A P R I L L B R A N D O N | P I C T U R E T H I S ! | FA S H I O N SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017Â
COVER STORY
WILDERNESS
luxury MEETS
ALSO INSIDE
women in business:
NINA SISK school
FAUX PUMPKIN
decorating ideas that are perfect for fall
FLIP-the-ISSUE
Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it).
In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Longview Regional Medical Center, you’ll find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it.
The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – only at Longview Regional Medical Center.
LongviewRegional.com *Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
s t n e t n o C SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Beauty: Fresh Face: Magically Removing Makeup with Towelettes
Feature: Nina Sisk, Roughneck Harley-Davidson
Beauty
10
Cover Story: Glamping: Wilderness Meets Luxury
18
Women in Business: Nina Sisk, Roughneck Harley-Davidson
28
22
18
8
Features
Fashion: Rebel Chic
8
On the Cover
Fashion 22
Rebel Chic
In Every Issue 16 30
Shop This! Picture This!
a p r i l l b r a n d o n | p i c t u r e t h i s ! | fa s h i o n JULY/AUGUST 2017
Heal tH &
beau
ty
my leg
Julane and Bill Sullivan didn’t have glamping in mind when they decided to open their Red Barn House Retreat to the public two years ago. But they now welcome people from near and far to experience the wilderness in a more luxurious style.
hair
grows fast. spe have a aking in 3:00 sha beard dow, not terms, a 5:00 pun inte I’d pro shadow nded – bably . so whe about bei n lizzy ng com waxed had to pletely on – give it stubble a shot. free for the firs weeks, t challen I ge is gro to grip wing leg . As I said, I hair lon feel like g enough shaving stubble . When for wax faced with grows mere hou recomme the cha rs afte nded ¼ llenge r of growin to ½ inch differe g leg hair length nt stor for wax the y. ing? tha I powere t’s a who d through le and got maybe some are more like as to nea 1/8 inch that is ? I trie rly ¼ inch more cha d to me . Or llengin asure the g than the hair growth you’d gue on you , but r legs ss. And grows , it turn Inconv at differe s out tha enient? nt rate Absolu t s in diff tely. Once erent are I though as. t I’d ach sally han ieved ade sen ext quate ra stre length, Kit ($9 ngth AllI invested .34, Am Over Bod in azon). y Wax the box not skin hair Rem stated ” and boa ova tha l t “smart sted resu wax gra lts lasting In a nut bs hair shell, you up to eigh , microw t weeks. with wha ave the sold! t looks tub of like a wax, app tongue cloth stri ly a thin depress p over layer or, smo the wax oth the , then directio pull – include n opposit clos d e of hair e to you growth r skin I dutiful – in the . ly clim bed up positio on my ned nea kitchen r the mic counte rowave and … r so I , followe could voila! no be d the dire thing. Well, not tried aga ctions carefull in. And nothin y g; I did again. same resu get a few that it didn’t hairs. I lt each hurt mu time. the ch. the For me good new bad new , it’s bac s is s is tha k to the t wax mak razor. C es a me ss. knew I
beauty
bound 2017 SUmmer beAUTY TrendS
Flip-the-issue
WA I NG LEGX A SMSOFOR SUMM OTH ER? women in business: LibbY brYSon M school ALSO INSIDE Words by
Amy mc
hAney
y friend lizzy swears above, by wax I’m focu ing. As sing on waxes you rea legs aga her legs d crazy, in – and . her ent you thin yes, liz ire leg. k? I tho zy with a All by ught so, little pra herself too, but ctice, any . lizzy pro Ah-mA one cou mised Z-Ing ld becom that , she pro e a pro mised. . And the resu 8 Charm lts?
fLoor cAre TipS for the charming home | j u ly
/ Au g
26
Fresh Face: Magically Removing Makeup with Towelettes
Aprill Brandon: Violating Child Labor Laws & Other Perks of Parenting
COVER STORY
School: Faux pumpkin decorating ideas that are perfect for fall
u st
SALLy
EXTRA HANSEN ST ALL-O RENGTH vER BO dy WAX HAIR REMO vAL KI T $9.34 , Amaz
on
4 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
Spot the Charm Our July/August Spot the Charm winner was Vivian Pigg and she has chosen a $100 Visa gift card. She spotted the charm on page 8 in our last issue! We invite you to spot a special Charm logo in this edition. If you locate it, sign on to mycharmonline.com and click the Spot the Charm link on the homepage.
The
List
I always hunt for the best of the unusual. The real fun is finding it for babies & children!
