DISASTER CITY TO THE RESCUE
Down the Rabbit Hole
Jeffie Brewer’s sculptures steal glances from their many admirers
Bob McCullough
Patriots in Texas
BAILEY ANDERSON WAS a young man when he fought in the American Revolution as a private with troops from South Carolina. He was in his 80s when he fought in the Texas Revolution. When he died in 1840, he was buried in Harrison County, in East Texas.
Anderson is one of 69 veterans of the American Revolution confirmed to be buried in Texas. Clovis H. Brakebill wrote about most of them in an ambitiously researched book published in 1998. You can find the full list and the book at the Texas Sons of the American Revolution website.
Contests and More
$500 RECIPE CONTEST
Holiday Traditions
FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS
Ride the Rails
WIN OPAL LEE BOOKS
Enter online to win two signed illustrated children’s books about Opal Lee’s life.
Simple Dimples
A New York woman applied for a patent in 1921 for a spring-loaded device that pressed rubber tips into users’ cheeks to create faux dimples. Something to think about July 9, National Dimples Day
FINISH THIS SENTENCE
Need a hobby? Learn to …
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 responses to our May prompt: Moms are …
Doing a million little things no one sees and all the big things everyone feels.
HILARY GRAHMANN FAYETTE EC FLATONIA
The only human being who can open a car door while carrying a child, a bag of groceries and a purse and be talking on her cell at the same time.
BJ MAYO CONCHO VALLEY EC MILES
The thread that holds everything together.
CLADY PAUL PAGE
JASPER-NEWTON EC KIRBYVILLE
The ones you still reach for without thinking.
JAMES VOYLES CHEROKEE COUNTY EC TYLER
Visit our website to see more responses.
Hooked These Readers
There was perfect timing with the photo of Blue Hole (above) capturing a large catfish resting on a ledge [Wet Texas, May 2026].
Kathy Smith
Trinity Valley EC Kaufman
There appears to be a large flathead catfish swimming. As an avid fisherman, this caught my attention.
Drew Douglas Trinity Valley EC Athens
Finding Fossils
I have all my life had fun searching for arrowheads and fossils in Texas [He Kept Digging, May 2026].
Glenn Snyder
Fannin EC Blue Ridge
MAY 2026 Wet Texas
“ What excellent photos by Erich Schlegel. It was a delight to enjoy the vistas of the western part of our state and share its beauty.”
MARTHA EVERMAN JONES
VICTORIA EC
VICTORIA
We Wuz Informed
The winner of your My favorite Texas saying … Finish This Sentence feature was a bit too cleaned up from the original [May 2026]. I can still, after 80-some years, hear my father saying, “The sun has riz, the sun has set, and we ain’t left Texas yet.”
Jim Evans Victoria EC Schertz
A Red Flag?
There is a picture of a lady refilling her hummingbird feeders with red-colored water [Fast and Curious, April 2026]. I have always been told to never use red dye in the water.
Deborah Earnest
Sam Houston EC Dayton
EDITOR’S NOTE: Author Sheryl Smith-Rodgers explains, “It’s highly recommended that you don’t use red dye. The Browns say they add only a drop or two to each gallon of sugar water mixture, and that’s so they can see the water levels in their feeders.”
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 clarity and length.
TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Bryan Wood, San Augustine
Vice Chair Cameron Smallwood, Burleson
Secretary-Treasurer Jim Coleman, Edna
Board Members Matt Bentke, Bastrop
Kerry Kelton, Navasota • Mark McClain, Roby • Zac Perkins, Hooker, Oklahoma
PRESIDENT/CEO Mike Williams, Austin
COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER
SERVICES COMMITTEE
Mike Ables, Bellville • Kathi Calvert, Crockett
Tachi Hinojosa, Fredericksburg
Gary Miller, Bryan • Bryan Story, Blossom Grace Subealdea, Dalhart
Buff Whitten, Eldorado
MAGAZINE STAFF
Vice President, Communications & Member Services Martin Bevins
Editor Chris Burrows
Associate Editor Tom Widlowski
Production Manager Karen Nejtek
Creative Manager Andy Doughty
Advertising Manager Elaine Sproull
Communications Specialist Samantha Bryant
Digital Media Specialist Cayt Calhoun
Senior Designer Stacy Coale
Assistant Production Manager Alex Dal Santo
Print Production Specialist Grace Fultz
Communications Specialist Erin Perez
Food Editor Vianney Rodriguez
Communications Specialist Claire Stevens
Communications Specialist Kelly Tran
Proofreader Louie Bond
TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 83, Number 1 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 77 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 4540311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscription price is $5.53 per year for individual members of subscribing cooperatives and is paid from equity accruing to the member. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Co-op members: Please notify your co-op of address changes or other subscription requests. POSTMASTER Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers.
ADVERTISING Contact Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251 or esproull@texas-ec.org for information about purchasing display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 26 sister publications in other states. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication.
COPYRIGHT All content © 2026 Texas Electric Cooperatives Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © 2026 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
A BIG D D O
Colorful, whimsical animal sculptures across Texas escape from Jeffie Brewer’s workshop
ometimes success looks like a 10-foot-tall teal bunny.
LEAP FROM D OODLES S S OODLES
That was the case for Jeffie Brewer: “You struggle as an artist for a long time to get a footing and get a break, and then you get the break.”
His break was that bunny design.
The whimsical, minimalist metalwork changed the course of his career—and ultimately his life—nearly 20 years ago. And so today, a version of the bunny stands guard outside Brewer’s studio on the outskirts of Nacogdoches, where the artist’s creations are dreamed up, brought to life and shipped all over the world with the help of a small team.
Decades before any of that, Brewer’s path to finding his artistic voice took a long and winding path that began in his father’s junkyard in Palestine. “I had always been the kid who drew and made stuff,” he says.
But after a failed attempt at “making it big”—maybe as a comedian—in Los Angeles at 18, he moved back home and studied at a few different colleges before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Sam Houston State University, where a final-semester class sparked his interest in sculpture.
He completed two master’s degrees in art at Stephen F. Austin State University while searching for his artistic voice. After graduation, Brewer stayed in Nacogdoches to teach at his alma mater in the late 1990s. He taught a variety of courses, including art appreciation, painting and 3D design.
His artistic style bounced “all over the place,” he says, including painting, drawing and using a plasma cutter to cut shapes out of steel.
