Charm Magazine - November / December 2016

A P R I L L B R A N D O N | P I C T U R E T H I S ! | FA S H I O N NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

COVER STORY

blessed to be a

BLESSING

ALSO INSIDE

festive food without

THE FUSS

beat the holiday

BULGE

Congratulations to the 2017 Stars Over Longview Jill Chaney

Dr. Peggy Coghlan

Melanie Northcutt Crocker Patricia Florence Gale Johnson Keeta King

Natalie Lynch

Ginia Northcutt

Frankie Parson Riggins Shirley Perkins

Dr. Karen Roberts

LaRaslum Williams

Celebrating 17 Years Thursday, January 12, 2017 Speaker: Rebekah Gregory Doors Open at 11:30 a.m.

Ceremony and Luncheon begin at noon Maude Cobb Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd. • Longview Complimentary valet parking will be available.

Ticket Information Individual Tickets $30.00 • $240 for Table of 8 Tickets will be available for purchase beginning October 31, 2016. To purchase, call Longview Regional Medical Center’s Marketing Department at 903-553-7400.

Speaker: Rebekah Gregory 2013 Boston Marathon Survivor

For additional information on this event visit LongviewRegional.com.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

s t n e t n o C Beauty: Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Health: Beat the Holiday Bulge

12

10

Feature: Festive Food without the Fuss

Fashion: Red Hot Texas Winter

24

20

On the Cover Features 14

Cover Story: Blessed to be a Blessing

20

Festive Food without the Fuss

28

Merry and Bright

32

Aprill Brandon: If My Column Were a Sitcom, This Would be the Thanksgiving Episode

Health & Beauty 12

Fashion 19

Charming Finds

24

Red Hot Texas Winter

School 30

Health & Beauty 10

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Beat the Holiday Bulge

Designed to Sell

In Every Issue 34

Picture This!

Each year, volunteers with the Havertys/ Newgate Christmas Angel Tree interview parents and grandparents seeking help in providing Christmas gifts for their children.

Jerry and Nan Gardner and Waynell Kuhlman have played a role in providing help for East Texas families for many years during the holiday season. pg. 14

Spot the Charm Our September/October Spot the Charm winner was Mike Cassin and he has chosen a $100 VISA gift card. He spotted the charm on page 18 in our last issue!

We invite you to spot a special Charm logo in this edition. If you locate it, sign on to mycharmonline.com and click the Spot the Charm link on the homepage.

4 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

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Our Name Says Good. Our Care Is Great.

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Holidays are Special

CHARM NOVEMBER/DECEMEBER 2016 PUBLISHER Stephen McHaney EDITOR Ric Brack • 903.237.7759 • rbrack@news-journal.com PUBLICATION DIRECTOR Amy McHaney • 903.237.3375 • amchaney@news-journal.com

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MANAGING EDITOR Christina Lane • 903.237.7724 • clane@news-journal.com ART DIRECTOR Katie Case • 903.237.7715 • kcase@news-journal.com PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Lozano • 903.237.7246 • clozano@news-journal.com DESIGNER Rebecca McCallum ILLUSTRATOR Michelle Laverell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Aprill Brandon • Jo Lee Ferguson • Christina Lane Amy McHaney • Amy Brocato Pearson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Cavazos • Les Hassell • Marc Bailey

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9/27/16 11:04 AM

LETTER

D

ear Readers, Every holiday season, I am amazed by the joy and kindness

displayed across East Texas.

Yes, it is easy to get caught up in the rush of buying gifts for family,

friends and co-workers. Between holiday parties, family gatherings and other obligations, the holidays can be a stressful time. But in Longview, it always warms my heart to see how generous people are with their time and treasure.

That is the focus of this edition of Charm.

Our cover story features Jerry and Nan Gardner and Waynell Kuhlman,

casseroles and other dishes and Hebert’s offers deboned stuffed turkeys,

who in 1990 had the idea for an “angel tree” that would raise funds to serve

spiral honey-glazed hams and its “world-famous” turducken. Pursuing one

children and families. In the years since, the effort has provided Christmas

of these options can allow you to spend more time with your family and less

gifts for more than 10,000 children. And the Gardners and Waynell continue

time stressing over assembling the perfect meal.

to be involved with the Havertys/Newgate Christmas Angel Tree. Their

Another way to cut the stress is to remember to exercise, and we’ve got

efforts have had a profound impact on our community. And they are a

some tips on how to do that in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle. Even

reminder that above all else, the holidays are a time for giving and spreading

if you don’t have time to get to the gym five days a week, activities as simple

joy to others. This issue gives you information on other ways to do that, too.

as a quick walk around your neighborhood can help release those feel-good

For example, you’ll find a listing of agencies that serve the community at the

hormones that will reduce stress. (Plus, it can help you shed those holiday

holidays so you can help make the holidays brighter for others.

pounds we are certain to pack on!)

Speaking of brightness, I just love seeing all the holiday lights as I drive

Needing to make some extra cash this holiday season to make ends meet?

around town at this time of year. Seeing homes decorated with beautiful lights

We can help with that, too. Our story about some East Texas women who

and decorations helps me get in the holiday mood. In addition to homes,

have unique businesses that help them earn extra money for the holidays

there are many attractions in the area to see festive displays. In Longview,

might give you an idea or two of your own. And if you want to know the latest

accountant Carmela Davis offers a Mini Santa Land and is moving it to a

trends in holiday attire, be sure to check out our fashion spread for some

bigger location this year. In Marshall, you can visit Wonderland of Lights

beautiful ideas.

and in Tyler you can see Santa Land, dubbed the nation’s first drive-through Christmas park.

If you’re feeling too stressed to cook, we’ve got you covered with many great local resources for your holiday meals. For example, Dudley’s fries up turkeys and sells them at the holidays; Nanny Goats offers a variety of

However you spend your holiday, we hope it is merry and bright!

Amy McHaney amchaney@news-journal.com

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From the day you find out to the day you deliver, there’s nothing more important to Longview Regional Medical Center than your and your baby’s health and well-being. This is why we provide extra amenities such as private rooms, spacious birthing suites, childbirth classes and breastfeeding support. And if you and your newest addition need a little extra help, we offer perinatal services that include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and a Level III NICU. For more information about our labor and delivery services, visit LongviewRegional.com/baby.

