Heart of Texas Today

Heart Of Texas Today November-December 2015

Free

Merry Christmas Y’all

Frame a Gift 830-792-3006

841 Junction Hwy. (Inside Hometown Crafts) Kerrville, TX 78028

! Custom Framing ! Fine Art ! Needlework ! Shadow Box Frames ! Ready-made Frames ! Conservation Framing ! Art Reproduction ! Photo Restoration ! Large Format Printing

Email your photos to

photo@Riveroaksframing.com www.RiverOaksFraming.com

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

3

SHERMAN & CO., REALTORS ® 819 WATER STREET ONE SCHREINER CENTER 68,7( ‡ .(559,//( 7; OFFICE: 830-257-7588

www.ShermanCo.com

$FUHV GENTLEMAN’S RANCH CLOSE TO TOWN!!!

Gorgeous Tuscan home on 79+ rolling ag exempt acres located just outside Kerrville city limits. Wonderful views from the large covered back patio.

Fenced & cross-fenced property great for horses or cattle. 1600-sq. ft. storage barn or workshop.

Now offered at $1,750,000. MLS #87754 Call Joann Faust or Kelly Dooley to schedule your private tour!

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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www.ShermanCo.com

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015 7

:H ZLVK \RX DQG \RXU )DPLO\ D YHU\ +DSS\ DQG %OHVVHG +ROLGD\ 6HDVRQ You don't have to be an expert to know that preventive maintenance is the best way to make sure your vehicle is running properly. Call us at 895-2888 to schedule a Multi-Point Inspection for your vehicle, our ASE Technicians have the skills, knowledge and combined over 100 years of experience to know how to maintain todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle.

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Tune In Before Every Dallas Football Game Join Scott Thibodeaux & Coach Don Andrews taking your calls and talking sports.

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WILL YOUR VEHICLE MAKE IT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? ฤ ว ล ฤ >ฤ Dฤ ล ลฏลฏฤ ฦตฦ

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ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย อ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

9

Shop Local Holiday Gift Guide By buying gifts and services locally, you are giving the gift of jobs And investing in the community you call home. Local businesses return 80% of each dollar back into our area.

Visit these great business.

20% OFF Custom Framing Order 841 Junction Hwy inside Hometown Crafts

830-792-3006

Must present coupon at time of order. Does not apply to previously placed orders. Cannot be used with other discounts or on store merchandise. Order must include custom frame molding. No Exceptions.

Expires 12-31-15

PHOTO@RIVEROAKSFRAMING.COM

Custom Embroidery & Screen Printing

Jay & Cassandra Haman

Buy One Dozen Caps (cp80) With free logo set-up for $78.00 *Gift Certificates Available*

Expires Dec. 31, 2015 Mon.-Thurs. 9-5 Friday 9-3 www.dejavuemb.com Email: dejavuembroidery@hotmail.com

861 Junction Hwy., Kerrville, Texas 78028

Dear Santa, This year please give me a big bank account and a slim ERG\ 3OHDVH GRQ路W mix those up like you did last year.

Thanks

Providing Quality Patio Furnishings to the Hill Country since 2000. Visit our 5000 sq. ft. showroom. Next to MG Building Materials

Tues.-Fri. 9:30-5:30

Sat. 10-4

2104 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tis

the season to have your life choices mocked at the dinner table.

Kierce Photography Award Winning Photography

Call us for your next event

210-273-4033

12

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

High Pressure Jetting At 4,000 PSI The Best Method To Clean Sewers & Drains

Preventative Maintenance Contracts Scheduled routine high pressure jetting of sewer and drain lines helps to prevent messy backups. x x x x

Available at a reduced cost.

Scheduled at convenient times.

Reduce messy cleanups.

Eliminate costly downtime.

+RXU (PHUJHQF\ 6HUYLFH

Residential Ɣ Commercial Ɣ Industrial

Emergency Sewer & Drain Services 4,000 PSI High Pressure Water Jetting is

the best method of sewer & drain cleaning available. Solid blockages are easily removed with grease, soap and sludge buildup on pipe walls disintegrated and washed away. Unlike cable or electric snake drain cleaning machines, jets of high pressure water scour the entire internal diameter of a pipe for maximum cleaning effectiveness.

x Residential x Schools x Hospitals x Restaurants x Farms x Airports

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x Apartment Complexes x Grocery Stores x Food Processing Plants x Office Complexes x Hotels & Motels x Chemical Plants

Family Owned & Operated

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

“Let’s open it and see,” said her Grandmother. She helped the little girl remove the top of the box and encouraged her to start taking out each item and placing it on the dining table. Soon the table was covered with miniature buildings and tiny people. Every figure had some representation of the Christmas season—people carrying packages wrapped in red and green, a horse drawn sleigh gliding over the snow, small figures of carolers singing on the village green---and the little girl’s eyes grew wider and wider as she immersed herself into the vision of Christmas that she so desperately wanted to experience; a place where sadness did not exist. Her Grandmother brought out a large piece of fluffy cotton that covered the top of the dining table like freshly fallen snow and the two of them began to assemble the Christmas Village. Each building was exquisite in its detail; the barbershop featured a man in the chair getting his hair cut by an old fashioned barber with scissors in one hand and a comb in the other. The general store had a barrel of apples sitting on the wooden sidewalk in front of the window, the post office had a line of people waiting to mail Christmas packages, the city hall was trimmed in Christmas lights and had wreaths on the doors, a group of boys threw snowballs in the park, and everywhere the people exuded the emotions that encompass Christmas. The little girl was overjoyed and her Grandmother’s heart was filled with happiness for her.

