Georgetown View Magazine • April 2020

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APRIL 2020

MEET EMERSON ...baking the world a better place

A TASTE OF GEORGETOWN’S FUTURE

FACES OF 2040

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contents FEATURES 8 FACES OF 2040 Meet Georgetown’s Future “Rock Stars”

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Getting started on this week’s Treats

22 SPIRITED KIDS “Super” Kooper Hernandez 28 THE THINGS THAT MAKE TEXAS “TEXAS” Official Texas...

FAVORITES 16 PEOPLE We Are Not Broken Showcases Beautiful Women 35 SIX PACK Stories of Hope & Inspiration 42 SAVE THE PLANET Monarch Gardening

THE MOST TEXAS-Y THINGS ABOUT TEXAS It’s easy to remember the Bluebonnets and Longhorns. We looked up some of the more obscure “Official State...” emblems that talk of history, legacy, and even the pride of Georgetown.

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Georgetown’s “Face of 2040” • 6th Grade Emerson We are looking forward to the very first “Popp-toberfest” ... Oct 23-25

45 ASK AN EXPERT Keeping Kids Safe on the Internet 53 POPPY TALKS Make America Mayberry Again 55 PARTING SHOT Keeping Georgetown Beautiful

SUPER KOOPER

He is going to need a new room just to hold all the medals. Or maybe the football helmet, or the racing cycle, or the golf clubs. There’s no telling what this very unique young man will achieve.

Photo courtesy of Mindee Hernandez

Look for great previews and features in the months ahead for the city’s biggest (rescheduled) party!

Visit our Facebook page for follow-ups to these stories, outtakes & hints to those upcoming...

GeorgetownViewMagazine

Faces of 2040: Cover and photo above of Emerson by Rudy Ximenez A P R I L 2 0 2 0  G E O R G E TO W N V I EW

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georgetown view Published by Optimus Media Group, LLC

ANN MARIE KENNON EDITOR’S NOTE April greetings...

PUBLISHER

Cathy Payne

cathy@georgetownview.com Like many of the best in her craft, Cathy has a specialized degree—in her case, hard science—and a gift for writing.

She found her voice and fulfilment reporting and writing news and magazine features for a regional Central Texas audience. Along with serving as the publisher of the Georgetown View, Cathy oversees multiple news magazines, marketing campaigns, and books.

EDITOR Ann Marie Ludlow Kennon AnnMarie@georgetownview.com

While not a native of Texas, Ann Marie is at home here.

With a quarter-century of writing, reporting and marketing behind her, she not only writes about Georgetown, she dove into community service almost as soon as she moved here. Currently, she is on the board of the Williamson County Child Advocacy Center and Carver Elementary PTA, and a member of several support organizations.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Greta Bauer • Savanna Polasek • Charlotte Kovalchuk GRAPHICS & DESIGN Ann Marie Kennon • Zion Pistole • Elysia Davis CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS David Valdez • Rudy Ximenez • Reagan Zaragoza PRODUCTION MANAGER Donna Sypion PRE-PRESS Renee Blue

CONSULTANT Ben Daniel

DISTRIBUTION Tom Higgs

IT/WEBMASTER Jesse Payne

ADVERTISING Mark Elliott 512-240-2267 • 512-598-3500 ads@georgetownview.com

Georgetown View is an Optimus Media Group, LLC publication.

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Georgetown View is published monthly and individually mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in the Georgetown zip codes. Mail may be sent to View Magazine, P.O. Box 203, Jarrell, TX 76537.

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Despite current events, April has always felt like the ‘friendliest’ month to me. Maybe it’s the delicate buds on trees and multi-colored flowers that emerge. Easter, of course, is the highest of happy days for many people. Or possibly because there’s next to no chance I will be freezing through most of the month.

In any case, our stories this month really are some of the friendliest I can recall working on, collectively. First, I want to congratulate all the wonderful young people, and their families, who appear in our Faces of 2040 feature. It was a welcome break from the national news scene to spend time with the kind of people who allow me to believe everything is gonna be alright. So much kindness, giving spirit, and smarts in our city. I hope you’ll agree when you read about the eight youngsters we included.

There is also young Kooper Hernandez, who is inspiring people in a big way with his resilience, courage, and eagerness to do everything little boys are supposed to do...with one leg. You will quickly see why there’s a “Super” in front of his name. His entire family was a delight to visit and I can’t wait to see what Kooper will be up to in 2040.

Meanwhile, back at the office... you may notice the magazine is a little lighter this month. Like many businesses, we had to make adjustments to the plan as we went. But, we will still bring you the features and previews we planned for the Georgetown events that were rescheduled — in their respective new months.

Also this month, Cathy and I were invited to speak to some U.S. National Guard soldiers who will be deploying soon. The group will be in charge of various types of communications at their next OCONUS post, and they wanted some guidance from some civilians who have a little experience at publishing.

It was a pleasure to talk to them, hear about their plans, and how things work in the Armed Forces as well. We wish them luck, safety, and brilliance in their duties.

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kids’ view

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com Photos on pages 8-12 are courtesy of and submitted by the students’ families.

WE FOUND OUR

“Faces of Georgetown 2040” A

pril is the “Month of the Young Child”, and to celebrate the amazing young spirits we know to be living in Georgetown, we searched for Georgetown kids we believe are most likely to make the cover of our magazine in 2040. And boy, did we! First, our thanks to the families and mentors of the young people who submitted their profiles and photos. As well, we are grateful to our judges; Mickie Ross, Eric Lashley, and Judge Donna King, who unanimously agreed that making these choices was an extremely tough job.