~Julia
Quiet comfort in a noisy world! Already a “best seller” in our baby department, the Hush Hat, with sound-absorbing foam & ultra-soft materials, intelligently lters noise levels to help baby sleep peacefully in any environment for nap time in a busy home, restaurant, sporting event, and anything in between! 4 sizes offer a perfect t from birth to toddler. $24.95
We are thrilled with this organic bamboo stay-put suction baby dishware andbamboo silicone utensils. Press the airtight lock mechanism onto any at surface and the bowl or plate will stay in place for stress-free, splash-free meals! The spoon has a soft silicone tip that is gentle on baby’s gums and doubles as a teether. They are non-toxic, earth-friendly, BPA, BPS, PVC, Lead and Phthalate-free. Sizes for 4 months thru toddler. Each set $19.99
I love this multi-use headrest that provides spinal/neck alignment, safety and comfort for little ones. Chiropractor-inspired and momdesigned, Baby Elephant Ears go wherever baby goes - stroller, car seat, swing - anywhere support is needed. Fully washable. $21.95-$29.95
We found the most incredible kid duvet and pillow case sets EVER! Each image is from an original design meticulously hand sewn and individually crafted. It is then printed on ne percale cotton from Portugal, using a photographic process so nite it almost appears 3-dimensional. Developed and produced by a small company based in The Netherlands. Twin size $119 (also available in Full/Queen).
When it needs to be
special, you’ll find it here!
LOOP 281 @ MCCANN • 903.663.2060 • MON-SAT 10-6 /BARRONSLONGVIEW
@BARRONS_CAFEBARRONS
S AV E T H E D AT E !
Saturday, October 28
JoinUs
FOR A T R U LY M A G I C A L EVENING
CHARM / VIEW SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 PUBLISHER Stephen McHaney EDITOR Ric Brack • 903.237.7759 • rbrack@news-journal.com MANAGING EDITOR Christina Lane • 903.237.7724 • clane@news-journal.com ART DIRECTOR Katie Case • 903.237.7715 • kcase@news-journal.com DESIGNER Sara Bryan ILLUSTRATOR
M A G I C & M A Y H E M 2 0 17
Michelle Laverell
BENEFITING LONGVIEW MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS April Barbe • Aprill Brandon • Jo Lee Ferguson Nicholas Huber • Christina Lane • Clare McCarthy
JOIN US FOR D I N N E R & DA N CI N G AT THE SUMMIT CLUB • SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS • CO M P L I M E N TA RY BEER & WINE • COSTUME CONTEST • $10 0 P E R P E R S O N R S V P BY O C TO B E R 21
Amy McHaney • Dawn-Renée Rice • Meredith Shamburger CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos • Les Hassell • Chris Lozano ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Larry Jobe • 903.237.7727 • ljobe@news-journal.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Thomas Bonner • 361.574.1249 • tbonner@vicad.com Chris Dean • 903.237.7719 • cdean@news-journal.com Kerri Esposito • 903.232.7276 • kesposito@news-journal.com Ginger Lovelady • 903.232.7287 • glovelady@news-journal.com Jeff Martin • 903.232.7221 • jmartin@news-journal.com Tracy Stopani • 903.237.7726 • tstopani@news-journal.com CIRCULATION Josh Hart • 903.237.7765 • jhart@news-journal.com PRODUCED BY TCM PRINTING Sherri Goodwin • 903.232.7245 • sgoodwin@tcmprinting.com
9 0 3.75 3.810 3 • L MFA .OR G 6 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
mycharmonline.com • news-journal.com
CFasalora FLOWER SHOP
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5pm Saturday: 8am - Noon 314 Magnolia Lane, Longview
www.casafloraflowers.com 903.753.4492
mycharmonline.com 7
HEALTH & BEAUTY
if you don’t wear makeup, your face still gets dirty. And if you do wear makeup, allowing it to stay on your face overnight can lead to clogged, enlarged pores. “When makeup is left on, it blocks the natural exfoliating process, which can leave your skin looking dull,” Dr. Robins Ashinoff, director of cosmetic dermatology at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey told FutureDerm. And all the nighttime lotions and potions you may have in your bathroom cabinet? They work exponentially better on clean skin. Blood flow to the skin is at its peak while you’re asleep, which helps all those lotions and potions absorb more effectively.
