Piney Woods Live, February 2014

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Kristah and Lucas Kitchen take the cover this issue with their fun and unique style. We fell in love with their artsy love story, so we just had to share!

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by Crystal Davis

by Jan Statman

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STAFF Publishers / Editors Tracy Magness & Gary Krell

Editor’s

Note

Ben Valencia

It has definitely been a pleasure for all of us putting this magazine together for you to enjoy. Managing Editor February is one of my absolute favorite months of the year, full of love, hearts, valentines and chocolate! This issue is jam packed with love, and you won’t want to miss our feature spread. There you will discover power couple Kristah and Lucas Kitchen. See how their love and love for the arts powers them to walk into the sunset together to get ready to conquer another day! I’ve had the pleasure of working with Kristah, and she is a very sweet and talented young woman. Next, Wirelight, a group of sisters whose acoustic folk music and sound are unique, grace the pages of Piney Woods Live. They add a “fairy-like” charm to our local music scene. If you’d like to hear them, you can log on to ReverbNation – there you will find a few of their songs to enjoy. Better yet, go see them live! I graduated from Ore City High School with one of the sisters, Kelsey. I did not realize it was her until I saw a photo of them that was to be printed in the magazine. And did my heart swell with pride! Proud to know that such an honest, beautiful, loving and caring person is leaving her mark on the folk music world. Who knows, one day we may just see Wirelight playing a gig on Good Morning America. Like I said, I am proud to know her! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we have found unique handmade cards with a Victorian flare from artist Angela Bradshaw in Marshall. Discover how you can send your loved ones something special this year whether you order your cards from Angela or decide to make your own. Did I hear someone say steak and wine??? We paid a visit to Lago del Pino and found a wonderful place to spend your Valentine’s Day dinner with a special someone, and it will ensure that you will earn some brownie points. Set upon a beautiful lake among towering pine trees, Lago del Pino is full of class and charm. Staff writer Claudia Lowery takes us to Riverport for a succulent mouth-watering barbecue restaurant review. And if you’re a single lady on Valentine’s Day, don’t be discouraged, because there is a party for you! Once again, Sheila Rainer will host her famous annual Valentine’s Party for single ladies, where everyone is invited! Read all about it as staff writer Jan Statman gives us the scoop on this wonderful event. The Perot Theatre in Texarkana welcomes the broadway musical Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Feb. 13, a wonderful love story. Read about the musical’s beauty and grander. Make plans to see it; it is definitely one for the whole family to enjoy. There is so much love going on in this issue that I could go on and on, so I digress. Sit down, take a load off and enjoy all the exciting suprises that we have for you this issue. Love is what you make it to be, and I see it as something that can brighten the darkness. Love, in all its forms, fuels life. It fuels the arts. In this issue, that is evident. Without it, where would we be? I’ll let you answer that question.

Manag ging Editor Ben Valencia Publicist Andrea Johnson Adve ertising Director Suzanne Warren Conttributing Writerrs Shane Valencia, Tony McCullough, Randy Brown, Crystal Davis, Claudia Lowery, Robbie Goodrich, Jeremy G. Butler, Jan Statman Gra aphic Artists Jeremiah Shepherd, Joni Guess, Tracy Magness, Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson Sales Ben Valencia, Andrea Johnson,Carolee Chandler, Kathy Hollan, Cookie Bias, Lori Martin, Shea Vogel, Tracy Stopani

Sign up for our newsletter by going to our website: PineyWoodsLive.com m

Cheers! Kelseyy ((from Wirelight) and me our Senior year of high school.

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Wirelight is a relatively new band in East Texas made up of three sisters that are quickly becoming sensational songwriting sweethearts of the south. The girls are playing their acoustic folk music throughout the Piney Woods area and in Dallas. Kelsey Grogan, Kayla Raut and Kimberly Elliot play tunes that resonate a new folk revival sound and have heavy influences derived from the genre. The sisters admit the group formed with an unusual beginning. “They never had a shot at normal,” the band’s biography states on their ReverbNation page, www.reverbnation. com/wirelight, where one can sample the band’s original tracks. Daughters to professional jugglers/ painters/ ice cream truck drivers, the band started when Kayla, the middle sibling, picked up the guitar and relentlessly played her musical creations for her sisters. Eventually, in keepFebruary 2014 - Page 6

ing with the “can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” adage, the other two sisters combined efforts with Kayla to create an artistic styling that is truly unique in the East Texas music scene – not only because they are an all-female band, but also because the music they’re producing breaks barriers and molds other local musicians haven’t attempted yet. “Music for us, is a creative outlet,” said oldest sister, Kelsey. “It’s tough to find our pocket.” The New Folk genre does not thrive in East Texas where rock, alternative, hip-hop and country dominate the radio, but the women in Wirelight created the band to satisfy their own personal, artistic expression versus how marketable they could be or how many labels they could entice. It’s this very honest explanation of who they are and what they are doing that sets them apart from the pack. While Kelsey

claims their influences lie with bands like Mumford and Sons and Looking Glass, the very base of their music starts in the singer/songwriter department with song lyrics that follow a storyline and a finger picking guitar style that is so melodically poignant it gives away the tone of the story before the lyrics even begin. Vocals are lead by Kayla, the middle sibling, though everyone contributes harmonies. Kayla also provides rhythm on the djembe as well as other folk percussion instruments, while Kelsey and Kimberly play guitars. In more recent performances, the women have introduced a mandolin to their set, adding to their folk song sound. Listening to Wirelight songs like “I Think I Can Love” and “Heavy Heart,” there is a clear, sweet vibrato and perfectly pitched falsetto about the vocals that

emulate the wide range of other soulful singers with rich voices like Zooey Deschanel of She & Him. Wirelight has played venues across the region at places like Sweet Sabine’s in Marshall and have become regular guests for the town’s Boogie Woogie festival every second Saturday of the month on the downtown Telegraph stage. They have also played The House of Blues in Dallas as well as the Deep Ellum Arts Festival. Their first album, Northward, is available now and carries a title track, along with a good, eclectic discography. Tour dates and show listings can be found at www.facebook.com/wirelight. Folk music, also known as world music, is present in every culture. The Irish, Africans, Indians and Canadians have their own genre of folk. Now, East Texas can add their name to that list of musically recognized culture thanks to three unique sisters that grew up in the Piney Wood’s own backyard.

“Music for us, is a creative outlet.” PineyWoodsLive.com

By Jan Statman Sheila Rainer is wearing her “Cupid Sheila” hat again this year as she welcomes single ladies to attend her Famous Annual Valentine’s Party. The party will be held at the First Lutheran Church, 3901 Bill Owens Pkwy at the corner of Hawkins and Bill Owens from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Friday evening, February 14. Everyone is invited, and everyone is warmly welcomed. The party started back in 1995 when Sheila overheard her mother, Marie Ballard, and several of her mother’s friends discussing how sad they would be when Valentine’s Day arrived. Sheila’s mother and her lady friends were all widows. They had all lost the one true love of their lives. They were alone, and they were all dreading the sad day that was so happy for others and had once been so happy for them. To be alone at Valentine’s Day sharpened the pain of their loneliness, and it brought back the memory of all that they had lost – all that could never be replaced in their broken hearts. “My mom was a young widow at age 59. She and I were always best friends, so Greg and I always included her in our Valentine’s plans,” Sheila said. “But once I heard the ladies talking, and I realized what a hard holiday Valentine’s Day was for a widow, I decided to do something extra special for them … so I invited my mom and her widowed friends to come and have a special dinner at our home on Valentine’s Day that year.” The dinner was such a success, and the ladies enjoyed it so much that the next year Sheila invited the widowed ladies of her church and community to come to a special Valentine’s Day dinner. “Each year they seemed so thrilled. They would share stories of love and friendship. They would smile together instead of crying alone. I originally cooked the dinner and bought gifts for all the ladies in attendance. We always had chocolates,” she recalled. “My son and my husband and I worked together to decorate the tables with pearls and white roses,, and we served the ladies in our home. Theyy had such a good time they stayed until it wass well past bedtime. Everyone took home a littlee gift.” Each year the ladies seemed delighted d h with their Valentine’s Day celebration, and each year they would be challenged to bring a friend d who would be a guest for Valentine’s Day thee n following year. The party began to double in size. Then it tripled in size. Then it got even n bigger. Sheila began to think about how manyy y ladies were alone and lonely at Valentine’s Day because they were single or divorced, so she beegan to open the group to all ladies of all ages. Sheila is a volunteer chaplain on staff at Good Shepherd Hospital, and she works with h various ministry groups. She said, “As I meet et people throughout the year, I extend an invitaation to them. I might meet them at the hospital, l, or at a club, or when I’m at the grocery storee buying bread. I have lots of opportunities to o PineyWoodsLive.com

invite ladies year round to make a new friend each February 14. We have a great group of ladies of all ages, and it is a fun, festive, gala evening.” For many years local restaurants were kind enough to donate food for the Valentine’s Party dinners, but Sheila realized that as attendance grew larger and larger, too much of the evening was spent in preparing and serving dinners. It became clear that the entertainment and friendship were more important to the guests than the food. The ladies would enjoy the party even more if the refreshments were limited to a selection of elegant desserts. “We still always have chocolate, of course, and we have entertainment, wonderful desserts, interesting door prizes, inspirational speeches and lots of laughs,” she explained. “I want people to come make a new friend at every party. It’s all free, and it’s all good. Everybody dresses comfortably, but most of the ladies have decided to wear red or pink in keeping with the Valentine celebration theme. These days the guests are asked to bring a favorite dessert and a small five dollar gift to be part of the gift exchange so that nobody goes home empty handed.” The guest list continued to grow and expand until several hundred women now attend the party each year. Many of them insist it is their favorite day next to their own birthday. As the Valentine’s party grew, many of Sheila’s friends were inspired to help serve, decorate, and buy gifts year round for Valentine’s Day. She now has a committee of 20 women who work together all year long to make the event possible. “We have no budget, so people are kind enough to give of themselves. We all give up our own Valentine’s night with our husbands and sweethearts in order to serve our ladies,” she said. “We are blessed because we know we can enjoy our Valentine’s Day together with our sweethearts every day of the year, but they can’t do that anymore. We make it possible for our nds ladies to have their special night out with friends on February 14.” Sheila is thankful for all the volunteers and is particularly thankful for the First Luther ran Lutheran

