ETX View magazine March/April 2021 from Longview News-Journal by mrobertsdigital

ETX VIEW YO U R VIE W O F E AS T T E X AS

BURGER BUCKET LIST: 15 BURGERS TO EAT IN EAST TEXAS

LO N GV I E W | T Y L E R | K I LG O R E

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EDITOR’S LETTER

A paradise of a magazine

John Anderson

immy Buffett decided to sing a song in 1978 with a subject that many people thought about, but few were brave enough to stake a stance on. Cheeseburgers. Listening to his Son of a Sailor album, “Cheeseburger in Paradise” was a hit in my mind, even though it only reached No. 32 on the charts. However, the brilliance of singing about a cheeseburger resonated so much with fans that it was the first song on his greatest hits album in 1985. In fact, he performs the song about cheeseburgers after his hit Margaritaville during concerts. When we have discussions about the stories and features you see in ETX View, they are polite and informative. It’s so interesting to hear about the great people, places and businesses in East Texas. However, when it came to a bucket list of 15 places to get a burger in East Texas, we had 60 places thrown into the mix. Getting it to 15 was not easy. In fact, if you go to the Longview News-Journal or Tyler Morning Telegraph websites and look for burgers under the Best in Town and Best in East Texas competitions, you will find several places voted on by our readers not on this list. It’s not a top 15 list, it’s just 15 places you should plan a day-trip around. And find other unique places, we would love to hear about them. Make sure you vote again this summer in our “best of” contest. Back to these burgers, photographers Michael Cavazos and Les Hassell did a mouthwatering job capturing their essence. When Jimmy Buffett sings, “Cheeseburger in paradise, Medium-rare with mustard’d be nice, Heaven on earth with an onion slice. Not too particular, not too

ETX VIEW

DESIGNERS Ted Townsend Haley Holcomb

PRESIDENT Stephen McHaney

WRITERS John Anderson Christina Cavazos Jo Lee Ferguson

PUBLISHER Justin Wilcox EDITOR John Anderson ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alyssa Purselley-Hankins 903-596-6295 MANAGING EDITORS Christina Cavazos Jo Lee Ferguson

precise,” the burger seems plain. He would love to see the burger stories and photos in this issue. But he brings us all together when he sings, “I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes, Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer, Well, good God almighty which way do I steer? For my, cheeseburger in paradise!” He is correct. Like pizza and barbecue, there is something special about a burger. We grill at home and we buy them at fast food establishments. How many times have you been at a fine-dining establishment and your eyes and heart wander from entrees to the section titled, “Burgers?” Like the finest steak on the menu, you get to pick how you want your cheeseburger cooked. And the person taking your order always says “excellent choice” to a burger. As you enjoy the incredible photos and stories in this edition of ETX View, don’t worry about getting drippings from your cheeseburger on the glossy pages. It wipes off. And I hope you join me in checking these and other locally-owned burger joints. Visiting once is great, but the second time is paradise.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos Les Hassell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristen Barton Tami Brooks Ann Bush Amy McHaney Anntoinette Moore Courtney Stern

JOHN ANDERSON j a n d e r s o n @ m ro b e r t s m e d i a . c o m THE COVER The California Burger from Rick’s on the Square in Tyler is one of 15 Bucket List Burgers in East Texas reviewed in this edition. COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Les Hassell COVER DESIGN BY Alyssa Purselley-Hankins Ted Townsend

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CONTENTS

8 Fur-ever Friends

64 Home Pampering

Are you tired of being stuck at home? Amy McHaney has come up with a perfect and affordable Home Spa Day just for you.

Dog owners explain the relationship with their pets, and the best places in East Texas to take your dog.

20 Love Your Groom

68 Peters Fashion

From home to a mobile unit, a look behind the scenes of dog groomers.

30 Memories Over Money

Wanda Minx tells us how she helps people have their best vacations in our women in business feature

34 A Very Brady Vacation Avoiding the nightmares of a bad vacation with tips from Kelly Brady, who was inspired by her grandmother to become a travel agent.

38 Hip-hip Hooray

First responders get a lot of 6

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

60 pats on the back, but one woman has helped people around East Texas really get to know their hometown heroes.

44 Peters Autosports Travel

The photos of The Boulders at Lake Tyler will take your breath away, as will your visit.

60 Backyard Heaven

Looking for the perfect getaway in East Texas? Our feature on High Hill Farm.

How to travel in style, from head-turning outfits to the comfort and class of jeans.

80 A Mouth-watering list

Our 15 burgers to eat in East Texas is a bucket list for burger experts and even casual fans of the great American meal. Some may surprise you!

92 Songs for the Soul

Fans of jazz and a new generation is turning to the music of Maryah McHam and Martyn Popey.

96 What’s the Buzz?

Check out the can’t-miss events coming up.

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S T O RY B Y C H R I S T I N A C AVA Z O S P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S 8

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Fur-ever Friends: East Texans enjoy living life with their pets

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allsville native Jessica Lightle was having one of the worst days at her former job in Dallas when her then-boyfriend Austin Lightle asked her to meet him outside by the firepit at their apartment complex in Addison. When she walked outside crying, at first she didn’t notice the puppy — a little black, flat-coated Goldendoodle — with Austin.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

“He said, ‘Look what I got us,’ and he let Charlie out on the ground. He was so little, only seven or eight weeks old at the time,” she recalled. “I got so excited and I picked him up. That’s when I saw his name tag. It said, ‘Will you marry me?’ Then he proposed with Charlie. It was so sweet. It definitely became one of the best days of my life.” On Jan. 11, 2017, Jessica’s family grew to include a fiance (now husband) and a sweet dog who is now like family. The Longview couple now take 4-year-old Charlie everywhere with them, including walking on trails in Longview, at patio dining across East Texas and on travels across the state and country. | CONT. ON PG. 13

Austin and Jessica Lightle spend the evening with their dog Charlie at the Williams Lake Loop, also known as the Mobberly Mountain Bike Trail, at Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview.

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Carson Shultz and Kaitlyn Porterfield take their dogs Brutus and Presley to ETX Brewing Company in downtown Tyler.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 10

The Lightles are among thousands of pet owners who consider their furry companions to be an extended part of their family. Engaged couple Kaitlyn Porterfield and Carson Shultz, who reside in Tyler’s Azalea District, have two pups. Presley is a 3-and-ahalf-year-old white German shepherd while 5-year-old Brutus is a black and white standard poodle. “They both have very distinct personalities,” Porterfield said. “Brutus goes everywhere with Carson and we take Presley as much as we can.” The couple enjoys walking their dogs around the square in Tyler, often stopping for a pupcone at Andy’s Frozen Custard. They also enjoy taking the dogs with them for outdoor dining at places such as ETX Brewing | CONT. ON PG. 15

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“I never thought I would love a dog as much as I love Charlie. He has been such a sweet part of our family and will always be a part of our family . . . we look forward to hanging out with him every day. He makes life a lot of fun.” Jessica Lightle 14

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 13

Co. in downtown Tyler and at True Vine Brewing Co. “We take both of them out to Carson’s family’s land in LaRue to run,” she said. “They love to play outside.” Shultz’s family owns New York, Texas Zipline Adventures and Shultz said he takes Brutus to work with him every day. “He doesn’t shed and he behaves himself, so it’s really easy to take him places,” Shultz said. Shultz found Brutus via a Craigslist ad in Fort Worth in 2016. The two have been a duo ever since. “He’s such a smart dog. You can tell him specific commands; he knows his left from his right. He thinks he’s a human. He doesn’t really know he’s a dog most of the time,” Shultz said, laughing. Porterfield adopted Presley about three years ago from the Humane Society’s Pets Fur People in Tyler. Presley was a baby at the time and looked a bit like a yellow Labrador, but after about two weeks her German shepherd ears popped up. “Presley’s a social dog,” Porterfield said. “She loves to walk around the square and she’s made friends with a lot of people. She’s made friends with an officer who works at the courthouse, and she always wants to go over and see him. We also have neighbors who walk around the square and she’s made friends with them and a lot of other people who work

downtown.” With a love for downtown Tyler, Porterfield previusly was involved in the Heart of Tyler, a nonprofit organization that works to revitalize the downtown area. She enjoys the walkability of downtown Tyler and that traffic isn’t too bad there. “People think there isn’t a lot of green space, but there is,” she added. “You just have to walk a little bit off the beaten path but you can find good spaces for your dogs.” She also enjoys how friendly downtown businesses are toward pups. ETX Brewing Co., for example, will supply dogs with water bowls when they come to visit while Andy’s Frozen Custard offers free pupcones that Presley and Brutus enjoy. In Longview, the Lightles said they enjoy the city’s many dog-friendly spaces. Charlie enjoys going for walks at the Mobberly Mountain Bike Trail, located behind Mobberly Baptist Church, and at the city’s Paul G. Boorman Trail where there also is a dog park. Charlie, whom they adopted from someone in Gainesville, Texas, enjoys getting puppuccinos from Starbucks and pupcups at Shivers Natural Snow. Shivers’ outdoor space is dog friendly, as is Silver Grizzly Espresso, a coffee shop in downtown Longview that Charlie also enjoys. Charlie also has helped them meet new friends as dogs often offer a conversation | CONT. ON PG. 17

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Cody Langley spends his afternoon with his dog Oakley at Stragent Dog Park in Longview. Right, Chuck Rossol trains his dogs Dudley and Fritz at Stragent Dog Park.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 15

