August 2021
THIS ISN’T
OUR FIRST RODEO
You may have met Expedition Royalty Co. for the first time when we sponsored the Big Spring Rodeo or the Howard County Fair. Our commitment to Howard County runs deep. We have made deals for thousands of acres here, and our people have decades of experience serving Permian Basin mineral rights owners. We’re proud to be part of the community, sponsoring and participating in big events year-round. But we’re even prouder to be your mineral advisor in the Permian Basin every day. Get in touch today for a free evaluation of your property and its mineral rights.
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ION T I D E EXP CO. Y T L A ROY R E AC H U S TO DAY BY P H O N E O R E M A I L . Rayne Austin 432-755-7065 rayne.austin@expeditionroyalty.com
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O R CO M E V I S I T U S AT O U R D OW N TOW N O F F I C E 220 S MAIN
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Telling a story
West Texas author makes his way to big spring to share his passion with a town which helped form his foundation. bj mayo debuted his first novel last month with a double book signing hotel settles and heritage museum - to ensure those who wanted an opportunity to read his work, visit with the author, had an opportunity to do just that.
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Capture the moment ... one last time
A deep-rooted impact left by a man who shared his passion with a community he loved. Bruce Schooler was a special contributor to the living magazine and invested so much into our community. this month we take a moment to honor him and reflect on the legacy he has left behind.
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There is something special about this one
One local Coahoma High school student is rolling his way through the hurdles; crossing barriers that some may have not thought possible. Vance ott has been and continues to train hard and competes even harder, with the goal of making it to the olympics in the next couple of years. it’s all about heart and ott is not lacking what it Takes by any means. On the cover: Bruce Schooler knew how to capture the moment, how to capture the beauty, to make an impression with every photo taken. On the cover is one of the many beautiful sites captured at the historic spring by Schooler. We are grateful for his contributions over the years.
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August House Call
This month, in the august house call a moment is taken to look at how we can work together, as a community, to prevent child injury. An ever growing problem, but one not often talked about. From water safety to car seat safety and home safety, Shannon Medical Center informs about the Safe Kids San Angelo partnership.
Published by the Big Spring Herald. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Living Magazine is published monthly and distributed to businesses and residents of Howard County. Amanda Duforat is the editor of the Living Magazine. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Living, P.O.Box 1431, Big Spring, Texas, 79721. For advertising rates and other information, please call 432-263-7331.
By ROGER CLINE From the mid-1970s through 2002, the Angolan Civil War raged in West Africa, killing more than half a million people and displacing more than a million others. Author B.J. Mayo, a long-time Big Spring resident now living in Miles, Texas, used the conflict as the childhood home of the heroine of his first book, Alfie Carter. “It is a story of a little girl. The namesake of the book is Alfie Carter, who is a man in the United States. So it’s two parallel stories running here, but briefly, she is a little girl in a village, and her village
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is wiped out by boy soldiers,” Mayo said during an interview at a book signing event Saturday at the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. “They kill everyone in the village, and she is the only survivor. She makes her way to a missionary village on the sea, called Benguela By the Sea. A missionary compound. She is mentored there by a lady who teaches her English. This woman is from Cabinda. She speaks Portuguese, but she also speaks English, and teaches her how to talk. She says, ‘You lived, and so there must be a big purpose for your life, or you would not have lived.’ So she ends up trying to find her purpose.” Mayo said the girl, Jackaleena N’denga, stows away on a ship to the United States. “She ends up in an orphanage in West Texas,” he said. “She’s brilliant – she’s a brilliant individual. She ends up with the family of a man and his wife that have lost their child early in their life. He’s bitter, he’s angry, he’s an agnostic. He’s a detective and he’s got his own pile of problems here in the United States. And they intersect, and she changes his life forever.” As well as Jackaleena’s inspirational journey, her foster father, the titular Alfie Carter, is working on a mystery case which plays into the story, the author said.
