ETX View Magazine Sep Oct 2023

ETX VIEW

YOUR VIEW OF EAST TEXAS

THE WOMEN’S ISSUE

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Santana Gallacher

THE POWER OF FAITH, BELIEF - & WOMEN

Women – whether they’re business owners, mothers, friends, leaders, or anything else – are remarkable. Our community is filled with women who make the world around them keep spinning and make East Texas a better place.

Featured on our cover are 10 extraordinary women highlighted in a “Flowers of East Texas” campaign you can read more about on Page 41. Throughout this Women’s Issue of ETX View, you’ll read more about women making a positive impact on our communities.

When I think of impactful women, I think of my mother. When I was a little girl, I remember looking up at my mama, thinking she was just the most amazing person that ever lived. As a young woman, I still look up to her and believe all those magical things about her.

When I was about to turn 16, I had no expectations for a car. But somehow, some way, Mama applied that magic of hers and a car was in our driveway on my birthday that year. “How?!” I asked. Her reply was one I’ve heard a lot: “Mama can do anything,” she always tells me.

Another favorite memory came to mind while working on the vintage furniture and decor story in this issue, starting on Page 18. Mama was recently divorced and her nest was empty besides 15-year-old me; so it was just us – two girls against the world. One day, we hopped in the car to go thrifting. It was our favorite pastime and well, why not? We could do anything we wanted. We made the rules. So, we went to a huge Goodwill across town and as we perused the clothes, books, and knick-knacks, we were stopped in our tracks. There it was – the most beautiful vintage couch we’d ever seen. It was gold and about 10 feet long, and the price was right – 40 bucks. Even better, it was half off – that day only! Sold. It was meant to be.

Off to the checkout line we went, with no concern in the world for how we’d fit this giant treasure in our

small SUV. But of course, “Mama can do anything.” We tied it with an old belt we found in the car and stuffed it in – well, half of it was hanging out of the trunk, but it’d have to do. It was a long, slow 50-minute drive home, but when we did make it there, we felt stronger and more empowered than ever. Every time we looked at that couch, we remembered that day – what we conquered. It was a symbol of what we were capable of and all the things we’d continue to accomplish.

To this day, I believe “Mama can do anything,” and because she can do anything, so can I. And if we can, so can you. While I have a special appreciation for women, I believe anyone can do anything, no matter their gender, background, circumstances or anything else.

Belief is a powerful tool, as demonstrated on Page 36 by Ivette Zavarce’s amazing testimony of defeating breast cancer. Another inspiring woman who has overcome obstacles to make her dreams come true is Ruby Abarca, on Page 80. From starting her restaurant with only $21 working out of her home to an empire that continues to expand across East Texas, the sky is the limit. When it comes to women supporting women, Julee Rachels in Longview, Page 28, and Jasmine Ware in Tyler, Page 65, are two shining examples.

There are so many inspiring stories in this issue, and I sincerely hope you enjoy reading them. Although it’s the Women’s Issue, we always aim to have a little something for everyone in each edition. Every issue, we will continue celebrating life in East Texas and sharing stories about the people who make our community such a special place. If you have ideas about stories we can share next, send us an email at info@etxview.com

PRESIDENT

Stephen McHaney

PUBLISHER

Justin Wilcox

SALES MANAGER

Tracy Stopani

EDITOR

Tim Thorsen

ETX VIEW EDITOR

Santana Gallacher

PUBLICATION DESIGNER

Haley Holcomb-Capps

WRITERS

Santana Gallacher

Katecey Harrell

Jessica T. Payne

Elizabeth Solomon

Raquel Villatoro

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Michael Cavazos

Les Hassell

Farrah Nichole Photography

Jessica T. Payne

Angela Peery Photography

Tyler Morning Telegraph

ADVERTISING SALES

Haylea Hudson

Kelly Benton

Kerri Esposito

Kurt Kitchings

Paula White

Sonorah Duty

Shawna Yockey

Stuart James

Zoie Perry

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Angela Peery Photography

COVER DESIGN BY Haley Holcomb-Capps

© 2023, M. ROBERTS MEDIA

100 E. Ferguson, Suite 501, Tyler, TX 75702

DEEP ROOTS

Houseplants a growing trend that help foster connection

STORY BY KATECEY HARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

Plants foster a connection with nature, family and the self that can withstand the test of time.

Cathy Page's mother and grandmother passed their knowledge and passion for gardening to her. Not only did they share the hobby, but they shared plants. Page, the owner of RCB Gardens in Longview, has inherited plants pushing 80 years old from both her grandmothers.

"My mom still has an ivy that was my grandmother's that is probably 20 or 30 years old," Page said. "That legacy has always been really important to me."

With proper care, houseplants can be passed down through generations and continue to bring joy to the next recipient.

SANSEVIERIA STARFISH at The Plant Collective in Lindale.

OWNER CATHY PAGE at RCB Gardens in Longview.

Houseplants rose in popularity during the pandemic, and the trend has steadily increased post-pandemic. After periods of isolation, people long to be part of something bigger. Growing plants is connective in various ways; it teaches responsibility and can alleviate stress and anxiety. It can also connect you with a community of others –whether they’re experts or novices..

Getting started with houseplants may seem daunting. Luckily, East Texans are eager to share their knowledge and grow the community one plant at a time.

While Ciara Cunningham was raising her children as a stay-athome mother, she discovered a love for houseplants.

"It just makes you feel good when you can keep something alive and watch it grow, just like your kids,"

Cunningham said. "Anytime I get a new leaf or something, it's like a big celebration."

Now, Cunningham has turned her love into a business. She recently opened The Plant Collective in downtown Lindale, creating a space for people to appreciate houseplants and share their joy with others.

"People walk in and say they have black thumbs instead of green thumbs, and they kill everything," Cunningham said. But a newbie shouldn't worry because Cunningham says, "That's where I come in."

Indoor plants require slightly different care than their larger outdoor relatives, and not all houseplants are equal. Some houseplants are more temperamental than others, so local plant lovers recommended the | CONT. ON PG. 12

| CONT. FROM PG. 8

INDOOR PLANTS AND PRODUCTS on display at RCB Gardens in Longview.

perfect plants for newbies and how to best care for them.

Indoor plants need soil preparation, pruning, rotating and dusting. They may also need supplemental light. Some people talk to or play music to encourage their plants to grow.

"My thing is touch. I touch my plants. Everywhere I go, I'm touching plants. I can't walk by anything green without touching it," Page said.

Houseplants are a great way to improve design aesthetics and lift someone's mood.

"It teaches you a kind of responsibility and makes you feel good for being able to keep something alive and healthy," Cunningham said.

It's a way to nurture something with no strings attached. Plants can transform a space, improve air quality and reconnect people with nature while creating a more pleasant, happier area.

"There's a different type of appreciation for houseplants because they don't grow as fast and prolifically as outdoor plants do, so their growth is much more exciting," she said.

People must consider how much time they can devote to caring for their collections. A novice may opt to introduce just one plant at a time into their home, while a seasoned plant owner can successfully manage multiple plants simultaneously.

The Zanzibar "ZZ" plant is one of the easiest to grow, lowmaintenance houseplants. It has thick fleshy stems that produce dark green, glossy oval leaves that store water and make it highly drought tolerant. ZZ is a good plant for beginners because it does well in low light and water conditions.

The snake plant, or Sansevieria, also known as mother-in-law's tongue, is another low-maintenance plant for beginners. The snake plant has fleshy pointed leaves that can grow three to four feet tall and doesn't grow far beyond the edges of its container.

"There's a snake plant for just about every situation, every space

ON PG. 14

OWNER CIARA CUNNINGHAM at The Plant Collective in Lindale.

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

you need to fill," Page said.

Snake plants tolerate low-light areas very well. It needs well-drained soil. Water only when it is dry and choose containers with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.

Pothos varieties, sometimes called devil's ivy, are among the most popular houseplants for beginners because they are straightforward to grow. It grows only six to eight feet as horizontal ground cover, but the trailing and climbing vines can grow as long as 40 feet. It does best in filtered light, with high humidity, and will survive a wide range of environmental conditions. The soil should be well aerated. Plants should be allowed to dry out slightly and watered only when the soil is dry. Keeping houseplants out of direct sunlight is vital to avoid scalding or causing the leaves to brown. Soil moisture meters can help people determine a watering schedule and fertilizing plants is another tip to promote

houseplants growth.

Cunningham sells soil moisture meters and non-toxic Phytoplankton soil-enhancing fertilizer at her store.

"I got some, and the next day, it was already growing like two or three leaves on my fiddle leaf that hadn't grown in months," she said. "This stuff is like straight-up magic."

Overwatering is the most common beginner mistake. Many plants are potted in plastic pots at stores, and people will place the plastic container into a decorative pot without drainage holes. It's not necessary to repot a plant, but people need to remove it from the pot, water it thoroughly, and put it back into the decorative pot. Don't let the plant sit in water; this could cause root rot.

Sticking your finger into the soil is one way to check if a plant needs watering. The plant may not need watering if dirt comes off your finger.

"There are people that love babying their plants.

INDOOR PLANT EXPERT Felicia Butler at RCB Gardens in Longview.

RCB GARDENS IN LONGVIEW

RCB GARDENS IN LONGVIEW

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

| CONT. FROM PG. 15

Some people overwater their plants, and that's the main reason they kill them because they love them too much," Cunningham said.

If this is the case, Cunningham will direct her customers to plants that prefer moisture.

Some plants must be repotted if the soil is too dense to stick your finger into; this could mean the plant is root bound. Rootbound or pot-bound is when they outgrow their container. So, their roots grow around and around, stunting growth. Ensuring the pot isn't too large will also decrease the chance of shocking the root system.

"They like to be somewhat tight, not root bound, but they like the smaller tighter pot, I guess, so that they can soak up their water and nutrients," Cunningham said.

Houseplants will acclimate to their environment as long as it's cared for and is more manageable for disabled people or those who do not want to be outside.

"Gardening is therapy whether you need it or not. There's something so cool about digging in the dirt," Page said. "It's very emotional, and for me, the spiritual part of it, I think, it's just the connection to the earth.”