Favorite Spaces To Take Pets Across Tyler & Longview: Downtown Tyler Downtown Longview Tyler State Park Mobberly Trail, Longview Faulkner Park Trail, Tyler Paul G. Boorman Trail, Longview Cargill Long Park Trail, Longview Bossart Bark Park, Tyler Sunrise Paw Park, Tyler Stragent Dog Park, Longview ETX Brewing Co., Tyler True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler Silver Grizzly Espresso, Longview Andy’s Frozen Custard, Tyler Shivers Natural Snow, Longview

starter for pet owners. “We’ve taken him to the Strut Your Mutt walk, which raises money for the animal shelter, and Charlie was a big fan of visiting the Historic Longview Farmers Market downtown,” Jessica Lightle said. “He pretty much goes everywhere with us.” That includes out of state trips to Colorado, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma, and he’s been all over Texas. But when the couple needs to board Charlie, they rely on Creature Comforts, a grooming, boarding and doggie daycare facility in Longview. “We’ve been going there for four years since we moved back to Longview,” she said. “They have a great facility. I love how clean it is and I also love that they post pictures on their Facebook so that when we are out of town, we’re able to see what he’s up to. Charlie seems to really like it, too. He’s a big fan.” From car rides to walks, to snacking on bones and visiting his favorite Longview boutique, River Outfitters, Charlie has become a huge part of the Lightle family. “I never thought I would love a dog as much as I love Charlie. He has been such a sweet part of our family and will always be a part of our family,” Lightle said. “We look forward to hanging out with him every day. He makes life a lot of fun.” March/April 2021 | etxview.com

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FOURLEGGED Dog groomers provide love, care to East Texas pups S T O RY B Y C O U RT N E Y S T E R N PHOTOGRAPHY BY L E S H A S S E L L & M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S

ecoming a dog groomer requires a love of dogs and a passion for their wellbeing. The owners of Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too in Longview and Groom n Dogs Mobile Salon in Tyler started their businesses out of love for their own dogs. These two East Texas groomers are on a mission to keep pups across the region happy, healthy and looking their best while providing convenient options for “pawrents.” Groom n Dogs owner Mary Sawyer has been rescuing dogs for more than 30 years and currently has six dogs, each about 35 pounds and up, in her home. “That’s sort of how I got started in grooming,” Sawyer said. “I always wanted to become a groomer when I got close to retirement or retired.” Sawyer is a retired nurse who started training with a master groomer in Dallas about eight years ago while she still worked as a nurse. She purchased her grooming van about three years ago and has taken on mobile | CONT. ON PG. 22

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Groom n Dogs owner Mary Sawyer with client Odie in her mobile dog grooming van.

“I chose to go mobile because I wanted to be able to assist with older dogs. I wanted to help people who were having a difficult time getting them in the car or older people who might not be able to get out as much.” Mary Sawyer March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Kimberly Adams of Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too.

| CONT. FROM PG. 20

grooming full time. “I chose to go mobile because I wanted to be able to assist with older dogs,” Sawyer said. “I wanted to help people who were having a difficult time getting them in the car or older people who might not be able to get out as much.” She noted that she has a hydraulic lift for her grooming table and tub so it is easily accessible for dogs of all sizes. Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too owner Kimberly Adams got her start working at a veterinarian’s office when she was in college at Stephen F. Austin State University. “I would groom there and we had kennel dogs,” Adams said. “When I had my kids, I was trying to figure out something that I could do that would let me be | CONT. ON PG. 26 22

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Devon Tharpe spends her morning grooming a dog named Bandit at Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too.

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Groom n Dogs owner Mary Sawyer with her mobile grooming van in Tyler.

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Groom n Dogs owner Mary Sawyer has been rescuing dogs for more than 30 years and currently has six dogs, each about 35 pounds and up, in her home.

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with my children to go to their events.” After a bad experience boarding her own dog, she started thinking about what she could do to make sure animals are loved and cared for when boarded. “What could I do to provide a place for people to bring their dogs and not worry about them and be able to travel and do things that they want to do,” Adams said. Doggie Doos began in Adams’ backyard, in a structure the size of a two-car garage. “That’s where I started and I did everything myself from boarding to grooming to daycare,” she said. She remained in her backyard for two years, but as the business grew she knew she needed to make a change. In 2010, she built her current location at 2556 Alpine Road in Longview. Doggie Doos offers full-service grooming, with price depending on the size of the dog and the level of grooming needed. It also offers monthly memberships for weekly baths and grooming. Adams and her team also offer overnight boarding and extended boarding, as well as day care for dogs and cats. “I thrive on providing a safe, healthy, clean environment where people are comfortable leaving their dogs,” Adams said. “We don’t charge extra for belly rubs or play time or brushing teeth. Everyone gets treated the same.” Meanwhile, for Sawyer, the mobile groomer format served her well when the COVID-19 pandemic began to shut down businesses. “I’ve been busy,” Sawyer said. “They’ve allowed me to continue to work because I don’t have to be around people as much.” Groom n Dogs has regular clients Sawyer serves weekly, every two weeks or once per month as well as a waiting list. She said there are days when she has as many as six grooming appointments in a day in Tyler and the surrounding area. Caring for the animals is Sawyer’s top priority. “I feel like it makes them feel better to have a bath and get pampered just like we do,” Sawyer said. “Sometimes an owner might not notice something that might be odd or off so sometimes we catch something that needs to be looked at by the vet, especially with the older dogs.” Adams and Sawyer each post photos of groomed dogs on their businesses’ Facebook pages. “Sometimes they make funny faces,” Sawyer said, laughing. “I try to take a picture of the dogs after grooming each one and try to have a toy or something to get their attention.” “I love them,” Adams said. “And I love our customers.” 26

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Zodie Driggers, 19, spends her morning playing with a group of dogs at Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too.

“I thrive on providing a safe, healthy, clean environment where people are comfortable leaving their dogs. We don’t charge extra for belly rubs or play time or brushing teeth. Everyone gets treated the same.” Kimberly Adams

Devon Tharpe grooms a dog named Bandit at Doggie Doos and Stay Here Too.

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NE SI BU

W a n W d O

in x

LONGVIEW

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

For the memories, not the money

Evan’s World Travel CEO in the business to help people have their best vacations S T O RY B Y K R I S T E N B A RT O N P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S

very year at Christmas, Wanda Minx and her daughter Chelsea pull out ornaments that are souvenirs from the many trips they have taken together and reminisce on their travels. “Taking my daughter on these trips is very memorable,” Minx said. “She doesn’t remember gifts for birthdays or Christmas; I would try to give her every year or every other year a gift of travel. She doesn’t remember the iPhones, the iPads, whatever but she remembers those trips.” Giving people memories like that is why the Evan’s World Travel CEO got into the travel agency business, because “it’s just about people.” Anyone can use the internet to book a trip, Minx said, but why would you when an agency in Longview can book everything for you without charging additional fees? People might think they can book a trip online for cheaper, but Minx said she can price match it. “I just don’t see why people do it on the internet,” she said. “I can see looking for what you want but if you don’t know the location, wouldn’t you want to reach out to somebody who’s been there?” Minx started working for Evan’s World Travel in Longview 14 years ago after she decided to return to Longview from Dallas, where she was working as an account executive. She bought the company in 2012. Since then, she has learned how to manage and run the company, which took about a year just to learn all the new paperwork, she said. She also survived cancer. “I had cancer three years ago,” she said. “Obviously I’m OK, but I was lucky because I had stage 4 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in my femur. I thought for sure they were going to chop my leg off. After about six months back-and-forth to Dallas for treatment, I’m in remission.” Before coming to Evan’s World Travel, Minx said

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she was not sure she even wanted to be a travel agent. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” Minx said. “I either wanted to be a blackjack dealer or a travel agent, I don’t know why.” Minx said her family trips growing up were piling in the station wagon to go to the lake. She wanted to give her daughter more. That desire led her to choose the travel agent path. “I wanted her to start experiencing travel, and that’s how I started,” she said. “I just started working part-time, and then I went full-time and then they wanted to sell the company.” As a travel agent, Minx and her colleagues book anything and everything needed for a vacation from the travel to the stay to experiences while there. They also fill out all paperwork which is especially helpful if traveling out of the country, she said. Evan’s World Travel does not charge customers a fee. Instead, the company is paid a percentage from the vendors used. Minx said other travel agents charge clients, and while COVID-19 hurt her business, she is determined not to charge clients. “We’ve been very lucky to keep our doors open because we have not had any income since April,” she said. “Maybe $40,000, and I do that in sales in January by myself. I’ve had to use my retirement to keep the doors open. But I’m just not going to shut down. I’ve put blood, sweat and tears into this place. There’s no way I’m going to shut it down.” COVID-19 also has led to more paperwork the agents have to fill out, which often leads to bringing work home late. For Minx, the financial hardships and little pay are worth it just for the clients to have a good trip, she said. “We do it for enjoyment, we sure as heck don’t do it for the money,” Minx said. “When you get

letters here and there that people have sent us and say it was the best vacation ever when we do family travel, that’s the best part. Getting feedback from them or little notes just makes me extremely happy.” When someone comes in to book a trip, Minx said she and the other agents start by getting to know the client so they can give them exactly what they’re looking for. “First, we have to qualify you on exactly what is going to fit you best,” she said. “We have to assess information from you like if you want adults only, all-inclusive, if you’re bringing your family, how old are the kids, are the kids boys or girls, all just to choose the best property. You’re not going to get that online; you’ll just say I want to go to Mexico, and they’ll send you someplace.”

The agency has employees who are experts in certain areas such as Europe, cruises, guided tours and Disney parks to help clients meet specific travel needs. Minx’s specialty is Mexico. “I have fallen in love with Mexico,” she said. “That’s just where I go.” When all of that work leads to a client having a great trip, it is worth the hard work. That satisfaction is why she encourages other women considering going into business to take the leap. “It’s a major step, and I was 50 when I bought the company so it was later in life for me to start it,” she said. “It’s just hard work but if you have the perseverance to do it, you can do anything you want to — anything. If you fail, get back up and try again.”

