Madeworthy Jul/Aug 2024 by Madeworthy Magazine

FUN GAMES IT’S

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Issue 42 | It’s All Fun and Games July/August 2024

Publisher Victoria Wise

Editor Lee Virden Geurkink

Associate Publisher Jennifer Kieta

Contributing Writers

Edward Brown

Mollie Jo Jamison

Julie Rhodes

William Wise

Illustrator

Trish Wise

Lead Design

Conor Dardis

Cover Design

Victoria Wise

Madeworthy Magazine is an extension of Tanglewood Moms, LLC., and serves to tell community stories for a family audience. For website and magazine advertising opportunities, please contact: Victoria@MadeworthyMedia.com

Looking for more copies of Madeworthy Magazine? You can subscribe at TanglewoodMoms.com for free or pick up copies at Central Market in Fort Worth or Tom Thumb on Hulen.

MAKING MOTHER RIVER PROUD

by Julie Rhodes

It's certain kayaking, fshing, or trail running would have ruined her prim mid-century coif, yet this didn’t stop Phyllis Tilley from metaphorically jumping into the Trinity River — with all its problems, pollution, and politics.

They may have called her “Mother River,” but she never actually got in the water.

The story goes as Phyllis was driving over the 7th Street bridge in the late 1960s, she looked at the mess that was the Trinity River and bluntly declared, "This is a ditch.” The levees built following a 1949 food had slowed the water to a trickle, creating stagnant pools of trash and sludge. For the next several years, Phyllis enlisted the Junior

QContributors Question

What’s the one thing without which it cannot be summer?

Victoria

August baby here (and turning 50 this year!). Summertime has always been about spending time in the pool or lakes for me. Only now with adequate sunscreen.

It's not summer unless the live oaks are snoring with the constant buzz of cicadas in the late afternoon. The swelter combined with the cicadas sawing = summertime.

League and the City to jumpstart the creation of Streams & Valleys, a nonproft dedicated to educating the community about the river, advocating for environmentally sound development projects, and keeping the Trinity and its trails beautiful and accessible.

In 1971, Phyllis asked the Junior League to help her start "the Mayfest," a celebration of their initial success and a way to support future river-related efforts. Fast-forward 53 years, and Mayfest is one of Fort Worth's most cherished traditions.

If you’ve enjoyed the Trinity River in any way over the last 50 years (or even just a Mayfest corn dog), you have Phyllis to thank, as well as a lot of other people, organizations, and city leaders who caught her vision. Maintaining life by the river became a community effort for the entire city to enjoy for almost 55 years.

No one is more eager to champion the communal aspect of the river than the woman who is the modern-day face of Streams & Valleys – Stacey Pierce.

“I think the river is big enough both physically and metaphorically to accommodate and welcome anyone and everyone all the time,” Stacey said. “It's the best visual I know for equity. But we’ve got real work to do in our neighborhoods that still need access to the river and trails.”

Sitting in her offce, Stacey gave me the in-a-nutshell version of where things stand today. Did you know the Trinity River is the only rivershed entirely in the state of Texas? Its 710 miles snake from Archer County in the north to the Gulf of Mexico, winding through Fort Worth,

Edward Summer makes me appreciate the spring we had and the fall we all look forward to

My favorite thing that signals summer is the bugs that come out at night. I love hearing the cicadas and crickets and seeing the pulse of lightning bugs against a

Trish

A long, hot road trip to a national park.

Arlington, and Dallas. The grand plan of Streams & Valleys is to leverage this natural connector and create a 250plus-mile riverside trail network that will knit the neighborhoods of each city together.

“The trails were a huge resource for people during the pandemic,” Stacey explains. “This is a health club with no fee. How do we get people there who don’t have reliable access to transportation?”

The answer? Bring the trails to them.

Working alongside the City of Fort Worth and the Tarrant Regional Water District, Streams & Valleys raises funds to fnish projects with grant writing, old-fashioned fundraising, and advocacy. The organization is not politically affliated but exists to be the “super glue” (as Stacey puts it) to provide continuity that will transcend the terms of elected offcials. “We’re the keeper of the vision,” she says, hearkening back to the Streams & Valleys slogan: Every river has a mouth. The Trinity River has a voice. This public-private partnership is crucial to success in Stacey's mind, and with a vision of adding miles and miles of trails to the riverside, Stacey is patient with the process. "It's taken us a half-century to get this far. You measure progress in decades, not in months or years.”

How cool to take the next step and bring the community back again and have that civic pride?”

According to Stacey, getting the younger generation excited is vital to this goal, whether it’s Girl Scout troops, National Charity League chapters (Cowtown Chapter is currently a Streams & Valleys partner), or Eagle Scouts looking for projects. All up-andcoming, community-minded groups are welcome, but so are individuals who can volunteer for Flyfest, Mayfest, or Fort Worth’s Fourth, all of which are events that beneft Streams & Valleys.

I can tell Stacey admires Phyllis Tilley and the early women who pulled together in those days, many of whom still work Mayfest even in their 80s. She wants to take a similar roll-upour-sleeves approach. “If you talk to anybody involved back then, they are so proud of what they did as a group.

“If you want to work on the river, there’s a place for you,” says Stacey. “It belongs to all of us; if we follow it, the River will lead us forward.”

Mother River would be proud.

Lee

Air conditioning! But seriously, a family road trip – parents up front, kids blatantly ignoring us in the back, road snacks and car karaoke and the anticipation of getting to our destination.

William Cooking on the grill with a cold beer in my hand.

Mollie Jo

Texas sunset.

Julie

Photos courtesy of Streams & Valleys

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Fort Worth Events - Jul/Aug 2024

Through Aug 25

Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood: Amon Carter Museum of American Art cartermuseum.org

Through Aug 25

Rebecca Manson: Barbecue: The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth themodern.org

Jul 9

Infant CPR and Pediatric First Aid: Andrews Women’s Hospital Baylor Scott and White eventbrite.com

Jul 11

Through Sep Seward Johnson: Sculptures in the Garden: Fort Worth Botanic Garden fwbg.org

Through Sep 15

Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries: The Kimbell Art Museum thekimbell.org

Jul 1

Art Making at Sundance Square sundancesquare.com

Jul 1, Aug 5

Free First Mondays with Library Card: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge fwnaturecenter.org

Jul 2

Stockyards Foodie Tour: The Biscuit Bar eventbrite.com

Jul 3

Kiln Forming Wine Down Wednesday sinacastudios.org

Jul 3,5,7,9, and 12 Mimir Chamber Music Festival: Pepsico Recital Hall at TCU calendar.tcu.edu

