Tex Appeal | April & May 2022

April & May 2022

Life and Style in Central Texas

Balancing Her Health & Family CAREY STITES SHARES STRATEGIES THAT MAKE SERVING MEALS EASIER WHILE SHE FOCUSES ON RECOVERY

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: TEMPLE AREA BUILDERS

PARADE OF HOMES

HOME & GARDEN

DESIGNING WITH HAPPY KARMA

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ZOOTYS INSIGHT

ZOOTYS

ZOOTYS | Pecan Plaza Shopping Center | 1407 South 31st Street | Suite C | Temple, Texas 76504 | 254.770.0904

Photography by: Lloyd Thomas Photo Editing by: Angela Fritz | Models: Lovella and Meg Solomon

INDEX

32

COVID & KIDS: Educators and health care professionals on the emotional cost of the pandemic

38

Megan Kiella finds her calling as a Central Texas home builder

40

Tex Appeal contributor Amy Rognlie shares her love of gardening as she gets ready for springtime planting. | 24 Photo by AMY ROGNLIE

ON THE COVER

Tex Appeal contributor Carey Stites didn’t let chemotherapy keep her from feeding her family healthy meals. | 54 Photo by BECKY STINEHOUR

6 7 8 12 14 18 20 22 26

EDITOR’S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS NEIGHBORS Braelyn Liles gives back as Little Miss Five Hills SCENE Temple Chamber Salute to Business FLAVOURS Ras Kitchen THE REVIEW Books to get organized IN THE SPOTLIGHT Temple Area Builders Parade of Homes EVENTS What’s Happening in April and May THIS GIRL’S GARDEN Ready for spring

4 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

28 30 36 54 57 58 60 62 64 66

AT HOME Using dark colors in design FASHION Lounge attire evolves GIFT GUIDE Shop local for Mother’s Day

Derek and Anna Morris of Happy Karma Homes offer local families quality home renovation

44

Ciece Gray gets creative as she works with clients to upgrade spaces at Picasa Design

46

HEALTH & WELLNESS Healthy meal strategies

Lauren and Paul Proctor turn love

BEING CENTRAL TEXAN Jean Shine

called Proctor Victory Garden

CENTEX ED Keep reading together TEX MESSAGES Bluebonnets DAYTRIPPIN’ Spring in Waxahachie CENTEX PAST Liz Carpenter ADVERTISING INDEX

of pickles into a thriving business

50

Pink Bulldog Boutique is Belton’s one-stop fashion shop

52

Local artist Michael Pritchett finds his creative spark at Sirril Art Gallery

Stellar HOMES

254-933-8807 | www.stellarhomes.us Stellar Homes was founded by Mark Rendon and Rex Karl to establish exceptional standards in the home-building market for Central Texas. Always aiming to raise the bar in building practices, Mark and Rex continually strive for excellence in construction techniques by using engineering-minded principles with meticulous attention to detail.

Pride of craftsmanship and legacy has awarded Stellar Homes the cherished status of over four decades of expert home-building and being named among “the best of the best” by Central Texans. Building at this caliber not only translates into long-term benefits, such as lower maintenance costs and higher efficiency, but

REX KARL

is also immediately evident to any homeowner when they see the handcrafted, beautiful architecture of the property.

It is standard practice at Stellar Homes to work closely with clients to capture the custom style and needs of each individual or family so that they have a personalized, worry-free experience in the building of their home.

While Stellar Homes builds in many subdivisions, its flagship subdivision is Las Colinas in Temple.

Highland Park is another great subdivision option for a custom home in Temple. Schedule a visit to see model homes and experience the Stellar difference!

MARK RENDON TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

5

FROM THE EDITOR

S

pringtime brings not just flowers and showers, but the latest edition of Tex Appeal Magazine, and along with that, some great stories about our friends and neighbors.

Carey Stites, who writes our Health & Wellness column, shares meal planning when dealing with a serious illness. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and shares how she’s coping on page 54.

Flavours found a new Jamaican restaurant that is not like any other you might have experienced on page 14.

Neighbors highlights Braelyn Liles, 2021-22 Little Miss Five Hills, on page 8, with recognition of her award-winning Pajama Project with Foster Love Bell County.

Meet the Makers, a new feature, tells the story of Michael Pritchett of Sirril Art Gallery in Salado on page 52.

Entrepreneur introduces us to Belton’s Pink Bulldog Boutique, which offers women’s clothing with a western flair and a boho vibe, on page 50.

Amy Rognlie, one of our longtime contributors, has written her first gardening column, which will be a regular feature. You can read This Girl’s Garden on page 26.

At home fashion, what our grandmothers called “lounge attire” is making a comeback thanks to the JANNA ZEPP pandemic on page 30. editor@ Don’t be afraid of the dark when it comes to interior texappealmag.com design. Yes, you can incorporate some of your favorite 254-774-5266 jewel tones and dark neutrals when it comes to planning a fresh look for your home. We tell you how on page 28.

Scene went to the annual Salute to Business hosted by the Temple Chamber of Commerce and you can see who’s who on page 12.

Jean Shine shares what Being Central Texan means to her on page 57.

Enjoy a field full of Texas bluebonnets in more colors than just blue in Tex Messages on page 60.

Salado’s own Liz Carpenter was the first woman executive assistant to a U.S. vice president, as well as a journalist, feminist and media advisor, speechwriter, political humorist, and public relations expert. She was also lauded as the funniest woman in politics long before Molly Ivins. We’ll tell you why on page 64.

Take a day trip to Waxahachie this spring and find out what to see and do there on page 62. You’ll find crape myrtles, Victorian architecture, and the chance to travel to 16th century England just 90 minutes’ drive up I-35 when you go.

COVID-19 has not just stunted our physical health, it’s wreaked havoc on the mental health of our youngest Texans. Health care and education professionals discuss the impact of COVID on kids on page 32.

Megan Kiella, a professional home builder in Central Texas, shares her career journey as we look at local women in homebuilding on page 38.

We also look in on Ciece Gray of Picasa Designs to see what goes into her interior decorating, planning and unique, sleek, sophisticated style on page 44.

Anna and Derek Morris of Happy Karma Homes take us through building or rebuilding a home that you’ll really love on page 40.

And learn how Proctor Victory Garden’s Lauren and Paul Proctor turned a love of pickles into a thriving home business on page 46.

It’s turning out to be a lovely, if rather warm spring in Central Texas. I hope we brighten it even more with our stories and photos. As always, I love hearing from you, whether you enjoy what we’ve written, or you have a bone to pick, so drop me an email at editor@texappealmag.com or call me at 254-774-5266 and tell me what you think. And don’t forget to leave me a story idea in my inboxes!

Janna Zepp Tex Appeal editor 6 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas

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 JANNA ZEPP Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH JUSTIN BORJA ELIZABETH FINKENBINDER ERIC LARSON AMY ROGNLIE BECKY STINEHOUR CAREY STITES RACHEL STRICKLAND JOHNA UNDERWOOD TONYA WARREN Advertising 254-778-4444 in Temple 254-501-7500 in Killeen ABOUT US: Tex Appeal Magazine is published 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, 6 issues.

Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For 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: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500.

Editorial: Contact Janna Zepp at 254-774-5266 or editor@texappealmag.com

CONTRIBUTORS FRED AFFLERBACH literally took the long road to a journalism career. He has written for the Temple Daily Telegram and numerous other newspapers. Drawing on experiences from his long-haul trucking days, he has published two novels. He lives in Cedar Park.

Running-to-Live.com JUSTIN BORJA is a proud service member in the Air Force Reserve. He does portrait and commercial photography and lives in Harker Heights. He loves to explore other cities, connecting with people and capturing their images. BorjaVisuals.com ELIZABETH FINKENBINDER is a writing instructor at Temple College and has been a teacher for Academy Independent School District, Central Texas Christian School, Memorial Christian Academy and Nazarene Christian Academy. She is also a novelist; Land of a Thousand Dreams: House of Laurel is her most recent work.

ERIC LARSON joined Temple Independent School District in June and serves as the digital communications coordinator. Eric is responsible for much of Temple ISD’s social media content and provides most of the district’s photography and video services.

He also helps produce most of the district’s weekly publications to teachers, staff and parents. Eric joined Temple ISD after spending four years at Hill College. He is a graduate of Texas State Technical College.

AMY ROGNLIE is an author and middleschool teacher. Her newest series of cozy mystery novels, The Short Creek Mysteries, are set in Bell County. Amy’s articles have been published in national magazines and websites. She blogs on encouragement, hope and faith on AmyRognlie.com. Amy and her family reside in Little River-Academy.

BECKY STINEHOUR is a portrait, commercial and event photographer, specializing in live music venues. Her work has been published in several regional magazines. She is a Killeen High School graduate who loves to highlight her treasured hometown connections through the lens of her camera. Find her on Instagram at ciphoto.

CAREY STITES is a registered and licensed dietitian located in Harker Heights, Texas.

Carey obtained her master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Tech University has been a practicing dietitian since 2001. Carey is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer; Carey has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes, writing and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.

RACHEL STRICKLAND is a university writing tutor and freelance writer. She earned a Master of Arts in English from Texas A&M University-Central Texas in 2021. She has a passion for anything related to language and writing, and her words have been published in various blogs, newspapers and literary journals. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and listening to true crime podcasts — always with her cat on her lap.

JOHNA UNDERWOOD lives in Temple and teaches English at Gatesville High School, working with her husband, Joe, who is the assistant principal. Both she and Joe are passionate, professional educators who want the best for their students and community.

The Underwoods are University of Mary Hardin-Baylor graduates.

TONYA WARREN has been a registered nurse for 33 years with Ascension Providence Healthcare in Waco and a lifestyles writer for two years. She lives in Waco and enjoys reading, writing and taking her grouchy German Shepherd on walks.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Tex Appeal is looking for photographers and freelance writers with newspaper or magazine experience. We are seeking candidates from the Central Texas area. Candidates must be detail- and deadline-oriented and good storytellers.

Send a resume and three to five recent published samples for consideration to editor@texappealmag.com.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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NEIGHBORS

COPPERAS COVE KINDERGARTNER REIGNS WITH

Royal Acts of Kindness

BY TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of COPPERAS COVE FIVE HILLS SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT

F

avorite stuffed animal? Check. Coloring book and crayons? Check. Tiara? Huh? Except for the tiara, these items are usually front and center in a typical kindergartner’s bedroom, but then this 5-year-old is no typical kindergartner.

Meet Braelyn Liles, a spunky and selfless little girl who recently completed her reign in the Copperas Cove Five Hills Scholarship Pageant.

The pageant serves the community through a wide range of service projects. Each participant selects one platform they will promote and support during their one-year reign. Although dormant for 18 years, the pageant was resurrected in 2014, and since then, scholarship program director Wendy Sledd says participants have offered over 50,000 hours of community service to Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties.

Blessed to have been born into a family with a giving spirit, Braelyn, with the help of her mom Christy Liles, placed money collection jars around the community for Hope Pregnancy Center after being crowned 2017 Baby Miss Five Hills. Braelyn collected over $1,000 for the center.

Christy described Braelyn as “an incredible child and mature far beyond her years.” Also, old-fashioned older sibling adoration never hurt anything as Braelyn can attest. “I wanted to be like my older sister Briana,” she said. “I wanted to participate in all the volunteer events.”

Briana held titles of Preteen Miss Five Hills and Copperas Cove Five Hills Ambassador, raising more than $8,000 for the Children’s Alopecia Project.

Alopecia is a health condition characterized by hair loss, which Briana suffers from.

While waiting to become a foster family, the Liles learned that many children removed from their homes have nothing but the clothes on their back. Sometimes a child might have a few meager possessions that are tossed in a trash bag as they leave a home marked by abuse or neglect.

Working with Foster Love Bell County, Braelyn set out to change that scenario. She collected suitcases for younger children that she filled with donations of socks, underwear, shampoo and other

8 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Little Miss Five Hills Braelyn Liles received the Love Award from Foster Love Bell County. Her efforts to help children in foster care through her platform, Fostering Hope earned her the award. needed items. “I wanted the kids to know someone cares about them,” she said.

