Fire Stations. Last year, quite a few
cial People, a sensory friendly morn-
or adult with special needs, please
future firefighters came in their own
ing of activities in the firehouse for
tell them to come to Spring Fire Sta-
bunker gear.
tion 71 on Saturday, October 12.
Last, but certainly not least, the very first Spring Firefighter Calendar
This year, Southwest-
goes on sale this October. The cal-
ern Energy is providing
endar is a partnership with the Harris
the first 250 families with
County Animal Shelter. Proceeds will
special needs fire safety
benefit the Spring Firefighter Assis-
go-bags. The activities
tance Fund AND the Friends of Coun-
and safety information in
ty Pets foster organization.
the bags were selected with special needs family
More information on SpringFd.org and social media @SpringFDTX.u
Lone Star Local Guide Page 11
Lone Star Local Guide Page 12
The U.S. Army Air Service in World War I - What’s in a Name Robert A. Kasprzak Major, USAF (Retired) After the United States entered World War I in April 1917, plans were made to construct numerous Air bases throughout France. One of these bases was located at Issoudun, about 100 miles Southeast of Paris. Issoudun was home to the 3rd Air Instruction Center (3rd AIC) and, at the time, was the largest air base in the world. The base boasted 13 airfields used to train American pilots in the art and science of aerial warfare. As part of military life, the 3rd AIC began publishing a newspaper entitled “The Plane News”. The Plane News captured life at Issoudun. Thumbing through the newspaper you’ll find articles about recent events associated with the War (especially the Air war), military topics such as customs and courtesies, po-
ems, jokes, cartoons, scores from athletic events, social gatherings such as dances at the YMCA, songs, and letters. The Plane News is an excellent resource to gain real-time insight into daily life in the Air Service. One of the articles that caught my eye was written on 6 July 1918. The article was titled “Name Wanted for Men of Air Service”. Unlike the Infantry who were known as “Doughboys” and the Artillery, named “Rednecks”, the article noted there was no nickname for the U.S. Airmen. As a result, The Plane News sponsored a contest, open to all ranks, in search of an appropriate nickname. The winning entry would receive 100 French Francs (about $20). Originally, the contest was scheduled to end on 4 August 1918. However, there was so much
interest the contest was extended to 10 August then to 17 August. Ultimately, about 300 names were proposed by readers from which a committee selected 25. Some of the entries included names such as “Sky Larks,” “Joy Boys,” “Eagles,” “Starshooters,” “Skyscrapers,” “Larks,” “War Eagles,” “Sky Bo,” “Sky Jackies,” and “Joy Stickers.” Subsequently, a vote was taken by the aviators at Issoudun where the name “Airnats ” was chosen. It was suggested by Sergeant C. B. Swafford, of the 655th Aero Squadron. The name had no particular significance, being an abbreviation of “aeronauts.” As the War continued, “Airnats” became more and more popular, In fact, in October 1918, Captain Jay W. Fay, Director of the First Air Service Band, composed what he called the “Airnat’s March” which was a big hit wherever it was played. Another tune “When We Whirl In to Berlin thru the Air” composed by Nat Vincent, James Brockman, and James Kendis was a hit song “Dedicated to the A.E.F. Airnats” as well. (Author note: A.E.F. = American Expeditionary Force) When World World War I ended, the “Airnat” nickname also passed into history. It was obvious the name did not match the mission of the Air Service but the term used today and for the last 100 years certainly does. For the men and women of the Army Air Service, Army Air Corps, Army Air Force, and the United States Air Force, we are simply known as “Airman”!u Lone Star Local Guide Page 13
Lone Star Local Guide Page 14
By: W.F. Strong La Llorona – the crying woman – is a
and drowned them. When she regained
or lake – or even a backyard swimming
Mexican legend that is at least 500 years
her sanity, she was plunged into such de-
pool, because La Llorona may think they
old. It no doubt arrived in Texas with the
spair over what she had done that she
are her children and steal them away
earliest Mexican settlers. And La Llorona
died of grief right there on the river bank.
from you forever.
has haunted our rivers, lakes and streams
As she attempted to enter the afterlife, an
So La Llorona is a legend, a caution-
ever since, particularly in the border re-
angel asked her where her children were.
ary tale and the boogie man – coo-coo-
gions. There are dozens of versions. Here
She said she didn’t know. She was told
ey – all in one. Hispanic moms particularly
is one.
she must find them before she could rest.
have used her to enforce good behavior
La Llorona was a poor girl in a small
So she was forced back to Earth and con-
for centuries.
village. She was extraordinarily beautiful
demned to wander rivers and lakes and
with raven black hair and large almond
streams looking for her children forever.
