Tex Appeal | December 2022 & January 2023

Founded by closely-knit family and friends in Texas hill country, Summer Moon has always had one goal in mind: to create a distinctive, out-of-this-world experience that people drive across town for. An experience to be shared through coffee plus atmosheres that inspire the warmth of cozy evenings under a summer moon.

TEXAS PROUD

Young Author Ja’Nay Ratcliff promotes the joy of reading

FROM

EDITOR

We expanded our Neighbor feature to shine a light on the good works of the Temple Community Clinic and Priceless Beginnings on pages 8 and 10.

Faith introduces you, on page 18, to Neika Daniel, a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, who is a social work major active in student leadership on campus. In December, Neika will be leading a group of fellow students on a weeks-long trip to serve disadvantaged populations in both Romania and Hungary.

CenTex Ed gives you some great gift ideas for your student’s educators on page 67.

Meet Skeebo Reichert, one of Tex Appeal’s regular photographers in Meet the Makers on page 70 to learn how he got involved in professional photography.

A Girl’s Garden looks at handmade gifts you can make out of your own garden on page 34.

Scene is huge this issue. We went to several Central Texas events, and you can see who’s who, where they went, and what they did starting on page 12.

Grab a beer at Bold Republic Brewing in their new location on page 20.

The Review is all about giving the gift of great reads in this issue in the Christmas Gift Guide on page 26.

The Teen Book Review brings you romance in 1920s Ireland in What The Wind Knows on page 28.

Being Central Texan takes a new direction in which I respond to readers’ questions and comments, as well as your constructive criticism about things we’ve published. I have been rightfully corrected about some missing information regarding the late actor, Rip Torn on page 74.

In Tex Messages and in honor of our decade in print, I’ll take you on a tour of my favorite Tex Appeal covers on page 48.

CenTex Past takes us back through the many years of Santa Claus’ coming to our hometowns on page 78.

Daytrippin’ explores the annual Salado Christmas Stroll and BLORA Nature In Lights on pages 76 and 77.

Learn about the Central Texas Regional Advisory Council and what the mission and vision are for the health care community in our area in Health Care on page 36.

Test your knowledge about safe food handling over the holidays in Health & Wellness on page 70.

We look at old and new friends in local businesses in time for your holiday shopping on page 50.

And meet one of Central Texas’ youngest published authors, Ja’Nay Ratcliff on page 38 who recently wrote about essential workers and their great importance to us all.

After putting this issue together, we’re all ready for a long winter’s nap and a much-needed break before we get back to the grind working on all that 2023 has in store for us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Kwanzaa, Season’s Greetings, and a very Happy New Year, y’all.

Janna Zepp Tex Appeal editor

o! Ho! HOMG! The holidays are here, and I’m not sure where the time went. I’m not prepared for Christmas, but Tex Appeal is, and this issue is full of seasonal stories from in and around Central Texas, not to mention a celebration of our 10th anniversary in print.Tex Appeal

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC.

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD 1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

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

Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editor

JANNA ZEPP

Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER

Contributors

RHONDA BLACKLOCK

LISA CARLISLE

PHOENIX CARLISLE

SKEEBO REICHERT AMY ROGNLIE BECKY STINEHOUR CAREY STITES RACHEL STRICKLAND JOHNA UNDERWOOD TONYA WARREN

Advertising 254-778-4444 in Temple 254-501-7500 in Killeen

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

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

POSTMASTER:

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

HOW TO CONTACT US: Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Janna Zepp at 254-774-5266 or editor@texappealmag.com

JANNA ZEPP

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

LISA CARLISLE is Tex Appeal’s account executive, having previously worked in the health care field. Lisa is a wife and mother of five — two girls and three boys, together they enjoy exploring locally and you can always find them outdoors or in the water. She is a native Austinite and has lived in Temple for five years. She also is a member of the Betty Martin DAR chapter. Her hobbies include photography, genealogy, cooking, family time and festivals.

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

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

PHOENIX CARLISLE is an honor roll student at Lake Belton High School. She is a involved in theater, the Belton Youth Advisory Council, UIL, and with the Temple library. Phoenix is an avid reader and aspires to become an English professor and travel the world.

SKEEBO REICHERT has over 25 years experience as a professional photographer and has expanded his services to include filmmaking. The Temple High School graduate has a BFA in photography and sculpture. He lives in Temple with his wife and two sons. PhotoBySkeebo.com

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

JOIN OUR TEAM

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

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

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

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.

Caring for the Community

TEMPLE CLINIC OFFERS FREE HEALTH CARE TO THOSE IN NEED

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of TEMPLE COMMUNITY CLINIC

Access to affordable health care is a growing concern for many Texans, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic when millions of people lost their jobs and the health insurance provided by their employers. The rising costs of primary care and medical procedures has made health care unreachable for many Americans. That’s where Temple Community Clinic comes in. Executive Director Sherri Woytek says the clinic’s goal is to “fill the gap in health care for those who are uninsured or under insured.”

Founded in 1992 by the Leadership Temple Group and other community leaders, the Temple Community Clinic provides primary and specialty care, which now includes cardiology, dental, dermatology, gastroenterology, gynecology, optometry, podiatry, mental health and social work. The wide range of services is what makes the clinic unique. Any Bell County resident who is uninsured or under insured and is ineligible for government health programs may be eligible for services at Temple Community Clinic. It is also part of the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics and the National Association of Free and Charitable Charity Clinics, which set guidelines and standards about best practices for operating clinics.

According to Woytek, if people don’t have insurance, their only access point to health care is often the emergency room, which is expensive. Temple Community Clinic also helps its patients with prescriptions. In all, the clinic has saved the community over $5 million in medical bills.

When someone visits the clinic for an issue such as high blood pressure, their needs are initially assessed by a social worker to ensure that they don’t have any other issues that need to be taken care of, such as an expired glasses prescription or outstanding dental work. Then, they will get an appointment with a provider to have their health concerns addressed. The providers at Temple Community Clinic also work with a prescription assistance program to get patients’ medication at little to no cost if they can’t afford it.

Jerry Haisler, who has been with the clinic since the beginning and is currently the president of the clinic board, adds that one of the aspects that makes Temple Community Clinic unique is

that staff members try to look beyond a patient’s straightforward medical issues. For example, he said, some people may not have access or funds to buy healthy foods, which may lead to related issues such as high blood pressure that often go undetected. But a social worker may be able to predict issues and help. “We want [our patients] to be successful, but we know that there might be some barriers [for them],” he says.

Woytek says volunteers from Baylor Scott & White help staff the clinic, and it also has Texas A&M medical students who rotate through the clinic. Providers offering specialty care volunteer monthly, and a nurse practitioner is paid to help at the clinic.

Qualifying patients — Bell County residents who fall below the 200% federal poverty level — receive free treatment at the clinic. Instead, the clinic is funded through grants, fundraising events and individual donors. Woytek says that every February, Temple Community Clinic participates in the Caring Ball, where it receives much of the needed funds to cover its operating costs. Fundraisers also are the biggest way the general public can help support the clinic.

Temple Community Clinic also offers educational programs that are open to the entire community, including a monthly education series called Living Well in Bell. Speakers cover topics such as brain health, GI health, nutrition and heart health.

In 2023, the clinic is moving to a new location on the corner of 31st Street and Avenue J in Temple. Construction started in mid-October. Woytek and Haisler said the new location will benefit their clientele because it will be more accessible and larger. The space will include a 3,000-square-foot community room perfect for their educational events.

“We’re always looking for ways to just provide better care. And as a board member, I’m proud to say that the care that we provide here is outstanding,” Haisler says.

TEMPLE COMMUNITY CLINIC

Address: 1905 Curtis B Elliott Drive, Temple 254-771-3374 www.templecommunityclinic.org

A Fresh Start

PRICELESS BEGINNINGS HELPS KIDS IMPACTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of ANNIE HAMMONS

n January 2019, the lives of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingen were brutally taken by a ruthless killer. In the aftermath of this tragedy, family and friends bonded together to form Priceless Beginnings, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide new and priceless beginnings for children impacted by domestic violence by enriching their lives with opportunities to participate in activities such as camps, sports and other extracurricular programs.

“We wanted to ensure something good came out of the tragic situation that Jenna and Michael were victims of. Jenna fought hard to protect herself and we wanted to ensure others could find assistance in the same fight, as well as all of the innocent children who are impacted by domestic violence,” says Annie Hammons, president of Priceless Beginnings and “Nana” to Jenna’s young daughter. “I believe one of our biggest contributions to our community is that we willingly work with other local organizations to meet some of the gaps that have been identified to help victims. Whether it is replacing door locks, getting a family to safety, providing shelter short term, or providing furniture needs, these are needs not specifically funded by other organizations.”

In addition, most agencies that work with domestic violence situations focus heavily on the legal aspects of a given situation, and the children often get pushed to the side. Hammons and the other Priceless Beginnings board members began the foundation with Jenna Scott’s young daughter in mind.

“We just had a heart for the kids who are impacted by domestic

violence. They didn’t ask for this,” Hammons said. “Our children are our future and we have a responsibility to invest in the future and hopefully the heart to do so as well.”

One of the major ways Priceless Beginnings is making a difference in the lives of children affected by domestic violence is by giving camp scholarships, with each child able to choose where he or she would like to go.

Whether it be equine therapy, baseball camp, soccer camp or art camp, you name it and Priceless Beginnings is there to help make that happen for a child who has been nominated by someone in the community.

“Besides our camp scholarships, we’ve paid for senior pictures, class rings, sports fees — things that mean so much to the kids and would otherwise fall through the cracks,” Hammons said.

This past year, Priceless Beginnings initiated its first general scholarship program in Academy and Holland High Schools, giving $1,000 in Jenna and Michael’s name to a graduating senior from both schools. In the future, the organization hopes to expand the program to more schools as well as increase the amount of the scholarship.

Jax’s Fund is the newest arm of the organization and provides help for pets who are affected by domestic violence situations. Statistics show that people in abusive situations will often risk their own safety and stay in a dangerous situation if they are not able to take their beloved pet with them.

“We want to be able to assist

people in domestic violence situations where they are wanting to leave their situation, but won’t do so because they have a pet that they fear is also in danger. We want to be able to help with the pet so that the people can get out of their domestic violence situation,” said Terri Boedecker, local veterinarian and Priceless Beginnings board member.

Boedecker is also Michael’s aunt. “Michael had a beloved dog named Jax. We knew right away [when Michael was missing] that there was a problem because Michael would have

never left Jax the way we found him.”

Jax’s Fund hopes to cover expenses such as boarding pets, locating pet fosters, or finding a shelter that will accept both the family members and their pet.

Jax’s Fund is in its infancy. Board members are currently trying to make contacts with local boarding facilities, trainers and breed rescue groups to help bring awareness of the need for this service and to increase community involvement

Priceless Beginnings is run completely by volunteers. They

fundraisers is a 5K walk in

sponsor several fundraisers a year to help families across Central Texas, with their biggest fundraiser being their annual 5K walk in memory of Jenna and Michael. They typically have about 100 walkers, and this year they added sponsorships by local businesses.

“If folks could just see the faces of these innocent kids when we deliver items to their homes to give them a fresh start or we tell them they can go to a camp that they desire to, or deliver gifts for Christmas, school supplies, and the many other ways that we help,” Hammons said, “you could see the reward in being a part of such a giving organization.”

HOW TO HELP

Priceless Beginnings is seeking ongoing corporate sponsorship. In addition, help is needed in these areas:

• Donate online at http://www. pricelessbeginnings.org/. Donations may be earmarked for Jax’s Fund, if desired.

• Participate in the annual 5K, usually scheduled in October

• Volunteer to assist at the race

• Occasional need for beds, furniture, and clothing to assist families

• Storage space to store larger items until they are needed

Priceless Beginnings is run by a board of volunteers. One of the organization’s annual

memory of Jenna Scott and Michael Swearingen that is usually held in October.

The Killeen Family Aquatic Center was a pet paradise for dogs during the Bow Wow Luau in October.

1. Calia, Daphne and Chriss Donato brought their dog Marilyn to the festivities, which included a contests.

2. Tiffany Darden poses with her dog Comet

3. Cornelia Phelan takes a break from the pool with her dog Frenchie.

4. Latia and Jemaris Long enjoy the shade with their dog Cash.

5. Noelle Cisson and Misty enjoy a dip in the pool.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

1. Entertainment at the St. Joseph Fest of All in October in Killeen included a Korean dance performance.

2. Father Chris Downey calls out raffle prize winners.

3. A balloon artist made creative souvenirs for children.

4. Families enjoyed the entertainment during the Fest of All.

5. Andrew Wilson and Deanna Palmer Wilson perform.

6. Mary and Gene Garcia enjoy the festivities.

7. Maria Delgado smiles as she serves Puerto Rican dishes.

8. Hawaiian dancers tell a story on stage.

Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR

SCENE: SALVATION ARMY MASKED BALL RIO CARNIVAL

1. The Newsboyz performed for guests of the Salvation Army's Masked Ball.

This year's fundraiser had a Rio Carnival theme.

