Issuu

JANUARY 2021

NEW YEAR NEW YOU

WILLIE ZAPALAC

INDUSTRY UPDATE

10 MOMMY MOMENT

32 WILLIE FRANK ZAPALAC

56 NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

14 Meaning behind St. Patrick's Day symbols 18 Austin County Thriving as new businesses, residents move in 40 Escape to Nature at Hatari Wildlife Park In Weimar PUBLISHER Amy Lieb EDITOR Karen Lopez WRITERS Roxanne Avery Carrie Ward Royce Caldwell Nancy Naron PHOTOS Jessica Al-Khalifah Jared Rice Getty Images CONTACT info@austincountyinsider.com

281-731-2999

Copyright © 2021 by Across The Board Media LLC - Austin County Insider. All rights reserved. This publication or any portion there of may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher.

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

LETTER

Dear Reader,

FROM

THE

Editor

It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you to the new Austin County Insider magazine. This is our inaugural issue. Amy and I had a vision to create the best historical, inspiring, emotional and community motivative magazine for Austin County, Texas. We wanted to do something extraordinary but still authentic to the area that we serve. This is a mother and daughter business venture. We are successful because we bounce off each other’s strength and steadfast respect for each other. We cherish AMY LIE the time that we get to spend together B & KAR EN LOPE Z growing our business. Between the two of us, we have more than 30 years’ experience in media and management. This is an exciting moment for us, we hope that it is for you too. Every quarter, you will find a fresh, high-spirited magazine in Austin County. This magazine is a passion for Amy and me, as our community has always had our back, so shall we have yours. Your trust and support in us speak volumes. It is a pleasure to work with you all again. We are honored to have readers and clients like you. We can learn so much from each other. We hope that you will continue to stand by our side in this great endeavor of promoting our community. This project was a resounding success because of your gift of energy, time, and unyielding support. We would like to take this opportunity to say, “Thank You!” from the bottom of our hearts for allowing us to focus on our passion of producing this magazine. Your input, ideas and enthusiasm will be most helpful and welcomed. We will continue to build strong relationships with the goal of bringing you the best content. We promise to strive to include the stories that inspire you. We hope you enjoy it! AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER | 7

Quick dinner, no struggles! As a mommy, it does not matter if you have one child or multiple, we all look for any way to a quick and easy dinner. I have a new favorite and so do my kids! Potato soup, and no, I am not talking about the one that takes all day in a crock pot. This potato soup takes less than fifteen minutes! I have three very picky eaters and was surprised and relieved to see how much they enjoyed this soup and how quickly they ate it. No complaints! It was less than eight dollars to feed our family of five. This will definitely be a new â€œgo toâ€? for dinnertime in the near future.

MOMMY MOMENTS

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

1. This is the best thing ever invented! The Resident Chef Busy Day Potato Soup is dehydrated potato soup and all you must do is add milk.

3. Mix the dry potato soup with milk and stir until it gets to the consistency you desire.

2. Get together your four items: a pot, milk, soup mix and a whisk. This could not be easier or more convenient.

4. Want to spruce it up? Make bread bowls and top with cheese and bacon bits.

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

| 11

The meaning behind popular Saint Patrick is commemorated each March 17 as a man who championed Christianity over paganism in Ireland. St. Patrick was so influential in Ireland that he was proclaimed a saint by popular appeal (as there was no official process for canonization in place until the 12th century). He would later become the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick lived a storied and influential life. He is perhaps most notable for using many different items as symbols for explaining the mysteries of the Christian faith. In fact, St. Patrick's Day is a holiday that is quite rich in traditional symbolism. Even though many of these symbols are familiar and even celebrated, people may not know the full meaning behind their usage.

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AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

St. Patrick's Day symbols These are just a few of the many items and images that are symbolic of St. Patrick's Day.

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AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

AUSTIN COUNTY THRIVING AS NEW BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS MOVE IN BY CARRIE WARD For years, a popular topic of conversation has been residential and industrial growth with many opinions as to how much is enough. The fact is growth is coming. Across the county, businesses are taking notice of all that Austin County has to offer. In Sealy, Hailiang’s recent decision to open up a copper tubing manufacturing plant was like a neon light saying, “we’re open,” according to Robert Worley, Executive Director of the Sealy Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Sealy is expecting several other manufacturing companies including Mass Flange’s expansion, a new Hendrix Industries quartz countertop manufacturing plant, and Anchor Manufacturing, which produces storage racks for distribution centers. Worley emphasized that the city seeks out a mix of businesses with nearly 40 projects in the works in a variety of industries including retail, restaurant, medical, and residential development. Sealy expects its property tax value to increase by about $500 million as the currently planned projects come to fruition. Of course, the question had to be asked - When is HEB coming? Worley said they are coming, but they haven’t said exactly when. HEB looks at the number of rooftops and school enrollment in a community, and most likely the I-10 construction is a consideration as well, he said. The good news is that there are about 1,500 new single-family and multi-family housing units being built in the next four to five years. Also, good news, Worley says the manufacturers and other businesses coming will create enough jobs to fill up the residential developments. Peggy Spradley, Executive Director of the Sealy Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that Sealy’s Blinn College campus and the Workforce agencies will help fuel the companies that need educated or skills-oriented workforce. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

As the home to an existing solar energy farm, Wallis will add another sustainable business to town - an aquaponics farm. The company will raise tilapia in tanks while vegetables grow above them using the water as fertilizer, and both the fish and produce are sold to wholesalers. An added bonus is a conference and training center where they’ll teach other people and companies how to implement aquaponics as an earth friendly, sustainable way to supply food to our communities while attracting visitors to town, explained Marti Frost-Turner, Wallis EDC council member. Another attraction for visitors is the new food truck court that is in the works right now, where there will be space for up to four permanent trucks, along with temporary spaces for other trucks to open up shop for weekends or special events. This brings in food truck “groupies” from out of town who follow the trucks plus offers more variety in dining for locals. Once COVID-19 has passed and it’s safe to do so, Frost-Turner said the city wants to host events and live music here.

