Discover 361 August September 2023

YOUR VIEW OF THE CROSSROADS

INSIDE MAKING A DIFFERENCE CAPTURING THE HEART OF CUERO

Dear Readers, We are still in the hot days of summer. We are beginning to wonder if it will cool down in time for Christmas.

I hope it does.

In this issue of Discover 361, we work around the heat and go outdoors for some fun stories.

We visited Jimmy and Dawn Zaplac’s new country home to take a close-up look at their amazing outdoor kitchen. We also toured their custom-built home that fits their lifestyle of indoor-outdoor living. The outdoor kitchen overlooks a nice swimming pool and the gently rolling hills of Mission Valley.

We also took a ride along with Victoria Game Warden Jared Lewis. We went along as he patrolled the area’s waterways and countryside to conserve wildlife.

With summer winding down, we are offering two stories about back-to-school. The first is our fashion section. We feature clothing from Nat and Jack’s Boutique in the Victoria Mall. The clothes are super cute and would work well for any grade level.

Then we enlisted the help of Victoria County Extension Agent JJ Jenssen and 4-H members James and EmmaLeigh Porter to give a preview of making healthy, but fun, lunches to take to school. Did you know peanut butter is not allowed in school lunches anymore?

To round out the month we talked to Robert Oliver who, one project at a time, is restoring Cuero’s history and preserving it for all to enjoy.

We also visited local singer Stephanie Ross as she performs and entertains local audiences.

We hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine. We hope you join us in October for our salute to schools and families. If you have ideas for that issue, please let me know.

Happy reading,

Becky Cooper

Managing Editor

GENERAL MANAGER

Clarice Touhey

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER

Kyle Motal

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Keith Kohn

MANAGING EDITOR

Becky Cooper

DESIGNER

Kimberley Bailey

WRITERS

Leo Bertucci

Becky Cooper

Kyle R. Cotton

Keith Kohn

Patrick Sloan-Turner

Jon Wilcox

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chase Cofield

Keith Kohn

Duy Vu

SPECIAL TO DISCOVER 361

Catherine Kohn

Elizabeth Solomon

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dayna Wiles | Images By Dayna

Jared Lewis

ON THE COVER

Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, Cuero

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Duy Vu

© 2023, M. ROBERTS MEDIA

101 W. Goodwin Ave., Suite 1200 Victoria, TX 77901

info@discover361.com 361-575-1451

8 MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Robert Oliver strives to restore Cuero for all its residents.

15

PEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW Day or night, game wardens work to conserve wildlife

20 FOOD

KB's BBQ customers gather like family in Victoria.

26

FOOD

Kids can have fun making healthy lunches.

30

FASHION Back-to-school fashion.

40 VISUALS

Cooking with a view in an outdoor kitchen.

46 DAY TRIP

A weekend getaway in Waco.

56

CULTURE & EVENTS: MUSIC

Victoria singer's voice turns heads and captures hearts.

60

ABOUT TOWN

Bringing familes together for the Fourth

64

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Preview of what is coming up in the Crossroads during August and September

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

STRIVES to restore CUERO for ALL its RESIDENTS

Robert Oliver is a man in love. He loves history, the beauty and craftsmanship of historic buildings, and he loves the city of Cuero.

Oliver is determined to help Cuero become a distinctive place that embraces its past to create a better future.

To accomplish this, he has spent two decades deeply involved in the creation of the Cuero’s Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum and the ongoing expansion and restoration of historic buildings and homes.

Oliver, whose family has deep roots in Texas ranching and agriculture, said his early interest in historic buildings and restoration was sparked during his childhood by his grandmother, Clare Wofford. Although he grew up in Refugio, his grandmother lived in a historic home in Cuero. He said she knew everyone in town, and together they visited a lot of historic homes.

Life, with its tendency to circle back, now finds him living in his restored great-grandfather’s home close to his grandmother’s beautiful historic home, the Hamilton-Oliver House, which he also purchased, restored and is now used as a guest house and event venue.

Oliver, 73, also credits his passion for history and restoration from his desire to travel and explore the world. He said after he graduated from the University of Texas in 1971 with a degree in journalism he moved to Vail, Colorado, to “work for some cousins in a French restaurant.” He was there for the ski season, saving money for his first trip to Europe.

He began his travel adventures in Switzerland, noting, “If you're non-Swiss, you have bottom of the totem pole jobs.” Those jobs were a way to get started on his adventures, however. He bought a van and with friends trekked across Germany and Austria, then traveled down the coast of what was then Yugoslavia to Greece, where they visited two islands, Ios and Mykonos. This was followed by taking a car ferry from Corfu to Italy and eventually ending up in Monte Carlo.

“We had made arrangements to try to find some friends we had made in Switzerland, and we agreed on a time and place — it was in a sort of parking, camper area of Monte Carlo. So, we went to see the Grand Prix. Then back through Paris and on to England, where I spent another three months.”

CATHERINE KOHN | SPECIAL TO DISCOVER 361 PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUY VU | DVU@VICAD.COM

During these travels he was reading James Michener’s “The Drifters” and thinking about how young people such as himself were meeting up with each other, separating, then meeting again while experiencing new adventures.

However, Oliver wanted to do even more. While in London he looked up a man he knew, George Demetrie Comnas, who’d grown up in Cuero. Comnas, who graduated from Texas A&M with a chemical engineering degree and MBA from New York University, was an oil and shipping executive who at that time was working for Standard Oil (Esso International). Oliver wanted to go to Japan so he approached Comnas for a job.

“He was managing director of the London office of the fourth largest shipping company in the world. I knew I didn’t have the money to get all the way to Japan, so he put me on a ship,” Oliver said.

“I worked for seaman’s wages, but they were able to give me officer’s

benefits, so I sat in the dining room with the higher echelon of the ship. Everyone was Greek, except there were two Egyptians and one Syrian. And one gringo – me.”

It was not exactly the shortest route to Japan. After a stop in Brazil to pick up iron ore, they crossed the Atlantic, traveling past Cape Town, South Africa, to Singapore, finally entering the South China Sea. He spent 10 days in Japan, then flew to Bangkok, then Hong Kong. He finally flew to Rome for a couple of days before heading back to London. These travel experiences set the stage for Oliver’s lifelong appreciation of history and culture and the need to preserve the treasures of the past. “You're exposed to so many different cultures. British, Swiss, Japanese,” Oliver said, adding that in Europe and Asia “preservation has been going on for centuries.”

In 1995, Oliver moved to Cuero permanently. His mother was ill, and she passed two years later. He said he didn’t get involved in much until 1998, when he joined the board of the Chisholm

The beginnings of the museum about ranching and agriculture actually began in 1994. “They were unsuccessful,” he said, explaining they lacked organization. “It is really easy to talk about something.”

Things started to change about six years later, in the winter of 2000, when Oliver held a dinner party which included many of the stakeholders of the museum project. It was at this party that a stronger, clearer plan was formulated.

