Issuu

Life & Style in Central Texas

August 2015

Life after high school KISD CAREER CENTER

Incredible kids

with incredible purpose

HALLS of Higher learning CTC’s College for Kids

OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL

healthy snacking

Junior League promotes

Features

DINO QUEST

CTC’s College for Kids

Teresa Chavez, director of continuing education at Central Texas College, walks through the halls of the Mayborn Planetarium looking for the Dino Quest class being held as part of CTC’s summer College for Kids. She peeks around the corner and sees the empty classroom where the dinosaurs roam. All is quiet at first as the young students, ages 5 to 9, are watching a movie called, “Dinosaurs to Dusk.” By CATHERINE HOSMAN

Secondary success

Kids in the kitchen

Children learn to eat healthy

Ashley Dietze, president of the Junior League of Bell County, is passionate about the health of children. She is on a mission to teach kids about healthy eating and snacking through Kids in the Kitchen, an association-wide initiative of the Association of Junior Leagues International. In partnership with the Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple, volunteers from the League visit with children to teach them about healthy alternatives. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

JULY 2015 | TEX APPEAL

KISD Career Center prepares students for college, workforce

Alison Schannep Belliveau stands in the great hall of the Killeen ISD Career Center directing students who placed in the Career and Technical Students Organization competition to their spot on the stairs for group photos. One by one and in groups of two or more, students arrive in various modes of dress depending on their course of study. Some show up in scrubs, others in blue jeans and T-shirts. The most noticeable thing about this group is that they all seemed totally comfortable in their skin. No pretenses, just a bunch of teens getting ready to continue their next year at the center or prepare for graduation. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

Four Incredible kids

James Jones IV, Camryn Cotton, Zachary Petty, Julian Navarro James Jones IV’s presence seems to enter a room before he does. But he doesn’t know it. A soon-to-be seventh-grader at Patterson Middle School in Killeen, he is a well-adjusted 12-year-old who likes hanging with his friends, being outside and playing basketball. But that is just the kid side of this accomplished young man. By CATHERINE HOSMAN

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Departments

TexTalk Neighbors Margaret Chadwick helps students with special needs

TexTalk FLAVOURs Yummy Rummy’s in Belton

TexTalk BEAUTY Ashley Dietze opens her bag

TexTalk SCENE Day of Invention and Discovery Fun Day in the Park Miss Juneteenth Pageant VLA Legends

TexTalk CALENDAR Upcoming events in August

Life & Style in Central Texas

August 2015

WELL-CONNECTED

IncredIble kIds

with incredible purpose

CTC’s College for Kids

Contributors HeAltHy snAckIng

Junior League promotes

OCTOBER 2013 TEX APPEAL

ONtheCOVER Ashley Dietze promotes healthy eating. 34 Photograph by JULIE NABOURS

Editor’s letter

lIfe After HIgH scHool KisD Career Center

HAlls of HIgHer leArnIng

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

PROFILES

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

TexTalk Well-Fed head “Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me About Live, Faith and Second Chances”

Tex FIT Stranger Danger

Tex ADVENTURES Explore Fort Parker State Park and Historic Site

66 Tex THERAPY

KAABSE 5K FUN

RUN / WALK PRE-K – 12TH GRADE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2015

See Your Campus Counselor!

Fun Run/Walk starts at 10:30 a.m.

Guest Host Dr. John M. Craft, Superintendent Killeen ISD

Killeen Community Center

$5 to all KISD students Adults $20.00 Vendor spaces available for $50.00

Brockley K. Moore President

Bethany Goodrich Chair

For more information or to register, contact: bmoore1313@embarqmail.com bethany.goodrich@killeenisd.org 254-247-8183

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

From the Editor Dear Readers, It’s hard to believe August is upon us already and soon kids will be going back to school. In this issue we introduce several incredible kids and extraordinary teachers and administrators who work with our children every day. Meet James Jones IV, Camryn Cotton, Zachary Petty and Julian Navarro, four of this year’s Central Texas Youth Coalition Incredible Kids. All still in grade school, they have risen above their own challenges to give back to community, Page 45. Alison Schannep Belliveau, is the coordinator for career and technical education at the Killeen ISD Career Center. As the coordinator, Mrs. Belliveau guides the students on the path of self-sufficiency after high school by helping them choose the right technical career for immediate job placement, or learning the path they will take in college, Page 33. Kids in the Kitchen, a program sponsored by the Junior League of Bell County, has left an indelible mark on children in the Temple area who are members of the Ralph Wilson Youth Center. Through the League, volunteers visit with children in after-school programs and introduce them to healthy snacking and eating. Ashley Dietze, president, shares the reasons behind this program along with some healthy snack recipes for your children, Page 41. Special education teacher, Margaret Chadwick, is excited about the new Delta 18+ program instituted at Belton ISD for students with special needs. This program goes beyond teaching life skills to students to teaching them marketing skills that could make many of them employable and on the path to self sufficiency, Page 12. Sometimes kids know what they want to do at an early age and Central Texas College’s summer College for Kids offers a list of potential career choices for children to try out. Teresa Chavez, director of continuing education, introduces us to some young paleontologists who are on a Dino Quest, Page 29. Summer is over and the kids are back in school. Parents can’t be with their children 24 hours a day and hope what they’ve taught their children about staying safe resonates as they go through their school day and extracurricular activities. To help parents get the message out to their children, Jon and Cyndi Holman, co-owners of Bell County EMS Training offer a class in Stranger Danger. Much of the information is classic, but it is always good to reinforce these messages to our youth, Page 57. With summer wrapping up, if there is time to take one more weekend camping trip or day trip, pack your gear or picnic and head to Fort Parker State Park. Not only is it a beautiful park to camp, hike and picnic in, it is close to the Historic Fort Parker, “a replica of the original compound built in 1833-1834 by settlers from Illinois.” In 1836 it was raided by bands of the Comanche and Caddo Indians, resulting in several fatalities, casualties and captives, with the most famous captive being 9-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker. Cynthia Ann was destined to become the mother of Quanah Parker, the last great chief of the Comanche who brought peace to his nation. It is worth the ride for the beauty of the park and the living history lesson that awaits visitors at the old fort, Page 59. Have a seat, pour yourself a glass of lemonade or sweet tea and enjoy the August issue of Tex Appeal. Feel free to contact us with any ideas you have for future issues. Happy end of summer!

Catherine Hosman

Tex Appeal Editor

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC. KILLEEN DAILY HERALD 1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editorial Director M. CLARE HAEFNER Editor CATHERINE HOSMAN Copy Editor LEE JAMES Photographers JULIE NABOURS ERIC J. SHELTON Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH MITCHEL BARRETT CRAIG LIFTON JEROMIAH LIZAMA JESSICA PEARCE Advertising 254-778-4444 254-501-7496

Tex Appeal Magazine is published monthly by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission. Subscriptions: For the United States, $24 per year, 12 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.

Questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. How to contact us: Advertising: Call 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7496. Editorial: Contact Catherine Hosman at 254-501-7511 or email edittexappealmagazine@ gmail.com.

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You can read back issues of Tex Appeal Magazine at texappealmag.com. Log on today to find the current issue and older editions of Tex Appeal.

JOIN the Tex Appeal TEAM

Tex Appeal Magazine is looking for photographers and freelance writers with experience photographing and/or writing features for a newspaper or magazine. We are seeking candidates from the Central Texas area, including Killeen, Temple, Belton, Salado, Copperas Cove and Harker Heights. Candidates must be detail- and deadline-oriented and good storytellers, and must be familiar with AP style. Ability for writers to take photos is a plus, but not required. Interested candidates may send their resumes and three to five recent stories and/or photographs for consideration to Catherine Hosman at edittexappealmagazine@ gmail.com or M. Clare Haefner at chaefner@kdhnews.com. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Contributors Jessica Pearce is a writer, independent songwriter and an award-winning published poet. Widely traveled, she has taught English language and literature overseas in Bangalore, India, and blogged about her cultural experiences. Although raised in Alaska, she is a native-born Texan who now lives in Killeen where she writes for Tex Appeal and the Killeen Daily Herald.

FreD AFFLERBACH is an award-winning writer and novelist, college graduate at age 50, and former long-haul trucker. His stories and columns have been published in daily newspapers across Texas. His novel, “Roll On,” debuted in 2012, and is an interstate odyssey about a man afflicted with an incurable wanderlust despite pressure from family and friends to settle down. Fred lives in Cedar Park with his wife, Diane, and enjoys perusing Central Texas backroads with a keen eye out for roadrunners, old trucks and lipstick sunsets.

MITCHEL BARRETT

is an award-winning photographer and owner of Mitchel Barrett Photography. Although originally from the British Virgin Islands, for the past 12 years he has come to call the city of Killeen his home. He developed his love of photography while attending high school and the KISD Career Center, and has enjoyed life behind the lens ever since. When not busy taking photos, you can probably find him at the movies with friends or at home with his family and two dogs.

JEROMIAH LIZAMA is a freelance photographer specializing in conceptual fine arts portraiture and event photography. He is also a full-time student having studied at the Art Institute and now pursues a degree in filmmaking at Full Sail University. He is a “military brat” and former defense contractor of 12 years traveling all over Europe and Southeast Asia. He now lives in Killeen with his four kids and their dog, Cain. CRAIG LIFTON

is a freelance photographer and has been shooting photographs since his early teen years in Detroit, Mich. A 24-year veteran with the National Guard Service and the Air Force, he now works as an Army civilian in public relations, video broadcasting and journalism at Fort Hood. Craig recently branched out on his own to study more about his interest in photography. A resident of the Central Texas area since 2005, Craig and his family now love the culture and landscapes of their new home. 10

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

neighbors 12

flavours 14

beauty 16

scene 18

TexTalk

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Finding purpose

Margaret Chadwick is a special education teacher at Belton High School.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk neighbors

Chadwick supports students with special needs

Story by Catherine Hosman Courtesy photos

ransitioning a child from high school to college is a challenge most parents face. They must keep their child on the right path; encourage them to try new disciplines and extracurricular activities; prepare them for a life at college and after college as they plan for a future career and independence. Not an easy proposition, but one that generally plays out in real time mostly with positive outcomes. Now think about the challenge of transitioning a special needs child from high school to the real world. For Margaret Chadwick, special education teacher at Belton High School, she hopes that the transition will be easier for students and parents thanks to the Delta 18 + Program that goes beyond life skills training to actual job training. When she learned about the program created by Mitchell and Panter Consulting in Dallas, she shared it with the BISD Board and said she wanted to do more for her students than what they were already doing. “They asked me to lead it and I was so excited,” she said. “We are changing what was going on in special education at Belton High School.” Chadwick has been with the Belton ISD for nine years, and has been a special education teacher since 1974. Before Delta 18 +, students were taught the necessary life skills to be as independent as they could, whether it is living at home, in their own apartment with a roommate, in a group home or on their own. “Life Skills include looking at the individual student and making decisions with family and students to determine the program they need to be in,” Chadwick said. “In life skills we teach toilet behaviors, cooking, laundry, bed making, how to get around in the community, making friends, how to handle their own checking account and going to the store.” Before Delta 18 +, special needs kids were teamed with the general education that put the special ed students into a reg12

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Barbara Chadwick, third from right, accompanies students from the Belton Independent School District job training program tot he 2015 Belton High School prom.

train the staff, ensure compliance of the program, work with district administrators to understand and help students, and work to ensure a child-centered plan is in place for each student’s unique needs. “I facilitate between campus staff, special staff and parents,” Nagy said. “Anything that is found to be needed on any given day to ensure we foster a positive learning environment for all special needs students in the district.”

