Gypsy Greens Market
Gypsy Greens Market is a unique health food market nestled in the heart of downtown Hamilton, TX. Owned by the knowledgeable and passionate Gayle Edwards, this shop offers a wide range of locallysourced products that cater to health-conscious individuals who seek top-quality nutrition.
With an emphasis on providing customers with the best possible food options, Gypsy Greens offers both grass-fed and grain-fed beef, farm-fresh eggs, as well as a variety of microgreens and herbs. The store also offers top-of-the-line, clinically tested health supplements that are perfect for those who want to improve their health and well-being.
Gayle, a certified herbalist, goes the extra mile for her customers by creating custom herbal blends tailored to their specific needs. The Elderberry Syrup, which is particularly popular among Hamilton locals, is just one of the many fantastic products that Gayle creates.
Aside from food and supplements, Gypsy Greens also carries a range of household and body items such as tea accessories, reusable totes, soaps, houseplants and more. Whether you're looking to spruce up your home or take care of your body, Gypsy Greens Market has got you covered. Photo credit: Kim Hinton/ Hamilton Herald-News Located
at 209 E Henry St Hamilton, TX • Open 11-5 Tues-Friday
11-3
and
Saturday
Because I’ve been asked so many questions regarding this last renovation we did on Margaret Waring’s home, I thought I’d share a little history behind it all, along with the huge undertaking it took in preserving what we could. Some pretty amazing before and after pictures considering where we started. As I always say, every house and building have a story to tell, and I assure you, this home had a lot to say.
Margaret Waring’s home was built in 1935, most thought I was crazy for buying it due to how bad it had deteriorated, and said it should be bulldozed for the lot. Those people must not know me very well, because I’m a sucker for preserving anything old. It’s definitely a love and passion of mine.
Margaret was the beloved librarian in Comanche for so many years. She dedicated her life to literacy and a love of learning in her community. Although Margaret passed away in 2020, she left behind a community enriched by her love of books and learning.
Today, the Margaret Waring memorial library stands as a testament to her dedication and her commitment to making the world a better place through the power of literacy. It was truly an honor to get to renovate this home.
From the pictures, you will see the extent of the work done. We stripped the home back to its original, and from there, figured out what we could preserve and keep in its original state.
Every room had something we were able to preserve, from the original shiplap walls, to the original storage closet we turned into the pantry for the kitchen. We were also abel to salvage the original 1935 carriage house doors and found other memorabilia thanks to Joshua Furry and his handy gift of finding buried treasures. Thanks, Josh!
Kersh Home Design • Kerry Kersh • 325-330-2618
main photo copyright Sully & Scott Photography
Volume 4 Issue 3 | Our Hometowns 27
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
There are many benefits to contributing to a Roth IRA with one of the main ones being that all distributions from the account can be tax free. In recent years IRA adoption was particularly strong among young Women investors, with a 92% year-over-year increase among Gen Z and 24% among millennials, according to CNBC. Thinking about opening or contributing to a Roth IRA? Learn more about the benefits of this type of retirement account and your possible eligibility to contribute.
The key benefits of Roth IRAs include all distributions from the account can be tax free. Although contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, earnings grow free of taxes. When you reach age 59 1/2, if the Roth IRA has been in place for at least 5 years, any withdrawal from the contributions and earnings is tax free. Avoiding the tax bite at the time of withdrawal in retirement can be attractive – particularly for investors who anticipate having a higher marginal income tax rate at the time of withdrawal than they do at the time of contribution. There are No required minimum distributions. While distributions from a traditional IRA must begin upon reaching age 73, there are no similar requirements for a Roth IRA. There is no age limit on contributions. You can continue contributing to your IRA – Roth or traditional – as long as you have earned income. Withdrawals may be made without penalty for a firsttime home purchase. As with a traditional IRA, you can withdraw funds from your Roth IRA (up to a lifetime maximum of $10,000) to make a down payment on a first-time home purchase. A first-time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home for 2 years prior to the purchase of the new home. The nice
In 2023 the max contribution to your Roth IRA has increased. It is now $6,500 if you're under age 50, and $7,500 if you're age 50 or older. The full Roth contribution limit is available to individuals filing as single or head of household if your Modified Adjusted Gross Income is under $138,000 for tax year 2023, and if you're married and file jointly, your Modified Adjusted Gross Income must be under $218,000 for tax year 2023. The nice thing about the Roth IRA is you can choose how often or how little you’d like to contribute to it, just as long as you don’t exceed the max contribution.
If you are ready to open a Roth IRA of your own, or just ready to sit down and create a plan for your finances, our team at Melanie J. Financial can help you with all your financial needs. Meeting with us is always free of charge.
Please note that changes in tax laws or regulations may occur at any time and could substantially impact your situation. While familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, Raymond James financial advisors are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Material created by Raymond James for use by its advisors. Sources:https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/19/roth-iras-area-slam-dunk-for-most-young-investors-expert-says.html Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Your financial advisor can answer any questions you may have about the features and benefits of IRAs and help determine which type may be appropriate for addressing your retirement needs. Securities offered through 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.
38 Our Hometowns | Volume 4 Issue 3
40 Our Hometowns | Volume 4 Issue 3
42 Our Hometowns | Volume 4 Issue 3
Volume 4 Issue 3 | Our Hometowns 43
LCSW
Brittany is originally from East Texas and now resides in Hamilton County. She received her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North Texas and her Master of Social Work from Texas A&M University- Commerce. Brittany has worked with a diverse set of client populations across various settings in her ten plus years as a social worker. She has experience working with individuals impacted by trauma, as well as depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, grief, and stress.
Brittany believes in a holistic approach to mental health treatment, and utilizes an eclectic set of theories and interventions, including tenets of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and psychoeducational interventions. She is committed to collaborating with and advocating for her clients to achieve health and happiness. Brittany primarily conducts group therapy within the intensive outpatient program and sees individuals for therapy as well.
What are Boundaries?
Boundaries are limits or guidelines that communicate what we will or will not accept. They are tools that can help keep us safe and healthy. Boundaries may be internal, referring to those that help us to self-regulate, or they may be external, referring to our relationships with others. Often, our childhood experiences within our family of origin shape the way we view boundaries and our comfort level with setting them. Perhaps we grew up in a household in which expression of emotions was discouraged, or we were raised in a home dynamic in which we were conditioned to meet the needs of others at the expense of our own, or possibly we had caregivers who modeled to us an unhealthy pattern of compromising their own needs by engaging in people-pleasing behaviors.
Take a moment to reflect and consider, do you…find yourself struggling to say “no,” to others? Often feel like others are taking advantage of you? Frequently give away your time, neglecting your own needs or responsibilities? Agree with others to keep the peace? Struggle with feeling guilty, anxious, or burned out? If so, you may consider the need to set some healthy boundaries. Although for some, the idea of boundary-setting can be overwhelming, it is important to understand this is a necessary skill that supports emotional regulation, increase in self-esteem, and proper self-care.
Where to Begin
It can be helpful to start with your feelings. Recognize areas of your life, times of your day or week, or certain relationships, that leave you feeling uncomfortable, drained, frustrated, or resentful. These can be indicators of a need for boundaries. A helpful self-reflection activity to visualize and clarify boundaries can be found at positivepsychology.com (link with full instructions can be found at the end of article).
