ETX View May/June 2022

ETX VIEW YOUR VIEW OF EAST TEXAS

OUTD OOR , TR AVEL & AUTOMOTIVE EDITION

I CHOSE

Longview Regional because this is my community, and I love helping my neighbors live healthier lives.

– Samir Germanwala, D.O. l Interventional Cardiologist With a nationally recognized Heart and Vascular Institute, a certified Stroke and Chest Pain Center, and an innovative Vein Center, it’s easy to see why people choose Longview Regional.

MyLongviewCardiology.com • 903-308-3566

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room.

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Dr. Germanwala is employed by Regional Clinics of Longview d/b/a Regional Clinics.

Congratulations, GRADUATES!

The class of 2021-22 launches 1,400 bright futures that will make a positive and immediate impact on East Texas and beyond.

Learn about charting your own bright future at uttyler.edu May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER

The great outdoors and great neighbors of East Texas

Santana Wood

Dear Readers, ne of the things I love about working in journalism is no day is ever the same.

I’m partial to the days my “office” is wherever my story is, and on a brisk March day, it was none other than Shadow Ranch in Gilmer.

It rained the day before my interview, so owner Brent Fyffe was sure to tell me to wear boots to the fullyfunctioning livestock ranch unless I wanted to bring back mud – or worse – on the soles of my nice shoes.

Needless to say, I was down for anything coming out to a country ranch but I heeded Brent’s kind advice.

Brent and his wife Leah let me hop in their truck and ride around for a personal tour of the property, and they were so incredibly welcoming and accommodating.

That hospitality is something their guests rave about when staying at The Lodge or hosting an event at The Barn, and I can see why.

My favorite part of the ranch is a close tie between The Market’s speciality Waygu beef or the dozens of exotic animals who roam the property. Seeing the stunning animals up close and personal is an experience I won’t soon forget. And if you taste their buttery Waygu, you’ll understand why it’s so unforgettable too. Read about the unique ranch and the couple’s big vision on Page 8.

I find that most everyone I meet in East Texas has a special story to tell, and we’re honored to share those stories with you in each issue of ETX View. Our Outdoor, Travel and Automotive issue features stories about several residents I think you’ll enjoy reading.

Chassity Powell was looking to bring something new

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PRESIDENT Stephen McHaney PUBLISHER Justin Wilcox ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Alyssa Purselley-Hankins 903-596-6295 EDITOR Tim Thorsen ETX VIEW EDITOR Santana Wood 4

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and exciting to Tyler when she started her luxury picnic business; more on Page 21.

Another business owner I thoroughly enjoyed sitting down with was Bobby Conley, who is the mastermind behind Tyler Wrap Company. The process of his team’s work is very meticulous and incredible to watch; read all about it on 54.

In every issue, we highlight people making a difference in our communities. One such group is Hookset Brothers, a nonprofit run by an amazing group of guys who help other combat veterans find healing in the outdoors. You’ll be inspired by their mission on Page 28.

Local automotive business owner Chris Gordy and other members of his church felt a calling from God to serve those in need. Read what they came up with on Page 36.

Elsewhere in the magazine, you’ll read about food truck owners who keep their customers coming back for more; upcoming mainstay events; a trip to Fredericksburg; a “hidden gem” off-road park; plus a street violinist who creates incredible sounds and an artist who loves everything about nature – even bugs!

Happy reading.

DESIGNER Ted Townsend WRITERS Ana Conejo Jo Lee Ferguson Maleri McHam Jessica Payne Mark Rosenberg Yoleyne Romero Santana Wood PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos Ana Conejo Les Hassell Kit MacAvoy Jessica Payne

S A N TA N A W O O D s w o o d @ t y l e r p a p e r. c o m

THE COVER Brent Fyffe owns Shadow Ranch in Gilmer, which is a fully-functioning exotic livestock ranch. Dozens of different species freely roam the 45-acre property that also features a market, guest lodge and event venue.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Michael Cavazos COVER DESIGN BY Ted Townsend © 2022, M. ROBERTS MEDIA 100 E. Ferguson, Suite 501, Tyler, TX 75702

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CONTENTS

84 84 For the Love of Nature

8 8 Exotic Animals

Shadow Ranch in Gilmer features a specialty market, rental lodge and event venue on its livestock ranch.

20 Luxury Picnics

Intimate setups provide a unique experience for East Texans looking to celebrate a special occasion.

28 Healing in the Outdoors

Hookset Brothers nonprofit offers an outlet through free fishing and hunting recovery trips for combat veterans.

36 Fresh Start

Chris Gordy and other members of his church operate a mobile shower to help those in need.

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Longview artist Logan Moore incorporates outdoor elements into her unique artwork.

42 Hill Country

Peters Autosports travel walks you through 24 hours in Fredericksburg.

54 That’s a Wrap

Bobby Conley’s business creates eye-catching designs for boats, vehicles and more.

62 Peters Fashion

Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area is one of the top off-road parks in Texas, and it serves as a scenic backdrop for this issue’s fashion shoot.

72 Street Eats

Food truck popularity grows across East Texas, where four local business owners keep their customers coming back for more.

90 90 Captivating Sounds

Douglas Hansen inspires others as he plays violin on Tyler street corners.

94 Calendar

See a list of events slated for May and June.

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FEATURE

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Wildlife, speciality beef highlight multipurpose Gilmer ranch S T O RY B Y S A N TA N A W O O D PHOTOGRAPHY BY M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S

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ucked in the East Texas countryside is a 45-acre multipurpose ranch with one-of-a-kind amenities.

Shadow Ranch, operated

by Gilmer residents Brent and Leah Fyffe, is a fully-functional exotic livestock ranch which also features a specialty market known for its mouth-watering Waygu beef, a rental guest house with rave reviews about its unique scenery, and a rustic venue suitable for nearly any event.

Each piece of Shadow Ranch is all part of a working puzzle – Brent’s larger vision to leave a lasting legacy for his six children. | CONT. ON PG. 11 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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The Fyffe family Kaylee, 22; Keagan, 12; Brent; Tinsley, 8; Grayson, 10; Leah; Presley, 7 months; and Hayden Fyffe, 14, pose for a photo with an axis deer named Dotty at Shadow Ranch.

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Brent and Leah Fyffe

| CONT. FROM PG. 9

A growing vision Shadow Ranch has an exotic animal ranch, a unique market, a wedding and event venue, and a guest house available for rent.

Brent was a hunting guide for nearly two decades traveling all around Texas, but he wanted to do something that could keep him at home with his family. And so Shadow Ranch was born.

“We purchased The Market building in 2019, and that was the trigger that made it all happen.

I’ve owned the land up to the driveway and the house on the property, but once I was able to buy the building for The Market, I was able to bring my bigger vision to life. We high-fenced about 45 acres and started redoing the market and the house, then came the barn.

“There’s no handbook for this and there are a lot of pieces to this puzzle. It’s a learning experience but my vision is to keep growing Shadow Ranch into something even bigger,” Brent said.

Leah said her husband doesn’t often sit still.

When he’s not operating the ranch, Brent is an investor in real estate, oil and gas and is also taking real estate classes. Brent said the hustle is in his blood.

“I was just raised that way,” Brent said. “I grew | CONT. ON PG. 12 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 11 up with a good work ethic and examples around me. I always want to keep going.”

His wheels are constantly turning, thinking about his next project or how to expand his business. Leah said her husband often spouts off ideas in their home as the family winds down for the night.

“He’ll be lying in bed and ask me about this or that,” Leah said. “His mind is always going. That’s his personality. But I have to give it to him, he works harder than anybody I know.”

But for Brent, it’s not work – it’s a way of life, and he loves it.

“It’s not really a job for me. We enjoy this,” Brent said.

Brent’s tireless drive comes from the desire to leave a legacy to his children, Kaylee, 22; Hayden, 14; Keagan, 12; Grayson, 10; Tinsley, 8; and Presley, 7 months.

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“As a father and a husband, I want to build something to hand down. That’s my main goal,” Brent said. “We have big plans for this place.”

Wildlife The Fyffes have six children – and countless exotic animals.

Leah said her husband is an “animal whisperer” to the numerous deer, sheep, cattle and other animals who call the Fyffes’ 45 acres home.

The spotted fallow deer, axis deer, transcaspian urial sheep and at least a dozen other species of animals wait patiently every morning for Brent to come and feed them.

Once skittish and somewhat anti-social, the animals now come up to Brent like a pack of oversized puppy dogs.

“They depend on me,” Brent said. “If they didn’t

The animals are from all over the world and many come from other farms in Texas. Brent is constantly trading and adding new animals to the lineup.

have to depend on me for food, you might never see them. Plus once they’re up here to eat, they won’t run off because they don’t want to lose their spot in line.”

The animals are a fascinating sight to those who come to Shadow Ranch for events, a lodging stay or even just a trip to The Market.

“It’s a big part of the experience,” Brent said. “Guests love it when they come out to the house to stay or have birthday parties at The Barn because the animals are roaming free. They can pet them, take pictures … People really enjoy it, it’s neat.”

The animals are from all over the world and many come from other farms in Texas. Brent is constantly trading and adding new animals to the lineup.

Many of the animals have names, including the property’s “faithful donkey,” who goes by Jack. The family bottle-fed two now fully-grown spotted axis deer, who

are called Spotty and Dotty, lovingly named by the Fyffes’ children.

The Fyffe children are involved on the ranch, whether it’s hunting a deer’s fallen antlers on the property or helping their dad with feeding or other tasks. Leah is also involved in the day-to-day operations, from helping with The Market or checking on the property.

The Market The building on State Highway 300 has been home to several different businesses throughout the years, Brent said. When the Fyffes purchased the store in August 2019, it was an old, run-down gas station. Since then, the couple’s vision has come to life as a successful speciality market. | CONT. ON PG. 14 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 13 The Market’s hottest commodity is its Wagyu beef, which currently comes from Whitehouse supplier Texas Beefhouse.

