Tex Appeal June 2014

L i f e & S t y l e i n C e n t r a l Te x a s

June 2014

Love Story ready for the big day

IN THE

honeymoons close to home SPOTLIGHT

Medical Aesthetics 1

OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL

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Features

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PERFECT FIT

Seamstresses create custom gowns for brides

The art of sewing is a very empowering thing. Creating clothes for others to wear is a true expression of their identity. In many ways, sewing is the ultimate sign of femininity — seductive and passionate, yet comforting.

By VALERIE L. VALDEZ

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GETTING READY Steps on the big day

With the wedding just a few weeks away, Sheneka Jefferson gets a good idea of what it takes to get ready for her big day. Take a look at the steps involved during a practice run.

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

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LONG-LASTING LOVE

Couple shares secret to nearly 60 years together

“Don’t base your marriage or relationship on one argument or disagreement,” said Evans Washington, who this month will celebrate 58 years of marriage to his wife Rose.

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Departments

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TexTalk Neighbors Francis Louis Guy Smith

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TexTalk SPOTLIGHT Medical Aesthetics

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TexTalk BEAUTY Wedding planner opens her bag

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TexTalk Flavours Megg’s Cafe & Hamilton Bread Company

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TexTalk SCENE Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom

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TexTalk Well-Fed head ‘Fall in Love for Life’

L i f e & S t y l e i n C e n t r a l Te x a s

June 2014

Contributors

ready for the big day

IN THE

honeymoons close to home SPOTLIGHT

Medical Aesthetics OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL

ON the COVER Sheneka Jefferson at the Vineyard at Florence. 33 Photograph by JULIE NABOURS

From the Editor

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Love Story

1

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

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PROFILES

54

ADVERTISERS INDEX

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TexTalk CALENDAR

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TexFIT Bride-to-be changes lifestyle

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TexPets ‘Paws of Honor’

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TexADVENTURES Honeymoons for any budget

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

From the Editor

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Life & Style in Central Texas

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

— Walt Disney

t’s not every day a person gets a second chance at a dream job, but that is exactly what happened to me when I became editor of Tex Appeal magazine.

I knew I wanted to be a writer from a very early age. But when, as a young adult, I first realized I wanted to take the career path of a journalist, I was hesitant. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to write the hard news stories; however, I knew I wanted to write good stories about everyday people making a difference in other people’s lives.

I paid my dues and wrote the hard news and discovered how much I enjoyed being on the front line of what was happening in a municipality. I learned about plats, sewers, acquiring right-of-way, and imminent domain. I developed professional relationships with the politicos and first responders in the community I served and was given first call on breaking news stories. I’ve chased down wildfires, followed police to drug busts, and sat down with officials for a Christmas dinner served in the conference room of a prison, with the meal made exclusively by prison trustees.

In between the hard news, I had the privilege to write in-depth personal profiles on people of all ages and backgrounds whose contributions made a difference, not only in their community but, in some cases, globally.

Now my dream has led me to Tex Appeal, and I am committed to continuing the tradition of bringing good stories about the people, places and events that are essential to Central Texas readers.

Speaking of dreams, this month we feature brides and their dreams of the perfect wedding day. Follow our cover model and bride-to-be Sheneka Jefferson (page 33) as she prepares for her big day with fiancé Frederick Miller.

Travel with us to honeymoon destinations designed for newlyweds with various budgets, from the economy honeymoon at Hill Country state parks to the villas of The Vineyard at Florence and the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin (page 51). Then learn the secrets of a long union from Evans and Rose Washington, who celebrate 58 years of marriage this month (page 38).

Remember to never give up on your dreams, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Catherine Hosman

Tex Appeal Editor

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

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 Magazine Director LUCIE FRALICKS Editorial Director KRISTI PARKER JOHNSON Editor CATHERINE HOSMAN Copy Editor LEE JAMES Staff Writers COURTNEY GRIFFIN JESSICA PEARCE Graphic Designer/Photographers JULIE NABOURS BRYAN CORREIRA CATRINA RAWSON Graphic Designers RENEE BLUE SANDRA ALFARO M. CLARE HAEFNER Webmaster JASON SCHAEFER Digital Services Coordinator KRISTEN CARMONA Contributors GAIL DILLON JODI PERRY VALERIE L. VALDEZ Advertising 254-774-5264

Tex Appeal Magazine is published monthly 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, 12 issues.

Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.

Questions about subscriptions, call 254-774-5264.

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

How to contact us: Advertising: 254-774-5264 Editorial: Contact Kristi Parker Johnson at 254-501-7548 or email editor@texappealmag.com.

Online: www.texappealmag.com

Contributors Valerie L. Valdez

has taught theater arts and film classes at Central Texas College in Killeen since 2009. An accomplished writer of stage plays and screenplays, she earned her M.A. in theater arts from Texas State University in 1991. Val served as a marketing director for architecture firms in Austin for a decade. From 1981 to 1991, she worked as a producer and director of training films for the U.S. Army at Fort Hood and was also a program director at NBC and PBS affiliates for eight years.

Gail Dillon

is a journalist and a former Air Force Public Affairs officer.

She also writes a weekly blog, “Married To It,� about life as a military wife and mother, for the Killeen Daily Herald. She and her family are currently stationed at Fort Hood.

Jodi Perry

lived in Saudi Arabia prior to her Texas residency and has traveled the world extensively. Her love of photography began when her children were younger and has grown into a professional skill that continues to open new doors for her. Her photos can be seen gracing the walls of homes in Central Texas and in KDH Media Group publications and websites. She lives in Harker Heights with her husband and two children.

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TexTalk

neighbors 13 spotlight 16 beauty 18 flavour 19 scene 20 well-fed head 23 calendar 24

Keeping it clean Author/publisher finds new way to tell old stories Story by Catherine Hosman • Photographs by Catrina Rawson TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 13

Your family deserves the comfort of natural gas.

Natural gas is comfortable energy. It heats your water faster and keeps your home warmer. And you’ll cook like a professional chef on a natural gas range.

It’s also the most efficient and safest traditional energy source. For your home, choose responsible energy from Atmos Energy, your natural gas company.

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

neighbors TexTalk

Guy Smith has 17 Christian Westerns under his literary belt

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ublisher and Western author Francis Louis Guy Smith of Belton loves Texas, Western and Native American history, God and helping others realize their literary dreams.

When he is writing one of his own novels — he has 17 Christian Westerns under his literary belt — he likes to keep it simple and clean. That means “no sex, cussing or graphic violence.”

“I want teens to be able to read something without worrying about bad language or sex,” he said.

And when he does publish another author’s work through his publishing house, Books by Guy, they must adhere to the same rules.

