Tex Appeal | Winter 2020

Life and Style in Central Texas

Winter 2020

Zooty's wants to help you look your best

Stylish, chic boutique FIND YOUR FIT AT IMERAKI

Local family building hospitality empire

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SHOP LOCAL AND FIND THE PERFECT HOLIDAY PRESENTS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Garlyn Shelton GM

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INDEX

24

Twin sisters create unique boutique at iMeraki in Belton

28

Find the perfect bridal gown at Cinderella Couture in Killeen

38

Sears Hometown Store in Temple focuses on customer service

40

Grab coffee, beer and food at Killeen’s Social Coffee Bar

Twin sisters Jamie Davenport and Jessica Shelton operate iMeraki in Belton. | 24 Photograph by REBECCA BACHTEL

ON THE COVER

6 7 8 12 16 20

EDITOR'S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS NEIGHBORS Zoe's Wings helps revitalize East Temple SCENE Arbor Day, Hole in One Halloween, Barktoberfest and Rucks on Main FLAVOURS Treno Pizzeria and Taproom THE REVIEW Books to read while at home for the holidays.

4 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

48

Get speedy, professional printing Amy Thomas of Zooty’s in Temple. | 62 Photograph by BECKY STINEHOUR

22 32 56 69 70 72 74

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Garlyn Shelton GM HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Shop local and find the perfect present for everyone on your list LOCALLY OWNED Central Texas businesses BEING CENTRAL TEXAN Stephanie O’Banion HEALTH & WELLNESS Healthy holiday meals DAYTRIPPIN' Daniel Village in Waco ADVERTISING INDEX

at PaperGraphics and FastSigns

52

Dough Re Mi ships edible cookie dough across the country

62

Zooty’s in Temple helps customers look their best

66

Local family creates a hospitality empire in Central Texas

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TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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FROM THE EDITOR

H

appy Holidays, Season’s Greetings and Merry Christmas Central Texas. Welcome to the Winter 2020-21 Tex Appeal Magazine. This edition’s focus is on locally owned businesses. They are working hard to earn your support.

In this issue, we get to know Elwood, Dennis and Doug Smith of PaperGraphics and FastSigns on page 48, meet Amy Thomas of Zooty’s of Temple on page 62, get to know Jessica Shelton and Jamie Davenport, twin sisters who own and run iMeraki on page 24 and chat with military veterans, Daniel Lee and Shelby Hannah of Sears Hometown Store on page 38.

We also stop for a bite to eat at Treno Pizzeria and Taproom with Jacob Bates on page 16, grab a coffee with Raymond Assed and Carmen Orta at the Social Coffee Bar on page 38 and sample edible cookie dough with Mary Senese as she JANNA ZEPP makes it in her own kitchen on page 52. We also editor@ share some healthy holiday recipes with you on texappealmag.com 254-774-5266 page 70.

Betty Cucker of Cinderella Couture & Bridal Formals shows us the perfect wardrobe for your perfect day on page 28, and Lauren Wilson shows us that your catering, fine dining and event venues can be handled by her family, which owns Cathedral Oaks Events Center, Cheeves Bros. Restaurant and TCP Catering right here in Central Texas. You can meet them on page 66.

Scene shows you highlights from CenTex events including Barktoberfest, Arbor Day, the Harker Heights Hole In One Trick-or-Treat celebrations and Rucks On Main race on pages 12-14.

If you’re looking for great gift ideas, we’ve brought back the Holiday Gift Guide on pages 32-37 and some selections for good reading by the fire on cold winter nights on page 20.

Want to get away for about half a day with the family? The Mayborn Museum’s Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village can take you back 130 years to Texas as it was in its early days on page 72.

Stephanie O’Banion of the United Way of Central Texas tells you what Being Central Texan means to her on page 69.

Putting together this issue put us in the holiday spirit and we hope it does the same for you. As always, if you have a story idea or just want to tell us what you think, drop me an email at editor@texappealmag.com or call me at 254-774-5266. We’d love to hear from you.

Janna Zepp Tex Appeal editor

6 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC.

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

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TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM

10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editor JANNA ZEPP Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH REBECCA BACHTEL SKEEBO REICHERT AMY ROGNLIE MANDY SHELTON BECKY STINEHOUR CAREY STITES SHARON WHITE 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, 4 issues.

Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.

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

HOW TO CONTACT US: Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500.

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

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

Running-to-Live.com

MANDY SHELTON is a fifth-generation Texan and earned a master’s degree at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Her writing and photos have appeared in newspapers, magazines and literary websites.

She enjoys volunteering at the Florence Library and hanging out with her dog, Biscuit.

REBECCA BACHTEL is a soul-catching enthusiast who loves to tell stories through the eye of photography. Becca's ability to capture genuine emotion in her subjects and details of nature has brought her many photographic opportunities in Bell County and while traveling with her family.

Facebook.com/BeccaBachtelPhotography/

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

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

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.

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.

SHARON WHITE is an award-winning author who lives in Temple. Her writing has been featured in the New York Daily News, Huffington Post, AdvancingWomen.com, Sweet Tart Beauty and FashionBible.com. Her lifestyle blog, QStyleTheBook.com, is based on her book, Quintessential Style: Cultivate and Communicate Your Signature Look.

JOIN OUR TEAM

Tex Appeal is looking for photographers and freelance writers with newspaper or magazine experience. We are seeking candidates from the Central Texas area. Candidates must be detail- and deadline-oriented and good storytellers. Send a resume and three to five recent published samples for consideration to editor@texappealmag.com.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US Email a letter to editor@texappealmag.com.

Please include your name and phone number for verification.

You also can connect with us on Facebook.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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NEIGHBORS

Zoë’s Wings gives East Temple residents

help with home repairs

By FRED AFFLERBACH | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and contributed

K

a-Pow! In early 2019, the electrical transformer outside Lila and Hurley Jackson’s East Temple home exploded and their roof caught fire. Although firefighters extinguished the blaze, the Jackson’s home where they lived for more than 30 years was left with a leaky roof and soggy walls. And because her husband, a retired truck driver, is battling cancer, Lila kept busy emptying buckets of water when it rained. Then a knock at the door and a woman with wings, Zoë’s Wings Foundation, Inc., stepped into help.

8 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Zoe Grant founded the nonprofit, Zoë’s Wings, in Temple almost two years ago because she recognized that many homes on the east side were suffering the ravages of time. Working with a list of homeowners seeking repairs provided by the city, Grant began interviewing people such as Lila Jackson to see what she could do to help.

She found folks living in homes with an array of issues: leaky pipes and roofs, all sorts of electrical problems, an entire room that had become detached from the house, no A/C, no hot water, or no water at all. At least one homeowner coped by buying bottled water and taking showers at a neighbor’s home. Some residents simply moved out, leaving vacant homes to suffer further neglect.

Services provided by Zoë’s Wings are free, but candidates for relief must own their own home and be current on property taxes. Grant says many homeowners are locked into mortgage payments with high interest rates because they have little or bad credit, which leaves them no money for repairs and maintenance. Thus, the cycle of neighborhoods going downhill perpetuates.

Although Grant, who works in civil engineering, grew up in Denver, her parents hail from Temple.

After they died, she moved here to be near family members. She settled into a comfortable house in North Temple, but recently bought a home on the east side because she said it’s important to embed herself in the community she’s trying to help.

“We’re about motivating and encouraging people in our community to do better with their homes. We’re trying to build up the East Side,” Grant said. “The East Side is a little neglected and it’s been that way for years. Demographics haven’t changed. It’s still the low-income people. It’s still the minority people. It still needs help. I want to encourage people, to let them know their dream of owning their own home isn’t gone.”

Temple Neighborhood Services Manager Nancy Glover says there is a high need for revitalizing many neighborhoods — 19 percent of the city’s population lives below the poverty line and many reside in East Temple. When people come to the city for resources it can’t provide, Glover often

ABOVE: A homeowner receives a new air conditioner window unit from Zoë’s Wings Foundation.

BELOW: Zoë Grant started the nonprofit nearly two years ago to help revitalize homes in East Temple.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Workers prepare to replace the roof on the Jackson’s East Temple home.

“We’re about motivating and encouraging people in our community to do better with their homes.

We’re trying to build up the East Side.”

— Zoë Grant

refers them to Zoë’s Wings.

“She really has a heart for people. She really wants to help,” Glover said. “She not only addresses the problems with the homes, she also tries to use her contractors as an opportunity for people to pull themselves up out of poverty and learn different construction trades. It’s a holistic way of trying to address the overall problems and Continued

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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not just one thing. She’s not looking for a Band-Aid solution.”

Vicki DeLeon, a single mother with two boys, ages 7 and 13, works full time at a finance company. She bought her East Temple home in 2004 and paid it off in 2011. Although she has put her “heart and soul” into her home, she says there’s always something that needs attention.

Working with Zoë’s Wings, she got the bugs in her electrical system worked out and a new A/C window unit installed. Workers were scheduled to build a banister on an interior stairway, but that was put on hold when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Looking for a way to give back to her community, DeLeon joined its board of directors. She says help is sometimes only a phone call away.

“There’s resources out here,” DeLeon said.

“Don’t give up. Don’t feel like what you have achieved isn’t enough, like you’ll never achieve that dream house. Keep going for it. Never be embarrassed to ask for help. That’s the only way you can get ahead sometimes.”

Doris See lives in the same house her grandparents inhabited; an ironing board that folds up into a wall and a built-in telephone table in the hallway stand testament to the home’s age.

She fell and crushed her hip several years ago and can’t work. It was painful getting in and out of the tub — she has no shower. Living on monthly disability payments, a new bathroom was mostly a

Doris See now has a shower and new bathroom floor after crews from Zoë’s Wings renovated it.

10 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Zoë’s Wings crew members replace plumbing in a home served by the nonprofit foundation. dream. But a phone call from Zoë’s Wings changed everything. Now she has a new bathroom floor and, for the first time ever, a shower.

