JUNE 2013
From Hobby to Homesteading Sand Creek Farm
Made i n Texas In The Spotlight:
Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc.
Photo by Sachiko Suzuki courtesy Ennis CVB
c o n t e nts feature 23 F rom Hob by Farm to Ho me ste a d 27 M ade in Tex as
home and garden
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43 Grow Green: Sma l l e dibl e l a nds c a p es w ith B IG bo un ties.
travel 48 Waco: You r Su mme r Pa ss to Fam ily Fu n
style 55 Gar den Therapy, Grow Love
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health & fitness 58 S u m m er Health Ha za rds 62 Sp l as h into F itne ss: Sta ndup Pa d dle & Yoga
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calendar spotlight Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. scene well fed head neighbor
in every issue
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editor’s letter
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must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world. The best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw, and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here. There is a world of country here to settle.” — Davy Crockett, Alamo defender, 1836.
Nothing beats summer time in Texas and it looks like it is going to be a hot one this year! Time to start the backyard BBQ festivities again. It’s the perfect month to enjoy family, friends, fellowship, and fresh summer foods—and to celebrate the man in your life, dear old dad! Mark your calendars; Father’s Day is June 16! Remember locavores are wanted at your local farmer’s market this summer! Take advantage of all the beautiful, fresh produce that is arriving and enjoy some healthy summer meals, all while supporting your local community and neighbors. GO TEXAN! June is all about MADE IN TEXAS. Meet the local artists, artisans, companies, and individuals from around the state who have unique hobbies or businesses. We’ve highlighted the first Bourbon maker and distillery in Texas, a family owned Texas boot company that has a real history in Texas – 160 years!, a company in Gatesville that is ‘helping save lives’ and more on page 31. Be sure to check out the Summer Fun Pass on pg. 48 we’ve highlighted some great places to take the kids this summer that are fun and inexpensive, and right in our own backyard in Waco! Do not let your vacation get derailed this summer, read Summer Hazards on page 58 and learn more about how your GPS can keep you safe. Discover a local family that has turned hobby farming into a full-time business homesteading and using Tilapia to farm in From Hobby to Homesteading on pg. 23. We have also highlighted how you too can grow your own foods without having to own a farm in Grow Green on pg. 43. Be sure to carry an issue of Tex Appeal with you when you go on vacation this year! We want to see your vacation pictures and all the places Tex Appeal has traveled! And we always welcome your letters and suggestions for interesting places and intriguing people we should highlight. Best wishes,
Teresa K. Hernandez| Editor thernandez@texappealmag.com
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your voice Teresa, I am thoroughly impressed with the Tex Appeal magazine, and am always excited to read it each time it comes! Beverly Rose, Realtor — Joan Mikeska Realty
D o n ’t m i s s t h e Ju l y I s s u e o f Te x A p p e a l M a g a z i n e fe a t u r i n g . . . P a m p e r e d Pe t s !
S u b m i t yo u r b e s t p e t p i c s to thernandez@texappealmag.com
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Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas
Published by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. Killeen Daily Herald 1809 Florence Road, Killeen, TX 76540 Temple Daily Telegram 10 S. Third Street, Temple, TX 76504 Publisher Sue Mayborn Magazine Director Teresa L O’Brien 254.774.5264 tobrien@texappealmag.com Editor Teresa K Hernandez thernandez@texappealmag.com Copy Editor Lee James Graphic Designer Christeen Clark 216.407.2777 christeen@maccrisdesigns.com Photographers Priscilla Z photography
Cover Grace Godfrey Photography by Priscilla Z Photography
Tex Appeal Magazine is available by subscription for $24 a year. If you would like to have each month’s edition delivered to your home, please mail a check with your address and contact information to: Tex Appeal Magazine, PO Box 6114 Temple, TX 76503-6114. texappealmag.com
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Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. pg 16
8 th A nnual Bl o o min ’ F esti val pg 17
well fed head pg 18
C alendar scene sp o tli g ht well fed head nei g h b o r
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June 7 Co ppe ra s Cove H i g h S ch o o l June 8 Te mpl e High S ch o o l El l iso n High Sch o o l Kil l e e n High S ch o o l June 9 Sho e ma ke r Hi g h S ch o o l Ha rke r He igh t s H i g h S ch o o l C it y W ide Garag e S ale June 1, 8a m-2pm Come out and find a bargain at the Copperas Cove City Wide Garage Sale! Downtown Copperas Cove
T roy M arket Day June 1, 8a m Shop among a variety of vendors and downtown businesses in Downtown Troy, FIRST SATURDAY EACH MONTH! Arts & Crafts, Collectibles, Antiques, Jewelry, Woodworking, Furniture, Flowering Plants, Fruits, Vegetables, Homemade Food/Deserts, Clothing, and Flea Market/Garage Sale Items, and more! Troy businesses and Booth Spaces in DOWNTOWN TROY. NO VENDOR BOOTH FEE! Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit corp. Booth spaces at the Chamber Events Center. Call Virgil Thompson at 254.718.4376. 16 East Main Street, Troy
R elay f o r L ife o f T emple A merican C ancer S o ciet y June 1-2, 12pm The journey to end cancer starts with a single step. The American Cancer Society invites you to take that step with us by joining the global Relay For Life movement. When you walk to end cancer at a Relay event, it’s your opportunity to not only honor cancer survivors and remember loved ones lost, but also to raise awareness about what we can do to stay well from cancer and raise money to help fuel the world’s largest 10
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AREA HIGH SCHOO L G RA DUATI O N S June 6 B e l to n High S ch o o l
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World Cancer 5 World 2 National 14 Flag Environment Day 8 Oceans Day Survivors Day Day International 19 Juneteenth Father’s Elder Abuse 18 16 15 World Day Picnic Day Awareness Day June
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walk to end cancer. Contact Dawn Orange: egnarod@ hotmail.com for more information. Bell County Expo Center, Belton
S ulpher C reek C ar C ruise Ju ne 1 The Car Cruise is an open run that includes awards, dash plaques, t-shirt, vendors, activities, a burn out and games for the whole family. Register at http://content. onlineagency.com/sites/47902/pdf/2013carcruise.pdf. A parade of vehicles through downtown Lampasas winds down the day. WM Brook Park, Lampasas
F irst F riday A rt A fter Dark Ju ne 7, 6-9pm Join us for an evening of Art, Wine, Food & Fun! Frames & Things 216 Cove Terrace
1 3 th A nnual L ampasas R iata Ro undup Ro de o Ju ne 7 -8 For more information on events and tickets call 512.556.5172. Lometa Regional Park
C hild A b use P re v enti o n F est 2 0 1 3 Ju ne 8, 1 1 a m-1 1 pm Vendors, food, kids activities, live entertainment, cap decorating contest, featuring professional entertainment and dance. For more information contact www. awarecentraltexas.org. Schoepf’s Backyard 702 E. Central Ave., Belton
C amp F reed o m 2 0 k Walk - A - T h o n Ju ne 8, 8a m Walking to build Camp Freedom—a work camp, school camp, bible camp and a summer camp all rolled into one. Adults 18 and over $25; Youth 15-17 $20; and Teams (min. 3/max 8) $100. www.caringforgodskids.org Dana Peak Park-Group Shelter Comanche Gap Rd., Harker Heights
39th Annual Holland Corn Festival Jun e 1 3 - 15 Live music by Kenny Orts and No Chance, The Trishas, Backroads Band, Granger Smith; arts & crafts; BBQ Cook-Off; and 5k Run. For more information visit www. hollandcornfest.org or call 254.657.2568, info@hollandcornfest.org. Holland is located 16 miles south of Temple on Hwy 95 or 10 miles east of Salado on FM 2268. Holland
T he E ntrepreneurial M indset June 1 3, 7am - 10 am Learn to think and act like an entrepreneur. This 10-week program features interactive and personalized discussions on the 8 mindsets. Thursdays, June 13 - August 22, 7am-10am. Register at www.templecollegefoundation.org. 19 N. Main Street, Temple Belton Market Days
A nti q ue & C o llecti b les S h ow Jun e 15 - 16 Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-5pm. Bell County Expo Center, Belton
D i v ine D esserts Jun e 15, 8- 12p m Don’t miss a amazing evening to support abused and neglected children! Dinner catered by Johnny’s Steakhouse and BBQ, second annual Desserts Wars, live music by GTO’s and a great silent and live auction. More details and ticket info will be on website soon! For now, call 254-939-2946 x 4 for more info! Tenrock Ranch 5471 Thomas Arnold Rd, Salado
A aro n Wats o n June 15 Live on stage at O’Brien’s Irish Pub. 11 East Central Ave., Temple
Belto n M arket Day June 17 Buying, selling & trading Belton since 1850. Antiques, handmade jewelry, unique clothing, Texas BBQ and MORE! For more information contact the Downtown Belton Merchants Association 254.933.2819 or 254.939.5699. Downtown Belton texappealmag.com
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National Sun Safety Week, June 2-8 Men’s National Health Week, June 10-16 PTSD Awareness Month Adopt a Shelter Cat Month J uneteenth F esti val June 19, 10a m-3pm Join us for a full day of food, fun and friends. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery, with the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. Friendship House 1609 East Avenue I Temple. Texas volunteers needed. The Friendship House is owned and operated by the Central Texas Housing Consortium. 1609 East Avenue I, Temple
S ami S h ow June 22-23 Show hours Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am4:30pm. Admission adults $4 and kids 12 and under FREE. Bell County Expo Center, Belton
5 th A nnual I ndependence Day C ele b rati o n June 29, 11a m-3pm Veterans Helping Veterans Star Groups invites all homeless, disabled and the Veteran community and their families to join us at our 5th Annual Independence Day Celebration. FREE good, drinks, games and entertainment. Copperas Cove Civic Center 1206 West Avenue B, Copperas Cove
L O C A L FA R M E R S M A R K E T Belto n S aturdays, 8a m-1pm Downtown on Water Street in front of The Gin
C o pperas C ov e Mo ndays, 3-6pm S aturdays 10a m-2pm VFW 1506 Veterans, Ave.
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S o g g y B otto m G oat Farm Th e M a rket at 35 Open S at u rd ays, 8a m-4pm 7068 S. General Bruce, Temple
H arker H ei g hts Farmer ’ s M arket Every S at u rd ay M ay -S ept em b e r 7 a m-1 2 pm Carl Levin Park, 400 Miller’s Crossing
K illeen Tu esd ays, 3 -6pm Fri d ays, 3 -6pm S at u rd ay s, 9a m-1 pm 717 N. 2nd Street, downtown Killeen
T emple - ( M ay re o pen date T BA ) Tu esd ays a nd Th u rsd ays, 7 a m - 1 p m 212 S. Main St.
T roy S at u rd ay s, 9a m-1 pm Troy Community Center 201 E. Main St.
S c ott & W hite H ealthcare Farmers M arket Every Wed nesd ay, 9a m-1 pm (M ay 1 -S ept emb er 2 5) Healthy cooking demonstrations, 9:30-10:30 and 11:30-12:30 on lawn north of the Vasicek Cancer Center. 2401 S. 31st Street, Temple
Burnet S at u rd ay s, 9a m-1 pm (M ay 1 1 -N ovemb er) Master Gardeners and specialists on hand to provide gardening tips. On Burnet’s Historic Square
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Proudly serving Texans for 25 years!
“Everybody deserves a chance to own their own home…” Texas proud! Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. was founded in Houston, Texas in 1988. Recognized as the nation’s best home lender in terms of customer satisfaction and on-time closings, they are committed to excellence and dedicated to providing outstanding financial services to families across the nation.
Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. is a truly unique leader in the mortgage industry. A full service mortgage company, they can offer you: • Faster loan approval decisions • In-house underwriting and funding of loans • Cutting edge technology and support for convenient, efficient processes • Personalized service to help you find the right loan for your needs
Surrounded by her large and loving family in Salado, Elaine Shepperd is the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Faith and family are the foremost cornerstones of both her personal and professional life. “Family is very important to me—and that includes my Cornerstone team, we are all family,” she says.
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“We are proud to honor our Texas traditions…and will serve you with a Texas-style heaping of genuine hospitality, kindness, and friendship!” –Elaine Shepperd
Elaine would like to personally invite you to stop in and visit with her and the Cornerstone team. “Let us help you with all of your home financing needs. We want to make sure you get the right program to fit your needs and the very best rates possible.”
