Tex appeal june 2015 final

Features

27

Passport through time Discovery area’s history at Bell County Museum

Enter the doors of the Greek revivalstyle building that is home to the Belton County Museum and step into Texas’ past. This family-friendly environment gives visitors a close-up look at life in Texas before it became a state. View a Chisholm Trail chuck wagon, peek into the windows of a frontier log cabin, experience the task of cotton carding, tap out a message on a telegraph, discover artifacts of the past tucked away in drawers and learn about the cultures that shaped our state.

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

31

37

Art, Legos, science camp set

Plenty to do in city’s parks

a Blast in belton

45

Patient pursuit

Get a closer look at night sky

The sun has set, the moon has risen and folks are out, but they’re not at the movies, a restaurant or a ball game — instead, they are gazing intently at the night sky, some with binoculars and others through high-powered telescopes.

By JESSICA PEARCE

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Watch classic movies under the stars. Take art lessons in a bright green, handpainted bus. Construct a Lego building with Ninja Turtles and super hero themes.

By FRED AFFLERBACH

33

Heights happenings

Killeen’s A splash It’s 8:30 on a Wednesday morning.

Joggers speed by, mothers push strollers, and the free weights room is already in action at the Lions Club Park and the Killeen Recreation Center.

By JESSICA PEARCE

41

together in temple

Activities keep residents active Family events set all summer What do gardening, swimming, softball, and outdoor celebrations all have in common? In Harker Heights, it’s Heather Cox, activities coordinator for Parks and Recreation.

By JESSICA PEARCE

Atop a hill in the middle of James Wilson Park is an office building where Temple Parks and Recreation Superintendent Charlie Bryant and his team imagine, create and plan family-friendly events.

By JESSA McCLURE TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Departments

12

TexTalk Neighbors Kelly Parker directs Shakespeare on the Rock

14

TexTalk FLAVOURs Authentic cuisine at Thai Kitchen

16

TexTalk BEAUTY Heather Cox opens her bag

18

TexTalk SCENE Gala benefits Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom

20

TexTalk SCENE Harker Heights Farmers Market Scott & White Stardust Ball & Casino Gala

8FROM THE EDITOR 9WELL-CONNECTED 10 Contributors ON the COVER

Gage and Caton Letbetter lounge by the pool. 49 Photograph by JULIE NABOURS

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

64 ADVERTISER’S INDEX 66

TexTHERAPY

59

22

TexTalk CALENDAR June events across Central Texas

25

TexTalk Well-Fed head “Explore the Cosmos Like Neil deGrasse Tyson”

49

TexFIT Letbetter family takes time to play together

56

TexPETS Keep pets safe and healthy during summer

59

TexADVENTURE Explore Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

From the Editor Dear Readers, What kind of museum visitor are you? Are you a streaker, someone who comes in and views the exhibits in a cursory manner; a looker, someone who stops to really look at the exhibits, studying the details with your eyes; or one of those who reads every label.

If you are of the last type, then you are just like me. I’m the type that goes into a museum and reads every narrative card on display to get a better understanding of the subject.

Growing up in Chicago, I spent many hours at the Field Museum of Natural History, my favorite place on the lakefront. I was always especially interested in the Hall of American Indians. I remember spending hours by myself going from display to display, stopping to absorb every detail of a woman’s beaded dress or a warrior’s weapons, and reading the narrative cards of what these things were used for and what they meant. It was from the notes I took from those cards that I would further my exploration through books that provided more detail into the world of a culture so different from my own.

This month we take a look at some of the familyfriendly activities available, including the Bell County Museum that is a microcosm of Central Texas history.

The museum in Belton offers visitors the opportunity to learn about this part of Texas from when it was still a republic. Exhibits display what life was like as a pioneer crossing the plains in a covered wagon and the challenges they faced along the way.

Peer inside a settler’s cabin, a wagon train chuck wagon, and learn about the first inhabitants of our state. Also, say goodbye to long-time museum director Stephanie Turnham as she embarks on a new career at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Page 27.

If it’s outdoor theater you enjoy, watch for Shakespeare on the Rock at Tablerock in Salado.

Meet your neighbor, Kelly Parker, professional actor, director and theater arts teacher at McLennan Community College in Waco, who is directing “Twelfth Night,” Page 12.

Visit one of the many city parks for ongoing events and activities all summer long, Page 31; become star struck with Aubrey Brickhouse, president of the Bell County Astronomical Society at one of the monthly stargazing parties held around the county. Mr. Brickhouse wants to help people understand the mysteries of our universe through the night sky, Page 45. Before you grab your binoculars or telescope, read “Explore the Cosmos like Neil deGrasse Tyson,” by CAP Saucier. This book is for children middle-school to 100 years old and is a great introduction to the night sky through the eyes of Tyson and the words of Saucier, Page 25.

A family that plays together stays together and the Letbetter family makes sure they share their love for the outdoors on a regular basis. From playing catch in their front yard, taking neighborhood bike rides, to camping and hiking, the Letbetters find time to have fun, Page 49.

Two birds, the yellow cheeked warbler and black cap vireo, are protected endangered species that are part-time residents of the Central Texas Hill Country. In western Travis County is the Balcones Canyonlands, created in 1991 as a concession for development in the Austin area. “Now in its 24th year, the preserve is a real-time wildlife biology lesson for hikers and nature lovers, or anyone who wants to escape civilization for a little tranquility,” writes author Fred Afflerbach. See the whole story on Page 59.

This month pack a picnic and head out to one of our parks and recreational areas to enjoy a day in nature. Have a seat in your favorite camping chair or at a nearby picnic table and enjoy reading this month’s Tex Appeal about the outdoors in the outdoors.

Catherine Hosman

Tex Appeal Editor

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas

Well-Connected

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC. Lif

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

e & Sty

le

in

Ce

ntr

al

1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

Te x

as

Ma

TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM

rch

20

15

10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editorial Director M. CLARE HAEFNER Ma

Editor CATHERINE HOSMAN Copy Editor LEE JAMES

L

ty & S ife

le

in

Ce

ntr

al

Te x

15

0 y 2

as

Jan

ua

ry

20

15

Brid

Graphic Designer/ Photographer JULIE NABOURS

es

Staff Writer JESSICA PEARCE Plann

Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH MITCHEL BARRETT CRAIG LIFTON KARIN MARKERT JESSA McCLURE JODI PERRY

Unf

ing

Elega n go t Cindewrnes for that

orgetta the ble

Wedd in

g

1

Pam

the bri

OCT OBE

R 20

de an

13 TE X

perin�

Lif

d her

APPE

AL

e & Sty le

bridal

party

mom

in

ntr

al

Te x

as

Venue s

Stotyfilt every e

Advertising 254-774-5264 or 254-501-7494

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.

1

OCT OBE

lla

ent

Ce

Fe

bru

ary

20

15

R 20

13 TE X

APPE

AL

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 254-774-5264.

Postmaster: Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114.

How to contact us: Advertising: Call 254-774-5264 or 254-501-7494.

Editorial: Contact Catherine Hosman at 254-501-7511 or email edittexappealmagazine@ gmail.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

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.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

Contributors Jessa McClure

is a part-time freelance writer and fulltime mom to two energetic children.

She is a long-time resident of Bell County and spends her time running around with her kids, volunteering and channeling her creativity. She finds inspiration everywhere and uses her experiences to create articles that inspire and touch those who read them.

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.

Jessica Pearce

KARIN MARKERT

CRAIG LIFTON

MITCHEL BARRETT

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.

is a freelance photographer and has been shooting photographs since his early teen years in Detroit, Mich. A 24year 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.

neighbors 12

flavours 14

beauty 16

scene 18

TexTalk

calendar 22

well-fed head 25

Shakespeare on the Rock

is a freelance photographer, owner of KLMarkert Photography, Army wife and mother of three. Her passion for photography started when her father built a darkroom in 1983. Karin has photographed the last couple of years in the Washington, D.C., area, explored Nepal several times through her camera lens, and is now capturing life and scenes in Central Texas.

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.

JOIN the Tex Appeal TEAM

Tex Appeal Magazine is looking for photographers and freelance writers with at least one year of 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.

10

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Kelly Parker directs Shakespeare on the Rock at Tablerock ‘s Goodnight Amphitheater in Salado.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

11

TexTalk neighbors

Kelly Parker directs “Twelfth Night” for Shakespeare on the Rock at Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater on June 5-6 in Salado.

Shakespeare rocks Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater

By Jessa McClure Photos by Mitchel Barrett

T

ucked away in a thicket of trees and surrounded by rocks is Tablerock’s Goodnight Amphitheater in Salado.

Theater professor and Salado resident Kelly Parker, director of the upcoming production of “Twelfth Night” for Shakespeare on the Rock on June 5-6, walks up and down the aisles, looking at the stage from every angle. He imagines how it will look with actors in costume and seats filled with people.

Parker has spent years honing his own theater skills and has performed all over the country, including in New York and Los Angeles. However, he says he has always found his way back to the place where his theater career began. Now he is helping to nurture the next generation of actors, 12

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

and excite theatergoers in the Salado area and beyond. “I’ve been doing theater since high school,” Parker said. “I went to Belton High School and was very involved in UIL and One Act Play. I was also involved with civic theater quite a bit.”

After high school he earned his bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Baylor University and a master’s of fine arts in acting and directing from Texas Tech University.

He then spent several years performing in New York, Los Angeles and Texas as a professional actor and director.

“But every time I’d go off to a big city, I’d always come back here,” he said. “I love the people of Central Texas. It’s all about family and community here, and you just don’t get that everywhere else.”

Parker finally decided to settle in Salado and has been teaching at McLennan Community College in Waco for 10 years,

helping other aspiring actors and directors hone their skills through classes and by putting on four shows a year.

The theater professor built quite a reputation in the theater community and was suggested to Tablerock’s first vice president Jackie Mills as someone who might want to help revive the Shakespeare on the Rock production at the decades-old, outdoor amphitheater.

“We had wanted to go back to a Shakespeare play because they are so popular with people,” Mills said. “Kelly came to be on our advisory board for the play at the recommendation of one of his professors from Baylor.”

When Tablerock’s board of directors got wind of Parker’s experience, they decided to ask him if he’d be interested in directing the play himself. “He agreed and we were so delighted,” Mills said. “We have

Actors practice their fencing techniques for the upcoming production of “Twelfth Night” for Shakespeare at Tablerock on June 5 and 6 in Salado. From left are Jennifer Ringer, Erik Anderson and Mitchell Voorhies.

a lot of confidence in him and are privileged to have him.”

His first attempt at putting the production together with just volunteers from the community didn’t pan out. Instead of trying to drum up professional-quality actors from the surrounding areas, the theater professor decided he would use his students from MCC. “It’s going to be a great learning experience to do outdoor theater,” he said. “My kids are so excited. They are just so pumped to perform at Tablerock.”

