Kaufman County Life Magazine

FREE ISSUE

Sew very

Special

er Summ imes Fun T

Kaufman County

and Surrounding

Areas

You don’t have to look too far for summer fun and entertainment.

The Patio Presents

A group of Kaufman County ladies keeps alive the tradition of quilting and in the process has forged a bond and a community outreach.

Open mic night at the Garden Event Center gives musicians a chance to perform in a relaxed atmosphere.

Unconditional Love All kids should have a chance for summer fun, and Casey’s Place makes sure some don’t get left out.

Summer 2016/Vol. 6 Issue 2 www.kaufmancountylife.com

Terrell wildlife refuge earns commendation

P

rideRock Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary that is a permanent home for lions, tigers and bears, recently earned a spot on the GreatNonprofits 2016 Top-Rated List. GreatNonprofits.org is the leading platform for communitysourced stories and reviews about non-profits. PrideRock is among other great charities including Freedom Alliance, Veterans Airlift Command and Endangered Species International. Top-Rated organizations are nonprofits which are highly-rated by people who experience their work first hand – clients served, volunteers and donors.

PrideRock Wildlife Sanctuary provides a permanent and final home for big cats and other wildlife. Currently, the sanctuary is home to 27 lions and tigers, one hyena, two wolf-hybrids and three black bears.

PrideRock provides speciesappropriate enclosures with enrichment and recreational areas for its residents. Each animal is given species-specific diets and nutritional provisions as well as veterinary care. Currently, the big cats eat approximately 300 pounds of food a day. Big cats can live up to 25 years in captivity.

PrideRock also provides many educational opportunities for the public such as year-round internships for college students, a platform for the implementation of projects for groups such as Boy Scouts and wildlife society members.

PrideRock began in 1982, is a 501(c)3 organization and has been a lifelong commitment by founders Carol and Gary Holliman. PrideRock’s residents have been rescued from animal exhibits,

irresponsible breeders, private owners who could no long care for them and law enforcement seizures. PrideRock does not support keeping big cats as pets and does not receive any type of state or government funding. PrideRock is not open to the public to reduce stress for the animals in its care that may have come from abusive and deplorable conditions. However, PrideRock offers an animal “adoption” program, internships, volunteer opportunities and planned giving resources.

For more information on how to support PrideRock, go to www.priderock.org. To write a review about PrideRock, go to www.greatnonprofits.org.

From the Publisher

Life

a slice of

Ah, summer time in Texas.

For those of us who have been here all our lives, the predictions of long, hot days no longer faze us.

Frankly, looking back, I don’t remember so much about it being a hot time as much as I remember it being a fun time.

Baseball, fireworks, going to Six Flags, playing outdoors until well past daylight.

Inside our summer edition of Kaufman County Life, you’ll find the Summer Fun Times Visitors Guide, with some great information about a few of the many wonderful things to do in East Texas. And some of them are indoors in the cool air.

One great outdoor venue that has sprung up in Terrell is the Garden Event Center. And on Thursdays they host open mic night, where you’ll find an incredible array of talent on display. It’s a perfect way to spend a warm summer’s evening with quick meal or snack, your favorite beverage and some fantastic local talent. And best of all, it’s free.

If one of your summer time memories is summer camp, check out what the folks at Casey’s Place are doing for some children in Kaufman County who can use a summer time break from what they face on a daily basis.

This camp reaches out to kids who may have experienced things most of us never have, and no one ever should have.

It’s a place where kids can be kids regardless of their

circumstances. And it’s a true labor of love for those who staff the facility.

Another true labor of love is the quilt. So steeped in history, quilting evokes great memories of a time when most everything in the home was hand-crafted.

And many still enjoy quilting as a hobby. There are even retreats that have sprung up just to cater to quilters.

Find out a whole lot more in Gary Lindsley’s piece about quilting in Kaufman County.

Texas, especially East Texas, has its own summer time treats as well. Whether it’s fresh fruits

and vegetables, homemade ice cream or grilling for the Fourth of July (but really, who needs an occasion), we do a great job of feeding ourselves.

But you will be hard pressed to find someone who does a better job of dishing up great meals than John Patterson.

John and his wife, Lanna, operated Java Junkies in downtown Terrell for a couple years but decided instead to close the eatery and concentrate on catering. I know several groups in town are sure glad they did.

And his desserts, well it may be old hat to say, but they are to die for. To whet your appetite, be sure to follow the JavaJunkies Facebook page. You’ll soon be drooling.

Another local artisan is Charlotte Cox, whose jewelry is becoming quite popular. You can see her creations at The Front Porch in Terrell and learn more about her inside.

Stay cool this summer. We hope some ideas you’ll find in this edition will help.

— Phil Major, Publisher

let us take care of all your printing needs

MAGAZINES | CATALOGS POSTCARDS | CALENDARS & BROCHURES

4954 Space Center Dr., San Antonio, TX 78218 512.480.0860 www.shweiki.com

www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Table of Contents Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

Sew

very

Publisher & Editor Phil Major

Contributing Writers Travis Detherage Gary E. Lindsley Phil Major

Photography Travis Detherage Gary E. Lindsley Phil Major

Creative Editor & Layout Erika Dorsey

Ad Design Patrick Brown

Advertising Sales Patty Barringer Phil Major Brandi Thomas

Contact publisher@terrelltribune.com 150 Ninth Street, Terrell, TX 75160 972-563-6476

Cook’s Corner John and Lanna Patterson find that giving their customers something extra makes them look forward to their next experience.

25.

Kaufman County Life assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not reflect the views of the publisher, employees or contributors. This publication and all of its contents are copyrighted.

Cover photo by Gary E. Lindsley 4

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

6.

14.

Unconditional Love

The Patio Presents

Children who have experienced things no child should have to endure can find a safe haven, if just for a few hours, where kids can be kids.

There’s a great place right in the heart of Terrell to kick back and relax with your favorite beverage and enjoy some of the great musical talent from around the area.