Jeffie Brewer in his Nacogdoches studio with his colorful critters—all descendants of an oversized teal bunny he sculpted 20 years ago.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY ANNA MAZUREK
“The real shift happened when I stopped making art for other people and just made what interested me.”
“At my core, I’m a redneck kid who got dipped into the art world and wrung out,” he says. “The real shift happened when I stopped making art for other people and just made what interested me.”
In 2004, he raised his nephew for a year while the child’s parents were stationed overseas in the military.
“His parents were both in Afghanistan and Iraq. Having this kid around changed my philosophy of how I made and worked in art,” Brewer says. “I made a little bit more of a jump toward figurative, representational sorts of things.”
Birds were a common theme during this period, but he later started doodling bunnies while working at his wife’s advertising agency.
When Brewer returned to working in steel after a twoyear hiatus, the first thing he made was a bird, inspired by his drawings, to put in the arboretum beside his office in the SFA art department. It was stolen a week later, inspiring Brewer to make a new sculpture that was “too big to steal.” His next design—that giant 3D bunny—was inspired by his mindless doodling.
“The bird had been just a cut-plate steel piece, but with the bunny, I saw a chance to try something different, something with more dimension and presence,” Brewer says.
The bunny was an instant hit—a “eureka moment” for him. “I got to see how people interacted with it, and it revolutionized the way that I thought about art,” says Brewer, who wants people of all ages to walk away from his work feeling something.
On a whim, Brewer entered the bunny in a South Carolina public art show. He won, and that got him mentioned in The New York Times. The bunny made an appearance in New Orleans, putting him on the radar of the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, which included his work in a later show.
“After that, it’s been chaos,” Brewer says. He kept his foot on the gas, leading to increased exposure, commissions and new animal designs, including armadillos, giraffes, cats and crocodiles.
He made the leap to full-time artist in 2019 and has a team of four full-time assistants, including two SFA grads. At any
OPPOSITE Brewer grinds the edges of a steel sculpture at his rural workshop across from a cow pasture.
BELOW Larger pieces, like the robot along Brewer’s driveway, are usually made from steel for durability. He uses aluminum for the smaller ones.
given time, his team is working on four to eight projects—among them an 8-foot-tall purple kitty or an 8-foot hot pink wiener dog. His three real dogs, Olive, Odie and Vinnie, are always on hand to provide emotional support.
Brewer’s work is evenly split between commercial and university clients, galleries (his work is in a dozen across the country), and personal commissions from individuals. His large pieces sell for tens of thousands of dollars, and smaller pieces available on his website go for about $200.
In 2024, Brewer and his wife, Angie, self-published a colorful soft-cover photo book, Joy Machine, that showcases his sculptures.
Every piece is made at his rural workshop across from a cow pasture. A rusted steel gate with the silhouette of five of his famous bunny designs leads to a tree-lined driveway, a sculpture trail really, with an 8-foot purple robot and other artwork scattered in the nearby woods.
One of his most notable permanent public works in Texas is the 12-foot-tall purple bull that stands in front of a water tower on State Highway 46 in Boerne. Others include 58 sculptures at the Bark Yard dog park in Allen—where his 30-foot dog collar is used as a shade structure—and the yellow armadillo outside Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock.
“Lubbock loves Jeffie,” says Elizabeth Grigsby, the executive director of the Lubbock Arts Alliance.
She first discovered Brewer’s work more than a decade ago while serving on a committee to select art to display along highways. Since then, his work has appeared in the Lubbock Arts Festival and twice along intersections. One piece was a 13-foot-tall pink flamingo designed to celebrate an art donor’s 100th birthday (Brewer also made a smaller version for her assisted living facility that she decorates for each season).
“What I find most interesting about Jeffie’s artwork is that when you look at it, you immediately know what it’s meant to represent—there’s no confusion about the subject,” Grigsby says. “Yet it’s presented in such a unique, colorful and stylistic manner that it captures your imagination. He blends clarity with imagination so that the work feels both playful and sophisticated.”
Constructing a 500-pound metal bunny is no easy feat. While Brewer, a member of Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative, initially drew his animal designs by hand, he now creates them digitally. The files are sent to a local laser cutter, which trims the figures out of metal. The larger pieces are usually
made from steel for durability, while the smaller ones are aluminum.
“We have to build an inside structure and then wrap it and then we have to meticulously weld it all out,” Brewer explains about the multiweek process. “And then go back and grind all the welds off so it looks seamless.”
The final step is powder coating the pieces to add his signature bright colors. Brewer initially hand-painted all his sculptures with a waterborne enamel before switching to powder coating for its longevity. He still hand-paints pieces upon request. “I’m a big fan of the teal,” says Brewer, noting that blue shades are the most requested, followed by red.
As he continually ships pieces to clients across the country with the help of his staff, he says he still can’t wrap his head around his success. He’s just glad to be able to do this work.
“I don’t have a master plan or some big vision board. I just want to keep working, keep building and see where it takes me,” he says. “As long as I’m able to make things that connect with people and keep the lights on, I’m happy.” D
CRASH
COURSE
BY BOB MCCULLOUGH
In this town—population zero—first responders from across the globe hone
WHAT KEVIN PRICE SAW in July 2025 cannot be re-created: trees ripped from the ground and entire structures effortlessly swept away by the Guadalupe River as it rose 34 feet, devastating communities in the Hill Country and killing more than 135.
What came next he had seen before: a carefully coordinated search-and-rescue effort. Those skills and strategies are carefully replicated and reinforced on a continual basis at a training complex unlike any other in the world on the outskirts of College Station.
Welcome to Disaster City, part of the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, called TEEX. Price is a training manager there. The city’s “mayor”—Scott Salter, rescue program director—says it’s dedicated to preparing first responders, rescue technicians and emergency management professionals in the most challenging and chaotic environments imaginable.
“Disaster City provides realistic, high-fidelity disaster simulations so responders can develop the skills, confidence and teamwork needed to protect communities when they’re in need,” Salter says. “It’s one-of-a-kind in scale, complexity and realism. While other states operate regional training
lifesaving skills
centers or individual rescue props, no other facility combines the size, diversity of environments and multidisciplinary training elements found at Disaster City.”
The facility is widely recognized as the premier urban search-and-rescue training site in the U.S. and one of the most advanced in the world, Salter says.
