This issue brings something for just about everyone.
Since taking over as managing editor of The Victoria Advocate last September, I have had the privilege of overseeing the production of our Discover 361 magazine. In the past six months, we have put together a bridal issue and an issue on faith and philanthropy in the Crossroads, both of which I am pretty proud of.
This month’s issue of Discover 361 shouldn’t be any different. It’s one that’s mostly dedicated to outdoor activities in the Crossroads, and there are plenty of those to go around. I myself wrote three stories for this particular issue, and once again, I enjoyed the subjects very much.
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Hallettsville to a place called Mudbuddys. If you haven’t heard of it, I’m sure your imagination could take you to several different places as to what it’s all about. In reality, it’s a 500-acre venue that allows enthusiasts to bring their ATVs and to enjoy getting ‘down and dirty.’
While I didn’t participate in the activities, I went up on a Saturday and encountered a few people enjoying themselves at this unique ATV park. It certainly looked like a lot of fun, and I hope you enjoy the story about it in this issue. If you want to have some fun, Mudbuddys is set to hold an event there in May, and I’m told they are expecting 2,000 people to attend. It’s way out in the country and takes patience to get to, but I’m sure it would be well worth your time.
Other stories in this issue include one on the Victoria Educational Gardens. It’s one of Victoria’s best-keep secrets, but it’s also a sight to see. By the time this issue comes off the press, visitors will see just why the Victoria Master Gardeners take pride in this venue. Visitors can see the beauty of nature to its fullest, take tours, attend plant sales and even take classes to one day become a master gardener, as many already have done.
Then there’s the Riverside dog park, or ‘Dog bark,’ as it is affectionately known. This venue opened in December 2023 and has allowed area dog lovers to bring their pets to a wonderful facility to let them play. I met several dog owners in doing this story, all of which were a delight.
Also in this issue is a day trip to the Meadows Center and Wonder World Cave in San Marcos. Madison O’Hara took the day trip herself to venues that offer glass bottom boat tours and a walk through some wetlands.
Also be sure to read Madison’s story about a family in Hallettsville with a unique and fascinating way of life—homesteading.
Those are just some of the great stories we have for you in this outdoors issue. We hope you enjoy it.
Agriculture plays a major role in the economical makeup of South Texas. Farmers and ranchers work hard each day to cultivate vast amounts of land across the Crossroads to provide citizens across the state with essential items derived from crops and livestock.
There is a force across Texas that puts this industry at risk and threatens the livelihood of farmers across the state.
Feral hogs, a majorly invasive animal species, cause an estimated $670 million in damages to agriculture, Jay Long, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute project coordinator, said. Estimates from the USDA show landowners in Texas spend approximately $130 million annually on feral hog mitigation and damage repair.
“[Feral hogs] have pretty significant environmental impacts with their rooting and wallowing,” Long said. “They damage our native habitat, out-compete our wildlife for resources like food and water, damage plant communities and cause watershed impairments. They're overall pretty damaging to the natural environment.”
The feral hog population in the state originated in South Texas. In maps from the 1980s, it is evident South Texas counties are where the feral hog population gained its
foothold in the state and began to spread northward. Feral hogs are present in every Texas county except four, the latest USDA maps reveal.
“The only South Texas county, and I wouldn't consider it a South Texas county, that doesn't have feral hogs, is El Paso County,” Long said. “They continue to be a problem and will continue to be a problem for quite some time.”
In Texas, there are seven management techniques utilized to mitigate the feral hog population and their spread: snaring, trained dogs, shooting, fences, trapping, aerial gunning and a toxicant. The warfarinbased toxicant is the newest mitigation strategy employed by those looking to fight the invasion of feral hogs after becoming legal in February 2024.
“If a landowner was only to employ two management methods to make an impact on the population, it would be trapping and aerial gunning,” Long said. “Those two [mitigation methods] really make a population impact. Toxicants may get added to that list as they become more widely known, but we're still waiting for the research to show how effective they will be.”
Feral pigs hold a crucial place
within recreational hunting too. When on private property, hunters are not required to hold a hunting license to hunt feral hogs, Long said. There are very few hunting restrictions for feral hogs, including no designated season or bag limit.
“You can hunt them all year round,”
Long said. “You can hunt them at night. Thermal hunting for feral pigs is a pretty popular sold hunt here in the state of Texas. You can combine that with aerial gunning. Helicopter hog hunts [do happen]. It's a pretty major part of recreational hunting here in Texas.”
TEXASThe Heart
STORY BY KATIE STEINHAUER |
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED TO DISCOVER
The convenience of modern life can often be attributed to the blood, sweat, and tears of someone else. It could be from working 16-18 hour days nurturing a field of crops or sitting for hours on the back of a horse while hundreds of cows graze nearby.
But for many everyday Americans, the ease of life comes directly off the back of local
farmers and ranchers.
For the vast majority, these local farmers and ranchers live a life of relative anonymity. But the efforts of their respective industries are a vital part of culture and economy. They help to feed and clothe millions coast to coast.
THERE IS NOTHING GREATER IN THE WORLD FOR ME THAN TO PLANT A CROP, WATCH IT GROW AND THEN HARVEST IT .
-
Anthony Rippamonti
R R & C ENTERPRISES: A VICTORIA FARM THAT SPECIALIZES IN CORN, COTTON AND SOYBEANS
Four generations of planting, tilling, worrying, and harvesting has led Victorian Anthony Rippamonti to oversee a long-established farming business. It is a venture that includes his brother-in-law and nephew, all of which make up R.R.C. Enterprises.
They have seen four decades of trial and error, new technology and seasonal challenges as well as industry challenges. For many farmers like him, his business is his livelihood. There are no vacations, there are no sick days; every decision could be as impactful as not doing it at all.
“This is my second family,” Rippamonti said. “I put it in the ground and I worry about it. There is nothing greater in the world for me than to plant a crop, watch it grow and then harvest it.”
Rippamonti doesn’t simply raise corn. He has also raised a daughter who will be starting college in the fall, much to his immense pride. He and his family live and operate on the family farm and, despite the obvious natural transition for his daughter to take up the family business, her passions lie elsewhere, a sentiment with which Rippamonti completely mirrors.
“She has little interest in it, and that’s fine,” Rippamonti said. “I’m kind of glad. This is a lot of stress—an extreme amount of stress—to do this [farming]. You put a lot of money into the ground for a little bit of money on the other
side. Everything is up in the air with prices.”
Whether local like Rippamonti’s operation, or with more industrialized companies, farming is a global market, meaning prices for commercially grown products can fluctuate in price depending on the local area where that product is selling. Coupled with the other local and global farms growing and selling similar crops, competition is fierce and the demand to always find new ways and learn new techniques and technologies remains paramount.
“I know every inch of this property, and I don’t know how many trips I’ve made to that same field,” Rippamonti said. “It’s not mine, it’s somebody else’s, but I treat it as my own. I’m a steward of the land: I take care of it, and I don’t want any harm coming to the land. I don’t over fertilize and I don’t over apply chemicals.”
Raising a crop from seed to harvest takes patience, knowledge, and dedication. But it also takes the right tools and, with significant advancements in commercial technology, it is no
surprise that farming is no different.
“Technology grows by leaps and bounds every year,” Rippamonti said. “I just bought a new sprayer, but it's in the shop. It’s wonderful when it works. When I was a kid and my dad used to plant, the only warning system they had was a ribbon on the driveshaft of the tractor. If the ribbon was turning, everything was working. But if it didn’t turn, something’s wrong.
“Now, I have a sophisticated monitoring system that will tell me exactly how many seeds dropped per acre, what the spacing is, what my down pressure is, and I can manually move the planter into and out of the ground with just a touch of my foot,” Rippamonti continued.
Generational knowledge of when to plant, learning and adopting new technologies and keeping up to date with surrounding farmers on what works for them is essential to running a successful farm. Rippamonti is no stranger to the tireless, and often thankless, work he puts in the field day in and day out for varying gains. At the core of every farmer is a kid who fell in love with the land. After all these years, Rippamonti continues to harbor enthusiasm for his craft.