THE PLANT COLLECTIVE IN LINDALE

VISUAL

VELVET: A VINTAGE COLLECTION, located in downtown Tyler, sells various secondhand items, including vintage furniture and unique decor pieces for the home.

TIMELESS APPEAL VINTAGE PIECES CAN BRING CHARACTER TO YOUR HOME

STORY BY SANTANA GALLACHER PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS AND LES HASSELL

Vintage never goes out of style because it’s timeless, local experts say. Furnishing your home with vintage pieces is an easy, fun way to customize a space. Whether you are a certified vintage lover or a new admirer, East Texas business owners say there’s room for everyone to join the club. Vintage Soul in Longview and Velvet in Tyler weighed in to help ETX View readers learn more about vintage finds and how to incorporate them into your home.

Brianna Harden, owner of Velvet, recalls when she found her style and started to curate pieces for her home.

“I remember the first actual vintage piece that I bought. It was a teak-wood piece, and I’m a big fan of natural wood. I remember I went and picked it up and cleaned it and put it in my dining room, put some beautiful glassware in it and made it into a bar area,” Harden said. “I remember styling it and putting pieces together to complement it, and it was so much fun. There’s something awesome about bringing a piece into your home and making it fit into the space. Now, it’s the first thing you see when you come into the room. After you get it styled just right, you walk in and you’re like, ‘Oh wow, I did that.’”

That’s part of the fun, Harden says, to take a piece and not only give it new life and promote sustainability, but allow it to revive your home as well.

“Vintage pieces stand out,” Harden said. “It’s not like anything that you see when you’re out shopping at Target or searching on Amazon, so when you see something unique in someone’s home, it catches your eye.”

the values and successes of a specific time in history. Across East Texas, churches stand as some of our oldest monuments to innovation, art, and the strength of community. Two to leave such a mark are Marvin Methodist Church in Tyler and First Christian Church in Longview.

Often, she said a person’s immediate reaction is to ask, “Where did you get that?”

“They want to hear the story,” Harden said. “And there always is a story about how that piece entered someone’s home and the journey the person went through to get it. That’s one of the best parts – every piece of furniture has its own story.”

by Matison P. Baker. Indeed, Marvin’s steeply pitched, multi-gabled slate roof, spires, and buttressed walls must have been miraculous to behold on the dusty roads of Tyler in 1891.

Jeretta Ivey, owner of Vintage Soul, likes to include that type of information on the price tags of the items in her store. On one side of the tag, you’ll find the price, but if it’s an item Ivey knows the story behind, she’ll write a little extra note on the tag to share that history.

During The Panic of 1893 the church was forced onto the auction block for debts unpaid. Church member Mrs.

“We have customers who will ask us the story of a piece, and if we know it, of course we’ll share everything

we know with them. Even for the pieces we don’t know the story behind, we know they have a long history and special story of their own,” Ivey said. “Plus we all have our own little stories that go along with the piece. We have so much fun picking the items from estate sales or from out-of-state trips, and sharing that just adds to the value of the piece.”

The story of an item will continue to evolve over time as a piece is passed on from one owner to the next, whether it’s a family member passing down a China cabinet that has been in the family for generations or someone just clearing out their space to make room for a new piece.

“Vintage things are going to last forever,” Harden

BRIANNA HARDEN of Velvet: a vintage collection.

OLIVIA MONTGOMERY and Brianna Harden opened Velvet together to share their love of vintage with East Texas.

| CONT. FROM PG. 20

said. “You can give them to your kids and they can probably give it to their kids, as long as you take care of it.”

Older furniture is typically made from real, solid wood, rather than pressed wood or particle board, making it much more durable. “It’s made to last,” Harden said.

Harden advises shoppers to look for pieces made with brass, steel and glass because they can be easily cleaned to look good as new. Wood can also be restored to improve its appearance, but minor blemishes add to a

piece’s character.

“Sometimes we’ll just leave a piece because that’s the charm of it,” said Ivey, who repurposes many of the antique furniture items she sells at her Longview shop. “When we’re looking for pieces, we want that true piece of wood that you just don’t find anymore.”

In Harden’s downtown Tyler store co-owned by Olivia Montgomery, Harden likes to purchase items that match the aesthetic of other items sold there. Velvet’s home items are often mid-century era pieces, including furniture, knick-knacks and more. Velvet, located at 253 S.

VINTAGE SOUL OWNER Jeretta Ivey has a love for all things vintage.

Broadway Ave., also sells vintage clothing and a variety of other eclectic finds.

At Vintage Soul at 907 Fourth Street in Longview, shoppers will find a different mix of items. When Ivey opened the store 12 years ago, it was all vintage. Now, the store has evolved to also include vintage-inspired items and even offers to build custom furniture pieces. Vintage Soul, which has 18 vendors who sell from within the store, also sells new boutique clothing and jewelry to mix in with its vintage decor and furniture.

“The goal has always been to cater to everyone’s

likes,” Ivey said. “We’re all kind of old souls here and we want customers to be able to find that neat little piece. We always want to keep that charm with classic, timeless pieces in our store.”

Mixing the old with the new is not something to stray away from. As long as you like it, Ivey and Harden say that’s all that matters.

“There are no rules,” Harden said. “Don’t get too stuck on one particular era or furniture style. If you like it, get it – especially if it’s a good deal. And when it comes

to vintage items, you have to snag them when you see them.”

Ivey said when it comes to pieces perfectly matching each other, “that’s over. Throw that out the door.”

“We encourage people to focus on what speaks to you,” Ivey said. “It’s your home, and you want it to feel how you want it to feel, so don’t worry about being matchy-matchy.”

Ivey also advises vintage lovers to slowly build their collection. Harden agrees, noting this route is also an affordable option rather than having to purchase multiple items all at once.

“Do it one piece at a time,” Ivey said. “If you’re just starting out adding vintage pieces to your home and have a traditional-style home or even a newer modern-style home, it’s best to start with one piece and go from there. Once you get used to how it looks in the space, you will know what else you want to add. If you do too much at once, it might not look like what you were expecting.”

Ivey also stresses that you can be a fan of vintage items without losing the love for your new items.

“You don’t have to break up with everything,” Ivey said. “You can do a blended style mixing vintage pieces in with the new items you already have. Those pieces are special too –their story began in your home.”

So whether you check out a local shop that sources vintage pieces or you begin a treasure hunt of your own at garage sales and thrift shops, enjoy the process. Staying true to what you love is the easiest way to make your home feel complete.

GINA TERRY, left, owner Jeretta Ivey, Kristal Childs, Markie Barnett and Virginia Pattullo at Vintage Soul.

FINLEY IVEY, 10, at Vintage Soul.

We LOVE celebrating inspiring brands, so this woman owned business deserves all the praise! Based out of Atlanta, GA, enewton fits the bill for "something for everyone " . Quality goods prove to be one of our best sellers every season!

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Without pattern and a mix of colors, this collection represents unpredictability It represents hope. Our story is unwritten, but anything is possible with HOPE.

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Serving withHeart

MARKETPLACE USES WOMEN’S TALENTS TO GIVE BACK TO OTHERS

STORY BY ELIZABETH SOLOMON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Some women cross-stitch. Others enjoy baking or cooking. There are those rare women who can make just about any adorable craft they find on Pinterest. And some take the gifts and talents of their friends, fellow church members and neighbors, and create new ways to give back to women in their hometown. Heartisans Marketplace of Longview was the result when Julee Rachels decided to do just that.

Rachels, CEO and founder of Heartisans, would never dream of claiming all the credit for creating and managing the nonprofit, which provides underserved women in the Longview area with opportunities to remove themselves from poverty.

“Heartisans isn’t mine,” Rachels said. “It’s God’s. When He stops, I’ll stop, but as long as He’s sending people, we’re serving.”

In 2013, the idea for Heartisans was born

when Rachels’ friend and colleague asked for assistance in alleviating poverty in the Longview area. That summer, Rachels worked with a group of women residing in low-income housing to teach them healthy cooking.

“All summer, I heard, ‘I want to get out of these apartments,’” Rachels said. “There was a lot of generational poverty. I just didn’t know how to help them get out.”

First Baptist Church of Longview, where Rachels is a longtime member, had recently surveyed its women’s ministry. A vast majority of respondents stated they preferred to serve others via arts and crafts. Rachels’ imagination got to work as she sought to marry her fellow church members’ talents with the immediate needs of many Longview women.

A pilot program of what would eventually become Heartisans was initiated that fall. The women who participated were taught business

principles, and had to create a product from concept to final product, attempting to turn a profit.

“They got to keep a percentage of their profit, and that was enough to buy their children some Christmas presents,” Rachels said. “But it wasn’t enough to get them out of poverty.”

After visiting a nonprofit called Thistle Farms in Nashville, Tennessee, which helped women trapped in the sex trafficking industry to regain their independence, Rachels had a more solidified vision for Heartisans.

“I knew I wanted to use the women’s gifts and talents,” Rachels explained. “I didn’t know how it was going to all come together, but it just did, and to me, that was God.”

Nine years into being fully operational, Heartisans is now a thriving ministry. The vocational program exists to help women obtain necessary skills for the workplace, primarily using ACT WorkKeys. Resume building, interviewing, budgeting, and healthy cooking are just a few of the topics also covered during the two-month

program, designed for up to 12 women at a time.

Women who participate in the program aren’t the only ones being served by the work of Heartisans. The operation is run largely in part by around 200 volunteers. Many of these are the women who create products to be sold in the store, which funds 80% of the nonprofit as a whole.

“Heartisans meets several needs,” Rachels said. “It gives (women) a place to gather and serve with their gifts and talents. It provides networking opportunities with strong women in the community. And, it builds relationships.”

Another need was identified quickly as more and more women began graduating from the Heartisans job readiness program.

“Typically, our women are living with several other women as roommates,” Rachels said. “Once they finish our program, they are ready to go into the workforce or school, but they don’t have the luxury of a savings account. It’s hard to find somewhere safe and affordable

THE KNITTING and crochet area at Heartisans Marketplace.