Italian Fresh Pasta: Central Market centralmarket.com

Jul 12

Celebrity Chef Dinner & Fundraiser Chef Jon Bonnell tasteproject.org

Jul 12-14

Fort Worth Collector Expo: The Social Space utixmanager.com

Jul 13

Homemade Ice Cream: Log Cabin Village logcabinvillage.org

Jul 14

Hat Burning Workshop: Frisco TX arworkshop.com

Jul 14

Peruvian Festival: Arlington Music Hall arlingtonmusichall.net

Jul 14

Take and Make French Macarons: Central Market centralmarket.com

Jul 16-21 (L

Jul 4 Fort Worth’s Fourth: Panther Island Pavilion fortworthsfourth.com

Jul 4

Birdie’s 4th of July Throwdown birdiessocialclub.com

Jul 5

Movie Night: Top Gun: TX Whiskey Ranch frdistilling.com

Jul 6

V-Dubs Cars & Coffee: Autobahn Fort Worth autobahnvw.com

Jul 6

Little Texas: Stockyards billybobstexas.com

Jul 20

Sausage 101: Dayne’s Barbecue Eventbrite.com

Jul 21

Christmas in July Cookie Decorating Class: Community Room at Waterside watersidefw.com

Jul 21

Goat Yoga: Martin House Brewing martinhousebrewing.com

Jul 21 The Beach Boys: Texas Trust CU Theater texastrustcutheatre.com

Jul 25 Girl Scouts Summer Fun: 4901 Briarhaven Rd gs-top.org

Jul 26-Jul 18

The Handless King: Amphibian Stage amphibianstage.com

Jul 27

Adult Workshop

Mixed Media Painting: Amon Carter Museum of American Art cartermuseum.org

Jul 28

Epoxy for Beginners: Rockler Woodworking and Hardware rockler.com

Aug 2-4

Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey: Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

Aug 3

Henry the Archer: Tulips tulipsftw.com

Aug 9

Elizabeth Cook: Magnolia Motor Lounge magnoliamotorlounge.com

Aug 12

Def Leppard/Journey: Globe Life Field globelifeﬁeld.com

Aug 15

Santana and Counting Crows: Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

Aug 15-18

Sister Act: Bass Hall basshall.com

Aug 16-18

Fredericksburg Trade Days: Sunday Farms fbgtradedays.com

Aug 17

Kings of Leon: Dickies Arena dickiesarena.com

Aug 17 Carter Playdate Loving the Land: Amon Carter Museum of American Art cartermuseum.org

Aug 17

Zach Bryan: AT&T Stadium ticketmaster.com

Aug 30

The Wilder Blue: Stockyards billybobstexas.com

Aug 30

Laurie Morgan: Arlington Music Hall arlingtonmusichall.net

courtesy of Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Summertime Spirits

This issue of Madeworthy is all about summer fun, and what’s more fun than experimenting with cocktails? Not only do you get to come up with fun, new creations, you get to drink your mistakes! The Madeworthy editorial team recently came across some old cocktail guides, and we decided to fnd some fun drinks that are due a renaissance.

e Pink Lady

The origins of this classic cocktail are somewhat murky. It may take its name from the 1911 Broadway musical of the same name, or maybe it was made in honor of the star of said musical, Hazel Dawn. Some claim it was created and named by the socialite Elsie de Wolfe, but her recipe differs from the classic recipe below. Wherever the name came from, it's a fun drink to make and to consume!

Ingredients

3 centiliters (or approximately 2/3 of a jigger) good gin [Editor's Note: Look for a citrusy gin like Plymouth or Tanqueray 10]

4 dashes grenadine

1 egg white [see Note below]

Directions

To get a good foam from the egg white, you’ll need to do what bartenders call the “dry shake.” Place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake very well. Very well. Use those arm muscles! [Editor's Note: My upper arms have never looked better than when I was a bartender.] Once the drink is foamy, add the ice and shake again. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass, a martini glass, or a coupe, and garnish with a cherry.

Note on the use of raw egg whites in cocktails.

While you can certainly skip the egg white in any recipe that calls for one, you will miss the lovely silky texture that the egg white contributes to the drink. Additionally, the protein in the egg white balances the “hotness” of the alcohol, making the drink smoother.

Pasteurized raw eggs are available, but they are diffcult to fnd in local grocery stores. Using very fresh eggs that have been cleaned dramatically reduces the risk of foodborne illness from using a raw egg. (No, the alcohol doesn't kill off the germs that cause food poisoning.) If you are worried about getting sick, you can use powdered egg whites.

Grasshopper

If you’re a Southerner, this is what your grandmother drank in the 1950s and 60s. Invented by Philip Guichet, owner of the New Orleans bar Tujague’s, the Grasshopper is a delightfully sweet drink that is perfect after dinner.

Ingredients

3 centiliters (or approximately 2/3 of a jigger) green crème de menthe

3 centiliters white crème de cacao

3 centiliters cream

Directions

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail or martini glass and garnish with a sprig of mint and maybe some chocolate shavings if you’re feeling fancy.

Grasshopper Variations

The After Eight: add 3 centiliters dark chocolate liqueur

The Flying Grasshopper: substitute 3 centiliters vodka for the cream

The Girl Scout Cookie: substitute 3 centiliters peppermint schnapps for the crème de menthe

The Chilly Grasshopper: Make a Grasshopper and serve it over ice cream. You can use vanilla, chocolate, or mint chocolate chip.

Mississippi Punch

While Mississippi Punch was frst mentioned in a cocktail guide from the 1860s (yes, that's an EIGHT), it has recently become fashionable again thanks to Apple TV+'s hit series "Palm Royale." While the name could come from the state or from the river, it's a delicious but stout drink. Seriously, think twice about making this if you have to work in the morning. Having said that, it's downright delicious and is a delightful addition to a backyard cookout or retro-themed cocktail party.

Ingredients

To use powdered egg whites in your cocktails, there are a few more steps you'll have to follow, but the result is almost indistinguishable from a raw egg. First, make sure you purchase 100% dehydrated egg whites. You can fnd these online. To make enough for one cocktail, whisk 2 teaspoons of egg white powder with 1 ounce of water. (There will be some clumps right now, but don't worry.) Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes to hydrate. Whisk again. The clumps will work out, and you can then use the rehydrated egg to make gorgeous Pink Lady.

2 ounces cognac

1 ounce bourbon

1 ounce dark rum

½ ounce lemon juice

2 teaspoons sugar or simple syrup [see Note below]

Directions

Put everything in a cocktail shaker and shake well. (I told you your arms would look fantastic!) Strain into a Collins glass or highball flled with ice and garnish with a sprig of mint and a twist of lemon.

Note on simple syrup.