Braelyn also included something near and dear Continued

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

9

Braelyn Liles received a donation of cinch backpacks from Smile Doctors for her Fostering Hope project.

Braelyn wrapped up her final service project this year by filling the bags with more than 1,200 items she collected for children in foster care, including pajamas for them to open on Christmas. Braelyn has advocated for foster care kids throughout her reign and accrued nearly 500 hours of service this year. to her heart: coloring books and crayons. “I love to color because it makes me happy.” She also collected duffel bags for older kids filled with their own needed goodies.

Project Pajama was another cause near and dear to Braelyn’s heart.

“I always get new pajamas from my mom and dad at Christmas,” she said. “But not all kids have a mom and dad, which means they don’t have pajamas.”

Braelyn wanted them to have a gift of pajamas to open on Christmas Day, and thanks to generous donors, she collected over 160 pairs of pajamas.

Although foster children need all sizes of pajamas, Foster Love especially needs sizes infant-3 years and adult sizes for teens. Braelyn was able to collect several in these sizes and dozens upon dozens more.

To learn more about Project Pajama, email fivehillspageant@gmail.com or contact the Copperas Cove Five Hills Scholarship Pageant through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

10 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

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11

SCENE: TEMPLE CHAMBER SALUTE TO BUSINESS

1

2

3

Veterans, active-duty soldiers at Fort Hood and chamber members got to know each other a little better during the Temple Chamber of Commerce’s Salute to Business event.

1. Amanda Villanueva catches up with women from First Community Title.

2. Diana Zavala of Mexiko Cafe with her kids.

3. Jimmy Douglas of Temple VFW Post 1820, center, chats with Debbie Shine.

4. Cheryl Hassmann, from the office of U.S. Congressman John Carter, talks with soldiers from Fort Hood.

Photos courtesy of the TEMPLE CHAMBER

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Member FDIC

FLAVOURS

Chef Ras Kitchen

Step out of Texas and into Jamaica, resort-dining style

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos courtesy of RAS KITCHEN

C

hef Norris “Ras” Barr was born into poverty in Kingston, Jamaica, the oldest of seven children: four girls and three boys all raised by their single mother and grandmothers. He lived with his maternal grandmother away from Kingston from the time he was 3 months old until he was 9.

He and his grandmother would gather fruits and vegetables from around their home and make a meal together. He never truly knew hunger until he moved back to Kingston with his mother.

“There were times when we did not eat for three days. When we did eat, my mother would make the most wonderful dishes and we would eat so well,” Barr says. “My grandmother would bring food with her when she visited. But until then, we had nothing.”

In his Kingston neighborhood, Barr and his friends would fight hunger by “running a boat,” a Jamaican term for a “potluck” meal.

14 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

“I want to offer a dine-in service with Jamaican atmosphere. The kind of food you might find in a Jamaican resort. We have a bar, wine and beer. I want you to savor your experience with us when you come.”

— Norris “Ras” Barr “Friends would gather ingredients to make a dish so we all could eat,” he says. “I would cook all the ingredients together to make a meal.

Sometimes, it was really good.”

Barr vowed that one day, he would be surrounded by food, and he would cook it, making the most of what he had to use for ingredients. He would never starve again and neither would anyone he met. To make that dream happen, he left Jamaica and moved to America and began cooking at various Jamaican restaurants.

It was not until he moved to Washington, D.C., where he met an old Rastafarian man who taught him the art of cooking authentic Caribbean dishes.

After three years cooking with his mentor, Barr became wildly popular with his customers. Cooking Caribbean cuisine became Barr’s passion, and he coined the phrase describing his commitment to his art as “More Wicked Than the Rest,” meaning that he wanted to be the best at cooking and creating Caribbean dishes, especially Jamaican food.

Eventually, Barr moved to Killeen where he met a future business partner who asked what he did for a living. Barr responded that he cooked great Jamaican food, inviting the man to his home.

Barr’s wife, Emilie Wright, says that after one bite of Barr’s fare, the man was convinced he wanted Continued

Chef Norris ”Ras” Barr and his wife, Emilie Wright, own and operate Ras Kitchen in Temple. The restaurant specializes in Jamaican cuisine.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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Ras Kitchen serves Caribbean cuisine, giving Chef Norris ”Ras” Barr a chance to show off his skills.

to open a restaurant with Barr. One Love was the name of the first restaurant in Killeen, and it was wildly successful.

As is the way with many restaurants, Barr, like many chefs, went his own way to pursue the dream of owning a restaurant. He spent time cooking at events, clubs, bars, storefronts and private parties to build his brand and make a name for himself in Central Texas.

After a year, he found a location to call his own, spending another eight months getting the establishment up and running. Ras Kitchen was originally on South Second Street in Killeen. He then moved to the Killeen Mall to open an eatery there, becoming one of the first Black-owned and Caribbean-owned restaurants in that food court, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to close.

He and his wife did delivery-only service until conditions eased. Then they found a new home in Temple.

“There are lots of Jamaican restaurants, but they do not offer sit-down service. Only pick up and delivery,” Wright says. She is Chef Ras’ elegant, gracious, and eloquent hostess who explains each dish to customers and makes them feel at home from the moment they enter the restaurant (be sure to ask her about the skin care product line she has created if you go).

“We want you to feel well taken care of when you visit us,” she says. “Not everyone has experienced Jamaican food, so we want to make sure you are happy with what you’ve ordered.”

“I want to offer a dine-in service with Jamaican atmosphere,” Barr says. “The kind of food you might find in a Jamaican resort. We have a bar, wine and beer. I want you to savor your experience with us when you come.”

Barr and Wright have expanded the menu to seafood items, including whole lobster, soft-shell crab, whole shrimp, and traditional favorites like Escovitch Fish now served on lobsters. Included in the services offered by Chef Ras Kitchen are reservations and a space for events with up to 250 people.

“I want to give back to my community. While we were in Killeen, we participated in more than 30 community events, bringing our food to each one,” Barr says. “No one goes hungry. I know when someone is hungry and cannot pay, they need that love that food brings. I seldom turn anyone away.

Someone helped me when I needed it. I want to return that favor whenever I can.”

RAS KITCHEN 17 S. Main St., Temple 254-833-9333 raskitchentx.com

16 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

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17

THE REVIEW

Spring cleaning by design Books to help organize your home and landscape

By M. CLARE HAEFNER | Photos courtesy of the book publishers

W

hen the weather warms up and the first signs of spring emerge, I start thinking about cleaning out clutter and opening windows to let in the fresh air.

Deep cleaning is definitely a good idea, but the annual exercise always takes longer than it should because of an underlying issue — I can’t keep my home organized.

After a few weeks, I get lazy and stop putting things back where they belong or buy new things without thinking about where they’ll be stored.

This year, I’m trying a different strategy — taking advice from professionals to get and stay organized.

Marie Kondo’s mantra to only keep things that spark joy didn’t resonate with me, but after bingewatching several home design shows on Netflix this winter, I think implementing Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin’s plan of attack to “Get Organized with The Home Edit” will.

Especially if I follow the steps outlined in The Home Edit Workbook: Prompts, Activities, and Gold Stars to Help You Contain the Chaos (Clarkson Potter, March 2021). The workbook outlines 52 challenges and covers every room, making it a great way to tackle home organizing at your preferred pace.

Got a lot to organize? Tackle one task each week. Have company coming this summer?

Transform your space in a few weeks. Each chapter includes several smaller steps, with room make lists, check off tasks and take stock of what’s the biggest mess.

While they deem “The No More Junk Drawer” challenge as the easiest place to start, you can begin in any chapter with whatever space you want.

18 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

I’ve only completed a couple of tasks so far, but I’m already feeling like I can finally master my messes and keep my home organized for good — one gold star at a time.

My yard could also benefit from thoughtful design. Rather than haphazardly selecting plants I like, I want a plan to follow — one that considers when flowers are in season, and how plants will grow and fill in spaces as they mature.

Living in Central Texas also means I need plants that are droughttolerant and able to withstand blazing hot summers. If they’re low-maintenance, even better.

Looking for inspiration, I came across a great resource — Texas Home Landscaping by Greg Grant and Roger Holmes (Design Originals, July 2011; Kindle edition, November 2021).

While it’s not a new release, it provides just what I was looking for — plans to create attractive beds using plants that grow well in Texas while reducing how much turf grass I have to mow.

The book includes 48 designs for all types of landscaping, from welcoming walkways to garden paths to outdoor living rooms. It includes plant profiles, installation guides and renderings of how the landscape will change with the seasons. It also offers tips on buying plants and watering them.

Also referencing Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening and suggestions from some Central Texas master gardeners on which plants grow best around here, I’m looking forward to watching my new plants grow into my perfect outdoor space.

Hopefully these books will provide you with some inspiration to get organized and freshen up your home or yard this spring, too.

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TheThe American American Dream Dream comes comes alive alive

entral Texans Centralcan Texans experience can experience their dream their dream can help can youhelp turnyou those turn ideas those intoideas reality. into reality. me true come in one trueofinthe onehomes of theduring homesthe during“We the are“We veryareexcited very about excited this about year’s this year’s mple Temple Area Builders Area Builders Association Association 2022 Parade 2022 ofParade Homes™! of Homes™!

The Parade TheisParade a unique is a unique ade ofParade Homes™. of Homes™. opportunity opportunity to experience to experience some of some the best of the best entral National Central National Bank is the Bank Title is the Partner Title Partner homes Bell homes County Bell has County to offer haswith to offer a wide with a wide this year’s of thisParade™. year’s Parade™.

Additional Additional Parade Parade range ofrange participating of participating local builders, local builders, each each tners Partners include include Covington Covington Real Estate, Real Estate, showcasing showcasing their unique their style.”– unique style.”– Megan Megan ne Roofing, Keene Roofing, KWTX, KWTX, Martin Marietta, Martin Marietta, Kiella, 2022 Kiella, Parade 2022ofParade HomesofChair Homes Chair ncoastSuncoast Post Tension, Post Tension, Temple Daily Temple TeleDaily TeleThis year’s This Parade year’sofParade Homes™ of Homes™ will feature will feature m, Texas gram, Bright TexasIdeas, Bright and Ideas, Tri Supply. and Tri Supply. several Builders several Builders showcasing showcasing some of some their of their andonBrandon Whatley,Whatley, PresidentPresident of the assoof the best asso-work. best Allwork.

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Highlighting Highlighting their owntheir unique own unique producedproduced by the Temple by the Temple Daily Telegram Daily Telegram e in terms style in of terms layout,ofdesign layout,and design decoratand decorateach year.each Theyear. magazine The magazine will be distributed will be distributed with ing some with featured some featured homes furnished homes furnished for in the for Friday, in theApril Friday, 29th April edition 29thofedition the newsof the newsue “I’m a true home” “I’mfeel. home” feel. paper and paper will and showcase will showcase each home eachin home the in the utdoorOutdoor living spaces, livingopen spaces, floor open plans, floor en-plans, en- Parade™.

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You are welcome You are welcome to tour the to tour the tahb.org/parade tahb.org/parade or download or download and find and us onfind us on mes and homes gather andremodeling gather remodeling or decorating or decorating the FREEthe Parade FREESmart Parade Application Smart Application on your on your as. TABA ideas.

Builder TABAand Builder Associate and Associate membersmembers smartphone. smartphone.

Come experience Come experience the dream the at dream the at the 2022 Temple 2022 Temple Area Home Area Home BuildersBuilders Parade Parade of Homes™! of Homes™!

We are “We excited aretoexcited continue to continue our 20 year our tradition 20 year tradition as the title as sponsor the title for sponsor the Temple for theArea Temple Area me Builders Home Builders parade ofparade homes.of homes.

CNB takes CNB pride takes in pride supporting in supporting our localour builders. local builders.

We We pe everyone hope everyone enjoys visiting enjoysthe visiting homes.” the homes.”

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21

EVENTS APRIL 2022

NOON, SATURDAY, APRIL 9 CRAWFISH BOIL Mo’s Rail Yard Saloon, 10 W Avenue B, Temple; DJ Smooth and other live music all afternoon.

Proceeds from the Crawfish Boil support Temple Fire & Rescue’s Rescue Elves program, providing toys and clothing at Christmas to families in need.