Church, which opens its doors and its heart to the Valentine party every year. “First Lutheran has adopted us. Pastor Jeff has been so gracious, so we now have a permanent home,” Sheila said. “This is the first time I can say, ‘Come back here to this place next year.’” This is also the third year that four young women will drive to Longview from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches because they want to be part of the party. They volunteer to help greet and serve the guests. There is also a husband and wife team, Vivian and Fred Gebhardt, who are invaluable as helpers. Vivian greets, decorates, serves, contacts visitors, and does many other things to make the evening go smoothly. Fred plays the fiddle beautifully, and he stands out in the courtyard playing his fiddle as he guides the ladies into the building like Pied Piper. One of the volunteers, who is now in her 90s, always makes every party different and special by creating a little token gift to send home with the guests. She wants each lady to have a handmade gift. This year she has covered 200 beautiful little “love” boxes to send home. “This is a big job, and it comes from a lady with a big heart,” Sheila laughed. Another friend donates craft items each year. This year she will guide the ladies who want to make a charming luggage tag. Sheila and her volunteers share many happy

memories of Valentine Parties. One lady, who was an amputee, was embarrassed to come to the party. Sheila insisted, and then she pleaded, finally promising to let her come early so she could be seated when everyone else arrived so they wouldn’t notice her missing leg. She had a wonderful time. She didn’t even want to go home when it was over and begged to be the first to be invited the next year. “It was a sweet experience,” Sheila remembered. “I knew she’d make friends and be blessed. We are all blessed by giving to the ladies, by serving and by entertaining them. They are blessed by being pampered and knowing someone cares about them and knowing they are special.” Every party brings new surprises for the guests to enjoy. “Lucy Ricardo and Ethel” showed up one year. Another time “Elvis” arrived just in time to sing to the ladies. A geisha girl made one party extra fun. An angel once appeared at the door. There will certainly be surprises for this year’s party as well. Sheila Rainer’s gala Annual Valentine Party is fun, uplifting, free, and it is open to the public. All ladies are invited to come and bring a friend. For more information, or to volunteer to help, to serve or to entertain, please call Sheila Rainer at 903-736- 2121.

February 2014 - Page 7

becoming involved with art activities and becoming an artist. Children who don’t see things that way simply quit trying to draw. They become doctors and lawyers and accountants, preachers, teachers, cowboys and managers of shopping centers. Even though they decide they are not going to make art, they are always free to enjoy it. As the young artist develops, he or she instinctively begins to recognize whether the gift of art is in the hand or in the skull. The artist who creates magic realism is all fist. The images they put on canvas or on paper will come alive in their hands. They can try to experiment with changing ideas, but those images won’t make them happy. Experimental abstractionists are all skull. Of course they have to start out with the ability to draw, but they feel the need to go beyond capturing what they see in front of them. These artists see and think differently. Their gifts are not interchangeable. No amount of coaching will make an experimental painter happy about creating works in magic realism. They can do it, but their figures will not sing to them, and they don’t want to do it. The idea that a diligent realist who suffers through enough design instruction can create moving abstractions is equally absurd. Of course they can do it, but the patterns will not sing to them, and they don’t want to do it. Artists create what inspires their vision and stirs their hearts. It is as simple as that. Artists know that the same sense of design applies to all their art even though it may be seen and used in different ways. Unfortunately, art education is sadly lacking in our schools where time has been compressed like Salvador Dali’s clocks. Art is among the other important things that have been edged out of the curriculum by hours of mandatory testing, preparing for testing, thinking about testing, and struggling toward successful testing. This remarkable failure leads intelligent and otherwise educated people to be permanently stuck with fifth grade imagery and

AArtirtist's World by JANSTATMAN

When you visit a museum or gallery and you wander through an art exhibit, please remember that each painting has one important thing in common. It doesn’t matter if the work you are looking at was painted by a great master, who devoted his whole life to his art, or by your Great Uncle Clyde, who devoted his whole Sunday afternoon to it just last week. There is an important connection. Every painting you will ever see is based on the painter’s impulse to deny actual space by making marks on a flat two-dimensional surface. A painting has height and it has width, but it does not have depth. It does not matter if the painting is on canvas or on a wooden board or on glass or metal – everything you see in a painting is flat. It cannot ever exist in human space. Sculpture, on the other hand, is totally involved with three-dimensional elements. It can be a sculpture that represents the human figure in stone, like Michelangelo’s David, which you can see in Florence, Italy, or it can be a sculpture like Richard Lippold’s Star of Texas, which you can see in Longview, Texas, which describes the world of light and space by capturing volume with silver wire. Sculpture not only has the dimensions of height and width, it also has depth. All sculpture is based on the sculptor’s impulse to affirm space, and by doing that to affirm time. Sculpture always invades the same three-dimensional place we live in. Most of the painting that was done before the Italian Renaissance did not try to look as though the painted image was three-dimensionFebruary 2014 - Page 8

al. It gracefully accepted the truth that it was flat. However, all the scientific observation that was going on during the Renaissance resulted in a new kind of Renaissance perspective. Light and shadows contributed to the mix. A form of representational art succeeded in making the flat images look as though they were three-dimensional. Landscape paintings began to look as though you were seeing them through an open window. The edges of the painting took the place of the window ledges, and the picture frame took the place of the window frame. Representational art uses triomphe or chiaroscuro imagery as a way to conquer two-dimensional space in order to create something that will fool your eye into thinking it is a three-dimensional image. When this happens, it begins to cross over into the business of the sculptor. Nonrepresentational and abstract art makes important use of what is basically its true two-dimensional, flat quality. It exaggerates its complete denial of three-dimensional space. It closes that open window. It doesn’t want to look like anything but the flat surface that it actually is. Both kinds of art are acceptable and valid in the 21st century. All of this depends on elements of choice that are combined with a basic way of seeing. It is obvious that all artists leave their childhood with the ability to draw the things they see around them. Just as being able to carry a tune leads people to sing, and being able to add sums leads people to become mathematicians, the natural ability to record recognizable images is the first step on the road to

14th century ideas. The general public is often misled into believing that the only way to enjoy art is to look at an easy-to-recognize copy of specific objects, and the only real value of art is nothing more or less than the time and energy used in producing such copies. This kind of thinking leads to the strange idea that since the value of art lies in the time and energy used to produce it, every piece of art should take up a lot of time and energy to make. Maybe in that way the work can be considered on a dollar per hour basis. Since much non-objective art does not fit into this strange framework, it all gets thrown together into the mental storage bin of “modern” art. It is unfamiliar, so it becomes suspect. Suspicion makes it alarming. Such art is imagined to be a threat to the established value system. Things that are unfamiliar to us can certainly be dangerous. Do not run with scissors. Do not play with knives. The time has come to realize that so-called “modern” art is far less “modern” now than it once was. It has been with us for considerably more than a century. It poses no threat worse than encouraging a different sort of awareness. It simply offers us another way to look at things. It gives us another kind of visual imagery to think about and to enjoy. The whole abstract vs. realism battle is artificial. The battle rages only to harm the artist and to separate art from the regular everyday people who ought to be enjoying it. Art holds a mirror up to the times in which we live. The explosion of technology has produced all sorts of new ideas. We even hear that the universe itself is expanding. The complicated times in which we live are wide and various. This should give us plenty of room for expanding our own interpretations of our complicated times and our complicated civilization.

Jan Statman’s paintings are owned by museums in Europe and by public and private collections across the USA. She is author of several books and is listed in Who’s Who in American Art, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who of American Women, and various other professional publications.

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The Cardmaker by Claudia Lowery Pull out the shoebox, construction paper, scissors, sc glue, and foil. It’s getting close to Valentine’s V Day at school, and every child is decorating d a box with a slit on top, anxiously awaiting a the end-of-day party to peek inside for fo their hidden treasures. There are secret romances, m puppy loves, heart throbs, and steady couples who exchange dime store cards with c cartoon c characters and cleverly written sentiments. m Popular girls expect a lot of cards from prospective boyfriends while chubby girls with p glasses g hope for at least one from a skinny boy with w funny ears. Hearts rise and fall for the hoped for Valentine card. Even the teacher gets h a handful with once-a-year expressions of adoration. raation. Everyone Ev wants a Valentine – no exceptions tiions ... everyone. ev Professionally Profes made, store bought cards are becoming more and more expensive, and their repetition of design and poetry is beginning to lose something in the translation. Sure, one of some those will wil do, and you can go stand in line at the seasonal card selection and hope to find seaso the one that perfectly expresses all the depths of love within, but who knows better than you what you feel inside? There is a soluw tion that many use today that still tugs heartstrings: hear the handmade Valentine. One artist, Angela Bradshaw, has used use her talent to assemble loving creations that are beautiful and hearken at back to a day of Victorian civility. Alb though Angela is a full-time art educat tor, she sh takes time to create cards for her own enjoyment and makes them available to enjo