A lender you can trust Elaine Shepperd’s Texas roots run deep. A 4th generation Texan, she has lived in Central Texas for over 40 years. With over 30 years of experience in real estate and mortgage lending, Elaine understands each and every facet of the home-buying process. “Everyone deserves a chance to own their own home, this is something I believe in passionately,” says Elaine. Customer service first and foremost, has always been Elaine’s professional doctrine. “It is very important to me and my team that we ensure our customers receive the right loan program so they can meet all of their short and long term financial goals.” For the last 10 years, Elaine has consecutively earned Cornerstone’s Top Producer Award. “We do not discriminate against smaller loans. Whether its fifty thousand dollars or one million, we promise to get you the best loan available.”
To feature your business or event as the Spotlight, please contact your advertising sales representative or Teresa O’Brien at 254.774.5264. texappealmag.com
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We salute and support our Armed Forces
“We are always proud to serve our Soldiers and Veterans. We work hand-in-hand with the Texas Veterans Loan Board to help our Veterans get the loans they deserve.”
Susan Wentz
Senior Loan Officer & Production Partner “Helping families achieve their home-buying dreams is the most rewarding thing I do,” says Susan. With over 30 years of experience in the mortgage lending industry, Susan knows exactly how to help her clients find the best financing program for their needs. She has lived in Central Texas for over 30 years and is dedicated to her faith and church. Susan loves to spend time with her family—especially new grandson Brady, her beloved miniature schnauzer, Bowzer, and to be outdoors and in her garden.
Brad Wentz Transaction Coordinator
Brad has been in the lending industry for three years. When not assisting Cornerstone customers, he is busy saving lives as a fireman and paramedic for the City of Temple. A native Central Texan and new daddy, Brad and his lovely wife Brittany, and baby son Brady reside in Temple.
C o rnersto ne H o me L endin g , I nc . Elaine Shepperd Senior Vice President NMLS 208933
Office: 254.791.3400 Toll free: 866.277.2769 Fax: 254.791.3700 Cell: 254.541.2357 eshepperd@houseloan.com
Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. Branch NMLS 281022 3820 W. Adams Ave. Temple, Texas 76504
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8th Annual Bloomin’ Fe s t i v a l , Te m p l e
TexTalk S cene
ime, sum t mertim r m u e s m m m e... ertime, sum-su Su m
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Belton Author – Rick Miller W ell F ed H ead - T e x as S t y le
B o o ks
T he ne x t time y o u decide t o pick up a g o o d b o o k , ch o o se o ne b y o ur l o cal T e x as auth o rs .
Temple Native – Nan Brindley Cuba
Body and Bread: A Novel
Lometa Author – Mike Kearby
A Hundred Miles to Water
Indian legend has it, that a giant magical catfish once swam in Salado’s everflowing creek. The catfish coaxed an Indian maiden into becoming a mermaid to swim with him by the light of the full moon. In exchange, the catfish promised to cast a love spell on a Brave that the Indian maiden wanted for her own. An ageless legend that deals with choices and outcomes. Spanish explorers misnamed the creek that runs through the village of Salado. The Spanish word “salado” means salt, but Salado Creek is not salty. Could the Spanish have had in mind the salty tears of Sirena when they named the creek?
A Hundred Miles to Water, based on the Olive family of Williamson County, Texas is a recipient of the 2011 Will Rogers Medallion Award for best adult fiction. Two Texas families. A blood feud. Prosperity and death. All found in a cowboy’s journal. “After Mr. Charlie died in ’77, Pure took over the ranch and that’s when things began to change. Along the southern scrub, what old-timers called the brasada, the rustlers had banded into large outfits and the Gunn boys were the worst of the bunch. Some folks tell that Mr. Gunn went crazy after losing his oldest son, Ethan, at Antietam in ’62. And because none of Mr. Charlie’s sons fought during the war, terrible stories soon spread through McMullen County that the Restons were nothing but “No-good Yankee” sympathizers. Now it wasn’t any secret who started these untruths, but Mr. Charlie just ignored them. And for years, that’s all there was to it. But after Mr. Charlie passed, old man Gunn took a peculiar delight in stealing -R open range cattle and re-branding them as his own, most times right on Reston land. It was like he was testing Pure. And when Mr. Gunn took off down that trail, well that’s when Pure turned the -R into a gun outfit. I still remember the day that the dust-up with the Gunn clan moved past the name calling. It was a wet April day during the spring round-up. That morning, Pure sent Buckshot Wallace and Billy Green to search for thirty head that went missing after a lightning storm the night before. And things never did get back right after that.
Hardcover, 32 pages Indian Trail Press, 1991
Hardcover, First Edition, 272 pages Published October 1st 2012 by ReadWest
Selected by Oprah as one of the “15 Riveting Reads to Pick Up in May 2013.” Years after her brother Sam’s suicide, Sarah Pelton remains unable to fully occupy her world without him in it. Now, while her surviving brothers prepare to sell the family’s tenant farm and a young woman’s life hangs in the balance, Sarah is forced to confront the life Sam lived and the secrets he left behind. As she assembles the artifacts of her family’s history in east Texas in the hope of discovering her own future, images from her work as an anthropologist—images of sacrifice, ritual, and death—haunt her waking dreams. In this moving debut novel, Nan Cuba unearths the power of family legacies and the indelible imprint of loss on all our lives. Paperback, 240 pages, Engine Books
Salado Author – Jackie Mills
Sirena of Salado
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Texas Ranger John B. Jones and the Frontier Battalion, 1874-1881 In 1874, the Texas legislature created the Frontier Battalion, the first formal, budgeted organization as an arm of state government of what historically had been periodic groups loosely referred to as Texas Rangers. Initially created to combat the menace of repeated raids of Indians from the north and from Mexico into frontier counties, the Battalion was led by an unusual choice: a frail, humorless Confederate veteran from Navarro County, John B. Jones. Under Jones’s leadership, the Battalion grew in sophistication, moving from Indian fighting to capturing Texas’s bad men, such as John Wesley Hardin and Sam Bass. Established during the unsettled time of Reconstruction, the Rangers effectively filled a local law enforcement void until competency was returned to local sheriffs’ and marshals’ offices. For the first time, author Rick Miller presents the story of the Frontier Battalion as seen through the eyes of its commander, John B. Jones, during his administration from 1874 to 1881, relating its history—both good and bad—chronologically, in depth, and in context. Highlighted are repeated budget and funding problems, developing standards of conduct, personalities and their interaction, mission focus and strategies against Indian war parties and outlaws, and coping with politics and bureaucracy. Miller covers all the major activities of the Battalion in the field that created and ultimately enhanced the legend of the Texas Rangers. Jones’s personal life is revealed, as well as his role in shaping the policies and activities of the Frontier Battalion. Based largely on primary documents, especially the actual correspondence generated by the various actors in the Battalion’s drama that best tell the tale, this book is a major contribution to understanding the early development and growth of what became the institution celebrated in legend today. And John B. Jones at last has a definitive biography that recognizes him as one of the most important men who actually laid the groundwork for that legend. Hardcover, 432 pages Published June 25, 2012 by University of North Texas Press
Hill County Authors – Mike Blakely & Willie Nelson , W.C. Jameson, and Laurie Wagner Buyer
A Tale Out of Luck by Willie Nelson, Mike Blakely Retired Texas Ranger Captain Hank Tomlinson intends to spend the rest of his days raising cattle on his Broken Arrow Ranch, and nurturing his frontier town of Luck, Texas. But when the brutal murder and scalping of a mysterious drifter leads to a clash between cavalry soldiers and a band of Comanche Indians suspected of the killing, a full-scale Indian uprising seems likely. Worse yet, the murder of the drifter bears a disturbing resemblance to a string of killings Hank remembers from his distant and violent past as a Texas Ranger. Meanwhile, Hank’s twenty-year-old son, Jay Blue, and his adoptive brother, Skeeter, find themselves on the trail of a valuable Kentucky mare who vanished under their watch. The trail leads them into the dangerous haunts of outlaws and vengeful Comanche warriors. Now Hank must attempt to keep his sons safe while trying to catch a murderer who he knows will soon strike again. His ace-in-the-hole is beautiful Flora Barlow, the tavern owner with a knack for detective work. Though rival lawman, Matt Kenyon, and competing rancher, Jack Brennan, complicate Hank’s investigation, he and Flora slowly begin to uncover a crooked web of crime, deception, and murder. Dark secrets emerge, and everyone must choose sides as lawmen, outlaws, soldiers, and Indian warriors converge for a final, bloody confrontation. Hardcover, 256 pages Published September 3rd 2008 by Center Street
When I Came West by Laurie Wagner Buyer Finalist for the ForeWord Review 2010 Book of the Year, University of Oklahoma Press As a young college student in the early 1970s, Laurie Wagner had never camped out, never gone hiking,
and never lived without electricity or indoor plumbing. Yet she walked away from these comforts and headed for the wildest reaches of Montana to live with a man she had not met in person.When I Came West is Laurie Wagner Buyer’s account of her terrifying and exhilarating years in Montana as she changes from a girl too squeamish to touch a dead mouse to a toughened frontierswoman unafraid to butcher a domestic animal. Living in a cabin far away from family and friends, with the nearest neighbor four miles away, Laurie finds herself caught up in two love affairs: one with the volatile Vietnam vet Bill and one with the untamed West— even as she recognizes, in the words of one neighbor, “It is plumb foolishness to love something that cannot love you back.” While her relationship with Bill grows precarious, Laurie forges a lasting relationship with her surroundings: the rivers, the wildlife, and the people who inhabit such remote corners. Peeling away the romance of escaping to the wilderness, When I Came West reveals the brutality and bounty of a world far removed from modern urban life.
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T e x as b l o g s and we b sites www.cherryhillcottage.typepad.com Country cottage and vintage decorating, recipes, and Texas living. www.calamityjanescottage.blogspot.com Tutorials for DIY sewing, quilting, crafts, and more! www.gitcha-junk-on.blogspot.com Girls gone junking—fun antiques and décor with Texas flair! www.realtexasblog.com The national blog of Texas featuring Texas history, tidbits, and recipes. www.tex-made.com Quality products made by Texans. We want to share the talents of our artist’s and crafter’s with those in search of quality and unique products.
Paperback, 200 pages Published February 26th 2010 by University of Oklahoma Press
Treasure Hunter: Caches, Curses and Deadly Confrontations by W.C. Jameson “There are not many left, we dreamers and wanderers...We are a breed of men addicted to danger, adventure, and the quest.” Thus begins W.C. Jameson’s account of one intrepid man’s efforts to find the lost treasures of North America and beyond. Jameson and his partners piece together centuries-old histories through documents, maps, and stories passed down from one generation to the next, facing life-threatening danger time and again. These riveting stories, told with humor and candor, are a portal to another time, and are a testament to the spirited independence of risk-takers, a few of whom still exist in what we think of as the modern age. Paperback, 206 pages Published October 3rd 2011 by Seven Oaks Publishing texappealmag.com
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Central Texas Locavores By Teresa K. Hernandez Photos by Teresa K. Hernandez LOCAVORE (localvore) – someone committed to eating foods grown or produced within their local community or region. When she’s not busy playing in the dirt, you can find Kathleen Woodby working at the Copperas Cove Farmer’s Market on Mondays and Saturdays. There at her booth you’ll find her tables overflowing with a bounty of fresh picked produce—assorted greens, asparagus, red onions, fresh herbs, and homemade soaps. Although it is still a little early in the season, once it’s in full swing, she says her produce selection will expand to fresh tomatoes, assorted peppers, cucumbers, okra, squash, melons, green beans, and canned goodies such as pickles, salsa, jellies, jams, and more! With 15 raised beds, Kathleen truly reaps what she sows! “I enjoy gardening and growing a lot of things, but I especially love growing a “variety” of things. During the spring I love all of the different lettuce mixes, spinach and arugula because I love salads, but once it gets hot and those stop producing, I love the tomatoes, okra, and fresh onions,” says Kathleen. Kathleen admits that gardening didn’t always appeal to her, especially during her younger years when she was growing up, “My father was a big gardener, but back then, it always just looked like a lot of work to me,” she laughs. However, now that she has retired from the Austin Police Department and has more time on her hands and more room to grow things on her property in the Cove/Kemper area, she is all too happy to dig in. Aside from managing a large garden, Kathleen is also the vice-president and market manager of the Copperas Cove Farmer’s Market, where she coordinates the weekly market and assists the other members and vendors. Kathleen credits Curtis Homan for roping her into joining the Cove Farmer’s Market a few years ago. “I always have way more than I can ever use, so I decided to bring all my extras out to the market and I’ve been here ever since.” Curtis Holman is one of the founding members of the Copperas Cove Farmer’s Market Association and serves as the secretary and treasurer. Now retired from the military, Curtis enjoys gardening on a large scale—having several acres. Aside from having a huge assortment of produce, Curtis also brings assorted plants and fresh herbs, hanging baskets of colorful flowers, bouquets of fragrant fresh-cut flowers, handmade wind chimes, homemade air-fresheners, and fresh baked goodies his wife bakes. Go Texan and become a lacovore! Support our local farmers and gardeners by eating fresh. Stop by and visit Kathleen and Curtis at the Copperas Cove Farmer’s Market, 1506 Veterans Ave. on Mondays, 3-6pm, or on Saturdays 10am-2pm. To find out more about the Copperas Cove Farmer’s Market Association, or to become a vendor, please contact Kathleen at 512.289.2510 or Curtis at 254.547.0037. 20
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Kathleen’s Gardening Tips for Beginners The number one, most important gardening rule to remember:
AMEND, AMEND, AMEND the soil.
