Issuu

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SIERRA ROBLES TOWNLY Christian Singer/ Songwriter Story by Carolyn Mann Morehead Photos by Christine Bazan of Captured Moments by Christine

10 G’Day from Down Under Story & Photos by Lola Castro

tips Money Matters

8 ADVICE FROM MICHELE ROHDE in the Salon 15 Innovations ADVICE FROM HAIR DIMENSIONS

Legally 16 Speaking ADVICE FROM DIANE KLIEM Healthy 30 Keep HALLOWEEN SAFETY ADVICE FROM DETAR

features 14 Bec’s Anti-Bullying Mission

Taking a Stand Against Bullying Story by Caroyln Mann Morehead

28 Say Grace Gourmet Chicken & Waffles

6 Announcements A.T.C. SPOTLIGHT 12 Ruben Leon CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 13 Ribbon Cutting 20 Entertainment In The Crossroads games

Story & Photos by Carolyn Mann Morehead

Puzzle WIN A AUTOMOTIVE 8 Sudoku DETAIL & WASH! Puzzle 17 Picture WIN LUNCH FOR 2!

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Moses Calendar of 21 Gary Events Changes FICTION STORY BY 22 JAMI MONTGOMERY of Arvad 26 Adventure FICTION STORY BY CHRISTINE TOVAR 32 Featured Real Estate 34 Black Book

Crossroads Crossword Puzzle WIN A STARBUCKS GIFT CARD!

WE ARE PROUD MEMBERS THE VICTORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VICTORIA CHAMBER AMBASSADORS PROUD MEMBERS OF VPEN (WWW.ABWAVPEN.ORG) WE ARE SILVER & GOLD ADDY AWARD WINNERS.

https://www.facebook.com/ allthingscrossroads/

Publisher/ Editor

Vickie Romero

Creative C i Di Director

Executive Writer

Bernard Ray Bluntzer Jr.

Carolyn Mann Morehead

Delivery D li

Writer

Eddie & Sandra Flores

Christine Tovar

The Magazine of the Crossroads VOL. 6 • ISSUE 12 • OCTOBER 2016 COMPLIMENTARY

contact us: All Things Crossroads Magazine 8806 N. Navarro Ste 600-272 Victoria, TX 77904 email: staff@allthingscrossroads.com 361-935-8366 www.allthingscrossroads.com

all things

oads crossrmagazine

front cover photo by Christine Bazan of Captured Moments by Christine

All Things Crossroads Magazine. This entire document is owned by All Things Crossroads Magazine and no portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of All Things Crossroads Magazine. All articles are intended as information not as advice.

ANNOUNCEMENTS October / November

Announcement submissions to: staff@allthingscrossroads.com. Prices start at FREE! Space is limited. Deadline October 15th.

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GAME sudoku

win A FREE detailing! ($150.00 value) on your automotive! From Red’s Auto Detailing

4 3 5 7 7 9 1 3 3 5 2 4 1 8 3 6 4 8 2 1 2 9 3 3 5 9 6 9 3 4 1 Just complete the SUDOKU puzzle for your chance to win, cut it out and return to: Prize All Things Crossroads, 8806 N. Navarro Ste. 600-272, Victoria, TX 77904 or email it to staff@allthingscrossroads. com. You Can Also Drop Off At UPS STORE 8806 N. Navarro Suite 600, Victoria. Remember to provide your name, address and telephone number. Closing Date: LAST DAY OF THIS MONTH, ONLY ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD ACCEPTED.

MONEY matters

Prepare for These Milestones as Retirement Approaches AGE 50 Give your retirement savings a boost by making “catch-up” contributions. Per IRS rules, those 50 & older are able to invest an additional $1,000 per year in an IRA, & another $6,000 per year in a workplace retirement plan such as a 401(k).

AGE 59-1/2 At this age, you have more penaltyfree access to your retirement assets–meaning you can take distributions from IRAs and potentially from qualiﬁed work plans (check with your Human Resources department to see what rules apply to you). If not rolling withdrawals over to a qualiﬁed plan, income taxes are due on distributions attributable to pre-tax contributions and earnings.

You first become eligible to claim retirement benefits from Social Security at age 62. Many investors choose to claim at a later age, because you can receive a higher monthly benefit. If you do decide to claim benefits at age 62 while you continue to receive a paycheck, your Social Security benefits may be reduced until you reach full retirement age (defined below).

AGE 65

AGE 66-67 Depending on your birth year, you reach what Social Security defines as “full retirement age” at 66 or 67. Visit www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/ retirechart to learn what age that is for you. If you wait until now to receive Social Security benefits, you’ll have more ways to structure your benefits. WWW.ALLTHINGSCROSSROADS.COM

Your maximum monthly benefit is available after your 70th birthday. If you haven’t claimed Social Security benefits, you should do so as there is no 8% growth advantage to waiting beyond this date. You may want to consider donating your benefit if you have other investments that cover your expenses.

