Issuu

JULY 2021

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

18 CONFIDENCE

34 SUMMER WATER SAFETY

55 KELLY KAMINSKI

10 Mommy Moments 38 Keeping Kids Engaged 47 Thriving in your Thirties 65 Builders Making History

PUBLISHER Amy Lieb EDITOR Karen Lopez WRITERS Roxanne Avery Carrie Ward Nancy Naron Valerie Reddell Amanda Luksha Emily Kelley Toni Dupree PHOTOS Getty Images Unsplash.com Amanda Luksha Kelly Kaminski CONTACT info@austincountyinsider.com

281-731-2999

26 COSMETIC PROCEDURES AND PLASTIC SURGERY

Copyright © 2021 by Across The Board Media LLC - Austin County Insider. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion there of may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher. 6

Ah the joy of vacat at a ions! Oh wait iit, I hav a e to pack av ffor more than one person, I hav a ave to plan a trip ip i almost down to the very r minut ry u e fo ut f r three kids. Vacat ationing when a you're younger and do not hav av a e kids yet was easy and seemingly l ly more fu f n. When you hav a e kids, and you start av r rt planning trip i s iit takes a ip lot more time and eff ff ort fffo r but u is wort ut rrth iit to make memories. Sav a aving becau a se kids are au not cheap ap a , driv iiving is not cheap ap a , planes are not inexp xpensiv x iive, hotels are not inexp x xpensiv i e plus all iv your shopping, ffood, gas, a attractions, and any nyt ny ything else they ask ffor.

Any n one else hav ny a ing a panic at av a tack yet? No? Just me … okay a . ay I love to plan trip i s wit ip i h my it m kids. We recent n ly nt l did a trip i to San Ant ip n onio and man did I hav nt a e to av imp m rovise a fe mp f w times. First, I knew I better take an ext x ra suit xt i case becau it a se lord knows we are going au to bu uy y plen ntty of iittems like clothes and sou uv venirs and the 20 toys m my y three boys wan ntted. So, the ffiirst thing was checked off ff. ff f. Then to pack fo f r three boys who range fr f om nine years old to three years old, so many n clothes and ext ny x ra pairs of clothes and shoes. A fi xt fiv ive-day a trip ay i turned int ip n o me packing eight nt h ht shirt r s, six pairs of short rt r s, two pairs of pant rt n s, three sets of paj nt a amas, nine pairs of socks, I do not know aj how many ny n pairs of underwear, three pairs of swimming clothes, three pairs of shoes. EACH. This was each. I know my m kid’s way a too well and lo and behold they went ay n through all their clothes while on the nt trip ip ut ing cau au ht at clothes I i between out u ings, getting a ght h in the rain or getting sweat a y and getting fo f od on their clothes. am hap ap ch. a py I packed so muc

MOMMY MOMENTS 8

The next xt x lesson was ent nt rt nt n ert r ainment n fo f r the two-hour driv i e. Nint iv n endos nt were charged, books were packed, and the DVD play ay dy a er was ready d to go … or so I thought ht dy h . Got ready d to leav a e the house and av noticed the cord to plug in the DVD play a er was ay broken and Wal-Mart rt r was out u of them. Luckily ut l , the ly books, toys and Nint nt n endos kept them occup u ied and up made fo f r a pretty smooth driv i e. iv Another thing when trav a eling wit av i h kids is to it make sure you hav a e av things planned, do not just wing it i when you hav a e av young children. Trust me on this. If you hav av a e something planned, hav a e av a backu ku kup up too. We had to readj d ust a fe dj f w of our plans becau a se The Alamo tours au were sold ou utt when we got there at a 10 a.m. so we went n nt to a Legoland Discovery r ry Cent nt rt n er, which was a part r of the plan fo f r the day a too, ay and they were sold out ut u . So instead, we shopped at a the Lego store and play a ed a ay fe av f w hours at a Dav a e and Busters. Was this part r of rt m plan? No, it my i was not, but ut u I made it i work and got i done wit it i hout it u getting too ut stressed.