2. Circus Picnic performers were on stilts to entertain guests as they arrived.

3. Rebecca Tony and Allen Barrow attend the ball.

4. Jordan Curb and Judy King show off their glamorous masks.

5. Michele and Jose Granados are ready for some fun.

6. Ronnie and Staci Schoepf came out for the good cause.

7. Randy and Denise Kemp shows of feathery masks.

8. Masked attendees enjoy the Salvation Army Ball.

by BECKY STINEHOUR

Photos

Overseas Outreach

NEIKA DANIEL TO LEAD STUDENTS ON TRIP TO ROMANIA AND HUNGARY TO HELP VILLAGERS

By AMY ROGNLIE | Photo courtesy of NEIKA DANIEL

Instead of spending the Christmas holidays with her family and friends this year, Neika Daniel will travel 17 hours by plane and bus to reach Tinca, a tiny, impoverished town in Romania.

A senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Daniel is a social work major who is active in student leadership and passionate about serving others. Under the direction of UMHB’s Spiritual Life department, Daniel will lead a team of fellow students on a weeks-long trip to serve disadvantaged populations in Romania and Hungary. The team’s original plan was to work at a Ukrainian refugee camp in Romania, but the quickly changing war and political situation caused the Ukrainians to move out of the area. Instead, the students will head to a village of impoverished Romanian gypsies or, more appropriately, the Romani, where the team plans to spread the hope of the Gospel by providing daily church services and programs for the children as well as food, gifts and oneon-one visits with families.

“As representatives of Christ, we are there to look these people in the eye as equals and listen to what they have to say. We are well aware that we may be these folks’ only interaction with the Gospel,” Daniel said. “These shorter trips are all about serving others and listening. My education in social work has taught me how to listen and relate to others; how to establish rapport. In order to share the Gospel in the right way and at the right time, I have to know a little bit of someone’s story.”

In Hungary, the team will work with the Hungarian Baptist Aid, which is more or less the equivalent of the Salvation Army. Students will help collect and sort hygiene items, socks, small toys and school supplies, then pack them into boxes for the organization’s “shoebox” ministry to

underprivileged children. Daniel and her team will personally deliver many of the boxes to the homes of the children where they plan to spend one-onone time with the families.

No stranger to serving others, Daniel recently spent a month in Turkey, working with natives and Iranian refugees. She has also taught English as a Second Language classes at her home church, First Baptist Church of Academy, and has served in various outreach roles at her church and at UMHB.

“The global mission is an essential component of my faith in Christ. I believe that the purpose of all Christians, young or old, is to share the Gospel in your neighborhood, 14,000 miles away, and everywhere in between,” Daniel said.

Daniel’s service to her community in Central Texas includes a recently completed internship at the Area Agency on Aging. One of Daniel’s main roles at the AAA was in longterm care: helping people find a nursing home or other care for elderly parents, walking with clients through end-of-life anticipatory grief, and holding people’s hands and being there for them.

“There were so many days I left work and I knew I had done some good, but it still broke my heart because there was so much hurt and sorrow in these people’s lives. I chose social work because it was the only major that provided direct care to multiple facets of a person. While I respect all helping fields, I couldn't help but feel that they always left part of the equation out. People are not only physical or mental, we are impacted by the social, emotional, spiritual as well as the physical and mental,” said Daniel. “When you approach people this way, you stop seeing them as clients or patients but as people with unique stories and circumstances that require an individualized solution.”

“To share the Gospel in the right way and at the right time, I have to know a little bit of someone’s story.”

— Neika Daniel

Neika Daniel will lead a team of students on a trip to serve disadvantaged populations in Romania and Hungary.

Making a Bold Move

GARAGE HOBBY GROWS INTO POPULAR BREWERY

By LISA CARLISLE | Photos courtesy of BOLD REPUBLIC BREWING COMPANY

Bold Republic Brewing Company is indeed such, owners and founders Patrick and Adriane Hodges are to the definition, Bold. It takes incredible people to forge through tough circumstances to remain kind, humble and lighthearted. The Hodges attribute this to their loyal customer base who always stood by their side.

Bold Republic opened its doors in 2017 off Penelope in Belton, “We knew the first day opening that we had outgrown the building,” Patrick recalls, laughing. The Hodges, despite all worries, were a hit! The grueling labor of installing, painting iconic murals, experimenting with brews and developing their unique flavor paid off. The small garage brewery at one point containing 14 different beers, was now full-fledged Bold Republic Brewing. Trivia nights, live music and an interactive community experience added to the loyal following.

Even in the best and most prosperous times, the unexpected creeps up. A year after opening, a typical morning took a turn when Patrick noticed Adriane was showing concerning signs. Quick action led to the hospital and emergency brain surgery soon followed, Adriane had suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke. After her steady recovery, she decided to trade her teaching career to be at Bold full time. In 2019, they decided to scout a new location, after a painstaking search they found an area off West Adams near Crossroads Park.

Time to enjoy their triumphs? No, Covid time! “We struggle to call people customers,” Adriane says. “These are all my friends, people that I see and I know about their families. They are so loyal, they are what kept us alive during Covid.” The Hodges, with

the support of their customers and families, forged ahead, even adding a new baby along the way. On Valentine’s Day in 2022, the foundation was poured on Bold Republic’s larger location. Murals were painted, items assembled and equipment installed. Doors opened in September.

This location features a full state-of-the-art kitchen, extensive seating, and an open floor plan with breezeways inviting in the outdoors and even a playground for the little ones. Flat screens have the game on. The bar is stocked with Bold brews made on-site, one for every palate. The Hodges feature everything from Lagers to Porters, sours and seasonals and each with its own creative name like a pumpkin ale Punkee Brewster or the tropical sour In the Rain. Picking a favorite is nearly impossible. Patrick has an eye for the brewing and flavor process as well as keeping up with changing trends.

Bold Republic also offers a full menu of

Patrick and Adriane Hodges own Bold Republic Brewing Company.

outstanding foods. If you think finding a favorite beer is hard, try picking a favorite dish. She-crab soup? Brunswick stew? Fried-green tomato BLT? Poboys, fruit and nut salad? Ahi tuna burger? One of each please! “We wanted to have food we wanted to eat, we wanted to have something different,” Adriane says.

Adriane has had a special heart project in memoriam of her father, pilot Capt. Jonathan “Jack” Ross Edwards whose life was lost in Operation Desert Storm. The National Desert Storm War Memorial combined with Leinenkugel Brewing had created the Captain Jack, a beautiful way to remember her father as well as contribute to the cause. Bold has many other collaborations within the very supportive craft beer community.

Bold continues its interactive entertainment, hosting live music and trivia nights such as their Geeks who Drink and Name that Tune. They will also be introducing the Mug Club, available starting Nov. 25, a perfect gift for a beer lover! Bold has plans to expand its live music area utilizing the natural amphitheater and acoustics so it can host bigger music acts.

“A lot can happen in five years,” Patrick says, “Trying to live five years out.” This has become their motto and despite all obstacles, they have remained bold. Their following grows as they do, and the community is happy to embrace them.

Patrick Hodges brews many of the beers on tap at Bold Republic Brewing Company, with flavors to please nearly every palate.

Garlyn O. Shelton

Garlyn Shelton Automotive Group

BMW of Temple

6006 S General Bruce Dr Temple, TX

Garlyn Shelton has been proudly serving the Central Texas area since 1974, when he first opened the doors to his Mazda dealership in Killeen, Texas Three short years later, in 1977, he started his expansion by adding a Datsun (now Nissan) location in Temple, TX Mr Shelton continued to expand throughout the years, until he owned stores that spanned the area from Waco, east to Houston and Bryan College Station, and south to Austin and Georgetown.

Mr. Shelton’s more recent focus has been in Temple, where he has under taken major renovation projects that would grow the Garlyn Shelton Automotive Group to six locations in just seven years These projects include entire facility upgrades that were designed to be customer centric to make them more accessible, with multiple, luxurious waiting lounges, enclosed service drives, and much more.

The first location to be completed as part of the Temple Expansion Project was Garlyn Shelton Buick GMC Cadillac This beautifully redone state of the art facility boasts over 30,000 square feet of luxury and is conveniently located off i35 at 5625 S. General Bruce Drive.

The second venture in the expansion project welcomed Volkswagen into the Garlyn Shelton Automotive Group, which opened its doors in September of 2017 This location was designed with Volkswagen inspired elements throughout and offers multiple seating lounges, a thoughtfully designed delivery area for vehicle handoffs, and an accessory and clothing boutique.

In January 2018, the Garlyn Shelton Automotive Group opened the doors to the third state of the art facility, which would be the new home to their Nissan branch, located at 5620 S General Bruce Dr The spacious new location more than doubled its previous facility, and gave the Nissan brand a highly visible location right off Interstate 35.

Nissan

5620 S General Bruce Dr

Temple, TX

BMW of Temple, located just south of the Nissan Dealership at 6006 S. General Bruce Drive in Temple, opened in February 2019. This was the fourth facility of Mr Shelton’s expansion project The new showroom tripled the space from its previous location and is filled with all of the latest amenities. Customers can now be introduced to their new vehicles in a dedicated delivery bay, where they can learn the new technology and features their new vehicle has to offer.

Owner/Operator/Founder

It's About The Memories You'll Make!

The fifth project completed was Volvo Cars of Temple, located at 5700 SW HK Dodgen Loop. This renovation was completed in October of 2021 and boasts a beautiful main showroom, reception area for service and luxurious customer lounge, complete with full coffee bar and multiple seating options. The entire design was inspired and created with Scandinavian elements in mind which is evident in its clean appeal, functionality and ease of use.

January of 2022 saw the doors open to the new Mazda facility, conveniently located right off I 35 at 5420 Midway Dr in Temple. This Mazda evolution store is stunning to look at with its glossy black and white exterior and features a “Jewel Box” which consists of an interior lift to showcase a Mazda which is visible to travelers on I 35. Completion of this facility made Mazda of Temple the sixth dealership project to be completed in seven years.

After the dealership renovation projects were completed, Mr. Shelton did not stop his investment into the Temple area and the Automotive Group. In March 2022, the Virtual Sales Center was created to assist customers online through their buying experience with the help of Digital Retail Tools. The upgraded facility can house up to 15 sales representatives, which allows customers to interact via chat, email or phone to complete as much, or as little, of the buying process prior to arriving at the dealership.

Mr Shelton remains dedicated to growth and development of his local community, which is evident in his many philanthropical ventures. In September, the Auto Group launched Give Back to Teachers, which raised $16 thousand dollars for the teachers in local school districts to help alleviate out of pocket expenses for school supplies October saw the continuation of the Garlyn Shelton Auto Group’s yearly partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to help find a cure for Breast Cancer, in which $10 was donated for every test drive taken at any of the six dealerships in Temple, TX

The future looks bright with the continued development and expansion of the Automotive Group An additional installment is expected early 2023, with the opening of the Garlyn Shelton Signature Pre Owned Collection. This facility will feature an extensive selection of signature pre owned vehicles spanning across all brands, makes and models.

Wrap up a book this holiday season

By M. CLARE HAEFNER Covers courtesy of the book publishers

Books should be on everyone’s wish list. From suspenseful thrillers to inspiring cookbooks, here are a few titles even reluctant readers will be happy to unwrap during the holidays.

No one does suspense better than James Patterson. Add a country twist courtesy of collaborator Dolly Parton and you get Run, Rose, Run. Up-and-coming singer AnnieLee Keyes is running from her past, and it looks like it may catch her before she gets her first big break. Listen to Parton’s companion CD while you read and add another dimension to this entertaining tale.

John Grisham delivers another can’t-miss legal thriller in The Boys from Biloxi as he unfolds the twisted story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law.

Want a touch of romance? Check out Texas author DiAnn Mills’ latest novel, Concrete Evidence. It’s a suspenseful ride as an FBI agent and the granddaughter of a former senator try to solve a murder before a hurricane slams into the Texas coast.

If any one your gift list has an interest in politics, consider Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence. Author Vivek Ramaswamy unpacks what’s wrong with America and what it will take to keep the country

from falling apart like the Roman Empire.

Offering another take on the political arena is Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. The former first lady shares more practical wisdom and strategies for staying hopeful.

Fans of Harry Potter will love the illustrated editions that pair J.K. Rowling’s sensational stories with Jim Kay’s delightful drawings. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (book 5) is the latest in the series to get the illustrated treatment, bringing the wizarding world to life for new readers.

Young readers will love Rescue Dog Series: A Texas Dog Name Lucy Mae by local author Cheryl A. Hinckley. This heart-warming tale relates how a shelter dog finds her forever home with Hinckley’s family.

Parents should check out Dr. Becky Kennedy’s Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be to learn her tips for raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids, from birth to adulthood.

