Taylor 76574 Magazine – Winter 2017

_________Taylor _________

76574 HOLIDAYS s 2017

TAMALES:

IT’S WHAT’S FOR CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS IN TAYLOR From Lawrence Chapel to Pecan Manor to the historic Doak House

BY THE NUMBERS Did you know that Taylor’s police department made 18,998 calls last year? Neither did we!

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2018 Chamber & Community Awards Banquet 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16 Williamson County Expo Center TABLE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE. Tickets $40 each on sale Dec. 15-Jan. 5 To learn more or to purchase sponsorships or tickets, call 512-352-6364, stop by 1519 N. Main St. or go online to www.taylorchamber.org/ and click on the 2018 Awards Banquet tab 3

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Taylor 76574

_________Taylor _________

76574 Facebook@Taylor76574 EDITOR & PUBLISHER Richard Stone BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Hill ADVERTISING SALES Scott Rucker Ann Miller PRODUCTION EDITOR Gretchen Dyson ASS’T PRODUCTION EDITOR Matt Hellman DEPARTMENT EDITOR Jason Hennington ADVERTISING DESIGN Patti Slavych Minerva Kutch Orlando Rojo-Buendia OUR THANKS TO Michele Johnson Tim Crow Candice Martin of the Culinary Arts Department at Taylor High School The Taylor Conservation & Heritage Society

TAMA L E S = C H R I S T MA S Making tamales at home is a noisy, messy tradition that helps keep local families together in the kitchen

~ PAGE 25

D E PA R T M E N T S FALL & WINTER CALENDAR ��������������� PAGE 7 From Santa on the Square to the Chamber’s awards banquet, here’s a handy holiday and winter planning guide.

10 QUESTIONS ������������������� PAGE 10 Jesse Ancira may be known for his political career but did you know he runs a mean adding machine?

BY THE NUMBERS ����������������� PAGE 14 Wow. Taylor police officers drive a lot of miles every year.

ON THE COVER It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Taylor’s historic downtown area.

— Photo by Richard Stone

TWICE TOLD TALES ����������������� PAGE 17 Here is a double dose of Twice Told Tales all having to do with Christmas’ past in Taylor.

CULINARY ADVENTURES ��������������� PAGE 22 Taylor High School’s Culinary Arts and commercial photography students show us their take on homemade holiday pies.

Published by

PRESS TAYLOR

THE DABBLING DUCK ���������������� PAGE 34 The Dabbling Duck gives a history lesson about the Taylor Ducks.

And ducks in Taylor. Along the way, DD drops a little duck knowledge.

your community. your newspaper.

P.O. Box 1040 • Taylor, TX 76574 For advertising information, call

512-352-8538

— Photo by Michele Johnson

Making the RIGHT CONNECTIONS Since 2001

Serving Taylor and the surrounding communities for 117 years.

DAILY SPECIALS Monday

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Dream Designs Computer Services

(512) 352-8605 or (512) 771-3279 (Mobile) dream-designs.com

Kids eat free all day with each adult purchase.

Tuesday

Half price games all day!

Wednesday

Senior Day! All seniors eat and drink for $5.99 all day.

Sundays

Buy a buffet, drink and $5 game card and receive a $5 game card free!

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We aren’t your mamma’s newspaper (Well, SHE still takes the paper but we’re more than a newspaper!)

The days when a small-town newspaper company can get by with simple newsprint are long gone. Your local award-winning community newspaper is working hard to keep up with the modern era.

From award-winning public-private partnerships designed to help communicate complex issues, a social media reach that extends our presence into the digital realm and topical live newsmaker interviews that are streamed on social media, the Taylor Press is working hard to be the media gateway to East WilCo.

PRESS TAYLOR

211 West Third Street • 512-352-8535

Find us on Facebook and Twitter @GoTaylorTx In print Sunday and Wednesday • Online 24/7/365@TaylorPress.net

MEDIA HONOR ROLL

your community. your newspaper.