THANK YOU, GEORGETOWN...

We were introduced to children who represent some of the things we love and appreciate about Georgetown and its residents, passion, character, and confidence. The children featured here embody tremendous enthusiasm for living in Georgetown and being people who care about and are engaged in our community.

On top of all that, they get good grades, are involved in multiple activities, and even started their own charities.

Meet some future leaders, philanthropists, and members of the creative class.

OUR TOP STUDENT IS BAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE EMERSON is a 6th grader at Forbes Middle School and the founder of Tuesday Treats. Tara, Emerson’s mom, says, “She is passionate about the powerful impact of kindness in changing the world for the better and inspires all those around her to make a difference.

Everything Emerson does, she does to the best of her ability, and she is a model of responsibility, creativity, and determination.”

Each month, Emerson chooses a charity or cause and bakes mini bundt cakes to raise money; and it’s often a family affair. Dad puts boxes together, and her younger sister helps pull things together for the baking, which takes anywhere from four to eight hours on Sundays, depending on demand. Mom says it’s a fun family experience made possible by Emerson’s passion.

Emerson posts cake videos on Tuesdays and takes orders on Thursdays via social media.

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kids’ view EMERSON SAYS... IT’S NOT HOW BIG OR SMALL THE ACT, YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT WITH LOVE AND KINDNESS. She has raised nearly $12,000 for the animal shelter, Caring Place, Forbes library, and more.

EARLY ELEMENTARY

She has particular heart for helping families faced with cancer. “It’s a very hard thing to go through, but when someone helps you, it lessens the weight.”

Her most recent triumph was also her most successful. She raised $2,300 in five weeks to help a family whose 16-month old daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

Emerson was very humble about being our cover model and says, “It feels good to do nice things, but when people notice, it’s nice to know you’re making a difference.”

She says she has about 50 flavors and cakes are different every week; sometimes based on recommendations from family and friends. “I get inspired by things that come up. Someone recently donated Girl Scout cookies, so I based a recipe on those. This week it’s Strawberry-Lemonade based on the Sonic drink.” She reluctantly admits she likes chocolate-peanut-butter, but only because I asked her to pick just one.

In addition to her charity work, she placed first in GISD’s UIL Ready Writing competition and 2nd in Music Memory. She is an accomplished musician on several instruments, and is a straight-A student.

Not surprisingly, Emerson wants to study Journalism and become a non-profit fundraiser; perhaps running her own bakery, with a little bit of a bookstore.

You can follow her online on Instagram at her handle @tuesdaytreatswithemerson. If you’re craving some of those Tuesday Treats, you can find her with the hashtag #haveasliceanddosomethingnice.

And, if you would like to help Emerson help others, Tara says they use their own money for all the supplies, and try to put 100 percent of their revenue into the charity. “It would be lovely to have donations (on Instagram) to pay for the boxes for deliveries. We had a friend in Maryland pay for 30 cakes and asked us to give them away, asking the recipients to tag her on social media. It was great to see Emerson’s work bring out the giving spirit in others.”

DAMIEN is 7 years old, attends Harmony School of Innovations, and never meets a stranger. His bubbly personality is contagious, and he remembers everyone he meets. His mom, Simone, has always told him his destiny is to help others, and he works very hard to live up to that.

His whole family enjoys donating to The Caring Place, and feeding people on the streets. They volunteer and help any way, or in any place they find a need.

For his most recent project, Damien held his own yard sale to raise money for one of his personal causes. “But, being the kind of kid he is,” Simone says, “He met a little boy he liked and ended up giving him all the clothing and toys for free.”

Simone says he loves Georgetown because he has been here all his life and it is a small and quiet town.

He is a very active child; participating in art, sports, dance, theater, choir, and guitar lessons. However, he is sometimes frustrated that everything he does is outside of the City of Georgetown and he truly enjoys being at home, when he can. Damien’s goal, he says, “I would like to bring more things to Georgetown for kids to do. It is too far to drive to Austin; and it uses up all of your gas and time.”

Like many boys, he enjoys ninjas, cars, and dogs, and has is a popular regular at the Georgetown Library. Simone says, “I can definitely see Damian as a future Georgetown politician; especially with his outgoing personality and finesse.”

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kids’ view UPPER ELEMENTARY

MORGAN AND TAYLOR Twins Morgan and Taylor are 7 years old.

Before they were walking, they enjoyed the outdoor trail systems with their parents, then progressed to biking and running.

They are now up to 8 miles, from the dam to the Rec Center. They participate in many of our city events, and Taylor even won in her age group at the 2019 Chase the Chief. They also swim and hold records for the Georgetown Aquadillos.

OLIVIA is a 5th grader at Village Elementary, she is active in student council, honor choir, UIL, and is on the A honor roll. Her mom, Heather, says it has always been important for Olivia to give back to her community. An avid reader, she maintains a 7th grade reading level and shares her love of reading by frequently reading to Kindergarten students.

Outside school, she stays busy playing soccer and basketball. She also turned her baking hobby into a 1st Place win in the Taste of Poppy contest with her homemade Flour and Ice ice cream sandwiches. She converted her win into a business over the summer, which raised money for the Williamson County Animal Shelter.

She is also a winner of the Georgetown Fire Department Anti Bullying Campaign. She participates in many community-based activities at First Baptist Georgetown, like Merry Christmas with Love, and she used her own money to put together care packages for the homeless.