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ MosRailYardSaloon 8 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 22 FOREIGNER Bell County Expo Center 301 West Loop 121, Belton Tickets are on sale now at bellcountyexpo.com for $38 to $100.

For more information, visit: www.bellcountyexpo. com/events/2022/foreigner---the-greatest-hits 7:30 PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 23 VALLEJO Vallejo hails from “The Live Music Capital of the World” Austin, Texas with their sonic melting pot of classic album rock mixed with contagious funky rhythms and Latin percussion. Vallejo has toured all over the U.S. and Mexico supporting such acts as Matchbox 20, Stone Temple Pilots, Juanes and Los Lobos. Vallejo has also had many of their songs featured in national television shows NBC’s Roswell, UPN’s America’s Top Model, MTV’s Jersey Shore and HBO’s True Blood.

Cultural Activities Center 3011 N. Third St., Temple 254-773-9926 Tickets: Members, $20; Nonmembers, $25 For tickets, visit: app.arts-people.com/index. php?show=132505 6-10 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 29 11 AM-10 PM, SATURDAY, APRIL 30 A LIL’ BIT O’ BLOOMIN’ Santa Fe Plaza & Market Trail Musical acts, arts and crafts, festive foods, children’s activities and lots of family fun Free admission For more information, visit: www.templeparks.com/ special_events/bloomin__temple_festival/index.php 10 AM, SATURDAY, APRIL 30 THUNDER IN HAND, CIVIL WAR HANDGUNS PRESENTATION The Salado Museum & College Park will host a special presentation of “Thunder In Hand, Civil 22 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Mo’s Rail Yard Saloon plans a Crawfish Boil on April 9.

War Handguns” at the Museum. The presentation will be made by John C. Perry, who is an author and Civil War period firearms collector. The event will be a fundraiser for the Museum. Perry will talk about where handgun technology was at the advent of the Civil War, describing the contributions made by such gun notables as Samuel Colt, Christian Sharps, Eliphalet Remington, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, among others.

He will discuss which firearms were the more popular handguns during the Civil War, used in both the North and the South, and he will bring firearms to display. Refreshments will be served.

Tickets: $10 per person, available at the door Salado Museum & College Park 423 S. Main St., Salado For more information, visit: saladomuseum. org/2022/01/30/civil-war-presentation-saturdayapril-30th-at-1000-a-m 7:30 PM, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 2:30 PM, SUNDAYS, APRIL 1-10 INHERIT THE WIND

by Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee Temple Civic Theatre 2413 S. 13th St., Temple For more information and ticket prices, visit: app. arts-people.com/index.php?actions=4&p=1 7:30 PM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 5:30 PM SUNDAYS, APRIL 15-24 THE 39 STEPS

by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow Central Texas Theatre (formerly Vive les Arts) 3401 S. WS Young Drive, Killeen Tickets: $15 and $20 For more information, visit: ctxlivetheatre.com/ productions/20220415-the-39-steps-by-centraltexas-theatre-for/ Continued

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23

EVENTS MAY 2022

2 PM & 5 PM, SATURDAY, MAY 7 CINCO DE MAYO ART SHOW, MUSIC FESTIVAL, DOWNTOWN TEMPLE Main Street Courtyard A special Artist-2-Artist Cinco de Mayo Art Show features Hispanic-flavored artwork, clothing food and music. Tejano stars Bobby Pulido, Rick Trevino and Las Fenix, a group consisting of five sisters, will be the headliners for the Heritage y Familia Music Festival. The seven-hour festival will begin at 5 p.m. and end around midnight.

Tickets: $20 in advance; $25 at the gate For advance tickets, call: 254-298-5378 7:30 PM, SATURDAY, MAY 7 CHANTICLEER Chanticleer is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for the seamless blend of its 12 male voices and its original interpretation of vocal literature, from renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. This Grammy awardwinning ensemble has been described as “the world’s reigning male chorus” by the New Yorker.

Tickets: Adults, $25; Students, $5; Military/ Dependents, free Cultural Activities Center 3011 N. Third St., Temple 254-773-9926 For tickets, visit: app.arts-people.com/index. php?actions=4&p=1 7:30 PM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 5:30 PM SUNDAYS, MAY 13-22 ALADDIN JR. Disney’s Aladdin Jr. brings the famous movie to life, on stage. In Agrabah, City of Enchantment, every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail!

Aladdin, a kind but wily, street urchin, falls in love with beautiful Princess Jasmine, who he knows is waaaaay out of his league. It just so happens that the Sultan has declared Princess Jasmine must choose a husband within the next day. After she turns down offers from various wealthy suitors, Aladdin — with the help of a fast-talking, magical Genie — introduces himself as wealthy suitor Prince Ali Ababua. Meanwhile, evil royal advisor Jafar also has his sights set on the kingdom, and tries to convince the Sultan to force Jasmine to wed him.

Will love conquer all? Perhaps – if love has a little help from a Genie.

Central Texas Theatre 3401 S. W S Young Drive, Killeen Tickets: $10 & $14 For more information, visit: https://vlakilleen.org/ 24 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Works by Pvt. Charles J. Miller are on display at the Bell County Museum in Belton through June 10.

7:30 PM, FRIDAY, MAY 27 THE KING RETURNS, A SALUTE TO ELVIS Cultural Activities Center 3011 N. Third St., Temple 254-773-9926 For more information and tickets, $35 / $25 / $20, visit https://www.cacarts.org/events-tickets

ONGOING

THROUGH JUNE 10 PRIVATE CHARLES J. MILLER: WWII PAINTINGS FROM THE SOUTH PACIFIC AT THE BELL COUNTY MUSEUM Pvt. Charles J. Miller, of New Hampshire, fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He captured his deployment in over 700 of paintings; 120 of which are included in this exhibit. Miller created powerful works of art, full of wonderful color and skilled craftsmanship with dramatic action and keen observation in handwritten descriptions.

This special exhibit is produced and toured by the Wright Museum of WWII. Bell County Museum 201 N. Main, Belton 254-933-5243 For more information, visit: www. bellcountymuseum.org

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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THIS GIRL’S GARDEN

Cultivating a love of gardening PLANTS HELP CREATE A BEAUTIFUL, JOYFUL PLACE

By AMY ROGNLIE

I

am not quite certain from whence sprung my love of all things green and growing, but I can recall, even as a young child, my fascination with the plants around me. I remember rubbing a freshly plucked spearmint leaf between my fingers to inhale the sweet aroma; peeling long, thin, white tendrils of papery bark off the neighbor’s birch tree; plucking the stamens out of honeysuckle flowers to touch the drop of nectar to my tongue, and marveling over the delicate line of bells on each stem in the lily-of-the-valley patch that thrived in the cool, shady strip between the driveway and the house.

As a college student, I purchased my first plant. It was a common inch plant, but I thought it exquisite with its alluring purple, green and silvery striped leaves cascading over the sides of the black plastic pot. I named it “Moses” and hung it between the fluorescent lights in my dorm room.

Later, as a newly married twentysomething living in an apartment, I tended shelves of African violets until I began to nurture little boys instead.

As the boys grew, so did the living space. We expanded into vegetable gardening, flower beds, grapevines and a blackberry patch before packing everybody up and moving to Central Texas. In July. From Colorado.

Once we settled in after that first hot, hot summer, I was thrilled at the thought of gardening in a more temperate zone. In the spring, I happily planted my pots of pansies, privately gloating over the fact that I was enjoying lovely, frost-free weather while my Colorado friends were still up to their eyeballs in snow and cold.

Then came summer. In Central Texas. Suddenly, everything I thought I knew about gardening didn’t work.

26 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

“A garden isn’t meant to be useful. It’s for joy.”

– Rumer Godden Tomato plants withered. Herbs bolted.

Sedums sulked. Surely, at least beans would grow. And marigolds. Umm, no. At that point, I almost admitted defeat. After all, how hard could it be to grow marigolds?

Eventually, I came to terms with my new climate (in more ways than one) and began to take joy in the learning process. At first, I was like the girl in Robert Frost’s poem, “A Girl’s Garden”: She says she thinks she planted one Of all things but weeds.

A hill each of potatoes, Radishes, lettuce, peas, Tomatoes, beets, beans, pumpkins, corn, And even fruit trees.

Her crop was a miscellany When all was said and done, A little bit of everything, A great deal of none.

Though I (and my garden) have come a long way since that hot summer 10 years ago, I’m still learning every day. I am just now realizing how much winter gardening we can do in Central Texas, so this fall and winter were a splendid experiment for which I will be better prepared this coming year. Let’s just say that the carrots and sweet peas were not a success, but the lettuce is happy and the spinach, arugula and collard greens are coming along nicely in the small backyard veg beds.

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David

Southerland Realtor®/Broker

• 17 years experience • Specializes in Residential and Commercial Real Estate • New home construction background • Born and raised in Central Texas

As I write this on a frigid February morning, the daffodil bulbs my granddaughter and I planted over Thanksgiving week have popped their noses out of the dirt an inch or two; a welcome herald of warmer, blossomy days ahead.

I am up to my ears in seedlings in the house. Impatiens, alyssum, lobelia, nasturtiums, nicotiana, mammoth sunflowers, globe amaranth, blackeyed Susan vine, rainbow coleus, and hyacinth runner beans are clamoring to be freed from their little pots and settled into the warm Texas dirt. The 18 (yes, 18) tomato seedlings are being re-potted into larger pots today because, well … perhaps I started them a wee bit early in January. The mandevilla cuttings that I started in the fall are starting to bloom, the caladiums in the south window should be sprouting any day now and the canna lily divisions that I overwintered in pots are sending up shoot.

One of the Pride of Barbados seeds finally sprouted, and I think I still have time to plant the dichondra seeds that are coming in the mail any day now — is it spring yet?

It is! If you have been too busy to notice, spring is in full swing in the heart of Texas. So slow down and give gardening a try this year! And remember that it is okay to start small.

Plant a few flower seeds in a pot. Pick out a couple of jalapeño plants at the home improvement store. Dig a hole for a new tree.

Essayist Joseph Joubert said, “All gardeners live in beautiful places because they make them so.”

Whatever your space — a few pots or a few acres — make it a beautiful, joyful place for yourself and your family.

And join me on my Central Texas gardening adventure again in the next issue of Tex Appeal as I share the latest from this girl’s garden.

• Knowledge of market conditions • Customer driven • Exceptional service

David Southerland 254-913-1018 dsoutherland1@gmail.com davidsoutherland.com TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

27

AT HOME

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark Incorporating dark colors into your interior design

By JANNA ZEPP

T

he Modern Farmhouse Design trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. That said, not all of us are wild about the whites, grays and beiges of the style, especially those of us with light sensitivity. I do love the rustic look and, until last year, I styled my kitchen in Classic Farmhouse for a while. Some 15 years ago, I had the de rigueur rooster and Holstein dairy cow motif, along with lots of red and white all over in line with the early incarnation of the style. I then transitioned to softer, muted colors, while keeping the farmhouse vibe.

I loved it for quite a time, and I do enjoy the current MFH look in the homes of others.

28 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

All that brings me to the point of personal design: Brenda Esparza of Gallery Design Center, a wise and talented local interior designer with Brenda Esparza whom I am currently working to put a fresh face on my home, often reminds me that good design starts with that to which you, the homeowner, really gravitate.

The purpose of an interior designer is to guide that love in the right direction to create a look that you will enjoy for a long time.

I absolutely love black. Dark colors draw me in. I love rich, dark,

natural wood tones, stone floors and marble. Jewel tones such as plums, emerald greens, sapphire blues and deep reds mesmerize me. I love a sleek, sophisticated look mixed with antiques and treasures from the past.

When Brenda and I set out to work together on creating a look for my home, I am certain she thought I was nuts. But she graciously corralled my avant garde tastes into a lush, yet neutral palette that combined dark wood, tile and marble against a warm white canvas for what is shaping up to be a gorgeous look.

