Piney Woods Live – July 2014 by Piney Woods Live Magazine

priceless -– take one

Live

July 2014

EXCLUSIVE

Interview with Lindale’s own

MARGO DEWKETT SAFE HAVEN EQUINE RESCUE ... and much more!

Se Habla Espa単ol

JULY 11TH & 12 2TH

Jefferson in JJULY ULY 3, 4, 5 Opera House Theatre Players Presents

Cheaper by the Dozen

jeffersonoperahousetheatreplayers.com

JULY 4TH 4th of July Celebration

visitjeffersontexas.com

JULY 25-26 Jefferson Railway Salutes National Day of the Cowboy jeffersonrailway.com

JULY 25 - AUG 16 Theatre Festival Texas Sounds Internatonal Country Music Awards etxpa.org

50% String Tag Price + an additional discount equal to any sales tax you are normally charged. Longview 4024 US 259 North 663-8881

Henderson 505 Highway 79 657-3297

Jacksonville 1638 S. Jackson 586-3339

July 2014 - Page 2

Kilgore 108 Midtown Plaza 983-3770

Palestine 1006 E. Palestine Ave 723-2121

Tyler 620 S. SE Loop 323 593-9884

Mt. Pleasant 302 W 1st 572-1821

Gilmer 1013 US 271 North 843-2016

Marshall 1201 E Grand Avenue 923-9242

COMING UP!

Jefferson Flea Market 1st & 3rd Weekend Every Month Civil War Symposium - Aug. 9 Gun & Knife Show - Aug. 23 & 24

VisitJeffersonTexas.com VisitJeffersonTexas@gmail.com | 903-665-3733 PineyWoodsLive.com

“A Artt iss defi fine ed as a p pro rodu d ct du c of de delibe era ate ely ging ele ements in a wa ay th hat appea e lss to arrrang the e sen nsess orr em motions ns. Pin ns neyy Woo ods Livve is an n exp xpresssio on of the h com omm mun nity ty it serr ve es.”

MIRANDA LAMBERT by Barry Rogers

From her new album Platinum to her dog rescue efforts with MuttNation, Miranda Lambert is making not only headlines for the music scene, but for her efforts in saving our furry friends’ lives as well.

ABOUT THE CO ABOUT COVER... OVER... Lindale’s very own Miranda Lambert graces Piney Woods Live cover this month for her “petitarian” efforts and her tremendous talent in the music field. She has made East Texas proud! Cover Photo by Randee Ra and ndee S St. t. N Nicholas ich ic hola ho las s

Pet P Pet Portraits orttraits by Claudia Lowery

Safe H Safe Haven aven

Margo Dewkett Margo Dewkett

DogStyl DogStyle tyle

Fashion F ashio ion D Designer: esigner: Tip Tippi ppi o off T Tyler yler

by Ben Valencia

by Jacob J. Mauldin

by Andrea Johnson

by Jan Statman

Wildlife W ildli life & Nature Fr From rom aP Photographer’s hotographer’s Heart He eart by Suzanne Warren

Artiistt’s Ar sW Wor orlld d by Jan Statman

PineyWoodsLive.com

Cent nter er S Sta tag ta ge Cuis isin ine

The “B Th B” Si Sd de e of Musicc

by Claudia Lowery

by Randy Brown

Bleed Th Bleed The he Rain

Summer C Summer Crafts rafts for Kids Kiids

Pin Piney ney Woods Woods Scene Wo

by Jeremy G. Butler

by Jan Statman

by Andrea Johnson

July 2014 - Page 3

Editor’s

Note

Being a part of this magazine is always eventful. Turning our ideas into articles and photos and watching them come to life on the pages is like watching a Disney movie full of magic and wonder. Lindale’s very own Miranda Lambert graces our cover with her own magical facade as we take you on an exclusive interview with the country music star and her passion and love for animals. Being a huge fan of hers, I would have been overjoyed to meet her in the interview process, but one day hopefully I will get to. There’s nothing like getting fired up when you hear her sing with the Pistol Annie’s “Hell on Heels.” Another song of hers that really touches my heart is “The House That Built Me.” Listening to that song reminds me of my childhood days growing up and all the lessons I learned and happy times in our home. Miranda definitley has a way with words and knows how to emotionally involve her fans. One day I believe she’ll be the Queen of Country Music. Next up we follow two artist’s, Virgina Savoldi and Carol Pace, who create lasting memories of pets. Staff writer Claudia Lowery takes us on a question and answer journey to find out just how much these two talented women have to offer. And we didn’t forget about the horses. How could we? We do live in East Texas after all. Margo Dewkett, founder of Windridge Equestrian Center, brings her memories to the table in an interview with our very own Jacob J. Mauldin. I had the pleasure of speaking with Safe Haven’s Executive Director Richard Fincher, who told me all about the healing facillity and how they save abused and neglected horses. You’ll find that in this issue as well. Advertising Director Suzanne Warren also shares her love for photographing wildlife and nature in a memoir of past photos she’s taken. I would like to take the time to introduce two of our newest additions to the Piney Wood Live writing family Jacob J. Mauldin and Barry Rogers. Mauldin is a screenwriter who graduated from the University of Texas’ School of Communications in 2000, concentrating his studies in Radio, Television and Film. During his decade in Los Angeles, he and a writing partner, Collyn McCoy, sold Millenium Entertainment a pitch for Undisputed III, the third installment in Walter Hill’s series, which is currently streaming Netflix, and an as yet unproduced comedy called The High Life, optioned by Rush Hour and Horrible Bosses producer Jay Stern and his company, Route One Films. Most recently, he penned a rewrite of Bigfoot Wars for Edgen Films and Origin Releasing, which shot the summer of 2013 right here in the piney woods of East Texas, release date currently unannounced. He is influenced by the writing of Stephen King, Chuck Klosterman, David Foster Wallace, Rod Serling, Richard Matheson, Garth Ennis, Joss Whedon, C.S. Lewis, Jack London and the Texan legend who created Conan, Robert E. Howard. Other accolades in his life include participation in Longview High School’s 1992 5A basketball state championship, National Merit Scholarship and an XBox gamer score of over 65,000 points. Rogers, also one of our latest writers, has done numerous celebrity interviews, and he’s always looking for that next great story. In fact, Barry is currently working with Hollywood actress Ruta Lee on her autobiography. Along with writing, Barry also runs his own p.r. and marketing business out of the DFW area. He works with a wide range of clients, including authors, business coaches, national and international companies. His work includes everything from writing press releases, booking media interviews, media coaching, along with producing online company videos. Barry started his career out as a deejay at what was once known as KWNS 104.9 FM in Winnsboro, Texas. He later went on to work at what was known as K101 100.7 FM in Mt. Pleasant, and then KNUE 101.5 in Tyler. After graduating from Texas A & M in Commerce, Barry went to work in television in Dallas as production assistant and later a producer. His career eventually took him to California where he did marketing for motivational speakers. But, it was in Los Angeles that he became an online video spokesperson for various companies. His videos now have well over 500,000 views. Barry was raised in East Texas, where most all of his family still lives. He returns often to visit. For more information, you can visit his website at waynepr.com Jam packed with furry four-legged creatures, we are all about pets this issue. We’ve gathered up some cute fashion for your doggies! Sit back and relax. We’ve got hold of the reigns, you just enjoy the ride! His career eventually took him to California where he did marketing for motivational speakers. But, it was in Los Angeles that he became an online video spokesperson for various companies. His videos now have well over 500,000 views. Barry was raised in East Texas, where most all of his family still lives. He returns often to visit. For more information, you can visit his website at waynepr.com We are proud to have both Mauldin and Rogers on our team. This issue is jam packed with furry four-legged creatures. We are all about pets this issue! We’ve gathered up some cute fashion for your doggies too! Sit back and relax. We’ve got hold of the reigns, you just enjoy the ride!

Ben Valencia

Managing Editor | Piney Woods Live July 2014 - Page 4

STAFF Publishers / Editors Tracy Evans & Gary Krell Managiing Editor Ben Valencia Publicist Andrea Johnson Advertising Directtor Suzanne Warren Contributing Writers Randy Brown, Jacob J. Mauldin, Suzanne Warren Claudia Lowery, Jan Statman, Ben Valencia, Barry Rogers Graphic Artists Jeremiah Shepherd, Joni Guess, Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson Sales Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson,Carolee Chandler, Cookie Bias, Lori Martin, Shea Vogel, Tracy Stopani

www.facebook.com/PineyWoodsLive

903.758.6900

100 W Hawkins Pkwy Suite C | Longview , Texas 75605 PineyWoodsLive.com

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

SUPPORTS EAST TEXAS MUSIC We ﬁnance our own cars with no credit checks. 1304 W. Marshall Ave. Longview, TX 75605 | 903-295-1877 PineyWoodsLive.com

July 2014 - Page 5

Portraits Carol Pace

Virginia Savoldi

Wow … I mean Bow Wow!!! Treating the family pet like a true member of the family didn’t just begin with Paris Hilton toting a chihuahua in her designer handbag. Green Acres sitcom’s Arnold the Pig was a true Ziffel, a pig who had all the rights and privileges of a deserving son. Going back in history, pet portraits have been found in Spanish caves, Egyptian tombs, and in royal family castles. When a pet becomes part of the family today sharing vacations, beds, and table scraps, it’s hard not to snap an Instagram photo of their funny tricks and more cuddly moments. I actually know someone who has a pet lemur whose antics are befitting a Hollywood comedy … those bug eyes and that long, ringed tail are just too much! But a photo may only capture a moment in time. Where can an owner turn to find that perfect creation that expresses all their

Artwork by Carol Pace

by Claudia Lowery

personality, loyalty, and true blue loving friendship shared with mere humans? One direction is to find an artist specializing in pet portraits. More and more artists are trying their hand at this specific field of artistry with amazing results. I interviewed two east Texas artists, Carol Pace and Virginia Savoldi, who’ve become known not only for their other work, but for their unique pet portraits immortalizing an honored family member. Compare and contrast their journey and experience as both artists respond to identical questions. How long have you been creating art? Tell me a little about your artistic journey.

Carol Pace: I was young when I realized that I wanted to create art. I joined The Hot Springs Art League when I was only 12 years old. The other members were all adults, but they treated me as an equal. I started taking classes

when I was 13 and was exhibiting when I was 14. I was encouraged by my parents to follow my dreams to continue as I went off to the Memphis Art Academy after high school. I studied commercial art there and then married and moved to Marshall, Texas, where I worked at the News Messenger and later became the advertising manager for Joe Weisman and Co. After many jobs while raising my family, I now have a studio in my home where I can create at all hours of the day or night. I love the variety of work I can do by having my studio here.

Virginia Savoldi:

I think I’ve been creating art since I was a little girl. I always liked to draw, doodle, create. My artistic journey has always seemed to be stymied. First by school – being compared by the teachers to “better” artists in the class, then by other artists – downing my techniques, not being at all supportive, but mostly by the voice in my own head always telling me I’m not good enough. Finally, after a number of hits, I took in life – deaths of loved ones, having most of my organs removed, and the garbage life throws at you – I got very angry and started to paint the anger out of me using lots of red, bleeding breasts, frightening self-portraits. Then one day the anger was out, and I started painting nice again. Do you remember your first pet portrait? Tell me about the owner’s reaction and how you felt about it.

Carol: I have been doing pet por-

Artwork by Virginia Savoldi July 2014 - Page 6

traits so long that I am not sure I remember the first one. But there are many that stand out in my mind. One of the first was my brother-in-law’s hunting dog, a beautiful pointer. He gave me a photo to go by, and it almost painted itself. Soon after I finished it, the dog got caught in a barbed wire fence and scarred his face. He was so thankful to have the painting, and even to-

day, it is one of his favorite things on his wall. I was very proud of it and consider it one of my best.

Virginia:

Yes. The first pet portrait was of one of my sister Mary’s Irish setters. I think it was Stella. I was especially broke and couldn’t afford to send her a good present for her birthday, so I found a photo and painted Stella sleeping in her “daddy’s” chair.

What mediums have you used and what is your preference?