People might think they can book a trip online for cheaper, but Wanda Minx said she can price match it. . . . “I just don’t see why people do it on the internet. I can see looking for what you want but if you don’t know the location, wouldn’t you want to reach out to somebody who’s been there?” Wanda Minx March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Ke W l l OM y EN B IN r a BU d SI NE y

TYLER

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

You can’t call the internet when you’re traveling

Grandmother’s stories of ‘magical places’ inspired Kelly Brady to become a travel agent S T O RY B Y A N N T O I N E T T E M O O R E P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y K E L LY B R A D Y

desire for adventure and an eagerness to learn spurred Kelly Brady to choose a career as a travel agent. “Did I choose travel, or did travel choose me? I’ve never been sure … I have always loved adventure, meeting new people and trying new things,” she said. As a small child, Brady was inspired by her “amazing grandmother” Thelma Musslewhite, who taught history and geography in the Omen school district until it consolidated with the Arp district in 1947. “I was the youngest of five grandkids. While they were at school, I stayed with her. We would both enjoy looking at her world globe and maps,” said Brady, who grew up in Arp. “I was intrigued with the stories and history she told about these magical places, which led to my determination to work in the travel industry. It is easy to fall in love with the beauty and history of a culture that is different from your own,” she continued. Brady graduated from Arp High School, moved to Dallas and worked in property management. There she discovered the American Airlines Travel Academy. After graduating in 1993, she joined American’s reservations division. As an employee, Brady used her discounts to see different parts of the world. She moved back to East Texas and worked at Carlson Wagonlit, a Tyler travel agency. “Mark Bedgood, Vicky Taylor and Velma Tollison were the owners and managers. They helped shape me into a full-service travel adviser,” Brady said.

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Taylor “took me under her wing,” she said. “(They) trained me about leisure travel, sent me on trips to learn how cruises work and taught me what I didn’t learn in school.” In April 2015, Brady started her own company, 5 Star Escapes, and became an independent contractor. She chose Altour as her host agency because of managing director Randal Limbacher’s “commitment and passion for East Texas,” she said. Altour “gives me power in the industry to help serve my clients with buying power and discounts,” she said of the international travel firm. Despite 28 years in the turbulent industry, Brady’s passion for giving her customers “life-enriching experiences” remains. “I love to craft destination trips and bucket-list adventures, as well as all types of cruises, including lengthy flight itineraries, for all sorts of groups: honeymooners, multi-generational families, golden-agers, girl getaways, missionaries, etc. I book everything from airplane tickets to round-the-world tours,” she said. Brady saves her clients’ money by setting up each part of their trip separately. “I put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Instead of using one company, I do everything from the time they leave the house until they get home,” Brady said. “In the travel business these days, you really have to go the extra mile. It means late nights. I don’t stop until I build a trip for a client that I’m proud to put my name on.

“A travel adviser is your advocate when you’re traveling … If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is the value of a good travel adviser,” Brady added. When COVID-19 shut down airports and international travel, people were stranded. Some waited five or six hours on the phone trying to rebook their flights. “That’s what happens when you have thousands of people cancel all at once,” she said. Those who had booked through travel agents had help redoing their itineraries. “We worked tirelessly to get money back for our clients — out of pure professionalism and because we care about our clients,” she said, noting that agents “don’t get paid if people don’t travel.” Brady suggested that would-be travelers develop a relationship with an agent because, “During travel, stuff happens.” When asked about booking trips through websites or apps, she said, “You can’t call the internet when you’re traveling.”

The pandemic has also shown travel agents which companies are strong, have values and will help resolve problems. “Travel is (agents’) expertise. They research information for you. They have destination knowledge. … There is no way you can buy that,” she said. Brady is a certified travel advisor and destination specialist and a member of the American Society of Travel Agents. Her clients, who live all over the world, travel to Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe, French Polynesia and throughout the United States. “They let me share a small part of their lives that will create precious memories and fulfill their dreams. They trust me with their most precious assets, their valuable time and their family,” Brady said. “I love the business, I love people. I have the best clients ever,” she continued. “I feel that I make a difference in their lives. Life will happen, but they will have me to call.”

“I love to craft destination trips and bucket-list adventures, as well as all types of cruises, including lengthy flight itineraries, for all sorts of groups: honeymooners, multi-generational families, golden-agers, girl getaways, missionaries, etc. I book everything from airplane tickets to round-the-world tours.” Kelly Brady March/April 2021 | etxview.com

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Realtor Julie Woods of Hooray for Heroes and Chief Mike Bishop of the Longview Police Department. 38

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Hooray for Heroes Longview, Kilgore Realtor starts program to support first responders S T O RY B Y C H R I S T I N A C AVA Z O S P H O T O S B Y M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S

ulie Woods remembers being a young girl, growing up in Kilgore and participating in a patriotic parade in her neighborhood that her dad organized. “We all decorated our bikes and our ride-on toys and we had a big community patriotic parade,” she recalled. “That’s been something that’s been sentimental to me.” In 2020, Woods’ life came full circle as she organized and led a drive-by parade, called Hooray for Heroes, to show support for Longview’s first responders. What started as a simple parade has turned into a community-wide effort in both Longview and Kilgore to show appreciation to first responders all year long. With Adopt A Cop programs and Adopt A Fire Station programs, Longview Police Chief Mike Bishop said first responders are feeling the community’s love and support more than ever. “It’s meant a great deal to us because it’s a difficult time for officers, not only here but across the country. It just helps our officers to understand that we have a community that supports us and it helps with the morale of the officers,” Bishop said. “It’s impor-

tant for them to know that while we see what’s going on across the country, we have a community here that supports us.” And it all started with Woods, who continues to lead and oversee the efforts. Woods’ efforts began in the summer when racial unrest and distrust toward police were high across the nation. Demonstrations across the country, including

all of us had to suffer because of one person’s actions,” Woods said. Then, in mid-June, a video went viral, showing a handful of Black men taunting and verbally threatening Longview police officers as they were conducting a traffic stop. “You could see just how full of integrity our officers were when people were yelling in their

“It’s meant a great deal to us because it’s a difficult time for officers, not only here but across the country. It just helps our officers to understand that we have a community that supports us and it helps with the morale of the officers.”

Longview Police Chief Mike Bishop some in Longview, started after a white police officer in Minnesota killed a Black man as he was arresting him. The incident prompted people to protest for racial justice. In Longview, Woods thought about officers here with whom she is friends. She said she knows her friends are not racist and would not treat people that way. “I thought how discouraged I would feel if my industry were being singled out like that and if there was one bad person and

faces,” Woods recalled. At the same time, she also thought about Longview’s firefighters who visited nursing homes to administer COVID-19 tests, performing a duty for which they never signed up. “I thought how discouraged they must be ... and I wondered how we could do something to show them appreciation,” Woods recalled. “Of course, everyone does a meal but I wanted to do something more impactful that | CONT. ON PG. 40 March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Julie Woods speaks during the Hooray for Heroes drive-thru parade honoring the Longview Police and Fire Departments at Longview City Hall.

| CONT. FROM PG. 39

would involve more people.” Woods noticed the reverse birthday parades being held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and also recalled her father’s patriotic parade. “I thought, what if we did 40

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something like that for the police and firemen,” she said. Woods contacted Bishop and Longview Fire Chief J.P. Steelman. The two men were overcome by her request to hold a parade for first responders. Woods planned for the parade

to be held at Longview City Hall, and the Longview Public Library joined with her to help decorate cars. She collected items to help decorate the vehicles and more businesses came on board to donate items to the first responders directly. For example, Copper

Tree Retreat gave each officer a free massage and facial. To help ensure the parade’s success, Woods contacted a handful of friends including a couple of Jeep clubs and Bikers Against Child Abuse. “My goal was to have 50 or 60

cars there. I would have considered that a win,” she said. Between 450 and 500 cars attended the event. When Woods arrived at City Hall around 4:15 p.m. July 1 for the 5:30 p.m. parade, the parking lot was already full.

“It was so fun and so meaningful to our officers,” she said. Bishop said the parade and community’s support meant a lot to Longview’s police officers, especially at the time. “It couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said. Following the parade, so many people had wanted to donate so many things for the first responders that Woods came up with another idea. “We came up with this idea of Adopt a Cop, where you can adopt your own police officer and take them goodies,” she said. She created a website, called hoorayforheroeslongview. com, in which people could sign up to adopt an officer. Since it began a few months ago, all 180 Longview Police officers have been adopted. The volunteers who adopt them, connect with them quarterly. People who adopt an officer are asked to pray for their officer, send them a handwritten note and drop off a gift, if they can, once a quarter. “To see the look on the officer’s face when they come in to pick up with the gifts that are left for them, it leaves them with a good feeling,” Bishop said. For example, one officer enjoys beef jerky, so the person who adopted him signed him up for a beef jerky of the month club, Woods said. Some people have adopted multiple officers. Pine Tree Middle School has adopted about 14 officers, Woods said, and the school’s Student Council comes up with ideas to honor their officers monthly. | CONT. ON PG. 42 March/April 2021 | etxview.com

The Hooray for Heroes drive-thru parade honoring the Longview Police and Fire Departments at Longview City Hall.

| CONT. FROM PG. 41

“You can do as much or as little as you want; we just ask people to try to do something quarterly,” she said. “Our main message is to say, ‘We see you. We notice you. We appreciate you.’” After the success with the police department, Woods expanded the effort to the Longview Fire Department by creating an Adopt A Fire Station program on the Hooray for Heroes Longview website. The city of Longview has eight fire stations. Each fire station has three shifts, an A shift, a B shift and a C shift. Woods’ goal 42

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was for each shift at each station to be sponsored, and for the volunteers who adopt them to take them large baskets of food and treats once a quarter. “Every single shift has been sponsored,” she said. Then, the movement spread to Kilgore, her hometown. Woods established a Kilgore website, called hoorayforheroeskilgore. com, for people to adopt a police officer or a shift at a fire station. “All of their officers have been adopted as well and all of their fire stations have been sponsored,” Woods said. This year, Woods plans for the

Hooray for Heroes parade to be held in both Longview and Kilgore, and she’d like to see people parade between the two cities to show support to first responders in both communities. She’s hoping to see the movement continue to grow and spread as well. She’s been contacted by people as far away as Alabama and Arkansas and as near as White Oak and Hallsville about how to start similar programs. “I’m hopeful it will spread,” she said. “I just want to see more positivity in the world.”