The next x xt day a was SeaWorld and I, fo ay f r one, was very r excit ry i ed becau it a se I had not au been in almost 10 years. I was planned d fo ht ht f r this ... again, so I thought h . I bought h a cargo wagon to make walking around d wit it av i h a three year old and not hav a ing to carry ry andy dy nt r him easier. This also came in ha d when my m older two want n ed to take a break and would swit it ff it ay i ch off f sit i ting in there too. The worst part rrt of the day a was when a storm went n around San Ant nt n on nt nio and they closed the wat a er park which was at going to be a big part r of our day rt a here. Yet, we shopped, rode one ride, wat ay a ched at some shows, and play ay ad area. We made the best out ut fo a ed in a splash pa u of unfo f reseen circumstances and the kids left fft hap a py ap y and tired. We ended the night h at ht a the pool in the hotel unt nt dy wer and craw aw nt n il we were ready d to show a l int n o bed. I still cannot believe we made it i to the pool aft f er the long day ft a in the sun, but u we did. ut The weekend ended wit it augh hs, some stress but ut i h lots of lau a u lots of fu f n. You can plan so much of your life fe ut ut fe f when you grow up up, but u getting to make the most out u of life f when your bab ab ugh to be emb mb ut not old enough to a ies are still young enou m arrassed but u know better, these are the mommy my moment nt at at m n s that a make life ffe great a .

Toni Dupree Confidence is the ability to be self-assured in your attributes, abilities, and qualities, making it a no-brainer to believe in others as well.

When you have a simple conversation with someone and immediately feel trust during the exchange, well, that is a conversation with a confident, charismatic individual. Think about it this way, during dinner, you start the meal, eating from the outside of our plate and then working our way inwards. Confidence works the opposite way. Working from the inside out because everything starts from the inside of us, then extends outwards to another. Knowing who you are, being honest about it. Knowing what you are willing to do and why. Take risks associated with it and have the strength to live and tell your story. All of these attributes are components of confidence. As an etiquette coach, I work with individuals to empower their self-belief. Guide them through a journey of enrichment, self-worth, and self-awareness. Take inventory of your attributes and deficiencies, the thoughts associated with your behaviors, and your manner of being and understanding. As it relates to parenting, applying these same principles helps better reasoning, which will enrich communication with your loved ones and community. As kids grow and develop, parents will need to grow as well. Being confident means being brave enough to trust what you have poured into your children and supporting them with guided grace to grow as individuals. 15

Is your life based on what oth hers think about you? If so, why? If the answers you come up with are not accep pta able, even for you, do it differently. Perhaps there are things about you that you u do not like, you can best believe nobody else will like those things either, but you do not change because of others, change because of you! Changing becausse of someone else breaks your confidence down. If you do all of that changing g and they still do not want you, now what?! You have found yo ourself in thee worst place, not because of them, but because of you. Yes, by all means, change but do it without expectation, do it without being told to do so, do it because it contributes to making something great! Have you ever heard the phrase your attitude determines your altitude? Your approach determines how far you will go in your life. If you only see yourself the way others see you, then you can only go as far as their view can take you and...that, my friends, is not very far. I see this planning out in my life as I write this piece. My step-father (Ronald Taylor), who is now deceased, instilled this saying in me as I prepared for college in 1987, "Be the person you aspire to be long before you meet the mate you desire". Confidence is owning who you are despite anyone else, not because of them.

OK, now let me bring this home; all of this is well and good, but if what is motivating you has to do with other people, you can best believe your confidence will too! Everything will be an entanglement of distractions and discontentment. You must be the stimulus behind the force (stimuli) that drives you in to capture that confident person hiding or lying dormant inside of you, keeping from those great opportunities waiting for you to foster. Achieving Great Confidence I conducted a Character Building Camp this summer; the topic for the first week was Confidence is Cool. I posed this question to the participants “What do you believe it takes to achieve true confidence?” The answer was unanimous (courage). I was floored! This group of pre-teens nailed it! It is so true. You become courageous by changing your self-talk, betting on yourself, and acknowledging that you are an overcomer. If you have conquered anything that you thought would take you over or out, my friend, you are an overcomer.

