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FOR BANDERA EC MEMBERS

Walk

Opal Lee helped elevate Juneteenth every step of the way

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June 2026

Giant Footsteps

Even as Opal Lee—the Grandmother of Juneteenth— approaches 100, she says her important work isn’t done.

By Michael Hurd Portraits

by Robert Seale

Opal Lee at her home on East Annie

in the Historic Southside neighborhood of Fort Worth. Photo by Robert Seale

Live Oak Trees on Williams Ranch, Bandera County is a 1915 oil painting by Julian Onderdonk. Painting by Julian Onderdonk

The history of this Hill Country vista goes right through a century-old Julian Onderdonk painting.

By John R. Millard

Volts Charge Into Texas

AFTER A FOUR -TEAM barnstorming season in 2025, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League is set to start its second season with six teams, including one in Texas.

The Texas Volts will return and play their home games at Dell Diamond in Round Rock and join teams based in Chicago; Durham, North Carolina; Oklahoma City; Portland, Oregon; and Salt Lake City.

“Texas is synonymous with softball excellence at every level,” said Kim Ng, the league’s commissioner.

The Volts start their 25-game season June 9 in Oklahoma City. Their first home game is June 18 against the Utah Talons.

FINISH THIS SENTENCE

The greatest innovation in my lifetime is …

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

The air conditioner.

MARILYN WERKHEISER BLUEBONNET EC BASTROP

My cellphone.

KAT CROSS HOUSTON COUNTY EC CROCKETT

My coffee maker.

KERRY BEREND FORT BELKNAP EC LOVING

Ham radio. Communication is most important.

GARY DAVID ANTLEY VIA FACEBOOK

Phone with FaceTime.

JOHNNA HALE

TRINITY VALLEY EC CANTON

Visit our website to see more responses.

Contests and More

“We have simply got to make people aware that none of us are free until we’re all free, and we aren’t free yet.”

—OPAL LEE

$500 RECIPE CONTEST

Cranberry Harvest

FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS

Tailgating

A Whole Mess of Trash

I had seen all the Don’t Mess With Texas signs and so was surprised by a surge in litter [A Tidy Revolution, March 2026]. I complained and complained to my husband about the litter and the fact that no one seemed worried about it.

Finally, I grew tired of complaining and decided to act. Now, I try to collect litter once a week—one bag of cans and bottles and one bag of trash.

Lynda Southwick

Bluebonnet EC

Brenham

Wear a Life Jacket

I was excited by the paddling trails article [Charted Waters, March 2026]. However, I was dismayed when pictures showed paddlers not wearing life jackets and reading only to “pack a personal flotation device, as required by Texas law.”

While canoeing, I’ve experienced several hairy situations and would never not wear one. According to the U.S. Coast

APRIL 2026 Kickin’ Ashe

“ A lot of fitness can still be gained by using a chain saw. The sweat washes off, but the sap stays on the arms for many days.”

RAY WOLBRECHT PEDERNALES EC

BLANCO

Guard, 85% of boating-related drowning victims were not wearing a life vest.

Kat Saul

Grayson-Collin EC

Allen

Cavalry Hopes

I always wanted to be in the Army cavalry [From Posts to Pillars, February 2026]. When I came of age, the cavalry was no more.

But I knew a man who was born on Fort Ringgold. His father was the post bandmaster. He used to tell me many interesting stories of those times.

Wallace L. Morgan

GVEC

Nixon

Blocker Billboard

Yes, at one time there was a billboard announcing that O’Donnell was the hometown of Dan Blocker [Tiny Dots on a Big Map, January 2026]. Sadly, the fading signage went AWOL, probably blown away by high winds that frequent this part of the High Plains.

Betty Morgan

Bryan Texas Utilities

Bryan

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

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SERVICES COMMITTEE

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TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 82, Number 12 (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.

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BY MICHAEL HURD • PORTRAITS BY ROBERT SEALE

Giant Footsteps

Even as Opal Lee—the Grandmother of Juneteenth— approaches 100, she says her important work isn’t done

Opal Lee says she was the “little ol’ lady in tennis shoes getting into everybody else’s business” when, in 2016, at age 89 and buoyed by her faith, she embarked on an ambitious campaign to make Juneteenth a national holiday by walking from her home in Fort Worth to Washington, D.C. Ten years later, the holiday is official, she is celebrated as the Grandmother of Juneteenth and her well-worn tennis shoes are getting a long-deserved rest.

That doesn’t mean the contemporary folk hero is finally settling into idleness—even as she approaches centenarian status (she turns 100 on October 7). And once you get a sense of her life, you realize inactivity is not a concept she embraces. Retirement?

“You’ve got to be kidding!” she quickly retorts, flashing her wide, congenial smile. “People who are old can’t sit in a rocking chair and wait for the Lord to come and get them. There’s still plenty of work to be done, and I’ll do what I can as long as I can.”

She speaks with an eloquent urgency and passion about her work over many decades as a civil rights and community activist who advocated for the homeless, jobless and hungry; for education; and for Juneteenth recognition— all of which she connects to being free. She says she fully intends to continue her work through her belief that “we are our brother’s keeper, and we’d better act like it”—but at a slower pace.

For sure, there will be no more extended walking campaigns. An illness last summer was a setback, and though she’s recovered, the episode supported growing suggestions from her family, which includes 15 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren, that it was time to step back a bit.

“It’s been great to see her dream come true, something she’s been after most of her life,” says Promise Roland, one of Lee’s granddaughters and a Fort Worth real estate agent. “It’s been overwhelming, but we’re delighted. She’s been asked to slow down, but that’s not her.

“With her tenacity, she’s going to keep at it; she doesn’t take no for an answer.”

Lee, a 1943 graduate, at age 16, of Fort Worth’s I.M. Terrell High School, has maximized her century on this planet with service to family, church and community. She raised her four children as a young single mother, got a bachelor’s degree in education from Wiley College in Marshall, earned a master’s degree in counseling and guidance in 1963 from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), and taught third grade for 15 years at Amanda McCoy Elementary School, her alma mater.

She helped start a food bank by contributing fresh produce grown in her 5-acre urban farm that also helps address Tarrant County food deserts.

She is an iconic, revered change agent, so getting into everybody else’s business—good trouble—teaching and helping others is what she does, and she does it very well. She’s received eight honorary doctorates, was named 2021 Texan of the Year by The Dallas Morning News, was a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2023, her portrait was placed in the Texas Senate Chamber, making her only the second Black person (after U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan) so honored. In January, Mattel introduced the “Opal Barbie.”

Opal Lee on her Juneteenth walks: “If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love. The promise of freedom is only as strong as those who choose to uphold it. Will you rise to the occasion or stand still as history passes you by?”

Despite it all, Lee lives in a modest new house on Fort Worth’s East Annie Street— on the same corner lot where, in 1939, her family’s home was burned down by a mob of 500 angry would-be neighbors who objected to the family integrating the neighborhood. It happened on Juneteenth.

