FEELS
LIKE
Urban Roots’ Uplifting Gift to Brown County p. 6
One of the most remarked upon events of the season has been the sprouting of the wildflowers. They have truly been a sight to behold this year. The excitement arrived with the bluebonnets and has remained long since the violet was replaced with rich jewel tones of imperial reds, citrines, and amethysts: colors of treasure itself. These spectacular hues of central Texas are products of the rain, of course. Showers sent to uplift our lakes and spirits, alike. While we are certainly grateful for the rain, there have been a few harrowing moments that left us all holding our breaths. Winds that ripped limbs from trees, hail that covered the ground like snow, and brooding clouds that loomed over main streets. To endure a storm together, our faces turned in unison to the skies above, is a matchless experience. One minute we are bunkered down in alarm, the next we are comparing rain totals from the night before, all fear forgotten.
It’s funny, isn’t it, the collective sense of appreciation that we all feel after a downpour. It’s in those moments when the waves have settled and the ripples have ceased and a body of water mimics a vast plane of glass,
that we are reminded just how fragile and precious each and every drop can be.
The same can be said about people, too, can’t it? There is no doubt that there is value in water. To receive it is a blessing, but to give it… that is truly remarkable. As they say, “the grass is greener where you water it.” Here in Brown County, we are witnesses to the exponential growth in the areas that we pour into. Look around and see the beauty that has erupted in the wake of a season of watering! Don’t look only at what is growing on the sides of the road, but look at the people flourishing where they are planted, too.
I hope this edition leads you to a place of peace as you pour over its pages. I hope that you find gratitude in the people of your community, beauty in their hearts, and inspiration in their dreams. I hope you realize that your neighbors, too, have endured storms and stayed afloat at times only by the kindness of their peers and God’s good grace. And look how beautifully we’ve bloomed.
Photos
by Brie Williams PhotographyPlants make people happy and change our environment. Stephanie Young knows about change. Working in real estate when the market crashed in 2008, she made a huge career change and became a paramedic. After she met her wife Sara, she moved to Brownwood and became an instructor at the Texas State Technical College EMT program.
Stephanie loved her job as a paramedic, but she needed a release from the extreme stress. Always loving plants, she found gardening to be therapeutic, bringing her peace and joy between long shifts on the ambulance. She didn’t find as much success with house plants at first. She would buy them, bring them home and promptly kill them! She began researching various plants and how to care for them. Each success spurred her on to purchase more plants. Finally, Sara told her if she kept buying plants, she might as well open a store. Why not?
She pursued the possibility, and Matt McCrane showed her a building he wanted to restore as part of the downtown revitalization program. Stephanie said, “It looked like a bomb hit it—like a warzone in Ukraine the first time I saw it. Matt worked his magic, and now the building looks amazing.”
Mr. McCrane split the building for two shops, allowing Stephanie to give input on the paint and pretty finishing touches. Grazed and Confused Restaurant shares the other half of the building.
Stephanie wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere where people can feel peace and joy as they let the tension and stress leave. “People are always welcome to come in and browse. I love to see the smiles on their faces as they walk through the doors. If they choose to purchase a plant, to create the same warm feeling when they walk into
their home, I can help guide them on what will work for their space. Most of the time people overwater their plants or put a plant in the middle of the room when it needs more light. Just knowing where to put a plant and when to water it makes all the difference.”
Urban Roots has many unique plants that can’t be found anywhere else around town. Some of the unusual offerings include Air Plants, Jade Bonsai Trees, and tenfoot tall Fiddle Leaf Fig trees. One of Stephanie’s favorite plants is the Hoya, because it is easy to care for, and the vining foliage looks painted. There is a wide variety of plants to choose from, all the way from the floor to the ceiling. The shop has many large indoor plants as well. The store also carries pots, macramé, candles that can be used as pots and propagation stations that can be used to start new plants.
One extraordinary feature of Urban Roots is the Terrarium Bar and terrarium classes. It takes
between forty-five minutes and an hour to create a distinctive terrarium. Patrons choose from various sizes and shapes of containers, colored sand, soil, decorative rocks, covered moss, sea shells and hundreds of succulents. Stephanie offers instruction on how to make and care for the terrarium. The Terrarium Bar is open during business hours and walk-ins are welcome. She recommends making a reservation if you have a group of four or more. What fun!
Urban Roots will also be offering plant workshops beginning Spring/Summer 2023. These workshops will be Plant Care 101, Intro to Propagation Workshops, Air Plant Workshops, as well as some fun summer classes for the kids. Be on the lookout for all the details soon.
Urban Roots is enjoying great community support and success, especially at Valentine’s. However, there have been a few bumps in the road. Stephanie made several trips to market in Dallas. First she had to fold down her seats to try to fit large plants in her car. Then she had to rent a U-Haul to transport trees. She searched for a cargo van, but with the market as it is, it would take over a year to get a new one. While celebrating her daughter’s birthday in Dallas, she spotted a van in a car lot and purchased it. Being five foot-three inches, Stephanie couldn’t see over the steering wheel, so Sara got her a three-inch kiddie booster seat. Now the wheels of the van go round and round to Dallas and back.
“Flowers and plants are a beautiful, living piece of art.”
Urban Roots is a feel-good, relaxing place. You can learn about plants and leave with a pep in your step. Plants bring nature inside for people who are homebound, especially since COVID.
Stephanie said, “Plants make me happy. Flowers and plants are a beautiful, living piece of art. If properly cared for, plants can last indefinitely, providing a fun, productive hobby. I’m so thankful to be a part of the growth in Brownwood. I love the way the community comes together to support local businesses. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Shop local. Support Brownwood. Give back to the community. Urban Roots is located at 306 N Broadway Suite B, Brownwood, TX. Call for more information at (325) 4302806, or follow their Facebook page Urban Roots BTX.
Located just a few miles outside Brownwood is one of the area’s greatest treasurers. No, it’s not a monument honoring the legendary football programs of Gordon Wood. Though, in its own way the Brownwood Regional Airport has gained legendary status.
The Brownwood Regional Airport opened during World War II as Brownwood Army Airfield and was a training base for the Air Force. Until the end of World War II, its primary mission was the training and preparation of combat crews for overseas replacement. Following the end of World War II, the 1,500-acre airport was deeded to the City of Brownwood by the United States Government. Visitors today can catch a glimpse of the airport’s history through an F-4 Phantom and F-111 that are on display there, along with a plethora of photos in the otherwise modern terminal building.
The airport is a full-service fix-based operator offering 100LL and Jet A fuel to customers. A 24-hour self-serve pump with both fuel types is available after hours.
The terminal affords visitors amenities such as a passenger lounge, pilot’s lounge, conference room, weather briefing room, satellite TV, wireless internet, vending machines, a courtesy crew car. Additionally, there are three sets of T-hangars available with a capacity to house up to 42 aircraft, as well as a larger corporate hangar that can fit another six to eight aircraft, depending on size. The large community hangar used for overnight or short-term guests, is also used for hosting large events like weddings and Brownwood Education Foundation’s Annual Gala.
