Texas Hill Country Culture - November 2019

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

NOVEMBER 2019

HONOR

THE PAST Museum houses vintage uniforms

Warrior Chef serving others Friendships they forged

GO BOLD FROM GALVESTON

November 2019 - Volume 4 - Issue 11 Carlina Villalpando Publisher

Parastoo Nikravesh Magazine Editor

Dean Heep

Art Director Composing Manager

Louis Amestoy Managing Editor

Jeanette Eastwood Nash

Enchantment of the Seas®

Assistant Managing Editor

Photographers Tom Holden

Writer

Ariel Lutnesky

John Doran

Rock Climbing Wall

Enchantment of the Seas®

Chops Grille

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

parastoo.nikravesh@txhcculture.com

For advertising inquiries: advertising@txhcculture.com

For general inquiries: info@txhcculture.com

@ txhillcountry_culture @ Texashillcountryculture

The Kerrville Daily Times 429 Jefferson St., Kerrville, Texas 78028 www.dailytimes.com | Phone: 830-896-7000 | Fax: 830-896-1150 Copyright: Hill Country Culture is published by The Kerrville Daily Times under Southern Newspapers Inc. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of this magazine. Editorial and advertising does not constitute advice but is considered informative.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Honor their service It’s finally November, and that means the holidays are coming fast and, if we’re lucky, the weather is cool again in Texas. November is also important because on Nov. 11 we honor those who have served our great nation on Veterans Day. Texas Hill Country Culture and The Kerrville Daily Times wanted to show our gratitude to our local veterans by dedicating this issue to their service.

We would also like to thank everyone who helped put this magazine together, from our contributors to our advertisers.

Thank you to Kathleen Cormack for allowing us to share her wonderful story of her vast vintage military uniform collection and her museum, So Proudly We Hailed Military Museum, which you can visit 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays at 411 Meadowview Lane in Kerrville — and read about it on page 27.

Thank you to our lovely models, Tivy High School students Kimberlie Kocurek, Valerie Frenzel and Emilie Kocurek, who donned the vintage women’s uniforms that they’ve worn in the past at the Salute to Women Veterans event at the Cailloux Theater. They did great.

Special thank you to Humble Fork owner

Hugo Madrid for allowing us to take pictures at his restaurant at 701 Water Street.

In this month’s magazine, you will find stories of locals and veterans who go above and beyond to serve, respect and, of course, remember those who fought to ensure freedom and peace in the United States.

You can read about Carolyn Dreyer’s trip to Normandy on page 20, where she learned more about the Invasion of Normandy at the site where it all happened.

Additionally, read about friendships made during Time Served in the military written

by Chad Ketcher, on page 36.

Another great story in this issue is about Boerne resident Charlie Huffstutler, the Warrior Chef, and his mission to teach veterans how to make healthy and easy meals at home.

Thank you for your service veterans.

If you’re interested in keeping up with the magazine online, check out our Instagram page @txhillcountry_culture and Facebook at Texas Hill Country Culture.

Thanks again and happy reading!

— Parastoo Nikravesh

ON THE COVER Photos by Tom Holden Cover Models from left: Kimberlie Kocurek, Valerie Frenzel and Emilie Kocurek Location: Humble Fork, 701 Water St, Kerrville These Tivy High School students modeled vintage uniforms provided by Kathleen Cormack. Read about Cormack's collection of uniforms and her museum, So Proudly We Hailed Military Museum, on page 27.

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Contents 16

Features

4 

Departments

27

30

FRIENDSHIP AND WAR Community veterans tell stories of friendship during war MUSIC OF ANOTHER ERA Local orchestra recreates a forgotten time for audience

10 GET TO KNOW

Kristy Harris, Coast

Guard veteran and KPD detective

32

COOKING WITH LOVE Warrior Chef teaches veterans advanced cooking skills

14 WELLNESS

Time to exercise

34

COMMUNITY PICKS The Hill Country community shares favorite military movies

36

MILITARY MUSEUM Veteran collects historic uniforms for local museum

38

TIME WELL SPENT Veterans describe the lessons they learned while in service

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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20

30

9

EVENT PICKS November activities

16 MUSE

Gallery owner

reflects on

military service

20 TRAVEL

Normandy beach 24 UNCORKED

Cocktails with

military origins 49 SWEET & SAVORY

Historic Thanksgiving recipes 54 OUT & ABOUT

Peterson Gala

Your Home 42 'TIS THE SEASON

Get your home

ready for the colder months

46

SHADOW BOX Showcase memories in an honorable way

CONTRIBUTORS

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faces of 3

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Hill Country Culture 6 

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Kathy Sears Hall - 1

Contributors

Kathy Sears Hall is a Kerrville native and graduate of Tivy High School. She is a Cooper Institute Personal Trainer and is licensed to teach Pilates and Zumba. She holds an accounting degree from the University of Texas and spent 27 years in the energy industry. She now enjoys being back home and working with her father, husband and staff at The Center for Fitness, a business her mother started over 40 years ago.

Sandra Lane - 3

Sandra Lane is a fourth-generation Texan who has written for newspapers, trade journals and corporate communications. She has written extensively about real estate and mortgage banking as well as high-tech industries. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. A native of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, she moved to Kerrville in 2013.

Bob McCullough - 5

Samuel Beaver - 2

Samuel Beaver is a fifth- generation Kerrville native who has held a camera in his hand for over eight years. With a true passion for creating eye-catching images, he works as a contributing photographer with The Kerrville Daily Times.

Additionally, he works as a ranch and real estate photographer with Wingman Imagery out of Fredericksburg. You can find him on Facebook at Beaver’s Photography and on Instagram at beavers_photos. His work can be viewed at www. beaversphotos.com and you can contact him at 830-285-6690.

Carolyn Dreyer - 4

Carolyn Dreyer has been traveling the world since she was 12 visiting all 50 States and 55 countries and counting. During her 25-year writing career, she was Goodyear’s first female industrial editor; ran her own advertising business, Copy/Concepts, in San Diego; and, in her last (and favorite) position, was head researcher/writer on The Animal Express, an award-winning cable TV series. She has lived in Kerrville since 2016.

Bob McCullough lives with his wife and two daughters at Camp Verde and frequently contributes to regional and national magazines. He’s also communications director for Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio. In addition, he logged 30 years of active and reserve duty as an Air Force public affairs officer and served on the staff of the Air Force’s official magazine, Airman.

Mia Church - 6

Jenna Carpenter - 7

Chad Ketcher - 8

Jenna Carpenter is the communications coordinator for Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly. Before going into public relations, she worked at several newspapers, including The Kerrville Daily Times, The Castroville News Bulletin and The Medina Valley Times, the Garden Island Newspaper, on the island of Kauai, in Hawaii, and The St. Augustine Record, in St. Augustine, Florida. She loves to travel and is planning a trip to Alaska in 2020.

Stacy Whittemore - 9

Stacy Whittemore is a health/cooking coach and certified master preserver in the Texas Hill Country. Her cooking blog, wayfaringspoon.com, is dedicated to smaller-sized recipes along with home canning inspiration. Her passion is teaching and sharing the art of home cooked meals.

Mia Church began her career in media at the Phoenix Newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts. Later, she was part of the team at Boston’s first country music station, WBCS, solidifying country into the northeast culture. She is an internationally published photographer and writer and runs her business, Mia Church Photography. She has two daughters and has lived in the Texas Hill Country for 15 years.

Chad Ketcher lives in Ingram with four sons, three dogs, two cats and a patient wife. He is a writer, a videographer and the founder of GenerationBridge Media, interviewing seniors and capturing their life stories in documentary-quality videos. You can find him on Facebook at facebook.com/GenerationBridgeMedia or at generationbridgemedia.com. generationbridgemedia@gmail.com

Nancy Foster - 10

Nancy Foster has contributed to Texas Hill Country Culture since its beginning. She believes success is measured when readers tell her they’ve found another place to visit and enjoy. Nancy and her husband, Raymond, have lived in Kerrville for nine years.

She heads Foster Tourism Marketing, a company that services clients in four states. She also is a writer for a national inflight magazine.

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Why do we advertise in Texas Hill Country Culture?

Texas Hill Country Culture reaches the audience we want to attract.

“We advertise with Texas Hill Country Culture due to the quality of their publication. Each month the in depth articles and content lead readers on a journey through the Hill Country and we love being a part of that journey. The clientele that reads the publication are the exact customers we want visiting our tasting room and event center. The staff also make it easy and do amazing design work that help our brand stand out.”

Jesse Barter, General Manager – 4.0 Cellars

Fave 5 Events

GO AND DO

Enjoy November with these top Hill Country Events

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Saturday 2

Fall Family Festival

10 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, 33 Herff Road, Boerne. Enjoy the Fall Family Festival at the Historic Herff Farm.