Special Busy hands create special memories with quilts.

10. er Summ imes Fun T

Kaufman County

and Surrounding

Shopping A ROUND T OWN

Areas

21.

27.

Character Counts

Summer Fun Around the Area

Jeremy Cox is serving the youth and community of Terrell in various ways through youth ministries, feeding programs, food banks and fundraisers.

Summer time may mean hot times in Texas, but there’s no lack of wonderful places to visit. And some of them are indoors. Take a look at our Visitors Guide for some ideas.

16.

Take a look at some of the unique shopping experiences offered in the area.

39. Scene & Heard Look no further than Heather Lane – Tiffany Square town homes for the perfect residential option in Terrell.

www.kaufmancountylife.com

5

Unconditional Robyn Cruz, center, leads one camper around the arena while another gets ready to mount for a ride.

Love Story and Photos by

Phil Major

Camp fills the gap so children won’t be left out.

C

hildren who wind up in an emergency shelter have experienced things that children shouldn’t have to experience.

If they can find a little peace spending a few hours at Casey’s Place near Kaufman, then founder Robyn Cruz will consider her ministry a success.

Casey’s Place opened last year after Cruz was led to establish a place where such children can find sanctuary, even for a short time.

The basis of Casey’s Place is animals — dogs and cats, horses, a cow, goat, sheep, rabbits and chickens.

“The animals give unconditional love,” Cruz said. They do not judge nor gossip.

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

It was during her own troubling times that Cruz learned the therapeutic value of animals. She and her husband lost a son, Casey, when he was only 30.

“I learned what equine therapy really was and how it can heal a person,” she said.

“There is nothing like losing a child,” Cruz said. “I spent the biggest part of that summer (2013) on that horse.”

They would take long walks in the solitude of nature.

From the horse, she learned how animals can help a person who is dying inside. “It got me through my grief,” she said.

Once she had that experience, she knew she needed to share it with others.

Though the grief never ends, there is a positive way to channel it, she said.

So she began working with

“We show these kids their circumstances do not have to define their destiny. We want to show them there is hope in this world, there is good in this world and people who want to help them.”

— Robyn Cruz

Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

troubled adults but quickly realized the children caught up in their situation weren’t getting they help they needed.

“We worked with kids considered at-risk,” Cruz said.

“They seemed to have some troubles dealing with what life had dealt them.”

So Casey’s Place became a sanctuary where kids could be kids, a facility strictly geared toward children who had been abandoned, whether literally or emotionally.

When the children arrive for day camps, Cruz says there is a peace that comes over them.

Appropriately named “Free 2B Me,” the camps allow the kids freedom within a structured environment.

Children can fish, swim, ride horses, play, do crafts or just lie in the grass or play with the dogs. No matter how hot it gets, there’s always a campfire going so the kids can enjoy s’mores, the gooey chocolate-marshmallow treat.

They get plenty of handson time with the animals and learn to care for them.

“It teaches them how to nurture,” Cruz explained — something that may have been missing in their lives.

And Cruz brings in guest speakers to help them learn about the environment and nature.

Casey’s Place maintains a two-to-one ratio of children to staff, to ensure they get plenty of one-on-one human interaction as well.

The motto for the staff is “come with lots of love,” Cruz said. The staff does maintain a firm hand, but Cruz said there has never been a behavioral issue.

The children love coming and don’t want to leave.

The summer camps started in early June and will run twice a week through August until school resumes.

The camp lasts about four to four and a half hours and includes lunch.

This summer Casey’s Place is partnering with City Square in Dallas to provide meals as well. In addition to the campers, lunch will be served to any children Monday through Friday from 12-1 p.m.

While the campers come

primarily from Kaufman County’s emergency shelters and through referrals, Cruz wants to reach out to grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.

She knows what a challenge that can be, raising her own 12-year-old granddaughter.

She said sometimes the resources don’t allow grandparents to provide things like summer camp. So Casey’s Place can fit the bill, as there is no charge to the campers.

Grandparents raising grandchildren is a growing epidemic

Above, Children can find peace at a camp prepared just for them.

Below, the most important members of the staff take a break. They will get plenty of attention throughout the day.

www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

Kids and staff members work on creating lady bugs during craft time on the first day of summer camp.

that comes with its own set of challenges.

Keeping up Casey’s Place has become a full-time labor of love for Cruz.

She said one of the most difficult tasks is fundraising, for which she had no experience.

Seeking out donors and applying for grants is time consuming. And then there’s the upkeep of the facilities and the care of the animals.

Their care is the camp’s biggest expense.

And Cruz won’t cut corners when it comes to the care of the animals, because they are the greatest asset.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Cruz relies on about 25 rotating volunteers who keep the place going.

“We are grateful for the help,” she said.

Area high school students are among the volunteers, which gives them the opportunity for community service. There are also older volunteers who take on more of a grandparent role.

And there is always a need for volunteers.

Those interested in volunteering can learn more at caseysplace.org, where donations can also be made.

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

In addition to serving more children and reaching out to foster families, Cruz would like to see the camp expand to five days a week. The kids would come every day, she said.

She is starting a riding school and also rents out the facility for birthday parties. And the income from those endeavors is to help keep Casey’s Place going.

Once school resumes the camp shifts to once a week after school and one Saturday a month, closing for three months during the winter. They also host some community events, such as a festival in the fall and a holiday event. Those help raise funds in addition to providing a fun time for the kids.

“We show these kids their circumstances do not have to define their destiny,” Cruz said. “We want to show them there is hope in this world, there is good in this world and people who want to help them.”

Casey’s Place provides them four hours of forgetting their circumstances, and it recharges them. Sometimes that forgetting leads the children to open up, without being prompted, so the staff does a lot of listening, without judging.

“We let them get it all out,” Cruz said.

