Discover361 - Winter 2021 Edition

YOUR VIEW OF THE CROSSROADS

INSIDE DAY TRIP

CHRISTMAS IN

CUERO

H O L I D AY S I N 3 6 1 • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1

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MANAGING EDITOR'S LETTER

I

love Christmas. To be clearer, I love the time from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. It is a time that seems to have more purpose. Yes, we are busier than ever trying to prepare for the holidays, but all the preparation has purpose.

Maybe it is the cooler weather and the changing colors of the trees that makes people more merry.

By the time Thanksgiving is here, everything seems to be moving at a different pace, and people seem to be more cheerful.

More cheer comes as the beautiful lights and decorations go up in the cities and towns throughout the area. Who can resist the joyful feeling brought on by colorful lights, delightful decorations and, of course, Christmas music?

Some of my favorite Christmas activities, beyond decorating my house for the season, are traveling to the neighboring towns to be a part of the Christmas decorations and activities. We usually make it to Cuero’s Christmas in the Park two or three times a season and to Hallettsville’s Festival of Lights a couple of times. We also like driving around neighborhoods to enjoy the decorated homes and yards.

In this holiday issue of Discover 361, we offer you tips for decorating for the holidays with fresh flower arrangements, home décor and special ornaments to hang on the tree. We also share ideas for preparing food for gatherings and look inside as a local restaurant prepares for the annual onslaught of holiday tamale orders.

Two very special people inspire us to continue to give during this season. Trish Hastings talks about what inspires her to keep Christ’s Kitchen thriving through the toughest of times.

And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit from Santa Claus. But this isn’t the regular Santa.

He is the special Blue Santa from the Victoria Police Department who helps make sure children, who may not otherwise have a Christmas, get toys for the special day.

We also offer you ways to relax during this time with some simple exercises.

If exercise is not the answer for you, then check out our calendar of events, which lists many Christmas programs for you to enjoy.

We hope you and your family have a very thankful Thanksgiving, merry Christmas and joyful New Year.

Happy Reading,

Becky Cooper Managing Editor 4

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

GENERAL MANAGER George Coleman S P E C I A L P R O J E C T S C O O R D I N AT O R We n d y D u k e A D V E RT I S I N G S A L E S M A N A G E R Kevin Alstrom MANAGING EDITOR Becky Cooper DESIGNER Kimberley Bailey WRITERS Cody Baird Cat DeLaura Chase Rogers Mark Rosenberg E l e n a A n i t a Wa t t s P H OT O G R A P H E R S E m r e e We a v e r D u y Vu SPECIAL TO DISCOVER 361 Samantha Douty C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OT O G R A P H E R S Dayna Wiles | Images by Dayna Robert Royer | Building Branding Marketing ON THE COVER V i c t o r i a Po l i c e D e p a r t m e n t ' s B l u e S a n t a and Braelynn Lee C O V E R P H OT O G R A P H Y E m r e e We a v e r COVER DESIGN Katie Case FA S H I O N H A I R A N D M A K E U P Jessika Rinehart Plum Crazy Makeup and Microblading © 2 0 2 1 , M . R O B E RT S M E D I A 1 0 1 W. G o o d w i n A v e . , S u i t e 1 2 0 0 Victoria, TX 77901 info@discover361.com 361-575-1451

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CONTENTS

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24

36

66

79

8

32

54

Police department’s Blue Santa brings holiday cheer

Flowers of all shapes and sizes add to festive holiday decorations

Christmas in Cuero

14

36

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

P E O P L E YO U S H O U L D K N O W Trish Hastings, the executive director of Christ’s Kitchen, goes above and beyond to help.

20

VISUALS

FA S H I O N Victoria attorneys trade in business suits for gowns and tuxedos

DAY T R I P

61

Work off stress during the holiday season

66

C U LT U R E & E V E N T S : M U S I C Victoria Bach Festival presents a unique music ensemble featuring two conductors

VISUALS

46

Courtney Walleck "Decks the Halls" with her holiday decorating experience

Dazzling yet simple holiday party recipes

71

24

50

See who was Out and About with Tony Vasquez at recent events

Laurel Ridge in Gonzales is Christmas ready year 'round

A favorite tamale restaurant gears up for Christmastime

VISUALS

6

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FOOD

FOOD

OUT AND ABOUT

79

CA L E N DA R O F E V E N T S

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

In Victoria,

Santa BLUE

wears

S T O RY B Y C H AS E RO G E R S | C RO G E R S @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

8

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99

Police department’s

B LUE SANTA program brings holiday cheer

A

dam Banda distinctly remembers one of his first interactions with police as a kid.

While most may fondly recall a friendly school resource officer or being on the receiving end of a stern conversation as a result of some juvenile hijinks, his experience was different.

It was around the holidays, he said, when a Victoria Police Department officer donning a blue Santa suit came into his home carrying a comically large sack of toys while traveling from house to house “I remember thinking the blue suit was a cool spin on the usual red one,” said Banda, who is now 32 and works as a Victoria police officer. “I also remember the big bags of toys Blue Santa and the officers brought with them. It was an experience.”

Growing up in Victoria alongside his three siblings, Banda said the holiday season was their favorite time of the year. Come time to stuff the bottom of the Christmas tree with presents, it would sometimes be a challenge for his mother, who he said raised the four children on her own. The additional help from Victoria Police Department’s Blue Santa Program made all the difference.

The organization has gone through many variations over the years. It returned after a long hiatus around 2010 with Shane Wallace, a former Victoria police officer and program coordinator. After pausing for a brief time in 2017 and 2018, it returned under direction of the department’s community engagement unit in 2019, remaining a holiday staple in Victoria since.

All the while, the jolly effort by the 10

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

Community Engagement Officer Adam Banda with Blue Santa from the Victoria Police Department.

I t i s a G R E AT T H I N G t h a t w e LOV E t o b e a p a r t o f , a n d i t re a l l y i s an EXTENSION OF

O U R WO R K

- L a u re n M e a u x

police department to provide toys for disadvantaged children has been a bright spot for many families across town.

“It is a great thing that we love to be a part of, and it really is an extension of our work,” said Lauren Meaux, a spokeswoman for the department.

The local community provides the toys for the program. Participants are asked to provide new unwrapped toys at specific locations in Victoria as the holiday draws near. Patrons can also make monetary donations, which will go toward purchasing more toys or to the Victoria Civilian Police Academy Alumni Association, a nonprofit that supports the department.

In recent years, Blue Santa has partnered with store leaders at the Victoria Target to collect toy donations, which has been very successful.

“VPD and Blue Santa are always welcome. We love having them in our store and greeting our customers,” said Josh Vega, the Victoria store director. “They are always great.”

The department has also teamed up with Texas Early Childhood Intervention, an organization serving families with children with developmental delays or disabilities, to give gifts to kids.

“We have worked with VPD and Blue Santa for several years,” said Linda Ledwig, the deputy executive director at ECI. “They are great community partners.”

Since 2019, Blue Santa has also participated in the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, which provided toys to more than 13,000 children in 2020, Meaux said.

The interaction with Blue Santa and the accompanying officers made an impact on Banda, too.

“I'm not saying I was scared of them or anything, but usually, whenever we saw police officers we were in trouble,” he said with a laugh.

“It was a completely different and entirely positive interaction. It was happy and good.”

As Blue Santa, it only makes sense many would have some questions.

Who is Blue Santa? Is he wearing the full police uniform under that felt suit?

We asked those questions in a recent interview with Blue Santa, and we got some answers.

Braelynn Lee, sits on Blue Santa's lap.

However, when asked, Blue Santa declined to disclose his identity.

“It’s top secret. Classified, even,” the bearded man said.

Banda, who is now a senior police officer, is involved with the community engagement unit, which, in addition to organizing other events throughout the year, oversees the Blue Santa Program.

Having once been a kid who was

excited to see the jolly blue-clad Santa, it’s all come circle for him in his adulthood.

“I know what those kids are feeling.

Knowing that you're actually going to get toys when you maybe weren’t expecting to,” he said. “That I at least have some part of that — even if I am not Blue Santa — is an incredible feeling.”

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

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OF DEWITT

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW

A

BUSY BEEHIVE

of caring for those in need S T O RY B Y S A M A N T H A D O U T Y | S P E C I A L TO D I S C OV E R 3 6 1 P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M

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Trish Hastings grabs some food items in the back of Christ's Kitchen.

C

hrist’s Kitchen buzzed with work as volunteers maneuvered their stations to feed anywhere from 650 to 750 people on any given day much like an active hive of honey bees. The queen bee of it all is Trish Hastings.

All the worker bees have their jobs, but everyone who enters the hive looks to get a word in with the queen of the hive. Whatever the issue, Hastings answers with a smile, a personal conversation and a sense of hope.

Hastings, the executive director of Christ’s Kitchen, uses her day to fill the stomachs of those in need with no questions asked, but she strives to go beyond a meal and look at the needs of the person.

She always tries to “see people the way God sees them,” she said.

“We use food to fill the stomach of course but also give something they don't have anywhere else and that might be some dignity, some respect, some love.”

During a Friday afternoon lunch rush, a woman pulled Hastings aside asking for socks.

Without hesitation, “Of course. Do you need anything else,” Hastings said. She consistently finds something more to give.

Christ’s Kitchen opened on March 18, 1985, and served its millionth meal in June 2004. Now, 17 years later that has been well surpassed with hundreds of meals served each day.

