Tex Appeal | February & March 2024 by Temple Daily Telegram

Life and Style in Central Texas

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY ENJOY LIVE MUSIC IN CENTRAL TEXAS

A FEAST OF LOVE AT 3 ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

CREATE SOME BACKYARD BLISS

FUN DATE NIGHTS AROUND TOWN

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

February & March 2024

Now Serving You in Our New Location Tyler Johnson Market President

Shane Brooks Vice President

254-741-8077 NMLS#2182981

254-741-8036 NMLS#1970956

tyler.johnson@alliancebanktexas.com

shane.brooks@alliancebanktexas.com

408 Hilliard Road • Temple, Texas • 76502

254.741.8000 www.alliancebanktexas.com

INDEX

39 Romantic Recipes

Cook and serve your valentine a fantastic meal at home

Perfect Picnic

Bring romantic ambiance home

44 Classic Cocktails

Celebrate with these drinks

Get in Step

Arthur Murray’s offers lessons for couples trying to connect Patrons take in a comedy show at the Beltonian Theatre. | 50 Photo by SKEEBO

ON THE COVER

6 8 9 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 23

ADVERTISING INDEX EDITOR’S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS NEIGHBORS Author Sheri Wall OUTREACH Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter SCENE Killeen tree lighting SCENE Jingle Bell Dash

GIFT GUIDE Shop local for Valentine‘s SPIRITS

Corks & Barrels

SCENE Spirit at BitBar SCENE Christmas on the Chisholm Trail

4 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Staci and Ronnie Schoepf dance under the lights in the courtyard of Schoepf‘s Barbecue. | 28 Photo by BECKY STINEHOUR

24 26 28 32 34 36 64 66 68 71 72

THE REVIEW The Covenant of Water TEEN REVIEW The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo CENTEX ARTS Local live music scene SCENE Last Night Gala A LOOK INSIDE: Temple First United Methodist THIS GIRLS GARDEN Preparing for spring FACES OF BUSINESS IN CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY The Contemporaries gala HEALTH & WELLNESS Love on the brain CENTEX ED ‘Speed dating‘ with books CENTEX VETERANS John Footman still serves

Romantic Movies The Beltonian offers Valentine’s Day packages

Forever Granted

Temple woman makes her mark with permanent jewelry

Feast on 17 South

Enjoy an Upscale dining experience without breaking the bank

Love is in the Air

at Alexander’s Craft Cocktails & Kitchen in Salado

A Taste of Italy

in the heart of Copperas Cove

Upcoming EVEnts 2019 July 9-12 - Summer Fun for Early Learners July 16-19 - Junior Historians Camp

Upcoming Exhibits 2020 June 15 - August 11- backstage pass: Early Days of Rolling Stone magazine

September 1 - October 20 - American July 23-26 - STEAM CAMP (pre-registration required) Farmer July 20- backstage pass

November 8, 2019 - January 18, 2020 historic holiday toys

Visit the Bell County Museum!

July 27 - Weird science!

COME SEE US!

• Free admission year-round! • Free educational tours by appointment! • Become a Friend of the Museum today! Call or visit the museum website.

Bell County in Images

The Weldon Cannon & Patricia Benoit Collection

Opening January 20, 2024. Admission is FREE!  Become a Friend of the Museum TODAY!  201 North Main Belton, TX 76513 • 254-933-5243 www.bellcountymuseum.org

BRING HEALTH & WELLLNESS HOME

254-831-3093

1225 N MAIN STREET BELTON, TX 76513 M-F 9A-6P,SAT 9A-1P

COMING 2024 TO BELTON Enjoy premier senior living in your new single-family style cottage!

RESERVE TODAY

WOODLANDCOTTAGES.COM 254.613.6449 Handicapped accessible units available. The owner and management company for Woodland Cottages comply fully with the provisions of the Equal Housing Opportunity Laws and nondiscrimination laws. The homes have been designed and constructed to be accessible in accordance with those laws.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Read more about 17 South on page 58.

Special thanks to the people and places involved in our photo shoots for this issue: Ronnie & Staci Schoepf of Schoepf‘s Barbecue Arthur Murray Dance Studio The Beltonian Theatre Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria

Interested in Advertising?

254-778-4444 (Temple) | 254-501-7500 (Killeen)

Life and Style in Central Texas

ADVERTISING INDEX 21 Main.......................................................................... 19, 70 Acropolis Greek Cuisine........................................................ 3 Alliance Bank......................................................................... 2 Arthur Murray Temple................................................... 25, 49 Bell County Museum............................................................. 5 Belton Veterinary Clinic....................................................... 17 Bentons............................................................................... 15 Continental Tire & Battery.................................................. 25 Corbin, Stapler & Clapper Attorneys.................................. 65 Country Home Personal Care............................................. 31 Courtney Murphy Photography.......................................... 74 Cultural Activities Center.............................................. 17, 19 Dead Fish Grill..................................................................... 27 Ellis Air Systems.................................................................. 69 Extraco Banks...................................................................... 75 First Texas Bank................................................................... 70 Garlyn Shelton GM................................................ Back cover Halls Roofing....................................................................... 30 Harper-Talasek Funeral Homes........................................... 70 Johnson Bros. Ford............................................................. 18 Killeen Overhead Doors...................................................... 33 Lake Serenity Ranch, Serene Global Properties.................. 25 Lastovica Jewelers............................................................... 28 Lion of Judah Garden Center.............................................. 19 The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions to this index. 6 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Main Street Medical Supply.................................................. 5 Mobi Dog Pet Salon & Spa................................................. 19 My Giving Tree.............................................................. 19, 33 Oscar Store......................................................................... 18 Paperdoodles...................................................................... 18 Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop............................... 27 Priority Charter Schools...................................................... 33 Salado Creek Antiques.................................................. 19, 70 Sol Life Natural Wellness..................................................... 25 SPJST Headquarters Vestnik............................................... 56 Suzy Q‘s............................................................................... 17 Tanner Roofing.................................................................... 15 TDT/Tex Appeal Advertising......................................... 22, 30 Temple Children‘s Museum................................................. 15 The Beltonian...................................................................... 52 The Benefit Group, LLC / TBG Wealth Management......... 68 The Coffee Trough.............................................................. 18 Visiting Angels..................................................................... 19 Wilson Valley Mercantile, LLC....................................... 19, 33 Woodland Cottages.............................................................. 5 Young‘s Daughters Funeral Home...................................... 36 Z Medical Aesthetics........................................................... 27 Zooty’s................................................................................... 7

otys

ZOOTYS

FROM THE EDITOR

appy New Year, Central Texas! It’s hard to believe that 2024 is upon us already. We have even more exciting stories to share in 2024 — your stories — and we’re excited to share them. We’re kicking things off this year by showing you how to crank up the romance dial. This Valentine’s Day-inspired issue features romantic restaurants, fun things to do with your partner and some at-home date night ideas. Lisa Carlisle visited the newest hot spot in Central Texas, 17 South. The beautiful building, located at 17 South Main in downtown Temple, has an awe-inspiring staircase in the grand entrance, and awe-inspiring food to satisfy every appetite. Read all about the restaurant, owned by Isen Ismaili, Eric Seidel and Keith Bynum, on page 58. Alexander’s Craft Cocktails & Kitchen is positioned beside the beautiful Salado Creek. Situated inside Inn on the Creek, the manor was originally constructed in Cameron in 1892, before being moved to its current location. Find out more about the history of the restaurant, as well as what kinds of savory and sweet flavors you can expect, on page 60. Maura Martinez brought the flavors of North Italy to Central Texas after purchasing Giovanni’s from its previous owner in 2000. The military family decided to settle in Copperas Cove and continue providing the region with BRANDY CRUZ authentic Italian cuisine. If you thought owning a restaurant editor@ was all about the food, think again and read page 62 to find texappealmag.com out what Maura says is her favorite thing about restaurant facebook.com/ ownership. texappealmagazine There are some nights where all you want to do is stay at home and enjoy one another’s company. Amy Rognlie discovered some romantic recipes, page 39, to try in your own home kitchen. Janna Zepp whipped up some daring cocktails, page 44, to test out for a romantic night at home. Meanwhile, David Stone discovered that sometimes a romantic picnic may do the trick for a special date day or night. Read all about The Picnic Pearl on page 42, a business that brings upscale picnics straight to you. For those wanting to think a little outside-the-box this Valentine’s Day or any other special occasion, Forever Granted may be just what you’re looking for in a gift. Kelsey Thomas applies permanent jewelry — bracelets, necklaces and more — to customers, so they never have to worry about misplacing that special piece of jewelry again. Find out all about the latest trend on page 53. Have you ever wanted to learn to tango? Arthur Murray Dance Center will have you moving and grooving with dance lessons at its Temple location. Owners MJ and Johnny Gonzales said a lot of their regulars start off by signing their significant other up for dance lessons. The plus side is, you’ll be spending quality time together, while also getting into shape. Read about the studio on page 48. The Beltonian Theatre was recently named the most romantic date night place in Central Texas by Temple Daily Telegram readers. The theatre features a lot of classic movies, new movies and special events. Find out what makes The Beltonian such a special location on page 50. Ronnie and Staci Schoepf, owners of Schoepf’s Barbecue in Belton, are featured on the cover. The beautiful couple combined great food and great music to create a one-of-a-kind experience. You may have heard about its Backyard Music Series, but did you know about the weekly acoustic lunch hour? Read all about it, and other live music, on page 28. So, without further ado, grab your favorite drink, relax in your favorite spot and enjoy this issue of Tex Appeal magazine. Tex Appeal editor 8 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | 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 BRANDY CRUZ Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER Contributors WES ALBANESE PATRICIA BENOIT LISA CARLISLE PHOENIX CARLISLE DAVID CLAUD AMY ROGNLIE BECKY STINEHOUR DAVID STONE RACHEL STRICKLAND JOHNA UNDERWOOD TONYA WARREN JANNA ZEPP 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 Brandy Cruz at editor@texappealmag.com

