Issuu

REPLANTING A VALLEY FOREST

FOR BANDERA EC MEMBERS

PAINTING OUR SPRINGS WITH WILDFLOWERS

KICK ASHE, CLEAR THE LAND

APRIL 2026

Whirly Birds

The special place in West Texas where hummers flock

April 2026

Growing Tradition

By Sheryl Smith-Rodgers

By Eileen Mattei

Photo by Laurie Lawler

Photo by Larry Ditto

Photos by Larry Ditto

Mutual Appreciation

ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES TAKE time every April to recognize the heroes of the power lines on National Lineworker Appreciation Day—April 13 this year.

For one Central Texas lineworker, appreciation came last summer. Gregg Belcher lay in a Dallas hospital after an electrical injury in June 2025. The foreman at Hamilton County Electric Cooperative had suffered horrific burns on his back and chest and lost his left arm.

Co-workers and friends in Hico and Hamilton and at neighboring co-ops rallied to help with expenses, collecting $93,000 at a benefit event in August and through other donations.

“We were just blown away by the love that people have shown us,” said Lori Belcher, his wife.

Visit our website to read about Gregg Belcher’s recovery.

Contests and More

$500 RECIPE CONTEST

Pancakes and Waffles

FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS

Underwater Life

FINISH THIS SENTENCE

If I could use only one electronic device, it would be …

Tell us how you would finish that sentence. Email your short responses to letters@TexasCoopPower.com or comment on our Facebook post. Include your co-op and town. Here are some of the responses to our February prompt: The perfect Valentine’s gift is ...

The love shown by Cicero to Olla [What Love Looks Like, February 2026].

MARILYN WERKHEISER BLUEBONNET EC BASTROP

Giving from the heart and expecting nothing in return.

JIM DUNGAN VIA FACEBOOK

To be thought of as special by someone.

KAT CROSS HOUSTON COUNTY EC CROCKETT

Spending time with the ones you love.

ANITA BURT BIG COUNTRY EC SNYDER

Having popcorn and Diet Dr Pepper with my husband of 68 years.

SANDRA LEA BARTLETT EC MILANO

Visit our website to see more responses.

Lori and Gregg Belcher

Noble Deeds

Big thanks to Martha Deeringer and Tiffany Hofeldt for the informative and interesting article on wildlife rehabbers: such noble and generous volunteers [Giving a Hoot, February 2026].

Lee Turner

MidSouth EC Montgomery

Setting the Record Straight

President Franklin D. Roosevelt did not sign an executive order integrating the armed forces [Currents, February 2026]. While he signed Executive Order 8802 in 1941 to prohibit racial discrimination in the defense industry, he upheld segregation within the military.

The desegregation of the armed forces was achieved later, by President Harry S. Truman via Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948.

Don F. Davison

Central Texas EC Fredericksburg

FEBRUARY 2026

“Loved the pics of animals at the rehab center, especially the cross-eyed opossum [Giving a Hoot]. And the artwork by Pete Lloyd was beautiful [What Love Looks Like].”

SANDY

KEOGH PEDERNALES EC CANYON LAKE

Floored by Willie

In 1974 I was a young lieutenant in San Antonio. A friend suggested that we go out to John T. Floore’s Country Store because a guy named Willie Nelson was playing [Honky-Tonk Heaven, February 2026].

For three hours Willie and his band never left the stage. When the band would take a short break, they would just pass a bottle of whiskey around. I’ve been a Willie fan for over 50 years.

Joe Kreimborg CoServ Highland Village

Road Trip

My old high school boyfriend lived in an old Army house on Fort McIntosh back in the 1960s, and I also took a couple of classes at Laredo Junior College one summer [From Posts to Pillars, February 2026].

An interesting trip would be to visit each of those old Rio Grande forts.

Sheri Sweet

Bluebonnet EC and Central Texas EC Lexington and Fredericksburg

Editor, Texas Co-op Power 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor Austin, TX 78701

Please include

Texas Co-op Power

TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Bryan Wood, San Augustine

Vice Chair Cameron Smallwood, Burleson

Secretary-Treasurer Jim Coleman, Edna

Board Members Matt Bentke, Bastrop Kerry Kelton, Navasota • Mark McClain, Roby • Zac Perkins, Hooker, Oklahoma

PRESIDENT/CEO Mike Williams, Austin

COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER

SERVICES COMMITTEE

Mike Ables, Bellville • Kathi Calvert, Crockett

Tachi Hinojosa, Fredericksburg

Gary Miller, Bryan • Bryan Story, Blossom Grace Subealdea, Dalhart

Buff Whitten, Eldorado

MAGAZINE STAFF

Vice President, Communications & Member Services Martin Bevins

Editor Chris Burrows

Associate Editor Tom Widlowski

Production Manager Karen Nejtek

Creative Manager Andy Doughty

Advertising Manager Elaine Sproull

Communications Specialist Samantha Bryant

Digital Media Specialist Caytlyn Calhoun

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Assistant Production Manager Alex Dal Santo

Print Production Specialist Grace Fultz

Food Editor Vianney Rodriguez

Communications Specialist Erin Sinclair

Communications Specialist Claire Stevens

Communications Specialist Kelly Tran

Proofreader Jessica Ridge

TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 82, Number 10 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 77 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 4540311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription price is $5.53 per year for individual members of subscribing cooperatives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Co-op members: Please notify your co-op of address changes or other subscription requests.

POSTMASTER Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers.

ADVERTISING Contact Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251 or esproull@texas-ec.org for information about purchasing display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 26 sister publications in other states. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication.

COPYRIGHT All content © 2026 Texas Electric Cooperatives Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © 2026 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

FAST and CURIOUS

ABOVE An interaction between ruby-throated hummingbirds.

LEFT A male Allen’s hummingbird at rest.

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP A male ruby-throated hummingbird. Since the 1990s, Dan and Cathy Brown have been guardians of a thriving hummingbird habitat near Christoval in West Texas.

Nineteen species of hummingbird call Texas home, and these West Texans can help you see many of them

BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS

Thousands of black-chinned hummingbirds nest during the summer among the live oak and pecan trees on Dan Brown’s family ranch near Christoval in West Texas. And for nearly six decades, Brown has helped feed the tiny birds. Well into his 90s, his hearing has dulled but not his eyesight nor his energy.

One afternoon last June, Dan and his wife, Cathy, take a break from chores and relax in folding chairs in their observation room, an air-conditioned spot for watching the birds zip around sugar water feeders hung beneath roof eaves.

Beyond the room’s huge plate-glass windows, a wild bird community is on full display. A painted bunting ruffles his wet feathers on a tiered water feature surrounded by flowering native plants. Black-crested titmice and northern cardinals snatch sunflower seeds and white millet from ballshaped feeders. From an iron skillet nailed to a live oak, a golden-fronted woodpecker swoops in for a mouthful of suet, then flies off to feed his nestlings.

“This has become more than a hobby,” muses Dan, focusing his blue eyes on the various birds. “Here it’s developed into an enterprise. I couldn’t do it without Cathy.”