Margaret Chadwick, special education teacher, with Logan Marek at the 2015 Belton High School prom.

ular program and students with the quality “to be assistive” were identified. “”What we want is not to have separateness going on, we wanted an integrated class, an integrated mindset,” Chadwick said. “We want them to fit in,” added Sandra Nagy, secondary special education coordinator. Nagy works closely with Chadwick to

Compassionate upbringing Growing up in Nebraska, Chadwick learned at an early age how to relate to persons with special needs. As the daughter of a minister, she was front and center for the programs her father set up in his church for parents to receive instruction for their special needs children “I learned about caring for the disabled or mentally challenged at an early age,” she said. Chadwick recalled a time when she was 3 years old and every Sunday her parents took her to a nursing home to visit some of the residents. “I remember seeing a blue woman,” she said. “This was frightening for a 3 year old.” She watched as her parents remained calm, treating the woman with the same compassion and respect that they be-

Margaret Chadwick has been with the Belton ISD for nine years, and has been a special education teacher since 1974. Before Delta 18 +, students were taught the necessary life skills to be as independent as they could, whether it is living at home, in their own apartment with a roommate, in a group home or on their own. “Life Skills include looking at the individual student and making decisions with family and students to determine the program they need to be in,” Chadwick said. stowed to all they met. “I learned empathy at an early age,” she said. Chadwick’s early training with disabled persons became a passion that led her to become a frontrunner for special education in her home state. “Nebraska students can stay in school until 21,” she said. “Kids who needed extra special attention, down to the most profound, were put in resource classes.” In 1974, she taught 13 special needs children with disorders that included Downs’s syndrome, autism and microcephaly, “a condition where the head (circumference) is smaller than normal and may be caused by genetic abnormalities or by drugs, alcohol, certain viruses, and toxins that are exposed to the fetus during pregnancy damage the developing brain tissue.” Source: www.medicinenet.com

Independence for students Traditionally, high school students with severe disabilities, whether it is Downs Syndrome or autism, are kept in school until they turn 22. In addition to class curriculum, they were taught everyday life skills so many able people take for granted; however Chadwick said they weren’t getting the important leisure time and jobs training they needed. “The issue remained, what will these students do after graduation?” she asked, rhetorically.

In the Delta 18+ Program students now learn job skills and training. The gain basic marketing skills by running their own bakery called Big Red Treats. Each month they bake cookies and Bundt cakes to sell to students. Any money earned goes back into the program. With the Delta 18 + program, students are put on an adult life schedule and taken to jobs at local merchants and nonprofit groups. Working with area organizations such as the Heart of Texas Independent Living, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and the Central Texas Counties MHMR, Chadwick said each student is assessed individually and decisions are made with the family to determine the best program for their special needs child. “We make a lot of effort to make sure the family is included in determining what specifically their child needs in that area,” she said. Currently, some graduates of the Delta 18 + program have secured paying jobs in restaurants and with area merchants. However, not all students will qualify for a paying job and some will work as volunteers in the community. The most rewarding part of her job she said is “watching students go out individually for a first time to a job,” paid or volunteer. “We want to ensure that students have a purpose, a reason to get up in the morning.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Kari Rumfield and her father-in-law Shelby, co-own Yummy Rummy’s in Belton, a shop that caters to the children in all of us.

flavours TexTalk

It’s time for treats

Story by Catherine Hosman Photos by Mitchel Barrett

ummy Rummy’s in Belton is a family-owned and operated restaurant that offers a variety of yogurts, candy, home baked goodies and meals, including summer salads, cowboy bowls and baked potatoes, to name a few. Kari Rumfield and her father-in-law Shelby, co-own the shop that caters to the children in all of us. Walk through the door and take a step back in time when men used to visit the town’s general store for a game of checkers. At Yummy Rummy’s you have a selection of family board games to choose from, reading material and outlines of Yummy Rummy to color. It’s vintage and rustic interior, all hand-created by the owners, gives you a feeling that you are sitting in the family room at your home. “For a yogurt shop, this is large. I wanted families to feel like they are at home. Parents can come in with their children, read the paper while their kids play games. It’s a feeling of home,” Rumfield said. Shelves of candies in glass jars line the back walls of the counter area and homemade baked goods such as cake truffles and pecan magic bars sit in glass display cases that empty quickly. Her homemade goodies change to offer a variety of tastes to her customers. Four yogurt machines housed in miniature horse stalls each serve three flavors of delicious yogurt. There is even a soft-serve gelato guaranteed to satisfy the ice cream lover in all of us. Before opening Yummy Rummy’s three years ago, Kari and her husband, Toby, both had lucrative careers in professional baseball. “Toby was drafted in the second round by the Reds out of Belton High School and he played 14 years professionally, scouted and managed for another six years and is now the Temple Wildcat’s varsity baseball coach,” Kari Rumfield said.

Summer Salad 2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves 5 ounces sautéed chopped chicken breasts 2 ounces homemade candied bacon 2 ounces fresh sliced strawberries or blueberries 1 ounce crumbled blue cheese/ shredded mild cheddar cheese ½ ounce chopped cherry tomatoes ½ ounce chopped red onion ½ ounce sliced almonds 2 ounces dressing of choice and ½ ounce balsamic reduction She was the general manager of a minor league baseball team in Kentucky and

worked with Cal Ripkin Jr. before heading back to Texas. It was at Thanksgiving in their Baltimore home when Kari, Toby and her three children sat down to dinner when they realized they wanted to be nearer to family, so they came home to Belton, closer to Toby’s family. Wanting to keep busy, Kari and Shelby pooled their resources and opened Yummy Rummy’s just around the corner from Belton High School. “We are a family-owned mom and pop business,” Kari Rumfield said. “When you support small business you support the community. Instead of paying for a CEO to go on vacation, you are paying for a 16-year-old to have a job.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Beauty in the Bag

beauty TexTalk

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

How do you stay beautiful on the go?

Each month Tex Appeal peeks inside the bag of one busy woman to reveal her best beauty secrets and must-have essentials.

Ashley Dietze President

Junior League of Bell County

The ESSENTIALS she CARRIES Junior League Handbook/ Planner: I usually have a few Junior League obligations a week so I have to keep our handbook with me at all times. Junior League Name Tag: For all those Junior League meetings Iphone 5S and monogrammed Gigi New York Phone Wallet: My husband bought this for me and it’s the perfect wallet to take if I don’t want to carry an entire purse. Erin Condren Planner: All of the events and notes I need to manage my life and our family’s are in here. Ray-Ban sunglasses: You need to

protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays. Flowerbomb by Viktor&Rolf roller perfume: It smells like heaven. Laura Mercier Matte Translucent Pressed Powder: Perfect touch-up powder for any occasion and works for anyone, because it’s not pigmented. MAC Matte Kinda Sexy lipstick & MAC Boldly Bare lip pencil: I only started wearing lipstick a few years ago. It’s a staple for any woman. Necessities: Chap Stick, Tylenol, extra deodorant, bottle of water, Purell, Paper Mate Flair Pens in multiple colors.

Photographs by JULIE NABOURS

Most valuable TOOL in her BAG

My wallet and phone and since my wallet holds my phone, this is an easy one. My iPhone allows me to monitor work emails, Junior League emails/social media accounts plus a busy personal life, and I need my phone in case of an emergency or to take a photo at a Junior League event. Do you have a signature beauty item? I am known to have some shade of lipstick in my purse, depending on season. I always have a deep, bright red in the winter (MAC Matte Ruby Woo) and a brighter pink for fun nights with girls (MAC Candy Yum Yum) Do you have a helpful hint you can share with readers? I carry the largest purse that is usually very heavy… I would say that my advice is to know what you need! I don’t like changing purses and missing items I need — so I take the clothing “layers” approach with purses. Just carry a smaller version in the main purse in case you ever need to downsize. 16

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

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TexTalk scene

Day of invention, discovery draws crowd in Temple 2

1. Waco Harmony Science Academy students Jessica Cuevas, Jake Waller, Nadia Ruiz and Jessenia Ruiz with their robot at the Temple Invention and Discovery Family Day on June 6. 2. Elissa Roopa Macias of Fort Hood attends the discovery day. 3. Landon Meker of Temple launches marshmallows from a catapult he built. 4. Andrew McGuire of Belton launches marshmallows from a catapult he built during the hands-on activities. Photos by Jeromiah Lizama 18

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

scene TexTalk

9 10 5. Adolph Lopez and his daughter, Emberlee, of Troy, receive instruction from Daniel Denton on the controls for a robot he built. 6. Inventor Jim Walker of Temple. 7. Daniel Denton of Killeen demonstrates one of his robots. 8 and 9. Allen McGuire of Belton and Kinsley Meeker of Temple launch marshmallows from catapults they helped build. 10. Neil Corbett attends the Temple event to show off his sculpture. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk scene

Totally ’80s at Heights festival 1. Noah Knight, 4, of Harker Heights, competed in the totally ’80s costume contest. during the Fun Day in the Park on July 11 at Community Park in Harker Heights. Celebrating 30 years of Parks and Recreation in Harker Heights, people embraced the flashback to the 1980s theme with throwback costumes and games. 2. Jasmine Suino of the Harker Heights’ Sam’s Club, leads a game of “Riddle Me This.” 3. Kennedy Cardwell, 2, of Killeen, rockets down the inflatable slide. 4. Ludena Harris of Diva’s Ice & Delectables gives a big smile and a even bigger cotton candy to 5-year-old Cheyenne Elmore of Florence at the Fun Day in the Park. Photos by CRAIG LIFTON

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

scene TexTalk

Killeen celebrates Juneteenth with annual pageant 3

5 1. Quintaya Mathis-Foreman is crowned Miss Juneteenth at the eighth annual pageant June 18 in Killeen. 2. Jarin Cole was one of the guest performers at the pageant. 3. Renee White, Crystal Irby and Cassandra Snow of Kappa Epsilon Psi attend the pageant. 4. Adriana Nelson performs her color guard routine during the talent portion of the competition. 5. Brittany and Brianca Jackson with last year’s Miss Juneteenth, Alexus Blake. Photos by JEROMIAH LIZAMA TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

TexTalk scene

VLA Legends presents country showcase

1. Paul Schlesinger gives a fiddle solo during a June 20 Legends gone country show at Vive Les Arts Theatre in Killeen. 2. Paul Q-pek sings “Friends in Low Places” during the show. 3. Jennifer Hertzel sings Reba McIntyre’s “Fancy.” 4. Bell County Precinct 4 Commissioner John Fisher auctions off donations during the VLA fundraiser June 20. 5. Pepper, a 6-week-old purebred female black Lab provided by Brad and Shannon Drake, sold for $500 to Paul Holcomb during the auction to benefit Vive Les Arts Theatre. Photos by LANA HUSBAND

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

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TexTalk calendar

Bend O’ the River Picnic Aug. 1, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free family event and features good ole’ fashioned games, music and festivities. Bring a blanket, pack your own picnic lunch or buy your lunch from one of the on-site food vendors. 7915 S. General Bruce Drive, Temple For more information, call 254-298-5440. Archaeology Family Day Aug. 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free Come and check out what real archeologists do. Learn about how archaeology differs from paleontology, what cool things archaeologists do, both in and out of the field and explore the way people made things thousands of years ago. Railroad & Heritage Museum 315 W. Avenue B., Temple For more information, call 254-298-5172 or visit www.rrhm.org. Schoepf’s BBQ Free Texas Music Series Aug. 6, 6-10 p.m. JB and The Moonshine Band with TJ Broscoff Aug. 13, 6 -10 p.m. Cory Morrow with Parker McCollum Free for 21 and older; free for 12 and younger. Schoepf’s BBQ Backyard 702 E. Central Ave., Belton For more information, call 254-939-1151.