2901 N. Fourth Street • Longview, TX 75605 • 903-242-3490 • LongviewRegional.com

HealtH & beauty If this scenario sounds familiar to you, the magic that is the eye highlighter may be just the solution you need to take you from haggard raccoon (nice visual, right?) to bright-eyed and ready to go.

Celebrity makeup artist Joana Schlip has said that highlighters are “the secret weapon for a youthful, healthy glow – especially for women ages 40 and over.” When used on the brow bone, in the inner corners and over circles, highlighters can significantly brighten the eye area, leaving you looking youthful and wide awake.

Highlighters are widely available in shades for all skin tones and all budgets. In fact, the choices are pretty overwhelming. Stick? Powder? Gel? All-over highlighter? When I chose the products to review, I decided to stick with versions that were designed specifically for the eye area rather than all-over products.

bright eyed and bushy tailed

It’s worth noting, too, that the products I evaluated are primarily highlighters – they can be used alone or over a concealer. If you have significant dark circles to camouflage, you should use a heavier concealer first, then follow with the highlighter to add brightness.

NeutrogeNa

Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector $13.49 - Drugstores • Four Shades

ProS: ✓

Titanium Dioxide Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Words by Amy mCHANey

✓

Gentle enough for contact lens wearers

’T

The Neutrogena product is applied with a built in brush – is the season … for tired, bleary eyes. Late night

you turn the end of the tube and the product “clicks” up into the

decorating. Parties. Late night gift wrapping sessions.

brush. This is a common delivery method for eye highlighters.

Parties. Late night cooking. Parties. All of the

Sometimes it takes several – or 10 – clicks to get product to

traditions and festivities that come along with the holiday season

release into the brush. once on the brush, I applied the product

can really take a toll on your eyes, making circles appear darker

to the inner corners of my eyes, over the circles beneath my eyes

and creases more defined.

and just below my lower lash line. The brush did not blend the

10 Charm | N o v e m b e r / d e C e m b e r

product in completely, so I needed to use my fingers to finish the job. I liked the consistency of the product – it was very light, but not watery. When blended, the finish was matte though it did not appear cakey. Unfortunately, the product did not seem to particularly highlight; there was no shimmer to the product at all.

When UseD on the broW bone, in the inner corners anD over circLes, highLighters can significantLy brighten the eye area, Leaving yoU Looking anD

Youthful

Wide Awake.

So overall, I thought it went on nicely, but it did not achieve the brightening, highlighted look I was looking for.

L'oreaL paris

Magic Lumi Highlighter $12.95 - Drugstores • Three Shades

not meant to be a concealer at all, only a highlighter. The light liquid is a very sheer, slightly creamy color that blends very easily into the skin around the eyes – and it has the perfect amount of subtle shimmer! I really, really liked the slight glow it gave my skin despite the fact that I would need to use a separate concealer to cover circles. And the sheer tone makes it suitable for all skin colors – just pair with your favorite concealer. Winner! C

ProS: ✓

“Lumi” finish gives a slightly luminescent glow

✓

Satin finish

The L’oreal product utilizes the same clickable pen packaging that the Neutrogena product does; after a number of clicks to get the product moving, I found the application to be virtually

Rodan+Fields

UpDate

identical. The product was light and easy to blend with my fingers after the initial application with the brush. The satin finish of

I cannot believe it’s been nearly a year since I

the L’oreal product gave a very subtle shimmer effect, though I

began my rodan+Fields journey! I am still using the

could never totally tell if the shimmer was due to the finish or any

same products – the redefine line – that I have used

actual shimmer in the product. I did feel like the L’oreal product

since the beginning. My skin continues to improve – as

provided more robust coverage for circles than the Neutrogena

evidenced in the photos. I will share one final set of

product, which was nice. overall, I really liked the L’oreal

photos with you in the January-February Charm so we

product, though I was still left hoping for a little more shimmer.

can compare year-over-year.

pixi by petra

Eye Zone Brightener $14.19 - Target • One Shade

ProS ✓

Subtle shimmer

✓

Can be used to highlight other parts of the face

Just like the first two products I reviewed, the Pixi by Petra Eye Zone Brightener comes in a clickable pen with a brush applicator. The product itself, however, is different in that it is mycharmonline.com 11

HealtH & beauty

you go back to your normal routine after the holidays, you don’t have as far to make up.”

Nancy said when people stop doing their regular workout routine completely, it only takes two weeks for the body to lose its fitness level.

After the holidays, as people get back into working out, it takes double and triple that amount of time to build up fitness when workouts have completely stopped for the holidays.

Not only do people lose their fitness level by ditching their workouts during the holidays, several studies also show that people can gain anywhere from one pound to a few pounds between Thanksgiving and christmas. Although that might not seem like a lot of weight, a report in The New england Journal of medicine noted that many people never lose the weight they put on during the holidays.

According to the study, for the average person, the time just before the holiday season is typically the lowest point in an annual weight gain pattern that peaks during the holidays. The trend of the 1,781 American participants indicated a weight bump of 0.2 percent during Thanksgiving and another 0.4 percent at christmas, according to the study. It takes about five months to lose those holiday pounds, the study found, with weight typically stabilizing by about may.

beat the holiday

bulge

Nancy said the benefits of having an exercise routine – such as psychological benefits from serotonin being released and health benefits by strengthening the heart, improving muscle tone, and weight management – are key not just throughout the year but also during the holidays.

“The holidays can be so stressful. If you go for a walk, dust off your treatmill, do some crunches or some squats, it increases those hormones that make us feel good. You’re more likely to be less stressed,” Nancy said. “even 15 to 20 minutes of exercise just two or three times a week will do nothing but help you.”

Those who struggle to keep the weight off understand the

Words by Staff and Wire reportS

importance of maintaining both a consistent fitness schedule and

B

healthy eating habits. This may be challenging when the rich foods etween decking the halls, visiting family and attending

and parties synonymous with the holiday season are around to

holiday parties, it may seem like there is little time to

threaten healthy habits.

maintain a workout routine during the holiday season.