CEO AND FOUNDER of Heartisans Marketplace Julee Rachels.

to live.”

Heartisans will soon house program graduates on campus in the cottage community, which will be called Heartisans Village. Eventually, the property will have space available for up to 16 women at a time to live for one or two years within four cottage-style duplexes, which will surround a common gathering space and playground.

“After they graduate from the program, we’ve found that women are a lot more successful if they stay in community,” Rachels said. “It’s a time for them to learn how to do life: how to have family time, to save money, and maintain a home. Our long-term plan is that our graduates will stay in community with one another, and slowly change the area around us.”

The success Heartisans enjoys has come after – and perhaps because of – some difficulties over the years. Coincidentally, the store had been planning to put all of its inventory online in late 2019. Early in 2020, the online store went live, and out of necessity, 100% of the store’s sales occurred online for two full months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our online sales were higher than our in-store sales would have been if we’d kept the store open,” Rachels laughed. “When we reopened the store, our online sales went down and our in-store sales skyrocketed, so we knew our community had been supporting us during the pandemic.”

Every step in the process of founding Heartisans was a step made in faith. This remains true as the nonprofit continues to grow each year.

“I’ve always been the type to have a checklist,” Rachels said. “But you can’t do that here. If we think we need something, and there’s no one who comes along with that specific gift or talent, we just decide either we aren’t going to need that, or God will bring along the right person.”

As the ministry assists more and more women in Longview, growth is not only inevitable, but necessary. Serving with love, identifying and meeting needs, and strengthening the community are what the women of Heartisans do best.

CEO AND FOUNDER of Heartisans Marketplace Julee Rachels.

THE VINYL STUDIO at Heartisans Marketplace.

KATHY ROUSE spends her morning making bowl cozies in the quilting area at Heartisans Marketplace.

HEARTISANS MARKETPLACE

PROGRAM AND RESOURCE DIRECTOR Kendra Tennison and Community Relations Director Evie Henson spend their morning speaking to a group of women in the Job Readiness Program at Heartisans Marketplace.

Hands that Heal

TYLER WOMAN CREDITS FAITH, HER MOTHER’S INFLUENCE TO BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL

STORY BY SANTANA GALLACHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANGELA PEERY PHOTOGRAPHY & TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH

When Ivette Zavarce began her battle with breast cancer, she had a couple key items in her healing arsenal. She went to her chemotherapy appointments dressed in specialty armor – or T-shirts with Bible verses printed on them. Drowning out the enemy, her headphones blasted worship music broadcast by her workplace Fuzion. Family and community made up her army. And while Zavarce had a treatment plan guided by her medical team, she had a prescription of her own that may have been the most powerful protection of all.

“Jesus was my medicine,” said Zavarce, a 53-year-old Tyler woman who can proudly say she’s a survivor of an aggressive form of breast cancer she was diagnosed with in February 2022.

Braced with all her shields of defense, Zavarce brought a positive attitude when it was time for combat – 16 rounds of chemo over six months. Doxorubicin, a form of an antibiotic used as a chemo drug, is often referred to as “red devil” chemo due to its red color and potentially unpleasant side effects. But Zavarce says she dismissed that name and declared the healing powers of God instead.

“I told the nurses it was not called red devil for me. Instead, I saw it as the blood of Jesus that cleansed me, healed me, and restored me,” Zavarce said. “I told Him, ‘thank You for this medicine that You’re using to heal me.’ I think going to treatment thinking in that way and taking it as something that was healing instead of doing harm worked.”

And it did. Zavarce experienced almost none of the negative side effects associated with chemotherapy, such as nausea. She was tired and eventually lost her hair, but she believes trusting in the Lord, leaning on family and community, and making healthy lifestyle changes helped her successfully win the war.

THE DIAGNOSIS

When Zavarce’s mother was 43 years old, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage 4 breast cancer. The oldest of five siblings, Venezuela native Zavarce walked her mother through that hard stage 30 years ago.

“I remember when they gave her the news about her cancer; one of the doctors told us that there was

PHOTO BY ANGELA PEERY PHOTOGRAPHY

nothing to do. But she was a woman of great faith and said that God had the last word,” Zavarce said. “So she faced that battle holding the hand of the Lord. She went through 12 months of chemotherapy, radiation and then a mastectomy. To the glory of God, my mother lived 25 more years.”

At that time, Zavarce couldn’t have predicted she would one day apply all the lessons she learned while holding her mother’s hand to her own battle with cancer.

Because of Zavarce’s family history, she started going for checkups around the age of 30. Since she had dense breasts, doctors advised her to alternate mammograms and MRIs every six months.

When 2022 began, Zavarce’s calendar was full of commitments and appointments – one of those being a breast MRI. Despite her busy schedule, Zavarce made a point to make it to that appointment on Feb. 28.

“I thank God that I didn’t miss

that appointment because the next day I received a call to let me know that something wasn’t right,” Zavarce said. A few days later, she had a breast echo where doctors confirmed there was a tumor in her right breast and told her a biopsy was needed right away. The result of the biopsy was one she didn’t want to hear.

“When the doctor told me, ‘you have cancer,’ I felt like the world stopped,” Zavarce said. “I wondered, ‘why now?’”

Everything in Zavarce’s life was going perfectly. She was so happy, at 51 years old, living her life to the fullest – enjoying her family, children, grandchildren, and her community of Tyler that she has loved so much since arriving in the United States 16 years ago. After working so hard to rebuild and start anew in the U.S., Zavarce was loving every minute of her career, and had become very involved in church and various new projects. She was even planning to travel.

“My husband and I had tickets to go to Italy to celebrate our

30th anniversary – the trip of our dreams,” Zavarce said. “Even though I couldn't make sense of why this was happening now, I knew there was purpose in God’s plan. I remembered my mom’s miracle and her faith, and I clung to my God as she did.”

Soon, she began to see a path forward. “I started to see the hand of God in every little step – every small way and every detail. I started to feel like I wasn’t alone – that God was with me,” Zavarce said.

First, He gave her peace. Then, He sent her supporters. From her husband who never left her side to a church member who was a surgeon and offered guidance, Zavarce says she had angels all around her. Her children, daughterin-law, co-workers, fellow church members, friends and community members were among others who offered an incredible amount of encouragement.

ANSWERED PRAYERS

Prayers were quickly answered after Zavarce’s initial diagnosis.

She was in the oncologist’s office the next day, and just a couple days later she met with a surgeon and scheduled her surgery. It was important to act fast, she said, because although the cancer was detected early in Stage 2, it was an extremely aggressive form that could spread quickly.

After the surgery was over, she was elated to find out they successfully removed the tumor. Still, her treatment wasn’t done yet, as her medical team recommended chemotherapy as a preventive measure. Before she could begin chemo, she had to endure four weeks of recovery from the bilateral mastectomy.

“It was painful and a hard recovery – not only physically but emotionally,” Zavarce said. “I couldn’t do anything but rest and wait for my wounds to heal. The most difficult part was sitting at home with my thoughts while the world kept going. A lot of questions come to your mind – worries about your health, your future, what to do,

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IVETTE ZAVARCE announces the launch of Fuzion Radio. The positive environment at Fuzion was a huge contributor to Zavarce's healing journey.

what not to do.”

Ultimately, Zavarce learned God gave her this time as a “divine pause” to focus on Him and His word, and to think, thank, forgive, and learn.

As soon as Zavarce’s four weeks of recovery were up, she was ready to get back to doing the things she loved – namely returning to her workplace, Fuzion Radio. Part of KVNE and Encouragement Media Group, Fuzion is a Spanish Christian radio station that exists to glorify God and guide listeners to Him.

Also at this time, Zavarce began chemo. She didn’t miss a single day of work and believes being there – a positive environment with the opportunity to share God’s word –helped her stay strong.

She also began to exercise, drink fruit and vegetable juices, eat healthier, take supplements and vitamins, and take care of her body so she could be as strong as possible. She also made sure to laugh and find joy. These were also things she witnessed her mother do 30 years ago when she was fighting breast cancer.

‘SENSE OF FREEDOM’

Zavarce was in a meeting at work when she touched her hair and a clump of it fell out. That same day, she went home and told her husband it was time for her to shave her head.

“I admit, it was hard for me,” Zavarce said. “I cried and cried and cried.”

Before, only people close to her knew about the cancer. But she said losing her hair was like putting a label on her chest that says, “I have cancer.”

“My first thought was, ‘I’m going to stay home and hide.’ But I decided I would try a wig. So for weeks I did wear a wig or scarves, until one day I felt I was ready to show off my bald head and embrace it,” she said. “I felt a sense of freedom and like it was a way for me to help other friends with what they were going through, to show them to just be brave and trust the Lord.”

Above all, she said it was a way to share the simple message that “God is so good.”

IVETTE ZAVARCE took four weeks to recover from surgery, but after that, she never missed a day of work while she underwent chemotherapy and treatment for breast cancer. She says being alongside the team at Fuzión and continuing to share God's word through music helped her heal.

WINNING THE RACE

On Oct. 10, 2022, Zavarce finished chemo and in December, she underwent breast reconstruction surgery. Now, she will take hormone blockers for five years, check herself periodically and never let her guard down in taking care of herself so she can stay healthy.

Five months after finishing treatment, Zavarce participated in the FRESH 15 5K race – a distinctive moment in her healing journey.

“I remember this with joy because every meter that I advanced in the race, I was thanking God for my life – for healing me. For me, it was like the celebration of victory over that breast cancer,” Zavarce said.

Today, Zavarce has a new outlook on life. Some people say cancer saved Zavarce’s life, and she can say the same.

“I’ve been living in a different way than before I got the diagnosis,” Zavarce said. From paddleboarding at the lake – something she never would’ve done before – to biking and enjoying the outdoors to treasuring every moment, Zavarce has a renewed appreciation for life.

Zavarce encourages others to be intentional about creating memories in their own lives.

“Sometimes we just live day by day and we forget what’s actually important,” Zavarce said. “Take the time to create memories and enjoy life.”

PAYING IT FORWARD

She believes one of the reasons she faced cancer was so that she could come out on the other side to help others.