February 2014 - Page 10

those seeking something more personal and unique. “When you spend time creating something handmade with a loved one in mind, you’re actually giving your thoughts and imagination to them,” Angela shared as we discussed her inspirations. “I’ve always been inspired by Greek and Roman architecture, art history and interior design. Also the Victorian era, with its romantic style, attracts me. I love to use combinations of different styles and eras with flourishes, arabesques, and other elements together to create my own, unique cards. My personality is multi-dimensional, so my artwork expresses a romantic, serious side, but I also create abstract designs on cards because it is less serious and is more whimsical, playful, and shows my sense of humor.” Many artists, crafters, and motivated individuals are still making handmade cards that are one-of-a-kind and unlike the ones available at local card shops. All it takes is a little time, a few art supplies, and a heart full of love. Even beginners can take simple, colorful paper, brightly colored pens, a couple of paper doilies, and glue to make a creation filled with “I love you,” “Be mine,” and “You have all my heart.” From the youngest child to the sweethearts of youth to the aunt who lives alone to the friend who stood by your side to the loving married couple of fifty years, the time taken to make it personal and heartfelt will be accepted and understood by the receiver of such a special gift. Angela uses a variety of supplies and mediums to make her cards and ends up with no two alike. “I love ephemera (paper items like printed tickets, cards, photos, etc, that were

originally intended to be discarded after use), vintage clothing patterns and images, watercolors, wax resist, and bits of lace or old jewelry pieces … things that were once important to people. I hate to see those things go away – become trash. I like the idea of giving them new life and a new purpose from which it was originally intended.” It’s February and so thoughts turn to LOVE. For an artist, the heart is often out there, worn on the sleeve and on display for the world to see. Artists share themselves in ways that few others do. Angela Bradshaw’s perspective on love is thoughtful as she reveals a little of her philosophy. “Once someone finds their way into your heart, no matter where life takes them, a part of them will always remain with you.” A part of her is in every card she lovingly assembles and whether someone purchases an original card from her and writes their own private message inside or takes the challenge to try their own hand at making a card, the result is still the same. Love is given and received. Share the love. Angela Bradshaw’s artwork may be found on Facebook at www.facebook.co/TheGypsy Butterfly. She may be contacted by calling 903814-8480.

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IN REVIEW

Rick Droit’s Return of the Firehorse

by Tony McCullough Artist: Rick Droit CD Title: Return of the Firehorse Label: Moongarden Records Genre: Americana The Americana genre of music should be considered a blessing to true music lovers. It is where the roaming, modern-day minstrel performer, refusing to conform to the duplicating molds so often produced by mainstream markets of pop, country and rock, will find their place in today’s music world. If a singer has no answer to the question, “Who do you sound like?” they often seek the Americana format. From this genre comes East Texan singer/songwriter Rick Droit. Rick lives between Deadwood and Nacogdoches while performing across the state of Texas and regionally in the United States. Rick Droit’s second CD, Return of the Firehorse, was recorded in Austin. It consists of 14 original songs written and performed by Rick. An impressive list of special guests participated in the recording sessions such as 2010 Texas State Musician Sara Hickman, Mark Hallman – who has worked with the Carole King Band, Dan Fogelberg, Christopher Yarrow – who is the son of Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and several other well-respected musicians from Texas. Rick Droit’s music is original and fresh, yet there is no mistaking Rick’s influences. The spirit of the 1960s and early 1970s is there to introduce younger listeners to the music of that era. Those who experienced the wave of free-spirited folk brought to the forefront by The Mamas & the Papas, Peter, Paul and Mary, Neil Young, and dozens of others, will feel almost transported to another time as they hear the music of Rick Droit. If the songs of Return of the Firehorse were somehow sent to a radio station of 1968, I doubt the DJ would hesitate at all in playing a Rick Droit original PineyWoodsLive.com

after a Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young song followed by one of the Dylan greats of the period. Much like the music of Bob Dylan, Rick Droit’s songs seem to slow down and examine life. According to his manager, “Rick is the type that will go out and just enjoy watching the majesty of the clouds in the sky.” Those familiar with the Austin music scene will listen to the songs of Return of the Firehorse and notice a subtle mix that quietly says, “Signed … respectfully from the age of folk rock, honorably from the state of Texas.” Rick Droit has just the right formula to embrace the music lovers of another genre and at the same time, introduce a new generation to the fresh ideas and originality of a music that created the largest “musical revolution” of all time.

February 2014 - Page 11

LAGO by Tony McCullough

DEL PINO

Just a little west of Tyler you’ll find a restaurant that most people would expect to see not in a beautiful lakeside setting nestled in the pine trees of East Texas, but more likely near Dallas, Austin, or some of the other large cities in the south, because it is extravagant. The restaurant is Lago del Pino, and the beauty of its natural setting is as spectacular as the beauty of the restaurant’s building. Long before your eyes catch a glimpse of the artistic gourmet creations of the restaurant’s chef, you will be astounded by the majesty and beauty of Lago del Pino. Randal and Donna Brooks of Tyler love to travel. Along with their sons Trey, Derek, and Daren, they have traveled across America and internationally for years. In their travels, they have always enjoyed trying local and regional cuisines of different cultures. Donna began entertaining the idea of coming back to East

February 2014 - Page 12

Texas and opening a restaurant; she was filled with ideas and designs they had acquired in their journeys. As their dreams of a restaurant became less of a fantasy and more of a business plan, Randal Brooks came upon 240 acres for sale near Tyler. Spanning part of the property was the private forty acre Lost Pine Lake. The family realized this was the perfect location for their restaurant. The Brooks sons started sketching plans and ideas, and soon an architect was involved. In 2011 construction began on the Brooks’ new business. The family named the restaurant Lago del Pino, spanish for Lake from the Pines. The building for the restaurant was carefully constructed among the towering pine trees of the property. The architects designed a structure that would not only give diners a wonderful view, but would complement the beauty of the natural set-

ting. The brick and stone building, completed in 2012, is a masterpiece. Across the back of the building is a large, comfortably furnished deck with a wonderful view of the lake. Those who have never been to Lago del Pino might expect the menu to be a little on the expensive side when they first glance at the entrees such as chef-created Smoked Jalapeño Meatloaf, steaks, Prime Rib Enchiladas, or even the southern inspired shrimp and grits. But the tastefully prepared and plated dishes are actually not out of line for East Texas. The reviews of the regular patrons say the food looks just as good as it tastes. The Brooks family did not stop with good food. They wanted dining at their restaurant to be an entertaining event, so they began to bring in local and regional musicians and bands to perform on their beautiful patio every Friday and Saturday

evening. The music begins at 9 p.m. on Fridays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. The patio that hosts the musical weekend evenings is for ages 21 and over. The music variety spans all genres, from country, jazz, rock, soul, and much more. Whether you are searching for the perfect place to take that special someone for Valentine’s Day or a special celebration, or if you are just wanting an incredible meal in a warm, inviting, wonderfully classy atmosphere, Lago del Pino should be at the top of your list. Lago del Pino is just west of Tyler off highway 49. The actual address is 14706 County Road 1104, Tyler. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday. On Sundays they open at 10 a.m. for Sunday Brunch. Wednesday through Saturday they open at a 11 a.m. For more details and the full menu, the Lago del Pino website is lagodelpino.com.

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A A tale as old as

by Shane Valencia

tale as old as time is coming to the Perot Theatre in Texarkana this month, as the award-winning smash hit Broadway Musical Disney’s Beauty and The Beast will grace the grand stage of the Perot February 13 at 7:30 p.m. This classic story is that of a young woman, Belle, who lives in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped in a spell by an enchantress. With Belle’s help, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before time runs out. If he is successful, the spell will be broken, and he will be transformed to his former self. However, if time happens to run out, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Beauty and the Beast is a traditional fairytale that was first published in France in the mid-18th century. It is an enduring story of love and friendship that has been translated into hundreds of versions worldwide. When Walt Disney Pictures released the animated film, it was hailed as an instant classic with critics praising its “songs worthy of a Broadway musical.” The film later went on to win Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Original Score and made history as the only animated feature ever nominated for Best Picture. Given the power of the film’s story and music, the decision was made to Beauty and the Beast to the bring Disney’s Bea Broadway stage. And now it will w grace the stages of the Texarkana with its serenadPerot Theatre in T ing music and grand gra costume and stage design. “Everyone who hears about Beauty and the Beastt coming to Texarkana is really excited ... It’s one of o those major Broadway shows that we’ve gotten requests for over the years. Most people are familiar with the animated Disney Disn movie, so when they hear that the live action musical is traveling around the country, they want to see the show,” the w Perot’s Marketing CoordiP nator David Murphy said. na “We’re lucky we can work out “We’r schedule to get this type of show the schedu I’ve talked to people into the Perot Theatre. The who have seen the show in Shreveport, Dal-

las, Little Rock, Austin, etc. and most say they are coming to see it here in Texarkana because of the quality of the show’s actors, the sets, the music ... It’s the kind of show that people love to see again and again.” The elaborate theatrical production features the animated film’s Academy Awardwinning score with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by the late Howard Ashman, with additional songs composed by Alan Menken and lyrics by Tim Rice. The book is written by Linda Woolverton. The original creators of the Broadway production are together again for this new touring production. The play is directed by Rob Roth and choreographed by Matt West, with costume design by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award winner for her work on the musical), lighting design by Natasha Katz (three-time Tony Award winner), scenic design by Stanley A. Meyer, sound design by John Petrafesa Jr. and music supervision by Michael Kosarin. “The story of the Beauty and the Beast is a very old tale ... Based on a French fairy tale published in 1740 (La Belle et la Bête), it’s the story of true love’s power to transform. In the beginning, the Beast was a handsome man who rejected one woman’s love for a superficial reason: he didn’t like the way she looked and spurned her affection. But the woman turned out to be a powerful witch, and when she was hurt by his rejection, she cursed the man with a hideous outer facade that was both scary and alienating,” Murphy said. “Later in the story, the Beast kidnaps a woman and holds her against her will. Eventually, she grows fond of the Beast and ends up breaking the witch’s spell by falling in love with him despite his outer appearance and harsh ways. Thus, he is transformed into the true prince he once was. There are aspects of the old adage ‘Beauty is only skin deep ...’ involved with this tale as well. Also there is the idea that people often place more importance on outer beauty or attractiveness when they should be looking deeper into the complexity of a person’s true self. This story is very complex, and it wouldn’t still be around after 270+ years if it had not resonated with audiences over the years.” Tickets can be purchased online at www. trahc.org or call the Perot Theatre Box Office at 903-792-4992.

