May 2021
THIS ISN’T
OUR FIRST RODEO
You may have met Expedition Royalty Co. for the first time when we sponsored the Big Spring Rodeo or the Howard County Fair. Our commitment to Howard County runs deep. We have made deals for thousands of acres here, and our people have decades of experience serving Permian Basin mineral rights owners. We’re proud to be part of the community, sponsoring and participating in big events year-round. But we’re even prouder to be your mineral advisor in the Permian Basin every day. Get in touch today for a free evaluation of your property and its mineral rights.
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Michelle Hamlin 432-755-7030 michelle.hamlin@srp-ok.com
O R CO M E V I S I T U S AT O U R D OW N TOW N O F F I C E 220 S MAIN
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Finding the beauty in the ruins
A small church sits crumbling on the outskirts of a nearly forgotten community holding generations of history - almost 100 years worth, to be exact. efforts are being made to preserve the quaint little church and the importance and ambiance that it holds.
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Music - A Universal Language
Music is one of the universal languages; a melody can connect to the soul in an instant, bring back a memory, or inspire a person to reconnect with a long forgotten past. For a couple local musicians, joy and inspiration found in a simple melody continues to drive them forward.
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Working with a painting knife
Local Artist Kay smith shares the creative ways to use a painting knife in your new creations. The tool is one that can be employed with any painting medium, from oils to acrylics and even watermedia. The painting knife can add a new dimension to the piece of art that may not have been found otherwise.
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One cake at a time
Porsha Kimble has made a name for herself in the cake industry. While she is living a dream of using her creativity to craft one-of-a-kind cakes for every special occassion, she has not forgotten her roots and how they lead back to Big Spring and Forsan, Texas, USA.
On the cover: Local Photographer Deena Richardson shares a beautiful image of the Hyman Church as the horizon displays an array of colors. The image is one of many she has captured that exhibits the personality held in the old forgotten church.
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A year of healing during COVID
The nation has dealt with the Covid pandemic for the past year while focusing on staying healthy. Meanwhile, the Wound Healing Center has been focusing on avoiding COVID infection while healing chronic wounds. This month, the center shares the importance of finding the right treatment for non-healing wounds.
Published by the Big Spring Herald. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Living Magazine is published monthly and distributed to businesses and residents of Howard County. Amanda Duforat is the editor of the Living Magazine. Editorial correspondence should be sent to Living, P.O.Box 1431, Big Spring, Texas, 79721. For advertising rates and other information, please call 432-263-7331.
ByAMANDA DUFORAT There is something about a church.... Population 4 ... dead end roads in every direction ... a secluded little community called Hyman, Texas ... and in the midst of the vast expanse stands a testament beyond belief, a church – W T Scott Memorial Methodist Church – established in 1927, almost 100 years old. The history that has been housed inside the walls of the little church tells the story of generations, a story rooted in faith Scripture tells of a wise man who built his house on solid ground ... and the rain fell, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the
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rock (Matthew 7:24-25). The church in Hyman, Texas, is a physical representation of such a house. Over the years, the wind, the storms and all that is West Texas have pounded at the structure and through it all - with no real reasoning behind it other than a firm foundation - the church is standing. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the little community named after Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hyman was organized in 1923. In the 1930s there were 80 students enrolled in the school district, which covered 84 square miles. In September 1924, a post office was established and operated until 1947. The post office, under the direction of Postmistress Sarah M. Hyman, served two businesses and 50 residents. There was the school and general store nearby, with two cotton gins operating in the county lines of Hyman. Currently, there are three school districts that extend into Hyman - Colorado City, Westbrook and Forsan ISDs. The little community also had roots in the history held in Webb Air Force Base. Hyman served as the site of radio navigation station for military aviation, but was decommissioned with the closing of Webb. The Hyman Church sits in the middle of a field, of to the side of a road that many have passed down, some have even stopped at, but very few have stepped into the history that the old church holds. While many may think they are merely passing an old, dilapidated church structure, one local photographer, was drawn in by the personality, the allure that the building holds.
