Choose from our team of primary care physicians who are ready to make your health a priority.
Having a primary care physician ensures you have access to routine healthcare, disease prevention and wellness all in one place. Your primary care physician is dedicated to helping you stay healthy through every stage of life.
$5 - Door Prize tickets; $20 - Louis Vuitton door prize tickets
Sponsorships available by emailing BridgetFlaherty@mhd.com
BAD KNEES? GREAT DOCTOR.
Venkat Rapuri, M.D.
When it comes to caring for your joints, our board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist can diagnose your pain and develop a care plan that’s right for you. Whether you require joint replacement or non-surgical care such as oral medication, injections or physical therapy, our goal is to get you back to doing what you love.
letter from the publisher
And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
1 John 5:14
I’ve always loved back-to-school time each August and September. For me, back-to-school means new boxes of crayons, colorful backpacks, sharpened pencils, and fresh notebooks waiting to be filled with knowledge. As my own grandkids head back to school, I think about all the parents and grandparents sending their little ones off hoping for the best this school year.
My prayer for each of these kids—from preschool through high school and beyond— is that they have a thirst for knowledge and a spirit of excellence. May they grow physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. May they develop meaningful friendships building one another up and sharpening one another toward God. In a world full of unrest and uncertainty, may they have that peace which passes understanding that only comes from God.
May God give our teachers mental, physical, and spiritual energy, creativity, and all the fruit of the Spirit toward the kids they teach. May our school workers—from bus drivers to custodians to administrators—want only what is best for the children and families they serve. May God give parents peace as they send their children into the schools. And may He place a hedge of protection around our schools and keep them safe.
I ask all of this in the only power I have, power in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Summertime has come to an end, but not the fun in the city of Mansfield. Come Meet the Mayor on September 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Family Time Event Center located at 1791 FM 1187, Mansfield, TX 76063.
Join us for ARTSCAPES on September 28, 2023, from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Since 2018, the The Mansfield Commission for the Arts has disbursed over $85,000 in grants and scholarships to students, artists, and organizations. The vast majority of those funds are raised right here at Artscapes. The evening is a gala with fine food, an open bar, live music and entertainment, and dancing, all included in your ticket price. Bring a little extra spending money to take part in games, shop in the live or silent auction, or as a donation to support the arts.
ArtScapes 2023 will feature an "island" theme for the food, drinks, decor, entertainment, and shopping. Feel
This summer brought lots of exciting changes to the City of Grand Prairie. In mid-August Bill Hills was named City Manager, a position vacated by retiring City Manager Steve Dye. Hills most recently was a Grand Prairie Deputy City Manager overseeing Housing and Neighborhood Services, Planning and Development, Engineering, Transportation, Public Works, Public Health and Environmental Quality, Solid Waste, and Municipal Court. He will now oversee our Fire and Police Department too.
I am excited to continue working alongside Bill in
In June, Bessye Adams was sworn into City Council to represent Place 7-At Large. Ms. Adams has been a Grand Prairie resident for over 25 years and has served on numerous Boards. Please help me
free to come straight from the office, dress in your favorite Hawaiian shirt, or island attire. All funds raised go to elevating the cultural arts in Mansfield. The deadline for purchasing tickets is September 13. mansfieldtexasarts.org/calendar/events/artscapes
If you are a dog lover and you love to run and have fun, the BARKS & REC 5K taking place Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at James McKnight Park East (700 U.S. Highway 287, North Mansfield, TX 76063) is just for you. You don't need a furry friend to participate. Dogs from the Mansfield Animal Shelter will also be made available for those who would like to be teamed up with a running partner.
Pre-registration is required. Call or email 817-728-3680 or mac@mansfieldtexas.gov.
Remember, Mansfield is the place where good times never end. See you around town.
welcome her to our City Council family. We have three City Council Town Hall Meetings this fall. I urge you all to attend and meet our Council and City staff.
Lastly, our garbage and recycling collection routes are changing. Beginning October 2, 2023, recycling for ALL residents will be collected on Wednesday, and garbage collection will be as follows:
Area 1 (North of Warrior Trail) Garbage Days: Tuesday, Friday
Area 2 (South of Warrior Trail) Garbage Days: Monday, Thursday
Visit our website to learn more about town hall meetings, new collection routes, and anything city-related, www.gptx.org.
It’s that time of year again, time to register your neighborhood to win the Block Party Trailer for the National Night Out party. The contest is sponsored by the City of Arlington’s Office of Strategic Initiatives and closes September 22, 2023. Those interested in participating should fill out an online Neighborhood Engagement Survey. (One survey equals one entry and there’s no maximum any times a neighborhood can enter.) The city will draw one winner at random and city staff will arrange for the block party trailer to be e winning neighborhood the day before the event then pick it up the following day.
Inside the trailer, you and your neighbors will find picnic tables, folding tables, chairs, water coolers, ice chests, trash and recycling cans, games, street barricades, cones and more. This trailer is also
available for free to any neighborhood block party throughout the year on a first-come/first-serve basis. National Night Out, held the first Tuesday of October in Texas, promotes crime prevention, police-community partnership, and neighborhood camaraderie. The idea is for everyone to turn on their porch lights, step outside, and get to know their neighbors at small block parties. Law enforcement agencies will stop by the parties to offer public-safety tips and ways to stay connected to local police departments. The goal of the Block Party Trailer is to advance community engagement goals in The American Dream City by providing a fun way for neighbors to get together. It’s a fun night and I hope you’ll all choose to participate!
september
22 - 24
GLOW GIRLS CAMPING TRIP
Arlington Parks and Recreation
GLOW (Growing Leaders in Outdoor Wilderness) is an outdoor education program, in conjunction with Texas Parks and Wildlife, for young females. An overnight camping trip to Caddo Lake State Park for “returning participants of GLOW Girls”. This is part of an ongoing program but we will open registration to new participants if there are openings available. Ages 5-12. Free. 4:30pm-2pm. Visit our site to register.
NATURALLYFUN.ORG
SEPTEMBER 9
W.A.T.E.R. FESTIVAL
River Legacy Nature CenterArlington
Come out and celebrate the wonderful resource of water with a variety of educational, family friendly activities. Enjoy crafts, games, experiments and more for the entire family! 10am-2pm. Free! 703 NW Green Oaks Blvd.
SEPTEMBER 9 AND 23
PET ADOPTIONS INSIDE THE HIGHLANDS PETSMART
Arlington
Join us for a tail wagging, family friendly pet saving community event! Adorable adoptable pets looking for new homes will be available inside PetSmart and ready for immediate adoption. Adoptable dogs will be inside from 10am-2pm. Adoptable cats are available at PetSmart throughout regular business hours. Scheduled events are subject to cancellation without notice due to unfavorable weather conditions for the safety and protection of the pets, volunteers and staff. 203 E I-20 Hwy.
SEPTEMBER 15
PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Enjoy a night out while we have some fun. This is a great opportunity for youth to hang out after school. This night the kids will have fun with Glow Nerf. Get wild in our bounce house, play video and board games and enjoy a themed craft. Dinner provided. Cost is $15. Ages 5-12. 6pm-8pm. Dottie Lynn Rec Center, 3200 Norwood. Visit our website to register.
NATURALLYFUN.ORG
SEPTEMBER 21
CYCLIN’ WITH THE MAYOR –MOUNTAIN CREEK RIDE
Grand Prairie
Join Mayor Ron Jensen for 5-mile bike ride. Riders of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to join the casual ride. Meet at 6 pm. The ride begins at 6:30 pm. Mi Familia Park (Mountain Creek Park) Pavilion, 2402 Cardiff.
SEPTEMBER 23 & 24
EPIC WATERS
FLOWAPALOOZA
Grand Prairie
Enjoy this two-day festival presented by Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark on the Grand Lawn of Epic Central. Have fun with arts and crafts booths, local food trucks, live music and activities for all ages. Entertainment is located on 3 stages and finish off the night with live music on the main stage. Saturday 12pm-8pm, Sunday 6pm-8pm. For more information visit our website.
EPICWATERSGP.COM
SEPTEMBER 29
TEEN NIGHT
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Teen night is more like game night! Build connections, share trends and challenge your friends to some competitive fun. Create memories worth a thousand views. Ages 12-17. Cost is $5. 6pm-7pm. Dottie Lynn Rec Center, 3200 Norwood Ln. #NATURALLYFUNTEENS
SEPTEMBER 30
BARKS & REC 5K
Mansfield
An invitation for all who would like to run, with or without a furryfriend. Dogs from the Mansfield Animal Shelter will also be made available for those who would like to be teamed up with a running partner. Pre-registration is required. 9am-11am. James McKnight Park East, 700 US Hwy. 287 N. Visit our website for additional information and to register.