True confidence takes work, and I mean real work; it involves making subtle changes that offer an enrichment value to you and your relationships, whether personal or professional, allowing you to see who exactly you are in all of your relationships. Then put a worth into those situations--whatever it is that you want and feel you do not have in your life, make a point to pour it in abundance into the world and continue to pour it like it is your overflow! Being present enables you to see your situation clearly. To know how much of your involvement is needed. A friend is talking to you about a sensitive matter, asking if they want you to listen or offer a solution, putting the focus on you and off the subject matter. Confidence is listening first, then establishing guidelines for the manner of supporting your friend. Always encourage by using connection when you hear a cry for help and never crowd or insinuate yourself into anyone's space or stories. If you are not sure of how to support your friend, let them know that, but reassure them that you are open to lending them an ear, and support, nonverbally. In doing this, it does two things. It shows vulnerability, which is a trait of confident people, as well as, ensures trust.

Confident people are brave enough to take the stand not to prove they are right. If something needs to be said, they are not afraid to say it even if they turn out to be wrong, as long as it ends in a positive result for someone else. Remember, confidence is not about feeling the shame of being proven wrong. It is an opportunity to learn what is right, which is more important than actually being right. Confident people are also intelligent because they understand the best learning happens when you listen. They are not true fans of the spotlight. Their value comes from within, not from others, having absolutely nothing to prove. Celebrating others is where their enjoyment lies. Confident people are not too proud to ask for help because they understand needing help does not constitute weakness. It is a strong quality that shows strength, which makes them highly likable individuals. One of my favorite things about myself is that I am not afraid to make a mistake. I learned years ago, this is a major characteristic of confident people. I work at a middle school in Fort Bend ISD, and when I met my now building Principal, I said, “Hello my name is Toni Dupree, and one of the most important things about me is, as a teammate, I will always tell you what I did.” She still loves that about me today. There is value in knowing who we are. In my opinion, it’s a very important thing to know (oneself) because there is power in knowing you are.

My favorite line from Hamlet is, “To thine own self be true”. There is no truth or confidence in not knowing oneself. 19

Cosmetic Procedures and Plastic Surgery

Summer is here and after shedding layers of coole r weather clothes, we may see changes in our body that make us think about more than a new fitness program. Although body positivity and size acceptance is now part of our social verbiage, nearly a quarter-million more cosmetic procedures were performed in 2018 than in 2017 (more recent analytics are not comparable due to the pandemic). According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), Americans spent over $16.5 billion on cosmetic plastic surgery in 2018. Because it is now physically, financially, and emotionally easier to have cosmetic procedures, the number of people getting them continues to rise. According to the ASPS, the top five procedures in 2018 were breast augmentation, liposuction, nose reshaping, eyelid surgery, and tummy tuck. Body-sculpting procedure s such as buttock augmentations, which improve the contour, size, or shape of your butt, and thigh lifts, which reduce excess skin and fat of your upper legs, also saw an increase. 15.9 million minimally invasive procedures were also performed in 2018 with the most popular procedures being Botox, fillers, chemical peels, laser hair removal, and microdermabrasion. 23