AGE 70-1/2 AGE 62

You qualify for Medicare coverage starting at age 65. You’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B if you’re receiving Social Security at this time. Otherwise, you need to apply for it. Your application window is the three months of either side of your 65th birthday month.

AGE 70

By April 1 of the year after you turn 70-1/2, you are required to take a minimum distribution from traditional IRAs and workplace retirement plans. The IRS calculates the amount you pay (called Required Minimum Distributions or RMDs) using the Uniform Lifetime Table and your age at the time you’re talking the distribution. Instructions for calculating RMDs can be found in IRS Publication 590 at www.irs.gov. Distributions must be taken from each account that is subject to this rule. Failure to do so can result in penalty of 50 percent of the amount that was required to be distributed. Find an advisor who will look comprehensively at your financial situation and your retirement goals, in order to help you make these & other decisions with increased confidence. Rohde Financial Group, A financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

G’DAY from Down Under

Written by Lola Castro - VPEN Foreign Liaison HOWDY, EVERYONE! ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS, WE’RE EASING OUT OF A TRUE WILD WET COLD WINTER DOWN UNDER INTO WHAT SHOULD BE A LOVELY SPRING. We hope you’re all ﬁnding great relief from a very hot summer there and that everyone will have a terriﬁc Fall.

Boy is Australia actively observing our November 8th U.S. Presidential Election process. The Aussies are quite educated on the importance of our U.S. leadership including Congress and world politics & economics are taught as part of their school curriculum. It’s very impressive and they do care what occurs in our great nation and to one of their most vital allies. All they can say is God Bless America. Hubby and I say the very exact same words.

Changing subjects to a more lively discussion, working among Australians is fun & stimulating! Their dialogue and pronunciations of words and terms still get me now & then. There is never a dull moment and Gilbert & I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience we have both had in our work environments. Mind you, with a big smile & laughing, there have been several times when I repeatedly ask what do you mean by that? Ha! I’ve almost gotten in an Aussie daily habit of doing morning tea and arvo (afternoon) tea. One day I brought in a bucket of Mrs. Fields assorted minicookies and they loved them!! Yep, Mrs. Fields is conveniently located in Perth’s city hub. Cookies are biscuits, yet the Aussies know that. They have been Americanized & Texanized! Even more so, with Gilbert & me. Ha!

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you ever visit the Lucky Country, try their Devonshire tea which consists of scones, jam & cream with hot tea. Beautiful! I guess it’s an English tradition as many Aussie immigrants came from the UK and no wonder they’ve kept up the custom. It’s absolutely delicious! We’ve even gotten accustomed to the Aussie sausage sizzle. Living here, you will recognize the smell of the sausage sizzle when out and about. It’s a staple food of an Aussie BBQ. A lot of non-proﬁt organizations like the Lions Club, Rotary Club & others, will sell $2 sausage on a roll (hot dog bun) as a fundraiser, in front Woolies (grocery store) or Bunnings (like a Lowe’s). Kinda like our hot dog, but not really. My guess it’s an English tasting sausage. Not bad. Ha! So there, we have been Australianised too. Notice the “Z’s” are “s’s” down under. Did I tell you the spelling can be different here too?

Here’s another fun fact. The Aussies use double this, triple that. Meaning when they give out a phone number like a mobile (cell phone) number, 0445 555 0600 - it’s stated as zero, double four, double ﬁve, double ﬁve, zero six, double zero. Got that? I need my stunned emoji face right here.

The

emergency service is NOT 911. It’s Triple Zero. 000. Plug that in your phone were you arrive and remember to purchase an International sim card. Yet, I have been told if you dial 911 in a panic, it will go to 000. Hope to God, none of us have to use it. In a ﬁrst rate country, we’ll be all right. The ﬁrst responders & the military are world class. In crisis, the U.S. and Australians have helped each other out many times over. Thank goodness. All Y’all enjoy the photos of what we see every day. It’s really boring. Ha! We are so lucky. Cheers! All Y’all Take Care. I’m still sharing a FB quote I recently read, “I may leave Texas for a while, but Texas never leaves me.” My hubby and I feel the very same way.

All Y’all Take Care,

SPEAKING legally

Private Adoptions in Texas: Not always complicated! MANY OF OUR CLIENTS ARE HAPPILY SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THE PRIVATE ADOPTION PROCESS IN TEXAS IS NOT AS COMPLICATED AND EXPENSIVE AS THEY ONCE THOUGHT. Luckily, in cases where all parties, including the biological parents, are in agreement that adoption is in the best interest of the child, the process is fairly simple and often routine. If both biological parents agree that adoption of the child is in the child’s best interest and if the child to be adopted has been living with the adoptive parents for at least six months, the adoption process can be completed quickly and easily. Other than the legal pleadings ﬁled with the Court, the other steps in a private adoption include a criminal background check on each person seeking to adopt the child, a pre-

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adoptive home study on the adoptive family’s home and the appointment of an ad litem attorney to advise the Court as to whether adoption is in the best interest of the child. Many people ﬁnd it worthwhile to have a competent adoption lawyer at their side while going through the Texas adoption process. If adoption is in your family’s future, contact a reputable family law attorney that can assess your situation and thoroughly advise you of this process. At Kliem & Associates, we provide such family law services. Please contact us to assist in your legal matters. Your time will be respected, your legal matter will be handled competently, and we will do everything we can to help you feel comfortable discussing your legal issue with us. Kliem & Associates is “Not just a law ﬁrm. A relationship.”