MANSFIELDTEXAS.GOV
see more events in your area on LIVINGMAGAZINE.NET
PREMIERING IN SEPTEMBER
SEPTEMBER 8 // MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 IN THEATERS
From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon My Big Fat Greek Wedding is coming back to theaters with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists, and turns.
THIS MONTH’S MUSIC
SEPTEMBER 15 // DAN + SHAY BIGGER HOUSES
SEPTEMBER 1 // THE PAPER KITES AT THE ROADHOUSE
SEPTEMBER 8 // FLEETWOOD MAC RUMORS LIVE
WHAT TO READ
THIS MONTH IN MOVIE HISTORY
SEPTEMBER 29, 1978 // DEATH ON THE NILE
DIR. JOHN GUILLERMIN (KING KONG)
Death on the Nile brings Agatha Christie’s mystery to life as renowned detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) probes the murder of heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles) amidst the Egyptian splendor. The star-studded cast, including Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, David Niven, and Mia Farrow, weaves motives and suspects into an intricate tapestry, culminating in a surprising resolution against the opulent backdrop of the Nile’s exotic setting.
SEPTEMBER 26 // OLD-FASHIONED ON PURPOSE: CULTIVATING A SLOWER, MORE JOYFUL LIFE
BY JILL WINGER
As our society races toward progress, we’ve left something important behind. We are more connected than ever before, yet we’re still feeling unfulfilled. In Old-Fashioned on Purpose, Winger shows how simplifying our lives and adopting retro skills such as gardening and handiwork can be the key to creating the happy and healthy life we’re yearning for. Inside these pages, you will learn:
• How to find joy in the kitchen (even if you hate to cook)
• Proven strategies for growing your own groceries
• The surprising stress-relievers that can be found in your backyard
• How to craft a more grounded routine and save money in the process
• Clever tips and creative DIYs to help you embark on your old-fashioned journey
Imagery from My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023), Focus Features. Movie poster image from Death on the Nile (1978), Paramount Pictures. Book cover from Old-Fashioned on Purpose by Jill Winger (2023) Park Row, with description excerpt from the publisher. All images are presented for non-commercial illustrative purposes.
AWAKENING the soldier
A PLEA TO THE MODERN BELIEVER!
BY MIKE MAZYCK
I have heard men say, “I don’t think about Hell that much, because I am not going there.” I don’t think they mean much by it. They usually say it in a trivial sort of way, with a bit of a witty tone in their voice, and then move right on. But when I hear those words, my heart sinks. I am grieved in my spirit, because we know as believers, that all words carry meaning. They flow out of the inner recesses of the heart. And those words are anything but trivial. Those words are weighty and profound. As a brother in Christ, my heart breaks for them.
The church today has been filled with believers who “Don’t think about Hell that much.” The result of this has been tragic. We now have a believer who has been robbed of joy! We have a believer who is entitled rather than grateful. We have a believer that does not weep for the lost. We have a believer that does not understand the gravity of the situation he is currently in; his entire worldview is backward. Without thinking about it, he adds line items to his “bucket list” as he says to himself, “You Only Live Once!”
Oh, how the words we speak - even to ourselves - carry meaning! The believer has ceased to contemplate Hell, and the whole Christian life has been turned on its head as a result. A.W. Tozer summed it up best when he said, “People think of the world not as a battleground, but as a playground. We are not here to fight; we are here to frolic. . . The ‘worship’ growing out of such a view itself has become a sort of sanctified nightclub without champagne.”
Let me be abundantly clear: The believer who does not ponder the reality of Hell and the infinite horrors of that place has neglected one of the greatest sources of joy, gratitude, and power at his disposal. Yes, you read those words right. I realize this may sound absurd to you, but please bear with me and let me explain.
The doctrine of Hell is the starting point of the entire Gospel message! Every man and woman have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And as a result, there is a death sentence upon them. They are simply awaiting their trial in this life. This earth is only a holding cell. They are here for a few brief moments before they will step into the courtroom and be sentenced to execution. Eternal execution. Understanding this reality is the beginning of the “good news.”
We cannot appreciate the good news without knowing the bad news first. The bad news is what makes the good news necessary. The bad news is what makes the good news good! I urge you to go one step further though: You must realize that the goodness of the good news will be in direct proportion to our understanding of the badness of the bad news! It is only to the extent that one truly realizes his own depravity, and the eternal torment that awaits him, that he will be grateful and joyous for what he has been freely given. It is only the man who understands his diagnosis who will be grateful for the medicine that has healed him. That is the Gospel Message. The diagnosis and the cure go hand-in-hand. They are intimately connected; two sides of the same coin.
Now you might be thinking to yourself, “Okay, Mike, I get it. I understand that Hell is real and that I was going there. I understand it’s part of the Gospel Message. But why do I have to continue to think about it all the time? Doesn’t that seem a bit negative? Doesn’t that seem a bit morose?”
I will let the words of the great theologian, John Piper, answer that question for you.
“You never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, outgrow your need for the Gospel. Don’t ever think of the Gospel as that’s the way you get saved, and
then you get strong by leaving it, and doing something else. No! We are strengthened by God through the Gospel every day; till the day we drop! You never outgrow your need to preach to yourself the Gospel.”
That is the Christian life! It is really very simple. The Gospel of Christ set me free many years ago. It continues to set me free every day. I preach the Gospel to myself daily! And that Gospel message starts with the sentence that was upon me. Every day I reflect on the reality of Hell. I ponder the horror that fills a soul in the first moments of entering that place when they realize the gravity of the mistake they have made. I think about the pain of the eternal flames. I think about the infinite darkness. I think about the haunting loneliness. I think about the fact that there will be no escape and that it is utterly and completely final! I think about how there will be no drugs or alcohol to numb the pain. No sleep will enable one to slip into some alternate state of consciousness. It will be the nightmare that one never awakens from. I think about my friends and loved ones who would likely go to this place if they were to tragically die today. If they really understood, they would never leave their homes. They would cower and hide in the corner of a dark closet, trembling in fear. And then I think about myself; how I almost went to this place. How at any moment, I could have died, and as that final breath would have escaped my lungs, it would have been too late. The eternal nightmare would have begun.
My friend, preach this Gospel to yourself daily. But when you do, I urge you to start by contemplating the terrifying realities of the sentence that was once upon you. Ponder the wickedness and depravity of your own heart, and that even if you don’t understand it now, you deserved to go to that place. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to see these things with greater clarity. He will answer that prayer. And as your mind becomes continually transformed by these spiritually sobering truths, joy and gratitude will grow even greater for what Christ has done for you. The good news will become even better! It will become sweeter and sweeter. Once you fully understand the truth of your diagnosis, you will treasure the medicine that has healed you even more.
But I must also caution you. There are some other consequences to meditating upon the reality of that terrible place. Consequences that I fear not all believers truly desire. You may begin to develop a heart that weeps for the lost. You may begin to feel that you must beg and plead with men to be reconciled to God and avoid that place. The distractions and pursuits of this life may become more and more worthless and insignificant. The gravity of this life and the eternal ramifications of it may begin to grip your soul. Life may no longer be trivial; it may become a very serious matter. Your bucket list may no longer make sense. Your friends and your family may no longer understand you. You may no longer find yourself standing in the midst of a playground. You may hear the call to battle.
Read Part 2 of this article: “HELL, FIRE AND BRIMSTONE PREACHING: How the enemy plundered the church” at MikeMazyck.com
“ BEING ABLE TO MEET A PATIENT WHOSE QUALITY OF LIFE IS DIMINISHED, WHO’S BECOME LIMITED IN THEIR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND EARNING POTENTIAL, WHO’S UNABLE TO STAY ACTIVE AND DO THE THINGS THEY LOVE TO DO, THEN TO BE ABLE TO RESTORE FUNCTION TO THAT PATIENT AND HELP THEM RETURN TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE, IS REWARDING BEYOND MEASURE.”
– DR. NICK MARTIN
THE ORTHOPEDIC AND SPORTS MEDICINE INSTITUTE
ARTHROSCOPIC, ROBOTIC, AND OPEN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY, SPORTS MEDICINE, AND PHYSICAL THERAPY
BY MEREDITH KNIGHT
When Nick Martin graduated from kindergarten, someone asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He didn’t miss a beat. Young Nick wanted to be either a doctor or a professional baseball player. “My dad is an ardent baseball fan,” he explained. “He’s also been an anesthesiologist in Fort Worth for over 35 years.” In the end, baseball's loss was medicine’s gain. Now as a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Nick Martin is returning quality of life to patients through total knee
replacement and total hip replacement surgery. And those patients couldn’t be more thankful.