TEEX built Disaster City in the late 1990s to meet a growing need. It was an outgrowth of the intense training program for firefighters that dates back to 1929, when the State Firefighters’ and Fire Marshals’ Association of Texas chose Texas A&M University as the site for a permanent school for firefighters.
Salter says two events proved to be the tipping point for the establishment of Disaster City: the 1993 New York World Trade Center below-ground parking lot bombing and the 1995 federal building bombing in downtown Oklahoma City. Such large-scale emergencies required better planning and better strategies than had been available.
“Texas has also faced many major disasters,” Salter says. “The most prominent in recent years include the widespread 2011 wildfires, the 2013 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Hurricane Harvey flooding in 2017, and multiple oil refinery and chemical plant incidents along the Gulf Coast.”
OPPOSITE Technical training at Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service’s Disaster City prepares crews to safely perform high-angle rescues, rappelling and patient recovery using specialized rope systems and protective equipment.
THIS PAGE Campus exercises simulate realworld emergencies such as vehicle recovery and victim extraction, helping teams build readiness for complex crises.
Disaster City’s Building 137, or the Rescue Building, is the hub of the 52-acre complex. This “city hall” houses classrooms, offices and support facilities. It’s also the gateway to the disaster response training complex.
Dotting the landscape are multiple collapsed buildings that simulate damage from earthquakes and bombings. There’s a passenger train derailment, complete with a locomotive and a heap of train cars. There’s a crashed aircraft fuselage. There are underground tunnels, rubble piles, and structures used for breaching-and-breaking training. And that’s just a sampling of the chaotic conditions that confront trainees.
“The true strength of Disaster City lies in the diverse training props available to instructors,” says Kevin Farmer, a 20-year firefighter, paramedic and instructor with the nearby Bryan Fire Department. “Disaster City allows us to simulate some of the most complex and challenging rescue scenarios imaginable and to test our team to its full capability.”
Basic to the rescue of disaster victims in all sorts of circumstances is expertise in the use of ropes. Trainees must master knot-tying and rigging and even understand the physics involved in the successful use of ropes to save lives. Grasping these fundamental principles leads to almost 100 specialized courses in technical rescue and disaster response.
The school offers a Federal Emergency Management Agency canine course that trains dogs and handlers. There’s also a spokesperson training course that teaches how to communicate with an anxious public in the aftermath of a disaster.
“Among the rescue courses we offer, the structural collapse, rope/confined space and swift water/floodwater consistently attract the largest number of participants,” Salter says. “Each year, more than 22,000 responders—representing Texas, the broader United States and international partners—participate in hands-on and computer-based training with TEEX and Disaster City. This diverse group includes firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, military personnel and international rescue teams preparing for deployment.”
Disaster City has helped Texas lead the way in standardizing urban search-and-rescue training; improving communication through joint exercises involving fire, emergency medical services, law enforcement and public works; and enhancing flood and wide-area search protocols.
“After the July 4 Hill Country flooding, Disaster City played a major support role by providing highly trained wide-area search personnel,” Salter says. “They assisted local authorities with searching in inaccessible flood zones, documentation of damaged infrastructure and debris field analysis, to name a few of their many contributions.
OPPOSITE First responders remove a mock victim from a train car.
RIGHT Disaster City, built more than 25 years ago, allows students to practice shoring operations, breaching collapsed structures and locating survivors under rubble.
THINK THROUGH THE UNTHINKABLE
The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service encourages all Texans to take important preparedness steps before disaster strikes. Small actions today can significantly improve survival odds and resilience during a disaster.
• Have a 72-hour emergency kit with water, medications, flashlights and essential documents.
• Create a family communications plan that includes meeting points and emergency contacts.
• Be aware of potential hazards—whether flooding, wildfires, severe storms or industrial risks—and sign up for local alerts.
• Map basic evacuation routes, whether the threat is a hurricane or a wildfire.
• Never assume you’ll have time to prepare during an emergency. Start now!
“Those responders that deployed to the Hill Country had been trained by TEEX at Disaster City, allowing agencies to work together seamlessly under extreme conditions.”
Kevin Price was one of those responders. The TEEX instructor spent a week amid the devastation and came away amazed by the immensity of what he saw: nature’s forces and the power of teamwork that came next.
Salter, an El Paso native who spent the early part of his career fighting fires in North Carolina, was among an international contingent of hundreds of responders who witnessed firsthand the pain and misery caused by the swollen Guadalupe and its tributaries a year ago.
Yet the disaster that remains foremost in his mind and the one that truly motivates him to help others is Hurricane Matthew, which struck North Carolina in 2016. The Category 1 storm caused catastrophic flooding that submerged neighborhoods, cut off highways and overwhelmed infrastructure.
“Working in that environment—swift water, debris-filled currents, compromised structures—was a stark reminder that disaster conditions don’t have to be extreme on paper to be devastating,” he says. “It also reinforced the importance of training responders in wide-area search, flood rescue and interagency coordination.”
Year-round Salter and his team help students respond to known disasters. But they’re also preparing for the disasters we haven’t seen yet. “As threats evolve, our training must evolve with them,” he says. “Thus, we are actively exploring several next-generation rescue and disaster scenarios.”
These include subterranean rescues in transportation tunnels and utility conduits; wind turbine rescues; accidents involving lithium batteries; and advanced industrial rescues focused on petrochemical, rail and energy industry emergencies.
“Our goal is to remain ahead of emerging risks and to ensure Disaster City continues to be the nation’s premier training environment,” Salter says.
He believes Disaster City’s greatest accomplishment is its role in transforming how responders train for large-scale, complex emergencies. They’ve also helped create a common language and operational standards for search-andrescue teams, enabling agencies that had never trained together to operate seamlessly during real disasters.
But his greatest satisfaction still comes from seeing people arrive at Disaster City as students and leave as confident, highly skilled rescuers.
“Watching them push through difficult, exhausting training and then applying those skills in a real disaster is incredibly rewarding,” Salter says. “But there’s even deeper satisfaction knowing that our work strengthens the entire community. When a responder leaves Disaster City better prepared, that capability extends to every person they may someday help—neighbors, co-workers, total strangers.
“Being part of that chain of impact is what drives me every day.”
