L i f e & S t y l e i n C e n t r a l Te x a s
November 2014
Life coaching lessons for stress-free holidays
time to
QUIT THE GREAT SMOKEOUT
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OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL
Contributors
Gail Dillon is a journalist and a former Air Force Public Affairs officer. She also writes a weekly blog, “Married To It,” about life as a military wife and mother, for the Killeen Daily Herald, and a weekly column for the Fort Hood Herald. She and her family are stationed at Fort Hood.
JESSICA PEARCE is a freelance writer, independent songwriter and an award-winning published poet. Widely traveled, she taught English language and literature overseas in Bangalore, India, and blogged about her cultural experiences. Raised in Alaska, she is a native Texan who now lives in Killeen where she serves as the Buy Texas Deals manager for Central Texas.
Jessa McClure is a part-time freelance writer and full-time mom to two energetic children. She is a longtime resident of Bell County and spends her time running around with her kids, volunteering and channeling her creativity. She finds inspiration everywhere and uses her experiences to create articles that inspire and touch those who read them.
James Paul Stanley is a Central Texas freelance photographer. His interest in photography began while serving at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia. Retired from 20 years of military service, he had the opportunity to travel to many countries and capture life through the lens. He currently resides in Killeen with his wife Julie and daughter Sarah, and teaches Basic Photography for the Continuing Education department at Central Texas College.
Valerie L. Valdez has taught theater arts and film classes at Central Texas College in Killeen since 2009. An accomplished writer of stage plays and screenplays, she earned her M.A. in theater arts from Texas State University in 1991. Val served as a marketing director for architecture firms in Austin for a decade. From 1981 to 1991, she worked as a producer and director of training films for the U.S. Army at Fort Hood and was also a program director at NBC and PBS affiliates for eight years.
FreD AFFLERBACH is an award-winning writer and novelist, college graduate at age 50, and former longhaul trucker. His stories and columns have been published in daily newspapers across Texas. His novel, “Roll On,” debuted in 2012, an interstate odyssey about a man afflicted with an incurable wanderlust despite pressure from family and friends to settle down. Fred lives in Cedar Park with his wife, Diane, and enjoys perusing Central Texas backroads with a keen eye out for roadrunners, old trucks and lipstick sunsets.
JOIN OUR TEAM: Tex Appeal Magazine is looking for photographers and freelance writers with at least one year experience
photographing and/or writing features for a newspaper or magazine. We are seeking candidates from the Central Texas area to include the cities of Killeen, Temple, Belton, Salado, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights. Candidates must be detail- and deadline-oriented and good story tellers, and must be familiar with AP style. Ability for writers to take photos is a plus, but not required. Interested candidates may send their resumes and three recent clippings and/or photographs for consideration to Catherine Hosman at edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com. 10
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Finding your heritage Paula Crutsinger finds home in the extended homelands of her ancestors, the Great Comanche Nation.
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TexTalk neighbors
Preserving the future by remembering the past
By Catherine Hosman Photographs by Julie Nabours
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aula Crutsinger adjusts the belt on her Native regalia. As co-chair of the annual Four Winds Intertribal Society Powwow held every September in Killeen, she was called by the emcee to join the rest of the powwow board in the arena for an honor blanket dance. As soon as she took her place with the rest of the board, the singers began their drum song. The board members began to circle the drum in a rhythmic dance, followed by friends and family, many dressed in their tribal clothing. Spectators stood in respect, and men removed their hats as the group passed by. Dancers and audience members dropped money on the blanket as donations to the Society. This annual powwow is more than a community event to introduce the public to the heritage of Native Americans. It’s a way to raise money for the numerous scholarships offered to Native American youths who want to pursue higher degrees. “Scholarship money is raised through the powwows, blanket dances and raffles,” Crutsinger said. “All money collected, no matter how small or large, goes into a special fund for scholarships.” Scholarships help Native youths at area colleges including Texas State in San Marcos, Temple Junior College, Mary Hardin Baylor and Central Texas College where a nursing scholarship honoring her late mother, Lola Hayden, is in place. To date, the Texas State Scholarship is just $1,200 away from its $25,000 goal. Awards of $1,000 are given to Native students who maintain a specific GPA. Crutsinger is now at home in Central Texas, once the extended homelands of her ancestors, the Great Comanche Nation. She was born and raised on a farm in Eaton Rapids, Mich., where her grandfather, a former Indian agent, purchased the farm and moved his family there to live on the land. She tried to fit in with the Midwest farming community, but something didn’t feel right. “I didn’t feel complete, whole,” she explained. She knew she was Comanche, but said she didn’t realize she was “different” from the other children until she was 12. She wanted to learn more about her heritage and began reading anything about American Indians she could find at the library. Then she asked her “grandpa, grandma and daddy to tell me stories,” despite their efforts not to talk about the past. “I had what grandma taught me, normal things like how to skin a rabbit, clean it, cook it and tan the fur and how not to let anything go to waste,” she said. “She also taught me how to sew and how to appreciate the little things that women appreciate.” Another lesson she learned early from her family was a strong work ethic. Every summer her two aunts traveled from their home states to help her grandfather in his fields. “My aunts could drive a team of horses to plow the fields,” she said. “Then they would come into the house and work more.” As a child, Crutsinger’s job was to follow behind her aunts and pick up rocks “to make sure the wheat would grow.” 12
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Paula Crutsinger wears her native regalia for special events and powwows.
Now this mother of 10, grandmother of 31, great-grandmother to nine, and retired nurse spends her time educating others on Native American history and culture — not just about the Comanche, but of all tribes, in an effort to present facts and break stereotypes. To achieve their goal of education, Crutsinger and other members of Four Winds Intertribal Society, both Native and nonNative, present programs to schools, Boy and Girl Scouts, dinners
Blanket Dance
When the emcee announces a blanket dance a blanket is placed on the ground/floor near the individual/group being honored. The dancers throw money onto the blanket as they dance by. Spectators also are invited to participate. This dance is usually done to help the Drum (singers) to defray the cost of their travel, lodging and food costs, to help a family who has need of assistance, or to make a donation to another cause (such as the Four Winds Scholarship Fund). Source: Four Winds Intertribal Society and at Fort Hood. When doing one of her talks, she carries a display that includes artifacts, photos and books. “I want the people to think about how you can bring the past into the future, and the present into the future,” she said. “It keeps our knowledge of each individual nation when trying to teach the next person. It’s keeping the story alive.” Crutsinger said Native youths today are like any other child growing up in the technological world. The further they get away from their culture, however, the more their heritage is lost, she said. She remembers what it was like in mid-20th Century when all “Indians” were declared dead or living on reservations. She said Native people living away from their reservation were afraid to admit their heritage for fear of prejudice. However, in the 1970s, on the heels of the Civil Rights Movement, Native Americans declared a time of “self-determination” and began to rally for the rights of their sovereign nations. Fast forward 40 years and today there are people of various tribal heritage who are professors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians and business owners. Many return to their tribal homelands to help their nation progress in the 21st Century. “The Native youths of today need to listen closer to their elders,” she said. “You can’t go forward if you dwell on the past, but it’s the past that moves us forward. They need to know the old ways that pushed them into today. Education comes from the background of history.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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1. Jim Stahr of Troy, left, and Joe Kiefer of Temple reminisce over a 1965 Corvette Stingray during the Journey of Route 66 Gala at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. 2. Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum Board Member Mark Erskine and his wife, Kathy, look at the display of photos during the Journey of Route 66 Gala. 3. Guests look at displays in the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum’s exhibit “America’s Road: Journey of Route 66.” 4. Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum’s education assistant Annie Muirhead, left, and curator Angela McCleaf greet guests at the Sept. 19 gala. 5. Gala guests look over silent auction items. 6. Guests look at displays of the “America’s Road: Journey of Route 66” exhibit at the museum. Photographs by JAMES PAUL STANLEY 14
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Railroad museum takes journey on Route 66 at gala 4
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1. Carolina Locker, left, of Dallas, shows Kathleen Scoville handmade natural jewelry from Colombian Girl Jewelry. 2. Micca Rogers, right, of Hamilton, shows Elain Rubidoux of Florence a collection of handmade pearl jewelry. 3. Tina and Buddy Hayslip of Salado visit Christmas in October with their four Yorkies. 4. Kaye Coachman of 21 Main in Salado had items for sale at the Salado Ladies Auxiliary’s Christmas in October. 5. Joe Ann Smith of Salado shops at The Shoppes on Main at Christmas in October. 6. Shoppers browse vendor booths at the Salado Christmas in October bazaar on Oct. 11. 7. Members of the Salado Ladies Auxiliary, from left, Sandy Gromacki, Chris Parker, Tommye Prater and Deborah Roberson at the annual bazaar. 8. Mickey Ellis of Belton browses clothing at the bazaar. 9. Rosie Slingerland, left, of Plano looks at jewelry with Lisa Eubanks of Belton at Christmas in October. 10. Traci Thrift of Waco looks at items from Magnolias of Salado at the annual Christmas in October bazaar.
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TexTalk flavours
Pignetti’s creates Mediterranean fusion cuisine
Story by Catherine Hosman Photographs by JULIE NABOURS Pignetti’s Italian Restaurant has been a Temple staple for 11 years. Owned by Clinton and Lydia Harwell, it is known for its fusion cuisine that blends traditional Italian with American, Hispanic and Spanish flavors. Chef Robert Hernandez said this blending of ethnic flavors elicits comments from guests like, “I didn’t know Italian could be like this.” Pignetti’s menu ranges from the classic to the contemporary. Appetizers include tomato caprese salad, calamari and crabstuffed mushrooms. Dinner items range from gnocchi to buffalo tenderloin, Nona’s ribeye lasagna to butternut squash ravioli. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily and includes selections ranging from pork chops to grilled salmon scampi, and a local favorite, homemade Osso Bucco Ravioli with Romesco. Hernandez has been the chef at Pignetti’s for more than two years and said he enjoys the ability to create meals that “make people happy.” “We have an open kitchen which allows us to interact with guests,” he said. “Sometimes they stop by and give us ideas on how to do something different, like wrapping bacon around meatloaf.” In addition to their regular daily menu, Pignetti’s offers monthly wine dinners featuring a local or national vineyard. On Wednesday nights, they offer wine tasting that pairs the appropriate wine with selected appetizers. “Thursday nights are date night and we offer our bottled wines for sale at a retail price to take home and enjoy,” he said. One of Chef Hernandez’s specialties is Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna with a Jalapeño Avacado Pesto. He shares the recipe with us here.