Although repairing one home at a time can have a positive and cumulative effect on a community, Zoë’s Wings aims to fly higher. The nonprofit plans to build an affordable housing neighborhood on 10 acres. Several acres have already been purchased and negotiations on 14 lots are underway.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a monkey wrench in some work Zoë’s Wings has scheduled.

Workers can still perform repairs outside, but indoor repairs are on hold. Meanwhile, the neverending chore of raising money and awareness continues. Zoë’s Wings depends on the generosity of individuals, grants from businesses such as Walmart ($30,000), and the city of Temple ($13,800). But the money never goes far enough.

Back at Lila and Hurley Jackson’s home, things are looking up.

“They put a new roof on my house, and it didn’t cost me anything. They patched up the sides where squirrels and things were coming in; they patched up the edges,” Lila Jackson said. “It was a blessing to our family. A whole new roof. Oh, my goodness, yes.”

HOW TO HELP

To learn more about Zoë’s Wings and how you can help, go to: https://zoeswings.org.

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SCENE: ARBOR DAY

1

2

1. A Mexican Sycamore, sponsored by Oncor, is planted at Carl Levin Park in Harker Heights.

2. Kelly Seals was given a seedling from the Texas A&M Forest Service.

3. Paul Johnson presented the 2020 Texas ISA Awards.

4. Dr. Hans Williams speaks on the history of Arbor Day. 5. Posting of the Colors by the Harker Heights Police and Fire Dept Honor Guard during the celebration.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR 12 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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5

4

SCENE: HOLE IN ONE HALLOWEEN

1

3

2

4

5

1. The main house at Stonetree Golf Course in Killeen was illuminated for the Hole in One Halloween event.

2. Sheridan Reid, Lisa Youngblood, and Shelby Martin stop to display their Sanderson sisters costumes.

3. Scott Zipp dances with a skeleton decoration.

4. Geri Schwartzman relaxes on the porch.

5. A skeleton figure adorned with flowers added to the atmosphere.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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SCENE: BARKTOBERFEST & RUCKS ON MAIN

1

3

2

4

14 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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1. Participants of the inaugural Rucks on Main event walked with backpacks filled with food to support area veterans.

2. Carlos Gomez, Laura Liggitt and Ryan Liggitt at the finish line of the Rucks on Main march in Temple.

3. Savannah Greenwell, Killeen Animal Services program coordinator, shows a dog available for adoption.

4. Jesus Sustaita pets Xander at the Killeen Animal Shelter.

5. Ponch the Labrador awaits adoption at Barktoberfest.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

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FLAVOURS

NEW TASTE IN TEMPLE

Treno Pizzeria and Taproom opens downtown

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by REBECCA BACHTEL

T

“We serve artisan-style wood-fired pizza, roasted calamari, fresh salads with local greens, burrata bowls, bruschetta, wings and many more fresh options.”

— Jacob Bates 16 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

reno Pizzeria and Taproom is the new kid on the block when it comes to downtown Temple, but this sister restaurant to Bird Creek Burger Company is quickly making a name for itself since opening in July.

“We serve artisan-style wood-fired pizza, roasted calamari, fresh salads with local greens, burrata bowls, bruschetta, wings and many more fresh options,” says owner Jacob Bates.

“The experience is all basically self-serve,” he says, gesturing to the spacious seating area.

The restaurant also offers catering and an inhouse coffee shop and roastery called First Street Roasters. “We do a lot of our own syrups, as well as grab-and-go pastries and salads.”

In addition to the coffee shop, Treno also offers 36 self-serve beer and wine taps. “This is a new concept for Temple. You can do tastings, mixes — whatever you want. And where else can you go to have a beer and watch a football game inside while your kids play outside?” Jacob says. “We have two full playgrounds for the kiddos, a full outdoor lawn space with big screen TV and live music stage at the end, and a private meeting room for groups — all smack-dab in the middle of downtown Temple.”

The restaurant business is a family affair for Jacob, who co-owns Treno Pizzeria with his father, Bruce Bates and partner, Bo Harvey. Jacob’s wife, Carleigh, runs the partners’ other restaurant, Bird Creek Burger Co., already well-loved by the Temple community since its opening three years ago.

As a Temple native and chairman of the Temple Main Street Project, Jacob and his co-owners are enthusiastic about providing more than just great food to the Temple area. “I love this community and want to continue to offer unique foods and atmosphere while trying to support our local suppliers. For example, we use microgreens from the Unincluded Club here in Temple.”

Besides supporting other local businesses, Jacob and his partners employ nearly 50 people in downtown Temple. “It’s happening,” he says. “Three, even two years ago no one was coming down here. Now, we’ve got live music, Continued

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Treno’s has outdoor seating, a play area for children and 36 self-serve beer and wine taps. restaurants…we’re not selfish. We’d like to see six or seven more new restaurants down here.”

The Temple Main Street Program is part of the national Main Street America program, which is dedicated to transforming communities, celebrating historic character, and revitalizing local economies. Bringing new life to downtown Temple includes remembering its past.

“We did our best to preserve the history of the buildings,” Jacob explains. “Most of the brick walls are original. First Street was one of the first paved streets in Temple back in the 1920s, and we were able to salvage 28,000 of those original brick pavers and used them to build our back wall.”

And as a nod to Temple’s railroad heritage, the restaurant’s name, Treno is Italian for train.

Echoing the vision statement for the Main Street Program, Jason says, “I have three children currently growing up in this community and I cannot think of a better way to help the growth than by rooting down as far as possible to help create stability for the future of Temple and give my children the best possible place to potentially call home as they grow up.

“And as with anything that we do,” he adds, “we hope to have the most positive impact on the community and on the downtown area as possible.

We have such an incredible customer base that we look forward to growing in the years to come.”

18 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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THE REVIEW

GIFT BOOKS TO ENJOY WHILE YOU’RE

home for the holidays

By SHARON WHITE

T

he uncertainty of these days has brought us all much closer together. Each book presented here celebrates the comforts of home — a place where one can dream, laugh, cook, reminisce, become inspired and maybe even get a little more organized.

Everything Beautiful in its Time: Seasons of Love and Loss

By Jenna Bush Hager (William Morrow, September 2020) Jenna Bush Hager, former first daughter and granddaughter, best-selling author and coanchor of the Today show, pays tender homage to her grandparents, recalling fun anecdotes, life lessons and sage advice that continue to guide her as she raises her own children. This poignant memoir is a tribute to her family and the love and respect they share.

Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

By Ina Garten (Clarkson Potter, October 2020) Ina Garten says, “There are few things more comforting than gathering for a meal with the ones you love.” In her latest cookbook, the renowned “Barefoot Contessa” introduces 85 new recipes to nourish body and soul. Her culinary twists fancy-up all our classic favorites. How about a cheddar and chutney grilled cheese, banana rum trifle, fresh crab nachos or waffle iron hash browns?

Will You be My Friend?

By Sam McBratney, Illustrated by Anita Jeram (Candlewick Press, September 2020) After 25 years, Sam McBratney,

20 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

author of the internationally best-selling classic, Guess How Much I Love You?, brings us his charming sequel as Nutbrown Hare ventures away from mother and discovers the joy of finding a new friend. Anita Jeram’s delicate watercolor illustrations transport readers back to the sweet enchantment of the original tale. (Ages 3-7) The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything

By Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin (Clarkson Potter, September 2020) The authors of this No. 1 New York Times best-seller and the stars of the wildly popular Netflix series, Get Organized with the Home Edit, merge conventional organization techniques and interior design to help readers reach their goals of editing clutter, containing the chaos, and establishing a smart (and pretty) system that works for every individual lifestyle.

Journeys of a Lifetime, Second Edition: 500 of the World’s Greatest Trips

By National Geographic (National Geographic, October 2018) Most of us can only dream of trotting the globe right now. But never fear, the celebrated travel writers of National Geographic have compiled a 10th anniversary edition of Journeys of a Lifetime to highlight the best of the world’s most legendary sojourns. Imagine your next adventure with this luxurious volume — filled with page after page of breathtaking photography from over 500 destinations.

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22 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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Twin sisters Jamie Davenport and Jessica Shelton own iMeraki in Belton.

24 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Unique boutique Twin sisters offer something for everyone at iMeraki

A

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by REBECCA BACHTEL

“

t iMeraki, we believe clothing should empower people to live their best lives in comfort while still being an expression of who they are. Our clothes are of the highest quality and yet completely functional and wearable in everyday life,” says co-owner Jessica Shelton.

The iMeraki boutique in downtown Belton, owned and operated by Jessica and her twin, Jamie Davenport, has something for everyone. “We traveled around the world to find unique items,” explains Jessica. “Even our name is unique.”

Pronounced as eye-Mer-rah-Key, the name comes from the Greek word meraki, which means to put the best part of yourself in your work with passion and creativity. “We fell in love with this word and made it our own by placing an extra "i" in front of the word meraki to symbolize twin sisters in business.”

“Ever since we were kids, we’ve had a passion for unique fashion,” Jessica, a Belton High School graduate, recalls. “I remember us feeling nervous walking into school one day wearing pants we had designed the night before, worried that the other kids would make fun of us. But we were able to express ourselves in a creative way and our friends loved the pants. I believe this is when our journey began, that maybe one day we would own a fashionable clothing store together. We hope to one day complete our dream by designing and selling our own clothing line.”

The sisters opened their store May 2019 next to My Giving Tree Gift Shop & Gallery owned by their mom, longtime Belton businesswoman Leila Valchar, whom they credit as their inspiration.

“We like to tell our customers that we are two great stores at one location. We all enjoy working together as a family, where one is weak the other is stronger. Our mom gives us guidance and encourages us when we are feeling defeated. We are blessed to have each other, especially during these hard times.”

The iMeraki twins spread the love to their customers, too. “We give all our customers gifts as an appreciation for shopping small — an eggshell flower to grow to thank them for helping us grow.