Over 60 companies use the airport to conduct their business, either through general aviation or charter. Planes range from Piper Cubs to C-130 military turboprops. For nearly three decades the airport was a stop for Texas International Airlines until they stopped in the late 1970s. Mesa Airlines also provided commercial service for some time before they stopped in 2005. In recent years, some
of the airport’s customers have included the likes of FedEx, UPS, Kohler, 3M, McCoy’s Lumber, Bealls, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Large factories must consider their access to aviation facilities when planning to bring their plants – and thus, jobs – to an area. Brownwood Regional Airport has proven to be a great asset to its community.
Bobby Burks, the airport manager, is the longest serving employee at the facility. He will celebrate 25 years in November. However, he has loved the airport long before he started running it.
“Brownwood has been good to me and I have had a great experience while working here. I have met some really good people and became good friends with them while working here,” Burks said.
Burks, who has been flying since 1981, is originally from Comanche, where he served on that airport board and later as the airport manager for the City of Coleman for five years, before coming to Brownwood. He remembers being excited after interviewing with his friend Mike Wilson, then the airport’s assistant manager.
“Mike was an old acquaintance that I had met when I flew into the Brownwood airport, and he knew I had the experience of working at airports. I am grateful that he hired me to start a new chapter here,” Burks said.
Burks said the airport hosts a number of school events yearly. He said it’s always a joy when children come by and learn about aviation.
“The kids are always elated to see airplanes and helicopters when doing tours. Some show great interest in learning more about flying lessons and they ask lots of questions,” he said.
Scott Mangum, a local flight instructor, can make those dreams a reality. Through the airport, he provides lessons for private pilot’s licenses to aspiring airmen and women.
“There have been numerous famous people fly in and out of the airport,” Burks said. The likes include legendary businessman and former presidential candidate Ross Perot, actor Tommy Lee Jones, Governor Greg Abbott and former Governors Rick Perry and Ann Richards, former University of Texas football coach Mack Brown, former President George W. Bush and former NFL player Tim Tebow.
The recent Brownwood state of the city address noted the airport has 1.9 miles of paving and stripping around its hangars and taxiways. More than 7,300 flights go in and out in a year, averaging one flight per hour for every day of the year.
While there has been talk of using the runways as a dragstrip, Burks said those rumors can be squelched.
“A dragstrip is a place where you race cars,” he said. “This is an airport, and the Federal Aviation Association expects it to be only an airport.”
In addition to playing a vital role in providing jobs, ecotourism, and learning opportunities, the airport is also important for the critical care access it provides to the community. Because of the airport, citizens have greater access to larger medical facilities in the Metroplex or Abilene, when local hospitals become overwhelmed or lack resources.
Brownwood Regional Airport will host a regional fly-in event October 7th and 8th this year, featuring a variety of planes and pilots from all over. Make plans to bring your family and join the fun!
Bite into a fresh jalapeno bacon cheeseburger served in a restored train car, take a relaxing kayak ride along the Pecan Bayou, sample award-winning Texas-made wines and beers from local brewers and winemakers, experience legendary barbecue 70 years in the making, shop over a dozen trendy, locallyowned boutiques, spend a weekend on a lakefront golf course resort, attend a live performance at a beautifully preserved 1920’s theatre, or snap some selfies on our downtown mural trail. It’s all happening in Brownwood, where it feels like home
www.visitbrownwood.com @visitbrownwood
Words by Kelsy Bellah
Photos by Ricky Ray Photography & Brie Williams Photography
Turning all that she touches to gold, Randee Green is changing the face of Brown County, one house at a time. Randee’s love for strategic decorating brings a special niche of interior design services to the area with a focus on waterfront properties.
“We desperately wanted to move to Brown County in 1998 after graduating college to be closer to family but had limited funds just starting out as a married couple,” said Randee.
Randee sought help from her sister, seeking homes within their small budget, willing to care for any house, no matter its condition. “She called me the next day with the impossible! A four bedroom, two bath home that needed lots of love, blood, sweat, and tears,” said Randee. “That home ended up on the Tour of Homes back in the day.”
“We grew out of houses as our family grew and kept our eyes on homes that got overlooked by most but had good bones as they say,” said Randee. With each new house, she and her husband continued growing in their profits and their knowledge of renovation. Before long, Randee began helping others find, create and decorate their homes, while also holding down other jobs like teaching, weekday preschool director, Brownwood Reunion Celebration Executive Director, and serving as a children’s pastor.
“In 2022 I retired to learn pickleball,” said Randee. “Or so I thought – I still had that need to create.”
Thus, Randee Green Design was born.
“One of my favorite creative people, James Victore once said, ‘The things that made you weird as a kid, make you great today.’ That is certainly true for me,” said Randee. “Interior design has been a part of me since I was little.” Randee recalled a passion for being outside as a child, creating backyard fairy houses complete with miniature furniture all made from found items in the yard. As she got older, she developed a love for teaching, but always had a desire to bring homes back to life and help others reimagine their spaces, too.
“I’m not sure what it takes to become a professional,” said Randee. “But after 20 years of experience, I finally feel official with the start of RGD.”
Randee said her inspiration derives from watching other creative people within our community pursuing their own dreams and using their own gifts. “It is definitely an inspiring time to be in Brown County,” said Randee.
While she can design spaces of all shapes and sizes, Randee’s passion lies within homes along the shore. Born in Hawaii, a daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter to a long line of sailors Randee was made for water.
“There’s something in my soul that is inspired by water. It gives me space to breathe and dream,” said Randee, adding that her connection to aquatic places is spiritual, “The Lord leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul (Psalms 23:2).”
Randee and her husband, Robert, have lived the last few years in Cason Cove on Lake Brownwood, having also spent the last 54 years visiting their property at Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
“Lake life seems to also call our family outside and has given us unforgettable memories,” said Randee. “We have all developed a love for boating, even our sweet doodle, Georgia.”
Randee’s Australian grandmother, Jera, is often quoted saying, “Here’s to fluff in your watch springs!” A reminder to live in the moment.
When her daughter, Kate, was diagnosed with Scoliosis earlier this year, requiring spinal fusion surgery, Randee watched her daughter persevere through pain and recovery. She clung to their moments of togetherness, seeking peace from God and the lake beside them.
Randee’s mission is to help others cultivate a life of peace, too.
“I encourage people to just slow down,” she said. “Life’s about living your passion and making real connections.” Randee’s design style is influenced by just that: time and the people you love.
Randee’s mother, Linda Levesque, inspires her, too. “She’s timeless,” said Randee. “She was always ahead of the trends.
With Airbnbs having made their way to Lake Brownwood, Randee has set her sights on spaces that encourage time together with family and friends. She puts the fun in functionality, thinking of both purpose and amusement. “Design is key,” said Randee. “You need a good photo op for guests.”
Randee’s thirteenth project house, The Blue Heron House, is currently for sale on Lake Brownwood. Named after the majestic bird that frequents the property, Randee has incorporated an endless number of techniques that pulls the lake indoors, while keeping you from drowning in it.
“There’s something in my soul that is inspired by water.”
“Life’s about living your passion and making real connections.”
