May/June 2019 County Line Magazine

county line Upper East Side of Texas

MAY/JUNE 2019

M A G A Z I N E

LET’S DO BRUNCH SUMMER FUN COMMUNITY Dining FARM Fresh Waxahachie HEART Bible Belt YOGI Sherman JAZZ GARDEN Tours MINEOLA Arts PONY Expresso CountyLineMagazine.com

SIP & SHOP TEXAS PRESENTS

Gardens & Wines

June 8, 2019 Downtown Forney 6:00 - 9:00 pm

(513) 849-8858

Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District

Guided tour of gardens, shops, and wineries in Edom, Van, and Ben Wheeler, Texas

forneyarts.org SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2019 TOUR RESERVATIONS: www.etxsipandshop.com LODGING: www.vanzandtacd.com

VA N Z A N D T ARTS & CULTURAL DISTRICT

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explore guides MAGAZINE

Get to know the spirit of the lively communities that define the Upper East Side of Texas.

EVENTS. ARTICLES. ARTS. DINING. PLAYING. SHOPPING. LODGING.

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COMING JUNE 1 SUBSCRIBE!

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county line Upper East Side of Texas Regional Magazine

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CONTENTS

DEPARTMENTS 5 Editor’s Note

18

THIS TIME OF YEAR

14 Bonnie and Clyde, Will Jennings, Priceless German art, Battle of the Neches

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT 16 The Olate Dogs, Jefferson Train Show 16 Event Picks 20 Waxahachie: A Place in Your Heart 24 Beyond the Garden Gates

28

40

43

THE ARTS 28 29 31 32

The Arts Build Community in Mineola Art and Stage Shows Winnsboro Artists Support Bees Captured Art

FILM 34 Yogi in the Bible Belt

LITERARY 35 Author Signing in Sulphur Springs 35 Poetry

MUSIC

42

36 Ben Dickey, Marty Stuart 36 Music Picks 37 Blueberry Bluegrass 39 Find Jazz Collection in Sherman

32

FOOD & DRINK 40 44 45 45

FEATURES

8 Let’s Do Brunch

The number of places to enjoy Sunday brunch in the region are rapidly increasing -- check out this list of 20 or so.

By Judy Peacock

42 Farm to Table Outdoor Dining

Communities all around the region are putting together destination dining experiences centered on locally-sourced food, wine, music, and fun.

By P.A. Geddie

18 Summer Fun

Lots of ideas for making a memorable summer of 2019 in the Upper East Side of Texas.

By Judy Peacock

Cover: A variety of dishes served for brunch at The Grove in Tyler. Photo by Noreen Nartia

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Former Bank Drive-Thru Serving Coffee Farm-Fresh Recipes Local Winning Wineries Cinnamon Bear Bakery

county line Since 2000

MAGAZINE

Serving those living & playing in the Upper East Side of Texas

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR P.A. Geddie COPY EDITORS Tracy Torma Steve Freeman

CONTRIBUTORS

Judy Peacock Krista Leard Breanna McGowan Sky High Perspective Chris Christensen Mandy Ray Photography Noreen Nartia Stella DeSmit Bobby MIddleton Lisa Hilbers Eli Acuna Wendy Floyd Walter Dugan Debbie Sandlin Becky Rockwell Darrell Lindsey Debbie Risner Cunningham James Kenneth Blaylock

EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, Welcome to early summer in the Upper East Side of Texas— still not too hot for lots of outdoor fun and plenty of indoor choices available too.

This issue kicks off with ideas for making brunch a destination outing -- while it’s quite common in larger cities, it’s taken a while for this trend to pick up in our small towns. Happy to say there are ample opportunities now to take a drive on a Saturday or Sunday for delicious food, beverages, and ambience.

Continuing the food theme, you’ll also find really fun long-table community dinners taking place on downtown plazas and fair grounds around the region.

Most are catered by local chefs and feature locally-sourced foods and wines, musicians, and other entertainment.

We’ve also got a couple of recipes from a working farm near Nacogdoches, welcome the opening of numerous farmers’ markets, news from our award-

winning wineries, and a new gourmet coffee shop in Canton that repurposed an old bank drive-thru.

Find all kinds of ideas for planning a memorable summer this year from a drive-in movie theater to festivals, lakes, and much more. Explore Waxahachie for a heartfelt getaway, and see a couple of unique shows with The Olate Dogs in Greenville and Jefferson’s train history.

We are really fortunate to have so many artists and traveling art shows in the region. Check out the fabulous photography of the area, painted beehives

by Winnsboro artists, and the community of artists that make up the Mineola League of the Arts.

Check out our picks for events, music, art, and more and let us know your favorites if we missed them. Always good to hear from our readers.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Upper East Side of Texas during this beautiful time of year.

P.A. Geddie

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Digital Publications & Graphic Design Assistant Krista Leard

ADVERTISING

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SUBSCRIPTIONS info@countylinemagazine.com County Line Magazine is published every other month, 6 times a year. Subscription costs: $15 per year. Bulk rate postage paid at Ben Wheeler, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to County Line Magazine, P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754.

Contents COPYRIGHT 2019 County Line all rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without written permission. Opinions expressed in articles or advertising appearing in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher. Mailing address: P.O. Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754 Phone: 903.963.1101.

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Reach those who Live & Play in the Upper East Side of Texas over 20 years, For overFor 20 years,

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EXPLORE WOOD MeetingCOUNTY the locals has never been so memorable

www.woodcountytx.com “Beyond the Lure of Big Fish”

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SHOP. DINE. LEARN. PLAY.

MARSHALL TEXAS shines year round • 2nd Saturday Car Show & Concert March through November • Market on the Square May through September; featuring growers, vendors, live music and children's crafts • Visit the Starr Family Home, Harrison County Historical Museum, T&P Railroad Depot, and Michelson Museum of Art @VisitMarshallTX @MarshallMainStreet @MarketOnTheSquare WWW.MARSHALLTEXAS.NET

Upcoming Tours: 1pm May 11 May 25 1pm June 15 1pm June 29 10am

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The Grove in Tyler is a favorite meeting spot for brunchers. Its menu boasts such items as breakfast chimichangas and beignets, and they serve delicious brunch cocktails. Weather permitting, outdoor dining is available in their gardens. Photo by Noreen Nartia

LET’S DO BRUNCH

By Judy Peacock

More and more restaurants in the Upper East Side of Texas are offering brunch on Sunday mornings and some on Saturdays as well. Brunch is the playful blend of breakfast and lunch and, to many, it is a favorite weekend activity rather than simply a necessary morning meal. These brunches offer a wide variety of meals not on the everyday menu such as out-of-the-ordinary egg dishes, crepes, fresh fruits, and dessert options, accompanied by delicious mimosas, bloody marys, specialty cocktails, juices, and gourmet coffees. Here are a few to consider.

Brunch is breakfast without an alarm.

THE FORGE BAR & GRILL Historic downtown Ben Wheeler’s award-winning (County Line’s 2018 Best of the Upper East Side of Texas) brunch is served by The Forge Bar & Bistro Saturdays and Sundays. The Forge is located in a renovated blacksmith shop, and they offer Eggs Florentine, Migas, Breakfast Pizza or The Hippy, a three-egg omelet with mozzarella, cheddar, and ricotta cheese, spinach, mushrooms, sauteed onion, red bell and poblano peppers.

They also serve great mimosas and coffee, and their biggest seller is by far a spicy Tito’s Bloody Mary. See theforgebenwheeler.com for more information.

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AIN’T JUST PIE Greenville’s Ain’t Just Pie has won County Line’s Best Pie award several years, and now in addition to a great slice of pie, they offer a brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. Items added to this new menu are Eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, and brioche French toast.

They serve coffee, tea, and soft drinks, but no alcoholic beverages. For more information, see justpie.net.

McGARITY’S RESTAURANT Jefferson’s McGarity’s Restaurant & Saloon has unique décor including a large moose head above the bar and offers a Saturday and Sunday brunch menu

with unique dishes as well. In addition to Seafood Benedict and Strawberries Romanoff, one specialty is Elvis Pancakes, made with peanut butter, banana and bacon. See mcgarityssaloon61.com for more info.

COPELAND’S OF NEW ORLEANS In Longview, Cajun and Creole classics are found at Copeland’s of New Orleans, which has a Sunday brunch buffet as well as brunch menu items. They offer specialty coffees and macchiatos as well as designer cocktails, including mimosas and an applewood-smoked bacon bloody mary. See more at copelandsofneworleans.com/longview-menu.

THE PUB McKINNEY The Pub McKinney offers several unique menu items such as Philly Cheesesteak omelet and their Hangover Burger, as well as specialty cocktails like a Blood Orange Screwdriver and their Peachy Keen. The Pub thinks of itself as “your meeting house,” where patrons can grab a game off the shelf and play while enjoying friends and great food. See thepubmckinney.com for more details.

cludes a delicious tomatillo salsa over tortillas, Monterey jack cheese, and hand-made chorizo. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday with a menu featuring cocktails including specialty mimosas and even a man-mosa. See thefredonia. com/1st-city-cafe.html for more information.

Maklemore’s Ale House & Bistro M.L. EDWARDS

CAFE BARRON’S Also in Longview, Café Barron’s offers fine dining in a casual atmosphere with brunch on Saturdays, surrounded by a specialty store with body and bath products, home décor, and a women’s boutique. Their brunch menu is accompanied by delicious coffees, juices, cocktails, and wines, and more information is available at shopbarrons.com/ cafe_barrons.php.

ELCARAZON DE TEJAS El Carazon de Tejas in McKinney offers vintage Tex-Mex food on their brunch menu including their twist on chicken and waffles — chicken and churros.

They also offer cocktails along with coffees, teas, and juices. For more information, visit elcorazontexmex.com.

M. L. Edwards in Mount Vernon is a historic hardware building on the town’s square that houses Watermelon Mills Coffee House and Bistro 1916, a caféstyle bistro that serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The dining area is surrounded by a large general store with beautiful and unique home and kitchen decor for purchase. Along with classic brunch menu items made from locally-sourced ingredients, they offer Watermelon Mills’ signature drip coffee and M.L. Edwards Signature Iced Tea, which is a delicious hibiscus citrus blend, as well as champagne for mimosas, and sangria. Visit mledwardsco.com for more information.

