Tex Appeal | June & July 2023

BLOOMIN’ IN BELL!

IN

WHAT’S DRIVING BELL CO.’S GROWTH

TASTES OF CENTRAL TEXAS HISTORY

BETTER BANKING, BETTER YOU.

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40

Bloomin’ in Bell!

A look at development and growth in Belton, Killeen, Salado & Temple as Bell County residents share why they love life in Central Texas

58

Faces of Business

Get to know the people behind local businesses in Central Texas

61

Entrepreneur

ON THE COVER

6 8 9 10 12 18 20 22 24

ADVERTISING INDEX

EDITOR’S LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS

NEIGHBORS

TAMRA Learning Academy

SCENE

Celebrate Killeen

High Class Blue Jean Night Temple College Derby Day

FAITH

J.A.I.L. Ministry

FLAVOURS

Rio Salado Cocina y Cantina

SPIRITS

Shady Villa Hotel

IN THE SPOTLIGHT City of Temple

26 28 30 36 38 64 66 70

THE REVIEW

Bringing people together

TEEN REVIEW

We Were Liars

EVENTS

What’s happening in June & July

HOME: A LOOK INSIDE

Welcome to the Treehouse

THIS GIRL’S GARDEN

Wildflower wonders

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Staying hydrated during summer’s heat

BEING CENTRAL TEXAN

Of sprawl and sunflowers

CENTEX ED

Add educational stops to your summer adventures

Denise Tilmon is lighting her way forward, opening The Wick and Burn Candle Bar in Temple

68

CenTex Past

Camp Hearne in Robertson County housed German POWs during World War II

72

Daytrippin’

Blue Hills Ranch & Resort near McGregor offers a wildlife oasis and lots of adventure for all ages

As proprietors of Barrow Brewing Company, KD and Graydon Hill are helping drive growth in Salado | 42 Photo by SKEEBO

Patrons enjoy pizza at Treno Pizzeria and Taproom. The restaurant is one of several new establishments giving renewed life to downtown Temple. | 46 Photo by SKEEBO

AUSTIN Georgetown Round rock

TO HARKER HEIGHTS C ing s n

FROM THE EDITOR

Summer is nearly here and Bell County is in full bloom, not just in wildflowers but in growth and development throughout the area. Find out what’s been happening in Killeen on page 50, Temple on page 46, Belton on page 54, and Salado on page 42 in our special feature entitled Bloomin’ in Bell!

Being Central Texan both bemoans and celebrates this boom and bloom on page 66 with a wistful look at what was once pastureland and is now proof of urban and suburban developments.

Neighbor tells you about Dr. Rosie Montgomery and TAMRA Learning Academy on page 10. The school serves students with learning differences including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and language processing disorders.

Faith introduces you to J.A.I.L. Ministry which now serves thousands of inmates not only in Bell County, but across the nation on page 18.

This Girl’s Garden features adventures in wildflower gardening on page 38.

JANNA ZEPP editor@ texappealmag.com

254-774-5266

Entrepreneur spotlights The Wick and Burn Candle Bar as owner/operator Denise Tilmon shares her business inspiration and life’s story on page 61.

Flavours visits Rio Salado for Tex-Mex con sabor on page 20 and Spirits takes you to the Shady Villa Hotel poolside for cocktails on page 22.

The Review explains how book clubs bring people together on page 26 while Teen Review takes a look at We Were Liars, a psychological horror young-adult novel by E. Lockhart, on page 28.

CenTex Past visits Camp Hearne, a World War II prisoner-of-war camp on page 68. Commissioned in 1942, Camp Hearne was one of the few camps that housed prisoners from all three Axis powers during the conflict.

Daytrippin’ takes you to Blue Hills Resort in McGregor on page 72 where you can hang out in a hot tub with otters, among other things.

CenTex Ed teaches us about fun, educational summertime stops around Central Texas on page 70.

Scene stops by Celebrate Killeen, The Contemporaries High Class Blue Jean Night and Temple College’s Derby Day fundraiser on pages 12-16.

Nutrition & Fitness lays out the importance of staying hydrated while explaining sweat and water loss on page 64.

It’s a full issue and we learned a lot putting it all together for you.

In other news, this is my last issue of Tex Appeal as editor. I have enjoyed my time as editor, but now it’s time to take a step back and enjoy writing for the magazine rather than the grind of decisionmaking chores on top of the fun of storytelling. I’ll still be present, but it’s time for someone else to take the reins for a while. I’m not leaving entirely, just taking a deep breath and reprioritizing my life. I look forward to telling your tales with a little less stress and a whole lot more time for my family.

Happy trails, y’all. I’ll see you in the next issue as a regular contributor.

Janna Zepp Tex Appeal editor

Tex Appeal

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC.

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM

10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN

Editor JANNA ZEPP

Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER

Contributors

RHONDA BLACKLOCK-BAVAS

LISA CARLISLE

PHOENIX CARLISLE

SKEEBO REICHERT

AMY ROGNLIE

BECKY STINEHOUR

CAREY STITES

RACHEL STRICKLAND

JOHNA UNDERWOOD

TONYA WARREN

Advertising

254-778-4444 in Temple

254-501-7500 in Killeen

ABOUT US:

Tex Appeal Magazine is published by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

For the United States, $24 per year, 6 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.

POSTMASTER:

Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.

HOW TO CONTACT US:

Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500.

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

RHONDA BLACKLOCK-BAVAS is Mom to two active teenage boys. From Belton, she has a business degree from the University of Phoenix. She has one children’s book published and hopes to publish her first novel soon. In her free time she can be found traveling Texas and beyond, “hunting” for historical markers, and fun, unique places to visit. She has a new blog you can check out, Texas Travel Gal, at www.texastravelgal.com.

LISA CARLISLE is Tex Appeal’s account executive. 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 for five years. 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 honor roll student at Lake Belton High School. She is a involved in theater, the Belton Youth Advisory Council, UIL, and with the Temple library. Phoenix is an avid reader and aspires to become an English professor and travel the world.

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.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Tex Appeal is always looking for photographers and freelance writers with newspaper or magazine experience.

We are also currently searching for the next editor of our publication. If you have writing, photography, design skills and have a vision on how we might grow Tex Appeal, email dhedge@tdtnews.com.

CONTRIBUTORS

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.

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

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

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

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

CONNECT WITH US

Learning For All Abilities

TAMRA IN TEMPLE STRIVES TO HELP ALL STUDENTS SUCCEED

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of DR. ROSIE MONTGOMERY

True visionaries see a need and work to fill it. Such is the case with Drs. Tresa and Mike McNeal, Anne Lueke, Andy Montgomery and his wife, Dr. Rosie Montgomery, a licensed clinical psychologist. As the founding members of TAMRA Learning Academy in Temple, their dream to open a school came true in 2017. The school serves students with learning differences including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia and language processing disorders.

Dr. Rosie Montgomery’s career began at Baylor Scott & White, where she worked in general psychiatry and child development. In 2013, she started a private practice in Waco and served as an adjunct professor for the Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program at Baylor. She currently has her own practice in Temple, where she focuses on developmental disorders.

“Through working in my practice, I realized I was spending a lot of time devising strategies for kids to be successful in school,” Montgomery said.

She started thinking about what it would look like to have her own school where these struggling students could receive the help they needed. “For the most part, the kids that we serve are only going to qualify for a 504 [plan for special education services] and the kids need more support than that, but the [public] school’s hands are tied, so families are hiring tutors and outside help.”

Through many conversations with friends and family, she realized all of it could be done in one location if they could find the right teachers and staff to serve these students.

TAMRA Learning Academy started with seven students and in five years, has grown to 32 students. Fully accredited through the Accreditation Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools, the TAMRA model

Registrar Wendy Davis and Dr. Rosie Montgomery match for Valentine’s Day.

enhances students’ learning ability by addressing their social, emotional, and physical needs while embracing an educational approach that aims to create a positive learning experience for all students. TAMRA offers a learning experience supported by cognitive behavioral therapy and biblical principles. There are five licensed teachers including two of Montgomery’s daughters. The reading curriculum focuses on phonics and guided reading, and student placement across subjects focuses on individual

strengths and weaknesses rather than a specific grade level.

“We focus on understanding each child’s diagnosis and how that diagnosis is affecting learning, then we try to close the gap,” Montgomery said. “For example, a student might be in fifth grade math, but second grade reading. We move kids all over to hit their strengths and work on their weaknesses.”

In addition to academics, students at TAMRA work on social skills. Using the same cognitive behavioral therapy

strategies that Montgomery uses in her practice, students learn how to modify their own thought patterns and behavioral patterns. “We try to catch students before they reach frustration point,” she said. To reinforce the skills they are learning, younger students work weekly with the school psychologist to practice social thinking — talking about what happened during the week and relating those events to what they are learning.

Currently, the school serves students in K-8, but they do offer a “guided homeschool” program for high schoolers that is taught at the school by a certified teacher who specializes in project-based learning. Some of the high school students also participate in local programs such as gaining workforce skills at Eldredge Nursery or the Texas Workforce program at Temple College where they can earn dual credits. The school also offers a summer program for TAMRA students and those in the community who need extra support, particularly with dyslexia.

LEARN MORE

Website: tamralearning.com

Phone: 254-721-0996

ABOVE: Students prepared shoe boxes with gifts for the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child program. BELOW: TAMRA teachers and staff at a storybook Halloween celebration, from left, Elizabeth Mirabal, Sheila Potter, Myriam Lawson, Wendy Davis, Maggie Montgomery, Rosie Montgomery, Melissa Lohr and Tonya Bunch.

SCENE: CELEBRATE KILLEEN

1. Jershika Maple, a contestant on NBC’s The Voice in 2021, wraps up the first day of Celebrate Killeen festivities.

2.Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King, center, joins members of the First Cav Band before they take the stage.

3. Clara Mota, Ruben Rivera and Josh Knight listen to the First Cav Band.

4. Nuestras Raices performs.

5. Coochecoo Delacruz, Sarai Goodson and Gio Delacruz.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

SCENE: HIGH CLASS BLUE JEAN NIGHT

1. Eric Paslay performs a benefit concert at the Temple Cultural Activities Center during the Contemporaries’ Gala High Class Blue Jean Night.

2.Jo Ann Leibowitz, Debbie Allen and

Beverly Kermod

3. Sandy Mancillas and Jill Mooney

4. Mike and Laura Roasa with Lynn and Bill Johnston

5. Natasha and Richard Tolleson

Photos by SHARON WHITE

Summer at the Museum

1. H.B. and Lynnsay Macey, from Perry Office Plus, enjoy the Temple College Kentucky Derby fundraiser on May 6.

2. Jerry Haisler, racing stick horse Polka Pony, crosses the finish line for his team.

3. Jeff Thigpen, racing stick horse Fimbo Simba, secured the fastest time and won the Stick Horse Derby race for the Temple Lions Club. Photos courtesy of ERIC ECKERT of TEMPLE COLLEGE

Sharing God’s Word

J.A.I.L. MINISTRY INC. PROVIDES OUTREACH TO INMATES IN BELL COUNTY AND BEYOND

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of J.A.I.L. MINISTRY INC.

J.A.I.L. Ministry, Inc. (Jesus Acts in Inmates Lives Ministry) was begun by Chaplain Harold Ellis in 1987. While there were various prison ministries across the nation at the time, an organized county jail ministry was unheard of. J.A.I.L. Ministry was to be local to Bell County and led by a board of directors to develop an extensive base of volunteers with the goal of sharing the gospel message with Bell County inmates and their families.

From that humble beginning and huge vision, J.A.I.L. Ministry now serves thousands of inmates not only in Bell County, but across the nation. Currently, Bell County averages upwards of 1,300 jail inmates on a given day in all facilities and a new addition is currently under construction that will add 715 beds to the total capacity.

Led by director Steve Cannon since 2003, the ministry is making a huge impact in the community. Over the years churches, businesses, community leaders, families and individuals have served to bring lasting change in the lives of those who need it by providing up to 40 non-denominational nightly Bible studies for men and women inmates each week, as well as one-on-one encouragement as requested by inmates and seven scheduled non-denominational Saturday church services each week. The ministry also provides such services as death notifications to inmates in regard to family members, an approved anger resolution course with completion certificate accepted by probation, as well as Bibles, Christian books, reading material and glasses by request of inmates. Study courses such as Life Skills Quest for Authentic Manhood, and Spiritual Mechanics of Recovery are also available as well as Write Way and Crossroads Correspondence Bible Study Courses for Inmates.

