Heart Of Texas Today January-February 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Publisher Alice Sadler Graphics & Production 6 Real Estate In 2014 9 ASE Certification & Gimmicks With Car Repairs 10 The Rescue of Cindy & Boots 11 Obamacare In 2014; Pointers & Predictions 12 Tree Trimming Tips 13 God Bless The Children 16 A Texas State of Mind… A Short Story From A Tall Texan: Why Texas Kids Love Their Grandfathers 24 What’s Safe-What Isn’t, While Pregnant 26 The Building Blocks of Faith 28 New Year Recipes 29 Redneck Recipes 31 Saint Valentine Beheaded To Advertise Call 830-370-9257
The Opinions expressed in Heart Of Texas Today are those of the advertisers and writers. And not necessarily those of this magazine.
Golden Monkey Productions Contributing Writers David Blackburn Kelly Dooley David LeMeilleur Lainie Johnson Kathleen Maxwell Rambie Todd Peter Mary Gentry Michael J. McGroarty Cover Photography
William Kierce Kierce Photography
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Kelly Dooley Email: Kelly@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 459-0452
Joann Faust Email: Joann@ShermanCo.com Phone #: 830-329-2902
Real Estate in 2014 by Kelly Dooley, Realtor® All indications show that real estate activity in the Texas Hill Country will continue to improve in 2014.
Ed Hamilton Email: Ed@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 739-0056
SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS
819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028 OFFICE: 830-257-7588
www.ShermanCo.com
The surrounding metropolitan areas of San Antonio and Austin have had fabulous activity in 2013. While the Kerrville area seemed to be “behind the curve” in moving out of the real estate slump of recent years, the increasing activity throughout 2013 and particularly in recent months indicates an even stronger market for 2014. So now’s the time to put your property on the market. I look forward to a stronger real estate market and overall economy in this new year. The contents of this article are the opinion of Kelly Dooley, a professional real estate agent with Sherman & Co., Realtors® in Kerrville, Texas. Other professional real estate brokers and agents may disagree or have other views. Comments and questions are welcome by email at Kelly@ShermanCo.com. Your comments and questions and/or Kelly’s response may be printed in an upcoming issue.
WIDE OPEN SPACES WITH SOARING CEILINGS at this prestigious address in Riverhill subdivision in Kerrville. Impressive multi-level main living areas with 14 to 16 foot ceilings, rock fireplace, and wet bar for entertaining. Large dream kitchen with island, sub-zero refrigerator, breakfast area, & powder room. Luxurious master suite on main level with his/her baths & walk-in closets.Wine room. 3-car garage. Large lot with back decks in private backyard. Offered at $399,500. MLS #82370. Call Kelly Dooley at 830-459-0452 or Ed Hamilton at 830-739-0056 for a private showing.
HOA LAKE PICTURE-PERFECT ROCK HOME BUILT IN 2008 on 2 peaceful acres close to Homeowner’s Park with Lake. Less than 15 miles from Kerrville or Comfort, closer to Camp Verde. Open floor plan with soaring ceilings & tile flooring. Fabulous kitchen sports granite counters, hickory cabinetry, pantry, breakfast bar, stainless appliances. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus bonus room. Luxurious master suite. Large covered back patio to enjoy the serenity and the wildlife. 2-car attached garage, plus 30X21 man cave. Offered at only $337,500. MLS #81291. Call Kelly Dooley today!
AFFORDABLE BRICK HOME WITH METAL ROOF on cul-de-sac in nice Kerrville neighborhood outside of city limits, but close to everything. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, plus office/bonus room, with 2-car attached garage. Well designed open floor plan. Ceramic tile floors throughout. 0.46 acre lot with plenty of side yard for shop, pets, children’s play equipment, etc. Large storage building. Only $124,500! MLS #82674. Call Kelly Dooley today!