“We have more projects being discussed. It’s exciting!” As part of Wallis’ look to the future, the EDC enlisted the help of Texas A&M University’s Texas Target Communities Program (TXTC), which gives real life experience to these second-year city planning students. These students presented six very creative projects that in turn led the EDC to choose the current location for the food court. “We have more projects being discussed. It’s exciting!” Frost-Turner said. On the north side, Bellville is seeing an increase in company annex offices opening and employees working from home, partially due to COVID. EDC Executive Director Larry Kuciemba says Bellville is also getting interest from companies like medical suppliers and a distribution center. The fact that Bellville is home to a hospital and close to colleges like Blinn and Texas A&M University is also a draw to a variety of industries. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

"DESPITE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BELLVILLE HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT SPIKE IN TOURISM. THEIR MONTHLY 1ST SATURDAY MARKET DAY EVENT HAS CONSISTENTLY REQUIRED MORE ROOM FOR OVERFLOW VENDORS AS BUSINESSES SEE THAT BELLVILLE IS STILL SAFELY HOSTING OUTDOOR EVENTS."

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Bellville has seen a significant spike in tourism. Their monthly 1st Saturday Market Day event has consistently required more room for overflow vendors as businesses see that Bellville is still safely hosting outdoor events. “It’s been a shop-small wonder thankfully because outdoor markets have remained essential,” said Tammy Bond, Bellville Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “The 1st Saturday Market Day and Farmer’s Market have helped maintain a sense of community while attracting vendors and shoppers to Bellville each month. This helps sustain our local shops and restaurants beating the effects COVID has had on the local economy.” Just as PBS’ “The Daytripper” TV show recognized Bellville as a worthy Texas travel destination, Bond said visitors come to check out all that the town has to offer including Bellville Meat Market, Newman’s Castle, The Hill, all the retail and restaurants on the square and of course the Stephen F. Austin statue, which pays tribute to Austin County’s important role in Texas history. There’s also been a rise in air b-n-bs in the Bellville area - from seven properties two years ago to more than 15 lodging options now with more in the works. Kuciemba also mentioned Clark Park with its jogging trails, sports fields and green space as an attraction they’re looking to utilize more – possibly for events. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

A comprehensive beautification study done by the city is helping to guide plans for future attractions as more people come to play and stay in Bellville. Why are businesses coming this way? First of all: Access. Austin County is situated in a geographical sweet spot with Highway 36 bringing people straight through almost every city in the county. Bellville is also just miles from U.S. Route 290, and Sealy provides immediate access to I-10. Similarly, Wallis is at the center of several highways and also between I-10 and U.S. 59.

This location provides companies accessibility to Houston, including the Houston Ship Channel, offers residents a straight commute into Houston, and an easy trip for visitors to Austin County’s small-town communities. Businesses also need infrastructure, as well as the residential availability and quality local education to attract employees and customers. “The first question companies are asking is about internet: How fast is your internet?” Kuciemba explained. “Fiber optic is the gold standard and we’re preparing now because we know that this is what people are wanting.” The City of Bellville recently entered into a contract with Zochnet to first implement broadband throughout the city. Within 24 months fiber optic access will be available to every business and residence within Bellville. Kuciemba says the fiber optic capability will also reach five miles outside of city limits and would be easy to expand to Sealy and Wallis, too. Bellville also recognized the need for parking close to the downtown courthouse square so they built the Jim Bishop \Pavilion which not only adds extra downtown parking but also serves as the home for 1st Saturday Market Day, the Farmer’s Market and other events. In Wallis, they realize that in order to attract businesses they need more available homes. Frost-Turner said they have a housing shortage and homes are typically sold or rented before they can even be listed. They’ve also seen a “COVID-19 migration” with interest from urban residents looking for acreage or homes with acreage. “Without the residential you don’t get businesses because they won’t have personnel or customers,” she said. The City of Wallis is expecting a 100-unit housing development, several smaller groups of homes and is in discussions with several other residential developers. They also recognize that flooding is a detractor for prospective residents and businesses alike. Frost-Turner said they are working closely with the county and Brazos River Authority to mitigate flooding. In Sealy, it’s all about location, location, location. “We’re seeing an influx of businesspeople interested in the area for all the right reasons. We enjoy a good tax rate, reasonable land costs and availability along with access to State Highway 36 and I-10 compared with other counties in our areas,” said Sealy Chamber’s Spradley. Prospective companies also benefit from the city’s ability and willingness to offer local property tax abatements and work with companies to secure school district, state and federal incentives. A property tax abatement works like this: A company and the city may agree to a seven-year property tax abatement or reduction in tax rate. Throughout that period the tax rate increases each year and the city annually ensures the company is complying with the agreed upon terms. According to Texas state law, if the city decides that the company is not meeting the terms, the city has the power to perform “clawbacks” where they recover the abated taxes - meaning the company pays back the money. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

ZHEJIANG HAILIANG CO., LTD. IS DEDICATED TO THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, SALES AND SERVICES OF TOP GRADE COPPER PRODUCTS AND IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPETITIVE COPPER PROCESSING COMPANIES IN THE WORLD, THE BIGGEST EXPORT COMPANY OF COPPER PIPES AND COPPER PIPE JOINT PARTS IN CHINA, AND AN EXEMPLARY ENTERPRISE OF FINE MANAGEMENT IN COPPER PROCESSING INDUSTRY.

