Bell County Living - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018 SUMMER 2017

Growin g Four Generations of 4-H Leaders Although 4-H is the largest youth development program in Texas, the truth is 4-H is for the family.

THE COLORS OF ART As a child, Kay Griffith wasn’t intrigues by the shape the of the trees on her family’s land in Abilene, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t collecting these images in her mind’s eye for when she began oil painting as an adult.

ACCIDENTAL ALPACA FARMERS The Campbells, former corporate professionals from the Houston area, are living their dream as accidental alpaca farmers on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca farm.

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CONTENTS

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E D U C AT I O N

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G R OWIN G FO U R GEN ERAT I O N S OF 4- H LE A DER S

Although 4-H is the largest youth development program in Texas, the truth is 4-H is for the family.

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LE T T E R IN G W I T H LOV E

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A R CH E RY—B R I N GI N G A N AT H L ET I C OPP ORT UN I T Y TO A L L ST U D EN T S

Lettering--the newest art form taking the social media world by storm; and no, you won’t need to take a class to learn all about it!

Archery is an all-inclusive sport that allows any student to feel like they are a part of the school—a part of the community. Five years ago, Coach RaeAnn Melvin began introducing a new sport to the students of Nolanville Elementary School; one that gives a new sense of belonging to many students.

FA I T H A N D C O M M U N I T Y

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J UST ICE 4 M U T T S - - SAV E A D O G, CH A N G E A L I F E

Bree Justice cares about dogs—the abandoned and abused, the unloved and unwanted. Bree began convincing friends and family to adopt, and her foster-based rescue grew from there.

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A ME R ICA N H O N EY

Set aside your worries and linger with me for a minute here in the land of Summer-is-the-best! Turn your face towards the sun, close your eyes and breathe.

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CLE A N IN G FO R A R EAS O N — L IG H T E N IN G T H E LOA D

Cancer affects not only the patient, but also the entire family.

Cleaning for a Reason provides a local cleaning agency the opportunity to take care of their loyal customers by allowing them to step in and lighten the load.

SALADO

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T HE BA RTON H O U S E: A CO LO R F U L PIECE OF SA L A D O H I STO RY

In 2017, Clinton Harwell revamped the historic Barton House into a fine-dining experience.

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T HE COLOR S O F A RT

As a child, Kay Griffith wasn’t intrigued by the shapes of the trees on her family’s land in Abilene, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t collecting these images in her mind’s eye for when she began oil painting as an adult.

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B EL L CO UNTY L IV I N G

ABOUT THE COVER The cover photo is of Cade and Emily Morris and their children, 3rd and 4th generation 4-H'ers from Bell County.

Read more about them on page 10.

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H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T I TS B EST

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CONTENTS

120

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

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ME D ICA L D IRECTOR W EIGHS IN ON STROKES: SY MPTO MS, TREATMEN T AN D PREVENTION

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Dr. Chris Colvin from Seton Medical Center Harker Heights talks with us about symptoms of a stroke and what is involved in treatment and prevention.

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HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS

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Lighten it up with healthy, fresh summer dishes.

ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC S C HOOL

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HOME & GARDEN

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H E A LTH Y RECIPE

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SPRING CL EANIN G FOR TH E D IRTY SOUL

Break out the Lysol, toss the Tupperware containers without lids and throw open the windows to air out the house. Spring has sprung and with its arrival, the desire to clean, shine and de-clutter seems to spring up as well.

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WATE RFA LL S AND SW IMMIN G HOL ES: DAY TRIPS TO KEEP COOL IN THE TEXAS HEAT

As fortune has it, Bell County is just a short jaunt to many day trip destinations involving beautiful waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes.

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GROWING MASTER GARDENERS

Texas Master Gardeners earn the title by training and serving; they are more than people with a green thumb—they train others to have a green thumb.

T R AV E L A N D O U T D O O R S

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DAY CA MP PROGRAMMIN G – TH E PE A N UT HENDERSON WAY

As his desire to help kids grew, Peanut Henderson has become the king of camp directors and mentor to hundreds of kids in the Bell County area, including Camp Heatwave, Home School Day Camp, Camp Holidaze, Camp Adventure, and Camp Journey.

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SU MME RTIME EASY – FISH A ND FUN

We Texans love our rivers, lakes, and ponds. Spring rains flow into seventy-seven creeks and streams in Bell County, providing plenty of fishing spots, plus excellent lakes, sparkling in the sunshine, waiting for your freshwater pleasure.

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ACC ID E NTAL AL PACA FARMERS

The Campbells, former corporate professionals from the Houston area, are living their dream as accidental alpaca farmers on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca farm.

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ARTIST TO ARTIST SHOWCASE

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H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T ITS B EST

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

O

J u sti n an d Hay l e y Six Kyle an d Hal se y C l a r k Justin.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 301-3828

Justin & Hayley Six Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Justin Six

CREATIVE | DESIGN

GreenFox Marketing

CONTENT COORDINATOR Jennifer Cabbage Jennifer.RedFin@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Halsey Clark

PROOF READER Hayley Six

PHOTOGRAPHERS Becky Stinehour of Candid Images Photography

EmilyB Photography JohnJohns Digital Art

Kay’s Photography & Design

Ortiz Photography Studio Ruffled Cabbage Photography Yvonne Overstreet

COVER PHOTO

SALES

Photo by EmilyB Photography Bruce Racioppa

Jill Studinka Justin Six Kyle Clark

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Carey Stites Charles Franklin Connie Lewis Leonard Heather Regula Jessa McClure Johnna Thomasson Martha Helton Peggy Purser Freeman

CONTRIBUTORS

Central Texas Christian School Salado Chamber of Commerce

Seton Medical Center Harker Heights St. Mary’s Catholic School

Kyle.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 304-1044

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 BE L L CO U N TY L I V I N G M AG A Z I N E R E D F IN P UB L I S HI N G

W W W. B E L LC O U N T Y L I V I N G . C O M 8

Red Fin Publishing

CONTENT DIRECTOR Hayley Six Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

ur lives are busy! We can speak from experience that at the end of a day, we can be left on empty. The demands to do all things and be excellent at all things is a constant battle to be won. Although we encourage you to “seize the day,” “be EXTRAordinary,” “slay,” and the list of cliché phrases goes on and on, in a “carpe diem” world, we embolden you to also “stop and smell the roses.”

Take the time to build margin in your lives, time to catch up with friends, make dinner with family, or learn something new. We ask you to sit and read a magazine, preferably this one, and be inspired by someone who is doing something great for others. Make time to do something for someone else. Pray. Breathe. Love. Repeat.

We tell you with every issue how much the people of Bell County inspire us. We pray that with their stories you are given joy, hope, encouragement, and rest—from the momentary busyness that is calling to you even at the very moment you finally sit down.

In this issue, you will meet four generations of 4-H members who say they owe their 4-H raising to the people they are today. Both livestock and servant leaders are being raised from our local 4-H programs, making a huge impact for our community.

Interested in local swimming holes, hand lettering, or the “honey hole” for catching that big fish? This issue is for you!

We want to thank our advertisers for making this publication possible and free to the community! Help us express our gratitude by shopping local and visiting their establishments to pick up your complimentary copy.

This publication is about you! Please feel free to email us photos of your events to add to our Hometown Happenings, or any stories you would like to read in the next issue. We would love to hear from you!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date events, announcements, and important information about Bell County you don’t want to miss!

We give thanks to God for our many blessings and look forward to great year to come!

Until the next edition, wishing you many blessings,

PUBLISHER

B EL L CO U NTY L IVI N G

Bell County Living© is published quarterly by Red Fin Publishing.

WWW.REDFINPUBLISH IN G .COM P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 301-3828 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher.

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E D U C AT I O N

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GFourrow i ng Generations of 4-H LEADERS

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by EmilyB Photography and provided by Morris Family

Family - the greatest blessing that comes from 4-H.

A

lthough 4-H is the largest youth development program in Texas, the truth is 4-H is for the family.

According to Sheryl Long, Bell County Extension Agent, they are currently supporting sixteen 4-H Community Clubs and Project Clubs with over 600 youth members.

“We really encourage family involvement. 4-H clubs offer programs in horsemanship, shooting sports, food science, healthy living, robotics, fashion, photography, livestock, and more,” Sheryl explained. This program would not be possible without the help of over 200 adult volunteers that serve as Club Managers and Project Leaders.”

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Although 4-H is the largest youth development program in Texas, the truth is 4-H is for the family.

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B EL L CO UNTY L I V I N G

Cade and Emily Morris are taking their children into the fourth generation growing leaders for the future. The family, including eleven-year-old Macy, eight-year-old Carter, and even four-year-old Maren, participates in the Salado 4-H club in Salado. Cade is a rancher and Emily is a stay-at-home mom.

"I can see the positive impact 4-H has had on each generation," Emily explained. "Both of my grandfathers and my dad made a career out of what they learned and experienced in 4-H. It instilled in them a love of agriculture and leadership that has been passed down.

Most importantly, 4-H is a family activity. We do everything together as a family and that is the greatest blessing that comes from 4-H." Emily smiles with pride when she talks about her family in 4-H. The smiles translate to happy memories that reflect time spent together. “My granddad, Wayne Arrott, even went to the National 4-H convention in 1948 for sheep shearing. My parents (Marvin and

Karen Ensor), Cade and I, all our siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles grew up in the program.�

As an adult 4-H leader, Emily appreciates how many programs and opportunities there are for Bell County youth. "If a child has an interest, there is probably a 4-H program where they can be involved," Emily said. "I truly believe in 4-H's ability to shape young people into future leaders. When I was young, I loved all the friends I made through 4-H. Many of those friendships continue today. I loved traveling to stock shows with my family and the excitement of the show ring. 4-H has always been a part of who I am. When your grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles are all involved in the program, it just becomes a part of you. But I strongly believe that the hard work, leadership, discipline, community service, and ethics that encompass 4-H have been passed on to me. It's a program that is just who we are as a family. The time I spent

working livestock or memorizing food show facts, or the countless hours I spent working on my record books, kept our family close as we worked on them together.

And that is what I love about my children now being involved. It's something that we have in common and enjoy doing together."

The ability of a 4-H club to bring people together through common interests in programs and in community service projects is an amazing thing. 4-H impacts the community around them. The Salado 4-H group just finished donating handmade fleece blankets to the local clothes closet. And the Salado group will be writing Christmas cards for the VA hospital at their next meeting.

"We want the kids to see how they can positively impact the community," Emily explained other benefits that stretch into life skills. "My freshman year in college, I was required to take a public speaking class.

At the end of the semester, we all took turns doing our presentations. I remember seeing the fear in about 90% of the class. I realized that participating in the Method Demonstration program that is offered in 4-H prepared me in a way that the other students hadn't been. I was used to standing up in front of people and speaking. I had been a 4-H officer and knew how to hold the attention of a crowd. At that moment I saw the impact 4-H had made, not only through livestock but also in my education and leadership ability.

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As a full-time rancher, Cade knows 4-H. "Looking back on 4-H, whether you end up a rancher, doctor or even an astronaut, at the heart of it 4-H builds a strong foundation for developing leaders. 4-H encourages young people to develop courage, work ethic, a competitive drive, a desire to succeed, and a mindset of giving back to the community. These are all things that have helped me in my professional career. My favorite programs are, of course, the livestock shows, livestock judging, food challenge/show, method demonstrations, shooting sports, the record books, and the sheep skillathon."

In Emily's senior year, she won the San Antonio Livestock Show Sheep show. "It was the best moment in my life at that point. I remember just the honor I felt and how truly grateful I was, especially for my dad. He worked so hard day in and day out for not only my family but for all the 4-H families. That moment still encompasses for me what 4-H can do for you—family, friends, hard work, and an opportunity to better yourself."

Cade's and Emily's eleven-year-old daughter Macy shared her memories. "4-H has shown me that it's not just about winning but being with your family. It's fun, competitive and you get to make new friends. I like livestock judging, sheep skillathon, showing sheep, food challenge, and food show. To show and participate in my 4-H project areas, I have to be more focused on my grades. Last year, I remember being at the Houston Livestock Show with my family, including my cousins,

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aunt and uncle, and granddad. My cousin and I both were in the livestock show and placed for the first time there. It was a proud day and fun because we did it all together.”