The couple call their business the Hummer House, a wooded wildlife habitat just east of the South Concho River that includes three rentable guest cottages. Since 1996, visitors from across the country and around the world have come to witness the aerial antics.

Altogether, the Browns put out 25 gigantic feeders that each hold 48 or 80 ounces of sugar water. Since one 48ounce feeder lasts only 24 hours, keeping them filled is a daily job.

Production of the hummingbird fuel starts in a storage room, where Dan measures and pours sugar into 1-gallon plastic jugs, then sets them on shelves. As needed, the jugs are carried via golf cart to the observation room. At a sink, Cathy fills the jugs with water and shakes them well. Then she scours empty feeders with a long-handled brush and refills them with fresh sugar water.

In the 1990s, Dan bought sugar in annual amounts that ranged from 390 to 685 pounds. “Now we average about 1,500 pounds of pure cane sugar each year,” Cathy says.

“We’re a very large nesting site for black-chinned hummingbirds. Within a quarter-mile radius, we estimate that there are probably about 3,000 hummingbirds.”

But they’re not just here for the sugar water. “Hummingbirds are insectivores,” Cathy explains. “We have thousands of native pecan trees that have aphids. Aphids are like T-bone steaks to hummingbirds. They’re very high in protein and very sweet. You could take down every one of these feeders, and we’d still have hummingbirds.”

Fueling Fighter Jets

The next time a hummingbird streaks past, imagine you’ve been buzzed by a miniature fighter jet. That’s how fast nature’s smallest bird can fly relative to its size. In flight, a hummingbird beats its wings in a figure eight up to 40 times or more per second. This rapid motion enables it to spin, hover, and fly backward and upside down at speeds of 30 mph or more.

To fuel such a high metabolism, a hummingbird, which can weigh 2–20 grams, slurps up nectar that’s at least double its weight every day. One fill-up lasts 20 minutes, then it’s off to find more flowers and insects or return to a feeder—dining territory that a hummer will fiercely defend, even remembering which blooms it has already drained (and pollinated). At night, a hummer may go into torpor to stave off starvation. During this deep sleep, its heart slows from 1,200 beats a minute down to 50.

Nineteen hummingbird species have been recorded across Texas. In summer breeding months, the two most common species are black-chinned hummers in West Texas and ruby-throated hummingbirds in East Texas. Depending on the species, hummingbirds can breed as far away as Alaska and Canada and migrate as far south as Central America.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT A male Anna’s hummingbird, with its iridescent pink-red throat; male rufous hummingbird; and male broad-billed hummingbird, with its black-tipped, long red bill.

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP A female ruby-throated hummingbird feeds at a red salvia plant. The Browns found this hummingbird nest, built from plant fibers, lichen and spider silk, on their property.

Since 2010, federally licensed bird bander Charles Floyd and other permitted volunteers have banded more than 10,000 hummingbirds at the Hummer House. Based on his research, about 95% of all the black-chinned hummers there are returning females from prior years.

“It wouldn’t make a difference if the Browns hung a thousand feeders,” says Floyd, a retired school principal who lives nearby. “What matters most is that the Browns are preserving the trees, the understory and the natural habitat.”

Floyd and his banding partner—master bander and retired biologist Kelly Bryan of Rockport—collect banding data for West Texas Avian Research, a nonprofit they founded in 2011 to support bird banding research and bird conservation in West Texas.

“Banding has led me to understand the life cycle and migratory habits of hummingbirds,” Floyd says. “Their established pattern of habits and movements has continued for centuries. Certain factors, such as the widespread introduction of feeders, have made some changes in that behavior. But overall patterns have remained the same.”

So far, Floyd has banded 162 bird species at the Hummer

House, including half of Texas’ hummingbird species. Many are banded Saturday mornings April through July at the ranch. That’s when the Browns welcome visitors free of charge to watch Floyd and his wife, Nancy, band hummers and other species. Children and overnight guests are often allowed to release birds after they’ve been banded.

Travel Plans

At the Hummer House, male black-chinned hummingbirds arrive first in mid-March and stake out their breeding territories. By April, females show up and begin gathering unbleached cotton the Browns put out for nest building. “They keep pulling it through mid-July,” Cathy says. “That’s a good indication that they breed twice.”

Males woo mates by performing dramatic aerial dives and buzzing their tails. They also flash their iridescent gorget, the colorful throat patch that sets males apart.

Female hummers—drably feathered for camouflage—build nests and tend the young with no help from mates. Their tiny nests are made of plant materials and held together with spiderwebs. Mothers usually lay two white eggs smaller than jelly beans and feed their hatchlings regurgitated insects and nectar.

By late June and into July, males start leaving. “They’ve proven through banding that they may go out west or to the Hill Country,” Cathy says. “They take their time migrating back to southern Mexico for the winter. During that time, we may see male hummingbirds from farther north.”

From the second week in May through the end of June, “we have a constant population of hummers,” Cathy continues. “But after that, a lot of males have started to migrate. Then ruby-throated males come through. The last to leave are black-chinned females and their young ones. Our population is ever evolving.”

In late August, more ruby-throated hummingbirds than black-chinneds show up. “We’re on the western edge of ruby-throated migration, so we see a lot of those,” Cathy says. “During fall migration, you’ll see the biggest variety here, like Allen’s and rufous, but not in great numbers.”

The Browns get up from their chairs in the observation room and head off to refill sugar water feeders. “It’s like having a dairy farm,” Cathy says. “You make the circles in the morning and fill what’s empty. Then in the evening, you do it all again.”

Dan smiles. “If you love to work,” he says, “this is the place to fall in love with.” D

LURING LONG BEAKS

Hummer-friendly gardens provide a variety of nectar sources to meet the birds’ high energy needs. They’re drawn to red tubular flowers, such as salvias and honeysuckles. The trumpet shape accommodates their long bills and forked tongues. Once they discover nectar sources, hummers will also feed on other shapes, sizes and colors of flowers. Try these Texas natives:

• Autumn sage (salvia)

• Coral honeysuckle

• Flame acanthus

Watch the video on our website and get to know Dan and Cathy Brown and the hummingbirds they love.

• Trumpet creeper

• Turk’s cap

Valley volunteers gather each fall to replant a thorn forest, seedling by seedling

Growing Tradition

BY EILEEN MATTEI • PHOTOS BY LARRY DITTO

David Alvarado remembers digging holes alongside other volunteers near the Rio Grande when he was in high school, almost 20 years ago. Nowadays he has lots of little helpers.

“I wanted to share this with my family,” says the San Juan resident, plunging his shovel into the earth again—this time with the help of his 14-year-old son, Jeremiah. His daughter, Adalee, 3, uses a trowel and her hands to pat soil around freshly planted seedlings that his wife, Berenize, places in the ground and backfills.

The Alvarados are among some 1,800 volunteers on this October morning who traveled to this 9-acre patch of federal land south of the rusty-red slats of the border wall and less than a mile north of the Rio Grande. They’re here with a lofty goal: plant 10,000 native seedlings.

The 2025 gathering marked the 31st year volunteers have come out to revegetate a piece of the Lower Rio Grande Valley on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land. The Tamaulipan thorn forest once covered 1 million acres along the Rio Grande, but just 10% of it remains intact today.