“It’s our No. 1 draw for the store,” Brent said. “With us being in between two cities, people have to have a reason to come out to our market, and the Waygu seems to be it.

We get people every day who come here just for that.”

Wagyu beef is one of the most luxurious meats in the world, featuring a distinct marbling that creates a one-ofa-kind buttery texture. And it comes with a high price tag, too – top-grade Wagyu can cost up to $200 per pound.

The Market at Shadow Ranch stocks the finest premium cuts of Japanese, Australian, and American Wagyu beef, including Japanese A5 grade – the choicest cut of meat in the world.

In Japan, the cattle live a completely stress-free lifestyle. Brent said some farmers are believed to massage 14

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their cows to relieve stiffness and let them drink beer to stimulate their appetite.

“They’re adamant about not having a stressed cow,” he explained. “It tastes better.”

American Wagyu is crossbred with Angus and Holstein cows.

“That way, the cut gets more meat to it versus all marble,” he said, adding with a laugh that “Texas people, we like our steaks.”

The American Waygu is raised like a normal steer, Brent said, but the meat still has that exceptional texture and flavor.

At the end of the year, Brent said Shadow Ranch will be able to supply its own Waygu and other premium beef along with its own pork, from livestock raised on their ranch.

The Market also sells summer sausage and other premium beef products, with cuts ranging from ribeye, to New York strip, filet, flank, flat iron and loin steaks, prime

The Market specialty store at Shadow Ranch in Gilmer.

The Lodge guest house at Shadow Ranch.

rib, hamburger and stew meat.

Most people may stop in The Market for its beef, but patrons can also enjoy a selection of gourmet food, including cheese, fresh pecans, jams and jellies, spices and more. The country store also has candles, cutting boards, apparel and other oddities.

Brent said the majority of products featured in The Market are made in Texas, such as Arp-based Red Dirt Hat Company or Fredericksburg Farms out of Luckenbach.

Leah is the creator behind Shadow Ranch Candle Company, which consists of a variety of scented candles that make for a classic gift.

The Lodge Situated in the middle of the ranch is a guest house that makes for a relaxing getaway close to nature without giving up modern amenities.

The Lodge at Shadow Ranch can accommodate up to 12 people in its four bedrooms, featuring rustic decor such as a cow-hyde rug, deer mounts, hand towel racks made of deer antlers, and log-inspired guest beds.

Guests rave about sitting out on the patio’s rocking chairs, overlooking the property’s scenery. The best part about staying at The Lodge is – no question – the exotic animals that roam freely.

Airbnb reviews say things like, “There were SO MANY animals right out our front door, the view was beautiful,” and “the wildlife was awesome to see that closeup.”

Another reviewer on Vrbo bragged about getting a selfie with one of the deer who “loved hanging out” with them.

One guest called it “by far the coolest and most unique Airbnb experience” yet.

The Lodge was launched in October 2021 and the Fyffes said so far, it’s been nothing short of a success. | CONT. ON PG. 16 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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The Fyffe family is pictured in front of The Barn event center located on Shadow Ranch in Gilmer.

| CONT. FROM PG. 15 “People like to come experience ranch life for a day or weekend,” Brent said. “Sitting out on the porch and watching the deer come up to the feeder in the afternoon or just walking around the property, throwing rocks by the pond, enjoying the view.”

Built in 1995, Brent has completely renovated the house, although he has several projects in the works, such as extending the patio, converting the garage into a full game room with pool tables and more.

This isn’t your average Airbnb experience where a key is locked in a box and you never see a host. Guests check in at The Market, where Brent meets them, shows them around the house and property, and gives them his cell phone number for anything they may need during their stay.

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The Lodge stays booked, ranging from $350 per night, and a number of people have been repeat guests.

The Barn When Brent and Leah’s oldest daughter wanted to get married in a barn, she had to look no further than her daddy.

“She wanted to get married in a white barn, so we built a white barn,” Brent said with a smile. He thought that’d be “easy enough,” and soon the idea spurred into a fullfledged event venue and part of the larger Shadow Ranch vision.

The Barn’s rustic elegance is ideal for weddings, rehearsal dinners, banquets, showers, parties and anniversaries, or family reunions.

According to Brent, the space was designed to

The Barn events center interior.

The animals are a fascinating sight to those who come to Shadow Ranch for events, a lodging stay or even just a trip to The Market.

The Barn seats up to 100 guests.

accommodate just about any style of event possible, featuring a neutral color scheme that can be a blank slate for any decorations.

The Barn can seat about 100 guests in its main area, but it can also be arranged to suit more intimate affairs. To allow more seating, on one side of The Barn there are four stalls, each with a double door, which can be converted into private rooms or opened up.

There’s also plenty of fenced in outdoor space with options for firepits and other amenities.

The Barn also features a bar area complete with a small sink, ideal for catering or a bartender at a wedding or other event.

Many who book The Barn as a wedding venue choose to also book The Lodge for guests or personal accommodations.

What’s next As time goes on, Shadow Ranch will continue to grow.

The Fyffes want to build something that will last a lifetime, and Brent said he has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.

Whether it’s booking more events, adding more animals or executing projects around the property, there will likely always be exciting things to come for the ranch.

Something Brent really wants to do is find a way to give back to the community. While he’s not exactly sure what he’ll do just yet, rest assured that his wheels will be turning until an idea comes to fruition.

Keep up with the Fyffes and their ranch life at Shadow Ranch on Facebook or at shadowranchtx.com, where you can also book the venue, guest house or get more information about items at the market.

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VISUAL

Chassity Powell with South and Luxe Luxury Picnics.

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LUXURY Intimate, Picturesque, Special!

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here’s something special about sitting on the ground with those you love, said local business owner Chassity Powell.

The position brings about a childlike wonder and reminds us of simpler times. It initiates a connection – one that can’t be replicated.

“Sitting in front of the fireplace never goes out of style, and it’s because sitting on the floor is intimate,” said Powell, who owns South and Luxe Luxury Picnics and Events based in Tyler in which she sets up dreamy, romantic outdoor setups for clients to enjoy special occasions. | CONT. ON PG. 22 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 21

The Instagrammable picnics feature pillows or cushions for seating and adjustable short tables with a picturesque tablescape display. Textured pillows line a rug or blanket lying atop green grass as handmade, wooden 14-inch tables are draped with a tablecloth.

Crystal glasses, color-coordinated place settings, fresh flowers and long-stemmed candles invite picnickers to enjoy a special moment together.

Most commonly, clients choose to have a picnic for a date, proposal, anniversary or birthday – but Powell is happy to execute any idea her client would like to pull off.

Powell, 38, wanted to blend her love of decorating with the craving to be her own boss. The Longview native, who has lived in Tyler for nearly 15 years, has a day job as a registered nurse working in home health.

Although she has worked hard in her career, even earning her nurse practitioner certification, she longs for more.

“When all this coronavirus stuff hit, we had time to just sit down with ourselves and really think about what we want to do. I just wanted a change. I wanted to be able to do something different and to utilize all my creative skills,” Powell said.

Powell has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but she put her dreams on the back burner for many years.

“I was one of those people who was scared of putting myself out there. I was scared of failure – and success.

There’s a lot that goes with success as well,” she said.

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Powell faced a problem many experience when wanting to start a small business – finding time to commit to something extra when life is already busy.

But one night last summer, she decided it was time to bring her ideas to life.

“I saw the picnic idea months before, but it came back into my head that night. It seemed like a good place to start on a micro-level rather than decorating big rooms and large events. Interior design and larger events are long-term goals of mine, but I wanted to start simple.”

Creativity comes easy for Powell, who said she has always been the type of person to do DIY projects and help others decorate their homes.

“Everybody in my family knows if they need something done, call Chassity,” she said with a laugh.

After initially coming up with the idea last summer, Powell launched her business in November.

“My brand, South and Luxe, is a little bit of country mixed with a little bit of glam,” Powell said. “It’s a downhome feel with some ‘umph!’”

Powell offers themed packages, but she also likes to create a personalized theme based on a client’s needs.

“We’ll sit down or talk on the phone about what mood or vibe you’re going for, what colors you’d like, that kind of thing. Then I’ll create a package based on what it is you’re looking for,” Powell said.

A basic package for two is $250, while three to four people is $350. Powell sets up every element on her own – the client needs to worry only about showing up.

Picnics can last up to two hours, or longer for a small fee.

Powell also offers add-ons such as a bluetooth speaker

“My brand, South and Luxe, is a little bit of country mixed with a little bit of glam. It’s a down-home feel with some ‘umph!’”

Chassity Powell

for music, fresh flowers, drinks, fruits and nuts, and balloon arches.

Powell’s inspiration often comes from simply walking outside.

“I see nature differently than how others see it,” she said. “I look around outside and all I can see are colors.

I think about how colors around me would pair well together for a theme. Colors are just very inspiring to me. And when I go outside at night, I look up at the stars and get inspiration from the sky.”

Although her picnics are mostly for smaller groups, she will do larger parties if the picnic is booked early enough in advance. She also wants to expand to offer packages for bridal parties and showers.

The luxury picnic space is mostly one women are interested in, but Powell has plans to do something for men as well.

“I have a goal to start a cigar/whiskey setup,” she said. “I want to be able to host a groom’s shower.”

Those aren’t the only goals Powell has, she said.

The entrepreneur is also working on her own skincare line, 17 Bertha Street. As for South and Luxe, she hopes her business will continue to grow into something bigger.

“I see South and Luxe expanding into a larger brand with several branches like events, weddings, interior design, garden, skin … I want to be like Martha Stewart,” Powell said.

Powell said although luxury picnics are trendy right now, for her this is more than a trend.

“A trend ends, but this is a new idea that I think will continue to stay around for a long time,” Powell said.

“I believe that the work I put into this, I’ll get it out. I’m a believer in God and I know that I’m blessed – I think I will reap my rewards."

Although sitting on the ground is part of the draw to host a picnic, Powell said her tables are adjustable and can go as high as 3 feet. She can be accommodating to those who may not be able to sit on the ground by providing stools and a higher table.