Her new house was a gift from Trinity Habitat for Humanity in 2024 as a tribute to Lee, one of the nonprofit’s founding board members.

The Marshall native was a child when she first learned about the date June 19, 1865, when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to make the first notifications that enslaved Texans were free—two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. She joined family and friends annually to celebrate the day with “plenty of food, food and more food.”

Lee was a co-founder in 1977 of the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society, through which she organized Fort Worth’s Juneteenth events, including walks, for 40 years. But she felt there was more she could do.

A quest was born: Make Juneteenth a national holiday.

Her plan was to walk to D.C. and present a signed petition to Congress as a symbol of nationwide support for passage

Lee walks for her cause in February 2020 in Las Vegas.

BELOW Lee, on her porch in November 2025, lives on the same Forth Worth plot where, in 1939, a mob burned down her family’s home.

LEFT

I don’t feel no ways tired, I’ve come too far from where I started from. N obody told me that the road would be easy, I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me.

—African American spiritual

of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act. Fortyseven states, including Texas, had already established state holidays or observances.

The octogenarian took to the road, her T-shirt emblazoned with “Opal’s Walk for Freedom,” and was joined by thousands of diverse supporters, many carrying homemade signs of support (“Go, Ms. Opal!”) and walking with her in festive, joyous parades.

“I just started walking, and people started participating, coming to join me, finding a place for me to stay,” she said. “I got 1.5 million signatures. I met all kinds of people, not just those in power. People who were beginning to understand what the day was all about. Not just red soda water and barbecue, but there was meaning to it. People embraced Juneteenth.”

The distance between Fort Worth and D.C. is a little over 1,200 miles as the crow flies. Lee took the scenic route, walking a symbolic 2.5 miles (for the two and a half years it took for news of emancipation to reach Texas) in 20 cities that supported her movement and invited her to walk, including Shreveport, Louisiana; Atlanta; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pueblo, Colorado; Chicago; and Philadelphia.

She began the walks in September 2016 and four months later was in Washington with the completed petition. Almost five years later, the act passed and was signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021.

“I was so happy, I could have done a holy dance!” Lee says.

The crown jewel for her work is the $70 million state-ofthe-art National Juneteenth Museum slated to break ground in Fort Worth later this year. The 50,000-square-foot cultural center is billed as “the epicenter for the preservation of Juneteenth history.”

“Dr. Lee’s advocacy is the foundation on which the museum was established,” says Jarred Howard, the museum’s CEO. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Lee and are committed to expanding her extraordinary legacy through the creation of a world-class learning center.”

Though she isn’t moving quite as much now, Lee’s family is gladly taking the baton to keep her legacy going. Her granddaughters are active board members for Lee’s non-

National Juneteenth Museum

Destined for Fort Worth’s Historic Southside, plans include:

• 10,000 square feet of immersive exhibit space

• A 250-seat theater for lectures, performances and other events

• A business incubator and coworking space

• A food hall featuring culturally diverse cuisine

• The National Juneteenth Plaza, a public courtyard and green space

profit foundation, Citizens Concerned with Human Dignity. The organization assists marginalized families in need of shelter, food, employment, healthcare and education.

“It’ll take more than one person to fill her shoes,” Roland says, “so it will truly be a family effort. She still has a lot of fire, but it’s time for us to do the heavy lifting.”

Lee’s fire has always been about teaching and the fertile minds of young folks, and that flame burns as brightly as ever, sparked by her successful Juneteenth campaigns.

“I want the young people to realize how important Black history is and for them to embrace it, know their history and pass it on,” she says. “The road to true freedom is long, but I’ve walked it my whole life.” D

Enter online to win two signed illustrated children’s books about Opal Lee’s life.

J.O. HERE WAS

The history of this Hill Country vista goes right through a century-old Julian Onderdonk painting

BY JOHN R. MILLARD

The west prong of the Medina River arises in Bandera County and flows eastward, fed by underground springs amid steep, canyon-carved terrain northwest of San Antonio. The flow traces a serpentine path through oak and cedar groves, rocky outcrops, and grassy slopes before joining the north prong near the town of Medina.

In 1915, this area was still a wild frontier—sparsely settled, with vast ranches dominating the landscape. The Medina Lake dam, completed in 1912, altered downstream flows, but the upper prongs retained their pristine character: clear waters, rocky riverbeds, and dense cedar and live oak groves.

It was beautiful country. I know this because Julian Onderdonk stopped here in 1915, set up an easel and canvas, and got to painting—and I can prove it.

It all started with a chance discovery: a digital image of an Onderdonk oil painting called Gulf Clouds in the Hills on the West Prong of the Medina River instantly caught my eye— not just for its beauty but for its uncanny resemblance to our land.

“Debra,” I called out to my wife, “you won’t believe it, but this is our property.”

I had just hiked those ridges that morning, stood on that same bluff and looked down at that same striated rock in the riverbed. The landscape in the painting wasn’t just similar—it was ours.

What started as a curious observation turned into a historical investigation—one that led me through Texas archives, family lore and conversations with art experts, historians and ranchers. The deeper I dug, the more the story grew. Not just one painting but possibly four were painted by Onderdonk during a 1915 visit to what was then known as the Williams Ranch, now part of our West Prong Ranch.

We acquired the property in January 2024—one of seven tracts carved from the historic Garrison Ranch, originally established in the late 1800s. Like many historic properties, the ranch evolved over time—its boundaries reshaped by sales, inheritances and a legal dispute—but the same beauty remains.

John R. Millard was stunned to discover that a 1915 Julian Onderdonk painting, above, portrays a view he enjoys on his Bandera County property, opposite. It’s undeniable, Millard says.

Gulf Clouds in the Hills on the West Prong of the Medina River

1915

Oil on panel Lusher Art Collection

This painting demonstrates the complex geographic identity of San Antonio’s countryside. The title and fluffy white clouds indicate the region’s proximity to the Gulf Coast. Green hills, characteristic of Central and South Texas, form the horizon. The west prong, illustrated here, is one of two main sections of the Medina River. The nearly dry river exposes the limestone bed, and there is just enough water to reflect the blue sky.

The Man With the Brush

Often called the “Father of Texas Art,” Onderdonk left an indelible mark on American impressionism with his radiant Hill Country portrayals. Born in San Antonio in 1882, he trained under his father, artist Robert Jenkins Onderdonk, and later under William Merritt Chase in New York, honing his eye for light and texture.

Returning to Texas in 1909, Onderdonk fused Chase’s plein air, or open air, philosophy of painting outdoors with the rugged splendor of his homeland.

Onderdonk’s works—vibrant with color, delicately executed and alive with natural beauty—earned acclaim during his lifetime and reverence after his death in 1922.

Today his paintings command high prices: Blue Bonnet Field, Early Morning, San Antonio Texas sold for $515,000 in 2013. Two other pieces sold for $317,000 and $281,000 at that same auction in Dallas. His works have been on display in all

of Texas’ major art museums, and several paintings even hung in the Oval Office when George W. Bush was president.