To accent my love of color, I chose light fixtures and ceiling fans that are a nod back to the early 20th century Mission Style/Arts and Crafts Movement ala Charles Rennie Macintosh-style of colorful, stained

Terms to know

Hue = color Value = light/dark Intensity = bright/dull Tint = lightened with white Shade = darkened with black glass with geometric shapes, as well as a bit of industrial Bauhaus style. All combined, the look balances the right amount of light and dark so that one does not overwhelm the other. And all of my late 19th/early 20th century inherited furniture pieces will look amazing in it once we are finished.

“Dark” does not always mean black, either. Any hue has a dark side worth embracing. Consider a dark color on the walls of a living room to contrast against light-colored furniture (wood or upholstery) to really make a statement. I like to think in terms of choosing one to three neutral colors and adding a fourth in a primary (red, yellow, blue) or secondary color (green, purple, orange) in varying

shades, intensities, tints and values.

The key to going dark well in your design is balance in color.

Before I began my interior design project, I created a Pinterest board to nail down my personal taste. It helped me focus when I met with Brenda to pick out everything we needed, and our design planning session took less than an hour to complete as a result.

Be sure you have a definitive idea of the look you want when you go to work with a consultant.

Sometimes all that is needed to freshen up a look is a good coat of a quality paint applied by a professional painter. That is far less expensive than an entire home remodel. It also pays off tremendously to consult with a professional interior designer and contracting with one is not as expensive as you might think. Plus, if you choose materials that are not currently “on-trend,” you can end up saving more money than you realize.

So go ahead. Venture into the dark in your home design. You might find you had nothing to fear all along.

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254-760-0554 TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

29

FASHION

Lounge Attire Makes At-home fashion evolves beyond yoga pants and old T-shirts

By JANNA ZEPP

W

e have learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ve learned to work from home, use technology in ways we never have before, and we’ve learned that what we thought we’d wear during dystopian times and what we actually ended up wearing were two distinctly different wardrobes.

Some of us — certainly not all — rapidly got tired of wearing sweatpants and old concert T-shirts 24/7. I certainly did. While shopping online, another habit learned during these uncertain times, I saw advertising for elegant at-home fashion. Curious, I searched for more information, and found little, but what I did find is what I believe to be the genesis of a new fashion trend.

Lounge attire, as our grandmothers called it, is making a comeback.

What, you ask, does 21st century “lounge attire” look like? I assure you; it is not the foofy, billowy peignoir sets, or sleek silk or satin ritzy pajama sets of the 1930s and 1940s. Neither is the style the wild, Pucci-print, widelegged jumpsuits of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The modern style of lounge attire is practical, comfortable and far more elegant than the hoodies, yoga pants and old T-shirts we’ve turned to in the last 20 years.

The styles advertised by online retailers are similar to pajamas, but about three rungs up the style ladder from sleepwear. Soft, jersey knits in solid colors or elegant, sophisticated prints in draped, figure flaw-hiding cuts are nice enough to wear while hosting company at home, but maybe a bit too casual to wear while running errands around town. It is what you might wear during a weekend at home when you know friends are 30 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

dropping by for a casual afternoon of wine, charcuterie and conversation: comfortable, chic and tasteful rather than something you might wear to do light yardwork.

A lot of what I found online is upscale with the price to match. The good news is, you do not have to break the bank to put together lounge sets that look like you spent the mint on your at-home wardrobe. To make that happen, look for soft, flowing, natural

or jersey knit fabrics in solid colors, such as jewel tones or neutral shades.

Beige, white, camel, ecru, black, grey (aka “neutrals”) instantly make anything look more expensive that it actually is. Navy blue and red do the same for the jewel tone family. Long, tunic-style shirts paired with soft, knit pants work well together to create the look.

The kaftan, a long, dress-like garment with batwing sleeves, was popular in the

a Comeback Jamie Davenport & Jessica Shelton late 1970s and into the 1980s for at home fashion (remember Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company?). It has also made a comeback in some styles that almost make you want to wear them to cocktail parties. They now come in a variety of soft, easy-care fabrics and can be found online or at discount empower people to live their best and outlet retailers in the lives in comfort while still lingerie sections. being an expression of Shop around our who they are,” says Jessica great local boutiques in Shelton. She and her twin Central Texas and talk sister, Jamie Davenport, to the women who really own and operate iMeraki in know fashion and our Belton to make sure clients particular tastes here at look and feel their best in home. Boutique owners everything they wear. spend their lives learning If you’re afraid that about and knowing shopping local boutiques current trends in what their Lannie Pacha will be more expensive than customers really want. shopping online, don’t be.

“We believe clothing should Shopping local is one of the best things you can do for your closet as well as your community.

“We keep our price points reasonable. I try to buy clothing at prices I would want to pay myself,” says Lannie Pacha, owner of Sissy Lala’s Clothing Boutique in Holland.

Why would anyone go to this extreme to look good if you’re home by yourself or just your family, you ask? Well, let me ask you this: why not? Why stop at looking “put together” only when you go out to work or socially? Extend that trend to your home and experience looking good to feel good even in your private moments.

ILLUSIA

TM

COLLECTION

1202 SOUTH 31ST STREET | TEMPLE | 254-773-5772

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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COVID & KIDS Educators, health care professionals cite the emotional cost of disease

By FRED AFFLERBACH | Photos by ERIC LARSON of Temple ISD and BECKY STINEHOUR

T

he coronavirus is an ongoing threat to young and old, having taken about 850 lives in Bell County in the last two years.

But aside from the heartbreaking statistics and daily headlines, there is a narrative that has largely remained untold: The coronavirus has had an insidious effect on children that can’t be measured with hard data.

Nurses, teachers and school administrators all tell a similar story of how COVID-19 has for two years upended the lives of students from kindergarten through high school: Missing assignments and missing students. Large increases in the number of office visits to counselors and nurses. More ROHONDA BLACK Temple ISD counselor referrals to mental therapists.

Frayed nerves leading to more emotional outbursts leading to more physical confrontations. Lack of motivation. Students losing focus, unable to see the point of education when their home life has been turned upside down.

Learning gaps that teachers had to hustle and fill in.

Graduating seniors feeling no closure to 12 years of public education. Fear of the unknown, which makes learning more difficult. An uptick in obesity and abuse at home. And the loss of what may seem like a trivial thing but can have a considerable impact — hugs and smiles.

“COVID beat us up,” said Rohonda Black, a counselor at Cater Elementary in Temple. “I don’t hug as much. Most of the kids, if they’re from kindergarten to second grade, they have not seen 32 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Office visits to nurses districtwide have jumped from 4,841 in January 2020 to 8,017 in January 2022 — almost a 65% increase.

— KIM GLAWE, director of health services for Temple ISD

my face because I have my mask on. So I have to do a lot of things with my eyes. I lost a lot of my non-verbal. And that’s a lot of our communication.

I’m speaking with parents a lot more who are concerned about their child’s mental state. I have a lot more parents calling in asking, ‘Where are resources? I think my child needs to see someone.

They may be depressed.’”

For those worried about how many students have recently contracted COVID-19, Temple Independent School District maintains a dashboard,

updated daily, that reports the latest figures.

Anyone can go online and find the number of positive test results for the previous week.

Numbers are updated daily, Monday-Friday. Killeen ISD has a similar dashboard.

Kim Glawe, director of health services at Temple ISD, says office visits to nurses districtwide have jumped from 4,841 in January 2020 (pre-COVID) to 8,017 in January 2022 — almost a 65% increase.

“Some of that is obviously COVID related. The other part is we see a lot of kids with increased

anxiety, and we have kids who emotionally are a little behind because they’ve been out of school, especially during that time when we had remote learning,” Glawe said. “A lot of times health services provide that safe environment where we can educate the students and talk with them about their fears. We have to do more of that, redirecting, educating about COVID, what mitigation strategies we’ve been using. Talking with their families. And showing them that the things we’ve put in place Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

33

“We had people skipping their wellness checks, missing their normal immunizations because they didn’t want to leave their house, so we had kids that weren’t going to speech therapies, or physical therapies.”

— DR. JAMIE AVILA, Baylor Scott & White pediatrician have been effective. And when they see that, then it kind of brings that level of anxiety, for parents, community and the students, to a safe level.”

Back in spring 2020, when schools switched to remote learning only, one high school student completely lost touch. Temple High math teacher Andrea Perurena made contact once with the student’s mother, but after that no one at home would pick up the phone. With the student falling further behind, Perurena took an extraordinary step. She found him at his workplace. “I went over there. And he was all smiles, perfectly fine,” Perurena said. “If I hadn’t known where he worked, or if (the business) remained closed, I would have lost contact with this kid.”

When schools reopened in fall 2020, some students attended class in person while others continued to learn from home. This made many people unhappy. The new normal was there is no normal. Face masks. Social distancing. One-way hallways. Teachers say they had to learn how teach in a new way. The school that kids left behind was no longer there.

‘MOURNING LOSS OF NORMALCY’

Over at a Baylor Scott & White clinic in Killeen, pediatrician Dr. Jamie Avila has treated kids with myriad side-effects from COVID. She says, aside from the ones who contract COVID-19, the biggest effect the virus has on kids is that they’re “mourning the loss of normalcy.” Children are missing out on vital years just to play, hang out and live stress free.

Then there’s what she calls the other pandemic.

“In 2020, when you had what turned into eternal spring break, and then lots of schools going virtual . . . they were physically distancing from their friends, from their family, sometimes their support systems like their churches,” Avila said. “You had that break in the continuity of their learning. Just a huge amount of economic disparity. What kids could access technology. Who had the tablets.

Who had connectivity issues. We had people skipping their wellness checks, missing their normal immunizations because they didn’t want to leave 34 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

their house, so we had kids that weren’t going to speech therapies, or physical therapies.”

Avila says you can a follow a straight line from all these side effects to a huge increase in office visits from children.

“Just the sudden, direct increase in need for mental health. Something along the lines of 32% of kids with some sort of mental health diagnosis have come out of this pandemic just over the last few years,” Avila said. “And you can directly correlate it back to the things that have happened over the last two years.”

FORGING AHEAD

Yet among all the fear, anxiety and sadness for the loss of a few formative years for kids, a picture of fortitude and determination has played out in area schools. Teachers, administrators and nurses remain determined to forge ahead, regardless the unforeseen twists and turns and shapes of new variants that will surely come their way. They see a silver lining, such as how some students’ grades have actually improved with online learning and some families have bonded with more at-home time together.

Temple ISD’s chief of communications, Christine Parks, said teachers and staff have pulled together to mitigate COVID’s effect to their campus. And although in some aspects the students’ world has been turned upside down, young people are resilient and good at adapting to a new education landscape.

“They will come out strong on the other side of it, but there will be an impact. There are some things that will forever be changed because of this pandemic,” Parks said. “But they’re fighters and will continue to work hard.”

TEMPLE ISD COVID DASHBOARD https://www.Temple ISD.org/apps/pages/ index.jsp?uREC_ID=2437316&type=d&pREC_ ID=2232093 KILLEEN ISD COVID DASHBOARD https://www.killeenisd.org/dashboard

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Mother's Day Gift Guide A Unique Boutique

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37

Building Central Texas

38

Megan Kiella is the vice president of Kiella Homebuilders.

Megan Kiella finds her calling in home sales

By JANNA ZEPP | Photo by JUSTIN BORJA

M

egan Kiella attended Texas A&M University in College Station to become a veterinarian. It never occurred to her that she might do anything else as a career. And then she met Scott Kiella, who was double majoring in finance and accounting. “(Scott) wisely encouraged me to get a business minor, which I loved! I found it all so logical and tangible, so I shifted my focus and got my real estate license while finishing school,” she says.

They moved to Austin where Scott worked for a private equity firm, and Megan worked for Wells Fargo Bank. They enjoyed it, but ultimately knew they wanted to call Temple home and raise their family here.

“After visiting here while Scott and I were dating in college, I knew this is where I wanted to raise a family. We loved our years in Austin, but this felt like home immediately,” she says.

When they moved to Temple in 2013, Megan started working for the family business, Kiella Homebuilders, as a new home sales consultant. Scott’s parents, John and Suzanne Kiella, started Kiella Homebuilders 35 years ago. It started as a family company but grew rapidly over the years.

“It was my ultimate goal to manage our home building company, but first I needed to learn all aspects of the building business to best understand how to manage and empathize with people in each position,” Megan says.