While the holiday season is an especially busy time of year, men

and women who plan and stay dedicated to their routines do not need to let their health fall by the wayside until January.

here’s some tips for how to stay on course.

• Establish a rEgular ExErcisE datE. Treat exercise as

any other obligation on the calendar. make it a necessity and

“It can be hard to maintain your regular workout routine, but what

not a luxury. Schedule time for workouts, even if it means

I would encourage people to do is keep a sampling of your workout,”

removing something else from your agenda. “Schedule it on your

said Nancy Parks, group exercise coordinator and personal trainer

calendar,” Nancy said. “It’s typically best if you schedule it in the

at the Institute for Healthy Living in Longview. “If you keep some

morning. You’re more likely to work out in the morning than in

activity, you’re less likely to lose your overall fitness level so that when

the evening; things can pop up throughout the day that can keep you away from exercise in the evening.”

12 Charm | N o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r

• Don’t worry about the length of your workouts.

to have workout DVDs at home, dust off their treadmills, or go

If you’re accustomed to an hour-long workout five days a week, but

for a quick walk around the neighborhood to get in some activity

cannot fit in more than 20 minutes two or three days a week, don’t

during the holidays.

skip the workout simply because it’s shorter. Make the most of that

• transform chores into exercise opportunities.

time by targeting larger, core muscles. “If you’re a four or five day

See that vacuum cleaner, rake or broom as a piece of exercise

a week workout person and you have to turn to a few minutes two

equipment. While cleaning up for holiday company, turn on the

or three days a week, just try to make those workouts a little more

radio and get your heart pumping, too. Do leg raises while you’re

intense,” Nancy said. “Increase the weight you’re lifting, try to go a

preparing meals or do some pushups off of the kitchen counter.

little faster on the treadmill – and forgive yourself for taking two or three days off.”

• use your boDyweight. Even if you can’t make it to the

gym, rely on your own body resistance for a thorough workout.

• get a trainer or a workout buDDy. It’s far easier to

Pushups, squats, burpees, mountain climbers, jumping rope,

blow off a workout when you go it alone. However, if you have

and lunges are some exercises that rely on bodyweight for

a workout partner who is counting on you and vice versa, you

effectiveness.

may be less inclined to miss a workout. “Find a buddy who’s on a similar venture,” Nancy said.

• Don’t wait to start your new year’s resolution.

Everyone wants to wait until Jan. 1 to make their resolution.

• try new activities anD have a backup plan.

Don’t wait. Make your resolution today. “I encourage people to

Workouts need not be limited to exercises in the gym. Plenty of

make their resolution the first week of November, then until the

activities work the body and burn calories. Sledding, ice skating,

New Year just commit yourself to two or three workouts each

skiing, and snowboarding are just a few winter sports that can

week,” Nancy said. Exercise and fitness do not have to play

help you stay in shape. Also, having a backup plan in place for

second fiddle to other holiday activities. Make time for workouts,

days when you do miss the gym is key. Nancy encourages people

and you will be ahead of the game come the New Year!

C

ALLOW US TO

REINTRODUCE OURSELVES RE-GRAND OPENING NOVEMBER 4 & 5

Open normal hours during construction.

For renovation updates check out LongviewMall.com

mycharmonline.com 13

COver stOry

to be a Words by jo lee ferguson Photos by chris lozano, Kevin green & les hassell

14 Charm | n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r

The numbers tell a story, a difficult one.

Monthly

income,

food

stamps,

child

support

and

unemployment payments, for instance, balanced against monthly bills – rent, the cost of utilities, car payments, groceries, daycare and other expenses. Each year, volunteers with the Havertys/Newgate Christmas Angel Tree interview parents and grandparents seeking help in providing Christmas gifts for their children. They gather information on the applicants’ income and expenses to determine if they’re eligible for help through the 26-year-old initiative.

“You can tell real quick,” says Jerry Gardner. “You start ending up with a lot of minuses at the bottom…. Most of the time you wonder how in the world they exist.”

Jerry was manager of Havertys in Longview about 27 years ago when he and his wife, Nan, were in Dallas for a marathon he entered. They stopped at a mall on the way home, but Jerry remained in the car while Nan went inside. He was listening to the radio when he heard an advertisement for an angel tree.

“I got to thinking, why can’t we do that in Longview?” says Jerry, who is now retired from Havertys. When his wife returned to the car, he pitched the idea to her, with the Havertys store as home to the effort. Nan, who is now a retired teacher, suggested ABOVE: Left To Right: Nan Gardner, Jerry Gardner and Waynell Kuhlman (Chris Lozano) BELOW: The Angel Tree at Haverty’s Fine Furniture in Longview. (Kevin Green)

the best way to identify children in need would be to work through teachers, school counselors and nurses.

That was December 1989. By January 1990, efforts to launch the first Havertys Angel Tree had begun. Jerry drafted store employees, their families and others to help. Waynell Kuhlman, whose husband, Jack, worked at the store, took an active role in the project and continues to work with the Gardners on the project to this day.

In the first year, the initiative helped 63 children. Twenty-six years later, Jerry estimates the effort has provided Christmas gifts for more than 10,000 children – as many as 765 one year and an expected 400 or 500 children this year. continued on pg. 16  mycharmonline.com 15

“Waynell and I talked a great deal about it. What we wanted, and we still have the same goals – we wanted to take the children … that if we didn’t do something for them, that they wouldn’t get anything, that ones that were falling through the cracks…,” Jerry says.

The Gardners say the Havertys/Newgate Christmas Angel tree story is one driven by a caring community.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have people volunteer.

Sometimes we look at each other and think, ‘How is this going to work out?’” Nan says. “The people of East Texas have just been wonderful. We have some very dedicated volunteers that stayed with us and help us.”

ABOVE: Nan Gardner helps hang angels on the Havertys/Newgate Mission Angel Tree at Havertys Furnature. (Kevin Green) BELOW: Havertys Angel Tree volunteers Jerry Gardner and Bill Etheredge, right, check their notes before preparing another delivery of Christmas gifts. (Les Hassell)

Jerry agreed, “If it wasn’t for a giving community and our volunteers, we couldn’t do this. It takes a lot of people.”