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SINGLE ON

VALENTINE’S DAY IN EAST TEXAS by Crystal Davis

to be single in East Texas without being faced with some reminder of your relationship status every day, multiple times. Just because someone is single doesn’t mean they should be singled out day after day. So, what does all this mean for someone single in East Texas on Valentine’s Day? The answer? NOTHING. Despite being a normal day amped up on relationship propaganda and a commercialized celebration of love, singles in East Texas will go about their day like it’s no different from any other day. They will put their pants on, one leg at a

time, like everyone else. Go to work, like everyone else. Send their love to friends and family, like everyone else‌ It is no great mystery and certainly not compliant with the stereotyped single crying into his/her bon bon’s on Valentine’s because he/she is alone. With today’s technology and thousands of ways to connect with people, being alone is more of a choice for solitude, not because one is lonely or unloved. Likewise, remaining single can be a choice for personal affirmation, not because the right person/relationship hasn’t come along. Ultimately, it’s all about making the best of your situation.

As another Valentine’s Day approaches this non-leap year February Friday, happy couples all across the world will celebrate their love with perfume, dinner, chocolate, flowers, champagne and for the really lucky, even jewelry. East Texas is an ideal place to be a couple in love: a string of smaller towns that proudly carry the generation’s long tradition of falling in love, settling down and making a family — it’s the very building block of our local communities. That formula, however, is more noticeably leaving out a considerable portion of the population that grows by the day with the ever-changing, fastpaced times. “An estimated 107 million Americans aren’t married,� according to Match.com’s last annual study on the American, single population. Surprisingly however, this group that accounts for nearly 36 percent of the population isn’t remaining single because of the purported waron-marriage. “Nine out of ten single people are optimistic about marriage; a number that has increased from 78% in 2011 and 76% in 2010,� the study said.

There are all types of singles, (just like there are all types of marriages) and geography can have a profound impact on personal perspective. In East Texas, the line between single or settled creates a vast diversity. Married people seem almost phobic of being single, and can you blame them? Today’s single population is faced with dating during the digital age – where the past is never truly forgotten, rather lurking behind a computer screen stalking your Facebook page. In East Texas, that exclusive formula for happiness can create a wide range of emotions for people who don’t fall within society’s boundaries of expectations. It’s hard to be single and even go to church without some concerned citizen trying to set you up on a date, or without being approached by “the singles� Bible study group. That’s not saying there is anything bad with being set up or joining singles groups, only that it’s extremely hard

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February 2014 - Page 15

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al love stories ic p ty r u o y t, o n n ore often tha “Once upon se ra h p e th h it w are going to start introduce you to to g in o g e ’r ey th a time” and te - meet each fa f o e k ro st e m ho - through so a pair of people w ony, happily ever rm a h ct fe er p in e and live onse to those sp other, fall in lov re l a er en g e th often than not, after. Also, more , that’s sweet and re u S “ f o es n li e ing along th world.” And l a stories is someth re e th in y a w t really work tha all, but it doesn’t it doesn’t. rprising you, su yeah, sometimes f o y a w a s a h e real world But sometimes th ory is all about. st le tt li is th t a h and that’s w

"my work is better because we're together, and she would say the same. We've each filled in the gaps of the other. I've done my best work since we've been married."

"So much of our relationship is connected to what we do creatively." It starts with a young man named Lucas Kitchen. A native of Kilgore and the son of an art teacher, Lucas learned early how to appreciate the beauty in art and creativity. He carried that appreciation with him as he grew, taking a visual arts program in high school that taught him the fundamentals of video production and earned him a few awards. He took a bit of a detour after college and spent some time in the ministry, but eventually he returned to his artistic pursuits and managed to start his own production company, Media Kitchen. PineyWoodsLive.com

Meanwhile, in Longview, a young woman named Kristah Goodding was following in similar footsteps. The daughter of a graphic designer and illustrator, Kristah also showed early interest in the artistic and ended up going through the visual arts program at Kilgore College (where Lucas’ dad was an instructor). From there she was hooked and, much like Lucas, knew exactly what she wanted to spend the rest of her life doing. doing February 2014 - Page 17

Well, almost exactly. Because as it has a habit of doing, life did a little imitation of art and sure enough, a magic little stroke of fate brought them together when a 20-year-old Kristah found herself interning at – you guessed it – Media Kitchen. And from day one, as they started shooting a film that would turn out to be (as Lucas put it) “terrible,” they knew that they were looking at something that was a little special, a little different, and a little step towards something straight out of a storybook. The two were married in 2010, and while that’s where most of these stories would end with a “…happily ever after,” it’s really where this one gets started. In the four years since, the two of them have taken Media Kitchen and turned it from a production company into a full-blown multi-media business. And with Kristah’s work with 289 Design, they’ve been able to branch into every single creative medium and find remarkable success in all of them. The two have travelled the world together making documentaries and narrative features; they’ve worked together on two books, with their third and fourth in various stages of completion; set up an

February 2014 - Page 18

in-home studio where Lucas narrates audiobooks, and turned their garage into a printing press where Kristah works with 289 Design to create children’s publications. As a couple, they stand as about as bright and shiny a rebuttal as can be to people who will warn you against working with your spouse, because even though their separate talents are undeniable, neither of them could have accomplished everything they have without the other. And what’s more, they accomplished everything they have while waiting to run into the post-honeymoon-phase of their wedding that they were warned about but, ultimately, never came. They’re two people who were lucky enough to find someone else who shared their passions so intently, that being passionate about one another was just a natural extension of that. As artists, Lucas and Kristah understand the value of creation and know that real art comes from within as an expression of yourself. But no matter how many books they publish or movies they produce, their greatest work of art will no doubt be the life they’ve created together. Happily ever after, indeed.

"People told us, "the first year is the hardest." or "you'll have a hard time adjusting to married life." We kept waiting for the shoe to drop and expecting to find that it really is hard. So far, though, it hasn't been."

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c i t n a m o R Movie Picks

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o, it’s February. 2014 is off and running, and it’s time to tackle all the new adventures you have in front of you. But before you can do that, you still have to get through these last few terrifyingly cold months of winter, and nothing helps with that like a holiday. And it’s now, once we’ve hopefully put our Christmas decorations away (you know who you are) and have hopefully recovered from our New Year’s Eve hangovers (you also know who you are), that we turn our attentions towards the warmth of love and romance and good old-fashioned snugglin’. Of course I’m talking about Valentine’s Day. Maybe you’ve just met someone and your entire world is full of the little floaty hearts that come with a new romance. Maybe you’re in a longterm committed relationship full of love and support and have fun going

1.) Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Granted, for the hopeless romantics out there, there are probably 100 more obvious choices to make here. But really now, how many times have you seen The Notebook or Love Actually? What makes Breakfast at Tiffany’s so special (aside from the timeless cultural iconography) is that it’s a film that completely and totally understands what makes people tick and how their interactions with one another are both actively and passively determined by their past. It’s a story of redemption and selfdiscovery, and it makes a point to let the romance between Paul and Holly be a natural extension of that self-discovery, as opposed to a pre-determined destination. Plus, ya know, there’s Audrey Hepburn singing “Moon River.�

2 – The Red Shoes (1948) But maybe you don’t really get into the whole sunshine and roses aspect of romance. Maybe you respond more to the tragic aspects of something like Romeo and Juliet or, to a lesser degree, Titanic. If so, then this is definitely for you. On the surface, it’s a backstage drama about the world of professional ballet, but more than that, it’s the story of a young woman being torn between the thing she loves most and the person she loves most. And granted, given how many movies have been made between 1948 and now, that may not seem like the most compelling premise ever. But when you hear the phrase “They don’t make ‘em like

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by Jeremy G. Butler

to a little extra effort for your sweetie. It sounds nice, doesn’t it? Well ‌ not to everybody. Because the truth is, not everyone turns an enthusiastic eye towards our Nation’s Day of Love. Maybe you’re single and you love it. Maybe you’re single and you hate it. Maybe you’re in a rocky relationship and don’t know how to fix it. Maybe you just broke up with someone and are content to walk around in the cold, watching your long exasperated sighs float away as steam in the air around you. And this, my friends, is why they made movies. Because no matter where you fall in that list of maybes, there’s a movie out there tailor-made just for you. And while I can’t cover every single situation under the sun, I can recommend a few that will hopefully give you guys something to relate to no matter your relationship status. So come in out of the cold (especially you, exasperated sigher – you’re gonna get sick out there), grab some popcorn and snuggle up with whichever one of the following five movies suits you best.

this anymore,� they could very easily be talking about this film. Truly beautiful, truly tragic, The Red Shoes is a must see for anyone who doesn’t believe that romanticism necessarily requires a happy ending (spoiler alert).

3 – Harold & Maude (1971) This one is a little difficult to categorize, because it’s as much a story about being in love with life as it is about being in love with one person. And considering it focuses on the blossoming relationship between a young man and a 79-yearold woman, it really doesn’t concern itself with traditional ideas of love and romance. But it’s one of the sweetest, most sincere and uplifting movies you’ll ever see. And because its focus is far wider than that of a typical love story, it’s a movie for almost anyone, regardless of their current relationship. Not to mention the amazing soundtrack by Cat Stevens

4 – The Break-Up (2006) This one’s for you, exasperated sigher. When the marketing for this film hit way back when, it kind of sold itself as a very formulaic romantic comedy that would follow the same plot and emotional beats as the hundred or so movies just like it that had come before. But in actuality, what it turned out to be was a very honest, very real look at heartbreak and emotional turmoil and imperfect people dealing with a terrible situation in flawed but honest ways. Breakups suck,

and they can bring out the worst in otherwise lovely people. But, what they can also do – especially if they are otherwise lovely people – is give them an opportunity for growth. And what really makes this movie stand out is that in the end, that’s what it wants you to focus on, even if it has to subvert your expectations to do it. And if I may offer up a little unsolicited advice, it’s what you want to focus on too, should you find yourself in this situation.