1ST CITY CAFE City of Nacogdoches’ Marketing Director, Stephanie Fontenot, is “passionate about brunch,” and says the Fredonia’s 1st City Café’s brunch is “hands-down amazing.” She especially enjoys the “Gruene” Eggs and Chorizo, which in-

Brunch at Maklemore’s Ale House & Bistro in Nacogdoches is offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Guests can enjoy everything from a chicken waffle sandwich to huevos rancheros or a delicious Rueben hash. The atmosphere here is great. It has delicious food, and Fontenot says she would definitely recommend this location to friends. For more information, go to maklemoresnac.com.

BARKEEPS EATERY AND TAPS The brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday at Barkeeps Eatery and Taps in Nacogdoches boasts specialty brunch cocktails, as well as food items that are delicious with an emphasis on creativity and flavor. Barkeeps is “Urban Asian Fusion,” and guests can hope to find both delicious and unique offerings. This is a good recommendation for someone who is looking for something different. For more details, visit barkeepsnac.com. continued page 10

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 9

Brunch is served by The Forge Bar & Bistro Saturdays and Sundays with menu items like Eggs Florentine, Breakfast Pizza or Mexican-influenced plates like this one with eggs and pork or cheese tamales. They also serve great mimosas and coffee. Photo by Mandy Ray Photography

BRUNCH continued from page 9

HILTON’S HEIRLOOM KITCHEN LANANA CREEK ICE HOUSE Lanana Creek Ice House in Nacogdoches has a good down-home brunch on Sundays to enjoy when looking to get refueled after a busy weekend. They have a bloody mary bar and often have happy-hour specials all day on Sundays.

Visit lananacreekicehouse.com for more info.

Brunch is always a good idea.

Hilton’s Heirloom Kitchen offers a delicious brunch menu year ‘round and in the summer, they also present a buffet overlooking Lake Ray Hubbard. Some of their brunch items include Heirloom Benedict, shrimp omelets, and signature cocktails including the Pear Tree, Rockwall Refresher, and a customer favorite, Citrus Kiss. See https://bit. ly/2HIqVP5 for more info.

surroundings and delicious food. Get more information at gloriascuisine. com/locations/rockwall.

GLORIA’S RESTAURANT Also overlooking the lake at The Harbors in Rockwall is Gloria’s Restaurant.

It offers brunch menu items and cocktails, including mimosas and bloody marys. This is a great place to visit with friends and enjoy the beautiful

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THE LONDONER The Londoner is on the square in downtown Rockwall where dining is available inside or outdoors. It offers a delicious brunch menu with a new Benedict recipe each weekend, such as

their steak-and-egg Benedict. They also serve Bananas Foster French toast and many choices of brunch cocktails. See thelondonerpub.com/locations/rockwall for more information.

clean, organic ingredients with the help of local farmers and ranchers. Their brunch menu may change seasonally with availability of fresh ingredients, but a couple of delicious standards are smoked salmon crepes and a chilaquiles breakfast burger. Cork’s wines and champagnes help create some delicious specialty cocktails to complement their brunch menu. See corktyler.com for more details.

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STANDARD SERVICE Standard Service is a casual neighborhood restaurant in Rockwall focusing on fresh Texas cuisine and genuine hospitality. A popular item on their brunch menu is their banana butter pecan waffles, and they offer $2 mimosas during brunch. Visit their website at thestandardservice.com for more details.

BIG AL’S DOWN THE HATCH Big Al Mack from the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning radio show has opened Big Al’s Down the Hatch in Waxahachie, a fun “watering hole,” that also offers lunch and dinner all week long. On Sundays, they have a brunch menu that adds breakfast foods like omelettes, pancakes and egg dishes, as well as a bloody mary bar including other brunch cocktails such as mimosas and bellinis. Visit bigalsdownthehatch.com for more info.

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THE GROVE KITCHEN & GARDENS The Grove’s menu boasts such items as breakfast chimichangas and beignets, and they serve delicious brunch cocktails. Weather permitting, outdoor dining is available in their gardens. For more information, visit thegrovetyler. com.

county line Upper East Side of Texas Regional Magazine

THE ROOSTER CAFE

CORK FOOD & WINE Like many restaurants in the area, Cork Food and Wine in Tyler strives to use

Winnsboro’s The Rooster Café rounds up this list of brunch locations. Rooster Café made County Line’s Best of list for their Winnsburger, and they also offer a delicious brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. Eggs Benedict and French toast are on the menu as well as signature items like Ode to Roscoe’s, The Rooster’s own chicken and waffles. A full cocktail bar is available with indoor or open-air dining. For more information, visit theroostercafe.com.

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WINNSBORO CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT

ANNIE MAE’S COFFEE SHOP & CAFE

LIEFIE LI VINE

108 W. Elm St. - (903) 347-6510

302 N. Main St. - (903) 347-1111

COPPER LEAF DAY SPA

WinnsboroCulturalDistrict.com

209 N. Main St. - (903) 342-7772

Texas Certified Cultural Arts District

Neptune’s Car Robin & Linda Williams May 4

DIRECTIONAL WELLNESS

213 N. Main St. - (903) 342-7772

GALLERY GIFT SHOP

May 25

LA CONCHITA

205 N. Walnut St. - (903) 347-1213

THE BOWERY

200 Market St. - (903) 342-0686

Dining, Music, Arts, & Entertainment

Barrel House Bar & Grill

STAR DRAGONFLY HERBS

204 Market St. - (903) 347-1282

Gretchen Peters

300 N. Main St., Suite C - (903) 588-4313

100 East Cedar Street • 903-588-0465

200 MARKET STREET • 903-342-0686

12 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

903-342-3666

DINE. SHOP. STAY. ARTS. ENTERTAINMENT.

Ashley’s Flowers & Soda Shop

306 E. Coke Rd.. - (903) 342-0607

r June 25 Rhett Butler June 15

Sarget Pepper’s Lonely Bluegrass Band

BELLA STELLA WINERY

879 CR 4440 - (903) 975-0020

July 27

CLARA IDA FRANCES

219 N. Main St. - (903) 342-6137

HEROES COMICS AND GAMES

111 E. Elm St. - (903) 342-2055

BONNIE’S LUNCH BOX

THEE HUBBELL HOUSE

210 N. Main St. - (903) 347-6075

307 W. Elm St. - (800) 227-0639

FARMERS MARKET Apr-Nov

COUNTRYBOYS BBQ & SWEETS

winnsborolocallygrown.net - (903) 629-7079

414 W. Broadway - (903) 347-6512

Rich in history. Steeped in country. First in class.

FINDERS KEEPERS ANTIQUES CULTURE CLUB, GALLERY OF ARTISTS

304 N. Main St. - (903) 347-1271

Logos represent donors or supporters and are utilized by permission only.

107 E. Elm St.

www.WINNSBOROCENTERFORTHE ARTS.COM MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 13

THIS TIME OF YEAR MAY 23, 1934

Anniversary Notes the End of Bonnie and Clyde This year marks the 85th anniversary of the deaths of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The notorious outlaws were killed on May 23, 1934, on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. The couple drove up in an automobile and were shot by a posse of four Texas and two Louisiana officers.

The recent release of The Highwaymen with Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson is the story of two of those Texas Rangers, Frank Hamer and Maney Gault, who came out of retirement to catch Bonnie and Clyde.

The legend of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow as robbers and murderers is a big part of the history of the Upper East Side

MAY 12 -- MOTHERS DAY

of Texas. Their actions gained enormous media attention and people from all over the region were emotionally invested as the Barrow Gang committed their crimes throughout the area in the early 1930s.

Their crimes took them all around the Dallas area and to stores and gas stations in rural areas including Kaufman, Sherman, Nacogdoches, and Winnsboro.

There’s a historical marker in Kemp next to a “calaboose” where Parker was alledgedly held overnight April 19, 1932.

The Dallas Historical Society is featuring a bus tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 27.

“Running with Bonnie and Clyde” starts at The Hall of State in Fair Park.

Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty starred in the 1967 movie Bonnie & Clyde that first brought the story of the notorious outlaws to Hollywood and homes across America.

JUNE 1986

Back in the High Life Turns 33

JUNE 15

JUNE 16

The blockbuster album Back in the High Life by Steve Winwood was released in June 1986. Five of eight songs — including two of its biggest hits, “Higher Love” and “Back in the High Life Again” — were co-written by Winwood and Will Jennings of Tyler. The album went on to win three Grammys and sold more than 5 million copies.

Jennings was born June 27. He’s a member of the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association and is popularly known for

14 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

writing the lyrics for “My Heart Will Go On,” the theme for the film Titanic. He has won several awards including three Grammys, two Golden Globes, and two Academy Awards.

Throughout his career, Jennings wrote for a wide variety of artists including Winwood, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Joe Sample, Rodney Crowell, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, Peter Wolf, Celine Dion, and Roy Orbison.

Read more in the County Line archives.

JUNE 18, 1990

Priceless German Art Found in Texas According to the Texas State Historical Association, on June 18, 1990, a civil action was filed in United States District Court in Dallas on behalf of a German church seeking the return of a number of medieval objets d’art that had disappeared at the end of World War II.

Meador was discharged from the army in 1946. After he died in 1980, his family found the treasures and later sold some of it for $3 million to the German foundation.

Military photo of First Lieutenant Joe Meador.

es intriguing questions as to his motivations.

What followed was a media frenzy, as the New York Times, CBS News and others rushed into the small towns in north Texas to learn more about how the precious art work had ended up there.

One reason Hay says Meador might have balked at returning the artwork was that Quedlinburg is in eastern Germany and was occupied by Soviet troops after Meador’s unit pulled out. That part of Germany was still under communist rule in 1980 and German reunification would take another decade.

But that doesn’t answer the question of why he took the art in the first place.

In 1998, the Internal Revenue Service announced it was seeking more than $50 million in federal taxes, penalties, and interest from the estate. The Meadors settled the case two years later by agreeing to pay $135,000.

To the people of Quedlinburg, Germany, the gold-enhanced figures and other items are a priceless part of the heritage they had tried to protect from the Nazis and Allied bombardments during the war.

In 2016, filmmaker and Denison, Texas, native Cassie Hay released a documentary on the story titled The Liberators.

Hay speculates that Meador may have thought the works of art would end up being ruined in the war-torn region where he encountered them and that they would be safer with him.

The film examines Joe Meador and rais-

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During the war, the Lutheran Church of St. Servatius in Quedlinburg, Germany, placed the objects in a mineshaft for safekeeping, but reported their loss in June 1945. After one of the objects appeared on the market in Europe in 1987, a German investigator traced some of the remaining pieces to Whitewright, Texas, where a former U.S. Army lieutenant named Joe Meador had settled.