In this country each year, approximately 790,000 total knee replacements and over 450,000 total hip replacements are performed. And a procedure, which only a few decades ago would have seemed miraculous, is now considered one of the safest and most reliable treatments in any area of medicine. Because Dr. Martin is trained and experienced in minimally invasive robotic joint replacement
surgery, his procedures are even safer with patients up and walking the day of surgery—often within one or two hours—and many patients going home the same day.
More importantly, those grateful patients are returning to a healthy, active life. “Hip and knee replacements are my passion,” Dr. Martin said. “Being able to meet a patient whose quality of life is diminished, who’s become limited in their social activities and earning potential, who’s unable to stay active and do the
things they love to do, then to be able to restore function to that patient and help them return to a better quality of life, is rewarding beyond measure.”
Dr. Martin has endeared himself to his patients at The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) with his kind demeanor, treating everyone like a member of his family. He also possesses a talent for explaining medical terminology in a way that makes it easy for his patients to understand. Patients praise the time he takes to listen to their concerns, answer their questions, and explain everything they can expect throughout their procedure and recovery time. And although he’s a talented and highly experienced surgeon, Dr. Martin and his colleagues consider surgery a last resort only after all conservative treatments have been exhausted.
NOW IN MANSFIELD
The great news for the Arlington and Mansfield community is that OSMI has been in Mansfield for almost 2 years now and is currently building a brand new office at 287 and Heritage Parkway. “We’re excited about becoming an integral part of the orthopedic care in this community,” Dr. Martin said. “I'm passionate about restoring people's mobility and thus restoring their ability to enjoy everyday life. And we’re blessed with a staff that shares my passion. Ours is a friendly and efficient orthopedic practice. We’re like a family and, once you’re our patient, you’re part of that family. I love hearing praise for our friendly yet professional atmosphere.”
The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute surgeons are eminently trained and extensively experienced in minimally invasive robotic joint replacement surgery.
“As with traditional joint replacement, robot-assisted hip or knee replacement allows a qualified orthopedic surgeon to replace worn or damaged joints— or portions of joints—with customized implants designed to relieve pain and restore strength, mobility, and quality of life. If you’re a candidate for a hip or knee replacement, you’re probably a candidate for robotic surgery.”
Robotic surgery involves the use of advanced technology, such as the MAKO robotic arm which allows Dr. Martin to customize a patient’s joint replacement based on their anatomy and operate with incredible accuracy. While Dr. Martin remains in control at all times, the robot allows him to operate with precision never available before.
Patients benefit from exceptional results that often include faster recovery times with improved post-operative pain management. Because surgical incisions are smaller, there’s less bleeding, less scarring, less pain, and less risk of infection. While this technology has completely changed the face of joint replacement surgery, it's imperative to have an experienced surgeon planning and guiding the procedure such as the doctors at The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in Fort Worth, Decatur, and now in Mansfield.
MEET DR. MARTIN
Nick Martin grew up in Arlington, Texas, attended Texas Tech for undergraduate and UT Southwestern in Dallas for medical school. From there he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at KU in Wichita, Kansas and a total joints fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. He returned to Texas to be close to family, to raise his kids in the place he loves, and to be able to care for the people in the community where he was raised. Dr. Martin is a husband and father and active member of Walnut Creek Country Club. In his spare time he loves spending time with his family, playing golf, swimming, biking, and exploring the outdoors with his two young sons..
Find out more about Dr. Martin and the dynamic team of orthopedic and sports medicine specialists at The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute by visiting OSMIFW.com.
SHOULD I DO PHYSICAL THERAPY— (“PREHAB”) —BEFORE JOINT REPLACEMENT SURGERY?
You probably know that physical therapy is an essential follow-up to orthopedic surgeries. But there’s growing evidence that physical therapy before joint replacement surgery can also be beneficial. A high-quality PT program has long been depended upon for pain management, recovery, and healing post-replacement. But studies have shown that building strength before surgery can speed recovery after the fact. Pre-surgery PT, known as “prehab,” is showing great results in helping patients get a jump start on their healing.
CONTACT
305 Regency Parkway Suite 405
Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 968-5806 OSMIFW.com
BIG TEX BITES
THE COMPETITION BEGAN IN EARLY JULY WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 57 ENTRIES REPRESENTED BY 37 CONCESSIONAIRES. Of those entries, 36 were selected as semi-fi nalists. Each entry was evaluated on four Fair-food elements: uniqueness, creativity, presentation, and taste. After some tasty tests, votes were cast, resulting in the top 10 fi nalists who, on August 27, presented themselves to a prestigious panel
10 FINALISTS COMPETE FOR THE COVETED STATE FAIR OF TEXAS FOOD TITLES
of celebrity judges in hopes of securing the title of “Best Taste – Savory,” “Best Taste – Sweet,” and “Most Creative,” in the 2023 Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
If your favorite entry did not make the fi nal cut, fret not, concessionaires may still choose to introduce their creation at their stand as a new food during this year’s Fair. Go to LivingMagazine.net to see who won!
SAVORY Finalists
DEEP FRIED CHEESY CRAB TATER BITES, Isaac Rousso – This delicious dish begins with a blend of minced crab meat, shredded potato, cheese, and spices that are formed into tater bites. A cheesy Cajun sauce is simultaneously made, which starts off with the holy trinity: onions, bell peppers, and celery. These ingredients are sautéed perfectly with American cheese and a secret Cajun spice mix. As it all comes together, crawfish are added to enhance the flavor experience.
DEEP FRIED PHO, Michelle Le – This unique combination brings a southern spin to this popular traditional Vietnamese comfort food, perfectly balancing rich and refreshing flavors. With every bite, you get a harmonious mouthful of noodles, slices of beef, fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a taste of aromatic pho broth that has simmered for hours. It is served with a side of broth for dipping, lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and sriracha for a spicy, fiery kick!
LOADED FRIES PIZZA, Tom Grace – Daily, fresh-made pizza dough is hand-tossed and stretched onto a giant 16” pizza screen. After ladling on a healthy amount of Texas’ favorite condiment, house-made buttermilk ranch dressing, the pie is covered with freshly shredded mozzarella, French fries, and a blanket of cheddar cheese. Finally, nothing tops off cheddar fries better than crunchy chopped bacon.
OX’CELLENT SOUL ROLL, Kerston & Shawn Thorns – Savory beef oxtails are simmered for hours until tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Potatoes are added to smoked gouda and mozzarella paired with rich butter, celery, bell peppers, and sweet onions. The hearty beef mixture is rolled into a spring roll, deep-fried, and served with hot, crisp, and tender southern hush puppies and garlic chili sauce.
TURKEY RIBS! Abel Gonzales – Take the best part of turkey you never knew you loved, gently fry it, and serve it with stuffing seasoned fries, homemade giblet gravy, and a secret salsa recipe. You can also order it Texas Style with BBQ sauce fries, jalapeños, and pickles.
SWEET Finalists
BISCOFF DELIGHT, Stephen El Gidi – Immerse yourself in a classic New York-style cheesecake coated with Belgian chocolate. Each bite reveals the symphony of an outer layer adorned with crushed Biscoff cookies, offering a delightful crunch. It is finished with a drizzle of Lotus Biscoff spread and a perfectly placed Biscoff cookie.
BOURBON BANANA CARAMEL SOPAPILLAS, Cody & Lauren Hays – These hot and delicious traditional sopapillas are topped with vanilla-caramel-infused bananas, sweet bourbon syrup, crushed candied pecans, sweetened mascarpone cheese, crumbled Nilla Wafers, and then dusted with powdered sugar.
SWEET ENCANTO, Tony & Terry Bednar – Indulge in the flavors of Latin America with a round waffle lightly sweetened with caramel dulce de leche, then topped with specialty cream, sliced strawberry, kiwi, peach, shredded coconut, raspberry jam, and drizzled with sweetened condensed milk.
TRAIL-ADE, Ruth Hauntz – This blend of summer fruits, crisp cucumbers, and fresh mint blended with homemade lemonade. This refreshing, nonalcoholic cocktail served in a souvenir cowboy boot cup is the ideal elixir to tame the Texas heat.
FERNIE’S FRIED CHERRY PIE IN THE SKY, Christi Erpillo & Johnna McKee – A pie tart mold is lined with flakey, buttery pastry dough, then layered with tender, crumbly shortbread cookies, juicy and tart sweet cherries, and another layer of blended shortbread cookies. It is then topped with more pastry and handcrimped, forming the cutest pie. After a quick dip in the fryer, it is topped with a butter almond shortbread crumble. Presented with the iconic pairing of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream drizzled with cherry preserves, clouds of whipped cream, and garnished with sugared dark sweet cherries.
