Bandera Electric Cooperative Texas Co-op Power - March 2026 by Bandera Electric Cooperative

MASON RESTORES HISTORICAL GEMS

FOR BANDERA EC MEMBERS

40 YEARS OF NOT MESSING WITH TEXAS

BARBECUE SIDES THAT DAZZLE

MARCH 2026

Scratching the Surface

Explore 700 miles of paddling trails winding through Texas

By Pam LeBlanc

By Sheryl Smith-Rodgers

Photo by Erich Schlegel

Jerry Bearden, left, and Jan Appleby at the restored Seaquist House in Mason.

Photo by Tiffany Hofeldt

Photos by Erich Schlegel

Photos by Tiffany Hofeldt

That First Light

COOPERATIVE ELECTRICITY, which today serves more than 3 million Texans, got its start 90 years ago this month at a farmhouse outside Bartlett.

After paying a $5 deposit for an electric meter, Charles Saage yanked a string and turned on a light bulb March 7, 1936. That made Bartlett Electric Cooperative in Central Texas the first to bring Rural Electrification Administration-funded power to rural America.

Today, 77 electric co-ops serve Texans, and nationwide, nearly 900 serve 42 million Americans.

Strokes of Genius

Painting cows with zebra-like stripes reduces biting fly attacks by about 50%—regardless of what it might do to the cattle’s self-esteem. Japanese scientists proved this in 2019, and for their discovery, they won a 2025 Ig Nobel Prize, which honors “research that makes people laugh … then think.” Go ahead. Joke. Zebra cows get the last laugh.

Contests and More

$500 RECIPE CONTEST

After-School Snacks

FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS

Seasoned Snaps: What well-trained eyes see

FINISH THIS SENTENCE

My favorite Texas saying 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 January prompt: I would love to have dinner with …

My dad one more time. So many questions to ask that I never thought of while he was still with us.

LORI DURANT UNITED COOPERATIVE SERVICES GRANBURY

My metabolism from 1992.

MARY CARUTH PEDERNALES EC FISCHER

Dolly Parton. Incomparable talent, beauty and just a darn good person. It would be my dream.

DAVID AUTREY WISE EC PARADISE

My four grandparents, three of whom were deceased before I was born.

SUSAN Z. MARBURGER BLUEBONNET EC BRENHAM

Myself at age 25, so I could advise me on what mistakes I should have avoided and what opportunities I should have taken.

MARSHALL COLLINS FARMERS EC POINT

Visit our website to see more responses.

The Saage farmhouse near Bartlett made electric cooperative history in 1936.

At least a dozen bat-viewing sites in Texas allow for watching the mammals emerge for a night of dining on insects.

But some bats eat so much more than bugs. Bat Conservation International, based in Austin, notes their diets can include birds, fish, frogs, leaves, nectar, scorpions, sea lion blood and even other bats.

Courting Marine Life

The 1954 Queen Isabella Causeway, which connected Port Isabel to South Padre Island, is being demolished, and the resulting waste will create an artificial reef 10 miles offshore of the Brownsville Ship Channel entrance jetties at SPI.

The original roadway was replaced in 1974, and a new causeway will go up soon to replace that one.

125 Years Ago

On March 7, 1901, the Texas Legislature adopted the bluebonnet as the state flower.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH Rodeo’s First Lady

Tad Lucas, below, made a name for herself performing acrobatics and death-defying tricks on the back of a horse. After making her pro rodeo debut at age 14 in 1917, she went on to win just about every major rodeo prize available to women at the time.

The stories of Lucas and other women who left their mark in the arena are told at Fort Worth’s National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. The museum is currently undergoing a $19 million 16,000-square-foot expansion slated to open November 4.

Pulling His Leg?

RARE IS THE DAY without a hitch for Tyler Schlickeisen.

And rare is the day he’ll catch you having a good day. Schlickeisen drives a tow truck for Lee’s Wrecker Service out of the Central Texas town of Florence. “Nobody likes to see a tow truck driver,” he said.

But in between naps, Schlickeisen, 29, shows up at all hours for breakdowns, wrecks and other roadside emergencies. For his diligence, he was one of 32 wrecker operators inducted into the Order of Towman in November 2025 at a national ceremony in Baltimore.

The honor surprised Schlickeisen, a Pedernales Electric Cooperative member, and at first he thought it was scam. Then he was humbled to realize “my work’s being valued.”

Doting on Our Dots

I am proud to have direct connections to three of the tiny towns [Tiny Dots on a Big Map, January 2026]. My mother attended Sul Ross State College with Dan Blocker, who she said was a funny and popular classmate. My wife and I had a vacation home on the Brazos River, with a patio made of Thurber bricks. Last but not least, I played football for Crystal City, which lost to Asherton. It truly is a small world.

Bob Kingsbery PenTex Energy Tioga

As a recent transplant, I am a big fan of history, but the history in your stories would not have been a Google experience. I need to add these places to my exploring of my new home. Shoutout to Elly Walton for illustrations catching a bit of each town.

Cathy Copeland

Sam Houston EC Livingston

JANUARY 2026 Tiny Dots on a Big Map

“I understand that Dan Blocker was associated with O’Donnell, but he was in fact born in De Kalb and is buried there.”

SID UNDERWOOD LAMAR EC PARIS

Three of the Deike brothers married three sisters.

At the last Deike-Hartmann wedding, the brothers’ father, Fritz Deike, told the sisters’ father, Emil Hartmann, that the remaining Hartmann daughters would need to look elsewhere for husbands because his family had run out of sons.

David Hartmann (nephew) Central Texas EC Fredericksburg

Signature Moment

My dad, Earl Forsythe, was a corporate lawyer and friends with Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm [A Dandy Debut, January 2026]. I was about 8 years old and football crazy when Don Meredith appeared in our living room in Dallas to sign his contract.

He gladly autographed my football and couldn’t have been nicer. Wish I’d kept that football.