TAY LO R T E X AS

LO G O STA N DA R D S

G R E AT E R TAY L O R C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E AN D VI S ITO R C E NTE R

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Taylor 76574

If you would like to see your non-profit community event or regular meeting listed in this calendar, please send it to Taylor76574 Calendar, P.O. Box 1040, Taylor, TX 76574 or email to news@taylorpress.net.

Second Saturday

Join us on the second Saturday of the month for events in our parks and all over town.

Specials and bargains in our downtown shops and cool drinks at our “rest stops.”

Weekly Civic Club Meetings

The Greater Taylor Chamber of Commerce hosts a luncheon at Sirloin Stockade the third Monday of each month. The topics vary but usually focus on Taylor issues. Open to members and non-members.

Every Friday at noon at Sirloin Stockade

Third Monday

Taylor Lions Club

Third Thursday

Taylor Rotary Club

G21 Car Show

Taylor Kiwanis Club

The Third Thursday of every month, our downtown shops stay open until 8 p.m. 120 Art Gallery opens a new exhibit and music fills Texas Beer Company, Taylor Station and other venues around the area.

G21 Car Show is on the fourth Sunday of every month beginning at about 9 a.m. It is held on 2nd Street between Main and Porter Streets. Several different charities benefit from it throughout the year.

Every Thursday at noon at Sirloin Stockade

Every Wednesday noon at Sirloin Stockade

Pints, Politics and Culture

The Taylor Press hosts a live interview with a local newsmaker 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at the Texas Beer Co., corner of Main and Second, downtown. The interview is streamed live on the Press’ Facebook page (@GoTaylorTx) and then curated on its website (TaylorPress.net). This public affairs program is a great way to keep up with local issues.

Walk-in Mammogram Screening

Every fourth Friday in 2017 is “Walk-In Mammography Day” at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Taylor. No appointment or referral is needed if you have not had a screening in the past 12 months. Just walk into the hospital, at 305 Mallard Lane, Taylor, TX, 76574, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Please bring your insurance card. Normal insurance co-pays will apply. Do not apply deodorant or any lotions prior to the screening mammogram.

7

Downtown Wine Swirl 5 - 9 p.m. on Main Street Join us for a fun evening of wine and food tastings to kick off the holiday season in Historic Downtown Taylor. “Swirl” among our downtown merchants and enjoy wine samplings from 10+ wineries and samplings from restaurants while you get a head start on your holiday shopping.

Enjoy live entertainment and food trucks also for just $40.

DECEMBER 2nd Main Street Christmas Bazaar 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

City Hall Auditorium The event will take place inside the auditorium and outside on the parking lot. Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans.

Victorian Christmas at the Moody Museum 2 - 4 p.m.

Santa on the Square Thursday-Saturdays in December, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

WCLA Livestock Show & Youth Fair Each year, hundreds of Williamson County FFA and 4-H members participate in the Williamson County Livestock Show. Funds raised through the junior livestock show auction go directly to the youth to help offset the costs associated with raising livestock projects. The money students receive is reinvested in the community through the purchase of goods and services, and portions are saved for furthering their education.

Pilgrimage to Bethlehem

Immanuel Lutheran Church, located at 411 CR 401 in Taylor, will have their annual Pilgrimage to Bethlehem and live nativity. The event is a chance to walk through and watch the Christmas story play out before your eyes.

Follow the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem’s stable.

Mingle with people in biblical era costumes and feel the stern looks of the Roman guards. Share the joy of shepherds hearing angels proclaim the good news of the Messiah’s birth, and join the wise men in paying homage to the newborn King. Free tours are every 20 minutes between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

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All local school children from kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to the museum on Saturday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. to handcraft Christmas ornaments which they will then take home with them.

All children should be accompanied by a parent.

It is a beautiful time to see the home decorated as it might have been when the Moody family lived there. Many families pose for Christmas photos in front of the tree.

Christmas Parade of Lights 7 p.m. — Downtown Main Street Travel down Main Street begins at 7 p.m. Must register for the parade in advance. For information, contact Tammy Eulenfield at 512-352-8314.