Make a big splash this summer with Sunshine Pools

S

unshine Pools is a family owned and operated company, established in Dallas in 1974. The family opened a retail store in

a ila ble. a n ing av ons & cle ti c e p s in Pool

1978. The company is now operated by third-generation family members. Sunshine Pools began as a pool service company and started remodeling pools in 1980 and now is a builder of all four types of pools: above ground, fiberglass, custom gunite and steel wall in ground vinyl liner pools.

Sunshine has been voted best pool builder in Mesquite more than 10 times since moving there in 1989. Sunshine Pools is now located in Forney off Highway 80.

The company opened the Forney store in 2006 and closed the Mesquite store in the fall of 2015.

Sunshine Pools is a recognized leader in the swimming pool business. The company holds membership in several professional organizations, is fully insured and licensed, and all service techs

are trained in-house as well as by industry professionals.

Pool rem odeling,

before a n d after.

www.kaufmancountylife.com

9

Sew very

Special Like elves cobbling shoes in the dead of night, they craft their colorful, integral creations with the utmost care, love and skill.

These are but a few of the many different colored spools of thread at We’re Sew Special.

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

Story and Photos by

Gary E. Lindsley

Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

W

hat these “elves” make is usually not for themselves but for those in need, without shelter or ill — in addition to providing the items for years of joy to family and friends.

They are an eclectic group of women who gather together at least once a month in a little red barn in the heart of Kaufman County.

They are “We’re Sew Special,” a quilting group made up of women from the Metroplex, including Kaufman and Rockwall.

The little red barn, built on property owned by Lana Young, sports colorful spools of thread, a long arm quilting machine, quilts, bags, pouches, blankets and a plethora of bolts of fabrics.

Young said she built the barn in 2008 so the sewing club would have a place to get together to work on projects as well as help and teach one another.

“This is what I like to do. We are out here to do charity work.” — Lana Young We’re Sew Special has 18 members, who are also associated with the Plano quilting club. Young said the group — which is more like a loving family — meets every second Saturday at the barn, and there may be a full-house or as little

as five. They start out with goodies — usually donuts and coffee — and then get into the rhythm of making their works of art. Usually, they are there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

While one member may be ironing fabric, another may be cutting pieces while others may be quilting or sewing.

“This is what I like to do,” Young said while standing in front of walls of bolts of fabric on the second floor of the barn. “We are out here to do charity work.

Their projects include making pillows for newborns, blankets for hospitals, quilts, Christmas stockings, lap quilts for people in nursing homes, pillowcases and bags.

Young said they have also

Lana Young stands among her many bolts of fabric in her little red barn. www.kaufmancountylife.com

11

Cathey Jordan works on a project.

made diaper shirts for an area hospital as well as burial gowns for another. They have also made “Adopt Me Scarfs” for dogs. “It’s a team effort,” she said.

Sometimes the club’s members just free-wheel it and do whatever they want.

One of the charities the club supports is New Beginnings Baptist Church in Kemp. Young said she and her fellow quilters have made toiletry kits for the homeless and this year will make pouches for tools.

“We try to make different things for them,” she said.

“This year there are 23 [veterans]. It was real touching when they came to pick up the gift bags.” They have also made cosmetic bags for abused women in shelters.

Shirley Rogers of Rockwall, who began quilting 30 years ago, said she joined the club in about 1999.

“I started because of my mother,” Rogers said. Her mother, Flora Martin, had a Singer treadle sewing machine.

Some early sewing machines 12

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

were powered by a treadle mechanism.

The treadle was operated by pressing down on it with a foot or both feet, causing a rocking movement. That in turn spun a large wheel on the treadle frame, connected by a thin leather belt to a smaller driving wheel on the sewing machine.

“Daddy [D.M. Martin] put a Sears and Roebuck book on the pedal because I was short,” Rogers said.

She started out making blocks of fabric. “I still have the machine,” Rogers said.

Years later, when Rogers and her husband moved from Lawton, Okla., to Texas, she searched for a quilting club to join and learned about We’re Sew Special when she saw an advertisement in a Mesquite newspaper.

To Rogers, it is all about pretty dark colors, especially emerald blue. “I love picking out colors,” she said.

Rogers enjoys being a member of the sewing club.

“It has a lot to do with having friends,” she said. “We get together to stitch and sew. We teach each other and help each other learn.” The group also takes trips to other quilt shops.

When it comes time to quilting together, it is a joint

Evelyn Henry concentrates on putting a project together.

effort for a cause. “We try to sew for someone in need,” Rogers said. “For years, we have done bags for women in shelters who have been abused. We are [now] making Christmas stockings for the Blue Caboose for kids who have a disease.”

The Blue Caboose Children’s Fund helps children and families living with cystic fibrosis.

Working together on projects makes Rogers feel good because she knows they are helping

people in need.“Especially those who have been abused,” she said.

Evelyn Henry of Rockwall joined We’re Sew Special about four years ago. She has been quilting since 2000.

“I got started by going to a Mesquite quilt show, and I liked it,” Henry said. “I liked what the ladies had done.”

So she took lessons and joined the group. “I joined because I wanted to learn

“We try to sew for someone in need. For years, we have done bags for women in shelters who have been abused. We are [now] making Christmas stockings for the Blue Caboose for kids who have a disease.”

— Shirley Rogers

different things,” Henry said.

Part of the learning process at the club is having show and tell. That way everyone is exposed to different techniques, styles and ideas.

Henry’s specialty is quilting and machine embroidery.

“It makes me really happy to see what I have made,” she said.

Henry enjoys working on community service projects as well as going to Plano to listen to speakers.

Her favorite quilt she made was for her daughter, Alysha.

It was a grandmother’s flower garden.

Cathey Jordan is another longtime quilter. Jordan got her start about 30 years ago and joined We’re Sew Special in 1997.

See SPECIAL , Continued on pg. 38

www.kaufmancountylife.com

13

The patio

Presents

Jennifer Sides, a contemporary Christian singer-songwriter, performs at open mic night at the Garden Event Center in Terrell.