Tile is ideal for waterfront properties, as its easy to clean, cool for pets to sprawl out on, waterproof, and can have the same appearance as hardwood flooring.
When it comes to barstools, comfort is key. They provide a great space to dine, chat, or play games. Leather is a great choice as it’s easy to clean and durable.
Bunks are the ultimate childhood memory-makers! They’re both fun and functional, providing extra storage, and made perfect for spaces like under the stairs.
Elevate any space with a colorful and washable rug.
Use toys like boards and paddles as decoration, giving them dual purpose as fun and functional.
Large sofas or sectionals are an aboslute must for lakefront properties. They are where the converstations take place, where rest can be found, and memories can be made to last a lifetime.
Large windows are a great way to bring the outside in. They are a gift to guests who can’t handle the heat of the outdoors. Their natural light brings joy and beauty to the inside.
Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive to make a statement. Create a fun and impactful vibe by hanging bold and vibrant colors throughout a space. Even bettersnap a few photos from right outside your back door and frame them!
Megan Whited arrived at Brookesmith for this school year and is settling in quite nicely. She’s even made history.
Whited, the new agricultural science teacher, started the district’s first FFA program and chartered it with the Texas and National FFA associations. Brookesmith’s program has 37 students.
“The response from the community, school and students has been very positive. Our membership has held steady and gained more interest from non-FFA students who would like to become involved next year,” she said. “Not only that, but the current members this year are looking for ways to become more active in FFA next year through Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects, Career Development Events (CDE), and Leadership Development Events (LDE).”
Whited said community members have been very supportive of the chapter’s efforts by participating in their Agricultural Education Advisory Committee, FFA alumni and supporters, and fundraising efforts. Community members have even helped provide upgrades to school barn facilities that gave opportunities for students to raise goats, sheep and hogs at the school.
Whited and her husband Matthew, along with their 2-year-old son Campbell, a labrador named Cash and a daschund named Willow, moved to Early because other families were moving down this way from Washington. She spent three years on the faculty at Willapa Valley School District from 2019-22 after graduating from Washington State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural food systems with specialization in agricultural education. She also earned a Master of Science degree from Western Governors University in curriculum and instruction.
Words by Rick Mauch | Photos by Brie Williams Photography“We had our son in May of 2021 and decided we wanted to raise our kids near family, and we enjoy Texas’ weather, culture and people,” she said.
In high school Whited was president of her local chapter, and after graduation she was appointed to the Washington State FFA Officer Team as the State Treasurer in 2014-15. In college, she served as lead facilitator of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Ambassador Team.
“I feel that FFA is a vital part of a student’s secondary educational experience because it allows students various opportunities to gain or expand their skills in leadership, communication, personal growth and teamwork,” Whited said. “FFA introduces students to high-value, career-specific skills, enhances their professional development, and allows them to connect with other members and make friends. The blue corduroy jacket allows them to be a part of a nation-wide organization that is over 850,000 students strong.
“Our school strives to offer a well-rounded FFA chapter with monthly meetings, activities, and events for our members to be involved with. On the educational side, our agricultural education program is primarily an Applied Agricultural Engineering pathway, where the focus is more on agricultural mechanics and welding skills.”
She hopes the FFA program she started has the same impact on her students as FFA had on hers.
“FFA positively impacted my life by giving me a fun, challenging and rewarding outlet in high school. I credit my successes in high school, college and professional career to my time in FFA because it taught me the value of hard work, gave me a network of friends, and allowed me to hone my skills in leadership,” she said.
She took a year off of college to travel around Washington leading the state association through conferences, workshops and events. She even got to travel around the country to various state FFA conventions and conferences. She also went to South Africa to study
international agriculture with the National FFA Organization.
“FFA gave me several once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have,” she said.
While at Willapa Valley she taught a variety of classes in grades 8-12. She also wrote several grants for the career and technical education program and the agricultural education program. She successfully procured $80,000 from eight grants to improve the agricultural education program’s technology, equipment, academic rigor, professional development, FFA recruitment and retention and FFA member involvement.
She also increased active FFA chapter membership by 115%. In addition, she helped increase the variety of quality, dual-credit, college articulated course offerings in the agricultural education program from a predominantly agricultural
mechanics program to a more diverse program for all students.
Her students operated and managed a successful greenhouse program that grossed about $5,000 annually. She also had multiple state-level competitors and advised a Washington State Proficiency Award winner in agricultural mechanics repair and maintenance placement who went on to place in the Top four at the 2020 National FFA Convention.
At Brookesmith, Whited teaches grades 7-12 grade. All students are allowed to join FFA. She noted that joining FFA at a young age allows students more time to make lasting connections with other students in their school and community, gain experience in the competitive events, and allows them time to build up their FFA portfolio.
Some of the projects the Brookesmith FFA has
done include hosting a barbecue fundraiser in conjunction with the FFA alumni to raise funds for members in FFA to get personalized FFA jackets. They also hosted their own Fresh Country Fundraiser - to also raise funds for jackets.
In December they hosted an event called Winter Wishes, in which every member was given the opportunity to make a wish for something costing $10 or less that they would like for Christmas, and the FFA officer team would try to grant their wishes. All wishes were granted, and the gifts were given to students at the December FFA meeting before leaving for Christmas break.
“Students were excited and surprised to get a Christmas gift at school!” Whited exclaimed.
Another activity the chapter has done was a trash pickup event in January. The whole FFA chapter participated, and they picked up 22 bags of trash from around the Brookesmith ISD campus.
In February the chapter celebrated National FFA Week with activities such as a staff appreciation breakfast, an ice cream social, and a “wear your FFA jacket to school” spirit day.
Whited said they are currently working on projects in the agricultural mechanics shop that include benches, picnic tables, fire pits and bar-
becue grills.
“The students love being able to express their creativity through their skills and knowledge of welding and metal fabrication,” she said.
It reminds her of what first attracted her to FFA.
“The tradition and history that come with agriculture is what attracted me to become a part of it, first through FFA and then through my teaching career,” she said. “I love the ‘culture’ of agriculture - hard work, determination, grit, responsibility, perseverance, and to top it all off, it has the best people in the world. The people that get up early and go to bed late, work through holidays and bad weather, and give it their all every day to ensure that the rest of us can eat three meals a day and have all the products that we use/need in our daily lives.”
When she’s not working, Whited’s hobbies include exploring national parks and traveling with her family, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, crafting, horse riding, and just enjoying time with her family and friends.
I love the ‘culture’ of agriculture - hardwork, determination, grit, responsiblity, perseverance, adn to top it all off, it has the best people in the world.
Life will have its way with you. That is certain for us all at some point or another. I think back to renowned author Tennessee Williams and his idea that “we all live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.” For Alicia Estades, her world has caught fire many times throughout her life. Each time, she has remarkably preserved her love for her family, her career, and her dreams. However, it was the nightmare of 2020 that finally ignited the path that led Alicia to make those dreams a reality.