Parker has chosen what he considers Shakespeare’s greatest comedy, “Twelfth Night,” for the production, and has already begun rehearsing with his cast.

“My students will rehearse up in Waco and then a week before the show opens, we’ll move here and start rehearsing and re-staging the play,” he said. “It’s going to be a learning experience to rehearse in a

different space and perform in another.”

He said performing outdoors will be a new way of doing things for his students.

But he believes outdoors was the way Shakespeare was meant to be seen.

“Originally, Shakespeare was done outdoors,” he said. “Seeing Shakespeare, outdoors and with Tablerock’s (onstage) façade, even though there are some country-western elements to it, is pretty close to the entrances and exits and balconies of the Globe Theater where Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed.”

He hopes this unique venue and Shakespearean experience will help entice more tourists and locals to come to Salado.

“I will do anything to help this town, especially with the construction. It’s been so rough on the town,” he said. “This is home and I’d do anything to bring a little fun to Salado.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

13

TexTalk flavours

Pad Thai You will need a wok or woklike skillet to prepare this dish Ingredients 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 egg 1 cup chopped onion (optional) 1 cup bite size pieces of chicken, beef, pork or shrimp (or you can make a combo plate) 2 tablespoons Lucky Fish Sauce (doesn’t have a strong fishy smell) Vegetable Broth Rice noodles from Asian market 3 tablespoons of white vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce Heat oil in wok or skillet over medium heat. Scramble egg until solid. Add optional chopped onion. Cook onion until translucent. Add meat, cook until done.

Add 2 handfuls of pre-soaked rice noodles. Add vinegar, fish sauce, sugar and sweet soy sauce. Cook until noodle is soft and bottom of pan is almost dry. Add bean sprouts or green onions.

Stir fry for 30 seconds.

Sprinkle green onions on top for garnish.

From left, cook Michael Chairot, owner Varin “Tai” Lornklang and server Kenya Gladden with a plate of pad thai at Thai Kitchen in Killeen.

Thai Kitchen serves made-to-order taste of homeland

By Catherine Hosman Photos by Mitchel Barrett

K

illeen has been touted as a town where residents don’t have to leave the area to taste the flavors of the world. There are many ethnic restaurants and Thai Kitchen is one of them.

Family owned and operated, Varin “Tai” Lornklang is the matriarch of the dining room. Known affectionately as Miss Tai to her regulars, she welcomes guests into her restaurant as if she was welcoming them into her home.

14

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

The nondescript store front belies what awaits the hungry diner inside. As soon as the door opens, the fragrance of herbs and spices floats on the air to reach the senses. Mementos from Miss Tai’s trips home, and gifts from guests, decorate the mustard yellow and magenta walls, shelves and curio cabinets adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Hanging high on the wall facing the door for everyone to see as they walk into the eatery are pictures of the king and queen of Thailand; a sign of respect for Miss Tai’s homeland.

Thai Kitchen originally was opened

in 1990 by Joseph and Chuey Combs, at a different location as an Asian grocery store with one or two items on the menu.

Because it wasn’t built to be a restaurant, the original owner, Tai’s mother-in-law, Chuey, moved the restaurant to its current location in 1992.

Miss Tai took over the day-to-day running of the business in 2003 when she and her U.S. Marine husband, Jim Lornklang, moved to Killeen from California to help with the family business. With more than 15 years of food service experience, she knew how she wanted to run the restaurant.

Originally, there were only seven tables in the dining room and that has since doubled, along with the square footage. With a little decorative tweaking, Miss Tai converted the restaurant to its current state.

“It didn’t look happy,” said this mother of four. “I wanted people to walk in and feel happy. I believe in the Feng Shui way of everything, to be positive.”

Thai Kitchen prepares dishes and homemade soups that come in four stages of spicy: mild, medium, hot and Thai hot.

“Everything on the menu I cook to order except the soup,” Miss Tai said. ”During lunch specials I make enough soup for two hours only. I can always make more if it runs out. All other times the soup is freshly made to order.”

Miss Tai said her restaurant is different because “we cater to individual needs.

Some people can’t eat gluten, are vegan or vegetarian, or on low sodium diets. It’s not all about making money, but making people happy.”

Making people happy with her food is easy. Exotic flavors come together in her soups, like Tom Kaa, a spicy lemon grass

If you go

Thai Kitchen 3103-A S. Fort Hood St., Killeen Hours 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday Closed Sunday Lunch specials 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday For take-out or special orders, call 254-554-8160.

soup with coconut milk, her spring rolls and coconut custard dessert. But the specialty of the restaurant is their Pad Tai. “For us, Pad Thai is a signature Thai noodle dish,” she said. “It may not be as health-conscious as some of our other menu options, because it uses a lot of sugar, but it tastes good. I call it Thai comfort food.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

15

Beauty in the Bag

beauty TexTalk

By JESSICA PEARCE

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.

Heather Cox

Activities Coordinator City of Harker Heights

The ESSENTIALS she CARRIES Crema da Mano Tocca, Grapefruit Cucumber Hand Cream: My hands get dry very easily and I always make sure to carry around hand cream. I love this brand because a little goes a long way and it smells delicious.

Workout gloves: I love working out and usually leave straight from work to my gym. I keep them in my purse so I will never forget them.

Headphones: Like my work out gloves, I keep my headphones with me at all times for when I head to the gym.

Bobby pins: This crazy Texas weather doesn’t always agree with my hair. I never know what I will be doing at work. Some days I am in the office, while other days I am out and about planning events or planting trees. These bobby pins come in handy to pull my hair back for those

not-so-great hair days.

COVERGIRL Powder & eyeliner: A girl on the go must always look her best, so I keep these two essential makeup pieces with me at all times.

Business card holder: The best present I ever received was my business card holder. It’s always a good idea to keep my information on me to hand out.

Trident gum: Fresh breath keeps me confident.

Sunglasses: Never leave home without them. My future is so bright I gotta wear shades!

Burt’s Bees Lip balm: Simple, easy and goes with any look.

USB drive: It is always handy to keep my files and presentations with me.

Photographs by JODI PERRY

Most valuable TOOL in her BAG

My phone. My whole life is in that little thing. It keeps me on track and connected. It is a multipurpose tool.

Do you have a signature item?

I always wear a neutral pink eye shadow. It’s a classic color and goes with anything.

Do you have a helpful hint to share with readers?

Never underestimate yourself. You will always be surprised about what you can accomplish even when you think you can’t.

Tell us about any other essential item that makes your life easier.

My support syste­m — family, friends and coworkers keep me sane and remind me every day why I do what I do and why I love it.

16

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

17

TexTalk scene

1

2

Gala raises funds for Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom 3

4

1. From left, Peyton Crow, Cassie Bailey, Chris Cummings and Trinity Crow attend the Night at the Derby fundraiser for Variety’s Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children.

2. Shonnie Lewis, left, and Felisha Geter.

3. Geri Anne Webster and Missy Schaefer mix and mingle during the gala.

4. Guests at the Night at the Derby Gala look at raffle prizes and other items as they walk around from booth to booth.

5. From left, Alexa Anderson, Cherie Davis and Dani Garcia stand next to Neika, a 7-year-old rescue horse from Heaven’s Gate Horse Farm.

18

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

5

scene TexTalk

6

7

8

9 6. From left, Becky Hilliard, Marilyn Newkirk, Kerry Abbott, LeeAnn Boore and Pat Davis attend the fundraiser.

7. Linda Morgan, left, poses with Lynn and Larry Neal at the Night at the Derby Gala at Peaceable Kingdom near Killeen.

8. Pete and Amber Beronio joined others guests in showing off their best hats.

9. Renee Latham, center, laughs and has a good time as she poses with her husband, Fred Latham, left, and Wayne Gilmore.

Photos by Mitchel Barrett TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

19

TexTalk scene

1 2

3

scene TexTalk

1

Fresh food at Heights farmers market 4

Good times roll at Scott & White fundraising gala 2

3

5 1. Virginia Guthrie, with Lord Farms of San Saba, bags green beans for a customer at the Harker Heights Farmers Market in the parking lot of Seton Medical Center on Saturdays.

2. Tonya and Dale Harris, of Killeen, watch as Terry Glueck, of the Artisan Oven, serves cinnamon rolls at his booth. The farmers market is open from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

3. Gulnara Dailey, with La Cocinera of Killeen, makes fresh tostones for a customer.

4. Danille Morales of Z’s Bees shows Rachel Patrick, of Belton, some of their products.

5. Jeff Oaks, of Belton Veggie Guys, helps Jessica Hartbarger shop for fresh vegetables.

Photos by CRAIG LIFTON 20

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

1. Tammy Karm and Lynn Browning take a break from looking over the silent auction items at the seventh annual Stardust Ball & Casino Gala. The Scott & White fundraiser was a Mardi Gras-themed masquerade hosted by the Central Texas Advocates for Parkinson’s aiding the Scott & White Neuroscience Institute.

2. Dr. Michael Soileau, of Scott & White’s Movement disorder center, thanks the guest for coming.

3. Daniel Green, of Temple, looks over the items up for silent auction.

Photos by CRAIG LIFTON TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

21

TexTalk calendar

calendar TexTalk

Schoepf’s Bar-B-Que Free Music Event June 4: Jarrod Birmingham with Hedley Grange. Show starts at 6 p.m.

June 11: Cody Jinks with Denny Herrin. Show starts at 6 p.m.

June 13: Cody Johnson and Rick Treviño with Cameran Nelson opening.

Show starts at 6 p.m. (tickets required).

Cost: $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Purchase tickets at http://www. outhousetickets.com/Event/Event6847/ 702 E. Central Ave., Belton For more information, call 254-9391151

Johnny’s Outback June 6, Asleep at the Wheel June 12, Pat Green, with special guest Hudson Moore June 27, Whiskey Myers Advance tickets for the June 6 performance are $15 plus tax, $20 plus tax at the door; advance tickets for June 12 and June 27 are $20 plus tax, $25 plus tax at the door. Gates open at 6 p.m.; Show starts at 7 p.m. at 301 Thomas Arnold Road, Salado. For more information, go to www.johnnysoutback. com or johnnyssteaksandbbq.com.

Central Texas Astronomical Society Star Viewing Party June 6, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., weather permitting. Guests are encouraged to bring their own telescopes for some personal help tips from CTAS members or just enjoy those set up by members. This is a free event but registration is required.

Dress appropriately and bring folding chairs and red flashlights. Red flashlights can be made by putting red plastic over the lens of an ordinary flashlight. Try to be on time since it is hard to find your way around in the dark and disruptive to others viewing after dark. If the weather will not permit viewing, a cancellation notice will be online by 6 p.m.

Overlook Park at Stillhouse Hollow Lake, 3740 Farm-to-Market 1670, Belton For more information and to register, go to www.centexastronomy.org.