Carol: Over the years I have used many mediums: oils, pastels, acrylics, and more, but my all time favorite is watercolors. They let me express myself in bold colors with great character, and I never know just what surprises will occur. Virginia: I have used a number of mediums from oil on canvas to clay and even Sculpty, but I prefer to use oil on canvas. Do you prefer to photo the pet yourself or have the owner provide photos for you?

Carol: I don’t mind doing the photos of the pet but most of my customers send me their photos by email. It often is their favorite photo and many times the pet is no longer living! I always ask them to provide several different ones. I like to have a close-up of the face, a good one of the coloring, and one that shows the full body, unless they just want the face done. I once had a customer who wanted me to bond with the dog, so they brought him from Shreveport to my studio. Another one asked me to do their iguana but wanted him to pose for the portrait while I painted it. That one didn’t get done! Virginia: I use pet photos. I would rather have the owner supply me with a photo, mainly because I’m the world’s worst photographer. I’m the one who always cuts off the top of a person’s head or puts my thumb in front of the lens. Sometimes I do try to get my own pets to sit for me, but they don’t respect my talent as a true “arteest” and run off. PineyWoodsLive.com

Artwork by Virginia Savoldi

What specific challenges do you face when creating a commissioned pet portrait?

Carol: The biggest challenge is trying to paint from bad photos … mostly when the pet is not living. Dark colored animals are harder to paint because the values are harder to capture. Shorthaired animals are harder to paint also. The texture is harder to capture.

Virginia:

The challenges usually are trying to get good photos of pets. I try to be specific with owners that I need one really good head shot and their idea of a good photo and one where I can see all the features I need often aren’t one and the same. If possible, I do like to meet the pet so I can get a feel for his or her personality.

Tell me a little about your most difficult, most memorable, and funniest pet portraits.

Carol: I had only one pet that I had to paint over because the customer was not happy. I did it again and she loved it. One of the most memorable was for a Longview couple that had two beautiful greyhounds who died. They had worn the most beautiful collars, and I brought the collars to the studio so I could get them just right. It was one of my favorites to do, and the owners were so pleased. I later did a portrait of their son’s dog. I guess the funniest one was the yellow dog that I donated to the Pet Place. He is a bright yellow lab with one red ear and one red leg. I often like to choose colors that are not real but imply fun and humor! They have gotten lots of comments on this and enjoy having him in their office. He also shows his green tongue just for fun!

Virginia:

I think the most difficult portraits were two memorial portraits I painted for friends. One was Tigger for my friend Susan and the other was of Jorja for my friend Daisy. The difficult part was in wanting to capture the spirit of the doggies for their owners and making PineyWoodsLive.com

sure it was a good likeness that would bring the owners a happy remembrance. Both the portraits turned out good, and the owners were so happy, but I put myself through a lot of angst trying to get it just right. My most memorable is also the funniest one. It was of a dog whose owner was a Cubbies fan. So, I painted the dog in a Cubbies uniform in front of the Wrigley Field sign. It was just so quirky and funny. Plus, I had to find pictures of Chicago Cubs uniforms and a good picture of the Wrigley Field sign. Thank goodness for the internet. Beyond doing a good likeness, what is a goal you reach for when doing a portrait? (ie, personality, mood, etc.)

Carol: I like trying to make the animal with a happy face – almost smiling if possible. I want it to have colors that fit the personality of the animal. Often the customer will suggest one color to include so that it fits the spot it will be hanging. Of course, I want it to be a good likeness, but most of all, I want it to remind the owner of good times. Virginia: My goal is to really capture what the pet is all about. I want to capture his or her personality, spirit, soul as well as painting a picture that even remotely resembles the animal. Plus, I want the owner to be happy with the painting, that it makes them smile and makes them happy like their pet does.

Owners can be as sensitive about pets as they are their own children. What should owners realistically expect from the artist’s creation?

Carol: They should be aware of the artist’s style and contract with an artist they like. This gets them on the right track, and then they should trust the artist to do the best job they can. The artist needs to have a little creative license because they know how to make the pet look their best. The more freedom you give to the artist, the better the painting will turn out. Virginia: For me, I would hope that the owner would understand that my paintings aren’t photorealism and that I am trying to capture a depiction of their pet. Sometimes, the painting turns out more cute than realistic, and I worry the owner won’t be happy with it. But pets are funny and cute and entertaining. And since I paint in oil, it takes time for the paint to dry. It takes a few weeks to get a painting finished and dry and ready to go. So be patient. Are you a pet owner, involved in any animal/pet rescue organization, or is there any other information you’d like to share?

Carol: I have always been a pet owner and all of my children have pets. My youngest daughter has five dogs and two cats, all rescued and wellloved. My oldest daughter rescued an abused dog, and he is so grateful to be in a home where he is loved! My other daughter has a dog she treats like a baby. Our family is full of special pets including my 14-year-old schnauzer who gets gumdrops for treats. We save all our soda cans for the Pet Place here in Marshall, which they return to buy pet food.

Virginia: I love animals. I work with Partnership for Pets of East Texas, an all breed rescue group. Right now, I have 10 dogs at my house, and yes, they do live in the house, and yes, my house is trashed. But once they chewed up the antiques and ate my Chanel flats, I embraced the philosophy of non-attachment or how the Buddhists see the transience of all things. That sounds good, but actually if you are trying to save animals’ lives, you kind of give up on ever having a clean house or nice furniture and just try to not get busted for a toxic waste dump. Would you share your contact information for anyone interested in commissions and anything else you’d like our readers to know?

Carol: Carol Pace, 410 East Carolanne, Marshall, Texas 75672. Call for more information at 903-926-6250 or email me at ccpace3838@yahoo.com. There are many sizes to choose from, and they are priced from $100. Virginia: If people are interested in my paintings, feel free to call me at 903-806-4095, e-mail me at savoldivirginia@yahoo.com. I always have some paintings on display where I work at Pepper Tree Park Salon, 106 Skyline Dr. in Longview. The salon’s number is 903234-8288. I’m a massage therapist, so if I’m in session, leave a message or come in and look at the paintings in the lobby. Just tell SeSe, the receptionist, to show them to you. So, snag a few personality shots of Spike, put Chairman Meow in a glamorous pose, or perch Polly on your shoulder for a photo op that an artist can turn into a cherished family portrait. Remembering the love they gave unconditionally will be a constant reminder of how we should live day by day.

What makes a good pose or setting when you’re planning your composition?

Carol: I am not sure there is a special pose or setting for all. I put the animal in a natural setting for them and sometimes I like just sitting them on a base with a nice shadow to keep them the focus. I just use my best judgment unless the owner is specific. Virginia: I’ve always been drawn to the classic “icon” style of portrait painting, with the face of the subject centered in the middle of the canvas. I like to use that with my pet portraits, with a very plain background. That’s why I like to get a good head shot photo. But then if I get a photo with a great background, I’ll try to recreate that. I recently painted a picture of my sister’s Seana Rose up in a tree, because Seana could climb trees.

Artwork by Carol Pace July 2014 - Page 7

2014

Summer A RTWORKS

5%*'&7.'

,70' C #7)756 CLASSES FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS View the summer schedule and register for classes on our website.

XXX ./(# 14)

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T MISS OUT ON THESE EXCITING EVENTS!

Grace Pettis IN CONCERT

,VNZ Ã&#x2122; 7 : 3 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9 : 3 0 P. M .

EAST TEXAS REGIONAL ARTISTS EXHIBIT OPENING

,VNZ Ã&#x2122; 7 : 0 0 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 9 : 0 0 P. M .

'HWDLO RI DQ LOOXVWUDWLRQ IURP *RRGQLJKW 5RVH &LW\ E\ /LQGVD\ %RRQH

Goodnight Rose City )HDWXULQJ RULJLQDO LOOXVWUDWLRQV IURP WKH -XQLRU /HDJXH RI 7\OHUÂ·V ERRN ZLWK SKRWRJUDSKV RI RXU EHORYHG FLW\

-XO\ Â² 2FWREHU 215 E. Tyler s Longview, Texas s 903.753.8103

W W W. L M FA . O R G

July 2014 - Page 8

7\OHU 0XVHXP RI $UW 6RXWK 0DKRQ $YH Ð¨ 7\OHU 7H[DV Ð¨ ZZZ W\OHUPXVHXP RUJ PineyWoodsLive.com

Handgun Classs VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY & LAW ENFORCEMENT, please call for your DISCOUNT RATE. Certiﬁed NRA Firearms Instructor

eagleeyeﬁrearmsusa@hotmail.com ﬁ @h il CHL CLASSES • FIREARMS TRAINING

Call us for your ﬁrearm needs!

% "+n )3 <<<

www.charlesevansmd.com

ARTIST LINE UP JIMMIE VAUGHN ANSON FUNDERBURGH COOL JOHN FERGUSON LURRIE BELL TRULY LYNN STEVE KRAUSE RICK DERRINGER EDDY CLEARWATER KENNY BOSS WAYNE CHRIS CAIN JOHN MCVEY TEXAS FLOOD ERIC GALES MATTHEW DAVIDSON PETERSON BROTHERS JIMMY WALLACE AND THE STRATOBLASTERS TYLER LENIUS BAND DAGNABBIT GLENN MCKENZIE BAND ALLY VENABLE BAND ALAN FOX BAND

Dr. Charles A. Evans M.D., Ph.D. To make an appointment, call (936) PineyWoodsLive.com

699-LIFE (5433) July 2014 - Page 9

Safe As time goes by, you start seeing that sparkle in their eyes and it makes you feel good.”

Haven by Ben Val Valencia

- Richard Fincher Safe Haven Equine Center can be considered a crown jewel among similar centers in East Texas whose goal is to rescue abused or neglected horses. The rescue home brings neglected horses back to health and then finds them loving homes. In some cases, horses, due to age or disability, will peacefully live out the rest of their lives at Safe Haven. Safe Haven began in 1999 with a woman named Ruth Meadows and her husband. The reins were later taken over by now executive director Richard Fincher, a pastor and a volunteer fireman, and his wife. “Ruth and her husband got down in health, “ Fincher said. “My wife was on the board of directors, so we decided to take it over, and we have had it for 10 years now.” Since the dynamic duo’s transition into taking over Safe Haven, Fincher says that they have rescued about 850 horses. “We work with all of the counties in East Texas as well as Dallas, Houston, Ft. Worth and sometimes Louisiana,” Fincher said. “We care for the well-being of these animals because they are one of God’s creatures. Man has domesticated the horse, so you have to care for them.” The process of saving these abused animals is not an easy task. “The county will call and let us know they are doing a seizure, and they ask if we would like to assist.” Fincher said. “This goes through the sheriff’s office, where they will serve a warrant and make the necessary arrests. Then we go in and save the horses. After the horses are loaded up, we then take them to the vet and get all their shots they need and complete an evaluation of the horse to present in court with a testimony. The horses are taken care of here at Safe Haven until they are at optimal health to be adopted.” Fincher said that people will sometimes call and tell him they have a horse that they need to give away. “These people are wanting to get rid of these horses for financial or other reasons,” Fincher said. “I keep a small database of those people and people who are wanting horses. I’ll match them up and get them together. We move a lot of horses that way.” Safe Haven receives no state or county funding. The non-profit organization relies on donations and fundraisers to feed and maintain their horses. July 2014 - Page 10

Safe Haven also participates in Bible schools and different day camps around the East Texas region. “We talk about the horses for about an hour,” Fincher said. “If it is a fairly good day, then we will take the horses with us and allow the kids to pet them and show them how we tack and saddle. Some of the camps and schools will do a drive called Pennies for the Horses, where they will collect pennies all year long or during camp and donate them to us for Safe Haven.” Besides participating in these summer camps and Bible school programs, Fincher says that Safe Haven also participates in Longview’s Fair, Dalton Days, a Girl Scouts weekend and rodeos. The public can also do other things to help these majestic creatures. “People can also sponsor a horse and send $10 to $20 a month to help with costs of taking care of the horses. Sometimes we will send letters to these sponsors about the horses and some pictures to let them know what is going on. Anything someone can donate will help us. Posts, fencing, cow or horse hay … we can use it. Right now we have a 400 foot fence we are going to have to replace soon,” Richard said. Fincher has an obvious passion for these four-legged, long mained creatures and he makes sure these animals are taken care of very well. “When they come in, they’re skinny, dull eyes and barely moving,” Fincher said. “As time goes by, you start seeing that sparkle in their eyes and it makes you feel good. We are strictly a healing facility. We are laid back and slow pace. We take care of the horses every day. Any volunteers that want to help in any way, especially with their time or helping out, give us a call. We’d love to have you. We also have horses in foster homes. Without these foster homes we wouldn’t be able to make it.” Adopting a horse from Safe Haven will cost $300, along with a few other things on the equine rescue’s checklist. “When someone wants to adopt one of our horses,” Fincher said, “we go to their place and check for shelter, good fencing, clean water, clean pasture, shade, grazing area. An acre to an acre and a half is sufficient for a horse. If approved, we will let the individual begin the adoption process.” Safe Haven Equine Rescue is located at 4994 FM 2088 in Gilmer, Texas. For information or other inquires, you can contact them at 903.762.1432. PineyWoodsLive.com

Visit Nacogdoches ... the perfect weekend getaway.