In 1945 Meador had served in the occupation of Quedlinburg. Fellow soldiers reported seeing him carrying mysterious bundles out of the mine.

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JULY 13

SAVE THE DATE

180th Anniversary Battle of the Neches

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July 13, 2019 aics1839.com

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

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Check out the eMAGAZINE www.countylinemagazine.com for extended event listings.

The Olate Dogs Perform in Greenville

EVENTS Dates and times are subject to change. Always call ahead before planning a visit.

Every Saturday

Celebration Market, Celebration Live!

Downtown Sulphur Springs. (903) 885-7541, www.sulphurspringstx.org

Second Saturdays

Mimosas at the Market. Downtown Corsicana. (903) 654-4851, www.corsicanamainstreet.org

Through May 27

Scarborough Renaissance Festival.

Waxahachie. 2511 FM 66. (972) 938-3247, www.srfestival.com

Through May 30

Rusk County Wildflower Trails.

Henderson. Various locations. (903) 6576551, www.visithendersontx.com

May 2-4 Richard Olate, left, and his son, Nicholas, bring the Olate Dogs, 2012 America’s Got Talent winners, to the Greenville Municipal Auditorium May 4.

Rains County Founder’s Day. Sandy Creek Park. (903) 473-2465, www.foundersdayfestival.org

Winners of America's Got Talent, The Olate Dogs, are coming to the Greenville Municipal Auditorium in Greenville Saturday May 4 for two performances. The Olate Dogs have travelled extensively throughout the United States and abroad performing their family-friendly theater show. They have recently come back to their roots and created more of a circus and variety

May 2-5

feel to their show known now as Circus Olate, inspired by their love of the circus. Tickets are $14 for children and veterans and $19 for adults. Special $30 VIP tickets are also available that include a meet and greet, family photo, and preferred seating. Performances are at 3 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to showtimeatthegma.com.

72nd Annual Jefferson Pilgrimage.

Jefferson. (903) 452-3836, www.jeffersonpilgrimage.com First Monday Trade Days. Canton. First Monday Trade Days Grounds. (903) 567-6556, www.firstmondaycanton.com Mudd Jam 10. Jacksonville. River Run Park.

(903) 724-4100, www.jacksonvilletexas.com

May 3-4

Cinco de Mayo Festival. Waxahachie. (469) 309-4040, www.waxahachiecvb.com

May 4

5th Annual Cinco de Mayo On the Square.

Mount Pleasant. Noon-midnight. www.visitmountpleasanttx.com Cinco de Mayo Festival. Sulphur Springs.

Celebration Plaza. (903) 885-5614, www.sulphurspringstx.org Star Party Saturday. Tyler. Center for Earth & Space Science Education. (903) 510-2312, www.sciencecenter.tjc.edu One Last Syrah, Wine Tour! Various locations. (903) 393-9737, www.etxsipandshop.com Twice As Fine Wine Festival. Texarkana.

Alzheimer’s Alliance Tri-State. (903) 223-8021, www.texarkanawinefestival.com The 2019 Historic Jefferson Train Show takes place along Austin Street in downtown Jefferson May 18 -19. The show features several modular model railroad layouts, railway excursions along the Big Cypress Bayou including a stop at the Diamond Don Gator Pit, a Kid’s Corral, and much more. For more information visit historicjeffersontrainshow.com.

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May 11

Marshall Main Street Second Saturday.

Downtown Marshall. (903) 935-7868, www. marshalltexas.com

Wings Over Paris. Cox Field. (903) 784-2501, www.paristexas.com Second Saturdays in McKinney. (972) 5472660, www.secondsaturdaymckinney.com Corsicana Air Show. C. David Campbell Field. www.coyotesquadron.org Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch Tours. Murchsion. Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch. (903) 469-3811, www.fundforanimals.org

TEXAS

Annual Railfest Celebration. Texarkana.

Front Street Festival Plaza. (903) 244-4282, www.texarkanacentral.com Momma-Knows-Best Afternoon Tea. Emory. Scarbrough Haven. (214) 883-5075, www.facebook.com/ScarbroughHaven The Art of Food & Wine. Edom. (844) 6336689, www.visitedom.com Hit the Bricks. Downtown Tyler. (800) 2355712, www.visittyler.com

May 11-12

Kilgore Geekend. Kilgore. Texas Broadcast Museum. (903) 240-0755, www.Facebook.com/ kilgoregeekend

May 17-18

Tailwind Regional Balloon Fest. Canton.

First Monday Grounds. (903) 567-1849, www. balloonfestcanton.com

VisitMcKinney.com/CLM

May 17-19

Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival.

Richardson. Galatyn Park. (972) 744-4580, www.wildflowerfestival.com Tyler Celtic Fest. Tyler. (903) 707-0927, www.toursoftyler.com

May 18

Rock n Roll Saturday. Tyler. Center for Earth & Space Science Education. (903) 510-2312, sciencecenter.tjc.edu

May 24-26

National Polka Festival. Ennis. (972) 8784748, www.nationalpolkafestival.com

May 24-25

Athens Old Fiddlers Contest and Reunion.

Athens. (903) 675-5131, www.athenstx.gov

May 24-27

Memorial Mudbug Ride. Jacksonville. River Run Park. (903) 724-4100, jacksonvilletexas.com

May 25

Reds, Whites and Brews Festival. Sulphur Springs. Celebration Plaza, sulphurspringsdba. com/events.html Audie Murphy Day. Greenville. Audie Murphy-American Cotton Museum. (903) 4504502, www.cottonmuseum.com Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch Tours. Murchsion. Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch. (903) 469-3811, www.fundforanimals.org

May 30- June 2

June 27-30

June 1- July 31

June 29

First Monday Trade Days. Canton. First Monday Trade Days Grounds. (903) 567-6556, www.firstmondaycanton.com Blueberry Picking. Edom. Blueberry Hill Farms. (903) 852-6175, blueberryhillfarms.com

June 1-2

Gingerbread Trail Historic Home Tour.

Waxahachie. Various locations. (469) 3094040, www.waxahachiecvb.com

June 6-9

Grand Saline Salt Festival. Grand Saline.

(903) 330-7815, www.bit.ly/2FJD0QA

June 8

Texas Blueberry Festival. Historic Downtown Nacogdoches. (936) 560-5533, www.

TexasBlueberryFestival.com Marshall Main Street Second Saturday.

Downtown Marshall. (903) 935-7868, www. marshalltexas.com Tomato Fest. Downtown Jacksonville. (903) 586-2217, www.jacksonvilletexas.com

June 7-15

8th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival.

Sulphur Springs. (903) 439-4705, www.hopkinscountydairyfestival.com

First Monday Trade Days. Canton. First Monday Trade Days Grounds. (903) 567-6556, www.firstmondaycanton.com Lake Fork Firework Show/Golf Cart Parade. Quitman. Oak Ridge Marina. (903) 878-2529, www.oakridgemarina.com

June 30

Dolly’s Tea. Longview. The Gregg County Historical Museum. (903) 753-5840, www.gregghistorical.org

July 3

Crepe Myrtle Festival. Waxahachie Sports Complex. (469) 309-4040, www.waxahachiecvb. com

July 4

Red, White and BOOM! McKinney. (972) 547-7480, www.mckinneytexas.org

July 13

Battle of the Neches Pow Wow - 180th Anniversary. Ben Wheeler. Battle of the Neches Historical Site. www.aics1839.com

SEE MORE EVENTS ON

COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.com

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 17

Summer Fun in the Upper East Side of Texas The Upper East Side of Texas has an abundance of fun things to do in the summer.

Here are some ideas to get started making plans. Check CountyLineMagazine.com for details and more choices.

Getaways

With bed and breakfasts, outstanding hotels, and Airbnb rentals, so many little towns in this region make terrific getaway destinations, and planning such a trip is really fun. There are so many choices of great places to eat and drink, shop, look at art and history, go antiquing, relax, and scout out unique local attractions. Check out the Explore Guides in CountyLineMagazine.com.

Lakes

While exploring this region, people drive across and around a lot of beautiful blue water. There are a couple dozen lakes in this area that offer great summer activities on and near the water such as swimming, boating, camping, hiking, water skiing, canoeing, dining, picnicking, or just relaxing and gazing at the beauty. Fishing is a favorite sport of many, and the lakes in this region draw fishermen from all over Texas and beyond, especially Lake Fork which is known as the best lake in Texas for bass fishing. Just about any fun summer event that can be dreamed up can take place near these bodies of water.

Zip Lines

Summer Music

Music is found year ‘round in the Upper East Side of Texas at concert venues, music halls, restaurants and bars. Warm weather also brings the music outdoors for community gatherings. Many community summer music series are efforts of the Texas Main Street program and are in effect across the region. They are listed here along with other summer concert series. Check details before attending, but most are free, offer food and beverages, and allow people to bring chairs and blankets for comfortable seating.

Corsicana hosts Mimosas at the Market on the second Saturday of each month during summer in historic downtown Corsicana, and it includes live music.

Denison’s Main Street presents Music on Main every Friday from May 24 through July 26.

Kilgore’s Main Street program offers a summer lineup of musical acts with their Fridays After 5 on the first Friday of May, June, August, and September.

Longview presents Downtown Live at Heritage Park, downtown Longview, every Friday evening in May. Marshall has a Second Saturday Twilight

Tunes concert series in May and June in Telegraph Park.

McKinney offers concerts during its Second Saturdays in downtown McKinney during the summer months.

Mount Vernon offers live music along with their farmers’ market on the downtown plaza every second Saturday May through September.

Rockwall’s San Jacinto Plaza Music Series is held every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in May. Rockwall also offers their outdoor Concerts by the Lake every Thursday from May 9 through August 1 (except July 4) at The Harbor.

Sherman’s 25th year of Hot Summer Nights hosts bands every Thursday night in June and July (except July 4) on the Sherman Municipal Lawn.

Sulphur Springs hosts Celebration Market, a farmers’ market and mini-festival including live music every Saturday from May 11 through September, at Celebration Plaza.

Winnsboro presents Monday Night Live the third Monday of May and June at The Bowery downtown.

SUMMER TIME Flying through the air on a zipline is an exciting adventure and doing so in the Upper East Side of Texas makes it a beautiful one, too, because of the tall green trees all around. Four places in this region to experience this exhilarating activity are New York, Texas ZipLine Adventures outside of New York (with a LaRue address); Adrenaline Rush Zip Line Tours of Jacksonville; Thomas Falls Zipline Challenge Course near Diana; and ZipNac in Nacogdoches.