Why cosmetic procedures are on the upswing 1. Social Media Everyone has a camera. 10 years ago, a person would rarely see themselves in photos, let alone 25 years ago. When they did, it was a special occasion such as a wedding or a birthday. Thanks to cell phone selfies, group pictures, and Tik Tok, as well as forwarding and sharing features of images and videos, our faces and bodies are now being seen hundreds, even thousands of times documenting every flaw and the relentless process of aging. With our biggest critic being ourselves, it’s no surprise the desire for cosmetic procedures is increasing. 2. Not just for Movie Stars and the Wealthy With a wide array of financing options now available, patients can use payment plans from the doctor’s office, personal loans, and medical credit cards. The most common patient today is a working professional in a double-income family as well as stay-at-home moms who want to regain their appearance. The price of a lot of cosmetic procedures has decreased due to upgrades in medical equipment as technology becomes more advanced. 3. More Men are getting Cosmetic Procedures Women continue to make up the majority of Americans undergoing surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments, but the 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report shows men underwent a total of 1,306,844 cosmetic procedures in 2018, which equates to 8% of the 15,983,765 total cosmetic procedures performed on both sexes. Male cosmetic procedures were split between surgical (214,741) and non-surgical (1,092,103). The report shows the five most popular surgical procedures for the guys are Rhinoplasty (nose surgery), Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), Liposuction, Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction), and Hair Transplant. The five most popular non-surgical procedures are Neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin), Laser Hair Removal, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peel, and Dermal Fillers. 4. More Acceptance The days of wearing dark sunglasses to sneak into the back door of a plastic surgeon’s office are over. Because of social media, patients are now in recovery rooms proudly taking selfies and posting about their procedures. In today’s society, people are comfortable posting before and after pictures as well as discussing their procedure both from a physical and psychological standpoint. 5. Mommy Make-overs After childbirth, more women are feeling the need to restore their appearance and shape. With the trendy title, “Mommy Make-over”, they are rewarding themselves with a renewal of areas such as the breasts, abdomen, genitalia, buttocks, and waist. 24

What to know BEFORE a Procedure Most patients choose cosmetic procedures to feel like the best version of themselves; to look the same but better. The most important question to ask before a procedure is WHY you want to do it. It has to be for YOU and not to impress someone or to appease a significant other. The procedure has to be for your personal happiness. 1. Depending on the Procedure, Find a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or a Trustworthy Cosmetic Physician Research is the key. Go online and look at the social media presence as well as reviews left by former patients. Ask your friends and family for suggestions. Plastic surgeons are as trained as heart surgeons. They not only perform cosmetic procedures, but also breast cancer and auto accident reconstruction, as well as pediatric birth defects. Buy your Groupon for a spa day, not for a random physician who recently added Botox to his or her repertoire.

2. Be Honest and Specific with your Physician Don’t assume anything. Communication is key to getting the result you want. Bring photos of how you want the outcome to be as well as a list of questions so your physician will have a good understanding of what you want. With a knowledgeable and experienced physician, he or she can help match a procedure that meets your goals. Consultations are usually free so meet with several physicians to find the one you are most comfortable with. 3. Be Realistic Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are medicine, not magic. Expectations are everything. Physicians strive for improvement from where you begin your journey, not to make you into something or someone you are not. Gone are the days of the overly tight facelift, and instead, a more gentle, relaxed look is the goal. Now that you’ve decided to have a procedure, follow all doctor’s instructions. To minimize the risk of complications and to recover faster, if you smoke, stop one month before the procedure. Eat healthily, and drink lots of water!

Want to know how to rock your recovery? 1. Follow your doctor’s orders, not the internet If you’re looking for answers to questions such as do you really need to stay out of a hot bath three weeks postop, CALL YOUR DOCTOR! Even the most trustworthy sites on the internet are not a replacement for your physician. Your doctor knows your medical history and the details of your procedure and can answer all your questions. 2. No smoking or vaping Nicotine increases the risk for complications and slows down healing. If you smoke, don’t smoke at all for at least one month following your procedure. Even one cigarette can raise the risk of complications and cause a lasting negative impact on your results. 3. Herbs, supplements, and medications Tell your doctor everything you take because many products that are normally safe can be dangerous after your procedure. You will be given a list of items to avoid (usually for two weeks postsurgery). Some herbs may even have a countereffect on pain medications. Antiinflammatory products such as Advil, Turmeric, and green tea can increase the risk for bleeding after surgery. 26

4. Get plenty of rest and move around Resist the urge to do too much too soon because it will take your body several weeks of healing before you feel “normal”. If you feel great early in your recovery, that’s a sign you are getting the rest you need. Keep up the good work! You’ll be able to resume normal activities a few weeks after most procedures. Remember, getting out of bed and moving around as soon as possible after your procedure eases stiffness and discomfort, prevents blood clots, and promotes good circulation. 5. Attend the all-important follow-up visits Post-op visits serve an important purpose: to make sure you are healing as expected. Bring your list of questions and let your physician know concerns you may have. He or she will let you know when you are ready to return to normal activities. Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out. Most people want to present the best version of themselves to the world. The ways they do that depend on who they are. 27