“I’ve read several of his books and he strictly likes to take the family approach,” said Fred Anglin, whose book “The Tender Years” was published by Smith. “No cuss words, no wild sex in the books. Even though that happened in the West, you don’t have to put it in the book to tell the story. He handles his work and the work of other authors fine, and he is easy to work with.”

“I enjoy writing and providing a source of literature that is not filled with porn or bad language,” Smith said. “I write so that young people can read, understand and enjoy a historical depiction of how it was when cowboys and Indians still roamed this great country.”

Smith begins each chapter of his novels with a Bible verse he says is his way of “planting a seed.”

“It’s my desire that some kid is going to read a Bible verse and get touched,” he said. “All you gotta do is plant a seed and God will fertilize it and the rest is up to you.”

Smith shares his life with his wife of eight years, Maria Estela, whom he met online.

“I wasn’t looking for anybody,” Smith said.

“I was just going on there looking.”

“He sent me an email when he saw my picture,” said Estela, who hails from Sand Springs in West Texas. “He didn’t have a photo, but he sent me his phone number. We talked for three hours.”

Estela said she and Smith lived within a mile of each other at three different times in their lives, but never met. When they finally did meet, they discovered they had a lot in common, including cooking and their mutual love of the written word. Together they have five children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. When he isn’t busy writing or publishing someone else’s work, Smith can sometimes be found in the kitchen helping his wife create the decorative cakes she

Francis Louis Guy Smith in his Belton home.

enjoys making for friends, family and church.

“This one is for twins graduating from A&M,” she said as she began to layer the pieces of cake, noting that the frosting would be “Aggie colors — maroon and white.”

Born in Gulfport, Miss., Smith moved to Texas in 1979 while working for the oil industry in corporate engineering.

“We put additions on new plants,” Smith said. “I worked close to 20 years in the industry and loved every minute of it.”

The Smiths lived in Rockport when quadruple bypass surgery sidelined him from his career.

While convalescing, he pulled out his first book written nearly 20 years earlier, “Oath of Color,” a murder-mystery, to finish it. But he already had discovered his love for writing westerns and put the book away once more.

“I’d rather write westerns,” he said. “They are more fun.”

Eventually they sold their home and began to travel around the state setting up at book fairs.

One day they rode into the Belton and Salado area, and he said, “we fell in love with it.”

Smith is passionate about everything Texas and everything cowboy and calls himself a ‘bornagain Texan and born-again Christian.’

“I think they both mean the same,” he said.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 15

TexTalk spotlight

Beauty in the Bag

beauty TexTalk

By Catherine Hosman

How do you keep a bride

beautiful on the go?

Each month Tex Appeal peeks inside the bag of one busy woman to reveal her best beauty secrets and must-have essentials.

Beverly Moon

International Event & Wedding Planner, Temple

ESSENTIALS she CARRIES A SEWING KIT: Moon said she never knows when someone will step on a dress and rip the seam or hem. When it comes to the groom and his groomsmen, a button might come off a tuxedo and need to be sewn back on. She also keeps a handful of safety pins handy as a quick way to mend a hem.

FOR THE BRIDE AND BRIDESMAIDS Superglue for broken fingernails, deodorant, mouthwash, hair spray, Q Tips

and Wet Ones for stain removal FOR THE GROOM AND GROOMSMEN Razors and shaving gel for those guys who maybe forgot to shave, AXE Body Spray for men, deodorant One Last Thing: For those hyperventilating parents of the bride, or the bride herself, Moon carries a spray bottle of cool water to spritz on the back of the neck.

Photographs by Julie Nabours

Most valuable TOOL in her BAG

Beverly Moon, an international event and wedding planner in Temple, carries in her bag a potpourri of items to handle any beauty-related emergencies that may arise on a bride’s most important day.

A wedding planner for three years, Moon said she “loves making people happy.”

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flavours TexTalk Corey Hamilton is executive chef of Megg’s Café in Temple

Father’s Day brunch

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njoy Father’s Day at Megg’s Café and Hamilton Bread Company, family-owned and operated by the McCaffrey family.

Local ingredients, including their meat and produce, are used whenever possible.

“We try to use everything we can locally,” said Meghan McCaffrey-Collins, business manager. “We want it to be picked and brought into the restaurant and used as quickly as possible.”

Father’s Day is one of the café’s busiest days of the year. McCaffrey-Collins said they will run a few specialty breakfast and brunch items not normally on the menu. For those who want to treat their dads to a home-cooked treat, Corey Hamilton, executive chef of Megg’s Café in Temple, shared this recipe.

Wagyu Meatballs

Yields approximately 20 golf-ball-size meatballs 1 lb. ground beef 2 large cloves garlic (minced) 1 tbsp. fresh parsley (minced) 1/3 cup grated parmesan 3 tbsp. milk 1 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. fresh thyme ¼ small onion (minced) 1 egg 1 slice stale bread 2½ tsp. salt

Directions Sweat the onions, then add garlic and cook until fragrant.

Remove from heat and add the herbs (parsley and thyme). Set the mixture aside to cool completely.

In a small bowl, soak the stale bread in milk and set aside.

Combine eggs, parmesan, salt and lemon zest in a bowl. Add the crumbled soaked bread and chilled onion mixture. Pour all the ingredients over the ground beef and fold gently until combined.

Lightly sear meatballs in olive oil.

Finish in the oven at 350 degrees until cooked through. The internal temperature should be 160 degrees farenheit.

If you go

Megg’s Café and Hamilton Bread Company 1749 Everton Drive, Temple, TX 78604 TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 19

TexTalk scene

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1. Dr. Brad Buckley, a local veterinarian, and his wife, Susan, look at silent auction items during Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children gala April 26.

2 & 3. The Derby-themed fundraiser encouraged guests to wear their biggest and best hats.

4. Randall Hester, president and CEO of Variety, the Children’s Charity of Texas, and his wife, Betsy, at the Peaceable Kingdom fundraiser.

5. Donna Connell, Jessica Flynn and Deborah Heart attend the gala.

6. Tiffany Schreiner and her daughter, Harper, show off their best Derby-inspired hats.

7. Madeleine Aubry, left, and Suzanne Breitback enjoy mint julips and wine during the gala.

Photographs by Bryan Correira 20

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scene TexTalk

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Derby-themed fundraiser benefits Peaceable Kingdom 6

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LENNOX SPRING REBATES ARE HERE! $1,700 $2,200

Rebates on qualifying Lennox Systems purchased between March 24, 2014 and June 13, 2014.

TACLA024360C

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

well-fed head TexTalk

‘Fall In Love For Life,

Inspiration from a 73-Year Marriage’

By Gail Dillon

and I were happily married for 73 years, that it was easy for us — as if we were magically suited to be contented together like a couple of cows in their pasture. I am sorry to burst that bubble, but no, it wasn’t easy.”

