Etcetera February/March 2021
EAST TEXAS OIL MUSEUM TO FEATURE MEXICAN CARICATURIST Hour Glass
How did Kilgore ring in the New Year?
Kilgore’s people, places — and the rest
SEE & BE SEEN:
Kilgoreites had fun this Christmas season
PHOTOGAPHIER'S EYE Luis Guzman spends his time caputuring the magic of downtown Kilgore
We Wish You a
Happy New Year Skilled Nursing Facility & Rehabilitation 2700 S. Henderson Blvd. | Kilgore, Texas 75662
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315 E Lantrip • Kilgore, Tx | 903.984.2024 Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. February/March 2021 | Etcetera 3
FROM THE EDITOR
Introducing a new Etcetera to our readers BY MEREDITH SHAMBURGER news1@kilgorenewsherald.com
Y
ou may have noticed some changes to Etcetera magazine already just by looking at our front cover, readers. We have updated our masthead and decided to start spelling out "Etcetera" in all cases. I'm delighted to let you know that we've also got a whole lot more changes inside the magazine as well. But first a question we debated while re-vamping the magazine because we're rather nerdy when it comes to words here: When you're spelling out "etc"... is it "etcetera" or "et cetera"? My publisher Alexander says "Etcetera," and — spoiler — that's what we decided on. I took note of the phrase's Latin origin and say you clearly use two words because you're just using the Latin phrase. Merriam-Webster, annoyingly, distinguishes between "etcetera," a number of unspecified additional persons or things, and "et cetera," a Latin phrase meaning 'and others,' especially of the same kind. So, yes, we went with "Etcetera" as the name. Our magazine's new tagline, "Kilgore's people, places — and the rest" is a nod to the Latin phrase. This is one of a number of changes we've done in these pages. Our goal has always been to bring you a local magazine about local people, and that's really what our goal is going forward. We want to highlight the special people who make Kilgore one of the best places to live. So going forward, you'll find more features, more photos, more information about things to go and see in the Kilgore area. We'll try to highlight hidden gems and showcase daily life here in Kilgore. We also want to bring you more lifestyle features on a variety of topics, including books, gardening, pets and history. We're fortunate to live in East Texas, where the opportunities to read local authors or spend time working on beautiful gardens is plentiful. We also want to feature stories and photos from the Kilgore News Herald archives in a new column called "Hour Glass." Hopefully you'll find it just as interesting as I do. This issue's column looks at how Kilgore has celebrated the New Year in the past. Let me tell you what else we've got in store in this issue. We start with a profile of Luis Guzman, and if you don't know who he is, I bet you've seen his photos of downtown Kilgore on 4 Etcetera | February/March 2021
Facebook. Luis is a marvelous photographer who captures the beauty of downtown all year round. We also have a feature from Linda K. Ballard on Ms. Bennie Ingram, a longtime nurse at Arbor Grace Nursing & Rehabilitation who is now retired and living at the facility. "Where your family becomes our family" is Arbor Grace's motto, and Linda says it's an apt description of Ms. Ingram's career and retirement choice. If you've ever thought about getting yourself some backyard chickens, the good folks at Texas A&M have put together a comprehensive guide for you. It's not quite baby chick season yet (spring is traditionally buying season), but we've got all the information you'll need to get your chicks ready for their new home. Just don't blame us if you buy a rooster and find your sleeping disrupted! I hope you enjoy the changes we've made, and let me make a pitch to you: We want your ideas. Is there someone in Kilgore or Overton or Liberty City we should profile? Do you have an event coming up you want listed in the magazine? Where's the best spot you know to take bluebonnet photos in the spring? You can send any and all ideas, events, photos and tips to: news1@kilgorenewsherald.com.
Etcetera February/March 2021 Vol. 4 | Issue 1
PUBLISHER
Alexander Gould • agould@mrobertsmedia.com
EDITOR
Meredith Shamburger • news1@kilgorenewsherald.com
ADVERTISING SALES
Linda K. Ballard • lballard@kilgorenewsherald.com Donna Shupe • dshupe@kilgorenewsherald.com
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kimberley Bailey
CONTACT US
(903) 984-2593 • news1@kilgorenewsherald.com All contents of the magazine are copyright © M. Roberts Media, LLC. No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner without prior written consent of the publisher. The publisher and editors are not responsible for any changes in event dates after the deadline. Etcetera is published by M. Roberts Media.