“One of my friends told me about it originally. The first few times I went out there I snapped some photos, but I just really didn’t see anything about it,” Deena Richardson said. “It wasn’t until one night I just had this voice telling me to go out there ... the light hit just right and I was pulled in.” Richardson has taken hundreds of photos of the church and, over the course of her photographic journey, she began to hear the church speak. Everything has a voice; everything has a story to share and, through her photographs, Richardson has been sharing that story. It appears to be a beautiful one. “I don’t know if you are supposed to call an inanimate object a muse, but this church is my muse,” she said. “I have taken hundreds of photos of the church, but there is still so much that hasn’t been uncovered. I have tried many different angles, the light has hit in different ways, and each photo is different and reflects a different part of the story.” The church, is coming up on it’s 100th anniversary - six years away
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- is deteriorating quickly and by the looks of it, if one strong wind came through, or one disastrous storm, the church could crumble. Throughout the church walls there are places were light can radiate through; the steeple is being held by slim pillars that are being broken by each windstorm, hail storm, and regular deterioration over time. The adobe and plaster walls have inevitably disintegrated over the years. The natural process of adobe,while it was used in many structures in the olden days, is one that will eventually fall to the natural process of the weather. “We want to make sure this church will make it to its 100th anniversary. We are looking at working on a preservation project; not so much a restoration project - we aren’t trying to bring it back to it’s original state because in that process we would lose some of its story,” Tommy Scott, whose mother is the owner of the property which the church sits, said. “We want to preserve the history that is held within these walls. So much of my family history is connected to this church.” Scott’s grandparents lived on the land, and worked as ranchers in 1945. During the drought, they moved to Clayton, N.M., until the dust storms blew them back to Texas in the 1950s. The home they had lived in was no longer an option, but the church was standing vacant. What once housed worship would become a structure that would house a family – three generations of Henderson’s - and became a home. “This church is worth preserving. Being able to get it to it’s 100th anniversary is a monument to those who worshipped there,” Scott said. “The deterioration that has taken place may not be able to be undone, but we are going to try and preserve what is left.” Richardson added, “There is a sense of peace about this church, a sense of protection that surrounds this place. As with any church there is a feeling that you get, but there is something about this church. How is it still standing? This church shows what it means to withstand the test of time.”
Music - a universal language
By JENNIFER MOORE
Music is a universal language that speaks to people of all walks of life. In Big Spring, two musicians have seen the local music scene progress over the years as they pursued their dreams on stage. Mae Churchwell has lived in Big Spring for four years, but has been performing since age 3, when she would sing in church as her sister played guitar. She knew early
on that she wanted to be a performer. “My sister and I would spend all of our money on CD’s and always perform to songs we loved,” she said. “Our parents were ALWAYS entertained. Music made me feel secure, even as a young child it moved me. When you know, you know.” Dayne Pack, who performed in Big Spring as a solo
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better than it was when I found it, COVID aside.” Churchwell has seen a lot of growth in the Big Spring music scene over the years on several different levels. “First of all, we have Gary B’s Music providing instruments and lessons in the mall,” she said. “That’s where the music starts. After that, I can count at least five places in walking distance of the courthouse where I can hear some form of live music, if not a great DJ. Bands Like Dycyfyr and Violent Vendetta hosting their DIY shows and keeping the underground rock scene alive.” artist for about five years before moving to Abilene, was inspired to be a performer from time spent with his father. “I knew I wanted to be a musician since I was 2 and my dad would put me on stage with him,” he said. “I’d sleep behind his drums while they were playing.” Music is a passion for both musicians and they appreciate its ability to heal. “Music is important to me the same way water is important to grass,” said Pack. “It’s an obligation as much as it is a passion. Music is healing even when it rips your heart out. “ “When you can make someone you’ve never met feel what you feel from