“In 2001, we began to expand our board. … in January of 2002, we launched our membership brochure.” Oliver emphasized, “You're just selling an idea. You don't have a building, you have nothing. … In the spring of that year, (after several capital campaigns) we were able to buy the historic Knights of Pythias building” built in 1903.

They hired well-known architect, David Hoffman, who formed the first architecture company in Texas specializing in historic preservation. Hoffman “developed the master plan

Trail Heritage Museum.

CONT. FROM PG. 9

Robert Oliver, chairman at Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.

into seven phases. The first phase was working on the windows. A lot of the windows had been boarded up with either plywood or tin.”

In 2004, he attended a Texas Historical Commission conference, he said. The previous year Cuero had applied for designation as a Preserve America Community, through an organization set up by George W. and Laura Bush to identify communities that protect and celebrate their heritage. Cuero ended up becoming one of 60 communities to receive the designation. At the conference, Oliver found out about the potential for funding through the Economic Development Administration so they decided to hire a grant writer. They ended up receiving $1 million.

“It was the changing point in the development of the museum.”

He learned about another federal program called Save America's Treasures, created by Bill and Hillary Clinton, that promoted public/private relationships. Although their initial application in 2006 was denied, they reapplied in 2007 and “we were funded at $345,000 with matching funds. So, it was dollar for dollar. And we were able to match it.”

Things finally started to move along. Oliver said they opened the community facilities on the second floor of the Knights of Pythias building in spring 2010. The museum itself opened in November 2013.

Oliver took another big step by adding a historic late-Victorian home once owned by Cuero attorney David Cogswell Proctor and later by Judge John M. Green. When he purchased it was “in ruins.” Oliver spent several years restoring the home and gifted it to the museum. The restored “QueenAnne Victorian Proctor-Green House” is now part of the museum’s campus.

Another building making up the growing campus, is the English-German School, built in 1880. This building was not only renovated but moved to its new location downtown and is host to the museum’s Cowboy Camp summer program for kids, among other programs. The owner of the school agreed to donate the building to the museum if it was renovated and moved.

The ongoing extension of the museum is the 1894 Trautwein Building which sits across the street from the

An exhibit at Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.

Horse saddle exhibit at Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.

Oliver, points to a photo of his great grandfather.

museum. Fisher Heck Architects are handling the restoration. The building adjoins a vacant tire shop and abandoned bakery – these spaces will become the Trautwein Annex that will allow the museum to add additional gallery, archive and office space, as well as a café and multi-purpose space. Oliver said David Hoffman resigned from their projects in 2007 due to health reasons, so they turned to Fisher for the restorations, using them on the ProctorGreen House and the English-German school building. Hoffman died in 2022

All of this work is designed to improve the quality of life in Cuero and encourage downtown development, Oliver said.

He explained that creating a welcoming and interesting environment is one part of creating a vibrant town, the other is activities.

“You have to have things to do once you go to a town. Like maybe good restaurants, and so forth. That is coming slowly but surely. The one thing feeds into the next thing.”

“There are people that are

improving their businesses. It's taken a while and certainly it will take a lot longer. But there are people that are improving their businesses, improving their facades. We have a great organization called the CDC, the Cuero Development Corporation, and they give facade grants, which really helps. Right now, they're fairly small, $10,000 dollar- for-dollar but that alone has really helped.”

Oliver considers the connection between the museum and the city “ a great public/private partnership,” explaining it is with the help and cooperation of the CDC that steady progress is being made in Cuero, as well as the development of new ideas. He described a meeting with the mayor, the economic development coordinator, and several board members in spring of 2000, “smack dab in the middle of COVID.” Sitting under a carport, 10 feet apart, they discussed plans for the future. “The mayor up and says, ‘have you ever thought about putting in a park?’”

That conversation led to a small “pocket” park becoming a part of the plans for the museum. Oliver said

that these types of interactions are opportunities for creative thinking.

In May, the museum held the grand opening of the pocket park - Peebles Park and Steen Roundabout. The park connects the museum with all the other buildings on the campus. It is set off with bronze statues of cowboys and horses and large green spaces.

The idea that people need things to do, both visitors and residents, is at the heart of all these many plans. Oliver said programming at the museum is vitally important.

One special activity is the museum’s Cowboy Camp. “Normally we have a group of about 50 kids between the ages of 6 and 10,” Oliver said, “and they learn tooling. They learn horse etiquette. They learn roping. They learn about early cowboy history.” On the final day a local man brings in his chuckwagon and they learn how to cook over an open fire.

Inclusion is essential, Oliver said. For a Juneteenth celebration at the museum, “We leased a traveling exhibit from the city" (from the Witte Museum in San Antonio) called "Black Cowboys: An American story."

WE'RE ALWAYS trying to COME UP with IDEAS on how to BE INCLUSIVE TO EVERYBODY in the town

- Robert Oliver

Campers reach in to pet a cow during Cowboy Camp.

Camp coordinator Candy Clidden shows how to make a corn husk doll during Cowboy Camp.

He was immensely grateful and moved by the response to their speaker Austin author Sara Bird. She “spent much of her adult life taking photographs of Black cowboy rodeos.”

Such programming is meaningful to the community. “You know, we didn't do it because some federal agency told us to, we did it because we wanted to.”

There are many ways the museum brings people together, he said. “Cuero won state five years ago, we hosted the football team, coaches, their wives. And what ended up happening is that the football team — they brought their parents and their little brothers — we ended up with about 110 people,” he laughed.

It is not unusual for museums to attract outside visitors more than local residents, Oliver said. But, that is not their primary goal. They want to be a community resource as well as a destination for visitors.

“We're always trying to come up with ideas on how to be inclusive to everybody in the town,” he said, adding they don’t want people to think “oh, that’s just a bunch of rich ranchers.”

Oliver emphasized it is vital “to do everything you possibly can — everything — first class. Not necessarily world class, but first-class. Restoration, programming, permanent exhibits — everything.”

What Oliver wants more than anything else, however, is for Cuero residents to drive past the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum and say “that belongs to us, as a community. That institution, museum, community facilities, park, house, English-German School — that belongs to Cuero.”

Jesse Harryman, 11, brands a piece of wood during Cowboy Camp at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum.

A cowboy on horseback sculpture is in the center of the Steen Roundabout.

Leighann Adams Harryman hands out samples of batter during Cowboy Camp.

or DAYNight

Game wardens work to conserve wildlife

STORY BY LEO BERTUCCI | LBERTUCCI@VICAD.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASE COFIELD | CCOFIELD@VICAD.COM AND CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY JARED LEWIS

Game wardens go off-road and even off-land to protect and serve local hunting and fishing territories.

Among all of the law enforcement officers patrolling the Crossroads, game wardens may not be the first ones that come to mind, especially for those who do not consider themselves as outdoorsmen and women.

“We’re still law enforcement so we can enforce everything that DPS can enforce, or what your local sheriff’s department can enforce, but it’s not our main focus,” Victoria County Game Warden Jared Lewis said.

Lewis performs 80% of his work outside his office at the Dr. Pattie Dodson Public Health Center. He ventures out to parks, lakes and hunting grounds in a Chevrolet Trail Boss.