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TRAVEL

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F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

THE at at

LAKE TYLER

S T O RY B Y TA M I B R O O K S S TOOTRY HO GE RA HY SS PH O S& PP R OTVOI D DP B Y BTYHTA EM BIOBURLODOEKR March/April 2021 | etxview.com

THE BOULDERS at LAKE TYLER

Getaway in the

great outdoors

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emperatures are warming, and spring is the perfect time in East Texas to plan a getaway in the great outdoors. The Boulders at Lake Tyler offers a family friendly way to reconnect with nature. The terms campground or RV park don’t adequately describe The Boulders, which offers everything from primitive campsites to waterfront cabins. The 200-acre property, which was previously known as Chapman Park, has been a local fishing spot since the 1940s. Over the years, the park fell into disrepair. Contractor Paul Taylor arrived on the scene in 2014 to help with some tile work after a local businessman leased the property. There were only a bait shop and

a fishing barge at that time, both in need of improvement. As the tiling job drew to completion, the pair found they shared a similar vision for the property. Taylor accepted a permanent position as the facility manager and remains in that role today. Improvements began immediately to the bait shop and the fishing barge once known as Fitz and Opal’s Barge. Brush was cleared and concrete was poured. “I started mixing concrete and pouring pads (for RV sites) four at a time,” Taylor said. “That was October 2015. We were sold out for Memorial Day weekend in 2016.” Today, there are close to 60 RV sites, all with | CONT. ON PG. 53

Stay for the day, a weekend or longer. Swim boat, hike, fish and picnic your way to the perfect vacay.

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

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Guests can shoot pool, play cornhole, or enjoy the views and massive fireplace inside — provided the building hasn’t been rented for a special event. Weekends find food trucks lining the drive. Delightful hand-painted murals are scattered throughout the common area — many depict postcards from the 1940s and 1950s. 50

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THE BOULDERS at LAKE TYLER F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

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| CONT. FROM PG. 47

concrete pads, picnic tables and fire rings along with primitive sites for tent camping. Don’t want to rough it? Try one of the four cabins. Each lake-front unit comes fully-equipped with linens, cookware and dishes and sleeps six. Enjoy cool evenings or catch a sunrise on the covered deck. “Something we’re really excited about is glamping,” Taylor noted as he reached for the pencil behind his ear and began sketching a diagram on the side of a large cardboard box. The box contains one of the 10 safari-style canvas tents that will be installed on raised platforms. Each furnished unit will be heated and cooled and feature a front deck. Glampers can enjoy star-gazing at secluded lake-front spots amid the tall pines. “They’ll be available this summer — maybe even earlier,” Taylor added. The retro-themed common area features the bait

shop, a bathhouse with laundry facilities, and a large event center. Guests can shoot pool, play cornhole, or enjoy the views and massive fireplace inside — provided the building hasn’t been rented for a special event. Weekends find food trucks lining the drive. Delightful hand-painted murals are scattered throughout the common area — many depict postcards from the 1940s and 1950s. Brightly colored, vintage neon signs mark each building and add to the retro feel. All are a nod to the park’s origins in 1948. If relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness of nature isn’t enough, there’s plenty to do. Fish from the barge or your own boat. Take a hike or rent a kayak. Try paddleboarding or a paddleboard yoga class. Stay for the day, a weekend or longer. Swim, boat, hike, fish and picnic your way to the perfect vacay.

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y

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MARTIN DIES JR. STATE PARK OFFERS RICH WILDLIFE, TRAILS SYSTEM S T O RY A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y A N N B U S H

s soon as the glob of swamp mud dropped squarely on my head, visions of a possible disaster came to mind. Luckily I was wearing a baseball cap and felt no need to stop struggling to move my stuck kayak through the murky water. My campsite is just a few yards from this lily and cypress tree crowded bayou, and it seemed a reasonable idea to slide into the water near my camper’s backdoor. Driving a few miles to a dock seemed ridiculous, but now I am beginning to wonder. With one more grunt induced push with my paddle, the mud releases its grip and I slide silently through hanging moss toward a graceful egret watching me intently. I dip my cap into the water returning the mud to the catfish as the egret gives me the “crazy tourist” look. We are both at the northern edge of the Big Thicket National Preserve at Martin Dies Jr. State Park where two rivers meet forming one of the best paddling parks in Texas. The Neches and Angelina rivers create a wild and diverse habitat uninterrupted by development making paddling a wildlife frenzy float. This is my third trip to this park. I always go in October to catch the golden cypress trees at their peak during their autumn recital. Lake Steinhagen anchors the recreational area where three paddling trails meander around and through the park. Estimated time to complete each trail ranges from one to three hours long; however, the paddle time really depends on how many photo breaks are taken or slowing down to admire the beauty of the scene. During one trip a few years ago, a large group of us packed lunches and stopped in the middle of a small inlet, tied our kayaks and canoes to a tree, | CONT. ON PG. 56

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SOME FACTS THE PARK IS NAMED AFTER former Sen. Martin Dies Jr., who also served as the Texas Secretary of State. In the 1970s he served as chief justice of the Ninth Court of Appeals. Throughout his career, he worked to improve the Texas park system. Growing up in Jasper, the nearest town to the park, he spent much time exploring the area. ARCHEOLOGICAL FINDS PROVE that Caddo natives lived in the area for several thousands of years. Mainly farmers raising corn, squash, beans and tobacco, the river habitat was crucial to supplementing their diet with berries, fish, fowl and small mammals. The Caddos were forced out of Texas into Oklahoma during early settlement expansion. March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 54 and never stepped on land as we passed around food, drinks and chocolate treats meant for Halloween. Kayaks and canoes can be rented at the park in normal circumstances. Boat launches are available at various locations throughout the park.

HIKING & BIKING TRAILS

With more than seven miles of land trails, the park is an impressive discovery between exploring water paths. The Island Trail is the easiest and shortest, circling one of the islands for picturesque vistas of the lake. The Slough Trail has 16 bridges over streams formed from a swollen lake after a rain, all made of natural materials and a popular selfie setting. The Forest and Wildlife trails take you deep into a leaf wonderland. Southern magnolia trees are extremely large in the park, many so old they are twisted and hollow but hang on to life with all their strength. Many trees lean seeking sunlight in this dense diverse forest. The mixed forest of loblolly, longleaf and shortleaf pines, oaks, evergreens, maples and sweet gum trees mingle with shorter under story plants such as wax myrtles, yaupon holly and beautyberry bushes, resulting in a visually pleasing walk through a textured landscape.

WILDLIFE

Abundant in this forest infused wetland, wildlife include deer, raccoons, opossums, armadillos and the rarely seen bobcat. The nine-banded armadillo is native to South America but today ranges as far north as Kansas. This designated Texas State Small Mammal is skilled at digging for grubs and creates deep burrows for the birth of their young. Armadillos always have identical quadruplets. All will be the same sex because they share the same placenta in the womb. The Virginia Opossum is the oldest and most primitive mammal of the New World, often referred to as “living fossils” because they have survived relatively unchanged for 50 million years. Only this species lives in Texas, but is rarely spotted since they are nocturnal and solitary creatures. They’re not picky about their diet and eat plants or small animals, such as rats, and are considered a bonus if found in cities. The young are the size of bumblebees when born and carried in their mother’s pouch for about seven weeks, much like kangaroos. Bobcats in Texas are medium-sized, reddish brown or grayish in color and are found in all parts of the state. Small tufts at the tip of their ears give them a fashion sense, | CONT. ON PG. 58 56

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IF YOU GO: The 1,300-acre park is divided into two sections, separated by an inland waterway. The Walnut Ridge Unit and the Hen House Ridge Unit have campsites ranging from tent camping with only water provided to large RV sites complete with 50 amp electricity. Fishing is allowed along several small fishing piers and along the banks of campgrounds. More information can be found at www.tpwd.texas.gov. | CONT. FROM PG. 56 complementing long fur on the sides of their head. They have short tails, long legs, perfect for sprinting over a forest floor and large feet for climbing up rocky canyon walls. These reclusive wild cats are mainly active at night or early sundown when they hunt. They choose dense thickets for den sites. The American alligator lives in all bodies of water in the park and often stretch out along the banks warming their bodies. If their mouth is open, they are cooling themselves because alligators do not pant or sweat. Alligators can swim up to 35 mph in water but only move 20 mph on land. Outrunning an alligator is not difficult, but if they catch you their jaw strength is 2,125 pounds per square inch, enough to bite through steel. Their hunting tactics include never letting go and dragging their victim to the bottom of the river to drown. The good news — it has never happened in the park, but I don’t want to be the first so I keep a steady scan for floating eyes watching me. Many species of snakes live in the park, but most are non-venomous. Turtles, salamanders and frogs of all kinds thrive in this watery world and are often found sunbathing on logs or lily leaves. Fourteen different bat species make Martin Dies their home, helping to reduce the mosquito population. 58

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I come for the birds. At every kayak turn there are shore birds such as herons, egrets and anhingas. Along forest trails the superstars include the amazing pileated woodpecker and bald eagles. One of the most interesting creatures, a small insect called a mayfly, only appears in May. They breed underwater but hatch on the surface, swarming in a frenzy to feed. They can be a little annoying but do not bite. Their existence proves that the water is clean and healthy, which is so important to the survival of many animals. Mayflies are at the bottom of the food chain and feasted upon by many animals. Watching birds fly through the air catching these

busy little mayflies in mid-flight is an amazing sight. Search for certain trees the flies prefer to roost on and watch other animals gravitate to the tree for a tasty snack. The squirrels are the most hilarious as they try to catch as many flies as possible and shove them quickly in their mouth before they escape. Other activities in the park include swimming, stargazing, volleyball and fishing. Perfect for a weekend getaway, a family concerned about social distancing in this pandemic era of our lives can share a journey through history, a quiet woods and a floating zoo bursting with life.