There will be children's activities, arts and crafts, family yoga, live music, demonstrations and tours of the Herff Farm. This event will take place during the weekly Farmers Market event. Admission for the Farmers Market is free. 830-249-4616.

Saturday 9

Kerrville VA Open Car Show & Parade 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday. Kerrville VA Hospital, 3600 Memorial Blvd., Kerrville. Open car show and parade to benefit patients at Kerrville VA Hospital. 100% of proceeds benefit VA patients. Entertainment, food, fun and great camaraderie. Come out and visit with local warrior veterans. 830-792-2580. www.everycarshow.com

Saturday 23

Annual Holiday Lighted Parade & 40th Annual Courthouse Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. Saturday at Kerr County Courthouse, 700 Main St. Officially welcome the holiday season with a lighted parade and the arrival of Santa Claus on his signature fire truck. After the parade, enjoy a Christmas program, caroling and the lighting of the Courthouse and 45’ tree ceremony. 830-2577300. www.kerrvilletx.gov

Saturday 9

Here's to our Heroes

5:30 p.m. Saturday at Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Texas 27. Gala will consist of a plated dinner, live auction, bucket raffles, wine pull, live music, dancing and much more. All proceeds go to the Wounded Warriors Project. www.hillcountrygala.com; info@hillcountrygala.com

Monday 11

Veteran’s Day Program at the National Museum of Pacific War 11 a.m. on Monday, 340 E. Main St., Frederickburg. Join us in thanking those who have and are serving this country in the Armed Forces. In case of inclement weather, the program will be moved from the Memorial Courtyard to the ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Gallery. 830-997-8600.

If you visit these events, snap a picture and use the hashtag #CultureAdventures or tag us at @txhillcountry_culture on instagram so we can share your Texas Hill Country adventures.

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Cox.

Kristy Harris veteran – detective

Photo: Tom Holden

Kristy Harris comes to the Kerrville Police Department from the “The Graveyard of the Pacific.” Ariel Lutnesky follows her journey from guarding the coast to protecting the citizens of Kerrville.

GET TO KNOW

C

ox. Kristy Harris enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1998 and served until 2002. She was first stationed in Astoria, Oregon, or what she calls the “Graveyard of the Pacific,” where she aided navigation on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Cowslip.

In 2002, Harris relocated to Gulfport, Mississippi, where she focused on search and rescue and federal law enforcement. Now, Harris lives in Kerrville and is an investigator at the Kerrville Police Department while she pursues her master’s degree in social work at Baylor University.

job but also learning everybody else’s job. The Coast Guard has a saying: “You have to go out; you don’t have to come back.” They really meant that. It was huge to do everything you could to ensure you did your job, you knew your job and you knew everybody else’s job.

Why did you join the Coast Guard?

What’s it like being a veteran in the local community?

I was actually going to go in the Army, but there was no war any time soon on the horizon, and I knew I would do four years, so I wanted to go into a branch of service that not only practiced to do a job, but actually did a job. One of the Coast Guard’s main missions is serving people and rescuing people as much as it is warfare and military. I liked the idea of helping people, too.

What is one of your favorite memories of serving?

In Astoria, the Columbia River Bar goes into the Columbia River, but that river has a lot of crazy currents so (some boaters’) motor went out. I was brand new to the unit, but I spotted them, so we went out and rescued them.

We had to wade through gray water to get to the train trusses to get them. That river hits up on a lot of rocks, so there was a danger that when they came in, their boat would have been torn up.

That was the first search and rescue I had ever done.

I was brand new and I saw them. That impressed my boss — and he was hard to impress — so that was one of my better memories.

Tell us about some tense moments you experienced while serving.

Some of the best memories are hard to explain as good memories just because it was a fun time but it could have killed us. I did a search and rescue in a tropical storm and I used a 26-foot boat when 40-foot shrimp boats were getting flipped. It was only fun afterwards because I was the captain and I didn’t kill us. It’s just an amazing feeling.

From your time serving, what do you continue to carry in your life today?

The ability to persevere and the ability to stay focused and disciplined.

This community really appreciates their veterans and doesn’t hesitate to say thank you. In this day and age, that’s really nice to see.

How would you say your service in the military has affected your service as an investigator at the KPD? Unlike other branches, the Coast Guard doesn’t have a lot of support or backup, because there’s so few of us.

When I served, there were less Coast Guard members than there were New York cops. Everyone was trying to do everyone else’s job. The duties were a lot, and you were expected to do all of them. As a police officer, it’s a lot of the same thing.

Would you ever consider going back?

The military is a young person’s game — jumping on steel decks, over concrete blocks, heavy weather ...

That takes a big wear on your joints. I’m not old, but I’m too old to go play those games. I would not go back in just for the physical demand of it. But I’m very blessed for that experience.

What is your advice for someone going into the military?

Thank you for being willing to serve our country.

Beyond that, believe in yourself, keep your mouth shut, your eyes open and learn as much as you can as you go. You’ll make bonds and have experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life, and it can really mold who you are, so pay attention.

What’s it like being a woman in the Coast Guard?

We were very few in number, and it was very different to acclimate to the culture, to the physical nature of the job. You kind of found your own way. There were some who were great mentors along the way and some, not so much.

Photo: Courtesy

What is the most important thing you learned in the Coast Guard?

Discipline, leadership, always knowing how to do your

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Alexa...

put exercise on my list.

Photo: Samuel Beaver

Kathy Sears Hall explains why the time is right to get in shape.

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

WELLNESS Fitting exercise into your busy schedule is difficult, but it’s well worth the effort. The time is right. Try it for a month. You’re likely to find that it pays you back many times over, and in ways you never expected.

“I don’t have time and, if I did, I don’t know how.” Those are two of the top reasons for not working out. That’s why 80 percent of Americans don’t get the recommended amount of daily exercise, and it’s also why 70 percent of our population is obese or overweight. But don’t most of us want to be in the top tier when it comes to comparing ourselves to others? What if it was easier than you thought?

Why should I exercise?

Your heart is the most important muscle in your body. Exercise strengthens your heart. The benefits are well researched. Exercise boosts brain health, improves sleep, helps manage depression, improves quality of life, is vital to weight management, and reduces the risk of early death. Most of us already know this but it’s not enough to get us off the couch. So, instead of knowing that you “should exercise,” ask yourself “why do I want to exercise?” Do you want to feel better, be able to play with your grandchildren, take that active vacation trip or be more productive at work? Those are the types of reasons that will get you moving.

What happens if I don’t?

A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, excessive weight gain, dementia, anxiety, depression, postpartum depression and harmful falls. Sitting too much is also associated with cancers of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidneys, stomach and lungs.

How much should I exercise?

Adults need 30 minutes a day, five days a week, of moderate to vigorous activity for a healthy heart: walking, swimming, biking, dancing or anything that gets you a little out of breath. In addition, adults should strength train at least twice a week, using a weight or some type of resistance equipment. Children ages 6–17 should have 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily, ideally outside.

How can I get started?

Check with your doctor first. Once you get his/her clearance, along with any specific recommendations on what to focus on or avoid,

invest in a good pair of athletic shoes and follow the game plan below.

How do I find the time?

Start by incorporating exercise into your already busy day. Park far away from your office or shopping destination. Stand up and pace the floor while talking on the phone. Get up during commercials and move around. Use the stairs when possible. Take a brisk walk after dinner with your family or friends. Play music while doing housework and dance your way from room to room. These little changes will add up during the day and start you down the right path.

How do I kick it up a notch?

Make more time for exercise while enjoying the things you love: • Walk while your children are at sports practices or other activities. You can keep an eye on the game and encourage other parents to do the same.

• Take your family outside for some active fun two or three times a week. Walk on the River Trail, play in a park or take a hike in the country. Just get outside and enjoy nature.

• If you work, walk on your lunch hour.

• Join a fitness center and use the equipment or take a 30-minute class • Make your chores more active — work in the garden, rake the yard, wash the car. Get the kids involved. Help an elderly relative or neighbor with their chores.

• Find an exercise program you can follow at home (online or on a DVD) a couple of times a week. Keep shorter (15-20 minutes) and longer (30-40 minutes) programs on hand to fit in when you have time. PBS’s “Sit and Be Fit” is a great one to try.

How do I stick to a plan?

Schedule your workout on your calendar just like any other appointment. Use a pedometer to measure your steps or a journal to record your activity level. Document your baseline, then work your way up gradually over time. You’ll be surprised at how that motivates you to do more. Hire a personal trainer to design a custom program. You’ll likely save time by learning what works best for you. You’ll also feel confident that you are doing the exercises correctly.

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From engineering to

Art

Mike Wilson – Military man, family man... artist. A technical mind gives way to creative expression. Nancy Foster speaks with the Renaissance man.