FRESH FACE:
MAGICALLY REMOVING MAKEUP WITH TOWELETTES Words by AMY MCHANEY
I
’ve heard it said that the most important thing you can do for your face – from a beauty perspective – is wash it every night. A troubling recommendation for me because
it’s something I fail to do on a very regular basis. My main problem, as it relates to face washing, is that I am
Convinced that I should make a concerted effort to wash my face nightly, I set out to find the easiest way to clean, a method I could adhere to. I discovered the solution to my problem with a quick trip to the drugstore makeup aisle: facial cleansing wipes. Facial cleansing wipes are clearly a hot commodity that I’d somehow overlooked – there are about a zillion different brands and all sorts of formulations. I chose four that looked promising and tested them with a full face of makeup (foundation, eyeshadow base, eyeshadow, mascara base, mascara, blush and lipstick). Here’s the skinny:
POND'S ORIGINAL FRESH MOISTURE CLEAN TOWELETTES $4.66 for 28 towelettes
Packaging Claim: Removes all makeup; leaves skin soft and smooth; soft cloths work gently without drying skin; safe for contact lens wearers The Pond’s wipe did a good job removing the makeup. I
exhausted by the end of the day and often fall asleep before I make it
followed the wipe with toner and there was a small amount of
to any nighttime beauty ritual. If I sit down to watch television for a few
makeup that came off on the cotton ball, but probably not more
minutes before bedtime, I never make it to the bed – I fall asleep on
than if I actually washed my face. I found these wipes to be slightly
the couch in 2.2 seconds. If I’m tucking my children into bed and lie
drying compared to others, leaving my face feeling tight.
down with one for “just a minute,” I find myself waking up with a start in the middle of the night, still in said child’s bed. So I started to wonder – is washing your face really that important? And if it is, can I figure out an easy way to get a face washing in each night? The answer to the first question is yes – washing your face really is important. I do not wear much makeup, which I’ve used as an excuse when I don’t wash, “It’s fine – I don’t really wear makeup anyway.” But dermatologists and beauty experts say otherwise. Your face accumulates tiny particles of dust and debris during the day, so even 8 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
AVEENO ACTIVE NATURALS POSITIVELY RADIANT MAKEUP REMOVING WIPES $5.98 for 25 wipes Packaging Claim: Easily removes makeup, oil and dirt that can dull skin; reveals softer, smoother looking skin; gentle enough to use around sensitive eye area, even for contact lens wearers
The Aveeno wipes removed makeup easily – the wipes are soft
The Neutrogena wipes cleaned my face well, but like the
and smooth. My face did not feel dry after using. I again followed
others, left a bit of makeup behind that the toner and cotton ball
up with toner and there were traces of makeup left behind, but
picked up. Although my face was not tight after I used this wipe, it
noticeably less than the other wipes.
did not seem as moisturized as after using the Aveeno wipe. The bottom line here is that you really can’t go wrong with any
SIMPLE EXFOLIATING FACIAL WIPES $4.72 for 25 wipes
of these choices – they all did a very good job of cleaning. I like the fact that I can keep a pack of wipes in the drawer of my bedside table. Even if I go straight from my couch to my bed, I can reach over to grab a wipe and do a quick clean – a routine I think I can stick with.
Packaging Claim: No harsh chemicals; no artificial perfumes or dyes; skin-loving ingredients with multi-vitamins; ophthalmologist tested, safe for sensitive eyes I was excited to try these wipes – I love the idea of a good exfoliation. The exfoliation is due to the texture of the wipe, not the fluid embedded in it. I thought it did a good job removing makeup although, like those previously tested, some trace makeup was picked up with the cotton ball and toner.
NEUTROGENA MAKEUP REMOVER CLEANSING TOWELETTES – HYDRATING $5.97 for 25 towelettes
VEIN UPDATE I wrote about my experience eradicating my spider veins in the July/August issue of Charm. Dr. Randy Morton of Longview Vein Clinic performed phlembectomies to remove portions of two of my veins, followed by sclerotherapy to treat my spider veins. Sclerotherapy is a treatment method in which spider veins are injected with a sclerosing solution to “cause necessary injury to the lining of the vein, ultimately resulting in occlusion of that vein and its demise.” I have had two follow up sclerotherapy appointments since my last writing. The injections are nearly painless – the needle is very fine – and cause a little bit of itching and swelling, similar to a mosquito bite. The worst part about the sclerotherapy is wearing
Packaging Claim: Cleanse and remove makeup, even
compression stockings for seven days following the procedure,
waterproof mascara; condition and soothe skin … in one simple
but that has been completely bearable, even in the summer. Dr.
step; gentle enough to use around the sensitive eye area, even for
Morton is pleased with my progress, as am I. I’ll include final
contact lens wearers.