Emily’s father, Marvin Ensor, was involved in 4-H as a youth and managed and supervised the program during his career with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. He has worked with and for 4-H for 37 years. He will retire as State Program Director and Regional Programming Director at the end of December.

"The 4-H program has always been a significant part of my life," Emily's father explained. “It had a significant impact on my family. I have many memories of my family working together to accomplish challenging goals. When asked what memory I remember with pride, I think about the Houston Livestock Show in 2007. It was the last show for my youngest daughter, Whitney. She had a great show and afterward, I noticed that her older sisters, Emily and Kaley, had joined her to get their picture made with the lamb to celebrate the moment. They all recognize the value of the program and that the goals were accomplished as a family."

Texas 4-H has been in existence since 1908 and is the youth outreach educational program of the Texas A&M AgriLife system. Sheryl Long wants everyone to know about 4-H, how youth gain leadership skills through participating in the program. Texas 4-H provides over $2.2 million in scholarships that youth qualify for. More information can be found on the Bell County 4-H website at agrilife.org/bell4h

“4-H encourages young people to develop courage, work ethic, a competitive drive, a desire to succeed, and a mindset of giving back to the community.”

– Cade Morris

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H OMETOWN H APPENINGS

ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Mary’s Catholic School continues to provide excellence in education through creative learning, hands on experience, and dedicated and hardworking staff. Here are some of the wonderful things that we have recently experienced.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Alyssa at Walking for Education Day

Lalya, and Evie SMCS Little Falcon Cheerleaders

Spring Musical Cast and Crew: You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown Director: Dr. Lucie Menjivar Music Director: Mrs. Sarah Kuriger Charlie Brown- Joseph Jolly, Snoopy- Veronica Basile, Sally- Isabelle Kuriger and Kathleen Rockwood, Lucy- Mikaela Andrews and Theresa Lindberg, Linus- Preston Nguyen, RerunZach Boor, Violet Gray- Josie Ogunmuyiwa, Schroeder- Andrew Lindberg, Peppermint Patty- Da’Mitria Sewell, Marcie- Isabella Garza, Shermy- Joshua Barkis, Frieda- Savannah Shadburn, Eudora- Isabella Pardo, Peggy Jean- Valerie Schwartz, Little Red Head Girl- Gillian Kurtin Crew Roles: Stage Manager: Trent Lockhart, Assistant Stage Manager: Jacob Zuniga, Prop Manager: Therese Mosmeyer, Costume Manager: Audrey Basile, Set Construction: Kalli Cayce, Backstage Crew: Elias Deen, Backstage Crew: Henri Summers

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ST. MARY’S 5K FUND RUN WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 24TH SUPPORTING TUITION ASSISTANCE SO NO ONE IS DENIED A QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCAITON

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E D U C AT I O N

Lettering with Love

By Johnna Thomasson | Photos by Ruffled Cabbage Photography

I

t would sound like the silliest thing, if you were to ask me what I was passionate about. If I were to truthfully respond, “I am a lover of words,” then I would assuredly be followed up with a, “By that, you mean?”

What I mean is, our entire existence can be summed up in a word. You can tell every story ever told in every language ever to exist and have the same word represent 1000 different emotions, sometimes in the same instant. Even without speaking, words are still omnipresent. They are translated in writing, thought, body language, spoken word, music, etc. Even Helen Keller, both blind and deaf, translated words through physical touch. Besides time, words are the only thing that can be connected to everything,

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and that is POWERFUL. Some of us enjoy words through a good book under a shaded tree or with a glass of wine, a bubble bath, and a little slam poetry running through our head directed at those who may have tested our limits that day.

However, if you’re like me, you turn on a little Ray Charles and get comfy on your couch as you rewrite cliché quotes decoratively over and over again, each in a different font than the last, and then you turn around and call it art. This is the art of lettering—it is quite therapeutic and also, really fun.

So if you’re still reading, I am hoping that means that your interest is a little piqued. From one letterer to another, here are four tips that helped me improve my art the most.

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Pinterest is for more than salad in mason jars.

I know, shocking right? Well listen, coming from the girl with like 75 boards, I have been to the deepest, darkest part of Pinterest and, to tell you the truth, there is nothing you will not find. Fortunately, that means every font alphabet is just sitting there waiting to be pinned and practiced. My recommendation is pick a font (personal favorite beginner- bromello) and practice your alphabet so much so that you start forgetting what your natural penmanship looks like. It eventually becomes muscle memory, and even though I believe no true artist will ever be content with his or her work, your work will begin flourish.

Try every writing utensil at least once, but not ALL AT ONCE. I don’t know about you, but some of these fancy art instruments are a little out of my budget. By a little I mean, buy enough of it in a short amount of time and you might be selling a small organ to make rent. But don’t worry, just a small one. Do your research, learn about the different types. For example, when I first began I only used sharpies; ther were affordable, and as a beginner it was easier to control. As I became more comfortable with my skill I would test out new pens. Even now, although

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BEL L CO U NTY L IV I N G

I have built up a bit of a collection, I use only about two sets because they provide what I need. Everyone has a different style, just like in music, movies, or books.

However, to accurately find the right ones, you must test the varieties. Everyone is an artist, but sometimes we do not realize our artistic abilities because we lack the proper tools.

It’s okay to be a lit tle bit of a copycat, just give credit where credit is due.

Lettering is much more than writing a fancy A or L; it is also the ability to somehow make all these words fit on a page that is pleasing to the eye. It is the ability to throw in color or pictures to match the aesthetic you are hoping to achieve. Some of you may be able to acquire this naturally and that is wonderful, but I am not that girl. Instagram is a great social media platform to find examples of work to recreate. If you just type in the word ‘lettering’, at least 50 pages will pop up. That alone should provide more than enough content. I never believe in stealing another’s idea and calling it your own, but I do believe we can use others’ art as practice to learn what skills we might be lacking.

Document your work.

Simply put, it is difficult to see how far you’ve come if you have forgotten where you began.

I only promised four tips, so I’ll throw this last one in free of charge: HAVE FUN! Be passionate and productive. Productivity without passion is work and passion without productivity is just plain silly.

But that’s just my opinion.

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H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T I TS B EST

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E D U C AT I O N

ARCHERY

BRINGING AN ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITY TO ALL STUDENTS

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By Charles Franklin Photos by John.John’s Digital Art and Provided by Raeann Melvin

ARCHERY IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE SPORT THAT ALLOWS ANY STUDENT TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A PART OF THE SCHOOL—A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. FIVE YEARS AGO, COACH RAEANN MELVIN BEGAN INTRODUCING A NEW SPORT TO THE STUDENTS OF NOLANVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; ONE THAT GIVES A NEW SENSE OF BELONGING TO MANY STUDENTS.

E

veryone knows that in the state of Texas, football reigns supreme; but, at Nolanville Elementary School (NES), a new sport is catching on: Archery. A part of Killeen ISD, NES began their archery program five years ago and it is coached by RaeAnn Melvin and Mike Duncan.

“We started out with a grant from the Killeen Education Foundation,” says Coach Melvin. “They gave us almost $5,000 and we were able to purchase the basic equipment to form a team. Where a lot of larger schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth area have practice facilities specifically for their archery programs, we use our school gym.”

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The NES Archery Program allows 3rd through 5th grade students the opportunity to engage in a sport where speed, strength, and overall athleticism isn’t as important as hand/eye coordination, form, and mechanics. Starting in January, archery is taught during P.E. classes. Students then have the choice to join the before-school Archery Club in the fall, where 125-130 are assigned instruction on certain days of the week to keep the groups smaller. The ability to have these groups is greatly aided by the full support of NES Principal, Dr. Wendy Haider.

“Once we reach the month of November, we have a shoot-out to determine who will be on our competition team,” Melvin said. “The top 24 scores from 4th and 5th grades will make the team, and we’ll also have around 15 members on our prep team.”

From there, the team is always on the lookout for archery tournaments—though they are hard to come by in the Killeen area, or even in Austin. In fact, one tournament NES has been able to attend has been in Arlington, where the prep team has traveled to hone their skills and engage in competition.

Another tournament the school has been privileged to participate in has been the “Red River Shootout”, which is held in Denison, TX, and pits Oklahoma teams against Texas teams.

“ARCHERY NOT ONLY GIVES THEM A SENSE OF BELONGING TO A TEAM, THE PROGRAM ALSO CAPTURES KIDS WHERE ARCHERY MIGHT BE THE FIRST THING THEY’VE EVER BEEN GOOD AT.”

Coach Melvin explains, “Archery is still a bit rare in the local area, so we don’t have much opportunity to compete before the state tournament. We’ll have a virtual tournament in December and January, where we send in our students’ scores to see if we qualify for state.”

The team has gone to the state tournament, which is held in Belton, each year of the program’s existence, with two 3rd place finishes. From there, they have also qualified for the National Archery Tournament, held in Louisville, KY; however they have not been able to attend due to how young the team is and the traveling distance.

Along with teaching students to shoot a bow and arrow, the rules of archery, and a strong emphasis on safety, the archery program also incorporates a mathematical component.

“We have the students measure and calculate the perimeter and area of the archery course, as well as the targets,” explains Coach Melvin. “This helps them learn to understand measurements, as well as math concepts they’ll use in the future.”

Though archery is still quite new to some in the community, it has appealed to many who have a competitive spirit but might not have been able to throw a football, hit a baseball, or make a basket.

Being in a military community, NES takes pride in

having a diverse student population. Not only are there archers from various backgrounds, there are also members of the team of various educational needs.

“We have deaf-education students on our team, special needs students, and homeless students.

Archery not only gives them a sense of belonging to a team, the program also captures kids where archery might be the first thing they’ve ever been good at,” Coach Melvin said.

Her voice cracks several times as she tells stories of past students. One example she gave was that of a homeless girl who came to Nolanville and tried out for the team. The young lady was constantly down and hardly talked to anyone. Upon making the team, though, her spirits seemed to lift and she began socializing with the other students.

The young lady’s stay at NES was short-lived, however, and she moved to Utah. A while later, though, Coach Melvin received a phone call from the girl’s mother. “Coach Melvin, I just wanted to thank you for all you did for my daughter in your archery program,” the mother said through tears. “When we got to Utah, my daughter began slipping back into depression and I thought I was losing her again. But I took her to a Junior Olympic prep program and she’s been accepted! The coach said she has great form

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NES’s archery program falls under the National Archery in Schools Program, where they pride their sport as, “An activity that doesn’t discriminate based on popularity, athletic skill, gender, size, or academic ability,” giving young men and women a chance to succeed when they might never have gotten an opportunity to before.

It is Coach Melvin’s hope that more students in the area and across Texas get to experience that feeling, because, as she reminds herself—that’s why she does this.

and she’d love to work with her! Archery brought my daughter back!”

Coach Melvin goes on to tell another story of a young man who was struggling in Skills class and hardly talked to anyone. He barely made the team and was warned by Coach Melvin that if his grades dropped, he would not be allowed to be on the team anymore. The young man worked hard, kept his grades up, and steadily improved at archery. He improved so much, in fact, that he became the “Most Improved” on the team. After making 2nd team and participating in the state tournament (improving his score by 90 points), his demeanor had changed completely and he was laughing and socializing with the other students.

When asked about his experience at the state tournament, the young man exclaimed, “I feel like a super hero!”

It is moments like those that keep Coach Melvin going. “You know, you get to the later part of the school year, and both the students and teachers are reaching that point of being burned out. Then, you have a student do something extraordinary and you think to yourself, ‘Oh yeah…that’s why I do this!’”

In an effort to spread the popularity of the sport of archery, Coach Melvin, along with Coach Duncan, have gained the certification to train other coaches in archery. She hopes this will encourage other educators to start archery programs in their own schools and allow them to have the impact on their students that she has seen on her own.

“Archery is an all-inclusive sport, and that allows any student to feel like they are a part of the school—a part of the community,” she said.