“Over the years I learned the sales processes, purchasing and estimating, design and plan development, and development until a few years ago I was named vice president. Every day brings a new challenge, a new joy and a new appreciation for what the building industry provides.”

Each of the Kiella children — Scott Kiella, Megan’s husband and president of Kiella Real Estate Group; Chris Kiella, chief financial officer; and Brooke Helmig, chief administrative officer — have moved back to Temple and are actively running various aspects of Kiella Real Estate Group.

“It’s fun working all together to grow our community.

All of the Kiella siblings and their spouses attended Texas A&M, lived in Houston or Austin after college and then chose to make Temple home,” Megan says.

When asked what she loves most about her job, Megan says it is the people she works with every day, including the team at Kiella Homebuilders who work to build quality homes for the Central Texas community;

their trade partners, many of which Kiella Homebuilders have worked with for decades, who actively seek the best labor and materials to build our homes; local lending institutions that help financially support their projects and assist their homebuyers with the mortgage on their new home; Realtors who trust them to provide clients with a beautiful home in a desirable location and continue to show Kiella homes to those interested in new construction.

Megan also lauds Jentry Davis and Marty Janczak of the Temple Area Builders Association who she says work diligently with local municipalities, governmental bodies and the Texas Association of Builders to keep housing affordable for the consumer.

“The biggest battle in our industry right now is just that — keeping housing affordable while we manage supply chain issues, rising material costs and a dwindling labor force,” Megan says. “Not only do these issues effect cost but they lengthen the build time.”

Megan also says that all local builders are facing these same challenges and they are all working together to actively manage the supply chain, support the youth interested in entering into the industry, and modify they way they do business to best serve homebuyers.

When asked what motivates her, she said that building a place for people to call home is what drives her.

“It is much more than a house — it is a place where people build and grow their families, make lasting memories and have that sense of comfort and place,” she says. “I emphasize daily the human aspect of everything we do and to never forget that we are building these homes for a person.”

Megan says that she and the staff think about that person when Kiella designs their floor plans and how that person might live in a space. They think about that person when they are creating their sales processes to best serve them and make it easy to purchase a new home, and they celebrate that person when we help them to close on their new home.

“People are the most important part of our business, and they mean a lot to us,” she says.

Women in home building are few, according to Megan. She recommends that women interested in pursuing a career in home building find a mentor and ask lots of questions.

“Over the years I have found that the members of our local building industry love to share what they have learned, you just have to be willing to ask,” Megan says.

“Every day brings a new challenge, a new joy and a new appreciation for what the building industry provides.”

— Megan Kiella

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

39

Happy Karma Homes Lights Up Central Texas with

Quality Home Renovation

By ELIZABETH FINKENBINDER | Photos courtesy of DEREK and ANNA MORRIS

Derek and Anna Morris and their son Jack take a family photo with their dogs in a field of bluebonnets.

40 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

T

hree words come to mind when you meet Derek and Anna Morris — energy, integrity and love. This husband-andwife team, a powerhouse couple who own Happy Karma Homes, exudes joy and excitement when talking about their home renovation and restoration business.

They launched the local company in July 2019 after both had decided to quit high-powered executive jobs to pursue the adventure of owning a business.

Derek and Anna had known each other since childhood because their parents were friends, but they did not spend much time together growing up. They would see each other at holidays on occasion and catch up, but then go about their lives.

Anna went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas and got a degree in corporate communications.

She ended up living in New York and enjoyed a thriving career in pharmaceutical sales for more than a decade.

Derek graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in accounting and ended up working in the oil and gas industry in the Houston area.

They pursued these goals separately for several years. Even after Derek visited Anna in New York, they still did not end up together.

Finally, they reunited during the holidays one year and began spending time together, pretty quickly realizing that they belonged together and the rest was history.

They married in 2014, and one of their first goals was to travel the world before they settled into any kind of domestic life. For three years, they traveled happily, observing culture, architecture and home designs from more than 30 countries.

Once they returned to Texas, they continued for a while in their chosen career paths. Anna had lived in Austin and started a wellness company and worked as a life coach. These pursuits really enabled her to listen deeply to people and their needs.

They both had been feeling that they were unhappy in their current careers, even though they were on a Continued

After Before

The Morrises greatest desire is to serve customers well and live up to their “brand integrity” by giving clients the most solidly built and beautifully designed home possible, a home designed to be a forever space for each family who hires them.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

41

Welcome

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www.woodsbloomingfields.com 42 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

“We create homes you will love and never want to leave, from the flow of the house to the colors to the efficient use of storage.” ­ — Derek Morris fast track to financial and professional success.

Secretly Anna had always loved interior design. She used to rearrange her bedroom furniture frequently as a child. She had grown up in the historical district of Temple, so she really appreciated the beauty of older homes.

Derek had always loved architecture, and so it seemed their circumstances had brought them around to starting a company for themselves. Friends were very supportive of the dream, even though it didn’t seem to make sense from a practical standpoint.

In 2019, they began Happy Karma Homes. They had spent so much time traveling that they became what they fondly called “self-professed homebodies.” They wanted their clients to find a forever home that would be a place of refuge and joy.

“We create homes you will love and never want to leave, from the flow of the house to the colors to the efficient use of storage,” Derek said.

They agreed enthusiastically that the best moment is when they ask the client what they want in a house and see their eyes light up as they discuss their dream home and what daily life would look like living in that space.

The satisfaction they get from making that family’s life better is worth every bit of the hard work they put into each project.

Anna spoke about their desire for customers not to be stressed out during the home renovation process, which led to the name “Happy Karma Homes.”

They want people to have peace during the process and for clients to know that they will also have integrity

in that process, including what she calls the “guts” of the home, such as electrical, plumbing, etc.

The Morrises greatest desire is to serve customers well and live up to their “brand integrity” by giving clients the most solidly built and beautifully designed home possible, a home designed to be a forever space for each family who hires them.

They are currently working on projects in North Temple’s historical district. The goal for completion of each home is usually around six months.

On April 30, the Historic Preservation League will be promoting Temple’s historical district with a trailer block party on Ninth Street near the renovation projects on which they are currently working. This will be an informational session about restoring old homes and preserving the integrity of those houses as well as other design information.

The couple has a Facebook page called Happy Karma Homes as well as a website where anyone can look at their work. The newly renovated homes glow with fresh paint and new floors, but they especially shine because of the love and creativity this couple has poured into each one.

Derek and Anna reside in North Temple with their son Jack and two dogs, and were preparing to welcome another baby in March.

If you are in the market to renovate or restore an old home, Derek and Anna Morris will transform your house into a forever happy home.

HAPPY KARMA HOMES 401 N. Main St. #844, Temple 512-549-6467 happykarmahomes.com

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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Creative Interiors

PICASA DESIGN OFFERS NEW LOOKS FOR YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

By TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of PICASA DESIGN

F

“I want to get to know the customer and their likes and dislikes. I want our personalities to mesh, and I need to know if it’s a job I can do.”

— Ciece Gray

44 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

amed Spanish artist Pablo Picasso would be impressed by Ciece Gray’s naming of her downtown Belton interior design business.

“Picasso was known for his unique and very different designs,” Gray said. “I just changed the spelling of his name to reflect more of a feminine sound for my business.”

Creativity is a lifelong trait of Gray, who, while growing up in a military family in Germany, would rescue her mother’s castoff knickknacks and other furnishings to give her own bedroom a new look.

“I’d redo wallpaper in my room, and hang curtains my mom no longer wanted,” she said, laughing.

Eschewing typical high school homemaking classes, Gray taught herself to sew and reupholster furniture. She also studied at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and took online design classes.

Even now, she’s working toward a business degree with an emphasis on marketing to better understand all aspects of the business world.

Gray worked as a pharmacy technician for many years, but interior design is where she finds her happy place. In 2009, she opened her design studio in the garage of her Killeen home. The business took off and eventually she wanted to open a brickand-mortar location. She loved what she saw and felt in downtown Belton.

“It’s very family friendly down here and there’s such a community feel here,” she said. “Plus, it’s busy and thriving here, and businesses are supportive of one another.”

As the current vice president of the downtown Belton Business Alliance, Gray is all about helping the area succeed.

Opening her store in February 2020, she never could have imagined a global pandemic would be lurking at the door. The business was closed for about three weeks after COVID-19 made its debut, but during that time she offered items online and with curbside pickup.

After reopening, she noticed homeowners were willing to spruce up living spaces. Gray also became adept at converting guest rooms into offices — a hallmark of the new work-from-home lifestyle.

Ciece Gray of Picasa Design in Belton helps many clients spruce up their living spaces.

The business is truly a family affair. Gray says she does the design, while her husband, Travis, does much of the hands-on work, such as painting, installing flooring, making wooden planks for accent walls and more. Daughter Jade is an artist whose bright and fun canvas art and photography adorn many walls in Central Texas.

Fabric, floor and paint samples are available for purchase along with unique bright accessories.

Many customers like the 3D wallpaper. Gray also works with a wholesaler in Austin to help find items for customers. Trips to a yearly market in Las Vegas allow her to purchase unique and innovative items.

Gray prides herself on giving personalized and vivacious customer service. Not sure what type of design you want to delve into? Get your feet wet by signing up for her free 30-minute Discovery call, where you’ll show her, with your cellphone, the area in need of some loving.

“This call is very important,” Gray said. “I want to get to know the customer and their likes and dislikes. I want our personalities to mesh, and I

need to know if it’s a job I can do.”

Gray is also willing to work within your budget.

With Designer-for-a-Day, Gray and her clients don their most comfortable pair of walking shoes and head south for six hours of intense shopping.

“We go shopping in Austin and the Georgetown, Round-Rock area,” she said.

Shopping on an empty stomach isn’t fun, so Gray and the customer will take an hour lunch break. “I pay for lunch,” Gray added.

Designer-on-Deck is an option in which 20 hours of time are purchased and used in increments.

“This is a great option for someone who is design savvy but doesn’t have a lot of time to shop,” Gray said. “For example, I’ll use an increment of that time to shop for custom bedding, if that’s what the customer needs.”

PICASA DESIGN 202 E. First Ave., Belton 254-831-3017 picasatheartofdesign.com TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

45

From Picked to Pickled

PROCTOR VICTORY GARDEN TURNS HOBBY INTO THRIVING BUSINESS

By AMY ROGNLIE Photos courtesy of PROCTOR VICTORY GARDEN and JADE & KYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Y

ou gotta love pickles (and pickling) to turn a hobby into a thriving home business, but Lauren and Paul Proctor of Proctor Victory Garden have done just that.

“I have loved pickles since I was a kid,” says Lauren, a native Texan. “My Great Aunt Rosebud made the best homemade pickles every summer. She would even make sure to get them from her house in Beaumont all the way to me while I attended UMHB. I’d return her jars and she’d be sure to get me a refill when it was cucumber season.”

Lauren estimates that she and Paul have pickled 10,000 jars of pickles — and counting — in the last two and a half years. “Paul has the green thumb around here, but we both love to garden and when we started producing — Lauren enough cucumbers to pickle, there was no stopping me,” Lauren says. “For the last 10 years, I’d been trying to recreate Aunt Rosebud’s recipe, as she got Alzheimer's before I was able to ask her for hers, but I think we've come pretty darn close!”

The Proctors shared their first batches of pickles with family and friends, but then the cucumbers really started producing. Next thing they

knew, they were getting requests from family, friends and complete strangers.

“Nothing beats someone tasting our pickles and then getting excited that our pickles remind them of their grandma’s pickles! How many people can say that they sometimes get hugged when a new customer tries their product?” Lauren says. “We go from picked to pickled in one day to get that fresh snap when you bite into each of our pickles.”

Going “from picked to pickled in one day” is quite a commitment, so when cucumber season rolls around at the Proctor Victory Garden, all bets are off.

The Proctors pick 200 pounds of cucumbers every two days, then can them in their home kitchen. They begin picking cucumbers at 7 a.m., then proceed Proctor to wash, hand-slice and hand-pack the vegetables into jars, which usually takes until 9 p.m. Paul stays up into the wee hours of the night to do the water-bath canning.