The pandemic created even greater opportunity for ministry when the staff had to get creative. “When COVID hit, our staff and volunteers were not able to go into the jails and minister. God said, ‘COVID, let Me show you what I can do with that!’” Cannon says. Undeterred by the many obstacles facing them, the ministry team began recording video podcast Bible studies at the J.A.I.L. Ministry office in Belton. The podcasts were then uploaded and made available to

Bell County Jail inmates through their inmate tablets. All of a sudden, J.A.I.L. Ministry was back in the jail with recorded inmate Bible studies, but God wasn’t done yet. About two months down the road, Cannon learned that Securus had added the ministry’s podcasts to their entire catalog, which means they are now available to over 390,000 inmate tablets in 42 states.

Besides the podcasts, J.A.I.L. Ministry Radio has been broadcasting 24/7 since 2012. The radio station is accessible to all inmates in Bell County and in 24 other states and over 10,000 inmate tablets. Cannon, a former disc jockey, also hosts a popular live radio program every Thursday, “Get Back with Your Bad Self” with co-hosts Johner Martin and Melvin Gooden. The show receives letters from inmates all across the country each week with programming garnering over 20,000 hits a month.

But the ministry extends far beyond inmate services to include law enforcement officers, and families of both victims and inmates as well as the general public. Services include confidential chaplain services for Bell County law enforcement officers and on-call chaplains for critical incidents; as well as rescue, recovery, murder/suicide, and family notification in conjunction with Bell County officers. The J.A.I.L ministry staff also coordinates the Project Angel Tree Program to provide Christmas gifts for children of inmates.

“I’m always reminded of an old Joe South song, Walk A Mile in My Shoes, because that’s what J.A.I.L. Ministry does. We make a difference one person at a time,” Cannon says. “Perhaps it is with an inmate that just received his sentence, perhaps a correctional officer that’s having trouble at home, it could be a mother whose son or daughter is in jail for the first time, or maybe with a group of deputies or other law enforcement officers that just experienced a traumatic event. In the various aspects of the ministry, I always want the public to know through their support, they are with us as we minster to the least of these.”

GET INVOLVED

Website: http://www.jailmin.org

Phone: 254-933-8506

Office: 211 E. Central Ave., Belton

Steve Cannon, left, and Johner Martin co-host a live radio program called ”Get Back with Your Bad Self” on J.A.I.L. Ministry Radio, which is heard by inmates across the country.

Fresh Take on Mexican RIO SALADO COCINCA Y CANTINA SATISFIES CRAVINGS AS SUMMER HEATS UP

By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of RIO SALADO

Transformation season is upon us, the change from the dismal winter to the quick burst of spring before rising temperatures bring summer’s heat. Summer is to heat as Texas is to Mexican food. We crave those flavors of salt, lime, fresh salsa and cool avocado.

Rio Salado Cocina y Cantina is a great place to stay cool and enjoy a fresh spin on modern Mexican cuisine.

Across the street from Barrow Brewing Company, Rio Salado is an investment and collaboration by several Salado residents.

The Rio Salado building itself stands the test of time from its industrial days. “I have had some elderly customers come in and say they would sit on the front porch when they were young,” General Manager Kate Ralston says. “It’s very Salado.”

Rio Salado pays homage to its local client base with VIP golf cart parking as well and hosting Chamber After Hours and many other events. Rio opened its doors in May 2020 and found creative ways to maintain the high standards they set despite the COVID pandemic.

Soft Latin music accompanies the scent of the grill long before entering, making your mouth water and stomach growl. Smiles and warm greetings welcome you. A small wait at times allows you to take in the atmosphere with its vivid colors and contrasting textiles.

Any wait is well worth it and lets you browse the menu. Resist the urge to order one of everything! Ralson explains how the team works very hard to “not be stuck in the Tex-Mex box.” “Our motto is these three points: quality, creativity and cleanliness,” she

says. This motto has earned them the Best Margarita and Best Wait Staff awards.

The food at Rio Salado is homemade, fresh and unique. The Rio team is all encouraged to make suggestions and participate in new menu items adding to the selection and flavor profiles. Chef Bazan has an amazing way of combining flavors to elevate each dish. One of many crowd pleasers is zesty chicken tacos. The chicken is marinated, flavorful and soft, accompanied by pickled onions, cilantro, Mexican cheese and avocado. Add some of the freshly made salsa and you have perfection in a bite. The staff also recommends the queso blanco, which is rich and creamy and topped with cilantro. Enchiladas are a favorite with a choice of beef and red sauce or chicken with white sauce. La Jefa, street style corn tortillas with pork carnitas, pickled red onions, queso fresco, cilantro and jalapeno salsa is another top pick. Their menu highlights several traditional items such as quesadillas, burritos and tacos with an extra flare.

Rio has a range of kid friendly picks as well, something for every age and palette.

The beverage list ranges from sodas to Mexican beers and mixed drinks. The refreshing Paloma XL will cool you with its tequila blanco, Grand Marnier, grapefruit and lime soda. The mimosa bucket goes perfectly with weekend brunch.

Rio Salado Cocina y Cantina has an amazing grasp on Mexican food with the ability to reinvent classic flavors. Rio Salado is a must have that will keep you craving the spice and community.

Chef Bazon and general manager Kate Ralston keep things running at Rio Salado.

Relax poolside with a fruity mixed drink at one of Shady Villa Hotel’s three bars.

Taste of Salado History

SHADY VILLA HOTEL OFFERS RELAXING ATMOSPHERE FOR DRINKS, FOOD & FUN

By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of SHADY VILLA HOTEL and COURTNEY MURPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

An oasis nestled in the Village of Salado since the mid-1800s, Shady Villa Hotel is steeped in history, local lore, beauty and all the key components that comprise a magical Texas summer experience.

Constructed during the country’s Gilded Age, completed in 1851, Shady Villa served as respite to weary travelers along the Chisholm Trail. Local lore adds to the charm, suggesting hidden Spanish gold beneath in a small secret cave. In 1861, early settler W. B. Armstrong transformed the building into The Stagecoach Inn.

Dion and Ruth Van Bibber, lovingly called The Vans, took on the renovations and transformation of The Stagecoach in 1943. The Vans brought classic charm as well as now-famous recipes. In 2019, the Bunkhouse Group took over the Stagecoach, oversaw renovations and updates while maintaining the originality. They honored history by rebranding The Stagecoach to its original name, Shady Villa Hotel.

The Modern Shady Villa Hotel features its traditional Stagecoach restaurant with gourmet cuisine, gorgeous guest suites, and three bars to suit any season — all in walking distance of the Main streets of Salado.

The first bar is in the main dining room and stays true to the origins, offering cocktails in many varieties. The classic nostalgia of Champagne fruit punch, the timeless bourbon old fashions and a variety of wines. This bar also features unique blends and flavors such as the lavender lemon drop, utilizing local Deep Eddy vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, lavender simple syrup and butterfly pea flower or the cactus pear punch with Deep Eddy peach vodka, rose wine, lemon juice, cactus pear puree and agave. Several drinks combine jalapeno for a Texas kick.

Move outdoors to bar No. 2; poolside, beneath large palm fronds and banana leaves. The poolside bar provides a large selection of canned beers, wines and the Shady Villa award-winning margarita to help combat the scorching heat and pair perfectly with the cool blue water. As the sun goes down, the pool illuminates with the glow of a Texas summer evening. Cool down with a spicy pineapple margarita with jalapeno-infused tequila, pineapple, lime and agave.

Unwind with a refreshing rum-melon agua fresca with honeydew, cucumber, apple, rum and mint. Let the day melt away as the temperature drops.

The third option is the VIP members-only Bourbon Bar, which is also offered to overnight guests to enhance their stay. Members can access tastings from featured distilleries. This VIP area in the restaurant extends to a balcony where members are encouraged to enjoy cigars perfectly paired with the bourbon of the night. Old newspapers line the walls, leather chairs invite relaxation, and original woods give warmth to the historic space. To add to the local lore, it is rumored that Sam Houston gave a speech from this balcony to a mesmerized crowd.

Shady Villa Hotel invokes the essence of Texas with its history, beauty and perseverance. Shady Villa continues to evolve and grow, encompassing the Tex Appeal Spirit as it welcomes the community with events, exciting activities, and a variety of ways to relax in the heart of Central Texas.

TEXAS A DESTINATION WORTH EXPERIENCING

BY TERESA ANDERSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF DISCOVER TEMPLE

FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVITIES | DOWNTOWN TEMPLE

Temple is home to many great local attractions and things to do. From road trip favorites like Buc-ee’s and the calm waters of Lake Belton to vineyards, adventure parks, and a culinary downtown district, our city is a destination to experience. Temple has plenty to see and do, such as hitting the batting cages at Spare Time Texas, touring the vineyards at 3 Texans Winery, visiting farmers’ markets, walking the scenic trails, and discovering all the unique characteristics that make Temple home for locals and visitors alike. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, avid food lover, boutique shopper, or influencer, Temple makes creating experiences and memorable moments a breeze.

Our destination features over 66 parks and trails, challenging disc golf courses, water features, a water park, historical museums, and an arts and culture community unique to Temple. Temple’s rich history has provided us with many opportunities when it comes to the railroad, medical districts, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Learn more about our destination through interactive driving tours, selfies and Instagrammable spaces trails, visitor fulfillment, and the locals who make Temple the destination that it is. Temple is a getaway not far at all. You will feel right at home in our destination.

Explore Temple’s evolving downtown district with historic buildings, unique architecture, locally owned restaurants, exciting nightlife, family-friendly museums, and year-round events. Downtown Temple plays a vital role in our destination’s culture and community. Through events such as First Friday, the downtown district comes alive and unites locals and visitors for a night of live entertainment, block parties, celebrations, and community engagement. Downtown Temple is also known for its expanding culinary district. Local restaurants feature many excellent cuisine types and flavor combinations that satisfy all taste buds. Our food truck plaza, The Yard, provides an exciting opportunity for those seeking new foods packed with flavor.

Regardless of interests or tastes, our destination offers a unique experience for all visitors. From hiking at local parks and playing on the lake to sipping wines and craft beers, it all starts here.

Discover Temple today to find out why we are a destination to experience.

BOATING ON LAKE BELTON

PEPPER CREEK TRAIL

DOWNTOWN SHOPPING

Book Clubs Bring People Together

By M. CLARE HAEFNER Covers courtesy of the publishers

Books bring people together. Since elementary school when my English teachers would put us into groups to read and discuss books, I’ve been hooked on the idea of book clubs. I started a newsletter in fifth grade to review good reads and soon had contributions and lively discussions with friends.

Whether in person or online, I’ve been involved in book clubs of some kind ever since. A great way to meet people with common interests and stay connected, I’ve read and discussed more books than I can remember with friends over the past 30 years.

That’s definitely why an email announcing a new book about people in Maine who come together during World War II to form a book club and forge unlikely friendships caught my attention a few weeks ago.

In The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green (Bethany House, November 2022), Avis Montgomery agrees to take her brother’s place as head librarian when he ships off to fight in Europe in 1942. Even though she doesn’t like to read, Avis starts a book club to keep the library open when the building’s owner wants to turn it into a daycare center.

At first glance, struggles on the home front are all the book club members seem to have in common, but they discover a camaraderie that binds them together as they share their secrets and learn to rely on each other. Green does an incredible job giving voice to each character while tying in the struggles they faced with the threat of U-boats and air raid sirens along the coast of Maine, offering a fresh perspective on smalltown life during WWII.

After I finished The Blackout Book Club, I wasn’t surprised to see more recommended books about book

clubs in my Kindle app. I’ve often used its suggestions to discover new authors or to explore different genres that I may otherwise overlook.

The colorful cover of The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore (Sourcebooks Casablanca, March 2023) snagged my attention so I decided to read it next.