IF YOU GO
Pignetti’s is at 14 S. Second St., Temple. Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call: 254-778-1269. 18
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Chef Robert Hernandez
Pumpkin Seed Crusted Tuna with Mashed Potatoes and Sautéed Vegetables Ingredients 8 ounces tuna ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted and salted ¼ cup Panko breading (or bread crumbs) 2 tablespoons olive oil Place pumpkin seeds and panko in a food processor and pulse to course texture. Heat sauté pan on high with two tablespoons oil Lightly press the pumpkin seed and panko onto both sides of tuna. Once the pan is hot place the tuna in the pan until golden brown; then flip to the other side until golden brown, or medium rare. Place tuna on cutting
board and slice against the grain of the tuna. Serve tuna with mashed potatoes and your favorite sautéed vegetables. Drizzle avocado pesto on tuna.
¼ cup pumpkin seeds 1 seeded jalapeño 1 clove garlic ¼ cup grated parmesan 1 lemon squeezed 1 cup olive oil
Avocado Pesto
Place all avocado pesto ingredients in a food processor and process. Slowly drizzle olive oil into the food processor to create a smooth texture.
Ingredients 1 avocado ¼ cup parsley ¼ cup cilantro
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TexTalk beauty
Beauty in the Bag
By CATHERINE HOSMAN
How do you stay beautiful on the go?
Each month Tex Appeal peeks inside the bag of one busy woman to reveal her best beauty secrets and must-have essentials.
BarBara Crawford CEO
Emotional Self Sufficiency
Five ESSENTIALS she CARRIES BarBara Crawford likes to keep things simple. She said she used to carry a much larger bag, but found the smaller bag to be just as efficient. With this bag she has a pocket for each of her beauty needs. “I typically only wear mascara, eyeliner and lipstick as my paint by numbers. Very low maintenance.” Mary Kay Berry Kiss Lipstick: It’s my favorite color and it lasts. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara: It doesn’t clump my lashes and they appear longer. L’Oreal Smoldering Black Eye Liner: It glides on easy and lasts all day. I wear only these three products most days. Some days I don’t even wear makeup. Yet if I am out and about, I can easily add them if need be. Hair accessories: I keep a hair clip, hair band and bobby pins because I never know when a hot flash will hit, or I need to just put my hair up. Business Cards: My business cards, as well as my hairstylist’s cards because people ask me who colors/cuts my hair, cards for my fitness coach, my financial coach and my daughter Serenity’s baby sitting cards. Clients often need a date night or time to get things done and need a sitter they can trust. 20
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Most valuable TOOL in her BAG
My cellphone as I am accessible 24/7 for the troops, veterans and their families. These are the essential cards I always have in my purse as looking good, feeling good, having finances in order and time away from the kiddos is essential to having a balanced life! Pens: I am always taking notes on ideas or setting appointments
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TexTalk calendar
Friends of the Harker Heights Library Book Sale Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. All books, VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, and audio books $1 or less; all proceeds benefit library programs. Stewart C. Meyer Public Library/ Harker Heights Activities Center 400 Indian Trail, Harker Heights No entry fee. For more information, call the library at 254-953-5491. Ladies of Charity of Harker Heights Annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 8 to 11 a.m. There will be a variety of items for sale to include handmade crafts, baked goods, books, jewelry, fabric, Christmas and religious gifts, along with a big holiday raffle. All proceeds go to help those living in poverty and needing help in our communities. St. Paul’s Parish Center, 1000 E. FM 2410, Harker Heights (on Stillhouse Road). For more information, call Jane Barr 254690-8255. Tablerock’s Fright Trail Nov. 1 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tablerock’s one-half mile walking trail presents thrills and chills. $5 adults, $3 children 12 and under Tablerock Amphitheater, Royal Street and Table Rock Road, Salado. For more information, call 254-947-9205, or visit www. tablerock.org.
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Tablerock’s Fright Trail in Salado offers thrills and chills for all ages.
Temple Farmers Market Nov. 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For those looking to get their goods directly from the producer, visit the Farmers Market in downtown Temple. The market is held the first and third Saturday of every month from April through December. Admission is free. Vendor fee is $5 per vendor space 212 S. Main St. Temple. For more information, call Tyler Skinner 254-9310473, or email tyler.skinner82@yahoo. com.
3rd annual Holiday Craft Bazaar Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to purchase some unique, handmade holiday decor and Christmas gifts. Admission is free. Door prizes hourly. Vendor booth fees are $25 and space is extremely limited. Applications can be obtained by calling 254-2985733. Gober Party House, 1516 W Avenue H, Temple. For more information, call Belinda Garcia at 254-298-5733, or email bgarcia@templetx.gov
calendar TexTalk
The Contemporaries of the Azalee Marshall Cultural Arts Center are getting things ready for the Holiday Bow-TIQUE. Pictured, from left, are Jean Thorp, Sarah Jordan and Hilde Cort.
The Contemporaries annual Holiday BOW-tique Nov. 4, 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Contemporaries kick off the holiday season with their annual craft bazaar. The two-day event is free and open to the public. A light supper will be available on Nov. 4; lunch will be available Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This holiday event features local artists, authors, craftsmen, small businesses and offers shoppers a fun and unique shopping experience. Door prizes will be given throughout both days, courtesy of the vendors. The Contemporaries of the Azalee Marshall Community Center in Temple provide continuous volunteer and financial support to the CAC. Proceeds from vendor table rentals, dinner and luncheon
benefit the CAC. Cultural Arts Center Strasburger Hall, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. For more information, call Jean Thorp at 254-541-1076 and Hilde Cort at 254-770-3134.
Second Saturday Community Market Nov. 8, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market is the second Saturday of every month from March through December. There are creative works of art by local
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TexTalk calendar artists, fresh jams and jellies, unique gift ideas and arts and crafts. Vendors are not required to reserve a place in advance; you may show up on the day of the Market with your $5 vendor fee. 212 S. Main St., Temple. For more information, call Elaine Winn at 254-7734188.
Fall Family Formal Nov. 8, 6 to 9 p.m. Pull out your formal attire and gather the family for a night of dancing, music, photos and fun. All ages are welcome to attend this memorable event. Tickets are available online at www.templeparks.com for $10 per person. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Concessions and professional family photos will also be available for purchase. Mayborn Convention Center, 3303 N. Third St., Temple. For more information, call Belinda Garcia at 254-298-5733, or email bgarcia@templetx.gov. Veterans Ceremony City of Harker Heights Nov. 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The ceremony features traditional wreath laying to honor those who gave their lives. This event is co-sponsored by the city of Harker Heights and the Harker Heights Veterans’ Council. At the Veterans Monument in front of City Hall, 305 Miller’s Crossing. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved into the recreation Center Gymnasium, 307
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Miller’s Crossing. For more information, call 254-593-5491.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor presents The 2014 Texas Guitar Conference Concert Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. Texas Guitar Quartet; Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. a fifty-guitar orchestra Free and open to the public The Texas Guitar Conference brings together guitarists from the region in a summit for guitar excellence in Belton. On Nov. 14, the nationally renowned Texas Guitar Quartet presents an exciting concert of Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel, and more. On Nov. 15, a full day of events culminates in a performance by fifty guitarists in a guitar orchestra with participants from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Sam Houston State University and the Austin Classical Guitar Youth Orchestra. All events are free and open to the public. Concerts are at the Manning Chapel in the Meyer Christian Center, Mary Hardin Baylor University, 908 Pearl Street, Belton. All other conference events are at the Bawcom Student Union. For more information, call director Dr. Joseph Williams at joseph.williams@umhb.edu. Fort Hood Officers’ Spouses’ Club presents The 33rd Annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 16, noon to 5 p.m. Enjoy more than 100 arts and crafts
vendors, food vendors, door prizes and more. Professional pictures with Santa on Saturday only, from 12-3 p.m. Baked goods provided by the Fort Hood Area Enlisted Spouses Club will be available for purchase at A Holiday Café. Open to the Public. Admission $5, pre-sale; $6 at the door, 12 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Welfare Fund. They are distributed through the club’s Welfare Committee twice a year to charities that have requested grants that help the military community. At the Killeen Civic & Conference Center, 3601 S. W.S. Young Drive. For vendor information, call Monica Bates at 760-885-3079. For tickets or to volunteer, call Jenn Vroegindewey at 816284-9259, or email FH.Holiday.Basaar@ gmail.com.
Princess Tea Party Nov. 15, 10 to 11:30 a.m. $15 ages 3 to 7 Gowns, crowns, and sweet treats, too—nothing short of a princess tea party will do! All tea party guests will be treated as royalty at this girls-only party. All VIPs, Very Important Princesses, should dress in their finest princess attire while enjoying tea, snacks, a beauty makeover, arts and crafts, and games. Gober Party House, 1516 W. Avenue H. Temple. For more information, call Belinda Garcia at 254-298-5733 or email bgarcia@templetx.gov.
Carolina Chapa looks over a selection of clothing at last year’s Fort Hood Officers’ Spouses’ Club Holiday Bazaar at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.
Eliza Gilkyson Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m., pre-show dinner 6:30 p.m. Gilkyson’s music reflects her vivid vision of the world around her, full of joys and sorrows, each song a window into a life of struggle and triumph in a world she feels is “poised on the edge of moral, economic
and environmental bankruptcy.” Her latest release on Red House Records, “Roses at the End of Time” illuminates the issues, the inspirations and the agonies of our time, and the struggle to remain human in the midst of multi-dimensional crises. Preshow dinner: Cranberry almond salad, roasted tarragon chicken with wild
mushrooms, mashed potatoes, market vegetable, chocolate walnut pie, $11 inclusive. Cultural Arts Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. For more information, call 254-773-9926. Email upcoming events to edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com.