The kitchen is a nonprofit organization that focuses on serving one hot meal a day without judgment to the underserved and the homeless in the community.

Hastings takes the mission to heart and uses it to get up each day.

“Why wouldn’t I,” Hastings said about her volunteer work. “I do it because it's the best time I've ever had. I absolutely love the community we serve. They are the most amazing friends you'll ever have.”

Hastings and every other person who works at Christ's Kitchen does so

without payment. But they do it for their community and to share the love and word of God, Hastings said.

“I can't speak for every volunteer but that's my goal,” she said. “I think the people that volunteer here are motivated by the love of Christ, as well.”

That mentality and that goal is apparent through the walls of Christ’s Kitchen. A “God is Love” sign hangs above the food assembly. A photo of Jesus overlooks the work of the volunteers. The logo itself makes a cross.

Food and items for the kitchen are donated from the community and local grocery stores. The kitchen receives no government funding, so it is completely dependent on donations, Hastings said.

Christ’s Kitchen is also a member of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent.

About 20 to 25 volunteers are needed on any given day to feed | CONT. ON PG. 16 Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

15

We u s e f o o d t o f i l l t h e s t o m a c h , of course, but also GIVE

SOMETHING THEY DON'T H AV E A N Y W H E R E E L S E

a n d t h a t m i g h t b e s o m e d i g n i t y, s o m e re s p e c t , s o m e l o v e .

- Tr i s h H a s t i n g s

| CONT. FROM PG. 15 every person a hot meal. The list of volunteers changes daily depending on who can spare the time.

“Without the hundred plus volunteers that we have we couldn't do it,” Hastings said.

About 11 people start the day by cooking at about 6 a.m. Another person washes dishes, others stock the pantry and replenish the freezer.

An assembly line of people put together the plates of hot food. Each person is tasked with filling each container with his or her item such as corn or salad. After the meals are packed, another group of people put the boxes in plastic bags, tie them tight and place them on a rolling rack. The rack is then rolled outside for each box to be placed on a large folding table. From there, the meals make it to the hands who need them, and the cycle continues.

A seemingly endless line of cars drive by the kitchen and receive a styrofoam box of hot food, along with some groceries, if they choose.

Milk, eggs and some fresh produce are passed through the window from volunteer to driver with no proof of ID necessary. The drivers and passengers smile gratefully to whomever passed them their provisions to get them through the day or week.

Before the cars, people who made the trek on foot were served first.

Some, who frequent the kitchen, ask 16

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

for Hastings.

Though, it is difficult to find Hastings as she constantly beelines from place to place, job to job and person to person at Christ’s Kitchen.

But when she pauses, she gives the person in front of her her full attention.

She tries to know each person by name, what they like or don’t like and offers advice for any of the challenges they want to talk about. Hastings wears a mask all day, but when talking one-on-one, she pulls it down, shows a smile and maintains eye contact, which is important, she said.

“It makes a difference when you look someone in the eye and call them by name and be kind to them when no one else has been kind,” she said.

It goes beyond food for Hastings.

On Wednesdays, community health workers, representatives from Victoria College, and other local groups come together to address the greater needs for those who are in need.

“We want to, as a resource in the community, connect people to what they need,” Hastings said. “It's the difference between success and failure.”

It’s about addressing issues like getting an ID, looking at health or dental needs, helping them track their | CONT. ON PG. 18

H O W TO HE L P People can send monetary donations to Christ’s Kitchen at P.O. Box 3391 Victoria 77903.

People can volunteer any weekday by showing up. Cooking starts about 7 a.m. and other volunteer work starts at 9:45 a.m.

Volunteers should wear close-toed shoes, masks and baseball caps, if possible. Calls ahead of time are not required, but can be made at 361-578-4233.

Tis the season to give,

but check o u t t he char i t y f i rs t The holiday season comes with big hearts and the desire to give back for most people.

But there are best practices when looking to give to nonprofits such as vetting their organization, ensuring their goals align with yours and making sure your money is used as advertised.

The first thing people should do is be proactive when they give, according to Charity Navigator, a nonprofit evaluator since 2001.

Identify which causes are important to you and be specific about the impact you want your donation to have. For example, if you are wanting to fund research to cure a disease, a large national organization may be a good fit.

But, if you want funds to go toward providing services for a disease, a local organization may be a better fit.

Next thing to do is research before giving, according to Charity Navigator.

Make sure the charity that is being considered is a public charity. Also ensure the charity is accountable and transparent.

Third thing to do is discuss the impact of work with the charity directly.

Talk with the charity to learn about accomplishments, goals and challenges, according to Charity Navigator. Charities that are not willing to have those conversations may not be the right choice for you.

Next, each person should consider how they give, according to the nonprofit evaluator.

Create a budget for how much you can give and when you can give.

The last thing you can do is follow your investment, according to Charity Navigator.

Check back in with the organization six months to a year later to find out how the donation was used. This isn’t an itemized receipt but more of a progress report. At this time, you can discuss long term financial commitments, if you like.

Winter Winter2021 2021||Discover361.com Discover361.com

17 17

| CONT. FROM PG. 16 stimulus check, getting some sort of legal aid and working on a person’s mental health.

“Many times the people we serve don't have the help they need because they don't know how,” Hastings said.

Many don’t have access to computers or telephones. But community members are able to work with someone and show them how to do these things, she said.

“When you teach someone how to connect to resources, they feel like a success,” she said. “We teach people how to be successful.”

Each person has a unique need and the best way to help is to know those needs. That is why Hastings works to know every person.

As one man spoke with Hastings, he held his hand over his mouth.

He avoided showing his teeth, and Hastings noticed.

She assured the man he had no need to be embarrassed, brought him inside and found a dentist who volunteers at the kitchen. He looked at the man’s teeth, jotted down a number and an address and told him to set up an appointment to see what he can do.

It’s the connections beyond food that Hastings strives to have with each person.

The goal for her is to make people that are hurting feel valued and respected while also sharing the love of the Lord.

“It is the most rewarding to see people get it and come alive and have joy,” Hastings said.

Hastings’ work is never done, and she moves about the kitchen finding something to do. Her phone is constantly in her hand.

Like the hum of a hive, the volunteers and Hastings continue their chaotic dance of getting food to those in need.

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Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

Trish Hastings talks with Dr. Gary Mueller, a volunteer, outside Christ's Kitchen during meal pick-up.

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D

ecorating for the holidays can be a stress-inducing frenzy for many folks, but for Courtney Walleck it’s the opposite.

“You got to have a stress relief.

This is my stress relief,” said Walleck, as she weaved bits of shiny red gauze and bright Christmas bows into an artificial garland outlining her front door.

Walleck is the cardiopulmonary director at Post Acute Medical Health’s South and Southeast campuses in Victoria. Hers is a busy job that only grew harder this past year and a half. Despite that, rest isn't what relieves Walleck's stress. Instead, it's focusing her creative attention onto holiday decorations.

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As soon as fall arrives, the Walleck's house turns into a celebration of the season. Then, in early November, the red leaves and orange pumpkins transform into ornament laden garlands, brightly lit Christmas trees and hand-painted holiday wreaths.

Not only does every inch of Walleck’s home get decorated each year, sometimes much to the chagrin of her husband, she also offers her keen decorating eye and holiday aesthetics to the lucky few that manage to get their names on her Christmas list.

From November to December, Walleck has a list of up to 20 clients for whom she decks the halls and spreads holiday cheer.

“It’s really rewarding when you do get to see your clients, and their face just lights up,” said Walleck.

Sometimes when folk’s kids are older and have perhaps grown out of that holiday spirit, it’s nice to be the one that reignites that spark for them, she said.

“When you can do that for them, they really start to get back into that spirit. It’s like a snowball effect that just kind of infects everybody,” she said.

Walleck has been decorating homes long before she began her work in the medical field. During the early 2000s, Walleck worked at Foster Creek Station Boutique. It was | CONT. ON PG. 22

Courtney Walleck decorates the front entrance of her home.

I t ’s R E A L LY

R E WA R D I N G

when you do get to see your clients, and their face

just lights up - C o u r t n e y Wa l l e c k

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| CONT. FROM PG. 20 there that she learned how to decorate from Elaine Houser. Together, the two would decorate the store during the holiday season.

"Then people started asking me to decorate their homes, and ever since then, that's what I do. I decorate homes during the holidays," she said.

Walleck charges $30 an hour for her services, but the total cost for a job can vary wildly depending on the amount of work she’s asked to do and whether the homeowner provides supplies for the job.

For some families, Walleck may only put up and decorate the Christmas tree. For others, she’s asked to shop for supplies and decorations and transform the entire house — entrance, front hall, living room, stairwells, etc.

A seven foot tree, depending on how much the owner wants done, can take up to two hours for her to complete, she said.

If you're looking to save money, however, she recommends purchasing a large container and storing your Christmas decorations to be reused next year. If you're purchasing new supplies each year, ribbons, especially, can cost you a lot.

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For more information C O U RT N E Y WA L L E C K ’ S D E C O R AT I O N S E R V I C E S : Cost: $30/hour, plus reimbursement for any supplies she purchases.

You can find Walleck on Facebook or email her at courtneycisneros@yahoo.com

"You can easily spend $200 on ribbons, easily.

That's a lot if you're doing that every single year," she said.

She does have a few rules, though: she won't decorate trees over 12 feet tall and she will not get on your roof.