When you walk into our store, we are letting you into our hearts and when you leave you take a piece of iMeraki with you,” Jessica says, smiling.

The sisters’ pride and joy is their line of men’s clothing by Vincent D'Amerique, a well-known Canadian designer. iMeraki is the first and largest retailer in the United States to that sell this brand.

“Our women’s clothing is also unique,” Jamie Continued

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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points out. “We feature Frank Lyman, another Canadian designer who is internationally known for his undeniable impact on women's fashion.

Some pieces are reversible and perfect for travel and appeal to a wide range of customers from professional to casual, young to mature.”

Besides clothing and gifts from Canada, Turkey, Bangladesh and the Philippines, iMeraki carries handcrafted jewelry, clothing and other distinctive items from local sources. “We love to support other sisters in business,” Jessica says, indicating the Raising Arrows line of clothing from some sisters in Dallas and Brenda Grands jewelry crafted by sisters in Houston.

The twin businesswomen are also heavily

involved in the local community as officers of the Downtown Belton Business Alliance. The two recently created the iMeraki Giving Back program, in which they will be picking up trash around town.

They also offer a store discount to all frontline workers — police, military and teachers as well as students. “We are grateful for the support of the community,” Jamie adds. “We love our town.”

And apparently, the community returns the love, recently voting iMeraki as Best Menswear store in the Belton Journal Reader’s Choice Awards for 2020.

You can visit iMeraki in downtown Belton at 121 N. East St. #A, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shopimeraki/.

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28 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Find the perfect fit at

Cinderella Couture

By MANDY SHELTON | Photos by SKEEBO

“

T

Betty Cucker helps brides find the perfect dress at Cinderella Couture Bridals & Formal Wear in Killeen.

hank you for calling Cinderella Couture; how may I serve you?”

It’s not quite Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo, but this is how Betty Cucker begins to weave her spell.

Cinderella Couture Bridals & Formal Wear in Killeen is a bridal boutique worthy of a princess … or anyone who wants to feel like one on her special day.

“I chose Cinderella because I wanted something beautiful, something that had a happy ending,” Betty says. “Cinderella has always been my favorite Disney character, always. When I was growing up, whenever Cinderella came on, I was there to watch it.”

The couture portion, she says, represents a place where beautiful things are manufactured, sewn, or created, and then made available. If a fairy godmother went into business for herself, it would look a lot like Cinderella Couture.

Not everything can be as easy as waving a magic wand, though, and dresses may require multiple fittings and an in-house seamstress. They can’t all be conjured out of thin air or handsewn by cartoon birds and mice.

In this version of the story, the princess is played

by Killeen’s own Jasmine Suino, who took the stage as Cinderella in Vive Les Arts’ production of Into the Woods, the Stephen Sondheim musical in which fairytale characters get lost in the forest together, sharing their stories with mixed results.

Forces beyond our control can put Happily Ever After in jeopardy. A global pandemic can disrupt your opportunity “to fulfill a lifelong wish of performing as Cinderella,” as Jasmine said in the program for Into the Woods, or it can preempt your dream wedding. Either way, the show must go on.

Just ask the woman who has been making women beautiful on their special days for the past two decades.

“Right now, what seems to be continuing to happen when everything else is not are weddings,” Betty says. “People are still getting married.”

Many brides may be shrinking the ceremony, and she works on fewer bridesmaid dresses because the wedding Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

29

parties have downsized accordingly. “A lot of girls are scaling down the wedding, but they’re still getting beautiful gowns,” Betty says. “They just said: ‘I’m not compromising with my gown. I’ve already had to cut back on my number of guests, but the gown…no compromising.’”

For Jasmine, Betty chose a dress with a “sheer plunging back” and a flare that falls “within the mermaid family” but includes the traditional train.

Three separate veils were considered.

In Sondheim’s version of the scrambled fairytales, Cinderella gets married at the end of the first act. On the VLA stage, Jasmine wore another wedding gown as Cinderella wed Prince Charming. After intermission, however, the story takes a dark turn.

Whether for a royal ball or a military ball, Betty works her magic for all sorts of formal events. She has always wanted to incorporate appointment shopping, and COVID-19 forced it upon her. “Really, appointments have just worked out wonderfully for me. I’ve tried to do appointment only for over two years now and it just didn’t work. But it’s working beautifully now,” Betty says. When she has an appointment, she locks the door and gives the client two hours of her uninterrupted time. All her fittings include the flute of champagne that puts a little sparkle into the shopping experience.

Betty offers bridal masks as well, done up in the style of the chosen dress. In a way, brides-to-be have always worn masks at Cinderella Couture. “We have 30 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

makeup masks,” Betty says. “It’s a very thin film that goes over your face, but it keeps cosmetics off the dresses.” For her fitting, Jasmine wears a Disney princess mask.

Betty is originally from Holly Springs, just outside Memphis. She earned a degree in chemistry from Alcorn State University and did graduate work at the University of Mississippi. She has lived in Texas for 38 years.

After more than 13 years at her Belton location, Betty began looking for a new home for Cinderella Couture in 2012. “Opportunity came when the shopping plaza was built and we were invited to come in,” Betty says. The store has been located in the pedestrian-friendly Village Square, Killeen’s own version of the brick-lined Rodeo Drive, for the past five years.

During a normal November, the Village Square businesses are preparing for their annual fashion show.

The event, first started by The Jewelry Lady, involves all the businesses in the shopping center. Some provide food, others haircuts and styles, while a few of the businesses offer employees as models.

“That’s what the goal was, to get everyone involved,” Betty says. “That show was all about promoting this shopping plaza.”

The team chose to forgo the Fashion on the Square event in 2020, which turned out to be a blessing. “And lo and behold, look what happened,” Betty says. “It was really being led by God.”

2801 W. Avenue M Temple, TX 76504

Mon - Sat 10:30am - 8:00pm Closed Sundays

Cottle Rylander II Bruce Lanphear

254-778-4131

welcome to rylander’s best hamburgers!

Rylander’s was opened in 1969 by Butch (Cottle) and Pat Rylander. In 1993, Cottle Rylander II and Bruce Lanphear took over ownership and have continued serving Temple with a full selection of delicious madeto-order menu options. Though known for their amazing burgers, Rylander’s also offers grilled chicken, fried chicken and fish sandwiches.

Other items include BLT’s, fried shrimp, and chili-cheese dogs, as well as side orders of onion rings, tater tots and fries. There are even sweet delights such as fried hot lemon and apple pies, strawberry cream cheese pies and homemade shakes!

Cottle and Bruce are always in the store to welcome new and returning customers. We would like to express our gratitude to our loyal customers for all of your support!

“A unique boutique offering eclectic home decor, furnishings and gifts.”

21 North Main Street In the heart of historic Salado

254-947-4000

Drive-Thru & Walk-Up | Call-In’s | Dine-In

Kaye & Frank Coachman, Owners

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31

We Love to Love Your Pets!

• Tub of Suds ................ Grooming • Stay awhile...................Boarding • Dogs Day Out .............Day Care • Specialty Boutique Items

1615 Canyon Creek Dr., Temple 254-239-5307 www.gopetluv.com

Making Spirits Bright

Devereaux Jewelers

1316 W. Avenue M, Temple 254-771-1260 www.devereauxjewelers.com

Unique Happens Here Open 7 days a week

Salado Creek Jewelers 106 North Main • Salado 254-855-5538

32 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Holiday Gift Guide

Shopping with a Twist

Stylish Interiors of Belton

Gift Certificates Available InteriorDesign, Residential Design, Commercial, Wallcoverings, Home Decor, Home Accessories & Holiday Decor.

Picasa Design, Inc.

202 E. 1st Avenue • Belton 254-831-3017 www.picasatheartofdesign.com

Bee-To-Bottle Since 1930

Wine bar and boutique all in one - a Bartique!

Shop for the perfect outfit and accessories while enjoying wine with a view.

Open seven days a week, the Walker Honey Farm Store is full of great gift ideas: raw honey, handcrafted soap, wine & mead.

Ask about our BYOB Honey Refill Program, monthly Bee to Bottle Tours and Trivia Nights!

Walker Honey Farm

556 Pace Park Rd., Salado • 512-619-9032

8060 E. US HWY 190, Rogers 254-983-2899 walkerhoneyfarm.com

Holiday Guests on the Way? Womens Apparel, Bags, Shoes, Jewelry, Gifts, Gourmet Foods

We carry Plus sizes

“A modern boutique with old time charm.”

9 Old Town Rd, Salado 254-319-0465 www.shopsouthdistrict.com

Need an extra cleaning hand? We can help you get your home ready for all your guests. Spend less time cleaning and more time with family this holiday season.

Gift Certificates available.

English Maids

Residential and commercial services.

FREE in-home consultation 254-231-0583 | englishmaids.biz TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

33

Unique Fashions

Easy Way to Be Merry and Bright!

and Gifts for Men & Women

• Clothing • Gadgets • Accessories • Fragrances • Jewelry • Custom Tailored Suits

Paperdoodles

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

Happy in a Gift Basket

121 N. East St Suite A Belton (next to My Giving Tree)

254-831-5101 • facebook.com/shopimeraki

Your One Stop Shop

Ebony Tea House

Belton, Texas www.ebonyteahouse.com

Express Your Elf

FFL Transfers $25 for 1st firearm. $10 each additional firearm. $35 Handgun/Long gun Cleaning.

Field strip, clean & inspect.

Ultrasonic gun cleaning $15 more.

Gem Pawn Shop

1305 West Adams Ave., Temple 254-773-4708 34 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Curly Cute Tees

254-931-0334 curlycutetees@gmail.com

Give the Gift of Shear Happiness!

Gift Certificates Available!

Salon Karen

2820 W. Avenue O • Temple 254-774-7373 www.facebook.com/2820SalonKaren

Nama-Sleigh

Gifts for Posh Peanuts And Their Moms

Callie’s Boutique

1401 S. 31st Street, Suite A in Pecan Plaza 254-770-0511 www.calliesboutique.com

Christmas Is The Season For Giving

Gift Certificates & Yoga Gear Available

Firefly Yoga & Movement Studio

FREE Gift Wrap With Purchase!