Raiders of the Lost Ark 2015 Summer Arts Camp Children will experiment in clay, paint, 3-D art, theater, set and costume design, music and movement, and more during several sessions.

Junior Camp June 8-12, 9 a.m. to noon, ages 5-6, $115 Camp I June 15-19, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., ages 7–12, $125 Camp II June 22-26, 9 a.m. To 2:30 p.m., ages 7–12, $125 Camps I and II, June 15 – 26, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Ages 7-12, $240 Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. 3rd St., Temple.

For more information, call 254-7739926 or go to www.cacARTS.org.

22

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Explore the night sky during a star party hosted by the Central Texas Astronomical Society on June 6.

Shakespeare on the Rock Salado’s Tablerock Goodnight Amphitheater is the setting for Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” on June 5 and June 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, age 12 and younger, and may be purchased at the gate. The gate opens at 7 p.m. with a preshow at 7:30 p.m. Concessions will be available to purchase. Tablerock is at 409 Royal St., in downtown Salado. For directions and more information, go to www.tablerock.org. For school and church groups over 20, call Jackie Mills at 254947-9205.

Railroad and Heritage Museum Invention & Discover Family Day June 6, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From the invention of the wheel to the birth of the internet, from Edison to Apple, from penicillin to plastic, inventions have not only changed the world, but also the world around us.

Learn about inventions and the men and women behind discoveries that have made our daily lives easier.

Admission is free.

315 W. Avenue B., Temple For more information, call 254-2985172 or go to www.rrhm.org.

Millers Smokehouse Live Music Events June 12, Michael Saldana June 26, Hank Cosper Show times are 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

208 N. Penelope St. Belton For more information, call 254-9395500 or go to www.wildmillers.com.

Bell County Museum June 13 through Aug. 8 Imprinting the West: Manifest Destiny, Real and Imagined.

Throughout the 19th century Americans pushed west toward the Pacific, fascinated by westward expansion in North America. Printed imagery played an important role in the dissemination of knowledge and understanding about the West and its inhabitants. Forty-eight handcolored engravings and lithographs by early western artists including George Catlin, explore these depictions and the influence the artists had on the perception of the Wild West.

For more information, call 254-9335243 or go to www.bellcountymuseum. org. Admission is free. Donations are welcome. 201 N. Main St., Belton

Bell County Museum Summer Walking Tour June 18, 6 p.m.

Join us for our summer walking tour of Belton’s National Historic District.

Participants meet on the north side of the courthouse square. The tour is geared for adults, as some of the material covered may not be suitable for children. $2 fee includes the self-guided walking tour brochure developed by the Belton Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 254-933-5243 or go to www.bellcountymuseum.org.

Scott & White Health Plan Hot Summer Sounds 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy an evening full of music and relaxation.

Admission is free.

June 5, Jenna McDaniel June 12, Brett Hendrix Band June 19, Texas Lightening June 26, Sloppy Joe Band Miller Park, 1919 N. First St., Temple For more information, call Holly at 254-298-5440.

Continued

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

23

TexTalk calendar

well-fed head TexTalk

Exploring the 21st century universe

Killeen Parks and Recreation Hot Summer Nights Movie Series Bring your family and friends to enjoy Killeen’s movie series. Pre-movie activities begin at 8 p.m. Concessions will be available during each event. Please, no alcoholic beverages or glass containers.

June 12: “Toy Story” June 19: “Annie” (2014) June 26: “Alexander & the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” Killeen Amphitheater, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Killeen For more information, call 254-5018889 or 254-501-6390 Late Skate at Temple Skate Park June 19, 6 to 8 p.m.

Register by June 12 Ages 10 and up, fee $10 Grab your board and let’s go skate.

Bring your family and friends to watch as you show off your best tricks. There will be music, food and friendly competition.

The “Best Trick Competition” will be broken up into two age groups: 15 and under; 16 and up.

Seventh Street and Avenue B (across from the Santa Fe Depot). For more information, call 254-298-5474.

Temple Parks Foundation Movies in the Park Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, family and friends for a family-friendly movie in the park. Premovie activities start at 6:30 p.m. and movies begin at sundown.

24

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

I

Children and adults can take clay classes this summer at the Temple Cultural Activities Center.

June 6, “Paddington,” Lions Park, 4320 Lions Park Road, Temple.

June 20, “Field of Dreams,” West Temple Park, 121 Montpark Road, Temple Admission is free. For more information, call 254-298-5440.

Clay Classes with Larry Matthews Children and adults can express their creativity while learning clay techniques.

June 29 to Aug., 3, ages 6 to 10, Mondays, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 10:30

a.m. to noon, $82; ages 10 to 13, 1:30 to 3 p.m., $82.

June 30 to Aug. 4, Adult Clay Class, Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon or 6 to 9 p.m., $110.

Cultural Activities Center, 3011 N. Third St., Temple.

For more information, call 254-7739926, or go to www.cacARTS.org.

Email upcoming events to edittexappealmagazine@gmail.com.

once saw the Milky Way on a cloudless, dark Oklahoma night. Looking up at the sky I felt shrouded in stardust as the bodies of our galaxy seemed to blend together in one continuous ribbon of sparkling lights. It wasn’t my first case of stars in my eyes, and it wouldn’t be my last. But sometimes we need to be reminded of just what we have beyond our planet.

Whether you are an experienced stargazer, or just getting into it as a hobby, a little background knowledge goes along way in enjoying the spectrum of space, and who better to learn from than famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson.

CAP Saucier’s book, “Explore the Cosmos like Neil deGrasse Tyson” is written for the middle school crowd, but it’s a good read for adults as well who want an introduction, or re-introduction, into 21st century Cosmos.

In her book, Saucier breaks down into simple terms, the story of our universe, how it formed and the difference between astrophysics and astronomy.

Written though the eyes of Tyson, this book takes the reader on a journey from the beginning of the universe some 14 billion years ago to where we are today. Readers are introduced to the birth and death of stars, black holes, nebulae, red giants, quasars, the planets just in our solar system, and the history of telescopes, just to name a few. Asteroids, exoplanets, our moon and the moons of our neighboring planets all play a part in this universal mystery of life.

In Chapter 6, Saucier talks about the formation of the planets that comprise our solar system, how our planet was formed and is able to sustain life because we are in a “habitable zone,” and that we live in the Milky Way galaxy. In her book the broad spectrum of the universe is discussed with the discovery of some planets, the same size or a bit smaller than Earth, that are also in the “habitable zone.” The question arises; do these planets have some life form on them?

Both a mini-biography on Tyson and an educational tome, Saucier’s book brings the story of the universe to us, almost in laymen’s terms, and is a launching pad for the curious to delve further into this subject.

“I wrote about Neil because he is a good science communicator who talks about science and breaks it down to a level they (people) can understand,” Saucier said in a telephone interview from her home. “He is also a very nice person. The guy you see on “Cosmos,” with the big smile, is really him.”

The next time you look up to the night sky, look at it through the eyes of Neil deGrasse Tyson. Imagine a future when tourists will have a layover on the moon en route to a vacation on Mars or some other distant planet. But watch out

In her book, Saucier breaks down into simple terms, the story of our universe, how it formed and the difference between astrophysics and astronomy. for the black holes on the way. You don’t want to be a victim of “spaghettification.”

“This is what happens if people got caught up in a black hole,” Saucier said. “Neil describes it like squeezing someone through a pasta maker.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

25

A passport through time

Discover area’s history at Bell County Museum

By Catherine Hosman Photos by Julie Nabours and Craig Lifton

E

nter the doors of the Greek revival-style building that is home to the Belton County Museum and step into Texas’ past. This family-friendly environment gives visitors a close-up look at life in Texas before it became a state. View a Chisholm Trail chuck wagon, peek into the windows of a frontier log cabin, experience the task of cotton carding, tap out a message on a telegraph, discover artifacts of the past tucked away in drawers and learn about the cultures that shaped our state.

This summer discover the facts about the westward expansion and colonization of the American West, a romantic notion and a graphic reality. The Belton County Museum’s newest exhibition beginning June 13, “Imprinting the West: Manifest Destiny, Real and Imagined,” gives people of all ages an idea of how our country began to stretch its boundaries with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory by President Thomas Jefferson in 1803. What began as a trickle soon became a deluge of settlers moving west of the Mississippi River to claim their piece of the new country, displacing the lives of Native American tribes along the way.

Among the adventurers heading west with the settlers were artists and journalists who documented the changes of the many tribes, and who imbedded themselves into cultures so different from their own to capture, on canvas, the culture of a vanishing breed. Images by Frederick Remington, James John Audobon and George Catlin will be on display, depicting the final free days of America’s original inhabitants.

“The Manifest Destiny exhibit explores how artists chose their subject matter and how their images influenced how Americans thought about Native Americans,” said Stephanie Turnham, who recently retired from the museum after 21 years of service to accept a position with the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville.

“We will talk about western expansion and how it affected the American Indians and talk about how American Indians were pushed onto reservations; what it meant 26

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

The staff of the Bell County Museum discover new treasures hidden in the discovery drawers at the Museum. Front to back are Emily Dossman, curator, Niki Vaughan, assistant, and Troy Gray, interim director.

for Native Americans,” added Troy Gray, program coordinator and interim director.

Andrew Walker, director of the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, is the guest speaker at the opening reception June 13.

Summer fun It’s always nice to know where the kids are spending their time and summer camps for children are July 7-10 for kids

9 to 12 years old and July 14-17 for kids 6 to 8 years old. There is a different topic each day tailored to the age group of the campers. Children will have hands-on fun learning about the Texas Revolution, Native Americans, Transportation and Black History Day. There will be surprise guests and crafts for each day. There is a $30 fee per child for the camp, which is limited to Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

27

John Odom, president of the Belton County Museum board of trustees, hosts a reception for Stephanie Turnham, the outgoing director who spent 21 years with the museum.

40 campers.

In addition to the traveling exhibits, the permanent displays keep visitors curious about a time gone by. Museum-goers can expect to spend up to 90 minutes in the museum, depending on what kind of visitor they are.

“Are they a streaker, looker or people who read every label?” Turnham asked.

“Many people come into the museum thinking they will only spend 30 minutes, but they end up spending up to an hour,” said Gray. “They are surprised to see how many things we have in the museum and how much there is to see.”

While the museum is gearing up for a new summer season, the staff, board members and guests said goodbye to long-time director Turnham. Her departure closes one chapter in her life’s book as she says goodbye to the institution that had been her professional home for 21 years. Turnham said she looks forward to her new appointment in Kerrville, but that she is going to miss the wide range of programming at the Bell County Museum.

28

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

“Our programming is broad enough to bring in special traveling exhibits like this year’s Civil Rights exhibit, Frida Kahlo, images by Rembrandt and Edward S. Curtis and current exhibits such as To Arms!

