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A Season-Long Opportunity to

Eat. Shop. Play. and Win! Cookie Memories & Traditions

Mary Elizabeth Hopkins

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Welcome to Fayette Countyâ€™s

Eat. Shop. Play.

There are many places to eat, many places to shop and many places to create lasting memories with your family and friends in Fayette and surrounding counties. The Fayette County Record has teamed up with our advertisers to offer you a way to increase your spending power all while shopping at these local advertisers. As an added bonus, there is a Christmas Shopping Bingo included in this magazine on pages 28 and 29. On those pages you will find 4 bingo cards with a space for a business name and a secret word. (Details for the game can be found on page 29 of this publication.) You alwa Participation is easy. Whenever you make a purchase at any of the advertisers in this publication, keep the receipts and bring them into The Fayette County Record for verification. For every $20 spent, you receive a punch in the card. (See sample on this page.) For every $100 spent, you will receive an entry in the Eat. Shop. Play. and Win! contest.

gift card to any of the participating merchants.

Lost or stolen cards will not be replaced. Qualifying purchases totaling $20 per punch can only be verified and validated at The Fayette County Record, located at 127 S. Washington St., La Grange, open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or La Grange Main Street & Visitors Bureau located at 254 N. Jefferson St., La Grange, open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.5 p.m., and Sunday 12-5 p.m. Receipts must be original and must be punched along with the punchcard. The receipt must show the business name ys WIN when you shop with the Fayette County Rec and must be dated from ord Advertisers, but now you can win even more! Nov. 22-Dec. 19, 2019. Limit Win up to a $300 Gift Certifi cate to any advertiser in the Fayet 25 completed punch cards te County Eat. Shop. Play. Holiday Shopping Guide. ($2,500) per receipt may be received during the contest period. The Fayette County Record contest rules apply. Visit or call the Record office for details.

The more you spend, the more chances you have to win. Three lucky shoppers will have extra dollars to spend on gifts (or themselves) this Christmas season as The Fayette County Record presents Eat. Shop. Play. and Win! This promotion is a Christmas shopping contest. The contest will run during the Christmas shopping season beginning Friday, November 22, 2019 and ending on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Three names will be drawn on Friday, December 20, 2019 for a $300, $200, and $100

To enter, each card must include five punches and should then be dropped off at The Fayette County Record office or the La Grange Main Street & Visitors Bureau office as an entry to win one of three gift certificates for $300, $200, and $100 that can then be spent at any of the advertising businesses in the Eat. Shop. Play. and Win! magazine. Advertisers receiving these gift certificates may then redeem these certificates toward advertising dollars at The Fayette County Record. Eat. Shop. Play. and Win! is a contest to promote local businesses and encourage shopping with advertisers in The Fayette County Record. Employees of The Fayette County Record are not eligible to win.

Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 3

Table of Contents Advertisers The following advertisers are participating in this year’s EAT. SHOP. PLAY. and your dollars can make you eligible for gift cards that can be redeemed at these businesses at a later date.

PARTICIPANT support local businesses

Check out our Exclusive Coupons Pages 24-26

A Season-Long Opportunity

2 Kleiber Tractor 5 The UPS Store 8 Prickly Pear & DIY Studio 8 Big State Coffee 9 Lights of Tejas 10 Orsak’s Cafe 10 Rohan Meadery 11 We Stitch 11 Weikel’s 12 La Grange Ford 12 D&D Ace Hardware 13 Murphy’s Steakhouse 13 Brawley Dental 16 The Wine Bar Restaurant 16 Le Petite 17 The Hair Shop

17 Latte Cafe 17 Art Connections 19 La Grange Eye Care 19 Farmers Lumber 19 LG Spirits 21 Ledbetter Lane of Lights 21 Stuermer Store 27 Teagues Tavern 27 Gardenia Animal Shelter 30 Bodega 30 The Market 30 The Market 2 30 The Fayette County Record 31 Cable One 32 Santa Claus Museum

PUBLISHER

ACCOUNTING

STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

. Play. Eat. Shopan d Win! Memsories Cookie ition & Trad

Regina B. Keilers

EDITOR

Jeff Wick

Mary Elizabeth Hopkins

Santa Museum

DIGITAL EDITOR Andy Behlen Ledbeter

Lane of Lights

Business Bingo

Play Inside

STAFF WRITER/OFFICE H.H. Howze LouAnn Adcox Kara Koether

ADVERTISING

Becky Weise The Lights of Tejas is featured on the Jackie Daniels Jessica Montez cover of this year’s Eat. Shop. Play.

