ETX View Magazine Nov Dec 2022

ETX VIEW

ISSUE

ICHOSE

Longview Re gi on al

Longview Re gi on al

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Santana Wood

Getting into the Christmas spirit

Iget déjà vu every time I tell someone my name.

“I’m Santana,” I say. “Nice to meet you.”

“Whoa, cool name! You must be named after….”

“…. Carlos Santana?” I quip. “Nope, not quite.”

It’s a conversation I’ve had hundreds of times in my three decades of life, and I know I’ll have it again and again as I meet more people. And really, I don’t mind it. It’s always an ice breaker and I have to say, it is pretty cool for new people to think you’re named after a rock legend – at least for a minute, anyway.

Alas, the next couple of sentences are when I break the news that I’m not nearly as cool as they think.

“Actually, I’m named after Santa Claus.”

Yep. You see, I was born on Christmas Eve. My full name was originally going to be “Lindsey Lee Wood” – two family names. But as Mama sat in the hospital that morning, she said it was hard not to feel the spirit of Christmas. My name needed more – a little Christmas magic.

So she thought and thought. “I couldn’t name you Eve, or Christy,” she tells me. Too literal. I could’ve been Holly Wood! No, no, those wouldn’t do… Mama kept brainstorming and wrote ‘Santa Claus’ in her doodles, then added ‘na’ to ‘Santa.’

“Your Nanny called, and I told her how I was thinking of naming you ‘Santana.’ Nanny exclaimed over the phone, ‘That’s it!’ She loved it so much, and I knew I did too,” Mama tells me. And that was that.

Sure, maybe I wasn’t named after a Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer, but Santa Claus is pretty legendary himself. Because it’s my birthday and quite literally part of my identity, Christmas is my favorite holiday and time of the year in general.

I tell you all of this to say, I had an absolute ball planning and working on the stories for this special holiday issue of ETX View.

We had the opportunity to talk with the Reeds, who run the Plantation Christmas Tree Farm in Tyler. It has been in Heather’s family for decades, so it was awesome to hear how she and her sweet family are keeping the legacy alive while providing a

place for other families to grow their own traditions. Read more on Page 8.

I enjoyed seeing Kadrienne Rose Bradshaw in her element, creating absolute art with her naturally talented hands. Through her hand-lettering business, she does all sorts of things, like addressing Christmas card envelopes or gift tags, or making Thanksgiving menus look just as good as the food. Her journey starts on 16.

Sometimes we take the most basic things for granted, like the shoes on our feet. A group of volunteers at Motion Church, Page 22, wanted to find a way to help kids in the area in need of new shoes. Many are wearing sizes too small and their parents can’t afford to get them new ones. That’s how Kicks for Kids was born in 2012, and since then, the impact has been tremendous.

The holiday season is full of hustle and bustle, but Ship A Latte can help alleviate at least some of your anxiety. Run by a local family, the shipping business takes all the stress out of mailing packages. They do the hard work for you, see Page 30, and can even wrap your gifts. Plus, you can browse their gift shop and sample some coffee while you’re there. Talk about making an errand fun.

Something I love about every story I’ve mentioned so far is how they bring God into their mission. The businesses and volunteers all keep their faith at the forefront and share God’s message through their work. That’s important yearround, but especially this time of year. He is the reason for the season after all.

I hope these stories put you in the holiday spirit and remind you of all the magic around us here in East Texas.

P.S. I have to give a big thank you to our readers and advertisers for supporting ETX View. As I get ready to usher in my second year of leading this magazine, to say I’m thankful is an understatement. ‘Oh what fun’ it has been! Happy holidays.

PRESIDENT Stephen McHaney

PUBLISHER Justin Wilcox

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Alyssa Purselley-Hankins 903-596-6295

EDITOR Tim Thorsen

ETX VIEW EDITOR Santana Wood

PUBLICATION DESIGNER Haley Holcomb

WRITERS Christina Cavazos Ana Conejo Catherine Kohn Maleri McHam Jessica Payne Sherry Shephard Santana Wood

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos Les Hassell Kit MacAvoy Jessica Payne

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© 2022, M. ROBERTS MEDIA 100 E. Ferguson, Suite 501, Tyler, TX 75702

CONTENTS

Roots OF TRADITION

STORY BY ZAK WELLERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

When guests arrive at Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farm in Tyler, they’re whisked into an adventure filled with storybook-like memories.

That adventure begins at the gift shop with a humble trailer hayride into a field of Virginia fir trees that have spent years growing to the perfect height. Families select their Christmas tree, cut it down together and the hayride returns to pick them up and their new addition.

Nestled just about a mile away from Highway 69 toward Lindale, the tree farm and its owners have provided memories for 30 years as a labor of love and ministry.

“It’s a joy because we do all this work and prep, all for someone to come in, cut and go. It takes us years to develop this – to trim, to mow, to maintain. But to see a kid run up to a tree, grab it and say, ‘this one, this one!’ It’s always such a blessing and joy to see the spark that people have for that,” said Burren Reed, co-owner of Plantation Pines.

Husband-and-wife duo Burren and Heather Reed, both 27, have led the farm for six seasons, continuing the family business after her parents stepped down.

Heather recalled her dad starting the farm as a high school ag project, which grew into so much more.

Her parents planted their first trees while dating. Now the field is filled with Christmas trees and, depending on the season, a field of tulips or a patch of pumpkins.

It’s a legacy that has continued for generations, Heather said.

“Families that have known me since I was her age,” she said, pointing to their 1-yearold daughter Amelia. “When I was growing up and little, they were coming and now they’re bringing their grandkids to the farm. Those traditions and memories are a fun part of what we do.”

Sometimes, the Reeds get to see those families three times a year – in the spring for the tulips, fall for the pumpkins and starting around Thanksgiving for Christmas trees.

A major cornerstone in interacting with farm visitors is putting Christ and the meaning of Christmas at the forefront.

“We view what we do here on the farm as a ministry, as an opportunity to connect with people. We have a cross in our Christmas tree (logo) because we like to keep Christ at the center of Christmas,” Heather said. “So we really enjoy just getting to make those connections with people. Pointing people back to Jesus is our hope.”

The Christmas tree season kicks off Thanksgiving Day at 1 p.m. and continues the following weekends. The farm features

Burren and Heather Reed of Plantation Pines Christmas Tree Farm

about 15 to 20 planted acres.

Burren said due to high demand, it has been tough to stay open for multiple weekends in the past couple years. People are straying away from artificial trees, increasing the demand for cut trees.

“We’ve only been able to open for one weekend the last several years,” he said.

To maintain their homegrown trees, which take several years to fully grow, the Reeds have to close their fields down and bring in pre-cut Frasier fir trees from North Carolina to meet the need, Heather said.

“The average height that people want is about 7 ½ to 8 feet and that typically is our number-one selling size,” Burren said. “To get to a 5- to 7-feet mark, it’s going to take four years.”

Over the years, the growing season can bring a lot of challenges like insects, hogs, surprise snowstorms and extreme droughts, Burren said.

“Growing can be a harder time. You can really count your blessings when it comes to the selling season, and then reflect on some of the harder times when it comes to growing,” he said.

For Burren, who was without farming experience in

For us, when people finally get to come to the farm, it’s like this is what it was all for. This is all worth it – the families together, enjoying their time.”

Heather and Burren Reed with their two children, Amelia and Lemuel.

| CONT. FROM PG. 11

the beginning, it was definitely a learning process that took help from his father-in-law, math, praying, science and work in the dirt.

Not only are Burren and Heather devoted to working on the farm, they also have day jobs – him a project manager and her a firstgrade teacher, along with their children 3-year-old son Lemuel and 1-year-old Amelia.

Their evenings and weekends are spent on the farm, trimming and preparing the trees for those special family Christmas memories.

“For us, when people finally get to come to the farm, it’s like this is what it was all for. This is all worth it –the families together, enjoying their time,” Heather said. “That’s why we were doing this all year long. Just to have those moments and to get to witness that, it’s the best part of what we do.”

As demand grows, the Reeds have purchased more land for future trees to establish roots.

Along with beautiful flowers, pumpkins and trees, Plantation Pines also offers a playground for kids, a gift shop with free hot chocolate and a game of checkers, a fireplace and picnic tables for a family atmosphere.

“It gets to be a crazy time of the year and we like for people to be able to slow down, have time with family and just create memories,” Heather said.

The farm is located at 10098 County Road 429 in Tyler. Admission and the hayride are free.

Plantation Pines decorates its trailer for each season, including pumpkins in the fall.

Spring tulips at Plantation Pines.

Holiday gift shop at Plantation Pines.

It gets to be a crazy time of the year and we like for people to be able to slow down, have time with family and just create memories.”

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LeTourneau University Yellow Jackets Tyler Junior College Apaches

SIGNS, ANSWERED PRAYERS LEAD LONGVIEW WOMAN TO OPEN HAND-LETTERING BUSINESS

STORY BY SANTANA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Kadrienne

Rose Bradshaw is a woman of many talents, and she is capable of just about anything she sets her mind to. The challenge is balancing her talents and honing in on what gives her the most purpose, serves others and fulfills her mission from Christ.

Bradshaw, a small business owner in Longview, has explored several different career paths before landing on what feels right.

She has an associates degree in education, but why? Your guess is as good as Bradshaw’s, because she

laughs and says teaching is the last thing she’d choose to do. She has hours and hours of credits from Stephen F. Austin University for interior design and architecture – which is something she does hope to apply one day –but before she could finish, she dropped out to enlist in the United States Navy. At one point, Bradshaw, whose father is a professional tattoo artist, even purchased her own tattoo machine to give that trade a whirl.

“My mind is so everywhere,” said Bradshaw, who is the small business owner behind Longview-based calligraphy/hand-lettering business KRS Design Co. and her newly-opened boutique, Dazee’s. She also works a regular day job. “I can see myself doing anything and everything. I thought about going to the police academy, or going back to school to become a physicist,

Kadrienne Bradshaw of KRS Design Co.

or maybe go to nursing school. And I’ve thought you know what, ‘let’s just pack up and move.’ Everything sounds good to me.”

And that’s the problem –pinpointing exactly what she should be doing. She calls herself a classic Enneagram 7 personality – someone who is extroverted, optimistic, versatile and spontaneous – or sometimes impulsive, she admits.

“Sevens are enthusiastic about almost everything that catches their attention. They approach life with curiosity, optimism and a sense of adventure, like ‘kids in a candy store’ who look at the world in wide-eyed, rapt anticipation of all the good things they are about to experience,” according to the Enneagram Institute. “Because they are able to pick up many different skills with relative ease, it becomes more difficult for them to decide what to do with themselves. As a result, they also do not always value their abilities as they would if they had to struggle to gain them. When Sevens are more balanced however, their versatility, curiosity, and ability to learn can lead them to extraordinary achievement.”

