Our Hometowns Volume 3 Issue 1

Volume 3 Issue 1 | Our Hometowns 1

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Volume 3 Issue 1 | Our Hometowns 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Great Ingenuity 30 Dutchman’s Hidden Valley Leads to Ideal Opportunities A Tradition Unlike

16 Extra! Extra!

Read All About it!

Days of the Newspaper World

Any Other

36 Social Emotional Health in Children

By Cathy Kolodziej, M.Ed, LPC, CSC, LCDC, NCC Clinical Director – Solutions Behavioral Health

22 The Mighty Buffalo

26 7 Ways to Boost Your Savings

38 Hamilton Healthcare System Trouble Sleeping?

By Sara Vanden Berge

28

By Sue Land

By Melanie J. Housden

Studebakers Pizza Handmade Pizzas, Salads, Oven Toasted Subs, and Ice Cream 20 22 26 33 36 40

Inside Every Issue: Hometown Hunts Hometown Musings Financial Fitness Out & About Self Care Ad Index

Volume 3 | Issue 1 The advertisements in this publication are only the opinion of the advertiser and not that of Our Hometowns nor the printer. Our Hometowns takes the utmost care in preparing ads for publication. However, Our Hometowns is not responsible for errors in ads as our proofing process bestows responsibility upon the advertiser. Our Hometowns limits its liability resulting from any and all errors, misprints and/or other inaccuracies in the advertisements and editorial content. If justified, its liability is limited to refund the customer his payment for the said advertisement, the printing of a corrected advertisement or editorial correction notice in the issue which follows notice from the customer. Reproduction or other use in whole or part of the contents without written permission of the editor is prohibited. All materials printed in this issue are considered property of Our Hometowns and may not be reprinted without written permission from Our Hometowns. Publishing of ads or articles do not imply sponsorhip or endorsement. Ads designd by Our Hometowns are available for use outside of this publication but with permission and remittance of a design fee.

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Ever since opening, Ideal Self Storage has specialized in keeping your valuables safe and secure. They offer a range of different unit sizes and options for your convenience -- including both climate and non-climate controlled. Plus, their clean, well-maintained facility features great amenities! With access control, gating and lighting, truck rentals, and even moving supplies for purchase, they’ve truly got you covered. Feel free to Since then, the Ideal Storage brand has grown to 21 lo- call or head to their website for further renting and paycations throughout Central Texas, and is still growing. ment information.

Chris grew up in Waco, but spent just as much of his younger years on his father’s ranch in northern Coryell Ideal Self Storage offers Uhaul truck rentals, moving County, very close to Turnersville, TX on the headwa- supplies, and of course, self storage units. Also includters of Hog Creek. ed is the services of a licensed public notary. From real estate deeds to contracts, and from loan documents to deal Self Storage is locally owned by the Martin Family, who reside in McGregor, TX. Chris Martin has been in the self storage industry since 2010. His first facility was converted from a distressed building that was built by KMart in Corsicana, TX. The 55,000 sq foot building was the launch pad to learn the industry and grow into the def storage business.

Storage Tips

Frequently Accessing Your Unit If you are going to use some of the items on a regular basis, be sure to place them in the front of the unit, making access to them easier.

Storing Clothes Use wardrobe boxes to hang clothing, draperies and other fabrics so that they can breathe while in storage.

Keep Your Storage Unit Organized When placing your items into storage, draw a simple map of where everything is located. Keep the map along with your lease so it will be handy when you need it.

Label Your Stored Items Label everything you store in your unit and keep a written inventory along with your locator map.

Storing Important Documents If you are storing boxes of records or documents, consider using shelves to maximize your self storage space.

Protecting Your Stored Belongings Plan to cover your belongings once in storage for further protection.

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Storing Tables If storing tables, when possible remove the legs so that you can stand the tabletop vertically.

Furniture with Legs Store sofas, couches, and tables on their ends (not recommended for sofa beds, however). Place an old sheet or plastic on the floor underneath the sofa to further protect the fabric.

Furniture with Drawers If storing a dresser or chest of drawers, use the drawers as additional storage space. Pack lightweight items into the drawers to maximize the storage space and minimize the area you need.

Storing Boxes When placing your boxes into self storage, place the heavier boxes on the bottom with each box stacked on top getting progressively lighter in weight.

Storing Items with Handles Remove or fold the handles on lawnmowers and other garden equipment. It is important that you drain all gasoline out of a tool before storing it!

affidavits, our notary is ready to professionally finish your document. Some of the documents we notarize include Affidavits of Heirship, Power of Attorney (POA), Bill of Sales, handgun permits, temporary guardianship, designating a beneficiary, marriage license applications, bank transfer service forms, copy certification’s, and many more.

They are apart of the Texas Self Storage Association.