CONTRIBUTORS PATRICIA BENOIT is a longtime journalist who writes the history-based "Back Roads" column appearing every Monday in the Temple Daily Telegram and the Killeen Daily Herald. She is the author of 15 books on Central Texas history and 40 monographs which were used as documentation for Texas Historical Commission markers. Recipient of numerous awards for her research and writing, she received the Texas Historical Commission’s award for outstanding media achievement for “Back Roads.” LISA CARLISLE is Tex Appeal and the Temple Daily Telegram’s advertising director. Lisa is a wife and mother of five — two girls and three boys, together they enjoy exploring locally and you can always find them outdoors or in the water. She is a native Austinite and has lived in Temple since 2018. She also is a member of the Betty Martin DAR chapter. Her hobbies include photography, genealogy, cooking, family time and festivals. PHOENIX CARLISLE is an obsessive book lover, who can’t get her hands on enough books. A high school honor student, Phoenix wants to be a criminal lawyer, and she hopes that she can travel to all the places she dreams of. For now, she helps her parents handle four younger siblings as she continues to read and write. DAVID CLAUD is a physician and founder of BenefitsDoc, an organization that helps self-insured employers consider quality when purchasing health care services for their employees, especially on-site clinic services. He and his wife are transplants from Chicago. David is resuming his journalism career, which has been on hiatus since he wrote his first newspaper article for the Wheaton Record based on his locker room interview with Michael Jordan and other Bulls stars. SKEEBO REICHERT has over 25 years experience as a professional photographer and has expanded his services to include filmmaking. The Temple High School graduate has a BFA in photography and sculpture. He lives in Temple with his wife and two sons. PhotoBySkeebo.com 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 hometown connections through the lens of her camera. Find her on Instagram at ciphoto. DAVID STONE is a lifelong journalist with more than 40 years of experience. His grandfather was a journalist, and so was his great-grandfather. He decided he had enough of murder and mayhem as a news writer and wanted to write something upbeat and inspirational, so he now owns and writes for Our Town Temple as well as for Tex Appeal Magazine. RACHEL STRICKLAND is a university writing tutor and freelance writer. She earned a Master of Arts in English from Texas A&M UniversityCentral 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 HardinBaylor graduates. TONYA WARREN has been a registered nurse for 33 years with Ascension Providence Healthcare in Waco and a lifestyles writer for a few years. She lives in Waco and enjoys reading, writing and taking her grouchy German Shepherd on walks. JANNA ZEPP is a native Texan. Her career in mass communication includes writing for film, TV, radio, and print media. She spent four years writing for the Fort Hood Sentinel and two years as a III Corps Public Affairs television producer, anchor and writer for Fort Hood On Track and three years as the editor of Tex Appeal.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Tex Appeal is always looking for photographers and freelance writers from Central Texas. Send a resume and three to five recent published samples for consideration to editor@texappealmag.com. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

NEIGHBORS

A Matter of Rhyme SHERI WALL’S CHILDREN’S BOOKS MAKE READING FUN By AMY ROGNLIE | Photo courtesy of SHERI WALL

“Sheri Wall is a lover of rhyme who has lived in Texas for a really long time. She would read to her sons and kids that she knew, and they all enjoyed rhyming picture books too.”

nd thus began Killeen author Sheri Wall’s writing career. “When I homeschooled my sons, I wrote stories and poems along with them,” Wall said. “Years later, as an empty-nester, my husband encouraged me to use my creative energy, take the first poem I'd written, and turn it into a book. That was so fun I repeated the process and established my brand, A Matter of Rhyme.” Since her very first book, “An Omelet for Evan,” Wall has gone on to publish 13 more books for children. Her books are wonderful as read-alouds from birth and for self-readers through about fourth grade, although some books are simpler than others. Readers enjoy Wall’s books because their lyrical qualities make them fun and engaging, and the subject matters are relatable, with many of them inspired by friends and family. Her endearing “Silly Milly” collection is based on niece Erin’s Great Dane, Milly, and provides lots of smiles as Milly’s big-dog antics are told in clever rhymes and laugh-out-loud illustrations. “Maiden Mermaid” is about Sirena, the mermaid who has captured Central Texans’ hearts for years. In this captivating 75-year-old Texas family folktale, originally told to Salado sculptor Troy Kelley as a child, Wall lyrically weaves the story of a Native American maiden named Sirena who makes a deal with a talking catfish to win her heart's desire. Timeless lessons of being patient, trusting carefully, and making wise choices flow just below the surface of this beautifully illustrated book. Based on the inspiration for "Sirena the Mermaid," Kelley’s renowned bronze sculpture in Salado, this lovely retelling of a beloved local story is sure to please. Wall has also written some nonfiction books that have been well-received by the community. “Our Pledge, Our Promise” explains our nation’s Pledge

10 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

of Allegiance line by line in child-friendly terms and, of course, Wall’s inviting, rhyming prose. Schools and VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) posts across the nation have been thrilled to use this book, and Wall is hard at work on a companion book on the idea of honor and what it means to be honorable. She has also penned a Thanksgiving book for children entitled “I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids.” This book was published by Rockridge Press and recently rose to number 32 on Amazon's best-sellers list during its seasonal sales window. Besides Wall’s witty rhymes, her readers love the unique style of illustrations. “I get a lot of positive feedback on the unique illustrators I've chosen and the extras like recipes and fun facts included in many of the books,” Wall said. Two of her books are illustrated by Bell County’s own Gary Manly, while others are illustrated by artists from Poland and The Netherlands. “My children's books are thoughtfully written to help children learn and become excellent readers,” Wall said. “They are colorful and entertaining and have lessons and teachable moments woven throughout. I know rhyming and repetition assist in children's brain development, and I've seen them work firsthand.” Downloadable activities and even some musical versions of her books are available on her website. Wall also offers classroom visits and enjoys encouraging other authors and sharing her perspectives and thoughts on their work. In addition, she offers editing services for authors and is available to speak at special events.

LEARN MORE

Website: amatterofrhyme.com Facebook: A Matter of Rhyme Children's Books Instagram: Sheri Wall (@sheri.amatterofrhyme)

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

OUTREACH

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS MATERNITY SHELTER OFFERS

A Helping Hand For Moms By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS MATERNITY SHELTER

i, I’m sitting in the car with my mom and I’m pregnant and don’t have any place to go. Can you help me? For the staff at Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter (OLAMS) in Temple, this is the type of phone calls they answer every day. “We are here to interrupt the crisis,” said Georgette Greenwood, OLAMS director since 2018. “We understand that every woman coming to the shelter enters with a unique story. Most either don’t have a family or have no relationship with family. Many are coming from a domestic violence situation or other traumatic background.” OLAMS, founded in 1990, provides shelter to women in crisis pregnancies and post-partum by offering a loving and stable family environment to

GET INVOLVED

Website: ladyoftheangels.org Facebook: Facebook.com/ourladyoftheangelsmaternityshelter Phone: 254-742-2340 (available 24/7)

support the mother and child in their efforts to create a hopeful future for themselves. The shelter is staffed 24/7 and has grown to include much more than a temporary place to stay. Clients can now stay for 90 days at OLAMS’ facility, a beautiful fivebedroom home furnished with 11 beds and five cribs. The duplex next door has room for a family as well, and there is never a charge to the client. To fully support their clients, OLAMS provides a licensed

Gregory Pechal, Larry Lagut and Ryan Colburn with Knights of Columbus Council 3444 donate food to feed more than 20 people at Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter for Thanksgiving dinner. 12 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

professional counselor specializing in mental health trauma therapy for both mothers and their children, as well as group therapy programs. While many mental health facilities will not accept pregnant women and many maternity shelters will not accept women with mental health issues, OLAMS doesn’t let that be a barrier for a young woman to obtain the help and care she needs. Each client is assigned a case manager who helps come up with a plan and makes sure the client is benefiting from all the available community resources. Residents are also required to participate in counseling, parenting classes and chores at the shelter. “I’m also big on education,” Greenwood added. “I push them to get their GED and not just settle for working at a fast-food restaurant. We provide comprehensive support for the whole parent through a variety of proven and evidence-based methods to help parents reach their goals. We provide pregnancy and parenting courses, life skills courses such as financial literacy, job-readiness training, workforce development support, higher education support and benefits application assistance.” OLAMS staff provides transportation to prenatal visits and community and social service resources, if needed, and works directly with other community resources such as Temple College, Temple Workforce, the Salvation

Volunteers from Walking with Moms in Need Ministry with Christ the King Catholic Church donate diapers to Our Lady of the Angels Maternity Shelter. Army and Temple/Belton Housing Authorities to obtain the help their clients need. After a client finishes the 90day program, she moves to the aftercare program. This program helps the client to continue to succeed independently. Once a client has successfully moved out of the shelter, aftercare is available until her youngest child is 3 years old. This program provides life skills, job readiness and higher education support. It also provides materials assistance; continues counseling and case management; and educates clients on the resources available to them in their community. This support

solidifies the foundation for clients to break the cycle of homelessness and create a better future for themselves and their children. OLAMS also reaches out to the community at large. The Material Assistance Program expands the ministry’s services beyond the shelter walls to the broader community of mothers and children. OLAMS distributes items such as diapers, formula and car seats throughout Texas. To be eligible for materials assistance, families must participate in an educational course or counseling session. In 2023, OLAMS helped more than 2,600 families materially, physically, mentally and spiritually. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

SCENE: KILLEEN TREE LIGHTING

1.The Killeen High School Roo Choir sings carols for the crowd at the Killeen Downtown Tree Lighting festivities on Dec. 1. 2. Janie and Becky Freed serve hot chocolate with Girl Scout Troop 20301. 3. State Rep. Brad Buckley and Bell County Commissioner Bobby Whitson smile at the Killeen tree lighting. 4. The Grinch stops for a quick pose with revelers. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

14 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor Elevate Building Materials Preferred Contractor Providing Highest Standard of Solutions for Your Roofing Needs: Residential & Commercial Roofing

Sparking Curiosity Through Hands-on Learning

Annual Family Memberships Available Now!

11 N. 4th Street, Temple

254-500-7617

www.templechildrensmuseum.org TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

SCENE: JINGLE BELL DASH

4 1. Runners in festive outfits make their way through the Jingle Bell Dash 5K in Killeen. 2. Three friends share their festive spirit with matching outfits. 3. Lt. Col. Carolina Cruz celebrates patriotism and the holidays at the Jingle Bell Dash. 4. Even Santa made it out to the race. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR 16 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER

2024

Tasty Food & Drinks • Great Atmosphere

TEXAS MUSIC SERIES

Suzy Q’s offers:

Bob schneider january 27

• Specialty coffee drinks • Fresh homemade cinnamon rolls • Beignets • Homemade soups • Fresh salads • Hamburger & Fries • Boudin balls • Desserts & a whole lot more!

Elizabeth cook february 24

Unique eats you won’t find anywhere else

kelly willis, brennen leigh & melissa carper

now open on sundays

May 10

Hours: Tue-Fri 8am-4pm • Sat 8am-3pm • Sun 10am-3pm

1401 S. 31st St. Suite E • Temple

254-228-1555

Guy clark tribute by verlon thompson & shawn camp

june 8 seals & crofts II september 21 rodney crowell october 5 john hiatt date tO BE ANNOUNCED CONCERT TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE! GET YOURS NOW BEFORE THEY SELL OUT! GO TO MUSIC/EVENTS AT WWW.CACARTS.ORG/EVENTS

The Central Texas destination

FOR MUSIC & ART CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER 3011 n 3RD ST, TEMPLE tx 76501

cALL 254-773-9926 FOR MORE INFO

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Be Mine, Valentine!

Sun-Mon 11-3, Tues - Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10

Share With The One You Love Stationery | Invitations Gifts & More

1401 S. 31st Street, Suite C in Pecan Plaza Temple • 254-773-8331 www.paperdoodles.com

18 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

LOCAL SPIRITS! LOCAL BEEF!

A Unique Boutique

Wilson Valley Mercantile offers seed to sip bourbon by the glass or bottle and local ranch raised beef from full, half, quarter, box or individual cuts! TASTINGS • TOURS GOOD EATS • LIVE MUSIC

Offering eclectic home décor, furnishings and gifts

Wilson Valley Mercantile 2421 Wilson Valley Loop, Little River Thurs & Fri 5-9pm • Sat 2-9pm

(254) 982-4265 • wilsonvalley.com

Spring is Coming! Plan your garden now & shop with us for vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, trees and so much more!