“I am very fortunate to be able to see the sunset and sunrise every day for work,” Rippamonti said. “Not many people can say that they get to see God’s painting every day and it’s my job.”
BRIGGS RANCHES: A LOCALLY OPERATED, NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CATTLE RANCH
Very little else comes to mind when the word ranch is brought up, and for Briggs Ranches, cattle is the main topic of conversation amongst the many hands that go into running a successful purebred cattle ranch.
What started with the first Santa Gertrudis bulls purchase in 1942 for the young Briggs Ranches has since grown into a large, multi-county operation that maintains upwards of 1,500 head of cattle and quarter horses bred and raised on site.
“The biggest challenge for Briggs Ranches is the environment when we ranch in three different locations,” Tol Cawley, Assistant Manager to Briggs Ranches, said. “This has been, for the most part, pretty good ranching country. But when you go further south, the environment, for the last few years, has been whipping everybody.”
Briggs Ranches operates mainly in the Three Mile Division for Victoria, but has acreage in Catarina and in Rio Grande City—both only a few hours from the border.
“We live with a perpetual drought on our southern properties,” Joe Jones, General Manager of Briggs Ranches, said. “It’s a big challenge. We rely on occasional rains and try to vacate country to let the forage replenish itself. But right now, we’re having to supplement those other ranches with hay and feed.”
In a clear parallel to the farmers working alongside the ranchers, technology has improved immensely over the last decade or so to provide better analytics for decisions, open up broader selling avenues for increased profit, and to help organize and maintain the operations of a multicounty ranch.
“From the time I came aboard, the marketing for cattle has changed immensely,” Jones said. “More people are asking for more information about the livestock, especially in the purebred sector, and that’s where Brad Wright comes in, helping develop so much of that information.”
“The technology of videoing these cattle, and putting them on sales is at the point where people do not have to be in person to purchase the cow,”
Brad Wright, owner and operator of RanchHand Analytics, said. “The technology is just increasing.”
Online auctions, live views of livestock, as well as detailed genetic information can be easily accessible to anyone who is interested in purchasing an animal. For other ranchers, this type of commerce is imperative for a smooth operation. They no longer must dedicate an entire weekend driving
to out of state auctions or using the manpower and resources it takes to load a bunch of cattle onto a trailer, haul them to a sale barn and hope none come back.
“A lot of guys that have gone from being able to just market it in their backyard are now able to go nationwide,” Kevin Edwards, videographer from Ideal Video Productions, said. “The biggest deal
that a lot of these guys have seen from switching over to the video sale side and selling the cattle on TV screens is a lot better on the cattle during the sale week and not having to run the animals through the ring.”
Briggs Ranches strives to maintain up to 1,750 head of cattle between the
Victoria, Catarina, and Rio Grande City locations. But due to increased drought conditions in the southern properties, cattle numbers haven’t been quite as large as they hoped. With an operation as daunting as that, logistics and data are the bread and butter to any operation. But to one that has its own
unique genetic records of their past and present livestock, the demand for onsite analytics is imperative.
“Everything was on a piece of paper when I first came into the business,” Jones said. “You turn it into the main office and then they generate paperwork. Now, we’re giving it to Kelsey, who’s putting it into a computer and is giving information back. That information goes to Brad and he gives us more information. There’s a world of information that’s pulled together now for registry—DNA, and genomic data for our cattle.”
Briggs Ranches, like many ranches across the nation, will continue to adopt new technologies as the landscape of ranching changes, and new information is necessary for the health and maintenance of the livestock. From videoing cows for prospective buyers, to live online auctions with a real time auctioneer, to innovations in the technology, the team at Briggs Ranches will undoubtedly ensure that its legacy of the oldest established Santa Gertrudis breed operations in the country continues.
Goliad State Park provides attractive venue for South Texans
As temperatures begin to rise and flowers start to bloom, community members look for a place to enjoy the bright sun and outdoor fun of the summer. Goliad State Park & Historic Site provides nature lovers in the Crossroads with a one-stop location to enjoy a variety of exciting South Texas activities.
For history fanatics looking to take a trip back in time, the park features the reconstructed Spanish colonial mission Mission Espíritu Santo. The Civilian Conservation Corps restored the white-walled mission to its original appearance in the 1930s. The mission is Goliad State Park’s main draw for tourists looking to get up close and personal with a piece of Texas’ rich history.
In addition to the mission, a museum provides visitors with the site’s history, explains some of the first moments of European contact with Texas and details cultural exchanges between the Spaniards and Native Americans, said Jared Ramirez, superintendent of the Goliad State Park & Historic Site.
For visitors looking to experience the nature of the park, a hiking trail following over a mile of San Antonio River frontage provides excellent outdoor viewing opportunities. Great birding and wildlife opportunities are in surplus as Goliad State Park & Historic Site has a large wildlife diversity, especially for a park of its size.
The 2 ½-mile long Angel of Goliad Hike and Bike trail connects different areas of Goliad allowing visitors to experience more of the site on one trail.
“The park happens to be perfectly situated in the middle of everything there is to see in the community,” Ramirez said.
Those seeking a lengthier stay at the park can set up camp at one of the many campsites or bring their RV to one of the 20 full hookups with water, electric and sewer connections. A large group dining hall is available to those who wish to rent the facility. Goliad State Park & Historic Site is a great location for a plethora of events including family gatherings, reunions and weddings in the chapel, Ramirez said.
Water activities at the park become a major draw as temperatures rise in the summer months. The park features the exit to a large paddling trail in the San Antonio River.
After a day of paddling through the water, those looking to visit the park can exit the trail and experience all it has to offer. The park will stage its spring Flotilla, a paddling event made possible through collaboration with the Commission of Goliad and the San Antonio River Authority, where park staff shuttles visitors to the river entrance at the Highway 59 bridge where they will paddle down to the park.
“I'd say the park’s biggest draw is the diversity of resources in such a small area,” Ramirez said. “We don't have the big crowds that some people might expect so we always have a fairly good amount of space.
“[Visitors] get a little bit of peace and quiet, and we're not far from home, so there's a real diversity of resources,” Ramirez continued. “We’ve got all these different activities combined and that makes it such a popular destination.”
A GEM Hidden
Victoria Educational Gardens remains one of the city’s best-kept secrets
STORY BY SHAWN A. AKERS | SHAWN.AKERS@VICAD.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED BY
VICTORIA MASTER GARDENERS
When giving a tour of the Victoria Educational Gardens (VEG), one thing becomes immediately clear: Victoria Master Gardeners are extremely proud of their venue they nurture nearly every day of the year. They certainly have reason to be.
In fact, some of the Master Gardeners like to refer to the Educational Gardens as “Victoria's Best-Kept Secret.” Their hope is the more they get the word out about their facility, the less of a secret it will be and the more it will become one of Victoria’s premier tourist attractions.
“We’re a member of the Texas Master Gardeners,” Victoria Master Gardeners President Mark David said. “We’re all under the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office. There are over 100 chapters throughout Texas. In 2019, we held the state conference here and we had over 500 Master Gardeners here for three days. We’ve had people from throughout the state marvel at what we’ve got here because there aren’t
very many more places like this in Texas. We’ve got a jewel here in Victoria.”
In 2013, Texas Highways magazine featured the Victoria Educational Gardens in its April edition. It helped to spread the word about the facility located at the back of Victoria Regional airport across from the airport control tower.
Sometimes people have short memories, however. Master Gardener Brynn Lee says that is a shame, because visitors to Victoria can miss out on one of the city’s most attractive venues.
“We have 32 separate gardens here, meaning we’ve got the Butterfly Haven, the Birding Habitat, the Native Texas Garden and so much more,” Lee said. “There’s just so much to see here. Wherever everything is in bloom, it’s just amazing.”
“Of the people I talk with, 70 percent have never heard of VEG,” David said. “I don’t know why that is. Yes, we have some transplants, but there are some
The beauty of Victoria Educational Gardens
people that have lived in Victoria for a long time that ask, ‘What do you mean you have gardens out there?’ It’s beyond me because of what an incredible place it is to visit.”