Planning starts in August each year. Waynell sends letters to regular donors each year. Letters also are sent to school counselors in Gregg County providing information about the program they can share with families who need assistance with Christmas gifts.

Families seeking help call a phone number and schedule an interview to go over their individual situations. Those interviews were held in September and again in early November this year The furniture store has continually hosted a tree each year that 16 Charm | N o v E m b E r / d E C E m b E r

holds paper stockings listing the wish lists of each child – even after Jerry’s retirement. People select stockings from the tree and purchase at least some of the items on the list. Others donate money to the effort.

Havertys also has continued to allow the group to use an 8,500-square-foot warehouse behind the store as a location to organize the gifts for delivery. In recent years, both Chick-fil-A restaurants along Loop 281 also have hosted trees.

Another volunteer developed a system to computerize and track the families and the donated gifts. Still others help shop for gifts not provided by other people, and others contribute by delivering the gifts each year.

In the early years, Waynell and her family decorated the stockings for the children’s wish lists over the Thanksgiving holidays. These days, the Junior League of Longview provides them.

The trees go up about Nov. 18. People may select stockings off one of the trees and return gifts by Dec. 15. They’ll be delivered to the children Dec. 20-22.

The Gardners are busy managing the initiative these days and don’t participate in the deliveries like they once did, but they say that’s where volunteers come closest to the people being served and their hardships.

“We’ve been to a house where it looks like a nice brick house,” Nan says. “You go inside – they have no furniture.”

Another time, she and Waynell delivered to a house that had no windows.

“You see a lot of things you don’t want to see, because we know there’s so much out there and we can’t help everybody, but we just do our part,” Nan says.

“We do the very best we can,” Jerry adds, and he says it’s not their job to judge. Someone driving a nice car might be about to lose that car because he can’t pay for it anymore.

The experience is eye-opening to the needs in the community.

“We’re Christians and we try to live, and I know that God has had a hand in all of this….” Jerry says. “I think God has sent us and put us in this position all these years. That’s the reason we do the very best we can with what we have to work with.”

The volunteers. The individuals who donate gifts and money.

The other organizations that helped over the years. The Gardners

how to

Help • Select an angel off one of the trees at Havertys or both Chick-fil-A restaurants along Loop 281 after Nov. 18.

• Send monetary donations to the Havertys/ Newgate Christmas Angel Tree at Havertys, 1101 W. Loop 281; Longview, TX; 75604 • Volunteer are needed to help sort or deliver gifts. Volunteer by calling (903) 757-5904 or (903) 238-7969.

praised their role in the Havertys/Newgate Christmas Angel Tree.

“Give all the credit to the lord and then give it to the community,” Jerry says. C

continued on pg. 18 

mycharmonline.com 17

Gregg County Child Welfare Board

A number of organizations sponsor holiday gift drives to help families struggling during the holidays. The organizations each have a screening process to identify the families they will assist and take steps to ensure there are no duplication of services. Here are some of the organizations and how you can help:

Blue Santa

Longview police officers are identifying families in need this year, with a goal of providing three gifts to children 17 and younger who live at home.

The Blue Santa program needs donations of money, gift cards or new, unwrapped toys. Watch for toy donation boxes at the police department and Longview Public Library, with donations needed by a week before Christmas.

Officer Misty Ryan, the police area representative for Beat 20, coordinates the program. Businesses interested in placing a toy drop box at their location or people who want to have a fundraiser to support the program may contact her at (903) 331-2541.

Buckner Family Christmas

Buckner provides an adopt-a-family program at Christmas for people who already are clients of the faith-based organization. Anyone interested in adopting a family to provide Christmas gifts or household items or to donate gift cards toward purchasing Christmas gifts may start calling Community Programs Coordinator Bethany Walker in November at (903) 757-9383. The organization typically serves about 400 families through the program, with a Dec. 9 cutoff date for gifts to be donated.

18 Charm | n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r

The Gregg County Child Welfare Board serves foster children in traditional foster care or who are living with relatives under the supervision of child protective services. The board works to meet foster children’s needs that are not covered by government funding, including Christmas gifts; people interested in helping provide gifts for Gregg County’s 250 foster children can select an angel from a tree that will be placed at Texas Bank and Trust, with information about the children’s clothing sizes and wishes on the angels.

People also may adopt a child to provide Christmas gifts for by calling the local Texas Department of Family and Protective Services office at (903) 7570588. Gifts typically must be returned the week after Thanksgiving.

Hiway 80 Rescue Mission

The mission hosts several holiday events: The Family Christmas collects unwrapped gifts for 900 to 1,000 children; recipients are screened in early December; Ornaments of Hope serves children staying in the shelter, with the children providing a wish list that people select off a tree at the mission; the Nov. 19 Festival of Trees raises money to support The Family Christmas; volunteers are needed to help with a variety of holiday activities; visit www.hiway80rm.org for information.

Salvation Army Angle Tree

The Salvation Army Angel Tree with children’s names and gift information will be placed Nov. 2 at Longview Mall. Other locations might be added. Gifts should be returned by Dec. 12. The organization provides gifts to hundreds of children each year in Longview.

Toys for Tots

The Longview Detachment of the Marine Corps League will place drop boxes in various locations around town for people to drop off new unwrapped toys for children from about 1-year-old to age 13. Monetary donations may be mailed to 345 Honey Creek Lane; Longview, TX; 75605. Checks should be written to Toys for Tots. The toy drive ends around mid-December and typically serves about 800 children.

Coats & accessories for fall and winter 2016

CHARMING finds Clothing provided by:

De Rigueur of Kilgore

ZZAN Necklace, $126

Donald J. Pliner shoe, $268 Metallic Kid

Luii Coat, $149 Navy, Red, Purple

Donna Degnan, $361 Donna Degnan, $188

Vaneli Boot, $185 Black Suede

Luii Green Coat, $174 ZZAN Jewelry, $120

Donald J. Pliner Boot, $298 Black Watersnake

Streets Ahead $188 Tan Leopard Belt

Bella by Sharif, $132 Butterfly

ZZAN, $163 Necklace

Sesto Meucci of Florence Shoe, $185

Bella by Sharif bag, $169

Berek Coat, $149

Vaneli, $132 Black Nappa

mycharmonline.com 19

F EATURE

without the

FUSS Words by AMY BROCATO PEARSON Photos by CHRIS LOZANO & MARC BAILEY

T

he holidays seem to revolve around food.