Story and Photos by

Phil Major

Musical talent abounds in the Kaufman County area.

T

o get a taste of the local talent, check out the open mic night at the Garden Event Center in Terrell every Thursday evening.

The music cranks up about 7 p.m., but the “doors” to the garden open between 5 and 6, and participants are encouraged to come early to visit, grab a bite to eat and get a good seat (actually they’re all good).

The Garden Event Center was opened in the fall of 2014 at 819 W. Moore Ave. in a building that has housed businesses such as an auto parts store and a furniture store.

Joe Smith, who owns Terrell Alarm Systems next door,

14

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

gutted the building and created this surprising space near the heart of Terrell.

It can function as a banquet venue and can host reunions, business meetings, weddings, parties and more.

But on Thursday nights, it becomes a sort of coffee house, allowing musicians of all ages and experience the opportunity to perform. And admission is free.

Dock Ballard, who by day serves with the Terrell Police Dept., hosts open mic night.

He said Smith approached him last year about holding such an event, and it kicked off in the fall of 2015.

It was out on hiatus for the winter and returned in April.

Unless the weather drives the participants indoors, the event is held in the luscious patio garden space out back.

It’s still to be determined whether the event can remain outdoors during the heat of the Texas summer.

Ballard said participation varies week to week, with as few as three and as many as 13 musicians. And the crowd also ebbs and flows with as many as 70 in attendance. Weather and other area events can impact the draw.

The Garden Event Center features a variety of foods from

Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

Above, Dino Garza from Terrell is a regular at open mic night and performs a variety of songs in the garden.

At left, up-and-coming rock/blues guitarist Travis Fairley, a Terrell High School student, takes a turn on the acoustic guitar.

Dock Ballard, who hosts the open mic night, also takes a turn on guitar.

When not serving as a Terrell policeman, he performs around the area.

week to week. One week might be pizza and another week barbecue sandwiches might be available. And there is a fully stocked bar.

Primarily open mic night features acoustic guitarists/ singers. On any given night the music might vary from country to folk to rock and blues, and some gospel thrown in.

Some of the performers are also songwriters and will feature their own material.

Occasionally a full band will play, usually younger performers.

Generally younger performers will be on stage first (sometimes there’s an actual stage but oftentimes it’s just the open patio with mics, music stands, speakers and a sound board).

Followed by the rowdier crowd later, Ballard jokes, though it’s not really rowdy.

After all, the host is a cop.

In addition to Terrell residents, open mic night might welcomes singers and players from other area towns. There’s a pretty regular crowd from Forney, which also has an open mic night on Saturdays at Dennis Boykin’s Once Again.

Local music teacher Kevin Curtis of Troubador Music says open mic night is a good opportunity for young musicians to get a feel for live performance in a comfortable environment.

Ballard, who’s been playing music a long time, and usually performs during the evening, says it’s a great venue for local folks to come and enjoy (and support) some good local music, as well as a relaxing atmosphere to catch up with friends.

“We just want to encourage everyone to come out,” he said. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere. www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Shopping Around Town Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

ShoppingAround

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Te r r e l l CIT Y LIM IT POP 163 47

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Poor Me Sweets 106 W. High St. | Terrell, Texas 214-901-2560 | 469-474-7375

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

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Shopping Around

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Gifts and more, just for you Located on the square in downtown Kaufman in the historic First National Bank Building, this charming tea room offers an array of soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and Nancy Murphy’s famous lemonade tea. The Tea Room serves lunch from 11–2 and is perfect for special events! And don’t forget to go shopping while you’re there! Exquisite seasonal decor, baby items, jewelry, accessories and Introducing Thymes Candles make this shop a MUST SEE this summer! Gift shop hours are 10–3 daily.

Especially for You Gift Shop & Tea Room 100 West Grove | Kaufman, Texas 972-932-4274 | www.especiallyforyoutearoom.com

www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Shopping Around Town Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

Shopping Around

Ke m p CITY LIMIT POP 1199

Your favorite Country Store Located in Southeastern Kaufman County near Cedar Creek Lake, come by and pick up a sandwich, snack, or sweet treat! Then look around at the variety of goods we have! Including: Deli Meats ~ Breads ~ Muffins ~ Cookies ~ Pies ~ Baking Supplies ~ Sandwiches ~ Jams ~ Fruit Butter ~ Pickles ~ Cheeses ~ No-Sugar Added Items We also have a Variety Corner that includes: Christian Literature & Music ~ Leanin’ Tree Greeting Cards ~ Fabric & Notions ~ Texas Souvenirs ~ Cookbooks ~ Hand made soaps and lotions

Heritage Market & Bakery 109A State Hwy 274 | Kemp, Texas | 903-498-3366

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

Stunning

Stones Charlotte Cox in her workshop stamping out a pattern using a precious metals clay.

Story and Photos by

Phil Major

From a tiny studio in her Terrell home, Charlotte Cox creates beautiful works of art.

C

harlotte Cox’s jewelry, which can be seen at The Front Porch in Terrell, is growing in popularity.

Although she’s worked with beaded jewelry for many years, Cox’s transition into stone and metal has occurred in the past four years, and she clearly enjoys what she’s doing, learning new techniques and expanding her skills.

Her love of creating goes back to a trip to Santa Fe, NM 20 years ago. She was looking for a place to cool off near the city’s famous plaza when she found herself watching three

elderly Native American women hand-string turquoise beads.

“I went home with beads from that trip,” Cox said.

She and a friend have sold their beaded wares at Canton’s First Monday.

But four years ago her interests turned to other types of jewelry, and she began with

a class at Brookhaven College where she learned how to solder.

She started out mostly making things for herself, as personal gifts and for a few friends. Her hairdresser suggested they trade services, a ring he wanted her to make in exchange for doing her hair. It was the first custom piece she

This turquoise stone inspired Cox to add a copper background to bring out its colors. www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

made for someone else.