CONTENTS February/March 2021
6 6
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OUT & ABOUT
East Texas Oil Museum highlights Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias
COVER STORY
Kilgore photographer turns tragedy into art
FEATURE STORY
Arbor Grace is where family, like longtime nurse Bennie Ingram, returns
PET TALK
Flights of Fancy: A compre-hen-sive guide to backyard chickens
HOUR GLASS
How Kilgore rang in the New Year
20 GARDENING
Choosing the best seeds, transplants for vegetable gardens
21
SEE & BE SEEN
RECEIVE A $20 GIFT CARD
Kilgoreites had fun this Christmas season
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Look up our weekly ad at SkinnersGrocery.com ON THE COVER Luis Guzman, Kilgore native and photographer, poses in front of the Crim Theater in downtown Kilgore.
1708 Judson Rd., Longview, Tx PH: 903-753-4930 February/March 2021 | Etcetera  5
OUT & ABOUT
East Texas Oil Museum highlights Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias SPECIAL TO ETCETERA
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he East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College will present an exhibit by Miguel Covarrubias, one of the most famous Mexican artists of the 20th century. The traveling exhibit, “Miguel Covarrubias: Caricaturist,” will be on display at the museum through Feb. 20. Miguel Covarrubias (1904–1957) was one of the foremost Mexican artists of the twentieth century. A quintessential humanist, he made important contributions in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, theater and dance. The breadth of his intellectual interests inspired him to explore cultures as varied as the brilliant hues displayed in his art. He became an expert in indigenous Mexican art and culture and an important figure in the preservation of ancient sites and artifacts. After capturing the creative energy of the Harlem Renaissance, he documented a vanishing way of life on the Indonesian island of Bali. In the pages of Vanity Fair and other popular American magazines of the Jazz Age, Covarrubias took the measure of the era's statesmen, celebrities and rogues. The exhibition focuses on the sophisticated caricatures that made Covarrubias famous, providing a unique window into the cultural and political milieu of the 1920s and 30s. The exhibition was created in cooperation with the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin and a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. 6 Etcetera | February/March 2021
For more information about viewing hours or to arrange group visits, contact Olivia Moore, ETOM manager, at (903) 983-8297 or omoore@kilgore.edu. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is limiting the number of guests at a time. Face coverings are required for all visitors. The museum is located at 1301 S. Henderson Blvd. in Kilgore. Visit the museum online at www.kilgore.edu/etom.
Top: An exhibition of Miguel Covarrubias's work is on display at the East Texas Oil Museum through Feb. 20. Bottom Right: Miguel Covarrubias's caricature work appeared in Vanity Fair and other popular American magazines of the Jazz Age.
OUT & ABOUT
THINGS TO DO IN KILGORE
Rangerette Forever Meghan Robertson, as head flight attendant of Rette Jett 767, welcomes the audience to the 2017 Rangerette Revels. The travel- and flight-themed show took the audience through the skies to New York City, Hawaii and Washington, D.C., each of the Rangerettes‘ destinations that year.
FEBRUARY 6 A Touch of Fame & Fashion Style Show, 7 to 9 p.m., Belcher Center in Longview. Tickets are $15 and will be avilable on the Belcher Center website soon. 13 Kilgore ISD Marathon Challenge Softball Alumni Game.
the culmination of their performing season. The show includes a wide variety of dance genres, including the Rangerettes signature “high kick” production for the finale. The show typically runs four nights with five performances that take place before sold out crowds in Dodson auditorium on the Kilgore College campus. Shows for the week of March 11-14 are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a Sunday Matinee at 1 p.m. Shows for the week of March 18-20 are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a
18 Prom Committee Fern Sales, Feb. 18 through March 9.
Saturday Matinee at 1 p.m. All seats are reserved, and tickets are
21 East Texas Coalition Goes to Austin, hosted by the Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce, Feb. 21-23. You're invited to participate in the 2021 East Texas Coalition trip to Austin. This year's host hotel is The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, 701 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701. Block rates are available by calling 1-800235-4670 and asking for the room block of East Texas Coalition or registering online at https://bit.ly/2viU3nH by February 5, 2021. Room rate is $169+tax single/double occupancy. Trip at a glance: Sunday includes a dutch treat dinner and Capitol tour with Sen. Bryan Hughes; Monday has breakfast with a guest speaker, morning and afternoon briefings, lunch with a guest speaker and an evening reception; Tuesday includes a breakfast and briefings with state representatives and Senator Bryan Hughes, recognition on the House and Senate floor and a picture.
