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LIFE IN THE PINES OF SHELBY COUNTY
JAN/FEB
2017
Hauling, Grinding & Chicken House + Cleanout Services
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We haul chicken litter, shaving, mulch, crushed concrete, rock, and ground asphalt.
Grinding
We take trees, shrub debris and other small products for landscaping and other needs. We have several large grinders and can come to your location.
Cleaning
We specialize in chicken house cleanout and with the use of 18-wheelers, bobcats and
2 | J/A 2016 | naturaltexan.net conveyor belts we come to your location and remove the litter in a timely and safe manner.
Natural
TEXA Publisher | Editor-in-Chief GABRIELLE WEST
Layout & Design BRITTNEY FORD Editor/Staff Writer REBECCA MOTT Cover Photographer: STEPHANIE DAVIS Fresh Style Writer: HANNAH WALKER
Contributing Writer: RICHARD PINKSTON Want to see YOUR BUSINESS or YOUR STORY in The Natural Texan? Please call: 936-332-8144 Please email: info@naturaltexan.net
naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 3
DEPARTMENTS 08 22
12
16
26 22
20
06 HONOR & REMEMBER
Hometown Heroes - submitted photos
08 TROPHY PAGE
See who got the big prize! - submitted photos
12 HOME
Valentines DIY
26
28
24 MAKE IT LOCAL
24 A Revolutionary from Shelby County 26 My Story - Hans Polk
28 FRESH FASHION
Use these tips to bring your closet into the New Year!
16 ON THE COVER
Aboard the USS NORTH CAROLINA with A.J. Procell.
20 NATURAL LIVING
20 Bone Broth 22 Seasons of Weight
30 LOCAL MARKET
4 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Find just what you’re looking for at the Shelby County Local Market. You can advertise in the market too, just call us!
FROM GABBY
Goodbye 2016...hello 2017!
I hope 2016 was great for you and your family. A new year has begun and we wonder what it has in store for this country, our families and our jobs? I am anxious to see the things this New Year holds in store! I greatly anticipated this issue, the “Military Issue.”I thought it was important to reflect where we began and where we are now, as a nation and a culture. I just couldn’t help but think about the freedoms and opportunities we seemingly take for granted throughout the year as we work to achieve our dreams or continue on our every day normal routine. How often do we stop to think of how important it is to have individuals who fight for our freedoms and if we didn’t have those defending our country, where we would be? Do you stop to think of the ones that spend their holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and weekends away from their loved ones, assuring us the possibility that we can be with ours? Keep in mind the truth that our freedoms are provided on the backs of our servicemen/women and their emotional sacrifice. Those individuals, whether they served sixty years ago or five, have insightful wisdom from which so many of us can gather. That being said, as you turn your pages in the magazine and start your new 365 day book, please remember their sacrifices. This year, dare to designate time to sit down and hear stories that may be untold or stories that may have been told many times (only not to you) and then, share those stories with others. Allow the sacrifices made in the past to be a living reality in the hearts of the younger generations. We must not forget the sacrifices made in the past. If we do not, there is a chance that we can rekindle the values we once cherished in America.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
G
GABRIELLE CARTER WEST EXECUTIVE EDITOR
naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 5
HONOR AND REMEMBER submitted photos
Malcom Weaver | U.S. Army
Bob F. Pinkston | Sergeant US Army
Bill Hughes | U.S. Army
William “Bill” Pinkston
served 1943 - 1945
Petty Officer First Class | “Pharmacists Mate” served 1941 - 1945
Billy Eli Paddie | Vietnam
Eli Paddie, Jr. | WWII
served 1967-1968
served 1945 -1951
6 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Airman Sheridan
daughter of Mike and Lea Cassell granddaughter of Mary Beth Cassell
A. L. “Mann” Pinkston
Lieutenant US Navy - “Signal Officer” served 1941 - 1945
Melvin Mauriece Miller | WWII served 1942 - 1945
Santiago Ruiz Jr. | Air Force
Harold E. Roberts
pictured center: US Staff Sergeant Air Force - 21st Carrier Squadron
served 1942 - 1945
LT 3 Anthony S. Johnson
U.S. Navy | son of Mike and Keela Johnson stationed at San Diego, CA
MP Aaron Carey
son of Christy and Jeff Leyshon grandson of Mary Beth Cassell stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
James R. Shofner U.S. Navy EN-3 Korean War 1947-1954
Joe Bradberry | U.S. Army with wife Brooksie Bradberry
Henry Washington | U.S. Army retired 20 years of service
James Johnson | U.S. Army
Thomas Youngblood
Army National Guard Reserve
I hope the Holidays found you home with family and friends filled with lots of joy and love! Let this issue be a reminder to you of just how very thankful we should be for those that have served and those currently serving in the military to provide us with the freedom we enjoy daily and often take for granted. May we not only take this time to say “Thank You,� but throughout the year as we encounter these special individuals. As we bring in a new year, I encourage you to make the resolution to commit to continously keep them and their families in your thougths and prayers.