VEG has its donors to rely on, but funding comes from other projects, too. Twice a year, VEG holds a huge plant sale to bring in revenue. It also receives grants from various entities.
“We really work hard with these plant sales, and there is very little cost involved for us,” David said. “You can purchase plants for very reasonable prices, and we’ll have about 3,000 for the spring. People should check it out.”
Set on the former site of Forrester Field Air Force Base, Victoria Educational Gardens are open daily from dawn to dusk and admission is free. It offers visitors an opportunity never before experienced in this area as guests follow pathways around the gardens and enjoy the beauty and fragrances of the plants and flowers that are native and adapted to both Victoria and the state of Texas.
Educational literature is located in all sections of the gardens and additional information can be found on kiosks scattered throughout the grounds.
Created for the enjoyment of both adults and children, Phase 1 opened in May 2003 and includes a Children’s Garden, a Vegetable Garden, a greenhouse, a gazebo, a composting area, an office and storage facilities.
Phases 2 through 5 opened in June 2007 on the east side of the Foster’s Field Officer’s Club. The expansion included the Water Garden, Military Honor Garden and 16 additional mini gardens. Expansion also included a rainwater harvesting system, a pergola, a teahouse gazebo, a cathedral arbor, ornamental garden art, an EarthKind rose trial and groundcover and turf grass demonstration areas.
The final phase opened in 2010 and included a pavilion with restrooms. The pavilion is available for educational classes, field trips, picnics and parties. Privately scheduled events come with a usage fee.
Lee said many of the VEG’s visitors are photographers who come out in the spring each year to photograph the venue’s many wondrous sights, including bees and butterflies.
“Yes, there’s a lot of photography that goes on here,” Lee said. “We’ve also got one gentleman from Port Lavaca that comes here about three or four times a week. He’s here early and sits down writing or reading a book, usually before anybody else gets here. It’s amazing that he drives all the way from Port Lavaca that much, but he says he really enjoys the quiet and the scenery here.”
SPECIAL FEATURES
MILITARY TRIBUTE
— The Military Honor Garden has become a special feature of Victoria Educational Gardens. Located at the entrance to the patio of the Officer’s Club, this area honors the men and women who served their country, some of whom sacrificed their lives for it. A patriotic garden borders a display of bricks donated by family and friends that are engraved with the names of those brave individuals.
Red, white and blue plants like the red bottlebrush, white flowers of the musical notes clerodendrums and the blue plumbago are contained in the Patriotic Garden. A koi pond has been created where the former Foster Field swimming pool existed.
BUTTERFLY HAVEN — Contained within the VEG is a structure called Butterfly Haven. Master Gardener Cliff Knezek donated funds to help build the structure. Inside are plants associated with different types of butterflies. A
Only some of the 91 registered Victoria Master Gardeners
plaque describing each particular butterfly species for the South Texas region can be found throughout the area.
KIDS CAMP
— The Master Gardener’s Healthy Kids Camp has become a staple for the Victoria Educational Gardens over the past five years. For one week, from 8:30 a.m. until 12 daily, approximately 60 local children ages 6-12 are privileged to learn about insects and gardening from experts.
An educational (gardening) theme will be selected, and children are divided into groups of 8-10 with two leaders. Crafts and age-related activities are held and local presenters speak. Kids can play and have recreation time.
In 2025, the Healthy Kids Camp will be held June 2-6. VEG also encourages schools and groups to schedule a tour of the facility throughout the year.
“Our goal is to educate, and the majority of these kids do not know where a potato comes from besides HEB,” Lee said. “We like to get them out here and to show them nature and gardening. They really think it’s fascinating.”
BECOME A MASTER GARDENER
The Victoria Chapter has 91 registered Master Gardeners who, at one time or another, help tend to Victoria Educational Gardens | CONT. FROM PG. 17
throughout the year. To become a Master Gardener takes time and dedication, but Lee said it is well worth the effort.
“You must take the training class, 50 hours of instructional training,” Lee said. “They have to have at least 20 VEG hours, whether it be in the gardens or the greenhouse. They can do other things such as washing the pots, keeping up with the bulletin board, etc. There are different ways they can get in those hours.”
Potential Master Gardeners must submit an application via the organization’s website at vcmga.org. Applicants must pass a background check and pay a $200 fee. After that, a
potential MG must attend 50 hours of classroom instruction, either online or in person at VEG.
An applicant must also complete 50 hours of volunteer time by Dec. 1, comprised of:
• 20 VEG hours
• 10 approved project hours
• 8 hours at the extension office
• The remaining hours may be completed in any of the above areas.
The Victoria Master Gardeners publish a weekly column in The Victoria Advocate, each with expertise about their craft and different types of plants and flowers that can be found in the Victoria area.
Healthy Kids Camp will be held again at VEG in June.
Victoria Master Gardeners President Mark David
Healthy Kids Camp will be held again at VEG in June.
6252N.Navarro
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
In a new year, try eating food with more of what you need – and less of what you don’t
STORY BY JORDAN GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN GREEN AND LES HASSELL
As a personal trainer, Chris Hill has a mantra for his clients: No matter how much you exercise, you won’t get in shape unless your diet is right. But in America, highly processed foods low in nutrients and laden with unhealthy additives are readily available – and less expensive – than their more natural counterparts.
Americans are accustomed to fastpaced lifestyles and cheap, on-the-go eating, and food manufacturers have catered to that demand for years. Many of the boxed and frozen entrees that line grocery store shelves are filled with artificial preservatives, sweeteners and other additives, some of which
are banned in other countries because of health concerns. Hill and fellow nutrition-minded folks in East Texas agree improving people’s health begins with eating higher-quality food – and they can start doing that this year.
"We kind of teach them to eat the way God made it. So, if it's a potato, eat it as a potato. Don't eat it as a potato chip or a French fry,” said Hill, owner of Personally Fit training service in Longview.
WHAT’S THIS STUFF?
If you’ve looked at the ingredient list of your favorite cereal box or frozen breakfast sausage wrapper
Hill prepares a healthy dinner of baked salmon, roasted broccoli with sun-dried tomatoes, and saffron rice.
in bewilderment, you’re not alone. Ingredients like Maltodextrin, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate and Monocalcium Phosphate probably sound more confusing than tasty. Food additives and artificial preservatives have been linked to chronic disease, mental health issues, weakened immunity and more.
“Our food industry has become adept at catering to taste and texture preferences as well as creating foods that are shelf stable for extended periods of time,” said Marie Tucker, diabetes and nutrition outpatient education program coordinator for Christus Good Shepherd Health System. “It created a place for preservatives, food coloring, artificial flavors, sugars, salts, non-nutritive sweeteners, etc. Any of these ingredients can be problematic. Specific ingredients aren’t likely the problem as much as the overall diet quality.”
Not all food processing is bad, Tucker notes. Fruits and vegetables
are canned to preserve their nutritional value. But other forms of food processing – such as flour manufacturing – often strip away natural vitamins and minerals. In the case of bread, they’re replaced after being processed, and the flour is called “enriched flour.”
“There are a lot of landmines out there,” Tucker said. “The overall food pattern should include more foods without lengthy ingredient lists that contain items we can’t even pronounce. We need to eat more whole foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins (meats/fish/beans/nuts/eggs), low-fat dairy products. These nutritious foods should be viewed as fuel for an active and healthy body.”
Two terms shoppers should familiarize themselves with are “organic” and “natural.” They’re similar but not the same. The term “organic” describes how the food was raised, and the food has to meet certain federal standards to be certified as such. Generally, organic farming means crops aren’t treated with hazardous chemicals, and cattle and chicken are raised humanely. Organic substances also don’t contain genetically-modified organisms, which are foods that have scientifically modified DNA. Natural foods generally don’t contain artificial ingredients, but there’s no guarantee they were raised organically.
CONVENIENCE, COST OVER QUALITY
Many industrialized nations such as the U.S. consume too much highly processed food, Tucker said. In part, that’s because people often lack the time or energy to prepare healthier meals at home.