Andrew Forsythe Pedernales EC Spicewood

Editor, Texas Co-op Power

1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor Austin, TX 78701

Please include your electric co-op and town. Letters may be edited for

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

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Proofreader Louie Bond

TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 82, Number 9 (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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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.

BY PAM LEBLANC • PHOTOS BY ERICH SCHLEGEL

CHARTED WATERS

Dozens of invisible trails lead kayakers and canoers through scenic waterways

I’VE PADDLED my yellow plastic kayak deep into a maze of lime-colored reeds along the edge of Powderhorn Lake, a shallow estuary off Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast. Around me, marble-sized snails shimmy up slender blades of seagrass. Somewhere out of sight, a great blue heron squawks like a kid in a playground squabble. Pelicans flap overhead, and mullet splash at the water’s surface.

I’ve come here to explore a new paddling trail that opened in 2025—one of 90 waterway trails totaling more than 700 miles that now wind through rivers, lakes and shorelines across the state.

Unlike terrestrial trails, which unfurl along visible dirt or gravel paths, these trails are harder to see. But the watery routes offer a new perspective on some of the state’s most beautiful places.

Texas State Parks officials designated a few paddling trails along the coast as one-off projects starting in 1999, hoping to help anglers find their way around marshy bays and lagoons. Soon, other communities near waterways started calling to see if they could get a trail, too.

In 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department teamed up with the city of Luling to open its first inland paddling trail—a 6-mile stretch of the San Marcos River between U.S. Highway 90 and State Highway 80. That marked the official launch of the state’s paddling trail program, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

“We really wanted to take some of the mystery out of paddling and partner with communities to improve access,” says Shelly Plante, nature tourism manager for TPWD. It doesn’t cost much to get into paddling. Outdoors stores sell basic kayaks for less than $200, but if you don’t want to buy a boat, small businesses around the state rent them by the hour or day.

Paddlers can check the TPWD website for maps and descriptions of trails. The site includes information on how long it’ll take to paddle each route, plus details about where to put in and take out. An information kiosk is posted at each trailhead, and some of the trickier-to-navigate routes are marked with signs or buoys.

The trails themselves are as varied as the state’s landscape.

“You have the trails in the Mission Reach in San Antonio that have chutes, then you have the Upper Guadalupe River, with its stone river bottom, riffles and rapids,” Plante says. “That’s totally different than the slow-moving Lower Guadalupe. Then there’s Caddo Lake—a mysterious, Spanish-mossy, swampy area that looks otherworldly.”

Author Pam LeBlanc and Jimmy Harvey navigate the reeds of Powderhorn Lake, site of some of the state’s newest paddling trails.

SIT THE TRAILS

Texas Parks and Wildlife’s paddling trails program includes 90 routes across the state’s 3,700 named streams, 15 major rivers and 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline. Here are a few of Pam’s favorites.

Caddo Lake: Ten separate paddling trails covering a total of 50 miles twist through primordial-feeling swamps, sloughs and bayous where bullfrogs croak and bald cypress wear beards of Spanish moss. Watch for beavers, owls, turtles and the occasional alligator as you follow color-coded signs that mark the trails.

Guadalupe/San Marcos rivers: The Guadalupe runs cool and clear through Central Texas on its way to the coast. Choose between trails above Canyon Lake, where the river cuts beneath

The Powderhorn Paddling Trails were officially unveiled in April 2025. The trails’ collective 32 miles are split into four routes—Boggy Bayou Trail, Matagorda Bay Shoreline Trail, Coloma Creek Trail and Powderhorn Lake Loop Trail.

My friends and I opted for the lake loop. We started by slathering on sunscreen and topping off our water containers, then shoved off from Powderhorn RV Park, one of four designated put-in points.

We glided past a row of seagulls perched on wooden posts, then paddled into the lake, which measures just 2–5 feet deep in most places. The lake is popular with anglers who come to catch redfish and trout, and minutes after my friend Jimmy Harvey cast his rod, he reeled in a speckled trout.

We meandered along the shoreline for a while, then crossed to the opposite side of the lake, near the future site of Powderhorn State Park. From there we skipped down the shoreline, passing a few old earthen jetties left over from when this land was an operating ranch, then scudded along a muddy shoreline.

When we turned into a lush, grassy inlet, we found the real magic: narrow channels and reeds over our heads. Four and a half hours after we started, we turned back to the RV park, working hard against the wind.

If you’re looking for a more protected route, consider the 5.4-mile Boggy Bayou option, where you might see roseate spoonbills and ospreys, or the Coloma Creek Trail, which starts at the west end of the lake.

The next day, we came back for more.

remote limestone cliffs, or sections farther downstream, like the familyfriendly Luling Zedler Mill Trail, the Come and Take It Trail near Gonzales or the Guadalupe Valley Trail through Cuero.

Inks Lake Paddling Trails: At Inks Lake in Central Texas, paddle among granite outcroppings on a constantlevel lake. Three trails, including one that takes you to the Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park, vary in length from 1 to 3.4 miles. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the state park headquarters.

Lady Bird Lake Paddling Trail: Kayak or canoe up to 11 miles on this urban paddling trail, which delivers views of Austin’s ever-growing skyline. As a bonus on summer nights, watch the

city’s population of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from beneath the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge.

Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail: This was the state’s first official paddling trail, mapped in 1999 near Port Aransas. Four loops—nearly 20 miles in all—weave through black mangroves and seagrass flats around Lydia Ann Lighthouse on North Harbor Island. State parks officials say the lighthouse’s old Fresnel lens is still submerged somewhere in the muck.

Toledo Bend Reservoir: Four new trails, for a collective 30 miles, opened in late August 2025 at the reservoir, which is on the Texas-Louisiana border and is the official bass fishing capital of Texas.

OPPOSITE Powderhorn Lake sits along Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast.

ABOVE Harvey, left, and Chris LeBlanc get set to put in at the Powderhorn RV Park.

Unlike our first outing, when the wind had ruffled the water like batter in a mixing bowl on high speed, the lake looked like glass. A dolphin breached the silvery surface as we headed to the same thicket of seagrasses we’d found earlier.