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TexTalk well-fed head
Memories of childhood in two cultures A By Valerie L. Valdez
ll creatures have memory but people are the only ones that record them. We tell and write stories about our lives and that of others so those memories will last, adding value, we hope, after we are gone. Memories matter. The stories in Killeen author and storyteller Consuelo Samarripa’s autobiographical “Barrio Princess — Growing up in Texas” invoke a time and place in the Lone Star state in the 1950s and early 1960s that seems like an old map is unfolded as we discover the journey through her childhood. Her first book is both rich and readable and utterly fascinating as she draws back the curtain of life as a Mexican-American girl, before the word “Hispanic” replaced it with political correctness. Samarripa writes like the gifted storyteller she is with an easy, conversational style. She invites us to crawl into the words on the page, into her stories and it’s impossible to refuse such a heartfelt invitation. “Made” in Mexico and coming of age in San Antonio and Killeen from ages 5 to 12, Samarripa’s story began with her first childhood memory on Ruiz Street of Doña Basilia, the “curanConsuelo dera” or faith healer. She taught Samarripa how to use fresh sage to brew healing teas as done by the Aztec Indians of Mexico. Besides physical ailments, Samarripa credits Doña Basilia of breaking her habit of interrupting people with wise sayings called “dichos.” She wrote, “To correct my bad habits, she would say when a mouth
is closed, flies cannot enter. Doña Basilia’s gentle admonition has rescued me from eating many flies over the years.” Her stories then shift to the nucleus of life in the west side Barrio to her grandmother’s house. Like the hub of a wheel, all family life came from it and especially in the kitchen where they gathered making tamales at Christmas and learning life lessons sitting around the table beneath the light fixture. “A light socket, a light bulb and a dangling string — so primitive yet heartwarming, it was a sure sign of home,” she wrote. The tales fluctuate from climbing backyard chicken coops and trees, starting her first business of ironing clothes for a nickel a garment, to eating hamburgers at the local car hop with her mother on Saturday night and learning about puppy love in the third grade. The amount of detail Samarripa remembered in her stories is remarkable given she was just a child, yet she recounts the stories with such vivid imagery and wonderment it’s easy to forget this book isn’t a work of fiction from a talented writer’s imagination. Consuelo Samarripa writes in a relaxed, authentic voice that many autobiographies from a child’s perspective lack. The book is separated into 13 short, yet satisfying chapters telling key episodes that define the important life lessons Samarripa she learned as a young girl while giving glimpses to significant decisions she made later in her life. However, Samarripa doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of growing up in two culturally different worlds as the U.S. edged closer to Civil Rights and the political turmoil of the 1960s. She grew up having to learn to speak,
“There is never a need to apologize for what we give to one another, especially when we express our love in the giving,” and “In youth we learn, in old age we understand.”
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read and write English and was told by teachers not to speak Spanish in school. Yet, at times her writing is also philosophical. “There is never a need to apologize for what we give to one another, especially when we express our love in the giving,” and “In youth we learn, in old age we understand,” she writes. The author’s essay and Q&A at the end of the book give an overview of her adult life including her marriage to a soldier, family life as a mother and grandmother and her emergence as a writer-storyteller. People are always curious about the lives of others, those like themselves and those different. We learn about ourselves most when we learn about others and their worlds. The front cover shows a torn photo of Samarripa in a fancy dress looking like a little princess. All lives are torn in some ways like an old photo and this memoir shows in touching, funny and sad ways the unique and torn in her life. It is as if the reader is sitting beside Consuelo Samarripa sipping a cup of ancient Aztec healing tea listening to this great storyteller gently recount her childhood one memory at a time.
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Nature in Lights at BLORA offers dozens of holiday displays, including the Tunnel of Lights, at left, and a gingerbread village, above. This year’s show incorporates new designs.
Magical lights wow crowds at BLORA
By Gail Dillon
F
or 18 years, the magic of Christmas has been captured in miles of colorful lights and creative scenes at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area. More than 2 million people have toured the elaborate “Nature in Lights” display since it began, making it a cherished ritual for many in the Central Texas area. “Nature in Lights truly is seen as a gift to the community,” said Lisa Bass, outdoor recreation program coordinator for BLORA. She said this year’s Nature in Lights will be spectacular, with a combination of old favorites and new designs. “It has become a holiday tradition for many families and they return with family and friends several times a season, so we try to keep things new and fun,” she said, adding that some “favorites,” such as the 500-foot tunnel of lights are displayed every year. About 145,000 people take the tour each season. This year’s Nature in Lights includes a “Texas” theme featuring nine new displays. “These displays are only the first half of this section with plans for additional displays to be built this winter,” Bass said, adding the new ones will be a part of Nature in Lights 2015-16. So how did this marvelous feat of holiday spirit and engineering come to be? It was originally conceived as part of a 10-year long-range plan for the Outdoor Recreation Branch. Bass was part of this planning, back in 1998, when she was a Department of Defense Outdoor Recreation Management trainee
at Fort Hood. “The program was developed as a means to bring visitors to the park during the traditionally slower winter season,” she explained. At first, they leased the displays, but eventually they were able to buy them, and now the BLORA Maintenance staff builds them. Bass said their sponsors are key to keeping the program going each year. “Thanks to a trade agreement with Metals2Go, we receive metal that our BLORA maintenance staff uses to build new displays.” The Outdoor Recreation staff meets each January to decide on the following season’s themes, choose displays and make recommendations for placement “based
on visibility, electrical load and terrain,” Bass said. “I love my job … I have the opportunity to be creative.” Setting up Nature in Lights begins at the beginning of September and continues until opening night, Nov. 15 — a good two and a half months of planning, building and organizing, requiring the time and talents of 15 people to implement. The 5½mile route takes about 30 minutes to complete depending on traffic and how much “oohing” and “aahing” goes on inside the vehicles. Trains travel the 15-minute Nature in Lights circuit regularly throughout the season, enchanting youngsters and the young-at-heart alike. “Our train route TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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Some of the Nature in Lights displays include poinsettias and a waving candy cane.
this year is entitled, ‘Gingerbread Junction’ and features new ‘sweet treat’ displays — tumbling gingerbread men, and other sweet surprises,” Bass said. Santa’s Village is set up at Live Oak Pavilion, about three-fourths of the way through the trail of lights. Operated by Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Apache Arts and Crafts, it offers gift shopping, arts and crafts booths, pictures with Santa, food and beverages and karaoke. Concessions are courtesy of MWR’s Sportsmen’s Center. At the end of the trail of lights is “Santa’s Depot,” where families can enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides, concessions under the stars, Christmas cartoons on a big screen each Friday evening and glow-in-the-dark toys. For people who choose to tour the lights in a more leisurely way, there is “Spoke and Saddle Nights,” returning for a second year. This is aimed at guests on bicycle or horseback, and motorcyclists are also included this season. Military members are welcome every night and are not required to bring ID when entering the park from Sparta Road. Bass said Nature in Lights has come a long way from its humble beginnings when it consisted of 54 displays. “This season we will have 117 displays in the main route, plus architectural and foliage lighting, and the illuminated train route.” She said the number 117 is not quite accurate since some displays have many pieces but are counted as one. 30
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At the end of the season, displays are disassembled and stored in the BLORA maintenance facility, although some lights are left on the peaks of a few buildings year-round. For Bass and her colleagues, Nature in Lights has become very special over the years, and rather personal. “Many of us that have worked on this program have grown with it and we are all deeply committed to its success,” she said.
People explore items for sale in Santa’s Village during Nature in Lights at BLORA last year. The village opens Nov. 15 and also offers hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
Nature in Lights at BLORA Nov. 15 to Jan. 5, nightly, 5:30 to 11 p.m. Open to the public and on Thanksgiving Gate Fees: $5 for car, mini-van and pick-up; $15 for limos, RV and 15passenger vans; $25 for 24-passenger vans; $40 for 47-passenger vans or larger bus. Santa’s Village is Thursday through Sunday Nov. 21 to Dec. 15 and nightly Nov. 15-17 and Dec. 19-24. Stop by for hot chocolate, homemade cookies, seasonal crafts and a photo with Santa from 5:30 to 11 p.m. For a special trail of lights not seen by vehicles hop on the tram at Santa’s Depot located in the parking lot of the marina cove. Cost is $5 per adult or $3 per child ages 11 and under (lap children, determined by the vendor, ride free); Pony Rides $8; Petting Zoo $3; Feed the animals $1; Concessions also are available. For directions from your area visit hoodmwr.com; for more information or for individuals requiring accommodations due to disability, call 254-287-2523 or 254-287-4907.
Nature in Lights displays last year included an elf, North Pole Rental and a helicopter.
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How to beat the
HOLIDAY BLUES, P
or at least keep them at bay
rofessional life coach, BarBara Crawford, said for some people the happiest time of the year is often fraught with stress, anxiety and emotional overload, “causing us to want to sleep through Jan. 2.” “There are four reasons why people become sad around the holidays: people, events, gifts and money,” she explained. Christmas seems to come earlier each year and decorations that once went up after Thanksgiving begin to pop up the day after Halloween or even sooner. Not long after that the holiday movies hit the airwaves. For those who dread the upcoming celebrations of family and togetherness for reasons known only to them, the holiday blues that might not have started until the end of November now hit them like a wave as early as October. One of the first things Crawford advised to help with the holiday blues is to “stop setting expectations of people, places and events.” “There are unmet expectations. We expect our family to look like a family in a commercial and get upset when we realize our family is a mixed bag of nuts,” she said. “When we stay mindful of the ‘now’ we can BarBara find the humor in the notquite-rights, we can be present to people as they are, instead of what we expect them to be.” This “mixed bag” could include a family member who likes to over-imbibe, or one who continually talks about past transgressions. “Past emotional wounds become more raw and sensitive at this time of year,”
Crawford said. “We tend to use them as lenses on what is happening now. We play old tapes in our mind that cause us to feel sadder and sadder or angrier, which in no way allows us to be in the present.” Crawford said to limit your time with “emotional vacuums,” and spend more time with people who energize you. “Fill your calendar over the holiday with emotional energizers. Instead of saying yes to everything, decide what you want to do and who you want to be with,” she said. “Get rid of the ‘have tos’ the ‘shoulds’, instead focus on what you desire, what excites you, touches your hearts, has meaning, will create the memories you desire most.” If money is tight, set your holiday budget now. Crawford said. Decide what you can spend and put it aside in an envelope. “Don’t use debit or credit cards. Swiping doesn’t hurt,” she said. “Put the money in an envelope and when it is gone, it’s gone.” She said another way to give gifts is to make and give away things; write a heartfelt letter or a special note. Home-baked holiday treats also go a long way in contributing to a friend’s or family Crawford member’s dinner table. Whether it’s the holiday blues or any other emotional struggle you may be enduring, Crawford said when you feel anything but neutral, peaceful, or joyful, “you are not in the moment.” “When you feel frustrated, angry, sad, mad, or hurt, you are typically dealing with an ‘Unmet Expectation’ of how this person, event or place was supposed to be,” she said. (Read her tips on page 34).
“Fill your calendar over the holiday with emotional energizers. Instead of saying yes to everything, decide what you want to do and who you want to be with.”