Another part of the problem is that people often lack the knowledge they need to make healthier choices, said Dana Skaf, a nutritionist and owner of Body Wisdom Breakthru, a weight loss center in Tyler. People are susceptible to aggressive, colorful psychological marketing techniques used by food companies that make food look delectable but don’t inform people about what they’re putting in their bodies. Even foods that seem healthy –like products that advertise being free of sugar and trans fat – contain other ingredients that aren’t good.
Affordability is yet another
Personal trainer Chris Hill prepares a breakfast meal of scrambled eggs, oatmeal with blueberries, and fresh strawberries.
conundrum: Unhealthier, processed food tends to be cheaper than more natural options, Skaf said.
But eating a healthy diet doesn’t always have to come at a high cost. Perry and Nancy Worthen family saw a need for affordable, organic food in East Texas in the ’90s when they opened their first grocery store in Gladewater: Granary Health Foods. The store eventually moved to Longview and has expanded to include locations in Tyler, Lindale, Conroe and Texarkana.
The demand for healthier food –free of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs – began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, said Wynn Worthen, Granary’s regional manager. It grew even more as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, when people became more concerned about what they’re putting into their bodies.
The store’s products contain no dyes, artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners. Making healthy food affordable and accessible for families is the company’s goal, Worthen said.
"One of the biggest things at the Granary is we try to keep it as simple as possible. We have very low overhead. We try to treat people right," he said. "We don't do sales, but our prices normally beat most of our competitors. We just try to do everyday low pricing in order to do that.”
STEP BY STEP
Nutritionists encourage people to check out ingredient labels when they’re making food selections. Skaf also suggests that people avoid shopping in the center aisles of grocery stores. That’s because the freshest,
healthiest food – fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products – are along the walls of the store. She also suggests that shoppers abide by a list to avoid “impulse buying.”
Planning for meals and preparing them in advance can help people avoid trips to the nearest fast food joint for lunch. And, of course, cooking healthy recipes at home is still a good way to eat better food.
Just as important as buying healthy food, however, is caring for a person’s overall health. Skaf teaches clients about brain and gut health, sleep, stress management and more. Rather than a diet, she teaches clients about “lifestyle,” she said.
Making any lifestyle changes, however, should be a gradual process: “I think that people need to just have a positive mindset, to be patient and actually give themselves grace,” she
said.
"People that jump 100% into things when they're not ready, they never succeed," she said. "And then they try something else and something else, and they keep saying, 'I tried everything. I'm not succeeding.' It's because maybe they're not just taking the steps to do it correctly.”
Hill, the personal trainer, reminds folks to have balanced meals, with protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.
Hill and Tucker emphasize that having a healthy diet doesn’t mean eliminating foods people enjoy. Rather, moderation is the best approach.
"If you can be 80% compliant to a healthy diet, you'll get physical changes – better physical changes,” Hill said. “But don't expect perfection. No one's gonna ever have a perfect diet.”
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Less than two hours from Victoria, the city of San Marcos is home to more than just Texas State University. Designated as the Mermaid Capital of Texas, this city is nestled in the heart of hill country and is chalk full of natural wonders from the spring-fed river that runs through the town to the caves down below the surface.
HIKING
Before the weather gets too hot, start your day off with an early morning hike at Purgatory Creek. Trails through this natural area can be mastered at your own pace either by foot or by bike, or even with your four-legged friend.
With well-marked trailheads for hikers at various experience and difficulty levels, Purgatory Creek can be a 30-minute hike or a two-hour adventure.
In the summer, visitors could be fortunate to catch the creek bed flowing with water. But year-round Spanish moss curtains, the oak trees’ branches and prickly pear cacti dominate the dusty and rocky terrain. In early spring (around April), bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes bring the trails to life. Be mindful where you step as this area is home to the golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos. Make sure to stay on the trail.
Also make sure to bring plenty of water, pack sunscreen and don’t forget to take your trash with you on your way out. Parking can be found at Upper Purgatory Creek and Lower Purgatory Creek. Keep in mind on the weekend the trails and parking lots can be packed.
GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOURS
For almost eight decades, families and students alike have been privileged to learn about the rich archaeological and biological wonders that lay beneath the crystal clear waters of Spring Lake with a charming glass bottom boat tour. Get an up-close-and-personal view of San Marcos’ river cooters (turtles), catfish, Texas blind salamanders and fountain darters.
This body of water is home to species of fish and amphibians that are endangered, some of which can only be found in San Marcos. Owned and operated by Texas State University, The Meadows Center works to educate and preserve the water and environment for future generations.
After learning about Spring Lake on a 30-minute or 45-minute tour, cool off inside with a quick visit to the center’s aquarium where you can see eels, spotted gar, blind salamanders and river cooters. Also inside are artifacts and remains from past civilizations found inside of Spring Lake.
WETLANDS BOARDWALK
You don’t have to go to the Everglades in Florida to experience the wetlands. After your glass bottom boat tour or while you’re waiting for your tour to start, take a trip through this diverse landscape that is brimming with plant and animal life.
WONDER WORLD CAVE AND ADVENTURE PARK
Travel back in time below the surface at Wonder World’s natural cavern. Because it’s a dry cave, feel free to touch a part of history and explore the walls with your bare hands. This cave was formed by an earthquake that opened a fissure and produced the Balcones Fault, which is visible in the cave’s ceiling.
This natural wonder was discovered in 1893 by Mark A. Bevers, a former cowboy and freight hauler, when he drilled for water. In 1903, W.S. Davis took over Bevers’ Cave and began marketing it as a tourist attraction.
After operating under many different families and owners, Wonder World has become a three-generation, familyowned and operated tourist attraction. It’s the only commercially operated dry cave in the U.S. and the first show cave in Texas opened to the public.
Besides the cavern, guests can also visit the ‘unbelievable mind-bending’ Anti-Gravity House, ride up to the observation tower and journey through the wildlife park to feed deer, ostriches, pigs, goats and more. Wear sneakers or boots when visiting the cavern as you’ll have to maneuver throughout the cave. Buy guided time-slot tour tickets to visit the cavern online or in-person.
EXPLORE THE RIVER
Whether you float it, swim it, tube it or row down it, the San Marcos river
is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. The San Marcos River is fed by Edwards Aquifer through 200 spring openings at the bottom of Spring Lake.
When visiting the river, remember this is a natural-forming river filled with Texas rice, wildlife and ever-changing water levels. Make sure to wear water shoes when floating the river as there are rocks.
Bring your own tubes or rent them at the Lions Club Tube Rental, located right at the designated tubing access point at City Park. At the Lion’s Club, you can inflate your own river tubes from home, rent tubes for the day or catch a ride on their shuttle bus that will pick you up after your hour-long float down the river.
After floating alongside river cooters
and surviving the falls at Rio Vista Park, catch a ride on the bus back to the start. If you didn’t rent your tubes from the Lions Club, it’s only a 10-to 15-minute walk back to City Park.
If tubing isn’t your speed, you can sail down the river on a paddleboard or a kayak. At night, you can even explore the river with a ‘glow tour’ where you paddle down the river on a lighted kayak.
While on the river, only reusable cups are allowed and you’ll need to bring a mesh bag with you for trash. As you cruise down the river, you’ll find old chained up canoes under the bridges where you can throw out your trash. Make sure to keep your belongings safe and dry in a clear waterproof bag.
IF YOU GO:
LOWER PURGATORY CREEK : 2101 Hunter Road
UPPER PURGATORY CREEK: 1751 Valencia Way
THE MEADOWS CENTER FOR WATER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
211 San Marcos Spring Dr. Hours: Monday - Sunday 9:30 A.M. to 5 P.M.
Standard 30-minute boat tour - $12 adult, $10 seniors (65+), $8 children
Extended 45-minute boat tour - $15 adult, $13 seniors (65+), $10 children
170 Charles Austin Dr. Hours: Monday - Sunday, 11 A.M. to 12 A.M.
Crystal Kayak Glow Tour: $55
Charm of local ATV park draws visitors from hours away
One good thing about owning an ATV park on a massive stretch of land, Judy Jernigan says, is that you never know from one day to the next who might be dropping by to enjoy your facility.