To Arms! Historic Weaponry from the Museum Collection,” she said, as well as their newest exhibit Imprinting the West:

Manifest Destiny, Real and Imagined. But what she will miss the most, she said, is the staff and the board.

“This has been such a rewarding experience, a position that’s provided a gift of opportunity for me to grow personally and professionally and I’m grateful for it,” she said. “I have a heart of gratitude.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

29

Art, Lego and science camp among Belton’s offerings

By Fred Afflerbach Photos courtesy of the city of Belton

Now playing Local parks and rec departments offer summer fun for all ages

W

atch classic movies under the stars. Take art lessons in a bright green, handpainted bus. Construct a Lego building with Ninja Turtles and Super Hero themes. Attend a science camp in which you get to eat your experiment — ice cream. Belton Parks and Recreation has planned another summer full of exciting activities for youngsters and their families.

Some events are free. Others are a good value when you consider materials are included. Activities run from June until school starts.

Recreation and Events Director Matt Bates said event planning is a year-round job. He is excited about the summer lineup, a chance for Belton to showcase its parks and people.

“I look forward to a good summer,” Bates said. “And we’re looking forward to really highlighting what Belton is all about.

It’s a great quality of life. Hopefully these events go to some way enhancing it. That’s our goal. I think there’s a great vision for Belton by the people who live in it and also appealing for those who come and visit.”

This year, monthly Movies in the Park at Harris Community Park at 401 N. Alexander begin June 13 and go through Aug. 22. Spread out a blanket on the banks of Nolan Creek and watch a family-friendly movie on a huge, outdoor screen.

“We have great friends at the Grand Avenue Theater. They provide this giant, inflatable movie screen,” Bates said. “For not a penny, you can come out and watch a movie in the park.” But don’t be late if you want your kids to climb into a potato sack and hop, hop, hop in the races held before the movies. Bring your own food and drinks, or purchase refreshments at the park.

Art on wheels For the third consecutive summer, Amelia Rabroker will park her flashy art bus at the Harris Community Center and teach art fundamentals with a twist. The Tap Tap Art School Camp is June 15-18 and July 13-16. There are two sessions each day and times vary for the age of the children. Kids ages 5–8 are from 9:30 a.m. to 30

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Amelia Rabroker goes over an art lesson with students in the Tap Tap Art School. Belton camps are set this summer.

11 a.m., and kids ages 9–12 are from noon to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $65 per student.

“I have a pirate camp and an Alice in Wonderland camp,” Rabroker said. “Any of the camps they attend, they’ll be using a variety of art mediums, from clay to paint to papier mache. They’ll be learning art skills, the elements and principles of design.”

Rabroker drives an art bus so she won’t have to load and unload supplies at the various schools she visits across Bell County. She found a bus for sale on Craigslist that had already been gutted. An airbrush

artist from Waco painted the trees, flowers and a kitten on the outside. Inside, the bus is decked out like a classroom with tables and chairs, adjustable desks, air conditioning, and of course, paints and brushes and other art supplies.

Rabroker got the idea for the art school camp name and bus décor from a tiny island nation in the Caribbean.

“I was inspired by the buses that are in Haiti with the wild paintings all over them,” Rabroker said. “I teach a lesson on the Tap Tap methods in Haiti. So I just Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

31

Keeping Harker Heights residents active

By Jessica Pearce

W

The Tap Tap Art Bus will stop a the Harris Community Center in Belton this summer so Amelia Rabroker can teach art fundamentals with a twist.

thought, why not have a Tap Tap bus?”

The end of the four-day camp culminates with a party at a local coffee shop where students showcase their framed masterpieces for friends and family. Register at the Belton Parks and Recreation website.

Time to chill Future scientists will learn the science of making ice cream, have fun with chemical reactions and look into rock-solid earth science at a “hands-on, minds-on camp experience that is jam-packed with fun.”

Adventures in Science Exploration Summer Camp is June 16-17, from 9 a.m. to noon, for ages 8-12. The cost is $65 per child. This camp is conducted by certified, local teachers. The price includes all materials and is at the Harris Community Center, 401 N. Alexander St. Register at the Belton Parks and Recreation website.

Building blocks Also at the Harris Community Center beginning June 8 through Aug. 7 is “Bricks 4 Kidz.” Using Lego blocks, campers will build projects such as amusement parks 32

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Every summer must come to an end, but why not go out with a bang? Summerfest is a severaldays-long celebration with live bands, bounce houses for kids and a whole lot of food. that are specially designed by engineers and architects. Bricks 4 Kidz promotes a noncompetitive, social experience in which youngsters explore their natural curiosity and creative instincts. Would-be architects will have a wide choice of themes to choose from throughout the summer.

Camp times run from 9 a.m. to noon.

To register go to: www.bricks4kidz.com/ texas-temple-belton.

Celebrate Parks July is National Recreation and Park Association Month Celebration. The National Recreation and Park Association is celebrating 30 years having July as their official month to get out and play.

In Belton, folks will party down with

softball, baseball, volleyball and kickball games on July 11 from 9-11:30 a.m. at Chisholm Trail Park, 3115 Dunns Canyon.

Another annual event people look forward to is Summerfest at Yetti Polk Park, 101 S. Davis on Nolan Creek, on Aug. 22.

Summer fun Every summer must come to an end, but why not go out with a bang?

Summerfest is a several-day-long celebration with live bands, bounce houses for kids and a whole lot of food. This will be the second year for Summerfest. Planning is still underway.

More information on summer events can be found at Belton Parks and Recreation website, www.beltontexas.gov.

hat do gardening, swimming, softball and outdoor celebrations all have in common? In Harker Heights, it’s Heather Cox, activities coordinator for Parks and Recreation, the city’s go-to gal for making fun happen.

Cox, who has been in her role nearly six years, grew up with a natural talent for planning events.

“I would do themed slumber parties as a little girl,” she said. When deciding what to study in college, she asked herself, “What am I already good at? What do I love?” The answer seemed obvious. Cox went on to study hospitality management with a focus in meeting and event planning, first at Southern Illinois University, and later graduating as a transfer student from the University of Nebraska.

Her career path has already been marked with fortuitous circumstances.

While on a plane ride shortly after graduation, she had a conversation with her seatmate, Lt. Col. Robison. He told her about an internship in event coordinating available at Fort Hood, and helped her apply for it. She was accepted, and, following the Fort Hood internship, she applied for many event coordination jobs in the area.

The timing was just right. The Harker Heights Activities Center, which opened in 2009, had a coordinator who had just stepped down at the time Cox was applying.

Since becoming the city activities coordinator, Cox has taken on a number of related roles. She also coordinates the city’s volunteer program and plans the city’s annual volunteer appreciation dinner.

“We all wear many hats in a small town,” she said. What she enjoys most about her varied roles is “the liberty to plan and try new things. They haven’t shot down an idea yet.”

Cox oversees many of the city’s ongoing programs, including “GO (Get Outside) Heights.” The program, which a coworker began several years ago, emphasizes different aspects of outdoor recreation.

Instructors teach wilderness first aid at nearby Dana Peak Park, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations and kayaking classes

Heather Cox coordinates activities for the city of Harker Heights. Photo by Julie Nabours

at Carl Levin Pool and Stillhouse Hollow Lake. In addition, the whole community comes together for family campouts at Dana Peak Park. The last campout had 57 campers who enjoyed stories that library volunteers read to them by the campfire.

The Harker Heights Community Garden in Carl Levin Park is another of Cox’s pet projects. The garden, which opened in 2012, allows residents access to raised garden beds to plant, grow and reap the benefits of their labor. “I’ve had to learn to grow a green thumb,” she said. “I ask the farmers at our farmers market what

to grow, and the volunteer gardeners help me.”

Taking the garden a step further, Cox began the Harvest Heights program to grow food for the poor. She has designated four garden beds specifically for the program, and trained volunteers to help run the plots. “I was raised to give back,” she said. All the produce is donated to the Harker Heights Food Center located off Ruby Street in the First Baptist Church.

In 2011, Cox and another coworker began the city’s seasonal farmers market.

Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

33

“We started at Carl Levin Park with only four vendors,” she said. “People thought it was a really good addition to the community. When Seton Hospital was built, I thought what a great opportunity it would be to have it there. They have been so gracious to let us use their front lawn.” The farmers market, chock full of a variety of vendors, runs from May-October, averaging anywhere from 200 to 500 people, depending on when payday falls and whether there are other events in the area.

In addition to the programs she runs, Cox was equally enthusiastic about the city’s senior recreation program.

Joyce Mayer, an energetic retiree, has been the city’s senior activities coordinator for the past 26 years. “We began in a senior center behind the current city library,” Mayer said, “but it burnt down in 2000.” Only two weeks after the fire, she and her group of seniors moved into the newly built Harker Heights Recreation Center, which was not actively being used during the day. “We just showed up and said, ‘Here we are!’”

Years later, the senior activities program is still going strong. Among the many class and athletic offerings are pickleball, woodcarving, line dancing and the everpopular granny basketball, which uses a rule book and dress code for women’s basketball from the 1920s. “This current group is very active,” said Mayer. “They don’t like to sit around much.”

The recreation center also offers a wide array of year-round athletic classes and activities for all ages, including Taekwondo, Swordplay and Zumba.

Summertime in Harker Heights Aside from the many ongoing activities in Heights, Cox has planned several upcoming summer events. The Harker Heights Library, which sponsors many events for teens and children, will hold an End-of-School Bash for teens ages 12-17 on June 4 from 2-4 p.m. at the library. Teens can enjoy a DJ, snacks and prizes.

The Teen Dive-In for ages 12-17 returns this year to the Carl Levin Pool on June 12 from 7:30-10 p.m. There will be a good DJ “pumping clean, modern music,” and the Harker Heights Library will provide snacks. “It’s cool for the kids to get to swim at night,” Cox said.

Families can “Dive-In” at the pool on June 26, July 11 and Aug. 14. Families can watch a movie on a large outdoor screen

Cutline goes here.

34

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Little League baseball is a popular summer pastime in Harker Heights. Courtesy photo

The senior “Old Glories” team enjoys Granny Basketball, one of many senior activities in Heights coordinated by Joyce Mayer. Top row, from left, Clara German, Diane Cline, Pert Garraway, Barbara Scott. Bottom row, from left, Frances Killingsworth, Charlotte Maindelle, Marjay Wilson, Margaret Cain. Courtesy photo

near the pool while enjoying each other’s company. Cox and her crew will be providing snacks for everyone as well.

For those who want a little more competition, the Men’s and CoRec Adult Softball teams play from June 16 to July 9.

“When you’re an adult, you can’t sign up for every soccer opportunity and class offering that kids get,” said Cox. “This is a fun, easy event that kind of runs itself.”

Adults 18 or older can form their own teams to participate in local tournaments, and residents new to the area can sign up on Cox’s “Free Agent Roster” online or at the Activities Center to be added to an existing team in need of more players.

