SEPTEMBER 2026
BUILT TO LEAD
TERRY WILSON
SOLDIER • STATESMAN • TEXAN WORTH THE DRIVE Old West Meets New in Hico
WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS" The Texas State Fair
BELLE CHIMES IN Seeking Counsel
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 / COVER FEATURE • Meet Terry Wilson 6 / WHAT MAKES TEXAS 'TEXAS'? • The Texas State Fair 10 / WORTH THE DRIVE • Old West Meets New in Hico 12 / BELLE CHIMES IN • Seeking Counsel PUBLISHER Cathy Payne GRAPHICS & DESIGN Ann Marie Kennon Joni Mozis
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COVER FEATURE
by A nn Ma r i e Ke nnon • p h oto c ou rte s y Re p. Ter r y Wi ls o n
Meet
TERRY WILSON
A SOLDIER’S APPROACH TO LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION, AND TEXAS’ FUTURE Long before Terry Wilson began working on state budgets, education policy, workforce development, or emergency preparedness, he spent 32 years serving his country as an American soldier. That experience continues to shape the way Colonel Wilson approaches his work as the Texas House District 20 representative. His record in the Legislature reflects a leader focused not simply on identifying problems, but on understanding the systems behind them, bringing the right people together, and investing in solutions designed to work for the long term. Nowhere is that more apparent than in one of his signature priorities: education.
EDUCATION WITH A DESTINATION Public and higher education became a major focus for Rep. Wilson after he was elected to the Texas House. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III in 2021, he helped oversee the portion of the state budget responsible for public and higher education—more than one-third of the entire Texas budget. But he has consistently argued that educational success should not be defined exclusively by a four-year college degree. His interest in vocational education began during his Army career. As an acquisition executive, Colonel Wilson was responsible for moving completed military research and devel4
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opment into production. He saw defense contractors rely on foreign partners because the United States lacked sufficient domestic production capacity and skilled workers. For him, the shortage was more than an economic concern; dependence on overseas manufacturing could also put American intellectual property and national security at risk. That experience became a catalyst for his efforts to expand Career and Technical Education in Texas. During his tenure as Article III chairman, Wilson helped direct major invest-
At a Glance
RETIRED U.S. ARMY COLONEL 32 years of service • Decorated Combat Veteran TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE House District 20 LEADER IN THE TEXAS HOUSE Chairman, House Committee on Higher Education FOCUS AREAS Education & Workforce • Higher Education Property Taxes • Defense & Veterans Infrastructure • Disaster Preparedness PERSONAL Married to Shannon for 30 years and father to William, a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army, and Benjamin, a member of the TAMU Corps of Cadets. Rep. Wilson earned a BS in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and an MS in Strategic Logistics Plans and Management from the Air War University. Pol. Ad. Paid for by the Terry Wilson Campaign
COVER FEATURE
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College is one path to success, not the definition of success.
ments toward P-TECH programs that allow schools to partner with community colleges, technical colleges, and industry. Students can begin exploring careers as early as 7th grade and work toward certifications, college credit, associate degrees, and workforce experience while still in school.
devastating 2025 Hill Country floods, served on the Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. He carried legislation in the House requiring outdoor warning sirens in flash-flood-prone areas and supported stronger emergency planning for youth camps.
The goal, the Representative has said repeatedly, is to give students multiple pathways to success while ensuring workforce programs correspond to jobs Texas actually needs.
Now, as Chairman of Higher Education, he similarly connects economic growth with national security; helping lay the groundwork for the Texas University Fund, which established a $1 billion investment fund to support university research. More recently, he authored and passed HB 127, creating a Research Security Council to help Texas institutions protect sensitive research and intellectual property from foreign threats.
That philosophy continues today. Recent state investments include approximately $850 million in a permanent Texas State Technical College endowment, as well as programs supporting equipment and short-term training for high-demand careers. Rep. Wilson also advocates greater cooperation among school districts, colleges, workforce boards, and employers rather than asking students to navigate separate systems on their own.