Story by Catherine Hosman • Photographs by Julie Nabours TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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Tips for staying emotionally balanced during the holidays BarBara Crawford offers these tips for staying emotionally balanced during the holidays: 1. Expectation — Make a five-column list of holiday expectations. Label each column as follows: What You Would Like to See Happen; What You Love to do that Brings You Joy and Satisfaction; What Do You Not Enjoy Doing that adds stress, anxiety or makes you feel time crunched. Of the things you do not enjoy, ask yourself if it can be delegated, hired-out, bartered, or just skipped. Lastly, write timelines on a calendar with deadlines to get things done. Get your to-do list out of your head as it is draining. 2. People — Our families don’t match the commercials and can be a mixed bag for many people. Limit time with people who are draining or difficult. Calendar your time with people you enjoy and who are uplifting and loving. 3. Events — Carefully choose which gatherings you want to attend and the people you want to spend that time with in the first place. Plan which events you can enjoy and afford and let the rest go. Learn to say NO, practice saying “NO” to things that are not what you want to do. 4. Gifts and Money — With the holidays so commercialized, it can feel like we never have enough gifts to give or money to buy them with, so we feel overwhelmed and disappointed. Decide who you want to give gifts to, what you can afford and stick with a budget so you are not paying for Christmas in July because of credit card debt. Use the “Envelope Method” once you have your budget figured out. Label your envelopes for Gifts, Events and Food. Put in the amount of cash you designate for each category, and when an envelope is empty, you are done spending. It is a proven fact that when we use a credit or debit card, we tend to spend more money. When we use cash, we are more aware and spend less. Another way to save money is to give homemade gifts, goodies or write a heartfelt letter to someone who means a lot to you. This is a gift that never loses its value.
Common Sense Tips Crawford said because we often overschedule, over-imbibe, and overeat during the holidays, those tasty seasonal foods rich in fat and sugar and drinking more alcohol can cause us to become run down, grouchy 34
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
Life coach BarBara Crawford juggles multiple projects from her home office in Harker Heights.
and overwhelmed. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, she said the average person can gain between 10 to 15 pounds. “Schedule on your calendar a time to exercise and take walks as much as possible to maintain your fitness routine during the holidays,” she said. “Also, plan healthy meals on the evenings you are home. When you do go out to parties, fill your plate with healthy choices first then if you must, choose one sweet or high calorie food to enjoy instead of sampling many items.”
Driving while Intoxicated Crawford said getting a DWI is not a great way to start the new year and suggests partygoers limit alcohol use and always have a designated driver. “It’s better to be overcautious than having to call a lawyer.” Giving Back Giving back to those who need it the most can be more rewarding than any gift you might receive. Crawford suggests serving in a soup kitchen or food bank; visiting an elderly care home; bringing baked goods to Fort Hood for soldiers who cannot go home for the holidays, or inviting them to your home for dinner. Collect blankets
and items for your local animal shelter.
Music “Make a play list of your favorite songs that speak to your heart and energize you,” she said. “They don’t have to be holiday songs. Whey you are feeling not quite right, play the music, dance or close your eyes, just be in the moment with the music.” Feelings “Feelings are fueled by your thoughts. If you begin to feel other than neutral, peaceful or happy take time to look at your thoughts, write them down if necessary,” Crawford said. “Ask yourself ‘are these thoughts true? Do I want them to be true? How can I look at this situation differently in a more positive say. What actions can I take to create what I do want.’” Lastly, Crawford said what you focus on expands, be it to the positive or negative. “So when you find yourself focusing on what is not right or upsetting causing ‘Downward Spiral Thinking,’ start focusing on what you do want, what you are grateful for in your life, which causes a string of ‘Upward Spiral Thinking’ and in no time you will be feeling more and more positive and energized.”
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Crushing the habit
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NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
Karoline Spengler-Moore and her husband, Dwayne Moore, relied on the Army Wellness Center’s smoking cessation program to quit tobacco. They both celebrate their first anniversary of being smoke and tobacco free on Nov. 20.
Great American Smokeout inspires women to quit
By Fred Afflerbach
I
t started at age 17 when she sneaked one of her mother’s cigarettes. Three decades later, Karoline SpenglerMoore was still hooked, averaging a pack and a half per day. It ended last fall at age 48. A granddaughter on the way offered inspiration. The Army Wellness Center at Fort Hood provided tools to confront the addiction. Working with the Wellness Center’s staff, Spengler-Moore took prescription medicine and nicotine patches, and attended support meetings. Although there are numerous routes to becoming nicotinefree, she says there is one key factor that cannot be dismissed. “You have to decide it for yourself.
“You’ve got to say, ‘I’m going to do this for me.’” — Karoline Spengler-Moore It’s not because your mother said so, your brother, your spouse, anybody else,” Spengler-Moore said. “You’ve got to say, ‘I’m going to do this for me.’” Smokers like Spengler-Moore who want to quit have an opportunity to take that first step on Nov. 20, day of the Great American Smokeout. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this annual initiative urges smokers to highlight this day as the one they quit. Support and guidance to help kick the habit are provided on the ACS website. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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Here in Central Texas, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare offers a program, Enuff of the Puff, to help folks quit tobacco. The seven-week session costs $30 and provides tobacco cessation group counseling through the American Lung Association. Below are five nicotine replacement therapies (quitting aids) featured on the Scott & White website. Lozenges — Hard candy that slowly releases nicotine as it dissolves in the mouth. The goal is the user will use fewer lozenges until nicotine free. Patch — An adhesive square that is attached to your arm and releases nicotine into your bloodstream. It lasts 16-24 hours and comes in different dosages. Gum — Chewing releases nicotine at a slower rate than smoking. Inhaler — prescription only. When you puff, a plastic cartridge that looks similar to a cigarette delivers nicotine through the mouth and not the lungs. Nasal spray — prescription only. A pump bottle dispenses nicotine into the bloodstream faster than other methods, which makes it an option for heavy smokers.
HyPnosis Some Central Texans have followed an unconventional route in their quest to becoming nicotine free. Marven Vodrey, a certified clinical hypnotherapist in Killeen, has used hypnotism to help smokers quit since 1978. He agrees with Spengler-Moore; the individual has to be sincere about quitting or the effort is a waste of time. “What we do is smoking hypnotherapy,” Vodrey said. “I can’t make you do anything against your will. The only thing we can change is what they (smokers) allow us to change. I tell them that the smell of (cigarette) smoke is the worst possible smell that they could imagine. If they would put a cigarette up to their mouth, it would be like licking a nasty, dirty ashtray. So when they leave here, they won’t be able to stand the smell of smoking, they won’t be able to put a cigarette in their mouth, and they will not be able to keep the thought of cigarettes or smoking in their mind for longer than a second.” Vodrey says a one-time session for $60 is successful 90 percent of the time. Technology For those who rely on modern technology in everyday living, numerous smart38
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
“Lung cancer accounts for about 27 percent of all cancer deaths and is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.” — American Cancer Society
DID YOU KNOW? Smoking can cause skin to dry out and lose elasticity, which causes wrinkles, premature aging and stretch marks. To celebrate not smoking, use the money you save to give yourself a homemade facial. Ingredients: 1 banana 10 drops lemon juice 1 tablespoon honey small bowl metal spoon Directions: Cut the banana into small pieces and pour into bowl. Use the spoon to mash the banana. Add the honey and lemon juice. Mix well and apply to face. Leave on 15 minutes and rinse well. Source: smokefreewomen.com phone apps are available to help you stop smoking. Many accentuate the positive. They can calculate how much money you have saved from not smoking and estimate how many more years you could expect to live. Daily motivational messages and the opportunity to connect with a community of former and active smokers who offer support and share experiences also come with these apps. You can find an assortment of 16 apps at Healthline.com. Prices range from free to several dollars.
Lung cancer Dr. William G. Petersen, a pulmonologist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, says the Great American Smokeout provides encouragement and that little push for smokers to take action and find a support network to quit. He also delivers a stark message about the health hazards of smoking cigarettes. “More women die of lung cancer than breast cancer,” Petersen said. “Ninety-five percent of it could be prevented by not
smoking. Not only is it bad for you, it affects your appearance.” Information on the website, smokefreewomen.gov, points out more benefits from being smoke-free. After quitting, women feel empowered, more in control of their lives, smell better, have fewer worries, look better and have more energy. The website includes interactive tools to help quit smoking. Dr. Mehul K Patel at Baylor Scott & White uses radiation therapy to treat patients with lung cancer. He said about 90 percent of the people he treats are smokers, or have been in the past. “We think that smoking prevention is the most important thing,” Dr. Patel said. “That’s really the only way we’re going to get a cure with lung cancer, is to have patients stop smoking.”
Find a friend Like many who have quit smoking, Spengler-Moore leaned on a buddy who could help her through times of weakness and craving. That person was her husband of 23 years, Dwayne Moore, who was giving up chewing tobacco, a longtime habit. Spengler-Moore called the moist, brown, pungent fibers he stuffed under his cheek “worm dirt.” For the Great American Smokeout 2014, the Copperas Cove couple will celebrate one year tobacco free. Looking back, Spengler-Moore remembers one particular moment when she almost gave in, a road trip to visit her newborn granddaughter. “Sitting in that car driving from Texas to California in February about killed me,” she said. Yet the payoff is worth the pain. “If you do it and you stick with it, man it feels good,” she continued. “You did it. You proved it to yourself and that’s what the big one is.”
