Kerr county people may june 2016

People Kerr County

THE P REMIER COMMUNIT Y MAGAZINE OF

MAY-JUNE 2016

K E R R C O U N T Y, T E X A S

BELLA LUZ MD

Celebrates Ten Years

Kerrville’s first medical aesthetics spa

Featuring Lavender & Old Lace for the love of lanvender

Look

inside

May - June │ 2016

E V E N T S Page 28 46 Kerr County Roller Derby

A R T I C L E S

Turning back the clock

14 Feed ‘em the Sweet Stuff 15 Landscaping 16 Century 21 20 The Story Only You Can Tell 27 Title Talk 28 Lavender & Old Lace 30 Turning Back the Clock

Page 30

34 Gardening 35 Hair Tips 36 Bragging Texans Kerr County People Kerrville, Texas Info@KerrCountyPeople.com

830-285-0973 Visit Us At KerrCountyPeople.com Diane Ferrell Editor & Publisher diane@kerrcountypeople.com

Mark A. Jackson

Art Director │ Graphics studiorio@omnitx.net

Amber Hneidy-Jefferson Special Consultant

facebook.com/kerrcountypeople

Contributing Editors Skye Alexander Anne Schneider Contributing Writers Skye Alexander Anne Schneider Charlotte Huff Cover Photographer Michelle Simmons Photography Contributing Photographer Tony Gallucci

KCP reserves the right to edit and/or refuse all submitted materials. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of KCP. Content is copyrighted by KCP and may not be reproduced without written permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 2016, Kerr County People Magazine.

4 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

38 Dietert Center 40 PRMC Volunteers 42 Magnesium the Hidden Deficiency

C O V E R

S T O R Y

BELLA MD LUZ Celebrates Ten Years

page 10

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Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 7

Because I am a chaplain and believer in God’s Word the Holy Bible, it informs us “give honor to whom honor is due.” Therefore, I want to pass on to you my compliments and also from others that have shared with me how they appreciate your publication Kerr County People.

You and your staff have done an excellent job, over-all, publishing the magazine. While I am not an editor/publisher I believe I can make the following statements complimenting you…

• Your coverage and advertisements in and around Kerr County have been very informative and educational.

• Your staff does an excellent job, e.g. writers covering stories, photos, color, print and spacing, and pointing out the wonderful people of Kerr County.

• Advertisements…excellent quality paper, eye catching and color is terrific, wording is expressive and to the point.

Thanks for furnishing a good and watched for publication.

Chaplain Brack, D. Min. My Chaplain, Inc I just finished reading your latest edition of Kerr County People (Jan/Feb 2016) and as always tremendously enjoyed it! I eagerly look forward to each edition and pass them on to others.

Cora Belle Nunn I wanted to thank you for publishing the Couch Potato article in People (Jan/Feb 2016). I think it has generated some activity in getting some new members. It has certainly encouraged some of the older members who haven’t been in a while, into getting back in the routine. All of this new enthusiasm has even given me some new energy and after seven years I think I might have been needing a little boost.

Our group sincerely appreciates being acknowledged, and again, we thank you.

Peni Foster

8 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Thank you Diane for the wonderful article in People regarding our exercise class! (Jan/Feb 2016). It is truly a blessing for all of us that are lucky enough to attend! Love your magazine!

Barbara Blackbird Thank you for the great article on the exercise group at Hunt United Methodist Church! I have been going to the class since it began and it is so great for all of us both mentally and physically.

Barbara Staggs What a nice article in the new People. I hadn’t heard of that explosion before. Loved the photos also. (March/April 2016) Phyllis Ricks, Ricks Furniture Co. Diane, Anne did a very wonderful and sensitive job of writing the article (and of course, your input was critical). (New London School. March/April 2016) You have educated an unknown number of people about this tragic part of Texas history. Have you compared photos of you and Bessie at the same age as in the oval photo? I think you will find that you favor her.

Shirley Bell Thank you for the article on the New London School. I lived in East Texas for eleven years and had never heard about this. It was a fascinating but sad story. Congratulations to Anne Schneider. I hope to see more like this in the future. (March/April 2016. Story written by Anne Schneider.)

Martha Blair I picked up a copy of the latest magazine (March/April 2016) at the blood lab. Love the article about your family connection to the 1937 school explosion. Such a tragedy that probably saved millions of lives over the years since.

Dawn Steigely Denhart-Deinema

Block The Sun, Not The View.

Diane, just went through the March-April edition of your magazine from front to back. I am constantly amazed at the professionalism shown in this magazine. Colors, content and even the advertising is stunning. Keep up the excellent work and I know the quality of your product will continue to make your publication a hit with everyone.

Neva G. Pratt I just finished reading your story about the explosion of the New London School. I wanted to tell you that my dad, now deceased, was born and raised in the East Texas town of Lufkin and was one of those who took part in the rescue efforts just hours after it happened. If my memory serves me correctly, I think he was working in a refinery not far away from this town. I remember him saying that many of the employees were released from work that day to go and help.

As a young girl, (now in my 70s) I remember my dad telling me the story of the rescue efforts he and others took part in on that day.

It was a tragic event that could never be erased from his mind for the rest of his life. He told me how hard it was to dig through the rubble hoping to find those who were still alive and the sorrow and disappointment he felt when he realized this was not going to be. It was a gruesome and tragic scene that he would never forget, but a story he would relate to family and friends for many years to come. I’m sure events of this magnitude are so horribly etched in a person’s mind, that it can never be erased.

If I am not mistaken, there have been several books written about that day. Thank you for sharing the pictures and story of your family who went through this tragic time. It was a reminder of how fragile life can be—how a life can be snuffed out in a matter of seconds. It was a picture of the pain those families had to bear for years to come. A story that will never be forgotten and one that will be told over and over again. Thank you.

Sherry Dunn Bigelow

Inside and Out!

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Antiques, Clothes, Refurbished Furniture, Jewelry & Home Decor

We want to hear from you.

What do you like? Dislike?

What do you want to see more of?

Have a story to share?

Know someone who has an interesting story?

Email Diane@KerrCountyPeople.com

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Vintage Gypsy Daily 10:00 - 6:00 216 Hwy 39, Ingram,TX 367-3570

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 9

cover story

by Anne Schneider

A decade of looking

Celebrating Ten Years W

e celebrate anniversaries to honor the auspicious events of our lives. This year’s glorious bloom of spring marked the tenth anniversary for Bella Luz MD—bringing you even more innovative services, phenomenal skincare products, and worldclass Guest support.

“Our mission is to medically, artistically, and scientifically take care of your skin— its repair, its recovery, and its Glow!” says Kathy Simmons, RN, BSN, and founder of Bella Luz MD. “We believe in listening so we can understand the concerns of our Guests, and we also believe in having a little fun in the process.”

Bella’s Medical Director Dr. David Miloy Michelle Simmons Photography 10 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

That they do, hosting special events and parties in a professional medical spa and physician’s office setting— ideally located just above the scenic Guadalupe River.

your best with BELLA LUZ MD Kerrville’s first medical aesthetics spa Bella’s History

“We started in March 2006, and the next year moved into our fantastic facility next door to Center for Fitness on Water Street,” Kathy recalls. “Our wonderful location is thanks to Gail Sears, founder of CFF. Back then I was a Pilates client of Gail’s. I shared with her how I wanted to open my new business on the river but hadn’t yet found the right property.

“That’s when Gail said ‘why not build it here beside Center for Fitness?’ I was thrilled that Gail recognized Bella’s potential to compliment her vision for our community’s health and wellness.

Operating side by side is perfect for both businesses.”

Kathy works in tandem with Bella’s two experienced aestheticians, Michelle Schmidt and April Jones. “These women bring their own set of unique skills and aesthetic techniques to the treatment of every Bella Luz MD Guest,” according to Kathy. “And, since our staff personally uses the products and services we offer, they can share knowledgeable firsthand testimonials with our Guests.”

Kathy sees her relationships with Guests as the key to Bella’s success over the past ten years. “I get to really know a Guest. Since your face is just a tiny portion of your whole body’s skin surface, I offer whole-body skin support. If I see something that might be of medical concern, I ask Bella’s Medical Director Dr. David Miloy to check it out. He then performs an immediate assessment and makes a recommendation on the spot!”