“Come inside now or La Llorona will get you.” “You come straight home from
eyes. One day when she was getting wa-
If you go out near water at night you
David’s house. Don’t wander. La Llorona
ter from the town well, a handsome man
will sometimes hear her crying, “Mis hi-
is always looking for lost children.” And
on a fine horse rode up and asked her for
jos, mis hijos.” My children. They say if she
some even say that La Llorona makes
a drink. She had never seen such a per-
sounds near she is really far away, but if
children respect their mothers. She has
fect man or felt so wonderfully nervous in
she sounds far away, she is very near you.
appeared to children who have left their
the presence of one before. He felt the
Those who’ve seen her say that she wears
homes angrily, saying bad things to their
same way about her. They fell in love on
a moldy shroud and has jet black hair, but
mothers as they’ve left. La Llorona finds
the spot. He could not marry her, though,
no nose and no mouth, only luminous vio-
them walking in the dark and says, “I’ll
because she was a poor village girl and
let eyes that are horrifyingly red-streaked
let you go this time, but go back to your
he was from a the richest, most prominent
from her eternal crying. If you see her
mother and be good to her.”
family in the region. But he could not live
thrashing around the middle of a creek
without her so he bought her a big home
or river, don’t go in to try to save her be-
all the other days of the year. u
and showered her with jewelry and gifts
cause she will drown you.
This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
and gave her two children. He came to
You should also never let your chil-
visit often and adored playing with their
dren stay out late near a river or creek
Excellent advice for Halloween and
children. It was not perfect, but she was happy because she loved him so much. After a few years, a period of time came when he did not visit at all. She was worried about him and did something she had never done. She went to the big city to visit his mansion to see what was wrong. When she arrived she quietly asked a servant if he was there and she said, “Oh, no, today he is getting married to a famous princess from Spain.” La Llorona was so angry that she wanted to do something to hurt him. In that jealous rage, she went straight home and took their two children to the river Lone Star Local Guide Page 15
Lone Star Local Guide Page 16
Propositions The Texas Constitution has been amended 498 times since the current constitution was adopted 143 years ago in 1876. In November 2019, voters will decide on 10 proposals in a statewide constitutional amendment election. Early voting will take place Oct. 21 - Nov. 1, so it is time to start looking at these important proposed changes to our Constitution. Of the 10 proposals, the one generating the most social media buzz is Proposition 4. Proposition 4 prohibits the state from levying an income tax on individuals. As many readers realize, Texas has no state income tax. Proposition 4 seeks to make this permanent. There are a couple of points of confusion on Proposition 4. First, some think that if the amendment does not pass, that a state income tax will atomically be created. This is not true. Second, to vote “no” on income taxes, one must vote “yes” to Proposition 4. Animal lovers will find Proposition 10 of interest. Service dogs used by the government like police dogs, search and rescue dogs, court service animals, etc. are normally owned by
mal to the animal’s handlern if it is in the animal’s best interest. Proposition 3 and 8 are no doubt a result of all the damage caused by the last hurricane season. Read on for a full list of the proposals. Educate yourself. And vote! List of propositions: Proposition 1: Allows persons to serve as more than one appointed or elected municipal judge Proposition 2: Allows the Texas Water Development Board to issue up to $200 million in bonds Proposition 3: Authorizes temporary property tax exemption for disaster areas Proposition 4: Prohibits the state from levying an income tax on indi-
viduals Proposition 5: Dedicates revenue from the sales tax on sporting goods to parks, wildlife, and historical agencies Proposition 6: Authorizes the legislature to increase bonds for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute Proposition 7: Increases distributions to the state school fund Proposition 8: Creates a Flood Infrastructure Fund Proposition 9: Authorizes property tax exemption for precious metals held in depositories Proposition 10: Allows for transfer of law enforcement animals to handlers or others if in animal’s best interestu
the government. These animals are highly trained at a high cost. The service animal will oftentimes work its entire career with one police officer or handler. When it is time to retire the animal that bond is broken. Proposition 10 allows for transfer of the aniLone Star Local Guide Page 17
Lone Star Local Guide Page 18
Lone Star Local Guide Page 19
Lone Star Local Guide Page 20
ak ey Kasprz By: Linds
Jefferson, The Most Haunted Town In Texas Nevertheless,
brick buildings.