As the holidays bring families and friends together, feed them with some of the tasty recipes in Ina Garten’s Go-To Dinners. She shares her secrets to stress-free cooking with meals that always deliver.

Like me, you’ll probably overindulge during the holidays and will start the new year resolving to lose weight. The Galveston Diet from Dr. Marie Claire Haver offers six weeks of meal plans catered to women in midlife who want to balance nutrition and sustain weight loss.

Happy holidays and happy reading!

A Swoon-Worthy Period Piece

WHAT THE WIND KNOWS IS A HEART-WARMING ROMANCE

By PHOENIX CARLISLE Cover courtesy of the book publisher

What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon is an historic romance that tells the heart-warning journey of Anne Gallagher throughout the ages. Anne grows up hearing the exciting tales of her grandfather’s childhood during the Irish Revolution. Once he passes on, Anne travels to his childhood home not knowing what fate has in store for her.

She finds herself transported back to Ireland in 1921. The country is on the cusp of a revolution, leaving Dr. Thomas caring for injured Irishmen, confused Anne, and a young boy that Anne has a familiar love for.

As the revolution unfolds, Anne learns to adjust to her new life along with the new feelings she has for Thomas. Anne and Thomas learn to love each other through the hardships of raising a child in an uneasy time. Anne must learn to navigate her new life while caring for a child whose future matters more than she realizes.

Period pieces always make me swoon. The history buff in me knows/wants to learn everything that’s going on in the period. The hopeless romantic in me is blushing at the slightest hand touch.

We all saw the 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, we know what they are doing. This book satisfied all parts of me. I got to learn more about the Irish revolution through Thomas and Anne’s perspective, giving me knowledge of an important event overshadowed by the Roaring ’20s and the Great Depression.

The love story was everything that I needed in a book. Thomas fought for Anne, loving her before he even knew it. Although Anne didn’t know how she felt, he waited. He always waited for her. Their love was tender and real. The love that says 'I got you this because you said you needed it.' The forehead-kiss love. The love that makes you soup when you're sick. The genuinely sweet love; what makes everything better.

Thomas loves Anne sweetly and tenderly while she figures her heart out. I will always fall for

gentle love stories.

What the Wind Knows is a beautiful story… with a confusing ending. I’ve read it more times than I’d like to admit, so you would think the ending would make sense by now. Especially now that I’m older, but it isn’t my ideal trope.

Confusing ending aside, you will fall in love with every aspect of this book, falling deeper as the story unfolds. I recommend this to anyone who loves period pieces and Outlander. This story is similar to Diana Gabaldon’s timetraveling series also developed into a television series.

Bundle up with a warm drink and this beautiful love story. Happy reading!

EVENTS

DECEMBER 2022

NOV. 26-DEC. 3 10 A.M.-2 P.M.

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM Pumpkins, photos, people! You won't want to miss the excitement of the farm all decked out for fall! Join us for all our farm favorites — petting area, feed the animals, jump pillow, Enchanted Forest Playground, Treasure Island Sandpit. Add photo ops, pick your own pumpkin (or choose one from the barn) and crafts and you are set for a great family day! Slice of Heaven Educational Farm 17851 FM 1123, Holland 254-220-3734

DEC. 1 7-11 P.M.

CHRISTMAS TOUR CHRISTIAN MUSIC CONCERT

Aaron Williams Music, Davy Flowers, John Marc Kohl, Shane & Shane in performance. Harris Creek Baptist Church 401 Stageline Drive, McGregor www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 2 6-10 P.M.

SARAH BURTON DUO

A voice that draws you in to her compelling narratives, conveying equal amounts of yearning, vulnerability, innocence, and hard-earned wisdom... compare her to the likes of Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, and even rockers like Tom Petty. Fire St. Pizza 10310 FM 439, Belton www.sarahburtonmusic.com

DEC. 2-10 7-9 P.M.

30TH ANNUAL PERFORMANCE OF "A CHRISTMAS CAROL"

Tablerock Festival of Salado presents 30th annual performances of "A Christmas Carol" Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. Adapted for the stage by Harry Sweet and directed by Thom Wilson, the Tablerock production of "A Christmas Carol" is the wonderful tale of the transformation of Scrooge from a miserly old skinflint into a caring and

giving soul — told in drama as Dickens wrote it. This is a Central Texas holiday tradition. Come see the story and easily get the Christmas spirit which will last throughout the year. God bless us everyone! Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and $5 for children (12 and under). Tablerock Amphitheater 409 Royal St., Salado centraltexastickets.com

DEC. 3 NOON-4 P.M.

TERRY MCBRIDE: CHISHOLM

TRAIL CHRISTMAS BALL

McBride & The Ride Country Music Bell County Expo Center 301 W. Loop 121, Belton www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 3

8 A.M.-NOON

JINGLE BELL DASH

Come celebrate the holiday season with us at the Jingle Bell Dash 5K. This race is part of the Centex Race Series. All runners will receive points and we will award first-, second- and third-place medals for each female/ male age group and female/male overall winners. Packets may be picked up ahead of race day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 & 2 at the Family Recreation Center, 1700 E Stan Schlueter Loop, Killeen. T-shirts guaranteed to the first 200 runners.

DavinChi CutTM

DavinChi CutTM

The Salado Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Homes is Dec. 3.

Race-day registration and packet pickup will be from 7-7:45 a.m. at the race site on race morning. Tickets $25. Killeen Community Center/Andy K Wells Hike & Bike Trail 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Killeen runsignup.com

DEC. 3

9 A.M.-5 P.M.

SALADO HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 when purchased on day of tour Tickets on sale on the day of event, Salado Public Library, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-purchased tickets can visit the following homes in any order they choose: 1) 335 College Hill Drive 2) Rose Mansion 903 Roseway Drive 3) 313 Home Place Lane 4) 310 Van Bibber Road 5) 1217 Ambrose Drive 6) Historic cabins behind Salado ISD red brick building on Main. Salado Library 1151 N. Main St., Salado centraltexastickets.com

DEC. 3

8 P.M.-NOON

TREY YENGER MUSIC: TREY YENGER LIVE

Trey Yenger Music offers a wide variety of musical genres. His covers are a collection of some of the greatest Continued

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songs across many decades and just about every genre and his originals are a perfect blend of Folk, Americana and Bluegrass. He has opened for national acts such as Jake Worthington, Doug Moreland and Bleu Edmondson just to name a few. Trey plays the guitar fantastically and has done so for 25 years. He brings to the table great melody along with comedy and unmatched vocals. He always puts on a good show when he plays. From John Denver to Halsey, no genre is taboo for Trey and he is a great blend of fun and talent.

Salado Lone Star Winery & Chupacabra Craft Beer

401 S. Main St. #105, Salado www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 8-19

7:30-10 P.M.

ELF THE MUSICAL

Elf is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner Elf.

Tickets $14-$20

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

DEC. 9-10 6-10 P.M.

HOLLY TUCKER

American country music singer and multi-instrumentalist from Lorena who starred on Season 4 of television series The Voice. Tucker participated in Waco’s newest tourism ambassadorship program launched in August 2018 titled "What Is with the Pineapple" where local residents danced and sang on Austin Avenue in Downtown Waco. The video launched

on Aug. 22 in which Tucker sang about various things to do and see while visiting Waco. The Beltonian Theatre 219 E. Central Ave., Belton www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 10

8 A.M.-NOON

KILLEEN HALF MARAFUN

Join Killeen Recreation Services in the first Half Marathon in the 2022 Centex Race Series. All runners will receive points and we will award first-, secondand third-place medals for each female/male age group and female/ male overall winners. We are now offering race-day registration! Prices go up $5 on race morning. Tickets $75.

Heritage Oaks Hike & Bike Trail 8001 Pyrite Drive, Killeen runsignup.com

DEC. 10 5-9 P.M.

JOYCE SPENCER: CHRISTMAS IN KILLEEN

Joyce Spencer will be a special guest for the anticipated Christmas celebration in Killeen with scenery celebrating Christmas with special

Have breakfast with the Grinch on Dec. 17 in Holland.

scenery and instrumental and vocal music. As an award-winning saxophonist, flutist and vocalist from Dallas, Joyce covers the gamut of musical influence, style and genre from traditional to contemporary jazz and classical to R&B, funk, fusion, blues, pop and Gospel/Christian. Phantom Warrior Center Building 194, 37th St., Fort Hood www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 16 6-10 P.M.

EASY TROUBLE DUO

We're taking the duo show to Firestreet Pizza in Belton. Come and get some delicious pizza and a cold libation and join us for some rock and roll! Duo ~ Americana, Roots Music, Rock and Roll.

Fire St. Pizza 10310 FM 439, Belton www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 17 7-11 P.M.

CALVIN

RICHARDSON: SOUTHERN SOUL MUSIC FESTIVAL

Calvin Richardson is a national singer, songwriter, and entertainer who delights fans and has a significant

market presence and high demand. In additional to his own legacy of successful albums and chart-topping singles, he has written and worked with multi-platinum, platinum, and gold hit singles for many of the music industry’s top recording artists including Charlie Wilson, Angie Stone, Joe, Raphael Saadiq. Bell County Expo Center 301 W. Loop 121, Belton www.bandsintown.com

DEC. 17 9-11 A.M.

BREAKFAST WITH THE GRINCH

Oh, what fun! Join the Grinch for breakfast! Photos with the Grinch, make a Grinch craft, get a temporary tattoo, FREE cup of feed for the animals, access to the jump pillow, playground and petting area. Tickets: $20 per person

Slice of Heaven Educational Farm 17851 FM 1123, Holland 254-220-3734

DEC. 19-20

9 A.M.-4 P.M.

CHRISTMAS CAMP

Hey Mom, need some extra time before the holidays to prepare for the festivities? Go shopping? Visit with guests? Send your kids to our Christmas camps! We will keep them plenty busy with all the farm fun. They will even make giftable crafts to give to family members of their choosing. Each day will have a different focus. Sign up for 1 day or more! Tickets $75. Slice of Heaven Educational Farm 17851 FM 1123, Holland 254-220-3734

DEC. 30

7-11 P.M.

TREBLE SOUL LIVE

In July 2014, Hannah and Curt left Nashville to return to Texas. It was meant to be a short vacation. However, a combination of homesick blues and news of their first baby led the couple to make their vacation permanent. Soon, Treble Soul was a force of Texas Country. In addition to playing live shows every week,

Treble Soul won the local level of the Country Showdown in 2014. They were featured on the first edition of Celebrity Undercover Boss in 2017, and they were named the Texas Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year in 2018. They currently reside in Central Texas with their two beautiful daughters. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Suite 100-120 7425 W. Adams Ave., Temple www.bandsintown.com

JANUARY 2023

JAN. 6

6-10 P.M.

ELLA REID

The music of Ella is an electric cacophony with crossover appeal mixed with her Alt Pop, Country, Folk influences. She is armed with bold lyrics that are relatable and genuinely stick in the brain. Ella’s ability to weave a story through song is her distinct talent. Quitting her creative job in San Francisco to pursue her full-time dream of being a singer/songwriter in Austin. Ella is now known as a dynamic power player in the Austin scene and a performing powerhouse on stage. Never looking back, Ella is set to continue her take over and she puts down music that can’t be easily compared to anyone working today. Her latest release, Big Girl Pants, is a perfect introduction to Ella’s world and unique musical vision. She easily blends pop melodies with country sounds, storytelling and the drive and glamour of rock and roll, giving fans songs they just can’t stop singing. Her writing is more hook-and-melody heavy that rings of ever-evolving lyrical vibe and tends to be more positive and upbeat than most of her peers. Fire St. Pizza 10310 FM 439, Belton www.bandsintown.com

JAN. 13

7-11 P.M.

GARRETT SMITH

Texas Country/Southern Rock artist Great (x5) nephew of Alamo Col. William B. Travis.

The Beltonian Theatre 219 E. Central Ave., Belton garrettsmithmusic.com

JAN 14 7:30-11:30 P.M. 35 DRIVE

Pushing out a healthy balance of Country-infused Rock, 35 Drive bursts with energy on stage. Their raw magnetic energy is evident both on stage and on record. American Legion Post 55 101 W. Avenue A, Belton www.bandsintown.com

JAN. 22

2-4 P.M.

PLAY READING BOOK CLUB

Read and discuss scripts. Discuss the plot, themes, characters, situations, playwright, social significance, history of production and commentary/ criticism of the show. This month’s topic is God of Carnage. Temple Civic Theatre 2413 S. 13th St., Temple centraltexastickets.com

JAN. 28 8-11 A.M.

POLAR BEAR PLUNGE 5K

The Annual Polar Bear 5K, part of the Centex Race Series, will be held at the Copperas Cove City Park. Start and finish will be at the City Park Pool. Afterward, runners are invited to take a plunge into the City Park Pool for the Annual Polar Bear Plunge and participate in the belly flop and treading water contest. Tickets $20. Copperas Cove City Park 1206 W Avenue B, Copperas Cove runsignup.com

JAN. 28

ELLA REID

The music of Ella is an electric cacophony with crossover appeal mixed with her Alt Pop, Country, Folk influences. She is armed with bold lyrics that are relatable and genuinely stick in the brain.