During the summer months, Lewis surveys the Coleto Creek Reservoir, Guadalupe River and the coast of Calhoun County.

“This time a year at summer time, we’re getting on a boat a lot more on weekends doing water safety checks on boats and then actively patrolling our waterways in our county, whether that be creek crossings or river crossings or the lakes we have inside our county,” Lewis said.

Cooler weather in the fall and winter means that hunting season is active, so Lewis does more of his law enforcement

duties in the woods.

“When winter rolls around, around our hunting season, the aspect totally changes and we’re in the field more checking dove hunters and deer hunters in our area and duck hunters along the coast,” Lewis said. “It kind of depends on the season.”

With a considerable population of

game animals and migratory birds in Victoria County, game wardens have a couple spots to visit during the hunting season.

“It kind of depends on where we want to go that day and focus our efforts,” Lewis said. “The county is too big to really patrol the entire county for deer season on a weekend. You gotta

Lewis checks the ID of a couple fishing at Patriot Park.

Game Warden Jared Lewis shows off a baby alligator during a school program.

pick the area you want to go to.”

Like the changing of the seasons, game wardens get to experience new scenery throughout the year.

“That’s one nice thing about being a game warden, once you get tired of one thing, you move on to something else,” Lewis said.

On a Sunday afternoon at Coleto Creek, Lewis conducts safety checks that tend to last no longer than three minutes, as long as a boat has life jackets, a fire extinguisher and a horn or whistle to use in case of an emergency. Game wardens do not have to have probable cause to stop a boat, Lewis said.

He cited one boater at Coleto Creek for not carrying enough life jackets. The boat needed to have one jacket per person, but was one jacket short.

Earlier in the day, Lewis issued a warning to a boater who did not have a horn or whistle, but with the life jacket rule, there was no elbow room.

“The life jacket rule is something I don’t give a warning for the first time because it’s so important for water safety,” Lewis said.

Lewis also drives out to Patriot Park to check on fishermen and women who are hoping to reel in something scaly on a warm summer night.

I REMEMBER telling people... I WANT to be a GAME WARDEN - Jared Lewis

Lewis conducts a water safety check with boaters at the Coleto Creek Reservoir.

Game wardens measure a red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

There are specific rules for some kinds of fish, like the red snapper.

Texas law limits daily catches on state waters to four red snappers per person. Each fish must be at least 15 inches long.

On federal waters, which begin 9 nautical miles from shore, an angler can catch up to two red snappers and each fish must be at least 16 inches long. Federal red snapper season begins June 1, while state waters are open year 'round.

Because the federal and state regulations are different, there is a caveat for anglers who fish in both jurisdictions.

“You can’t possess more than two red snappers on federal waters, even if you caught them on state waters,” Lewis said.

Both federal and state law requires commercial and recreational anglers to use a venting tool when releasing a red snapper. The tool can puncture the swim bladder, allowing the red snapper to return to its habitat safely, Lewis said.

While trekking dark terrains at night, Lewis tunes into the sheriff’s department radio traffic, ready and willing to help with a case if he is available.

Sometimes, one of the interns from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department summer game warden program will ride along with Lewis. One of them is Cole McElwee, who plans to apply for the state game warden academy after receiving a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in August.

“It’s been pretty fun. I'm learning a lot and have been exposed to a lot of things,” McElwee said about his time with the game wardens in the Crossroads.

When Lewis, who started fishing and hunting with his father when he was a young boy, found out what a game warden does, he made it his career goal.

“I remember telling people in junior high, ‘I want to be a game warden,’” Lewis said. “Even then, they were like, ‘What’s that?’”

After graduating from the state game warden academy, Lewis took a job near the U.S.-Mexico border, in Zapata County.

While serving as a game warden in the Rio Grande Valley, Lewis knew that if an opportunity to come back to the Crossroads popped up, he would apply

A variety of law enforcement patches decorate the interior of Jared Lewis' truck

Jared Lewis patrols Victoria.

for it. He filled in an opening in Goliad County after working in Zapata for two years. Lewis returned to Victoria about 18 months later.

“This is home. This is where both me and my wife are from,” Lewis said. “So it’s nice being in a county that I know.”

TIPS FOR BOATERS - FROM GAME WARDEN JARED LEWIS

• Before heading out on the water, boaters should apply sunscreen, bring cold water and energy drinks on board, check for boat plugs, and make sure that the motor is running properly.

• Tell a friend or family member of your plans for the day when getting on the water. That way if something happens and we (game wardens) can’t get a hold of the boaters, at least someone else knows where they planned to fish or boat that day.

• When fishing, a measuring stick is a helpful tool.

While floodlights of the football gridiron dominate Fridays and Saturdays, in Victoria, on Thursday nights barbecue is king at KB’s BBQ.

Just north of Victoria West High School, off U.S. 87, trucks and cars park en masse in front of the restaurant as music echoes through the air.

The gathering resembles a family reunion.

Friends laugh and smile after a long day. Children have fun playing with their water guns.

Refreshing beverages sit chilled in the ice chest, with the tailgate down, multiple wood-burning grills going, and a food truck where people can order their evening meals.

Add some rustic aesthetic, and you have a space that feels like it came straight out of a country music video. Then add the aroma of steaks sizzling on wood-fired grills, mouth-watering ribs, melt-in-your-mouth brisket and more wafting through the air.

But what makes KB’s BBQ unique from other barbecue restaurants is the heart in its atmosphere that can’t be replicated, as it is engrained in the soul of owner and cook Kevin Broll’s passion for cooking for other people. That passion comes from his family.

His passion for barbecue comes from his grandfather, Peter Broll, and his love for cooking for others comes from his mother, Margaret Broll, he said.

“Nowadays, people have forgotten the spirit of barbecue with their imported Wagyu beef and all the money spent on everything,” he said. “The spiritual roots of barbecue is to take less expensive meats and try to make them taste good.”

Broll’s grandfather was a carpenter and would work in the heat building with his hands, but on the weekend, he would take what meat he had and make magic, Broll said.

However, it would be Broll’s mother that would put him on his path. While he and his siblings all loved her home-cooked meals with homegrown ingredients, Broll was the one who was always in the kitchen watching and helping his mother cook.

“I always wanted to be involved in the kitchen and learn everything I could,” Broll said.

Eventually, he went to barbecue competitions at the start of this century. He did that for four years.

While he enjoyed feeding people as part of the competition, with the

Steak, pork chops and pulled pork.

Kevin Broll shows off the ribs being cooked in the pit.

Dino beef ribs is one of the signature items on KB BBQ's menu.

expense he was incurring, he needed to start selling his food if he was to continue with his passion.

He started his restaurant business soon after and went through the housing crisis, the oil field slow down and was constantly adapting to the times to fill people’s bellies.

“He just loves filling people’s bellies,” his wife Leanne Broll said.

He’s gone from a fixed location in Inez, to a food truck that participated in events like Bootfest and Turkeyfest and back again with a permanent location at 134 Villafranca Road, near Nursery.