From over 1,300 miles away in Rochester, Michigan, Alicia gave birth to her oldest son, Caleb, at the young age of 16. After her return to and graduation from high school, she enrolled in the David Pressley Beauty School. Two weeks before graduating the program, her second son, Eli, was born. Though her pursuit of an education was not easy or traditional, Alicia persevered and proved that even as a young, single mother, nothing could stop her from achieving her goals.
After beauty school, Alicia went on to assist a woman named Mary Curnow.
“Mary made me the hairdresser that I am today,” she said. “She was hard on me, she was tough, but she always had my back. She wanted the best for me.”
Alicia took the admiration she had for her mentor and used it to accomplish her next goal: “At that time, I wanted to be the youngest hairdresser in Michigan with an assistant. And one year into my career, I achieved my goal.”
Despite the challenges of motherhood and the high standards at work, Alicia’s experience is the perfect example of just how valuable a good teacher can be in someone’s life. Mary did not rob her of a sense of determination. Instead, Mary believed in her, maintained high standards, and saw Alicia become an excellent and hardworking stylist. Mary’s influence is something Alicia will never forget.
Yet as life went on, more challenges arose, and Alicia found herself working at Quicken Loans for a time. It was there that she accepted a call from a man seeking a mortgage loan from Brownwood, Texas. As fate would have it, one phone call led to another, and the two fell in love. In November of 2017 Alicia and her two sons left their home in Michigan and moved to Brownwood.
After transferring her cosmetology license to Texas, Alicia began working as a local hair stylist at a couple of salons in town.
“I felt like there was not a lot of customer service being provided in the area,” Alicia said, “I felt that stylists were too competitive in this field and didn’t work together like a team. It was really discouraging.”
By early 2020, Alicia began to realize that something needed to change for her. However, no one could prepare her – or any of us – for the change brought on by a global pandemic.
“I remember it was 5:30 p.m. on a Friday – the doors shut,” Alicia recalled. “It was a state mandate.” With salons closed and the nation on lock down, stylists caught working from home risked two-year suspensions on their licenses and fines up to $2,000. “We risked it,” Alicia said.
She remembered taking a chair home and setting it up in her laundry room. “Some clients felt comfortable, some didn’t,” she said. “My husband was home from work, my kids were home from school, and I had clients in my laundry room,” Alicia described the makeshift salon with agony and a bit of awkwardness. “COVID messed with a lot of us mentally,” she said.
Aside from the mental strain the pandemic pushed on Alicia, it was the financial stress that caused greatest concern. Most clients were also suffering financially and could not afford to continue getting their hair done professionally.
“We had just bought a new car. I was scared I couldn’t make that payment,” Alicia said.
To help alleviate some of the loss, she and others began creating and selling color kits for their clients to perform their own services at home. However, the kits only brought a profit of approximately $25.
“It was nothing close to what we were making before,” she said.
In addition to the color kits, Alicia and her husband also began making custom cornhole boards and selling them. Sebastian would construct them, while Alicia would paint and personalize them. Still their efforts paled in comparison to their success before the shutdown.
Doors stayed closed and locked for six weeks. When things did reopen, the new sanitation process was impractical and slowed business. Many clients were irritable, because they were craving a sense of
normalcy and disliked the new processes.
“It really created a hostile work environment,” Alicia said. “We lost customers over lots of things: masks, prices going up.” wOn top of the new expenses for sanitation products, a dip in sales, the salon products also practically doubled in price.
“And customers stopped tipping us,” Alicia remembered. “Pay went down significantly. COVID was awful. It was awful. Just awful,” Alicia said as she stared out the window, pausing briefly to reflect on
what her life had looked like just three years ago.
“It mentally changed us, and I realized my service was not a need but a want. I was not needed or essential,” she continued. “We got defensive. We got bitter. Where this job had always been exciting, it became the most stressful part of our lives.”
Alicia struggled to recover from the recoil. Her identity as a professional had been entirely uprooted. Even describing it during the interview, she kept looking to a place far away. She shook her head and rolled
her shoulders, as if to physically shake the past away, to distance herself from that part of her life.
“There were some of us who just had to ask clients not to talk about it,” Alicia admitted. “It was too much.”
With her world in total disarray, Alicia longed to find happiness in her passion again. It was her husband Sebastian who suggested her own salon.
“After years of watching Alicia come home angry or frustrated, I felt the only way Alicia would be happy was for her to run her own shop her own way,” Sebastian said. “Though we have other challenges, I feel that the salon gives Alicia a great sense of satisfaction and I’m very proud of what she has accomplished.”
“Neither of us had experience. So, the first thing we did was sit down and draw out a business plan,” Alicia said. “We went from there.”
Alicia stated that Sebastian handled a great deal of the logistics by obtaining the LLC, getting the right permits and licenses, while she handled the décor, stocking products, and the day-to-day practices. A month before the salon opened in March 2022, Alicia herself went back to work. “I wanted to get my clients back in,” she said. “One of the biggest mottos I had when I opened was that it wasn’t about money. My clients are clients for life. I’m not just providing a service, I’m providing a friendship.” As Alicia described her passion for her clients, it was evident that the salon was more than a job to her, and not just for her, but for her clients and other stylists, too.
“It’s about family and teamwork,” Alicia stated. “I’ve been doing this for 14 years, and I have a lot of knowledge to pass on.” Alicia talked more about her mentor, Mary Curnow, “One thing that’s always been very important to me is to be that for other people – to be someone’s Mary.
“In this business, if you don’t mess up, you don’t learn.” Alicia admitted to having made many mistakes over time. “I had just worked an 8-hour day, and it was my last client. I was tired and she needed a root smudge after highlights. I asked someone to hand me a comb, but they handed me the wrong one. I was lazy and didn’t go get the right one and it caused her hair to streak. I stayed there until 2:00 a.m.
fixing her hair. Anyone else would have made her go home for the night and come back the next day, but my client was grateful for my willingness to fix it right then,” Alicia said. “I didn’t lose that client. She kept coming back to me. She’s moved and had a baby since then, but you grow relationships with people and do life with them.”
It’s obvious how much Alicia cares about her clients. Likewise, she beams with pride when she talks about her team of stylists, too. Estades Salon offers many services, including hair, nails, massage, barber services, lashes, brows, and body waxing.
“There’s not a lot of barbers in this area. Some men are very particular about their hair. So, seeing the barber pole out front has been a big hit with the clients. We offer straight razor, hot shave, whatever,” Alicia said. “When the pole is on, it means walk-ins are welcome.”
Alicia plans to keep integrating herself into the Brown County community. She sponsors her son Eli’s soccer team in addition to also sponsoring an Early cheer team. Estades Salon belongs to the Early Chamber of Commerce, and occasionally, partners with locals to offer a space for pop-up shops for permanent jewelry and Botox.
“Now, it’s hard. It’s lots of work,” Alicia said, declaring that she’ll never stop promoting the salon until each and every stylist has no vacancies in their schedules.
“I came from a rougher life, so owning my own business and having success in the salon means a lot to me. I had Caleb at 16, I dropped out of school. I went back, then went to beauty school,” Alicia described the paths she’s taken to get to where she is today. “My husband is my biggest cheer leader.” Her children are incredibly proud, too.