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Festivals Animals The number of summer festivals in the Upper East Side of Texas continues to increase every year, bringing visitors from all over the world. Some that are sure to please in May include the 72nd Annual Jefferson Historical Pilgrimage; Rains County Founders Day Festival in Emory; Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie; Twice as Fine Wine Festival in Texarkana; 6th Annual Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival in Tyler; 4th Annual Reds, Whites, and Brews in Sulphur Springs; the 9th annual Railfest Celebration in Texarkana; Audie Murphy Day in Greenville; the Corsicana Air Show; Big Pines Blues Festival in Longview; Tailwind Regional Balloon Fest in Canton; Tyler Celtic Fest; the National Polka Festival in Ennis; and

Drive-In Movie Drive-in Theaters used to be a primary go-to spot for leisure time and there were hundreds of them across Texas. They are a bit more rare now, which makes them even more fun. Luckily the Upper East Side of Texas has one of the best in Ennis. The Galaxy Drive-In is open every night and has seven screens showing new releases and 3D double features. Guests tune in to hear the movies from FM radio frequencies. They have a full service snack bar with burgers, pizza, grilled chicken salads, hot dogs, corndogs, nachos, and of course popcorn. (972) 8755505, www.galaxydriveintheatre.com.

Water

Athens’ Old Fiddlers Reunion and Carnival.

June brings the Texas Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches, Tomato Fest in Jacksonville, Salt Festival in Grand Saline, and the Junebug Summer Fair in Ben Wheeler.

Call city offices for information on fireworks and other activities for Independence Day. Other celebrations in July include the 180th Anniversary of the Battle of the Neches in Ben Wheeler, Paris Balloon and Music Festival with the Tour de Paris Bicycle Rally, the Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview, and the Shadow Renaissance Festival in Sulphur Springs.

Summer Theatre Community theater in the region is fun and entertaining. Most of the time, local talent does all the work on these productions, from acting to set design to directing, and everything in between.

Some plays scheduled for local theaters between now and the beginning of the school year are The Premature Corpse and Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR in Ennis, Death of a Salesman in Henderson, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in Greenville, Ella Enchanted in Longview, My Son Pinocchio in Palestine, Shrek the Musical in Mineola, and Mamma Mia in Waxahachie.

There are three Splash Kingdom family waterparks in the Upper East Side of Texas — one in Canton, one in Greenville, and another in Nacogdoches.

There is also the indoor Waterpark at the Villages Resort in Flint. Over the past few years, many towns of all sizes in the Upper East Side of Texas have added fun splash pads to their parks for easy access to cool summer play. Call city offices to find out times of operation.

There are several zoos, animal sanctuaries, and drive-thru safaris in the region. Animal lovers have many choices of how to get up close and personal with different types of creatures.

Walks through a zoo setting are available at Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin, and the more intimate East Texas Zoo and Gators Park in Grand Saline.

Drive through habitats where animals might come right up to the car and nose around for food are available at Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari in Jacksonville and Grapeland Drive-Thru Safari in Grapeland. There are places with rescued animals — from tigers and large cats to apes, antelope, horses, and donkeys — where people can witness how the safe environments and nurturing saved and enriched these animals’ lives. See Tiger Creek Animal Sanctuary, Tyler; Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch, Murchison; and The Pegasus Project, Murchison.

Wineries

The Upper East Side of Texas is home to a great number of vineyards and wineries, and many have won international awards. After a decade of wine growing, this area rivals the Texas Hill Country with the number and quality of great wines produced here.

A great way to spend summer days is to tour local wineries to see their beautiful vineyards and sample some of their delicious creations. There are about 40 wineries in this region, and a few of the award winning ones include Kiepersol Estates Vineyards & Winery, Tyler; Landon Winery in Greenville and McKinney; Enoch’s Stomp Vineyard & Winery, Harleton; and Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, Pittsburg.

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 19

Waxahachie: A Place in Your Heart, Texas

By Krista Leard Guests entering downtown Waxahachie are greeted by a grand ornate “castle” courthouse, surrounded by wall murals, art on every corner, and amazing shops and restaurants on each street. On the corner of East Jefferson and South Rogers streets is a crepe myrtle mural by street artist Calina Mishay Johnson. It includes a quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson: “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I would walk in my garden forever.”

Art and sentiments like this have a constant presence in downtown Waxahachie, all intended to pull at visitors’ heartstrings.

The city’s tagline, “A Place in Your Heart, Texas,” comes from its connection to the 1984 film Places in the Heart with Sally Field, Lindsay Crouse, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, John Malkovich, and Danny Glover. The movie was filmed in Waxahachie.

There’s no shortage of things to see and do in town and plenty of choices for shopping and dining. There are several antique shops to explore including Gin-

gerbread Antiques, Old Town Village Antiques, and Junk for Joy. A delicious lunch option is The Dove’s Nest at 105 West Jefferson Street. Cindy and Andrew Burch originally established the restaurant in 1992 in the back of her mother’s gift shop and it quickly grew and now they are in a much larger space in a historic building in the downtown district. Serving guests in a comfy French country-styled dining area, their menu consists of new southern cuisine.

A favorite menu item is the Smoked Turkey Sandwich. It comes packed with thinly sliced smoked turkey piled on a ciabatta roll with Havarti cheese, pickled red onions, arugula, tomatoes and apple wood bacon, dressed with a Dijon mayo.

It comes with a pile of mixed kettlebaked chips.

For dessert, guests can’t go wrong with the made-from-scratch Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie, topped off with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream that melts perfectly over the hot pie. The pecan pie is made without corn syrup so it is thick, almost like sweet pecan bread, with extra crust.

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The Dove’s Nest goes beyond the restaurant with an adjacent large shopping boutique equipped with decorations for the home and more.

Just down the road from The Dove’s Nest is the Ellis County Museum. This historical destination was first organized in 1968 by the citizens of Waxahachie inside of an 1889 structure directly across the street from the Ellis County Courthouse. Inside, rows and rows of shelves and glass cases hold artifacts and documents telling the story of Ellis County.

Displays range from objects brought by the families who migrated to Waxahachie to one of the first perm machines used on women’s hair — which looks more like a device for torture —cannons, clothes, and even an exhibit dedicontinued page 23 BOTTOM, Left: One of 10 painted plexiglass hearts by local artists; Right: the Waxahachie castle-like courthouse; OPPOSITE: The Dove’s Nest, Top Left, Clockwise: Bourbon pecan pie-with ice cream; a full crowd for lunch; the boutique filled with bath and body care, home decor, clothes, and more; a smoked turkey sandwich paired with mixed Kettle chips. Photos by Krista Leard

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 21

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WAXAHACHIE continued from page 20

peppers, green onions and San Marzano tomatoes.

cated to the professional baseball player and manager Paul Richards. Some of the exhibits on display are interactive with films and audio clips accessible through wall-phones.

Besides good food, shopping, and sight seeing, the town offers stage performances by the Waxahachie Community Theatre. Remaining shows this year include Mama Mia, May 10-12; the Summer Showcase, July 26-28; Beauty and the Beast, October 25-27; and ending the season with Miracle on 34th Street, December 1315.

Visitors can purchase “love locks” at the museum to place on the Love Lock Wall downtown. It is a renovated retention wall containing four 16-foot-long black fencing panels in a parking lot on the corner of Franklin and College streets.

The fences are sprinkled with locks of all shapes and sizes.

The museum also provides a brochure for a self-guided walking history tour.

Along the way is Art on the Square at 113 West Franklin. It houses works of all mediums, from paintings in oils and acrylics to wire trees intricately wrapped around geode rocks.

Throughout downtown Waxahachie are big fiberglass hearts, painted by local artists, and in one spot there’s a giant kaleidoscope to look through and see pulsing images of shapes and colors..

For dinner, many guests enjoy the upscale Bistro 115 with a great view of the Ellis County courthouse, designated in the top 10 outstanding architectural achievements in Texas.

The intimate bistro blends New American Italian foods with Mediterranean influence, all completely made fresh from scratch.

The bruschetta appetizer is made with wood-fired flatbread that was brushed with herb-infused olive oil and served with San Marzano relish and olive tapenade.

A favorite entree is the Cajun Chicken Pasta, which includes fresh creamy fettuccine tossed in a Cajun cream sauce with grilled chicken, mushrooms, bell

OPPOSITE, Top Left, Clockwise: Art on the Square art gallery is an open space for local and regional artists; inside the Ellis County Museum, a non-profit museum sharing the history and culture of the region; the Ellis County Museum is housed in an old Masonic temple; a glass display window featuring some of the artifacts on display inside the museum; stained glass kaleidoscope found on the corner of Main and College Streets.

Photos by Krista Leard

Waxahachie is also home to some very unique bed and breakfasts, including the Chaska House, based in a beautiful historic building with author-themed bedrooms. Located on 716 West Main St, it is a good location to stay close to the downtown area.

There is also The English Merchant’s Inn, a quaint, picturesque English-style B&B based in a historic mansion.

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Another good dining choice while in Waxahachie is White Rhino Coffee and Kitchen. This coffee house is a good place to chill out with a friend or find a nook to curl up in to read a good book.

It is furnished in a very modern-rustic style, radiating “chill” vibes. Located in a renovated home, the shop has two stories with a library, meeting room, dining area, plenty of cushiony seats for sipping coffee, and an outdoor stage and patio for live entertainment. The menu features a series of craft coffees, specialty teas, lunch entrees, and freshly baked pastries and breads.

The gourmet pumpkin bread paired with a signature German chocolate coffee made with chocolate, almond, and coconut, topped with decorative steamed milk is a good place to start.

Their gourmet grilled cheese sandwich is made with smoked cheddar and Gruyere on toasted sourdough, and served with kettle chips.

Waxahachie is also home to a long list of annual events, festivals, and fairs. Upcoming is the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, April 6-May 27; Cinco de Mayo Festival, May 3-4; Gingerbread Trail Historic Home Tour, June 1-2; and the Crepe Myrtle Festival, July 3.

Waxahachie tends to stay a place in the heart for many who return as often as they can. Learn more about things to see and do there on waxahachiecvb.com.

ADVERTISE. IT WORKS! CountyLineMagazine.com

(903) 963-1101

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 23

Beyond the Garden Gates New venues, entertainment, handcrafted goods featured on 2019 Celina Garden Tour The 2019 Celina Garden Tour, an exclusive showcase of eight area home gardens and wineries north of Frisco, is presented rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8.