Green Goals

By reintroducing native seedlings like Texas ebony, wild olive, fiddlewood and snake-eyes to former farm fields, the Rio Reforestation project aims to restore the thorn forest. The plants attract bugs, which bring birds, rabbits, snakes, bobcats, tortoises and javelinas. Extending the wildlife corridor allows plant and animal populations to thrive and avoid genetic isolation.

“Rio Reforestation is the biggest community planting event in the U.S. Nothing else comes close,” says Jon Dale, a senior director for American Forests. The nonprofit collects seeds and grows native plants for the USFWS at Marinoff Nursery in Alamo.

“In the last 30 years, we have restored 18,500 acres of USFWS-owned farmland by planting over 10 million native thornscrub seedlings,” says Imer de la Garza, a USFWS project leader.

Over those years, they discovered best practices that increase seedlings’ chance of survival, now around 90%. One factor is high-density planting: 10,000 plants on 9 acres works out to more than 1,000 per acre.

The native seedlings are drought- and heattolerant as well as freeze-, flood- and fireresistant. Reforestation goes beyond canopy trees like mesquite and Texas persimmon to include understory plants such as allthorn, cenizo and coyotillo, plus ground covers like heliotrope and frogfruit.

LEFT After a selfie, volunteers will get the waiting plants into the ground.

OPPOSITE Three-year-old Adalee Alvarado does her part as a Rio Reforestation volunteer. She says she had a great time “playing with dirt.”

It takes a year of preparation to put crates jammed with an assortment of 35 native species into the field with an army of volunteers. Seeds are collected from the wild and Marinoff’s orchard year-round, with ripe seeds intercepted before the wind or animals carry them off.

Many seeds require finicky processing techniques for successful germination. For example, wolfberry fruit must be squeezed to disgorge the seeds. Texas persimmon fruits are rolled on hardware cloth to release their large seeds. Hard ebony seeds are abraded with sandpaper.

“In the last 30 years, we have restored 18,500 acres of USFWS-owned farmland by planting over 10 million native thornscrub seedlings.”

Marinoff staff fills biodegradable plant bands with a mixture of vermiculite, local soil, fertilizer and a seed in the spring. Through the summer the plants sit on growout benches under shade cloth. Rio Reforestation’s fall planting gives seedlings months to establish strong root systems before the next summer’s heat.

The nursery contracts with private growers to help it supply this project and the other 185,000 native seedlings USFWS needs to revegetate about 200 acres annually.

From Field to Forest

Last year the 9 acres of the Milagro tract produced a crop of organic cabbage for Rio Fresh, a third-generation produce grower and packer. Before the Reforestation volunteers arrive, a tractor has plowed the soil into eastwest rows. A dense thicket of 100-year-old mesquites, ebony trees and understory bushes borders the tract to the west and north.

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP The planting crews use 6-foot ropes to ensure adequate spacing between seedlings. A manzanita fruit is collected at Marinoff Nursery in Alamo, where seeds are prepared for planting.

RIGHT A volunteer plants a Texas ebony seedling.

Volunteers sign in near a banner that reads, “Let’s Restore the Thornforest Together.” It outlines the work ahead: Get your shovel. Go to one of the 200 rows where a leader awaits. Pick up a blue crate. Use a 6-foot rope to measure the distance between seedling holes. Dig a hole as deep as the top of the plant band. Put it in and backfill.

Small groups of family or friends work eastward down each row. Some organize a division of labor: the leads measuring the spacing and wielding shovels or post-hole diggers. Then come the planters with a crate of seedlings. In other rows, two or three dig, then plant and then measure to the next site. Dragonflies flit past while a turkey vulture tilts overhead.

Wearing hats and leather gloves, Mitchell, Michelle, Lindsey and Joaquin Sternberg of Mission show they know about getting down and dirty. “It’s different every year—the people, the location, the weather,” says Mitchell, who has been participating since the 1990s.

School buses of elementary, middle and high school students arrive. Idea Los Encinos of McAllen sends three buses of students. Another school sends nearly 200 students.

Berta Palacios of Pharr oversees 20 Hidalgo County 4-H kids participating as a community service project. She spies high-spirited fifth graders larking and asks them, “Is that safe, the way you’re holding that shovel?”

Low humidity and a constant breeze temper the 85-degree air, which is filled with happy chatter. “It’s really fun, something to do on the weekend with friends. We all like doing it,” says Jennavie Juarez, one of 15 from the Weslaco High School National Honor Society here for their third year.

Girl Scout Troop 269 from La Feria has returned as well. “The girls enjoy it,” says Krystal Cruz, a scout leader and parent of a volunteer. “This is something we hope to continue every year.”

Maria Ortega and her three young children tackle a row themselves. “This is the very first time we have planted anything,” she says. Near them Victor Ostolaza Jr. is digging holes with his father while his wife, Cynthia, and daughter Kiara follow with the seedlings. He explains that Kiara’s school involvement brought them out. “We participated before because of her.”

Row leader Chad Wilmoth, a retired Rio Hondo science teacher and member of Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, grew some of the seedlings Marinoff distributes. Row leaders know not to fuss if seedlings are not planted at the exact spacing or depth. Volunteers familiar with the event under-

stand that engaging and energizing the community is an important part of the work.

A young boy jumps on a shovel his mom holds steady, upright. A teen girl empties her water bottle onto a newly planted Western soapberry. After completing their rows, 23 kids in the Green Club of Idea Mission lean on their shovels, listening to Tejano music from a small speaker.

“It’s controlled chaos,” Dale says as the event winds down. “Survival could be 100% this time since the tract is surrounded by agriculture and its moisture. Tight proximity results in a more diverse habitat.”

Set Up for Success

Dropped gloves and empty crates litter the field as volunteers head home after picking up a boxed lunch. If they want, workers can take home a pot of chile pequin, crucita or Mexican hat. After all, they now know how to plant them.

Soon after Rio Reforestation, contractors insert a 3-foottall durable tree tube around each plant. Besides thwarting plant nibblers, morning moisture collects on the tubes and trickles down to the seedlings. That’s the only moisture the young plants get besides rain.

Over time, wild seedlings will pop up under the taller trees, taking advantage of the shade and moisture. Insects, birds and other creatures will spread out into restored habitat. D

Finally - A Mobility Scooter That Goes Everywhere You Do

Remember when getting around was effortless? When you could shop, visit friends, or just take a stroll without worry? The EZY Light brings that freedom back.

So Light, You Won't Believe the Power

The EZY Light is one of the lightest mobility scooters available at just 43 pounds (without the removeable battery)—yet it delivers impressive performance. Travel up to 7.5 miles on a single charge at speeds up to 4.3 mph. That's enough to handle your entire day, whether you're running errands, taking a trip, or enjoying time outdoors with family.

Go Anywhere.

Effortlessly

Built for versatile terrain use with punctureresistant tires.

Flight-approved and travel-ready, it’s the perfect companion for air travel and cruises.

Ready to Ride in Seconds

No complicated assembly. The EZY Light folds and unfolds in just two simple steps—no tools required. Raise the steering column, raise the seat, and you're ready to go. It's that simple.