1684 Morgans Point Rd. Morgans Point Resort 254-218-4072 www.firefly-yoga-studio.com

6173 W. Adams, Suite D • Temple 254-771-9981

Sleigh The Day!

It’s Crunch Time...

ROJO Salon & Boutique

10% Off Bella Canvas Great Quality, Great Prices!

Meme Boutique & More

Join my Facebook Group Online Ordering 254-913-9016

Paperdoodles

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

35

BEAUTIFUL FINE JEWELRY & UNIQUE GIFTS

Unlock your Inner Santa Give your loved ones the gift of a spare key this Holiday Season!

We’re a Full Service Locksmith NEED KEYS?

Give and Be Happy this Holiday Season!

Serving Temple, Belton, & Surrounding Areas 254-771-3377 www.popalocktemple.com

Your Skin, Your Body Revived-Repaired-Renewed Beautiful

Gift Certificates Gift Wrapped for the Perfect Gift 121 N. East St Downtown Belton (Next to iMERAKi)

254-939-8733 | www.MyGivingTree.net

Z Medical Aesthetics

2919 Market Loop • Temple 254-541-7837 www.zmedicalaesthetics.com

Holiday Specials

A HIDDEN TREASURE

Gift cards now available for purchase in-store and online!

Experience a Non-Profit Thrift Shop like no other. Vintage Items, Antiques, China, Crystal, Kitchen and Home Decor, Cookbooks, Linens, Toys, Books, Purses, Shoes, $1 Clothing, Christmas Items and so much more. Beautifully displayed in 4,800 sq ft. There is something for everyone.

FREE 500mg oil with a $75.00 purchase ($55.00 value) Hemp flower Buy 2 Get One Free (prerolls excluded) Gift Combos

Friday 11/27 & Saturday 11/28 only!

Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm 2807 W. Adams Ave, Ste. J • Temple www.centexcbd.net 36 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Security Professionals®

Amazing Grace Thrift Shop 6722 N. Hwy 36 • Buckholts 254-593-0105 Find us on Facebook

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Cent choo so gr shar of sk have with treat fabu I app love Your are t comp could Here gorg

How Sweet It Is Stocking Stuffers, Novelty Candy, Bulk Candy, Customized Goodies & Much More!

For All Your Darlings

Sugar Shack Candy Store

Darling Decor & More

Surprise Your Fav Mom Friends!

All the Jingle Ladies

1 Royal Street, Salado www.sugarshacksalado.com

100 N. Main Street, Temple 817-726-9612

Vitamin B12

Health & Wellness Benefits Boost Energy Levels Improve Mood

Healthy Stress Response Heart Disease Prevention

Fit4Mom • Temple Belton 713-857-6409 www.temple.fit4mom.com

Mind Your Wellness

204 N. Penelope, Suite 4, Belton 254-220-1143 www.mindyourwellnesstx.com

Healthy Skin & Hair Improved Metabolism & Digestion

A Unique Boutique Offering eclectic home dĂŠcor, furnishings and gifts

21 North Main Street

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

37

SEARS HOMETOWN KEEPS FOCUS ON

customer service

By FRED AFFLERBACH Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

Lee and Hannah both grew up in East Texas and met in the Houston suburb of Richmond in 2017.

Lee, an Army veteran of three overseas tours, taying at a hotel outside San Antonio planned to enroll in a master’s degree program in early 2019, two young entrepreneurs at Rice University. To pay bills, he worked in the wondered what they had gotten themselves warehouse at a Sears Hometown store. When his into. Shelby Hannah and Daniel Lee had just district manager offered him an opportunity to buy made a major financial commitment and were on the store in Temple, he balked. But after carefully the road for new business orientation. They had examining the numbers with his partner, Hannah obligations. They had bills. And they were down to (the couple is now engaged), the more excited they their last $40. became. They secured the loan just a day after that But the next day, their loan was approved, anxious night in a motel room, down to just $40 in and by June they were selling cash. washers and dryers, refrigerators Hannah is a self-described and all sorts of tools at their people person who has worked Sears Hometown Store franchise in customer service since she in Temple. landed her first job at a grocery The national chain of Sears store at age 16. “My favorite Hometown Stores spun off from phone calls are people who just the parent company in 2014, don’t have anybody to talk to,” a strategy to remain relevant she said. “So, we’ll talk to them. and solvent in a changing About anything. They make my business climate. Today, about day. Customer service is huge for 325 of these retailers still sell us. We built our brand around the old standard brands such that. Everyone who walks in is as Kenmore appliances and the most important person at Craftsman tools, as well as new that moment. It’s the hometown models that have recently come feel. We want people to come of age. in and be comfortable that Although the couple are too they’re going to be taken care young — Hannah, 30, and Lee, of. Everyone knows everyone’s 35 — to have experienced Sears name.” in its glory days when shoppers Lee and Hannah’s store has an could update their wardrobe 8,000-square-foot showroom and and buy Christmas gifts for the a 7,000-square-foot warehouse kids while getting a set of new with about 10 employees.

— Daniel Lee tires installed, they say that They specialize in appliances, old-fashioned hospitality has not tools, and lawn and garden gone out of style. supplies. When you buy an appliance, such as a “From the moment you walk into the store, you new refrigerator, they offer “white glove” delivery come to realize that it’s almost a different time. service in which workers install and set up the unit.

We focus on something that is like the Sears name They also perform appliance warranty service and from yesteryear,” Lee said. “Everyone is willing to repairs. help you, willing to talk with you and help you work When the coronavirus pandemic hit, the Temple through whatever issues you have. And sometimes Sears Hometown store was deemed an essential that means not a sale for us, but ultimately we business and could stay open, but their delivery would rather you be a little bit upset because we service slowed down. Meanwhile, Lee and Hannah burst a bubble rather than (sell you) something we were down to about three employees. People were promised the world for.”

Continued

S

“From the moment you walk into the store, you come to realize that it’s almost a different time. ... Everyone is willing to help you, willing to talk with you and help you work through whatever issues you have.”

38 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Daniel Lee and Shelby Hannah own the Sears Hometown Store in Temple.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

39

staying home to take care of kids and loved ones.

Hannah says it was a whirlwind in which shoppers quickly filled their new answering machine to capacity.

Customers such as Eva Marie Tranum are happy that Sears Hometown is making service calls and deliveries. Tranum, who shopped with Sears during its heyday, has used the store several times for warranty service and new purchases. She says while major retailers today are impersonal, Sears Hometown is a throwback.

“Customers just feel left out of the service part of the sale, somebody there to help when they have a problem. The way Shelby and Daniel are trying to do this with their service, that just speaks volumes. These days when you have big box stores and you really have nobody to stand behind the product, this is very refreshing and very much what we need right now. Temple’s not a small town, but not a mega-city. They’re making a really nice mark in the community.”

Hannah and Lee are also growing their business by cultivating relationships with local builders.

Hannah is working on a luxury kitchen suite for a

40 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

6,000-square-foot home.

Rex Karl, president of Stellar Homes in Temple, sends his buyers to them early in the homebuilding stages to select kitchen appliances.

“If the appliances show up two months before we need them, they (Sears Hometown) hold them for us and deliver on demand. Sometimes our homeowners will want to go ahead and buy washers and dryers, which are not typically part of the homebuilding package, because we get such good service there,” Karl said. “It’s good to have these small businesses in Temple to help support our customers.”

Looking back several months, Hannah recalls a woman who more than once drove up from Hutto, about 50 miles from Temple. She stayed for long visits but didn’t buy anything. Hannah says that’s OK. In retail, establishing relationships is paramount.

“Everyone who walks in is the most important person in the world.”

Sears Hometown is at 1212 Marlandwood Road in Temple.

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42

SOCIAL DISTANCING AT

Social Coffee Bar

By MANDY SHELTON | Photos contributed

C

ontrary to popular belief, the musical paraphernalia decorating the walls of Social Coffee Bar is not leftover inventory from Renaissance Records, the beloved Killeen institution that shuttered in 2011.

“A lot of people think that’s where I got everything,” said Raymond Assed, former owner of Renaissance Records and current owner of Social Coffee Bar. While the Renaissance storefront sign does decorate the balcony of SCB, the rest of the décor took a long, strange trip involving several detours through Killeen’s musical past.

Raymond purchased Renaissance Records in 1999 from the original owner, David Spriggs, who started the business in 1976. The local, independent source for new and used tunes cycled through records, tapes, and CDs before music’s current form, digital, sounded the swansong for record stores. Raymond moved locations twice before landing on Elms Road and liquidating inventory. He admits that many cassette tapes, lacking the cache of vintage vinyl, met an undignified death at the bottom of a dumpster.

Besides the final resting place of Renaissance Records, the Assed family owns multiple properties at the intersection of Elms Road and Fort Hood Street, a popular locale for night clubs. Over the years, stacks of wax from the club scene accumulated in a back room of one of the buildings. “They would just take all the old vinyl records and put them in that storage,” Raymond said. “We found all the vinyl, and we’re like ‘OK, we’ve got to use this vinyl to decorate.’”

A trip to a bar and restaurant expo in Las Vegas produced more ideas, like incorporating cassette tapes. Once overburdened with the ubiquitous plastic cartridges, Raymond found himself sourcing tapes from eBay. Social Coffee Bar opened in December 2019.

Raymond credits longtime employee Tammy Charnock with bringing the concept to the table.

“She started telling me about these places in Austin,” Raymond said. “Coffee bars: they sold coffee and beer. And I fell in love right away.”

Tammy has worked for the Assed family for the past 15 years. She began behind the bar at Tatu, working her way up to head bartender, then running clubs like Cody’s and Starlite Station. “And

Social Coffee Bar barista, Anna, shows off the birthday cake made for her last October. then we started this,” Tammy said of the enterprise that now demands her time all day, every day. “It’s a lot of work. A lot of fun, but a lot of work.”