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Ribbon Cutting

Ambassadors Pictured Right to Left: Valarie Hamilton-Green • Patricia Nagle Trey Johnson Karoyn Scoggin- President of VCA Randy Vivian- President/CEO of Victoria Chamber Marina San Miguel • Breanna Plunkett Debbie Martinez • Josie Amejorado Sheila Kilgore Not Pictured but in attendance: Thomas Bolen Jean Hahn

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Tues. Aug. 30th of the Victoria Chamber Ambassadors doing a ribbon cutting at the new Equine Center at Crossroads Veterinary Center.

INNOVATIONS in the salon

Summer is over, Autumn is Here! It’s time for Fall colors and what better way to rock them then putting colors in your hair. Deeper and Darker is a must whether it be a gorgeous mocha brown or a few vibrant red highlights. Of Course, lighter hair is beautiful and fun but it is always exciting to add in some lowlights for dimension. Everyone could use a change, dramatic or subtle. And there’s endless possibilities on how to choose the perfect look for you. Any of the very talented stylists at Hair Dimensions can help ﬁnd the right color to

match your style, personality, and attitude. Embracing this fall season can be taken up a notch. You will never have to worry when you’re in Hair Dimensions hands. The books are ﬁlling up and you don’t want to have to miss out on the all the wonderful colors this holiday season. Make your appointment today and let us help you through a new and exciting hair journey. Sarah Nichols Hair Dimensions 361-575-8802

Across the nation, tragic stories of abuse physically, emotionally, and socially have made front page news even in our own Crossroads area. In recent months a group of concerned citizens have organized to help educate the community, students and parents on this horrendous epidemic in our society and ﬁnd a solution. Bec’s Anti-Bullying Mission (B.A.M.) is in the process of working with the Victoria Independent School District and hopefully other area school districts and businesses to bring in help to the Crossroads.

was organized to give parents and students the opportunity to step up and voice their concerns in an organized

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fashion. This organization with the help of the community allows the opportunity for parents, students and school ofﬁcials to be a productive part of the solution to this ever increasing problem. Leah Hernandez, a family friend of a recent bullying victim has partnered with All Things Crossroads Magazine and other concerned citizens to bring awareness to this issue. B.A.M. is currently making arrangements to get speakers into the school districts to speak to students and faculty. On November 9-10, B.A.M. has scheduled Eric Martinez to speak in a closed meeting. Eric Martinez will be remembered by his acting appearances in numerous ﬁlm, television and commercial roles. Martinez has an anti-bullying campaign and speaks across the nation to communities concerning this issue. The topic of bullying is a very sensitive issue and raises many concerns about the welfare of the children in the school systems. It is understandable that emotions can run very high but the hope of this organization is not only to get awareness to the community, but also to give concerned citizens a

stable platform on which to voice their concerns. Many parents express the helpless feeling of nothing being done to protect their children and often times accusing ﬁngers are pointed toward the school systems. “That’s one of the reasons we started this organization,” states Vickie Romero, All Things Crossroads Publisher, “to partner up with VISD and let them know we want to do this together as a team. We don’t want to be against VISD. We are for the teachers. We are for the principles… we want everyone on this board to pull together.” For many, including the staff at All Things Crossroads Magazine, bullying as affected family members, children and grandchildren. This is not just a blanket campaign but has become very personal. Parents and grandparents are looking for answers. B.A.M. wants the victims of bullying to know that they are there for them and that they do not have to be afraid to approach parents, counselors or principles when they need help. Also the organization wants to help those who are doing the bullying. Bullying can have far reaching affects on other family members and students and left

unaddressed will affect individuals for life. Jesse Beck has been involved in the coaching of CYFL football teams and deals with players who have been affected by bullying. “I like the fact that somebody is recognizing and realizing that parents and teachers aren’t the only ones that can do this.” states Beck. “There aren’t enough teachers to police this with twenty something kids in a class. It’s hard so the community has to help with that as well…you see the effect that it [bullying] has on them [the victims] and the love for life that it takes out of them.” Kim Motley, VISD Counseling Coordinator, says of the organization, “They are here to support us and help bring awareness to the students and the staff about the effects of bullying and with that we can in turn identify bullying and handle the situations and respond more quickly…Anything that we can do to get community involvement is going to help our students.” Tammy Nobles, Director in the Ofﬁce of Student Services at VISD adds, “As a school district, we are extremely excited to have the continued support of our community with addressing the issue of bullying. Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting our kids. Plus, we want to reassure kids that they are not alone in addressing any problems that arise. VISD does not tolerate bullying and when a student

