ALT Dining Guide June 2012

Garden Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Resource Guide

Summer 201229 June 2012

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SUMMER 2012 /contents

k / COVER

Gardening

F E AT U R E S 34

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Farming and gardening -- two things that some of us grew up with. Check out this wonderful garden -- you may wish you had one of your own!

Home Grown Delight

38 Recipes 40

Herb Cheat Sheat

46

Create Some Shade This Summer

52

Father ’s Day Trivia

HELPFUL INFO 42 Uncorked 48

The True Light

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Resource Guide

Publisher and Editor / Debbie Brower Associate Editors / Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson Photography / Image Forward Photography, Debbie Brower, Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson, Rozana Page Sales & Marketing Manager / Charlie McMurphy Feature Writers / Jane Bouterse, Anne Fruge

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Father’s Day Trivia

w w w. a l t - m a g . c o m

info@alt-mag.com 200 Heather Dr., Texarkana, TX 75501 (903) 334-9605

©2012 ALT Magazine

by Anne Fruge

Home Grown

Delight

When I arrive at J & J Ranch, Jan Mullinax instantly hands me an overgrown bottle and tells me that I will be feeding the baby cow. I barely have time to take in the beautiful wood home and the idyllic white rockers on the front porch with a sign proudly stating, “Grandbabies spoiled here,” before we began our traipse to the vast green field beyond the house.

As we stand at the fence looking over the grassy meadow, the sun glints over the hundred year old trees, the pond, the vibrant green garden, and the row of individually painted blue bird houses on the fence line. The cacophony of the highway fades away and the only sounds are the bleating of baby goats, the barking of Gigi, a fluffy white Malti-Poo and Buzz a friendly white wooly Poodle and two huge dogs Prophet and Blue, and the swish of the cow tails as they walk past the fence.

“When people come to visit, they say they find a real peace here,” Jan Mullinax, one of the J’s in the ranch title says.

The other “J” stands for Joe, Jan’s husband of thirty six years, who shows me

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around his garden with well deserved pride.

It’s obvious that planning and loving, daily care goes into each row of beautiful green sprouts.

vegetables. When I go to the grocery store and see the price of vegetables, I think about how easy and cheap it is to grow them.”

After a tour of the grounds, Jan made a delicious meal of meatloaf from their own beef, tossed salad, sweet corn and mashed potatoes. All the vegetables came from their garden.

“Every time you do work in a garden it pays off,” Joe says. “Plus, it’s less maintenance in the end if you do good work in the beginning.”

Joe grows asparagus, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, squash, herbs, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, purple hull peas (Joe’s favorite), lettuce, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, corn, strawberries, and beets, apples, blackberries, pears and plums. In the winter, they also grow broccoli, spinach, collard and turnip greens.

“We live off of this garden all year,” Joe says as he points out each variety.

“Last year we canned around 100 quarts of

“This garden is Joe’s therapy,” Jan explains.

“It feels good to get out and do

something constructive, not destructive,” Joe says. “Not everything goes perfect when you are gardening, you can have a bad year, but it’s a great feeling when Jan says she needs a bell pepper for recipe, and I say, ‘I’ll go get it. I’ll be right back.’”

Joe has been living off of the land for as long as he can remember. Joe’s uncle, George Henry who was very poor, lived on a mountain in Alabama and farmed the land. He was my inspiration and gave me many gardening tips.

Joe and Jan met in Columbia, South Carolina. Jan was a member of the varsity volleyball team while attending University of South Carolina. She dropped into the local Campus Club to play foosball to show off the “mean offense” that won her several tournaments and saw Joe sitting at a table.

“I thought, ‘OH my GOSH he is so handsome! He looks just like a young Chuck Connor, The Rifleman,’” Jan says. “I knew I had to meet him so I went up and asked him if he wanted to be my partner and play defense. He said ‘sure’ and the rest is history! We married 1 year after I graduated from USC and have been partners for 35 years! I am still playing offense and he’s still

playing defense!”

Besides having a “green thumb” in the garden, Joe is also a “jack-of-all-trades.”

Joe’s resume includes a diesel technology and forestry degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia.

He worked at the University Dairy Farm, managed a cattle farm in Quitman, Texas, worked in forestry, and opened a Smoothie King in Texarkana. One of his loyal customers, Jay Wommack, asked Joe to come work for him at Vertical Alignment in Search Engine Optimization. Now, Joe owns NeedagoodSEO.com and Keysupplements. com as well. However, his love for gardening has never quit being a part of his life, no matter what new job or city he and Jan lived in.

“We were so poor at the beginning of our marriage that we had to garden if we wanted to eat,” Jan says. “Back then I did all the canning because he was a full time student and worked at the dairy farm. We even drank raw milk, and I made homemade butter! If we wanted meat, Joe hunted, and we went fishing a lot! Even when we prospered financially, we preferred having an organic garden, so we have always lived off the land our entire marriage.”

Jan and Joe moved to Texarkana after a fortuitous incident. Jan visited family here and took her kids, Christy and Jesse for a swim at Texarkana Country Club.