Some Boundary Tips and Reminders
Knowing your basic rights is essential in setting healthy boundaries. Some examples are:
The right to say no without feeling guilty
The right to be treated with respect.
The right to make my needs as important as others.
The right to be accepting of my mistakes and failures.
The right not to meet others’ unreasonable expectations of me.
(Source: healthline)
It is also helpful to connect to your values/priorities to help guide boundary-setting. Author Adelyn Birch states, “Boundaries protect the things that are of value to you. They keep you in alignment with what you have decided you want in life. That means the key to good boundaries is knowing what you want.” Knowing what you value helps to provide clarity about where you would like to invest your time and energy. Values represent who we want to be in life and what is most important to us. Values can shift over time, so it is helpful to make it a regular practice to check in with what matters to you in the stage of life you’re in. For example, some may place a high value on work/career success, while others may value leisure or engaging in hobbies. To get a better idea of what some of your top values are, you might consider self-reflecting through use of a gratitude journaling practice. This could give you some insight about themes or patterns that emerge. These often reflect what matters to you, what inspires you, and where you feel most fulfilled.
Communicating in an assertive manner is vital when setting boundaries in relationships. A helpful practice is using “I statements” that are clear and state what you need, expect, or will not tolerate. Remember, there is no need to over explain or justify. You can use the following format as a guide: “I feel ______ when ________, and what I need is ______.”
Respect the boundaries of others. Listen to others, be mindful of their needs, and respond accordingly. When we respect the boundaries of others, it is more likely they will respect ours.
Remember that appropriate boundaries help us connect better to ourselves and to others. While there may be some discomfort for you and possibly some pushback from others initially, setting boundaries teaches others how we would like to be treated, and ultimately promotes healthy interaction within relationships.
It is equally as important to maintain (or hold) a boundary as it is to set a boundary in the first place. Similar to how we would respond to a child, in that, it is important to provide structure and limits in a consistent manner, it is also imperative that we remain consistent with the healthy boundaries we have set. Others may try to test our boundaries, and giving in communicates that it is acceptable for them to cross your boundary. Being persistent communicates self-respect. Healthy boundaries are neither too rigid nor too weak. Although different relationships require different levels of boundaries, generally speaking, healthy boundaries are those that are somewhere in the middle. Healthy boundaries in relationships reflect a value for one’s own rights, needs, and opinions and comfortability in communicating these.
Sources:
https://positivepsychology.com/great-self-care-setting-healthy-boundaries/#worksheets https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/set-boundaries#how-to-communicate-and-set-yourboundaries
About the author: Brittany Nichols,
Volume 4 Issue 3 | Our Hometowns 45
We all know hydration is important for our health, and in the peak of summer, temperatures in central Texas easily reach 100 degrees, making hydration even more essential! When you or your family spend time outdoors this summer, you may be hydrating with sports drinks, like Powerade and Gatorade, or even soda. But do these drinks actually hydrate, or should you substitute with water instead?
What Are Sports Drinks?
Sports drinks are popular, sugary drinks that contain ingredients that claim to aid the body’s efforts at replenishing hydration. Sports drinks contain sugar as carbohydrates, like glucose, high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose. These sugars are meant to help the body hydrate and give the drinks their sweet flavor. Sports drinks also contain electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, calcium and phosphorus. Electrolytes help the body absorb water — a dehydrated body often lacks necessary electrolytes which can inhibit nerves and muscles.
Is It Smart To Consume Sports Drinks?
Studies show sports drinks can help adult athletes hydrate, but there is a lack of evidence supporting the same results in children. For children who are exercising or playing sports, providing sports drinks like Gatorade could be helpful in replenishing fluid and electrolytes, but there’s no concrete evidence that proves these drinks are helpful. However, sports drinks may encourage children to drink more liquid because of their sweet flavor and bright colors—in that way, sports
beverages may help children hydrate more than standard water when exercising. For children and adults simply spending time outdoors without exerting much energy, electrolytes aren’t necessary, so you can stick to water instead of Gatorade.
It’s important to note that other popular sugary drinks, like sodas, are not recommended for hydration. While kids may be more likely to drink soda than water, studies show that sodas actually worsen dehydration!
Why Is Water Important?
Besides being the best way to hydrate, water has other positive effects on the body. Water has no calories, so it can also help manage body weight and reduce intake of calories. In contrast, there are 138 calories in a single can of Coke and 80 calories in one 12-ounce bottle of Gatorade.
Proper hydration can also help improve sleep quality, brain functions and boost your energy and mood.
Still struggling to get you or your family to drink water? These tips from the CDC may help. Your Coryell Health family medicine practitioner can also provide guidance and helpful tips so your family stays hydrated and healthy during the heat this season.
1 National Library of Medicine 2 Healthline
BLOOM
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Growing up in a small town as a young girl, I became a dreamer who always desired a "big city life." I aspired to be some famous actress or singer living in a mansion and traveling the world. Later, in my adult life and through many negative experiences in the city, I GREW to find there’s no place like home.
Theodore Roosevelt said “comparison is the thief of joy.” Comparison steals away the satisfaction of enjoying your own life and what God has specifically for you. This week, in a walk through my backyard in Gatesville Texas, I paused to hear the sound of birds chirping and enjoyed the fresh breeze and smell of cedar and then I noticed the flowers growing all around me. All of this is easily disregarded when our eyes are focused elsewhere.
In a world with such intense influence of social media, we can easily fall prey to the art of comparison of vacations, jobs, families, and home that we dismiss what God has provided right in front of us, we lose trust in His uniquely designed plan. Be reminded that a flower doesn’t think of competing with the flowers next to it. It just blooms.
As we embrace a new season, may we learn to appreciate and enjoy the beauty around us. May our perception be enlarged to see the hand of our Father, God, at work in what He has especially designed for each of us and may we continue to bloom where we are planted
Felicia Inman is a native of Gatesville Texas and graduate alumni of Texas Bible Institute and University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters Degree in Social Work. She has more than a decade of ministry experience in which she and her husband Raymond Inman have currently committed their lives to serving at Grace Assembly Christian Church in Gatesville, Texas under the leadership of her father Pastor Wray Nunn. Felicia enjoys creatively sharing the message of Christ in church, community, and corporate settings, which enables her to reach others with humor, warmth, transparency and powerful strength. She is a wife, mother, teacher, conference speaker, song-writer, role model and
Bio
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…"
Volume 4 Issue 3 | Our Hometowns 49
What happens to them? All those plans we made? Only a handful of the lucky ones can say they even came close.” Grandpa’s words of wisdom echo across the stage during the climatic scene of the Hamilton High School One Act Play “You Can’t Take it With You.”
The Hamilton High School cast and crew have brought this wellloved 87-year-old script back to life this year. One judge at Area competition praised the play for being true to the time period with the use of costumes, music, and set, and commented that it felt fresh for today’s audiences. The play's themes of the importance of family, love, and the true meaning of happiness ring just as true today as they did when it was written.
The original play was written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. It follows the Sycamore family, the patriarch Grandpa Vanderhof, his playwright daughter, Penny, and her husband Paul, who builds illegal fireworks in their basement with the help of his assistant, Mr. De Pinna. Penny’s daughter Essie, an aspiring ballerina, makes candies as a side business alongside her xylophoneplaying husband Ed Carmichael. Penny and Paul’s other daughter Alice is quite obviously the “black sheep” of the family because she has a normal job outside the home. Alice loves her family fiercely but can sometimes be embarrassed by their quirky behavior. When her office romance with the boss’s son, Tony Kirby, becomes serious, the two families meet in a madcap series of events.