“YOU KNOW, YOU GET TO THE LATER PART OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND BOTH THE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ARE REACHING THAT POINT OF BEING BURNED OUT. THEN, YOU HAVE A STUDENT DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AND YOU THINK TO YOURSELF, ‘OH YEAH… THAT’S WHY I DO THIS!’”

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H OMETOWN H APPENINGS

ARTIST 2 ARTIST SHOWCASE The Artist 2 Artist showcase is a new way for nontraditional artists to showcase their work, from beginner to advanced. It covers all aspects of art to include pottery, photography, musicians, multimedia, and endless artistic possibilities. We have a booth at First Friday every month in downtown Temple and host showcases every 6 months. The next one is August 25th in downtown Temple, working with O’Brien’s Irish Pub to showcase music and art, along with local food trucks.

PHOTOS BY JOHN.JOHN’S DIGITAL ART

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FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

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JUSTICE 4 MUTTS

Save a Dog, Change a Life

B

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by John.Johns Digital Art

ree Justice cares about dogs—the abandoned and abused, the unloved and unwanted. She has been rescuing dogs since she was 16. While working at Orange County Humane Society, she met The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, and appeared with him on his National Geographic television show. She said, “Cesar made a huge difference in the way I worked with animals. He is the main reason I put most of my focus into taking dogs from the shelter that others might see as unadoptable.” Her love for animals, experience and skills led her to eventually open Justice 4 Mutts in 2015 after moving to Texas.

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People would contact her, or she would find strays on the street, and she didn’t want them to go to shelters where they would most likely be euthanized.

Some dogs had medical issues or were frightened or unsocialized. Bree began convincing friends and family to adopt, and the foster-based rescue grew from there.

“Our goal is to find every dog we rescue a loving, forever home. A lot of the dogs we rescue are scared and afraid. Our volunteers work with them to teach them to trust again, that we are going to take care of them. Many of our volunteers are children. Working with dogs teaches them how to have sympathy and patience with animals. It also teaches them responsibility and how to be a caretaker. It also helps make sure that our rescues are kid friendly and ready to be placed in homes with children. We have a lot of great support from our community. Donations and volunteers keep the rescue going. We have fosters and families that have really pulled together in our time of need,” Bree said.

OUR GOAL IS TO FIND EVERY DOG WE RESCUE A LOVING, FOREVER HOME.

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Most of the rescues are from high kill shelters.

Bree and her volunteers watch for their postings, and shelters will also reach out to Justice 4 Mutts for dogs on the urgent or last 24 hours list. Sometimes Bree goes to shelters to see who may need to be tagged quickly. She usually picks the scared, quiet or shy ones. They have less of a chance of someone adopting them because their personalities do not show through.

Normally Justice 4 Mutts has anywhere from 15-30 dogs on property and six to ten in foster homes. The length of stay ranges from a couple of days to a couple of weeks or sometimes even a couple of months. They have had a few dogs for up to a year.

They work with Pet Finder, a national pet registry, and they have about 500 “Happy Tails.”

Bree couldn’t do it without volunteers. Long-time volunteer, Gabriella Kehler said, “It feels good to try to make their lives a little better, to get them used to people and to prepare them for their new home.

Volunteer work is also, in my opinion, a ‘dirty job’—

lots of poop-scooping involved. I especially love to see the dogs leaving for their ‘forever home,’ and I have met many wonderful, hard-working, enthusiastic, committed and self-sacrificing volunteers at the rescue.”

Dorene Burlew said, “I learned about Justice 4 Mutts when my daughter, Zoey Smith, did a school project on the rescue. We started going out walking, feeding and watering the dogs. We couldn’t stop. We love these dogs and can’t wait to find them all forever homes. Each dog is special in its own way and has its own personality. This is their transition place, a place where we care, love and heal them from whatever they’ve been through. We teach them how to trust again and how to love. They teach us compassion, responsibility, caring and unconditional love. It makes our hearts happy to see them find their own family and their own home where they feel safe and loved. We love getting updates and hearing about how they have bonded to their new family and continue to grow and become loyal and loving companions. Rescuing dogs is an important part of humanity and holds a piece of my heart.”

One especially touching tale involves Bonnie and Clyde. When Justice 4 Mutts rescued Bonnie and Clyde, they were malnourished and had Demodex to the point they had no hair. They could not walk on their front legs because they were bowed, so they scooted or dragged them. The vet did not think the dogs would survive the weekend. They had fighting spirits, though. Dorene said, “We started feeding them and did dips for the Demodex. They just wanted love and affection. They were such a sweet pair. They gradually got stronger and stronger until they were using their legs, and they started growing their hair back. Two to three weeks after we got them, we got Timmy, now renamed Tank. He had severe Demodex, too. It took about three to four months to get them healed. Once they were well enough to be in an outside kennel, we put the three of them together.

They were so fun and full of life.”

Bree couldn’t do it without fosters and adopters.

“The Wideners met Bonnie, now renamed Diamond, and fell in love. They adopted her and several weeks later also adopted Ozzy. The Hudaks had been following Timmy’s story online and wanted to meet him. They fell in love and adopted him. They also adopted Sibble a couple of weeks ago. Clyde is still looking for his forever home. He is house-trained, crate-trained and loves going on walks and for car rides. He loves kids. Our family fosters him and feels lucky because he is such a sweet guy. I think he would do great as an only dog and deserves to get all the special attention he can get. All three of them

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went from puppies people didn’t want to touch to cuddle bugs. They are affectionate and are definitely three of our favorite rescues.”

Dorene tells another inspiring story: “We rescued Wolfie, now renamed Waco. He had been a homeless dog living under a bridge in Waco for almost a year with no human interaction. When they trapped him and brought him to the rescue, he was terrified. We could not get a leash on him or get him to come out of the crate unless he darted out to hide. Bree took him in her house for two weeks to work with him.

He was still scared. We put him in an outside kennel and continued to talk to him and gain his trust one day at a time.

“Finally he learned to walk on a leash. A girls’ volleyball team from Killeen came and volunteered.

Waco let many of them walk him because, by then, he loved the attention, always standing tall on the fence to make sure he was not missed. Mr. and Mrs. Boots, who lived about three hours away, met him and fell in love. He did not want to get in the truck at first, and they had to coax him with many different treats. He has been a wonderful dog for them. When family comes to visit, he thinks everyone is there for him. Waco went from a dog that nobody could touch to a dog who loves affection.”

Bree couldn’t do it without the support of the community. In March, Bree’s home suffered a fire, and she still hasn’t been able to move back in. A couple of weeks later, she was in an automobile accident. With everything that has happened, it would be great if all the dogs at the rescue could be placed in fosters or adopted. If you have a place in your heart and your home, check out www.justice4mutts.org orJustice 4 Mutts Facebook page.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT SUPPORT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. DONATIONS AND VOLUNTEERS KEEP THE RESCUE GOING.

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FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

American Honey

By Heather Regula

Let this summer be a time of celebration and reflection - choose joy daily, and keep looking up.

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I'm always in awe of the scientific explanation of why we have four seasons - The four seasons are caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis as we orbit around the sun; however socially, we tend to celebrate summer from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Summer Solstice, the day with the most hours of sunlight during the entire year, is actually on June 21.

People pay homage to summer in various ways all over the world. In ancient Egypt, summer was the start of the new year as the rising of the star Sirius occurred at the same time as the annual flooding of the Nile River. Swedish people often celebrate the Summer Solstice by eating the first strawberries of the season. In Barcelona, Spain, locals ring in the Summer Solstice with bonfires and fireworks during the Feast of Sant Joan. Over 3.5 million visitors annually flock to Aomori, Japan and take in the sights and sounds of a massive summer festival, featuring giant floats and music. Tens of thousands of people participate in large yoga sessions, in different cities in India, in celebration of the Summer Solstice.

The highlight reel for summer in Bell County features barbecues, late nights, frozen treats, the occasional warm summer rain, live music, and trips to the lake, among other things. Remember when you were 10 and counted down the days until summer so that you could catch lightning bugs in jars, swim in the creek, and ride your bike all day long!? Ahhh, those were the days!

Summertime as an adult carries some stress changing schedules, summer camps, vacations, and the good 'ole Texas heat can take a toll on all of us.

Stop for a few minutes and shake off the stress and anxiety. Set aside your worries and linger with me for a minute here, in the land of Summer-is-the-best!

Turn your face towards the sun (or where it would be if you were outside), close your eyes and breathe.

Lady Antebellum's song "American Honey" is the ultimate expression of what summer feels like to me. The lyrics are perfect - “…there’s a wild, wild whisper blowing in the wind, calling out my name like a long-lost friend. Oh, I miss those days as the years go by, oh nothing's sweeter than summertime, and American honey…”

While we can't go back in time to when we were 10-years-old, we can live this summer with that same youthful enthusiasm! Plan out your week and leave plenty of time for play! Rekindle that adventurous spirit and make the most out of this summer! Have a family picnic in your backyard. Tour your town as a tourist. Grill. Soak up some sun. Swim. Explore.

Dedicate time to just lounging. Do whatever makes your heart happy!

Let this summer be a time of celebration and reflection - choose joy daily, and keep looking up.

As you find peace and happiness in the summer days ahead, intentionally look for volunteer opportunities. Choose at least one way that you can give back to your community and stick with it.

We rise by lifting up others. Live intentionally and purposefully. Live well.

He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." - Luke 10:2 H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T I TS B EST

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Cleaning Reason

FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

FOR A

LIGHTENING

THE LOAD

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Kay’s Photography

C

ancer attacks not only the patient, but also the entire family. It takes a terrible toll physically, emotionally, and financially.

Friends may want to help but don’t know what to do. Cleaning for a Reason steps in and lightens the load.

“I never had a maid service until I became ill and had radical surgery for cancer. My son got in touch with Cleaning for a Reason. He gave me a month of cleaning for Mother’s Day. I had to wait for service because the Austin area was so busy. Then one day, the Belton office got in touch with me and got started right away. They came in and made everything shine! The maids are always cheerful and ask how I am doing. They do such a thorough job, and they are so flexible when I need to reschedule. It makes the healing process so much easier when you can use your energy for actual healing instead of depleting your energy on house cleaning. I’m so glad to have this service!” said Regina Adams.

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Holly Moore started Maids and Moore, a familyowned and operated business in 2008. When she heard about Cleaning for a Reason, an international nonprofit, she saw it as a wonderful opportunity to help women battling cancer. Holly said, “Most of these women are in and out of doctor appointments, treatment, and hospital stays making it rather difficult for them to maintain a clean environment for them to heal in. Having a cleaning service come in through the Cleaning for a Reason program takes this burden off of them.

“These women should not have to worry about cleaning their homes they should be spending time with their families and doing what matters most.

These women need ease in their day amongst the emotional turmoil that cancer causes, and if my staff can provide a clean home, then that is what we will do.”

Cleaning for a Reason provides Holly and her staff the opportunity to take care of their loyal customers, many of whom have family members battling cancer. “It is a beautiful thing to be able to give and love through service, which is why our maids love their jobs. The gift of our time and services has not only impacted us as a whole but has also impacted our communities. We have found in

giving of our services, other people throughout our communities want to give of their services as well,” said Rebecca Rodriguez.

Dawnella Carter of Temple, Texas is the 2018 highlighted patient for Cleaning for a Reason. She said, “I would like to thank Cleaning for a Reason for the wonderful gift they have given me. As a cancer patient on chemo, I am so very blessed to have health insurance, good friends and an amazing family. We have five children—our four daughters are still at home, and I homeschool them. With stage four metastasized cancer and chemo, I no longer have the energy to keep my home as clean as I would like. My family gives so much all the time, helping with cooking, cleaning and chores a mother usually does, so Cleaning for a Reason is a gift to our whole family. It gives my family a break from trying to clean our home to my standards, and it gives me the peace and comfort to know my home is really getting clean to my satisfaction. My home is now always ‘guest ready.’ When Annette and her team come to my home, I disappear to my bedroom knowing that when I come out, my home will be clean and beautiful. Maids and Moore have helped tremendously with keeping my spirits high during this difficult time in my family’s life.”