Simple syrup is, as the name implies, simple. Bartenders prefer using simple syrup in their cocktails over granulated sugar because sugar doesn't melt quickly in cold liquids. (And no, you can't use powdered/confectioner's sugar in cocktails; the corn starch mixed in with the sugar will make your cocktails lumpy. Yuck.) To make simple syrup, combine 1 part sugar with 1 part water in a saucepan over low heat and stir until the sugar has melted. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Illustrations by Trish Wise

Growing Outside the Lines

by Edward Brown

photos courtesy of Sanderson Creek Bonsai

Dan Hammack's affection for his potted trees was apparent on a spring morning as he gave me a tour of Sanderson Creek Bonsai just southeast of downtown. Several greenhouses held trees that are carefully groomed and pruned to control and direct their growth according to the methods used in the millennium-old Japanese art of bonsai.

As he passed these miniature trees, Dan recalled their age and how he found them.

"This is Japanese black pine," he said. "You take one of these, and you style it. You make it bonsai. I pared it down quite a bit. Look at all this beautiful movement of the limbs.” He pointed out more bonsai. “There are a couple of Japanese maples. This one is in his 79th year. He was planted back in the 1940s. He is going to be sumo style when I fnish. Sumo style has a really big and wide base.”

Every day, Dan carefully tends to his trees as he’s been doing for 37 years. By carefully trimming certain leaves, Hammack controls the production of a plant hormone called auxin, which controls plant growth and is essential for the development of the plant’s body. These trimming techniques are the primary tool that slows the growth of bonsai trees. Slower growth allows the bonsai artists to direct the development of the plants along bonsai style guidelines. Although the art of bonsai is most associated with Japanese culture, Dan deviates from the strict practices of Japanese bonsai.

Many are quite old.

“I always like to color outside the lines,” he said. “Art is malleable. It changes. When you only follow hard and fast rules, there is no growth. You can’t expand and grow in your art form. We are supposed to be dynamic and ever-changing.”

Among the many documented benefts of working with plants, Dan said anyone who grows or cares for a bonsai tree learns to change their perspectives on time. Even minor adjustments to the size and shape of bonsai trees take several years or decades to come to fruition. The

ancient cultures who created the bonsai traditions didn’t think in terms of years; they thought in terms of the cycles of the earth and sun.

Before retiring to focus on his bonsai business, Dan spent decades working as a registered professional land surveyor. During his travels across Texas for work, he noticed dwarfed trees on river banks and hills.

“I saw a picture of bonsai in a magazine 37 years ago,” he recalled. “Somebody had styled it. I took it to [my wife] Jerry and said, ‘Here is one of those trees. It’s in a pot. You can have it at home with you.’”

Today, Sanderson Creek Bonsai sells and ships bonsai trees, tools, pots, and other products needed to grow dwarf trees artfully. The couple welcomes customers and visitors from all over the world every week.

“We see teachers, engineers, lawyers, military people,” Dan said. “This art form cuts through races, genders, and types of people.”

Whether someone attends one of his classes or purchases a bonsai tree for the frst time, Dan guides them through the basics.

Jerry, Dan’s wife and partner, added that many people come for advice on how to prune the bonsai they already have.

What followed this epiphany were years of trial and error. Some of those early attempts at practicing the art of bonsai failed – he keeps the petrifed remains of those early failures – while others are still growing, albeit very slowly.

Dan follows established design parameters for bonsai but doesn't hesitate to stray from those guidelines when he feels it's needed. An artfully grown bonsai should evoke visceral feelings of beauty. "Often, it is the imperfections that are the source of beauty," he said.

“People will bring in a tree that is a mess,” she said. “Dan can sit down with them. He will make a little stick drawing to show them what needs to come off. They are often hesitant and afraid to cut any more off. He shows them what it can be. Then the light comes on, and they say, ‘This is what I have, and I didn’t see it.’”

“We go through staging and watering,” he said. “There are specifc ways to deliver water to bonsai. We mix the soil here to keep it aerated as long as we can. Staging is where the tree lives. If you do a performing art, you are on a stage. That is where that art lives.”

Shining rough: An Interview with Katelyn Ohashi

Perfection, that most elusive quality of human endeavor, is sought after, nearly always in vain, by CEOs, military commanders, pilots, parents, students, doctors, and athletes. It wavers ghostlike on the horizon of achievement, almost always just out of reach.

“Practice makes perfect,” the old saying goes, but does it really? In baseball, a player is considered great if he hits the ball slightly more than three times out of ten, and those guys take batting practice daily. The world’s best surgeons experience “complications” in what is commonly referred to as their medical “practice,” and every chef at every Michelin-starred restaurant in the world overcooks the fsh or undercooks the steak on occasion.

In fact, perfection is likely the state of being experienced by fewer humans than any other. Occasionally, though, perfection happens.

Come with me to the 2019 Collegiate Challenge, a gathering of the nation’s top college gymnasts.

Katelyn Ohashi stands in the corner of the foor exercise mat, no doubt nervous but looking entirely relaxed. Her UCLA gymnastics team had won the 2018 PAC-12 and National Championships, so this is just another day at the offce for the highly decorated, 21-one-year-old North Texas gymnast. However, something magical is about to happen. Before the music starts, Ohashi smiles and does a little dance. You can tell she’s in the groove.

alike. She dances, fies, struts, claps to the crowd, and grins from ear to ear while her teammates dance along and cheer in the background. It’s a moment of perfection.

In the world of gymnastics, where precision, determination, and commitment reign supreme, Katelyn Ohashi captured the hearts of millions with her electrifying performance. That routine left an indelible mark on the sport and became a beacon of inspiration for countless young athletes worldwide.

What made Ohashi's performance genuinely remarkable was not just her technical profciency but also the palpable joy and exuberance she exuded

“”

When I asked her about that routine, Ohashi shared, “To have that highlight in my career shows that I didn’t need the Olympics or any medals to make myself feel whole or to create that level of success. It didn’t come from being number one. It came from me having so much fun in the sport.” Ohashi then went on to recount two of her favorite moments in a career rife with accomplishment.

“I remember the 2012 Pacifc Rims [Pacifc Rim Gymnastic Championships]. It was one of my bigger international assignments I had done. I hit my peak at this point. My whole family got to come out. We [the athletes] were all struggling with injuries. We were all struggling together, and it was this beautiful competition… I just remember the American fag coming down and we had won… we were standing on the podium, and it was this moment that felt like everything was worth it. All the struggle, all the pain that we felt. It was really beautiful to me.”

My advice is to not compare yourself to one another… we all come from di erent walks of life, we’ve all had di erent experiences, we don’t look the same, our gymnastics doesn't look the same, so I feel like it shows you follow your own unique path.

throughout the routine. From her infectious smile to her energetic choreography, she radiated pure happiness with every movement.