After doing a little bit of this, that and everything in between, Bradshaw has discovered it’s the creative space where her calling lies and now, she’s embracing that through the launch of her businesses.

What led Bradshaw to take the plunge and open KRS Design Co. was constant encouragement from her family and friends and signs from God.

It all started about two years ago when her wife Hannah’s family needed a project completed, and she said, “sure, I have pretty decent handwriting – I’ll give it a shot.” And so she did, shocking her family –and maybe even herself – with her natural ability.

Soon she’d have requests for birthday chalkboards, which are often made for children and feature their name, age, favorite things, etc. More requests would roll in, and Bradshaw would lend her talents to complete small projects here and there.

After a while, her friends and

family told her she was really doing a disservice to the world and herself by not starting a business. “You really have something, you have a talent here,” Bradshaw said her loved ones would say. “I was like, ‘no, I’m good. I have a job.’”

She was enjoying calligraphy as a hobby and didn’t want it to get “too big” if she started offering it as a professional service. “Well that surely did not happen,” Bradshaw said with a laugh, since her business has taken off over the last year.

Bradshaw finally gave in to the voices around her and launched her own hand-lettering business. Not only did she have a ton of encouragement around her, but she also felt confident it was something God wanted her to do.

“I’d just been praying, ‘God, if this is what I’m supposed to do,

just give me the guts to do it. Don’t put anything in my way, just let me know I’m taking the right steps,’” she said, noting that God has continued to send her messages to show that she’s on the right track. That validation from God is the most important aspect of running her businesses.

“For me, I just always wonder if whatever path I’m on is my calling or my purpose. I never want to do anything outside of my calling because if it’s not purposeful, I’m never going to see the fruits of anything flourishing and it won’t be beneficial. I want to be able to do anything I set my mind to, but I don’t want to do it halfway or it not be Christ-filled. It has to be Christdriven and showing me those signs along the way, which I’ve seen now with this,” she said.

Kadrienne Bradshaw of KRS Design Co. spends her morning filling orders.

Bradshaw has been seeing signs for quite some time – even before she was looking for them. Even as a child, she had a knack for drawing pictures and loved giving them to those she loved. Once she got into middle and high school, she was “that girl” – you know, the one with the good handwriting who had all the colored gel pens and highlighters in her trusty pencil pouch. She remembers turning basic class assignments into a piece of art – something her teachers weren’t all

that impressed with, but that didn’t bother her.

“I found that doodling was my thing,” she recalled. “In the corner of all my assignments or my notebooks, you’d see little circles and doodles everywhere, or some kind of quotes.”

“I’d turn in my assignment and the teacher would be like, ‘Well Kadrienne, this is nice but maybe you should’ve focused on the actual assignment,’” Bradshaw said,

ON

Than Just aLighting Store

laughing – “I wasn’t always the greatest student, but hey, I was proud of my doodles.”

Later, she worked at a local boutique where she not only fell in love with merchandising and clothing but also utilized her creative hands.

“I would write on signs for the boutique, when there were sales going on or seasonal signs like ‘happy fall,’ things like that. Customers would walk in and love the signs so much that they’d ask where we bought them, yet it was just something I whipped up in two minutes. I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but looking back, it was another sign,” she said.

Although it’s taken a while, Bradshaw now recognizes her natural ability.

“I never really thought of it as a talent until now, and I definitely never thought of my talent becoming a business,” Bradshaw said. “Now, I see the value in my work.”

Bradshaw offers a variety of hand-lettered gems. She has chalkboards and mirrors that clients can rent for birthdays, weddings, dinner parties, and more. She addresses envelopes for save the dates, wedding invitations and Christmas cards. She recently worked on a project for a food truck to display their menu. She’s even worked on a mural for her church and is exploring the idea of holiday window displays and Christmas ornaments. Bradshaw will create on just about any surface for any occasion.

One thing she loves is the instant gratification she feels after completing a project.

“Humans naturally crave that gratification, so when you hand someone something that you just created and they say such good things about it, it feels good and

makes you want to do it again,” Bradshaw said. “It’s so fun to me and really rewarding too, that’s what I like the most.”

It is also good for her soul. “Hand-lettering gives me my peace,” she said.

Along with running her two small businesses, Bradshaw also works a 9 to 6 day job. She and her wife Hannah are also foster parents. She definitely stays busy, but because of her personality, Bradshaw finds time to pour into everything.

“Most of the time, I won’t have time to even start on my work until 11:30 at night,” Bradshaw said. “What motivates me are the people around me just constantly pushing me to be better. Not that it’s not my own will to do good for myself, but that encouragement is really what makes such a big difference for me.”

Most importantly, it’s the fact she’s doing something she knows her Creator has led her to.

“Without my faith, and without taking a leap of faith, none of this would’ve happened. My friends and family had a big push with it all, but ultimately, my prayer is, ‘God, if You’re not in it, I don’t want it. If this isn’t You telling me ‘yes,’ I’m going to say no.’ So that mindset has played a huge role in staying on this path. Things have just been going so well, so how is it not Him? … I definitely see that this is flourishing and I feel like if it weren’t meant for me, I wouldn’t have as many blessings and be able to see how Christ-centered it is,” she said. “I wanted this to be something genuine and authentic. I always hope and pray that when I’m creating things, I’m not just checking it off my to-do list. I want people to look at my work and see the purpose behind it.”

Bradshaw has a bigger vision to create a place where she can house her boutique and her hand-lettering products and services. She pictures it having a juice bar, couches and chairs, and as a spot where anyone feels welcome to come in and hang out. “I dream of this allinclusive place that incorporates everything that I do but also feels open to anyone,” she said.

Bradshaw has dreams of expansion and learning new things, but for now, she’s focused on living in her purpose until God sends her new signs to follow.

For details about products and services or to place an order, check out KRS Design Co. on Facebook or email kadriennerose@icloud.com.

Kaylee McAlister, left, and Chris and Shelley Reid pose for a photo with shoes donated to the Kicks for Kids program.

KICKS FOR KIDS

Longview-area program makes practical yet significant impact

STORY BY ANA CONEJO PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

Oneshoebox at a time, members of the Motion Church in Longview are making a difference in the lives of Gregg County area children.

Kicks for Kids, a program that was founded in 2012 by Motion Church Pastor Chris Reid, started with Pastor Chris Reid started Kicks for Kids in 2012 with the ability to provide just 12 pairs of shoes. Now a decade later, the program has expanded and given back to over a thousand children since its inception. An average of 200 shoes have been donated over the last few years, Reid said.

The vision came to Reid after he saw a need while coaching a local little league team.

“They didn't have cleats half the time for football season, so we'd get them cleats, and then the more you get to know them, you are aware of some of the family situations and you begin to see there's a pretty significant need,” he said.

So he thought, what is the most practical thing we can do to help these kids? Shoes seemed to fit the bill.

“I just remember being a kid and how much new shoes made a significant difference in my life. You just felt like a million bucks. You felt a little more confident if you had a new pair of shoes,” Reid said as he reflected on founding the program.

The church had just launched one year prior in 2011, so it faced some limitations on resources. That didn’t stop him – Reid knew even if the impact was small, it would still make a powerful difference.

“We were a young church. Resources were very limited but we just really wanted to do something. So the first year we ended up raising about $600 and we bought 12 pairs of shoes for 12 different kids in need,” Reid said.

As time passed, word of the program began to spread which led to more and more donations.

“It started with just our church and for the first several years, it was just what we raised in house that went to Kicks for Kids. But the last couple of years, it's been cool to see some local businesses get involved. They hear about what we're doing, and they'll donate $250 or $500, to really help us meet those goals,” Reid said.

Kicks for Kids initially helped young kids in the church, but as the program grew, Reid said they began to collaborate with local campuses to help even more children.

John Crumpton, a Motion Church member who started volunteering with the program in 2015, said although Kicks for Kids aims to help those in need, it helped him on a deep level.

After his mother passed away that year in 2015, Crumpton was in a dark place.

“I had already basically made up my mind of the path I was gonna go down. I was going to self-destruct, whether that meant doing something stupid immediately or doing something down the road to completely ruin my life. Kicks for Kids saved my life because it showed me that I can do a lot of good – I could use the hurt and the pain to do a lot of good,” he said.

During that year, Crumpton recalls his life being changed while gifting a pair of red Nike shoes to a student with autism at Longview ISD’s Johnston’s McQueen Elementary School where he experienced the gratitude from a student who was benefitting from the program.

Seeing the student’s excited and grateful reaction was fuel and motivation for Crumpton to help raise more money for Kicks for Kids to help more students have that amazing feeling.

“I never knew that a complete stranger at just 8 years old would save my life, and that's what that kid did. That's what Kicks for Kids means – it means life,” he said.

More than $40,000 has been raised for the program since it was founded, helping over 1,000 Gregg County-area children.

According to Kaylee McAlister, administrator coordinator for Kicks for Kids, students are chosen through their counselors and teachers. After that, students are required to give information such as shoe size and a color preference.

Shoes are given from the Nike Factory Store outlet in Tyler where members of the church pick out shoe brands like Nike or Converse. The outlet allows church members to come before the store opens to the public and exclusively shop for the shoes.

“We try to pick the shoes that they would probably never be able to afford,” McAlister said.

Most of these children don’t even have socks because they can’t afford them and many times they’re wearing shoes that are two times too small, McAlister said.

“The beauty of it is that we see them get so happy opening these shoes that they could actually fit into and that they're proud of their new shoes,” she said. “It's just very heartwarming to see them and their faces

“The beauty of it is that we see them get so happy opening these shoes that they could actually fit into and that they're proud of their new shoes. It's just very heartwarming to see them and their faces light up.”

John Crumpton, left, has been volunteering with the Kicks for Kids initia tive since 2015. The program has raised more than $40,000 since it began,

1,000 children in Gregg County.

light up.”

McAlister said the process of putting the program together starts in October. Church members identify children in need, raise money for the program, purchase the shoes, hold a wrapping party, then finally deliver the shoes. The delivery is typically before Christmas break, and members will arrive on campuses to personally gift the shoes to each student.

Reid said the delivery is a memorable experience for church members and he hopes kids take away more than a pair of shoes, but also a sense of feeling loved.

“We just want the kids to know that there are people out there that care about them, that believe in them, and know that we want their future to be a good one – a bright one. We want them to be filled with hope,” Reid said, noting the program’s slogan is “Putting shoes on their feet but putting hope in their hearts.”