The city also offers self-generated incentives because both the city and the companies are short on cash during the pandemic. For example, a residential builder may say they don’t have the money to build a water line but, in agreement with the city, they build the line knowing that the city will pay them back once revenue from water usage is received. As Sealy City Manager Lloyd Merrell explained, Sealy also requires every development agreement to include a Direct Pay Permit. This is a State Comptroller program that says no matter where the materials to build the houses or manufacture their products are purchased from, the sales tax comes back to Sealy. Before incentives are discussed, Sealy begins by “studying the daylights out of” a business, Worley said. They aren’t shy about asking a company to “show me the money,” and ensure that any business that wants to move to Sealy is in good standing with the Texas Secretary of State. How do we grow but stay small? One central desire and concern all over Austin County is to maintain the historical and small town charm while also creating opportunities for growth and progress. Finding and maintaining that balance is a focus for both residents and city administrations. Bond of the Bellville Chamber of Commerce describes the goal as “a salt and pepper of old and new across town.” There are many examples of businesses around Bellville that have taken a historical landmark and made it relevant to today without losing its charm. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

For example, Sartain’s Awesome Shoppe has breathed new life into the old boot and saddle shop and Phenix Knives has created an original experience in the Historic 1891 Blacksmith Shop. One of the newest renovations off the square is 22 North Holland, the new chef-owned restaurant located in a 1950-era building with a patio. “The key is communication and working together – the EDC, the County, the City, the Chamber, the School District,” said Kuciemba. “We’ve got everyone thinking about how to attract people to Bellville. ”Worley and Merrell explained successful business partnerships are the result of many discussions to strike a deal that is beneficial to the company and most importantly beneficial to Sealy. In his first conversation with Hailiang management, City Manager Merrell asked how much they planned to pay employees. When they said $12 or $15 an hour, Merrell balked and said, “You may as well pack it up because people aren’t going to work for that.” Hailiang came back with $20 per hour and now because of a state incentive, they are actually required to pay at least $21 an hour. Hailiang’s plant is set to bring 250 jobs, which nearly all could be filled by local residents. The city and EDC also engage companies in community support. Hailiang donated to the railing project in downtown Sealy and have also agreed to pave the gravel parking lot at the school district stadium. “Growth is not bad – it will produce things we really like such as better streets, parks and schools through money to the city. It’s all how you manage it,” said Worley.

SIMPLE KID-FRIENDLY PEPPERONI PIZZA SLIDERS

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders FOR THOSE BUSY NIGHTS PLAN, ON THIS SIMPLE YET SAVORY SLIDERS RECIPE. KIDS ARE ALMOST CERTAIN TO LOVE THE TASTE AND YOU WILL ENJOY HOW QUICK AND EASY THEY ARE TO MAKE. FOR MORE RECIPES, VISIT CULINARY.NET.

1 package slider rolls 1/2 cup pizza sauce 1/2 cup mini pepperoni 1 1/2 cups shredded, low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 teaspoon parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese nonstick cooking spray AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

Heat oven 350ยบ F. Keeping rolls connected, cut sheet of rolls horizontally, separating tops from bottoms. Place bottom halves of rolls in baking dish. Spread pizza sauce evenly over bottom halves. Sprinkle pepperoni over sauce. Sprinkle mozzarella over pepperoni and cover with top halves of rolls. Mix melted butter with parsley flakes, dried oregano, garlic powder, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Spoon evenly over sliders. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray to keep cheese from sticking. Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake additional 5-10 minutes or until Parmesan is melted and golden brown. Cut sliders and serve immediately. Recipe adapted from MilkMeansMore.org

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F A C T O R S T O C O N S I D E R W H E N P L A N N I N G Y E A R R O U N D O U T D O O R D I N I N G S P A C E S

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

l fr fre resco dining is popula l r in spring and la summer, r and that r, a popula at l rity la t re ty r ached new heights t in the summer of 2020. With much ts of the world l still gra ld r ppling with the ra out u bre ut re r ak of the nov ov ove vel coro r nav ro av a irus COVID-19 and gov ove ov vernment off ffi ff ficials l fe ls f aring rising case numbers r if rs indoor gat at a herings were r allo re l wed, many re lo r staura ra r nts ts t were re r limited to t off ffe ff fering only l out ly utd ut tdoor dining to t pat at a ro r ns. Such r strict re ct c ions re r intro r duced many people ro l to le t the ple l asure le r of re out u door dining. ut Out u door dining may ut a be sy ay s nonymous with summer, r, r but ut u there r ’s no re re r ason why good meals ls l can’t be enj n oy nj oye yed out ut ro at ly uts tside ye y ar-ro r und. That at’ t’s especially l true when homeowners rs r and hosts t take ts k sto ke to t ck of cert r ain fa rt f ct cto tors r when pla la ut ey l nning out u door dining spaces they e intend to t use all ye y ar lo l ng. • Lighting: If yo y u pla la l n to t ke k ep out u door dining going af ut aft fter summer, r then some ex r, ext xtra r lighting may ay a be necessary r . ry The sun sets t in la ts lat ate af aft fternoon/early l ev ly eve vening in fa f ll and winter, r, r so yo y u won’t be able l to le t re r ly l on nat a ura at ra r l light to t k ep the dinner table ke l aglo le lo l w. Lighting als ls l o can make ke k out ut re nj le ut u door dining in summer more r enj n oy oya yable l . Out u door string lights t can add a re ts r la lax axing vibe to t a deck or pat at a io. If yo te ts ro ke y u inte t nd to t string the lights t up ye y ar-ro r und, make k sure r pole re l s are le re r sturd rd rdy dy enough to t withstand winter winds.