I was quickly caught up in the story as quirky, young librarian Sloane Parker starts sparring with Arthur McLachlan, a retired English professor who likes to terrorize the library staff. When Arthur fails to show up one day, Sloane takes it upon herself to find out why, breaking library protocol to look up his address. Finding him nearly bedridden, Sloane decides to start a book club at his house. Along the way, Sloane and Arthur are joined by other lonely hearts — the woman next door, another librarian, Arthur’s estranged grandson and Arthur‘s old nemesis — as they forge new friendships and find a place to belong. Several of the characters reminded me of my book club friends — people I never would have gotten to know without a shared love of books.

I followed that with a laugh-outloud novel by Gretchen Anthony. The Book Haters’ Book Club (Park Row, September 2022) transported me to Over the Rainbow Bookshop just after the passing of beloved co-owner Elliot. When his business partner, Irma, decides to sell the shop to condo developers, her daughters and Elliot’s life partner, Thom, band together to

save the shop, with a little snooping, gossip and sabotage. Elliot believed that it only takes the right book to turn any book hater into a book lover. If reading’s not your thing, this might be the book to change your mind.

By the time I finished The Book Haters’ Book Club, I picked up Ellery Adams’ new novel Paper Cuts (Kensington Cozies, April 2023). Adams is one of my favorite authors, and the sixth installment in her Secret, Book and Scone Society mystery series had been on my must-read list for several months as I counted down to its release. Devouring it in a single day, it was the best one yet as Nora Pennington’s past catches up with her and she has to sleuth her way out of a murder accusation with a little help from her friends in Miracle Springs, North Carolina.

While Paper Cuts can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, it’s better if you start at the beginning with The Secret, Book & Scone Society. Each book that follows — The Whispered Word, The Book of Candlelight, Ink & Shadows and The Vanishing Type — offers a new mystery for Nora and her friends to solve and brings new characters to Miracle Springs as they search for healing.

I enjoyed all of these books about book clubs because they bring people together. The characters forge friendships that help each become a better version of themselves — just like my book club buddies and I have done for each other over the years.

Sensational Summer Read

RELAX POOLSIDE AND GET SWEPT AWAY BY WE WERE LIARS

By PHOENIX CARLISLE Cover courtesy of the book publisher

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is a great summer read.

Cadence Sinclair is going back to her summer home after a year of forgotten memories as she adjusts to a head injury that she has no recollection of how she got. When she returns to the island, she notices that her cousins aren’t there. When she asks about them her family gets weird. The book’s plot goes over two summers after the accident as Cadence continues to mix reality with distorted memories of that summer.

Along with splitting migraines and rekindling memories, Cadence’s family dismisses all of her questions. Anytime she asks about the summer of the accident the air shifts, causing everyone to go quiet and change subjects. As you read, you will follow Cadence as she slowly finds out what happened that summer, what caused her accident, and why her cousins became so distant.

One thing that really drew me into this book was the aesthetics. The Sinclairs are an old money family. They have a private island with an amazing home … yeah, they’re rich. The aesthetics of the book are to die for. The summers spent swimming for hours then coming home to a perfectly cooked meal to eat on the porch with an ocean view is just a dream. We get to experience the ideal summer with Cadence as she discovers what happened. The dramatic problems that they tell as they lounge outside on the patio with the ocean in the back creates the perfect summer vibe.

I also loved all the plot twists. They were perfectly set up and kept me waiting. There were a ton of elements I didn't see coming. This book is one that you read then go back a second time to catch all the foreshadowing. It is impressive how well Lockhart wrote her hints throughout the book, little details to help readers connect all the dots.

The one element of this book I didn’t like was

the relationship between Gat and Cadence. Gat was the nephew of Cadence’s aunt’s boyfriend, yet he was able to come to the house during the summer until the accident. I thought the relationship was pointless and confusing. Gat’s character was indecisive about his feelings for Cadence and another girl. He also was an underdeveloped character who felt thrown in for fun rather than for plot progression.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is the perfect summer read with its blend of mystery and rich summer vibe. Lockhart brought us a book that will shock us by the poolside. Get swept into the mystery of the Sinclairs lies as Cadence finds out what really happened to the Liars.

JUNE 2023

JUNE 2, 4-8 P.M.

ELEY “BUCK” DAVIS PERFORMS

Eley “Buck” Davis Buchanan is an independent singer-songwriter from Beckville. He discovered music at an early age thanks to his grandfather who was a music lover and a selftaught clarinetist. Eley attended college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello on a band scholarship earning a master’s in education. He decided that after graduation he would venture off to Nashville to pursue his dream of being a songwriter. Davis released his first EP Ain’t The Same on Feb 2. 2017, which reached the top of the alternative country music chart on iTunes. Davis moved to the Austin area in 2017 and since then has released two EPs, ”Hills Lake Road” and “Live at the Catalina,” and his debut LP, “Panola.” Empresario Wines

7 N. Main St., Salado bandsintown.com

JUNE 2-11, 7:30 P.M.

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

Follow the antics of the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, who are trying their very best to stage a production of a 1920s murder mystery. As the show’s title might suggest, this is not as easy as it sounds with everything that can go wrong doing just that. Will any of the cast and crew remain standing, or conscious, by the final curtain?

Tickets $14-$20.

Temple Civic Theatre

2413 S. 13th St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

JUNE 3, 8-10 A.M.

COLOR THE SHIVAREE FUN RUN

Run or walk through a 1.5-mile course in Gatesville and get covered in color as you go. All ages are welcome.

Tickets $25.

620 E. Main St., Gatesville

https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ Gatesville/ColorTheShivaree2021

JUNE 3, 8 A.M.-NOON MEDAL MADNESS NINJA 5K, 10K

& HALF MARATHON

The race starts at 8:30 A.M. Packet pickup starts 30 minutes before the race and ends 10 minutes before the race starts. All runners must register on RunSignup. No on-site registration. Tickets $27-$65.

James Wilson Park

1909 Curtis B Elliot Drive, Temple https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ Temple/JamesWilsonPark62023

JUNE 10, 6-10 P.M.

CREED FISHER PERFORMS

If you listen to just a few tracks from his latest album, you might think Creed Fisher was born with a guitar in his hand. One after another his songs remain relevant today, yet steeped with tradition classics that everyone else already knows and you don’t want to miss.

Johnny's Steaks & Bar-Be-Que

301 Thomas Arnold Road, Salado bandsintown.com

JUNE 11, 8 P.M.-MIDNIGHT

MIKE RYAN PERFORMS

Mike Ryan is a San Antonio born singer/songwriter who has accumulated fans across the U.S. and throughout the world with powerful, whiskey smooth vocals and wellcrafted lyrics. His thoughtful writing style evokes emotion and plants the audience inside his songs.

Bare Bones BBQ

4305 State Highway 36, Gatesville bandsintown.com

JUNE 17-AUG. 20

YOUTH SUMMER CAMP

THE LITTLE MERMAID JR

In a magical underwater kingdom, the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, longs to leave her ocean home — and her fins — behind and live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father, King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, and convince the handsome Prince Eric that she’s the girl whose enchanting voice he’s been seeking. This youth summer show is open for ages 7-18 (grades 2-12), with auditions on June 17. Tuition for students aged 7-9 is

DavinChi Cut

$250 (2-week camp), students aged 10-18 is $350 (3-week camp), and is due by July 1. The cast will be announced on June 20. Additionally, there is a participation fee of $60. All participants that are cast and production crew will receive a Camp T-shirt. Scholarships and sibling discounts are available. Temple Civic Theatre

2413 S. 13th St., Temple templecivictheatre.com

JUNE 17, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. SALADO SPRINGS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

This Father's Day weekend, treat the dad in your life to an awesome beer festival! VIPs will experience a food and beer pairing, a forum with the brewers, and a forum with the artists behind the "Art of Craft Beer." They will have exclusive access to the taproom (which includes air conditioning and indoor plumbing) and receive a souvenir cup and T-shirt. General admission is free.

Tickets: $100 for VIPs, ages 21+ Barrow Brewing Co.

108 Royal St., Salado

https://barrowbrewing.com/saladosprings-beer-fest

JUNE 24, 8 A.M.-NOON JACKRABBIT RUN FOR HOPE

5K, 10K & 1-MILE WALK

Wear your best rabbit-themed gear and outfits. Jackrabbit Run is a great race through the scenic hill country of the Ogletree Gap residential area. The Jackrabbit Run 5K/10K is a chiptimed event that is part of the CenTex Race Series. Packet pick up at 7 A.M. June 24 or from 1-5 P.M. June 22 at the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce, 204 E Robertson Ave.

Tickets $20-$40.

1878 Post Office Road., Copperas Cove

https://runsignup.com/Race/TX/ CopperasCove/JackrabbitRun4Hope

JUNE 24, 5:30-11 P.M.

DOWNTOWN STREET PARTY

The Belton Area Chamber of Continued

Highlighted Plan

This plan and many others available at www.cookresidentialdesign.com. Revisions are available. Contact us from our website to begin the process.

Plan #1903-001 S.F.L.A. = 1894

A Program Under 3011 North 3rd Street • Temple Cultural Activities Center

EMPIRE Wild

EVENTS

Commerce is kicking off its weeklong 4th of July Celebration with a Downtown Street Party on June 24 featuring live music, food trucks, craft beer and wine, activities and games, and fun for all. This non-ticketed family friendly event is open to the public at no charge with a goal of bringing people together to celebrate in the Downtown Belton area. beltonchamber.com

JUNE 25, 5-9 P.M.

CALVIN MARTYR PERFORMS

Calvin Martyr is an innovative and transcendent teacher, author, and musician who has been recording and playing shows since 2008. Martyr's rap opus brings the light of the Lord to dedicated fans of the genre, mixing rap, EDM and Reggae styles while simultaneously covering a variety of topics situated near the concept of faith, earnestly investigating the struggles that lead to it.

Killeen Arts and Activities Center

801 N. Fourth St. B, Killeen bandsintown.com

Belton is gearing up for its Fourth of July parade and festivities.

Empire Wild, a genre-bending crossover Trio featuring Ken Kubota, Holly Bean, and Mitch Lyon. Ken and Mitch bring all the cello has to offer - bowed, plucked, chopped, and more.

Holly can be found singing and pushing the piano in any style...pop, folk, jazz, into their songwriting and composition!

Based in New York, Empire Wild was the 2020 Ambassador Prize Winner for the Concert Artists Guild prestigious Victor Elmaleh Competition.

CTOS Presents Empire Wild, A Jazz/Blues Trio

Sunday, September 24, 2023 4:00pm

Tickets available July 1st online at CTOS.org

JULY 2023

JULY 1-3, 6-9 P.M. PRCA RODEO

Cowboys from around the country descend on this three-night PRCA Rodeo during the July 4 holiday festivities in Belton.

Tickets $15-$88

Bell County Expo Center Loop 121, Belton Get tickets and more info at https://rodeobelton.my.canva.site/ rodeo-belton-website

JULY 1, 5-9 P.M.

JULY 2, 11 A.M.-3 P.M.

ALVARADO ROAD SHOW: FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

The Nashville-by-way-of-Texas-based, brother duo Alvarado Road Show are led by singer/ bass player/guitarist, Cleve Clark and A.J. Clark, singer/ guitarist. The brothers create and perform rootsy American music about life, love and relationships.

Maxdale Cowboy Church

2754 Briggs Road, Killeen bandsintown.com

JULY 4, 8 A.M.

BELTON 4TH OF JULY PARADE

Belton’s annual parade begins on Main Street from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus south to the Bell County Courthouse, then east on Central Avenue, and north on Birdwell to the Belton Police Memorial. A patriotic program on the courthouse steps starts at 8, with the parade at 9. beltonchamber.com

JULY 7 6:30-11 P.M.

THE KILLER DUELING PIANOS

Get your tickets now for an evening of good-natured fun and frolic with The Killer Dueling Pianos presented by the Rotary Club of Temple. Proceeds will benefit Feed My Sheep and CASA of Bell County. Tickets will cover food by Wings Pizza N Things and an open bar with beer and wine options. A cash bar option will be available for mixed drinks. Dress casually and be ready for a good time! Bring cash to tip the pianists! Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets $100-$800.

