Tex Appeal Magazine (Aug 2016) by Temple Daily Telegram

Life and Style in Central Texas

August 2016

Honing leadership students use spRing bReak to seRve otheRs in the spotlight

Solar CenTex

A place of their own

Ralph Wilson Youth Club WelComes all

Creating opportunity paRRie haYnes RanCh C5 pRogRam

OctOber 2013 tex AppeAl

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Features

Under the stars At TABLEROCK

Taryn Kornegay grows into role Taryn Kornegay stands on the outdoor stage at Tablerock in Salado waiting to begin rehearsal for the upcoming summer performance of “Salado Legends.” It’s a balmy, July evening that isn’t yet too hot. A warm breeze helps keep cast, crew and visitors comfortable. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

The c5 challenge

Kids learn leadership skills

A HAPPY PLACE

Ralph Wilson Youth Club educates, entertains

Walk through the doors of the new Ralph Wilson Youth Club and listen to the joyful sounds of kids at play. Children ages 5 to 14, all 550 of them, are scattered throughout the facility, focused on their activity of the moment. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Growing up in Austin, summertime for Quan Cheaves was boring. His mother was always working and his dad was not around. So when Cheaves arrived for his year of summer camp at the C5 Parrie Haynes Ranch outside Killeen he got a little over excited. “I thought of this place as a fantasy,” he said. “I literally jumped off the bus.” When Eugenia Castaneda was preparing to spend her first summer at Parrie Haynes as an eighth-grader, she envisioned an idyllic setting like in the movie, “The Parent Trap.” But the C5 camping experience isn’t a fantasy or a movie. Expectations and responsibilities run high. Students wake up at 7:30 a.m., make their beds, clean bathrooms, wash dishes and clothes, sweep and mop the dining hall. Parents can only visit on the first and last day. By FRED AFFLERBACH

Honing leadership

Youth get chance to serve others That magical week in March students call spring break comes around once a year. Some students pack their bags to go on a family vacation. But not all schoolage kids hit the road this year. Many stayed behind and donated their week off from studies to participate in the first Week of Service with Immanuel Lutheran Ministry. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Departments

TexTalk Neighbors

Carol Hodge and Friends of the Temple Public Library

TexTalk FLAVOURS

Glendora’s Guyanese Caribbean and American Restaurant

TexTalk BEAUTY

Taryn Kornegay opens her bag

TexTalk SPOTLIGHT Solar CenTex

TexTalk SCENE

Killeen NAACP’s Juneteenth Pageant Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que Vaquero Golf Classic

TexTalk CALENDAR Upcoming events in August

August 2016

Life and Style in Central Texas

Honing leadership

EDITOR’S LETTER

students use spRing bReak to seRve otheRs in the spotlight

Solar CenTex

WELL-CONNECTED

10 A place of their own

Ralph Wilson Youth Club WelComes all

Creating opportunity paRRie haYnes RanCh C5 pRogRam

OctOber 2013 tex AppeAl

ON the COVER

Pastor Grayson Albers with Andrew Heifrin, Emma Eckerman and Hannah Johnson. 57 Photograph by Mitchel Barrett

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Contributors

PROFILES

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

TexTalk WELL-FED HEAD “The Radiant Road” by Katherine Catmull

TexFIT

ASYMCA Teen Boot Camp

TexVOLUNTEERS

Immanuel Lutheran Ministries youth give back

TexADVENTURES

Austin Nature and Science Center

TexTHERAPY

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

From the Editor

Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas

Dear Readers, It’s the last month of summer and soon the new school year will begin. While some families are planning their end-of-season vacations, others are already getting ready for the start of school. This month, we introduce a variety of local folks who, in one way or another, are touching the lives of children every day. We also introduce you to children who touch the lives of others through their volunteer work and talent. This past spring break, Pastor Grayson Albers, the youth and family minister for Immanuel Lutheran Ministries, started a new tradition. Instead of going on an out-oftown mission trip with the youth members of his congregation, he kept the kids in town and created a “Week of Service,” where children and adults volunteered their week to help others in need, Page 57. The Ralph Wilson Youth Club has been a part of the fabric of the Temple area since 1965. After going through a few incarnations to become what it is today, the club serves as many as 750 members. In January, it opened its new 47,000-squarefoot building with state-of-the-art equipment for its members, a focus on education and the arts, and enough play room for every child’s imagination. Executive Director Charlie Kimmey opened its doors to Tex Appeal and took us on a magical tour of the new facility, which the kids call “the happy place,” Page 40. The Parrie Haynes Ranch C5 Program brings together at-risk children to grow into leaders through a five-year program that begins in the eighth grade. Through their hard work and education in and out of the program, many children earn college scholarships to further their dreams, Page 30. Giggles galore can be heard throughout the Temple Public Library during the summer kids programs sponsored by the Friends of the Temple Public Library. As president of the board of Friends, Carol Hodge and her group not only raise money for the library, but plan summertime activities for children, Page 12. Keeping kids fit just got a little easier with the opening of the new Armed Services YMCA in Harker Heights. Open to all ages, it offers a selection of expanded exercise programs for children. Take a peek inside the Teen Boot Camp Program, Page 53. If you like Caribbean food, drive over to Glendora’s Guyanese Caribbean and American Restaurant in Killeen. It’s another culinary journey foodies can enjoy, Page 14. Wherever you might be in your busy day, take a break, pour yourself a glass or cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy the August issue of Tex Appeal Magazine.

Catherine Hosman

Tex Appeal Editor edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com 254-501-7511

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC. KILLEEN DAILY HERALD 1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editor CATHERINE HOSMAN Editorial Director ROSE FITZPATRICK Editorial Assistant DANIELLE EVERETT Photographers/Graphic Designers

M. CLARE HAEFNER JULIE NABOURS JOSH BACHMAN Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH MITCHEL BARRETT MIKE BARTOSZEK MANDY SHELTON Advertising 254-778-4444 254-501-7500

Tex Appeal Magazine is published monthly by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission. Subscriptions: For the United States, $24 per year, 12 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.

Questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. How to contact us: Advertising: Call 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Catherine Hosman at 254-501-7511 or email edittexappealmagazine@ gmail.com.

Letters to the Editor

July issue filled with interesting articles

Dear Editor, The (July) Tex Appeal was so interesting this month. There was a wonderful variety of articles. Thank you for educating so many people in different ways. Annette Fuson, Little River-Academy

New reader enjoys copy of magazine during trip to Temple

We recently spent a night at a hotel in Temple and found your Women in Business edition. I have never read any of your issues before, so this was my first. However, I found it extremely well-written and appealing to me, the reader. In fact, I wish my business were located in Temple or Killeen so I could be a part of this great organization of women in business supporting each other. Congratulations for a job well done. Sandy Gilmore McGrew on the Tex Appeal Facebook page

Lampasas residents enjoy Hancock Springs article

Dear Editor, We are having so much fun with the article (Hancock Springs Pool in Lampasas). All our friends and family are sharing it. It was delivered to our hospital about noon Friday and there were lots of good-natured jokes. I think it is good about our Hancock Springs Pool and for our town. Glynda Carpenter, who wrote the history of the pool, called and said she really liked your article. Leah Snell, Lampasas Share your comments with us. Email edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com. Please include your city and phone number for verification.

CORRECTION

In the neighbor story in the July issue of Tex Appeal, Larry and Velma Putman were misidentified as Larry and Velma Putnam.

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DID YOU KNOW?

You can read back issues of Tex Appeal Magazine at texappealmag.com. Log on today to find the current issue and older editions of Tex Appeal. You also can connect with us on Facebook. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH is an award-winning writer and novelist, college graduate at age 50, and former long-haul trucker. His stories and columns have been published in daily newspapers across Texas. His novel, “Roll On,” debuted in 2012, and is an interstate odyssey about a man afflicted with an incurable wanderlust despite pressure from family and friends to settle down. Fred lives in Cedar Park with his wife, Diane, and enjoys perusing Central Texas backroads with a keen eye out for roadrunners, old trucks and lipstick sunsets.

MITCHEL BARRETT is an award-winning photographer and owner of Mitchel Barrett Photography. Although originally from the British Virgin Islands, for the past 12 years he has come to call the city of Killeen his home. He developed his love of photography while attending high school and the KISD Career Center, and has enjoyed life behind the lens ever since. When not busy taking photos, you can probably find him at the movies with friends or at home with his family and two dogs.

MIKe BARTOSZEK was born in Las Vegas, Nev., and traveled to various Army installations, including tours in Germany; his family finally settled in Killeen. Growing up, Mike had a passion for concert production working on such shows as ZZ Top, Korn and Ted Nugent. He pursues a career in video production and photography and has since worked for various entertainment companies such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and KNCT. He enjoys a life of travel, adventure and outdoor photography.

Mandy Shelton is a fifth-generation Texan and a graduate of Florence High School. She attended Southwestern University as an undergraduate and earned a master’s degree at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Shelton works at Central Texas College, where she publishes curriculum for the Online High School. She was named Young Professional of the Year in 2015 by the Greater Killeen Young Professionals. Her writing and photos have appeared in several newspapers, magazines and literary websites. She enjoys volunteering at the Florence library and hanging out with her dog, Biscuit.