A lot of food.

But for some people, slaving over a stove and staying up

until wee hours to bake the perfect pie are the stuff nightmares are made of.

Never fear, Longview restaurants are ready to come to your rescue.

There are plenty of options for people who don’t want to prepare big holiday meals, while still enjoying food and fellowship with friends and family around their dining room table.

That’s where prepared restaurant foods come in.

Becky Cooper, a supervisor at Nanny Goat’s in Longview, said that business picks up near the holidays with customers taking full advantage of their selection of casseroles and prepared dips, appetizers and snacks.

“The deviled eggs are really popular,” she said. “We sell out every time we make them.”

Becky recommends customers order ahead of the time they plan to pick up their food and Nanny Goat’s is open every day, except Thanksgiving day and Christmas day.

They get a lot of orders for “big, family-sized salads” and their ever-popular casseroles, she said.

20 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

MARK BAILEY

“It doesn’t have to be traditional holiday,”

Dudley’s is taking orders now for the holiday

Becky explained. “Our chicken spaghetti and

birds, but also is taking orders for their signature

Mexican lasagna are our biggest sellers all year,

turducken.

“We do these better than anyone in town,”

right up through the holidays.”

Enchiladas also are popular and pay homage to the Hispanic community, which tends to favor their fare over the traditional American turkey

Dudley said.

At Dudley’s, this Cajun classic is prepared with love.

They debone a turkey and slather it with

and dressing.

Nanny Goat’s can supply families with sausage

crawfish cornbread. On top of that, they place a

cheese balls, spinach dip, Monterrey Jack salsa

deboned chicken and top it with another hearty

dip or corn dip.

layer of cornbread. On top of that goes a duck breast

Becky said one of their biggest sellers during this time of year is their holiday cheese ball. A blend of cream and cheddar cheeses, tomatoes, green chilies and pecans, this spreadable treat is rolled in pecans and perfect for serving on crackers.

Nanny Goat’s bakes chocolate, pecan and coconut pies that you will never know Granny didn’t bake.

“The whole week of Thanksgiving we’re pretty busy,” she said.

Dudley’s Cajun Café in Longview is pretty busy that week, too.

Since the ‘80s, the Lang family has been deep frying turkeys that make holiday meals a breeze for even the most culinary challenged cooks.

“Our Cajun deep-fried turkey recipe has been around a long time,” Dudley Lang said. “We started it in the ’80s and have been doing them ever since.” well

spiced

Cajun spices.

To cook it, all you need to do is “slide it in the oven, go watch a couple of movies and come back five hours later,” Dudley instructed.

If you don’t need to feed a crowd, Dudley’s can help you with that, too.

Don’t forget dessert.

The

and then it all gets rolled up and loved with some

birds

are

made

“We have deboned chickens stuffed with crawfish cornbread or seafood stuffing, which is a cornbread based stuffing with shrimp and crab,” he said.

Those serve four people and bake for just an hour and 15 minutes, with no prep time or mess in your kitchen.

If you want to be able to have your stuffing and eat it, too, pick up a separate package of crawfish or seafood cornbread in either 2- or 5-pound portions. While you’re there, grab a quart of gumbo or etouffee to bring a true Cajun flair to your holiday meal. continued on pg. 22 

to

order and go into the deep fryer according to when customers want to pick up their main dish.

Dudley’s is open through Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, closed on Thanksgiving day, and reopens Friday evening “when people are sick of eating turkey and want some catfish,” he said.

Anywhere from 300 to 400 deep-fried turkeys go out the door during the holiday season, perfect for busy cooks who don’t want to wake before the roosters to get a turkey in the oven. mycharmonline.com 21

Best of all, it’s super simple: “Throw it in the Crock-Pot, turn it on low and forget about it,” Dudley said.

What you don’t want to forget about are Hebert’s Specialty Meats offerings for the holidays.

Their deboned stuffed turkeys, spiral honey-glazed hams and “world-famous” turduckens give you “more time with the family and less time in the kitchen,” said owner Brian Marcott.

alfredos, marinated, grilled vegetables, meatballs and pastas make the perfect holiday meal, with no effort on your part.

Owners Rudy and Miriam Kiapeta can build a menu specific to your celebration or can help you choose dishes from their current selection.

If you’re looking for something other than turkey or ham, head over to Brenda’s Good Eats, which has been offering tamales and

Hebert’s, which has been operating in Texas for the past decade,

other Southern and Tex-Mex favorites for almost two decades. King

sells “tons” of turduckens during the holiday season, making it easier

ranch chicken, chicken and dumplings, and chicken spaghetti to

for its customers to relax on the big days of the holiday season.

feed a crowd have been customer favorites for as long as Brenda

Customers, who should pre-order their specialty meats, buy them frozen, then thaw them and cook them at their leisure.

“It’s a very simple process; the instructions are right on the label,” Brian said.

Walker has been in business.

No matter how you celebrate your holidays, there’s a restaurant in Longview ready to help you do less work and spend more time with family and friends. C

While the spiral-cut, honey-glazed hams are a favorite, the turkduckens are a nontraditional way to celebrate the holidays, too.

Their birds feature two layers of pork stuffing and a layer of cornbread dressing sandwiched between a deboned turkey, a deboned chicken and a duck breast.

NO MATTER HOW YOU CELEBRATE YOUR HOLIDAYS, THERE’S A RESTAURANT IN

Custom orders should be made a few weeks in advance of the holiday, he recommends.

Tomboni’s Bistro, which offers healthy and delicious offerings in Longview, is working out its menu selections for the holidays, according to owner Chris Tomboni.

He suggests customers order dishes in advance so they will have an easy and healthy option for their holiday meals.