Throw in the housekeeper Rheba, handyman Donald, Essie’s dance teacher Mr. Kolenkov, a tax man, a lush of an actress, a Russian aristocrat who must work as a waitress, the cops, and the unsuspecting prim and proper parents Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, and a delightful comedic play unfolds.
Many of the cast and crew, like senior Grace Killian, debuted on stage as children in the summer Hamilton Civic Theatre productions under the direction of director Melissa Craig. Some of Grace’s roles were a frog in The Jungle Book, a Grunt in Tracers, and Rose Gwynn in last year’s production of Nell Gwynn.
“I have had so much fun in one act play over these past few years,” said Grace. “ I will never forget the memories I have made being in shows with Mrs. Craig.”
Senior Landon Thompson, who plays Grandpa Vanderhof, has also been in many productions directed by Craig.. He played one of Wendy’s brothers in Peter Pan and Templeton the Rat in Charlotte’s Web. When he was a freshman he played a Vietnam soldier in Tracers. Last year he was Edward Kynaston, a famous actor known for dressing up to play the womens’ roles before women were allowed to star in theater. Landon said, “Thank you to Mrs. Craig for all the wonderful memories.”
As Hamilton High School and Junior High Theater director, Craig has led the one act play productions for several years now.
“I played Penny in high school and I directed the full-length script in 2006 at Mansfield HS, ” she said. “However, this script seems more relevant today than in my previous experiences. This extraordinarily talented company has brought so much joy to the stage, and I could not be more proud of their achievements. It is a large group of students and it truly takes a village to make the magic happen. I am beyond grateful for our team of Co-Directors, Lu Burks, Betsy Killian, and Harmony Thompson for their time, talents, and love for these kids.”
This village of directors have the added bonus of working with Saundra Lengefeld, a legend among those who competed in OAP at Hamilton High School. Saundra, Tina Summers, and Brenda Edins were a directing team for many years and had four State and many Regional runs during their time together.
“It was a fun play to work with all of the characters, and chaotic family happenings,” said Lengefeld. “ This play was definitely a highlight of the many we did. This year’s team of directors have raised this play to a new performance level and I am so very proud of them.”
Lengefeld has not only provided her expertise on OAP but has generously allowed this year’s company tto use her furniture and
“everything but the kitchen sink” for the set.
The village of OAP doesn’t just stop at those in the Hamilton community. At Area competition in Graham, Melissa loved the sweater that the stage manager, Jack Cody, was wearing. She thought it would be a wonderful addition to Grandpa Vanderhof’s wardrobe. Cody’s wife, Diane, the contest manager, graciously let Thompson borrow the sweater for the performance. Cody and Thompson documented the sweet moment and their matching outfits after the performance.
Several of the performers in the current company are second or even third-generation thespians. Some had parents or relatives that starred in Hamilton High School’s 1995 production that made it all the way to State. Joe Summers, the father of freshman Pierce Summers, who plays Donald in the current production, was State All-Star Cast in his role as Tony. Grant Lengefeld starred in the 1995 production as Donald and his niece, freshman Kate Lengefeld, plays Mrs. Kirby in the current production. Kate is also Saundra’s granddaughter.
When working with young adults, challenges arise along the way, but the memories made are sweeter than anything that comes up. At Area competition, director Melissa Craig wanted to do one more rehearsal before the next day’s performance. The result was 25 kids crammed into one hotel conference room trying to run through scenes using tables, chairs, and hotel towels as props and costumes.
Kate said that it was her favorite memory so far. “All the makeshift costumes were amazing,” she said with a laugh.
Junior Kayden Hudson expressed her gratitude for the experiences and relationships she has developed through One Act Play.
“One act play has allowed me to experience so many different opportunities,” she said. “It has allowed me to build wonderful connections with the rest of the cast and crew. I was told to pick one memory that is my favorite of them all, but I couldn’t pick just one because they are all so memorable. I can’t wait for the rest of the memories and relationships I can build.”
Senior Eleana Gonzales, remembers last year when the Hamilton HS OAP production of Nell Gwynn was announced to advance to the State One Act Play competition.
“When we found out we were going to state all I remember saying was ‘I must still be dreaming!’ But I wasn’t, thankfully. Going to state
was one of the best feelings in the world. I never thought I could be a part of something as big and important as OAP. I have made so many memories with my OAP family that it’s hard to pick just one. But I’m glad to call all of them my family,” said Gonzales.
Junior Joe Polster, who plays Essie’s exuberant dance teacher, Boris Kolenkov, is involved in many spring activities including FCCLA, tennis, ag judging events and UIL academic events, but he still makes sure to find time for One Act Play.
“Many of my best memories were made in OAP, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything,” he said.
Senior Mackinsy Morgan looks back fondly on her four years of being in OAP.
“My favorite thing about one act play is that we’re all a big family and we take care of each other, and have so much fun,” she said.
The cast and crew of Hamilton High School’s One Act Play have placed first in District, Bi-District, and Area competitions, with many individual awards. District individual awards went to all-star Crew Kylee Little; Outstanding Tech Crew of Kylee Little, Adriana Hernandez, and Ruby Gutierrez; Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, Eleana Gonzalez and Kayden Hudson; AllStar Cast, Colter Johnson, Makinsy Morgan, and Joe Polster; and Best Performer Grace Killian. Individual awards a Bi-District were, All-Star Crew- Ruby Gutierrez, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, Alex Bays, All-Star Cast went to Colter Johnson, Grace Killian, and Eleana Gonzales. Individual awards at Area competition went to All-Star Crew, Adriana Hernandez, Mackinsy Morgan, Eleana Gonzales, and Kate Lengefeld received Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, and Grace Killian received All-Star Cast.
At the end of the play, Grandpa Vanderhof asks Mr. Kirby about his life choices and if sacrificing his dreams for his father’s choices made him happy. Grandpa states that “only a handful of the lucky ones can say they even came close.”
As these students look back over their four years in one act play, I hope they realize that the hours of rehearsal, the many changes to blocking on stage, hours and miles traveling to different competitions, and watching Mrs. Craig in her zaniness help them to bring their characters to life, that they have come close to something magical that can only happen in the theater and the family that you make there.
the Gatesville Fightin' Hornet Band strives for greatness throughout the '22-'23 school year! Long rehearsals, marching contest troubles, successful students, and 4 sets of "Sweepstakes" are only a few of the memorable moments from this eventful year!