You must keep your soil amended regularly in order to provide rich-nutrients to your plants. This fuels their growth, health, and production. Regular composting will also help reduce pest problems.
Before planting–add your composting mix directly into your soil and mix well. After planting–use liquid fertilizers such as composting tea, fish emulsion, or seaweed. Liquids can be poured directly over and around plants without disturbing the plant or roots.
The Five Minute-Five Step Instant Garden 1. Purchase a couple of large bags of a high quality soil blended for planting. 2. Place the bags in an area that receives full sun. Lay the bags out carefully, keeping them spaced neatly in the shape of a raised bed. 3. Using a sharp knife, cut a straight line right down the middle of the bag (lengthwise). Do not extend past the top edge or bottom edge of the bag. The ends should remain intact. 4. After cutting, pull the plastic back slightly, careful not extend beyond the sides of the bag. The soil should remain in place inside the bag. 5. Plant your seeds or plants directly in the soil inside the bag and water! This garden will not only stay weed-free, but it will single-handedly prepare your garden plot for the following year! The plastic bags will kill out everything beneath them so you’ll be left with a nice bare rectangle plot, free of weeds. Just add fresh compost to the soil, blend, and plant!
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Kathleen’s fresh creamed peas and new potatoes 1 ½ lbs new potatoes (about 15) 1 to 1 ½ cups fresh peas 3 tbsp sliced green onions 4 tsp. butter 4 tsp. flour 1 cup milk Scrub potatoes, place in already boiling water, return to boil and cover, cook 15-20 minutes until done – drain. Cook peas in salted already boiling water, return to boil and cover, cook 8 to 15 minutes until done. White sauce – melt butter, add flour and a dash of salt – stir until smooth, add milk slowly, stirring constantly to prevent clumps. Cook until thickened. Pour over cooked potatoes and peas. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Raise Your Glass
to Creativity!
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Regularly Scheduled Classes (see our schedule online) 2-Hour Classes $35/Person 3-Hour Classes $45/Person
716 Indian Trail Suite 220 Harker Heights 254.393.0182 paintingwithatwist.com/harker-heights
fe ature
From
Hobby Farm to Homesteading
BY Teresa K. Hernandez Photos by Priscilla Z Photography
Green acres is the place for me. Farm livin’ is the life for me. Land spreadin’ out so far and wide. Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside. Many people dream about quitting their jobs, selling out, giving up city conveniences, and trading their hectic lifestyles for a quiet, little place in the country. Hollywood even made a funny television series about a New York City couple who left Manhattan to farm “green acres.” However, in real life, few ever do. One local Texas couple, Ben and Alysha Godfrey, did jump the fence for green acres. Although Ben and Alysha both graduated from Texas A&M, neither of them had any agriculture backgrounds, or entertained thoughts of homesteading until they moved to the country. In fact, Ben owned a commercial construction business and worked full time in the “city.” “We just knew we wanted to raise our children in the country in a wholesome environment based on good traditional family values,” says Ben.
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“Originally, it all began when we started hobby farming. We couldn’t find any place to purchase good quality, healthy, organic foods that were raised naturally without pesticides and chemicals, so we decided to try to grow our own. We were able to produce more than we could use, so we started selling the extras. We did that for about two years. Then we decided we needed to get a bigger place so we could expand our farming. In 2009, I quit my day job and we started homesteading full time,” says Ben.
“The art of farming is a beautiful symphony of attention to detail and timing”
The homesteaders: Ben and Alysha Godfrey with daughters Abigale, Emily, Rebecca, Grace and Lilly.
While the plants naturally filter out all of the toxins in the water before it is re-circulated back to the animals. Instead of using soil, the plants are grown directly in the rich water. Since the roots do not need to expand to support the weight of the plant, this eliminates the need to space out the plants, thereby allowing the farmers produce large crops in small spaces. It is basically a two-step process, but processed through a system with multiple other components. Aquaponics has been used for centuries and is now growing popularity in urban areas where land is not available for food production. Sand Creek Farm sits on 170 acres just outside Cameron in Milan County and it is full-scale, organically certified, homestead that produces a
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The Godreys have been farming for over ten years now, and they continue to use only the best practices in sustainable farming and homesteading for healthy living. More recently, they have added aquaponics to the farm and have begun raising Tilapia. Aquapontics is a sustainable method of food production that combines aquaculture (raising fish, crayfish, prawns) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) all in one environment. Beneficial to the health of both the animals and the plants, this system is also highly effective and efficient. The animals produce toxins and waste, which creates nutrient rich water, which is essential for optimal health and growth.
host of healthy foods. They produce only organic vegetables and raise only grass-fed livestock-beef, poultry, lamb, and pork. They do not use any soy or GMO’s (genetically modified organisms)—or tractors on the farm. All of the fieldwork is done the old fashion way, by plow and draft horses. “I am not very mechanicallyinclined, and tractors are just too high maintenance for me. I prefer to use what I know--horses,” laughs Ben. Everybody knows, only real farmers milk cows! The Sand Creek Farm dairy produces only grass-fed milk, which is used to make their farmstead cheeses and yogurt---handmade on the farm. They also raise poultry and sell fresh eggs. Sand Creek Farm offers a Community Support Agriculture (CSA) membership and delivers fresh meats, eggs, and produce to members in Belton weekly. In the non-deliverable locations, you can join a CSA group in Killeen, Copperas Cove, or Harker Heights and their members either pay a driver, or coordinate a schedule where they take turns driving to Belton or Cameron to pick up their group’s produce. Members receive a full-share of produce (6-10 varieties) for $30 per share and they offer 70
Photo courtesty Sand Creek Farm
different varieties of produce seasonally! You can also stop in and shop at the farm store open daily, there you’ll find fresh meats, produce, eggs, raw milk, and dairy items-cheeses, yogurt, canned items, organic dried blueberries, honey, all natural gourmet salts, such as Himalayan pink crystal salt, maple syrup, and the freshest Alaska Salmon you’ve ever ate--shipped straight from the boat, and more! The Godfreys invite everyone to come and take a tour of their “green acres” at the farm. Open every Saturday, 10-11am, the public and farm members are welcome to take a self-tour of the farm and shop at the Farm Store (closes at 11:30am). The Farm Store is also open Mon-Fri., 7am-11am. Visit their website at www.sandcreekfarm.net for more information on the Vegetable CSA membership, list of available produce, upcoming family-fun farm events or guided farm tours, or information on private tours and classes.
Photo courtesty Sand Creek Farm
Photo courtesty Sand Creek Farm
Photo courtesty Sand Creek Farm
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JUNE 2013 Tex Appeal
Made in
Texas “I have said that Texas is a state of mind, but I think it is more than that. It is a mystique closely approximating a religion. And this is true to the extent that people either passionately love Texas or passionately hate it and, as in other religions, few people dare to inspect it for fear of losing their bearings in mystery or paradox. But I think there will be little quarrel with my feeling that Texas is one thing. For all its enormous range of space, climate, and physical appearance, and for all the internal squabbles, contentions, and strivings, Texas has a tight cohesiveness perhaps stronger than any other section of America. Rich, poor, Panhandle, Gulf, city, country, Texas is the obsession, the proper study, and the passionate possession of all Texans.” — John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America When you’re in Texas, everywhere you go you see a Texas flag proudly displayed and waving. You see big smiles, big laughs, big hats, big hair, big boots, big trucks…and lots of other big things. Therefore, I suppose I could see how we-Texans might come off a little intimidating to all those foreigners from other states. I suppose from their eyes we do look like a big bunch of loud braggarts. Point taken. However, by the time you finish reading this issue and our Made in Texas special feature and profiles; I don’t think anyone, I don’t care who you are, or where you came from, can disagree with me on the supporting evidence right here in these pages, its clear as day—in black and white, it’s our Lone Star State right to brag, because we-Texans just happen to have A LOT of great things to brag about!
Photo courtesty Nicolas Raymond freestock.ca texappealmag.com
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Anderson Bean Boots www.andersonbean.com Mercedes, Texas
Texas cowboy. Built to withstand ranch work, cattle drives, mis-stepped hooves, and even those occasions that call for a little boot scootin’ around a hardwood floor. Anderson Bean Boots was started in 1989 by a family company with a long Texas history for boot making, the Rios of Mercedes Boot Company, founded in 1853. For over 160 years, the craftsmen of Rios have been making exceptional handcrafted boots. A proud tradition that still continues today, and is now carrying on with the Anderson Bean Boot Company. Rios created the Anderson Bean to provide high quality handcrafted boots made from the finest materials at an affordable price. In Texas, cowboy boots are not about fashion, they are about function. A true piece of equipment—cowboy boots are made to be worn and enjoyed, but made to withstand working. Green before it was even cool, the Anderson Bean Boot Company has always been into “recycling” boots. While others may simply resole a boot, at Anderson Bean they re-craft it. This involves taking the boot completely apart and rebuilding it from the sole up. These high quality boots are not meant to be worn and thrown away, but made to provide years of enjoyment and performance. Anderson Bean Boot Company and Rios of Mercedes have been outfitting Texans for over 160 years—and you can bet your boots they are a Texas tradition and Texas proud. 28
JUNE 2013 Tex Appeal
Garrison Brothers Distillery www.garrisonbros.com Hye, Texas
Photos courtesy Garrison Brothers Distillery
Just a stone’s throw outside Johnson City in the little town of Hye, population 105, you’ll find the Garrison Brothers Distillery, home of the first and oldest legal whiskey distillery in Texas. Boasting “Texas born from Texas corn” this home-grown, handcrafted bourbon is still made the oldfashion way, in small batches using only the finest ingredients. “For 200 years, Kentuckians have been spreading a lie, telling everyone ‘you can’t make bourbon outside of Kentucky.’ And you know what? It worked, or at least it did up until a few years ago. After I visited the distilleries in Kentucky, I knew I could make bourbon in Texas—we have the corn, the grain, good water…everything we need is right here,” says Dan. Making an award-winning bourbon all comes down to details and even the smallest ones matter. From grinding their own grain fresh daily, to the temperature and speed used to cook the sweet mash, to finding just the right barrels to age the whiskey, each step contributes to building the flavor profiles in the bourbon. “You get the sweetness from the barrel, and while they are all white oak, they don’t all have the same flavoring. It’s a lot of trial and error until you find the right one,” explains Dan. “We use a mash bill of 74% organic soft white Texas Panhandle corn, organic soft red wheat—which we grow ourselves right here on the ranch, organic two-row barley from the Pacific Northwest and Canada, plus our own special ingredient-Texas rainwater. We harvest it and purify it ourselves.” Garrison Brothers have proved to the world that Texans can make great bourbon; their Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey has won numerous awards, including Best in Category by The American Distillery Institute, a silver award at the 2011 San Francisco World Sprits, and a bronze at the 2012 San Francisco World Spirits, and a gold medal by The Fifty Best. Dan is a lot like their first bourbon they called “The Young Gun—a straight shooter with a rebellious side,” without any whiskey making experience, he shot into the bourbon industry and didn’t let anyone, not even the master distillers of Kentucky, tell him he couldn’t do it. Now, that there is authentic Texan. texappealmag.com
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Laerdal www.laerdal.com Gatesville, Texas
Photos courtesy Laerdal
“Helping save lives” Laerdal is a global leader in designing and manufacturing medical educational training aids, devices and simulator mannequins for teaching purposes. Offering a full line of mannequins, including infants, children, adults (female & male) that are equipped with simulators and interactive software programs to recreate realistic medical scenarios such as childbirth, critical care, and other critical mass trauma scenarios that may be treated in emergency rooms or in emergency management scenarios like natural disasters or terrorists attacks. Patient simulation and self directed learning allows healthcare providers and first responders to train in a safe and effective manner. These patient simulators provide measurement and feedback to the students and their instructors so they can improve their knowledge and performance in diagnosing and treating patients. Laerdal also designs and makes specific simulation training mannequins for the government and military to help medics and soldiers train to respond to battlefield- type injuries like critical head trauma, severed limbs, or other mass trauma scenarios. “The key is to simulate the injuries as realistic as possible so the medic is prepared to treat those same injuries on the battlefield. It also helps them mentally prepare for the type of situations they may encounter on a battlefield,” says Environmental, Health and Safety Engineer, Debra Sloan. Recently Laerdal participated in a large-scale, local emergency management training exercise scenario at Ft. Hood. Emergency management service and first responders from Bell County and the surrounding counties all participated in this one day event and responded to a simulated F5 tornado disaster scenario. Laerdal provided all of the simulator trauma mannequins for the first responders, soldiers, and other emergency management personnel to use in triage, critical care, mass trauma, and evacuation training scenarios. 30