PROTECTING TEXAS’ FUTURE Terry Wilson’s military background is also evident in his work on defense, emergency preparedness, and higher education research. During his time as Chairman of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, he focused on protecting Texas military installations while strengthening the communities surrounding them. His priorities include military family quality of life, professional license portability for military spouses, preventing encroachment around installations, and ensuring Texas remains positioned to attract new military missions. The same emphasis on preparedness extends to natural disasters. Rep. Wilson has advocated stronger coordination among local responders and state agencies and, following the
GROWTH WITH ACCOUNTABILITY Closer to home, Rep. Wilson has also focused on problems created by Central Texas’ extraordinary growth. In Williamson County, that includes the rapid expansion of aggregate production operations—the quarries and facilities supplying the sand, gravel, and crushed stone necessary for roads and construction. He has pushed for reforms addressing air quality, noise, traffic safety, groundwater use, setbacks, and reclamation while acknowledging the industry’s importance to a growing state. That balance is characteristic of his approach: economic growth and infrastructure are necessary, but so are accountability, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and protection of the communities affected by that growth. Across issues as different as school finance, skilled trades, military readiness, research security, disaster planning, property taxes, and infrastructure, a common thread emerges from his years in office.
The mission may change, but the method is familiar: identify what Texas will need next, bring the pieces together, and start building before the need becomes a crisis.
AFFORDABILITY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY As Central Texas grows, Wilson has emphasized the importance of ensuring families and small businesses can afford to grow with it. Reducing the burden of property taxes remain central to that effort. He supports reining in rapidly rising home appraisals, arguing that meaningful relief requires addressing the appraisal process that drives tax bills higher. Wilson has also backed efforts to reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses, which he describes as the heart of the Texas economy. On top of having passed the first meaningful property tax reforms focused on small businesses, his approach connects fewer regulatory costs with local job creation and relief from the rising expenses facing employers and consumers alike. Energy and insurance costs are part of the same affordability challenge. Wilson supports expanding energy production to lower utility bills and prices at the pump, as well as curbing lawsuit abuse that he says contributes to higher health, home, and automobile insurance premiums. He also helped pass the constitutional amendment permanently prohibiting a state income tax in Texas. As new industries reshape the region, Wilson has called for local data centers to be held accountable for their effects on surrounding communities. For Wilson, attracting investment must go hand in hand with protecting taxpayers, managing costs, and ensuring economic growth improves residents’ quality of life.
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THE TEXAS STATE FAIR A MEGA-EVENT CELEBRATING TEXAS CULTURE
WHAT
MAKES TEXAS
“TEXAS”? by Li nda A . T h or nton
In 1886, a group of Dallas businessmen “planted the seed” and organized the first state fair on a North Dallas farm, attracting 100,000 visitors in its first season. Today the fair has reaped the bounty with more than two million visitors annually. The longest-running fair in the nation—24 consecutive days—features more than 100 daily attractions in the world’s largest collection of art deco exhibit buildings at the Fair Park in Dallas, designated a National Historic Landmark. Along the way, their ride safety program is considered an amusement industry model.
SAVOIR-FAIRE OF THE FAIR After a visit to the livestock exhibits and birthing barn, which are almost mandatory at any state fair, the fair takes on a personality all its own and promotes its “Texas-size” bold culture. Since 1952, Big Tex, a 55’ tall icon, has been the fair’s official greeter, welcoming visitors in his heavy Texas twang. Claimed to be the world’s tallest cowboy, he has a hinged jaw so that he appears to be “speaking” as he announces the daily events.
Towering 65 feet above the Midway, the $5-million Texas Skyway is a gondola ride which transports visitors around the fairgrounds. With a cost of over $2 million to build, the famous 212-foot Texas Star Ferris Wheel guarantees you the best 20-story view of the fair and the Dallas skyline in a 12-minute ride. More than 70 carnival games, rides, and attractions are also featured on the State Fair of Texas Midway. Take the advice of experienced fair attendees and visit the Midway before eating too much of the rich, unique foods that all seem to begin with the words “deep fried.” Though everything from butter, alligator, Twinkies, cheesecake, pork ribs, banana splits, and a batter-based fried Coke compete to steal the spotlight from Fletcher’s brand corny dogs, the famous food invented at the fair in 1942 remains the “top dog,” though turkey legs, hot roasted corn, and funnel cakes are still fan favorites.