“I have been able to share my story and guide other women to not be afraid to get their medical checkups. I’ve been able to share information about health resources we have in our community and tell these women that cancer is not a death sentence, but rather an opportunity to change our lifestyle and embrace God.”

She continues to connect with women through Fuzion – where she says her microphone is her “instrument” provided by God to reach others. She receives calls from women daily who confide in her and seek advice. Zavarce helps them through encouragement and points them in the right direction for care, including NET Health’s Center for Healthy Living which provides free breast screenings and diagnostic services for those who can’t afford it or don’t have insurance.

Zavarce welcomes anyone in need to reach out to her because she truly feels her purpose is to help. Email ivette@mifuzion.com or call 903-5086888.

From a young woman holding her mother’s hand while she fought cancer to fighting her own battle years later, Zavarce knows one thing for certain: The Lord’s hand was always there.

Flowers of East Texas

CAMPAIGN ‘SHINES LIGHT’ ON LOCAL WOMEN WITH IMPACTFUL STORIES

STORY

When Ivette Zavarce shared the story of overcoming cancer on her social media page, it touched many – including one woman in particular who decided to spread Zavarce’s impact and help other women at the same time.

Amy Hall, owner of Botanical Floristry based in Lindale, worked with Zavarce years ago in marketing at Brookshire’s. Hall said Zavarce was a mentor to her and was there for her while Hall was going through a difficult time.

“She left such an impact on me as a young woman because of her genuineness and her kindness to everyone. I’ve never met anybody that is just more sincere, genuine and kind than Ivette,” Hall said. “So when she shared that she had been battling cancer and was healing, it really touched me because she was such an important part of my early adulthood and growing into the woman I am today.”

Hall was up one night and couldn’t stop thinking about Zavarce and how she wished more people knew her story. Then she thought about all the other women out there who also have stories worth sharing.

“There’s so much bad in the world that it’s nice to hear about

the people who are the good in the world. With my platform Botanical Floristry, I started to think I could do something to honor the women in our area and tell those stories,” Hall said. Soon, she and Angela Peery, who owns a photography business and studio, came up with the Flowers of East Texas campaign.

“The whole goal of it was to put a shining light on the women in our communities that are like Ivette –inspiring women who touch people’s lives and leave a mark for good,” Hall said.

Hall and Peery received several nominations and narrowed it down to 10 women who would be part of the inaugural campaign. Women touched by suicide and grief who now give back to help others; women who serve; women who help children; women who have powerful stories that should be told.

After the women were contacted and accepted the opportunity, a special photoshoot was arranged.

“A lot of these women work so hard for others that they don’t necessarily take time to pamper or focus on themselves,” Hall said. “So for the whole day, we made it all about them. We pampered them, did their hair and makeup, covered them in flowers and took

photos of each of them to highlight their beauty,” Hall said. “We had conversations about their lives and what’s near and dear to their hearts, and really connected together. It was a really special day with a studio full of women connecting and bonding –it was really beautiful.”

Botanical Floristry provided the flowers while Angela Peery Photography took the photos at Modern Space studio. Jess Forester MUA and Braylee Reneé Hair helped the women look and feel their best. Saving Grace Esthetics, Horizon Healing Hands, and Wildflower Party Co. provided prizes for the women.

“The women were so incredibly touched to be nominated and to be part of this campaign,” Hall said. “They felt so beautiful and grateful.”

Hall says she hopes to make this an annual campaign to continue honoring women of East Texas each year. The 10 women featured in the inaugural 2023 campaign, who are also on the cover, were Jessica Domingos, Katelin Moore, VonGretshun Gross, Kitten Garret, Daryn Bay, Savanna Loy, Patricia Esh, Ivette Zavarce, Amber Sanchez and Shelby Mallard. To read their stories, visit www.facebook.com/ botanicalfloristy .

BY SANTANA GALLACHER PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANGELA PEERY PHOTOGRAPHY

hospitality and history

ALABAMA-COUSHATTA INDIAN RESERVATION

WELCOMES GUESTS TO TEXAS TRAVEL DESTINATION

BY JESSICA T. PAYNE

FEATURE PRESENTED BY

PRINCIPAL CHIEF MIKKO

KANICU said pine trees have immense cultural significance to the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. The Indian reservation is the oldest in Texas.

FEATURE PRESENTED BY

TUCKED AWAY approximately 20 miles east of Highway 59 in Livingston sits the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, an oasis of more than 10,000 acres steeped in beauty, culture and history.

Tucked away approximately 20 miles east of Highway 59 in Livingston sits an oasis of more than 10,000 acres steeped in beauty, culture and history. Traveling south from Tyler on the busy highway, one may pass the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation without even knowing it’s there.

Many would be surprised to know the reservation dates back to the 1780s when the Alabama and Coushatta Indians tribes migrated across the Sabine River into the Spanish controlled territory of modern day Texas.

The Alabamas invited the Coushattas onto their land thus becoming the Alabama-Coushatta in 1859, according to Principal Chief Mikko Kanicu.

“Our history is Texas history. Our people arrived in this location before Texas became Texas; we are still here,” he said. “This is the oldest reservation in Texas and most

people do not know it exists.”

History

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas has the oldest reservation in the state and is a fully functioning sovereign government with a variety of health and human services, including law enforcement and emergency services, according to its website. There are more than 1,300 members and about half live on the reservation itself.

“During the Mexican War of Independence from Spain, the tribes fought with the revolutionaries. Their many combined contributions included a battalion of 300 warriors who were instrumental to the capture of San Antonio in the April 1, 1813 battle,” the tribe’s website states. “The newly formed Mexican

government recognized both tribes independently and offeredthem tracts of land for permanent settlement. Those lands are attributed to the tribes in early maps of the region, including Stephen F. Austin’s 1829 map of Texas.”

Then in 1836, Sam Houston brokered a treaty with the tribes before the Texas War of Independence from Mexico. This agreement provided the title of land between the Neches and Sabine rivers for “one community with both tribes in return for assurance the tribes would not side with Mexico,” the website states. Members of the tribe served as guides for Houston’s army and also provided food, drink and supplies to feed Texas refugees fleeing from Santa Anna’s army.

“Today, Houston’s descendants still acknowledge that contribution to the Republic of Texas,” the website states.

Tourism and Hospitality

The Lake Tombigbee Campground is an enterprise of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. Located on beautiful Lake Tombigbee, the campground is the perfect spot for anyone looking for a fun, affordable getaway. Guests can enjoy the scenery on the 26acre campground surrounding Lake Tombigbee, which stays fully stocked.

Luxury campsites with electricity, water, picnic table, grill and fire ring; sites are in walking distance of restrooms and showers. Visitors can also enjoy the more primitive tent campsites with picnic tables, grill and fire ring which is close to the swim area, pavilion and playground.

The campground also has RV sites with full hookups and a pavilion and stage at the lake. Day passes for fishing and watercraft rentals are available with the campground store also offering ice, firewood, drinks, snacks, worms and a little bit of everything else guests may need to complete their stay.

Fishing is free with campsites, RV sites and cabin rentals.

Kanicu said the reservation casino along with the lake makes for a

THE LAKE TOMBIGBEE CAMPGROUND is an enterprise of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas. From fishing to camping, the 26-acre campground is the perfect fun and affordable weekend getaway.

FEATURE PRESENTED BY

NASKILA CASINO is a prime location for gaming, dining and fun. It is open 24/7 year-round and is located within walking distance from Tombigbee Lake.

wonderful trip.

“Naskila Casino and our Lake Tombigbee Campgrounds are a local getaway and perfect for a small trip,” he said.

Naskila Casino

Naskila Casino is a prime location for gaming, dining and fun. An enterprise of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, Naskila provides endless entertainment to its citizens as well as local residents and tourists.

The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays.

With more than 800 electronic games, a delicious dining experience, rewarding game memberships, and an excellent shuttle service, Naskila Casino can be a one-stop shop for entertainment needs while guests are in the area.

Naskila Casino is conveniently located within walking distance from Tombigbee Lake, a 15-minute drive from

Main Street in Livingston, and an hour outside the city limits of Houston.

Culture

The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas is one of eight federally recognized tribes whose members are descended from the Muscogee Confederacy of the Southeast.

The tribe is deeply rooted in culture and meaningful traditions. One crucial element in the culture is the longleaf pine tree and all its uses for the tribe. The longleaf pine is used to weave baskets and also has several important medicinal uses. Over the years, the longleaf has stood the test of time to continue to be a huge part of the Alabama-Coushatta’s way of life.

For generations, the longleaf pine has been used to craft detailed, intricate baskets handmade by tribal members and elders of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe. The tradition and skill of making these baskets has been passed from one generation to the next since the

FEATURE PRESENTED BY

THE RESERVATION DATES back to the 1780s when the Alabama and Coushatta Indians tribes migrated across the Sabine River into the Spanish controlled territory of modern day Texas.

FEATURE PRESENTED BY

HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS and significant items are on display at the reservation's Cultural Center. The display gives a glimpse into the Alabama-Coushatta’s way of life.

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1700s, according to the USDA, so the tradition and its significance can live on for years to come. The baskets are often round and oval and decorated with flowers or pine cones, according to Texas Longleaf.

Traditionally, needle harvesting is the first step in basket weaving. Harvesters pick out fully grown needles in great condition, meaning there are no marks, blemishes or signs of insects. It is said that while searching for the perfect needles, harvesters should be clear and focused with a positive, happy attitude. It is believed that once the weaving process begins, the feelings and emotions felt while gathering the materials will be woven into the basket.

Kanicu said the trees of the land are sacred to the tribe and hold great significance in their culture.

“This reservation is special because we have tall virgin pine timber that we are proud of and we want for the tourists to enjoy seeing,” he said. “We also have many

different species of hardwood trees that give shade that cool us off during hot weather. We do not harvest them for they are very important to us.”

Kanicu went on to say the culture of the tribe continues today in several ways.

“The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe has survived for more than 230 years in this area. We speak our own language and we teach our own children our culture and traditions such as longleaf basket weaving, bead work, Rivercane basket making, tribal dances and the use of weapons such as blow gun and bow and arrow,” said.