So every day after school the little girl would run to her Grandmother’s house and kneel on the chair at the dining table. She would picture herself in that tiny village, sharing the Christmas of her imagination with all the people who lived there and joining them in the warmth and wonder of Christmas as it used to be. She would stay at the table until suppertime and she and her Grandmother would eat their dinner on TV trays in the living room. After finishing her meal she would return to the dining table and the Christmas Village and her Grandmother could hear her talking to the tiny residents, giving rise to conversations about gifts and parties and Christmas songs. She would stay entirely focused on the world that existed on the dining table until her bedtime; her Grandmother would walk her home and wait patiently for the next day, when the little girl would burst through the door after school and again run to the dining table where she would greet each and every tiny figure with the names she had given them. In her mind’s eye she could see and hear the people talking, laughing, and singing. She was happier than she had been in a long, long time.

Each year she looked forward to Christmas and to setting up the Christmas Village on her Grandmothers’ dining table. Everyone saw how much enjoyment and happiness she got from the Village and every year her aunts and uncles and cousins would give her a new piece for the miniature community. Once her Uncle Tom added an old milk wagon pulled by two sturdy horses.

Next came an old turn of the century motor car driven by a jolly man bundled up in a fur coat.

More and more tiny figures began to line the wooden sidewalks and the beauty of Christmas grew and grew. The little girl’s delight knew no bounds. There were times when she was still sad and unhappy, but the ability to escape into the Christmas Village offered her an opportunity for happiness that she had not known previously; the Village and its inhabitants---and the love of her Grandmother---saved her from a childhood of melancholy and despair.

As time passed and the little girl grew older, she did not play with the Christmas Village as much.

In her teen years the Christmas Village began to remain in its box in the attic and no longer graced her Grandmother’s dining table each year. The little girl became an adult and soon had a husband and children of her own. She had learned how to be happy. One day her own daughter brought a friend home from school during the holidays. This young child had very sad eyes and reminded her of her own youth and sadness. She sat next to the young girl and talked with her; she found that this child also had an unhappy home life and was searching for something to hold on to---she was Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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searching for hope and was not finding it anywhere. The woman saw in her daughter’s friend a sense of loneliness that touched her heart. She saw herself in those young eyes and recognized her own tears from so long ago.

“How do you like Christmas,” she asked the sad child.

“I love Christmas time, but we don’t have a real Christmas at our house,” replied the girl. “We have a little tree sometimes….”

“Well, maybe we can do something about that. You wait right here for a minute.”

The woman went up the stairs into the attic and came down with a large cardboard box. The box was stuffed with so many items that the lid would no longer close properly; she placed it on the dining table and asked the child to read the label on the top. The label, old and faded, revealed the contents: the Christmas Village. She opened the box and began to place the tiny figures and miniature buildings on the table; as she did so the eyes of the little girl began to grow wider and wider and her tears stopped flowing. Soon the three of them—the woman, her own daughter, and the sad youngster—had built the tiny community and it sprang to life as it had so many years before. They imagined the conversations of the townspeople, the songs of the carolers, the sound of the horses’ hooves as they pulled the sleigh on the frozen snow, and the bells ringing in the church tower as the townspeople gathered to celebrate the true meaning of the season. The little girl became enthralled by the Christmas Village and her sadness began to fade away. The tears in her eyes were replaced by a sparkle and her smile beamed like the sun on a cloudless day.

They left the tiny figures and buildings on the dining table for the remainder of the holiday season and the two children would play with them every day after school. And the Christmas Village saved another child by replacing sadness with joy.

“All it takes is one good person to restore hope” 3RSH )UDQFLV

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Organ Transplant Association

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Faith Mooney is the daughter of Nathan and Katie Mooney and is a freshman at Tivy High School here in Kerrville Texas.

When Faith was two months old her parents found out that she has Biliary Atresia which is a disease of the bile ducts that affects only infants. Bile is a digestive liquid that is made in the liver. It travels through the bile ducts to the small intestine, where it helps digest fats. In biliary atresia, the bile ducts become inflamed and blocked soon after birth. This causes bile to remain in the liver, where it starts to destroy liver cells rapidly and cause cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. 8QIRUWXQDWHO\, there is no cure for biliary atresia. Faith had a surgery that is called the Kasai procedure named after a Japanese surgeon, Dr. Morio Kasai. The aim of the Kasai procedure is to allow drainage of bile from the liver into the intestine through the new duct. The operation is completely or partially successful about 80 percent of the time if performed early (before 3 months of age). (Faith had this procedure done 2 days before she turned 3 months old) They gave her a 30% chance of it to work at all. If the Kasai procedure is not successful, the only other option is a liver transplant. However, a suitable donor organ must be found quickly, before damage to the liver from the backed-up bile becomes deadly. The Kasai procedure was successful, but ultimately it is a temporary fix. Her liver has continued to decline. While Faith truly is a walking miracle, few children with biliary atresia live beyond age two without a transplant. She is now 15 years of age and desperately needs a lifesaving liver transplant.