❝

It’s always been about God and country, says Mike Wilson, co-owner of River’s Edge Gallery in downtown Kerrville as he speaks of his patriotism, his military service and his favorite painting style.

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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MUSE

M

ike, a former Navy guy who started life in Maine, was raised in a small town in upstate New York. Right after high school graduation in 1980 (among 50 graduates, he points out) he followed the footsteps of his father into the military and enlisted in the Navy, seeing it as a path to a brighter future. During boot camp, his natural inclination toward engineering was recognized by his superiors, who asked him to stay on to teach incoming recruits. He next advanced to working on an extensive overhaul of the AGF3 USS La Salle, a Miscellaneous Command Ship, as it sat in drydock in Philadelphia. Once refurbished, the vessel was then returned to the Persian Gulf as the flagship for Commander, Middle East Forces.

Following discharge, Mike worked in the Virginia shipyards, then moved to California as an engineer to work on sonar domes for Ford Aerospace. After a job transfer to Nevada, and by now married with a young family to raise, he and wife Debbie felt the need to move to a small, friendly community. Since Debbie had relatives in Kerrville, they moved here in 2000 and soon immersed themselves in the art community by opening River’s Edge Gallery at 832 Water Street.

Creative Bent Mike always had an interest in art. He never took a lesson and never went to art school, despite being offered an art scholarship in high school. He preferred to learn by observing the techniques and works of other artists, both past and present. By 2012, he was painting seriously and had developed his own unique style.

“I decided I wanted to try new things, because the art I was seeing in my gallery was not what I wanted,” he said.

Sales soon followed and to date he has sold over 100 pieces to buyers from around the world.

Photo: Tom Holden

Individualistic Style His expressive style is reflected in the eclectic intermixing of genres. His works have touches of thought-provoking realism in them and include classic to funky, old-world to ultra-modern pieces, varying from bold portraits to pristine Hill Country landscapes. He paints when time permits, both at the gallery and at home, and frequently up to 10 paintings will be in various stages of completion.

Mike believes that “art makes a connection to the person. I try to create pieces that will speak to people.” He favors a God and country theme, as is evident in his successful “Vigilante” series that focuses on “a place in time where families could rely on themselves in extreme circumstances.” His intent to portray the love and bond with his fellow man is keenly evident in “America and Texas, a Salute to God and Country,” a piece currently displayed on the lighted sign in front of the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Six days a week you can find Mike, Debbie and their beloved greeter dogs at their stylish 20,000-square-foot gallery and frame shop, where his works and those of dozens of local, regional and national artists are attractively displayed. Mike also has an exceptional talent for photo retouching and specializes in the restoration of discolored or damaged photos.

As local, regional and national art collectors visit the gallery, Mike says, “It’s a nice feeling to play a part in the growth of downtown Kerrville. We’re proud to be here.”

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The MuseuM of WesTern ArT

Hill Country Holiday Miniatures

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Nov. 5 - Dec. 28 “With a Glint in His Eye” 6 1/2 x 4 1/2” oil, Joe Netherwood

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Photo: Getty Images

Cliffs of Pointe du Hoc; Normandy, France.

TRAVEL

R

E

L

I

V

I

N G

THE LONGEST DAY THE D-DAY BEACHES OF NORMANDY

Meandering through the Norman countryside’s peaceful pastures and quaint villages or along its gentle coastline, it’s almost inconceivable that in the pre-dawn hours of June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 American, British and Canadian troops began landing on five D-Day beaches, joining the thousands of paratroopers who had parachuted behind enemy lines the day before. Carolyn Dreyer takes us on a monumental journey.

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Photos Getty Images

TRAVEL

American Cemetery in Colleville

T

oday, touring the sites of the “largest seaborne invasion in history” is a profoundly moving experience – memorials and museums abound – and a good starting point is the Caen Memorial Museum, which provides an excellent overview of the entire Operation Overlord.

To my mind, one of the most dramatic sites is Pointe du Hoc, where 225 daring American Rangers scaled a 60-foot sheer cliff to reach the German entrenchment bristling with field artillery, mortars and machine guns. German bunkers still stand and the landscape is forever pockmarked with enormous craters from the intense bombardment by 4,000 ships and 11,000 planes.

The landing on Omaha Beach was the bloodiest of all, where 2,400 troops died as they scrambled ashore.

RELIVING THE LONGEST DAY. 2 Les Braves, a striking aluminum sculpture on Omaha Beach, is a lasting tribute by the grateful French to the Allies, celebrating hope, freedom and fraternity.

Another highlight of my visit was the village of Ste-Mere-Eglise, where members of the 82nd Airborne Division parachuted behind the enemy lines of Utah Beach the night before the land invasion.

The village church bears one of the most famous and provocative reminders of this dangerous mission: a model of John Steele, a U.S. paratrooper whose parachute got caught on the church steeple. He dangled there throughout the fight with occupying Germans wh, unfortunately, had been roused by a village fire that illuminated the skies.

Ste-Mere-Eglise is also the site of the fascinating Airborne Museum, that offers films, photographs and myriad memorabilia, including a full-sized bomber which you can board and experience the flashing lights and thunder of a bombing raid.

The harbor front of Arromanches offers a look at the remains of Mulberry, an artificial harbor created by the Allies with 115 huge concrete pontoons, to facilitate the landing of 2.5 million men and 500,000

vehicles for the Allied invasion. It has been called the greatest military engineering achievement of all time.

RELIVING THE LONGEST DAY. 3 There are many more memorials, monuments and museums throughout the 50 miles of Norman coast that include the D-Day beaches other than Omaha and Utah: a striking memorial at Juno Beach to the Canadian troops who endured a 50% casualty rate among their leading assault teams. British troops landed at Gold Beach, capturing Arromanches.

British airborne troops and a Canadian battalion secured the invasion’s eastern flank at Sword Beach.

The Allies were unable to unite all Five D-Day beaches until June 12.

A fitting final stop on a D-Day tour is the American Cemetery in Colleville, overlooking Omaha Beach. In this tranquil setting, row upon row of white crosses and Stars of David honor the nearly 10,000 soldiers buried here– a sobering reminder of the enormous, never-ending cost of war.

RELIVING THE LONGEST DAY. 4 There are many tours of D-Day Normandy…multiday, half-day, whole-day. Check out the NORMANDY SIGHTSEEING TOURS site for a sampling. (They even offer a tour that starts at the Bayeaux train station, if you have limited time and want to do a day trip from Paris!)

I have toured D-Day Normandy as part of an organized trip: Provincial French Countryside with Odysseys Unlimited and on my own, taking the train from Paris and headquartering in Bayeaux. From there you can book tours not only to D-Day sites but to Mont St Michel and you can see the incredible 900-year-old Bayeaux Tapestry!

If you’re driving on your own, maps are available everywhere. Sites are well marked and directions clear. Plus you have the bonus of being able to take your time to enjoy the beauty, charm and fabulous cuisine of present-day Normandy!

Before you go...

• Watch the movies “The Longest Day” and “Saving Private Ryan”

(the opening scene has been called the most authentic depiction of the D-Day landings)

“The Longest Day”

• Google the WIKIVOYAGE TRAVEL TOUR site and check D-Day Tours.

“Saving Private Ryan”

Photos: Carolyn Dreyer

Les Braves, aluminum sculpture on Omaha Beach

Church at Ste-Mere-Eglise

Whether you are traveling by land or sea, with a group of friends or by yourself, we have exactly what you need.

Contact us today to plan your next adventure!

Book by Dec. 24 & receive Ship Board Credit or Amazon Gift Card!*

*Call Vicky for details.

832.309.4148 • Vicky@ohtheplacesyoullsee.net • Kerrville, Texas • Facebook@ohtheplacesyoullsee_travel 23

UNCORKED

FIGHTING

SPIRITS

Going out for drinks on the weekend, you might have wondered who came up with such simple, yet delicious cocktails? Did the vodka just fall into an open vat of cranberry juice? Who had rum and thought, this would be a lot better with mint and lime? These are the questions that must keep all drinkers up at night!

Now what if I told you some of those fun party drinks actually have military roots? Here are some cocktails that have legendary origins.

GIN & TONIC To fight off malaria, British soldiers in India would drink quinine, which is present in tonic water. The bitter tonic water was hard to drink, so soldiers would mix it with gin and lime juice to improve the flavor.

Winston Churchill once declared, “The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.” Tonic water now has a significantly lower quinine content.

Main alcohol: Gin Ingredients: 1 part to 3 parts gin (to taste), 3 parts tonic water Preparation: In a glass filled with ice cubes, add gin and tonic.