From the everyday ATV enthusiast to scientists to law enforcement officers, Mudbuddys in Hallettsville has attracted people from all walks of life to its 250acre venue since opening 20 years ago. Jernigan is never surprised to hear of Mudbuddys’ unique clientele.
“When we first opened, I cooked hamburgers. There was always this one guy that would come down to the place from up north, I’m not sure where, just to get a hamburger and enjoy the place,” Jernigan said. “He wasn’t a mudder, and I asked him what he did for a living. He said I wouldn’t believe it if he told me. He said he was a chemist whose company sent him all over the world, kinda like NCIS. That told me he was an important man, and he came to enjoy our little place and said he always enjoyed it.
“We’ve also had the chief of police from Yorktown and his deputies out here. Just by watching them you know that they had a good time. That tells me something. I think we’ve got something here that people really enjoy.”
There is little doubt about that, if Mudbuddys’ Facebook posts are any indication.
“I’ve been coming here for a couple of years now, and if you haven’t been there, then you need to go,” Kevin Manasco, a resident of Bandera, Texas, said recently on Facebook. “This is a nice park that I would bring my kids to if I had any. The staff are pretty cool and nice. They have a nice creek that runs through the property when the rain is good. But overall, I’d say it’s a great park with a great environment. I really love the park for what it is.”
The park was named after Jernigan’s husband, whose name was Cleveland but whom many affectionately referred to as “Buddy.” Jernigan’s husband passed away 10 years ago this April.
Jernigan’s grandparents originally owned the land and passed it down to their granddaughter. For years, Jernigan said, the Jernigan’s children enjoyed riding ATVs on the property and brought their friends over constantly for a good time.
“I guess we just got together and talked about the possibility of making it into an ATV park,” Jernigan said. “My husband really pushed for the
idea, and I kinda dragged my feet about it and wasn’t really sure about something like that. He always told me, like the movie, ‘If we build it, they will come.’”
The Jernigans opened Mudbuddys, and Judy said the business “eventually took off.”
“More and more people started coming and more people heard about it. The first people we had out here were actually from Victoria,” Jernigan said. “It was pouring down rain but that’s what makes it muddy out here. We eventually made some more trails and put in a small race track, and people just kept coming. We’re really only open on the weekends, but that’s when people have the time to come out here and really have some fun.”
“It’s a great park. Fun for the whole family,” Victoria’s Amber Leigh Sharon said on Facebook.
There are several trails around the park where people can ride their vehicles. Sport ATVs have been known to be perfect for roaming trails with powerful engines and strong suspensions for riding over rough terrain. Sport ATVs are also great for uneven, rugged land such as dunes, forests and swamps.
The Jernigans created a river for enthusiasts to ride through, and it’s perhaps the most popular feature of the venue because of the potential to get
bogged down in the mud, which not many seem to mind.
“If there was no place to get stuck, they wouldn’t want to come,” Jernigan laughed. “They love the mudholes and see them as a challenge.”
Not only can visitors come out for a day of adventure at Mudbuddys, they can also camp there as well. Mudbuddys has 13 cabins where 2 to 4 people can stay overnight. All of the cabins are equipped with air conditioning, and the cost varies from $45 to $65 a night.
If staying in a tent is your style for camping out, that’s available too for $25 a night. There are also adequate shower and restroom facilities on the property.
“They always have friendly staff and the restroom is always clean,” Julie Beyer, a resident of Flatonia, said on Facebook. “They have remodeled some of their rooms and they look great! They have really cleaned up the place. … Come check them out and see for yourself.”
For ATV enthusiasts in the Crossroads, or “mudders” as they are sometimes referred to, Mudbuddys is the closest venue that doesn’t require nearly a two-hour drive. While it may seem like it’s far out in the south Texas countryside, Mudbuddys is an hour’s drive from Victoria.
The next closest off-road facility is Tuff Offroad Park in Angleton, almost a |
two-hour drive on Highway 59 headed toward Houston. Another venue, 281 Country Club on US 281 in San Antonio. Enthusiasts must drive three hours from Victoria to Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls above Austin.
“For people around here, it really is a one-of-a-kind place to come,” Jernigan said. “We’ve had people from San Antonio, Houston and Corpus come here, even from as far away as Louisiana. People always tell us that they’ll come back, too. So, we do have a lot of repeat customers.”
Children 17 or younger are allowed to come out and ride only when accompanied by an adult. Many visitors plan birthday parties as part of their day at Mudbuddys. Jernigan said they host those quite often.
Mudbuddys’ biggest event on the venue’s annual calendar is the STX Showdown, set for May 15-17 this year. Caroline, who has worked at Mudbuddys for several years, said they expect nearly 2,000 people in attendance for the STX Showdown.
“People really love that event and we love putting it on,” Caroline said.
Whether it’s a planned overnight stay or just a day of having fun riding ATVs, Mudbuddys has it all for the outdoor
enthusiast.
“It’s a great place to bring your kids, to get them away from their computers and to get outside,” Jernigan said.
“Once they come out and experience the place, they’ll want to come back, too. We love watching people just come out and laugh and have fun here.”
Comedy in the Coastal Bend
ISTORY BY JAMES DAVID HERD | JAMES.HERD@VICAD.COM
PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTED BY
TINA LA COCHINA AND ALBERT SALAZAR
in the world we live in, where one of the only constants is an uncertain future, humor and comedy are more important than ever. While most people have their favorite comedians, how likely is it that you can say your favorite is based in—or around—the same region as you?
Local comedians Albert Salazar and Tina La Cochina have given the Coastal Bend plenty to laugh at in recent years.
Salazar, who entered into the ultracompetitive world of comedy in 2017, noticed a lack of comedic opportunity in cities like Corpus Christi and Beeville and fell in love with the act of performing. On the other hand, Tina got her start in the business in 2014 after an invitation to an open mic night in Corpus Christi.
Both performers speak highly of the institution of open mic nights and
attribute their beginnings to similar events.
“Signing up [for the open mic night] and trying stand-up comedy open mic was on my bucket list, so I planned to do it on my 30th birthday,” Tina said. “The host let me go over the time limit and had the kitchen bake me a special shaped pizza. My first time ever going on stage was so memorable with my coworkers and friends cheering me on. Comedians say you’re supposed to bomb the first time, but I was on a high.”
In contrast, Salazar saw an unfulfilled need in areas like Beeville for comedy shows and open mics, which manifested as a semi-regular event at venues like La Linea Wine Bar.
Salazar lives in Beeville. He said he decided to start organizing comedy events following an impromptu trip to
the Pacific Northwest, where he “got to perform at some of the coolest places and meet some even cooler people in Seattle and Portland.”
On his return, with the help of some friends, they “decided to start a comedy [open] mic at one of our local spots, and boom—we have a small comedy scene.” Salazar owns a comedy show and sketch comedy production company known as Crashed Out Comedy.
In 2019, Tina was offered an opportunity to host a monthly gig by comedian Max Richards, whom she said inspired her to learn more about the act of producing a comedy show.
“It means a lot when people acknowledge my writing,” Tina said. “I think being able to bring entertainment to a party is fun, but nothing compares to the relationships you make in the journey. There is something special
Tina La Cochina
when you can make somebody laugh after they’ve been crying.”
Salazar attributes the growth of local and regional comedy scenes to the advance of technology.
“You can drive a couple of hours to Austin or San Antonio, do an open mic, make some friends and stay in contact with them through social media. That means bookings,” Salazar said. “In the time before the internet, you actually had to move to a larger city and be constantly involved with the local scene. Now, if you’re funny and cool enough, you’ll get booked on those big city shows.”
But, Salazar said, the same can be
said for comedians who are based in big cities.
“[The big city comedians] want different markets to explore,” Salazar said. “It’s easier for them to branch out to the smaller towns and suburbs to gain a larger audience.”
To young or fresh-faced comedians who are considering the Coastal Bend as a place to begin a career, both performers encourage it.
