PUBLISHER‘S LETTER

To single out only a few successful Central Texas women in business today is nearly impossible because there are so many from which to choose. That number grows each year along with appreciation of the role women play in business and leadership. I personally have watched this change and the numbers grow since 1987 when I became editor and publisher of the Temple Daily Telegram and the Killeen Daily Herald, and president of Frank Mayborn Enterprises, with many of those years as president and owner of KCEN-TV. Having so many great business women in our area fortunately makes the publication possibilities for this annual theme limitless, and in our Summer 2021 issue we found new ones as well as some familiar ones to share with you. Meet Karen Clos, director of communications at Texas A&M–Central Texas, whose inspiring story on page 26 exemplifies the meaning of the kindness of strangers and paying good deeds forward to help others in achieving their education and career dreams. Find the story of Royce Crawford and her sister-in-law, Valerie Crawford, of Cherished Memories Pet Cremation Services LLC, who work together to keep the memory of precious pets alive for families in the form of custom-made SUE MAYBORN Tex Appeal publisher beads worn on a charm bracelet or necklace on page 50. Denise Ayers, the director of Career and Technical Education at Temple High School, matches learning skills with business needs, helping students discover career options at a state-of-the-art center on page 34. Tonya Autry, vice president of Colonial Property Management in Harker Heights and a Stage IV breast cancer survivor, pulls her family together to help their tenants make their houses homes on page 30. Angela Jourdain of TLC Matchmaking in Killeen provides a better, safer, more effective, stress-free way to date in an extremely complicated world, as well as mentorship, guidance and education about how to have meaningful, lasting relationships on page 54. Allison Finney, owner of Finney Insurance in Belton, tells the tale of her journey from working in a West Texas beef packing house to helping

Central Texans make the right choices when it comes to insurance coverage and property protection on page 58. Come see how Leah McHorse, estate sales planner and owner of Darling

Décor & More and A Darling Thrift Store in Temple, has expanded her business of “upcycling” and recycling décor and antiques on page 64. Meet our Fort Hood Friend, Staff Sgt. Samantha Escamilla of the 502nd

Dental Company Area Support, 1st Medical Brigade, 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Fort Hood, who turned tragedy into a career triumph for herself on page 62. Brooke May caters delicious food and brings her family tradition to Central Texans with her La Luncheonette restaurant and Hecho en Queso food truck on page 14. Kristin Wright and Killeen Creators volunteers work together to eliminate food deserts for Central Texans in Killeen on page 8. Speaking of food, find out what foods are best for staying hydrated in the summer heat on page 68. Find beach and poolside reading choices on page 22, Easter eggs and trains on page 12, and a great place to take the family on an educational day trip on page 70. At Tex Appeal Magazine, we love bringing you the stories of your friends, family and neighbors, but we can’t do it without your story tips.

If you have a story suggestion, contact editor Janna Zepp at editor@ texappealmag.com or call 254-774-5266.

Sue Mayborn

Tex Appeal publisher Tex Appeal

Life & Style in Central Texas

Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC.

KILLEEN DAILY HERALD

1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540

TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM

10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501

Publisher SUE MAYBORN

Editor JANNA ZEPP

Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER

Contributors FRED AFFLERBACH JUSTIN BORJA BRANDY CRUZ SKEEBO REICHERT AMY ROGNLIE BECKY STINEHOUR CAREY STITES TONYA WARREN

Advertising 254-778-4444 in Temple 254-501-7500 in Killeen

ABOUT US: Tex Appeal Magazine is published by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: For the United States, $24 per year, 4 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444.

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

HOW TO CONTACT US: Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Janna Zepp at 254-774-5266 or editor@texappealmag.com