79,:,5;: 7

( *VTLK` ( 7SH` ( 4\ZPJHS ( 9L]P]HS

7KHDWUH /RQJYLHZ EULQJV PXVLF FRPHG\ WR (DVW 7H[DV ZLWK D VSHFLDO SURGXFWLRQ RI 6PRNH 2Q 7KH 0RXQWDLQ IHDWXULQJ WUDGLWLRQDO FRXQWU\ UHYLYDO DQG EOXHJUDVV PXVLF )VVR I`

*VUUPL 9H`

+PYLJ[LK I`

1VL` 3PUKZH`

*VUJLP]LK I`

(SHU )HPSL`

4\ZPJHS (YYHUNLTLU[Z I` 4PRL *YH]LY HUK 4HYR /HYK^PJR

(\N\Z[ 4 4 4 4

Newly Renovated 2013 Free Express Start Hot Breakfast Complimentary High Speed Internet

-YP :H[ ! 74 Â&#x2039; :\U 4H[PULL ! 74 .9(*, *96::05. 4,;/6+0:; */<9*/ > /H^RPUZ 7R^` Â&#x2039; 3VUN]PL^ ;?

7YLZLU[LK I` ZWLJPHS HYYHUNLTLU[ ^P[O :HT\LS -YLUJO 0UJ :[\KLU[Z :LUPVYZ

200 Holiday Lane Nacogdoches, TX 75964 Reservations

.,; @6<9 ;0*2,;: 56>

[PJRL[Z

.YV\WZ VM VY TVYL LH

(+=(5*, ;0*2,;:! ;OL *HTLYH :OVW /HSSTHYR .VSK *YV^U Â&#x2039; > 3VVW H[ 4J*HUU 9K Â&#x2039; VY 65305, H[ I\` [PJRL[Z[V[OLJP[` JVT :LY]PJL *OHYNL

)6? 6--0*, VWLUZ 1<3@ [O Â&#x2039;

1.877.410.6667

4VU -YP Â¶ HT WT Â&#x2039; :H[ Â¶ HT WT Â&#x2039; > /H^RPUZ 7R^`

7 6 )V_ Â&#x2039; 3VUN]PL^ ;? Â&#x2039; ^^^ [OLH[YLSVUN]PL^ JVT

V S HYHQHOTTER

/HW ENUSPDNH \RXU UMMER

TEX AS ADULT VIDEO & TOYS

PineyWoodsLive.com

ADULT ACCESSORIES

55 FRJ DRIVE, LONGVIEW, TX 75602 1907 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, KILGORE, TX 75662

903.758.3687 903.986.2090

Frj Dr..

Loop 281

Å¶

E. Marshall Ave. (Hwy. 80) Industrial Dr.

W W W.VENUSPLEASURES.COM

DVDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

E XCLUSIVE DEALS THROUGH FACEBOOK !

Frj Dr.

Å¶

BUY 1 DVD GET 1 FREE!

N. Eastman Rd. (Hwy. 259)

VENUS LINGERIE

L IK E VENUS L ONGVIEW ON

JULY HOT DEALS

E. Cotton St.

July 2014 - Page 11

PROFILE by Jacob J. Mauldin “It’s about what we can do, not what we can’t do,” Margo Dewkett told me. That seems to be the unofficial motto of the Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas. “Can’t never could do nothing,” she said grinning. Margo – she insisted I call her Margo, not Mrs. Dewkett – is almost always smiling. “We’re always working toward progress.” When I arrived at Windridge early in the morning, she was wandering around the front with her Great Pyrenees, Jake. It seemed like she was waiting for me, and she instantly made me feel welcome, like she was inviting me into her home and not her workplace. And that’s because her home is her work, and her work is her home. “We founded Windridge in 1988 on the property down by our house. We opened on March 6, 1989 with two students, and now we have between 98 and 120 a week,” Margo informed me while beginning the grand tour. Windridge provides treatment to anyone with any kind of disability whatsoever. No matter the age or the problem, Margo can use her horses to teach students coping mechanisms to increase their quality of life. “Everyone who rides with us either has a physical disability, cognitive disability or mental disorder. People dealing with depression, delinquency or addictions. We cover the gamut. We teach life skills, but everything’s built around our horses. The youngest who has ridden was eight months, and the oldest was 83. Age isn’t a factor here.” Since she has such a wide variety of students, Margo’s developed a wide variety of treatment methods. “Everything we do in class must provide therapy benefits, life skills, behavior modification and increased ability to communicate.” She led me to a row of cabinets filled with a myriad of teaching supplies and explained, “For instance, I can turn a child around backwards in the saddle and put shaving cream on the rear of the horse. Now it’s a tactile chalk board. We can do numbers, letters. Some children with disabilities don’t like to touch stuff, so this is a good way to teach them, like fingerpainting. Everything we do works toward what’s needed for the adult’s or child’s benefit. We put different colored clothespins up and down the horses mane and tell them, ‘Take the pink clothespins off,’ to help students develop fine motor skills. “When the person is on the horse and the animal moves forward, that movement manipulates their body as if they’re walking. So, the horse takes care of gross motor skills: equilibrium, joint flexibility, relaxation of spastic muscles, development of low or flaccid muscle tone. The instructor takes care of fine motor skills as well as educational or life skill needs. Buckling the saddle, for example. That teaches motor skills, but it also teaches patience. Everything we do addresses the skills a person needs in life. We don’t just focus on one area.” She was full of inspirational and funny anecdotes about her students. As we strolled around the arena, she told me about July 2014 - Page 12

an adult rider who made great strides in recovering from a stroke. “He rode for about 45 minutes one day, and everything went so well that when he dismounted and was back in his wheelchair, his wife quipped, ‘I think you can wash dishes tonight.’” She told me about another stroke victim whose goal was to stand up from his wheelchair and hug his wife. “Eighteen months later, he did.” Margo said, “It’s not about therapy, it’s about what you do about life. It’s about changing your attitude. Instead of parents or spouses saying, ‘Aw, we’ve got to go to the clinic for physical therapy,’ now it becomes, ‘It’s time to go ride the horse.’” This perspective makes a lot of sense to me. I’ve been pretty unathletic my whole life. When I want to try and get in better shape, I have to go torture myself at the gym. But my friend Rob goes and plays basketball. My friend Mann goes and rolls on the mat in his jiu-jitsu class. Unlike me, they don’t dread the activities that allow their physical self-improvement. And neither do Margo’s students. Margo showed me a few different trails around the arena and explained, “It’s great to be able to ride in the arena, but when our students gain more muscle, balance and confidence, we have more challenging areas to ride. There are trails throughout the woods on this property. Think about how many children with disabilities don’t get to go play in the woods. That’s one of their very favorite places to ride. “One of the children with Down Syndrome loved the movie, Mighty Joe Young, about a gorilla who lived in the woods. This child had never left her home, but she started waking up in the middle of the night and leaving their house to go into the woods and look for Mighty Joe. A lot of time, children with cognitive disabilities can’t separate fantasy from reality. When they see something on TV, to them, it can become real. “So I had a volunteer put on a gorilla suit and wait on the trails. We had to take the horse out there several times one week just to teach it not to be afraid of the ‘gorilla.’ She rode out there, and when she saw him, she gasped and said, “Look! There’s Mighty Joe Young!” So, we took her off the horse and explained that Mighty Joe is pretend. Mom and Dad are real. And – this is the part that just breaks your heart – that’s when the volunteer took off the mask. But she never left the house in the night again. She finally knew what make-believe meant.” There are placards decorating support beams all throughout the arena, memorials paid for by supporters of the cause to honor many of Margo’s past and current students. I asked Margo who Micah Johnson was, the name on the placard that first caught my eye, and she told me, “He started riding here when he was 10 months old. He’s severely disabled, and they said he wouldn’t live past five. Not too long ago, he celebrated his 21st birthday. They didn’t think he’d even be able to roll over in bed, but he rides horses weekly. Because of his condition, he has spotters who walk on either side of

him when he rides to maintain his stability, and he has someone lead because he’s incapable of guiding. But he sits very tall on the back of a horse. The people who donated the money for that naming opportunity had seen him here as a child and watched him grow and were so enamored with how hard he tried. They couldn’t get over how much effort he put into his therapy gains.” It’s not uncommon to see so many selfless donations. There are several placards honoring students rather than the person who put forward their money. Margo went on to say, “As a non-profit, East Texans take care of us. When you think of the women’s shelter, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, usually they receive state or federal funding to help with their budgeting. We don’t. Not that we couldn’t; we just don’t. We look for other ways to sustain this place because we’ve seen throughout the years, when government funding gets cut, non-profits close. We had a non-profit in the area helping unwed mothers, and they were in existence for 15 years. But when state funding was cut drastically in this area, they closed down. So we decided to figure out how to operate without state or federal funding. For our entire existence, East Texans have supported us. And when our parents realize that, they say, ‘So this is what my child means to my neighbor.’” It’s not just money that’s been donated. Many of the structures were built by different 4H Club members, Eagle Scout and Girl Scout troops, including an interesting piece, the ambulatory track. It’s kind of like a circular obstacle course, except the obstacles are different terrains like grass, cobblestone, gravel, wood. “We noticed that many people in wheelchairs were having trouble moving on grass. Concrete is one thing, but when you get out of your car onto grass, you have a whole new set of problems maneuvering. Or senior citizens after a stroke, they can’t go out into their yard anymore. Or children with AFOs or crutches. They feel trapped in their homes. So we use the ambulatory track to teach people how to move on different terrains. We had a young man with a spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident, and after he got to where he could zip around this, he said, ‘I’m ready to go to the park now.’” When Margo tells you of her work, it feels more like she’s proselytizing. Windridge was the first equine therapy center in East Texas, but she believes in what she does so fervently that like the proselytizers of old, she has most definitely gone forth

and multiplied. “This location is like a hub. We draw students from Daingerfield, Marshall, Tyler, Longview, Jefferson. When we opened 25 years ago, we served a 90 mile radius. Now it’s a 60 mile radius because other centers have opened up. There’s now a center in Texarkana, Henderson, and one is opening up in Marshall. We trained that instructor. I help founders get their schooling. She spent a year and a half with us.” It’s probably not coincidental that I see her work as ministerial, considering Margo has a deep and abiding faith in Christianity. Margo’s conversion experience was unlike any I’ve ever heard. “I ran away from home when I was a teenager on my horse. I ended up becoming a jockey and a horse trainer. The backside of a racetrack has a ‘flavor’ that most people don’t know about. It’s big business. And when there’s that much money depending on a horse winning, if you’ve got one that’s favored, the best thing you can do is sleep in the same stall with a gun. There are bad men on racetracks that will try to make your horse sick or kill it. It was a hard life with a lot of ups and downs, but I wasn’t at rock bottom. I was athletic, capable, often successful. And those things don’t go together well to make someone seek out a faith. But regardless, a few months before I turned 30, I was in a horse stall at sunrise. As I was cleaning up – still to this day I can’t comprehend how it happened – that stall was filled with a presence, and this presence was love.” What’s most interesting about her conversion is that she was almost completely unaware of Christianity or its teachings. She wasn’t raised in a home that imparted even a tangential belief. But regardless, some hand of intelligent design made itself known to her that day. Later, a friend pointed her to certain Bible passages, but he would never answer her questions about the experience directly. He made her answer the questions for herself. “Sometimes I go to Angola Prison and give my testimony. One night, one of the prisoners who listened to me speak came up and said, ‘I was one of those guys who worked for a trainer that would have destroyed your horse.’ I looked at him for a minute and had to take a deep breath because I knew exactly what kind of people those men were. But he was genuinely sorry. Finally, I gave him a hug and said, ‘Before Christ, we were enemies. After Christ, we’re brother and sister.’” It was fascinating to meet Margo and heartwarming to know a place like this is in my backyard. I felt like we made a sincere connection, and when I left, she even invited me to come back sometime just to visit. I think that might actually be her greatest strength, making sincere connections. If there were more people in the world doing this kind of selfless work, it would be a much happier place to live. PineyWoodsLive.com

by Andrea Johnson Barbara Herman is the proud owner of a unique pet boutique in Longview, Dog Style. All of our doggie fashion items featured can be purchased there along with many other items. A dog lover’s dream store. Keep your furbaby stylin’ and profilin’ this season with these doggie fashions.