5 – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) And finally we come to those who have absolutely no use for romance whatsoever – the jaded, bitter individuals who believe that nothing lasts forever and that true love is a myth cooked up by greeting card companies. Maybe you don’t REALLY believe that, but it certainly feels good at the moment, for whatever reason. For you, I present the story of George and Martha – a couple whose marriage is built upon a rock solid foundation of mutual contempt. The film takes place over the course of one night in which our couple takes turns not only ripping each other apart but making every attempt to poison the new marriage of their young dinner guests. Acted to absolute perfection by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, it will definitely comfortably reinforce whatever cynical ideas you have about love. And for everyone else, even as heartbreaking as it is to watch unfold, it’s still an exceptional piece of dramatic filmmaking. And there you have it! Regardless of where you find yourself this Valentine’s Day, here’s hoping you’ve found something here that speaks to you and that you can appreciate. PineyWoodsLive.com

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he Popcorn Gallery in Longview is offering East Texas a flavorful experience with over 50 different flavors of popcorn and gourmet treats. Opened in June 2013, the storefront operates at 1444 McCann Street, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. “Our most popular flavor is ‘Zebra.’ It’s the bestseller,” said Rhonda Roberts, proprietor of The Popcorn Gallery. The ‘Zebra’ flavor is a combination of drizzled chocolate on top of sea salted caramel flavored popcorn. Rhonda wanted to supply flavors for all taste bud cravings, and one can find everything from ‘Spicy Buffalo,’ ‘Mac and Cheese,’ ‘Loaded Baked Potato’ and ‘Dill Pickle’ for those craving salty, spicy, or southern comfort. For someone with a sweeter tooth, there is “Birthday Cake,’ ‘Oreo,’ ‘White Pretzel,’ and ‘Butterfinger’ flavors available. Rhonda, an East Texas native and Henderson alumna, visited a popcorn store in Houston and became infatuated with the unique business opportunity it could bring back home. She claims popcorn is used as a nostalgic device for families or loved ones, and it helps bring them together by sharing the experience, creating memories and recalling those memories with the smell or taste of a specific flavor.

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903.845.2519 Historically speaking, Rhonda is on the money with that point. Most of us don’t realize popcorn first appeared several thousand years ago with people indigenous to the area that is now Peru. Scientists have even found evidence of popcorn in New Mexico dating back to 3600 BC. It is one of the oldest forms of edible corn known to human existence. Plus, it was a staple in the diet of those struggling during The Great Depression because it was relatively inexpensive and easy to flavor. It is also a culturally universal custom now to eat popcorn at a movie theater, some might even say it’s an essential part of the movie experience. Rhonda definitely believes with all the availability of screening media anywhere now, that sharing popcorn makes watching TV an event. “Popcorn Gallery caters to families and enables them to experience something new and fresh together,” said Rhonda on her website at www.yourpopcorn gallery. com. At the store, the popcorn is sold by the

bag size and it scales from Extra Large (which looks nothing short of a hefty bag) all the way to Mini which is only a few ounces. Customers are allowed and encouraged to sample the flavors when deciding which best suits them. The store offers the brightly colored nostalgia of a gift shop with a retro vibe and offers an assortment of goodies including a variety of chocolate covered strawberries and caramel covered apples. In addition, there’s also an array of collector’s tins to create a more personalized gift. Plus, there are holiday themed gift baskets for every season. With the upcoming Valentine’s Day, why not give your valentine something more creative than chocolate and with significantly less calories? The gallery also caters birthday parties, baby showers and special events with the new popular popcorn and candy bar concept. The store has even done several field day demonstrations for local daycare centers. The Popcorn Gallery undoubtedly appeals to families and friends alike. In May, they are registered to set up a booth for AlleyFest 2014 to generate more exposure and connect with the community. “We share popcorn as a tool to bring us closer together,” said Rhonda, who uses that very concept as the innovative basis of her business. February 2014 - Page 21

by Crystal Davis

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With the upcoming romantic holiday falling on a weekend this year, many people will turn to the popular southern tradition of vacationing at a bed and breakfast. East Texas has several historical homes that have been renovated and updated to be enjoyed by travelers passing through the area as well as natives to this corner of the Piney Woods. There are some B&B’s however that have received special, national recognition for their history, beauty and scenery.

15 Acres Retreat is located in Quitman off Lake Lydia, CR 3235, and is a newer model home than most of the historic B&B’s but is also surrounded by a peaceful, secluded space that is unique to this specific inn. Lake Lydia is home of the Dogwood Trail, which is in full blossom during the spring months and was even home to former first lady, Ladybird Johnson, at one time. The area is just a short distance off Highway 154 – a few miles from Quitman. 15 Acres has its own private pool and five guest rooms with a “stately décor.” In February, the bed and breakfast offers a Sweetheart Package, and any guest that books a weekend during the month of February can select this option for $60, surprising their love with flowers, chocolate and a bottle of wine. This stay would be ideal for anyone looking to have a modern stay in a country setting, and rooms begin at $110. More information and room availability can be found at www.15acresretreat.com. Roseville Bed & Breakfast is located in Marshall and prides itself on being “a Texas Bed and Breakfast with a taste of Louisiana,” according to its website at www.rosevillebedand breakfast.com. It has received the “Hometown Best” award with the local newspaper for nine consecutive years, 2002-11. The house was originally built in 1935 and furnished with imported antiques from all over the world. There are three guest rooms in the main house and a 2-room cottage in an addition separate from the main house. Rooms start at $80 a night, and even though breakfast is complimentary (along with some home-baked cookies!), there is also a full menu – lunch and dinner entrees – for those who have no intention of leaving the room until check out. The house sits on 10 acres of landscaped grounds full of lilies, roses and perennials.

The Hale House Inn is located in Jefferson, probably one of the most historical towns in the Piney Woods area. A Texas Gentleman’s Breakfast is served each morning to guests staying in one of their six rooms, which start at $90 a night. The Hale House is a 19th century, Greek revival home built in 1880 by the Hale family. The inn offers two different packages for lovers, which include roses, a massage, bath salts, and chocolate – perfect for Valentine’s Day or an anniversary weekend. The historical value and scenic superiority found at this B&B has received accolades not only from guests but from Reader’s Digest igest magazine. Room availability and booking information can be found at www.thehalehouseinn.com. com. February 2014 - Page 22

A Garden Retreat is located on FM 274 just outside of Tyler in Lindale and has several separate houses to accommodate guests, which makes it perfect for groups as well as couples. It also has an in-house spa that provides massage, paraffin handtreatments, Oriental foot baths and mud masque clay facials. Their Roze House includes a private Jacuzzi and crafting room, which has become a popular favorite for women’s groups and avid hobbyists. More information can be found at www.agardenretreat. com, and reservations can be made by calling 903882-7378. Lavender Mermaid Farm is located in another historical town nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas – Pittsburg, home of the world renowned Pittsburg Hot Links. This quaint bed and breakfast is located next to a local vineyard and sits on 30 acres of secluded scenery with cottages that can sleep up to six people, so families and friends can also enjoy a retreat to the countryside. Rooms include a small kitchenette, homemade gourmet treats, organic soaps and shampoos, plus artesian well water piped directly to the cottages. Rooms are available starting at $119, and the inn carries several brands of handmade soaps, shampoos, local cuisine cookbooks and vintage furniture for retail. Guests can visit www. lavendermermaid.com to check availability and make reservations. Whether celebrating a romantic holiday with Whe the one you love or needing to get away with a group of o friends, East Texas is bountiful with luxurio luxurious accommodations. Some are well-kept secrets aand others have received a certain amount of celebrity celeb in the Piney Woods. Bed and breakfasts are a continued tradition here and specialize in exhib exhibiting southern hospitality. They are gems that off offer solitude and an amorous atmosphere for any anyone looking for a vacation without a lot of trave travel.

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by Claudia Lowery To write objectively about chocolate is like trying to write objectively about your grandchildren; there’s a huge amount of bias. Some surveys claim women prefer chocolate over sex. I suppose that’s a fair statement … in some instances. But the sheer bliss induced by one bite of the substance is enough to bring even the strongest will into submission. Chocolate melts in your mouth, coats your tongue, and glides seductively down your throat. There is evidence of cocoa beverages as far back as 1900 BC, and both Mayan and Aztec cultures highlighted chocolate in their celebrations. Europeans focused on desserts and sweets. So, when Briton John Cadbury developed an emulsification process to make solid chocolate, the modern chocolate bar was

born. Over time, the name Hershey became synonymous with chocolate along with other elite brands like Godiva, Lindt, and Ferrero Rocher. The perfect blend of cocoa, milk, and sugar brings a product fit for kings and kids alike. Delightfully addictive and officially nutritious, the benefits can be argued but never denied. Chocolate satisfies something we need, and even one bite will stave off momentary sadness. Something that wonderful should be shared with those we love. Valentine’s Day has a broad spectrum of expectations, but topping the list along with a Valentine card, flowers, and jewelry is a heartshaped box laden with an array of creative samplings of chocolates. There are caramelfilled and buttery creams, crunchy nut clusters

and oozing cherry cordials, dark chocolatecoated orange jellies and light-as-air truffles. The movie Chocolat (2009) is the romantic story of a chocolatier and her daughter settling in a French village and opening a small chocolate shop just before Lent. Scenes of the chocolatier creating the confections with interesting touches like cinnamon or chili pepper make the viewer’s mouth water. Her presence changes the town. Chocolate is just that powerful, and it can bring people together. Sharing a box of chocolates is a tradition for all holidays and celebrations. Who hasn’t enjoyed an old-fashioned Whitman’s Sampler box with two or more layers of surprises or a gaudy, decorated heart-shaped box of Russell Stovers candies?