Heather adds, “I believe all these accomplishments and love of her fellow neighbors make me feel like Georgetown is in great hands!”

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Mom Jody says they hold lemonade stands to raise money for different groups and teams, and do so with much enthusiasm. “I was very proud of their Christmas piano recital for the Nursing home where their great-granny lives, as well as baking cookies and delivering them with their friends to the Sun City Firemen.”

ARIANA Ariana is in 7th grade and can think of no place she’d like to live but Texas, except maybe Mars. She likes Georgetown for its history and amenities, and says, “I love volunteering and have been a Junior Volunteer in my mosque for four years. I am also a 6th-year Girl Scout working to earn my Silver Award.”

Last October, she lost her grandmother to dementia, and has made it her mission to bring awareness about dementia via her Silver Award Service Project. “I hope to show people how to deal with it because of what I have learned by caring for my grandmother.”

She is on UIL Ready Writing, Oral Reading, Chess, Maps, Graphs and Charts, Mathematics, Number Sense, and Dictionary Skills teams, and earned seven medals. She is also a member of the MathCounts and Math Pentathlon clubs.

She loves playing for Lady Magic Basketball and is looking forward to a STEM enrichment program this summer at UT.

Ariana also regularly donates her hair to help children who suffer from hair loss, loves to travel and believes children should strive to be well-rounded. It comes as no surprise that her career goals include becoming an astronaut.

MCKENNA McKenna is a Kindergärtner at Carver Elementary.

Mom Jessica says, “If you spend five minutes with McKenna, you realize she’s not like most 5-year olds. She has the creativity and the compassion of someone well beyond her years. She’s thoughtful, witty, and she loves learning. Most importantly, she knows that kindness matters and girl power is the way of the future.”

McKenna loves being creative and is constantly working on art projects—designing and creating custom paper purses for her friends or performing a full house flip on her doll house. She also an incredible eye for design.

Recently, she customized her doll house with tiny gallery walls of hand-drawn photos, custom “bedding” for the beds, and even a paper video-camera doorbell.

Jessica says, “In our house, we’re also very passionate about helping others and giving back. From a young age, McKenna has shown incredible empathy and compassion for all living things.” McKenna never hesitates to donate clothes and toys to those who are less fortunate.

McKenna was named January kindergarten Colt of the Month because of her fierce passion for kindness and compassion and she aspires to be “a helper” when she grows up.

kids’ view LORELEI Lorelei is a 4th grader at Ford Elementary.

As the daughter of a Williamson County Sheriff’s Lieutenant, Lorelei understands more of Georgetown than just circumstance, but keeps a quick wit, sharp eye, belly laugh, and studious scowl. Mom Katie says she is always willing to help others and still be a help at home.

Lorelei is active in UIL Oral Reading, STEM Club, Kindness Club and Art Club, and A Honor Roll. She is active in American Heritage Girls, where her serving heart earned her the Presidential Medal of Service award. She also volunteers at Bluebonnet Equine Group and as a STEM tech at her school.

When others might give in, Lorelei steps up. She competes in photography, and her favorite service project this year was assisting as a docent for the Field of Honor.

But, it is her love of chickens that is truly unparalleled.

She is active in the poultry club in the Georgetown 4-H, and once nursed a chick back to life after a near death disease.

Though young, and with plenty of time for a change of heart, Lorelei currently plans to enter the Navy’s JAG program and be an advocate for justice.

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people

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

We Are Not Broken N I C H O L A COT TO I S A G E N U I N E O R I G I N A L A N D S H E WA N T S TO S E E YO U R S C A R S

T

he first thing you notice about Nick is the beautiful glow of a satisfied soul. As a naturalized citizen from England, she is on a mission to reach every woman or girl in the nation, and eventually the world, who feels less-than because of a physical—or invisible—scar. She says, “I don’t believe in the word ‘broken’ as it might apply to a person.

Women and girls should never be made to feel broken or different, and I want to show them they do not have to hide.”

Nick founded We Are Not Broken in 2019 in Georgetown. It is the first and only organization of its kind, and she has already certified January 17 as national and international We Are Not Broken Day.

A NEW NON-PROFIT

and bought her first camera.

Nick believes while there are many organizations that do research for cures or support recovery via myriad therapies, giving women the opportunity to voice their struggles and highlight their courage is her calling.

Having gone through some health challenges herself, when her husband retired from military service, she asked herself, “What do I want to do with the second half of my life?” After receiving a new camera as a gift, she spent a full year studying and opened a studio.

Her goal is to provide a professional photo shoot and video for women and girls who have surgical scars, injuries, stretch marks, memories of abuse, or anything that makes them feel bad about themselves. “There is no discrimination here about what your scars might be; just an openness in a community of people who have had trauma. Trauma comes in many forms, and there are women who may look lovely and put together, but who have a war going on inside them. We don’t know what they are going through, and, in my studio, there is no judgment; they are all totally beautiful and I am here to listen and serve.”

INSPIRATION With a colorful background that includes professional dance, world travel, fitness training, and strength conditioning, she says photography has been a parallel passion since she was nine years old 16

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Her new calling came when a friend visited and they decided to spend the day taking photos of “whatever.” Her friend had undergone a double mastectomy and had scars from front to back. “We decided to do something different and raw. She took her top off and she had a massive tattoo of a butterfly on her back that looked as though it had been meant to fall just on her scars. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.”