MESSAGE FROM CEO
WILLIAM “BILL”
HETHERINGTON
The Pursuit of Happiness
AS WE GET READY TO CELEBRATE the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding with fanfare, fireworks and parades, I would like to highlight a phrase in the Declaration of Independence that I believe is worth celebrating. For context the second paragraph begins “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The phrase is “pursuit of Happiness” and it is important to understand the context of its meaning.
In 1815, the head of a boarding school in Maine wrote to Thomas Jefferson asking for some wisdom to pass along to his students. Jefferson responded by sending a passage from Cicero’s Tusculan Disputations, “If the Wise, be the happy man, “he must be virtuous too; for, without virtue, happiness cannot be.”
So, Jefferson viewed the pursuit of happiness as a lifelong quest for character improvement, which required a commitment to practicing the daily habits that lead to self-regulation, emotional intelligence, integrity and respect. Understood in these terms, happiness is always something to be pursued rather than obtained—a quest rather than a destination.
He believed that the pursuit of happiness regards freedom not as boundless liberty to do whatever feels good in the moment, but as bounded liberty to make wise choices that will help us best develop our capacities and talents over the course of our lives. He also believed that the pursuit of happiness includes responsibilities as well as rights—the responsibility to limit ourselves, restrain ourselves, have integrity so that we achieve the wisdom and harmony necessary for true freedom.
When we pursue happiness, we are building stronger connections with friends and family which in turn builds stronger communities, which in turn builds a stronger Nation. While the July 4th date is symbolic of our independence and the start of our country, it was also the start of building our America’s character. It is this character of America and Americans that we are really celebrating on July 4th. While we all may have differing views on the best path forward for our country deep down, we all want to improve ourselves and America. By pursuing happiness let our quest be to stay committed to improving ourselves and our country for our friends, families, communities and future generations. That would be a true cause of celebration.
Charging Forward Together: BEC Named a 2026 Best Place to Work by the San Antonio Business Journal
BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE HAS been named a winner of the 2026 Best Places to Work by the San Antonio Business Journal in the large employer category, a distinction that reflects the cooperative’s commitment to building a strong workplace culture and empowering employees to succeed.
The annual award program evaluates organizations based on employee feedback and workplace factors such as culture, engagement, training opportunities, retention, and innovation. For BEC, the honor is a testament to the dedicated team members who serve more than 30,000 members across the Texas Hill Country.
In line with our 2026 theme, Charging Forward, BEC employees embrace opportunities to grow, innovate, and deliver solutions that improve everyday life for members. Through their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to service, they help advance BEC’s mission and create a positive impact throughout the region.
“We are honored to be recognized as one of the best places to work in San Antonio,” said CEO Bill Hetherington. “Truly, our employees are the soul of the cooperative and I’m proud to be one of them.”
Being named one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s Best Places to Work is a reflection of the people who make BEC what it is. As the cooperative continues Charging Forward in 2026, BEC remains committed to investing in its employees and fostering an environment where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a difference for the members and communities they serve. We look forward to celebrating this achievement and eagerly await the final rankings, which will be announced at the awards ceremony in July.D
Small Change, Powerful Impact: BEC Members Help Strengthen Communities Through Round Up Program
MEMBERS OF BANDERA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE have a simple but powerful opportunity to support local nonprofits through the BEC Foundation’s Round Up program, a community giving initiative that allows members to round up their monthly electric and fiber bills to the nearest whole dollar.
For example, if a member’s monthly bill totals $53.73, the bill is automatically rounded up to $54.00, with the additional 27 cents donated to the BEC Foundation Community Grant Program. While the average annual contribution is only about $6 per participating member, those small donations collectively create a significant impact across the cooperative’s service territory.
Since the program launched nearly a decade ago, BEC members have contributed more than $132,000 to support local nonprofit organizations. Funds raised through Round Up are awarded to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations through the Foundation’s Community Grant Program, which supports projects and services that directly benefit local communities and fellow cooperative members.
Each month, participating members allow BEC to “round up” their bill to the next highest dollar amount. The donated change is then added to the Foundation’s Round Up fund, and nonprofit organizations throughout BEC’s service area can apply for grants on a quarterly basis. Applications are reviewed and awarded by the BEC Foundation’s Grant Committee.
The BEC Foundation continues the cooperative’s long-standing tradition of service, volunteerism, and charitable giving. Since its establishment in 2018, the Foundation has distributed more than $406,500 to organizations across its seven-county service area, supporting initiatives focused on education, safety, and community well-being.
Through the Round Up program, BEC members continue to demonstrate how small contributions can create lasting change, helping provide essential resources and support to neighbors and communities throughout the region.
Members can choose to round up their monthly bill or contribute a fixed amount each month, and all donations are tax-deductible. Ready to make a difference? Scan the QR code below, contact Member Relations at 866.226.3372, or visit your local BEC office to enroll in Operation Round Up today! D
Roll Up Your Sleeve for BEC’s Second Community Blood Drive of 2026
AFTER KICKING OFF THE YEAR with a record-setting blood drive in February, Bandera Electric Cooperative is excited to host another opportunity for members and the community to give back. Join us on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at BEC Headquarters, 3172 TX-16, Bandera, TX 78003, for our second community blood drive of the year.
Thanks to the incredible support of our members and employees, BEC’s first blood drive of 2026 set a new record with the potential to save 72 lives. We’re hoping to build on that momentum and make an even greater impact this August.
Donors will enjoy a comfortable experience in BEC’s community room, offering a cool indoor space to check in and recharge after donating.
Summer months often bring an increased need for blood donations, and local hospitals rely on generous donors to maintain a stable blood supply. Whether you’re a returning donor or giving for the first time, your donation can make a real difference. Scan the QR code to reserve your appointment today! D
A Legacy of Service and Sustainability: Fran Laue Retires as a BEC Board of Director
FOR FRAN LAUE, AN APPRECIATION for sustainability began long before her decade-long term of service on the Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC) Board of Directors. It grew from simple but cherished moments spent with her grandmother during childhood.
“She grew up through a dust bowl in Nebraska and then raised four children through the Great Depression,” said Laue of her grandmother. “She impressed on me the need for resource consciousness and conservation.”
Laue knows that electricity and water are the lifeblood of communities, and being a good steward of these resources means wisely designing processes and programs to make them available to everyone. This is one of the reasons that motivated Laue to purse joining the BEC Board of Directors in 2016.
“My interests in sustainability and resource conservation seemed to fit with the focus of helping members,” said Laue. “I hoped to contribute to the availability of electricity in an affordable manner and help educate members how to conserve and be mindful of their usage.”