“Coach Schneider from Texarkana Independent School District saw them swim and told me he wanted to coach them on the Texas High Swim team. I knew they both were talented and could possibly get college swimming scholarships,” Jan says.

“They both swam for TISD and I worked there as a junior high coach and teacher.

Jesse went on to swim for Ouachita Baptist University and became a Division 2 National Breaststroke Champion. Christy swam for the University of Wisconsin, a Division 1 school, on a full 5 year swimming scholarship!”

Jesse is now a Master Web Developer, has his master’s in education and coaches a swim team. Following in his parent’s footsteps, Jesse recently purchased five acres and wanted his father to come show him how to put in a garden. Christy is married to Kevin and has two children, Taylor and Tyler. She is an EMT and owns and operates modelunophotography.com.

The move to Texarkana presented Joe and Jan with the wonderful possibility

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of buying a beautiful ranch, hand built by a timber supplier who had highlighted each room with a different kind of beautiful wood such as cherry, oak, sassafras, black locust, black walnut, cottonwood, cedar and pecan.

They immediately started a garden and got settled into their beautiful home.

Jan coached at TISD, taught art therapy at Living Hope, owned and operated Joe Smoothie and is a CASA volunteer.

However, the tour I received around their one-of-a-kind home also showed that Jan is an inspiring decorator, designer and painter.

“I love to decorate; it’s just something that I enjoy,” Jan says. “It’s something I just do on the side for my friends, but I love doing it.

Eventually, Joe got fed up with the amount of money it took to properly mow the spacious fields, and decided to solve their problem with a natural and organic solution: goats.

“Goats are the number one meat in the world,” Jan says. “We have built up a herd and have started selling them recently.

Joe thinks it’s funny that all the goats are named after women in his office!”

Jan and Joe also raise their own beef. Right now they have two cows that graze grass in the pasture and

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supplemented with feed and hay. The calves are bottle fed. At first, Jan had a hard time coming to terms with eating an animal that they had watched grow up, but Joe helped her understand that this was all a part of living on the land.

“The first time we went to get beef out of the freezer and I knew it was our cow, T-Bone, I almost couldn’t do it,” Jan says.

“But, Joe told me that T-Bone had a great life. He wasn’t abused or mistreated and lived a happy life.”

Just three-fourths of a cow lasted Joe and Jan an entire year, and the beef was so lean they have to add oil when they brown it.

“Everything tastes better when it’s natural,” Joe says. “The beef is fantastic, our vegetables have flavor and living off the land is a beautiful thing.”

“We have been so blessed with the wisdom to know how to live off the land, and we want to share that with family, friends and others in our community,” Jan says.

“God gives us gifts and encourages us to share those with others.”

Joe and Jan’s passion for their lifestyle spurs them to help neighbors and friends start a garden. Joe even shared some of his best gardening tips with our

readers (see sidebar). Jan even dreams of a community garden, and some mentoring and support for novice gardeners who are wanting to try something new.

“I’m a dreamer,” Jan says. “I have all of these ideas, and I just think that if more people knew how to live off of the land and its beautiful reward, then more people would. It’s better for you, better for the environment and teaches a lot about how a little hard work can pay off in the end. “ Joe’s Tips for a Successful Garden Pick a place with full sun.

Don’t try to make a huge garden at first; start small.

Have the soil tested and prepare the ground.

Always add back to the ground. We use a homemade compost.

Use mulch around plants to reduce soil compaction, keep soil cool and retain moisture.

Protect your garden from animals by fencing it in with chicken wire.

Rotate your crops each year.

Don’t plant too close together and don’t place too many of one variety.

Plant based on growing seasons. We have a spring/summer crop and a fall/winter crop.

Don’t over water, but water thoroughly.

Don’t think of it as work, enjoy it!

Recipes

cucumbers.

Put in jar and store in refrigerator. This will keep for up to 2 months and makes 2 quart jars.

Glazed Meatloaf 1 c. quick-cooking oats ½ c. milk 1 med. onion, finely chopped 1 large bell pepper, finely chopped Salt and pepper 3 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tsp. soy sauce ¼ c. plus 2 Tbsp. ketchup 2 lb. organic beef sirloin 3 medium carrots, grated 2 Tbsp. spicy brown mustard Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line jelly roll pan with foil; lightly coat with non stick cooking spray. In medium bowl, stir together oats and milk until combined.

Coat bottom of large skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat on medium. Add onion and pinch of salt; cook 2 to 4 minutes or until onion softens, stirring occasionally. Add bell pepper and garlic; cook 4 to 6 minutes or until pepper softens, stirring often. Transfer to medium bowl; refrigerate to cool.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together soy sauce and ¼ cup of ketchup.

In large bowl, with hands, combine beef, carrots, oat mixture, cooled vegetable mixture, mustard, 2 tablespoons ketchup, pinch of salt and pepper until mixed.

Form mixture into 8” by 4” loaf on prepared pan. Brush tops and sides with soy ketchup. Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until meat thermometer inserted in center registers 165 degrees.