JULY IS INDEPENDENT RETAILER MONTH The ent nt nt ly at nt n ire mont n h of July l celebrat a es Independent n Retailer Mont nt nt rv ff rt it n h. The mont n h-long observ r ance off ffe fers an opport r unit i y fo at f r us to show local small businesses ap a preciat a ion. According to the Census Bureau au a and Small Business Administrat at nt mp a ion, independent n retailers emp m loy ap at ly nt fo a proximat a ely l 51 percent n of the U.S. workfo f rce, excluding non-fa f rm workers. In addit fa i ion, they oft it f en sup ft u ply up l ly products and serv rv ly r ices normally l not fo f und in big box stores. If you’re looking fo ft f r a custom fi fit it or special gift f , independent n retailers are stepping up nt u to the task, while providing qu it ft ip ny q alit i y craft f smanship i . Of course, many n owners and operat at at xt a ors work long hours and dedicat a e ext x ra time to the success of their business. This dedicat at a ion brings vib ib nt ax i rant n local goods to market while keeping tax a dollars at a home. Independent n retailers also sup nt u port up r their communit rt i ies by it off ff ib mp nt rt ffe fering fl f exib i le emp m loyment n , both fu f ll and part r -time. They are the people sponsoring local event nt n s, school sport r s and many rt n other organizat ny a ions in the communit at i y. it By shopping at nt a a local independent n retailer, you’re also sup u port up r ing the town in which you liv rt i e. iv

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Hardly anything beats a cold, refreshing drink on a hot day. This Fizzy Orange Pineapple Punch provides a chilling moment of relaxation with the sweetness of orange and pineapple combined with the cool flavor of orange sherbet.

1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice, chilled 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

In large punch bowl, combine

1 can (6 ounces) frozen orange

pineapple juice, condensed

juice concentrate, thawed

milk and orange juice

1 bottle (2 liters) ginger ale

concentrate. Refrigerate until

6-8 scoops orange sherbet

ready to serve.

orange slices, for garnish Before serving, add ginger ale

mint leaves, for garnish

and top with scoops of sherbet, orange slices and mint.

Let the summer fun begin. After surviving a plague, a deadly freeze and a tumultuous election season, families are finally able to enjoy some richly deserved recreation together. But for many parents, the concerns about their youngsters losing ground in vital academic skills continue to worry them. With a little planning, education experts say there are many methods for keeping reading, math and STEM skills sharp – or strengthen them.

Read, read, read To maintain reading skills, get involved in choosing the books your child reads, according to Gwen Dewar Ph.D., writing for www.parentingscience.com. Dewar said that, in many summer reading programs, children consistently choose books that are too easy for them. By consulting with a librarian, parents can find material that will stretch literacy skills and capture their interest. If you have a “reluctant” reader in the family, there are ways to turn them into a book lover. Selecting the right books for your child’s interest and grade level is key. You can also make the stories more exciting by encouraging youngsters to act out the story, make up alternate endings or draw pictures of what he or she is reading. Literacy experts also advocate varying the material for daily reading sessions. It’s not all about books. Graphic novels, comics, newspapers, magazines (both printed and digital) all help build reading skills. Creating a special reading space with pillows, blankets and a variety of books and materials also encourages reading.

The key to retaining any skill is practice. Education experts suggest scheduling activities that practice math skills every few days. The free app Bedtime Math provides activities that reinforce math concepts. Dewar also recommended DragonBox, a family of apps available for under $10 that use fun activities to “secretly” teach/retain skills for children from age 4 to 12 and older. DragonBox also offers free worksheets parents can download and print for their students. They begin with number sense concepts for preschoolers and algebra rules for ages 9 and up.