Each of the four 1915 paintings features terrain elements that resemble areas on or near our property—with live oaks, horizon lines and familiar contours we can still observe today. While there’s no direct evidence or documentation of such an excursion, the visual similarities raise the possibility they were painted during a multiday journey by mule into this remote region.

I hiked back out to the bend in the river and took a photo. From that vantage point, the similarities were undeniable. The limestone bluffs, the curve of the hills, the river’s arc and the distinctive limestone formations in the riverbed all aligned with striking precision—like fingerprints.

It was a match. Onderdonk’s Gulf Clouds in the Hills on the West Prong of the Medina River portrays the very terrain we now call home—capturing its distinctive topography with remarkable accuracy.

“ For us, this land has become something rare— a kind of living time machine. The terrain remains so untouched, the features so distinctive, that the gap between today and 1915 seems to vanish. ”

Collector of the Clouds

But for this discovery to be taken seriously, it needed more than compelling visual similarities; it needed validation from people who know Onderdonk best.

Art dealer Harry Halff is the foremost authority on Onderdonk and author of the artist’s catalogue raisonné—the definitive scholarly resource documenting the artist’s body of work.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the painting’s location is on your ranch,” Halff wrote in an email after reviewing the photographic comparisons and supporting documentation. “This may be one of the rare Onderdonk landscapes still visually tied to a named site today.”

Ted Lusher agreed with that assessment. He’s a respected collector of Texas art and history whose personal archive includes rare artifacts of Texas and Onderdonk’s original Gulf Clouds in the Hills itself.

“There’s no question in my mind,” he wrote of the similarities to our land. “The alignment of terrain and artistic detail is too precise to be coincidental.”

In 1915, traveling from San Antonio to Bandera County— about 50 miles away to the northwest—was challenging. With FM 337 not established until 1945, Onderdonk would have traveled over steep dirt trails and caliche paths, common in rural Texas at the time.

Automobiles like the Ford Model T had existed since 1908 but were impractical in the Hill Country’s rough conditions, especially for an artist of modest means. Instead, Onderdonk

WILLIAM MERRITT CHASE

OPPOSITE, FROM TOP

A 1901 portrait of Onderdonk, one of Texas’ artistic masters, by William Merritt Chase. Millard stands with Daisy Jane on the property he bought with his wife in 2024. He considers their ranch a living gallery.

RIGHT Millard’s research into Onderdonk suggests Windmill on Williams Ranch was also painted on his property in 1915.

likely used horse-drawn transport, such as wagons or buggies for flatter areas, and possibly mules for the steeper terrain.

Halff notes that Onderdonk was “not averse to long hikes in the country,” often walking out into the hills armed with his easel, canvas and paints.

While Halff has not found any direct references to mule travel, he considers it “entirely plausible” that Onderdonk may have ridden by mule into more remote terrain.

The Muleman Next Door

That brings us to Paul Garrison III, our neighbor and a skilled mule skinner.

Garrison’s family has lived and ranched on this land for five generations, and he carries forward the family legacy as the owner of Garrison Mulemanship and Training, a program known far and wide for cultivating the unique partnership between mules and their handlers.

Garrison and I discussed how Onderdonk might have reached this rugged, steep land more than a century ago. “There’s no way he got there by car,” he said. “You’d need a good mule—maybe two. This is classic mule country.”

Before the Garrison family—and long before us—the land was known as the Williams Ranch. One of its earliest firsthand accounts comes from Samuel H. Sutton, who was born in 1850 and moved here in 1876.

One memory stood out for Sutton, writing for Frontier Times Magazine in 1928: He and his wife were washing clothes at the confluence of Cazey Creek and the west prong of the Medina River when they were surprised by Native Americans on a bluff above them. Sutton grabbed his rifle, his heart pounding. The moment passed without violence, but the tension and terrain left a mark on him.

His description of the bluff and the wash spot corresponds closely to the same curve and elevation where Gulf Clouds in the Hills was likely painted. It’s fascinating to think that within a few decades, this same bluff and river could have

been the setting for a settler’s tense moment and an artist’s quiet observation.

Preserving the View

One of the most remarkable aspects of this story is how little the land has changed, and Debra and I are determined to keep it that way. We’ve intentionally avoided building in areas that would disrupt the natural setting and have left existing trails undisturbed.

For us, this land has become something rare—a kind of living time machine. The terrain remains so untouched, the features so distinctive, that the gap between today and 1915 seems to vanish.

Visitors notice it, too. When we show them the digital image of the painting beside the actual view, there’s often a long pause, followed by some variation of: “This place hasn’t changed at all.”

In a constantly evolving world, finding proof that a landscape has stayed so consistent is unusual. The land reflects the same beauty Onderdonk captured, and now, more than a century later, we can see it just as he did.

As landowners, we’re stewards of something much greater than ourselves. Our ranch is more than just acreage. It’s a living gallery—one that requires no velvet ropes, no security guards and no admission fee. Just boots, curiosity and a willingness to see.

We didn’t set out to uncover a hidden chapter in Texas art history. But once we realized what we were standing on, it became clear: This land belongs to history. To Onderdonk. To Sutton. To the Garrisons. And to everyone who’s ever paused to marvel at the way clouds move across the hills.

Gulf Clouds in the Hills isn’t just oil on canvas. It’s evidence. That Onderdonk stood here. That he saw what we see. And that he found it beautiful enough to preserve forever.

We’re honored to be part of that continuum. D

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MESSAGE FROM CEO

WILLIAM “BILL”

HETHERINGTON

The Importance of Grit

I WAS RECENTLY STREAMING a documentary, thanks to BEC Fiber, about Judit Polgar. Judit Polgar was a Hungarian chess player and is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time. She started playing chess at age 5 and was winning tournaments by the age of 11. Many considered her a genius and a prodigy, which may be true, but she also had grit.

At a time when women were not allowed to play against men in the chess world, she fought to change the rules. Only after becoming the number #1 ranked female chess player in the world was the chess community willing to accept her talent. She beat many of her male grandmaster counterparts and famously competed against Garry Kasparov, who at the time was considered the best chess player in the world. She played and lost to Kasparov 11 times in a row but never gave up and had the grit to keep playing against him. Finally in 2002 she beat Kasparov. She retired in 2014 and held the number #1 female Chess ranking for 26 years.

The term “grit” has become synonymous with resilience and determination and is often associated with overachievers like Judit Polgar, but I think the term could also apply to those who design, install, operate, and restore the electric grid. The electric grid is a complex network consisting of literally millions of pieces of material and equipment that are integrated together to provide a critical service:

the delivery of electricity. Critical aspects are incorporated for safety, affordability and resilience. When you talk about the quality of an electric system, one of the terms that is used is resiliency. Resilience is synonymous with reliability. The key is to integrate resilience into the design and operation of the network so that when something fails it causes minimum disruption. But the most critical piece of grid resiliency is to have people with grit.