Homemade Blackberry Syrup 4 cups fresh blackberry juice (Jan prefers to strain the juice before using) 4 cups white sugar 1/3 of a 2 ounce package powered pectin (optional) Mix the blackberry juice and sugar, bring to a boil.

Boil rapidly for two minutes.

Skim off foam. Pour into HOT sterile jars or bottles.

This makes a thin syrup, but if you want it thicker, you can add a small amount of powered pectin (less than half a 2 ounce box) to the cold syrup and sugar mixture.

Joe’s Garden Salsa 2 cans whole tomatoes from the garden (about 8-10 fresh tomatoes) ¼ to ½ cup chopped jalapenos, depending on the desired spice ¼ cup chopped onion 1 tsp garlic salt 1 tsp cumin ½ tsp sugar 1 tsp lime juice ¾ cup chopped cilantro

Honey Mustard Salad Dressing 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon honey 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 5 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper 1 tablespoon freshly chopped dill Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake until combined. The dressing will keep for three days in the fridge. Serve with a

fresh tossed salad.

Fresh Cucumber Salad

7 cups unpeeling pickling cucumbers sliced thin 1 cup sliced onion 1 cup sliced green bell pepper 1 tablespoon salt 1 cup white vinegar 2 cups sugar 1 tsp celery seed 1 tsp mustard seed Mix cucumbers, onions, peppers and salt. Set aside.

Put vinegar, sugar, celery seed and mustard seed in a pot and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat and let cool for one hour.

Pour mixture over 38

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Combine all ingredients and serve.

Squash Casserole 3 pounds yellow squash ½ cup chopped sweet onion 1 ½ teaspoons salt 1 cup grated carrots 1 (10 ¾ oz.) can reduced fat cream of chicken soup 1 (8 oz) container light sour cream ¼ cup chopped fresh chives ½ cup crushed cornflake cereal ½ cup crushed French fried onions 2 tablespoons melted butter ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut squash into ¼ inch thick slices; place in Dutch oven. Add onion, 1 tsp salt, and water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook five minutes. Drain well and pat squash dry with paper towels.

Stir together grated carrots, next 3 ingredients, and remaining ½ tsp. salt in a large bowl; fold in squash mixture. Spoon into a lightly greased 2 qt. baking dish.

Stir together cornflakes and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl.

Sprinkle over squash mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minuets or until bubbly and golden brown, shielding with aluminum foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

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Herb Cheat Sheet

Oregano Flavor: Earthy, balances acidic tomatoes Use With: Lamb, beef, eggs, beans, eggplant, pizza

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Sage Flavor: Very aromatic and woodsy Use with: Fresh sausage, holiday stuffing for turkey, rich meats like pork, goose and duck

Parsley Flavor: Peppery and fresh Use with: Salads, vegetables (especially potatoes), pasta

Tarragon Flavor: Reminiscent of licorice Use with: Poultry, fish, shellfish, vegetables, vinegar and eggs

Rosemary Flavor: Pine Use with: Mediterranean dishes, lamb, poultry, fish, breads, add sprigs or finely chopped leaves to long cooking stews

Thyme Flavor: Minty and citrusy Use with: Mediterranean dishes, stews, eggs, seafood, poultry, toss sprigs into boiling water to flavor steamed rice

June 2012

by Vincent Senatore

Cutting the Cheese...

W

hen I was a kid in Brooklyn, (New York, not Texas,) some of my most vivid memories were the regular visits to the local Italian grocery store. I can still see the hanging Salamis and Provolone, and smell the aromas of fresh baked bread.

But most of all, there was always a sample of the cheeses for the kids. From the hand cut chunks of Reggiano Parmigianino to the super thin slices of Provolone, it was like a Sam’s Club sampling for Italians.

So, when I began my 36 year career in the wine industry, (I was 6 when I started,) it was natural for me to learn about and utilize cheese as part of the education process.

The major textures and components of cheese are perfect with the flavors and aromas of wine. Obviously, not all cheeses go with all wines. In fact, some cheeses and wines are horrible together. However, when they match: “Fuggetaboudit”.

First, let’s talk about Reggiano Parmigianino.

Parmesan cheese is not just for grating and sprinkling over macaroni and meatballs. In Italy, Reggiano Parmigianino is consumed as a snack. Italians chunk a wedge of Reggiano and serve it alongside thinly sliced Prosciutto and salami. Make sure that you allow your cheese to come up to room temperature.

Further, this gives you time to breathe your matching big, red wine. With Reggiano Parmigianino, I really love the classic Italian wine. The perfect accompaniment to this style of cheese is Riserva Chianti, an aged Barolo or a rich Rosso di Montalcino.

Regarding Reggiano Parmigianino, the minimum aging is 12 months. The “Vecchio”, (old aged and stinky,) is 18 to 24 months of aging and the Stravecchio (really stinky, but great,) is 24 to 36 months of aging. Some of the major components in Parmigianino are aldehydes, butyrate, and glutamates. Let’s see, where have I heard those names before? Oh Yeah!