“A few reasons you should come perform here [are] you get to work with local businesses, come across Winter Texans, college students, beachgoers, bird watchers, oil field and refinery workers, all without traffic,” Tina said. “The Coastal Bend area is diverse and has a laid back feel compared to big cities with comedy scenes like Austin, [Las] Vegas, LA and New York.”
Both Salazar and Tina insist people who are considering taking the comedic leap to make sure they’re consistent and know a career in comedy is what they want to aspire to.
“I’ll perform until the day I die— which could be sooner rather than later if I keep eating the way I do,” Salazar said. “But, I will say this: It’s like any other career choice—if you can see yourself doing it for life, then go for it.”
Tina continued, hammering the importance of skill and talent when performing.
“The most important thing one should consider when pursuing a career in comedy is, of course, you must be funny,” Tina said. But also “write. Perform. Repeat.”
Cochina performs a comedy set
Albert Salazar performs a comedy set.
SHAWN A. AKERS
Victoria’s premier dog park allows owners,
pets to have fun
Victoria’s Kyle Vansickle realizes that some people may have a perception about pit bulls, of which he owns two.
According to Woundedpawproject. org, pit bulls “have long been the victims of unfair stereotypes” because of their appearance and the myth that they are “bred for dogfighting.”
Vansickle’s two pit bulls, Bowser and Zara, appear to debunk both of those misconceptions, and that allows Vansickle to enjoy one of his favorite weekly trips—to Riverside Dog Bark (Park), located at 201 Memorial Drive in Victoria.
Vansickle says he’s owned both dogs for 4 ½ years and has had no trouble with any aggression from either—other
than playful over-exuberance. That’s what makes him confident of his ability to take Bowser and Zara to Riverside without incident.
“I like getting them out here just to get them some exercise, but they can also socialize with other dogs in a controlled environment,” Vansickle said. “There’s plenty of room out here for them to stretch their legs and for them just to really have fun. They are starting to meet new dogs and they are starting to make new friends, which I think is very important. What better activity to do on a day off, and on a nice spring day where it’s not too hot or too cold. I love it here and so do the dogs.”
Riverside Dog Bark, near The PumpHouse, opened in December
Young boy and dog — Dodson Jones and his Shitzu, Harvey
Bark
2023. The park features separate fenced areas for large and small dogs; dog agility equipment, dog drinking fountains, disposable bag stations and a smaller, fenced-off area for “unruly dogs who need a break,” the city’s website reads.
The agility equipment in the park was funded through a partnership between the City of Victoria and local Girl Scout Izzy Drane. As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, Izzy raised funds for the park by selling bricks that could be dedicated in honor of a pet. After Izzy passed away last year, her family continued to raise funds in her memory. The project raised a total of $26,000 for the agility equipment.
The bricks will be displayed on the entryway columns at the park, along with a memorial plaque honoring Izzy’s role in making the park a reality.
Like many public facilities, there are rules that dog owners and their pets must adhere to if they are to enjoy the Riverside Dog Bark venue.
Dogs must be accompanied by their humans while playing in the park, and they must be vaccinated and in good health. Dogs must be leashed before and after entering the park.
Puppies under four months of age and female dogs in heat are not allowed.
Estela Saldana, who has lived in Victoria for four years after moving here from the Rio Grande Valley, said she’s been privileged to travel around the state but that Riverside Dog Bark is the “biggest and best one she’s seen yet.”
“I live on the north side of town, but this is well worth the commute,” said Saldana, who owns a beautiful Australian Shepherd named Ellie. “I would recommend the park for any dog owner out there. I try to come out here with Ellie two or three times a week. It’s so very, very spacious out here, and Ellie just loves it.”
Saldana says the park is usually very busy on the weekends when the weather cooperates, and it’s the best time to bring Ellie out for a good time with other dogs.
“She knows even before we get here where she’s going,” Saldana said. “She gets pretty excited about it. I like being able to treat her to some great exercise and a great chance to interact with other dogs.”
Dodson Jones, a student at St. |
David Schmidt, his Doberman name Harley and his Red Heeler named Belvedere
Joseph High School, and his mother, Catherine are relative newcomers to the Riverside Dog Park. As of March 1, they had been visiting the park with their dogs Harvey and Polly (a Shitzu and a Maltipoo) for only a couple of weeks.
“We love it here and the dogs love it here,” Dodson Jones said. “That one (Harvey) loves it here and loves playing with the other dogs. Polly is a little bit more shy and we bring her out basically just to get her some exercise. But Harvey gets along with the other dogs that we see out there so he gets to have great interaction with them.”
Not only is spending time at the Riverside Dog Park a great way to spend time with his pets, but it also enables the Jones’ to spend quality time with each other.
“We had tried it out sometime last fall, but then it started to get a little colder and it was tougher to bring the dogs out here,” Catherine Jones said. “A couple of weeks ago we had a really pretty day and we thought we would try it out again. It’s a great place to bring your dogs and to meet other dog owners.”
Victorians David Schmidt and Roxy Salinas have discovered that bringing their pets to Riverside Dog Bark can be a fun experience. The couple owns a Doberman named Harley and a Red Heeler named Belvedere, who both show a great deal of enthusiasm for the facility.
“I think it’s a great facility and it’s very well-maintained,” Schmidt said. “We always have a great time when we come out here.”
Schmidt said that while Harley is friendly toward other dogs, he and Salinas like to bring their dogs to the park earlier on Sundays so Harley can roam around without much ado from smaller dogs. Schmidt said the park normally starts getting crowded later in the afternoon on the weekends.
“Harley’s great, but she can be a little naughty sometimes,” Salinas said. “She’s harmless but maybe overly playful at times.”
Not only is it great exercise for their dogs, but it’s also an opportunity for both Schmidt and Salinas to get some exercise themselves.
“It is a safe spot. It’s enclosed so it’s a safe spot for the dogs and for us, too. There is always someone else out here with their dogs so we really enjoy it.”
Estela Saldana and her Australian Shepherd, Ellie
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catch
For many years, Port Lavaca has been a go-to destination for fishermen and for people looking to spend time in the sun by the oceanside. With no shortage of fishing spots, Port Lavaca has emerged as a premier destination to attract visitors to the Texas Gulf Coast.
One establishment in particular has cemented its place in Calhoun Country as a fishing destination, and a piece of Texas history.
The Indianola Fishing Marina sits on a peninsula between the Gulf of New Mexico and Powderhorn Bayou. Its name comes from the “ghost town” of Indianola, the county seat of Calhoun, until it was nearly destroyed in 1875, and again in 1886 followed by a fire. Not much of the town has survived to the present day.
But despite the tragedies, Texas life goes on, as do Texans. The area has become a prominent tourist spot for all types of outdoorsy crowds.
Marina staffer Michael Sanchez calls it a “One Stop Shop” for fishermen, an “all-in-one fishing spot that is open year-round.” The Marina itself is made up of a store, a tackle and bait shop, a restaurant and an open pier. A visitor could walk in, purchase tackle, bait and rod and walk out to the pier and cast.
And if they so desire, patrons can order a meal all in the same place.
“Also, we’ve won Best Burger in Calhoun County multiple years—if you need an extra incentive to visit.”
Sanchez said.
There are RV spots for overnight stays for the out-of-towners or allnighters. Rentable trailers are also available. If fishermen need it, the Indianola Marina most likely has it.
Savannah Garza (17, Victoria) frequents the Marina, sometimes fishing with friends until 6 a.m.
“We would always average at least 38 in red or black drums.” Garza said, “That spot is really famous for its large red and black drums”---a freshwater fish common in the area.
Garza also says the Marina holds different events, such as live music on the weekends, and fireworks shows on the Fourth of July and New Year’s.
“They say fish don’t like a lot of noise, but even at those events, we were reeling in regularly,” Garza said. “And, they’ve got a really, really good burger.”
The Marina also acts as a location for local artists and vendors to sell their products, including jewelry, custom cups, and coloring books.
“We’re a local business who supports other local businesses.” Sanchez said.
The Marina considers itself a “fullblown brand” of the area and a staple of Calhoun County.