A heart for serving the community is also deeply rooted in Laue, having served as a board member for both the YWCA San Antonio and the Express-News Federal Credit Union. In her professional life, Laue spent 13 years at USAA which instilled an appreciation for working at a member-centric organization.
“I saw BEC as an opportunity to serve the Bandera community and help continue a member focus,” said Laue.
During her ten-year term as District 2 Director, Laue says she is most proud of serving a cooperative that focused on maintaining a standard of high reliability and keeping energy rates among some of the lowest in the state of Texas.
One of the hallmarks of her board tenure occurred in 2017, with the implementation of fiber broadband internet throughout much of the BEC service territory. The access to reliable highspeed internet in rural areas of the Texas Hill Country is a major benefit to members and local businesses. “It has served the cooperative well by helping keep rates down and improving BEC’s infrastructure on the grid,” said Laue.
Though Laue recently retired from the board in April, she continues to advocate for member involvement in the cooperative.
“Democratic member control is one of the seven guiding principles of electric cooperatives,” said Laue. “It means that the members—as represented by the Board—participate in policy setting and are accountable to the membership.”
On the upcoming election for Districts 1, 2 and 3, Laue urges members to participate in this year’s election. “Each member can vote for candidates in all three districts. Although each director represents a single district, the directors serve the entire service territory, meaning that all members have a say in the election of all directors,” said Laue.
Stepping into retirement from the board, Laue’s plans include a move to Colorado to be closer to her family. “Until I make that move, I am trying to work on my ‘Texas bucket list.’ I recently visited the Big Bend area for the first time, and I have a few other to-dos on my list,” said Laue.
In addition to spending more time with her family in Colorado, Laue still sees her heart for service unfolding during retirement— she plans to purse volunteer opportunities in her new community.
Raised with a deep appreciation for conservation and being shaped by her service to members and the public, it is not surprising that Laue’s retirement will mirror much of what she has pursued so passionately in life—resource conservation, sustainability and giving back to others.
The BEC Board of Directors, along with the entire staff of BEC, would like to extend sincere gratitude and appreciation to Fran Laue for her tireless years of service to the cooperative and its members, and we wish her all the best in her retirement. D
Go Paperless: Convenient Account Management at Your Fingertips
STILL WAITING ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL to arrive in the mail? Tired of sorting through mail clutter each month? Make the switch to paperless billing and enjoy a faster, more convenient way to stay connected to your BEC account. From secure online payments to added savings for members, there are plenty of reasons to Go Paperless with BEC.
What Does It Mean to Go Paperless?
Instead of receiving a paper bill in the mail each month, you can choose to receive your bill digitally. When your bill is ready, you’ll receive an email notification with convenient access to view and pay it online or through the myBEC app. Once your payment is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email—no paper required!
Going Paperless Helps Save BEC Money
Did you know paper bills come with a significant cost?
Printing, postage, envelopes, and other mailing expenses cost BEC more than $250,000 each year. By choosing paperless billing, members help reduce these expenses while also cutting down on unnecessary paper waste.
As a member-owned cooperative, every dollar saved matters and helps BEC return more value to its member-owners—you!
Using SmartHub to Manage Your Account
Managing your account is easier than ever with SmartHub. Members can access SmartHub by logging into their myBEC account online or through the myBEC mobile app. With SmartHub, you can securely view current and past bills, make payments, monitor energy usage, update contact information, report outages, and more—all from one convenient location.
Paper bills can limit many of these features, often requiring you to wait for statements to arrive before accessing important account information. With SmartHub, you’ll have faster access to the tools and information you need to manage your account anytime, anywhere.
How to Go Paperless
Ready to go paperless? Simply scan the QR code below to complete our easy online enrollment form and make the switch in just a few minutes.
Prefer another option? You can also enroll through your SmartHub account at BanderaElectric.com, through the myBEC mobile app, or by contacting our Member Relations team at 866.226.3372 for assistance.D
Interested in Serving? BEC Board of Directors Nomination Deadline Nears
THE DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS to the 2026 Board of Directors for Bandera Electric Cooperative is fast approaching, with Districts 1, 2 and 3 up for election this year.
Members may have their name placed on the ballot by submitting a petition with at least 100 member signatures from their district. The completed petition and application must be submitted to BEC Headquarters no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026.
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, with directors serving three-year terms. 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 by 5:00 PM on 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 will begin on September 18, 2026, when members will receive voting instructions along with candidate biographies. Members may cast ballots for all director positions, regardless of their district.
All votes must be submitted by noon on October 16, 2026. Election results will be finalized following the close of voting.
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.
The announcement of the new board members will take place at BEC’s 2026 Member Appreciation Fall Festival and 87th Annual Meeting scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Enchanted Springs Ranch.
For more information about the election process or how to run for the Board, members are encouraged to review their election materials or contact BEC directly.D
Below is a general timeline to help guide you through the election process:
• July 20, 2026 – Deadline for Director Application Package
• September 3, 2026 – Director Candidate Validation
• September 18, 2026 – Director Election Opens
• October 16, 2026 – Director Election Closes
• October 17, 2026 – BEC’s 2026 Annual Meeting
Grilled Shrimp With Herb and Wine Butter
½ cup (1 stick) butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh chives
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
1½–2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined Olive oil
Lemon wedges, for serving
1. In a saucepan, heat butter and garlic over very low heat, just until sizzling. Stir in herbs and cook 1–2 minutes more. Whisk in wine and lemon juice and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Place shrimp in a large bowl and drizzle with enough oil to lightly coat. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
3. Grill shrimp in a preheated paella pan (or in a wire basket or on skewers) about 5–7 minutes total, stirring frequently, until shrimp is pink and just tender. Serve warm with lemon wedges.
SERVES 4-6
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary ¼ cup dry white wine Find this and more delicious recipes online at TexasCoopPower.com.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Independence Day
Saturday, July 4
All BEC offices and lobbies will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
National Day of the Cowboy
Saturday, July 25
National Disability Independence Day
Sunday, July 26
Bandera Electric Cooperative
Bandera Electric Cooperative
CONTACT US
P.O. Box 667 • Bandera, TX 78003
CONTACT US
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
Open Position
District 3 Jeffery “Jeff” Slocum
District 2 Frances “Fran” Laue
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 8 Michael D.T. Edwards
District 7 Christopher “Chris” Blakemore
District 8 Michael D.T. Edwards, Chairman
Kurt Solis
District 9 Kurt Solis, Secretary-Treasurer
Key Staff
Key Staff
William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO
William “Bill” Hetherington, CEO
Stephanie Pankratz, CFO
Stephanie Pankratz, CFO
John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO
Shane Schmidt, COO
John Padalino, General Counsel and CAO
Shane Schmidt, COO
Mission Statement
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
OFFICES
For hours and information, visit banderaelectric.com/hours.