Reid said the funding for the shoes comes from full community support and noted all donations are taxdeductible. Donations are accepted and the church also

conducts fundraising events. There’s no certain set goal; the church just aims to raise the most amount of money in order to help the most kids.

Throughout the process, Crumpton said Kicks for Kids is a group effort and he appreciates everyone who takes part in the yearly program.

“I’m grateful for the entire team, the entire church that gets behind it every year. There’s a lot of people that don't get the opportunity to see what it means to these kids,” Crumpton said.

He also mentioned that the church is thankful for all donations, especially from local businesses and community members who help the program succeed every year.

“I'm just grateful that people choose to contribute back to Kicks for Kids, because I know the heart behind it. I know the passion behind it. Everything goes back to the kids,” he said. “Fifty bucks is not a ton of money, but to some kids, it's everything – it means they get to have a Christmas.”

For more information, visit www.motionchurch.com, email info@motionchurch.com or call 903-224-5154.

Chris Reid, left, Kaylee McAlister and Shelley Reid sort through shoes donated to the Kicks for Kids program at Motion Church.

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ACROSS EAST TEXAS

Kylie Cincar and her sister Morgan Stutts of Ship A-Latte at their store in Tyler.

SHIP & SHOP

TYLER SHIPPING STORE BOASTS WARM, INVITING ATMOSPHERE

STORY BY JESSICA T. PAYNE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Ship A-Latte is not your average shipping company. Its motto is “we ship while you shop” which lets you know there is more than meets the eye at this unique business.

Located in Village at Cumberland Park in Tyler, the business was opened by Mark and Lori Cincar in the fall of 2019. The family-owned business is primarily run by siblings Kylie Cincar and older sister Morgan Stutts.

The journey began when Lori left her job in 2018 and jumped at the chance to open Ship A-Latte.

The stars seemed to align for the family to launch the store.

Lori already had business experience, and with a bit of inspiration already in mind, getting started was a no-brainer.

“Mom already had her own small business called LMC Bookkeeping for 10-plus years, so she had some experience starting a new business. I believe the inspiration for the store started when we had a package to drop off, but didn’t want to go through busy South Broadway,” Kylie said. “We saw a need for shipping in general for areas like Flint, Bullard, Whitehouse, and south of Tyler.”

As Kylie says, “everything just seemed to fall into place.” Not only had Lori’s time opened up, Kylie was also taking some time off from college to figure out her next step. With all signs pointing in the right direction, the business soon became a reality.

“We were inspired to make the boring and unknown experience of shipping an inviting and fun occasion,” Kylie said.

The atmosphere

The environment of the store is inviting, warm and relaxing – a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of traditional shipping stores.

“I hope when people walk in their impression is amazement and a welcoming atmosphere. I think they’re a bit surprised because it wasn’t what they were expecting. They are so used to the idea of shipping stores filled with boxes and bubble wrap with nothing really to browse while they wait in a long line,” she said.

To go along with its coffee-themed name, Ship A-Latte has a variety of packaged coffee available for purchase in the store. While they wait, customers are invited to try samples as they browse the store’s unique trinkets for sale.

“We showcase a different blend of the coffee we sell every day to let customers try it before they buy it. So you can get a different flavor of coffee each day for free,” Kylie said. “We also have an online store where you can buy the coffee, whole bean and ground with decaf options, and other products we sell to be shipped or picked up.”

There isn’t a coffee shop at the

moment, but Kylie said it is something they hope to add on in the future.

The services

Kylie said they get walk-ins often of new customers who are just curious about what the store offers. It’s been described as “cute” and a “one-stop shop,” Kylie said.

One of the goals behind Ship A-Latte was for it to be a place where customers can accomplish all of their little errands in one convenient place. Some of Ship A-Latte’s services include the ability to choose your preferred carrier, and the staff will even compare shipping prices of all the major carriers so you don’t have to. Customers can also drop off pre-paid labels of UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL to save you from driving to each individual carrier.

“What we do here at Ship A-Latte is not your typical experience you would get at FedEx, UPS, or USPS. We offer all the carriers in one location to ship with.

So you get to choose who you want to use, whether it’s because of time frame, preference on carrier, or your budget,” Kylie said.

A year-round service but perfect for the holiday season, Ship A-Latte also offers gift wrapping with a variety of boxes, ribbons and paper for all occasions. All you have to do is drop off the present and they’ll wrap it seamlessly for you, and can even ship it right then and there if the present needs to be mailed.

The business also offers services like notary, fax, private mailboxes, shredding, copying, scanning, printing, lamination, binding, and more.

Kylie also said they can even custom build a box for those oddly shaped packages.

Not surparisingly, the holiday season is very busy at Ship A-Latte as customers ship Christmas gifts, need to make returns with pre-paid labels, or want to buy little knickknacks for loved ones. Ship A-Latte is always adding new items to its store so there are a variety of gifts to choose from, for any occasion, such as shirts, hats, coffee mugs, candles and more.

Community support

The store hadn’t even been in business for a year yet when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The road hasn’t been easy, but Kylie said the community has supported Ship A-Latte every step of the way.

“Since opening, there have been some ups and downs. I don’t think any small business has ever opened at such a weird time. We were kind of held back by the pandemic in a number of ways. When you first open, your priority is to get the word out. It’s kind of hard when people are scared to get out of their homes, even more so to go visit a new store,” she said. “So our exposure was limited for some time. We’ve been saved by our amazing customers that have stuck it out with us. They really helped whether it was them tagging us in a post, using the Rant and Raves (Tyler Facebook group) to have a multi-threaded discussion about why we’re their go-to place for shipping from now on, or even promoting us on their

business pages to reach someone in their realm that may have not heard of us as of yet.”

That support has been key to helping the local business thrive.

“I’m really amazed at the impact word of mouth has done for us. We’ve been able to grow because of it and meet some great people along the way,” Kylie said.

With close attention to detail, personal touches and always keeping the customers’ needs at the forefront, it’s not hard to see why the community has given Ship A-Latte such rave reviews.

“Our business is one that has had a lot of thought, time, and effort put into. It is not one without flaws, but we are trying to improve whenever possible. It’s definitely a family affair. There are lots of hopes and dreams that have been painstakingly put into the very foundation of this store. It was a shell when we got it,” she said. “Everything you see from the gift wrap wall, to the coffee bar at the front of the store, to the table fit around the pole located in the middle of the store, has a place and purpose.”

Building the business and running the store together has brought the Cincar family closer together, Kylie said. It also brings together families and loved ones who are separated by distance.

“Every ‘happy birthday’ gift, care package, and even ‘just because’ shipment we’ve mailed have allowed us to bring others closer when they couldn’t be physically there,” Kylie said.

Another important piece of the family business is their faith and sharing that message with their customers.

“Most of all we want to share with people God’s message, whether it be through the weekly verse we have up on the wall, through the music we have playing in the store, or from the items that we sell. He’s blessed us so we want to share that in whatever form possible and hope it’s a blessing to our customers in return.”

Ship A-Latte is located at 8946 South Broadway Avenue, Suite 192, in Tyler, and can be reached at 903571-9022. You can also visit them on Facebook at Ship A-Latte.

STORY BY CATHERINE KOHN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT MACAVOY SPECIAL TO ETX VIEW

A series of lavender blouses line a rack at B’Marie Boutique & Coffee Bar.

Strawberry shortcake and campfire treat ice cream from Shiner Farmhouse Creamery.

A display shows the basic components for brewing beer during a tour of the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner.

The Spoetzl Brewery

A set of copper beer vats at The Spoetzl Brewery.

The Spoetzl Brewery

If able, going on a weekday is the best time to experience a tour at Spoetzl Brewery as that’s when all the machinery is going, however, a weekend tour is still quite fascinating. The grounds are spacious and inviting and the brewery itself feels like stepping back in time into an old mission, at least if you ignore the machinery for brewing.

The tours are reasonably priced and include some swag. The basic tour costs $20 a person for guests over 21. Under 21 is $10. Although the swag can vary, we each received a bag with a very nice Shiner beer glass. Mine is now decorating my kitchen. Included are tokens for free Shiner beer at a bar that’s set up to offer a chance to test out several unique varieties.

At $50 per guest, visitors receive a Shiner cooler bag with complimentary cans or bottles of Shiner beer as well as the free token pours from the bar. If you need more, the gift shop is filled with Shiner emblazoned items of every imaginable kind for every member of the family.

The tour is highly professional and provides a great history lesson of the brewery, its founder and the town. Although the tour lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, allow another hour or so to enjoy the grounds, the bar and the gift shop. Films located at different spots on the tour are well-done and entertaining.

Visitors learn that in the early 19th century there was a great wave of immigrants from Europe. A sizable number came from Germany and

The Spoetzl Brewery gift shop offers Shiner Beer paraphernalia of every flavor.

Previous versions of Shiner Beer sit in a display case at the Spoetzl Brewery.

Large signs let brewery visitors observe which stage of the bottling, canning and packaging processes they’re seeing at the Spoetzl Brewery.

A display shows the range of Shiner Beer packaging in Shiner.

A video presentation walks brewery visitors through the beer brewing process.

An array of tap handles showcase the variety of Shiner beers available in the Spoetzl Brewery taproom.

Czechoslovakia and settled in South Texas, including Shiner, which had something special – artesian water. In 1909 the citizens of Shiner formed The Shiner Brewing Association to take advantage of the water. The association hired Kosmos Spoetzl, a brewmaster from Germany, who took the long way to Shiner, via Cairo, Canada, San Francisco and San Antonio. He ended up leasing the brewery from the association and eventually bought it outright in 1915 and gave the brewery his name. He is a singular character, and the brewery tells tales of his exploits, including his arrest during prohibition.

The spectacular looking copper and stainless-steel kettles and huge rooms of equipment that move, bottle and crate the products are impressive. Their lab is surrounded by glass so you can watch the process of testing to ensure a safe product. Each step of the tour gives the visitor a better idea of the complexity, creativity and craft involved in the creation of Shiner beers.

The brewery’s rich history has imbued the place with a sense of pride that is evident throughout the tour.

Dining in Shiner

Getting hungry after your tour? For a weekday lunch, Sunken Gardens is a classic Shiner spot. The restaurant serves homestyle foods and strives to treat customers like family.

Don’t let the word “homestyle” fool you – Sunken Gardens strives to make dishes that will not just fill your plate and stomach, but also keep your health in check. Their motto is “if it’s not found in nature, we are not interested in serving it.”

The menu rotates with new items, ranging from pork chops smothered in a savory gravy with mushrooms and onions; beef enchilada casserole that makes for the perfect comfort food; and chicken tenders, catfish, or butterfly shrimp all fried to a delectable golden crisp. Sides like black-eyed peas, boiled okra and tomatoes, or fresh baked bread are all fresh and tasty.