a her: Table l clo l ths can add a to t uch of cla l ss to t out u door dining ta t ble l s. But u those table l • Weat at le lo la ut le ut le l ths are r only l eff ffe fect c ive v if they e re r main on the table l . Summer bre r ezes might not pro rov ove t o clo lo re ly ff ve ey le re ro ve to r at a a challe l nge in that a re r gard r , but u fa f ll, l winter and spring weat a her might make k it hard r to t gre re le at rd ut l, at ke rd k ep table l clo l ths on the table l where r they e belo l ng. A simple l set of table l clo l th clips can ke le lo le re ey lo le le lo r the wind doesn’t blo l w table l clo l ths aro r und while l people l are r eat a ing or comple l tely l off f ensure re lo le lo ro le le re at le ly ff l when ev eve very ryo yone is inside. Hurricane candle l hold l ers r als l o can make k it easy s to t the table le le ld rs ls ke sy t in the ambiance candle l s pro rov ovide without u hav a ing to t worry r about u the wind mainta ta le ro ut av ry ut ext ex xtinguishing the candle l s in one stro le r ng gust. ro a ing: Guests t might hav ave ve no pro r ble l m dining on tra r ditional summer barbecue fa f re r like ik • Seat at ts av ro le ra ike burg r ers rg r and hot dogs while rs l sitt le t ing in camping chairs tt ir . But irs u hosts ut t who want to ts t serv rv rve ve meals l ls that a re at r quire r the use of a knife re f and fo fe f rk will need to t make k sure ke r all guests re ts t hav ave av ve a seat a at at a the table l . A fo le f ld l able l picnic-sty le t le ty l table l that le a can be easily at il sto ily t re to r d in a gara ra r ge or shed can do the trick. In addition, some deck and pat a io table at le l s are re r exp e andable l , making them ideal options fo le f r hosts t who may ts a want to ay t work aro ro r und social distancing guidelines and serv rv rve ve holiday a meals ay ls l out uts ut tside this ye y ar. r oal grill dev evo votees may a fin f d it fr f ustra rat ating to t ke k ep coals l lit lo l ng enough to t get hot • Grill: Charc rc ev ay ra ls so they e can ke ey k ep enj n oy nj o ing grille l d meals le l af ls aft fter summer and thro ro r ughout u fa ut f ll, l winter and l, r oal/ l grill smoke k r that a does not exp e ose the fir fire ire to t the ele l ments t as much spring. A hybrid charc rc l/ ke at le ts as a tra ra r ditional charc r oal grill can do the trick, rc k, k and such a grill als l o give ls iv s cooks ive ks k the chance to t l w cook and smoke k fo f ods all ye y ar lo l ng. For those with no special dev evo votion to t charc r oal slo lo ke ev rc grills l , a pro ls r pane grill can light up in a mat ro att at tter of seconds re r gard r le rd l ss of the weat a her. at u door dining can be enj n oy oye yed ye y ar-ro r und, especially l when hosts t take k steps to t pre r pare r their Out ut nj ro ly ts ke re re out u door spaces fo ut f r fo f ur seasons’ wort r h of gat rt at a herings.

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

WILLIE FRANK ZAPALAC

( PHOTO COURTESY: TXHSFOOTBALLHOF.ORG ) AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

HIGH SCHOOL PHENOM, COLLEGE STANDOUT, WAR VETERAN, AND COACH.

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

ONE OF THE LONGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL WIN-STREAKS

AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

ORGANIC OR INORGANIC f ts of mulch are widely known among n lawn and garden enthusiasts. By insulating n soil fr f om The benefi fi ng ng extreme temperatures, helping n soil to retain moisture and preventing ng n weed growth, mulch can help ng plants, trees and gardens thrive, even during ng n periods when Mother Nature can make that very diff ffi ff ficult. Novice gardners may fi f nd themselves a little confu f sed when visiting fu ng n a lawn and garden center to f that purchase mulch. Thatâ€™s because there are various types of mulches. One of the ways to simplify fy is to break mulches down into two main classes: org r anic and inorg rg r anic. Learning rg ng n to disting ng ngu guish f r their properties. between these two classes can help homeowners choose the best mulch fo Org r anic mulch rg Org r anic mulches are made up of materials that decompose over time. The experts at BobVila.com rg note that, because they decompose over time, org rg r anic mulches must be replenished on a regu gu g lar bais. Hardwood and soft f wood chips are among ft n the most popular and recognizable org ng r anic mulches. rg Everg rgr rg green needles, leaves, grass clipping n s, and compost mixes also fa ng f ll under the org r anic mulch rg n enthusiasts prefe f r org r anic mulches because they help soil retain umbrella. Many gardening ng fe rg moisture, improve soil fe f rtility and help to deter weed gr g owth. Inorg r anic mulches rg Inorg r anic mulches are permanent because they do not decompose over time. Gravel, brick chips and rg crushed stone are examples of inorg r anic mulches. Homeowners who do not intend to plant aft rg f er ft layi y ng yi n mulch may lean toward inorg r anic mulches, as they wonâ€™t require much work, if any, aft rg ft f er being n laid. However, the Chicag ng ag a o Botanic Garden notes that inorg r anic mulches do not improve soil rg quality. In fa f ct, because inorg r anic mulches like rocks and stones absorb heat, they can be rg detrimental to plants in areas where weather tends to be very dry and hot. The right mulch fo f r a gi g ven property depends on a host of fa f ctors. Understanding ng n the diff ffe ff ferences between org r anic and inorg rg rg r anic mulches is a gr g eat fi f rst step toward fi f nding ng n the right mulch fo f r your landscape. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