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)
Comfort | 739 Front St. (Highway 27)
Leakey | 485 W. Ranch Road 337
Leakey | 485 W. Ranch Road 337
PAYMENT OPTIONS
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
FOLLOW US
• 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
CONTACT US
• 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
Meet the Beauty in the Beast
Discover this spectacular 6½-carat green treasure from Mount St. Helens!
F or almost a hundred years it lay dormant. Silently building strength. At 10,000 feet high, it was truly a sleeping giant. Until May 18, 1980, when the beast awoke with violent force and revealed its greatest secret. Mount St. Helens erupted, sending up an 80,000-foot column of ash and smoke. From that chaos, something beautiful emerged… our spectacular Helenite Necklace
Helenite is produced from the heated volcanic rock of Mount St. Helens and the brilliant green creation has captured the eye of jewelry designers worldwide. Today you can wear this massive 6½-carat stunner for only $99!
Make your emeralds jealous. Our Helenite Necklace puts the green stone center stage, with a faceted pear-cut in a luxurious gold-finished setting. The explosive origins of the stone are echoed in the flashes of light that radiate as the piece swings gracefully from its 18" luxurious gold-finished chain. Today the volcano sits quiet, but this unique piece of American natural history continues to erupt with gorgeous green fire.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Bring home the Helenite Necklace and see for yourself. If you are not completely blown away by the rare beauty of this exceptional stone, simply return the necklace within 30 days for a full refund of your purchase price.
JEWELRY SPECS: - 6 ½ ctw Helenite in gold-finished setting - 18" gold-finished chain
wife received more compliments on this stone on the first day she wore it than any other piece of jewelry I’ve ever given her.”
J. from Orlando, FL Stauer Client
Necklace enlarged to show luxurious color.
Page Earners
BY W.F. STRONG • ILLUSTRATION BY SHAW NIELSEN
LARRY MCMURTRY ONCE claimed that he was mostly a book hunter who used his side hustle—being a writer—to finance his love of books and reading. He proved that with his 8,500-square-foot bookstore in tiny Archer City, near Wichita Falls. My knowledge of that market, by comparison, amounts to about 5 square feet. So I stopped to see friends James Gannon and Blake Johnson. They operate a fine antiquarian bookstore called InkQ Rare Books in Addison.
Gannon and Johnson have a great deal of McMurtry’s personal library on their shelves and a good deal of Bill Wittliff’s, too, among many others of all genres. It’s a magical place to browse (by appointment only).
I wanted their insights on the value of Texas collectibles—wealth that might be sitting on your own shelf. They told me that there are many, many caveats to determining the value of a collectible book—things like first or limited editions, signed copies, and condition among them. They hesitate to say what a book is worth without taking a close look because there are so many variables. But they were able to give me some general guidance on retail values, which is the price you might get if a collector very much wanted your unique volume.
McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove, in hardback, first edition, signed by the author, is worth a good deal: $500–$1,000, depending on provenance.
Listen as W.F. Strong narrates this story on our website.
Signed editions of Blood Meridian, Cormac McCarthy’s apocalyptic, antiWestern opus written during the 20-some years that he lived in Texas, are worth much more because he didn’t sign books much at all: up to $10,000.
Elmer Kelton’s critically acclaimed The Time It Never Rained could bring $600. What about Edna Ferber’s Giant? A signed first edition with a perfect dust jacket: $800. Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne? The 2011 chronicle of the rise and fall of Quanah Parker and the Comanches has been a mega bestseller for years. There are many, many copies out there, but a signed first-edition hardback might fetch $300–$500.
As always, these are estimates. The market may be willing to pay a bit more or less, depending on many factors.
And then there are the rare older books, less known by the general public but still wonderful because they captured snapshots of life on the frontier.
For instance, The Trail Drivers of Texas by J. Marvin Hunter is worth perhaps $1,000–$2,000. And The Adventures of Big-Foot Wallace, published in 1870 by John Crittenden Duval, could fetch $5,000 or more.
If you have Charles Siringo’s A Texas Cow Boy, published in 1885, you could have a little gold mine on your shelf. In 2022, that book sold at auction for $94,500.
Gannon and Johnson figure the most valuable Texas artifact is William B. Travis’ victory or death letter written at the Alamo It’s housed at the Texas State Library and Archives, but if it were for sale, they estimate it would go for at least $10 million and probably much, much more. D
Rare books can mean wealth on your shelf
Don’t Skimp on Shrimp
This seafood is swimming in flavor—plus there’s firecrackers
BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR
My mami worked as a teacher’s aide, and during her summer break she worked at the local shrimp factory. She sorted and packed shrimp alongside her friend Yolanda. They would walk home together, laughing, chatting and loaded with shrimp. This month seemed like the perfect opportunity to share her ceviche recipe.
Shrimp Ceviche
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh lime juice
1 serrano pepper, minced
1/3 cup finely diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
1/2 cucumber, seeds removed, finely diced
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons Valentina hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 avocado, diced
Tostadas or tortilla chips, for serving
1. Dice shrimp, cutting each into 3–4 pieces, and place in a large glass bowl.
2. Add lime juice and serrano and stir to combine. Cover bowl and refrigerate 1 hour.
3. Stir in onion, cilantro, cucumber, tomatoes, hot sauce, oregano, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding additional hot sauce or salt if desired.
4. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Before serving, gently stir in avocado. Serve with tostadas or tortilla chips and cilantro to garnish.
SERVES 4
Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Creamy Chipotle Lime Shrimp.
Shrimp Oliver
CHRISTIE PARTEE
TRINITY VALLEY EC
The simplicity of this recipe caught my eye, but the flavor kept me coming back. Shrimp spiced up with Tabasco, cayenne and wine makes a great date night dish … swoon.