Email: Kelly@ShermanCo.com Phone #: (830) 459-0452
Email: Joann@ShermanCo.com Phone #: 830-329-2902
SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS
Kelly Dooley
819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER SUITE 170 • KERRVILLE, TX 78028 OFFICE: 830-257-7588
Joann Faust
www.ShermanCo.com
When only the best will do… it takes this hilltop Tuscan home with quality workmanship & the finest materials from TOP TO BOTTOM (from the standing seam metal roof & 12-14 ft. ceilings with custom treatments to the hand-cut travertine stone tile floors) & FRONT TO BACK (from the custom iron double doors at the front entry to the large covered back patio overlooking Kerrville), and… only these rolling green 79.48 ag exempt acres so close to town could be the perfect setting. No lack of storage with large walk-in closets, walking height attic, many custom alder wood cabinets, Christmas tree closet, and even a palatial laundry room. Gated private drive to 3-car attached garage. Potential pond sites. 3 tracts make up the 79.48 acres, so already platted for family compound or for selling a tract if less acreage is needed. 1600-sq. ft. metal storage barn for livestock or other uses, or workshop for the hobby enthusiast. Offered at $1,800,000. MLS #82673. Call Kelly Dooley at 830-459-0452 or Joann Faust at 830-329-2902 for more information or to schedule a private showing. Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
ASE CERTIFICATION & GIMMICKS WITH CAR REPAIRS
by David LeMeilleur
Cars are crucial to the daily life of many people in the world and we are a nation dependent on our motor vehicles as a mode of transportation. Though no one is sure exactly how many cars are on the road today, one thing is for sure, their owners rely on them to get from point A to point B every day. Because there are so many cars and because cars obviously have problems, there are also many mechanics, auto repair shops and "wanna-bees" who own tools willing to work on your vehicle. In fact, mechanics and auto shops are just as big a part of life, as cars will always need repairs and have become more complex every year. There within lies the problem. Let me put this in laymen's terms since we are talking about your money and your vehicle. Most people recognize MD or CPA as a term to indicate the person has earned qualifications not everyone has, i.e. Doctor or Accountant. Associations and professions use these types of certifications to recognize qualified and competent individuals. In career development achieving certification is one of the most important steps in career advancement. The same can be said when looking for a competent auto technician that you can trust when you have a vehicle problem. You would think this is a difficult process but much of the guesswork has been eliminated thanks to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). This little blue star signifies certification by the Mechanics and when you choose this technician you can rest assured you have a competent individual looking over your vehicle. Most technicians earning this certification will proudly display their credentials on the wall and on their uniforms as this certifies their competence not necessarily the shop where they are employed. Prior to taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own in order to brush up on their knowledge. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove they are technically competent to themselves, employers and to their customers. Moreover, shop owners and repair facilities who encourage their employees to become certified can be counted on to be concerned about the other aspects of their business. The other concern a car owner needs to have is with gimmicks to get you in the door. For example, when a repair shop says, "We have the most diagnostic tools" or "We only employ qualified technicians". If the tools are outdated or only used to read codes this isn't a diagnostic tool, this is much like a scalpel to a surgeon, you have to know how to use the tool to be able to make an accurate repair on the vehicle. Complexity of the computerized modules in today's vehicle, you have to have the proper and updated scan tools to communicate with your cars' computer. Since 2010, the computers talk so fast, if the mechanic hasn't kept up with the training and the diagnostic tool hasn't been updated, the information being sent to the tool may be inaccurate or incomplete resulting in the vehicle not being repaired properly because the mechanic may have just thrown one part after another, basically a code reader. Kind of like going to the Parts store where they have a code reader that tells them based on a code what could be the issue so they sell you parts based on an assumption it will fix the little check engine light on your dash, really? A light that could be turned on by literally hundreds of different issues or problems with your vehicle. When, it could have been something as simple as a faulty gas cap. So a word of advice to you, the consumer. When you take your vehicle to a mechanic or to an automotive repair facility, ask questions. Ask the Service Advisor if the facility has kept up with the technology to work on your particular vehicle. Also, look for ASE certification of the technicians. In addition, ask what the warranty is for the repairs; a qualified facility will have no qualms in warranting their work and in telling you they warranty work in writing because they know they can stand behind the technician and the facility who did the repairs.