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Features
28 33
BEAT THE BLUES
Life lessons for the holidays
Professional life coach, BarBara Crawford, said for some people the happiest time of the year is often fraught with stress, anxiety and emotional overload, “causing us to want to sleep through Jan. 2.” By CATHERINE HOSMAN
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STAMP OUT SMOKING Great American Smokeout inspires women to quit
It started at age 17 when she sneaked one of her mother’s cigarettes. Three decades later, Karoline Spengler-Moore was still hooked, averaging a pack and a half per day. It ended last fall at age 48. A granddaughter on the way offered inspiration. By FRED AFFLERBACH
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
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A final word on smoking
Holiday fun at BLORA
Tex Thoughts
The Great American Smokeout 2014 is Nov. 20. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, a few brave souls on this day will throw away their remaining pack of cigarettes, smoke the last butt, crush it in an ashtray or stamp it out on the ground with their shoe. By CATHERINE HOSMAN
NATURE IN LIGHTS For 18 years, the magic of Christmas has been captured in miles of colorful lights and creative scenes at Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area. More than 2 million people toured the elaborate “Nature in Lights” display since it began, making it a cherished ritual for many in the area. By GAIL DILLON
TexThoughts
A final word on quitting smoking
By Catherine Hosman
T
he Great American Smokeout 2014 is Nov. 20. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, a few brave souls on this day will throw away their remaining pack of cigarettes, smoke the last butt, crush it in an ashtray or stamp it out on the ground with their shoe. Chances are it’s their first attempt at quitting a habit that has consumed so many lives and costs so much money, not just in the cigarettes themselves, but in health-cost expenses. Many will fail on the first attempt, wait a period of time and try again. Some will succeed, eventually. But then there are those who will say it’s too hard and keep up the habit. Others will cut back enough to justify those puffs of smoke they inhale into their lungs that offers a temporary respite from the stress of the day. If you are wondering how I can say such things, I can say this because I am a quitter. I smoked for 10 years because I thought it was cool and glamorous. I was newly single and starting a new life and a new career in Chicago’s international hotel industry. At the time, everyone smoked, and you could smoke anywhere — in the office, the bathrooms, the employee cafeteria, meeting rooms, hotel rooms, restaurants ... the only place still off-limits was the elevator. I was envious of the women I worked with who carried delicate cigarette cases. When they were about to light up one of those beautifully encased rolls of tobacco, a chivalrous gentleman would take out a book of matches or a flip-top lighter to assist. Quite a few relationships started this way. But I quit. It was on the Great Smokeout in 1987. I was living in Houston when a friend’s young son handed me a pamphlet with a photo of a woman on the cover who had a hole in her throat. It was through this hole that she was able to breathe and speak. I remember the words of this 8-year40
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
old boy. He said, “I don’t want this to happen to you.” I had tried to quit before this child’s plea, but I could never quite get past the first few days. I tried all the tricks — smoking in designated areas of my apartment, sitting in non-smoking sections of restaurants, smoking OPs (Other People’s cigarettes), and finding the worst brand on the market. None of that worked. After receiving the pamphlet, I went to my doctor and asked for help. Nicorette was fairly new and available only with a prescription, which he gave me. I filled the order, read the directions and began chewing the gum, which tasted like the remains in an ashtray. But, alas, I even failed at that. Not only did I chew, but I chewed and smoked. There was only one way to conquer this beast, and I was determined to quit, so I did what my father did and what most people do to successfully rid themselves of this toxicity ... I went cold turkey. Yep, cold turkey. It was an adventure. It took me a solid three weeks to break the habits I created with cigarettes. And after those three weeks were up, I began to notice the difference. Food did taste better. My apartment smelled better, my clothes didn’t stink anymore and I found myself avoiding any environment in which there was smoking. That, in itself, was a challenge. I did gain the ex-smoker’s 10 pounds, and never did shed it. But knowing that I was able to quit smoking after several failed attempts gave me hope that I could face whatever other challenges lay ahead of me. So, if you smoke, attempt to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. But the choice is yours. No one can tell anyone to quit smoking. That is something smokers must realize themselves. If you are not ready this year, then maybe next year will be your turn. Don’t give up. You can do it!
Brighton Her Holiday The 2014 Central Texas
Brighton Jewelry Wallets Accessories
Cochran, Blair & Potts
Gift Guide
221 E. Central Avenue, Belton 254-939-3333
Give and Be Happy
Blenko Glass
Handcrafted jewelry, silver spoon rings and other shiny things! Made in the USA
Wow them with the gift of hand-blown glass
My Giving Tree Gift Shop & Art Gallery
Home Furnishings, Unique Gifts and More 320 S. Main St, Belton 254-939-0000
Your Home Away From Home
Festive Sacks
121 N East St., Suite B, Belton 254-939-TREE www.mygivingtree.net
Bed & Breakfast Small Events Breakfast Cafe Prix Fixe Dinners
Gold Coat Inn
2901 County Road 175, Leander 512-986-7430 goldcoatinn.com
Estacia’s
Burlap Santa bags! Make gift giving an easy wrap.
Paperdoodles
1401 S. 31st St., Ste C, Temple In Pecan Plaza | 254-773-8331 paperdoodles.com
Central Texas is the place to find the perfect gifts! From the table to the tree, you’re sure to find everything you need to make all your holiday celebrations spectacular this season. Find unique, handcrafted, personalized gifts and delicious treats. Don’t forget the gift certificates to make everyone on your list feel extra special. Give a gift from the heart of Texas, shop local and spread the joy!
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Handwarmer Mugs
Order is Beautiful
Ergonomically designed and contoured for right-handed and left-handed drinkers.
Baggallini, designed with style and thoughtful function for the woman who aspires to a well ordered life. Generous Hobo Totes to Everyday Bags
Dishwasher and microwave safe, lead-free pottery. Handmade in the USA
Best Wishes Gifts
1401 S. 31st St., Temple Pecan Plaza ~ 254-773-4438
Catering, Custom Cooking Call us for your custom & holiday cooking
Maurice’s Real Pit BBQ
Callie’s Boutique
1401 S. 31st St., Temple Pecan Plaza | 254-770-0511 calliesboutique.lightspeedwebstore.com
Holiday Savings Christmas Ornaments, Thanksgiving & Fall Décor, Unique Holiday Accents, Greeting Cards, Rugs, Art, Candles, & More! 20% off one item with this ad through November 30th
Pizazz Gifts & Décor
129 W. Veterans Memorial Blvd Harker Heights 254-699-6665
Inside Perry Office Plus 214 E. Central Ave, Downtown Belton perryop.com/pizazz
Go Ahead . . . Sass Me Sister!
Have a be.YOU.tiful holiday season
Come wrap your head around our Sassy Sister Headbands this Holiday Season. We hope to see y’all soon!
Shar’s Consignment
1615 Canyon Creek, Temple 254-773-7744 Mon - Sat 10-6 Find us on Facebook
Holiday Stress? Time to Relax!
Come in and ask for Summer Gulickson or Stefani Stephens and receive $5 off of any service (Nov. 15- Dec. 15)
Balance Massage and Bodywork
101 W. CenTex Expwy, Ste B Harker Heights, TX, 76548 254-519-4325
Your color specialist Salon. Gift cards and hair care gift sets available.
Be.YOU.tiful Salon 106 N. Main St., Belton 254-939-7499 Find us on Facebook
Antiques and More Several pieces of highly carved furniture, buffets, armoires, chairs, dining tables, stands, glassware, framed art, dishes, jewelry, vintage clothing, and accessories... all at affordable prices
The Pink House
1918 W. Avenue H, Temple 254-718-4588 Thu & Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3
We Pack, We Ship We now carry Circle E Candles
Pack N Mail
Gift of Dance Group and Private Lessons starting at $17! Gift Certificates Available
In The Mood Ballroom & Dance Studio
Two Temple Locations 1610 South 31st, Suite 102 254-778-7600 6173 W. Adams Ave, Suite B 254-778-7225
13 & 15 South Main Street, Temple 254-773-7088 inthemoodballroom.com
Don’t Worry, Bead Happy
Holiday Hair Needs Holiday Treatment
Popular jewelry making classes include beading, wire wrapping, metalsmithing and more! Gift certificates available. Come out and delight in our smorgasbord of beads!
Bead Bistro Gourmet Beadery
2501 S. W.S. Young Dr., Ste. 311 Killeen | (254) 432-5307
Pamper Your Loved Ones PEACH SATIN HANDS PAMPERING SET This peach formula cleanses, exfoliates & provides up to 24-hour moisturization. $34 (plus tax)
Mary Kay
Shermain Y. Simpson 254-338-2598
Kim Hay
The Salons at Tuscan Square 5297 S. 31st St, Ste 103-A Temple 254-913-9509
Christmas Toys for Girls and Boys! From classic rough and tumble boys’ toys and games to pretty in pink girls’ tea and jewelry sets. Oh, so adorable!
Callie’s Boutique
1401 S. 31st St., Temple Pecan Plaza | 254-770-0511 calliesboutique.lightspeedwebstore.com
Stephen Joseph
Neon Buddha
Make that important child in your life smile with Stephen Joseph timeless toys, backpacks, purses, coin purses, critter sitters and more!
Nirvana for your body and soul. A lifestyle clothing collection for travel, home, work, yoga, and you.
Zooty’s
1401 S. 31st St., Ste 1, Temple 254-770-0940 zootystemple.com
Zooty’s
1401 S. 31st St., Ste 1, Temple 254-770-0940 zootystemple.com
Holiday Party Catering Gift Certificates Available
Schoepf ’s BBQ
Give the Gift of Beauty $100 gift certificate for $75 (11/1/14 - 12/31/14) Take 20% off selected Redken and Pureology products during the month of December
Salon Kinetic
702 E. Central Ave, Belton 254-939-1151 schoepfsbbq.com
6173 W. Adams Ave, Ste D Temple 254-771-9981 salonkinetic.com
One of a Kind Unique Designs
Give the Gift of Relaxation
Finish your look with jewelry, accessories, or a unique piece of clothing.
Save 50% on a hot stone massage Gift cards available
The Jewelry Lady
Village Square 2904 E. Stan Schleuter Loop, Building C, Ste 302, Killeen 254-554-5239
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Carrie’d Away Therapeutic Massage Clinic
3401 E. Rancier, Killeen 254-319-8024
Isn’t it Darling? Nothing is nicer for the Holidays than this amazing apron. Kiss the cook indeed! Come find your Decor today.
Ramirez Swimming Pools
Darling Decor & More
5206 S. General Bruce Drive Temple | 254-773-0765 Killeen | 254-519-1652 Find us on Facebook
312 West Adams Avenue, Temple 817-726-9612 Follow us on Facebook
Shop Uncommon
More Style with More Snap
Belton’s Unique Boutique
Flamingo Grove
2421 N. Main St., Belton 254-939-7328 Find us on Facebook !
Start snapping up some style today! Snap-able products like jewelry, purses, wallets and more!
Gifts & Goodies
2 Locations in Temple Mall 254-774-6868
Start Your Healthier Lifestyle Starter Kits, e-juice, all your vaping needs. In Killeen and Waco.
Great Vapes
921 W Veterans Memorial Blvd, #104, Killeen | 254-870-3461
Vera by Brighton Celebrated artist Vera Neumann’s love of nature comes through, featuring Vera’s own poppy renderings.
The Shoe Box
1201 Hewitt Dr #200 Waco | 254-732-3228
3111 S. 31st St., Ste 3195 Temple Mall 254-773-4560
Get Creative!
Enshrining Those Special Moments
Create a one-of-a-kind gift in our Paint Your Own Pottery Studio. We offer art classes for all ages! Gift Certificates available.
That Art Place
Creative Lifestyle Natural Light Photographer 35% off any regular price session, includes images and prints.
Moments Enshrined Photography
328 N. Main St., Belton 254-613-4292 ThatArtPlaceStudio.com
Round Rock, TX 512-579-0526 or 941-799-1460 momentsenshrined.com
Your #1 Fan
Fully Cooked Meats Including Hams
Great selection of collegiate gifts for home, dorm and garden.
All Holiday orders due by December 10th
Cyclone Corral BBQ
Earthscapes
1616 Farmers Road, Burlington 10 miles East of Temple 254-985-2317 cyclonecorralbbq.com
Gucci Eyewear
Endless Gift Pop-Abilities
5317 Loop 205, Temple 254-773-4668 earthscapestemple.com
Fine Italian materials and craftmanship, sleek and contemporary styles in fun shapes and trendy colors with designs suited for various tastes.