Mayo, a Snyder native who lived in Big Spring from 1963-1981 and graduated from Big Spring High School, has traveled all over the world for work, including the African settings of Alfie Carter. “I moved eight different times and lived in different localities all over Texas, New Mexico, Colorado,” he said. “Australia – a short little stint in Australia. Bangladesh – five hours out of Dhaka. Then, retired in Angola, West Africa. Offshore — two or three offshore platforms. I’m a consultant today in the industry, and we ranch in Miles, Texas.” Mayo said he developed the writing bug in high school. “I would not say I was a studious academic in high school. I loved to write creatively. I liked to write music, I really love music. But I always liked to write stories, and I might get an “A” on the writing project, but I might get an “A-” on the punctuation, grammar, etc.,” he said. “But I decided to write this first book about six years ago, pertaining to my work in Africa. It’s a fiction book, but it does have a lot of details that did happen in Africa, a 29year civil war. A lot of people got killed.” Interspersing writing with his oil industry work, the book has taken him a while to finish. “I started it six
years ago, and it took that long to write just due to my travels. I’d write when I could. Now, I’ve got another one that will be published in the fall out of New York,” he said. “I’ve got two more in the process, and about 26 structured – that are just the structure of the novel. It’s taken hold, obviously.” Mayo said his goal is to go into writing full time. “I’m still consulting, but yes, I’m building a writing studio, and I want to write full time,” he said. “I don’t want to write seven days a week, but I want to write full time. I have written several articles for magazines that have been published. Ranch and Rural Living out of San Angelo. This, Alfie Carter, was picked up by the Lone Star Literary Life group, and so we did a blog tour across Texas with this thing. My next book, Sparrows of Montenegro, is also set up for a blog tour in November.” The Sparrows of Montenegro is a western set in the 1870s Mexico and West Texas. “They asked me to write a western, which I love,” he said. “I love a lot of different genres, I like Steinbeck, I like Larry McMurtry, I like James Alexander Thom. Different authors of different genres, but I love westerns. I don’t like just any type of westerns. My publisher asked me to write one, so I did.” Mayo said Big Spring residents will recognize many of the settings in The Sparrows of Montenegro. “It has a tremendously bad group of people in it,” he said. “It has Comanche Indians that were the stronghold of this area, the Comancheria and the Llano Estacado. So it follows all of that and the United States Cavalry and their pursuit of a set of people that I’ll say are ‘less than good.’ They kill people in a certain fashion that is pretty bad.” Mayo’s website is www.bjmayo.com, and Alfie Carter is available through Amazon. Mayo also left several copies for sale at the Heritage Museum gift shop. Mayo donated the proceeds of Saturday’s book signing, along with a 100 percent match out of his own pocket, to the Heritage Museum, he said. “I’m going to match whatever that amount is off of the sale of these books, and I’m going to match that as a donation to them, just for the privilege of being able to do this,” he said. “And we’ll do the same thing with Sparrows.”
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ByAMANDA DUFORAT They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the photographs of Bruce Schooler are a perfect representation of that. However, there are nowhere near enough words to describe his photos. Bruce knew how to capture the story of the community in each image he produced. His eye could find the perfect angle and anyone who viewed his photographs could see the passion he poured into his work; he captured the beauty of Big Spring and Howard County. Talk about a man who was always on the go … if there was an event going on in Big Spring he was there. Chamber Extravaganza, ribbon cuttings, Thank You Presentations, new trails atop Scenic Mountain, revamp of the Spring inside Comanche Trail Park, Festival of Lights, little league photos and school photos, and these
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events are only the tip of the iceberg. “He always wanted to get that perfect shot even if he did make me nervous by getting on a ladder or walking into a street intersection – no cars coming of course. Or, if he could not see all the subjects or their faces he would not take the picture,” Debbye ValVerde, Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director said. There were countless times when the venue for the photo was not ideal, but that didn’t matter to Bruce. He was going to find a way to get the picture and make it a good one. I thought I had seen it all, when Bruce climbed on a chair in a Thank You presentation photo as we were all crammed in like sardines, but then there was the time he climbed in the back of a pickup truck
He definitely had a lot of knowledge to share and the beauty of it was that he enjoyed sharing it. For more than 12 years, Bruce was a constant contributor to the Living Magazine. Each month his article would focus on a photography tip to help those who were looking to step into the world of photography. Each article contained a teaching moment, but also a piece of Bruce’s history. He was teaching the readers how to capture a better shot, improve the on the final image; but in the process, he revealed a piece of himself and with that formed a connection that extended beyond the words on the page in his article. The stories he would tell would not only teach, but would allow those reading it to experience what he did. He often spoke of the adventures he would take, the excursions he would go on, or the random and unexpected photo opportunities that always seemed to cross his path. Each month he would submit a selection of photos with his column, but he would also include a cover image. Just like with potato chips, you can’t just have one; it was the same with a Bruce Schooler image – he would submit one, but then end up sending two or three more and always say “You choose the best one.” Well, now, that was a tall task. Was (who knows whose it was) to get high enough to capture everyone – oh thank goodness when he finally got his drone; no more climbing in vehicles or on top of buses. But then, there was the countless times (I would like to say it was only once, but there were many times we had to yell at Bruce to get out of the road and don’t get run over). The whole world was a photo shoot and, even if you didn’t know it, he was going to stand where he needed to ensure the best shot possible. Many people often make the joke, “Make me look skinny” or “Make me look younger.” Well, Bruce could do all those things, but even better, he had your back when you were late for the photo; he was so magical, he could make it seem like you were there when the photo was taken and nobody would ever guess you were late or missed out on the photo op. Thre was no escaping being in the picture when Bruce was around; he would literally place you in the picture. (Thank godness for his talent .. not that I was ever late) . The laughter and joy that Bruce brought to each event was contagious.