Nick was so struck by the image that she asked if she could post to her Facebook page. She invited people to contact her if they wanted similar photos of their scars or anything that made them insecure.

“It’s wasn’t about helping people with body shaming or vanity. I felt a Godly calling to be a little light of love.”

After posting the photos, she went back to her daily routine without much thought.

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The next day her inbox was completely filled with requests. “I heard a voice saying, ‘This is what I want you to do, and you should call it We Are Not Broken.’ I had no experience in non-profits, but I was up at 2am many nights doing research; then God kept the first of many promises; I got my credentials in a third of the normal time.”

Nick continued to ask God what he wanted her to do; she volunteered at Celebration Church and gave out free photo sessions while building on relationships and raising money to add a mobile photo studio to her toolkit.

One night I sat up and drew a picture of a trailer and posted a call on social media for anyone who would like to donate a trailer. “I wanted to take We Are Not Broken on the road to women who can’t come to me. Again, the answer was a 1969 camper that looked exactly like my drawing, and was even yellow and white, the colors in our logo.”

ONE YEAR LATER Nick photographed 80 women in her first year, and for each video, she keeps the camera rolling until the subject says, “I am beautiful, and this is me.” She held her first gala last summer and is planning the 2020 event for August.

Since God also told her to think bigger, she has already launched the program in England and is eagerly awaiting funding and opportunity to visit Mozambique with Celebration’s ministries, to photograph the women of Africa and tell their stories.

Emma was injured by a barbed-wire fence in 2018

THERE WILL BE NO SCARS IN HEAVEN EXCEPT THE ONES ON JESUS. ~NICHOLA COTTO

I want to speak, and help others to speak, about not covering up our physicality when it’s not our fault.

This is about breath, and being a daughter.

I want each woman and girl to know that they are enough, and they can turn their trauma into triumph by sharing their stories.

“Adele” is 63 years old.

She was abused as a child, and before We Are Not Broken, she had never told anyone what happened to her.

“I can still feel the gun metal against my head, but today I can say, ‘I forgive you.’” Adele went on, in her video, to forgive several people who hurt her in her life.

Support Nick’s mission by donating or volunteering at WeAreNotBroken.org.

YOU...ARE NOT BROKEN If you would like to tell your story, visit WeAreNotBroken. org to submit your information. Professional photo shoots are scheduled on Mondays and some Saturdays. Nick has a volunteer who will do provide hair and makeup; “It’s not glamour,” she says, “we just want to bring out your natural beauty.” Models never pay a penny and all of the photos are yours to keep and post as you choose.

Nick is also working on a coffee table book of scars and hopes to have it for release at their 2020 gala August 29. “I want young girls to come see me, so when they are bullied, they have the confidence given to them by a total stranger to say, ‘Oh no, I am a model and I’m beautiful. I’m even in a book.’”

Photos on this page courtesy of Nick Cotto.

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spirited kids

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com Photos courtesy of Mindee Hernandez

They Don’t Call Him Super Kooper for Nothing I F I CO U L D C H A N G E T H I N G S , I W O U L D LO V E F O R H I M TO H AV E N E V E R B E E N S I C K A N D LO S T H I S L E G , B U T W E H AV E B E E N T E S T E D A N D W E A R E M U C H B E T T E R P E O P L E H AV I N G G O N E T H R O U G H I T. W E A R E B E T T E R V E R S I O N S O F O U R S E LV E S ~ M I N D E E H E R N A N D E Z

HIS JOURNEY BEGAN When Kooper Hernandez was five years old, his femur snapped in half. Not from a fall or sliding into third, but simply turning around from a closed door.

Due to the mechanism of injury, his family thought he had dislocated his hip. When doctors discovered the fracture, it was much worse than previously thought, and the muscles had already begun working to reset the bone.

Doctors at Dell Children’s operated to put in multiple rods and pins, but, after 27 minutes, came out to tell his father—and pregnant mother—that he had osteosarcoma. The tumor had wrapped itself through so much of his bone, their only option was to amputate.

O S T E O S A R CO M A I S C A N C E R T H AT O C C U R S I N A B O N E , T Y P I C A L LY I N YO U N G E R C H I L D R E N O R T H O S E P OT E N T I A L LY G R O W I N G FA S T O R V E R Y TA L L .

Kooper’s dad, Jon, is 6’7”, but it was still very rare for Kooper to have developed tumors at the age of five. The doctors recommended 10 weeks of chemo, then amputation, then 37 more weeks of chemo.

His mother Mindee says, “I was in shock. Telling me my child has cancer when I’m pregnant and have a baby at home; how will I be a good mother and take care of all these babies?”

A few months later, Kooper fell out of bed and re-broke his leg, which precipitated an early amputation and an assessment of how much of the cancer had been killed by his chemo treatments.

THE REAL KOOPER So that’s the serious part. The real story starts with the Kooper who healed so well, kicked cancer, and went home two weeks early. According to Mindee, not once did he have a frown on his face.

One of his first outings was the coin toss at Jarrell High School’s Kick Cancer football game. Mean22

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while, Mindee and Jon had a perfect, healthy baby, and Kooper continued his journey of recovery with his second chemo and a new prosthetic leg. “He could have felt crummy, but he always had a smile on his face,” says Mindee. “When he saw a woman who had clearly just received a diagnosis, he did laps until he found her again, just to give her a hug.”