The reservation boasts a Welcome and Cultural Center where visitors can go to learn more about the tribe, its culture and history, and inquire about travel and lodging accommodations.

The Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation is located at 571 State Park Road 56 in Livingston and can be reached at 936-563-1100.

For more information, visit www.alabama-coushatta. com.

QUEEN OF CONFIDENCE

Jasmine Ware helps other women shine

STORY BY JESSICA T. PAYNE

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Jasmine Ware wears many crowns, including business owner of Jazzed Up LLC and Jazzed Up Hair Braiding.

Ware has a passion for empowering women and helping them see the true queens that they are. But first, Ware had to discover her confidence through her own journey.

“I used to be that woman that didn’t have confidence, so I know how it feels; I can relate. I always say, ‘If God did it for me, He can do it for you,’” Ware said. “The lack of self-confidence can be detrimental to one’s purpose if not dealt with.”

“You can potentially miss out on opportunities all because you felt like you were not fit for the job; but I beg to differ,” Ware said. “Women can do anything they put your mind to.”

Ware’s mission is to share her own experience and help women find their confidence, whether it’s through a salon or as a friend and mentor.

“I was not always this woman filled with confidence and drive. I was always skeptical about taking risks. If it did not add up, I was not going to take the chance. But with the help of God, I was able to break that mindset,” she said. “I know what it looks and feels like to be afraid to step out.”

Ware said because she overcame all these things, she feels it’s her obligation to help bring that shine out of other women who may be struggling with confidence or drive.

“What good does it do to be successful in all

these things and no one to share it with? Everything that I do is from the heart and I just want to see other people blessed. This world is so big and I understand I alone cannot reach it,” Ware said. “So why not help other women grow so that we can conquer this world together? Everything that I do is simply because I know where I started and to see where I am now I dare not let anyone stay stuck. We have to stick together and help one another in order to be great.”

Ware refers to women’s hair as their “crown” and through her business Jazzed Up Hair Braiding, she works to make every woman a queen.

“You ever hear people say that a woman’s hair is her crown? When I think about a queen, you can identify she is a queen because of her crown, the same way with most women,” Ware said. “She is most likely to be identified by her hair; I believe that our hair is another way of how we share who we are to the world. We could have the perfect outfit, but if our hair is not fixed the right way to our liking, nothing else matters.”

Along the way, Ware also became interested in helping women deal with alopecia and hair loss and started Jazzed Up LLC, a hair growth product line.

“When I first started my hair growth products, my clients inspired me. I had so many women that had issues with hair loss and thinning that it made me want to research and learn more,” Ware said. “I researched for months to create my formula. I first started with trial samples. I would use them on my clients and slowly my | CONT. ON PG. 58

JASMINE WARE of Jazzed Up Hair and Braiding at her styling booth inside of Fashionz Trendz in Tyler.

clients and I saw results. After all my trials proved to work, Jazzed Up Hair Growth line was marketed.”

“It has been predicted that in the years to come, over 150 million Americans will experience hair loss. As women, hair loss can lead to many emotional issues,” she said. “I’m here to help prevent that if possible. Taking care of your hair is so important to me; my desire is to help assist as many women as I can while on the journey of healthy hair.”

Ware said it’s the people that come into her life through her work that brings her the most joy.

“The people I meet every day; everyone has a different story and most are never the same,” she said. “Being a part of whatever chapter they are in of their life is so rewarding because I know I am changing lives; it’s all about pouring into others.”

Ware is so passionate about empowering women that running two businesses wasn’t enough. In 2021, Ware founded the Mrs. CEO organization, a nonprofit Christianbased organization designed to help women to be successful in all of their business endeavors.

“I did not have all the knowledge; I just stepped out on faith and learned as I went. Because of different trials I had to overcome, I wanted to help other women so they did not have to experience all the things I did,” Ware said. “I had different people play different roles in my life to help me get where I am. I have learned to understand in the world of entrepreneurship, you will need assistance. You cannot do this by yourself; therefore I wanted to help others to do the same.”

Every year Ware hosts a Mrs. CEO Level Up conference where speakers come and share information about business. At the conference, the organization blesses a business with the Mrs. CEO Start-Up Business Grant. Ware also nominates a monthly Mrs. CEO to help promote other businesses.

Ware said she has learned through her personal and professional life that the true path to confidence is freeing yourself

JAZZED UP HAIR GROWTH hair products by Jasmine Ware available at Save More Hair and Beauty Supply in Tyler.

IN 2021, Jasmine Ware founded Mrs. CEO, a Christian-based nonprofit organization designed to help women to be successful in all of their business endeavors. (Photo Courtesy of Andrew Tennison/Perfect Tenn Photography)

from the opinions of others – something she hopes she helps convey to the many women that cross her path.

“The best way to truly be you is to free yourself from the opinions of others. You have to know who you are with you and you alone. The real you is when no one else is around. You cannot allow others to dictate your worth,” she said. “If you want to rock a messy bun and sweats, you’re still beautiful. Why? Because you know who and what you are; fearfully and wonderfully made. If you want to wear heels and long beautiful curls with that matte red lipstick you keep in that purse, guess what, you are still beautiful. Confidence is not always what you wear but it is what you carry on the inside of you. No one can take that away but you. Confidence starts in your mind; how you see yourself is what you will present.”

Ware believes one of the most important ways for women to feel confident and bold is by the encouragement of other women.

“It is important to empower one another simply because we all have a story. Pulling one another down only limits the potential of how far we can grow. As

women, if we want to build, grow, and make it to the top, we have to work together. When there is division and confusion, growth cannot take place,” she said. “It’s important to encourage one another because you never know whose life you are saving. You don’t know who that person is going to become.”

“We have to understand that encouraging another woman does not harm you,” Ware said. “Many times jealousy gets in the way of how we encourage and push others. However, if one of us wins, we all win.”

Ware likened the competitive culture of women to a “crab mentality” saying her mission through her work and life is to help all women “out of the bucket.”

“We cannot operate in a crab mentality. A crab mentality is when one gets to the top of the bucket and we pull them right back down,” she said. “If we keep pulling each other down, no one will ever get out of that bucket. And I want to help all women get out of the bucket.”

You can find Jazzed Up LLC hair growth products in beauty supply stores in Tyler and Longview. For more information, visit www.jazzeduphairgrowth.com or email jazzedupbraids@gmail.com.

JASMINE WARE helps empower other women through her nonprofit, Mrs. CEO. (Photo

Courtesy of Andrew Tennison/ Perfect Tenn Photography)

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Wine and Dine

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Los Pinos winery, estate a place to connect while enjoying fine creations

STORY BY SANTANA GALLACHER

PHOTOS BY FARRAH NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Off the highway and down a slow, winding country road in Pittsburg, signs lead guests to a dreamy, storybook-like estate. While it may not be Tuscany, the owners say the Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard is “Texcany” – locals’ very own piece of Italy in East Texas.

Whether it’s for a date day, night out with friends, Sunday brunch, overnight getaway or even a private event, Los Pinos has you covered. During your visit, treat yourself to a walk through the vineyards or take a look at the gift shop. An exquisite menu of fine-dining options is available for you to peruse as you decide which of the award-winning wines to sip on.

Owned by Perry and Diane Wilson, David and Karen Neeley, Ken and Lisa Colbey and Jeff and Heather Schrunk, Los Pinos strives to not only make the best wines possible from grapes grown in their vineyards, but also provide a special place to make memories in East Texas. The winery and restaurant welcome guests looking for a place to simply have fun and “connect, relax, and decompress” while enjoying all the establishment has to offer.

Los Pinos, located at 658 County Road 1334 in Pittsburg, has several entertainment options. The Vine Tasting Room is a quaint, relaxing space that allows visitors to learn from knowledgeable and friendly staff about Los Pinos’ full collection of wines – one sip at a time. Also in the tasting room is the gift shop, which has all sorts of goodies for any wine lover. While there is both indoor and outdoor seating, you can’t beat sitting on the Vineyard Patio around the fire pit to take in the estate’s picturesque views. On

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Friday and Saturday nights, live performances by local musicians level up the vibe even more.

“I just love that it’s a place to come to and relax,” said Heather Schrunk. “My husband and I originally started as customers and were lucky enough to get involved and become owners. Now we hang out here all the time and have gotten to know everybody who comes in here. It’s such a great place to get good food, good wine, and have a great time.”

The restaurant’s food is next level. Whether you choose to have the ribeye and truffle fries or the filet mignon with lobster mac and cheese, you really can’t go wrong when selecting an entree. The grilled salmon served over lemon cream risotto and asparagus is another popular dish while the chicken fried steak, cream gravy, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans is comfort on a plate. Of course there’s the creamy cajun chicken pasta, a variety of salads, and brick oven pizzas including popular choices like the “Pig and Fig” with stellar toppings like Mission figs and goat cheese or the classic Margherita. Don’t get me started on the starters – “Figgies-in-a-Blanket,” come on! There are so many mouth-watering options, and the Sunday brunch menu is also top tier.

To get the full experience, guests may choose to get a guided tour of the vineyard, winery production area and barrel room. A one-hour tour is just $20 while a one-hour tour with tastings and a cheese tray is $40. The tours are open to groups as small as one or as large as 20, are by appointment only Friday through Sunday and must be booked online.

Schrunk says the tours make for a popular attraction but are also very educational.

“It all happens here,” Schrunk said of the production of Los Pinos’ nearly 40 different wine

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varieties. “From harvesting the grapes to pressing, crushing, bottling, labeling, we do it all.”

Los Pinos produces wines from grapes grown in its estate vineyards, as well as from three vineyards in West Texas. There are two varieties planted on the property, Blanc Du Bois and Black Spanish. According to Schrunk, these varieties grow well in East Texas because they are resistant to disease pressures that are inherent in the region. Once they are harvested, the grapes are then made into dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines.

Aside from the grapes grown on the estate’s 13 acres of vineyards, Los Pinos also makes wines that come from grapes delivered from the high plains.