Sunken Gardens, 305 E 5th St., also offers options for all diets, like gluten-free, paleo, sugar-free, vegan, and low-carb.

After an activity-filled afternoon, you might choose to end your night with a mouth-watering steak from Werner’s 5Ninety4 Grill, 317 N. Avenue E. The menu is substantial and combines classic comfort foods with some unique offerings. Werner’s has some hometown favorites like chicken fried steak, fresh seafood and even Italian, German or Mexican cuisine. You absolutely have to try their homemade onion rings, maybe to compliment your Shiner Spring Craft Beer-Cheese Burger or a Dr. Pepper Burger.

An option for another night is Kloesel’s Steakhouse, 101 East Moore Ave., known as one of the most premier dining

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experiences in the region. Kloesel’s serves premium, personally-selected cuts of aged beef, trimmed and cooked to absolute perfection. The menu has a little something for any type of eater, including a variety of pasta, seafood, chicken, Tex-Mex, salads and sandwiches. Just the names of their dessert options are tantalizing – Kloesel’s Dream Tower, Bourbon Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding, and Chocolate Volcano are just a few. If just reading them makes your taste buds dance, you can trust they taste fantastic.

Kloesel’s has a neat atmosphere. At night, guests enjoy the superb sound system and dance floor lighting, and during the day, it’s inviting as ever. A restaurant with a porch swing out front won’t steer you wrong.

The location also has a bit of an interesting history. In 1997, a historical marker was erected marking Kloesel’s Steakhouse as the site of the Moore Hotel, a historical landmark built by Samuel Moore, one of the original founders and settlers of Moulton.

Antiques, Art & Beer

After filling up on food in Shiner, head down the street for some shopping. If you love quirky historic shops that are a topsyturvy treasure trove of cool antiques and memorabilia, look no further than Antiques, Art & Beer, 720 N. Ave. E. And while you are inside, pick up some homemade fudge to go with your Shiner beer. It is absolutely delicious.

This narrow shop stretches back to reveal layers upon layers of stuff, otherwise known as collectibles: lamps, art, photos, containers, clocks, glassware, beer bottles, baskets, bags, jewelry, candles, soaps, mugs, plates, pots, signs, paintings, antique toys and dolls, jams, and a whole lot more.

These are true collectibles for the most part – those odd, quirky, fun items that many of us love to fill shelves and desks

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Antiques, Art and Beer offers an eclectic mix of objets d’art and uncommon beers off of Shiner’s Avenue E.

Homemade fudge is among the many things on offer at Antiques, Art and Beer.

B’Marie Boutique & Coffee Bar offers a range of fashionable items.

A hand-drawn display lets visitors know what’s on the menu at B’Marie Boutique & Coffee Bar.

An array of old tap handles sit on display inside of Antiques, Art and Beer.

with. I was drawn to a collection of Tiffany lamps, as there were several beautiful ones.

But there’s more! It’s also a small bar with comfy bar stools for chatting with friends and the shop offers hundreds of different kinds of beer and wine. Plus, complimentary peanuts and popcorn.

Take your time wandering around this shop, there’s a lot to see and you’ll find friendly conversation while you’re there.

There is an authenticity to Antiques, Art & Beer that is rare. It feels rooted in the town and its history.

B'Marie Boutique and Coffee Bar

Across the street, you will find B’Marie Boutique and Coffee Bar at 709 N. Ave. E. This shop is packed with comfortable, unique and trendy women’s clothing, shoes, boots, purses, jewelry, gifts and accessories.

Racks are color coordinated and the displays are eclectic and engaging. Everywhere you look there is something interesting to catch the eye, from a very stylish poodle rocking everything pink to the head of a steer on the wall with purple flowers for eyes and sparkling blue glass covering its head. Mexican culture has had a field day in this wonderful shop.

Step through a connecting door and the adventure continues with a coffee shop in the rear offering cappuccino, espresso, lattes, Frappuccinos, smoothies, teas, and, of course, regular coffee. They even have a “Kids Frap.”

The seating area in the center of the shop is as colorful and creative as the rest of the store. I particularly loved the elaborately embroidered chair featuring the image of artist Frida Kahlo, who was obviously a big inspiration throughout the shop.

Shiner Farmhouse Creamery

If you want a treat, it’s always a good time for ice cream. Shiner

Single scoops of strawberry shortcake, left, and campfire treat, right, sit on a table in the Shiner Farmhouse Creamery.

Farmhouse Creamery is small but delightful. The strawberry shortcake ice cream was delicious and refreshing. There are café-style seats inside and along the sidewalk to relax and enjoy your treats. Some of the other ice cream selections were Campfire Treat (think s’mores), Rainbow Road, Belgian Chocolate, Brittany’s Parade, and an American as the Flag.

This pretty shop also offers premade lunch and snack items, juices and other drinks, candy on a stick, small gift items (including Boot Cream nicely packaged, this is Texas after all), jars of honey, candies in jars, and baked goods.

Shiner Market Days and The Palace Saloon

On the third Saturday of the month outside Shiner’s historic Green Building of 1911 on West Seventh Street, now the location of the restaurant/bar/ entertainment venue called the Palace Saloon, the town holds an outside market with street vendors and live music.

The Palace Saloon is a unique bar and restaurant that’s mainly a night venue with live music and dancing. It’s generally open from 3 p.m. to midnight Thursdays through Saturdays. Inside is a gorgeous bar of carved wood that will make you feel like you’re on a movie set. Everywhere is a plethora of stuffed animals of every type. Who needs a natural history museum? Glass cases are full of historical items such as old weapons, documents and pamphlets. The atmosphere is Texassized, friendly and fun.

The outdoor market along East Seventh Street is host to vendors of all types, each selling a bit of everything from plants to leather goods, from handmade jewelry to arts and crafts.

You might also find a petting zoo or water inflatable for the kids.

Residents and visitors sit along the sidewalk shooting the breeze together. Many bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the music or wander through the many vendors set up along the street. There are a lot of smiles, a lot of laughter, and a lot of beer drinking.

If anyplace exudes a hometown atmosphere, it’s Shiner. Check the town’s calendar because Shiner loves to hold festivals and celebrations with many throughout the year. Just don’t drive too fast, or you might miss it.

Fine bourbons sit on display in the Palace Saloon in Shiner.

Mike Hooper shows a terrarium he hopes to sell during market day in Shiner.

Mike Hooper sells succulents in mugs and other flora during market day in Shiner.

Be the Best You’ ’

Prism Beauty Bar owner promotes self-love, reminds clients of beauty within

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA T. PAYNE

Hayley

Cox owns what she calls the “Cheers” of salons. Much like the bar where “everybody knows your name” in the classic television series, Prism Beauty Bar has a friendly atmosphere and is filled with good vibes – both from the staff, clients and the salon’s decor.

The Tyler salon feels friendly and inviting from the moment you step through the door, and it just gets better from there.

Clients walking in are immediately drawn to the large, pink neon sign that reads “Love Yourself” hung on the wall, along with several other sentiments about love throughout the salon.

Cox knew when she opened Prism in the fall of 2014 that she wanted her salon to be different – to stand out. And, she wanted to do that by offering not only top-notch services but also a relaxing and down-to-earth vibe where everyone felt welcome. Above all, Cox wanted to spread the message of self-love.

Cox said the Salon’s mantra of “Love Yourself” came about after much selfreflection during a dark time.

“’Love Yourself’ is a mantra that came around when I took some time away alone because I wasn’t feeling super confident in my roles and was discouraged,” Cox said. “But in taking this time to self-reflect, I was able to remind myself who I am at my core and what it was I loved about myself. We all need to remember the things we love about ourselves.”

Prism Beauty Bar owner Hayley

Cox sits under a bright, pink neon sign that reads “Love Yourself” which is also the salon's mantra.

Prism Beauty Bar owner Hayley Cox works on a client’s hair. The salon recently celebrated eight years in business.

Prism Beauty Bar in Tyler offers great service and a friendly smile with a relaxing vibe.

Cox explained she was passionate about sharing this message with not only her clients but also her team.

“It’s OK to love yourself. You have to love yourself; you deserve to love yourself,” she said. “And that doesn’t always look the same for everyone. Loving yourself is feeling confident. Loving yourself is setting personal goals and achieving them. It’s being the best you. It’s exploring and appreciating your best qualities and never feeling bad about them.”

“Our sign hangs in the salon to remind our guests and our community to ‘Love Yourself’ every day,” Cox added. “While hair stylists are usually here to help beauty on the outside, we are also here to help our guests find and embrace their beauty on the inside.”

But Cox doesn’t stop with the message of selflove. She also advocates for loving others and being a strong part of a community.

“John Paul Dejoria, the co-founder of Paul Mitchell, once said ‘Success unshared is failure’ and I have never forgotten that. We all participate in all community fundraisers, whether it’s participating in free haircut events, sponsoring a nonprofit fundraiser or school sporting event, to donating gift certificates to auctions,” Cox said. “I always tell my clients to bring me all the coupon cards, popcorn, wrapping paper, rolls, et cetera – I’ll always support.”

“We also have thrown events at the salon that give local women-owned small businesses a place to sell their goods. For these events, we have vendors come and set up for guests to shop,” she said. “We also have snacks and beverages served from womenowned, local businesses, too. It’s really about lifting each other up and supporting each other.”

Cox said education is important in the industry so she and her team can keep up with the latest trends and stay sharp on their skills and techniques. Once COVID-19 hit, Cox said brand education became limited so she decided to start hosting her own monthly classes.

“I would choose one of the Prism stylists to teach their specialty and I opened those classes to all stylists in the area. If we were desperate for education, I knew other hair stylists were, too,” she said. “Then, I began reaching out to fellow local hair stylists who are excelling in their specialties to come and teach classes, which have been so successful and fun. And now that brand education has started up again, we have been hosting at least one, sometimes two, classes per month in the last year.”

“I always open these classes up to everyone in the community to come and learn with us because I believe in community, not competition and that was really something that no salon in East Texas had ever done before,” Cox said.

Cox credits her team for fostering a diverse environment where everyone feels welcome.

“We are a very diverse group of stylists. Most of us are not from Texas,” Cox said. “I love it because we all have different backgrounds in hair, in different areas of

“Our sign hangs in the salon to remind our guests and our community to ’Love Yourself’ every day.“

Prism Beauty Bar owner Hayley Cox works on a client’s hair.

Prism Beauty Bar owner Hayley Cox, far left back, smiles for a photo with her team at the salon.