Three months after opening, the business was hit by a double-whammy: one figurative and one literal. On March 17, a vehicle ran into the building, leaving few injuries but plenty to clean up. Social Coffee Bar had already planned to limit services during the COVID-19 pandemic; on March 19, an executive order shut down all bars and restaurants statewide.

While everyone else was stuck at home with their sourdough starters, Social Coffee Bar installed an in-house café-style bakery, SDE. “Sweets del Encanto,” explained manager Carmen Orta. “I’m Puerto Rican, so that’s where the name comes from.” A former manager at Mangos, Orta has also been running her home baking company for a decade and recently opened Cakelandia across the street on Elms.

Along with the morning pastries to pair with Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

43

coffee, Carmen brought ideas for paninis, nachos, and beer cheese. “We kept throwing around ideas until we got our menu,” said Raymond, whose musical influence is visible on the menu, with chips and salsa listed under the heading “Anything for Selenas,” a celebrated line from the 1997 biopic about the Tejano music superstar.

While the musical theme encompasses everyone from Elvis to 2Pac, the era of emphasis is echoed in the checkered floors. “I grew up in the ’80s, love the ’80s,” Raymond said. “The ’80s were probably the most important time in music.” Though such a bodacious statement might inspire a generational battle of the bands, Raymond holds strong to his beliefs and has good reason to incorporate them into Social Coffee Bar. “To me, and it just seemed like that was a theme that is still bringing together the older generation and the new generation,” he said. “The new generation, they love the ’80s stuff, they’re starting to pick up on it, so I figured that’s a good starting point. It’s just my opinion that ’80s music has reached more people than any other era of music.”

In naming the coffee bar Social, he is hoping the space he has created will do the same for Killeen.

44 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

IF YOU GO

3300 S. Fort Hood St., Suite A, Killeen A private karaoke room is available for booking. Call 254-415-7656 or contact @ socialcoffeebarkilleen on Facebook.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesday is trivia night, Thursday is comedy night, and Saturday is live music night.

Sunday, according to owner Raymond Assed, is for taking it easy.

Experience a Growing Waco Tradition

NOW OFFERING

POWDER COATING Roy Graham, Owner

Dec. 11-13 & Dec. 18-20, 2020 6pm-8pm Limited number of tickets available online at

www.maybornlights.com or at the Mayborn Museum.

412 S. 31st Street • Temple

254-773-1141 www.bodyshopon31st.com

Styles for Every Age

Susan Maries ,

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SALADO

.com

an upscale woman’s boutique

Gift Certificates & Gift Wrapping Available Monday-Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-6

171 South Main Street, Salado 254-947-5239

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

45

46 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Leasing Department Members of The TAA, we strongly vet all tenants performing both a background check and credit check.

All applicants must make 3 times the rent. Colonial Property Management requires every 90 day walk through inspections.

Both homeowners and tenants are provided Online portals. All work orders are placed through the portal where owners are sent notification as work orders are placed.

Colonial Property Management proudly maintains an almost 100% occupancy rate.

Friendly & Competent Staff Our full time staff is a always available to assist both Homeowners & Tenants.

All homeowners maintain an escrow, any repair exceeding $300, we provide estimates. All cosmetic work orders are sent to owners for approval.

ACH owner disbursement and on-line tenant payments provided.

Patsy H Cooney Owner/Broker

Providing our homeowners with unparalleled experience, Ms. Patsy has worked exclusively in Property Management for almost 40 years.

Contact Colonial Property Management for all your Property Management needs.

254-698-4113

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

47

Elwood Smith, center, with his sons, Dennis and Doug, at PaperGraphics and FastSigns in Temple.

48 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

FROM SPEEDY PRINT TO PAPERGRAPHICS AND FASTSIGNS

48 years of service

By JANNA ZEPP Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

I

n the 1970s, Elwood Smith traveled the state for work and, occasionally, he needed handouts.

He went to the local printer for 200 copies and was told that the minimum order was 2,000 and it took two weeks to get it.

“Xerox copiers had not been invented yet, there were very few fax machines, no personal computers, no laptops, no internet, and no cell phones,” Elwood says. “If you were a schoolteacher and needed 30 copies of a lesson plan, your choices were limited. You could use a smelly spirit duplicator, or you could retype a matrix and put it on a messy mimeograph. Both required time and patience, and they were prone to mistakes.”

Most printers in the mid-20th century required a minimum of at least 1,000 copies — sometimes more — because making the printing plate was a complicated procedure and it took anywhere from half a day or longer to complete. First you must have a camera large enough to make a full size negative, let it dry, then use the negative to burn a metal plate. It was not profitable to do short run printing. And it was not practical to offer printing quickly.

“Early in 1972, I happened to be in San Antonio for a meeting and came across a new business called Quick Printing. I went inside and asked for 200 copies and inquired as to how long it would take. To my amazement, they said I could wait for it. Not only that, I was privileged to watch them do it, and voila! In about five minutes, it was printed, wrapped and sold to me at an extremely competitive price. As I walked out the door, I remember thinking, ‘This is the future,’” Elwood says.

The new technology that revolutionized this procedure was the five-minute platemaker. The Continued

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

49

customer submitted the original to be copied, it went into the new machine and one minute later, out came the plate. The printer put the plate on a printing press and in five minutes or so, out came the finished product. This is what created “instant printing.” In March 1972, Elwood opened his first instant printing shop, Speedy Print, in Temple.

“Later, I purchased an offset press and rented a small room approximately 12' x 12' at the old SPJST Building and set up the first Speedy Print.

I got the manuals out and started reading. In one weekend I learned how to make a plate and how to put the plate on the tabletop offset press and start printing. And in March of 1972, we opened our first Speedy Print. We made 100 copies for $3.95 ‘while you wait.’ And, luckily, it was an idea whose time had come. It was successful from day one,” he says.

In the early years it was a lot of hard work and sacrifice for both Elwood and his wife, Ann. Their first employee was their oldest daughter Darla.

Today, he and his sons, Dennis and Doug are partners.

The business model was “short run” fast turnaround duplicates. Later, customers wanted Speedy Print to prepare documents. They wanted

50 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

all kinds printing like commercial printers did, but faster. Elwood felt the name Speedy Print no longer communicated what the actual business did. The name was changed to PaperGraphics to better communicate to customers what services the business offered them.

In 2016, the company added FastSigns, which allowed the Smiths to do banners, floor graphics and all kinds of outdoor and indoor signs.

“Our slogan is ‘more than fast; more than signs,’” Elwood says. Both PaperGraphics and FastSigns are in the same location for customer convenience.

“I won’t say that working with your family doesn’t have its challenges but, overall, it is great,” Doug Smith says. “Dennis and his wife, Gena, and my wife, Lisa, have all worked here at some point and most of our kids have had to come down and help get jobs done.”

Doug says his favorite part of the job is the flexibility that comes with owning the business. He says that although he must be at the shop a lot, he can still be involved in the community and have time to be with his family.

“I do like the challenges and opportunities that

it brings. Starting FastSigns brought a whole new adventure with learning a somewhat new industry for us but it has been great,” he says. “We can offer signs and printing, so you do not have to use two different companies. We can print your business cards and do your outdoor signage.”

The Smith family loves to embrace new technology. They enthusiastically look for new ways accomplish tasks. All printing started as analog and now almost everything PaperGraphics and FastSigns does is digital.

“We have always tried to put the customer first. If buyer customer service representatives are busy and a new customer walks through the door, they are taught to speak to that customer and acknowledge their presence,” Elwood says.

“I know this is a little thing, but it is a big thing to me. Also, if we locked the door at 5:00 PM and someone comes at 5:10 PM and we are still inside, we let them in.”

“We strive to make a good product for a fair price. I want to provide for my family, and for my employees and their families. I also want you to be happy with the product that you receive from us,” Doug adds.

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Mixing up business

Dough Re Mi offers edible cookie dough

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by REBECCA BACHTEL

M

ary Senese, owner of Temple-based Dough Re Mi edible cookie dough business, is still a kid at heart.

“Growing up, I loved sneakily eating the leftover cookie dough as my mom was baking homemade cookies, and it seems that many others did, too,” she says with a smile. “Dough Re Mi allows our customers to relive that experience — without the fear of getting sick.”

Dough Re Mi’s cookie dough is made with heattreated flour and no eggs, making it safe to eat unbaked. They currently offer six flavors: Chocolate Chip, Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, S’mores, Cookies N Cream, and Birthday Cake (Mary’s favorite). The dough is served in 6-ounce jars and is commonly enjoyed either refrigerated, at room temperature, or even heated up with a scoop of ice cream on top.

“I started Dough Re Mi in December 2019 as a way to share my edible cookie dough recipe with family and friends and make some extra cash while looking for a post-college job. I always knew I wanted to be a business owner someday,” Mary explains.

52 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

After graduating from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a degree in business management in 2019, she moved back home to Central Texas with her husband, Frank, and her two dogs, Bailey & Sonny.

“Though I grew up in a military family (my dad served in the Army for 25 years), Texas has mostly always felt like home. I was born in Fort Hood, left for several years, and circled back Central Texas in 2008, when my family came to Temple. We lived here for six years — the longest I’ve ever lived in one place — and really, I grew up here. And I knew how supportive this community is to small businesses.”

Mary makes all the cookie dough herself — 30 cups per flavor every week. While she doesn’t have a storefront yet, she does pop-up shops around Central Texas nearly every weekend for customers to come try all the flavors and purchase in-person.

Times and locations are always updated on her website. Additionally, Dough Re Mi offers online ordering available throughout the week for local pickup/delivery, but also ships nationwide.