In July the entire country will celebrate not only our nation’s independence, but National Parks and Recreation Month.

The National Parks and Recreation Association, founded in 1985, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year. Cox is planning the city’s celebration at Carl Levin Park on July 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. “Cities all across the nation will make their celebrations ’80s-themed in honor of the anniversary,”

Cox said. Residents can dress in ‘80s attire and enjoy food vendors, bounce houses and retro music.

Cox said planning for annual and ongoing events is a year-round process. When it comes to the “nitty gritty” of planning vendors and specifics, she said she usually needs at least three months’ lead time. She and her staff give careful attention to all details, including making events accessible to all. Many events are held in city parks that have wide, paved trails suitable for wheelchair accessibility. If an event is held further away from parking lots, she sets up shuttles to help guests get back and forth with ease. She is actively working to make the Harker Heights Farmers Market wheelchair accessible as well.

To keep informed of Harker Heights events, Cox encourages residents to “like” them on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/harkerheightstx to keep up to date with the latest city events. She also publishes a quarterly recreation guide that can be picked up in city buildings or at the Harker Heights Chamber of Commerce.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

35

Killeen’s parks make a splash all year

By Jessica Pearce

I

t’s 8:30 on a Wednesday morning. Joggers speed by, mothers push strollers, and the free weights room is already in action at the Lions Club Park and the Killeen Recreation Center, multi hubs for fitness and fun. In the center of all the action is Ryan Long, recreation services superintendent for the city of Killeen.

Long began working at the recreation center 10 years ago as a part-time summer hire while still attending Central Texas College. After graduation, he worked his way up, progressing through the roles of full-time assistant, fitness specialist and recreation facility supervisor before taking over as the superintendent two years ago.

“I came from a big family,” Long said.

“I have five sisters and one brother; I grew up doing sports, so recreation was a natural fit. I fell in love with it.” Long enjoys planning events the most, and seeing the community come together. “Everyone says there’s nothing to do here, so the whole community comes out for events,” he said.

Father-son campout Long named many upcoming summer events that residents can look forward to. The first event, the annual Father-Son Campout at Lions Club Park, is June 5-6.

In its fourth year, the event gives dads and sons a chance to bond in a unique setting.

“It’s right around Fathers Day,” Long said.

“It’s usually the moms who come in to the recreation center to sign up their husbands and sons, though!”

Campers set up tents and campsites on the park’s two baseball fields, and enjoy plenty of activities to while away the evening. They can enjoy a rock-climbing wall, catfish tank, movie, and s’mores by the campfire. This year Long plans to have a barbecue restaurant like Rudy’s cater dinner and breakfast. The event is for boys ages 5 to 12, and for dads of all ages.

Families can play together all summer long at the Family Aquatic Center at Lions Club Park in Killeen.

36

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Hot summer nights The most popular returning event, the Hot Summer Nights Movie Series, happens every Friday night, beginning June 12 and ending July 31. Long said the event has

Oscar Lopez teaches his daughter, Alejandra Lopez, soccer techniques at Lions Club Park in Killeen. He said they practice soccer at least twice a week during the summer to help her improve her skills.

successfully run for “quite some time.” He and his staff show family-friendly movies on a giant screen in the amphitheater, and guests bring chairs and blankets to hang out on the grass and watch a good show. A local restaurant often sponsors the event, handing out coupons and providing food for purchase. “We also shoot a T-shirt gun with the names and dates of all the movies in the series,” Long said. “It’s fun, and free advertising.”

Long said he and his staff “battle it out” over a couple days to decide which movies will run over the summer, and put together a list ranging from movies suited for younger kids up to teenagers. Most often around 300 people come out every Friday to enjoy the show.

“We try to target families,” he said.

“It’s local, it happens every Friday, it’s costeffective and good family fun.”

Little dribblers For parents whose young children need a fun outlet long before Friday rolls around, there’s Little Dribblers Basketball Academy at the recreation center. The academy is led every year by Shoemaker High School’s head varsity boys basket-

ball coach, Emund Prichett, Killeen High School’s head varsity girl’s basketball coach, Tish Williams, and a combination of the top players from both their teams.

The academy runs from June 19 to July 29 and is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 9. Long said More than 150 children usually participate, culminating in two structured games in which academy teams compete against each other. The cost for the whole academy is $65, and each child gets a jersey. In addition, parents who decide to wait can register their children all the way up until the morning of their first day at the academy.

Hot Bunz run There is also fun for adults and children of all ages, though. Anyone can participate in the Schlotzsky’s Hot Bunz Run 5K on Aug. 1 at Ellison High School. Part of the CenTex Race Series, the Schlotzsky’s run is one of four races held in Killeen.

Long decided to model the four Killeen races after the Spartan Run series, he said.

He had four medals designed, one for each race. Every participant gets a medal; if they complete all four Killeen races, the medals Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

37

interconnect to form the shape of Texas.

The race usually has from 300 to 400 participants, all running to benefit Killeen Parks and Recreation. Schlotzsky’s brings its Bobby Bunz Mascot to take pictures with racers and their families and distributes food, coupons and free bottles of their sauce. Long said his staff offers water and light food to racers, often provided by a business sponsor.

Splash bash The last hurrah of summer in Killeen this year is destined to be the Splash Bash at Long Branch Park and Pool on Aug. 15.

Long Branch, located off Rancier, “is older, but a great park,” Long said. “We did it there last year for the first time, and it was great — more than 800 people attended. There’s not much going on in north Killeen, and the neighborhood responded really well.

They just saw us and came out.”

Little children enjoy the park’s splash pad, while older kids and parents enjoy the pool and the giant water balloon fight.

Like last year, there will be bouncy floats, a DJ, raffle giveaways, food trucks and free snow cones.

Long said that while the Killeen Parks and Recreation’s calendar of events for each year is set one year ahead of time, it takes more time to plan some events than others. “We lock in the major pieces of the puzzle ahead of time, and then fill in the details,” he said. “Locking in sponsors and partnerships takes time; it’s a process.”

He explained that smaller events, such as the Father-Son Campout, take only a 38

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Nine-year-old Candice Merker encourages her dog Mishka down the ramp in the agility area of Barktoberfest at Lions Club Park in Killeen. At the city’s new dog park at the Killeen Community Center, pups now have a place to play all year.

couple weeks to plan, while larger events can take up to six months to find and secure good corporate sponsors.

Places to play The recently opened Mickey’s Dog Park, sponsored by Mickey’s Convenience Stores, is the newest feather in Killeen Parks and Recreation’s collective cap. The dog park, located across from the Killeen Community Center, had its grand opening in May with vendors and clinics for pups and their owners, who now have a new place to play.

Aside from planned summer events, Lions Club Park and the Killeen Recreation Center offer a gamut of options for

fitness and activity. The park, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, has two baseball fields, two trails of varying lengths, and the Family Aquatic Park filled with water slides for the kids. The recreation center, also ADA-compliant, has two free weight rooms, a large cardio room with a great view, an indoor running track, two basketball courts, a large fitness class room, and a full day care with an enclosed playground. The center offers a wide selection of fitness classes, including Piyo, Insanity and Zumba. In addition, the Killeen Senior Center next door offers a wide array of classes, crafts and dancing to keep residents active in their golden years.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

39

Temple events bring families together

By Jessa McClure

A

top a hill in the middle of James Wilson Park is an office building where Temple Parks and Recreation Superintendent Charlie Bryant and his team imagine, create and plan the family-friendly events that entertain and serve the people of the city and the surrounding areas.

“I have the coolest job because I basically get to oversee the recreation and all of the fun that happens at any of our parks, any of our sports complexes, any of our recreation centers and during any of our special events,” Bryant said. “I oversee a staff of six individuals who then oversee a staff of about 125 full-time and part-time employees, counting lifeguards and all of our recreational leaders.”

He said his job is much like that of character Leslie Knope on NBC’s long-running comedy Parks and Recreation, minus the extreme personalities.

“Some of what happens on a daily basis is much like what happened on the show,” Bryant said. “But I’m not quite as extreme as Leslie Knope. I don’t have Madeline Albright or Hillary Clinton on my wall.”

But despite the comedic parallels to the television show, Bryant and his team take their job of providing a community service seriously.

“We offer people activities and events that they remember from their childhood, that they want their kids to be a part of,” he said.

40

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Homegrown vegetables are popular at the Temple Farmers Market.

Family Fourth One of the biggest family-friendly events the department puts on is the H-EB Fourth of July All-American Family Fun Fest that will take place in Miller Park this year from 4 to 10:30 p.m.

“There will be a very large band that will provide entertainment, food trucks, bounce houses and play areas,” Bryant said. “It’s a great family event. And it’s totally free. Even the parking is free. The only thing that costs money is when you want to get something to eat.”

After thousands of park patrons descend on the fun fest, dining on Texas barbecue, cotton candy, ice cream and all

The Temple farmers market offers fresh fruits, vegetables and other homemade products. Photos by Julie Nabours

of the other classic American foods, the evening will culminate in a fireworks display put on by Magic in the Sky. “It really is a classic example of what a parks and recreation department offers,” Bryant said.

“It’s the culmination of bringing families together. You’ve got music, activity, food and the celebration of our country’s independence. The Fourth of July event always reminds us and the citizens why we’re here and what we’re supposed to do as an essential service.”

These events don’t happen overnight.

Bryant and his team spend weeks and months creating, planning and often improving these family-friendly events to better serve the people of Temple.

“For a large community event that can draw anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people like the Fourth of July (Fun Fest), the planning basically begins two weeks after the event has happened,” he said. “We look at the pluses and minuses and really talk about what happened. It’s constant planning.”

Not only is the team of parks and recreation employees meeting and planning within their own department, but they must also coordinate with other depart-

ments around the city when they put on such a large event.

“We work with street, police, fire and other departments to make sure it is a safe and secure event for all of our citizens to partake in,” Bryant said.

The parks and recreation department isn’t only creating large events. They are also finding ways to entertain, inform and inspire the citizens of Temple through musical events, a local farmer’s market and a wide variety of summer classes.

“We have a summer concert series called Hot Summer Sounds that we’re really hoping people take advantage of,” he said. “We’re trying to plus those up by having food trucks come out during the concerts.”

Hot Summer Sounds Hot Summer Sounds begins June 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Park and run throughout the summer. This laid-back event will feature artists such as Jenna McDaniel, Texas Lightning and the Newsboyz Party Band.

Summer also means an overabundance of produce in local gardens. The parks and Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

41

“luxuries for your lucky little ones”

7410 W. Adams Avenue No 170, Temple The city of Temple offers a summer concert series that starts June 5 with other dates throughout the summer in Miller Park. Courtesy photos

254.773.5200 | Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:30pm Sat 10:00am - 4:00pm

recreation department has given gardeners and farmers the chance to sell their extra crops, while giving Temple residents the chance to buy healthy, homegrown foods.