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Body of Christ Community Clinic Counting our Blessings Festival Aug. 8, noon to 8 p.m. This special events celebrates the fifth year of BOCCC, a medical and dental ministry, which opened its doors in 2010 and provides care to the undeserved populations in Belton or Salado ISD. BOCCC will host a fundraising hot dog booth and other food vendors will be available. Three bands scheduled to perform are Pride & Joy, Tercia and Fireside. More than 20 vendors will be on hand to offer different products and a special Kids Zone will be set up. This event is free and open to the public. Yettie Polk Park 101 S Davis St, Belton For more information, call Donna Dunn at 254-934-9500 or email donna. dunn@bodyofchristclinic.org. 2nd Annual Belton Sip and Stroll Aug. 8, 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy fine wines while strolling through beautiful downtown Belton. Goody bags include souvenir wine glass, passports and surprise which will be given at check in. $22.95 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 254-933-3332 or visit http://www.ezevent.com/Live/BeltonSitStroll/08082015/485379 Cultural Art Center Whiskey Shivers Aug. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Austin’s new bluegrass-rock band fueled with youthful artists. Performing on upright bass, fiddle, washboard, banjo, guitar, Whiskey Shivers adds a fine layer of grit on top of the hard-driving rhythms of traditional bluegrass.. Pre-show dinner: To be determined Tickets are $22 in advance or $27 at the door. For more information, visit www. cacarts.com or call 254-773-9926.

Missoula Children’s Theater: “Rapunzel” Auditions Aug. 10 10 a.m., grades 1-12 No preparation needed. Children can participate in this show as part of the cast, or sound/technical crew. Registrations for children entering grades 1-12 will be available online to gauge participation numbers for the directors. Visit www.cacARTs.org and the Cultural Activities Center Facebook business page for updates. If cast, there is a tuition fee of $65 for the week; rehearsal times are from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Each member cast will receive their own rehearsal schedule. Shows are Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Telegraph Workshop Aug. 14, ages 10 and up 9 a.m. to noon $20 per child Send a message to the past. Come learn how to use a telegraph and the fun-

Donnie Williams directs cast and crew at a rehearsal of “Salado Legends” at the Goodnight Amphitheater at Tablerock Festival in Salado. It’s the ninth season he’s directed the epic outdoor musical drama, which returns to the stage Aug. 1. Photo by Steve Pettit

damentals of Morse code. Participants will build their own basic telegraph machine to take home. Railroad & Heritage Museum 315 W. Avenue B., Temple For more information call 254-298-5172 or visit www.rrhm.org.

Family Sandcastle Challenge Aug. 15, 10 am $30 per family. A fun event the whole family can enjoy together. Pile up some sand, add some water and make your very own sandcastle. A small “kiddie pool” filled with sand will be provided. Bring your own tools. Pictures of each sandcastle will be posted

and voting takes place online. Prizes will be awarded to the top three sandcastles. A hotdog lunch will be provided for all participants. Miller Park 1919 N. First St., Temple For more information, call Terri Landeros at 254-298-5474.

Salado Legends Aug. 1, 8:15 p.m. Central Texas’ favorite outdoor musical drama, Salado Legends, returns for its 23rd year. Written by playwright/lyricist, nationally honored Jackie Mills and directed by Donnie Williams, this play was ensconced

in the Library of Congress for depicting life in the 1850s. Reservations are required for the optional dinner. Concessions building open at 7:30 p.m. Dinner 7:15 p.m., $10 adult or child; show 8:15 p.m., $20 adult, $5 for child younger than 12 years. Tickets available online at www.tablerock.org, at Fletchers Books & Antiques, First State Bank and Compass Bank, in Salado, or at the gate on the night of the performance. For group tickets, call 254-947-9205. Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater, Royal Street in Salado. Email upcoming Central Texas events to edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com.

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TexTalk well-fed head

For the love of a donkey

By Catherine Hosman

n a flash. That’s all it takes to fall in love with “Flash: The Homeless Donkey Who Taught Me about Life, Faith and Second Chances,” by Rachel Anne Ridge When life came crashing down around Ridge and her husband Tom, their three children and dog, Beau, during the recession of the mid-2000s, a lot of questions remained unanswered. Would they be able to keep their home on the acreage where they live in Central Texas? How would they earn enough money to pay their everyday bills and feed the family? Since Tom’s job in electronics disappeared like so many did during the mid2000s, would they be able to make a full living on Rachel’s art and mural business? When her part-time career became bigger than what she imagined, Tom began to work with her and they turned what was once her hobby and side job into a full blown business, creating art murals on the walls of wealthy homes. The business was taking off but things were still tense and their plate was full. Taking on another project or task just wasn’t in their plans — until a lost donkey showed up on their property. “Flash,” published by Tyndale Momentum, an Imprint of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., is a family-friendly book full of life lessons garnered from loving a donkey. In her own words, and with an assist from Holy Scripture, Ridge weaves a story relatable to every man or woman who ever fell on difficult times, and children growing up in that family. “2008 was a tough year,” Ridge said, from her home. “A lot of people had to branch out and find creative ways to make a living.” As the Ridge family was settling in to their new normal, an unexpected visitor came to call. Arriving home one evening after a days work, they found a donkey standing in their driveway. Adopting such a large responsibility, (even though they had the space) wasn’t even a consideration. Once the dust of tires breaking on gravel cleared, they secured the donkey for the night and the next day decided to find where he came from — with no success. After several attempts to find its home, and after several entertaining interludes with the donkey, who moved like lightening, Ridge named him Flash. She writes, “As soon as you name a stray animal, it’s yours. For better or worse; it’s your baby.” Flash became a member of the Ridge family and was not short on adventure. As Rachel and her family struggled to keep their life together, she began to see her life unfold in Flash’s. She mirrored herself in the donkey’s eyes, paying attention to his “aha” moments in his new home and in the process, she discovered her own. “Flash” is a book of revelations for people through their love of an animal. It’s the realization that an animal can bond as strongly with a human as the human bonds with it. It’s learning, through observation, life lessons often lost during difficult times. For example, three of the lessons Ridge writes that she learned from being a donkey parent is to always know who you are; the 26

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pursuit of excellence conquers fear and passion leads to purpose. There are eight more lessons to discover in this book that will resonate with people of all ages. “It was fun to write this book,” Ridge said. “Donkeys are comical characters, they are the underdog and undervalued. I hope that if children are reading it, they will identify with Flash as the one who is underestimated. Even though they may feel less shiny than other people, they still have impact in the world. It’s the quiet ones who put one step in front of the other that can make an impact on the world.” In many ways “Flash” is a brave book because Ridge does not hold back on the struggles she and her family endured. Feeling lost herself she said Flash opened her eyes to the everyday things that were around her. “You don’t have to do something big or grandiose that takes social media by storm,” she said. “It’s the small moments that do so much good that gets things done in the world, and that’s what it’s all about.”

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Dino Quest adventure

Teresa Chavez, director of continuing education at Central Texas College in Killeen, is surrounded by junior paleontologists from a College Kids program. 28 AUGUST 2015 | TEXfor APPEAL

CTC’s College for Kids introduces children to future careers Story by Catherine Hosman Photos by Mitchel Barrett

eresa Chavez, director of continuing education at Central Texas College, walks through the halls of the Mayborn Planetarium looking for the Dino Quest class being held as part of CTC’s summer College for Kids. She peeks around the corner and sees the empty classroom where the dinosaurs roam. All is quiet at first as the young students, ages 5 to 9, are watching a movie called, “Dinosaurs to Dusk.” Soon young paleontologists return to their classroom, all talking at the same time about what they learned from the movie and eager to perform their dinosaur show. “This is where you start kids with their love of learning,” Chavez said. “It’s fun for teachers and children. There is no homework and kids get to try out a lot of things before they get a career or go to college.” Dino Quest is just one of many classes for children that introduces them to careers in science, academics and the arts. Some of the other classes include nursing, archeology, the galaxy and aviation, just to name a few. “Come Fly with Me is the most popular,” Chavez said. “Students get to go up in a plane at the end of the class.” One student who started at College for Kids did go on to a career in aviation, she said Back in the classroom, dinosaurs are roaming. Roar! Boom boom! Rumble rumble! Swish swish! These were just some of the sounds emanating from the students who were imitating the dinosaur groups they were pretending to be. Were they a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Stegosaurus or a flying pterodactyl? Carroll Beckom, a math teacher at Harker Heights High School and Mayborn Planetarium Assistant, teaches Dino Quest, one of many science classes she teaches at CTC’s College for Kids and said the kids make fossils, talk about paleontology, cave drawings and Pangaea. Students learn how to identify the different types of dinosaurs, how to tell the difference between an herbivore,

Children inspect one of the stegosaurus eggs that’s just about ready to hatch at Central Texas College’s College for Kids Dino Quest class for 5- to 9-year-olds.

omnivore or carnivore, how to identify foot prints, teeth and even watch their very own “stegosaurus” baby hatch from an egg. As the show continued, students took their turns holding up images of dinosaurs they made and attached to a Popsicle stick. Hiding behind a classroom table laid on its side, dinosaurs began to pop up and only the voice of its creator could be heard, spewing out one liner “what do you call ...” jokes that ended with answers like “dinoSORE” or “repTILES.” “My grandson, Colin Hartley, said

he wished he could come here every day,” said his grandmother, Barbara Newman. “We weave in all the creative aspects, like fun stuff,” Chavez said. “We create wellrounded students. All these things play into being a successful person in your career. “College for Kids affords children the opportunity to try out a lot of future careers long before they make a commitment.” She said even if students take a class that does not lead to a career, it gives Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

ABOVE: Children roar, boom, swish and rumble to imitate dinosaurs with teacher Carroll Beckom. BELOW: Dino Quest participants made dinosaur eggs.

them a frame of reference. It’s good to have hobbies. It reduces stress and plants the seed for higher education on a college campus.” Creativity is very important to Chavez. When someone says to her, “I’m not creative,” she uses herself as an example. “If you don’t think you are creative, take a class. I didn’t start taking art classes until I came to this department. Now I’m painting. I’m living proof.”