He continued to encourage Cox and suggested she talk to Beverly and Jerry Burr to sell her items at The Front Porch.

She had known the Burrs for many years but had not considered selling to the public.

That was about two years ago, and Cox said she stays pretty busy keeping up with the demand.

“I sell a good bit,” she said, certainly a lot more than she could have expected.

“I had no idea,” she said of her growing popularity. “I was unprepared.”

She said she has been able to reinvest in stones and supplies and have it support her “hobby.”

Most of her pieces are oneof-a-kind.

It all starts with the stone.

“I love everything about picking the stone,” she said.

Its color, the way it reflects the light, all help determine what the finished piece will look like.

She also likes to work with crosses and anything having to do with nature.

A recent addition to her repertoire is fine metal clay.

The clay contains silver dust, and when it is baked at high temperature, the clay cooks away leaving only the silver.

One pendant is an actual leaf, that the clay was brushed on, then when baked it resulted in a silver leaf, showing the actual veins of the leaf.

Most of her stones come from a family-operated business in Branson, Mo. that comes to a rock and mineral show in Mesquite once a year.

Once she selects a stone for a piece, Cox generally works See STONES, Continued on pg. 37 20

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

TOP: These pendants show the range of Cox’s creativity.

BOTTOM: A variety of earrings can be found on display at The Front Porch.

Jeremy Cox is the youth minister at Terrell First Assembly and Cox’s youth ministry meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and the group is called Revive student ministries for 6th through 12th graders.

Character Counts Story by

Travis Detherage Patrick Brown

Photos by

J

eremy Cox is bringing positivity and togetherness to the Terrell community.

Cox serves as a youth pastor at the Terrell First Assembly and he also helps the church provide a feeding program, food bank program, open gym and fundraising opportunities in order for a group to attend a summer church camp.

Cox’s youth ministry meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and the group is called Revive student

ministries for 6th through 12th graders.

Cox was born and raised in Terrell and is a graduate of Terrell High School. He left Terrell for Bible College near Houston.

Afterward, Cox served as a youth pastor in Conroe, Lampasas and Lufkin. After 10 years, Cox returned to Terrell to be the youth pastor at Terrell First Assembly, which is the same place where he was saved at the age of 16 when he was a

“You never know the kind of impact that somebody will have on your life and the impact that your life will have on — Jeremy Cox somebody else’s.”

part of the youth group.

“I never thought I would be the youth pastor here but I always wanted to preach here someday,” said Cox, who is the third youth pastor in the history of the church. “It’s been cool to see how the church has grown, changed and transformed over the years.”

Cox got interested in being a youth pastor after wanting to see how relationships get built after students get saved. Two of his youth pastors also encouraged Cox to go into youth ministry.

“Being able to connect with students and build relationships with them in the long term,” Cox said. “You never know the kind of impact that somebody will have on your life www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Character Counts Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

and the impact that your life will have on somebody else’s.”

Cox said some of the children he has taught have gone on to continue to serve at churches.

“One of my former students from Lufkin graduated and he’s going into youth ministry now so it’s cool seeing that. A lot of students that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of their lives are going off to be coaches, teachers and all sorts of things,” he said.

Cox said what brings him the most joy about being a youth pastor is making a difference.

“If you’re in ministry for the money and the fame then you’re in the wrong business. You got to have a heart and a love and a passion for people,” Cox said.

One of the big programs that Cox does in the community is the feeding program, which is open during the Terrell ISD school year. Cox helped restore the feeding program at Terrell First Assembly last year after being out of service for two years.

Cox plans on having the feeding program running for the 2016-17 school year.

Top: Jeremy Cox helps lead a prayer for his youth group at Terrell First Assembly. (Courtesy) Middle: Jeremy Cox is pictured with his Terrell youth ministry group at a leadership workshop.

(Courtesy) Bottom: Jeremy Cox is pictured with his youth group during a summer camp. (Courtesy) 22

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

Jeremy Cox sells fireworks on Highway 80 to help raise money for summer camps.

(Courtesy)

“It gives students a safe place to come and eat. It’s been a really positive thing in my opinion because they come out and eat and hang out for service. They get fed physically and they get feed spiritually so it’s the best of both worlds,” Cox said.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, Cox helps give out food to the people of Terrell through a food bank program that is a part of Adopt a Block ministry.

The food bank is for the community, and the feeding program is for school students.

“I just volunteer over there because sometimes they need help. The need a lot of volunteers for what they do,” Cox said.

Cox said the program helps feed 2,000 families a week.

Wednesdays are for those aged 61 and older from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Thursdays are for those aged 60 and under

from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

They feed anyone from Kaufman County through food boxes. “It’s a big ministry and it takes a lot of hands to do it.

I know that they’re constantly looking for volunteers,” Cox said.

On Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the school year, Cox helps organize an open gym session at the church’s indoor basketball gym. Cox started this program last year.

“It’s a safe all weather facility. They can come here and play and it keeps them out of the parks and different places like that. It’s a good environment with a positive

theme and feel,” Cox said.

Cox also sells fireworks through a stand to help raise money for travel to summer camps. The fireworks stand is located on Highway 80 on the right hand side toward Forney.

Cox’s stand is the first stand on the right and operates from June 24 to July 4.

“We try to find ways to get kids to camp and help them financially get there,” Cox said.

“The cost of camp on average is $233. I think going to a camp is a life changing experience for students and in order for them to get there we rented a fireworks stand. It brings in See CHARACTER, Continued on pg. 39

“We try to find ways to get kids to camp and help them financially get there. I think going to a camp is a life changing experience — Jeremy Cox for students.” www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Tucked away in the back of an historic building in downtown Terrell is a commercial kitchen from which some amazing food emerges.

Cook’s

Corner Story and Photos by

Phil Major

T

John Patterson shows off a batch of cheesecake bites, one of the desserts he is well known for with his clients. He makes them in 30 to 40 flavors, from Butterfinger and Snickers to maple bacon.

he Warren Building at the northwest corner of Moore Ave. and Adelaide was once the home of Java Junkies, a coffee shop operated by John and Lanna Patterson.