“The farmer’s market has become a staple in the community and is now going to take place in West Temple Park off of FM 2305 every Saturday.”

Summer guide If you’re looking for ways to improve your skills or learn some new ones, then the parks and recreation department has you covered in its summer guide.

“There’s everything under the sun, from cooking to dance to exercise to learning computers,” he said. “You can try something as a senior or as an adult that you’ve always wanted to try, or you can get a taste for something, and if you like it, you can go after it.”

Famous athletes such as Tiger Woods and Billie Jean King first learned their respective sports through local parks and recreation departments. They took that taste and sample of what they did and became professionals, Bryant said.

“We as a department always cordially 42

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Jenna McDaniel performs during Fourth of July festivities at Miller Park in Temple last year.

invite you to come out and participate in anything we offer,” he said. “And we ask that if you partake in one of our experi-

ences, whether it’s a single class or a special event, that you share your experience with your friends and neighbors.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

43

Aubrey Brickhouse, Central Texas Astronomical Society president, said he has been fascinated with space since Sputnik launched in 1957.

A patient pursuit

Central Texas Astronomical Society shares mysteries of the night sky Story by Jessica Pearce Photos by JOSH QUINN and courtesy of Aubrey Brickhouse

T

he sun has set, the moon has risen and folks are out, but they’re not at the movies, a restaurant or a ball game — instead, they are gazing intently at the night sky, some with binoculars and others through high-powered telescopes. What they see varies from person to person, but all have a chance to peer at the celestial bodies inhabiting the Central Texas sky during one of Central Texas Astronomical Society’s monthly star parties and observatory open-house events.

The Central Texas Astronomical Society holds star parties simultaneously at various “dark sky” sites throughout Central Texas, including areas near Waco, Belton and Clifton.

The dark sky locations are outlying areas without the light pollution commonly found in major cities, the better to view constellations and galaxies that only reveal their beauty to those who leave the city life behind. The most permanent viewing location is that of the Meyer Observatory at Turner Research Station between Clifton and Gatesville, though Overlook Park at Stillhouse Hollow Lake is a frequent monthly location for star parties.

Volunteers from the Central Texas Astronomical Society host the star parties as well as monthly open houses at the observatory for children and adults of all ages. “We try to get people interested in astronomy and educate the public,” said Aubrey Brickhouse, CTAS president. “We talk about CTAS and what people can expect to see that night, and offer a night sky overview, pointing at various stars with a green laser pointer to orient people. Then, they can look through a telescope at specifics.”

Pam Fulton, a one-year member of the Central Texas Astronomical Society and volunteer at open house events and 44

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Central Texas Astronomical Society member Pam Fulton stands next to a telescope for viewing the heavens.

Recently she earned her Binocular Messier Program Certificate as a budding astronomer.

The Central Texas Astronomical Society holds star parties simultaneously at various “dark sky” sites throughout Central Texas, including areas near Waco, Belton and Clifton. star parties, was influenced by astronomy at a young age. Her brother, who kept a moon globe in the 1970s, gave her a star map. Her family often took road trips at night, so Fulton grew up gazing at falling stars from her passenger window. A self-described “science buff” who grew up south of Houston, Fulton often went with her

family and visiting guests to nearby NASA, which further whet her appetite for astronomy. “I like to know how everything works,” she said.

The society has developed a two-day Astrolearn class in astronomy for people like Fulton with an eager interest in the Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

45

stars, with classroom instruction during the day and a hands-on “lab” at night.

Brickhouse teaches the daytime portion of Astrolearn, happy to pass on what he knows about astronomy. “I enjoy working with other people, and helping them learn about the night sky,” he said.

Brickhouse’s fascination with astronomy began when Russia launched Sputnik, the world’s first orbiting satellite, in 1957.

“As a teenager, I could see it at night, get a radio and listen to its pulses,” he said.

Brickhouse did not begin as an astronomer, though. His career began with the Air Force as an airborne radio controller from 1960 to 1964. He did, however, brush indirectly with outer space when he worked six months for the International Latex Corporation designing the space suits for the Apollo moon mission. Brickhouse recalled one day on the job when he was having donuts and coffee on a break.

“This unassuming, quiet man asked, ‘Mind if I sit with you?’” said Brickhouse.

“He introduced himself as Neil Armstrong.

No one knew who he was back then, because it was before he became the mission commander. He was a humble guy.”

After living in several states including Delaware, Michigan and upstate New York, Brickhouse came to Texas with his wife Pat in 1987 as a marketing director selling laser and inkjet printers for Texas Instruments.

He continued in the same role after their printing division was sold to a Virginia company. When he retired in 2001, he began to pursue his other hobbies, including collecting and repairing vintage radios and television sets and educating himself in astronomy through Coursera University’s free online classes. In 2005, Brickhouse joined the Central Texas Astronomical Society and became its secretary, then its treasurer, finally becoming president in January 2013 after former president and friend Dean Chandler stepped down.

For Brickhouse, astronomy is a patient pursuit. At each star party, he sets up his equipment, brings a thermos and snacks, and settles in for the long haul without entirely knowing what he will find. It takes about three hours to set up his larger telescope, a German Equatorial Losmandy G11. Set on a large tripod, the telescope is connected to an Ethernet cable to transmit his images directly to a computer for editing. “It takes between eight and 10 hours to shoot pictures and to edit them,” he said. “I enjoy the aspect of trying to cap46

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Members of the Central Texas Astronomical Society host monthly star parties across Central Texas to get a closer look at the night sky and study the stars.

Central Texas College student Alexandra Labrada looks through a telescope during a Central Texas Astronomical Society star party at Overlook Park in Belton.

Aubrey Brickhouse’s fascination with astronomy began when Russia launched Sputnik, the world’s first orbiting satellite, in 1957. ture good images.”

The Andromeda galaxy is Brickhouse’s favorite to photograph, though he also enjoys viewing and shooting the NGC891 galaxy, which he described as an “edge-on galaxy” because it is only visible from its side, making it look like a sliver, similar to “viewing the side of a pancake if your eyes are level with the table.”

He advised those just taking up astronomy to “have patience.” “It takes a substantial amount of time to find the things you want to find,” he added. “You’re dealing with alien things — it’s hard to find what you want initially.”

Instead of rushing out and buying an

expensive telescope, he added, “Get a pair of 10 x 50 binoculars and a sky chart so you can get used to finding things.” He also recommended that enthusiasts join the Central Texas Astronomical Society and have another member mentor them so that they can learn from the experience of others.

Fulton took Brickhouse’s advice when she began to study the stars in earnest. “I used my father’s old sporting binoculars from the ’80s; I was able to use them to find all 110 Messier objects and get certified.”

Charles Messier, a French astronomer in the 1700s, decided to catalogue all he

could see in the night sky, and was the first to codify such objects as nebulae and star clusters, Brickhouse said. “He did this using the equivalent of what we can see with just binoculars today,” he added. Ever since then, identifying Messier Objects is the first benchmark for beginners increasing their knowledge of astronomy.

If budding astronomers were to look up at the Central Texas sky from a star party location, they would be able to view from 500 to 1,000 stars with the naked eye alone, Brickhouse said. At the Meyer Observatory, which opened to the public in 2005, most viewers can also observe the Orion Galaxy, the NGC891 Galaxy, the Horsehead Nebula, the Milky Way and the planets in our solar system through the telescopes manned by the Central Texas Astronomical Society volunteers.

Brickhouse summed up his own astronomical experience saying, “I’m a Christian, and astronomy has certainly enhanced my view of His creation and how vast it is.”

Star Parties and Observatory Open House Nights Before she became a member of the Central Texas Astronomical Society, a friend invited Fulton to a star party at

Overlook Park where she met Brickhouse and other CTAS volunteers.

“Everybody there was so nice and helpful; they weren’t intimidating, but there to help you learn,” Fulton said.

Star parties are free to the public with plenty of space to spread out. Though many society members bring telescopes to share, the public is welcome to bring their own or a good pair of binoculars. Brickhouse recommended bringing folding chairs and

blankets as well as anything needed to settle comfortably outdoors for the night.

The free monthly open house at Meyer Observatory also promises fascinating views as well as an observatory tour and an introduction to astronomy. Space is limited to the first 30 people, so reservations are strongly encouraged.

At both the observatory and star party locations, Brickhouse advises viewers to come early so that their vehicle headlights do not create light pollution or blind other viewers whose eyes have become accustomed to the relative darkness. To navigate in the dark, viewers are asked to use red bulbs in their flashlights or cover their flashlights in red cellophane. Brickhouse explained that strong, white light effectively blinds humans at night, but the red light, similar to an infrared glow, allows humans to navigate safely in the dark.

The next open house at the Meyer Observatory will be from 8 to 10 p.m. June 6 at 14801 Farm-to-Market 182 in Clifton. The nearest Central Texas star party also will be from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. June 6, weather permitting, at Overlook Park by Stillhouse Hollow Lake, 3740 FM 1670 in Belton. For other star party and open house dates and locations, as well as more information on CTAS, go to www.centexastronomy.org.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

47

TexFit

The Letbetter family takes time for play Story by Jessica Pearce Photos by Julie Nabours

I

The Letbetter family enjoys trips in their motorhome. Clockwise from top, Jana, Kyle, Gage and Caton.

48

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

t’s a sultry day in late April at the Letbetters. School’s out for the day, and the air is filled with shouts of, “Make a good throw! Have confidence!” and “Nice catch, sister!” Kyle and Jana and their two children, Caton and Gage, alternately throw and catch a softball, which makes a satisfying “thwack” in their mitts.

Playing catch is only one of the activities this family enjoys. It’s not unusual to see them packing up their RV to go camping at Cedar Ridge and Live Oak Ridge Parks in Belton as often as they can. “It’s hard to beat loading up in the camper and just getting out,” Kyle said. Jana agreed, listing off the many activities they share while camping. “We bring scooters and bikes, make s’mores and play Rummikub, Skip-Bo and corn toss,” she said. The kids were equally enthusiastic, both agreeing that they love camping with their folks.

The Letbetters also make a point of taking an annual family trip to Destin, Fla., at the end of each summer to spend time at the beach. “It’s become a cool tradition,” Jana said. “We go parasailing, deep sea fishing, and grill our meals at the beach house.”

While the trips began with just their immediate family, they brought along another family last year and shared a beach house. This year, they plan on bringing two families with them and splitting the cost of a larger beach house. “It’s great, because I can work and watch the kids play,” Kyle said, explaining that he brings his laptop with him to keep up with his home business while on the go.

Both of the kids have their own memories of the beach. “One time, me and my mom found 200 sand dollars all in one day,” said Caton. “One time, I caught three blue fish,” Gage said. “I was reeling one of them in, and this dolphin jumped up and caught it in the air!”