“I think it’s awesome that my mom has managed to build up her talent and skill to the point where she owns her own salon. She’s worked really hard to make a name for herself and improve on her work, and I think it shows. She’s amazing at what she does,” said Caleb.
“I feel amazed by what my mom has accomplished,” said her youngest, Eli.
“Honestly, I think it’s great. It amazes me that it has already been a year. It feels like just a couple months ago we were up at the salon, opening boxes of what would soon be hairdressers’ stations. I’m really proud of Alicia for having the courage to start a business,”
her stepdaughter Samantha added.
Alicia has set an inspiring example for her children. In addition to opening the salon, she is always learning new techniques. She watches Instagram and YouTube videos to keep up with trends, and she attends beauty shows. In fact, she was awarded 2nd place in a coloring competition at her most recent show in Grapevine.
“When we first opened downtown, it felt like there wasn’t much here. So, it’s really cool to be a part of the growth that’s happening.” Alicia added, “I have far more friends here in Brownwood, than I ever did in Michigan, and I’m thankful for that, but I’m not from here. I didn’t grow up here or in this small-town way where everybody knows everybody. I work with people all day and have the same 15 conversations every day, so when I’m off work, I prioritize my family and time at home,” Alicia described her backyard as her paradise.
Estades Salon has become a downtown haven for both men and women. The atmosphere is breath-giving, and when you emerge from your time in the chair, you can leave feeling renewed and restored. It’s amazing to know that this place of peace derived from such a dark time in our history. Alicia is the embodiment of determination and hard work, a true blessing to all she meets.
Stop by the salon at 308 N. Fisk Ave, in Brownwood, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
“It’s about family and teamwork,” Alicia stated. “I’ve been doing this for 14 years, and I have a lot of knowledge to pass on.” Alicia talked more about her mentor, Mary Curnow, “One thing that’s always been very important to me is to be that for other people – to be someone’s Mary.” -Alicia
We’ve all been there. We feel like our role as a parent and our ability to meet our children’s needs are lacking and never enough.
So, we’ve teamed up with Liz Hatlestad of LHCounseling to help you shoo away the nagging mom guilt this summer. Liz provides advice in some of the most common areas where we struggle. You might be surprised that in most cases, it’s about allowing yourself MORE.
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When it comes to food, wave your magic wand and turn cereal into supper! Settle for sandwiches! Find ease in the grilled cheese! Nourishing your family doesn’t always have to look like a Thanksgiving meal. You’re allowed to take some of the pressure off yourself when it comes to feeding your children. Pizza night might just become your family’s new favorite night of the week!
While you are a total super mom, don’t be afraid to delegate! Embrace the support system in your life and allow people the opportunity to help you when you need it. Have family close by? Let the kiddos spend the day running around with them, going to swim lessons or check-up appointments, whatever. If you have multiple children, a great way to make them feel special is one-on-one time with special family and friends away from siblings.
A lot of mom guilt comes from feeling like you’re not doing enough for your kids, especially giving them quality time. Try the 10-Minute Rule: put your phone down, turn the screens off, and for 10 minutes let your child choose an activity for one-on-one time with you. Focus on your connection and eye contact here. You’ll be surprised what kind of impact such a short amount of time can have on both of you! If you have multiple children, try to do this exercise with each kid.
Comparison is always a losing game. While most of us might desire a Pinterest board life, the reality is – we’re not living one. And there is nothing wrong with that! When you do engage with social media, try posting honestly. Share a photo of yourself without makeup. Let there be toys scattered across the floor in the background. I promise you won’t be alone if you’re still in your pajamas at 3 p.m. In fact, there are a ton of local women just like you, who would probably really love to see how others embrace this beautiful, chaotic stage of life. You can be a mess and still be a good mom.
You can have friends during this season of life, too, mom. Playdates are an excellent way to connect with other moms, and they can include your favorite snacks, also. Make it a point to invite someone over, and let them know up front that your house is a disaster and you’re wearing the oldest, holiest t-shirt you own. Invite your friend to wear theirs, too!
Did you know that running around the splash pad with your kids counts as exercise? It’s true! Movement is good no matter how you do it. A workout doesn’t have to exist solely at the gym. Find fun and simple ways to release your endorphins this summer that include your kids and enjoy the memories you make along the way!
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Don’t be afraid to take a break. It’s okay to let your child be bored. While it might require a learning curve, boredom actually helps them use their imagination. And don’t beat yourself up over screen time this summer. Sure, they may be getting a few extra hours in front of the tv, but they’re also getting more of everything else, too: more outside time, more family time, and more play time. So, take a breath! See what your child can bring to the table. Let them take charge and give them an age-appropriate chore, but remember, more responsibility should come with more privileges, too. Maybe an extra cartoon during mom’s break?
Nestled along Main Street is Brownwood’s captivating home away from home, Harper House, a charming hotel and event venue owned and operated by Elizabeth McCrane. Born and raised in Brownwood, Liz returned home from working in the Dallas corporate world to assist her family in revitalizing her hometown.
“I said I would move home temporarily to help,” said Liz, describing her part in turning the old Shaw’s Laundry building into what is today’s Shaw’s Marketplace. “I ended up staying a little bit longer than planned and here I am two years later. Last year, I felt good about planting my roots back in Brownwood. I appreciate the great community we have and slower pace of life.”
In addition to working with her family, Liz set her sights on a little white house across from Howard Payne University, and has since created an enchanting getaway right here in the middle of town.
The original history of the building is unknown to the McCrane family. It passed through several owners before landing in the creative hands of Liz. “The name Harper House is connected to my family history on my mom’s side,” she said of her mother, Lori Harper McCrane. “Her family has a long history of being in Brownwood as they were a pioneer family. My great-great-great grandfather opened Harper Hotel and Grocery Store in downtown Brownwood in the early 1900s, and people often called it the Harper House. It was in operation until around 1940. From there, my great grandfather took it over and moved it from the downtown location to just around the corner
from where Harper House is now on Melwood. Harper House is a tip of the hat to my family history and being deeply rooted in Brownwood.”
Liz is proud of her family’s legacy in Brown County and aspires to continue it through her own endeavors. “I am big into history and nostalgia when it comes to towns. I always want there to be pieces of history remaining in Brownwood,” she said. “People come to me now recalling the legacy my family had with Harper Hotel and Grocery Store, not to mention other businesses my family had on both my mom’s and dad’s sides. I want Harper House to be something people recall and have fond memories of 20+ years from now.”
The renovation process was handled by Liz’s father and brother, Steven and Matt McCrane, while she was away at college. With road expansion on the horizon, the entire house was required to be moved 10 feet back to make way for the widening of Main Street. Luckily, the structure remained in good condition during the move, requiring only the original fireplace mantel in the living room to be removed and then reinstalled afterwards. Other than that rather intense aspect to the restoration, most of the work was cosmetic, aside from the bathrooms and kitchen being almost completely remodeled.