experiences or witnesses bullying behavior, he/she needs to report it because we want to be able to address the matter.” Leah Hernandez, B.A.M. board member states, “This is long overdue in our community. With this mission, a team of concerned parents have gotten together to try to do something to make a difference in all aspects as far as students, teachers, staff members and parents because something does have to be done to make a change…we want something positive…We want the children who are being bullied to know they have another outlet…we have to start somewhere.” B.A.M. is seeking donations to not only get Eric Martinez to speak in November to VISD students, but to have speakers continually come to the districts to speak throughout each year. “We are starting something. We’re taking a stand.” states Vickie Romero. “It’s not going to be solved in one visit. This is something we are going to work towards.” Since the upcoming assembly is closed to the public, students will be notiﬁed as to the time of the meeting. Currently, B.A.M. is working with VISD to get as many schools and age groups involved as possible. The hope of the organization would be to see other districts in the Crossroads get involved as well.

Mission is a start in bringing awareness but they need the help of the community. Donations are needed for this worthy cause. For business and community leaders, sponsorship packages are available. Some of the ﬁrst business sponsors to step up to the plate include Roland Rodriguez of RCR Homes LLC, Jesse Beck, Managing Partner at Victory Buick GMC and O-FISH-all Business of Victoria. In addition, B.A.M. t-shirts and yard signs designed by All Things Crossroads Creative Director Ray Bluntzer are available for purchase at Rapid Printing located at 1708 N. Navarro #300 in Victoria. Also a “meet and greet” with Eric Martinez is scheduled for Nov.8 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Victoria and will be open to the general public. The time for this meeting will be announced on Facebook at a later date. For more information call (361) 935-8366 or (361) 8943475. More information can also be found on the organization’s Facebook page at “Bec’s AntiBullying Mission”.The B.A.M. Board: Vickie Romero, Josie Maldonado, Leah Hernandez, Frank Hernandez, Gayle Sue Adams, Morris Roberts.

The issue of bullying is very large and wide-spread but for the Crossroads area Bec’s Anti-Bullying

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A.T.C SPOTLIGHT Ruben Leon

of Mexican cuisine. They believe that the community customers are their friends and neighbors. Leon and his family have lived in Victoria and raised their family here and are proud to call Victoria home. Leon has always wanted to own a restaurant and there is a sense of great accomplishment to carry on this family tradition and have a dream become a reality. He has watched the business thrive for the passed twelve years. Thanks to the support of their loyal customers and friends, their business has grown.

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RUBEN LEON IS THE OWNER OF LAS PALMAS MEXICAN CAFE AND HAS BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER FOR TWELVE YEARS. Las Palmas Mexican Cafe is a

Leon always endeavors to keep moving with the times, new concepts and ideas to keep moving the business in the right direction. He believes in being an active owner and part of the decision making process.

casual dining Mexican restaurant with a full service bar. They pride themselves in the fact that they use the freshest ingredients and their recipes have been handed down for generations. With dishes such as the Texas Chicken and the Molcajete, they off a variety

Currently the business is working on a small remodel and freshening of the establishment to ensure their guests have an exceptional dining experience. New menus are also in the works with

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some exciting new dishes such as the Texas ﬁsh and hand breaded chicken friend steak. “ We are pushing ourselves to deliver the best in food and service.” states Leon. In addition, Las Palmas Mexican Cafe offers a full line catering program for events big or small. For relaxation, Leon loves to spend time with his family. For more information on Las Palmas Mexican Cafe, check out their website at www. laspalmasmexbarandgrill.com or on Facebook at “Las Palms.923”.

GAME October’s Picture Puzzle

WIN LUNCH for 2! from DON JOSE MEXICAN RESTAURANT Can you ﬁnd all 6 differences?

Photo By Carolyn Mann Morehead. Just complete the picture puzzle for your chance to win, use your smartphone to text it with your info to staff@allthingscrossroads.com or cut it out and return to: Prize All Things Crossroads, 8806 N. Navarro Ste. 600-272, Victoria, TX 77904. aqYou Can Also Drop Off At UPS STORE 8806 N. Navarro Suite 600, Victoria. Remember to provide your name, address and telephone number. Closing Date: LAST DAY OF THIS MONTH. ONLY ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD ACCEPTED.

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If you have had the chance to attend a service at one of the two Parkway Church locations in Victoria or the one in Port Lavaca, you may have had the opportunity to hear the angelic singing of Sierra Robles Townley. Sierra is a native of Victoria and

attended Faith Academy and graduated from Victoria West in 2014. During her time at Faith Academy, a friend got her interested in the song “Jesus Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood and Sierra was singing this song constantly. During her 6th grade year, a contest at the Victoria Mall called American Junior Idol opened an opportunity for

has her sights set to participate on the American television reality singing competition The Voice broadcast on NBC.

What does Sierra like to sing?