Engineered for Your Safety and Comfort

Safety comes first with the EZY Light's four-wheel design that provides maximum stability. Anti-tip rear wheels add extra protection, while the innovative Electronic Stability Control automatically reduces speed during turns to help prevent tipping.

The comfort features are impressive too: adjustable armrests, an adjustable steering column, and large wheels that smooth out bumps—even on grass and gravel. Plus, integrated front and rear lights keep you visible, and the horn alerts others when needed.

Your Independence Awaits

Don't let mobility concerns keep you from the activities you love. The EZY Light comes with a one-year warranty, nationwide sales and service centers for support, and flexible financing options.

Loading the EZY LIGHT scooter into your car is incredibly simple and convenient. Just wheel the scooter up to your trunk, lift the front end and place it in first, then follow with the back end, and slide it in. This method allows you to lift only half of the scooter at a time, making the whole process much easier and practically effortless for anyone.

MESSAGE FROM

CEO

WILLIAM “BILL” HETHERINGTON

The Solar Season Begins

WITH SPRING RETURNING AND hopefully a higher chance for rain, we start gardens as the growing season moves into high gear. We also know that summer will be here soon. The good news is that the usually mild weather in April is reflected in lower electric bills.

April is also the beginning of the solar season here in Texas. Like it or not, energy from solar farms play an important role in maintaining grid reliability. This is especially true during April when traditional power plants, fueled by coal and natural gas, can go offline for the necessary maintenance to prepare for the high summer electric demand.

April is also the month when Texas sees the largest amount of solar energy generated by percentage for the grid. In April 2025, ERCOT recorded a peak generation of 26,741 MW from solar, which provided 50.4% of the grid’s energy. This marked a significant milestone as solar was ERCOT’S largest generation resource for almost 10 hours that day. By the end of 2025, the operational solar capacity had reached 34,586 MW. This growth is continuing and now, for the first time, the output has exceeded coal generation.

In 2017, BEC installed a 2MW solar farm near Leakey, Texas to help reduce our power costs during summer peak periods. This keeps our electricity rates stable. In addition to providing financial benefits during peak periods, we structured a program to allow members to participate by purchasing 100 kWh blocks of energy at a very competitive fixed price that will not go up for the next 5 years. While it is unclear what electricity prices will be in 5 years, by buying solar blocks you will have a hedge against prices going up. Out of the original 2,000 blocks we have about 900 still available.

In addition, we have other programs to help you save money on your electric bill. We have structured a rate that we call our Time Based Usage (TBU) rate, which is priced to more closely follow the electricity market. On average our members on this program save about 10% on their electric bill and it also raises awareness of how you use energy.

Being energy aware is being informed as to how and when you use energy. As the sun gets higher in the sky and temperatures climb, having this understanding may help you save even more money.

Blooming Together: Celebrating Our Member-Owners During Member Appreciation Month

AS WILDFLOWERS BEGIN TO bloom across the Hill Country and warmer days settle in, April brings a season of renewal, growth, and gratitude. At Bandera Electric Cooperative, it also brings something special: Member Appreciation Month!

BEC is proud to be a cooperative, and that means something important: we are not owned by shareholders. We are owned by you, our members. Every line we maintain, every improvement we make, and every service we provide is guided by our commitment to the people and communities we serve.

Rooted in Cooperative Principles

Spring is a reminder that strong roots support lasting growth. Since our founding in 1938, BEC has been guided by the Seven Cooperative Principles: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and information, cooperation among cooperatives, and concern for community.

Our members do more than receive electricity. You help shape the direction of the cooperative. Your participation, trust, and feedback influence our priorities and support continued investment in reliability, infrastructure improvements, and innovative programs that strengthen our service area.

Growing Together

Just as spring brings new life to the landscape, BEC continues to evolve alongside the communities we power. Whether we are maintaining miles of line across rural terrain or enhancing technology and services, our focus remains the same: providing safe, dependable power while keeping member value at the center of every decision.

Member Appreciation Month is our chance to pause and say thank you. Thank you for being a member-owner, for supporting your cooperative, and for helping us build a stronger, brighter future together. D

A Small Token of Our Appreciation

To celebrate Member Appreciation Month, we invite you to stop by any BEC office during the month of April. As a thank you for being a member-owner, you’ll receive the following while supplies last:

• A free rain gauge

• A packet of wildflower seeds

• An “I Love My Cooperative!”” Sticker

We hope the rain gauge helps you track spring showers, and the wildflowers remind you that strong communities flourish when nurtured.

Cooperative Spirit in Action: A Record-Breaking Day of Giving at BEC’s February Blood Drive

ON FEBRUARY 17, BEC HEADQUARTERS was filled with a different kind of power — the power of community. Members and employees came together for our latest blood drive, rolling up their sleeves to make a life-saving impact across the region.

Thanks to that incredible generosity, we collected 24 units of blood and registered 29 donors. That marks a personal best for BEC and translates to as many as 72 potential lives saved. Each donation has the ability to help multiple patients, from trauma victims and surgery patients to individuals undergoing cancer treatment.

The day was a true reflection of the cooperative spirit that defines BEC. From first-time donors to seasoned regulars, participants showed up ready to give back. Amy Davidson, Phlebotomist and Mobile Operations Blood Drive Lead 2, praised the turnout and the atmosphere of the event.

“We are so pleased with the high energy community engagement from BEC members and employees. Donors were patient with our wait time and came well-hydrated and very prepared.”

Her words capture what made the day special. Beyond the impressive numbers, it was the attitude of those who participated that stood out. Donors demonstrated patience, positivity, and a shared commitment to helping others — even during busy moments throughout the drive. Blood donations play a critical role in maintaining a stable and ready supplyfor hospitals and emergency responders. By hosting drives at BEC Headquarters, we make it convenient for our community to step up and meet that need close to

home. Every unit collected strengthens the safety net for our neighbors and loved ones.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered, coordinated logistics, and helped spread the word. Your willingness to give your time — and a part of yourself — truly makes a difference.

If you were unable to attend this drive, we’ll have another opportunity coming up on August 18, 2026. We hope you’ll mark your calendar and join us for our next chance to serve the community together.

Thank you for donating, for supporting, and for embodying the cooperative spirit that makes BEC stronger every day. D

Your Vote, Their Victory: BEC Foundation’s 2026 Member Choice Contest

THE BEC FOUNDATION SERVES as the philanthropic arm of Bandera Electric Cooperative, continuing a long-standing tradition of community support across our seven-county service area. Through volunteerism and charitable giving, BEC remains committed to strengthening the communities we serve. The Foundation’s mission is to provide financial support to qualifying nonprofit organizations with a focus on education, safety, and overall concern for community.

Since 2018, the BEC Foundation has contributed more than $593,021.09 to local organizations, creating a meaningful impact close to home.

Building on that commitment, the BEC Foundation is excited to announce the return of one of its most anticipated initiatives, the 2026 Member Choice Contest. This annual program gives Bandera Electric Cooperative members the opportunity to nominate and vote for a local nonprofit organization to receive a $5,000 grand prize in support of its mission.