Martin Luther King Jr. March & Program Begins in Robinson Park at 9 a.m. and ends at City Hall.

Following the march is a program that begins at 10 a.m.

Chamber Awards Banquet

6 p.m. at the Wilco Expo Center. Chair’s reception begins this evening that includes dinner, an introduction of Chamber leadership and presentation of awards for Business of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Woman of the Year, Customer Service of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

Chili Supper

5 p.m. Taylor Lions Club hosts a chili supper at the SPJST Hal, 5025 FM 619. Price is $10 per person. For more information, call 512-626-1831

Victorian Valentine Gala

The Moody Museum is at the corner of 9th and Talbot Streets, Taylor. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at Taylor City Hall, Taylor Chamber of Commerce and Moody Museum Board Members at the door. To learn more, call 512-365-7396. Thursday, Feb. 9, the Moody Museum will host the annual Valentine’s Gala. The event kicks off the membership drive for the Friends of the Moody Museum. Those who attend will be treated to music played on the Moody family piano (circa 1901). There will also be food and drink for guests to enjoy. Tickets will be available at the door for $25 per person.

Black History Month

Special programs sponsored by the Blackshear/O.L. Price Ex-Student’s Assn. at various Taylor schools.

9

10 QUESTIONS JESSE ANCIRA

• h it

•w

W

e picked Jesse Ancira to answer our 10 Questions for this issue and, strangely enough, he agreed. Ancira is a former FBI agent and later did a great deal of work for the State of Texas and the Comptroller’s office. He served on the Taylor ISD Board of Trustees and on the Taylor City Council. The past mayor of Taylor recently stepped down as Chief of Staff for the Texas Speaker of the House.

1. What is your super power?

My poker face.

2. What did you think you would grow out of but haven’t?

Love of whiskey.

3. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.

Used to be fairly good at sketch drawings.

4. What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?

Busting my knee open in the 5th grade while trying to “jump ramps.” It resulted in 54 stitches in my knee. To add insult to injury, I picked the week that the old Johns Hospital was closing and the new hospital was opening - my mom drove me to the old hospital and we had to turn around and drive to the new hospital on Mallard because the ambulance was on another call - almost died from blood loss.

5. Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone?

How’d that go?

Yes - One long night at the Capitol I advised an intern that the Speaker was interested in the well-being of a nest of baby eagles that was being monitored live on the Web. I told the intern that we needed “updates” anytime something significant happened. The poor intern sent updates all evening and into the early morning hours on each 10

Taylor 76574

movement of the baby eagles. At one point, I asked him to come “update” the Speaker - neither the Speaker nor the intern were happy once they figured it out ...

6. If you could know the absolute and total truth to one question, what question would you ask?

When will the UT football team win another National Championship?

7. What is something you will NEVER do again?

Run for office. ;-)

8. What’s the most useless talent you have?

I am fairly good on the 10-key (adding machine).

9. If you had three wishes from a non-tricky genie, what would you wish for?

- Eternal happiness with my lovely wife Mary and kids; - Championships for the Cowboys, Longhorns and Ducks; and - The end of Community Watch in Taylor.

10. What’s the best and worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Best - “Follow your gut.”

Worst - “Follow your gut.”

o c v s e i r D Downtown Taylor this Christmas!

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Taylor 76574

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TAYLOR POLICE DEPARTMENT

BY THE NUMBERS

22

DEPARTMENT VEHICLES

191,264 TOTAL MILES DRIVEN 6 DEPARTMENT FULL-TIME DISPATCH POSITIONS

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Taylor 76574

3 DISPATCH OPENINGS

9-1-1 14,924 SERVICE CALLS 2017

2016: 18,998 CALLS

1960 AVERAGE YEARLY HOURS WORKED

623 88

ADULT ARRESTS JUVENILE ARRESTS

103 SERVICE CALLS A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER IS ASSIGNED TO TAYLOR ISD; HE IS AT THE TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL ON A DAILY BASIS, AS WELL AS REGULAR VISITS TO OTHER TAYLOR ISD CAMPUSES.