Inevitably when a power disruption occurs, a team of people working together display characteristics that when combined define “grit”. First is passion. You must truly love what you do to have grit. Along with the passion comes training, which is a commitment to the craft. Training and practice are aspects that allow us to safely and efficiently restore electricity. Third is purpose. The folks who design, operate, maintain and restore power take pride in the work that they do in providing an essential service. And lastly, perseverance, because power outages rarely happen when it is 75 degrees and sunny. Regardless of the weather or time of day or night when outages occur, our team responds to ensure that power is restored to all. No matter how long it takes, they will stay on the job until the restoration is complete. To me, the men and women of BEC have grit which benefits us all.

BEC Linemen Gear Up to Compete in the 2026 Texas Lineman’s Rodeo

BEFORE THE CROWDS GATHER and the timers begin, there’s a quiet moment of focus. Gaffs are tightened, gloves are pulled snug, and a career’s worth of knowledge and experience comes down to a few critical minutes. For Bandera Electric Cooperative’s linemen, the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo is more than a competition, it’s a chance to put their skills, teamwork, and dedication to the test.

From July 16–18, 2026, crews from across the state will gather at Nolte Island Park in Seguin for this annual event, which is free and open to the public. The Texas Lineman’s Rodeo Association invites the community to witness firsthand the talent and teamwork it takes to safely power homes and businesses across Texas.

From climbing poles with precision to performing complex equipment installations and rescue scenarios, each event reflects the real challenges linemen face in the field every day. It’s a chance not only to compete, but to learn, grow, and connect with others in the industry.

This year, BEC will be represented by journeymen Josh Thompson, Cody Hansen, and Garrett Clark, alongside apprentices Nick Rush, Trey Prickett, and Aaron Frost. Behind the scenes, BEC is also helping shape the event, with

Kathy Robertson, Mark Busby, and John Hernandez serving on the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo Advisory Board.

For apprentice Nick Rush, returning to the rodeo brings both excitement and purpose.

“I’m really looking forward to competing again this year,” he shared. “It’s a chance to keep building my skills, learn from some of the best in the industry, and push myself to be better every time I step up. It means a lot to represent BEC and be part of something like this.”

While the competition may last only a few days, its impact reaches far beyond the arena. The lessons learned, the bonds strengthened, and the pride of representing their cooperative stay with these linemen long after the final event.

As they prepare to take the stage, BEC’s team carries with them the same commitment they bring to the job every day: working safely, supporting one another, and doing whatever it takes to keep the lights on.

For more information about this upcoming event, please visit TLRA.org. We wish our team the best of luck as they continue preparing for the rodeo and representing BEC with pride! D

Powering Through Summer the Smart Way

WHEN THE TEXAS HEAT RAMPS UP, so can your energy bill. Since heating and cooling account for about 54% of the average household’s energy use, summer is the perfect time to focus on smart ways to conserve. The good news? A few simple changes can go a long way in keeping your home comfortable and your costs under control. Here are some easy, effective ways to save energy this summer:

1. Enroll in BEC’s Smart Thermostat Program

One of the biggest and easiest ways to save is by upgrading to a smart thermostat through BEC’s Smart Thermostat Program. Your free ecobee smart thermostat will automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your schedule, helping reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort. You can control it from your smartphone, so you’re never cooling an empty house. Plus, professional installation makes getting started simple and stressfree. Already have an ecobee? You can enroll in the Smart Thermostat Program and get a bill credit!

2. Raise the Temperature When You’re Away

Setting your thermostat a few degrees higher when you’re not home can lead to noticeable savings over time. A smart thermostat can do this automatically, so you don’t even have to think about it.

3. Use Ceiling Fans the Right Way

Fans help circulate cool air, allowing you to set your thermostat higher while still feeling comfortable. Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room since they cool people, not spaces.

4. Block Out the Sun

Close blinds, curtains, or shades during the hottest parts of the day, especially on windows that get direct sunlight. This simple step can prevent heat from building up inside your home.

5. Seal and Insulate Your Home

Air leaks around doors and windows can let cool air escape and hot air sneak in. Sealing those gaps and making sure your insulation is up to par helps your HVAC system work more efficiently. Unable to replace your insulation? BEC offers on-bill, low interest financing for essential home upgrades.

6. Keep Your HVAC System in Check

Regular maintenance, like changing air filters and scheduling seasonal checkups, keeps your system running efficiently. An oversized system can also lead to energy waste, reduced comfort, and extra wear and tear, so proper sizing matters. You can finance a brand new HVAC from local vendors through BEC’s Energy Services Program!

7. Avoid Adding Extra Heat Indoors

Appliances like ovens, dryers, and even some lighting can add heat to your home. Try grilling outside, using smaller appliances, or running major appliances during cooler parts of the day. Saving energy in the summer doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart habits, and especially by taking advantage of BEC’s Smart Thermostat Program, you can stay cool, comfortable, and in control of your energy use all season long. D

BEC Foundation Supports Local Families with $5,000 Donation

THE BEC FOUNDATION RECENTLY donated $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County to support its Maytag FeelGood Fridge Initiative. This program provides free access to cold and frozen food items for families in need, helping ensure children and their households have reliable access to nutritious meals. Located at the Club, the fridge serves as a vital resource for the community, especially for working families and those facing financial challenges.

The BEC Foundation’s contribution will help keep the fridge stocked with essential items such as fresh produce, dairy products, and frozen meals—resources that can be difficult to access through traditional food assistance programs.

“Our goal is to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve,” said Tracey Robledo, Chairman of the BEC Foundation. “By supporting the Feel-Good Fridge, we are helping ensure that local families have access to the food they need to stay healthy and thrive.”

Through the Foundation’s support, combined with a long-standing partnership with local grocery chain Lowe’s Markets, residents have access to free cold and frozen foods when needed. “Making these cold items and frozen meals available at our cost to the Boys & Girls Club provides an opportunity for local families to feed their families a healthy meal for free, even in the midst of tough situations,” said Ryan Fenocchi, General Manager and Store Director.

The Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County serves nearly 600 youth through its afterschool and summer programs, providing a safe and supportive environment that builds life skills, confidence, and academic success for young people ages 6–18 through structured, engaging activities.

The Feel-Good Fridge was launched two years ago through a grant from Maytag to help close the food insecurity gap for local families, reflecting the organization’s commitment to removing barriers, such as hunger, that can impact a child’s ability to succeed.

“This partnership allows us to stretch every dollar further

and keep the fridge consistently stocked for those who rely on it,” said Jimmy Sarabia, Unit Director. “As the need for the program has grown, we appreciate the support of the BEC Foundation for providing an additional $5,000, helping sustain the Feel-Good Fridge for 2026.”

Beyond meeting immediate needs, the fridge also serves as an educational tool. Staff use it to teach young people about making healthier food choices, and on Fridays, fresh ingredients are used to prepare snacks and meals together—offering hands-on lessons in cooking, nutrition, and lifelong wellness habits.

The program is open to anyone in the community experiencing food insecurity. Individuals can contact the Teen Center to schedule a time to access the fridge, ensuring dignity and accessibility for all who need it.