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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The Cowboy Capital Pet Assistant League The Rescue of Cindy & Boots By Marlene Heavner Many things can be said by various rescue shelters and rescue organizations, but there is one thing that we all are in agreement with: The Boots health and welfare of every animal that comes into our care is our primary concern. In every case, a story can be told about each particular animal. We have just taken in an animal with a sad, but uplifting story that we would like to share. Our story begins with a telephone call from a Good Samaritan who told us about a Great Pyrenees female that was giving birth to puppies under a porch. The person couldn’t reach the momma or her puppies, and didn’t see the momma come out from under the porch for at least three days. When she finally did came out, she just ran for the food, ate, and then immediately went back to her puppies. This made it difficult to give her and her babies the attention they needed. Since we were unable to reach her, and only knew that she had puppies, we and had no idea how many there were. Two weeks after she gave birth we found that the momma had moved the puppy to a space under the house that was big enough to allow us to crawl under and finally reach her and her babies. We were very saddened to find that two of the three puppies didn’t survive. Even more disturbing was that the momma had a mammalian tumor that was continuing to grow. We took the momma, Cindy, to our veterinarian who determined that the tumor was possibly malignant. Not only did Cindy have a tumor the size of an orange but her surviving baby had a broken and infected tail. The Veterinarian had to remove most of the baby’s tail and successfully removed Cindy’s tumor. Fortunately, the tumor was not malignant and we now have a healthy mom and baby. The daddy of this little bundle is a Great Dane thus the color of our baby. The baby has four white feet so we have named him Boots. We have not found a loving forever home yet, as we want momma and baby to heal. At that time we will begin our search for a forever home. For more information about our non-profit organization go to our website: ccpal.net
Cindy & Boots
Obamacare in 2014; Pointers & Predictions Individual Health Plans Beginning in 2014, it is common knowledge that most Americans will be required by law to buy health insurance coverage or pay a tax penalty. However, I have found that many people are confused and generally uninformed about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and what it means to their family. Therefore, I have provided a few pointers below: 1. You do not have to use the government website to purchase health insurance. Health insurance is too important and too costly to make uninformed decisions. Find a competent independent health insurance broker to assist you and your family. There is no cost for these services; brokers are compensated by the insurance companies to provide you with local guidance and assistance in navigating the complex healthcare system throughout the life of your policy. 2. The tax penalty for not having health insurance in 2014 will be 1% of household income for most families. The vast majority of individuals I consult with believe the penalty is just $95. Actually, the penalty is $95, or 1% of household income, whichever is greater. For example, the median US household income in 2013 was approximately $51,000; therefore, the average individual would have to pay a penalty of $510. This penalty is currently slated to double in 2015.
Todd E. Peter, RHU, REBC, ChHC, SGS
Mr. Peter is a Registered Health
3. Most individual and family health plans can no longer be purchased outside of the Annual Open Enrollment Period. Since these ACA plans now provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, it was necessary to limit enrollment to prevent individuals from just waiting until they got sick to purchase coverage. There are certain exceptions to this rule to accommodate those that have lost coverage, moved out of a service area, gained or lost dependents, or a few other special situations.
Underwriter, Registered Employee
Expected Changes and New Trends
Underwriters. Mr. Peter is the
Small employers should begin seeing the new ACA fees on their January bills and will likely see dramatic increases upon their 2014 plan renewals nationwide. Further, we expect that the ACA definition of a full-time employee will change to include only those working an average of 40 hours a week. This should be a welcome relief to many larger companies and many employees who have seen their hours reduced. Finally, we will likely see continued expansion of private health exchanges and primary care physicians adopting the concierge medicine business model. The marketplace is adapting and finding solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of ACA. Your family or business will need to do the same. Educate yourself and begin planning now.