Served: On the rocks; poured over ice Standard garnish: A slice or wedge of lime Drinkware: Rocks glass, Highball glass

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CUBA LIBRE A true Cuba Libre is only supposed to be made with a specific brand of rum — Bacardi. Origins for the cocktail are mixed, but the major consensus is that it was during the Spanish-American War when then Col. Theodore Roosevelt and his Rough Riders arrived to Cuba during the island’s independence from Spain. Supposedly the American soldiers were the first to bring Coca-Cola to Cuba, which became popular on the island and led to the creation of the cocktail.

Main alcohol: Rum Ingredients: 4 oz cola, 1/3 oz fresh lime juice, 1 2/3 oz white rum Preparation: Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice.

Garnish with lime wedge.

Served: On the rocks; poured over ice Standard garnish: Lime wedge Drinkware: Highball glass

SIDECAR According to wearethemighty.com, the Sidecar was allegedly created when a WWI Army Captain was suffering from a cold. While at a bar in Paris, the bartender made this drink and named it after the motorcycle sidecar in which the captain was usually chauffeured.

Main alcohol: Brandy & Cognac Ingredients: 2 oz cognac, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 3/4 oz triple sec Preparation: Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

Served: Straight up (without ice) Drinkware: Cocktail glass

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www.cowboysteakhouse.com 26

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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FEATURE

FRIENDSHIPS THAT OUTLIVE WAR: How Hill Country Veterans Keep In Touch With Their Friends From The Service. Memoirs of friendships told to Chad Ketcher.

O

Photos: Courtesy

ne of the great privileges of my life has been to sit down, one-on-one, with seniors across the country and capture the stories that shaped their lives in short documentaries. In doing so, I have observed that there is one consistent thread that runs all the way through them all. When we look back on our lives, it is not the acquisitions, the achievements, nor even the accolades that we honor. In our senior years, we tend to prize the relationships we have formed.

Of particular importance are the people who played key roles during our formative years: teachers who shed light on our hidden gifts, coworkers who commiserated under the iron hand of a gruff boss, teammates who held a trophy together. But there may be no deeper bonds than those forged on the battlefield.

As we celebrate Veterans Day and honor the sacrifices made to defend our freedoms, we spoke with some local veterans about how they have maintained over a lifetime the friendships they developed during their time in the military.

William Cantrell was a highly decorated Naval Support Air Operations Officer stationed in Danang during some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War. After he concluded his service, he served as a pilot for Delta Airlines for 30 years. He is now retired and living in Kerrville.

Commander Cantrell recalled his friend, LTJG Robert W. Moinester. The two met during a detachment to retake

Commander William Cantrell at the controls.

an airport that had fallen into enemy hands. It was on that mission that Lt. Moinester shared that his childhood dream was to be a fighter pilot. When he enlisted, he was selected for the Navy pilot program, but during his training, he was disqualified by illness, his dreams dashed.

His missions often required him to be flown between stations, and Cantrell was the pilot assigned to deliver him.

During those short flights, Cantrell would allow Moinester to sit in the copilot seat and run the controls between takeoff and landing, a simple gesture that helped to cement their friendship.

I wish this story had a happy ending with two old men fishing and telling stories over beers along the Guadalupe River, but Moinester’s life was cut short during the war.

According to his memorial on virtualwall.org, “on the morning of January 31, 1968, the Tet Offensive began in Hue, Republic of Vietnam. [Lt. Moinester] organized [his] men, consisting of U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Army personnel, into an infantry platoon and led them in houseto-house clearing operations, leading the assault against the well-entrenched enemy.”

But that wasn’t the end of their friendship. Cantrell learned of his death some weeks later, and in the years that followed the war, he looked up Moinester’s parents and learned that his mother, Gertrude, had christened the Knox-class Navy Frigate named after him, the USS Moinester (FF-1097).

Commander William Cantrell and LTJG Robert W. Moinester.

by Bertha flown The Bouncing illiam Cantrell W Commander

27

FEATURE

To this day, Commander Cantrell remembers their conversations fondly, “Some were privileged to know Bob as a friend, a few as a hero; I am proud to say, I knew him as both.”

Another of Cantrell’s friends from the military was a skilled metalsmith named Clayton Logan. Logan was a massive First Nations man of the Seneca tribe. The men in his unit called him “Chief” (the 1960s were a difficult time for race relations, no matter your skin color). Although Logan and Cantrell didn’t know each other well during their active service, they became good friends after the war, reconnecting at the periodic reunions that have taken place across the country in the years since then. They found camaraderie and mutual respect in each other’s recollections of their combat days.

Fifth Army. He was a first-generation American, born in Texas to German immigrants. His daughter, Marilyn Maddox of Kerrville, explains that he didn’t speak English until he was in elementary school. When he enlisted to serve in the United States Army, he was sent to Europe to face a powerful German army. Fortunately, his fluency in German gave him a natural tactical advantage, and his love for America gave him purpose.

A graduate of Texas A&M University, he resettled in College Station after the war, along with several of his army friends, who had also lived and studied in that area. As they re-entered civilian life together, they each found wives and careers, and raised their children as friends. Decades later, Ms. Maddox has fond recollections of summer days spent with the children of Col. Melcher’s Army buddies. Although

❝

July 8, 1945, on leaving Napoli, Italy: Boy, I wondered if I’d ever see this day. At 1800 we left Napoli in the Mt. Vernon, a swell ship. I’m so thankful and happy to have lived through this and to be going home.

Col. Robert L. Melcher – UNITED STATES ARMY

Logan has gone on to serve as an elder for his tribe, as well as performing small roles in feature films, including “The Last of the Mohicans.” Their friendship has allowed Commander Cantrell to participate in a number of tribal pow-wows at Logan’s invitation. Their cross-cultural exchange has been rewarding for both of them.

W

hile some military friendships last a lifetime, some last much longer. Consider the case of Col. Robert L. Melcher, who served as a Major, Battalion Officer and Regiment Operations Officer, 3rd Battalion, 350th Infantry Regiment, 88th Division of U.S.

William Cantrell and Clay ton Logan at tribal pow-wow

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Col. Robert L. Melcher

her father and most of his friends have passed, she keeps in touch with some of the children to this day, many of whom have children and grandchildren of their own.

Melcher was a prolific writer who captured his deep insights into the human condition in a well-organized journal. Again, he credits his systematic writing to his German heritage. In this, one of many thoughtful excerpts from his journal, his commitment to his comrades rings through: “July 8, 1945, on leaving Napoli, Italy: Boy, I wondered if I’d ever see this day. At 1800 we left Napoli in the Mt. Vernon, a swell ship. I’m so thankful and happy to have lived through this and to be going home. My heart is full.

Col. Robert L. Melcher is seat in the front row far left

ed

FEATURE

Maybe before the end of this month I’ll see home … I look back on this now and think of the many good, brave men we left behind and why do we have to have wars? Why should men like Mike, Bill, Skolby, Watson, Charley and so many more have to stay here, dead and buried? Is the world any better because they died? I hope all my life I can keep them in mind so I’ll always fight for honesty and courage and decency – or else I’ll feel I’m not doing right by them.”

There is something about the life-and-death struggles of combat that draws people closer together. There is no room for pretense or pride when your life is in each others’ hands.

Those relationships become all the more critical for soldiers whose souls have been scarred by the horrors of war.

H

ank Ortega was a Combat Medic with the 101st Airborne in 1968-69. He shared, “I was always a friendly guy, but making friends in Viet Nam meant there was a very real chance I would lose them to enemy action, then have to work on them or transport their bodies [back to the United States]. Those that made it through their individual year came and left singly, not as an entire unit.

So when they got back to the ‘world’ and went on with their lives, mostly they never heard from each other ever again.”

Hank scoured military records and reached out to the men and women of the 101st Airborne Division, inviting them to reconnect with one another through reunions, and assisting them in applying for benefits. He currently has over 100 people on a mailing list with whom he keeps regular correspondence. For many soldiers he saw returning, “surviving meant being solitary for the rest of one’s life, even in a crowd. Only in the last decade or two have I been able to re-contact my pals, and it has enriched my life immensely.”

Such is the loyalty of our military.

J

erry Dewey, of Center Point, retired from the United States Air Force in May 1994 as a Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), having served as a main frame computer technician and computer repair instructor.

Photos: Courtesy

Hank Ortega , Combat Medic – 101s t Airborne back row center

“I kept in contact with four of my military friends via Facebook after we were stationed together in Roedelheim, Germany, with the 4th ASOC. Chief Master Sergeant George Fitzgerald and I called each other “my twin,” even though George is black and over 6 feet tall, while I’m white and 5 foot 10.” Their bond began because they shared the same gung-ho attitude and philosophy regarding their military service.