Community partnerships like this one play a critical role in sustaining programs that directly benefit local residents. With the support of the BEC Foundation and Lowe’s Markets, the Feel-Good Fridge will continue to provide a dependable source of nourishment for families across Bandera County.D

Operation Round Up: Change That Counts

AT THE HEART OF Bandera Electric Cooperative’s commitment to community giving is the BEC Foundation. Since its founding in 2018, the Foundation has distributed more than $406,500 to organizations within its seven-county service area, with a focus on education, safety, and community well-being.

One of the simplest ways members help make this impact possible is through Operation Round Up. BEC members can choose to Round Up their monthly electric and/or fiber bill to the nearest whole dollar. For example, if your bill is $53.73, it will automatically round up to $54.00, with the additional 27 cents supporting the BEC Foundation. The average donation is just $6 per year per participating member, proving that small change can make a big difference.

Since the program began nearly a decade ago, BEC members have contributed more than $132,000 to local nonprofit organizations across the cooperative’s service territory. Round Up funds are used to provide grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations

through the BEC Foundation’s Community Grant Program, supporting projects that deliver vital services and directly benefit fellow BEC members.

We invite you to be part of this growing legacy of giving. By choosing to Round Up your bill each month, you help support local nonprofits that provide essential resources to our friends and neighbors. Best of all, your tax-deductible contributions stay right here in our community, helping to make a meaningful difference where it matters most.

Enrolling is easy. Simply scan the QR code, visit BanderaElectric.com, stop by your local BEC office, sign up through your myBEC online account, or call (866) 226-3372 to speak with a Member Relations representative. Members can choose to round up their bill or donate a fixed amount each month. Sign up today and start turning your spare change into meaningful impact in the communities we call home. D

Safe Summer Online Learning Starts with BEC Fiber

SUMMER BREAK IS THE PERFECT time for kids to relax—but it’s also a great opportunity to keep their curiosity growing. With so many interactive and educational resources available online, learning doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork. From science and reading to creativity and problem-solving, there are plenty of safe, engaging websites that make it easy for kids to explore new interests while having fun.

With BEC Fiber’s high-speed, 100% fiber internet, families can access these tools with ease. Equal upload and download speeds mean smoother video streaming, faster downloads, and reliable connections—so kids can learn, explore, and create without interruptions or buffering. Whether it’s watching educational videos, joining virtual lessons, or exploring interactive games, BEC Fiber helps keep learning seamless all summer long.

1. National Geographic Kids

Explore animals, science, and the natural world through videos, games, and fun facts that spark curiosity.

2.

PBS Kids

A trusted favorite for younger children, PBS Kids offers educational games and videos featuring familiar characters that help build reading, math, and problem-solving skills.

3. ABCmouse

Designed for early learners, ABCmouse provides a full curriculum of interactive lessons in reading, math, science, and art for kids ages 2–8.

4. CoolMath4Kids

Turn math into a game with puzzles, challenges, and activities that make learning numbers fun and engaging.

5. BrainPOP

Animated videos and quizzes cover a wide range of topics, helping kids learn new concepts in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

6. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation

Biology Institute

Kids can learn about animals and conservation through live cams, activities, and educational resources.

7. Art for Kids Hub

Encourage creativity with step-by-step drawing tutorials that are easy to follow and fun for all ages.

8. Epic! (GetEpic.com)

A digital library packed with thousands of books and audiobooks, making reading accessible and exciting for kids.

With the right tools and a reliable connection, learning can happen anywhere. This summer, BEC Fiber helps keep families connected, curious, and ready to explore. Check availability and apply at BECFiber.com or call 866.226.3372 to get started today.D

Your Co-Op, Your Voice: BEC Board of Directors Election Nominations

BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE is encouraging member participation in its 2026 Board of Directors election, with Districts 1, 2, and 3 up for election this year.

As a member-owned cooperative, BEC relies on local leadership to help guide decisions that impact everything from long-term planning to daily operations. Each district elects one director to serve on the nine-member board, with directors serving three-year terms.

To ensure fair and balanced representation, district boundaries are periodically reviewed. If adjustments are necessary to maintain equal representation, members affected by any changes are notified by email.

Nomination Process Now Underway

A Notice of Nomination and Election Procedure for Directors was mailed to all members in Districts 1, 2, and 3 in mid-May outlining the required nomination process. Each district elects one director to represent its members on the BEC Board. To become a candidate, interested members must:

• Request and complete an application packet from BEC

• Collect at least 100 signatures from members within their district (joint memberships count as one signature)

• Complete the official petition forms, including all required fields such as name, signature, mailing address, daytime phone number, and date

• Submit the completed petition packet to BEC headquarters no later than no later than Monday, July 20, 2026.

Current directors whose terms are expiring may choose to run for re-election and, if they do, will automatically be placed on the ballot.

Voting Details for Members

Voting for the 2026 election will begin on September 18, 2026, when members will receive an electronic ballot via email, along with candidate biographies. To make participation even more convenient, members will also receive a postcard by mail featuring a QR code that can be scanned to access and complete the online ballot.

All votes must be submitted by noon on October 16, 2026. Election results will be finalized following the close of voting.

Member Participation Matters

BEC emphasizes that member participation is essential to maintaining a locally governed, community-focused cooperative. By voting in the election, members directly influence leadership decisions and the future direction of the organization.

Save the Date: BEC Annual Meeting

Members are also invited to attend BEC’s 2026 Member Appreciation Fall Festival and 87th Annual Meeting, scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Enchanted Springs Ranch, where the cooperative will celebrate its membership and community. The results of the director election will be announced during the business meeting portion of the annual meeting.

For more information about the election process or how to run for the Board, members in Districts 1, 2 and 3 are encouraged to review their election materials or contact our Executive Assistant at 866.226.3372 ext. 4445 or executiveassistant@ banderaelectric.com. D

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

1 medium onion

1 pound ground beef

1 ½ tablespoons flour

⅔ cup ketchup

¾ cup cola

2 tablespoons vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon dry mustard (or 1 tablespoon mustard) Salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste 12 hamburger buns

1. Chop onion. Add onion and beef to a skillet. Brown beef and drain excess fat.

2. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients well. Add mixture to skillet. Cover and simmer 40 minutes.