2016: 685 ADULT ARRESTS, 141 JUVENILE ARRESTS

625 PART I OFFENSES 184 CLEARED/ SOLVED CASES 441 UNSOLVED/ OPEN CASES CLEARANCE RATE 29.44% 2016: 672 PART I OFFENSES CLEARANCE RATE 40.48% 272 CLEARED/SOLVED 400 UNSOLVED

29 FULL–TIME OFFICERS NO RESERVES

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Taylor 76574

Better Business Bureau® bbb.org

Timmy & Nancy Talley, Owners

(512) 365-1979

nancohomes@att.net www.nancohomesinc.com

Twice told tales of Taylor … with thanks to the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society and apologies to Nathaniel Hawthorne Photos courtesy Taylor Public Library

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE, BY GOLLY

By Wyndy Ellis Taylor Conservation & Heritage Society “Christmas time is here, by golly. Disapproval would be folly.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fill the cup and don’t say “when”.

Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens. Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens Even though the prospect sickens, Brother, here we go again.”

Tom Lehrer

T

ime to hurry to the post office or UPS, after hurrying to buy gifts and before hurrying to the market for tasty seasonal snacks. What happened to the old-fashioned Christmas, simple and quiet? Imagine. Was there ever such a thing? Perhaps this story will help put our Christmas preparations into perspective.

Now imagine Christmas on the Blackland Prairie before Taylor came into being. Perhaps this story, significantly abridged and from an oral history source on the website of the Williamson County Historical Commission, will put our Christmas preparations into perspective.

THE STARVING TIME

The story is about Adam Lawrence, Indian fighter and hero of the war with Mexico, who came to Texas around 1820 from Kentucky, barely into manhood. He settled what is now Lawrence Chapel, just outside of Taylor. The story, as retold by a nephew in 1942, reflects dialects of the day.

In those days, Texas didn’t exist as a state. Mexico had just authorized distribution of land to 300 immigrant farmers and ranchers (“The Old 300”), with Stephen F. Austin as agent. Most of the immigrants were trans-Appalachians, from Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Alabama, and most had British ancestry. Farmers were given around 177 acres. Ranchers got 4,428 acres.

Many farmers decided they were ranchers.

17

Acres of grassland prairie about 15 miles southeast of today’s Taylor, on FM 112, fell to Adam Lawrence.

It’s difficult to imagine the isolation, or the difficulty of simple tasks, or of keeping children safe. Add to that, Indians determined to remove them from their land, as well as periods of historic drought that brought what Lawrence called, “the starving time.”

In 1824 and 1825, both years were almost without rain. The grass had dried up, all game had left, and they were trying to keep a few cattle alive by felling cottonwoods and feeding cows the moss from them. Occasionally they could kill a deer to share, but depended principally on fish, without salt or grease to cook it in. Lawrence was puzzling over how even the crows managed to live.

It was almost Christmas.

“One day I was settin’ on a stump tryin’ to figger out what was to be done to keep life in the settlement when a little girl came up to me...and said, ‘Mr. Lawrence, I’m hungry’. Her words cut me like a knife and I couldn’t keep back hot tears.”

What DID the crows eat? Lawrence killed one of the many fat crows that came every evening. He found the crow full of acorns and deduced there would be game where trees could make acorns. He got men and horses and rode for days, following the crows deep into other counties. He finally found the birds feasting on “mast,” or acorns in a stand of post oak. The woods were full of game.

“It didn’t take no vision came to Peter to tell us to arise, slay and eat.”

He relates how they saved the meat without salt, and how they dressed the bear and deer hides to make “moccasins, caps, jackets and britches for the men, and petticoats for the women and girls”.

“What a happy Christmas we had.

Before our meat was all gone a splendid rain fell putting the river and creek banks full ... grass was high in a couple of weeks ... starvation time was over.”

Land that Lawrence settled became

Lawrence Chapel, still gracing the countryside off FM 112, where Adam Lawrence’s split wood home is restored to original form and preserved.