“We were all computer repairmen,” he recalls, “but our bond and friendship was developed because of our love of sports, hunting, and fishing. If we weren’t working, more than likely you would find us playing softball, football, basketball or volleyball; if we weren’t playing a game, we were probably out on the lake trying to catch walleyes or bass or wading in a stream trying to catch brook trout; and if it was fall, we were out in the woods hunting for deer, squirrels, pheasant and turkey.”

He quipped, “I keep in touch with one of military buddies every single day, because she lives in my house with me!”

His wife, Jennifer, also served in the United States Air Force, as a Technical Sergeant (E-6) until 1983, then she joined the reserves, at which time she became a paralegal.

The Hill Country is peppered with veterans, each of whom served our nation with honor and courage. Your story is important. More unique than your fingerprint, it is not just the breadcrumbs of where you have been, it also represents the foundation on which all future generations will be built.

For thousands of years, families sat around campfires and dinner tables, listening intently as the elders recited the stories of the ancestors. Our families’ stories help to shape who we are. Sadly, in our jet set modern culture, we have lost our connection to our roots. A whole generation has lost their compass because they are too distant from the values that anchored their predecessors. At Generation Bridge Media, we capture the stories that make us who we are in documentary-quality HD video, so families can share those stories for generations to come.

Learn more at generationbridgemedia.com.

Jennifer Dewey, Technical Sergeant (E-6).

United States Air Force, wife of Jerry Dewey, Senior Master Sergeant (E-8), United States Air Force

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MUSIC OF THE

GREATEST

GENERATION The Sentimental Journey Orchestra plays big band music to the delight old and young generations alike. Sandra Lane swings through the founding of the band.

T

Kerrville is home of the Sentimental Journey Orchestra, led by pianist and trombonist Ted Conerly.

The band was organized in 1996 by Conerly along with Dr. Dan Bacon, B.T. Wilson, Vern Hatch and Dr. Jerry Lindner. Eventually, they recruited other accomplished musicians to join their band. They rehearsed in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church.

Photo: Courtesy

he songs written and played by the big bands prior to and during World War II have entertained and inspired people for many years.

It brings back memories for older people who were living in that era and provides listening and dancing delight for younger generations.

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FEATURE Most of the band members had been developing their musical skills and playing in bands from an early age, although they might have been employed in a very different profession. Conerly, a native of Galveston, organized his first band at age 15, and he has been playing ever since. He graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in finance and worked in banking for 27 years. He then taught music in the Fredericksburg Independent School District for 15 years before retiring.

“This music has always touched something inside of me,” Conerly said. “Being able to play this for people who love it has been a great joy in my life.”

According to Conerly, another benefit of playing this music is that it gives him the opportunity to meet some exceptional people.

“It has been an honor to play for Medal of Honor winners and some of the WWII Flying Aces,” Conerly said. “This includes the man who was the navigator on Jimmy Doolittle’s plane in the raid over Tokyo a few months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.”

“We were in the right place at the right time,” Conerly said. “During the peak years, we were playing 40 to 50 concerts a year from venues in the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley. Financial support came from the older generation.”

For several years, the band played an annual concert at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio. Busloads of veterans and their families would attend from the Air Force Village retirement communities and other areas nearby.

Since 1997, the band has performed at an annual event each November in San Marcos at the Commemorative Air Force Museum. This is housed in one of the few remaining WWII aircraft hangars and is the home of several WWII planes that are on display and are actually operable.

Participants look forward to this dinner dance each year and many come dressed in WWII uniforms and typical clothing of the day. There is much dancing to the music of that era, assisted by members of a swing dance club from Austin who come to show others how it’s done.

At Kerrville’s Cailloux Theater is the Sentimental Journey Orchestra’s Memorial Day Concert each year.

At the end of the concert, songs from each branch of the service are played and veterans of that branch of the military are asked to stand up and receive applause and appreciation for their service.

In keeping with the theme, Sentimental Journey Orchestra members wear uniforms from the WWII era.

“We didn’t just want to be a band with matching T-shirts,” Conerly said. “I thought that if we’re going to play the music of the big bands, let’s look the part.”

Conerly said wearing uniforms is a tribute to the Greatest Generation and to Glenn Miller and his Air Force band.

In addition, Conerly said he has a full set of music stands that are an exact replica of those that the Glenn Miller Band used in England.

“Whenever we play for veterans, we want to do them justice,” Conley said. “We always do a salute to our military and offer our thanks and appreciation.”

Photo: Samuel Beaver

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Photo: Chef photo by Parastoo Nikravesh

Charlie Huffstutler

FEATURE Warriror Chef, Charlie Huffstutler is giving back and helping fellow veterans heal through food and cooking. Jenna Carpenter sits down at the table and finds out what’s on his plate.

C

harlie Huffstutler has a passion for helping veterans get through some of their toughest days.

“It’s about getting out of your comfort zone to discover something better,” he said.

Huffstutler speaks from experience.

In 2012, he was serving as a combat engineer for the U.S. Army when he was hit with an IED. He was treated for his injuries in San Antonio.

A year later, enrolled in a culinary course at Art Institutes San Antonio.

Huffstutler said he always had a passion for cooking, but focusing on honing his skills helped him heal.

“It helped with pain management,” he said. “I’m still dealing with the pain on the daily basis, but cooking blocks it out because I’m focusing on a task that I want to do.”

He still suffers from an injured spinal cord, headaches, seizures, a traumatic brain injury and PTSD, but cooking is a way for him to escape it, he said.

“The pain is still there, but it’s not on your mind — which is a big thing,” he said. “The pain is worse when you’re concentrating on it.”

In 2013, Huffstutler founded a nonprofit, called Warrior Chef, that works to help veterans heal from physical and mental wounds through cooking.

“I found something that helped me, and I want to give back to them,” he said.

One program, called Chopping Block, goes into homes and teaches veterans and their families meal recipes, knife and preparation skills. He also gives them kitchen utensils like wooden spoons and a chef’s knife.

Another, called the Sprouts Program, provides seeds, tips and other resources for veteran families to grow a herb garden.

“Family is what is going to get you through the hard days,” he said. “And food brings joy, so if you can cook

together, it’s going to bring in happiness.”

Inspiration vary from passed down family recipes to entrees he makes up on the spot.

Some of Huffstutler’s go-to meals include fish tacos and Cuban sandwiches.

For example, he created his fish tacos using a guava and pepper hot sauce he found in the Bahamas.

“There have been many failures in coming up with the recipes, but that’s okay,” he said. “With failure comes success, and you keep learning.”

But no matter what the recipe is, Huffstutler keeps it simple.

“People who have traumatic brain injuries, cognitive disorders or strokes sometimes think they can’t handle it,” he said.

Huffstutler, who lives in Boerne and works in Comfort, said most of the people he serves are in the Texas Hill Country and surrounding areas.

But he also posts cooking tutorials on his YouTube channel so that veterans across the country can have access to the services.

Veterans who participate in his programs also are given a chef’s knife free of charge, which is made in Huffstutler’s wood shop.

He makes a wide variety of kitchen utensils in the wood shop. Anyone can purchase them, and the proceeds go to fund the organization.

Huffstutler runs Warrior Chef with the help of two volunteers. It’s funded through the income he gets from his full-time job at the US Post Office in Comfort, donors and proceeds from the Chef Shop.

He eventually wants to add an outdoor component to the organization to teach veterans how to cook fish and other game so they can enjoy cooking in and out of the kitchen.

His ultimate goal is to expand Warrior Chef into some sort of restaurant that would employee veterans.

❝

I want them to know there are people who care about them and want to help them. If I can reach out to one veteran, that is one veteran I can help heal from pain and anything else they are suffering from.

CHARLIE HUFFSTUTLER WARRIOR CHEF

33

FAVORITE

MILITARY

MOVIES For as long as cinema existed, military films have permeated the culture. Military films depict some of the harshest periods of history and try to shine a light on the struggles people face while fighting for their country.

It is no surprise that these movies leave an impact on people and find a way to last in their hearts. We asked some of our community members their favorite military movies, and here is what they picked.

TOP

3

PICKS

Frequently named movies in social media call

Hacksaw Ridge (2016), American Sniper (2014), Saving Private Ryan (1998) 34 

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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IMDb: The Best Military Movies READERS PICKS: COMMUNITY FAVORITE MILITARY MOVIES • American Sniper • Schindler’s List • Pearl Harbor • The Longest Day • Saving Private Ryan • Full Metal Jacket • Top Gun • Band of Brothers • Midway (the original) • We were Soldiers • Red Tails • Hacksaw Ridge • From Here to Eternity • The Invisible War

• Heartbreak Ridge • Major Payne • Black Hawk Down • Stripes • Forrest Gump • Red Dawn • D - Day • Sergeant York • Hurt Locker • Apocalypse Now • 300 • Dr. Strangelove • The Beast • The Dirty Dozen • Taps • Fury • Tropic Thunder

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10

Apocalypse Now Platoon Saving Private Ryan Heartbreak Ridge Tora! Tora! Tora!