3. Serve on buns. These are best the next day, after all the flavors have melded.

MAKES 12 SANDWICHES Find this and more delicious recipes online at TexasCoopPower.com.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

National Iced Tea Day

Wednesday, June 10

Flag Day

Sunday, June 14

Juneteenth

Friday, June 19

Father’s Day | Summer Begins Sunday, June 21

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)

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 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann

District 6 Richard “Dick” Earnest

Christopher “Chris” Blakemore, Chairman

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards

District 7 Christopher “Chris” Blakemore

Kurt Solis

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman

District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer

Key Staff

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

Key Staff

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

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

Comfort | 739 Front St. (Highway 27)

Leakey | 485 W. Ranch Road 337

PAYMENT OPTIONS

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

• myBEC online or mobile app bill payment

• Free bank draft service

• Paperless billing

• Level billing

• Automatic recurring credit card payment

• Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted

BEC Fiber

• ECheck payment by phone

• Cash or check payments in office

• 24/7 payment kiosks at select offices

• Payments accepted at Fidelity Express

• Time-based

P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003

• PrePay program

Phone 1-866-226-3372, option 5

Web BECFiber.com

Email mas@banderaelectric.com FOLLOW US

LAURI PATTERSON | ISTOCK.COM

Texas: Forever in Your Heart

1.Heart of Texas Women’s Hoodie

This cozy ivory hoodie is expertly crafted of an easy-care cotton blend knit and features a detailed image of a cowgirl boot and hat next to the embroidered saying, “You Can Take The Girl Out Of Texas, But You Can’t Take The Texas Out Of The Girl.” Additional details include fun embroidered accents, soft contrasting taupe jersey knit-lined hood, front hip pockets, full front zipper, knit cuffs and a straight hem for an extra comfortable t. A silver-tone zipper pull shaped like the State of Texas with a heart cutout completes this classic country girl design. Imported. Available in women’s sizes S-3X. Item price: $99.99, payable in 3 easy installments of $33.33 each (plus a total of $19.99 s + s*) Add $10 for sizes 1X-3X

2.Heart of Texas Quilted Tote

This Texas-inspired quilted tote features classic country styling with a sentiment every Texas girl knows by heart. Framed in a bold red bandana print, the front and back feature a cowgirl boot and hat alongside the saying, “You Can Take The Girl Out Of Texas, But You Can’t Take The Texas Out Of The Girl.” Crafted of soft yet durable high-quality quilted fabric, this tote features a roomy interior with one zippered pocket and two slip pockets, along with a zippered closure. A silver-tone charm showcasing the silhouette of Texas with a heart cutout adds a perfect nishing touch to this versatile dual-handle tote. Imported.

Item price: $79.99, payable in 3 easy installments of $26.66 each (plus a total of $19.99 s + s*)

3.Personalized Heart of Texas Women’s Denim Jacket

Beautifully crafted of durable, medium-wash cotton-blend stretch denim, this jacket features a bold outline of the Lone Star State with bandana-inspired accents beneath a classic Western yoke— nished with the sentiment, “Forever a Texas Girl.” A gold embroidered heart and white embroidered accents add to the look. The front of the jacket is personalized FREE with your monogram or full name (max 12 characters). Additional design details for this attering and roomy jacket include two ap chest pockets with silver-tone button closures, two hip pockets, an adjustable hem and cuffs and a full buttonfront closure. Imported. Available in women’s sizes S-3X.

Item price: $149.99, payable in 4 easy installments of $37.50 each (plus a total of $19.99 s+s*)

Add $10 for sizes 1X-3X

1. Heart of Texas Women’s Hoodie

2. Heart of Texas Quilted Tote

Heart of Texas Women’s Denim Jacket

Go the Other Way

Eastern Central Texas’ hill country also has plenty of wildflowers, rolling hills and history

BY W.F. STRONG • ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS WORMELL

A GREAT MANY TEXANS set off for the Hill Country to enjoy the splendor of the wildflowers over the past couple of months. The blooms light up the hills and roadsides with carpets of vibrant color.

But I want to suggest that you consider the other hill country, composed of a gentler, less dramatic topography—one that also offers wildflowers galore and winding roads but has the advantage of being far less traveled.

You start in the small eastern Central Texas hamlet of Clay, between Brenham and Bryan, on FM 50, heading south. Here, you will encounter the first hill rising off the flatlands into a changing ecosystem. You can see the gentle rise sweep across

the land like a stationary wave, from left to right.

Once you get into Independence, which changed its name from Cole’s Settlement around 1836 to honor Texas’ freedom from Mexico, take a right on FM 390 and stay on that road almost all the way to Burton.

This is a famous scenic drive that passes through the old ghost town of Gay Hill. Wildflowers are often bountiful here. From Burton, continue on U.S. Highway 290 for a few miles and pick up State Highway 237 to Round Top. Round Top was part of Stephen F. Austin’s original colony. The town took its name from an octagonal tower

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

constructed there in stagecoach days. Since the 1960s it’s been known as a mecca for antique lovers. What I appreciate most about the road from Round Top to La Grange are the white fences that curve along emerald green pastures.

Once you get into La Grange on State Highway 159, you’ll take a left on U.S. Highway 77, climb the big hill and head south out of town, crossing the Colorado River. La Grange is probably best known for the Chicken Ranch brothel, which ZZ Top and reporter Marvin Zindler made famous in the 1970s—or perhaps infamous. It’s long gone, of course.

Just 4 miles down that road, you’ll take a right on County Road 2436. Look to your left and, quite soon, you’ll see the largest lawn mower graveyard you’ve ever seen. That’s Keith’s Lawnmower Repair. I’m not sure it’s a good advertisement for Keith’s skills, but maybe it’s an endorsement of his genius as a seller of new mowers.

This road dead-ends into FM 609, where you’ll take a left. Here, the hills get bigger and the wildflowers more robust.

Watch for a shed painted in the colors of the Texas flag, off to the left. It’s magnificently situated among wildflowers— as if the shed is posing for you.

It won’t be long before you will arrive in Flatonia, which isn’t particularly flat (it was named for pioneer settler F.W. Flato). In Flatonia, pick up State Highway 95 headed south toward Shiner. On this stretch, you’ll enjoy more rural roads, gentle hills and wildflowers, including panoramic views off to the west.

End your drive with a Shiner Bock at the oldest independent brewery in Texas. After a two-hour drive through wildflower country, you’ve earned a bock or two. D

The Art of the Sandwich

Warm your heart with a meal dressed in layers

BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR

All my favorite things—brisket, butter, Texas toast and cheese— together in perfectly delicious harmony makes for one happy señorita. Whenever my husband cooks up a brisket, I always tuck away some in the freezer to whip up these sandwiches. Pair this sandwich with a glass of wine, an icy cold beer or a frozen margarita.

Brisket Grilled Cheese Sandwich

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened

4 slices thick-sliced white bread (often labeled Texas toast)

8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated or sliced

16 ounces diced, cooked brisket, room temperature

1. Butter one side of each slice of bread.

2. On the unbuttered side of 2 bread slices, layer half the cheddar, brisket and other half of cheddar. Top with two remaining bread slices, butter side out, to make sandwiches.

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sandwiches 3–4 minutes on each side, or until both sides are golden brown.

4. Remove sandwiches from skillet, slice in half and serve warm.

SERVES 2

Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Mini Chorizo con Papa y Huevo Breakfast Sandwiches.

Grilled Strawnana

Hazelnut Sandwich

LISA CASIMIR

COSERV

Grab a few napkins and get ready to sink your teeth into the sweetest twist on the classic PB&J. I love a peanut butter sammy, but the combination of berries and banana with chocolate hazelnut is everything I didn’t know I needed!