You may ask why this is important. Using a TSSA member assures you that your interests (not just the facility owner’s) will be protected by TSSA’s nationally-recognized standardized rental contract. TSSA’s members agree to abide by a code of ethics as a condition of membership and are typically well educated about self-storage laws and consumer rights.

Chris is always on the lookout for properties to renovate. Taking properties that were a little more loved and in need of a bit more attention and upgrading them. He likes to take big box buildings that once might be seen as an eyesore and modernize them into a climate controlled building that can become the best use for the property.

“I’ve always wanted to own a storage facility in Gatesville. After years of looking, I was able to work out a deal to purchase the Safe-U-Lok portfolio from the Grubb family. After that, I purchased the 18,000 square foot Flentge’s building, which was built in 1978, to convert into a Climate Controlled facility. It was a natural fit in the middle of town, and seemed to be a great use to re-purpose and make the main office for Ideal Storage in Gatesville.”

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Chris knew immediately upon securing a desired location in Gatesville, that it would be critical to make sure and utilize not only the space, but he wanted to find a way to help enrich the community in his small way. One way in doing so, was to make sure to employ locally for all the work being done to revitalize the property.

It is important to the Martins that they give back to the community that has welcomed them so warmly. They have already participated in many Chamber of Commerce events and look forward to more.

“We want to be more involved in the community and look forward to getting to know you all,” Chris ex“I want to say thank you to Gatesville for the welcoming pressed. hospitality to us. We are still cleaning up the facilities, and intend to continue to make improvements to the Chris’s wife, Hayley Martin, is from China Spring, TX properties. Todd Pierce of central Texas insulation did and currently works passionantly in the medical field all of the general contract work on the properties, and working closely with Coryell Health. She serves many did a fantastic job. I’d highly recommend him. We used markets in Central Texas and makes a significant differas many local contractors as we could on a of the im- ence in changing people’s lives for the better every day. provements throughout town. We have hired Maryann Chris and Hayley have been married for almost 12 years Cox, of Gatesville, to be the manager for the property. and met in Waco, Texas.

She just celebrated her first year anniversary, and has done a fantastic job.”

“She [Hayley] is a wonderful, caring person, and the

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best wife and mother a man could ask for,” Chris lovingly shared.

They have two beautiful children, Kipton & Kamilla.

Kipton, (10) loves to fish and spend time outdoors.

Kamilla, (7), loves to dance and is a very talented young lady.

The Martin Family loves to all spend time outdoors.

Chris is an avid outdoorsman and takes every opportunity to share his passion for hunting and the great outdoors with his family.

“We all love to hunt, fish, look for arrow heads, hike and spend time outside as much as we can.”

It is that love of the country and the time from his youth spent at his father’s ranch that has given he and his wife a new dream to aspire toward.

“One day, Hayley and I dream to own a ranch close to Gatesville.”

Whatever your storage needs even if you just need extra space for those random items around the houes, check out their website. Across their locations, they serve many Texas municipalities, counties, and regions including the following: Ideal Self Storage Gatesville, Ideal Self Storage Belton, Ideal Self Storage Mexia: Mexia, Teague, Prairie Hill, Coolidge, Wortham, Groesbeck, Ideal Self Storage Loop 340, Ideal Self Storage Ennis, Ideal Self Storage Industrial Dr, Ideal Self Storage Corsicana, and Ideal Self Storage New Rd. They are available to help in any way.

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or some, small towns are just in their blood and a preferred way of life. However, for Marshall Day small towns and newpapers became a permanent, preferred way of life. Being a West Texas boy raised in Andrews, Marshall got his first taste of newspaper life when he was nineteen years old at the Hereford Brand in Hereford.

Marshall would find success throughout his career as a newspaper man. When looking for a new start, Marshall sold the Seminole Sentinal and moved to Granbury. There he worked for Jerry Tidwell, publisher of Hood County News and long time friend. In 1991, with the help of an introduction from Jerry, Marshall would meet Debbie and begin the next and biggest chapter of his life.

Having been a dear friend of Debbie’s and Marshall’s, Jerry knew the two of them would hit it off. The set up was perfect.

Debbie was a single mother of two young boys, working at the Lake Granbury Area Chamber of Commerce, when Marshall stepped into her life and never left.

Marshall and Debbie were married, and Marshall took a publisher/partnership position in Edna at their local paper. They both began their life together in the newspaper business in Edna only to expand again. In 1994, their journey brought them to Gatesville where Marshall would become the publisher, stock owner, and president role with The Gatesville Messenger.

While Marshall managed the publishing aspects of The Gatesville Messenger, Debbie took on the task of advertising manager and later added office managing and bookkeeping to her duties. Working, learning, growing and serving the community together they immersed themselves in the area as a team for many years.