one song, you understand how it connects people,” said Churchwell. “Music heals the pain, you can rage with rock or dance around to some upbeat pop. Cry your eyes out with indie or have some worship time with uplifting music. If I didn’t have music, I don’t know how I’d be able to cope with anything. I’ve also seen videos of people with dementia listening to music from their childhood and their quality of life gets better.” When Churchwell first arrived in Big Spring, the scene was much less established. ”When I first moved to Big Spring in 2016 is when I really started gigging out,” she said. “There weren’t many live entertainment options around, and going out of town to entertain or be entertained was a weekly thing.” Through some of his time in Big Spring, Pack saw the scene grow first-hand at a songwriter’s night he hosted for two years at the Desert Flower Art Bar. “I do have to say at least for that place, as far as the music that’s floating around in there now, I definitely left it
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Churchwell saw many changes in venues and live music offerings during COVID-19. She said adaptability has been the key to survival during the pandemic. “For many artists, private parties and livestreams have been the way of the pandemic, but live music is important
shifted from where I’ve started, but it’s one of those things that can take me anywhere. These days you can release music and anyone can come across it, I just have to figure out what path I want to take. A small network of supporters has helped Pack get to where he is in music today. “My biggest supporters are my Mom, Dad, step mom Suzy, Garrett, Austin ‘Pepper’ Neal, Tyler English, Isaiah Zachary and my sponsor, Brennon Manske over at CBD House Of Healing in Abilene,” he said. Churchwell lists her husband, parents, and friends as big supporters, but adds that, at times, support comes from complete strangers as well. “Support is never lacking, which is amazing,” she said. “Even when I feel like I don’t have any, I turn around and someone is patting my back and rooting me on. My parents taught me that support comes in all different forms. Verbal, monetary, emotional. It all ties in together and makes you feel loved. When everyone around you shows endless support, it makes you thrive.”
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and I’m happy to see it making its way back,” she said. “I’m looking forward to hearing new music created during this downtime.“ Both artists have many memories from performances and talked about their favorite memories. For Pack, it was in 2019 when his band played at a benefit for his mother. Open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM “It was so fun and we got down,” Saturday – Sunday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM he said URGENT CARE PROFESSIONALS Churchwell’s travels on the road YOU CAN RELY ON are the experiences she rememServing our community for their medical bers most fondly. needs from strep to stitches! “I think the traveling is honestly my favorite memory,” she said. “I Allergy Testing and School and Annual Diagnostic Blood have so many faces in my head Treatment Physical Exams Flu Shots and because of it. You get to meet interesting people, share stories Occupational Medicine DOT Physicals Vaccinations and make friends along the way. I IV Therapy and X-Rays Splinting and Sutures Pregnancy Testing can’t narrow it down to one speTreatment for a Wide STD Panels Preventative cific memory because there are Variety of Illnesses and Covid-19 Rapid Testing Screenings so many that I can recall that just Injuries Pediatric warm my heart.” Pain Management Diabetes Testing Churchwell and Pack both have albums recorded that they count as their proudest achievements. “My proudest achievement is the album I just released called ‘A Tale Of The Modern West Pt. One’ that I recorded at Notion Sound Studio in Clyde with best friend and producer Garrett Bryan,” said Pack. “[My first album] showed me who I was and how I’ve grown,” said Walk-Ins Welcome! Churchwell. “I’m still early in my career since my music journey has (432) 264-1911 | 1700 West FM 700 Ste. B | Big Spring, TX Living Magazine
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Working with a painting knife By KAY SMITH