before and after photos in my next column. C
Located in: Longview Mall 3500 McCann Rd, Longview, TX 75605
903-753-0041
Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9 Sun 12-6 Merle Norman Cosmetic Studios have been independently owned and operated since 1931
mycharmonline.com 9
GLAMPING COVER STORY
Words by CLARE MCCARTHY | Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS
10 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
J
ulane and Bill Sullivan didn’t have glamping in mind
wilderness
Luxury meets
when they decided to open their Red Barn House Retreat to the public two years ago. But they now welcome
people from near and far to experience the wilderness in a more luxurious style. “People who like to camp are pretty down to earth, wholesome type people,” Julane said. “We’ve just had very, very nice people stay here. It’s been a really great experience.” With its cement floors, tin roof and wooden walls, the barn house is rather rustic but offers a luxurious retreat away from the world, with a full service bathroom, a good-sized kitchen and comfortable beds. Nestled in the piney woods and vast farmland between Gilmer and Longview, the barn is in a remote location away from the busyness of the world. “It’s nice to be able to lay down in the bed and go to sleep, and it’s nice to go out and cook hamburgers or hot dogs over the fire pit and to walk through the woods but then be able to come in and take a shower or watch a movie,” Julane said. Glamping — glamorous camping — has become a new craze across the country, offering those who enjoy the outdoors a more comfortable, luxurious place for rest and relaxation. Whether in a cabin, barn, teepee or treehouse, people can experience the luxury of a typical hotel room in a remote outdoor area. “To me, the difference is tremendous,” Julane said. “You can camp outside, you can be outside and enjoy the outdoors, but you don’t have to completely rough it all the way. You can enjoy the luxuries of today’s world without it being too luxurious.” continued on pg. 12
Bill and Julane Sullivan of Red Barn House Retreat mycharmonline.com 11
Kitchen Area The couple’s son built the Red Barn House with his wife about eight years ago after Julane and Bill sold four acres of land to them from the family farm. After receiving a job offer in Tyler, their son moved away, leaving the barn house empty and unused. “So we purchased the red barn from him,” Julane said. “And we did a few different updates on it — not much, but we just did a few things to make it more friendly to people coming to stay… It took us about six months to where we thought it was ready, and then we put it out there. We’ve had great success.” The couple advertises the retreat on various vacation rental
DINING AREA
websites, but only recently joined Glamping Hub, a website specifically designed for those who enjoy camping in comfort. The barn has attracted visitors from across the country, but mostly from Dallas and Houston. Some have come from as far west as California and as far east as Georgia. “We know people from all over the country because of this and many of them keep in touch with us,” Julane said. “Several people have come back, too. We haven’t even been open that long but they already come back. One family loved it here so much they came back like three times in a matter of six months and they decided to move to the Longview area. It’s been an incredible experience as far as getting to know people and making new friends and that kind of thing.”
BATHROOM
While most people come for a weekend getaway or family reunion, some have held weddings, birthday parties and baby showers at the retreat. Visitors can spend the day outside fishing, zip lining or walking through the woods, then cuddle up on a plush couch and watch a movie in the barn’s personal home theater. “We’ve mostly had families come that just want to get away from things — like from Houston and Dallas — they just want to come to the country and be able to just walk through the woods and sit on the porch and hear the birds,” Julane said. ArShawnaise Crockett’s first experience with glamping was at the Red Barn House Retreat and she said she couldn’t have asked for a better experience. “I had the most spectacular time,” she said. “I really liked that there was no setup involved. You just had to bring your luggage
BEDROOM
inside; you didn’t have to set up the tent, you didn’t have to get the fire immediately going.” ArShawnaise, who is from Houston, goes camping often on the beach. She said glamping offers a completely different — but more relaxing — experience that she hopes to have again. “With regular camping, you’ve got to set up the tent, the fire pit, pull out the coolers, heat up the barbeque so you can have something to eat,” she said. “You’ve got to worry about dirt, the weather, having extra ice and enough firewood to keep you
12 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
"There are bed and breakfasts everywhere but when you find one that’s like
a diamond in the rough in the middle of nowhere, that’s really cool."