E cap Es a e to ap to Na N tu t re r at Ha H ta t ri Wil Wi ild ldl dli l if ife fe Pa P rk r in i We W im i ar AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

The Tour short drive off of I-10 towards Weimar transports you away from highway traffic and everyday life and into the sights and sounds of wildlife. Blood pressure drops, shoulders relax and a sense of peace washes over as you enter the Hatari Wildlife Park drive-thru safari. Here you’re encouraged to slow down or you’ll miss something. But it doesn’t take long to get up close and personal to the wildlife. One minute you’re admiring the first of several ponds and the next an emu pops up with inquiring eyes that ask, “Hey, got any food?” Barbary Sheep and Ibex climb down off the rocks also looking for a hand-out. As you continue on through the open terrain covering 140 acres of the 400-acre property, the emus will most certainly stalk you, and the other animals may give you a look as you approach or pass by, but they continue grazing or lounging allowing you to admire them as long as you like. While various species live together at Hatari Wildlife Park, they are grouped according to environmental needs and t h e i r l i v i n g h a b i t s w i t h i n t h e f o u r r a n g e s o f t h e p a r k : t h e Dunes, the Lower Grasslands,, the Lowland Forest and the Sahel. Up first are the sandy, rocky Dunes that feature dry foliage and sparse grasses. Here you’ll find Dollar the camel, e mus, a herd of bison and African cattle called Ankole, who boast horns that would turn a Texas longhorn green with envy. As with each of the vast habitats, a beautiful pond pro o vides water to drink as well as a home to some of the more than 40 species of duck k s at the park. The Lower Grasslands region is like the African savanna, providing plenty of t all grass for grazing. This area is home to a trio of zebrr as, numerous gazelles, wildebeests and a pair of warr thogs. Ostriches who are as equally curious as the emu u s, but more than twice the size, also roam this region. The Lower Grasslands is h ome to six l emurs at Lemu u r Island, which is completely shaded by a native live oak tree and surrounded by a pond. After you’ve completed your d rive-thru tour, visitors have a chance to o stretch their legs at the Explorer’s Re e treat. Picnic tables are perfectly sha a ded by an enormous live oak tree. Visito o rs can grab a variety of food and drink incc l u d i n g beer and also wine from local Weimar vineyard and winery, The Whistling Duck. The covered pavilion is a perfect spot for celebrations and birthday parties.

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Kids can brush and pet a hand-selected group of tame and adorable goats and check out donkeys and chickens in the petting zoo. A central washing station makes it easy to clean up keeping visitors and animals healthy. Kids can hunt for treasures including fossils, gems and stones at the mining station. More treasures can be found inside a reclaimed silo turned gift shop where the John Wayne movie “Hatari!” plays - the inspiration for the park’s name. The star of the Explorer’s Retreat is Puzzles the 15-foot-tall, 15-year-old, male giraffe who roams around in the Sahel region of the park. He was bottle-fed as a baby and doesn’t know he’s not human, park owner Ron Robichaux said. Puzzles’ barn opens right up to the picnic area and for a small fee, guests can make a connection with Puzzles hand feeding him a favorite treat - carrots. Also, at the Explorer’s Retreat and second in amazement only to Puzzles is the Lowland Forest Area. It is home to more than half a mile of boardwalk through 22 acres of natural wonderland consisting of dense live oak trees and flooded swamp. The wildlife here is varied and includes water bucks, peacocks, Rio Grande turkeys, kangaroos, Red River hogs and much more. A huge mound with tunnels underneath was created for the family of capybaras though they can also be seen sleeping peacefully in the foliage while the babies climb all over mom and dad. The boardwalk allows you to become immersed in the environment; one pier even transports you out to the middle of the naturally flooded timber area. The entire walk also includes plenty of space and seated areas to linger as long as you want while also social distancing. Although animals across the park may take time to rest by disguising themselves in the natural foliage, many are used to humans allowing visitors to get a good look and observe them in a natural environment instead of small enclosures.

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Behind the Scenes The property was originally purchased by brothers Ron and Dean Robichaux as an investment to flip when the price was right, but at some point after enjoying trips and joy rides around the large property, the land decided it wanted to be something else. “I always planned to own a ranch or farm in retirement, but hadn’t thought about a wildlife park,” Ron said. “The more we drove around and admired the beautiful trees and Harveys Creek which runs right through, we decided it would be a shame for it to be split up and sold. Someone mentioned a wildlife park so we started off with some small infrastructure and a few animals and grew from there.”