White or dark, milk or salted, chocolate is a unifier for crying women, the perfect mashup with a mouthful of popcorn, and the number one downfall of many a New Year’s resolution. Read some promises and words of wisdom inside a DOVE chocolate foil wrapper and attempt to hide a half-eaten bite inside the paper liners that each morsel is nestled into. You’re a part of the chocolate lovers cult and should feel no shame. Life may be short, but take the necessary time to let the chocolate melt in your mouth. Like every relationship, it can be simple or complicated, but one thing is certain … chocolate will always love you back.

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efferson abounds with history attracting thousands of annual visitors for a true taste of deep East Texas and a fair amount of shopping. It’s a small town with a lot going on and a nice variety of restaurant selections. Texas Monthly magazine did smoked meat lovers a favor by logging over 33 thousand miles and eating their way through over 658 barbecue joints to announce their Top 50 for 2013, and Jefferson’s Riverport Barbecue made the list. Riverport opened in December 1993. After current owner Stephen Joseph got some experience working for another barbecue franchise, he returned to his hometown in Jefferson to work at Riverport with owners Victor and Cindy Williams. He started learning basics like hand-chopping ten pounds of cabbage for cole slaw and putting in hours of hard work learning the ropes of mastering the art of barbecue. His respect and affection for the Williams grew because of their generosity and teaching, so when they decided it was time to sell and move on to new enterprises, Stephen Joseph started to dream big of owning Riverport. Although his hopes and dreams were pretty big, he confesses now that he’s content and happy with how things are today. The barbecue business is a lot of work with hours of overwhelming prep, so he has had to build in flexible hours in order to spend time with his wife Vanda and eight-year-old son Jaxson. If they run out of barbecue early, they close up and head home. Riverport’s barbecue starts with a dry rub of five simple ingredients. “I try to get the most out of the dry

February 2014 - Page 24

CenterStage C|U|I|S|I|N|E

A Taste from Near or Far with Claudia Lowery

RIVERPORT BARBECUE Where customers matter most.

rub by keeping it simple,” shared Stephen. Since his second year of being there the sauce has remained basically unchanged. It starts with a catsup and brown sugar base and about 12 spices. Nearly all the sides are made from scratch, and the day I visited they added a macaroni and cheese side that consisted of fat pasta with cheddar, parmesan, and Monterey jack cheeses, all gooey and flavor-rich. Daily specials are available, and mine was the rib plate – a generous serving with two sides for $8.99. I had leftovers to take home. The ribs were very meaty and moist, holding to

the bone until my teeth were ready to gently pull away each morsel. The fat to meat ratio and the oak smoke perfectly contributed to the flavor and moistness. Once again, my brother Mark shared the experience, and he also had the ribs. He didn’t have much to say about it because he was busy devouring ribs, four or five disappearing before I got to number three. We both returned home with leftovers and a pound of sliced brisket and smoked turkey for later. Yes, Stephen Joseph has learned his craft well and continues to keep the bar high for consistent results.

Besides barbecue ribs, brisket and sandwiches, at times smoked chicken and fried fish are also on the menu – a menu that doesn’t overreach to unattainable limits. They know what works, and they stick to it. Catering is available by phone or appointment. Although Riverport doesn’t serve alcohol, they welcome customers to BYOB. In the last fourteen issues of restaurants that I’ve visited for “Center Stage Cuisine,” there’s something that stands out uniquely to me and it’s this: when an owner, a very busy owner, takes time to come sit down with me and talk, face beaming, about their vision and food, it’s beyond special. It lets me know immediately that this is a chef or owner who really cares about what they are trying to accomplish. Most of the restaurants have done that. Stephen Joseph is no exception. He was generous with his time, answered my questions, and explained everything. However, the thing he wanted me to know most wasn’t how he cooks or secret recipes … it was about YOU, the customer. “What matters most is who’s in line next … satisfying the customers,” he added as I concluded the interview. And THAT, readers, is why I know I’ll return, and the barbecue’s pretty awesome, too! Riverport Barbecue is located at 201 N. Polk Street, Jefferson, TX. Hours: Sunday 11a.m. - 2 p.m., closed Monday, Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Phone: 903-665-2341. You can find them on Facebook at Riverport BBQ, Twitter at etpitboss, and Instagram at riverportbbq.

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Over The Ages It’s official. Spring is on its way. The early flowers are beginning to peek up through the thawing earth. A February cold snap can’t chill the warmth because love is in the air. Tokens of affection spring up all around us, and they make us happy. The heart-shaped pink and red confections trimmed with lace and flowers bring smiles to faces everywhere. Happy Valentine’s Day! February 14 is a day for sweethearts, a day for friendship, and a day for love. It is also a day for giving gifts. Who can resist those big, old, red cardboard hearts filled with chocolate? More chocolate is sold and enjoyed at Valentine’s Day than at any other time of the year. The Greeting Card Association says more than one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent out. Heart-shaped jewelry is treasured, and red roses find their way from one sweetheart’s hand to another. In many places, Valentine’s Day has long been considered the perfect day for popping that all important question. Most people are surprised to find out that Valentine’s Day, with all its pretty verses and sweet symbols of love, is not a new invention. Some legends insist that Valentine’s Day began in pagan times. More popular legends say it started with one or more saints of the early Christian church. By the Middle Ages, Saint Valentine was already considered to be the patron saint of love and lovers. Since there were no Hallmark cards during the Middle Ages, sweethearts had to sing their valentine verses out loud, maybe as a romantic serenade under a true love’s balcony or during a grand feast or at a festival. It was Goeffrey Chaucer who made the first written connection of Valentine’s Day with romantic love. He wrote a poem in honor of the wedding of King Richard II of England and Princess Anne of Bohemia. Chaucer’s poem started out with: “For this was on seynt Volantynys day Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.” For those of us who are not so comfortable with Old English, what the poet said was, “For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.” Of course both the king and his bride were only 15 years old. Kingdoms being what they were in those days, we can only wonder just how much choice either of them had in their marriage. The earliest known Valentine to be written by one sweetheart to another is a Medieval French poem that Charles, Duke of Orleans wrote in 1415 after he was captured at the Battle of Agincourt. He wrote romantic verses to his wife while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London. Everybody knows the poem about how Roses are red and violets are blue, but how many of us know how old that one is? It was part of Edmund Spenser’s poem, “The Faerie Queene,” which was published in 1590! The Elizabethan English version said, “She bath’d with roses red, and violets blew And all the sweetest “flowres, that in the forrest grew.” The “modern” version appeared in Gammer Gurton’s Garland, a 1792 nursery rhyme collection. “The rose is red, the violet’s blue, the honey’s sweet, and so are you. Thou art my love and I am thine; I drew thee to my Valentine.” Even Shakespeare had his say. Valentine’s Day was so popular in Elizabethan England that Shakespeare had poor doomed Ophelia make quite a racy mention about the day. In Act IV, Scene V of Hamlet, the lines say, “To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day, All in the morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine. Then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes, And oped the chamber-door; Let in the maid, that out a maid never departed more.” PineyWoodsLive.com

by Jan Statman

By 1797, sending and receiving valentines had become so fashionable that a publisher in Britain printed The Young Man’s Valentine Writer. It was a collection of sweetly sentimental poems that were intended to help lovers who somehow did not have enough imagination to write their own verse. By that time several printers had already started to produce “mechanical valentines.” These pasteboard treasures came complete with gushy, overly romantic verses and fancy decorations. By the middle of the 18th century, it became fashionable to send handmade valentines. These were expected to be elaborate, and people worked hard to make them so spectacular that each one was a small work of art. They were decorated with the finest laces, the most expensive ribbons, delicate pressed flowers, gold leaf, and gold or silver ornaments. The most popular images included white doves, red or pink hearts, and chubby winged cupids carrying garlands of flowers trailing ribbons of love. Messages were often written with gold or silver ink and were written in beautiful calligraphy. Of course, these fancy valentines had to be delivered in person because the cost of sending mail was so expensive that ordinary people couldn’t afford it. When postage finally became available to everyone in the 19th century, those spectacular hand-decorated valentines gave way to mass-produced greeting cards. Printed paper valentines might have been less personal, but they were a whole lot easier to send. Improvements in printing technology let printed cards completely replace the fancy handmade designs. From about 1895 until 1915, sweethearts sent each other beautiful and expensive stand-up cards that had a lot of three-dimensional fold-out layers. There were honeycomb paper puffs, which opened to form bells, fans, balls, hearts and other shapes. These were often displayed along with a vase of fresh flowers on a lace-covered mantelpiece or on a special parlor table. These beautiful valentines were purchased for as much as $30 each. This may not seem like a lot today, but it represented true love back then because $30 would have been enough money to buy a horse and buggy! The Victorian idea of sending valentines through the mail made it possible to send them anonymously with no return address. This may explain the sudden appearance of so-called “Penny Dreadfuls,” also known as “Vinegar Valentines.” They were popular in the early 1900s. Although they were supposed to be funny, it was probably not so funny to receive one. They were not beautiful, they were not elaborate, and they were not in any way romantic. They were called penny dreadfuls because they actually did sell for a penny, and they certainly were dreadful. The artwork was crude, and the verses were worse. They were not only insulting – they could be pretty scandalous. Today we are fortunate to be able to buy commercially printed valentine cards that come complete with messages of love or friendship. We have a wide choice of beautiful messages made especially for sweethearts, family members, friends and teachers. There is even a greeting card for somebody with the curious title of “someone special.” Some of these cards are conveniently folded to hold gifts of cash. Some are so big they need oversized envelopes. Some even play music when they are opened. Who can ever forget those beautiful shoe boxes we decorated with hearts and flowers that we called our valentine mailboxes?” We made them at school, and we were expected to put them on our desks on Valentine’s Day. We hoped that they would be stuffed full of those simple, colorful, die-cut valentines that were made to be distributed among our classmates, but who can ever forget our childhood fear that at the end of the day we would find our own little valentine mailbox empty? All of this leads us to wonder whether all the husbands and sweethearts will remember to buy those hearts and flowers for that special day, or will there be mad panic at the florist’s shop on Valentine’s Day morning? How much weight will we gain from all that chocolate? Will sweethearts smile with joy? Will romance shine in every heart? Will friends remember friends? Will Charlie Brown finally get a valentine from that pretty little red-haired girl? True love waits.