The picnics are offered year-round for occasions for both adults and children. She will set up the picnics inside for any client who has the space, especially during the cooler months. She most often sets up at parks in Tyler, but she can set up elsewhere for anyone who may have private land they wish to utilize. When picnicking in public parks, Powell uses a sign that says “Picnic in Progress” for extra privacy.

Powell said her clients give her rave reviews and are always impressed.

“They’re always amazed at what I can do with such a small space like a tablescape,” she said. “Their reactions have been that they love it and it’s just such a new, different experience to enjoy with someone you love.

The experience itself is a special gift and it’s a chance to celebrate in a unique way.”

Powell encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to go after their dreams.

“Do it, and do it now. Because whether you start now or a year from now, a year is going to go by and you could’ve been much further along. Take risks and don’t try to make everything perfect. Pray about it and go | CONT. ON PG. 24 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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| CONT. FROM PG. 23

about your business. Put one foot in and let God do the rest.”

Powell said her work ethic and motivation comes from her family.

“My mom and dad always taught me to work hard and to stay with it. I’ve always been taught to keep doing it and finish,” she said.

As for the creative gene, Powell has the women in her life to thank for that.

“My mom and grandmother always made our home so nice, I think that’s where I got that love for interior design. My grandma made drapes, she made my cheerleading outfits … I look back on it and see parts of myself in them. My grandma was so dainty, and growing up with brothers, I wanted to be more feminine like her.

She always had her Avon powder pack and fine china. I get that side of me from her.”

Powell said along with a constant supportive push from her fiancé Leon Bell, memories like these and the traits her family have instilled in her are what keeps her going every day.

For more information or to book a picnic, visit southluxepicnics.wixsite.com/luxe or contact Powell on instagram at @southluxepicnics.

S T O RY B Y S A N TA N A W O O D PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Combat veterans find mission, healing in the great outdoors S T O RY B Y J E S S I C A PAY N E PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL

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hree East Texas Army veterans are helping to heal combat veterans with the power and healing benefits of the outdoors.

Adam Troy, Martin Montoya, and Kody Corrin cofounded Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery, which offers veterans an outlet through free fishing and hunting recovery trips, after dealing with their own issues related to military combat and adapting to civilian life after discharge.

The nonprofit’s humble beginnings began with the trio mowing lawns, painting boathouses and other odds jobs to pay for the fuel in their own personal boats before becoming a nonprofit.

Troy, who served in the Army from 2002 to 2012 and now lives in Bullard, said Hookset Brothers started as a way for them to heal personally.

“When I came back wounded from Iraq after recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center burn clinic I met who is now my best friend Martin Montoya. For some reason he just had to meet me knowing I was one of the first wounded soldiers in our battalion to come back wounded,” Troy said. “Long story short, we began fishing the ponds of Fort Hood until he deployed to Afghanistan.

While he was gone I got serious into bass fishing once I was medically retired from the Army and then he was wounded in Afghanistan in a roadside bomb. During his | CONT. ON PG. 30

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Hookset Brothers founders Adam Troy, left, Kody Corrin and Martin Montoya at a ranch owned by former NFL quarterback Luke McCown near Rusk where they host many hunts.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 28 recovery and his own medical retirement, we focused on tournament fishing around Texas and became quite good at it.”

Troy said a fishing experience the men had with another veteran changed everything and put them on the path to what the nonprofit has become today.

“We got a call from one of his former soldiers who asked to go fishing with us. We of course said come on and enjoyed a day on the water. Two weeks later he

texted ‘thank you, thank you’ for saving his life,” he said.

“He had planned to commit suicide and going fishing with us was his going away present. But he enjoyed it so much he had now bought fishing poles and is taking his son fishing at his community lake. After that moment we knew God had put that opportunity in our lives to help our brothers and sisters in arms through the outdoors.”

Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery is a 100 percent volunteer-based organization, meaning no one with the organization makes a profit.

The organization has civilians who use their vacation days to guide trips and many times you can find one of the men themselves sitting in a hunting blind with a veteran.

“We simply aren’t an organization that links combat veterans with ranches and or fishing guides. We are 30

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personally guiding such trips, sitting in the blinds with them and sharing our own stories of PTSD struggles,” Troy said. “Doing so lets the combat veteran know they aren’t alone in the struggle, that there can be light in the darkness if we stand together. We sacrifice a lot of our own family time to provide the support we do but understand that support can and does save lives; we are living examples of such.”

Troy said the nonprofit has become part of his own personal therapy.

“After 10 years and three deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, everything changed after my body was on fire lying on the roads of Iraq,” he said. “Being the cofounder of Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery 501(c)3 gives me a purpose and a focus to ward off and keep at bay my own struggles with PTSD. It also shows our

children that serving others, helping others get through struggles, can and will be one of your greatest acts to mankind.”

On Nov. 3, Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery received the Governor’s Innovation in Volunteerism Award during an online awards ceremony hosted by Honorary Chair of the Governor's Volunteer Awards, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott.

The Innovation in Volunteerism Award was a part of the 38th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards, presented in conjunction with OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals and organizations that have made a significant and measurable contribution to Texas communities in the past year.

Awardees were selected for engaging in volunteer | CONT. ON PG. 32

Adam Troy

Kody Corrin

Martin Montoya

“We simply aren’t an organization that links combat veterans with ranches and or fishing guides. We are personally guiding such trips, sitting in the blinds with them and sharing our own stories of PTSD struggles. Doing so lets the combat veteran know they aren’t alone in the struggle, that there can be light in the darkness if we stand together. We sacrifice a lot of our own family time to provide the support we do but understand that support can and does save lives; we are living examples of such.”

Adam Troy, Co-founder Hookset Brothers May/June 2022 | etxview.com

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service that effectively addresses a critical need, makes a sustained positive impact on the community, and inspires others to get involved in their cause or community.

Troy said he couldn’t believe it when he got the phone call.

“I was in the middle of volunteer coaching middle school football at Brook Hill when my phone rang. The caller said he was from the governor’s office and that we had been nominated and subsequently awarded the Texas Governors Volunteer of the Year Innovation of Volunteerism Award,” Troy recalled. “Of course I didn’t

helped us, but that it could help so many others, we knew we had a new calling and a new mission to save combat veterans’ lives,” Montoya said. “When our fishing buddy contacted us after that initial fishing trip and said the trip saved his life, it was all the evidence needed to affirm our mission.”

Longview native and current resident Kody Corrin, who served from 2005 to 2012, said he is grateful to be part of the organization and share the healing effects of the outdoors with other combat veterans.

“When I met Adam and Martin, we shared a common love for continuing our mission of taking care of soldiers.

The outdoors made that connection for us and the rest is history,” Corrin said. “We have been working as a team for the last nine years now. We have grown way bigger than I ever anticipated but I’m so glad we have and I’m thankful for the brotherhood I have found in them.”

“My personal recovery comes from observing the life-changing events that take place with our veterans in

believe the person and started getting irritated because I was in the middle of coaching.”

Troy said once he realized the caller was serious, he was immediately elated.

“I was on cloud nine, just really excited that we were nominated and selected,” he said.

“I think we were most excited that it was an opportunity to spread the awareness of using the outdoors for PTSD recovery and it had reached the level at which it did with being awarded with this honor,” Troy continued. “We hope it brings about a better focus to those who can help support not only our efforts but the many other nonprofits like ours throughout Texas and the United States.”

Montoya, who served from 1999 to 2014 and also resides in Bullard, said he knew from personal experience how healing the outdoors could be and knew he had found a calling.

“When Adam and I realized that the outdoors not only

the outdoors,” he said. “Hookset Brothers is managed by three wounded and disabled veterans and select volunteers who truly care about our brothers and sisters. We take it personal to do our best at ending the ‘22-a-day’ stigma.” According to the Veteran Administration, 22 veterans per day succumb to suicide.

Troy said he firmly believes the outdoors has powerful healing properties.

“The majority of us have used the outdoors for our own recovery so we believe in its healing powers,” he said.

“We’re living proof that the outdoors can save your life.”

Troy also had a message for those struggling.

“We’ve lived your struggles. We still fight the same fight and we’re stronger together,” he said.

In the almost nine years since its inception, Hookset Brothers Combat Recovery has helped approximately 500 veterans and their families, according to Troy.

For more information, visit www.hooksetbrothers.org.

| CONT. FROM PG. 30

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Doug Crutcher

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COMMUNITY LEADER

Longview businessman C felt calling to start

mobile shower for people in need 36

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S T O RY B Y YOLEYNE ROMERO PHOTOGRAPHY BY M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S

hris Gordy remembers watching people stand in line at Newgate Mission, waiting to receive a shower.

By the time it closed, many were still waiting. It broke Gordy’s heart.

Gordy once dreamt of bringing better customer service to the automotive repair industry, and in 2001 he made it happen by opening his first Automotive Super Center store on Loop 281 in Longview.

Today, he has seven store locations throughout East Texas.

Gordy’s desires shifted with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 caused in-person church services to be canceled. An active member of Grace City Church, Gordy said he felt a shift happening in God’s will. He felt something new was coming within the church, something he referred to as a “great awakening.” It wasn’t just him though; fellow church members were also hearing a calling. God was calling them to the next level, beckoning them to try a new, more involved kind of service, he said. | CONT. ON PG. 38

Chris Gordy volunteers with Grace City Church's Fresh Start mobile shower unit.

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Ed White, Greg Sykes, Rex Sykes, 14, Lisa Gay, Art Bucha, and Chris Gordy spend their morning volunteering with Grace City Church's Fresh Start mobile shower unit set up at On Mission Ministries' Jesus Burger Saturday morning service.

| CONT. FROM PG. 36 “It felt like God maybe wanted people out of the churches (and going) into the community,” Gordy said.

Gordy and others felt they needed to start being the church that was needed by so many underprivileged people in the community. Gordy, his pastor Bo Bolding, and fellow church member Mike Matthews came together to determine what they could do to best serve others.