JOIN the Tex Appeal TEAM

Tex Appeal Magazine is looking for photographers and freelance writers with experience photographing and/or writing features for a newspaper or magazine. We are seeking candidates from the Central Texas area. Candidates must be detail- and deadline-oriented and good storytellers, and must be familiar with AP style. Ability for writers to take photos is a plus, but not required. Interested candidates may send their resumes and three to five recent stories and/or photographs for consideration to edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com. 10

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

TexTalk

neighbors 12 flavours 16 beauty 18 spotlight 18 scene 20 calendar 24 well-fed head 28

With a little help from its Friends

Carol Hodge with Malachi Monroe, Priya Monroe-Woodberry and Victoria Monroe-Woodberry at the Temple Public Library.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk neighbors

Volunteers support programs, raise funds for Temple library

Story by MANDY SHELTON Photos by MITCHEL BARRETT

ow, this is Friends of the Temple Library 101,” Carol Hodge said, laughing as she passed the circulation desk on her way to the Friends’ sorting room. After a quick elevator ride, she opened the door to a bustling, book-filled space in the library’s basement. The atmosphere of the Friends’ headquarters certainly suits the group’s name: “We play music, drink coffee, eat snacks, and we’re sort of a social group down here,” Hodge said. “It’s really nice.” Spend much time in a public library and you will often find that it has Friends. Friends of Public Library groups are nonprofits dedicated to supporting libraries in ways that go beyond the daily operations. In an age when many people carry the internet in their pockets and the latest best-seller is just a click away, Friends believe a vibrant library is vital to the health of the community. The Friends of the Temple Public Library organized in 1965 and celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The group is best known for the used book sale, a semi-annual event that has raised over $500,000 for the library in the past 30 years. About 1,300 book buyers browse the library’s third-floor McLane Room, where the sale has been held since 2009. “Early on we had it at the mall, but it just got so unwieldy,” Hodge said. “It’s been very successful up here because people know that this is the library and it benefits the library.” In the months leading up to the sale, Hodge and other Friends volunteer in the sorting room, organizing about 50,000 books into 95 categories. “It gets really intense because we have all these books,” Hodge said. Donations are accepted year-round at the circulation desk and comprise over 90 percent of the book sale’s inventory. In addition to overseeing preparation for the book sale, the president of the Friends leads the annual meeting and serves as ex-officio member of both the library board and the

“

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Carol Hodge, standing, and children’s entertainer Joe McDermott, with Priya Monroe-Woodberry, Victoria MonroeWoodberry and Malachi Monroe at a recent performance at the Temple Public Library.

library foundation board. The president communicates with the committee chairs and calls meetings of the Friends board as needed. “It’s just a real neat organization because it involves a lot of things and being the president of it is sort of coordinating the whole thing,” Hodge said. “It’s fun and it’s very rewarding.” She makes a conscious effort to avoid burnout among the Friends. “You could

be consumed by this,” she said, “and that’s why we try to spread the work out among a 24-member board, so that nobody will have too much to do, including me.” Born in Arkansas, raised in Kansas, and educated at Wichita State University, Hodge credits her undergraduate studies in sociology and anthropology with her love of libraries and the appreciation for differences that has helped her take the

Joe McDermott, from Austin, entertains kids at a recent performance at the Temple Public Library. The show was coordinated by the Friends of the Temple Public Library.

helm of an organization with 212 active members. No matter the differences in age, culture, or school of thought, Hodge said she values exposure to many different people. “I’ve really applied that idea to social welfare and social justice,” she said. “One thing that’s really important to me is diversity, and I’m really trying in every aspect of my life to embrace diversity.” “I think that in college when I was studying anthropology that just sort of planted the seeds of what I really believe about how we can make the world better,” Hodge said. Hodge holds a master’s degree in urban studies and is a licensed social worker. “My main career over the last 30 years has been the state of Texas,” she said. “I worked for the long-term care regulatory program that inspected nursing homes and assisted livings.” Hodge retired from state employment in 2003, but continued working as a parttime social worker until 2014. “I really don’t call myself retired,” she said. “I call myself unemployed because I still have my license.” Hodge has lived in Temple twice, her

current residency beginning in 1998, and has served on the Friends board for 10 years, helping the local library reach out to the surrounding community. “Carol wants all of Temple and Bell County to know what a wonderful library we have,” said Temple Library Director Leigh Gardner. In addition to their program support and outreach initiatives, the Friends raise funds for library needs beyond those provided by the city. “The library budget for the current fiscal year is approximately $1.7 million,” Gardner said. “This covers personnel, library materials, program costs, as well as maintenance of the building. The Friends’ gifts for the last few years have been between $30,000 and $35,000 each year.” “I have so enjoyed working with the Friends,” Gardner said. “They are so supportive of our programs and staff and are always interested in new programs.”

Summer reading The Friends began sponsoring children’s reading programs in 1967. “The Friends co-sponsor many of our summer activities, including the Summer

Reading Program,” Children’s Librarian Erin Gaines said. “We will have a Winter Reading Program in December, which the Friends of the Library sponsors each year. It is a rewards-based reading program to encourage young people to read over winter break.” Such programs are open to all ages and, thanks to the Friends’ sponsorship, are completely free. “It starts with growing up with reading,” said Jocylin Francis, a Friends board member who brings her three children to the events. She evokes the adage “learn to read, then read to learn” when explaining the Friends’ support of programs for Temple’s youngest readers. “We see it as an investment in the future of our community,” she said. The Friends also promote the librarysponsored children’s programs, such as the Baby Bookworms early literacy program for infants and the Paws to Read therapy dog program. “Our fall children’s programs will resume Sept. 6,” Gaines said. Those programs include Toddler Story Time on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., followed by Preschool Story Time at 11:15 a.m. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk flavours

From left, Yvonne Richards, Desmond Richards and cousin Roxanne Adams prepare fusion cuisine at Glendora’s Guyanese Caribbean and American Restaurant.

Glendora’s brings taste of Caribbean to Killeen Story by CATHERINE HOSMAN Photos by MITCHEL BARRETT

remember hearing somewhere that you can dine around the world without ever leaving Killeen, and I am beginning to understand that statement. Every month, Tex Appeal looks for a unique, family-owned and operated restaurant that can take you away from the norm of everyday food and introduce you to an international world of cuisine. Such was our discovery at Glendora’s Guyanese Caribbean & American Cuisine in Killeen. Glendora’s opened eight months ago and offers a fusion of traditional Asian, Guyanese, East Indian and South American flavors. As soon as you walk in the front door, the fragrance of spices emanating from the kitchen reaches the senses. Anyone not used to exotic tastes might be a little reluctant to try something new, but once you taste the curried chicken, rice and peas (red beans), roti and fried plantains, your taste buds awaken to a new culinary adventure. 14

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

IF YOU GO Glendora’s Guyanese Caribbean and American Restaurant Location: 715 W. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Killeen Phone: 254-458-5908 Website: www.glendoraskilleen.com Hours: noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday Glendora’s is managed by Desmond Richards. His mom, Yvonne, is the cook, and his cousin, Roxanne, and dad, Desmond, do the prep work. Desmond said he opened the restaurant because he always had a love for Caribbean food. “Coming from New York City, there is a big vibe and lots of different restaurants. This is a different style of food, different flavor of South America, the West Indies, East India and Guyana,” said Richards, who was born in Brooklyn. Their expansive menu offers a variety of fusion foods from their jerked and

curried chicken, grilled salmon, crab legs and shrimp, oxtail, goat curry, soups, salads and homemade traditional desserts, just to name a few. Alcohol is not served at Glendora’s, but be sure to try the Sorrell, a mixture of honey, hibiscus and water. Served iced cold, it takes the heat out of the Central Texas day, even if just for a few minutes. If they had just one specialty, Desmond said it is their Cook-Up Rice, which is a type of jambalaya served with rice, peas, chicken, beef, turkey and sometimes pork. They also have a vegan version. Although it is primarily a Caribbean restaurant, Desmond said they understand the American palate and do offer their versions of fried chicken and macaroni and cheese, but with a twist of the islands. “The fusion of cultures of our restaurant means pretty much anyone from any walk of life can select a food they are familiar with,” he said. Diners can eat in or take out. Glendora’s also delivers and will cater your next affair.

Desmond Richards, of Glendora’s Caribbean and American Cuisine, shared his recipe for curried chicken with rice and peas, cabbage and plantains. For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken overnight.

CURRIED CHICKEN Serves 4. 1 whole chicken, cleaned and cut 4 tablespoons curry powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon ground masala Salt and pepper to taste 1 clove of garlic Less than ½ of habanero pepper ½ of an onion 2 scallions 1. Season the chicken with any curry powder, ground cumin and

ground masala. 2. Add salt and pepper to taste. 3. Combine garlic, pepper, scallions and onion. Place mixture into blender and blend into a liquid. 4. Pour the liquid over the mixture and let marinate overnight. 5. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan. Cook chicken over a slow fire until meat is tender, roughly 25-30 minutes. Add a little water, if needed.

BEANS AND PEAS 1 cup kidney beans 3 cups brown rice (can use either quick or long-cooking version) 1 can coconut milk ½ of an onion 2 scallions Salt and pepper to taste 1. Boil rice, beans, coconut milk,

onion, scallions, salt and pepper. 2. Cover pot and simmer for 20 minutes.

STIR-FRIED CABBAGE 4 tablespoons margarine ½ cabbage 1 carrot, diced ½ of an onion Salt and pepper to taste 1. Heat margarine in pan. 2. Stir-fry shredded cabbage, carrots and onion for about 5-10 minutes.

FRIED PLANTAINS 1 whole plantain 1. Peel then slice plantain in 8-10 pieces. 2. Fry until brown, about 10 minutes. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Beauty in the Bag

beauty TexTalk

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

How do you stay beautiful on the go?

Each month Tex Appeal peeks inside the bag of one busy woman to reveal her best beauty secrets and must-have essentials.

Taryn Kornegay Miss Texas

Salado Legends

The ESSENTIALS she CARRIES Ray-Ban Sunglasses: I am always on the go, and when I wear my contacts, I love wearing my sunglasses. I think it is super handy that they fold up small so that I always have room for them. Fossil Key bag: This bag is cute, but also the perfect size to fit my hand lotion, perfume, EOS Chapstick and oil blotting sheets. iPhone: I always have my phone on me when I am going to work, play practice, or just out to run errands. It allows me to stay connected. Paper mate pen and ticket book: I am a waitress out at The Oscar Store, and I am always working, so I almost always have an extra pad in my purse so I am ready to take orders. Victoria’s Secret Coconut Milk

and Pineapple Body Mist: I recently switched body mists and I love this spray. It is small enough to carry with you and spray on throughout the day. Michael Kors Wallet and Purse: This purse was a present, and I have been in love with it ever since. It is the perfect size. Peppermint Altoids: My No. 1 peeve is bad breath, so after I have my morning coffee at work I can just pop in a mint. Keys: I drive a Prius, and all of my friends and family know I have keys to PrePre, which is my car’s name, on me at all times. Blue Sky Day Designer: I hate being unorganized, so I always use a planner. I put my work schedule, play practices, social and school events on it. I love being able to look back and see exactly what I have done in my past.