Mayborn Convention Center

3303 N. Third St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

JULY 8, 7-11 P.M.

"BLACK GIRL THERAPY"

Every girl has a number. Do you know

yours? Six black girls, strangers to each other, go to a group therapy session. They may be strangers going in but they’ll never be the same coming out. The therapist has each girl to choose her number which will define who she is. Come join the session and find your number. Tickets $25.

Killeen Arts & Activities Center

801 N. Fourth St., Killeen https://www.goldstar.com/events/ killeen-tx/black-girl-therapy-tickets

JULY 8, 7-11 P.M.

LANDON HEIGHTS 3RD ANNUAL BIRTHDAY BASH CONCERT

Landon Heights is a country music artist born and raised in Central Texas influenced by Wade Bowen, Stoney Larue and Cross Canadian Ragweed. Learn more about him at LandonHeightsMusic.com.

Bare Bones BBQ

4305 State Highway 36, Gatesville bandsintown.com

JULY 8, 8 P.M.-MIDNIGHT

THE MAGGIE VALLEY BAND PERFORMS

Hailing from Haywood County, N.C., sisters Whitney & Caroline Miller grew up in a home where playing the piano was a daily requirement. The Maggie Valley Band has been influenced by a wide variety of artists, movements,

Planning Ahead

Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but pre-planning your funeral arrangements alleviate some of the stress and burden your loved ones are going through as they experience the grief associated with the loss.

cultures and ideas. Each member grew up listening to and taking in the styles of various musicians ranging from the Stanley Brothers to Simon and Garfunkel, with inspirations from the Band, and more local artists like Rising Appalachia, yet adding their own personal style.

Jokers IceHouse Bar & Grill

7900 S. Clear Creek Road, Killeen

JULY 14, 7 P.M.

JULY 15, 2 & 7 P.M.

ANASTASIA: YOUTH SUMMER MUSICAL

Students selected for the Academie Musique of Central Texas summer musical “Anastasia” will rehearse July 10-14 and perform three shows for a live audience at week’s end. For more on participation costs and auditions for students, go to https://amcentex. org/summer-camps/teen-musictheatre-workshop/.

Tickets for performances: $12-$20. Temple College Mary Alice Marshall Performing Art Center

2487 S. Fifth St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

JULY 15, 6-10 P.M.

GIOVANNIE AND THE HIRED GUNS PERFORM

Johnny's Steaks & Bar-Be-Que

301 Thomas Arnold Road, Salado bandsintown.com

JULY 22, 6:30-10 P.M.

CACCT PRESENTS DIVINE

DESSERTS: CARIBBEAN NIGHTS

Three-time Olympic medalist Margaret Hoelzer is the keynote speaker at this Caribbean-themed fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas. Events also include live and silent auctions and a raffle. The event will be catered by Let Us Do the Cooking. Sponsorships available.

Tickets $125-$2,000.

Mayborn Convention Center

3303 N. Third St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

JULY 28-29, 7:30-10 P.M.

SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL

The stakes are higher than ever in this dynamic stage musical, as SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face the total annihilation of their undersea world. Chaos erupts. Lives hang in the balance. And just when all hope seems lost, a most unexpected hero rises up and takes center stage. The power of optimism really can save the world!

Tickets $14-$20.

Temple Civic Theatre 2413 S. 13th St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

Find more upcoming events at CentralTexasTickets.com and in the Killeen Daily Herald and Temple Daily Telegram.

Pre Planning

Burials (traditional or green)

Water or Fire Cremations

Funeral Travel

Career Opportunities

Parting Stones

Grief Classes

•

•

Relieves the burden from family We Salute You! Veteran Owned Business

Welcome to the Treehouse

Photos by SKEEBO

When you approach this lovely Nolanville home you are immediately struck by the gorgeous 600-year-old tree in the front courtyard.

Ramil and Josephine Sabado say the tree and the courtyard surrounding it are their favorite features of the home — despite the fact that the tree makes some creepy sounds when it storms or the wind blows. “We call it the incredible hulk because of how huge it is and the noises it makes,” Josephine said.

Flintrock Homes built the 3,227-square-foot home. CEO Chris Doose said that a tree this special deserved to be saved. “Just to think that this tree was here before Christopher Columbus landed in the new world makes this home a

one of a kind that we will always remember,” he said.

The Sabados worked with Realtor Ryan Kurpess of The Real

Estate Home Team to purchase this custom-made home from Flintrock Builders of Belton in 2021. The project was named best craftsmanship and curb appeal in the 2021 Parade of Homes.

The Treehouse is a spacious open concept with three bedrooms, three baths, vaulted ceilings and porcelain floors throughout. Floor-to-ceiling windows give you a courtyard view from anywhere in the main living area. A light and airy entryway is another key focal point and a great way to display art pieces and paintings. The kitchen is accented by quartz countertops and eyecatching wood beams overhead.

A special thanks to the Sabado family for “A Look Inside” their home. If you know of an interesting home that you think Tex Appeal readers would like to look inside, email editor@texappealmag.com.

THIS GIRL’S GARDEN

Wildflower Wonders

BACKYARD MEADOW NOW MIRRORS BEAUTY OF OUR TEXAS HIGHWAYS

By AMY ROGNLIE

At our house, we created a wildflower patch that we, rather grandly for a modest 5-foot by 10-foot plot, call “The South Meadow.”

It started routinely enough when we moved the pile of decomposing firewood and realized that we had a lovely patch of ground that had not yet been designated for anything else. The first year, with fanciful visions of a thick, waist-high patch of glorious color, I raked the thin dirt hastily, dumped a bag or two of topsoil over the lumps and bumps, and threw out way too many wildflower seeds.

Then summer came. Yep, that summer. The summer where we had, oh, 75 days above 100 degrees. In a row. The poor little seedlings were thoroughly baked before they had a chance to show their stuff.

This year, my husband joined the fun with his characteristic sense of the propriety of things. “If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it right,” he announced. With our granddaughter’s eager help, he bordered my heretofore haphazard “meadow” with landscape timbers.

He raked the soil until it was perfectly level, then added some good dirt, ruminated on the proper mix of seed, and sowed it at just the right time.

Happily, we now have seedlings of all shapes and sizes, and even some coreopsis and gaillardias that are blooming, towering over the cosmos, Indian paintbrush and California poppies that are taking their sweet time.

We first visited Texas a decade or so ago, in the springtime, when we were contemplating a move

from Colorado. Little did we know that it was one of the best times of year to appreciate the beauty of the Lone Star state. As we drove and drove and drove through Texas on that long trip, we marveled at the stunning swaths of wildflowers flowing like rivers of color beside the highways. It wasn’t until after we settled in Central Texas that we learned some of the history of the roadside wildflower patches.

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, highway officials started to notice as early as 1917 that wildflowers were some of the first plants to reappear after road construction. They hired a landscape architect to nurture and encourage wildflower growth along the highways, and by the 1930s, delayed mowing each spring until after the wildflower season was over.

In 1965, the Texas’ Highway Beautification Act, championed by Lady Bird Johnson, was signed into law by her husband, President

“For me, wildflowers are joy-giving. They have enriched my life and fed my soul and given beautiful memories to sustain me.”

— Lady Bird Johnson

Lyndon B. Johnson. This legislation limited billboards, junkyards and outdoor advertising, further laying the groundwork for the widescale conservation and beautification efforts that we notice along so many

highways in our state today. Currently, TxDOT buys and sows 30,000 pounds of wildflower seed a year, resulting in over 5,000 species of wildflowers and native grasses flourishing along thousands of miles of Texas highways.

Tourists and photographers come from all over the world to appreciate the place we proudly call home.

Now, if only I could get my own humble little meadow to thrive like that, I’d be one happy gardener.

Natalie Ozment enjoys a beverage from First Street Roasters in Temple.

Graydon and KD Hill and a few friends gather at Barrow Brewing Co. in Salado.

Nuestras Raices performs at Celebrate Killeen.

By JANNA ZEPP, RHONDA BLACKLOCK-BAVAS RACHEL STRICKLAND and WHITNEY THERIOT

Jay and Christi Williams own The Railway Express Diner in Belton.

SALADO

REBIRTH OF AN ECLECTIC VILLAGE FROM THE RUBBLE OF A ROADWAY REDO

Officially, the state flower of Texas is the bluebonnet. Unofficially, it’s the bright orange and white traffic drum that blooms wherever there is road construction. The Village of Salado knows that too well. That traffic drum is more of a weed to Salado residents in that, nearly 15 years ago, it about choked the life out of the popular downtown business district, killing off many local businesses during the Great Interstate 35 Widening that held up and rerouted highway traffic away from the village. You really could not get there from here at that time and many folks just drove on past without stopping.

And then there was Sewergate. Downtown got off septic and onto a sewage system, while the residential areas remained dependent on septic. All that left residents proposing “SEXIT” (a riff on the then-BREXIT issue in the UK) in which it was proposed that Salado break off into two distinct municipalities.

It was too much to keep up with. Fortunately, all of that seems to be wastewater under the bridge (forgive the pun).

Amid the community chaos at that time, KD Hill, and her husband, Graydon, built a brewery that became a community gathering place that helped hold the village together.

“Microbreweries in small towns all over Texas have become centers for their communities to gather,” says KD Hill, co-founder/co-owner of Barrow Brewing Co. “They are often familyfriendly places that pull together residents and local businesses such as food trucks. People come out to enjoy food, beer, friendships and live music. And they bring their kids

along. Microbreweries can really strengthen a small town. That’s what we wanted to do for Salado.”

The Hills moved to Salado in 2011. When it was time to start looking for a place to establish the brewery, they searched from Georgetown to Killeen and Temple. Location, infrastructure and local laws were all important to consider. Salado had the location, but the other two factors were tricky. Fortunately, the brewery building was previously part of the Stagecoach Inn properties and had been tied onto the small, private sewer system. The Hills got confirmation and approval that the sewer system could handle a brewery’s discharge and moved forward. Then they had to petition for and hold a local option election in November 2014. It passed with 784 votes.

Those votes have been commemorated in the name of one of Barrow’s products.

“Graydon brewed the Belgian style white ale, 784, for me,” KD says. “He spent all of 2015 renovating the brewery building. He did as much of the work as possible and contracted out the sloping of the floors and drainage. We made some special friendships along the way. He was able to keep the original wood walls in place and we love showing people some of the special history they offer,” KD says, pointing out the writing on the brewery’s walls from employees recording sales almost a century ago when the location was a feed store. “Local artisan Lonnie Edwards was key in helping with the build-out, creating some specialized equipment, and sourcing the beautiful longleaf pine bar top.”

In addition to Barrow Brewing Co.,

“I’m so in love with the village of Salado! The people are some of the best you’ll find anywhere. There is no shortage of things to do — glassblowing, chillin’ by the creek, enjoying live music downtown, and of course, shopping in all of the boutiques and antique shops! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

— Janalei Stovall SALADO RESIDENT

upscale eateries, several wineries, new boutiques, a nail salon, a dance club, art galleries, martial arts and dance studios, and a new pizza franchise sprang up in the wake of I-35’s expansion and the stink over municipal poo disposal. Salado, literally, has been back in business for quite some time now.

“Business owners really support

each other here,” KD says. “We need each other and Salado residents to keep the village alive.”

Nancy Best of Nancy Best Real Estate agrees.

“I started as a resident of Salado seven years ago and fell in love with Salado’s historic charm, walkable streets and eclectic businesses. The community and neighborhoods

were like a family. The golf course was a gem with a gorgeous creek winding through the greens,” Best says. “Now, as a real estate broker with a business on Main Street, my connection to the village has evolved. I was inspired by this town full of hard-working, small business owners who have tirelessly seen their

Barrow Brewing Co. has become a community gathering place in Salado, offering a variety of events year-round.

shops through the challenges of road construction, COVID restrictions and the natural obstacles that face entrepreneurs. Joining this business community has been a perfect decision for my brokerage.”

Best says the strategic location of Salado, between Waco and Austin, has made it a hot spot for residential and commercial growth. It is a natural stop for travelers and tourists as well as a relocation destination that fits the needs of many types of buyers. People move here to relax and retire as well as to commute to jobs in both the Austin and Belton/Temple markets. Many new people have moved into the area and significant residential construction is still underway.