THE DOAK FAMILY ARRIVES

By 1830, there were some 15,000 Americans who had immigrated to Texas territory. The revolution against Mexico began in 1835. Texas became a state in 1845. In 1848, a new county was cut from Milam County and named Williamson County after “three-legged Willie”, Judge Robert McAlpern Williams.

About this time, mid 1840s to 1850s by some accounts, an unnamed arrival (who must have come to Taylorsville with some means) built the home at 600 West Seventh Street. A few years later, the home was sold to J. H. Saul, and then 1878 it was purchased by Dr. A. V. Doak.

Dr. Doak had come to the area from Mississippi with his pregnant wife, traveling by boat to Galveston and then by wagon to Lexington, paused for the birth, and on to Taylorsville when the baby (Dr. Edmond Doak)

was two months old. What a celebration that first Christmas must have been. New baby and grand old house (then about 20 years).

The Doaks raised several generations on Seventh Street, and the Doak family celebrated Christmases in that house for nearly 100 years. Two years earlier the Texas Land Company had laid out the town and the early streets in anticipation of the railroad’s arrival.

They began to offer lots for sale from $20 to $300, and homes began to be built. Several new residents who became ‘movers and shakers’ arrived.

Churches went up in the area, like the First Christian Church in 1877, and in the 1880s the home now known as Pecan Manor was built by Dan Murphy (and later moved across the street). Christmas of 1893 saw the Henry Struve house at 1108 W. Seventh, as well as the Ruth Mantor home, according to unofficial sources.

In 1892, prominent lumberman J. E. Tucker built a large home at 516 West Seventh, keeping company with the Doak’s home. St.James Episcopal Church, nearby, was completed in the same year, on land provided by Dr Doak and his wife. Christmas services will be celebrated there again this year.

19

ANOTHER HARD CANDY CHRISTMAS

Intervening years have brought ‘hard candy’ Christmases, after the Fire and the Flood, which took our growth, and during the wars which took our young men.

The years also brought Christmas to a growing community and businesses.

Department store Santas listen patiently to wish lists for baby dolls or Lincoln Logs.

In Taylor, anything of consequence deserves a parade. Christmas is certainly no exception. There will be one again this year. And the Christmas lights will be bright at Heritage Square.

All around the neighborhood, the old homes are beginning to glow in anticipation of the season...another good year...with a generous earth, and food and water and friends.

After well more than 100 years of Christmas traditions, the Doak House will be burnished by Jerry and Sue Bump, who have loved it since 2012. The Doak House will likely be ‘at home’ to members of the St. James congregation.

At the Pecan Manor Bed & Breakfast, innkeeper Janetta McCoy readies for the holidays with an old-fashioned tree trimming. A gathering of friends and neighbors help decorate the beautiful old home for another Christmas ... number 132, more or less. But who’s counting?

It’s much as it must have been years ago. The huge tree in the grand hall will be lovingly draped and adorned. There will be Christmas cheer, both liquid and environmental, and a groaning festive board of seasonal goodies will carry on both old and new traditions.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Taylor ... again!

Courtesy photo

20

Taylor 76574

Tylor Conservation and Heritage Society is dedicated to the preservation of Taylor’s history, its diversity of cultures and it’s wealth of historic structures.

For more than 30 years, TCHS has worked to educate local citizens about their shared and inherited history. TCHS would like you to join us in supporting the preservation of Taylor’s past by becoming a member.

TOMMY TALLEY ROOFING A name that stands for Quality and Integrity Serving Taylor and Surrounding Communities for Over Four Decades

Locally Owned & Operated

512-352-2838 Office 512-844-8883 Cell

S P J S T

Enriching lives, one life at a time

S E N I O R L I V I N G

Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Assisted Living 1810 Old Granger Road 505 East Lake Dr. www.spjstseniorliving.com 512-352-6337 512-352-6940 21

traditionally delicious

pecan pie

Ingredients • 1 cup light brown sugar • 1/4 cup white sugar • 1/2 cup butter • 2 eggs • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour • 1 tablespoon milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 cup chopped pecans Directions • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

• In a large bowl, beat eggs until foamy, and stir in melted butter. Stir in the brown sugar, white sugar and the flour; mix well. Last add the milk, vanilla and nuts.