David Miloy, M.D.’s Internal Medicine practice joined Bella Luz MD two years ago. His principal focus, in addition to Primary Care, is lifestyle change and weight loss. His weight-loss program is distinctive in that it embraces a holistic approach employing science, technology, and personal growth as the basis for a sustainable lifestyle change.

First for you in services and products

Kathy is proud to note that Bella Luz MD was the first to bring laser treatments, Dermapen, HydraFacial MD, Vanquish, and other advanced-skill techniques to Kerrville.

Bella Guests enjoy a variety of laser therapy options—sub-ablative, radio frequency, skin resurfacing, and hair removal. Lasers can effectively address facial wrinkles and folds, scars and acne, brown

Bella’s Founder Kathy Simmons, RN, BSN spots and spider veins. Receiving the right treatment ensures that you get the individualized results you need for healthy, youthfullooking skin.

“The skincare industry changes frequently and Bella is committed to staying on the cutting edge of technology,” explains Kathy. “I’m constantly reading the latest on aesthetics—what’s offered, what’s talked about, what’s being tried. I go to masters courses to learn new techniques. Naturally we want to offer our Guests the latest in skin care, but I also want to make sure it really works before I decide to bring it to Bella.”

Dermapen’s micro-needling is a progressive service that promotes Bella’s goal. Kathy clarifies, “This treatment stimulates natural growth hormones in the epidermis, cutting the healing time in half while tightening the skin and creating a youthful glow.

“By the age of thirty, we have lost fat in the facial area, reducing the skin’s volume and increasing the onset of wrinkles and sagging.”

To counteract this issue, Bella offers HydraFacial MD—a medical skincare treatment that sub-dermally introduces hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body.

According to Kathy, “The acid pulls 1,000 times its weight in moisture to itself, restoring the volume of youthfulness to the face.

It’s a simple process that is our foundational treatment and gives our Guests a ‘Gaze-In-The-Mirror-Amazing’ result. Bella has performed more than 1,000 HydraFacial MD treatments since introducing the treatment in 2014.”

Vanquish is the industry’s latest breakthrough in non-invasive, nonsurgical technology for fat reduction and body contouring. Kathy explains, “Vanquish treatments permanently transform the fat cells into waste and allow the body’s lymphatic system to naturally flush it away for elimination.” continue to next page Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 11

continued from previous page

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Bella encourages its Guests to augment the effects of all therapies with exercise, healthy diet, and hydration. “And beyond that, using quality skincare products further protects and enhances your investment in your Glow.



Join the Club—it’s your turn to Glow

Bella’s Glow Club members receive free Xpress facials every month (a $540 savings per year), discounts on injectables (including Botox and fillers), lasers, and Vanquish treatments. Plus, you’ll receive a personally designed skin health plan that is monitored monthly and updated as needed—all for only $29.99 a month.



Kathy concludes, “I believe in establishing trust with all Bella Guests. They certainly place great trust in us to be their partner as we together create an individualized long-term treatment plan.

And I believe we do a really good job earning that trust.”

Call Bella Luz MD today to schedule your complimentary consultation to learn how you can look and feel your best. 830792-3552. Visit Bella at 1411 Water Street, Kerrville, TX or online at www.BellaLuzKerrville.com



Anne Schneider is a Kerrville writer and author of Breath Found Along The Way, a book of poetry and face-cast mask art. She leads natural healing Reiki workshops and Tai Chi classes at her Ventana Al Cielo Studio. Visit her at www.ReikiTexas.info

12 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Licensed Aesthetician

Michelle Schmidt

Licensed Aesthetician

April Jones

BELLA’S GLOW GIRLS

“I’ve been a guest at Bella for nine years. I regularly receive laser treatments and my complexion looks so much better. I like the results and I help maintain them with Bella’s SkinMedica products—I regularly use the skin washes and sunscreens and Lytera is wonderful for skin brightening. I enjoy being a Glow Club member— getting a price break on these products as well as receiving free facials each month. Michelle and April are both really good aestheticians. And of course, Bella gives great parties!” — Bella guest C. “Years ago I tried liposuction. It was a difficult procedure with a lot of downtime and I wasn’t totally happy with the results. I later started going to Bella and Kathy told me about Vanquish for further reshaping my midsection—it’s easy, not invasive, and it doesn’t hurt.

Since then I’ve been receiving treatments and I’m so pleased with the results.” — Bella guest B.

Professional Staff

Operations Manager

Remember Kathy’s objective is to offer world-class service, results, and products. In that spirit, Bella Luz MD created the Glow Club so it could take the best care of its best Guests. “Of course at Bella we value every Guest, but the members of our Glow Club are extra-special,” Kathy says. “We know looking your best requires regular, professional skin care. Accordingly, we offer our Glow Club members serious benefits so they may attain serious results.”

“I’m from Austin and over the years went to several spas there. And I can say that Bella and Kathy are the best! I regularly come to her for injectables and she always starts with an assessment of what I need. I truly trust her not to overdo a treatment. The results always leave me looking very natural—and that’s the best compliment ever.” — Bella guest S.

Courtney Small

“Bella only sells SkinMedica—because it works and because it’s based on more scientific data than other brands. SkinMedica and Bella stand behind its products with a 90-day promise. If you’re not pleased with the product results by then, SkinMedica will buy it back at 100 percent of the cost. So our Guests’ risk is zero as they try out the amazing line of products.”

It’s Time To Make Your Outdoor Dream Space A Reality

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Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 13

feed `em

T E E SW F F U T S

Exquisitely You L.L.C.

Facials Body Wraps Spray Tans Permanent Cosmetics Eyelash Extensions Hair Salon Massage

by Kevin & Linda Pillow

W

ant to attract colorful birds to your feeder station? Then break out the nectar, fruit, and jelly! Offering these will bring in not only hummingbirds but Orioles, tanagers, and mockingbirds. Of course, there are several seed-eating birds that also enjoy the sweet stuff—golden-fronted woodpeckers, house finch, mockingbirds, and Cardinals.

You love seeing hummingbirds drinking in the sweet nectar from the hummingbird feeder— but sometimes you may catch a glimpse of a rather large bird hanging on the feeder—the golden-fronted woodpecker. It is quite a sight when you are used to the tiny little jewels feeding, and here comes this big bird grabbing the perch and stretching to get some sweet stuff. House finch are also known to get on hummingbird feeders.

When making nectar, use a 4:1 water and sugar solution.

Nectar ferments quickly and becomes toxic alcohol, so changing it every three days is a must.

It has become a universal calling of the bird world to get the word out—do not add red dye. So please, no red dye!

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Serving up fruit and jelly is another food source that can bring in the Orioles and tanagers. Oranges are certainly a favorite and easy to serve. Cut them in half and spear them on something. Grapes are good in a dish, especially the mushy ones. Jelly will also attract many birds. Welch’s grape jelly is preferred by most birds. Not sure why, but that’s the one they like.

It is best to keep nectar, fruit, and jelly away from seed feeders because nectar lovers don’t care for the hubbub of activity around seed feeders. By serving up the sweet stuff you will enjoy a plethora of birds all summer long.

Happy Birding!

Kevin & Linda Pillow are the proud owners of Wilds Birds Unlimited Nature Shop located at 855 Junction Hwy in Kerrville. Each staff member is a Certified Bird Feeding Specialist and can help you discover a refuge in your own backyard. 830-895-7393.

14 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Lavender & OldLace at Sunrise Antique Mall 820 Water Street, Kerrville

Sustainability Part 2

“A sustainable landscape is in balance with the local environment and requires minimal input of resources, thus it is ‘functional, cost-efficient, visually pleasing, environmentally friendly, and maintainable’ by the experts’ definition. Xeriscaping, using native plants, curtailing our water consumption, integrated pest management, and design efficiency are all part of this concept.”

As functionality and design were discussed in the last issue, one of the next key issues of sustainability is responsible use of our resources; most notably, water. For instance, planting an acre of St. Augustine sod within the city limits is not a sustainable landscape approach. Even if there were no water restrictions, the constant use of chlorinated water through our hot summers and droughts weakens the sod in multiple ways. One may try to compensate for the weakened sod with extra fertilizer. When weeds move into the inevitable bare patches, either chemical herbicides or manual removal would be required. In an effort to kill grubs, one may unwittingly destroy many good insects and beneficial bacteria in the soil.