The Tuscan Pig Italian and Catering Kitchen is set up to perfectly

READY TO HELP YOU DO LESS WORK AND SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

fill your takeaway needs for the holidays. Heaping pans of lasagnas,

Made in the USA

Longview Mall

903-753-0041

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-9 Sun 12-6

©2016 Merle Norman Cosmetics, Inc. MERLENORMAN.COM

22 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

Fashion

What’s the best way to stay warm during the Texas winter? This is how small town glam preps for a Red Hot Texas Winter.

Clothing by: EVERYTHING THaT BLINGS - KILGoRE Locations: EaST TExaS oIL MuSEuM aT KILGoRE CoLLEGE, TExaS MuSEuM of BRoadCaSTING & CoMMuNICaTIoNS - KILGoRE Photos by: CHRIS LozaNo

Dress: $79, Earrings: $19, Crystal Bracelet: $16, Red bow pumps: $59;

24 Charm | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

Dress: $89, Betsey Johnson necklace: $19, Petticoat $25;

mycharmonline.com 25

Swing dress: $79, Sourpuss purse: $59, Zebra pumps: $49;

Dress: $89, Black and red leopard heels: $39 Vintage style crystal necklace: $39;

26 Charm | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

Flannel dress: $39, Pinup couture heels: $79, Bow belt: $12, Thigh high hose with bows: $12;

Pinup pencil dress: $49, Strappy heals: $39;

mycharmonline.com 27

F eature

it’s the time of year when christmas is just around the corner. it’s the season of giving and making memories with family and friends. it’s also the season of being able to drive around and see hundreds of twinkling lights and festive decorations to help families get in the holiday mood. and in texas – especially in east texas – everything is bigger and brighter when it comes to christmas lights. to help you and your loved ones get in the christmas spirit, here’s a look at a few of our favorite holiday hot spots in the area that help us celebrate the season.

Carmela’s Mini Santa Land longview accountant carmela davis opened carmela’s mini santa land about 13 years ago as a way to give back to the community by allowing families and individuals to create happy memories at the holidays.

“When i was in my last semester of college, which happened to be the fall semester, one of the biggest things that helped me get through that semester was looking at christmas lights,” she said. “it was just calming, and it really helped me get through that semester. holiday lights are not just for children; they are also for adults. it can be nostalgic to look at christmas lights. i want to help people bring back those memories and help bring some joy to christmastime,

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go…

Words by christina lane Photos by michael cavazos & les hassell

which is a very hectic season.” carmela operated her mini santa land at her home for the last 12 years, and in 2015 was even featured on abc’s “the Great christmas light Fight.” this year, her attraction – which features more than 1 million lights, more than 250 reindeer and more than 860 holiday items – is moving to a bigger and better location. carmela is using several acres of land on U.s. 259 for the mini santa land attraction. her new location is just north of bar K ranch store and about one-half mile south of the U.s.

259/Judson road intersection. the move was prompted, in part, because neighbors complained about traffic in the neighborhood caused by carmela’s mini santa land. but, carmela says the move is truly a positive thing for herself and the community because she has an opportunity now to make it even bigger and better than before. to that end, she and a crew started preparing the land this past summer. starting at square zero, they had to do everything, including installing electricity at the new location. a new feature this year will be a tunnel that cars will drive through, she said. “last year, we had to turn people away because traffic got

Will Thomas, 8, leans out the window for a better view of Carmela's Mini Santaland, in December 2015, at the Longview home of Carmela Davis.

(Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)

28 Charm | n o v e m b e r / d e c e m b e r

so backed up, but this year, i don't see that happening because we have such nice access from the highway,” carmela said. “and we'll be able to expand and expand for years to come.”

Carmela’s Mini Santa Land will be open by Nov. 15. It is free to visit, but donations will be accepted.

Carmela said there is a possibility the attraction could open a bit earlier and encouraged people to check the Facebook page for Carmela’s Mini Santa Land to see if it does open early.

importance of small businesses, the day after Black Friday,” Carolyn said.

The Jingle Bell Run is slated for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 3, and will be followed later in the day by the Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.

A new event will make its debut on Dec. 10. The Outdoor Christmas Market will feature vendors from around the region selling homemade Christmas and holiday crafts, decor and plenty of great “stocking stuffers.”

Dec. 17 the festival will feature Wonderland of Sights, an art and history holiday-themed tour.

For more information or a detailed schedule of events, visit www. marshalltexas.net or check out the Facebook page for Wonderland of Lights.

Santa Land For those who feel like making a drive west, more than 2 million Christmas lights adorn property off of Interstate 20 to create what is called the state’s original drive-through Christmas park.

Spectators watch as the Historic Harrison County Courthouse is lit up for the Wonderland of Lights in downtown Marshall. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)

Wonderland of Lights About 30 miles east of Longview, a holiday event in Marshall is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Marshall’s annual Wonderland of Lights kicks of Nov. 23 and runs through Dec. 31 in downtown Marshall. During the festival, the Harrison County Courthouse is adorned with more than 100,000 lights and those who attend have the opportunity to ice skate, visit Santa’s workshop, go for carousel rides, and much more.

“There is truly no other event like this that I have ever heard of, and we are excited to celebrate 30 years of one of the longest running Christmas festivals in the country,” said Carolyn Howard, tourism and promotions director for the city of Marshall. “For a town this size to put on an event of this stature is truly awe-inspiring. Marshall is known for the wonderful holiday festivities associated with Wonderland, and this

Santa Land opens up in November, allowing thousands of patrons to visit the holiday park. It’s annually open until early January.

Visitors can remain in their cars to drive through the park or reserve a seat on Santa’s trailer ride.

The drive starts with a 20-foot tall, 25-foot wide Christmas wreath adorned with more than 10,000 lights and continues through Christmas Tree Lane which features 16-foot tall lighted Christmas trees dancing to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

As visitors keep driving, they’ll pass through a tunnel of lights, and continue on through the park which is filled with themes. A portion called Elf Land is a little village complete with houses, playgrounds, its own fire department, school house, barber shop, church and more.

Poinsettia Patch is filled with poinsettias for visitors to view while on the trip while a design of the nativity scene filled with lights and decorations tells the Bible story of Jesus' birth to his death.

There is a fee per car to attend Santa Land. For information, find Santa Land on Facebook.