Wine!

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Red wines have some of the same properties as these cheeses and the tannins blend together with the acids found in rich cheeses. In fact, in all of my wine classes, I use Asiago cheese (another form of Parmesan) because of the perfect match with red wine. However, I really get a good laugh when I see the faces of my students after tasting these cheeses with white wine.

White wine needs softer, milder textures and aromas. That’s why Swiss cheeses are so good with German wine, American Rieslings, New Zealand Sauvignons and the lighter style (Little Wood) Chardonnay. Swiss is also great with the lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Beaujolais. The bigger whites (like Califiornia Woody style Chardonnay and Viognier) are very good with Goat Cheeses (like Chevre and Montrachet) and the very wine-friendly Brie. Brie is a triple cream cheese that is aged in a rind. When ripe, this is one of the best accompaniments with Champagne, Big Zins, Cabernets and Merlots. Add a little fruit and nuts to this blend and you have a “Festa”.

Don’t forget a blue veined cheese, like Stilton or Roquefort with a Delicious Port…

Man, this is going to be a tough day.

Also, you should not worry about going to Dallas to “cut your cheese.” You can get all of the aforementioned at Julie’s Deli and Albertsons (Richmond Road).

So tonight, open a bottle of Spanish Crianza and chunk up some delicious Manchego Spanish cheese. Holy Pepperoni!! What a wonderful match.

Certainly, if you have any questions about a wine and cheese match, call me.

Remember to consume all of your adult beverages in moderation

ATTENTION:

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Birth control pills: Yaz® Yasmin® Ocella® Gianvi®

SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) drugs: widely prescribed for treatment of depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia

Celexa® (citalopram)

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Birth control device:

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NuvaRing®

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The above products have been associated with heart attack, blood clot, stroke, and gallbladder disease

The use of SSRIs during pregnancy has been linked to babies born with birth defects, including heart defects, lung defects, genitourinary defects, physical deformities, and gastrointestinal defects

Allyson Perkins DeCanio • Tyler, Texas • (903) 469-3307 Attorney at Law

June 2012

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By Janet Green Janet Green Interior Design

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hades are back and in a big way! Cellular and pleated shades have been popular for several years. These kinds of shades can have a top down/bottom up option, and they can even be cordless. The cordless shades are great for doors because you don’t get cords caught when opening and closing the door, and pleated shades are especially great for arched windows.

The biggest comeback has been with roller shades and woven woods. Roller shades can come cordless or with an EZ lift. Many fabrics are available and have decorative hems and trim options. If you are looking to create a contemporary look, I suggest roller shades with a hem bar.

Now is a great time to consider installing solar screen shades, with the hot summer approaching. Solar screens are mounted on a roller, and these shades can really knock down the heat and glare from the sun! In fact, a client recently told me her kitchen was 10 degrees cooler after installing solar shades over her kitchen sink! Solar shades can be battery operated or hot wired with the help of an electrician. Most are with cord control. These unique shades can even be ordered with remote controls!

Woven wood shades are another great product. They can have an operable liner for privacy and heat control. The textures are great for casual living spaces.

A Roman shade can be ordered in any fabric. There are many styles of roman shades: dog eared roman, soft fold roman, flat roman, causal roman and stitched slatted. All of these roman shades can come with an EZ lift control on the right or left side.

Call to learn more about what will work in your space! 903831-6617.

Have a safe and cool summer! -Janet

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by Anne Fruge

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9

M

ission is at the heart of Tower of Power Gospel Ministries in Texarkana. Though many strive to “practice what they preach,” the men and women of Tower of Power put biblical emphasis behind each and every one of their ministries. They seek daily to meet the needs not only of their congregation but the sick, hungry, incarcerated and needy of Texarkana

Tyler Merchant called himself a Christian, but as a teenager at Ooltewah High School in Chatanooga, Tennessee, he had no idea what a true relationship with Jesus Christ looked like. It wasn’t until a Young Life leader started coming to school and taking an interest in Tyler’s life that he was given the real life example of God’s love. This leader came to Tyler’s soccer and cross country events, cheered him on, encouraged him and invited him to Young Life Club.

“I went to Young Life Club one night and loved it,” Tyler says. “It was fun, it was different and inviting. Later that year, when we went to Young Life camp, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.”

Now, Tyler is the Young Life Area Director in Texarkana. Every day he works to train and recruit volunteers to go into the area high schools to encourage and uplift teenagers who perhaps have never darkened the doorway of a church.

“We are a non-denominational Christian outreach ministry,” Tyler says.

“We are trying to reach those kids who don’t have adult examples in their lives or who don’t even know who Jesus Christ is.

The mission of Young Life is ‘to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith,’”

Young Life was started informally in 1938 when a young Presbyterian youth leader, Jim Rayburn, was given the challenge to try to reach kids at the local high school who had no interest in coming to church. Jim started a weekly club for kids with singing, games, skits and a message.