Tragically, the couple even endured a parents’ worst nightmare: losing a child.

Reading this book made me feel nostalgia for a time that I haven’t experienced.

Cooper met her Harry back in 1937 and her descriptions of their simple and charming dates, her family life, and the occasional mention of the cost of things gave me a real sense of life back then.

Cooper reveals her common sense, her humor and her kindness on every page. She makes love-for-a-lifetime seem reasonable, and in this day of instant gratification and short attention spans, we can use all the help we can get. Even if you’ve been married for a while, do yourself a favor and give this one a read.

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all In Love For Life, Inspiration from a 73-Year Marriage,” is the kind of book everyone should be issued before they say “I do.” Written by Barbara “Cutie” Cooper (and she really is adorable), the book has a casual, conversational tone that is reminiscent of a chat with your best friend or a favorite grandma.

Cooper writes of what she knows. She was married to her sweetheart, Harry Cooper, for 73 years before his death in 2010.

Their early love story is chronicled here, as well as their married life and later years. Chapters are included on everything a couple could possibly encounter in their relationship, such as “Surviving Hard Times,” “From Lovers to Parents” and my personal favorite, “If You’re Bored, You’re Boring.”

Cooper divides the book into chronological sections and sums up her advice at the end of each sub-section with three or four main points aptly named “Cutie’s Counsel.”

Although the Coopers enjoyed a particularly close bond that stayed strong throughout the years, the author is careful not to sugar-coat their life together, describing some of their challenges, irritations with one another

‘

and other marital ups and downs.

She writes: “Do you want to hear something funny? Some people think, just because Harry

Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Chronicle Books (December 2012) ISBN 9781452109169 ISBN10 1452109168 Product dimension: 6 x 8 inches

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TexTalk calendar Temple Grill Masters

June 1-2: Learn how to pick the best meats, how to season and marinade, and of course grill!

Session one will be instructional and session two will be grilling with the instructor.

6- 8 p.m. at Pit Stop BBQ, 502 S. First St., Temple, 254-458-5059.

Kids will dive into massive collections of Lego and build elaborate objects, structures, vehicles and more while learning the fundamental principles of engineering and physics and how to collaborate and create without fear of mistakes.

Sign up for classes at www.play-well.org.

June 7: Pre & Engineering FUNdamentals; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ages 5-8; 1:30-4:30 p.m. ages 9-12; $35 per child.

June 30-July 2: 3-day Ninjago with Lego workshop; 9 a.m.-noon, ages 5-8, $75; 1-4 p.m., ages 9-12; $75 per child.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

Working on the Railroad Day

June 7: Learn what goes on behind the scenes at a railroad. From the tools and machinery to the folks who actually work on the railroad, you’ll get the chance to see some of the things that go into keeping the railroad on track and on time.

11 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, 315 W. Avenue B, Temple, 254-298-5172.

Summer Arts Camp ‘A Bug’s Adventure’

Children will enjoy painting, clay, three-dimensional art, theater, set and costume design, music, movement and more.

June 9-13: 8:45 a.m.-noon Jr. Camp ages 56 $115; June 16-20: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Camp I ages 7-12 $125; June 23-27: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Camp II ages 7-12 $125; June 16-27: 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (both weeks) ages 7-12 $240.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

Camp ART EXTREME with Lana Shadburn

June 9-27: 12:30-5 p.m. Weekly camps ages 4-8; $75 includes T-shirt.

June 9-27: 2:30-5 p.m. After Summer Art Camp Discount $35/week; Any Camper $45/ week.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

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Photograph by Todd Wolfson

Lego Dream it. Build it.

Wreck it. Repeat.

Alejandro Escovedo plays June 7 in Temple.

Alejandro Escovedo in Concert — punk, rock

June 7: Pre-show Dinner 6-7 p.m. Tropical salad with grilled pineapple, jerk chicken croquettes, Hawaiian pork and mango quesadillas, curry rice and rum cake catered by The Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn. $11 inclusive. Concert 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets $22; at the door $27; The Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple, 254-773-9926.

Powderpuff Mechanics

June 14: Mechanics training for women covers the basic aspect of motor mechanics in a fun “girls only” environment. Join this fun, not intimidating, educational class and learn the basics of auto mechanics.

9-11 a.m. at the Blackmon Community Center, next to the Wilson Recreation Center, 2205 Curtis B. Elliott Drive, Temple, 254-2985733.

Women in the Outdoors

June 14: Choose up to for classes from the 27 outdoors-oriented classes offered. Classes from archery to welding are available. Registration includes equipment needed for instruction, materials, light breakfast, catered lunch, water and snacks. Sponsored by Women in the Outdoors — Tri-County Longbeard’s Chapter, Temple. $65 up to four classes.

7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Hilliard Ranch near Davilla, Texas. For more information, call Monica Sobotka at 254-760-2784 or Nikki Roberts at 254-217-3559.

Family Tree and Me with artist Ann Montgomery

June 17: Everyone needs to trace their family tree, why not paint one? You and your family will enjoy creating a unique painting for your home. $55 for parent and child, $5 each additional child 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-7739926.

Faux Stained Glass Heart with artist Ann Montgomery

June 19: Paint from the heart on canvas together with your loved one and create a memory to last a lifetime. $55 for parent and child, $5 each additional child 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-7739926.

Pre-K Art with Betsi Chamlee

Students explore paints, pencils, pastels and occasionally play singing games.

June 30-July 3: 9-10:30 a.m.; ages 3*-6 (*need to be toilet trained); $100.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

Clay Classes with Larry Matthews

June 30-Aug. 4, Mondays: 9-10:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-noon, ages 6-10; $82 includes clay and glaze.

June 30-Aug. 4, 1:30-3 p.m., Mondays; ages 10-13; $82 includes clay and glaze.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

Fused Glass with Jill Mooney

Ongoing 9:30-11:30 a.m., Wednesdays; ages 5 and up. All supplies included. Choose your cost: $5, 3’x3’; $8, 4’x4’; $15, 6’x6’ and $35, 12’x12’.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple. 254-773-9926.

Seed Paper Making

June 9: Bring the whole family to this months Gardeners Education Series class. We will be making seed paper, a hand made paper that has real seeds embedded in the pulp itself and is actually plantable.

6-7 p.m. Harker Heights Activities Center, 400 Indian Trail Admission is free.

For more information, visit www.ci.harkerheights.tx.us/parks, call Sarah Mylcraine, 254-953-5466 or email Sarah at smylcraine@ ci.harker-heights.tx.us.

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calendar TexTalk

Stonetree Golf Course in Killeen hosts the Harker Heights chamber golf tournament June 28.

Vive Les Arts and Missoula Children’s Theatre Company

June 9: Open auditions for “Alice in Wonderland.”