A Prism Beauty Bar stylist works on a client at the salon. The salon is known for its professionalism and friendly atmosphere.

the country with different cultures, so we are bringing the core of each of our industry education to one salon.”

“The energy in my salon has never been more positive, and productive,” she said.

Cox said she has also learned a lot over the years about leadership.

“It took some time for me to settle in as an owner and develop my leadership skills but I’ve found that truly caring about your team and what’s going on in their lives earns their favor while leading by example earns their respect,” Cox said. “Our clients see that and I think that really has contributed to the success of the business.”

Longtime client Bonnie Beall began seeing Cox on a recommendation and has never left.

“I come here because it’s got the high-end salon and you’re

going to get quality, but you're treated down-to-earth; you feel like you’re home,” Beall said.

“I love coming here; everyone knows your name and says ‘Hi’”, she added. “It’s just a great salon with great people.”

Prism is celebrating eight years in business and Cox joked the only thing that has stayed the same is the name.

“The hair industry is always evolving and we are, too,” she said.

“We are here for our community in every way, whether that’s through sponsorships and donations or making you as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside,” Cox said.

Prism Beauty Bar is located at 6004 South Broadway Avenue, #304, in Tyler. Hours of operation are Tues. through Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday by appointment.

For more information, visit www. prismbeautybar.com.

“We are here for our community in every way, whether that’s through sponsorships and donations or making you as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside.“

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Madison Kelly Davidson, Nathan Bachtell, Elle Woods, and Cody Cannon outfitted by The Dress Co. and The Tuxedo Co. and wearing jewelry from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry.

Spirits MAKING BRIGHT

Local company brings light to East Texas

STORY BY SANTANA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

During the middle of the pandemic, Stacia Shoults had a bright idea.

Everyone was going through a hard time, and she thought East Texas could use a bit of light.

“The world was very dark for a while,” Shoults said, reflecting on the 2020 launch of Light Up ETX. “With the COVID pandemic and everything else going on, it seemed like there was something bad at every turn.”

She knew it was a risky time to start a small business, especially one that revolves around events. “But I knew that things were going to look up, and I just went for it,” Shoults said.

The Longview native’s hunch was right, as clients began to book events right away, renting letters and numbers for a variety of special events. More than ever, East Texans wanted to celebrate the milestones they missed out on – and in a grand way.

The larger-than-life pieces make a statement at any occasion, such as a gender reveal, baby shower, wedding, birthday, fundraiser or even a marriage proposal. Each letter, number and symbol is 3.5 feet, or 42 inches, tall and designed and fabricated in Longview at KFI Signs, locally-owned by Shoults’ brother Derek Kennedy. Choosing to become a client with Light Up ETX means you’re supporting not just one, but two local small businesses, along with their employees and families.

Clients can rent by the letter/number to spell out a variety of phrases, such as ‘Marry Me’ for a proposal or simply the number ‘50’ for a

birthday, for example. Shoults also offers multiple-day rentals or the option to purchase letters to keep, a popular option during the holiday season when words like ‘Noel’ or ‘Joy’ can take outdoor Christmas decor to a whole ’nother level.

The letters are built to last, with high-quality metal and materials that make them sturdy and sound. The back of each letter is closed, allowing the enchanting lights to shine bright without any exposed wires. They are great for indoor and outdoor celebrations.

Shoults, a wife and mother of two, left her marketing job of 10 years to start her venture of Light Up ETX because she wanted to spend more time with her family. There wasn’t a comparable business in the East Texas area at the time, so she pitched the idea to her husband Hunter, who was supportive from the get-go, along with her brother, who helped bring her vision to life by designing the letters and perfecting the material, size and logistics.

“From there, it kind of took off,” Shoults said. “I’ve been booked every weekend since I started, with about 10 events every weekend.”

She thought her marketing background would come in handy when it came to promoting her new business, but turns out, she doesn’t need much advertising at all because of success from word-ofmouth.

“Say I have a wedding, that’s 200 guests who see the letters and maybe want to use them or tell their friends about them. Or if people use Light Up for a proposal, they may also want to have the letters at their wedding or even baby showers down the road. One thing leads to the next,” she said. That regular audience provides a steady stream of potential customers.

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Madison Kelly Davidson outfitted by The Dress Co. and wearing Simon G. Jewelry Mosaic Pear pendant, Hearts on Fire Dewdrop Line bracelet, Hearts on Fire Regal Diamond ring, and Hearts on Fire Aerial Sunburst Wrap earrings from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry.

“It’s been such a blessing for our family,” Shoults said. “I was able to take our whole family to Disney World for a week, which was just the coolest thing ever. You take a chance on something like this and you don’t know if it’s going to work, but then the next thing you know, we’re spending a full week at Disney World – it’s just surreal, thinking, ‘Wow, the letters did this for our family.’”

There are other perks to the gig, like the times she gets to take her children – daughter Cooper, 10, and son Barrett, 7 – on the job with her. “It’s nice to be

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Elle Woods outfitted by The Dress Co. and wearing SImon G. Jewelry Diamond ring, Hearts on Fire Classic Stiletto earrings, Hearts on Fire Signature Line necklace, and a Hearts on Fire Temptation Tennis bracelet from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry

Special Thanks

In each issue of ETX View, we are fortunate to have a number of supporters who help us bring our fashion shoot ideas to life. Several people helped us pull off this glamorous, festive shoot. Stacia Shoults, owner of local business Light Up ETX, brought her beautiful marquee letters, which are also designed and fabricated at KFI Designs in Longview, owned by Shoults’ brother Derek Kennedy. Thank you both for sharing your talents and providing such an enchanting background for our models.

Speaking of, we had the most gorgeous group of students serve as our models for the day. Elle Woods, Madison Kelly Davidson, Cody Cannon and Nathan Bachtell were total naturals behind the camera. They looked amazing and were such great sports! Their fabulous attire was provided by the nice folks at The Tuxedo Co. & The Dress Co. in Longview and paired perfectly with classy jewelry from our friends at Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry.

Thank you to Julie Woods & Associates Real Estate Firm. Julie allowed us to use her listing at 440 Susan Rd. in Gladewater as our venue, and what a stunner it was! Contact her at 903-212-2896 or visit www.juliewoodsandassociates.com for more information.

Last but not least, a huge shout out to Peters Chevrolet of Longview for sponsoring our bi-monthly fashion shoots. We always have a blast on location with them. Visit Peters on social media at facebook.com/ PetersLongview and Instagram @peterslongview.

Nathan Bachtell and Elle Woods outfitted by The Tuxedo Co. and The Dress Co.

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Cody Cannon outfitted by The Tuxedo Co.

able to spend this extra time with them, plus they get to see me working hard and get that positive influence too,” Shoults said.

Not only does she have the opportunity to spend more time with her own family, she also gets to meet so many new people and be involved in monumental events in their lives.

“I’m part of some of the most important things in their lives, like their proposals, weddings, or gender reveals. It’s really special to have a little piece of that and to witness such amazing moments. … Every single thing these letters have to do with is good; the special occasions are always celebrations and positive events. It’s just so neat,” Shoults said.

Light Up ETX has lived up to its name, and Shoults’ original mission – lighting up East Texas.

For more information or to rent from Light Up ETX, you can visit them on Facebook or Instagram or contact Shoults at contact@lightupetx.com or www. lightupeasttexas.com.

Work of Art

Charcuterie masterpieces are real crowd-pleasers

STORY BY MALERI MCHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

The process of creating a charcuterie board is truly an art. Piece by piece, each food item is chosen and placed with purpose. With intentional hands and creative eyes, these artists combine their food smarts with artistic ability to bring an empty board to life.

The result is a vibrant, appetizing spread that’s just about too beautiful to touch – well, almost. A welldone charcuterie board is a crowd pleaser that will have your holiday party guests ready to dig in as soon as they lay eyes on the masterpiece.

Charcuterie board prepared by Kacie Reynolds.

Savory cured meat and specialty cheeses accompanied by fruit, vegetables, and nuts atop a wooden platter or even spread across an entire table have become an increasingly popular option for various events.

Of course there are the more traditional boards, but the options beyond that are limitless. For example, there’s the ‘fruicuterie’ board, which is just what it sounds like – nothing but fruit. Or maybe you want a dessert-style board, like a s’mores smorgasbord. The boards can even be shaped to fit a holiday theme or in the shape of a letter or number to celebrate a birthday, for example.

Along with the boards that can be prepared for a certain number of people or large grazing tables that can feed a crowd, there are also smaller snack boxes perfect to gift to a friend, enjoy as a lunch pick-me-up for yourself, or even as an afterschool snack for the kids.

Owners of local charcuterie businesses say this freedom to create these unique combinations is easily one of the best parts of their ventures. Their boards can be easily customized and include something for everyone to enjoy.

Kacie Reynolds, owner of Longview-based cuterie. by kacie, said in recent years “charcuterie kind of blew up.”

It was a little more than a year ago when

Reynolds began experimenting with charcuterie boards, putting some together here and there. Now, she’s running a successful business alongside her day job.

Although it started small, her business quickly grew, creating boards for baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and many other occasions. Reynolds offers charcuterie trays, holiday-themed platters, snack boxes, grazing tables and more.

Working as the artist behind these spreads is something Reynolds takes pride in.

“I've met so many amazing people in this journey of just plating food and making it beautiful for people's events. It's really, really just been an amazing journey for me,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds has an extraordinary talent that is evident from just looking at her work or seeing her in action. But along with being skilled, this is also something Reynolds absolutely loves to do, from choosing each individual item that goes on a board, platter or box to organizing the arrangement in a way the client and guests will love.

“I really love it – I have found such a passion for it,” said Reynolds.

Co-owners of Gotta Graze in Tyler, Lacey Jervis and Stephanie Troyer agree that creating charcuterie boards is a rewarding experience.

Jervis bought Gotta Graze in November of 2021 and worked to build up the customer base

Kacie Reynolds, owner of cuterie. by kacie.

and online following. She ran the business independently for a while before Troyer, who was a nurse looking to change careers, joined the business in May.

Gotta Graze offers a variety of items including boxes, boards, grazing tables, holiday items and even charcuterie boards in the shape of letters or numbers.

Along with the ability to pick up your order or have it delivered, you can also stop by their walkup window at 400 Holiday Ln. for a quick bite. Check first before stopping by this time of year, though, as they sometimes close their walk-up window to be able to fulfill the influx of seasonal orders coming into their kitchen.

Jervis said when clients bring them an idea in their wheelhouse, they’ll work to make it happen. The duo has provided charcuterie products for a variety of things, including teacher appreciation week, showers, birthdays, funerals, weddings, corporate events and more.