All this said you would not believe the most wonderful girl Faith has grown into. She is tired, in pain most every day and now her doctors have put her on a NO sodium diet. Yet she just takes it all in stride and with an awesome sense of humor.

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

Below is a post from her blog on www.COTAforTeamFaithM.com after the news of the new diet.

Diet, Diet, Diet... Seriously Again!?!?

Submitted by Faith on Sun, 08/30/2015 - 9:26pm Apparently My body was like: "eh, this diet isn't enough for me, we need something extreme." So quick back story, I was gaining fluid at a rapid pace and my weight would be 132 or 131 in the morning before I even ate anything. So thought I was doing well on my diet but I was having terrible pains on my back and stomach because of the fluid squeezing everything inside. And the amount of fluid was because of how much sodium I was taking in.

So now I've been put on this heartbreaking diet to get rid of some of the fluid, they call this a low-sodium diet (yes it is as terrifying as it sounds) which means, nothing with salt or as we call it flavor, no regular bread, or let’s say nothing but grass.

I'm just joking... I wish. At first when my mom told me about it I of coarse wanted to scream bloody murder and question doctors (cause I'm 50% sure their plan was to make my life more harder than it already is.)

The diet is helping her feel better so she can go to school which she Absolutely LOVES!!!!! She is a freshman in high school what is not to love. Some of her favorite things are writing, everything Shakespeare, History, Greek mythology, drawing, arts & crafts, and reading. But most of all Faith loves laughter. High School is the perfect place for her to make new friends that she can laugh together with and help her grow into a lovely young lady that will become an author that writes historical stories or maybe a music video producer. She has some very lofty goals that I know she will be able to accomplish.

To help, her parents have teamed up with Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), a national charity based in Bloomington, Indiana. COTA is dedicated to organizing and guiding communities in raising funds for transplant-related expenses. COTA’s services are completely free of charge and 100% of funds generated by COTA community fundraising campaigns are available for transplant-related expenses.

COTA’s local team in Kerrville is “COTA for Team Faith Mooney”. Our goal for 2015-2016 is to raise $50,000.00 in honor of Faith; so far we have raised $21,000.00 which is just shy of our goal to make $25,000.00 by December 1, 2015. Our next fun event is the Hill Country Jamboree, Sunday, November 8 th at Blue Sage Hall in Ingram TX. The doors open at 2:30pm with the show 3:00pm – 6:00pm. The Guest Star is Michael Herrera, sharing classic country sounds as well as your favorite fifties music. Team Faith Mooney is supplying BBQ sliders and will have auction items to help in our goal of $25,000.00 before December 1st. Adult tickets are only $15.00 and that includes a $5.00 donation to COTA. Come join us for Food, Fun Music and Dancing!

We are always welcoming new team members. If you feel lead to help or donate please contact Public Relations Coordinator, Michelle McGinnis 830-377-8558, mlmcginnis710@gmail.com or Community Coordinator, Cindy Eckhart 830928-8410, ceckhart@mini-mart.net. You can follow Faith’s blog (you have to see her answers to the 10 most questions she gets asked about herself from her classmates) and see all of Team Faith Mooney’s upcoming events at Or follow us on Facebook “Love Builds Faith – COTA For Team Faith M”.

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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Û Û AS|AOÛO\RÛbVSÛ7]ZRÛBWUVbÛ 6fÛH8Û7]]^S`Û It’s winter again. My Mother always used to say when it got real cold, “It’s cold tonight but Billy in the morning.” To me, it sounded dumb. She told me it was about a woman who loved a man who didn’t like her. He finally told her, on the coldest night of the year, “Spend the night on the roof and I’ll marry you.” His name was Billy and all night people could hear her up on the roof saying, “It’s cold tonight but Billy in the morning.” Of course, next morning she was found on the roof—frozen solid.

One day, close on to Christmas when a freeze was expected, I was at Me-Ma’s helping her get her plants covered.

Afterwards, at the kitchen table over hot chocolate and cookies, I said, “Well, Me-Ma. It’s cold tonight but Billy in the morning.” She pulled out the gold man’s pocket watch she usually carried and looked at the time.

“You know, TD,” she said. “Your momma’s not gonna be here for a while so how about I tell you about Billy—and Violet—and Ed Sterringer?” “You mean Billy was real?” I asked. “Yes he was. Sometimes stayed in that big white house on the other side of the railroad tracks. “Back then it was boarding house run by a Mrs. Johnson. Some folks said she had a bad reputation down near San Mosca but she kept a nice place here in Parson’s Nose. She catered to traveling salesmen, buskers as they were called, with a few rooms on the second floor let out to single ladies of good repute.