At the restaurant, which looks like an old general store made out of sheet metal, every bit of the food has Broll’s

| CONT. ON PG. 24

Kevin Broll, owner

Customers spend an evening eating and drinking at KB's BBQ.

The Jerry James Band performs.

Vanessa Granato, Amber Gerbert, and Victoria Stawik enjoy dinner.

hand in cooking.

It is delicious in its simplicity with nothing more than salt and pepper used to season the meat.

Steak is cooked to such perfection that it can be cut with a disposable plastic knife like a fresh roll.

The meat comes right off the bone with the ribs. Natural flavors are maximized with the chicken and pork chops.

Don't give up yet, there's more.

The side dishes he makes are nothing to sneeze at as he frequently experiments with them, channeling his mother's spirit, he said.

Throughout the night, Broll makes sure everyone is enjoying their food and makes sure they have enough.

Jeanette Harabis, 66, and her husband, Clarence Harabis, 66, of Victoria, are regular customers.

In June, they were there with their great-grandson enjoying everything.

“The food, the company, the bands and because he goes out to everyone to make sure everyone is happy,” Jeanette Harabis said. “You can’t go anywhere else and have the big serving that you get and the TLC on the cooking, oh my god. You can’t get this anywhere else.”

To her, the atmosphere is the epitome of family that can’t be found anywhere else.

“Best food ever,” Harabis said. “Nobody else will find food like this, be out in the country, be free, enjoy and have family time.”

Her husband agreed, adding it’s just a great place to kick back, relax and enjoy the food.

| CONT. FROM PG.22

Some of the brisket being cooked.

Boudan Diablo.

Cream corn, beans, mash potatoes and mac and cheese are some of the sides offered.

Pork chops on the grill.

are more than PB&J lunches SAck

James Porter, 10, and his sister Emmaleigh Porter, 12, make their dishes in Victoria.

Kids can have fun making healthy lunches

STORY BY BECKY COOPER | BCOOPER@VICAD.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

DUY VU | DVU@VICAD.COM

RECIPES CONTRIBUTED BY

JJ JANSSEN, VICTORIA COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT-FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH

Nutrition can be fun, especially when you are learning about it in your kitchen at home with your siblings and parents.

It also comes in handy when planning and packing lunches for school.

“I tell my kids they need to pick foods that are healthy because they need the nutrients to get them through the day from lunch to their after-school activities,” said Amanda Porter, a Nursery mom of four school-aged children.

Packing healthy lunches is also good because the children learn to like healthy foods and want them for lunch.

The two oldest children are members of the 4-H Food Challenge group, where they learn to understand recipes, nutritional values of foods and to cook the food. The Food Challenge is like the reality television show “Chopped,” but on a local level.

Recently EmmaLeigh Porter, 12, and her brother, James Porter, 10, put their food skills to the test to make

nutritional but fun meals they could take to school. Under the supervision of their mother and JJ Janssen, Victoria County Extension Agent-Family and Community Health, they picked recipes, gathered ingredients and the proper measuring equipment.

“I need a tablespoon measuring spoon, but there are only teaspoons,” James said.

Janssen encouraged him to remember how many teaspoons make a tablespoon. Once he did a little math, he was off, busy measuring cream cheese spread on tortillas to make a tortilla layered sandwich. It is like a club sandwich, but with tortillas and no bacon.

He also had to do math to determine how many slices of lunch meat made 2 ounces.

EmmaLeigh was busy measuring almond butter and strawberry jelly onto wheat bread so she could make and build a sandwich kabob with fruit.

| CONT. ON PG. 28

A bento styled lunchbox containing healthy alternatives.

James Porter makes his tortilla layer sandwich.

JJ Janssen ties an apron on Emmaleigh Porter.

| CONT. FROM PG. 27

She was quick to tell everyone that almond butter has replaced peanut butter in schools because so many people have peanut allergies.

Janssen confirmed the fact.

The recipes were simple, but nutritious.

The fun part came after the two built their sandwiches. They got to pick from an assortment of cookie cutters to cut their sandwiches into fun finger-food-size shapes. They chose a cowboy hat, a boot and a longhorn head.

They also learned how to place the cookie cutters on the bread and tortilla to get the most cuts of the sandwich.

Janssen said any shape cookie cutters can be used, and you can even switch them out to go with the season or holidays.

The shapes keep the food interesting throughout the school year, which is key to keeping the students interested in their sack lunches.

Keeping students interested in their food is important. Janssen said it also helps to involve them in the selection and creation of their meals.

If they pick the items, you know they will like what is made and will eat it, she said.

Another plus is having the students in the kitchen with their parents. This is a good time for all to talk about their day and is good for family time.

“I learned more about what was happening with my sons when we were all in the kitchen making their

SANDWICH KABOB

cutter designs) and thread onto toothpicks or skewers, alternating with fresh fruit.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbls. almond butter

1 Tbls. strawberry jelly

2 slices of wheat bread

Assorted fruit

INSTRUCTIONS:

Spread almond butter on one slice of bread, followed by jelly. Top with second slice of bread. Slice into small squares (or cookie

Note you can substitute a different flavor of jelly if you choose.

Servings: 2

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

140 calories; 5 grams, total fat; 150 milligrams, sodium; 20 grams, total carbohydrates; 1 gram, dietary fiber; 8 grams, total sugars; 5 grams, protein

CRANBERRY CHICKEN SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

16 ounces canned chicken breast, drained

1 large celery stalk, sliced thin

2 green onions, sliced thin

¾ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup light mayonnaise

¼ cup Greek yogurt

2 tsp. yellow or Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Drain the canned chicken. Add it to a medium mixing bowl. Separate with the edge of a spoon.

Slice the celery and onion into thin pieces. Add to chicken.

Toss in the cranberries.

Add the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt and mustard.

Using a spoon mix all the ingredients together until blended.

Add salt and pepper, if desired.

Serve with whole grain bread or crackers.

Serves 6

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Serving size: ½ cup; 214 calories; 7 grams total fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 22 grams protein; 17 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams dietary fiber; 12 grams total sugars; 379 milligrams sodium.

Emmaleigh Porter, puts strawberry jelly onto her sandwich.

ASIAN CHICKEN PITA POCKET

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups leafy greens (romaine, Kale, etc.) shredded

1 cup (red or green) seedless grapes, cut in half

1 cup chicken, cooked and chopped

1/3 cup crispy chow mein noodles

1/3 cup carrots, shredded

2 Tbls. green onion, sliced

2 Tbls. light Asian salad dressing

2 whole wheat pita pockets, cut in half.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Wash vegetables and fruit.

TORTILLA LAYER SANDWICH

INGREDIENTS:

3 8-inch flour tortillas

2 Tbls. fat free cream cheese

½ cup fresh spinach chopped

2 ounces ham or turkey, low sodium

INSTRUCTIONS:

Spread low fat cream cheese on one side of tortilla.

Top with fresh spinach and ham.