Pre-COVID, Bolding had put in the legwork to see if there was a need in the community, Gordy said. Bolding met with Longview Mayor Andy Mack and the Longview City Council and was referred to two police officers who were part of the city’s Police Outreach Services Team (POST).

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According to the city’s website, the goal of POST is to, “…reduce homeless-related complaints by acting as a bridge between the homeless and available appropriate services.”

Bolding accompanied the two officers around the city and visited people experiencing homelessness while also learning about the resources that are offered to them, Gordy said. After visiting Newgate Mission and the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission, Bolding noticed a trend. The number of people utilizing resources for shower access was staggering.

According to Gordy, people would line up at the missions from the time they opened to the time they closed, with some still in line at closing time.

“I take a shower twice a day, and I have a hard time thinking that somebody doesn’t get to take a shower in a week or a month,” Gordy said.

That’s where the idea for Fresh Start came from. Gordy, Bolding and Matthews came together to purchase a mobile shower trailer that came

“ready to roll” with six shower units, Gordy said. Necessary modifications were made to the trailer like having it wrapped and removing the toilets inside of it. Gordy explained that without the availability for black water disposal, the toilets were unusable.

The trailer was delivered to the men in October 2020, Gordy said. By that point, COVID-19 had already begun to spread across the country and restrictions on in-person gatherings were being put into effect.

“Our primary reason for getting it (the trailer) was to partner with Newgate, but then they shut down,” Gordy said.

With the mission limited to reduced operations, it was no longer an option as a partner for the time being. However, in January 2021 Gordy heard about Jesus Burger and the tides shifted once again.

On Mission Ministries’ Jesus Burger in Longview describes itself as: Bringing the hope and love of Christ and the helping hands of the community together to serve the | CONT. ON PG. 40

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Henderson

Kilgore

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| CONT. FROM PG. 38 forgotten and often marginalized local populations.

Since January 2021, Fresh Start has partnered with Jesus Burger to make its shower trailer available, Gordy said. Saturday mornings, people can grab a bite to eat, worship, engage in fellowship and take a shower. Patrons who use the showers are supplied with a towel, soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste. For the few women that access the showers, they are greeted and given their essentials by a woman, Gordy said.

Gordy explained his reason for doing all of this was easy: it’s for his King.

“Christ looked on the people and he had compassion and if I’m supposed to … be Christ-like then I’m supposed to have compassion and love the poor, widowed and 40

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orphaned,” Gordy said. “People think you can only serve in foreign countries, there’s homeless, hungry, needy people made in the image of God and they’re all over this place.”

Having a servant’s heart seems to come naturally to Gordy, as during the COVID-19 pandemic he made arrangements for all of the Automotive Super Center locations to provide assistance for locals in need.

Gordy explained that he didn’t want his employees to be without work, as the pandemic was hurting everyone financially at the time.

However, there also wasn’t a lot of automotive work to be done at the time, he said. Regardless, he told his employees, “as long as you keep coming, we’ll keep paying you.”

Gordy found a way to keep his employees busy while also assisting the high-risk COVID population.

Anyone who needed help running errands, getting groceries, or couldn’t leave the house for any reason was offered help from Automotive Super Center. Employees from all seven stores agreed to run errands for people for free – whether that meant picking up and dropping off food,

“My hope is that it can be in use every day along with a food truck or trailer that’s cooking and a barber that’s cutting hair. . . . It’s about loving people.”

Chris Gordy, Fresh Start Mobile Shower

medicine or other essentials.

Those seeking assistance just had to call one of the store locations and ask for a manager.

“I live in this community, I shop here, I’m a patron here, I make a living here, I have a responsibility for all the families that we employ,” Gordy said.

Gordy has high hopes and big plans for the future of Fresh Start.

“My hope is that it can be in use every day along with a food truck or trailer that’s cooking and a barber that’s cutting hair,” Gordy said. “It’s about loving people.”

Gordy also had plans to speak with Newgate Mission about rekindling its partnership, he said.

His vision for funding the ministry would be to have the business community come together to sponsor Fresh Start, Gordy said.

“We want to make sure this trailer can be here, operated here … We want to make sure this ministry thrives in the community,” Gordy said.

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TRAVEL

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h o u r s

in Fredericksburg German cuisine, history and wineries await in Texas Hill Country town

F E AT U R E PRESENTED BY

| CONT. ON PG. 45

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A water wheel spins in the Pioneer Memorial Garden.

Burgermeister Wurst and Yager Schnitzel are popular dishes at Der Lindenbaum.

Patrons fill the dining room of Der Lindenbaum at lunchtime in Fredericksburg.

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h o u r s

in Fredericksburg SPECIAL TO ETX VIEW S T O RY B Y M A R K R O S E N B E R G P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y K I T M a c AV O Y | CONT. FROM PG. 43

T

he drive from East Texas to Fredericksburg is a scenic trip passing through Waco and Marble Falls to this Hill Country town of just over 10,000. Clocking in at just over five hours, it’s perfect for a weekend getaway.

Fredericksburg has long been a popular destination for weekenders from Houston, Dallas and San Antonio, said Sean Doerre, communications manager with the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau. In the last 15 years or so, the rise of “Texas Wine Country” — including the dozens of vineyards that have cropped up along U.S. 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City — has further elevated the town’s profile.

Still, it’s possible to enjoy a tranquil stay in Fredericksburg, Doerre said, especially for those able to visit during the week.

“Our insider tip that we give people is if you can visit on a Sunday through Thursday, you’re more likely to find a relaxed pace,” he said. “If it fits into your schedule, you can find some great perks around town, whether it’s a shorter wait at a restaurant or more value at a lodging or a more personal experience at a winery.”

Whether or not you enjoy wine and charcuterie, there are ample reasons to take a trip to Fredericksburg, including tasty German food, outstanding museums and Hill Country hiking just outside of town. Here’s a road map for those looking to plan their own getaway: 1 P.M.: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE PACIFIC WAR Once you’ve pulled into town, done some window shopping, and gotten situated, take a stroll to the National Museum of the

| CONT. ON PG. 49

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y The Vereins Kirche Museum sits in the center of the Markplatz von Fredericksburg, a city park.

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Casing made to deliver an atomic bomb sits in the National Pacific War Museum.

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A military jeep sits on display at the war museum in Fredericksburg.

h o u r s

in Fredericksburg | CONT. FROM PG. 45 Pacific War — but make sure you leave plenty of time to do this museum justice. Fredericksburg is the hometown of Admiral Chester Nimitz, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in World War II. When community members proposed erecting a museum in his honor, Nimitz insisted that it tell the history of all who had fought in the Pacific theater.

The result is a world-class museum that humbled us with its historical depth and devotion to telling the whole story of the conflict between the United States and Japan, starting with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and concluding with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The exhibits in the George H.W. Bush Gallery include artifacts like one of the five Japanese submarines that torpedoed the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. No matter how well you know your history, a visit here will bring the conflict to life. We recommend leaving at least two hours for your visit.

National Pacific War Museum plane display in Fredericksburg.

3 P.M.: SIGNOR VINEYARDS It was difficult to choose among the dozens of vineyards lining U.S. 290 east of town, but we picked Signor Vineyards — a relative newcomer to the Texas wine circuit — and we were glad we did. Longhorn steers greeted us as we made our way to the tasting room, located a 15-minute drive from downtown, and the spacious patio proved to be the perfect place to soak in the afternoon sun.

At $20, the tasting flight of four wines is a bargain. A knowledgeable sommelier guided us through a delightful variety of reds, starting with a Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley and concluding with a Tannat grown on-site. We also recommend the charcuterie board, which featured a delicious selection of cured meats and cheeses (the drunken goat was our favorite), as well as a local farm jelly with a peppery kick. Alongside the formal tasting, Signor offers family-friendly options, including a self-

| CONT. ON PG. 51

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

The Garden of Peace at the National Pacific War Museum.

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A bed and crib on display in the Walton-Smith Cabin at the Pioneer Museum.

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Shirts hang in the window of the Arhelger Bath House at the Pioneer Museum.

h o u r s

in Fredericksburg | CONT. FROM PG. 49 service wine barn, ample outdoor seating, and country music on the weekends. We wish we could have stayed longer.

5 P.M.: LUCKENBACH Willie Nelson heads to this self-described “backwoods Camelot” every Fourth of July for his annual picnic, so you might as well stop by, too. Make sure you check the music calendar in advance. Nearly every afternoon, you’re guaranteed to find an acoustic country jam to soak in or a two-stepping session at the dance hall.

7 P.M.: DINNER AT DER LINDENBAUM Fredericksburg is proud of its German pioneer heritage — the signs at the city limits read “willkommen” on one side and “auf wiedersehen” on the other — so once you’re all danced out, where better to dine than this cozy German restaurant that sits right on Main Street, just a block away from the visitors center?

Chef Ingrid Hohmann, who grew up in the Eifel Mountains of western Germany, serves up a hearty menu of German classics, from sausage to schnitzel, which can be accompanied by a German hefeweizen or Texas wine, depending on what you fancy.

The jäger schnitzel, topped with a wild mushroom sauce and served with cabbage and potato salad, was the highlight of our meal, but the bürgermeister platte, which featured Polish sausage, bratwurst and knackwurst from Opa’s, a Fredericksburg meat market, was a close second. We didn’t have room for a slice of chocolate cake afterwards, but we wish we did.

OVERNIGHT: B&BS GALORE There are nearly 1,500 vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses in Fredericksburg and its environs, so it was impossible to choose just one. We recommend heading to the visitor’s bureau’s website for a full set of listings. You’re sure to find accommodations to your liking.

| CONT. ON PG. 53

F E AT U R E P R E S E N T E D B Y A windmill spins over the FasselRoeder House at the Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg.

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A 2016 Rochambeau from High Plains is poured at Signor Vineyards outside of Fredericksburg.

Charcuterie board at Signor Vineyards.