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Yusimy Montesino, who has helped clean Dawnella’s home, said, “I am personally impressed with the great services that this program offers to these women in need of our help. I am very proud to be part of Cleaning for a Reason and to be able help these women. It means a lot since I personally know what it is like to go through this illness since my mother had it. I am happy to help people who are going through that. I hope that our company can continue to help people who need it, and I am very happy to be part of this team.”

Rebecca Rodriguez said, “As an employee of Maids and Moore for four years now, I am completely blown away by the compassion this company has. Being in sales, I speak to many people each day and hear the day to day hardship they endure. Often you wish there was a way you could help them and make a difference in their lives.

Sometimes just a listening ear can help, but when I first learned of Cleaning for a Reason and that this company was a partner of this wonderful organization, it hit home for me. I lost both of my grandparents to cancer and my mentor and a mother figure in my life battled and survived this nasty disease called cancer. To give selflessly of yourself through a labor of service offers so much more than a clean home. It offers an environment in which they are able to heal and relieve them of the stress and pressure of keeping the home for their families. More so, their family members get to spend time with their loved one whether she be a mom, sister, wife, or grandmother and spend those moments making memories instead of laboring away.

“It makes the healing process so much easier when you can use your energy for actual healing instead of depleting your energy on house cleaning.”

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“As media ambassador of Cleaning for a Reason for Maids and Moore, my heart for this cause is deep for not only personal reasons but for these women and their families. I choose to be an ambassador for Cleaning for a Reason because if I can do anything for the kingdom of the Lord, being an instrument to move things in motion is what my heart, as well as that of many of our other employees, feels led to do. I have had the great pleasure of working in the field as a maid not only for our customers but also for these women battling cancer. I have seen firsthand the gratitude and relief upon their faces and have shared tears, hugs, and laughter with these women and their families. God calls us to love Him and love others. Love doesn’t always come in flowers, hearts and happiness. Rather it comes in tears, sweat, and service. The work of a maid is much like that of a nurse—always we do it with our hearts first.

“My heart for this program is to see it flourish as our company continues to flourish. With the help of our loyal customers I anticipate being able to help more women in need as our years go by, as well as reaching other maid services throughout the United States and Canada in hopes that they would

be inspired to help us help these women.”

Mayor Marion Grayson proclaimed April 18-24, 2018 as “National Cleaning for a Reason Week” to recognize the contributions of Cleaning for a Reason and to express appreciation for their commitment to free house cleanings for women battling cancer.

Hopefully by raising awareness, more cleaning companies will join the effort so they can serve an even greater number of women.

Maids and Moore does not receive any funds from Cleaning for a Reason. Donations may be made at directly https://connect.clickandpledge. com/Organization/cleaningforareason/fundraiser/ HollyMoore/

“We focus on your home, so you can focus on your health.”

Cleaning for a Reason provides the gift of a clean home to women battling cancer.

28,000 WOMEN SERVED 1,200 CLEANING PARTNERS $8 MILLION DOLLARS IN DONATED CLEANINGS MAIDS AND MOORE has generously donated house cleanings in Bell County.

14 WOMEN SERVED 36 CLEANINGS $3,675 IN DONATED CLEANINGS MONTGOMERY COUNTY: 43 cleanings, $4,733 TRAVIS COUNTY: 110 cleanings, $13,972

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C o n t a c t U s | 4 1 4 1 W. F M 9 3 | Te m p l e , T X | 7 6 5 0 2 254-939-5700 | www.ctcslions.com 52

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H OMETOWN H APPENINGS

CTCS HAPPENINGS The Central Texas Christian School Lions are roaring through the end of the school year ready to embrace Summer 2018!

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CTCS

Freshman Chris Duvall Nathan Beck working in Art class

Amy Whitesell and CTCS Students working at Love of Christ Food Pantry CTCS Service Day

Arron Mace and cast members from the production of Fiddler on the Roof

Senior, Jack Sewell Tennis Match CTCS Senior Class at 2018 Prom

Art teacher Mrs. Elizabeth Ball and Freshman Tinley Randle Better Hu,Eden Qi, Raylee Warren working on the CTCS Service Day

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680 N. Main, Salado | 254-947-9400

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To learn more, go to 211Texas.org*

WE CAN HELP DADS Media Services 14P468 • January 2015

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*Translation Services Available in Every Language

2-1-1 Texas is a program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in collaboration with United Way of Central Texas

BEL L CO UNTY L I V I N G

Completely cage free boarding, grooming and daycare facility located in Salado

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Photo by Becky Stinehour of Candid Images Photography

SALADO

THE

BARTON HOUSE: A Colorful Piece of Salado History

By Heather Regula Photos by Becky Stinehour of Candid Images Photography

In 2017, Clinton Harwell revamped the historic Barton House into a fine-dining experience. The 150-year-old home features nine dining rooms, 24-inch walls, and longleaf pine floors.

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ife was remarkably different in 1866! Andrew Johnson, a Democrat from Tennessee, served as President, and our country was in a period of Reconstruction. Jesse James and his gang allegedly committed what was considered to be their first robbery in Liberty, Missouri. Henry Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York City, and Congress approved the minting of the nickel.

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1866 was also the year that Dr. Welborn Barton, a physician who received a degree from Kentucky's Transylvania University, built The Barton House.

Dr. Barton, originally from South Carolina, served in the Confederate Army as a surgeon and practiced medicine in Bastrop County for two years before returning to South Carolina to marry Louisa Adeline Cox. In 1854, Dr. Welborn and Louisa Barton moved to Burnet County with other South Carolinians and then settled in Salado in 1865.

Construction on the three-story Barton House, built of Texas limestone, was completed in three major stages, with the original part constructed in 1866. The colorful history of The Barton House is as intriguing as it is entertaining. Dr. Barton kept his medical practice on the main floor of the house, while the family lived on the other two levels. A wing was added on in 1879, consisting of two rooms on each

floor - one of which served as a surgery room for Dr. Barton's practice. In 1946, four indoor bathrooms replaced outhouse that the family previously used.

There is plenty of speculation and rumors that surround the Barton House. Some people believe that Dr. Barton modeled his home after an English style manor home with wings on each side, but he died in 1883 before a second wing could be built - a covered patio sits on the right side of the house now.

The surgery room featured an indoor limestone sink with outdoor drainage, and family members think this was possibly some of the first indoor plumbing in Central Texas. General Custer and some of his troops are rumored to have been treated by Dr. Barton, in the Barton House. Legend even has it that the house is haunted - there are stories of doors flying open, a salt shaker flying across the kitchen, and even talk of a little girl whose spirit still inhabits the house.

Dave and Katie Hermann bought the building in 1997 and operated The Range Restaurant for many years. In October 2017, the facility was purchased by Clinton Harwell, the owner of Pignetti's in Temple.

"Purchasing this property wasn't something I was looking for - a friend came to me at the last minute because he had a great location under contract and

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couldn't fulfill the contract, so he asked me to take it over. So, the property became mine," explained Harwell. "The Barton family is still in and around Salado, the descendants are still living, and it makes sense to call this place ‘The Barton House’ as that's what it is. For 150 years, this has been The Barton House."

Harwell and his team spent months renovating and revamping and opened gradually over several weeks, starting around Valentine's Day. A full menu featuring food with a southwest flair rolled out in March.

"We have nine rooms available to dine in, and each room is named according to the history of the home and Salado. 'The Barton Room' was Dr. Barton's surgery room, and before we redid the floors, you could see the discoloration of the wood due to blood spillage. 'La Sirena' is the mermaid room and named according to local legend and has a Greek, mystical feel to it," remarked Harwell.

"Artwork by Thomas Kinkade and a light fixture created by Salado glass are the highlights of 'The Garden Room.' You can come here and eat and have nine different experiences due to the feel and design of each of the nine rooms. We've worked hard to maintain the authenticity and history of The Barton House. The walls are 24-inches thick, and the floors are made out of longleaf pine. The original floors and doors are present throughout the entire house."

General Custer and some of his troops are rumored to have been treated by Dr. Barton in the Barton House. Legend even has it that the house is haunted.

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The Barton House menu, rooted in purposeful forethought and intentional planning, offers guests a unique dining experience. Popular appetizers include the Candied Bacon Tabla (featuring candied bacon, summer sausage, jalapeno cornbread, honey butter, cherry peppers, green olives and cheese) and Garlic Shrimp (pairing four sautĂŠed shrimp with Elote Salad, Tomatillo and Avocado sauce and Cotija cheese). The Barton House Wine Club, with five different levels of membership, offers exclusive limited availability wholesale wine deals, and a private limited offering of hand selected wines.

Cases of wine are selected quarterly, according to the customer’s preference.

The Barton House is open Wednesday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Reservations are suggested for larger parties.

Daily lounge and patio food and drink specials are available from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. A Salado Food and Wine Experience, sponsored by The Barton House, is planned for October 27.

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H OMETOWN H APPENINGS

The Village of Salado, TX will host an event June 8th, 9th, & 10th that will be held throughout the town.

The event will include tours of national and Texas historical sites, a speech by “Sam Houston” from the balcony of the Stagecoach Inn, demonstrations, exhibits and entertainment. Vendors have been invited to show their handmade and pioneer products.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE OF SALADO, TEXAS Skip as Sam Houston

Nancy E. Turner

Cowgirl Evelyn Billington

Martha Everman Jones, Ph. D.

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Texas History Days in Salado was conceived by residents of Salado, Texas, who want to

explore the history of Salado and Texas. The goal is to call attention to Salado’s historic past and share that story with as many visitors as we can attract. The state of Texas is now focusing on history based vacations and Salado is one of the first towns to embrace this concept with many of Salado’s non-profit organizations planning unique exhibits.

• Texana Museum in the Carriage House • Geneology Classes by Martha Everman Jones, Ph.D. • Exhibit by The Native Prairies Association of Texas • Author Nancy E. Turner will share excerpts from her books • Treasure Tour of seven Salado antique shops • Open House of The Salado Masonic Lodge

• Tablerock Presents Shakespeare — A Midsummer Night’s Dream in “Cowboy Style” • A speech given by “Sam Houston” from the balcony of the Stagecoach Inn • Evelyn Billington shares her cowgirl music

• Presentations by the Bell/Coryell Bee Club

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SALADO

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The Colors of Art

By Jessa McClure Photos by Becky Stinehour of Candid Images Photography

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s a child, artist Kay Griffith wasn’t intrigued by the shape of the trees on her family’s land in Abilene, Texas; she was captivated by the leaves as they came out in spring, flowing in a rhythmic motion against the cobalt, blue sky.

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“I remember sitting next to the stock tank fishing, watching the waves, imagining being the bug on the waves,” Griffith said. “I wondered what it would be like to feel the breeze blowing you along under the light play and the colors of the sunset.”

At the time, the West Texas girl wasn’t interested in drawing the beauty around her. But that didn’t mean that she wasn’t collecting these images in her mind’s eye for when she began oil painting as an adult.

“Our house was on a hill, so I could see lots of colors in the sky,” she said. “I watched blades of grass blowing and flowers changing colors. I saw the fog roll in and the colors shift. It captivated me.”

While she experimented with different forms of art and creativity throughout her young life, it wasn’t until she took an oil painting class that she could see herself as a professional artist. She then devoted herself to her art full-time, and now, 20 years later, she is impressing art critics and collectors worldwide.

Not only has she won international awards for her abstract pieces, but she has also represented the US at the Art of the Americas at the PanAm Games

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in Toronto and in Ottawa as part of Canada’s 150th celebration. She was one of only two US artists chosen for the honor. She was also named one of the top 15 contemporary artists in the world two years ago by an international jury.

“Every award is special in its own way,” Griffith said. “Each one is a piece of the big picture of my art career.”

Even though she has been awarded some of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a professional artist, Griffith said she doesn’t see herself retiring any time soon.

“I see my art career as a quest and a journey. I’m going to take it as far and as wide as I can,” she said.

“Nothing I have done so far is what I would consider the top of the mountain. When I’m 120, we can sit down and talk about where [my career] ultimately went.”

While the awards she’s won mean a great deal to the native Texan, she said the biggest compliment she can receive is when a customer buys one of her paintings.

“It means so much to me when a collector is willing to spend their hard-earned money to buy one of my pieces and take it home to live with,” she said.