Photographs by JULIE NABOURS

Most valuable TOOL in her BAG

My lip balm, keys and iPhone are my never-go-anywhere-without items. Do you have a beauty signature or product you are known for using? DKNY Be Delicious perfume is definitely one of my go-to signature scents, but I always mix up my perfume because they all smell so good I can never just stick with one. Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow is usually a daily wear for me. It’s a perfect lighter pink so it is soft, but shiny, and it gives an extra pop to my eyes. Do you have a helpful hint you can share with readers? To keep a bigger bag organized well I recommend keeping smaller bags in it with different types of items in them (one for makeup, one for sticky notes, whatever you may need to carry).

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

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TexTalk spotlight

Solar pergolas: I

Paid advertisement

The most beautiful way to have solar

Photos courtesy of SOLAR CENTEX

t’s another sweltering summer day in Central Texas. While the sun beats down on your home, your air conditioner rattles away, using a lot of energy as it does its best to keep your family cool. Though it may feel comfortable inside your home, the feeling you get when you open your utility bill can leave you hot. That’s when you have that light bulb moment: “Why not go solar?” Others who have had the same thought have turned to Scot Arey, owner of Solar CenTex. The retired U.S. Army colonel started the Harker Heightsbased business three years ago after first working in the manufacturing side of the solar industry. Since then, Arey has used everything he knows about solar to take his business a step further by designing and building its unique solar pergolas. Arey said the pergolas are an increasingly popular way to provide energy to your home. If you want to create a beautiful outdoor space, while also capturing the sun’s energy and protecting yourself from rising energy costs, Arey said a solar pergola may be right for you. Arey said a solar pergola will power your home just like a solar system on the roof. “Except our pergolas allow you to enjoy a Central Texas afternoon with your family or a glass of wine at the end of the day,” he said. “Our customers frequently comment that the pergola space is their favorite area of their home.” Each Solar CenTex pergola is unique — crews don’t use cookie-cutter kits. Arey’s staff, many of whom are veterans, will custom design, weld and install a

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

pergola to fit your outdoor space and meet your energy needs. Customers can choose from a variety of materials for the pergola’s columns, including wood, metal, brick and stone. Many choose to install outdoor kitchens to further increase the entertaining value. In the end, you’ve invested in a beautiful space that will mesmerize friends and family alike. “A neighbor of mine came over to ask about my pergola,” said Arey. “He stood underneath, looked up and only then did he realize it was solar. I took that as a real compliment that friends see this as more than just solar power for their home.” Prices vary based on size. Whatever the cost, Arey assures people they are getting the best deal possible. Because this is a solar structure, he said it is eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. Additionally, the Texas Legislature has passed a law preventing homeowners from being property tax-appraised on their solar system. All this makes solar pergolas a great choice for those seeking shaded, outdoor space. “Our prices are second to none,” Arey said. “That’s because we’re local and we don’t outsource. All of our work

is done in-house, and that means you get the very best value and quality. Our solar pergolas are typically cost comparable to a standard wooden structure offered by some contractors.” Arey said the company’s presence in the Central Texas community motivates employees to do the best work possible. “I have deep roots in this community,” he said. “I see my customers throughout the community, so we have to get this right for you. My team wants to make this perfect for you.” Based on feedback, customers agree that Arey and his staff are indeed getting

it right. Earlier this summer, Arey hosted a customer appreciation event where dozens turned out. Rather than engaging in small talk, he said customers were bragging to each other about their low energy bills. The group recorded some of their recent bill amounts on a giant banner — some dollar amounts were in the double or single digits and some were even negative. Arey himself said he has not had an electric bill in 17 months. The staff at Solar CenTex aims to educate people on all there is to know about home solar technology, without the high pressure sales tactics. They will help

you to understand the financial side of the investment and can walk you through the financing options available. While solar power may be on the mind more often during the summer months, Arey said any time of the year is a good time to invest. Typically, a solar pergola can be installed within 30 days of the initial inquiry. “You can be enjoying late summer evenings this year, with a 30 percent tax credit coming to you next spring,” he said. If you’d like to see one of Solar CenTex’s pergolas, you can stop by the company’s headquarters at 1901 E. Farmto-Market 2410 in Harker Heights. The company will also have one on display at the Harker Heights Food, Wine and Brew Festival on Sept. 10 for people to relax under while sipping some wine. To get a free quote or to learn more about solar pergolas and all the other services Solar CenTex has to offer, call 254-300-1228 or visit www.solarcentex.com.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk scene

Contestants compete for Miss Juneteenth title 2 3

1. Miss Juneteenth pageant contestants, from left, Diamond Phillips, Kayla McCall, Valarie Wimes, AshLyon Rozier, Zaria Hall and Lauren Dye compete in Killeen. 2. Pageant contestant Zaria Hall. 3. From left, Gregory Johnson, Killeen Councilwoman Shirley Fleming, Debbie NashKing and Councilman Brockley Moore. 4. From left, Ada Mckey, Marva Lynn, Charmaine Huggins and Pamela Jones. 20

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

5. Pageant contestant Diamond Phillips. 6. Contestants Kayla McCall and Lauren Dye dance during the opening of the Killeen NAACP-sponsored pageant. 7. Miss Juneteenth 2015 Quintaya Mathis waits to crown this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner. 8. AshLyon Rozier helps Lauren Dye get ready during a wardrobe change backstage. 9. Ahmari Ja Von Long performs. Photos by MIKE BARTOSZEK

scene TexTalk

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TexTalk scene

Teams tee up for Peaceable Kingdom fundraiser 2 3

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

scene TexTalk

1. From left, Andrew Voelter, Adam Lucksinger, Marcus Bosque and Troy Heith teamed up at the Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que Vaquero Golf Classic at Sammons Golf Links in Temple benefitting Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children in Killeen. 2. Ike Shaw lines up a shot. 3. From left, Eric Raines of KOKE FM, Ronnie Schoepf , owner of Schoepf’s BBQ and event organizer, and Bill Woodward,

owner of Woodward Creative. 4. Military veterans, from left, Ron Cline, Patrick Oneal, Mike Olson and Sonny Jaramillo. 5. From left, Kyle Safady, Michael Carubelli, Chris Norman and Lance Cooley. Photos by JULIE NABOURS

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Victory Rails: American Railroads in World War II Now through Aug. 27 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Railroad and Heritage Museum explores the role that railroads in the United States played during World War II. The temporary exhibit showcases period photographs and posters, along with military artifacts from the museum’s collection. “Victory Rails” can be viewed with regular admission to the museum. Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum 315 W. Avenue B, Temple Call 254-298-5172 for more information. Schoepf’s Free Texas Music Series Aug. 4, 6 to 10 p.m., William Clark Green with Dalton Domino Aug. 11, 8 to 10 p.m., Roger Creager with The Scooter Brown Band Aug. 13, 6 to 11 p.m., Stoney Larue and Company Free for ages 21 and older or age 12 and younger; $5 for ages 13 to 21 Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que Backyard 702 E. Central Ave., Belton Call 254-939-1151 for more information. Belton Senior Activity Center Country Dance Time 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 4, Old Friends

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Tiara McNeil looks through hats at a vendor stand during last year’s Songhai Bamboo Roots Association Caribbean Afr’am Festival at Long Branch Community Park in Killeen. Photo by Mike Bartoszek

Aug. 18, Larry Burgin Live country music, two-step and fantastic dancers. Bring a small food item for the snack table. Check the schedule for your favorite band. 842 Mitchel St., Belton Call 254-939-1170 for more information.

7th annual Caribbean Afr’am Festival Family Fun Day Aug. 5, noon to 10 p.m. The Family Fun Day is part of a two-day festival. The day will include music, food, kids games, family activities, arts and crafts, face painting, a domino

tournament and more. Long Branch Park, 1101 Branch Drive, Killeen Visit www.sbrca.org for more information.

Miller’s Smokehouse Free Summer Concerts Shows start at 6 p.m. Aug. 5, Billy Holt Band Aug. 12, Robert Haisler of the Melody 5 Aug. 26, Jo James and the Dirty Good 208 N. Penelope St., Belton Call 254-298-5172 for more information.

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This is the 24th year of production for “Salado Legends” at Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater in Salado.

Archaeology Family Day Aug. 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All ages, free Learn how archaeology differs from paleontology, what archaeologists do, and explore the way people made things thousands of years ago. Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum 315 W. Avenue B, Temple Call 254-298-5172 for more information. 24th Annual “Salado Legends” Aug. 6, concessions, gate open at 7 p.m.

This outdoor musical drama written by playwright/lyricist Jackie Mills and directed by Donnie Williams was ensconced in the Library of Congress for depicting life in the 1850s. Dinner: 7:15 p.m., $10 per person (reservations required) Show: 8:15 p.m., $20 adult, $5 children under 12 Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater Royal Street, Salado Visit www.tablerock.org to purchase tickets online or for more information. For group tickets, call 254-947-9205.

Courtesy photo

Salado’s 50th Anniversary Art Fair Aug. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be numerous juried artists and artisans covering a variety of genres. Music will provide a colorful background for attendees. In honor of the 50th anniversary, the fair is moving back to Pace Park, the original location. Admission fee is $2. Children 12 and younger admitted free. Pace Park, Salado Continued

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TexTalk calendar

Shaniece McWilliams, of PureFit foods, explains the health benefits of their prepared meals during last year’s Flavors of Central Texas event at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center. Photo by Craig Lifton

Inaugural Teddy Bear BBQ Cook-off & Music Festival Aug. 12 to 14, 8 a.m. to midnight Event includes a barbecue cook-off, car show and swap meet. Browse aisles full of home and garden décor, floral designs, jewelry, woodcrafts, art, candles, clothing and accessories. Various food vendors will also be on site. Musical lineup includes acts such as April Wine, Texas Flood and Jay White-Blues Commander. The event benefits Caring for Gods Kids, Inc., whose goal is to help local youth in need. General admission is $5 for adults, $3 for veterans; ages 12 and younger are admitted for free. Tickets prices for live music performances vary by day. Bend O’ the River Park 7915 S. General Bruce Drive, Temple Call 254-493-6424 for more information. Flavors of Central Texas Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This event is designed to please the palates of all who attend. Restaurants, catering companies and bakers set up booths and offer samples of their finest foods. There will also be cooking demonstrations and two competitions 26

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

resulting in six awards and more. Admission is $15 for adults in advance, $20 at the door. Kids ages 5-11 admitted for $10, age 4 and younger admitted for free. Killeen Civic and Conference Center 3601 S. W.S. Young Drive, Killeen

Belton Market Days Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Buy, sell and trade in downtown Belton. Come see vendors and farmers market in Belton’s historic downtown on Central Avenue. Enjoy food and entertainment the third Saturday of each month. Visit www.downtownbelton.com for more information. Annie Jr. Aug. 20, 2 p.m. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Awardwinning best musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, “Annie Jr.” features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her first adventure. Presented by Waco Civic Theatre. Adults, $12; children, $7

Cultural Activities Center 3011 N. Third St., Temple Call 254-773-9926 or visit www. cacarts.org for more information.