At its core, the Member Choice Contest reflects the cooperative principle of democratic member control. As a member-owned organization, BEC believes the people we serve should have a voice — not only in how their cooperative operates, but also in how we give back. This contest empowers members to help direct charitable dollars to the causes that matter most to them and to the communities we call home.

Local nonprofit organizations play a vital role throughout

our service territory. From supporting families in crisis and providing educational opportunities to promoting health, safety, and community development, these organizations strengthen the fabric of our region. The Member Choice Contest shines a spotlight on their work while providing meaningful financial support to help them continue making a difference.

Through the nomination process, members can highlight nonprofits they are passionate about. Once nominations are collected and verified, the top organizations will advance to the voting round, where members again take the lead by casting their votes to determine which nonprofit will receive the winning award.

Beyond the grand prize, the contest builds awareness and engagement across the community. It encourages members to learn more about the nonprofits serving our area and reflects the collaborative spirit that defines BEC. When members participate, they are not just casting a vote — they are investing in the well-being of their neighbors.

Members are encouraged to watch for upcoming details on how to nominate and vote. Together, we can celebrate and support the organizations that make our communities stronger every day.

Be sure to view the contest timeline below for key dates and details. For more information, please scan the QR code.D

Power in Participation: Get Involved in BEC’s 2026 Board of Directors Election

AT BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, you’re more than a customer, you’re a member-owner. And one of the most important ways you help guide the future of BEC is by electing the Board of Directors.

Our Board members are your neighbors. They live and work in the communities we serve, and they help make key decisions that shape everything from long term planning to member services. Simply put, they help keep BEC moving forward.

Here’s how the process works.

Districts up for Election

This year, Districts 1, 2, and 3 are up for election. Each district elects one director to represent its members on the BEC Board.

To ensure fair and balanced representation, the Board reviews district boundaries each year. If adjustments are needed to maintain equal representation, members impacted by any changes are notified by email.

Interested in Serving? Here’s How to Run.

Serving on the Board is a meaningful way to give back to your cooperative and your community. By mid-May of 2026, members in Districts 1, 2, and 3 will receive a letter explaining the nomination process. If you’re interested in becoming a director, here’s what you’ll need to do:

• Request an application packet from BEC using the contact information provided in the letter.

• Complete and submit the required application.

• Collect at least 100 signatures from individual members in your district. Joint memberships count as one signature.

• Use the official petition forms provided and ensure all required fields are completed, including printed name, signature, mailing address, daytime phone number, and date signed.

• Submit your completed petition packet to the Bandera headquarters office no later than 90 days before the Annual Meeting.

What About Current Directors?

Directors whose terms are expiring may choose to run for re-election. If they do, they are automatically nominated and placed on the ballot.

Voting: Your Voice Matters

Members will receive an electronic ballot by email on September 18, 2026, along with candidate biographies. Members without an email address on file can expect to receive a mailed ballot later that week. If more than one candidate is running in a district, names will appear on the ballot in random order.

All members may vote for all directors, regardless of their district. Votes may be cast by mail or electronically, and voting will close at noon on October 16, 2026.

By participating in the election, you help ensure BEC remains locally governed, community focused, and member driven. At BEC, leadership starts with you. Whether you choose to run, vote, or stay informed, your involvement helps power the future of your cooperative.

Save the Date: 2026 Member Appreciation Fall Festival

Mark your calendar for BEC’s 2026 Member Appreciation Fall Festival on October 17, 2026, at Enchanted Springs Ranch. We look forward to celebrating our members and spending a fun-filled day together. More details about this exciting event will be coming soon! D

A Day in the Life of a Lineman: Honoring our Local Heroes for Lineman Appreciation Day

APRIL 18 MARKS Lineman Appreciation Day, a time to recognize the dedicated heroes who work tirelessly to keep Bandera Electric Cooperative members powered. At BEC, our linemen are more than utility workers. They are neighbors, problem-solvers, first responders, and an essential part of the communities we serve. The path into linework wasn’t always planned for some of our linemen.

“I’ve been in the trade for almost 10 years,” said Justin Albarado, Journeyman Line Foreman. “I began my career here at BEC, and at the time, I honestly had no idea what a lineman even was. Over the years, it’s turned into a career I’m really proud of.”

For a BEC lineman, the workday often begins the night before. An after-hours outage call means the co-op truck parked in the driveway is ready to roll. Within minutes, he is on the road locating the issue, making repairs, and ensuring the member is safe, sometimes installing a temporary fix until permanent repairs can be completed the next day. A few hours

later, he returns home knowing he will report back to the office by 6:30 the next morning.

At headquarters, crews gather to plan assignments, prepare equipment, and participate in a safety meeting. Electricity demands respect, and no two jobs are ever exactly the same.

“The most challenging part of being a lineman is that every job will always be different,” said Matt Waltzer, Journeyman Line Foreman. “There is no quick reference guide, only experience and team communication.”

By midmorning, service trucks, bucket trucks, and digger trucks are on the road. At each job site, crews hold a tailgate meeting to review the plan, de-energize lines, complete repairs or installations, and restore power with precision and care.

For Groundman II Brett Peterson, the decision to enter the trade was rooted in purpose and pride.

“I wanted a career that was rewarding in both progression and community impact, and one that I could look back on afterward and be proud to say I was a part of that,” Peterson said.

“I think the lineman career fits those categories, and it has been a joy to be a part of the trade.”

The work extends beyond power lines. BEC linemen also visit local schools to teach children about electrical safety, taking pride not only in keeping the lights on but also in educating the next generation.

On Lineman Appreciation Day, we recognize the skill, strength, and sacrifice of these local heroes who work through heat, wind, and storms to ensure reliable power for our communities.

To our Bandera Electric Cooperative linemen, thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to keeping our members powered. On April 18 and every day, we are grateful for the work you do. D

Destination D.C.! Local Students Selected for the 2026 Government-in-Action Youth Tour

THREE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS will join 150 Texas teens on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., June 14–21, 2026.

Rynlee Fielder, Cullen Watson, and Elliora Groot were selected to represent Bandera Electric Cooperative on a weeklong trip to the nation’s capital, an experience many seasoned travelers would envy. The students were chosen from a pool of more than fifty applicants who entered BEC’s essay contest, earning an all-expenses-paid leadership opportunity alongside 150 other Texas delegates and more than 2,000 students from across the country.

For Elliora, a high school senior, the opportunity is both meaningful and timely.

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to dive deep into the history of our nation and all it stands for,” she shared. “This tangible, once-in-a-lifetime exploration of iconic monuments will help me to become a responsible and informed United States citizen. As I step into college this fall, I will be equipped with knowledge of the foundations of America.”

Youth Tour is a long-standing cooperative tradition rooted in the mission to empower and enrich the communities we serve. Since 1965, more than 4,700 Texans have participated in the program. For many, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore national monuments and museums, meet elected officials, and build lasting friendships.

Cullen Watson, a high school junior, is especially excited to experience the historic landmarks firsthand.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the monuments and historical locations,” Cullen said. “Traveling to our capital will give me a greater appreciation and understanding of our nation’s history.”