Your Garden Center

4696 Little Flock Rd, Temple 254-760-4207 Open Tues. – Sat. 8am – 4pm

21 North Main Street

In the heart of historic Salado 254-947-4000 Kaye & Frank Coachman, Owners

BEAUTIFUL FINE JEWELRY & UNIQUE GIFTS “Give her Diamonds, Rubies, and Pearls this Valentine’s Day! ”

121 N. East St Downtown Belton Fine jewelry made (Next to iMERAKi)

in Texas

254-939-8733 We provide personalized local senior care for total peace of mind, including:

Give us a call, stop by the shop, or browse our online catalog! “Shipping and Delivery Available Worldwide” 511 N. Stagecoach Road, Salado (254) 947-1800 SaladoCreekAntiques.com

Bathing & Dressing Assistance Grooming • Assistance with Walking • Errands Medication Reminders Shopping • Light Housekeeping Meal Preparation Friendly Companionship Flexible Hourly Care Respite Care for Families For more information, call us at 254.899.9400 or visit VisitingAngels.com/ Temple.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

SPIRITS

Stop By Corks & Barrels SOUL-SOOTHING HOT SPOT SHINES IN WEST TEMPLE By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of CORKS & BARRELS

Michael and Dawn Woodward own Corks & Barrels in Temple. 20 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

ituated in Temple’s booming West Adams district, Corks & Barrels calls with its blend of live music, custom cocktails and a soul-soothing ambiance. It's more than just a bar — owners Dawn and Michael Woodard have established a local sanctuary that encompasses the spirit of the neighborhood. The Woodards created Corks & Barrels after Dawn was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. They sought a place to relax and be with friends, where they could talk and share instead of competing to hear over loud music or children’s antics. This proved a difficult task. Dawn, who is now cancer free says, “We wanted to make a place to have a drink and hear yourself talk in a nice environment, so we created a place you could do those things that I wish I had.” The overall vibe is calming, a welcome change from so many venues that overstimulate with lights and noise. The heart of Corks & Barrels beats to the rhythm of live music that graces its stage. Local talents transform the space with diverse sounds; from bluesy tunes to indie melodies, the music sets the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Working closely with the Musicians Association of Central Texas, the Woodards show support by hosting monthly jam sessions while MCAT promotes the bar as a local musician sanctuary for warm expression. Step inside, and the walls of Corks & Barrels unfold stories of the owner's adventures and deep-rooted love for the music scene. Memorabilia from travels, snapshots of cherished spots and artifacts adorn the space, inviting all to glimpse into the vibrant journey and passion for music. “The theme was born out of

Dawn’s love for live music, live local people, especially with her coming out of Austin,” Michael says. “We traveled to Nashville a fair amount to listen to all the up-and-comings.” “The walls are lined with little pieces of our lives,” Dawn says. “Everywhere we would go, we took a little piece of what we liked about the décor. Whether it’s Austin or Nashville or Vegas or Denver. … The Corks sign that lights up and a lot of guitars are from Whiskey Row, Dierks Bentley’s bar.” Dawn credited Michael for the arrangement and fluidity of each piece. “Thank God it all synced up!” she says, laughing. At the bar, the skilled bartender, Austin, is an artist in his own right.

“Austin is so talented and creative, the main selling drink is the Old Fashioned,” Dawn says. With a flair for mixology, bartenders craft custom drinks tailored to individual preferences — going even further to individualize drinks through exploration of flavor combinations. Their expertise turns flavors into joyful memories, offering customers an opportunity to expand their palates or savor classic favorites. What truly sets Corks & Barrels apart is its laid-back vibe and the sense of community it fosters. Amid the growing landscape of West Adams, this haven radiates a welcoming aura, drawing in locals seeking relaxation and a space to connect. The staff's warmth and hospitality create an environment

where every visitor feels at home. “We have been blessed to be very embraced,” Dawn says. “We are still trying to incorporate first responders and military into special nights. We want to give back as much as possible,” Michael added. Moreover, Corks & Barrels proudly supports local artists, providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their art. From open mic nights to intimate gigs, the bar nurtures the area’s budding music scene, fostering an atmosphere where creativity thrives. Stop by and see how Corks & Barrels provides a place where the love for music, mixology and community converge, offering an escape from the demands of daily life. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

SCENE: TEX SPIRIT APPEAL OF TEX SPIRIT APPEAL AT BITBAR

pirit

Wednesday

February 7th 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Meet & Greet Drink of the Night:

“Thyme and Effort” Herbacous drink with gin, muddled raspberries, thyme, and elder flower liqueur

7373 Honeysuckle, Suite 150 Temple, TX 22 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

1. The owners and staff of BitBar in Temple pose for a photo after receiving the Tex Appeal Spirit Award on Nov. 30. 2. Laura Mitchell points to Ashley Clapper Bennett, as she points to her advertisement in the December/January issue of Tex Appeal magazine. 3. Members of the Tex Appeal advertising staff, William Haire, Angelica Johnson and Will Combee, hang out during the Spirit night at BitBar. Photos by LISA CARLISLE

SCENE: CHRISTMAS ON SCENE: THE CHISHOLM RUCKS ON MAIN TRAIL

1. A Belton High School Band member plays for the crowd during Christmas on the Chisholm Trail in Belton. 2. A trio from the Belton High School Band plays for the crowd in the Courthouse Square. 3. Fabian and Elaine Scott enjoyed the festivities. 4. Parish Morrow smiles as she serves treats at Christmas on the Chisholm Trail in Belton. 5. William Cook was all decked out with Christmas spirit. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

THE REVIEW

Get Swept Up in a Masterful Tale By M. CLARE HAEFNER Cover courtesy of the publisher

f all the books I have read in the past year, The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (Grove Atlantic, May 2023) is hands-down my favorite. In 1900 on South India’s Malabar Coast, a 12-year-old girl from Kerala’s long-standing St. Thomas Christian community is sent by boat to her wedding, where she meets her 40-year-old husband for the first time. It’s a new beginning for the girl who will become the family’s matriarch, affectionately known as Big Ammachi, as she takes up the mantle of filling in “the water tree,” a secret manuscript that bears an account of Parambil’s inexplicable affliction: in every generation at least one family member living on the estate dies by drowning. Her husband has a powerful fear of water, choosing to walk in a region where rivers and canals are the fastest means of transportation. As time passes, Big Ammachi has one prayer, that God “heal the Condition or send someone who can.” In the ensuing pages, Verghese masterfully weaves an epic narrative of family, faith, secrets and transformation that slowly reveals itself as a finished masterpiece as Big Ammachi’s granddaughter and namesake, Mariamma, pieces the truth together and comes to learn about the covenant of water — “that they’re all linked inescapably by their acts of commission and omission, and no one stands alone. … All is one.” Spanning 77 years, The Covenant of Water also offers a window into India’s transformation from a British colony to an independent nation struggling to let of a caste system and its inherent prejudices that prevent some of India’s poorest people from meeting their basic needs, including medical care. Interwoven with Big Ammachi and her family at Parambil are the stories of two foreign doctors — a Swede who reopens a refuge for lepers and a Scot seeking a new start. Discovering how their lives all intersect across three generations by the book’s end in the late 1970s proves Verghese’s prowess as a master storyteller. India itself is a multicolored tapestry, a mix of

24 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

faiths, ethnicities and languages, and Verghese shows how the threads are connected to create a vibrant culture that’s full of promise despite its past. Though it’s a work of fiction, The Covenant of Water draws on deeper truths that resonate within every community, regardless of time or place, making the book a powerful force that leaves a lasting impression. It made me think about America’s struggles to reconcile its segregated past to usher in a more perfect union. And I think about my own family’s story, our secrets, our beliefs, our foundation and the legacy we’ll leave. Like the water flowing across the planet, we’re all connected, if we will only open our eyes to see the truth.

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Embrace the magic of nature and tranquility of the lake waters on your special day! Imagine saying “I do” surrounded by lush greenery, serene lake waters under the canopy of Texas sunset in our outdoor venue, “The Grove at Lake Serenity Ranch”. The Grove is just perfect as you are. Imagine your unforgettable wedding day with family and friends in a picturesque estate with a large private lake. Feel the gentle and refreshing breeze as it whispers across the lake, setting the stage for unforgettable celebrations and a perfect getaway experience at the same time. LSR is not just a venue; it’s an invitation to create cherished memories. Your dream event begins here at Lake Serenity Ranch, where natural splendor meets warm hospitality.

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TEEN REVIEW

Love and the Price of Fame By PHOENIX CARLISLE Cover courtesy of the publisher

he Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a glamorous, heartfelt romance that will have you swept up in a whirlwind of old Hollywood expectations and desires. After decades of a show-stopping, yet hidden, lifestyle, Evelyn Hugo’s dying wish is to reveal the closed-door aspect of being Hollywood’s bombshell. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career. Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles from Cuba in the 1950s, to her decision to leave show business in the ’80s, and, of course, picking up seven husbands and the string of connected heartbreak along the way. Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship and a great forbidden love that will change the public’s view of her forever. Monique begins to feel a connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story nears its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s in tragic and irreversible ways. One of the best elements of this book is the long list of well-developed characters. Evelyn Hugo is a determined, independent woman who still allows herself to enjoy the luxuries of the life she built. She is the perfect model of somebody who won't stop until she reaches the success that she desires, yet simultaneously she knows to take time to enjoy the fruits of her labor. Taking a minute to look at how far she's gotten herself and love the person that she is still becoming. Celia St. James was a sweetheart who tackled problems as they came, she never worried too much about what was going on in the future. Celia was incredibly passionate — she knew what she wanted even if she didn't always know how to get it. She was a bud only learning to bloom 26 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

for the first time under camera lighting, yet she was able to bloom through the help of Evelyn, who is already her own developed rose in the garden of Hollywood. Their relationship, outside of being lovers, was such a beautiful girlhood experience. Our ladies wanted to encourage each other, helping each other with their roles. Evelyn and Celia wanted to see each other succeed even if it may not have been understood at the beginning. Once they grew into each other, they learned to love each other for more than just their intimate relationship. Henry Cameron was a gentleman who would quite literally do anything for Evelyn. If platonic soulmates are real, Evelyn and Henry are the definition. Which brings me to what else I loved about this book — the interlocking relationships between each of the characters. The main plot was centered around Evelyn, Celia and Henry, yet with each character, or husband, there was a flow about the story. The plot could bring in and remove a character just as easily. This element was nice considering the storyline followed Evelyn Hugo’s “life” which has many characters going in and out, allowing the story to move on without lingering. The only problems I found within this novel, which honestly is just a personal bias, I found I didn’t care much for Monique’s storyline. Although she was a massive and necessary plot point, outside of her involvement with Evelyn I didn’t want to know anything about her. I didn’t care about her husband or her mom. I only wanted to learn about Evelyn and her glamorous past, not some sad writer. And as much as I tried to love Celia, she was such a baby. She was a wild, up-and-down character who never put in as much effort as Evelyn did. Celia dragged Evelyn through the mud while she tried to love her when she knew it wasn’t “allowed” yet Celia was incredibly ungrateful until the end. It was hard to read about Evelyn jumping through hoops for a woman who wouldn’t do the same. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a hidden-behind-closed-curtains love story, believing in hope and a bond that will last decades. The old Hollywood dream of fame, desires and lost stardom. Follow Evelyn as she comes to Hollywood, lifts herself up as a bombshell and keeps loving, one husband at a time.