February. Tickets purchased online may be picked up with proper
MARCH 6 Hi-Steppers Crawfish Boil and Cornhole Tournament. 11 Rangerettes Revels 2021, March 11-14 and March 18-20, Dodson Auditorum. Revels is the Rangerettes annual spring show and
$25 each. Online tickets sales will open for the general public in identification at the WILL CALL window in Dodson Auditorium on the night of the show. Online ticket sales are subject to availability and seat requests are not guaranteed. 15 Spring Break for Kilgore ISD, Overton ISD, Sabine ISD, West Rusk ISD and Leverett's Chapel ISD is March 15-19. 27 Kilgore ISD Marathon Challenge 5K Color Dash. 25-27 Kilgore FFA Project Show and Sale, Kilgore High School ag farm. Spring 2021 Before the Curtain Rises, hosted by the Texas Shakespeare Festival. $100 to enroll, free for students and educators. Escape into the world of theatre for a behind the scenes look at the Texas Shakespeare Festival's 2021 season. This course will introduce the craft of theatre to curious patrons and allow you to have a deeply enriching experience as you take in the summer productions. For the first time ever, the nonprofit is offering this as a virtual course for patrons near and far. February/March 2021 | Etcetera 7
COVER STORY
KILGORE PHOTOGRAPHER
TURNS TRAGEDY INTO ART BY JESSICA HARKER jharker@marshallnewsmessenger.com
L
ocal self-taught photographer Luis Guzman has gained a name for himself in Kilgore by capturing the beauty in the everyday life seen in downtown. Guzman himself is a native to the area, graduating from Kilgore High School, where he met the woman who is now his wife. He said that it was only a few short years after graduating from high school that the two were married. “At the time we were young newlyweds, and we weren’t interested in getting pregnant right away, but at the same time we said that if it happens, it happens,” Guzman said, “After a few years, we realized that it wasn’t happening. That’s when we went
8 Etcetera | February/March 2021
to see a fertility doctor.” After a few visits, Guzman said that the doctor told the couple that they would be unable to conceive. “It’s hard, it’s a really hard thing for someone who wants a child to hear,” Guzman said. “It was probably the darkest point in my life.” As a way to distract himself, and keep his mind occupied, Guzman started a number of new hobbies. These hobbies including fishing and woodworking, both of which Guzman said he still enjoys. “But one day, I was driving into work at the oil field, and I
stopped and I watched the sunset come up,” he said. “It was so beautiful, I took out my phone and I snapped a photo.” This is when Guzman’s passion for photography began, and it wasn’t long before he purchased his first film camera and started venturing out to new locations to practice shooting. “It was a way out for me in one of the hardest Continued on page 10
Top Left: Luis Guzman loves to capture the magic of downtown Kilgore through the camera lens. Top Right: In this photo by Luis Guzman, members of the Kilgore College Rangerettes are shown performing at the 2018 derrick lighting Bottom Right: This photograph by Luis Guzman shows Fourth of July fireworks over the top of the Crim Theater downtown.