Band of Heathens Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. Band of Heathens, an Austin-based rock and roll band, will stop in Temple during its 2016 tour. The performance is part of the annual Texas Music Series at the Cultural Activities Center. Food Truck: BBQ Chips Advance tickets, $23; at the door, $27 3011 N. Third St., Temple Call 254-773-9926 or visit www. cacarts.org for more information. Friends of the Temple Public Library Used Book Sale Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Continues through Sept. 3 Proceeds used to purchase items for the library. Temple Public Library 100 W. Adams Ave. Call 254-298-5556 for more information. Email upcoming events to edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com.

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TexTalk well-fed head

Austin author offers modern twist on fairy tale

BY M. CLARE HAEFNER

atherine Catmull offers a modern take on the fairy tale in her newest young adult fantasy novel, “The Radiant Road” (Penguin Young Readers, 2016). It’s not your typical Cinderella story. In fact, it’s not about princesses and princes and true love at all. It’s a fairy tale, as in the fair folk and the rich lore of Ireland in which this Austinbased author, actress and playwright sets her tale. After years in America following her mother’s death, young Clare Macleod returns to Ireland with her father to live in her childhood home — a house on a hillside with an ancient yew tree for a wall. The house almost feels like another world — one full of memories of her mother, a mysterious boy and dreams filled with stars and magic. Clare soon realizes the dark-haired Finn and fairy-making magic are real, her home part of the space between the world she knows and the Strange world where fairies dwell and walk through dreams — a world that needs saving from an ancient evil out to destroy them all. Clare has to uncover her power of making in time to protect her tree and free the Hunt to fly across the moonlit sky on Midsummer’s Eve: “Along the sea, the moonlight spills A kind of path For one with feet, not fins. Bare feet and cold Splash along this radiant road. On water and light she runs Toward stone and tree, Toward home. The finless girl flies to her Finn Wrapped in the roots of the in-between.” Slowly pulling readers into the story, Catmull eventually finds her rhythm and sends readers into another world as Clare learns the truth about what she calls the Strange, the fairymakings woven throughout all dreams and the magic they bring to those brave enough to live unafraid. Wrapped in Celtic lore, with references to Midsummer, mischief and the Hunt of the fair folk through the world by moonlight, Catmull deftly weaves her dream-like magic into the modern world, making it easy to get lost in the story. While aimed at younger readers, adults, especially fans of Juliet Marillier’s “Sevenwaters” trilogy and Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “Mists of Avalon,” will find much to love in “The Radiant Road,” which recaptures the magic of childhood makebelieve and makes it easy to believe that all the ancient Celtic lore and fairy tales passed down through generations really could be true. Catmull’s imagination knows no bounds, and as her lead character grows, so does the power of the story. Switching between an outside narrator guiding readers through the tale, like Puck in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” 28

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

CONNECT WITH Katherine CATMULL Katherine Catmull will be appearing Oct. 1 at the Texas Teen Book Festival at St. Edwards University in Austin. The daylong event gives fans a chance to meet and hear from many young adult authors. Find more information at http://texasteenbookfestival.org. Readers also can connect with Catmull via social media and her blog on her website, katherinecatmull.com. and sharing the thoughts inside Clare’s head as she learns more about fairy-making, Catmull’s novel gives readers a sense of being inside the story and outside it looking in at the same time. It’s an experience rather like that of her main characters Clare and Finn as they connect in the in-between — a place between dreaming and awake where nothing in the world can reach you except the magic and memories you allow in. A place where fear can be conquered and your true self is free to fly.

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The C5 Challenge

Hammers (high school sophomores) take a much needed break after summitting a peak in the big Horn Mountains on the Rexasm Leadership challenge. Clockwise from top are Laâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Cell Russ, Freddy Rodriguez, Isaac Morales, Sebastian Garcia, Grady Bowers, Lehontre Young, Ryan Houston-Dial and staff member Kevin Wilcox.

Flints (eighth-graders) and Lanterns (high school freshmen) celebrate another successful week with songs and stories at campfire during Camp Leadership U. 30

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Fulori Kirikiti, program director for the C5 Program at Parrie Haynes, board member Coleen Beck and board chairwoman Debra Mammen.

Youth learn leadership skills at Parrie Haynes Ranch Story by FRED AFFLERBACH Photos by MITCHEL BARRETT and contributed by FULORI KIRIKITI

rowing up in Austin, summertime for Quan Cheaves was boring. His mother was always working and his dad was not around. So when Cheaves arrived for his year of summer camp at the C5 Parrie Haynes Ranch outside Killeen he got a little over excited. “I thought of this place as a fantasy,” he said. “I literally jumped off the bus.” When Eugenia Castaneda was preparing to spend her first summer at Parrie Haynes as an eighth-grader, she envisioned an idyllic setting like in the movie, “The Parent Trap.” But the C5 camping experience isn’t a fantasy or a movie. Expectations and responsibilities run high. Students wake up at 7:30 a.m., make their beds, clean bathrooms, wash dishes and clothes,

The 5 Cs The C5 Youth Foundation of Texas engages middle and high school students from communities that are lacking in opportunities with five years of mentoring, education and character building. The 5Cs stand for: Character-driven Community-focused Challenge-ready College-bound Committed to a better future For information on how to help Parrie Haynes C5, or how seventhgrade students can apply, go to www.C5texas.org, call 512-832-2565, or email fulorik@c5yf.org. sweep and mop the dining hall. Parents can only visit on the first and last day. “It’s a 25-day experience. No cellphones. No computers. Nothing is

handed to them on a silver spoon. We make them work for it,” said Fulori Kirikiti, program director. “That first year is really a big learning curve. Now that you are at C5, this is what you should do. This is how you should act.” Kirikiti said counselors at the camp challenge students to let go of their fear of failure, teaching them you can learn from mistakes. And it’s fun to see youngsters from the city marvel at the countless stars in the night sky, squeal at their first sight of a snake, and share stories around a campfire. Camping at the Parrie Haynes Ranch is conducted by the nonprofit foundation, C5 Texas, one of four similar programs in the United States. C5 has access to half of a 4,400-acre ranch that namesake Parrie Haynes left to the “orphans of Texas” in the 1950s. Haynes and her husband, Allen, married in 1895, worked their way up from sharecropping to owning and operating one of the largest ranches in Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Alumni staff members of the Parrie Haynes C5 program return as counselors to help other kids reach their educational and leadership goals.

the area. They had no children. Today, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department administers the Haynes trust. The C5 experience begins in middle school and follows the students yearround until high school graduation. C5 mostly serves minorities, students from low-income families, and those who would be the first in their family to attend college. Although students return every summer for five years, they must perform community service and attend designated weekend events during the school year. Students graduate from the program ready for their next chapter in life, which is usually college. Since 2003 when the first class of 33 campers unrolled their sleeping bags at Parrie Haynes, 100 percent of the students who completed all five years of the program have graduated high school. And 97 percent of them have enrolled in college or trade school or entered the military. “We do it in a fun, adventurous setting. It’s not school. They’re learning things constantly but we’re not sitting at 32

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Medallions (high school seniors) brainstorm definitions of advocacy during the A.C.T. Now! Summit, a week-long youth advocacy training experience. From left are Savanah Jackson, Andrea Orji and Ryan Houston-Dial.

a table taking notes, taking tests,” Kirikiti said. “We’re teaching them skills that they immediately get to go and practice and see

the results right away.” Back in 2002, the Coca-Cola Company paid for construction of the

Lanterns (high school freshmen) and their team chant during Camp Olympics at Camp Leadership U. From left are Angelica Alcarez, Aaliyah Lucas, Kynedi Hobbs, Samanatha Falcon, Arely Lopez, and alumni staff members Neredya Arzate and Venerice Aviles.

original cabins, a pavilion, swimming pool and cafeteria. But the company is no longer financially involved, which leaves funding for operational expenses always a struggle. The C5 Youth Foundation entirely relies on donations and always needs financial assistance. Still, tuition for five years of camping and learning is free, thanks to corporate benefactors and others.

Serving the underprivileged Helping urban, minority youngsters living in low-income, single parent homes is the heart and soul of the C5 organization, said board of directors chairwoman, Debra Mammen. She said one student had been enrolled in the program for several months before anyone knew she had been sleeping with her mom in a homeless shelter. “Their stories can break your heart,” Mammen said. “We’ve had some real tearjerker stories. Single parent. No money. Complete poverty. Living in really bad areas. But where they go, considering

Medallions (high school seniors), delegates from Texas are greeted in Atlanta at the beginning of the National Youth Summit, a program for selected youth from the four C5 sites in the country designed to further train young advocates. From left are Community Action Program Director Jordan Silver, National Youth Summit Director Mashona Council, Gabe Robles, Jaylen Johnson, Allysen Hudson, Aspen Barber, and C5 Texas Director of Operations Fulori Kirikiti.

where they started, is just amazing.” From the 7:30 a.m. wakeup call until 11 p.m. lights out, most of the camper’s day is scheduled. Although activities are

designed to be fun, all serve a purpose. The C5 curriculum focuses on leadership, cooperation and trust. First Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Flints (eighth graders) and Lanterns (high school freshmen) assist in cleanup effort in a neighborhood in Rowlett after tornadoes ripped through the community last December.

year campers, called Flints, work on communication skills such as how to introduce yourself. Fifth-year campers, called Medallions, work in teams on community projects. They find a social problem; work on a remedy and a solution. They aspire to present their findings to public institutions such as a city council or civic group. This year’s class is tackling the problem of teen pregnancy. Many students hold dear memories of their third summer when they are called the Hammers. That’s when campers fly to Washington State or Wyoming for a remote wilderness adventure. Sam Luke, now a sophomore at TCU, was introverted when he arrived at Parrie Haynes as a seventh grader. He wasn’t talking to anybody. But he learned a life lesson hiking in Wyoming. “I wouldn’t have made it out of the back country the way I did without my group. The dude behind me had the food. The guy next to me had the tent,” Luke said. “Up till then, I was like I can do everything by myself. I’m not going to ask for help. That’s how the real world is, I thought. But at that the end of the day, I need someone to fall back on for support. That experience changed my whole perception on life.” 34

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Fourth-year students, called the Compass, focus on entering college. They typically take a bus tour of colleges and universities such as Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University, Texas State and University of North Texas. Growing up in Dallas, Casteneda hardly discussed college with her mom, who speaks little English. But a mentor walked her through the application process and she now studies political science at UNT. Brandon Corpus, a senior at UNT, said C5 helped him become the first in his family to attend college. “The road to college really stood out to me because my family has no understanding of what college is like. I had this idea, I want to do this, but I had no idea what it is,” Corpus said. “So C5 gave me an understanding what it means to get to college, like what I need to do. The registration process was really overwhelming. And here I am about to graduate, starting to apply to graduate school. C5 has given me so much. It’s given me my entire life.”