Am I suggesting that you join PETA, put a Sierra Club bumper sticker on your Subaru, and live in a tent? (Relax, tree huggers, I consider John Muir a hero…) No, I’m just advocating a little common sense. For instance, if you now have the remains of a St. Augustine lawn, consider keeping the grass that still looks decent (shady areas, areas that hold moisture) and covering the remainder with native grasses, wildflowers, xeriscape groundcovers, or even just mulch. When you choose your battles wisely, you can still have a beautiful landscape that doesn’t own you.

by Zack Derese

The Outdoor Guy I won’t go into detail about SDI (Subsurface Drip Irrigation) for lawns, as I have written about it extensively. If you would like more information, go to kerrvillelandscaping.com and click on SDI. However, it can be a great way to have a vibrant lawn and save a lot of water. There is nothing evil about a beautiful green lawn, but we must consider the resources of others and the methods that we use to get that desired effect.

On one of our projects, the owners of a ranch built a new home and dammed up a creek to create a beautiful lake. At first I was a bit leery of their request for two acres of Zoysia sod. But upon consideration, I realized that they had the resources to do this in a sustainable and responsible manner. Because the spring that feeds their lake pumps out millions of gallons, the water that they use is not being “taken” from anyone else, and the amount used to keep the lawn healthy is a small percentage.

Like the golden rule says, “He who has the gold makes the rules…”

No, no, wait, sorry about that! I believe it is “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Before you do something in your landscape that is not a responsible use of our collective resources, think to yourself, “If everyone did this, how would it affect the community?”

Zack Derese has deep roots in Kerrville. As owner of Kerrville Landscaping, Inc., he has been in the landscape business for over 15 years. He is a Landscape Designer, holds an Irrigation License (LI#9453), a Backflow Prevention License (BPAT #10754), is NCMA certified for Segmental Retaining Walls, and is a Water Feature Specialist. You can reach him at zack@kerrvillelandscaping.com or call him at 830-377-4861.

Kerrville Landscaping Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 15

Century 21 The Hills Realty

named exclusive agent for Comanche Trace On April 1, 2016, Trevor Hyde, President of Comanche Trace Realty, announced that award-winning Century 21 The Hills Realty, owned by Toni Manchester, will serve as exclusive agent for the premier master-planned development Comanche Trace.

Toni Manchester Broker/Owner of Century 21 The Hills Realty 16 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

“We are so pleased to be chosen to represent the fabulous Comanche Trace properties,” states Toni. “With our reputation as the number one ranking office in residential sales in the area, we see great opportunities ahead.”

our agents are also residents of Comanche Trace, so we are very familiar with the benefits of living here.”

Trevor concludes, “It will be wonderful to have such an experienced team like Century 21 The Hills to support With the retirement of Comanche Trace Realty broker Comanche Trace’s buyers and sellers. It is a very exciting Reggie Cox, Trevor and his team began an extensive time for our entire community.” search for her replacement. “There are many options to choose from,” comments Trevor. “We decided on Toni and Century 21 The Hills Realty, Kerrville. her Century 21 The Hills team because of their extensive 830-257-5010. Century21theHills.com marketplace knowledge, as well as their command of the local and Texas real estate business. Toni is a resident here in Comanche Trace and has been highly successful in building the Century 21 The Hills office in Kerrville. She also serves on our Board of Governors.”

The Comanche Trace Sales Center, now under the Century 21 The Hills umbrella, will continue to be staffed by sales representative Stacy Stavinoha and Valerie Chambers, who will move into a sales executive position. The receptionist, Kelsey Jackson, will also continue to handle the Comanche Trace Stay & Play rental program.

“We are looking forward to this new addition to our Century 21 The Hills family,” Toni discloses. “Several of

Toni Manchester and Trevor Hyde

Comanche Trace — a private, 1,300-acre master-planned community boasting twenty-seven holes of golf. Homes range in price from $260,000 to over $1 million.

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 17

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Remove unwanted, gently used furniture, accessories and décor from your home immediately—no waiting around for it to sell.

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Grand Wows! is committed to stocking only the finest furniture and home décor on consignment in the area.

We sell only items worthy of the Grand Wows! experience—fairly priced furniture and home décor that completes your home while saving you time and money.

Stop by to see for yourself!

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18 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Call For Appointment

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Welcome to the

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Everything for the window . . . except the view!

“New owners, Kim and Mike Russ, along with Hester’s experienced team invite you to visit the newly-remodeled showroom to view all product samples.”

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The story

by Mignon Martin

It’s

called The New Autobiography, Personal History, Memoir and Life Writing. Maybe you already do it every day and call it journaling. Whatever you call it, capturing the moments and times of our lives has exploded in the past twenty years. It is an exercise in selfdiscovery which requires a brave heart and a desire to see your life, or a particular piece of it, in clear relief. It is finding your voice and telling your story, and you don’t need to be a movie star or an Olympian to do it.

Rick Bragg won a Pulitzer Prize telling his stories of growing up dirt poor in south Alabama during the 1950s. All Over But the Shoutin’ and Ava’s Man are filled with characters who cheat, cuss and make moonshine —just like some of the people in our families.

Now you can find him on the last page of every issue of Southern Living as he continues to mine the memories of an everyday life, just like the one you live.

20 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

But why should you want to go back and dig up all those old memories and go to the trouble of writing them down? Some of them are ugly and painful for sure. Some of them are even embarrassing, and who needs that?

You do. The reward is the work itself, and here are the benefits you will relish when you commit to a personal history project:

only you can tell

j Bring meaning to your life

You will discover patterns and themes that have repeatedly surfaced as you have maneuvered life’s obstacles and opportunities. The same kind of person may show up in a variety of friends and lovers.

You may uncover values and needs which have driven your choices.

Understanding yourself as a whole, you will make peace with your past and free yourself from it.

You will get a better sense of the life cycle and accept it with hope.

When we reflect upon life achievements and losses, we end up with better balance and contentment.

Reinforce family identity

You will pass on family stories, folklore, values and wisdom that only you possess. New generations will have a written account of your time in history, your unique experiences and your dreams.

As technology impersonalizes and separates us, personal history breathes flesh and blood back into our connections with children and grandchildren. You can give them a sense of self and help to ground them in the world.

Inspire and instruct others

Many people who have forged ahead in new areas and taken huge chances were inspired by role models who dared to risk. They think, “Here is someone very much like me, and look what they did, or I can overcome this problem too because now I see how someone else handled it.” You will inspire others to dream and dream big. You will not have achieved or suffered or lived in vain.

You can preserve history and create a legacy at the same time, but how can you do this if you’ve never written anything and can’t imagine writing a book?

How to begin?

First, read some memoirs to get an idea of where you are going.

Take a look at Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCort, Growing Up by Russell Baker, The Ride of our Lives by Michael Leonard and Swimming With Maya by Eleanor Vincent. There are many more on best-seller lists right now.

Who are these people?

Sadly, no one knows for sure.

Next, decide the type of picture you want to paint. Just like any artist, you need to choose a medium or a form for your project. Personal histories can be a collection of reminiscences, recollections, stories and/or photos. Maybe you want to put together a scrapbook of your war years or compile a cookbook album with personal notes and memories of family celebrations when certain recipes were served. Audio and/or video can be recorded so that your voice is saved along with your memories.

Perhaps, you want to cover a specific period in your life rather than trying to cover the whole thing. It may be that you want to include some genealogy work done by a family member.

Then, explore the field of Personal History and learn about the process. Many excellent publications are available including Your Life As Story by Tristine Rainer, How to Write Your Personal or Family History by Katie Wiebe and Eating An Elephant: Write Your Life One Bite At A Time by Patricia Charpentier. Check out the Association of Personal Historians website and Google Memoir. You’ll be amazed at the information out there.

Finally, decide if you want to hire a professional or do it yourself.

You can partner with someone who does this for a living and has experience in the field and make it a lot easier, but it can be expensive.

But most importantly, remember, “The only way to do this wrong is not to do it at all!”