Repeat layer.

Servings: 4

Combine all ingredients, except the pitas, in a medium bowl and stir to combine.

Divide the chicken mixture evenly among the four whole wheat pitas.

Serves: 2

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

250 calories; 6 grams total fat; 300 milligrams sodium; 27 grams total carbohydrates; 23 grams protein.

lunches,” she said.

Porter agreed.

Sack lunches can be more than sandwiches. They can be leftovers from supper the night before, served with fruit, vegetables or cheese.

Lunch can be a salad made with healthy amounts of ingredients.

Janssen encourages the use of spinach instead of iceberg lettuce because it has a higher nutrient content.

“The darker the green, the more nutrients it has.”

Teaching children at early ages about healthy balanced eating will help them make good food choices as they grow, Janssen said. They have a nutrition program for kids as young as preschool.

When it comes to packing a lunch to go to school, the container doesn’t matter, unless the food needs to stay cold. Then a commercial ice pack needs to be included in the bag or use an insulated bag.

Younger students tend to like to use the traditional metal lunch boxes with their favorite cartoon characters on the front.

Some people opt for bento boxes that have space for rolled meats, bread, fruit, fresh vegetables, yogurt dip for the fruit and cheese. The boxes come in a variety of colors.

EmmaLeigh found an insulated cloth lunch box complete with food containers and serving utensils for use this school year.

James is opting to use his father’s Igloo-style lunch box so he can pack all of his food inside.

Emmaleigh Porter looks over the list of ingredients.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

140 calories; 5 grams total fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 10 milligrams cholesterol; 410 milligrams sodium; 17 grams total carbohydrates; 7 grams protein.

Back -toschool

FASHION

STORY BY BECKY COOPER | BCOOPER@VICAD.COM

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAYNA WILES | IMAGES BY DAYNA

MODELS

ADDISYN TURNER, OLIVIA BASALDUA, CAMILLA LOZANO, JULIANA HENKE, SAMUEL HENKE AND ELIJAH HENKE

FASHIONS PROVIDED BY NAT AND JACK’S BOUTIQUE IN THE VICTORIA MALL, OWNED BY NATALIE HENKE AND JACKLYN MEISMER

PHOTO SHOOT LOCATION

VICTORIA COLLEGE FINE ARTS CENTER AND HEALTH SCIENCE BUILDING

FASHION PRESENTED BY

These girls look like twins wearing matching colorful, multi floral print dresses. Elijah is looking stylish in a “Mama’s Dude” cotton tee, while Samuel is rocking his “Kindergarten Dude” tee and dinosaur lunchbox.

SET THE SCENE FOR THE YEAR’S ADVENTURES

As children we couldn’t wait for the start of summer vacation in May, but by the time August rolled around, we were ready to go back to school.

It wasn’t because we were bored. It was because we knew a shopping trip was in store for us to pick out school clothes and school supplies. Buying school clothes was more exciting than picking out supplies.

We were eager to see the new styles and colors of blouses, skirts and dresses. Later, we added pants and jeans to the mix.

With school getting ready to start, the stores will soon be packed with back-to-school shoppers.

Fashion trends vary depending on the ages of the students. Trends continue to change every year.

Trending this year are wide-leg jeans, oversized tops, bright bold colors, blazers, comfortable T-shirts, vintage patterns and animal prints, said Nat and Jack’s Boutique owners Natalie Henke

Left, Juliana is in a rose/gold floral dress, while Camilla is in a dusty rose eyelet top and denim shorts. Below, Addisyn is wearing a Very J rust frayed hem top and SneakPeek high rise slim raw cut jeans paired with “The Selena” gray sling bag

These boys are looking sharp in their green and turquoise button-down plaid shirts and matching shorts with pockets.

FASHION PRESENTED BY

Russell Cain Cherre Cain

August Motl Les Coffey

Commercial Ranch

Hunter Hammond

Lynn Walker

Jan Regan

Brenda Carter

Camila is ready to go back to school in her “This is how we roll” leopard shorts set, while Juliana is all smiles in her pink retro smiley face tee and denim shorts

FASHION PRESENTED BY

and Jacklyn Meismer.

For elementary students, anything with sparkles, glitter, bright and fun colors is in. For middle schoolers, the oversized look is more popular, with T-shirts and sweaters, platform shoes and sneakers with dresses, they said.

By the time students get to high school and college, they usually choose clothes that are comfortable and cater to their individual styles.

Elementary school students tend to wear shorts and shirts in the warmer months, while the older students in middle school and high school, because of dress codes, wear pants, jeggings or capris for most of the year.

But the forever faithful standby, jeans, are in style year ’round for all ages, the women said.

“Our advice to parents shopping for jeans for their child is to make sure the child tries them on. And parents need to help them find a style and fit that they are comfortable in. Jeans are definitely not a one-size-fits-all, so it might take a couple of tries before they find a pair of denim they love. But it is worth it once you do,” the lifelong friends-turned business partners said.

Graphic tees, which are T-shirts with sayings or designs, are easily paired with jeans or skirts and the right accessories to make an individual fashion statement.

“I love wearing a graphic tee tucked in a maxi skirt with coordinating jewelry and sneakers,” said Meismer.

For girls of all ages, dresses are also popular. Teenagers want a dress that is comfortable, yet stylish, that can be easily worn with a pair of sneakers for a casual look or dressed up with heels for a special occasion.

Accessories are also important, namely bags. Trendy bags for all ages are the crossbody and fanny/hip packs. They can be worn in a lot of different ways and come in many colors and styles.

Backpacks and lunch bags are also popular with all ages. Elementary school students are still into themed character prints that go with the latest movie trends. They also like bags with bright colors or patterns. Older students might choose one that can be used as a backpack and purse, that is also comfortable and easily paired with any outfit.

Olivia is wearing a royal blue multi floral print top and Cello jeans with a zipper detail at bottom paired with a burnt orange faux leather backpack.

Meismer and Henke, who have been friends since the sixth grade in Hallettsville, find inspiration in their customers.

“I love coordinating outfits that cater to a person’s unique style. Regardless of your size, if you feel good in what you are wearing, confidence follows, “ Meismer said.

Henke finds inspiration by “helping customers pick out the perfect outfit, piece of jewelry or gift knowing that it came from our store. Everything we have in Nat & Jack’s is personally selected by us, the owners, which makes it even more personal for our customers.”

They admit their fashion styles are different, but that is a plus for them. It makes hand selecting their merchandise exciting and adventurous. “We each bring our own unique style to the table which helps attract a wide range of shoppers.”

They started their business as an online boutique in 2017. They also had a small space in a boutique in downtown Yoakum. In 2021 they had the chance to open their own store in the Victoria Mall, where they remain today.

Left, Olivia is wearing a coral flutter sleeve embroidered top and Cello mid-rise cropped skinny jeans with a burnt orange faux leather backpack. Below, Addisyn is wearing a blue and white pinstriped floral dress paired with “The Selena” gray sling bag.