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CENTEX ARTS

Live Music FROM THE HEART OF THE LONE STAR STATE By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of the CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER

SCHOEPF’S BARBECUE

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

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ood barbecue and good music has been the recipe for success for Ronnie and Staci Schoepf, who introduced live music to the award-winning barbecue restaurant more than 15 years ago. “We always say we sell barbecue for a living and do concerts and music for the love of it,” Ronnie said. The popular Belton barbecue joint, which landed at number four on The Texas Barbecue Top 25 list in 2022, hosts the Shooter FM Acoustic Lunch in their backroom from noon to 1 p.m. on Fridays. The weekly event features up-and-coming artists performing acoustically in front of the restaurant’s large fireplace. “I absolutely love musicians, I love music. I really enjoy the storytelling aspect of music,” Ronnie said. “Listening to someone with their guitar in this backroom is pure joy.” Although it’s a staple now, the tale of the restaurant’s foray into the live music scene began by mere happenstance. Sharing his unusual story, Ronnie said shortly after he and his wife purchased Schoepf’s from Ronnie’s father, they were contacted by the city to clean up a lot behind the restaurant. After bulldozing and clearing away the lot, they suddenly imagined the possibilities. “We cleaned it up and we looked and went, ‘Wouldn’t this be a great place to have a concert and be part of the 4th of July festivities?’ That was the first ever concert, sponsored by Don Ringler,” Ronnie said. “So, the reason we started doing concerts is because, ‘Hey, you guys need to clean that up.’ Then we bought a couple of lots and expanded.” The Schoepf’s Backyard has hosted live music since that Independence Day, featuring well-known and rising stars among the Texas Red Dirt genre of country music. The Backyard Music Series now brings thousands of visitors to Belton weekly during late spring and summer. In 2022, they were named Best Live Music Venue by the Texas Country Music Association, an honor Ronnie said still surprises him. “When we got nominated, it was just the greatest feeling ever. There was Billy Bob’s, Gruene Hall, and two other places, and we were mentioned with them,” Ronnie said. At the awards show, he said they were just sitting there, never imagining their name would be called, so when their name was called, all he could do is sit there holding his head in his hands, completely shocked. “There was no, ‘Please call our name,’ because we were just so happy to be nominated,” he added. During his acceptance speech, Ronnie shared with the audience the Continued

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Elizabeth Cook performs at the Cultural Activities Center on Feb. 24. Park Circle 512.864.7579 40209inIndustrial Georgetown

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The Guy Clark Tribute performs at the Cultural Activities Center on June 8.

whole reason they now host live music, which all happened because “a lady from the city told us to clean up the back.” Ronnie and Staci were recently thanked by the Belton Mayor Pro Tem John R. Holmes Sr. for being instrumental in Belton’s live music scene, after the city was designated a Music City Community by the state of Texas in January.

IF YOU GO

Address: 702 E. Central Ave., Belton Phone: 254-939-1151 Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily Social: facebook.com/schoepfsbbq Upcoming event: Schoepf’s will host a Valentine’s Day dinner and acoustic show in the backroom. $50 per ticket will include a steak dinner and live music. Call for reservations.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER

John Hiatt performs at the CAC on Aug. 3.

f you would rather have a traditional concert experience, “This is a season of performances not to be missed" Mary Black Pearson said about the 14th annual Texas Music Series. As the executive director of the Cultural Activities Center, Pearson helps organize the annual event, which features Grammy Award-winning songwriters and performers. The series began in 2010 thanks to the creative teamwork of Terri Mathew and Mack Purifoy. Using his connections in the music industry, Purifoy continues to assist the CAC in booking the performances every year. "I think this is the best line-up yet with well-known talent that will excite the audiences with every show," Purifoy said. Performers include John Hiatt, Bob Schneider, Elizabeth Cook, Rodney Crowell, Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh, Melissa Carper, Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp and Seals & Crofts II. With seating for 420 people, Pearson said the CAC

auditorium makes for an intimate performs with great sounds. Besides the great musical performances, every ticket sold helps youth arts and educational programs in Central Texas. Individual tickets range between $40-$70 per person. They can be purchased online at https://www.cacarts.org. For more information, call 254-773-9926. “Trust us when we say each of these performances will be an amazing experience so this is the time to visit the CAC for the first of many concerts

UPCOMING SHOWS

Feb. 24: Elizabeth Cook May 10: Kelly Willis, Brennen Leight and Melissa Carper June 8: Guy Clark Tribute with Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp Aug. 3: John Hiatt Sept. 21: Seals & Crofts II Oct. 5: Rodney Crowell

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SCENE: LAST NIGHT GALA

1. Last Night Gala party-goers welcome 2024 while dancing to music from Blind Date at the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport in Temple. 2. Guy and Cindy Fowler enjoy the New Year's festivities. 3. Janet Leigh enjoys the music while she dances. 4. From left, Dr. Jeff Waxman, State Rep. Hugh Shine and Dr. Patsy Sulak enjoy the gala. Photos courtesy of KELSI LEANNE PHOTOGRAPHY and JANE GIBSON PHOTOGRAPHY 32 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

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A LOOK INSIDE: TEMPLE‘S FIRST METHODIST CHURCH

34 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

From Ash to Artistic Wonder By PATRICIA BENOIT | Photos by WES ALBANESE and courtesy of PAUL TIPTON Editor’s note: Central Texas is home to many historical buildings, so we have decided to open up A Look Inside to not only homes, but other beautiful architecture. In this issue, we hope you enjoy seeing this historic house of worship.

ike a vibrant Phoenix rising from the ashes, First Methodist Church’s unique house of worship opened in 1913 after a disastrous fire. The former building, erected in 1895, had a spacious box-like auditorium for worship and an adjacent large, open lecture room. On a chilly November 1911 night, everything burned to cinders — the custom oak pews, the towering steeple and the congregation’s optimism for the New Year. The shocked congregation was numb — except for pastor, the Rev. Robert Pierce Shuler (1880-1965), who quickly envisioned “a still greater temple.” Just two days after the fire, Shuler boldly announced, “From its ashes, by God’s help, will grow as by magic a splendid, modern church.” The building committee hired the Fort Worth architectural partnership of Marshall R. Sanguinet

(1859–1936) and Carl G. Staats (1871–1928). Noted for their art deco design, they followed a growing trend in church building design: a semi-circular auditorium and balcony. This curved design allowed the congregation to encircle the pulpit, chancel and choir, as if everyone could be in holy conversation. First Methodist’s ecclesiastical design broke unwritten 19th century rules of how church buildings should look. Completed in October 1913, its stylized motifs and semi-circular sanctuary looked like no other in Central Texas. The sanctuary is eclectic with allusions of Lombard Romanesque and Spanish mission. The redtile roofs remind passersby of the Santa Fe Depot, just a few blocks away. Herring-bone brick work highlighted the expansive windows. This was certainly a worship space built for a new century and a growing city. The 1913 landmark transformed the character and image of Temple, and created an artistic wonder and a cultural center for future generations. If you know of an interesting Bell County home or building Tex Appeal readers would like to look inside, email editor@texappealmag.com. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

THIS GIRL’S GARDEN

PREPARE YOUR GARDEN DURING WINTER TO

Spring Forth & Shine By AMY ROGNLIE

f you’re like me, you spend the winter months dreaming about what your garden would look like in spring. I’ve forced bulbs, babied my houseplants, started a succulent collection, pored through seed catalogs, purchased seeds, dusted off my grow lights to shine upon said seeds, and, well, I’m just ready to get on with it! Come on, spring! And if you’re like me, you hibernated in the air conditioning during the dog days of August and September. While you were doing so, things out in the garden might have gotten a wee bit overgrown — or equally likely — roasted to death. At my house, the grass apparently sneaked into my flower beds a few blades at a time while I was not watching, so now I have to dig it all out before it establishes itself as a permanent fixture. Note: Digging out or otherwise killing grass is a good job to do now, while it is not August. Other (more fun) things to do in February and March are pruning, dividing and/or moving plants, shrubs or trees, fertilizing, and planting seedlings.

PRUNING

This is a great time to prune roses, fruit trees, grapevines, blackberry bushes, etc. Cut asters and chrysanthemums to rosettes, and prune woody salvias by as much as 2/3 to encourage new growth.

DIVIDING/MOVING

Dormant perennials, roses, shrubs and trees can all be divided and/or moved. This is the best time to do this.

FERTILIZING

Fertilize roses and irises. Add compost to perennial beds and around trees. Now is also a good time to fertilize trees. Remember to dig out the grass under your trees for several feet so the grass is not competing with the tree for water and nutrients.

PLANTING

If you haven’t overwintered pansies, they will be happy to be planted now along with snapdragons, stock, ornamental kale and cabbage, and even bluebonnet transplants. Many herbs can safely be planted outside, including cilantro, chives, dill, parsley, oregano, and thyme. Protect the cilantro and chives in below-freezing weather. Vegetables to plant in February and March include asparagus, onions, greens, lettuce, spinach, radish, carrots, beets, bok choy, collards, kale, peas, turnips, leeks, broccoli, shallot bulbs, cabbage, and potatoes. Now is the time to get tomato or pepper plants (if you didn’t start them from seed in January). Keep them in their pots until the beginning of March, and be prepared to protect them from any late freezes if you plant them outside before mid-March or so.

Wishing you a Memorable Valentine’s Day! Submit your Valentine’s love story for a chance to win a dozen roses. Go to www.YoungsDaughters.com Click on “Plan Ahead” Fill out the “online preplanning form” with a story. We will share the winning story and deliver roses to the home address or a local cemetery in honor of your beloved. Phone entries can be submitted by calling 254-401-1302 For more information email: youngsdaughtersfuneralhome@gmail.com

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“One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides.” – W.E. Johns TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Photo courtesy of AMBER CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

Backyard Bliss

38 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

MAKE AND SERVE A MEAL AT HOME TO CELEBRATE WITH YOUR SPECIAL SOMEONE

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy of the FOUNTAIN AVENUE KITCHEN

how some love this Valentine’s Day by cooking up a special dinner to share with your loved one, or double the fun and cook these easy but elegant dishes together. It will be a meal to remember! What is Valentine’s Day without chocolate? This creamy, fudgy concoction tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, yet is simple to make and uses only one bowl. Make it a day ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until it is time to indulge.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients For the cake: • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate • 1/2 cup unsalted butter • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 3 large eggs slightly beaten • 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa powder For the chocolate ganache: • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate • 1/2 cup heavy cream Instructions Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut a piece of parchment to fit the bottom of the pan. Place it in the bottom of the pan and spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. To make the cake: Put the chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the butter is melted and the chips are soft, about one minute. Stir until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. If you need to reheat, do for 10 seconds at a time and stir. Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Add the eggs and stir until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and stir until just combined. Don't over mix. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake the cake for 25 minutes or until the cake has a thin crust on the top and the center registers 200°F on

an instant-read thermometer. Let the cake cool on a wire cooling rack for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges of the pan with a butter knife and carefully turn it upside down onto a cake plate or serving plate. The bottom of the cake will now be the top of the cake. Let the cake cool completely. While the cake is cooling, make the chocolate ganache. Combine the chocolate and cream in a medium microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot so it will melt the chocolate. Start with 30 seconds and check it. It might take longer; it just depends on your microwave. Remove from the microwave, and stir until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Spread the chocolate ganache glaze evenly over the cooled cake. Let the glaze set up for a few hours before cutting and serving the cake. You can put it in the refrigerator to speed up the process. Cut the cake into slices and serve with powdered sugar and raspberries or strawberries, if desired. This cake is also great with whipped cream or ice cream. — Recipe from King Arthur Flour Continued

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40 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

What other kind of soup would you eat on Valentine’s Day except Heart of Artichoke soup? This creamy concoction will start your dinner off in style.