The Gatesville Band began their school year a month early in July while the hot Texas sun baked the band parking lot. The High School Band began preparations for their marching show in the summer, but there was no way to prepare for the year they were about to have! At UIL Region Marching contest, the band earned a “Superior” rating and advanced to UIL Area Marching Contest held in Liberty Hill, TX. The band had grown familiar with the Area level, but they had been striving to push past it. While preparing for their Prelims performance, the band faces some unexpected challenges on an abnormally windy day. Firstly, as they approached the marching field to perform, a prop’s wheel broke in transit. The wind caught the large backdrop and thrust it into a fence, breaking two wheels. The
clock was ticking as the band had to quickly choose how to proceed. They sacrificed the prop and continued without it leaving them with only 4 all while the clock kept ticking. The Fightin’ Hornet Band began their prelims performance at the Area Marching Contest. A Band Booster alerts the Band Directors that an arch on a different prop was beginning to lean and sway due to the strong winds. Sure enough, as the band wrapped up their first movement the prop was blown over by the wind and struck a few band members as it fell. Band Parents and Directors rushed to pick up the prop and move it out of the way to allow the students to finish strong. They did! Though, the students knew things had not gone to plan and felt unsure about what was to come. Would they even advance to Area Finals this year? After the Prelims performance the band learns that when the prop fell over and struck a few students, it hit their soprano saxophone soloist and heavily damaged the instrument. It was now unusable and would not be fixed anytime soon, not to mention the prop that broke before the performance AND the prop that broke during the performance. With the outstanding determination to help our students, the Band Boosters quickly got to work. They devised plans to fix the props immediately, going as far as driving over an hour back to Gatesville to re-weld the props in time for the possible Finals performance. The Directors had managed to borrow a soprano saxophone from another school for the Finals performance. Even through a rough Prelims performance, the band advanced to Finals and placed 8th in Prelims! With a new determination, the band prepared for another shot at State. Only the top 5 bands in Area Finals would advance
Through adversity, obstacles, awards, and ovations,
to the State Marching Contest, but finishing 8th in Prelims meant the Band needed to buckle down, focus, and execute. The Fightin’ Hornet Band had a spectacular performance in Finals! Was it enough to qualify for State Marching Contest?
Yes, it was! The Band placed 5th in Finals which qualified them for State Marching Contest for the first time in nearly 15 years! Gatesville had not made an appearance at State Marching Contest since 2008. On November 9th, 2022, the Fightin’ Hornet Band performed at the Alamodome in San Antonio. It was a phenomenal final performance of their beloved 2022 show, “Till Death Do Us Part”. The Band placed 18th in class 4A, officially marking the highest placement of the Gatesville Band ever at the State Marching Contest!
Shortly after an amazing and memorable marching season, some independently dedicated students had prepared audition excerpts for the ATSSB All-Region Bands. Nine Junior High students and seven High School students made All-Region bands, representing Gatesville well! Those students traveled to Groesbeck for the Region 8 Band Concerts. For these concerts, students rehearse for a full day on Saturday and perform a concert later that night.
Three of our high school students advanced further from the All-Region level to the Area level. Two of those students were selected as All-State alternates!
In February, many High School students prepared music for UIL Solo and Ensemble. Twenty-six of our students’ solos and ensembles earned “Superior” ratings and advanced to UIL State Solo and Ensemble which is held at the end of May.
In the Spring, the Gatesville Band program continued their successes with wonderful performances at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. In March, all four concert bands (2 high school and 2 junior high bands) earned a “Sweepstakes” award at UIL Concert and sightreading. This is the first time that all four bands from Gatesville ISD earned “Sweepstakes” at UIL Concert and Sightreading! A few days after Junior High UIL, the Gatesville Hornet Jazz Band went to the Temple College Jazz Festival and also earned all “Superior” ratings! One of our clarinet players, Danny Rodriguez, was awarded the “Outstanding Musician Award” at the Jazz Festival for his wonderful Clarinet solo on Scoot’s Blues.
To wrap up the Gatesville Band’s school year, the high school students will be taking a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida at the beginning of June. A trip to Disney is the biggest outing that the band takes. Students will get the opportunity to perform as well as enjoy all that Disney has to offer while on this exciting excursion. As you can see, this trip is undoubtedly deserved after an incredibly eventful year!
`We are incredibly proud of ALL of our performing ensembles this year. The Gatesville Band Program has had a truly spectacular ’22’23 school year! Many of these things would not be possible without the help of our Band Boosters and our supporters. Many thanks go out to the Gatesville ISD Administration, our Principals, teachers, and parents for their continued support of the Gatesville Band program.
Foster care can be a challenging journey for any child, and for those who experience it, good memories may be scarce. However, we had the opportunity to speak to two former foster siblings who shared their experiences with us. Their story is one of resilience, strength, and hope.
At just three years old, the siblings learned to rely on each other for support and care. The older sibling, who took on the role of protector, made it their responsibility to ensure that the younger sibling was always taken care of. From finding food to lending comfort in times of distress, the siblings' bond was unbreakable, even forming their own "code" to communicate with one another.
Unfortunately, their living conditions were far from ideal. They often found themselves locked in a small room with access only to a bathroom, a situation that became all too familiar to them. In anticipation of these periods of confinement, the siblings started to hide food to ensure they wouldn't go
hungry. The older sibling always put the younger one's needs first, making sure the younger one was fed first. Their experience wasn't just limited to severe neglect, but also exposed them to sights, smells, and behaviors that no child should ever have to endure. After the children had been left with their father indefinitely, he decided the best thing for them was to surrender them to CPS.
Upon entering the foster care system, they were placed in a temporary home, where they continued their habit of hiding food. As adults, they look back on this memory with a smile, as they recall the cans they couldn't open and the rice they couldn't cook. Although they didn't understand the mechanics of preparing the food as children, seeing it and knowing it was there made them feel safer.
After spending about a month in the temporary home, the siblings' mother regained custody of them. Unfortunately, she was unable to provide them with the care they needed, and she eventually
made the heartbreaking decision to sign her parental rights away. This decision paved the way for the siblings to enter foster care once again, but this time, they were adopted by a loving family who became their forever home. Their journey wasn't easy, but it was one that led them to a supportive and loving family. As adults, the siblings have dedicated their lives to appreciating the opportunities they have gained and giving back to their large, adoptive family. They understand that their childhood memories may not have been ideal, but they have chosen to look at them with understanding and a sense of gratitude for the life they have now. With their newfound family by their side, they look forward to what the future holds for them.
Their story serves as a reminder that, despite the hardships children in foster care face, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. By offering them a loving home and supportive family, we can help them create new and positive memories that will last a lifetime.
Each of these events listed is 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. Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production. hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
Comanche
May 2 - Genealogy Club at Comanche Public Library, 4-5PM.
May 3 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
May 6 - Comanche Market at Comanche County Court House, 9AM-1PM.
May 6 - Fiesta de Momma at Historic Comanche Square, 12PM-4PM. A combination of Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day featuring Mexican food vendors, giveaway flowers for the mothers, and fiesta music that could liven anyone's day.
May 8 - Diabetic Infusion Treatment - CCMC Info Sessions at Comanche Cnty Medical Ctr (CMCC), 5:30-6:30PM. A bi-monthly information session for the public on the Diabetes Relief® treatment. The live, in-person session is held in the CCMC Hospital Cafeteria, 10201 Highway 16 North, Comanche, TX. The virtual, live-stream session is held in Brownwood at Texas Outpatient & Infusion Center, 2410 Crockett Drive, Suite B, Brownwood. Additional virtual participation options are available.
May 10 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
May 17 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
May 20 - Volleman’s Dairy Tour at Volleman’s Dairy, 15400 TX-36, Gustine, TX, 9:30AM12:30PM. Come join us for a tour of our family farm! You will be able to see first-hand how our milk is produced, learn about the importance of local agriculture, and get a glimpse into a day in the life of a dairy farmer. There is sure to be excitement for all ages. Tickets much be purchased beforehand.
May 24 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
May 31 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
June 3 - Comanche Market at Comanche County Court House, 9AM-1PM.