Have fun with science Generation Genius offers free access to a vast array of fun projects that give students insight into concepts like the electromagnetic spectrum, fossils, electricity and much more. The simple-to-use lesson plans guide parents from setup through the activities and even offer quizzes and other tools to measure how well participants mastered the concepts. Dozens of projects are focused on varying grade levels from kindergarten through junior high. For example, Generation Genius offers its “What is Engineering” activity for Grades K-2 using toothpicks, gummy bears and a hardcover book. Using candy to teach science is a win-win, and doesn’t require parents to have any prior training as an engineer or an educator (but after the pandemic, we’re all substitute teachers, aren’t we?) 38

Experts strongly recommend play that encourages kids to use spatial rotation skills. In plain English, those are activities that require prediction about how shapes would look when stuck together. Building those skills helps with algebra and other complex math. Construction block toys develop mental rotation skills. All those Lego creations spark learning about shapes, angles, distance and mental rotation. Encouraging kids to draw a maps of familiar spaces will foster those skills as well. Creating a simple map of aw where to find a specific toy in the living room is a good suggestion for a younger child, according to Dewar. Origami projects offer another excellent way to build spatial skills. A suggested activity for elementary children might be completing a map of their school grounds, adding flag poles or playground equipment by either draw a ing them aw in or using stickers. Strong spatial skills are vital for visual artists, architects, engineers, biologists and medical workers. Many day-to-day activities also will foster those skills: How many groceries fit in the bag? Which way does the sheet fit on the bed? How many shapes can you get from cutting your sandwich? How about a bagel? Even sketching shapes like cubes, spheres and pyramids help with spatial concepts. When combating learning loss during summer or as a result of the pandemic, education experts at Harvard university urge parents not to try to replace every classroom hour. The one-on-one opportunities available at home achieve much more in a shorterr time.

Family trips to museums or historic sites encourage the whole family to investigate a new topic, whether it is dinosaurs or space travel. Don’t overlook the potential in your own backyard and neighborhood. Check out the bugs and birds. Notice the differences in plant and animal life near waterways as opposed to dry, rocky areas. Who or what lives deep in the woods? Any activity that encourages exploration and investigation can keep your child engaged all summer long.

Blueberry and Pomegranate Power Bars Yield: 12 bars Nonstick cooking spray 8 cups popped popcorn 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup dried blueberries 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup whole natural almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped 2/3 cup honey 2/3 cup light brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter or margarine 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted Line 13-by-9-inch pan with foil; spray with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine popcorn, oats, blueberries, pomegranate seeds and almonds. In small saucepan over low heat, boil honey, brown sugar and butter 2 minutes. Pour over popcorn mixture and mix thoroughly. Using damp hands, press mixture firmly into prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into 12 bars. Dip bottoms of bars into melted chocolate. Place on wax paper-lined pan; refrigerate until ready to serve. Store in tight covered container in refrigerator.

Crunchy Popcorn Trail Mix Yield: 9 cups 5 cups popped popcorn 3 cups whole-grain oat cereal 1/3 cup raisins 1/3 cup peanuts or other nuts 1/3 cup sunflower seeds 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 6 tablespoons brown sugar 2 tablespoons light corn syrup In large, microwavable bowl, stir popcorn, cereal, raisins, nuts and seeds; set aside. In small saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup until boiling; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour over popcorn mixture, stirring to coat evenly. Microwave 3-4 minutes, stirring and scraping bowl after each minute. Spread onto greased cookie sheet; cool. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

: s e i t r i h T r You f o d n E e h t y l l a u t c Not A World the

Emily Kelley 48

Thirty years. Over a quarter of a century. If you’re anything like me, the big three-oh was more like the

big three-ow. The physical pain of the burn I sustained from all those candles was secondary to the emotional pain I experienced at the hands of my dismal glass-is-half-empty perspective. However, once I considered that if I had lived a hundred years ago, my “dirty thirty” probably would have been literally dirty — I’d be using an outhouse and making a futile attempt at bathing in the gently used water inherited from my husband, ten children, and Aunt Mildred — I began to lighten up. After all, based on historical average life expectancies, I’d probably be considered elderly by this point if I had managed to avoid being trampled by an errant horse while munching my lard sandwich. Yes, indeed, I was lucky to have reached this milestone in the modern age. Duly armed with this new insight, the sting of turning thirty eventually deadened, and I was able to embrace both the challenges and joys of this decade of life. Here’s how you can, too.