He finished his chemo in February 2016. Mindee says, “We wanted him to have the most normal childhood and do the things he wants to do. He played baseball before, but it wasn’t really his niche. Then, one day we were leaving the Scottish Rites from a growth adjustment to his leg, a woman came up and said, ‘You look like an athlete,’ and she let him try on her gold medal.”

That woman was Darlene Hunter, a Paralympian and the founder of the Lady Mavericks wheelchair basketball team. She connected the Hernandez family with the folks at the Hill Country Wheelers in Wimberly, TX. Kooper attended a clinic at Texas State University and... a star was born.

THE WHEELERS Now 10, Kooper practices with the Wheelers every Sunday. The league is for children with prosthetics and who are ambulatory. Kooper competes in the chair sports because his prosthetic cups his hip joint, which makes it challenging to run.

Jon says, “His first season was great, but his second was even better.

It was an amazing feeling to qualify for the Junior Nationals team.

Kooper competed individually and on teams in the shotput, discus, [nerf] javelin, the 100m, 200m, 400m, and was the second leg of the 800m men’s and mixed relay.” So far, he has medaled in every event; sporting three golds, 2 silver, and several bronze.

Mindee is pleased Kooper is not just learning the fundamentals of sports, but also sportsmanship, because all of the athletes have been through struggles. “I cry at every track meet because every kid is giving it their all. No one is a stranger, and no one is left behind; it’s truly a family. They all have a little piece of ‘Hey, I did this!’ and are all so happy even to come in last place.” Kooper says, “It’s nice to be in a group of people like me and we all understand each other.”

GIVING BACK As you might expect, Kooper gets As and Bs in school, is a member of Student Council, loves Legos and Minecraft, and has many friendships among the USA Amputee Soccer Team, collegiate baseball teams, and a lot of golfers who play in his tournament to support other families in need. “We have some wonderful role models,” Mindee says, “So we created Super Kooper, Inc. to be a non-profit organization to raise money and donations for Kooper and other children fighting childhood cancer.”

THIS MESSAGE FROM KOOPER’S TEACHER MADE MINDEE FEEL LIKE SHE WAS IN THE BEGINNING OF AN INSPIRATIONAL COMMERCIAL. “I KNOW THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING!”

Super Kooper, Inc. helps families in Central Texas going through cancer treatment. The funds help with anything from hospital bills to mortgage payments, and even to decorate hospital rooms for kids on an extended stay. Donations are accepted any time on their website (SuperKooper.org), or visit them on Facebook for upcoming events.

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Captured by the fiery, glass molding art, he set to work learning the rare technique and opened his own Salado studio in 2011.

A spectacular process of shaping heat-softened glass by blowing air into it through a tube, glassblowing is distinct from other art forms. Unlike a painter or sculptor, Gail can’t put his hands on the glass that reaches 2,000 degrees. He has to use heat and gravity to manipulate it into a breathtaking work of art.

“It’s magical watching hot molten glass being turned into a beautiful bowl or a vase or chandelier,” Gail explains. “Every time I sit at the bench, it’s a chance to make something new. I’m never going to make the same thing twice.”

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”?

part 4

OFFICIALLY

TEXAN

Ann Marie Kennon • AnnMarie@georgetownview.com

W

hile not an exhaustive list, here are a few of our favorite “Texas Official State...” emblems and activities.

And one we love especially because it is close to home.

LONE STAR FLAG The Lone Star Flag was originally designed by Texas Constitutional Convention delegate Dr. Charles Bellinger Stewart. It was adopted by the Congress of the Republic of Texas

in 1839 and is one of only two state flags (Hawaii being the other) to have been a national emblem at one time.

Austin artist Peter Krag was paid a fee of $10 (about $200 in current dollars) to make an architectural rendering of Stewart’s original freehand flag design.

By law, the exact shades of red, white, and blue are specified by Texas statute to be the same as those of the flag of the United States; they stand for courage (red), purity and liberty

(white), and loyalty (blue). The code says the single star “represents ALL of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, and Country.”

It is the only state flag, allowed by statute, to fly at a height equal to the American flag, and Texas is one of 17 states that have a state flag pledge of allegiance. When hung vertically, the white stripe should be on the left.

VEHICLE: CHUCKWAGON

SPORT: RODEO Spanish for “round-up”—the Texas rodeo actually has its roots in a Spanish culture that began in the 16th century, with the arrival of cattle. As the cattle industry flourished, Mexican vaqueros and their successors, the American cowboys, staged competitions to test their riding and roping skills. With the fencing of the open range in the late 1880s, the cattle industry got to be confining for the range cowboy. So, when towns and communities sprang up, social occasions, especially 4th of July, gave cowboys a chance to challenge the bronc riding and roping skills of cowboys from other ranches. Soon, local contests became annual events, and Wild West shows, like those of “Buffalo Bill” Cody, popularized the sport around the country, and even a handful as far as Europe. Rodeo became a formally organized sport in 1936 and, for a time, was one of the few sports in which men and women competed against each other. Many Texas cowboys and cowgirls remain dominant forces in the sport today.

DISH: CHILI CON CARNE Chili con carne (chili with meat) was a trail stew that cowboys made with dried beef and dried chilies. Today, chili con carne is usually made with fresh chuck roast or ground beef with a mix of chilies. Recipes are often family traditions and closely guarded secrets. The chili may be served with garnishes such as cilantro, green onions, or cheese, along with warm tortillas. Chili con carne was designated the state dish in 1977.

Today, chili cook-offs are a state pastime. Debates rage about the most authentic way to prepare Texas chili con carne, but one rule is absolute—no beans.