June 6 - Genealogy Club at Comanche County Library 4-5PM.
June 7 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
June 11 - Volleman’s Dairy Tour at Volleman’s Dairy, 15400 TX-36, Gustine, TX, 9:30AM12:30PM. Come join us for a tour of our family farm! You will be able to see first-hand how our milk is produced, learn about the importance of local agriculture, and get a glimpse into a day in the life of a dairy farmer. There is sure to be excitement for all ages. Tickets much be purchased beforehand.
June 14 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
June 17 - Rodeo Parade, 6-7PM.
June 21 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
June 28 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
July 1 - Comanche Market at Comanche County Court House, 9AM-1PM.
July 4 - Genealogy Club at Comanche County Library 4-5PM.
July 5 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
July 12 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
July 19 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
July 22 - Salt Lime & a Goodtime at Comanche Courthouse Square 11AM-4PM.
July 26 - Story Time at Comanche Public Library 10-11AM. Come enjoy a story, activities, and have fun!
Copperas Cove
May 6 - Copperas Cove Autism Walk/Run at S
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
C Lee Juneior High School, 8AM. 4th Annual Autism Walk for Copperas Cove, Texas. Hosted by CCISD Special Education Department and CCHS Chick Fil A Leader Academy. We walk to raise awareness, we walk to show support, we walk to spread hope for all people touched by Autism. All proceeds will be donated to the Copperas Cove Education Foundation, who supports and enhances the education of ALL CCISD students, including our students with Autism, through their community outreach, involvement, and educational grants.
May 6 - Crossroads HS R.E.S.E.T. Car Show at Crossroads High School, 9AM-2PM. SAVE the date. Come hang out with other car enthusiasts while supporting our kids and a great cause. Fun for the whole family with multiple awards, food, vendors, and more. Vendors and sponsors welcomed.
May 18 - Annual Rabbit Fest at Copperas Cove City Park, 6PM. Join the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce as it presents the annual Rabbit Fest at Copperas Cove City Park. Each year over 42,000 people attend this festival, which offers food and craft vendors, carnival rides, live entertainment, and much more. And don’t forget the Rabbit Fest parade on Saturday morning at 10:00am. So treat the entire family to a weekend of food, fun, and entertainment. See you there.
May 18 - Teen Manga-Pizza-Anime-GamingReading Club at Copperas Cove Public Library, 4:30-5:30PM. Pizza generously provided by Domino’s. All teens ages 11-18 are welcome to join us for our Teen program, with free pizza and soft drinks. Come discuss what you’ve been reading and hear about new teen books. Come join us and bring a friend!
May 19-20 - Copperas Cove Animal Shelter
Free Adoption Event at 1601 N 1st St, 19th 9AM-5PM, 20th 9AM-2PM. If you need a furry friend to keep you company, or maybe you want to give a gift to a special someone who needs a companion, then this Friday's pet adoption event is for you! The Copperas Cove Animal Shelter's monthly free adoption event happens on Friday, May 19th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturday, May 20th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the shelter located at 1601 North First Street/FM 116. The adoption fee is waived for all adoptable cats and dogs, but you will have to sign an adoption agreement to have your pet spayed/
neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped. For more information, contact the animal shelter at 254-547-5584.
May 29 - Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans Memorial Day Celebration in Copperas Cove at SG-VHV, 2PM. Memorial Day serves as a special day to remember and honor those brave men and women in the armed forces who died while serving our country. Star Group Veterans Helping Veterans will host their annual Memorial Day celebration at the SG-VHV Headquarters building located at 202 S 4th St. in Copperas Cove on Monday, May 29th at 2:00pm. Everyone is invited to come out for this Memorial Day Ceremony, lunch will be served following the ceremony. For more information, contact Mr. Haywood at 254-681-8025.
June 15 - Teen Manga-Pizza-Anime-GamingReading Club at Copperas Cove Public Library, 4:30-5:30PM. Pizza generously provided by Domino’s. All teens ages 11-18 are welcome to join us for our Teen program, with free pizza and soft drinks. Come discuss what you’ve been reading and hear about new teen books. Come join us and bring a friend!
July 20 - Teen Manga-Pizza-Anime-GamingReading Club at Copperas Cove Public Library, 4:30-5:30PM. Pizza generously provided by Domino’s. All teens ages 11-18 are welcome to join us for our Teen program, with free pizza and soft drinks. Come discuss what you’ve been reading and hear about new teen books. Come join us and bring a friend!
Dublin
June 10 - Dublin Irish Stampede 10-5-2K Run at Dublin Public Library, 7:30AM. The Dublin Lions Club is having its 22nd Annual Dublin Irish Stampede 10-5-2K run. Just like in the past, there will be prizes and fun for all. The run will be held Junee 10th in conJunection with the Dublin Dairy Month celebration, so come to Dublin for a great day of FUN, FOOD AND DRINKS.
June 10 - Chicken House Flea Market 2023 at 8080 US-377, Dublin, TX, 8AM-3PM. Visit the Chicken House Flea Market, located between Stephenville & Dublin!
July 8 - Chicken House Flea Market 2023 at 8080 US-377, Dublin, TX, 8AM-3PM. Visit the Chicken House Flea Market, located between Stephenville & Dublin!
Evant
May 20 - Market Day on the Square at Evant City Hall, 10AM-2PM. Interested in being a vendor? Complete the Vendor Application and forward it to evantchamberinfo@gmail.com.
June 17 - Market Day on the Square at Evant City Hall, 10AM-2PM. Interested in being a vendor? Complete the Vendor Application and forward it to evantchamberinfo@gmail.com.
Gatesville
May 20 - Cen-Tex Crime Stoppers Donut Dash at Raby Park, 12:45PM. This chip timed race will start and finish at the Gatesville City Pool, 300 S. 8th St. in Gatesville, Texas. Runners will have the option of running a 5K or 10K race, both offering unique challenges for runners of all ages. All Proceeds will benefit Centex Crime Stoppers. Race-day registration and packet pick-up will be race morning 7-7:30am at the race site. Packet pick-up will also be available Friday, May 19, at Gatesville Fitness Center. Race-Day registration is $40 (Cash/Check).
June 10 - 27th Annual Fire Ant Tour at Gatesville Civic Center, 8AM-2PM. For the first time ever, we will have a finishers medal! (Limit is 200) We are really excited about that and hope you are too. AND, we have also brought back the post event food! It has been a long time, but this year we will have free food when you finish the tour. We are working on who the grill-meister will be and what he will have on the grill for you, but the best part is it’s happening! And it’s FREE! AND, there will be photographers before, during and after the event, so make sure to smile, because all those pictures will be available to you absolutely FREE. You can check out the photos from last year, but keep in mind they are snap shots from an armature's video. We even added a Virtual Ride option for our far away friends to be able to support us. We will be sending the virtual riders their shirts and finishers medal in the mail the week after the event. Shipping to the United States only. Early bird registration prices are good until 31 March, and then go up $5. That price is only good until 26 May, then it goes up another $5, so register right away and save some money. Ride Packet Pickup & Onsite Registration: Saturday, Junee 10, 2023 6:30-8:00 a.m. at the Gatesville Civic Center, 301 Veteran's Memorial Drive, Gatesville, Texas. Your SWAG bag will have a free pass to the local fitness center or pool to gain access for a hot shower.