“Well, thank y’all kindly for noticing my new size 96 Lucchese boots.” Big Tex discussing his giant custom footwear
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WHAT MAKES TEXAS, "TEXAS" The Red River Rivalry games continue, as the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma play their annual game during the State Fair at the Cotton Bowl. Every evening, colorful floats, larger-than-life puppets, and performers dressed in ornate costumes wind through the grounds in the Drive Like a Texas Starlight Parade. Attend the State Fair of Texas Rodeo —free with admission—as the excitement builds up to the world finals. The acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil meets country music in all new production entitled “Songblazers.” Daily free live music is included with admission on multiple stages throughout the park. For the perfect ending to your visit, attend Mattress Firm’s Illumination Sensation, which features pyrotechnics, acrobats, and fireworks.
TUCKED AWAY ATTRACTIONS Watch for signs at concession stands featuring the Big Choice Award Winners, the best tasting and creative food winners from a record 77 entries this year. Bring your favorite prepared dish from home and enter various contests at The Competition Kitchen. The Swifty Swine Pigs, a fair favorite, dress for success and compete in races held multiple times daily. There is nothing unusual about a local Texas artist paying homage to the fair’s 140th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday, except that this quirky
and marvelous, yet to be unveiled sculpture is made entirely of butter. For a quiet respite, visit the Texas Discovery Gardens. In addition to over seven acres of garden, there’s a Snakes of Texas exhibit and a daily noon butterfly release. Visit the African American Museum featuring a special Nelson Mandela exhibit or the Hall of State that celebrates Texas culture.
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WORTH THE DRIVE
by Gre ta Ba uer
Old West Meets Small-Town Texas in Hico
Wild West legends, pecan tree-lined riverbanks, and small-town hospitality all come together in Hico, a charming historic Texas town about 100 minutes north of Liberty Hill. Here, visitors can spend the day in a museum tracing the story of an infamous outlaw, browsing Western goods and antiques, and indulging in artisan chocolates and farm-to-table meals as they enjoy all the storied Texan charm that make Hico (pronounced high-koh) special. A WALK THROUGH THE PAST Founded in 1883 along the Texas Central Railroad, Hico grew from a community rooted in cotton and cattle into a bustling commercial center. Today, traces of that history remain along Pecan Street with Victorian-era buildings, limestone and brick facades, and colorful vintage advertising murals. History buffs can follow one of Hico’s most intriguing legends to the Billy the Kid Museum, where exhibits explore the controversial story that notorious outlaw Billy the Kid may not have been shot and killed by Pat Garrett in New Mexico in 1881 but lived in Hico under the name Brushy Bill. A statue of Billy the Kid stands downtown as another nod to the town’s Wild West lore. For a deeper look into Hico’s past, the Hico Retrospective Museum—located upstairs in Blue Star Trading—showcases historic photographs, artifacts, and other pieces of the community’s story. Even simply wandering downtown offers a glimpse into Hico’s past, with historic buildings now housing a lively collection of modern businesses.
TASTES OF THE TOWN One of the best ways to experience Hico is to browse the town’s shops, which offer everything from antiques and home décor to Western apparel, handmade goods, art, and gifts. The Hico Mercantile, housed in a historic 1895 opera house, brings together multiple vendors under one roof, while other downtown shops offer everything from custom leather goods to locally crafted treasures. A visit to Hico wouldn’t be complete without stopping at Wiseman House Chocolates, where handmade truffles, toffees, and other chocolate creations are crafted in a beautifully restored Victorian home. For another quintessential Hico treat, Hico Popcorn Works pops its own specialty popcorn in a variety of flavors. Travelers can also choose from classic Texas comfort food to more contemporary fare. Hico’s food scene includes longtime favorites as well as chef-driven dining, farm-to-table offerings, and local Mexican cuisine. The historic Midland Hotel is home to the Chop House, while Two Clay Birds Bakery & Garden Market offers fresh produce, homemade goods, and a farm-to-table experience. 10
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WORTH THE DRIVE Visit Siloville Climbing Gym for a one-of-a-kind climbing experience. The climbing gym is housed in a converted grain silo with climbing inside and outside. Test your strength and agility on the obstacle course and low ropes course or take a trip on the zip line.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Hico City Park provides a chance to stretch your legs along the Bosque River, while the park features walking and biking trails and picnic areas. For something a little more adventurous, the Siloville Climbing Gym transforms several abandoned grain silos into an epic rock climbing gym and obstacle-course experience.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP While Hico is easy to enjoy in a single day, staying overnight gives visitors more time to discover the town at its own pace. Lodging options range from historic accommodations and bed-andbreakfasts to a vintage Airstream and RV parks near the Bosque River. Scan the code to start mapping out your Hico adventure, or online at VisitHicoTexas.com.