“Real respectable place it was.” “Who was Billy,” I interrupted, grabbing another cookie. “Well,” Me-Ma continued. “The first thing you gotta know is about Violet. She was a nice girl. Actually she was a little plain, a little too old and way too dumb to be called a girl anymore. She’d never walked out with a man and nobody ever thought she would.

“That is, until Ed Sterringer came to town. He worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad—came through here five-six times a year. Always stayed at Mrs. Johnson’s. Real nice man. Solid. Good husband material. “He fell for Violet. I think he would have married her.” “Did he?” I asked. “Almost—but no. Everything looked like it might be orange blossoms and lace in the Spring—until Billy Cloot came through. He was the salesman for the Lady Duff-Gordon Corset Company and his circuit brought him through occassionally. He was a bad character. Had a gold tooth and a big gold pocket watch on a fob. No father in Parson’s Nose would let Billy within a mile of his daughter—or his wife.

That winter, just about this time of year, it got really cold. Billy, a couple of salesmen from St. Louis, Mrs. Johnson and her three ladies were pretty much frozen in for almost two weeks. Well, Billy was bored so he started in on Violet. Even though she wasn’t the youngest thing around she was still the youngest of the lady boarders. All the rest were kinda long in the tooth for him. And Violet—she fell hard. “It was like Ed had never existed.” “Where was Ed? Why wasn’t he

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

there to take care of things?” I wanted to know. “He did come in on the night train but he was too late. When he got to Mrs. Johnson’s, he found out his Violet had been led astray.” “What’s that mean?” I asked. “She’d been deceived by a wicked tongue….” “What tongue?” I pressed for more information. “Just pay attention. I don’t have all day,” Me-Ma said and continued her story. “Well, Ed was crushed. He went to his room. Wasn’t seen until supper that evening. “They were all sitting around the table eating chicken perloo when Violet said, ‘You all know me and Billy are going to get married after Christmas.’ “Billy wasn’t having none of that. He told Violet he wasn’t a marryin’ man and the only way he’d marry anybody was if they sat outside in the freezing cold all night in a wet night gown. “Everybody laughed, except Ed and Violet. Ed looked like he could kill Billy. “And Violet? She just sat there thinking and finally said, ‘You all heard him. He said it and I’m going to do it.’ “At first no one moved, then Billy gave his best salesman laugh, flipped open his big gold watch and said, ‘It’s late. I gotta go over my books.’ Violet just smiled and left the room. “Everything was quiet until about eleven that night when Violet came downstairs wearing a wet nightgown. She told everybody she was going to spend the night outside and tomorrow Billy would be hers. “Everybody tried to talk her out of it. Ed told her how much he loved her and not to do something so stupid. “Billy said, ‘If she’s dumb enough to do it and live through it—I’ll marry her.’ “That was enough for Violet. She went right out and sat on the ice covered front steps. All night long they heard her crooning, ‘I’m cold tonight but Mrs. Billy tomorrow.’ “Daybreak came. They brought her in. She had frostbite on most of her toes and fingers plus some on her left ear. But the bad thing was she couldn’t breathe well. They got old Doctor Kilpatrick. When he arrived he said she had a chest inflammation. Gave her some mixture. Told her to rub down with Vick’s VapoRub. “Why didn’t they give her a penicillin shot?” I asked. “Nobody had invented it yet, TD. Anyway— Violet hovered around for about a week. They got her an oxygen tent but she finally died. Pneumonia. A real killer back then. “Ed Sterringer grieved but he bought her a grave and paid for the funeral. He still loved that girl, even if she wasn’t worth his time.

After the funeral Ed borrowed Sam Culver’s old 1917 Peerless. He gave Billy Cloot a ride to the next town. When he came back he got transferred to the Railroad Station here and that was it. “That was it?!” I felt cheated. Billy was the bad guy. He should have been punished and Ed was such a dumb good guy he gave him a ride. “Didn’t Ed hit him or something?” “I don’t know. All I know is that Ed came back alone. He lived here for about twenty-five years before he died. He’s buried out next to Violet on the hill. Had a double tombstone made for them. “And Billy Cloot. Nobody ever heard from him again, though a detective did come through about six months after the funeral, looking for him. Seems Billy had a few wives and a truckload of children up and down the line and they hadn’t seen him for a while. Well, of course, nobody knew where he was. He was just a traveling salesman, passing through.

“Over the years Ed would come over from the station and have a cup of coffee between trains. We’d talk. He never did get over that girl.” “Well—that’s not right.” I was still upset. Billy got away and Ed just sat around till he died. “Somebody shoulda done something. Where’d Billy go? Did the detective ever catch him?” “Nobody saw Billy after Ed took him over to Porcos Crujienté. It’s like he dropped off the face of the earth,” Me-Ma said. “Maybe the ground just swallowed him up.” “Oh, c’mon, Me-Ma,” I said. “People don’t just disappear. He had to go somewhere. What did Ed say?”

“Not much. One day, years later, he told me he left Billy out at the old Simpkins Swamp outside of Porcos. His exact words were, “I left him there and he looked just like he should have. I hope he was ready for his trip.” She pulled out the big gold pocket watch she carried and flipped it open. “It’s about time for your mother to be here. Get your stuff together. You know she’s always in a rush about something.” “Me-Ma?” I was looking at the watch she was holding.