Moose & Goose Winery 6300 Middle Road, Suite B, Temple www.bandsintown.com

Handmade Gifts

CONSIDER SHARING A PIECE OF YOUR GARDEN THIS CHRISTMAS

By AMY ROGNLIE

Afriend’s family celebrates Christmas with a lovely tradition. Each September, they draw names, keeping their selection secret. Each person then spends the next few months creating a Christmas gift for his or her chosen family member. The rules are simple: the gift must be handmade. Over the years, and with varying levels of skill and talent, this family has knitted, painted, sewn, hammered, sawn, built, baked and sculpted. They have composed songs and poems, and laboriously written beloved texts in calligraphy, to be framed and hung on the wall. They have created photo albums, pressed flowers for homemade cards, and collected favorite recipes. .

The point is that gift-giving from the heart is far more meaningful than filling up your virtual cart and clicking “Buy Now” on Amazon. Do not get me wrong, I love the convenience of online shopping as much as the next person (maybe more than the average person, truthfully), but sometimes it is nice to slow down. Most of us do not have time to handcraft a gift for every person on our list, but maybe this is the year you choose to make at least one or two of your gifts.

Back in the day, gifts from the garden were among the most coveted and appreciated. Produce, seedlings and cuttings were thoughtful presents that produced beauty as well as sustenance for the recipient. Seeds from one’s garden were carefully gathered and saved for next year’s garden and often generously shared with others.

Today, Seed Saver’s Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, is one organization that stewards not only seeds, but also the many stories of people who, decades ago, gratefully received seeds as gifts and have grown and shared their seeds and their harvests with others ever since.

Besides seeds, cuttings or divided plants make thoughtful gifts for a gardening friend or loved one. If you have an ornamental sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas), you can take cuttings now before the first frost. The cuttings will root in a vase of water in just a few days and will happily live on your windowsill in water over our short Texas winter. Arrange a few bushy bunches in a pretty jar and tie a ribbon around it to give as a last-minute gift or to decorate your dinner table. Or, after the cuttings have rooted, plant them in unique and colorful pots for thoughtful and inexpensive gifts.

Making leaf rubbings is fun to

“It was not a very splendid show, but there was a great deal of love done up in the few little bundles, and the tall vase of red roses, white chrysanthemums, and trailing vines, which stood in the middle, gave quite an elegant air to the table.”

— Louisa May Alcott, LittleWomen

Tips for November & December

Our average last frost is usually around Thanksgiving, so if you intend to take cuttings of tender plants, make sure you do so before the first frost.

• Plant wildflower seeds (November)

• Divide perennials (November)

• Mulch everything, especially new plantings

do with children and can produce some lovely stationery for the letterwriter in your life. Gather leaves from several different trees and bushes. Leaves that are heavily veined work the best. Purchase blank stationery and envelopes from a craft store or make your own hand-folded cards out of ordinary printer paper. Place the leaf underneath the paper and rub over it lightly with the side of a crayon or oil pastel stick until you see the outline of the leaf. Try layering several shades to make unique combinations

(November and December)

• Protect tender plants from early frosts/freezes. You can purchase special plant “blankets,” but old sheets or towels work fairly well. Putting a bucket or tub over an individual plant can also help.

• Plant bulbs (November and December)

• Prune trees and shrubs

of leaf shapes and color intensity.

To make inexpensive but impressive holiday décor, small branches that have fallen or been pruned from your trees and shrubs. Making sure the branches are thoroughly dry, lay them out on newspaper and spray with metallic silver or gold spray paint. Stand larger branches upright in a vase or large flower pot and adorn with ribbon, Christmas ornaments, or greenery from your garden or yard. Or use smaller branches to create

a memorable centerpiece for the recipient’s holiday table or fireplace mantle.

As the March girls in Little Women remind us, “a great deal of love [is] done up” in a thoughtful, handmade gift that comes from the heart — and the garden.

“Whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep Christmas; its meaning never ends. Whatever doubt assail us, or what fear, let us hold close this day, remembering friends.”

— Charles Dickens

Central Texas Regional Advisory Council Watches Over 6 Counties

By TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of CTRAC

Sitting at the red light that seems to be taking forever to turn green, you hear the unmistakable shrill of blaring sirens. Vehicles try maneuvering to the other lanes as an ambulance makes its way through to the site of a crisis. A dire situation is at hand, and someone activated 911 emergency services.

Thanks to Central Texas Regional Advisory Council, the above scenario will be handled in the most efficient way to achieve the best possible healthy outcome for the involved individuals.

CTRAC is one of 22 regional advisory councils across Texas. Formed in the early 1990s, these councils provide infrastructure and leadership to

sustain an inclusive trauma system within a certain service area, according to the organization’s website. Behind the scenes effort and coordination of various CTRAC committees cover the counties of Bell, Coryell, Hamilton, Lampasas, Milam and Mills.

CTRAC’s Executive Director Christine Reeves oversees committees that monitor system development, performance quality and improvement, hospital training and more. The trauma, cardiac, stroke, perinatal, health care coalition and medical advisory committees are comprised of professionals who serve as liaisons between health care facilities in the region. Reeves says, “the communities should know there’s an organization that exists that’s watching out for global care within our six counties.”

CTRAC’s work makes a difference. Should a multi-vehicle accident occur on the corner of Belton’s Central Avenue exit and Interstate 35 and injured people need blood, quick and effective communication would occur as to which health care facility has the most units of blood and beds available. Regional councils also assist in other counties as needed, such as a Lampasas resident needing burn care and transportation via medical helicopter to Dallas Parkland Memorial Hospital’s burn unit.

Long hours and added stress during the pandemic contributed to an EMS personnel shortage. Many personnel went to the Texas legislature and asked for increased funding for hiring and training new EMS employees. According to the Texas Department of State Health’s website, scholarships are available based on documented need with special attention given to rural and underserved areas. This career is exciting, offers competitive salary and benefits with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Emergency personnel get satisfaction knowing they are helping people in a time of great need.

CTRAC executive committee vice-chair member Elizabeth Hicks has an extensive background in emergency care, and she is proud of CTRAC’s lifesaving efforts. “We are the framework to make everything happen,” she says. “Everyone comes together to do what’s best for the community, and we’ve earned the respect of Texas, because as a whole, we decide what’s best for our patients.”

In Her Words YOUNG AUTHOR PROMOTES THE JOY OF READING AND WRITING

By TONYA WARREN Photo courtesy of SHAWN GOLDEN

Vivacious, motivated and friendly are just a few words that can describe Killeen’s young writer Ja’Nay Ratcliff. Wearing adorable eyeglasses and a smile as wide as Texas, she loves the written and spoken word.

Shawn Golden, Ratcliff’s mom, says, “Ja’Nay has always been interested in books, even as an infant she loved to be read to aloud.” Golden says they visited Scholastic Book Fairs where she always allowed her daughter to buy a few books.

“Even before I could read words, I’d make up my own stories just by looking at illustrations,” Ratcliff says. Her baby dolls and stuffed animals made for a captive audience.

Thanks to a Facebook ad, Golden enrolled her budding bibliophile in a publishing class at Central Texas College’s College for Kids summer camp. “We were given a class assignment where we had to write our own book,” Ratcliff says. “I wrote my first book, The Book Club, and when it came time to publish it, my mom said yes!” This self-revealing work details her conquering personal anxiety when asked to join a book club. This petite, happy girl was just 6 when she became a published author.

Her second book, Travels with Nay, chronicles a road trip taken to visit family in different states. The next book she wrote honored her dad being a sanitation worker. My Dad is an Essential Worker stresses the

importance of essential workers doing their part to keep our nation running during the pandemic. Children enjoy her books for the relatable themes of personal growth and family. Illustrated by different artists, these books offer warm, familiar and engaging pictures.

Ratcliff always has pen and paper ready to jot down thoughts about

projects, and while she does most writing on her computer, she admits that’s not always feasible. Currently, she is writing her debut chapter book, and while she declines to give specifics, she says it’s a mystery.

In addition to reading and writing, she also promotes the joy of reading through her website, justlovereading.

club. The young author also likes to go to church, ride bikes and play with her brother. Also add playing African drums and martial arts (she’s earned her yellow belt) to her list of accomplishments. “My mom definitely allows me to be a child,” Ratcliff says, “and she sometimes turns down events to give me a break, which I appreciate.”

Ratcliff has advice for students who may be struggling with reading or writing. “Don’t overthink it,” she says. “Use school websites that help with these things for at least five minutes a day, and lastly, don’t be ashamed of it.”

Ja’Nay Ratcliff has published three books and the 9-year-old is currently working on a chapter book mystery.

“Even before I could read words, I’d make up my own stories just by looking at illustrations.”

— Ja’Nay Ratcliff

Judge Ted Duffield ensures Santa hears what kids want for Christmas.

LOCAL JUDGE ENSURES SANTA CLAUS ALWAYS COMES TO TOWN TO HEAR CHILDREN’S Christmas Wishes

By JANNA ZEPP | Photo by SKEEBO

Santa Claus has helpers all over the world, especially here in Central Texas. Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Judge Ted Duffield is one of many official Santa’s Helpers from around the state and he helped us get Santa to pose for Tex Appeal’s cover photo for this issue. For more than 20 years, Duffield has been making sure that Santa makes all of his appearances on time wherever the jolly elf is called to meet children wanting an audience with him.

The judge, a former military police officer never thought that one of his life’s callings would also have him working for Santa Claus. But in 2000, the Justice of the Peace got his first taste of the world of Christmas magic.

“I had become Morgan’s Point Resort’s municipal court judge out there and when the city manager, who traditionally brought Santa to the kids, got sick, so I volunteered,” Duffield says. “Since then, I’ve handled all of Santa’s engagements there.”

Santa’s first visit to see all of the children who attended only lasted a little over an hour that first year. Now, his visits last three and a half hours to see all of the children who come to visit him.

Duffield says that some of Santa’s visits move him deeply.

“Santa had the opportunity to visit a cowboy church in Rockdale. A little girl about 12 years old came and sat on his lap and he asked her, ‘what would you like for Christmas?’” Duffield said. “She paused and said, ‘well, I guess I could ask for a pair of shoes.’”

Both Santa’s and Duffield’s heart went out to the little girl, whose family had fallen on hard times. Her shoes were almost worn down to

the sole and she wasn’t expecting anything for Christmas.

“So, my wife and I bought her a shirt, a pair of pants and pair of cowboy boots,” Duffield said. “We packaged those all up and we met with my contact (from the Cowboy Church her family attended) and he took the presents over to her. She was all excited about it.”

Although the judge can’t do this for every child he encounters, he does what he can to help Santa make sure the holidays are particularly special and uplifting.

“My wife and I — and Santa, of course — have found families along the way that needed a little help,” he said. “Sometimes we work with local charities, but other times we do it ourselves, donating food and clothes. We do what we can for people in need whenever we can.”

Duffield’s other job as a justice of the peace includes issuing warrants, dealing with civil suits, performing weddings, and issuing death certificates.

“I get to help people in many different ways,” he said. “I get to give them direct answers without the runaround.”

Duffield daily sees his fair share of tough situations, but he does his best to give hope to those he meets by helping them get the answers they need, and with simple kindness and a positive attitude.

“It would be nice if everybody treated everybody like Santa does: as if it was Christmas day every day,” he said.

Duffield says that many of his fellow Santa’s helpers in Texas can be found by visiting lonestarsantas.org.

a lot of us and we are always willing to step up to spread holiday joy,” he says.

“There are

“My wife and I — and Santa, of course — have found families along the way that needed a little help. Sometimes we work with local charities, but other times we do it ourselves, donating food and clothes. We do what we can for people in need whenever we can.”

— Judge Ted Duffield

10 Years of Tex Appeal

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos from the TEX APPEAL archives

Iknow a mama is not supposed to have a favorite baby, and with my twin daughters this is certainly true. But here at work, I have 10 favorite “babies,” most of which are not my own.

Deciding what our magazine cover photos will be takes up a great percentage of Tex Appeal’s editorial meeting time each week. Mrs. Mayborn is the deciding factor in what our cover will be for each issue, but we pick out a broad variety of great options from which she chooses. Those covers that make the May-born cut are what “clothe” my “work babies.” And to be completely candid, putting a magazine together is almost like having a baby from start to finish, up to and including the prepharmaceutical labor pains.

I’ve only been with Tex Appeal three out of these last 10 years as of this issue, but the magazine means everything to me as if I had been editor from the very first issue back in 2012. We recently took a good long look at the last 10 years of cover photos, and from that, I chose 12 covers I love the most in chronological order. They are as follows:

DECEMBER 2012: I love glitz and glamour. I love dressy holiday parties and attending formal dinner and dance events. This cover has all of that. It is timeless in its elegance. A black backdrop makes brighter col-ors pop, especially gold.