And speaking of chili...

The chuckwagon was proclaimed the official state vehicle in 2005 for its utility among cattle ranchers in the 19th century, carrying equipment, the ranchers themselves, and even food. Another salute to the legacy that ranchers and cattlemen bestowed upon Texas prosperity.

DESSERT: PECAN PIE This state emblem came to be in 2013, when a 1st grade class at Ford Elementary in Georgetown was doing research on Texas symbols. The students felt, since the TCTA.org state tree is Pecan, and the state nut is Pecan, the state dessert should be a Pecan Pie. Marsha Farney, who was a newly-elected State Representative, says, “They did their background research and presented their evidence to me and Senator Charles Schwertner. They wanted to pursue the idea and see if they could make legislation happen.” The two lawmakers jumped at the chance to help, and when the children, teachers, and parents testified to the committee, every member was given a pecan pie of their own for research.

“The best part,” Marsha adds, “The kids were able to see, and realize they could affect change, even as first-graders. It was an honor to show them what they could accomplish with hard work and legislators who are committed to being responsive to their constituency.”

“Of all the Lone Star State’s unique culinary dishes, perhaps none say ‘Texas’ more sweetly than pecan pie.”

—State House Concurrent Resolution 53 and state Senate Concurrent Resolution 12.

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six pack of faith

Stories of Hope & Inspiration

by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@georgetownview.com

Author Catherine Marshall says people ask why do we pray if God already knows everything; “God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking.” Philosophy professor Paul Rezkalla explains, “A mother can bake a cake on her own, but she delights in having her children get on the counter with her and read out the recipe as they hand her eggs, flour, and sugar. In the same way, God calls us to pray because He delights in enlisting us to help bring about His purposes for creation.”

The following stories are by people you may already know, or maybe they reflect something you’ve asked for in your life. Some names have been changed for privacy but, for this Passover/Easter/quarantine season, it seemed appropriate to share their stories for a little uplift in our readers’ day.

THE CACTUS ANSWER Nina was going through a very rough patch of marriage. For some time, their spousal relationship was strained due to work pressures, parental responsibilities, and even the unwelcome intrusion of others in their lives. She was desperate to have the closeness and love that had been a large part of their nearly20-year marriage but felt that time was running out.

At some point, it was really up to God. “One day I just got down on my knees and I prayed for God to bring the love back into our relationship; to make us remember how much we loved each other and could begin the healing process together.”

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six pack of faith She was happily stunned when not too many minutes later, her phone beeped.

On it was a photo of a cactus plant that was oddly shaped like a heart. The mesPhoto courtesy of “Nina” sage from her husband read that he was out on the road and, for some reason, he looked over on the side of the road and saw the plant, so neatly shaped like a heart, “it made me think of you and I just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you.” Nina and her husband are still married, and happier than ever.

THE ANSWER WAS “NO” Dorothy was desperate, for nine years, to get a better job. A single mom, with plenty of debt, and she went through phases, when things got frustrating, furiously applying for anything she hoped might have given her a chance to find balance and a little bit of security. She kept track of her applications to make sure she didn’t inadvertently apply to the same places again and again.

After about 200 rejections, she was ready to accept the fact that she apparently didn’t have the skills anyone needed. When she moved to Georgetown, she found some mentors, who helped her understand the nature of God’s plans, and she decided to put it into His hands.

Two years ago, her company was sold to another and the job she always wanted to have dropped in her lap; no applications or resumes needed. Today she is happy to share; “I know God wasn’t ignoring me, He just said ‘no’ 200 times because He knew that what I have to offer was going to be put to best use on His schedule, not mine.”

SOMETIMES, RIGHT AWAY Joey and Sarah had decided they were going to adopt but the costs challenged their plans. “We’d been planning and praying the Lord would ordain our steps and help us figure out where this money was going to come from.” They knew how much they would have to save monthly, and prayed the Lord would help figure it out.

The very next day, they received a check from an old life insurance policy that had never been closed out. “We’re not sure how the company found us, but the check was within $10 of the amount we had said we needed to save. God answered our prayers almost immediately.”

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RIGHT AWAY, 2 Andrew and his friend served Tuesday nights at Loaves and Fishes Austin from 5:00-6:15, and it was summer time, with people lined up all the way down the street at 5pm. “We always served bread and peanut butter and then the meal. My friend came and said we are OUT of bread and it was only 5:15. I looked at her and went over the stove and simply said, ‘Father God, we are already out of bread. You will have to make this stretch just as you did when you fed the 5,000.” He continued to serve those coming to eat. About five minutes later there was a knock at the back door, which no one ever uses.

The man outside said he had never been to Loaves & Fishes, but he had extra bread, and someone suggested to take it to Loaves and Fishes. Andrew praised God for not only hearing their prayer but answering so quickly.

FOR HEALING After nearly three years of suffering from terrible GERD, Dennis’ wife was near death. She had lost a significant amount of her body weight and doctors could find no medical solution. They had only succeeded at finding medication that helped some but worsened her condition. Finally, after exhausting all local options, he made an appointment for her to be seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. He explained the problem to the church as they set off, and they prayed corporately for her and in many small groups. The night before her first appointment; she awakened and said she was in absolutely no pain, for the first time in three years. She ate a little breakfast without pain. The doctors performed extensive tests and proved the disease that was destroying her life was healed. They had no explanation other than it was a miracle.