The music begins – a medley of Motown, R&B, and pop that gets the blood pumping. When she sticks her frst breathtaking tumbling pass, the look on her face is one of supreme confdence, the culmination of a lifetime preparing for this moment. It’s as if she knows she has this one in the bag. Her next pass is even more electrifying, and for the next two minutes, Ohashi dazzles the crowd and the judges

Those two minutes of perfection went viral immediately and have since garnered 244 million views on YouTube. What is more astonishing, though, is this was the frst of SIX perfect 10s Ohashi would achieve in the 2019 season and one of ELEVEN she achieved over her college career. That’s a whole lot of perfection for one person, especially when you consider the subjectivity inherent in a judging process conducted by multiple fallible human beings.

Ohashi paused. “Another one was in 2018 at the NCAA Championships. It was a story of triumph and never giving up. UCLA was down really bad halfway through the competition. It would have been easy to say, ‘Okay, well we’re not going to win. We'll do what we came here to do, but we have no hope.' We needed to average a 9.95 on beam. No one had gotten a 9.95 on beam that whole competition, and that’s what we had to average. Then our second girl fell so the pressure was on. In that moment, I told everyone this is where we thrive; under pressure is where we do the best and have the most fun." UCLA went on to win that competition in a magical come-frombehind triumph.

Ohashi was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up right here in North Texas, graduating from Plano Senior High in 2015 before attending UCLA. She started gymnastics at age three and began

by William Wise photos courtesy of Gold Over America Tour

competing at the national level at age 12. She has spent a literal lifetime in the pursuit of perfection.

While perfection has come, it has come at a cost. Like most athletes, Ohashi has dealt with more than her fair share of injuries.

In April 2013, after winning the American Cup in March (defeating teammate Simone Biles), she suffered a shoulder injury that took her out of competition for the rest of the year. In 2014, she suffered two torn shoulders, had spinal surgery, and did not return to competition until 2015. As a freshman at UCLA, she landed on her neck when dismounting a faulty balance beam and suffered a sternal fracture. In typical Ohashi fashion, however, she persevered and returned even stronger. And while she never competed in the Olympics, she is still one of the most-recognized and most-loved women gymnasts of the 21st century.

In a sport infamous for intense pressure on and scrutiny of children, Ohashi, like so many other gymnasts, suffered routine body-shaming from coaches and developed an eating disorder at an

In many candid interviews and heartfelt social media posts, Ohashi uses her platform to advocate for selflove, body positivity, and mental health awareness, inspiring young athletes to pursue their passions without fear of judgment.

Because of her honesty and willingness to speak out, Ohashi has become a sought-after speaker and activist, using her voice to champion causes close to her heart. From advocating for gender equality in sports to speaking out against all kinds of bullying, Ohashi is deeply committed to creating positive change in the world. Through her actions and words, she inspires others to stand up for what they believe in and use their voices to make a difference.

In 2021, Ohashi came out of retirement and took her message of positivity on the road as part of the Gold Over America Tour. When I asked if she had any advice for young athletes, Ohashi said, “My advice is to not compare yourself to one another… This tour is the perfect example of that because we all come from different walks of life, we’ve all had different experiences, we don’t look the same, our gymnastics doesn't look the same, so I feel like it shows you follow your own unique path. You can have motivation from us, you can get inspiration from us, but really, your journey comes from you… there’s something really important in living authentically to yourself, and that’s what this whole tour is about. It’s supposed to bring joy and be uplifting and inspire people to feel comfortable in their own skin.”

Conceived by Olympic champion Simone Biles and featuring an ensemble cast of world-class gymnasts, dancers, and entertainers, the Gold Over America Tour transcends traditional boundaries to deliver a spectacle that celebrates the power, grace, and resilience of women in sport.

As the most decorated gymnast in world championship history and a four-time Olympic gold medalist, Biles not only shattered records but also shattered stereotypes, proving that greatness knows no bounds. Inspired by her journey and that of her fellow gymnasts and fueled

is a celebration of athleticism, artistry, and empowerment. It is a groundbreaking extravaganza that combines breathtaking gymnastics routines with electrifying performances, dynamic choreography, and powerful storytelling. From gravity-defying fips and twists to mesmerizing dance sequences, each performance is an inspirational testament to the dedication, skill, and passion of the athletes who grace the stage. Led by Biles herself, the tour features a diverse lineup of gymnasts from around the world, each bringing their unique style and fair to the spotlight.

What makes the Gold Over America Tour especially unique is its emphasis on inclusivity and diversity, both in terms of the performers and the audience. Representing a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, the athletes on tour serve as role models for young people everywhere, proving that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and perseverance. From Olympic champions to rising stars, the tour showcases the full spectrum of talent within the gymnastics community, inspiring audiences of all ages to dream big and reach for the stars.

Beyond the dazzling displays of athleticism, the Gold Over America Tour is a platform for empowerment and advocacy. Through their performances and personal stories, the athletes on tour address important issues such as body image, mental health, and the culture of winning no matter the cost, sparking conversations and fostering a sense of solidarity among audience members. By sharing their triumphs and challenges, these elite athletes empower others to love themselves and pursue their passions with courage and conviction.

As the Gold Over America Tour enters its fourth year, it continues to dazzle audiences and inspire change; its impact on the world of gymnastics and beyond is undeniable. From its groundbreaking performances to its commitment to empowerment and advocacy, the tour represents a new era of possibility and potential for female athletes everywhere. Through their talent, passion, and resilience, the athletes on tour are redefning the sport of gymnastics and reshaping the narrative surrounding women in sports.

early age. She is very outspoken about the winat-all-costs attitude within youth sports that often sacrifces kids' mental and physical health on the altar of Victory. Ohashi is refreshingly candid about her struggles with body image, self-esteem, and the pressures of elite competition. While her athletic prowess is undeniable, her authenticity and vulnerability have resonated the most with her fans.

by a desire to empower the next generation of

For Katelyn Ohashi, the tour represents an opportunity to showcase gymnastics outside its most popular format.

"Gymnastics has grown so much in the last several years, gymnastics beyond the Olympics. Gymnastics is always huge during the Olympics, but now people are watching college gymnastics, and we’re selling out arenas all over. So, when Simone decided to create this tour, it was kind of like for the frst time, you get to see gymnasts that aren't at the Olympics, that aren’t the top one percent [of competitors], and little girls can have a really tangible goal… the Olympics is only fve girls every four years, and you realize not everyone gets that opportunity. So it was a no-brainer for me to do the tour.”