FEBRUARY 2013: This is the first issue of Tex Appeal I ever picked up and read long before I became editor. It is the issue that made me think the magazine would be a fun place to work, not realizing it was eventually a selffulfilling prophecy. It helped that the couple on the cover was Teresa and Jay Adams. I had the honor of working with Jay back when he was Major Adams, an active-duty,

commissioned U.S. Army officer in the III Corps Public Affairs Office at Fort Hood. Bias played a part in choosing this cover. I adore Teresa and Jay personally. They throw great parties and they are genuinely sweet people.

FEBRUARY 2014: I cannot resist a cover with an animal on it, and this Yorkshire Terrier puppy won my heart. I have two small dogs myself. Fidel is a long-coat Chihuahua who was born a dignified elderly gentleman. His nicknames include El Jefe and El Patron because he is the boss in an eloquent and understated way. Daisy is our other small dog. She’s a micro-dachshund I found wandering around our neighborhood in Killeen about 13 years ago. She is the cleverest idiot I know and loves everyone. She likes to eat copies of Tex Appeal Magazine from time to time, giving the phrase “reader’s digest” a whole new meaning.

OCTOBER 2014: Chef Kanesha Roberts on the cover draws me in with her 1,000-megawatt smile and a plate full of delicious food from one of her grandmother’s recipes. I’m a foodie. I’m especially fond of food with family history. Also, all that pink for the October issue reminds me of breast cancer awareness too. My mother is a 31-year survivor and my maternal grandmother survived breast cancer some 25 years before she passed away at age 75. Previous editor Catherine Hosman knocked it out of the park with this cover.

JULY 2015: Anjna O’Connor, who was the operations project manager for the Central Capital Region Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the time, stands on a dam platform overlooking Belton Lake. It’s striking to see a woman in a hardhat in person, let alone on the cover of a magazine. The safety vest in her hands in shocking OSHA yellow and orange with retro-reflective tape lends a bright pop of color to the neutral-tone background of the photo. The different typefaces used in the cover blurbs are a design risk. The OG term for this is “Mac-tacky,”

referring to the multitude of fonts made available by the ancient Apple Macintosh personal computer for public consumption by the general public, but for this cover it really works. A professional designer made it great, knowing the design rules but breaking them anyway. Gotta love a maverick!

APRIL 2016: This cover reminds me of another magazine’s style: Texas Monthly. It’s so Texan it looks like it almost smells like old leather, fresh cut hay, and sweet feed. Local longhorn rancher, Judy Hundley stands, smiling, with her bovine buddies, looking elegantly Texan in an indigenous cultural design wool wrap and boots. Though my father was not a subscriber to TM as he did not approve of folks from the East Coast running a magazine about Texas and Texans, I bought a subscription a month after he passed away. I’m pretty sure Daddy’s percolating like mad in his funeral urn, but I like the writing, the art, and the photography even if I do occasionally throw it against the wall for misinterpreting what is truly Texan and Texas. They do, however, have David Courtney, The Texanist, who is from Temple. Courtney is my favorite of their writers. His style is highly educated and earthy, which speaks to all of my Texas generations from which I descend. He also unwittingly teaches me much about Bell County in his column. That, alone, is worth getting haunted by the anti-Yankee spirit of my late father.

JANUARY 2017: There’s a horse on the cover. I’m sold. I have been “sitting a horse” since I was old enough to sit up. I never pass up a chance to ride. My mother’s sister and my Aunt Mary formally taught me to ride when I was about 8 years old. She and her best friend, Tina, taught my daughters to ride right up until Aunt Mary passed away at age 72 in 2017. I have a deep and loving relationship with horses, even though I no longer own any. If you’ve got a horse on the cover of your publication, there’s a real good chance I’ll pick it up and read it.

FEBRUARY 2017: The cowboy couple, Amanda Loggins and Cooper Terrill. I think they’re just precious together. While the whole cowboy culture is not something I regularly indulge in, it is deeply ingrained in me by my heritage and I will always gravitate to it. Living in Central

LoveFinding

Texas lo these almost 20 years, I have been drawn into it more than I ever imagined. So much so, that I now own western boots in metallic colors to match my evening wear when I go to formal events. Yes. I succumbed to it in spite of my intense Southern/East Texas upbringing which dictated no western boots at a formal event. Central Texas is reinventing Cowboy Couture and I just love it.

AUGUST 2017: Here again, we have a horse on our cover, but this time with a bride. The horse has flowers in its forelock and the hooves are painted. The whole image turns me 13 years old again. Of course, the bride is stunning. The whole image is a total fairytale fantasy. I really need to get back in the saddle soon.

FALL 2021: This is my final favorite cover from our previous 10 years. Vanessa Vargas of PHI Air Medical in Temple looks so glamorous in front of that helicopter. We are close in age and she’s why I now own a treadmill that I use daily to get back into my pre-quinquagenarian shape. Fred Afflerbach wrote about her for our autumnal Healthcare issue and he really captured her life as a paramedic and flight nurse, to include some pretty funny tales from the job told by Vargas and her pilot, Jami Mills. My favorite of their stories is about the snake-bite victim they picked up. Mills, with Vargas on board, flew to the scene. Despite Vargas’ best efforts at consoling the woman, she wouldn’t calm down. Mills said the victim was screaming in fear so loudly he could hear her above the din of the whirling helicopter blades. But upon arrival at a Waco hospital, the woman wrapped her arms around Mills and thanked him for a safe ride. “The lady had completely forgotten about her snake bite,” Mills said. “She told me she’d never flown before and was scared to death.”

I hope y’all enjoyed this trip down the happy trails of past covers as I have. I look forward to seeing what’s ahead for Tex Appeal. It’s always a joy to bring y’all stories about your friends and neighbors. If you have a great story tip for me, let me know at editor@texappealmag. com. You can also call me at 254-774-5266 (office) or 254-449-6106 (cell), but email is best because I have it in writing in front of me. You never know, but your story might end up on our cover and eventually, one of my favorites.

Business with Us from the Beginning

By TEX APPEAL staff | Photos from TEX APPEAL archives

We have so many great locally owned businesses in Central Texas to thank for supporting us this past decades since we first published in 2012. While this is far from a complete list of all our long-time friends, these, in no particular order, are just some of the ones that have steadily helped us grow over the last ten years.

Ellis Air Systems

KILLEEN & TEMPLE

Ellis Air Systems has advertised with Tex Appeal from the very beginning. Ellis Air Systems, Inc., located in Killeen, is a family-owned and operated A/C repair company and has been servicing and installing air conditioners since 1988.

Fred Ellis founded the company, and each department is headed by an Ellis family member. Chief Financial Officer Mason Ellis takes care of the company money, Chief Operating Officer Preston Ellis makes sure daily business runs like it

should, and Install Manager Scott Ellis supervises 75 installers who know their ways around HVAC systems.

“After graduating college in 2012, I knew exactly what I wanted to do,” Mason Ellis says. “I hope to continue to serve my community and give them years of old-fashioned, honest service — just like my dad has done since 1988.”

Ellis says the company has installed more R-410A A/C systems than any other contractor in the area. R-410A is a highly efficient, chlorine-free refrigerant that does not deplete the ozone layer. It goes inside an air conditioner or heat pump to cool the air before it gets released into a home. The refrigerant works by absorbing the heat and switching from a gas into a liquid. From there, the refrigerant goes outside, and the system’s fan cools it back into a gaseous state. The indoor fan cools the air even further and pushes that air into a home.

Ellis says the company installs all major brands, including, but not limited to: Rheem, Lennox,

Ethan, Robert, Tonya and Cullen Autry

Colonial Real Estate HARKER HEIGHTS

Wife, mother and small-business owner Tonya Autry is honest, diligent, has a witty sense of humor and is tough-as-nails — as evidenced by beating Stage IV breast cancer.

“I love business, I love working, I love being busy. That being said, I also learned from that lesson in life that you can’t take it with you,” Autry said about facing down cancer. “I learned that family is definitely more important.”

Autry is the vice president of Colonial Property Management, a family-owned property management company that takes care of people’s homes or investment properties when they cannot. She said the best part of her position is being able to work side-by-side with her entire family.

Her husband, Robert, is in charge of maintenance, her oldest son Cullen is the head inspector, and her youngest son Ethan is the assistant property manager, while also serving as a real estate agent. She has the toughest job of all. As vice president, Tonya has to play the role of the “bad guy” when tenants are not taking care of the property they’re renting.

“If it’s the hardest job in the building, it’s usually my job, and as a leader, that’s how it should be, at least in my opinion,” she says. “You have to be passionate about it and you have to love it to do it well or it will eat you alive.”

Autry says that renting a home out to strangers can be a scary situation, especially for a young couple who are leaving their home in the hopes it will still be in good condition when they return to the area.

“I really, truly find a lot of pride in those situations — caring for the home, making sure I do the job and then hand it back to them in the condition they can turn around and sell it,” Autry explained. “It’s terrifying when you take a beautiful 3-year-old house that you owe everything on, put a stranger in it and hope it’s going to be cared for in a way that you can sell it in a couple of years.”

Autry says she has learned quickly that she has to be able to handle any situation, no matter what a person throws at them.

“At the end of the day, you’re dealing with people and that doesn’t come with a recipe,” she added. “You have to be able to handle whomever you have in front of you. There are people you have to be firm with and there are people you have to handle with kid gloves.”

Carrier, Trane, American Standard, Amana, Goodman and Temp-Star.

Employees of Ellis Air Systems

Precious Memories

TEMPLE

Seleese Thompson can always tell you how many days are left until a major holiday. As the owner of Precious Memories Florist and Gift Shop, she is perpetually planning — always months in advance.

“I begin every day by checking the countdown app on my phone,” she says. “And I begin every meeting or presentation by announcing how many more days there are until Christmas.”

She admits that most people don’t want to be reminded of how much time is left until Dec.25, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. “But,” she says, “it sure gets everyone thinking!”

She places orders for poinsettias in July. Now she’s already reserving the flowers she’ll need for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day in 2023. “I started developing ideas and placing orders over a year ago for this holiday season,” she says.

When customers walk into her shop, all they see are shimmering lights and holiday vignettes. But the stunning array of holiday trees and displays at Precious Memories isn’t just accidental. They are the result of thousands of hours of design, organization, and implementation.

“I’ve always thought of myself as an organized person. As a child I remember making lots of lists. And my mom has always been organized. I think it’s just in our DNA,” she says, pointing to her desk, which is neatly arranged with piles of paper.

Thompson depends on a core of 15 staff members to make it all happen. “Each special occasion involves a team effort. There’s never just one horse and one rider when it comes to preparing for events. So much of what we do here involves timing. My staff knows how it all works, and everyone pitches in to get things done.”

Thompson creates large-scale installations of holiday décor, including decorating for businesses, hospitals, banks and nursing centers — as well as for homeowners. She meets with clients months in advance to discuss ideas. “Sometimes we have free reign to design trees and décor, and sometimes companies and individuals have very specific ideas about how they want their space to look.”

She says that businesses typically request very traditional decorations, while homeowners often want to incorporate more colors, trends, and themes into their design.

Some holiday installations are kept very low key, with as little disruption as possible for the client. For example, when decorating Baylor Scott & White – Temple Medical Center, Thompson

describes how she works with their security team and housekeeping department to ensure the experience is as non-intrusive as possible.

“We slip in with our teams, totes, and trees on Friday after hours and we work over the weekend. Every detail is finished by Monday morning.”

While some decorating jobs are completed with as little fanfare as possible, others are eagerly anticipated and are quite public.

“When we travel to nursing homes or senior living centers to decorate,” Thompson says, “We are their floor show! The day and time we’ll be arriving is actually posted on their weekly activity calendar. The residents come early and set up chairs so they can watch us ‘make it Christmas.’ And they have earned every right to sit back and watch someone else do the decorating.”

Thompson admits that the holiday season at Precious Memories is jam-packed. “It’s very physical work. I remind my staff to be sure and stay healthy during this time of year. I’m always reminding them, ‘Drink water! Get your flu shot!’”

She says she loves her work, and she can tell when it’s been a satisfying, productive day with her staff. “Everything is very visual when you transform an ordinary space into something extraordinary,” she confides. “There’s nothing quite like seeing the accomplishment of your hard work.”

When it comes to her own Christmas tree, Thompson enjoys decorating it herself. “I will buy new ribbon and poinsettias from year to year,” she says. “But I personally love my own sentimental ornaments and my collection of Santas.”

So, this holiday season, as you enter your bank or pass through a hospital lobby, admiring the sparkling lights and glimmering trees — a bit of holiday magic that seemed to suddenly appear out of nowhere — consider the time and energy — and the love — it took for those hard-working Central Texas elves to put it there.