1/3 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, such as Nutella 4 slices sourdough bread

1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced 2 bananas, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

1. Spread hazelnut spread on one side of each slice of sourdough. Top two slices with strawberries. Top the other two slices with bananas.

2. Stack bread to make two sandwiches, pairing one strawberry-topped slice with one banana-topped slice, and evenly spread butter on each side of sandwiches.

3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook sandwiches, covered, 3 minutes on each side, or until bread is lightly toasted.

4. Slice in half and serve warm.

SERVES 2

$500 WINNER

Muffuletta

BETTY HERZIK FAYETTE EC

A briny olive spread combines with a smorgasbord of cold cuts and cheese to create a mouth-watering BIG bite of a sandwich, and I am in love. The food processor does all the heavy lifting in this recipe, then the sandwich gets wrapped in foil and baked until warm. I cannot wait to make this sandwich again and again.

1 jar giardiniera (16 ounces), drained

1/2 of 10-ounce jar pimientostuffed Spanish queen olives, drained

1/2 of 10-ounce jar sliced Kalamata olives, drained

$500 Recipe Contest

CRANBERRY HARVEST DUE JUN 10

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 loaf ciabatta bread, sliced horizontally

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon dried oregano

8 ounces sliced Black Forest ham

4 ounces sliced hard salami

4 ounces sliced mortadella

8 ounces sliced provolone cheese

CO OK’S TIP: The sandwich may be refrigerated overnight (wrapped in aluminum foil). If doing this, take it out of the refrigerator about 45 minutes before baking. Increase the baking time to 20–22 minutes.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a food processor, combine giardiniera, olives and oil and pulse until a uniform mixture forms. Brush both cut sides of bread with vinegar and sprinkle with oregano.

2. Place bottom half of the loaf on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap around the entire sandwich. Layer meats and provolone on bread. Top with olive mixture. Place top half of bread on sandwich and wrap foil around sandwich.

3. Place wrapped sandwich on a baking sheet and bake 15–17 minutes, until thoroughly heated. Remove foil, slice into individual portions and serve.

SERVES 6

Cranberries can add a tart fall touch to pastries, salads, drinks and desserts. Come November we’ll share the best from Co-op Country and award $500 for the top recipe.

UPCOMING: HOLIDAY TRADITIONS DUE JUL 10

Bridget’s Sandwiches

LYNNETT RATCHFORD

BLUEBONNET EC

These easy sandwiches have it all: sweet slices of ham, gooey Swiss cheese, and rolls that stay soft and fluffy on the inside with a perfectly toasted top. The secret is marinating them overnight in a savory butter sauce. They are delicious and a great dish for making in advance.

24 Hawaiian sweet rolls

16 ounces sliced ham

16 ounces sliced Swiss cheese

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

1 tablespoon minced onion

1/2 teaspoon steak sauce

1/2 tablespoon yellow mustard

1. Slice rolls in half and arrange bottom halves in a baking dish. Layer with ham and Swiss. Place top halves of the rolls over cheese.

2. In a saucepan over medium-high heat,

melt butter. Add poppy seeds, onion, steak sauce and mustard and cook 1 minute. Pour mixture over sandwiches, spreading evenly.

3. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake sandwiches, still covered by foil, 10 minutes. Remove foil and cook 10 minutes uncovered. Serve warm.

SERVES 6

Hacks for Your Stacks

Great sandwiches are all about high-quality ingredients and technique. Here are some secrets from my kitchen.

USE THOSE LEFTOVERS

Last night’s shredded or roasted chicken or pork loin transform into a tasty lunch.

NO MAYO, NO PROBLEM

Pesto, ranch dip, hummus or sour cream with hot sauce can easily fill in for mayonnaise.

SEASON YOUR TOMATOES

Please! A little salt and pepper go a long way. And slice them with a serrated knife for the cleanest cut.

DON’T HOLD THE HERBS

Make your sandwich pop with a sprinkle of fresh dill, thyme or basil.

—Vianney Rodriguez

Not only are these hefty bars one full Troy ounce of real, .999 precious silver, they’re also beautiful, featuring the crisp image of a Morgan Silver Dollar struck onto the surface. That collectible image adds interest and makes these Silver Bars even more desirable. Minted in the U.S.A. from shimmering American silver, these one-ounce 99.9% fine silver bars are a great alternative to one-ounce silver coins or rounds. Plus, they offer great savings compared to other bullion options like one-ounce sovereign silver coins. Take advantage of our special offer for new customers only and save $10.00 off our regular prices.

Morgan Silver Dollars Are Among the Most Iconic Coins in U.S. History

What makes them iconic? The Morgan Silver Dollar is the legendary coin that built the Wild West. It exemplifies the American spirit like few other coins, and was created using silver mined from the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada. In fact, when travelers approached the mountains around the boomtown of Virginia City, Nevada in the 1850s, they were startled to see the hills shining in the sunlight like a mirror. A mirage caused by weary eyes? No, rather

the effect came from tiny flecks of silver glinting in the sun.

A Special Way For You to Stock Up On Precious Silver

While no one can predict the future value of silver in an uncertain economy, many Americans are rushing to get their hands on as much silver as possible, putting it away for themselves and their loved ones. You’ll enjoy owning these Silver Bars. They’re tangible. They feel good when you hold them, You’ll relish the design and thinking about all it represents. These Morgan Design One-Ounce Bars make appreciated gifts for birthdays, anniversaries and graduations, creating a legacy sure to be cherished for a lifetime.

Order More and SAVE

You can save $10.00 off our regular price when you buy now. There is a limit of 25 Bars per customer, which means with this special offer, you can save up to $250.

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One-Ounce Silver Morgan Design Bar $97.95 ea.

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Important Reminder: Due to volatile precious metal markets, offer prices and bonus retail values shown are subject to change.

Play Time on the Prairie

The ‘Fort Griffin Fandangle’ is a spectacle like no other

BY CHET GARNER

I ARRIVED IN ALBANY, northeast of Abilene, just as the summer heat began to loosen its grip and the sky softened to a dusty pastel. I took my seat in the open-air Prairie Theater with 1,000 other folks who had all made the pilgrimage to witness the oldest outdoor musical in the state: the Fort Griffin Fandangle. The place was buzzing with anticipation, and I could see hundreds of costumed performers waiting in the ranks as saddled horses trotted offstage.

This was Albany’s Super Bowl, and it was almost game time. Every year, a cast of 250 performers, horses, longhorns and a robotic snake rehearse for months in preparation for the last two weeks in June, when Fandangle takes the stage. The shows are June 19–20 and 26–27 this year.

The tradition goes back to 1938, when Robert Nail Jr., a high school teacher and amateur playwright, penned a musical about the history of Shackleford County. Nearly 90 years later, it’s still going strong.

For the next few hours, I watched neighbors become pioneers, soldiers, ranchers and Comanche warriors, telling their collective story through songs, dance and a few gunfights. The narration carried us through settlement, struggle and celebration, but the real magic came from the sheer number of people involved—kids, parents, grandparents—sometimes three generations sharing the same spotlight.