February/March 2021 | Etcetera 9
From page 9 times of my life,” he said. After working to teach himself how to properly operate a manual camera, Guzman said that he saved up money to purchase his first digital camera, and that was when he started to venture to take photos of downtown Kilgore. “I like to challenge myself every time I go out there; I want to challenge myself to capture the beauty of downtown in new and interesting ways,” Guzman said. When he initially began taking photos of the downtown area, Guzman said that he posted a number of them on public groups on Facebook. The photos received a positive response, with many community members asking where to buy the prints because that they reminded them of their own childhoods. “It is pretty interesting, to go and capture what downtown is like now, and to see it continuing to grow and change every year; we still have all of the photos, and now more,” Guzman said. Due to this positive response, Guzman did begin to sell his prints, which are now available at Kilgore Mercantile & Music, located at 105 N. Kilgore St. Additionally, though he works full time in the oil industry, Guzman said that he also does portraits, which can be found on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LuisGuzmanphotography. 10 Etcetera | February/March 2021
Top: Luis Guzman holds up one of his photos for sale at Kilgore Mercantile & Music. Bottom Right: This photo by Luis Guzman captures the splendor of fireworks exploding over Kilgore City Park during the 2017 Forth of July Extravaganza.
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February/March 2021 | Etcetera 11
FEATURE STORY
“Where your family becomes our family” is the motto in which Arbor Grace Nursing & Rehabilitation has based their reputation over the last few years.
T
Ms. Bennie Ingram is pictured at Arbor Grace.
Arbor Grace is where family... ...like longtime nurse Bennie Ingram, returns BY LINDA K. BALLARD lballard@kilgorenewsherald.com
12 Etcetera | February/March 2021
he motto was developed after parent company Paramount Health Care purchased Gregg Home for the Aged in 2013 with the intent of providing the same excellence of health care seen by Gregg Home residents. According to Administrator Jim Kale of Arbor Grace, it is the winning combination of care along with the amount of health services currently provided that brings both former and new residents to their newly-expanded 20,000 foot facility in Kilgore. “It really makes you know things are being done right when you have previous employees return when they have health needs and especially the one we have in residence now and another example of your family becoming our family," Kale said. He is speaking about Ms. Bennie Ingram, who had been a Director of Nursing for many years and was Arbor Grace’s DON until her retirement 5 years ago. Ms. Bennie originally worked for the Gregg Home for the Aged. Health issues currently prevent Ms. Bennie from being able to speak articulately and she now turns to her grandson, Cameron Deadmon, a licensed vocational nurse to act as spokesperson on her behalf. “Nursing is what she has done most of her life," Cameron said. "When she was younger, she used to be a traveling nurse and worked in the Houston area as well as other states with Colorado being one. At one point, when I was in elementary school, she owned her own home health care facility called Unity Home Health. It was located in the medical plaza on Fourth Street in Longview, Texas. She later went to work for Whispering Pines and then on to Gregg Home for the Aged. I graduated from nursing school in 2011 and worked a few shifts at Gregg Home myself. I do believe she kept working just to make sure I made it through graduation.” Nursing runs in the family as his own mother, Angela Deadmon, is a certified nurse assistant and home health care giver. Gregg Home for the Aged, founded in 1958, was originally the old Hughey School and predecessor of Sabine School. Eddy Holley, a long time board member at the nursing facility, said, “The Hughey family were recipients of a lot of oil revenue and they donated land (approximately 100 acres) for the building. It became Gregg Home prior to state regulations and inspections. “Its original purpose was for people that had no family to be provided shelter. In reality, it was really the first assisted living nursing home in the area. There were three “shot-gun type”
houses to the west of the nursing home that employees could live to assure somebody was on the grounds 24/7. It was a great deal for the aids that chose to live there — free room and board.” The West Wing was completed later, the building modernized and occupancy doubled. In time, a lot of the existing land around the building was sold to help pay for the expenditures required to keep the facility running. Gregg Home became a non-profit organization. ”Gregg Home was one of the oldest facilities in Texas and one with the finest of reputations," Holley said. "They were way ahead of the others on cleanliness, and there used to be a waiting list for the 56 beds. My mother and uncle were there at the same time. Their care level was excellent. Even when newer facilities were built and employees left for what they thought would be a better environment, they eventually