Sweetheart Soup

Ingredients • 6 Tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter • 2 cups coarsely chopped leeks, white part only, first split open lengthwise and well washed • 2 boxes (10 ounces each) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and coarsely chopped • 5 cups chicken or well-flavored vegetable stock • 1/3 cup julienned leek greens • 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese • Minced parsley for garnish, if desired Instructions Melt the butter in a heavy soup pot, over medium heat. Add the chopped leeks and sauté until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the artichoke hearts and cook another 2 minutes. Stir in the stock and let simmer uncovered until the leeks and artichokes are tender, about 25 minutes. Place the leek greens in a fine-mesh sieve and, dipping the sieve into the stock, blanch the leeks until bright green, about 1 minute. Drain and set aside. These are for the garnish. Puree the soup in a food processor in batches. If desired, you can press the puree through a sieve to remove any fibers. Return the soup to the pot, stir in the cream, and reheat. Stir in the cheese, a bit at a time, over mediumlow heat, then season with salt and pepper. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and garnish each serving with the leek greens and a sprinkle finely minced parsley. — Recipe from the “Dairy Hollow House Soup and Bread: A Country Cookbook” by Crescent Dragonwagon Rosemary is an herb that symbolizes love and loyalty and has traditionally been included in wedding bouquets. It is equally lovely on chicken, perhaps accompanied by a crisp salad or roasted asparagus and a baked potato.

Rosemary Chicken

Ingredients • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 3 chicken breasts • Kosher salt • Black pepper • Extra virgin olive oil • 2 lemons, divided • 1/4 cup chicken broth • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary • 4 large garlic cloves, minced • 1 medium yellow onion, halved and sliced (halfmoons) or diced

Instructions Prep the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F and position a rack in the middle. Slice the breasts into cutlets: Place the chicken breast flat on a cutting board and position your nondominant hand on top to hold it firmly. Using a sharp knife, in your dominant hand, carefully slice the chicken breast horizontally starting with the thicker end and all the way through to the thin end. You should end up with two thinner cutlets for each chicken breast half. If the cutlets still need to flatten a bit, cover with plastic wrap and pound with a kitchen mallet (optional). Optionally, you could use chicken strips. Dry and season the chicken: Pat the chicken breast cutlets dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both sides. Cooking: Sauté the chicken in a skillet for about five minutes per side with olive oil. Remove and set aside. Add diced or sliced onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté until onion is cooked. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the top and add the chicken broth and rosemary to the skillet to incorporate everything. Prepare the baking dish: In a 9x13 baking dish, place the chicken in the dish and then pour the sauce over the chicken. Cover the dish with foil. Bake: Place the covered dish on the middle rack of your heated oven for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the foil and return the baking dish back to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and is no longer pink in the middle. Remove the chicken from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Cover and let rest for another 5 minutes and the chicken will come up to 165°F. Cut half of the remaining lemon into slices to garnish. Squeeze the juice from the other half over the chicken and it’s ready to eat! TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Perfect Picnic

GET SOME HELP TO CREATE A ROMANTIC AMBIANCE AT HOME By DAVID STONE Photo courtesy of AMBER CHRISTIE PHOTOGRAPHY

emy Arzola has redefined the romantic picnic. The Picnic Pearl, a Temple-based business with a focus on fabulous, has been planning special celebrations for couples, families and small gatherings for two years, and Nemy says a customized picnic can set the table for a perfect date night. “We can make the occasion very romantic,” she said. “We had a picnic for a proposal where we made a trail out of rose petals that led to a roserimmed heart. We set up a projector and screen, and showed slides of the couple, and we had their special song playing.” “She thought they were celebrating her birthday, but he led her to the middle of the rose-petal heart and proposed,” Nemy said. “It was very romantic.” Nemy, assisted by her husband David Llanas, offers three picnic packages, and each package can be customized to fit the client’s needs. “We offer a standard package, which is designed for couples,” she said. “It comes with a traditional tee-pee tent and is decorated for the season.” “We offer a red set-up that includes red roses and red heart-shaped balloons,” she said. “And we can add features such as games, surrounding lights and music.” This popular date-night picnic comes with a picnic basket of goodies, including butter croissants, grapes and brie cheese. “We also have a whimsical package for up to six friends and family members,” Nemy added. “We can set-up however the client wants, but we’ve done painting and pastries, coffee and cards, and

42 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Bible study and biscotti. We partner with another local company who makes delicious chocolate dipped strawberries.” The Picnic Pearl’s movie night package has also been a hit for groups. It includes a movie screen, movie and projector, plus popcorn and the client’s choice of tea, lemonade or pink lemonade.

A bar cart also is available for all three packages, she said. The picnics can be set up wherever at a location of the client’s choosing. “I encourage people to picnic in a public park, but most want to have it set up at their home,” she said. “We’ve done front yards, back yards, and

we’ve even had indoor picnics for kids. It doesn't matter, my goal is the same: I want to make it a fun, memorable day.” “We recently threw a picnic party for a one-yearold. They had a custom theme — One Cool Dude. We had balloons, themed plates and pillows, and this one was inside.”

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Classic Cocktails

GO BEYOND THE OLD FASHIONED WITH THESE TIMELESS BOURBON & RYE DATE-NIGHT DRINKS Story and photos by JANNA ZEPP

othing says “America,” quite like bourbon. Named for Bourbon County, Kentucky, where the spirit was born during the late 18th Century when Kentucky pioneers began distilling whiskey from corn and they stored the whiskey in charred oak barrels that gave it its particular color and flavor. Bourbon became currency during the American Civil War since the convenience of transporting liquor surpassed the ease of carrying paper money or coins. Wildly popular with Americans, the bourbon industry boomed. By the beginning of the 20th Century, more than 4,000 distilleries flourished across the country since bourbon does not need to be made in Bourbon County, though Kentucky remained, as it does today, the center of production. But what about rye, you might ask. Rye whiskey, bourbon’s older sibling, dates back to around1750 and predates bourbon by several decades. Born in Pennsylvania when farmers and immigrants attempted to create whiskeys similar to what was enjoyed in Great Britain, Ireland, and parts of Europe, rye whiskey came from the rye grain that grew well in the Mid-Atlantic climate of that region. Like bourbon, rye may be made anywhere, but to be proper rye here in the States, production follows particular rules, the most important of which being that it must be made from a fermented mash of at least 51% rye grain. The remaining mash can contain other cereal grains. As with bourbon, it must be distilled to no more than 80% alcohol by volume (ABV) and proofed down to be barreled at no more than 62.5% ABV. Rye must be matured in new charred oak containers and bottled at no less than 40% ABV. Bourbon exists for more than just on-trend Old Fashioneds, of which my own husband, Frank, is quite the learned mixologist (he even smokes his Old Fashioned cocktails with a special contraption that allows him to smoke seven highball classes at once). Here are some bourbon cocktails we’ve discovered and tested in our own home bar in our living room for your stay-at-home date night or a cocktail party you might host in the future. Be sure to have on hand some bar equipment with which to make your drinks,

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The Sazerac such as mixing glass, jigger, strainer, cocktail glass, and cocktail shaker. Don’t forget the ice.

The Sazerac

This recipe comes directly from The Sazerac House in New Orleans where this classic cocktail first appeared. Ingredients • 1.5 oz bourbon • 1 sugar cube • 3 dashes bitters, preferably Peychaud’s • .25 oz anise-flavored liqueur or absinthe • Lemon twist Preparation Pack an Old-Fashioned glass with ice. In a second

The Fanciulli Old-Fashioned glass, place a sugar cube and add three dashes of bitters to it. Crush the sugar cube. Add 1.5 oz bourbon to the glass with the Peychaud’s Bitters and sugar. Add ice and stir. Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with .25 oz aniseflavored liqueur or absinthe. Discard the remaining anise-flavored liqueur or absinthe. Strain the whiskey / bitters / sugar mixture from the glass into the aniseflavored liqueur or absinthe-coated glass and garnish with a lemon peel.

“fanciulli” means “the boys” in Italian slang. This one is an excellent choice for guy’s night as well as date night at home. If Italian proves difficult on your tongue, you can call it a Tony Soprano and leave it at that.

The Fanciulli

Preparation Pour the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Fernet Branca into a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until outside of mixing glass is very cold to touch, about 15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and serve. Continued

Pronounced “fan-CHEE-oo-lee,” mystery shrouds this cocktail. This enigmatic concoction packs a flavor punch and if Manhattans are your poison, this is similar with a bitter menthol touch. Legend holds that

Ingredients 1 1/2 ounces bourbon or rye 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth 1/4 ounce Fernet Branca (a liqueur as the grownup Jägermeister)

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The Ward 8

The Ward Eight hails from Boston and represents Bean Town’s contribution to craft cocktails. Allegedly created in 1898 in Boston in honor of the election of Martin M. Lomasney to the state legislature, Lomasney was a powerful politician of legendary clout in Boston for 40 years, having been the political boss in Boston’s Eighth Ward. If local, state, or national politics is your thing, then this might well be your thirst-quencher.

The Ward 8 The Commodore 64

Ingredients 2 ounces bourbon or rye 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice 2 teaspoons grenadine Garnish: 2 or 3 speared cherries Preparation Add the bourbon, lemon and orange juices and grenadine to a shaker with ice and shake until wellchilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with speared cherries.