few
months
has a gorgeous historic home, restau-
ago I was scroll-
rant, and even a general store where
ing through Face-
you can buy your favorite sweet treat
book and came
from when you were a kid. As we
across
post
drove to the Kahn Hotel, the town
another
was full of people driving their golf
travel writer that
carts to see the classic car show and
said “Jefferson is
enjoy the beautiful Saturday.
a
a
from
the most haunted town
in
Every street corner
The Kahn Hotel is in the middle
Texas”.
of town which is very convenient for
The post spiked
walking around to see what Jefferson
my interest, so I
has to offer. Built in the mid 1800’s, the
clicked on the link
hotel became famous as the Kahn
which
me
Saloon with its colorful and violent
down “the rab-
history dating back to the Civil War
bit hole”.
After
when Jefferson was a wild-west river
about 3 hours of
port town. The violent history of the
research, I decid-
Continue on page 23 u
lead
ed I needed to check this town out for my readers…what was I October is Halloween month so I wanted to do a travel article about the most haunted town in Texas. I’m sure if my great grandma was alive and I told her about this town’s history, she would have told me, “Oh Lord! You don’t want to go up there and be messing about with all that nonsense and if there are spirits there it’s probably the devil!”
thinking!. A few weeks later I met a couple of friends in Jefferson and our sleepless night began. When you come up on Jefferson, all you see are woods and a winding road with very few homes. Suddenly, the woods open up and this beautiful historic little town greets you with classic cars, old coke-cola signs, and red Lone Star Local Guide Page 21
Lone Star Local Guide Page 22
rooms with a modern touch but kept that old west feel by keeping the original floors from the 1800’s. The hotel has a wonderful coffee shop in the lobby where you are bound to hear locals telling stories about the ghosts that roam the hallways. Here our gins.
is
adventure
when be-
When we first
checked in, one of the
bang for your buck at McGarity’s plus
hotel employees told
the staff is friendly, helpful, and up to
my friend that once
telling a ghost story or two.
we got into our room
Once we fueled up on food and
we should sit very qui-
drinks, we walked back to the Kahn
etly and record the
Hotel where we met for the “Historic
sounds because the property gave rise to its reputation
Jefferson Ghost Walk Tour”. This is a
ghost that lives there will want to say
as one of the top ten most haunted
“must do” while in Jefferson. Not only
“hi”.
The employee mentioned this
places in Texas and makes it a haven
is the tour full of haunting ghost sto-
is a friendly ghost that wants to wel-
for ghost hunters, paranormal groups,
ries but it’s also full of history. I need to
come us to our room. Once we got
and vacationers seeking to stay in
alert you it’s a two-hour walking tour
settled in, we hit record for two min-
the historic downtown district. Even
so be sure to wear comfortable shoes
utes but, unfortunately, didn’t hear
though the hotel is an older building,
and maybe take a bottle of water.
anything. I guess we waited too long
they have completely upgraded the
We started the tour at the Kahn Hotel
and the ghost decided to leave. By
because it’s so rich with ghost stories
this time, it was around five o’clock and we had a few hours to burn before our ghost walk began. We took advantage of this break and walked over to “McGarity’s Saloon” where we had fantastic cocktails, bourbon mac and cheese, bacon wrapped quail, and a meat and cheese board like I had never seen before! Y’all this meat and cheese board was like a work of art that I was afraid to even touch!