Liz noted, “All of the wood in the home is original and untouched. We only painted over what was already painted when we purchased the home. There are a few other original pieces to the home such as shiplap walls, hardwood floors, wooden pocket doors, original wavy glass built-in cabinets, and the stainedglass window in the entry.” The family added landscaping to the front and back areas as well as the new charming picket fence surrounding the property now. Many helping hands assisted the McCranes in turning Harper House into what it is today, including Gary Holland with Holland Construction, close family-friend Jaci Bell, and Trees Forever who completed the landscaping.
All the hard work has paid off for the young entrepreneur, and she says that the most rewarding part of Harper House has been seeing people
“Harper House is a tip of the hat to my family history...
enjoy it: “I love that people love it as much as I do.”
“Everyone says the heart of the home is the kitchen, which I usually always agree with,” said Liz. “However, with this home, I feel it is the dining room. When I’m there in the evening, a beautiful light comes in through the windows, reflecting on the mirror, and it always reminds me that I am right where I’m meant to be.” Original shiplap walls, hardwood floors, a custom dining table made for the home, and an old mirror that belonged to her great-grandmother all reside in the dining room. When planning events, it is the focal point.
“I truly don’t think I stay between the lines of a particular design style,” said Liz. “I have several interior designers that I grab inspiration from in pieces. Overall, I try to honor the history of the home while keeping it updated and elevated at the same time.” One thing Liz says is key to her is to incorporate antique and vintage pieces, “Ones that speak to me and that I’m truly in love with. I find if you stick to the things you are in love with, whether new or old, it will all come together and be uniquely your style.”
Harper House has hosted a great deal of events since opening last fall. “My first big event was Soirée Under the Stars which featured live music and local vendors. I also hosted a watercolor class with Hutson Creative and A Night for the Gals event for Valentine’s Day,” said Liz. “Most recently, I had a slow
and being deeply rooted in Brownwood.”
“Everyone says the heart of the home is the kitchen, which I usually always agree with,” said Liz. “However, with this home, I feel it is the dining room. When I’m there in the evening, a beautiful light comes in through the windows, reflecting on the mirror, and it always reminds me that I am right where I’m meant to be.”
market,” she added, describing the coming together of local artisans, musicians, bakers, farmers, and more to provide an afternoon of mirth and community. One of the more unique experiences offered are the sound bath sessions with Recharge Brownwood, a form of meditation where the sound frequencies of singing bowls help you relax. Harper House accommodates small group rentals, photography sessions, and much more in addition to its standing as an Airbnb. It provides such a unique experience to the Brownwood scene that it has caught the attention of people like Chet Garner of The Daytripper, a Texas travel show airing on PBS.
While Liz handles the day-to-day operations herself, her impact goes far beyond that. Her spirit can be found in every nook and cranny of Harper House. Liz is a genuinely thoughtful person, an old soul capable of entwining the past with the present with a ribbon tied right to her heart. One of the more extraordinary attributes of the young woman is that
accomplishment is not lost on her. Liz is an advocate for difference making. Often, she voices her appreciation for historical building preservation, memorializing veterans, and the talents and good works of her friends and family. She is a true asset to the community her ancestors helped to found. She recognized a need within Brownwood and provided a solution. Liz has truly thought of everything: a place for shade, a place to watch the rain, a place for intimate conversation. She has turned Harper House into a versatile and highly sought-after venue for the small moments of rest as well as the big moments of celebrating life’s most precious milestones.
Harper House is located at 1001 Main Street in Brownwood. You can learn about news and events by following its social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Visit www.stayharperhouse. com for more details.
Just east of the of Pecan Bayou, along Early Boulevard, you can find a uniquely Cajun experience right here in Brown County. Friends since childhood, Hadley Spieckerman and Drew Sessler are living their smalltown dream through owning their very own daiquiri shop, HD Daiquiris.
Originally from Houma, Louisiana, approximately 50 miles southwest of New Orleans, Hadley and his family relocated to Early where he befriended Drew. After graduating from Zephyr High School, Hadley served four years in United States Navy before finding himself back in Brown County.
“These shops are really popular in Louisiana, and we didn’t have anything like it here,” said the young entrepreneur. He began scouting locations and landed on the old Brown County Meat Market building, next to the Tootie Kelly Real Estate office.
“It needed a lot of work in here. I needed a drive-thru window, so I called him,” said Hadley as he pointed across to his buddy-turned-business-partner.
After graduating from Early High School, Drew earned his associate degree in industrial technology from Cisco College and went to work with his father, Paul, at Sessler Construction.
“It literally took one phone call,” said Drew. “I asked what he was working on, and he asked if
I wanted to partner with him.”
Drew’s knowledge and craftsmanship have proven to be handy at the daquiri shop, as he has built the drive-thru window as well as the bar and tables inside the main area. Additionally, the pair have been renovating their part of the building, turning it into a fun and relaxing hangout.
Neither Hadley nor Drew have any sort of restaurant background, but on September 22, 2022, HD Daiquiris opened its doors to customers.
“It’s been a learning experience, for sure,” said Drew. The two look back and recall their opening as hectic and stressful. “We didn’t know what to expect.”
Luckily, there have been few challenges along the way. “We’re actually shocked it has gone so well,” said Drew, “but it’s been fun!”
Responsibilities are shared between the two. Most days Hadley focuses on the food aspect, especially the crawfish boils. He orders and cooks the food, while Drew concentrates more on the bartending scene, ordering their syrups and beer, and mixing drinks.
“I grew up going to my family’s crawfish boils every Thursday night,” said Hadley. “I loved it.”
“I had never tried crawfish until about two years ago at Hadley’s house,” said Drew. “I tried it and said, ‘Dang, it’s actually pretty good!’” The daiquiri shop offers family-style seafood boils every Saturday night, giving the people of Brown County the opportunity to share in one of Hadley’s favorite Louisiana traditions.
But HD Daiquiris is so much more than just daiquiris and seafood. In addition to offering beer, wine, and tobacco products, it also offers ice cream, smoothies, and virgin drinks for kids.
“We want this to be a place for families,” said Drew.
While Brown County was voted a wet county in its entirety in November 2018, drinking in public is still considered controversial by many.
“People like to drink behind closed doors,” said Hadley in explanation to why the drive-thru window has been so popular for them.
“But you don’t have to drink to come here,” said Drew. “We can make anything, and we can make anything without alcohol.”
The two pride themselves on being Early’s first daquiri shop. While there are similar options in the area, such as Hall’s Daiquiris in Brownwood,
Early has never had anything like it.
Owning and operating their own business hasn’t stopped Hadley and Drew from continuing to patron other local businesses, too.
“We still love supporting other people,” said Hadley. “Like Pioneer Taphouse, we still go over there a lot.”
The young men have a had a great deal of support themselves. “There’s too many people to name to thank,” said Drew. Their families and friends are often at the shop helping where they can.
Hadley and Drew will continue to lean on their support system, because they have big ideas for growing HD Daiquiris into even more than what it is now. They aspire to eventually move into a larger venue, offering live music and expanding their menu.
“We want to get downtown and be a part of that scene,” said Drew. “It would be cool to take this and be at the Cinco de Mayo celebration every year.”