This year, the tour will feature several gymnasts who are bound for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris and many who are not. Fortunately for Fort Worthians, the tour will make a stop here with a performance at Dickie’s Arena on October 20th. It's a rare opportunity to see the best gymnasts in the world doing what they love to do. And who knows, a new Olympic Champion may be in the house.

female athletes, Biles envisioned a tour that would showcase the incredible talents of women athletes while celebrating their individuality, strength, and resilience. So, who better to include in that ensemble than Katelyn Ohashi?

Fun in the Sun All Summer Long

by Lee Virden Geurkink

It’s summer! Cookouts, swimming, and family FUN. Yes, adults have to work, and the kiddos may be in summer camps, but there’s plenty of time to PLAY. Here are some ideas to help you and the family play hometown tourist while you enjoy the summer!

Who doesn't love a real-life treasure hunt? Along the Trinity River are hidden 30 geocaches just waiting to be found. What is geocaching, I hear you ask? It really is a treasure hunt, using a GPS device (here's a pro tip: use your cell phone!) to fnd "geocaches." These are containers hidden at specifc coordinates with a logbook and possibly a treasure. Fill in your family's names and leave a treasure of your own. The Trinity Trails Geocaching Adventure is a great way to start geocaching; simply go to www.trwdgeocaching.com to download your family’s passport and start hunting!

Did you know that more than half of the banknotes printed in the United States every year are printed right here in Cowtown? The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is one of Fort Worth’s hidden gems. There are two foors of interactive exhibits, a flm that is not only informative but interesting (trust me, my daughter’s Girl Scout troop actually enjoyed it!), and an enclosed walkway suspended above the production foor where you can watch as the banknotes roll off the production line. There's even a gift shop. This is a great way to spend an afternoon when the temperatures rise.

There are few things that taste better on a hot summer day than a ripe, juicy peach. And we are right next door to one of the premier peach-growing places in the United States. Forget Georgia. Give me a Parker County peach any day! Celebrate the sweet bounty at the 42nd Annual Parker County Peach Festival, which takes place on July 13 this year. There are local vendors, great music, activities for the kiddos, and more peachy treats than you can shake a stick at. And if you’re a cyclist, don’t miss the Peach Pedal. There are rides ranging from eight miles to 61 miles, all beneftting the United Way of Parker County.

Rodeo and Fort Worth go together like peanut butter and chocolate. And the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame has a mission to lift women from the shadows of history. The new exhibition, Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras combines the mission of the Museum and Fort Worth’s long history of rodeo. Escaramuzas charras are female equestrian teams in Mexican rodeo who perform complicated choreography while riding sidesaddle. The exhibition explores the history of escaramuzas charras through artifacts, portraits, and poetry.

If you and your partner or friends need a night away from the kids (and let's face it, who doesn't every now and then?), why not enjoy some of the choicest products of the brewers' arts in Cowtown? Whether you're a beer lover or are new to craft brewing, the Fort Worth Beer Trail will take you to some of the best brewers our city has to offer. From HopFusion and Martin House in the Near Southside to Wild Acre off East Lancaster to Cowtown Brewing Company on East Belknap, there is something for everyone's tastes. Of course, if you plan on imbibing, we must ask that you be responsible and get a ride!

When was the last time you spent a day in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards? In the words of the old Wolf Brand Chili ad, "Well, partner, that's too long." Many of us only go when we have out-of-town guests to entertain, but it's a great place to play hometown tourists. It's a great place to window shop (or shop shop!), listen to some music, take a carriage ride or let your little ones ride a pony, grab some grub, and watch our beloved Fort Worth Herd twice daily. What other city has a daily cattle drive? Sure, it's a tourist destination, but there's a whole lot of fun to be had in the Stockyards.

Circuses have changed quite a bit since we were little. While there are no more animal performances, there are still plenty of thrills at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to keep the whole family on the edge of their seats. Enjoy fying acrobats, balancing tightrope walkers, graceful aerialists and, of course, the clowns. The circus comes to town the frst weekend of August at Dickies Arena.

Admit it. You may pretend to prefer punk or grunge or country or hair metal because they're cool, but when ABBA comes on the radio, you can (and do) sing every word at the top of your lungs. Probably while doing the Hustle or the Electric Slide. Unleash your inner disco bunny at Bass Performance Hall this July as the cast of MAMMA MIA! makes you sing along and tap your toes. Set on a Greek island, MAMMA MIA! tells the story of love, friendship, and family, all told through the music of ABBA. Mamma mia, here we go again!

The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is a lovely place to spend a hot summer day. Explore Surrealism as seen through the eyes of Caribbean and Black artists in Surrealism and Us: Caribbean and African Diaspora Artists Since 1940, which runs through July 28. See what clay can do when an artist pushes the medium to its extremes in Rebecca Manson: Barbecue through August 25. And enjoy some of the most creative short flms in Modern Kids Summer Flicks featuring the Children’s Film Festival Seattle Best of the Fest, a curated selection of award-winning and audience-favorite flms for young audiences.

The rodeo isn’t just for January! The PBR (that’s Professional Bull Riders for those not in the know) Stockyards Showcase highlights some of the best upand-coming bull riders every Thursday at the Cowtown Coliseum. (A note from your history nerd editor: The very frst PBR event EVER was held at the Cowtown Coliseum way back in 1993.) Bring the whole family to experience the thrill of watching young cowboys try to ride some of the toughest bulls in town. Eight seconds never lasted so long!

Fun in the Sun All Summer Long cont.

Celebrate art and community during Family Fest at the Kimbell Art Museum on July 14. Explore the galleries (admission to the current exhibition, Art and War in the Renaissance: The Battle of Pavia Tapestries, will be waived during the festival), admire the incredible architecture, enjoy live performances, make art with your family, and indulge in some creamy-dreamy MELT Ice Cream. Beating the heat never sounded so fun!

It sounds simple, I know. But hear me out. There is something magical about taking your kidlets to a farmers' market. Fortunately, Fort Worth has two magnifcent specimens. The Clearfork Farmers Market on the banks of the Trinity at The Trailhead is a great place to fnd some delicious produce, as well as local artisanal food producers and artists. After several decades on the Benbrook Traffc Circle, the Cowtown Farmers Market found a new home on Clifford Avenue in White Settlement. The Cowtown Farmers Market is Tarrant County’s only producer-only farmers market, meaning you buy directly from the person who grew the food. So take a Saturday morning before it gets too hot and wander through the farmers' market of your choice. I promise you'll be glad you did.

On July 14, take your family over to the Arlington Music Hall for the 2024 Peruvian Festival: Culture and Tradition. It's a recreation of the Inti Raymi, the ancient Incan festival of the sun, which celebrated Inti, the sun god who was the most important deity in the Incan pantheon. Your family will enjoy live performances and delicious Peruvian foods. (Don’t tell the kiddos, but they might actually learn a little history and culture, too!)