The Commodore 64

This cocktail comes from the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City from post Prohibition days, circa 1935. Rum often substitutes for bourbon and this cocktail allows the mixologist to play with other ingredients to create Commodore variations that delight equally. The drink derives its name from Cornelius Vanderbilt nicknamed “the Commodore,” an American business magnate who built his vast wealth in railroads and shipping. Reputed to be difficult, conniving, and irascible, Vanderbilt built more than he destroyed and was considered also to be honorable, shrewd, and hard-working. You might recognize one of Vanderbilt’s famous descendants, Anderson Cooper of CNN, whose mother was Gloria Vanderbilt, famous for her designer blue jeans during the 1980s. Ingredients 1 1/3 ounces bourbon 2/3 ounce white crème de cacao 2/3 ounce fresh lemon juice 2/3 ounce fresh orange juice 1/2 ounce grenadine Dash of Fee Brothers Old Fashion bitters or Angostura bitters 1 orange wedge, for garnish Preparation Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the garnish and shake well. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass and garnish with the orange wedge. Bottom’s up, y’all! 46 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Talk of the Town

FUN IDEAS FOR DATES AROUND CENTRAL TEXAS

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Love on the Dance Floor

ARTHUR MURRAY’S OFFERS LESSONS FOR COUPLES TRYING TO CONNECT Story by DAVID STONE | Photos by SKEEBO

here’s nothing more romantic than strutting those ballroom moves with your favorite guy or gal. And, if your dancing skills are a bit on the rusty side, dance lessons just might make for a perfect date night adventure. MJ and Johnny Gonzales, owners of Arthur Murray Dance Center in Temple, teach more than 30 dances that are popular worldwide. And while their classes are extremely popular, MJ said it often starts with a single date night. “That’s usually how it starts — as a surprise for the wife or vice versa,” she said. “Not all couples have the intention of continuing, but it often leads to weekly lessons.” “Dancing is a romantic way to stay in shape and spend quality time with a loved one,” she said. “I think what you learn on the dance floor reflects how you communicate in life.” “Dancing for many couples is an opportunity to reconnect,” MJ added. “They are spending that time together and learning a fun hobby they can share throughout life. Some couples have kids who are older, or they are empty nesters, and now they have time to spend on themselves.” Arthur Murray’s offers gift certificates that give couples — or singles — an opportunity to give lessons a try before making a big time commitment. “They can try two lessons and attend one of our weekly parties,” she said. “Every Friday night we have parties that are open to the public. We start with a free group lesson at 7:45 — attendance is not required — and the social dance is at 8:30 p.m.” MJ opened the studio about two-and-a-half years ago, and right now the dance center has about 50 regular customers. She and Johnny both teach lessons, and MJ teaches a Barre class on Saturday morning. “I’ve been a dancer all of my life — mostly ballet — and I decided to make a career out of teaching dance,” she said. “We mostly teach adults here, and I love seeing the impact dancing has had on their lives. With dancing, it’s never too late to start — we teach folks from all different backgrounds.” “People are making friends here and creating a new social network. We even had two single people meet here and get married.” Dancing has definitely made an impact on the lives of Jennifer and Chris Wilson, a Temple couple who has been taking dancing lessons at Arthur Murray’s for about two years. 48 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

“We keep going because we are always learning something new,” Jennifer said. “It’s challenging, but it’s fun at the same time. There are so many different dances — you could never learn it all. I also love all of the music.” “Chris and I both learn differently, so it can be a lesson in patience,” she said with a smile. “It’s a lot of fun doing it together.” Chris says dance lessons have brought them closer together. “It’s a date each time we go in,” he said. “It’s an activity we have to engage in together — it’s problem solving through non-verbal cues.” “Ballroom dancing is great exercise, but it’s also a good mental activity,” he said. “We are on our fifth type of dance now — we have learned East Coast swing, waltz, rhumba, fox trot and we are currently learning the tango.” “It’s such a great social activity,” he added. “We are getting to meet a lot of different people.” MJ said her day can be quite tiring, but it’s always a fun experience. “I’m on the dance floor about four straight hours a day,” she said. “We are having so much fun, and it’s always great to see new faces.” So what moves are the most requested? “We specialize in ballroom and partner social dancing such as salsa, samba, swing, polka, classic ballroom, the tango and country dancing — including the two-step and three-step,” she said. “Arthur Murray is an international franchise and they have a syllabus for the most popular dances around the world.” “They don’t have a syllabus for regional dances, but that doesn’t mean we can’t teach it. The Shag, for instance, is huge in the Carolinas. Arthur Murray doesn’t have a syllabus for that dance, but I’m pretty sure they teach it there.” In Temple, MJ has received regional requests for the Cumbia, a Tejano-style dance. MJ and Johnny have been dancing together for several years for fun and in competitions. “We met through community theater in Killeen,” Johnny said. “We were both involved in ‘West Side Story,’ and we started dancing together. We’re both from right here in Central Texas.” The couple took their relationship beyond the dance floor about a year ago and got married.

Arthur Murray Dance Center

Phone: 254-721-9524 Email: arthurmurraytemple@gmail.com Website: arthurmurraytemple.com Address: 2102 SW HK Dodgen Loop, Suite 100, Temple

2102 SW HK Dodgen Loop #100 Temple, TX 76504 ArthurMurrayTemple.com 254-721-9524

*For an individual or a couple. *One per couple/household. *New students only.

“Put a little fun in your life, try dancing!” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Romantic Movies & More THE BELTONIAN OFFERS VALENTINE’S PACKAGES Story by DAVID STONE | Photos by SKEEBO

ove will definitely be in the air this Valentine season at The Beltonian Theatre. The theater, tucked away in downtown Belton, has a full slate of romantic movies and datenight fun throughout February. “We do our best to create a fun and memorable night out,” said Zechariah Baker, owner of the theater. “Our food is high quality, our wine and beer is locally sourced and our prices are affordable. That makes a perfect date-night experience for the young, the old and couples in between.” “We have some classic movies this February that will make for great date nights,” Baker said. “We will be showing The Notebook from Jan. 29 through Feb. 4, and we will wrap up our Valentine’s offerings with The Princess Bride from Feb. 26 through March 3.” “During The Princess Bride, we will offer kits that include plastic swords so you can sword fight along with the movie,” he said. While Valentine’s is usually associated with romance and couples, daughters and their dads also receive special treatment at The Beltonian. “You bet they do,” Baker said with a grin. “For the fifth year, we will be having our DaddyDaughter Date Night. When we started this, it was one night, and it was an immediate hit. This year, it’s been expanded to two full weekends. Daddy-Daughter Date Night will be held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 15 and 16, and at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. an 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 and 17. Tickets are $25.99 per person and can be purchased at TheBeltonianTheatre.com.

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“This event sells out in advance, so I recommend buying tickets soon,” he said. “We are partnering with Chick-fil-A, and admission includes nugget dinners, drinks, desserts, popcorn, a photo booth, crafts that daughters can make for Dad, and more.” The movie will be Frozen, and candy, additional drinks and other items will be available for purchase. The theater will host its sixth annual Valentine’s

In addition to movies, The Beltonian Theatre also hosts comedy shows and concerts.

Day Date Night on Feb. 13 and 14, and this will be a full night of fun and romance. “The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and we will have a concert featuring live music by Mark Warren at 6 p.m.,” Baker said. “Mark is a wonderful Central Texas performer who sounds a bit like Justin Timberlake. He’s really good — he has performed at all of our Date Night celebrations.” “A three-course gourmet meal prepared by

the Pig & Pickle Food Truck will be delivered to your seats at 6:30 p.m., and we will show the 1951 version of An American in Paris at 8 (p.m.). It’s going to be a one-stop full service date night — we will offer service-to-your-seat all night long.” In addition, Date Night will include bottomless champagne and fountain drinks, popcorn and props for the movie. Continued

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Tickets are available at the theater website for $175 per couple. In addition to our Daddy-Daughter Date Night and Valentine’s Day Date Night packages, the theater will be offering half-price movies every Tuesday during February. “Our classic movies are usually $5 per person, but we are cutting that to $2.50 on Tuesday nights,” Baker added. “We pride ourselves on being affordable. A night out shouldn’t break the bank.”

The Beltonian

Phone: 254-831-3161 Website: thebeltoniantheatre.com Address: 219 E Central Ave., Belton

219 East Central Avenue, Belton 254-831-3161 • www.TheBeltonianTheatre.com Classic Movies • Live Events 52 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

Kelsey Thomas welds permanent jewelry onto a customer’s wrist at a pop-up event for Forever Granted.

Forever Granted

WOMAN MAKES HER MARK WITH PERMANENT JEWELRY

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos by BRANDY CRUZ and courtesy of KELSEY THOMAS

here’s a new trend taking the jewelry world by storm, and that’s permanent jewelry. While it might sound scary at first, don’t worry, you’re not signing up to have a bracelet tattooed or soldered onto your skin. Instead, permanent jewelry simply means that the

bracelet, necklace or anklet has no clasp, and the two ends of the metal are welded together so that the piece cannot come off unless it’s broken or taken off by a professional. Temple resident Kelsey Thomas has her own Continued

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piece of permanent jewelry — a bracelet that she how to do the actual welding. got with her mom and sister years ago when they “A lot of people think that permanent jewelry were at a festival in Waco. Little did she know is soldering, but that’s different than welding,” that event would stay with her and later become Thomas says. part of her livelihood when she opened her own Welding melts the metal so that it becomes a permanent jewelry business, Forever Granted, in solid, while soldering heats the metal, but does May 2022. not soften it. In fact, Kelsey explained that welding Thomas owns a boutique with her mom and forms a stronger bond than soldering does. sisters, which they opened in 2016, and Thomas At Forever Granted, Thomas offers bracelets, was the one who made the jewelry for the necklaces, anklets and rings, and she has recently boutique, but she stopped after she had her son. begun offering charms that can be added to the Shortly after her maternity leave, she became chains. She offers more than 30 chain styles that are frustrated with her daily hour-and-a-half commute, either 14-karat gold filled or 0.925 sterling silver. and she told her husband Recently, Kelsey began that she was unhappy offering the option to add with her day job. When a clasp if someone is not he asked her what she’d able to have permanent rather be doing, a recent jewelry, such as an athlete. trend that she’d seen “That way, they can on TikTok popped into take their piece of jewelry her head — permanent off and on,” she says. jewelry. She says she’s “And then when they are always loved crafting and no longer in sports, or making things, and she whatever it may be, they already had experience can always bring that chain with having permanent back and I can weld it onto jewelry herself, so it just to them.” made sense. Thomas usually does Thomas wanted a local pop-ups at boutiques unique name for her and festivals, but she’s permanent jewelry also traveled around Texas business, and her sister to cities such as Austin, came up with the idea of Caldwell, College Station Granted Designs, named and Taylor. But the place after Thomas’s son. that she does pop-ups Thomas loved the name, at most is Pink Bulldog Kelsey Thomas with her son, Grant. but it wasn’t quite perfect. Boutique and Whimsies But then one night in a Boutique, both in Belton. dream, it hit her — Forever Granted. She also offers private parties and is open to “You put this piece of jewelry on, and it’s working with her clients for availability. forever,” she says. “And so, Forever Granted is Permanent jewelry is also a wonderful gift to named after my son, Grant, which really means a give your special someone for Valentine’s Day or lot to me.” any special occasion. Gift cards can be purchased During the week, Thomas works at McLane at squareup.com/gift/MLK9QDP9AG8KY/order. Company as a compliance specialist in the legal “The permanent jewelry community is big, and department, but she does permanent jewelry on I’m all about helping others get started if that’s the weekends. something that they truly want to do,” Thomas “I started off small, and I did a few pop-ups, but says. “It’s not only a business, it’s also intimate. I’ve then it really just took off,” she says. done bachelorette parties, weddings, and birthday Someday, though, she’d love to make Forever parties. So, it’s more than just a business — it’s Granted her full-time job and open her own meaningful.” storefront. To get started with permanent jewelry, Thomas did an online training program based out of Phone: 254-780-7690 Florida, which helped her learn everything about Social: facebook.com/forevergranted the industry, from how to get started, what supplies she’d need, how to market her business, as well as instagram.com/forever_granted