Griffith displays and sells her art at the Griffith Fine Art Gallery in Salado, Texas. Her work has been well-received by Central Texas residents as well as those who are passing through the I-35 corridor.

“I see Salado as sitting in the crossroads for Texas,” she said. “It’s an hour from Austin, two hours from Dallas, two hours from Fort Worth, and less than an hour to Waco. It’s easy to get to.”

Even though her pieces are a hit with art collectors from all over the world, she has never had any formal art education.

“I took a course of color and design when I was an undergraduate, and later took some local oil painting classes, but I do what comes naturally to me,” Griffith said. “No one ever taught me how to paint abstracts.”

Each painting has its own color palette and its own set of rhythms, and is created by a technique called wet into wet with a palette knife.

“Because I only get one chance to put the color where it goes and how I want it, it’s a whole lot more difficult than painting realism,” she said. “I have to know enough about color so that I can feel my way through it.”

She said that some people think that because she paints abstracts, that she’s just putting paint wherever, “willy, nilly,” but that’s not the case.

“I’m very carefully putting that paint where it goes with a palette knife, deciding where it goes and putting it on there,” she said. “I have to know the technical well-enough so I can focus on the what I’m saying with the paint or the experience I’m conveying with the paint.”

Griffith said she is inspired mostly by nature and the natural rhythms, light and shadows that occur around us.

“Most of [my] paintings are a celebration of the colors of the earth and the natural rhythms,” she

Each painting has its own color palette and its own set of rhythms, and is created by a technique called wet into wet with a palette knife.

said. “I see beauty all around me, so all I have to do is go outside, look out a window, go sit beside the water, or watch the sky through the leaves.”

While nature is a big influence for her paintings, Griffith said she rarely paints out in nature.

“One time I took my paints to the Caribbean and when I got back I felt like I needed a vacation. I was there to relax and I worked the whole time,” she said.

“Another time I was hiking in Colorado and took my paints and people kept standing around watching me and asking questions. When I came down off of the mountain I felt like I needed to take some time off.”

To avoid the distraction of curious art enthusiasts and to truly enjoy her vacations, the artist has come up with another method for bringing her experiences home with her.

“I’ll take my paints with me and a canvas and match the colors to what I see,” she said. “When I went to Colorado, I sat and matched the colors of the aspens and the color of the shadow of the aspens. I labeled those color swatches on the canvas with a pencil so that when I got back to the studio and was ready to paint, I would have those color swatches.”

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When Griffith is ready to paint an experience, it isn’t something she does casually. She chooses a day when her gallery is closed and spends several hours creating.

“I like to come into the studio at 7:30 or 8 in the morning and keep the door locked,” she said. “I’ll put in 18 or 19 hours, go home and sleep for a while and then get back at it.”

Putting in these long hours is what Griffith believes makes her successful.

“A talent doesn’t give you success,” she said. “You have to get trained, practice, and get out there and hustle and do the work.”

You can see Kay’s work at her studio, Griffith Fine Art at 229 Main Street in Salado and you can see some more of her work online at www.kaygriffithart.com

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LANCE DODGE

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

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MEDICAL DIRECTOR WEIGHS IN ON STROKES: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

By Martha Helton | Photos by EmilyB Photography

Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Dr. Chris Colvin from Seton Medical Center Harker Heights talks with us about symptoms of a stroke and what is involved in treatment and prevention.

I

began to feel a strange weakness in my left arm; then in my left leg. I grew very alarmed. Next, when I started to remind my granddaughter to put on her coat, my words were slurred so much that they didn’t make sense.

This hypothetical account of my experience is similar to what can be a reality in many people’s lives. What is wrong? Most likely, these symptoms indicate that a stroke has occurred and a trip to the emergency room is imminent. Locally, I spoke with Chris Colvin, MD, FACEP (Emergency Medical Director at Seton Medical Center, Harker Heights (SMCHH), as well as the EMS Medical Director for the Killeen Fire Department) about symptoms of a stroke, what is involved in treatment and prevention.

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A stroke is a sudden blockage of the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain. This may damage the brain tissue affected and can impact someone’s ability to speak, move, remember, control emotions or bodily functions. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. Each year, approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke.

About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 (www. strokecenter.org).

“What are the symptoms of a stroke?” I asked Dr. Colvin.

“Stroke symptoms can vary depending on which area of the brain has been damaged or affected,” he said. “It may be a subtle change of facial drooping on one side…perhaps an inability to speak or when someone does, the sounds are garbled and confusing.

Significant strokes involve patients that can't move an entire side of their body, paralyzed in effect. At times people may lose vision. Migraine symptoms can occur. Sudden confusion can often suggest a mental status change, which can be a stroke as well.”

In any case, it is important to call 911 as soon as possible.

Immediate treatment is so important because "time is tissue,” according to Dr. Colvin. “Brain cells start to die after a few minutes of not having a blood supply and oxygen. When our brain cells die, we can't regrow new brain cells, so the area of the brain directly affected by a stroke will result in permanent loss. There is also an area of the brain surrounding the affected tissue called the penumbra, which can also be hurt if corrective measures aren't made. We try to reopen the blocked blood vessel as soon as we can in order to preserve the tissue.”

There are two different types of stroke. An ischemic stroke is when parts of the brain lose their oxygen and blood supply because of a clot, producing a stroke. The other type of stroke is called a hemorrhage, which is bleeding in the brain. The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, which accounts for 87% of all strokes (www. strokeassociation.org).

There are different types of ischemic stroke. An embolic stroke involves a clot coming from the heart or another artery to the brain. A thrombotic stroke is when there is plaque and clot formation within the arteries of the brain.

At SMCHH (which earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of approval for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center and underwent a rigorous onsite review earlier this year), Dr. Colvin estimates they see anywhere from 8-12 strokes a month

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or more in the emergency room. “We see many types of strokes at our facility. Some strokes may be sudden, which require immediate therapy and medication, while other strokes may be older (more than 24 hours), and outside a treatment window,” commented Dr. Colvin. “Many more patients arrive to the ER with “stroke mimics” that still have to be rapidly evaluated by the stroke team. This is why we have a stroke alert protocol at SMCHH which is quickly activated anytime a patient meets criteria.

They may not end up having a stroke at the end (i.e. complex migraine, Bell's Palsy, encephalopathy), but they require the same level of evaluation.”

Dr. Colvin explained the protocol that takes place when a stroke victim comes to SMCHH. A list of criteria are met to activate a "Stroke Activation". EMS will call in a stroke alert enroute or the emergency department triage nurse will activate the process.

“Once the activation is under way, that patient becomes the priority patient in the emergency department. They are assessed by an ER physician and nurse, and other members of the stroke team.

They must have a head CT (Cat Scan) in under 10 minutes of arrival in the emergency department,” explained Dr. Colvin. “This study is crucial in order to make one of the most important decisions in

stroke care. If the study does not see any bleeding within the brain, then the patient may be a candidate for tPA. tPA, a clot dissolving medication, dissolves clots, but it can also make it impossible for the body to stop bleeding. We have many rules in place which limit our ability to offer tPA because there is a small risk of bleeding emergencies, or, worse yet, bleeding within the brain, which we cannot stop. Once the CT is done very quickly we also do a CT angiography study (a test that combines a CT scan with an injection of a special dye to produce pictures of blood vessels and tissues in a part of your body) which allows us to see which arterial branch is blocked, and how extensive it may be. The patient is brought back immediately to their room where they are assessed by a neurologist, and the continued care of the stroke team. We collaboratively make the decision with the patient and family as to whether or not we can administer tPA. If we do, then the patient must receive the tPA under 4.5 hours, and preferentially under 60 minutes of arrival to our department. If the CT or CTA shows a bleeding stroke, or a large clot that tPA cannot fix, then we transfer to a Comprehensive Stroke Center, which may be able to provide special endovascular procedures to remove the clot.”

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Strokes and heart disease are closely related, which is why the American Heart Association is so actively involved in stroke care. “We know that high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and genetics all play a role in both heart and brain disease.

The same risk factors that can cause vessel disease for the heart also cause vessel disease in your neck, brain, and extremities,” shared Dr. Colvin.

Upon discharge, stroke patients will receive close follow-up in the neurology clinic, primary care clinic, and more often than not, will require physical, occupational, and speech therapy. “Stroke care doesn't end at hospital discharge; it is often just beginning,” said Dr. Colvin.

“What are some stroke prevention tips?” I asked.

“If I could stop one thing in this world it would be smoking. It is the most preventable, single known cause of blood vessel disease on our planet. We know that smoking not only significantly increases your chances of having a stroke, but also increases your chances of heart attack, lung cancer, and peripheral vascular disease, which could result in amputations. Maintain an active lifestyle with good lifestyle choices. Limit alcohol consumption. Diet will often be used along with the necessary medications to try and slow down or prevent future strokes. Low cholesterol diets with modified components for sodium and sugar are often utilized.”

One of the most important action points in stroke prevention is regularly monitoring your health with a medical professional. “Close care with a primary care doctor can help you significantly decrease your chances of having a stroke,” Dr. Colvin concluded.

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Stroke symptoms can vary depending on which area of the brain has been damaged or affected. It may be a subtle change of facial drooping on one side…perhaps an inability to speak or when someone does, the sounds are garbled and confusing.

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

In the Kitchen with About Carey Stites MS, RD, LD, CPT Carey Stites is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian working for Wellstone Health Partners in Harker Heights. Carey has been a practicing Dietitian since 2001 with experience in both outpatient and inpatient medical nutrition therapy and sports nutrition. She is also an AFAA certified group fitness instructor and personal trainer. She has promoted health and wellness through presentations, classes and cooking demonstrations all over Texas.

Photos by Jenny Lloyd Photography

Li g hten It U p w ith

Healthy, Fresh Summer Dishes

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s we move out of the dreary and cooler weather and into the bright and warm summer months, choose a light and spicy tropical salsa for a new summer twist on flavors. Eat it with chips or serve it over

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fresh fish tacos with black beans, this Fresh Mango Salsa will complement the tastes of spring. Pair it with these Chicken Kabobs for a lightened up outdoor evening on the patio, ready for all your spring and summer gatherings!

Fresh Mango Salsa Ingredients: • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil • 3 ripe mangos, diced • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped • ½ cup chopped red onion • ¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional) • 1 large lime, juiced (about ¼ cup lime juice) • ⅛ teaspoon salt, to taste

Directions: 1. In a serving bowl, combine the prepared mango, bell pepper, onion, cilantro and jalapeño (optional).

2. Drizzle with the juice of one lime and mix well.

3. Season to taste with salt.

For best flavor, let the salsa rest for 10 minutes or longer. Recipe yields about 3 cups salsa.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Serving Size: 1 cup salsa; Calories: 200; Carbs: 55 gm; Fat: 1 gm; Protein: 3 gm; Sodium: 7 mg

Chicken Kabobs Ingredients:

Directions:

• • • • • • •

1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon orange juice 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 pinch white sugar 1-2 red bell peppers 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves cut into bitesize pieces • Skewers

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Serving size: 2-3 skewers; Calories: 130; Carbs: 2 gm; Fat: 4 gm; Protein: 23 gm; Sodium: 181 mg

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a shallow container, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, orange juice, brown sugar and white sugar.

3. Place the chicken breasts in the mixture, and marinate at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

4. Alternately thread chicken and red peppers onto skewers.

5. Discard marinade. Spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray and place skewers about ½ inch apart on pan.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown.

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HOME & GARDEN

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Cleaning

By Martha Helton

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reak out the Lysol, toss the Tupperware containers without lids and throw open the windows to air out the house. Spring has sprung and with its arrival, the desire to clean, shine and de-clutter seems to spring up as well. But, then again, you may share the perspective of Erma Bombeck: “My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares.

Why should you?”

In any case, cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing can have a two-fold effect. Not only will your home become more clean and orderly, you can feel more clean and orderly in your life. It may trigger the desire to “spring clean” on the inside as well…like a heart purge.

New beginnings seem to beckon on the sun-drenched horizon of a spotless, organized kitchen. Why not go with that desire, perhaps after you spiff up your physical surroundings? Let’s examine some ways to thoroughly scour your insides.