“Anything Kari Jobe.” states Sierra. In fact, her favorite Kari Jobe song is “I Am Not Alone.” “Anything Karie Jobe, I love her voice…so sweet; just anything by her.” In addition, Sierra’s favorite song by another artist is “Oceans (Where My Feet Fail)” by Hillsong United.

Currently Sierra works with

Sierra and her mom signed her up to compete. Audience votes led to a tie for Sierra and another contestant and the judges chose Sierra to be the winner for her rendition of “Jesus Take the Wheel”. From this day on at a very young age, Sierra discovered the courage within herself to sing before an audience. As time went on, Sierra received a scholarship from Page Parks Center of Modeling and Acting in Houston. These classes continued to build her conﬁdence in front of crowds. Later, Sierra was signed up for Theatre Victoria’s Triple Threat Theatre Summer Camp (T3) at the Leo J. Welder Center of Performing Arts. Participating in this summer program for three years boosted her conﬁdence level even more. Now at the age of twenty, Sierra is in the work force as well as celebrating one year of marriage this month to her husband Sal Townley, but her desire to sing has taken on a whole new level. Sierra

children at Tiny Sprouts Academy and can easily anticipate some kind of future working with children and sings on the weekends at Parkway Church. “I love that so much.” states Sierra concerning singing at Parkway Church. “That really especially helps me to be in front of crowds. I can actually say I’m not nervous anymore to sing in front of crowds.” Sierra, along with the other singers from Parkway Church take turns singing at the different locations each week and also they take turns as to who will sing solo. Sierra has also learned how to sing harmony as well. “Everyone there is so helpful and we are all there for each other.” states Sierra. “If I don’t know certain harmony, they will teach it to me and I’ll catch on to it very quickly. So sometimes when I don’t sing solos, I kind of do enjoy it because then I’m getting to learn those harmonies that I didn’t know before.”

All this singing in church has

enhanced her relationship with God in a very positive way. “It’s so awesome to be able to get to share my voice with the crowd, but to also sing for the Lord…and the gift that He gave me. It is so awesome, especially for the people. We’re all here for each other. I love my church. It’s so awesome!… It’s made me into a way better person. I’m so thankful for that.” Sierra’s life and presence on stage singing before the Lord deﬁnitely has an inﬂuence on those who hear her. “I never thought that I would do it. My granny constantly kept pushing me to audition. It’s so easy to audition…it has changed my life. If you want to sing and you truly want to do it, don’t stop, just go and call and audition for it…you learn so much from it and it is dedication. I wake up at 4:30 in the morning, get there at 6:30 for practice, we sing at a 9:30 service and then we sing at an 11 o’clock service. It is dedication. If you really, really want it, you will work for it.”

In addition to her singing, Sierra has

written a few songs and is currently working on more. Her singing and song writing ability have helped some people through some very difﬁcult times in life. One family experienced the loss of their newborn son and Sierra sang a song that she had written especially for this family called “Angel Wings (Colt’s Song)”. This was the ﬁrst song she ever wrote. Videos of Sierra can be seen on her Facebook page at “Sierra Townley” or @sierratownley20. Also on her Youtube channel Sierra can be viewed at “Sierra Robles”.

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THE GARY MOSES CALEDAR OF EVENTS October/ November

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Indigo ndigo Prep: Making the children of rich people into bright minds with brighter futures since 1932. Of course, that wasn’t the actual slogan for Manhattan’s most prestigious prep school. But Daisuke found it funnier than the actual slogan, something congested with words about honor and valor and education, blah blah blah. He sat on a stone bench in the school’s courtyard, complete with honorary ﬂag pole, tall trees shedding summer ﬂowers, a fountain of a half-naked woman holding a vase, and pairs of students sitting on the grass or on the lip of the fountain, studying or kissing or giggling. He sighed, resting a hand against his temple. He’d read the same sentence fourteen times, but it still hadn’t sunk in. Something about the Revolutionary War. History was normally his favorite subject, but he had a nagging headache and his girlfriend had just broken up with him and Nick was absent today, for some reason, so he was just annoyed and tired and ready to call it a day. When the bell rang, ending free study and summoning the students back inside, Dai collected his things and stalked toward the parking lot, away from the suffocating building. He drove home with his windows down, the radio off, and no sounds aside from the whoosh of air and the low hum of his tires against the road. When he pulled into the driveway, he sat with the car off, windows still down, for a long moment, eyes closed, head resting against the steering wheel. He stayed there until someone tapped on the top of his car, and he turned his head lazily toward the window.