Until then, you can visit HD Daiquiris located at 111 Early Boulevard, Suite C, in Early. Stop in and take part in the Cajun tradition near our very own Pecan Bayou.
Did you know?
A bayou is a slow-moving creek or a swampy section of a river or a lake.
The Pecan Bayou, considered the westernmost bayou in the U.S., contributes to the Colorado River, flowing through Callahan, Taylor, Coleman, Brown, and Mills counties.
Brownwood provides a paddling trail along 7 miles of the Pecan Bayou, accessible at Riverside Park and Fabis Primitive Park. In 2015, the Pecan Bayou Paddling Trail became the 63rd official Texas Paddling Trail. More information can be found at www. visitbrownwood.com.
There is much to be said of the Wilkinson family. They are a foursome of eccentric interests in adventure and philosophy, paving new and inspiring paths through the heart of Texas.
Daniel and Yasmin Wilkinson arrived in Brownwood in 2016, when Yasmin accepted a position as the first female OBGYN doctor in Brown County’s history. Their first son came along in 2017, leading them to the decision for Daniel to leave his position as State Geologist of Texas and become an at-home dad.
“From the outset of our relationship, Daniel and I knew that we wanted to have a family, but we also knew my career would be a demanding one, a calling for which we both worked extremely hard and sacrificed much,” said Yasmin. “We recognized that if we wanted to play a hands-on role in our children’s lives, we couldn’t both have full-time careers. It made so much sense for our family for Daniel to stay home with the boys.”
The couple now have two wild and rowdy sons, Hayes, 5, and Hank, nearing 4. Life for the Wilkinsons may seem unconventional to many in the area, but it works for them.
Nearly five years into his role as a stay-at-home father, Daniel came across The National At-Home Dad Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing advocacy, community, education, and support to families where the fathers are primary caregivers for their children. The organization began in 2003 when three at-home dads in the Washington D.C. area envisioned a national network for men like them to find great local playgroups like the one they had found within their own city. Their purpose was to empower fathers and champion a culture that recognized them as capable and competent parents. They offer a national conference for at-home dads every year, joining together men from all over the country with similar family goals.
The NAHDN defines a stay-at-home-dad as a father who is the daily, primary
caregiver of his children under the age of 18, no matter his employment status.
Recently, the group began a weekly podcast series called Dad Stories on their audio show, DadHouse, where five hosts welcome dads who show up every day for their kids. On the first episode of the series, Daniel chatted with co-hosts Shannon Carpenter and Mick Freyermuth about his experience as an at-home dad, giving insight to masculinity misconceptions, isolation, and his own parenting ideology, all specific to his life in rural America.
Daniel explained that in central Texas the concept that a guy can raise a kid just doesn’t exist. “Here you’ll always be on the outside. It’s very isolating,” he said. Daniel is thankful for the dad group that he can talk to who understands his situation. “There are no assumptions made, no judgement,” Daniel said. He talked about the challenge of finding groups he fits into. While other men are working, moms often feel uncomfortable to include him in activities with their kids, because he will be the only male present. There is a lot of suspicion surrounding his attendance.
“But it’s interesting,” said Daniel, “because when you get to talking about things with these women, you find out you have a lot in common. I have a good idea about things like mom guilt, because I’m married to a working mom. I can relate. I can understand to a certain level.”
Yasmin added, “This new role has been both a challenge and a sacrifice for him, but it has also been extremely rewarding. And I am aware every time I work late or have a midnight delivery that our lifestyle simply would not work without Daniel’s willingness to take on full-time parenthood. Being a loving, nurturing, kind parent is not a gendered role, and I’m so proud of my husband for having the open-mindedness and open heartedness to tackle this difficult, but most important of callings,” said Yasmin.
“Best piece of advice, as a rural dad,” Daniel said, “is to just take a deep breath and do what’s best for your family.” He also suggested attending the NAHDN conference each year, where you will find other men, regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnicity, struggling with the same things. “Sometimes realizing that
NAHDN Conference, October 2022 in Wisconsinyou’re not alone, just helps. You see this group of guys, and they get you,” said Daniel. “If someone is constantly knocking you down about what you’re doing for your family, maybe you need to change your friends out. You’re going to need some support in different forms or fashions as you go through this. Without it, you’ll go down a dark hole.”
The socialization aspect of parenting maintains a geographical barrier in this part of the country, too. Not all families are able to just go down the street to find other kids to play with.
“These junior rodeos that we go to, we just get in with those families, but we’re all over the place. They may live four counties over, right down the road could be 20 miles,” said Daniel. For his family, a lot of connections are made through church, but also from striking up conversations at feed stores, sale barns, cattle auctions, and even aviation and rodeo groups.
Daniel stresses that it’s important to be active in seeking out relationships, despite any discomfort it may cause you, “Make an effort to make an opportunity, because your kids are watching you. They’re watching how you handle this. Even if you go in and completely screw up, they’re watching how you handle that as well. The reality is that some things work for you and some things won’t. As guys, we’re so worried about failing. Just take a deep breath and say, ‘I think this would be really good for my kids.’ Don’t limit what they can do based off your own personal fears.”
Finding opportunity is one of Daniel’s strong suits as a father. “I want my kids to have a skill set and know how to interact with folks. I want to instill a work ethic, the value of money, the ability to build with their hands,” said Daniel.
On their 300+ acre ranch in the Texas north hill country, the Wilkinson boys are growing up in a world filled with opportunities. Daniel often takes them exploring where the three of them will find dinosaur bones – or cattle bones disguised as dinosaur bones – and attempt to reconstruct a dinosaur. Daniel believes that it is important to make the magic come to life for your kids.
“Dad House is about the adventure. Dad House is about finding an educational or a recreational or any type of stimulating activity wherever you can,” added Shannon. “A lot of people think that if their kids don’t have their nose in a book or not doing something academic, then they’re just not learning anything, but what Dan is showing us is how there are so many different types of things out there to learn and it’s all about how you frame it. It’s so important, and it’s something that we as
adults forget about.”
Daniel holds his private pilot’s license and frequently hauls the family horse trailer with living quarters, allowing him to travel by land and air with his sons. Last year, he took them on a road trip to Colorado and returned to many advice-seeking questions about how to handle young children in a cooped-up vehicle.
“I don’t do iPads in the vehicle,” said Daniel. “There’s no screen time. So, we have a running conversation about what they see looking out the windows, and they ask, ‘what’s this, or what’s that?’” Daniel explained that his 4-year-old son can describe to his Pre-K teacher the difference between wind-turbines and water-well windmills.
“I want them to have a good idea about the world around them. There’s a lot of education that can be done while going down the road. And it’s about just carrying on a conversation with your kid,” said Daniel. “Establishing those lines of communication now is very important. If you can get them established now and keep them open, then theoretically it’ll make things a little bit easier when they get older.”
Daniel believes that an important aspect to childhood is being outdoors. “The more time you spend outside, the more these kids will blossom,” he said. “Take the time and be intentional. Spend time with your kids.”
However, outside in central Texas may not always the most kid-friendly setting. There are snakes and cactus and large vehicles with limited visibility that create dangers to our little ones. Daniel is vigilant in raising his boys with safety in mind.