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Heart of Texas Olive Oil www.heartoftexasoliveoil.com Georgetown, Texas
Photos by Priscilla Z Photography
One drizzle of this rich Texas olive oil, infused with habanera peppers makes grilled asparagus and vegetables leap to life. Spiked with spice from the habaneras, the peppers ignite the robust flavors of the golden oil and make your taste buds kick up their boots and dance the Texas two-step. There are only about a handful of people growing and producing olive oil in Texas, and The Heart of Texas Olive Oil Company is one of them. The company started making infused olive oils just a little over a year ago; and today it features 13 different and distinctive flavors, making it nearly impossible to choose a favorite. “Many of the flavors were made based upon recommendations from our customers. Customers asked us to make a specific flavor for them and we’d make it. Our best seller is the garlic, along with any of the infused peppers--jalapeno, chipotle, habanera,” says owner Dan Marek Jr. Dan discovered his inspiration for creating Texas olive oil while vacationing in the beautiful California wine country. “The wineries out there were all growing olives and creating their own specialties and I thought it was such a great addition to their wines that I brought the idea back to Georgetown with me,” Dan says. Initially, Dan began making his oil using olives from a Texas orchard near Houston. However, now he has three acres of his own olive trees growing at his vineyard in Rockdale “It takes a lot of olives to make olive oil, so I grow some of my own and then I buy the rest from the other orchard. It takes 100 lbs of olives to make one gallon of oil,” says Dan. The olives are picked in late summer and then bought to his Georgetown winery where Dan makes the oil, infuses it, and bottles it himself. “Making olive oil is very similar to making wine. They both use a cold-press process and most of the equipment is the same or very similar,” says Dan. Making olive oil comes easy for this experienced wine maker, who claims he’s been making wine since childhood. My father was a home winemaker and so I’ve grown up making wine,” he says. texappealmag.com
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Lou Quallenberg Studios www.LouQart.com Llano, Texas
Photos courtesy Lou Quallenberg Studios
The mesquite tree is a signature plant in Texas and the Southwest. These shrubby, tenacious trees strive and survive even in the dried and harshest conditions. From its bark to its roots and everything in between, not a single part of this tree went unused by the Native Americans; and the Pima Indians even referred to it as “The Tree of Life.” Although sustainable and useful, they are rarely ever described as “beautiful.” That is, unless you are in the studio of Lou Quallenberg. “I fell in love with mesquite the first time I used it. Its a hard, gnarly wood with a unique beauty. Its unusual character flaws, holes, cracks, crevices, and grain make it difficult to work with, but it’s a real stand out once it’s finished,” says Lou. A big fan of Van Gogh, Wharton Eschrick, and more currently, David Savage of the UK, Lou finds inspiration from a lot of different things, especially the female form. Although he has no formal training in furniture making, Lou started building furniture in 2004. His designs feature a unique combination of elements, which he hesitates to classify as any one specific style. “It’s all about the curves and flow and the connection. Organic? Slightly contemporary? Hill County Chic? Maybe your readers could help me find a name? I’m open to suggestions,” says Lou. Lou uses mesquite trees that ranchers in South Texas are removing from their pastures, or he collects fallen or dead trees from yards, golf courses, or other unlikely places. “ I definitely don’t go around cutting living trees down just to create wood for my work. The special pieces usually end up finding me.” Using a combination of power tools and hand tools, Lou works his magic on the mesquite, careful to work with the wood to accentuate its unusual character. “I try to use the wood to its natural beauty. It could be the shape, curve, a hole, or the movement and pattern in the grain. I also create mesquite laminate to make some of my curves. The wood is cut into thin 1/8” planks and then stacked back together shaped into a curved jig and then epoxied together creating a curved piece that is just as strong or stronger than a piece of solid wood.” One of Lou’s favorite pieces was a commissioned piece he named Dancing Trees. It is seven large slabs of Mesquite used to create a screen in front of a curved window in a private Chapel (see it at: http://www.louqart.com/Dancing_Trees.html ). “This piece holds a very special place in my heart. First, because the wood came from one amazing tree in a gentleman’s yard in San Angelo. Secondly, because this project stretched me to my limits and launched me into more sculptural work. Unfortunately, the man never got to see Dancing Trees, he past away before it was finished. However, his family did and they told me that the piece symbolized the full circle that the man and his family had come—originally from Spain, they came to the US to build missions, so having his tree in a chapel was extremely important to them, and him.” 32
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Gray Rock Soap www.grayrocksoap.com Burnet, Texas
A lover of nature and all things native to Texas is what originally led Melissa Duckworth of the Dash D Bar C Ranch to making all natural organic soaps using the native wildflowers growing on the ranch. “Historically, Native Americans and the early Texas settlers used a variety of native plants for medicinal purposes. Lupinus texensis, the Texas bluebonnet for example was used for a natural dye, as was the prickly pear cactus flower. Horsemint was used in teas and also in soaps for its minty aroma, and the lovely yellow Western primrose and evening primrose have properties that are beneficial for healing wounds,” explains Melissa. A Texas Certified Master Gardener, Melissa enjoys growing, studying, and practicing organic practices and responsible land and ranch management, and is currently pursuing her certification in Texas Master Naturalist. Each species of flower she uses is not only studied for its beauty and fragrance, but for its healing and soothing effects. The fresh honey harvested from her beehives is also used in the Yellow Wildflower and Honey Mesquite soap and all of the herbs in the Herbal soap are grown on the ranch. “Each soap has something beneficial and distinctive to offer. The Woods soap is very rich and earthy, the Bluebonnet and Prairie Verbena are lightly scented, but very rich in floral oils. It’s a long process and very time consuming, but the end results are worth it,” says Melissa. texappealmag.com
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Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Lone Star Craft Made in Texas
ne Gardens
Road, Temple ornerstonegardensllp.com
Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q 1217 S. 57th Street, Temple
n illness or injury can turn your life – and the lives of 254.778.5481 | clembbq.com you – upside down. The road to recovery takes time e and understanding along the way. If you want Made in Texas, then look no further than Clem Mikeska’s. For over 47 years, Mikeska’s Healthcare and Rehabilitation, LLP Clem is designed for Bar-B-Q has been serving some of the finest, most authentic Texas-style r require hospitalization, but still need therapeuticBBQ in the state….and now they have added menu, served day in Belton and after 4:00 in Temple. healing process. We offer aa full comfortable, caringallplace
ospital and home. We have been in Temple for 5 years Clem’s hand cuts all of their own steaks, like strips, ribeyes, and sirloins. cility in Bell County. No need for steak sauce, they will melt in your mouth! They also hand tenderizework and batter their of rehabilitation therapists’ together to chicken provide fried steak! In addition, you can look to Clem’s for the finest center cut pork chops, the finest shrimp and cathe individualized care they need to regain an indefish around (with homemade tartar sauce and red sauce), and amazing lping residents achieve their maximum functional oldcommunity fashion burgers eventime freshly grind their own meat). k to their homes and in the(they shortest
or each resident.
Since 1965, Clem’s has been “smokin’ the good stuff” making all of their
mobility ability to re tasks pain
family operation, the folks at Clem’s enjoy what they do! The bottom •Aproviding hope line…Clem’s serves only what they would enjoy themselves using only and encouragement products! •good tools fresh to prevent further complications Visit Clem’s today!
c beds, 24 hour skilled nursing care, assistance with g, and television for each resident. Our culinary staff de nutritionally balanced meals as well as snacks. lf, give us a call or drop by today and we’ll be glad We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and a Scott & White Health Plan.
“
Clem Says:
”
Eat well my friends!
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JUNE 2013 Tex Appeal
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
ownPhysical, sausageOccupational, and seasonings, which they use on everything! Not to mens and benefits include Speech bilitation Services. tion made-from-scratch side dishes.
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Made in Craft Texas Lone Star
Ye Olde English Bakery and Deli 1401 South 31st Street, Temple 254.778.3865
Ye Olde English Bakery and Deli has been a family business for almost 34 years. It began with Alan and Freda Harvey, the uncle and aunt of Lee and Karl Watson. Lee has been at the Bakery and Deli for almost 15 years and Karl for almost 9 years. Having just completed their first year as owners, the brothers take pride in using several English/European recipes that are unique to the area. Every day, hand-made and fresh, Lee and Karl make a full line of Danish pastry, puff pastry, and kaloches. Using the freshest ingredients that they can get, the Watson brothers are commitment to excellence and their customer’s satisfaction. Awarded several times as the “Best Bakery in Central Texas” by the Temple Daily Telegram, Ye Olde English Bakery and Deli also has cakes available daily, or you can specialty order cakes for any occasion. From wedding, graduation, baby showers and birthdays, you can get just what you’re looking for! Ye Olde English Bakery and Deli is also a full service deli with eat-in, carryout, delivery, and catering service available. With most of their business coming from the Temple/Belton area, the brothers say they also have customers as far away as Austin and do make deliveries to just about anywhere within 75 miles of the bakery. They will also ship select items. If you have not had the opportunity to visit Ye Olde English Bakery and Deli, do it today and enjoy great, Made in Texas, baked goods.
Cornerstone Gardens
763 Marlandwood Road, Temple 254.771.5950 | cornerstonegardensllp.com
Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q 1217 S. 57th Street, Temple
It is well known that an illness or injury can turn your life – and the lives of 254.778.5481 | clembbq.com those who care about you – upside down. The road to recovery takes time and requires patience and understanding along the way. If you want Made in Texas, then look no further than Clem M For over 47 years, Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q has been serving so Cornerstone Gardens Healthcare and Rehabilitation, LLP is designed for finest, most authentic Texas-style BBQ in the state….and now those who no longer require hospitalization, but still need therapeutic added a full menu, served all day in Belton and after 4:00 in Te care to continue the healing process. We offer a comfortable, caring place to recover between hospital and home. We have been in Temple for 5 years Clem’s hand cuts all of their own steaks, like strips, ribeyes, and and are the newest facility in Bell County. No need for steak sauce, they will melt in your mouth! They a tenderize and batter their chicken fried steak! In addition, you Our dedicated team of rehabilitation therapists’ work together to provide to Clem’s for the finest center cut pork chops, the finest shrimp each resident with the individualized care they need to regain an indefish around (with homemade tartar sauce and red sauce), and pendent lifestyle. Helping residents achieve their maximum functional old fashion burgers (they even freshly grind their own meat). capacity and get back to their homes and community in the shortest time possible is our goal for each resident. Since 1965, Clem’s has been “smokin’ the good stuff” making a own sausage and seasonings, which they use on everything! No Our program features and benefits include Physical, Occupational, Speech tion made-from-scratch side dishes. and Outpatient Rehabilitation Services.
operation, the folks at Clem’s enjoy what they do! Th • providing hope • Improved mobility A family line…Clem’s serves only what they would enjoy themselves u and encouragement • Improved ability to toolsproducts! to prevent further do self-care tasks good•fresh complications • managing pain Visit Clem’s today! We provide all-electric beds, 24 hour skilled nursing care, assistance with activities of daily living, and television for each resident. Our culinary staff is dedicated to provide nutritionally balanced meals as well as snacks. Come see for yourself, give us a call or drop by today and we’ll be glad to show you around. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and a Preferred Provider of Scott & White Health Plan.