Troyer and Jervis love getting to serve people through charcuterie in happy or sad times.

The two women have an obvious eye for design and their creative abilities shine in each box, board or table they create. Even their social media posts are gorgeous. Scroll through their Instagram and you’ll see their talent is evident.

MAKING AN IMPACT

For Jervis and Troyer, Gotta Graze is so much more than a business; it’s a vehicle to connect with East Texas and make a positive impact.

“Our whole heart behind this business is to leave a mark on our community,” Jervis said. “Our mantra is leave a mark of love with every single person that we encounter, whether it's in our walk-up window, it's a delivery we're doing or we're doing a massive grazing table –we always just want people who we're working with to feel loved and seen after we leave.”

Each of the businesses are thankful for the support they

have received from the community and their client base.

For Reynolds, every board purchase touches her heart because of the impact it makes on her family. Reynolds is a single mother of two children – her “why.”

The full-time working mom says this “side gig” adventure of hers allows her to do more for her children that she wouldn’t be able to do otherwise, like putting her daughter in art classes or taking her family of three to fun places to make memories before her son goes off to college.

“Every share, referral, purchase, and praise has helped this single mom be able to make a little extra cash and have a creative outlet I’ve seriously been lacking in my life yet craving,” Reynolds said on her social media page earlier this year.

‘INSTA’PIRATION

With charcuterie, the options are endless and everything is customizable to the client’s needs.

“There's so many different things that you can incorporate in,” Reynolds said. “No two pieces ever look the same.”

Reynolds gains inspiration for her products based on what her client is looking for. She will work to incorporate a color scheme, follow a theme, include special items, do only cheeses or meats, and anything else customers come up with.

“I feel like it really allows me to be able to use that creative side to where it's not just redundant and doing the same thing over and over again,” she said. “Each piece is something different and brings out something different in me and my creativity.”

Troyer said she looks to create charcuterie arrangements that are aesthetically pleasing and have a “cozy and put-together” feel. That doesn’t mean she wants things to be so put-together that people feel they can’t “tear into the board and eat it,” she said with a laugh.

She and Jervis look at colors, textures, lines and items used when deciding how to place each piece on the board or box.

“It's fun to watch our design eye kind of shift and change and learn,” Jervis said. “What is so fun about charcuterie is that you get to be creative every time.”

The two women “try to keep a pulse on things that we know our community will love,” Jervis said.

HOLIDAY SPECIALITIES

The holiday season is an exceptionally busy time for local charcuterie business owners. With clients looking to please their Thanksgiving guests or throw together a Christmas party for friends, charcuterie boards and tables are the perfect option. Plus, the individual snack-boxes make for adorable and practical gifts to show loved ones or

Gotta Graze owners

Lacey Jervis and Stephanie Troyer prepare a charcuterie board.

co-workers you’re thinking of them during the holiday season.

As the ladies work to fulfill their orders, their creative juices go into overdrive to come up with new and fresh holiday elements. For example, earlier this fall when everyone was so excited for Halloween, Gotta Graze offered a coffin-shaped board complete with toy spiders and googly-eyed olives. For Christmas, boards will start to incorporate things like candy canes and other items to bring in that holiday cheer. After the new year rolls around and Valentine’s Day approaches, the ladies will be just as busy creating romantic boxes of salami roses for a lover’s gift or arranging red-and-pink spreads for a Galentine’s Day party. Both Gotta Graze and cuterie. by kacie have the ability to make a box or board fit any occasion or theme, all year long.

CHARCUTERIE PAIRINGS

With so many options, how do these talented women choose what to put on each board?

For Reynolds, she likes to mix it up. She enjoys the classic combination of specialty cheese alongside meats, fruits and crackers.

“There's so many different combinations that you can't go wrong,” she said.

Recently she began purchasing dip mixes found at First Monday Trade Days in Canton that have become really popular. There are a variety of dips that make for a great complimentary item for fruits or veggies.

One of Reynolds’ favorite things to incorporate into charcuterie are unique goat cheeses, she said. She loves seeing her clients try the double cream cherry goat cheese, because it’s just as tasty as it sounds. There are other sweet and savory options, like chili goat cheese, blueberry goat cheese, cinnamon goat cheese and more.

While she enjoys incorporating unique items, Reynolds said she knows some people want to stick to cheeses like American or Cheddar and she is happy to stick with those as well.

Even for the simple spreads that will please even the pickiest

Gotta Graze owners Stephanie Troyer, left, and Lacey Jervis with a charcuterie board.

eaters, Reynolds said her boards are nothing like the pre-made party platters available at grocery stores. Her products are a few steps higher with top-notch quality items and ingredients incorporated throughout the custom-made boards or boxes.

When pairing items together on tables, Jervis said they look to give the tables an “earthy feel,” so items like vegetables will be placed together and greens like kale or fresh herbs are often incorporated to bring in that natural look.

“Our goal with tables is we want to create an experience where people walk up and it feels like the Garden of Eden – just like abundance,” Jervis said.

Troyer said there are some specific items the duo will alway place together such as Brie cheese and honey. It’s all about the overall look and feel of the table, Troyer said.

FAR FROM EASY

From arranging magnificent table spreads to feed a crowd to making small, single-serve boxes, there is an immense amount of effort put into charcuterie creations.

Reynolds said many people don’t understand all the work that goes into each product. Creators have to choose ingredients that meet their client’s needs then locate the best quality they can find, pick up the items, wash and cut all of the fruit and vegetables, and of course, put it all together to be aesthetically pleasing.

Just picking up items, preparing them and arranging a board can take eight hours, Reynolds said.

Jervis and Troyer agree that it takes a lot of time to create charcuterie. At Gotta Graze, they hand cut items such as cheese and always provide the freshest ingredients possible. Plus, individually and thoughtfully designing every product takes time.

Labor intensive and timeconsuming it may be, but for all three women, every minute of preparation is well worth the rewarding feeling.

Gotta Graze owners Stephanie Troyer, left, and Lacey Jervis.

STORY BY SHERRY P. SHEPHARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

Lights make the holidays so much brighter. And there will be plenty of opportunities to check out the different Christmas light displays throughout East Texas this holiday season. Add these to your bucket list – they won’t disappoint!

CARMELA’S MAGICAL SANTA LAND, 6085 Highway 259 N., Longview, opens Nov. 4. The drive-thru Christmas light display will be open from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday through the new year. The display

ON PG. 82

Carmela's Magical Santa Land Longview

features nearly 4 million lights, dancing trees, Nativity scenes and more. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. For information, visit Carmela’s Magical Santa Land on Facebook.

UP IN LIGHTS: TYLER LIGHTS

CHRISTMAS LIGHT PARK, 12885 CR 192, Tyler, open 6 p.m. Nov. 25-Dec. 11 and Dec. 16-25. Tyler’s only drive-thru light park. Up in Lights is a 1-mile long light park that covers 12 acres. Admission is $20 per car or truck. No buses or trailers are allowed. For information, visit www. facebook.com/upinlightsTyler.

PINEY PARK TRAIL OF LIGHTS, 600 Martin Lake Road, Marshall, Nov. 17Dec. 31. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The trail of lights includes a 10,000-square-foot light maze, enclosed play area for children, holiday market, food truck park, pictures with Santa, gingerbread house display, music and a 45-foot-tall Christmas tree. For information, visit www.pineypark.com/tickets.

CHRISTMAS PARK LAND OF LIGHTS, Loop 7 and Patterson Road, Athens, Nov. 10-Jan. 3. The park is more than a mile long and has over 4 million lights, including more than 60 scenes and 50 motion-controlled lighted scenes. It also has six tunnels, 14 arches and 2,000 wood cutouts. For information, visit www. christmasparkathens.net.

WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS, downtown Marshall, Nov. 23-Dec. 17. In addition to the millions of white lights adorning the Harrison County Courthouse, the festival also includes an outdoor ice skating rink, vintage carousel, train and a collection of tiny houses making up Santa’s Village. For information, visit www. marshalltexas.net/483/Wonderland-ofLights-2022.

LIGHT UP THE PARK, Hallsville City Park. This is an annual month-long event where several businesses, groups and individuals display Christmas lights. The switch will be flipped the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving following the annual Hallsville Christmas Parade. Information: www.facebook.com/Light-Up-thePark-150132245710734.

Wonderland of Lights Marshall

Light up the Park Hallsville

Piney Park Marshall

Piney Park Marshall

Wonderland of Lights Marshall

Piney Park Marshall

STOREFRONTS

Longview artist paints windows for holiday season

STORY BY CHRISTINA CAVAZOS PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

The holiday season is Jamie Robinson’s favorite time of year, and – with her paintbrush – she puts her own strokes on the season’s festivities.

“My goal is to help create beautiful spaces,” Robinson said. Whether painting in her fun, whimsical style depicting elves, reindeer and more or an elegant style with scenes of winter wonderlands, Robinson strives to help brighten up the community through her art.

Robinson has been an artist for most of her life. She moved a bit when she was younger, but her parents returned to East Texas when she was a teenager. Her father grew up in Kilgore. She and her husband, Mark, lived in Corpus Christi (where he grew up), before moving to Indiana and then relocating back to East Texas in 2017. They built a house in East Mountain, just outside of Longview, where they are raising their three children.

“I was a stay-at-home mom for a long time, so I had to just make sure that everybody got to school,” she said. “By the time my youngest got to school, that’s when I knew I wanted to do something.”

Jamie Robinson

With children in school, she volunteered on campus in a variety of capacities, including using her artistic talents by helping to draw and paint a variety of backdrops and photobooths for her children’s school.

“That gave me the confidence to feel like I could do things on a larger scale,” she recalled.

Someone tagged her in a

Facebook post in which a business was seeking an artist to paint a window. Robinson decided to go for it and found it became part of her passion.

She’s been painting windows and murals in East Texas for about three years now. She’s found that art is something she can do in her own

time while still being the “soccer mom” for her children, taking them to practices and being present.

Earlier this year, Robinson and her husband formed an LLC, called Palette Mural Designs, to serve her growing work.

Her mural art has included a brightly colored mural on the back of the Longview World of Wonders (Longview WOW) children’s museum in downtown Longview. The mural depicts silhouettes of children playing as well as gears, a crane and more in Robinson’s playful style. Other murals have included work at Nip It Golf, Vintage Soul, Joyful Noise Music Studio, Southern Shingles, Village Floral Shop in White Oak, and more.

“It actually turns out things on a larger scale are easier for me than smaller detail things. When I was painting the Longview WOW mural, I got a line about this much off. I stood back and looked at it and thought, no one can tell. No one can tell if it’s a quarter of an inch off. In an 8x10, everyone would know,”

she said with a laugh.