warm… At this place, we just unpacked, changed our clothes and relaxed.” ArShawnaise stayed in the winter, which meant it was a little too cold to ride the zipline or play in the water nearby, but she said that didn’t matter since the board games and home theater in the barn offered plenty of entertainment. “There are bed and breakfasts everywhere but when you find one that’s like a diamond in the rough in the middle of nowhere, that’s really cool,” she said. But Julane and Bill’s retreat isn’t the only place to go glamping in East Texas. Music Springs, a 60-acre farm in Hawkins, has tent campsites as well as several cabins and a fully furnished teepee, which can comfortably sleep six. “We just wanted something unique,” said Mike Maxson, who owns the farm with his wife, Vicki. “We have weddings, we have music events. We even have a camp meeting every October, which is a three-day Christian outdoor event. People come from all over to spend a few days here.” The teepee, which is 20 feet in diameter, has a carpeted floor, a queen-sized bed and two queen-sized futons, along with several bedside tables.
continued on pg. 14 mycharmonline.com 13
campfire area at red barn house retreat
Pond and paddle boat at red barn house retreat
“So it’s not like rough camping, but it’s camping,” Mike said.
With a rustic outdoor amphitheater, picnic tables and
“We book it quite often, even in the heat. In summertime, we
campsites, Music Springs attracts weekend campers, newlyweds
have big fans and stuff like that so it makes the heat a little more bearable. It’s a unique experience and it’s pretty nice even when it’s hot.” The teepee and cabins are nestled in the trees, which provide
and families at all times of year. Mike and Vicki only recently started listing Music Springs on Glamping Hub, but hope to attract more glampers as the teepee gains popularity.
a shady canopy over the area. An on-site restroom facility, showers
“We may add more teepees in the future, but right now we’re
and outdoor kitchen offer a clean and convenient place to rinse
thinking about adding something that’s become real popular,”
off or cook some food after a day of outdoor play.
Mike said. “We’re considering trying to find some of those farm-
“The best time for camping around in this part of the country is from October all the way through May, through the winter months,” Mike said. “Our winters are normally pretty mild so camping is much more preferable during that time, but there’s
style grain bins and convert them into cabins. We haven’t done that yet but we’re in the process.” For those interested in taking an outdoor vacation complete
still people in the summertime that like camping and want to stay
with the luxuries of everyday life, glamping might be the ticket to
in the teepee.”
rest and relaxation. C
14 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
Extraordinary...Yet Simply Perfect Make any event an occasion with
Perfect Catering Luncheons Social Events Private Parties Weddings Birthdays Corporate Functions
Serving All of East Texas 903 . 236 . 2895
PerfectCateringOnline.com
Custom menus Hand Crafted Cuisine Premier Full Service Event Planning & Coordination mycharmonline.com 15
Shop this! Open Road
Tsovet $200 HURWITZ
Harley-Davidson Cora Mesh & Leather Gloves $55 ROUGHNECK HARLEY
Tsovet $400 HURWITZ
Harley-Davidson Hat $21 ROUGHNECK HARLEY
Randolph Sunglasses $300 HURWITZ
Tom Ford Cologne $110 HURWITZ
Trafalgar Exotic Wallet $550 HURWITZ
Salvatore Ferragamo Wallet $350 HURWITZ
16 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
CHARM / VIEW Cover Reveal Party
?
Countdown to the Holidays
Thursday October 12th 5-7 p.m. @
Get a Sneak Peek at the Cover of the Next Charm/View Magazine
HEALTHCARE EXPRESS
GREAT FOOD AND BEVERAGES DOOR PRIZES FUN
1509 E. Loop 281
Sponsors
Hosting a kitchen full of friends & family soon?
Let us wow them for you!
Granite Planet
707 Gilmer Rd •Longview, TX CALL TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!
903.759.4726
Med Spa Call to make an appointment (903) 757-2955 Dr. Alyn Hatter 1515 Judson Rd., Longview, TX
mycharmonline.com 17
F EATURE
WOMEN in business: NINA SISK
Roughneck Harley-Davidson Words by MEREDITH SHAMBURGER | Photo by CHRIS LOZANO
T
he only reliable, unchanging parts
“I think it’s a starting point,” she said. “We’ve
of Nina Sisk’s job as a motorcycle
been going into automotive and everything
technician are the times when she
else, why not go into motorcycles? We love
“So I finished up my diploma in accounting
gets into work in the morning and leaves to go
the freedom of the open road just as much as
and spent my summer working two jobs to
home at night.
everyone else. I think it’s just a period of time
where I could move my butt to Arizona and go to
before it really catches up.”
(the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute),” she said.
Everything else is up in the air — and that’s
because she had figured out accounting wasn’t for her. It was a little stale.