May this year bring you excellent health, a wealth of love and happiness and exciting adventures! From my family to yours, Happy New Year!
B
BRITTNEY FORD LAYOUT & DESIGN
naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 7
TROPHY PAGE submitted photos
Ashton Ryder
Dylan Lout
Clint Cassell
Codi Grace West
1st Deer
National Forest | Shelby County
with her Dad, Chase West’s deer
Hunter Hendricks
Clint West
Norma Ruiz
Tyler McSwain
Kimberly Hooper Ray
Robert Hooper
Gavin McDonald | 6 years old
Cole Riggs | 5 years old
Shelby County
Shelby County
8 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Shelby County
Shelby County | with Dad, Greg McDonald
family land in East Texas
Shelby County
Shelbyville, TX
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Valentine’s Day is a time to show love to those around us. Often, a token of our love may be roses, chocolates or teddy bears. I’m reminded of a wonderful way of showing love is giving the gift of memory. Do you have a mother/dad serving in the military or working off for long stretches of time? Or maybe you have grandchildren who live a long distance from you and want them to have something that can remind them of your love? Maybe you have lost someone to death and want to keep their memory alive. It’s easy to gift a memory bear. Choose a simple teddy bear pattern. By keeping the pattern simple, you can decide what extras to include in the final project. Decide which garment would be perfect for the task and begin pinning and clipping. Be creative; use buttons on the garment, zippers or odd sized pockets. Using more than one garment, including different fabrics and patterns, is fun. Here is one my daughter made for her niece: 12 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
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The year was 1967, somewhere in early summer. My mother had two brothers who were in the Army; one in infantry on the streets of Saigon, the other a helicopter gunman. She spent countless nights on her knees in prayer, petitioning God for their protection. She would receive an occasional letter, giving her scant details of their assignments and experiences. On leave, they would come to visit. I can still remember the effects of the war on my uncles; two men, same family, same genetics and completely different way the war affected them both. One uncle made a career of the Army, becoming a pilot and serving until after Desert Storm. The other never got past PTSD and nightmares that haunted him. Yet, another close family member, a cousin, served in the Army as a sniper. Some thirty years later, he began to remember jobs during his time. My phone rang one night. His voice on the other end began explaining the time of day, who his target was, his target’s family, where he was standing. He told me how far to the fraction of an inch and how he had to adjust the rifle for the wind current. Then, he broke down crying. We don’t forget the pain of some things. We never can un-live what we have lived through.
Words cannot appreciate the sacrifice adequately, so, one will never see me burning a flag, cursing our freedom or dismissing the constitution. For all we desire as a nation, we do not cry for peace from destruction. We are truly blessed. Regardless of our race, our heritage or our education, we all do live under the grace of our constitution. For this, I am thankful. I am prayerful that we bless God both individually and as a nation; a nation that forgets God will be turned into hell. With our sights set on a new year, I keep this truth in my viewer. May we all bless God during the new year so that God will bless us!
R 14 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
REBECCA MOTT
EDITOR/STAFF WRITER
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naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 15
ON THE COVER - FEATURE STORY
A.J. Procell - Aboard the USS NO
16 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
ORTH CAROLINA
action and had 67 wounded.”