This time we ducked even farther into the maze, until grasses brushed against both sides of my kayak, and I wondered if I would come face to face with a toothy alligator around a bend. (I didn’t, thankfully.)

I’ve paddled rivers around the state—including the Devils, Pecos, Guadalupe and San Marcos—but this salty oasis looks and feels entirely different. And now that I’ve explored Powderhorn Lake, I’m eager to check out more trails, including the new route that opened recently on Greens Bayou in northeast Houston.

Besides making it easier for paddlers to discover natural areas in a state that’s largely privately owned, the paddling trails have shown communities that the water in their backyards can bring in tourism dollars.

“What the paddling trails do is give people access or ideas of places to go,” Harvey said. “And for me, a day on the water with my friends is better than a day anywhere else.” D

DON’T FIND YOURSELF UP A CREEK

Stay safe with these tips.

• Always pack a personal flotation device, as required by Texas law.

• Check the weather forecast and river flow rates before you go.

• Don’t paddle alone, and tell someone where you’re going.

• Watch for logjams and debris, especially after storms. You may need to portage around obstacles.

• Drink plenty of water.

• Wear sunscreen and bring insect repellent.

• Leave no trace.

• Carry a whistle for emergencies.

• Use a light af ter dark or in reduced visibility conditions, like fog.

• Carry a map and cellphone in a dry bag.

• Give anglers a wide berth.

• Wear bright colors during hunting season.

• Watch for powerboats, and don’t stop in high-traffic areas.

• Don’t trespass on private property.

• Don’t harass the wildlife.

BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS • PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HOFELDT

IN ALL THEIR

Glory

Mason rallies to preserve and restore ornate historical gems of the Hill Country

It’s the first Saturday of the month, and visitors have arrived to tour the three-story Seaquist House in Mason. Adorned with pillars, gables, balconies, a tower and turret, and four chimneys, the sandstone mansion graces Broad Street.

Three blocks south, on the town square, stands the Mason County Courthouse, also built of sandstone. With massive white columns on all four sides, it’s crowned with a domed clock tower.

Both historical landmarks were nearly lost, one to neglect and the other to fire. But with small-town resiliency, Mason residents pulled together to save their architectural heritage through two projects that required enormous helpings of time and funding.

On the Seaquist’s front porch this morning, a docent welcomes everyone with a brief history of the 1887 Victorian Italianate home. Another volunteer on hand is Jan Appleby, a retired teacher who spearheaded efforts to rescue the Seaquist.

“It was up to us to save this house,” she says. “Nobody had lived in it for seven years. You couldn’t see the front of the house because of all the ligustrums. There were broken windows and screens. The inside was in bad shape with no electricity or running water. Plaster was falling from the walls, and the smell was horrific.”

In Good Hands

For a time, the future appeared bleak for the abandoned house, a social hot spot in its heyday. Historical records show that master stonemason and minister Thomas Broad bought the land in June 1886 and soon thereafter started building a two-story stone residence with a massive basement. In 1891, banker Edward Reynolds bought the unfinished house and hired German architect Richard Grosse to add a third floor with a ballroom as well as wraparound porches and balconies.

In 1899, Reynolds went to prison for embezzlement and never returned to Mason. His wife, Jennie, and their children lived in the house until 1919 when she sold it to bootmaker Oscar Seaquist. The home remained in his family for two more generations. In 1974, it was awarded a Texas Historical Marker and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unable to maintain the house, the family moved out in 2005. Seven years later, the property went up for sale.

Soon, Appleby—chair of the Mason County Historical Commission at the time—started a campaign to save it.

Rescue efforts gained traction when Preservation Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting historic landmarks from demolition, placed the Seaquist on its Most Endangered Places List in 2014. The publicity spurred formation of the nonprofit Seaquist House Foundation, which purchased the home in January 2015

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

A hand-carved wooden finial on the stairs is original to the Seaquist House. Jan Appleby at the front of the house. Floral motifs embellish limestone blocks on exterior walls. Stained glass adorns a door in the 1887 mansion. Appleby is a retired teacher who spearheaded efforts to rescue the Seaquist.

for $400,000. Enough was raised to pay off the note by October 2017.

Since then, countless supporters have donated labor and thousands of dollars to restore the Seaquist’s interior, richly accented in walnut: doors, staircases, window frames and shutters, beadboard walls and ceilings, and railings and newel posts. Volunteers pulled down wallpaper, pulled up carpeting, scraped away plaster, replaced electrical wiring and plumbing, painted walls, and refinished long-leaf pine floors and other woodwork, to name only a fraction of the fixes.

When built 139 years ago, immigrant masons using primitive tools crafted ornate details throughout the Seaquist, which boasts 22 rooms and 15 fireplaces. On exterior walls, hand-carved floral motifs and other patterns embellish limestone blocks. A bathroom wall features a panel of S-curved wainscoting fashioned from walnut.

The spacious third-floor ballroom draws the most gasps. Dark walnut panels stretch across towering walls and vaulted ceilings hung with chandeliers. Behind a paneled door, narrow stairs lead to a small balcony, which overlooks the dance floor and once held musicians who performed

TAKE A GANDER

Public tours of the Seaquist House are led the first Saturday of each month, 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults. Mail donations to Seaquist House Foundation, P.O. Box 1496, Mason, TX 76856.

The Mason County Courthouse is open 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday.

Jerry Bearden, with Appleby, points out details in the grand ballroom of the Seaquist.

for social gatherings. In other panel-encased rooms, guests played cards and billiards while waiters served libations from the bar.

Festive occasions have since returned to the Seaquist, which can be rented for weddings, receptions and other events. In the meantime, renovations continue. One last major project will focus on repairing and repainting the home’s exterior.

From the Ashes

For his part, volunteer Jerry Bearden, a Central Texas Electric Cooperative member, serves as president of the Seaquist House Foundation. He was also heavily involved in restoring the 1910 Classical Revival courthouse. The Mason County judge for 20 years before he retired in 2022, Bearden was there the awful night of February 4, 2021, soon after an arsonist torched the building.