February 2014 - Page 25

by Tony McCullough “I pulled into the rodeo arena at Hillsboro, Texas, pulling my horse trailer behind the new Pontiac I had just bought. A cowboy walked up and started talking to me and asked me out on a date. He reminded me a lot of my father. He had a bad rope burn on his face, and to tell you the truth, I kinda felt sorry for him. I thought, ‘Nobody’s gonna go out with this poor guy looking like this.’ So, I said yes. And by the way, we won the barrel racing and calf roping in the rodeo that night.” – Martha Josey “I was standing around talking to some guys at a rodeo in Hillsboro, Texas. This car drives up with a horse trailer behind it and this good-looking girl with long, dark hair gets out and starts taking care of her horse. I looked at the guys and said, ‘Who’s that?’ They said, ‘Why, that’s Martha Arthur, the barrel racer.’ I told ‘em, ‘I’m gonna take her out on a date tonight.’ They laughed at me. So I went over and asked her out. She said yes. We went out and had a good time. I managed to get a lock of her hair. I went back to the hotel where me and the boys were staying and laid it across the dresser, cause I knew they’d never believe me if I didn’t have proof.” – R.E. Josey Fairytale romances that children are told set standards for love relationships high, for real life is hardly as perfect as a fairy tale, although there are exceptions. This is the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Only in this story, they wear cowboy boots, Wrangler jeans, and cowboy hats … and they are found just a few miles east of Marshall. This fairytale is of the love and marriage of R.E. and Martha Josey. As a teen, Martha Arthur decided she wanted to be a rodeo cowgirl and barrel racer. Her father had passed away a few years earlier, so she and her mother worked hard to live a meager life. Her supportive mother managed to get her a horse and saddle and get her started barrel racing in rodeos. She worked very hard to be the best, and when she acquired a horse named Cebe Reed, she became a champion quickly. Martha says, “When I drove up and entered a rodeo with Cebe Reed, I knew we would win. He was that good.” Martha, for the most part, traveled a radius of 150 miles from her home outside of Marshall. She set her standards high and not only rode like a champion, she always wanted to look like a champion. Many times throughout her career she was voted “best dressed.” When Martha showed up, people noticed her quickly. R.E. Josey grew up in a modest farmhouse in the small town of Post, Texas. His dad made money by buying and selling horses. “Being such a small town, we found ways to entertain ourselves, usually roping.” He learned to use a lasso at a very early age. “One time I roped my mother’s big, old floor-standing radio in the living room. I broke some of my mother’s things that were on top of it. Boy, did I get in trouble.” As teenagers, R.E. and his friends would gather up some goats in a trailer, take them out to a pasture and turn them loose. The boys would then take turns roping them. As he February 2014 - Page 26

got older, R.E. started roping in competitions. Although he took a day job on drilling rigs in the West Texas oilfield, he started winning more and more rodeos. As he won more, he started traveling more every weekend to more rodeos. That’s how he ended up in Hillsboro, Texas, where he just happened to run into Martha Arthur. R.E. and Martha went out on their date that night after the rodeo in Hillsboro. They parted ways until their paths crossed again a couple of months later. Both of them were winning just about everything they entered. So, as they competed more and more, they saw each other often, and their romance was brewing. This continued for almost three years until the two rodeo champions decided to tie the knot. They were married in Karnack, Texas, on May 13, 1967. It was an afternoon wedding because they had a rodeo to compete in that evening in Benton, Louisiana. After they were married, Martha left her mother behind in Marshall as she and R.E. moved to West Texas where he still worked in the oilfield. Martha says, “I didn’t like it there at all. There were no trees. When I got to where he lived, he had a pink refrigerator, a green stove, and a yellow sink.” The first time Martha experienced one of those notorious West Texas dust storms, she was ready to move back home. R.E. had been thinking that he was making more money at rodeos on the weekends than he was on the drilling rig, so Martha, who does not know the meaning of “give up,” went to work on getting him to move to East Texas. “I promised him that if we moved back to my grandmother’s ranch in Marshall, we would start a barrel racing and roping school.” R.E. left the oilfield and moved to East Texas with his new bride. Once back in Marshall, R.E. and Martha started their school. “The first clinic was in 1967; we had 33 students who paid $100 each for a 2-week clinic. We thought we had it made. To advertise, I hired a photographer to make a movie so we could advertise and make more money. He charged me $2800. By the time we paid him, we didn’t have enough money to pay for the calves we had gotten for the school. We were broke again. We had to sell a horse to make it.” R.E. and Martha stood by each other, determined to accomplish their goals. “There were many times we’d travel from rodeo to rodeo and have to eat baloney sandwiches because we didn’t have much money. As we kept winning and saving money, we finally bought an over cab camper.” The winning did not stop for R.E. and Martha Josey. Over the years until the present, they have accumulated two Olympic medals from the 1988 Calgary Olympics, nine world championships, multiple halls of fame, over 150,000 Josey Clinic students, and friends from every corner of the earth. Martha and R.E. Josey are loved by everyone they meet, and they return that love. Their love and respect for each other leaves people in admiration. From such meager beginnings in 1967, the two are now legends known around the world. They truly are living a real life fairytale.

So, what is their secret? Almost anyone who truly knows R.E. Josey will quickly tell you he is one of the wisest men they have ever met. His wisdom and logic regarding relationships is actually pretty simple. He explained to me, “You know what will make you a good husband? Two words. ‘Yes, dear.’” What??? This is not what I expected to hear from a cowboy legend admired by nearly every boy who’s ever been to a rodeo. Yes, dear? R.E. continues, “Don’t argue with them or get upset. Just say, ‘Yes, dear.’ They’ll be happy, and you can go on about your way.” That’s when I started realizing what he was saying. Look at the big picture. Don’t argue over the minute details. Love each other, and make each other happy. Yes, R.E. Josey is a very smart man. Martha Josey often says, “If you want to be the best, only ride with the best.” If you want to know how to succeed at something, talk to someone who has done exactly that. I asked Martha, “What has made your marriage work so well for so many years?” She replied, “Have common goals. Working together for the same goal keeps you together. R.E. and I both loved kids, horses and rodeos. We were able to be together in a place that we loved doing what we loved to do … If we do something the other doesn’t like, we don’t make a big deal out of it. We just move on, and it all works out.” After mentioning the increasing rate of divorces in modern times, I asked Martha if she had any advice for those that are planning to get married in the future. “Looking for a husband is like looking for a good horse. You have to find the right one. They all have personalities and traits that have to match yours. If it’s a horse or a husband, either way, if you choose the wrong one, they’re hard to get rid of. You may be stuck with them for awhile, so be careful which one you choose.” It’s been said many times that exceptional people have exceptional ways, and a lot more than rodeo skills can be learned from R.E. and Martha Josey. R.E. will quickly joke about Martha’s cooking skills. “She told me one day she wanted to go somewhere she’s never been before, so I took her to the kitchen. I bought her a Christmas present last year and hid it in the oven … she never found it.” And Martha, who is a world champion shopper, will return from an outing with her newly acquired bounty and reply every time to R.E.’s question of “What did that cost?” with the innocent answer of “$50” (no matter the price tag). The other just smiles. They love each other, and their formula has worked for years. “If you want to be the best, only run with the best.” R.E. and Martha Josey have survived financial strain, life threatening injuries, comebacks, championships and have built an empire together. Perhaps it’s not a secret at all to them. It’s just a way of life. Each night they are together. After many years of hard work, overcoming obstacles, and achieving their goals, they lie in bed watching TV, sometimes holding hands until they both fall asleep for the night. “Exceptional people have exceptional ways.” This holds true even when Cinderella and Prince Charming’s boots are placed neatly at the foot of the bed each night.