ALLIGATOR SAFETY NUISANCE ALLIGATORS are almost always created by park visitors. DO NOT FEED or harass alligators, even with fish bait. To do so is a violation of state park rules and a Class C misdemeanor that carries up to a $500 fine. KEEP 30 FEET or more away from alligators at all times, even in a kayak. If an alligator hisses, it’s a warning that you are too close. A FEMALE PROTECTING her nest may charge at you, but will quickly return to the nest after you leave. PETS ARE CONSIDERED prey and should never get close to or be allowed to harass an alligator. DO NOT attempt to move an alligator if you think it is hurt or injured. Call a park employee. March/April 2021 | etxview.com

S T O RY B Y TA M I B R O O K S P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y H I G H H I L L FA R M

HIGH HILL FARM The perfect getaway for East Texans right in their own backyard

he sun shined brilliantly against a bluebird sky as I navigated along a two-lane highway toward High Hill Farm, tucked away in the Piney Woods off County Road 217. The GPS chirped to life, instructing me to take a left and then announcing that I had arrived at my destination. Once inside, I was greeted warmly by Sharon Romano. She and her husband, Jason Romano, are the proprietors and visionaries of the property. My tour

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began with a brief history of High Hill Farm as I followed Sharon down a hall with walls that are filled with the work of local artists, offering pops of color against the understated color scheme and polished concrete floors. “My daughter competed in dressage, and the first time we came to East Texas, I fell in love,” Sharon said. Dressage is a horse riding competition. The couple lived in Dallas at that time. | CONT. ON PG. 63

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“We’re about escape and relaxation, laid-back luxury. You can do as much as you want to, or as little as you want to.” Sharon & Jason Romano 62

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| CONT. FROM PG. 60 “I just love it out here, the hills, the pines — it’s so green,” Sharon said. The couple began searching for land and bought the property in 2012, not certain at first what they would do with it. “We thought about it and started thinking about travel and things we liked to do to escape. We had younger kids at the time and didn’t have a quick escape,” Sharon said. Avid travelers, the pair drew inspiration from places they had visited, specifically the California wine country and the Florida panhandle. Sharon remembered, “We just started talking to friends and thought, we could do that.” Our tour stopped at Napoleon Bar, a nod to Jason’s hometown, New Orleans, and one of the couple’s favorite watering holes. Next door sits Côte, the 48-seat restaurant where chef Ryan Dove creates delectable dishes such as Seared Seabass with a Passion Fruit Gastrique and Coconut Rice and Seared Magret Duck Breast with Cabernet Demi-Glace. Locally sourced goods are used when available — some of the produce comes from the on-site garden. The pool is set in the manicured lawn overlooking the vineyard. Chaise lounges beg for a good book and a fluffy towel to while away an afternoon. Every inch of the property is understated elegance. I can easily see myself sipping a glass of wine and catching a sunset in front of a crackling fire in the stone fireplace

under a lovely wooden pergola. High Hill Farm has several accommodation options. The sherbetcolored bungalows, each named for something significant in the Romanos’ lives, offer luxurious linens, enormous walk-in showers, sumptuous robes and slippers, and, my favorite, a private outdoor patio. The larger four-bedroom unit, Gatsby, comes complete with a fire pit. While the focus of High Hill Farm is relaxation and rejuvenation, there is plenty to do. “We’re not really activity-driven. We offer skeet shooting, and, of course, we have the pool. There are trails all over the property to explore, bocce ball, and lawn games. You can always book a massage.” Sharon noted. “We’re about escape and relaxation, laid-back luxury. You can do as much as you want to, or as little as you want to.” High Hill Farm is the perfect getaway for East Texans right in their own backyard. Luxurious hotel beds round out a day of relaxation, with a continental breakfast and perhaps a pitcher of mimosa to start the morning. “A shorter drive means when you get here, you’re already on vacation as you come through the gate — not tired out from a long trip,” Sharon said. “You feel like you’ve totally gotten away even while remaining close to home.” High Hill Farm is located at 12626 CR 217 in Arp. For information, visit highhillfarm.com.

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BEAUTY

Stuck at home during a pandemic?

Perfect time for a

HOME SPA DAY S T O RY B Y A M Y M C H A N E Y

t is hard to believe we are entering year two of a global pandemic. All the catchy PSAs — like “Alone Together” — do not make me feel better about the situation. You know what WOULD make me feel better? A spa day. Now I know that going to a spa to be in close contact with a bevy of massage therapists and aestheticians might make one nervous in today’s environment, but I am here to help. You can put together your very own spa day — in your own home — without making contact with anyone. All of the retailers referenced below offer curbside pickup, or in the case of Amazon, home delivery. First of all, your surroundings. It’s easy to add a few touches to make your bathroom a little bit “zen.” I received the InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser for Christmas this year ($15.99, Amazon.com). It’s compact, modern design is a fun addition to my home spa routine, and it has a groovy mood light that changes color. I also received the Pursonic 100% Pure Essential Oils Gift Set Six Pack ($9.99, Amazon.com) to go along with my diffuser. The lavender-scented essential oil takes me to an authentic spa setting in my mind.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Another mood-enhancing accessory is candles. Inexpensive votives lighted as a group can provide soothing ambiance in any space. Even better are candles in a favorite scent. I especially love Tyler Candle Co. candles. My favorite is French Market; their 3 oz. candles are an affordable luxury and boast a 20-25 hour burn time when enjoyed in 1-2 hour increments ($7, Louis Morgan No. 4). Once your surroundings are “zen,” start your at-home relaxation routine with a soak in the tub. I found Winton and Waits Salt Soak in Himalayan Citrus to be divine, and I love the single use packets that are both budget-friendly and convenient ($3.99, Barron’s). Give yourself a good scrub with Baudelaire Loofa Mint Soap ($5, Louis Morgan No. 4). This soap contains bits of French seaweed which exfoliates your skin. After you’ve relaxed your bod, it’s time to focus on hands and face. Now I would love nothing more than to spend the ENTIRE day lolling in my homemade spa, but I have four school age children and a mountain of laundry | CONT. ON PG. 66

InnoGear Essential Oil Diffuser $15.99 Amazon.com

Julep Night Shift Deep Sleep Facial Mask $16 Target

Tyler Candle Co. Candles $7 Louis Morgan No. 4

Beekman 1802 Hand Salve in Honeyed Grapefruit $20 Barron’s

CND Vinylux Weekly Polish in Negligee ($10.50, Ulta); CND Stickey Base Coat and CND Top Coat ($8.50, Ulta).

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Pursonic 100% Pure Essential Oils Gift Set Six Pack $9.99 Amazon.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 64 beckoning to me at all times. Good news — many of my recommendations can be done simultaneously if you are short on time. I found two facial treatments that are effective AND look cool. First, I tried the e.l.f Charcoal Hydrogel Under Eye Masks ($8 for three sets, Target). These gel eye patches claim to detox, plump and soothe the under eye area with soybean seed, green tea and lavender extracts. I found them soothing, and my boys thought the shiny black patches made me look like a football player. I do think they helped reduce my crows feet, which is always welcome. Apply and leave them on for 30 minutes while doing other treatments (or laundry). I also tried the e.l.f. Pore Clearing Glitter PeelOff Mask ($8.00, Target). Try this one for the cool factor, not the online reviews, which are mixed. This is a charcoal mask, so it is black and shiny — and also embedded with iridescent glitter – really shimmery and pretty for spa selfies. The charcoal, witch hazel and lavender elements are meant to be pore refining. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then peel off. Like other peel off masks I have tried, this one does not peel off completely or cleanly, so plan to wash your face afterward. If peel off masks are not your thing, I am absolutely in love with the Farmhouse Fresh Quick Recovery Face Mask Sampler ($25, Ellie Bee’s). This sampler offers three small jars of their popular masks: Guac Star Avocado Mask for hydration, Splendid Dirt Organic Pumpkin Mud Mask for radiance and Pudding Apeel Tapioca Glycolic Mask for exfoliation. The jars are small, but I can easily get 3 uses out of each one. These masks are oh-sosmooth to apply; they feel luxurious. Be warned, though, the pumpkin tingles; if you have sensitive skin you might want to test first before applying to your whole face. A final mask recommendation if you are truly pressed for time but want to squeeze a little pam-