Continuing Leadership As the director of continuing education, Chavez is no stranger to leadership. Born the fifth and youngest sibling of five, she is the only girl and learned early how to take the lead to stay ahead of her brothers. Before coming to CTC, she was the executive director of the German Heritage Society in Austin; worked with UT Informal Classes where she helped it grow, and served on various boards and community civic groups. A member of the CTC staff since 2001, she had her first taste of leadership when she was a senor at Copperas Cove High School and became the first female Student Council President. “I love what I do,” she said. “It 30

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changes so much.” With a wall full of degrees and diplomas, her most recent achievement was through Gonzaga University in 2007 when she earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership. “It puts people first, whether it’s employees, colleagues, or students. I gravitate to it,” she said.

Creativity in Leadership takes care of the whole organization, she said. “It helped me face my strength and weaknesses as a leader. I needed to know what my weaknesses are so I could hire people around me that have the strengths I don’t have. I want people to feel fulfilled, like they are moving on. When they leave me, they are leaving better than when I met them.”

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Alison Schannep Belliveau is the career and technology education coordinator for Killeen Independent School District.

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Secondary success

KISD Career Center prepares students for college and workforce Story by Catherine Hosman Photos by Mitchel Barrett

lison Schannep Belliveau stands in the great hall of the Killeen ISD Career Center directing students who placed in the Career and Technical Students Organization competition to their spot on the stairs for group photos. One by one and in groups of two or more, students arrive in various modes of dress depending on their course of study. Some show up in scrubs, others in blue jeans and T-shirts. The most noticeable thing about this group is that they all seemed totally comfortable in their skin. No pretenses, just a bunch of teens getting ready to continue their next year at the center or prepare for graduation. Because of the skills they learned at the center, some will step right into the workforce and others will continue their education for their selected career path to achieve an associate, bachelor, master and possibly a doctorate degree. “The Career Center’s purpose is to prepare students for a viable workforce because our economy needs it,” said Belliveau, career and technology education coordinator for KISD. “Whether they go straight into the workforce or college, then workforce, hopefully we are that avenue.” Graduate James Smallwood, 18, studied welding at the center. He said he plans to continue his education and pursue an associate’s degree in his field of study. “I learned the basics of welding and metal fabrication and how to start my own business,” Smallwood said. “I gained in confidence, did a lot of work while at school. I know when I get out of school I can do my own business.” While the buzz of activities continued, students stopped to visit with friends. Willie Daude, 18, said he was a bit rebellious when he first came to the center and Belliveau guided him to be more professional. “Every time I walked into

Chantal Dupre, left, and Emma Bee gently examine the ears of Harley, a blue healer pup, for parasites.

In the classroom

The KISD Career Center offers nine career clusters for high school students. They include Arts, A/V Technology & Communications; Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; Health Science, Information Technology; Architecture & Construction; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics; Manufacturing; Human Services/Cosmetology, and Education & Training. For more information visit www. kidscareercenter.org.

the door I had to take my hat off,” said Daude, a three-year automotive student who was known to wear his spurs to school. “She kept me out of trouble in all my classes.” Daude said he has a passion for working on anything with a motor, from tractors to trucks and bikes. “Anything I

can make loud,” he said. “The most important thing (I learned) probably is how to manage a shop environment.” During his three years at the center, Daude earned all nine required automotive certificates and is fully certified. “It is unusual for a technical institute to have classes in automotive and diesel in Peterbilt,” he said.” Less than two weeks after he graduated, Daude moved to Dallas where he landed a job at ATF, ATC Freightliner. Esther Solis, 18, wants to be a pediatric oncologist. During her three years at the Center she learned phlebotomy, practicum and business administration. ”This matured me. It helped me to get out in the world to be with patients, learn time management, responsibility,” said Solis, who admits to being a procrastinator in the past. “Now I get it done.” Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

ABOVE: LaMisha Stinson, cosmetology instructor, teaches hair cutting techniques to students Frencheska Acevedo Lory, Daija Mandy and Sydney Leimer. AT RIGHT: Alexus Ross, 19, learns the art of hair braiding.

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Solis was inducted into the National Tech Honor Society and this fall she begins pre-med studies at The University of Texas San Antonio with a major in biology. “This has given me the confidence to go after what I want and whatever I put on my plate I can accomplish,” she said. “I call Alison the career and technical guru leader,” said longtime colleague Karen Denney, college and curriculum readiness coordinator. “She doesn’t shy away from challenges. She knows the questions and is willing to help other people succeed in their leadership roles at the center.” Denney said Belliveau recognizes the impact the center has in the workplace and dedicates herself to helping the students get workplace ready. “Our students are more mature than other high school kids,” Belliveau said. “We teach them employability skills, how to write resumes, how to get to work on time.” For now, Killeen ISD is the only Continued

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From left, Staci Bray, Alison Belliveau and Allicia Guzman prepare roses that will be made into centerpieces for a special event.

school district that offers this type of high school. “We re a testing site for industry certifications,” she said. The KISD Career Center offers nine areas of study that prepare students for a life outside of high school, as well as a Work Keys Employability Program. With this program, Belliveau said they can determine the best fit for a student, based on transferable skills. Students work toward earning a National Career Readiness Certificate by learning applied mathematics, reading for information, and how to locate information. Much sought-after soft skills in today’s work environment also are taught and students learn the importance of good work habits, communication skills, workplace effectiveness, business etiquette and how to job search. “We help train students to understand what employees are looking for and if they don’t have these attributes, they may not get a job,” Belliveau said. The career center prepares high school students for workforce, college and career readiness. It also offers industry certifications, knowledge and skills in a

Chantel Dupre practices her veterinary technician skills on Harley, a blue healer puppy.

student’s chosen industry; for example, automotive, a three-year program.

Graduate Staci Bray, 18, achieved her certification as a veterinary assistant (CVA). She is president of the Future Farmers of America and has a love for stock animals. Because of the center, she was able to step into her chosen career field. “Working as a CVA at any vet clinic pays more than the minimum wage,” she said. A quick walk through the school reveals the secrets behind the walls of this limestone institution of higher learning. The automotive center is a full-scale shop with the latest equipment, an in-house television studio teaches news anchor hopefuls the skills of working in front of the camera, complete with a green screen, while the stationery sets give future photographers the opportunity to practice capturing portraits. Just around one of the corners, the pungent fragrance of a salon reaches your senses. Inside cosmetology students gather around their instructor, LaMisha Stinson, as she demonstrates how to cut hair on a Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

mannequin. At another bay, students are practicing the art of African hair braiding. And in another section of the room, students are learning how to create glamour with the right makeup for the right look. “Students earn all their hours in high school and never have to go to a school of cosmetology,” Belliveau said, adding that this saves students a lot of money. When school is in session, the general public can patronize the salon on Tuesdays for hair, makeup, manicures and pedicures done by the students. A few doors down is the animal science clinic. Walking into the area, the first thing that catches the eye is the number of large “dogs” laying on top of the exam tables being administered to by students in blue scrubs. At first, they seem real. On closer inspection, the true species of the dogs is revealed – they are all mannequin dogs of variable colors and the size of a German shepherd. Students studying for their certification as a veterinary assistant are practicing how to splint and bandage a broken paw. Suddenly a puppy barks, as if to say, “We are not all mannequins. I’m here,” and two young students are gently examining the pup for any parasites or ear infections. A few yards down the hallway, another fragrance tips the senses. Only this time, it’s the aroma of fresh flowers drifting from the floral design classroom that shares space with the animal science lab, both taught by Sarah Crawford. On this day the students were creating European hand-tied bouquets for the 2015 KISD Star Maker Banquet honoring the top 10 students from each high school in the district. As students untangled the white roses that just arrived in boxes, skeletons, bones and artifacts of animals watched from the shelves. On the wall hangs a sign, “Dreams are not something to wait for; they are something to work for.” “The best part is that they let us know that life changes and we must adapt and push forward,” said outgoing student Alicia Huckabee. “Teachers are here to push the students to achieve their goals. Classes here are smaller and we get a lot of oneon-one with the teachers. It helps us to grow into a more capable individual.”

Guiding the next generation Before Belliveau became the coordinator for the KISD Career Center, and even before she became a teacher, she had 38

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Jonathan Schuler, 18, bandages the injured paw on his patient during a veterinary class at the KISD Career Center.

a career in banking. It was while she was the manager of a local bank she observed the high school students who were being hired for their first job. “I saw a gap in skills kids were bringing to the bank,” she said. “I wanted to bridge that gap by going into education and becoming a teacher.” Some of the gap she noticed was soft skills. She said some applicants brought their boyfriends to fill out the applica-

tion and made personal calls on company time. “Surely there was a way we could teach these kids not to do that,” she thought. After receiving her bachelor’s degree she taught at Shoemaker High School for seven years. Upon earning her master degrees, she worked as a CTE director for Temple ISD for four years before becoming the CTE coordinator at the KISD

Alison Schannep Belliveau with her secretary, Kay Foster, at the KISD Career Center.

Career Center. Now in her 15th year of education, Belliveau said she is extremely honored and humbled. A self-proclaimed military brat, she moved with her family as a child to Texas, Hawaii, Kansas and Germany, where she got to travel around Europe with family and her youth group from school. She remembers summers in Italy and Austria. Her military background gave her an advantage with the military students who attend KISD Career Center. Belliveau, a mother of two with husband Owen, was herself a product of the public school system. Now she encourages parents and students to explore different careers in high school before heading off to college. “You have to prepare for a four-year plan for high school,” Belliveau said.

“Students need to map out the courses they want to do and CTE career counsel-

ors help kids plan for their academic and workplace careers.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Ashley Dietze is president of the Junior League of Bell County. 40

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Children learn healthy eating habits with

Kids in the Kitchen Story by Catherine Hosman Photos by JULIE NABOURS and courtesy of the JUNIOR LEAGUE

shley Dietze, president of the Junior League of Bell County, is passionate about the health of children. She is on a mission to teach kids about healthy eating and snacking through Kids in the Kitchen, an association-wide initiative of the Association of Junior Leagues International. In partnership with the Ralph Wilson Youth Club in Temple, volunteers from the League visit with children to teach them about healthy alternatives. “We really try to teach them about making healthy snacks a choice of what they are going to have,” Dietze said. Children today are bombarded with advertisement about fast foods and unhealthy snacks. Dietze said if they don’t have a strong voice at home guiding them on their choices, they will continue to want the unhealthy food choices targeted to children. “As an adult, I make conscious choices about what I want to eat,” Dietze said. “Many children don’t even know.”