returned asking for their old jobs back.” According to Holley, it was Paramount Health Care — with main headquarters located in Louisiana — that initially purchased the home for the Medicare beds that were transferable according to state regulations, with the intent of building a new facility for the residents. They later purchased and merged with Kilgore Health & Rehab in the current location at 2700 S. Henderson Blvd. Expansion plans began the following year. “I’m so proud of what Arbor Grace of Kilgore has become," Kale said. "I previously worked as marketing and admissions director for another nursing facility in Rusk County. I received my licenses October 2019; therefore, this is my first job as a licensed nursing facilities administrator, and I am loving every minute of it. When I started at Arbor Grace of Kilgore, in October 2019, the addition was nothing but a slab of concrete. We continue to work out of the old building in the back (Old Kilgore Health) and I have watched this facility grow and become family. "A few months after I started, our census grew to the point
Arbor Grace's main entrance is pictured. Bottom Right: The old building is pictured. Arbor Grace hopes to renovate it soon
many of the department heads had to give up offices in order to convert them to resident rooms. It was crazy, but a fun crazy time. COVID-19 hit beginning of 2020, but we continued to ride the storm," Kale said. "I could not have made it without the support of my department heads filling in the gaps and my family encouraging me to press on. Battling COVID, building a new facility, working with contractor, subs, employees and families was the most challenging thing I have ever done." They accepted their first patient in October 2020 and are currently making plans to renovate the old part of Arbor Grace, Kale said. "We are very proud of what we have worked for and want the best for our residents, staff and families," Kale said. "When a new resident comes to Arbor Grace of Kilgore, we strive to make the experience as pleasant as possible in spite of the circumstances. We all play a part in the resident’s care and that’s what makes us family. Your family becomes our family is just the way it works here at Arbor Grace of Kilgore.” They have stood the test of continuation of committing to the same care and dedication that warranted the reputation held by their predecessors by offering even a wider expansion of services for the family. February/March 2021 | Etcetera 13
PET TALK
Flights of Fancy A compre-hen-sive guide to backyard chickens SPECIAL TO ETCETERA
W
hile many people are content with a pet dog or cat, others may seek less traditional animal friends. For those looking for more exotic pets, chickens can offer not only companionship but also benefits such as egg production, soil fertilization and educational opportunities to help forge the connection between farm and table. Dr. Ashley Navarrette, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that chickens are quite intelligent and can even be trained. They are very food motivated and can even be taught to complete agility courses, though this requires a lot of time and patience. Chickens are often well-suited to life in suburban or semisuburban environments. They require about 2-3 square feet per chicken inside their coop, with an additional minimum of 8 square feet of outside access. Make sure your chickens have about 2 to 3 square feet of space inside a coop per chicken and a minimum of 8 square feet outside.
14 Etcetera | February/March 2021
Potential owners should be aware that even if they have the space, their property may not always be the right place to keep chickens. They also should verify how many chickens their city allows them to keep before adopting. “Look into your local ordinances or regulations within your home owners association before considering acquiring a chicken or multiple chickens as a pet or backyard project,” said Navarrette. “Also understand that chickens can live up to 8 years and, therefore, are a long-term commitment.” Navarrette says that while they can be kept as solitary pets, chickens are a social species and are best kept in groups. Owners of multiple chickens should be wary of overcrowding, which can lead to stress and conflict. “As with any group of animals, there will be social dynamics and there will be an established hierarchy,” she said. “There is usually a dominant hen and subsequent ‘pecking order’ below. Males will also fight for the top spot. One must be careful in regard to housing roosters, as they can be aggressive, loud and against many city ordinances.” Owners must also be wary of interactions with other species, as many dogs, cats, ferrets and larger reptiles will see chickens as prey. Navarrette says interactions between chickens and other pets should be limited and always supervised.
“Children should also be taught appropriate behavior around chickens and handling, not only for the safety of the chicken but also the child,” Navarrette said. “It is also important to note that chicken feces can harbor salmonella and it can be present on the wings, feet, etc. Salmonella can pose a public health risk, particularly to children. All individuals handling the chickens should appropriately wash their hands afterwards.”