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

pering into your life — try the Julep Night Shift Deep Sleep Facial Mask ($16, Target). I had never used a night mask before trying this one, but boy have I been missing out. This cream mask is meant to be applied after your normal nighttime moisturization routine — it locks in moisture while you are sawing logs — then rinsed off in the morning. My skin feels velvety-smooth after using, not at all greasy. This mask is a winner for me. You can focus on your fingers while masked up. Assuming you treated your hands to a good soak while in the tub, start with Beekman 1802 Hand Salve in Honeyed Grapefruit ($20, Barron’s). This salve has a thick and creamy texture that’s not greasy and smells heavenly. Next condition your cuticles and nails with Beekman 1802 Pure Goat Milk Cuticle Serum ($20, Barron’s). The doe foot cushion applicator makes the oil easy to apply. Let the product soak in gradually, or massage in with your fingertips. Pro tip: Barron’s offers a Beekman 1802 package that includes the hand salve and cuticle serum as well as a tube of Beekman 1802 Hand Cream in Honeyed Grapefruit for $30 vs. the retail value of $55 if purchased individually. For a clean, polished look try CND Vinylux Weekly Polish in Negligee ($10.50, Ulta) — a tinted, sheer blush hue that looks great on all skin tones. This polish truly lasts a week when paired with the CND Stickey Base Coat and CND Top Coat ($8.50, Ulta). I polished my nails after the cuticle serum soaked in, without using any alcohol or polish remover in between, and the polish still lasted like a champ; a miracle considering how hard I am on my fingernails. I hope you are able to try a few of these ideas to relax, refresh and keep you going as we continue to navigate our unusual circumstances; I know we could all use a break! Fingers crossed we see improvement in our pandemic lifestyle when we meet again!

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FASHION

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Jet Set

Style S T O RY B Y C H R I S T I N A C AVA Z O S PHOTOS BY LES HASSELL

Travel is one of life’s greatest luxuries and looking stylish while you’re traveling makes it even more memorable. | CONT. ON PG. 71

FASHION PRESENTED BY

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

KRS Jet Center. Chelsee Dorgan, left, general manager of Bubba’s 33 in Longview, wears a black bodysuit, $36, Kan Kan flare jeans, $46, boots, $50, vest, $32, stacked bracelets, $20, and black earrings, $25, all from ASH Boutique. Ally Honeycutt, owner of ASH Boutique, wears a white lace bodysuit, $38, Kan Kan flare jeans, $46, white chunky boots, $50, gold hoop earrings, $20, double layer chain gold necklace, $35, gold braided ring, $15, gold bracelets, $20, and a Gucci-inspired belt, $25, all from ASH Boutique. Honeycutt’s hair is styled by Tessa Graham at Poppy Salon. Corkcicle ice bucket, $74.95, from Hurwitz of Longview. Corkcicle 8-ounce champagne flutes, $19.95 each, from Hurwitz of Longview.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 69

Fashion icon Victoria Beckham once declared, “The airport is my runway.” Whether dressing up in the trendiest athleisure-wear or braving an airport terminal in your highest heels, you can look effortlessly chic throughout your journey. One of Longview’s newest shops, ASH Boutique, offers trendy, beautiful clothing that will have you jetsetting to your next destination in style. ASH Boutique is located at 101 W. Hawkins Parkway, Suite 3, in Longview. Boutique owner Ally Honeycutt modeled clothing with her friend Chelsee Dorgan, general manager of Bubba’s 33 in Longview. Hurwitz of Longview generously provided bags, clutches and other accessories that would help anyone travel in style. Meanwhile, the beautiful KRS Jet Center, located at the East Texas Regional Airport, served as the perfect backdrop for this photo shoot. Thank you to ASH Boutique and Hurwitz of Longview for generously providing clothing and accessories. Thank you to Honeycutt and Dorgan for modeling the latest trends, and an extra special thank you goes to Kim R. Smith, owner of KRS Jet Center, for graciously hosting this ETX View fashion shoot. FASHION PRESENTED BY

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

FASHION PRESENTED BY

Chelsee Dorgan, general manager of Bubba’s 33 in Longview, wears a grey fur jacket, $52, from ASH Boutique. Haute Shore wristlet pouch, from Hurwitz of Longview

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Corkcicle 8-ounce champagne flutes, $19.95 each, from Hurwitz of Longview

Chelsee Dorgan, general manager of Bubba’s 33 in Longview, wears a black bodysuit, $36, Kan Kan flare jeans, $46, vest, $32, stacked bracelets, $20, and black earrings, $25, all from ASH Boutique.

FASHION PRESENTED BY

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Ally Honeycutt, owner of ASH Boutique, wears a leopard jump suit, $36, white chunky boots, $50, Gucciinspired belt, $25, gold hoop earrings, $20, double layer chain gold necklace, $35, gold braided ring, $15, and gold bracelets, $20, all from ASH Boutique. Honeycutt’s hair is styled by Tessa Graham at Poppy Salon. March/April 2021 | etxview.com

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405 W LOOP 281, LONGVIEW, TX WWW.SHOPBARRONS.COM March/April 2021 | etxview.com

STORY BY CHRISTINA CAVAZOS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL & MICHAEL CAVAZOS

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

BURGERS TO EAT IN EAST TEXAS A

decent burger isn’t hard to find. Almost any restaurant that serves classic, American food will have at least a handful of tasty options. Finding an outstanding burger isn’t as simple. Many things make a burger special – the way the meat is pattied, the seasonings used, whether the buns are toasted or not. You can get a burger with almost any imaginable topping tailored to your palate. The freshness of those toppings can play a role in how the whole burger tastes. What ultimately makes a burger the best? It’s really a matter of exactly how satisfying it is. “I’m a burger fanatic and this is my favorite,” Chris Capps said as he ate a hamburger – better known as a “Bubba Burger” – at Fugler’s Grocery and Market in Marshall. “I don’t know what to say except that my belly loves it.” Fugler’s launched East Texas into the national burger spotlight when Marshall native George Foreman told Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” that Fugler’s “Bubba Burger” was the best hamburger he’d ever had. | CONT. ON PG. 82 March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 81 In fact, Foreman and his family continue to make trips to this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Marshall for a taste of their iconic burger. Pictures of the Foremans with the Fugler family adorn the walls in the combination grocery store, laundromat and hamburger restaurant. Not only did Fugler’s take a seat in the national spotlight, the restaurant also proved that the best burgers can come from anywhere, from a small-town favorite to the fanciest of restaurants, anyone can make an outstanding hamburger. We went on a search to find the best burgers in East Texas. Although the burgers on this list are special in their own ways, many of them have the same qualities you’d expect: a soft, toasted bun; juicy, hand-pattied beef seasoned and cooked to perfection; and fresh veggies often chopped daily in house.

FUGLER’S At George Foreman’s favorite burger joint, John “Bubba” Fugler Jr. serves hamburgers in the combined grocery store, restaurant and laundromat that his family has owned since 1940. Fugler’s serves one of the largest patties around at 12 ounces. Meat is ground in-house daily and patties are formed by hand. Buns are toasted on both sides and toppings are customized to whatever a person wants. “We make it exactly how you want it,” Fugler said. Stack the patties as high as you want for your ultimate burger experience. The record is currently a burger with six patties and 12 slices of cheese. Fugler’s is located at 10079 Texas 154 in Marshall.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER, HERE IS OUR BURGER BUCKET LIST OF 15 HAMBURGERS YOU HAVE TO TASTE ACROSS EAST TEXAS.

FAT BOYZZZ

For hearty portions of delicious down-home food, including one of the best burgers in Longview, look no further than Fat Boyzzz. Dwayne Alexander started his restaurant five years ago with a desire to bring home-cooked meals to South Longview. At the restaurant, everything is made from scratch including the hamburgers. Fat Boyzzz’ juicy hamburgers feature half-pound patties made with Angus beef and placed on a sourdough bun that’s toasted to perfection and topped with fresh cut veggies. “The meat, the way we season it, the bread, the fresh vegetables – it’s a combination of everything but it’s one of the best combinations around,” Alexander said. Try a double patty cheeseburger with all the toppings for an excellent experience. Fat Boyzzz is located at 607 N. Access Road in Longview, just off of I-20 at Estes Parkway.

KAMO’S KAJUN GRILL

One of the newest additions to the East Texas burger scene is arguably one of the best around, and it’s entirely the creation of 19-year-old Tylerite, Kameron Mitchell. Mitchell started up Kamo’s Kajun Grill toward the end of his senior year of high school, but he’s been cooking almost as long as he’s been walking. He wanted to use his finesse to offer a new type of burger to East Texas. Enter the Cajun burger. A special blend of seasonings gives Kamo’s patties a unique, Cajun flavor. Patties are flavorful and fluffy, veggies are fresh and buns are toasted. “Everything we put onto our burger or anything in our restaurant is farm to table. We use locally sourced ingredients that increase the quality of our food,” Mitchell said. Kamo’s Cut Beef Boudin Burger is a crowd pleaser. It’s a Cajun patty with toppings that include boudin all placed between two buns. Kamo’s is located at 16700 FM 2493 in Tyler.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

BUTCHER SHOP Since 1983, Butcher Shop has been serving up some of the most iconic hamburgers in Longview. “Our entire process starts with grinding our meat fresh daily. That takes a hamburger to the next level,” said Michael Ashdown, the restaurant’s director of operations and marketing. “We put our patties on freshly baked buns and allow the custom to choose their toppings at our fixins bar.” In addition to its traditional burgers, Butcher Shop also has a Bet You Can’t Burger Challenge which dares individuals to eat a burger made with a 5-pound ground beef patty, topped with a half-pound of melted shredded cheddar cheese on a giant sourdough bun with 2 pounds of

fries served on the side. Patrons have one hour to complete the challenge. Though many have tried, none have conquered this burger feat so far. Family-owned and operated, Butcher Shop offers a variety of specialty burgers including The

Flamethrower. This burger features an 8-ounce patty topped with ghost pepper cheese, bacon, freshly grilled jalapeno slices and habanero mayonnaise on a jalapeno cheddar bun. Butcher Shop is located at 102 Lehigh St. in Longview.