PineyWoodsLive.com

July 2014 - Page 13

personal collections. Hitler had secretaries cataloging the art he personally planned to steal for himself as well as the art he planned to destroy. That included most of the contemporary art of the time, which he despised. He considered contemporary art to be “degenerate, and thought provoking.” Therefore, he believed it was a bad influence on the “super race” he wanted to create. There is a particularly poignant scene in George Clooney’s movie where several of the Monuments Men demand that a military commander release men and materials to them in order to rescue certain important works of art. The commander refuses. He says he is not going to write a letter to some soldier’s mother to tell her that her son died trying to save a statue. In the movie, this man is portrayed as so stupid, so ignorant and so unfeeling that he is barely civilized. Is it possible that his real life counterpart was right? Could he have been more kind, more caring, and in many ways more noble than the self-sacrificing and dedicated Monuments Men whose demands he denied? A conference of allied leaders was held in Bermuda and it was decided to divert military resources for nonmilitary purposes so that the monuments commission could rescue valuable works of art. At this same Bermuda conference, these same allied leaders chose not to do anything to help rescue the Jewish men, women and children of Europe who were being systematically starved, tortured and slaughtered. New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia commented on the creation of the monuments commission: “This very important problem … is not like the destruction of buildings or monuments, as terrible as that may be, because, after all, they may be rebuilt or even reproduced; but when a life is snuffed out, it is gone; it is gone forever.” All of which brings me to consider the ethical and moral question of whether it is better to save a work of art than to save a human life. As an artist, and as an ethical person, I have always been deeply troubled by this particular question.

AArtirtist's World Mamma Mia, Am mer rica ans s “iinv n ade” it taly y! This book contains hilarious, hair-raising, and true stories of what Americans do in Italy. Hop aboard with Stephani Chance and her Sicilian papa Tony Filaci for the most magical and fairytale adventures of your life as they take you to Italy and beyond. After fourteen-plus years of taking groups of Americans to Italy twice a year, Stephani finally shares some of the “true stories” of what the Americans experience on her Italy tours. Stephanie Chance

Boo ok is av vailablle at local booksttores and wo orldwid de on n Amazzon.co om

LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT! OPEN MIC NIGHT 1ST TUESDAY EACH MONTH Call or Email to book.

106 W. Main St. • Henderson, TX

903-392-8200 Email: gomojoes@gmail.com Mon.-Thurs. 7am-10pm Fri. 7am-12am • Sat. 8am-12am July 2014 - Page 14

by JANSTATMAN

If you have not yet seen the film version of The Monuments Men, rent it, buy it, borrow it, but by all means be sure to see it. It is a fine movie with first rate acting, inspired directing and outstanding production values. While there are some romantic ladies who will feel that George Clooney’s talents are wasted in a film where he has no romantic attachments, his ability to act in a movie that he has also directed is remarkable. Matt Damon and Cate Blanchette provide the limited hint of romance, or at least of attraction, in a time of war. Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, Bob Balaban and John Goodman are among the stars who represent the real Monuments Men and bring to the movie some truly valid acting. This is an important film and it tells an important story. The movie is based on the book by Texas author Robert M. Edsel, who is also author of Rescuing Da Vinci and Saving Italy. Mr. Edsel is co-producer of the award-winning documentary film, The Rape of Europe. The author is the founder and chairman of the nonprofit, Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art, which received the National Humanities Medal. He has been awarded the Texas Medal of Arts award, the President’s Call to Service award, and the Hope for Humanity award, presented by the Dallas Holocaust Museum. He also serves as a trustee at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, so he was the perfect author to research this incredible story. In real life, the Monuments Men were a group of approximately 350 men and women from 13 different countries who were willing to risk their lives to prevent the destruction

of thousands of years of culture that not only represented the art of Europe but also the art of the Western World. They went willingly into a war zone. They were not professional soldiers – they often found themselves unarmed behind enemy lines and were in lifethreatening danger. They were museum directors, museum curators, art historians, artists, architects and college professors. Many of them were middle-aged or older, and they all knew they were in a race against time. In June of 1943, President Roosevelt’s administration announced the establishment of a U.S. government commission “for the protection and salvage of artistic and historic monuments in Europe.” The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program was made up of people who worked together to try to protect monuments and other cultural treasures. During the last year of the war, they tracked, located, preserved and returned more than five million pieces of art that had been stolen from their rightful owners by Hitler and the Nazis. Their role in saving cultural treasures was not only amazing, it was sometimes close to being miraculous. Nobody had ever even thought about forming a group like this before. During World War II, the monsters that were Adolf Hitler and his henchmen of the Third Reich wanted to conquer the Western World by destroying everyone and everything they could not control. Their armies were methodically searching for the finest art treasures of Europe. Collections of the greatest works of art ever created in the history of humankind were looted from museums, churches, homes and private collections of the people they murdered. Many of these looted works were meant to be added to their own

PineyWoodsLive.com

Sometimes it is easier to consider such things on a much smaller and more personal scale. The New York Museum of Modern Art was the first American museum to own one of Claude Monetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really large-scale water lily paintings. The old Museum of Modern Art building in New York City eventually dedicated a wonderful gallery for these paintings of the water lilies at Giverny. I will always remember them as being bright, colorful and magnificent. The artist himself said that the aim of these paintings was to supply â&#x20AC;&#x153;the illusion of an endless whole, of water without horizon or bank.â&#x20AC;? For many years, art critics did not appreciate these water lily paintings. They were considered to be less important than Monetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic Impressionist works. Some art critics described them as being unstructured

or unfinished. However, when Abstract Expressionism became popular, even these art critics began to understand what Monet had been doing. The heroic scale of his water lily paintings surrounded you and carried you right into his garden. Sadly, tragedy struck. A fire broke out on that floor of the museum. The water lilies were burned to ashes. People in New York publicly shared expressions of sympathy and loss. I felt the loss in a very personal way because I loved those paintings. They meant a lot to me, not only because they were beautiful but also because I was able to slip away to that balmy and pleasantly heated museum room during the worst icy, grey, snow trodden days of the miserable New York winters and warm myself for a few moments in the brilliant sunlight of the glorious French summer.

The firemen ignored the paintings and rescued the museum guard. I was very young. I was idealistic. I was horrified. How could they do that? How could they allow those masterpieces to burn? My father, who was also an artist, had quite the opposite opinion. He insisted that the firemen had done exactly the correct and ethical thing because a human life, any human life, was more important than the life of an object, any object, no matter how beautiful or important to the history of the world that object might be. The museum guard was a person. The irreplaceable life of a person was more important than the irreplaceable life of an object. The paintings were objects. They were just things. Is there a right or wrong answer to this question? If there is an answer,

who was right? Is an irreplaceable human being more important than an irreplaceable work of art? If the artist Claude Monet had been given the choice of saving his masterpiece or saving the life of his son Jean, could there be any question about what his answer would have been? Award winning artist and writer Jan Statmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paintings are owned by museums in Italy and Spain and by corporate and private art collections across the USA. She is listed in Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in American Art, Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in America, Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Who in the Arts, Dictionary of International Biography, and numerous other references. Best known for colorful acrylics, and delicate watercolor paintings, she also judges area art exhibits and teaches painting classes. See her work on Facebook at Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studio of Jan Statman American Artist.

Discover Your Voice Study Voice or

A Texas Bed & Breakfast with a taste of Louisiana.

Piano Lessons www.MusicLongview.com

Private Lessons

&$//,1* $// 086&,$16 3267 <285 (9(176 %,26 086,& 3,&785(6 21/,1( )25

)5((

For mo more re inf info info, o, cal calll PineyWoods Pine PineyWo y ods Fine yWo Fine Arts Arts

93 36--544-4 427 76 or go online at

903.371.1134

/IVE

www w.p pwfaa a.orrg

christina@musiclongview.com

::: 3,1(<:22'6/,9( &20

Mobile Kitchen or Delivery to Your OfďŹ ce!

ÂŽ

East Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Largest Caterer! 2338 8 Mobberrly Ave., Longview ew, TX

Next to LeTourneau

CATERIN NG 90 03-7 720-532 26

RESTAUR ANT 903-757-9 9709

Any Food!! CatďŹ sh â&#x20AC;˘ Seafood â&#x20AC;˘ Chicken â&#x20AC;˘ Steaks â&#x20AC;˘ Burgers â&#x20AC;˘ Mexican â&#x20AC;˘ BBQ â&#x20AC;˘ Chicken Fried Steak

Weddings â&#x20AC;˘ Corporate Events Church Functions Casual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Get-Togethersâ&#x20AC;? Family y Reunions â&#x20AC;˘ Oil Rigs g

Any Event!!

MENTION THIS AD & GET $1 OFF EACH CATERING CUSTOMER! Minimum Rates Apply â&#x20AC;˘ Not Applicable on Delivery

PineyWoodsLive.com

7XUQ <RXU 3HW ,QWR $ .HHSVDNH RI D /LIHWLPH Animal Portrait Artist

Virginia Savoldi

July 2014 - Page 15

cky Fluke

Be Photo by

Photo by Randee St. Nicholas July 2014 - Page 16

PineyWoodsLive.com

by Barry Rogers Miranda Lambert’s skyrocketing career is fueled, in part, by the fact that she’s so down to earth. Combine that with her ability to write great songs, then bring them to life with her powerful vocals, and you’ve got the Lambert formula for success. Of course, she probably didn’t lose any fans with her marriage to country star Blake Shelton. In fact, the two together only solidified their status as country music royalty. Yet, with all the fame, Lambert still comes across as someone that remains unfazed by her celebrity. People feel like they really know her. For Lindale fans, she could’ve been the girl next door growing up, literally, because she was raised here in East Texas. Well, that girl from Lindale is grown up now, and she’s belting out hits like “Kerosene,” “White Liar” and “Famous in a Small Town.” With the new release of Platinum, her fifth studio album, Lambert’s career is showing no signs of slowing down. When she’s able to step out of the spotlight, the country songbird finds solitude out on the Oklahoma ranch she shares with Shelton. They ride four-wheelers, spend time with their dogs, and make each other laugh. Piney Woods Live caught up with Lambert by phone recently. She put her guitar down long enough to discuss her PineyWoodsLive.com

commitment to helping animals and how it’s one of the few passions that rival her love for music.

Miranda, how many dogs do you and Blake have right now? We have six right now, which is plenty.

You guys tend to take in a lot of strays, correct?

was only 10 years old, but I thought, ‘Oh my gosh! I want to do this.’ I mean every 10-year-old in there probably thought that. It was just a magical moment when he flew over the crowd, and the stage is on fire. It was like, ‘Okay, this is cool.’

Can you explain what it’s like when you’re on stage?

We live way out in the country, so a lot of people just come and dump them out. I’m sure they know where I live, so that’s part of the problem. I’ll foster different dogs until I can find them a home. We have a lot of dogs who stay with us anywhere from two days to two months.