Benefit Consultant, Chartered Health Care Consultant, Small Group Specialist and has been recognized as one of the top health insurance producers in the nation by the National Association of Health owner of Benefit Solutions located in Kerrville, TX. He provides free consultations by appointment. (830) 896.3727
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Tree Pruning Tips by Michael J. McGroarty
There are two kinds of winter gardening. The first method usually starts in January as the gardening catalogs begin to arrive in the mail. This type of gardening is as easy as sitting in your favorite chair, browsing the catalogs, and either dreaming about what you're going to do this spring, or actually drawing designs for the gardens you intend to work on. The second type of winter gardening is to actually get out in the yard and do a little work. Of course if it's bitter cold, you'd be better off waiting for a good day. Winter is a good time to do some pruning if the temperatures are around 30 degrees or so. I don't recommend pruning if it's considerably below freezing because the wood is brittle and will shatter when you make a cut. One of the advantages of pruning during the winter is that you can see much better what needs to be cut out and what should stay. At least that's true with deciduous plants. The other advantage is that the plants are dormant, and won't mind you doing a little work on them. Ornamental trees should be pruned to remove competing branches. Weeping Cherries, Flowering Dogwoods, Flowering Crabapples etc. have a tendency to send branches in many different directions. It is your job to decide how you want the plant to look, and then start pruning to achieve that look. But first stick your head inside the tree and see what you can eliminate from there. This is like looking under the hood, and when you do you'll see a lot of small branches that have been starved of sunlight, that certainly don't add anything to the plant, they are just there, and should be cut out. Any branch that is growing toward the center of the tree where it will get little sunlight should be cut out. Where there are two branches that are crossing, one of them should be eliminated. Once you get the inside of the plant cleaned up, you can start shaping the outside.
Shaping the outside is actually quite easy. Just picture how you want the plant to look, and picture imaginary lines of the finished outline of the plant. Cut off anything that is outside of these imaginary lines. It is also important to cut the tips of branches that have not yet reached these imaginary lines in order to force the plant to fill out. For the most part plants have two kinds of growth. Terminal branches and lateral branches. Each branch has one terminal bud at the very end, and many lateral branches along the sides. The terminal buds grow in an outward direction away from the plant. Left uncut they just keep growing in the same direction, and
the plant grows tall and very thin. That's why the trees in the woods are so thin and not very attractive. When you cut a branch on a plant, the plant sets new buds just below where you cut. When you remove the terminal bud, the plant will set multiple buds. This is how you make a plant nice and full. Don't be afraid to trim your plants, they will be much nicer because of it. The more you trim them, the fuller they become. Lots of people have a real problem with this. They just can't bring themselves to prune. Especially when it comes to plants like Japanese Red Maples. It kills them to even think about pruning a plant like this. Just do it! You'll have a beautiful plant because of it. Look at the plant objectively. If you see a branch that looks like it's growing too far in the wrong direction, cut it. If you make a mistake it will grow back. Not pruning is the only mistake you can make. I hope this helps and doesn't get you in trouble with your significant other. Many a family feud has started over pruning. Michael J. McGroarty is the author of this article. Visit his most interesting website, http://www.freeplants.com and sign up for his excellent gardening newsletter. Article provided by http://gardening-articles.com. If you use this article the above two links must be active.
God Bless The Children By Kelly Dooley Lord, we praise and thank you For your love and your power, And how your light shines so brightly Even in the darkest hour. You said the children were an example Of how we should come to you, And you requested our care for them And so to you we will be true. We pray for the little ones That are left alone on this earth, Because you have a plan For every single birth. So, Lord, let this penance Of our daily bread Bless the little children In a Way you have led. Please give them a warm bed And a home filled with love, And, Lord, let them know That it’s all from above.