When Marshall passed away in 2016, Debbie wasn’t quite sure if she would continue on with the paper. After all, the long time team wasn’t complete anymore. However, the board of directors had her in mind to fill the void that her loving husband had left. Debbie was unanimously named publisher of The Gatesville Messenger. She felt the privilege and the pressure of the position. Debbie credits the board with helping during that first year since she didn’t have the experience in the job. With Marshall’s footprint in place, Debbie could carry out his work with success.

Throughout their newspaper years together, both Marshall and Debbie were involved with many statewide and national newspaper associations including TPA, NNA, WTPA, STPA, NETPA, etc., winning several statewide awards and local appreciations.

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Marshall served on most of the boards mentioned and was President of TPA and NETPA for one term each. To this day Debbie enjoys the opportunity the different associations affords to network and socialize with other newspaper people. Because of Marshall’s standing as a past Texas Press Association (TPA) President, Debbie is invited back every year to the Past President’s Dinner to honor his time serving on the board. She says she is proud to be included in what she considers a brotherhood or sisterhood of newspaper people throughout the state.

Locally they both were active in Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, Planning & Zoning committee for the city, and supporting the local Boys & Girls club.

Both Marshall and Debbie held family above all else. They both loved going out to the city of Gatesville baseball complex and watching their grandchildren play ball. Debbie still does! So, when Marshall passed away on October 25, 2016, their son Chris Garrett along with the help of Seth Phillips (Recreation Director for the City) came up with the idea of a yearly softball tournament in Marshall’s memory.

The Marshall Day Memorial Tournament is a benefit tournament, usually taking place around the first week in Fall. This event raises money for improvements at Gatesville’s local ballpark. Marshall was a huge supporter of the youth sports programs offered in Gatesville and now continues to give to the youth in this way. Through donations from the tournament, they have been able to add bleacher shade awnings and dugout covers to four of the ballfields. Chris Garrett and the City of Gatesville Recreation Department organize the tournament each year.

Marshall’s love and support lives on by the continued assistance to the community with the yearly tournament. Debbie still goes to help support in person. Years of teamwork and community involvement still continue for the Days. Thank you both Marshall and Debbie for a living legacy.

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The Mighty Buffalo

O

By Sue Land

ver 25,000 years ago the buffalo (bison) crossed the plains into Texas. These animals were an integral part of the Native American way of life. Before horses and gunpowder arrived in North America, Native Americans hunted bison on foot. It is said, they would stampede the buffalo off cliffs where they would fall to their deaths.

This one act sustained the members of a tribe for an entire year; it provided food, materials for clothing, shelter, tools, and more. The Native Americans did not kill for the sake of killing. The buffalo not only provided food and hides for clothing, but the trails the herds made as they moved across Texas became some of the interstate highways of today. The way of life was to change. The Native Americans hunted and killed only what was needed for food and clothing.

Not so the newly arriving Europeans; they hunted for the pure sport of it. Some for the hides, tongues and horns were shipped east and to Europe.

In the 1800s the settlers began moving, hundreds of thousand buffalo were killed off by the US Army and Hide Hunters. Herds of bison that once dominated the landscape were no more. By 1885 there were only an estimated thousand or so buffalo. But through the thoughtfulness of the Goodnight family, the buffalo was saved from extinction. The Goodnights and several other breeders caught some young Buffalo calves and began a program to save them. Today the buffalo number over 45,000 head, just in Texas.

There is no greater symbol of the American West than the buffalo. It is the largest land animal in North America, its very existence is a link to our past, both good and bad. Today they number in the tens of thousands.

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Cheesy Poblano Pepper Casserole Courtesy of Pippa Hill Farms

PREP TIME: 35 mins COOK TIME: 30 mins COURSE: Main Course CUISINE: Mexican SERVINGS: 4 people INGREDIENTS 4 Poblano Peppers 1 lb Ground Beef 1 Small Onion, chopped 3 cloves Garlic, minced 1 tsp Cumin Salt & Pepper to taste 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese 1.5 cups Monterey Jack Cheese Combine the two cheeses together INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat Oven to 450 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.

2. Wash and dry the peppers; place them on the baking sheet.

Cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the skin is charred and blacken. You may want to turn the peppers after 10 minutes of cooking.

3. Once roasted, take the peppers out of the oven and transfer to ta zip lock bag, to steam for 15 minutes. This will loosen the skin. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin, slice in halve lengthwise and scrape the seeds out.

4. Turn oven down to 350 degrees.

5. While the peppers are roasting, saute onions and garlic in a glug of olive oil over a medium heat. Once soft, add ground beef, cumin, salt, pepper and any other spices you want. Once the beef is thoroughly cooked, drain grease and return to pan.

6. In a 9” baking dish, spray with a non stick cooking spray.

Place four poblano pepper halves on the bottom of the baking dish, then spread half of the beef mixture on top of the peppers and then layer half of your cheese mixture. Repeat the layers once more, peppers, beef then cheese.

7. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until the cheese is melted and browned.

8. Serve with chips and an avocado salad or with rice and beans.

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RETIREMENT AND LONGEVITY

About the author: Over the course of her professional career as a financial advisor, Melanie J. Housden, AAMS®, has been on a continual journey to provide better opportunities with lower cost to clients.

The ability to finally do business as Melanie J Financial, LLC, has been a long-time dream.

Melanie learned the secret to success working alongside her grandfather at his hardware store in McLean, a small town in the Texas Panhandle where she grew up.

“My success in developing lifelong relationships with my clients comes from the skills my grandfather taught me,” she said.

Melanie holds a business degree from Wayland Baptist University, her Series 7, 63, 66, Insurance License and the AAMS® – Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation and has two decades of experience in the financial industry.

“Learning what is important to my clients enables me to devise a plan that will help them pursue financial freedom through all aspects of their lives and will allow their legacy to continue on in their families lives,” Melanie says. “I keep their goals and needs at the forefront of every decision. My clients are successful people – from all walks of life. But they worry that they might not be making the very best decisions when it comes to living a rich and full life. If I can take the financial worries away from my clients, then I am successful. My clients are like a part of my family and I treasure each and every one of them. Truly, we are stronger together.”

Melanie currently resides in Hamilton with her husband Rick. They have two daughters: Alexandria (and husband Reagan), and Abbie.

Outside of work, Melanie loves spending time with her family including their three dogs Dixie, Lily, and Dude. She loves to travel and shop.

An advocate for her community, Melanie is currently a Board of Director for the Hamilton Economic Development Corporation.

Melanie J. Housden, AAMS® Wealth Management Advisor, RJFS 110 North Bell Hamilton,TX 76531 (254) 386-4500 26 Our Hometowns | Volume 3 Issue 1

Discover smart options to grow your savings.

Although saving more takes some effort, it may be easier than you think – there may even be “free” money available that can help. Here are some tips: 1. Take advantage of an employer match. If they’ll match 3%, you’ve just covered 6% of your retirement savings goal when you add in your contribution, too. While the specifics vary, many companies will match whatever you contribute to the retirement plan (up to a certain percentage of your income).

2. Increase your savings rate just 1% a year, whether in an IRA, a 401(k) or some other dedicated account. This small change means you’ll be at 15% within 10 years without even feeling it.

3. Investigate additional opportunities at work, such as corporate profitsharing plans, employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs), which enable you to purchase your employer’s stock at a discount, and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), which provide company stock at no cost as part of overall compensation.

4. Put money aside in tax-deferred accounts such as a 401(k) or a traditional individual retirement account. Doing so can cut your tax bill.

Contributions to a Roth IRA, by contrast, are not tax deductible but can grow tax-free. Earnings may be taxed if withdrawn before you’ve held the account for five years.

5. Consolidate your financial accounts to take advantage of potentially lower fees. Don’t assume a bank is your only choice for a checking account, and consider applying whatever savings you achieve to your retirement fund.

6. Pay yourself first. Schedule automatic monthly transfers from your checking or savings account into your retirement account. This keeps you on track and also ensures that you’re investing regardless of market fluctuations. * 7. Find a credit card that deposits cash back directly into your retirement account. Careful here – this only works if you diligently pay off the card balance every month. *This strategy does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss. It involves continuous investment regardless of fluctuating price levels of such securities. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.

Investing involves risk including the possible loss of capital. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts may be subject to income taxes, and prior to age 59½ a 10% federal penalty tax may also apply. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Melanie Housden and not necessarily those of Raymond James. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. © 2021 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Melanie J Financial, LLC. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

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tudebakers Pizza is a veteran owned local business that offers handmade pizzas, subs and more. With such a vast menu with many different options, you are sure to find a new favorite all the time.

As a large family with varying tastes, we love the way Studebakers will customize to the special requests we usually have. You can guarantee with a large family their will always be someone who disagrees with he majority.

Therefore it’s nice to be able to order, such as we recently did, a vegetarian with pizza sauce and half with a salmon drizzle. Along with that odd

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pairing, we ordered a specialty and a Hawaiian along with cheesy bread sticks. No one was left out and the way Studebakers was able to accommodate our differing taste buds.

With some “picky eaters” in the group at our house and some occasional special orders, Studebakers always takes the order and delivers with a smile...even when we are being difficult. That is nice to be able to count on.

The biggest rave is normally first about the fluffy garlicky buttery crust and then about the toppings. The crust is just the added perfection each time.

If you want to try something other than their exceptional pizza, there are many options, but please let one be a sub sandwich. Their subs are awesome.

We haven’t met a sub yet we didn’t like.

Just when you think their menu cannot get any better it is rounded out by their dessert options. And did we mention their desserts are homemade?