Hamilton
May 5 - Tacos & Tequila Block Party at The Grain
Drafthouse & Eatery, 12-11:55PM. TACOS!!
TEQUILA!! LIVE MUSIC!! Randy Rogers Band headlines our first Tacos & Tequila Block Party Downtown Hamilton, Tx brought to you by The Grain and Melanie J Financial!
May 5-6 - Hamilton May Days Festival at Downtown Hamilton. Come Join us for a family friendly event on May 6th! Get signed up for the 5K & 10K located at the Hamilton Municipal Airport the morning of the 6th! Downtown Hamilton will be filled with vendors & food trucks! Enjoy Live Music & Inflatables for the Kids
May 6 - Hamilton Fly-in 5K/10K at Hamilton Municipal Airport, 8AM. Register now for the annual Hamilton Fly-in 5K and 10K on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The race, benefiting the Hamilton Soaring Club, a nonprofit organization introducing high school students to aviation, will be managed by Race Day Event Services. Join us for an exciting cross-country run, music, and awards ceremony. Cub Scout Pack 311 will provide breakfast at the hangar for a free will donation. Pre-register to receive a race day t-shirt. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the May-Days festival on the square, which will include live music, vendors, and kid’s activities in the downtown area. An hourly shuttle will be available from the airport to downtown. Arrive early and you can enjoy the Randy Rogers Band as they perform at the Grain on Friday Night.
May 27 - The Grain Market Days at The Grain Drafthouse & Eatery, 9AM-11:55PM. Join us for our first Grain Market Days! Vendor spots available in the courtyard and street! Huge Band Announcement coming to round out the evening’s event!! PM us on Facebook for more details!!
May 27 - Aaron Watson w/ Special Guest Jenna Paulette at The Grain Drafthouse & Eatery, 8-11:30PM. Aaron Watson headlines The Grain's first Market Days Block Party with Special Guest Jenna Paulette.
June 17-18 - Jamie Richards Concert at Circle T Arena, 8PM-1AM. Horses, family fun, and country music at the Waymaker Ranch wild Mustang competition Wild to Willing Tip Challenge. Join us after the Wild to Willing Mustang Tip Challenge awards ceremony with a live concert by Oklahoma's own Jamie Richards. Jamie will be taking the stage at 8:00 pm Saturday Junee 17th 2023 at the Circle T Arena in Hamilton, TX. Note: Mustang event begins Friday morning
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
at 8:00am, freestyle is Saturday morning, with awards ceremony to follow. This Mustang event is included with this ticket purchase.
July 15 - Gary P Nunn at The Grain, 8-11PM. Gary P Nunn returns for another night under the stars.
Hico
May 4 - Uncle Lucius at HiCo Hall - Wedding & Event Venue, doors open at 6PM, showtime starts at 7:30PM. The tide has transferred and the forces have realigned. Uncle Lucius is once again making music. After a five year hiatus, the band will be bringing their methods of soul, job, and thunder to select stages across the country. All we've got is now. South Austin's Uncle Lucius is a dream, conjured in the minds of five sonic mercenaries, a clarion call to arms for true believers. It is the voice that shake you from complacency, grabs you with both hands and implores: Get in the van!!! Like the city that brought them together, Uncle Lucius is a gumbo, with hints of Americana and folk juxtaposed with a slow-cooked roux that is steeped in classic rock n roll and the blues. The resulting flavor is familiar and unique, roots at its most refined, albeit with a gutbucket foundation.
May 20 - Gravel Locos Hico at City of Hico’s Bosque River RV Park. Entry fee $175. Bike race. The 2023 route maps and links will be posted two to three weeks before the event. The 2023 GL30, GL60, GL100 and GL150 routes will be similar in distance and elevation gain to 2022. La Pequeña GL30 will be the only route NOT timed, all other three (GL60, GL100 and GL150) will be.
May 20 - Texas Steak Cookoff at Hico, 11AM7PM. The Texas Steak Cookoff will showcase a family friendly event, offers artisan vendors, local shopping, and of course, a chance to look on as backyard chefs from all over the Southwest compete to see who cooks the best steak in Texas, an opportunity to enjoy live entertainment for the whole family all day and into the evening, a wine tasting featuring local Texas wineries and even so much more.
Jonesboro
May 13 - License to Carry Class at Sheepdog Marksmanship Training, 9AM-2PM. Texas License to Carry class. Size limited to 8 people so RSVP early! Course covers everything you need to get your Texas LTC. I also address Constitutional Carry and why it’s worth getting your LTC. If you are a new gun owner or have very limited experience, I encourage you to
take the Basic Pistol class first or sign up for the combined Basic Pistol and LTC course. Students should have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of shooting prior to attending the LTC course. Class requires 50 rounds of factory ammunition. No optic sights allowed. Detailed information will be provided once registration is completed. Payment of $75.00 by check, cash, Venmo, Zelle or Apple Pay.
May 27 - Combined Basic Pistol and LTC at Sheepdog Marksmanship Training, 8AM-5PM. This is a combined dual course and full day of training. Perfect for the new handgun owner, those with little shooting experience or those looking to get their LTC and basic training on the proper use of a handgun all in the same day. The course begins with safety, basic overview of handguns, stance, grip, and the fundamentals of shooting. Basic Pistol concludes with live fire training on the range. Next, we immediately transition to the License to Carry qualification. The course concludes with the State’s required classroom training and written test for your LTC. Class is limited to 6 people and cost is discounted to $175. Sign up early! Course requires a minimum of 150 rounds of ammunition.
June 17 - Defensive Pistol Skills Course at Sheepdog Marksmanship Training, 9AM5PM. This course builds on the fundamentals of shooting, but incorporates many skills necessary to carrying a handgun or using one in self defense. Defensive Pistol benefits both novice and experienced shooters. Class incorporates additional aspects of shooting and emphasizes improved weapons handling, increased speed and improved accuracy. Training incorporates specific tasks, such as the draw, multiple target engagements, target transitions, use of cover/ concealment, and movement. A major goal is to develop skills that allow you to focus on the tasks at hand, while the marksmanship becomes second nature. This is not a beginner class. If you are a new gun owner, sign up for Basic Pistol first. The class lasts at 6-8 hours, and the cost is $150 due upon arrival. Class requires a minimum of 250 rounds of ammunition, Outside the Waistband Holster (Kydex preferred), 2 or more magazines and at least 1 magazine pouch. Bring lunch, water and a chair.
Killeen
May 5 - Don Quixote & Other Suite Dreams at Central Texas Theatre at Vive Les Arts Societe, May 5, 7:30PM-May 7, 5PM. From Old World to New…Texas Metropolitan Ballet’s Spring Gala
Production will transport you across the realms to our streamlined one-hour version of Don Quixote. Based loosely on some of the stories in the book by Miguesl Cervantes, Don Quixote is an aging, foolishly romantic figure, who, in a touch of Madness, is drawn on a quest by visions, and attacks a windmill. In his delirium he dreams of an enchanted forest.
May 22 - Sip & Chat Topic: Creative Parenting at 3120 W Stan Schlueter Loop, Killeen, TX, 3PM. This workshop will highlight some of the unique challenges that go into parenting a child with a disability and guide parents to consider some “creative parenting” techniques. We will provide an opportunity for parents to consider their unique situation, then share and hear creative ideas from other parents.