C

year will not disappoint.”

The ice on the ice rink is expected to be impeccable this year as there have been upgrades to the cooler and coils. Santa’s Workshop, in which children get to try making toys, will be open through Dec. 23. Attendees can also expect to hear nightly music live on Telegraph Stage, located in downtown Marshall across from the 1900 historic county courthouse.

Each weekend throughout Wonderland of Lights, the city also will feature a special Saturday event. The first Saturday of the season will feature downtown merchants as part of the annual Small Business Saturday and the second annual Wassail Fest in which attendees can sample wassail, a traditional apple cider, while visiting merchants.

Businesses will be vying to be named champion of the Wassail Fest.

“Wassail Fest will be an opportunity to bring our downtown businesses together with a little friendly competition, all while celebrating the

A drive-through sign points the way at Santa Land.

(Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo) mycharmonline.com 29

S chool

“You have so many different art fields,” she said, explaining she was surrounded by all kinds of artists. “It was inspiring….

It really opened my eyes to many other art forms.”

Gina moved to an acre and a half in East Mountain in 2015 and launched her dream: Simply Live Farm.

“It is eventually going to be a farm, but I’m also an advocate for recycling and my art and my crafts – I take old things and turn them into something new,” she said.

Her long-term goal, she said, is to build Simply Live Farm into a business, with gardening and arts and crafts classes.

“I want to encompass all of my talents.

Around this time of year I do kind of a home bakery thing – fall and Christmas

designed to sell Words by Jo Lee Ferguson

cookies,” Gina said, adding that she also searches estate sales for items to which she can give new life.

“This time of year I’m making Christmas ornaments. I’m taking old Christmas ornaments that I find places – at Hope’s Closet – I take old stuff and repaint it, redecorate it, make it new again. I want to take this and teach people about the simpler ways of living … You don’t have to have something new every year. Just open your eyes and see what’s out there and make something new again.”

Today, Gina works for an insurance agency in Kilgore, but a year ago

T

her crafts business was her only income through the holidays. reasures created from what other people have discarded.

Beauty unveiled out of simple scraps of wood.

In a world where the road to extra Christmas cash often

stops with a turn manning a retailer’s cash register, some people instead

“This time of year, starting around the end of September, it does supplement my income through the Christmas holidays,” she said.

“The rest of the year, it’s kind of hit or miss. I am the world’s worst about giving things away.”

let their creativity be their guide. That’s the source East Texans Gina

She promotes her work better during the holidays, she explained.

Franklin and Amanda Cole have turned to as they work out of their

It’s easy to make an ornament and post it on Facebook, for instance, for

homes this holiday season, drawing from their own skills and interests

$3. She hits arts and crafts sales, as well.

to make and sell items that will generate extra income.

Reuse, Recycle, Renew

Her line of work this Christmas season has included ornaments, but she also was given a large amount of fabric that she’s made stockings

Gina had worked in restaurants for many years, but she was

out of, reusable fabric gift bags and bunting. Someone also gave

in culinary school in 2009 when she realized that was a life she no

her buckets full of wine corks that she’s made keychains out of for

longer wanted.

stocking stuffers.

“I was turned on to the farm-to-table movement. That’s kind of how this all started,” she said. She lived in a dorm at the art institute where she attended culinary school.

30 Charm | n o v E M B E r / d E C E M B E r

Success in this business depends on a lot of marketing, Gina said.

“If somebody has a talent that not many people have, I highly recommend attempting (to sell handmade products),” she said.

Our Funky JunktiOn Amanda Cole’s inspiration for her new side business came through a mission trip this year to England.

“I had been trying to figure out what I can sell – what can I make that would be a good profit that wouldn’t be difficult to do that would still be a really good profit,” she recalled.

Her products are mostly made out of wood, from remnants a cabinet-maker friend lets her have or other items given to her. It cuts down on her costs on the front end, she explained.

In September, Amanda already was brainstorming ideas that would sell during the holiday season.

Amanda, who also owns the photography business My Little

“I have a whole lot (of ideas),” she said, describing a fall wreath

Michelle, found inspiration on Pinterest for a project to make name

she had in mind of grapevines, burlap and wood lettering. “That’s my

plaques from pallet wood.

struggle – deciding. I know I can’t do it all. Really, it’s deciding what’s

“I ended up funding my entire trip to England just with those name plates. I had over 100 orders. It blew my mind,” Amanda said. “God really laid it heavy on my heart – ‘I gave you this gift and you’re not utilizing it.’”

Amanda said she taught herself wood-working skills years ago, and already had the equipment she needed for her new side business.

When she returned home from England, she made several small items that she posted on Etsy, an online store for buying and selling handmade items.

“It’s hard to get noticed on Etsy,” she said. “It kind of shot my self-esteem.”

going to be marketable…. My mentality is, I can do anything, so it just really comes down to deciding what’s going to be sellable, what do people want?”

Amanda’s husband, Al, also is self-employed as a personal trainer.

There are three children in their blended family.

“I wanted to earn the extra money for the family, but I also wanted to create things for my own home,” Amanda said.

Because

they’re

both

self-employed,

their

businesses

go

through “seasons.”

She started relying on Facebook instead. A wooden nativity scene

“When we hit those rough seasons, my goal is to have a project

she made quickly started generating orders in September after she

always going that can supplement our income for those seasons and for

posted it on the social media site.

the holidays, to get me through the holidays,” Amanda said.

C

The Oak Ridge Boys 11.5.16 Sponsored by: Tatum Chemical Company, the Merritt and Barbee families

Red Collective 11.10.16 Sponsored by Chick fil A

Rick Springfield 11.20.16

An Evening with C.S. Lewis 11.12.16 Sponsored by Carol and Richard Manley

Chubby Checker 1.14.17 Sponsored by: Longview Regional Medical Center, Ralph Pelaia Law Center

mycharmonline.com 31

F EATURE

IF MY COLUMN WERE A SITCOM, THIS WOULD BE THE

Thanksgiving episode Words by APRILL BRANDON | Illustrations by MICHELLE LAVERELL

O

PENING SCENE: Camera zooms in to clock beside Aprill’s bed. Time reads 4:43 a.m. Sound of baby crying.