Glow Up, Kid If you reach your thirties and don’t feel like a real “grown-up,” don’t despair. Like many modern folks, your twenties probably felt more like a sequel to your self-indulgent teenage years than true adulthood. (The plot in part two features freedom from parental supervision.) After all, your twenties are a time to follow whims, take chances, and do irresponsible things. But when you turn thirty, society suddenly expects you to have it all together like some sort of maturity prodigy. Instead of panicking that everyone will discover you’re a fake adult, commit to the part until you no longer must pretend. Take responsibility for your actions (or inaction) and start putting down roots that will sustain you for the rest of your days. In fact, this pressure to get serious about your life might be the best thing that has ever happened to you. Let it motivate you. Realize that although you’re not yet old, you’re not such a youngster anymore, either. Time isn’t stopping, so carpe diem, friend. Start laying a solid foundation for the rest of your life. If your current job makes you miserable, now is the time to explore new opportunities. If you’ve always wanted to learn a new skill, there is no time like the present. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid to look a little silly. Build genuine friendships with people who will stick with you and lend a hand when you are truly stuck — just don’t forget to return the favor. It’s also wise to consistently stash money into a savings account for those inevitable rainy days; trust me, you’ll be glad you did. Living without regrets is an incredible gift you can give yourself, so why not splurge? 50

Be Authentic for Real In general, the younger you are, the more you care what other people think. So, if you’re like most of us, you probably spent a significant amount of your teens and twenties trying to look cool. And if you’re naturally cool, good for you. I’m not at all jealous. Here’s the thing, though: pretending to be someone else is an exhausting way to live. By your thirties, all that extra effort has probably rendered you too pooped to give a poop. This sounds like a bad thing, but it isn’t. Why work so hard to hide your personality? Once you are liberated from social pressure to fit in, you can breathe again. You’ve been around a while by this point, you know what lights you up and what dims your bulb, and life is too short to waste time cultivating a phony persona. Being yourself also allows you to forge genuine, lasting relationships that enrich your life. How many friends do you still have from high school? You probably have some, but the friendships we develop when we are young tend to be ephemeral because they are formed before we are truly comfortable with ourselves. If you established a friendship in your youth that has endured, it has probably survived because that person always knew you. You didn’t have to pretend. Now that you’re a little older, strive to be authentic with everyone. When you’re authentic, it is easier to discern others who are authentic (takes one to know one). Be “real” with people, and you will connect more meaningfully with those who are in tune with the vibe of your soul. I know it sounds a tad mystical, but it’s true! 51

Boot Your Self-Centeredness As you age, you may find that your lens shifts from inward to outward. You were once mostly concerned about how you felt and what you thought, but now you begin to sincerely consider others’ thoughts and feelings. If you decide to have kids — novice parenthood in your thirties is becoming extremely commonplace — you will find that this is especially true. After all, children have a way of forcing you to become less selfish because they are defenseless and cannot care for themselves. Once you have some of the little buggers in your life, you will still agonize over every decision, but it’s because you want what is best for them; you will find that what is best for you is no longer the main priority, but you will be okay with it and even fulfilled by it. Although it sounds clichéd, the love that you feel for your child will give you the strength to do things you never imagined you could. I never imagined I could still fiercely love and care for someone who had thrown up into my eyes, but here we are. Even if you choose not to have children, your self-preoccupation will start to fall away in other areas. You may begin to appreciate your family and true friends more because you have likely lost someone close to you by now. You’ll realize that the most important moments of your life are those spent with these precious people, and you will find yourself wanting to know them better and do everything you can to make their lives easier. If your parents or grandparents need you, you will step up and take care of them. If your brother is going through a divorce, you will be there to listen and help him pick up the pieces of his life. If your best friend is struggling with postpartum depression, you will come over with food and snuggle her baby while she takes a shower. You realize that giving to others feels great, and you will want to do it for the rest of your life. 52