One year during her early years she was decorating at a height above her current limit, when she brazenly stepped on the top step of the ladder.

"They tell you not to step on the top of the ladder. And I'm like, what's it gonna do? It's not gonna do anything to me," she said. Alas, it did do something. The ladder slid out from under her and left her hanging by a thread.

"I was a lot younger back then whenever it happened," she said. "But that's why I have that rule."

For those decorating their own homes, Walleck recommends deciding upon a color scheme. It'll make it simpler to pick out the ribbons and items you want to bring home and will make deciding where things go in the home easier.

And above all she recommends just having fun with it.

"I always look at my son and I'm like, OK, what's going to make it fun for him," she said. "I always include him whenever it comes to decorating. I want him to be a part of it just because I remember how much fun I used to have."

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24 24

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CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

Around the World from

S T O RY B Y S A M A N T H A D O U T Y | S P E C I A L TO D I S C OV E R 3 6 1 P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y D U Y V U | DV U @ V I CA D. C O M

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A Santa Claus decoration peeks out from between the Christmas trees.

G

ONZALES — At Laurel Ridge, it’s always Christmas.

Christmas items are always for sale and on display although that display changes throughout the year.

“When you walk in the door it feels like coming home to Christmas when you were a kid,” said Barbara Crozier, president of the historic Laurel Ridge boutique in Gonzales. “We are fullblown, crazed-out and dripping in Christmas.”

Laurel Ridge, located in the Frank Madden Fly house built in 1914, was purchased by Crozier's family in 1976 when she was in college. The shop sells antiques, handcrafted artisan | CONT. ON PG. 29 26

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

Owner Barbara Crozier shows Tommie Collins and her husband Brandon Collins the various Christmas decorations .

Lena Marie Salazar, 12, hangs an ornament.

A German incense smoker

Barbara Crozier holds a Christmas decoration from St. Petersburg.

Snow globes Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

27

The inside of Laurel Ridge Antiques & Inn in Gonzales

A Santa Claus decoration

We a re

F U L L- B LOW N ,

crazed-out and

DRIPPING

in Christmas.

Owner Barbara Crozier hangs an ornament.

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- Barbara C ro z i e r

EL CAMPO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

presents

34th Annual Christmas Mall | CONT. FROM PG. 26 items and, of course, delightful Christmas creations.

Crozier was in graduate school when her mother asked her to come home at the end of the semester. She needed help renovating the newly purchased historic building.

The two women did all the restoration except for the roofing and electrical work. Once the restoration was done, Crozier and her mother started selling antiques from a little carriage shop in the back of the house.

The store has been there for four decades with generations of local and out-of-town guests who frequent the location. It started with antiques but has evolved to include a number of items such as quilts, stationary, notebooks, spa products, essential oils, artisan products. All the “lotions and potions” as Crozier says.

Every item in the store is hand picked to be sold.

In her time at the store, Crozier has seen grandmothers bring their granddaughters, who now bring their own grandchildren.

“It’s a place where people come from generation to generation,” Crozier said.

But Christmas is the draw for many.

The store has a wide range of decoration options including Christopher Radko ornaments, handpainted Russian Santas, German crafted nutcrackers, ornaments and paper mache candy containers along with regional crafted Christmas decorations.

“They are really, really gorgeous pieces,” Crozier said.

Crozier travels to find the best items for the store.

“If it doesn't make us feel like Christmas, we don't buy it,” Crozier said.

For example, after travelling to Russia one time, Crozier had some | CONT. ON PG. 30

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| CONT. FROM PG. 29 leftover rubles. So, she decided to buy some hand-crafted Santas.

At Laurel Ridge, Christmastime starts Sept. 1 when employees begin decorating. During that time, magic fills the store.

The love for Christmas happened early in Crozier’s life. When she was 4 years old, her father died in early December.

Her father intended to buy her a bouncing horse toy, but his death came before that could happen.

But he mentioned it to a local business owner, who bought Crozier the bouncing horse.

“I still believe in Santa after that,” she said. “He comes in different ways.”

TRENDING DECORATIONS

This year, Crozier anticipates people to gravitate toward sentimental Christmas decorations.

She thinks the red bird ornaments will be a big hit since they are used to honor loved ones' memories. For Crozier, she uses the ornament to honor her mother who was the real Christmas crazy person.

Crozier will also have a line of professional hero ornaments to celebrate the people on the frontlines during the past two years.

People will want to buy things that “speak to the soul,” she said.

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Flowers

o f a l l SHAPES & SIZES a d d t o

Festive Holiday

DECORATIONS S T O RY B Y C O DY BA I R D | C BA I R D @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y D U Y V U | DV U @ V I CA D. C O M

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T

he unassuming storefront of Devereux Gardens masks a sensory overload hiding within.

Walking through the front door is like stepping into a greenhouse, but without the assault-by-humidity. The sweet scent of hundreds of flowers inside smacks the senses first. The aroma snakes through the air like a Disney drawing, luring customers further in with a beckoning finger. Then, once a customer's eyes adjust to the dim light inside, the room’s vibrancy strikes.

Technicolor flowers covering every hue of red, green, blue, white and just about any other color imaginable saturate the floral arrangements blanketing the store. The roses alone provide at least a dozen shades of red. If that’s not enough, new hybrid flowers in colors that have never existed within nature are brought in every year to bolster the wealth of choices customers can make.

With the holiday season fast approaching, Devereux Gardens has a treasure trove of flowers for anyone looking to deck their halls with a little bit of natural decor.

At Devereux Gardens, holiday floral arrangements are not a monolith, and can come in any size, shape or color that customers request, manager Christie Huvar said. Traditional red and green arrangements are commonly sold, but so are arrangements that include non-traditional colors like yellows or blues or even tropical flowers.

Though ordering an arrangement can be as easy as pointing at a picture in a book and saying, ‘I want that!’ customers can also order custom arrangements,

A small holiday floral arrangement by Devereux Gardens in Victoria

| CONT. ON PG.35 Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

33

e v i t fes A large holiday floral arrangement

y a d i hol s r e flow I like NEW

THINGS,

I like to see what new

flowers

come out.

- Christie Huvar

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A medium holiday floral arrangement

| CONT. FROM PG. 33 Huvar said.

“If you want something specific, you usually want to plan a week ahead,” she said. “Especially for things that are hard to get seasonally.

If you want something specific, like red mums or white gladiolus, then we need a little more time to do that because those aren’t something in the everyday vault.”

The process of building a floral arrangement from a handful of flowers and leaves is rewarding, especially when customers come in with open requests, said John Moraida, floral designer.

“A lot of people don’t have creative minds, so they’ll say ‘I don’t know, just do something,’ and they’re surprised when they come in,” he said.

“Here’s my budget, here’s my colors, just make something pretty,” Huvar said.

Red, white, and green arrangements are popular over the holiday season, Huvar said.

“Christmas is going to be roses, carnations, gladiolus, mums and dianthus, which is like a little puffy green ball, and those are cute,” she said. “Those are going to be your traditional things.”

Specialty flowers common for the season include dahlias, freesias, lisianthus and garden roses, which are puffier roses with higher petal counts, she said.

“Garden roses are expensive but beautiful,” she said. “They come in all different colors of red. There’s a rose called hearts, and each rosehead has probably 100-150 petals on it. It’s really pretty.”

There are always options for people that don’t prefer traditional reds and greens for the holidays, Huvar said. Rust-colored flowers and even yellows are popular choices for those that wish to step outside the box.

“You don’t really have to stick to traditional Christmas colors,” she said.

“Even this year, blues are trending.

It’s almost like a farmhouse blue that’s coming into style.”

Delphiniums and blue hydrangeas are the only two natural blue flowers

Devereux Gardens can easily get in stock, Huvar said. All other blues are flowers sprayed with a blue floral paint, which is an aerosol product similar to spray paint but designed to prevent flowers from suffocating.

Devereux has plenty of options to add to arrangements that are not necessarily flowers, Huvar said.

“At Christmas we could add spruce, pine, cedar,” she said. “Even variegated greenery is pretty because it gives it a little bit of uniqueness and draws your eye to that stripe, that variegation, makes it look a little more special. It looks like you put your creative little spin there.”

When using floral arrangements to decorate a home, there are certain things to look for, Huvar said.

For table centerpieces, Huvar suggests going in one of two directions: either short and compact or tall and thin.

“I would stay out of that line of sight range for the most part,” she said.

Floral arrangements designed for side tables have a unique advantage, Huvar said.

“You can do a one-sided arrangement,” she said. “That way you can have it against a wall and you still get that visual fullness, but it would be a little bit cheaper because you’re not making it all the way around.”

Even if you can conjure up the image of a perfect floral arrangement in your head, it is worth it to stop

by Devereux Gardens and see what flowers are available, because each year new hybrid flowers with new colors, more petals or elongated stems make their debuts on the scene, Huvar said.

Huvar’s personal taste in arrangements is a mix of new and traditional colors, she said.

“I like new things, I like to see what new flowers come out, like the new rose colors,” she said. “To me, bright arrangements, like bright green, bright red, it just pops and goes with almost any Christmas décor you have.”