“While I’m excited and anxious to one day have several employees helping, I don’t take this phase for granted,” Mary says. “There’s something really special about being the one making every jar of cookie dough, packing all of the orders, and delivering to each customer. In fact, I often say my favorite part of this job is the relationships I’ve built Continued

Mary Senese owns Dough Re Mi. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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within this community — both with our customers and with other local businesses. I’m the sole point of contact for DRM, and while that does come with a lot of pressure and sometimes a bit of stress, I also recognize the sweetness of it all.”

Dough Re Mi has quickly become a local favorite, thanks to the many pop-up shops in Temple/Belton and beyond, as well as collaborations with Temple’s Atrium Coffee Co., Gooch Family Farm in Troy, and other local businesses.

“Dough Re Mi has grown exponentially in the past few months, and for that I am eternally thankful — but it still has so much room to expand.

My goal for 2021 is to open a storefront in the Temple area and grow from there. Ultimately, I’d love to have multiple locations in Central Texas and even beyond, but Temple has been so good to me and to this business that I can’t imagine building anywhere else to start.”

254-332-0090 info@doughremitx.com www.doughremitx.com 54 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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• Kitchen & Bath Remodels • Flooring • Window Coverings • Solar ScReens

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We’re proud to do our part for the planet and have replaced more than 3,500 miles of pipe, which has helped to reduce emissions by 13.7 percent. Our accelerated pipeline replacement program supports our goal of reducing methane emissions by 50 percent by 2035.* LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AT WWW.ATMOSENERGY.COM/CLEANENERGY

*From 2017 emissions levels.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Locally owned businesses

56 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Wings Pizza - n -Things DE LICIO U S FO O D IN A FAMILY-FRIE NDLY ATMO S P H E R E When Mike and Sara Dent opened Wings Pizza–n-Things in 2006, they never dreamed it would become the beloved establishment it is today. Standing out as one of only a handful of successful family-owned restaurants in Temple, Wings is not only a trendy hotspot for watching sports, but a charming family gathering place, as well. Little league teams grace the tables at Wings often and the exterior proudly displays the mascots of every local sports team.

The wings and pizza have been voted as the very best for many years by locals, and the guests here quickly become loyal regulars. Boasting over 60 TV’s and armed with a reliable staff, Wings also offers beer, trivia, independent sound sections, and games for the kids

Wi ng s Pi z z a– n - T h i n g s 2112 SW H K Dodgen Loop

E VE RYO NE FE E LS LIKE FAMILY

Suite #106

Mike and Sara attribute their success to their hard-working

Temple,TX 76504

employees and endless support from their guests. Over

(254) 778-3663

the years, Wings has sponsored countless sports teams and

www.wingsintemple.com

has often held benefits, in an effort to give back. Mike is also passionately involved in CASA, a children’s advocacy organization that is dear to his heart.

Flooded with gratitude, Mike says he never expected the fulfillment that would come from Wings, explaining “It’s about the people, providing for our community and what they provide for us”.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Meet Some of Our Managers Heather Clark Heather is a 1999 graduate of Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and obtained her CPA certification in 2000.

She joined Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier, PC in 2016. Heather provides a variety of tax services including preparation & review of tax returns, assists clients with tax compliance including filing returns for prior years, working with the IRS to resolve tax issues, and reinstating the business with state authorities.

Daniel Jones Daniel attended the University of Texas at San Antonio where he graduated magna cum laude earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 2010. He joined Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier, PC in 2011 and obtained his CPA certification in 2018.

Daniel provides audit services to local governments and school districts, notfor-profit entities, and construction and manufacturing firms. He also provides other attestation services, performs single audits, and fraud examinations.

Angie Westbrook Angie, a graduate of Texas Lutheran University, enrolled at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to pursue a career in accounting. She obtained her CPA certification in 2008 and joined Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier, PC in January 2009.

Angie provides audit services to area businesses. She manages and oversees the audits of defined contribution retirement plans for BGFN. Angie has earned the Advanced Defined Contribution Plans Audit Certificate and the Intermediate Employee Benefit Plans Audit Certificate.

BROCKWAY, GERSBACH, FRANKLIN, & NIEMEIER, PC 3520 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop n Temple, TX 76504 n 254.773.9907

w w w.t e m p l e c p a .c o m 58 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Solar Centex S o l a r f o r yo u r H o m e , Ra n c h & B u sin ess Solar CenTex is committed to installing the very best solar photovoltaic systems so Central Texans can, in many cases, eliminate their electric bills and power their homes all the time.

SO LA R CEN TEX 1901 E. Farm-to-Market 2410

Our most exciting technology today is energy storage. Pairing solar with energy storage systems (“battery backup”) means that homes and ranches can power their critical needs no matter what Mother Nature serves up. Recent technology innovations allow “whole-house” backup while gaining all the electric bill-reductions that come from typical grid-tied solar systems. Energy storage is no longer bulky, maintenanceintensive lead-acid batteries but instead is sleek, modern lithium storage with a dependable 10-year warranty.

Harker Heights, TX 76548 Phone: 254-393-1340 Website: www.solarcentex.com

Each member of the Solar CenTex team is 100% committed to designing and installing your system as efficiently, beautifully, and safely as possible. Several members, including the master electrician and the superintendent, have been with Solar CenTex since its inception in 2013.

After your installation is complete, our office manager ensures your customer experience is the very best. She completes your monitoring web portal, handles work orders, and ensures your system is providing the very best value for you.

Located at 1901 E. FM 2410 in Harker Heights, the team can be contacted at 254-393-1340 or www.solarcentex.com.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Monteith Abstract & Title Company E x pe rie n c e • Family • In t e grity

Brad Turner, Marilyn Turner, Frank Turner, Jr. , and Brett Turner

Mo n te i th Abs t r a c t & Titl e Co m p an y Belton Corporate Office 106 S. East Street Belton,TX 76513

254-939-5791

Killeen Office 2500 Bacon Ranch Rd Killeen,TX 76542

254-526-7586 Salado Office

213 Mill Creek Drive, Suite 140 Salado,TX 76571

254-947-3922

Temple Office 2010 Bird Creek Drive, Suite 102 Temple,TX 76502

254-773-9035

60 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Monteith Abstract & Title Company has been a staple in the Central Texas community since 1876. In 1951, Frank Turner, Sr. acquired the company with only 4 employees.Three generations later, Monteith employs more than 65 staff members with almost 800 years of experience.This has only been attainable by faithfully living out their tagline, "Experience • Family •Integrity."

Brett and Brad Turner, President and Executive Vice President of Monteith, recall the installation of these principles from the two generations that preceded them. "Your word is your bond" is one of the many values instilled in them, from a very young age, by their grandfather and father, Frank Turner, Jr. Brett and Brad continue to operate Monteith with that same belief today. Frank Turner, Jr. always emphasized integrity, coupled with service, as being of the utmost importance when conducting business.The Turners know that their greatest asset in the company is their staff, and they truly consider every one of them part of the Turner family.

As a 3-generational local enterprise, Monteith and the Turners have been rooted in the community for over 140 years. In 2013 they were inspired to establish the #GiveBack Campaign to express their appreciation and gratitude for the support from the residents and business owners in Bell and surrounding counties.

Mo n t e it h # G iv e Bac k Campaign The #GiveBack Campaign utilizes a portion of Monteith's profit, from each closing, to support veterans and local non-profit organizations. During the past 7 years, Monteith has donated more than $200,000 throughout Bell County.The company has been blessed to be a part of so many lives within the Central Texas area and this campaign is one way that they can #GiveBack.

Marilyn Turner has guided Monteith since 2000 and is actively involved in the company’s day to day business. She looks forward to seeing the future growth in Bell County and watching her two sons, [Brett and Brad Turner], lead the 4th generation of Turners in the title industry.

Monteith Abstract & Title Company provides abstracting, closing and title insurance services to buyers, sellers, realtors, mortgage lenders, and builders in the Central Texas area.They are a true locally owned company that operates with experience and integrity because they love the community they live in and serve. Allow them to assist you with your next sale or purchase. Monteith is a company that supports you and your community.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

CareAge HomeCare was founded in 2006 in Temple,Texas by Vickie Smith and JoAnn Walter. Their experience in caring for JoAnn’s mother and seeing the challenges our elders experience inspired Vickie and JoAnn to help other seniors.

Vickie and JoAnn’s passion is shared by Care Liason and Coordinator, Brandi Williams and all of our caregivers. CareAge HomeCare provides non medical home care in Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties. With over 45 years combined experience, we are committed to providing assistance while allowing our clients to remain independent.

CARE AG E H O MEC ARE

254.780.9864 • 877.888.9864 • 4016 S. 31 Street, Ste 100,Temple • careagehomecare.com st

Robert Devereaux, owner and jeweler, is certified in jewelry and watch repair.

Robert is also GIA Certified, and offers jewelry appraisal services of your fine jewelry. There is so much we want you to know about us, like how all work is performed in-house, how most repairs are ready in one week or less, and how the sky is the limit for your custom jewelry desires...yes, we offer custom jewelry design! Hours: M-F 10-5/Sat 10-2

DE VE R E A UX J E W E LE RS 1316 W. Avenue M, Temple • 254-771-1260 • www.devereauxjewelers.com

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Amy Thomas owns Zooty’s in Temple.

62 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Zooty’s wants to help you

look your best

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

W

hen you feel your worst, look your best! That was Amy Thomas’ grandmother’s mantra to her and her sister, Ann Aldrich Dunn. That sentence fueled a passion in Thomas for looking good anytime, anywhere and sparked the launch of a business to help women do exactly that.

“Our mother and grandmother were huge influences in our lives as they both were businesswomen but simply adored great clothes and shoes. They taught us the importance of clothes construction,” Thomas says. “The name ‘Zooty’s’ comes from my mother. She would always ask what zooty-looking outfit were you going to wear or ‘make sure you have some zooty-looking shoes to wear!’ The name is a tribute to her.”

However, Thomas’ business career did not begin in the clothing industry. She and Ann were raised in their family’s real estate business. They worked in their grandparents’ real estate office in Harker Heights and then worked in their parents’ real estate office in downtown Temple. Their mother would save all the errands to be done for after they got out of school, which meant delivering papers to all the title companies, financial institutions, and the Bell County Courthouse.