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Clem Says:
Eat well my friend texappealmag.com
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ne Gardens Whitetail Books
Road, Temple 2010 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Ste. 107, Temple ornerstonegardensllp.com 254.774.9695 | whitetalebookstore.com
n illness or injury can turn your life – and the lives of Having been raised in Central Texas, Amanda White’s heart is tied to you – upside down. The road to recovery takes time this community. In November of 2012, Amanda and her husband, Shane e and understanding along the way. opened Whitetale Books where you will find the gracious service that has been missed. Healthcare and Rehabilitation, LLP is designed for r require hospitalization, but still need therapeutic This locally owned and operated independent bookstore provides serhealing process. We offer a comfortable, caring place vices such as special events, author signings, and also currently hosts ospital and home. We have been in Temple for 5 years two book clubs. “We are a family owned bookstore that appeals to those cility in Bell County. in Central Texas”, Amanda said. “Books have a way of touching everyone.” There is no telling how far Whitetale Books reaches. “We have of rehabilitation therapists’ work together to provide had people come in and find gifts for others in different states and even he individualized care they need to regain an indedifferent countries.” lping residents achieve their maximum functional k to their homes and community in the shortest time Whitetale Books’ goal is to make your visit to the bookstore a special one or each resident. and to serve the community by selling all genres of books and unique gift items. It is important to Amanda to provide books and events that s and benefits include Physical, Occupational, Speech promote literacy and the love of reading for all ages. bilitation Services.
mobility ability to re tasks pain
• providing hope and encouragement • tools to prevent further complications
c beds, 24 hour skilled nursing care, assistance with g, and television for each resident. Our culinary staff de nutritionally balanced meals as well as snacks. lf, give us a call or drop by today and we’ll be glad We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and a Scott & White Health Plan. 38
JUNE 2013 Tex Appeal
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Made in Texas
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Made in Texas
Bush’s Chicken
4609 S. 31st Street, 51 Bright Street, Temple 254.771.1301, 254.598.2087 | dapincher2004@yahoo.com Penny Gallegos owns the Bush’s Chicken franchise on 31st Street in Temple while Corey and Sandra Bush own the Bush’s just off West Adams and in Salado. The Temple restaurants are two of more than 50 locally-owned Bush’s franchises in Texas, serving customers from West to San Antonio. In 1996, Keith Bush started Bush’s chicken with his first restaurant in Waco. Hammock Partners, which is headquartered in Austin, bought the company in 2005. Keith Bush remains active in the day to day operations of the company as a Master Franchisor. Bush’s Chicken is a community-friendly, family-oriented quick service restaurant with a pleasant dine-in experience, the industry’s fastest drivethrough and complete catering service. The menu includes a variety of items for Southern Fried Chicken lovers, including boned chicken, tenders, sides, desserts and great sweat tea. The company culture is based on the generous support of local community activities, particularly schools. Local support includes Project Graduation and the popular College Night for Temple College students. Penny and Corey are proud to be part of the Temple community. A big part of our success has been the quality young people who have had great employment experiences serving our customers. We work around their busy schedules, allowing them to earn money while focusing on their studies and other activities. We have worked hard to develop a reputation for great fried chicken and freshly brewed sweet tea (it’s an art), extremely fast service, cleanliness and friendliness.
Lone Star Craft
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Lone Star Craft
Cathedral Oaks Event Center
1312 Waco Road, Belton 254.939.OAKS (6257) | cathedral-oaks.com
Nestled on six oak-covered acres and conveniently located between Killeen and Temple in Belton, Cathedral Oaks is a premier setting for weddings, receptions, corporate or civic functions. With an air of sophistication and inspired by our Texas heritage, the picturesque venues are designed for maximum flexibility. The elegant Cathedral Oaks Event Center includes a grand hall that seats up to 250 guests for dining, a medium hall that seats 60 guests for dining, a covered patio that seats 90 guests for dining, an elegant bride’s room, a caterer serving area, an immaculately landscaped water feature off the patio and the beautiful lawn area under the lighted “Cathedral Oaks.” The large bride’s room is designed so the bride and her attendants can spend the day relaxing and taking in the full experience. The Event Center is equipped with a Bose sound system, wired and wireless sound, state of the art video projection capabilities and wireless fiber optics. Adjacent to Cathedral Oaks is the beautiful historic Magnolia House. The century-old residence has been fully renovated, taking special care to preserve its character and old-world charm. The Magnolia House is perfect for family gatherings, rehearsal dinners, Saturday and Sunday brunches, a groom’s retreat, corporate meetings and parties of all kinds. A recent addition is The Loft at Cathedral Oaks. This area has a rustic feel similar to The Magnolia House. The first floor is perfect for gathering and dining while the loft includes a flat screen television and internet access.
Mud Pies Pottery & Sir Wigglesworth’s Homemade Fudge 18 North Main Street, Salado Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q 254.947.0281 | mudpiespottery.vpweb.com
1217 S. 57th Street, Temple 254.778.5481Homemade | clembbq.com Mud Pies Pottery & Sir Wigglesworth’s Fudge has been a
production pottery studio since October of 1993 in the Village of Salado, Texas; and producing fudgeIfsince you 2003! want Made in Texas, then look no further than Clem M For over 47 years, Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q has been serving so Titia Arledge, is a native of finest, Arkansas, graduate ofTexas-style Harding University mosta authentic BBQ in thein state….and now Searcy, Arkansas, and owneradded of Mud Piesmenu, Pottery (formally known as The a full served all day in Belton and after 4:00 in Te Village Potter). Her ministry, has always been to use her God given talents and abilities to produce fuClem’s nctionahand l stoncuts ewarall e pofottheir tery fown or evsteaks, eryday like use.strips, ribeyes, and From the first custom orderNoofneed a Texas commissions forSalsa steakBowl, sauce,to they will melt from in your mouth! They a commanding generals wivestenderize at Fort Hood, Titia their has energetically and batter chicken friedhelped steak! In addition, you create and decorate customers pottery match wallpaper, to Clem’s fortothe finesttheir center cut porkfabrics, chops, the finest shrimp insignias, logos and shippedfish them to all (with parts of the world.tartar sauce and red sauce), and around homemade old fashion burgers (they even freshly grind their own meat). Pictured above is one of many “customer inspired products” being hand Being thrown on the potter’s wheel, a French Butter Dish. the Sinceknown 1965, as Clem’s has been “smokin’ good stuff” making a blessed with “The Original Microwave Eggand Baker” in 1994 which for Kurtthey B from own sausage seasonings, use on everything! No Austin, Texas as a commissioned piece that now numbers over 6000+ tion made-from-scratch side dishes. in production. From dinnerware to Chicken Roaster Vegetable Steamers; functionality is at the forefront of Titia’s mission.the folks at Clem’s enjoy what they do! Th A family operation, line…Clem’s serves only what they would enjoy themselves u God, knowing Titia would never that she could make a living goodcomprehend fresh products! just on pottery alone, sent an angel - Susan Stockton, and her belief that Titia being industrious would make it work. Visit Clem’s today!Producing 45 flavors weekly with offerings of Sucrose Free Diabetic fudge.
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Titia assists and seeks volunteers to help with Salado’s Family Relief Fund’s annual “Empty Bowl Project” in November! Come on in the studio and make a bowl to donate to provide food, clothing vouchers and Christmas for some 125 families in Salado.
Clem Says:
Eat well my friend texappealmag.com
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ne Gardens Texas Land Bank
Road, Temple 2552 Blue Meadow Drive, Temple ornerstonegardensllp.com 254.778.8111 | texaslandbank.com
n illness or injury can turn your life – and the lives of Texas Land Bank has been a leader in financyou – upside down. The road to recovery takes time ing for farms, ranches and recreational prope and understanding along the way. erty owners in the heart of Texas for more than 90 years. As part of the nationwide Farm Healthcare and Rehabilitation, LLP is designed for Credit System, which was established by Conr require hospitalization, but still need therapeutic gress in 1916, Texas Land Bank embraces healing process. We offer a comfortable, caring place their mission to serve the agricultural and ospital and home. We have been in Temple for 5 years rural community by being a reliable lending cility in Bell County. source in both good times and bad.
of rehabilitation therapists’ work together to provide As a financial cooperative, Texas Land Bank he individualized care they need to regain an indeis owned by its borrowers — people just lping residents achieve their maximum functional like you — so they never lose sight of what’s k to their homes and community in the shortest time important. When you do business here, you or each resident. become a stockholder and are entitled to receive a portion of the profits from Texas Land s and benefits include Physical, Occupational, Speech Bank in the form of a patronage refund. This bilitation Services. unique cooperative business structure makes different •them providing hopefrom many other lenders in mobility this region. and encouragement ability to
• tools to prevent further Texas Land Bank offers flexible loan terms to complications meet your long-term credit needs. Whether you are planning ahead for a quiet country c beds, 24 hour skilled nursing care, assistance with spot after retirement, buying land where you g, and television for each resident. Our culinary staff can build your country dream home, or lookde nutritionally balanced meals as well as snacks. ing to purchase property for farming, ranchlf, give us a call or drop by today and we’ll be glad ing or hunting, Texas Land Bank can help. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and a Scott & White Health Plan.
re tasks pain
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Real Deals on Home Décor
204 N Penelope, Belton 512.484.5714 | realdeals.net Go anywhere in the world and people know Texans. Richard and Diana Myers are native Texans and are truly the spirit of Texas. When you visit their store, Real Deals on Home Décor in Downtown Belton, you will be greeted with a warm Texas welcome as soon as you enter through the door. Real Deals features warehouse pricing on clocks, mirrors, pottery, metal wall art, paintings and so much more and are open on Thursdays from 10am to 6pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. Diana also offers home interior designing and will come out to your home and give it a new look, or just add to what is already there. Being born and reared in Texas, Diana has a flair for knowing what it takes to give your home the rustic, shabby chic, country or everyday traditional look. Come experience Texas at Real Deals on Home Décor, where your dollar goes a long way!
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Made in Texas Lone Star Craft
Green’s Sausage House
16483 Hwy 53, Temple 254.985.2331 | greenssausagehouse.com Family owned and operated since 1946, Green’s Sausage House not only provides the best Made in Texas meats and sausages in Central Texas, but they also support their local schools, churches, and non-profit organizations. Using quality ingredients to produce quality products, Green’s houses a bakery, restaurant, meat market, and processing plant, all under one roof. Offering 24 different sausages, bacon, ham, jerky, kolaches, breads and cookies, Green’s has customers that regularly come from Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Green’s meats and baked goods have also traveled all over the United States. Green’s Sausage House also offers specialty meats such as Scrapple, Dry Beef Sticks, and Smoked Turkey Tenderloin, as well as, deer processing, gift baskets and snack trays. Come in for the sausage, meats, cheeses, or baked goods and stay for breakfast or lunch! You will always be welcomed with good small town customer service and quality products.
Z Medical Aesthetics
1717 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Ste. 114B, Temple 254.778.0328 | zmedicaltempletx.com Z Medical Aesthetics, partnering with Family Practice Clinic, is dedicated to excellence in the health and beauty industry in Central Texas. Their commitment to research the most innovative equipment and health therapies enables them to offer stunning health and beauty treatments that reveals one’s best self! Z Medical believes that when you feel good, you look good and when you look good, you feel good! It’s a wonderful partnership. Always researching to improve on health and beauty, Dr. Shelley Howell, who has been in practice for 35 years, was joined by his wife, Zsa Zsa seven years ago. With state-of-the-art equipment and technology, together they offer some outstanding clinically corrective services while still pampering their guests. You don’t have to travel to L.A., Europe, Dallas, or Austin to receive excellent advanced skincare and body treatments. Located in Temple, Z Medical also serves Belton, Salado, Harker Heights, Killeen, Copperas Cove, Georgetown and their surrounding areas.
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
LoneMade StarinCraft Texas
Lone Star Gift Baskets
972. 499.4816 | lonestargiftbaskets.com
Kick it up a notch this year and show some big, ole Texas-Style love when you send a gift from Lone Star Gift Baskets! We’ve rustled up some of the biggest and best selections of Texas gifts you’ll find south of the Red River--guaranteed to make all your gifts authentic, genuine, original, and as unique as this great state. With baskets for every occasion, including corporate, we feature only the finest Lone Star specialties and themes: Texas Chuckwagon, Texas Breakfast, Texas Football, spicy dips and salsas, Texas gourmet sweets, candies, pecans and more! Unlimited options--customize your own basket or order individual gifts. Ranked as one of the Top Five Regional Basket Companies in the USA by The Wall Street Journal, they gave our 20 lb. “Texas Giant” gift basket the award for Best Value! Go Texan this year and give your dad the ultimate Father’s Day gift with our Texas Grill Master Basket, Texas BBQ and grilling sets, chili, jerky, cowboy gourmet seasonings, sauces, and more! Visit us online at www.lonestargiftbaskets.com and SAVE 10% OFF when you use this code: TXAPPEAL10. (Excludes taxes and shipping.)