The 2023 State Fair of Texas themed, “Explore the Midway,” will open on Friday, September 29, and run through Sunday, October 22, 2023. Head to BigTex.com/Tickets to the most Texan place on Earth.
COURTESY: NORTHTEXASGIVINGDAY.ORG PHOTOS: CAN TURKYILMAZ
CHEERS TO 15 YEARS
TAKE PART IN THE NATION’S LARGEST COMMUNITY DAY OF GIVING
THIS YEAR’S NORTH TEXAS GIVING DAY WILL TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 21, 2023, WITH EARLY GIVING COMMENCING SEPTEMBER 1. Donors will have 21 days to make gifts to their favorite nonprofits or fi nd their passion areas, which are conveniently discoverable on NorthTexasGivingDay.org.
With a “Cheers to 15 Years” theme that plays on the day’s milestone year, early giving will include a focus on the 15 days from September 7-21 featuring a community event at SCHEELS Grandscape, Amazon Surprise and Delights, a mural reveal at Galleria Mall, and more.
“In our fourteen years of North Texas Giving Day, North Texans have given more than half a billion dollars to the nonprofits that fuel our 20-county region,” said Monica Christopher, Senior Vice President, Chief Giving and Community Impact Officer. We invite donors to help bring the energy and generosity that fuels the incredible work these organizations do every day to make North Texas a thriving community.”
Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook via #NTxGivingDay and @NorthTexasGivingDay.
HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY TIME
2023 CHRISTMAS IN COWTOWN HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET
JOIN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF FORT WORTH FOR A WEEK FULL OF SHOPPING, FOOD, HOLIDAY CHEER, AND TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. This year, Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market will have something for everyone on your list. Shop with wonderful merchants from all over the country, showcasing everything from home goods, jewelry, clothing, children’s gifts, and more. In the Market’s 17th year, the Junior League of Fort Worth continues to work tirelessly in the community of Fort Worth and beyond to partner with local nonprofit agencies. Raising over $7,000,000 since its inception, the Market continues to help support women, children, and families in need. Shopping at Christmas in Cowtown does more than knock out your holiday gift list, it supports the essential impact these agencies have on the community.
WHERE: Will Rogers Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall
WHEN: October 12 through October 15
WHO: The Junior League of Fort Worth, Inc.
2023-2024 BENEFICIARIES
ACH Child and Family Services, Casa Mañana, Daniel Migael Foundation, Fortress, Girls on the Run, Justin’s Place, Salvation Army, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and Youth Orchestra Fort Worth
MEET THE CHEF
at Meehan’s Chophouse.
BY DANIELLE VAN BEEST
If you haven’t treated yourself to an evening at Meehan’s Chophouse - you’re missing out. Owner Tony Meehan and Executive Chef Derek Venutolo have successfully put Mansfi eld on the DFW culinary map with old school elegance and cosmopolitan fare. With a keen eye for excellence, this owner/chef partnership has expertly blended a rich, leathered (and king-sized wine glass) haven that attracts the who’s who for lunch that rivals Dallas’s Al Biernat’s, with the old-schoolmembers-only feel of Fort Worth’s Del Frisco’s - but better.
Chef Venutolo, known for his longstanding success at Capital Grille, has created a menu that offers not only mouth-watering steaks that cut like butter, but imaginative options that go beyond the standard, fancy steakhouse rigmarole. In addition to the traditional wedge salad and baked potato options, Meehan’s offers baked brie, a “colossal lump crab cocktail” and (my personal favorite) a salmon fi let with a mouth-watering olive and caper tapenade. “Tony and I wanted Meehan’s to be the next-level dining experience. We’ve put in the work to make this restaurant next-level and we’re proud of it. Why should people have to drive to Dallas or Fort Worth? The goal was to have the option here
in Mansfi eld and now people are driving here from all over DFW.”
And he’s right. Diners are driving from all over—as far as Frisco, Waxahachie, and beyond to try Meehan’s menu, enjoy craft cocktails, and even Meehan’s very own wine label. Meehan’s Signature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers rich, velvety berry tasting notes that make your taste buds— and the steak —sing.
Opening on December 15th, Meehan’s Chophouse hit the ground running and never stopped. Now a local staple of understated grandeur, Meehan’s offers the priceless bonus of Texan kindness. From the host stand to the serving staff to management to the chef himself - Tony Meehan has chosen an undeniably high caliber of people who work together to make Meehan’s the best it can be— today and for years to come.
Do you have a reservation?
Meehan’s Chophouse
I THINK THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP...
Dinner at Meehan’s Chophouse gives you an exclusive evening pass to the membersonly Henry’s Cigar Lounge next door. Enjoy a nightcap and a cigar - or just take in the atmosphere. The lounge has been expertly designed to leave no smell of smoke on you as you exit. A great story to tell and none of the dry-cleaning bills to follow. Bogart would approve.
Reservations are available on OpenTable or by phone at (817) 225-2341
To book private parties call or email host-station@meehanschophouse.com meehanschophouse.com
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PROSTATE CANCER awareness month
THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY AND REGULAR SCREENINGS
BY PETE ALFANO
By the time men reach the age of 50, they have probably heard their primary care physician utter the dreaded “P” word. That would be the prostate, a small gland described as the size of a ping pong ball or walnut that is part of the male reproductive system. It is also the second leading cause of cancer in men. And it can be responsible for keeping men awake at night as an enlarged prostate often presses on the bladder and urethra, resulting in more frequent urination.
Okay, so that is the bad news. The good news is that while the Harvard Medical School says one of every eight men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, it is one of the more treatable cancers with early detection. And in most cases, prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer, which for older men, means they will probably die from something else. In fact, cancer cells in the prostate tissue may take up to 30 years before they manifest as a tumor.
This doesn’t mean men should postpone regular screenings. When prostate exams are ignored, prostate cancer, like any cancer, may metastasize, spreading to other organs, dramatically increasing the risk of more extreme treatment and death. Men over 50, African Americans, and men with a family history of prostate cancer are at the highest risk and are encouraged to have a prostate exam at least once a year. For those with a family history, exams should begin earlier than the target age.
Screening for prostate cancer is also recommended because there often are no symptoms until the cancer has spread. Because it is normal for the prostate gland to become enlarged as men get older, other medical non-cancerous conditions are associated with the prostate. One is BPH, which stands
for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This condition means the prostate cells are growing, resulting in an enlarged prostate, which is normal. This is not considered a pre-cancerous condition. Another is prostatitis, a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics that can become chronic.
So, what symptoms of an enlarged prostate should men not ignore? Among them are trouble passing urine, frequent urinating, blood in the urine, which may be microscopic, feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied, and even lower back and pelvis pain. A primary care physician can perform two tests to help identify a prostate problem. The fi rst is a prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) test, which indicates the amount of PSA in the blood. A test result above 4.0 nanograms may be a red fl ag indicating either an enlarged prostate, infection, or cancer. A digital rectal examination is uncomfortable, but a doctor can feel the prostate to determine whether it is enlarged or if there are abnormalities, such as a prostate nodule or a hard growth on the prostate.
Depending on dramatic changes in the PSA screening and the digital exam year to year, a physician may refer the patient to a urologist for additional screening, which could include a biopsy. There are also lifestyle changes men can make to help avoid prostate cancer. And yes, they are the usual suspects — exercise regularly, manage stress, which can weaken the immune system, stay hydrated, eat vegetables, cut down on red meat, and maintain a healthy weight. Your prostate will still become enlarged with age, but regular screenings can help detect an issue before it becomes more serious.
FOOD FOR thought
SIGNS THAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO WHAT YOU EAT
BY PETE ALFANO
Who doesn’t like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? It is a go-to food fi lling school lunch boxes across the country. But now, some parents may hesitate to give their children nuts in any form because of a perception that peanut and tree nut allergies are on the rise.
Is that perception accurate, or is this a case of people having a greater general awareness of food allergies? For example, statistically, only one to two percent of children suffer from allergies to nuts. But while allergic reactions may be mild for some, they can be more serious and even life-threatening for others.
The facts are, however, that adults and children can suffer from food allergies, and peanuts are not the only culprit. Dairy products such as milk and eggs, shellfish, other seafood such as tuna, cod, and salmon, and wheat and soy products may be kryptonite for young and older alike.
So, how can you know unless you eat those products and wait for a possible allergic reaction? Start with the fact that food allergies may have a genetic component, although medical experts believe that environmental factors play a strong role too. An allergist can test you for food allergies with a blood test or the pinprick method. Testing is recommended for babies who have recurring or severe eczema.