Presented by the Celina Garden Club, the self-guided tour winds through the picturesque countryside of Celina, providing stunning views of its vast farmlands and gently rolling terrain as well as rare glimpses at several of the area’s most impressive gardens.

“We are excited about the 2019 Garden Tour as we enjoy sharing Celina’s beautiful gardens and wineries with our Texas friends and neighbors,” said Celina Garden Club President Lynn Balint, whose own home garden is featured on the tour.

Other venues on the tour include Caudalie Crest Winery, Eden Hill Winery & Vineyard, a private home vineyard, and

a trio of suburban-home gardens that highlight the beauty and benefits of indoor-outdoor living. An assortment of handcrafted foods, beverages and products are available for purchase at several venues, including homemade pies and preserves, home décor and other items.

The 2019 Celina Garden Tour highlights the burgeoning area’s rustic charm and resources, according to Melissa Green, who oversees special events and philanthropy for the Celina Garden Club.

“This year’s tour reflects the urban growth Celina has experienced with the addition of new, smaller garden spaces featured at homes in a couple of the city’s suburban developments. It also highlights our rural heritage with sprawling vineyards and peaceful country properties.”

Founded in 1945, the Celina Garden

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Club’s mission is to educate and stimulate knowledge; share resources and experiences; and to enjoy fellowship with other gardeners through monthly meetings, field trips and projects. Club members actively participate in civic improvement programs, which include sponsoring an annual scholarship for students interested in environmentalrelated studies. With funds from its 2015 tour, the Celina Garden Club planned and executed a garden and learning center at Celina Elementary School.

Proceeds from this year’s tour will assist the club in continuing its community outreach and beautification projects.

Advance tickets for the tour are $20 and are available online at celinagardenclub.org. Tickets are available for pickup starting at 8 a.m. on tour day in Celina’s historic downtown square, near Walnut and Ohio streets. Same-day tickets may also be purchased there for $25.

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Family fun and fresh Texas blueberries! What better way to spend a summer weekend? From a blueberry pancake breakfast on the red brick streets to music, games and vendors, the 30th annual Texas Blueberry Festival promises you’ll run out of weekend before you run out of fun. If you’re ready for fresh, we have a Nac for that. Book your stay today at VisitNac.com/blueberry

Texas Blueberry Weekend - June 7-9

SUBMIT ORDER ON WEBSITE OR MAIL TO P.O. BOX 608 BEN WHEELER, TX 75754

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888-564-7351 | VisitNac.com

Upper East Side of Texas Regional Magazine

fl&g 903.963.1101 countylinemagazine.com

June 21-23. The Forge. Ben Wheeler, TX MUSIC • FOOD • ART • FARMERS’ MARKET FRI., Farm-to-table dinner 7-10 p.m. SAT. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. SUN. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

theforgebenwheeler.com (903) 833-5970

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 25

Enjoy Shopping, Dining & Entertainment in Historic Mineola, Texas

Sidetrack in Mineola!

IRON HORSE SQUARE MINI TRAIN 2nd/3rd Saturdays March-October 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Special rides for holidays and events MAIN STREET FARMERS’ MARKET Every Saturday May-October 8 a.m.-Noon.

MAY FIESTA DAY May 4. Downtown. 903-569-2087

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LAKE COUNTRY SYMPHONIC BAND CONCERT SPRING FLING May 19 & 21. Lake Country Playhouse MINEOLA HISTORICAL MUSEUM 114 Pacific St (Hwy. 69) Open Thur, Fri, Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

RAILROAD MUSEUM

MINEOLA NATURE PRESERVE 7:30 a.m. until sunset

Restored 1906 Mineola Depot 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. 7 days a week. FREE

AMTRAK TEXAS EAGLE

Designated Daily Stop 1-800-669-8509

1.800.MINEOLA • www.mineola.com

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HENDERSON HAPPENINGS Henderson Civic Theatre 2019 122 E. Main St. 903-657-2968 www.hendersoncivictheatre.org

The Christians May 3-5 & 10-12

Death of a Salesman

June 21-23 & 28-30 Fri & Sat 7:30 p.m. , Sun 2:30 p.m.

JULY 4th

10:00 a.m. Parade Downtown GPS 100 E. Main

Rusk County Wildflower Trails April 15th- May 31st

Self-driving tour on three driving trails of Rusk County Maps available by contacting City of Henderson Department of Tourism

866-650-5529 tourism@hendersontx.us

Download map from www.visithendersontx.com

5:00 p.m. Fun in the Park Lake Forest Park, 1500 Lake Forest Pkwy

Free giant water slide and inflatables

Fun food for purchase 6:00 p.m. Lee Mathis & Brutally Handsome Band 9:15 p.m. Fireworks over the lake

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 27

THE ARTS The Arts Build Community in Mineola

By Judy Peacock Mineola League of the Arts (MLOTA) is a unique community of people interested in learning as much as they can about all aspects of art and sharing all they learn with others. The organization functions through individual groups called “guilds” formed to study specific art forms. Their current guilds are painters, photography, line dancing, quilting, sculpting, and fiber arts.

They also offer yoga classes.

For a nominal annual fee ($25), one becomes a member of the league and is encouraged to participate in the guilds.

MLOTA began in 1988 with 17 charter members. They rented an old school building at 200 West Blair Street in Mineola in 1990, purchased the building in 1992, and still use it today. They now have 235 members. Two years ago, another building was built on their property to keep up with the expanding need for space because of all the activities they offer.

The different guilds hold regular classes and workshops and they sometimes have public shows of their artwork. Two of their larger events are an art show each year in April and a quilt show in October.

Having the facilities with dedicated areas for each guild is a big part of why they are so successful.

Vickie Steed, first vice president of the league, says, “Our goal is to be a center, a core.”

The league hosts the Texas Association of Quilts guild, and they often host other activities from different towns.

An exciting part of the league is the annual Kaleidoscope Kids Art Camp held every summer for children ages six to 12. They host 144 kids for a one week camp where they learn about 10 different art forms and create their own masterpieces. About 50 to 60 adult and teen volunteers happily work this week each year and help these kids make art, memories, and friendships. Children come

Mary Ann Zapletal enjoys painting during a workshop at Mineola League of the Arts. Photo by Sharon Robertson

from all around Texas and beyond for this camp.

Steed says, “It’s a good time of year to come visit grandparents or aunts and uncles, and be a part of the fun.”

In 2018, MLOTA added a teen camp, primarily at the request of campers who had outgrown children’s camp. There were 18 attendees last summer, but they expect that number to grow each year.

Jan Sokolosky, current president of the league, says the local teens who want to attend are excited to learn different art forms and that “they have a voice in what will be included.”

On a regular basis, the league helps people experience different types of art and to learn something new. Steed says she started as a quilter, but now she does painting, sculpture, and fiber arts. Sokolosky is in the line dancing guild, but she told of many different art forms that she has tried. Of a recent class, she said, “I really liked the Ukrainian eggs,” and went on to explain the process of creating art pieces made from hollowed-out eggs, wax strings and colorful dyes.

They have Sample Days each August,

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where anyone can come in and sample new art techniques to see if they would want to become involved in the league.

The MLOTA building is open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday. Most of their classes are offered during these daytime hours, although sometimes the photography and painting guilds meet at night.

Sokolosky enjoys working with members and says of the organization, “It is kind of like a second family to me.”

A lot of people involved are retired and/or have recently moved to the area. Sherry Spencer, coordinator of the painters guild, says that she and her husband lived out by Lake Holbrook for a couple of years and didn’t know hardly anyone. They became very involved in activities at the league and she says, “Now we feel a part of something.”

Steed says to anyone who might be interested in what MLOTA has to offer, “Come and play.” For more information, call (903)569-8877 or visit mlota. org.

ARTS EVENTS Dates and times are subject to change. Always call ahead before planning a visit.

Through May 5

15th Annual High School Art Exhibition.

Tyler Museum of Art. (903)595-1001, tylermuseum.org

Through May 25

Backstage Pass: Rolling Stone Magazine.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts. (903) 7538103, lmfa.org

Through June 22

That Day: Pictures In the American West by Laura Wilson. Longview Museum of Fine Arts.

(903) 753-8103, www.lmfa.org

May 4

May the 4th Be With You. Longview. SE Belcher Center. (903) 236-9739, www. longviewsymphony.org

May 4-June 21

Local Inspirations. Athens. Gallery 211.

(903) 292-1746, www.artgallery211.net

May 28

Ladies’ Night at LMFA. Longview. Longview Museum of Fine Arts. (903) 753-8103, www. lmfa.org

June 21-23

Junebug Summer Fair. Ben Wheeler. The Forge. (903) 833-5970, www.theforgebenwheeler. com

June 29- August 31

People Power. Athens. Gallery 211. (903) 292-1746, www.artgallery211.net

July 11

ArtWalk Downtown. Longview. (903) 7532098, www.artwalklongview.com

STAGE EVENTS April 30- May 4

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Nacogdoches. W. M. Turner Auditorium. (936) 564-7351, www. finearts.sfasu.edu

May 2-5

Mamma Mia! Paris. Plaza Theatre. (903) 7853958, www.pctonstage.com

May 3-5

My Old Lady. Mineola. Historic Select Theater. (903) 569-2087, www.visitmineola.com

May 3-12

The Christians. Henderson Civic Center. (903) 657-2968, www.hendersoncivictheatre.org

May 4

Olate Dogs. Greenville Municipal Auditorium.

(903) 457-3126, www.showtimeatthegma.com

Texas Birds Works by Frank X. Tolbert 2

May 10-12

Mama Mia! Waxahachie. University Assembly of God. (972) 646-1050, www.waxahachiecommunitytheatre.com

May 10-19

Groucho Marx, a Life in Revue. Tyler Civic Theatre Center. (903) 592-0561, www.tylercivictheatre.com

May 12

Groucho and Brunch. Tyler Civic Theatre Center. (903) 592-0561, www.tylercivictheatre. com

May 30- June 1

Amazing Grace. Longview. ArtsView Children’s Theatre. (903) 236-7535, www.artsviewchildrenstheatre.com

May 5 through August 4, 2019 Tyler Museum of Art 1300 South Mahon Avenue • Tyler, TX www.tylermuseum.org

June 12

Finding Neverland. Lufkin. Angelina Arts Alliance. (936) 633-5234, www.angelinaarts. org

June 21-30

Death of a Salesman. Henderson Civic Center.