EAST TEXAS BURGER CO. East Texas Burger Co., located at 124 E. Broad St. in Mineola, may have been established in 1984 but if walls could talk this restaurant would tell stories that date back to the days of Bonnie and Clyde who stopped in the building when it was a different restaurant. Napkin art from restaurant patrons and memorabilia recount-

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ing the restaurant’s history adorn the walls in this classic hamburger joint. The cooking method makes their hamburgers unique, owner Ken Davis said. “Everything is fresh. How meat is hand-pattied everyday and of course all of the ingredients that we add to it are fresh,” he said. “All of that combined means that we serve a re-

ally top-notch, quality product every day.” Popular burgers include the Bacon Three Cheese Burger and the Allaso Burger, which is named after nearby Allaso Ranch. The Allaso Burger features a half-pound patty, topped with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, bacon and chipotle mayonnaise on a jalapeno bun.

LOGGINS RESTAURANT

For 71 years, Loggins Restaurant has been a popular Tyler lunch spot, especially among East Texas Aggies who will find extensive Texas A&M memorabilia adorning the restaurant’s walls. Locally owned by Texas A&M alumni Jerry and Lyana Loggins, the restaurant has a vast menu that includes a good, old-fashioned, classic hamburger. Manager Patricia McNease said the burger’s uniqueness comes from grinding its hamburger meat daily and making its own buns. “We have fresh buns, fresh hamburger meat and a lot of nostalgia in our food,” McNease said. The restaurant serves classic burgers, bacon cheeseburgers and jalapeno burgers with quarter-pound patties seasoned to perfection. Loggins is located at 137 S. Glenwood Blvd. in Tyler.

JUCYS

Since opening the doors of its first restaurant in Longview in 1980, this locally owned restaurant chain has lived up to its name by serving some of the juiciest hamburgers in East Texas. The late Ronny Maxey opened the original Jucys at 816 W. Marshall Ave. in Longview about 41 years ago. Since opening, the restaurant grew so much in popularity that the family has opened two additional locations in Longview, one in Marshall and two locations in Tyler. A third Tyler location is currently under construction. Jucys makes everything in house to maintain a fresh quality. From grinding their own meat to slicing their own vegetables, Jucys keeps its quality high with its freshly made burgers. While Jucys offers a variety of hamburgers, we recommend the classic Jucys cheeseburger made with a halfpound patty, topped with your choice of cheese and toppings, and served on a toasted bun. March/April 2021 | etxview.com

DAIRY PALACE An East Texas burger bucket list wouldn’t be complete without this world famous restaurant. Dairy Palace, located at 2301 N. Trade Days Blvd. in Canton, first opened its doors in 1984 with a simple menu focused on burgers, fries and Blue Bell ice cream. Today, the menu has grown substantially and now includes some of the most exotic burgers you’ll find in East Texas, including elk, duck, venison, bison, wild boar and turkey burgers. If you prefer a classic burger, you won’t go wrong with any choice from the classic menu. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the bison burger. This hamburger consists of a onethird pound buffalo patty topped with mustard, pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato on a 5-inch buttered and grill-toasted wheat bun.

RICK’S ON THE SQUARE

For 28 years, Rick’s on the Square has served up a menu of richly diverse culinary options in Tyler. “It’s all about the quality,” Assistant Manager Health Dewaele said. “Everything is fresh. We get three shipments of seafood, produce, the whole works every single week. … So when you come here, your food is going to be fresh every time.” Burgers feature half-pound patties with a variety of toppings. Fan favorites include the Texas Burger, which features provolone cheese, grilled jalapenos and onions, and housemade chili on a brioche bun, as well as the California Burger which includes Swiss cheese, avocado, grilled onions and mushrooms on a wheat bun. Rick’s on the Square is located at 104 W. Erwin St. in Tyler.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

WANDA’S KOUNTRY KORNER Located in a convenience store on the outskirts of Longview at 15229 Gum Springs Road, this hole-in-thewall restaurant serves one of the juiciest burgers around. Wanda Bullock opened her namesake store in 1976 and started serving burgers in 1979. For 40-plus years, the Bullock family has used a

cast iron grill to cook its freshly made patties that are precisely weighed to the half pound. “If you came here 10 years ago and you ate a burger, if you come back today you’re going to get the exact same burger,” her son, Wesley Bullock, said. “We keep everything the same and as consistent as what

we’ve always done.” That includes freshly made patties, shopping at local supermarkets to handpick produce that is then sliced fresh daily, and toasting buns. At Wanda’s, try a good, old-fashioned cheeseburger with a side of fries.

NOONDAY STORE The Noonday Store, which is part of a gas station convenience store at the corner of Texas 155 and Big Eddy Road, has been serving Tylerites for about 30 years. The restaurant’s staff grinds meat daily and forms patties by hand, employee Judy Layton said. The restaurant focuses on quality meats and vegetables to make the burgers the best. “They’re very good,” she said. “We have so much repeat business. People come from Palestine, Canton, all over East Texas to try our burgers.” The burger at Noonday Store is a classic, old-fashioned, smashed hamburger that is a must-try. March/April 2021 | etxview.com

THE PORCH AT ETX BREWING CO. After a career working in restaurants, Nate Rhyne opened his own company, The Porch at ETX Brewing Co. three years ago. Six months later he expanded to include a food truck. In a short amount of time, Rhyne’s burgers became some of the most popular in Tyler. “We grind fresh daily and we season our meat all the way through our grind, so our burger is a well-seasoned patty,” Rhyne said. “You’re going to taste all the flavors. Then we cook it on a flat top so it sears it nicely and all of our sauces are made from scratch.” Rhyne has unique burger offerings but his most popular is the classic Porch Burger, which features a patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, cheddar cheese and Rhyne’s homemade Porch Sauce (a seasoned mayonnaise-based sauce). The restaurant, located at 221 S. Broadway Ave. in Tyler, is open Wednesday through Saturday while the food truck can be found around Tyler on other days.

THE BACK PORCH

A relaxed atmosphere, live music and freshly made food combine for the ideal setting to enjoy a burger at Kilgore hotspot The Back Porch. Jackie and Vicki Clayton have owned The Back Porch since 1990, but the roots of the building date back to the 1960s when the building was a pool hall. Today The Back Porch, located at 904 Broadway Blvd. in Kilgore, serves popular burgers that General Manager Ryan Roberts said are made fresh daily. One of the most popular options is the Farmhouse Burger which features a half-pound patty topped with a fried egg, Applewood bacon, fries, lettuce, tomato and mayo served on a brioche bun.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

BACKSTREET BAR & GRILL For 12 years, Rhonda Fulton has cooked the burgers that are ordered at Backstreet Bar & Grill in Longview. That’s been key to keeping the quality top-notch and consistent over the years. Prior to Fulton taking over the restaurant, her mother operated it for 10 years in the same location at 214 W. Methvin St. in Longview. “I season my burgers a certain way with a top secret ingredient that no one knows and the patties are handmade by me every day,” Fulton said. Among her popular items are a patty melt, a classic burger and a jalapeno burger that’s topped with grilled onions, bacon, pepper jack cheese, red pepper and garlic sauce, and served on a jalapeno and cheese bun.

DANIEL BOONE’S GRILL & TAVERN IIn 2021, Daniel Boone’s Grill & Tavern will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of serving fresh food to Tyler. The late Daniel Boone started his namesake restaurant in a small location on Tyler’s West Loop. In 2004, the restaurant moved to its current location at 1920 East Southeast Loop 323 and has expanded since. While the restaurant features a vast menu and farmhouse style décor, Janet Boone said the burgers are iconic for their freshness and unique ingredients. “We make the patties ourselves,” she said. “From the seasoning to the fresh bread to the fresh vegetables that top it, it really is a good quality hamburger.” One of its popular creations, the Pepper-Bite Ranch Burger features a halfpound patty topped with Monterey Jack cheese, breaded and fried jalapeno slices and Daniel Boone’s homemade ranch.

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Why do Church bells ring at noon? Mehmed, the conqueror of Constantinople, encircled Belgrade with 100,000 holy Muslim warriors. All of Christendom trembled. Pope Callixtus implored Christians to make prayers.