Jarhead Full Metal Jacket Black Hawk Down Brothers The Hurt Locker

35

COVER FEATURE

K

athleen Webber Cormack, is a retired U.S. Army nurse who served from 1972-197, during the Vietnam War. During her junior year of nursing school she decided that she would join the Army upon graduation.

“Everyone wanted to go do something to help,” Kathy remembers.

After being stationed at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, she was transferred to Belgium and then to Germany for the remainder of her service, totaling five years.

After the war, she settled in Kerrville, with her husband, who is also a veteran. She worked at Sid Peterson Hospital and then the VA Hospital. While working at the VA she became close with many vets and her dream of a military museum took shape.

“I wanted to listen to them, to hear their stories and I became enthralled. These were not just my patients, they were my boys, they were my dear friends and I simply decided we ought to honor them in some way,” Cormack said.

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So Proudly We Hailed Military Museum was originally a smaller version with some posters and a few uniforms nicely displayed at the VA hospital. As word spread it became obvious there was a need for a larger space to display and properly honor these pieces.

Donations came in from all branches and levels of The Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and the Coast Guard. Her historical endeavor is now collection with hundreds of pieces of United States Armed Services art and over 500 authentic men’s and women’s uniforms spanning from World War I to, Desert Storm.

Five years ago Kathleen received an invitation from the Hill Country Veteran’s Center to utilize its space to show her uniforms. All the walls of the center are lined with decades of art. The posters are organized into the specific wars, time frames and branches. In the uniform display room the walls and center aisle are fitted with custom designed cabinets, filled with life size mannequins all clad in the authentic clothing from WW I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, Iraqi

Photo: Tom Holden

SO PROUDLY

Kathleen Webber Cormack honored her country with her service and now the history that made it great. Mia Church reveals her dedication to authenticity.

WE HAILED Freedom and Desert Storm.

There is also a large collection of daily living objects of interest; nicknacks, makeup, insignias, hosiery, dog tags and sterling name bracelets, to name a few. The garments are pristine, perfectly organized and obviously extremely well cared for. Biographies are presented alongside some of the uniforms who belonged to local veterans.

“I would love to see more schools bring classes here, there is just so much to learn and see,” Cormack said. “ The physical objects teach so much better than just reading about it in a book.

You truly get a hands on feel for how life was in these times.”

Kathleen enjoys displaying her collection in live shows such as the Salute to Women Veteran’s Program at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville where women and girls wear the uniforms that the women wore in the past during their service.

“The young people that model these uniforms have such a reverence and pride since they are representing a service to their

country,” Cormack said. “They are educated and knowledgeable of the history and story behind what they are wearing, and the person who wore it.

‘When we do the shows and the patriotic music begins, there is an amazing feeling that comes over the room. The feelings of pride and remembrance are palpable and strong.”

Kathleen’s project has grown larger than she thought possible and will go on for generations to learn from.

If you would like to visit or donate to the museum it is open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays located at 411 Meadowview Lane in Kerrville. You may also call 830-377-9285 for information.

Pictured left to right: Kimberlie Kocurek - Tivy high school freshmen - grandparents are veterans Valeria Frenzel - Tivy High school freshmen - father is a Navy Veteran Emilie Kocurek - Tivy High school junior -sisters with Kimberlie ** All the girls wore uniforms before in Salute to Women Veterans.

Thanks to The Humble Fork for loaning us their establishment for the photoshoot.

37

TIME WELL SPENT

The military prides itself on developing the skills for young men and women to be successful in life. This is evident in the men highlighted, as they share their experiences. Bob McCullough has the opportunity to spend some time with them.

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FEATURE

Several years ago, U. S. Department of Defense introduced a compelling advertising campaign – “Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines: It’s a Great Place to Start.”

T

he campaign emphasized that military service offers tangible and intangible benefits to young men and women embarking upon adulthood. After a taste of duty in the armed forces, many young recruits remain for fulfilling military careers.

Regardless of length of service, everyone can learn valuable lessons, no matter what direction their lives take. It’s time well spent.

When the nation observes Veterans Day Nov. 11, it’s likely those who’ve served will pause for at least a moment and reflect upon their experiences. Three of the estimated 5,000 veterans living in the Greater Kerrville area – Roy Boudreaux, George Eychner and Bob Waller – shared their thoughts on what the military has meant to them.

B

oudreaux, the owner of Kerrville Clock Co. says, “The military is indeed a great place to start. It teaches young men and women valuable occupational skills, plus structure, discipline and accountability. The military instilled in me the importance of planning, organizing, taking responsibility for my actions and, most importantly, service above self.”

He grew up near Alexandria, La., and followed his oldest brother and “hero” into the Air Force. Early in his 30-year career that concluded in 1992, Boudreaux found himself in Vietnam in a maintenance support role, providing critical parts and supplies for air rescue and recovery helicopters. He went on to become a professional military education instructor, and he ultimately became the command chief, or top enlisted officer, at Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

E

ychner, who grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Nebraska, spent most of his 22 years in the Air Force as an education and training officer. His assignments included training advisor to the Turkish Air Force, division chief in foreign military training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio and deputy base commander at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo.

“In 1989, I was hired to be the executive director of the Mount Wesley Conference Center in Kerrville, which was actually the most rewarding job I ever had,” Eychner says. “My experience at Goodfellow provided me with all the tools I needed for the job.

❝

The conference center was a ministry of the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was a little run down and underutilized, so I got to be a ‘base commander’ and fix it up and fill it up to help change people’s lives.”

Eychner has parlayed his service in the Air Force into a lengthy list of civic involvements including chairman of the Hill Country Youth Orchestras Board of Directors and past president of the Kerrville Rotary Club. A gifted trumpet player, he also performs regularly with the Symphony of the Hills and other musical organizations in the Hill Country.

W

aller, Broadway Bank market executive for the Kerrville and Fredericksburg markets, also used his military service as a springboard for success in business and community service. The Ennis, Texas, native and Kerrville “Citizen of the Year” has served as chairman of the Kerrville Planning and Zoning Commission, as president of the Kerrville Rotary Club and as a board member for the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Kerr County YMCA, Kerr Economic Development Foundation and Kerr County United Way. Patriotism motivated Waller to join the Marine Corps in 1966.

“My father was a career non-commissioned officer in the Air Force and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses in World War II,” he says. “My younger brother and I joined together and were in the same platoon in boot camp, and both of us served in combat in Vietnam.”

The Marine Corps taught Waller discipline, teamwork, competition, perseverance and esprit de corps.

“The military is not for everyone, but for the ones that accept its basic principles, it is a good maturing experience that can lead to a military career or provide experience for civilian life,” he adds.

“Military life is a noble profession, a great way of life and a great equalizer,” Eychner said. “It exposes you to a whole different lifestyle, and if you determine it’s not for you, you can leave with some great benefits and maybe even a vocation to pursue.”

Boudreaux contends that “military service provides young adults with skills, training, structure and discipline; it promotes accountability; and it provides opportunities to serve a purpose greater than themselves.”

Military life is a noble profession, a great way of life and a great equalizer...

GEORGE EYCHNER – UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 39

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of the Hill Country 960 Barnett St. • Kerrville, TX • 830-792-3626 Sunday Service 10AM

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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES We, the member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Hill Country, covenant to affirm and promote: • The inherent worth and dignity of every person; • Justice, equality, and compassion in human relations; • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large; • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

KERRVILLE’S TRUSTED LEADER IN AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE HEATING & COOLING SERVICES

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JO ANNE ENGLISH • Broker/Owner 200 Sidney Baker St., South, Ste. 30 “In Riverhills Mall” • 830.285.0190 www.KerrvilleHomeListings.com • englishj777@gmail.com

YOUR HOME

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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SEASONAL HOME

PREPARATION

By Parastoo Nikravesh

A

home is your greatest investment and with cold weather arriving soon, it is important to prepare the interior and exterior of your house for the changing seasons.

With a few simple tricks and tips around the home, you can feel more confident that winter won’t wear you out.

AC/Heating Start to pay attention to your air conditioner and heating system. In the moderate temperatures of fall you might not be too concerned but you’re better off finding a problem now then when a strong cold front blows in. This is a good time to change your filters and possibly have an HVAC contractor come to inspect your system.

Clean Your Gutters What’s a better sign of fall than piles of leaves begging to be jumped into? Once the leaves have fallen off the trees, it is time to clean out the gutters. When you don’t clean the gutters out, they will back up and rain water will overflow and run down the side of your home, which will deteriorate the exterior. It can also lead to deterioration of your foundation; water seeps into the basement and settles under your concrete porches and walks.

Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Check all of your smoke detectors to make sure they are working and that they have good

batteries. If your home doesn’t have carbon monoxide detectors, now is a good time to get some. Winter is the time most house fires happen since we’re blasting the heat and building fires. Be sure that your home is ready to alert you in case of these emergencies.

Drain Outside Faucets In freezing temperatures, outside water faucets are completely unprotected and, if frozen, could split water lines or develop a leak.

To drain the line, you can shut off the water valve to your outside spigot, then go outside and open the exterior spigot valve and let the water drain out of the line. It doesn’t have to be completely out but now if the water in there freezes, it has plenty of room to expand without breaking pipes or seals. Leave the water off to that faucet until you need it again in the spring.

Outdoor Furniture Keep your patio furniture pristine during the colder months. Cover your furniture, but to avoid trapping moisture, wait for a warm and clean day to wrap it up. Once the chilly days are over, you’ll be happy your furniture is still as good as it was during the summer.

Cover Up Your Windows Keep heat from leaving your home by utilizing shades, curtains and drapes. The insulation will provide additional protection from the cold weather and will help you conserve energy.

43

Kerrville Nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX.* Stop by and let us show you why!

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44

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

RANDY PURSWELL Realtor®

Looking to buy or SELL call PursWELL www.RandyPurswell.com Office:830.496.1041 Cell:713.817.9786

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45

YOUR HOME - DIY

HONOR THE PAST

46 

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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DISPLAY MILITARY MEMORABILIA

O

By Parastoo Nikravesh

ver the years, people collect things that matter to them: pictures, awards, clothing and so much more. Instead of letting precious memories sit in a closet or storage room, imagine displaying them for everyone to see.

Shadow boxes are a unique and great way to preserve and display your or a loved one’s personal memories.

Wedding dresses, graduation and newborn items can all be displayed on a shelf or hung on a wall.

One specific group that can relish the decorative and sentimental joys of shadow boxes are our veterans. A military shadow box gives veterans an opportunity to display the medals, insignia, buckles, awards and badges they’ve collected during their military career.

Step 1: Gather materials Start by inventorying items. Medals, ribbons, badges, insignia and patches are a good place to start. Collect the items and consider including small pictures, a flag or a uniform if you plan on having a larger shadow box.

Step 2: Settle on a size

Whether you decide to build a box or order one, the size of your box will decide how much memorabilia you can display. Decide if you want a traditional 16” x 20” or a smaller 5” x 7” or somewhere in the middle. You can purchase or create a number of colored backgrounds that will represent each branch — black for the Navy, blue for the Air Force, red for the Marine Corps and green to represent the Army.

Step 3: Organize it You’ll want to arrange the memorabilia in correct order of precedence. Additionally, you’ll want to label each of the items; you can even purchase brass plates to do so. Don’t forget to include the name plate where you include the veteran’s first, middle, last name on one line, followed on the next line by the years they were active in the military, then on the next line where they served or the conflict they served in.

The shadow book is a special and respectful method to showcase the honor you or a loved one feels for serving their nation. Get your special items out of the closet and display them for generations to see.

47

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

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SWEET & SAVORY

RECIPES FROM THE PAST Cookbooks spread culture and bring people together. If cookbooks could talk, I’m sure this one would have a wonderful story to share along with it’s tasty contents. Stacy Whittemore shares her story and a dish.

O

n a crisp fall day in the Texas Hill Country, I was scouring a yard sale for vintage canning jars. At the bottom of a box I found a cookbook, “Woman’s Home Companion Cook Book” published in 1942. Intrigued, I opened the front cover to find the inscription, “To Dottie, from Jimmie, December 25, 1942.” It was obvious that it had been used frequently, had been treasured, and had the tell-tale sign of a few pages well-worn from flipping to a particular recipe.

Some pages had handwritten notes of changes made to a recipe, which to me was a family heirloom.

Concerned that it had accidentally been set out, I approached the lady giving the yard sale and gave her back the book. She told me it had belonged to her grandmother, but she had no use for it, because she didn’t cook much, and when she needed a recipe she

handwriting, and I feel she is with me, encouraging me as I cook.

Our family cookbooks give us an intimate view into the kitchens of our past, along with the story of the women who raised generations. Before computers, prepackaging and ready-in-minute meals, cookbooks were the go-to for everyday cooking and that special, once-a-year dessert everyone remembers fondly. One vintage cookbook I bought had handwritten notes for every year, documenting the weight as well as the family member who hunted and cleaned the turkey. In a bygone era, people had to rely on nature to provide its bounty.

November is here, and it’s time for family, food and giving thanks. Inside the “Woman’s Home Companion Cook Book,” there is a postscript from the publisher that gives us another reason to give thanks. It reads,

❝

Intrigued, I opened the front cover to find the inscription, “To Dottie, from Jimmie, December 25, 1942.” turned to her computer. With a sad heart, I purchased the cookbook for a quarter and took it home.

It’s not the first vintage cookbook I purchased for next to nothing, nor the first time someone told me that family cookbooks weren’t worth keeping.

In today’s age of technology, I too keep recipes on my computer and turn to the internet when I have something specific in mind. But cookbooks handed down from generation to generation reflect our family legacy. I have family cookbooks from three generations. From time to time I refer to them for inspiration or because of a memory from a recipe which calls for me to recreate it. There are moments when I just want to hold something that has been in my family since my great-grandmother. I see notes in my mother’s pretty

“As this book goes to press, our country is at war. A healthy nation is the best contribution our homes can make to our war effort. Let us make it constantly, consistently, and cheerfully.” I can picture the women who cooked from this book praying that a loved one would make it home safely to enjoy a homecooked meal once again. May we hold hands this Thanksgiving in prayer to give thanks to the countless cooks who raised our generations and to those who serve in the military who sacrificed so much to keep us the land of the free.

The following recipes are from the “Woman’s Home Companion Cook Book.” For more information on the care of vintage cookbooks and how to DIY a double boiler pan, visit wayfaringspoon.com.

49

SWEET & Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Soften gelatin in cold water. Combine pumpkin, brown sugar, egg yolks, spices and salt in the top of a double boiler: cook over hot, not boiling, water until thickened, stirring constantly. Add softened gelatin to hot pumpkin mixture and stir until dissolved. Remove from hot water. Chill until mixture begins to thicken. Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry; beat in the granulated sugar. Fold into cooled pumpkin mixture. Add orange rind. Whip cream and fold into pumpkin mixture. Pour into baked shell: chill. Top with additional whipped cream.

Baked 9-inch pie crust Gelatin 1 tablespoon Cold water ¼ cup Pumpkin canned plain 1 ½ cup Brown sugar 1 cup 3 eggs separated

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

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Cinnamon 2 teaspoons Ginger ½ teaspoon Allspice ¼ teaspoon Salt ½ teaspoon Granulated sugar 2 tablespoons Grated orange rind 1 tablespoon Heavy cream ½ cup

Photos: Stacy Whittemore

Ingredients:

SWEET & SAVORY

Savory Apple Stuffing Fry bacon in a large skillet until almost crisp; remove from pan, leaving drippings in the pan. To the drippings add celery, onion and parsley, cook over low heat until soft but not browned. Add diced apples, brown sugar and seasonings. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add bread crumbs and bacon. Stir lightly over low heat about 2 minutes. Stuff turkey with mixture.

Ingredients: Bacon ½ cup cooked and crumbled

Salt 1 ½ teaspoon

Celery leaves and stalks, chopped, 1 cup

Pepper ¼ teaspoon

Onion 1 cup chopped

Thyme 1 ¼ teaspoon

Parsley 1 cup finely chopped

Marjoram ½ teaspoon

Tart apples 4 cups diced

Sage ¼ teaspoon

Brown sugar ½ cup

Stuffing bread herbed or unseasoned 4 cups

SAVORY

51

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TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

MS058054

Physicians and government officials started really paying attention to vapingrelated lung illnesses in July, when reports of teens who vaped nicotine and THC being hospitalized emerged in Wisconsin. Illinois reported the first death earlier this month. Many state health officials are now checking their records to see if they can find earlier cases that could also be added to the case count.

Parents and patients have described shortness of breath that worsened quickly to include cough, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. All of these patients would need oxygen to help them breath, many needed breathing tubes and ventilators, and in some of the worst cases they needed even more support from machines that oxygenate the blood outside of the body, says Dr. Anne Melzer, a pulmonologist and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota medical school.

Any substance that gets into your lungs’ air sacs other than air, can cause inflammation. “Fluid and immune cells build up inside the air sacs, which makes breathing more difficult,” said Melzer.

Medical journal reports on the illnesses include references to “lipid -laden macrophages.” These are cells “trying to clean up the fat” from substances such as the Vitamin E acetate, but in the process can instead inflame the lungs, she added.