How do I join C5? Most campers at C5 Parrie Haynes are nominated by teachers or counselors at their middle school. Others enter through Boys and Girls Clubs in Killeen, Harker Heights and Gatesville. Serena Harris was

nominated by a counselor through the Boys and Girls Club in Gatesville because she practically lived there for several years. She will enter Sam Houston State University this fall as a freshman, the first in her family to attend college. “I was in a little bit of trouble before I came into C5. I wasn’t really a bad, bad kid. I was just a little dramatic,” Harris said. “It really hit me that I need to grow up. It showed me this isn’t a game. It showed me this is real life. I really just changed for the better.” After a student is nominated, they have to provide references, a transcript, write an essay, then attend two interviews. Almost half of the students nominated are accepted, Kirikiti said. But students may apply only during their seventh grade year. Coleen Beck of Florence grew up near the Parrie Haynes Ranch. Today she serves on the board of directors as secretary. She’s worked with teenagers most of her life and says, given a chance, these youngsters will bloom. And with the opportunity provided by C5, these students are expected to help others. “The emphasis is to go back to the community and be a leader. So that everybody benefits. The more you give, the more you get.”

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Under the stars at Tablerock Growing up on stage with ‘Salado Legends’ Story by CATHERINE HOSMAN Photos by JULIE NABOURS and courtesy of JACKIE MILLS

aryn Kornegay stands on the outdoor stage at Tablerock in Salado waiting to begin rehearsal for the upcoming summer performance of “Salado Legends.” It’s a balmy, July evening that isn’t too hot. A warm breeze helps keep cast, crew and visitors comfortable. A cast member since she was 8 years old, Kornegay’s thespian journey in “Salado Legends” evolved from a supporting role with one line to the lead as Miss Texas in this production, its 24th year. “She’s really come a long way,” said Jackie Mills, founder, creator and producer of “Salado Legends.” “It really takes some acting on her part to play a ‘working girl’ following the troops. You really get to have fun with the role. You can’t just say the lines, you have to become Texas.” Texas is a bar girl, a Southern saloon girl with a Southern drawl and charm, said Kornegay. “She gets to show her ankles, she doesn’t have to wear pantaloons, she wears a boa and dances — not with a partner, but by herself,” she said. Kornegay, 20, a nursing student at Texas State University, comes from a musical and artistic family. “I love singing and dancing,” she said. “I took dance classes and can play piano.” Her interest in acting began when her older brother, Jada, was in the fourth grade and attended a theater class at Tablerock with Mills. “Jackie taught them how to write 36

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Taryn Kornegay as Sadie Lou Chalk dancing with Jonathan Robinson portraying Cam McDougal.

their own play and run a concession stand,” Kornegay said. “It was always a melodrama and Jada played her villain.” That summer, Mills was casting for the 14th year of “Salado Legends” and

Kornegay asked her mother if she could audition and landed her first supporting role and even had a line. “All the children got at least one Continued

A cast member since she was 8 years old, Taryn Kornegay’s thespian journey in “Salado Legends” evolved from a supporting role with one line to the lead as Miss Texas in this production, its 24th year. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

THEN AND NOW: Taryn Kornegay has grown up after 12 years on stage at Tablerock in “Salado Legends.” AGE 9

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line,” said Mills. “I was nervous,” Kornegay admitted. “I had never been on a stage acting. I told my mom I was self-consciousness about my voice. She said to do it for one year. I did, and I fell in love with it.” Because of her experience with Legends and her musical skills, after her first performance, Mills made her the music director of the fourth-grade summer play when she was 10. The following year, she auditioned for, and was cast in the role of the older, Emmaline McDougal. “I’ve never seen her shy,” said Mills. “The first time, even before the summer her brother was in the melodrama, I was asked to be a judge at a talent contest where she performed a hip-hop dance. She awed us.” “Hip hop is my favorite,” said Kornegay who attended Salado ISD from kindergarten through high school. Over the years, she aged out of parts. She was either too tall to play a little kid or too young to wear a hoop skirt. But as she grew, so did her roles. During her pre-teen years she played Tessie Tennie and Emmaline McDougal, both lead roles. From 14 to 18 she played Sadie Lou Chalk. “Sadie Lou as been my favorite role so far, but after this year’s performance, I think Texas will be my favorite role,” she said. “I wanted to be Miss Texas since I was Emmaline. I prepared for 10 years, watching other people play Texas. It helped to take bits and pieces of what they’ve done and what they did best, and create my own vision of Texas.” “She can take any role, do it, and sing and dance and the other kids look up to her,” Mills said. “They worship her. She wanted to be Texas, they want to be Taryn.”

A little history Mills and her husband, Denver, are legends in their own right. Next year they will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Tablerock’s “Salado Legends.” Jackie Mills, a former seven-term Salado alderman, is the playwright, producer and programs director of the drama that depicts Salado life from the 1850s through the Civil War. Denver Mills, a civil engineer with a MS from Stanford University, owned his own construction firm while working

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Taryn Kornegay, left, as Emmaline McDougal, Jim Woodul, as Angus McDougal and Geneva Bamsch as Dora McDougal.

behind the scenes at Tablerock to build, design and improve their dream. “We had $1.34 in our checking account when we decided to open Tablerock,” Jackie Mills said. “I called a friend at the Institute of Outdoor Drama, and they sent someone out to do a feasibility study.” The couple was later invited to meet with their friend at an IOD meeting in El Paso. “Denver and I dropped everything to go,” she said. “We started with nothing and created something.” The first year the theater became a 501(c)(3) organization. People in the community who supported the effort helped the Mills get their theater off the ground. They borrowed costumes from Baylor University, lights from the Cultural Activities Center in Temple and received monetary and in-kind donations to fund their theater. “All the money made from tickets goes back into the facility,” she said. “Ticket by ticket we saved up to by things.” When they ran out of money, the building stopped for awhile. In addition to “Salado Legends,” Tablerock presents other shows including

Shakespeare at Tablerock, Ghost’s of Salado’s Chisholm Trail, Fright Trail and “A Christmas Carol.” “It’s still a work in progress,” Mills said. “Every year we have different actors, changing the play — the more new people who come adds new life to the play.” Children who perform could be eligible to receive a Tablerock College Scholarship. Last year, more than $12,000 was distributed. For kids who want to be a part of Legends, or any other play produced at Tablerock, but aren’t sure where to begin, Kornegay’s advice is to not be nervous about it. “You just gotta’ do it and you will end up loving it,” she said. “It’s just like a family. You get to know all the people and make life long friends. That’s my favorite thing about Legends, the people you meet, especially Miss Mills.” Kornegay said Mills was always excited to hear about her accomplishments and support her when she was struggling through school or she had a lot on her plate. “She’ll call me and say you can do it, we’re proud of you,” said Kornegay. “She’s like an extension of my family, encouraging me through hard times.”

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CA-NAV-15-001 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.

Quality, flexible, reliable, live-in childcare -with a cultural twist! Kay Callin, Area Director serving Central Texas

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A happy place

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

Charlie Kimmey, center, is the executive director of the Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple. Much larger than the previous facility, it has two billiard/game rooms, video game rooms, a full kitchen for culinary classes and a movie theater. Children from Temple, Belton and Little River-Academy are enjoying the new building.

Ralph Wilson Youth Club educates and entertains Story by CATHERINE HOSMAN Photos by JOSH BACHMAN

alk through the doors of the new Ralph Wilson Youth Club and listen to the joyful sounds of kids at play. Children ages 5 to 14, all 550 of them, are scattered throughout the facility, focused on their activity of the moment. While some are playing dodge ball or basketball in the large gymnasium divided by canvas partitions to create three separate courts, others are playing pool, foosball and ping-pong in either the boys or girls game rooms. “Look around you,” said Executive Director Charlie Kimmey. “We are helping the fight against child obesity. We’re keeping kids fit.” There are one or more junior staff counselors with every group of kids in the building, Kimmey said, watching the kids playing ball, running or skating. They

keep a close eye on the activities, run interference with emotional youngsters, or watch as a foursome of boys walk arm-inarm, looking for their next fun activity. While traversing the halls, watch out for the kids running and playing. Some stop to greet Kimmey with a resounding, “Hi Mr. Charlie,” while others say “Hi” on the fly. Occasionally, one of the children latches on to a hand and walks with you through the maze of halls that lead to study rooms, play rooms and the Acer Alley computer room. “Acer donated 16 new computers and Chromebooks,” Kimmey said. “Whatever the kids can access from school, they can access here.” In addition, the club has its own theater that shows kid-friendly movies, a full-service kitchen where kids learn about healthy eating, a dance studio, a roller rink that plays today’s popular tween songs on a Bose sound system, a covered outdoor patio and a playground. A 15-passenger van sits out front and

three donated blue school buses (two more are on the way) are parked in the lot on standby to pick up kids around the area that attend the club, or get ready to load up a group for the next field trip. The club’s educational field trips go to local attractions including Cameron Park Zoo, an Amtrak train ride from Taylor to Temple, Inner Space Caverns, Dr Pepper Museum and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, or hiking at Chalk Ridge Falls. Some kids recently got to fly over Belton Lake on water jet hover boards. Former middle school Principal Donna Lammert is the Academic Director at the RWYC and said before each field trip she gets the kids excited by researching the area they will visit. For example, before heading over to Chalk Ridge Falls, Lammert said they read some books about the area and talked about the different kinds of animals and plant life they might see. “Kids have a better experience with Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

ABOVE: Boys gather around a bumper pool table in the new Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple. BELOW: Ricky Thomas, 5, plays video games in the gaming room.

prior knowledge and pre-teaching is a piece of that,” Lammert said. “Before a trip to the mammoth museum, we learned about mammoths. At the Inner Space Cavern, when the docent was talking about mammoths, the kids understood what they were talking about.”

