September 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.
Expedition Royalty Co.
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
Michelle Hamlin 432-755-7030 michelle.hamlin@srp-ok.com
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
04 being able to teach a student an ability that brings to life their creativity is a catalyst that can lead to endless possibilities. Mr. Woody has not only helped refine skills in the Welding program, but has helped students find passion.
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Raising the bar; healing unhealable wounds
Non-healing wounds can seem cumbersome; for some it may seem as if the wound won’t ever heal and it is just a new way of living. With the support of local healthcare services that is no onger the case. non-healing wounds can be healed with the right treatment, with a dedicated team in the community.
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Fond memories
The ability to share a story is not an ability every person contains, but local former chaplain joel miller has the knack. Miller has turned his storytelling ability toward his memories and compiled them into fun adventures for the community to share. 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 AMANDA DUFORAT Teaching a trade that goes far beyond the classroom is the goal of the CTE (Career and Technical Trade Education Classes) at Big Spring High School. While lessons can be taught and knowledge can be gained, the ability to unleash a passion is a rare skill that can serve a student beyond their wildest imagination. The welding program at Big Spring High under instructor Milton Woody is one of those programs that has opened a door for many students who walked the halls to CTE courses. There are those students who first enter the welding course to fill a class selection and then find that they have embarked on a path that unleashes a passion they can’t wait to pursue further. Jayson Primrose has been in the welding program
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since he was a freshman, and will be a senior this coming school year. Jayson has multiple American Welding Society certifications in gas metal arc welding (GMAW), or wire; and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), or stick. He won third place in advanced welding at Texas State Technical College in Sweetwater, and was awarded a grinder and a flat screen TV. Jayson also won the team building award as the captain with Avery Allen at the West Texas Welding Rodeo in Rankin. We are looking to Jayson to be a leader in our shop and on our Skills USA Team. “In my three years of welding at Big Spring High School I’ve learned a lot, from welding to teamwork. It has opened me up to a lot of opportunities to show off this skill,” Jayson said.
welding team from Big Spring, and ‘superior’ at State one of the years,” Marquez said. Marquez continued, “Welding has taught me so many amazing life lessons and skills that I will continue to use in the future. Not only that, but I have met so many amazing people and made tons of unforgettable memories.” Mekhi Castillo has multiple American Welding Society welding certifications in SMAW or stick welding. He was also a member of the Mentor program his senior year, helping to teach Intro to Welding students. Mekhi is an amazing young man in and out of the welding shop. Mekhi will attend Tulsa Welding School (TWS) in Houston this coming year for advanced pipefitting and layout. He is also a local martial arts student with many wins under his belt. Mehki is always willing to help any and Primrose has four certifications, 2F with wire, 1/8 7018, 3/32 7018 and 3/32 6010. “ Welding has been a great experience and it’s very rewarding if you work hard at it,” he said. Bella Marquez won second place in Welding 1 at the Welding Rodeo in Rankin this past year. Bella has several American Welding Society certifications In SMAW or stick welding. She will also be the Welding team President for this school year. Bella was a member of the only all-female welding team to ever compete at district Skills USA. Bella has been a great example to the other Lady Steer Welders of what a young lady can accomplish if they work hard and build their skills. “Over the past two years of me taking welding, I have become certified, qualified for state twice, and I’ve been a part of the first all-girls
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everybody with anything. The BSHS welding shop
will surely miss him this coming school year. “Before welding, I was certain I was going to be an MMA fighter. I still love both, but now I can have the best of both worlds. It’s like being a jack of all trades,” Mekhi said. Out of the projects completed, Castillo said his most notable accomplishment was the guitar he made. The time and effort he poured into it, tied in with the creative aspect made it a project build that has stuck in his mind. While in welding class, Castillo earned three fillet weld positions in stick. “I am planning on broadening my skillset with TIG, but my main focus is just being able to comfortably work on projects, because that is what I love about welding,” Castillo said. “ I enjoy making things with steel. I hope that TWS can give me the tools to do just that.”