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FASHION

Holiday

Glamour S T O RY B Y E L E N A A N I TA WAT T S E WAT T S @ V I CA D. C O M PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAY N A W I L E S I M AG E S BY DAY N A HAIR AND MAKEUP BY J E S S I K A R I N E H A RT P L U M C RA Z Y M A K E U P A N D M I C RO B L A D I N G FA S H I O N S B Y BLISS FORMALS FA S H I O N S S H O O T L O C AT I O N THE PUMPHOUSE RIVERSIDE R E STAU RA N T A N D BA R

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FA S H I O N P R E S E N T E D B Y

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Jovani design red tulle and floral appliqué ball gown features a V-neckline, sheer sides and plunging V-back

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JVN by Jovani fit and flare cocktail dress features silver sequin embellishments with a V-neck and sheer back with cutout.

Victoria attorneys

trade in business suits for gowns and tuxedos

W

hen Terri Lynn and Brent Dornburg aren’t donning suits for courtrooms during the week, they are sporting blue jeans on their 40-acre farm in Goliad on the weekends.

So when the criminal defense attorneys who own Dornburg Law in Victoria were approached about modeling formal attire from Bliss Formals at the PumpHouse Riverside Bar and Grill for Discover 361 magazine, the couple, who routinely works 12- to-14-hour days, welcomed the opportunity to glam it up for an afternoon.

“It was fun seeing Brent in a tuxedo, and we were laughing and having a really good time,” Terri Lynn said. “It felt like we were on a first date again. It’s not normal for us to get in those types of dress clothes, so it was a real treat. We work long hours, and honestly, I enjoyed wearing something other than a business suit.”

As the holidays approach, the Dornburgs are looking forward to the cooler weather because they spend a lot of time outdoors on their farm and at their 500 acre ranch two miles down the | CONT. ON PG. 43

FA S H I O N P R E S E N T E D B Y

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An ivory and black statin mermaid silhouette gown with a beaded waistline and strapless sweetheart neckline is designed by Sherri Hill.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 39 The Sherri Hill gold and ivory metallic brocade ball gown features a halter neckline, pockets, and corset-style, lace-up back.

road. As owners of Dornburg Livestock, they are in the process of building their registered Brangus program, and they raise show steers.

They are animal lovers with an assortment of cattle, dogs and cats they call pets, and an array of deer who visit their feeders regularly.

The Dornburgs also enjoy coming together as a family and spending more time with members of their community during the Christmas season.

The power couple has been married for 28 years. They have two sons who both plan to graduate from college in May. Dalton Dornburg, 22, the oldest, studies biomedical science at Texas A&M University and plans to become a veterinarian. Tuffy Dornburg, 20, studies political science at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., where he also plays baseball. He plans to become an attorney. During their high school years, the two boys kept their parents hopping between steer shows and baseball tournaments.

As a fun tradition, the matching Christmas gifts given to the boys every year come from Gavin the bull, Pearl the dog, or some other member of the Dornburg’s animal kingdom, rather than Santa or their parents.

Another tradition they enjoy during the Christmas holidays is taking a family vacation.

This year, the foursome plans to travel to Las Vegas where Tuffy will turn 21. For the last few years, they have looked for destinations with a younger legal gambling age so everyone could partake in poker-playing.

Before life became too busy, Brent competed in the World Series of Poker every year.

The Dornburgs also spend every Christmas Eve with Terri Lynn’s parents in Dime Box. Christmas in Goliad, Christmas in the Park in Cuero and the Lighted Christmas Parade in Victoria are among the events they try to attend every year.

The holidays also present the Dornburgs with the opportunity to show their appreciation for all the people with whom they work at various agencies and offices throughout the Crossroads.

In the past, they have hired Sweet Occasions to | CONT. ON PG. 45

FA S H I O N P R E S E N T E D B Y

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A lustrous mixture of lightcatching glamour from cut glass embellishments featuring a high slit and V-neckline by Sherri Hill. The suit is a black sterling wedding suit by Michael Kors.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 43 Primavera couture fitted beaded and sequin embellished cocktail dress with a V-neckline, open back and criss cross beaded straps.

set up candy bars with sweet and salty treats in some workplaces, while they delivered trays filled with hundreds of cookies to others.

“It’s our time of the year to spread appreciation. We appreciate the community so much and are very blessed to be here in Victoria County,” Terri Lynn said. “We look forward to coming to work every day.”

Terri Lynn is a self-described tomboy, so her closet at home is not full of party dresses. Rather, on any given weekend, her go-to look includes a comfortable pair of blue jeans and a baseball cap with her hair pulled up in a ponytail.

So, the experiences of having her makeup applied and her hair styled for the photoshoot were novel and enjoyable.

The black-and-white strapless gown was Terri Lynn’s favorite because of its high neckline and perfect fit. The red dress, which she called perfect for the holidays, made her feel especially pretty. And she thought the colorful, mirrored dress was the most fun.

Lucy Wood, owner of Bliss Formals on Navarro Street in Victoria, helped select the formal wear the Dornburgs modeled.

“It has always been a dream of mine to own my own business,” Wood said. “Every time I am in the store, it’s my happy place, with all the beautiful dresses, colors and fabrics.”

Wood called the black-and-white dress, which Terri Lynn loved, classic and timeless. She added that Terri Lynn looked amazing in the satin, mermaid-style, Sherri Hill design with a rhinestone belt.

The colorful, mirrored dress, also designed by Sherri Hill, caught Wood’s attention because it makes a bold statement. The designer refers to the dazzling embellishments as “cut glass,” and every single piece reflects the light.

“It’s a ‘wow’ dress, and you can’t take your eyes off of it,” Wood said.

The red ball gown worn by Terri Lynn, which was designed by Jovani, came in 11 colors, and Wood selected red for its show-stopping vibrancy. She said wearing the soft tulle with floral applique, sheer sides, V-neckline and plunging V-back makes any woman feel like royalty.

FA S H I O N P R E S E N T E D B Y

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FOOD

A dazzling yet simple holiday party spread S T O RY B Y M A R K RO S E N B E RG | M RO S E N B E RG @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M

V

ictoria residents Jim and Virginia Furness have hosted parties for years, whether it's a birthday gathering, holiday celebration or even a breakfast spread for their entire neighborhood.

Jim has managed a half-dozen private clubs and restaurants, including the Oak Room, which once sat atop One O'Connor Plaza. So when it comes to party fare, you might expect the couple's approach to be tough for the average cook to imitate.

In fact, their philosophy is just the opposite. The couple favors uncomplicated dishes and believes it's easy to host an elegant Christmas gathering on a budget.

"I'd rather entertain here than go out," Jim said in the kitchen of their Victoria home. "For $200, we can entertain 20 to 30 people here and enjoy the company."

The Furnesses whipped up a holiday spread for the Advocate featuring a smoked salmon fillet, deviled eggs, roasted baby potatoes and a cream cheese and celery shrimp mold served with smoked and seasoned crackers.

While any of the dishes might have fit right in at a country club buffet, several of them were quite easy to 46

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make — starting with the roasted potatoes, which Virginia topped with sour cream and caviar.

"Anybody can throw the potatoes in the oven, and you don't even have to do sour cream and caviar," she said. "I've done them with rosemary. I've done them with lemon and garlic. Whatever flavors you like, you roast 'em — it's easy."

The deviled eggs, which featured smoked salmon, were exceptional. Topped with green dill fronds and a red dusting of Boone's Texas Shake seasoning, made right here in Victoria, they were festive-looking, too.

"I like a little green on them because I think you need a little color," Virginia said.

Jim suggests flipping the eggs over in the carton a day before cooking to ensure the deviled eggs turn out evenly, with the yolks smack dab in the middle. Party planners can cook their eggs a day in advance, too, to avoid having to cook everything at once.

Taking presentation into account is every bit as important as leaving that salmon fillet in your smoker long enough or getting your seasonings right, Jim said. After

Virginia and Jim Furness

Virginia spoons caviar on the dollops of sour cream on the roasted baby new potatoes.

all, everyone's taste buds are different, but we see things pretty much the same.

That's why the salmon fillet was presented on a silver fish-shaped platter, and the deviled eggs were served on two parallel white trays with cradles for each egg.

"To me, it’s as important to the presentation as it is to the food," he said. "If it looks good, it’s going to taste good."

The creamy shrimp mold, prepared with cream cheese, onion and celery, was another hit. For dipping, smoked crackers topped with butter and Boone's Shake provided an extra kick.

When planning a spread, Virginia generally tries to include a meat dish — either seafood, chicken or pork — a vegetable and a starch. At Christmastime, she'll stock up on eggnog from Spec's.

Part of the trick, she said, is figuring out that you don't have to cook everything yourself.

Preparing a cheese platter is a good first step, and everyone enjoys munching on store bought snacks like mixed nuts and M&Ms. "I would say take a tip from Ina Garten: You make some things. You buy some things," she said.

"Those are very simple things for people that do not know how to cook."

Of course, a party isn't a party without company.

So once you've got your menu planned, send out those invitations, pick out a couple of Christmas albums — and you're ready to impress your guests.

SMOKED SALMON

1 large fillet of salmon Olive oil Seasonings Place salmon on rack in smoker and oil both sides. Season with your favorite seasonings.

Place in smoker for about an hour or until internal temperatures reaches 130135 F. Serve.

Winter Winter2021 2021||Discover361.com Discover361.com

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SMOKED SALMON DEVILED EGGS

12 large eggs ¾ cup sour cream 3 oz. room temperature cream cheese 3 Tbls. mayonnaise 6 oz. smoked salmon 1½ tsp. kosher salt ¾ tsp. freshly ground black pepper Some chopped dill or chives for garnish Place the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and take off heat. Cover with lid and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain the water and fill the pot with cold water. Peel the eggs under cold water and slice in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks from the whites and place yolks in a bowl. Place the whites cut side up on a platter. Sprinkle the whites with a little salt.