For more than two years, the brothers, their families and the park team developed the land, adding infrastructure such as fence, cattle guards, ponds and trails, while also acquiring the animals from zoos, wildlife parks and private owners across the country. The park is USDA certified, meaning they follow protocols to ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of the animals including providing rest from the guests, enrichment, food and minerals each species requires, veterinary care and more. Not a detail goes unnoticed by the owners and care takers of this menagerie of animals and vast property. “It’s a round-the-clock job to keep the animals happy and healthy,” Ron explained. As you talk to Ron, you sense the passion and dedication he and his family pour into the animals and land. The park abides by several key philosophies including clean water conservation; protection of the natural carbon filter that trees an n d plants provide; promotion of pollinators including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds; and training on all aspects of animal care and land management. In the swamp area where you’d expect to be swarm m ed by mosquitos at any time of year, they are essentially non-existent. As Ron explained they work to eliminate pests naturally to protect the water sources and th h e animals and plants. Mosquitos are dealt with through an EPA-approved-bacteria th h at the mosquitos eat and then die. Similarly, flies are nowhere to be seen in the p etting zoo or Explorer’s Retreat not only because staff routinely cleans up animal d roppings and the goats’ climbing rocks, but also the use of a predator fly from Colorr ado that kills our everyday flies. “We stay away from pesticides and herbicides as m uch as possible and look for natural alternatives,” he said. In fact, the team looks for natural ways to enhance e and protect the environment all over the park. Tree limbs trimmed from trees on th h e property are given to animals to eat or chew on, which is part of the enrichment the e y require. Trees across the property are inspected routinely by a professional arborist to ensure guest and animal safety. Dead trees are saved if they are not a danger because they play an important role in the ecosystem; their cavities prov v ide shelter and their decay provide food and fertilizer. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

In one of the cavities Ron discovered a natural beehive. It’s close enough where visitors can see it though it’s well disguised so be sure to ask staff where it is located. So far, the bees just go about their business, but they are monitored for aggressiveness to ensure visitor safety. Ron’s staff is training on beekeeping and he would like to host local FFA/4H beekeeping competitions in the future. Training on animal care is also key. The staff recently received lameness prevention training focused on taking care of animals’ hooves and feet. Conservation is at the heart of the park. Ron sees their role as continuing the education zoos provide so smaller communities can experience and learn about these animals and ecosystems that naturally live a world away. The park’s animal ambassador program continues to grow with special programs on the weekends teaching visitors about reptiles, lemurs, and also talking about endangered animals that live at the park. Future plans for a Poacher Hut would educate visitors on poaching, its geopolitical origins and the far reaches of its damage. “Unless people experience the beauty of animals up close, they may not care about animals 10,000 miles away,” he explained. “One thing the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is how connected we all are.” The park will continue to evolve, and visitor input will play a valuable role, Ron says. Even this summer’s opening looked different than planned. Originally, tour buses were supposed to chauffeur guests through the park, but they decided to open with a drive-thru tour to allow for social distancing. The buses will be put into service in the future. Another planned attraction will be live music on a stage on another part of the property. Hatari Wildlife Park is open year round and makes a great escape from the house and into nature while staying healthy and safe. Learn more about park hours, and buy tickets online at https://hataripark.org/ *Photos courtesy of Hatari Wildlife Park AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER | 44

Tips for Getting Out of Holiday Debt December is a month for giving and spending on our family, our friends, those special people who do special tasks or jobs for us all year. We eat more, party more and SPEND more. Now it’s January. You are thinking I have accumulated more debt. I spent way too much during the month. How will I ever get out of debt? At Austin County State Bank, we believe having a plan of action is the key to paying down debt. Here are some fundamental proven tips which work. 1. Make a list of all of your monthly expenses. Make sure the list includes the highest monthly amount, the balance due and the interest rate. 2. Pay more on your monthly bills beginning with the smallest balance first. 3. Refinance your mortgage, car or consolidate your loans. 4. Take a look at your expenses over the last 6 months. Where can you cut back? Do you normally stop and get coffee every morning? Stop it. Brew at home and take with you. Is your grocery bill high? Make meal plans and only shop for those items. Stop eating out. Cut or stop cable. There are alternative ways to watch tv. Expensive hobbies – can you stop, reduce or minimize activity for 6 months? 5. Get a part-time job. (it’s only temporary) 6. Cut back on sale items you don’t need. 7. Make a monthly budget and spend less. Keep in mind – this is a short-term solution with long-term effects for paying off Christmas debt and getting you started on a yearly plan. We think you will find by doing this you will be more mindful of where you do spend your monthly dollars and will now feel good about your plan of action. Lastly, make a monthly budget and make some new household goals. Remember, don’t beat yourself up if you get off task. If necessary start over. Reward yourself and your family for being good stewards for paying off debt and being disciplined enough to do so. Come talk to us at Austin County State Bank – we are here to listen and to help.

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Stock the bar

with these cocktail ingredients and classic drink recipes

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Margarita-Makes 2 drinks

Tom Collins

Whiskey Sour

Why roses are such a must-have on Valentine's Day Many things are symbolic of Valentine's Day. In the 1800s, heart-shaped boxes of candy became wildly popular ways for sweethearts to express their affection for each other, and since then they have become one of many symbols of Valentine's Day. But one such symbol traces its history back even further than that. Roses are now as symbolic of Valentine's Day as those heart-shaped boxes, and, in fact, have long maintained a connection with feelings of love. The Ancient Greeks and Romans, for example, wore rose garlands during wedding ceremonies. But the practice of giving Valentine's Day flowers can be traced to King Charles II, who served as King of Sweden from 1809 as well as King of Norway from 1814 until his death in 1818. During his travels, King Charles visited Persia, where he learned about the use of flowers to express certain emotions. Red roses were used to express deep love, and King Charles shared the language of flowers when he returned home to Europe. It soon became quite popular. But Europeans were learning about the symbolic power of flowers even before King Charles' visit to Persia. In fact, Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, the wife of a British ambassador to Turkey, began sharing the practice of assigning meaning to objects via letters she wrote home to England in 1716. Lady Montagu noted how the locals had assigned meaning to various colors, flowers and plants in order to send secret love letters to one another. However, Lady Montagu was incorrect in her interpretation, as historians would later note. Despite her misinterpretations, Lady MontaguĂ•s perception of the flower language would spread, and many people still associate certain flowers with certain emotions. Never is that more apparent than on Valentine's Day, when red roses remain a popular way for lovers to express their deep love for each other. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