“My excitement for the village is that as more industry and people come to the Salado area, we can expect to experience easier access to services and planned developments that offer a variety of amenities. The city government is actively working with several planned developments to oversee positive and feasible growth,” Best adds.

Best says that, in Salado, residents and visitors are positioned to receive the best of both worlds; the historic Main Street nestled along the banks of Salado Creek providing the respite needed from the “busyness” of life and easy access to services now only found in bigger cities.

“Our local retail shops, wineries and breweries are continuously offering events and opportunities for Central Texans to enjoy,” she says.

Salado even boasts an indoor golf range. Pete Curtis, owner of The Tee Box, opened the indoor golf clubhouse in 2020 to share his love for the game. Curtis is a longtime amateur golfer and says he is still learning and improving his skills, which is why he wanted to provide a place for like-minded people to play a few rounds. The Tee Box offers a virtual golf experience, which means that hundreds of courses from all over the world are projected onto screens via a high-end simulator. This allows golfers to play year-round, rain or shine. The TrackMan golf simulator, used by the pros, uses dual radar technology to track data such as club and ball speed, angle, and swing direction. You can also download the TrackMan app to easily keep track of your shots and data on your phone.

“We want people to be comfortable coming in and bringing their family,” Curtis says. “It’s a golf community.”

That community continues to grow with an explosion of residential subdivisions spreading out along the fringes of the village. Both east and west of I-35 are now home to new housing. Salado Independent School District completed construction on its new middle school building several years ago, just in time for its elementary and high school campuses to begin bursting at the seams. Salado’s population boom shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Find events at Salado.com and visitsaladotexas.com.

“On any given weekend, I can catch live music at several different venues, from rock bands to country music to solo songwriters. If I want to work on my nature photography, I can choose from Belton Lake or Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, Miller Springs Nature Center, Chalk Ridge Falls, or one of the dozens of hiking trails, and don’t forget the Texas wildflowers blooming along the backroads.”

— Jason Deckman PHOTOGRAPHER

Shoppers fill the sidewalk outside businesses on Main Street in Salado.

Krista Snyder has been the successful owner of several Medspa’s in Texas. She has both taught clinical classes in a vocational setting and worked in Career Services for several Colleges. With almost ten years of experience, she has earned her degrees in nutrition and dietetics, instructing and career facilitating.

She has been a longstanding successful Holistic Health Practitioner and continues to bring innovative technologies, and procedures with her dedicated passion and knowledge.

of Esthetics

WHO WE ARE

We’re the best in our field, and it’s all thanks to the incredible expertise and education we give our students. We offer small class sizes to ensure the best experience. Our students are prepared for employment immediately upon completion of our programs. We also assist with employment since we work together with spa & salon owners in our community.

Haut is a CIDESCO accredited school and firmly believes in its power to set students up for a successful career in the industry. Students who earn a CIDESCO diploma undergo more advanced training than students attending a school that only teaches the state-required curriculum and are qualified to continue their Esthetic Careers outside of Texas or even outside of the United States.

WHAT WE OFFER

We are open to the public, giving the trainee the opportunity to observe and participate in daily operations of a busy spa.

204 N Penelope St. Suite F1 Belton Texas 76513

Inside The Gunter Building Register Now! 254-677-7877

Jennifer Wittkopp, an industry professional with over 18 years of experience. Graduating in Germany from Pure Idea Makeup Artist Academy with a certification in Facial contouring and Makeup application. She obtained her Cosmetology license, working then in several successful Salons & Spas. She has been a licensed Instructor since 2011, becoming the Head Instructor for Esthetics at CTBC. Jennifer is the Owner of Bell County’s leading Medspa, The Pout Medical Aesthetics. She has trained some of the Industry’s most leading successful professionals. She believes Knowledge is power and loves sharing her expertise.

Jennifer Wittkopp Founder & CEO

Photos courtesy of Karey Cottrell Photography.

Jacob Bates, left, and Bo Harvey are partners in Treno Pizzeria and Taproom in Temple.

TEMPLE

HISTORIC PROPERTIES GET NEW LIFE AS DOWNTOWN UNDERGOES A RENAISSANCE

Anyone who’s been to downtown Temple lately can attest to the fact that things are rapidly changing. Over the last decade, downtown has gained renewed attention from public officials and private investors in continual improvements and investments to attract small businesses, restaurants and shops and reignite the soul of the city.

“A rising tide lifts all ships,” said Bo Harvey, co-owner of Treno Pizzeria and Taproom, a local restaurant on First Street in Downtown Temple. “The city was reinvesting in downtown, and we saw potential to invest in an offering that lifts the community.”

Treno opened in fall 2020. It serves artisan-style wood-fired pizza and fresh salads made with local greens, among other fresh-food options. The restaurant also offers self-serve beer and wine taps with local craft selections, an in-house coffee shop and roastery called First Street Roasters, an outdoor lawn space with a music stage, a big screen TV, plus two playgrounds.

“My partners and I asked ourselves this question: are we creating places where we want to go and take our kids?” Harvey said. “If our kids are happy, it is a family-friendly place we can picture ourselves and the community enjoying, with the potential to be profitable. It’s a winwin.”

Harvey and his restaurant business partners, Bruce, Jacob and Carleigh Bates, employ nearly 50 people in downtown Temple with two unique restaurant offerings, Treno Pizzeria & Taproom on First Street and Birdcreek Burger Co. on Main Street.

As a Temple Native, Harvey is committed to investing in downtown. He is partially or wholly involved in multiple real estate endeavors, purchasing and refurbishing buildings. These ventures facilitate opportunities for other businesses to locate downtown. The office space in which West, Webb, Allbritton, and Gentry PC, is now located is just one example.

A crane and scaffolding currently make up part of the downtown cityscape. These signs of progress are part of new public and private investment called the Downtown City Center Project, which is included in the Downtown Master Plan.

One of the largest pieces of the project is Hawn Plaza, which will offer apartments, retail opportunities, and a revitalized multipurpose theater. Hawn Plaza will give new life to three historic Temple buildings: the Hawn Hotel, the former Sears building, and the Arcadia Theater. Turner Behringer Development, a Waco-based real estate investment and development firm, is taking the lead on these renovations.

The Hawn Hotel, now renamed Hawn Tower, will primarily be reconfigured into 31 spacious apartments, ranging from studio to one- and two-bedroom units. Jonathan Garza, director of development for the firm, says that one of their goals when restoring the hotel was to bring the building back to its original historic glory, while simultaneously making the units themselves modern and stylish, complete with granite countertops and laminate floors. Additionally, the first floor of the building will be

“This community is a gift to my heart. So many have prayed and provided an abundant amount of love and care for myself and my family in our hardest days of John's illness. They still continue to celebrate the joys of life with me and I treasure this! It's an honor to live in such a loving community!”

— Nikki Mayo

converted into usable commercial retail space. The neighboring former Sears building is also undergoing major renovations as a part of this project. Now called Hawn West, its 8,800 square feet are being converted into a mixture of commercial retail space and 26 apartments.

Abandoned for decades, Garza said the nearby Arcadia Theater will soon be able to seat 621 people in a multipurpose performance and event hall. He says there are a lot of folks who have lived in the Temple area for years that have great memories of going to the Arcadia Theater to see movies. “They’ve been waiting to see that building be brought back to life,” he said. And with the renovations going on, Garza predicts that they will see people coming to downtown Temple for the concerts and community events at the theater.

“Temple has had great retail and restaurants, but what it’s been needing is just more people that live in the downtown area,” Garza said. “There’s infrastructure to bring people from urban areas to the Central Texas area, and so this is giving them the opportunity to live in a downtown environment and have the benefits from some of the larger cities that they’re moving from.”

Garza says Hawn Plaza will encourage people who work in the

Temple area to stay after work to support the restaurants, bars and shops. “The thought becomes, ‘Let’s go downtown and figure out what we’re going to eat when we get there,’ as opposed to just picking a restaurant and driving there [from out of town]. It becomes a place where everyone walks around and checks out all the new things that are going on.”

The overall vision for the revitalized downtown Temple is to give it a more walkable vibe, similar to larger cities, while still maintaining the small-town charm of Central Texas. “The city and the locals have done a great job in making the investment and stepping out on a limb and supporting downtown Temple,” Garza said.

“Moving to Belton as a teenager, I knew that this place was special. It broke my heart when I left in 1986, but I knew that I would return someday. As an adult, having spent 11 years in the Navy and 25 years post-Navy, I have lived in several places. There is nothing like Central Texas. Bell County is always close to my heart!”

— Tony Adams

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This artist’s rendering shows the new Hawn Plaza, which is being renovated in downtown Temple. South First Street has already been revitalized.

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KILLEEN

REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN, LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Look around Central Texas and you’ll see construction just about everywhere you look. New housing, new subdivisions, new everything explodes all over the area each time you drive the main thoroughfares of Bell County. And in some of our cities, new construction goes up right alongside downtown revitalization.

More than half a decade ago, the City of Killeen spearheaded a move to bring back its historic district downtown in a way that attracts new business and nightlife in a way that city residents can be proud of.

Contractors and local artists have been working together to rebuild and restore old properties and give the area new life. Many of the businesses downtown made or are making improvements using grant money. Many of the 1920s-era edifices are getting period-appropriate upgrades that reflect each venue’s original architecture with a 21st century amenities.

In the last few years, Killeen has even begun a weekly farmers market downtown, and members of a Fort Cavazos organization, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty to help revitalize downtown Killeen in January to perform beautification projects throughout the historic downtown area.

Kate Kizito, downtown revitalization director for the city of Killeen, credits the BOSS partnership as an excellent way to get soldiers involved locally and make Killeen a better place for everybody, and mentioning the city’s rich history. It is the first registered mid-century

modern historic district in the state of Texas, and the “King” himself, Elvis Presley, was stationed at what was once Fort Hood in the 1950s.

“A lot of our culture is in these walls, our memories are in these walls and to make sure that this area is brought along to the future is important,” Kizito said. “The historic district is just steps away from the Rancier gate and I think it’s so important that soldiers feel at home when they come down here, that they know there’s great restaurants, great places to go on the weekend to hang out, fun places for their families to visit. So, it’s important for us to get the BOSS program down here so that way they feel a part of this community and that we show to Fort Hood that partnership that we all want.”

Soldiers armed with trash pickers and trash bags picked up litter on Avenue D, from Fourth Street down to 10th Street and surrounding blocks.

Only a few soldiers signed up to participate, but nearly 40 showed up to help.

“Killeen is our city too,” Cpl. Jasmine Tcha, Fort Hood BOSS vice president says. “it’s great to give soldiers a break and let them see their city and get out and socialize with other soldiers who want to volunteer. More than half the soldiers that are here today haven’t even seen the downtown Killeen area and that there’s more to do. We want to let them know that we care and the city cares about us as well as soldiers.”

The city council recently started a downtown advisory committee and extended an invitation to the BOSS program “to partner together and ensure downtown Killeen is a place

“Killeen is big enough to pursue any dream you can create yet small enough so that you can not get lost in the shuffle. The full potential of this community has yet to be fully discovered, and is the best asset for anyone seeking to stake their own claim.”

— Michael E. Linnemann OWNER/BROKER LINNEMANN REALTY

where everyone in our community wants to be,” Kizito said.

Cpl. Kandice Harmon, BOSS unit representative, shares her excitement.

“Volunteering is a big part of a soldier’s life but it’s also a big part of personal life as well. There’s so much to do to give back to the community, and if it’s just offering a little bit of your time out of your day to do something such as beautification and picking up trash, then there’s no reason why we can’t get out of bed, get dressed and get out here and get some work done,” Harmon says.

Downtown beautification extends also to publicly viewable art. From the intersection of Gray Street and Avenue D in downtown Killeen, observers can see three works of public art: the full-color, 40-foot military history mural completed by the Killeen Arts Guild, a Gray Street two-story cowboy who has been

repainted a few times over the years as his jeans fade, and a mural pulls out of the alley behind a train engine, the symbol of Killeen’s genesis, by artist and veteran Joe Perez III, who has completed public artworks at several locations across Killeen.