• Pour into an unbaked 9-in pie shell. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes at 400 degrees, then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until done.

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h

oliday pies have been a holiday tradition for years. Here are two recipes that we love for pecan and pumpkin pies. A quick tip for baking these sweet beauties is to always set your timer and remember to check them early! You can always bake more, but you can’t bake less.

pumpkin pie

Ingredients • 4 cups fresh pumpkin, cooked and mashed • 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk • 2 eggs • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 (9 inch) deep dish pie crust

This feature is contributed by student chefs in the Taylor High School Culinary Arts Program. Culinary Arts is a partnership with Texas State Technical College that provides students the opportunity to earn college credits and certifications that will prepare them for successful careers after high school. In addition to contributing to the food feature of this magazine, culinary students also showcase their talents in the licensed restaurant, Top Flight, located in Taylor High School.

Photographs by Isaiah Solorio, Carla Flores THS Commercial Photography Students

Freshly baked pecan and pumpkin pies were made by THS culinary students for their annual fundraiser. "Every year we bake pies to learn pastry skills and the pie sales allow us to raise money for our Christmas party", said Culinary teacher Candice Martin. The pecan pie sits on a repurposed elevated cake platter created by the THS Lifeskill students for their annual fall crafts sale. To see more of the Lifeskill Students crafts go to https://spark.adobe.com/page/uRhUTfoewegn4/

Directions • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.) • In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk and eggs. Season with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Mix together with a wire whisk until thoroughly blended. Pour filling into pie crust.

• Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and bake another 35 to 40 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean.

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76574

_________Taylor _________

2018 PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Publish Deadline Winter in Texas Mid-February January 15 Summer Mid-May April 15 Fall Mid-August July 14 Holiday Season Mid-November October 13

Taylor 76575

Is a full color lifestyle magazine about all things inside the 76574 zip code, and for everyone inside that zip code.

It is published quarterly by the Taylor Press and mailed directly to each of the 7,700 occupied home addresses in the 76574 zip code.

For advertising or editorial inquiries, please email publisher@taylorpress.net or call 512-352-8535.

RATE SCHEDULE

Back Cover Inside Covers Full Page Half Page Third Page Quarter Page Sixth Page Eighth Page

1X $1200 $1000 $850 $500 $325 $275 $200 $175

4X ea $1000 $850 $750 $425 $275 $225 $175 $125

At Atlas Chiropractic, our focus is providing you with specific individual care to help with your health concerns.

If you are suffering from any of the following:

(512) 352-1300 www.AtlasChiroTX.com Find us on Facebook @AtlasChiropracticTexas

Dr. Sean Seivert

Dr. Amanda Ming

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Taylor 76574

FOR SOME,

TAMALES

EQUALS

CHRISTMAS

25

By Michele Johnson Not all foods that will adorn the Christmas table will look like the typical turkey and ham dinner in Taylor.

Many local tables will be filled with homemade tamales, fresh salsa and guacamole salad. Some will have a turkey spiced just a bit differently. Pumpkin pie, maybe at some.

Sweet tamales will be the savored treats at others.

The tricky part of talking about these sacred traditions is getting the recipes. So few cooks have written 26

Taylor 76574

anything down. The cooking traditions have been passed down from generation to generation … a pinch of this, a splash of that, mix until it feels right. These are the directions given.

Sarah Zenaida Gould, PhD, lead curatorial researcher at the San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures, said tamales are ancient with origins in pre-Spanish Central America. They were eaten by the Mayans, Mexicans, and Incans. Called tamalli in Nahuatl, a tamale is made of cornmeal dough wrapped around a filling which can be sweet

or savory and steamed.

In Texas it is typical to see tamales wrapped with corn husks. Southern Mexico tradition is to use a banana leaf. There is documentation of all types by the Spanish.