Thomas says her family factors into every decision made. “My daughters, husband, and sister have been my biggest cheerleaders and coaches.

“I don’t think people can fathom how dire things were for small businesses this spring. None of us knew what was in store for small-business owners.

Originally, we were told we would be shut down for two weeks. At the beginning of the third week, we did not even know if would be able to ever reopen. We were shut down a total of seven weeks.

Continued

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Josh Knowles, D.D.S., M.S.D. LE

LY DAI TELE

THE

AM GR

TEM P

Board Certified Orthodontist

BEST 2019

READERS’ CHOICE AWARD

The Right Time for an Orthodontic Check-UP? No Later than Age 7 The American Association of Orthodontists recommends all children get a check-up with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7.

Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to: • Guide jaw growth • Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth • Correct harmful oral habits • Improve appearance • Guide permanent teeth into a favorable position • Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips & face If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late for a check-up. Call us at 254-773-8028 for your complimentary consultation.

A better smile because you deserve it!

2027 S. 61st Ste. 111, Temple smileattheworld.com • 254-773-8028 64 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

Zooty’s carries the jewelry art of GeorgeAnn Valentine of Salado.

There were times I would just come to my shop, sit down on the floor in a closed shop, and just cry. I had all this merchandise ordered and I had no way to get customers,” Thomas says.

“When we were able to reopen curb side and we were so touched by the outpouring of support.

Several weeks later we were able to reopen with limited numbers inside our business. I know my family’s encouragement to see light at the end of the tunnel helped me get through the dark time.”

Thomas says her family gave her a strong work ethic and stressed a good deal is a fair deal for all parties. They started the shopping center Pecan Plaza in 1979 because her parents believed in small businesses and always tried their best to shop local and to shop small.

“Temple had a saying back in the early 1970s: Shop Temple, you will be glad you did! I think this goes without saying. Please keep your money within your community.

The money generated by the local sales tax revenue can be fabulous,” Thomas adds, smiling.

New business is also coming to Pecan Plaza, according to Thomas and, in her continuing the family tradition of supporting small business, she shares about a new neighbor of Zooty’s.

“Elaine Montalbo is opening Suzy Q’s Coffee Shop and Café and bringing many years of experience of being in the restaurant businesses she owned in West Texas. We are so happy she chose Pecan Plaza and are so excited with her menu.

She will provide homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches each day.

Elaine will have special desserts made daily as well as her famous coffee bar made from a piano,” Thomas says with enthusiasm.

For more information about Zooty’s of Temple, visit zootystemple.com or call 254770-0904. Find Suzy Q’s Coffee Shop and Café on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/ category/Restaurant/SuzyQs-112151107306575/.

Share

Simplify

Support

David Rush

Peggy Rush

Steve Conner

Michael Noatch

www.DocumentSolutionsHQ.com 306 E. 6th Avenue Belton, TX 76513 254.939.3065

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LAUREN WILSON: FROM COUNTER-SERVICE TO HELPING RUN HER FAMILY’S CENTRAL TEXAS

hospitality empire

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

H

ospitality is truly a family business for Lauren Vickers Wilson. She and her family own and run TCP Catering in Marlin, Cheeves Brothers restaurant in Temple and Cathedral Oaks Events Center in Belton, among others.

“Our company’s first venture in 1979 was a single-room, counter-service restaurant, located in Marlin, Texas, which is still in operation today. My parents opened their first business in their early 20s, with humble means and lots of hard work. One of the greatest gifts they ever gave their children was raising the three of us in that business,” Wilson says.

Whether Danny and Linda Vickers’ children were raised at the restaurant by necessity, or whether it was by some wise and well-designed parenting strategy, is hard to say for certain.

But what is indisputable is that the lessons they learned invaluable lessons about life, developing relationships, hard work, and business.

“I always say that the best thing my parents ever gave me was a five-gallon bucket. Flipped upside down, I would stand on it as a small child, so that I could see over the counter to ‘help customers,’” says Wilson.

Over the years, the family expanded into other hospitality ventures, the genesis of what is becoming a hospitality empire in Central Texas and parts of North Texas. Currently, as a family, they operate three restaurants, two event venues, and a

66 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

catering service with two locations currently and a third in development.

Wilson’s brother, Scott Vickers, and his wife Anna operate the Watauga restaurant and North Texas location of TCP Catering, which serves the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. Wilson’s parents, Danny and Linda Vickers, operate the Marlin restaurant and Central Texas location of TCP Catering. She and her husband Joe Wilson, together, operate Cathedral Oaks Event Center in Belton, The Magnolia House at Cathedral Oaks in Belton, Cheeves Brothers Steakhouse in Downtown Temple, and are developing a new Downtown Temple location for TCP Catering, which is Continued

Joe and Lauren Wilson operate Cathedral Oaks Event Center and The Magnolia House at Cathedral Oaks in Belton as well as Cheeves Bros. Steakhouse in Temple.

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projected to open next spring. TCP Catering in Temple will enable catering service to continue to serve the Waco and Temple areas and expand into areas further south with greater ease.

“In 2014, my husband Joe and I returned to my home of Central Texas from Fort Worth and are proud to be a part of the community, the development of Temple and Belton businesses, and carrying on the traditions of our family business as we continue to expand our areas of service. One of the greatest joys of our operation is that, while we are each responsible different facets of daily management, we all work together as couples and as an extended family. We are fortunate to be able to involve our children, the third generation, in our businesses as well — in hopes that our children will have the example in us that we did in our parents,” Wilson says.

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In any of the Vickers/Wilson businesses, the philosophy has always been simple: providing a consistent and superior product, coupled with exceptional customer service, at a good value, while focusing on developing and maintaining relationships.

“Guests at our restaurants often become clients of our catering services or venues. Clients of our catering services may begin with corporate or civic needs that develop into weddings and other social or personal celebrations — all of which merit the same level of significance and for which we apply the same philosophies no matter how large or small the event or transaction may be,” she says.

BEING CENTRAL TEXAN

Blessed to serve Central Texas community

C

entral Texas is one of the greatest regions in our state, and I am proud to be a native Central Texan. I have spent my career in community development and believe the foundation of a strong community lies in the hands of the people. They develop opportunities and places to live, play, raise a family, work, go to school, serve our neighbors, worship, and fellowship together.

A strong community sustains a quality of life that meets the needs of all people with a vision for the future.

There is nothing more meaningful than participating in community development where I call home.

My mom’s family moved to Belton in 1963 with the military. My grandad retired from Fort Hood and they STEPHANIE continued to call this community O'BANION home because of the opportunities it afforded my family. After graduating the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, my mom moved to Waco to attend Baylor University and begin her teaching career.

This is where she met my dad and our family story began. Both of my parents were teachers at Belton ISD and raised my brother and me to value education.

I am a product of our local school system. I graduated Belton High School and attended Temple (Junior) College where I played tennis. During my time at T(J)C, I worked as a receptionist for the Belton Chamber of Commerce and at The Racquet Club (what is now The Summit). Living in a community where I was able to attend a quality community college and work a part time job while living at home prepared me for life at Texas A&M University in College Station where I received my education degree. From pre-K to postsecondary and pathways to careers, Central Texas has educational offerings for all.

After meeting my husband Guy, who attended UMHB, I found myself back in Temple working at the Temple Chamber of Commerce, where I was able to continue serving our community. We lived in Apple Creek Apartments until work began to move us around for a few years. We spent time in Fort Worth and Abilene, but Sept.11, 2001, caused us to evaluate our most precious priorities and we knew it was time to return to family and community. By February 2002, we were back home in Central Texas.

My love for community intensified during my 20year career in the chamber of commerce. I had the pleasure of working with 3 different chambers of commerce; Temple, Hurst-Euless-Bedford and the last being Belton as the director for nearly 13 years. There

is no other organization that is better positioned to bring people together to collaborate, to advocate, and to celebrate community. We have some of the greatest chamber leaders and organizations in the industry here in Central Texas.

My grandad taught us to live a life of dedication to God, country, and family and it was during my time at the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce where I was able share my love for our military and their families.

It was a great honor to lead our local Association of United States Army chapter, the largest in the world, side by side with individuals that deeply care for our soldiers. AUSA brings communities together to be the “Voice for the Army and Support for the Soldier” and no one does this better than Central Texas. One reason Fort Hood is known as “The Great Place” is because of the tremendous, long-time community support for our military. We are blessed to live where we can faithfully serve our military. Central Texas communities provide an opportunity for everyone to contribute.

I thought my career with the chamber of commerce would last forever but the Lord had other plans for me.

I had served on the United Way of Central Texas Board of Directors for several years when an opportunity presented itself for me to join the team full time. This was a natural move for me. I was able to continue working within the greatest communities in the region while serving the people in a different capacity.

Together, we are impacting the lives of our community through the United Way of Central Texas.

We are strengthening the economy and providing opportunities in the areas of Health, Education, and Financial Stability for every person. This has been the most rewarding work of my life. Central Texans come together like no other to help those in need. I am continually inspired by the dedicated and passionate people I serve with every day.

So, what makes Temple and Central Texas great? I firmly believe it is the unconditional commitment of the people. Whether that be in our schools, non-profits, local businesses, public offices, military, churches, or neighborhoods; people are the foundation of this great community. We are standing on the shoulders of giants that have gone before us.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that every has.” — Margaret Mead Let’s keep working together to make Central Texas the best it can be for the next generation.

Stephanie O’Banion is the president and CEO of the United Way of Central Texas.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Plan a healthy holiday feast

T

ILLUSIA

TM

COLLECTION

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

70 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

he next couple of months boast a plethora of holidays — most of which are widely celebrated.

Every family tends to celebrate differently, however, with a little planning, you can rejoice in the season!

Many dishes and desserts synonymous with the season; however, most favorites are not CAREY STITES healthy foods.