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
2 tablespoons minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Cooked rice or pasta, for serving
1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and garlic and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Stir in shrimp, paprika, Tabasco and cayenne. Cover and reduce heat. Cook
7 minutes or until shrimp are fully cooked.
3. Stir in flour, water, wine and salt. Increase heat to high and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes, until sauce has thickened.
4. Stir in parsley. Serve warm, over rice or pasta.
SERVES 4
$500 WINNER
Texas Two-Step Firecracker Shrimp Scampi
BARBARA SAVAGE COSERV
Plump shrimp swimming in a spicy and buttery garlic lemon sauce is my idea of a good time. The Firecracker Cocktail Sauce brings the heat, which I couldn’t get enough of. I served this with plenty of bread to sop up the delicious scampi sauce.
FIRECRACKER
COCKTAIL SAUCE
1/4 cup ketchup
1–2 tablespoons prepared white horseradish
2 tablespoons chunky salsa
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
Diced jalapeño peppers (optional)
SHRIMP SCAMPI
11/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2–1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeño pepper, seeds removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
COOK’S TIP: The Firecracker Cocktail Sauce can be easily adjusted for your spice level preference. The amount of horseradish, spice level of your salsa and whether you include jalapeño all will affect the heat of the sauce.
1. FIRECR ACKER COCKTAIL SAUCE
In a small bowl, mix ketchup, 1 tablespoon horseradish, salsa, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt and jalapeño, if desired, until well combined. Taste and add additional horseradish if desired. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. SHRIMP SCAMP I Pat shrimp dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat until butter is melted and foamy.
3. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, if desired, cooking just until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1½–2 minutes per side, just until pink and opaque.
4. Remove skillet from heat and stir in lemon zest, lemon juice and jalapeño. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
5. To serve, arrange shrimp on a platter and spoon garlic-lemon butter over the top. Serve warm with the cocktail sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.
SERVES 4
$500 Recipe Contest
HOLIDAY TRADITIONS DUE JUL 10
Food and family are hallmarks of the holidays. What recipe brings your household together? We’ll print our favorites in the December issue, wrapping up $500 for the winner.
UPCOMING: SMOOTHIES DUE AUG 10
Cajun Shrimp and Andouille Pasta
MARK MCNIEL
PEDERNALES EC
McNiel has been whipping up this pasta since his college days at Texas Tech University. I can see why it would be a go-to after a day of classes and studying—it’s pure comfort.
12 ounces uncooked rigatoni
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon celery salt
8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced diagonally into thin rounds
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) butter
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 shallot, finely diced
1/4 cup white cooking wine or dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided use
1. Cook rigatoni according to package directions, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, rosemary and celery salt. Stir to fully coat shrimp in seasoning.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, lightly brown the sausage. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. To the same skillet, add oil and butter. Add seasoned shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes per side or until lightly browned. Remove shrimp and set aside.
5. Add bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and shallot and cook an additional minute, stirring constantly.
6. Add wine and lemon juice to the skillet. Deglaze the skillet by vigorously scraping the browned bits from bottom of pan. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Whisk in heavy cream, pepper and Parmesan until smooth.
7. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cooked pasta, sausage, shrimp and 1 tablespoon parsley. Stir in pasta water, as needed, if the sauce is thick. Serve with the remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and Parmesan cheese to garnish.
SERVES 4
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PROTECT WHAT MATTERS MOST
Waiting on the Wings
The world’s largest bat colony emerges from a cave outside San Antonio
BY CHET GARNER
THERE ARE TEXAS SUNSETS —and then there’s the sunset I saw on the outskirts of San Antonio one evening: 15 million bats blotting out the sun. Evenings like this can only be witnessed at the Bracken Cave Preserve, home to the world’s largest colony of bats and one of the largest concentrations of mammals on the planet.
After buying a required advance ticket online, I arrived just before dusk on the private property of Bat Conservation International as the summer heat began to fade and the air thickened with anticipation. I joined a group of batty tourists (like me) as we stood by and stared into a relatively small, eye-shaped hole in the ground. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that there were millions of Mexican free-tailed bats hiding inside.
At first, it was subtle. A flicker. A ripple. Then the cave mouth began to churn like a living cloud. Suddenly, an endless ribbon of wings spiraled into the sky.
It wasn’t a swarm but more of an organized cyclone twisting upward and over our heads. I felt bad for the first few bats that met the talons of hungry hawks waiting for their nightly meal. As the bat-nado grew, its fluttering sound turned into thunderous applause. I’ve seen bat colonies take flight before, but this was bigger and closer. And louder.
These bats fan out across Central Texas, devouring more than 100 tons of insects before returning by dawn. Farmers love them, scientists study them and visitors like me just stand there, grinning like we’ve stumbled into one of nature’s best-kept secrets.
The whole evening reminded me that some of the most extraordinary experiences in Texas don’t come with neon signs or funnel cakes but can still leave an impression that lasts a lifetime. D
ABOVE Millions of bats race past Chet in search of their nightly meal.
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.
JULY
9
Claude [9–11] Caprock Roundup, (806) 310-9044, claudetexas.com
10
11
12
Kemp Aley Picnic, (903) 880-3186, facebook.com/ groups/aleypicnic
Weatherford Parker County Peach Festival, (817) 596-3801, peachfestivaltx.com
Kerrville [11–12] Summer Market, 1-800-392-9904, texasmarketguide.com
Plano ’70s Pop Up Market, (469) 422-3885, bit.ly/70spopupmarket
15
Childress [15–17] Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo, (806) 290-2848, jrcarodeo.com
Fort Worth [15–19, 21–26] Hamilton, (817) 212-4280, basshall.com
17
18
Fairfield [17–18] Fuzzy Peach Festival, (903) 389-5792, fairfieldtexaschamber.com
Huntsville [17–18] Texas Thimble Trail, (936) 329-1376, texasthimbletrail.com
Bonham Margarita Rodeo, (903) 583-4811, bonhamchamber.com
Fredericksburg Wrede School Open House, (830) 685-3321, historicschools.org
40th Annual TRAPPINGS OF TEXAS
Opening Weekend: September 17-19
Round Rock [23–26] Brick Rodeo, brickrodeo.com
Driftwood [24–25] Hill Country Rally for Kids Barbecue Cook-Off, info@hcrally.com, hcrally.com
Victoria [24–26, 30–August 2] Singin’ in the Rain, (361) 576-6277, theatrevictoria.org
Bandera National Day of the American Cowboy, (210) 920-5180, banderabusiness.com
Buffalo Gap Tour de Gap, (325) 829-0617, tourdegap.com
Giddings Sip & Shop Christmas in July, (979) 542-3455, business.giddingstx.com
San Angelo Buffalo Soldier Anniversary Day, (325) 657-4444, bit.ly/fortconcho
Schertz Cibolo Creek Ducks Unlimited Banquet, (303) 915-5371, bit.ly/cibolocreekdu
Fort Worth [4–9] Suffs, (817) 212-4280, basshall.com
Corsicana [6–9, 13–16] Finding Nemo Jr., (903) 872-5421, thewlac.com
We pick events for the magazine directly from TexasCoopPower.com. Submit your October event by August 1, and it just might be featured in this calendar.