To earn master certification, working
Nina met her husband there, and eventually
“It’s a challenge; it’s something new every
technicians have to undergo years of schooling
their work took them to Texas and Roughneck
day,” Nina said. “You don’t know what you’re
and tests. The advancement program is designed
going to get, whether it’s going to be electrical
to make sure that each master technician knows
problems, some noise in the motor. It’s a lot of
every in and out of Harley-Davidson motorcycles,
critical thinking and you’re on time restraints
from the electrical system to the engine.
how she likes it.
because people want their motorcycles. They
Nina first started out tinkering with Harley-
don’t want to be without them, and I don’t
Davidson motorcycles when she was going
blame them. So it’s playing all that that gets you
to school to become an accountant. Her dad,
involved in it. The more puzzling it is, the more
who had taught her to ride when she was 16,
exciting it is because it’s always going to be new,
bought an old Ironhead Sportster and planned
going to be different.”
to rebuild it.
Nina works at Roughneck Harley-Davidson
“He showed me a little bit, worked with
in Longview. And, as far as anyone can tell
me on it, had me tinkering and that started it,”
(because there’s not a definitive tracking of
Nina said.
everyone’s gender when they go through the
That’s when she knew she wanted to learn
schooling), she’s one of a handful of female Level
more about motorcycles and that she wanted to
5 Master Technicians for Harley-Davidson
work on them.
motorcycles in the country.
Harley in Longview. She’s been working there for 11 years — 10 of which were spent working toward her master technician status. “For us, between the old management and the newer one, between the two it’s taken us a little longer than some, but that’s OK,” Nina said of her’s and her husband’s certificates. “We’ve got the life experience compared to the school experience, and everybody knows that the life experience is going to give you a lot more indepth training.” Looking back, she said she’s glad she made the switch to motorcycles. In addition to finding a career that suits her, Nina said it’s helped her become more outgoing. “I wanted to be that person,” she said. “I wanted to be outgoing and all that, and that
It was the challenge, her love of riding
was my push. That was ... I’m going to ride this
That’s something she feels is going to change
motorcycles and nostalgia for Harley-Davidson
motorcycle. This is the most craziest, scariest
just because so many women already love to
that ultimately persuaded Nina to change her
thing I’ve ever done in my life. And I pushed
ride motorcycles.
career goals. That was OK though, she said,
myself to do it, and that’s why I did it.” C
18 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
Be a part of the
Rockers, Riders & Ribs
ANNUAL
excel utility construction inc.
Motorcycle & Music Festival Burnout free Fire contest 2 enter Show Featuring $1,500 prize And Torch new back tire for the winner!
globe of death
Bike Show And Soundoff
Rockin’
dyno drags
free
excel utility construction inc.
Car And
Truck
Show
utility construction inc.
Rib $1,000 Run winnings in
skills
2 enter
Over $5,000 in prizes! excel
test your
ridin’ the Pines
ride to Auntie Skinner’s Riverboat Club Restaurant
PRESENTED BY
Demo
Truck
biker free games 2 enter
Take a
Demo Ride on Harley’s Newest models
win prizes And trophies
OCTOBER 21
ST
SATURDAY 12:00 pm - 11:30 pm
downtown Longview, tx
Order your tickets @ www.RockersRidersRibs.com
Sponsored by excel utility construction inc.
the Ribs Cookoff
Yes, there will be Sampling! APPEARING ON THE
MUSIC STAGES
MAIN EVENT White Trash Wannabees The Hootz • Brandon Giles Louisiana Swamp Donky • Lance Lopez
kentucky headhunters edgar winter Band And
FOGHAT
GET READY TO
ROCK NEW 2017 RAM 1500
AT THE
STAGE AT
PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRIS LOZANO
@PETERSLONGVIEW
FASHION
y overall bold and edg a e ir u q c a ing to If you're look d fashion biker-inspire se e th n e th appearance, us and eling rebellio fe u o y e v a h finitely styles will de open road. ready for the RIS LOZANO
Photos by CH
22 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
C
c i h C Shirt, Joseph Ribkoff - $195; Hurwitz Necklace, Gorjana - $110 ; Hurwitz White Pants – West Avenue
mycharmonline.com 23
Harley-Davidson Trademark Burnout, $55; Roughneck Harley Harley-Davidson Miss Enthusiast Soft Shell Jacket, $110; Roughneck Harley Black Pants, Elizabeth, $145; Hurwitz
Black Suede Dress, Z Supply – $52; Hurwitz Black Pull-on Boot, Wolverine - $275 Hurwitz White Silver Bracelet, Illian Julius - $335 Hurwitz
24 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
American Flag Entro Shirt, $35; Hurwitz Black Pants, Elizabeth, $145; Hurwitz
mycharmonline.com 25
S CHOOL
FAUX PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR FALL
pumpkins, which are made of a type of foam material. They last through the entire fall season and can be reused year to year. They can be painted, glittered, glued – even carved, he said. Available in a variety of sizes, they also avoid the mess of pumpkins off the vine, he said. The decision to use faux pumpkins is because people “want it
Words by JO LEE FERGUSON
T
he pumpkin’s traditional fall seat on the front porch is being crowded out by a versatile and enduring decoration: its adopted cousin, the faux pumpkin.