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His mom was there, looking worried. “Daisuke? Why are you home so early?” She glanced nervously back at the house, then returned her attention to him. “Did something happen?” He knew something was wrong. His mom was acting weird. But the pounding in his head wouldn’t cease, demanding all of his focus. “No. Just didn’t feel well.” Grabbing his bag from the passenger seat, he pulled the door handle, pushing the door open slowly as his mom backed away from the car. When he was out, she stepped closer and put a hand against his forehead. He wanted to wince; the pressure hurt his head. But her hand was cool, and somehow, it also helped. “You’re not hot. No fever. What’s wrong?” “Just a headache.” More like a migraine. But he didn’t want her to worry. “I’m sure I just need some sleep. I was up late studying for that calculus exam.” Calculus. As a junior. It was his least favorite subject, and there was likely some truth to the fact that the test had caused his current ailment. “Okay, dear,” she said, looping an arm through his as they walked toward the house. He could feel her heartbeat in the crook of her elbow, too fast, pounding like a hummingbird. She kept looking up at him, her sixteen year old son who was already far taller than she, and biting her lip. He sighed. “Mom, what’s wrong?” She shook her head. “Your father wants to speak with you. Don’t worry,” she

added hastily, seeing his widening eyes. “It’s not… I mean, it’s… Oh, you’ll see.” She patted his arm, opening the front door with her other hand. “Things are going to be okay, Daisuke. Okay? Everything is going to be fine.” She didn’t sound as convinced as she probably intended to. He found his father in his study, face buried in his hands. A piece of paper rested on top of a manilla envelope in front of him, the only things on his desk aside from his closed laptop and a halfempty metal cup of pens. Christopher Elisswood looked up as Daisuke entered the room. He took a deep breath, motioning to the set of chairs across from him. Dai sat, setting his bag on the floor beside him, and waited for his father to speak. Christopher opened his mouth, closed it. Ran his hand through his hair, opened his mouth again. “Dad,” Daisuke said, sighing. “Whatever it is, please, just say it.” He wanted to go upstairs. He wanted to go to bed. He wanted to take a cold shower and let the frigid spray soothe his head. He wanted anything other than to sit here, watching his father fidget. “Daisuke. I’m so sorry.” Okay. Not what he’d been expecting. “It’s…okay?” He said, the words more a question than a reassurance. “No, it’s not. We’ve done something terrible. Something foolish.” Dai looked up as his mom entered the

room, standing close to the door, arms wrapped around her own body. There were fresh tears on her cheeks. He returned his attention to his father. “What’s going on?” “We’ve lost everything, Daisuke. The house. The cars. The savings. A foolish investment. Should have seen it coming. No paperwork.” His father trailed off into incoherent rambles, and Dai turned to his mom. “What’s he talking about?” “Your father… we… made a hasty investment. It seemed too good to be true, and I guess it was. But it went sour. We started asking questions, and…well, dear, there’s no easy way to say it. We’re leaving.” “Leaving?” None of this made sense. A bad investment? Someone had taken everything from them? Could someone even do that? Was it legal? “Where?” “Far away.” His father handed him the envelope. Two tickets to Taiwan. Two. Only two. “What about me?” “We have enough money to buy you a ticket,” his mom said. “Just enough. You can come with us.” Just enough money to buy him a ticket to Taiwan. And then what? No money for food, or shelter. No way to live. “No,” he said, grabbing his bag and standing. “No. I’m staying.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” his father said, but there was no strength in his words. “Where will you go?” his mom asked. Dai sighed. “The only place I can. The Slums.”“

Jami Montgomery is a selfpublished author from Victoria, Texas. She enjoys reading, writing, eating sweets, playing with her furbabies and hanging out with friends. She also does freelance editing in her free time. https://www.amazon. com/Slum-Heirs-JamiMontgomery-ebook/dp/ B01IO1PBKK/

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GAME Crossroads Crossroads Puzzle

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1 2 3 4

3 5

6 6

7 8

Down AUSSIE TEA SAY GRACE GOURMET CHICKEN WAFFLES CYFL COACH (2 Words) NOT ALWAYS COMPLICATED U.S. PRESIDENT ELECTION MONTH DAI IS GOING TO ARVADS FIRST DAY OF VACATION WAS

Across LAS PALMAS SPECIAL DISH 4 SIERRA LIKES TO SING SONGS FROM (2 Words) 9 B.A.M. UPCOMING SPEAKER (2 Words) 10 AUTUMN HAIR COLORS GO 2

Just complete the crossroad puzzle for your chance to win a $10 gift card from Starbucks, cut ut it out and return to: Prize All Things Th Crossroads, 8806 N. Navarro Ste. 600-272, Victoria, TX 77904. You Can Also Drop Off At UPS PS STORE 8806 N. Navarro Suite 600, 6 Victoria. Remember to provide your name, address and telephone number. Closing Date: LAST AST DAY OF THIS MONTH. ONLY O ONE ENTRY PER HOUSEHOLD ACCEPTED.

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A CHILDREN’S SHORT STORY BY

CHRISTINE TOVAR

KAPOW!’ SOUNDED THE LIGHTNING STRIKE OUTSIDE AS ARVAD LOOKED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF THE HOTEL ROOM. It was a rainy and gloomy day. But the worst part of it is that it was supposed to be a fun mini weekend vacation that Arvad and his parents were supposed to be enjoying. Instead, the weather had kept them indoors all morning and Arvad was worried that it would rain for the rest of the day. It seemed to Arvad that his parents weren’t bothered much by the weather outside. That made Arvad sulk even more as he let out a loud sigh. “That’s about the ﬁfth sigh I’ve heard, son,” his father said as he peered over the newspaper that he had been reading. His mother looked at both of them and wrinkled her eyebrows. She had been relaxing on the bed with the remote in her hand, watching the television with the volume turned all the way down. Arvad didn’t understand how anyone could watch TV without any audio sound, but his mother often did this at home, so it wasn’t anything new to Arvad.