And a tip of the Santa hat to Thompson and Precious Memories: the shop is the backdrop for Santa Claus on this issue’s cover. Those gorgeous trees in the back are great examples of the quality and care put into each design by the staff at Precious Memories.

Gallery Design Center TEMPLE

It started back in 1994 when someone came to Jesse and Brenda Esparza’s newly built Temple home to install blinds.

The Esparzas had trouble finding what they

wanted locally so they ordered blinds from out of town.

“I always wanted to be my own boss,” Jesse says. “I knew I wanted to be in business for myself, but I didn’t really know exactly what kind of business until that day when the window blinds were installed. I thought, ‘I can do that and I can do it really well.’ I also realized that if I wanted something special for my home, I had to go outside of Bell County back then to get it. I thought about opening my own business that offered that big city level of quality, style, and service right here at home.”

And so, he did.

Jesse needed a partner, so he asked the person he knew and trusted best: his wife, Brenda. She was the natural choice for Jesse with her eye for design, as well as a professional business and

financial acumen. In 1998, they opened The Blind and Shutter Gallery in what is now Neon Square on West Adams in Temple, where they served Bell County customers for 18 years, adding more products and services beyond window treatments over time until they reached a point at which they needed more space for everything they offered.

In 2016, the business moved east of Interstate 35 to 3103 S.W. H K Dodgen Loop and the Esparzas renamed their store Gallery Design Center. Jesse says the name was for continuity’s sake, keeping “gallery” in the name for brand recognition, but adding “design center” to reflect a wider variety of products and services beyond window treatments.

“One of the great things about Temple is that Wilsonart is right here in town, so we’ve never

Seleese Thompson runs Precious Memories with the help of employees.

had to go far to provide great material for our customers’ kitchen and bath countertops,” Jesse says.

But the Esparzas offer more than just window treatments, countertops, and floor coverings. Part of the services offered by Gallery Design Center include interior design consultation.

“I have always loved art and that is where I draw my inspiration,” Brenda says. “My favorite design style is ‘Transitional’ which is a mix between traditional or classic and modern with clean lines.”

And not everything in the design needs to be new. “Chairs, couches, and ottomans can be repurposed by re-upholstering them in a new fabric,” Brenda says. “Wood furniture can be restained or painted to fit your style and design.”

While minimalism — a simplistic way of living with only minimal, but essential items — is all the rage right now in home design and some commercial design, Brenda cautions that it isn’t for everyone. Minimalist design eliminates all clutter and knick knacks, but it is important to include items that mean something to the homeowner to reflect their personality in the décor.

“Many people have different styles and in which

a lot of them are not ready to give up all their ‘stuff.’ Also, at different stages of your life you find that certain things are less important than they once were,” Brenda says. What works for an empty nester might not work for a family with children still at home.

Along with the discussion of minimalist decorating comes that of decluttering. Brenda recommends starting with organizing what needs to be sorted through in a separate space and working room by room so that the job is not overwhelming.

“You can use baskets in the living room and bedrooms, bins in the pantry and bathrooms and plastic storage containers or boxes for seasonal items. Labels can also be helpful in identifying items at a quick glance. Having a dedicated place to organize and store your items can eliminate clutter,” Brenda says.

Brenda’s favorite design job was working with a client to completely remodel her outdated kitchen to her “dream kitchen.” She says each kitchen and bathroom remodel are unique to the client and their style, needs, and budget, and it is always exciting to start the next one.

Brenda and Jesse Esparza

Stop By These Local Shops

By JANNA ZEPP and TONYA WARREN | Contributed photos

Dragon Lady Tattoos

HARKER HEIGHTS

Are you ready to ring in the new year showing some decorated skin? Has your significant other been needling you to get matching tattoos? If you answered yes to either question, head over to Dragon Lady Tattoos in Harker Heights.

“Tattoos have been part of the human race for thousands of years,” says owner Rena Hoot, adding that she has tattooed many doctors, nurses, teachers and police personnel over the years. Indeed, a 2007 Smithsonian magazine article reveals the 1991 discovery of markings on the Iceman on the Italian Austrian border. They were what we now call tattoos. Carbon dating suggested Iceman to be over 5,000 years old.

Hoot has always enjoyed expressing creativity through oil painting, so opening a tattoo shop in 1982 fell in line with her interests. This type of occupation has historically seen more men involved than women, and Hoot said, “For a girl it was hard to learn, but I did it.”

Our body’s largest organ is our skin, and it’s also our first line of defense against infection so rules are in place to help keep everyone safe. According to the state health department, proof of training is needed as well as successful completion of blood born pathogen training to be licensed. Adhering to infection control protocols and maintaining client records are two of many state laws that govern the occupation. The client also must understand possible risks associated with tattoos such as site pain, infection, difficulty in future attempts at covering or lessening the tattoo, and more. A

waiver must be signed, and those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign for them.

Dragon Lady Tattoos has many designs to choose from, or the client may have their own idea. Hoot discourages young people, especially, from getting a tattoo of their current love interest. Hoot also says some designs just do not ink well.

It is illegal to receive a tattoo if you’ve had one too many at a bar, lest you end up like the character in Jimmy Buffett’s 1977 hit, “Margaritaville.” He hadn’t a clue as to how the inked “Mexican cutie” wound up as skin souvenir. The Dragon Lady is ready to give your skin a new look from an art that has been practiced for centuries. Salt shaker not included.

Rena Hoot works on a tattoo.

The Parlour Oddities & Antiques

TEMPLE

There is a little bit of Addams Family chic in downtown Temple on Main Street in the guise of The Parlour Oddities & Antiques. Athena (a mononym) and her husband, Paul Cobo, opened the store about two years ago to give Central Texas a little bit of a different — if somewhat Gothic — twist on vintage items and antiques.

“It’s actually surreal. Sometimes I can’t even believe that this is my shop,” Athena says, smiling. “But I saved up. I had inventory saved and I went for it, and we’ve been successful thus far every day.”

The Parlour is full of all sorts of wonderfully elegantly creepy curios, classic clothing, and quite a few well-maintained taxidermy displays worthy of Fred and Lilly Munster’s own home. It would not be surprising if Morticia Addams were stationed in a corner of the store, clipping the heads off roses, and saying that what is normal for the spider is chaos to the fly.

It’s hard to walk away from The Parlour without having purchased something and the experience

is delightfully unforgettable. It’s a fantastic place to go Christmas shopping for that friend or family member whose tastes are best described as eclectic and unique. It’s also a must-see stop on Main Street in Downtown Temple to bring the tribe from out of town.

Whimsies

BELTON

Allison Turner always dreamed of owning a boutique. Turner had a successful education career with Belton Independent School District, then Central Texas Christian School.

Turner said she became friends with Joy Schneider, the original owner of Whimsies Boutique when it was in Temple, and she was one of Schneider’s customers.

At first, Turner said she joked that she would buy the business if Schneider was ever interested in selling it. Eventually the talk became serious, and Turner purchased the store.

The store offers women’s and children’s clothing, accessories, jewelry and unique home décor. Whimsies was opened by Schneider at its original location on Riverside Trail in Temple on property she owned. The business was purchased by Allison Turner in August 2016 and moved to its current location at 408 Lake Road in Belton in November 2017.

“So, I completely changed careers,” Turner said. “But it’s been really fun. I miss the kids, but it’s been a lot of fun. And I love working with my sister, Angie (Haire). That’s been a fun experience.”

Turner said Whimsies’ original location in Temple was in a beautiful spot, but it was tucked away and not easy to get to.

“We wanted to be more centrally located, easier to access and near more commercial activity,” she said. “And we love this area.”

Turner said moving the entire store was hard work, but it went quickly.

“We had a lot of help from close friends and family,” she said. “Got it moved pretty quick; we had a moving sale over there, and then about a week later we opened here, so it was super exciting.”

Turner said she loves picking out unique items for people in the community and working with close friends and family members. She said Whimsies is also making a conscious effort to support local charities, including Foster Love of Bell County.

JoAnn’s

MAKS Mercantile

SALADO

There’s a new kid on the block, or rather a new shop on Main Street in Salado that is open just in time for the holidays. MAKS Mercantile, located in the old Horsefeathers house, harbors a shopping experience that combines handmade merchandise with a crafting experience and seasonal items.

MAKS combines the first initials of its owners, Megan Randig, Ashley Doss, Karyn Morris and Stephanie Spasny. The four women are friends who each own their own shops in Taylor and had worked together in some form or fashion, including event planning, for quite a while. Spasny says she’s closed her shop in Taylor to focus full time on the new one in Salado, but the other Taylor shops are still open, and they each have a boutique room representing those businesses in the Salado shop.

“We were having coffee together one day

and were looking to create a partnership. The idea for MAKS originated out of that,” Spasny says. “Salado had the perfect location available in the house that once held Horsefeathers, which was my favorite shop to visit after I brought my children up here to play in the creek.”

Beyond the boutique rooms, MAKS central hallway features items from Texas makers and creators. Woodburn art, jewelry, leatherworks, dried floral designs, self-care items, and custom signs line the hallway for customers to find as they shop. The back room features children’s items and the MAKS pantry features kitchen and entertaining items. There’s also a Hat Bar, at which customers can design hats with found items, ribbons, and vintage curiosities.

“One of my partners’ boutique rooms is filled with seasonal items,” Spasny says. “That one is only open seasonally, so get here often to make sure you don’t miss it.”

Friends Megan Randig, Ashley Doss, Karyn Morris and Stephanie Spasny opened MAKS Mercantile in Salado.

lifeaffirming care for terminal illness

to give back to the communities

serve ows through the heart and soul of Atmos Energy’s employees. We are committed to helping students have a bright and healthy future by ghting childhood hunger and focusing on reading on level by 3rd grade, showing appreciation to our hometown heroes, and providing assistance to our neighbors in need. We are proud to play a vital role in the communities we serve with our time, talent and resources.

360 W Central Texas Expy #204

Harker Heights, TX 76548 Phone (254) 319-3555 www.lilyscakes.com

Lily's Cakes

Lily’s Cakes in Harker Heights has you covered.

Owner Lilian “Lily” Halabi, who opened the business in 2012, said her custom cakes are more than just tasty. These cakes, cupcakes and other seasonal desserts are works of art.

“Lily’s Cakes opened with the goal of serving Central Texans artistic and delicious cakes and cupcakes for all kind of celebrations and events,” Halabi said. “We can proudly say we’ve been part of people’s cherished celebrations for a decade and we love it!”

Even if you’ve not yet been to Lily’s Cakes, you actually might be familiar with Halabi if you’ve ever watched the Food Network.

“I’ve participated in many televised cake competitions on the Food Network and won two of them,” she said. “Being on national television has brought the area some attention and has put Heights on the map.”

Her customers appreciate Lily’s Cakes because it means they don’t have to settle for whatever is in the supermarket cooler.  “They’re able to get the cake design they really want and the flavor they prefer,” Halabi said. “Customer satisfaction is a high priority, especially because our cakes are part of people’s special days.”

WOULDN’T A CUPCAKE MAKE YOUR DAY EVEN SWEETER?

LILY HALABI

FLOORS R US

2800 E Veterans Memorial Blvd. Killeen, TX 76543

Phone (254) 690-0107

Floorsruskilleen.com

Floors R Us

FOR THE OWNER OF FLOORS R US, HER MISSION IS SIMPLE.

Floors R Us continuously works to provide every customer with a pleasant and informative shopping experience for over 22 years now.

"Our staff members are up to date on new products and design trends, which allows them to assist our customers better," says Christine Kaiser, the owner of Floors R Us. “ The key to our success is that customers like that we treat them like family, and we really enjoy what we do.”

Family is their recipe for success, including them in all of what they do.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my family and team, they deserve the recognition, and especially my husband Terry. He has been the motivation for all of our recent changes. We provide our customers with a 'one stop shop' including everything from design, installation, and maintenance."

With the holidays right around the corner, Floors R Us prides themselves by “always trying to keep our prices low and quality high throughout the year. We do get a little more generous around the holidays.”

Giving back to their community, Floors R Us has worked with organizations like Operation Phantom Support and Habitat for Humanity. Discounts are provided to military and first responders.

Small Token of Gratitude

A PARENT'S GIFT-GIVING GUIDE FOR

As the holidays approach, you may notice students becoming less excited about science and social studies and more excited about class parties and Christmas vacation. We notice too. This time of year can be great fun for both teachers and students, but the activities of the season can also overwhelm all of us. Christmas break is as much for the teachers as it is for students.

So, if you're wondering what to get your child's teacher as a holiday treat, may I somewhat jokingly offer the following gift-giving guide based on common student behaviors.

Elementary teachers are running low on supplies and stamina. If your elementary student has wallpapered your refrigerator in art, consider giving the teacher a 64-count set of Crayola crayons. If your student has lost two hoodies, three lunchboxes, and an innumerable number of papers to be signed, consider a few “lost keys” beepers that can be attached to coats, lunchboxes and homework folders.