Marvina’s Optical Boutique
1408 S. 31st St., Ste B, Temple 254-771-2522
10% off all Holiday orders placed before December 1st
Pop-Abilities
7349 Honeysuckle, Ste 120, Temple 254-295-0996 pop-abilities.com
Classic Upscale Restaurant
Mouth Watering Jack Wings
Receive a $20 gift card for every $100 gift card Starts Black Friday Ends Dec. 24,2014
Order 100 wings get 20 free during the month of November 2014
Cheeves Bros. Steak House
14 East Avenue A, Temple 254-742.2300
Only the Best The best prices on the best machines!
Sew & Quilt Store
1510 South 31st, Temple 254-774-9797 sewandquiltstore.com
Corona’s De Oro Restaurant
2609 S. 37th St., Temple 254-771-3695
Take Back Your Power, TODAY Live Your Life . Self protection with you in mind. Stuns guns, pepper sprays, personal safety, home security, self-defense Your safety is my concern.
Goddess Armor Protection
Dora : 888-926-9529 goddessarmorprotection.net
Something for your Honey
FLAX Linen fashions that are famous for comfort, fit, and funky styling.
Paperdoodles
1401 S. 31st St., Ste C, Temple In Pecan Plaza | 254-773-8331 paperdoodles.com
Christmas is Looking Good
$120 gift card for $100 now through the Holidays. Can be purchased online. Product gift box specials are also available.
The Salon & Spa at Greenbriar Belton | 254-939-3700 salonspagreenbriar.com
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OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL
Walker Honey Farms & Dancing Bee Winery
8060 East HWY 190, Rogers 254-983-2899 walkerhoneyfarm.com
“luxuries for your lucky little ones”
7410 W. Adams Ave No 170, Temple
254.773.5200 | Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:30pm | Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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TexPets
Keep pets safe and happy during the holidays By Jessa McClure
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isions of turkey, pie and sugar plums dance in your head as you begin to plan your holiday season. While you drool over the cornucopia of food you will soon encounter and feel that childhood excitement about exchanging gifts with family and friends, your fourlegged friends might be thinking, when will this be over? Here are some helpful tips to ensure that your pets have an enjoyable and safe holiday season.
Boarding your pet 1. Make sure your pet is properly vaccinated. Dr. Gene W. Ray of Town and Country Veterinary Medical Center in Killeen said there are several vaccines that are important for your pet to have before they are boarded. “Dogs should be vaccinated for kennel cough at least two weeks prior to boarding, and be up to date with all annual vaccinations like rabies and distemper,” Dr. Ray said. “Cats need to be feline leukemia free within six months of being boarded and it is recommended that all cats get the feline leukemia vaccine.” He also stated that cats should also be up to date on their annual distemper and rabies immunizations before being boarded. 2. Provide food and comfort items Because the vet’s office or boarding facility isn’t as comfy as home, Dr. Ray said it’s a good idea to provide a comfort item like a familiar toy and the food the pet is used to eating. “A couple of days before we board him, we give him a small spoonful of canned pumpkin mixed with his food to keep him from having an upset stomach at the kennel,” said Belton resident, Elizabeth Webb about her three-year-old Great Pyrenees, Eskimo. “We also pack his own food to help with this issue as well.” 48
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3. Provide pets’ medications If your dog or cat is on medication of any kind, especially for diabetes or heart disease, it is important to provide these medications and their dosage before boarding your dog, Dr. Ray said.
Introducing pet to holiday guests 1. Bring guests in before pets are in the room Some animals are naturally friendly and don’t require introductions in stages, but others are more timid and need to meet guests slowly. “You should try bringing the guest into the house and then bringing the dog or cat in the room,” Dr. Ray said. Temple resident, Taylor Millender walks her four-year-old shepherd mix, Oliver, around outside on his leash before entering the home of a new friend. “We try to keep him on his leash for a bit once we get inside as well, just to see how he will react to everyone,” Millender said. 2. Try a distraction or reward Before introducing Eskimo to holiday
Courtesy photos ABOVE: Danny, Elizabeth and Alice Webb celebrate a safe Christmas with their family pets, cats Susie Q and Romeo and Eskimo, a Great Pyrenees. AT LEFT: Taylor and Michael Millender always make sure their shepherd mix family member gets his own pet-friendly Christmas gifts that he enjoys opening himself.
guests, Webb takes her large-breed dog on a walk to try and get out his “puppy energy.” Then, she tries redirecting him with a new chew toy as people enter the home. 3. Consider a sedative If your dog or cat is sensitive to loud noises or has trouble with separation anxiety, it might be necessary to give them a sedative so they’re not overly agitated by holiday guests. “If you do want to try a sedative, the animal needs to be on medicine at least a week before company shows up because more than half of anti-anxiety drugs require at least a week or two before they can get a blood level,” Dr. Ray said.
Feeding your pet from the table 1. Avoid or limit table food “Dogs are particularly sensitive to table foods, especially fat,” Dr. Ray said. “Usually the ones that are inside are small and it doesn’t take much turkey skin or pork trimmings to give your pet pancreatitis.” Pancreatitis happens when the pancreas becomes inflamed and begins dumping digestive enzymes into the animal’s blood stream. It is painful and can be potentially life-threatening. “If your dog is vomiting and unable to hold down any food or water, then you need to get them to a vet as soon as possible,” he said.
2. Explain the rules to guests “We let everyone know ahead of time what he can and cannot eat (he has a lot of food allergies), and we make sure he isn’t begging too much as people are eating,” Millender said. Webb said she tries to avoid feeding her pup from the table, but if he does get a treat, she makes sure to give it to him in his bowl or make him perform a trick to earn it. “We really think through a situation and decide whether it’s going to be okay for Oliver to be there,” Millender said. “We always want the best for him, not necessarily what is most convenient for us.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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TexFit
The winter of our skin’s content Story by Jessica Pearce Photographs by James PAUL STANLEY
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exas winters can be harsh — not in terms of temperature alone, as many northern U.S. residents could attest, but in terms of the rapid temperature swings, the dry climate, the wind, and the effects of forced air heating. While we all survive just fine, the real collateral damage shows up on our skin. Though we are often health conscious about our food, our skin is often the last thing we consider when it comes to making healthy choices. The whole foods movement has created consumers who want to be informed about what they ingest in their bodies, eschewing chemicals and preservatives in favor of simple, honest nutrition. Tetyana Hanna, of Tetyana Naturals, said the same can be applied to skincare. Hanna uses food-grade natural oils in all her products with the philosophy that “if you can eat it, then it can go on your skin.” She added, “Everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, anyway.” If one is concerned about total body nutrition, then caring for the skin in a harsh winter climate with simple, all-natural organic products is a no-brainer. Hanna said she decided to take her love of handcrafted products to task when her infant daughter began suffering from severe eczema. She began researching naturally derived oils and ingredients she could combine to care for her daughter’s delicate skin. What she found was a wealth of information and instruction for creating simple, organic products that yielded real results. After developing lotions and soaps that were gentle and healing for her daughter’s skin, she began delving deeper into natural skincare for children and adults. When customers started requesting products she did not have to treat their various skincare needs, Hanna got busy. “I began with the ‘problem,’ which was what the customer needed,” she said. “I researched the natural ingredients to treat their skin concern, and created a product that pro-
Tetyana Hanna uses food-grade natural oils in all her products with the philosophy that “if you can eat it, then it can go on your skin.” She added, “Everything we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies, anyway.” vided the solution.” Up to six months of sourcing ingredients and testing goes into each product that Hanna creates. She sources her natural ingredients from suppliers in fields afar as Europe and as near as the goat farm right outside Killeen where she sources one of her main ingredients, natural goat’s milk. One product at a time, Hanna has grown her product line and customer base and was able to open her own skincare boutique in February. Nearly all of Hanna’s products are multi-functional, cutting down the need to spend a small fortune on products for the skin. While every product has its own list of readable ingredients, she uses a few key items in nearly every product. She uses organic cocoa butter, which reduces scarring from acne spots to stretch marks, and healing vitamin E in every product she makes. Many of her products contain goat’s milk in lieu of water because it is more moisturizing to the skin, allowing customers to use less of each product and see more results. All her products are formulated crueltyfree without testing on animals. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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With winter upon us, Tetyana Hanna shares her top products to care for skin the natural way.
Tetyana Hanna, owner of Tetyana Naturals, places labels on bottles of her handcrafted lotion.
Facial Soap: Goat’s milk calms and moisturizes the skin, also creating a natural UV barrier to help prevent the sun’s rays from harming skin. Oatmeal calms the skin and provides light exfoliation. Tea tree oil cleanses and kills bacteria, keeping the skin clear. Honey also acts as an antibacterial, tightening and toning the skin. Finally, orange essential oil brightens the skin, providing a radiant glow. Suitable for all skin types. 52
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Organic Green Tea Facial Moisturizer: This non-greasy moisturizer is formulated with hand-steeped green tea, a natural antioxidant to protect against a harsh climate. Jojoba oil, which most closely resembles the body’s own natural oils, provides moisture. Lavender essential oil calms and restores the skin. Palmarosa essential oil locks in moisture. The cream may be used under the eyes as well. Suitable for all skin types.
Reusable Facial and Body Loofah: The loofah provides excellent exfoliation for sloughing off dead winter skin when used in conjunction with the facial soap, yet it is not overly abrasive.
Body Butter: This rich moisturizer is formulated without water. Mango and shea butters provide a solid base of moisture. It also contains coconut, sweet almond, avocado, olive, jojoba, and grape seed oils (grape seed acts as a natural preservative). Vitamin E helps heal dry skin. It can also be used as a night facial cream for extra dry skin. Suitable for all skin types.
Goat’s Milk Lotion: Made from fresh goat’s milk, this light body lotion is great for kids and adults. Its lighter formulation helps it absorb quickly. It can be used in lieu of body butter, leaving nothing but healthy skin.
Natural Lip Balm: All balms contain cocoa butter, jojoba oil, natural beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, honey and vitamin E. Some scents contain essential oils such as peppermint and orange. Others contain food-grade scents that are 90 percent natural. It can be worn alone or under lipstick for extra moisturizing.
Sea Salt Soap: This cleansing exfoliant uses natural sea salts which heal and restore the skin. Dead Sea mud provides extra cleansing and excess oil extraction. It works well as a treatment for acne-prone skin, and can also be used as a foot scrub to remove rough skin and restore tired feet.
Solid Lotion: This lotion bar is best for rough heels, elbows or calluses. Formulated with all-natural oils and butters, it fits comfortably in the palm to rub on rough areas of the skin. It is a top-seller with soldiers, who use it on feet that have seen too much action in combat boots. It is great for nurses or mothers who frequently wash their hands, and can also be taken on planes for air travel because it is a solid.