Last year, the family went to Disney World and all four surrounding theme parks together for the first time, an event that peppers their memories. “It was a blast

Caton and Gage Letbetter enjoy jumping in their backyard pool.

every day,” Jana said. “There was no one ‘top’ memory of being there. It’s great for adults too,” she added. Caton enjoyed the rides she shared with her family, especially the “Rockin’ Rollercoaster,” her favorite of them all. “I would ride with Dad first, then

with Mom — we were screaming our heads off!”

It’s not so much the big trips that keep them connected as it is the little things they share, though. The kids play together Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

49

Kyle Letbetter throws a baseball to his son, Gage, in the family’s backyard. The family lives on seven acres between Temple and Troy where there’s plenty of room to play.

ABOVE: Gage Letbetter jumps into the pool.

AT RIGHT: Caton Letbetter catches a baseball thrown by her mom, Jana.

50

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

ABOVE: Caton and Gage Letbetter play in the pool with Drake, the family’s black Lab. BELOW: Jana Letbetter organizes the kitchen in the family motorhome before a trip.

in the outdoor pool, which Kyle and Jana plan to add a volleyball net to so that the whole family can be active in the water during the hot Texas summer. Caton said she enjoys the movies and shows the family watches together while they eat dinner, including NBC’s “The Voice.” While Jana and Kyle both work hard at their family business, Jana said, “We enjoy the hot tub at night after the kids have gone to bed.”

The Letbetters moved onto their seven acres between Temple and Troy in 2008. They built a custom home and set up shop for the home-based business they run together. Kyle is the owner of Better Trees of Texas, where he brokers trees and landscaping to wholesalers, and Mission Landscape Supply in San Antonio, where he stores the large-scale shipments of trees and landscaping. “I work from home, staying on the phone and doing bids. I’m the middle man,” he said, adding that while his work is highly time-consuming, “You’ve just got to learn when to put it down.”

Jana, who began her career as a chemistry teacher, now works beside her husContinued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

51

From left, Jana, Caton, Gage and Kyle Letbetter enjoy family time lounging by the backyard pool of their home between Temple and Troy.

band doing the bookkeeping for the family business. She explained that her kids have a set bedtime, enabling her and Kyle to finish any leftover work after the children are asleep.

“I can work at 10 at night if I need to,” she said. In addition, she teaches Zumba at a local gym. “I was teaching six or seven times a week, but now only two times a week. It helps to balance my schedule.”

The Letbetter children are equally well-balanced, each holding different interests outside of school. Eight-year-old Gage has earned the nickname “Dash” as a quarterback and running back for his football team. “I like football ‘cause it’s fun,” he drawled in a Texas accent thicker than the rest of his family’s. “You get to tackle people, and you’ve got to be tough.”

While he also plays T-ball once a week, he declared, “My favorite thing is playing on the Xbox.”

He reminisced about some of his other favorite activities he does less often, such as hog hunting with his dad near College Station. “We were about to leave, and we saw this huge hog, but it was behind us, 52

Providing the energy for bluer skies.

Homes with natural gas appliances produce about half of the carbon dioxide emissions of all-electric homes. By choosing natural gas, you’re helping to keep our skies clear today—and for years to come.

It’s one more thing you can feel good about from Atmos Energy, your natural gas company.

Caton Letbetter is not afraid to catch frogs and snakes that she finds in the yard.

so my dad couldn’t shoot it,” he said. “We were up in the stand but we could see its muscles.”

Like many active boys, Gage prefers sports to school. “My worst enemy is homework. It ruins my plans,” he said.

Caton, their 11 year-old daughter, is her own mix of sporty and spice. She is on a select all-girls softball team, the “Texas

Babes,” that Kyle coaches. “I like softball because I get to hang out with my friends and I just like the game,” she said. Caton is also fond of horseback riding and barrel racing. Her grandmother, who lives next door, is an avid equestrian and has taught her all she knows. “I ride a quarter horse; he’s a light sorrel color,” she said. Caton Continued

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM bsky_product_hulahoop_7_875x5_125_01mg.indd 1

53

3/4/13 5:49 PM

ABOVE: From left, Jana, Gage, Kyle and Caton Letbetter get ready for a family camping trip. Their boxer, Eli, is eager to tag along. BELOW: Caton floats in the pool.

also plays basketball during the season.

Her team took second place last year, she said.

While she has been known to scoop up garden snakes and catch frogs, she loves her pets even more. “I like to play with my animals, my puppies and kitties,” she said. Drake, the 2-year-old black lab, is her favorite, because “he’s more active and playful,” she said. In addition, she loves reading in her own favorite spaces. “I sit on that brown thing over there,” she said, gesturing to a storage bin on the outdoor porch. “No one can see me or interrupt me there.” Her favorite book genres are “realistic animal fiction” and zombie series, such as “Dead City” and “Blue Moon.”

“They really leave you hanging,” Caton said.

Unlike Gage, Caton loves school.

“Technically, the best thing is my fourthgrade teacher, Mr. Travis,” she said. “If you want me to describe him, he’s amazing.”

While both parents and kids have their own responsibilities and interests, they have found many things that they enjoy doing together. “We’re lucky that we share a lot in common,” Jana said. Kyle, 54

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

for instance, loves to coach his daughter and son in basketball, football and softball during their sports seasons. “I like being involved with the kids,” he said. “Coaching is my getaway from work.”

Kyle and Jana both cited different reasons for spending family time together.

“It’s about the kids,” Kyle said, referring to time spent coaching or with his family.

“When you see the returns it makes on the kids, it’s great. I don’t want their lives to just pass by. “I don’t want to miss out. I’ll blink, and they’ll be off to college — then I don’t know what I’ll do!”

“I watch so many people over-commit,” Jana added, “I’ve just said, ‘We’re not going to be that busy.’”

The Letbetters make time together simply by not doing too much at once.

“Jana’s here during the day, so that makes it easier,” Kyle said, adding, “I’m also not on the road very much, and try to limit my work day from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. while the kids are still up.” He has also given up playing flag football so that he can coach and be with his family.

“We make our kids pick and choose one major activity per quarter,” Jana said.

“We follow the seasons, including baseball and basketball.” She explained that this eliminates the constant need to drive their kids everywhere and allows them more time together. She has found the best thing that helps their schedules mesh is simply “to have a schedule. I find we’re more productive as a family that way.”

The kids each described why they like to spend time with their family. “Because it’s all fun and we all get to hang out and be together,” said Gage. Caton added, “Because I’m having fun with the people I love the most.”

TEXAS-SIZE SAVINGS Temple Office Don Murphy

Gary Schmiedekamp

Jessie George

Davis Ford

Mitchell Beck

LUTCF Agency Manager

LUTCF Agent

Agent

Agent

Agent, Killeen

1341 Marlandwood Rd. Temple, TX 76502 254.778.4741 Killeen Office 4200 E Stan Schlueter Loop Killeen, TX 76542 254.690.7111

Gary M. Lynd

Toby Brooks

LaDeena Boyd

Decius Tasby

Agent

Agent

Agent

Agent, Killeen

Art Williams, II

Steve Giniewicz

Sofia Johnson

Pam Stahr

Agent, Killeen

Agent

Agent

Agent

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

55

TexPets

Keep your pets safe, healthy during summer

By CATHERINE HOSMAN

I

n just a few weeks summer will be in full bloom, kids will be out of school and local family-friendly outdoor events will be in full swing. Spending time outdoors with family is tradition for Central Texas residents, and many like to include their canine companions in the festivities.

James Hamm, president of the International Association of Canine Professionals and owner of Lone Star Dog Trainer in Copperas Cove, said pet owners need to be aware of the potential heat injuries a pet can sustain in Texas.

“Unless your dog is acclimated to being outside for long periods of time, is overweight or ill, it’s not a good idea to take them,” Hamm said. “They are more susceptible to heat stroke.”

“Don’t take your pets out for a walk when it’s 100 degrees, or if it’s 76 degrees and humid,” added Dr. Robert Murry of Aztec Pet Hospital and Veterinarian Clinic in Harker Heights. “Dogs cannot cool down like we do, especially if your pet has a short muzzle.”

According to Pet MD, “dogs with a short muzzle may suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome, which is the medical term related to various upper airway problems found in short-nosed, flat-faced dog breeds such as Pekingese, pug, bulldog, boxer, Chihuahua and Shih Tzu.” Hamm said to watch for signs of heat injury in your pets when out at a park, lake, beach or camping. One of the first signs is that the dog will appear sluggish, tired and lay down. The second sign is the animal will stop moving and appear unclear. If the dog drops, Hamm said they are in heat stroke and this is a medical emergency.

“Begin treatment immediately. Your pet will have an 80 percent chance of survival,” said Hamm, adding that a 30-minute ride to a veterinarian clinic could cost your pet precious time.

Hamm said if outdoors, get your pet in shade immediately, or get it indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Cool your pet as quickly as possible by immersing it in water and ice. Place cool towels on 56

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

its head and torso. Rub alcohol into the fur on its torso, not the face, and check the temperature using a standard thermometer.

A dog’s temperature should be between 99.5 and 102.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

Anything above 103 is a danger zone for dogs. Make sure your pet has plenty of hydration before you take it with you to an outdoor event, beach, or camping trip.

“Also, don’t take your pets on a marathon run because you don’t know their

ability on distance,” Murry said. “If you see your dog limping, it’s time to stop.”

Another precaution Murry said pet owners can take to keep their animals comfortable is Pad Guard. “This is a salve you spread on your pets’ feet that gives them protection from hot pavement,” Murry said.

Keeping your pet in control at outdoor events is also crucial for the pets’ safety, especially with all of the leash laws in place in local communities. Hamm said when you are out with your pet to use a lead 46 feet in length. Don’t use a retractable leash because they are unsafe. Use a flat or training collar that won’t come undone.

Although Hamm trains dogs with the offleash method, he said “on-leash manners are spectacular on a dog that is off-leash trained.”

Some leads include the traditional collar and leash, a halter and leash or a Halti lead.

Susan Belltran, vet tech at Aztec Animal Hospital and Clinic, said she used a Halti lead for her rottweiler. “The Halti lead goes around the muzzle and provides a painless, gentle control for dogs,” she said.

Murry said if you plan to have your pets outside and around other dogs, it’s imperative to have current vaccines. In addition to their annual rabies, they should also have bortadella, parvo and canine influenza. “There have been reported cases of canine flu in Texas,” Belltran said.

“It’s implied. Don’t come to me unless they are vaccinated,” added Hamm. “Texas

Want more information?

James Hamm is a retired Army command sergeant major who served for 30 years on active duty. He worked around the world in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Bosnia, Colombia, Panama, Italy and Germany and held leadership positions for 25 years where he focused his efforts on communicating, planning and training to achieve success with soldiers, civilians and dogs. He is the owner of Lone Star Dog Trainer in Copperas Cove. Go to www.lonestardogtrainer.com.