If your student has not quite mastered raising their hand or sitting in their seat, don’t worry, they will get there. In the meantime, a coffee gift card can help your child’s teacher get through one more session of “please sit in your seat. No, not your friend’s seat, your seat. Yes, you need to SIT in the seat...”

And, of course, as we move into the heart of cold and flu season, elementary teachers could benefit from Sam’s value-sized containers of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. Oh, and if your budget allows, you could also throw in a Hazmat suit.

Middle school teachers are running low on paper and patience. If your middle school student has discovered the time-honored arts of origami and paper airplane making or has begun practicing for the NBA using up all available paper to make “basketballs,” consider giving the teacher a 500-sheet ream of printer paper from Office Depot. You might also consider a few additional trash cans because if your student’s teacher has to say one more time, “please pick that up and throw it away properly,” they might just lose their Christmas spirit.

Middle school is also a time of fluctuating hygiene, so a nice holiday air freshener can brighten the, umm…, atmosphere of any classroom. And, if your student, like many middle schoolers, has faced the

TEACHERS

challenges of first loves and finding out who their real friends are, then I’m sure their teacher would appreciate a few more boxes of tissues. The drama will likely continue into the spring, so not only will extra tissues come in handy, but maybe a movie gift card would be nice too. After all, middle school teachers have endured much drama during lunchtime so far this year; it might be nice for them to see a comedy on the weekends.

High school teachers are running low on cleaning materials and caring. If your teenager has become the Grinch who carries around a rubbish-filled backpack, consider giving the teacher a box of contractor-grade trash bags so they can help your student find their missing work. “Hey, look, there’s that assignment from last week!”

Automotive paper towels are great for soaking up the multiple coffee spills caused by bleary-eyed seniors arriving late to second period after they stayed up all night to complete the assignment they had two weeks to do.

High school teachers would also appreciate notebook paper, pens and pencils. High school students don’t even ask to borrow those items anymore. They simply take them from the cabinet or table because high school teachers stopped verbally responding to those requests during the second week of school and just started pointing to the student supply area.

All joking aside, the best gift any teacher can get is a sincere thank you. Amid the always busy holiday season, taking the time to send a note of appreciation would be the best gift any teacher could receive.

Underwood teaches English at Gatesville High School.

Johna

JOHNA UNDERWOOD

Elementary teachers are running low on supplies and stamina. Middle school teachers are running low on paper and patience. High school teachers are running low on cleaning materials and caring.

Space to Create

STUDIO OFFERS PLACE FOR RECORDING, PHOTOS, EVENTS

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of TONI RINGGOLD

Creatives in the Central Texas area now have a place to call home thanks to Space Create Interactive Studios, a state-of-the-art space for podcasters, musical artists and entrepreneurs who are ready to kickstart their creative journey.

Toni Ringgold, founder of Space Create Studios, is a full-time vocal coach and piano teacher. Originally from Austin, she’s a singer-songwriter and actress who came to the Temple/ Killeen area when she received a music education scholarship for Temple College.

Ringgold’s musical journey started when she was 7 years old and singing in church. After growing up, getting married, and having kids, she planned to go into the medical field. However, this all changed when she came across an advertisement for auditions for a music education scholarship. A teacher from Ringgold’s childhood once told her that her voice would pay her bills one day, and she never

forgot that. And so, she went to the audition and received a full scholarship to Temple College’s music program, which then lead her to finish her degree at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

In 2013, Ringgold started her own music academy, Toni Ringgold Academy of Arts, where she taught piano and voice lessons, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she began to teach virtually. It was at this time when she applied for the city of Killeen’s COVID Small Business Relief Program, and she was one of the recipients of the large grant. Because of this, she was able to launch Space Create Interactive Studios, which she is over-the-moon excited about.

Space Create is a unique hub that provides the multimedia needs for creatives of all types to make their dreams a reality. Ringgold says that with the nearly $40,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment, the place is perfect for music recording,

podcasting and even filmmaking. “The recording studio itself is amazing,” she says. “It’s going to offer true, professional, state-of-theart quality that doesn’t sound like you’re in your bathroom trying to record an album.” Ringgold says that all too often, what holds people back is they just don’t have the funds to purchase their own equipment, but at Space Create, they can use the facility’s equipment.

Ringgold says that Killeen has a few businesses that encompass different parts of Space Create, but there are none that do it all. “There are a lot of truly talented and gifted individuals that just need a place where they can create,” she says. “I’m literally living the dream right now. I’m doing what I absolutely love, and I just want people to know that they can do the same.”

Space Create is over 3,000 square feet and encompasses two standalone buildings. One building has two suites in it, and the other is a venue all on its own where people

can host small events. Ringgold has also started something called the Creative Court in the parking lot of Space Create Studios, which is where she will host events for creatives to set up shop and sell things that they’ve made. “[Space Create] really is the answer for a lot of creatives who just don’t have a place that they can call home,” she says.

“One of the biggest things for me is to plant those seeds of creativity within each person that comes through the door, whether they’re a child or an adult,” she says. “I think that it’s important for people to understand that the fine arts are important, creativity is important, you are important, and you have something to contribute to this world.”

IF YOU GO

Space Create Interactive Studios 207 W Avenue D, Killeen www.spacecreate.org 254-317-2450

Text “create” to 833-591-3029

Toni Ringgold and her team at Space Create Interactive Studios.

IN THE SWIM WITH SKEEBO REICHERT Master Photographer

By JANNA ZEPP | Photos by SKEEBO, GLEN MUSE and JANNA ZEPP

As the editor of Tex Appeal, I rely on a variety of local photographers to make this magazine come visually alive for our readers, including Skeebo Reichert. At every photography session with Skeebo, invariably our subject knows him and his work. Sometimes I wonder if Central Texas needs a board game called “Six Degrees of Skeebo” because almost everybody we meet, at one time or another, has worked with him or went to Temple High School with him.

“As all great stories begin, I went to college as a swimmer, but my career started with this girl,” he says, laughing.

After graduating from Temple High School, Skeebo went to Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield as a swimmer on the school swim team, with no idea of a major. Interest in a young woman got him into a photography class that she was taking. The relationship didn’t last, but he discovered a talent that led him to an academic major that eventually turned into a career.

Skeebo started as a studio portrait photographer in California. Soon, he became studio manager and sole photographer of that company’s store in Mission Viejo. Eventually, he opened his own business, Photo By Skeebo. His clients included the MTV show, I Want a New Face – Posh Spice, the Movie Guide Awards at

the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and a Fresh Apparel fashion shoot featuring Efren Ramirez, whom you might know as Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite He also photographed album art for national recording artists and headshots for actors around LA. His West Coast corporate clients included Systems Paving and Mission Pools.

Skeebo came home to Temple in 2006 and promptly built a client base to support local businesses and expanded services to include video. He says his inspiration for corporate photography brought a shift from his studio roots to a focus on capturing businesses “in their element.” His mobile studio includes full lighting, backdrops, steady camera, vehicle mounted rigs, filmindustry standard 12-foot by 12-foot diffuser, and Canon exclusive camera equipment. His software expertise includes DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Creative Suite, Motion Graphics and Compressor.

“I’m full service for my clients,” he says. “If I find something I think they need, I will offer it to them.”

Skeebo says he approaches each project by drawing on his knowledge of cinematic history, current filmmaking styles, and timeless storytelling methods to create maximum impact videos for digital marketing. He says his personal, compassionate commitment to building the success of his clients has earned repeat customers.

“I’m dedicated to providing highquality videos and photos that are in line with my client’s goals and accomplishments,” Skeebo says. “I want to give them what they want and maybe a little bit more.”

His skill as a studio photographer shines often, especially on shoots with small children. He has a knack

When he’s not with family, Skeebo Reichert can be seen in his mobile studio.

for putting people at ease during photography sessions, getting even the most stoic faces to crack a smile or break into a broad grin after a little while. He’s open to suggestions but can effortlessly navigate a client (including magazine editors) back to what they really want and need.

Skeebo is a dad. He and his wife have two boys that keep them occupied as often as the business.

“I love being flexible enough to be there for my sons and my wife when they need me,” he says. “I couldn’t do that with any other career.”

When asked about his handle and whether his real name is a state secret, Skeebo laughs. His full name is Stephen Reid Reichert.

“Skeebo is short for ‘ski boat,’ which is what my swim coach called me because I looked like a ski boat cutting a wake in the water,” he says. He adds that his drive and dedication

in photography and video reaches back to decades-long training as a long-distance swimmer.

“After swimming NCAA Division I for Southwest Missouri State University, I joined the Wildwood Crest Beach Patrol in New Jersey. I was the top swimmer on the competition swim team of the Beach Patrol. I won the Rehoboth Beach Olympics, the Beschen-Callahan Memorial One-Mile Swim, and swimming 20 miles around Wildwood Island in nine hours and 15 minutes, beating the previous record by three hours,” he says.

That competitive edge and work ethic shows in his photography. This issue’s cover featuring Santa Claus, as with many of our cover photos in the past, is a sample of Skeebo’s talent.

CONTACT SKEEBO 254-773-2537 photosbyskeebo.com

Healthy, safe holiday meals

Whether you are preparing your first or 10th holiday meal, food safety in the kitchen is something all cooks should be mindful of at all times. By making certain you know the safest ways to thaw, prepare, stuff and cook a holiday meal you can assure friends and family enjoy amazing food and leave full of memories instead of stomachaches. This season, commit to knowing proper food safety principles to prevent food-borne illnesses from overrunning your holiday plans.

THAWING

CAREY STITES

MS, RD, LD, CPT

A frozen turkey is a “safe” turkey, however, as soon as the turkey begins to thaw, bacteria perhaps present before freezing can begin to grow again. The “danger zone” is the temperature range of 40°F to 140°F where food borne bacteria grow most rapidly and can double in as little as 20 minutes.

When thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, allow about 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds. Most importantly, place the turkey in a container or on a tray, breast up, to prevent dripping juices from contaminating other foods while thawing.

If using the cold water thawing method, submerge the unopened turkey in enough water to cover it completely; change the water every 30 minutes. Plan a minimum thaw time of 30 minutes per pound and cook the turkey immediately after it has finished thawing.

Avoid thawing your turkey at room temperature as this encourages the growth of harmful bacteria in the danger zone.

PREPPING

Cross-contamination refers to the spread of bacteria when juices from raw meats touch cooked foods or food preparation surfaces. Bacteria present on the uncooked turkey can contaminate hands, cooking utensils and work surfaces when the turkey is prepared for cooking.

Designate one area of the kitchen for specifically prepping the turkey along with utensils and cutting boards or plates; make it a priority to immediately clean the area and all items used (including hands) with soap and hot water. Antibacterial kitchen cleaners can be used on counters to ensure bacteria are no longer present.

COOKING

Stuffing your bird ahead of time is risky business. Food-borne bacteria grow rapidly be-cause the warm, moist stuffing sits inside the turkey (inside the refrigerator) for many hours before it gets below the danger zone.

Bacteria which are present multiply rampantly in this condition and even when the stuffing is out of the danger zone, the bacteria will not die but rather stop multiplying as quickly. Then the turkey goes into the oven and the cold stuffing takes a while to heat up due to the cooking position in the internal cavity of the turkey which puts it in the danger zone for hours.

Best bet? Cook stuffing outside the bird.

Most turkeys come equipped with a pop-up thermometer; however, best practice is to avoid relying on it and to use a meat thermometer instead to ensure the most accurate temperature. The magic temperature for a cooked turkey is 165°F as bacteria cannot survive above this temperature.

Use the meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey of the breast, thigh and wing joint and should you choose to stuff the bird, the stuffing must also reach a temperature of 165°F. If the turkey is removed and consumed before 165°F, the risk of salmonella exists and be passed on to the holiday guests.

Symptoms of salmonella typically develop 12 to 72 hours after eating and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, which can last four to seven days.

STORING

To minimize the time food stays in the “danger zone,” store leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours after cooking. Foods which stay at room temperature for more than two hours should be discarded.

Divide large amounts of hot foods, such as

Be sure to store leftovers in shallow airtight storage containers to keep bacteria away and to prevent your leftovers from drying out.

stuffing and mashed potatoes, into smaller portions to facilitate the cooling process; carve the turkey into small pieces before refrigerating.

Be sure to store leftovers in shallow airtight storage containers to keep bacteria away and to prevent your leftovers from drying out.

When it is time to eat the leftovers, reheat items to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any possible bacteria.

Soups and gravies need to be reheated to a boil and when microwaving, stir the food halfway through to be sure the heat is distributed.

Typically, leftovers can be kept safely for three to four days in the refrigerator.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON

One of the most important elements of the holiday is keeping in mind food safety issues involved in serving an amazing meal. Keep your friends and family free from food-borne illnesses and enjoy the wonderful time together this season!