Olivia is wearing a basic black top and Cello mid-rise cropped skinny jeans, accessorized with a leopard print nylon backpack; while Addisyn is wearing a Kelly green criss-cross top and SneakPeek high-rise slim raw cut denim jeans.

FASHION PRESENTED BY

COOKING WITH A VIEW:

Entertaining with TOP-OF-THE-LINE OUTDOOR KITCHEN

BY KEITH KOHN | KKOHN@VICAD.COM

The great filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock once opined, “Happiness is a small house, with a big kitchen.”

If that’s true, then Mr. Hitchcock would have been in heaven at the new Mission Valley home of Dawn and Jimmy Zaplac. Big house, three big kitchens.

Their 4,723-square-foot Scandinavian modern farmhouse-style home comes with three bedrooms, three baths, a great room with a 30-foot ceiling, a trophy room with a 28-foot ceiling, two gas fireplaces — and two beautiful kitchens, one indoors and one outdoors. That’s enough cooking appliances to warm the soul of even Hitchcock, known to have a love-hate relationship with food and to have finicky gastronomic preferences.

The interior kitchen is well equipped with high-end Jennair appliances most homemakers would be proud to own. A beautiful island is topped with designer stone. The oversize gas stovetop would be considered “gourmet” by most standards, as would the large kitchen sink and refrigerator.

But it’s the outdoor kitchen that makes the patio space overlooking

Jimmy and Dawn Zaplac

Seating at the outdoor kitchen gives family and friends a chance to chat.

rolling hills of the family’s Mission Valley ranch a place to savor.

“It's basically indoor-outdoor living,” Dawn Zaplac said. “Our entire house is basically indoor-outdoor living.”

The outdoor kitchen features topof-the-line appliances such as a 42-inch Coyote grill, a Coyote power burner for those family seafood boils and an ice maker and refrigerator the couple prefer to have “steps away” indoors.

Outdoor kitchens don’t have to be pre-built with custom homes, like the Zaplacs’, which was featured on the Victoria Builders Association Parade of Homes.

Dawn Zaplac, who along with her husband is a real-estate broker, said pretty much anyone can add an outdoor kitchen to their existing home.

Depending on the options, prices can range from about $5,000 to well over $100,000, just like an indoor kitchen can cost.

“Your average outdoor kitchen in Texas runs anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000,” she said. “Your luxury outdoor kitchen goes up to anywhere from $20,000 to around $100,000.

“Just like an indoor kitchen, a luxury kitchen, your grill, will last probably a good 10 to 15 years,” she added. But in the Texas heat, she and her husband preferred to keep the icemaker and refrigerator inside.

“What I've experienced is in Texas, my friends that have outdoor kitchens, even though it's higher quality, ice makers and refrigerators tend to go out so quick,” she said. Instead, they’re “three steps away” just off the patio in the trophy room, where the 28foot ceiling is accented by an antler chandelier and trophy mounts on the walls.

In addition to the grill and power burner outside, the Zaplacs have a luxury farmhouse sink, trash drawers and even a paper towel holder hidden behind shiny metal doors. “You know, the sink is always important. A big one for pots and pans. And then, when the winds come, we don't want our paper towel to blow. And then we have double trash cans.”

The countertops are important, too. “Materials like quartzite natural stone out here for durability,” she added. And it needs to be big, big enough to add stools so family and friends can sit | CONT. ON PG. 44

In the outdoor kitchen, grillmasters still need to use paper towels every once in a while.

Dawn Zaplac said electric outlets are essential for an outdoor kitchen.

Just steps away from the patio at right is the trophy room holding the refrigerator (at left of left island) and the ice maker (at the center of the left island).

The Coyote grill is ready to cook anything from pizza to steaks.

The Zaplacs use the jumbo power burner for boils or even deep frying a turkey.

Let's just say the trophy room is aptly named.

The ceiling in the great room of Dawn and Jimmy Zaplac's 4,723-square-foot Scandinavian modern farmhouse-style home is 30 feet high.

Indoor-outdoor living means the trophy room and the outdoor kitchen and patio are just steps away from one another at the Zaplacs' spacious custom home.

around the kitchen to chat, maybe even compliment the grillmaster.

“Everyone ends up sitting around this, so you want to have a big enough seating area for friends and family to gather while you’re barbecuing,” she said. “We cooked pizzas the other night on the grill, and everybody was sitting out and we brought the bar stools around.”

A few tips, she said, would include making sure there’s plenty of electrical plugs outside so you can add some small appliances; ceiling fans to keep the hot Texas air moving; and, of course, a sound and video system to watch games.

The price of an outdoor kitchen isn’t cheap, but odds are you recoup the expense and then some when you sell.

Switching hats from homeowner to Realtor, Zaplac said sellers can expect to get “anywhere between 100% and 200% return. So you'll either get your money back, or just a little bit more,” she said, noting national trends. The National Association of Realtors says to expect “anywhere from 71% to 100% return.” She added, “Never build an outdoor kitchen to sell your house, of course.”

If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor kitchen, your best bet is to contact a local contractor who will help with the design and construction, Dawn and Jimmy Zaplac said.

Their home and outdoor kitchen were designed by Hunter Melton and built by Hunter Custom Homes. The couple’s pool was built by P&T Pool Solutions, the appliances were from Ferguson and the sound, video and security from Victoria Communication Service, or VCS.

Then there’s the 14-foot antique door imported from France. But just about everything else, Dawn Zaplac said, was found locally or in Texas.

| CONT. FROM PG. 42

Jimmy Zaplac opens the 16-foot wall of windows that accesses the patio and outdoor kitchen of his custom Mission Valley home.

The main bathroom overlooks the rolling hills of the couple's ranch. Privacy shades can roll down from above.

The patio, outdoor kitchen and pool area of the Zaplacs' custom Mission Valley home is suited to the South Texas climate.

The office in the Zaplacs' custom home in Mission Valley has a great view of the area's rolling hills.

The primary bedroom overlooks the pool and the splendid view of the couple's Mission Valley ranch. For privacy, shades roll down from above.

WEEKEND GETAWAY IN

STORY BY ELIZABETH SOLOMON | SPECIAL TO DISCOVER 361

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WACO TOURISM BUREAU AND WACO SURF

Enjoy outdoor attractions, scenic vistas in Waco

Waco was a largely overlooked Texas city before Chip and Joanna Gaines helped put it on the map. However, Magnolia Market at the Silos isn’t the only attraction to Waco. Nature lovers and “Fixer Upper” fans alike will be enchanted by the beauty and uniqueness of this central Texas town, which has quickly become one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. Enjoy beautiful area parks, the local farmers market, and a wide variety of restaurants on a weekend trip to Waco.

WACO FARMERS MARKET

9 A.M. SATURDAY

The Waco Farmers Market is a crowdpleaser; no matter who you’re traveling with, there’s a bit of something for everyone. With almost 100 area vendors, the thriving market is open year-round in two different locations, serving both the downtown area and East Waco. Whether you’re hoping to find a freshly baked loaf of sourdough, some inseason, locally grown veggies, or simply

want to grab a quick bite for breakfast, the market has you covered.