The far west portion of the painting depicts an engine car, complete with cow catcher, steaming past the rail station with downtown Killeen reflected in the windowpanes. Following that momentum in a cloud of locomotive exhaust comes a long line of Killeen’s history, rendered in a style reminiscent of both tattoo work and graffiti-style street art.

Killeen residents also run their own TLC efforts.

Kristin Wright, board of directors chair at Killeen Creators, a local nonprofit plowing fertile ground in a city where many neighborhoods have been deemed a food desert,

has a vision of a community garden within walking distance of every citizen in Killeen. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a food desert is an area where many residents both live in poverty and reside more than one mile from the closest large grocery store. And because low-income residents who live across town from stores such as H-E-B have almost no access to public transportation, they often opt for buying food at convenience stores that sell mostly processed foods packaged in cans and cardboard boxes.

Killeen Creators response to the food desert status is already making a difference.

Two community gardens on the city’s north side are under cultivation. Volunteers who don’t mind a little dirt under their fingernails till the Continued

Celebrate Killeen is one of many festivals now held downtown as the city works to revitalize the area.

ground, pull weeds, shovel dirt, and come home with a basket of onions, tomatoes, carrots or whatever’s in season. Wright says the experience is transformational. Sharing a garden with neighbors and strangers brings people together.

Volunteers who gather at the gardens on Sunday afternoons come from a diverse cross-section of residents. Veteran soldiers with PTSD find gardening especially helpful. And seniors with rheumatoid arthritis somehow manage their walkers and braces and kneel to tend the soil. A 70-year-old man with obsessivecompulsive disorder has taken charge of watering. Twice a day, without fail, he’s on the job, ensuring the gardens don’t dry out. His caretaker says this activity has eased the effects of his disorder. Prison parolees needing to complete community service hours also work in the gardens.

Local business development recently got its own facelift of sorts. The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce introduced its new vice president of economic development, Robert Watts, in March. Watts, a key staff member for the Killeen Economic Development Corporation, took over the position following the retirement of Phyllis Gogue who worked for the chamber for more than 26 years, with 22 of them being in economic development.

Watts has over 20 years of economic, business and community

development experience, and has worked in executive leadership positions with the Austin, San Marcos and Hillsboro chambers of commerce as well as holding roles with the cities of Temple and Waco.

“It is a privilege to be able to join the greater Killeen chamber team that is doing tremendous work on behalf of the community and its existing and future businesses.” Watts says, “Returning home to this area and being able to enter back into the chamber and economic development industry is something I am very excited to be able to do.”

Watts most recently held the position of director of regional operations for the Austin affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International where he helped developed real estate, construction and funding efforts involving multimillion-dollar projects and programs.

“Not many people are afforded the opportunity to give back to the community in which they were raised and this for me is an extreme honor.” Watts says, “I believe the outlook for the Killeen area is a bright one and I cannot wait to be able to help and serve our community in every way possible to help our leaders build the local economy.”

“ In 1997, I joined the Army and came to Fort Hood (Cavazos).

As a young single soldier with no family or friends your military buddies become your family and the community becomes your home. I’m proud to serve the people and our community.”

— Ernesto Servan GARLYN SHELTON AUTO GROUP

Members of Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers at Fort Cavazos take a group photo in front of the Killeen sign Jan. 11 after partnerning with the city to clean up and revitalize the downtown area.

Robert Watts

Developer Matt Gunter in the multi-use Gunter Building in Belton.

BELTON

MK&T DEPOT AMONG OLD PLACES GETTING NEW LIFE AND ATTRACTING RESIDENTS

Belton, or B-Town, as my friends and I fondly called it in the ’90s, has a rich history, a blooming present and a bright future. Growing up in a small town, I didn't see the beauty of it. At the time there didn’t seem to be a lot for us to do.

Boy, was I wrong! Over the last 20 years I’ve watched Belton grow into so much more. It’s now a place where people want to live, stay and play. Belton is full steam ahead with new businesses and attractions opening all over the place.

On occasion I have ventured downtown to visit McWha's for a book to add to my shelf, to Arusha's for coffee, to shop at Cochran Blair and Potts or to see a movie at the Beltonian. As a testament to my fondness for my home…I was even recently married at Yettie Polk Park!

These places are staples of Belton, but so many more have opened and are on the way. Most recently, the old MK&T train depot has had life breathed back into it through the efforts of Gunter Development.

But, to pardon the pun, I’m getting too far down the tracks. Let’s first take a few steps next door to the Gunter Building, 204 N. Penelope St., where much of this vision originated.

In a recent interview, Matt Gunter of Gunter Development shared a historical recap and his company’s vision for the Gunter Building and the MK&T Depot.

Though the exact date of the Gunter Building’s origins is uncertain, the early 1920s is his best guess. The building has had many occupants, most notably, a Greyhound Bus station.

During World War II, soldiers from all over the country would ride the

train in, get off at the MK & T, walk over to the bus station, and purchase a ticket at the counter, which is now the La Luncheonette restaurant. They would then ride a bus over to Camp Hood. I like to imagine all the lives that once bustled along this area of town. Since that time, a grocery store took up residence, as well as Ford and Chevrolet car dealerships. This area was also once home of Peacock Archery.

Gunter shared that his family had its eye on the building for a while and in early 2017, they got their chance to purchase it.

During six months of planning, their vision came into focus. They knew that they wanted a common area and a food spot. The ideas evolved and changed from there. The building was completed in April 2019, and the spaces have been fully occupied since day one. The original occupants included: La Luncheonette, Green Jay Chiropractic, Mind Your Wellness, Tapestry Community Church (offices), and Dr. Kathleen Lester, with Haut Institute of Esthetics and Temple Technology Services moving in later.

The Gunther Building is so much more than the sum of these parts. One of the building’s more striking visual aspects comes into view as soon as you walk in the front door. The main hallway has been transformed into a gallery for local artists. The pieces are for sale, with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.

A popular building with thriving tenants leads to a “good problem” … the Gunter Building needed more parking. When Miller’s Smokehouse

“After serving in the Navy, and living all throughout the world, we ended up moving to Central Texas! We contacted several recruiters and said ‘anywhere in Texas.’ Fortunately, we were recruited by Luke Potts. He and his wife, Kayla, were a wealth of information and welcomed us. The community and people here are what make it so special! We love it here and think that it’s a hidden gem!”

moved to Central Avenue the Gunters thought they had a readymade solution for their problem. Gunter Development purchased the space but were then approached by Bold Republic which wanted to lease the space for a new brewery. Nolan Creek Brewery has since taken over space and is continuing the tradition of great craft beer, food and entertainment.

Now, let’s get back to the train depot and the magical redevelopment that has been undertaken. When Joe Wells, owner of Bargain Barn and the railroad depot decided to retire, a group of local investors including Luke Potts, Terry Potts, Ryan Hodge and Matt Gunter stepped up to purchase the building. These men have given Belton something to be proud of, and a place for the community, as well as tourists, a place to visit and enjoy.

With all the exciting events Belton puts on during the year, the MK&T Depot only adds to the fun. It offers a unique experience with several different businesses, where one can dine or have a few drinks, maybe sing karaoke, or take the kids for cookies while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The newly renovated train station takes you back to yesteryear. Local restaurateurs Jay and Christi Williams own and operate The Railway Express Diner. My husband and I recently enjoyed a meal as their guests.

The unique character of the Railway Express Diner flows throughout the restaurant, including the tables, which are all handcrafted by Jay. The old train ticket window

gives a view into to the kitchen and the original hardwood floors remain.

Jay wants the diner to be “a place where people can come eat and leave happy.” The idea was to bring back old-fashioned food and a great dining experience. And that is exactly how we felt while dining on the Fuelman’s Favorite and Hobo Burger.

The Railway Express Diner is just the beginning of the options at the MK&T Depot. Off the Rails Wine Bar is a charming and refreshing establishment that filled my soul with joy.

Soft jazz touched my ears as we were greeted by owner Judy Garrett, who also serves as the director of marketing and tourism sales for the Belton Chamber of Commerce. For the past 20 years, she has worked to bring in businesses and build up this beautiful town. She now has achieved her dream of owning a wine bar. The selection of wine and beer will satisfy, and if you feel the urge… there is a karaoke stage tastefully set on a 1899 freight scale.

Sly Fox Coffee and Warm Cookie Company offer sweet and aromatic experiences for all to enjoy. These establishments are situated next to an outdoor seating area that is perfect for any group. The next time you are looking for a date night or girls’ night, or even a family night, MK&T Depot is the place to go.

So what's next? The Katy Building, next to the depot, is set to open this summer, as is Pizza Pie-ros, Blackbirds Books and Spirits, a creperie, a soup and sandwich shop and more.

The future of Belton is full steam ahead.

“Bell County is home. I graduated from Belton High School, started my family, and began my career as an attorney — all here in Bell County. Here, we have a community with a heart for service. This is very important to me as a mother, and as a director on the board of Foster Love and CASA of Bell and Coryell counties. My hope is that the next generation will prosper here, just as I have. ”

— Ashley Clapper ATTORNEY

Off the Rails Wine Bar is one of the businesses in Belton’s MK&T Depot.

The Crow and Cactus Company is more than just a home store and gift shop - it is a testament to the owners’ passion for creating a community-oriented business that offers a unique shopping experience. The shop is the brainchild and longtime dream of Amy Morter. She wanted to create a space that would reflect her love for art, travel, and history. When she finally had the opportunity to open her own store, she was determined to create that place and provide not only high-quality products with a story but also foster a sense of community.

Nestled in a historic 1880s house on Pearl Street, The Crow and Cactus Company is an inviting space that has been thoughtfully designed to provide a cozy atmosphere. From the refurbished hardwood floors to the ceiling-to-floor windows that allow natural light to filter in, every detail has been carefully chosen to create an ambiance that is warm and welcoming. Customers are encouraged to lounge on the patio furniture and take their time browsing through the store’s collections of home decor, textiles, original art, authentic Native American jewelry, men’s and women’s accessories, apothecary goods, candles, pottery, and leather goods. What sets The Crow and Cactus Company apart is its commitment to ethical sourcing. All products are sourced from other small businesses and artisans across the United States, South America, and Europe, as well as local Texas artisans and artists. The store does not carry any inventory made in China apart from very specific organic teas, and every effort is made to ensure that the products are produced ethically and humanely.

Amy’s passion and dedication to this special place have quickly gained The Crow and Cactus Company a following. Her husband and business partner, James Morter, is a retired Apache pilot and now a senior program manager for an aerospace and defense contractor. He has been instrumental in making her dream a reality. His encouragement and faith in her vision allowed her to see her dream through.

Their shared vision and commitment to ethical sourcing, high quality unique inventory, and desire to foster strong relationships within the community make The Crow and Cactus Company a must-visit. There is something for everyone. So, stop by for a glass of their signature lemonades and explore all that The Crow and Cactus Company has to offer. 122

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Lighting Her Way Forward

THE WICK AND BURN CANDLE BAR IS OWNER’S HAPPY PLACE

By TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of WICK AND BURN

Denise Tilmon was never a typical kid who would lounge around burning time while life moved on around her. An Austin native and Killeen resident since 2006, Tilmon was encouraged by her parents to explore anything of interest.

“My parents always nurtured my environment,” she said. “I took piano lessons, learned to crochet, wrote poetry and built clubhouses out of old wood I found around our neighborhood.”

Growing up with a single parent mother, she saw how hard life can be when it's tight financially, but she said they enjoyed life and had a home full of love. Her father had job success and home ownership, and Tilmon credits both parents for instilling motivation within her.

With degrees in human resources management and health care administration, Tilmon is currently enjoying her career as an adoption social worker with the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services. She has boots-on-the-ground training as the proud mother of two adult daughters and three adopted active teenage boys. Her business acumen and ability to work with the public came in handy when she opened The Wick and Burn Candle Bar in Temple last February.

Looking to process grief after her mother died from pancreatic cancer in 2019, Tilmon reignited her passion for handiwork. “Crafting became therapy for me. It took my mind away from the grief and gave me a purpose I didn’t know I had.”