When the crowd sings along to songs that you wrote from your heart, there’s no better feeling than that. To know that someone relates to you in that way … to know you wrote something going on in your life, and other people relate just as much as you do, there’s no other feeling like it.

Let’s talk about why you think pets are so amazing.

If you had not been a country artist, what would you be doing?

Pets love you unconditionally. They’re always excited to see you, and they love you no matter what.

I think I would be working with animals, you know probably working with a shelter, or doing something with dogs. That’s my other passion – so probably some volunteer work. But I think I’d also still be chasing the dream. I’d be playing bars on weekends for sure.

And, they don’t care if you’re a superstar or not? Exactly. They love you if you love them. It’s very important to take care of them. It is a big responsibility, and they become part of your family.

You just released a new album called Platinum. How’s this one different in style than previous albums? It approached all topics with everything in my life right now. It goes from fun to funny to serious, so probably everything a 30-year-old woman goes through is addressed on this record.

You write a lot of your own music. What is your creative process for writing a song? It depends on the song. I can either write starting with the melody or I can start with a word that I want to write a song around. Every song is different.

Who was the first artist who inspired you? There are so many different artists. My first concert was Garth Brooks at Texas Stadium. That was amazing when he sold out three nights in a row. That was probably one of those moments where I

You’re everywhere these days. You seem to be on this massive roller coaster ride. Is it hard finding solitude when you’re in the midst of all this? We live in the middle of nowhere, which is awesome for that reason. You can sort of get away from the craziness of the touring, media and all that stuff. When we come home, we’re sort of just back to normal, planting gardens, riding fourwheelers and playing with our dogs. We can sort of have some normalcy.

What is it about your personalities that allow you and Blake to click so well together?

thing. I try to just be real. I just feel like I’d rather be honest. I think people can see through fake people. I’m definitely all about being honest.

Are you going to be doing anything in the future with the Pistol Annies? Everybody’s off making their own records right now. I just finished mine. I know Ashley and Angeline are working on theirs as well. We’re all sort of doing our solo thing, but definitely, we have chemistry together. So, never say never … maybe when we all get settled in from our own solo projects.

You have strong ties to East Texas. Are there people that you’d like to give a shout out to? Well, obviously Lindale is my hometown, so ‘Hi to Lindale!’ Also, John Defoore was a guitar teacher in Mineola that I took lessons from, so I want to say hi to him. I haven’t seen him in a really long time, but he was a great guitar teacher. Also, I don’t know if they’re still open, but the Rio Palm Isle was my first house gig, so I’d like to mention them.

Give us an update about your nonprofit organization, Mutt Nation. Every year we are just trying to raise funds and awareness, you know, trying to get people to adopt a shelter pet. If you’re in the market for a dog, cat or other animal, always check your local shelters first. There’s a great one called East Texas Human Society in Tyler, Texas. It’s really an awesome thing to adopt a sheltered pet. They are just amazing animals. To donate or find more information on Mutt Nation, visit www.facebook.com/ MuttNation

I would say that we laugh together a lot. He has a great sense of humor. I think that’s really important, you know, to be friends. We are best friends.

You seem to be the kind of person that when anyone asks you a question, they’ll always get an honest answer. Yeah, well, that can be a good or bad July 2014 - Page 17

International Award Winning Elvis Tribute Artist

+2!)'Â˝0!2+%2Â˝ Â˝4(%Â˝2/9!,Â˝ 42)"54%Â˝"!.$ 3(!+% Â˝2!44,%Â˝ Â˝2/,, !5'534Â˝ 4(

Saturday | 7:30 p.m.

Special Guest

#(!2,%3Â˝34/.% Elvis Presleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Concert Tour Manager

Emcee

$!,%Â˝#5--).'3 All seeats general admission $15 Children 6 & under FREE

-).%/,!Â˝#)6)#Â˝#%.4%2 1150 Newsome | Mineola, Tx

For Advance Tickets, call 903.569.6115 or LeAnn at 903.445.6907

I wish to endorse Piney Woods Live as a standout print advertising outlet in East Texas. As individuals, each of us on the Jefferson Tourism Development Board is a business owner here in town. Several of us have used Piney Woods Live and have seen immediate measurable results. As a board, we maintain regular advertising in Piney Woods Live and consider it to be one of our best print advertising outlets for the city. Our theatre company, East Texas Performing Arts, polls their attendees, asking where they heard about each event and from where they traveled to get to the performance. Without exception, they find that a measurable number of audience members say they saw the ad in Piney Woods Live. Some of these responders traveled more than 90 minutes in response to Piney Woods Live advertising. Local restaurants, music venues, and B&Bs report similar results. I recommend Piney Woods Live as a premiere advertising outlet in East Texas. Sincerely,

Preston Taylor, President Jefferson Texas Tourism Development Board

%RRW &R

"!0$%,.'$/ '+")1#$ *$.'"!+! )1$%.!// )1$/ &.'/0'!+ ,1+0.3 )$"0.,+'" '- ,- !44 !0'+ $0!) 1+( !- ,"( !#', 0!0',+ .,#1"$. '#$, '+%)$ +0$.0!'+$. '2$ $+1$ $/0'2!) 1'0!.'/0 ,"!)'/0 !#', 2,"!)'/0 !+# /, *!+3 *,.$

July 2014 - Page 18

21( 2) $ .,1' %227 )25 $ 21( 2) $ .,1' <28 $ 1 :$6+,1*721 _ 0$56+$// 7;

::: (;27,&67,7&+%227&2 &20 PineyWoodsLive.com

PineyWoodsLive.com

July 2014 - Page 19

by Jan Statman Tippi of Tyler has not always been a fashion designer. She enjoyed being a fashion model, and she was occasionally an artist’s model, but she discovered that she had a serious problem that she needed to do something about. She was cold. Not just cold, she was bone-chilling cold. No matter what the weather outside might be, no matter what the season might be, she was always so cold that she was chilled and shivering. Chilled and shivering was not the most attractive part of the glamorous pedigree she was born into. Of course, winters were difficult for her, but the air-conditioning used during our East Texas summers turned out to be just as bone chilling. Season following season, she found herself looking for something to wear that would make her warm. She was always trying to find a comfortable shirt or a nice good-looking sweater. Tiny as she happens to be, she tried to wear child-size T-shirts, but she didn’t like them. Although the colors and patterns might be interesting, they were never really comfortable. They never fit her properly, and they always left her looking out of shape. The only choices she seemed to have were to refuse to wear them and shiver with the cold or to wear them and allow herself to look unfashionably lumpy. Neither of these alternatives appealed to her fashion sense. Her mom didn’t want to see her shivering so she began to cut those little child size T-shirts down to size and sew them into proper shapes so that they would be a better fit for her. Tippi loved to dress up and she loved being fashionable. She and her mom decided they had to do something about it, so they began to create clothing that was suited to her own ideas and designs. Her mom agreed to do all the custom pattern-making and sewing. The results turned out to be one-ofa-kind couturier fashions or limited series designer outfits with high style and comfortable fabrics. When they were pleased with that, they took a lesson from highend designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Ralph Lauren, who expanded their own designs to feature outfits for both boys and girls. Even July 2014 - Page 20

so, Tippi will admit that even though the girls’ fashions can be more fanciful and in many ways easier to design, the boys’ clothing is made with the same attention to detail. The specialty line is called Good Girl Tippi, and it tends to produce chic and fun items. What they choose to do is mostly attractive loungewear and colorful hoodies that are handcrafted and individually designed right here in the USA and right here in East Texas. Tippi insists on soft knit jersey cotton in the most fashion forward fun fabrics for her luxury mode handcrafted lounge wear so that even though it is comfortable it is always haute style. Most important to her and to those for whom she designs, all her clothing is easy care and completely washable. Since she loves to dress up, she has also agreed to design one-of-a-kind pieces to wear to special occasions such as weddings or art gallery openings. She has even designed a line of swimwear for trips to the beach. Good Girl Tippi has her own Facebook page. If you haven’t figured it out by now, Tippi happens to be a black and white Boston Terrier. Her upscale designer clothing is intended for the smaller breeds of dogs. Larger dogs can have their outfits specially made. Tippi’s mom, otherwise known as artist Sonia Semone, designs and sews the dog clothing. Fourlegged “children” are outfitted in special costumes for special occasions. Since many of the smaller breeds such as teacup Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, Miniature Poodles and Maltese actually do get cold in the winter or in summer’s climate-controlled, air-conditioned places, they are often dressed in sweaters, coats, shirts and other outfits. Some of these doggie parents have even built special small-scale clothes rods in their closets to accommodate all the clothing that belongs to their pampered pups. There was a time not too long ago when the family dog had no clothing. Dogs went around unadorned, wearing nothing more complicated than a firm leather collar or perhaps a cheerfully bright neckerchief. While other members of the family had special outfits for special occasions,

the dog was iignored h d d and d completely l l left out of any element of fashion. The family dog was like Cinderella – hatless, shirtless and definitely shoeless. But for many, all of that has changed. Any number of puppy boutiques have flourished, not only online but in brick and mortar shops, where pampered pups and their well-trained people can select a variety of clothing that ranges from cotton hoodies to winter coats and T-shirts, from fluffy ballerina tutus to sequined evening gowns – and of course tuxedos and dinner jackets for four-legged, little gentlemen. The clothing is available in a variety of styles and fabrics, and it is perfectly reasonable to see a dog “trying on” an outfit to be admired in a floor height and gilded dog-sized mirror. These are advertised as being high fashion dog clothes that are “sure to turn heads in admiration.” Many of these boutiques also sell four-poster French Provincial doggy beds, presumably most suitable for French poodles. They have toys that squeak, chirp and even talk and costumes for every holiday from New Year’s Eve through Halloween. Even the lower end discount stores have started to sport selections of fashionable clothing for dogs! Tippi of Tyler and her mom were quick to remind us that dressing the four-legged little family member in doggie clothing can be useful in more ways than simply the fun and joy of watching people turn heads when they see that fashionable, little creature prance down the boulevard. Since so many of these breeds have a thin coat that allows them to suffer in the cold and risk their good health by being out

and in d about b i the h weather, h dog d sweaters, T-shirts, and overcoats can make all the difference, including the reflection of UV rays in the summertime. Dog T-shirts help dogs with skin allergies, and are even helpful to those humans who are allergic to their dog’s hair. Tippi said, “Your dog will not only look great but will absolutely love to wear their new outfits too.” She added, “My clothes are for doggies like me who are active and crave style plus comfort … woof!” For further information or to ask questions about the clothes, contact Tippi or her mom online at Good Girl Tippi. goodgirltippi.blogspot.com.es