It is also important to distinguish between a food allergy and food intolerance. An allergy prompts a reaction from the immune system, which identifies the food as harmful and releases cells to fight something that can harm you. Food intolerance is a digestive problem that may make you uncomfortable but is not potentially life-threatening.
For example, people who are gluten or lactose intolerant generally avoid those products, have them only occasionally
and in small amounts, or reach for antiacids. Intolerance of some foods is a lifelong problem. Those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more likely to have an intolerance to some food resulting in bloating, heartburn, belly pain, and headaches.
Food allergy symptoms are far more severe and should not be ignored. You may experience a tingling sensation, itching, and eczema. More pronounced signs include wheezing, light-headedness, nasal congestion, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and trouble breathing.
The most severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. The symptoms of anaphylaxis shock are a rapid pulse, shock, constricted airways, swollen throat, and loss of consciousness. Obviously, these reactions require immediate emergency care.
You don’t want to fi nd out the hard way, however. Testing will determine if you are allergic to any food. Chronicling what you eat and how your body responds can help pinpoint foods you should avoid. There are treatments for food allergies, ranging from antihistamines to epinephrine injections, but there is no cure.
Connecting Allergies
It is estimated that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the United States. Does a food allergy make you more susceptible to environmental allergies such as grass, ragweed pollen, and hay fever? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children with food allergies are two-to-four times more likely to suffer from environmental allergies.
Conversely, people with asthma are more likely to have food allergies as well. The immune system is put to the test, fighting symptoms of food and environmental allergies. So, that runny or stuffy nose, wheezing, sneezing, burning eyes, and itching may be more than just a nuisance. It can make life miserable and create other health issues.
FALLS IN OLDER adults
RISKS, PREVENTION, AND BEING PREPARED
BY KIMBERLY BLAKER
According to the Centers for Disease Control, a senior over 65 falls every second of every day. One in fi ve falls ends in serious injury.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF FALLING?
A variety of factors increase an individual’s likelihood of falling. Usually, it’s a combination of multiple factors that leads to a fall. Being aware of your personal risk factors can help minimize dangers.
AGING FACTORS
As you age, there’s a natural degeneration in various bodily functions, including decreased strength and balance, slowed reaction times and reflexes, worsened vision, impaired hearing, and cognitive impairments.
These individual issues can cause difficulty walking, going up and down stairs, sitting, standing, or lying down.
MEDICAL FACTORS
Aging may lead to higher susceptibility to certain medical conditions that increase your risk of fall-ing. Some health issues associated with fall risk include dementia, osteoporosis, vertigo, depres-sion, COPD, diabetes, arthritis, and disabilities, particularly in the feet or lower limbs.
Surgical procedures for medical conditions or injuries can also affect an individual’s mobility, strength, and function.
Medications taken for medical conditions can increase the risk of falling because of the side effects that compromise
balance. Taking four or more drugs is also associated with falling.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Falls are more common in environments with slippery floors, poor lighting, uneven surfaces, stairs, and clutter. Many falls occur in the bathroom. Getting in or out of the shower or bath can be particularly hazardous to seniors.
PREVENTION & PLANNING
Make sure your prevention strategies address your risk factors. List your personal risk factors, look at which ones can be changed, and plan to decrease those risks.
Stay active at an appropriate level for your health and ability. Try lower-intensity workouts like yo-ga, tai chi, walking, swimming, water aerobics, and weight training, especially for leg muscles.
Work with a physical therapist to prevent falls or to heal from injury, especially if you have health risk factors. A physical therapist can help you improve balance and strength while considering your needs.
Get regular physical exams to check for any risk factors or problems that could lead to falls. Be honest about your concerns and discuss any side effects of your medication. Taking these steps to lessen risks and be prepared in the event of a fall will go a long way toward living a healthy, fulfi lling life.
THE RIGHT fit
EXPLORING BREAST AUGMENTATION OPTIONS
BY ANNETTE BROOKS
Some women choose breast augmentation surgery to address unwanted changes due to pregnancy or weight loss, including defl ation, asymmetry, and droopiness. For others, it’s about perfecting what Mother Nature gave them, improving size, shape, and contour. Whatever your goal, breast augmentation — which may be performed with or without a breast lift based on your needs and goals — can be an ideal solution for perfecting your body and boosting self-esteem.
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Below are a few of today’s available options for good candidates. Keep in mind that four companies currently make FDA-cleared breast implants in the U.S. — Allergan, Ideal, Mentor, and Sientra, giving you a wide range of shapes, styles, and projections (how far the implant pushes out from the front to the back) to choose from. Some plastic surgeons use implants from one manufacturer exclusively, while others offer implants for two or more.
MORE CHOICES THAN EVER
A lot has changed since modern breast implants were first invented. Overall safety has improved remarkably, and new-generation materials have brought more choices to market, including different shapes and sizes. Your plastic surgeon should be happy to explore implant options with you, pointing out the potential pros and cons of each. Other considerations include implant placement, such as under or over the muscle.
Saline Implants – A silicone shell is inserted into a pocket created with the breast and then filled with a sterile saline (saltwater) solution. In the event of a rupture, the saline is harmlessly absorbed by the body, making saline implants considered by many to be the safest solution for breast augmentation. Although saline implants tend to feel firmer than today’s new-generation silicone implants, advances such as “baffled” saline implants may come close to simulating the feel of silicone
alternatives. According to PlasticSurgery. org, baffling is a channel structure within the implant that allows the saline inside to flow in different directions within the outer implant to simulate the feel of a silicone implant. It also may decrease the chances of rippling and sloshy liquid movement.
Silicone Gel Implants – These implants also have a silicone shell but are pre-filled with a silicone gel of varying degrees of cohesiveness. (Getting more technical, this means cross-linking of the silicone molecules). The immense popularity of current silicone gel implants is due to how closely they mimic the feel of natural breast tissue.
If you’ve explored silicone implants, chances are you’ve heard of gummy bear implants. They are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel of a thicker consistency — similar to gummy bear candy — that sticks to itself and thus maintains its shape even if the shell is compromised. This type of implant aims to provide a more natural appearance and feel while minimizing the risk of implant leakage or rupture.
There’s no better time to explore breast augmentation, but choosing the right plastic surgeon is vital. Schedule consultations with experienced plastic surgeons to ask questions and review options, obtain professional recommendations based on your individual needs and body type, and understand what to expect after surgery and during recovery.
“Natural” Breast Augmentation
Natural is in vogue for just about everything, including breast augmentation via fat transfer to the breasts for enlarging and reshaping. According to PlasticSurgery.org, this option is usually best suited for women looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and prefer natural results.
Using liposuction to harvest fat from one or more areas of your body, the fat is then injected into the breasts. Not only does it allow you to avoid getting breast implants, but it’s also considered less invasive.
One thing to keep in mind with fat transfer is that the results may not be as consistent as breast implants. While tremendous strides with transferred fat survival have been made over the years, some fat may be reabsorbed. If this occurs, you could need to repeat fat injections one or more times to achieve optimal results.
MICHAEL L. THORNTON D.O., FACOS Double Board Certi
PERFECT match
MARRYING TRADITIONAL & MODERN ELEMENTS
DESIGNER : MARY PATTON DESIGN | PHOTOGRAPHER : MOLLY CULVER
This 100-year-old Tudor-style residence was initially built by the founder of Humble Oil (later Exxon) for his daughter in 1930.
Designed by prominent Texas-based architect Camren D. Fairchild, the family lived in the home for several generations until it was passed on to oil tycoon Glenn McCarthy. The current owners, who have lived in the house since the early 2000s, recently commissioned Mary Patton to modernize the residence while preserving the Tudor-style details.
WARM WELCOME // In the entry, a custom-designed Murano chandelier from the 60s lights the way for guests into the historic home. The serene dining room invites everyone to enjoy a relaxing meal.
NEUTRAL ZONE // Brown, black, grey, and white hues allow playful colors to pop.
CALM & COURAGEOUS // The bold and tranquil themes from the rest of the home are showcased in just a few of the five bedrooms and bathrooms within the 6,000-square-foot timeless Tudor.
CLASSICALLY COOL // The courtyard of the modern pool leads into a living area with warm fabrics surrounded by original features, including a brick-lined archway, windows, and wood-beamed ceilings.
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LIVING color
ON-TREND HUES REFLECT COMFORTING LIFESTYLE DESIGN
Upgrading your home design is an opportunity to tap into new color schemes. Knowing what shades are trendy and how different hues can work together for a cohesive design is an essential step in creating an attractive design aesthetic.