, r a e Y w e N You! w e N

By Roxanne Avery

I love this time of year as the world becomes quiet and gentle in preparation for renewal. As I look over my goal list from last new year, I am introspective about the way things turned out. The world changed so much in the last 365 days and initially I complained about how bad it was as it felt like we were being sucked down a black hole. Then I realized I needed to move forward with a gratitude list. What an amazing activity as I found 2020 to be one of my best years ever. Having a positive attitude opened my thinking to discover my ability to recognize the good. Starting a new year is like reading a book and the first chapter is New Yearâ€™s Day. My chapters are usually filled with traditional fitness, healthy eating and lofty work goals. But after 2020, I realize the most important goal is mental health which means making myself a priority. What the new year brings depends a lot on what we bring to the new year. Self-care is more important now than ever as we live life outside the norm. Isolation, not hugging or celebrating holidays and milestone birthdays with friends and family or attending funerals that are so important for closure and delayed weddings are all causes of anxiety and depression. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

s Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Write it in your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” Here are seven ideas to help make this year your best ever:

1. Beginning today, live life with INTENTION. Pay attention to what you eat because it does affect the way you think and feel. Join a yoga class or other type of exercise which decreases depression and anxiety and improves mood. A brisk, outdoor walk can be refreshing and rejuvenating. 2. Get enough sleep. Studies show about 65-95% of people with major depression also have a sleep dysfunction. This year, go to sleep a little earlier to give your body the rest it needs. 3. Disconnect from the constant flow of email, alerts, social media and electronics in your life. You’ll gain lots of time and will have less feelings of inferiority or fear of missing out that those platforms can stir up. 4. Care for yourself by engaging in activities that provide meaning. Explore what makes you feel happy, productive and challenged. Take a class, join a book club, care for a pet or learn to draw. Spend quality time with people who matter to you and help you feel good. 5. Relaxation exercises such as meditation can improve how you feel and your outlook on life. Sitting outside 10-15 minutes a day helps with Vitamin D and relaxing your brain by not thinking about anything can help you feel calm as well as increase your lifespan. 6. Volunteer. Helping others is the best way to help yourself while enriching your life and staying active. Do what makes you happy. There are lots of volunteer opportunities at museums, charitable organizations, nonprofits, churches and schools, all of which rely on volunteers to help in all types of capacities. 7. Most importantly, ask for help from a licensed mental health professional when and if you need it. Just as we periodically seek medical attention for physical ailments, it’s just as important to find help when our mental health needs it. Seeking help from a counselor is a sign of strength — not weakness. Living life means facing periodic struggles such as depression, divorce, death and mental breakdown. There’s a lot of help available. “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” – Martin Luther King. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

Is your ambition to be better today than yesterday? Will you stay the course while being patient and not giving up on yourself before you’ve had time to prove what you’re capable of? Promise yourself this year you’ll make every single day a better version of yourself than you were yesterday, and you’ll find out what you’re capable of. “What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.” –Anne Frank As Buddah reminds us, “No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.” And here we are…with a clean slate. What will you do with this fresh start as we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been? Here we start another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the ride. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

5 Tips for Managing High Cholesterol

igh cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke, but typically shows no symptoms. Understanding the role cholesterol plays, potential risk factors and how to manage it are important aspects of protecting your heart health.LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) is considered “bad” cholesterol

because it contributes to fat buildup in the arteries while HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is considered “good” cholesterol as it can carry LDL cholesterol away from the arteries to be broken down and passed from the body. The LDL cholesterol level is important to monitor and is optimal when it is less than 100 for otherwise healthy people, according to the American Heart Association, which recommends adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol and other risk factors checked every 4-6 years by their primary care physician with a simple blood test. Cholesterol management is not one size fits all, so those who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke, or have family history of high cholesterol, may need to have their cholesterol levels and risk factors checked more often and may need to make lifestyle changes or take prescribed medication to help manage cholesterol levels. Make informed decisions about managing your cholesterol levels and overall health with these tips from the American Heart Association’s “Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol” program, nationally supported by Amgen:Assess your risk. Your health care professional can help determine your risk for a cardiovascular event like heart attack or stroke and help manage your cholesterol as one aspect of preventive care. Your medical and family history and your lifestyle provide important clues about your risk level. Risk is elevated for people who have had a heart attack or stroke; blockages in the arteries of the heart, neck or legs; chronic inflammatory disease; kidney disease; or other medical concerns.