“Where’d you get that gold watch?” “This old thing. Why, Ed Sterringer left it to me in his will. Said it was for me to remember him and Violet. I never asked where he got it.”

Holidays are Coming!

Adopt a Kerrville State Hospital Patient for Christmas!

Christmas trees, holiday lights, good cheer, and time spent with family are what EXECUTIVE BOARD Denise LeMeilleur President

Zach Riffett 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW

Micah Wrase Secretary

Nat Turner Treasurer

BOARD MEMBERS $O %RKOHU -RDQQ %RKOHU &RXUWQH\ &RPSWRQ 0LFKHOOH (ULFNVRQ Laura Irvin :DYHUO\ -RQHV 0DU\ .UHEV (OYD 3HUH] Bev Schwehm 3K\OOLV :KLWWLQJWRQ &DUROLQH :LOVRQ &DU\Q 7DODULFR

make this “the most wonderful time of the year!” As Christmas approaches, we ask that you remember the 202 patients at Kerrville State Hospital who are looking forward to this Christmas season and are in need of the support from our community. The hospital strives to aid in the recovery of our patients who suffer from mental illness and provides care for adults with major mental illnesses who need the safety, structure, and resources of an inpatient setting as they journey to recovery.

The Volunteer Services Council for Kerrville State Hospital is a nonprofit charitable organization whose goal is to help KSH patients by providing resources and items which cannot be purchased with state appropriated funds. Sadly, Christmas gifts fall into this category. This year the VSC is seeking Individuals, Families and Businesses in the community to ͞ĂĚŽƉƚ Ă ƉĂƚŝĞŶƚ͟ for Christmas. Your ΨϮϱ gift will provide a patient with a gift to open on Christmas morning and the knowledge that someone cares. We rely only on charitable donations to be able to provide these patients with gifts as they recover.

The VSC also provides all 9 units on the KSH campus with a Christmas party which includes a special meal and holiday fun. Your gift of $150 will provide a party for an entire unit at the hospital. Whatever gift you are able to donate will not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Your support will provide these patients with the hope of having a joyful Christmas. Please make checks payable to Volunteer Services Council and mailed to: Volunteer Services Council Kerrville State Hospital 721 Thompson Drive Kerrville, Texas 78028

Director of Community Relations

3HWH &DOGHURQ Community Relations and 9ROXQWHHU 6HUYLFHV

Every gift makes a difference and has a positive impact on our patients. If you would like more information about Kerrville State Hospital or other ways that you can help, please contact KSH Community Relations, at 896-2211 ext. 6269.

Sincerely,

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Denise LeMeilleur President Volunteer Services Council

&DU\Q 7DODULFR Caryn Talarico Director of Community Relations Kerrville State Hospital

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22

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

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The rain was coming down hard in Central Texas and Bobby, Becky, and Bingo were getting soaked in the back of Mr. Taylor’s pickup truck. It had taken the entire day to find and round up five steers that had broken away from the herd. The three dogs had run many miles chasing them down. They were hot, dusty, and tired, and the rain felt good on their coats. All three were standing, and their noses were lifted high in the air to catch all the smells that the wind and rain brought.

Mr. Taylor stopped the truck next to his ranch house and the three dogs bounded out over the side rails. Within seconds, they had spotted their food bowls in the barn and were busy eating. Soon they would be looking for a place in the hay to sleep.

Inside the house, Mr. Taylor went through his mail and began preparing some supper. His wife, Cindy, was away visiting relatives in Dallas and the house felt empty. Just as his meal was almost ready, the telephone rang.

“Hello,” he answered.

“Jim, this is E. B. Ritter over in Waco. I’m puttin’ on a cattle dog herding trial next month and was wonderin’ if you wanted to put one of your doggies in it. I know you work ‘em with cattle a lot. What do you think?”

“Well,” replied Mr. Taylor, “It’s been a few years since I entered one of my dogs. We could be a little rusty, but I know that you run good trials and I am sure we would enjoy it. Go ahead and sign me up for one dog and I’ll try to get ready.”

“Sounds great, Jim,” said E. B., “Send me the name of the dog when you know which one you are entering so I can put it in the program. I’ll forward you all the details on the time, date, and location. Give my regards to the Mrs.” “Okay, E. B., take care of yourself,” said Mr. Taylor, as he hung up the phone.

As Mr. Taylor sat down to eat, a million thoughts rushed through his mind. “Which dog should I enter? When and where should we practice? Will we be able to compete with the other dogs?”

Mr. Taylor finished his supper and turned out the lights. His questions would have to wait until tomorrow for answers. He walked to the bedroom and pulled off his boots. This had been a long day and he was sound asleep in a few minutes.

Up before sunlight, Mr. Taylor set out for the coffee shop in Crawford. Bobby, Becky, and Bingo were in the back of the pickup and were enjoying the sights and smells outside the restaurant. Inside, Mr. Taylor was saw two of his former elementary school teachers, Phyllis Athens and Margie Davis. The three exchanged greetings and then visited about the weather, the new grade school, and the upcoming 24

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

cattle herding competition. As soon as he had mentioned the competition, Mr. Taylor knew he had said too much.