After graduating from seminary in 1941, Rayburn collaborated with other ministers to officially begin Young Life. According to the Young Life website, Rayburn and the other seminarians “developed the club idea ALT Magazine June 2012 48

throughout Texas with an emphasis on showing kids that faith in God can be not only fun, but exhilarating and life changing.”

Today, Young Life is present in more than 70 countries and reaches more than a million kids each year.

“Young Life is an outgrowth of the conviction that Jesus Christ is everything that kids want the most,” Jim Rayburn has said. “He is the most wonderful, the most attractive, the strongest, most gracious, loving person this world has ever seen.”

No one knows this more than Tyler Merchant, a true testament to the power of this program and its impact on kids.

“No one else is going to these high schools and meeting kids where they are at. That is why this program is unique,” Tyler says. “We get to know these kids and support them and accept them for who they are.”

Tyler volunteered with Young Life all through college at East Tennessee State University, and when he graduated, he went to work for them full time. One year at a camp work week where volunteers visit the camps early to make repairs and ensure the camp is ready to accommodate the many teenagers who are soon to arrive, Tyler was separated from his group of friends and told to work on a broken deck. While he was working, he met Brittany, who had been separated from her friend and assigned to the same deck. Brittany and Tyler began talking and realized their shared interests.

Brittany also became interested in Young Life while attending high school.

“The Young Life leader at my school, Jessica, invited me to Young Life club, and I was hesitant,” Brittany says. “I wondered why this college girl wanted to talk to hang out with me, but I went and had a blast. Jessica came to every one of my dance recitals, came to school to eat lunch with me, took me to the movies, and was

there for me all the time.”

Because of her experiences with Jessica, Brittany developed a passion for this program that encouraged adults to invest in kid’s lives and tell them, “Oh, I’ve been through that,” or “I’ve struggled with those things too.”

“Young Life is all about relationships,” Brittany says. “The leaders in this group love on kids the way Jesus would.

Jessica answered questions I had about God and life. She could tell when something was wrong and encouraged me to talk about it and pray about it.”

Brittany and Tyler shared their Young Life stories, but did not talk for more than a year and a half after their experience fixing the deck at camp. It was only while catching up on Facebook chat that they reconnected and went for dinner in December 2009.

Then, this summer, Tyler proposed and Brittany and Tyler were married May 27 of this year. Their love story is just an added bonus in the tale of how a life can be changed by the support and love of this ministry.

“I really can’t say where I’d be without the example of my Young Life leader,” Tyler says. “Young Life truly seeks to live out the words in 1 Thessalonians 2:8 which say, ‘We loved you so much that we were not only delighted to share with you the Gospel but our very lives as well.’”

Now Brittany and Tyler work together to expand the ministry in Texarkana and continue the mission that affected their lives at such a crucial age. Young Life Club meets every Monday night at Texarkana College at 8:08 p.m. They also have an annual golf event and Young Life Banquet to raise money for the program. This year’s banquet will be in October at Silver Moon on Broadway.

“The best thing about my job is the relationships I develop with the kids and the people in this community,” Tyler says. “This community has been so supportive, and there are so many people who believe in this ministry and its mission.”

Right now, Tyler and Brittany are gathering students to go to Young Life camp in the summer. They have about 20 teenagers signed up and are hoping to encourage even more to experience this life-changing event.

“In today’s society, kids are so worried about sports and grades and the pressures of being a teenager,” Tyler says. “Camp is a really special place where kids are able to let loose and just be a kid.”

At camp, teenagers can expect games, friendly competition and messages about Jesus Christ.

“Most of the time, kids are sent to a camp and they have this great experience, but when they return, they don’t have that support system and a lot of kids revert back to their old lives and their old friends,” Tyler says. “Young Life camp is really unique in that they go to camp with their leaders and return home with their leaders.”

“Plus, while the message is presented in a large-group

setting, we go back to our cabins and have a small group session where we help kids understand the message and talk about ways it can apply to them,” Brittany says. “I can remember at camp and Young Life Club that our group really became like a family. Kids who I never talked to at school were all interacting together and sharing our common struggles.”

Tyler and Brittany are hoping to expand the ministry to other area high schools besides Texas High. They also want to add some of the other branches that are offered through Young Life. There is Wyldlife for middle school students, College Life, Young Lives for teenage parents, Military Young Life and Capernum for kids with special needs.

“We believe in this ministry because we were both products of it and we both realized first hand the impact it can have on teenagers,” Brittany says. “I didn’t even realize the magnitude of the impact that Jessica made, but I look back now and think, ‘Wow!’ She showed me a picture of Jesus’ love here on earth.”

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L-R: Elizabeth Brinkley, Morgan Brinkley, Connie Pinkham, Angie Dalby, Penny Olson Inset: Kerry and Connie Pinkham

There are song lyrics that say it well… “There’s no such thing as perfect people, there’s no such thing as a perfect life, but come as you are……and be changed….”