PineyWoodsLive.com

From a photographer’s heart by Suzanne Warren I remember years ago, sitting on my backyard deck, looking over the beautiful creek that surrounds my property with its towering oaks and ivy spilling over the edges of the water and thinking to myself how lucky I am to have this wonderland in my own backyard. I took a sip of my morning coffee, and suddenly the most stunning creature, a blue heron, swooped down between the tightly woven trees to visit my little creek. I wished at that moment that I owned a professional camera so I might capture this graceful bird with its six foot wingspan because this was a rare sight. Most blue herons live only near open water and wetlands. This was probably the beginning of my deep longing for a camera. I guess you can say this photograph was the “one that got away,” although I still look across the tree line for that great blue heron, hoping he might return for a morning drink from my creek. And when he does, I will be ready … camera in hand. My dream to own a camera finally came true a few years ago. I was channel surfing one day and stumbled on the HSN channel. Behold! They were featuring a Canon Rebel, two lenses, a case, etc., all for the “Special of The Day” price of $675. The actual value was over $1000. What a deal! And with the three easy flex payments of $225, I couldn’t resist. I had to have that camera! I ran to get my purse and yanked out my credit card. I was finally going to own a professional camera. The HSN saleswoman demonstrated all of the incredible features of this camera. It had all the bells and whistles for the pros, but it also had all the automatic settings for someone like myself with no knowledge of how to operate such a beautiful, little machine. Since my camera has arrived, I rarely leave home without it. I have shot thousands of pictures in my backyard of raccoons, a fox, snakes, lizards, woodpeckers, a Northern blue bird, wild kitties, songbirds of every kind, bumblebees, spider webs, wild ferns, spring flowers … the list goes on and on. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to capture those moments frozen in time. You would be amazed how much is going on around you in your own backyard. Turn off the cell phone, computers and the television. Grab a cup of coffee and your camera, and sit in the peace and still quiet of the morning. What you might see as nature wakes up will delight you. It’s a busy, little natural world out there. One-by-one, the fairies come out of the forest. With today’s technology, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to shoot extraordinary pictures. Today’s smart phones will take wonderful pictures with editing tools that anyone can learn to operate. The one thing I enjoy most about social media is seeing all of the pictures posted by friends. Their photos take me to places I have never been before. I’m inPineyWoodsLive.com

spired by their pictures. I guess, in a sense, we’ve all become photographers in today’s world. Before I end, let me tell you a little story. For nearly ten years, on my way to work each day, I drove past a very stately old oak tree. The tree had to be at least 200 years old. Many times I admired it as I was coming and going to work. Many times I told myself I would pull over and take a picture of the tree. I thought about photographing it for each of the four seasons and then creating a collage with the photos. The first time I saw it, I noticed an old abandoned fruit stand built under its shaded branches. I wondered how many years this stand had been there … 30 years? 40 years? I wondered if some farmer had built the stand and if he might have lived near what was once a pasture behind the tree … before progress had swallowed up the land and busy roads were built around it. I wondered what things this old tree had witnessed throughout the hundreds of years it had been living. Was there an old cowboy buried under this tree? Had a Native American stopped and rested after a hunt under this old tree? Was there once an old tire swing hanging from one of its branches? Maybe Bonnie and Clyde had parked their car under this tree for the night before heading to their final destination in Louisiana. I don’t want to end on a sad note, but I do want to give you something to think about. One day, as I was driving home and rounded the corner near the old oak, my heart sank as I saw lights flashing from a patrol car up ahead. The old tree had suddenly given up on this world. He was split nearly in half, and his regal, long branches were lying dead across the road. As the policeman directed traffic around the old, lifeless tree, I noticed the tree service truck pulling up, ready to chop up the branches. To them, it may have been just a tree ready for disposal. To me, it was the end of a life. I felt a lump in my throat as I swallowed, sadness in my heart. Why didn’t I take a photograph of this beautiful tree that had enchanted me for so many years? Why? Now it was too late. I share this story with you because, as photographers with smart phones or professional cameras, we are inspired by many things in nature and in daily life, and we should seize those special moments. We never know when something we’ve taken for granted may be gone one day. A tree, a pet, a loved one – they can all be gone without notice. Our memories go with us, but photos can tell the story of our lives for generations to come. So, we should capture every moment we can with a photograph. I will keep waiting for the blue heron to return one day, and maybe I will get a second chance to photograph that beautiful bird, but never ever will I have the chance to photograph the old oak tree.

6FDQ 7 7K 7KLV KL V

IHDWXULQJ (DVW 7H[DV $UWLVWV *LLIW & &HUUWLÀ ÀFDW D HVV $ $YDDLODEOHH

Your one stop shop for one of a kind beads and ﬁndings.

1 1 +RRUDQH\\ 6WUHHHW / /RQJYYLHZ July 2014 - Page 21

6(37(0%(5

-,00, 0,( 9 9$ 9$8*+ * +1 +1 $1 $1 16 6 2 1 1 ))8 ) 81' 8 '(5%85 '(5 5* *+ &22 &2 & 2 22 2 / / --2 / 2+1 2 + 1 )(5*8 *862 21 21 /855 5 ,( % ,( %(/// 7 58 758 8/< /< /< <1 <11 67( 67 6 ( 9( 9 ( (. .5$ $86( 5,& 5 ,,& &. . ' ( (5 5 5 ,1 1*(5 5 (' ('' (' '' ''< '< < & & /( ($5: :$7( 7(5 5 .(1 .( . ( (1 11 11 1< < < % %26 2 6 6 : : $ <1 ( &+ & &+5 +5 5 ,6 6 & & &$ $ ,,1 --2+ -2 2 + 1 0 1 0 & 1 &9 9 9( (< 77( ( (;$ (; ; $6 $ ))/ $6 )/2 / 2 2' 2' ( 5, 5,& & * & * *$ $/( /( (6 0$7 0 $ $77 7+ +(: +( : ' $9 $9 9,, ' '6 6 62 21 3(7 3 (7 (56 ( 56 (5 562 21 1 1 %5 % 52 2 77+ + ( 56 +( 56 --,0 ,0 0< 0< : 0 :$ $ / //$ $/ /$& $& & ( $ $1 1' ' ' 77+( 7+ +( ( 67 675 5$ 5$7 5$ $7 2 2% % / $6 %/ $677( $ 7 (5 (56 ( 5 56 6 77<//(5 / (5 5 /(1 5 //(1 1 ,8 86 8 6 %$ $ 1' 1 '$ ' $* $ *1$ $% % %,7 % ,77 * /( */( /(11 11 11 0 1 0 0&. 0& &. & . (1 1 = ,( 1= ,,( ( % ( %$1 1' 1' $ // < 9 $// < 9 (1 < 9(1 ( 1$ 1 $ %/ % //( ( %$ %$ $1 1' ' $/$ $/ $ 1 1 )))2 2; 2 ; %$ %$ $1 1'

Featured in Southern Living, Texas Monthly, and Texas Highways

+0*/ 64 6HDVRQ +LJKOLJKWV &OLEXUQ &RPSHWLWLRQ *ROG 0HGDOLVW 9DG\P .KRORGNHQNR a

7KH 5R\DO )DPLO\ RI *XLWDU 7KH 5RPHURV a

,QWHUQDWLRQDOO\ $FFODLPHG &HOWLF )LGGOHU 1DWDOLH 0DF0DVWHU

&RQFHUW a 6XEVFULSWLRQV SOXV 5LFKDUG /HH OHDGV WKH (762 LQ PXVLF E\ VWDUW DW %UDKPV %HHWKRYHQ 6WUDXVV 0DKOHU DQG PXFK PRUH

6XEVFULEH WRGD\

&RQFHUW &DOO 6XEVFULSWLRQV VWDUW DW /HDUQ PRUH DW 6HDVRQ RSHQV 6HSWHPEHU

(762 RUJ 5LFKDUG /HH 0XVLF 'LUHFWRU

3KRWR 3RUWUDLWV E\ %U\DQ

(DVW 7H[DV 6\PSKRQ\ 2UFKHVWUD $VVRFLDWLRQ DQG /LEHUW\ +DOO SUHVHQW

0$8'( &2%% &219(17,21 &(17(5 /21*9,(: 7; July 2014 - Page 22

3DWULRWLF )DQIDUH IHDWXULQJ WKH 7\OHU %LJ %DQG

-XO\ a SP /LEHUW\ +DOO 'RZQWRZQ 7\OHU $GXOWV &KLOGUHQ /HDUQ PRUH DW ZZZ (762 RUJ

PineyWoodsLive.com

'UHVVHV IURP $22.50

7RSV IURP $14.50

Inside the Longview Mall

S ummer of seafood

Live Music every Friday & S aturda y Night!

ring e t a c & s banquet hwy 80 (104 W grand) , marshall, TX 75630

see our menu at

903-935-7719

www.letseat.at/cajuntex

The T-Bone Walker Blues Fest is looking for people interested in volunteering for the upcoming festival September 12 & 13. We are looking for anyone that is wanting to be involved in this great organization. Help us make Longviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first year the best! For more information and to sign up, please call 903.215.6217 or email andrea@pineywoodslive.com

PineyWoodsLive.com

July 2014 - Page 23

by Jeremy G. Butler

Photo by Maribel Galaz July 2014 - Page 24

here’s a typical … formula, if you will, when it comes to becoming a rock star. You learn an instrument, start a band, be terrible, get better, play some shows, get even better and play bigger shows and after a while – with a lot of work and a little bit of luck – you just might get signed and travel the world. But sometimes you gotta mix it up a little bit and let life make its own formula, which is exactly what Jennifer Caruthers did. A native of Carthage, Jennifer’s talents made themselves known early and landed her a full vocal scholarship at Panola College, but oddly enough it wasn’t until she joined the Army that she really found herself and her place on stage. As a private working as an MP, Jennifer decided to try out for the U.S. Army Soldier Show. She made it, and the next six years of touring with the Soldier Show, marrying a fellow performer, joining the U.S. Army Chorus, performing overseas, and having a baby became a whirlwind of Big Life-Changing Things. Eventually, she made it back stateside and after the marriage fell apart and her time in the service came to an end, she decided to try something new and went into nursing school. And once again, an opportunity presented itself in an unlikely place. She was excelling in school and had her focus set, but because of her performance history, she eventually met Randy Rainwater who asked her to come out and do a consultation with the singer of his band. After a few visits, she ended up becoming the full-time lead singer. The band still needed a guitarist, and it wasn’t much later that Jennifer got a phone call from an old friend named Melanie. An instructor of Jennifer’s in school, Melanie – who had been taking guitar lessons with Robert Browning – was looking for advice on how to get into playing music.

I guess you could call it fate. The new band decided to call themselves Bleed the Rain and hit the ground running. Musically, they’re very much a hard rock band and they wear their influences on their sleeves. Randy’s crunchy bass lines and J-SIN’s heavy drum work provide a solid backbone for what the ladies are doing up front. With the precise way she navigates an effects board, you’d never guess that this was Melanie’s first band. And while the obvious parallel to draw to Jennifer would be Evanescence’s Amy Lee, her big rock voice walks a line between snarly and melodic that lends itself to comparisons to Kathleen Hanna, Selene Vigil and Hayley Williams. Everybody on staff contributes to the tone and the feel of what the band is doing, but Caruthers absolutely lives up to her leadsinger responsibilities and keeps everyone in a tight orbit around her. Although they are still a relatively new band, they have a decent little resume of shows, 20 original songs and a newly released EP under their belt. They’re still very much a band under construction, which is how they like it. Constantly working on their sound, growing their audience and pushing their presence, they’re a band that’s determined to capitalize on the opportunities that their early success has granted. As a name, Bleed the Rain is meant to reference the sort of rebirth that comes with pain and honest emotional outpouring, and while they try to write music that lends itself to that, it’s also nice to consider that the band represents that same relationship that each of the members has had with their own lives. And after the first time they stood on stage and watched audience members push their way up to the front row to sing along with every single word, it became readily apparent that life had put the four of them exactly where they needed to be. PineyWoodsLive.com

by Jan Statman July, and the long, hot Texas summer is upon us. We can’t spend the whole summer driving from baseball to dancing to swimming lessons, although that does seem like the normal thing to do. We can’t stay up to our necks in a swimming pool all day. Another great way to beat the heat is to do some cool, fun and unusual creative craft activities that are tried and true. They are guaranteed to keep little eyes shining and little brains creative. Some of them are seriously easy while others are rather complicated. Best of all, they don’t involve a lot of expensive purchases, so they will not break the bank of summer. PAINTED ROCKS This is really easy. You will need some smooth flat rocks, some newspapers and some old used, broken crayons. Gather the smooth, flat rocks. They can be any size you like, but four to six inches across will work well. Clean the rocks with water to make sure there isn’t any sand or dirt sticking to them. Set the rocks on the newspapers. Remove the wrappers from the crayons and draw your pictures or designs on the flat surface. Be sure to use the crayon as thickly as you can in order to cover as much of the surface of the rocks as possible. Now set the rocks out in the sunshine for an hour or more. You can check on them from time to time. The sun will melt the crayon into shiny liquid wax, and your designs or pictures will swirl into each other to make really colorful designs. The rocks and the melted wax will get pretty hot. Move them to a cool place to let the rocks cool. When they are completely cool, you will have an attractive paperweight.

GIG GAN NTIC SOAP BUBB BLES S It’s fun to make giant soap bubbles. This is guaranteed to get everybody outside. Art is beauty and there certainly is beauty in the color and shape of soap bubbles. To get started, you will need a really big pan. Bend a coat hanger into a giant loop that will fit into the pan. Mix ½ cup of Joy or Dawn detergent, five cups of cold water and two tablespoons of glycerin in the pan. Dip the coat hanger into the liquid and wave it in the air. Your giant soap bubbles should float as high as the sky.