Within minutes, the roof and clock tower collapsed. On the lawn, Bearden dropped to his knees as the ceiling above his first-floor office caved in and engulfed his desk.

“The heat was so intense that it cracked sandstone blocks made by the original artisans,” Bearden says. “A piece of metal bent by the heat is displayed at our city library.”

Law officials apprehended Nicholas Miller of Mason the next day and charged him with two felony counts of arson. In February 2024, he was found guilty and given two 75year prison sentences for burning the courthouse and a family home.

Amid the ashes, some good news bolstered spirits. For one thing, county records had been moved out in preparation for interior renovations funded by the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. Then engineers who examined the building’s four exterior sandstone walls and 16 columns declared them structurally sound for use in rebuilding the courthouse. After crews worked a month to

remove truckloads of charred debris, recovery began.

But to rebuild, Mason County faced a price tag of nearly $20 million. Toward that goal, $3.6 million still remained from the original state grant. Friends of the Mason County Courthouse raised $5.5 million. The Texas Association of Counties awarded $7 million in insurance money, and the Legislature approved $6 million toward the project.

“We came up with enough money to rebuild this courthouse,” Bearden says. “It didn’t cost taxpayers a dime.” Remaining funds were placed in a foundation to fund future courthouse maintenance.

As project manager, CPM Texas of Austin drew from historical records and paint scrapings taken prior to the fire to restore the courthouse to its 1910 appearance.

Corridors display floors of redstained cement and original square white tiles, many of which bear singe marks from the blaze. Eight metal fireplaces, once used to heat rooms, are painted in original colors, such as golden yellow, emerald green and burgundy red. Seven heavy vault doors gleam with black paint and gold etchings of filigrees and maker name Diebold Safe & Locks Co.

Throughout the courthouse, destroyed furnishings, such as the original district judge’s bench, courtroom pews, jury box and witness stand, were replaced with historical replicas. So, too, was the domed clock tower. The new cupola—made of sheet metal that took thousands of hours to fabricate—houses an electronic clock and chimes, modern versions of the old iron bell and clock mechanism that were gutted by the fire.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT

Original floor tiles bear singe marks from the 2021 fire at the Mason County Courthouse. Jerry Bearden, a former Mason County judge, shows photos from the night the courthouse burned. Bearden in front of the rebuilt courthouse.

Within minutes, the roof and clock tower collapsed. On the lawn, Bearden dropped to his knees as the ceiling above his first-floor office caved in and engulfed his desk.

had publicly vowed, their courthouse phoenix had risen from ashes.

Three blocks away, the Seaquist House had survived near ruin too.

Three years after that fire, the Mason County Courthouse reopened for business. On July 13, 2024, more than 750 people applauded and cheered when Bearden, standing on the courthouse steps with other dignitaries, cut a red ribbon during a rededication ceremony. Just as Bearden

“Politics and religion can divide people,” Appleby says. “But they’ll come together for something important like the Seaquist House and the courthouse. And that’s amazing.” D

MESSAGE FROM CEO

WILLIAM “BILL” HETHERINGTON

Building Communities with Electrification

I RECENTLY CAME ACROSS the 1952 Annual Report for Bandera Electric Cooperative, and I think there are some salient topics that we can learn from for our current situation. The report shows comparative prices of materials and equipment from 1941-1951. During this period, post WWII, the prices more than doubled for electrical equipment. Copper wire went from 18.81 cents to 43.39 cents, a 5 KVA transformer went from $101 to over $155, and a new pick-up truck went from $762 to $1,689. The reason for these increases was the demand for electricity.

During this same period, we saw electric usage jump by almost a factor of 10. Annual use of BEC went from 1,500 MWh in 1943 to 14,000 MWh in 1952. This was the electrification period of America.

Over the past few years, we have seen similar escalations regarding materials and equipment. The explanation given is supply chain, which is synonymous with escalation of demand for electricity.

A BEC member, whose father worked at BEC during that period, stopped by to discuss the importance of Bandera Electric Cooperative. During the 1950s Bandera saw the worst drought (roughly 1949-1957) in state history, causing severe water shortages, crop failures, livestock deaths, and dust storms that led to massive migration and economic hardship,

forcing thousands of Texans to rely on federal aid and fundamentally transforming the state from rural to urban as reservoirs dried and farms collapsed.

During this period the population of Bandera County dropped by 12% as many of the ranches and farms went into default. He explained that Bandera Electric Cooperative hired many of these farmers and ranchers to work, which was a lifeline not just for the farmers and ranchers, but the community itself.

Today we are facing a second electrification boom with AI, data centers, and cryptocurrency. We are also seeing another drought, though hopefully this one won’t last, Bandera Electric Cooperative is meeting the challenge providing stability in the time of uncertainty and volatility not just for the farmers and ranchers but all the communities it serves.

We are proud of our heritage, now 87 years in the making. We know that Bandera Electric Cooperative plays a critical role in providing the safe, affordable electric services that will support our members and communities as the next electrification boom expands.

I want to thank the inspiration for this article, long time BEC member George H., and every member who has grown alongside BEC since 1938.

Powered by Teamwork: BEC Employees Celebrated Charging Forward Day

AS BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE welcomed the new year, one thing was clear: our strength has always come from working together. On January 13, BEC celebrated Charging Forward Day, a day to shine a spotlight on the teamwork, camaraderie, and can-do spirit that powers our cooperative every day.

From the field to the office and everywhere in between, employees proudly wore their Charging Forward sweatshirts as a visible reminder that progress doesn’t happen alone. It happens when people come together with a shared purpose, supporting one another and moving forward as one team.

A Theme Built on Teamwork

Charging Forward is more than a slogan. It is a mindset we are carrying into 2026. It reflects the way BEC shows up for our members every day by working together, leaning on each other’s strengths, and keeping our focus on service.