To the yolks, add the sour cream, cream cheese, mayonnaise, salmon, salt and pepper. Mix together thoroughly.

Using a small spoon, fill the whites with the mixture. Cover eggs loosely and refrigerate for 30 minutes. When ready to serve, garnish with a little chopped dill or chives.

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SHRIMP ASPIC

2 Tbls. Knox gelatin ½ cup cold water 1 can Cream of Celery Soup 8 oz. cream cheese 1 cup mayonnaise ½ cup chopped onion ½ cup chopped celery 1 pound cooked shrimp (I use the bagged frozen shrimp, thawed) Mix the water and gelatin together. Set aside for 15 minutes.

Slowly heat the cream of celery soup, cream cheese and gelatin mixture. Stir while heating until all is dissolved.

In food processor, combine soup mixture, mayonnaise, onion and chopped celery. Add shrimp and blend just a bit so you still have chunks of shrimp.

Pour into buttered mold and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

R OA S T E D BABY NEW P OTAT O E S

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Baby new potatoes Olive oil Salt and pepper Sour cream Caviar After washing and drying potatoes, trim a tiny bit off one side so potatoes will sit flat on the tray. Depending on how large the potatoes are, you might need to cut some in half, otherwise just trim some potato off the top to expose the flesh of the potato. Place in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.

Place the potatoes on a baking sheet with the exposed flesh side up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 350 F until fork tender. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature. When potatoes have cooled, place a dollop of sour cream on top (this is easiest done with a piping bag). Using caviar spoons, place a bit of your favorite caviar on top of the sour cream.

You may roast the potatoes the day before you are planning to serve them.

Refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before adding the sour cream and caviar.

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A favorite tamale restaurant

GEARS UP for

Christmastime

S T O RY B Y M A R K RO S E N B E RG | M RO S E N B E RG @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M C O N T R I B U T E D P H O T O S B Y RO B E RT ROY E R | BU I L D I N G B RA N D S M A R K E T I N G

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White and yellow corn are combined to produce the masa that goes into the restaurant's tamales.

Martha Vasquez, co-owner of Ventura's Tamales.

Amanda Herrera wraps tamales in foil in the kitchen of Ventura's Tamales.

W

hen autumn arrives, most Victoria residents are only just getting around to thinking about Halloween. But as their neighbors begin carving pumpkins and hanging spooky decorations, Martha Vasquez and her sister Susan Martinez, co-owners of Ventura's Tamales, are already preparing for Christmas.

During the rest of the year, the restaurant's employees typically go through one tamale production cycle each week. But starting in September or October, production ramps up to twice a week in anticipation of the holiday season ahead.

Since Ventura's tamales are prepared from scratch, that means cooking the pork jowls and pork roast for the filling, boiling

white and yellow corn and grinding it into masa, blending the masa with spices and lard and shaping and wrapping the tamales — a process that takes place at Ventura's production facility on Water Street — and then doing it all over again.

"That's something we've really stuck to, is the process," said Vasquez, 59, who has run the restaurant with her sister for 30 years.

"That's what works for us."

On Dec. 23, Ventura's shuts down for an all-hands-on-deck tamale-making marathon that allows the restaurant to fulfill its holiday orders. Typically, Ventura's sells from 1,500 to 2,000 dozen tamales in advance orders and day-of sales the day before Christmas. | CONT. ON PG. 52 Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 51 "We open at 7 a.m. on the 24th, and we'll probably have like 600 dozen, and those will be gone by 10 o'clock that morning," Vasquez said.

Tamales are a longstanding Christmas tradition in South Texas, and along with restaurants like Ventura's, many community members prepare and sell tamales to friends and relatives. Some of the more popular cooks in the Crossroads might sell out weeks in advance.

Vasquez said she isn't sure how the tradition began, but she remembers eating her aunt's tamales as a child growing up in Victoria.

"It was plentiful — you could make a lot, and feed a lot of people, especially when your family got together," she said. "And then it just continued."

At Ventura's, the cooking process has changed as the restaurant has grown in popularity. While its current Navarro Street location draws plenty of traffic, the restaurant will soon be moving to a larger building, now under construction on Nursery Drive.

But Vasquez claims the tamales themselves have remained faithful to the way her mother prepared them.

When Vasquez's mother, Ventura L. Gutierrez, who is the restaurant's namesake, began selling tamales out of a neighborhood gas station on North Street around 1980, the production process relied on the strength of her father's arm. Vasquez's father was responsible for operating a hand-crank device that pumped the masa and filling through a tube.

"It was a lot of work," Vasquez said.

As the business grew, Gutierrez switched over to a device that used a converted washing machine stand to crank out the tamales.

Nowadays, roughly eight to 10 employees gather in the Water Street building on production days. After an automatic plunger system feeds the meat and masa through cylinders, one person places the resulting tamales on trays. Another team rolls each tamale up in a corn husk, packages them up and prepares them for transport to the restaurant, where they are available for preorders, dayof sales and discounted day-old sales, which Vasquez said are very popular.

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Martha Vasquez, co-owner of Ventura's Tamales, demonstrates how the masa and meat are wrapped in corn husks.

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Ingredients for tamales lie on a table in front of Martha Vasquez.

While Gutierrez used to use hog head for the stuffing, which required her to shave the hair off the hog before butchering and cleaning it, Ventura's now uses pork jowls and roast, Vasquez said.

Little else about the recipe has changed. Ventura's still makes a flavorful tamale spiced with chili powder, salt and pepper, comino and garlic, along with serrano pepper for the spicy batches.

"I'm sure it's gotten tweaked a little bit, but the masa and everything is pretty much the same," Vasquez said.

"The consistency has been the same for years and years and years."

Asked whether she was concerned about giving up the secret to the family recipe, Vasquez just chuckled.

After all, turning out nearly 25,000 tasty tamales for Christmastime is no small task.

"I challenge somebody to try to do it," she said.

This holiday season is likely to be no exception, but this is far from Ventura's first rodeo.

"Every business has a season," Vasquez said. "Of course, ours is in November and December."

Martha Vasquez grabs a soaked corn husk to demonstrate how the masa and meat are wrapped to make a tamale.

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DAY TRIP

Christmas in Cuero Small to wn full of holiday cheer The lounge area at Classy B's Boutique and Lounge.

S T O RY B Y CAT D E L AU RA | C D E L AU RA @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M A N D D U Y V U | DV U @ V I CA D. C O M

C

UERO — Your first instinct might not be to head to a small Texas cattle town to find some holiday cheer, but Cuero is here to challenge that preconception.

The town formed around the Chisholm Trail cattle route during the mid-1800s, but these days folks tend to gather along the trail of lights in the Cuero Municipal Park during the city’s annual Christmas in the Park event.

The Christmas tradition began in 2000 and has grown to include over 250 holiday themed light displays that sparkle across the park each year. Beginning the Monday before Thanksgiving, attendees are invited to drive through winter scenes and wonderlands, follow Santa and his reindeer as they take flight, or watch Old Man Winter make intricate 54

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snowflakes all from the comfort of one’s car, all for free, although donations are welcome.

That’s a really huge event, said Angie Cuellar, the executive director of Cuero’s Chamber of Commerce, but the Christmas spirit doesn’t end there.

“The second weekend in December is our Christmas in downtown,” she said. “That’s when they transform the downtown into a kind of winter wonderland.”

Do some last minute Christmas shopping at the farmers market that weekend or hop in an old fashioned carriage for a ride about town. Twirl your partner across the ice skating rink or introduce your kids to a real life reindeer.

And while you’re downtown, don’t forget to stop at the Cuero Pecan

House and Cafe.

The family-owned establishment began as a seasonal “nuthouse,” processing, shelling and selling local pecans. In 2003, however, Annette and Erwin Rath decided to expand the shop and began offering homemade pies, cookies, casseroles and other goodies.

Their food has brought loyal fans from San Antonio, Austin and Houston, said Anthony Rath, who helps his parents run the store. They’ll come with coolers that they fill with the frozen casseroles and various pies, but the real star of the show is the shop’s pecan pie.

“It’s not a normal crust,” said Annette Rath. Every crust is made by hand and includes a secret ingredient - pecan meal. “This is what makes the | CONT. ON PG. 56

The front of Classy B's Boutique and Lounge located on Main Street in Cuero.

A Classy Pop, wine with a fruit bar inside.

Sunglasses for sale.

A regular charcuterie board, bottom, and a brunch charcuterie board.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 54 pie unique,” she said.

The pecan meal gives the homemade crust a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the gooey, buttery filling.

In August, they expanded again and opened the Pecan House Cafe across the railroad tracks.

The cafe serves the pies and casseroles that are cooked and sold next door. Stop in to taste their famous pecan pie and leave with a cooler full of their other treats or grab a bag of candied pecans to enjoy as you take in the 30-foot, decorated Christmas tree downtown.

If you’re feeling a bit “bah humbug” about all the crowds outdoors, pop inside Classy B’s, where the vibe is anything but “humbug.”

Brooke Jackson opened the seemingly simple boutique with her mother in July, but there’s far more to the store than meets the eye. Up front she sells women’s clothing in sizes ranging from zero to 3X as well as various trinkets and accessories, but in the back she’s serving up drinks and foods in a fun and creative environment.