They built it and they came This 47,000-square-foot, $8 million facility was funded by the sale of the previous club that faced Interstate 35, on South General Bruce Drive, the Ralph Wilson Youth Club Foundation and through private donations. “TXDOT needed the property to widen the highway,” Kimmey said. Until the new building opened, the club was operated out of the former Emerson Elementary School building in Temple. Since its January 2016 opening, the new building has evolved from a place where kids gathered after school until their parent could pick them up, to a state-of-the-art facility that gives kids a safe place to play, study and learn. “Its annual budget is $1.2 million. 42

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

We have custodial services, lawn care, four to eight senior staff and 25 to 55 junior staff,” said Kimmey. “Everything is brandnew down to the trash cans.” The club sits on 7.5 acres of land purchased from the Temple Independent

School District and abuts the Travis Science Academy. The two facilities share resources throughout the year in a jointuse arrangement. Staff offices and a board room offer the only semblance of quiet from the

Leann Holmes throws a kick ball to a waiting kicker during a match in the new gym.

inexhaustible cacophony of kids having fun. Sitting in the quiet, Kimmey is confident that the children are in good hands with the junior staff watching their every move. Kimmey has been the executive director of the Ralph Wilson Youth Club for 15 years and he calls this his third career. His early careers included branch manager at Extraco Bank, and later as a human resource manager at Wilson Art, where he traveled to the company’s U.S. and international markets.

But his passion has always been working with kids, teaching or coaching. “My parents said teaching and coaching, a parent couldn’t make a living,” he said. But years of travel started to take a toll. Married to Kathy Kimmey, MD, an internist at Scott & White Memorial Hospital, and father of two and now grandfather of two, he wanted a job that would keep him closer to home. “One of the board members of the Ralph Wilson Youth Club approached me Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Crystal Grant with Bricks 4 Kidz helps Sam Giouzelis, left and Will Newton, right, look over the instructions to build a Bumer Rover Bot during a Legos building class at the center.

Art hangs in one of the halls at the Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple. 44

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for this job,” he said. “Both of my other jobs helped me get ready for this.” Kimmey is content with the controlled chaos at the youth club, and shares its success with his many junior and adult staff members. Kids ages 5 to 14 are welcome to join. Kimmey said many come back in later years to work as counselors with kids and even become a full-time staff member. Tyler Dutton, 22, was one of those kids who grew up a member of the club. In his senior year of high school, he approached Charlie for a summer job. “I’ve known Charlie since I was 4 years old,” said Dutton, a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. “This is my fifth year. I want to work with kids.” One of the club’s more famous alumni is Gene Watson, director of professional scouting for the Kansas City Royals baseball team. “That place was my life. I started going there when I was 6 years old and it was boys only,” said Watson, speaking from his office in Kansas City. “I went

Justice Lewis, 10, zooms around on google maps in the Acer Alley, computer lab in the Ralph Wilson Youth Club.

Gene Watson, director of professional scouting for the Kansas City Royals Baseball Team and a former Ralph Wilson Youth Club kid.

to age 16 and started working there. I returned when I was 23 and became the director (at the original building). It will always have a special place in my heart. It was a big part of my life.” Watson, who came from a singleparent home, cited Randy Helcel and the late Tilmon Kirby for helping him gain life skills. “They were father figures to me every day,” he said. “Having daily interactions with a lot of kids, you develop strong instincts for people, leadership skills, and how to compete, whether you were playing pool, floor shuffle board or floor

Layna Crager, 8, laces up a pair of roller blades.

hockey, you were constantly competing.” Membership to the club is not free, but generous scholarships are available. “We make it available to anyone who wants to be a part of it,” Kimmey said. “We provide a safe haven. The worst thing is the child who sits at home in front of the TV or computer. Most kids would be here with 15 of their best friends. It’s like a big slumber part.” For more information, visit http:// rwyckids.org or call 254-773-9001. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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Zone After School Program

By The City of Temple Parks and Recreation | 254-298-5740 | templeparks.com PARKS & RECREATION

This on-site after-school program provides children ages 5-14 with quality recreational activities, scheduled homework time and a daily snack. We service nine Temple and Belton elementary schools from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The cost is $40 per week per child and a new year starts August 22nd. Our mission is to promote physical, social and cognitive development for all students in the program. We aim to support the family unit through open communication between students, staff and parents. The goal is to provide an atmosphere in which children can develop a sense of independence and learn about responsible self-care. The program offers a great staff-to-student ratio and takes pride in keeping children safe and happy. Space is limited, so register early. For more information and specific locations, call the Wilson Recreation Center at 254-298-5740, stop by the center at 2205 Curtis B Elliott Drive, Temple or email lyang@templetx.gov.

Temple Charter Academy

7177 Airport Road, Temple | 254-778-8682 | prioritycharter.org Temple Charter Academy has been providing education to local families for 17 years. We are currently the only public charter school in the Temple and Belton area that offers Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade. The tenacious drive of the staff to see students flourish has made our school successful. Our mission is to teach students, create character, and achieve purpose. With a smaller student population, we are able to assist students in reaching their greatest potential. TCA is accepting enrollment based on classroom availability. Tours of our campus are provided on request. School begins August 22. Priority Charter School is proud to announce that Lula Turnipseed has accepted the position of Interim Superintendent. Ms. Turnipseed brings to the organization years of experience as both an educator and administrator in the public and charter realm. She began at the end of July and is looking forward to working with the PCS team to help the district reach its full potential.

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

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Nolan Creek School

505 East Avenue C, Belton 254-939- 4491 | nolancreekschool.org Nolan Creek School, a unique, tuition-free public charter school for students in K-5, will open this August at 505 E. Avenue C inside the Belton Christian Youth Center. Operated by Orenda Education, a highly-rated K-12 school district with other highly-ranked campuses in Central Texas, Nolan Creek School offers another choice for families seeking a school that may be a better fit for their child’s learning style. All Orenda schools embrace the “Circle of Courage” philosophy, which is an integrated, holistic approach to child development and learning intended to promote the four core values of independence, mastery, belonging and generosity. The Nolan Creek faculty will use next generation instructional methods to promote each of the four core values. For example: Independence: All students have an online personalized learning plan (PLP) tailored to their unique learning goals, competency, needs and style. Orenda has collaborated with Illuminate Education Inc. to provide a unique, web-based online tool that students, parents and teachers are able to access at all times. Because of the PLP, students and parents have more control over their learning, along with clearer goals and immediate feedback to track outcomes in all areas of learning in real time.

By using the latest technology, Orenda incorporates blended learning within a fully integrated web based teacher instruction platform that allows teachers, students and parents to access the very best instructional content 24/7. Mastery: Nolan Creek School offers the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) college readiness system to provide students with the skills needed to be independent learners. AVID is a systematic tool faculty and students use as a foundational structure to build a college readiness culture. The school also incorporates project-based learning. PBL encourages an instructional approach built upon authentic learning activities that engage student interest and motivation. PBL is generally performed by groups (normally 4 to 6 students) working together toward a common goal. PBL activities also answer a question or solve a problem and generally reflect the types of learning and teamwork people use every day in the real world.

In addition, Nolan Creek teachers conduct their classes in what is referred to as a “blended or hybrid learning” environment. Blended learning combines face-to-face interaction with a teacher in a school classroom, with additional instruction — whether live or recorded — conducted in an online environment.

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L to R: Dr. Jon Mogford, John Sharp, Jim Yeonopolus, Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, Dr. Taylor Harvey, Bruce Mercy, Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas, Dr. Russ Porter

Texas A&M University-Central Texas 1001 Leadership Place, Killeen 254-519-5400 | tamuct.edu

A&M-Central Texas receives $1.5 Million grant for Collaborative Solar Research Initiative Texas A&M University-Central Texas has received a $1.5 million grant through The Texas A&M University System’s Chancellor’s Research Initiative (CRI) to bring an aspiring young researcher, Dr. Taylor Harvey, to the campus to engage in a collaborative solar research initiative. The award was announced at an event on the A&M-Central Texas campus on June 28. The CRI was created by A&M System Chancellor John Sharp in 2012 for the recruitment and hiring of faculty members who will have a tremendous impact upon the academic and research missions of the schools. It has successfully helped to bring Nobel laureates and National Academy members to the Texas A&M University System. Initially only available to Texas A&M University and Prairie View A&M University, last year, the program was expanded to other System institutions, including TAMUCT. “Recruiting outstanding researchers like Dr. Harvey is exactly why I started the Chancellor’s Research Initiative, and I am pleased that TAMUCT is using this resource to grow their research activity,” said Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp. “This strategic investment is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enable cutting-edge research that fundamentally improves the lives of Texans.” Dr. Harvey is an award-winning founder and chief technology officer at Lucelo Technologies, a Texas-based company that builds ultra-lightweight, flexible solar cells using solar paint. He earned his Ph.D. in 2014 from the University of Texas at Austin,

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

where he developed ink-deposited solar cells. He received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at Brigham Young University in 2006. In his new position at TAMUCT, he will lead a research team and participate in a collaboration with Texas A&M University, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station, and Central Texas College, that will focus on developing transformational solar technologies and exploring new ways to reduce costs, ease installation and enhance performance of such technologies. “This exciting collaborative research initiative will give our campus community – faculty and students alike – access to the best of the best when it comes to research and teaching. Dr. Taylor Harvey will provide the expertise and the vision to help us become a recognized center for solar technology research,” said Dr. Marc A. Nigliazzo, A&M-Central Texas President. “I am very thankful to Chancellor Sharp for making this possible through the Chancellor’s Research Initiative.” This historic event concluded with the signing of an affiliation agreement between TAMUCT and the Center for Solar Energy. The university has been engaged with CSE Executive Director Bruce Mercy for over five years to create a hub of research, evaluation, development and testing of emerging solar technologies in Central Texas. This agreement in association with the CRI award is expected to dramatically accelerate collaborative research on solar and other renewable energies in the Central Texas region.