Navarrette says that most chickens require minimal veterinary care and are usually treated as issues arise. Health issues can be largely avoided with appropriate care. Most commercial chickens are vaccinated for Marek’s Disease before 1-2 weeks of age, but unless an owner intends to show their chickens or there is a disease outbreak within a flock, additional vaccinations are uncommon. To keep chickens in their best health, owners should feed their birds a diet based on their stage of life. Their diet can also be supplemented by allowing chickens to forage in dirt or grass, which is a natural behavior. “Appropriate diets can be found at feed stores, and it’s best to stick with those from nationally recognized brands, as they tend to have the greatest amount of research behind them and are appropriately balanced,” Navarrette said. “It is best to avoid breads/starches, chocolate, onions, caffeine, avocado and excess salt, as these can be harmful to chickens and other bird species. Be sure to research toxic plants in your backyard as well.” Although many individuals might consider chickens to be more livestock than domestic pet, they can offer the benefits of food production while still providing companionship to make your days a little more sunny side up. One benefit of backyard chickens? Fresh eggs for the breakfast table.
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HOUR GLASS
How We Rang in the New Year BY MEREDITH SHAMBURGER
news1@kilgorenewsherald.com Editor's Note: Hour Glass is a historical look at past Kilgore News Herald headlines.
How has Kilgore marked the start of a new year over time? Weddings and babies and black-eyed peas, of course!
COUPLE MARRIED DURING FIRST HOUR OF NEW YEAR HERE reads the headline announcing the wedding of Kay Kernodle and J.B. Harrison in 1949. The couple was married at Eastview Baptist Church following a New Year's Eve party held in their honor. The News Herald reported the bride wore a gray gabardine suit with black accessories and a black off-the-face hat and a white camellia shoulder corsage. "Attending the wedding were Mr. and Mrs. I.C. Ashley, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sasse, Mr. and Mrs. T.O. Scales and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Wells. All had attended a pre-nuptial party held at the Marie home New Year's Eve. Refreshments were served and card games were played until the party left for the church at midnight." They weren't the only area couple to wed that day. Doris Turner, of Overton, and Billy Ray Tilley, of London, married that evening at First Baptist Church in Overton. 16 Etcetera | February/March 2021
Brookshire's announces in a 1973 ad that it will be closed New Year's Day and tells Kilgoreites to "please shop early!"
CONGRATULATIONS! is the simple header in the Jan. 4, 1939 paper announcing someone had come forward with the claim of the Kilgore New Year's baby designation: A son born to Mrs. W.L. Winters around 10 a.m. Sunday morning. "The baby has not yet been named. Both mother and son are doing nicely, it was said." Meanwhile the Jan. 2, 1946 Kilgoround column notes Margaret McGee, the new daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnny E. McGee, "just missed" being a New Year's baby. Margaret was born at 11:55 p.m. Dec. 31. "No new arrival, according to information we have been able to secure, actually put in an appearance on New Year's Day. First new 1946 baby about which we have heard is the son born to Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Owens at KMH early Wednesday morning, Jan. 2."
Judy Matthews was snapped buying black-eyed peas at Brookshire's Food Store a few days before New Year's Day in 1993. "Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is a Southern tradition to ensure a year of good luck. Those who don't like the legume canned with salt, sugar, vinegar and/or other ingredients may find themselves liking frozen or dried black-eyed peas which come without additional ingredients and aren't pre-cooked."
Judy Matthews shops for black-eyed peas in this Dec. 30, 1993 photo.
Speaking of black-eyed peas, Fay Pool offered several New Year's Day recipes in the Dec. 28, 1977 issue of the News Herald and pondered how the tradition got started. "I've always suspected it became legendary because after all the Christmas sweets, the taste buds year for some down-to-earth victuals. And you can't-hardly-get-nomore-down-to-earth than with black-eyes and cornbread," Pool wrote in her "From Mother's Kitchen" column. "Our Yankee friends laugh at our enjoyment of black-eyes and this legend carries little or no worth in their households on New Year's. But if they happen to be in ours, they get what Helen Davis over in Marshall calls 'Southern Cavier.'" Continued on page 18
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From page 17
Southern Caviar Two (15-oz.) cans blackeyed peas, drained One-third cup salad oil One-third cup wine vinega r One clove garlic One-fourth cup finely-cho pped onion SOUTHERN One-half teaspoonCAVIAR salt • CraTwo (15-oz.) cans black-eyed peas, drained cked pepper to taste • One-third cup salad oil • One-third cup wine vinegar • One clove garlic • One-fourth cup finely-chopped onion • One-half teaspoon salt • Cracked pepper to taste Combine all ingredients; cover and chill 24 hours. Remove garlic. Chill two days to two weeks before serving. Yield: six to eight servings.