The lounge in the back is bright and colorful. The room is broken into smaller sections, each creatively designed and waiting to be the backdrop of your next Instagram pic a swinging bench in front of a wall of pink flowers, neon angel wings, and a Chanel chair, to name just a few.

“I started with the goal of just wanting a spot where people can come and feel accepted. Come and hang out and not feel like there’s any kind of judging going on or anybody’s not welcome,” said Jackson.

It’s not a bar, she emphasized. It's a place for the community to gather.

Their kitchen serves a daily special and a build-your-own, generously proportioned charcuterie board.

“This is where you come to hang out. If you want to have a drink, have a drink, but we keep it classy,” she said.

If you can’t get enough of the Christmas spirit in Cuero, consider booking a stay at the Proctor-Green House to experience first-hand the decadent lives of Cuero’s well-to-do | CONT. ON PG. 58 56

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

A fireplace.

The Proctor-Green House.

The dining space.

The staircase leading to the second floor at the Proctor-Green House.

The bathroom.

The nativity scene in the Cuero Municipal Park.

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

57

| CONT. FROM PG. 54 during the 19th century.

The historic three-bedroom, two-and-a half-bath guest house is part of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum. Built in 1891 in the late Victorian Queen Anne style, the home combines the charm of its past with fully updated amenities.

“We tried to keep it as period correct as we could,” said Kasey Baros, who volunteers with the museum.

The purple and yellow light that filters through stained glass windows and the intricate designs carved into the wooden staircase are the details of a bygone era, while the kitchen and bathrooms boast all the conveniences of the modern day.

After sleeping in a bit of history, why not spend the next day exploring history?

Cuero boasts four museums, including the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, which focuses on the ranching and agricultural heritage of the area, and the Cuero Heritage Museum, which highlights the histories and traditions that make the city “quaint, yet fascinating,” including the famous Turkey Trot celebration.

The Deluxe sandwich, a popular lunch item at Cuero Pecan House Cafe.

The inside of the Cuero Pecan House Cafe, which opened in its new location in August at the corner of South Esplanade and West North Railroad Street.

Elda Ramirez pours filling into pecan pies.

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Pecan pie is one of Cuero Pecan House's most popular items.

They sell regular-sized pies as well as mini pies.

Cuero’s Christmas in the Park

Mark your calendar for the Monday before Thanksgiving thru New Year’s Day please visit www.cuerochristmasinthepark.org for more information and early donations.

A big Thank You for all donations 201 Leonard Roy Harmon Dr, Cuero, TX 77954 • (361) 275-8178. Follow us on Facebook Brought to you by The December Events Committee

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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Located in downtown Cuero, The Venue on Church Street is perfect for all types of weddings and events Visit us to see why we are the perfect canvas for your special occasion

125 E. Church Street Cuero, Texas

Schedule a walk-through: 361-243-1015

thevenueonchurchstreet.com

Foster Creek Station Boutique

Don’t get your tinsel in a tingle See us for your Christmas needs

504 E Crestwood Dr, Victoria 361-576-0100 60

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WAYS TO

WORK OFF

STRESS DURING THE

HOLIDAY

SEASON S T O RY B Y C H AS E RO G E R S | C RO G E R S @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y E M R E E W E AV E R | E W E AV E R @ V I CA D. C O M

Winter Winter2021 2021||Discover361.com Discover361.com

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M

any say the holiday season is the best time of the year.

There is a lot to love about the fun, family-centered holidays that kick off at the end of a long year. It’s a time filled with happiness and — more importantly to some — cooler weather.

However, as the season picks up, it can also be a time of stress for many. Those working in retail or the service industry especially bear the brunt, as businesses often see an increase in sales, foot traffic and orders. According to the National Retail Federation, that has been the case for many years with annual sales increasing a couple of percentage points almost every year over the last two decades. Holiday spending is at an all-time high, and it does not show signs of stopping.

Our jobs can be one of the main sources of stress, so when business picks up, it is only natural for stress levels to pick up as well.

So how do you beat it back? How do you keep your stress levels low and enjoy taking in the jolly sights and sounds of the best time of the year?

Here are a few ways to beat the holiday stress.

WORKING OUT

In her 38 years of leading group exercises and teaching, Sharon Elder has heard it all from her students about how exercising has helped them manage their stress. For her, it is more about being active, getting the “juices flowing” and shutting out everything going on outside of the gym that is beneficial.

“Sometimes, you need to focus on just one thing. When you come into the gym, it is just you and the instructor, or just you and the treadmill,” said Elder, a group fitness instructor at Citizens HealthPlex, 9406 Zac Lentz Parkway. “It doesn't even matter what you do, it just has to be something you enjoy.”

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Personal Trainer Loran Quinn works with her client Sylvia Howell at Citizens HealthPlex.

Sharon Elder teaches a water aerobics class at Citizens HealthPlex.

Almost anything physical can be stress relieving for folks, she said, but there are a few exercises she strongly recommends.

YO G A

Yoga can enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being and help manage depression and anxiety. The discipline uniquely brings together physical and mental exercises aimed at helping you achieve peacefulness of body and mind.

Elder teaches a range of classes for different skill levels, including chair yoga, gentle yoga, beginner yoga and then intermediate to advanced yoga.

S W I M M I N G / WAT E R AEROBICS

Swimming is not usually an option during the holidays with the cooling temperatures, but the handful of indoor pools in the Crossroads are perfect for any range of water-based exercises shown to relieve stress.

TA I C H I

Originally an exercise in selfdefense, tai chi is now seen as a graceful form of exercise that is ideal for relieving stress. It is often described as “meditation in motion” and it promotes serenity through flowing movements.

T H I N G S YO U CA N D O IN THE OFFICE TO RELIEVE STRESS: • Deep breathing • Stretching • Look out the window • Turn off your monitor for 10 minutes • Take a break and walk around the office

| CONT. ON PG. 64 Winter Winter2021 2021||Discover361.com Discover361.com

63 63

OTHER

WAYS TO

RELIEVE STRESS | CONT. FROM PG. 63

TA K E S O M E T I M E T O YO U R S E L F

The holidays are all about being with loved ones, so it can be easy to overlook yourself during all of the shopping sprees, get togethers and events. You should still find time to spend on self care — a bubble bath, massage, spa trip or whatever method you prefer to get away.

BE GENEROUS

One of the best ways to stay calm and content during the holiday season is to be generous, which is a trademark of the times. Generosity to your loved ones, coworkers and friends can go a long way. Ultimately, it feels good to be kind, and people will appreciate your heartfelt sentiment.

Giving to others can often lead people to feel more grateful for their own circumstances, so go out and volunteer. It can take your focus off your own problems and leave you with a more positive attitude while also dissipating stress.

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VC

YA’LL COME ON DOWN!

WE’LL LEAVE THE BURGERS ON FOR YOU!

Get your gear ready and schedule your Ultrasound cleaning now

or just come in and take a look at our collection

2001 Lova Dr-Victoria,TX

Pat Calhoun • 361.648.9895 • pt_calhoun@att.net Robert Fly • 210.218.0818 • rtfjr1@flash.net

Due to the increase of national inflation of the cost of meat products our cost will increase.

Effective 1 January 2022 the price will go up by $1.00 to $6.00.

240 S. Commercial Street Goliad, TX 77963

• • •

Tuesday to Saturday 10AM - 6PM Closed Sunday & Monday

Pre-Christian K 2 years -Based 5th Grade

Christian-Based Small classroom Smallsizes Classes Child care available before and after school (7:00 amfor - 5:30Students/Family pm) Individual Needs

Early Birds Hours Our certified gradeand level Extended teachers work together to meet the individual needs of students and Grade Level Teachers Certified families.

Body/Mind/Spirit Books - CBD - Gifts - Jewelry Yoga & Massage Wellness Classes & Workshops 4100 N Laurent

Victoria,Tx 361-578-5601 nbsvictoria.org

126 N Courthouse Square, Goliad Tx, 77963

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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CULTURE & EVENTS

MAGICAL and AGELESS

Concert rekindles memories of Christmas long ago

Conspirare Choir S T O RY B Y E L E N A A N I TA WAT T S | E WAT T S @ V I CA D. C O M P H O T O G R A P H Y C O N T R I B U T E D B Y C O N S P I RA R E

T

he beautiful sounds of harmonious singing will conjure up the magic of Christmas for Crossroads residents as the holiday season gets started. For the 17th year, the Victoria Bach Festival will present Conspirare Christmas in Victoria at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Victoria Fine Arts Center.

“We will perform a broad spectrum of musical styles, as anyone who has been has come to expect,” said Craig Hella Johnson, artistic director and conductor for Conspirare, a Grammywinning, Austin-based professional choral ensemble that formed in 1991.

“From Gregorian chants to choral motets to gospel music, we will perform everything from the familiar 66

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

to the unfamiliar, and everything will carry the theme of coming home to each other as a human family and returning to love.”

Keeping with tradition, Conspirare Christmas will feature a guest artist.

In past years, Carrie Rodriguez, Eliza Gilkyson and Ruthie Foster were among the guest artists who filled the bill. This year, Isaac Cates and Ordained will bring 14 singers from Kansas City, Mo., to share the spotlight with the 25 members of Conspirare.

“This year, uniquely, two pianos will be on stage because Isaac also leads and conducts from the piano,” Johnson said. “Two conductors and two ensembles will be in dialogue

for a very special program of coming together as a human family celebrating the great diversity in the world — diversity and coming together and a sense of unity will be in all aspects of the program — and a lot of great singing, too.”