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Kate Hunter is going to be a senior this coming school year. She will be in her third year of the welding program. She has multiple
all-girl team in attendance. The group made a rocking chair. Hunter also received a red ribbon for online state for the 2021 Skills individual competition for her epoxy table. She also won third Place at an intermediate cutting competition in Rankin. “The welding instructors said they’ve never seen someone cut so fast and smooth,” Hunter said. She continued, “Welding is something I can see being a career option for my future and is something I love with all my heart. However, I would never have loved it this much without Mr. Woody.” Gabrielle Galon was a third-year welding student while at Big Spring High School. She is part of the 2021 graduating class. At graduation, Galon had multiple American Welding Society certifications in SMAW and GMAW, and was a member of the Skills USA team for two years. She also served as Welding Club President for two years. She has also been a member of the Mentorship program for two years, helping mentor the Intro to Welding students. “Gabrielle is very good using and training other students on our CNC automated cutting equipment,” Mr. Woody said. Galan was one of the thousands of students American Welding Society certifications in GMAW or wire. Kate won third place in the Intermediate oxy-fuel cutting competition at the West Texas Welding Competition in Rankin this year. Kate was a mentor for other students in her class and the Intro students. Kate Hunter qualified for state and received a blue ribbon in competition in 2020, but due to the pandemic, was not able to compete. Hunter was on a team with two other girls – Bella Marquez and Elle Galan – and they were the only Living Magazine
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whose life was impacted by the pandemic. Her first year for state competition was canceled due to the pandemic and the second year was a virtual competition. “I have completed two years of Skills USA and got first place … I wasn’t able to go my last two years of high school,” Galon said. “I have several certifications and would love to get more. Even though I am graduated I will be going to the welding shop to help Mr. Woody with the Intros, and the Intros that I taught my Senior year.” Isaah Colegrove, or as he’s known at BSHS, Grayson (that’s his middle name) will be a senior this coming year. He has been in the welding program since he was a Freshman and has multiple American Welding Society certifications in SMAW and GMAW. Grayson is also a member of the Mentorship program and has spent countless hours working with the Intro to Welding students to improve their welding skills. He will be returning as a member of the SkillsUSA team this school year. Grayson will be competing in Advanced individual
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welding and has a very good chance of winning District and moving on to State. He is a hard working young man. Grayson, along with his partner Jayson,
built a barbecue pit that was entered into the Skills USA competition. “We learned a lot about constructing things out of metal, especially boxes out of metal. We learned a lot in the process: how to weld around pipe, and metal warping due to heat. It really was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to create more things in the future with welding and fabrication,” Grayson said. While there are some who enter the welding program with no intention of pursuing the trade as a career, there are those who want to extend the experience gained past graduation. Grayson is one of those students who plans to become a welder when he enters into the work field. “Building the barbecue pit will help me in my future... I will be adding experience onto my record helping me learn how to do specific positions in welding and welding with different sticks. Now I have more experience in GMAW welding, which is
David Gonzales will be a senior this coming school year. David has American Welding Society certifications in stick, wire, and GTAW (or Tig). David is one of the hardest working students in the program. With Mr. Woody’s assistance, he will seek an internship with TD Industries in Irving. David can weld aluminum, stainless steel and mild steel in all three processes. “In my opinion, David is going to be very successful in the Welding field anywhere he goes,” Mr. Woody said. “Last year I had a superior rating at State Skills USA championship for my BBQ pit. I really love GTAW and, with Mr. Woody’s permission, I have taught several students. I am also very proficient with programming on the CNC plasma cutting table,” David Gonzales said. “My ideal career would be structural welding in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I have multiple structural certification, and I am eager to get more this year.”
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 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.
Megan Crane Photography
Elijah Flores was a senior this year and will be going to the Marines in September for boot camp. He has multiple American Welding Society certifications in SMAW or stick. Elijah is an amazing young man, always working on a project and helping others with theirs. He has got so much skill in welding and fabrication and he will go very far in any welding he does in the future. His presence will be missed in our welding shop this coming year. “Welding at Big Spring High has allowed me to have the ability to prove what I know by working with my hands instead of taking a written exam. This class has revealed to me that there are a lot more paths opened up in my life instead of going straight to more schooling,” Elijah said. “My eventual intentions are to be able to use the skills gained in the welding program in the United States military. I have accumulated as many skills as I could to carve my own path in life.”
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
a breeze for me now,” Grayson said.