BARBECUED BLACK-EYES • One cup dried black-eyed peas • One and one-half cups boiling water • One teaspoon salt • One-fourth pound ground beef • One-half medium onion, chopped • One-half cup commercial barbecue sauce • One Tablespoon prepared mustard • Three Tablespoons brown sugar Cook peas in boiling water with salt until peas are barely tender; add more water if necessary. Pour off half of liquid. Brown ground beef and onion; add to peas. Stir in barbecue sauce, mustard and sugar. Bake at 200 degrees for one to one and one-half hours. Yield: four to six servings.
18 Etcetera | February/March 2021
Planning a New Year's Eve party? The Dec. 28, 1977 edition of the News Herald offered "High-Style New Year's" tips, as well as some black-eyed peas recipes for the next day.
DELICIOUS BLACK-EYED PEAS • One pround dried black-eyed peas • One Tablespoon salt • One clove garlic, cut in half • One-half cup bacon drippings or salad oil • Three cloves garlic, crushed • Three medium-sized green peppers, chopped • Three medium onions, chopped • Two bay leaves, pulverized • Three Tablespoons vinegar • One teaspoon salt • Black pepper to taste Pick over peas; wash thoroughly. Place in a heavy saucepan and cover with water; soak overnight. Drain peas and place in a heavy saucepan; cover with fresh boiling water. Add one tablespoon salt and garlic halves; cover and simmer three hours, adding boiling water as needed. Just before serving, heat bacon drippings in skillet; add crushed garlic, green pepper, onion and bay leaves. Cook until vegetables are soft. Stir in vinegar, one teaspoon salt and black pepper. Spoon onto cooked peas; mix well. Yield: six to eight servings.
BOOKS
'His Way' has scandals, secrets set in small Texas town BY LINDA K. BALLARD lballard@kilgorenewsherald.com
“His Way” is Jim H. Ainsworth’s ninth novel.
T
here's perhaps no better time to pick up a book than when the weather turns dreary and cold. There is nothing any better than a good book to read or to give as a gift. Publishing houses scramble to get the latest print edition into the marketing place and all boast of having the latest bestseller. Requests for an interview with the author or a review are also made to others in the journalism field, and that is exactly what happened lately as several requests from those “northern” states hit this “southern” gal’s desk. She did what any other decent southern person would do — picked up the phone and called the nearest publisher to her locale and asked for their recommendation. Just so happened that the call went out to author/publisher and former Kilgoreite Caleb Pirtle II and before a complete sentence could be made, he was recommending a new release called “His Way” by Jim H. Ainsworth. Now, people in these parts of the woods kind of pay attention to what Caleb has to say, and before you could blink an eye the book was upon my desk. Never judge a book by its cover — although the lone man sitting in the dark recesses of the night surrounded by fence railing of this one sure can pique your interest. And it is taught the first sentence to a good book is always a clincher to read further and the last sentence of each chapter is to entice you to read on into the next chapter and the next, and Jim did just that as he sets the scene in the small Texas town of Riverby and introduces you to characters, some you will like and some you will abhor as he twists their lives into an intricate plot of scandals and secrets. And somewhere while reading, you begin to wonder just how much fiction is really in this story and question what more can
happen in this sleepy little town. The story ends well with a circle of friends, a cross, the remake of a song and the leaving of a man as mysteriously as he came. Caleb Pirtle was right; the book is an interesting read.
• • • •
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Member Independent Insurance Agents of Texas February/March 2021 | Etcetera 19
GARDENING
Choosing the best seeds, transplants for vegetable gardens BY LAURA MUNTEAN AgriLife Today
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hether selecting seeds to plant in your vegetable garden or picking out perfect, healthy transplants, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture experts can offer all the information you need to be well on your way to a bountiful harvest. Knowing what vegetables will flourish in your area is key to a successful garden. AgriLife Extension agents throughout the state can help determine what vegetables should grow best in your region and what varwieties to look for when visiting your local garden center. Or take a look at the AgriLife Extension Vegetable Variety Selector at https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/publications/veg_ variety/. By entering your county or region, the Vegetable Variety Selector can offer some insights and options for your particular location. The next big question will be whether you want to start your garden from seed or use vegetable transplants.