The journey begins in Austin, where delegates will meet their chaperones and connect with fellow Texans before flying to Washington, D.C. Once there, students will embark on a whirlwind tour that includes visits to Arlington National Cemetery, Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Institution museums, and numerous national memorials. They will also learn about rural electrification, enjoy a Potomac River cruise with dinner and dancing, and meet with congressional representatives.

Rynlee Fielder, a high school sophomore, echoed the excitement about the educational value of the trip.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the monuments and historical locations,” she said. “Traveling to our capital will give me greater appreciation and understanding of our nation’s history.”

While the trip lasts just one week, its impact can last a lifetime. By educating and mentoring young people in our communities, BEC aims to provide today’s youth with the tools they need to become tomorrow’s leaders. Youth Tour is one meaningful way the cooperative invests in that future. D

Blueberry French Toast with Blueberry Syrup

12 Slices day-old bread

1 package cream cheese (8 ounces)

2 cups blueberries, divided use

2 eggs

2 cups milk

1/3 cup maple syrup or honey

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup water

1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) butter

1. Coat a 9-by-13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and place half of them into pan.

2. Cut cream cheese into ½-inch cubes and place on top of cubed bread. Top with 1 cup blueberries and then remaining half of bread cubes.

3. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, and maple syrup or honey. Pour over bread mixture. Cover and chill in fridge 8 hours or overnight. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before baking.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until center of French toast is set.

5. In a saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch and water. Bring to a boil, then stir constantly for 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 1 cup blueberries.

6. Reduce heat. Simmer 8–10 minutes, or until berries burst. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Serve warm over blueberry French toast.

SERVES 10

Find this and more delicious recipes online at TexasCoopPower.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Good Friday Friday, April 3

All BEC offices and lobbies will be closed in observance of Good Friday.

Easter

Sunday, April 5

National Lineman

Appreciation Day

Saturday, April 18

Earth Day Wednesday, April 22

Bandera Electric Cooperative

P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003

Toll-Free 1-866-226-3372 (1-866-BANDERA)

P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003

Web banderaelectric.com

Toll-Free 1-866-226-3372 (1-866-BANDERA)

Email mas@banderaelectric.com

Web banderaelectric.com

Email mas@banderaelectric.com

Board of Directors

District 1 Robert Aguirre, Secretary-Treasurer

Board of Directors

District 1 Robert Aguirre

Frances “Fran” Laue

District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum

District 2 Frances “Fran” Laue

District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman

District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum

District 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann

District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman

District 6 Richard “Dick” Earnest

District 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann

District 6 Richard “Dick” Earnest

Christopher “Chris” Blakemore, Chairman

District 7 Christopher “Chris” Blakemore

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards Kurt Solis

District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer

Key Staff

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

Key Staff

Stephanie Pankratz, CFO

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO

Stephanie Pankratz, CFO

John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO

Shane Schmidt, COO

Mission Statement

Our mission is lighting the grid to empower our members.

Empowering communities with reliable and innovative services and technologies to enhance everyday life.

Vision Statement

Reimagining rural America.

Building a sustainable and connected future together.

OFFICES

For hours and information, visit banderaelectric.com/hours.

Bandera Headquarters | 3172 Highway 16 N.

Boerne | 1100 N. Main St., Suite 104

Bandera Headquarters | 3172 Highway 16 N. Boerne | 1100 N. Main St., Suite 104

Comfort | 739 Front St. (Highway 27)

Leakey | 485 W. Ranch Road 337

PAYMENT OPTIONS

• myBEC online or mobile app bill payment

For a list of accepted payment options, visit banderaelectric.com/paymentoptions

• Free bank draft service

• Paperless billing

• Level billing

• Automatic recurring credit card payment

• Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted

• ECheck payment by phone

• Cash or check payments in office

• 24/7 payment kiosks at select offices

• Payments accepted at Fidelity Express

• Time-based usage program

P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003

• PrePay program

Phone 1-866-226-3372, option 5

Web BECFiber.com

Email mas@banderaelectric.com

Painting by Numbers

His countless big ideas brought dazzling color to hills and highways

BY W.F. STRONG • ILLUSTRATION BY JASON RAISH

WE WERE SITTING in John R. Thomas’ big pickup overlooking about 60 acres of bluebonnets in bloom when he said something I’ll always remember. “If we could get a good rain in the next day or two,” he said, “it would be a milliondollar rain.”

I asked Thomas just how a rain could be worth $1 million. He said, “It’ll push those bluebonnets up another few inches and double their seed yield.”

Thomas owns Wildseed Farms, southeast of Fredericksburg in the Hill Country He doesn’t grow those enormous plots of petals just for their photographic beauty. He grows them for the seeds—bluebonnet, Indian blanket, Texas paintbrush and dozens of other native varieties.

The seeds are harvested with processes he pioneered and machines he invented. They’re bagged and sold in his big country store along U.S. Highway 290 then shipped to customers around the world.

Thomas grew up on a ranch near Eagle Lake, west of Houston, where he learned early that the land could break your back and your heart in the same season. He studied business at Sam Houston State University before coming home to start a grass-seeding company that restored eroded land along highways.

People began asking him for wildflower seed—especially bluebonnets— but there was no dependable source. That was all the spark he needed.

In 1981, Thomas began experimenting.

Listen as W.F. Strong narrates this story on our website.

He bought land, studied soil types and planted test plots. He tinkered endlessly, building equipment that didn’t exist and modifying machinery that did. He risked much and slept little. When something failed, he tried again.

He eventually had a gorgeous field of bluebonnets every spring, and he noticed people stopped in droves to photograph them. His entrepreneurial side said, “These folks need a place to get out of the sun and have a Coke and enjoy the view.” He created such a place for them.

Over the next decade, Wildseed Farms blossomed—literally and figuratively. In 1993, he moved his operation to Fredericksburg, building what would become the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S.

Visitors who come in March or April see fields so bright they seem backlit by divine intervention. People stroll among the blooms, sip a little Hill Country wine and buy packets of seeds to take a piece of Texas home with them.

Thomas designed the J-Thom 42 Wildseeder, a contraption that can sow a dozen species or more at once without damaging delicate seeds. He built a vacuum harvester that collects seeds by suction instead of by force, which preserves their fragile husks. Those inventions made large-scale wildflower farming possible.

Today, more than 20 states use Thomas’ seeds to color their highways each spring. And Wildseed, which now fills hundreds of Hill Country acres, also grows grapes and sells its own wine.

But for all his business acumen, Thomas remains a farmer at heart. His face still turns upward when he hears thunder. As we sat in his pickup that spring afternoon, he squinted toward the horizon and said, “There’s a cloud building out west. Maybe it’ll come this way.” D

Five-Ingredient Dinners

Five stars for dishes that minimize ingredients and maximize flavor

BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR

After a long day of editing recipes, there’s nothing I crave more than an oven-baked meal. This recipe, which I can pull together in a snap, hits the spot every single time with its spice and citrus notes. Be sure to store the leftover chipotles in the fridge.

Orange Chipotle

Baked Salmon

1 pound salmon fillet

1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, with 4 teaspoons adobo sauce reserved

1 cup orange juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

Steamed rice, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place salmon on a baking sheet.