Hungary’s Champion, answered

“János Hunyadi won at Belgrade in 1456, significantly delaying the Ottoman advance into Europe. Celebrating this victory, the Pope decreed church bells ring at noon.” Professor Zachary Carnes, expert on the border wars of Hungary and the Ottoman Empire

When your dinner bell rings, answer the call at 202 Hwy 31 East in Kilgore Visit facebook/HungarianRestaurant for latest meal selections. Ship a frozen order via BrigittasHungarianDelivery.com 90

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Songs

Soul

for the

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

CALENDAR & CULTURE

Maryah McHam & Martyn Popey introduce new audiences to jazz S T O RY B Y C H R I S T I N A C AVA Z O S PHOTOS BY LES HASSELL

or Maryah McHam and Martyn Popey, jazz is about storytelling. Its songs are classic, timeless and beautiful. “To me, jazz is relaxing but it’s also fun. It’s nice and it’s just beautiful,” McHam said. “We hope more people will open their minds to the music. Come and try it, you’ll love it. I promise.” McHam and Popey make up a jazz duo simply known by their two names. McHam sings while Popey plays jazz guitar. The two play venues across East Texas where they perform a variety of songs, including timeless jazz classics such as “Fever” by Peggy Lee and original songs written by Popey. While the two are working to introduce East Texans to jazz, they haven’t always performed jazz themselves. Popey is from the United Kingdom, where he learned guitar so he could play in his brother’s rock ’n’ roll band. That’s how his music career started, but it’s included performing across Europe with another band and freelance performing jazz and R&B. On a train ride back to England from a gig in Paris, Popey met his future bride, Gae-Lynn Woods. She is an East Texas native from the Carthage area. About seven years after they married, the couple moved to East Texas where Popey began teaching music lessons in Carthage and performing across the area. At Cafe Barron’s, Popey had finished an evening of playing guitar when McHam approached him to ask if he ever accompanied singers. McHam is a Longview native

who grew up singing at her home church, Oakland Heights Baptist Church. She moved to San Antonio for about eight or nine years, and while away she began singing as part of a trio, and then in a country band and later in a house band at a bowling alley/bar. When she moved back to Longview, she and her mother visited Cafe Barron’s one evening where she saw Popey performing. She’d never sung jazz tunes before, but she decided to give it a try. She grew to love the storytelling of the songs and now enjoys sharing the music with others. The two started playing gigs together in 2017. Popey said he enjoys the challenge that comes with playing jazz tunes, but lately he’s enjoyed writing songs. “I just love to create, really. I compose all the time and lately I’ve been writing a lot of songs,” he said. “We’ve been performing some of those. They’re not easy either, but Maryah can perform them really well.” He’s particularly enjoyed writing Bossa Novas lately. “People think of Bossa Novas as kind of elevator music, but the stories are great and the music’s really good. It’s always really unusual,” he said. “They’re dreamy,” McHam added. McHam isn’t much of a songwriter, but back in her college days at East Texas Baptist University, she did write poems. Popey set one of those to music and now | CONT. ON PG. 95 March/April 2021 | etxview.com

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

| CONT. FROM PG. 93 they perform “Tears Like Falling Stars” (or “Tears Falling Like Stars,” as Popey sometimes calls it) publicly. An added bonus to the duo is that they have their own songs to perform. Restaurants or venues that host live music must have a license to do so for songs that are under copyright. For bands that play original music, a license isn’t needed. “We’ve got enough original material that we don’t have to worry about that anymore,” she said, noting the duo has more than 200 original songs. They also released their first album Oct. 31. The album is a recording of 13 songs that were written prior to 1923, so they are out of copyright. It also includes an original song. Both McHam and Popey offer private lessons, as well. Popey offers private lessons for guitar and bass and can be reached at martynpopey@yahoo.com. McHam offers private voice lessons and can be reached at maryah.mcham@ gmail.com. Individuals interested in purchasing their CD also can contact McHam. While their live performances have been limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, the duo plans to perform at Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards in Pittsburg from 6-9 p.m. March 20 and from 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 10. As the pandemic gradually comes to an end with more vaccines on the horizon, they are hopeful to book more shows so they can introduce more people to jazz. “The older generation that grew up with these songs and that knows these songs, they’re dying. And the younger generation doesn’t have a clue about jazz,” Popey said. “It’s not the songs they grew up with, but we’d like to introduce them to it. We hope to open more people up to it. It’s really creative and fun and it’s beautiful.”

IF YOU GO

What: Maryah McHam & Martyn Popey performances When: 6-9 p.m. March 20 and 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 10 Where: Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards, 658 CR 1334, Pittsburg March/April 2021 | etxview.com

CALENDAR events

MARCH/APRIL Items on the calendar are subject to change because of COVID-19 considerations. Verify activities with event organizers.

KILGORE BLUEGRASS & BLUEBELL ACOUSTIC JAM SECOND SATURDAY, MARCH 14, APRIL 10 Kilgore Mercantile & Music www.facebook.com/ KilgoreMercantile KILGORE CRUISE NIGHT MARCH 27, APRIL 24 Downtown Kilgore kilgoremercantile.com/ events-calendar

LONGVIEW REPEATS ARE NEAT MARCH 5-7 Longview Exhibit Building www.repeatsareneat.com THEATRE LONGVIEW: “NOW AND THEN” MARCH 5-7 Grace Crossing United Methodist Church www.theatrelongview.com “STUART LITTLE” MARCH 11-14 ArtsView Children’s Theatre www.artsviewchildrenstheatre. com

Blue Jeans & Ball Gowns KILGORE HIGH SCHOOL HI-STEPPERS “THE TALK OF THE TOWN” MARCH 13 LeTourneau University Belcher Center www.belchercenter.com LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS MARCH 13-14 Longview Exhibit Building www.greggcountyfair.com/ Trade_Days GUN AND KNIFE SHOW MARCH 20-21 Longview Exhibit Building www.capgunshows.com

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

LETOURNEAU UNIVERSITY AUTOMOTIVE SOCIETY 44TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW MARCH 20-21 Maude Cobb Convention Center www.facebook.com/ LetuAutoSocietyCarShow NINTH ANNUAL MUDBUGS AND MUSIC MARCH 27 Longview Exhibit Center http://arcofgreggco.org ARTWALK LONGVIEW APRIL 1 Downtown Longview artwalklongview.com

ArtWalk Longview KILGORE COLLEGE RANGERETTES CELEBRATING 80 YEARS APRIL - JUNE Longview Museum of Fine Arts www.lmfa.org BLUE JEANS & BALL GOWNS APRIL 10 Maude Cobb Convention Center www.bluejeansballgowns.com

Cruise Night Kilgore THE GRANDE SESQUICENTENNIAL TREK APRIL 17 Downtown Longview Facebook WE ARE MESSENGERS APRIL 17 LeTourneau University Belcher Center www.belchercenter.com

LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS APRIL 10-11 Longview Exhibit Center www.greggcountyfair.com/ Trade_Days

HARVEST FESTIVAL AND LIVESTOCK SHOW ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL APRIL 17 www. harvestfestivallivestockshow. com/crawfish-boil Maude Cobb Convention Center

TASTE OF LONGVIEW APRIL 6 Maude Cobb Convention Center www.facebook.com/ TasteofLongview

YOUR BEST CARE DAY APRIL 24 Maude Cobb Convention Center www.facebook.com/ sheryllmitchellministries

LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS APRIL 10-11 Longview Exhibit Building www.greggcountyfair.com/ Trade_Days

SECOND ANNUAL ARK-LA-TEX TATTOO AND ART EXPO APRIL 30-MAY 2 Longview Exhibit Building www.arklatextattooexpo.com

TYLER ODE TO EAST TEXAS: PAINTINGS BY LEE JAMISON THROUGH MARCH 14 Tyler Museum of Art tylermuseum.org BUILDING A LEGACY: SELECTIONS FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION THROUGH MARCH 28 Tyler Museum of Art tylermuseum.org “YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN” MARCH 5-7, 11-14 AND 18-21 Tyler Civic Theatre Center tylercivictheatre.com TYLER VINYL RECORD SHOW MARCH 13 Ye Old City Antiques 903-707-0927 “MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL” APRIL 22 University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center cowancenter.org

SANDI PATTY APRIL 14 LeTourneau University Belcher Center www.belchercenter.com March/April 2021 | etxview.com

AGING INSIGHT FREE WORKSHOP

www.retiresmarteasttx.com

LEARN FROM THE HOSTS OF THE

RETIRE SMART TV SHOW

Staci Aldredge

Saturdays @ 5 pm on KLTV

Integrity Financial

Dana Parr

Advanta Insurance Partners

Kristen Ishihara

Ross & Shoalmire P.L.L.C.

Chris Parker

Ross & Shoalmire P.L.L.C.

VALUABLE INSIGHTS COVERING THESE TOPICS:

Estate Planning • Social Security Optimization Medicare & Medicaid Planning • Retirement Planning Preparations for Trusts & Wills FIRST THURSDAY

EACH MONTH 6-8 PM MAR 4 • APRIL 1 • MAY 6

JUNE 3 • JULY 1 • AUG 5 • SEPT 2 OCT 7 • NOV 4 • DEC 2

Longview University Ctr. Garland Hall • Room 211 3201 N. Eastman Road • Longview

PLEASE RSVP: 903.212.7313 Facebook / cklepfer@rossandshoalmire.com

TEMP SCREENINGS • SOCIAL DISTANCING • FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED 98

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

Make sure your heart is in the right place.

And in the right hands. CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital - Tyler. Our exemplary team of cardiologists, cardiac and vascular surgeons give your heart world-class care right where you need it, here at home. The first and only heart hospital in East Texas, providing nationally recognized heart care with a dedication to our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ: • Advanced cardiovascular treatment • Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons among the nation’s leaders in performing heart and vascular surgery • Only accredited heart failure program in East Texas, providing the best care and resources for congestive heart failure • Leading East Texas in minimally invasive procedures including TAVR • Nationally recognized heart attack care • Comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation • Specialized therapy for atrial fibrillation

CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Cardiology

Schedule an appointment at 903.606.DOCS ChristusTMF.org/HealthyHeart

March/April 2021 | etxview.com

20-1681

Join Us FOR

TIGER DAy Saturday, March 27, 2021 Sign-up now for an in-person experience

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A CAMPUS VISIT

Tour ETBU’s beautiful campus Meet current students Hear from faculty and staff Learn what it means to be a servant leader

FIND MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.ETBU.EDU/VISIT 903.923.2000 | ADMISSIONS@ETBU.EDU | ONE TIGER DRIVE | MARSHALL, TEXAS 75670 100 March/April 2021 | etxview.com