Have you ever wanted to strike up a conversation… with a sculpture? You can at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden this summer. On display through September 1, Seward Johnson: Sculptures in the Garden features 21 “living” sculptures by the late Seward Johnson that are strategically placed around the Garden, blending in with their surroundings and delighting Garden visitors. Created with a staggering attention to detail and a deliberate attempt to fool the eye, these sculptures depict people engaged in day-today activities. Pro tip: Be sure to bring your camera. After all, how many people can say they got a selfe with the Mona Lisa?

When my kiddos were little and we couldn’t go outside without bursting into fames, we would head to the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The galleries were delightfully air-conditioned, and my little darlings enjoyed the shapes and colors… until they got hungry or sleepy. This summer, the Carter has several exhibitions to capture your family's imagination. Go back to old Hollywood in Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood through August 25. Explore history and anthropology and the search for extraterrestrial life in Dario Robleto: The Signal, on view through October 27. And dive into the Carter’s archives in Drawn to Nature and Re/Framed, on view through September 29 and October 13, respectively.

It’s been a while! After fourteen years and a $15 million, state-of-the-art renovation, the Forest Park Pool is open again. Did you know that this 102-year-old beauty is the oldest aquatics facility in Fort Worth? The new Forest Park Pool includes a 50-meter, Olympic-sized pool with eight lanes, a beautiful new bathhouse, a leisure pool, and all sorts of fun for the little ones. There’s something about going to a city pool with the whole family – it makes summer even more summery!

If you want the ultimate cowboy family adventure, look no further. We’ve got you covered. Take a trail ride. Make that a TRINITY Trail ride. Starting at the Stockyard Stables, you and your family can mosey along the Old Chisholm Trail as it meanders along the Trinity River toward downtown Fort Worth. There’s no better way to see the skyline than from the back of a horse. And after your one-hour ride, explore the stables. Take selfes with a longhorn. Feed the babies at the Petting Zoo. Take a carriage ride through the Stockyards. What a great way to spend a summer’s day. It’s a great way to spend a summer day.

One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the ability to make a meal. It doesn’t have to be a Michelinstarred, molecular gastronomy extravaganza of 38 tasting courses. But the ability to feed yourself and your loved ones is essential for modern life. Why not sign the whole family up for a Parent & Child Cooking Class at Central Market? On July 7, you and your child will learn to make fllings and sauces for several kinds of Asian dumplings. And then the fun begins. You will fll and pleat the dumplings before cooking and enjoying them. Open to children from seven through 17 and their adults.

On the Fourth of July, head west to Weatherford for Spark in the Park 2024. Before the Eli Young Band (yes, THAT Eli Young Band) takes the stage to make you dance your heart out, enjoy the best CCR tribute band our state has to offer, Texas Clearwater Revival, as they cover all your Credence favorites. There will also be great food, water slides for the kiddos (remember to bring towels and sunscreen!), and one of the biggest freworks extravaganzas in all of North Texas to fnish the night with a bang.

Generations of Fort Worth children have grown up at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. From the Dino Dig to the Innovation Studio to “shopping” in the “grocery store,” we played while learning at the Museum. This summer, the FWMSH has two special exhibitions that will open your eyes and mind. Celebrate Mexico in Mexican Roots: Masks, Prints, and the Traditional Arts of Mexico through August 18. Explore Fort Worth’s role in taking to the skies in Cowtown Takes Flight, on view through August 11.

Since 1976, summer has meant theater under the stars at Fort Worth’s beloved Hip Pocket Theatre Each summer and fall, Hip Pocket explores new ways of storytelling out under the vast Texan night sky. But after 48 years, Hip Pocket is doing something a little different. They’re doing a production… INDOORS. Raft Away is an original production by John Dyer and Lake Simons, daughter of two of Hip Pocket’s founders, Diane and Johnny Simons, running INDOORS in August. She’s also the Managing Artist Director. But don’t worry – Hip Pocket will be back outside in September, under their beloved stars.

Grace’s Goodies

Seek first to understand your partner. When there is conflict, first look in the mirror. Co-create the best environment for listening and validating. If it’s important to your partner, at least consider it. Respect and honor boundaries. Never voice contempt, bully, name call or give ultimatums.

Hold hands in bed before sleeping. Respect differences in music and video. Be good, game, and giving with intimacy. Allow for ME time to enhance WE time. Dance, laugh, and sing together. Give more than you get. It’s ok to look at other people, just don’t drool. Cooperate with your partner instead of trying to change them.

Say five positive things for every one negative thing.

Schedule time to talk and time to play. Say I love you in a variety of ways. Ask for what you want. Honor your relationship.

Be courteous and don’t interrupt.

Share your thoughts and feelings.

Express admiration and respect.

Demonstrate affection in the way they want to receive.

Talk to me like I’m someone you love.

We started “Infuencing with Purpose” to shine a spotlight on local social media infuencers. In this issue, we talked with Bethany Vera, a Fort Worth photographer and mom blogger.

Madeworthy: What made you start your blog?

Infuencing with Purpose BETHANY VERA

by Lee Virden Geurkink

Bethany Vera: I started blogging waaaayyy back in 2004 when Xanga [a former blog hosting website that went public in 2000] came out! I loved using it as an avenue to creatively write about my life while hoping to inspire someone along the way. I shared lifestyle posts with my favorite products, “What’s in My Beauty Bag” collabs with friends, my Sunday church notes, and weekend recaps full of photos. Once I got married and started a family, my blog became more than just a hobby or a creative outlet, and I started to shift into sharing pregnancy, parenting, and marriage advice consistently while remaining consistent with the desire to inspire others through anything I had shared.

MW: What is the one piece of advice you would give aspiring bloggers/social media infuencers?

BV: I would tell anyone aspiring to start blogging or infuence on social media to be authentically yourself! Know who you are, where you stand, and know your voice. The world doesn’t need another infuencer, the world needs YOU.

MW: Faith is a main topic in your blog; tell us why.

BV: Jesus Christ is the foundation of my life. Without my daily personal encounters with Him, I wouldn’t have my marriage, my family, or my life. Everything I have will always be His and that includes my blog and social media. I am constantly praying about my infuence and how God wants me to use it. Throughout my years blogging and being an infuencer, I’ve learned to ask God before I share content. Permission from Him assures me that my content will reach the right people, and I want His approval more than any algorithm advantage.

MW: What are some of your favorite Fort Worth memories?

BV: Running on the Trinity Trail will always be nostalgic for me. When I frst moved to Fort Worth in 2015, I spent my evenings running along the Trinity while watching the sunset over the city.