(903) 657-2968, www.hendersoncivictheatre.org

July 6

Ron White. Bossier City. Horseshoe Bossier City. (800) 895-0711, www.caesars.com/horseshoe-bossier-city

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THAT DAY:

PICTURES IN THE AMERICAN WEST

BY LAURA WILSON ON DISPLAY THROUGH JUNE 22

903.753.8103 LMFA.org ON DISPLAY THROUGH MAY 25

215 E. Tyler St. Longview, TX 75601

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 29

MOUNT PLEASANT-TITUS COUNTY

&

30 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

Winnsboro Artists Support Endangered Bees

By Krista Leard Winnsboro Farmers’ Market is hosting its annual Save the Bees Art Contest, now in its fifth year, and the artists are buzzing with excitement. Ten artists each year take on the challenge to paint beehive boxes for a chance to win cash prizes and most importantly to raise awareness of the plight of the pollinators.

This year the contest is also helping to create bee awareness in young students by providing a Youth Beekeeping Scholarship program to two lucky students.

Kids aged 12-17 are each provided all the necessary equipment, materials, and bees to start their own beekeeping journey. Also included is one year of mentoring to help grow the population of both beekeepers and bees.

Bees are responsible for helping to pollinate plants, which is a vital step in plant reproduction. Crops, flowers, vegetables, fruits — all of which feed both humans and livestock — benefit from bee pollination. Beekeeper Bill Zimmer says bees are responsible for pollinating nearly 85 percent of all food crops for humans, as well as numerous crops that grow the food fed to cattle. Without the honeybee, options for nourishment would certainly be reduced and there has been research conducted that pre-

dicts environmental collapse should the honeybee no longer exist, he added.

even a career, and it benefits everyone — humans and bees included.

Last year 50 percent of bees in Texas died from something called colony collapse disorder, Zimmer says. The main causes he says are pests (varroa mite), pesticides, and lack of bee forage/farming practices.

For those that can’t do beekeeping, there are other ways to help. Planting bee-friendly flowers, switching to organic pesticides, and donating to beekeeper associations are a few ideas.

Zimmer says 65 percent of beekeepers are over the age of 50. By providing the scholarship and creating an education for young students, the group is looking to instill a desire for the younger generation to bring back this fading tradition. Beekeeping can be a hobby, or

The 10 hives selected for the Save the Bees Art Contest are first displayed at the Winnsboro Farmers’ Market from 8 a.m. to noon May 11. Voting and display continues in the Winnsboro Center for the Arts on non-market days and on May 18 and 25 at the market. The winner is announced May 25.

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 31

CAPTURED ART

Our readers share their views of the Upper East Side of Texas

BLUEBIRD FALL

▲

“Bluebirds are probably one of the most challenging birds to capture so anytime I aim my camera at one, the only thing I’m thinking is I hope I get the shot.”

Taken at Lake Holbrook, Wood County.

Lisa Hilbers

▲

“Early morning sun on this Barred Owl resting after a night of hunting in Hopkins County.”

Bobby Middleton

▲

SUNSET WITH THE GANG

“The chance to witness such beauty is truly a blessing. I was not sure I could actually capture what I was seeing.” Taken at at Lake O’ the Pines.

Debbie Sandlin

32 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

FOGGY TEXAS MORNING

▲

BARRED OWL ON A MOSSY OAK

“As I was driving home on this foggy morning I noticed about a dozen longhorns grazing at the fence line. I immediately pulled over and with my iPhone I was able to get this one shot of a Longhorn looking up at me.”

Walter Dugan

WALK ON WATER

▲

“Lesslie Duran of Lindale, Texas, takes a leisurely walk on the shore of Lake Hawkins.”

Eli Acuna

QUINCE AT THE COURTHOUSE

▲

“While capturing the Harrison County Courthouse, I noticed the quince blooming and thought it would be good in the front of the shot.”

Wendy Floyd

▲

GET ME A CHAIR

“Being a slightly cooler and breezy evening, I decided to take the dog to go swimming at Lake O’ the Pines. I noticed this heron atop a cypress and decided to see how close it would let me come for a photograph. By the time I got closer, the sun was sinking to create this perfect scene.”

Becky Rockwell Submit your photos of people, places and activities in the Upper East Side of Texas to editor@countylinemagazine.com. Must be high resolution.

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 33



FILM

New Documentary Explores Yogi in the Bible Belt

Summer Smith recently completed a documentary that highlights what it means to be a yoga instructor in the heart of the “Bible Belt.” The Bible Belt is a term often used to describe areas of the southern and midwestern United States where Protestant fundamentalism is widely practiced. Yoga, Smith explains, is sometimes thought by some to conflict with that path. But in fact, she says, they are compatible.

Yogi in the Bible Belt tells the story of Smith starting a yoga studio in Canton, Texas, in 2006. The classes were met with enthusiasm from most but trepidation from others.

“Unfortunately, people are misinformed about yoga, its traditions, practices and origins,” Smith says. “There seems to be a fear that yoga somehow interferes with a person’s religious practices which is completely unfounded. The truth is yoga predates religion by several thousand years.

It is true that some religions later incorporated the practice into their faiths because of the proven benefits, but yoga in no way interferes with a person’s religion, it only enhances it.”



Smith talks about the benefits of meditation and the philosophy of yoga.

“Yoga itself is really a state of being,” she says. “The practice enhances faith because the cornerstone of a yogic lifestyle is centered on settling the mind. When the mind is quiet, we are more introspective and receptive. In a receptive state we are kinder and gentler to ourselves and those around us, and we cultivate a state of compassion.”

Smith explains common practices and the science and technique of yoga in a way that helps the lay person understand the practice.

“I think of my studio as a lab,” she says.

“We practice postures and breathing techniques in an effort to calm our minds and get into a more receptive state. When we are open and receptive, healing begins.”

This film project sheds light on an ancient tradition and explains in simple

terms the purpose behind the practice.

a life-altering journey back to myself.”

“My hope is that as many people as possible will see this documentary and discover that one of the greatest gifts we receive is the gift of self-discovery,” Smith says. “The philosophy and application of the yogic lifestyle has impacted me so profoundly that I wanted to share that experience. For me personally, it has been

See the trailer at youtu.be/eVIL3fy7MVM. Smith conducts workshops where she leads a yoga stretch class, and shows the 30-minute film followed by discussion.

To schedule the two-hour workshop, contact Smith at yogiinthebiblebelt@outlook. com. Find out more about Yama Yoga Studio at yamayoga.net.

34 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

 LITERARY

Authors Featured at May 4 Signing in Sulphur Springs The Bookworm Box in Sulphur Springs presents “May the 4th Be With You,” featuring authors Colleen Hoover, Molly McAdams, Devney Perry, and Rebecca Yarros for book signings from noon to 3 p.m. May 4 at 204 Main Street with an extended after party until 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person.

as well as psychological thriller.

The Bookworm Box is a specialty bookstore owned by Hoover where all books on the shelves are donated and signed by the author. Proceeds from the sales of the books go to charities.

Hoover is published by Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. She also has several indie titles, including her most recent novel, Verity.

Hoover is a #1 New York Times best-selling author of 17 novels and novellas. Her novels fall into the New Adult and Young Adult contemporary romance categories,

 POETRY

In 2015, Hoovers’ novel Confess won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Romance. That was followed in 2016 with It Ends With Us, also winning the Choice Award for Best Romance. In 2017, her title Without Merit won Best Romance.

The Bookworm Box is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday/Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.

Call (903) 919-5027 and visit thebookwormbox.com for more information.

Colleen Hoover owns The Bookworm Box in Sulphur Springs and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author.

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

Robert Frost

Runaway River

Change of Address

Feet in a runaway river

Lights come on

leading to a celestial sea

in the mansion on the hill,

where the golden glint of peace

and angels drift down

promises to be unceasing.

to answer the fierce fires and golden gleams

Hands held bold and high,

of where we have been,

and tingling to reach

and where we are going.

the flow of the cosmos where we'll be absorbed by the light

Rivers of stars wash over us,

and can kiss the music

and music all but prays

at its source.

in the distance

Eyes beholding a harvest

as we become part

of heavens so ripe with colors

of the peace

that hearts are warmed

that will not let us go.

to the farthest star.

Darrell Lindsey Nacogdoches

Darrell Lindsey Nacogdoches

She She speaks with a gentle spirit The kindest words to touch each heart With a whisper of loving friendship Always giving with a grateful smile As if it were a pleasure to help anyone in need If only there were more like you — she Debbie Risner Cunningham Canton

Learning Compromise dreaming in technicolor, things seemed so much simpler, back then, but, really, every adult hides those harder realities, bills and burdens pile up to the ceiling, willingly wishing for a better tomorrow but not knowing if our depression ends faithfully praying that hardships cover us in a bevy of lit understanding and interesting scars, we are becoming educated at the slick school of hard knocks, no worrying about higher grades, because everyone fails everyday, learning compromise James Kenneth Blaylock Tyler MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 35

MUSIC

See www.countylinemagazine.com for extensive music listings.

Ben Dickey Meets Ben Wheeler

MUSIC Dates and times are subject to change. Always call ahead before planning a visit.

Weekly

Live Music Venues. countylinemagazine.com/ Arts-Guide/

May 3

Kathy Mattea with Bill Cooley. Dallas. Poor David’s Pub. (214) 565-1295, www.poordavidspub.com

May 4

2019 Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival.

Downtown Tyler. www.reddirtbbqfest.com One Voice Music Festival. Sulphur Springs.

Hopkins Civic Center. (903) 885-8071, www. hopkinscountyciviccenter.info Robin and Linda Williams. Winnsboro Center for the Arts. (903) 342-0686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com Six Miles to Mixon. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store. (903) 833-5100, www.mooresstore.com

Singer-songwriter/actor Ben Dickey is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. May 17 at The Forge Bar and Grill in Ben Wheeler. Dickey made his acting debut in Blaze, Ethan Hawke’s biopic about doomed Texas singer-songwriter Blaze Foley last year. That led to more acting roles on the horizon.

Dickey is touring with his latest album,

A Glimmer on the Outskirts, all over the country and makes a stop in Ben Wheeler for a solo show. He enjoys the path he’s own now he says and sums up his life with a quote from Blaze: “You might not get what you go after, but you do get what you wouldn’t have got, if you hadn’t gone after what you didn’t get.”

Jameson Rodgers. Nacogdoches. Banita Creek Hall. (936) 762-8000, www.banitacreekhall.com Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Waxahachie. SAGU Hagee Center. (469) 3094040, www.waxahachiecvb.com

May 10

Brave Combo 40th Anniversary Show.