Whether our teams are responding in the field, supporting members on the phone, or working behind the scenes to keep systems running smoothly, it takes every role and every department pulling in the same direction. When we collaborate, we problem solve faster, serve better, and go further together! D

Spring Into Savings with Smart Home Energy Upgrades

SPRING IS THE SEASON OF FRESH STARTS, and it is also one of the best times to make home energy upgrades that improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term savings. After a long winter of heavy energy use, a few targeted improvements can help your home run more efficiently before the Texas heat sets in.

Start with insulation

Proper insulation is the foundation of an energy-efficient home. Over time, insulation can settle, shift, or degrade, allowing air to escape through attics and walls. Replacing or upgrading insulation helps keep cool air inside during the summer and reduces the strain on your heating and cooling system year-round.

Upgrade old or inefficient windows

If your windows are drafty or outdated, they could be letting energy dollars slip right through the glass. New energy-efficient windows help maintain consistent indoor temperatures, block unwanted heat, and reduce the workload on your HVAC system, especially during hot spring and summer days.

Consider a new HVAC system

Heating and cooling account for a large portion of a home’s energy use. If your HVAC system is aging or struggling to keep up, spring is a great time to replace it. A properly sized, high-efficiency system can improve comfort, lower monthly bills, and prevent costly breakdowns when temperatures rise.

Add solar for long-term savings

Installing solar panels allows you to generate your own power and reduce reliance on the grid. Spring offers ideal conditions

for installation, giving your system time to start producing energy before peak summer usage hits. Over time, solar can reduce your electric bill while increasing your home’s value.

Pair solar with battery storage

A home battery takes solar benefits even further by storing excess energy for later use. Batteries provide backup power during outages and allow you to use stored energy when demand and costs are higher, giving you more control and peace of mind. No solar? No problem! Not all batteries require solar and can be leased for only $36.99 per month!

Install a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats are one of the simplest upgrades with immediate impact. They learn your habits, adjust temperatures automatically, and allow you to control your home’s comfort from anywhere. The result is better efficiency without sacrificing comfort. Find out how you can get a free ecobee smart thermostat through the BEC Smart Thermostat Program! Spring energy upgrades are an investment in your home’s comfort, reliability, and efficiency. And the good news is you do not have to pay for everything upfront. Eligible home energy improvements can be financed through the BEC Energy Saver Program, making it easier to upgrade now and pay over time with low-interest, on-bill financing. Call 866-226-3372 to learn more. D

You’re Invited: Coffee & Conversation with BEC Executives!

AT BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, we believe the best way to serve our members is through open communication and transparency. That’s why we’d love to invite you to our next Coffee & Conversation with BEC Executives on Tuesday, March 24 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM at the BEC Community Room located at 3172 State Highway 16 N, Bandera, TX 78003.

This casual, come and go gathering is a great chance to connect with BEC’s executive leadership and upper management in a relaxed setting. Enjoy fresh coffee and other treats while you ask questions, share feedback, and learn more about BEC’s operations, services, and future plans.

Coffee & Conversation with BEC Executives is one of the ways we stay connected with the members we serve. Your voice matters, and these conversations help us listen, learn, and continue improving. We hope you’ll stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and join the conversation! Scan the QR code to learn more and RSVP.D

SEVERE WEATHER: ARE YOU READY?

Follow these safety tips during stormy weather:

Go inside a building and stay away from windows and doors.

Avoid electric appliances and metal plumbing and stay off the phone.

Do not seek shelter under a tree—they are easy targets.

Move to low ground and avoid open fields.

Whether at the beach or in a swimming pool, get out of the water immediately.

Do not touch metal objects, such as golf clubs or bicycles.

Inside a car is relatively safe, but do not touch interior metal.

If your hair stands on end, you may be a target. Crouch low on the balls of your feet and keep your knees and hands off the ground.

Bandera Electric Cooperative encourages you to always practice safety.

PHOTO: PAUL LAMPARD ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

Serving with Heart: BEC Supports Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries’ 2026 Vision Dinner Fundraiser

BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IS COMMITTED to assisting nonprofit organizations that strengthen the communities we serve. Recently, BEC presented a $12,500 check to Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries (HCDBM) in support of their 2026 Vision Dinner fundraiser, helping further the important work they do across the Hill Country.

Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries serves individuals and families right here in our region, including members of our own communities and neighbors who may be facing difficult times. HCDBM’s comprehensive approach combines food assistance with mentoring, case management, training, and collaborative partnerships that provide stability, encouragement, and a path forward. By working alongside local churches, nonprofits, agencies, and business partners, HCDBM continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact throughout the area.

The annual Vision Dinner is a special opportunity for the community to come together in support of HCDBM’s mission and the vital services they provide. Through partnerships like this, Bandera Electric Cooperative is able to help extend the reach of organizations doing critical work and further support those in need across our service area. BEC is honored to lend a helping hand and stand alongside HCDBM as they continue serving our neighbors. D

BEC Foundation Donates to Support Rebuilding After Kerr County Flood

THE BEC FOUNDATION IS PROUD to support efforts that strengthen the communities we serve. Proceeds totaling $53,540 from the BEC Foundation’s 2025 Annual Golf Tournament were donated to help support those impacted by the Kerr County Flood on July 4, 2025.

BEC Foundation Board Members contributed the funds to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country in December 2025. Chief Executive Officer Austin Dickson shared that the funds will be used to support the area of greatest need for Kerr County residents. “Housing remains the greatest need in Kerr County after the July 4 floods. National disaster recovery frameworks identify safe and stable housing as the foundation for every other part of recovery. Without housing, families cannot return to work, children cannot return to school and communities cannot rebuild,” explained Dickson.

To meet this need, the Community Foundation has committed $50 million across a comprehensive set of housing programs. Each household works with a disaster case manager to understand its options and choose the pathway that best fits its needs. The approach includes housing choice for families and supports the speed and stability of building through strong local partnerships and clear accountability. For more information on how funds are being used to support housing needs, please visit: https:// rebuildkerr.org/housing-recovery/

The BEC Foundation would like to thank the members and employees who participated in the annual golf tournament, which helped make this contribution possible and supports the ongoing process of rebuilding lives affected by the devastating flood.