10 a.m.- noon, followed by rehearsal Performance June 14 at 3 p.m.

No fee for audition. Children must be present the full two-hour audition. If selected, there is a $50 registration fee.

Vive Les Arts, 3401 South W.S. Young Drive, Killeen, 254-526-9090.

Mr. Puppet Bob Abdou, professional puppeteer and ventriloquist

June 12: Sponsored by the Friends of the Killeen City Library 10-11 a.m. Must arrive promptly. Free admission.

Killeen Arts and Activities Center, 802 N. Second St., Killeen, 254-501-8990.

Furry Friends Festival

June 14: Come hang out and have a “pawsitively purrfect” day of fuzzy fun! This family friendly event includes a pet parade, duck race, military dog demonstration, pet costume contest, dog agility and family fun!

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Salado’s Pace Park For more information contact the Salado Chamber of Commerce, 254-947-5040, email at chamber@ salado.com, or visit www.salado.com.

Learn about reptiles June 26 at the Killeen Arts & Activities Center.

Belton Market Days

June 21: Shop among a variety of vendors offering everything from antiques and handmade jewelry to unique clothing and Texas barbecue every third Saturday in downtown Belton.

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Belton, For more information, call the Downtown Belton Merchant’s Association at 254-939-2661 or 254-9130340 or visit downtownbelton.com.

Austin Reptile Service June 26: Children of all ages will learn about snakes, lizards and other reptiles that call Texas home.

10 a.m., pre-school and up.

Free admission. Sponsored by the Friends

of the Killeen City Library Killeen Arts and Activities Center, 802 N. Second St., 254-501-8990.

Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce 20th Annual Golf Tournament

June 28: 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start Registration deadline June 25. $85 fee includes green fee, free, driving range, 1/2 cart, lunch and drinks, T-shirt, chances to win prizes, Keagle Eagle and two Mulligans.

Stonetree Golf Course, 1600 Stonetree Dr, Killeen. For more information, call the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce at 254-6994999.

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Finding the perfect fit

Sewing is in Barbara McClafferty’s blood.

Photograph by JULIE NABOURS

A lot to look back on.

Plenty to look forward to.

Schedule a visit soon.

We look forward to meeting you!

254.598.4478

A Senior Living Community 3002 Jack Rabbit Rd. | Temple | elmcroft.com Facility # 000365 30

JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

Seamstresses breathe life into fabric

By Valerie L. Valdez

T

he art of sewing is a very empowering thing. Creating clothes for others to wear is a true expression of their identity. In many ways, sewing is the ultimate sign of femininity — seductive and passionate, yet comforting.

An ancient craft, sewing is also a skill that one can learn, but a true seamstress is an artist who breathes life into fabric.

Family is where Barbara McClafferty’s creativity began.

“Sewing is in my blood because my mother was a seamstress,” said McClafferty, owner of Barbara’s Needle in Killeen. “I just love it. Anything with needle and thread, I can do.”

As the owner of Coccinella Bridal in Salado, Susan Salerno’s wedding dress designs are like architecture with fabric. She has been a professional seamstress since 1976, and owned the shop since 2005. Salerno sees the beauty in mixing different elements into one gown.

“I’ll look at a dress and often combine parts, the top from one dress with the bottom of another to make a unique bridal gown,” Salerno said.

Each seamstress views a wedding dress as art and a personal witness to a bride’s history and works to find the common thread that connects a dress to the woman inside. When a bride walks down the aisle, she is wearing a living canvas of that once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Both women were born abroad, McClafferty in Germany and Salerno in England, and trained at professional sewing schools in those countries.

They credit their early training with teaching them not to accept inferior work. “Once I had a teacher tear up a piece that I had worked on because it wasn’t good enough,” Salerno said. “If it’s not acceptable, don’t do it.”

McClafferty and Salerno know the most important part of their work is customer service, and pride themselves on tuning into that person’s wants and needs because every client is different.

Often a client has a photo or an idea for a dress, and both women listen and then help a client understand all the options available for the budget and time. “When they come to my shop, they are nervous because they are trusting me not to ruin their dress,” McClafferty said.

Working from her home-based shop for the last 14 years, McClafferty begins the alteration process in the same way.

“I have to have the foundation if I’m going to do a good fit,” she said.

She works from the top down using safety pins instead of straight pins and constantly asks the wearer if it is loose or tight.

“I’m the worker bee, but it’s your dress. I’m here to help you make the decision about your

Susan Salerno’s wedding dress designs are like architecture with fabric.

Photograph by JODI PERRY

dress,” McClafferty said.

Salerno loves to blend something old into something new in her wedding dresses. Depending on the condition of an original gown, she’ll take a piece, such as a sleeve or an applique, from a mother’s dress and make it a part of an accessory in a ring bearer’s pillow or the veil.

“An on-line company may see a photo of a dress and duplicate it. I don’t do that. I take the time to craft a dress for the bride, and sew on every bead by hand,” Salerno said.

The seamstresses caution buyers to beware of purchasing online wedding dresses because the quality is never as good as ones that you can see and touch for yourself.

When she isn’t sewing, McClafferty loves to garden and ride one of her six horses. She is also

teaching her two granddaughters the basics of sewing. Salerno is handing over the business side of the shop this June, so she can focus on the artistic side of formal wear — her first love.

McClafferty and Salerno have created the fabric of their lives by making beautiful clothing for their customers to use and cherish for years.

“I get a hug from everybody who walks out the door,” McClafferty said. “I’m blessed that I have this talent.” For Salerno, following the golden rule is the only way to do business.

“I treat people the way I want to be treated.”

If you go

Barbara’s Needle, Killeen, 254-526-5244 Coccinella Bridal, 230 N. Main St., Salado, 254-947-8442 TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 31

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

Celebration of love

Beverly Moon, a wedding planner, helps Sheneka Jefferson with a necklace as makeup artist Lesa Jaramillo puts finishing touches on her makeup.

Story by Catherine Hosman Photographs by JULIE NABOURS & JODI PERRY TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 33

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

Makeup artist Lesa Jaramillo applies eyeshadow on brideto-be Sheneka Jefferson.

Getting ready to tie the knot I t was love at first sight.

Sheneka Jefferson and her fiancé, Frederick Miller, met just two years ago while working at the same recruiting firm.

Miller said it was her smile that captivated him.

“When we met, she had this radiant smile and personality,” said Miller, a senior accountant for a firm in Dallas. “And we have a lot in common, including we both like sports.”

On their first date they went to one of their favorite restaurants near Dallas, no sports bar involved. However, one year after they met, Miller decided to pop the question and he did it in the most appropriate fashion.