“During World War II, the USS NORTH CAROLINA participated in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operations and earned 15 battle stars. In all, the NORTH CAROLINA carried out nine shore bombardments, sank an enemy troopship, destroyed at least 24 enemy aircraft, and assisted in shooting down many more. Her anti-aircraft guns helped halt or frustrate scores of attacks on aircraft carriers. She steamed over 300,000 miles. Although Japanese radio announcements claimed six times that the NORTH CAROLINA had been sunk, she survived many close calls and near misses with one hit when a Japanese torpedo slammed into the battleship’s hull on 15 September 1942. A quick response on the part of the crew allowed the mighty ship to keep up with the fleet. By war’s end, the ship had lost only ten men in www.battleshipnc.com
FEATURE STORY naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 17
Mr. A.J. Procell, 92 yr old WWII vet, is still a vibrant individual. We sat down with him recently, anxious to hear his slant on Navy life during the war. He enlisted while still in high school; 18 years old. He left the states and was stationed in Tokyo Bay on the USS NORTH CAROLINA. His position on the ship was a front line man in the Fire Control Division, as a 40mm gun operator. During his service, he helped shoot down 23 planes. He was on board when both atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. He was present in the company looking on as Japan formally signed its surrender with General Douglas Mc Author on the USS MISSOURI in Tokyo Bay, bringing an end to World War II. After the war, he graduated high school and attended SMU at Dallas. He was married at the age of 30 and had two children. Mr. Procell, his four brothers and one sister served in the military. Mr. Procell currently lives alone in Joaquin, TX where he raises mayhaws and makes mayhaw jelly. 18 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
FEATURE STORY naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 19
NATURAL LIVING
Over the past few years, we’ve all heard chatter about bone broth. Some dismiss the concept, while others deem it the holy grail of cooking. So, really, what is with the “bone broth” craze?
20 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Back in the day, broth was not purchased from the store; it was made at home. But, we have fallen prey to a hurried life style and failure to understand the benefits of home cooking to adapting a highly processed American food diet and have become very lax with our culinary practices providing our nutritional needs. Slowly, we are beginning to realize there are benefits to cooking the old way. When preparing bone broth, the slow cooking releases many minerals from the bones, making them bioavailable, meaning our bodies can absorb them easily. It is also a great source of gelatin, which contains arthritis-relieving glucosamine and chondroitin. The amino acids extracted from the boiled cartilage during the cooking process have anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help leaky gut. The calcium and magnesium found in bone broth can help strengthen bones and teeth. Finally, it can help boost our immune system.
Here are some tips to keep in mind while making the broth: • Always use bones from healthy animals. • The longer you simmer, the more minerals you will pull from the bones but the less gelatin you’ll get. • Don’t boil the stock – just let it gently simmer, not getting over 200°F. • Don’t cover the pot; leave the top ajar. Too much condensation gives the broth a bad taste. • Use only organic vegetables. • Try to use a variety of bones for their different properties. Good choices include feet, ribs, necks and knuckles.
What you need: 1. Bones — use bones, with or without skin and meat. Bake them at 400°F for 1 hour before putting in the pot. 2. Water — start with enough cold water to just cover the bones. You may want to add more later. 3. Vinegar — 2 tablespoons apple cider or balsamic vinegar per 1 quart water. 4. Vegetables (optional) —celery, carrots, onions, garlic and parsley are the most traditionally used. If added closer to the end of cooking, the mineral content will be higher. Use 50% onions, 25% carrots and 25% celery.
Procedure: • In a pot, combine bones, water and vinegar. Allow to set for about 30 minutes before turning the heat on. Bring to a quick boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 6 to 48 hrs (chicken) and 12 to 72 hrs (red meat). Make sure you keep the heat below 200°F. Temps higher than this destroys the gelatin. Strain the broth through a colander or sieve, lined with cheesecloth if a clearer broth is desired. • To use for gravy, separate the fat while broth is warm. You can also skim the fat off after broth has cooled in the refrigerator. It may be frozen for months or kept in the refrigerator up to 5 days. naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 21
NATURAL LIVING
Seasons of Weight
Weighing in on our Lifestyle Have you ever wondered why we lose weight in the spring and summer but seem to find it again in the winter? It happens to us every year. We’re led to believe it’s the holiday foods or the hustle of the season that causes us to fall into the fast food trap. While both of those are true to an extent, there may be another issue at play. According to Dr. John Douillard’s theoryᴵ, there are three main harvests by which we eat:
Spring, which is mostly an alkaline diet (greens, root veggies and berries) Summer, mostly alkaline again (more fruits and veggies) Late fall and winter, which is mostly acidic. (more grains, nuts, meats, eggs and cheese) As superficial as it may sound, the concept is pretty close to accuracy in my life. The summer months speak of binges on raw berries and local garden crops. It just comes natural to me. The winter months initiate somewhat of a hibernation instinct, leading me to naturally seek out soups, breads, and what we call today “comfort foods.” The higher carb intake explains the weight gain. With that in mind, where does it leave us in respect to our weight fluctuation? Well, I for one, absolutely look forward to the colder days when I can embrace corn chowder, beef barley soup or dumplings with a side of stuffed corn bread. And, to the defense of carbs, soups enhanced with bone broth, onions, garlic and a spray of herbs are excellent for immune boost, keeping winter illnesses at bay. I allow my body to have the nutrients it needs for the season, being careful to increase my intake of greens and fiber with supplements. 22 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