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there really a way to pick just one or even the best one? Every image was beautiful and every image was front page worthy. I had the honor of having Bruce take photos twice of my little family. The first time was when my daughter was born, and the images he caught were breathtaking. The second was when he took pictures of us out in the park. For one, he knew all the best places to take pictures because this photo shoot took us to a part of our park that I didn’t even know existed. It was as if I stepped out of my car into a magical land of tall trees and pure beauty. The day was hot, humid and everything unpleasant that West Texas could bring. On top of the temperatures being extreme, we were taking pictures with two small children – both under 5 – and a teenager. I felt sorry for Bruce. I still don’t know how he did it, but he captured the pure essence of each one of my children. You could see the love they each have for each other, but you also saw the spark of independence in my daughter’s eye; the spunk that is bright eyed in my youngest, and the strong, yet loving heart that is exhibited by my
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Megan Crane Photography
The Courtyard & Hardware Store Located in the heart of Downtown Big Spring surrounded by all the fun and tons of local businesses! Our venue is a mix of sophistication, shabby chic, outdoor garden, and tons of old charm! Experience the time of your life at The Courtyard and Hardware Store. Downtown Big Spring’s best kept secret. Walking distance to boutiques, restaurants, bars, and The Hotel Settles. We offer 3 rental packages to accommodate any type of event!
The Hardware Store is an open, 2 story, larger space accommodating around 200-250 guests. This portion of the venue has a bar area with bar stools, upstairs balcony, a private room or bridal room, and a fully equipped kitchen. For those grand affairs, such as Weddings, that require more room or multiple entertaining areas, we offer an option to rent out the entire venue as a whole at a great price. When you book the venue, you will receive access to The Hardware Store, The Courtyard, and The Party Room as well as each one’s included amenities. We now offer event planning included with every booking at the same great prices we have offered for 10 years. We have partnered with many local businesses to bring you top notch services and recommendations. An assortment of tables and chairs are also available to rent in house. Take a tour and book your next event at the oldest building in Downtown Big Spring!
Megan Crane Photography
oldest. Who knew a photo could capture the treasure of my heart? I remember when he called me and told me the photos were ready. Viewing the photos, there was no way to pick just one. I wanted them all. Looking at those pictures, you never would have known we were all sweating, getting attacked by mosquitos and dealing with three children who did not want to take pictures. The pictures showed love and highlighted the beauty that exists not only between us, but that can be found around us. Today those photos hang on my wall, the collage that Bruce put together for me - because he knew I couldn’t pick just one - and in the frames that he put together for me. Those images held a special place in my heart because of the love that was put into creating them, but today, they are that much more special because I know I am blessed to have a piece of Bruce’s work forever in my home. Seeing Bruce behind a camera was to truly see Bruce Schooler. “Bruce, the Lord may have needed you in Heaven, but a true friend is always with us if even in spirit,” Laurie Martinez, Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, said. There are not enough words to express
Megan Crane Photography
The Courtyard and Party Room is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a unique venue for smaller gatherings of no more than 100-125 guests. You will receive access to our gorgeous outdoor patio which includes cast iron tables, chairs, and a peaceful fountain. The indoor portion has a built-in bar area with a fridge, microwave, and bar stools included.