“Our West Texas vineyards are located in the best wine grape growing region in the state which has been designated as the Texas High Plains AVA. It has been discovered that this Texas AVA in the best growing conditions for Italian, Spanish and southern French wine grape varietals,” the winery’s website states. “Los Pinos partners with several vineyards in the Texas High Plains to source high quality vitis vinifera grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Primitivo, Tempranillo, Viognier, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Alicante Bouschet, Riesling, and Gewurztraminer.”

According to Schrunk, when the grapes are harvested in September and October, they are immediately placed

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in refrigerated trucks then sent to Los Pinos.

“We believe our West Texas vineyards will continue to bring finer, more elegant edge of quality to our wines in the years to come,” the website states.

In October, guests will be invited to Los Pinos for its annual Harvest Party. This is a highly-anticipated event with numerous vendors, music, dancing, games, prizes, food and more. One element guests can look forward to is grape stomping, “Lucy-style,” of course – well, maybe without the full-blown grape brawl from the actual “I Love Lucy” scene. Still, the process of stomping grapes with your bare feet is a unique experience everyone should do at least once. The tradition dates back centuries and was once a key part of the wine-making process. Nowadays, technology and machinery allows for a much more modern process, but it remains an entertaining attraction at festivals and events.

Organizers recommend those | CONT. ON PG. 76

who want to attend purchase tickets in advance. The event is scheduled for 3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 (please verify time and ticket details at lospinosranchvineyards.com).

Los Pinos also has a Wine Club that provides many benefits to customers. For details about lodging, event booking, tours, reservations or upcoming events, visit https://www. lospinosranchvineyards.com for the latest information.

FASHION PRESENTED BY

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. For the Women’s Issue, we wanted to capture a fun girls night out in a dreamy location.

We are so thankful for the folks out at Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards & Winery who allowed us to spend an evening at their beautiful estate. Owned by Perry and Diane Wilson, David and Karen Neeley, Ken and Lisa Colbey and Jeff and Heather Schrunk, the Pittsburg winery is truly a gem to have in East Texas. Special thank you to Heather who was so helpful and extremely generous, allowing our team to make ourselves at home for what turned out to be a beautiful photo shoot.

The photos were taken by the talented Farrah Nichole Photography, and we can’t say enough good things about Farrah. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and undeniable talent was inspiring to see in action. She knew just how to pose the models in the most perfect settings with all the right angles. We stared at our computer screens in pure awe when Farrah delivered our gallery, and we are certain her clients feel the same way. View more of her work and inquire about bookings at http://farrahnicholephotography.com/

Our models were absolutely gorgeous and were a blast to be around. Thank you to Rachel Dangel, Alyssa Hudson and Brooklyn Vandre for spending a hot Texas summer night with us.

We also want to thank Urban Local Clothing in Gilmer for providing some nice fall transition pieces for our models to show off. Of course, we are so appreciative of our friends at Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry who provided stunning, classy jewelry that really elevated the looks.

Thank you to our ETX View team members who work so hard to put this together. Seeing the vision come to life on these pages is something that will never get old.

Last but most certainly not least, thank you to the amazing team at Peters Chevrolet in Longview, who sponsor our bi-monthly fashion shoots. Visit Peters on social media at www. facebook.com/petersautosports and Instagram @petersautosports for more information.

FARRAH NICHOLE

Building an EMPIRE

TYLER WOMAN SEES MASSIVE BUSINESS GROWTH WITH EXPANSION OF RUBY’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

STORY BY RAQUEL VILLATORO

PHOTOS BY LES HASSELL

Before 36-year-old business owner Ruby Abarca started her first restaurant, she was selling out of her mom’s home. As a single mom, Abarca needed to make ends meet, so she began selling taco baskets on Fridays – in addition to her 60-hour work schedule.

Pretty soon, Abarca had long lines of people wanting to eat her tasty dishes. Things were going great for Abraca until someone called the health department. Then she had to give back more than $3,000 and close down.

“It was something we expected, but I also felt like my world was going under,” Abarca said. “I could not see the possibility of opening a restaurant.”

But Abarca – strong, resilient and determined – was not down for long before she was ready to make things happen for herself. She was able to pick up the pieces, rely on community members for guidance, and follow the necessary steps to get back on track.

Abarca opened her first restaurant after encouragement from her sister, Maria, and Tyler resident and community advocate Paulina Pedroza. Pedroza vouched for her and helped her find a place on Gentry Parkway in Tyler.

“She gave me the push, ‘Let’s go, Ruby, go, go, go, go,’” Abarca remembered. “Thanks to God, she was there for the first one and since then has been a

great supporter.”

On Aug. 14, 2020, Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant officially opened its doors for the first time. Three years later, Abarca has expanded to have five restaurants along with a food truck. She wants to have franchises and locations all over.

The beginning stages were challenging for Abarca, with just $21 in her pocket serving from home. Since then, Abarca has grown her own food empire and has no plans to stop pushing anytime soon.

THE FOOD

The first day Abarca opened her first restaurant on Gentry, she ran out of food. Originally, she planned to be open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. but had to close at 3 p.m. due to the surge of customers and high demand.

“Thanks to God, we are busy,” Abarca said. She attributes her food’s popularity to the flavors of Guerrero, Mexico, where she is from. “It’s spicy but flavorful.”

Some of her popular menu items include doblados, folded fried tortillas with meat of your choice and topped with sauce, and menudo, a Mexican soup with hominy in cow’s stomach broth. Other menu items include classic authentic dishes

| CONT. ON PG. 82

OWNER RUBY ABARCA with a doblados plate at Ruby's Mexican Restaurant in Tyler.

|

such as pozole, breakfast tacos and burritos, omelets, chilaquiles, toastads, sopes and more.

THE ENVIRONMENT

For Abarca, the environment of her restaurants is important. She wants to make sure it is a place people can sit down and enjoy good food. She likes a big space for families. When she opened her first place, she had two tables.

Although you can bring your own beverages to select Ruby’s locations on the patio, Abarca is also working to get a liquor license to sell alcohol in the newest location opening in Jacksonville later this year.

Abarca has relied on community support to help her growing empire thrive. Among those supporters is Josselyn Cruz, of Josselyn Events, who designed the decor for the interior of Ruby’s Mexican Restaurants. Cruz started her business after Abarca contracted her to plan a party. This is where she got her start and to this day,

she still does events for Abarca.

“We are always grateful when she has an opportunity, she thinks of us,” Cruz said.”Thanks to her we decorated a restaurant, something we did not think was possible.”

Inside of Ruby’s restaurants, Cruz decided to use bright colors to make the space bright and happy. Abarca is from Guerrero, Mexico so they brought in iguana decorations. The flower decor was painted freehand.

PAYING IT FORWARD

Abarca does not like to be called boss, or jefa in Spanish. She’s very passionate about helping her employees succeed not only at work but in life. She feels if she’s doing well, her employees should be able to do well, too. Abarca helps her staff with key information such as how to apply for credit cards to build credit, getting a state ID, submitting applications to be homeowners and learning about how checking accounts

CONT. ON PG. 85

SHRIMP COCKTAIL and doblados plate at Ruby's Mexican Restaurant in Tyler.

IN 2021, Abarca was able to be a vendor at the East Texas State Fair. This was a major accomplishment for her as it’s known to be difficult to secure a vendor spot. When she convinced herself to go to the office to request the application, to her surprise, they were already working on reaching out to her to request her restaurant to sell food at the fair.

AGUA FRESCA

DOBLADOS are Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant’s number one menu item.

work.

She loves to help people, like single mothers, as she raised her kids as a single mother and escaped an abusive relationship.

At Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant #2, you can find an all-women staffed kitchen. Abarca did this due to the kitchen being smaller and having worked in restaurants where she knew harassment could happen.

“I am delighted to have many women (working here),” Abarca said, noting how the labor of women should be valued.

Abarca recalls finding out a male colleague in a similar position was making almost double what she made. She got paid $9 per hour while her co-worker got paid $16 per hour. This is why she pays her workers $14 per hour because she wants her employees to be able to afford necessities and save up for important milestones in life such as buying a house.

“I do not want them to have to pay rent for their whole lives,” Abarca said. “I want them to have something to pass on to their children when they are not here.”

Three of her employees have been able to buy their own homes. She was able to buy her own home as well thanks to the help of Jose Maria “Chema” Saucedo, a longtime supporter of Abarca’s business and business owner of Chema’s Autos.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Abarca’s first clients were from Chema’s Autos. Saucedo knew Abarca’s brother through his son since they played soccer together. One day, Abarca’s brother mentioned his sister would be selling doblados, so they placed an order.

That was 10 years ago, and Saucedo still goes twice a week to eat at her restaurant. He loves the doblados and enchiladas, Guerreo-style. Saucedo also helped design the logo for Ruby’s Mexican Restaurant when he still owned a logo business called Printland.

Saucedo attributes Abarca’s success to her willingness to listen to others’ suggestions, her drive to | CONT. ON PG. 86

succeed and her fearlessness.

“If she gets an idea, she doesn’t rest until she puts it to the test,” Saucedo said. “That helps her a lot because many of us have dreams and we do not go for them.”

GIVING BACK

Abarca’s employees aren’t the only ones who are beneficiaries of her generosity.

Abarca routinely offers specials, free meals for kids, and other deals to help out the community. Last December, she gave out free meals to anyone who donated a toy to the restaurant to benefit the East Texas Crisis Center, a nonprofit that provides safety, shelter and education to victims of family violence, sexual assault, dating violence and other violent crime.

She also wants people to know if you are ever going hungry to call Ruby’s restaurant. They can help you get food for you and your kids.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Abarca feels fulfilled. She’s had to climb numerous

hurdles, like her first restaurant catching on fire twice, to get to where she is today. And although the beginning of her business required – and still does – many sacrifices, she knows she has a community, family and friends for support.

Abarca has learned a lot about running a business. When she started, she didn’t know various important business contacts but now she does and can use her knowledge to continue to grow and network with others. She is grateful to have people she can lean on.

“One way or another, she always wants to help people,” Cruz said. “When you hear her talking to one person and another, she always treats you and everyone the same, no matter who they are.”