The message is clear. If you are vaping, STOP!

If you haven’t started, DON’T!

MUSEUMS TO

ENJOY IN A

DRIVE Feel like it’s time for a road trip? Below is a list of military museums to enjoy in a day trip through Texas.

National Museum of the Pacific War - Fredericksburg

Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 340 E Main St. Fredericksburg, TX 78624, 830-997-8600 The National Museum of the Pacific war exhibits interactive media presentations, memorials and state-of-the-art archives and collection highlighting the Word War II’s Asiatic-Pacific Theater battles.

Texas Military Forces Museum - Austin

Open Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 2200 West 35th St. Austin, TX 78703, 512-782-5659 The Texas Military Forces Museum displays uniforms, weapons, tanks, artillery, aircraft, helicopters and more dating from 1823 through present day.

Lone Star Flight Museum - Houston

Open Tuesday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday noon- 5 p.m. 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, TX 77034, 346-708-2517. The Lone Star Flight Museum is an aerospace museum that displays more than 24 historically significant aircraft, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, high-tech Aviation Learning Center and more.

Galveston Naval Museum - Galveston

Open daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Seawolf Park Galveston, TX 77550, 409-770-3196 The Galveston Naval Museum explores the nation’s heritage at sea. See historic WWII vessels and learn about American naval history with interactive exhibits.

Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museums - El Paso

Open Wednesday - Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 1735 Marshall Road, Fort Bliss, TX 79906, 915-568-5412. The Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museum features the 168-year history of Fort Bliss in El Paso. The exhibit includes over 40 tanks and other armored vehicles.

53

OUT & ABOUT 1

OUT & ABOUT

2

3

5

4

6 7

Peterson Health Gala 2019 Photos by Emily Kay

1) Barb Bowers, Ode Young, Amanda Williams 2) Audrey Cortez, Tom Ducker, Tyson Hale 3) Jeremiah Kester, Megan Kester 4) Karen Clark, Helena Mcfarland 5) Lauren Risinger, Cindy Morales, Ann Sharpe, Amber Bond 6) Jane Ragsdale, Dick Howell 7) Suzanne Rensch, Michael Rensch, Michael Thornton 54 

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY CULTURE

I NOVEMBER 2019

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER EVENTS Kerrville: 1 - 8 Output: HCAF Atelier Exhibit

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Rd., Ingram. An exhibit celebrating the work of the Hill Country Atelier. 830367-5121. www.hcaf.com

has become the Hill Country’s premiere two-day holiday event, transforming the Hill Country Mile into a vintage Christmas wonderland, complete with five villages, beautiful holiday lights, snow along Main Street and an entertainment lineup sure to delight the whole family. 830-248-1617

Fredericksburg:

2 Kerr County Market Days & Hill Country Swap Meet 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday. Kerr County Hill Country Youth

2 Walk to End Alzheimer’s

14 Thanksgiving Meal

8 Beer and Wine Share Animal Fundraiser at Dogologie 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday at 148 E. Main St. Please

Event Center, 3785 Texas 27. Market Days continues to feature artists and crafters bringing their own original handcrafted jewelry, fiber, wood, metal, soaps, lotions and more. Hill Country Swap Meet is a community garage sale and flea market with all types of merchandise. Concessions available, indoors, free parking and pet friendly. 830-459-6198. www. kerrmarketdays.org 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Thursday at Hill Country Veterans Center, 411 Meadowview Lane. Free Thanksgiving meal for veterans and family. 830-315-3101

16 - 17 Texas Gun & Knife Show

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday. Kerr County Hill Country Youth Event Center, 3785 Texas 27. New and used guns, knives, gold/silver coins, jewelry, camping gear, military supplies and several businesses under one roof. 830285-0575

16 - December 14 “ArtMart” Christmas Gift Showcase 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Saturday. Hill Country Arts Foundation, 120 Point Theatre Road, Ingram. A holiday shopping showcase that will have artists from across the state showcasing their work. 830-3675121. www.hcaf.com

28 Community Thanksgiving Meal

11 a.m. Thursday. The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 201 Holdsworth Drive. Free, hot Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings for the community. Carry out and home deliveries are available to those who are homebound. 830-315-5762. www.kerrvillekroc.org

Boerne: 7 Diva Night

5 p.m. Thursday. Stores will have regular business hours during the day. Diva Night festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and include shopping, live music, dining and great specials for the diva in you. Come out and support your local businesses with a night of fun shopping. The first 200 Divas to check in at The Dienger Trading Co. and The Flower Shop will get a tiara or a boa. 830249-9511

29 - 30 Dickens on Main

4 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. In 1999, a group of shopkeepers in downtown Boerne united to create a Christmas event that would bring the community together, promote local shopping and celebrate the holidays with old-fashioned traditions and favorites. Now, 20 years later, Dickens on Main

8 a.m. registration and ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday. 432 Lady Bird Drive. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. Two mile walk to be held at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. There is no registration fee but every walker is asked to make a personal donation. 210-822-6449

join us to help raise money for several of our dog-focused organizations in the community. Dogologie will be extending their hours and 20% of all proceeds will go to PAWS, FDPA and HCSPCA. There will be beer and wine to share and four-legged friends are welcome. 830-997-5855

15 - 17 Fredericksburg Dance Company presents “The Nutcracker” and “Coppélia” Performances on

Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with a double feature of abridged classical ballets presented by Fredericksburg Dance Company. 1668 S US Hwy 87. Along with a re-invented variation of the time-honored classic, “The Nutcracker,” FDC will present the Texas Hill Country’s first performance of the charming classical ballet, “Coppélia,” a notably appealing ballet full of comedy, humor and mime. Join us for an evening of enchanting fun and dance, perfect for audiences of all ages.

Event to be held at the Steve W. Shepherd Theater. 830-9973588

16 WWII Pacific Combat Program at the National Museum of the Pacific War 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday; 10:30 a.m. on Sunday at 508 E. Austin. Enjoy an educational experience you won’t find anywhere else as presented in front of the new amphitheater seating followed by a battle re-enactment set on an island somewhere in the Pacific during WWII. Hear the rattle of machine gun fire, the echoing blast of grenades and the searing heat of the flamethrower as the joint U.S. forces take the Japanesecontrolled hill. Two performances daily. Reservations recommended and available online. 830-997-8600

30 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K and 10K Run/Walk 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, 1608 N Adams. A one-mile Fun Run, 5K run/walk or 10K run/walk. Event starts and ends at the Fredericksburg Elementary School. Registration includes a T-shirt. Rain or shine. Pre-registration available online. https:// www.facebook.com/FredericksburgTurkeyTrot/ 830-998-5865.

55

We would like to say,Thank You to all our wonderful customers. It’s a privilege to be serving the Hill Country in our 49th Year.

Baublit’s

Ray Rothwell

719 Water Street Kerrville, Texas 830-257-8317

REALTOR®

830.257.6868 ray@21thehills.com

century21thehills.com

MY PERFORMANCE WILL MOVE YOU!

LIVING

830-792-0808 204 Cully Drive Kerrville

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THE

BEAUTIFUL

LIFE

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE CELEBRATING THE UNIQUE AND COLORFUL STYLE OF LIVING IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

a publication of The Kerrville

Daily Times

Send Us Your Christmas Photos!

In hopes they get in the Hill Country Culture Magazine or we’ll post them onlilne.

OVER 42,000 READERS PER ISSUE SCHEDULED PUBLICATION DATES

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| GUARANTEED DELIVERY | BUDGET FRIENDLY PRICING

Call 830-896-7000 for advertising opportunities.

Photo by Tom Holden

introduces

a 3-part community event

Celebrating the power of kindness and what it means to be a good neighbor.

1

Luncheon featuring Author/Journalist

Tim Madigan 12 PM, Thurs., Nov. 21st at Come hear Tim Madigan tell stories about his friendship with Mr. Rogers — the man you grew up watching and who epitomizes what it means to be a good neighbor. Madigan speaks about Fred Roger’s unique capacity for empathy and kindness, qualities reflected in the upcoming feature film, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” starring Tom Hanks.

$30 per person – Lunch provided – Book signing following event – Space is limited.

2

Free Screening of

Children’s art show Free admission

6 & 8 PM, Tues., Nov. 19th

opens at 6 PM wed., Nov. 20th

3

– All events at Schreiner Universiy –

To purchase tickets, visit 429 Jefferson St., call 830-896-7000 or visit www.kerrvillekind.com

Book your company’s 2019 Christmas party NOW! • Multiple Room Options • Festive Decorations • Full Bar • Delicious Menus to choose from

Contact Shanna Larsen, Event Coordinator (830) 895-8500 ext. 236 slarsen@comanchetrace.com