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS One day Nancy’s son was in the car as they were headed to the church building (it was Thursday), and he wanted a donut. She told him there are only usually donuts around on Fridays for ministry, and Sunday mornings. He was bummed and sat quietly the whole ride to the church. She prayed informally in her head, but didn’t have a lot of hope. When they arrived, he said again that he wanted a donut, and she offered to take him into the workroom just to see, knowing he’d just be upset all over again. There was literally one donut left in a box on the counter area. Out of surprise she told the lady at the front desk who responded, “Things like that make me know God delights in answering the prayers of little children.”

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save the planet

Greta Bauer • Greta@georgetownview.com

How to Build a Monarch Garden IT’S IMPORTANT BECAUSE...

In the mid 90s, more than 1 billion butterflies made an annual 2,000-mile migration from Canada to Mexico. In 2014, an estimated 60 million made the trip. A single migration takes three to four generations of butterflies, so no one monarch will make the whole trip. Along the way they meet with a challenging combination of herbicides, habitat loss, and extreme weather, making it impossible to maintain their numbers.

G E O R G E TO W N I S PA R T O F A M A J O R B U T T E R F LY H I G H WAY, S O W E A R E I N A G O O D P O S I T I O N TO H E L P. What monarchs need most is Milkweed. It is the only plant on which they will lay their eggs, and when the caterpillars hatch, it is their only source of food. Milkweed contains a toxin the caterpillars incorporate into their wings and exoskeletons, rendering them poisonous to predators as adult butterflies. This is why native milkweed planting and conservation is critical to ensuring their survival. But be sure to add other wildflowers the adult monarchs will use for nutrients too.

If pesticides must be used to take care of the pests in your wildflower garden, consider non-toxic varieties. The butterflies and other pollinators will thank you.

READY TO EAT Not all plants provide nectar (e.g., roses), so be sure to research or ask about specific species. But, generally, choose flowers with bright colors like pink, orange, yellow, and purple. Texas favorites include: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) Lantana urticoides (Texas lantana) Buddleja marrubiifolia (woolly butterflybush) Monarda didyma (scarlet beebalm) Rudbeckia hirta (blackeyed Susan)

GETTING STARTED First, many butterfly plants prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Compost is an excellent additive for increasing organic matter in your soil.

For plants with uncommon soil requirements, you can amend the soil in that area, or consider potting.

Some say a butterfly garden should receive full sun, but a variety of conditions is optimal. Some plants grow better in partial sun, and the butterflies may need refuge from the hottest days of summer. Think... mostly sunny with a side of shade.

Plant milkweed in groups of at least six. That number provides enough food for the number of eggs that will fit. While milkweed is the cornerstone, planting a mix of annuals will entice more monarchs to visit for caterpillar hosting and adult feeding.

Butterflies also need an easy place to land. Flowers originating from a single apex or with large petals (e.g., zinnias or daisies) enable quick and easy landing and immediate access to nectar.

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Visit Wildflower.org/learn/how-to/ how-to-germinate-milkweeds for a step by step guide to get your garden started like the pros.

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ask an exper t

Keeping Kids

Safe on the Internet

“STALKERS LOOKING THROUGH FENCES ARE A STATISTICAL ANOMALY.”

online affirmation, which they can exploit.

O

n the Internet,” says Georgetown Police Sgt. Jamieson Allen, “the potential threat pool is everyone with a phone.”

Following are just the basics, but to find out more, Sgt. Allen recommends the Center for Missing and Exploited Children (MissingKids.org). The bottom line is to be engaged with and supportive of your children, and be aware of what they are doing online; especially phones.

Control and review your child’s social footprint, the apps used, and personal information on profiles. Too much information gives criminals a head start, and they are already at it 24 hours a day.

Installing monitoring software on your child’s phone is not snooping; it’s parenting. Not to do it is akin to leaving them alone in the jungle to survive.

RED FLAGS Exploitation begins with “grooming;” building trust with a person to get information, discover vulnerabilities, and using those weaknesses to solicit explicit photos.

Conversations start with an innocent “Friend me” request in social media or online games. They engage, console, and compliment; gradually steering to other things.

Never accept a friend request, share a phone number, or agree to meet someone you do not know.

“Even if it is a person they recognize, it’s safest to ask in person, to make sure they are not being catfished.”

Regularly read your child’s chats and messages on games, Facebook and Instagram.

Take note of things clearly not written by native English speakers, or using language that seems too mature for the writer’s (alleged) age.

Snapchat deletes photos, but criminals will screen-grab, or take a photo of the photo with another phone.

Predators create programs to alert them when new members arrive in chat areas, or when keywords are typed; anything that indicates a person is looking for

Report red flags to app hosts. Most social media platforms will deactivate fraudulent accounts.

Sgt. Allen works undercover, using a female persona, to root out predators. “I posted that I was looking for babysitting jobs. Within ten minutes I had 100 emails—all asking me to send a photo. It’s a numbers game; if they target 500 kids a day, three or four may become victims.”

Child photos are the “currency” of the criminal enterprise. Most people start by asking for face pics and it escalates. Every time the victim responds, the requests include more skin until the photos become illegal. Once the predator has the photo he wants, he will threaten the child with exposure or harm to extort ever-more photos.

WHOM TO CALL Sgt. Allen says if you have a concern, we are fortunate to have the resources in our own police department, but not every city does. Contacting our city, county, and state leaders may help give our officers more tools, and personnel, to combat the problem.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Understand your child­—especially under 14 years—can be intimidated by threats of shame and violence, even against family members. They need to realize their photos have already been sold, so the threat of distribution, if more are not sent, is empty. Just don’t. And tell someone.