For more information on how you can support the Community Foundation as they continue to assist flood victims, please visit: https://rebuildkerr.org/D

Cranberry-Orange Pork Roast

1 boneless pork loin roast (2½–3 pounds)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce (14 ounces)

½ cup orange marmalade

¼ cup honey

⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Cut roast in half and place in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. In a bowl, combine cranberry sauce, marmalade, honey, cloves and nutmeg and pour over roast.

3. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours. Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.

this and more delicious recipes online at

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Daylight Saving Time Begins

Sunday, March 8

Set clocks forward 1 hour.

St. Patrick’s Day

Tuesday, March 17

First Day of Spring

Friday, March 20

Coffee & Conversation with BEC Executives

Tuesday, March 24

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Sunday, March 29

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 2 Frances “Fran” Laue

District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum

District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman

District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum

District 4 Jeremy Diller, Vice Chairman

District 5 Annegreth “Anna” Niemann

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

Kurt Solis

District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman

District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer

Key Staff

William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO

Stephanie Pankratz, CFO

John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO

Shane Schmidt, COO

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 FOLLOW US

Urgent: Special Summer Driving Notice

But When Driving, These Sunglasses May Save Your Life!

The sun rises and sets at peak travel periods, during the early morning and afternoon rush hours and many drivers find themselves temporarily blinded while driving directly into the glare of the sun. Deadly accidents are regularly caused by such blinding glare with danger arising from reflected light off another vehicle, the pavement, or even from waxed and oily windshields that can make matters worse. Early morning dew can exacerbate this situation. Yet, motorists struggle on despite being blinded by the sun’s glare that can cause countless accidents every year. Not all sunglasses are created equal. Protecting your eyes is serious business. With all the fancy fashion frames out there it can be easy to overlook what really matters––the lenses. So we did our research and looked to the very best in optic innovation and technology.

Sometimes it does take a rocket scientist. A NASA rocket scientist. Some ordinary sunglasses can obscure your vision by exposing your eyes to harmful UV rays, blue light, and reflective glare. They can also darken useful vision-enhancing light. But now, independent research conducted by scientists from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has brought forth ground-breaking technology to help protect human eyesight from the harmful effects of solar radiation light. This superior

lens technology was first discovered when NASA scientists looked to nature for a means to superior eye protection—specifically, by studying the eyes of eagles, known for their extreme visual acuity. This discovery resulted in what is now known as Eagle Eyes

The Only Sunglass Technology Certified by the Space Foundation for UV and Blue-Light Eye Protection. Eagle Eyes® features the most advanced eye protection technology ever created. The TriLenium® Lens Technology offers triple-filter polarization to block 99.9% UVA and UVB—plus the added benefit of blue-light eye protection. Eagle Eyes® is the only optic technology that has earned official recognition from the Space Certification Program for this remarkable technology. Now, that’s proven science-based protection.

The finest optics: And buy one, get one FREE! Eagle Eyes® has the highest customer satisfaction of any item in our 20 year history. We are so excited for you to try the Eagle Eyes® breakthrough technology that we will give you a second pair of Eagle Eyes® Navigator™ Sunglasses FREE––a $59.95 value!

That’s two pairs to protect your eyes with the best technology available for less than the price of one pair of traditional sunglasses. You get a pair of Navigators with stainless steel black frames and the other with stainless steel gold, plus one hard zipper case and one micro-fiber drawstring cleaning pouch are included. Keep one pair in your pocket and one in your car.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not astounded with the Eagle Eyes® technology, enjoying clearer, sharper and more glare-free vision, simply return one pair within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price. The other pair is yours to keep. No one else has such confidence in their optic technology. Don’t leave your eyes in the hands of fashion designers, entrust them to the best scientific minds on earth. Wear your Eagle Eyes® Navigators with absolute confidence, knowing your eyes are protected with technology that was born in space for the human

A Tidy Revolution

Litterbugs were put on notice 40 years ago with four iconic words BY BOB MCCULLOUGH • ILLUSTRATION BY RYAN OLBRYSH

LIKE A LOT of kids, Tim McClure received regular reminders from his mom to clean his bedroom. The advertising executive, who grew up in Corsicana and now lives in Austin, vividly recalled those admonitions in 1985 when he developed one of the most memorable taglines of all time: “Don’t mess with Texas.”

The award-winning ad campaign urging careless folks to stop littering on Texas highways just marked its 40th anniversary. Its iconic slogan dawned on McClure during an early-morning stroll when he observed roadside refuse in his neighborhood that made him think of his messy room.

“ ‘Don’t mess with Texas’ was a battle cry that reached into the DNA of all Tex-

ans,” McClure says, “reminding them that they take great pride in their state. Litter is the antithesis of that sense of pride. Once reminded, Texans did what Texans do—we changed our behavior to reflect our commitment.”

“Don’t mess” enjoyed overnight success thanks to bumper stickers followed by a slew of TV spots starring Texan celebrities eager to enlist in the battle against litter.

In December 1985, stickers with just those four iconic words and a small Texas flag mysteriously appeared on pickup trucks across the Lone Star State. The stickers targeted a key demographic: young Texan men accustomed to jettisoning trash out of their pickups instead

of stashing it in proper receptacles.

Then on New Year’s Day 1986, in a TV spot that resembled a music video that aired during the Cotton Bowl, blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan played a rousing rendition of The Eyes of Texas, then punctuated it with those simple but powerful words: “Don’t mess with Texas.”

Almost immediately, viewers called their local stations wanting more.

That was the beginning of dozens of “Don’t mess” messages. “I’m very proud of them all, but the first, featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan, is my sentimental favorite,” says McClure, the M in GSD&M, the Austin powerhouse ad agency that led the campaign.