Promoting nutrition Kids in the Kitchen was started in March 2007, Dietze said, which is National Nutrition Month in the United States and Canada. It began in Bell County this past March in partnership with the Ralph Wilson Youth Club. KITK provides an afternoon school program with healthy snacks. “The program started on March 24, 2015, when the JL was able to provide healthy snacks and a nutrition lesson to 25 girls that signed up to participate. This was followed by a program for boys on April 23.” Snacks included fruit pizzas, ham and cheese pinwheels. Dietze said the children had fun making the snacks and learning about these healthy options to other snack choices.

Boys who attend the after-school programs at the Ralph Wilson Youth Club learn about healthy snacking with Junior League of Bell County volunteers.

“Kids in the Kitchen is actually quadrupling its number of events,” she said. “Our goal is to reach as many children as we can. Ralph Wilson is a great partner and we would like to expand the number of partnerships in Western Bell County.” Charlie Kimmey, executive director of the Ralph Wilson Youth club, said he was excited when the Junior League approached him to host this program. “The health and wellness of children is a big deal. Childhood obesity is a big deal,” he said. “With KITK we can address both of those areas. The volunteers of the Junior League are great in this area.” Kimmey said through this program children are learning the importance of healthy snacks and meals and can encourage their parents to choose healthier foods on the home front.

A philanthropic upbringing As president of the Junior League of Bell County for 2015-16, Dietze is taxed with the responsibility of guiding the board of directors, director of the league, oversee the president elect other elected board members and community leaders Continued

Fire Ants and Grass Clippings Cook time: 5 minutes Total time: 5 minutes Makes: 4

Ingredients 12 oz. broccoli slaw ½ cup Asian ginger low-fat dressing ¼ cup craisins ¼ cup green pumpkin seeds ¼ cup bacon crumbles Directions Open bag of broccoli slaw. Dump slaw, craisins, bacon and pumpkin seeds in bowl. Pour dressing over slaw. Toss well Note: This recipe is best if it sits in the fridge for a couple of hours and is tossed again before serving. Source: Cecily Lilly, Junior League of Florence TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Strawberry Banana Slush Cuisine: dessert/snack Makes: 4

Supplies Measuring Cups Blender Knife Small Cups for each child Spoons Ingredients 1 banana 1 cup frozen strawberries 1 cup water (for less sugar) 1 cup ice cubes 1½ to 2 cups Greek yogurt Directions Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a cup and serve with spoon. Source: Junior League of Dallas

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Prep time: 10 minutes Total time: 10 minutes Makes: 2

Ingredients 4 slices whole grain bread 2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard or whole grain mustard 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese 6 slices turkey bacon, crisp-cooked 1 Granny Smith apple, cut into ¼-inch slices Directions Spread the mustard: Arrange the bread slices on a work surface. Spread the mustard evenly over the sides of the bread that are facing up using a table knife. Add the fillings: Sprinkle half the cheese on two of the bread slices. Arrange the bacon and apples slices over the cheese and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Place the remaining bread slices on top and press gently. Grill the sandwiches: Spray a skillet over medium heat with nonstick cooking spray. Place the sandwiches carefully in the skillet. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the bottom bread is golden brown, pressing down gently with a spatula. Turn the sandwiches over with the spatula and cook until golden brown. Remove the sandwiches to the work surface and carefully cut into triangles with a table knife. Serve warm. Source: Junior Leagues in the Kitchen with Kids cookbook

YOUGURT PARFAIT

Cuisine: Breakfast/Dessert/Snack Makes: 1 Supplies Measuring Cups Bowls Spoons Knives Ingredients ¾ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt (try Greek if available) 1 cup banana, frozen raspberries, blueberries, black-berries, strawberries, and/or peaches thawed ½ cup granola cereal 42

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Directions Using a 16-ounce glass, spoon ¼ cup of yogurt into glass. Top yogurt layer with 1/3 cup frozen fruit. Top fruit layer with ¼ cup granola cereal. Top granola layer with ¼ cup yogurt followed by 1/3 cup frozen fruit followed by another ¼ cup granola. Top granola with ¼ cup yogurt and the last 1/3 cup of frozen fruit. Serve & Enjoy! Source: Junior League of Dallas

Ashley Dietze is the 2015-16 president of the Junior League of Bell County. Board members focus much of their philanthropic efforts to help children. From left are Kimberly Wooten, treasurer; Kristine Crum, vice president of membership; Lauren Lawrence, vice president of finance; Christina McLaughllin, president elect; President Ashley Dietze; Reann Murray, secretary; Lauren Ellis, nominating and placement chair, and Amber Beimer, vice president of community.

they work with. “We want to make sure that all of our projects and initiatives are in line with our mission,” she said. Their mission is “to promote volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. ... It is committed to supporting the well-being of children in Bell County through community service.” Dietze, the proposal coordinator for MW Builders, is no stranger to philanthropy. As a National Honor Society member in high school and college (she graduated from the University of Texas in 2008 with a bachelor of science in administration with a minor in business) she was required to complete a certain amount of philanthropic hours a semester. As a child, she was active in Girl Scouts and said her parents “volunteered with me as a child.” In 2012, when she and her husband Zach, the assistant administrator of Seton Medical Center in Harker Heights, lived in Houston, she wanted a way to give back to community. She volunteered at the Texas Children’s Hospital where many Houston Junior League volunteers gave

Campfire Crunch

An outdoor-inspired snack that’s simple! Makes: 1 Ingredients 3-4 green grapes, sliced in half 3-4 red grapes, sliced in half 1 slice cheddar cheese 2-3 medium carrots, finely sliced 6 pretzel sticks, broken into pieces Directions Clap your hands and rub them together to get them nice and warm. Place the grape halves, cut side down, in a small circle, about the size of a cup. Use clean scissors or rip the cheddar cheese to look like flames. Gently press the cheese flames together so they stand up. Place them in the center of the grape fire pit. Lay the carrot pieces on the cheese, upright. Place the pretzel pieces around the flames. Now sing a campfire song. Bean Appétit! Source: Bean Sprouts

their time. She decided to apply to join the League and when she moved to Bell County, she transferred her membership. “With giving back our focus is with

children,” she said. “We want to make sure the projects we have look at the needs in our community and resonate with our members.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

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Photo by Eric J. Shelton

James Jones IV

A voice for so many through community service Story by Catherine Hosman

ames Jones IV’s presence seems to enter a room before he does. But he doesn’t know it. A soon-to-be seventh-grade student at Patterson Middle School in Killeen, he is a well-adjusted 12-year-old who likes hanging with his friends, being outside and playing basketball. But that is just the kid side of this accomplished young man. Named one of the Central Texas Incredible Kids for 2015, he also was awarded Texas Regional Youth of the Year for the Woody Boys & Girls Club for the second year in a row, was honored at the NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet and was the youngest keynote speaker with the theme, “Courage Will Not Skip This Generation,” based on one of his favorite songs. In his speech, he talks about what it means to be brave and courageous. “I looked up the definition of courage and found that there are many definitions and many ways to describe what it is. Courage is the ability and the willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation,” he said. “It’s the quality of mind and spirit that empowers a person to face difficulty, danger or pain, without or in spite of fear.” Calvin R. Darthard Sr., deputy chief professional officer at Boys & Girls Club of Central Texas, nominated Jones for his service at the club, where he has been a member since 2010, for his leadership in helping other kids with homework, his ability to console the youngest youth and a genuine caring in the well-being of those younger than himself. “James is an inspiration for every young child that has come in contact with him,” Darthard said. “He is one of a kind and this kid has the potential for one day being the president of the

“You don’t have to do everything perfect, but do it with excellence. You have to have leadership, hope and stay in faith, have confidence and help someone else.”

James Jones IV

United States. He gives all his praise to God and his family values, his mom, his dad and his grandmother. It takes a village to raise a child. He has a lasting effect on you. Just meet him one time and you will understand it.” Jones’ philanthropy doesn’t stop with the club. He also started “James Jones’ Little Bites of Love” for soldiers. Together with his mom, Jaliea, who bakes the cookies and brownies, they visit wounded warriors, soldiers and veterans and pass out the cookies to them to thank them for their service. “The things we do for people in the Boys & Girls Club makes me want to find other things to do for people on my own,” Jones said in his speech when he received his award from the club this year. Jones’ gift is the ability to speak from the heart on any subject. And when he does sit down and talk, he makes eye contact with whomever he is speaking. But it’s not a monologue with Jones, he is also an adept listener and can hold a conversation with anyone, even those years older than him. “When Mr. Calvin asked me to do the invocation at the Boys and

Girls Club, I got to speak with people I wouldn’t usually be able to meet, like Doug Currin of KCEN,” he said. Add Killeen Mayor Scott Cosper and Killeen ISD Superintendent John Craft to that list — Jones can hold his own in any situation. Much of his success can be credited to his parents, James III and Jaliea Jones. “We are very hands-on when it comes to James,” Jaliea Jones said. “It comes down to two simple words,” said his dad, James III. “Just care.” “We try to give him the tools that he needs, everything to have to make a commitment to his life,” Jaliea said. “This is one of the most important things.” Although he admits that sometimes he gets mischievous, he knows that if he makes a mistake or does something wrong, that tomorrow is a “redo day.” “My parents taught me that there is always tomorrow,” he said. “You can fix this. There is always a spot for you to fix what you did.” “Atonement,” Jaliea said. “Own what you’ve done, admit it. If we drop the ball and make a mistake in front of him, we fix it in front of him. Love is the foundation — the basis for acceptance and excellence.” He enjoys making people happy and showing others that if he can accomplish something, so can they. “You don’t have to do everything perfect, but do it with excellence. You have to have leadership, hope and stay in faith, have confidence and help someone else. I would never think of someone my age doing an invocation, speaking and winning these awards,” said Jones, who aspires to attend the University of Texas, West Point and someday become the president of the United States. Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Camryn Cotton Cancer survivor spreads empathy and hope One way she helps others is by growing her amryn Cotton, soon to hair only to cut it and donate it to Locks of be a third-grader at Sparta Elementary in Belton, is fashionably on time with her Love, an organization that provides wigs to mom, Tanya, at her side. She is dressed children suffering from hair loss due to illness. in a pink-flowered dress with brown trim, a jeans jacket with the sleeves When asked why she chose to harvest her rolled up and brown cowgirl boots. At first glance, she appears like a typical, hair, Camryn replied, “I’ve already been bright, bubbly 8-year-old girl who likes to play softball. But something is differthrough that and I realized that other people ent. There is an air of maturity about her that belies her age. Camryn is a need help. They can’t grow hair and I wanted cancer survivor. Named one of the Central Texas Incredible Kids for 2015, she was nomi- to donate some if they can’t grow any.” Story by Catherine Hosman

nated by her math teacher John Warden and counselor Shannon Harmsen for her bravery in overcoming acute myeloid leukemia and helping other children diagnosed with cancer. “I know what it takes (to be nominated) I know what they are looking for, someone with an incredible story,” said Warden, who learned her story when he taught her brothers and sisters. “Where they came from, having a baby with leukemia, it’s the worst thing for a mom, not knowing if her daughter is going to be here next year.” Camryn was 9 months old when she was diagnosed in August 2007. Her prognosis was grim, but hope ran high in her family. “She was diagnosed on a Saturday and in chemo on Sunday,” said her mother, Tanya Cotton. After an intense five months of chemotherapy, Camryn went into remission. “The type of chemo she had almost killed her,” her mother recalled. “It was awful, terrible, the worst thing we went through.” Camryn’s last chemo treatment was in February 2008, but she doesn’t 46