“We were at a Rangers game in Arlington,” said Jefferson, who works as an accountant and notary public. “Fred got up out of his seat and got on one knee and pulled the ring out of his pocket.

While rows of onlookers applauded and cheered the couple, Jefferson said she was surprised.

“I just smiled and said yes,” she said.

With the wedding just a few weeks away, Jefferson is getting a good idea of what it takes to get ready for her big day. Standing in the dressing room at the Vineyards at Florence, she waits to try on one of two wedding gowns. Both are strapless gowns with flowing trains — one is classic and the other country elegant, resplendent with ostrich feathers, a corset-type laced-up back paired with lizard-inlaid cowboy boots.

An entourage of professionals surrounds her, including makeup artist Lesa Jarmamillo, who lays out her pallet of colors that will transform Jefferson into a bride, and master hair stylist Sara Lara, who decides which hair style will work best with the feathered head pieces. Waiting in another room, her fiancé goes over some of the wedding details with their wedding planner, Beverly Moon.

Although the couple was determined to plan their own nuptials, Miller said when they started stressing over details, they agreed to bring in a wedding planner. An Internet search led them to a list of wedding professionals and after several interviews they chose Moon, an international event and meeting planner and owner of Unforgettable Events in Temple.

“It is so easy working with this couple,” Moon said. “They know what they want and they express it, and that gives me the opportunity to send them samples or pictures to look through and say, ‘this is what I want.’”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 35

Stylist Sara Lara curls the bride-to-be’s hair.

Sheneka Jefferson and her fiancĂŠ, Frederick Miller, met two years ago while working at the same recruiting firm.

Miller said it was her smile that captivated him.

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

Photographer Jodi Perry captures the preparations.

Moon said most couples come to her knowing only that they want to get married but have no idea of the theme, colors or venue they desire.

“That’s when I sit down with them to figure out how they would like their wedding to flow,” Moon said. “Step one is to find out the theme, and step two what colors you would like to have.

And then we work on the venue, and I start making the appointments and go with them to each venue until we find one we like. Then we take the next step.”

Miller said many details are involved in planning a wedding — little things he and Jefferson never thought about.

“Beverly helped us find a facility, she does all the coordinating with the vendors and gives us time to just get ready and not have to worry about the details, like venues,” he said. “She’s gone above and beyond to make sure our own experience is unique.”

“Step one is to find out the theme, and step two what colors you would like to have. And then we work on the venue, and I start making the appointments and go with them to each venue until we find one we like. Then we take the next step.”

— Beverly Moon, Wedding planner

Jefferson said she looks forward to the ceremony and wedding, and Miller looks forward to the reception. They wanted to do something different and chose to have both their ceremony and reception in one venue for the convenience of their 125 guests, four bridesmaids and four groomsmen.

The couple chose several special non-traditional songs for the ceremony, including “River Flows In You” by Yiruma and “A Thousand

Years” by The Piano Guys for the opening. Jefferson will march down the aisle on her father’s arm to the sounds of “Love was Made for Us” by Cleo, and the couple will perform the unity sand ceremony to Matthew Baute’s “One.” “It seems like we’ve been together forever,” Jefferson said. “He’s sweet and kindhearted and whatever I want, he gives it to me.”

“That’s when I knew I loved her, because I couldn’t say no to her,” Miller said.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 37

Long-lasting love

Evans and Rose Washington share secrets of a long marriage.

Story by Catherine Hosman • Photographs by JODI PERRY

W

ith one out of two marriages ending in divorce these days, it’s rare to find a couple whose love has withstood the tests of time.

What do they know that others don’t? Do they have a secret to marital success?

“Don’t base your marriage or relationship on one argument or disagreement,” said Evans Washington, who this month will celebrate 58 years of marriage to his wife Rose.

“Put trust in one another and don’t talk to other people about hard times,” Rose added.

“Try to work it out with one another.”

Rose was just 15 years old when she met Evans for the first time. She was sitting on the front porch of his family’s house in Mobile, Ala., playing fiddlesticks with his sister — her best friend Verline — when Evans came home on leave from the Army. With just a passing hello, and noticing a “cute little girl,” Evans continued into the house without so much as a second glance toward Rose. Without missing a beat, Rose and Verline continued their game.

“I grew up in a traditional Christian family and I wasn’t even thinking about boys at that time,” said Rose, one of eight siblings.

Evans, who grew up in a family of nine siblings, already had a girlfriend and “wasn’t at the point to be looking for a girlfriend at that time,” he said.

Not much happened between the two teenagers after that first meeting. However, one warm Alabama night fate intervened. While Evans was home on leave there was a local football game.

Rose, Evans and Verline all piled into the same car, like teenagers do, and rode together to the game. That night Evans and Rose went from being acquaintances to becoming friends.

“He was splitting up with his girlfriend and I was counseling him on how to get back with her,” Rose recalled.

From that night forward, Rose and Evans became friends and pen pals. When he came home for his next leave, they began talking to each other, “like we were interested,” Evans recalled. There was a noticeable air of chemistry between them and Evans asked her to the movies for their first date — a date that turned out to be the first test of their relationship.

“When it came time to pay for the date I realized I had forgotten my wallet,” Evans said, smiling at the memory but still with a touch of remorse in his voice.

“At first I thought he was joking,” a smiling Rose remembered. “Then I saw he was serious.”

“She had to pay for our first date,” he said.

When asked how he made up for that mistake, he said, “You apologize, you try to make it up, make sure from that day forward it doesn’t happen again.”

What did happen was a more serious correspondence between the two and intermittent visits when he came home on leave. The deeper correspondence drew the couple closer together and one year after their first date, while Rose was

in high school, Evans asked for her hand in marriage.

On June 10, 1956, Rose Walker, a senior in high school, and Evans Washington, a soldier in the U.S. Army, exchanged vows.

Making it work

Rose, 75, and Evans, 80, sat close to each other on the sofa in the their Harker Heights home they have shared for the past 35 years. Mementos of a life well lived line the shelves of curio cabinets — photos of their extended families, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and collectibles acquired from their journeys as an Army family.

“We’ve been in the military all our married life,” Evans said. “We were separated one year when I was in Vietnam, the rest of the time we were together. We were never apart after that for more than 30-40 days.”

During Evans’ Army career, they lived in Fort Benning, Ga., El Paso, Jefferson, Tenn., Killeen and Germany.

“We lived in three different places in Germany and loved every one of them,” Rose said.

The children started to arrive three years after they married. Eventually the family grew from a couple to a family of five with the birth of their three daughters Tchelinda, Cassandra and Zawanda.

But everything was not perfect in their long marriage. The biggest challenge, Rose said, was moving the children from school to school.

“The logistics...” she recalls. “Different schools meant the whole parameter changed.”