And of course, my frst date with my husband. We ended our evening talking until 3 am under the twinkling lights in Sundance Square.

MW: How long have you been married, and what is some advice you would give to newlyweds or those looking to start families?

BV: I just celebrated eight years of marriage with my husband, Fabian!

Marriage isn’t easy but it’s easier when you have the same foundation.

“Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war.” 2 Corinthians 6:14

For those looking to start families, there will never be a perfect time to become parents. You could put all your ducks in a row if that’s what will bring you peace, but ultimately God will bring that child into your family in His time, and His time is always oh, so perfect! It is nice to have some money set aside though, because babies… they ain’t cheap!

MW: What are the best and most challenging things you have experienced as a mother?

child! When I was pregnant with my second, I was so curious how my heart would make room for more love. But it just happens, and I can’t really explain it.

The most challenging thing as a mother is training a child as they grow and staying consistent with that training. It’s work, and sometimes it’s easier to give in or let things slide, but it takes a great amount of effort daily to train up a child. And sometimes that effort leaves you exhausted.

BV: The best thing about being a mother is having your love grow with each

What is the most important thing you try to convey as an “infuencer”?

BV: Realness. Social media has set unrealistic standards and expectations for everything. I try to share unfltered, real moments and experiences to hopefully spark some inspiration in those who choose to follow me and my family.

MW: What is the greatest thing you think Fort Worth is missing?

BV: I really think Fort Worth has it all. It’s a great city for families.

It’s time for the Lightning Round! What are your Fort Worth favorites?

Coffee Shop: Ampersand

Breakfast or Brunch Place: 97 West Kitchen + Bar

Hangout with Friends: Sundance Square

Place to Relax and Recharge: Milk & Honey Spa

Museum or Gallery: Fort Worth Botanic Garden

Artist or Musician: Abraham Alexander

Yearly Event: The Justice Run

Boutique: Flea Style in the Stockyards

Spot to Take Photos: Kimbell Art Museum

Sweet Treat: Morgan’s Ice Cream

Hamburger Joint: HopDoddy (get the hot honey sage fries, too!)

Restaurant:

Photos courtesy of Bethany Vera

Mexican

Buena Vida Taqueria

ar t tales

Wednesdays in July 10 a.m.–noon | July 3 through July 31

Join us every Wednesday in July for family friendly storytime fun. Hear stories, play gallery games, create artwork, and enjoy performances inspired by artworks in the Carter’s collection.

Learn more!

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided during this event.

Presented by Primrose Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth

Less than a 20-minute drive west of Fort Worth, you will fnd Willow Park, the second-largest city in Parker County. This summer, the rapidly growing area continues to expand with the opening of a mixed-use development called The District at Willow Park.

The family-focused outdoor space will feature casual and upscale restaurants, small businesses, live music, exciting events, and a large turf area for kids to run and play. The District is also connected to a neighborhood park that boasts beautiful running and biking trails and 45 acres of lush green space. This new entertainment district is part of a master-planned community by Wilks Development and is located just a stone's throw away from the Clearfork River, right off Interstate 20.

“Community is central to our projects, and we envision The District as a unique space where neighbors can gather to enjoy great food, drinks, music, and more while fostering connections and relationships with each other,” said Nicole Ellis, Director of Marketing and Communications at Wills Development. “Many Parker County residents spend their days driving into Fort Worth or other cities to meet up with friends or fnd family activities. It shouldn't have to be this way.”

Bringing Big-City Fun to the Suburbs

by Mollie Jo Jamison Images courtesy of Wilks Development

County. Made with high-quality dairy and all-natural ingredients, Fort Worth families have been craving a scoop of this coveted ice cream since it frst opened its doors in 2014. MELT is also known for collaborating with local businesses and farmers to create exciting and unique favors.

is called The District Butcher. This new restaurant and butcher shop will source top-notch meat straight from Cummings Ranch in Gatesville, Texas. Besides a curated, protein-heavy lunch menu, they will also offer raw and frozen meats, charcuterie boards,

One of The District’s tenants will be immediately familiar to North Texans. Opening its ffth location in late June or early July, MELT Ice Creams will bring its beloved small-batch ice cream, shakes, and cakes to Parker

"We are thrilled to announce that MELT is heading West and expanding our brand to Willow Park,” said MELT founder Kari Crowe-Seher. “We can't wait to build relationships with both new and existing families and share our premium ice creams with this wonderful community. Willow Park is becoming a special place, and we are excited to be a part of this exciting development."

Another business set to start serving up delicious fare this summer

Made in Fort Worth: The

Mercantile

by Madeworthy Editorial Staff

Since 2007, The Mercantile on Camp Bowie has offered Fort Worthians a place to shop for antiques, fashion, home décor, and furniture from a wide variety of vendors before indulging in

a tasty lunch or decadent high tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room. No matter what you’re looking for, you will fnd it (and about 25 other things!) at The Mercantile. Madeworthy talked with The Mercantile's manager, Tim Beckett, about life there.

Madeworthy: When did The Mercantile frst open? Tell us about the early days.

Tim Beckett: The Mercantile opened in March of 2007, and we had our grand opening event in October of 2007… Everyone loves the murals

has been in the cattle business with Jimmie for nearly 37 years. “We picked the Willow Park area because of the people and the growth in the community. Great beef for great people. Our hope for District Butcher is that it will become a regular place for people to purchase beef, pork, and lamb; eat lunch; grab a few beers; and relax.”

beer, wine, graband-go meals, culinary classes, and catering. The concept for this new eatery was created by Travis Holder, who has an eye for quality cuts and has experience working in meat production across Texas, and longtime Hamilton County cattle ranchers Jimmie and Kim Cummings. Kim says the business is a family trade. Her husband Jimmie has been working with cattle his whole life, and his grandfather did, too.

“Our product is a high-end beef that we wanted to bring from our ranch to the people,” said Kim, who

on the exterior of our building - they were painted by Style Reed.

"We are a true mercantile, which means we carry a little bit of everything. You can truly ﬁnd something for everyone."

The Hickmans [the founders of The Mercantile] wanted to incorporate memories and the history of Camp Bowie. Joe and Holt Hickman are painted riding horses in one of the murals. If you look closely, there is also a schoolhouse with their seven grandchildren. While our building is large, the business is a small, local, family-owned-and-operated business.

MW: What’s something you want someone who’s never been to The Mercantile to know?

TB: We are a true mercantile, which means we carry a little bit of everything. You can truly fnd something for everyone.

MW: What sorts of items might you fnd at the Mercantile?