to last longer because they do get expensive,” Dylan said. Still, some of the methods people use to decorate with faux pumpkins can be applied to real pumpkins as well. One popular decoration starts with an urn, which can be used to hold seasonal decorations year-round. Dylan said people will
Dylan Palmer, head designer at Ellis Home and Garden
take pumpkins – fake or real – of decreasing size and stack them
in Longview, said more and more people are turning to fake
in the urn, like a topiary. A dowel rod through the faux pumpkins
26 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
assures they stay in place. Then, fall foliage or grapevines can be wrapped around the urn and pumpkins. Real pumpkins that are stacked this way, uncarved and protected under a front porch, will last all the way through Thanksgiving, Dylan said. “The topiary one is by the far the most popular,” of different ways people are decorating around their front doors or fireplaces, he said. Faux pumpkins can be spray painted different colors from year
Inside the house, place a bowl of small, real or faux pumpkins on a table. Paint the pumpkins gold, for instance, and decorate them with fall leaves or antlers from a craft store.
to year. Poke holes in them and illuminate them with lights at night. Paint home address numbers on them. To make a big Halloween statement, Dylan suggested making an archway out of carved, faux pumpkins to station around the entrance to your home. Use PVC pipe to create an arch. Place rebars in the ground and place the PVC pipe over it, so the arch is anchored into the ground. Carve faces in the pumpkins and attach them with craft wire to the arch. Finish out the arch with lights or garlands of fall leaves. Inside the house, place a bowl of small, real or faux pumpkins on a table. Paint the pumpkins gold, for instance, and decorate them with fall leaves or antlers from a craft store. Dylan also offered a suggestion for taking Halloween decorations further off the traditional map: Use a pineapple. Cut off the top, clean out the inside and cut a face into the pineapple. Return the top. “It makes an awesome Jack-O’-lantern,” he said. C
An idea to take Halloween decorations off the traditional map is to use a pineapple.
FLOOD DAMAGE CLEAN UP 24 hour emergency flood service
VOTED “BEST OF EAST TEXAS” Excellent Interior Cleaning Services!
903.212.9090 • Floor-Medic.com mycharmonline.com 27
F EATURE
s Violating Child Labor Law
g in t n e r a P f o s k r e P & Other Words by APRILL BRAND ON Illustrations by MICHELLE LAVERELL
I
don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I’m guessing it has something to do with a mother’s natural inclination to try to do everything herself. Oh sure, it’s hard to juggle 37 things at once
“What, Mommy?” he said, looking up at me with those big, liquid, beautiful, trusting, brown eyes. “Can you put this ketchup and butter on the table for me?”
by yourself. But it can often be harder to ask someone to jump in and
“Oh! Sure, Mommy!”
match your exact rhythm to help you keep all those balls in the air.
And off he ran to do my bidding, his little feet pitter-pattering and a
Mom: I need help! Random family member: Sure. What can I do to… Mom: AH! WHY DID YOU LET ALL THOSE BALLS DROP!?! Random family member: *lying on floor, dazed* Because you just threw 18 things at me in rapid succession. Mom: Never mind! I’ll do it all myself! *murmurs what sounds suspiciously like curse words under her breath*
giant smile on his face. But that’s not the best part. Oh, no. Because the best part is he came BACK. And asked “what else, Mommy?” “Holy crap,” I thought to myself. “How have I not thought of this before? Children are just glorified servants. I can make him help me … Sweet patron saint of stressed out mothers, I can pretty much make him do anything. FOR I AM HIS MAKER!”
But after the 2,091st time cooking breakfast while trying to set the
And so, after suppressing what can only be described as an evil laugh,
table while constantly herding small children and animals and toys
I handed him the plates. And then the silverware. And the napkins. And
while on a tight timetable, I finally realized something had to give. And
the baby’s bowl of gross, healthy mush. And our grown-up platters of
that’s when I had my epiphany.
unhealthy carbs and animal lard.