If the bustling restaurants, food truck lines, catering orders and positive social media reviews are any indication, the restaurant’s decorative “Tyler Loves Ruby’s” neon sign isn’t a display of empty words; it’s a fact. And with her latest restaurants coming to White Oak and Jacksonville, more of the region will be added to Abarca’s customer base and soon, all of East Texas could be raving about the Tyler classic.

| CONT. FROM PG. 84

OUTDOOR SEATING at Ruby's Mexican Restaurant in Tyler.

Small Town PRIDE

Female

duo celebrates East Texas football culture, keeps fans outfitted

STORY BY JESSICA T. PAYNE

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Football season is here and no one does Friday Night Lights quite like East Texas. The football culture in the area runs deep and no one knows that better than school spirit shop owners Ashley Bedingfield and Jessica Votaw. Every Friday night during football season, high school stadiums are packed with visitors sporting their favorite school T-shirt or hoodie and waving their school's logo in the air on a towel or baseball cap.

The female duo opened Small Town Pride in Arp in June of 2022 selling spirit and mascot-related T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, tumblers, and more.

Bedingfield and Votaw had previously owned a T-shirt business together receiving overwhelming support from the school communities in the area. The feedback they received made them decide to focus solely on spirit wear inspired by area schools’ colors and their mascots.

“We decided to start Small Town Pride after being in business together for almost two years to bring all of East Texas a local small business that specializes in customizable school spirit wear,” said Bedingfield.

“We had already been in the T-shirt business and had received so much support from our amazing small town, especially from the schools and teachers, so we really wanted to branch out into a business that focused solely on spirit wear not

only for our local town but for all surrounding towns as well,” Votaw added.

Bedingfield joked that although she still likes her husband to take out the trash, she feels a sense of empowerment running an allfemale business.

“I think that being a femaleowned business gives us a sense of empowerment; now don't get me wrong, I still need my husband to take the trash out,” she said. “But getting to go to work every day, doing what I love all while getting to create my own schedule so that I can be the wife and mom I want to be as well as the boss lady I dreamt of is very fulfilling.”

Votaw agreed, saying she is all about “girl power.”

Votaw went on to say that sports in East Texas reign supreme and she loves being able to allow students, parents, and others in the community to show their pride through the products sold at Small Town Pride.

“Being from a small town football is something that brings the community together, whether you know someone playing on that field or you are alumni there's no denying that ‘Small Town Pride,’” she said. “Football season is one of my favorite times of the year. I have players on the field, so sitting in those stands and cheering my boys on all while seeing so many of our locals wearing our spirit gear really makes it all so special.”

Bedingfield said although football is huge in the area, a few other sports were high on their list of demand.

“In the T-shirt world it's always hard to pin-point what the next trending thing will be,” she said. “It’s usually a close race between baseball, softball, football, and cheer. The energy in a small town for any sport is electric and we are here for all of them.”

Bedingfiled said their ‘small town pride’ comes not only from bringing fans all the spirit gear they need but also giving back to the community that so consistently supports them.

“Our community means | CONT. ON PG. 92

everything to us, it’s why we do what we do,” she said. “We are always happy to donate to our local schools for fundraisers and give back any way we can.”

“The pride that comes from seeing our customers not only wearing our T-shirts but recommending us to all of their friends and family is fabulous,” Bedingfield said. “Being able to take our creativity and outfit East Texas to show their support for their hometown has been a dream come true.”

“We love when our customers come to us with ideas and we get to bring them to life,” Votaw added. “We are here to help you represent your hometown in

style.”

“We are in the business of screaming fans, cheering parents, and passionate student bodies all showing their pride in their schools and communities; and we absolutely love it,” she said.

Small Town Pride takes orders from all over East Texas and regularly keeps Smith and Gregg County students, staff, and parents outfitted for their school spirit needs.

For more information, visit the Small Town Pride Facebook page or contact the business at smalltownpridetx@gmail.com.

| CONT. FROM PG. 91

SEPTEMBER/OCT CALENDAR events

BULLARD

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

6 P.M.-8 P.M. OCT. 3

https://www.bullardtexas.net/

COPTOBERFEST

6 P.M.-8 P.M. OCT. 31

Bullard Police Department

204 W. Main St.

https://www.bullardtexas.net/

CANTON

FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS

SEPT. 1-3 AND SEPT. 28-OCT. 1

First Monday Grounds

800 First Monday Lane

https://www.firstmondaycanton. com/

CARTHAGE

WALK OF REMEMBRANCE

9:30 A.M. SEPT. 9

Panola County Courthouse

https://panolacountytexas.com/

4TH ANNUAL TRAP SHOOT & SILENT AUCTION

10 A.M. SEPT. 9

Still Waters Cowboy Church 1699 Highway 315

https://panolacountytexas.com/

POTLATCH

SEPT. 30

Carthage Civic Center 1702 S. Adams St.

https://panolacountytexas.com/

COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE

8 A.M.-4 P.M. OCT. 7

Panola County Chamber of Commerce

300 W. Panola

https://panolacountytexas.com/

HERITAGE FESTIVAL

10 A.M.-4 P.M. OCT. 21 Downtown

https://panolacountytexas.com/

CHANDLER

28TH ANNUAL POW WOW & PARADE

OCT. 14

Winchester Park https:// chandlertxchamberofcommerce. com/upcoming-events

DAINGERFIELD

DAINGERFIELD DAYS

9 A.M.-10 P.M. OCT. 14 Downtown

https://cityofdaingerfield.com/ chamber-of-commerce

GILMER

80 ACRE MARKET

SEPT. 8-10, 22-24 AND OCT. 6-8, 20-22 12229 FM 1650

https://80acremarket.com/

PURSE BINGO

5 P.M.-9 P.M. SEPT. 9 East Texas Yamboree Event Center 181 Bob Glaze Drive

https://www.gilmerareachamber. com/calendar-of-events/

BATTLE OF THE BAGS

11 A.M. OCT. 7

Camp Gilmont

https://www.gilmont.org/

EAST TEXAS YAMBOREE

OCT. 18-21

Downtown/various other locations

https://yamboree.com/

TREATS ON THE SQUARE

5 P.M.-8 P.M. OCT. 28

Downtown https://www.gilmerareachamber. com/

Trunk or Treat

HENDERSON

BLACK GOLD STAMPEDE RODEO

7:30 P.M. OCT. 20-21

Rusk County Youth Expo Center

3303 FM 13

https://www.facebook.com/ ruskcorodeo/

JEFFERSON

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION

12:30 P.M. AND 2:30 P.M. SEPT.

2

Historic Jefferson Railway 400 E. Austin St.

https://diamonddonempire.com/ historic-jefferson-railway/

21ST ANNUAL AHRMA INTERNATIONAL VINTAGE MOTOCROSS

SEPT. 6-10

Diamond Don RV Park & Event Center

1602 Texas 49 E. https://diamonddonempire.com/ historic-jefferson-railway/

5TH ANNUAL ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW

10 A.M.-2 P.M. SEPT. 16 Downtown https://visitjeffersontexas.com/

SITTING UP WITH THE DEAD: REVISITED

OCT. 19-21

Jefferson Historical Museum 223 W. Austin St. http://www.jeffersonmuseum.org/

TEXAS BIGFOOT CONFERENCE

OCT. 20-21

Jefferson Convention & Visitor Center 305 E. Austin St. https://visitjeffersontexas.com/

TASTE OF JEFFERSON

12 P.M.-3 P.M. OCT. 22 Downtown

https://visitjeffersontexas.com/

ANNUAL TRUNK AND TREAT

1 P.M.-4 P.M. OCT. 28

EmBear’s Vintage 218 N. Polk St. https://visitjeffersontexas.com/

KILGORE

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ GOSPEL JAM

4 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. SEPT. 9 AND OCT. 14

Kilgore Mercantile & Music

105 N. Kilgore St. https://kilgoremercantile.com/ events-calendar

KILGORE CRUISE NIGHT

5 P.M. SEPT. 30 AND OCT. 28 Downtown Kilgore https://www.facebook.com/ KilgoreCruiseNight/

OKTOBERFEST

1 P.M.-7 P.M. OCT. 14 Downtown https://www.cityofkilgore.com/

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB DINNER & BINGO

6 P.M.-8 P.M. SEPT. 21 AND OCT. 19

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 314 N. Henderson Blvd. https://www.facebook.com/ boysgirlsclubkilgore/

LINDALE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COUNTRYFEST

9 A.M.-4 P.M. OCT. 14 Pickers Pavilion at Blackberry Square

205 Cannery Row

https://www.visitlindale.com/events

PINEY WOODS WINE FESTIVAL

OCT. 20-21

Pickers Pavilion at Blackberry Square

205 Cannery Row

https://www.visitlindale.com/events

LONGVIEW

SHARON SHRINE CIRCUS

4:30 P.M.-9:30 P.M. SEPT. 1

Rodeo Arena

100 Grand Blvd.

https://jordancircus.com/

NADD DOG DOCK DIVING COMPETITION

SEPT. 1-3

Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd.

https://www.visitlongviewtexas.com/

LONGVIEW CRUISE NIGHT

5 P.M.-7 P.M. SEPT. 2 AND OCT. 7 Downtown

https://www.visitlongviewtexas.com/

HISTORIC LONGVIEW FARMERS MARKET

7:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M. SEPT. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 AND OCT. 7, 14, 21 AND 28 105 W. Cotton St.

https:// historiclongviewfarmersmarket.com/

Gregg County Fair

Longview Great Pumpkin Roll

DOWNTOWN LIVE

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT KICKOFF PARTY

6 P.M.-8 P.M. SEPT. 5

Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd.

https://www.longviewtexas. gov/2627/National-Night-Out-NNO

ROBERT LANGHAM III -TORNADOS

SEPT. 7-DEC. 20

Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E. Tyler St. https://www.lmfa.org/