It featured huge grapes,
strawberries, many different types of meats and cheeses, plus a full-on honey comb. You definitely get a
Continue on page 25 u
Lone Star Local Guide Page 23
Lone Star Local Guide Page 24
ally and causing loud noises. It is said
that last night?!” and we all replied
Billy does these things to keep people
“no”.
away from his space upstairs and he
hearing someone walking back and
seems to tolerate women better than
forth outside our door with boots on.
men.
In addition, she heard someone up-
Apparently, my friend kept
The tour will walk you around
stairs dragging a chair and then slam-
downtown where you’ll hear various
ming it down. I told my friend it may
stories and maybe you’ll even be
have been just another guest being
able to snap a picture with an odd
a little too loud at 2 am. As we pre-
phenomenon in it! If you’re staying
pared for the day, I left my phone in
downtown, chances are you’ll be
the room on “record”. I thought we
walking by your hotel that will have a
could go outside for a bit and per-
story of its own so good luck sleeping
haps the ghost would be more “com-
that night.
fortable” with us gone. I was hop-
Once we got back to our room
ing he/she would make some noise.
and experiences. Our guide gave it
we settled in for the night but, just
Well I was right! I ended up recording
a 10 out of 10 on the haunted scale!
in case, we left the TV and table
what sounded like someone moving
Here are just a few highlights from the
lamp on all night. I’m sure it didn’t
a chair in our room and boots walk-
Kahn Hotel website:
help with sleeping but I had a better
ing. It’s important to note no one else
1. 75% of the investigators re-
sleeping experience than my friend.
was in the hotel at that time besides
vealed a 7-year-old spirit named
When we woke in the morning, my
the front desk employee!
Andrew who drowned in an upstairs
friend looked like she had seen a
During breakfast, we saw a cou-
bathroom. Andrew’s mother (Jes-
ghost! She asked “Did y’all hear all
ple who had been on the ghost tour
sica) was a madam at a local broth-
with us.
Apparently, they too had
el. Both Andrew and Jessica
something happen as well.
were killed during the course
Around five in the morning,
of a robbery. Andrew is known
their air conditioner had slowly
to be quite playful, particularly
turned off which woke him.
pulling hair and rattling door
The air conditioner had been
handles.
running all night so he headed
2. Andrew’s mother was
to see what happened. Sud-
identified by 90% of the in-
denly, someone whispered in
vestigators. It is said that Jes-
his ear “off”. Yeah, he wasn’t
sica stepped out of the bath
going back to sleep after that
in the upstairs front part of
and couldn’t wait for his wife
the building and surprised the
to wake, so he could get out
robbers. Since Jessica always
of there!
wore white, she is known as
BOTTOM LINE ON JEFFER-
the “lady in white” and is fre-
SON: I think it’s safe to say if
quently seen on the staircase
you’re a thrill seeker and into
and in the upstairs windows.
paranormal activity (as well
3. 90% of investigators also
as good food), Jefferson is the
identified a man spirit named
place to visit… you won’t be
“Billy”. He is a friendly polter-
disappointed!!!u
geist moving items occasionLone Star Local Guide Page 25
Lone Star Local Guide Page 26
By: W.F. Strong
Texas is number one in a great
not wear a leather mask. What he
gomery Ward store a few days before
many things: oil, ranching, rodeo,
wore was worse: a mask made of hu-
Christmas. The store was annoyingly
cotton. But you may be surprised to
man skin.
crowded with aggressive shoppers.
know that we are also number one
2. Ed Gein only killed two people,
As he stood in front of the chain-
in horror. That’s right, our very own
not dozens. Hardly a massacre. He
saws he had a disturbing epiphany.
charming little low-budget film, “The
did not use a chainsaw. He used a
He realized that if he started up one
Texas Chainsaw Massacre“, is consid-
gun.
of those chainsaws the sound alone
ered by many critics to be the best
3. Gein did his killing in Wisconsin,
would part that sea of shoppers giv-
(and most horrifying) horror movie
not Texas. I know, disappointing right?
ing him a quick path to the exit. And
ever made.