Though the couple grows much of their own produce in their victory garden in Belton, they sometimes need more, which the source from other local farmers in Bell County.

Continued

“We go from picked to pickled in one day to get that fresh snap when you bite into each of our pickles.”

46 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Lauren and Paul Proctor turned their hobby into a thriving home business.

Everlasting Designs & Decor 5718 Birmingham Circle, Killeen (360) 481-9206 everlastingdesigndecor.com

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“Our customers love that we give them the freedom to be creative,” said owner Theresa Anderson. “With our custom designs, people can have unique experiences. Even on a budget we’ve made dreams come true.”

The business is special because of their expertise in designing stages for any event, stay-cation packages, and 6 monitor video wall rentals.

Contact Everlasting Designs & Décor today to get one of their professional planners working on your landmark event, whether it’s Military events, weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers.

Everlasting Designs & Décor mission is to give their clients an extraordinary experience for all types of events.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

47

Proctor Victory Garden sells a variety of pickled vegetables.

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“Supporting each other is at the core of what we do. We’re grateful for great relationships with hardworking people,” Lauren says. “Paul and I feel strongly that the more people eating local food, the healthier our community will be. We believe in giving back and linking arms with nonprofits already doing vital work in our community.”

While the Proctor’s have quite the following for their artisanal pickles, they offer plenty of choices for non-pickle people as well, including seasonal pepper jellies, and other charcuterie delights like pickled mushrooms, candied jalapenos, Slow Burn Salsa, chili mix, Really Big Dill Dip, Tuscan Bread Dipping Herbs and more.

You can find their products on the PVG Mobile Mercantile at their favorite local stockists:3 Texans Winery & Vineyard in Temple, The Water Shack in Belton, Gooch Family Farm in Troy, and the Troy Lumberyard, a new farm-to-table eatery in Troy.

They will also be at the Barrow Brewery’s Farmers market on the first Saturday of the month from April through September.

PROCTOR VICTORY GARDEN Instagram: @proctorvictorygarden Facebook: facebook.com/ proctorvictorygarden Pinterest: @ProctorVictoryGarden TikTok: @proctorvictorygarden

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Rinehart Real Estate Inspection Service pioneered actual one-stop shopping in the mid-'70s. Steven Rinehart joined the staff in 2000 following a successful 26-year career retiring as a CW4 from in the US Army and the following year took the reins. The Rinehart Team currently consists of three directors and seven retired military veterans, and municipal inspectors.

The seven Inspectors are licensed, certified, and proficient in every inspection or service offer. They are led by one of the most credentialed and experienced home & building inspectors in the state of Texas. Steven Rinehart currently holds eight inspection-related Texas licensures and 33 international certifications. Skills and genuine experience truly count when it comes to your family's safety. This team has more than most, having performed thousands of HVAC air performance tests, over ten

thousand Home Inspections and Energy Star Certifications, and tens of thousands VA, FHA, Accessibility, Infrared, Termite, Municipal, and Warranty Code Compliance Inspections.

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This team of inspectors holds multiple licensures from the Texas Real Estate Commission, Texas Department of Licensing

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49

ENTREPRENEUR

Pink Bulldog Boutique BELTON’S ONE-STOP FASHION SHOP

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of PINK BULLDOG BOUTIQUE

B

elton may be a small, quaint town, but there are because of the photos she shared of her bulldogs. countless cozy cafés, unique restaurants and When it came time to brand her business, the name cute specialty stores on every corner that add Pink Bulldog just made sense. In fact, the Springston to the town’s charm. Pink Bulldog Boutique, on North family has a new French bulldog puppy who is the Penelope Street, is one its best hidden gems. boutique’s official mascot, and he can be seen both Micah Springston, owner of Pink Bulldog, started on social media and in the store from time to time. her small business in 2018, selling clothing out of her Springston gets most of the inventory sold at Pink garage, at local pop-ups and in her popular Facebook Bulldog from wholesale markets online and at market group. She even did a few pop-ups at the place centers, but she likes to support local vendors in where Pink Bulldog is now located, back when it was Belton and the greater Central Texas area whenever a wine bar. Springston says she always wanted her she can. “They’re supporting me as a small business, own storefront, but she knew the timing and location and I’m supporting them. So, it helps everyone.” would have to be just right.

She tries to find unique styles In June 2020, tragedy struck: that match her eclectic and fun Springston and her family suffered vibe. “It was a little scary at first a house fire, and she lost her entire because I do live in a small town,” inventory in one night. She says Springston says. “I was like, this it was one of the hardest things can go really well, or people are she’s ever gone through, but it was going to think it’s too much. But from this tragedy that her dream it’s actually gone really well. You of opening a brick-and-mortar just find the people that really like location for her beloved boutique your style, and you attract them.” came to fruition.

Pink Bulldog caters to a wide Still reeling from the fire, variety of customers, from college Springston and her husband students and stay-at-home moms were enjoying a night out at Bold to teenagers and retirees. And Republic. Springston’s husband the size inclusivity at Pink Bulldog mentioned that he heard the means that anyone from a size building next door was going to small to 3X can find something Micah Springston‘s French bulldog is that makes them feel fabulous. be available soon, and that got the official mascot for her boutique. the wheels turning. Springston Springston believes the immediately contacted her Realtor, and on Oct. 10, community of people is what makes her boutique 2020, Pink Bulldog opened its doors to the public. stand out. She says the Facebook group that started Everything in the boutique is trendy, cute, and, of it all, which now has nearly 4,000 members, has course, pink. But it wasn’t always that way. Springston helped her customers feel a sense of camaraderie says she, along with her husband, her in-laws, and a with her as a friend and not just a business owner. It is friend, worked 12-hour days for two straight weeks important that her customers feel at home when they before opening day redoing the place. Her business come into the boutique. “Customers come in here had been a huge part of her family’s income, so she and talk to us like friends,” she says. “We’re not just a knew she had to get her store up and running as business; we’re a place for people to come and hang quickly as possible. “It’s been great, but it definitely out, and a place that they feel at home.” wasn’t my plan of how to get there.”

The store gets its name from Springston’s love PINK BULLDOG BOUTIQUE of bulldogs and the color pink. She explains that in 208 N. Penelope, Belton the early days on her Facebook group, she didn’t 254-831-3133 have an official business name, but people knew her pinkbulldogboutique.com

50 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

51

MEET THE MAKERS

His Creative Spark LOCAL ARTIST FINDS COMMUNITY IN SALADO

By ELIZABETH FINKENBINDER | Photos by ELIZABETH FINKENBINDER and courtesy of SIRRIL ART GALLERY

S

alado is known for its quaint atmosphere, friendly people and a variety of small businesses from food and wine to crafts and the arts. The town houses art galleries that display pieces from all over the country. Michael Pritchett, owner of the Sirril Art Gallery off Main Street, is grateful to be a part of the artistic community.

Originally from Dallas where he previously worked in clothing design and custom framing, a friend invited Pritchett to the Salado Christmas Stroll. Salado? He had never heard of it, but he decided to come for a visit. As soon as he stepped foot in the charming village, he was hooked. The people were friendly, the creative spirit was oozing from every storefront, and he just loved the vibe.

He decided then and there that he wanted to be a permanent part of it. He resigned from his job in Dallas and traveled back to Salado with no job and no place to live, but his artistic spark was ignited. He wanted to live out the dream of being an artist and perhaps owning a gallery.

He ended up with a smaller gallery in the entrance of a local restaurant but outgrew that space rather quickly, so he looked for a bigger space.

Pritchett had grown up in a creative family, including actors and singers, but his special gift was always drawing. He never really had any formal art training, having earned his undergraduate degree in graphic design. As a child, he said he would draw on the walls at home and get into trouble, until his parents realized it wasn’t malicious behavior but a gift he was not sure how to use. His parents got him sketch books, and his art began to blossom.

When he first came to Salado to

52 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Michael Pritchett shows his vibrant creations at Sirril Art Gallery in Salado. He also does custom pieces for clients.

inquire about displaying his art, he was told to check Georgetown and Round Rock galleries because his style was a bit modern and different from what had been previously displayed.

But internationally known artist and Salado resident Ronnie Wells and his wife, Patricia, were very supportive of Pritchett in his endeavors. Patricia Wells told him, “If you don’t fit in, stand out!” Michael took that to heart

and began enthusiastically drawing and painting.

He ended up in a building off Main Street on the second floor under the Sugar Shack candy store and has been there ever since, filling the walls with vibrant and unique paintings.

Pritchett says he can draw from a photograph, a sketch, or his own head if an idea blossoms. He uses a variety of mediums including oils,

acrylic, pastels and mixed media. The special ingredient in his work is often the use of fluorescent paint, which really makes it stand out. The subjects seem alive and spirited because of the bright colors, almost jumping off the canvas to say hello. “I can’t wait to share my art,” he says. “I know eventually it will be in someone’s forever home. I can’t wait to meet that person and hear their story.”

He has done many pieces of custom artwork as well, such as family and pet portraits, scenic views, and even some abstract art, each painting more colorful and fascinating than the last. He creates original paintings but does smaller prints of his works. He has also done some mural work, which can be seen on the Gunter Financial Building on Penelope Street in Belton.

Drawing and painting are his passions, and it is evident from the first moment you walk into his studio.

“It’s really a blessing to be here in Salado still making and painting.

Salado was a perfect place for me to set up shop. It’s really a very creative community.”

SIRRIL ART GALLERY 108 Royal St., Salado Facebook.com/SirrilArtGallery TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Balancing Health & Family THESE STRATEGIES HELP CAREY STITES PUT DINNER ON THE TABLE WHILE SHE FOCUSES ON RECOVERY

By CAREY STITES | Photo by BECKY STINEHOUR

I

was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021. Since the diagnosis, I have had chemotherapy biweekly and have had to deal with the side effects, including nausea, fatigue, GI distress and generally “not feeling myself.” Life can get pretty hectic in a hurry with work, school, school activities, sports and the other obligations we have on a daily basis. With all the external factors affecting family time — primarily mealtime during the week — the task of preparing meals at home (let alone sitting down together) can feel extremely overwhelming when you’re not sick. Imagine what it is like when you are dealing with a serious illness.

As a working mom and a cancer survivor, implementing the strategies below along with maintaining a standard of reality has helped me continue to ensure my family eats relatively healthy as we go through this process together. Thankfully, I do have help from my mom, a great cook, and friends who bring us food on days when I am not up to anything (or I just want to eat bagels). Yes, we do order out, as I definitely believe healthy eating is all about moderation, balance and practicality.

Planning, prepping and leftovers have been essential for our family as good nutrition is not only key for me as I navigate through breast cancer but for my family as well. Plus, everyone is learning how to help cook around our home and our menu has expanded from more than macaroni and cheese the past few months!

The family dinner hour is a crucial component of healthy living; however, it is important to note that family dinner does not have to fit into a stereotypical box. In the past, dinner time was likely the same time each night with the family formally sitting down to a meal prepared at home. Sufficient evidence suggests when families eat together they tend to eat healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables resulting in a lower incidence of becoming overweight.

In addition, sitting down to dinner together is one of the most simple and effective ways for parents to engage in their children’s lives and remain up to speed on daily events. Finding the time to have a regular meal together is easier said

54 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

than done for busy families, however, implementing a few strategies can help facilitate a home cooked meal and the opportunity to sit together as often as possible and enjoy each other’s company.

PLAN MEALS AHEAD OF TIME

This is a simple and effective way to prepare a meal at home and skip the drive-thru. Begin by allotting 10-15 minutes on the weekend to visualize your family’s schedule for the week. Taking a quick look ahead can show you which days may require a “quick” meal, what days offer an opportunity for a more “involved” meal and honestly, what days to order out/pick up food. Writing down a meal schedule or mentally noting the plan for the week can help simplify the process and help develop your grocery list.

PREP AND BATCH COOK

Keep the basics on hand and a part of your weekly shopping list. Start with items such as boneless/skinless chicken breasts, eggs, cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, tomato sauce, wraps, whole grain pasta, rice, frozen vegetables, whole grain tortillas, lean ground beef and milk.