Studebakers never disappoints.

Never is a big word if you think about it, but we always receive consistently good food and there is always something for everyone. Thank you Studebakers for you consistency and variety and for feeding this particular crew.

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The Dutchman on Wenzel, the ‘squareheaded Dutchman’, as he was called by the locals (Texas slang for Deutschman), says he loved to sneak into the smokehouse as a kid and cut off a piece of meat. The fond memories inspired him to build his own smokehouse which he brought into the Hidden Valley back in 1985, along with his deli, aptly called The Dutchman’s.

His recipes for smoked meats will usually satisfy most palates.

R

The Original “Dutchman” he original Dutchman sketch was drawn by a customer on the back of their receipt and still hangs in the Dutchman’s Country Store today!

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T

The Experience he Dutchman’s Hidden Valley, “Texas’ most unusual store,” is located on the historic Highway 281. Johnny and Frances Harris obtained their first highway sign permit back in 1961, announcing Hidden Valley Farms, purveyor of pecan grafts, pecans, and fresh fruit from their orchards 30 Our Hometowns | Volume 3 Issue 1

located behind the store. Adding old army barracks and room additions, the store grew along with the array of merchandise. Pecan and peanut brittle, Texas made merchandise, antiques, and even a collection of Texas art were among the goods travelers could browse through while stretching their legs.

If you venture out into Hamilton and into Dutchman’s Hidden Valley, you’ll be greeted with the gorgeous Texas landscape, a wave accompanied by a friendly smile and probably a glass of sweet tea because that’s how they do things around there.

It’s scenic and the cell service is a little shoddy at times, but it can be part of the charm...peace and quiet is rare these days.

They are still hand-dipping chocolates, pouring brittle, and making candies the old-fashioned way. Sit for a spell and have lunch at their deli where they will serve you up delicious sandwiches on their homemade bread.

The afternoon we chose to visit the Bavarian Sandwich was ordered. It really was beyond expectation. With the perfect portions of fresh sauerkraut, lean ham, swiss

cheese, served on rye – I chose to have mine on homemade white bread. I couldn’t be there and not make sure to figure out how to incorporate their homemade bread.

Baked to perfection and insanely light providing the perfect cocoon for the insides of the sandwich. In fact the sandwich was so good, a week later we made another stop in anticipation for having it again!

Bison chili was also brought to our table, and not a speck was left in the bowl.

Anytime we are able to take a trip for lunch, and homemade desserts are an option, we cannot pass them

up. In this instance we ordered Henry’s homemade ice cream. It was scooped to perfection in its very own cone, and was the perfect exclamation point to our meal.

Before you head home, don’t forget to peruse their general store for homemade candies and gifts!

Nowadays, the Dutchman’s daughter, Kara Chorenziak, along with some of her sons and an almost-family crew, holds on to the old-fashioned recipes and timetested values that feel like you walk in the store as a guest and leave as family.

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Each of these events is of course subject to cancelation by their own organizer.

Look for a few familiar faces from some of the events that have happened over the course of the past few months. Thank you Cheri Shepherd, the City of Gatesville for sharing the many photos with us. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.

Clifton

November 12, 2021 - Lighted Christmas Parade @ Chamber of Commerce. Kicks off the holidays. Downtown comes alive with marching bands and lighted floats winding their way through the downtown area.

Features characters to delight the young and old at heart. Santa arrives on a Norwegian Viking Ship. Phone : 254-675-3720 (Always call and confirm events.). Web Address: www.cliftontexas.org.

November 13, 2021 - Radney Foster @ Bosque Arts Center 7:00pm.

November 13, 2021 - Norwegian Country Christmas Tour @ Clifton Chamber of Commerce. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Highlights include Heritage Village in Clifton City Park, the historical Bosque Memorial Museum, Gallery of Trees, array of homes, St. Olaf ’s Church (The Old Rock Church), and Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse.

Find artisan demonstrations and arts & crafts, along with Norwegian and German homemade sweets, treats and German sausage, at Heritage Village at The Armory in Clifton City Park. Local storytellers answer visitor’s questions about the early history of the Norwegian settlement in Bosque County at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church at Norse. Following the tour, the downtown area comes alive with the arrival of Santa Claus, Norwegian folk dancers and more.

Phone : 254-675-3720 (Always call and confirm events.). Web Address: www.cliftontexas.org.

December 3-4, 2021 - Rosemaling Demonstration and Sale @ 219 Artisan Market 2:00pm Dec 3, 10:00am Dec 4, 1:00pm Dec 4. Join us in downtown Clifton, as we host Peg Piltingsrud, a Rosemaling artist and instructor during the weekend of the Norwegian Home Tour! Peg has been teaching for over 40 years. She lived in Norway for 4 and a half years and taught at Asker Husflidslag, a national arts and crafts society. She also teaches during Scandinavian Week at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Peg will be doing demonstrations on traditional Rosemaling techniques as well as selling her work.