May 26 - The Little Mermaid Jr. at Central Texas Theatre at Vive Les Arts Societe, May 26, 7:30PM- June 4, 5PM. In a magical kingdom far below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. Adapted from Disney’s 2008 Broadway production, this show features the hit songs "Part of Your World," "She?s in Love," and the Oscar-winning "Under the Sea."
June 16 - Summer Pop Up Shop Event at Killeen Civic and Conference Center, 2PM. The purpose for this event is to bring small business together to network and showcase their work. We invite business owners, vendors, and children. Activities, food trucks, and entertainers are expected to join us to present their skills/talent. Vendors will receive an 8 ft table(s) and 1 chair. More than one table may be purchased.
June 16-17 - Trail Ride & Southern Soul at Killeen Special Events Center, 2PM. This is a 2 day event. Trail starts in Copperas Cove on the 16th and ends in Killeen on the 17th. Proceeds from this events allows the Youth to purchase cases for their steel pan program. Included with the trail ride is the following: Meals catered by "Barbecue G" you will receive entry into the Southern Soul event and two complementary drinks on Junee 17, 2023. Headlining the Southern Soul event is Uncle Wayne.
July 1 - Alvarado Road Show at Maxdale Cowboy Church, 5PM. The Nashville-by-way-of-Texas-
based, brother duo Alvarado Road Show are led by singer/ bass player/guitarist, Cleve Clark and feature A.J. Clark, singer/guitarist. The brothers create and perform rootsy American music about life, love and relationships. When you witness one of their performances, they will paint a colorful picture with words, notes and heart through warm blends of harmony that will move and forever change the way you experience music. They are brothers, singers, performers, musicians, producers & songwriters.
July 14 - The Wizard of Oz at Central Texas Theatre at Vive Les Arts Societe, July 14, 7:30PMJuly 23, 5PM. Follow the yellow brick road in this delightful stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum's beloved tale, featuring the iconic musical score from the MGM film. The timeless tale, in which young Dorothy Gale travels from Kansas over the rainbow to the magical Land of Oz, continues to thrill audiences worldwide. Dorothy makes some unexpected friends in Oz, a Scarecrow, a Tinman, and a Cowardly Lion! Join Dorothy as she tries to make her way back home to Kansas!
July 29 - Aloha Festival at killeen Civic and Conference Center, 10AM-9PM. Aloha, Pacific Heights Express is doing Aloha festival Julyy 29th on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.!! If you want to vendor or your halau wants to dance please contact Auntie Helen for more information!!! We are so blessed and looking forward to seeing you next year on this Aloha festival!!!
Stephenville
May 1 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
May 4 - Chair Yoga for the Public at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 11:15AM-12PM. Center and Balance in this gentle class.
May 4 - Book Club at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 1:30-2:30PM. Join us for a monthly book club at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center!
May 6-7 - Cinco De Mayo Classic - Xtreme Roping at 377 Arena LLC, 8AM-7:30PM. Roping event. Tickets paid with cash or credit card only.
May 8 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
May 9 - Chair Yoga for the Public at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 11:15AM-12PM. Center and Balance in this gentle class.
May 10 - BINGO! At E College St, Stephenville, TX, 3-4PM. Come play Bingo! Lots of prizes to win!
May 11 - Graham Street Soup Kitchen at graham Street Church of Christ, 5:30-7PM. Graham Street Community Kitchen and Graham Street Church of Christ is partnering with Erath County Community Bridges to provide a FREE community kitchen where everyone is welcomed! Please come stop by and have some delicious food!
May 15 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
May 16 - Chair Yoga for the Public at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 11:15AM-12PM. Center and Balance in this gentle class.
May 18 - Chair Yoga for the Public at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 11:15AM-12PM. Center and Balance in this gentle class.
May 29 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
June 1 - Book Club at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 1:30-2:30PM. Join us for a monthly book club at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center!
June 2-3 - Moo-La Fest at Stephenville City Park, all day. Join us Junee 2-3 for the magic of hot air balloon tethered rides, a carnival, live music, delicious food, dairy activities and more! Moo-La Fest is a salute to our county’s rich dairy heritage and features fun for the whole family at the Stephenville City Park!
June 5 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
June 6 - Chair Yoga for the Public at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 11:15AM-12PM. Center and Balance in this gentle class.
June 14 - Beginning Quilters Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 10AM12PM. A beginners quilting class. Its a great way to meet fellow quilters and learn a new craft!
June 19 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
June 21 - BINGO! At E College St, Stephenville, TX, 3-4PM. Come play Bingo! Lots of prizes to win!
June 28 - Beginning Quilters Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 10AM12PM. A beginners quilting class. Its a great way to meet fellow quilters and learn a new craft!
July 1-2 - Summer Blast - Xtreme Roping at 377 Arena LLC, 8AM-8PM. Roping event. Tickets paid with cash or credit card only.
July 8 - Stephenville Summer Classic at Stephenville High School. Stephenville Summer Classic is a baseball tournament that takes place in Stephenville, TX.
July 10 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
July 12 - BINGO! At E College St, Stephenville, TX, 3-4PM. Come play Bingo! Lots of prizes to win!
July 19 - BINGO! At E College St, Stephenville, TX, 3-4PM. Come play Bingo! Lots of prizes to win!
July 24 - Painting Class at Stephenville Senior Citizens Center, 2-4PM. Projects include: landscapes, farmscapes, and animal portraits.
Temple
May 5 - Parent’s Night Out at Little Land of Temple, 4-8PM. Parents, need a break or a date night? Well, drop your kids off at Little Land Play Gym and go enjoy some relaxation. Little Land closes to the public every First and Third Friday of the month, and offers a pizza dinner and safe environment for your children to have fun and be safe at, while you can go relax with peace of mind. First child $35 and $20 for every additional child.
May 24-25 - Brickform Training at Solomon Colors Inc, 8AM-4:30PM. Develop new skills and enhance your existing ones with Brickform Training. Learn what you need to know about decorative concrete.
June 2 - Parent’s Night Out at Little Land of Temple, 4-8PM. Parents, need a break or a date night? Well, drop your kids off at Little Land Play Gym and go enjoy some relaxation. Little Land
closes to the public every First and Third Friday of the month, and offers a pizza dinner and safe environment for your children to have fun and be safe at, while you can go relax with peace of mind. First child $35 and $20 for every additional child.
June 3 - The Play That Goes Wrong at Temple Civic Theatre, 7:30PM. Temple Civic Theatre will be performing The Play That Goes Wrong. This play centers around a drama society as they get ready to stage their new production. The new production is a murder mystery. As things start to go wrong during the production, cast members go missing, sets fall apart, the actors navigate the show to see who will remain standing - or conscious- by the final curtain.
June 16 - TGI FRIDAY at Revelation Beer Garden at Hudson Fields, 4-8PM. Enjoy RevBeers, Cocktails, Paul Cullen and Sposato Wines, Food Truck and Live Music at the Garden. Also available, bottled water, sodas, juice boxes and popcorn! Fun for the Whole Family! Beer Sales and Proceeds benefit Beebe Medical Foundation.
June 25 - This is Spinal Tap at Cultural Activities Center, 2PM. Spinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.