CHOOSING TO START FROM SEED Once your vegetable selections have been made, head to your local garden center to view all the available seeds. Most vegetables are divided into warm- and cool-season varieties, explained AgriLife Extension horticulture specialist Lisa Whittlesey, Bryan-College Station. “Cool-season vegetables are things like spinach, looseleaf lettuces, broccoli and cauliflower and tend to thrive in the cooler months of the year,” she said, “While our warm-season 20 Etcetera | February/March 2021
vegetables are things like summer squashes, zucchinis, tomatoes and corn that tend to do better during our warmer months. “If you are planting a fall garden, there are many cool-season Most vegetable seeds can be held over for use the following year if properly stored, but it's usually best to grow new seeds every two years.
vegetables that do great starting from seed including carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach and many healthy greens including turnips and swiss chard.” Once you know what season you will be planting in, the selection becomes fairly easy. View the information on the back of the seed packet for planting depth, spacing of seeds and germination time. “That’s important information so that when you check your garden every day you will know when the plants will be up and ready to grow,” she said.
PICKING VEGETABLE TRANSPLANTS Choosing a healthy vegetable transplant can insure a healthy plant later and the opportunity for a full harvest from your garden. “When choosing your transplants, look for a healthy, stalky plant,” said Jayla Fry, Texas Master Gardener program coordinator, Bryan-College Station. “Avoid plants that are spindly or stretched, because they likely haven’t had enough sun. “Make sure to look for diseased leaves or bugs, and even check the underside of the leaves. Also, feel the soil to make sure it has been properly watered.” Checking for these few things will help you to have a healthy plant and a good harvest by the end of the season.
SEE & BE SEEN
Danville Farms PHOTOS BY LES HASSELL
Madison VanDoren makes a Christmas wreath.
Landon Harris, 13, watches as his brother Keegan, 14, of Henderson, cuts down the family’s Christmas.
The Harris family from Henderson take a family photo before beginning their search for a Christmas tree.
Shoppers visit downtown businesses during Downtown Kilgore’s 2020 Mingle & Jingle.
Mingle and Jingle PHOTOS BY LES HASSELL
Kilgore Mayor Ronnie Spradlin hands out candy canes to shoppers . Door prize winners are announced outside of Kilgore Mercantile and Music
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SEE & BE SEEN
Special Delivery PHOTO COURTESY OF KILGORE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Linda K. Ballard, our senior marketing executive and author of the Chit Chat Corner column,celebrated her 20th in December 2020.
A News Herald Anniversary PHOTO BY DONNA SHUPE
Christmas in Kilgore PHOTO BY LUCAS STROUGH
This nativity scene stole the spotlight in Kilgore.
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The Kilgore Police Department elves converged at Walmart last Friday with lists in hand for a few special families in need as part of their Operation Santa program. Sgt. Callahan tested out a bicycle while other officers picked out clothes and toys.
Cruise Night PHOTO COURTESY OF LONE STAR LUG NUTZ
Kilgore Mercantile & Music hosted a New Year’s Cruise and Vehicle Parade in historic downtown Kilgore on Saturday, Dec. 26.
SEE & BE SEEN
Snow Time is Playtime
Photo Courtesy of Sabrina Bagley
Photo Courtesy of Meaghan Simpson
Photo Courtesy of Courtney Brown Loper
Photo Courtesy of Katie De Ann Newby
Ringing in the New Year PHOTO BY LINDA K. BALLARD
"Good Riddance 2020... Hello 2021” reads a downtown Overton shop’s windows, a feeling many of us have as we look back on this past year and all the troubles COVID-19 has caused. Here’s hoping 2021 will bring you all good health, good fun and good luck.
Greenhand Camp PHOTO COURTESY OF KILGORE FFA Kilgore FFA’s annual Greenhand Camp, held in November, gives new FFA students a chance to learn the ropes from advisors and older students.
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PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #8 KILGORE, TX Kilgore News Herald P.O. Box 1210 Kilgore, TX 75663
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