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

Of Torn, Temple & Taylor

ICONIC ACTOR GRADUATED FROM TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL

By JANNA ZEPP | Courtesy photo

Shortly after our October/November issue hit the stands, I received an anonymous phone call from a lovely gentleman who said he very much enjoyed my story on Rip Torn, an American character actor who was born in Temple. Said anonymous gent liked the story, but he pointed out, rightly, that I had not mentioned the fact that Torn grew up in Taylor (Williamson County) and graduated a proud Taylor Duck back in 1948.

Indeed, I was remiss in omitting the fine metropolis of Taylor. I did not find it pertinent to mention in the amount of editorial space with which I had to work. The important thing at the time to me was that Torn took his first vital breath in Bell County, as our content is geared toward Bell Co. residents. I shall, hence-forth, be mindful that our residents often come to us from other parts of Texas, as do I.

I am a Smith County refugee. I was born in San Marcos and grew up in Tyler. I have lived all over the Lone Star State, including Killeen, as well as in Illinois, Wyoming, Montana and Northern Europe. I have visited Taylor once or twice.

I even got asked to Taylor High School’s prom back in 1983 by a real nice young man I met at a state student council convention in Austin, but my father would not allow it as it was too far of a drive and he was not in the mood at the time to make the trip to chaperone the date.

Speaking of Taylor High School and the mighty fighting Taylor Ducks, Salado High School’s Eagle varsity football team mopped the floor with the Mean Green Duck Machine at SHS’s 2021 Homecoming game to the tune of 55-17, if memory serves correctly.

Sidebar: The Eagles got stung at this year’s HOCO game against the Academy High School Bumblebees, I am sorry to say. What I know about sports can be fit in a Rhode Island shot glass, so this is the extent of my professional sports reporting. I hope you enjoyed it.

Taylor is a fine municipality, but I confess, outside our anonymous gentleman caller’s tip, my brief, high school almost-romance, a one-time visit to a Taylor/

Hutto-area biker dive bar back in ‘04, and the SHS HOCO Duck Slaughter of ’21, I honestly know very little about Big T.

If any of y’all know what else is great about Taylor, shoot me an email or call me and leave your name with your message so that I might credit you for a possible Day Trippin’ feature suggestion. The economic success of Taylor tourism might well depend on it.

Coming up in the next Being Central Texan, I’ll share about my time living in Killeen and working at Fort Hood, since I am a Killeen-Ex (run that together and it sounds like a famous tissue company) and a veteran’s wife. I’ll also outline for you the new direction we’re taking with this particular Tex Appeal feature and how you might contribute.

In the meantime, if you have questions or comments about stories we’ve published, life in Central Texas, or just observations about Texas in general, write me via email at editor@texappealmag. com and I’ll do my best to make you famous.

Stroll Through Salado

VILLAGE SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER DEC. 2-4 & 9-11

By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of the SALADO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The holiday season is almost upon us, and the village of Salado has a lot of practice with spreading cheer. This year, the 62nd annual Christmas Stroll will take place in the streets of Salado, and the attendance list is already filling up fast.

According to Amanda Organ, the executive director at the Salado Chamber of Commerce, thousands of people attend the Stroll each year — in fact, over 12,000 people visited their website to look at the events calendar. The chamber oversees the planning, organizing and marketing, but individual businesses have control over their own decorations and what events they want to host. Organ says that a business must be a chamber member to be added to the event calendar, but any business is welcome to participate in Salado Stroll. Started 62 years ago by Lucille Robinson, the founder of the Salado Museum, it’s an important event for the shops in Salado because it’s when they typically get the most business of the entire year.

Salado Stroll is traditionally held during the first two weekends of December. This year, the fun kicks off on Friday, Dec. 2, with a lighted Christmas parade. Other events include a live nativity scene at the First Baptist Church, a production of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” at the Tablerock Amphitheater, food trucks, horsedrawn carriage rides, pictures with Santa, live music, late-night shopping, and more. According to Organ, the biggest hits are usually pictures with Santa, the live productions, and, of course, the late-night shopping when stores stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Organ says the six days of the Stroll are so important for Salado businesses because it’s when they can really make their year in sales. “[The businesses] just think of

something extra special, whether it’s a giveaway or a photo op — that’s an easy way to lure people in,” she says.

Other cities have Christmas Strolls like the one in Salado, but they’re just not the same. “What really makes it special is that it’s a tradition,” Organ says. “For 62 years, families have been coming.” In fact, people come from all over for the Salado Stroll. Organ says people come from Dallas, Houston and even out of state. She says there are just over 200 lodging rooms in Salado, and they’re already completely booked for the 2022 Stroll.

“It continues to grow,” Organ says. “And it’s just insane on Main Street. You’ve never seen so many people! It’s just a unique experience.”

IF YOU GO

Salado Stroll Downtown Salado

Salado Stroll includes a parade.

By JANNA ZEPP |

APPEAL archives

Take your family to see five and a half miles of holiday lights at the Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area’s Nature in Lights this Christmas season, open until Jan. 1, 2023.

For more than a quarter of a century, Fort Hood’s Family, Morale and Welfare has presented this attraction in Central Texas.

IF YOU GO

Nature in Lights: Open 5:30 to 11 p.m. at BLORA, Cottage Road, Building NAF 126, Fort Hood. Call 254287-2523 or go to hood.armymwr.com/calendar/event/ nature-lights

All vehicles that drive into BLORA on MondayWednesday evenings will receive a collector's 15th edition Annual Nature In Lights ornament (one per vehicle, while supplies last).

Tune in to 91.9 FM to listen holiday music as you drive through.

Santa’s Village: Take a break and browse vendor booths, purchase crafts and photos with Santa in Live Oak Pavilion from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 4, then nightly Dec. 8-24.

Restrooms: All restroom facilities are outlined in green lights for easy recognition throughout BLORA.

Cost: $20 for car, minivan & pickup trucks; $35 for limos, 15-passenger van & RVs; $55 for 24-passenger van; $80 for 47+ passenger van or bus

How to get to Nature in Lights:

From Fort Hood: Clear Creek Rd or TJ Mills Blvd to Old Ironsides Ave., Turn right on to Old Ironsides Ave., Turn left on to Martin Dr/East Range Rd., Turn right on to North Nolan Rd. for 10 miles, Turn left on Cottage Rd.

From Killeen/Copperas Cove: Hwy 190 to WS Young North to Rancier Ave., Turn right on to Rancier Ave/FM 439., Turn left on Sparta Rd., Turn right on Cottage Rd.

From Temple/Belton: Interstate 35 exit Hwy 190 West, Exit Loop 121 North, Turn left on to Sparta Rd., Turn right on Cottage Rd.

Photos from the TEX

Nature in Lights runs through Jan. 1 at BLORA.

Here Comes Santa Claus

JOLLY ST. NICK HAS LONG HISTORY OF CENTRAL TEXAS VISITS

By RHONDA BLACKLOCK Contributed photos

You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. And we all know why! ’Tis the season! Santa Claus will be making his way to Central Texas soon, and you can bet all the little girls and boys are looking forward to it! The holidays are right around the corner, and for most, it is a magical and joyous time of year. O’ Christmas tree will twinkle with lights, our halls will be decked, and gifts will be perfectly wrapped and adorned for those impatiently waiting for Christmas day to arrive.

Let’s talk about those gifts for a second. Did you ever write a letter to Santa? After all, he is the legend who brings gifts. The man in the red suit has been visiting this community for many years. He arrives before the big day to greet children and hear their wishes. There are historical records

dating back to 1955, archiving visits

Father Christmas has made to Temple. Those days are not over either. He will surely make his way back again this year and hopefully for years to come. Perhaps, before he does, we can walk down history’s lane and remember

where Santa Claus came from.

Long ago, in a place called Myra, which is in modern-day Turkey, a man called St. Nicholas was born and lived a life of kindness and generosity. Legend says he gave all his wealth away to help the poor and the sick.

One story involves his fondness of a family with three daughters. The father was very poor and grieved that he could not pay for any of his daughters to be married. Each time the day of a daughter’s wedding neared, Nicholas would secretly drop a bag of gold down the chimney.

Nicholas is said to have helped many of his neighbors throughout his life, and during Christmas, because of his love of children, he would reward all the good children with gifts. Some years after his death, he was proclaimed Saint Nicholas. Many Christians around the world celebrate him to this day. The Dutch can be thanked for bringing him to America. Known as Sinter Klaas, the Dutch were the ones who first celebrated St. Nick in America back in the late 1700s.

As department stores became more popular, the man who is known for gift giving became a prominent marketing employee. In the early 1800s, Clement Clarke Moore penned the famous poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” This lovely image would be the founding of the man in red who we know today as Santa Claus.

COMING TO TOWN

Parents have been taking their children to many locations to visit and take photos with Santa for a long time.

On Dec. 1, Santa will make his way into Central Texas at the Cameron Christmas Parade. The event begins at 5 p.m.

On Dec. 3, Belton will have its annual Christmas on the Chisholm,

Santa Claus first attended Temple’s Christmas Parade in 1955.

Santa waves to the crowd in 1966.

where Santa will be available for visits and photographs.

Santa also stops in Killeen on Dec. 3 to greet crowds in the city’s Christmas parade downtown. It begins at 1 p.m. on Avenue C and College Street, with family activities along Avenue D downtown continuing until 8 p.m.

On Dec. 4, you can take the family to Santa at the Depot, which happens at the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum. St. Nick will also appear in the annual Temple Christmas Parade on Dec. 5, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

On Dec. 10, Temple will host A Very Special Christmas Party at Wilson Park Recreation Center from noon to 2 p.m.

As you begin preparing for this holiday season, don’t let the hustle and bustle stress you out. Rather, remember that the season is one of love, hope, kindness and generosity, all which St. Nick lived by. Take in the scenery. Put the Christmas tree up and decorate it with your loved ones, while listening to your favorite

Christmas songs. Enjoy time with your family and friends while out seeing the lights and shopping for gifts around

town. Slow down, smile, and spread a little cheer, because soon, Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas will be here.

Santa rings in the holiday season in 2021 during Killeen’s parade.

Santa gets a ride with the Temple Fire Department in 2014.

ADVERTISING INDEX

21 Main..................................................... 77

4 Legs of Love Boarding & Boutique 41

A Good Read Book Club 27

Acropolis Greek Cuisine ............................. 3

Adapt Physical Therapy 27

AdventHealth 81

Arthur Murray Temple .............................. 41

Ashai Health 10

Atmos Energy 63

Ayr Balloons ............................................. 40

Barnard Beef Cattle Company 41

Baylor Scott & White Hospice 63

Bell County Museum ................................ 17

Bentons 61

Black Axe Co 43

Brockway, Gersbach, Franklin & Niemeier. 22

Bryn Oaks B&B 29

Callie’s Creations 42

CareAge HomeCare ................................. 61

Chef Flaco's Gourmet Foods 42

Clover + Co 44

Colonial Real Estate ................................. 83

Cook Residential Design .......................... 31

CSI Aviation 23

Dead Fish Grill 63

Devereaux Jewelers ................................. 45

Dillard’s/Dohnalik, Delores 45

DiscaHolics 45

Dusty Rose Boutique ................................ 27

Elite Therapy Center 54 Ellis Air Systems 73

English Maids ........................................... 45

Extraco Banks 82

Farmers Insurance/Dana Hoelscher 44

Floors R Us ............................................... 66

Garcia Architects 13

Garlyn Shelton GM 24-25, back cover

Helios Apothecary MedSpa ..................... 45 iMERAKi 43

Impossible Paradigm Shifters Youth Program 44

Lastovica Jewelers 30

Lily’s Cakes ............................................... 65

Main Street Medical Supply 19 Mobi Dog Pet Salon & Spa 43

My Giving Tree ......................................... 43

Nancy Best 13

NJP Balloons 64

Nolan Creek Realty .................................. 27 NuSkin 43

Olive Charcuterie 43

Pack-N-Mail .............................................. 41

Palmeras Tex-Mex Con Sabor 5 Paperdoodles 41

Photo Social Booth................................... 41

Photos by Skeebo 13

The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions to this index.

Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop .... 57

Pure Skin/Catrina Jackson 43

Ralph Wilson Youth Club 29

Salado Creek Antiques ............................. 41

Salado Creek Jeweler’s/KiKi’s Creations 40

Salado Glassworks 61

Stellar Homes ........................................... 55

Stinehour, Becky 75

Summer Moon Coffee 2

SunCountry Cycling .................................. 42

Suzy Q’s 29

Tango Charlie Boutique 42

Tanner Roofing ......................................... 75

Tapville Social 17

TDT-Day for Women 38

Temple CAC/Orchestral Society .............. 69

Temple Children’s Museum 75

Temple Feed & Supply 15

The Collective Bar-tique

TxDrips Mobile Hydration 45

Visiting Angels 68

Walker Honey Farm .................................. 44

West Temple Orthodontics

Wilson Valley Mercantile, LLC 54

Woods Flowers 34

Young’s Daughters Funeral Home .............. 9

Z Medical Aesthetics 37

Zootys 45, 59