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A Texas State of Mind‌ A Short Story from a Tall Texan Why Texas Kids Love Their Grandfathers By David Blackburn My grandparents were cattle ranchers in West Texas. My grandfather's grandfather moved to Texas in the early 1840's when Texas was still a nation; he built a ranch and a family that endured for many generations and was the foundation for our values of hard work and ethical behavior. I have always considered myself very fortunate to be part of this frontier lineage. When I was a small boy, I would usually spend a few weeks each summer with my grandparents at the ranch. I enjoyed this immensely and still consider these times as some of the best in my life. The greatest memory I have of my grandfather stems from one of these visits. My grandfather was a kind and wonderful man who considered me to be his favorite grandchild. He always took some extra effort to teach me as much as he could about life on the ranch, the animals and the outdoors, and did his best to put me on the right path in life. He also taught me how to fish and my first fishing experience is something that I will never forget. I was about five years old when my grandfather came to me and asked if I would like to go fishing with him. I jumped at the chance; I had seen other kids and adults fish before, but I was always considered too young to fish myself. I suspect the other folks thought I would end up scaring the fish away, so I had to be content as an observer when one of my older cousins pulled in a big bass or catfish. When my grandfather offered to take me fishing I knew that I was no longer a baby and I was more than eager to throw my
line in the water and take my place amongst the older kids and adults. I was beyond excited; I raced around the house as my grandmother made sandwiches for us and my grandfather assembled the fishing gear, which consisted of two cane poles, hooks and line, and a couple of corks. I ran to my grandfather's old pickup truck and leapt into the front seat while the old man put the poles in the back and drove us ever so slowly to the large pond about a mile from the house. It was early in the morning and the brutal heat of the Texas summer was still several hours away. My grandfather lead me to a shaded spot underneath a big tree whose branches hung over the water's edge. He seemed to enjoy the excitement I was showing and took a great delight in explaining to me about how to bait my hook, how much line to leave between the hook and the cork, and the importance of what he called his "secret fisherman's trick"--spitting on the bait. He assured me that this technique was a sure fire method for attracting the fish and was very effective in getting them to bite. After listening intently to every word he said, I took the pole and dropped my line into the still water, just as he did. We settled back and waited; I began to imagine taking home a stringer loaded with gigantic fish and being envied by everyone for being such a great fisherman. The hours passed and no fish appeared. We ate our sandwiches and changed locations a couple of times, all to no avail. We did not get a single bite or even a nibble, regardless
of how much spit I put on my bait. My excitement had given way to a feeling of melancholy and disappointment. My grandfather saw the sadness in my face and suggested that we leave our poles planted in the bank and braced with stones while we returned to the house. We would escape the midday heat and come back in the cool of the evening to check our lines. I agreed reluctantly; I was tired and hot and dangerously close to tears. We left the baited lines in the water and rode back up the dirt road to the house, where my grandmother gave me a glass of Kool-Aid then put me down for a nap. I slipped into sleep feeling that my first fishing trip had been a dismal failure.
than running, and sat silently as the old gentleman drove us to the pond. As we approached the two cane poles, I could see that mine was moving. There was something on my hook and suddenly the adrenaline and excitement that is available only to the very young flooded through me. I raced to the water's edge as my grandfather cautioned me to be careful and not yank the line out of the water too fast. I did as he said and slowly lifted the pole above my head. When I did so, I saw a huge bass flipping and flopping on the end of the line. It was, undoubtedly, the Biggest Fish In The Entire World, and I had caught it.
When I awoke both my grandparents were going about their usual routines. My grandmother gave me a snack of peanut butter and crackers with more Kool-Aid while my grandfather puttered around with some project he was working on. Soon he came to me and asked if I was ready to go back to the pond to check our lines. I said that I was, but I was not at all confident in the outcome. This time I shuffled out to the truck rather
My grandfather praised me for being such a fabulous fisherman and reminded me that patience was a big part of fishing as well as many other things in life. He told me that never giving up was the best method for achieving what you wanted and that sticking with a project even when you are faced with initial disappointment would usually produce the desired results. He also reaffirmed the value of spitting on the bait and was quite