While you might turn to family or friends for inspiration for your next project, another resource for collecting concepts and options to upgrade your space is the internet. Consider the Valspar Color-verse, which allows visitors to explore colors and offers paint color inspiration and decor trends they can envision within their homes.
COLOR TRENDS TO CONSIDER
Many of this year’s popular nature-inspired designs are all about finding comfort, embracing a fl exible lifestyle, and rediscovering joy. The most trend-worthy, forward-thinking, and livable colors reflect specific facets or emotions of life, so you can update your well-used spaces with thoughtful colors that evoke positive energy and lasting change.
Comfort and Contentment: If your goal is to create a space that envelopes you in comfort, consider a white with a yellow undertone that makes the room cozy, like a soft blanket, like Cozy White. Complement the softness with Southern Road, a muted clay that brings in brown undertones that suggest gentle contentment.
Calming Restoration: Tap into the calming tones of nature with Green Trellis, a hazy green with duality, bringing in both the great outdoors calm and liveliness. Another option is Everglade Deck, a deep midnight blue used as an elegant calming shade to restore the mind, body, and home.
Healthful, Mindful Living: Evoke a greater sense of health consciousness with a light blue that has a dose of softness used as a fresh neutral with uplifting qualities of a modern pastel, like Rising Tide. Reinforce the benefits of mindful living with Villa Grey, a cool color balanced by the warmth of the yellow undertone.
Connections and Joy: Establish spaces where you can celebrate relationships with others and happiness in your being. Consider hues like Gentle Violet, a harmonious shade promoted by digital connectivity. Evoke joy with a dependable classic tan like Holmes Cream, which features a yellow undertone that suggests new life with uplifting qualities.
Natural Balance: Bringing hints of the outdoors into a well-loved living space creates a soothing ambiance. Consider Ivory Brown, a warm neutral tone inspired by the shades found in nature, or Blue Arrow, a cooled-down blue that strikes a beautiful balance between cool and warm shades in your design.
Inspirational Thought: A work-from-home or crafting space needs color to inspire great thinking. Try a faded natural terracotta like Desert Carnation that sparks individuality and warmth or a deep blackened olive like Flora, an on-trend neutral that embodies charm and sophistication.
Explore the tool and fi nd more colorful ideas at Valspar.com.
Courtesy: Family Features, Valspar
Navigate New Colors
Exploring color options before you apply them to a home improvement or design project gives you a chance to experience and visualize different styles before you fully commit. Using a tool like Valspar’s Color-verse, a 3D virtual home, you can experience on-trend color palettes that inspire your next big project through resources like:
An interactive feature that allows you to repaint walls of a living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, walls, and cabinets using the 12 Colors of the Year, then takes you directly to the site to order free paint chips to try at home
An artistic element where you can create a 3D panorama nature scene, explore others’ artwork, and share creations on social media
A light-hearted game that inspires you to get on the road to gather your home improvement essentials
Check it out at: ValsparColorVerse.com/#/app
Nuts about Pecans CRACK INTO
A TASTY TEXAS TRADITION
BY ANNETTE BROOKS
As someone who picks through a new can of deluxe mixed nuts just for the pecans, I fully appreciate why the Lone Star State is nutty about its pecans. Texas’ love for pecans grew to the point where the pecan was named the state tree in 1919. In 2001, we bestowed another honor on the pecan, which is technically a fruit, by declaring it our official state nut. Then in 2013, Texas named none other than pecan pie as its state pie. As if this isn’t enough, we’ve dedicated the entire month of October to celebrating the pecan.
BEFORE TEXAS BECAME TEXAS
Considered the only major nut tree indigenous in North America, pecans were around long before Europeans settled in Texas. Native American tribes, who are believed to have first cultivated the tree, used pecans as a food source and were widely traded. In fact, the word pecan has its origins in an Algonquin word (pakani or pacane), roughly meaning “requiring a stone to crack.”
Of course, the Spanish and Franciscans in Northern Mexico caught on quickly and began cultivating pecan trees around the early 1700s. Pecan tree cultivation expanded into what is now the United States, and with growing demand, commercial cultivation commenced around the 1880s. From there, the rest is history. Today, the United States is the world’s largest pecan-producing country, with Georgia, New Mexico, and Texas harvesting the most pecans.
PECAN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
Even if you’re a newcomer to the state, you’ve probably noticed that Texas towns love to stake a claim to fame, including San Saba. Hailing as the Pecan Capital of the World (those are some mighty big boots to fill!), this pecan-loving community
and the birthplace of actor and director Tommy Lee Jones is approximately three hours southwest of Dallas and four hours northwest of Houston. It’s a peaceful weekend getaway destination that offers plenty of history and small-town charm. But the main attraction is the pecans, considered by many as the best-tasting pecans you can find. Plan to pop into a couple of the pecan shops in town where you can purchase a wide range of pecanbased food items, from preserves and toppings to baked goods, pecan candy, and simply plain bags of pecans. Roasted, salted, candied, sugared — sample and savor San Saba pecans and discover why so many people believe they set the standard when it comes to pecans.
THE MOTHER PECAN TREE
Visiting San Saba, it’s easy to see the town is pecan central in Texas, but you may wonder what makes San Saba special. According to Texas A&M University, the San Saba Mother Pecan tree, discovered and “saved from the axe” in the 1800s by an Englishman, is the source of more important pecan varieties than any other tree in the world. These well-known varieties include Liberty Bond, Jersey, No. 60, San Saba Improved, and the internationally acclaimed Western Schley. The famous tree still stands today on private property.
• Pecans are considered a superfood. Rich in protein and cholesterolreducing healthy fats, they contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals. A one ounce serving provides about 10% of the recommended daily value for fiber.
• Is the correct pronunciation PEE-can (emphasis on the first syllable) or on the second syllable, Puh-KAHN? If you search the internet for a definitive answer, you’ll quickly realize that it’s one hard nut to crack. MerrimanWebster.com indicates three different accepted pronunciations.
• Pecan groves occur naturally. Pecan orchards are planted by humans.
• Pecan trees in Texas are harvested in the fall. They begin to drop from the trees when the green husks start to split open.
• Pecan trees can live for more than 200 years. They usually range from 70 to 100 feet in height, but some grow up to 150 feet or higher. Each tree needs 150 gallons of water a day, which is why native groves tend to grow in deep soils near streams and rivers.
• Shelled pecans come in various sizes — mammoth, extra-large, large, medium, small, and extra-small.
• There are over 1,000 varieties of pecans, with many named for Native American Indian tribes.
• The U.S. produces 80 to 90% of the world’s pecans.
• Pecan shells can make an attractive and high-performing garden mulch.
Heat oven to 350°. Coarsely chop 4 squares of the chocolate and set aside. Line a 9-inch pie plate as directed on package with pie crust. Microwave remaining 4 squares of chocolate and butter in large microwavable bowl on high 1 to 2 minutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Brush bottom of pie crust with small amount of beaten egg. Stir sugar, corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla into chocolate mixture until well blended. Stir in pecans and chopped chocolate. Pour into pie crust. Bake 55 minutes or until knife inserted 2 inches from edge comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.
Recipe Via Texas Pecan Growers Association
Chocolate Pecan Pie
TEXAS a TASTE of
1
Big Red was created 75 years ago in 1937 by chemist Grover C. Thomsen and businessman R.H. Roark. The duo concocted the soda recipe in the chemical lab in Waco where Thomsen worked.
2
Although invented in Texas, the soft drink was first available in Louisville, Kentucky, where R.H. Roark had a bottling plant.
3
Originally called Sun Tang Red Cream Soda, the name was changed to Sun Tang Big Red Cream Soda in 1959. A decade later, the name was officially shortened after the president of the San Antonio bottling plant overheard golf caddies call it Big Red.
4
Its distinctive flavor is described as sweet with a light blend of vanilla and citrus. Some claim it has a slightly spicy kick. Try some and decide for yourself.
5
Big Red was the sixth best-selling soda in the U.S. in the 70s and remains popular throughout Texas and the South today.
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT BIG RED SODA
BY ANNETTE BROOKS
Nearly everyone has tried Waco, Texas’ iconic contribution to the soft drink world — Dr. Pepper. But did you know Big Red was also invented in Waco? As bold as the Lone Star State itself, this vintage American soda pop is a distinctive bright red color you can’t miss. Check out some fun facts about Big Red, then pop a top and enjoy discovering this fizzy, sweet-tasting beverage embedded in Texas’ culture.
6
San Antonio is home to the Barbacoa & Big Red Festival. This year it will take place October 7th and 8th at the R&J Music Pavilion.
7
In 2008, Dr. Pepper purchased a minority interest in Big Red, Inc. Almost 80% of Big Red is distributed by Dr. Pepper today.