“Now Jim Taylor,” cackled Phyllis, “You have good dogs, and they can win that completion. You will just need to practice like we used to practice your spelling words. Drill, drill, drill! There is no substitute for practice.”

“I agree,” chimed in Margie, “And you will need to get organized. Phyllis and I can put together some practice schedules for you, and I will see that you get a notebook binder to keep them in. Speaking of binders, I just bought a bunch of them on sale at WalMart, and I would be glad to give you some. You must record all of your practice information. I always told you, you would not pass to the next level if you didn’t keep your work organized.”

“Ladies, I wouldn’t want to impose upon you, but I thank you for all of your ideas. Maybe I should just keep this whole thing pretty simple,” replied Mr. Taylor, as he waved a hand in front of his face..

Before the two teachers could respond, Mr. Taylor had excused himself and was backing out the door. He entered his truck and drove off to his next stop, the hardware store.

After completing his purchase in the store, Mr. Taylor turned to leave but was stopped by a hand on his arm. It was the woman who cut his hair, LeeAnn Leeps. LeeAnn always had the latest news and was pretty good about passing it along to the next person.

“LeeAnn, how are you?” asked Mr. Taylor.

“I am just fine, Jim. I want you to know that E. B. Ritter told my husband last night how glad he was that you are entering a dog in the cattle herding competition next month. Now you know I have a border collie and if there is one thing they need to do their best it is plenty of sleep. You be sure your dog gets its rest so she will be sharp. Be careful you don’t work her too hard the week before the competition, too. Do you follow me?”

“Oh, yes,” Mr. Taylor nodded his head and continued, “I think I caught every word of that, and it sure is good advice. Do appreciate it.”

Mr. Taylor said his “goodbyes” to LeeAnn and hopped back into his truck. His last stop was at the dry cleaners where Miss DeDe Burton had his clothes already set out.

“Good morning, Jim,” said the pretty lady in the western outfit.

“Good morning Miss DeDe,” he replied. “How is your business?”

“Doing pretty well this month,” said DeDe as she smiled. “Say, Phyllis and Margie were just in here and they were tellin’ me how you were going to enter a dog in the herding competition. Do you know what I think? I think you should put at least two dogs and maybe all three in. Why, those dogs of yours are so smart, they could take first, second, and third prize. Now, what do you think of that?”

“Well, DeDe, I like your confidence in my dogs. I’ll give some thought to what you said. Have a nice day,” he replied as he picked up his laundry.

Mr. Taylor’s head was spinning as he left the cleaners. He drove home and sat down on the porch swing. Bobby, Becky, and Bingo gathered around his feet. All three dogs wagged their tails and looked up at him.

A month had passed, and Mr. Taylor had picked Becky to enter the competition. Bobby was the strongest dog and Bingo was the fastest, but Becky was the most obedient and did not get distracted when working. This was probably the most important trait in a working dog.

At the end of each day now, Mr. Taylor and Becky would practice moving three cattle around in the pasture next to his ranch house. Mr. Taylor would give a command and Becky would respond by “driving” Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

25

the cattle in the direction they were to go. Mr. Taylor had set up the pasture to look like the herding course that would be used for the competition.

Becky was doing very well in her practice runs, but this wasn’t the same as competition. There were no other people or dogs around, and Mr. Taylor could give Becky his full attention. Bobby and Bingo had to remain in the back of the pickup truck while Becky practiced but they watched every move. Every once in a while, they would bark as Mr. Taylor shouted a command or whistled. After all, they were used to responding to the same commands out in the pastures.

The day of the competition had finally arrived and Mr. Taylor had Becky at the site early. E. B. was walking around with a clipboard in his hands checking in all the contestants. There were fifteen dogs entered in the trials, and each dog would get two “runs.” The dog with the fastest run at the end of the day would be the winner.

Becky was given the number seven and would have to wait while the first six dogs ran the course.

Out of the corner of his eye, Mr. Taylor spotted his wife, Cindy, standing by the pickup truck. Around her were Margie, Phyllis, DeDe, and LeeAnn. Margie had a notebook in her hand “just in case” Mr. Taylor might need it.

When it was her turn, Becky trotted to the starting line with Mr. Taylor and stood by his side. Becky was excited and was stepping in place and wagging her tail. When E. B. gave the signal, Mr. Taylor spoke to the dog and off she ran toward the far end of the course where three young steers stood. Becky ran as fast as she could along the outside of the course and circled behind the cattle. The cattle looked at her and then turned and started walking in the opposite direction. Upon Mr. Taylor’s whistle, Becky turned the cattle slightly and pushed them through the first gate. The cattle stayed together and Becky kept after them. Mr. Taylor whistled again, and Becky shifted her position and moved in closer. The cattle didn’t want to be bothered by the quick little dog and began trotting in the opposite direction. In less than a minute they had passed through the second gate and were heading in the direction of the chute.