“From an early age, it’s drilled into them that if you get near farm equipment, you wave. If we wave at each other, he knows that I see him, and vice versa,” said Daniel. “They ride with me on the tractor or while I’m doing skid steer work. It’s every little boy’s dream! You play with your toy trucks and cars, and then your dad shows up with a real one – it’s cool! But even still, there are grown men who can go out there and lose their minds like its one big playground.”
Parenting in Brown County is unlike other parts of the world, where things like busy streets are a chief danger. For rural parents, there is much more to be cautious of.
Daniel went on to add, “We have older horses, which the kids can crawl between their legs. Then we’ve got our young horses, the ones with colts, or babies, and that creates dilemmas and a whole other safety issue. Right out the gate we teach them how to approach one, what to watch out for, and we try to teach them how to read animals. The big thing is always being aware of your surroundings.”
“Now some days – on the tough days – it would be nice to have a nine-to-five job,” said Daniel, “but I wouldn’t get to watch the magic unfold.” He went on to explain that if he went back to work, it wouldn’t be in Brown County. He would be staying in hotels night after night, away from his family. Much like mom guilt, men often face their own version of dad guilt. “Men in general define themselves by their career, their job,” said Daniel. “Society tells us that you are less masculine if you don’t provide for your family. A lot of guys struggle with that.”
While raising children has predominately fell into the hands of women, times are different in a post-COVID modern world where technology and dual-income households allow men to provide for their families through remote jobs.
“Our boys are so blessed to have a Papa, who is so loving and so capable and can teach them so much. They have so many opportunities to explore, and travel, and be wild, and be themselves, because Daniel gives them the freedom and the space to do so. I am so blessed to have a partner with a servant’s heart for his family,” said Yasmin.
While not every family can stay at home with their children, it’s awe-inspiring to hear one man’s experience of stepping outside normal social practices to choose his family first. There is much to glean from our fathers, and one who submerges his children in the unrivaled experience of rural Texas has gifted them a childhood to cherish for a lifetime.
For more information about the National At-Home Dad Network, visit athomedad. org. You can find Daniel’s episode of Dad House at DadHousePod.com.
His first day on the job at Ringler Construction, Abraham Delgado was tasked with scraping a house – a chore he still despises to this day. The entire house was being remodeled and plumbers needed the water turned off. The shut off valve was in the alley behind the home, so Abraham jumped the back fence, turned off the water, jumped back over the fence, and left for lunch. In the meantime, neighbors called the police after seeing a strange man leaping into backyards from the alleyway. Thankfully the misunderstanding was cleared up, no trespassing charges were filed, and Abraham continued to work for Ringler Construction for over 17 years.
As a man who has spent most of his life in Brownwood, Abraham decided long ago that college was not for him. A one-year stint at Texas Tech University brought him back here to Brown County, where he eventually found his way into construction, learning as he went from owner, Seth Ringler.
Two years ago, Seth mentioned he wanted to slow down. He had been with Early Fire Department for some time and wanted to shift his focus to that.
On February 15, 2023, Abraham was able to purchase the business that employed him for nearly two decades. What was once Ringler Construction is now AD Construction.
Interestingly, Abraham has attended Milton Avenue Baptist Church his whole life, in the same area as Ringler Construction. He used to drive past
the office every week, and for some odd reason he just had a feeling that he would work there some day.
“I never imagined I would buy it,” said Abraham. “I never dreamed of owning my own business. If I did, it was part of something like a 35-year plan.”
Throughout his career, Abraham worked fulltime for the company during the day, and part time as a general contractor at night. His hard work and savings enabled him to become his own boss. His new business venture has been eye-opening, however.
“I have a whole new respect for small business owners,” said Abraham. “I’m trying to do a better job of using local people. You live with them. They’re your neighbors. You go to church together.”
Abraham’s short-term goal is simple: stop working. “I’m a workaholic. One of my goals is to call in sick,” he said. “All through COVID, I never missed, never called in.”
It’s not just about working himself to the bone, though. An old coworker and close friend, Hank Canon, told Abraham before he passed, “Abraham, you’re going to miss out.”
“I took that to heart,” said Abraham. “So, I have this goal. His words weren’t lost on me.” Beyond that, he hopes to continue the tradition of providing a place where people love to work. He explained that loving your work environment is important, and although the name has changed, Abraham hopes to continue the legacy of Ringler
Part of that heritage is to continue teaching young men a trade, much like the Ringler did for
“College is not for everyone. Learning a trade is something that is lacking for this generation. Things like being an electrician, learning to weld or do HVAC,” said Abraham. “If they’re willing to work and learn, I’m more than willing to give them a
He and his wife, Lilly, have four daughters of their own: Viviana, Emma, Rebecca, and Allie Rose, who left this earth for Heaven as an infant. Abraham describes his daughters as having hearts of gold. He is truly proud of the women they are becoming. Women, that is, with a knowledge of carpentry. Rath-
er than just working to provide for his family, he’s carried his girls to work with him, teaching them snippets of the trade, too.
But despite the wealth of knowledge Abraham has bestowed upon his girls, they are not interested in the tangible trove he has spent years accumulating.
“I collect antique hand tools,” he said. “Saws, levels, pulleys, jacks…”
On display in an old barn on his property in Blanket, is an impressive compilation of old-fashioned tools. Giving a method to the madness, Abraham has organized his collection by type. Each
AD Construction Construction
Jones Carpets
Tile Selection
Floor Pros
Tile work
Texas Custom Interiors
Quartz & Granite
Early Glass
Shower Glass
Goode Plumbing Plumbing Services
Bryan Baccus Cabinetry
Digger’s Diamon Electric Electrical Services
crevice inside the barn is filled with a variety of scales and hammers and shovels, saws of every kind hanging from the ceiling. He has unique pieces, like an old cast iron snow cone shaver from Mexico and a handheld corn husker from last century. His favorite items to collect are blacksmithing tools, a trade he dabbles in, too.
“I like old things and the way we used to build things,” said Abraham. He and his longtime friend, Larry Holder, often use their spare time to scrounge for antiques online and at auctions.
“We get into trouble,” Abraham laughed. “It’s just fun! He restores them, but I like them how they
Sherwin Williams
Custom Paint Color
are. I might have to knock the dirt off, but I like them old.”
The extraordinary part of Abraham’s collection is that he doesn’t keep it all to himself. He enjoys gifting unique finds to friends and family.
“I do it for free, because I like it. It’s not a business,” said Abraham. He’s not interested in selling his finds, but rather presenting exclusive items to those he loves.
In his work, he uses his talents to gift clients one-of-a-kind experiences.
“It’s whatever the customer wants,” said Abraham. At times its tough, as he must be honest
with his clients when something might not look good, but at the end of the day, he’s there to make someone’s vision come to life.
Abraham’s ministry is not in building up homes, but rather the people he encounters every day. He quoted one of his favorite Bible verses, Psalm 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Abraham uses this as a mantra for the way he lives his own life and the way he guides the lives of his daughters and apprentices. It’s no wonder where his girls received their hearts of gold.