Baby Soap: This soap contains no scent. It uses 100 percent natural ingredients with no manmade fragrances, and can be used on babies from two months up. Its formulation is used to help cure eczema, and is gentle enough for use on the body and in the hair.
Eczema Butter: Used in conjunction with the Baby Soap, this butter provides powerful relief from painful eczema. It contains kokum butter, the top butter for curing eczema. It also contains cocoa, mango and shea butters. A quartet of top eczema-healing essential oils, including rose hip, neem, calendula and chamomile, provide healing. Lavender and orange essential oils also provide relief from itchy skin, and aloe vera gel helps heals the skin. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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A handcrafted life
Story by Catherine Hosman • Photos by Julie Nabours TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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TexAdventures
Explore Homestead Heritage Traditional Crafts Village
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s soon as you drive onto the gravel parking lot at the Homestead Heritage Traditional Crafts Village and step out of your vehicle, a sense of peace envelops you. About 45 miles north of Temple and a little west of Elm Mott, The Homestead is a self-sustaining agrarian community centered on church and family. Home to 1,000 residents who practice a traditional lifestyle, they are masters at heirloom artisan crafts and organic homesteading. Open to the public, Homestead Heritage is an educational, life-affirming day trip for children of all ages. This is not a reenactment or living history community, however, but a community where history lives. The Barn gift shop, the Potter’s House, the Heritage Woodworking School, and the Café Homestead are all within immediate view. Enjoy an organic, made-fromscratch meal at the café before beginning your self-guided tour of the grounds. Additional buildings house the blacksmith’s forge, fiber crafts barn, granary, gristmill, cheese shop and general store, all in walking distance and worth the extra steps. Visitors to the Homestead may come for the organic, homegrown and preparedfrom-scratch meals, but they stay to shop for artisan crafts ranging from homemade soaps and linens, to hand-thrown pottery, wrought iron designs, handmade furniture, and homemade artisan cheeses, including their own creation, Van Sormon cheese. “That cheese was actually an accident,” quipped Josiah Wheeler, manager of the artisan craft shops, choir director and director of the upcoming Homestead Fair this Thanksgiving weekend. Open year-round, guided tours are available for groups of 10 or more with advance notice. Classes in homesteading, farming and heirloom crafts are also available throughout the year and draw people from around the country and sometimes, the globe. “People desire to learn how to live more sustainable,” Wheeler said.
A little history The community was founded in 1970s New York by a small group of people determined to live a more balanced and sustain56
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Devorah Schacht is one of the friendly wait staff to welcome you to the Homestead Cafe where you can enjoy an organic made-from-scratch meal or dessert.
able lifestyle. They moved their families to the western slopes of Colorado to form the first community. They wanted to live a life on their terms and in accordance with their Christian beliefs. However, it wasn’t their intention to be remote, and they found the Colorado community to be too isolating. “My parents’ generation wanted to go back to the land, to learn how to do things for themselves,” said Josiah Wheeler, “They didn’t want to be spoon fed, but they saw something unsustainable in the global culture. They weren’t alarmists, but positive thinkers who wanted to take things back
into their own hands and learn these agricultural skills.” Many members were originally from the Austin area, so they decided to return to Central Texas in the late 1980s. But something was missing. “We didn’t have a church building,” said Wheeler, adding, “When someone in Waco gave us a church, we started looking for property.” In 1990, they purchased 310 acres of land that bordered the Brazos River and called their farm Brazos de Dios (the Arms of God). As the families settled on their new land, more and more people came to
TexAdventures
At Heritage Homestead, farmers still plough their fields the old fashioned way, with horses or mules.
join the agrarian community to truly live off the earth. First a visitors’ center that included a small café was built. But materials were needed to create the log structure befitting an organic restaurant. “There was a farmer in Mexia who had 40 acres of cedar trees that needed to be clear-cut for pasture land,” said Wheeler, who was 16 when he moved to the area with his family. “He said if we wanted to cut down the trees, then we could have the wood.” The men of Brazos de Dios cleared the land and using their own sawmill, created the hand-hewn logs to build the café. Today, the community has grown to 510 acres and a community of families whose lives center around church, family and clean sustainable living. Wheeler, who is the father of eight, said children are home-schooled, participate in family and learn the heirloom skills of fiber crafts, woodworking, blacksmithing, milling, cooking, baking and working the land like the early settlers with horses or mules, and plows. Children choose the craft of their choice and can become master blacksmiths, potters, weavers, cheese makers or wood workers by the time they are 19 or
20 years old. “Our life is not so fragmented,” Wheeler said. “Our community is surrounded by culture, church, school and family life. It’s different, but not really.” Wheeler said their community is not isolated from the outside world and in fact, he just came back from a trip to China where he was looking to import fine teas. His wife still has to occasionally shop at Wal-Mart and go to the grocery store. Cellphones and
computers are used for business purposes, but there is no Internet or televisions in the homes. Their goal is live in a place where their families could thrive. In 1998, they sold the church in town and built their own mission-style church from the ground up on their land. The church is a testimony to their faith with its handmade wrought iron chandeliers, woodwork, windows and doors and can seat up to 1,700 attendees. Josiah Wheeler checks the progress of the aging artisan cheeses in the cheese cave.
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The Grist Mill One of the first things you notice when walking into the grist mill is the sweet smell of the home-ground wheat being crushed between two 600-pound grist mill stones. A water wheel churns the grist mill that converts the homegrown wheat into flour. The mill also grinds corn and spices in addition to wheat. The mill is a 1760 structure that was found in New Jersey. Its hand-hewn timbers are held together by long pegs and were dismantled piece by piece 10 years ago and relocated to Homestead Heritage. The mill’s shop offers a selection of items ranging from sweet potato pumpkin mix, cranberry pancake mix, honey, grits and spices. ABOVE: This 1760s grist mill was found in New Jersey, dismantled and rebuilt at Homestead Heritage. Some modern upgrades were made, but the stone grinder still operates from a water wheel outside the mill. AT RIGHT: This water wheel powers the stones that ground the home grown wheat, spices and corn at the Homestead Heritage gristmill.
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Fiber Crafts Weaving and Spinning Inside the fiber crafts barn master weaver Yohanna Klingensmith sits at a modified spinning wheel made with a bicycle tire. Much of the yarn or thread she spins is from the community’s sheep, flax plants or cotton plants and colored with natural minerals. Because of the amount of inventory they must keep, Klingensmith said some of the threads and yarns on sale in the shop are purchased from vendors who practice natural processing. Classes are available from beginning to advanced spinning, knitting and weaving.
The Potters House Inside the potter’s house, women are busy creating everything from cups and saucers to vases and lamps to sell in their store, at the upcoming fair and for commercial clients. Classes are available and Jenni Fritzlan, a master potter, demonstrated how to spin a block of clay at the wheel into a proportionately formed vase. She uses her foot to spin the wheel and opened up the clay with her hands. “We use native Texas clay from East Texas, which is a high-fired stoneware clay,” she explained as she continued spinning and forming the vase. Once the pottery is formed, it undergoes a glaze of three different colors created from natural minerals. The next step is the firing in the outside brick kiln. To access the oven, Fritzlan must remove the wall of bricks, one by one. After placing the newly glazed pottery inside the kiln, the bricks are replaced, one by one. It takes 10-12 hours to stoke the kiln to get
it to the needed 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the pottery is baked, it may take several days before it cools down enough to remove the finished product. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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Departments
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TexTalk Neighbors Paula Crutsinger
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TexTalk SCENE Route 66 Gala Christmas in October
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TexTalk FLAVOUR Pignetti’s Italian Restaurant
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TexTalk BEAUTY BarBara Crawford opens her bag
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TexTalk CALENDAR
L i f e & S t y l e i n C e n t r a l Te x a s
November 2014
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for stress-free holidays
time to
QUIT tHE gREAt sMOKEOUt
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ON the COVER Life coach BarBara Crawford offers tips to beat the holiday blues 33 Photograph by Julie Nabours
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
TexTalk Well-Fed head
WELL-CONNECTED
“Barrio Princess”
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Keep your pets safe, healthy during holidays
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TexFIT
Contributors Life coaching lessons
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
ADVERTISER’S INDEX
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TexTHERAPY
TexPETS
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Winter skincare
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TexAdventures Homestead Heritage
The Barn: Gifts and Fine Furniture This 200-year-old barn was found in New Jersey, dismantled and rebuilt on the property. Except for some modern updates, such as electricity, it is original from the beams to the threshing floor and large double barn doors on either side. The barn is the place to shop for everything from hand-woven linen dish towels to furniture built by the master craftsmen of the village. There is pottery, quilts, infant clothing, wooden utensils, hand-forged creations, honey from their own beehives, pancake mixes, cornmeal, grits and flour from their grist mill, homemade jams and jellies, homemade soaps and selected books.
This silo holds grain grown at Homestead Heritage.
Homestead Café Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The café’s interior offers a rustic ambiance that blends with the natural environment. Menu choices range from breakfast feasts to lunch creations. All their breads and rolls are made from their own wheat stone ground in the grist mill. Their popular old-fashioned cheeseburger comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and cheddar on a toasted bun, with a side of French fries or sweet potato fries. An alternative would be their Cuban Burger, made with turkey ham, grilled onion medallion, provolone, American cheese, sweet-fire pickles and honey Serrano sauce. Side with your choice of fries. For dessert, try a home-baked treat or indulge in the rich, organic, homemade ice cream. Saturdays are the busiest time and Josiah Wheeler said it’s best to arrive by 11:30 a.m. or after 2 p.m. “Because the place gets packed, we take phone numbers and let people walk around and call them when their table is ready.” 60
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TexAdventures
Master Craftsman Mark Borman begins a demonstration of the dove tail connections for hand-made furniture.
Heritage Woodworking School At this workshop, students are taught the art of making furniture by hand. Master craftsman Mark Borman, who was teaching a class on Joinery: Working with hand tools, waited for his students to return from lunch. During the break, he demonstrated how to make a dovetail joint for his visitors. “All the furniture we make use dovetail joints, no nails or screws are used. Depending on the item, some wood glue could be used,” he said, adding that the first essential thing to teach is how to sharpen tools. With a voice as melodic as the tools he was using, Borman, who has been building custom furniture for 20 years, said he can tell “when I’m close to finishing a dovetail by the sound of the tool against the wood. You get used to the sound and it tells you if something isn’t right.” Nearing the end of his cut, he listened carefully to the singing of the saw. As the saw reached a lower pitch, he knew he was close to finishing.
Caleb Nolen fires a steel rod to demonstrate the art of forging steel into objects at the Homestead Heritage forge where their fine wrought iron pieces are created.