Lone Star Structures 5275 S General Bruce Dr., Temple Clem Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q 254.773.5400 | lonestarstructures.com 1217 S. 57th Street, Temple 254.778.5481 clembbq.com Lone Star Structures| was established in 1997
when Lee and Sadie Fisher moved to Central Texas from Lancaster If you want Made inCounty, Texas,Pennsylvania then look notofurther than Clem M provide for47 theyears, growing of their young has been serving so For over Clemneeds Mikeska’s Bar-B-Q family. of jobs close to home, finest,The mostdream authentic Texas-style BBQ in the state….and now cheaper openserved country Lott, and after 4:00 in Te added land a fulland menu, all ended day in in Belton Texas with an 11 acre homestead. In NovemberClem’s 1997,hand Lee cuts with all theofhelp Kevin Mullet, theirofown steaks, like strips, ribeyes, and built building. No their needfirst for portable steak sauce, they will melt in your mouth! They a tenderize and batter their chicken fried steak! In addition, you Lone Star Structures has center earnedcut a reputation to Clem’s for the finest pork chops, the finest shrimp of fish having the (with best quality workmanship around homemade tartar sauceinand red sauce), and Central Texas.burgers All buildings andgrind de- their own meat). old fashion (they are evenbuilt freshly signed by experienced craftsmen using only top-quality materials. Theybeen have“smokin’ a wide variSince 1965, Clem’s has the good stuff” making a etyown of sizes andand styles to accommodate your sausage seasonings, which they use on everything! No needs. Whether it’s for storage needs, lawn tion made-from-scratch side dishes. equipment or out on the farm, they have the building is right for A familythat operation, theyou. folks at Clem’s enjoy what they do! Th line…Clem’s serves only what they would enjoy themselves u Asgood Lee &fresh his products! crew look into the future they look forward to finding solutions for your storage needstoday! building on the relationships Visit Clem’s already established.
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Clem Says:
Eat well my friend texappealmag.com
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Photo by Priscilla Z Photography
Lone Craft MadeStar in Texas
Simply Sweet Bakery ne Gardens
Creative Innovations
Road, Temple Traceylyn Chudej, Owner | Little River 254.982.4900 | cakesbysimplysweet.com rnerstonegardensllp.com
2211 Thomas Arnold Rd., Salado 254.760.2620 | creativeinnovationsofsalado.com
Simply Sweet owned n illness or injury can turn yourislifea –family and the lives ofbakery locatedThe in road LittletoRiver andtakes has time been serving you – upside down. recovery Central Texas since 2006. When you order and understanding along the way. from Simply Sweet, you can be assured that receive a freshly – never Healthcare andyou Rehabilitation, LLP is baked designed for frozen cake, freshly icedneed withtherapeutic homemade butter require hospitalization, but still ealing process. cream We offerfrosting! a comfortable, caring place ospital and home. We have been in Temple for 5 years Specializing in wedding cakes, Simply Sweet cility in Bell County. also designs cakes for birthdays, showers, holidays, corporate orders and of rehabilitation graduations, therapists’ work together to provide If you need a an cake to represent e individualizedlarge careevents. they need to regain indepartytheir theme, Simply Sweet can help cuslping residents your achieve maximum functional one for you. and to their homes tomize and community in theCookies, shortest cupcakes time or each resident.cake balls are also popular party items.
In just a few months Ginny Swalley of Creative Innovations will celebrate the 10 year anniversary of opening her flower shop in Salado where she started in an old sheep shearing shed on Royal Street. Today, Ginny’s shop fills every room an old Victorian house and is more like a studio than a traditional flower shop, specializing in floral designs for weddings and events of all sizes and style.
SimplyPhysical, Sweet had the pleasure of making the and benefits include Occupational, Speech ilitation Services.dessert for the Jenna Bush-Hager wedding rehearsal dinner and also made a mock wed• providing hope mobility ding cake for the Extreme Makeover Home and encouragement ability to Addition show when they were in town build• tools to prevent further re tasks ing a house for a soldier. complications pain “We want to help make your event special. us know we canwith customize a c beds, 24 hourPlease skilled let nursing care,how assistance for you!” g, and televisioncake for each resident. Our culinary staff e nutritionally balanced meals as well as snacks. f, give us a call or drop by today and we’ll be glad We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and a Scott & White Health Plan. 42
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Ginny’s events have ranged from the bride riding a horse down the aisle to Jenna Bush’s rehearsal dinner and bridal luncheon. “It’s not about me…I like to talk to my brides to get a feel for what they want – how they visualize themselves on their wedding day,” Ginny said. “Weddings are highly personal and individual and I start creating from there.” Ginny’s emphasis is always to bring the flowers and the other elements of the wedding together to fit the brides picture and her budget.
home & garden
GGrow reen Small edible landscapes with BIG bounties.
By Teresa K. Hernandez How much money do you spend annually watering, fertilizing, mowing and maintaining your yard? What if you could reduce these costs, save money on your groceries, conserve more energy and water, and still have a beautiful yard? Creating an edible landscape will help your yard absorb more rain water, reduce pests and weeds, conserve municipal water and energy, and maximize the use of your space. It even reduces your household’s carbon footprint by reducing food transportation costs and the depletion of fossil fuels.
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ready to dig in? Gardening experts all recommend that beginners start small. A small garden is not only easier to prepare, but easier to maintain. One expert even claims a few garden containers on a balcony can out-produce a mismanaged 10 x 10 garden full of weeds. Herbs, tomatoes, assorted greens, even squash and cucumbers can all be grown successfully in large pots, containers, and hanging baskets on your porch or balcony. Tired of emptying your pockets out every spring to fill up empty holes in your flowerbeds? When you use vegetable and herbs to fill in your flowerbeds, you will also fill up your pantry. You do not have to live in the country, or have lots of acreage or space to successfully grow vegetables. Incorporating vegetables and herbs into urban landscapes creates stunning flowerbeds and foliage that is rich in color, texture, and depth; and for added color accents, choose edible flowers and fruit producing vines and shrubs. Beautify your yard and start reaping what you sow!
who said money doesn’t grow on trees? Rosalind Creasy, the author of Edible Landscaping decided to do her own research to see exactly how much money she could save in one year with a small 5 ft. by 20 ft. garden. Her results were impressive! In only eight hours, she built and planted her small raised garden bed. For convenience purposes, she purchased vegetable plants from her local nursery instead of sowing in seeds and planted two tomato plants, four bell pepper plants in three color varieties-red, orange, and yellow, four zucchini, four basil, and 18 lettuce plants. For a year, she carefully logged everything she harvested from the garden, recording its weight and the number of vegetables picked. At the end of the year, based on local market prices in Northern California, she figured she saved $746.52, before deducting her expenses for the plants, compost, etc. After her expenses, she saved a total of $683.43. However, according to the market value of produce in Ohio (where one of her friends lived) she saved a whopping $975.18.
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grow your own green The general rule of “green” thumb is one tomato plant produces 10 lbs of fruit. However, depending on the variety planted and the location and climate, some plants produce 20-30 lbs. per season, some gardeners have even reported up to 40 lbs. Tomatoes grow best and produce more in hotter climates, but choosing a high yielding variety to plant is also important. In Central Texas, some of the best varieties to grow are: Big Boy, Better Boy, Brandywine, and Beefsteak. In the heirloom varieties: Cherokee Purple, Gregori’s Altai, Jet Star, Momotaro, Earl’s Faux. All of the above varieties are not only high-yielders, but they are famous for producing huge, recordbreaking size tomatoes. Making them the ideal variety to grow if you like the large, sweet slicing tomatoes. Based on its variety and the method grown (organic, etc.), the current market price for tomatoes in Central Texas ranges between $.88 to 2.48 per pound. Therefore, using the median price of $1.24, 10 lbs of tomatoes cost $12.40. Four plants would produce $49.60 of tomatoes in one season, which isn’t too bad for an $8 investment ($2 per plant). But the savings is even bigger if you grow your own plants from seeds. Beefsteak tomato seeds at the Dollar Store cost only .25 per package and each package contains about 20-25 seeds. *If only 50% (10) of your seeds survive and produce at a minimum of 10 lbs. each, that’s a savings of $124 for only a .25 cent investment (keep in mind, beefsteak tomato plants are high yielders and known to produce up to 20-30 lbs per plant). Add in your own homegrown cucumbers, squash, green peppers, and fresh herbs, which are really expensive at $2.49 and up for only a few sprigs, and watch your savings really add up each month! Remember, a garden does not require any expensive high-tech gear. There is nothing complicated about how plants grow, or the basics of gardening; even the most primitive cultures in history were able to master gardening and grow their own foods. texappealmag.com
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rased garden beds Raised garden beds are an easy way to add unique landscaping elements to any yard, and turns wasted space into a beautiful, functional and productive space. Handy with a hammer? Then building a raised garden bed won’t be any trouble. You can find lots of building plans and designs online for building your own. Not so handy with a hammer? No fear. There are numerous pre-made raised garden beds available. Depending on what matches your landscaping the best, you can choose from wood, or environmentally safe molded plastic beds. Or visit your local tractor supply store for a huge selection of sizes in galvanized metal water troughs and other containers. On a tight budget? Don’t worry, option three is not only easy, but quick and cheap. Take a trip down to your local Dollar Store and pick up a couple small plastic kiddie pools. Simply drill a few holes around the edges of the pool approximately 2 inches from the bottom so excess water can drain, while still leaving plenty of moisture retained at the bottom to nourish plant roots. This is a quick and easy solution for creating a garden in less than 2 hours.
placement Raised garden beds need full sun. Choose a location in your yard that will allow for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight, if not a full 8 hours.
so l Once you have your raised bed(s) in the right place, the next step is to prepare it for planting. The most important secret to successful gardening is not what you plant, or how you plant it, but what you plant it in. You have to use good rich soil. Plants need a good foundation of nourishment in order to grow and produce. The key to having good soil is to mix in plenty of compost and to create a blend of rich, nutritious soil. Compost also helps keep the soil light so that it doesn’t get too hard or compact, which can be restricting to the roots.
plant ng Purchasing small plants from your local nursery may be easier than trying to grow them from seeds when you first start gardening. However, some plants are easy to grow from seeds. When shopping for plants, always choose healthy plants with strong stems and good leaves. Avoid plants that are wilted, yellowing, or appear dry. Also check the bottom of the container, avoid plants that have roots growing out of the bottom or appear to be tightly bound. With a healthy plant, even a novice gardener can reap big bounties of fresh produce by following the simple planting and care directions on a plant’s identification tag or the back of the seed package.
water, water, water Keep your garden watered properly and enjoy watching your fresh bounty grow—and to making fewer trips to the grocery store!
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t rave l
WACO
ADMIT ONE ONE T I M AD
Your summer pass to family fun By Teresa K. Hernandez
Explore learn and play Entertaining the kids this summer doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. This year take some fun day trips to Waco and enjoy exploring some truly “uniquely” Texas places. We found eight destinations where kids and adults, will have lots of fun learning more about the Lone Star State as they engage in hands-on, interactive activities.
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Photos courtesy Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum
l l a H r e g n a R Texas and Museum of Fame The Official Museum, Hall of Fame and Repository of the Texas Rangers 100 Texas Ranger Trail, Waco 254.750.8631 | www.texasranger.org
“One Riot, One Ranger.” ---Captain William “Bill” McDonald Western history buffs will discover a captivating and fascinating glimpse into the real wild, wild west. Learn about life, the laws, and the justice that was carried out on the Texas frontier, and the tough men who stepped forward to establish and enforce it. Founded in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin, the iconic Texas Rangers were commissioned to protect the families living out on the western frontier from the roving bands of raiding Indians-mainly Comanches. When not fighting Indians, the Rangers were fighting bandits and other ruthless outlaws and patrolling the Texas-Mexican border. All of which, significantly contributed to the Texas Rangers role in helping Texas win its independence from Mexico. During the Civil War, the Texas Rangers maintained law and order and protected the families left behind by the thousands of soldiers who had gone off to fight. This continued in the aftermath of the war, during the Reconstruction period as the returning soldiers attempted to settle “old scores” and as politics continued to brew hostilities. Throughout history, the Texas Rangers have become synonymous with Texas justice and came to symbolize not only the wild Texas frontier and the movement West; but true honor, sacrifice, dedication, duty and valor. The Texas Ranger Museum features archives, artifacts, and exhibits sharing the history of this unique and proud agency and all of the men who so bravely wore the badge of the Texas Rangers. The Texas Hall of Fame commemorates and honors the service and sacrifices of 30 Texas Rangers who gave their lives in the line of duty, or those who have made significant contributions to the development of the service.
on is r r a H e l r a E The Gardens e p a P d n a e s Hou Waco’s oldest house and gardens 1901 N 5th Street, Waco 254.753.2032 | www.earleharrison.com
Surrounded by beautiful spacious gardens, the EarleHarrison House is a Greek Revival, side entry style home and Waco’s only restored antebellum building. Built in 1858 by Dr. Baylis Wood Earle and his wife Eliza Harrison Earle and family, it features walk-through windows, verandas and spacious rooms, Victorian furnishings, and artifacts—all gifts from Waco citizens and the descendants of the Earle and Harrison families. Visitors will also enjoy strolling around the beautiful 5.82 scenic acres along the antique brick and concrete walkways of Pape Gardens. A double gazebo and large tent, plus many other shaded areas on the property offer the most picturesque settings for gatherings, photography, or solitary meditation.