MOTHER NEFF STATE PARK

11 A.M. SATURDAY

A hidden gem of central Texas, nature lovers will not want to miss Mother Neff State Park. The park features several different terrains –prairie, canyon, and river bottom – and nearly 4 miles of hiking trails. Spend time exploring a cave occupied by Native American tribes, or climb to the top of the observation tower and enjoy the view.

VITEK’S MARKET

1 P.M. SATURDAY

After a morning of hiking, you can’t go wrong with barbecue for lunch. Vitek’s is a true Waco staple, known across the state for being the home of the Gut Pak. This hearty entree is a delectable mess, composed of chopped brisket, baked beans, Fritos, cheese, barbecue sauce, jalapeños, onions and

| CONT. ON PG. 50

pickles. The porch at Vitek’s is perfect for enjoying a warm spring afternoon and a plate of the area’s best barbecue.

WACO SURF

3 P.M. SATURDAY

Water sports fanatics will rejoice upon arriving at Waco Surf. Visitors may experience a water park with massive slides and a lazy river, cable park for wakeboarding, and a surfing lagoon. The entire park’s atmosphere is familyfriendly, encouraging kids of all ages to explore, take risks and have fun in the water.

MOROSO 6 P.M. SATURDAY

What better food to refuel after a day spent outdoors than pizza? We can’t think of one. In Waco, it’s hard to beat Moroso for a wood-fired pie that you won’t be able to stop thinking about. The wine list is extensive, the specialty pizza toppings are delightful, and even the appetizers are unique and fresh. We highly recommend the “Honey Bear” pizza. As the name suggests, it features sweet, gooey honey drizzled over soppressata, chili peppers, mozzarella, mushrooms, and tomatoes on a deliciously crispy, homemade crust. Paired with the “Finocchio” salad and a glass of white wine, you’ll want to linger over this meal for the duration of your evening.

DICHOTOMY COFFEE & SPIRITS 9 P.M. SATURDAY

For a nightcap, head back toward the Hotel Indigo and stop by Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits. This combination bar and coffee shop is charmingly decorated, evoking the old-fashioned charm of days gone by in downtown Waco. The cocktail menu is thoughtfully diverse, complete with clever names for each drink. Featuring Texas’ first Modbar espresso machine, the coffee bar turns out hand-crafted beverages from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, prepared by attentive and friendly baristas. We suggest relaxing on the rooftop deck under the lights of the Alico building, with an “Amalfi Coffee” or a “Campfire Old-Fashioned” (or two) in hand.

STAY AT THE HOTEL INDIGO

Hotel Indigo is conveniently located downtown just minutes from Interstate 35. Modern, but with many quintessentially Texan touches, the hotel’s cleanliness, youthful atmosphere, and friendly staff will give you a homeaway-from-home feeling.

MILO ALL DAY 10 A.M. SUNDAY

Enjoy a leisurely brunch at Milo All Day, only blocks from the Hotel Indigo. This lovely space has become a favorite

of locals and college students alike in the past several years, and provides diners with a fresh, seasonal approach to Southern home cooking. Whether you’re looking for a traditional breakfast plate or a new twist on an old favorite, you’ll find it on this menu, which is updated seasonally. Dishes are prepared with the finest local ingredients, making Milo a true farm-to-table dining experience. Try the “Georgia Peach” if

you’re looking for a comfort meal, and split the “Biscuit Bread Pudding French Toast” over coffee for dessert.

CAMERON PARK

1 P.M. SUNDAY

Tucked neatly into the shoulder of the Brazos River, Cameron Park is Waco’s crown jewel. Once your car turns into the park, you no longer feel like you’re in the middle of a central Texas city. The terrain becomes hilly and steep, with cliffside biking and hiking trails

just steps away from several accessible parking areas. Gorgeous views of the river, and the east side of Waco, await anyone who desires a scenic drive all the way up the park’s main road. In addition to being a mountain biker’s paradise, the park also boasts a pristine disc golf course, numerous picnic areas and playgrounds, and the Cameron Park Zoo. The question isn’t what to do with an afternoon in the park; more likely, it’s how to choose between the various recreational activities and scenic vistas.

Stephanie Ross is the original member of Stephanie Ross and the Southern Drive Band.

Turns

Victoria singer’s voice HEADS and Captures

HEARTS

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON WILCOX | JWILCOX@VICAD.COM

At her day job, she loads inventory, checks prices and helps customers.

But few visitors to the Teachers Toolbox school supply shop where Stephanie Ross works most days would guess her alter ego.

"People come in and don't even recognize me," Ross said.

Ross, 38, a longtime Victoria resident and mother of one, moonlights as country singer-songwriter, gracing local venues with a sometimes sassy stage personality and an always jaw-dropping performance. For about 11 years, Ross has performed lead vocals with a group of musicians under the name Stephanie Ross & the Southern Drive Band, of

which she is the founding member.

In the golden glow of a mid-July evening, Ross, accompanied by her uncle on guitar and another musician on percussion, prepared to take the stage at a packed patio behind Greek Bros. Oyster Bar & Grill in downtown Victoria.

Ross' voice cuts clear through the hustle and bustle of the busy dinner service, catching the hearts and imaginations of the audience, many of whom had never heard her name.

Just back from a vacation that included a stop in Branson, Missouri,

Pam and Larry Crozier were sharing a dinner together, remarking on Ross' voice and wondering who she was.

"She is a fantastic singer, and they play great music," Pam Crozier said. "She has the vibes in between a Patsy Cline and a Tanya Tucker. She holds her own, and she doesn't hold back. She has a strong voice, very strong."

Like a lot of musicians, Ross comes from a family with many members who have performed. On both sides of the family, "everyone" sings and plays guitar, she said.

But perhaps unlike others, Ross says she received major inspiration from a beloved childhood movie, "The Sound of Music."

On long road trips between Texas and California, she and her siblings would watch the movie in the back of the family van. After finishing it, they would rewind it and start over from the beginning, singing along with every word.

Ross said she must have watched it "hundreds and hundreds" of times. When her father's military career took their family to Austria, the family took a "Sound of Music" tour, leaving a serious impression on the would-be singer.

As an adult, it was only natural for Ross to decide to pursue music.

"The fact that I get to sing and play the guitar and make money is a huge, huge blessing that not a lot of people get to do," she said.

Performing is a dream come true experience for Ross, but when she's on stage, she makes sure it's not all about her. She also wants her audience to have a good time.

Sometimes, that's about losing yourself in the beauty and soul of Ross's music, which includes covers and original songs.

"When people come in and they had a really bad day or a really bad week ... It's not about them drinking. It's about them feeling the weight of the world lifted off their shoulders," she said.

Other times, it's a little more lighthearted — like the time a stink bug flew into her mouth while she was singing. And, of course, the down-toearth Ross announced it to the crowd.

"Everyone was cracking up," she said. "That's just par for the course, but that is the beauty of live music. It’s not a record. You don't do a million takes to get it right. Random stuff happens that’s

really awesome — or really bad — and your voice cracks, and you just roll with it. People love it."