Contact Us Megan Bridges, Manager and Event Coordinator - (432)559-2037 Email: Rental@dowtownbigspring.com Website: DowntownBigSpring.com Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! @DowntownBigSpring – The Courtyard and Hardware Store @TheCourtyardandHardwareStore
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the impact that Bruce Schooler leaves behind on the community in which he served, and nowhere near enough page space to display the great work he did. “I never saw Bruce without a smile on his face ... always brightened my day,” Tabitha Clark, Chamber Ambassador, said. I can only imagine the photos he is capturing in heaven, and I bet he is still cracking his jokes and I can bet, still not taking that picture until all can be seen. Your jokes will be missed; your joy will be missed; I hope you truly know the impact that you leave behind ... Thank you for your service, and to you
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I say, “Don’t forget the film, Bruce, and don’t forget to take off the lens; and yes, you trained us well – just like the Little League kids.” We will miss you, but with each photo we will remember to “Say Monkeee” and before we take that photo everyone will be seen. “Bruce’s ability to capture another view of Big Spring was absolutely amazing and a gift. His views through the lens has inspired me to want to pursue photography as a hobby. His eye gave us a hope for a better outlook on life,” Manny Negron, community member and Tourism Coordinator, said. Capture the moment Bruce … we will do our best down here.
August House Call
A Community Resource for Child Injury Prevention... Preventable injuries are the number one killer of kids in the United non is now proud to serve as the lead organization for Safe Kids States. Every year, 8,000 American families lose a child due to an inSan Angelo and further support the important work of this organizajury that could have been prevented. Additionally, nearly tion. Safe Kids San Angelo continues to assess 7.7 million children in the United States are treated for community needs and focus on public awareness, injuries in emergency departments annually. education, public policy advocacy and community Safe Kids is a worldwide, nonprofit organization action. The partnership is committed to our misdedicated to educating children and their families on sion of reducing unintentional childhood injuries; ways to prevent traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, through hosting several educational events for the poisonings and more. Safe Kids San Angelo works with public throughout the year, including: families and communities to share education and keep Road safety, including car seat inspections/instalchildren safe from preventable injuries. lations and seat belt laws. The Safe Kids San Angelo coalition was formed in Water safety, including drowning and the use of 1995 when a local pediatrician Dr. Jane Rider saw the proper personal floatation devices. importance of identifying childhood injuries and how to Bike safety, including helmets and bicycle/pedesbetter prevent them in our community. With the support trian laws. of San Angelo Community Medical Center as the Home safety, including falls, fire and burn Dr. Jane Rider lead agency, various public safety and public health prevention, poisoning, medication safety and San Angelo Community Medical agencies collaborated to establish a committee and outdoor play. Center a plan of action focused on reducing preventable For more information about Safe Kids San injuries in our community. Angelo, please contact Jamie Harden at 325-947-6130 or via e-mail at Since the recent acquisition of Community Medical Center, ShanJamieHarden@shannonhealth.org.
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By DUSTIN POPE Sometimes in life, we run across those extraordinary individuals, the type of people who will let nothing stand in their way. These are the qualities of superstars like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, and many more exceptional athletes. There is just that “something” inside of them they have that makes them unique. It strengthens them. There is a local High School athlete that is the true meaning of that “something.” Coahoma’s own Vance Ott, is a remarkable young man that has not only defied the odds, but has transformed the way we look at overcoming the difficulties that life presents us. Vance Ott will go into his senior year this coming school year. Vance is a representative of the Coahoma track team; in fact, he is a reigning state champion in both the men’s 100-meter wheelchair dash and the 400-meter wheelchair dash. What makes Vance so exceptional is that he does all of this in his specially designed wheelchair, specifically for the track. Ott was born with Spina bifida, a condition that affects the spine. It is a type of neural tube defect. Spina bifida can develop anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close.
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When the neural tube does not close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord does not form as close as it should. This culminates in deterioration to the spinal cord and its nerves. Because of his condition, Ott has to use a wheelchair for maneuverability.