December 12, 2021 - Live Nativity. 5 – 7 PM. First United Methodist Church of Valley Mills, 501 Avenue C, Valley Mills, TX. Come experience the story of the manger.

A child-focused evening with characters in costume, farm animals, camels and carols.

Serving chili, soup, and hot chocolate as well.

December 18, 2021 - Christmas Festival, 4 – 10 PM. 112 County Rd 1710, Clifton. Come out to see Santa, shop, eat, and be merry!

February 18, 2022 - “2nd Annual Let the Good Times Roll CASA Casino Night”. 6 PM – 11 PM. Join CASA for the Cross Timbers Area for the 2nd Annual Let the Good Times Roll Bosque County CASA Casino Night at Market at the Mill in Clifton ,TX. Sponsorships and Individual Tickets available for purchase by contacting the following individuals: Drew Leigh or Sharon Leigh by email at dleigh@fssbtexas.com or sharon@justloveleigh.com Adam Willmann or Heather Willmann by email at awillmann@gwhf.org or hawillmann@gmail.com. CASA Office at (254)965-6610. CASA for the Cross Timbers Area Inc is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit. All proceeds are used towards advocating for children in the foster care system.

Comanche

November 13, 2021 - Holiday Shopping Bazaar @ 4 North Event Center 9:00am6:00pm. Shop Local, Shop with Us! Lots of talented vendors at 4 North. Free admission.

Lunch available: chili or chicken chowder with cornbread. Wine bar and Coffee bar.

November 29, 2021 - Blood Drive @ Comanche County Medical Center. Hendrick Regional Blood Center will be having a mobile blood drive in Comanche at the Comanche County Medical Center from 1 - 6:30 p.m. We hope to see you there! For questions please contact Kelsey Caprio at kcaprio@hendrickhealth.org or 325-6704271.

Cranfills Gap

December 4, 2021 - Cranfills Gap Lutefisk Dinner @ Cranfills Gap 4:00pm. 56th AnVolume 3 Issue 1 | Our Hometowns 33

nual Norwegian Lutefisk Dinner put on by the CG Lions Booster Club to benefit Cranfills Gap ISD. December 18, 2021 - TRES HOMBRES @ Horny Toad Bar and Grill 8:00pm. Come on out to the island and hit the strand for some Texas made rock and roll with Tres Hombres, Houston’s tribute to ZZ Top!

Dublin

December 12, 2021 - Chicken House Flea Market 2021. Visit the Chicken House Flea Market, located between Stephenville & Dublin! The Flea Market is open every Saturday & Sunday on the 2nd & 4th weekend of the month.

December 23, 2021 - Cheese Making Tour at the Veldhuizen Family Farm. Come join the Veldhuizen Cheese Team and enjoy a behind the scenes tour at the Veldhuizen Family Farm. Cheese making tours are offered every Thursday at 12 PM. Come see where the cheese is made and the process it takes before it lands on your plate. Check out the cheese cave where all the cheese sits until it’s ready to eat, and be sure to take a look around the shoppe to see what goodies we have in stock! We have a large observation window for you to view the cheese making process while we talk all things Veldhuizen Cheese. We will walk you through the cheese making process as well as our history and the products we sell. Cost of tour is $6 for adults, $4 for children aged 6-12, and free for children under 6. Group tours are also available by appointment only. Group rates start at $4/person. Please note that tours are subject to cancellation if there is adverse weather. Please contact us if weather is looking questionable.

Gatesville

November 6, 2021 - Corks & Kegs @ the Coryell county courthouse square 4:00pm8:00pm. Tickets $20 until Nov 1st, then $30 until Nov 6th. Admission includes souvenir beer mug or wine glass and taste testings from each winery and brewery. For information about these and other Gatesville events & attractions, see VisitGatesvilleTX. com.

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November 13, 2021 - Chamber Market Days at the Depot - 9am-1pm. For information about these and other Gatesville events & attractions, see VisitGatesvilleTX.com.

November 22, 2021 - Food for Families food donation drop-off @ Gatesville Fire Department.

November 27, 2021 - Book Signing - 10am to 2 p.m. - Coryell Museum, 718 Main Street. The Rifleman: a memoir of Cotton Davidson, NFL& AFL Quarterback, Baylor Player and Coach and Coryell County Texas Rancher.

December 4, 2021 - Christmas Vendor Market and 4H. Lamb/Goat/Swine Showmanship Clinic & Show - Gatesville Civic Center. For vendor or jackpot entry information CALL (254) 865-2414.

December 11, 2021 - Christmas Parade & Christmas Market at the Depot. For information about these and other Gatesville events & attractions, see VisitGatesvilleTX. com.