APRILL (lying in bed, eyes still closed): “Nope. No way.

(Her voice gradually getting louder) You wish I loved you enough to wake up this early on a holiday! Go back to sleep!”

Crying continues.

APRILL (eyes still closed, kicks her husband, Ryan, with her leg): “I’ll give you $50,000 if you go get her right now.”

RYAN (raises head from pillow, only one eye open, his bedhead making him look like a deranged muppet): “I’m still waiting for the $100,000 you promised me when I took the dog out during a blizzard last year. And the $4 million you promised me when I gave you my last mozzarella cheese stick Tuesday.”

Cue laugh track.

Crying gets louder.

BLOW-DRYING THE TURKEY, OBVIOUSLY. ADDED BONUS, I OCCASIONALLY BLOW IT DIRECTLY IN MAE’S FACE AND IT MAKES HER GIGGLE. AND HER HAIR IS NOW SUPER SHINY. 32 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

APRILL (slowly and dramatically rolling off bed, eyes still closed): “Ugh. She’s so dramatic. I bet when I go in there, she’s not even missing a limb.”

Cue giggle track since the joke is so-so at best.

Camera fades to black and reopens on their daughter Mae’s nursery. Aprill is getting ready to change Mae’s diaper.

APRILL: “Well, happy first Thanksgiving, kiddo. (Opens diaper) WHOA! Hey lady, it’s customary to only make that big of a mess AFTER Thanksgiving dinner. Guess you’re thankful for having the bowel movements of a Clydesdale, huh?”

Aprill carries Mae into the kitchen, which is pristine and huge and has a funky vintage fridge just like all sitcom kitchens, even if the people in the sitcom are poor and messy and live in a ridiculously expensive city.

APRILL: “Well, since we’re up, we might as well get a jump on all that cooking.”

PICTURE

This!

MAKENZIE BENOIT, PATSY ABATE, BLAIR VIEHE

LONGVIEW AMBUCS MOBILITY BASH

SETH SPARKMAN, ROBERT MCCOWAN

LONGVIEW | MAUDE COBB CONVENTION AND ACTIVITY CENTER | 9/10/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO

Longview Ambucs and community members came together Sept. 10 for the annual Ambucs Mobility Bash. Funds raised from that evening help to pay for AmTrykes for children and adults, as well as help support other Ambucs initiatives.

JACKIE REYNOLDS, DEANNA SOAPE, LAUREN CAMMACK

TONY AND PAULA VAUGHN , RANDY AND TERI PULLEN

34 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

ROCIO MENDEZ, BILLY HAGENBUCHER , DONNA L. BLALOCK

TIM AND TINA BRYAN

JOSH LITTAUER, HALEY HUNTER

P ICTURE THIS

CASEY ROBERTSON, RANDY ERWIN, KRISTIN MERRITT

longview regional medical center

PINK OUT LONGVIEW | THE SUMMIT CLUB | 10/4/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO

The Center for Breast Care of Longview Regional Medical Center offered a breast cancer awareness event in October in which a panel of LISSA DOWDEN, REBEKAH ROGERS

MAGGIE SIMMONS

physicians discussed breast cancer with the audience.

ALICIA SMITH, TAMMY REESE, PAIGE BROWN, JENNI SMITH, KRISTIN CHARLETON, SHELLY JESTERS, JANET ADAMS

ELIZABETH HUTCHINSON, DAWN VAUGHN

SAM AND JILL SMEAD TERRI WELCH, ELIZABETH BAUMGARDNER, DARNECIA MORGAN, LIBBY BRYSON

mycharmonline.com 35

P ICTURE THIS

greater longview

UNITED WAY LUNCHEON

JERRY BLACK, ASHLEY MOSES, DEBBIE SUMMY

LONGVIEW | MAUDE COBB CONVENTION AND ACTIVITY CENTER | 9/15/2016 Photos by MICHAEL CAVAZOS BILLY AND CAROL LEE

At its kickoff luncheon Sept. 15, the Greater Longview United Way set a fundraising goal of $1.2 million. The Greater Longview United Way works with 21 partner agencies and 36 programs to help a variety of residents.

BECKY DAVIS, MIA TRAYLOR

KELLY BELT, VANESA BLACKSHIRE

BRENDA HUNT, DAN FLOURNOY, JERRI FORT

JACKIE PARR, GEORGIA REDMAN

36 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

P ICTURE THIS

habitat for humanity NINA WALKER, SHIRLEY DOTSON, PAULA PEPPER

STUD SHOW LONGVIEW | EAST TEXAS BUILDERS ASSOCIATION | 9/15/2016 Photos by LES HASSELL

Men modeled decorated construction studs Sept. 15 as part of a Stud Show fundraiser for Longview Habitat for Humanity. Funds from the annual Stud Show help support Habitat’s women’s build project.

LINDA COLE, JEANNE COLLINS, GLENNETH JORDAN, SHARYN RUST

DONNA SHARP, SARAH SHELTON, KATHY RAY

KIM MURRAY, MELISSA ADAMS, DENA PORTER

DEVON LAASTAD, DANN WADE, TERRI RUSSELL

HALEY ROYE, MARY WEAVER, SHERYL JENNINGS

ROBIN ROBINSON, HOPE KNEPPER

mycharmonline.com 37

P ICTURE THIS

DOWNTOWN LIVE LONGVIEW | HERITAGE PLAZA | 9/30/2016 Photos by CHRIS LOZANO

Dozens of people came to downtown Longview on Sept. 30 for one of the weekly fall Downtown Live events. The band Leap of Faith

RICK ALVIDREZ, DARENDA AND STEVE MOORE, SHELLEY ALVIDREZ

performed songs that evening to entertain the crowd.

J. ALEXANDER AND FANCY

GEANA AND COLTON GRIFFITH, LESLIE MILLS, JOHNNY GRIFFITH

KRISTEN RAMSEY, ANDREA JONES

LEELA AND MARSHALL BROWN

38 CHARM | N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R

JERROMYE RICHARDSON

MELISSA AZZAM, JEFFERY KELLER

ROLF AND HOLLY KOTULLA, ERIKA BRIGHT