Other notable Texans who appeared in “Don’t mess” commercials included Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88’s, Dallas Cowboys Randy White and Ed “Too Tall” Jones, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Joe y La Familia, Willie Nelson, and the Texas Tornados. An animated spot starring SeaWorld orca Shamu and three penguin sidekicks—the Texas Tuxedos— urged kids not to litter.

Today, the Texas Department of Transportation carries on “Don’t mess,” with downloadable activity books for kids at dontmesswithtexas.org, lesson plans for teachers and scholarships for students who take on environmental projects.

“Litter on Texas roads was reduced by 63% from 2013 to 2023,” says Marc D. Williams, TxDOT executive director.

“This shows our messaging is working, especially as the population grows. But we still have work to do. More than 360 million pieces of litter accumulate on Texas roads every year, with cigarette butts and beverage containers among the most common items.”

McClure believes Texas pride continues to be at the heart of the four-decade success of “Don’t mess.”

“We Texans are a proud bunch,” he says. “Proud of our state. Proud of our colorful past. Excited about the future ahead of us. Some things you simply don’t mess with!” D

Barbecue Sides

Meet the dishes that dazzle when the smoke clears

BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR

As a newlywed I brought a version of this recipe to my in-laws’ barbecue. My mother-in-law instantly fell in love with it. She asked for the recipe and proceeded to tweak, tweak and tweak until it became her recipe, a tradition at every barbecue. We still make it in her honor. We miss you, Grandma.

Grandma’s Creamy Cucumber Salad

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped, divided use

2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1. In a large bowl, stir together lemon juice and sugar until sugar dissolves.

2. Add salt, sour cream and all but 1 teaspoon dill. Stir to combine.

3. Gently stir in cucumbers and red onion. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

4. Stir before serving and top with remaining dill.

SERVES 8

Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Pan de Elote.

Pickled Coleslaw

EVA WARD

TRI-COUNTY EC

Coleslaw is the ultimate barbecue side dish that just keeps giving. Its tang cuts through the richness of the meat, and it’s even better the next day piled high on a sandwich. I appreciated the ease of this recipe, which delivered crunch and bold flavor.

1 medium head cabbage, shredded

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, shredded

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1. In a large bowl, combine cabbage, red onion and carrots.

2. In a saucepan, bring sugar, salt, dry mustard, celery seed, oil and vinegar to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar.

3. Pour vinegar mixture over cabbage mixture and combine well. Allow to cool.

4. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

SERVES 8

$500 WINNER

C’s Macaroni Salad

CAROLYN USSERY HOUSTON COUNTY EC

If there’s pasta salad at the barbecue, find me there. I love a great pasta salad loaded with crunch, bite, saltiness and cheese. Ussery’s salad has a bit of tang to it, which I really enjoyed, and it’s loaded with color and flavor.

16 ounces veggie rotini

6 ounces colby jack cheese, cubed

1/2 cup diced red onion

3/4 cup diced celery

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped, or 2 tablespoons dried dill weed

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain well and place in a large bowl to cool.

2. Once pasta has cooled, stir in cheese, onion, celery, bell pepper and peas.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, dill, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper

4. Add mayonnaise mixture to pasta and stir to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

SERVES 6–10

$500 Recipe Contest

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS DUE MAR 10

How do you answer the bell when school’s out? We want to know what your kids love. Best recipe gets an A-plus, $500 and a spot in the August issue.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 >

UPCOMING: PANCAKES AND WAFFLES DUE APR 10

Cauliflower and Green Beans

SOUAD EL ALAMI FARMERS EC

On a table full of barbecue, potato salad, and mac and cheese, a simple vegetable dish shouldn’t be an afterthought. El Alami’s dish is a delight. The pop of freshness from the parsley, cilantro and lemon juice makes a truly spectacular side dish for chicken or beef.

1 large head cauliflower

1 pound green beans

4 cups water

11/4 tablespoons salt, divided use

6 cloves garlic, not peeled

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

1. Slice cauliflower into quarters. Use your hands or a knife to remove florets from core. Cut florets as needed to create uniform pieces.

2. Trim the ends of green beans and discard. Slice beans in half.

3. In a large pot, bring water and 1 table-

spoon salt to a boil. Add green beans, reduce heat to medium, and cook 5–8 minutes or until tender. Remove green beans from pot and place into an ice bath for 20 minutes. Drain.

4. Steam cauliflower and garlic cloves in a steamer until tender, about 8–10 minutes. Allow to cool.

5. Heat butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Squeeze garlic out of peel into skillet and cook 40 seconds, stirring. Stir in green beans and cook an additional minute.

6. Add cauliflower and stir to incorporate. Stir in remaining 1/4 tablespoon salt, pepper, parsley and cilantro. Cook an additional minute. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice.

SERVES 4–6

Remember that you can find hundreds of recipes on our website. Use the search function with keywords and specific ingredients to discover ideas for your next meal.

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Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion

Mt. Rushmore & Yellowstone

New England & Fall Colors

Nova Scotia & Maritimes

Canadian Rockies & Glacier

Copper Canyon Train

Long Drives in Big Bend

Live the luxe life in a surprising locale: Lajitas

BY CHET GARNER

THERE’S OFF THE BEATEN PATH and then there’s Lajitas—a spot so remote that it feels like you’ve driven off the edge of the map. But just when you’re sure you’ve missed civilization completely, the desert opens up to reveal a high-end resort with golf carts, spa robes and a goat that drinks beer. Welcome to the most luxurious ghost town in Texas.

The legend of Lajitas begins with the land itself—a sunbaked stretch of the Chihuahuan Desert along the Rio Grande sandwiched between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The town was once known for bandits, miners and cattle drives, but today it’s most famous for its unusual mayor. His name’s Clay Henry IV, and he’s a goat whose claim to fame is guzzling beer straight from the bottle like his father and his father and his father before that. He’s the world’s most carefree politician, doing his civic duty one gulp at a time.