Mignon Martin lives in Hunt/San Antonio with her husband, Jim, and has worked as a teacher and counselor around her real jobs, mother of 3 and grandmother of 9. She is indulging her interest in people and their stories by growing her personal history business. She has an M.Ed from Trinity University and a Ph.D fromTexas A&M. Check her out at MemoirsByMignon.com

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Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 21

KERRVILLE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS May 28-29 Memorial Day Weekend

Saturday 10 - 6 and Sunday 10 - 5

Southwest

Gourd

2015 Best of Show

By Bill Decker

Fine Art Show This annual show brings together carefully selected artists from across the nation, and features over 100 gourds by the USA’s best artists.

There’s something for every kind of home or office décor.

May 26 thru June 26 Awards Reception Saturday, May 28, 2 - 4 pm

FREE admission

KERR ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER

Gallery Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10-4, Sun. 1-4 228 Earl Garrett - Downtown Kerrville 830-895-2911 kacckerrville.com

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Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 23

DR. DAVID MILOY brings his complete, medically-based approach to weight loss and healthy lifestyles to Kerrville.

I

t is deadly, complicated, and taking over the country. In its wake, it has left and will leave countless premature deaths from heart disease, stroke, cancer, type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other diseases. Two thirds of American adults suffer and|or will die prematurely from the consequences of obesity or being overweight.

This growing tragedy has motivated Dr. Miloy to investigate alternative treatments. Rather than gimmicks and endless rebound diets, Dr. Miloy brings the scientific approach of an experienced, Board-Certified Internal Medicine doctor.

“It’s demoralizing and very discouraging.”

Over the years he has witnessed many patients try popular weight loss diets, only to watch them regain The need for a solution and the complex challenges the weight. He realized this very personal and difficult of this epidemic inspired Dr. David Miloy, MD to problem would require begin addressing obesity a comprehensive and on a personal level with “I’m humbled by the opportunity to individualized approach. his patients. His response lead people towards a better life. It’s It would take integrating is Balance MD. something I put all of my heart into.” proven strategies from medical science, exercise “People suffering from physiology, nutritional obesity don’t need to be and behavioral sciences. told they have a problem. They live with it every day,” says Dr. Miloy.

“People are burned out from the daily bombardment “They’re often scared, frustrated, and pay a of fad diets that falsely promise to magically cure heavy price.” them. They want to feel better, live longer, take fewer Annual obesity health care expenditures in the medications and improve their financial well being.”

U.S. are near $200 billion and rising. On average, “People want real answers with long term each obese person spends $4700 annually on results.” obesity related issues such as medications, medical To meet these needs, Dr. Miloy’s efforts have given equipment, doctor visits, hospitalization, work rise to Balance MD, a structured weight loss program absenteeism, and disability. Over a lifetime the that embraces a holistic approach employing science, average cost of the obese condition is approximately technology, ongoing support and personal growth as $100,000. The obesity epidemic is not only destroying keys for lasting lifestyle change. the nation’s health, but also the financial well being of its families.

24 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Balance MD Key Principles

Embracing relapse as an essential learning experience to long term change. Relapse is a key opportunity.

“Balance MD is a three-phased plan for lasting success. Each phase has specific and manageable goals. The plan focuses on achieving momentum, mastering necessary skills and developing lifelong wellness strategies. In the final phase, patients learn how to manage success on their own.

Teaching self-corrective strategies that help patients overcome temptations or minor setbacks.

Being clear about an individual’s unique food choices, and how they help maintain ideal weight.

Providing personal and ongoing support under the care of a Board-Certified MD. Providing guidance on transitioning from weight loss mode to strategies for keeping weight off.

“Balance MD is not just a weight loss program, but a self-improvement journey.”

Besides helping people make lifestyle changes, Balance MD looks for medical conditions or medications that are potentially contributing to weight gain. The program begins with a private meeting with Dr. Miloy for a thorough medical history and exam.

“Balance MD is about personal attention to the causes of excess weight. Most people don’t want to handle those reasons, medically or otherwise, in a public setting or with a boilerplate binder. With focused one-on-one attention, we discover and address an individual’s barriers to weight loss. We spend the time developing unique plans that fit each person.”

Dr. Miloy is now accepting committed participants in the Balance MD program.

If you are interested in making a change for good, set up your free consultation today at (830) 895-5599 or visit us at 1411 Water Street.

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 25

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26 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

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Title Talk

Mortgage Matters

Your All-Occasion Event Center

by Diane Green

The American dream of homeownership is alive and well. According to the last U.S. census, 109,600,000 Americans live in a home. A Harvard study found that sixty-six percent of Americans are homeowners, and two-thirds of homeowners have a mortgage. Following is a little mortgage advice from a title company’s perspective.  Get pre-approved. When you want to make an offer, you’ll have a much better chance of having your offer accepted if you’re pre-approved.  Don’t just look for the lowest interest rate. Also consider the APR, origination fees, and discount points. Ask for a full breakdown.  Get a Good Faith Estimate (GFE). After submitting your loan application, you should receive a written GFE statement which lists the estimated fees associated with the transaction.

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 When you lock in an agreed upon rate, get it in writing.

Obtain a written document detailing your interest rate, the length of your rate lock, and other details like discount points.  Know what you really can afford. Set a price limit and create a budget. Consider your mortgage payment, but also include property taxes, insurance, potential homeowner dues, and utilities.

RESTAURANT

 Get a professional inspection. An independent inspector can help put together a report that may help you when negotiating and you’ll know exactly what you’re purchasing.  Read all documents before you sign. You can receive closing paperwork in advance. If you have time, it’s in your best interest to read documents before closing day.  Prepare for delays. With so many people and so much paperwork involved, the chances of having a delay are relatively high. Make arrangements should your closing day fall through or get delayed.

Diane Green moved to Kerrville in 1972 with husband, Bob, and immediately began her title insurance career at Kerr County Abstract & Title Co. Diane and Bob enjoyed raising their children in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Diane has spent 42 years in the title business and is the owner of Kerr County Abstract.

To learn more, call 257-5151 or visit www. kerrtitle.com.

Our menu features enough variety to cater to every palate, including steak, seafood, and Mexican food.

Indoor and Outdoor Dining Lunch 11 - 3 Mon - Sat Dinner 5:30 - 9 Thurs - Sat

201 Earl Garrett ● Kerrville ● 257-2995

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 27

You inherit 100 acres in the beautiful Hill Country. What do you do?

Why, plant lavender, of course.

Or at least that’s what Beth and Russ Patterson did.

Beth and Russ at their Lavender & Old Lace booth at Sunrise Antique Mall, downtown Kerrville.

28 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

After successful careers in the field of education, Beth and Russ followed their interest in herbs.

Beth worked in sales and marketing for several nurseries, and ended up as buyer for a premier Dallas nursery specializing in organics, herbs, and antique roses.

A seed is planted

When Beth was a junior in high school she had the opportunity to go to The Hilltop Herb Farm in Cleveland, Texas, owned by Madeline Hill and her daughter Gwen Barclay, author of Southern Herb Gardening. “The shop was filled floor to ceiling with plants from the garden. It was a very magical experience, the ‘seed’ that would later flower into a passion.”

Beth and her family also enjoyed a gourmet meal there, made with produce from the herb farm. “That was when I learned plants could be beautiful as well as useful, which is the actual definition of an herb: a useful plant.

As a tribute to Madeline, I carry her book in my booth at Sunrise Antique Mall because she was the inspiration for my newfound path.”

Antiques and lavender

In 2006, the Pattersons moved to Kerrville to care for Beth’s aging mother, Mary Potter, an antique dealer. Beth’s grandmother was also an antique dealer. “I’ve been going to swap meets and junkin’ since I was old enough to crawl,” Beth says. “As I got older, my little brother Bill could see what was under tables and I saw what was on top. We made a great team.”

Along with the acreage, Beth inherited two barns full of antiques. Yes. Two barns. Full.

So when the lavender crop didn’t turn out as planned, they decided to spend their time supporting other lavender farmers—and refurbishing all their “new” antiques.

Lavender & Old Lace, their antique and lavender-filled booth at Sunrise Antique Mall, locatedat 820 Water Street in downtown Kerrville boasts lavender and herb products from small farms around the United States.

Beth’s advice to people who want to grow lavender: “Do research on the exact growing location you’re considering.

Generic advice may not be correct. We planted the incorrect variety for our location. At an elevation of 2,200 feet, and rock, not soil, the generic advice simply wasn’t right for us.