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Sweep away negativity

Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty? It’s easy to be pessimistic or critical, trapping hope in a corner, screaming to get out. Count your blessings; ask God to give you a grateful heart. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message version) says, “…you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Get rid of worry

Finances that are tight, a teenager who is withdrawing from family and friends or a scary medical diagnosis can leave you riddled with worry. There’s a place to get rid of worry. Look up. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-8, The Message version)

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Throw away regret

Don’t drag yesterday’s baggage into today. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) is perfect go-to daily prayer request. Our Creator offers us the wherewithal to sustain us for today--not for tomorrow and not yesterday, but today, as you have need. He also promises that we can have a fresh start because His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Wipe away guilt

Nothing can sap our energy like lugging around guilt.

There is a way to wipe it away. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not only is it good for your mental health to apologize to God, it is also a good idea to apologize to a loved one for your bad attitude or a sarcastic comment you may have said. Apologizing is a key ingredient for a good spring cleaning.

Remove grudges

In the same mop bucket, carrying a grudge against someone--whether it’s against your dad who ignored

you when you were a kid, or a co-worker who made an insensitive comment—needs to be removed. We are exhorted not to let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26). If we’re not careful, we can hold onto bitterness against others and, left unchecked, it can pollute our lives, steal our joy and even thwart our life’s purpose. You may even need to forgive God for, say, allowing your mother to die when you were a child, or not letting you get that promotion at work. Don’t forget to forgive yourself as well.

Share your Hefty bags

Isolation can wreak havoc on our mental health.

Sharing your struggles or secret vices with others, inviting them to pray for you, can yield not only clean souls but assurance that you’re not alone in the load you are carrying to the curb for garbage pickup. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Flush away the “shoulds”

Don’t “should” on yourself. Flush those “shoulds” down the toilet where they belong. One day I counted eight “shoulds” I was carrying around with me (i.e. “I should call her”, “I should do this”, “I should help with that…”). Challenge those “shoulds” to see if they are really true, so you’re not letting the mildew of false guilt spread. The “should” can change to I “get” to do this, or, you may realize you’re piling on responsibilities that aren’t yours.

Clean, but not perfect

Excellence is one thing, but driving yourself to exhaustion and crippling, neuroticism in the pursuit of perfectionism is another. “Perfectionism is slow death,” writes Hugh Prather. Just do your best and God will take care of the rest. Embrace your humanity.

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Give yourself away

The cure for incessant self-analysis paralysis that clogs your life chi flow is…giving to others. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45); we can adopt this servant mindset also. Giving can be a simple act of opening a door for someone, to taking a pot of soup to a sick friend, to cleaning the house of someone who just lost their spouse. The wonderful secret to this mindset is…the blessings splash back on you. “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Enlist help

Deep spring cleaning can seem so overwhelming that you don’t know where to begin. Solicit help from a friend who can listen, give advice, encouragement, lend a hand or give a hug, when needed. God is your friend as well. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) May these tips inspire your inner and outer spring cleaning endeavors!

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Where Faith and Education Create Miracles Pre-K3 through 8th grade

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www.stmarys-temple.org 1019 South 7th Street | Temple, TX 76504

taking care of each other taking of each other aking care of each other taking care ofcare each other is what community is all about.

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Waterfalls & Swimming Holes HOME & GARDEN

DAY TRIPS TO KEEP COOL IN THE TEXAS HEAT

O

By Martha Helton

ne-hundreddegree summer weather in Texas means you have two choices: hunkering down in air-conditioning, while indoor screen-watching or some good ol’, fun-in-the sun, outdoor splashing recreation. I have always had a fascination with waterfalls, relishing the soothing sound of water pouring over rocks and crashing onto a lower shelf of water below. As fortune has it, Bell County is a short jaunt to many day trip destinations involving waterfalls or, just as refreshing, swimming holes.

So, jump on I-35 and day trip it to your choice of seven road trip excursions to waterfall or swimming hole heaven (although

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some Texas “waterfalls” can be classified more as rapids).

To prepare for your get-away, be sure to pack some sunscreen, water shoes and, in order to avoid crowds, go on a weekday rather than a weekend. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch and plenty of water. In my growing up years, my mom packed the everyday staple, bologna and cheese sandwiches, with Cheetos and a Coca Cola (sugar-laden, of course); nowadays our healthconscious culture dictates tuna salad sandwiches with carrot sticks, hummus and bottled water. No matter whether you pack junk food or vegan delicacies, a picnic lunch— rather than fast food--just makes a road trip more special.

Find your Summer Getaway

TEMPLE

GEORGETOWN

ROUND ROCK

7 SPICEWOOD 71

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AUSTIN

3 DRIPPING SPRING

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Twin F alls

(1 HOUR 19 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

Twin Falls is another spot along the Barton Creek Greenbelt. From the Twin Falls trail head (located around mile 4.75 on the Barton Creek trail), Twin Falls is located around a half mile further along the trail. Wait til after a good rain for enough water to make it swimmable.

Map of Barton Creek Greenbelt to locate Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls—www.austinot. com/austin-greenbelt-guide Here are the getaways to check out:

1

McKinney F alls State Park

(1 HOUR 16 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

Listen to Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools at McKinney Falls State Park. The soothing upper and lower falls are described as “magical” by one Google reviewer.

Cliffs line the falls, providing places to jump into the aquamarine pools below. Call first if the falls are your main reason for visiting as rainfall dictates how full the creek is. Also in the park, you can explore the remains of an early Texas homestead and a very old rock shelter. www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls

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Hamilton Pool Preserve

(1 HOUR 40 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

Since the 1960s, Hamilton Pool has been a popular summer swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot waterfall flows (now we’re talking about a real waterfall!). Weather conditions and quality of the water is monitored so in rare instances, the pool is closed, so check ahead.

Reservations are required with a fee, so book early. www.parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/ hamilton-pool

Sculpture F alls

(1 HOUR 19 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

Sculpture Falls is a hidden treasure that is part of the 7.9-mile-long Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin.

It's is part of the Edwards Aquifer, making the water temperatures in the summer about 70 degrees--a wonderful way to beat the Texas heat. It is a 1.5mile hike (best to wear sneakers) to the Sculpture Falls one way from the trailhead. However, there are several smaller waterfalls and wading pools along the way to experience a little private paradise if you get there early enough. At Sculpture Falls, there is opportunity for cliff jumping or sunning yourself above and below the falls. w w w.theoutbound.com/austin/swimming/ swim-at-sculpture-falls

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5

J acob’s Well Natural Area

(1 HOUR 44 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

This popular swimming spot features an artesian spring that releases 1000s of gallons of water a day. It also has the largest, fully submerged cave in Texas. Swimmers have fun jumping from rocks into the deep, turquoise-colored mouth of the spring to cool off—and cool off you will because the water temperature is a consistent 68 degrees.

But because the swimming area is small, you must make reservations ahead of time to enjoy swimming in two-hour time slots. It is free to get into the park but swimmers pay a small fee to enjoy the refreshing spring water. www.co.hays.tx.us/jwna.aspx

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T he Blue Hole (1 HOUR 45 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

The city of Wimberly operates this swimming park. There is a short path from the parking lot to Cypress Creek, which is lined with a canopy of 100-year-old Cypress trees. A beginner rope swing hanging on a Cypress tree will easily land you into the cold, crisp water. Downstream is an advanced swing with a metal ring to grab onto. The catch?

You have to take a running leap to catch the ring to swing out over the water. The more you practice, the more of an expert you become at your leaping— catching—release skills. www.yelp.com/biz/blue-hole-regional-parkwimberley

7

Krause Springs

(1 HOUR 49 MINUTES FROM TEMPLE)

The privately-owned Krause Springs has been in the Krause family for over 50 years and they graciously open it to the public. Cool, crisp water flows straight out of the ground from 32 separate springs. The water flows into a manmade pool and then overflows down to the natural spring pool below. The main attraction at Krause Springs: standing under the waterfall! There’s even a cave behind the waterfall to venture into. A nearby rope swing makes for great fun to plunge into the cool waters. Bring your own food—there are grills to cook out on as well. Or, you can pick up BBQ from Opie’s BBQ in Spicewood to enjoy picnic style in the park. The perfect summer treat-- snowcones are offered at a stand on site (cash only). http://krausesprings.net/ So, there you have a variety of choices for your summer itinerary to experience some water splashing fun!

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HOME & GARDEN

Growing Master Gardeners

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by EmilyB Photography

Texas Master Gardeners earn the title by training and serving; they are more than people with a green thumbâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they train others to have a green thumb.

B

ell County Master Gardeners Association (BCMGA) is more than people with a green thumbâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;they train others to have a green thumb. This group personifies dedicated and hardworking volunteers. Members range from teenagers to seniors and come from all walks of life with different careers.

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Ilene Miller, a founding member, has been active with Bell County Master Gardeners since the program began in 1997. At that time, she worked as a County Extension Agent for Bell County and, along with Agricultural coworker James Davis, organized the program using state guidelines and curriculum.

Bell County was the 46th Texas county to train volunteers in the area of horticulture. This affiliation expanded the effectiveness of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (now known as Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service). The first class of twentyfour trained volunteers gave back thousands of volunteer service hours through numerous projects to benefit Bell County. Since 1997 more than 500 men and women of all ages and backgrounds have participated in the yearly training programs and have made this community a better place to live.

Ilene Miller's desire to take better care of the environment drew her to BCMGA. “Over the past twenty years, the Master Gardener program has truly made an impact on life in Bell County,” Miller explained. “Helping families successfully grow gardens and have attractive, safe landscapes has given me much satisfaction over the past twenty years.

Likewise, watching the thousands of elementary

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children who have learned to grow their own herbs, flowers, and vegetables and learned to take better care of their environment through Master Gardener (MG) programs has been extremely rewarding.”

BCMGA President Wayne A. Schirner shared his journey, “I learned at the age of five that I didn’t like weeding or digging,” His grandparents worked as farmers and his parents had a large garden. For a family of five in the early to mid-century, having a garden and preserving food was important. After college Schirner worked on the Minuteman Missile program, then attended medical school and joined the Army to do his residency. So, how do missiles, medicine, and moving around army-style produce a Master Gardener?

“After residency, I followed a PBS series on 'Square Foot Gardening.' I enjoyed that method and was able to use it in all parts of the country. My final active-duty assignment was at Fort Hood as a civil servant. I retired and started the BCMGA intern program in January 2015.”

Schirner, like the other members, live the mission statement each week. "The Bell County Master Gardener Association assists the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in providing

high quality, relevant, research-based horticultural education and service to the residents of Bell County and the state of Texas through outreach, teaching, and demonstration projects.â&#x20AC;?

BCMGA conducts youth and community education, establish and maintain demonstration gardens, and provides a speakers bureau. Schirner recently received 2nd place for research on a gardening project completed at the state convention.

A new intern class starts every year the first week in January and concludes the second week in May. In addition to the classroom instruction, interns are required to complete fifty hours of volunteer service to become a certified Master Gardener. The BCMGA currently has over thirty active projects that members and interns can choose to volunteer for.

In 2017, the 130 members of the BCMGA completed over 14,000 volunteer service hours for the citizens of Bell County.

Since 1997 more than 500 men and women of all ages and backgrounds have participated in the yearly training programs and have made this community a better place to live.

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Everyone - no matter their age or skill set - needs to have a basic understanding of the cycle of life for all plants, animals, and insects and know where our food and fiber comes from.

Kathy Lovelace lived around gardeners and gardens all of her life. “Well at least as long as I can remember,” Kathy explained. “My Mom always had a vegetable garden and plants of all kinds. Of course, my older brother and I were part of her work crew and spent countless hours outside with her and sometimes Dad even got to help. When my husband and I moved back home to Belton in 1993 we moved into the house in the country where he grew up.

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A huge yard and vegetable garden came with the house.” Kathy completed the Junior Master Garden training about ten years ago as a week-long summer teacher training program.

“I knew then that one of the first things I wanted to do was to complete the Master Gardener training.