I believe with some basic life-style changes, we can minimize the fluctuation of the scales between November to February. • If eating sweets seems inevitable, keep carb-blockers (Sugar Armor is a good one) on hand. The Nature’s Plus brand, Sugar Armor is wonderful because it has Rhododia and Green Tea Extract. It effects the system in a way that minimizes the sugar spike and the desire to “get one more bite” after the meal. For the long run, you will notice some of those pounds have failed to creep back into your trunk, something we can all appreciate! • Do not drink soft drinks -- not even after the holidays are a faint memory. They are possibly the very worst splurge known to a human body. Besides being crammed full of high-fructose corn syrup, they contain preservatives, extreme levels of sodium, dyes and the assurance of diabetes becoming your roommate. • Apple Cider Vinegar. If you are unfamiliar with this miracle antidote, you should treat yourself. If you already know about it, ask yourself if you are currently using it. ACV comes in multiple forms; organic liquid, capsules and as cunning drinks. The capsules are super easy to take while the drinks are interesting and flavorful. The benefits of taking ACV regularly are innumerable: decreased appetite, acid neutralization in the digestive track, digestion aid, lower insulin levels, energy boost, detox and weight loss. • Change your perspective of food. Food should be present to supply nutrients, not to make us feel full or to be a past time. Our diets should be about quality not quantity. Studies have shown that individuals who eat nutritionally well, yet less amounts live longer and more resilient lives.² • Pay attention to the medications you are taking and educate yourself about the side effects affiliated with each prescription. Many prescriptions may cause fluid retention or weight gain, among other serious side effects. If this is the case, realize there are ways to either change medication or take supplements that will counter the effects of the medicine.
I know come spring, we will flood the gyms, working for the beach ready body. We all have that number in our heads that will bring a sigh of relief to our threads. Of course, staying in shape is a life long journey, realizing that being “healthy” is not just about lifting weights. It’s about giving your body the nutrients it needs to function properly from which weight management is a natural result. ᴵ“The 3-Season Diet”. Dr. John Douillard ²”How Eating Less Might Make You Live Longer.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 March 2007.
naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 23
MAKE IT LOCAL
A Revolutionary from Shelby County By: Richard Pinkston By the 20th of February, the people west of the Nueces River were fleeing for their lives. The news that Santa Anna was marching on San Antonio was confirmed and everybody was heading for the Sabine River. On the 23rd of February, the Mexican army arrived at the Alamo garrison with 1500 troops and initiated a siege. Colonel Travis and his men were outnumbered 10 to 1. Unprepared for an attack, and with only three bushels of corn, the men raided nearby homes for food. The following afternoon, Mexican artillery began firing on the Alamo. That evening, Travis wrote an open letter pleading for reinforcements. To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World: Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has
demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to
the sword, if the for is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon
shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism
& everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with
all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is
neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death. William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comdt
The letter was rushed to Gonzalez where a copy was made and immediately sent to Colonel Raguet in Nacogdoches. With a dysfunctional government and no organized military, Travis’ pleas were largely unanswered. 24 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
On March 1, fifty-nine delegates convened at the Convention of 1836 to create a new government. Two of those delegates, William Carroll Crawford and Sydney Pennington, were from Shelby County. The following day, the convention declared independence from Mexico and The Republic of Texas was born. General Sam Houston set out for the Alamo with his volunteers, including Pennington. It took nine days for the Texas army to reach Gonzales. They had assembled 400 volunteer troops when, on the 11th, news reached Gonzales that the Alamo had fallen. General Houston ordered every citizen to leave for the United States, and the army began retreating. The exodus had begun. Men, women, and children hauled clothes, bedding, and provisions on sleighs pulled by oxen. They would be forced to cross the Colorado, Brazos, San Jacinto, Trinity, Neches and finally the Sabine Rivers to reach the United States. Each river crossing became more dangerous than the previous as the spring rains swelled the rivers. Horses and oxen drowned, and the wagons and carts were abandoned. When they reached the river crossing at the San Jacinto, there were some 5,000 people waiting to cross the ferry into Lynchburg. The Texas army stayed in the rear in anticipation of the pursuing Mexicans and to assist the civilians in the chaos. As the last refugees made their way across the Trinity River, the Texas army, now 900 strong had been informed of Santa Anna’s location just west of the ferry crossing at the San Jacinto River. Sam Houston and his men reached Lynch’s Ferry on April 20, with Santa Anna only hours behind. When the last Mexican reinforcements arrived at 9 am on the 21st, Sam Houston ordered the destruction of Vince’s Bridge, their only escape route. The two armies were camping merely 500 yards apart. At 4 pm, the Texans crept through the tall grass dragging their two cannons. The refugees crossing the Trinity river some twenty miles away could hear what sounded like thunder when at 4:30, Houston fired the cannons. Yelling “Remember the Alamo”, and “Remember Goliad”, the men broke ranks and stormed the Mexican camp. After only eighteen minutes, the once great Mexican army retreated into the marshland. Over 650 Mexican troops lay dead. With only eleven dead, Pennington and the Texas troops had avenged their fellow comrades at the Alamo and Goliad. Santa Anna was forced to surrender and order his troops back across the Rio Grande. The Republic was won. Sydney O. Pennington came to Shelby County in 1834. At 25 years of age, he represented Shelby Municipality as a legislator. He was instrumental in establishing the Republic of Texas and Shelby County. A veteran of the Texas Revolution, he died in 1838 and was interred at Shelbyville Cemetery. naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 25