The change in the song comes from ‘…a perfect God.’ We at A TOTAL CHANGE are not perfect people and we are not divine. Our creative abilities, while vast, are certainly limited where God’s changing power is not.

While we aren’t perfect hairdressers, we strive for it, and we believe in change!

Sometimes A TOTAL CHANGE. Occasionally, someone will come in for their appointment and pull out a picture for us to duplicate that requires us to respond by saying “..talk to God.” But more often than not, there are lots of changes that are possible…changes that will improve our appearance. (…and we all want to look as perfect as we can right?!? ) That pesky gray hair for example…

There are women who have absolutely gorgeous gray hair, and look fabulous in it.

But she is the exception…most of us prefer another color, and look lots better in it.

The staff at A TOTAL CHANGE is very creative with hair color, and capable of a wide variety of looks. Whether your style is classic or you opt for some drama, we can enhance your look with creative hair color. If you prefer to remain as natural as possible, we can help you maintain that look for as long as it works well for you and keep the natural tones of your hair as close as is artificially possible.

A TOTAL CHANGE also offers services that enhance natural nails. Whether you want to extend the length or wear your own, we have

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903-628-6135 50

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June 2012

shellac polishes that will stay for weeks.

Pedicure services are available and are both pampering and therapeutic. Grooming begins on the head and ends on the feet, don’t neglect your poor tired feet, (…. ..and we think that means far more than toenail polishing, however cute and colorful it is…!)

Our stylists produce styles with haircutting that range from short to really long, spikey to smooth, straight to textured, or anything in between. We have training in the newer Keratin treatments and carry retail products that help you reproduce your look at home.

We are eager to spend time with you so that you can learn the how-to-do-it techniques for re-creating your look.

Eyebrows are an increasingly important part of a woman’s image as she ages, and if yours need enhanced or shaped, we are ready with waxing and coloring services. Eyelash extensions are another choice, as well as Blinc mascara products that are possible solutions for women who desire longer more lush eyelashes.

We have a boutique area in the salon with inexpensive accessories such as jewelry, belts, flip-flops, and the latest trend of jewelry scarves. We carry Clairsonic facial cleansing tools and professional grade flat-irons, blow dryers, and curling irons. Our boutique area is ever expanding, and we hope to become your gift-giving solution for all those gals on your list.

Gift cards are available as well and often are the perfect solution. Call us and we can even mail it out for you !

The oldest of our staff offers the experience of almost 40 years in the beauty industry. A TOTAL CHANGE is her third salon in New Boston. Connie Pinkham and her husband Kerry have lived and worked in New Boston since they married in 1974.

The other staff members of A TOTAL CHANGE includes her sister who was the first nail tech in New Boston over 20 years ago.

The other two stylist on staff were both at one time her right arm, working as her assistants for many consecutive years before taking their place behind their own styling chair.

The youngest of the staff, her niece, will graduate from the cosmetology academy this fall, and has already made herself very valuable by becoming familiar with all aspects of the salon’s routine work-day and becoming acquainted with the clientele. She is the new right arm, until she too is behind her own styling chair full time.

When you look in the mirror and don’t really like what you see there, perhaps it’s time for A TOTAL CHANGE. Come as you are, and be changed….a little or a lot. Call us and let’s talk about how we might bring that about.

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T

5. Greeting cards are the No. 1 purchase on Father’s Day, and almost 92 percent of the cards are sold to women. Most of the greeting cards purchased are humorous.

here are a lot of fun facts and trivia about Father’s Day, which is celebrated all over the world. A lot of the facts are conflicting, but it’s interesting to see where the history takes us! Here are 10 trivia items to mull over: 1. Father’s Day was introduced by Sonora Dodd in Spokane, Washington. She wanted to honor her widowed father William Smart who took care of his six children during the Civil War. Since Sonora Dodd was the girl who first started the tradition of Father’s Day in this country, she had campaigned for her Father’s birthday -- June 19 -- to be declared Father’s Day.

Fun Trivia For Father’s Day!

2. More than 110 million greeting cards are sent throughout the world for Father’s Day. Fifty percent of the cards are purchased for fathers, 20 percent for husbands, and the remaining for grandfathers and those who serve the Dad Role. (Great news for Hallmark, American Greetings, Jacque Lawson & Current!)

6. Father’s Day is celebrated at different times around the world. In Thailand it falls on Dec. 5; in Australia it’s observed on the first Sunday of September.

7. Father’s Day was first supported by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson declared the third Sunday of June as the official holiday. It was President Woodrow Wilson who first said, however, in 1916 that Father’s Day should be given the status of a national holiday.

8. Father’s Day is the fourth most popular card-sending holiday in the world after Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

3. The first Father’s Day was announced and celebrated in 1910 in the same city where it originated.

9. Almost half as much is spent on Father’s Day gifts as on Mother’s Day. Does this mean that we moms are more expensive? Or is it because the most popular Father’s Day gift is a simple necktie?