Christmas is a time when people are especially tuned into music.

The nondenominational, 90-minute Christmas concert will not only celebrate religious traditions but also, more generally, the idea of love being born into people’s lives.

“That’s what we come to this concert to experience, to remember and to celebrate,” Johnson said. “The message of love is for everyone.”

Conspirare’s world-class singers

Christmas, in general, has a timeless f e e l to i t ,

A B E AU T Y TO I T.

- Isaac Cates

Isaac Cates of Isaac Cates and Ordained.

Craig Hella Johnson conducts the Conspirare choir from the piano.

hail from cities and towns across the country, and they participate in a multistep audition process to join the group. For Conspirare Christmas, the artists will practice the program on their own wherever they live for about six weeks, and the ensemble will rehearse together for the first time on the Tuesday before the performance.

When Johnson looks for guest artists for Conspirare, he looks for those who inspire his ensemble in new ways while sharing similar interests that contribute to bridge-building.

“It’s a joy to collaborate. We have a very special guest ensemble, an extraordinary gospel choir,” Johnson said. “(Isaac Cates and Ordained) perform a variety of styles, but they are especially known for gospel, and | CONT. ON PG. 69 Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

67

The message of l ove i s fo r

E V E RYO N E .

- Craig Hella Johnson

Craig Hella Johnson

Conspirare performers.

68

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| CONT. FROM PG. 67 I’m really excited about the concert for that reason.”

In 2005, Cates cofounded Ordained with Anthony Harvey, his classmate from the University of Missouri. In the choral music world, the ensemble is known for infusing classical themes into gospel music.

Cates said Johnson possesses an ability to naturally connect to people.

He also has an emotional, passionate connection to music.

“We discovered that we are in sync about music - the impacts and power of it,” Cates said. “We think similarly about the impact and reach of music as a tool to encourage people, to transport them somewhere.”

Christmas music is magical and ageless, he continued. Once a year, recordings of Christmas music from 30, 40, 50 or even 60 years ago come back into rotation and evoke good memories of childhood.

“Christmas, in general, has a timeless feel to it, a beauty to it.

It evokes something in people nostalgia, hopefulness, an end-ofa-year sort of celebration. It has a childlike energy to it,” Cates said.

“It’s not so cerebral in nature. Think of carols, songs of the season, that transport people. This is a very special opportunity to do that. People don’t forget that sort of thing - it makes them feel.”

Johnson, who was artistic director for the Victoria Bach Festival for about 25 years, said Victoria occupies a special place in his heart. He wants to honor those involved with the Victoria Bach Festival, especially Executive Director Nina Di Leo, with Conspirare this year.

“I was the third artistic director (for the Victoria Bach Festival) and established a lot of wonderful friendships in the city and still maintain many of them,” Johnson said. “I have many cherished musical memories with the Bach Festival to be sure. We have such a long-standing history and strong relationships. The audience has been growing and developing over the years, and we really love having the opportunity to come back and sing for the Victoria audience again.”

Presidio La Bahia Goliad, TX Presidio La Bahia An important part of Texas History.

Visit the Presidio and step into Texas history.

• • • •

One of the oldest churches in Texas Living History featured throughout the year.

Rent the quarters and spend the night.

Chapel available for weddings.

Located at: 217 Loop 71, Goliad, TX 77963

Contact and reservations, call: (361) 645-3752 or visit www.presidiolabahia.org

Shop Early Before the Christmas Rush

Perfect Stocking Stuffers

The Skylar Earrings, The Lana Necklace, The Springtown Top

The Tuscany Cross Body, The Venetian Dress

Shop local with Sassy Antler for your western fashion and Navajo Jewelry

Candles and wax melts

The Adobe Ring, 16” & 18” 5mm Navajo Pearls, 20” 8mm Navajo Pearls, The Casper Necklace

The Wickenburg Hat Pecan, Teardrop Ring, The Cheyenne Earrings

3059 FM 236, Victoria, TX across from Dollar General, Upper Mission Valley Road (210) 385-6792 • www.sassyantlerboutique.com Tues-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

69

NAZARETH ACADEMY

C UERO

Est. 1965

Est. 1965

catholic school

Open House Tuesday, Jan. 18 6:30 PM For prospective students, in grades PK3-8th, and their parents 206 W. Convent 361-573-6651

NazarethAcademy.org

Christmas on Grand

C UERO

• Freshly Seasoned Pecans • Gourmet -To-Go Casseroles • Cakes • Cookies • Pies • Pecan Oil • Gift Baskets • Local Jams

• Delicious Sandwiches • Casseroles • Salads • Soups • Sweet Treats • Coffee & Specialty Drinks

And Much More!

www.CueroPecanHouse.com

104 W. South Railraod • Cuero • 361-275-5632 • M-F 8am-4pm

Willow’s Corner Boutique and Signs

Saturday, December 4th Farm & Market Days 8:00 A.M. ‘Til ?

Santa Claus with games!

3:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. $1 FEE FOR SNOW & GAMES. FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED FOR LIGHTED CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS.

www.yoakumareachamber.com • 361.293.2309 70

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

5003 K John Stockbauer Dr. Victoria, Texas 77904 (361) 894-6273

OUT and ABOUT W I T H T O N Y VA S Q U E Z

S E E W H O WA S O U T A N D A B O U T AT: • Nave Dia de los Muertos • Duck Race Kickoff Party • Wild About Wine • Victoria Ballet • Peaches and Tortilla Fairytale Pumpkin Patch • Victoria Art League Fall Show Photo by Danny Vivian

Bonnie Riley and Preston Timmons

Kendalyn Ann Welch Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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Nave Dia de los Muertos

N AV E M U S E U M | S E P T. 1 6

Zak and Kayla Koenig

Raymond and Chelsea Hill

Kathleen Carey and Mary Sue Koontz Nelson 72

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

Steve Solis

Emily and John Rogers with Henry Rogers

Dale and Debbie Morris with Calle Fromme

Duck Race Kickoff Party

M O O N S H I N E D R I N K E RY | S E P T. 2 3

Elí and Jennifer Garza

Seth and Cheryl Brumley Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

73

Rena and Calvin Scherer, Dana and Rafael De La Garza, Pat and Marvin O'Neill, and Monica and Tommy Joost

Wild About Wine

Amanda Redding and Shane Stuart

T H E T E X A S Z O O | S E P T. 2 4

Becky Hajek and Shawn Suarez

Natalie and Josh Tienert 74

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Sarah Rowland, Damiana Eller, Dawn and Jimmy Zaplac

Reice Tibiletti, Ellison High, Kaitlyn Haschke, Emmie Bertoni, Kyndal Stimson, Kyleigh Douglas, Brenda Tally, and Stella Motl.

Meaghan MacKenzie-Rolfe

Victoria Ballet VICTORIA COLLEGE’S LEO J.WELDER CENTER FOR THE P E R F O R M I N G A RT S | S E P T. 2 5

Galen and Leslye Franz and family

Margaret and Marleigh Luker Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

75

Jessica Armstrong and Aariana Jones

Molly Duke Gonzales Dolly Ann Guevara

Peaches and Tortilla Fairytale Pumpkin Patch P E A C H E S A N D T O RT I L L A | O C T. 3

Jory and Adam Achttien and family 76

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Tony Vasquez and Lascena Lee Simmons

Victoria Art League Fall Show

V I C T O R I A A RT L E A G U E | O C T. 1

Frank and Angela Weaver

Crystal Lindsey and Woodrow Wagner

Carl Van Dolzer and Guy Dolan

Debra Chronister and Patty Lowrie Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

77

Victoria Fine Arts Center

January 22, 2022 7:30 PM

Where Children Succeed Kinder - 12th Grade 10

Best known for his hits “Feliz Navidad”, “Chico and the Man”, “California Dreamin,” “Light My Fire,” “Ay Carino,” “Ponte A Cantar,” “Cuando El Amor Se Acaba,” and “Porque Te Tengo Que Olvidar?”

TH ANNUAL

2020

We offer a level of individualized care that no other school can provide as we foster individual achievement through flexible and personalized learning.

WEB-BASED - INTERACTIVE - BLENDED LEARNING

361-212-3078 | crossroadschristianvictoria.com

Find us on Facebook @VictoriaFarmersMarket

Wednesday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Pattie Dodson Public Health Center 2805 N. Navarro For more info: 361-218-9246

• • • •

locally grown produce farm fresh eggs pastured meats local honey

• • • • • •

pickles jellies salsa plants baked goods handmade items

IT’S A

TEXAS thing!

chicken fried steak

cobb salad

234 E Main St | Port Lavaca

361-553-5555

View our Menu online!

The Victoria Farmers' Market is a program of the Food Bank of the Golden Crescent.