The Marina also has its own legacy. The land along the Powderhorn Bayou holds marker number 17138 in honor of Ed Bell.
Bell established a fish camp in the area and was a prominent figure of Southeast Texas. Visitors to the camp were charmed by Bell’s tall tales. Clearly, a classic talent of a good fisherman is a wealth of stories, exaggerated or otherwise.
Bell became known as a “Virtuoso Storyteller,” performing at story-telling
events such as the Texas Folklife Festivals. Locally, Bell and his stories contribute to the economic growth of the area and the preservation of its cultural history.
When can you cast out?
The Indianola Fishing Marina has a constant stream of visitors. Foot traffic could be anywhere from a few people a day to hundreds up and down the peninsula. But Sanchez says its slow season is from November to February when weather takes a turn for the worst. Things get more lively around March, normally kicking off as ISDs go on spring break.
“Our busiest week is always during the local spring breaks” of Calhoun and surrounding counties,” Sanchez said.
That means it's time to get out in the sun and visit this truly all-in-one fishing spot.
Don’t have the equipment to just go out? Don’t worry, the Indianola Fishing Marina has your back.
In 2019, high school sweethearts Sarah and Hofmann Foerster decided to leave the city behind and embrace their own definition of freedom.
Hofman quit his job as a police officer in Houston and the family of seven traded the fast-paced life for the dry pastures of the Halletsville countryside. Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined the YouTube channel they started to help teach others how to homestead would amass over 12,000 followers.
“I turned to my husband and asked him, how small could you live?” Sarah said. “We started with a 240-square- foot shed. Now we live in a 1,000-square-foot house on 35 acres.”
Homesteading is a lifestyle that focuses on self-sufficiency. The Foersters have embraced the freedom this lifestyle has offered them by growing vegetables, raising, breeding and slaughtering their own chickens and canning.
“Homesteading has given us the freedom to choose what’s important to us,” Sarah said. “You can participate in it as much as you want. Do what works for you and practice what you could be doing.”
Sarah’s YouTube channel isn’t filled with videos of her making bread in her picturesque kitchen while wearing beautiful, flowery dresses. It's her and her family hard at work on the farm helping to teach others how to implement small homesteading techniques into their lives.
“When we started this adventure, we had to learn new skillsets because neither my husband or I have a country/ farm background,” Sarah said. “There have been some curveballs along the way; it's not as simple as people think.”
One might wonder, ‘how do they do it?’ Without traditional nine-to-five jobs, the Foersters live a frugal lifestyle and make money from selling products from their farm and doing the occasional woodworking construction job for their neighbors. They also make money from their YouTube channel, with some of their videos receiving almost 400,000 views.
“We have no mortgage and we’re debt free. We spend less on electricity, we heat our house with the fireplace, we buy in bulk and can what we can’t grow ourselves. We make meals from scratch,” Sarah said. “Last year, we
The Forester family includes Hoffman, Sarah and children, Cason, Axel, Dash, Eloise and Zuzu
decided to make our own bread and tortillas at home. We haven’t bought either at the grocery store in eight months.”
The Foersters grow sweet potatoes, garlic, greenbeans, tomatoes, celery, beets, ginger, turmeric, onions, peppers and more as their farm continues to grow. Last year, they yielded over 400 pounds of sweet potatoes.
In their freezer are a hundred chickens they raised and slaughtered on their farm. If the money coming in is slow, the family has plenty to eat at home from the vegetables they grow on their land, the chickens they raise and the canned food lining the shelves of their pantry.
“Sustainability and regenerative agriculture are always in the back of my mind,” Sarah said. “Homesteading is important to us because it provides us with a healthier lifestyle, food security, financial benefits and a stronger sense of family and community.”
When cooking from home, Sarah said they can prepare high-quality, nutrient-dense meals that are made with whole food organic ingredients and can control what goes into their bodies. Homesteading at the Foerster household is a combination of the tried and true ways of the past and the convenience and comforts of the modern age.
“The kids are the whole reason we did this,” Sarah said. “We didn’t want the kids to sit in a classroom all day, so we started homeschooling them. We wanted them to know where food comes from and know what’s in their food so we grow what we can and make our meals from scratch.”
Sarah and Hoffman homeschool their five children, teaching them more than just reading, math history and science. Coupled with practical lifeskills such as cooking, budgeting and gardening, the kids have learned almost everything they know by being hands-on, whether it’s in the dirt or at the grocery store.
“We want to make human beings that are self-sufficent,” Sarah said. “Homeschool is what you make of it.”
Their children aren’t the only people the Foersters are looking to educate. YouTube taught the Foersters the practical skills they needed to start their homesteading journey. Now they’re doing the same for other families.
FIND THE
FOERSTER FAMILY
ON YOUTUBE AT TINY SHED LIFE
They started their channel in 2019, but paused for three years before going back to it.
“We quit, but we realized we missed it,” Sarah said. “We film and share our lives because we want to inspire people to live simply. We’ve been excited that we’ve gotten so many views and subscribers. Our children are happy with this lifestyle; they’re interested in learning more and they like helping out with the channel.”
Since they started homesteading, the Foersters have never looked back.
Sarah said the only regret she has is not learning more skills before they started homesteading. YouTube has been a way for them to grow their community and share their accumulated knowledge with the world.
“There have been some negative comments, but that’s what happens when you put yourself out there,” Sarah said. “Our channel is genuine. It’s authentic to who we are as a family. We’re a team and I hope it keeps growing.”
OUT and ABOUT
WITH TONY VASQUEZ
1 — Victoria Fine Arts Association "Museum Crawl" event at Five Points Museum of Contemporary Art, The Nave Museum, and Petit Polka, pictured Monica Priddy, Neely Devine, and Janna Glover.
2 — "Camaleón" exhibit opening reception at Victoria College Fine Arts Gallery, pictured Lynn Garcia and Kristopher Hernandez III
3 — Mid-Coast Family Services "Who's Who of Victoria" Dinner Fundraiser at Victoria Country Club, pictured Amanda Collins, Abbey Jansen, and Julie Janecka
4 — Member Preview reception for the "Wildlife in Focus" exhibit at the Nave Museum, pictured Amy and Don Hicks
5 — Victoria Bach Festival's Golden Gala at Spring Creek Place Event Center, pictured Lane and Phyllis Keller, Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, Rachel and David Faskas
6 — Victoria Fine Arts Association "An Evening with Follies, Jazz, and Dance" fundraiser at Power Avenue Warehouse, pictured Mark and Heather Kimmey
UPCOMING Calendar of Events
APRIL & MAY
MOTHER CLUCKERS
DOWNTOWN MARKET DAYS
10 AM to 4 PM, April 12, May 10
Downtown Victoria, 101 N Main St, Victoria
Get ready for a day of shopping, unique finds, and local treasures! From vintage goods to handmade crafts, you never know what gems you’ll discover. Mark your calendar and come support local vendors! Tag your shopping buddies and let us know if we’ll see you there!
HISTORIC HOMES TOUR
10 AM to 5 PM, April 12, April 13
205 W Goodwin Ave, Victoria Victoria Preservation Inc. plays host to this annual event, which is a regional favorite. You are given a rare opportunity to go inside and experience the history and architecture of these wonderful historic places.
HANDS-ON HISTORY:
TOOLS OF EARLY TEXANS
11 AM, April 12
Museum of the Coastal Bend, 2200 E. Red River St., Victoria
Join us for an informational talk and tool demonstration with Museum of the Coastal Bend education intern and UHV history major, Emilio Vargas.
PICNIC IN THE PARK FUNDRAISER
2 PM to 5 PM, April 12
The Nave Museum, 306 W. Commercial St., Victoria Benefiting the Nave Museum.
VANP ANNUAL GALA OF GIVING "ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD"
6 PM to 10 PM, April 12
Victoria Country Club, 14 Spring Creek Rd., Victoria
Please join us for our annual fundraiser! Attire- cocktail Silent auction, 50/50, raffles, dancing and drinks! All proceeds
help fund our nurse practitioner student scholarships, NP continuing education and VANP community outreach!