8
Although the soda’s production facility is in Waco, the company’s headquarters moved to Austin in 2009.
9
Tipping its hat to what once was a soda pop rival, the Dr. Pepper museum in Waco includes a Big Red exhibit.
10
The brand now includes Big Red, Big Blue, and Big Peach, which all contain caffeine. If you prefer a caffeine-free soft drink with a fruity taste, try the company’s fourth flavor, Big Pineapple.
CELEBRATING WEIRD AND WACKY THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN TEXAS
BY ANNETTE BROOKS
World’s Largest Pecan
San Saba may be the Pecan Capital of the World, but Seguin, Texas — roughly 50 miles south of Austin — lays claim to being The Pecan Capital of Texas. And that’s not all. On display next to the Texas Agriculture and Heritage Center is Seguin’s 16-foot-long pecan statue honoring Texas’ state nut, said to be the world’s largest pecan.
Meow Wolf Grapevine
The real doesn’t get more unreal than at Meow Wolf, located in Grapevine Mills. Its super fun mind-bending interactive artscape includes music and lighting, offering an exhilarating playground for the senses that will spark your imagination. Artists use various media, including sculpture, painting, fabrication, digital art, writing, film, and more, to create this fantastical experience. It’s a must-see.
Visit MeowWolf.com/visit/grapevine for more information and to purchase tickets.
Beer Can House
Most people associate Texas with the Alamo, Longhorn cattle, BBQ, cowboy boots, Tex-Mex food, NASA, rodeos, Big Bend, football, and the slogan “Don’t mess with Texas.” But once you scratch beneath the surface, you’ll find many quirky things to do and see here.
We’ve pulled together a few highlights, but this is just the tip of the cowboy boot. Like Texas itself, the number of off-beat things to do and see here is huge.
Every state has an odd house or two. In Texas, you have the Munster Mansion in Waxahachie and the Royce City Futuro house, but perhaps the most fitting example is the Beer Can House smack in the middle of a Houston neighborhood. According to the website of The Orange Show for Visionary Art, who acquired the home and preserved it as a folk-art museum, owner John Milkovisch began inlaying thousands of marbles, rocks, and metal pieces into concrete and redwood to form unique landscaping features. When the entire front and back yard were completely covered because he “got sick of mowing the grass,” he turned to the house itself and began adding aluminum siding, aluminum beer can siding, that is.
Glass Bathrooms
Yes, there’s such a thing as public bathrooms made of glass, and you can find them in Sulphur Springs’ Celebration Plaza. When inside, you can see the park and the historic courthouse, but people outside can’t see in, protecting your privacy.
Combine City
Speaking of Amarillo, check out Combine City when you’re in the area. It seems that Texans love to half-bury upended vehicles, but unlike VW Slug Bug Ranch and Cadillac Ranch, Combine City pays homage to retired combine harvesters. The last someone counted, as far as we can tell, 14 combines adorn the landscape.
World’s Largest Cowboy Boots
What’s a trip to San Antonio without visiting The Alamo, the Riverwalk, the Mission Trail, and going to take a selfie in front of the largest cowboy boots in the world? The pair of fake ostrich-and-calf-skin boots stands 35 feet tall and are 33 feet long. Some of our friends up north from Canada may have a bone to pick with this “world’s largest” statement because Edmonton boasts a 40-foot-tall cowboy boot, but it’s a single boot, not a pair. So, the claim stands.
The Texas Woofus
There are a lot of mythical creatures in pop culture, lore, and fables, but Texas has created its own — a Woofus. A statue of this mythical chimera rests in Dallas’ Fair Park. Comprised of various part of livestock parts, it features the mane and neck of a horse, a pig body, duck wings, a sheep’s head, a turkey tail, and the icing on the cake, a pair of Texas longhorns.
The Cathedral of Junk
The slogan “Keep Austin Weird” is alive and well throughout our state capitol. One place to soak in the vibe is a giant sculpture built by local artist Vince Hannemann in his backyard. Since the late 80s, this mixed-media sculpture has been constructed with all sorts of objects, including car parts, signs, dolls, tires, mannequins, musical instruments, wheels, toilets, and who knows, and some areas are even color coordinated too. There are no fees to visit, but donations are appreciated, and be sure to call (512) 299-7413 to verify it is open before showing up.
Leaning Tower of Texas
Groom, Texas, situated about 44 miles east of Amarillo, could easily be a blip on the map if not for one thing — it’s home to a leaning tower that is a popular roadside attraction. Ralph Britten purchased the water tower that was slated for demolition and moved it to serve as an advertisement for his truck stop and tourist information center. The Leaning Tower Truck Stop closed in the 80s, but the tower still tilts for passers-by.
Gathering GAME PLAN
ARRANGE A FUN FAMILY REUNION YOU’LL REMEMBER FOREVER
BY AUDREY SELLERS
Family reunions can be fun-filled, memory-making affairs that get all the generations together. Among families who plan reunions, half say they hold them every year or every other year, according to GroupTravel.org.
If you’re thinking about getting your crew together, it’s never too early to start planning. Pulling everything together can often take months — and sometimes a year or more.
So, how can you plan a meaningful family reunion that relatives of all ages will enjoy? Here are a few pointers to keep in mind.
Survey your family. Before you begin planning your family reunion, get a gauge of your relatives’ preferences and interest in
attending. Some questions to ask include where and when they’d like to get together.
Start different committees. While you may want to take the lead on planning, there’s no need for you to do all the work. Recruit relatives to oversee different aspects of the gathering, from the setting to the social events.
Set the budget. No one person should foot the bill for a family reunion. Typically, each family unit covers its own expenses. If you’re booking an event space or planning a party menu, be sure to alert each family about what their contribution will be.
Choose a theme. This can add a fun touch to the reunion and may inspire your far-flung relatives
to attend. A theme also makes it easier to plan menus and activities. Your theme might revolve around a milestone birthday or anniversary, or you could choose one just for fun, like a tropical or carnival theme.
Determine the dates. Do you envision a weekend of fun, or would you like your family to gather for a longer time? A good rule of thumb is that the farther people must travel, the longer your reunion should last.
Select a location. You may want to hold your family reunion in a city convenient to most relatives. Alternatively, you could choose a destination like the mountains or beach.
Make your reservations. Unless your family plans to roll out the sleeping bags at Grandma’s house, it’s a good
idea to book hotel rooms, cabins, or other accommodations.
Plan the activities. Once your crew gets together, what will everyone do? Start with some icebreakers, then make a list of games or activities your relatives would enjoy. Ideas include a scavenger hunt, water balloon toss, cornhole, or hula hooping contest.
Send out the invites. As soon as you have the venue and dates reserved, send formal invitations to your family members. This gives relatives more time to book travel, set aside vacation days, and prepare for the event.
Organizing a family reunion may seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning, you can create a festive event your relatives will remember for years to come.
When Should You Hold Your Family Reunion?
Summer is the most popular time of year for family reunions, but flights and accommodations can also be more expensive between June and September. If you’re looking to trim costs a bit, try holding your family reunion around:
A holiday. Whether you’re gathering for fireworks on Independence Day or a feast for Thanksgiving, holidays can be a great time to hold a family reunion. Your relatives may have an extra day or two off from work, making travel easier for out-oftown guests.
A special day or family milestone. This could be a grandparent’s birthday or anniversary. You might also plan a family reunion around another family gathering, like a wedding or graduation. Think about what special occasions your family members have coming up in the next year and try to plan a family reunion around those events.
A predetermined date. You may want to plan a family reunion around a set date. For example, you could hold your event the first weekend in September every year. This way, all your relatives know to save the date, whether you have the event yearly or every five years.
PEDALING pilgrimage
BIKE THE HISTORIC SAN ANTONIO MISSION TRAIL
BY CHRISTINA GARCIA
Distinct for being so closely located to one another, San Antonio’s Spanish colonial missions make up the state’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, and a paved, bikeable path connects them. Built or relocated to the area in the 1700s, the missions are a reminder of early encounters between Franciscan priests and the area’s diverse native people, collectively called Coahuiltecans by Europeans, who would assimilate into the Catholic faith and culture. Anchors for Franciscan priests and neophyte native groups, the sites feature still visible frescos, restored architecture, old Spanish aqueducts, and much more. The missions even serve as sites for worship today.
On a trail paved along the banks of the San Antonio River, a free, public path offers a sunny Texas bike ride for those ready to adventure. Connected to the Alamo by the Mission Reach arm of the River Walk, the bikeable trail of about 14 miles moves south to four missions, Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña, Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission San Francisco de la Espada, known by their abbreviated names, Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada, respectively.