Photo courtesy Waco CVB
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Photos courtesy Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Texas Sportmse Hall of Fa Where sports legends “ come to life” 1108 S University Parks Dr, Waco 254.756.1633 | www.tshof.org
You’ll score a home-run when it comes to family fun! From high school to the pros, sports lovers will enjoy this interactive tour through the history of Texas athletics. The Hall of Fame features football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, track, auto racing, rodeo and more! Follow the exciting careers of legendary Texas athletes and coaches, enjoy watching important moments in Texas sports history captured on film in the Tom Landry Theater, browse through the exhibits of the Texas football powerhouse Southwest Conference and the Cotton Bowl, step into the shoe sizes of some NBA greats, and learn more about the famous Texas boxer George Foreman. You’ll also discover the history of tennis and how it developed in Texas at the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame, (located inside the Texas Sports Hall of Fame). See memorabilia from over ninety tennis legends on display and the evolution of racquets.
Photos courtesy Waco CVB
“The nation’s first and only recorded discover of a nursery herd of Pleistocene mammoths” —National Park Service 50
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Along the banks of the scenic Bosque River, surrounded by beautiful oaks, mesquite and cedar trees this wooded parkland with over 100 acres, provides a glimpse into the fascinating lives of Columbian mammoths. Between 1978 and 1997, the fossil remains of 22 Columbian mammoths, a camel and the tooth of a juvenile saber-tooth cat were discovered. Exactly how the animals died remains a mystery. Researchers have not discovered any evidence of human involvement or of any signs the remains were disturbed by predators or scavengers. Explore the recovered fossils and new exhibits, including two new specimens that were recently discovered, a mammoth wrist bone and a molar from a camelops (camel). Learn more about Texas geology, paleontology and archeology.
Waco Mammoth Site 220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco 254.750.7946 www.waco-texas.com/cms-waco-mammoth/
Homestead Heritage Step back into time… 608 Dry Creek Rd, Waco 254.754.9600 | www.homesteadheritage.com
Brazos de Dios is a 510 acre homesteading community that has preserved traditional homesteading skills and craftsmanship. Open year round, Monday-Friday, 10am6pm, visitors can take self-guided walking tours, hay rides, or guided tours of nine craft workshops in the Traditional Craftsmen Village. Watch craftsmen using old world methods for woodworking, building hand joinery furniture; blacksmithing, pottery makers, and millers operating the water-wheel-driven mill grinding organically grown grains-wheat, spelt, oats, corn and more. The Homestead Farm still uses 18th century methods for raising all of the livestock and crops. The Café Homestead features sandwiches, all natural barbecue, fresh breads, award-winning desserts and real homemade ice cream made with organic milk, cream and eggs. The two-story Dutch-English structure The Barn was originally built by Dutch settlers in northern New Jersey during the early 1800’s. This 200 year old chestnut and oak frame barn was moved to Texas and fully restored using the original hand-cut mortise and tenon joints, locked in place by oak pegs. The Ploughshare Institute for Sustainable Culture workshop facilities on the homestead offers numerous classes and workshops: homesteading, organic gardening, beekeeping, animal husbandry, and orchard, vineyards and berries. In kitchen and homemaking workshops, there is bread baking, cheese making, canning and preserving, and soap making. Traditional crafts include blacksmith, pottery, woodworking, basketry, sewing & quilting, and fiber crafts. September 2nd, the homestead will be hosting its 19th Annual Sweet Sorghum Festival. Watch the entire process of making sweet sorghum syrup and enjoy some delicious samples of sorghum syrup on freshly-baked cornbread made fresh from stone-ground cornmeal. November 23-25th is the annual Homestead Fair, a huge exposition of fine crafts with demonstrations of all kinds of heirloom skills and crafts. Plenty of fun and educational festival activities for the whole family—and no admission charge! Watch cheese and soap making demonstrations, woodworking, blacksmithing, sheepdogs herding sheep, an old-fashion timber frame barn raising, milk a cow, catch a ride on a horse-drawn hay wagon, and enjoy sampling a variety of mulit-cultural dishes from the food court, including delicious maple pecan ice cream! Crafts, gifts, music, make-your-own activities and more! Photos courtesy Homestead Heritage
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Learn more about Texas natural history as you browse through the exhibits: Waco at the Crossroads of Texas and Strecker’s Cabinets of Curiosities. Theses exhibits offer thousands of unique artifacts ranging from a jug from the Iron Age, dating to c.700 B.C.E. found on the Photos courtesy The Mayborn Museum Complex coast of Cyprus, to a 28 foot long model of a Pliosaur, a Comanche tipi, early log cabin, and a 3,000 lb. humpback whale skull that measures 19 feet, plus so much more! Explore nine wood frame buildings that make up the Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village and engage in the 16 discovery rooms, which offer fun hands-on, interactive learning activities.
Baylor Univer Mayborn Muse sity um Complex Engage. Explore. Enjoy. 1300 S University Parks Dr, Waco 254.710.1100 | www.baylor.edu/mayborn/
NEW SUMMER EXHIBIT Goose Bumps! The Science of Fear (May 25-September 2) Why do our hearts race, knees shake, and our bodies sweat when we are scared? This exhibit explores the universal emotion that can save our lives. Learn about the science behind our physical and emotional responses through fun and interactive challenges.
r e t n e C t r A The Waco of The place for art & ideas! 1300 College Dr, Waco 254.752.4371 | www.artcenterwaco.org Celebrating 40 years of providing quality art exhibitions and educational programs in the heart of Texas. The Art Center of Waco features art exhibits from local artists, new and upcoming artists, as well as many internationally recognized artists all of whom, have a tie to the Waco and Central Texas region. Located in the beautiful and historic summer home of William Cameron, the Art Center of Waco also hosts Summer Art Camps and gallery tours to share the history of Master Artists and their influences on our world and culture. Art camp students learn techniques in painting-watercolors, oils, and acrylics; drawing with pastels and pencils, and also sculpture and pottery. In October they also host an annual Fall Festival to showcase a current exhibit and provide a funfilled week of free activities for the public. 52
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Photos courtesy The Art Center of Waco
The Dr Pepper Museum Dr Pepper is a “native Texan” 300 S. 5th St., Waco 254.757.1025 | www.drpeppermuseum.com
Photos courtesy Waco CVB
Did you know Dr Pepper is the world’s oldest major soft drink and the Dr Pepper Company is the oldest major manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States? And it all started at Morrison’s old corner drug store in Waco in 1885. A young pharmacist named Charles Alderton who worked at Morrison’s drug store is believed to be the inventor of Texas’ favorite soft drink. In his journal, Alderton recorded many of his experiments, ultimately leading him to finding the perfect combination of fruit syrups. Morrison, the owner of the drug store and all of his customers liked it so much, they soon began ordering it by asking Alderton to “shoot me a Waco.” Morrison named the drink Dr Pepper and in 1904 Dr Pepper made its official debut to almost 20 million people at the World’s Fair Exposition in St. Louis. Later in the 1950’s the period was dropped from the name. The Dr Pepper Museum was founded in 1988 and is located in downtown Waco in a 100 year-old building, the 1906 Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company. Visitors will enjoy browsing the unique collections and exhibits which feature over 100,000 artifacts related to the history of Dr Pepper and the soft drink industry. It is the only non-profit museum in the country dedicated to the entire soft drink industry. The Dr Pepper Museum is also home to the W.W. Clements Free Enterprise Institute. Here visitors can learn more about the American economic system and free enterprise, developing, producing and marketing products.
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Garden therapy, grow love
Photos by Teresa K. Hernanxez Gardens of Tom & Lupita Blasienz
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Father’s Day
Gift Guide
Bobby Flay™ BBQ Grill Topper This Bobby Flay grill topper is a must-have for every barbecuing pro. Its versatile design lets you cook meats, vegetables and more, all at once.
Bobby Flay™ BBQ Smoker Box Enhance Dad’s outdoor cooking arsenal with this smoker box. This smoker box adds smoky flavors to any dish on the grill.
Bobby Flay™ 3-piece Grill Tool Set Each extra-long tool keeps Dad’s hands at a safe distance from the grill, while their sturdy design ensures control. No matter what he’s cookin’ up, these grilling tools are sure to come in handy.
“Cooking With Beer” Book Beer? it’s not just for drinking. Add it to these great-tasting recipes and you’ll discover that it makes a wonderful ingredient too. Dad can get some great grilling ideas inside the pages of this book.
Norelco Deluxe AquaTec Rotary Razor This Norelco AquaTec razor features pivoting and flexing heads that gently accommodate every contour of Dad’s face and neck for a smoother, more comfortable shave.
HMDX Jam Bluetooth Speaker This incredible HMDX Jam Bluetooth wireless speaker delivers amazing sound from its compact size so Dad can take it anywhere. Works with all Bluetoothenabled devices.
All items are available at Kohl’s in Temple and Killeen and kohls.com. 56
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Texas A&M Aggies Fan Since Birth Tee Stealth Flyer RemoteControlled Helicopter Swoop through the air with this Propel Toys Stealth Flyer remote-controlled helicopter. LED strobe light makes it perfect for night flights.
Fan since birth, fan ‘til the end. This men’s Texas A&M Aggies tee is just what every die-hard needs. Team logo graphic delivers unmatched style. Other NCAA teams available.
The Black Series LED Lantern This lantern’s powerful LED light source makes it perfect for camping, backyard parties, home repair, power outages, and more. It’s long-life bulbs last up to 100,000 hours.
The Black Series LED Flashlights Illuminate your way with these Black Series flashlights, each featuring nine long-life LED bulbs that last up to ten years.
“The Great American Road Trip” Book Hitting the open road. From Seattle’s Space Needle to the Fountain of Youth in Florida, “The Great American Road Trip” Book will take Dad on a tour of famous roads, destinations and quirky sites across America.
Nike Performance Polo Dress Dad up in a sporty look with this Nike polo. Dri-Fit technology will keep him cool and dry.
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h e al th
Summ er
Health Hazards 8 things that can derail your summer fun By Teresa K. Hernandez
What is the single most important thing that everyone should take with them on summer vacation—regardless of their destination? I’ll give you a clue, G–P–S. And no, I am not referring to your Tom Tom or any other satellite device for driving directions.
Great Practices for Safety You may find it surprising to learn that the eight most commonly reported summer illnesses and injuries result from some of the very things we’ve been warned about ever since we were children. Which leaves me to wonder, does our brain automatically transmit an executive order to the “common sense” lobe, directing it to temporarily shut down until summer vacation ends? Or maybe, when we leave for vacation, our “common sense” also departs for a vacation-- of its own, leaving us to our own demise? Summer is an exciting and fun time; however, it also appears to be quite distracting, even dangerous. With all of the fun going on it can be easy to throw caution to the wind, just don’t let your good judgment blow away with it. Neglecting to follow good practices for safety can quickly turn a great time into a tragedy. Summer vacation does not automatically grant us immunity from danger; which is just all the more reason to pack your G.P.S.–don’t leave home without it.
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Sunburn You cannot get more summer safety basics 101 than sunscreen. With over 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed a year; anyone living in Texas should know to wear sunscreen—every day, everywhere-not just in the summer or on vacation. Lightweight, daily sunscreens should be used in your daily regimen; but when outdoors for any extended period of time, or when around water, go with a heavier sunscreen that is water proof/resistant and be sure to reapply it every two hours. Doctors recommend using at least a SPF 30, which blocks 97% of UVB rays (SPF 15 blocks 93% and SPF 50 blocks 98%). However, if you have a family history of skin cancer, or are vacationing in the tropics or anywhere where the sun is intense (anywhere in Texas) go for an SPF 50 or 70.