The only thing more unexpected than the goat in charge is the Lajitas Golf Resort, a desert oasis that feels wildly out of place and yet somehow perfect. Its crown jewel is Black Jack’s Crossing, a golf course named for U.S. Army Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, who pursued Pancho Villa across the Rio Grande in 1916. There’s even a hole where players can see how far they can smack a ball across the river into Mexico.

As the day faded away, I settled into my dinner on the resort’s terrace. The mesquite-grilled rib eye and the smell of creosote in the air were only upstaged by the sun setting behind distant mountains like a slow-burning ember. Out here, fine dining and frontier grit somehow share the same table, and I was happy to be their dinner guest. D

ABOVE Chet finds that golf is just part of the Chihuahuan Desert oasis experience that is the town of Lajitas.

Watch the video on our website and see all of Chet’s 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.

Kerrville Classical Music Festival, (830) 321-0303, hillcountrychorale.org

Salado Texas Pizza Festival, (254) 947-3544, barrowbrewing.com

Lufkin Swan Lake, (936) 633-5454, angelinaarts.org

Dublin [12–14] St. Patrick’s Day Festival, (254) 445-3422, dublintxchamber.com

Round Top [13–14] Plant Sale, (713) 503-9981, herbsocietypioneer.org

Granbury [13–15] Founders’ Day Jubilee & Cook-Off, (682) 936-4550, facebook.com/ hgmagranburysquare

Willis Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, (936) 539-7824, mcmga.com

Fredericksburg Seraph Brass Quintet, fredericksburgmusic club.com

Grapevine [16–22] Picnic on the Prairie, (817) 410-3185, grapevinetexasusa.com

Kerrville Concerts by the River & Family Game Night, (830) 257-7300, kerrvilletx.gov

Grapevine Sweet Baby James: James Taylor Tribute, (817) 410-3100, grapevinetexasusa.com

Lufkin Wizard of Oz on Ice, (936) 633-5454, angelinaarts.org

Fort Worth [24–29] Back to the Future: The Musical, (817) 212-4280, basshall.com 27

Georgetown [27–28] Quilt Show, (512) 869-1812, handcraftsunlimited.com

Rockport [27–28] Crawfish Festival, (361) 205-9595, rockportcrawfishfest.com

Burnet Hill Country Lawn & Garden Show, (512) 7563059, burnetcountyhighland lakesmastergardener.org

Sabinal [28–29] Wild Hog Festival & Craft Fair, (830) 486-8549, sabinalwildhogfestival.com APRIL

Levelland [2–4] ABC Pro Rodeo, (806) 777-1510, abcrodeo.com

Fairfield Easter Eggstravaganza, (903) 389-5792, fairfieldtexaschamber.com

Waxahachie [4–May 25] Scarborough Renaissance Festival, (972) 938-3247, srfestival.com

also receive a handpicked trial selection of fascinating coins from our No-Obligation Coins-on-Approval Service, from which you may purchase any or none of the coins – return balance within 15 days – with option to cancel at any time.

Still Life

1 RAYMOND TESTA FARMERS EC

“A homegrown daylily in a simple vase.”

2 FAITH CAUGHRON TRINITY VALLEY EC

Caughron used this photo on social media to announce the upcoming event America Reads the Bible.

3 CARA STIMSON COSERV

“Still life (or death) in an Alpine graveyard. My son took this photo on a family trip to Big Bend.”

4 JOEY CARGILL FORT BELKNAP EC

“My daughter Riley took a photo that represents her hobbies of reading and dancing.”

When the light hits something just right, time stands still. These readers capture that moment for us spectacularly. See what happens when we slow down and let life filter in.

CURATED

GRACE FULTZ

Upcoming Contests

DUE MAR 10 Seasoned Snaps

DUE APR 10 Underwater Life

DUE MAY 10 Rodeo

Enter online at TexasCoopPower.com/contests.

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

Nature Nurtures— And It Buzzes

Embrace the bugs in your yard and watch them work their magic

BY JENNIFER DANNY ILLUSTRATION BY HEIDI SCHMIDT

THE FIRST TIME I learned about cicadas, I was visiting family in North Texas. As I was getting my luggage out of the car, I heard rustling and buzzing in the trees. I asked my daughter what that noise was.

Somewhat concerned, I said, “Do they sting?”

“I’m not sure,” she said. “You probably won’t even get to see them, but you’ll hear them.”

And hear them I did. I was fascinated by these creatures, and I started to research everything I could about them.

You see, I have a history with life’s littlest creatures. For the past few years, I’ve planted milkweed for monarch butterflies, and each summer, I had the pleasure of watching them lay their eggs that then turned into caterpillars, which built cocoons and eventually

emerged as butterflies.

There is something so beautiful about monarchs, the way they flap their wings as if to thank you for providing a home and milkweed before they begin their migration.

I also would buy praying mantis eggs from the local gardening store. When they hatched, I would disperse them throughout my yard. They’re very tiny when they first come out of the egg, and often I would see a few grow to maturity. I find their praying hands to be a symbol of hope and happiness.

Ah, but it doesn’t stop there. One day I saw a carpenter bee near a little wood sculpture in my yard. I watched it go inside through a tiny hole. And it turns out for many years, the carpenter bees and their next generation lived inside the sculpture. They had quite a distinctive buzz, much louder than the honeybees that would visit and pollinate my flowers.

One day, after my husband and I moved to Texas from Southern California in August 2023, a beautiful yellow butterfly was in my daughter’s yard, just sitting on her window screen, its wings opening and closing almost as if it were welcoming me to Texas.

Finally, I was able to sit outside every evening and watch the trees and the leaves bustle with the cicadas’ buzzing.

I’ve always appreciated nature, and to have it right in my own backyard is so comforting.

I believe that nature nurtures. If we slow down and really take a look, there is so much beauty to behold.

Just last week, I saw a monarch butterfly hanging out in our new yard. I went outside and took a photo and welcomed it. The following day, I went to the local nursery and bought a milkweed plant in the hopes that the monarch would lay its eggs.

Summer will be here soon, and I’m excited to hear the cicadas once again. D

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