Enchanted Rock State Park

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h o u r s

in Fredericksburg | CONT. FROM PG. 51

Chama, an australian shepherd, is one of the enthusiastic employees of Signor Vineyards.

9 A.M.: ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA After grabbing coffee and pastries in town — we recommend the Old German Bakery or Emma + Ollie — start your day off with a hike in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. This park, located just 20 minutes north of downtown, boasts scenic Hill Country views for those willing to undertake a steep but short hike up the pink granite dome that dominates the landscape. There are 11 miles of trails in all, which means no shortage of opportunities to stretch your legs.

11 A.M.: PIONEER MUSEUM End your visit with the story of where Fredericksburg began.

The Pioneer Museum, located right on Main Street, immerses visitors in the lives of the intrepid German settlers who built Fredericksburg in the mid-1840s. Those German origins, Doerre said, help give Fredericksburg its unique character, whether it’s the architecture, the food, or the hospitality of its residents.

A tour of the grounds, which include a log cabin, schoolhouse, blacksmith shop and more, takes under an hour, but it provides a vivid window into the lives of the settlers who traveled from Indianola through Victoria along their way to Fredericksburg, according to local historian and archivist Evelyn Weinheimer. The museum hosts hands-on activities like bread-making and butterchurning for children and adults alike. Call ahead for dates and details.

NOON: LUNCH You might want to stay a while longer and check out another winery or Altstadt Brewery, or maybe do a little more shopping along Main Street. Before you hit the road, may we suggest grabbing a bite to eat at Eaker Barbecue, which received a stellar review from Texas Monthly barbecue aficionado Daniel Vaughn for its classic smoked meats with a Korean twist. You might as well leave town with some kimchi and gochujang pork ribs in your belly — until next time.

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

Signor Vineyards sits off Route 290 outside of Fredericksburg.

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AESTHETICS STORY BY SANTANA WOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL CAVAZOS

Tyler Wrap Company transforms visions into stand-out designs on boats, vehicles | CONT. ON PG. 56

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Bobby Conley, owner of Tyler Wrap Company.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 54

C

hances are you’ve seen a Tyler Wrap Company design while out on the water or driving down the highway. Brilliant color, sharp precision, artistic design and meticulous application are just a few of the keys to a high-quality, long-lasting vehicle or boat wrap – and owner Bobby Conley knows how to do it all.

The Tyler businessman has more than 20 years of experience in the sign industry and 15-plus years in wrapping. Conley always had that artistic bone in his body, but he began his career in the sign industry in 1995, starting as a general helper and quickly working his way through all the trades.

Years later, Conley settled down with his family in East Texas and worked for a local sign company for about a decade before branching out to do his own thing. He had plenty of experience and saw an open market for his business. Now, Conley’s company serves all of East Texas with vehicle and boat wraps, digital printing and signs.

Conley and his team at Tyler Wrap Company don’t skimp in any area, he said. They use the highest-quality machines and materials to produce the most vivid colors and sharpest images.

“You don’t really understand the power a wrap has

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until you drive one,” Conley said. “It makes people look at it – whether they want to or not. It grabs their attention.” Most often used by businesses of all shapes and sizes, the wraps gain advertising traction like no other.

And the process behind it all is more than meets the eye.

The process It all starts with a customer’s vision, then Conley and his team bring that to life.

After giving an estimation and agreeing on a price, the art can begin.

“The art process is pretty labor intensive,” said Conley, who not only owns the business but also works as one of the company’s designers among his many other duties.

Conley said he’s the type of artist who learned by practicing, practicing and practicing some more, which paid off as the skills he’s mastered have earned him awards.

Creating the design happens mostly via Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, but some designs require physical hand-drawing or hand-drawing on an iPad. “Drawing on the iPad is a whole ’nother skill,” Conley explained, noting that an artist really has to get a feel for the dynamic of the technology while incorporating their artistic talents at the same time.

Conley said his company isn’t the type to use pickand-print graphics or just cut and paste. The art process is completely custom and unique to a customer’s vision.

“Most wraps just start with an idea, and we have to get our heads together with the customer to find what

they’re really looking for and get it right,” Conley said. Then comes the art approval process and making any adjustments during that time.

Conley said a top-notch final product is all about building a quality template and knowing how to work the scale to make things super crisp and clear. It’s a talent and precision not everyone has, he explained, and it’s one his team is extremely serious about.

The preparation for a wrap is probably the most important part of the process.

“Prep work is the key, and it takes a while,” Conley said.

A vehicle or boat must be in the cleanest state possible, down to the bare paint as much as it can be.

“Once it’s clean and prepped, you start wrapping and clean as you go,” Conley said. “Even though it’s already been cleaned, we’ll wipe it down several times while wrapping as well.”

The whole process requires extreme attention to detail. The large wrap is almost like a giant sticker, so the applicators must apply it with the utmost care. A small squeegee tool helps the team members execute the smoothest wrap possible.

The shop can also print large dimensions, so there’s no need to worry about a pieced-together wrap.

Plus, there’s never any fear of stretching as they will even disassemble certain parts of the vehicle, like the taillights, brand emblems and designators, and others as necessary.

This also allows for accurate color that matches the art proof, so a customer always knows what to expect when the finished product is revealed.

The step of actually installing the wrap is time consuming.

Applying a vehicle wrap, for example, can take about two days – or more, depending on the project.

“It’s a team effort,” Conley said, noting that his shop workers do a little bit of everything. | CONT. ON PG. 58

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| CONT. FROM PG. 57 Caring for a vehicle or boat wrap once it leaves the shop is of the utmost importance. A well-taken care of wrap that is often washed just like you’d wash a new vehicle will last a very long time, Conley said. If it’s not taken care of, the wrap will start to wear out much quicker.

For those wraps that may have had a lot of sun exposure over the years, Conley and his team can replace the wrap and start the process all over again, if needed.

Secret touch One little secret customers might not even know is that Conley strategically places a tiny, hidden Bigfoot on nearly every wrap.

“I stick a little bitty guy somewhere, in just about all of them,” Conley said with a laugh. “You have to keep things fun.”

What inspired Conley’s obsession with Bigfoot isn’t clear, but you’ll find images of the big, hairy creature on his business cards, website and even the snow-cone truck his wife and daughter operate. Bigfoot Ice Shack’s trailer features a colorful, eye-catching wrap with an image of Bigfoot eating shaved ice, hand drawn by Conley.

Premier reputation Conley’s precise work and dedication to his craft has led him to serve a number of repeat customers, earning the trust of local businesses, fleet owners and more. Elite anglers like Brandon Palaniuk, Todd Faircloth, Mark Davis, Kelly Jordan, Dean Rojas and Keith Combs, to name a few, choose Tyler Wrap Company over anyone else to deck out their professional vessels. The company’s wraps allow professional anglers to stand out on the water and also provide quality that will stand up to tournament life.

Along with wraps, Tyler Wrap Company can create signs, banners and other print needs. For information, contact 903-710-2373, visit tylerwrapcompany.com or stop by the shop at 16388 Highway 155 South in Tyler.

4238 E. HWY 80 Longview, TX 75605 903-757-6394 58

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FASHION

Dylan Moore wears a short sleeve, button down blue plaid Carhartt shirt with gray Carhartt shorts, both from The Brown Duck in Longview. Below, Hamilton watches and Simon G bracelets from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry in Longview.

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S T O RY B Y S A N TA N A W O O D 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

Barnwell Mountain off-road park prides itself on being one of the best in the state

Y

ou may not want to wear your nicest clothes out to Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area in Gilmer.

Well, you can – but the park managers say if you really want to have a good time, you’ll leave with your clothes the same color as the red dirt that covers the 1,850-acre property.

Fortunately, our models in this issue didn’t have to worry about getting dirty as they posed at the park for our bi-monthly Peters Fashion shoot, clothes courtesy of The Brown Duck.

Dylan Moore, Kenny Fleets and Dyllan Fields were decked out in the latest fashion trends from the Longview retailer, which offers the largest selection of Ariat and Carhartt in East Texas.

In this section, you’ll read all about how the park’s team goes the extra mile to maintain what they call the cleanest, most exciting off-road park in Texas.

Just 5 miles outside the city of Gilmer, you’ll find endless miles of off-road trails within a park that boasts rugged terrain and breathtaking mountain views.

Assistant Park Manager Mistie Tanner calls the park a “hidden little gem” in East Texas, as many residents may not even know it exists.

“We get so many customers who say they never knew this was out

here,” Park Manager Sherry Smith said. “They come up before they leave in just absolute awe, telling us how amazing it is that we have this here in our backyard in East Texas.”

Nonprofit owned Open since 2000, the park is operated by nonprofit group Texas Motorized Trails Coalition (TMTC). | CONT. ON PG. 65

FASHION PRESENTED BY

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63

Dyllan Fields wears a sky blue Carhartt T-shirt with Carhartt khakis.

Right, Kenny Fleets wears an orange plaid Carhartt pocketed shirt with khaki shorts, all from The Brown Duck in Longview.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 63 TMTC also operates Barnwell’s sister park, Escondido Draw Recreation Area in Ozona. TMTC establishes and manages off-road parks for motorized use by all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles and more.

Smith, who has managed the park for almost five years, said the park is a special place.

“It’s for the advancement of offroad riding. It’s not about making a dollar; it’s about giving people a place to wheel,” Smith said. “There are very few places to wheel in the state of Texas.”

The park recently acquired 40 additional acres, now totaling 1,850 acres of trails for off-roading along with sites for primitive camping and RV parking, and cabins and bunkhouses for your stay.

Trails for miles With over 200 miles worth of trails, Smith said there’s no shortage of places to ride.

“On any given weekend, we could have up to 200 different vehicles in the park. One time we had 1,400 vehicles at one time and the trails still weren’t crowded,” Smith said.

“You could ride all day without seeing anyone else on the trails, even on a busy day.”

The park provides all different types of terrain.

“We have trails for the most intermediate all the way to the most extreme professional,” Tanner said.

With the exception of threewheelers, any kind of off-road vehicle is welcome on the trails, including four-wheel drive, dune buggies, Jeeps, side-by-sides, etc.