4. The tie is the most traditional and famous Father’s Day gift throughout the world.

10. Hallmark says that Father’s Day is the fifth-largest card-selling occasion in America.

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Ark-La-Tex Resource Guide Air and Heating Central Air 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212

Attire Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088

Apartments Arista Apartments 3515 Arista Blvd.

Texarkana, TX 903.255.7869

Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056

Legacy at Pleasant Grove 5911 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 888.763.2676

Attorneys Allyson Perkins DeCanio, Attorney Tyler, TX 903.469.3307

Richmond Oaks Apartments 2815 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.6150

Banks MilWay Credit Union 5001 West 7th Street Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.2004

Summerhill Woods Apartments 4501 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.793.7888

Peoples State Bank 5600 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2300

Westwood Apartments 101 Redwater Rd. Wake Village, TX 903.832.8446

Red River Federal Credit Union 2700A University Ave. Texarkana, TX 75503 903-735-3000 800-822-3317

Bob DelGiorno The Lead Off Man 6-8 a.m. | M-F

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Texar Federal Credit Union Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.223.5626 Texarkana First Bank 3601 East 9th St. Texarkana, AR 870.772.0222 615 Sam Houston Dr. New Boston, TX 3625 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.793.6955 Business Services Pride Enterprises James & Cynthia Pride Texarkana, TX 903.832.5550 Cakes Coldstone Creamery 4228 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2653 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Reception Arts Becky Risinger Ashdown, AR 870.898.5273

Dan Patrick 8-11 a.m. | M-F

Caterers/Private Chef Big Jake’s BBQ 2610 New Boston Rd. Texarkana, TX 903-793-1169 1521 Arkansas Blvd.

Texarkana, AR 870-774-0099 603 W. Commerce Hope, AR 870-777-1000 170 N. Constitution Ave. Ashdown, AR 870-898-2227 Culinary Creations Pam Elliott 903.831.4674 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Sugar & Spice Catering Shari Frachiseur 903.276.4389 Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903-792-2700

Jim Rome

11 a.m. -2 p.m. | M-F

Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464 Church Highland Park Baptist Church 2401 Hazel St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.6996 Clothing Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088

Listen

Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056 OMG Lulu 3211 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.8135 116 Polk St. Jefferson, TX 903.665.8855

to Win

Dry Cleaning Holiday Cleaners Locations throughout Texarkana Area 870.773.4072 Entertainment CableOne 855-692-4121 Legendary Shooting Sports 925 Brower Lane Texarkana, TX 903.334.9605

Event Locations Garrison Gardens Texarkana, AR 71854 870.773.0275 Regional Arts Center Cabe Hall 321 W. 4th Street Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.8681 Silvermoon on Broad West Broad at Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX

Chuck Zach

Twin Oaks Mansion 903.244.7070

Florists Ruth’s Flowers 3501 Texas Bllvd.

Texarkana, TX 903.793.6711 www.ruthsflowers.net

Financial Planner Dustin Stringer Stringer Wealth Management 1620 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.223.0011

Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903-792-2700

Fitness Centers Anytime Fitness Richmond Road 3415 Richmond Road.

Texarkana, TX 75503 903.794.5348

Tony Kirk

Unique Flowers 4801 Loop 245 Texarkana, AR 870-774.1300

Robert Cochran

Headin’ For Home 5-7 p.m. | M-F June 2012

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Furniture Oak Creek Furniture 8024 West 7th St. Texarkana, TX 903.832.0793

TownePlace Suites by Marriott 5020 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.8800

Gifts Dot’s Ace Hardware 3411 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0059

Insurance Farm Bureau Insurance 4413 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.8707 911 W. US Highway 82 New Boston, TX 903.628.3451

Hair Care A Total Change 930 N. McCoy Blvd.

Suite 6 New Boston, Texas 75570 903-628-6135 Style Studio Lisa Harris 3201 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.1719 Hospice Dierksen Hospice 6500 N. Summerhill Road, Suite 2B Texarkana, TX 903.793.6350 Hospitals Christus St. Michael Health System 2600 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.614.1000

Invitations I Do Wedding Favors Debra Jones 903.826.9879

Wadley Regional Medical Center 1000 Pine St. Texarkana, TX 903.798.8000

Micah’s Jewelers 2812 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.735.2336

Courtyard by Marriott 5001 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.7400 Fairfield Inn and Suites

by Marriott 4209 Mall Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.1000 Holiday Inn Express & Suites 4545 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 903.223.0008 June 2012

Ron Morrow State Farm Insurance 3306 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.832.5505

Jewelers Alexander’s Jewelers 3701 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.832.3557

Clarion Lacross Hotel 5100 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.774.3521 www.lacrosse-hotel.com

ALT Magazine

Kelli Ashbrook State Farm Insurance 3410 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.8100 www.kelliashbrook.com

Health South Rehabilitation 515 West 12th St. Texarkana, TX 903.793.0088

Hotels Best Western Texarkana Inn & Suites 5219 Crossroads Parkway Texarkana, AR 870.774.1534

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Greg Cockerell State Farm Insurance 4807 Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX 75503 903.793.7502

Make-up Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056 Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007