We could have hauled in dirt, but didn’t want to create an artificial environment.”

Beth, a lifetime member of the Herb Society of America and past president of Texas Lavender Association, loves sharing her knowledge and often gives talks in the Hill Country.

To keep up with current news and Beth’s lectures, follow Lavender & Old Lace and Texas Lavender Association on Facebook. E-mail: Lavender1@ktc.com

Beth and Russ visit a lavender farm at the Sequim , Washington 2011 Lavender Festival.

La ve nd er Gr ow in g Ti ps fo r th e Ho me Ga rd en • Pick a sunny, well-draining spo t with plenty of air circulation to avo id fungal diseases.

• Wild lavender is a Mediterranea plant that clings to the hills withn little water. The biggest mis e the home gardener makes istak to over water.

• When choosing a lavender pla close attention to plant size asntthepay vary dramatically from 4 feet to y 2 feet tall and wide.

• Harvest lavender in the morni after the dew has dried and hanngg bundles in a cool dry dark place.

• Lavender is cold hardy to the teens. It would be wise to cov row cover when temperatureserarewith in the teens for several days.

Lavender is a short-lived perenn ial in Texas, usually lasting anywh ere between 7–10 years.

Joi n the Pat ter son s at the se Spr ing Lav end er Eve nts Becker Vineyard Lavender Festival Stonewall, TX, April 30–May 1, 2016 Blanco Lavender Festival Blanco, TX, June 11–13, 2016 Visit lavender farms, taste lavender treats, shop many creative one-of-akind vendors Share your experiences growing lavender as well as other plants and herbs in the Central Texas area on Texas Lavender Gardeners Facebook Group Pagee.

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 29

Turning back the clock Resurrecting a family heirloom

by Anne Schneider

Anne at home with her family heirloom—a Classical Gustav Becker Vienna Regulator wall clock, circa 1877.

30| May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Have you ever wished you’d asked your parents—before they were gone—about some bit of family history?

Something in your family’s landscape you just didn’t think about in time to explore? Yes, me too.

N

ot that I’m an antique aficionado or collector of antiques, but thanks to a family inheritance, my home is graced by a 140-year-old clock. It’s a splendid Vienna Regulator wall clock, 50” x 17”, that has been in my family since my paternal grandparents’ time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they lived until their deaths in the mid-1950s.

And thanks to Kerrville’s time-seasoned clocksmith Clyde Day, I learned this magnificent clock began its existence circa 1877 at the Gustav Becker clock factory in Freiburg, Silesia, Germany (now Poland).

But sadly, the fine old clock I brought home after my mother’s death lay stashed in my closet, still and silent. It had been neglected sorely during Mama’s last two years. Ironically, she used to take great pride in keeping the clock in pristine and functional condition—having it serviced annually by a professional clocksmith in Houston.

He came to her house, took the clock apart to oil and adjust it, and then expertly reassembled it. He never failed to mention that if she ever wanted to sell the clock, he’d like to buy it.

“Not for sale,” Mama always said. “That was my husband’s clock and when I’m gone it goes to our first child, Anne.”

Three weeks after my mother’s death mid-December 2010, I removed the clock from Mama’s den wall and wrapped it one of her homemade quilts from Grandma. Tenderly placing the heirloom in the back of my Prius, I made the return drive to Kerrville. On the journey home I cried, for a lot of reasons—one being that the majestic clock no longer worked and I had no idea who could fix it.

Legends in their own time

Once home, I inquired around town to find someone to repair my newly acquired legacy. I kept hearing the name “Clyde Day.” Many knew him from his over twenty years of teaching clock classes for Dietert Center and Club Ed. Some had taken their own clocks for repair at Kerrville’s Clyde’s Clocks—the shop Mr. Day started back in 1983, after his retirement as an engineer from Brown and Root in Houston. Others were among the fifteen who had apprenticed with him over the years; three of them now have their own Hill Country clock shops.

Feeling confident I could trust this Clyde Day with my precious treasure, I made an appointment. A few days later, I drove into the countryside to present my clock to Mr. Day. His shop stood next door to his brick home on high grassy banks above the Guadalupe River.

He came outside to greet me with his hand extended—a spritely man who gave no hint of his ninety years.

“What do we have here?” Mr. Day asked as I carefully laid the quiltshrouded clock on the picnic table outside his shop. As I mumbled about it being old and inheriting it from my mother, he slowly unwrapped the clock.

He paused for a moment before he reverentially ran his gnarled hands along the clock’s sleek glass and wood case. It was an intimate moment and I was definitely an outsider—not yet understanding the rapport between Mr. Day and my clock.

Clyde Day in his home with first clock he made—created in 1973 from a kit.

In silence, he deftly dismantled it and peered closely at its pieces.

Straightening his back, he gently picked up the clock and beckoned me with a nod of his head. I followed him inside his shop. Feeling like Alice in Wonderland, I gazed around me—surreally surrounded by hundreds of timepieces in various conditions. Every square inch of the shop’s two rooms was covered in clockworks and tools.

Amazingly, Mr. Day found a spot at his workbench to place my large clock.

“Please follow me,” he said. I trailed behind him to the little building adjacent to his shop. Mr. Day opened the door and the glorious scent of old books washed over me. Shelves filled with books lined the entire room.

“I buy books about clocks every chance I get,” Mr. Day explained.

“Especially the hard-to-find ones. Probably have about $6,000 worth of books in this one room.”

He ran his crooked finger along the worn spines, stopping to pull out a small volume entitled Gustav Becker Story, 1847-1927 by Karl Kochmann. He opened the book and leafed through the pages until he found what he was looking for.

“This is the same trademark I found stamped on your clock.” He flipped a few pages and continued, “And I can look up the clock’s serial number to see approximately what year it was made. You’ve got a very old, very fine clock—let’s talk about what you want to do with it.”

“Well, I want it to run again,” I stammered. Fortunately for me, Mr. Day is a patient man—after all, he’s worked with clocks for over thirty years. continue to next page Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 31

continued from previous page

He first assured me he could repair the clock’s mechanics. Next, he informed me that pieces were missing from the clock’s case, indicating the holes for five absent finials. He ended by pointing out several places where molding and trim had been lost.

“I don’t do restoration work,” he said, “but I know someone who does—Joseph Giles, Colonel U.S. Air Force Dental Corps, Retired. I’ll contact him if you want.”

“Let’s do it,” I answered, knowing the clock deserved to be restored to its former glory.

Six weeks later, Mr. Day and Joe Giles delivered and hung the heirloom clock in the presence of my grandsons who were visiting for spring break—a wonderful coincidence that allowed me to share with the boys the clock’s history and the fact that it would one day belong to them.

We all watched in awe as Mr. Day gave the pendulum a nudge and began its rhythmic swing with a familiar tick-tock, tick-tock. To celebrate, we held an impromptu birthday party for the clock— its 135th or so—complete with cake and ice cream served to our honored guests, Mr. Day and Joe Giles.

Clock minus its original finials and molding trim.

Joseph Giles recreated the missing pieces to restore the heirloom to its former glory.

Fast-forward footnotes

On December 31, 2015, at the age of ninety-five, Mr. Day closed Clyde’s Clocks. “I just can’t see well enough anymore to do the work.”

Several months later, son Henry came for his father’s books and tools to expand his own clock shop where he lives in Phoenix, Arizona. “I’m very pleased he’ll continue the clockwork,” Mr. Day said. “I couldn’t bear the thought of my books going in a garage sale.”

What about all those clocks I saw in his shop? Mr. Day told me that many were returned repaired to their owners. Others were sold and one waits for its owner to someday retrieve it.

“A woman dropped off this clock four or five years ago just before she planned to move. Paid me to fix it and then never came back. I’ve tried calling many times but can’t find her,” Mr. Day explained. “It’s from Davis Clock Company, Columbus, Mississippi, back in the 1850s.

Makes it very scarce—the company made fine clocks but didn’t stay long in business.”

Today Mr. Day can be found working several hours, six days a week, at the Peterson Hospice Thrift Shop. He’s worked with Hospice since 1984—serving on the Peterson Hospice Board for fifteen years and also as its president, as well as Volunteer Administrative Manager.

Now he calls himself the “King of Coat Hangers” as he tirelessly hangs clothing donations in the thrift shop.