To me, Master Gardeners pass on the skills and knowledge that are needed to be good stewards of our planet. Everyone - no matter their age or skill set - needs to have a basic understanding of the cycle of life for all plants, animals, and insects and know where our food and fiber comes from.”

First Vice President, Kathy Love (not to be confused with Kathy Lovelace), received recognition as an Outstanding Individual Master Gardener, large county category, at the 2018 state conference.

Among her several MG Projects, she took over the Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Hospital Healing Garden in late 2016 and assisted with redesigning the garden.

“As Awards Committee Chair, my proudest achievement has been helping the Association receive recognition for two consecutive years (2017 & 2018) as the State's Outstanding Association in the large county category (100-199 members) by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas Master Gardener Association.”

In 2018 BCMGA also received these awards 1st place Association and 1st place Junior Master

Gardener/Youth project, Chisholm Trail Elementary field trip to the Bell County AgriLife Extension office grounds.

Three 2nd place awards in the categories: (1) Project: Killeen Municipal Court Community Gardens, where BCMGA provides gardening education to youth assigned to community service hours. (2) Research (3) Outstanding Individual.

3rd place Written Education award for member Pat Johnson's bi-weekly gardening column, “Great Gardening Central Texas.”

This is a tremendous testimony to the outstanding service performed by the members of the BCMGA. Kathy Love regularly staffs the Master Gardener Extension office where she and others use their office time and home/site visits to help others.

Love continued, “I often find I don’t know the answer but, because of our training as a Master Gardeners, we know how to find answers through the abundant Extension resources provided to us by Texas A&M and the many other Extension Universities throughout the country.

For me, the second best thing about being a MG is the absolutely incredible privilege to work and play with fellow gardeners who are some of the finest folks I've ever had the opportunity to know.”

Paul Carter and his wife, Mary, are in their first year of training. “I was introduced to gardening by my mother as a young boy pulling weeds and digging holes,” Paul explained. “But, I wasn’t bitten by the gardening bug until I got married and realized how relaxing gardening could be and that growing vegetables was a way of getting free food.”

Individuals trained in the Texas Master Gardener program are allowed to use the Texas Master Gardener title.

They earn it by training and serving. Any adult who loves gardening or wants to improve their gardening knowledge and skills is encouraged to join the Master Gardener volunteer program.

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T R AV E L & O U T D O O R

DAY CAMP PROGRAMMING

THE

Peanut

Henderson

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by John.Johns Digital Art and Provided by Wilson Park Recreation Center

R

obert Henderson, or Peanut as his friends call him, grew up on a Navajo Indian Reservation hiking, exploring and finding his passion for the outdoors, kids and the silence of nature.

“I was born in Utah,” Peanut explained as he rushed between his various duties as Recreation Specialist and Camp Director.

“My parents were teachers on the reservation. It's there, sitting on a high vista that my love for the outdoors grew in nature’s silence. My love for helping kids began in campus ministry. Once, when I served as chair of a Christian conference, one of our Bishops spoke the words over me, saying I would become a youth minister.”

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What that Bishop didn't say was that Peanut Henderson would not only become a youth minister, but he would become the king of camp directors, a basketball coach, mentor to hundreds, and part of the hit TV show “Bug Juice” all at the same time.

“I spent summers at Camp Waziyatah, doing everything from coaching to working as a camp counselor and then director for ten years.” Peanut explained.

“One summer the owners and long-time teachers, Penny and Peter Kerns, invited two of their former high school students to film our camp—every day/twentyfour-seven. Not the average students, these two created MTV's Real World.

“Bug Juice” was a product of that venture.

Disney ran eighteen episodes. It was an excellent opportunity for me. I'm excited to know that “Bug Juice” is scheduled to be revised and aired in 2018.”

After ten awesome years as a camp director/athletic director and basketball coach at Camp Waziyatah, Peanut decided it was time to stay in Texas for some new adventures. As Peanut's desire to help kids grew, he became a staff member at Wilson Park Recreation

Center in Temple . Now, sixteen years later, he is Recreation Specialist at Wilson Park Recreation Center and Camp Director at some of the City of Temple Parks and Recreation Department Camps, Camp Heatwave, Home School Day Camp, Camp Holidaze, Camp Adventure and Camp Journey.

“I started part-time with the city of Temple, doing special events and afterschool programming,” Peanut added.

“After all, I grew up attending overnight resident camp each summer. So all I did was combine the day camp experience with the overnight experience to give these campers a life-changing opportunity. That summer we started Camp Heatwave at Lions Park.”

Success followed as Camp Heatwave won the 2005 Lone Star Programming Award for TRAPS (Texas Parks and Recreation Society). This summer Camp Heatwave will be celebrating its 15th summer at Wilson Park Recreation Center. The goals of Home School Day Camp and Camp Heatwave include helping campers meet new friends, learn camping and outdoor skills. Young people practice good sportsmanship and

“I GREW UP ATTENDING OVERNIGHT RESIDENT CAMP EACH SUMMER. SO ALL I DID WAS COMBINE THE DAY CAMP EXPERIENCE WITH THE OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE TO GIVE THESE CAMPERS A LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITY.”

fair play while developing lasting friendships, teamwork and leadership skills. Most of all, campers must have fun.

From August to May, Home School kids discover the camp experience once a month. The program offers a day for Home School kids to do adventure-based activities.

Four years ago, Erika Giambalvo heard of the Home School Day Camp. Now, she and her daughter, Alice, are still excited about the experience provided at Home School Day Camp.

“Peanut Henderson makes camp interesting,” Mrs. Giambalvo said. “He is thoughtful, builds relationships and allows the kids to be themselves. He builds their confidence, helps them to be open and try new things.

The facility and the program's focus are on the child and their safety. The staff is creative and positive with the kids. No one puts others down or allows anyone else to do so. The kids are encouraged to talk in front of the group.

My daughter's self-esteem has grown so much because of Home School Camp.

Eleven-year-old Alice Giambalvo, of course, talked about how much fun camp is. Her favorite things might surprise you. Alice speaks like she's twenty-one instead of eleven.

“The majority of the friends I have now I know from camp. My very favorite thing is the silence. I've learned to love silence and enjoy the outdoors. When we have a listening contest to see who can hear the most sounds, we just sit there and listen. It's so quiet and then you begin to hear different sounds. I also like the crazy things Peanut does.”

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Peanuts own children, Ali (now fifteen) and Caleb (now thirteen), got to experience his camps, campouts, and outdoor programming. Peanut also got his experience working with the youth as a youth minister, first at Christ the King Catholic Church in Belton and later at First Christian Church Temple. Now he helps out with the youth at Our Lady Guadalupe Catholic Church in Temple.

“We try to give the campers the same experience that overnight campers enjoy,” Peanut explained with the same enthusiasm that makes kids flock to him.

The camp programs have become so successful that Peanut Henderson now gives presentations across Texas and Oklahoma at various Parks and Recreation Conferences and trains other recreation staff.

Five staffers grew up in the Camp Heatwave program and now pass the great outdoors passion on.

Dhely Vargas recently joined the Camp Heatwave crew and agreed to share her story with Bell County Living.

“I was going through a lot as a kid,” Dhely began.

“My parents filed for divorce at the time. My mom couldn’t take care of us during the day, so she put me and my brother in Camp Heatwave for two summers. I was very shy, but at Camp Heatwave, I started to make friends quickly. Being at camp made me forget about my problems at home. It made me realize the true meaning of happiness—helping others. I want to help them learn how to be happy and make friends with everyone. Also, I want to be there for them not only as a camp counselor, but someone they can look up to, and count on.”

Campers come from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Home School Day Camp. Camp Heatwave Campers come at 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both camps offer special events like Adventure Hour and camp-wide games like Kick-

the-Can or Sardines. Outdoor education and hiking activities could include a Blind Hike or an ABC Hike where campers search for things that start with A...B...C, etc. There are programs for middle school and high school offered, plus they are adding more outdoor education and adventure-based programming to the schedule this year. In the summer they offer certification for archery and canoe.

THE PROGRAM, FACILITIES AND THE STAFF ARE ALL FOCUSED ON THE NEEDS OF THE CAMPER. EVERY SINGLE DAY WE PLAN NEW AND CREATIVE PROGRAMMING, SO CAMPERS CAN HAVE THE BEST MEMORIES OF THEIR LIVES. “The philosophy is, ‘Camp is for the campers’.

Everything that is done at camp is done on behalf of the camper,” Peanut continued. “At the end of the day, we do a debriefing called 'Huddle Up,' where we get campers in a circle and they share what they enjoyed about the day. The program, facilities and the staff are all focused on the needs of the camper. Every single day we plan new and creative programming, so campers can have the best memories of their lives.”

Camp dates and time are available by calling Wilson Park Recreation Center at (254) 298-5740 or Camp Director Peanut Henderson at (254) 298-5416 or email HYPERLINK "mailto:rhenderson@templetx. gov"rhenderson@templetx.gov

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T R AV E L & O U T D O O R

Summertime

easy

FISH & FUN

By Peggy Purser Freeman

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WE TEXANS LOVE OUR RIVERS, LAKES, AND PONDS. SPRING RAINS FLOW INTO SEVENTYSEVEN CREEKS AND STREAMS IN BELL COUNTY, PROVIDING PLENTY OF FISHING SPOTS, PLUS EXCELLENT LAKES, SPARKLING IN THE SUNSHINE, WAITING FOR YOUR FRESHWATER PLEASURE. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Summertime, and the living is easy.

Catfish jumping and..." Summer sings out to embrace easy living, fishing, and cool water fun. We Texans love our rivers, lakes, and ponds. Spring rains flow into seventyseven creeks and streams in Bell County, all feeding into the Leon, Lampasas, and Salado rivers, which come together at historic Three Forks to form the Little River. All those fishing spots, plus excellent lakes, sparkling in the sunshine, waiting for your freshwater pleasure.

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The area has been an excellent site for families to fish since at least 6000 B.C. Evidence proves Archaic Period (ca. 7000 B.C. - A.D. 500) and possibly Paleo-Indian Period (pre-7000 B.C.) fossils have been recovered from archaeological sites at the Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Lake Belton, and Engineer Lake.

I started fishing at the age of five or six, so I quickly picked up the quest to find the best fishing in the county.

First, I called Stillhouse Hollow Marina and asked to talk to the best fishermen they knew.

“Just a minute and I'll see if I can find one,” the person on the other end of the phone said. The door creaked open and slammed... “Hey, Mark!”

Silence...then, “Hello, this is Mark.”

“Yes, this is Peggy Freeman. Do you have time to talk to me for a magazine article about fishing?”

“Well, I'm fishing,” Mark answered. “I guess I can watch my line from here.” Hating to interfere with a fisherman on a Friday night, but having an article deadline, I continued. “How long have you been fishing?”

“I guess for thirty-some odd years. I started coming here with my parents and was doing serious fishing at 10 or 12 years old. Being raised in a military family we moved around a lot, but Bell County always felt like home. I like to fish off the docks here at the marina. I mostly fish for white bass, black bass, and crappie.” Crappie are widely

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considered to be among the best-tasting freshwater fish, and one of the most fun to catch.

Most life-long fishermen know the next question.

What are you using for bait? Mark answered without me asking. “Bass are attracted to spinnerbaits, jigs, crankbaits, and minnows. You can fish on the banks, docks, or out on the water. Bass seem to be hitting chartreuse-colored bait mostly.”

I agreed with Mark. We had all those and more in our tackle box. When it comes to lures, beginners can be overwhelmed by the selection of crankbaits. My brotherin-law once asked my husband if “the yellow Hellbender would go deeper than the white Hellbender?”

My husband suppressed a chuckle, “No, the color doesn't make the lure go deeper.” The color fish like changes from lake to lake, day to day. The depth at which a bait will run is more important than color. According to crankbait makers, if you're fishing for bass, it's best to start out with a small selection, making sure you cover different depths. Shallow, medium, and deep divers are the three to select.

Learning which depth a lure will run and how it will react to different types of cover is the foundation of learning to use lures. The length of the bill tells how deep it will run. A bait with a short square bill that is angled down will run between two and four feet deep. A larger,

flatter bill will naturally run deeper.