Wisconsin Chainsaw Massacre just
that, ladies and gentlemen, is how
doesn’t have the same poetic ring to
iconic art is born.
At the time of its release in 1974, the famous film critic Rex Reed said
it.
5. One last thing about Gein. He
that it was the most “terrifying” movie
4. So where did the chainsaw
inspired not only Leatherface, but he
he had ever seen. When the cele-
idea come from? Tobe Hooper, the
was also the demented muse for Nor-
brated master of horror, Wes Craven,
director, said that he was in a Mont-
Continue on page 29 u
first saw the movie, he wondered “what kind of Mansonite crazoid” could have produced such a thing. Stephen King praised the movie. He said it had achieved “cataclysmic terror.” And my favorite critique comes from Anton Bitel who said that the “very fact that it was banned in England was a tribute to its artistry.” In honor of Halloween, I thought I would help you appreciate this hallowed film; here are 10-and-a-half things you may not have known about the film. 1. Ed Gein is the name of the real criminally insane killer who inspired the character of Leatherface. He did Lone Star Local Guide Page 27
Lone Star Local Guide Page 28
man Bates in “Psycho” and Buffalo Bill
$30 million in the U.S. The movie had
kind of bed and breakfast in Bastrop.
in “Silence of the Lambs“.
its opening in Austin, appropriately,
It’s called The Texas Chainsaw Massa-
6. Perhaps the most horrifying as-
since its director was a University of
cre’s “Last Chance Gas Station”. You
pect of “The Texas Chainsaw Mas-
Texas professor and documentary
can get BBQ and spend the night in
sacre”, for the actors at least, was
cameraman. Though it is hard to be-
a cozy cabin. Chainsaw alarm clocks
that it was filmed in the middle of the
lieve, he tried to keep the gore and
are certainly available. I understand
scorching Texas summer. You can see
violence of the film to a minimum
the BBQ ain’t half bad. At least the
the sweat dripping off, even stream-
so he could get a “PG” rating. That
owners are not, like those in the film,
ing off, the actors. Hooper said every-
didn’t work. He got an “R” rating.
focused only on serving their fellow
one suffered mightily because there
10. Horror and humor are allies.
was no stopping to wait for cooler
The movie even spawned a hilarious
W.F. Strong is a Fulbright Scholar
weather. And even though some
Geico ad that has run the last couple
and professor of Culture and Com-
days were well over 100 degrees,
of years – the one where four people
munication at the University of Texas
they had to press on to get filming
are running from a killer and debat-
Rio Grande Valley. At Public Radio 88
done in a month, come hell or high
ing where to hide. One suggests they
FM in Harlingen, Texas, he’s the resi-
water – and hell is what they got.
take the running car and another says
dent expert on Texas literature, Texas
7. In his much-praised book,
that’s a horrible idea and suggests
legends, Blue Bell ice cream, Whata-
“Chain Saw Confidential“, Gunnar
that they hide behind the chainsaws.
burger (with cheese) and mesquite
Hansen, who played the character
Even Leatherface is astounded by
smoked brisket. u
of Leatherface, said that the name
their filmic ignorance.
This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
of the depraved family in the first film
10.5. The film’s gas station is now a
man.
is Slaughter, not Sawyer. If you look above the Coca-Cola sign at the gas station you will see “W. E. Slaughter BBQ.” 8. Hansen also said that the power of the chainsaw myth they created on film persists with such tenacity in Texas that people would not believe him when he said that no such chainsaw crimes ever happened in the state. People would say something like: “No, they happened. My cousin worked on death row over in Huntsville and saw Leatherface himself get the chair.” But this is understandable because the film falsely marketed itself as “based on a true story.” 9. The film cost less than $300,000 to make, and eventually grossed Lone Star Local Guide Page 29
Lone Star Local Guide Page 30
Lone Star Local Guide Page 31
Lone Star Local Guide Page 32
Lone Star Local Guide Page 33
Local Savings
Find all these coupons on our app!
Get Our App In The App Store and On Google Play! Lone Star Local Guide Page 34
Lone Star Local Guide Page 35