Clocksmiths Clyde Day and Joseph Giles join Anne and her grandsons Gordon and Timothy Murphy to celebrate the clock’s 2011 installation in the Schneider home.

32 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

In March 2016, Mr. Day was awarded a plaque for an astonishing 11,000 hours of volunteer service. He wondered aloud, “What else am I going to do with my time? No one wants to wind clocks anymore.”

A bit about Becker

Clockmaker Gustav Eduard Becker, born in 1819 on May 2 (my birthday!), learned his craft from the many masters in Germany during the early 1800s. Becker eventually opened a small clock shop in Freiburg, Silesia, with a few employees whom he trained.

His business grew and expanded as the quality of his work attracted more Clockmaker Gustav Becker and more buyers. In 1854, he received the coveted Gold Medal for Best Clock in the Silesian Clock Fair.

Becker’s customers soon included commercial businesses. He later received a fortune from the Duke of Martibore and this reportedly enabled Becker to begin manufacturing clocks for train stations in Europe and America.

documents to provide you with dates and names of people and places. But more likely than not, rooting around a family tree is grounded on information dug up from the verbal accounts of those still with us.

There is no paper trail for what is now my clock. And the family stories I’ve heard over the years about the clock, don’t always join hands in agreement. My favorite, though unverified, story follows: My great aunt Bridie Cronin (born in Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day, 1883) worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburgh’s historic Penn Station—built 1898–1903. She lived in the home of her sister, my Grandma Cronin, and my Grandpa Cronin.

At some time in the train station’s history, the building’s old German clocks were replaced with American-made Seth Thomas clocks.

Aunt Bridie somehow came into possession of one of the old Penn Station timepieces and brought it home. The clock’s history conjoined my family’s history, running together ever since.

By the 1860s, the accomplished clockmaker was known for “Classical Gustav Becker” clocks. Factory sales peaked in 1875, when over 300,000 orders were filled by 1,000 employees. Before his death in 1885, Becker won clock fairs in London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Sydney, and Melbourne. The Becker Clock Factory continued operation through multiple mergers and re-organizations until 1926.

The clock’s family homes

My older cousins remember the grand old wall clock at their Grandpa and Grandma Cronin’s home. “It was on the far wall in the dining room on Merrimac Street in Pittsburgh. Tim, Pat, and I went there for lunch every day as it was close by our school. Everyone did that in those days,” explains my cousin Maureen Cronin Smith.

The clock came to Houston, Texas, in the late 1950s. My cousin Tim Cronin remembers, “When Uncle Mike and Aunt Ann and Aunt Bridie moved together from Pennsylvania to Texas, they brought it with them and it hung in their house on Eastlake Street.”

Pittsburgh, 1909. Sisters from Ireland, Ellen (Anne’s grandmother) and Bridie Cronin (Anne’s great aunt), shared their home and the Becker clock until the 1950s.

Author’s note to readers: I encourage you to ask your elders now about their heirlooms. You can preserve their stories for future generations while giving your family’s Wise Ones an opportunity to take your hand in theirs on a journey back through time.

Anne Schneider is a Kerrville writer and author of Breath Found Along The Way, a book of poetry and face-cast mask art. She leads natural healing Reiki workshops and Tai Chi classes at her Ventana Al Cielo Studio. Visit her at www.ReikiTexas.info

From there, the clock moved to my parents’ home in Fulshear, Texas, in the 1970s. After my father died in 1981, my mother moved to a townhome nearer to Houston where the clock remained with her until her death in 2010, at the age of eighty-four.

Cousin Tim reminisces, “As a clocksmith myself, I knew it was a Becker when I went to your Mom’s for her eightieth birthday party.

She asked me to adjust it for her—it was running a bit slow or fast.

I have a Becker at home and know what a fine timepiece it is—the workmanship in the movement is very high quality.”

History imagined

If you’ve ever done any genealogical research, you know it can be a long and winding road. If you’re lucky, you’ll find plenty of historic

Perhaps Anne’s clock’s first home--Penn Station in Pittsburgh, built 1898-1903.

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 33

T

by Trena Cullins

Drought Over

?

it’s TEXAS

he local newspaper recently printed that the drought is officially over. I really do consider myself an optimist, however, this is Texas. As a state, we are truly never out of drought, only different stages of wet and dry. Water is our most precious resource and it is up to us to be the best stewards we can.

Over the years we have all been using more drought-tolerant plants in our landscapes.

These plants require less water and care.

However, even drought-tolerant plants need water until they are well established.

Once established, water is usually not required.

This year, the nursery is seeing a lot of trouble with Mountain Laurels being overwatered. A Mountain Laurel will survive beautifully with less than 10 inches of rain annually once matured. If you are still watering it you are wasting water and killing your tree. This is also true for most yuccas, cacti, ornamental grasses, and established trees and shrubs.

A good watering guide for new plantings is a very simple way to correctly give those plants ample amounts of water. Water deeply three times a week for the first three weeks, twice a week for the next two months, and generally once a week thereafter. With any given tree or shrub, a year of watering is a good way to get those roots established. Remember water deep not cheap!

Irrigation systems are not always adequate for landscapes, especially if your plants are competing with your grass. Most lawn irrigation systems are great for lawns, not for flower beds!

Certified Nursery Professional #4985, has been with the Plant Haus 2 for 15 years.

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830-257-4544 KERRVILLE • BANDERA grimesfuneralchapels.com 34 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Hairstyles

by Katie Davis

for older men

When it comes to hairstyles for older men—we’re talking forty and over—the name of the game is suave and classy. You want a hairstyle that resembles James Bond slick but business professional at the same time.

Speaking of James Bond, whom better to get some inspiration from than the man himself! Choose any of the Bond men for inspiration. A close-cropped hairstyle such as Daniel Craig’s is a very mature and classy cut that looks great in any situation.

A slicked back side part hairstyle looks great on middle-aged men. Hair product such as a water-based pomade is recommended to achieve this look.

Katie has been in the beauty industry for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Rusk Color Team, owner and stylist at Tin Star Salon. 319 Earl Garrett in Kerrville. Call her at 895-5030.

If you like your hair a little longer and your beard with some stubble, a great masculine look to try out is a medium length hair with frequent trims on the sides and slicked back.

A strong hold gel is perfect to achieve this hairstyle.

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customglassmirror.net Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 35

 

one in a series

How come

Texans are so dad-blamed proud of

Texas?

by Jim McLaughlin

36 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

A friend of mine was first exposed to Texans as a high school student in California, during the forties. Many Texas families moved to California back then, searching for jobs. The Texas children attended local schools and, according to my friend, complained long and loud about everything in California, while they bragged long and loud about everything in Texas. As one might expect, this did not endear them to the natives.

At first I was tempted to simply ignore my friend’s concerns––she was just another foreigner who didn’t understand my part of the world. I suspected much of the braggadocio of the high school kids from Texas might have been based on feelings of inadequacy. After all, they were in a strange new environment and most of the rules they had grown up with simply didn’t apply. I did not want to get caught up making excuses for a bunch of displaced kids who’d ticked off some Californians over sixty years ago.

I soon realized that I could not let it pass. The kids she talked about had been rude and immature, and perhaps a bit obnoxious, but they were Texans. I had no choice. I was duty-bound to defend them. That meant explaining our history to my friend to help her understand why Texans are so dad-blamed proud of our state.

In the early 1500s, Texas was claimed as a territory of Spain. Spain planned to work its tried-and-true method of colonization on this province. It established missions, augmented by a presidio with troops.

Thus equipped, they could save the souls of the heathen Indians, enslave them, and populate the territory with loyal subjects of the Spanish king.

If the Indians didn’t want their souls saved, or didn’t want to plant corn, the troops from the presidio would simply kill them off. It worked in South America and Mexico––it should work in Texas.

PROUD It didn’t. For more than three hundred years the Spanish tried this and all they had to show for their efforts were a bunch dismembered priests and scalped soldiers. They learned the hard way: Comanche will not plant corn.

The Spanish, and the Mexicans after 1824, decided to establish a “buffer zone” between themselves and the Comanche. They would allow Anglo settlers into Texas, on the frontier next to the Indians, and move the loyal Catholic subjects of the king into the protected areas behind them. Let the Comanche and the Anglos kill each other.