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“I can’t help it,” Arvad responded to his father, “it’s boring in here! We’re supposed to be out having a fun time on our weekend getaway, but this weather is messing everything up!” Mr. Ant put his paper down and looked at Arvad, saying, “I know it’s not the weather we expected, son, but we’ve got to make the best of it. Until it clears up, why don’t you do something else? Did you bring any board games with you?” Arvad wasn’t interested in playing board games. After all, he could do that at home anytime. He wanted to play in the hotel pool, or go sightseeing, or visit the museum,… anything, just to get out of the cramped hotel room! He answered his father, “Yes sir, I brought a few board games with me.” His father folded his newspaper and put it down on the nightstand and leaned forward. “Great! Let’s see what games you have! We can play some games until the weather clears out!” Arvad was still not in the mood but he pulled a couple of board games out of his suitcase and a deck of playing cards. Mrs. Ant turned the television off and said, “I’m in!” After deciding what game they would

play first, all of them sat on the carpeted floor with the game centered between the three of them. They rolled the dice to determine who would go first and soon they were playing and laughing. Arvad didn’t like to lose at anything; which is why he was always very competitive when it came to board games. One by one, they took turns rolling the dice and moving their game piece on the board, laughing and screaming the whole time. Arvad’s parents were enjoying themselves so much. They had forgotten what it was like to be a kid and to act silly just for the fun of it. Arvad and his parents continued to play for a couple of hours until Arvad noticed that the sun had begun to peek into the room through the heavy drapes which were slightly drawn. He stood up quickly and drew the curtains aside, washing the room with the bright rays of the sun. “The rain stopped and the sun is out!” he screamed enthusiastically. His parents looked at him, knowing that their game was probably now over because Arvad was too focused on going outdoors. They smiled at him and began to fold up the game board and put away the playing pieces. Arvad

ran into the bathroom to put his bathing shorts on. He emerged right away with a smile from cheek to cheek. Mr. and Mrs. Ant had already put the game away and were now packing towels, sunscreen, and other poolside items into a tote bag. As soon as they had put everything together, they walked outdoors into the now-sunny day. Arvad led the way and couldn’t wait to jump into the hotel’s pool. His mother reminded him to slow down and wait until she rubbed some sunscreen on him before he jumped in the pool. Arvad did as she directed. No sooner was he in the pool, splashing and laughing with the other kids in the pool. Arvad could tell that the other kids were probably just as excited as he was that the rain had ﬁnally stopped! Mr. and Mrs. Ant laid in the lawn chairs, basking in the warm sunlight, and watching Arvad play with his new friends. The weekend had not been a total wash out but it had gone by very fast. Arvad entered his classroom on Monday morning and sat at his desk. After reading the roll call, his teacher asked them if they had a good weekend. Most of the students nodded their heads

indicating that they had. She asked if any of them wanted to share what they had done and several raised their hands, including Arvad. She called on Mary the Millipede ﬁrst, who shared her story of going to the mall over the weekend. Then she called on John the June bug, who stated that he had gone to stay at his grandparent’s house. Finally, she called upon Arvad to share his weekend activities. Arvad stood up and told everyone about his mini weekend get-away with his parents. He explained how they had stayed at a hotel and how it had rained on their ﬁrst morning there. His teacher asked Arvad, “can you share with us what is the best thing that happened over the weekend?” Arvad thought about the moments he had spent jumping in the pool, splashing water, laughing with the new kids he had met,…then he answered, “the best thing about my weekend was when my parents and I played board games in our hotel room because it was raining and thundering outside.” Some of the kids began to giggle because they didn’t understand what was so special or fun about that, but

his teacher understood very well. She smiled at Arvad and said, “sometimes we take people for granted but when we stop to enjoy being with them, we can see how important and valuable they are to us. Isn’t that right, Arvad?” she asked him. Arvad smiled and nodded in agreement. He hadn’t realized before, how wonderful his parents were and how much fun they could have together. He also learned to be content in all things, even when the weather was not cooperative with his plans. Arvad and his parents continued to have game nights once a week at home. Christine Tovar is a resident of Victoria, Texas. She attends Abundant Life Church and works as a Case Supervisor for Golden Crescent CASA, an organization that advocates for abused and neglected children. Christine is married to her best friend of 34 years and they enjoy spending time together, especially ﬁshing and listening to Christian music.