MAKE IT LOCAL
My Story
What is war? Better yet, what is war to you? To me, war is emotional. It’s and victories to be written in history; that is the visible war. The real war “I want you to get dressed to go to school today. You are leaving your house just as you have every other day of your life. Even though you don’t know it now, you will never see it again. You will relive in your mind every detail in your room, your mother’s kitchen, her stove, what she was wearing, how she fixed her hair and the last meal you ate with your parents. What kind of pictures were on your walls? Did you tell your parents good bye? How was your father waking for the day? Every detail -- details you do not think are important -- will become momentous to you over time. Now, imagine that you will never ever see that again. What would you say? I was six and a half and an only child. We lived in Amsterdam, Netherland. It was 1943 and Hitler’s army was in Holland. Every single week, they would take 1,000 people to the concentration camps from the Netherlands. My father had made arrangements with our neighbor to protect me if and when Hitler’s army came through our area. We all knew it would happen. The plan was for my father to throw me over the fence to our neighbor and he would take care of me until the war was over. That’s just how it happened the day he and my mother were taken. Life was precious in those days; it came with a price. You paid for your freedom. If you had the money, you would pay someone in the Underground to get you out of the country or to hide you until you could leave. My parents had enough money to pay for one; they chose me. I didn’t know I’d never see my parents again. I was told that I probably would not but I couldn’t imagine that would be true. I would cry myself to sleep every night, wondering where my parents were, if they were safe and did they know where to find me. I was terrified; what would happen to me? I relived that last day over and over again a thousand times – details of that morning haunted me for decades to come. Why didn’t my parents come with me? What was the reason? Did they not have the money to pay to be free themselves or was there another reason? A question I would never find an answer to. I wanted to know where they went. What happened to them? Questions that the answers would terrify me when I did find out. Since my name was Jewish, I was given an assumed name. I had to learn to “forget” my given name and remember the new one. Otherwise, I would die, too. I learned to live very secretly; to speak to no one, and not to speak about myself. I was taken to an orphanage to stay. One day, someone came and took me into his home. He and his wife would become my foster parents; the only parents I’d have from then on. I would find out later that this man was second in command of the Underground in the Netherlands. In 1956, I migrated to America. The process was a long one; I had four interviews with the American Counsel, received immunization shots, was required to have a “sponsor” here in America and must serve one year in the American military.” 26 | J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
- Hans Polk psychological. Ammunition, battle plans, flattened cities, captured POW’s is in the minds of those who know, feel and live as history is written. He has been in the states for over 60 years but never has become a U.S. Citizen. After his time in the service, he was married and had three children. Later he and his wife were divorced but he still is very close with his children. Not until 1986 when he met his second wife, Kay, would he begin to face the demons that had haunted him for so many years; the ghosts of his past and the holocaust. His wife encouraged him to speak about who he was and tell his story. She encouraged him to research and read about the things that happened so long ago -- the things that tortured him. The things he discovered were shaking but they brought him the liberty his father had purchased so long ago. Before going to a camp, his parents were held in “barracks”. They were the same barracks Anne Frank visited a year later. From there, his parents were taken by train to Sobibor- a concentration camp in Poland. They were among the half million Jews who died there. Sobibor was where his parents met their fate, in the gas chambers. Hans did research. He found his parent’s death certificates and visited Sobibor with his family. He walked the ground his mother and father had so many years before. Many of his questions have been answered, now. Many people have heard him speak of his experience. The year is now 2017. Hitler began his rage against the Jews approximately 87 years ago. He established over 15,000 death camps that killed more than 11 million people. Being Jewish was not the only reason you could die by Hitler’s hands; just daring to differ with his political ideology would assure you a reservation on the death train. Other than Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, disabled and more were killed. Three generations or almost eight decades ago! So few of those who experienced that tragedy are still alive. What was the lesson we should have taken from the suffering of so many? Could anyone have changed what happened or was it only fate? Whatever we embrace in our lives, let us always embrace life. Life for others -- their way of life, their peace of mind and their destiny to just be. Let us remember that following is only okay as long as the ground we are treading on isn’t paved with another’s blood. Let history speak of our triumph over silence. Let fear be the fear of complacency and ignorance, but not courage to speak. Let us not forget…the sacrifice so many made. Sacrifice that echoed not only of silenced heartbeats but voices of those who haunt the survivors. If we do forget, the haunting will surely return to the generation who could not remember... Records of the holocaust can be found at www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 27
FRESH STYLE
-Hannah
Walker
New Year - New You!