Mr. Taylor was hopeful that the cattle would stay together as Becky scampered from side to side behind them. As they neared the chute, Becky backed off some from the large animals. They ran through the chute and as they came out the other side Becky barked to remind them they weren’t finished with the course yet. Mr. Taylor whistled, and Becky started driving them in a different direction toward the pen that marked the end of the course. It seemed as if the three cattle were looking forward to finishing as they were now moving fast.

Mr. Taylor held his breath as Becky responded to the turns of the cattle. Before long, the three steers had been herded into the pen, and Mr. Taylor closed the gate behind them. Becky was very tired, and her tongue was hanging out, but she seemed to sense that she had done well. And she had!

E. B. shouted, “Seven minutes and twenty-five seconds! Best time so far.”

Mr. Taylor caught a glimpse of his “fans” cheering and clapping. He couldn’t help noticing Margie writing down Becky’s time in her notebook. He had a hunch she was recording the times of all of the dogs.

When the rest of the dogs had completed their first run, the ranchers hosting the event served a barbecue lunch to everyone on the grounds. After getting Becky some water, Mr. Taylor took her back to the truck to rest and then joined his friends.

“Jim Taylor,” chirped Margie, “I have all the times for each dog and some other information whenever you want to see it.”

“Jim,” LeeAnn piped up, “You are doing the right thing by resting your dog in between runs.”

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

“All your practice is paying off now!” added Phyllis.

“Thank you all for coming today,” replied Mr. Taylor. “It sure is fun to see Becky work and to make such a fast time. Whatever happens in the second round, I will be very pleased.”

Lunch was finished now, and E. B. announced that the second run would begin soon. Mr. Taylor returned to his truck to pick up Becky. Hearing his whistle, she leaped from the back of the truck and followed him to the course starting area. She plopped down in the grass and watched as the first six dogs took their second turn. This time, an all black border collie named “Midnight” recorded a time of seven minutes and fifteen seconds to take over first place from Becky. Mr. Taylor congratulated the owner upon the fine performance as the man and his dog walked off the course.

Becky was up next, and Mr. Taylor had some butterflies in his stomach as he and Becky approached the starting line. Seven minutes and fifteen seconds would be hard to beat. He was not too sure that Becky could run the course any faster than she had run it the first time. He gave Becky a pat on the head for good luck and watched for E. B.’s signal.

Before long, E. B. gave the sign and Mr. Taylor shouted, “Go!” Becky sprang forward like she was shot out of a cannon. Down the fence line she ran to where the three steers were. Circling behind them she slowed, waiting for Mr. Taylor’s command. He whistled twice and she moved in close and they started running toward the first gate.

Mr. Taylor didn’t know the exact time, but he had a feeling that the first gate was cleared faster than it was on Becky’s first run. After the cattle passed through, one of the steers started to separate from the others, and that wasn’t good. Hearing Mr. Taylor’s whistle, Becky dashed up to the stray and showed her teeth. That was all the large animal needed to see, and within seconds Becky had moved the steer back with the other two who were now nearing the second gate.

As the three steers passed through the second gate, Becky turned them toward the direction of the chute and pushed them hard. The little dog was really in control now, and the steers knew it. They all went through the chute and toward the pen where Mr. Taylor was waiting for them. Becky dashed from side to side behind the three steers to keep them together and to keep them moving. Before the cattle could separate, they had been pushed into the pen, and Mr. Taylor slammed it shut. He knew that Becky’s time would be a good one, but he didn’t know how good. He had never seen Becky run this fast.

As Mr. Taylor and Becky walked off the course, he could see his friends jumping up and down just outside the fence. Margie was waving her clipboard in the air and LeeAnn was dancing a jig. Phyllis, DeDe, and Cindy wore big smiles.

E. B.’s voice boomed out, “Jim Taylor’s dog has retaken first place with a time of six minutes and forty-five seconds. This is a new course record!”

“How about that?” asked Mr. Taylor, as he turned to Becky and clapped his hands. Becky jumped up into his arms, and he carried her off the course. Her tail was wagging, and she gave Mr. Taylor a big, wet, dog lick on the cheek.

The remaining eight dogs in the competition took their turns but none came close to Becky’s time.

Becky and Mr. Taylor accepted their prize, and the event drew to a close.

On his way back to his truck, Mr. Taylor was stopped by E. B. “Jim,” he said, “That sure is some dog you have there.”

“All my dogs are special E. B.,” he replied, “This was just Becky’s day.”

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

27

+ROLGD\ 5HFLSHV &UDQEHUU\ 6WXIIHG 7XUNH\ %UHDVWV 1 (12oz) package herb-seasoned stuffing mix 2 skinless boneless turkey breasts 1 ½ cups pecans 2 (8oz) dried, sweetened cranberries 2 Tablespoons olive oil 6 lettuce leaves Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare stuffing mix according to package directions. Set aside to cool. With a sharp knife, butterfly breasts open to lay flat. Place each breast between two sheets of waxed paper, and flatten with a mallet. Spread the prepared stuffing to within 1/4 inch of the edge of each breast. Sprinkle each one with chopped pecans and dried cranberries, reserving some of the cranberries for garnish. Roll up tightly in a jellyroll style, starting with the long end. Tuck in ends, and tie in sections with string, about 4 sections around the middle and one running the length of the roll to secure the ends. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully brown rolls on all sides. Place skillet in oven, uncovered. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 1 hour, or until the internal temperature is at 170 degrees F (78 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer. Do not let these get overly dry. Allow rolls to set for 15 minutes before removing string, and slicing into 1/2 to 3/4 inch circles. Leave one roll whole, and slice the other for presentation. Stuffing will be spiraled into meat. Present on your prettiest platter on a bed of curly lettuce, and garnish by sprinkling with the remaining 1/2 cup pecan halves and the reserved dried cranberries. 10 servings