Theresia Karstedt Nonnie Barton

PRODUCTION

John Castaneda - Newspaper Lindsey Fojtik - Special Sections

CIRCULATION JoAnn Mueller Bennie Vasek George Kana Bobby Bedient Jesse Montez Lisa Karstedt

FREELANCE WRITER Kirsten Cornell

127 S. Washington St. | P.O. Box 400 | La Grange, Texas 78945 Ph: 979.969.3155 | Fx: 979.968.6767 Email: editor@fayettecountyrecord.com www.FayetteCountyRecord.com The Fayette County Record is published every Tuesday and Friday, except the publication immediately following Christmas by Fayette County Record, Inc. serving Fayette County since 1922. The Fayette County Record is locally owned and operated by the Barton family since 1976. (USPS 188-440)

4 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

#6974

Celebrate the season at Lights of Tejas.

The Lights A purposeful Christmas celebration encouraging guests to connect Written by Kirsten Cornell

It happens to the best of us. After Halloween passes the rest of the year comes at us like a landslide. Holidays pile on top of each other and it seems like we are in a mad rush to do it all: see people, buy things, see things, and create experiences. Unfortunately for many of us, we become so incredibly wrapped up in the perceived pressure of the holidays, we forget to take a beat and enjoy them. That, in part, is what encouraged the staff at Tejas Camp and Retreat to create an event unlike any other in the surrounding counties. A place where families could gather, recharge, enjoy each other, share a few laughs, and

6 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

celebrate the Christmas season. Enter, Lights of Tejas.

Naming Tejas

The current property was originally purchased by the Powell family and at the time, housed one log cabin that overlooked the lake. Unfortunately, in the â€˜50s the cabin burned down and the family built a new home that remains as part of the current dining hall. Bill and Bonnie Powell expanded their idyllic property, adding other facilities to accommodate family, friends, and business associates of Powell Electric Company in

Houston. As it grew, it became known as the Pal Meadow Ranch. A precursor to future endeavors, by the 1970s the Powells began using the ranch as a horsemanship camp for children. A few years later, the ranch was officially named Camp Tejas and opened its gates to other organizations. While many believe that “Tejas” translates to Texas, it is the Spanish spelling of a Caddo word taysha, which means “friend” or “ally,” a fitting name for this camp’s future.

Becoming a Camp

No one could have predicted it, but Camp Tejas was about to experience another run-in with fate. In the fall of 1979, Billie Bryson, now Billie Holman, donated seed money for Westbury Baptist Church’s future Christian camping ministry in memory of her late husband, Hoy Bryson, Sr., and her mother, Mary Geist. As a result of the donation, a committee was formed at Westbury to begin searching for “a special place in the country.” They had no inkling that they were about to collide with of the most picturesque and predestined location they could imagine. Because of unforeseen circumstances, the Westbury youth could not attend a certain youth camp in the summer of 1980. Therefore, at the last minute, they were able to book a week at Camp Tejas. During their retreat, word got back that the camp was for sale. Under the leadership of Milton Cunningham, the pastor at Westbury at the time, plans were launched to purchase the property. Because of the incredible generosity of Bill and Bonnie Powell, and many of the members of Westbury, the camp was purchased in December 1980. Westbury Foundation was incorporated in 1981 and Camp Tejas became a part of the Foundation.

Since those fateful and faithful decisions, the camp has continued to grow in size, popularity, and impact. It has become a go-to location for churches, families, and corporate retreats for areas surrounding Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. But for the staff at Camp Tejas, something was missing— something more that needed to be done.