That lightheartedness perfectly compliments the more thoughtful, moving moments, which there is no shortage of.

Ross is working on releasing an album of 10 original songs that includes two singles. She plans to fulfill a longstanding dream by getting it etched on vinyl, for which she plans on taking orders for.

One of the singles, she said, features a lighter, more fun song. The other came to her a couple years ago while she was sitting on the couch playing guitar after a temporary separation with her current boyfriend.

At the time, the heartache was torture, she said. But the resulting

song was a pleasant surprise. When she showed her boyfriend the song, he couldn't help but admit he thought it was incredible.

"He said it was the best song you’ve written, and if it becomes a hit, 'You're welcome,'" she said, chuckling.

Ross has a little fun engaging with the audience.

Ross performs at Geek Bros. Oyster Bar & Grill in downtown Victoria.

ABOUT TOWN

BLASTOFF BONANZA

Bringing families together for the Fourth

STORY BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER | PTURNER@VICAD.COM

BY CHASE COFIELD | CCOFIELD@VICAD.COM

Few events offer an opportunity to Victoria families to come together and enjoy their town like the city’s annual Independence Day festivities. This year was no different, as the Victoria Community Center was packed by the hundreds for the Miller Lite 4th of July Blastoff.

For those who put on the event, catering to all Victoria residents is the goal. This year’s event had live music, classic cars and favorite festival munchies like funnel cakes and corndogs.

“It’s a great local, family event with free admission,” said Parks and Recreation Department Assistant Director Kimberly Zygmant. “We just try and make it a fun event to come out on July 4 to enjoy some music, play some games, visit with family, eat some great food and see some fireworks.”

One of this year's attendees, Richard Flores, brought along his rescue dog, Andy, to enjoy the flocks of people before heading home early prior to rockets lighting up the sky.

Attendees enjoyed activities like a classic car show, a cornhole tournament, and live music emceed by local celebrity Gary Moses a.k.a. Brother Gary.

Amanda Garcia, a Victoria resident and mother of two, said although this year was her family’s second time attending, they see the event as a summer staple for years to come.

“Oh, we’re definitely going to make it like a tradition for us,” Garcia said.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Roberta Fisher

Jose Morales and Stella Morales

Alex Aguero, Gabbie Guilarte and Elijah Ramos

Emily Valesquez

Manuel Rivera Jr.

Richard Flores and his dog Andy

Hunter Hollis and Fisher Hollis

Liz Gonzales, Jessica Gumm and Susan Reagan

Carrie Lacy and Renita Brigham

Ben Frederick

UPCOMING Calendar of Events

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

VICTORIA

WILLIAM LEE MARTIN: COMEDY STAMPEDE TOUR

Aug. 5 − 8 p.m.

Victoria College’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts

214 N. Main St. 361-485-8540

CROSSROADS COUNTRY OPRY

Aug. 8 & Sept 12 − 5:30-9 p.m. VFW Post 4146, 2001 Lova Drive 361-573-2261

JERRY JAMES

Aug 16 − 7-10 p.m

Greek's 205 Bar, 205 E. Constitution St. 361-573-7800

CHARITY CONCERT SERIES: JIMMY FORTUNE

Aug. 19 − 7:30 p.m.

Victoria College’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St. 361-485-8540

MOONSHINE DRINKERY'S FIRST FRIDAY ART SHOW

Sept. 1 − 6-9 p.m.

Moonshine Drinkery, 103 W. Santa Rosa St. 361-489-3479

VAMA ROCK & BLUES OPEN MIC JAM

Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct.3 − 6-9 p.m.

Aero Crafters, 309 E. Crestwood Drive 361-573-4388.

Kolache Fest

SOMBRERO FEST 2023

Sept. 2 - 3

Victoria Community Center, 1905 E. North St.

361-485-3215

GOLDEN JUBILEE OF CLASSICS STYLE SHOW

Sept. 13 - 11 a.m.

Spring Creek Place Event Center, 12116 Nursery Drive

361-578-0105

14th annual Fall Luncheon and Style

Show by the Victoria Symphony League

VIVA TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL

Sept 15 -17

Victoria College’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St. 361-485-8540

DOWNTOWN ART WALK

Sept. 16 − 4-9 p.m.

DeLeon Plaza, 101 N. Main St. 361-485-3200

PAINT THE ZOO

Aug. 10, Sept. 14 − 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Texas Zoo, 110 Memorial Drive 361-573-7681

CUERO

WORLD SERIES OF CUERO

TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENT

Aug. 5 − 11 a.m.

The Venue, 125 E. Church St.

Hosted by the Cuero Chamber of Commerce

CUERO TURKEYFEST

Oct. 13-15

Cuero Municipal Park

EDNA

WORLD SERIES TEAM ROPING QUALIFIER

Sept. 8-10

Brackenridge Main Events Center, 284 Brackenridge Parkway

REGION 7 - TEXAS JH & HS RODEO ASSOCIATION

Sept. 23-24

Brackenridge Main Event Center, 284 Brackenridge Parkway

GOLIAD

END OF SUMMER BASH!

Aug.5 − 6-9 p.m.

Downtown Goliad

TREATING FOR PEACE: AUSTIN’S COLONY, THE KARANKAWA, AND EARLY GOLIAD

Aug. 12

Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site, 217 U.S. 183

FEEDING THE ARMY: COWBOYS, SOLDIERS, AND CATTLE IN THE ROT

Sept. 8-10

Presidio la Bahía State Historic Site, 217 U.S. 183

HALLETTSVILLE

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH FALL PICNIC

Sept. 3, all day

Hallettsville Knights of Columbus Hall, 321 U.S. 77 S.

28TH ANNUAL KOLACHE FEST

Sept. 30

Hallettsville KC Hall, 321 U.S. 77 S.

Hosted by Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture

PORT LAVACA

FLIP FLOP FESTIVAL

Sept. 1-3

Bayfront Peninsula

PORT O'CONNOR

PORT O'CONNOR SUMMER SLIDE

Aug. 26

Port O’Connor

22ND ANNUAL SPEEDY STOP KIDS’ FISHING TOURNAMENT

Aug. 12

Port O'Connor Community Center

ROCKPORT

LITTLE BAY LABOR DAY MUSIC FEST

Sept. 2 − 4 p.m.

Rockport Festival Grounds, 1500 E. Laurel St.

HUMMERBIRD CELEBRATION

Sept 14-17

Rockport-Fulton High School Complex, 1800 Omohundro St.

SHINER

SHINER CATHOLIC CHURCH PICNIC

Sept. 3, all day

KC Hall Park

YOAKUM

PIANO PUNCH DUELING PIANOS

Aug. 12 − 6:30-10 p.m. Yoakum Community Center, 106 Huck St.

HOMETOWN STREET DANCE

Sept. 16, evening Corner of West Grand Avenue and Lott Street

Hosted by the Yoakum Area Chamber of Commerce