sure that was why the fish was eventually attracted to my line. We took our poles and my prize catch back to the truck and I bounced on the seat all the way back to the house. My grandmother also praised my catch and my abilities as a fisherman. She cleaned the bass and fried it for me and I ate every bite all by myself. Life moved forward and my grandfather eventually passed away. My grandmother was too old to live on the ranch alone and she moved into town; I continued to spend a week or two each summer with her until I entered high school. I did not see her as often when I grew into my teens, but I always had fond memories of the times I spent on the ranch as a youngster. Once I was talking with her about those summer days and I told her how much that fishing expedition had meant to me. She listened as I recalled the story from my vantage point then she smiled and informed me that I did not know the whole story. It seems that my grandfather had also been disappointed when we did not catch any fish on that morning so long ago and seeing my own disappointment was more than he was prepared to bear. As I lay sleeping during my afternoon nap, he grabbed his rod and reel and drove the old truck down to the creek about five miles from the house. He used all the skills he had developed as a lifelong fisherman and caught a large bass, which he then took to the pond and placed on the hook of my fishing pole. He took his plyers and bent the hook in such a fashion that there was no way the fish could escape and secured the pole back in its' place near the water's edge. He got back to the house a mere ten minutes before I woke up from my nap and then accompanied me to the pond so I could find the fish on my line. I was amazed by this story; I knew that my grandfather loved me, but I never knew the extremes he went to in order to make my first fishing experience a good one. My greatest hope is that one day people will remember me half as fondly as I remember him. 18
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
Orphans & Widows Hope Project Local Ministers with an international ministry. By Sharing the love of God through providing food, clothing,eductation and medical care to orphans & widows in Africa. They change countless lives. Our goal (and hope) is that every fatherless child whom God has given to us will grow up healthy and educated, to become faithful citizens and that every widow will know the care of the lord. Mission Statement To touch with compassion and material help the fatherless and widowed whom God has given to us to care for. “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep ones self unstained by the world.� (James 1:27 NNAS) To make a donation or for more information contact Elizabeth Brown 830-377-0243 P.O. Box 291130, Kerrville TX 78029
Mary Gentry Blackburn January 6, 1967-December 1, 2013 Heart Of Texas Today has lost one of our “family”, Mary Gentry has been our recipe editor from the start of this magazine. We will miss her, but she will not be forgotten. She will live in our memories forever. Mary Taylor Gentry Blackburn, 46, died Sunday, December 1, 2013, at her home in Austin, Texas, following a long illness. Funeral services were held at 1 o’clock in the afternoon Friday, December 6, at Oaklawn Cemetery, in Jacksonville, Florida, with the Reverend Bruce Jones as officiate. Entombment followed the service. Mary and her twin sister, Meredith Smith, were born January 6, 1967, in Jacksonville. She graduated from Wolfson High School in 1985 and attended Florida State University. During the 1980’s Mary modeled for Denise Carol Modeling and Talent Agency. In 1983 she won first place in the summer modeling expo. She was signed with Prestige Models in Paris the summer after her junior year in high school. She was baptized and confirmed at Southside United Methodist Church where she was an acolyte and member of the United Methodist Youth. She married David Blackburn May 14, 1998. She had previously worked at AT&T and Bell South. Most recently she authored a column for Heart Of Texas Today magazine.
Dr. Robert (Bob) Lynn Borjes 1962-2013
Dr. Robert (Bob) Lynn Borjes was born on March 5, 1962, in Tyler, Texas. He was the youngest of three children. Bob graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of the Incarnate Word in May 2012. He worked for Kerrville Independent School District at Hal Peterson Middle School as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher for 21 years. Dr. Robert Lynn Borjes will be greatly missed by the students and staff at Peterson middle school. He was very close to the Peterson staff and students. He loved being here-this was family. He was a great man that loved his profession. He delivered his lessons with vigor using the latest technology. He is survived by his wife, Jewell, and two sons, James,, and Christopher, and daughter–in-law, Shannon His memorial service was held December 14, 2013 at Calvary Temple Church, Kerrville, Texas.