2. Finely dice chipotle. In a small bowl, combine chipotle, reserved adobo sauce, orange juice and salt. Spoon sauce over salmon.

3. Bake salmon until it flakes easily with a fork, about 15–20 minutes.

4. Serve over rice.

SERVES 4

Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Creamy Chipotle Lime Shrimp.

Pea Salad

GINGER CLARDY BANDERA EC

I was skeptical when I first tested this recipe, but little did I know this classic salad is the perfect virtually no-cook dinner. The salad is creamy with crunchy pieces of onion and chunks of cheese. Next time I will definitely double the recipe to enjoy with my family.

1 can English peas (15 ounces), drained 2 tablespoons chopped onion

1/4 cup diced cheddar cheese

1/2 boiled egg, diced 3/4 cup mayonnaise

1. In a bowl, mix together peas, onion, cheddar, egg and mayonnaise.

2. Cover and refrigerate. Serve chilled.

SERVES 2

$500 WINNER

Birds

LORI KIRKPATRICK GRAYSON-COLLIN EC

This recipe was given to Kirkpatrick 30 years ago by a dear friend and has remained a family favorite. I see why Birds has stood the test of time in her household. Buttery crescents filled with chicken and swimming in a cream sauce hit all the comfort food notes. Kirkpatrick likes to serve the birds over steamed rice.

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls (8 ounces)

2 cups cooked chicken, diced

1 can cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces)

1 can chicken broth (10.5 ounces)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch pan.

2. Unroll the crescent rolls and separate into 8 triangles. Place ¼ cup chicken on the wide end of each triangle, roll up dough and place in pan.

3. In a bowl, whisk together soup and broth. Pour over the prepared crescents. Top each crescent with 2 tablespoons cheddar.

4. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes.

SERVES 4

$500 Recipe Contest

PANCAKES AND WAFFLES DUE APR 10 Never mind which is better doused in syrup—we’ll take either! The winning recipe will stack up $500. We’ll share our favorites in the September issue. CAMPFIRE FAVORITES DUE MAY 10

Parmesan Ranch Chicken

CINDY HANDY

GRAYSON-COLLIN EC

Nothing beats oven-baked chicken, especially when it’s coated in ranch dressing. I loved the ease of this recipe— no frying and coating the chicken in a plastic bag makes for less cleanup. Handy says this recipe works best with shelf-stable Parmesan that comes in a shaker. Serve with a salad or mashed potatoes for an easy weeknight meal.

1/3 cup flour

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs

1/2 cup ranch dressing

5 chicken drumsticks

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and coat with cooking spray.

3. In a large, resealable plastic bag combine flour, Parmesan and bread -

crumbs. In a large bowl, add ranch dressing.

4. Dip a drumstick into ranch dressing and coat well. Seal drumstick in plastic bag.

5. Shake bag to coat drumstick, and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining drumsticks.

Keep Your Cool

A well-stocked freezer keeps me sane through a hectic week. Knowing I have food on hand makes meal planning easier. Here’s what you’ll find in my freezer.

PROTEIN: Chicken thighs and breasts, ground beef and turkey, shrimp, salmon

VEGGIES: Corn, peas, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower

FRUIT: Berries, mangoes, peaches

READY TO BAKE: Pie crusts, pizza dough, bread, rolls

CONVENIENCE: Fries, Tater Tots, steamed rice, burger patties, waffles, meatballs

—Vianney Rodriguez

6. Bake 20 minutes, turn drumsticks over and bake an additional 20 minutes.

SERVES 2

SpiritualityMee

“I never expected it to be so beautiful that it takes your breath away.”

— Kaya C., on Stauer Opals

In a quaint village, nestled between rolling hills, lived a young woman with a deep appreciation for gemstones. Her grandmother gifted her a delicate cross pendant adorned with opals. The opals shimmered with a mesmerizing play of colors, reflecting hues of blues, greens, and fiery oranges. Her grandmother shared the legend of the opals, believed to bring hope, purity, and luck to those who wore them.

Using this story as inspiration, Stauer brings you the Opal Spirit Cross Pendant. With over 2 total carats of Kyocera lab-created opals set in .925 sterling silver encased in yellow gold, this pendant is a radiant celebration of beauty and craftsmanship. Each opal captivates with a kaleidoscopic dance of fiery oranges blending into oceanic blues, streaked with flashes of vibrant green that seem to come alive with every movement. The shimmering opals are skillfully arranged to create an enchanting, otherworldly glow, embodying the spirit of hope and harmony.

This breathtaking combination of color and craftsmanship is available as a limited availability of only

930 pieces, making it a rare and treasured addition to your jewelry collection. Plus, when you order today, you’ll receive the gold-finished sterling silver chain—a $69 value—absolutely free!

Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive tribute to timeless elegance and meaningful symbolism.

Necklace Specifications:

• 2 1/2 ctw. Kyocera lab opals and DiamondAura® accents

• Yellow gold-finished .925 sterling silver setting

• 18" gold-clad .925 sterling silver chain

Opal Spirit Cross Pendant plus FREE Chain $499 $59* + S & P Save $440 *Special price only for customers using the offer code.

Insider Offer Code: OCR348-01

Tragedy on the Prairie

Step into the hard life of frontier Texas at Old Fort Parker

BY CHET GARNER

JUST OUTSIDE THE SMALL TOWN of Groesbeck, east of Waco, tucked between cow pastures and the Navasota River, stands an old wooden fort that feels less like a destination and more like the stories of Jamestown and Plymouth Rock.

The spiked, wooden palisades of Old Fort Parker rise from the prairie grass like a movie set, but this isn’t Hollywood—it’s the site of a pivotal and tragic moment. You can almost hear the creak of the gate and the echo of gunfire that changed the course of a family and history.

In 1833, the fort was strategically built beside a natural spring with fertile soil in every direction. The settlers, led by brothers James and Silas Parker, had come to claim a piece of the frontier and begin a new life. However, in May 1836 their dream became a nightmare when a coalition of Native American warriors attacked the fort, killing several settlers and abducting 9-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker, her younger brother and three others.

The fort was abandoned, but over the next 24 years Cynthia assimilated into the Comanche tribe and married Chief Peta Nocona, becoming the mother of famed Chief Quanah Parker—the last great Comanche war leader.

Today, the replica fort, built in the 1930s and renovated in 1967, stands as a stark reminder of life nearly 200 years ago. It feels like a living time capsule, especially on special weekends when it’s full of reenactors showing visitors how to do everything from blacksmithing to shucking corn.

You can wander through the cabins, peek through the rifle lookouts and imagine the fort bustling with frontier life. There’s even a small museum detailing the Parker family saga, complete with artifacts and old maps. Here, among the oak trees and whispering prairie wind, history feels close enough to touch. D

ABOVE Chet pulls guard duty, at least for this photo, at Old Fort Parker outside Groesbeck.

Watch the video on our website as Chet visits the replica of Fort Parker. And find all of his Texplorations on The Daytripper on PBS.

Know Before You Go

Call ahead or check an event’s website for scheduling details, and check our website for many more upcoming events.