“Tamales spread to Texas by way of migration,” Gould said. Both the pork and the beef meats were brought to the Americas by the Spanish.

“However, you can also find vegan tamales and all kinds of fusion tamales — like sun-dried tomato pesto tamales or even Kimchi tamales. Tamales are delicious and

Photo by Michele Johnson

“I can honestly say my grandmother has been making tamales for over 40 years.

My grandmother has been making tamales since ‘77 with her mother at first, Andrea Alderete. After my great-grandmothers passing, she’s continued the tradition. Everyone in Taylor has more than likely had Martha Barrera tamales.

They’ve been ordered and sent all over Texas, US, even overseas. Unfortunately this holiday season may be the first year she cannot make them as she had heart surgery three months ago. But trust me her mind is still set on making tamales.

- David Lee Valverde

making tamales can be a fun activity for a family gathering – it takes a lot of hands to mix all that masa and filling. They are also really easy to freeze and reheat so you can’t make

too many.”

Gould also points out that “busy schedules have sort of forced the now common tradition of Christmas tamales because tamales can

be labor intensive.”

The families of Irene Guerrero and Sofia Perez-Johnson both have a family tradition of making of tamales at home for the holidays.

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Descendants of Amelia and Antonio Perez family gather to prepare the filling for tamales.

The descendants of the Amelia and Antonio Perez family of Taylor will be gathering a party, or as it is called a tamalada, to make these handmade bundles of joy. For them it has at least been a 50-year long tradition.

With nine girls and three boys, some who still live in Taylor, just the children make a pretty good work force. The Perez family knows two weekends after Thanksgiving will always be the day their Tamale Queen, Regina Perez-Robles, will organize the event. Adults and children alike get in on the fun.

They look forward to this day all year. It’s a time for family as well as sharing the art of tamale making.

Perez-Johnson can remember back when it wasn’t as easy to get the ingredients.

“I remember going to a gentleman who had a little bitty store, that’s not there anymore cross the street from Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church, and he would grind the corn,” Perez-Johnson remembered. “When he passed away we found a gentleman who did that in his house.”

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Taylor 76574

Family photos by Sofia Perez-Johnson Detail photos by Matt Hellman

Colton James Johnson prepares the husks after a soccer game.

‘‘

They called it the la tiendita, which means the little store. The store owner was Antonio Valdez and the store was located at the corner of Sturgis and Dickey Street. Her memories include watching them grind the corn while everyone else went to get a pig's head for the meat.

The long tables are lined up, meat has been prepared days in advanced, husks are ready to be cleaned and soaked and huge pots are ready for the end results.

Irene Guerrero starts making her meat two days in advance, which now is pork roast but years ago was pig's head too.

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“I’m a terrible Mexican cause I don’t know how to make tamales! My job, when my mom made them, was to soak the husks. I was too low on the totem pole.”

-Diana King

Her daughter-in-law, Nicole Alderette, made sure all the helpers have their hair pulled back and hands washed properly. They emphasized the goal is the correct moisture as the tamales spread on the corn husk.

Perez, who lost her mom 5 years ago December, knew it would be hard to make tamales without her, yet to honor her they have kept the tradition alive. She remem30

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bers learning how to embarrar the masa on the ojas corn husks alongside her mom.

“There is an art to it,” she said.

“This art is best learned from hands-on experience.”

Realizing that her mom’s health was fading, the Perez family had the foresight to have Regina shadow her and write everything down. This sister had the hardest task those two years because their mom would sneak a little extra of something in here and there.

“There are many, many ways to make tamales but many people will tell you it’s the masa that makes a great tamale,” Zenaida said. “You don’t want it to be too dry. Many people promote using more lard to ensure a moist tamale, but there are vegan options.”

Yes, both these families will be using lard. It is no secret. Perez-Johnson remembers trying to use other ingredients to make them healthier and it was a flop.

Both the Perez and Guerrero families delegate different jobs to different people, making sure all generations are included. There are specific spices needed mixed as well as the chopping of chilis, onions and garlic.