78

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TXTraditions.com

Follow us on Facebook

UPCOMING

Calendar of Events N OV E M B E R | T H RO U G H | M A R C H CLASSICAL BLOCKBUSTERS MEETS THE EAST, VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S CONCERT SERIES 4 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 Victoria Fine Arts Center victoriasymphony.com 361-576-4500 DOWNTOWN VICTORIA ART WALK March 4 Downtown Victoria Victoria Main Street Program on Facebook TUNES AT NOON Noon March 16 Gazebo at DeLeon Plaza Downtown Victoria Victoria Main Street Program on Facebook

VICTORIA KERRY CANNON EXHIBIT Nov. 4–Dec. 23 Nave Museum navemuseum.org GARY MORRIS FAMILY & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts weldercenter.org 361-570-8587 CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3 DeLeon Plaza in downtown Victoria Victoria Main Street Program on Facebook LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE 6 p.m. Dec. 4 Main Street in downtown Victoria Victoria Parks and Recreation on Facebook

DOWNTOWN VICTORIA ART WALK 2-8 p.m., Dec. 18 Downtown Victoria Victoria Main Street Program on Facebook HIROMI STRINGER - UMEYAMA TIME TELEPORTATION MUSEUM (UTTM) Jan. 20-March 13 Nave Museum navemuseum.org JOSE FELICIANO, VICTORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S CONCERT SERIES 3 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22 Victoria Fine Arts Center victoriasymphony.com 361-576-4500 “RING OF FIRE” BY THEATRE VICTORIA Feb. 18-27 Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts theatrevictoria.org 361-576-6277

MARKET ON MAIN 9 a.m.-2 p.m. March 19 DeLeon Plaza in downtown Victoria Victoria Main Street Program on Facebook

CUERO CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK 6-10 p.m. Nov. 22-Jan. 1 Cuero Municipal Park cuero.org SHOP SMALL SATURDAY 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 27 Downtown Cuero cuero.org CHRISTMAS IN DOWNTOWN 6-10 p.m. Dec. 10; noon-10 pm. Dec. 11 Cuero Main Street cueromainstreet.com DESIGNER PURSE BINGO 5:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 Cuero VFW Hall cuero.org | CONT. ON PG. 80 Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 51 CUERO LIVESTOCK SHOW Feb. 26-March 4 Cuero Friar Ag Center dewitt.agrilife.org

EDNA SHOP LOCAL Extended store hours Dec. 4 Downtown Edna 361-782-7146 BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Dec. 4 Jackson County Services Building, 411 N. Wells St. 361-782-7146 CHRISTMAS PARADE ON MAIN At dark Dec. 4 Downtown Edna 361-782-7146

GOLIAD HISTORICAL COMMISSION’S CHRISTMAS IN GOLIAD Dec.3-4 Downtown Goliad 361-645-8767

BEST OF TEXAS BIG BUCK AND BIG HOG BANQUET 6-10 p.m. Feb. 4 Jackson County Services Building, 411 N. Wells St. 361-782-7146

MAIN STREET GOLIAD CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY Dec.3-11 Downtown Goliad Main Street Goliad on Facebook mainstreetgoliad.com

GANADO GANADO FARMERS AND HANDMADE MARKET Nov. 27 Downtown Ganado 361-771-8695 CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE Extended store hours Dec. 16 Downtown Ganado 361-771-2232 CHARLES DICKENS’ “A CHRISTMAS CAROL, A LIVE RADIO PLAY” Dec. 17, 18, 19 Rear Window Listening Room, 107 Menefee Ave. rearwindowlisteningroom.com

GOLIAD SHOP SMALL SATURDAY 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 27 Downtown Goliad Main Street Goliad on Facebook mainstreetgoliad.com 80

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

CHRISTMAS RENDEZVOUS AND TRADE FAIR 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4 Presidio La Bahia, 217 Loop 71 361-645-3752 LADIES NIGHT OUT 5-8 p.m. Dec. 16 Downtown Goliad Main Street Goliad on Facebook mainstreetgoliad.com CHOCOLATE AND WINE CRAWL 5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10 Downtown Goliad Main Street Goliad on Facebook mainstreetgoliad.com GOLIAD COUNTY FAIR AND RODEO March 17-20 Goliad County Fairgrounds, 925 U.S. 183 361-645-8204 GOLIAD MASSACRE AND LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. March 26; 10 a.m.-noon March 27 Presidio La Bahia, 217 Loop 71 361-645-3752

GOLIAD MARKET DAYS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Every second Saturday of each month Downtown Goliad 361-645-3563 goliadcc.org

HALLETTSVILLE HALLETTSVILLE MARKET DAYS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 21 KC Hall, 321 U.S. 77 South 361-772-0084 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 27; 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 28 Square in downtown Hallettsville hallettsvillefol.org WINE WALK 2-8 p.m. walk; 8-10 p.m. social Dec. 11 Square in downtown Hallettsville 361-798-2662 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINO TOURNAMENT (STRAIGHT DOMINOS) Jan. 16 KC Hall, 321 U.S. 77 South 361-798-2311 HALLETTSVILLE MARKET DAYS 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 19 KC Hall, 321 U.S. 77 South 361-772-0084 42 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP DOMINO TOURNAMENT March 4-5 KC Hall, 321 U.S. 77 South 361-798-2662

ROCKPORT ROCKPORT DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET 9 a.m.-noon Second Saturday of every month 105 S. Austin St. in the Oh My! parking lot, downtown Rockport Rockport Downtown Farmers Market on Facebook MAKERS MARKET 9 a.m.-noon Second Saturday of every month Downtown Rockport Michell Mock-McMahon at rockportdailygrind@yahoo.com ROCKPORT-FULTON MARKET DAYS 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Third Saturday of each month Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor Rockport-Fulton Market Day on Facebook 361-463-0125 ROCKPORT TROPICAL CHRISTMAS Noon-9 p.m. Dec. 4 Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor 361-727-2158 HOLIDAY SYMPHONY BY THE SEA WITH THE CORPUS CHRISTI SYMPHONY, ROCKPORT-FULTON HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR 2 -4 p.m. Dec.12 Luigi Auditorium, 1803 Omohundro St., Rockport acedfoundation.org 361-215-1575

GOSPEL MUSIC FESTIVAL Jan. 7-9 First Baptist Church, 1515 N. Live Oak St., Rockport Gary Howard, 361-205-2789; gospelforce.org/festival WINTER TEXAN APPRECIATION DAY 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 29, come-and-go Aransas County Airport, 421 John D. Wendell Road, Rockport 361-729-6445 LA MARDI GRAS FOR LAMAR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Feb. 11-13 Lamar Peninsula 361-205-7037 lamarvfd.com FULTON OYSTERFEST March 3-6 Fulton Harbor Navigation Park 361-463-9955 www.fultonoysterfest.org 33RD ANNUAL WHOOPING CRANE STRUT 8 a.m. March 5 Rockport Beach 361-727-2158

SHINER CHAMBER’S CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK & JINGLE JOG 5K Dec. 5 Green Dickson Park 361-594-4180

LIGHTED BOAT PARADE At dark Dec. 11 Rockport Harbor at Rockport Yacht Club 361-463-1193 CHRISTMAS IN THE DISTRICT 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 11 Downtown Rockport rockportculturalartsdistrict.com

YOAKUM

CHRISTMAS IN FULTON Dec. 16 Fulton Convention Center 361-729-2388

YORKTOWN CHRISTMAS WITH SANTA 6 p.m. Dec. 2 Downtown Yorktown yorktowntx.com CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS Nov. 25-Jan. 6 Downtown Yorktown & Yorktown City Park yorktowntx.com DEWITT COUNTY’S 175TH BIRTHDAY FOUNDER’S BALL Dec. 31 Yorktown Community Hall, 60 Community Hall Road yorktowntx.com

SHINER

SHINER DOWNTOWN MARKET DAYS, PRESENTED BY B’MARIE BOUTIQUE & COFFEE BAR 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 18 Downtown Shiner 361-594-4180

CAROLING AT THE MANSION 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 Fulton Mansion, 317 Fulton Beach Road, Rockport 361-729-0386

YOAKUM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BANQUET 6 p.m. social, 7 p.m. meal and program, Jan. 27 Yoakum Community Center, 105 Huck St. www.yoakumareachamber.com 361-293-2309

YOAKUM FARM & MARKET DAYS 8 a.m.- noon, First Saturday of each month Railroad Park, Front Street yoakumareachamber.com 361-293-2309 CHRISTMAS ON GRAND Dec. 4 Railroad Park, downtown Yoakum yoakumareachamber.com 361-293-2309

PIVOT GOLDEN CRESCENT CASA

The one where we go virtual

WINE & CHARCUTERIE TO-GO

VIRTUAL TELETHON ONLINE AUCTION

TEXT "CASA" TO

243725 TO GET TO THE EVENT PAGE!

TUNE IN

DECEMBER 4th

Winter 2021 | Discover361.com

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Our Lady of Victory Catholic School

Pre-K3 through 8th Open House for Prospective Families Sunday, January 23, 2022 www.ourladyvictory.org | 361-575-5391 Educating Hearts, Minds & Souls for Eternity

85%

Gulf Bend Center is pleased to announce the launch of our Capital Campaign to support the transformation of our clinic!

You can be a part of bringing a new level of mental health care to the residents of our community by making a financial donation.

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Donate Today!

GOAL: $3.6 Million 100%

www.GULFBEND.ORG

50% 30% 10% Includes Gulf Bend Center’s 50% Contribution of $1.8 million Gulf Bend Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

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141 S Courthouse Square, Goliad, TX 77963 • (361) 645-2347

DORNBURG LAW Aggressive Criminal Defense

Dornburg Law wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 101 W. Goodwin Ave., Suite 305 • Victoria, TX 77901

361-570-4444

www.DornburgLaw.net

10

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OF THE

2020

A BETTER EMERGENCY EXPERIENCE

COMING SOON

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Winter 2021 | Discover361.com