Heritage Forge Blacksmith Shop Caleb Nolen was busy shaping and sanding ax handles for the new steel ax heads he made. ”I studied two years ago in Sweden to learn how to make axes,” he said as he put down his tools. Slowly he walked over to the forge and fired it up. He stoked the fire to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and demonstrated how he works with steel to create wrought iron designs made from raw materials. He inserted a long rod into the flames,
never missing a beat in his recitation or losing his smile. After the steel was heated to red hot, he pounded the end of the rod into the shape of a flat head nail. With a clang, clang, clang of the mallet against the anvil, he cut off the end and shaped the piece of iron into a point and flattened out the head. This demonstration of a steel nail fades in comparison to the wrought iron sculptures he creates that become chandeliers, railings, fireplace tools, beds, and more. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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This mission-style church was built from the ground up by the men of Brazos de Dios. All of the inside woodworking and wrought-iron chandeliers also were created by the men.
Homestead Heritage Fair This Thanksgiving weekend after the last bit of turkey has been put away, frozen or consumed, take a break from the holiday tradition and head to the Homestead Heritage annual Homestead Fair. Celebrate the end of the Harvest by learning about artisan fine crafts, heirloom skills and what it means to live a truly sustainable life in the 21st Century of technological interruptions that create more life imbalance then balance. Nov. 28-30, Homestead Heritage welcomes the world to their annual fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. More than 15,000 people are expected to celebrate the end of the harvest. At the fair, children of all ages can learn about the every day events on a living farm with hands-on activities from making crafts and bread to blacksmithing and woodworking, just a few of the events visitors can experience that community members do every day to sustain their lives at the Homestead. Events include traditional craft demonstrations, a working 1750s grist mill, horse farming, horse-drawn hayrides, an old-fashioned barn raising and a farm animal petting pen. Homesteading displays 62
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IF YOU GO Homestead Heritage is open yearround, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Located near Elm Mott, off Farm-to-Market 933 near FM 308, take exit 339 on Interstate 35. LEARN MORE www.homesteadfair.com www.heritagefinecrafts.com www.sustainlife.org www.heritagebarns.com www.homesteadheritage.com include cow and goat milking, cheese making, sheep dog herding, beekeeping, organic gardening and raising poultry. Make-Your-Own-Craft activities for Children of All Ages include toy boats, candle dipping, pottery, soap balls, leatherwork, woodwork, basketry, weaving, hand sewing, watercolor, and pretzel making. Homesteading seminars include sustainable gardening, backyard chickens, rainwater collection, food preservation, beekeeping, cheese making. Music will be provided by the children’s choirs each afternoon and the Heritage Choir and Orchestra on Friday and
Saturday evening. (Information courtesy of Homestead Heritage.)
Food Court Be prepared for an above average fair food court. All the foods are prepared from scratch in the Homestead Farms kitchen using fresh, wholesome ingredients, including whole grains ground in their own grist mill and all-natural chicken and grassfed beef. Admission to the event is free. There is a $10 charge for parking or $7 if purchased online beforehand. For more information and directions, visit www.homesteadfair.com.
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ADVERTISERS INDEX Adorn Refined Living & Decor......... 35
Diva Chicks Boutique......................... 35
Lastovica Jewelers.................................19
Scott’s Lawn Care Central Texas........ 54
Anderson Chapel AME...................... 54
Doctors Express.................................. 13
Lochridge Priest Inc............................ 39
Shar’s Consignment............ Gift Guide
Balance Massage.................... Gift Guide
Document Solutions........................... 22
Lucky Bebe...........................................47
Shermain Simpson................ Gift Guide
Be.YOU.tiful Salon............... Gift Guide
Dr. Philip Davis Jr., DDS.....................14
Marvina’s Optical Boutique Gift Guide
Shoe Box............................... Gift Guide
Bead Bistro............................ Gift Guide
Eagle Home Mortgage........................ 39
Maurice Real Pit BBQ.......... Gift Guide
Smile At The World Orthodontics...... 9
Bell County Museum.......................... 63
Earthscapes........................... Gift Guide
MaxFlight.............................................. 5
Solar Centex....................................... 54
Bello Photography............................... 24
Edward Jones/Howell..........................37
Metobolic Research..............................37
Sonic Drive-In..................................... 30
Best Wishes Gifts.................. Gift Guide
Elmcroft of Cottonwood.....................47
Metroplex Hospital............................... 3
Stillhouse Wine Room....................... 48
Bill French Jewelers..............................21
English Maids......................................51
Moment Enshrined.............. Gift Guide
Swift Construction............................. 64
Bob Mills Furniture Company/Southern Media.............................................. 2
Estacia’s................................. Gift Guide
Montessori Schools of Central Texas 65
Estacia’s................................................47
My Giving Tree..................... Gift Guide
Temple Sewing & Quilt Store............................ Gift Guide
Callie’s................................... Gift Guide
Extraco Banks..................................... 68
Pack N Mail........................... Gift Guide
Texas Bariatric Specialists....................27
Callie’s................................... Gift Guide
Ferguson Interprises........................... 23
Painting with a Twist...........................19
Texas State Optical............................... 7
Capital Choice/Melinda Bulls........... 35
Flamingo Grove.................... Gift Guide
Paperdoodles......................... Gift Guide
The Art Place........................ Gift Guide
Carried Away Massage.......... Gift Guide
Gifts & Goodies................... Gift Guide
Paperdoodles......................... Gift Guide
The Jewelry Lady..........40 or Gift Guide
Central Texas Orthodontics............... 63
Goddess Armor..................... Gift Guide
Perry Office Products............ Gift Guide
The Pink House.................... Gift Guide
Cheeves Bros. Steak House.. Gift Guide
Gold Coat Inn...................... Gift Guide
Perry’s Office Plus................. Gift Guide
City of Temple Parks & Rec............... 33
Great Vape............................ Gift Guide
Cochran Blair & Potts.......... Gift Guide
Grout Works of Central Texas........... 35
Pop Abilities Gourmet Popcorn & Candies.............. Gift Guide
The Salon & Spa @ Greenbriar........................ Gift Guide Union State Bank................................21
Quality Quilts..................................... 30
Walker Honey....................... Gift Guide
Ramirez Pool......................... Gift Guide
Walker Honey....................................... 7
Killeen Power Sports............................67
Rockin’ R Retreat Center................... 48
Westide Baptist Church........................ 7
Kim Hay/Salons at Tuscan Square....................... Gift Guide
Salon Kinetic......................... Gift Guide
Zooty’s................................... Gift Guide
Schoepfs BBQ....................... Gift Guide
Zooty’s................................... Gift Guide
Hallmark Services............................... 63
Coronas............................................... 40
In The Mood Ballroom........ Gift Guide
Crotty Funeral Home......................... 40 Cyclone Corral...................... Gift Guide Darling Decor & More......... Gift Guide Dead Fish Grill....................................27 Dermatology Associates...................... 25
Topstone..............................................19
Pop Abilities Gourmet Popcorn & Candies.............................51
Coronas................................. Gift Guide
Isdale Chiropratic............................... 39 Killeen Arts & Activities Center.........27
Vitalogy Skincare.................................21
The Advertisers Index is published for reader convenience. Every effort is made to list information correctly. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.
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TexTherapy
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie 66
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
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To see how Extraco can help you, contact an Extraco Insurance Representative at 254.774.5500 or extracobanks.com. Extraco Banks is a Member FDIC. Insurance Products are NOT DEPOSITS, NOT INSURED by the FDIC or any Federal Government Agency, NOT GUARANTEED by Extraco Banks or its affiliates, and MAY GO DOWN in value.
Caring for the Eyes of Texas For over 75 years the doctors of TSO have provided quality eyecare to more Texas families than any other eyecare provider. Trust them with your vision. Copperas Cove Cove Terrace Center
542.2020 Killeen
W.S. Young across from the Library
634.4800 Temple
Market Loop behind Kohl’s
778.6165
tsocentraltexas.com TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
From the Editor
Life & Style in Central Texas
Dear Readers, The holidays seem to come faster every year. It’s hard to believe that we are already in November and about to sit down to dinner with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving and offer gratitude for the blessings of this past year. I know for myself, I have a lot to be grateful for — close friends, this amazing job as editor of Tex Appeal Magazine, the beginnings of a new life in Central Texas and my new-to-me vehicle that transports me safely so I can meet and write stories of the interesting people and places of our region. As this month unfolds, it’s important to remember some of the other celebrations November offers. This month, stamp out the nicotine habit Nov. 20 on the Great Smoke Out, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Always the third Thursday of the month, the Great Smoke Out has influenced many people to quit, including myself (see pages 36 and 41). Christmas came early in Salado with its annual Christmas in October weekend. See it in the Tex Appeal Scene (page 16). And on Nov. 15, the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA) opens its gates for the annual trail of lights (page 28). It is also a time to celebrate heritage and remember the past with Native American Heritage Month. Founded in the early 20th Century, National Native American Heritage Month is a little-known recognition celebration that honors the contributions of Native Americans in our society. One of those contributors is Paula Crutsinger, Comanche, who is helping Native American youths gain their rightful place in society through college scholarships funded through the Four Winds Intertribal Society in Killeen (page 12). And as the winter winds blow through Central Texas the always unpredictable weather can be harsh on the skin. Learn about organic skin care with Tetyana Hanna (page 51) who uses a food-grade formula that is nutrition for the skin. The holidays are usually a happy time, but they can also invoke sadness in those who have lost a loved one, experienced a health crisis, are alone at this time of year, or in financial straits. BarBara Crawford, a professional life coach, gives us timely tips on how to deal with the sometimes overwhelming obligations of the holidays, even if everything in your life is good (page 33). However you decide to celebrate Thanksgiving or any of the other worthy holidays and events this month, know that we at Tex Appeal Magazine are grateful to our readers and advertisers who help make us the premier magazine of Central Texas. Remember to send us your ideas for people and places to know in Central Texas and “like” us on Facebook. Happy reading!
Catherine Hosman
Tex Appeal Editor edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com 254-501-7511
NOVEMBER 2014 | TEX APPEAL
Tex Appeal Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC. KILLEEN DAILY HERALD 1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540
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Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editor CATHERINE HOSMAN Copy Editor LEE JAMES Graphic Designer/Photographer JULIE NABOURS Graphic Designers SANDRA BOYER M. CLARE HAEFNER Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH GAIL DILLON JESSA MCCLURE JESSICA PEARCE JAMES PAUL STANLEY VALERIE L. VALDEZ Advertising 254-774-5264 or 254-501-7500
Tex Appeal Magazine is published monthly by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission. Subscriptions: For the United States, $24 per year, 12 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.
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Postmaster: Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. How to contact us: Advertising: Contact 254-774-5264 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Catherine Hosman at 254-501-7511 or email edittexappealmagazine@ gmail.com.
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