Dallas. Poor David’s Pub. (214) 565-1295, www.poordavidspub.com

May 11

Marty Stuart Appears at Music City Texas Hillbilly Rock’s Marty Stuart performs at Music City Texas in Linden May 10.

Tickets are $50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. VIP tickets are $200 and include front row seats, private pre-show event, storytelling session, a commemorative limited edition poster, photo ops and an autograph session. Call (903) 756-9934 for tickets and more information and visit musiccitytexas.org.

Music City Texas Theater seeks to honor the rich musical heritage of the region by presenting year ‘round entertainment, and promotes the love of music through education, instrument donations and performance opportunities.

36 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

Big Pines Blues Festival Jr. Showcase.

Longview. Heritage Plaza. (903) 237-1230, www.bit.ly/2TWCbZR Cory Morrow. Royse City. Southern Junction.

(972) 771.2418, www.southernjunctionlive.com Little Big Town. Bossier City. Horseshoe Casino. (800) 895-0711, caesars.com/horseshoebossier-city

May 15

Patrick James. Kilgore. Back Porch. (903) 984-8141, www.thebackporchkilgore.com

May 18

The Windbreakers. Pottsboro. The Island.

(903) 786-7000, highport.com/event Shotgun Rider. Royce City. Southern Junction.

(972) 771.2418, southernjunctionlive.com Tuxedo Cats. Ben Wheeler. Moore’s Store.

(903) 833-5100, www.mooresstore.com Bart Crow. Waxahachie. Rockett Café and Club. (972) 617-8634, www.facebook.com/rockettcafe

May 19 & 21

Spring Fling. Mineola. Historic Select Theater.

(903) 569-2087, www.visitmineola.com

May 20

Summer Concert. Longview. Teague Park Amphitheater. (903) 738-9442, www.etsymphonicband.com

Blueberry Bluegrass Show Comes to Nacogdoches

May 24

New Breed Brass Band. Tyler. Stanley’s.

(903) 593-031, www.stanleysfamous.com

May 24-25

Floyd Void: A Tribute to Pink Floyd. Big Sandy Music Hall. (903) 345-4289, bigsandymusichall.com

May 24-26

6th Annual Family Reunion. Mount Enterprise. Folk Family Revival, Kevin Galloway, Sexton City All Stars, Scott Calaxy & the Two Hour Project, and More.

The Crater at Durango’s Canyon, (903) 8982772, www.frcjam.com

May 25

Gretchen Peters. Winnsboro Center for the Arts. (903) 342-0686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com Gene Watson. Linden. Music City Texas Theater. (903) 756-9934, www.musiccitytexas. org

May 31

REO Speedwagon. Bossier City. Horseshoe Casino. (800) 895-0711, caesars.com/horseshoebossier-city

June 1

Purple Velvet Fox. Pittsburg. Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards. (903) 855-1769, lospinosranchvineyards.com Restless Heart and Shenandoah. Durant, OK. Choctaw Casino. (888) 652-4628, www. choctawcasinos.com

June 7

Linda Davis in the Round. Linden. Music City Texas Theater. (903) 756-9934, www. musiccitytexas.org

June 8

Michael McNevin. Winnsboro Center for the Arts. (903) 342-0686, www.winnsborocenterforthearts.com

June 14

The Statesboro Revue. Royce City. Southern Junction. (972) 771.2418, www.southernjunctionlive.com

June 21

Steve Helms Band. Royce City. Southern Junction. (972) 771.2418, www.southernjunctionlive.com Lady Antebellum. Bossier City. Horseshoe Casino. (800) 895-0711, caesars.com/horseshoe-bossier-city

The Jeff Robertson Band performs at this year’s Blueberry Bluegrass concert during the Blueberry Festival in Nacogdoches. The concert is from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, at Festival Plaza in downtown Nacogdoches. Besides Jeff Robertson Band, the family-friendly concert features Catahoula Drive, The Purple Hulls, and El Camino Real. The toe-tapping fun continues with Pickin’ on the Square from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8, in the Regions Bank Community Room and the City Hall Meeting Room. Bluegrass musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and jam with new friends in air-conditioned comfort. For more information, visit tbf.nacogdoches.org/ or call (936) 560-5533.

June 22 Luke LaPrade. Pickton. Foster’s Place. (903) 866-0606 Zac Harmon CD Release Party. Dallas. Poor David’s Pub. (214) 565-1295, www.poordavidspub.com Hank Williams, Jr. Durant, OK. Choctaw Casino. (888) 652-4628, www.choctawcasinos. com

PRESENTS Wind Synergy

Saturday, June 1, 7:30 p.m.

June 23 Todd Rundgren. Dallas. House of Blues.

(214)978-2583, www.houseofblues.com

June 23-28 UTT Summer Jazz Camp. Tyler. The University of Texas at Tyler Jazz. (903) 5667387, www.totalcamps.com

Summer Children’s Concert Monday, June 10, 2:00 p.m.

July 4 East Texas Country Music Festival.

Grapeland. Salmon Lake Park. (817) 6808890, www.liveactionproductions.com

SEE MORE EVENTS ON

COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.com

Mount Vernon Music Hall

903.563.3780 WWW.MOUNTVERNONMUSIC.ORG

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 37

Gun Barrel City

JULY FEST & 50th Anniversary Celebration July 6

Gun Barrel City Park

CONCERT • CARNIVAL • FIREWORKS

VANILLA ICE WADE BOWEN

KEVIN FOWLER

BACK IN BLACK L

READ SOUTHAL

Visit Gun Barrel City ... Shootin’ Straight for 50 Years 38 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

903.887.1087 • www.gunbarrelcity.net

Find Jazz Collection in Sherman Museum Bill Collins III had a youth saturated with jazz and musical culture. His deeply rooted love and appreciation for jazz music led him through a career in music and teaching as a professor at universities, where he eventually retired.

His passion for jazz did not end with his musical career, but instead led to the birth of the Sherman Jazz Museum. The inviting space welcomes guests to come in and immerse themselves in the rich culture of jazz music that Collins collected.

The museum hosts a large collection of vinyl records, instruments, murals, memorabilia, and various forms of recording devices down through history. The museum’s collection rivals that of many others in the nation.

The building itself has a bit of history — it was once used for the Masonic Lodge Temple until it was purchased by Bill Collins Jr. where he used to showcase historic walnut furniture in 1992. But with the passing of his parents, Bill Collins III inherited the furniture museum in 2008, which he converted into the Sherman Jazz Museum to share his musical passion.

Within the museum, there are several themed rooms, including the Vocal Room which hosts a mural of Ella Fitzgerald and The Dance Band Room featuring the big bands of the jazz era. There is also the Big Band Era Room, which is home to the albums and vinyls of the post-war dance bands.

The biggest room is the Trumpet Room, which features the trumpets from some of the greatest jazz artists in history. Also showcased are individual trumpets from these great artists, albums, and even record players.

Award-winning artists Scott and Melissa Tucker painted the mural in the Dance Band Era Room, as well as the bronze busts stationed in the Big Bands Room.

All of the portrait murals in the Trumpet, Big Band Era, and Dance Band rooms were painted by Sherman-native Pat Pierce.

Sherman Jazz Museum is open from 1-5 p.m. every Saturday at 201 East Lamar in downtown Sherman. Admission is free. www.shermanjazzmuseum.com MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 39

FOOD & DRINK

Former Bank Drive-Thru Now Serves Gourmet Coffee

By Breanna McGowan The Pony Expresso is a locally-owned coffee house in downtown Canton. This charming establishment was once a drivethru bank facility and was repurposed into a coffee house. The owner, Katie McFarland, opened the shop in November 2018 serving coffee and more to the residents and visitors of Van Zandt County.

The Pony Expresso fell into place once the vacant property went up for grabs.

The drive-thru design catered to McFarland’s idea to create the feel of a “mocha stand” which she learned to love during her stay in Waco at Baylor University.

McFarland quickly got to work creating her ideal coffee house. Everything in the establishment was created in her vision in only four months, including all the recipes, outdoor seating area, and T-shirts and mugs.

Grabbing a morning coffee at The Pony

Expresso comes with a smile as the staff is very customer friendly and strives to get to know each and every one of their customers, McFarland said.

It was also important to McFarland to keep everything that can’t be done in house close to home. For example, The Pony Expresso only uses Van Zandt Coffee Co. — roasted in nearby Athens — for each of their recipes.

Having a tight-knit community is very important to McFarland, which is why she gathers all of her morning snacks from locally-owned Buttermilk’s or Button’s restaurants. This process also guarantees fresh delivery of products from producer to consumer in a fraction of the time.

The Pony Expresso offers a variety of aromatic and tasty coffees, and even the option to add flavors such as caramel, vanilla, or even hazelnut. It is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

40 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

TOP: An old bank drive-thru repurposed well into a coffee house in downtown Canton. ABOVE: Owner, Katie McFarland serves customers with a smile six days a week. Photos by Sky High Perspective

Best Steakhouse

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MAY/JUNE 2019 903-567-6551 • dairypalace.com

• WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 41

42 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

Experience Farm to Table Outdoor Dining

By P.A. Geddie With the rural areas of the Upper East Side of Texas filled with farms growing fresh, organic produce, it’s no wonder that the concept of farm-to-table dining is a fixture in area restaurants. It’s also feeding a growing trend of summer outdoor long-table community dinners that make for a memorable culinary experience that people travel for miles to enjoy.

Most of these events feature multi-course menus prepared by local chefs with local food and — because the region is home to numerous award-winning wineries — local wines, selected to pair well with each culinary offering. Guests receive excellent service while they enjoy the fresh food and drinks and the evenings usually include live entertainment. These noteworthy experiences are sure to please those looking for a special evening of culinary delights.

May 2 Farm to Market FoodFest. McKinney. Supports the Historic McKinney Farmers’ Market. $125. 6-9 p.m. Chestnut Square Historic Village, 315 South Chestnut Street. (972) 562-8790. chestnutsquare.org.

May 2 From the Ground Up: Long Table Supper #1. Athens. $100. 6-9 p.m. Common Area Market, 307 East Larkin. A six-course dinner designed by Chef Brian Kirksey is inspired by the locally-sourced ingredients and wine paired with each plating. Live music included. etxmakers.com

May 11

Photo by Stella de Smit

A Long Table Dinner: A Night to Remember. Edom. $125. 6:30-10 p.m. The evening begins with a stroll through Edom’s artists’ studios and shops while sampling a variety of appetizers and wine including bruschettta with goat cheese, homemade crostini and tapenade, smoked chicken with mango salsa, crab cake with red pepper coulis, and mini onion dill pulled pork sliders. Guests then wind their way to the Edom Art Festival Grounds to share food and wine with friends at a long community table. The menu includes six courses with wine pairings designed by Chef Jackson York and Kat Santos of FoodWorx. First course is a Wild Green Salad with Fresh Strawberries, Candied Pecans and Raspberry Vinaigrette.