Glen Rose

November 12-14, 2021 - Gypsy Hearts Market Holiday Market. Somervell County Expo Center, Glen Rose, Texas.Friday 11a-7p $10, Saturday 10a-6p $10, Sunday 11a-4p $5. Shop with over 100 VeNdOrs of EVERY KIND!! Boutiques, Vintage, Home Decor, Holiday Decor, Food Trucks, BAR! FIRST 100 SHOPPERS IN LINE EACH DAY WILL RECEIVE A FREE GIFT! FIRST 25 IN LINE FRIDAY WILL GET GHM CASH!! Parking is FREE. Kids 12 and Under FREE. For more infomaiton visit www. gypsyheartsmarket.com/.

December 3, 2021 - 2nd Annual Light Up Dinosaur Valley. Dinosaur Valley RV Park, 1099 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX. Come decorate your RV site or Cabin to show your Holiday spirit and share it with the locals of Glen Rose, Texas. Prizes given to top three sites. Also enjoy cookies and cocoa with Santa! Open to the public for drive through voting with donations.All proceeds go to the Glen Rose Animal shelter. For more in-

formation visit www.dinosaurvalleyrvpark. com.

December 4, 2021 - Heritage Christmas Market. Heritage Christmas is taking place on Saturday, December 4th at Paluxy Heritage Park in Glen Rose. Ring in the holiday season as you shop with vendors, visit with Santa at his workshop at the pavilion, take a carriage ride around Heritage Park, and visit The Old Lanham Mills School House and The Telephone Building. In addition, Paluxy Heritage Park will be decorated with beautiful decorations and lights all December long! If you would like to be a vendor for the Christmas Market, please email Tiffany.hall@co.somervell.tx.us

Hamilton

November 12-30, 2021 - Way Out Wineries Holiday Road Trip @ 9112 FM 2005. Tickets $50 single and $80 for pairs, includes 5 1-ounce tastings at each winery, a taste of each winemaker’s favorite holiday dish, a unique holiday ornament from each winery, a wreath for the ornaments, extend WOW hours at all wineries, and 15% off 3+ bottles at each winery. Pairs get one ornament per pair from each winery.

December 4, 2021 - Boots & Bling @ Circle T Arena 5:30-11:00pm. Boots & Bling is BACK in person with plans to be bigger and better than ever! With a new date and venue, we are looking forward to making this an unforgettable year of fundraising for our school district. So mark your calendars and plan to be there!

Hico

November 6, 2021 - Live music @ the Duffau 4:00-11:00pm BYOB and Bring Your Own Lawn Chair.

November 27, 2021 - Dinner for the Dogs @ Buzzed Brumby 3:00-7:00pm, tickets $20.

Shopping, carriage rides while learning about Hico’s history, dinner, dancing, silent auctions, and door prizes.

Stephenville

munity is invited to the 2021 Dancing for the Stars event on Thursday, November 4th at Lone Star Arena in Stephenville Texas!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erath County Dancing for The Stars is a local dance competition, just like the one on TV, that raises money for the benefit of the local youth.

That’s right, all proceeds stay local! What’s even better is that you get to watch (or laugh at) local couples dance and compete for the very-coveted, mirror ball trophy! Box Tickets - $50. Includes admission to the event and reserved seating. General Seating - $35. Includes admission to the event.

Please call or text 254-485-9041 to purchase tickets.*Dinner and drinks are not included in Box or General Seating. Box and General Seating will be located in the stands/bleacher area. A cash bar will be open. Concessions will be available. Also check out other Dance Events in Stephenville, Entertainment Events in Stephenville.

November 12, 2021 - Thanksgiving Celebration @ Stephenville Senior Center 11:00am12:00pm.

November 20-21, 2021 - 30/30 Big Guns Roping @ Lone Star Arena 9:00am-8:00pm.

December 10, 2021 - Christmas Celebration @ Stephenville Senior Center 11:00am1:00pm.

December 10-12, 2021 - 73rd Annual Huckabay FFA Livestock Show @ ECLA Arena/ FairGrounds.

December 12, 2021 - Chicken House Flea Market 2021. Visit the Chicken House Flea Market, located between Stephenville & Dublin! The Flea Market is open every Saturday & Sunday on the 2nd & 4th weekend of the month.

December 16, 2021 - Stephenville Community Pantry @ First Baptist Church 5:007:00pm.

January 20-23, 2021 - Lone Star Shootout @ Lonestar Arena 8:00am-7:30pm.

November 4, 2021 - Dancing For the Stars @ Lonestar Arena 6:30-8:00pm. The comVolume 3 Issue 1 | Our Hometowns 35

T

About the author: Cathy Kolodziej, M.Ed, LPC, CSC, LCDC, NCC Clinical Director – Solutions Behavioral Health Cathy Kolodziej received her Masters degree in counseling from Tarleton State University in 2011. She is a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society. Her work experience includes 30+ years as a teacher and counselor in public schools and three years working with incarcerated men in the Texas Department of Corrections. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and the Clinical Director at Solutions Behavioral Health. Cathy joined the team in August of 2014 as a therapist and became the Clinical Director in 2016. She is passionate about helping others discover their inner strength in order to achieve a better quality of life.