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Milka Cartagena, 13, springs up from a turning squat during the Teen Boot Camp at the new ASYMCA where Coach Wayne Lewis leads kids in workouts that use their body weight for strength training and endurance.â&#x20AC;?

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

TexFit

Keeping kids fit all year Story by MANDY SHELTON Photos by JOSH BACHMAN

t the new Harker Heights Armed Services YMCA, which opened over Memorial Day weekend, fitness director Katie Lochridge is looking to develop programs that will catch the interest of the community. “It’s a lot of trying to figure out what people are looking for, putting those ideas out there, seeing how they go,” Lochridge said. “That’s why we’ve got these programs that we’re still putting together.” One such program is the Teen Boot Camp, which meets on Thursdays at 4 p.m. in the Weldon Len Whitis Gymnasium. Teenagers gather on the basketball court for a group workout with trainer Wayne Lewis. The 45-minute class is free for ASYMCA members and is especially helpful for parents looking to keep their kids active over the summer. Teen Boot Camp builds healthy habits by focusing on the basics: speed, power and agility. “It is something the kids can expect to see in high school and at the college level,” Lewis said. “I try to work a lot on balance and coordination, because as kids are going through teenage years, they’re kind of uncoordinated and don’t know how to control their body. I try to work a lot of balance, a lot of opposite hand/ opposite leg movements.” Parents like Colsha Dawson are taking the proactive approach to their children’s fitness. Dawson brought her 13-year-old son, Kameran, along to the ASYMCA adult boot camp in Studio B. “I’m like, ‘You’re not going to sit at home,’” said Dawson, who has three children involved in everything from soccer to baseball to power tumbling. “I keep them active,” she said. When Lewis began recruiting for Teen Boot Camp, Dawson sent her son and his 13-year-old cousin, Cadence, to workout with their peers. “I like this gearing toward the kids,” said Dawson,

Jade Todd, 13, runs through drills during Teen Boot Camp run by Wayne Lewis, one of the fitness coaches at the new ASYMCA in Harker Heights.

who also coaches youth sports in the Harker Heights recreation leagues. In addition to parental intervention, summer programs like Teen Boot Camp catch children at a crucial time when the dodgeball and crab soccer of elementary

PE classes give way to competitive sports and increasing physical demands. Instilling a lifelong fitness habit in an athlete is just as important as nurturing talent, Lewis noted. Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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Good luck to all our teachers & students this coming academic year! Marcus Maple, left, and Milka Cartagena work on plank holds during a Teen Boot Camp at the new ASYMCA in Harker Heights. The group of seven teens joined in the boot camp. Trainer Wayne Lewis said while the number fluctuates, he feels these types of workouts are helpful for teenagers to work on control, endurance and strength training without equipment. Any of these exercises, from squat jumps to jumping jacks and pushups, can be done at home. www .GrandAvenueTheater. com

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STRONG IS THE NEW SKINNY 254.931.1281 | truecoretx.com Temple | Westfield Market off W. Adams 54

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“A lot of them I talk to, they emphasize, ‘Oh, I have to play basketball to be better at basketball,’ which you do, it makes sense, but they don’t implement a secondary fitness regimen, like a workout or any kind of drills,” he said. “You can see a big difference in a high school athlete that grew up in a fitness atmosphere,” Lewis said. “They hands-down are more athletic. They’re more coordinated when they play the sport and they overall have a better physique, build, look.” There is something to be said for the competitive spirit as well. Toward the end of the session, Lewis challenged his boot-campers to a foot race across the gym floor. “With competition,” Lewis said, after a photo-finish second place, “you’ll get kids trying a lot harder than they have been all day.” For track runners like Milka Cartagena, 13, the races are second nature, though the sit-ups and footwork exercises are also beneficial. “It was really good,” Cartagena said of the workout. “I like everything that we do.” Lewis’s advice for those trying to stay active at home is to simply “go outside.” Whether joining their friends for a bike

“I try to work a lot on balance and coordination, because as kids are going through teenage years, they’re kind of uncoordinated and don’t know how to control their body. I try to work a lot of balance, a lot of opposite hand/opposite leg movements.”

— Wayne Lewis

ride or hunting imaginary creatures in altered-reality smartphone games, “playing is the best thing for teenagers,” he said.

Students run through drills during Wayne Lewis’s Teen Boot Camp at the ASYMCA. He leads the teens in workouts that use their body weight for strength training and endurance.

Even during a commercial break in front of the television, children can do “anything from an air squat to a lunge,” Lewis said. “And of course, any kind of jumping, any kind of transverse plane movement is helping them with their balance and coordination.” Lewis emphasized exercises that require no more equipment than the child’s own body weight. “I don’t believe kids should be able to work out in a gym, with weights, until they’re able to control their bodies,” he said. “If they can’t do 10 air squats correctly, if they can’t do 10 pushups correctly, they have no business trying to bench press or squat with weights.” For kids and parents looking to augment their workouts with moderate equipment, the Junior Spartan Camp is another new program the ASYMCA is offering this summer. “We bring out all the big, heavy ropes, and we bring out the big sandbags. It’s more strength-based,” said Lewis. The Junior Spartan Camp meets on Mondays and Wednesdays, with a family workout on Fridays. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

TexVolunteers

ABOVE: Pastor Grayson Albers, youth and young families pastor for Immanuel Lutheran Ministries, helper Albert Allen and Pastor Randy Wilkin of St. Louis, Mo. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Pastor Randy Wilkins and Colton Grzybowski replace shingles on a damaged roof during service week. Chayton Wallace, Chris Trujillo, Isabella Trujillo, Jim Markowitz and Royce Winkler helped build a ramp for a blind resident during the ILM Week of Service. Volunteers for the ILM Week of Service visit veterans at the Temple Veterans Hospital. From left, Royce Winkler, Isabella Trujillo and Chayton Wallace build a ramp at the home of a disabled resident.

Honing leadership

Local church gives students opportunity to serve Story by CATHERINE HOSMAN Photos contributed by PASTOR GRAYSON ALBERS

hat magical week in March students call spring break comes around once a year. Some college students see this as the opportunity to spend their time on a Texas beach, far

away from the prying eyes of parents. Some elementary and high school students pack their bags to go on a family vacation to a new destination, to visit family or spend time at a lake house. But not all school-age kids hit the road this year. Many stayed behind and donated their week off from studies to participate in the first Week of Service

with Immanuel Lutheran Ministry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The congregation and local community supporters decided to keep one of the two annual mission trips at home during spring break,â&#x20AC;? said Youth and Young Families Pastor Grayson Albers. This year, Albers said the ministries unveiled a new logo and mission Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Each morning and evening of the ILM week of service, volunteers formed a prayer circle and listened to daily scriptures shared by Pastor Albers.

statement: “The youth and families of Immanuel Lutheran Ministries are staying in touch with Temple’s neighborhoods, cultures and people and revealing the beauty of the Kingdom of God to people, neighborhoods and cultures in Bell County and beyond.” Albers’ call to the Week of Service came during church service on Christmas Day, inviting everyone to join in. More than 50 youths, parents, friends, church and family members turned out to help during the ILM spring break week. Albers said 48 people helped on the first day, and by the last day, there were 70 people helping the youth finish the projects they started. Volunteers who came to help were three sisters from San Antonio, one college student from Austin, two students from Belton High School who showed up the day of service to help and Pastor Randy Wilkin of the ACTS 1:8 Mission Society of St. Louis, Mo. Volunteers could camp out and spend the night in the church hall beginning on Sunday evening. Volunteers brought in breakfast for the 25 youths and 58

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three adult supervisors each morning. Once the day got started, each overnighter and incoming volunteers signed in for the job they wanted to do. Before the work day began, and when it ended, staff and volunteers formed a circle of prayer. Albers chose random scriptures for discussion and asked everyone, “How does this apply to your life?” One of the week’s projects was Bible camp. Hannah Johnson, 16, and Emma Eckerman, 13, led a team of volunteers and coordinated the daily activities that included Bible stories, skits, crafts and a new game every day that highlighted “superheroes of the Bible” for children attending the camp. “Every day we chose a different Bible superhero,” said Johnson, who is homeschooled and wants to become a marine biologist. Superheroes highlighted included Jesus, Moses, David and Paul. Johnson said she is good at the math, science and computer programming “side of things,” and prefers working behind the scenes rather than in the forefont.

“Hannah received a presidential service award for the number of volunteer hours she put in for one year,” said Albers, adding that 120 volunteer hours are required to be nominated.

Week of service When the time came to go out into the community to begin their week of service, no one shied away from the hard work that lay ahead. Andrew Heifrin, 15, a student at Belton New Tech High School, was on a school band trip and returned home at 3 a.m. on the third day of service. But that didn’t stop him from getting a few hours of shuteye and joining up with the rest of the volunteers at ILM. Heifrin headed straight to Our Lady of Angels Maternity Shelter in Temple where he scraped popcorn off the ceiling, helped prep the walls before spraying on a fresh cover of plaster, spackling cracks and putting on a new coat of paint. “Scraping the popcorn off the ceiling took a couple of hours, then we had to sweep up the popcorn and mop,” Heifrin said, adding that spraying on the fresh plaster was challenging.

Youths and adults came together to help others during the Immanuel Lutheran Ministries’ first Week of Service during spring break 2016 in Belton.

“That stuff goes everywhere except where you want it,” he said, with a sense of humor and showing off a photo of his hat covered in plaster. There were five projects each day for the four days of service that also included helping with Family Promise families staying at the church; raking leaves at the Veterans Administration; visiting with seniors at Elmcroft Nursing Home and assisted living center; pruning and planting trees at the City of Temple Nursery; building a ramp railing for a blind resident, and building four handicap ramps for resident through the Texas Ramp Project. “The Texas Ramp Project brought us over our own set of tools and want us to continue,” Albers said.