Remember: Age is Just a Number If your thirties feel very doom-and-gloom, lighten up. Remember that you have a lot of life ahead of you, but now is the time to start getting serious about your plans for the future. Adulting practice is over. Be true to yourself, be good to others, and make sure to have some fun. YOLO, as the young ‘uns say. Do the young ‘uns still say that? I’m not entirely certain, but I am sure that this decade, although replete with its own set of unique challenges, will be your best yet if you approach it with the right attitude, so get going! Pictured are Amy Lieb, ACI Publisher and Ashley Rosberg 53

DREAM BIG AND BELIEVE

K E L L Y KAMINSKI B E L L VILLE’S TW O-TIME W O R LD CHAMPI ON B A R REL RACER

TWO-TIME WORLD CHAMPION

BARREL R RA ACER

EARLY BUILDERS OF AUSTIN COUNTY S E A L Y

B Y N A N C Y N A R O N A R E A H I S T O R I C A L S O C I E T Y 64

My great grandfather built the Episcopal Church in my hometown in southern Arkansas. Eventually, five generations of Naron's worked on the same church building. Having descended from this long line of carpenters/builders, I greatly appreciate the unique and beautiful architecture constructed by Austin County’s early builders. In years past, in small towns across the country, carpenters and builders oftentimes did it all. They frequently designed the structures, produced the architectural drawings, served as the general contractor, and, at times, nailed the structures together. All of us owe a great debt to the county’s early builders. It is their talent, skill, and dedication to their craft that allows us to enjoy their work today.

Of the many early carpenters, masons, and other construction tradespeople, one of special note is Joachim Hintz. Hintz built several of the multi-sided halls in Austin County, including the Turnverein in Bellville constructed in 1897, a 12-sided wood-frame hall 80 feet in diameter, the 8-sided Peters-Hacienda Schuetzenverein (Shooting Club) in 1900, and the Cat Spring Landwirth Schaftlide Verein (Agricultural Society), a 12-sided structure, in 1902. The Turnverein in Bellville is currently undergoing restoration, and the progress can be followed at bellvilleturnvereinproject.org. All of Hintz’s halls feature precision joinery and a central support pole. Hintz’s innovative design for multi-sided community halls quickly spread. Among Hintz’s other construction projects were houses, commercial buildings, bridges at Coshatte and over Bollinger Creek. Hintz was born in 1841 and emigrated from Germany at the age of 14; his family settled in the Millheim area. After fighting in the Civil War and being held prisoner for nearly two years, Hintz returned to Millheim, became a U.S. citizen in 1866, and married in 1870. Hintz’s obituary is enviable, stating he was “upright, generous, and kind – a good citizen in every way.” 66

The builders of the Liedertafel Hall constructed in Sealy in 1914 followed Hintz’s lead in their design and construction. Marcus Kinkler, a local builder, Ferdinand Lux, and other singing society members, built the Liedertafel Hall. Kinkler also built the existing St. John’s Episcopal Church in Sealy in 1910. The Coshatte Agricultural Society Hall on Smith Road in Bellville is an 8-sided structure constructed in 1928 that was also modeled after the Turnverein in Bellville. It appears that many carpenters, brick masons and others proficient in the construction trades in the late 1800s also had other means of income. Hintz’s primary livelihood was gained from raising cotton and tobacco. Adolph H. Preibisch, who owned the Preibisch mercantile built in Sealy in 1887, was also a carpenter and casket maker. It is difficult to imagine that some of these structures were built primarily by hand when the builder was not busy with their principal vocation. 67

The construction of new buildings has always been an indication of progress and growth. Throughout most of our history, it was associated with the excitement of “what is to come.” In the late 1800s and early 1900s, most communities in the county had a downtown lumberyard and were frequently buzzing with the sounds of progress. The next time you walk the old streets in Austin County, take a moment to imagine what it was like when the downtown areas were booming with construction. Try to feel the excitement. Listen for the rhythmic pounding of hammers, the tunes whistled by the carpenters and brick masons, and the plodding feet of horses pulling wagons of materials down the dirt streets. And say thanks to the early builders of Austin County. Many of Austin County’s early builders were not mentioned in this article. If you wish to share photos or information about early life in Austin County, please send via email to nnaron@gmail.com. 68