“Some of the trails are for everyone, and some are strictly for single-track dirt bike riders. But with 200 miles of trails, there’s something for everybody and they all come out and have a good time,” Smith said.

The park is family-friendly, allowing children to ride as long as they are properly supervised.

Safety is also of the utmost importance to the park staff. All guests must sign waivers and obey a list of rules.

‘Cleanest park in the state’ Smith and Tanner said the team works tirelessly to keep the property extremely clean and well-maintained.

“You will not find a cleaner park in the state of Texas, you just won’t,” Smith said. “Our members are as diligent about it as we are. They’ll come and when they leave, they’ve got a whole trash bag where they picked up cans and trash out on the trail.”

The park’s trails and facilities are also maintained thanks to grant | CONT. ON PG. 69

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Above, left, Dylan Moore wears a white pocketed T-shirt and gray shorts, both by Carhartt. Below, Dyllan Fields wears a bright green collared shirt by Ariat. Above Kenny Fleets wears an olive T-shirt by Carhartt, all from The Brown Duck in Longview.

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| CONT. FROM PG. 65 money from the state.

“All the facilities were made possible with the grant money. In turn, the state requires anybody on our trail to have OHV (off-highway vehicle) sticker,” Smith explained.

When someone purchases an OHV sticker at the park’s office, “every penny goes right back into a grant fund that gets dispersed back into the parks.”

Another thing that helps keep the property so pristine is by following the “Tread Lightly” initiative, which aims to protect recreational areas and teach proper outdoor ethics.

BMRA educates its guests about the program as well.

“We pride ourselves on how clean our park is and we intend to keep it that way,” Tanner said. “We ask our guests if they bring it in, to take it out; don’t leave trash. It’s important to have little impact on the land and protect the wildlife and environment.”

Team effort Tanner said Smith’s dedication to her job, excellent customer service and commitment to pleasing guests has been integral to the park’s success.

“Since I’ve been working here and the last five years Sherry has been in charge, I know the park has grown

by leaps and bounds,” Tanner said.

“She treats the park like her baby.”

Smith said she’s always helping guests get what they need, whether it’s a spare pillow, forgotten piece of equipment or anything else someone may need while at the park.

“I will jump through hoops to keep my guests happy,” she said.

Tanner added that the team “goes the extra mile” to make their guests feel welcome and wanted.

Details on how to visit The park is located at 6284 State Highway 155 in Gilmer. It is open year-round, rain or shine, from noon Thursday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

You can pay to use the park by the day or by becoming a member, which is a bargain Smith highly recommends. Membership is just $60 for a family and will allow you to pay a $15 gate fee that covers all family members. The first day’s gate fee is waived when joining or renewing a membership. There are other benefits and member incentives as well. Non-members with a vehicle pay $30 each per day.

All prices, including cabin, bunkhouse and campsite fees, are listed online at barnwellmountainra. com. | CONT. ON PG. 70

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| CONT. FROM PG. 69

Special Thanks In each issue of ETX View, we are fortunate to have a number of supporters who help us bring our fashion shoot ideas to life.

Thank you to Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area for allowing us to use their beautiful property as a backdrop for our fashion shoot. The management team has a heart of gold, and we were happy to tell their story and highlight one of the state’s most premier off-road parks.

We have to give a huge shout out to our models, Dylan Moore, Kenny Fleets and Dyllan Fields, for participating and making the shoot so much fun. Their energy took the shoot to the next level and we hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry provided some stunning watches for our models that paired nicely with clothes courtesy of The Brown Duck.

Thank you both for being part of our vision.

And thank you, as always, to Peters Chevrolet of Longview for sponsoring the bi-monthly fashion shoots and partnering with us for coverage. Visit www. facebook.com/PetersLongview to see a behind-the-scenes video of this fashion shoot.

FASHION PRESENTED BY

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Jim

Bartlett FINE JEWELRY

Jim

Bartlett FINE JEWELRY

2002 Judson RD • 903-758-4367 • www.BartlettFineJewelry.com DiamondFire@Mail.com • Follow us on Facebook & Instagram71 May/June 2022 | etxview.com

FOOD

Street Eats demand grows in East Texas

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T

he food truck industry is expected to fuel back up to almost pre-pandemic levels this year, with a number of existing and new East Texas food trucks already securing their spots in the local food scenes.

S T O RY B Y JO LEE FERGUSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY M I C H A E L C AVA Z O S , LES HASSELL, J E S S I C A PAY N E A N D C O U RT E S Y

Tacos, gourmet grilled cheese, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches and seafood – food trucks are serving a variety of fare from their spots in parking lots or at businesses and events around the area.

“Between 2017 to 2022, the American food truck industry grew at an annualized rate of 6.4%, making food trucks a $1.2 billion industry in the US this year.

Further, there were over 35,000 food trucks active in the US as of January 2022,” said Kelsey Erickson Streufert, chief public affairs officer for the Texas Restaurant Association.

“This growth is fueled by many factors including food trucks’ relatively low start-up and operating costs compared to traditional restaurants, as well as the flexibility and adaptability food trucks provide, “ Streufert said. “For example, we’re now seeing existing brick-and-mortar restaurants add food trucks to their business so they can serve even more take-out guests without disrupting their existing operations. And although the pandemic did create some retraction in the food truck industry, food trucks were much better suited to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic because they require few employees to operate and do not rely on indoor dining.”

The food truck segment of the restaurant industry is expected to grow “at a rapid pace, particularly in Texas.”

Some of East Texas’ popular food trucks have been in business for years. Others have made names for themselves since coming on the scene more recently. | CONT. ON PG. 74

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EDGAR'S BIG TACO

V

erenice Ordorica first found her place in the restaurant industry at age 9, helping her father, Ramiro Ordorica, at his Edgar’s Big Taco, on Texas 31.

He opened the restaurant, which is named for her brother, in 1995.

“To me, I was intrigued by it,” she said, recalling how she wasn’t allowed to use a calculator to add up customers’ orders. She also couldn’t write orders down.

“I had to have them memorized,” she said.

Some 26 years later, her love of the industry continues, with her own restaurant and more recently, a food truck. Her sit-down restaurant, Edgar’s Big Taco No. 2, opened

in downtown Kilgore about eight years ago, and she started taking her Edgar’s Big Taco Food Truck around East Texas two years ago.

She said her work is connected to the psychology degree she got at Texas A&M, because her food makes people happy.

“The positive feedback – it honestly feels great, especially when I go into a new town with the food truck,” Verenica Odorica said. “It feels good to make people happy, even if it is to make people happy eating.”

When her father’s business first opened, people didn’t really know what cilantro was and many stores didn’t carry it, she said. They started incorporating it into their food along with onions to make the tacos more authentic.

Now, her food truck and restaurant serve a variety of tacos,

including the popular queso taco and her personal favorite, the pizza birria. It’s a variation on a type of taco she offers with birria, a meat in a red broth that’s similar to a beef stew concept, she said. The pizza birria is a large tortilla dipped in the red broth, with white cheese, a choice of meat and another layer of cheese. It’s sliced into eight pieces and served in a pizza box. Some people order the signature birria meat with it, while others request steak, chicken or barbacoa.

“It’s very yummy,” Odorica said.

The food truck is her “baby,” she said, adding that she likes interacting with people and making friends with her customers.

“People actually know you – that’s cool, not from singing or acting or modeling,” she said. “You genuinely know me or my food, and I think that’s a cool thing.”

Verenice Ordorica in the window of Edgar's Big Taco food truck.

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Mario Melo prepares tacos for customers at Edgar's Big Taco food truck.

Verenice Ordorica waits on customers in line at Edgar's Big Taco food truck.

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PHILL'N STATION

P

ierre Hicks and his wife, Rachelle, created their food truck, The Phill’n Station, to fill a gap he saw in Longview.

“There’s not very many food options from different areas,” he said. He decided on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches because he has visited Philadelphia and likes the sandwiches.

He did a lot of research, he said, so he could serve authentic-style Philly cheesesteaks. He orders his buns from Philadelphia and makes

pretty much everything from scratch, including his sauces. He started taking his truck around Longview in February 2021 and can often be found in the Best Buy parking lot for lunch.

“I wanted to do something that’s unique that will let them experience different avenues of the food culture,” he said.

His menu includes “The Ordinary,” with ribeye, cheese and onions; the Surf and Turf; The Big Texas – because “Texans like their meat,” with ribeye and chicken; and a pizza sandwich, with ribeye, pepperoni, pizza sauce and cheese; as well as Philly egg rolls.

“No matter how much I prepare,

Phill'n Station authentic-style Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

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I always end up selling out,” Hicks said.

He said he went to the Food Truck Championship of Texas in 2021 with 200 pounds of meat and sold out in about 2 ½ hours.

“We’re doing it again this year,” he said, explaining he’s arranged to store more food with a local company so he doesn’t “miss out again on so much business.”

He likes owning a food truck because he likes to cook, he said.

When they built their house, they included an outside kitchen with a hibachi grill, because he likes to have people over and cook different foods for them.

“I like to put a smile on everyone’s face locally,” Hicks said.

Phill'n Station owner Pierre Hicks

Pierre Hicks prepares a sandwich for a customer.

Phill'n Station owner Rachelle Hicks waits on customers.

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CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

N

ecessity might have been behind Amanda Longacre’s move to the food truck industry three years ago, but it’s a move that’s allowed her to follow her passion for cooking.

She was a single mother at the time and had been laid off from her job as general manager at a restaurant, before the pandemic began. That’s when she told her fiancé about her longtime dream to own a restaurant, but thought she could start with a food truck.

“I was desperate,” she said, and started with two tents and a crawfish boiler. She saved up for her first truck then later purchased her current truck.

“Cajun food is my favorite,” she said, explaining she’s worked in the restaurant business since she was 15.

She’s been a server, a corporate trainer and general manager.

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“I’ve always loved to cook. I kind of made up my own recipes,” Longacre said. “Some I took a basic recipe and added my twist with it.”