Yes, you do have stuff to wear and no you don’t need more clothes. You just need to revamp your closet! Try These Tips: 1. If you haven’t worn a piece in 2016, then you probably won’t wear it in 2017. 2. If you haven’t ever used the backwards hanger trick, now is a good time to start. Hang all your hangers backwards, and every time you wear something turn it back the correct way. You’ll get a better idea of what you do and do not wear. 3. Not all items should be donated and not all should be sold. Go through the clothes you aren’t going to keep and separate them into piles. If clothes are expensive and in good standing condition, then sell them. If clothes are damaged in anyway, throw them away. Everything else can be donated. 4. Use organizers. Yes, that may sound like a drag but it only takes a day to organize and you’ll thank yourself later. Color organizing is a Godsend. 5. Get matching hangers; this will instantly make your closet feel more cohesive and clean. Don’t want to splurge on new hangers all at once? Just get a new pack every time you go to the grocery store. You’ll collect enough to use in no time. 6. Just keep going. You may start to feel overwhelmed halfway through but, this feeling will pass. You have two choices: feel overwhelmed for a few hours today or feel overwhelmed every time you look into your closet.
Ask yourself a few vital questions when going through your wardrobe. Does it still fit?
Is it stained, torn, or warped?
If I saw it in a store now, would I still buy it?
Do I have multiple things I can wear it with?
Do I love the way it looks on me? 28 |J/F 2017 | naturaltexan.net
Here are some closet staples to own in 2017 that are probably already in your closet. A plain white tee No, not the band. There’s nothing more versatile then a white t-shirt. With so many ways to wear it, it’s an essential part of your wardrobe. Tuck it into a skirt, stick it under a blazer or let it hang free with a pair of ripped skinnies.
Ballet flats Equal parts chic and comfortable. Easily dress up your jeans and button down and transition them to your cocktail dress. Your outfit, and feet, will thank you.
A blazer If you’re looking for something to effortlessly tie together an outfit, a casual blazer is a great addition to your closet.
Slip on sneakers Comfortable enough to walk miles in, but way chicer then traditional running shoes. If you’re looking for an extra dose of fun to add to your outfit, look no further then these must haves.
A striped shirt How many tops look sophisticated with a pencil skirt, sexy with a pair of leather leggings, and effortlessly relaxed with slouchy denim? Mix it with solids, floral, plaids, camouflage; I haven’t met a piece I don’t like with stripes.
Black pants Two words are all that’s needed to explain this staple: slimming and chic. There’s no better combination. Wear them with a silk blouse and pumps for work or a t-shirt on a chill day.
A little black dress You may have seen this one coming, but it’s tried and true. No other piece is more of a blank slate for accessorizing and styling yet completely chic on its own. The LBD has gotten us through some tough times.
Classic pumps Ballet flats may be the comfortable option, but there’s nothing that can beat your favorite pair of pumps.
Dark denim If you’re only going to own one pair of denim pants, make them dark denim. They work with your plain white tee and can seamlessly be transitioned to work pants with just a few piece additions.
Ripped skinnies Making a recent, not so recent appearance we couldn’t imagine our closets without these holy things. Your granny may think she needs to slip some extra money into your stocking this year for new pants but hey, we’re not complaining. They just add a little chicness and edge to your ootd.
naturaltexan.net | J/F 2017 | 29
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