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
What’s Safe – What Isn’t, While Pregnant? As you have probably heard me say before, it’s important to remember that we are parents even before ourbaby is actually born. If you wonder about an activity that might be harmful to your baby, it’s best to hold off on doing it until youcheck with your doctor. While many activities are fine, a few are risky.Cigarettes and Secondhand Smoke— by now all experts agree that cigarette smoke and pregnancy are a bad combination. Babies born to moms who have been exposed to cigarette smoke are smaller because their blood flow is restricted. This affects the nutrients and oxygen provided to the baby through the placenta. We now know that as the smoke passes through the lungs into the mother’s blood stream and through the umbilical cord to the baby’s bloodstream that it carries with it some very dangerous chemicals, such as Carbon monoxide, Nicotine, Tar, Cyanide, Thiocyanate, Cadmium, and Benzoapyrene. These chemicals reduce the oxygen available to your baby, they also have the same affect as when you breath exhaust fumes. Your unborn baby can also develop addiction to nicotine. You know how hard it is for you to quit smoking—you are doing that same thing to your baby when it is born addicted to nicotine. A little Cyanide can make a person very sick or even kill them. It has even been an effective murder weapon. These chemicals also interfere with the development of your baby. Smoking increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. Stillbirth means that the baby dies inside of the mother and when she goes into labor, she delivers a dead baby. Newborn infants born to smoking mothers are forty times more likely to die in the first years of life, account for 2/3 of all neonatal deaths, and have smaller heads than healthy babies. We now know that these babys’ growth is stunted in the womb and they have fewer brain cells. It is estimated that 60% of SIDS deaths are infants who were exposed to smoke before or after birth. To learn more, please contact us a www.thepregnancyresourcecenter.org We offer FREE parenting classes, on an individual basis to address whatever concerns you may have about your child – from conception to age 12.
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
Heart of Texas Today | November - December 25
Arizona • California • Colorado Florida • Illinois • New York Ohio • Oregon • Tennessee Texas • Washington, D.C. Africa • Eastern Europe Latin America • Southeast Asia
The Building Blocks of Faith By: Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
To say Wanna Runyan has a full house is an understatement. The seventy-seven year old single great-grandmother has sole custody of her three young great-grandchildren: six year old twins, Payton and Paige, and their five year old sister, Kodi. Runyan, who also cares for an elderly family member, could no doubt make a happy home for the girls, but she needed another bedroom in her small Kerrville home to comply with Child Protective Services licensing standards. How would she ever get a room addition? “It would have to be a miracle,” Runyan said. Neighbors and friends heard about Runyan’s dilemma. One such acquaintance, a volunteer from Christian Assistance Ministry, contacted Partners in Ministry and the ball started rolling. “It is indescribable how it all came together,” said Jeff Anderson, Executive Director of Partners in Ministry. Anderson began working with a neighbor, Bob Meader, who drew up plans for the project. TJ Moore Lumber Yard, Home Depot and MG Builders all donated supplies or gave discounts to make the room addition come together. BCFS Health and Human Services’ (BCFS HHS) Kerrville Transition Center (KTC) was asked to assist with labor. YouthBuild, a program of the KTC, helps young adults who dropped out of high school further their education goals while also learning the construction trade. YouthBuild construction manager, Keith Schoonmaker, said his youth put in more than 120 hours of sweat and hard work, learning to give back to their community. One BCFS HHS YouthBuild student, Eddy, shared his excitement about the project. “To go from nothing to being a room was amazing,” he said. “I loved the experience and learned a lot.” “When they started building, I cried,” smiled Runyan. “I could not believe it was happening to me. It was like a dream.” “When you do not have much money, something like this is like winning the lottery,” she continued.
Runyan and her greatgranddaughters loved the butterflies, pink paint and other girlie accents that made their new room feel like home.
Runyan’s three great-grandchildren became very fond of BCFS HHS’ YouthBuild youth and staff, About BCFS HHS’ Kerrville Transition Center BCFS HHS is presently leading a $2.2 million capital campaign to build a larger transition center in Kerrville. The organization established the KTC in 2007 as a “one stop shop” where youth in foster care or youth who otherwise face the potential of homelessness, receive counseling, case management, access to medical care, emergency housing assistance, life skills training, literacy training, educational support, and connections to employment and educational opportunities. Over the years, the demand for services at the KTC exploded beyond original projections. Today, the transition center and its partners serve more than 4,000 youth, young adults and families annually who are struggling with daunting challenges.