Celebrate the 40th annual exhibit and sale of contemporary Western art and custom cowboy gear at Trappings of Texas. The show continues through October 31, 2026, at the Museum of the Big Bend on the Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine, Texas.
Scan the QR code to win 3 nights in a Hotel Parker casita and tickets for the Trappings of Texas Opening Weekend
museumofthebigbend.com
Hit the Road Event Calendar
Fairs, festivals, food and family fun! Pick your region. Pick your month. Pick your event. With hundreds of events across Texas listed every month, TexasCoopPower.com has something for you.
In the heart of the Texas Hill Country visit 17 historic one-room schools built between 1847 and 1936 by following the120 mile Gillespie County Country Schools Driving Trail through the scenic Fredericksburg,Texas countryside. Restor
Images from 2025 Trappings of Texas (L to R): Eagle and Flower Spurs by Jerry Galloway, Pease River Rebel by K.W. Whitley, Saddle by Troy West
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Americans are honoring the enduring spirit of freedom first declared on July 4, 1776. This milestone year also marks four decades of the Silver Eagle, struck in one ounce of 99.9% fine American silver. Enhanced here with breathtaking finishes of 24-karat Gold, Black Ruthenium, or Rose Gold, America’s most collected silver coin has been elevated into a true masterpiece. Together, these commemorative 2026 Silver Eagles pay tribute to a nation built on determination, self-rule, and pride in its ongoing journey.
One of the Most Popular Silver Coins on the Planet. First struck in 1986, the Silver Eagle is one of the most popular silver coins on the planet. The official silver bullion coin of the U.S., it’s revered for its classic Walking Liberty obverse design created by Adolph A. Weinman back in 1916 and impressive Eagle Landing reverse design created by artist Emily Damstra. These special 40th Anniversary coins are still official U.S. legal tender, struck in one ounce of 99.9% fine silver, but thanks to unique gilding they boast remarkable eye appeal that makes them stand out in a big way.
99.9% U.S. Fine Silver Coins Guaranteed. The beautiful, unique gilded appearance of these coins makes them a valued addition to your collection that is sure to impress. Each is Brilliant Uncirculated, struck in 99.9% Fine Silver—lavishly layered (gilded) in 24-karat Gold, 24-karat Gold with a Silver Liberty or a Silver Field, or in Black Ruthenium with a 24-karat Gold or Rose Gold Liberty. Quantities are limited! Only 1000 of each variety of the Gilded Silver Eagles are available, so hurry!
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457213 Black Rutheniumw/24K Gold
457212 Black Ruthenium w/Rose Gold
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Reverse side features Emily S. Damstra’s beautiful landing eagle
24K Gold
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Seasoned Snaps
Upcoming Contests
See Focus on Texas on our website for many more Seasoned Snaps photos from
Having learned a few things along the way, these readers choose their subjects wisely. All we know is, with this many years of experience behind the camera, you’re bound to have a few big shots.
CURATED BY GRACE FULTZ
1 PAUL GARCIA MEDINA EC
“Taking in the beauty of the smallest things in nature.”
2 TOM SLOTT GRAYSON-COLLIN EC
“A different perspective on what really matters.”
3 MICHELE BENNETT GVEC
“Wild turkeys in DeWitt County stay off the dinner table.”
4 LAURA BREWER COSERV
“Vibrant gazania flowers—almost a flush!”
Heart of Stone
You too can deliver a dose of unexpected joy with a simple rock
BY JOBETH PILCHER
A SMALL ROCK with the shape of Texas painted on it was recently found in the Netherlands. A message on the bottom directed the finder to “Keep or Hide” and included the name of a website. The finder posted a picture and indicated that the rock would be hidden again.
How cool is that?
I first became aware of this trend during the pandemic when I was reading about ways people were sending positive vibes during social isolation.
About the same time, I ran across the Facebook page for Fort Worth Rocks!! and found that many people were painting messages and pictures on rocks and hiding them for others to find. When someone found a rock, they posted a picture of it and often included a comment about how finding it had brightened their day.
Children look at the rocks at Parr Park Rock Art Trail in Grapevine. The park claims to have the biggest collection of painted rocks in the world.
I began painting rocks and hiding them in plain sight so that people in my area of rural North Texas would find them. They were colorful yet simple, with words like smile, joy and sing.
And they were a big hit. Many of my neighbors still display their finds on their mailbox posts. One started a mini painted rock garden, and others use them as paper weights or mantel displays.
Megan Murphy of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is credited with starting the trend of hiding painted rocks. One day in 2015, she went to a beach seeking inspiration and wondered if others might also be there for that reason. So she began painting messages on rocks and leaving them for others to find. From that emerged the Kindness Rocks Project.
The trend spread worldwide. While many painted rocks continue to include words or messages, they increasingly include more artwork. But the overall objective hasn’t changed: to spread kindness. The hope is that finding a rock will brighten the finder’s day.
One of the most well-known locations in Texas is Parr Park Rock Art Trail in Grapevine. During the pandemic, resident Ron Olsen and his family painted 10 rocks and scattered them along the trail. The artwork began multiplying as other hikers added more. Thousands of rocks now line the path.
I visited the trail for my birthday, and it was worth the drive. The sheer number of painted rocks was almost unfathomable. One stone indicated the park had 24,459 painted rocks—a world record. Among rocks with Einstein’s face, the Beatles, realistic dogs and landscape scenes was a collection, each with a letter, arranged to spell out, “Will you marry me?”
International Drop a Rock Day is July 3. So get painting—and watch where you’re walking. D