They also admitted there were times when they felt disconnected, although those moments were exceptions. Evans advised other couples who feel disconnected from each other to “com-

e e cak cut th . n 6 o 5 t hing 10, 19 e Was day, June s o R s and dding Evan eir we on th

municate what you are feeling.”

“If you can’t figure it out, have someone else to talk to,” Evans said. “Go to your parents, if you have a good relationship, a minister or a good friend you can talk to who won’t take your business and spread it everywhere.”

Rose offered her own words of wisdom to future brides and grooms.

“Go in knowing this is your life partner,” she said.

The Washingtons share a laugh at their home in Harker Heights.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 39

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Your big day starts with big decisions - and lots of them!

On the following pages are local wedding professionals to help you every step of the way to make your dream wedding come true!

Cathedral Oaks Event Center

1312 Waco Road, Belton | 254-939-6257 | cathedral-oaks.com Opened in 2010, Cathedral Oaks Event Center is located in the heart of Central Texas and is the premier destination for weddings, receptions, banquets, corporate events and more.

The event center offers 6,800 square feet of flexible space that can be adapted for your particular event.

State of the art audio/visual capabilities are available to enhance any occasion. The ranch-style architecture, native stone exterior and vaulted ceiling are the perfect blend of Texas elegance. The Magnolia House, built in the 1850’s, offers a smaller, more intimate venue. The scenic grounds offer water features, majestic oak trees and a covered stone patio.

With more than 25,000 visitors coming to parties at Cathedral Oaks each year, it’s no wonder that word of mouth and repeat clients have helped contribute to the venue’s success.

For more information, contact Event Manager Ashley Drews. Cathedral Oaks is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or by appointment.

Ashley Drews, Manager TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 41

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Paperdoodles

1401 South 31st Street, Suite C, Temple | 254-773-8331 | paperdoodles.com All celebrations start with an invitation, and Paperdoodles can provide you with superior, personalized paper products and gifts for any occasion.

Owner Susie Winkler believes that each customer is as different and individual as the invitations and gifts she sells. Every item in Paperdoodles has been hand selected to give the store a unique southern flair. The moment they step in the door every customer is greeted with one-on-one attention from Susie.

Whatever the event may be, a paper product can be matched and personalized to meet your needs. In addition to paper goods, Paperdoodles has a wide assortment of gifts, clothing and accessories for a variety of occasions.

Paperdoodles is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Check out the store on Instagram at @Paperdoodles_Temple, Facebook at Paperdoodles Temple, or their website (www.paperdoodles.com) for invitations, gift ideas and special promotions.

Susie Winkler, Owner

Gretchen Williams, Harpist (254) 699-9050 www.centexharpist.com

When a bride and groom plan their wedding, they often strive to express the uniqueness of their love through music to create an unforgettable experience for themselves and their guests. This is where Gretchen Williams of Harker Heights enters in.

Williams has been playing the harp for over 50 years. She plays for every venue imaginable, including weddings, showers, grand openings, and memorial services. She has harped for the March of Dimes, played with both choirs and symphony orchestras, and currently teaches harp to several students in the Central Texas area who have gone on to become harpists in their own right.

Many of Williams’ clients have expressed their appreciation for her distinctive sound through testimonials, saying: “Your music added so much to the marriage ceremony…It added a certain elegance and calmed my nerves.”

Gretchen Williams

Exotic Destinations & Honeymoon Co., Inc Salado, Texas | 254-247-1300 | patriciacrowell.com

The mission of Exotic Destinations & Honeymoon Co. is simple: Give new and seasoned travelers a fresh perspective of what a travel professional can do for them. As a former flight attendant for Pan American World Airways, Patricia Crowell spent 15 years traveling the world. “I have the knowledge to give to people wanting to experience travel.”

Patricia takes a personal interest in each client, working to create a unique travel adventure. She is an experienced travel professional who identifies what customers desire and provides an array of options.

She is available to help throughout process, making suggestions, answering questions and attending to details. Clients appreciate Patricia’s service and come back to Exotic Destinations for their future travel, often referring her to their friends and family. They receive all of the travel and destination information they need as well as notes from Patricia’s personal travels to help make their trip stress and worry free so they return with wonderful memories to share.

Exotic Destinations & Honeymoon Co. is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Customers may also call for an outside appointment. .

Patricia Crowell, Owner 42

JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Texas Tour Gear

1008 Arbor Park, Suite A, Belton | 254-939-9300 | texastourgear.com Knowing there was a need in the local area, Jon Cooper and Seth Vance set out to open a music store that catered to musicians, churches and the general public. Texas Tour Gear stocks guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, and all the accessories needed to fulfill any musician’s dream.

“Because we are a locally owned store, Texas Tour Gear can provide professional services on a personal level,” Seth explained. “We offer private lessons for guitar, bass, drums, piano, voice and audio mixing.

We also have an extensive line of professional sound and lighting products.”

Texas Tour Gear also provides rental instruments and equipment for events, including weddings, seminars, and parties. Customers are assisted by a knowledgeable staff that will provide the best equipment for their money. Texas Tour Gear strives to be the finest local business for both sales and rental of musical equipment.

Texas Tour Gear is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Jon Cooper and Seth Vance, owners

ConSue Photography & Design (254) 228-7366

Now is the time of year when so much is happening—weddings, graduations, and celebrations. While firsthand memories of special moments and people will always remain in our minds, owner and photographer Connie Wheeler of ConSue Photography & Design helps capture the little details we often miss.

Wheeler offers full-service photography by appointment both on location and in a studio setting. She services the entire Central Texas area from Dallas to San Antonio to Houston. Her services include wedding and event photography; student, family, and pet photography, and an entire catalogue of custom-photographed graphic design products including banners, car magnets, and more.

Wheeler combines the quality and efficiency of her photography and services to create the best possible experience for her clients.

“To Create Your Image Your Way,” visit www.ConSuePhotoDesign.com or www.facebook.com/ ConSueProducts for current pricing and specials, or call (254) 228-7366 for appointments.

Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum 315 West Avenue B, Temple | 254-298-5172 | rrhm.org

The Railroad and Heritage Museum operates in Temple’s Santa Fe Depot with exhibits and educational programs. The museum staff is also responsible for coordinating depot event rentals. The museum opened at its current location in 2000.

The Grand Lobby of the depot, which can hold up to 250 people, offers a historic setting unlike any other in the region. Guests enjoy the classic elegance offered by the century-old building. Events in the Grand Lobby have a timeless feel that only a historical building can offer. This popular venue is available for weddings, receptions, meeting, banquets, reunions and a variety of other special events. Event planners enjoy the freedom to work with the caterer of their choice. The venue can also include an outdoor space with the rental of the garden gazebo.