July 4 - 4th of Julyy Backyard Bash at Bold Republic Brewing Company, 4PM. If you know, YOU KNOW!!!! There is no better seat in town than BRBC to view the City of Temple Fireworks display. We will open Tuesday, Julyy 4th at 4pm for the best back yard bash in town. I promise you have never seen fireworks like this...they are set off directly behind the hike and bike trail of our backyard, and the view is spectacular. You'll feel like you can reach out and touch the fireworks.
July 7 - Parent’s Night Out at Little Land of Temple, 4-8PM. Parents, need a break or a date night? Well, drop your kids off at Little Land Play Gym and go enjoy some relaxation. Little Land closes to the public every First and Third Friday of the month, and offers a pizza dinner and safe environment for your children to have fun and be safe at, while you can go relax with peace of mind. First child $35 and $20 for every additional child.
July 7 - Pecos and the Rooftops at Schoepf’s BBQ, 6PM. Schoepf's BBQ Backyard is proud to welcome Pecos and the Rooftops w/ Jacob Stelly! Gates open at 6. Tickets and Reserved Tables can be purchased at www.outhousetickets.com.
July 28 - The Spongebob Musical at Temple Civic Theatre, 7:30PM. SpongeBob SquarePants is the musical adaptation of Nickelodeon’s longrunning animated children’s sitcom of the same name. The musical centers around SpongeBob SquarePants, a resident of Bikini Bottom, as his every day life is interrupted by the discovery that Mt. Humongous will erupt within 48 hours and destroy Bikini Bottom. While everyone else has given up hope, SpongeBob sets out to save the day. This musical is family-friendly and fun for all ages.
Waco
May 4 - Madstone Live at Pivovar, 6PM. Live at Pivovar in Waco. Madstone is your 70s Southern Rock Band in Central Texas. Best enjoyed with a good whisky at Pivovar.
May 5-7 - Crafter’s Convention at Waco Convention Center, 10AM-5PM. Join us for our first Waco event! Spend three days shopping, creating, and networking. With 100+ exhibitors selling crafting tools and accessories, fashion, beauty, home decor, food & beverage, and much more, there is something for everyone. And don’t miss out on our fun crafting classes - perfect for everyone, from beginners to the expert crafter. (Seriously…anyone can do it!)
May 6 - Kin Faux at McLane Stadium, 2PM. Line up also includes: Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Huser Brother Band, and Holly Beth.
May 6 - Kyle Park w/ Caleb Young at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Growing up during a time when mainstream radio could still show love to throwbacks, Kyle Park was soaking up the tunes of Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, George Jones and the list goes on. It was his Dad that introduced him to classic country, the lyrically driven storytelling of Opry legends that would eventually help mold him into the artist that he is today.
May 6 - Bears and Bugs at McLane Stadium, 2-8PM. Bears & Bugs Fest at Touchdown Alley behind McLane Stadium on the Baylor University Campus in Waco, TX. Featuring live music from Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Huser Brother Band, Kin Faux, Holly Beth and more! Enjoy Crawfish, Food & Drink, Crafts, Kids Zone and more!
May 6-7 - Waco Gem and Mineral Show at Waco Convention Center, 10AM-5PM. Children 6 years and under and Scouts in uniform are free.
to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be
.
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own
included
Copyright of photos go to Comanche Chamber, Hamilton Chamber, Hico Chamber, Texas Station and City of Gatesville respectively. If you feel so inclined send a few photos of your own to production.hometowns@gmail.com to be included.
Ages 7 thru 17: $3.18 and older: $5; 62nd annual show. Featuring Gems, Jewelry, Fossils, Mineral Specimens, and Educational booths.
May 12 - John Conlee at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Come feel a little country with John Conlee at the BackYard!
May 13 - Cooking with Cultures-Waco Wise at South Waco Library, 11AM-12PM. Treat your taste buds in 2023! Texas A&M Agrilife Extension will be promoting dietary diversity with cooking classes at South Waco Library that showcase the flavors of the world.
May 19 - The Backyard w/ Coffey Anderson at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Come see Coffey Anderson and Band.
May 20-21 - Main Street Market Waco at Extraco Events Center, 10AM-4PM. Come shop with our fantastic vendors at the 3rd annual Main Street Market ~ Waco coming to BASE at Extraco Event Center (4601 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710), May 20-21, 2023. Vendors will be bringing the best in clothing, jewelry, gourmet food, home and holiday decor, candles, photography, Discovery Toys, handmade, gifts for the guys, vintage, art, bath products, retro and repurposed, and much, much more. Show hours are Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 11-4. Admission is $6.00 or $5.00 with your nonperishable food donation to the food pantry. Kids 12 and under are FREE, and admission is always good for both days. We have lots of FREE parking and hourly door prizes too. For vendor or general info, call 888-225-3427 or visit us at www.texasmarketguide.com. See you at the show.
May 26 - Kyle Park at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Growing up during a time when mainstream radio could still show love to throwbacks, Kyle Park was soaking up the tunes of Roger Miller, Merle Haggard, George Jones and the list goes on. It was his Dad that introduced him to classic country, the lyrically driven storytelling of Opry legends that would eventually help mold him into the artist that he is today.
May 27 - Paul Wall at The backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Paul Wall, is an American rapper and DJ. He has spent much of his career affiliated with Swishahouse Records, and has released several albums under the label and collaborated with numerous other rappers signed to the label.
May 28 - Badass Texas at Waco Convention Center, 6-11PM. Half marathon, 10K, and 5K.
Think you're tough enough for a real challenge? Try the Badass Texas - Waco, formerly Badass Brazos, half marathon in Waco in August. Yes, it will probably be hot, but what's that to a badass like you? Not quite ready for a half? We've got a 5K and 10K too. So plan on a summer trip to Waco and join us for a great summer run.
June 9 - Dylan Wheeler at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Doors Open at 6, show starts at 8:30.
June 10 - Paul Wall at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 5PM. Paul Wall, is an American rapper and DJ. He has spent much of his career affiliated with Swishahouse Records, and has released several albums under the label and collaborated with numerous other rappers signed to the label.
June 10 - Battle of the Burgers-Waco Wise, at Warren Park, 12-5PM. Hit up Warren Park for the burger showdown Battle of the Burgers!
July 1 - Ray Wylie Hubbard at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Doors open at 6, show starts at 8:30.
July 4-5 - Waco: Brazos Nights Julyy 4th at 1001 S M.L.K Jr Blvd, Waco, TX, July 4, 4AM-July 5, 3:59AM. Attractions include children’s games, art activities, vendors and food trucks. The Brazos Nights series concludes with a fireworks show on Julyy 4 at Touchdown Alley at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium. Fourth on the Brazos is a Waco tradition with food trucks, live music, family fun and fireworks. Admission is FREE! Gates open at 6 p.m., and the fireworks kick off at 9:15 p.m.
July 8 - Baby Bash, Lil Rob & MC Magic at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Doors open at 6, show starts at 8:30.
July 20-23 - Deep in the Heart Film Festival at 712 Austin Ave, Waco, TX, July 20, 10PM-July 23, 7PM. Join us for the 7th annual Deep in the Heart Film Festival.
July 21 - Cody Canada at The Backyard Bar Stage and Grill, 6PM. Cody Canada in The Backyard. Doors open at 6, show starts at 8:30.
July 23 - Duel on the Brazos-Cooler Pass at City of Waco Brazos Park East, 8AM-8PM. Weekend Cooler Pass is $20. Coolers are limited to 48 quarts max. No glass allowed. Gates open at 7AM.