The Ballad of Martha Josey She’s a friend to the world and a Hero to us all Martha Josey’s at her best when her backs against the wall With Cebe underneath her they set out to rule the world And one barrel at a time she watched her dreams unfurl See you at the pay window was the life she chose to live Sometimes barrel racing took more than it could give But a cowgirl never quits, always ready to ride And a Champion is what she’ll always be Martha met a Cowboy in the spring of 65 Raymond stole her heart then he asked her to be his bride They got married in 66 in front of God and Family They still ride together today that’s the way Love is supposed to be 6 world championships and 1 Olympic gold Would be amazing on its own if that’s all the story told But Martha’s heart is big as Texas and at a Ranch she calls home Teaching love of Barrel Racing to her students Martha Josey’s legend lives on See you at the pay window was the life she chose to live Sometimes barrel racing took more than it could give But a cowgirl never quits, always ready to ride And a Champion is what she’ll always be -Tim Voight

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“B si ”

The

de

by Randy Brown

Slip Slidin’ Away God only knows, God makes his plans The information is not available to mortal man We work our jobs, collect our pay Believe we’re gliding down the highway When in fact we’re slip-sliding away “Slip Slidin’ Away” - by Paul Simon

This month’s lyric comes from a man I consider to be one of my generation’s greatest songwriters. Paul Simon has managed to remain creative and vibrant for more than 50 years. That is an astounding run for any artist and one that I hope continues for some time to come. “Slip Slidin’ Away” was written in 1977 and recorded by Paul Simon for his compilation album Greatest Hits, Etc. It was one of two new songs to appear on the album, the other being “Stranded in a Limousine.” Backing vocals on the song were provided by The Oak Ridge Boys. The song was originally recorded and considered for Simon’s 1975 album Still Crazy After All These Years, but Simon decided not to include the song on the finished album. A demo version appears on the 2004 reissue of the album. “Slip Slidin’ Away” was released as a single in October of 1977 and became a major hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. Not only is this song appropriate for this month’s topic, but it is also an example of some of the best songwriting to be found anywhere. If you have five extra minutes, pull up this song on Spotify (LINK) open.spotify.com/ track/0zb2kpEQMnqJPiLACKMiFM, and give it a listen. Each verse is a fully developed movie that explodes into your brain in intricate detail. It is an astonishing piece of

February 2014 - Page 30

ofmusic many have flown away to some other writer with the time, patience and stealth needed to properly nurture and grow that seed of a song into a fully developed work. Journal: Write down your artistic thoughts and ideas as they come to you. Most of us keep “to do” lists. Think of this as your artistic “to do” list. I often go back to mine for ideas. Just last week while working on a song I needed a melody. I have a collection of melody ideas on my phone that I have come up with over the years. Most I will never use, but often they are a great jumping off point for me. In this case, I was looking for a melodic idea and played a snippet I had recorded last summer. Words immediately jumped into my mind. Within minutes I had written a song, which after a few days tweaking has developed in to one of the best I have ever written. The funny thing is that it was in no way associated with the song I was working on at the time I played the melodic idea back. I left that one to languish while I went off in an entirely different direction. I still have that song to finish, but I also have a brand new, shiny song that I am proud to have written. As part of my journaling, I also keep a file on my computer that I call the “boneyard.” In it is pieces of songs, ideas, phrases or rhymes. Some I came up with randomly and didn’t feel like working on at the time, some I overheard and wrote down and others are leftovers from finished songs that

work. Finding your creative sweet-spot can be a chore – it is often “slip slidin’ away.” I am easily distracted unless the muse is running at full speed, and I tend to trip up and get sidetracked just as the best ideas are kicking in. Talking to other artists and songwriters, I have found that they have similar problems. So, I thought that I would tell you what I do to kick myself into gear and get back in the writing groove. Will it work for you? Maybe. But at least it will give you some things to try. Get outside and move. There is something about movement that really allows me to focus on writing and creativity in general. Walking, bicycling, and driving long distances tend to transform me into a trancelike state where my brain clears, and I can juggle ideas, lyric lines and melodies in my head with seemingly no effort. But there is a danger in that clarity. While at the moment, it seems like those ... I would encourage you to come up with ideas will last forever, I asa way to save those ideas as they come to you. sure you they are fleeting and will be gone quickly Please be careful though. I have almost taken once you get outside your creative trance. I can’t tell out more than one mailbox while driving trying you how many times I have to write down a few choice lines. had what I thought was a great song in my head with the rhymes and lines laying out perfectly, and I would think, “I need to didn’t make the final edit. I tend to overwrite this down or record it.” But for whatwrite more verses, choruses and bridges for ever reason, I didn’t, and just like a fog is every song than is useful. But often when I burned off by the sun, some outside event need inspiration, I will consult the “bones” would refocus my mind and poof, it was and bingo, I’ve found just what I need. gone like it never existed. Show up: Write on a schedule with inSo, I would encourage you to come up tent to write something ... anything. You with a way to save those ideas as they come would be surprised how many times magic to you. Please be careful though. I have happens simply because you made yourself almost taken out more than one mailbox available to the creative muse. For me, it is while driving trying to write down a few best to set time aside with no distractions choice lines. Either pull over to write them on a regular basis. Sometimes not much down or pull out your phone and record the will happen. But be patient, play around idea. I tend to be a bit stupid about slowwith stuff already in the pipe. I will lay odds ing down to record ideas and consequently that there is great art inside you waiting to

pop out with just a little cajoling. As the old line goes, “You must be present to win.” Hang out: Spend time with other artists and creative people. Talk about ideas, art, love, science, politics, religion or anything that excites you. You will be surprised what happens. Creativity is contagious, so leave yourself open. One of the most creative experiences I ever had was a week on an isolated island with nine other songwriters. We didn’t write together but were given space and permission to write every day. Each evening we would gather together and share our work. I wrote five songs that week. A personal best for me. Set goals: Give yourself deadlines. Deadlines are something I hate. However, I find that if I set one and tell as many people as possible about that goal, then I tend to get it done. Do something new: Try something contrary to your normal activities. It could be as simple as reading a classic or any activity in which you would not usually participate. I have a songwriter acquaintance who is working on a novel. He recently booked a flight to New York City, rented a cheap room and hung out with some homeless people for a few days, and it got his creative juices flowing. The blogs he posted about the experience were riveting. For many artists, creativity requires some conflict. If you don’t feel you have enough and you aren’t good at living vicariously through others, then get adventurous. Get outside your normal comfort zone, create that conflict and see what happens. You might be surprised. Play: Make your art a game and forget all the seriousness. Have fun with your art. If you are normally serious, do something silly. Make up silly songs for children. Just let yourself go with no judgement or criticism. Some of the coolest things I have written have happened like this. It is often hard for adults to turn loose of our decorum and just let loose, but I guarantee it will help you recharge your battery. So there you go – a few ideas to kick the creative engine into gear. If you have other suggestions for restarting the muse, feel free to send them to me. I will be certain to share them in future columns. Remember these ideas when you feel the creative spark slip slidin’ away. Hopefully they will help. Until next time ... Randy Brown is an award-winning East Texas-based singer-songwriter and self- proclaimed “performing philosopher” bent on deciphering the intersection of spirit, faith and science with a sense of wonder and whimsy in smartly clever folk-Americana-style songs and stories. He has spent a lot of time lost in the creative ozone but so far has managed to keep the juices flowing.

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Events FINE ART EXHIBITIONS David Lindsay, Laura Kreft Art Exhibit, Anne Dean Turk Fine Arts Gallery, Kilgore, through February 13.

International Art Exhibition, The UT Tyler Meadows Gallery, Tyler, through February 14. Preservation, Ann “Sole Sister” Johnson, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, January 11 through February 22. Mauro Manetti, Harmonium, Selected Works, Griffith Gallery, Nacogdoches, through March 7 Light/Dark, Gallery Main Street, Tyler, through March 8. Sacred Spaces: Connecting with the Land, The Stone Fort Museum, Nacogdoches, through March 8. Bayou Landscapes: Photographs by Jenny Ellerbe, TCC Photo Gallery, Longview, through March 14. Illuminating Nature: Recent Paintings and Works on Paper by Billy Hassell, Tyler Museum of Art, through March 23. Texas Art Quilts 1993-2011, Cole Art Center at Old Opera House, Nacogdoches, through March 29. Latino Folk Tales: Cuentos Populares, Michelson Museum Of Art, Marshall, through March 29. LIVE THEATRE Mama Won’t Fly Auditions, Christ Episcopal Church, Jefferson, February 1-2.

Mary Todd, Tyler Civic Theatre Center, February 4-9. Tikki Tikki Tembo, ArtsView Children’s Theatre, Longview, February 7-8.

Cole Allen perfo at the Longv rms his original musi c iew Museum of Fine Art s

Free Workshop: Fun With Improv, ArtsView Children’s Theatre, Longview, February 8.

Million Dollar Quartet, Cowan Center, Tyler, February 13.

And There Were None, Longview Community Center, Febrary 21-23, 28 and March 1-2

The Darby Warr Leon’s Stea en P roject perform s khouse in Longview at

The Official Blues Brothers Revue, at Cowan Center, Tyler, February 20. Scotty McCreery at S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, February 14. Riders in the Sky at S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, February 27.

I Am Jack, Liberty Hall, Tyler, February 28.

FILM Beyond the Pale at The Old Firehouse, Edom, February 8.

FESTIVALS Piccadilly Circus, Marshall City Arena, February 4.

Casablanca, Liberty Hall, Tyler, February 14.

Mardi Gras Upriver, Downtown Jefferson, February 28 - March 2. Music Acoustic Song Circle with Loretta Callens, Bistroll’s in Tyler, every Thursday in February. Young Artist Competition, Cole Concert Hall, Nacogdoches, February 1 The Ten Tenors at S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, Longview, February 1. U.S. Marine Corps All-Star Jazz Band at Dodson Auditorium, Kilgore, February 4. Country Music Hayride, at The Esquire Theater, Carthage, February 8. Thomas Lynn Wade CD release party, East Fork Restaurant and Club, Yantis, February 8. Marcia Ball in Concert at Liberty Hall, Tyler, February 15. Triptych: Singing through the Ages - A Hymn Festival at Grace Hall First Presbyterian Church, Longview, February 22.

Mary Poppins (1964), Liberty Hall, Tyler, February 22. The Spectacular Now, The Old Firehouse, Edom, February 22. COMEDY Four Funny Guys Comedy Show, Liberty Hall, Tyler, February 1. Dance Don Quixote - The Moscow Festival Ballet, S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, February 20. MISCELLANEOUS Charles Krauthammer Lecture, UT Tyler Cowan Center, February 4. “Love Under the Stars,” Center for Earth & Space Science Education, Tyler Junior College, February 14. “Raisin’ The Roof,” Habitat for Humanity Fundraiser at Maude Cobb Convention Center, February 22. “A Night at the Museum” Fundraiser, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, February 22.

Checkk out all Ch ll off our photo h galleries ll i at pineywoodslive.com/photos i d li / h or scan the h QR code d BORED AND WANT SOMETHING TO DO? CHECK OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PINEY WOODS AREA AT PINEYWOODSLIVE.COM/EVENTS PineyWoodsLive.com

February 2014 - Page 31

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