And while the coffee shop closed last year, John continues to prepare his delicious wares in the back to rave reviews.

The coffee shop didn’t generate enough traffic in the two years the Pattersons were open.

John noted that in today’s world, not having a drive through makes it difficult to compete against the chains.

“We never gave up on it,” he said. So they began to focus on catering. “It was one step back and two steps forward,” he said.

They also prepare specialty desserts, including some of their own creations, which are a huge hit.

Most of the recipes John employs have been handed down www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Cook’s Corner Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

Recipe

Patterson serves lunch for the weekly Terrell Lions Club meeting on Wednesday. He also caters for the Rotary Club.

from family. His cheesecake that elicits so many compliments came from his grandmother. Another favorite is his mother’s Cajun cake, which as the name would imply, is a southern Louisiana recipe.

Though he’s been cooking all his life, it did not become his profession until later. He first learned from his mother, who also gets high marks from the kitchen. After serving his country in the U.S. Navy, Patterson enrolled in the famed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school. From there he worked as an executive chef and general manager in several high-end restaurants in the Portland, Oregon area.

But the East Dallas native eventually grew tired of all the rain after 18 years and came back home, where he met another East Dallasite, Lanna.

They acquired the Warren Building about five years ago. It was built 120 years ago by Texas Senator Robert Warren.

Though keeping up an old building can be a chore, John says it helps that Lanna is a project manager in the apartment construction industry, with her many connections.

Much of the time Patterson stays busy with catering jobs. He has a number of regular clients, like the weekly Rotary Club and Lions Club See COOK’S, Continued on pg. 39 26

KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

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r e m Sum imes Fun T S

ummer is here, school’s out and the temperatures are warming up! That translates into time to travel close to home, do some shopping and see the sights — all within a short drive. We think you’ll be amazed at the variety of options available for recreation, dining, shopping and sight-seeing close to home.

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E! Terrell

Announcing the 2016-17 E! Terrell Entertainment Series

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he E! Terrell Entertainment Series is proud to open its 14th season with the incomparable Dallas Symphony Orchestra on Thursday evening, September 8th at the acoustically recognized Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center.

“As with the DSO performance here in 2013, we will be hosting the full orchestra playing a varied repertoire of light classical and familiar pops music favorites,” said E! Terrell spokesman Dana Skelton.

Additional concerts include Jim Witter: I Write the Songs—The Music of Barry Manilow; Melinda Doolittle, a powerful pop vocalist and American Idol finalist; Kubecca, featuring a diverse program of country, jazz and Broadway show tunes; Birth of The Beat, a Matt Davenport singing and dancing spectacular

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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | SUMMER 2016

celebrating the birth of American music and its ‘routes’ from New Orleans Jazz, Memphis Blues, Nashville Country/Western, Kentucky Bluegrass, Motown, Broadway, Hollywood, and much more. The season finale highlights the new generation big band style of The Equinox Little Big Band.

Since its inception, E! Terrell has also provided cultural enrichment programming for school students attending Terrell ISD and nearby school districts in Wills Point, Kaufman, and Forney. Over the years, area students have experienced performances by recognized symphony orchestras, outstanding classical ballet companies, award-winning PBS Opera stars and classical pianists, dazzling Broadway Stage Shows, and a wide array of enlightening

world entertainment opportunities from China, Russia, Ireland, Siberia, and the Mediterranean.

Season subscriptions are reasonably priced at $50 for adults, $45 for seniors (60+), $15 for students, and $100 for a family (2 adults and 4 students). In addition to local E! Terrell performances, reciprocity agreements are in place enabling our ticket holders to attend concert events in Greenville, Irving, Kilgore and Livingston at no additional cost.

All performances are held at the beautiful Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center, located at 400 Poetry Road, Terrell, TX 75160. Ticket information, concert schedules, list of performers with video clips, maps, and other information is available at www.eterrell.org or by calling 972-563-5703.

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City of Forney

Independence Day Celebration to be held July 2

H

elp us celebrate our country’s independence on July 2, for the annual City of Forney Independence Day Celebration.

Come join thousands of others at the Forney Community Park, 241 S. FM 548, to enjoy hours of free-family fun! Headlined by one of the largest fireworks shows in the area, the 2016 Independence Day Celebration promises to be the best and biggest celebration the City has seen. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m., with a fantastic fireworks finale at approximately 9:30 p.m. Not only will there be fireworks to enjoy, but there will also be live music, food vendors, and rides for children, including bounce-houses, large slides and various obstacle courses. The Downtown Fever

Band, the premier party band in the North Texas area will provide hours of entertainment with top 40 hits at the amphitheater.

The event will draw a large crowd, so those who wish to find a parking spot are encouraged to arrive earlier than in previous years. Coolers will be allowed into the park during the event. For more information about the 2016 event, please visit www.cityofforney.org.

Bounce -houses are a pop ula r attraction at the City of For ney Independence Day Celebr ation.

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V I S I T O R S GU I D E www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Passionate about et Walk the st re

s of Boomtow

n, USA. Learn about the histor

y of Ea st Texas oil.

The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College is a tribute to the independent oil producers and wildcatters who dared to dream.

T

he easy-going rural life of East Texas changed drastically with the discovery of oil during 1930 and 1931, when hardship, scorn, luck, and wealth brought people, ideas, institutions and national attention to East Texas.

History Columbus Marion “Dad” Joiner, a seventy-year-old wildcatter, had already drilled two dry holes when in May 1929, he spudded a third hole on the Daisy Bradford farm in Rusk County.

But it was not until October 3, 1930, that a production test was done that resulted in a gusher.

Oil fever began to mount with a test by Bateman Oil Company on the Lou Della Crim farm. On Sunday morning, December 28, 1930, while Mrs. Crim was attending church, the well came in, flowing 22,000 barrels a day.