Fort Worth [9–12] Late Nite Catechism, (817) 212-4280, www.basshall.com

Richardson The Boho Market, info@thebohomarket.com, thebohomarket.com

Canton [10–11] Tractor Show & Swap Meet, (214) 837-8861, lonestarihc25.org/canton

Comfort Why Old Places Matter Tour, (830) 995-2641, comfortheritagefoundation.com

Jacksonville Flamin’ J BBQ Fest, jvillecpaaa@gmail.com, facebook.com/jvillecpaaa

Levelland Centennial Celebration, (806) 894-0113, bit.ly/levellandcentennial

Schulenburg Sausagefest, (979) 743-4514, schulenburg sausagefest.com

Spicewood Asleep at the Wheel, (512) 264-2820, spicewoodarts.org

Fredericksburg Friends of Gillespie County Country Schools BBQ Meal and Raffle, (830) 685-3321, historicschools.org

Granbury [17–19] North Texas Gourd Festival, texasgourdsociety@hotmail.com, texasgourdsociety.org

Burton Cotton Gin Festival, (979) 289-3378, cottonginmuseum.org

Pick of the Month

Art, Herb & Wine Festival Bertram, April 25–26 (512) 882-2992

bertramchamber.com

At this festival northwest of Austin, attendees can enjoy artisan and herbal vendors, free seminars and demonstrations, Texas wine, food trucks, craft beer, an artist showcase, a 5K run, and live music throughout the weekend. Children can participate in the art zone.

We pick events for the magazine directly from TexasCoopPower.com. Submit your July event by May 1, and it just might be featured in this calendar.

In the heart of the Texas Hill Country visit 17 historic one-room schools built between 1847 and 1936 by following the120 mile Gillespie County Country Schools Driving Trail through the scenic Fredericksburg,Texas countryside. Restor ing and Preserv ing Our History

APRIL EVENTS CONTINUED

Kerrville [24–June 6] Roundup Exhibition and Sale, (830) 896-2553, museumofwesternart.com

Avinger Wildflower Trails, (903) 562-2222, avingertxchamber.org

Huntsville Gen. Sam Houston Day, (936) 294-1832, samhoustonmemorial museum.com

Lakehills Medina Lake Volunteer Fire Department BBQ, (830) 751-2525, face book.com/medinalakevfd

Temple [25–26] Texas State Button Society Spring Show and Sale, (325) 247-4955, texas statebuttonsociety.com

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS BEGINS

Have your “Go Kit” packed and ready. Create defensible space around your home. Identify two evacuation routes incase one becomes compromised.

Communicate with local officials and learn how they will send emergency notifications.

MAY

Gun Barrel City [1–2] Gun Barrel Quilters Guild Quilt Show, (817) 896-7891, gunbarrelquiltersguild.org

Sargent [1–2] Volunteer Fire & Rescue BBQ Cookoff, (281) 794-4933, facebook.com/sargent volunteerfiredept

Vernon Doan’s May Picnic, (214) 244-1883, doansmaypicnic.com

Willow City Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department Benefit, (830) 685-3376, willowcityfd.com

Gates

It’s been said that the creaking gate hangs the longest, and these readers made themselves heard. Whether they’re keeping someone in or out, Texas gates are as unique as the folks behind them. So take a detour with us this month and, as the dust settles, let’s see what awaits us at the gates.

CURATED BY GRACE FULTZ

Upcoming Contests

See Focus on Texas on our website for many more Gates photos from readers.

1 JODY SEDGWICK PEDERNALES EC

“Springtime at a Hill Country gate. Flowers, deer and a kitty.”

2 DEANNE LAUMER PEDERNALES EC

“Bluebonnets on a back road.”

3 LISA WOODS UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES

“Next to the Steel Bender off-road trail in Moab, Utah.”

4 GAYLEE WATSON FARMERS EC

“Two paints and a mule waiting at the gate for treats.”

Kickin’ Ashe

The perfect spring workout awaits in the Hill Country

BY BOB MCCULLOUGH ILLUSTRATION BY DAVE URBAN

A RANGE OF CELEBRITIES market workout routines that promise to burn calories and slow the aging process—for a price.

I’m certainly no celebrity, but as a ranch resident of the Hill Country with its ubiquitous, evergreen Ashe juniper (or mountain cedar), I myself have developed a workout that delivers heart-pumpin’, muscle-buildin’, weight-sheddin’ results at no charge.

Cedar is an easy enemy. The prolific pollen producer native to the Edwards Plateau punishes seasonal allergy sufferers with “cedar fever.” It’s also incredibly thirsty, soaking up scarce rainfall to the detriment of other vegetation.

Cutting it back is like peeling an onion. You keep removing the trees’ relatively soft wooden outgrowths—or layers, if you will—until you achieve the desired

clearance for trails, pathways and roads. Hand-to-branch combat fosters fitness as well as fulfillment. To take advantage of the Ashe-Kickin’ Workout, I have some field-tested recommendations.

Check, please! Cedar-slaying can be strenuous, so check with your doctor and get the OK before beginning any exercise regimen.

Rags to britches: Attire yourself in the oldest, toughest, raggediest clothing in your closet because this workout surely will damage whatever you’re wearing.

Covering all the spaces: Speaking of attire, opt for long sleeves and heavy pants or jeans to minimize cuts and scratches. And wear sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat to prevent sunburns. Thick leather gloves complete the ensemble.

Make no mis-snake: Cedar survives in rugged territory where snakes also thrive, so boots should be worn for extra protection.

Bug off: Likewise, bugs and other creepy crawlers could cross your path. Spraying repellent on pants, gloves or tops of boots helps.

The cutting edges: The workout requires relatively inexpensive tools— 21-inch bow saws for cuts up to 5 inches and 31-inch lopping shears for overhead branches. Chain saws are strictly prohibited in the interest of maximizing fitness!

Bind the wounds: Now and then, an oak tree will get in the way, and oak trimming should be followed immediately with pruning paint to prevent the spread of deadly oak wilt.

Muscles in knead: After a vigorous session with cedar, the ultimate reward is an appointment with a massage therapist or a sympathetic spouse who can soothe away any soreness.

Through sawing, stretching, stooping and bending, the Ashe-Kickin’ Workout offers an inexpensive way to stay fit throughout the calendar year. So if you’re looking for me, chances are, I’m just cuttin’ up in the great outdoors. D

Costa Rica 8-Day Tour $1195

Volcanoes, Beaches & Rainforests

Welcome to a great vacation at an affordable price. Caravan’s fully guided tours feature complete sightseeing, fascinating itineraries, and professional Tour Directors. Your Costa Rica tour is fully guided and includes all meals, all hotels, and all activities. See exotic birds, view volcanoes, soak in hot springs, hike in a jungle rainforest, enjoy a wildlife river cruise, and stay three nights at one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.

Discover why smart shoppers and experienced travelers have chosen Caravan Tours since 1952. Caravan includes all activities listed in the tour itinerary. Caravan does not sell any optional activities which can cost hundreds of extra dollars. Caravan gives you great vacations at prices much lower than you can nd anywhere.

“Brilliant, Affordable Pricing” Arthur Frommer, Travel Editor

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