“Riker, come here, please!” I hollered to my 3-year-old from over the baby gate that separates the kitchen from the dining room. 28 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
And just like that, my child set the table. I was so happy I could have cried (if I still felt any emotion other than “tired”).
me … Sweet patron lp he him e ak m n ca I . ts g. d servan Children are just gloriftiem much make him do anythin ty et pr n ca I , rs he ot saint of stressed ou
! R E K A M IS H M A FOR I
Of course, don’t get the wrong idea. We aren’t “those” parents or anything. My husband and I make our son pick up his toys every night before bed (which requires heavy supervision) and we ask him to get the occasional diaper for his sister (which occasionally results in him
throughout all of history, there is evidence that every civilization exploited their kids for labor. Viking mom: Ragnar! Come help me put this decapitated head on a pike! Roman Empire mom: Remus! Come help clean up all this
actually getting us a diaper for his sister). We are firmly in the “kids should clean and do chores” camp. I enjoyed my childhood, despite being forced to vacuum the world’s
Caesar blood before it stains! 1920s flapper mom: Ricky! It’s your turn to stir the bathtub gin!
ugliest carpet with the world’s most ancient and heavy vacuum cleaner.
But although this is new territory to me, I’m quickly getting the hang
And don’t get my husband started on his childhood job of delivering
of it. Now when he spills something, I make HIM clean it up (and then
newspapers, which involves a story where he fell asleep under a tree
clean it up after he cleans it up because he’s 3 and awful – just terrible –
during a snowstorm but, by God, everyone got their paper that day. And
at it). When I dust, he gets a dust rag, too, now (as does his baby sister
yes, it was uphill and 17 miles.
because fair is fair and she likes chewing on it). And just yesterday, he helped me fold (throw) laundry into a giant pile and sweep (hit his
Barefoot.
father with a Swiffer) the house.
However, the concept of making my toddler do things
It’s enough to make me wonder if we should maybe
that are actually helpful and not just things so he doesn’t
have more kids.
grow up to be a horrible, entitled brat? That hadn’t
HAHAHAHAHA!
occurred to me until that very moment.
Just kidding. I’d sell a kid before deciding to make
Admittedly, it is strange it took me this long to piece it together. America is a country built pretty much
another one. But this has opened my eyes to a whole
on the concept of people having kids JUST SO
new world of opportunities.
they would have help on the farm. Or with the
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy a power
family business. Or to bump up ratings on their
washer and some duct tape to attach my toddler’s hands
reality TV show. In fact, I bet if you go back
to it because our porch is looking pretty dingy. C
APPEARING ON THE
Wh
The Hootz • Brandon ite Trash Wannabees •
p Donky • Lance Lopez
Giles • Louisiana Swam
r winter Band y headhunters • edga
kentuck
LONGVIEW TEXAS
Presented By:
STAGE
Sponsored by excel utility construction inc.
And
foghat
OCTOBER 21ST, 2017 SATURDAY
downtown Longview, tx
Follow Us
Order your tickets @
www.RockersRidersRibs.com mycharmonline.com 29
PICTURE
This!
CHARM/VIEW
COVER REVEAL PARTY
MOLLY MCWHORTER
LONGVIEW | EXCEL ER | 6/15/2017 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO
JORDAN JACKSON, SCOTT TURNER
There was a great turnout at the third Charm/View Cover Reveal party June 15, hosted at and sponsored by Excel ER on Loop 281 in Longview. More than 40 people attended to get a sneak peek of the July/August covers of Charm and View. The event was catered by Perfect Catering and door prizes were awarded. “All of our guests enjoyed wonderful hors d’oeuvres
MEGHAN POWELL, LORI VALENTI, AMY BARTON, THEA FURTNEY
and celebratory cocktails, graciously provided by the ‘Charm’ staff. Many guests were delighted to win great door prizes!” Dr. Suzy Meek said. “Excel ER would like to thank the ‘Charm/View’ magazine staff for making our event a huge success and so easy to host! They took great care of us.” The next Cover Reveal Party is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12. It will be hosted by HealthCARE Express at 1509 W. Loop 281 in Longview and sponsored by Excel ER. Catering will be provided by Perfect Catering and door prizes will be awarded throughout the evening. For businesses interested in either hosting or sponsoring a future cover reveal party, contact Gai Bennett, event coordinator, at (903) 232-7206 or email her at gbennett@news-journal.com. 30 CHARM | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R
KIM PILGRIM, JOANNA BURROWS, PHYLLIS LOMAX