0XIILQ 7LQ 3RWDWRHV *UDWLQ 2 tablespoons butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Salt and ground black pepper to taste 2 large potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced Cooking spray Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray 12 muffin cups with cooking spray or grease with butter. Heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir garlic in the melted butter until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour to garlic mixture; cook and stir until mixture is smooth and thickened, about 2 minutes. Slowly pour milk into flour-butter mixture while continuously stirring with a whisk until sauce is smooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and stir Parmesan cheese into sauce until cheese melts from the heat of the sauce; season with salt and pepper. Divide the potatoes among the 12 prepared muffin cups and spoon cheese sauce over potatoes. Bake in the preheated oven until potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes. 12 servings

&XUULHG &DXOLIORZHU ϭ ůĂƌŐĞ ŚĞĂĚ ĐĂƵůŝĨůŽǁĞƌ͕ ďƌŽŬĞŶ ŝŶƚŽ ƐŵĂůů ĨůŽƌĞƚƐ 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup milk 2 teaspoons curry powder 12 wheat crackers 1/4 cup melted butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place cauliflower in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm. Drain, and place in a greased casserole dish.

In a large bowl, mix together soup, mayonnaise, milk, and curry powder. Pour over cauliflower. Crush crackers, and mix with butter. Sprinkle over cauliflower. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. 8 servings

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Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015

Ultimate Cranberry Pudding Cake 6 tablespoons butter 1 cup butter 1 (12 ounce) package cranberries 2 cups white sugar 4 cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups evaporated milk 2 cups white sugar 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

WƌĞŚĞĂƚ ŽǀĞŶ ƚŽ ϯϮϱ ĚĞŐƌĞĞƐ & ;ϭϲϱ ĚĞŐƌĞĞƐ Ϳ͘ 'ƌĞĂƐĞ ĂŶĚ ĨůŽƵƌ Ă ϭϬ ŝŶĐŚ ƵŶĚƚ ƉĂŶ͘ Dŝdž ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ĨůŽƵƌ͕ ďĂŬŝŶŐ ƉŽǁĚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƐĂůƚ͘ ^Ğƚ ĂƐŝĚĞ͘ /Ŷ Ă ůĂƌŐĞ ďŽǁů͕ ĐƌĞĂŵ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ƚŚĞ ϲ ƚĂďůĞƐƉŽŽŶƐ ďƵƚƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ Ϯ ĐƵƉƐ ƐƵŐĂƌ ƵŶƚŝů ůŝŐŚƚ ĂŶĚ ĨůƵĨĨLJ͘ ĞĂƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĨůŽƵƌ ŵŝdžƚƵƌĞ ĂůƚĞƌŶĂƚĞůLJ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĂƉŽƌĂƚĞĚ ŵŝůŬ͘ ^ƚŝƌ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐƌĂŶďĞƌƌŝĞƐ͘ WŽƵƌ ďĂƚƚĞƌ ŝŶƚŽ ƉƌĞƉĂƌĞĚ ƉĂŶ͘ ĂŬĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌĞŚĞĂƚĞĚ ŽǀĞŶ ĨŽƌ ϱϬ ƚŽ ϲϬ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ͕ Žƌ ƵŶƚŝů Ă ƚŽŽƚŚƉŝĐŬ ŝŶƐĞƌƚĞĚ ŝŶƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐĂŬĞ ĐŽŵĞƐ ŽƵƚ ĐůĞĂŶ͘ >Ğƚ ĐŽŽů ŝŶ ƉĂŶ ĨŽƌ ϭϬ ŵŝŶƵƚĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞŶ ƚƵƌŶ ŽƵƚ ŽŶƚŽ Ă ǁŝƌĞ ƌĂĐŬ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŽů ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞůLJ͘ ϭϮ ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐƐ Hot Butter Sauce: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, and cream. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serve slices of cake generously covered with hot butter sauce.

Christmas Fruit Drop Cookies 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup shortening 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 3 ½ FXSV *ROG 0HGDO DOO-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups candied cherries, cut in half 2 cups chopped dates 1 ½ cups chopped pecans Pecan halves, if desired In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, buttermilk and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until blended, or mix with spoon. Gradually stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cherries, dates and chopped pecans. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease cookie sheet. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Place a pecan half on each cookie. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. 96 cookies

Bon Appetite Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015 29

Be Thankful Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

30

Heart of Texas Today | September - October 2015

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Heart of Texas Today wishes all of our readers, advertisers, and writers a very happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

Heart of Texas Today | November - December 2015 31

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