Most individuals would just let this became an excuse for They specially designed the chair that Vance uses just for why you can NOT do something, but for Vance, it’s entire- racing. They individually designed the chairs to fit each ly the opposite. The young man views this as a way for athlete’s specific dimensions, so they are just an extenhim to push harder and do things some may think are impossible. Ott is unfazed by his condition; he never lets it beat him down; he will never use it as an excuse on why he can’t do various tasks. Instead, the unique young man constantly discovers a way to do whatever he desires. Ott has consistently had a love for sports, as he has been the trainer for the football team and has always stayed involved in all sports to be a part of them. Vance has also been a part of stock shows and excels at everything he does. That’s why it is not a shock to see him excel at the track. It was Vance’s Freshman year when he had the opportunity to get a specially designed chair, specifically for him, that was created for racing. Ott had a chance to train with seven-time Paralympics and three-time Olympic athlete Saul Mendoza. The Texas Regional Paralympic Sport Loaner Chair 1700 W. FM 700, Big Spring, TX program set up his new racing chair and the teaching time. They (432) 264-1900 set this program up to fulfill a need Schedule your appointment today! after the UIL added wheelchair racing to its track and field events. Living Magazine 13
Get ready for
BACK TO SCHOOL
IMMUNIZATIONS Dr. Steve Ahmed
sion of the body. are the ones who motivate us to be better humans. Vance Ott excels not only at the sprint races; he also He has done all of this with a smile, never hesitating, competes in the shot put. In fact, Ott made it to state this consistently keeping such a confident approach. He past year in the shot put, where he finished in second should and will continue to be an exceptional man and place with a throw of 22 feet 3 inches. So when I tell you athlete. The outlook is so pleasant for Vance Ott. It’s gothis young man is remarkable, he is. There is truly nothing to be interesting to see his journey ahead of him. ing Vance Ott cannot do, and he does it all very well. So what does the future hold for this remarkable athlete? Well, he has his senior year coming up, and if his Junior campaign is any sign of how he will do, the sky will be the limit for Vance. He will continue to train even harder so he can be the back-to-back state champion. As he continues to Find all you need for an awesome year ahead-for less. get stronger, I’m sure he will take first place in the shot put as well. Vance is such an exceptional man. Most of us would use Vance’s troubles as a scapegoat, a way to attain sympathy or make excuses; Vance is the complete opposite. He understands what obstacles he has standing in his way, and instead of searching for excuses, he looks for solutions to get his job done. Vance is also interested in trying to qualify for the Para Olym201 W. Marcy Dr. pics sometime down the road. With Big Spring, Tx this kid’s work ethic and fire, he will (432) 267-3363 no doubt reach all of his ambitions. I expect him to have a great senior year that will be the stuff of legend. Then I expect he will qualify for the next Para Olympics and represent the United States on the biggest stage. Vance is a once-in-a-lifetime individual. These types of individuals
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A Great Attitude By KAY SMITH
When I enrolled in a beginner painting class right before my 40th year, I was saved from an ordinary life. Even though childhood oil lessons in Big Spring and various crafts were done, I’d never attempted to learn watermedia. Quickly I discovered that talent is not a requirement to become artistic. Many of lesser talent than Michelangelo and Monet had made it. These people have three necessary traits along with their attitude: DESIRE, EFFORT, and TENACITY. I learned at that first class if I applied myself, I could make it as an artist. These three traits, if you’ll keep and nourish them, will make you into a painter no matter how long it takes. No magic tricks involved. No socalled “talent” that one is born possessing. The attitude to hang onto the traits will disintegrate, though, without DISCIPLINE. Learn to say “No” to the million interruptions life throws your way in a given day. Time and attitude will enhance your efforts. If you practice negativity and think your work is mediocre, you may be too critical. Lots stop painting when discouragement is allowed in. Get the monkey off your back, as Danny Gregory says (the man who founded Sketchbook Skool). Realize each drawing or painting is but a stepping stone. So don’t toss your unfavorable works into the trash bin. Paint on the back, add another medium, collage onto it, or cut it up for smaller miniature paintings. Students tell me “I don’t know what my style is. How can I find it?” Keep at it and your style will follow you, recognizable to others but not to you perhaps. The subject matter you choose is important. So with your attitude and the above mentioned traits, paint what you are passionate about. You will begin to tell your own story.
Visit Brushworks Studio at 2106 Scurry or online https:// kaysmith.artspan.com Living Magazine
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Welcome Back! Have you been delaying routine care due to concerns related to the Corona Virus? Now is the time to catch up! Martin County Family Clinic maintains a clean and safe environment for you and your family. We want to welcome you back into the facility for all your healthcare needs.
Do You Know Medicare Offers Free Services? These services include: *Welcome to Medicare visit: If you are new to Medicare, this initial "welcome" visit is covered at no cost to you! This visit includes a review of your medical history, education, counseling about preventative services and certain screenings, flu and pneumococcal shots and referrals for other care.
*Annual Wellness Visit: A yearly appointment with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to create or update your personalized prevention plan.
Call (432) 607-3243 to schedule your appointment today!
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Now accepting new patients. Same-day appointments are available!
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