Her now husband, Casey Longacre, left the oil industry to join her in the food truck business. Catch Me If You Can, which is based in Tyler but travels to other communities, prospered when COVID-19 hit.

“That was actually one of our busiest times….” Amanda Longacre said. “We had lines that were hours long…. Because we were a food truck, we didn’t have to close down. We were allowed to stay open. We were one of the only places you could get a good home-cooked meal.”

It was their biggest year, she said, and they went into it knowing they would either sink or swim.

“Luckily, we’ve been able to hold our head above water,” Longacre said.

Their menu includes boiled, fried and grilled fish, chicken, shrimp, crawfish and sometimes crab. Po’ Boys and sometimes tacos are served as well, with crawfish grilled cheese and other items helping to round out

the menu – including cheesecake she purchases from a local bakery.

She said they’ll soon start looking for a space where they can start a sitdown restaurant, and additional food trucks could be in their future as well.

“It will be more family oriented, just a place like I was inviting you to my house,” she said of the planned brickand-mortar location.

They frequently set up in the Big Lots parking lot in Tyler and go to smaller towns that don’t have as many restaurant options.

“We like doing roadside setups a lot rather than events,” Longacre said.

Her two sons also help with the business.

It’s the hardest job she’s ever had, she said, but it’s where her heart is.

“It’s been nice to see myself grow as a person and to do something I love and I’m passionate about,” she said. “I’ve always loved working with people and I’m very good at it.

I love that our customers appreciate that I remember their name or that somebody was in the hospital.”

Hunter Lowdermilk, who is owner Amanda Longacre’s son, serves customers.

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STREETLICIOUS

F

or Don Raiford, cooking is the easy part of owning a food truck.

Raiford was working in the oilfield in 2015 when he began considering opening a food truck. About a year later, he and his wife, Judy, launched Street-Licious, a gourmet grilled cheese food truck.

“I didn’t have a clue what a food truck business would look like, I just knew I wanted to try it,” he said. ”After numerous conversations with family and friends we took the plunge and started our journey. We visited the Dallas area and areas similar to Longview. At that time Longview had very few mobile food trucks and not a lot of people had experienced

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ordering from a food truck. Now the Longview area food truck scene has really grown and we are starting to see what we found in those areas happening here.”

The next big challenge, he said, was deciding what to serve. He spent a lot of time researching successful food trucks.

“All we knew was that we wanted something everyone would love and something that would offer a lot of variety,” Raiford said. “There is a lot you can do with a grilled cheese sandwich.“ Longview’s food truck ordinance was in place when Street-Licous started, so the Raifords were able to have their truck built to that code.

Then, they faced the challenge of finding a commissary kitchen – a place to store their food and resupply their truck.

“The health department has been amazing from the start. They have helped to make sure we were doing everything right and up to code,” he said.

Street-Licious started with a few sandwiches and its Rocky’s chips, Raiford said. They have expanded the menu since then.

“Everything that isn’t obvious (cheese, bread, bacon, eggs) I have created – our in-house dip, marinated avocados, pulled pork, barbecue sauce, mac ‘n’ cheese and cole-slaw,” Raiford said. “I still do my research and I’m still learning, as I feel you should always have new ideas and be better than you were the day before. After cooking over 70,000 sandwiches, I really don’t have a favorite. Judy’s favorite probably is

anything with avocados, cole-slaw and pulled pork with barbecue sauce.”

Technology has helped StreetLicious grow through online ordering.

“Our customer base has been the biggest change from when we started,” he said. “It didn’t take long to build up a few loyal fans, but our success was not overnight.

Each milestone we hit was still just as exciting to us as that very first repeat customer.”

Weather can be a challenge, making it either hotter or colder on the truck. Rain can disrupt business as well.

“All these challenges make what we love worth it – the customer,” Raiford said. “We love our customers, and so many have become like family to us. The love

and support the community has offered us is overwhelming. We say this a lot but just when we think they can’t leave us speechless, something happens and they do just that. You get a chance to meet so many new people running a food truck. We love each and everyone of our customers, family.”

The Raifords are assisted in the business by their daughter Amanda Woods, who is a part-owner of the food truck, and their grandsons, Blain, Ethan and Dayton Woods.

“Eventually we would love to have the family continue the business and even expand to other cities,” Raiford said. “All three grandsons have expressed interest into expanding.

We would love to have a restaurant and that has been on the radar for a few years now.”

Dayton Woods and Don Raiford (below).

Don and Judy Raiford owners of Street-Licious Gourmet Grilled Cheese.

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Artist Logan Moore

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CULTURE

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S T O RY B Y MALERI McHAM PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL | CONT. ON PG. 86

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| CONT. FROM PG. 85

S

teve Irwin and Jeff Corwin are just two of the Animal Planet stars who could always be seen on Logan Moore’s television throughout her childhood.

Watching their shows inspired her love for nature – in particular, her deep interest in reptiles and insects.

Longview artist Moore said she began creating art in middle school but recently found a passion for incorporating nature into her work. In her art, you will see cicadas and their shells, leaf prints, painted skulls and many other things found outdoors.

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“I've always had a love for animals, bugs, reptiles and all sorts of things,” Moore said. “That just kind of progressed into my art.”

Moore recently started to incorporate cicadas and their shells into her artwork. She said the idea to use this particular insect came to her when she was walking outside and saw a bunch of discarded shells laying on the ground.

“These were huge bugs and I thought, ‘I could do something with these, they are so beautiful just laying on the ground,’’’ Moore said. She likes to give new purpose to what might otherwise be considered trash or debris.

Through art, Moore said she has been able to combine her love of nature and art and turn that into something for herself and to share with others.

“That's just the most enjoyable thing you could do,” Moore said.

“Take what you like to do – I like art – and what you love – nature and bugs – and just smash them together and make it your thing.”

Moore’s artwork journey began with painting more traditional nature scenes and making terrariums before she progressed into creating leaf prints, incorporating insects and painting skulls.

Moore describes her art as spontaneous, a lot like herself.

“My art is all over the place,” she said. It’s either filled with bright colors and interesting to the eye, or more realistic.

“There's different sides to it,” Moore said. “I get really crazy or I try to make it resemble nature.” | CONT. ON PG. 88

“I've always had a love for animals, bugs, reptiles and all sorts of things.

That just kind of progressed into my art.”

Logan Moore

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| CONT. FROM PG. 86 Moore and her husband moved to Longview in 2019 and that is when she really began developing her personal style as an artist.

“Once I moved to Longview that whole ‘make a name for yourself’ kind of thing developed more for me,” she said.

Moore’s decision to get involved with the art community in Longview helped her delve more into her art and how she wanted to express herself, she said. Each person she has met in the community inspires her, she added.

In developing her style and progressing her skills, a lot of experimentation is involved, Moore said. Having a community of artists for support and friendship helps the process, she said.

“I've seen through all of my artist friends that they have different methods,” Moore said. “Some will need to study something for a long time and then they'll start. Some have a vision board, or they're just like, ‘I did this in two hours.’”

For her, Moore said she has to tackle her idea immediately in order to make the concept come to life as she envisioned it. She’ll often stay up late into the night because she finds her creativity in the evenings.

Seeing how nature plays such a large role in her art today, Moore said she is grateful for her parents encouraging her love of insects, reptiles and more. As a child, Moore would bring insects in the house and has multiple pictures holding giant bugs. She even remembers having a jar full of discarded cicada shells.

“I'm glad my mom and dad weren't totally terrified of insects, they were kind of indifferent,” Moore said. “My parents would find them and say, ‘look at what I found,’ and get me really into it.”

Part of Moore’s mission as an artist is to help others understand nature and know insects – or what she called “the little guys” – are not all that bad, she said.

Viewers often give her work mixed reactions. Some are in awe while others are shocked to see insects being used as an art element. Moore knows not everyone will love her work, but she is thankful for those who are able to see the beauty in it.

At the end of the day, Moore said she creates art for herself.

“It’s a hobby that helps me relax and I don't have to be serious about it,” Moore said. “I can just make whatever I want to and do things that maybe nobody has ever thought of before.”

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VIOLIN FREESTYLE

PERFORMANCES TYLER STREET MUSICIAN CAPTIVATES COMMUNITY S T O RY A N D PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ANA CONEJO | CONT. ON PG. 92

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Street Violinist Douglas Hansen

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| CONT. FROM PG. 90

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VIOLIN FREESTYLE

PERFORMANCES

“Music is my way of really embracing and worshiping God, because it's the purest form of prayer, when you lift up a sound.

It doesn't have to be beautiful to anyone else, it doesn't matter what language you speak. Music resonates with all of us.”

Street Violinist Douglas Hansen

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itting in traffic at a busy intersection in Tyler, drivers may be captivated by the beautiful sounds of Douglas Hansen playing his violin.

As passersby wait for the red light to turn green at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Chimney Rock Drive, they will find Hansen standing tall, pacing back and forth as he plays music with hopes to uplift his neighbors.

The intersection, long home to La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, may be just a location on the map for other Tylerites, but for Hansen the spot has become a sacred safe place that allows him to unload emotional

baggage, inspire others, give back and financially support his family.

Hansen has been playing the violin since the age of 13 when he picked it up after going to a concert that left a deep hole in his heart, he said.

Hansen plays the violin completely freestyle, allowing his hand to collaborate with the strings and play with no sort of control.

“I don't know how to read music; I just play music. I can learn a lot of stuff by ear, but I think that I was just hardwired to play music,” he said.

“I would say that my hand goes on autopilot and I'm thinking about what I want to play next and it just happens. There's no strategy or technique to it for me.”

Around the time Hansen began

playing violin, he was in middle school and his family encountered some financial problems. That’s when he started playing around street corners to help pay bills.

“When you're poor and struggling, it's really easy to get good at something,” he said. “The thing is you know, parents can get depressed and my dad was depressed. So it was me and my sister that were paying the bills. And if we didn't do it, then it was back to being homeless. So that's what we did – whatever we had to.”