Forever Granted

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Setting the Mood

ENJOY TIME TOGETHER AT A ROMANTIC RESTAURANT

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Feast on 17 South ENJOY AN UPSCALE DINING EXPERIENCE WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of 17 SOUTH and RAE ALLEN PHOTOGRAPHY

repare to fall head over heels for the latest sensation in town — 17 South! Imagine this: a tantalizing blend of upscale flavors, all perfectly seasoned to bring an explosion of bright tastes to your palate. This new culinary gem is led by the talented trio of Isen Ismaili, Eric Seidel and Keith Bynum. Bynum, not only a co-owner but the ingenious chef at the helm, knows where love meets cuisine. This Temple location has transformed into a feast for the senses as 17 South and the reviews since opening have been exemplary. “The game is all about confidence,” Bynum said. “With each good review, it builds your confidence and makes you want to do better.” At 17 South, the air is charged with romance and elegance. A cozy and relaxing ambiance, carefully crafted with just the right balance of lighting and soft music, sets the scene for an unforgettable dining experience that’s equally welcoming for families, romantic dates or even corporate gatherings. What sets 17 South apart is its multifaceted space — an upper level offers live music to enhance your dining pleasure or the flexibility to rent it for private soirées. “We wanted to offer an elevated experience for people to both get what they were used to moving here from larger cities but also for locals to get back what they may have lost from COVID hitting,” Bynum said. Now, let’s talk about the menu — a culinary love story penned by Bynum. Each dish is a masterpiece, an expression of love for food. The offerings aren’t just savory, they’re meticulously curated flavor pairings that are not only beautiful but also deserving of your camera’s attention. Adhering to the “you eat with your eyes first” theory, the contrasting colors combined with textual variations entice the visual allure. Ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, with artisanal bread set on your table from Megg’s Cafe and Hamilton Bread Co. For dessert, indulge in heavenly creations from Morgan Pearl Bakery, handcrafted and delivered daily. Tres leches, raspberry mousse, or brown butter cheesecake with pecans — the choice is a difficult one! Favorite dishes include beautifully balanced citrus salmon to lamb chops to the “by demand, not request” revitalized diablo ravioli to hanger steak. Collaboration

Co-owners Isen Ismaili, Eric Seidel and Keith Bynum being key to 17 South, the entrees pair with PFG, Westphailia Meat Market, as well as Braveheart Beef. “It is so hard now to have a successful small business, so the more we support others small businesses to tie in, the better,” Bynum said. The food may not even be the most impressive part of 17 South, the respect and love for the staff may shine even brighter. “We want to tell them every day that we appreciate them,” Seidel said, with Ismaili adding, “Everyone is treated with enormous respect.” The trio knows very well the work it takes to ensure regulars keep coming through their doors. 17 South is more than just a dining spot; it’s a love letter to your taste buds. With its blend of modernity and tradition, this establishment exudes class and elegance, promising a luxurious experience without breaking the bank. “We wanted to deliver an experience you can afford multiple times over and to target all demographics,” Bynum said. So, gather your loved ones, come for the flavors, stay for the love, and let 17 South be the stage for your next unforgettable culinary exploration.

17 South

Phone: 254-727-4132 Website: 17-south.com Address: 17 S. Main St., Temple TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Love is in the Air

AT ALEXANDER’S CRAFT COCKTAILS & KITCHEN

By TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of ALEXANDER’S CRAFT COCKTAILS & KITCHEN

etween crazy work schedules, shuffling kids back and forth, and consuming fast food on the run, it’s time to reconnect with your significant other. Order in pizza for the babysitter and kids, then head over with your honey to the lovely, upscale Alexander’s Craft Cocktails & Kitchen perched on the banks of Salado Creek. Named after William R. Alexander, who ran a distillery on the property during the Civil War, the well-loved restaurant offers patrons a quiet and comfy bar area to settle into cozy leather chairs and sip a drink from the extensive beverage menu consisting of handcrafted cocktails and various wines and beer. A sampling of just a few of the winter cocktail offerings include Winter Rose (Empress Rose’, pomegranate juice, lemon, simple, foamed), Fireside Sangria (Basil Hayden, maple, St. Germaine, apple cider), Elouan Pinot Noir and Frosty Mojito (Malibu, coconut milk, lime, mint, soda). Dave Hermann, Alexander’s director of development and culinary operations, likes creating the seasonal craft cocktails, he said, “by using spices, flavors and fruit that represent the season, and our ingredients are freshly squeezed and house made.” Outside dining on the porch is available, weather permitting, or enjoy your meal inside the peaceful dining room while savoring mouthwatering appetizers, entrees and desserts proudly prepared by Chef Pedro Cuellar. A foodie before the word was popular, and after opening a few restaurants in Austin, he attended culinary school at the Art Institute of Houston. Hermann enjoys the occasional bartending, creating new flavors, and Cuellar also enjoys working with different ingredients, creating tasty dishes which flavors compliment the food, all without overpowering its’ natural taste. Spice things up over Louisiana crab cakes with spicy caper aioli. Man shall not live by bread alone, but it’s tempting to try when you savor the house-made focaccia with fresh semi-dried tomato and basil. Other appetizers include citrus poached shrimp cocktail with Tito’s spiked cocktail sauce, and more. Warm up with soup du jour and

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a chopped house style salad. Kick the salad up a notch by adding grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon. Beef tenderloin or a broiled lobster tail may also be added to salads. In keeping with Valentine’s Day’s proverbial color, order the tangy red beet salad. Vegan and gluten-free meal options are available. Dining tables in Alexander’s are aglow with an individual votive, which sets the mood for a lovely meal. Also, patrons can contact a florist for a special flower delivery to be set and ready for that special someone. “Wedding proposals take place all the time here,” Hermann says. “Our cozy ambiance makes for an intimate experience.” Cuellar agreed, adding that “the ambiance at Alexander’s is our biggest draw and I try to match the menus to our character of location and historical significance.” The Tuesday Prix Fixe special varies weekly, and according to Cuellar, it’s a hit with the locals. “It’s an entertaining quirk of the location,” he says. “It’s an around the world dinner that’s a collaboration between me, the cooks, bartenders and manager trying to utilize local resources to bring dinner from different parts of the world.” Other mouthwatering entrée plates include, seared Scottish salmon, pan seared beef tenderloin, and more. Both Herman and Cuellar agreed their most popular dishes are the grilled 44 Farms rib-eye, locally sourced from Cameron; and the pan roasted double bone Texas size pork chop. Veggie sides accompany each entrée. If you and your sweetie prefer afternoon delight, the lunch/brunch offerings, such as avocado toast, pork belly carnitas, and more, can satisfy mid-day hungries with a meal that doesn’t come in a sack with a toy. William R. Alexander would be proud to know the original spirit of the restaurant still lives on.

Alexander's Craft Cocktails & Kitchen

Phone: 254-947-3828 Website: inncreek.com/alexanders Address: 602 Center Circle, Salado

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62 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

A Taste of Italy

IN THE HEART OF COPPERAS COVE AT GIOVANNI’S

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of GIOVANNI'S

little piece of Italy in the heart of Texas is not simply a slogan for Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria in Copperas Cove, it’s symbolic of owner Maura Martinez’s life in Central Texas. Originally from Vincenza in North Italy, she began helping in her mother’s restaurant when she was only 11 years old. After marrying an American soldier, Martinez and her family ended up in Copperas Cove when her husband was stationed at Fort Cavazos. After falling in love with Central Texas, Martinez decided that Copperas Cove would remain her home. Martinez was first hired as a server at the original Giovanni’s restaurant. She purchased the restaurant from the previous owner in 2000. Her business partner, Adrian Frias, joined her in 2005. Their new facility was built from the ground up with a lot of patience, love and care, resulting in a beautiful restaurant that combines old-world Italian influences with modern convenience. “The supportive and friendly community has made it a fulfilling place for my restaurant,” Martinez says. What Martinez loves most about running a restaurant are the people. “I wasn’t sure I wanted to own a restaurant after watching my mom and knowing first-hand how hard of work it is. But when I arrived here, I realized that it’s very different than in Italy. In Italy, there is very little personal interaction with the customer. It is colder. Here, you have more ‘touch’ with the customers,” she said with a smile. “It’s beautiful. I love it.” Martinez also loves her home country, and many of the restaurant’s dishes take on the flavors of traditional northern Italian food. Every meal is served with warm homemade rolls, along with either a crisp tossed salad or their freshly made pasta e fagioli soup. The spaghetti shrimp, always a timeless favorite, is a cherished recipe from Martinez’s mother. Creamy chicken asiago is a recent addition to the menu and is quickly gaining popularity, alongside everyone’s all-time favorite, their homemade Alfredo sauce. Martinez’s favorite recipe is the homemade lasagna, crafted with real béchamel sauce — never ricotta cheese. All dishes

are cooked on gas stoves or in the wood-fired oven brought over from Italy, and a full bar is stocked and ready. “We achieve excellence by prioritizing the use of premium ingredients and never compromising on quality for the sake of cost. Our commitment to a top-notch food experience is evident in our madeto-order dishes — never frozen, as it doesn’t align with our quality standards,” Martinez shared. On her journeys back and forth to Italy over the years, Martinez personally collected many of the lovely items and artifacts for the restaurant’s new home that opened in 2010. A flowing fountain and graceful arches greet the eye upon entering the restaurant, lending an elegant, yet relaxed, atmosphere. Each room in the restaurant represents a distinct place in Italy — Toscana, Venezia, Roma and the Colonnade — which reflects the architecture of Monte Berico (a Roman Catholic Church and minor basilica in Vincenza). Giovanni’s also offers a private date-night room, the Romeo and Juliet room. For larger events, the restaurant has two banquet rooms available which are assigned a dedicated service staff for each event. The large menu offers a varied and interesting selection of food at reasonable prices guaranteed to please any taste or budget. Catering service is also available.

Giovanni's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Phone: 254-518-2227 Website: giovannisitalianrestaurant.com Address: 115 West Highway 190, Copperas Cove TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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COMMUNITY

A Lifelong Love of the Arts THE CONTEMPORARIES GALA RAISING FUNDS FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS Doug Stone will perform at The Contemporaries’ gala on March 9.

66 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

By BRANDY CRUZ | Courtesy photos

he Contemporaries’ ongoing dedication to the arts is paving the way for a brighter artistic future for generations. The organization will host its annual gala on Saturday, March 9, at the Cultural Activities Center in Temple, a fundraiser initiative to raise money for the Cultural Activities Center, specifically for children’s programs that will stimulate a lifelong interest in the arts. “I had the opportunity to be involved in theater, music and dance as a young girl growing up in Kansas, and had the luxury of attending smaller schools where you could be in everything you wanted to,” said Cheryl Hinckley, public relations chairman of The Contemporaries. “Because of my personal exposure and involvement in the performing and visual arts, I want as many children as possible to have that same magical feel when they walk onto a stage, learn a new dance, paint or draw something they can take home with them, or enjoy going to a museum and getting the thrill of seeing what people can express in a painting.” With its Hands-On Program, The Contemporaries have provided Bell County students with an immersible experience that helps them dive deep and truly experience a topic or culture through the arts. The 2023 HandsOn Program allowed students to take a virtual journey through time to ancient Egypt. The students learned about art, engineering, lifestyle and the accomplishments of the ancient Egyptians, which helped influence other civilizations. The theme for the 2024 Hands-On Program will be announced in May. “Being a part of a group dedicated

Terry McBride will perform at The Contemporaries’ gala on March 9.