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remember much about her illness. In fact, she has no memory at all about the ordeal she went through. However, she is reminded when she goes for her annual check-up and also by the permanent side affects she developed from the chemo, such as leg pain, fatigue and scars in her eyes. “Sometimes it gets real blurry and I have to blink again,” Camryn said, adding that she must look past the scars to see what is going on around her. There are no correctional lenses for this type of eye problem. Despite the after-effects of her treatments seven years ago, Camryn is welladjusted and is using her experience to help others. “She shows resiliency in the face of adversity and demonstrates empathy, said Harmsen. “She has a willingness to get back up and show care and is encouraged in her family to help others.” One way she helps others is by growing her hair only to cut it and donate it to Locks of Love, an organization that provides wigs to children suffering from hair loss due to illness. When asked why

she chose to harvest her hair, Camryn replied, “I’ve already been through that and I realized that other people need help. They can’t grow hair and I wanted to donate some if they can’t grow any.” Right now her hair is shoulder length and she plans to continue growing it for another donation. While she is waiting, she spreads the word of hope to young patients, and parents of diagnosed children, with compassion and love. “It’s gonna’ be all right,” she tells children she visits at Dell Children’s Hospital, where she received treatment. “You can make it through this. I did.” When she grows up, she said she wants to be a neonatal intensive care nurse and work with the smallest of cancer patients. “She’s the full package,” Harden said. “She’s been through a real traumatic experience. To be an incredible kid, yeah, it was bravery, but also character to come through and want to give back. She came through and it’s who she still is becoming.” Continued

Photo by Catherine Hosman

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AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Courtesy photos

Zachary Petty Project brings warmth to those who are cold

Story by Catherine Hosman

ine-year old Zachary Petty is a giver. A soon-to-be thirdgrader at Clements/Parsons Elementary School in Copperas Cove, the youngest child of Brandy and Timothy Petty, he was named one of the Incredible Kids for 2015. “I was aware of all the community service he had been doing and impressed with a lot the volunteer work he did. He always strives to do his best in the classroom and is so kind and helpful wherever he goes,” said Sheila Gilbert, his second-grade teacher, who nominated him for the award. Already impressed by this young boy’s philanthropy, it was when Gilbert watched as he collected all of the abandoned coats from the lost and founds at the end of the 2014 school year that helped make his nomination easy. “After he collected the coats he took the initiative and talked to the man at the laundromat to get them all washed so he would be able to give them to the people who really needed them,” Gilbert said. Zachary came up with the idea when he noticed that there was a lot of clothing, coats, shoes and other things abandoned in the lost and founds at local schools and wanted to collect them for donation. “Mom was working at school and the lost and found (closet) was outside the office,” he said. He asked his mom if he could take the clothes to donate to such charities as The Cove House, YMCA and Refuge Corp. “He collected 800 pounds of coats, shoes, clothes and lunchboxes from CCISD schools,” said his mother, Brandy Petty. “It was really fun doing it,” Zachary

“It was really fun doing it. I didn’t want kids to be cold in the winter.”

Zachary Petty

Petty said. “I didn’t want kids to be cold in the winter.” Once the clothes were collected, he called Kenny Wells at Wells Laundry for help in washing all the clothes at Wells’ Copperas Cove location. “He gave us quarters and soap and we washed clothes for six hours straight,” Zachary said. While they were in the laundry, a woman and her children were there washing clothes. When Zachary learned the family was having difficult times, he invited the woman to go through the stack of clothes and take what she needed for her children. “She stayed and helped us do the laundry,” he said. Once the all the clothes were ready, Zachary and his family donated the goods to the Cove House, YMCA and

Refuge House, which gives the clothing directly to people in need, with the remainder going to the Refuge House thrift store. “All the proceeds go back to the shelter,” he said. Zachary is a Cub Scout at the Bear level, “you go from tiger to wolf to bear,” is on his school’s wrestling team, sings in the school choir, volunteers at Special Olympics with his family, participates in numerous 5Ks raising money for charities, and was Junior Mr. Rabbit Fest at this year’s pageant. On Veterans Day and Memorial Day he goes with his family to the cemetery to place flags on the graves of forgotten military veterans. With his family, he has donated his time to various events around the community including the Fort Hood Hero Remembrance Walk and the Keep Copperas Cove Beautiful Waterway Cleanup in May. “I just like being nice to people so other people won’t be mean to other people,” said Zachary, who wants to be a firefighter when he grows up so he can help people. Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Julian Navarro Helping others rise above their disability

ulian Navarro felt amazed when he was selected as a Central Texas Incredible Kids of 2015. He said he was proud to be one of the winners. A soon-to-be freshman at Copperas Cove High School this fall, Navarro was nominated by Nancy Harvey, his 8-1 inclusion teacher at S.C. Lee Junior High, for his bravery in overcoming two surgeries to remove two brain tumors that caused him to lose 75 percent of his sight, and for not letting his disability slow him down when it came to helping others. “As parents we felt honored for Julian to receive this award,” said his mother, Jhoana Moriniere. “His receiving this award furthered the thought that we are leading him down the correct path in life.” Navarro was in the third grade and didn’t realize he had a tumor. “I noticed I couldn’t see out of my left eye and we went to an optometrist,” Navarro, 14, said. That visit was followed up with a specialist who ordered an MRI that confirmed the benign tumor. His first surgery was at the age of 9, but they were unable to remove the entire tumor because it was so close to his optic nerve. Two years later, that tumor grew back and the second surgery caused him to lose 50 percent of his sight in his right eye. Despite these challenges,

“Meeting new people helps me to get to know them better and learn how they came to be what they are today.”

Julian Navarro

Navarro continued to attend school and participate in his favorite activities. When he was 12, he attended Texas Lions Camp for special needs children and received an award for being the most helpful. “I would help people make up their beds, get around, open jars,” Navarro said. Helping people seems to be easy for him because he enjoys meeting new people and getting to know them on a deeper level. “Meeting new people helps me to get to know them better and learn how they came to be what they are today,” he said. “What happened in their lives to get them where they are today?” Two of his favorite activities are bowling and archery, which challenges his strength. “You have to pull the bow completely back, there is a lot of force and you have to be careful that it doesn’t snap back,” he said. Although he hasn’t gotten a bull’s-

eye yet, he said he’s come close. He also scuba dives and takes lessons at Teen Challenge Camp and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he also takes cooking lessons. “We learn how to cook sauces, pastries, pizzas and mom’s Friendship Bread,” he said. “I wanted to make something to share with my dormitory and mom’s bread is always a winner.” Harvey said Navarro never uses his disability as a crutch. “He pushes himself and tries his best at all times.” After high school, Navarro said he wants to study cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Austin to become a chef and open his own restaurant. “He doesn’t let anything stop him,” Moriniere said. “If someone says he can’t do it, he’ll find a way to do it. His advice to other children who are facing challenges is to not let it “beat you up.” “Stay positive and pray for the best,” he said. “Even if things go wrong it can still turn around. Don’t let anyone else tell you what you can or can’t do.” “Our hope for Julian’s future is that he goes on to graduate high school and follows his passion in cooking, and of course open his very own restaurant,” Moriniere said. “He has a lot of people rooting for him and supporting him, so we believe he will achieve his goals.

His first surgery was at the age of 9, but they were unable to remove the entire tumor. Two years later, that tumor grew back and the second surgery caused him to lose 50 percent of his sight in his right eye. 50

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Photo by Eric J. Shelton

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AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP

100 W. Central Texas Expressway (Extraco Bank building), Suite 106, Harker Heights, TX 76548 (also have offices in Galveston) 254-699-9999 | crissrousseau.com Retired Judge Susan Criss and Colonel (Retired) Rick Rousseau opened the Criss & Rousseau Law Firm LLP to provide legal services utilizing their extensive practice and experience. The firm handles consumer law, criminal law, education law, edler law, estate planning, family law, guardianships, medical malpractice, military law, personal injury, probate and estate administration, special needs planning, taxation and veterans claims/benefits law cases. A former Texas District Court Judge, Criss served on the bench for 15 years. Before that, she worked as a prosecutor in the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office for almost a decade. She tried hundreds of cases in nearly 30 years. As a judge, Criss presided over Retired Judge Susan Criss and Colonel (Retired) Rick Rousseau some of the biggest, most complex and high-profile litigation in the state, including cases arising from the 2005 BP explosion and Robert Durst murder trial. Now, Criss is back to doing what she loves best – fighting for people in court. She is board certifi ed in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Rousseau spent 27 years as a Military judge advocate. He deployed three times and twice served as the Staff Judge Advocate (Senior Legal Adviser) for Fort Hood, along with experience as Regional Defense Counsel, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, defense counsel, prosecutor, medical claims attorney, administrative law attorney and legal assistance attorney. He also served as a full-time law professor at the JAG School in Charlottesville, Va., where he taught estate planning, federal income taxation, estate and gift taxation, and veterans and survivor benefits. Now, Rousseau is back doing what he enjoys most – taking care of service members, military families, retirees, veterans and Texas residents. He is accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide representation services to claimants before the VA. Criss & Rousseau bring their experience and reputations for fighting for the rights of others during their long careers in government service to the private sector. Open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment. Let Criss & Rousseau serve and fight for you! Photo by Miriam Rousseau TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Mary Beth