Photos: Christina Garcia and Luke Faulkner, Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
Mission San José arches
Mission Espada
THE RIDE
Riders already familiar with the Alamo mission might start their bike tour near the Blue Star Arts Complex in the historic King William Historic District, where restaurants and eateries offer a great place to fuel up and cool down just nine minutes from Mission Concepción. Though the trail ride is often described as a loop, the National Park Service specifies that it is an out-and-back path of nearly 14 miles, but there is no wrong place to start or end your customizable route. Just remember to bring sunscreen and plenty of water, as the trail is often unshaded.
San Antonio’s BCycle offers electric bikes for rent at each mission on the trail, with pay-as-you-ride options starting at $5 for half an hour. Those looking for a short ride might enjoy the four-mile round-trip trek between San Juan and Espada. (Mat-Tx.com/bike-tours)
Part of the National Park Service, each mission has working bathrooms open to the public and free parking. You’ll also fi nd rangers stationed at each site’s visitor center with a trove of information on the points of interest hidden in plain sight from casual tourists. Find the main visitor center at Mission San José and be sure to visit the baroque Rose Window.
Each mission’s outside grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, with morning mass still held throughout the week, often on weekends. Some afternoon and evening masses gather, with Mariachi Mass also drawing crowds.
Mission Concepción
Mission San José doors
PLAN AHEAD
The annual Pilgrimage of San Juan Diego, usually in the fi rst week in December, is a prayer dance featuring hundreds of matachines, or native dancers, from Mission San Juan to Mission San José. Often beginning just as the sun rises at 7 AM, the dance features worshipers moving to offer prayers and intentions of both the dancers themselves and their family members or community. According to Nicky Mata, Program Manager for El Camino de San Antonio Missions, the dance is part of the Native American traditions new pilgrimage program through the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio to encourage visitors arriving for the spiritual experience of the Mission Trails.
“Their dance is a prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe,” she said, adding that the dancers will perform in front of and inside each church as well as near the statues of the Virgin Mary at what she described as a moving event.
The matachine pilgrimage happens closest to the Saturday of the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which falls on Saturday, December 9 of this year. Visitors are invited to participate by following behind the dancers or can arrive to see the dancers leave Mission San Juan and then drive over to Mission San José and see them arrive.
Biking during the pilgrimage may be slightly more challenging than on other days when runners and dog walkers share the path in smaller numbers.
Mass at the Missions
Concepción – Sunday at 10 AM and Mariachi Mass at noon
San José – Saturday at 5 PM, Sunday at 9 AM, and Mariachi Mass at 12:30 PM
San Juan – Sunday at 9 AM under the trees
Espada – Monday 9 AM in Spanish and Saturday 5 PM in English
For additional and updated times, visit: nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/churchinfo.htm
Mission San José frescos
Mission San Juan Capistrano
DOWN HOME dishes
ADD A LITTLE TEXAS TO YOUR TABLE THIS FALL BY
JENNIFER BAJSEL
TEXAS TWINKIES
SERVINGS: 8 | PREP: 20 MIN. | COOK: 30 MIN. | TOTAL: 50 MIN.
INGREDIENTS: 1 pkg. bacon | 8 jalapenos | 4 oz. cream cheese, softened | 1 cup shredded or chopped brisket | 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese | 1 cup raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce
DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. PLACE bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet until partially cooked but still pliable. CUT a T-shaped slit in jalapenos and remove core and seeds. COMBINE the cream cheese, brisket, and cheese. FILL each jalapeno with brisket mixture. Remove bacon from oven, drain grease, and pat dry. WRAP each jalapeno with a bacon strip and secure with a toothpick. BAKE for 30 minutes until jalapenos are soft and bacon is crisp. SERVE with raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce.
TIPS & TRICKS: You can purchase the BBQ sauce or make your own. To make your own, follow the Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce recipe and, using a blender, combine 1 cup of BBQ sauce with ½ cup of raspberries and one chipotle in adobo.
OVEN ROASTED RIBS WITH DR. PEPPER BBQ SAUCE
SERVINGS: 4 | PREP: 30 MIN. | COOK: 2 HR. 30 MIN. | TOTAL: 3 HR.
INGREDIENTS: 2 racks baby back ribs | 1 Tbsp. kosher salt | ½ tsp. black pepper | 1 Tbsp. cumin | ½ tsp coriander | 2 Tbsp. chili powder BBQ Sauce: 1 cup Dr. Pepper | 20 oz. ketchup | 1 Tbsp. garlic powder | 1 tsp. onion powder | 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire | 1 Tbsp. chili powder
DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. REMOVE membrane from ribs. PLACE ribs in a large baking dish and rub them with dry spices. ADD 1 cup of water and cover tightly with foil. COOK for 2 ½ hours until the meat almost falls off the bones. For the sauce: COMBINE all six ingredients in a sauce pot and simmer for 20 minutes until sauce thickens. REMOVE ribs for the last 15 minutes and baste with sauce. RETURN to oven uncovered. When ribs are ready, let rest and glaze with more sauce before serving.
TIPS & TRICKS: For a more browned rib, remove from oven, baste with sauce, and place on a hot grill bone side up for 10 minutes until charred.
SWEET CORNCAKE WITH BLACKBERRIES
SERVINGS: 12 | PREP: 15 MIN. | COOK: 45 MIN. TOTAL: 1 HR.
INGREDIENTS: 1 Tbsp. butter | 1 ¾ cup buttermilk | 1 Tbsp. vanilla | 2 eggs | ¾ cup cake flour | 1 cup cornmeal | 1 cup sugar | ½ tsp. baking soda | ½ tsp. salt | 6 oz. blackberries
DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. GREASE a cake pan with 1 tsp. butter and line bottom with parchment paper, then grease parchment. COMBINE the buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. MIX the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. STIR in the buttermilk mixture until smooth. PLACE some blackberries in the bottom of the cake pan and mix the remaining into the cake batter. BAKE until the crust is golden, about 45 minutes. SERVE with more blackberries and vanilla ice cream.
TIPS & TRICKS: If you toss the blackberries in the flour/cornmeal mixture before adding wet ingredients, the berries will not sink to the bottom of the pan.
ABOUT OUR CHEF
Jennifer is a private chef in Dallas, TX, with a passion for home-cooked meals with a global influence. In addition to cooking, she hosts an Italian cooking show on national streaming television. To follow her, go to JenniferBajsel.com or find her on Instagram @JENNIFER_BAJSEL
A SMATTERING of stuff
THAT’S MAKING US SAY “WE LIKE IT!” THIS MONTH
BY HEATHER WITHERSPOON
SMOKE SNACK
Born in Texas, Low and Slow Small Batch Hickory Smoked Chips pay homage to the state’s rich history of barbeque and bold seasoning. Made by burning real hickory wood, they are the first-ever line of BBQ chips authentically smoked. After trying all three offerings — potato, corn, and tortilla — I can assure you that your chili pie, salsa, and sandwiches will never be the same. Perfect for solo snacking, tailgating, or relaxed family gatherings, these chips capture the essence of Texas’ timeless culinary heritage in every crunch.
PRICE VARIES, FIND A RETAILER AT LOWANDSLOW.COM
FAIR FANS
Can’t make it to the midway? Or will you go but want to wear the fair all year? The State Fair of Texas 2023 commemorative theme art highlights fairgoers’ favorite ways to “Explore the Midway,” like the historic neon Midway arch, the 1914 Dentzel Carousel, the Midway Barker, the Texas Skyway, and of course, the Texas Star Ferris Wheel. The vibrant colors and streaks of brilliance are emblematic of the Fair’s Midway at night when its flashing lights and echoing sounds carry for miles.
$20 - $35, BIGTEXSTORE.COM
A PRIMER TO PONDER
The Lone Star State can seem like an enigma to those who have never had the pleasure of spending time here. Texans seem to walk differently, talk differently, and dress differently than any other people in the nation. Y’all: The Definitive Guide to Being a Texan is a funny and engaging primer on how to be a Texan and understand our unique history, language, culture, customs, and do’s and don’ts – whether you’re movin’ here or just passin’ through.
$20, AMAZON.COM
SERVING STATE PRIDE
Whether you pull it out for a party or proudly put it on display, this cheeseboard is sure to be a household favorite. It’s also an excellent gift for friends or family who have moved out of state, and you can even add a monogram for an extra personal touch.
$79, MARKANDGRAHAM.COM
TEXAS TO A TEE
The Care FP State Flower Tee donning the Blue Bonnet is the perfect piece to show your love for the Lone Star State. This vintage-inspired, goes-withanything style will be a top pick to pair with classic denim, a romantic skirt, or a luxe leather bottom.