A.T.C.’S FOOD TRUCKS ON THE MOVE

Say Grace Gourmet Chicken & Waffles STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAROLYN MANN MOREHEAD A recent trip out to the Picker’s Patch this month found us catching up with Celeste McKissic, owner/operator of the Say Grace Gourmet Chicken and Waffles food truck. She graciously allowed us to sample a few of her dishes and the bottom line is that McKissic has a special touch when it comes to chicken and waffles. The two menu items that we sampled were the Texan Tuff and the Mean Green. The Texas Tuff has tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection with a golden crust. The waffles are filled with bacon, jalapeños, cheddar cheese and cilantro. Sweet maple syrup makes this dish complete. The Mean Green includes the same tasty chicken breast but these waffles have a cream cheese base with spinach and a hint of garlic. Both dishes made for a delectable treat for anyone interested in “stepping outside of the box” and trying something different. Say Grace takes pride in preparing a special blend of herbs and spices to hand dip and bread the chicken. She only uses the freshest products available; never pre-made, refrigerated or frozen. When her customers receive their order it has been prepared especially for them with a reasonable wait time. McKissic is retired from the Criminal Justice System where she cooked for many years. Say Grace Gourmet Chicken and Waffles is her hobby and she is enjoying what she does. “I have always had a passion for cooking.” states McKissic. “I have always wanted to do things differently than the “norm”. I created these menu items with friends who were anticipating me sharing what I love. Owning my own business is a gift of love. Just giving back in the way of offering my talents. Some people work in food service, food service works in me!” Her greatest influence was her father who taught her a strong work ethic and strong morals. “My father always said, ‘If you do something you love, striving to be the best you can be, success is the only outcome.’” recalls McKissic. “One of the most important things I have learned this past year is to be consistent in all I do. Hold high standards and never compromise your standards.” When McKissic is not cooking in the food truck she enjoys spending time at home. She is a foster parent of an infant and a toddler. “I also enjoy hanging out with friends, fishing and taking care of my puppy.” states McKissic. “I love music and have been known to do some spontaneous dancing while cooking, cleaning or mowing the grass.” Say Grace Gourmet Chicken and Waffles can be found the first Saturday of every month at the Picker’s Patch on Salem Road. In addition, Say Grace is available for catering. McKissic also plans on becoming a regular on Thursdays at a new location on Hwy 87 near Victoria and also a new food truck park in Cuero in the future. For more information on her food truck, menu and locations, check out her Facebook page at “Say Grace Gourmet Chicken & Waffles” @saygracefoodtruck or give her a call at (361) 652-3792.

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KEEP healthy

Halloween Safety BY: ANTONIO BRAGA, M.D.

WITH LITTLE SUPERHEROES, GOBLINS AND GHOSTS PREPARING FOR HALLOWEEN, PARENTS SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF SEVERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO ENSURE A TREATFILLED HOLIDAY. Selecting or making a safe Halloween costume is an important part of the holiday’s preparation. On Halloween, accidental falls from tripping on costume hems, steps, curbs or unseen objects is the number one cause of injuries on the holiday. Costumes should be short enough that a child won’t trip and fall and shouldn’t interfere with a child’s ability to walk normally. Children should also wear well-ﬁtting, sturdy shoes.

Parents should carefully inspect their child’s costume to make sure it is flame resistant. A flame resistant label does not mean that a fabric will not burn at all, but it does indicate that a costume should resist burning and extinguish quickly. Costumes made with flimsy fabrics, or that have billowing skirts or baggy sleeves should be avoided, as they are more likely to come into contact with open flames. Hats and scarves should be tied carefully to prevent them from slipping over children’s eyes and obscuring vision. In addition, parents should take care to make sure that all masks fit securely and have eyeholes large enough to enable full vision. Makeup and face paints should also be treated with care. To minimize the risk of rashes and other allergic reactions, inspect and test all creams and face paints before applying. Paint or cream can be tested by applying it to a small patch on the child’s arm or leg a day or two before the big event. On Halloween, children should be carefully escorted and watched to avoid being hit by a car. Each year, four times as many children are killed in pedestrian/ automobile accidents on Halloween than on any other night during the year. Several factors can cause a child to be put in a car’s path including his or her:

• Short stature; • Inability to react quickly; • Lack of impulse control; • Distraction because of other children and costumes; and • Urge to get candy. A child’s Halloween route should stay clear of dangerous roads without a safe place to walk. When crossing the street, children should be instructed to look both ways to check for cars, trucks and bikes. In addition, purchase or make costumes that are bright and clearly visible to motorists. For better visibility during the evening, decorate costumes, accessories and goody bags with reﬂective tape. Children should also carry ﬂashlights so they can see easily and be seen by motorists. After a night of trick or treating, parents should inspect all treats for tampering. Treats like fruit and candy can often come from strangers with harmful intentions, even in one’s neighborhood. Candy should not be eaten if the package has been opened. Small, hard candy is a choking hazard for young children. By taking some careful steps, parents can help to ensure that Halloween will not only be fun and exciting, but that it will also be safe and injury free.

Sources: Red Cross: www.redcross.org US Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov Web MD: www.WebMd.com

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