For windows, Robinson works with several businesses on a seasonal basis, changing out their window art in the spring, summer, fall and winter using acrylic paint for the designs.

“I try to incorporate what the business does and the season,” she said. “I think it’s both fun and challenging to find what meets the client’s needs. What is the actual design that incorporates everything they want to say, then looking at how to create that in their space and make it beautiful.”

In the fall, she was at Coffee and T’s in Longview. She incorporated coffee beans into the fall design for the coffee shop. The window also featured pumpkins, whimsical elements and text.

“It is a little sad because it’s only up there for two or three months and then we have to scrape it away,

but get to do something else,” she said.

For businesses that ask her to change the art out each season, Robinson scrapes the previous design away herself. When seeking inspiration for the next window display, Robinson said design ideas can come from “anywhere.”

“There’s always Pinterest if you need ideas. Sometimes clients have their ideas and I try to work with that,” she said.

Her Christmas designs have included everything from fun and whimsical to elegant and refined. At Custom Signs, Robinson has painted elves holding T-shirts and hats. At Coffee and T’s, the window last Christmas featured a winter scene with a bear enjoying a cup of coffee. For the Longview Chamber of Commerce, she painted windows with holly berries and leaves in what she described as a more “elegant” style.

“I get excited about all of it. Christmas is my favorite time of year, so I love the opportunities it presents,” she said.

Robinson said she enjoys family time at Christmas.

“It’s the family aspect, the magic of the season, the lights and the twinkling, the songs,” she said.

In addition to murals and window art, Robinson does some smaller work on canvas that she shows at events like Longview’s ArtWalk. However, her passion is in larger scale pieces.

In the spring, she also completed a degree program for an associate degree in interior design.

“The goal for that is to start interior design consulting and I’m even doing a few vendor sales with home décor,” she said. “It’s a little different than murals and windows, but it’s another thing I’m very interested in. It still allows me to be creative.”

NOVEMBER/DEC. CALENDAR events

ARP

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AND PARADE

9 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DEC. 3 City Park 100 W. Longview www.arptx.com

ATHENS

HOLIDAY MARKET 6 TO 9 P.M. DEC. 9, 10 TO 4 P.M. DEC. 10 Trinity Valley Community College gym 100 Cardinal Dr. www.visitathenstexas.com

BULLARD

RED, WHITE & BLUE FESTIVAL

NOV. 12 Downtown www.bullardchamber.com/ events

MAGIC ON MAIN WEEKEND DEC. 2-3 Downtown www.bullardtexas.net/

CANTON

FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS

NOV. 3-6 AND DEC. 1-4 First Monday Grounds 800 First Monday Lane www.firstmondaycanton.com/

EAST TEXAS FIBER FESTIVAL 10 A.M. TO 6 P.M. NOV. 18-19 Canton Civic Center Flea Market Rd.

Henderson Heritage Syrup Festival

www.easttexasfiberfestival. weebly.com

EAST TEXAS BOOK BASH WITH ASHLEY NEMER

1 TO 4 P.M. DEC. 10 Mill Creek Ranch Resort 1880 N Trade Days Blvd www.easttexasbookbash. weebly.com

FLINT CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY

1 TO 3 P.M. NOV. 16-19 10101 FM-2813 www.vintageandco.blogspot.com

GILMER

COFFEE & CARS NOV. 4-6, 18-20 AND DEC. 2-4, 16-18 Downtown Gilmer www.facebook.com/ coffeeandcarsgilmer

80 ACRE MARKET NOV. 4-6, 18-20 AND DEC. 2-4, 16-18 12229 FM 1650 www.80acremarket.com

TOYOTA TRAIL RIDERS TURKEY TROT

5 P.M. NOV. 11-13 Barnwell Mountain Offroad Park 6284 State Hwy 155 www.facebook.com/ toyotatrailriders

FALL FEST 12 P.M. TO 9 P.M. NOV. 12 Downtown www.gilmerareachamber.com/ calendar-of-events

1650 MARKET 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. NOV. 12 12458 FM 1650 www.bit.ly/1650market

YULEFEST 9 A.M. TO 7 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown Gilmer Square www.gilmerareachamber.com/ calendar-of-events/

YULEFEST PARADE 6 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown Gilmer Square www.gilmerareachamber.com/ calendar-of-events/

LOVE THEM MORE DINNER, CONCERT BENEFIT 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M. NOV. 12 4048 TX-300 www.lovethemmore.org

A Very Derrick Christmas

HALLSVILLE CHRISTMAS AT THE MARKET

3 TO 8 P.M. DEC. 3 200 Loma Vista Dr. www.facebook.com/ Hallsvillefarmersmarket22

HENDERSON

HERITAGE SYRUP FESTIVAL NOV. 12 Downtown and Depot Museum www.facebook.com/ heritagesyrupfestival

ABOVE RUBIES SOCIAL JEWELRY AND PURSE AUCTION 6 P.M. NOV. 3 Rusk County Expo Center 3303 FM 13 www.facebook.com/ fullarmorchristianacademy

TREE LIGHTING & CHRISTMAS PARADE 6 P.M. DEC. 1

Downtown Heritage Square www.visithendersontx.com/

JACKSONVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE DEC. 1 Downtown Jacksonville www.jacksonvilletexas.com/ events

JACKSONVILLE JINGLE JOG 5K AND FUN RUN 8:30 A.M. DEC. 10

Christus Mother Frances Health and Fitness Center 2010 S. Jackson St. www.riverrunpark.com

JEFFERSON

MESSIAH’S MANSION TOUR NOV. 5-13

Cross Threads Thrift Store 213 W. Broadway www.messiahsmansion.com/ jefferson

HISTORY, HAUNTS AND LEGENDS NOV. 5

Jefferson Convention & Visitor Center 305 E. Austin St. www.visitjeffersontexas.com

12TH ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT

6 P.M. TO 11 P.M. NOV. 12 Jefferson Convention & Visitor Center 305 E. Austin St. www.visitjeffersontexas.com

CHRISTMAS EXPRESS TRAIN

NOV. 25-26 AND DEC. 3, 10, 17, 24

Historic Jefferson Railway 400 E. Austin St. www.visitjeffersontexas.com

CHRISTMAS PARADE & ENCHANTED FOREST TREE LIGHTING NOV. 26

Downtown and Lions Park www.visitjeffersontexas.com

CANDLELIGHT TOUR OF HOMES DEC. 1-10 www.jeffersoncandlelight.com

JEFFERSON GUN & KNIFE SHOW

9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. DEC. 10 AND 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. DEC. 11 Jefferson Convention & Visitor Center 305 E. Austin St www.visitjeffersontexas.com/ jefferson-texas-events

KILGORE

A VERY DERRICK CHRISTMAS

3 P.M. TO 8 P.M. NOV. 12 Downtown www.kilgoremainstreet.com

KILGORE CHRISTMAS PARADE

6:30 P.M. NOV. 29 Downtown Kilgore www.cityofkilgore.com

LINDALE TURKEY TROT 5K AND KIDS RACE

8:30 A.M. NOV. 24

EJ Moss Intermediate School 411 E. Eagle Spirit Drive www.facebook.com/ lindaleturkeytrot

LINDALE ROTARY CHRISTMAS PARADE 5:30 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown www.lindalechamber.org/

SANTA’S BAKE SHOP TO SUPPORT LILLIE RUSSELL MEMORIAL LIBRARY 10 A.M. DEC. 3

Lillie Russell Memorial Library 200 E. Hubbard St. www.lillierusselllibrary.org

LONGVIEW

YOGA IN THE GALLERY

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ GOSPEL JAM

4 P.M. TO 9 P.M. NOV. 12 AND DEC. 10

Kilgore Mercantile & Music 105 N. Kilgore St. www.kilgoremercantile.com/ events-calendar

KILGORE CRUISE NIGHT

5 P.M. NOV. 26 AND DEC. 31 Downtown Kilgore www.facebook.com/ KilgoreCruiseNight

WINTER WONDERLAND BINGO BASH FUNDRAISER

1 TO 3 P.M. DEC. 10

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 314 N Henderson Blvd www.thecatsmeowrescue.org

LINDALE

FALL VINTAGE MARKET DAYS OF EAST TEXAS

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. NOV. 11, 12, 13

Pickers Pavilion at Blackberry Square 205 Cannery Row www.visitlindale.com/events

12 P.M.TO 1 P.M. NOV. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E. Tyler St. www.facebook.com/groups/ lmfatxyoga

THEOLOGY ON TAP

6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. NOV. 1 AND DEC. 6

Oil Horse Brewing Co. 101 W. Tyler St. www.oilhorsebrewing.com/

BARLEY GRAINS & GNARLY BRAINS TRIVIA

6 P.M. TO 7 P.M. NOV. 3, 10, 17, 24 AND DEC. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Oil Horse Brewing Co. 101 W. Tyler St. www.facebook.com/ quizmasterkandi/

PARADE OF HOMES NOV. 4-6 AND 11-13 www.easttexasbuilders.org/ annual-events

CLASSIC ARMS PRODUCTIONS GUN & KNIFE SHOW

9 A.M. NOV. 5, 10 A.M. NOV. 6 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive www.capgunshows.com

THEATRE LONGVIEW’S “ALL MY SONS”

NOV. 4-6 AND 11-13 Longview Community Center 500 E. Whaley St. www.theatrelongview.com

ALICE IN WONDERLAND NOV. 5 Downtown Longview www.cluedupp.com/products/ alice-longview

CHILI COOKOFF AND BREW PAIRING NOON NOV. 5 American Legion 407 American Legion Blvd. www.visitlongviewtexas. com/173/Calendar

VINTAGE SOUL’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY MARKET

10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. NOV. 5 907 N 4th St. www.facebook.com/ vintagesoullongviewtx

THE AESTHETIC ROOM OPEN HOUSE

4 TO 7 P.M. NOV. 8 4775 US-259 www.theaestheticroom.net

EAST TEXAS FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION

8 A.M. TO 10 A.M. NOV. 11 AND DEC. 9

Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive www.easttexasfoodbank.org/

WE ARE MESSENGERS

7 P.M. TO 10 P.M. NOV. 12 Belcher Center 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. www.belchercenter.com

LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS

9 A.M. NOV. 12 AND 10 A.M. NOV. 13

Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive www.greggcountyfair.com/ Trade_Days

SEUSSICAL

7 P.M. NOV. 17-19, 2 P.M. NOV. 19-20

ArtsView Children’s Theatre 313 W. Tyler St. www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com

COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING

4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. P.M. NOV. 20 Downtown Longview www.longviewtexas.gov/3839/ Downtown-Christmas