From this list of ingredients, a wealth of dinners can emerge such as fajitas, wraps, salads, quesadillas, pasta bakes and tacos. Having these foods on hand and on the weekly shopping list helps prepare a quick and relatively health meal in a snap if needed.

Can you also keep boxed items, such as macaroni and cheese or a frozen lasagna on hand? Absolutely.

Batch cooking results in cooking less frequently and ideally prepping and cooking ingredients on one day. Meats are likely the easiest to batch cook; bake a fair amount of chicken breasts and shred, cut into bite size pieces or keep whole as needed.

Meats can also be frozen and defrosted when needed to incorporate into recipes. Sauces like tomato sauce are also easy to batch cook along with casserole type meals such as lasagna and enchiladas.

PLAN FOR LEFTOVERS

Another meal plan strategy? Pair similar meals/ ingredients on back-to-back days. Perhaps on Continued

Carey Stites plans meals, preps ingredients and batch cooks to help ensure her family eats healthy food while she undergoes chemotherapy.

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Monday dinner is a one-pan Chicken Parmesan and the next day shred the chicken for tacos. Do not forget to embrace leftovers! Implement “leftover night” or use the extras to prepare a quick meal without the preparing and cooking. If Tuesday was fajita night, reuse the chicken, peppers, lettuce and tomato for fresh chicken salads on Wednesday (or leftover fajitas).

REVIVE THE SLOW COOKER

Your Local Backyard Nature Shop We are located in the HEB Shopping Center in Temple & look to bring people and nature together with bird feeding and nature products, expert advice and educational events. Listen to our podcast, Nature Centered, to learn more about feeding the birds and enjoying nature in your backyard.

Do not forget about the slow cooker, but keep it simple! When preparing a meal in the Crock Pot it is easy to become overwhelmed because the meal needs to be prepped in the morning to have it ready when you walk in the door after school and work. Realistically the challenge of preparing a meal while trying to get yourself and the family dressed and out the door can be daunting; choose an easy recipe to “throw together.” A few chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots, potatoes and celery combined with your favorite meat and some chicken or vegetable stock will do the trick.

RECIPE RESOURCES

While there is always the chance some evenings will be so busy that gathering the whole family together for a meal can feel impossible, having a “home cooked” prepared meal at waiting at home can eliminate the need for the drive-thru and provides an opportunity for a healthier dinner.

The next time someone asks, “What’s for dinner?” you can respond with tasty recipes from one of these healthy websites such as Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili or Chicken Tortilla Casserole. Enjoy!

• myplate.gov/myplate-kitchen • bettycrocker.com/recipes/ preparation/slow-cooker-recipes • delish.com/weeknight-dinners/ Carey Stites, MS, RD, LD, CPT, is a registered and licensed dietitian in Harker Heights. She obtained a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Tech University has been a practicing dietitian since 2001. Carey is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer; she has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes, writing and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.

GRILLED CHEESE WITH PEACHES • BIRD FOOD • FEEDERS • GARDEN ACCENTS • UNIQUE GIFTS

3122 S. 31st , Temple, TX 76502

(254) 314-2002

www.wbu.com/Temple 56 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

8 slices whole grain bread 1 15-oz can of peaches, drained 8 slices low-fat cheddar cheese 7 1/2 cups spinach 4 teaspoons vegetable oil Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat.

Place 4 slices of whole grain bread in the pan.

Layer (in this order) one slice of cheese, a handful of spinach, 4 to 6

peach slices, another slice of cheese, and a slice of bread on top of each original slice of bread.

After 4 to 5 minutes, flip each sandwich and cook another 4 to 5 minutes.

Notes: Try this recipe with other leafy greens, such as arugula, and other cheeses.

Source: Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion

BEING CENTRAL TEXAN

A Caring Community with Patriotic Pride

By RACHEL STRICKLAND

G

rowing up as a military child, Jean Shine lived all over the world. She was born in Germany and lived in France and on America’s East Coast. But for Shine, Texas is by far the best of all the places that she’s lived, and ultimately, that comes down to the kind and caring community and the patriotic pride that is so widespread in Central Texas.

Shine first fell in love with Central Texas when she was in grade school and her father was stationed at Fort Hood. She and her family moved away, but she came back in 1970 when her husband was in Vietnam, and they haven’t left since. Several generations of her husband’s family are native Texans; in fact, his family came to the area in covered wagons before the 1850s.

Shine says her husband’s grandmother came to the area when she was a little girl, sleeping underneath her family’s wagon with her mother to stay safe from coyotes. Shine says every generation of her husband’s family has helped the community grow and develop.

Shine is a prominent name in Central Texas, and for good reason. She has been a successful Realtor with Coldwell Banker for over 40 years, and she is the team leader of Shine Team Realty, which she helped create in the early 1990s.

But Shine’s dedication to Central Texas area goes so much deeper. She served on the school board for nine years and as Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army for 13 years. “It has been an amazing opportunity for me to be able — Jean to spread the love of our country and our soldiers.”

Shine started a foundation to support and recognize high school graduates who have joined the military. She says that because of this foundation, these students are recognized by state representatives, and they graduate with patriotic cords. She also started a foundation to support the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, at which a volunteer group of dedicated residents gather every year after Thanksgiving to lay wreaths on each grave.

Shine loves Central Texas because of how

welcoming, kind and patriotic the people are.

Laughing, she remarks that often she refers to the area as Little New York because of how multicultural and diverse it is. “We live in the middle of the golden triangle. We are the heart of Texas, and the people here love to share and give and help each other. It’s truly an amazing area.” Shine mainly attributes the melting pot that is Central Texas to Fort Hood. “The military has the world to share with us,” she says.

At first glance, Central Texas may not seem to have the same allure that big cities do, but Shine says there are so many hidden gems tucked away, just waiting to be discovered. She believes the military brings so much diversified talent and knowledge to the area, which ultimately benefits everyone. “That’s what I love sharing with people because it opens their eyes,” she says. “I love sharing the kindness and the goodness of the community with others and making them feel a part of it. There’s a heart here that you don’t find other places.”

Over the years, Shine has been to hundreds of events to welcome soldiers returning home from deployment. She says that she and many other Central Texans feel that it is their job to be there for the soldiers whose relatives can’t be.

“It’s our job to love them, to take care of them, and to be inclusive with them,” she says.

Shine and her husband would sometimes go the back way to these events because they knew that was the way that soldiers who had no one Shine to welcome them home would go. “I wanted to make them realize, in that moment, that I was there for their family, and I was there for their friends because they couldn’t be,” she says. “We’re different here. Other people say that they love the military, but here, we show it.”

For Shine, being a Central Texan comes down to having a big heart. “Central Texans share and give and want to be inclusive of other people. They are patriotic, their love their country, their state, their community, and they love helping others.” Smiling, she adds,“I think that embodies the Central Texas spirit.”

“We are the heart of Texas, and the people here love to share and give and help each other.”

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CENTEX ED

Keep Reading Together WHY TEENS NEED TIME WITH PARENTS TOO

P

arents are made aware early on of the benefits of reading to their kids. Soonto-be parents are given books filled with pictures and textures that help babies make sense of the world. Parents of elementary children are encouraged to read together as a powerful support to students’ continued social, emotional and academic development.

Even if unfamiliar with the educational research, many adults remember their own treasured children’s books or the joy of being read to as a child.

As children mature in their education, we switch from reading to them to reading with them. But, often, as students enter middle and high school, parents stop reading with their students altogether. It is understandable. Students of this age are more interested in their peers and JOHNA less interested in spending time with UNDERWOOD parents.

Parents want to support this new maturity and may withdraw from students’ academics hoping to give both more freedom and more responsibility.

However, parents should continue reading with these older students.

Reading with older students has many of the same academic benefits as reading with younger children. Additionally reading together can lead to meaningful conversations with our often-aloof teenagers, creating moments for discussion of teenagers’ increasingly complex feelings on personal and social issues.

Parents might start by reading the same books students are assigned in school. Whatever your student is reading, try to pick up a copy for yourself. You might ask your student’s teacher if there is an extra copy available. Not every classroom has extra books, but teachers may know of copies available elsewhere.

At times, older students are given a choice of several different books. Discussing with your student what a book is about, whether or not it sounds interesting, and why your student chose a particular book can lead to interesting conversations about their likes, dislikes, and

58 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Parents might start by reading the same books students are assigned in school. views on the world. If your student doesn’t have an assigned reading, consider a trip to the local bookstore or community library.

Over the summer, when older students don’t have as many academic assignments, is a great time to read together. And don’t forget about nonfiction options! Many young adult readers enjoy informative reading about topics or people of interest.

Unlike reading with younger students, you and your older student don’t necessarily have to read the book at the same time. Instead, consider setting a regular time to talk about the reading, such as over dinner, during a walk or on the way to or from school.

If finding a set time to chat simply won’t fit into your family schedule, texting or messaging can be a way to keep communicating about reading even when schedules don’t line up. And don’t worry if your student is not always into reading or is hesitant to talk about reading. Teenagers’ lives are busy and they may want to focus on friends or other activities.

As a final note of encouragement, I’d like to share a story about a former student. When my senior English class was given a choice of novels, this student asked her father, a soldier stationed in another country, to read the book with her. They set up regular times to call and discuss the reading.

As we finished the novels, the student told me that she enjoyed the book, but even more so enjoyed talking with her dad about the book. She said it made her feel she was able to talk with him on a more adult level, and she was so glad to feel more connected with him while he was away.

This is the power of continuing to read together.

It provides the opportunity to feel more connected with our students.

Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.

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TEX MESSAGES

Bluebonnets and Texas History

By JANNA ZEPP

T

he little spots of blue and white along our Texas highways signal springtime in Texas well before the vernal equinox ever happens.

It’s bluebonnet time in Texas.

The typical peak of Texas bluebonnet season runs from the end of March and goes through midApril. Sometimes, I see them blooming even a little later than that.

As pretty as those little flowers are, get ready for some traffic headaches as tourists pull over to photograph their children and grandchildren in fields of bluebonnets. Be patient; I plan to do the same thing with my twin daughters when I get the chance.

I think it’s fitting that our state’s flower blooms near Texas Independence Day, which is observed every March 2.

I’ve read that the bluebonnet of Texas is actually five flowers. Apparently, there was quite a fight in the Texas legislature for most of a century over which of the many types of bluebonnets should represent Texas. At last, they settled on five: Lupinus subcarnosus, the original champion, grows naturally in deep sandy loams from Leon County southwest to LaSalle County and down to the northern part of Hidalgo County in the Valley.

It is often called the sandy land bluebonnet. The flower reaches peak bloom in late March and does not last in clay soils.

60 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Lupinus texensis, the favorite of tourists and artists, provides the blue spring carpet of Central Texas. It is widely known as THE Texas bluebonnet.

The flowering stalk is tipped with white and hits its peak bloom in late March and early April. It is the easiest of all the bluebonnets to grow.

Lupinus Havardii, also known as the Big Bend or Chisos Bluebonnet, is the largest of the Texas bluebonnets, growing up to three feet. It is found on the flats of the Big Bend country in early spring and is tough to grow outside its natural habitat.

Lupinus concinnus is a tiny flower, from 2 to 7 inches, with flowers which combine elements of white, rosy purple and lavender. Commonly known as the annual lupine, it grows in the Trans-Pecos region, blooming in early spring.

Lupinus plattensis ranges from the north into the Texas Panhandle’s sandy dunes. It is the only perennial species in the state and grows to about two feet tall. It normally blooms in mid to late spring and is also known as the dune bluebonnet, the plains bluebonnet and the Nebraska Lupine.

Confused? Yep. Me too. And it gets more confusing.

There are two other types of bluebonnets: white and pink.

Once in a while you’ll stumble across an albino bluebonnet. It’s kind of like finding a shamrock in regular clover. Amid a sea of blue, there will be six or seven white ones clumped together like a bleach stain on a pair of jeans…except that it’s pretty.

Pink bluebonnets are another matter. Many have been carefully bred and cultivated to generate a hue that ranges from palest pink to almost red in color. Why we’d want to mess with perfection, I don’t know, but some folks just have to have pink.

There is, however, a wild pink bluebonnet that grows not far from the Alamo, and it’s only in that area that these rare flowers bloom.