PLAY DO OUGH Of course, you can go to the store and buy Play-Doh®, but if you make it at home, it will be a lot different from the store bought variety. It will be a lot softer and it will last longer. Plus, it is fun for the kids to have play dough, which they made themselves with adult supervision. PineyWoodsLive.com

For the first play dough recipe, you will need two cups of plain, all purpose flour, ½ cup salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and up to 1-¼ cups of boiling water. You can also add food coloring to make it interesting and a few drops of glycerin to make it shine. Mix the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a really large mixing bowl. If you plan to use food color, this is the time to add it to the boiling water. Add the water slowly to the dry ingredients until you have a sticky dough. If you are going to use the glycerin to make the play dough shine, this is the time to add it to the sticky dough. Set it aside and let it cool completely. We have come to the important part. Take it out of the bowl and knead it until the stickiness is gone. If it won’t go away, you can add a touch more flour but you don’t want to get it so stiff that you can’t use it. You can use play dough to make sculptures, figures, jewelry and just about anything you want to make. If you store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, it should last at least six months.

SALT DOUGH GLITTER R PLAY DOUGH As a variation, you can use this super simple recipe to make a glitter salt dough form of play dough. You will need 2 cups of plain all-purpose flour, 2 cups of table salt, as much glitter as you like and 1 cup of warm, but not boiling, water. Mix the dry ingredients including the glitter. Add the water slowly to the dry ingredients until you get the consistency of play dough and the sparkle of glitter. Knead the play dough until it feels firm and is not sticky.

CAGED WIRE WRAPPED STONE PENDANTS You will need a small stone. Try to find a pretty, smooth or clear stone that is about 1 inch long. You will need some 22 gauge colored wire, scissors, a pencil, needle-nose pliers and a leather cord. Use the scissors to cut a 15 inch length of wire. Place the stone carefully in the center of the wire. Wrap the wire around the rock several times and in several directions so that it is secure in its little cage. Twist the ends of the wire together, leaving about an inch for the loop. Wrap the twist around the pencil to form a loop. Use pliers to close the loop. Cut off any extra wire. Thread the leather cord through the loop and knot the ends to make your necklace.

TOO OTH HPICK SCULPTU URES S This is a great project for older children. You will need various colors of cellophane or tissue paper, scissors, Elmer’s glue and a box of wooden toothpicks. The flat kind work best, but if you have the colored picks, that’s okay too. Glue the toothpicks into triangles. You can glue the triangles right onto the tissue papers and cut them out. Glue three triangles together to form 3-dimensional tent-like objects. Glue the little tents together to form taller, wider, higher structures. They can be bridges, houses, and sculptures. There is no limit to the strange and exotic shapes you can make.

YARN N BA ALL BOWL This is an open bowl that is meant to be decorative, and it can get kind of messy, so you might want to do the work out of doors. You will need a big balloon, a bowl to hold the balloon, abut 200 feet of colored yarn, a disposable pan and Elmer’s white glue. Blow up the balloon and rest it inside the bowl to keep it steady. Empty some of the glue into the disposable pan. Cut the yarn into 12-inch strips. Soak the strips of yarn in the glue. Drape the yarn onto the

top half of the balloon, forming squiggles and loops. As you add more strips of yarn, overlap them so they look like a yarn basket. Set it in a cool place overnight. In the morning, test the glue strips to be sure they are dry. If they are not dry, leave them alone until they dry. Test them again. When they are dry, use a pin to puncture the balloon. You should be left with a nice, round, colorful basket bowl.

BATIK DYED D T-S T-SHIRT You will need cardboard, a white, cotton T-shirt, 1 cup of flour, a 4-cup measuring cup, a squeeze bottle, fabric spray paint and a spray bottle First cut the cardboard so that it will fit it inside the T-shirt to keep the paint from bleeding through from the front to the back. Mix the flour with water in the measuring cup. It should be the consistency of mayonnaise. Pour the mixture into the squeeze bottle and use it to draw a simple sun pattern or moon or stars on the T-shirt. Put it in a sunny place and let it bake in the sun for an hour or more until the flour and water mixture becomes hard. When the mixture is hard, spray the area around the design on the shirt with the fabric paint. Let it dry in the sun. When it is completely dry, peel off the flour paste to see the design. Remove the cardboard. Wash the T-shirt according to the paint manufacturer’s directions.

MAGIICA C L MYSTERY PAINT TING Here’s one for everybody. You will need a small candle, cardboard and watercolor paint. The watercolor paints in the little boxes work just fine. Use the candle to draw an “invisible” drawing on the cardboard. Since the wax is clear you won’t be able to see your drawing. When the design is completed, use the watercolor brush to paint across the cardboard. You can paint only one color or you can paint stripes or designs of many colors. The paint will not stick to the wax. The watercolors will make the magical mystery picture appear.

Have e fu un and d enjo oy yo urr summ merr!

FAIRIES IN N A JAR You will need a glow stick, a package of diamond glitter, a small jar and water. First you will cut the glow stick and shake the contents into the jar, then you add the diamond glitter. Add enough water to fill the jar. Seal the top. Shake the jar hard. You will have the glow of faeries dancing in the jar. July 2014 - Page 25

No matter the medium, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re pleased to support the Arts in East Texas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is incredible power in the arts to inspire and influence.â&#x20AC;?

2 ' 2 2 ) 7 $ ( 5 2*

& , 6 8 0 ( /,9

Julie Taymor American Director

< $ ' 5 8 7 $ 6 Â&#x2020; < $ ,' 5 ) :('1(6'$'5$ 2<) Â&#x2020; (9(176 )25 '(7$,/6 6(( &$/(1

%52$':$< %/9' 2 .,/*25( 7; 2 /,.( 86 21 )$&(%22. 2 ::: 7+(%$&.325&+.,/*25( &20

3700 Gilmer Road 202 Hollybrook Dr. 903-759-0751 springhillbank.com

50% OFF ALL TANNING LOTIONS

Best Prices in Town! Designer Skin Australian Gold Ed Hardy Swedish Beauty ... and many more!

223 Pine Tree Road 903.759.3331 July 2014 - Page 26

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eye-popping glamour...a burlesque troupe with a racy show thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not to be missed,â&#x20AC;? writes Steven Moser of the Austin Chronicle.

$10.00 Cover | Show starts 11pm

PineyWoodsLive.com

Now! Two Great Radio Stations

4dWSfZW +HDOWK :HOOQHVV &HQWHU //&

DW^WSeW S`kfZ[`Y fZSf VaWe `af eWdhW kag

Gallery Main Street 110 W. Erwin â&#x20AC;˘ Downtown Tyler

1240 AM, 105.3 FM Kilgore & 101.9 Longview

8SdS =`a^

2ZQHU 0DVVDJH 7KHUDSLVW ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP %UHDWKH +HDOWK

(903) 593-6905 downtowntylerarts.com

: )DLUPRQW 6XLWH $ /RQJYLHZ 7H[DV

Lii ! 100.3 3 97.9 ...Listen! Longview

Tyler

Unforgettable

Celebrating our CAFE â&#x20AC;˘ ESPRESSO BAR CATERING

2004 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2014

save the date Fall Registration August 4 Fiddler on the Roof Auditions September 11-13 Bravo Players Showchoir Auditions September 17

upcoming Performances A Night of Improv July 3 Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alice In Wonderland JR July 24-27 Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cinderella Kids August 8-9

GREAT FOOD & GOOD FRIENDS. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Central Perks Difference.

211 N. Washington Ave Marshall, TX 75670 M-F 8-5:30 Saturday 8-5

903-934-9902

www.ArtsViewChildrensTheatre.com

"UA =J@U HAIR SALON ON

C Cut. Color. Style. Wax. Extensions. Brazilian an Blowout. Blow wout. Air Brush M Make-Up. ake Up p. Chai Chair a r Ma Massag Massages. ag ges ges e.

Rear Projection TV Lamps Now Stocking

ALL MODELS

WALK-INS WELCOME W E 5501 01 N. SPUR LONGVIEW W

Stereo & Video Center

(903)-236-5444

903-297-1933

PineyWoodsLive.com

2608 Gilmer Road, Longview Tech Support with Every Sale! July 2014 - Page 27

I recently rediscovered a beautiful place not visited for some time and found it to be exactly as I left it – an assortment of things, like a secret garden, where variety awaits my senses. The Potpourri House is pretty far from my home, but I traveled knowing what would meet me at my journey’s end. Off the busy Troup Highway in Tyler, its large, brick building greets with a signature canopy stretched to curbside as if expecting a limousine to pull up. In fact, I’m sure many have. Filled with food and fancy, Potpourri House is still and will always be a delight. The Potpourri House was opened in September 1982 on Front Street in a yellow 1904 Victorian home as a tearoom. Owners Les and Carol Ellsworth went on many trips to Europe and England to furnish the restaurant. Several years later, they moved to the Off Broadway Shopping Center incorporating a Victorian-themed garden, boutique and gift shop very similar to what the store is today. Their current location at 3320 Troup Highway is a 16,000 square foot boutique and restaurant that includes party rooms. The Potpourri House is beautifully decorated from one end to the other with merchandise and murals lining the walls. On this day, my lunch guests were my son, Rick, and his friend, Mike, two young men working in the oil and gas lease industry. This was sort of a “test” on my part to see how men would feel walking through a boutique to get to their food. Maybe that was a little mean, but they were very comfortable in the spacious, relaxed atmosphere and had more than enough menu choices to make them happy. In fact, before the meal was finished, I heard talk of multiple return visits with co-workers – a very good sign. We each ordered different menu items to broaden our sampling experience. Our wonderful server was Anthony Cortez who knew the cuisine well and recommended several things that we did try. “A staff favorite,” he shared, “is the Chicken Lou Al – a fried chicken breast served with a white wine cream sauce and pepper jack cheese, sautéed onions and bell peppers served over angel hair pasta.” So, we ordered it, and a colorful, fresh Strawberry Salad came with the entrée. Flavorful, tender, and savory, it was easy to understand why Chicken Lou Al is a favorite. My son ordered the French Dip sandwich, which he enjoyed to the last bite. I ordered a fried shrimp salad that isn’t on the menu all the time, but when it is, it shouldn’t be missed. The salad was a large bowl of fresh spring greens topped with lightly crusted fried shrimp. And it was very good. In addition to our meal we added the soup, potato and salad bar that Potpourri House is known for with its expanse of assorted homemade salads, fresh fruits, and some of the best soups anywhere. It’s said their pimiento cheese is famous, and it did send me back for seconds, and according to Les it is made with aged Wisconsin cheddar that reminded me that where quality and choice of ingredients is involved, the flavor follows. We tried the deep, rich Red Krab and Shrimp Cocktail, Southwest Taco Salad, and a cornbread salad that had a recipe history from the Civil War. But there was one salad that sent me into the orbit I so desired. It was a “potpourri” of cran-

July 2014 - Page 28

CenterStage C|U|I|S|I|N|E

A Taste from Near or Far with Claudia Lowery

POTPOURRI HOUSE It’s like a secret garden

berry, apple, and orange with a touch of sweet spice that was reminiscent of spiced apples. I wanted more than my share. It was something quite divine. The Potpourri House has a full menu that includes an interesting variety of sandwiches, appetizers, and entrees. New York strip, filet mignon, ribeye … fresh basil pesto, Chef Randy’s smoked Italian meatballs, Chicken Seattle … fresh-grilled Scottish salmon … and a gluten-free menu as well. There are a variety of choices, yet they are not overwhelming. The menu is thoughtful and thorough. Desserts are tempting and luscious … crème brulee, Tootie’s buttermilk pie, gourmet pineapple bread pudding, turtle cheesecake. Need I go on? The entire menu is available online with prices. Study it in advance so that you will have more time to enjoy friends and excellent food. The Ellworth’s son, Les, is now manager and warmly visited with my guests and me as we finished our meal. His pride shows, but more obvious to me was the love he had for the loyal customers he’s come to know over the years. Today, they are entertaining the daughters of women who came to visit years ago. The tradition is being carried through generationally with baby and bridal showers, family reunions, sorority parties, business meetings, anniversaries, and more. Unity was the word that came to my mind as he talked about the Potpourri House philosophy. “We are community and family driven,” Les explained. “My parents started this business, and today, I am carrying it on. It’s generational. I also advertise with another local business, Red Barn Flower & Gift Shop owned by Susan Meyers. We both care about the community and want to project a positive atmosphere by working together through advertising and recommendations. Again, community.” The Potpourri House hosts live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening at 6:30 with either acoustic or big band and show tunes. The boutique features Banana Republic skirts, Scala hats, and Pandora jewelry. Gifts and accessories are available to complete the experience for a solo shopping trip, a girls’ day out, or to find the perfect gift for a special someone. They have a party room with seating for 100 for showers, rehearsal dinners, and other private events. So, there is so much going on here; in fact, it is a potpourri just as the name suggests, with an assortment of wonderful things to grace your day, bring beautiful fragrances to your senses, savory goodness to fill you up and is much more than a house … it’s a home.