Harrell Law Office Team

Harrell Law Firm

1519 Florence Road, Suite 20, Killeen 254-680-4655 | harrellattorneystx.com Criminal defense attorney Mary Beth Harrell’s love of the law began at age 9 when she watched the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Since then, the law has been her passion, and since graduating from St. Mary’s University Law School in San Antonio and earning her license to practice law on May 10, 1998, she’s been grateful to realize her lifelong dream. “My mission is to see justice done. To diligently and passionately defend my clients, and to do my best to get their cases dismissed or reduced, or win at trial.” As a woman lawyer specializing solely in criminal defense, Harrell says experience from work as a prosecutor helps her better serve clients. “I know the prosecutors and judges and police officers. I know how prosecutors think and what’s important to them and I make that work for my client. I know what it takes for them to try to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s why I have been able to get very serious cases dismissed and that’s why I win at trial. I’ve practiced in Bell County and Central Texas for 16 years.” Through “hard work, more hard work, staying on top of changes in the law, and a big dose of empathy for our clients and their families,” Harrell’s practice has garnered praise from clients. “When you’ve been arrested and charged with a crime, you have a lot to lose. Most folks who walk into my office are scared and stressed out. They’re afraid of going back to jail, afraid of losing their job, losing their reputation, losing their professional license, losing their career, losing their marriage, losing their freedom, losing their home, losing their military career, or even losing their children. You could lose everything,” she said. “I understand and so do my paralegals, my investigator and my experts.” While her clients offer testimonials about Harrell’s work on her website, a leading national lawyer referral website – www.avvo.com 54

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– conferred the “client’s choice” award on Harrell two years in a row. Avvo.com also recognized her as a “superb” top criminal defense attorney, and the National Trial Lawyers association recently named Harrell as one of the Top 100 criminal defense lawyers in Texas. Her ability to relate to clients and willingness to work hard have made her practice successful. “We file motions that get cases dismissed or help us win at trial. I know you’re thinking, well aren’t you supposed to do that? Yes, but you’d be surprised how many lawyers just don’t or won’t. I’ve had major felonies in state and federal court dismissed because I filed the right motion and won. And I suppose being an Army wife and mom has given me special empathy and understanding for soldiers and their families. I have a lot of active-duty and retired clients. Understanding Army rank, structure and language has helped me to help them.” But Harrell doesn’t work alone. Her hard-working team includes paralegal Teresa Stubblefield. “She’s worked with me for 13 years,” Harrell said. “ You’ll notice that many of our clients praise her by name in their testimonials. I couldn’t do it without her, but don’t tell her that. And our most recent addition, Samantha Gibbs, has been with us just a few months but she’s learning fast and is a real asset. Marina Trevino worked for us for several years but the Bell County Attorney stole her away to work for him. That tells you how good she is – and she bakes world-class cupcakes.” Along with doing her best for each and every client, Harrell also recently organized the Bell County Women’s Bar Association so women lawyers can mentor, nurture and empower each other. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, including hours during lunch, Harrell and her team can be reached via email at harrellattorney@ gmail.com. Stop by and see why Harrell Law Firm is “tough, smart and impressive.”

M. Bryon Barnhill

Law Office of M. Bryon Barnhill, PLLC 331 Indian Trail, Suite 101, Harker Heights 254-690-4003

After working for a high-volume, low-fee firm in Killeen for four years, attorney M. Bryon Barnhill decided to open his own law office in October 1999. “I opened the Law Office of M. Bryon Barnhill to provide more personalized service with a higher quality and level of care for each individual client,” he said. Focused on developing long-term customer relationships, Barnhill practices family law, criminal, business law and elder care law in a friendly environment and is board-certified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. “When you call my office during normal business hours, you will always be greeted by a person,” he said. “I truly believe that people reach out to lawyers specifically due to an immediate crisis issue in their family or business relationships. We are well known to be a point of comfort and reassurance during what can be the most stressful time in your life. Even if the legal matter is not one we handle, my office tries to direct you to someone who can help.” His staff keeps clients informed through each step of the legal process, providing choices when possible to keep costs under control. That clientcentered service has led to success. “Most of our business comes by word of mouth and by referrals from other attorneys.” “I have developed a reputation for being an aggressive attorney in the courtroom and an effective mediator outside the courtroom. Many clients are surprised by the difference in my friendly, calm demeanor with them in the office and the hard edge I exhibit in the courtroom when action is necessary.” Barnhill and his staff emphasize honesty and transparency with clients, part of the service that keeps clients coming back. “I have many family and business clients that return to us for service, and send their friends and family, which to me is a comment on the trust and satisfaction our clients have with our services,” Barnhill said. “Our law office principally provides services in the areas of family law, criminal law and business law. We also offer elder care law,

including assistance with Veterans Affairs and Medicare benefits for assisted living and long-term care. Clients have valued the overlap in these areas and the fact they can come to one office for most of their legal needs.” Hiring high-quality staff has made the practice successful. “The attorneys I have partnered with throughout the last 20 years are respected judges and my key paralegal and trusted friend has worked with me for the entirety of the existence of the law office. One of the reasons our business is so successful is that we handle legal matters we are experienced with and to do not attempt to take whatever comes in the door,” he said. “We control the number of clients we have so that we do not become a high-volume practice.” One key part of the team is office manager Susan Chandler, who has worked with the office since the beginning. “I began working with Susan while with a law firm in Killeen and immediately recognized her talents in running a law office from both the legal and business side,” Barnhill said. “Susan has demonstrated a loyalty and dedication to doing the right thing by the cliaent. Her integrity and fair dealings with our clients as well as her proficiency in the legal field makes her an invaluable asset and trusted friend. She is also boardcertified in family law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, paralegal division, of which there are only about 125 in the state.” While the staff is dedicated to professionalism, they also strive to create a family-friendly environment that is warm and receptive to clients. “My motto for years had been that ‘you would rather have me sitting next to you than opposing you.’” Along with practicing law, the firm also gives back to the community. “We are a member of the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce, have actively supported our veterans, provide assistance when called upon by Fort Hood and participated with local charities,” Barnhill said. “I am actively involved as a leader in my church and have been a director for Upward Basketball.” TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Owner and managing partner Craig Carlson

The Carlson Law Firm 400 W. Jasper Drive, Killeen 254-526-5688 | carlsonattorneys.com

Owner and manager Craig Carlson opened the Carlson Law Firm in Bell County after serving in the United States military, with the desire to continue to serve soldiers and their families. With a mission to help people with legal issues in a caring and compassionate way, the Carlson Law Firm handles personal injury, family law and criminal cases. “We try to go the extra mile to provide signature customer service so that our clients know we care and to obtain the best outcome,” Carlson said. A willingness to take on challenging, complicated and unique cases has helped the law firm make a name for itself in Central Texas. “Our caring attorneys and staff are willing to put in the extra effort and time to obtain the best results possible. “With a family-like atmosphere, our firm is very close knit, even with offices spread across the state.” Beyond the courtroom, the staff also gives back to the community. “Our attorneys and staff are involved in various community organizations, such as MADD, Rotary, Junior League, free legal clinics, the United Way and sponsoring and participating in the CenTex Race Series.” The Carlson Law Firm recently purchased the Summit building at 100 E. Central Texas Expressway in Killeen, on the corner of Florence Road and the highway frontage road. The firm is in the process of renovating the building in order to relocate its law offices from 400 W. Jasper Drive. Suzie Canales, who has been with the firm for three years, provides reception at the front desk and is one of eight agents who staff the law 56

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firm’s call center, which fields calls for every Carlson Law Firm branch in Texas as well as calls from all over the country. “We’re very excited to see our new space,” Canales said. “It’s very tight here.” There are more than 40 staff members in the Killeen office, including 10 lawyers, some of whom currently share an office because of space constraints. “The expansion is good for everybody, and good for morale,” said Lisa Griffin, chief operating officer for the firm. Griffin explained the remodeled Summit building will provide space for a much larger call center and for every lawyer to have a private office. It also will include a larger reception area, a spacious staff break room and a larger training room to accommodate all of Carlson’s lawyers who come in from the law firm’s many branches throughout the state to participate in monthly training sessions. In addition, the remodeled Summit building will house a conference room three times the size of the current one, providing space for community events such as Rotary Club meetings and church gatherings, according to Griffin. Griffin said the building renovations, which include upgrades for greater energy efficiency, are due for completion around the end of August. Come on in and see how we care. We can help.

TexFit

Stranger danger Story and photo by Jessica Pearce

even-year-old Killeen resident Danydia Thompson was abducted near Marlboro Heights Elementary School in broad daylight by a stranger who allegedly gave her a piggyback ride, according to a local newspaper account. Danydia’s body was found near the Lampasas River eight days later. Although the incident occurred in 1997, Killeen police are still looking for leads on this cold case. “Nobody thinks it will happen to them,” said Cyndi Holman, co-owner of Bell County EMS Training, along with her husband Jon. Together they have made it their aim to prevent such events from reoccurring. Three years ago they started “Stranger Danger,” a class designed for children and their parents to educate them on how to deal with strangers. The class is designed for all school-age children, and lasts about two hours. Using a combination of PowerPoint and hands-on instruction, Cyndi and Jon help children identify who is a “good stranger” and who is a “bad stranger,” and what to do when they encounter one. “We encourage parents to attend,” said Jon, who added that it is important for parents to know what their children are learning in order to work with them to keep them safe. He and Cyndi provide additional information for parents in conjunction with what their children are learning. “I’m a paramedic and Jon’s a police officer,” said Cyndi, who added that she made it a point when her five children were growing up to teach them what to do when they encountered strangers. “Cops, teachers and doctors are ‘good strangers,’ while “people they don’t know are ‘bad strangers,’” said Cyndi, who added that the bottom line is, “a stranger is a stranger.” The Holmans teach children the concept of developing “code words” known only to them and their parents. If a parent has arranged for someone else to pick up children from school, for example, the parent must relay the code word to the other adult. The children then ask that adult what the code word is; if the adult “stranger” knows the code word, then the children know it is safe to go home with them. If a stranger who does not know the code word is attempting to take a child, the Holmans teach children to fight back. “We teach the kids to fight,” said Cyndi. “We tell them to hang onto the grass, kick, scream, and make a big scene — nobody wants that kind of attention.” “If someone tries to take them some place, we teach the kids to yell, ‘Stranger! Stranger!,’ instead of ‘No! No!,’” Jon added, explaining that this alerts other nearby adults that these are not just bratty kids refusing to go home with their parents.

Jon and Cyndi Holman, co-owners of Bell County EMS Training, teach Stranger Danger classes to children and their parents.

“Kids think they have to put on a polite front,” said Cyndi. “We tell the kids, ‘You don’t have to be polite to a stranger.’” In addition to these tactics, the Holmans teach children to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to what is going on around them. Part of this training includes not just their physical surroundings, but their online presence. The couple teaches children not to post their personal information on social media, and to alert their parents if someone online asks them to send pictures of themselves. They teach parents to be actively involved in monitoring their children’s social media time. “Some parents are afraid of breaking their kids’ trust,” said Jon. “But we’re parents — doing this is our job!” Both Cyndi and Jon emphasized that it is never too early to start teaching children about strangers. “It’s no different than teaching firearm safety or safety around the house,” Jon said. The Holmans schedule Stranger Danger group classes by request. They need a minimum of five children to hold each class, but are flexible with their clients’ schedules. To reach the Holmans or schedule a class, call 254-702-9919 or visit BellCountyEMSTraining.com for more information. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Inside a replica of the original fort, visitors at Fort Parker can climb inside a block house and look out over the prairie just as settlers did in the 1830s.