Interestingly, the World Health Organization promotes art as a way of helping people “navigate the journey of battling an illness or injury and to

Denise Tilmon owns The Wick and Burn Candle Bar in Temple.

process difficult emotions in times of emergency and challenging events.” Tilmon began crafting wood décor items and creating abstract paintings, as well as custom beverage tumblers and T-shirts. Success came, as she sold to friends, family and farmers markets. Channeling her grief into something creative helped Tilmon through her loss.

Wanting to scale down the prep work, and scale up item sales, she decided to open a candle bar offering candle parties. Candle supplies are easily transportable, which allows Tilmon to conduct off-site parties for reunions, team building events and more. She loves mobile parties as people are often more comfortable in their own environment.

Last year, the savvy entrepreneur decided to find her own affordable spot to allow customers to come enjoy creating candles. Homemade items such as linen sprays, cement vessels, bath salts and soaps are also sold in the shop. Reservations are highly recommended for the candle pouring classes, which hold 10-15 guests and are offered two to four times daily. A candle host guides class participants through choosing a fragrance and vessel, blending their custom scent into creamy apricot

coconut wax, wicking the vessel and more, until the candle is ready to set. Candles can be decorated with flowers or stones. Pouring classes can take up to 30 minutes then the candle sets for 30 minutes.

Due to fibromyalgia, Tilmon says she can’t burn the candle at both ends and credits her husband, Jermaine, whom she describes as her “best friend” to help run the household. She said he readily shuttles kids to activities and helps her with the business. Her youngest daughter works at the shop daily, while Tilmon works her full-time job. She finds crafting very relaxing and business ownership has intrinsic rewards.

“Owning your own business is having freedom to do what you want and love without all the politics and power struggles,” she said. “This business is simply my happy place, and I want it to be a place of escape for others.”

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Address: 8 E. Avenue A, Temple

Phone: 254-677-6687

Website: thewickandburn.com

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Water is Essential STAY HYDRATED DURING SUMMER

As summer approaches and we await the arrival of the Texas heat, our water intake and hydration status become a more crucial component to our health. Water is the most important (and often forgotten) nutrient and plays a vital role in our body’s function. A person can last a short time without food; however, one can only last days without water.

Water is the medium for biochemical reactions, maintains optimal blood circulation, supplies nutrients to the cells and removes harmful waste from the body. Water regulates body temperature by carrying heat away from the organs through the bloodstream and out of the body via sweat. As sweat evaporates, the body can safely cool off and keep an appropriate body temperature.

The body’s muscle mass contains approximately 70% to 75% water; conversely body fat only contains about 10% to 40% water. This means athletes and people who are considered “physically fit” (have a high muscle mass and low body fat) have a higher percentage of water in their bodies than people who have low muscle mass and a higher percentage of fat. This population includes overweight people and the elderly; this fact becomes important when determining hydration status

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and water intake goals.

Initial signs and symptoms of dehydration may often be misinterpreted as illness or even hunger; once a person “feels” thirsty it is estimated roughly 1% of body water is lost and dehydration has set in. Headache, irritability, dizziness and slight fatigue are all symptoms of mild dehydration. As this state of dehydration snowballs, the body can enter a “chronic dehydration” state which is far more serious and typically occurs when a person loses 2% of the body’s water.

Chronic dehydration can be challenging to diagnose; from time to time, the body becomes accustomed to less water, which can mask the detectable signs and symptoms. As the body compensates, fluid is channeled to the most crucial areas of the body and gradually overt symptoms do appear, signaling an urgent situation. Signs of chronic dehydration include dry/flaky skin, constipation, ongoing fatigue, extreme muscle weakness, frequent headaches and ultimately pain associated with the urinary system organs.

The question is “how much water should I drink?” Individual water needs depend on the ability to effectively sweat, temperature/ humidity level, clothing and body type-to name a few factors. The traditional recommendation of 8 ounces, 8 times a day is a great place to start. In addition, fruits and certain vegetables contain ample amounts of water and provide a hydration source while in the sun. Watermelon,

Carey Stites, MS, RD, LD, CPT, is a registered and licensed dietitian in Harker Heights. She obtained a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Tech University has been a practicing dietitian since 2001. Carey is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer; she has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes, writing and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.

grapes, peaches and other fruits and non-starchy veggies such as lettuce and cucumbers are excellent choices for keeping dehydration at bay this summer.

Most importantly, however, a proactive assessment of hydration status is vital, especially during the upcoming summer.

Here are a few tips to monitor

hydration status:

• Drink enough water to where you do not feel thirsty; sip on water throughout the day

• Check your urine-it should be pale yellow or clear

• Hydrate the day before, during and after physical activity

• Consume at least five cups of fruits and vegetables daily

Despite the much-needed rain this spring, Texas temperatures are on the rise, preparing us for the hot summer months ahead and the fun of spending a beautiful day soaking up the sunshine outdoors.

Whether you head outside for a leisurely day or work obligations, staying hydrated is essential for everyone.

Of Sprawl and Sunflowers

By JANNA ZEPP

When I worked at the III Corps Public Affairs Office on Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), there were some evenings during my drive home from post when I rolled down the windows in my car just to smell the sunflowers in the heat of a late summer afternoon. The farmland around here used to be full of those bright yellow and black/brown flowers in summer. To me, they represent summertime in Texas and this is where I start to ramble, so y’all bear with me. Sunflowers make me get all sentimental about my dad. I smell ’em and I am reminded of walks with my father in a pasture during summers spent in Greenville up in Northeast Texas. On these walks, my father would expound at length about all things liberal arts or natural sciences.

I think I got more education walking through those pastures with Daddy half a century ago than I did on my January terms at Austin College nearly 40 years ago. I learned about cottonmouth and copperhead snakes, trust, cows and calving, common sense finance, character versus reputation, skunk risk assessment, dairy bull psychology, personal integrity, the hygiene habits of hogs (they’re not what you think), good dogs and bad neighbors, milkweed, the combined physics of firecrackers and cow patties, tractors, mules, ticks, Johnson grass, possum forensic science, Uncle Doc, forgiveness, God and feed store politics.

On my drives home now, I don’t see as many empty pastures and sunflowers, but I do see a lot of construction sites.

I have mixed feelings about that.

On the one hand, I am a fan of convenience and access to amenities a thriving metropolis offers. On the other hand, I miss country life.

Recently, I was driving through a Temple neighborhood I once lived in and noticed that the cow pasture across from the middle school was no longer there. It had become a sand lot full of construction vehicles and equipment. Yet another subdivision is being built where a heard of beef cattle used to graze.

Made my heart sink a little, and reminded me that nothing ever stays the same.

Even my own Salado is booming with new residential subdivisions springing up where farmsteads once were. The rate at which these are being built alarms me.

I think back to when my parents came to visit me during my gap year in Germany in 1985. Dad and I were standing on the banks of the Rhine River not far from the Dom zu Speyer (Speyer Cathedral), one of the three oldest remaining cathedrals in Europe. He looked at that

thousand-year-old church and said, “I sometimes wonder if it’s wise to leave old buildings standing. That kind of history does not lend itself to encouraging social and educational progress. Of course, if we fail to remember history, we’re doomed to repeat it, I suppose. We ought to remember, but we also ought to forget.”

I thought my father was insane. Who, in their right mind, would want to destroy that beautiful, ancient architecture to make way for some of the ugly, nondescript, sterile, box-style buildings that were popular over there at the time?

Later, in my Heritage of Western Civilization Class at Austin College, we discussed the Reformation of the Church during the European Renaissance and I saw my father’s point. As deeply Christian and conservative as he was, he also keenly understood the importance of nontheocratic and non-monarchical governments. Those old churches and palaces of the past still held sway, in his mind, over the ability of a country’s citizens to think for themselves.

I suppose the same could be said about our own growth and development in Texas. I remember when our family still relied on farming and ranching for economic survival. My father, the eldest son in his family, grew up helping his father raise cotton, cattle and corn. But his father was the only one in his own family who did not get to go to college. He strongly encouraged my father — all of his children, actually — to pursue college degrees.

“Get a job that lets you work indoors in air conditioning,” my grandfather said. “You’ll live longer.”

My father always had a soft spot in his heart for farmers and ranchers. He also saw that many independently owned farms and ranches would soon give way to commercial agricultural conglomerates. He watched it go that way in his youth during the middle of the 20th Century, and I remember dinner table conversations in the 1970s and 1980s about it while I still lived at home. It broke his heart. Dad was a professional educator by career, but a cowboy and a farmer in his soul.

“Everything must evolve, but we’re losing something vital when we lose independent farmers and ranchers,” he said.

On road trips with my father, he’d remark about how pastures were turning into neighborhoods and commercial shopping centers. He mourned the fertile black land being turned for the last time to lay concrete foundations.

“Nothing stays the same,” he’d say. “I just wish it wouldn’t go quite so fast.”

I am a part of the last generation of my family that remembers when we farmed to make a living. I remember the smell of freshly harvested cotton, of sweet feed for

cattle, and of the Blackland Prairie after a rainstorm. I’ll save you the description of animal husbandry, though. It’s not idyllic and it might give you nightmares, but I remember how hard my father laughed at me when I walked up on the remnants of bovine afterbirth in one of our pastures and thought we’d come up on a crime scene.

Even that old farm up in Greenville is gone now to make way for a housing development, and with it, all the sunflowers. To quote a popular farm truck bumper sticker from the 1970s, “Crime doesn’t pay. Neither does farming.”

I know that the times change. I’ve lived long enough to know that intimately. They have to change for us to move forward. I delight in seeing Bell County bloom and grow with new businesses and new people. It’s too good here not to share. Still, I hope we always make space for what once was: for the independent farmers and ranchers, for the small towns that stay small, and for the pastures full of sunflowers each summer.

And then, as I wrote this feature, Salado neighbor Nicole Bolen posted this message in our Salado People group on Facebook: “Someone’s very confused cow is wandering around on 1670 right above West Amity.”

Bolen’s post sparked a friendly, funny, and purely farmer conversation in the comments.

Jeramey Young responded: “Mark Joel, is this one of your field puppies?”

Stacy McLoud answered: “Jeramey Young, it was ours. We got her put up.”

Samantha Maietta commented: “I always miss the cows. Woke up to sheep and horses in my yard on (two) separate mornings — I need cows to complete the trifecta.”

Stacy McLoud came back with: “Samantha Maietta she doesn’t mind very well, otherwise I would bring her over.” Salado — and consequently, Bell County — might be booming in population, but the sunflowers are blooming too. We’re not growing too fast. Not yet. Not as long as somebody’s cow is showing up in a neighbor’s yard and I still see, while driving through downtown Temple, cowboys in their dually pickup trucks towing horse trailers with their saddled mounts in them after a long day of work. We are still who we’ve been since the beginning, even though we’re adapting for what’s to come. For now, and likely for a long time to come, the sunflowers will remain.

Camp Hearne’s History

CENTRAL TEXAS SITE HOUSED GERMAN POWs DURING WWII

Story

photos by RHONDA BLACKLOCK-BAVAS

The United States entered World War II after Japan ruthlessly attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers didn't waste time preparing to send our men and women to war.

As a child, I remember learning about our Army in European countries such as France, Germany and Italy. I remember reading about our Navy and Army Air Corps fighting in the South Pacific. After becoming heavily interested in my family history, I learned about my grandmother's uncle, Pete Garrett, who was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was shot down somewhere near the Philippines, but that is not where he died. His story, along with thousands of other allies, breathes tragedy and heartbreak for those left behind. As a Japanese prisoner of war, he was crammed onto a ship, commonly referred to as a Japanese hell ship. There, the prisoners were starved, faced illness without treatment, and experienced heat exhaustion, among other horrifying maladies.

It gets worse. Tragically, a U.S. submarine torpedoed the ship. By mistake? Most likely. The torpedo impacted with great destruction, but miraculously, most prisoners survived and remained captivity. The Allied prisoners ended up in the South China Sea, alive, but not for long. In the following moments, Japanese soldiers began shooting and killing the prisoners, including my great-great uncle.