During Hansen’s lifetime, he has experienced homelessness three times but thanks to his violin that he calls Charlie, he has been able to make ends meet throughout the years.

play and make an impact through his music, those who come across Hansen take away the emotions that are unloaded by his performances as the red lights stop traffic at the busy Tyler intersection.

Besides money, Hansen receives hugs, “thank you” messages, applause, water and even food. He said every interaction means a lot to him.

“A lot of people pull over and come up and give me a hug. A lot of the time it's what makes my day and makes the hard days good.

Because at the same time, there's not always nice people and when people show they care, it means something because generally I feel invisible out there,” Hansen said.

have to be beautiful to anyone else, it doesn't matter what language you speak. Music resonates with all of us,” he said.

Hansen has been a Tyler resident for almost two decades. He is originally from Portland, Oregon, but said East Texas has become his home.

Hansen hopes to one day completely enjoy his time playing music for fun without worrying about finances.

He hopes to do more impactful things for the community, such as helping others and giving back, which is something he’s done in the past when he was more financially stable. He said if he didn’t have to pay bills, he would constantly give

But for Hansen, the violin is much more than just a way to alleviate financial stress. It also allows him to inspire others through music.

“I have 30 seconds to impress my clients on the street corner. They're seeing a man on the corner, but I'm not holding a sign – I'm playing the violin. I’m presenting myself and putting myself out there, and people hear it. I select a few songs that I know how to play that really are made to inspire people, help encourage them or to help them feel peace,” Hansen said. “People need something to inspire them. I think that’s what a lot of people lack in their life is inspiration to be more, which is why I listen to music.”

With his goal set in mind to

Passersby can see Hansen perform on some weekends, as he also works a full-time job during the week.

But even though he is not always out performing, he has established regulars who stop by often.

“I have regulars that a few times a month they’ll tip … It's people that are grateful to have me out there, which is an extremely unique thing to run into,” he said.

Hansen also plays at the Christ Church Episcopal Church in Tyler, where he establishes unity in the community through the power of music.

“Music is my way of really embracing and worshiping God, because it's the purest form of prayer, when you lift up a sound. It doesn't

back with random acts of kindness such as surprising families in need with free groceries.

Generosity goes a long way, Hansen said, and he encourages others who are able to give back and use the power of money for good.

He shows immense gratitude toward the East Texas community that has supported his art form over the years.

“A sincere thank you to East Texas for helping make so many Christmases and birthdays possible for my family,” Hansen said.

To keep up with Hansen and listen to his music, you can search him on TikTok under ‘datnobody’ where he records himself playing the violin.

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CALENDAR events

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

CANTON FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS MAY 1 AND JUNE 2-5

First Monday Grounds 800 First Monday Lane https://www. firstmondaycanton.com/

GILMER CHEROKEE ROSE FESTIVAL 9 A.M. MAY 7 Upshur County Courthouse Square https://www.facebook.com/ cherokeerosefestival/

HENDERSON “DECISION HEIGHT” 6 P.M. MAY 13-14 AND MAY 20-21, 1 P.M. MAY 15 AND 22 Henderson Civic Theatre 122 E. Main St. https://hendersoncivictheatre. org/

Great Texas Balloon Race

JACKSONVILLE ANNUAL TOMATO FEST 8 A.M. TO 3 P.M. JUNE 11

Downtown Jacksonville http://www.jacksonvilletexas. com/tomato-fest

JEFFERSON MOTHER’S DAY EXPRESS TRAIN 12:30 P.M. AND 2:30 P.M. MAY 7 Historic Jefferson Railway 400 E. Austin St. https://visitjeffersontexas.com/ jefferson-texas-events

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FRIDAY THE 13TH EVENING TRAIN 9:30 P.M. MAY 13

Historic Jefferson Railway 400 E. Austin St. https://visitjeffersontexas.com/ jefferson-texas-events

Jacksonville Tomato Fest

HOT AIR BALLOON GLOW FESTIVAL 7 P.M. JUNE 4

Cypress River Airport https://visitjeffersontexas.com/ jefferson-texas-events

KILGORE KILGORE CRUISE NIGHT 3 P.M. TO 6 P.M. MAY 28 AND JUNE 25

VINTAGE MARKET DAYS OF EAST TEXAS JUNE 10-12 Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square 205 Cannery Row https://www.visitlindale.com/ events

LONGVIEW

Downtown Kilgore https://kilgoremercantile.com/

THEOLOGY ON TAP 6 P.M. TO 8 P.M. MAY 3 AND JUNE 7

LINDALE

Oil Horse Brewing Co. 101 W. Tyler St. https://www.facebook.com/

PINEY WOODS WINE FESTIVAL MAY 13-14

OILHORSEBREWING LONE STAR BLUES JAM 7 P.M. TO 10 P.M. MAY 3

Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square 205 Cannery Row https://www.visitlindale.com/ events

Reo Starplex Event Center & Roller Rink 4716 W. Loop 281 https://www.reostarplex.com/

EAST TEXAS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION RABBIT SHOW 7 P.M. TO 12 A.M. MAY 6 AND 8 A.M. TO 10 P.M. MAY 7 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive http://maudecobb. longviewtexas.gov/

EAST TEXAS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION PARADE OF HOMES 1 P.M. TO 6 P.M. MAY 6-8 AND MAY 13-15 https://easttexasbuilders.org/ parade-of-homes/

GREGG COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY 4 P.M. TO 7 P.M. MAY 7 Nantucket 4070 Rupe Huffman Road http://gregghistorical.org/ kentucky-derby-party/

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| CONT. FROM PG. 95 “THE NERD” MAY 12-15 ARTSVIEW CHILDREN’S THEATRE

313 W. Tyler St. https:// artsviewchildrenstheatre.com/

LONGVIEW JAYCEES TRADE DAYS MAY 14-15 AND JUNE 11-12 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive https://greggcountyfair.com/

GIANTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BANQUET 5:30 P.M. TO 8 P.M. MAY 17 Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd. http://maudecobb. longviewtexas.gov/

CLASSIC ARMS PRODUCTIONS GUN & KNIFE SHOW MAY 21-22

Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd. https://capgunshows.com/

MARSHALL

MARTIN LAWRENCE COMEDY SHOW JUNE 11

MARSHALL MAIN STREET CRUISE NIGHT 5 P.M. TO 9 P.M. MAY 14 AND JUNE 11

Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd. http://maudecobb. longviewtexas.gov/

Downtown Marshall https://marshalltexas.com/ events/#!calendar

GREAT TEXAS BALLOON RACE JUNE 17-19

HEART OF MARSHALL 4 TO 7 P.M. MAY 7

Starr Family Home State Historic Site 407 West Travis Street, Marshall visitstarrfamilyhome.com

Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd. http://maudecobb. longviewtexas.gov/

TYLER

H.E.R.P.S. EXOTIC REPTILE & PET SHOW JUNE 25-26

TYLER SENIOR CENTER EXHIBIT 8 A.M. TO 10 P.M. MAY 3

Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive https://herpshow.net/

LONGVIEW JUNETEENTH BLACK RODEO 7:30 P.M. JUNE 25

Longview Rodeo Arena 100 Grand Blvd. https:// therealcowboyassociation.com/

Gallery Main Street 110 N. College Ave. https://www.facebook.com/ GalleryMainStreetTyler/

RED DIRT BBQ & MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 7

Downtown Tyler https://reddirtbbqfest.com/

RUN FOR THE WALL 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. MAY 22 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive https://rftw.us/

EAST TEXAS SYMPHONIC BAND POPS IN THE PARK CONCERT 7 P.M. TO 8:30 P.M. MAY 23

Teague Park Amphitheatre 415 American Legion Blvd. http://www.etsymphonicband. com/

UDOG UKC DOG SHOW 8 A.M. TO 6 P.M. MAY 27-30 Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Drive www.longviewtexas.gov

“TRANSFORMATION IN THE WILD WORLD OF MARK NESMITH: A RETROSPECTIVE” JUNE 4-SEPTEMBER 24

Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E. Tyler St. https://www.lmfa.org/

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East Texas Symphonic Band

ATexas Sense of Place Landscape Art Quilts Longview Juneteenth Rodeo PELLE LEGNA WINE TASTING 11:15 A.M. TO 9:45 P.M. MAY 7, 14, 21, 28 Pelle Legna Vineyards 18655 CR 418 https://visittyler.com/calendar/

“MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL” 6:30 P.M. JUNE 11 UT Tyler Cowan Center 2835 Old Omen Road www.cowancenter.org

BLUE MAN GROUP 7:30 P.M. JUNE 16 AND 17 UT Tyler Cowan Center 2835 Old Omen Road www.cowancenter.org

EAST TEXAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “A TEXAS TRIBUTE” 2 P.M. AND 7:30 P.M. JUNE 18 Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center 1303 S. Mahon Ave. https://etso.org/

JAN 22 - MAY 21

TYLER CIVIC THEATRE’S “THE RED VELVET CAKE WAR” MAY 1 AND MAY 5-8 Tyler Civic Theatre 400 Rose Park Drive https://tylercivictheatre.com/

TYLER CIVIC THEATRE’S “SISTER ACT” JUNE 2-5, 9-12 AND 16-19 Tyler Civic Theatre 400 Rose Park Drive https://tylercivictheatre.com/

TYLER PARADE OF HOMES JUNE 4-12 http://www.tylerareabuilders. com/parade.html

Transformation

In the Wild World of Mark Nesmith: A Retrospective

JUN 4 - SEP 24

TYLER CATTLE BARON’S GALA 6 P.M. JUNE 11 Texas Rose Horse Park 14078 Texas 110 https://www. tylercattlebaronsgala.org/

Have an event you’d like to submit for our calendar?

Email us at info@etxview.com with information.

Submissions for July/Aug are due by May 20.

Submissions for Sep/Oct are due by July 15.

LMFA.org

903.753.8103

Admission is Free for Members, $5 for Guests.

Visit the website for exhibit details.

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