“Stillhouse Hollow Lake is a great place to fish,” Mark continued. “I believe in taking care of the fish population, throwing back the ones too small.

Catfish–channel and blue–are good here too. When the lake is choppy and the wind is up, it causes the shad and minnows to move lower. It causes the bottom to stir up and this makes the catfish more likely to bite. I learn the most by asking other fishermen. I learn from YouTube, as well as the internet on sites like Texas Parks and Wildlife and by joining fishing groups on social media. To me, the best part of fishing is the camaraderie of other fishermen—catching fish is a bonus.”

If you fish on Lake Belton you might meet Dan and Carol Taylor. Dan's been fishing for 67 years—all his life. Dan likes to catch catfish, but Carol dresses her hook for crappie.

“Our favorite place to fish is Central Sportsman, a private club,” Dan explained. “The dock here is perfect and there's a boat ramp if you want to get out on the water.” Central Sportsman Fishing Club costs to join. But the campgrounds nearby, off of Lake Road 2305, are a good place for families too. I use shrimp, worms, and minnows for bait. I caught a thirty-one pound Buffalo catfish once on a reel.”

“To me, the best part of fishing is the camaraderie of other fishermen— catching fish is a bonus.”

- MARK

Bell County provides seven community ponds and more: 1. Carl Levin City Park Pond - Harker Heights 2. Marvin Finn Pond-Sammons Park #2 Central Temple 3. Miller Park Pond - on the Northeast side of Temple 4. Rogers City - Rogers 5. Sammons Park - Central Temple 6. Temple Lion's Park Lake located southeast side of Temple hosts a little over one acre.

7. Temple V.A. Center Fishermen will find a variety of fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, redear sunfish, crappie, catfish, and rainbow trout in most of these locations.

Each winter, from December through early March, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department stocks rainbow trout in more than 100 locations across Texas.

When planning your fishing trek, don't forget a fishing license. You can get one at many marinas, stores that sell fishing supplies and online at TexasFishingLicense.org/License

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Water Fun Without the Fish

If you aren't fond of fins, water fun can still be found in Bell County. Belton Lake Recreation Area is one of the best-known places for family fun or a romantic picnic. Even though it's a military facility it is open to the public and has some fairly good amenities, including a waterslide and paddleboat rentals. Open from April to October, they offer beaches and camping. Once you pay the gate fee, your family can enjoy swimming in the lake, using the waterslide and more. A picnic area near the beach begs to be used, so bring the makings for hotdogs and s'mores. There's a snack bar for the things you forget.

Temple offers three different parks with splash pads.

These facilities are perfect for the young and the old.

There's a wet-feet-friendly surface on these waterparks and plenty of picnic areas nearby.

Ferguson Park Splash Pad at 1203 E. Adams, Temple Miller Park Splash Pad at 1919 N. 1st Street, Temple West Temple Park Splash Pad Lilly Pad Theme at 121 S. Montpark Road, Temple

Summer Fun Waterpark

Hot days are no match for this spring-fed waterpark.

Located at 1410 Waco Road in Belton, near the river, this kid-thrilling park lures the family in with three waterslides and a wave pool, one tube slide, and two body slides. A big swimming pool with mushroom waterfalls and an overhead rope bridge provide plenty of time to build relationships through play, laughter, and time spent just relaxing. Take time to tube the waterpark's river. For more information see: summerfunwaterpark.com Discover Bell County, where the living is easy.

Provided by Summer Fun Water Park

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T R AV E L & O U T D O O R

Accidental

Alpaca

Far m e r s

By Heather Regula | Photos by EmilyB Photography

H

illtop Splendor Alpaca Farm, quietly tucked away off 317 in Moody, stretches over 20.5 acres and is divided into eight pastures. While the stars of the farm are the 36 alpacas (16 males and 20 females, all named, registered and microchipped), the farm is also home to two llamas,

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three barn cats, 12 hens, and one rooster. Five livestock guardian dogs actively patrol the perimeter of the farm at night, ensuring the safety of the animals.

The farm, owned by Robin and Karen Campbell, was featured on "Ask This Old House" as part of a renewable energy episode.

The Campbells, former corporate professionals from the Houston area, are living their dream as accidental alpaca farmers on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca farm!

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Production crews filmed the construction of the wind turbine and discussed the wind turbine and solar panels on the show, which first aired on October 24, 2015. The Campbells also own Painting With A Twist in Temple, where Karen often works as an artist, and Robin handles the books.

The Campbells are entirely at home on the farm - they have a divide and conquer approach to daily farm chores, and are cross-trained in all aspects of running the place. Karen feeds the alpacas, is the ranch vet and leads all of the ranch visits. Robin does a lot of the other outdoor work. After seeing Robin and Karen at work on the farm, it would be natural to assume that ranching is in their blood, but that is surprisingly not the case.

Karen was born in Baton Rouge, LA and moved to Texas when she was eight. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, and a paralegal certification, from Texas State University in San Marcos. She went on to work as a paralegal for a prominent firm in Houston and then as a Service Account Executive for Zurich North America Insurance.

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Robin was born in Tampa, FL and moved to three different states before settling in Texas when he was young. He graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management, went to work for Dow Chemical, and worked there for his entire career.

Karen and Robin both graduated from Brazoswood High School, and both of their fathers worked for Dow Chemical in Freeport. Despite these similarities, their paths never crossed until a mutual friend played matchmaker and set them up on a blind date.

"This was the first blind date either of us had done. I had a friend at work who said he and his wife thought I should meet Karen. His wife was Karen's hairdresser, and he gave me Karen's business card. I waited three weeks before I called Karen and when I introduced myself to her, it was apparent that she had no idea who I was," laughed Robin Campbell. "I told her that we had a common friend and when I mentioned his name, Karen didn't know him either, so I just ended the call! It turns out that Karen hadn't been back to get her hair done, so she had no idea! A

few weeks later, my friend told me that Karen would be expecting my call. I called her back, and we set up a dinner date. We went out, and the rest is history we recently celebrated our 20th anniversary!"

The Campbells knew early on that they would not retire on the coast and the hurricane season left them wanting to get further away from that area.

Original plans had them considering land in the Hill Country, however frequent camping trips to Cedar Ridge Park and visits with family in this area spurred a desire to find a place in the Central Texas area. The Campbells looked for land for a few years, really not in a hurry as they wanted to locate the perfect place. In 2011, they purchased the property on which they now live.

"I've always wanted a couple of horses, cows, goats and maybe even pigs - Robin was always worried that I would want to have Noah's Ark! I was at the Belton Market Days during one our trips here, and I fell in love with the alpacas that were there!

"It's a very different life relaxing, quiet and fulfilling.

Alpacas are easy animals to work with, and the chores take a few hours a day. We learn something new every day! We stay very active, but we control the pace. We love what we are doing," Robin Campbell

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The Campbells are loving their peaceful life on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca Farm and have no aspirations of increasing operations. Short term goals include improving the looks of the ranch while enhancing the ease with which farm life operates.

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Alpaca fleece is softer than cashmere, warmer than sheepâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wool and grows to about five inches long before shearing. People started showing alpacas at the Houston Rodeo, and I got Robin to go with me to see the animals," remarked Karen Campbell. "We spent the weekend at a ranch in Navasota working with and learning about the alpacas. We enjoyed the work we did there and decided that raising alpacas was what we wanted to do! By the time we moved to Moody, we already owned six alpacas that we had kept at a ranch in Navasota. Emily is the first alpaca I met at the Belton Market Days, and Robin purchased her, her daughter Nala Rose, and our herd sire Bo for me a few years ago as a birthday gift."

Exciting twists of circumstances - the ability to retire early, a strong desire to no longer deal with hurricanes on the coast, the opportunity to live closer to family, and the encounter with alpacas at the Belton Market Days - all lead the Campbells towards life as alpaca farmers.

"It's a very different life - relaxing, quiet and fulfilling. Alpacas are easy animals to work with, and the chores take a few hours a day. We learn something new every day! We stay very active, but we control the pace. We love what we are doing," said Robin Campbell.

The Campbells are loving their peaceful life on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca Farm and have no aspirations of increasing operations. Short term goals include improving the looks of the ranch while enhancing the ease with which farm life operates. Upcoming projects include the moving of a 17,000-gallon water tank to the property and the completion of concreting the rest of the barn floor.

Projects are prioritized and handled one at a time.

The Campbells, former corporate professionals from the Houston area, are living their dream as accidental alpaca farmers on the Hilltop Splendor Alpaca Farm! They went into their alpaca adventure pretty well educated in regards to the animals, and they are learning as they go in regards to the work and care of the land.

Visits to the farm can be arranged by contacting the Campbells on Facebook @Hilltopsplendoralpacas, or by calling (979)236-5020. The tours, which offer a unique and personal experience with the alpacas and other animals, are free of charge. However, donations are encouraged. Karen and Robin are passionate about their alpacas and have hearts for sharing this with others.

Some of the alpacas are for sale, and the Campbells would gladly serve as mentors to anyone interested in learning about them or raising them.

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TIGHTLINES

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Metroplex Center for Wound Care

Alton D. Thiele, P.C............................................................... 33

& Hyperbaric Medicine..........................................................9

AmeriStor Self Storage....................................................... 91

Metroplex Health System.................................................. 25

Amos Electric........................................................................ 24

Ortiz Photography Studio...............................................105

Automax................................................................................... 17

Personal Veterinary Care.................................................. 33

Aztec Pet Hospital............................................................. 104

ReMax Homestead............................................................... 112

Becky Stinehour of Candid Images Photography....72

Sage Hill Market.................................................................... 54

Bell County Living........................................................62, 126

Salado Creek Jewelers....................................................... 62

Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area........................ 32

Salado Creek Riding Club................................................. 63

Big John's Paint and Body of Belton...........................105

Sente Mortgage.................................................................... 43

Bingham Marine.................................................................... 112

Seton Medical Center Harker Heights........ Back Cover

BJ's Flower Shop, Inc......................................................... 33

Shilo Inn......................................................................................3

Blends Wine Bar................................................................... 113

Small Cakes.......................................................................... 104

Budget Blinds........................................................................ 24

Smile Doctors............................................................................1

Central Texas Christian School........................................ 52

Sojourn Real Estate ............................................................... 7

Cochran, Blair & Potts......................................................... 17

Soggy Doggies Grooming................................................. 91

Costa Pool and Spa........................................................... 104

Springhouse Salado............................................................ 62

Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home....................................90

St. Mary's Catholic School................................................90

Crossfit Sprag........................................................................ 33

State Farm Insurance...........................................................73

Deane Electric & Air Conditioning..................................5

Sudden Changes Salon....................................................... 91

Edward Jones...................................................................... 104

Sugar Shack........................................................................... 113

EmilyB Photography............................................................ 16

Summer Fun Water Park....................................................73

First Baptist Church of Belton........................................ 82

Summers Mill Retreat & Conference Center.............. 112

First Community Title Co.................................................. 32

Surface Source Design Center........................................ 82

First Texas Brokerage Co.................................................. 112

Susan Marie's......................................................................... 62

Gallery Design Center........................................................ 42

Target Restoration..............................................................128

Geico......................................................................................... 113

Texas Farm Bureau Insurance........................................... 91

Germania................................................................................126

The Dog Spot........................................................................ 54

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union........................................... Inside Front Cover

The Salon & Spa at Greenbriar...........................................2

HB Sheppard........................................... Inside Back Cover

The Shoppes on Main in Salado..................................... 63

Hewett-Arney Funeral Home........................................... 113

Thingaderas............................................................................ 63

Isabella's Vintage DĂŠcor.................................................... 62

Tightlines Premium Fishing Tackle...............................126

JohnJohns Digital Art......................................................... 83

United Way of Central Texas............................................ 54

Jubilee Homes....................................................................... 25

Visiting Angels...................................................................... 83

KayTaylor Photography..................................................... 42

Vista Real Estate..................................................................105

Kustom K9 Elite Dog Training........................................105

Webers Guns............................................................................. 7

The Shade Shop................................................................... 63

Please thank these advertisers for making this publication possible!

H O MET O W N L I VI NG A T I TS B EST

127

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