The museum’s mission is to inspire visitors to discover our rich railroad heritage and the technological history that shaped our community in the past and today. As one of Temple’s primary cultural attractions, the museum can be a great place to explore the past and celebrate the future.

The Grand Lobby

Rental inquiries can be made by calling 254-298-5172. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 43

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

TexFit

Wedding workout Bride-to-be inspired to change lifestyle

By Gail Dillon

G

Miriam Rosales works out at Heritage Park Fitness in Harker Heights.

Photographs

by Jodi Perry

etting married is one of life’s biggest events and every woman wants to look and feel her best on her special day.

To achieve this, many brides-to-be exercise frantically for six or eight weeks and perhaps embark on a strict diet. Sure, they may lose weight and fit into their wedding dress. But a year later, the pounds often creep back on.

Bride-to-be Miriam Rosales, who is getting married July 6 in San Antonio, said she has a different plan in mind.

“After college I gained a significant amount of weight. I guess the ‘freshman 15’ caught up with me,” she said with a laugh. “I just started thinking, it’s a new life. I’m going to start a new journey, so I need to be a better me so there can be a better us.”

The 24-year-old kindergarten teacher is marrying Lewis Forero, an Army officer stationed at Fort Hood. The two met while they were students at Texas A&M and became engaged about a year ago. Rosales said through plenty of motivation and hard work, she dropped that “freshman 15” and shrank to a size four. However, she is not obsessed with the numbers.

“I just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she said.

Rosales shopped around for gyms before she selected Heritage Park Fitness in Harker Heights.

“Heritage Park caught my attention because it’s a smaller gym,” she said. “It’s closer to my work, closer to my home, so I couldn’t use the excuse, ‘oh my gym is so far!’”

She joined a class called Training for Warriors last September and hasn’t looked back since. Jessica Davis, a Training for Warriors certified coach, teaches the class, which alternates strength training with intense cardio. Rosales attends the class six days a week and either takes a walk or a leisurely jog with her fiancé on Sundays.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 45

7410 W. Adams Ave No 170, Temple

254.773.5200 | Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:30pm | Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

716 Indian Trail Ste 220 Harker Heights 254.393.0182

7348 W. Adams Avenue Ste 400, Temple 254.228.5548

paintingwithatwist.com/harker-heights

paintingwithatwist.com/temple

TexFit

Miriam Rosales, a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher, is marrying Lewis Forero, an Army officer stationed at Fort Hood. She’s been working out at Heritage Park Fitness to get in shape for the wedding, but hopes to make her lifestyle change permanent as she begins married life.

Although Rosales wants her healthy lifestyle to extend far beyond the wedding, she admits that when she first started assessing herself, it was all about looking good in her dress.

“That’s how it started at first,” she said.

Later, she realized that goal was not large enough.

“It’s been more than just about losing weight,” she said.

“Get in wedding shape? How about get in shape for your new life?”

Davis said she is not surprised Rosales met and exceeded her fitness goals “because she came in with the Miriam right mindset.”

“People are a lot stronger than they think they are,” she said, adding that when she first met the bride-to-be at a fitness event, Rosales struggled to flip a tire. She’s come a long way since then, not only dropping pounds but gaining muscle.

“Everybody has to start somewhere. ... Finding a support group is big,” Davis said.

For her wedding, Rosales is wearing an ivory Vera Wang wedding gown that required some alterations since it was first purchased.

“The (alterations) lady had to tell me, ‘you need to stop losing weight,’” she said.

In addition to working out regularly, Rosales made changes in her diet.

“I eat five meals a day — three meals and two snacks, plus plenty of water,” she said.

Her breakfast is often an egg, ham and veggie muffin, with fruit and peanut butter as her morning and afternoon snack. She likes tuna sandwiches for lunch (made with mustard instead of mayonnaise) and often has grilled chicken with quinoa and vegetables for dinner.

Her advice to future brides is to take your time and make a plan.

“I think the first step Rosales would be to ignore what everyone says and focus on what you want and what you need,” Rosales said. She also recommends not going on a “crazy diet.”

“I would say eat your three meals, eat your two snacks and make sure those meals are healthy and good for you,” she said.

But most importantly, taking “baby steps” is crucial.

“I did do a lot to get fit and stay fit, but it’s definitely been a process. It wasn’t right away,” she said.

Davis echoed this sentiment, “The key is to take it one step at a time.”

“I eat five meals a day — three meals and two snacks, plus plenty of water.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 47

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

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TexPets

Couple bonds over mutual love of dogs

By Valerie L. Valdez

O

n their first date, Tyler and Tyra Frithiof of Temple knew they had chemistry when they shared photos of their dogs. Yet the big question remained: Would the dogs get along as well as the people?

“We’re both devoted to our dogs, so we all had to be compatible,” Tyra Frithiof said.

Fortunately, everyone got along. So in October 2009, the couple married in a sun-baked beach ceremony on South Padre Island. Their dogs, Leo, a mastiff, and Skeeter, a collie, served as the “Paws of Honor” — Leo as best man and Skeeter as the ring bearer.

A friend of the Frithiofs helped manage the dogs throughout the day, but Leo and Skeeter behaved well and pranced on the beach with excitement. Even they knew it was a special day.

It may sound as if their wedding went to the dogs, but including pets in wedding ceremonies is a growing trend.

“Pets are the children before the children,” said Johnell Huebner, owner of Clearly Classy Events in Austin. “A wedding is about family, so when an animal-loving couple get married, they often want to incorporate their pets into the nuptials.”

In the past year, Huebner coordinated five wedding ceremonies that included dogs.

While other animals may be involved in weddings, dogs are the most common, with golden retrievers and Labradors leading the way, Huebner said. Sometimes dogs dressed in bow ties serve as the best men or as the ring bearers with the rings in pouches on their collars. Some serve as flower girls and carry small bouquets in their mouths.

Stefanie Yandell, owner of Your Wedding, Your Way in Austin, planned five weddings with dogs since 2013. “It’s a popular and fun thing, but people need to know all the logistics The Frithiof family. involved,” Yandell said.

Huebner offered her professional advice to

Tyler and Tyra Frithiof with their ‘Paws of Honor,’ Leo and Skeeter, on their wedding day in October 2009. couples eager to have a dog-gone good time at their wedding.

“Couples should check with the venue to see if it allows dogs during the ceremony, because due to liability factors, not every outdoor space permits it,” she said.

Outdoor venues are typically more flexible, because it’s rare for an indoor space, such as a church, to allow dogs during the ceremony.

Dogs should be managed before and after the ceremony by someone they know, a friend or family member, to make them feel comfortable and safe.

“Dogs may act differently around larger crowds than they do at home,” Yandell said.

“Owners shouldn’t assume their dog will automatically engage well with many other people in a different setting, so you must really know your dog’s temperament.”