ABOVE: Fort Parker State Park officially opened in 1941. Over the years, small parcels have been added until it reached 1,500 acres. AT LEFT: A giant arrow stands as a symbol to the raid on Fort Parker in 1836 by bands of the Commanche and Caddo nations. 58

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TexAdventures

Slice of Texas history

Explore Fort Parker State Park and Historic Site Story and photos by Fred Afflerbach

wo companion destinations, just a short drive off the beaten path, offer both a slice of Texas history and a respite from the busy world of text messages, emails and traffic jams. Fort Parker State Park, in Mexia, is a quiet oasis nestled on the banks of a tree-lined, 750-acre lake. Two miles down the road, the Fort Parker Historic Site, in Groesbeck, takes you back to an infamous day in Texas History when Comanche and Caddo Indians raided a primitive outpost and captured a young girl who would alter the course of Native American history. The park and the historic site were both born from the same mother — the Civilian Conservation Corps, a Depression-era federal program that put young men to work building parks and roads, and planting trees across the nation. In the 1930s, a mostly African-American contingent of local men, Company 3807C, built a replica of Fort Parker, then moved a couple miles north and constructed a dam across the Navasota River, which created the state park. The historic site opened in conjunction with the Texas Centennial in 1936. The park officially opened in 1941.

Fort Parker State Park On a late June morning, showers gave way to sunshine and the park glowed an emerald green. Towering cottonwoods swayed in the breeze near a fishing pier where Buster Horn was enjoying his vacation. Horn was watching his fishing line and hoping for that tug on the end of it that gives all fishermen hope this could be the big one. Horn’s memories of swimming here as a kid have lured him back many summers. Now he sets up his camper, jon boat and kayaks, and makes memories for his grandchildren. “We got family ties to it,” Horn said.

Fort Parker State Park officially opened in 1941. Over the years, small parcels have been added until it reached 1,500 acres. The park is near Mexia.

“We got pictures of us, my grandma, my aunt and mama, at the swimming area when we were little. My cousins, they still have family reunions here. It is nice and quiet and peaceful,” Horn said. The 1,500-acre park is a favorite nesting spot for families to catch up with each

other in an outdoor setting. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboats, or you can bring your own watercraft. Large boats are discouraged because the lake is somewhat shallow. RV hookups, shelters and tent camping are popular. Make Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Park Manager Tom Fisher walks one of the many trails at the park. Fisher says this quiet park is a great opportunity for introducing Texas flora and fauna to youngsters.

reservations because camping spots are full on most summer weekends. Anglers curious about the fishing prospects at Fort Parker Lake should stop before the billboard at the park headquarters. Check out two recent photographs — a 60-pound, and a 45-pound catfish — and you get the picture. An original wood and limestone brick building constructed by the CCC, now called the Activity Center, sits along the main route through the park. Inside, visitors can learn the park’s history and how workers used hand tools to build the dam and the rugged collection of buildings that have been restored and are used today. Park Manager Tom Fisher said an exhibit called the Nature Center is a good place to introduce kids to the flora and fauna of the area. A hands-on table encourages visitors to hold and feel different pelts from local animals — beaver, raccoon, possum and rabbit. “We have our three communities represented here,” Fisher said. “We can bring the kids in and talk to them about the different types environments, the plant Continued 60

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Known for producing big catfish, the 750-acre Fort Parker Lake is surprisingly shallow. Although the water level dramatically dropped during the recent drought, it’s full today.

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communities we have in the area. Here’s our aquatic environment, the fish and the turtles. We have hardwood bottom lands with wood ducks and kingfishers . . . we have the grasslands, the post oak savannahs that were here historically.” During 24 years as park manager, Fisher has collected many special memories. But one event the park celebrates annually stands out. Each January, the park staff and local bass club hold a troutfishing event for kids in which they keep the fish they catch and the gear they used to catch them. “We have 75 rods and reels. We give them an introduction to fishing . . . to nature, Texas natural resources,” Fisher said. “So the kids have learned how to fish and they have a brand new rod and reel. To see the kids with the smiles, that’s what it’s all about,” Fisher said, tapping his heart with the palm of his hand. For those who desire a brisk walk, several trails help visitors reconnect with nature. The Bur Oak Trail leads you to a wooden deck overlooking the lake toward the heron rookery. Out on the water, the Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail meanders five miles upstream into the Navasota River. Almost anywhere you hike, bike or paddle in the park, you will share the company of various bird species. Great blue herons with their lanky legs and pointed breaks stalk the shores, swoop upwards and glide across the glassy water. A reclusive bald eagle has lived at the park for a decade. Mockingbirds hidden in tree canopies chirp and chatter, mimicking numerous other bird calls. And a trail dotted with bluebird boxes delivers an opportunity for a close-up photograph. Although Fort Parker State Park is relatively small compared to others in the state park system, it has a soothing effect that could be the perfect respite for a busy life. “We’re away from the big cities,” Fisher said. “So people drive away, and they get that emotional break from the big city. They come here because it is a quiet getaway.”

Old Fort Parker Historic Site Driving down the narrow blacktop under a canopy of oaks and redbud trees, the landscape opens and a curious structure from almost two centuries ago appears. Tall timbers, 15 feet high, linked side-by-side, and pointed upward like gi62

AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Thanks to a rookery built by staff and volunteers, great blue herons are thriving at the park. Their wingspan stretches up to six feet across.

If You Go The park and historic site are located just off Texas 14 between Groesbeck and Mexia, in Limestone County. Fort Parker State Park 194 Park Road 28 in Mexia Day use entrance fee: $4 per person, age 12 and younger free Camping: Tent $12; water and electric: $20; shelters: $30 The Rec Hall, an open pavilion, and group barracks are available also. Reservations: call 512-389-8910 or go to www.texasstateparks.org Fort Parker Historic Site 866 Park Road 35 in Groesbeck

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults $2. Children ages 6-11 $1. Younger than 6, no charge. RV sites (35) with water and electricity available. Call: 254729-5253. Adjacent to the fort, two barracks that housed German prisoners during World War II have been rebuilt and are used for lodging. Rooms cost $35 a night. And the restored Rogers House, complete with kitchen, living area and two bedrooms, is available for $150 a night. The fort is a popular event site, hosting such activities as shooting contests with antique rifles, weddings and trail rides.

ant spears, form sturdy, formidable walls. At each end, a two-story lookout tower constructed from logs felled locally overlooks the clearing. Welcome to Old Fort Parker, a replica of the original compound built in 1833-34 by settlers from Illinois. Adjacent to the fort, the visitors’ center welcomes you to the site where two conflicting cultures — Native Americans

and European settlers — collided in a violent confrontation that would later have an important impact on Texas history. Only a few months after the fall of the Alamo in 1836, this obscure compound, built not by the military, but by farmers, fell to a band of Comanche and Caddo Indians. The raiding party killed five settlers and captured five more. Twenty-one

Civilian Conservation Corps workers built this dam mostly by hand in the 1930s. Workers used a wheelbarrow-type tool called a Georgia Buggy to move earth and rocks.

escaped. Traveling by night for almost two weeks, they arrived at what is today the city of Palestine, 60 miles away. One of the five captured, 9-yearold Cynthia Ann Parker, lived with the Comanche for most of her life. According to the site’s literature, “In time, Cynthia Ann, now Naduah, changed her attitude toward her captors, adopting their language, customs and manners. Naduah became the wife of Chief Peta Nocona. They had three children.” One of those three, Quanah Parker, the oldest, became an important figure in Texas history, regarding the decades of bloody battles between settlers and Native Americans. Quanah Parker made the transition from Comanche warrior to successful businessman to tribal leader on the reserva-

tion. He promoted schools and adapted the white man’s agricultural methods. “It was the beginning of how the red and the white men finally accepted each other,” said Sarah McReynolds, fort director. “Because if Cynthia Ann had not been born, had not been captured, she would not have had a son that was smart enough to realize that the Comanche would never overcome the Anglos. That saved a lot of bloodshed. He could see the future. It all started right here and so that’s important Texas history.” After the fort fell, survivors and other settlers returned and brought down the towering timbers their relatives had erected. “They didn’t want to remember what happened here. They did not want that fort to be here,” McReynolds said.

“So they dismantled it and built their homes. They had no idea one little girl (Cynthia Ann Parker) would grow up and be famous. They had no idea of any of this. It was an embarrassment to them and it was a nightmare. They wanted it over with.” In 1936, the CCC finished the first reconstruction of the old stockade. In 1967, it was rebuilt, and in 1992 it was refurbished. Today it is operated by the cities of Groesbeck and Mexia, and Limestone County. Inside the compound, you can climb on rustic log scaffolds and peer outside through narrow windows in the walls, just as the settlers did 180 years ago. Several authentic cabins with period furniture and cookware afford a glimpse into life on the Texas frontier. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

ADVERTISERS INDEX Atmos Energy................................................................................... 17 American Hearing...........................................................................36 Arrow Trailways................................................................................. 7 Bell County Museum......................................................................... 5 Best Wishes Gifts............................................................................. 61 Blind & Shutter Gallery.................................................................. 13 Carlson Law Firm............................................................................56 Centex Pool Service......................................................................... 61 Central Texas College......................................................................52 Central Texas Orthodontics............................................................ 23 Climate Control..............................................................................36 Criss & Rousseau Law Office.......................................................... 53 Curtis Cook Designs.......................................................................35 Dairy Queen...................................................................................... 7 Doctors Express................................................................................. 5 DocuMaxx........................................................................................25 Dr. Philip Davis Jr., DDS................................................................... 9 Eagle Home Mortgage....................................................................... 5 Ellis Air Systems............................................................................... 24 English Maids..................................................................................35 Estacia’s............................................................................................23 Extraco Banks-Temple/Local........................................................... 68 Fort Hood Area Board of Realtors.................................................. 17 Dr. Shelley Giebel/Healthy Success................................................ 36 Dr. Shelley Giebel/Healthy Success................................................64 Hallmark Service Company.............................................................23 Harrell Law Firm............................................................................. 54 Killeen Area Alliance of Black School Educators............................. 7 Killeen Overhead Doors.................................................................. 27 Lastovica Jewelers............................................................................. 27 Law offices of M. Bryon Barnhill.................................................... 55 Lochridge Priest Inc.........................................................................65 Lucky Bebe....................................................................................... 17 Metroplex Hospital............................................................................ 3 Montessori Schools of Central Texas.............................................. 67 My Giving Tree................................................................................35 Scott’s Lawn Care Central Texas..................................................... 52 Shoppes on Main in Salado............................................................. 35 Solar Centex...................................................................................... 7 Texas BBQ & Grill.......................................................................... 31 Texas Farm Bureau.......................................................................... 61 The Gin at Nolan Creek Steakhouse.............................................. 52

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JULY 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Union State Bank............................................................................ 27 Wayne Benson M.D. P.A. Clinic....................................................... 2 The Advertisers Index is published for reader convenience. Every effort is made to list information correctly. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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AUGUST 2015 | TEX APPEAL

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