MS, RD, LD, CPT Savory dishes and rich desserts, while delicious, can throw a wrench in our quest for wellness, especially when consumed consistently over the holidays. The good news? With a few ingredient swaps, you can turn your favorites into good-for-you, wholesome versions and forgo the guilt.

Celebratory meals typically include a main dish, sides and desserts. If your main protein is turkey, pork, chicken or beef, the best option is to bake, grill or utilize a crock pot. When it comes to sides and desserts, substituting ingredients or trying a new recipe can ensure your favorite dishes are not only delectable, but nutritious as well.

Here are a few tasty recipes to enjoy this year to put a healthier spin on traditional dishes. Making healthy choices is possible during the holiday season with a little planning and preparation. Having a game plan for these events can ensure you take pleasure in everything special about the holidays — from the delicious drinks, foods and desserts to your cherished family and friends.

Carey Stites is a registered and licensed dietitian located in Harker Heights, Texas. 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; Carey has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes, writing and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.

NO GUILT PUMPKIN PIE

Ingredients 1 (9 inch) graham cracker pie crust ¾ cup granulated sucralose or stevia 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground ginger 4 egg whites 1 (15 ounce) can 100% pure pumpkin 1 (12 ounce) can fat free evaporated milk Directions Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine sucralose/stevia, salt, cinnamon and ginger in small bowl.

Beat eggs lightly in large bowl.

Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

Pour into pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes.

Reduce temperature to 350 degrees F.; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool and serve.

SWEET POTATO PINEAPPLE CASSEROLE

Ingredients 3 large sweet potatoes ½ cup crushed pineapple with juice ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 egg white Directions Bake or boil sweet potatoes whole until soft and remove skins.

Then, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

In a large bowl, mash sweet potatoes until they have a smooth consistency (I like to use the mixer).

Add pineapple, cinnamon, egg white and brown sugar. Mix well and spread into the baking dish.

Add cinnamon on top per preference (or any spice such as nutmeg, ginger or pumpkin pie spice).

Bake for about 45 minutes or until there is no excess water in the dish.

SAVORY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

Ingredients 1(10.5 oz) can reduced fat condensed cream of mushroom soup ¼ cup skim or 1% milk 1 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon reduced sodium soy sauce 1 pound cut fresh green beans (about 3 cups) cooked and drained 2 tablespoons French fried onions (optional, can use sautéed onions as well) Directions Cook the green beans according to preference (I like to blanch mine).

In a mixing bowl, stir together soup, milk, onion powder, black pepper,

soy sauce and green beans.

Transfer to a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

Stir and top with the onions. Bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.

LOW-FAT SUGAR COOKIES

Ingredients 5 tablespoons butter, softened ¾ cup sucralose/stevia 1 large egg at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 2/3 cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt Directions Using a mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add the egg and

Upcoming OMEEVEnts 2019 C ! Fun for Early Learners - Summer EE9-12US SJuly

vanilla, mixing well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.

Gradually stir the flour mixture into butter and sugar until dough forms. The dough may appear crumbly at first, but it will come together.

Wrap dough in plastic and chill for two hours in the refrigerator.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and on a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch thickness. Use holiday cookie cutters dipped in flour to make cutouts and sprinkle with your choice of decor.

Place cookies 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Wait 1 minute and then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

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

July - Junior Historians Camp Call or16-19 visit the Explore our newest permanent exhibit...

• Free admission year-round September 1 - October 20 - American museum website.

July 23-26 - STEAM CAMP (pre-registration required) Farmer “Discover Bell County”!

• Become a “Friend of the Museum” today!

July 20- backstage pass

November 8, 2019 - January 18, 2020 201 North Main Belton, TX 76513 • 254-933-5243 • www.bellcountymuseum.org

July 27 - Weird science!

COME SEE US! • Free admission year-round!

historic holiday toys

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DAYTRIPPIN'

Explore 1890s Texas AT THE GOV. BILL AND VERA DANIEL HISTORIC VILLAGE IN WACO Story and photos by JANNA ZEPP

I

f you’re looking to get away from the 21st century for a little while, there’s a patch of 1890s Texas that sits on the banks of the Brazos River less than 40 miles north of Temple. Located behind the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University in Waco, it’s the perfect spot to wander in the shade of big trees, fragrant roses and lush greenery in the open air with your family while enjoying a rather immersive educational experience.

The Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village, named for the couple who owned and donated it to the museum, reflects the late 19th century in buildings relocated in 1986 from Liberty down near the Gulf Coast to the Baylor campus.

The church, lawyer’s office, commissary, barn and smithy, carriage house, cook’s house, planter’s house, and schoolhouse have items and furniture in them that would have been used during the 19th and into the early 20th centuries.

Heirloom fruit and nut trees, as well as roses and other flowers and plants, bloom and grow on the site, which is thought to have been an orchard because each of the massive pecan trees are different varieties.

Holiday events coming up include two weekends of the Christmas Lights in the Village, Dec. 1113 and Dec. 18-20. Village Wednesdays happen between 10 a.m. and noon and feature a hands-on historic experience that is included in the price of admission. Some special events include costumed reenactors to add to the flavor of the late 19th century Texas exhibit. Visit the museum website to find more events at https://www.baylor.edu/ mayborn/.

IF YOU GO

The museum is open to the public. Facial coverings are required for all visitors age 2 and up. Gaiters, face shields, bandanas, scarves, and masks with valves are not suitable face coverings and not permitted in Baylor University buildings.

No exceptions.

Address: 1300 S. University Parks Dr, Waco Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday,

1 to 5 p.m. Sunday Phone: 254-710-1110 72 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

WHO WAS GOVERNOR DANIEL?

William Partlow “Bill” Daniel (Nov. 20, 1915 – June 20, 2006), was the fifth Appointed Governor of Guam, serving from 1961 to 1963, and Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives. Born in Dayton, Texas, a graduate of Baylor University and a member of the Baylor University Chamber of Commerce, he spent the majority of his life working as a lawyer in Liberty County, Texas. He and his wife, Vara Faye Martin Daniel, had four children: Will, Ann, Susan and Dani.

Daniel appeared in the John Wayne film The Alamo playing Colonel Neill, and loaned 400 longhorns and hundreds of horses from his ranch to producers and directors for the film. Daniel's most memorable scene from the film is suggesting a courier named Smitty, played by Frankie Avalon, dismount for food and rest, which Smitty refuses in order to return to help defend the Alamo.

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ADVERTISING INDEX

Save the Date

02~20~21

Day Women for

EXPO at the

Mayborn Civic & Convention Center in Temple

Vendor Opportunities Available Call 254-778-4444 for information 74 WINTER 2020 | TEX APPEAL

21 Main....................................................... 31, 37 4 Legs of Love Boarding & Boutique............... 32 AdventHealth..................................................... 3 Amazing Grace Thrift Shop.............................. 36 Atmos Energy................................................... 55 B&G Paint & Body............................................ 45 Baylor Scott & White Hospice.......................... 21 Bell County Museum........................................ 71 Bentons............................................................ 15 Brockway, Gersback, Franklin & Niemeier ...... 58 Callie's Boutique.............................................. 35 CareAge HomeCare......................................... 61 Carlson Law Firm.............................................. 56 Centex CBD..................................................... 36 Cochran Blair and Potts................................... 19 Colonial Properties........................................... 46 Corrective Chiropractic.................................... 37 Curly Cute Tees................................................ 34 D&D Body Shop............................................... 19 Darling Decor & More...................................... 37 Devereaux Jewelers................................... 32, 61 Document Solutions......................................... 65 Ebony Tea House, LLC..................................... 34 Ellis Air Systems............................................... 26 English Maids................................................... 33 Extraco Banks................................................... 41 Firefly Yoga & Movement Studio..................... 35 Fit4Mom Temple-Belton.................................. 37 Gallery Design Center...................................... 55 Garlyn Shelton GM........................................... 22 Gem Pawn Shop, Inc........................................ 34 Gunter Financial Services................................... 2 Healthy Success/Giebel, Dr. Shelley................. 15 Heights Lumber & Supply................................ 19 I Love Sushi....................................................... 11 iMERAKi........................................................... 34 JobsCentralTexas.com..................................... 31 Journey Advisory Group.................................. 15 Kirbo’s Office Systems...................................... 19 Lastovica Jewelers............................................ 70 Mayborn Museum............................................ 45 Meme Boutique............................................... 35 Monteith Abstract............................................ 60 Muscle Wise Nutrition...................................... 37 My Giving Tree................................................. 36 New Beginnings Learning Academy................ 75 Ocean Quest Pools.......................................... 21 Paperdoodles............................................. 34, 35 Picasa Design, Inc............................................. 33 Pop A Lock....................................................... 36 Precious Memories............................................. 5 ROJO Salon & Boutique.................................. 35 Rylander’s Best Hamburgers............................ 31 Saigon Café........................................................ 5 Salado Creek Jewelers/Kiki’s Creations........... 32 Salon Karen...................................................... 35 Smile At The World Orthodontics.................... 64 Solar CenTex.................................................... 59 South District Boutique.................................... 33 Stoney Brook of Belton.................................... 55 Sugar Shack Candy Store................................. 37 Susan Marie’s Boutique.............................. 24, 45 The Bling Box................................................... 32 Uniquely Salado............................................... 32 Visiting Angels.................................................. 27 Walker Honey Farm.......................................... 33 Wild Flower Market.......................................... 33 Wings, Pizza N Things...................................... 57 Z Medical Aesthetics.................................... 5, 36 Zooty’s................................................ Back Cover The publisher is not responsible for errors.

Alex Ralston Co-Director • Owner

Texas Certified Set Curriculum • Live Updates • Kid Reports

3 LOCATIONS! 969 Marlandwood TEMPLE

403 N. Bumble Drive LITTLE RIVER - ACADEMY

711 S. Lovers Lane GATESVILLE

254-774-1842

254-982-0200

254-865-7380

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