Sofia’s grandson, Colton James Johnson, who is five, shared with her once, “Grandma, this is what I wait for all year long.”

One of the jobs is just carrying the platters of tamales. When you are making 30 to 50 dozen tamales, it is an all-hands job.

“It’s a family tradition that I look forward to every year,” said Alderette. “Having everyone take part in tamale making, especially our little ones and seeing smiles on their faces being big helpers. I love being together as a family and

making yummy food that we enjoy eating and sharing with others.”

“We want to make sure that all of the generations are included because we don’t want to lose that art,”

said Perez. “We want them to know how to make these and we also want to honor our culture and our legacy.

Plus, they’re delicious and it gives us something to unwrap.”

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Taylor 76574

KEEP

GOOD

GOING

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continued from page 34

T

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At his side, a squat possum atop tractor green A more curious marsupial I’d never seen.

The duck said, “My partner and I have come on a jaunt To take in a sampling of old favorite haunts— the Midget Café, the Nugget, the old Diamond Inn, the Curve Inn, the Lamplighter, and then Dairy Quinn.

And ‘lest we forget the sellers of wares, Off to C.R. Anthony and then Duke & Ayres.

Then Gellman’s, the Man’s Shop, perhaps Jack & Jill, As my little possum friend needs a sweater vest still.

And then, later on, when some night life we’re cravin’, We’ll hit up the Sea Breeze, the High Life, the Raven!”

I looked down on the lawn at the queer little pair, Wondering what strangeness must be in the air.

What wind had stirred and suddenly brought in These two set on visiting sites long gone, near forgotten?

I told them, “I’m sorry, and this might make you sore, But those places you mentioned aren’t here anymore.”

The duck looked perplexed, confused, then incensed, And his little old pickup flew up ‘top the fence.

T

T

T

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“What is that, you say? What manner of guff Leads you to say such nonsensical stuff?”

“Thing is,” I said. “Time’s here have changed.

Those places are gone, things rearranged.”

“Gone? All gone? How completely absurd!

That simply can’t be,” said the short little bird.

“I don’t mean to be rude or be labeled a hater, but next you will tell me no Howard Theater!

Or that Vencil Mares’ Taylor Café , Is but a memory, faded away?

In addition, I say, it would make my heart drop if this town was without ye olde Kolache Shoppe.

And it’d be a dagger, the end, a real killer If you were to say, ‘No Louie Mueller.’”

This duck and this possum, seemingly well out of touch Of what had changed in Taylor and what hadn’t that much, Were ripe for a full rundown if I were to dare risk it Over some Big Red, some sausage, some brisket.

So downtown we headed, past house, manor, and trailer, Proclaiming “Happy Christmas to all… but especially Taylor!”

T

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The Dabbling Duck A V isit f r om S ain t D u c k al a s

'T

was right around Christmas and it came as no secret Not a creature was stirring, not even an egret.

Stockings were worn, so feet were not bare As sixty degrees meant a nip in the air.

The children were staring at mobile devices While I prayed for my country, “No tweet-induced crises.”

With mamma 25, me 96, our respective Sleep Numbers Settled ourselves for a nice little slumber When out in the yard arose such a racket

continued on page 33

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I slid on some sweat pants and pulled on a jacket.

I ventured outside to take it all in To see if some knucklehead kid was doing donuts again.

With the moon on the breast of my overgrown yard I could spy empty beer cans if I looked really hard.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature pickup and a tiny John Deere.

With a little old driver in that rusty old truck, I knew in a moment it was he—St. Duck!

TAY LO R T E X A S

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Relentless in the pursuit of Educational Excellence

• Graduation rate consistently surpasses both regional and state averages.

• Legacy Early College High School, recognized as High Performing by Texas Education Agency LO G O STAN DA R D S TAYLOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 3101 N. Main St., Taylor, TX 76574 www.taylorisd.org Phone: (512) 365-1391 Fax: (512) 365-3800 TAY LO R T E X A S

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• Every Taylor High School and Legacy Early College High School student is issued a laptop computer.

• New athletic complex projected for 2017 completion.