What the volunteers learned Johnson said she learned leadership skills working with the youths who came to the Bible camp. “I’m getting more comfortable with leadership,” she said. “It was really fun,” added Eckerman. “I learned I am a good helper,” said Heifrin. “It’s fun helping people. We see what needs to be done and just do it.” “Seeing the service and capability of

Taylor Rich, front, and Jordan O’Neal spackle walls at Our Lady of Angels Maternity Center to prepare for fresh paint.

what kids could do, bring it here — it is more of a family environment,” Albers said. “Elders shared their experience with the students.” Albers, originally from Merrill, Wis., has served at ILM as pastor of youth and young families for five years. He said he was called by God to serve in Belton while he was still in the seminary in St. Louis. “What he did the week of service, he organized everybody,” said Heifrin about Pastor Albers. “If it didn’t go the way he wanted it to, he either fixed it or changed

it. He is a good leader.” “PG is a mentor, like a big brother for me,” said Eckerman. “I can go to him when I’m having troubles and I can talk to him.” Johnson added that Albers is a good friend, usually quiet and stays in the background. “The first thing that comes to mind is to give God the glory. He worked through them to share with the people they encountered,” Albers said. “God is using me to carry out bigger things.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Walk on the wild side

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

TexAdventures

Explore outdoors, animals at Austin Nature and Science Center Story by FRED AFFLERBACH Photos contributed by ROB PEOPLES

eep in the heart of Austin, within earshot of a congested freeway, the environment flourishes in a shady enclave where parents, grandparents and teachers share the wonders of nature with their children. For more than 30 years, the Austin Nature and Science Center has been a living indoor and outdoor classroom. Kids dig in the sand looking for fossils. They hike and climb steep grades. They closely observe wildlife such as a bobcat, a porcupine and a pair of roadrunners. Owls screech and hoot. Water trickles across a bed of limestone. Oak, cottonwood and elm trees sing in a summer breeze. The center is built on and around an abandoned rock quarry, but you would never know it. It’s a little piece of the woods, complete with bugs and grass and stickers, in an unlikely setting. Jennifer Chapman, program supervisor at the center, first brought her toddler here about five years ago. Chapman said the 80 acres of urban woodland is a safe place for an adventure with the comforts and convenience of a large city at hand. “We have a really unique ability to share nature in an urban area. We’re right here in the middle of the city. People can come and do so many different things and explore Austin as well,” Chapman said. “We offer over 30 years experience in informal science education, as well as hosting natural events and connecting people to the environment. We try to have something for everybody. We have new exhibits that travel through on a regular basis so there is always something new and different.” The adventure begins with a shady and scenic climb through a canopy of trees to the visitor center. Never mind the black bear near the front door. His teeth and claws are harmless. He hasn’t growled in years. His fur is a little matted these days, thanks to countless children who have petted him. But on a walking tour, you will find plenty of live critters, almost all native to Central

Jerry Sandoval and his son, Josiah, from Arlington, visited the Austin Nature and Science Center in early July. This black bear was donated by a patron.

Texas. And that’s because the center is home to numerous rescued or abandoned animals. Some, such as Buzz the Greater Roadrunner, were likely hit by cars. A porcupine named Quillbur was found roaming, unwelcome, in far South Austin. It suffers from a permanent eye injury. Other animals were pets that should have never been domesticated in the first place. Although these birds and four-legged creatures have been nursed back to health by state-approved wildlife

rescuers, they cannot be returned to the country. Still, a few wild critters visit their captive kin on a regular basis. A family of raccoons lives under a boardwalk near the cage of a raccoon named Sherlock. And a roadrunner that probably nests somewhere nearby is often seen hanging outside Buzz’s cage. People have several times called the center to report, “Your roadrunner got out.” While slicing a sweet potato snack for Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Quillbur, Wildlife Coordinator Alison Cook said that the center is not a zoo, but rather a sanctuary for animals that cannot be returned to the wild because they would not survive. Cook uses the term “imprinted” to explain that these rescued animals rely on humans for food and would not be able to forage on their own. They would likely fall victim to predators. Their behavior could also be unpredictable, thus frightening people, especially children. The animals live in clean cages and serve as an introduction to wildlife for many people, especially youngsters, who may have never seen a bobcat or raven or raccoon up close. Some animals live a long life at the center. A Harris Hawk named BW has celebrated 34 birthdays at the center. When it’s too hot or cold to hang out with the critters, students often visit the Trade Center inside the airconditioned visitors’ center. Bones and stones. Feathers and fossils. Youngsters are encouraged to pick up, hold, squeeze and ponder what they are looking at. “The real fun of it for kids is it’s a touch room. We insist that you touch, especially the younger ones,” said volunteer and grandfather, Charles Ahrens. “They’re so tactile. They enjoy it better if they can handle it and ask questions.” Most of the items at the Trade Center are up for grabs, providing you have earned enough points. To earn points, children should scour their backyard, a friend or relative’s ranch, or a playground for something to bring for trade. Ahrens said it could be a leaf, a grasshopper or a rock. At the Trade Center you open an

Barn owls enjoy a diet of rodents and do actually nest in barns. They typically mate for life. 62

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The Dino Pit is an opportunity for children to dig in sand for fossil replicas. Arden Pike visited the nature and science center with parents, Jason and Lucy, of Birmingham, Ala.

IF YOU GO It’s Free! Austin Nature and Science Center is just off Barton Springs Road, near Zilker Park, in South Austin at 2389 Stratford Drive. Call 512-974-3888. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MondaySaturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Summer camps run about $180. For special events, such as birthday parties, call the center. account and earn points by explaining the significance of your item — like show and tell at school. Earn enough points

Visitors should wear hiking boots or sneakers. Flip-flops are not a good idea. Vending machines are on site but it’s a good idea to bring water and food if you plan to stay all day. “If you are nervous about nature, this is the best place to come and get your first taste. We want to make it really, really easy for people to be here,” said Jennifer Chapman, program supervisor. and you could buy a shark tooth necklace, a longhorn or coyote skull. “They have a savings account here,” Ahrens said, flipping through a card file with records of visitors and how many points they have amassed. “The deal is: You bring something in. We give you points. You buy something.” But the points don’t always come easy. Ahrens said this exercise is about discovery. “I’m a firm believer, you don’t teach someone anything. You show them what they have to learn. And you help them along the way. I think we’re trying to create learners.”

Education opportunities Throughout the year, students can celebrate birthdays, enroll in summer camp and take off-site excursions through various programs. Weeklong summer

Students from the YMCA of Austin walk along the boardwalk near a pond at the center. The Austin Nature and Science Center is home to numerous animals such as Sherlock the raccoon, below right, that could not survive in the wild. Staff feed and maintain the critters’ health so visitors can gain an up close perspective of native wildlife. Quillbur the porcupine, below left, is about 4 years old. It loves sweet potatoes. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines do not shoot their quills.

camps have a fee, and are for ages 4 to 17. Campers will learn skills such as archery, rock climbing, caving and studying insects. Two camps, both for 5- to 6-year-olds, run Aug. 15-19. At Water Wiggle Camp, kids can splash in puddles and a stream while collecting water samples that they will later examine under a microscope. At Wayback Wonders, youngsters will dig for casts of dinosaur fossils in the Dino Pit and learn to make stone tools like prehistoric man. The week culminates in a field trip to a local nature preserve. “We have kids come that aren’t necessarily drawn to nature,” Chapman said. “They go down into the creek and see their first crawfish. Or they turn over a rock and see all these really cool little invertebrates. Or they have a net and get to pick up a fish and see what it really looks like. And their eyes light up. I call it the lightning bug moment because their eyes just get so lit up and they have so much fun.” Throughout the year, 18,000 students visit the center with their school groups. The staff plans activities in accordance with state standards, called TEKS. Teachers are encouraged to first visit,

meet staff and then plan their field trip. Culture and Arts Education Manager Margaret Russell said humans have an innate love of natural things such as the flora and fauna at the center. She is not surprised that people are drawn to a place like Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Pond. “It’s a wild place in the center of the city. It’s a green, natural area where kids engage in nature,” said Russell. “This is a place where people come that really speaks to them.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

ADVERTISERS INDEX AFC Urgent Care............................................................................. 5 Affordable Insurance.......................................................................17 Atmos...............................................................................................17 AuPairCare...................................................................................... 39 Bell Air Conditioning....................................................................... 7 Bell County Museum...................................................................... 29 Bell County Women’s Bar Association.......................................... 27 CCA Bartlett State Prison.............................................................. 43 Central Texas College..................................................................... 47 City of Temple................................................................................ 48 Curtis Cook.................................................................................... 29 Dermatology Associates.................................................................. 25 Devereaux’s Jewelers....................................................................... 45 DocuMaxx/Document Solutions................................................... 10 Dr. Phillip Davis............................................................................... 9 Dr. Shelly Giebel............................................................................. 29 Ellis Air Systems.............................................................................. 24 English Maids................................................................................. 27 Extraco Banks....................................................................Back cover Forest Trail Dental.......................................................................... 45 Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburger..................................... 35 Grand Avenue Theater................................................................... 54 Hallmark Service Company.............................................................. 5 Hillside Medical Lodge....................................................................17 HR Block.......................................................................................... 5 James Hardie................................................................................... 27 Killeen Overhead Doors................................................................. 64 Lastovica.......................................................................................... 35 Lochridge Priest................................................................................ 2 Lulac Council 4535........................................................................ 64 Metroplex Hospital........................................................................... 3 My Therapy Cloud............................................................................ 7 Orenda Education.......................................................................... 49 Scotts Lawn Care............................................................................ 23 Seton Medical Center..................................................................... 65 Solar Centex............................................................................. 18, 64 Teleperformance USA.................................................................... 23 Temple Charter Academy............................................................... 48 Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum........................................... 43 Texas A&M-Central Texas.............................................................. 50 Texas Farm Bureau......................................................................... 35 Texas Ranger Museum.................................................................... 27 Truecore Fitness.............................................................................. 54 Union State Bank........................................................................... 64 United Way..................................................................................... 39 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor...................................................51 Wiseners Auto Clinic....................................................................... 7 The Advertisers Index is published for reader convenience. Every effort is made to list information correctly. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. 64

AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

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AUGUST 2016 | TEX APPEAL

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