Connecting Christmas

“We are certainly a destination for people from larger cities, but we were looking for a way to serve our community even more. Share what we have with folks closer to home as well,” says Paul Biles, executive director. And so, 10 years ago, Lights of Tejas was born. A family-friendly event that covers the camp property in Christmas cheer and emanates joy. What began as around 3,000 guests has ballooned to over 13,000 and spans 15 spectacular nights. Millions of lights illuminate the camp and transform the retreat into a Christmas mecca. From crafts and treats to sledding and a zip line, there’s truly something for all ages and stages. But beyond that, the staff at Tejas want to give families an opportunity to slow down, connect, and celebrate the reason behind the Christmas season. “My ‘why’ for being a part of Lights of Tejas is that this event allows families to connect over the holiday season and that it reminds us of what Christmas is all about: Jesus was born as the Savior of the world,” says operations director Neal Anthony. Biles adds that families will not see Santa or elves at Lights of Tejas— their event is purely focused on the “Christ” in Christmas.

Activities Everywhere

No snow? No problem. Grab a sled and slide down Candy Cane Playground’s tunnel for some snow-free, Texas-style sledding. Guaranteed to invoke shrieks of laughter.

Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 7

Nothing says country Christmas like a traditional hayride. Snag some hot chocolate, climb aboard, and witness the wonder of the lights while singing a carol or two. But not to worry—there are plenty of activities for big kids, too! Scale the 50-foot tower and coast down the 200-foot zip line or test your agility on the climbing walls. If thrills are your thing, the three-person mega-swing might be your ticket. It lifts riders into the air then drops them 60 feet for a tickle-belly feeling and breathtaking views.

Meet your fam out on the field for a snowball fight using specially modified paintball guns. How about a game of tag? But this isn’t just any game. They’ve added bows and arrows to the mix. Aim with your soft-tipped arrows and shoot your opponents to score the victory.

Crafts and Celebrations

While there is no shortage of active play to wear you out, there a few designated stops on the property that truly are must-sees. Come by Joseph’s workshop where your family can build a manger together—yes, using real tools—encouraging conversations about who was born to such humble beginnings. “It’s a great keepsake for families to take put under their tree or just add to their home,” says Biles. Once you’ve stopped by the crafts room and made a keepsake ornament, be sure and come by to celebrate Jesus. That’s right! You’re invited to Jesus’ birthday party and it’s a celebration fit for a King. We don’t want to give away all the details, but there’s definitely some cookie decorating involved and balloons.

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blown away with how busy life can be. But when they come, they can relax and watch their kids play, just unplug,” he says. Lights of Tejas has created a purposeful and meaningful answer to the rush and distractions of life that plague many of us. “It’s a spiritual journey for me, from the first light we put up to the last light we take down. Christmas is all about the celebration of Christ’s birth and to be able to take part in creating a magical space for people to come and spend time with friends and family and find meaning in the Christmas season lifts my heart and makes my soul sing,” adds Melisa Bray, HR and business manager for Tejas. In addition to loving people and sharing with them the story of Christ’s birth, Tejas also supports fellow ministries through their event such as Every Village and Feed the Need—

Deliciously Merry

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(979) 206-3050 Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 11

spreading joy and truly embracing “love thy neighbor.” There are lots of activities for the kids.

But most of all, they would like you to and experience Lights of Tejas and the true joy of Christmas. “There are so many things about Lights of Tejas that remind me of why we do Lights,” says Kay Kastner, guest experience director. “One of the moments that stick out most to me was a few years ago. We had a child that had never experienced Christmas. The stepmother was so excited for her husband’s children, her stepchildren, to experience Christmas through the Lights of Tejas. We never know who crosses the cattle guard onto the property, where they are in life. We have the opportunity to touch so many hearts and for Jesus to transform lives.” LIGHTSOFTEJAS.COM

Purchase tickets, get information on theme nights and activities, and book a Stay-n-Play!

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12 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

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Smiling faces abound at the Lights of Tejas.