Robert L. Murry, DVM is the owner of Aztec Pet Hospital and Clinic in Harker Heights. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1979 and is a member of the Texas Veterinarian Medical Association. His philosophy on pet ownership is to provide the best care that you are capable of providing and then knowing when to let go of your pet to avoid undue suffering. Go to www.aztecpethospital.com.

Make sure your pet has plenty of hydration before you take it with you to an outdoor event, beach, or camping trip. is the parvo capital of America. Wherever you congregate, dog parks, events—dogs are susceptible to the disease.”

Before you take off for that weekend trip or day excursion, make sure your pet is ready for the drive experience. If you have a new pet, or a pet that is not used to riding in a car, Murry said, “Take your pet out for short rides and have it end with a positive experience.”

“Do it every day and end it with a treat or a big hug, whichever reward works,” he added.

Never leave your pets in a locked car with the windows rolled up during the summer heat and never let your pet ride in the back of a truck. When traveling with pets in the back seat of your car, keep your windows up because dogs have been known to jump out.

And keep your pet secure, either with a seat belt harness or in a crate. Hamm, who has four dogs himself, two large and two small, said he uses Ruff Tough Kennels to transport his animals. “These are plastic travel kennels that can be bolted down,” Hamm said.

When traveling with your pets this summer, Hamm said, “Common sense prevails in all cases. If you’re not sure, don’t bring your pet.

“Always err on the side of caution,” Hamm added. “Not on the side of risk.”

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

57

Wildlife adventure

TexAdventures

Endangered birds call Balcones Canylonlands home Story by Fred Afflerbach Photos by Rob Peoples

W

ildlife biologists, outdoor enthusiasts and bird watchers are singing a song of gratitude to the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo here in the Texas Hill Country. Conservation efforts to save these endangered migratory songbirds from extinction have resulted in hatching a 24,000-acre nature preserve west of Lago Vista, in western Travis County.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991 as a concession for development in the Austin area. To offset the loss of native habitat, especially ashe juniper and live oak trees, land with the same-type vegetation had to be spared the bulldozer.

“I think the American people probably figured out when the passenger pigeon went extinct and the buffalo almost went down the same path that it’s important to protect species from going extinct,” said David Maple, deputy refuge manager.

“There’s an emotional attachment. There’s also a biological attachment. Kids in school are taught about the food webs, the different webs in nature. You can’t pull on one part of a web without moving everything else. Even though you may not readily see the importance of a golden cheek warbler or a black-capped vireo, they are an integral part of a particular ecosystem that’s worth protecting.”

Now in its 24th year, the preserve is a real-time wildlife biology lesson for hikers and nature lovers, or anyone who wants to escape civilization for a little tranquility.

Visitors meander on miles of trails that cross spring-fed creeks and traverse steep limestone grades that lead to panoramic vistas. Others simply relax on a shaded deck and wait for a warbler or vireo to serenade its mate.

The preserve is a patchwork of ranches that were bought by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Services. The federal government authorized purchasing 41,000 acres total, but Congress has not followed through with funding. Thus, only a little more than half the allotted habitat has been pur58

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

The golden-cheek warbler is one of the endangered species of birds that calls Balcones Canyonlands home.

chased and permanently set aside.

This fragile alliance between the federal government, big business and Mother Nature is good fortune for outdoor lovers of all stripes.

“We have some folks that are some real, die-hard bird watchers. It’s a whole subculture,” said Maple. “We have other people who just enjoy being in the outdoors. Others are just interested in putting in a good, long hike. And for those who have mobility problems, we can show them some really scenic drives that run throughout and adjacent to the refuge.”

Balcones Canyonlands is one of more than 560 refuges nationwide operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Conservation groups such as the nonprofit Wilderness Society have for years said the refuges are woefully under-funded and under-staffed. Local volunteers often fill the void.

The Friends of Balcones Canyonlands was established in 2001 and plays an integral role in daily operations. Volunteers build traps to cage aggressive cowbirds that invade the endangered birds’ nests.

They also mow, mend fences and maintain trails, answer phones, greet guests and lead tours.

“Without volunteers, this place

couldn’t operate,” said Dub Lyon, president of the Friends of Balcones. “Our sole purpose is to support the refuge.”

Lyon says the refuge is a natural treasure that must be protected. An avid outdoorsman, Lyon, 70, was awarded 2014 national volunteer of the year for the entire refuge system.

“You’re not only protecting the nesting habitat of the birds, you’re protecting the Hill Country itself,” Lyon said. “I’ve fished and hunted all my life. And I hate to see all this destroyed with development.”

The Songbird Festival, held in April each year, is a sort of welcome home celebration for the warbler and vireo. Visitors can enter a photo contest or join a friendly, guided competition to see who can spot the most bird species. (The winning group this year recorded 95 different birds.)

Youngsters can enroll in the Fledgling Fest, which includes a live raptor show.

One popular event is called Wings and Wine. “Binoculars in one hand, a wine glass in the other, that’s how we start our festival,” said Kelly Smith, Songbird Festival chair.

Erik Bruhnke, a birding tour guide who migrates north to south with the bird population, led several tours at the four-day Continued TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

59

Elliott Meinkoff of Austin visited the annual songbird festival in April and made friends with this Eurasian Eagle Owl.

event. “It’ll tickle your heart pink knowing that here’s this amazingly beautiful bird you can’t find anywhere else in the entire world except basically the Hill Country of Texas,” Bruhnke said. “It’s our job as humans to take care of the habitat. To ensure the home sweet home of every living animal here is kept native and natural.”

ABOVE: The black-capped vario calls the Balcones Canyonlands home.

TOP: Spring-fed Cow Creek flows through the refuge and crosses Travis County Road 328.

AT LEFT: The Balcones Canyonlands NWR is free and open to the public. Due to a lack of funds, an available 525-acre tract of prime habitat has not been purchased.

60

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

Recognizing the birds Flying north from Mexico and Central America, the golden-cheeked warbler arrives in the oak-juniper thickets in Central Texas in March. Wildlife biologists say it lays eggs only in thick, oak-juniper stands in Central Texas. To announce their territory, the males sing a distinctive song: BzzBzz Lay Zee Day Zee. Its bright yellow cheek is interrupted by a black streak. The best chance to glimpse one is from March through mid-July at the Warbler Observation Deck.

The black-capped vireo winters in north-central Mexico and migrates north each March to an area from Central Texas and up a thin band that terminates in central Oklahoma. The vireo builds nests in low-growing shrubs. The distinctive male is recognized by its glossy black cap and white spectacles. Best place to find the vireo is the Shin Oak Observation Deck. The male’s rapid-fire songs sound like “pick up a chair, put it down.”

Both birds are only about 4.5 inches long. Habitat loss or alteration due to clearing land for agriculture and urban development are the main threats to the birds.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “More than 280 different species of birds have been recorded in the Balcones Canyon lands NWR, a large number for a relatively small area.”

Continued

Women’s Apparel, Jewelry & Accessories, Baby & Kids Gifts & Apparel, Furniture & Home Decor, Collegiate, Yarn Shop, “Artisian’s Alley”, Men’s Gifts, Wine Gifts and More!

Open 7 days a week!

The Shoppes on Main 22 N. Main Street, Salado

254-947-0888

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

61

Juanita Hall of Pennsylvania and Jeri Price of Maryland take a break during an April walk on the Doeskin Ranch Trail.

DovE and big-game hunting You wouldn’t think that hunting and bird watching are compatible, but the refuge successfully juggles these two activities.

The refuge maintains that hunting helps keep wildlife populations compatible with native habitat.

Dove hunting is allowed Sept. 1-4 with purchase of a $20 permit. About 115 acres, including a sunflower field, a stream and a pond are available.

Big game hunting — deer, feral hogs and turkeys — is possible by entering a lottery. Three general hunts and one youth hunt are conducted each fall.

Refuge Deputy Manager David Maple said this is a great opportunity because leasing private property is expensive and there is little public land available in Texas. More information is online at: www.fws.gov.

If you go Free and open to the public, sunrise to sunset year round.

The welcome center is five miles west of Lago Vista at 24518 FM 1431. Open 62

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

David Maple is the Deputy Refuge Manager at the Balcones Canyonlands Refuge headquarters, a few miles west of Lago Vista.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Stop there; pick up trail maps and literature on the endangered birds and ecosystem, and top off your water bottle. Call 512339-9432. Wear closed-toe shoes and a

hat; bring water, sunscreen, snacks and binoculars. Watch for snakes and stay on designated trails only. Restrooms are located at trailheads. There is no overnight camping.

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

63

ADVERTISERS INDEX American Hearing..................................... 39 Arches.......................................................... 5 Atmos Energy............................................. 53 Bell County Museum................................. 43 Bello Photography...................................... 24 Best Wishes Gifts....................................... 13 Blind & Shutter Gallery............................ 15 Centex Pool Service................................... 61 Central Texas Memorials............................. 7 Central Texas Orthodontics...................... 29 Climate Control........................................ 63 Curtis Cook Designs................................. 63 Dairy Queen.............................................. 13 Doctors Express........................................... 5

DocuMaxx.................................................. 23 Dr. Philip Davis Jr., DDS............................. 9 Dr. Shelley Giebel/Healthy Success.......... 53 Eagle Home Mortgage............................... 29 Ellis Air Systems......................................... 22 English Maids............................................ 15 Estacia’s...................................................... 53 Extraco Banks-Temple................................ 68 Hallmark Service Co.................................... 5 Hidden Falls Nursery................................... 7 Killeen Arts & Activities Center................17 Killeen Overhead Doors.............................17 Lastovica Jewelers....................................... 63 Lochridge Priest Inc................................... 67

Lucky Bebe................................................. 43 Metroplex Hospital...................................... 3 Montessori Schools of Central Texas........ 65 Painting with a Twist................................. 55 Scott’s Lawn Care Central Texas............... 55 Shoppes on Main in Salado....................... 61 Solar Centex...............................................17 Texas Bariatric Specialists.......................... 29 Texas Farm Bureau.................................... 55 The Grout Doctor..................................... 43 Union State Bank........................................ 7 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.

See what a great ad in Tex Appeal can do for your business!

64

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

65

TexTherapy

‘The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.’

— Anonymous

66

JUNE 2015 | TEX APPEAL

TEXAPPEALMAG.COM

67

Why should your bank care about your vacation memories?

Because you care about making vacation memories.

Every Extraco customer has a special connection to our bank. They’re a neighbor, a fellow Texan, a member of the same community. Which means that, when you have a goal, we make it our goal.

That’s banking with a purpose.

PERSONAL / VACATION LOANS CREDIT CARDS EXTRACO BLOG

2014

THE BEST

68

f

in

BLOG

Extraco Banks is a Member FDIC.

see how Extraco JUNE 2015To | TEX APPEAL

can help you, contact an Extraco Lender at 254.774.5500 or extracobanks.com