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This well was only nine miles from Joiner’s well, yet no one believed there was any connection between the two. No one reckoned for what was then a geological phenomenon: an incredible deposit of oil in the Woodbine formation that “pinched out” as it tilted upward against the Sabine Uplift.

The initial “boom” was completed on January 26, 1931, when J.K. Lathrop in Gregg County came in at 3,587 feet, producing 18,000 barrels a day.

The well was situated on land assembled by B.A. Skipper of Longview and taken over by the Arkansas Fuel Oil Company.

Drilling increased rapidly from seven wells every two weeks to seven wells a day and then to one hundred a day and more. The first oil produced sold for $1.10 a barrel, but the price

dropped to 15 cents as supply flooded the market. Drilling activity spread to Upshur, Smith and Cherokee Counties. Production was more than a million barrels a day. In August of 1931,

“The East Texas Oil Field has produced 6 billion barrels of oil, and is still pumping.”

— East Texas Oil Museum National Guardsmen were ordered into the area to keep peace between roughnecks, lease hounds, oil speculators and camp followers. These actions finally culminated in legislative action: a market demand law, confiscation law,

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PETROLEUM truck tender law, the refinery control and felony bill, and the Connolly Hot Oil Act of 1935, which restored order and stability.

The East Texas Oil Field has produced 6 billion barrels of oil, some of which gave the Allies the petroleum reserve stability needed to win World War II. The resulting wealth has produced new towns, new ways of living, and livelihoods for thousands of East Texas citizens.

And the wells are still pumping.

About the museum Welcome to the East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas. This fascinating museum houses an authentic recreation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s in the largest oil field inside U.S. boundaries. Here are the people, their towns, their personal habits, their tools and their pastimes, all colorfully depicted in dioramas, movies, sound presentations and actual antiques donated by East Texas citizens.

Inside the lobby, see how tall you stand beside the Texas-size, hand painted murals of early oil production and portraits of famous oil men. Journey back into the early 1930s to see how people lived. Refresh your memory with the lyrics of a good gospel hymn in the Church exhibit. Get a lesson on the

A stained gla ss memo rial to the pioneers of oil dev elopment in Ea st Texas.

history of the schools, and wonder how that antique car in the Transportation exhibit ever got anywhere on those rough, rutted roads. Pause a moment in the Memorial Room to count the accomplishments of one of the many persevering oil men, H.L. Hunt.

Then step across the city limits into Boomtown, USA, a full-scale town of stores, people, animals, and machinery depicting the lively activity of a town booming in oil.

Stop in at the General Store and browse over the shelves.

Take the children to the Drugstore and watch Mom and Pop dance to vintage 1930 big bands on the juke box. Don’t get your feet dirty in those rutted streets walking to the Newspaper Office for a Boomtown paper. As you pass the Barbershop, listen carefully for news of a new

gusher. Pump your own gas outside the Gas Station. Be sure to go inside and see the movie on drilling an oil well.

Remember afternoons at the movies? A visit to the Theatre brings back actual historical footage of the boom period, while you sense a blowout gusher. Your visit is not complete without a trip to Boomtown’s Museum.

Study the geological exhibits and take the Elevator Ride to The Center of The Earth. Let your guides take you 3,800 feet below the surface of the earth to where the oil deposits lie. It’s fun and informative.

The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College is a tribute to the independent oil producers and wildcatters, to the men and women who dared to dream as they pursued the fruits of free enterprise.

Please call for hours of operation. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.

Christmas holiday schedule is subject to change. Guided tours by reservation only. For more information call (903) 983-8295.

East Texas Oil Museum 1301 S. Henderson Blvd.

Highway 259 at Ross St. Kilgore, Texas 75662 Located on the Kilgore College Campus Phone (903) 983-8295 Fax (903) 983-8659 www.easttexasoilmuseum.com www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Hometown Cinemas

Hometown Cinemas — the entertainment place

H

ometown Cinemas not only provides showings of the latest cinematic releases but the convenient location in Tanger Outlets also provides specials like summer movie camps for kids.

In addition to being the home town spot for watching the latest in Hollywood releases, Hometown Cinema also can be the spot for hosting parties for birthdays and other special occasions, according to Lottie Young, general manager.

“We offer theater and separate party room rentals,” she said. For gamers, the theater can also be rented out for the right spot to play those favorite X-Box and other games, Young said. “We do a lot of parties,” she said.

Summer Movie Camp will be showing a number of G-rated and

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PG-rated films over the summer with the young audience in mind. Those include Horton Hears a Who, Minions, Peanuts Movie, The Lorax, Norm of the North.

Summer Movie Camp admission is free with movies every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from June 11 through Aug. 11.

The concession stand and doors opens at 9:15 a.m. and the movie starts at 9:45 a.m.. $3.50 Tuesdays allow admission all day long on Tuesdays for $3.50. Matinee is $3.50 and $5.50 after 6 p.m. Hometown Cinemas have the latest in movie theatrical technology, including Sony Digital Cinema 4K.

Hometown Cinemas is located in Tanger Outlets, Terrell , Texas.

For more information, including current showings and times, visit www.hometowncinemas.com.

Tickets can now be purchased online, as well.

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Flights of Our Fathers Air Show & Fly-In

Annual event at Terrell Municipal Airport sees continued growth

T

he 9th Annual Flights of Our Fathers Air Show & Fly-In, benefiting the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum, is set for Sept. 24 with activities along the tarmac at Terrell Municipal Airport.

The annual event highlights the connection between Terrell and England’s Royal Air Force during World War II when more than 2,000 RAF cadets were trained at the No. 1 British Flying Training School.

Rudy Bowling, president of the museum board, said the success of the event is attributed to the museum’s board and the Terrell community pulling together. The event continues to add more attractions and draw larger crowds each year, he said.