LMFA CONCERT FEATURING TAYLOR TUMLISON & BEN WOOLLEY

7 P.M. SEPT. 9 213 N. Fredonia St. https://www.lmfa.org/

WHATABURGER CRUISE NIGHT

5 P.M.-9 P.M. SEPT. 7

Whataburger

2401 Gilmer Road

https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

GREGG COUNTY FAIR

SEPT. 8-16

Longview Fairgrounds

1123 Jaycee Drive https://greggcountyfair.com/

5 P.M.-8 P.M. SEPT. 8, 15, 22, 29 AND OCT. 6, 13, 20, 27 Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

UNITE 2023

6 P.M.-9 P.M. SEPT. 14

LeTourneau University Belcher Center

2100 Mobberly Ave. https://www.belchercenter.com/

TOM PAPA: 2023 COMEDY TOUR

7 P.M. SEPT. 16

LeTourneau University Belcher Center

2100 Mobberly Ave. https://www.belchercenter.com/

“BROADWAY AT THE VIEW” ARTSVIEW CHILDREN’S THEATRE

6 P.M.-9 P.M. SEPT. 16

The Reserve 7725 U.S. 259 https://artsviewchildrenstheatre. com/

LONGVIEW AMBUCS MOBILITY BASH

6 P.M.-10 P.M. SEPT. 16 Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd. https://www.facebook.com/ LongviewAmbucs/

LONGVIEW WALK OF HONOR CELEBRATION

2 P.M.-3 P.M. SEPT. 24 Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

EAST TEXAS FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION

8 A.M. TO 10 A.M. SEPT. 8 AND OCT. 13

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

LONGVIEW/MINEOLA SIDETRACK: IRON HORSE FESTIVAL

7:30 A.M.-7 P.M. SEPT. 23 AND OCT. 21

Longview Train Depot 905 Pacific Ave. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

LANDMARKS OF LONGVIEW HOME TOUR

1 P.M.-5 P.M. SEPT. 23

Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St. http://gregghistorical.org/

THE JAZZ CONNECTION

6 P.M.-8 P.M. SEPT. 28

Longview Arboretum and Nature Center

http://www.longviewarboretum.org/

| CONT. FROM PG. 93

| CONT. FROM PG. 95

ARTWALK LONGVIEW

5 P.M. TO 8 P.M. OCT. 5 Downtown

https://www.artwalklongview.com/

NEAL MCCOY ANGEL NETWORK 2023

7 P.M. SEPT. 30

Belcher Center

2100 S. Mobberly Ave. https://www.belchercenter.com/

EXTREME DWARFANATORS WRESTLING

8 P.M. OCT. 6

Longview Exhibit Center

1123 Jaycee Drive https://www.dwarfanators.com/

OLLIE’S SKATE SHOP DOWNTOWNTAKEOVER

10 A.M. OCT. 7

Ollie’s Skate Shop 105 W. Tyler St. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

LONGVIEW GREAT PUMPKIN ROLL

3 P.M. OCT. 7 420 N. Center St. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

LONGVIEW SYMPHONY BORODIN’S POLOVTSIAN DANCES & TCHAIKOVSKY

OCT. 7

Belcher Center

2100 S. Mobberly Ave. https://longviewsymphony.org/

EAST TEXAS SYMPHONIC BAND

3 P.M. OCT. 8

Belcher Center

2100 S. Mobberly Ave. https://etsymphonicband.org/

ROCKIN’ 2 RAISE: BILL WOMACK MEMORIAL

3 P.M. OCT. 8

Heritage Plaza

219 E. Methvin St. https://www.facebook.com/ BillWomackMemorial/

LEANN RIMES: THE STORY SO FAR TOUR

7 P.M. OCT. 13

LeTourneau University Belcher Center

2100 Mobberly Ave. https://www.belchercenter.com/

MAGIC & MAYHEM: ADVENTURE INTO WONDERLAND

6:30 P.M. OCT. 14

Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E. Tyler St. https://www.lmfa.org/

LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS

OCT. 14-15

Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive https://greggcountyfair.com/Trade_ Days

“THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE” THEATRE LONGVIEW

OCT. 19-22

Longview Community Center 500 E. Whaley St. https://www.theatrelongview.com/

SHOPORAMA: GIRLS DAY OUT

10 A.M. OCT. 21

Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd. https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

HISTORIC HAUNTS AND LEGENDS OF LONGVIEW WALKING TOUR

6 P.M. OCT. 21

Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N. Fredonia St. http://gregghistorical.org/hauntedhistory/

HALLOWEEN BLOCK PARTY

5 P.M.-8 P.M. OCT. 28 Downtown https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/

MARSHALL

FAUX PAWS DOG WALK

9 A.M.-12 P.M. SEPT. 9 Downtown 407 W. Travis https://marshalltexas.com/ events/#!calendar

CRUISE NIGHT

5 P.M.-9 P.M. SEPT. 9 AND OCT. 14 Downtown https://marshalltexas.com/ events/#!calendar

T. GRAHAM BROWN

7:30 P.M. SEPT. 16

Memorial City Hall 110 E. Houston St. https://www.memorialcityhall.com/

BOOGIE WOOGIE FEST

12 P.M.-8 P.M. SEPT. 16-17

511 N. Washington Ave.

https://www.boogiewoogie.org/

FIREANT FESTIVAL

OCT. 14

Downtown

https://marshalltexas.com/ events/#!calendar

THE JUDY CARMICHAEL TRIO

7:30 P.M. OCT. 28

Memorial City Hall

110 E. Houston St.

https://www.memorialcityhall.com/

MINEOLA

FALL INTO FUN MINI TRAIN

11 A.M.-3 P.M. SEPT. 9

Iron Horse Square Park

115 Front St.

https://www.mineola.com/ community/page/events

DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT

SEPT. 23

Mineola Nature Preserve https://www.mineola.com/ community/page/events

IRON HORSE HERITAGE FESTIVAL

10 A.M. SEPT. 23

Downtown https://mineolachamber.org/

PITTSBURG

PIONEER DAYS FESTIVAL SEPT. 14-16

Downtown

https://www.pittsburgtx.gov/

HISTORIC HIGHWAY 11 TREASURE TRAILS

OCT. 12-14

https://www.pittsburgtx.gov/

PAINT PITT PINK CHILI COOKOFF

OCT. 19

https://www.pittsburgtx.gov/

TRICK OR TREAT ON MAIN

5 P.M.-7 P.M. OCT. 28

Downtown https://www.pittsburgtx.gov/

TYLER

ETSO SYMPHONY IN THE PARK

7 P.M. SEPT. 2

Bergfeld Park 1510 S. College Ave.

https://etxsymphony.org/

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BINGO

7 P.M. SEPT. 5, 12, 19, 26 AND OCT. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

ETX Brewing Co.

221 S. Broadway Ave. https://etxbrew.com/site/

2023 TYLER FILM FESTIVAL

7 P.M. TO 9 P.M. SEPT. 7-9

Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. https://www.tylerfilmfest.com/

“NOISES OFF!”

SEPT. 8-10, 14-17 AND 21-24

Tyler Civic Theatre Center 400 Rose Park Drive https://tylercivictheatre.com/

TYLER ART FESTIVAL

10 A.M. TO 5 P.M. SEPT. 9 Tyler on the Square 100 N. Broadway Ave. https://www.facebook.com/ DowntownTyler

EAST TEXAS BLACK GIRL

MAGIC FEST

1 P.M. TO 5 P.M. SEPT. 9

First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway Ave. https://visittyler.com/calendar/

TRUE GIRL CRAZY HAIR TOUR

6:30 P.M. SEPT. 14

Green Acres Baptist Church

1607 Troup Highway https://visittyler.com/calendar/

COLOR FUN RUN 5K

8 A.M. SEPT. 16

Chapel Hill ISD Bulldog Stadium 13172 Texas 64 https://visittyler.com/calendar/

ROSE CITY FIESTA

1 P.M. TO 4 P.M. SEPT. 16 Bergfeld Park 1510 S. College Ave. https://www.facebook.com/

TACC1900

EAST TEXAS STATE FAIR

SEPT. 22-OCT. 1

East Texas Fairgrounds

2112 W. Front St., Tyler www.etstatefair.com

ETSO FEATURING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL

7:30 P.M. SEPT. 23

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. https://etxsymphony.org/

DAILEY & VINCENT

7 P.M. SEPT. 28

Liberty Hall 103 E. Erwin St. https://libertytyler.com/

ANN WILSON OF HEART & TRIPSITTER

7:30 P.M. SEPT. 28

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. https://cowancenter.org/

OUT OF THE DARKNESS TYLER WALK

9 A.M.-11:30 A.M. SEPT. 30

UT Tyler 3900 University Blvd. https://visittyler.com/calendar/

THE BARRICADE BOYS

8:30 P.M. OCT. 5

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. https://cowancenter.org/

“MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL”

7:30 P.M. OCT. 7

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. https://cowancenter.org/

CRAIG MORGAN: GOD, FAMILY & COUNTRY

7:30 P.M. OCT. 12

UT Tyler Cowan Center 3900 University Blvd. https://cowancenter.org/

BRAS ON FIRE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS EVENT

11 A.M. OCT. 14

American Legion, Post 12 5503 American Legion Rd. https://bit.ly/brasonfire

TEXAS ROSE FESTIVAL

OCT. 19-22

Tyler Rose Garden 420 Rose Park Drive

https://www.texasrosefestival.com/

“TWELVE ANGRY MEN”

OCT. 20-22 AND 26-29

Tyler Civic Theatre 400 Rose Park Drive

https://tylercivictheatre.com/

TYLER SCOTFEST

10 A.M.-4 P.M. OCT. 21 South Spring Baptist Church 17002 U.S. 69

https://www.tylerscotfest.org/

OAKWOOD IN OCTOBER

7 P.M.-9 P.M. OCT. 21 Oakwood Cemetery Palace and Oakwood streets https://visittyler.com/calendar/

TRUNK OR TREAT

5 P.M.-7 P.M. OCT. 22 UT Tyler 3900 University Blvd. https://www.uttyler.edu/greeklife/ trunk-or-treat/

EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER ISSUE OF ETX VIEW MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL TO INFO@ ETXVIEW.COM BY SEPT. 15

Rose City Fiesta, Tyler