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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By TIFFANY CRAWFORD As a member in the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services, The Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center located at Scenic Mountain is committed to raising the bar for healed outcomes and advanced practices locally since 2016. “Through dedication, leadership, and ground-breaking research, we have continued to see positive healed outcomes through our practice. This shows through transparency in our 97% patient healing rate, emphasizing our success with healing chronic, hard to heal wounds. This is more than a specialty practice. Our patients are our extended family that we are there with them every step of the way.” Tiffany Crawford, Director, states. With this, their dedicated, trained and highly skilled team continues to raise the bar for Wound healing practices while providing education on other conditions for which they can provide support and healing, not only in Howard County, but in other areas as well. This is why The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine is raising awareness and providing hope for radiation injuries. “There are many other conditions we support healed outcomes with that some might not know. It warms my heart knowing we can help our cancer survivors heal from their radiation injuries as well,” Crawford said. Cancer recovery rates are increasing, thanks to early detection and advancements in treatments. Yet after surviving cancer, many patients who received radiation therapy have underlying complications that may remain undetected for up to 20 years after their treatment. Of the 1.6 million people diagnosed with cancer each year, about half will undergo radiation therapy. Radiation kills cancer cells, but can also damage surrounding tissues. Visible symptoms of soft tissue injuries may not occur until years later. One study showed an average time of eight years and seven months post-treatment before radiation patients experienced these complications. The experts at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center are raising awareness of soft tissue injuries and share these facts about radiation-related soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue radiation injuries most often arise after tooth
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extraction in patients with prior radiation therapy. The second most common group of patients are those who have received radiation to treat gynecological, prostate and colon cancer. Areas especially prone to tissue injury are those covering bony prominences, surgical areas and those on the face. Moist skin folds such as those under the breast, the armpit and around the anus and genitals are also vulnerable. Other signs of soft tissue injury can include blood in urine, rectal bleeding, vaginal discharge and pain. Radiation injuries may occur spontaneously or in response to a traumatic injury or infection. The wounds may appear superficial, and the pain associated with these injuries is often
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the reason a patient seeks treatment. There is hope for healing radiation injuries. The Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine provides advanced wound care treatments and comprehensive care for soft tissue injuries that can include hyperbaric oxygen therapy or HBOT. We offer HBOT at the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center that gives our community access to a wellregarded wound treatment therapy with a high rate of success. Patients are generally very satisfied with this painless technique, during which you can watch a movie or just relax. HBOT speeds healing to wounds and soft tissue injuries by increasing the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. While receiving HBOT treatments, patients lay down in a large, clear chamber surrounded by 100 percent oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. For more information about radiation injury and treating and preventing chronic wounds, contact the center for Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine located at Scenic Mountain Medical Center or call (432) 268-5370. Self-referrals are accepted.
Saturday Well Checks For Healthy Pediatrics 1700 W. FM 700 (432) 264-1900 Living Magazine
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“September House Call School Telemedicine: Providing Convenient Healthcare to Our Smallest Patients“ Shannon and several area schools have partnered together with the mission to provide convenient care to the pediatric population of the community. With the use of new technology, students will now be able to be seen by a pediatric provider from the comfort of their school nurse’s office. The Shannon School Telemedicine Program began in 2019 at San Angelo’s Goliad Elementary, the school chosen by the San Angelo ISD to pilot the program during its first year. Today, there are 33 schools participating for the upcoming school year. Shannon is committed to partnering with school districts within the region and further expanding the program. Shannon is the first healthcare provider in West Texas to implement a schoolbased telemedicine program. Shannon understands the importance of having a healthy child and that it isn’t always easy to take time off work whenever a child suddenly gets sick at school. With the School Telemedicine Program, children can get the care they need without making a trip to an urgent care and having to sit in a waiting room. Whenever a child is feeling ill and needs further care than a school nurse can provide, they are able to be seen virtually by a Shannon Pediatric Provider through an on demand medical exam facilitated by TytoCare—a handheld exam kit and app that facilitates a video visit between patient and provider. Telemedicine is exciting technology for
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patients, but we have found that there seems to be a certain amount of hesitation regarding using it to diagnose an illness. Individuals are sometimes concerned about not having a doctor physically present to assess their symptoms, as they would during a hands-on examination. TytoCare bridges this gap by providing advanced, accurate
technologies that give physicians the tools to If the provider sees the child assess a patient as is they were physically through the telemedicine propresent. gram and feels at any time that Each Tyto kit contains a device with an exam the patient needs to have a camera. Additionally, there is a thermometer, further in-person visit, they will a blood pressure cuff, an otoscope adaptor for recommend the most appropriate examining the ears, a stethoscope adaptor for healthcare setting. heart, lung and bowel sounds and a tongue Children sometimes go to depressor adaptor for the throat. With the school sick. This means they are help of the school nurse, Tyto provides all the exposing not only other children, equipment necessary for the physician to see, but faculty as well, to acute illhear and conduct a true assessment for acute nesses. Our goal is to provide illnesses. convenient access and excepAfter an assessment is complete, the providtional healthcare to our smallest er is able to prescribe medicine, if needed, to patients. the family’s preferred pharmacy. All information If a parent or guardian is interfrom the visit will then be shared with the parested in learning more about this ent or guardian, as well as saved in Shannon’s program, they are encouraged MyChart patient portal. to discuss current or future availAn important aspect parents should keep ability with their child’s school. Michelle McNutt – in mind is that these visits are not meant for Please visit ShannonHealth.com/ Shannon Director of Virtual Health chronic conditions that need to be managed. SchoolHealth to learn more about This program is designed to diagnose and treat illnesses that you the program and download an enrollment packet. Additionally, they would normally visit an urgent care for, such as flu, colds, strep throat, may contact Michelle McNutt, Shannon Director of Virtual Health, at fever and rashes. 325-481-8860.