LONGVIEW AMBUCS CHRISTMAS PARADE 5:30 P.M. DEC. 1 Downtown Longview www.longviewtexas.gov/3839/ Downtown-Christmas

LONGVIEW SYMPHONY “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” 7 P.M. DEC. 2 Belcher Center 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. www.longviewsymphony.org/

LIVING HISTORY CHRISTMAS

10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. DEC. 3 Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St. www.gregghistorical.org

THE POLAR EXPRESS DEC. 4-23

Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St. www.gregghistorical.org

ARTWALK LONGVIEW 5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. DEC. 8 Downtown www.artwalklongview.com

BRIAN REGAN 7 P.M. DEC. 10 Belcher Center 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. www.belchercenter.com

HOLIDAY ARTS AND CRAFTS BAZAAR

9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. NOV. 18 American Legion Post 140 407 American Legion Blvd. www.visitlongviewtexas. com/173/Calendar

BIG CHRISTMAS EXPO 12 P.M. DEC. 3-4 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive www.etxalz.org

| CONT. ON PG. 94

Longview Christmas Tree Lighting

PITTSBURG

LOS PINOS RANCH WINE RUN TURKEY TROT 5K 9 A.M. NOV. 12

Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards 658 County Road 1334 www.lospinosranchvineyards. com

SANTA’S MAILBOX 8 A.M. TO 5 P.M. NOV. 14 TO DEC. 15 Downtown Pittsburg www.pittsburgtx.gov/calendar

Marshall Wonderland of Lights

| CONT. FROM PG. 93

EAST TEXAS SYMPHONIC BAND

3 P.M. DEC. 4 Belcher Center 2100 S. Mobberly Ave. www.etsymphonicband.org

MARSHALL HARVEST MARKET FAIR NOV. 5

Starr Family Home 407 W. Travis www.marshalltexas.com/ events/#!calendar

MARSHALL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

7 P.M. NOV. 5 East Texas Baptist University Rogers Spiritual Life Center www.marshallsymphony.com

TRIBUTE TO GEORGE STRAIT & CARRIE UNDERWOOD

7 P.M. NOV. 12

Memorial City Hall 110 E. Houston St. www.memorialcityhall.com

WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS NOV. 23-DEC. 17 Downtown Marshall www.marshalltexas.com/ wonderland-of-lights

DALLAS STRING QUARTET

7:30 P.M. DEC. 20 Memorial City Hall 110 E. Houston St. www.memorialcityhall.com

MINEOLA

MISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION PURSE BINGO 6 P.M. NOV. 17 Mineola Civic Center 1150 N Newsom St. www.facebook.com/mineolaISD-Education-Foundation

LANDMARK COMMISSION’S HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES 1 to 4 P.M. DEC. 2 300 Greenville Hwy. www.mineola.org

DOWNTOWN WINTER WHIRL DEC. 3 Downtown www.mineola.com

ANNUAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS PARADE 5:30 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown www.mineolachamber.org

MINEOLA LEAGUE OF THE ARTS CHRISTMAS BAZAAR 5 P.M. DEC. 2-3 www.mlota.org

MAIN STREET HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown Pittsburg www.pittsburgtx.gov/calendar

PITTSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS PARADE 10 A.M. DEC. 3 Downtown Pittsburg www.pittsburgtx.gov/calendar

PITTSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE ALL DAY DEC. 8 Pittsburg www.pittsburgtx.gov/calendar

TYLER

DISCOVERY STORE HOLIDAY SALE

DEC. 1-23

Discovery Science Place 308 N. Broadway www.discoveryscienceplace. org

ROSE CITY FARMERS MARKET

9 A.M. TO 12 P.M. NOV. 5, 12, 19, 26

ETX Brewing Co. 221 South Broadway Ave. www.visittyler.com/calendar

STAR PARTY SATURDAY

8 P.M. TO 9:30 P.M. NOV. 5, 12, 19, 26

Center for Earth and Space Science Education 1411 E. Lake St.

www.visittyler.com/events

UPTOWN NIGHTS AT BRICKS

9 P.M. TO 11:55 P.M. NOV. 5

Brick’s 418 E. Erwin St. www.facebook.com/ BricksBG20

UT TYLER BSM ALUMNI & FRIENDS FRIENDSGIVING POTLUCK

12 P.M. NOON NOV. 5

UT Tyler BSM 2725 Patriot Dr. www.uttylerbsm.org

TEXAS ROSE HORSE PARK FALL HORSE TRIALS

7:15 A.M. TO 7 P.M. NOV. 5

Texas Rose Horse Park 14078 State Highway 110 www.facebook.com/ texasrosehorsepark

M.M.O.P. MINISTRIES UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY

4 TO 6 P.M. NOV. 5 300 E Valentine St. www.bit.ly/mightymenofprayer

VETERANS BANQUET BY VETERANS SERVICES AND CAMP V 6 P.M. NOV. 6

Willow Brook Country Club 3205 W Erwin St. www.facebook.com/ empowermentcdc

A CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING

5:30 P.M. NOV. 11

Bergfeld Park 1510 S. College St. www.easttexasfoodbank.org

SECOND ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE RUN

8 A.M. TO NOON NOV. 12

Children’s Park of Tyler 110 E. Dobbs St. www.childrensparktyler.org

PENNY & SPARROW IN CONCERT

8 P.M. NOV. 12 Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

5K & 10K RUN FOR VETS

9 A.M. NOV. 12

Tyler Athletic and Swim Club 2767 Oak Creek Blvd. www.mission22.com

ART FESTIVAL HOSTED BY DOWNTOWN TYLER ARTS COALITION

10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. NOV. 12

Downtown Tyler Square 100 N. Broadway Ave. www.downtowntyler.org/tylerart-festival

CONT. ON PG. 96

Blue Santa Pub Crawl

ETSO OPENING NIGHT WITH YOAV TALMI

7:30 P.M. NOV. 12

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. www.etso.org

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

6:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M. NOV. 17

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. www.cowancenter.org

TYLER ISD FOUNDATION’S

HAVANA NIGHTS UNGALA

5:30 P.M. NOV. 19

Holly Tree Country Club 6700 Hollytree Dr. www.tylerisd.org

TURKEY TROT (5K, 10K, 15K)

7 A.M. TO 10 A.M. NOV. 19

Rose Rudman Park 450 Shiloh Rd. www.raceplace.com

TYLER COMIC CON

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. NOV. 19-20

The Cascades Country Club 4511 Briarwood Rd. www.tylercomiccon-.ticketbud. com

20TH ANNUAL TYLER

TURKEY TROT 5K RUN/WALK

9 A.M. NOV. 24 Raquet & Jog

5403 S Broadway Ave. www.tylerturkeytrot.com

TUPELO TO VEGAS: TRIBUTE TO ELVIS 5 P.M. NOV. 27

Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

ROTARY CLUBS OF TYLER CHRISTMAS PARADE 5 TO 7 P.M. DEC. 1 Downtown Tyler Square 100 N. Broadway Ave. www.eventbrite. com/e/386560993337

BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER DEC. 1-4 AND 8-11

Tyler Civic Theatre 400 Rose Park Drive www.tylercivictheatre.com

TJC’S “THE NUTCRACKER”

7 P.M. DEC. 1-3, 2 P.M. DEC. 3-4

Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center Tyler Junior College 100 S. Baxter Ave. www.tjc.edu/academyofdance

JUNIE B’S ESSENTIAL SURVIVAL GUIDE TO SCHOOL 10 A.M. AND 12:30 P.M. DEC. 2 UT Tyler Cowan Center

3900 University Blvd. www.cowancenter.org

MISTLETOE & MAGIC: A HOLIDAY SHOPPING EVENT NOV. 30 TO DEC. 3 Rose Garden Center 420 Rose Park Drive www.juniorleagueoftyler.org

BLUE SANTA DOWNTOWN PUB CRAWL 4 P.M. TO 8 P.M. DEC. 3 Downtown www.facebook.com/ events/379076794228928

TEXAS FLOOD: A BLUESY CHRISTMAS 7 P.M. DEC. 3 Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

LONGRIDERS MC 37TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY RUN 12 P.M. NOON DEC. 4 Downtown Square 100 N. Broadway Ave. www.facebook.com/ LRMCTylerorg

EAST TEXAS YOUTH ORCHESTRA’S WINTER CONCERT 4 TO 5 P.M. DEC. 4 www.etyo.org

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE 7 P.M. DEC. 9 Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M. DEC. 9

Children’s Park of Tyler 110 E. Dobbs St. www.childrensparktyler.org

HAND UP NETWORK CHRISTMAS GALA 6 P.M. DEC. 9

The Villa Tyler 7891 Highway 110 N. www.handupnetwork.com/gala

HIT THE BRICKS 10 A.M. DEC. 10 Downtown Tyler 110 N. College Ave. www.visittyler.com

Tyler Rotary Christmas Parade

WINTER FEST WITH SANTA

1 P.M. DEC. 10 Bergfeld Park 1510 S. College St. www.visittyler.com/calendar

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. 7:30 P.M. NOV. 10 UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. www.cowancenter.org

WHITE CHRISTMAS: SING ALONG

7 P.M. DEC. 16 Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

IF EVERY DAY WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS

7 P.M. DEC. 17 Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. www.libertytyler.com

CHRISTMAS UNDER THE BRIDGE 5 TO 8 P.M. DEC. 17 300 E Valentine St. www.facebook.com/ hunger4love

WHITEHOUSE

THIRD ANNUAL WHITEHOUSE CAR AND TRUCK SHOW

10 A.M. to 1 P.M. NOV. 5 First Baptist Church 801 E. Main St. www.whitehousecarshow. wixsite.com

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK AND PARADE

12 P.M. TO 6 P.M. DEC. 3 Whitehouse City Park www.visittyler.com/calendar

Events for publication in the January/February issue of ETX View must be submitted via email to info@etxview.com by Nov. 28.

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GIVE THE GIFT OF

SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AT ETBU

GIVE THE GIFT OF SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AT ETBU

Your gift to student scholarships at ETBU enables the preperation and development of Christian Servant Leaders who will impact and transform the world for Christ.

Your gift to student scholarships at ETBU enables the preperation and development of Christian Servant Leaders who will impact and transform the world for Christ.

SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AT ETBU

Your gift to student scholarships at ETBU enables the preperation and development of Christian Servant Leaders who will impact and transform the world for Christ.

Learn more about how you can advance the Christ-centered mission of East Texas Baptist at www.ETBU.edu/give.

Learn more about how you can advance the Christ-centered mission of East Texas Baptist at www.ETBU.edu/give.