Second Course is Blue Consume with a Tomato Wedge Tart and a Spinach Mandarin

Chefs Jackson York (left) and Kat Santos are creating the menu for Edom’s long table dinner May 11.

They, and the other chefs preparing these culinary experiences for guests, get most of their ingredients from local farmers and wineries. Photo by Chris Christensen

Cherry Dressing, followed by the third course, a Wine Sorbet. Fourth Course is a Steak Fillet and Cabernet Demi Sauce, Potatoes Anna, and Seasonal Rustica Vegetables. Fifth course is Pan Seared Day Scallops with Purple Cauliflower and Parsnip Mash with a Pom Bur Blanc Sauce. Dessert is Chocolate Mousse with Salted Caramel Rounds and Hazelnut Chocolate Cigar, Earl Grey Lavender Creme Brulee, and Mini Italian Cream Cake Stack. Soft jazz is performed by Maryah McHam and Martyn Popeye. Complimentary valet parking is offered. Purchase tickets online at visitedom.com.

May 18 Spring Farm 2 Table Dinner. Denison. $65. 7 p.m. The five-course meal is catered by The Denison Dish and is located at SP Ranches, 825 Mayes Road in Sherman. Passed appetizers include Chorizo Deviled Eggs and Barbecue Chicken Flatbread made with whiskey barbecue and caramelized onions. First Course is Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Peaches with mozzarella and balsamic reduction. Second course is a Brussels Sprout Salad with radicchio, green grapes, bacon, Parmesan, caramelized pecans and coffee vinaigrette. Third course is Lemon Chicken with Spring Risotto including peas, asparagus, and Parmesan. Fourth course comes from a whole roasted pig with cauliflower

and potato puree and blackberry balsamic reduction. Fifth course is Sous-Vide Beef Tenderloin with charred radishes and chimichurri, and dessert is Lavender Panna Cotta with vanilla bean. For tickets and more information visit downtowndenisonfarmersmarket.com.

June 6 Jacksonville’s 35th Annual Tomato Fest: Farm to Table Dinner. $100. 7-10 p.m.

Guests enjoy a chef-prepared farm-to-table dinner on beautiful Lake Jacksonville’s Castle on the Lake. The meal is catered

by Sadler’s Kitchen and celebrates the custom seasonal menu with the freshest ingredients direct from Jacksonville and the surrounding area’s best local farmers.

Live entertainment is provided by Levi Kitchen. To make reservations call (903) 586-2217 or email info@jacksonvilletexas. com.

June 21 Junebug Farm to Table Dinner. Ben Wheeler. $125. 7-10 p.m. Kicking off the annual Junebug Summer Fair this year is a five-course meal prepared with fresh locally-sourced ingredients and paired with local wines. VIP art show and live music adds to the ambience for this inaugural event with proceeds benefiting the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation. For more information contact The Forge Bar & Bistro at (903) 833-5970 and visit theforgebenwheeler.com.

MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 43

Texadus Family Farm Shares Recipes Made With Home-Grown Ingredients Texadus Family Farm is owned by Harold and Lynn Jones, two current Texans who made their exodus from California to Texas, along with their eight children, back in 2004.

Texadus is about five acres and the Jones also run Dover Plant Farm, and both are out of Alto, between Palestine and Nacogdoches.

They grow produce, have a pecan orchard, raise dairy goats, and have many

homemade items associated with their goats, such as soaps and lotions.

They and their products can be found regularly at the Nacogdoches Farmers’ Market.

A couple of Lynn’s farm-fresh recipes are below.

For more information on the Jones family and their ventures, visit texadus. com and doverplantfarm.com.

Farmer Jones Rainbow Thai Chicken Salad Dressing: (Don't be afraid to tweak to your own taste.)

6 Tablespoons peanut butter (I use fresh ground power butter*) 3/4 cup oil (I blend sesame and olive) 1/2 cup brown sugar 6 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup lime juice 3/4 cup cider vinegar 1/2-3/4 cup red wine vinegar 4 slightly rounded teaspoons crushed red pepper Simmer the dressing.

For the salad, you can use some of your favorite ingredients to suit your own tastes.

I used a big head of minced cabbage, 6 shredded carrots, green onions to taste, 2 bunches cilantro, 3 big handfuls of slivered almonds, and about 4 pounds of cubed chicken cooked in soy sauce and lime juice. *Power butter starts like our peanut butter with peanuts, coconut oil, and a dash of sea salt; then we add ground flax seed, hemp seed, and a touch of chia seed for a powerful punch that is sure to please even the pickiest kid.

Summer Squash Mini Muffins My three little boys devour these. Besides making them fresh, I shred and freeze lots of squash so we can enjoy these year ‘round. I also add the frozen squash to soups or sauces that I make.

3 eggs 1 cup olive oil 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups grated zucchini or yellow squash (we often use some of both) 3 cups fresh ground wheat flour 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 teaspoons cinnamon Beat eggs, add sugar, oil, squash, vanilla, and beat. Add flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Grease and flour mini muffin pan, spoon in batter. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. Turn out and cool on wire rack.

Especially delicious with an ice cold glass of goats’ milk.

44 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

Step Back in Time at Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery in Emory

Local Wines Take Home Big Awards in International Competitions The 2019 San Francisco Wine Competition recently announced winners with two located in the Upper East Side of Texas. White Fox Vineyards near Murchison won Double Gold for their Red Native/Hybrid Varietals Noble Muscadine, and three Silver awards for their Strawberry, White Dry, and White Sweet wines. Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards in Pittsburg won two Bronze awards for their red blends, All My X’s and Collage, a Gold for their Sangiovese, and four Silver awards for Blanc Du Bois (two), Colibri, and Moscato.

TEXSOM International Wine Awards also recently announced their 2019 winners. The awards garnered almost 3,300 entries representing 32 countries and 18 American states, a record for the competition. Three Upper East Side of Texas locations won awards with White Fox Vineyards receiving a coveted Judges’ Selection Award and a Gold Award for their Sweet Texas White, Muscadine wine. Kierpersol of Tyler’s port won a Silver award and Los Pinos won a Bronze award for their Rosato, Dry.

Photo and article by Judy Peacock Walking into Cinnamon Bear’s Bakery at 589 East Lennon Drive (Hwy. 69) in Emory feels like a step back in time. Workers in traditional Mennonite dresses, aprons, and bonnets greet customers as they enter.

There are colorful homemade aprons from children’s sizes to adult’s hanging along one wall and shelves of homemade goods including jars of jellies and salsas, candies, baked goods, and so much more.

There is a typical bakery counter with cookies and fried pies, and on the other side of the store are refrigerated cases housing cakes and homemade peanut butters, cheeses, and soups. There is

also a case with their grass-fed and freerange beef and pork.

Sugar-free and gluten-free baked goods are sold as well as some flours and other ingredients for customers to make their own products at home.

The bakery is best known for its homemade cinnamon rolls and Italian cream cake, but it also serves breakfast and lunch every Wednesday through Saturday. Hot sandwich melts and kolaches in the mornings and sandwiches at lunch contain fresh meats, cheeses, and fresh-baked breads. Soups are also on the menu Thursdays and Fridays.

There is a small eating area at the bakery and menu items are also available for takeout. For information call (903) 473-0122.

afsp.org MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 45

Monday Night Live!

Come Enjoy the Great Outdoors

3rd Mondays

at the

5 PM to 8 PM

East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society

May 20 June 17 September 16 October 21

1601 Patterson Road Athens, Texas.

(903) 675-5630

Open daily.

Admission $4, Seniors & Children $3.

Memberships available.

NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY MAY 10 FREE ADMISSION ALL DAY

Live Music, Vendors, $100 gift card drawing, Food, Friends, Family and Fun! Downtown Winnsboro on Market Street under the Bowery Sign WinnsboroOnlineGuide.com/MondayNightLive Facebook.com/WinnsboroTexas (903) 342-3654

Beautiful Gardens • Nature Trails • Hiking • Exercise Fit Trail Children’s Area • Henderson County Veterans’ Wall

Summer Vis s i it Th

a r t di s t r ic t

Zeke & Marty Jewelry Studio zekeandmarty.com (903) 852.3311

Blueberry Hill Farms blueberryhillfarms.com (903) 852-6175

Glenda Mae’s Daylily Farm glendamaesdaylilyfarm.com (903) 235.2529

Green Goat Winery greengoatwinery.com (903) 852-2259

Blue Moon Gardens bluemoongardens.com (903) 852.3897

Potters Brown Gallery pottersbrown.com (903) 862.6473

Art Galleries & Shops Gardens, Wineries, Music & Restaurants Cabins & Retreats Corner of FM279 & FM314 VisitEdom.com

46 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • MAY/JUNE 2019

county line MAGAZINE

2020

THE FUTURE OF THE UPPER EAST SIDE OF TEXAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

20th Anniversary Special Offer TWO SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR JUST $20!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Get one for yourself and a gift for another.

Pay online or call with credit card or mail check to County Line Magazine, PO Box 608, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754.

NOTE PROMO CODE 2020-VISION EXPIRES 07.31.19

COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • (903) 963-1101 MAY/JUNE 2019 • WWW.COUNTYLINEMAGAZINE.COM • 47

Enjoy Farmers’ Markets in the

Upper East Side of Texas

SOME OPEN YEAR ROUND. CHECK WEBSITES FOR DAYS AND TIMES AND INDIVIDUAL MARKET AND FARM OFFERINGS.

ATHENS

www.facebook.com/Atxfm

CANTON

www.CantonMainStreet.org

GREENVILLE

www.ci.Greenville.TX.us/market

LONGVIEW

www.HistoricLongviewFarmersMarket.com

McKINNEY

www.ChestnutSquare.org

MINEOLA

www.MineolaFarmersMarket.com

MOUNT VERNON

www.MountVernonTxFarmersMarket.com

PARIS

www.ParisTexas.gov

ROCKWALL

www.RockwallFarmersMarket.org

SULPHUR SPRINGS

www.SulphurSpringsTx.org

WINNSBORO

www.WinnsboroFarmersMarket.com