"TOXIC"
7 PM to 9 PM, April 19
Victoria Fine Arts Center, 1002 Sam Houston Dr., Victoria
This is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Not only is it breathtaking but it’s also mesmerizing? Skyler Jones gets caught up in a scandal involving herself and her famous father who pastors a mega church. To save herself, she betrays others. Picture this— dramatic moments and performances that pull you into another world. This isn't just a show; it's an experience that leaves you spellbound. And the music? It's so enchanting it sends shivers down your spine! The performers? They're not just talented; they're extraordinary, each one bringing an unmatched level of passion and energy to the stage. The entire stage transforms and emotions that leave you
on the edge of your seat, heart pounding, wanting more.
HOT ROD TOUR OF TEXAS
9 AM to 1:30 PM, April 24-27
Kick-off at DeLeon Plaza, 101 N. Main Street, Victoria
Join us for a rip-roaring adventure through the Lone Star State on the Hot Rod Tour of Texas!
DOWNTOWN RHYTHMS
5:30 PM to 11 PM, April 24
DeLeon Plaza, 101 N. Main Street, Victoria
Annual free-to-the-public concert. Join us downtown at DeLeon Plaza for an unforgettable evening filled with music, food, and community spirit.
JOHN W. STORMONT
LECTURE: SPAIN AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
5:30 PM, April 24
Museum of the Coastal Bend, 2200 E. Red River St., Victoria
The Industrial High School and Middle School Band performs at the Victoria Symphony's Downtown Rhythms Thursday in DeLeon Plaza. (Kyle R. Cotton/The Victoria Advocate)
Blanche De León is a sixth-generation descendant of Empresario Martin De León and his wife Patricia de la Garza, founders of Victoria, the only predominantly Mexican colony in Texas. De León is an avid researcher of genealogy and history related to the founding family and the Victoria region. In this presentation, she discusses Spain’s involvement in the American Revolution with an emphasis on Texas ranchers, particularly those of Victoria, who are recognized Patriots. This lecture is free and open to the public.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S ROMEO & JULIET
7:30 PM to 10 PM, April 24-26; 2 PM to 4 PM, April 27
Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St., Victoria Experience the timeless tale of love and tragedy in Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet. Set against the backdrop of feuding families in Verona, this iconic play explores the passionate romance between two star-crossed lovers. Their forbidden love unfolds amidst gripping drama, intense emotions, and the struggle for acceptance. Fueled by powerful themes of fate, loyalty, and the consequences of rivalry, Romeo & Juliet captivates audiences with its unforgettable characters and poignant storytelling. Don't miss this compelling journey of love, loss, and the ultimate sacrifice, brought to life in a captivating theatrical experience that continues to resonate through the ages.
CARS AND COFFEE VICTORIA
9 AM to 12 PM, May 3
Sweet Fountainz Bakery, 5805 John Stockbauer Dr, Victoria Cars and Coffee--Fun, Friendly, FREE event! We invite the public to come out and check out the cool cars. Open to EVERYONE!
8:30 AM to 8 PM, May 3; 11 AM to 3 PM, May 4 Hester Ranch, 341 Hester Rd., Victoria The 28th Annual Victoria Rotary Charity Sporting Clay Shoot, Dinner & Auction will be held May 3rd & 4th at the beautiful Hester Ranch with Saturday festivities including a youth gun safety instruction, steak dinner, raffle, charity auction and the Calcutta for the shooters. Sunday will feature the clay shoot and awards ceremony.
FIESTA CINCO DE MAYO
5 PM to 11 PM, May 3; 10 AM to 11 PM, May 4 DeLeon Plaza, 101 N. Main Street, Victoria This annual ticketed event will be in historic Downtown Victoria. It is family friendly with chairs and blankets allowed but please no ice chests. Food and merchandise vendors will be on hand. Get ready for two days of fun, food and top Tejano entertainers.
PROJECT TICKLED PINK MASQUERADE GALA
6 PM to 10 PM, May 3 Victoria Community Center, 2905 E. North St., Victoria Crossroads Guardians of Hope is a nonprofit 501c3 organization, run by non-paid volunteers, that supports men, women, and children in our local crossroads area that are battling ANY type of cancer.
-Serving the counties of Victoria, Calhoun, Jackson, Lavaca, Gonzales, Dewitt, Goliad, and Refugio. (Also, the cities of El Campo, and Beeville.) Since we began 7 years ago, we have provided $118,448.63 of assistance to 273 people, within the 10 counties we serve.General Tickets are $50 each which includes meal, drinks, and entertainment. Sponsorship tables range from $750-$2,500.To purchase a ticket, please Venmo @pinkfiretruck or contact cgofhope@gmail.com
SPRINGFEST 2025
11 AM to 1 PM, May 4
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 4102 N. Ben Jordan St., Victoria
For many years (2008-2015, 2022-2024), Our Saviour's Lutheran Church (OSLC) of Victoria has hosted an outreach event called Springfest. We will host this event once again this year as we seek to bless our community and certain charitable
organizations in Victoria. This upcoming year, the event will be on Sunday, May 4, 2025. The proceeds from Springfest 2025 will be donated to The Humility Project, Gabriel Project, Young Life Victoria and Our Saviour's Lutheran Church ministries. More details will be shared soon!
MOMMY & ME TEA PARTY
1 PM, May 4
Here’s The Scoop, 114 E. Constitution St., Victoria
Treat your mom to the cutest tea party in town! Remember the “old days” dressing up in your princess dress and filling your plastic tea set with juice and Oreos!?! We do! Come relive a special memory in our dainty tea room! Tickets are $20 per person and includes tea or lemonade, sandwiches, lots of sweets and party favors! Everything we serve is locally catered by other small businesses, just like us! We are located at 114 E. Constitution in Downtown Victoria, Texas Call 361-263-9951 or stop by for tickets! All tickets must be purchased in advance due to limited seating. HTS does all of our own planning and ticket sales. Do not purchase from ANYONE reselling tix in the comments or posting a link in the comments!! It’s a scam. Please buy from only us via invoice!!
CINCO DE MAYO
WINE CLUB PICK UP PARTY
6 PM, May 5
J. Welch Farms, 111 Ripple Rd., Victoria
Join us for our quarterly wine club pick up party, Cinco De Mayo style. Margaritas, Taco Bar and Live Music by Stephanie Ross. Non members welcomed to check out what wine club is all about!
GOLDEN CRESCENT CASA'S ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH
10:30 AM to 2 PM, May 10 Power Avenue Warehouse, 402 E. Power Ave., Victoria
Celebrate the incredible mothers and caregivers in your life while supporting a cause that has been advocating for children for 30 years. Join Golden Crescent CASA for our Annual Mother’s Day Brunch as we continue to honor A Legacy of Care: 30 Years Strong.
MOTHER'S DAY EVENT CWV
8 PM, May 10-11
CWV St. John’s Post 1269, 1007 S. Main St., Victoria
ANNUAL MOTHER'S Day Dance
Commander Juan Benavidez Present's Corpus Christi's ALLEGRE Band and THE XX CROSSROADZZ CRÜE XX
Christopher Black (left) plays Lurch and Lori Parker (right) plays Wednesday in Theatre Victoria's production of The Addams Family. (Madison O'Hara/Victoria Advocate)
From Victoria TX A Great Dance a Great Celebration.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND BASH
5 PM to 11 PM, May 23; 10 AM to 11 PM, May 24; 10 AM to 7 PM, May 25
Riverside Park, 456 Mc Cright Dr., Victoria This beloved annual music festival brings in the best in Tejano Music. There is also a BBQ cook-off, car show, food and craft vendors along with family fun! Tickets on sale now! Some featured artists include: Bobby Pulido Siggno Michael Salgado Gary Hobbs AJ Castillo and so many more!!
CONNECT 361
STROKE CARE AT CITIZENS
At Citizens Medical Center, we’re committed to providing stroke care that aligns with the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines. From emergency care to inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation, our team provides comprehensive treatment plans.
We’re proud to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our achievement in the Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke and Target: Stroke quality programs. Another way Citizens Medical Center is working to improve healthcare for you and your family.