Even if you send a photo to someone you trust, there is no guarantee that person will never be hacked. It’s best to never do it at all.

Save conversations, including photos, and report the incident; anonymously, if you choose. Even if your report is not investigated, you have flagged an account that is likely just one in a long line of victimizations, and you may be helping spare even one more victim.

“There is no age limit, it happens to both genders, and many children are too embarrassed or scared to talk about it so there’s no telling how many victims are out there.”

Web search the latest stories and threats; use those to have an adult conversation and help your child understand the risks. “Reassure them no matter what may have happened, you are on their side. Remind them people our age didn’t have to worry about this kind of crime, so you will fix it together.”

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poppy talks

Make America Mayberry Again There is a regularity with which I talk about The Andy Griffith Show (TAGS, for those of us who are woke to the happy benefits of reruns). I mention it again because “Make America Mayberry Again” is not just a bumper sticker on my car... it is, especially now, poignant to remember why we all love it there.

First of all, it’s not “Andy Griffin”; that’s nearly as annoying as “Star Track.” And, I just want to point out that it’s not just me. There are 62,000 people on a variety of Mayberry Facebook pages, and I think it’s obvious maybe I’m not the only one tired of politics and social media. I see posts, regularly, from people who say “MayberryAfterMidnight” is their favorite thing on the Internet because, simply put, it is plain friendly.

For starters, I know you’re probably already cursing me for putting that whistling theme song in your head, but, seriously, here are just some of the lyrics...

What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin’ stones, You’ll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin’ in the shade. We’ll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin’ Hole, If we don’t hook a perch or bass, we’ll cool our toes in dewy grass.

How often do any of us really get to relax like that?

Mayberry was set in the 60s, but was intended to reflect the simplicity of life in the 30s. When did you last sit on the front porch, just talkin’, for an evening’s entertainment?

The “Man in a Hurry” episode was about a businessman who fussed because they couldn’t open the fillin’ station, fix his car, and change up everyone’s Sunday afternoon so he could get back to his business. He wound up falling asleep in a rocking chair with a nearlypeeled-in-one-piece apple in his hand.

time. I realize our economy and the hyperbolic convenience we have grown accustomed to will hiccup, but Andy Taylor NEVER said, “I wish I coulda been there, but things have just been soooo crazy lately.”

Sure, 2020 is not 1930. I’m writing on a computer that cost more than the house Barney tried to sell to Andy.

Reruns of TAGS are playing yonder on a TV as big as Miss Crump’s blackboard. But how nice it will be if no one can reach me Sunday afternoon because the Mendelbright sisters are using the phone line.

Everyone knows everyone in Mayberry. Johnny Paul Jason is the local Wikipedia. The Sheriff himself is a nice mixture of Abraham Lincoln and Will Rogers. They make their own ice cream and have a “Town” this or that... including just one problem drinker, Otis, and only one “nut”, Ernest T. Bass, who causes trouble, but underneath his slickety hair has a good heart. And, of course, when something breaks, you just call the man!

I know we can’t go back to that. There are no towns with only one troublemaker, or law enforcement that can manage with one bullet in the one gun they carry.

But there’s not much going on in the world that can’t be worked at with the deep love of friends and family, honest work by people in charge, and no one in town seriously trying to outfox anyone else, unless it’s time for blue ribbon pickles.

I happen to think we are all that guy, and, right now, all we need is to be still, on a quiet porch with someone singing old timey hymns, to make us remember how much we used to like calm places.

Quite honestly, I’ve been waiting for this for a long

Suffice to say I plan to learn the names of my son’s friends, leave my phone on the nightstand more often, cook from scratch now and then, and remember that when the Almighty asks me what I did with my life, he won’t care who I voted for, or what I spent money on. He’s really only asking if I loved people.

So, this Sunday, after preachin’, I’m gonna have me a nap, then go on over to Thelma Lou’s and watch a little TV. Or maybe take a walk into town and talk to Mr. Schwump while I have me a bottl’a’pop.

Wikimedia.Commons / public domain

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parting shot

Keeping Georgetown Beautiful

You can’t write a good story on the head of a pin, and it would be difficult to encapsulate all the beautiful things about Georgetown on a postcard.

Thankfully, Georgetown has artist Sarah Blankenship (right), who not only turns a blank wall into a masterpiece, she is also sharing this particular labor of love with more than 100 community volunteers from the Girl Scouts, Citizens of BiG, army recruiters, and the original owners of Gus’s; many of whom signed the work.

Mark and Amanda Bradley, owners of Gus’s Drug on University Avenue commissioned the mural, and the art concept, to reflect their pride in the community, as well as the 70-year history of the store.

Sarah designed the images on a computer, projected the image onto the wall to ensure perspective, and outlined it with her husband and children. By the time you’re reading this—and weather permitting—Sarah says, the work should be complete, and prepared to stand for a very long time. The artists used durable exterior paint and she will add an ultraviolet sealer to help the colors stay vibrant for years to come. Last, she will apply a graffiti coat on top that makes it easily washable, without damage to the original work. You can see Sarah’s other work around town at Barrells & Amps, Sanitary Bakery, 600 Degrees courtyard and the signage for the new Barking Armadillo.

Find her on Facebook at Sarah J Blankenship, Artist.

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georgetown view P.O. Box 2281, Georgetown, TX 78627

ECRWSS POSTAL PATRON GEORGETOWN, TX