When: November 29-30 December 6-7; 13-14; 19-23; 26-29 Admission: Individual $10 *Multiple activities included with admission ticket

Groups $9 *Groups of 10 or more get a 10% discount per ticket

Activity Package $35

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Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide |

scenes intended to excite children young and old including a host of animals, insects, birds, and even dinosaurs. Well over 200 ornaments are on display. After experiencing the area around the two houses you again board a hay wagon for quick return to Stuermer’s Store, your car, and a ride home sharing memories. We can accommodate most persons with physical difficulties.

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Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 21

Local Christmas cookies.

Cookie Memories

& Traditions

All You Need is Love & Christmas Cookies Written by Jessica Montez | The Fayette County Record

Dear Santa, For Christmas this year forget the list and just have a cookie and of course, don’t forget the milk! Christmas cookies are a must during the holiday season and not just for Santa! There is just something about cookies during the holiday season that makes them a little more special, some may say it’s the Christmas magic and others will say its the way they can bring a family together. Cookies are a staple for family memories and traditions whether old or new. Lacey Vitek has very fond

22 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

memories of growing up and baking cookies and many other sweets with her grandmother. “Everything was mixed by hand in her old crock bowl with a wooden spoon and I loved helping her,” said Lacey. Those memories have made a huge impact on her because she decided to open up her own baking business, Lacey Bakes, out of Fayetteville. Her decorating skills and her attempts at making just the right sugar cookie dough was a lot of trial and error. However, now her skills are endless. She makes cookies for so many occasions, but Christmas time is her favorite.

“My favorite thing about the Christmas season is the joy and excitement in the air,” said Lacey. She added, “All of the festivities, parties and gatherings! I love everything about Christmas!” Lacey has started her own baking Christmas time memories with her family. “I think baking together is a great way to bring people together, especially when it’s cold outside, everyone gathers in the kitchen and starts baking. Warms the soul! It allows kids to be able to help and be creative,” said Lacey. Christmas time is family time, so find your favorite cookie recipe and gather everyone into the kitchen and start making great memories and family traditions. Worried about what to get someone for Christmas? Than what better gift of love for the holiday season than a Christmas cookie, especially if its homemade! Lacey thinks, “Giving someone something homemade is the sweetest gesture, it’s a gift from the heart.” Besides isn’t the Christmas season all about giving? Take your cookies to the elderly in the area or bring them while visiting a nursing home, so they can remember their Christmas memories and traditions. You can also surprise your coworkers or your mailman, even the littlest things bring joy during the holiday season. To see all of Lacey’s cookie creations and for more information about Lacey Bakes, check out her Facebook page www.facebook.com/LaceyBakesTX/ or her Instagram www.instagram.com/lacey_bakes. Also during the Christmas season there are even more cookie flavors. The cookie flavors can be endless from sugar, molasses, pumpkin spice, snickerdoodle and of course, gingerbread! But you know what else is endless this holiday season...the caring, heartfelt memories shared by families, the continuous strong traditions that will be passed down from generation to generation and the love surrounding everyone. So don’t be a grinch, make your favorite cookie and have yourself a Merry Christmas!

Santa & Mrs. Claus theme.

The Nutcraker theme.

The Grinch theme.

Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 23

Exclus ive Cou p o n s

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Buy any 6 and get 5% OFF Buy 12 get 10% OFF Valid until Dec. 31, 2019

FREE Admission. FREE Souvenir Gift. (While supplies last) Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays in December Santa Claus Museum 602 Washington Street Columbus, TX www.santamuseum.org

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O G N I B S S E N SI

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

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Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

28 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

How to play: Visit any of the â€œEat, Shop, Playâ€? participating merchants (any business advertising in this magazine), and look for the special Christmas Word that will be displayed at each business. Fill out the name of the business along with the special Christmas Word available only at that business, in one of the squares on a bingo card. There are 4 cards with 8 spots to fill out on each card. Once you have a card filled with 8 different businesses and their secret words, you can come into The Fayette County Record office at 127 S. Washington St. in La Grange and receive an entry into the Christmas Bingo drawing for a special Christmas basket. Entries must be received by December 20, 2019.

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Business Name

________________________

Secret Word

________________________

Your Local Holiday Shopping Guide | 29

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127 S. Washington St. | La Grange, Texas www.FayetteCountyRecord.com

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30 | Eat. Shop. Play. 2019

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