Some of the original Anglo settlers who came to Texas were honest, hard-working farmers, seeking places to build their homes and raise their families. A big portion of the settlers were opportunists, looking to make their fortunes by land speculation, real estate development, or other popular games of chance. Many of the rest were fugitives, running from failed businesses, failed marriages, or failed attempts in other places. This rag-tag bunch had common threads: wanderlust, a zest for adventure, self-reliance, the will to work, and a supreme (if sometimes misplaced) confidence in their own abilities.

While the folks along the East Coast read newspapers and went to the opera, and other future states dutifully surveyed boundaries, held elections, and stood in line to be admitted to the Union, Texans were fighting and dying at places such as the Medina River, the Alamo, and Coleta Creek. Through sheer luck and monumental bluff, in 1836 Sam Houston wrestled control of Texas from Mexico. The government of Mexico was in shambles at the time and political disarray in Mexico City allowed Texas to survive as an independent republic for ten years. To this day, strong evidence suggests Mexico is not capable of self-government.

On December 29, 1845, Texas finally became the twenty-eighth state in the United States––the only state to come into the union by treaty, not annexation. The admission of Texas to the nation directly resulted in the U.S./Mexican War of 1846–1848 to resolve boundary disputes between Texas and Mexico and other little

things that Sam Houston and Santa Anna had let fall through the cracks in the Treaties of Velasco. As a side benefit of this war, the United States fulfilled its “Manifest Destiny” by acquiring title to the remaining western territory still under Mexican control. A large part of Colorado, all of Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, and Utah, and bits of Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and Kansas became property of the United States because of this obscure little war. The Gadsden Purchase in 1853 defined the final U.S./Mexican border by aligning the territories of New Mexico and Arizona. Thus, Texas was instrumental in effectively doubling the size of the United States.

After the Civil War, during reconstruction, Edmund Davis, a staunch Unionist, was elected governor of Texas. His idea of reconstruction was more punitive than constructive. Texans again suffered, but endured––with a strong mistrust of the federal government that remains to this day.

Construction of the Texas State Capitol building was finished in 1888 and, by a strange coincidence, it ended up twenty feet taller than the nation’s Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Texans, in their usual self-effacing manner, built the San Jacinto Monument in 1936. When they installed the Lone Star on top, someone thought to measure the total height. Land sakes, it is twelve feet taller than the Washington Monument. Wonder how that happened?

Because of the deep-seated sense of pride and independence Texans displayed, we became known as a rebellious bunch of cowboys.

With some justification, people began to believe Texans were loud, arrogant, obnoxious oafs. As we examine our roots more carefully, we’ll discover how quiet, hard-working, modest Texans can create such a mistaken impression.

Jim was born in Lubbock County, Texas in 1936 and now resides in Kerrville. As a proud natural-born Texan, Jim studies and writes about Texas history, with a bit of humor thrown in.

Visit Jim’s blog: StateofLubbock.Blogspot.com

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 37

You don’t have to suffer with • Vaginal dryness • Urinary incontinence • Light bleeding after intercourse • Discomfort with intercourse • More urinary tract infections • Vaginal burning • Vaginal discharge • Genital itching • Burning with urination • Urgency with urination

Finally there is a treatment.

Quick. Painless. Effective.

Call today for your confidential consultation.

Dr. Kerri Truelock

A subsidiary of Genesis Gynecology, PA

830.792.0805 176 Fairway Dr., Kerrville

The Dietert Center

keeps you independent The Dietert Center is a busy place—there’s always something new and interesting going on, and lots of active people enjoying themselves.

Besides providing great meals, stimulating classes and activities, the Center also has a Community Services Department which offers help for those who are less active, as well as their caregivers.

Dietert’s Community Services Coordinator, Nick Villanueva, fields a myriad of calls and visits dispensing information about area services and resources. There’s help finding everything from home health agencies to senior housing and more. Reach Nick at 830-792-4044, ext. 225.

Our handyman volunteers can assist with small home repairs.

Dietert’s PAL emergency response systems provide peace of mind 24/7, with just the push of a button. Our new mobile units work anywhere there’s cell phone

by Tina Woods service! More than 200 PAL units help seniors throughout the Hill Country.

Our free Reassurance service has folks call the Center each morning to check-in before 10:00 a.m. If the call is not received by the deadline, volunteers call the client. If there’s no answer, the emergency contact in the client’s record is called for assistance.

Dietert’s free medical equipment lending program is recycling at its finest. We accept clean, gently used equipment, such as walkers, canes and wheelchairs, and lend it out to those in need.

Caregiving for an elder loved-one is an awesome and loving task. We have a caregiver resource center, caregiver support groups, and our on-site respite service, the Take Five Club.

Call on us—we can help!

Tina Woods is the Dietert Center’s Executive Director. Contact her at (830) 792-4044, ext. 247, or visit the Center’s website: www.dietertcenter. org. The Dietert Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization located at 451 Guadalupe Street in Kerrville.

Quality Care.

Personal Touch.

Two Locations 1008 Sidney Baker So. Mon - Fri 7:30-5:30 (830) 895-2803

“Our dedication is evident through the care and compassion we feel for our patients.”

Digital X Rays Echocardiograms Ultrasound Bone Density Exams Digital Mammograms

212 Wesley Dr. (830) 257-1527 Mon – Thurs 7:30-4:00 Fri: 7:30-1:00, Sat 8:00-12:00

Same friendly customer driven service with the same dedication!

Why CPL?

Friendly, relaxed atmosphere with patient wait time of 15 minutes or less at both locations.

We file all Primary and Secondary Insurances on patient’s behalf.

20% patient discount at time of service or online at www.cpllabs.com

No Appointment Necessary

MEDICAL ARTS IMAGING, INC.

Medicare • Medicaid Insurance Accepted MEDICAL ARTS PLAZA LABORATORY & X-RAY

212-B WESLEY DR., KERRVILLE 257-4777 Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 39

A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO HEARING CARE Quality healthcare can only be achieved when it is provided in a professional manner. We attribute our professional approach as the key component in our success in providing outstanding hearing healthcare.

IND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION An essential component of better hearing is the understanding of each patient’s individual needs, goals, lifestyle, and expectations. We spend the necessary time needed to discuss these aspects so that the most appropriate recommendations can be made.

EDUCATION MAKES THE DIFFERENCE Providing successful hearing healthcare EDU requires clinicians that are well-trained, knowledgeable, and up-to-date. Staying current on all of the latest research and technology has gained our Doctors of Audiology continued recognition within the professional community.

PROVIDING THE HIGHEST STANDARD-OF-CARE In order to achieve the best results possible, our office uses the most current equipment and techniques available. Offering the latest, most advanced, and best quality hearing devices insures optimal results for our patients.

SE SERVING THE COMMUNITY Hill Country Audiology Service has been addressing the hearing care needs of Kerr County and the surrounding region for over 20 years.

We honor and cherish our recognition as Best Hearing Aid Center in Kerr County for the last 8 years running.

703 Hill Country Dr. Suite 102, Kerrville, Texas 78028 | (830) 792-4060 hillcountryaudiology.com

State-of-the-art medical billing and specialty service so you can achieve

Maximum Reimbursement.

HUNT STAFF

AUSTIN STAFF We have extensive experience in all areas of commercial insurance, Workers Comp, personal injury, third party administrators, Medicare, Medicaid, and other state and federally funded programs.

Allow us to handle the stress of billing, so you can focus on what matters most: your patients.

The FIRM

medical billing and specialty services 40 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Hunt Office

120 La Hacienda Way, Hunt, TX 830-238-4112

Call us today for your free consultation. www.TheFirmServices.com

Austin Office

9050 N. Capitol of Texas Hwy. Ste. 240 Austin, TX 512-243-6844

PRMC Volunteer Auxiliary That

Vein Thing

The Peterson Regional Medical Center Auxiliary recently purchased three vein finders for use at the hospital. This was an inspiration by one of our volunteers, Lynda DeMasco. She accompanied one of her daughters for a procedure at a San Antonio hospital and noticed that this equipment was used to locate the patient’s vein, prior to starting an IV and suggested that this would be a great thing for our patients as well.

With Administration’s approval, three of these were recently purchased.