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
Early in the New Year, BCFS HHS will begin to construct a new 20,000 square foot transition center on a site provided by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. Fueled by a $500,000 challenge grant from the Cailloux Foundation, as well as the support of many private foundations and individuals, BCFS HHS is nearing completion of its capital campaign. The new KTC will house transitional service programs, as well as provide space for important partners: Partners in MinistryVision Youth, Families & Literacy, Inc., The Pregnancy Resource Center, and Art 2 Heart. By leveraging and maximizing shared talents and resources, the KTC will be able to serve more deserving youth and families through even more effective means. BCFS’ Kerrville Transition Center is presently located at 1105 East Main. To donate to the capital campaign, please visit www.DiscoverBCFS.net or mail your tax deductible donation to: “BCFS-Step Up for Youth Campaign,” 550 Earl Garrett Suite 114, Kerrville, Texas 78028. For questions, contact Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie at 830.928.9387 or Kathleen.maxwell@bcfs.net
BCFS HHS’ YouthBuild team learns not only about construction, but also about the importance of helping others. BCFS is a global system of health and human service non-profit organizations with locations and programs throughout the United States as well as Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa. The organization is a national leader in medical sheltering and emergency management and response, providing critical emergency support services to federal, state and local governments. BCFS also provides residential services and emergency shelters for children who are abused or neglected, assisted living services and vocational training for adults with intellectual disabilities, mental health services for children and families, foster care and adoption services, medical services, transitional living services for at-risk youth and those in the juvenile justice system, residential camping and retreats for children and families, and international humanitarian aid for children living in impoverished conditions in developing countries.
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Orange Chicken
Ingredients: 1/4 cup freshly-squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 2 teaspoons corn starch 1 tablespoon oil 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces 1 tablespoon oil 5 dried red chilies, seeded and soaked in warm water 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 inch ginger, grated 2 green onions, slices with whites and greens separated 1 tablespoon orange zest Directions: 1. Mix the orange juice, broth, soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, white pepper and corn starch and set aside. 2. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat-high. 3. Add the chicken and sauté until cooked, about 4-6 minutes and set aside. 4. Heat the oil in the pan, add the dried chilies, garlic, ginger and whites of the green onions and sauté until fragrant, about a minute. 5. Add the orange mixture, the chicken and the orange zest and cook until it thickens, a few minutes. 6. Serve over steamed rice garnished with the greens of the green onions. Yield: 4 Servings
Strawberry Upside Down Cake •2 cups crushed fresh strawberries •1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O® mix •3 cups miniature marshmallows •1 (18 ounce) package yellow cake mix, batter prepared as directed on package
Directions Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread crushed strawberries on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Evenly sprinkle strawberries with the dry gelatin powder, and top with mini marshmallows. Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package, and pour on top of the marshmallows. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the pan to loosen the sides, and turn the cake out onto a serving tray. Store cake in the refrigerator. Recipe makes 12 servings
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Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
Ingredients: Hot Dogs Spaghetti Pasta Sauce
1. 2. 3. 4.
Cut hotdogs into 1” pieces. Pierce Hot dog pieces with spaghetti. Boil pasta 9-11 minutes. Serve with your favorite sauce. what you need 1 pkg. (1 lb.) OSCAR MAYER Bun-Length Wieners 1 cup CHEEZ WHIZ Cheese Dip 8 hamburger buns, split PREHEAT grill to medium heat. Slice wieners at 1/2inch intervals, being careful to not cut all the way through the wieners. GRILL wieners 6 minutes or until wieners begin to curl and are heated through (160°F), turning after 3 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave the CHEEZ WHIZ as directed on label. PLACE wieners in buns. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. of the CHEEZ WHIZ into center of each wiener.
Heart of Texas Today | January - February 2014
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Heart of Texas Today | September - October 2013
Feb 14, 278 A.D.
St. Valentine Beheaded On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270. Legend also has it that while in jail, St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine."
For his great service, Valentine was named a saint after his death. In truth, the exact origins and identity of St. Valentine are unclear. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs, are mentioned in the early martyrologies under the date of 14 February." One was a priest in Rome, the second one was a bishop of Interamna (now Terni, Italy) and the third St. Valentine was a martyr in the Roman province of Africa. Legends vary on how the martyr's name became connected with romance. The date of his death may have become mingled with the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love. On these occasions, the names of young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as chance directed. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius decided to put an end to the Feast of Lupercalia, and he declared that February 14 be celebrated as St Valentine's Day. Gradually, February 14 became a date for exchanging love messages, poems and simple gifts such as flowers.