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om Driscoll once said, “If the world changed and you are not doing anything to prepare the kids, you are doing a disservice to them.” I think a global pandemic qualifies as a change. We have all experienced many changes and stressors over the past year and a half. The intent of this essay is not to lament the changing world, but rather to offer hope for a brighter future in the youth of today.

As adults we often struggle with self-care and emotional health. We know that we should try to monitor how much sleep we get, how much exercise we make time for, and what foods we eat. We know to watch for warning signs in our bodies. We aren’t always on point with successful management, but we at least are usually aware and know what we need to do. We usually have some tools in the self-care toolbox when needed. But did you know that there are more than 50 million public school students in America and that as many as 1 in 5 show signs of a mental health disorder? It is estimated that out of the nearly five million school children suffering from a mental health disorder approximately 80 percent will receive no intervention.

The lack of intervention can be attributed to many factors. Children often do not understand what is happening to them and struggle to get help because they don’t realize that they need it. Changes in behavior can be normal in children as they grow and mature and because of this, parents may have difficulty identifying when their child is struggling and when they are experiencing “normal” changes associated with the maturing process.

Anxiety disorders take many forms. Some of the most common in children are generalized anxiety disorder, social phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Some amount of worry and anxiety is normal for all ages, but when it interferes with daily life and makes it difficult to function in social settings it could be a sign of something more than “normal” anxiety.

Some of the more common signs of anxiety in children are: • Changes in Behavior • Changes in Mood • Self-Injury or Self Harm • Difficulty Concentrating • Poor Performance in School • Intense Emotions • Frequent Unexplained Ailments (headaches, stomach aches etc) • Skipping School • Low Self Esteem • Loss of Interest in Hobbies and/or Activities One of the most important things that you can do for your child is to build and maintain a strong relationship with their teachers, counselors, and school administration. This relationship is important regardless of whether you are noticing your child displaying signs of anxiety or not. As parents you will not always have the answers, but you will almost always be the people who know your child the bestand will be the first to notice subtle changes. Open communication with your child is important as well.

Having difficult and sometimes uncomfortable discussions with them can be invaluable to their social and emotional growth and maturity.

Many times anxiety is situational and will pass, but communication with others in the support team can play a vital role in your child’s social emotional growth. Social and emotional health is crucial for us all.

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”

Aristotle

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Ad Index

Bare Bones Barbeque...................................................................................................... 29 Bullard Construction....................................................................................................... 23 Burlap Rose............................................................................................................................8 City of Gatesville..................................................................................................................9 Coryell Health.................................................................................................. Back Cover Davidson Scholarship Foundation............................................................................. 12 Dixon Realty.................................................................................................................10-11 Evant Backhoe & Construction, LLC........................................................................... 24 Flacas Fitness & Brews.................................................................................................... 32 Front Porch Realty............................................................................................................ 13 Hamilton Healthcare System...................................... Inside Front Cover, 1, 37-39 Haute & Gaudy.....................................................................................................................8 Hitt Photography.............................................................................................................. 19 Hometown Designz............................................................................................................3 Ideal Self Storage............................................................................................... Cover, 4-7 Impact Pest Management............................................................................................. 23 Lazy VT Bar Ranch............................................................................................................ 24 Leaird’s Furniture.............................................................................................................. 15 LeDeux....................................................................................................................................8 M&W Ag Supply................................................................................................................ 25 Melanie J Housden Financial........................................................................................ 27 Pecan Creek Outfitters...................................................................... Inside Back Cover Robert’s Radiator.............................................................................................................. 24 Sinyard Tire Shop.............................................................................................................. 24 Storm’s Restaurant........................................................................................................... 32 Tejas Real Estate................................................................................................................ 12 Texas Station.........................................................................................................................9 The Feedmill....................................................................................................................... 32 Two 2 Tangle Hair Salon................................................................................................. 18

40 Our Hometowns | Volume 3 Issue 1

Staff Publisher Stephens Publishing

production.hometowns@gmail.com 254-223-4470

Editor editor.hometowns@gmail.com Contributor Dwayne Clover PR and Sales Liaision Kevin Gilmore Donna Wallace Photography Heather Hitt Social Media/Office Admin Alexys Stephens

office.hometowns@gmail.com

Advertising Please contact any of our associates if interested in being included in upcoming issues. At Our Hometowns we are committed to connecting communities through support and accessibility. Contract Rates Available Upon Request.

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42 Our Hometowns | Volume 3 Issue 1