TB: The Mercantile is made up of 200+ booths, each bringing a unique taste and favor to their booth. We have antiques, vintage, home décor, golf items, new boutique clothes, wigs, jewelry (as well as jewelers who offer a range of services), plants, rocks and crystals, Dixie Belle Paints, and more.

MW: What are the benefts a vendor has by renting space in the Mercantile?

While people will come to The District for the green space and grub, they are sure to stay for live entertainment on the Lucchese Stage. Sponsored by the famous Texas bootmaker, this venue will include a 1,500- to 2,000-seat amphitheater, professional-grade audio-visual equipment, and a 20-foot LED wall. Regularly scheduled events are set to begin by the end of this summer, and various concerts, karaoke, and trivia are on the roster. The amphitheater will also show sporting events and movies on the big screen, and additional programming is in the works, including lawn chess, bingo, cornhole tournaments, tailgate parties, wine tastings, hayrides, yoga, and more family-friendly fun.

More businesses are set to move in, and there is plenty of room for them at The District. While many of the spaces in this multi-building locale are leased, several are still up for grabs. Shared patios and balconies give this new concept a food hall, outdoor shopping vibe perfect for all seasons, and this new community hotspot is sure to bring a bit of big-city fun out to the western Fort Worth suburbs.

TB: The Mercantile is a full-service antique mall. We like to consider ourselves almost like a white-glove service. Our mall is well-lit and clean. We have a loading dock and warehouse employees who can help load and unload. We are also open seven days a week and are closed for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

MW: Tell us about your tearoom. TB: The Rose Garden Tea Room is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm and Sunday from noon to 3 pm. The Rose Garden Tea Room offers a variety of food [for lunch and high tea]. They are famous for their rose tea. We highly recommend the Rose Garden Variety, which is a sampler platter of all the delicious food.

MW: What’s the most unusual item you have had for sale at The Mercantile?

TB: We have lots of oddities. There are so many that it’s hard to pinpoint the most unusual. Some of the more unusual would be a gothic baby crib, chamber pots, chattering teeth, a stuffed squirrel, a stuffed cougar, a bedazzled mounted deer head, an antique double-seat bike, a canoe, and clown portraits.

MW: What challenges have you had to overcome as a business?

TB: We are located at 7200 Camp Bowie, which is right off of the Benbrook Traffc Circle. The traffc circle provides its own diffculties trying to navigate a safe way to get to our store. If you take Highway 377 North and turn left like you are going to Luck Optical, our store is the next parking lot.

Photos courtesy of The Mercantile

My name is Shyanne Elmore and I am the founder of KAYO Aesthetics. I grew up in Fort Worth and have always had a passion for everything medical. My mom is a Nurse Practitioner and I grew up wanting to be just like her. I’ve worked in Dermatology for 14 years, and I discovered aesthetics a few years into my career. I have a Bachelors Degree in Biology and a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. I have been working in aesthetics for around 7 years. I know how much of a difference it can make in someone’s life to be confident in yourself and love the skin you’re in. That’s why I love to make patients feel beautiful. I’ve also always loved to paint/draw ever since I was a child, and this field helps me to be inspired artistically. I opened KAYO, because I want to be able to offer the very best treatments for patients and inspire other women to reach for their goals. We have so much to offer the world, and if you can be confident in yourself while doing so, you can do anything! Everyone says to find a job that you love and this is mine.

Summer Reading, Texas-Style

by Lee Virden Geurkink

This issue of Madeworthy is all about summer fun, and what's more fun than lying on a beach or by the pool, immersed in a fabulous book? Whether you prefer a light and fuffy beach read or a deep dive into history or business, there's just something about summer reading. Fortunately, Texas has a wealth of great authors, so you can fnd something to enjoy, no matter what kind of summer read you prefer. We've gathered some of the best from the past up to the present.

Attica Locke, Houston

Attica Locke was born in Houston and raised by parents who were active in the Civil Rights Movement. She is a novelist and writer/producer for flm and television.

Recommended Reading

Prince of Shadows

The retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as told by Romeo’s cousin and sidekick, Benvolio Montague.

J. Frank Dobie, Live Oak County, 1888-1964

Folklorist and newspaper columnist J. Frank Dobie is best known for his lyrical books on life in Texas at the turn of the 20th century and his outspoken views on religious prejudice and the rise of a mechanized world. He also helped local oilman Sid Richardson save the Texas longhorn from extinction.

Recommended Reading Tales of Old-Time Texas

Possibly the greatest collection of Texas folktales ever. It's a classic that every Texan should own.

Gail Giles, Galveston

A former high school teacher, Gail Giles uses her experiences with teenagers to inform her writing. Her young adult novels are complex and unfinching examinations of the lives of modern American teens.

Recommended Reading

A Perfect Season for Dreaming/Un Tiempo Perfecto Para Soaar

Seventy-eight-year-old Octavio Rivera has beautiful dreams and wants to share them with someone. Then he remembers that his granddaughter, Regina, also loves beautiful and fantastic things.

Dorothy Scarborough, Mount Carmel and Sweetwater, 1878-1935

Baylor alumna Dorothy Scarborough wrote about what she heard growing up in West Texas – cotton farming, ghost stories, and the lives of women in the unforgiving landscape of the Southwest. J. Frank Dobie (see above) wrote that her unfinching look at life in West Texas, The Wind, “excited the wrath of chambers of commerce and other boosters of West Texas – a tribute to its realism.” The Wind was later made into a movie of the same title starring Lillian Gish.

Recommended Reading

The Wind

A gritty and unyielding novel that depicts life in a small West Texas town and on the cattle ranches surrounding it in the 1880s.

Katherine Anne Porter (born Callie Russell Porter), Indian Creek and Kyle, 1890-1980

Katherine Anne Porter was a novelist, journalist, essayist, short story writer, and political activist who began her writing career as the society writer for the Fort Worth Critique. While her novel Ship of Fools was the best-selling novel of 1962, her short stories won her a greater following.

Recommended Reading

Pale Horse, Pale Rider: Three Short Novels Time Magazine, in its review of Pale Horse, Pale Rider, said it “is a collection of three short novels which belong with the best of contemporary U.S. writing in this diffcult [literary] form. A distinctive book, it has the subtlety that has marked all of

Larry McMurtry, Archer City, 1936-2021

The grand old man of Texas literature, Larry McMurtry was a novelist, essayist, and wellknown book hoarder. (His bookstore in Archer City, Booked Up, is one of the largest antiquarian bookstores in the U.S.) His books, several of which were adapted by Hollywood, have become some of Texas’ most famous literary exports.

Recommended Reading

Lonesome Dove [Editor’s Note: Duh]

If you have only seen the admittedly wonderful mini-series adaptation of Lonesome Dove, run, don’t walk, RUN to your local independent bookstore. You’ll thank me.