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BELLE CHIMES IN
SEEKING COUNSEL
I
t was 99 degrees outside when I first lit my fire pit, because apparently my ability to make sensible decisions doesn't account for weather. Night after night this summer I sat beside an open flame, dripping with sweat and drinking water from a jug large enough to prepare me for a medical procedure. Anyone looking over the fence would have been justified in calling for a wellness check... but I have a termite metropolis to burn. We accumulated several cords of wood from eight trees we had to have cut down but didn’t have enough occasion to burn it. Hubby never got the chance to split the trunk pieces, so they have been decaying and composting for a while. When I got the bill to install a chemical border wall to protect the house from termites now living in my dirt, burning the logs became was no longer recreation — it was pest control, home maintenance, and revenge. Better yet, it allowed me to do absolutely nothing while still being productive; the Holy Grail of adulting. I sit quietly with a book and watch damaged logs disappear while crossing something off my mental to-do list. The summer light stays late enough for me to read until nearly 9pm, the backyard is pretty quiet, and for a little while, nobody needs anything from me. There are still wobbly car brakes and termites and a damaged roof and contractors and insurance companies and people who would very much like me to sign something today because this special price is only available while their truck is in my driveway. More reasons to miss Hubby. He was wonderfully useful in these situations. I could present whatever problem had just landed on my desk, along with the proposed solution and 12
by A nn Ma r i e Ke nno n
its alarming price tag, and he would generally have an answer before I finished explaining it. Sometimes it was well-pondered legal analysis and sometimes it was a quick, “That's stupid. We're not paying for that” and both were extremely helpful. I miss having someone right there who could cut through the noise and tell me what mattered. So somewhere between feeding another termite condo to the fire and reading my way through a stack of justice with competence novels, I realized I have need of a replacement advisory board: Sherlock Holmes, Jack Reacher, and Alex Cross. Sherlock, of course, is in charge of evidence. He would take one look at the rate of decay in my tree stumps, rub some sawdust between his fingers and announce that three of the eight trees never needed to come down in the first place. “The arborist knew that, of course.” “He said they were dying.” “Yes. I imagine he did. You paid by the tree?” “…yes.” “Thought so.” Then he would glance at the termite damage and explain it occurred after the trees were cut and was entirely preventable, at which point Watson escorts him from my property for his own safety. Reacher handles car salesmen and contractors. As a 6'5" former Army policeman who travels with no luggage, owns practically nothing, and has a particular dislike of those who prey on people they think won't fight back, I feel confident I would only have to say, “They want how much for the roof?” Reacher would look at the estimate, stare at the contractor, and that would pretty much be the end of that.
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Finally, I have Alex Cross, James Patterson's detective and forensic psychologist who specializes in uncovering dirty secrets and occasionally elbow-smashing people trying to keep them. I am assigning him the substandard and overpriced bathroom remodel. This may not be the traditional way to manage a household, but I see very few drawbacks. So, while I once had a resident judge to consult about life's assorted nonsense, I've since assembled a replacement advisory board consisting of a Victorian cocaine enthusiast, a homeless former military policeman, and a detective with family issues. Hubby would probably find this completely reasonable, although he would likely also point out none of them actually have a law license. Then he'd look at whatever estimate was sitting on the kitchen counter and say, “That's stupid. We're not paying for that.” And, really, that's the only voice I'm trying to channel. Meanwhile, the woodpile is getting smaller as daylight saving time comes to an end. Texas will finally stop trying to cook me, and sitting beside a fire will cease to be evidence of mental instability. As It turns out, I rather like sitting quietly while solving problems. I just have to outsource some of the thinking to fictional people. Sherlock can size up the mechanics' levels of honesty, Reacher can intimidate the contractors, and Alex can terminate the bathroom remodel. And even though I only saved the house from pests, and not the whole planet from destruction, I'll celebrate like Project Hail Mary's much more adorable fictional geniuses, Grace and Rocky, and wobble around the fire pit, hollering: “AMAZE! AMAZE! AMAZE!”
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