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By JOEL MILLER Some of my fondest memories are of my interactions with in his class think, if he ever tells them about his time spent with my youngest grandson, Riley. His home life is a single mother granddad. Most kids never get the chance he gets to visit these working full time. places. So we have been keeping him during the school shutdown He is now 12 years old and is very conscience about our because of the pandemic. age and physical limitations. He asks, when NiNi is sick, if we We first started him when he was about eight years old, on need to take her to the doctor and when I get tired, he tells me week-ends only. One of the first things I remember was my wife and I talking about our fading memory. When we were getting ready for bed that night, we noticed a sign on our door “Granddad and Nini’s room. Over the bed was two notes,” Nini’s side” and “Granddad’s side”. Early on, we would occasionally keep him for teacher in-service days and holidays. During those days, I would take him to work with me. As a Chaplain, I have an office at the law enforcement center. So, he was comfortable visiting officers and office personnel. I also visit the Fire Department, where they show him around the fire trucks and ambulances. Eventually, he Save on Grills, Fan Apparel & more for got to know how each vehicle would operate. When they got a new ladder truck, the the perfect game-day tailgate party! fireman let him operate all the levers to balance, raise and deploy the ladder, and then to secure it. I am also on the board of directors of the local WWII air museum and he goes with me to visit. He is comfortable around all the planes and amuses himself at the mu201 W. Marcy seum when I am busy. (432) 267-3363 I have often wondered what the others
FIRE UP YOUR FANDOM!
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to go sit down and let him finish whatever it is we are doing. Of course, he is also getting independent and I have to remind him, he is still only 12 and needs to do what we tell him. It has been a new adventure, with us in our 80s and raising a child again, but it is also a pleasure to watch him grow into a young man. Granted, some of the things I let him do cause his mother to cringe. He has been protected from life because of an earlier job his mother had, but I see the need for him to learn to be self-sufficient. For instance, this past spring, we were in my wood shop and he asked what I used my wood lathe for. Instead of telling him, I showed him. With my help, he turned a rolling pin for his Nini, even staining and putting handles on it. Then, he made another for his cousin’s new wife. Another time, he was in the shop and I decided it was time for him to learn about knives. I had an old Boy Scout knife and gave it to him to whittle. Trying to teach him about being a boy has been interesting, too. When he needs to go to the bathroom, I tell him to just
step out the door and use the corner of the building. While he was riding his bicycle the other day, it started to rain. I told him that as long as there was no lightning, he could enjoy riding until he got completely soaked, just don’t tell his Mother. He has helped me build large airplanes , as riding toys, for our local WWII museum, holding boards while I cut them to size, helping spray paint, and putting wheels on them. This was a part of my education when I was growing up. Things have changed so much from the time I was his age to now. I was much more independent and self-sufficient. It is hard for me to realize why all kids cannot be like I was. Next, I want him to learn to mow yards and weed-eat. Then, I will show him how to change oil in a car. Hopefully, I will be an influence on him now, so he will be more self-sufficient as he grows older. Some of these things are just simple things I do as an afterthought, but to him are major accomplishments. He still gets embarrassed when my wife and I kiss. He thinks it is gross.
Good Luck To All Our Gridiron Gladiators! As we kick off another exciting football season, we’d like to wish all area teams the best of luck and much success! We will be cheering for you!
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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!
FAMILY CLINIC
Now accepting new patients. Same-day appointments are available!
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