Pet Grooming Georgia’s Pet Salon & Boutique 101 Slaton Nash, Texas 903.223.8223 Physicians Carmony Oral, Facial and Implant Center 5305 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.791.8405 Express Care 5483 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.5931 Northfield Accupunture 619 E. 6th St. Texarkana, AR 870.772.8622 Vision Source 4401 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.9063 Plumbing Central Air/Roto Rooter 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212 Real Estate Crown Leasing 6500 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 903.792.6000 Gerald Haire Realty Kaci Bennett 3725 Mall Dr. Texarkana, TX 870.903.3049 Gerald Haire Realty Janet Willis 3725 Mall Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.748.5385 Impact Realty Bill and Tracy Spradlin 1200 N. Kings Hwy., Ste 104 Nash, TX 903.748.3186 903.748.2477

Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661

Impact Realty Cody Sandone 1200 N. Kings Hwy., Ste 104 Nash, TX 903.276.7565

Photographer Carla Snyder Photography Texarkana, USA 903.244.3553

Satterfield Construction, LLC 903.832.4591 www.satterfieldservices. com

Image Forward Photography 200 Heather Dr. Texarkana, TX 75501 903.334.9605

Teresa Liepman Remax 5120 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.276.9464

Refreshments Bolls Distributing 700 E. Broad St. Texarkana, AR 870.774.9283 Vincent’s Fine Wines 6900 N. Stateline Texarkana, AR 870.774.7217 Rentals Dot’s Rentals 814 N. Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.7011 3413 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0551 Twisted Vines Florist and Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.2700 Restaurants Amigo Juan Mexican Cafe 4301 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.334.6971 1200 N. Hervey Hope, AR 870.777.0006 611 Loop 59 Atlanta, TX 903.796.2400 Big Jake’s BBQ 2610 New Boston Rd. Texarkana, TX 903-793-1169 1521 Arkansas Blvd.

Texarkana, AR 870-774-0099 603 W. Commerce Hope, AR 870-777-1000 170 N. Constitution Ave. Ashdown, AR 870-898-2227 Coldstone Creamery 4228 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2653 Daddy Dougaloo’s 905 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.791.0172 Dairy Queen Locations throughout Ark-La-Tex Fish Creek 1514 Arkansas Blvd.

Texarkana, AR 870.223.0595 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Shorty’s Donuts 2729 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.6686

Tasty Donuts 1443 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.838.0422 Twisted Vines Cafe 218 W. Broad St. Texarkana, TX 903.792.2700 Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464 Retirement/Assisted Living Home Edgewood Manor 4925 Elizabeth St. Texarkana, TX 903.793.4645

Wedding Coordinators Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net Wedding Favors Pop Pop Shoppe 2011 Mall Drive, Suite B Texarkana, TX 903.793.0209 Wedding Planners Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Locations Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 Silvermoon on Broad West Broad at Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX

Heritage Plaza 600 W. 52nd St. Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.6700

The Magnolia 4205 Richmond Meadows Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.7319 Roofing Aqua Roofing Anthony Jewell 3523 Locust Texarkana, AR 903.244.5706 Spas/Salons Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007

The Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661 Wedding Attire Bridal Castle 3209 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.3886

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Making life better... with concrete countertops...

Gooding Decorative Concrete is excited to be rolling out a new line of Decorative Concrete Countertops after completing intensive training from one of the leading designers and manufaturers of concrete countertops and furniture in the industry, Buddy Rhodes.

Located in San Fransisco California, Buddy Rhodes has been creating custom countertops and concrete furniture for over 20 years. He has taken his vast knowledge of Concrete Countertops and the materials to create them and passed them on to us!

We decided that if we were going to make Concrete Countertops part of our business portfolio, we were not going to just make the same old countertops everyone else makes. After researching the industry we found that most Concrete Countertop mixes were pretty much the same, you pick a color from about 8 and then had 3 choices of edge design and 1 choice of intregal/surface design.

What we have done is expanded the color options to just about anything, added more edge designs,

and offer 4 intregal/surface options.

Surface Options: Troweled: (one solid color) This is by far the most popular countertop look. The surface will have a solid color with no aggregates visible.

Lightly Grinded: With this finish you will be able to see small aggregates(sandsmall quartz) in the countertop.

Grinded/Ground: Similar to the first this finish makes visible more aggregates (sand-quartz-limestone-pea gravel).

With this finish we can add various items to enhance the visual appeal.

Crushed Glass, polished stone, even a college logo just to name a few.

Marshall Gooding, Owner

Pressed: (two colors) The pressed technique is a process created

by Buddy Rhodes in which two contrasting colors are used to create a look that is quite unique in todays Concrete Countertop Market.

With Concrete Countertops, each project is a one of a kind, handcrafted work of art. We work closely with each client to choose a color and design that is both fitting to its surroundings as well as practical for everyday use.

David Melson

For a free estimate, give us a call.

We’d love to talk with you!

Other companies may talk about experience -- our quality and experience shows in our work!

We will be happy to travel throughout the Ark-La-Tex! Call us today!

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