AccuVein® uses infrared light technology to illuminate veins. This is a non-contact device, held several inches above the skin, allowing the clinician to view the veins prior to starting an IV. This may be used in either a handheld or a hands-free mode. In addition to potentially saving valuable time for nurses and patients, it increases patient satisfaction.

by Judy Jones Judy is the Volunteer Coordinator and Patient Representative for PRMC. She is a 30 year PRMC employee and was awarded the Duan Packard “Employee of the Year” Award for 2012 by PRMC. For information regarding volunteering, call Judy at 830258-7630 or email JJones@PetersonRMC. com. Or apply online at PetersonRMC.com.

Our staff is very enthusiastic about the new AccuVein®.

The isolated vein appears.

Volunteers Lynda DeMasco and Nancy Olive proudly stand with the most recent equipment the Auxiliary has purchased for the hospital.

Photos Courtesy PMRC & E.J. Amason 42 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

PRMC RN Genise Jackson meets with AccuVein® representatives for training on the new equipment.

Magnesium, the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body, participates in over 300 metabolic processes throughout the body. These include protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, blood glucose control, formation and maintenance of bones and teeth, and blood pressure regulation. Magnesium is used by every organ in your body, especially your heart, muscles, kidneys, and brain.

Most of your magnesium is stored inside the cells and bones of your body, where it is used for many functions.

by Dr. Leigh Ann Grasso, RPh Only one percent of magnesium is distributed in your & Dr. Melissa Elias, RPh blood, which can make a magnesium deficiency particularly hard to detect with a normal blood test. Because of this, it is often referred to as an “invisible deficiency.” Although it often goes unrecognized, magnesium deficiency is very common. By some estimates, up to eighty percent of Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Some common symptoms of magnesium deficiency may include anxiety, depression, muscle cramps/spasms, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, memory loss, and abnormal heart rhythms.

MAGNESIUM: the invisible deficiency

Magnesium is known to benefit the body in ways that counter stress, promote restful sleep, and support a healthy mood. However, supplementing with magnesium can be a challenge. Magnesium oxide and magnesium citrate, the two most widely available forms of magnesium, often cause abdominal pain and diarrhea as they are poorly absorbed by the body. In order to provide the body with enough magnesium to have a beneficial effect, you must

use a form of magnesium that is more easily absorbed by the body.

Magnesium glycinate tends to provide the highest levels of absorption and is often considered ideal for trying to correct a deficiency. Magnesium L-threonate is a newer form, and is the only type of magnesium that has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. Boosting the brain’s magnesium level is vital to healthy cognition, including memory, learning, stress management, and sleep.

Annie’s Apothecary carries both the glycinate and L-threonate forms of magnesium, and we are always available to assist you in your journey to achieve optimal health.

Annie’s Apothecary is the only PCAB-accredited compounding pharmacy in Kerrville and the surrounding areas.

Dr. Leigh Ann Grasso, RPh, owner of Annie’s Apothecary and Boerne compounding pharmacist, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in 2004. Annie’s Apothecary originally opened in 2007 to serve the patients and pets of the Hill Country.

Dr. Melissa Elias, RPh, Kerrville compounding pharmacist, earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in 2013. 31007 IH 10 W #108, Boerne, TX, 830-981-4774. 1228 Bandera Highway, Kerrville, TX, 830-257-0732. www.AnniesRx.com

When can home health services be beneficial?

Home health services may be beneficial to you if you have experienced one of the following.

• Onset of a new illness or exacerbation of a current illness that requires changes in your treatment.

• New medications have been started for a disease or acute illness.

• You were recently in the hospital or nursing home for an acute illness or surgery.

Who pays for home health services?

Home health services are a benefit of the Medicare program. Medicare pays 100% for home health services. Most other major insurance companies also pay for home health services.

Medicare does not pay for any custodial type services such as housekeeping, shopping, transportation, or companion type services.

Since 1995

Kathy Simmons, RN, BSN & Annabelle Lindner, RHIT

It’s as easy as a phone call to bring Tri-County’s care team to your home.

TriCountyHomeHealth.com SERVING THESE TEXAS COUNTIES

KERRVILLE 117 Hugo St 830-895-3100

BANDERA 158 Highway 16 S 830-796-9505

Licensed by Department of Aging and Disability Medicare/Medicaid Certified.

KENDALL • BANDERA • EDWARDS • KERR • BEXAR • REAL • GILLESPIE • MEDINA • KIMBLE Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 43

Reiki on the natural road to wellness redefining care. for women.

At Peterson Women’s Associates, we pride ourselves on delivering personalized care.

From adolescence through pregnancy and birth, to menopause and beyond - we believe that every woman is unique and that is why we focus on your individual needs. As the premier obstetrics and gynecology team in the Hill Country, we build on the strengths of our physicians and midwives to provide the highest level of care. We’re redefining women’s care.We’re Elevating Health.

You want to feel your best. You support your wellness with good nutrition and exercise.

You recognize the importance of relaxation for your busy lifestyle.

Some days, though, you come up a little short of your goals. But you don’t give up—you find even more ways to better support your wellness.

Welcome to Reiki—the natural hands-on, non-invasive therapy that brings absolute relaxation of body, mind, and spirit.

This integrative tool stimulates your immune system and catalyzes your body’s organic ability to heal itself. Reiki can reduce your stress and relieve your pain.

Find out why over 60 hospitals and clinics in the U.S., including M.D. Anderson, recommend Reiki in their patient programs.

Contact Kerrville Reiki Master Anne Schneider—a practitioner for over ten years—to benefit from the following Reiki services:

Learn more at PetersonWomensAssociates.com

• hosting free talks and demos for your business or organization

Kerrville 575 Hill Country Drive, Suite 202 For an appointment, call 830.258.6237

• attending free public talks and demos

Boerne 124 Bandera Road, Suit 406 For an appointment, call 830.428.0090

• receiving private sessions—at Anne’s Ventana Al Cielo Studio, or at The Center for Fitness and at Peak Fitness.

• attending simple training workshops to learn to practice Reiki on yourself—and others if you choose to—for daily wellness support; May 20-21 or June 1718 (FRI, 6:30-9:30 p.m.) – (SAT, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Wellness is a journey. Stay on track and maximize your health with Reiki. Get in touch now with Anne at www.ReikiTexas.info or (830)739-5828.

Women’s Associates

44 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

Z

This volunteer opportunity requires only one thing.

Your heart.

You can make an incredible difference today.

Volunteer to help patients and their families when they need help the most.

When you volunteer with us, you become part of a team of skilled, compassionate people who dedicate their time to a truly noble cause.

Volunteers give their time in two ways: Patient Visit Volunteer — Visiting our patients to provide companionship and support through conversation, leisure activities, or by being a supportive presence. You may also provide respite for caregivers so they can have some time away for themselves.

Administrative Volunteer — Providing office support through clerical duties such as data entry, filing, or phone calling.

For more information, contact Travis Tooker travis.tooker@gentiva.com 830.792.6200 gentivahospice.com © 2014 Gentiva Health Services, Inc. 4199 4199_Hospice Volunteer Ad_8.375x10.875_v2.indd 1

Kerr County People | May-June 2016 | 45 11/12/14 4:17 PM

Hometown Events Who Kerr County Roller Derby What

Spring Slamoree Mashup When

Saturday, April 3, 2016 Where

Hill Country Youth Exhibition Center

r e l l o R y Derb

KERR COUNTY

Have fun at KC Roller Derby events while knowing that part of the proceeds go to charity.

Keep up with their events by following Kerr County Roller Derby on Facebook.

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 46 | May-June 2016 | Kerr County People

You Never Know What You’ll Find!

A fun & amazing nonprofit resale shop.

ur tax o y f f o p Dro s today n o i t a n o le d deductib s for pick up. or call u

AMAZING FINDS!

Mon - Sat - 10-5 516 Quinlan Street Kerrville, Texas

830-315-3463

Facebook/Finds Resale Kerrville, Texas

Framed Art • Painted Furniture • Collectibles • Linens • Housewares Baskets • China • Furniture • Crystal • Yard Art • Jewelry Check our website for upcoming sales! www.findsresale.org

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I-10 Exit 505 Harper Road at Junction Highway in Kerrville 830.895.5311 www.mooreshomefurnishings.com Mon. thru Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5, Sun. closed