The opinions expressed here were based on the writer’s personal experience. Please be sure to visit and form your own opinion.

If You Go:

3320 Troup Hwy, Tyler Phone: 903-592-4171 Restaurant: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm Boutique: Mon-Sat 10am-9pm. You may find them on Facebook and Twitter or at www.potpourrihouse.com

PineyWoodsLive.com

Downtown Jefferson

The Old Store IGHTLIG IGHT KNNIGHT AVERN TAVERN The Fudge Store

Home of the One-Table Deli!

AND

RESTAURANT EST STAU AURANT RAN RA NT T & WINE WIIN NE BAR BA B A Smoke-free in an Old World Setting

BRING THIS AD IN

for $5 off any entree

Easy In / Easy Out Convenience Store

Steaks, Stonebaked Pizzas,, Tapas, Pastas with wine and beerr from around the world. rld. rl d. Movies & Music 202 North Walnut St. t. Historic Jefferson, TX 75657 565 657 7

903-665-8546 46

www.KnightLightTheater.com er.ccom m www.facebook.com/theknightlighttheater

Fried Chicken Made Fresh Daily Monday – Saturday Lunch Specials Monday-Friday 11-2

123 N. Walnut Street Jefferson, TX 903.665.3562 • 800.227.1030 JeffersonFudgeCompany.com

505 E. Broadway • Jefferson

903-665-2831

ESTATE SALES

THE CORK YARD Wine Bar & Bistro ticket r u o y f f $5.00 O

f me o e s a h c r with pu

FRIDAY NIGHT PRIME RIB LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY - SUNDAY NEW ORLEANS SUNDAYS

(gourmet coffee, beignets, monte cristo, fried chicken & waffles, crawfish & steaks) Sun., Mon., Wed. & Thurs. 11am-10pm | Fri.-Sat. 11am-Midnight Kitchen closes at 10pm 903.665.8500 | 122 E Austin St. • Jefferson, TX 75657

JEFFERSON GUN & KNIFE SHOW August g 23-24,, 2014

Factory Outlet

JEFFE ERS SON N IMA AGE ES 108 East Lafayette Jefferson, TX 75657

903-6 665-11 128 1-800-657-5073

207 N. Polk Jefferson 903.665.8282

Special Factory Prices

59 3$5. &

JEFFERSON Ice Express

Saturday 9am-5pm • Sunday 10am-4pm

JJefferson Visitor’s Center 305 E. Austin Street • Jefferson, TX

Buy • Sell • Trade • Browse Tables still available! For more information,, visit

www.Jefferson-Texas.com J jeffersongunshow@yahoo.com PineyWoodsLive.com

Proudly providing purified Ice and Water using a Reverse Osmosis Filtration System the best drinking water in Jefferson!

We have ten (10) RV spaces available for rent $30.00 per night with full hook-ups located within walking distance of all the downtown shops and restaurants.

610 E. BROADWAY JEFFERSON, TEXAS 75657

(903)431-0043 OR (903)407-5599 WWW.JEFFERSONICEEPXRESS-RVPARK.COM July 2014 - Page 29

“B si ”

The

ofmusic

by Randy Brown

1970, and the former reaching #11 on the Billboard

Woodstock (Almost)! I came upon a child of God He was walking along the road And I asked him, where are you going And this he told me... I’m going on down to Yasgur’s farm I’m going to join in a rock ‘n’ roll band I’m going to camp out on the land I’m gonna try and get my soul free We are stardust We are golden And we’ve got to get ourselves Back to the garden “Woodstock” written by Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell wrote the song “Woodstock” from what she had heard from her then boyfriend, Graham Nash, about the festival. She had not been able to attend, since she was told by a manager that it would be more advantageous for her to appear on The Dick Cavett Show. She wrote the song in a hotel room in New York City, watching televised reports of the festival. “The deprivation of not being able to go provided me with an intense angle on Woodstock,” she told an interviewer shortly after the event. The song was later released on her third album, Ladies of the Canyon in 1970, on her Shadows and Light album, and again in 1996 on her album titled Hits. The song later became hit recordings for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Matthews Southern Comfort, the latter reaching #1 on the UK singles chart for three weeks in October July 2014 - Page 30

Hot 100. A significant part of that spirit lives on today in the Texas Hill Country. I just got back from my annual pilgrimage and, as usual, I am still vibrating with the energy I experienced there. Before the feelings fade, I thought I would share them with you. Truth be told, though old enough, I was not at Woodstock. In fact, I don’t remember even hearing about it until the movie came out. But, since 1994, I have been attending the Kerrville Folk Festival (KFF) with many of the same attributes in little, old Kerrville, Texas. Every year, on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the festival cranks up for 18 days of music in the Hill Country heat, dust and sometimes mud. Most years I go for a week, though I have stayed for the entire 18 days a couple of times. At first glimpse, it would appear to the outside observer that the festival is a Mecca for old, burnt-out hippies, and there is that contingent as well as the younger “tribe,” I do love those folks, and some might even include me in the old hippie group; but honestly, I go for the music, connections and the spirit that pervades the whole place. KFF has wonderful music, and many folks who go to the festival stay in a motel in nearby Kerrville and go to the shows in the evenings. The main-stage shows are wonderful. Through the years I have heard perform Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Lyle Lovett and Nancy Griffith to name but a few. But the REAL KFF occurs in the campground next to the main-stage area. Several thousand folks camp every year, setting up camps of widely varying complexity, some complete with water towers, full bars, and more. This is where the magic happens around the clock. Anytime, from breakfast to 5 a.m., there is most likely a group of songwriters huddled up

under a tarp or around a campfire sharing their songs. If you want to learn very quickly what makes a great song, then simply hang out for awhile. You will hear jaw-dropping songs with regularity from folks you have never heard before. Or you may sit in a circle with Nashville greats like Steve Seskin or Allen Shamblin, with strings of number 1 hits under their belts. But unlike the real world, where that rarely occurs, KFF allows magic to happen. All songwriters are created equal at KFF. You will be welcome in most any circle provided you follow the unwritten rules: Wait to be asked to sit down and listen. Don’t spend your time trying to figure out how to impress. Just be there and listen. Listening at KFF is a magical experience. I have had my hair stand up on end at 3 a.m. by a simple song. I have wept like a small child in full view of everyone at the power of a wellcrafted piece. The art form is worshiped by attendees, and a great song will make you an overnight legend. But beware, pride goes before the fall. Everyone that opens up a guitar case has a song that will awe you. So, go to share, not to impress. At KFF, never try to judge a song by its presenter. Real songwriters don’t match the glamorous pics you see in entertainment magazines and on TV. Many write the songs you hear on the radio, but judging from appearances, you would never know. I have a dear friend who, by appearances, would never be judged as an artist. Yet she has written almost 8,000 songs, many have been covered by country, pop and rock artists. She cannot play an instrument, but when she sings her songs, I hear an orchestra. At KFF this happens every day. In its 43rd year, KFF may well be the largest, longest running intentional community in the world. Every year for 18 days it re-creates itself in the Hill Country and then disappears as quickly as it came. If you are a songwriter and have any desire to meet other songwriters, this is where you should go. I promise you will be energized and humbled at the same time. Most of the magic happens either oneon-one or in that hallowed tradition of the song circle. A song circle is a group of three or more songwriters playing their compositions for each other and anyone else who cares to listen. Many circles take place in established camps. But others might spring up spontaneously in the

middle of a road in the campground in the wee hours of the morning. KFF is all about spontaneity, creation and sharing. Founded by Rod Kennedy in 1972, who passed away earlier this year, KFF will continue for many years to come simply because of the impact it has had on the lives of simple, struggling artists such as myself. It is a magical event in an often daunting environment. I have experienced 60 MPH straight line winds, scorpions, centipedes (6 inchers), torrential rain, 100+ temps, which may sound scary, but they only increase the camaraderie of the place. The hardships are hardly noticed amidst the wonderful spirit of sharing. The best part of the spirit of Woodstock lives on here. One of my fondest memories happened about eight years ago. We experienced a 12-hour rain of Biblical proportions (nine inches, if I recall correctly.) There wasn’t a dry sleeping bag or tent in the whole place, but when at about 2 p.m. a single ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, more than a thousand people cheered at once. The roads were flowing like rivers, but instead of packing up to go, folks by the hundreds whipped out lawn chairs and sat in the temporary rivers like it was a party. A magical moment for sure. If you attend KFF with an open mind, a humble heart and a sharing spirit, you will be moved beyond your wildest dreams artistically. The connections and friends you make there will totally change your life. Some of my greatest friendships and professional connections came about either directly or indirectly at the festival. It is a magical place, a place of acceptance, and to the songwriter, it is home. In fact, the entrance has a sign that simply says, “Welcome Home.” That is also the first greeting you are apt to get upon arriving. I know it sounds a tad sappy, but I assure you it is heartfelt in it’s delivery. The spirit of Woodstock lives on each year for 18 days with a joyous celebration of music and the human spirit. I encourage you to grab a tent, some cool clothes and your most accepting spirit, and you will not be disappointed. To paraphrase Joni, it can set your creative soul free. I’m going next year. If you are afraid to go by yourself, then shoot me an email, and I will be happy to be your tour guide. Until next month! Randy Brown is a full-time singer/songwriter living in East Texas and has been involved with many sides of the music business over the years, from being a sideman, a sound man, touring songwriter, producer, venue operator, and a recording studio owner/engineer. He wasn’t at Woodstock but experiences oceans of tie-dye in a patchouli scented desert every year. He thinks that almost counts. PineyWoodsLive.com

SCENE

In case you missed it, scenes from events in East Texas!

1-5: Ben Wheeler hosted their annual Far Out Art and JuneBug Music Festival June 21st.

ONE ARTIST SHOW FEATURING PINEY WOODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VERY OWN

6-16: Longview hosted their first annual Gay Pride Celebration in Heritage Plaza June 21st.

JAN STATMAN THROUGH JULY HELD AT

SALON VERVE, 121 E. ERWIN ST. IN DOWNTOWN TYLER.

Downtown Kilgore

2, 3 6 &12* 03./.-, 3- ,",- 3006#132i ,! 6--1"6%# !,,&% i

Incredible Instruments Learnable Lessons Music for Life FREE CONCERT

STREET DANCE FEATURING THE BLUEBIRDS

903.218.5636 100 10 1 00 N. N Kilgore Kiil ilgo lg gore go ore re St. St â&#x20AC;˘ Kilgore Kiil ilg lg go or

JULY 25TH - 8-10PM

WORLDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RICHEST ACRE DOWNTOWN KILGORE

119 Longview Street â&#x20AC;˘ Kilgore

903.984.4900 604 S. Palestine St. (Hwy. 19) â&#x20AC;˘ Athens

903.292.1733

For more information, call

903.988.4117 PineyWoodsLive.com

July 2014 - Page 31

NEW & USED AUTOS & RVS AS LOW AS

1.39

APR*

You can postpone your payment for 90 days*. *APR is Annual Percentage Rate. Loans and payment deferral subject to approval.

Be part of the extraordinary difference.

Apply Online 903.381.6500 www.ecu.org PineyWoodsLive.com

Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency.

July 2014