Bee Stings
Leaving open cans of soda or other sugary drinks outside can lead to a real summer buzz kill. Bees and wasps love sugar and they will crawl right into your drink when you’re not paying attention. The next time you pick it up to take a drink, you’re going to get a stinger sip. Other bee attractants to avoid when outdoors is wearing sweet smelling perfumes, colorful bright clothes—tone it down with pastels, and any standing water in children’s wading pools, birdbaths, etc.
Dehydration
Pour me another one... water, that is. During the summer, it is critical to replenish your body with water. If you are sweating excessively, and losing too much fluid too fast, it can cause your heart rate to increase in an effort to try to compensate for the loss of fluids. A high heart rate then starts to constrict your blood pressure and the amount of blood flow it pumps to your vital organs—including the brain. If the blood flow is reduced too much, for too long, it can eventually cause organ failure, coma, or even death. Symptoms of dehydration include muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and heart palpitations. So this summer remember to keep it flowing!
Poison Ivy
Act like a tree and leaf it alone! And remember, it’s not just in the woods. Poison ivy and poison oak can pop anywhere, even in your own backyard. If you do happen into any of it, it is critical that you immediately wash the contact area thoroughly with soap and water before your skin absorbs its oils. Clothing, hats, and other items that touch the plant also need to be washed, otherwise it will remain in the fibers and re-contaminate you the next time you wear it. Look up this plant and learn how to identity it so you can avoid this three-leaf terror. If you do get a rash, treat it with either hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion, or a diphenhydramine cream like Benadrl to relive the itching and swelling. texappealmag.com
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Heat Stroke Keep your cool this summer. Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature elevates quickly and dramatically. Basically a form of hyperthermia, a heat stroke can be fatal if not immediately treated. Hyperthermia sets in when the body reaches a temperature of 104 F or higher. Performing strenuous activities and dehydration in the hot summer heat are the leading contributors to heat strokes. Those who are at the highest risks include infants, the elderly, or anyone who works or spends extended periods of time outdoors doing physical activities during the summer. Heat stroke symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps, and dizziness; but may also include disorientation, agitation, seizure, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, confusion and hallucinations. In some cases, it even occurs so rapidly there are no warning symptoms. The best ways to avoid a heat stroke are to limit any vigorous physical activities during hot and humid weather, especially during the hottest part of the day. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and if you sweat a lot, choose a drink that has electrolytes to replenishment your body faster. If you must be outside for any extended periods, take some short breaks in the shade to give yourself time to cool down and rest.
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The Bloodsuckers bloodsuckers can potentially carry deadly diseases. Anytime you are spending time outdoors, even in cities, it is important that you use a repellent. If outdoors for an extended amount of time, use the repellent permethrin (in Sawyer products); for general activities use a product with picaridin or DEET (however, read the label to ensure products are safe for children’s age). For natural products that will repel these blood suckers, look for those that contain lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535—an ingredient in several of Avon’s Skin-So-Soft Bug Guard products. These products are effective against mosquitoes, but have a low concentration of the ingredient DEET. Mosquitoes can carry the infectious West Nile Virus disease. Up to 80% of people infected with this virus never have symptoms and recover, however, in some cases it can be life threatening, even deadly. In 2012, Texas was hit hard with the West Nile virus; it had over 783 reported cases and over 54 deaths. The symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and a rash or swollen lymph nodes in some cases. If the virus becomes neuroinvasive, it becomes deadly, causing coma, seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis. According to the CDC only about 1 in 150 people with West Nile virus develop the neuroinvasive form and require hospitalization. It can cause encephalitis, which leaves the victim with neurologic deficits and 10% of patients who develop encephalitis die. Numerous cases of West Nile Virus were reported in Austin in 2012 and several people died because of their infections. Ticks can potentially carry two deadly diseases: Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). Deer ticks are the main carriers of Lyme disease, while the American dog tick and the Rocky Mountain wood tick carry the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Although RMSF is rare in Texas and the southern states, travelers who have vacationed or camped in the Northern states could potentially contact the deadly disease by either being bitten while on vacation, or at home by an infected tick that hitchhiked back to Texas with them on their pets. If you develop any fever, nausea, severe headache, muscle pain, lack of appetite or rash after a tick bite you should immediately seek medical attention. These are the symptoms of both Lyme disease and RMSF. If you were bitten by a tick out of state, be sure to tell your physician, because RMSF is not common in Texas, but the symptoms are for numerous other ailments, your physician may not think to test for it and could initially misdiagnose it—and if it goes untreated, the condition could worsen and potentially even lead to death.
Water Safety
Tragically, what is supposed to be the ultimate summertime fun recreation proves to be deadly for children. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-14. According to the U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission, in 2012, Texas led the nation with the most pool and spa drowning deaths of children younger than 15 between Memorial and Labor Day with 17 deaths; nationwide 137 children under 15 years old drowned in a pool or spa during this short summer period. However, drowning does not just occur in pools or to children. Boating accidents and drowning at lakes and other natural water settings frequently make the Texas headline news. In 2011, there were 32 boating fatalities across the state according to Jeff Parrish, the assistant chief for marine law enforcement. “Of those 32 deaths, all but 5 were of people NOT wearing a personal floatation device.” Texas state law requires a personal flotation device be available for each occupant of a boat, and those 13 and under are mandated by the law to wear it at all times while on the boat or craft. Texas game wardens and law enforcement reported 229 boating accidents in addition to the 32 above, and made 259 BWI arrests and 305 citations for no life jacket that same year. Having fun at the lake or around water definitely requires G.P.S. and responsible behavior. The Coast Guard reports that 75% of all deaths in boating accidents are a result of drowning and of those deaths, 84% were NOT wearing life jackets. ALWAYS wear a life jacket when you are on a boat or Jet Ski. Drowning is a silent killer. It only takes 30 seconds for a child to drown, so keep a lifejacket on children at all times when they are playing around water. Lifejackets SAVE lives.
g in n o is o P d o o F
Chill out this summer, especially any dishes with mayonnaise—like picnic favorites potato salad, pasta salads, etc. Never leave food outside for more than two hours in temperatures 90 degrees or higher. Ice ice baby… a cooler packed full and tight stays cooler longer than one with only a couple items in it. Always marinate your raw meats and seafood inside the refrigerator—not out on the counter where it can reach room temperature. Undercooked hamburgers are one of the leading causes of E.coli, so always avoid eating any hamburger that is still pink or red in the middle. Ground beef should hit 160 degrees in the middle, 145 degrees for steak, and 165 degrees for poultry. texappealmag.com
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f it n e ss
Splash into Fitness Standup Paddle & Yoga
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F itness
photos courtesy Say Om Youga
Just when you thought you’ve seen it all, or done it all, here comes standup paddleboard (SUP) fitness. Standup paddle boarding is a isometric workout that targets your arms, back, core, and legs. This fun workout combines beautiful scenery, sunshine, refreshing water and fresh air, making it the perfect summertime fitness program. “Being out in nature and on the water always has a very calming effect that is nourishing to the mind & soul, “ says Stephany, co-founder and teacher, Say OM Yoga. To stand up on a SUP board, you must use a variety of muscles to stabilize and balance yourself. You engage every muscle group in your body during this workout, as they must all work together in order for you to effectively balance and stabilize yourself on the board. This is a great workout for the core and all of the stabilizing muscles around it. As you enjoy paddling around on the lake, you use a variety of stretching and strengthening moves that effectively target your arms, back, obliques, and shoulders. Even your legs get into the action as your hamstrings, quadriceps, and gluts work to support your core. And you just thought you were having fun paddling around! texappealmag.com
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photos courtesy Say Om Youga
Take it one-step further with Yoga SUP. No fear, the SUP boards are large and oversized, which allows plenty of room for you to strike a pose. The water adds another dimension to your standard yoga routine that can be a little tricky at first. However, it is not impossible for a beginner SUP or beginner yoga student to master it. Yoga SUP does require more focus, you should be mindful as to your alignment and positioning. And if you don’t, oh well, you’ll just get a little wet! Practicing yoga outdoors or in any natural setting provides a more mindful and calming experience, and being on the water heightens this experience even more. Imagine laying on your back with your eyes closed, feet slightly apart and palms turned out just gently moving with the natural flow of the water, the soft sound of the water lapping against your board and the warm sunshine on your face and body. If that is not the ideal opportunity for some real deep mindful meditation, I don’t know what is! “You can just plan on getting wet, especially if it’s your first time on a board. But don’t worry about falling, practicing your balance 64
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photos courtesy Say Om Youga
and learning how to regain your balance is all part of the fun. Just enjoy the experience of being out on the water and trying something new,� says Malia, Say Om Yoga teacher. Beginners should not shy away from trying SUP or Yoga SUP. It is recommended however, that you know how to swim, but all of the other board techniques will be taught in class. Beginner classes and basic SUP introduction classes are always available at most SUP providers, and private classes are usually offered as well. There are numerous places around Austin offering classes, SUP board rentals, and board sales. Some are downtown on Town Lake, while others are on Lake Travis. A good way to determine if this might be something you’d enjoy doing or at least willing to try, before signing up for a class online is to take an afternoon picnic and go down and sit on the bank and watch some classes. This will give you a closer look at the boards and the techniques, what they do in classes, and maybe even give you an opportunity to speak with a student or teacher to get some more information on SUP. There is absolutely no harm in checking it out; worst-case scenario you decide not to try it, you did not lose anything. You still got to enjoy a nice picnic and some great scenery on a beautiful day.
Experience Yoga SUP with SAY OM YOGA Ready to strike a pose on Town Lake? Sign up to take a beginners introduction class. Single class passes are $20 each, or purchase a package of five classes for $90. Private lessons are also available. *Classes include the board and paddle. For more information or to register for a class Visit www.sayomsouthaustin.com
photos courtesy Say Om Youga
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Barb Wired
Slightly Sharp & Twisted
By Kactus Kate
“You can take the girl out of Texas, but not the Texas out of the girl”
One weekend we pulled out all the stops to entertain some guests who had flown in from California to visit. So we did what any proud Texans would do with guests from California, we took them on an abbreviated tour of Texas in three days. First, we headed off to San Antonio to tour the Alamo and the Riverwalk. On the way down, we swung off the highway and gave them a quick city tour of Austin—the capitol and home of the University of Texas. Then we stopped off for lunch in Gruene and enjoyed a nice chicken fried steak at The Gristmill on the back deck overlooking the Guadalupe River. After lunch we moseyed on over to Gruene Hall, so they could step inside the oldest dance hall in Texas (built in1878), and of course proudly explained to them that, “this is where George Strait got his start,” pointing at his picture on the wall. And you will not believe this. They actually asked me… “Who is George Strait?!” Are you kidding me? However, being the good Texas hostess that I am, I grudgingly forgave them for that insult. After that, we proceeded on to San Antonio, where we went to 66
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the Alamo and the Riverwalk, rode the little boats, saw all the sites, and enjoyed a good Tex Mex dinner. On the trip, back we took the scenic route through the Hill Country and stopped off at Fredericksburg and Johnson City. Needless to say, by the time we got home, we were pretty wiped out. But at least we had made sure our guests got to see a little of the best of Texas and enjoyed a big ole plate of authentic Texas style BBQ. Apparently, those poor souls out there don’t have smoked brisket. C-a-n y-o-u imagine? Bless their hearts. They kept asking where we get our tri-tip; I told them we don’t have that in Texas. What is it? The evening before they left, we all enjoyed grilled steaks and margaritas on the back patio. As we were sitting there, talking about all the sites we took in and discussing all the sites we should take in the next time they flew out...they said, “You Texans sure are proud of your state. We have never seen anything like it. Everywhere you go –E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y has a Texas flag hanging out. We don’t do that in California, nobody has a state flag unless it’s a state building.” Luckily, I caught myself before I
blurted out the first thing that flashed across my mind… Well if I lived in California—I would never live in California—but if I did, I wouldn’t hang a California flag on my house either. Then, before I could even respond to that, they said, “Nobody in California owns things with the California state on them…as they pointed to a large Texas shape black iron piece hanging on my porch, then pointed to my grill and BBQ utensils, my large clay planter, and my doormat. Whoaaaaa…Nellie, just what are they implying here? That time there was no stopping what I was thinking..and it just rolled off my tongue, quicker than a chickpee… “Well the shape of California is just not attractive like the shape of Texas. Who would want décor that has something that looks like a dirty, stretched-out sock on it?” Ewww..did I really just say that? ‘A dirty, stretched-out sock,’ really? Arghhhh, judging by the look on their faces, I did just say that. BAD hostess BAD! So far, that second tour of Texas has never happened. Hmmmm, time flies. It’s been three years since we saw them last.
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