The event includes static displays of military aircraft, warbirds, vintage and new aircraft along with a car and motorcycle show. Visitors can arrive early to enjoy a pancake breakfast, hosted

by The Civil Air Patrol Black Sheep Squadron TX-214 out of Mesquite.

And pitmasters can register for a chance to win a prize in the BBQ Cook Off, hosted by Nucor.

Among the additions planned for this year’s fly-in are aerobatic performances by the Trojan Phlyers, a precision close ship formation team; Pecos Bill, a P-51 Mustang; and Lady Liberty, an A-26.

Set to return this year is Randy Ball doing an aerial performance in his MiG-17F, a Kid’s Zone, and several food vendors. This year an expanded Kid’s Zone will offer lots of new activities, making the event even more family friendly.

Other aircraft expected this year include an AT-6, the Commemorative Air Force’s BT-25, an A-26, PT-19, AT-19 and a PT-17. The PT-17 Stearman, owned by

Commander Phil Webb, was actually used to train the RAF, American and Canadian cadets at the No. 1 BFTS during WWII. Event sponsors to date include: Buc-ee’s, Madix Inc.; Dr. Gwendolyn Kines-McLeod, DDS; Paul Finnegan; U-Rent-It; as well as several other individual donors. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

If interested, email sponsor@bftsmuseum.org or call 214-914-7754. Visit www.terrellairport.com/fly-in for more information about the event.

the draw, but Aircraft may be fun is a focus ted ien or fam ily thers Fly -In. Fa r Ou of of the Flights

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STONES, Continued from pg. 20 freehand, rather than making a drawing of what her creation will look like.

Though she said she does look at the work of others, “you still have to create your own piece,” she said.

She receives quite a few requests, mostly from friends and family, for custom pieces — especially as gifts. “Most of them give me the freedom to do what I want,” she said, once they have selected a stone. “They are very accommodating.”

And the greatest compliment someone can give her is to buy her jewelry and then enjoy wearing it.

Cox said she may work on jewelry every day or may step away from it for awhile.

“I am fortunate to have a husband whose job provides,” she said, so she can pursue her interest. David has been an engineering analyst with Oncor for more than 35 years.

A piece may take a couple of hours or several days. Some of that is tied to what she calls the “frustration level” when something isn’t working out just right. That can require setting it aside for a few days or perhaps even starting over.

Though she’s obviously successful, she considers herself very much still a student, learning new methods and techniques. The recent addition of her own kiln has led Cox to take several courses to learn the proper techniques for using a kiln.

And that will open up more avenues, for example enameling, which will allow color to be added to some pieces.

Her enthusiasm for her work shows.

“I’m happy with what I’m doing,” she said.

“I don’t see quitting anytime soon.” www.kaufmancountylife.com

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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 2 | Summer 2016

SPECIAL , Continued from pg. 13 “I always wanted to do it,” Jordan said. “A friend of mine was having a baby and I made [a quilt] for her. I have been hooked ever since.”

She estimates she has made at least 80 quilts since the first time she threaded a needle.

While most of her work has been for others, Jordan has made some for her family. And one of her future projects is to make a king-sized quilt for her bedroom.

It is going to feature a nautical theme and be 120 inches by 120 inches.

Attending the Saturday sessions is part of Jordan’s ongoing love affair with quilting.

“First of all, I enjoy the social aspect,” she said. “But you also learn. If I am having a problem, I can learn [from the others].”

Jordan said her favorite quilt she ever created was one for a baby that featured bows and stars.

“Right now we are doing Christmas stockings for the Blue Caboose,” she said.

“My favorite project ever was making cosmetic bags for the women’s shelter and filling them.

“It is about being able for all of us to get together in one room to create something special for those in need,” Jordan said.

To find out more about the club, email Jordan at cdj5@verizon.net or call her at 214-536-9944.

Top, Helen Morgan tries to fix her sewing machine as Carol Boyd assists her.

Bottom, a quilt made by Karla L. Lindsley for the No. 1 British Flying Training School Museum. It is currently hanging in the museum.

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Scene & Heard

CHARACTER, Continued from pg. 23 enough money to help pay for camp and the cost of expenses throughout the year.”

Cox also runs a flower tent during Mother’s Day weekend to help raise money by selling flowers. “Everything that we want to do, we have to raise the funds for it,” Cox said.

“The next step is to grow from what we have. We want to be able to give back to the community and have something that’s available to them that we can offer.”

— Jeremy Cox The main goal for Cox is to grow the feeding program and other programs he has set up.

“This past year we wanted to build a core of students and I feel like we’re at that. The next step is to grow from what we have. We want to be able to give back to the community and have something that’s available to them that we can offer,” Cox said.

Lanee Cox, Jeremy’s wife, also helps a lot with the respective programs.

“We met at Bible School,” Cox said. “I’m kind of the fun one and she’s kind of the disciplinary.

It’s a good balance. She’s a very good speaker and very well spoken. We are a team.”

COOK’S, Continued from pg. 26 meetings. He does several events for the chamber of commerce, Lakes Regional Medical Center and has some big annual jobs such as the veterans luncheon put on by Terrell ISD on Veterans Day. John said he likes to use the Lions and Rotarians as guinea pigs to try out new stuff, and they don’t seem to mind.

“They’re a fun couple of groups,” he said.

It’s strictly a Mom and Pop operation, as the Pattersons have no staff other than themselves.

Their philosophy is to try to make sure they give the customers a little something extra. “We want them to look forward to the next time,” John said. “We don’t want them to just be happy; we want them to be ecstatic.” He said his years in the restaurant business taught him the importance of making sure the customer has a good experience every time. Customers who have one bad experience usually don’t come back.

“We have lots of regular customers,” he said.

Among his specialty desserts is a creation of his that adds blueberries to a traditional oatmeal cookie. And recently he added a strawberry oatmeal cookie, also to good reviews.

John said he bakes 300 to 400 cookies a week on average, and they don’t stick around very long.

If your stomach can handle it, you can see some of John’s work on the Java Junkies Facebook page.

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