The legend that surrounds the wild pink bluebonnet is that the ground was stained with the blood of those who fought the Battle of the Alamo

for Texas Independence. The flowers that grew where the blood flowed came up pink, becoming a symbol for the struggle to survive and a memorial for those who died.

So when you look at that sea of blue with the occasional white patches and the rare pink variety, maybe next time you’ll see more than natural Texas beauty; you’ll see a reminder of our strange, beautiful, brutal, tragic, terrible, and triumphant history as a republic and then as a state. And it’s then that you’ll truly see Texas.

Whether your aging parent refuses to stop driving or you have to consider “taking the keys away from “mom” the need for alternative transportation is important.

Our private caregivers provide up to 24 hour care, Our goal is to keep the Independence in the lives we serve.

Our services include shopping, meals, transportation, laundry, personal care and more.

Call today 254-899-9400 • www.visitingangels.com/temple/ TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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DAYTRIPPIN’

Waxahachie in Spring CITY OFFERS THE SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL, HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND LOTS OF OUTDOOR FAMILY FUN

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of WAXAHACHIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and SCARBOROUGH RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Y

ou may not be able to pronounce its name, but you will find loads of things to do in Waxahachie for a getaway weekend or day trip. Designated by the Texas Legislature as the Crape Myrtle Capital of Texas, Waxahachie is only 100 miles north of Temple and offers a quirky and wonderful mix of history, festivals, shopping and fine food, not to mention recreational activities and an outdoor summer concert series in the new Railyard Park amphitheater.

If that isn’t enough, how about a world-famous renaissance festival?

The Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie has offered a one-ofa-kind entertainment experience for over 40 years, with 2022 marking its 41st season. This year, the festival runs on weekends from April 9 to May 30, and there is something for everyone: combat jousting, birds of prey exhibitions conducted by the nonprofit Last Chance Forever Conservancy out of Central Texas, and 20+ stages of unique, non-stop, interactive entertainment.

“Where else can you meet a knight, have a conversation with a queen or a mermaid, or even become a part

Waxahachie is called Gingerbread City thanks to its many historic homes. of a show?” asks festival marketing director Helaine Thompson. “We create a diversion from the everyday stresses by enabling people to step back in time to a different place where worries are forgotten. Our guests will experience entertainment and a

Waxahachie offers an outdoor amphitheater with concerts.

62 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

bygone era that is unlike anything else offered in the region.”

Besides the live entertainment, the festival also offers dozens of games of skill and “human-powered” Renaissance Rides. At more than 200 shoppes filled with exquisite crafts, many artisans demonstrate their skills and make products right before your eyes. Bring your appetite to try offerings at five food “kitchens,” including giant roasted turkey legs, Scottish Eggs, handmade pastas, fresh from scratch pastries, and the largest food-on-a-stick selection in Texas.

Those 21 and older can enjoy craft beer, seltzers, ciders, wine, a full bar and a custom blended mead. Learn more at www.srfestival.com.

If you’d prefer a slower-paced visit to Waxahachie, take time to drive

There’s lots to see at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, including jousting. There’s also lots of food, wine, beer and mead. In July, Waxahachie plans its Crape Myrtle Festival and Parade.

around town to view the largest collection of gingerbread architecture in the Southwest. Nicknamed “Gingerbread City,” Waxahachie was one of the wealthiest areas of the state in the early 1900s, thanks to its cotton crops. Queen Anne Victorian, Gothic Revival, Bungalow, Romanesque and Greek Revival are a few architectural styles you’ll see.

Popular stops are historic public buildings including the Ellis County Courthouse, the Ellis County Museum and the renovated Sims Library. Tour

historic houses in the area during the 52nd annual Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes on June 4-5. Get tickets at Ticket www.gingerbreadtrail.net.

Not to be missed are the Waxahachie Chautauqua Auditorium and the Munster House reproduction.

The unusual octagonal openair auditorium was built in 1902 and restored in 1975. Today, the auditorium is on the National Register of Historic Places and sits in the 23acre Getzendaner Memorial Park.

The Munster Mansion is a replica

of the house used in the 1960s TV show “The Munsters” and has been painstakingly recreated room by room. Tours and murder mystery nights can be booked online at www. munstermansion.com.

Don’t forget to throw in your bike or walking shoes to enjoy the 8-mile hike and bike trail that runs along the Waxahachie Creek and scenic woods.

Furry friends are welcome, and you can access the newly renovated Wag-A-Hachie Dog Park from the trail. While you’re enjoying the great outdoors, check out the Waxahachie Disc Golf Course, or grab your clubs to challenge yourself on the links of the Waxahachie Golf Club.

Upcoming events include the Cinco de Mayo Festival on May 7 and the ongoing Downtown Waxahachie Farmer’s Market, which begins in April. If you can’t make it in the spring, put the Crape Myrtle Festival and Parade on your calendar for July 3-4. Enjoy an outdoor concert and fireworks as well as a patriotic parade.

Historic West Main Street, lined with crape myrtles and American flags on the lawns of the historic homes, provides a picturesque backdrop to the festivities of this annual tradition.

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CENTEX PAST

LIZ CARPENTER

The ‘funniest woman in politics‘ was born in Salado

By JANNA ZEPP | Public domain photos

S

alado can boast that it is the birthplace of many a famous Texan, including someone considered the “funniest woman in politics.”

Long before witty Texas journalist Molly Ivins came along, Liz Carpenter was entertaining the American public with her pithy writing and sharp intellect.

Writer, feminist, reporter, media adviser, speechwriter, political humorist and public relations expert Mary Elizabeth Sutherland Carpenter was the first woman executive assistant to Vice President Lyndon Baines Johnson from 1961 to 1963. She served as press secretary for First Lady Lady Bird Johnson from 1963 to 1969. She was a prominent member of the Johnson White House and a close personal friend.

An ardent supporter of the Women’s Movement when it began, Carpenter never wavered from her convictions.

She backed everything from the Equal Rights Amendment to fighting cancer.

Her lighthearted memoir of her time in the White House, Ruffles and Flourishes, published in 1969, was a national bestseller. Carpenter was in demand as a public speaker until her death on March 20, 2010.

Born Sept. 1, 1920, in her greatgrandparents' antebellum home in Salado, Carpenter spent her early years in the 24-room Robertson House. At the age of 7, she moved with her family to Austin.

The house was declared a state historic monument in 1936 when she was 16. In 1967, a plaque was unveiled to indicate that Carpenter had once lived there. Another memorial to Carpenter is on the campus of Salado College, founded by her great-grandfather, Elijah Robertson.

Strong, adventurous women equal to the men fill Carpenter’s family tree. A great aunt, Louella Robertson Fulmore, fought for educational equality for women. Another great aunt, the prominent suffragist Birdie Johnson, became the first Democratic national committeewoman from Texas. Johnson encouraged women to organize to make their influence felt at the polls, declaring that it was “our first step” in the exercise of “direct political power.” Feminism showed strong in Carpenter’s DNA. 64 APRIL & MAY 2022 | TEX APPEAL

Carpenter knew the dark side of her ancestors, whose sterling reputations tarnished themselves with enslavement of others and support for secession. She never allowed her rich Texas legacy to develop in her a sense of privilege or birthright. Instead, it taught her that adversity could not stop ordinary people from achieving and accomplishing great things. It also instilled a love of Texas history and a respect for its historians telling truth to power. It might also have inspired her to lob some fantastic verbal grenades at politicians. When Democratic Texas Gov. John Connally threw his support behind Republican incumbent President Richard Nixon in the 1972 campaign and organized “Democrats for Nixon,” Liz quipped had Connally been at the Alamo, he would have formed “Texans for Santa Anna.”

Carpenter began her journalism career at Austin High School in Austin as the editor of the school paper, The Austin Maroon. There, she met the business manager and fellow aspiring journalist Leslie E. “Les” Carpenter. The two became best friends, majored in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin, and worked together on the university newspaper, The Daily Texan. Les firmly supported Liz when she was elected vice president of the student body, the first woman to have held that position.

In 1942, Carpenter began covering the White House and Congress for the Austin American-Statesman. For the next 18 years, she reported on presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to John F. Kennedy.

The Carpenters married on June 17, 1944, after Les’s discharge from the U.S. Navy during World War II. They launched the Carpenter News Bureau in the National Press Building in Washington, D.C. Until about 1960, Liz covered Congress and the White House for various Texas newspapers. She missed work only briefly when their two children, Scott and Christy, were born.

Liz Carpenter was in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963, when Kennedy was assassinated. She drafted the 58 words Johnson used on his return to Washington: “This is a sad time for all people. We have suffered a loss that cannot be weighed. For me, it is a deep personal tragedy. I know that the world shares the sorrow that Mrs. Kennedy and her family bear. I will do my best. That is all I can do. I ask for your help and God’s.”

IN HER WORDS

Books by Liz Carpenter include Unplanned Parenthood, Random House 1994; Getting Better All the Time, Simon and Schuster 1986. Start With a Laugh, gives humorous advice on speech writing, was published by Eakin Press and launched at the opening of the National Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future in Dallas. Her most recent book, Presidential Humor, Bright Sky Press 2006, was a compilation of quips and quotes from “George the First to George the Worst.”

Following Johnson’s succession to the presidency, Carpenter became the first professional newswoman to be press secretary to a first lady. She also served Lady Bird Johnson as staff director. Carpenter assembled several other staffers as an informal “White House Humor Group” to add humorous remarks to the president’s speeches, at Johnson’s request.

Carpenter was a vice president of Hill and Knowlton in Washington after leaving the White House. In 1971, she was one of the founders of the National Women’s Political Caucus and co-chair of ERAmerica, traveling the country to push for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.

“Anybody against women, against the ERA, should never be voted into office again,” Carpenter said.

Respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, President Gerald Ford appointed Carpenter to the

International Women’s Year Commission. President Jimmy Carter appointed her to serve as Assistant Secretary of Education for Public Affairs, and President Bill Clinton appointed her to serve on the White House Conference on Aging. She was a member of the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors from 1977 to 1983.

“I learned in my four decades in Washington that one person can make a difference,” Carpenter said.

In 1974, Les Carpenter died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 52, just a year after the death of Lyndon Johnson. In 1976, Carpenter returned to Austin.

"Family roots, the love for Texas and the University of Texas and the LBJ Library brought me back home," she said. She purchased a house she called Grass Roots in the West Lake Hills overlooking the Austin skyline and the Colorado River.

The Red Hat Society owes its foundation to Carpenter.

She wrote a story for Reader’s Digest in the early 1980s, about enjoying life having recovered from an illness, closing the article with the poem Warning by British poet Jenny Joseph, which had the opening lines “When I am an old woman I shall wear purple, With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.” This led to the poem’s fame spreading across the U.S., through adoption by the greeting card industry and the society's development.

“A major advantage of age is learning to accept people without passing judgment,” she remarked.

Carpenter was named a distinguished alumna of the University of Texas in 1975, and in 1990 was named distinguished alumnae of the Department of Communications. She was given the ProBene Award of the College of Liberal Arts. She was the recipient of Alpha Phi’s Frances E. Willard Award in 1980. Gov. Mark White nominated her to the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.

In 1984, a group of her friends, including Erma Bombeck and Mark Russell, established The Liz Carpenter Lectureship. Bombeck and Russell gave a performance at the Paramount Theater to raise funds for it. Since that time, Carpenter’s lectureship in the College of Liberal Arts brought appearances by President Bill Clinton, President Gerald Ford, Hillary Clinton, Jehan Sadat, Maya Angelou, Bill Moyers, Jane Goodall, writers such as Betty Friedan, Nora Ephron, Shana Alexander and Jean Auel, and nationally known humorists such as Fannie Flagg and Carol Channing.

The Liz Carpenter Award is given annually for the best scholarly book on the history of women and Texas published during the year. The award was established in 1992 by an anonymous donor. It honors Carpenter, a sixth-generation Texan, for her commitment to the pursuit of the history of women in Texas and for a lifetime of achievements that qualify her as a maker of that history.

“Instead of looking at life as a narrowing funnel, we can see it ever widening to choose the things we want to do, to take the wisdom we've learned and create something,” Carpenter said.

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