Scan the QR code above to get tickets to The Contemporaries’ fundraising gala on March 9.

to bringing eye-opening opportunities and experiences for young children in the performing and visual arts is rewarding,” Hinckley said. For more than 53 years, The Contemporaries have helped raised money for the CAC through various activities. After decades of fundraisers, the stars have aligned to celebrate the Lone Star state with

This year’s event will include a silent auction, with bidding starting online at silentauctionpro.com. There will also be a live auction featuring celebrity auctioneers Ricky and Bubba Smith from A&E television’s “Storage Wars: Texas.” Following a homestyle dinner, live music will be provided by award-winning country music stars Doug Stone and the native-Texan Terry McBride. The Contemporaries Gala is a celebration of the countless lives these fundraisers have touched, the community they have strengthened and the enduring commitment to create a brighter future for all under the vast and boundless Texas sky. “Gussie up in your favorite country best and plan on helping us raise needed funds for our Temple Cultural Activities Center. You will support the CAC and programs and projects for thousands of children,” said Vicki Jane Mills, co-chair of the gala. “You will have a great time and feel good deep down in your soul, knowing you’ve done good. We would love to have y’all!”

“Under the Texas Sky,” a theme to pay homage to the iconic Texas skyline, reflecting the expansive vision that has fueled the event’s success throughout the years. Last year’s gala raised more than $160,000. Since 1975, fundraisers hosted by The Contemporaries have amassed more than $2,650,000 for children’s programs.

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Finding Love on TV HOW BRAIN RESEARCH COULD HELP SAVE REALITY DATING SHOWS By DAVID CLAUD, MD, PhD | Graphic by BRANDY CRUZ

ave you ever watched a reality show, such as “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” and wondered about the authenticity of the contestants’ feelings toward the bachelor or bachelorette? Though not a regular viewer myself (not that I would admit it here if I were), since I care for my relatives who invest their time and brain cells watching the shows, I find myself asking the same question many Tex Appeal readers are posing at this point: “How could the producers restructure the shows in a way that would increase viewership, raise awareness for research projects currently underway to map the brain, and help the viewers feel more invested in these couples?” My recommendation: periodically perform a functional MRI (fMRI) on contestants to give viewers more information as they suss out which contestants are faking a romantic interest in the bachelor or bachelorette so they can advance to the next round. For those who are a little hazy about the finer points of fMRIs and brain research: fMRIs: After the neurons (brain cells) in a specific region of the brain do work related to cognitive activity, they receive an increased amount of oxygen, delivered via an extra serving of oxygenated hemoglobin. Because oxygenated hemoglobin responds to a magnet differently than deoxygenated hemoglobin, a functional MRI can detect which regions of the brain receive more oxygen in association with the performance of specific

68 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

cognitive tasks, and therefore map specific areas of the brain to specific cognitive functions. While hooked to the fMRI, scientists have discovered that when people are shown an image of someone they are romantically attracted to, some specific areas of the brain receive more oxygen in response to increased neuronal activity associated with seeing the image. (For those desiring to impress their Valentine’s Day date, find a way to casually work into your conversation that the caudate nucleus and the ventral tegmental areas of the brain receive more oxygen when one is shown such an image.) BRAIN Initiative: fMRIs are one tool that neuroscientists use in their efforts to revolutionize our understanding of the human brain. In 2014, the National Institutes of Health initiated the BRAIN Initiative to lead effective collaboration amongst neuroscientists around the world to expedite our journey to understanding the brain. $680 million was appropriated to this initiative in Fiscal Year 2023. The series’ producers could perform an fMRI on each contestant while they’re shown a picture of the bachelor or bachelorette so viewers could know if their fMRI results were consistent with the attraction they claimed to have toward the bachelor or bachelorette. Using fMRIs in this way would evoke many questions and ideas from viewers, including: Is it better to show the bachelorette the results during the competition, or is it better to wait to show her until

The series’ producers could perform an fMRI on each contestant while they’re shown a picture of the bachelor or bachelorette so viewers could know if their fMRI results were consistent with the attraction they claimed to have toward the bachelor or bachelorette. after her selection? Is possible that some contestants not romantically attracted to the bachelorette would try to “beat the test” by thinking of someone who they were attracted to when shown the image of the bachelorette? Would it be useful

to measure changes in contestant’s hormone levels involved in love, such as testosterone, estrogen, dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and oxytocin? Would measurement of pupillary dilation be helpful? Is the fMRI really a valid tool? All great

questions that could be answered by a co-host who also happened to be a neuroscientist. On this Valentine’s Day, I appeal to the reality shows’ producers: use fMRI to boost ratings and increase national awareness of the BRAIN Initiative.

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70 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

CENTEX ED

Try ‘Dating’ Books HELP STUDENTS FALL IN LOVE WITH READING

alentine’s Day is upon us, and spring will soon be in the air. It is definitely the season for new love. What better time for students to fall in love with a new book? But, as with all new relationships, finding a book that sparks a student’s interest can sometimes feel … complicated. Because students are often assigned reading for purposes other than enjoyment, they may believe that reading for fun is just not for them. Whether students have become reluctant readers or just want to explore new writers or genres, here are a few ways to help students fall in love with a new book. First, help students get to know the “dating scene,” also known as the library or bookstore. Many students are unfamiliar with the wide variety of reading available. Both public and JOHNA school libraries are great resources UNDERWOOD for trying new books without the commitment of buying them. If checking out a public library, students may benefit from a brief tour in order to explore a wider variety of genres. Even exploring a new section in their school or classroom library can show them there are many fish in the sea of reading (including lots of books about fish in the sea). Once students are familiar with the variety available, encourage them to “flirt” with a few different genres. Ask your student to consider what they have read or watched previously that they enjoyed, and what topics they might like to learn about. Students can make lists of genres or topics to explore. That favorite show or movie might even be based on a book. Students can record their reading preferences and keep an ongoing list of what they might like to read next on a variety of apps, online sites, or a simple piece of paper. After students have settled on a few genres to explore, it’s time for “speed dating.” Your reader should pick a handful of books that have potential, look at titles, and read any information about the book on the back cover or inside flaps. Then, they should take a few minutes to read the first few paragraphs or pages, depending on the size of the book and the student’s age. Your reader should be checking for a few things during this “speed dating

session.” Does the book seem to fit into the topic or category they were really wanting to read? Does the book seem interesting (at least so far)? And is it near the student’s “just right” reading level? This “just right” level is a book that is not too hard and not too easy. Students will likely not stick with a book if they are struggling to read the words or understand the content. Additionally, they may lose interest if the subject matter or sentences are too simplistic. Students might need several rounds of speed dating before they choose a few books in which to invest more time. Hopefully by this point, your reader will have chosen one or two books to “take out and get to know.” As with any good relationship, getting to know a book takes time. Families and children’s lives are often very busy, and even the most excited reader can struggle to stay with a book if they are not making time to read. Fortunately, because this is reading for enjoyment, and not an assignment, students could read before bed, in the car between school and other activities, or in their free time as an alternative to TV, games, or cellphones. Reading for enjoyment can also easily involve technology. Audiobooks, Kindle and electronic books checked out and read through library apps and online services may provide a simpler, more accessible option for reading. Finally, encourage your student to talk about their reading: what is happening in the story, what they are learning as they read, and what they like and dislike about the books they chose. These conversations can help students continue to discover new reading preferences leading to new exciting book relationships in the future. Whatever books your reader decides to explore, a love for reading is a relationship that is well worth the investment. Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

CENTEX VETERANS

Still Finding Ways to Serve VIETNAM WAR HERO HELPS TROOPS RECEIVE BENEFITS By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos courtesy of JOHN FOOTMAN and KILLEEN DAILY HERALD archives

etired Staff Sgt. John Footman spent his mortars, and a one-time fuse. The most impressive early military career wading through the find, however, was a logbook detailing everything trenches of Vietnam, suffering from injuries the enemy had been hauling since 1963. The and becoming a highly decorated American hero. discovery earned the cavalryman a Bronze Star with He now wades through the trenches of paperwork Valor. needed to help soldiers, veterans and retirees He later earned a second Purple Heart after receive the awards and benefits they deserve. his armored vehicle hit a 60-pound mine, causing Without charge and without expecting anything in severe damage to his legs. Footman said he recalls return, he does this because he has one goal in life waking up in the hospital surrounded by doctors – to help soldiers and veterans face the difficulties who gave him grim news. They said he would that come with post-military service. never walk again due to the severity of his injuries, “When I retired, there but a mere 15 days later, wasn’t any help out there. Footman was back on his Everything I’ve done, I did feet. it on my own and funneled “God had another my way through it,” plan for me and I am very Footman explained. “Now blessed to be alive,” he I try to help soldiers by said. pointing them in the right Despite his traumatic direction.” first few years of service, After being drafted in Footman went on to serve 1967, Footman deployed 20 years of active duty to Vietnam with the 4th before retiring in July Infantry Division. Despite 1987. His devotion and sustaining a gunshot service to his country did wound to the leg and not end with retirement. receiving a Purple Heart, He is a member of the he voluntarily went back to Veterans of Foreign Wars the jungle after reenlisting Post 12209, Wreaths for in Germany. Vets, Veterans Helping “I’m from Florida, so I Veterans, a lifetime don’t do snow,” he said. member of the Disabled — Retired Staff Sgt. John Footman “I went and talked to American Veterans the reenlistment NCO Chapter 29, and the senior (noncommissioned officer) and told him, ‘Whatever vice for the Harker Heights chapter of the Military you can do, get me out of here (Germany) as soon Order of the Purple Heart. He also serves as the as possible.’” senior vice for the state chapter of the Military By March 1970, Footman stepped back into Order of the Purple Heart, as well as the Region 5 the jungles of Vietnam. Not long after, he made chief of staff. the discovery of a lifetime. While conducting a He is the past commander of the Texas Military search about 10 miles southwest of Camp Radcliff, Order of the Purple Heart, served three terms the largest helicopter base in the world at the as commander of the Central Texas Chapter and time, Footman discovered a large weapons cache established three new chapters within Texas. He containing five B40 heads, 16 B40 charges, five B41 was instrumental in establishing Harker Heights charges, 210 blasting caps, four fuses for 82mm Continued

“When I retired, there wasn’t any help out there. Everything I’ve done, I did it on my own and funneled my way through it. Now I try to help soldiers by pointing them in the right direction.”

72 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

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Command Sgt. Maj. John McDwyer and Lt. Gen. Sean C. Bernade, III Corps and Fort Cavazos command team, pose for a photo with Bill Kliewer, Mary Kliewer and John Footman during the Good Neighbors dinner. The inductees were awarded Phantom Blue Blazers with a Fort Cavazos patch. Photo courtesy of Scott Darling | Fort Cavazos Public Affairs as a Purple Heart City in 2014. He is also active in the community, serving on the Harker Heights Safety Commission. Due to Footman’s continued service to the troops, he received a Congressional Veteran Commendation from Congressman John Carter in October 2020. The commendation is designed to recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of residents of the 31st Congressional District of Texas. After serving the Central Texas community for all these years, Footman was recently named a Fort Cavazos Good Neighbor, a program designed to recognize members of the community who have made significant contributions to the well-being of Fort Cavazos soldiers and families. “It was an honor … such an honor, and I was totally shocked,” he said about the recognition. “I always thought it was for retired colonels, sergeants major. I’m just a retired staff sergeant, so I never thought it would happen to me.” Footman said he helps because a lot of service members do not know the services that are available once they transition from the military. One of the biggest issues they face is receiving their disability benefits. That’s when it helps to call on organizations like the VFW or DAV for assistance. “We don’t want them going out and paying for their disability benefits,” Footman said. “Especially with all the services we have now.” For assistance with military disability benefits or awards, contact Footman at 254-681-8807. 74 FEBRUARY & MARCH 2024 | TEX APPEAL

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