The Japanese were not alone in taking prisoners. The U.S. military also captured and held POWs. Our troops were fighting overseas, so where did they hold them? I discovered one place by chance recently when I was driving through Robertson County, Texas, just outside of the small town of Hearne. I came upon a sign for Camp Hearne. When I stopped for breakfast at Penny’s Diner (a great little diner by the way) I did what I always do when curious, I got on Google and searched. Camp Hearne was a WWII POW camp. What?? A POW camp in Central Texas?

After breakfast, I backtracked to the sign and took the little dirt road to what remained. The historical site still had a few of the original buildings, an overlook tower and an exhibit. The sign said "open WednesdaySaturday 11am-4pm." RATS!! It was only 9:30. I spent the next hour and a half driving through Robertson County, taking in as much history as I could, but my

mind was elsewhere. It was still at Camp Hearne. Time moved quickly and before I knew it, I was meeting Melissa Freeman, whose knowledge about the camp, the U.S. soldiers who guarded it and even a few of the POWs themselves, was magnificent. What I learned surprised me.

THE FIRST POWS

After the U.S. built up their troops in 1942-43 and successfully campaigned in Northern Africa and Italy, an estimated 432,000 POWs were brought back to the United States.

Why was Camp Hearne chosen? According to its website, it had flat terrain, distance from the coastline, railroad access, sparse population and local need for farm laborers. Many of the POW camps were built in the southern portion of the United States because the Geneva Convention required prisoners be put in locations like where they were captured, seeking climate similarities so prisoners would be dressed appropriately. Camp Hearne received some of the first POWs on June 3, 1943.

The once 711-acre camp is now a 67-acre replica.

and

During the war there were three POW compounds and a hospital. Unlike the Japanese, Americans followed the rules of the Geneva Convention and treated their POWs with dignity. Many of the POWs were officers, thus excluding them from any labor needed by local farmers. The enlisted POWs who stayed at Camp Hearne made a fair wage. To pass the time, imprisoned officers built fountains and a stadium-style theatre where POW orchestras performed. They created a POW soccer league and a tennis court.

I have always had the mindset that during WWII, the men and women fighting against our troops were ordinary humans, like us, just doing their patriotic duties, whether their leaders were wrong or right. While pondering the lives of the Germans who found themselves imprisoned at Camp Hearne, I learned of another tragic story.

Hugo Krauss was German born, but his family immigrated to the United States when he was a child. He returned to his home country in 1939 to fight for Germany. When he was captured and brought back to the United States, he openly criticized the Third Reich. Many of the captured German officers remained

loyal to the Nazis, and somehow controlled the other POWs, pushed propaganda within the compounds, infiltrated a postal system, and secretly punished any German POWs who were disloyal. Krause saw through the propaganda and took a stand, and for it, he was beaten severely and died from the injuries he suffered. Seven other German POWs were sentenced to death for their crime at Camp Hearne.

As I meandered through the site, examining artifacts, my mind slipped back to my greatgreat Uncle Pete. I will never know the horrors he experienced during the last weeks and days of his life. Because of his courage and sacrifice, and that of many others, most Americans will never know such atrocities, and I will remain thankful for that until my last breath.

IF YOU GO

If this unique piece of our history piques your interest, plan a short trip. The hours of the exhibit are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. The address is 12424 Camp Hearne Road, Hearne, TX 77859. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcome. To learn more before you go, visit www.camphearne.com.

Replicas of the Camp Hearne barracks show visitors what life was like for German POWs during World War II.

Have Fun & Learn This Summer ADD SOME EDUCATIONAL STOPS TO YOUR TRAVELS

As I write this, the sun shines on a gorgeous 80-degree spring day, and I am reminded that it won’t be long before we can start enjoying the summer break. As you make your summer plans, consider adding some fun and educational stops to your itinerary.

Central Texas has an abundance of outdoor parks. These parks allow our students to put science discovery into real-life practice. Along with an array of local parks and hike and bike trails, many of our state’s most beautiful state parks are within a few hours' drive. These parks often host special events just for kids and families. Check out the calendar on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for a list of family-friendly events at state parks. Even if you can’t make it to a state park, a short nature hike in one of our local parks gives students a chance to explore plants and wildlife. Younger students can observe the colors and shapes of plants and trees. Older students can practice map-reading skills by looking at trail maps. Students and adults of all ages can engage in fun geo-caching activities. Continuing with our nature theme, the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, and other zoos and aquariums within a short drive, are great places to enjoy exploring natural science, learning about ecology and protecting our natural resources. Students can practice reading skills by checking out the posted information about their favorite animals.

If the summer heat is too much, consider visiting a local museum. The Bell County Museum in downtown Belton displays historical and archaeological exhibits showcasing the history of Bell County and the surrounding areas. Temple, too, boasts several fun and educational museums. Learn about the history of the railways that helped build the city at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum or learn about settlers who called Central Texas home at the Czech Heritage Museum. Gatesville, too, offers more opportunities to learn about the history of our area at the Coryell Museum and Historical Center. Younger students can have fun learning with hands-on experiences at the Temple Children’s Museum. And Waco offers a variety of historical and scientific museums

including the Dr Pepper Museum, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University.

If historical and scientific museums aren’t for you or your kids, consider a visit to a local art gallery or museum. Many of our Central Texas communities feature exhibits by local artists. That Art Place in Belton and several galleries in Salado offer an opportunity for kids and older students to try their hand at pottery, painting or glass-blowing. If you’re willing to make the short drive to Austin, your family can enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor art museums such as the Blanton or Umlauf Sculpture Gardens. Austin also has a unique literary museum at the Harry Ransom Center. While this would be a stop most enjoyed by high school-age students, the Ransom does showcase unique exhibits concerning literature, photography, art, film and the performing arts. Check out a Gutenberg Bible and a Frida Kahlo self-portrait as part of its permanent collection.

If you don’t want to travel far but need a quick trip out of the house for a few hours, don’t forget our local libraries. They host an array of daily and weekly activities for students of all ages including reading times for younger kids, summer day camps, and a variety of other fun and educational opportunities. And, of course, getting involved in a summer reading program always gives you and your kids an excuse to get out of the house to go check out new books.

Whether you’re planning a multi-day vacation to Waco or Austin, or just looking for some fun and local day trips, Central Texas offers many different opportunities to have fun while learning something new this summer.

Johna Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.

JOHNA UNDERWOOD

From parks to museums, Central Texas offers many different opportunities to have fun while learning something new this summer.

It's Otterly Adorable

BLUE HILLS RANCH & RESORT IS A WILDLIFE OASIS

By RACHEL STRICKLAND Photos courtesy of BLUE HILLS RANCH & RESORT

It’s no secret that Central Texas is full of hidden gems if you know where to look. Blue Hills Ranch & Resort, a 150-acre wildlife oasis located only seven minutes from McGregor, is one such magical place where guests can swim with otters, dine with giraffes and enjoy guided safari tours.

Matt Lieberman, owner of Blue Hills Ranch, was born and raised in California but traveled to Texas often as a kid to visit his grandparents. When he finally moved to Texas and bought the ranch, he says it was kind of a way to get back to his roots. “[The ranch] was just going to be a retirement project, but it turned into way more than I thought,” he says.

In California, Lieberman worked for a local fire department for 15 years and owned a medical company. He says that while he’s semi-retired now, he still volunteers for the fire department in McGregor and maintains ownership of his medical company in California. Lieberman bought the ranch at the end of 2018, but he didn’t really start getting it up-and-running until the end of 2019. He claims that the ranch is now 95% open because there

are many other projects that he’s still working on, including acquiring more animals, building more cabins, an event venue, a pavilion, and adding a few more RV sites.

The animals are obviously the main attraction at Blue Hills, and for good reason. Lieberman says they have around 150 animals and over 20 different species, including giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, camels, wild mustangs, cows, otters and many more. And of course, each animal has its own name, personality and story. Lieberman admits that the animals are like his kids. In fact, he raised the two giraffes at Blue Hills since they were babies. He says he had to bottle feed them every four hours for an entire year, and this experience has made him understandably quite close to the giraffes, whose names are Blue and Google. A new barn is currently being constructed for the giraffes, and he hopes to get some elephants who would live in there, too.

One of the things that sets Blue Hills apart from zoos or safaris is that the animals at Lieberman’s ranch are typically the ones that no one else wants due to disabilities or deficiencies. For example, one of the cows at the ranch is blind and some of the

deer have broken antlers. This may not sound like a big deal, but according to Lieberman, many ranch owners don’t want animals with special needs or imperfections. “Three-legged donkey? Bring it to me,” he says. “I’ll be glad to have it. We’re trying to find animals that no one’s going to give a chance to.” Lieberman says that part of his motivation behind collecting animals who need a loving forever home is to show kids that “just because it’s not perfect, doesn’t mean someone doesn’t want it or won’t love it.”

The animals at Blue Hills are free to roam the entirety of the 150 acres. While Lieberman and his team make sure to provide water and feed during the winter, the animals mostly take care of themselves and eat grass. “The bison play with the kangaroos, and the camel hangs out with the bison,” he says. “And we have a pig whose boyfriend is a kangaroo.” There is a veterinarian who comes out to the ranch once a month to check on the animals, but other than that, they are fairly low-maintenance and contented to roam freely. “I don’t like cages, even though it’s 150-acre cage,” Lieberman says. “I just hope the animals walk

around and don’t realize it.”

According to Lieberman, the ranch’s success was immediate — the two cabins that he had at the beginning were booked up for a year and a half shortly after they went live on the website. “I was like, ‘I’ve got to build more cabins!’” he says, laughing. Today, they have five cabins, but there is usually still a long waiting list.

Even though Lieberman has been coming to the Waco area since he was a kid, he admits that there’s not much to do there. “Who comes to Waco on a Tuesday?” he jokes. This is why he was so surprised when people kept renting his cabins at the rate that they did. He was even more shocked when he found out that people were traveling from places like Canada, Mexico, and even the Netherlands to stay at his ranch. “It’s mind blowing because it’s just McGregor. Why would someone come out here?” he says, laughing. “It used to be just [people from] Dallas, Austin, and Houston. And now, it’s like, wait — you’re here from Canada?” He says that they now have a world map where guests can use push pins to indicate where they’re from.

While the ranch gets lots of customers from other states, and even other countries, Lieberman wants locals to come out and enjoy the ranch as well, even if they don’t stay the night. He says he’s working on discount packages for folks local to the greater McGregor area because appealing to his neighbors is important to him.

There is a lot to do at Blue Hills, from animalwatching on the patios overlooking the scenic ranch, to safari tours where a guide takes guests around the property in an ATV to visit the animals in their natural habitats. However, the activities don’t just stop at watching the animals; guests can interact with them.

Lieberman says that they have an arena where the otters live, as well as a hot tub and a pool with glass sides. People are welcome to watch the otters swim, or they can get in there and swim with them. They also offer an experience where guests can eat dinner while hanging out and interacting with the giraffes. Lieberman says his goal is to become a sort of all-inclusive resort for the guests staying at the ranch. “We’re not there yet, but that’s where we’re headed.”

There are also six RV hookups at the ranch for those who prefer to bring their RVs instead of staying in one of the cabins. Lieberman says there are technically 21 hookups, but he’s only renting

out six because he wants to keep the atmosphere relaxed. “I don’t want to overload the property to where it’s just too many people and you don’t feel at peace,” he explains.

Couples who are interested in tying the knot surrounded by exotic animals can do so at Blue Hills Ranch. However, Lieberman says that starting in April 2024, couples will have to rent the entire ranch for the weekend.

Lieberman has a lot of plans for the future. He owns another 220 acres across the street that is set up for horseback-riding where people can bring their horses to ride on the trails. But soon, he hopes to set up a fully functional riding arena with lights and stands that can be rented out for barrel racing, roping, or events like rodeos. He also plans to offer horse-boarding as well.

Blue Hills Ranch is an incredibly unique and easily accessible getaway for Central Texans and folks and from all over the world to enjoy. “Hopefully everybody here can just relax and get out of the city,” Lieberman says.

IF YOU GO

Address: 2032 Blue Cut Rd N, McGregor

Phone: 833-711-1777

Website: bluehillsranch.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Photography:

Photography: Angela Sitz | Models Charlotte Naizer and Dorothy Collier, longtime childhood friends enjoy shopping together