If it is not possible to have the dog in the ceremony, then Yandell recommends honoring it by having wedding photos taken with the couple and the dog before the ceremony and then take it home. “You can have the memories with your dog on your wedding day, without having to deal with other issues.”

For Tyler and Tyra Frithiof, Leo and Skeeter had to be by their side at the wedding.

“We do almost everything with them, including vacations,” Tyra Frithiof said. “It was great day for our family, and when we renew our vows in the future, they’ll be there, too.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 49

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

“Diverse enough to satisfy everyone”

The Shoppes on Main in Salado

22 N. Main Street, Salado, TX 76571 254-947-0888 www.theshoppesonmaininsalado.com

TexAdventures

Photograph courtesy of Chase A. Fountain

Romantic getaways Couples can camp at Lost Maples on the Sabinal River.

By Courtney Griffin

J

ust as the idea of the perfect date varies from person to person, from a bowl of Cheetos and a Netflix marathon to dinner at a five-star restaurant, so do honeymoon dreams. While monthlong trips to far-off exotic lands might be perfect for some soon-to-be-wed couples, others facing budget and time constraints may prefer to take a simpler route and stay closer to home.

Here are a few honeymoon destinations in several different price ranges within driving distance of Central Texas.

For couples who prefer to be outdoors and active but don’t have a bundle of cash to spend,

beautiful state parks dotting the landscape throughout Central Texas offer both camping and cabins for rustic romantic getaways. Just a few hours away, Lost Maples and Garner state parks are worth the visit and the drive.

Lost Maples is a 2,100-acre park north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River. True to its name, the park is home to a large number of maple trees that produce beautiful fall colors. The area is also good for bird-watching, swimming and hiking.

Fees range from $3 to $5 per adult, depending on the season. For more information, go to www. tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/lost-maples.

Garner State Park, a 40-minute drive south of Lost Maples, has less foliage but more river.

Two miles of the Frio River wind through 1,774 park acres, and visitors can fish or swim in the clear, cold, and often shallow waters. In the summer, notable attractions include a Frio Bat Tour ($12 per adult) where couples can watch one of the largest Mexican Free-Tail bat colonies in the world take flight.

Camping per night is $10 to $20 per vehicle and overnight park fees are $5 per adult. Primitive cabins are $130 per night. For more information, go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/garner.

For those who don’t want to rough it, several bed and breakfast establishments and vacation cabins are located in the Lost Maples and Garner State parks area. Check out www.utopiatexas.info TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 51

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JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

TexAdventures

Enjoy a honeymoon at Garner State Park.

The Vineyard at Florence Photographs courtesy of Earl Nottingham and the Driskill Hotel

The Driskill Hotel

Photograph by Julie Nabours

or do a Google search for Concan and Leakey for lodging options.

Closer to home, The Vineyard at Florence, nestled in the rural countryside west of Jarrell and Interstate 35, ripples with romantic ambiance. A half-hour drive from Killeen and Temple, the 32-acre winery provides an intimate atmosphere where couples can choose to “make it a night� or not. Dinner and live music costs about $50 per couple with additional bottles of wine ranging from $25-$90 per bottle. Couples can choose to schedule an appointment at the spa for $100-$250 per person. Tuscanstyle villas range from $150 to $1,000 per night.

The winery also has close ties with the University of Texas at Austin Polo Club, so

depending on the time of year, couples can catch a polo match. Go to thevineyardatflorence.com.

Newlyweds not limited by their budgets and who prefer the lights and action of the big city can honeymoon at The Driskill Hotel on Sixth Street in downtown Austin.

Built in 1886, the pristine hotel is full of historic luxury and downtown views and features unique suites ranging in price from $500 to $1,000 per night. The Driskill is within walking distance of many live music venues, the bar district, five-star restaurants and other nationally renowned eateries such as the Odd Duck, where chefs whip locally sourced ingredients into creative, seasonal menus. Go to www.driskillhotel. com or oddduckaustin.com.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 53

ADVERTISERS INDEX 2014 Bridal Showcase......................... 46

House of Floors.................................. 26

Atmos Energy.......................................14

KDH Digital Media............................ 52

Bell County Museum.......................... 12

Killeen Arts & Activities Center.........14

Bell County Public Health................. 36

Lastovica Jewelers................................ 26

Bello Photography............................... 24

Lochridge-Priest, Inc........................... 28

Best Wishes Gifts................................ 20

Lone Star AG Credit.......................... 48

Bill French Jewelers............................. 50

Lucky Bebe.......................................... 46

Blind & Shutter Gallery..................... 20

MaxFlight............................................4-5

Bob Mills Furniture.............................. 2

Medical Aesthetics.......................... 16-17

Cameron Park Zoo.............................. 54

Mercedes Benz of Waco...................... 55

Cathedral Oaks Event Center......profile

Painting with a Twist.......................... 46

Centex Golf Pass................................... 9

Paperdoodles.................................profile

Centex Pool Service............................ 32

Peloton Ridge Country Club.............. 15

Centex Scrap & Metal.........................14

Perry Office Plus................................. 12

Century 21/Gail Roe & Associates.... 26

Re/Max Temple Belton...................... 34

ConSue Photography & Design...profile Country Chic Catering....................... 40 Dairy Queen....................................... 12 Dead Fish Grill................................... 28 Dossman Funeral Home..................... 40 Edward Jones/Tommy Howell Jr........ 40 El Centro Pet Medical Center............ 28 Ellis Air Systems.................................. 23 Elmcroft of Cottonwood.................... 30 English Maids..................................... 28

Rockin’ R Retreat Center................... 50 Scott’s Lawn Service........................... 46 Seoul Garden...................................... 32 Shoppes on Main................................ 50 Smile at the World Orthodontics.......11 Solar Centex....................................... 40 Talbert Construction.......................... 12 Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum.....................profile Texas Bariatric Solutions.................... 48 Texas BBQ & Grill............................... 7

Estacia’s............................................... 30

Texas Partners....................................... 3

Exotic Destinations & Honeymoon Co.......................profile

Texas State Optical............................. 25

ExtraCo Bank.......................Back Cover Falls Furniture......................................47 Gretchen Williams........................profile Groutworks......................................... 30 Hallmark Service Company................ 48 Harker Heights United Methodist Church.................. 30 Heritage Park Fitness............................ 6

Texas Tour Gear............................profile The Salon’s at Tuscan Square............. 36 Titan Total Training............................47 TopStone............................................. 50 Union State Bank............................... 32 Veranda Blooms.................................. 48 Westside Baptist Church.................... 32 Zooty’s................................................. 34

The Advertisers Index is published for reader convenience. Every effort is made to list information correctly. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

54

JUNE 2014 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM 55

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