There’s something incredibly charming about knowing the singing cowboy or cancan dancer could be the local custodian, lawyer or barista. It was meaningful when it needed to be and at times completely ridiculous.

As the last song rang out across the prairie and the cast took their final bows, I felt like I had witnessed something deeply personal for Albany but also important for everyone. To quote its creator, Mr. Nail, “You can never be who you’re supposed to be until you know who you’ve been.” D

ABOVE A cast of 200-plus stages the Fort Griffin Fandangle in Albany, continuing a tradition that goes back to 1938.

Know Before You Go

Snyder [10–13] West Texas Western Swing Festival, (325) 573-3558, snyderchamber.org

Abilene [11–14] Children’s Art + Literacy Festival, (325) 677-1161, abilenecalf.com

Fredericksburg Luckenbach School Open House, (830) 685-3321, historicschools.org

Jacksonville Tomato Fest, (903) 586-2217, jacksonvilletexas.com

Mason Hot Dog & Hot Rod Night, (325) 347-5758, masontx.org

Call ahead or check an event’s website for scheduling details, and check our website for many more upcoming events. Watch the video on our website and see all of Chet’s Texplorations on The Daytripper on PBS.

Seguin [13–July 10] Red, White and Blue Art Show, (830) 305-0472, seguinartleague.com

Grapevine [13–August 30] Dinosaur Quest, (817) 4103185, grapevinetexasusa.com

Fairfield Tea With Miss Texas, (903) 389-5792, fairfieldtexaschamber.com

Corsicana [18–21, 25–28] The Drowning Girls, (903) 872-5421, thewlac.com

Dallas Showtime Saturday: Hot Toast Music Company, (972) 702-7100, galleriadallas.com

Garland Juneteenth Celebration, (972) 205-2749, visitgarlandtx.com

Sherman Juneteenth Celebration, (469) 715-7471, bit.ly/shermanjuneteenth

Fort Worth [23–28] The Notebook, (817) 212-4280, basshall.com

Levelland [25–27] Golden Spread Classic, (806) 759-1102, goldenspreadclassic.com

Van Freedom Boom, (903) 963-7216, vantx.gov

Eagle Lake Freedom Festival, (979) 234-2640, coeltx.net

Fairfield Fireworks at the Fairgrounds, (903) 389-5792, fairfieldtexaschamber.com

Palestine [3–4] America 250: A Star-Spangled Jubilee, 1-800-659-3484, visitpalestine.com

Snyder [3–4] July 4th Celebration, (325) 573-3558, snyderchamber.org

Corsicana Freedom Fest, (903) 654-4850, visitcorsicana.com

Giddings Firemen’s July 4th Celebration, (979) 542-3455, giddingstx.com

Lakehills Independence Day Parade, (830) 612-1034, bit.ly/post0410bbq

Point Blank America 250, (281) 757-0682, usa250-pb.com

50 Years of Wandering and Wondering Photography from a lifetime of travel by Bobby Greeson

June 12–September 12

Submit Your Event

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

16 - June 28, 2026

Upper Antelope Canyon, fine art giclée print, 2025, 12" x 19", Bobby Greeson

The Smithsonian Comes to Kerrville

Guy & Olive Lookabaugh Foundation

Rare Blade Discovered Has the Collector’s World Spinning

At Stauer, we go to the ends of the Earth to nd the rare and exceptional. at’s why we’re proud to present the 10-inch Damascus Spiral Knife

Its 5-inch Damascus steel blade, shaped like a cyclone, recalls the legendary swords crafted over a thousand years ago. Renowned for holding a razor-sharp edge while staying both strong and exible, Damascus steel is easily recognized by its distinctive wave-like pattern. ough the original method was lost to time, modern metal smiths have recreated its beauty and strength.

Paired with a bu alo horn handle and exquisite tooling, this spiraling blade is as alluring as it is unique. For the cutlery collector who craves the rare and one-of-akind, the Damascus Spiral Knife is unlike anything else in the world.

Knife Speci cations: Damascus steel and bu

WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS BEGINS WITH YOU

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.

tfsweb.tamu.edu/PreventWildfire

Making a Splash

From splash pads to swimming holes, these Texans know how to cool off in style. So grab your suit and jump in—the water’s fine.

CURATED BY GRACE FULTZ

1 RAY BEDNAR BLUEBONNET EC

A painted bunting bathing.

2 FRANKI SALDIVAR J-A-C EC

“I was able to photograph bears in Alaska in the fall of 2022.”

3 LAUREN MCCLAIN PENTEX ENERGY

“Wild and free, this 4-year-old lives life to the fullest.”

4 PAUL GARCIA MEDINA EC

“I just happened to catch this cardinal taking a bath in my home’s birdbath.”

Papa Hits His Stride

Fatherhood becomes grand when you get a second go

BY MARK TROTH

ILLUSTRATION BY URAN DUO

GENERATION GAPS CAN BE measured in years but also in opinions and outlooks.

And as parents continue a decadeslong trend of having children later in life, I wonder what will become of the growing gap between grandchildren and their grandparents. After all, a 60-year age difference between a Baby Boomer and his grandkids (I was a child of the 1960s) is bound to create more difficulty in finding common ground.

My dad was a hardworking, principled man of few words and a strong code of ethics. I didn’t challenge him often. Serious father-son conversations usually assured a quiet peace. Though as he aged, Dad mellowed, especially with my children. And now that I’m the next generational Papa, it all makes perfect sense to me.

After retiring in 2023, my wife, Mary, and I relocated to Washington County— just an hour commute to the grandkids. We touch base daily and get together often, but the most special times are when they visit us in Chappell Hill for holidays or long weekends.

With these extended stays, I can play the grandfather role 24/7 and share my pearls of wisdom, old jokes and timeless stories that are, of course, always new to them. My son and daughter just roll their eyes.

Not unlike my dad, I bring a renewed patience and tolerance to my grandkids that may have been a bit lacking with my own children. As a father, work pressure, financial obligations and just plain life often got in the way.

Now, we are second in line with regard to child-raising responsibility. Mary and I assist, advise, support, nourish, teach and console—but rarely mandate.

Ten years now into full grandparent mode, my elder wisdom serves me well. I’m the peacemaker between siblings and cousins, the answerer to boundless questions, the blocks and puzzles play partner on the floor (getting back up is the hard part), the safety foot on the Kubota pedal while they steer, the fishing partner who takes the perch off the hook, the positive “get ’em next time” coach, a second— perhaps more seasoned and sympathetic—ear when they’re troubled, and any other role that needs filling.

Yet I must be cautious to always support and respect my son’s and daughter’s parental initiatives.

If there is a generational gap with our grandchildren, Mary and I have bridged it with a circle of life and love. It is a second chance for Papa and Mimi to get it right.

It’s been said, “Dearer than our children are the children of our children.” Is there anything more grand than that? D