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Your health care professional will also consider your age, sex, whether you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and if you smoke. Your diet, physical activity levels, alcohol intake and any drugs or supplements youâ€™ve been taking factor into your risk level, as well. Eat a heart-healthy diet. From a dietary standpoint, one of the best ways to lower your cholesterol is to avoid foods with saturated fat and trans fat. Limit saturated fat to 5-6% of your daily calories and avoid trans fat, which means limiting intake of processed or fatty meats and full-fat dairy products. Choose low-fat dairy products and lean proteins instead. A heart-healthy diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, lean vegetable or animal proteins and fish while limiting things like trans fats, sodium, processed meats, refined carbohydrates and sugary foods and beverages. Eating this way may also help increase your fiber intake, which can help lower cholesterol levels by as much as 10%. Be physically active. A sedentary lifestyle lowers HDL cholesterol. Just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week is enough to help lower both LDL cholesterol and high blood pressure. Consider mixing up the options to keep your exercise routine engaging and prevent boredom. Try activities like brisk walking, swimming, bicycling or dancing. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol. Whatâ€™s more, when a person with unhealthy cholesterol levels also smokes, his or her risk of coronary heart disease increases more than it would otherwise. Smoking also compounds other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. By quitting, smokers can lower their cholesterol levels and help protect their arteries. Nonsmokers should avoid exposure to secondhand smoke as much as possible. Lose weight. Being overweight or obese tends to raise LDL cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol. A weight loss of as little as 10% can help improve your cholesterol numbers. Find more resources and tools to help manage your heart health and cholesterol at heart.org.

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NANCY NARON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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HESE ARE NOT ONLY THE LYRICS TO A WELL-KNOWN FOLK SONG, THESE ARE WORDS SPOKEN BY MANY OF THE MEN WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN AUSTIN COUNTY BEGINNING IN THE LATE 1870S. THE RAILROADS THAT CROSS THE COUNTY FOUNDED AND RESHAPED COMMUNITIES AS BUSINESSES SPRANG UP ALONG THE RAILROAD ROUTES. NEW

BUSINESSES EVOLVED TO SERVE THE INFLUX OF WORKERS NEEDED BY THE RAILROADS, AND EXISTING BUSINESSES RELOCATED TO GAIN EASY ACCESS TO SHIPPING OF GOODS TO AND FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, COUNTRY AND WORLD. THE RISE AND FALL OF MANY AUSTIN COUNTY COMMUNITIES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED DIRECTLY TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE RAILROADS AND THE LOCATION OF THEIR DEPOTS.THE GULF, COLORADO AND SANTA FE RAILROAD (GC&SF) LAID RAILS THROUGH WALLIS, SEALY, PETERS, BELLVILLE AND KENNY. SEALY WAS FOUNDED IN 1879 IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A DEPOT FOR THE GC&SF AND HOUSING FOR THEIR WORKERS, AND WAS NAMED AFTER GEORGE SEALY, THE PRESIDENT OF GC&SF. BY AUGUST OF 1880, TWO PASSENGER TRAINS AND TWO FREIGHT TRAINS STOPPED IN SEALY DAILY. CONSTRUCTION OF A DEPOT OR ROUND HOUSE INSURED A COMMUNITY WOULD DEVELOP AND PROSPER. BY 1900, SEALYâ€™S POPULATION HAD GROWN TO 1,400, AND THERE WERE FIVE GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES, SEVEN SALOONS, A FURNITURE STORE, A HARDWARE STORE, TWO LUMBER BUSINESSES, TWO MILLINERS SHOPS, THREE DRY GOODS STORES, TWO RENTING STABLES, TWO BAKERIES, TWO BLACKSMITHS, THREE PHARMACIES, THREE HOTELS, THREE DOCTORS, LAWYERS, MILLINERS AND OTHER THRIVING BUSINESSES.

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In 1900 the GC&SF moved their round house and headquarters to Bellville, which had a significant impact on Sealy’s economy. Communities, such as Cat Spring, that later lost their depots also lost most of their retail businesses, oftentimes only leaving behind the local post office and a small general store. The GC&SF is now part of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.In 1892, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad (MK&T or Katy Railroad) built a line through Sealy, connecting Katy and Houston with San Antonio and West Texas. The MK&T (Katy) is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad. Each railroad had its own passenger and freight depots.Although Bellville was settled in 1822 and platted in 1848, when it was designated as the county seat, Bellville did not experience rapid economic and population growth until the GC&SF Railroad arrived in 1880. By the 1860s, Bellville was already home to a number of businesses, including six saloons, around the town square. However, with the arrival of the railroad, Bellville’s population increased from 300 to 1,000 in three years. In 1900, when the GC&SF Railroad moved the round house to Bellville, there was another surge in growth. Wallis experienced similar growth as a result of its location near the railroads’ lines. Settled in the 1830s, with a post office established in 1873, Wallis was originally known as Bovine Bend, and later named Wallis Station in honor of a director of the railroad, J.E. Wallis.The GC&SF Railroad left a definite stamp on Austin County.A number of hotels rose and faded in Austin County along with the railroads’ need for workers and the number of passenger trains passing through the county. Bellville’s first hotel, which also served as a grocery store and home, was built by Jim Irwin in 1849. By 1900 there were numerous hotels in the county, with three in Sealy alone. AUSTIN COUNTY INSIDER

Railroads not only provided an economic boost to Austin County farmers and other business owners, they provided easier access to major cities where residents could shop, attend cultural activities, and obtain specialized medical services, much as our highway system does today. The railroads’ depots also served as telegraph stations.Life with early trains in Austin County was quite different from our experience today. Eva Smythe Perry, in her book “A Late Walk Thru Sealy,” tells of children in the early 1900s riding on the rear platform when trains were switching tracks, children riding in the caboose, and children taking trips on the tracks in unattended hand cars that were operated with a hand pump. Not only are children not allowed near the tracks today, we no longer see cattle guards at the crossings, and the engines no longer sport “cattle catchers” on the front. Ms. Perry’s book is available for purchase at sealyhistoricalsociety.org.

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