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Deciding to work with a painting knife or palette knife instead of a brush can free up your style. A knife can smooth out paint, layer paint on, or smooth out peaks. And use of this fun tool is not limited to oils or acrylics, as I have used one in watermedia also. Knives usually have a wooden handle and small, flat, spatula-like tips that come in all sizes and widths. Use them to incise or scrape off paint, and to mix colors on your support. Compositions can be simplified. Use a palette knife to emphasize color, texture, and form instead of detail. You may like to experiment with these fun tools first on scrap paper before committing to involvement in a full painting. It is easy now to find painting knives made from plastic; and, naturally, they come cheaper. Metal tips are thinner, however, and scrape easier than the disposable versions. It is worth it to play with various sizes of plasticware before investing in long-lasting steel. These are made either trowel style or flat like a spatula. Try first to create a simple design for your project, then elevate it to a more complex work with thicker layers. If using watercolors, remember to scoop plenty of fluid paint onto the surface. Straight edges of the tool lend themselves to markmaking, such as straight lines to fashion trees, edges of buildings, or line patterns, etc. So to be painting in a looser fashion try working with a painting knife and see how it goes. Visit Brushworks 2106 Scurry or https://kaysmithbrushworks.blogspot. com
One cake at a time
ByAMANDA DUFORAT An artist can use many pallets to show off their creativity, for one former Howard County resident, the pallet of choice is dessert. Porsha Kimble has joined her creative side and her love for being in the kitchen in an effort to achieve a dream she never realized she had, and in the process has watched her dreams blossom into new adventures. “I didn’t know I was an artistic person. I never looked at myself like that. When you think of someone artistic you think of someone drawing or painting; maybe making clothes. We don’t look at cooking or food or baked goods as therapuetic,” Porsha Kimble, baker and owner of Porsha (formerly Your Cake Diva) Kimble said. “I just wanted to take it a step further, and it just stuck with me ... bfeore I knew it people were asking me to make stuff.” For 15 years now, her love for baking has been transforming and expanding into new opportunities and allowing her to walk through doors she never imagined would be opened. Kimble’s memories of being in the kitchen go back to spending time with her grandma - who once worked in the Forsan ISD cafeteria - in the kitchen. Every summer she would go and spend time with her grandparents making more memories and taking in more life lessons. “She always cooked and baked all the time. One thing I can say now, as an adult, is I noticed she made baked goods for people,” Kimble said. “She was always at the church, in charge of baby showers, and helping people; it all revolved around food, now that I look back on it.”
While Kimble knew she enjoyed baking and creating sweet treats to share with others, it wasn’t an avenue of revenue she had seen herself traveling until one of her former employers mentioned it to her. “I had just been let go from one of my former jobs, and my boss had told me there is something here; speaking of my baking, this could be lucrative for you,” she said. At the time when social media was beginning to explode, the opportunity to spread the word and ‘advertise’ her services was laying before her, ready to serve as a catalyst to her journey. Kimble ued the motivation of losing her job to kick into high gear, and formed a name - Your Cake Diva - and launched her Facebook Business Page. While many people might say that small-town living hinders the paths available to a person, Kimble begs to differ, and attributes part of her successful journey to the time she spent in Forsan, Texas. “Coming from a small town has a lot more pros than cons, for me personnaly, in my business. Growing up, I was taught about being honest and sharing, and that’s been a big deal. A lot of people don’t get that,” she said. “It’s like going to a mechanic; you can go to someone in a big city and be charged five times more than someone back home, but they are going to be honest. I tell people that a lot. ‘I’m going to be upfront and blunt - I’m going to be honest with you because I’m an honest business person.’ I think that’s the way to operate and sleep at night.” It’s the small things. Growing up in a small town you Living Magazine
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don’t just grow up with your family, you grow up with the community; the community becomes your family. Having those relationships from a small town has helped form the relationships Kimble has made with her clients along the way. Kimble has learned that the inside-the-box thinking that many heard growing up is a glass ceiling waiting to be broken, especially for those living in a small town. Many parents, teachers and adults often encouraged kids to believe they can be secretaries, teachers, a wife, mom or dental hygenist. In keeping with the outside-thebox thinking, Kimble didn’t earn her knowldge through traditional means by attending culinary school or baking school, she actually found her roots in local community through cake-making classes offered at Michaels. “It was rare that we heard that we could be the doctor, or the dental hygenist, or surgical assistant, but I am here to tell the youth of today, it’s okay to think outside the box. I don’t remember anyone ever telling me I could be an artist, or write a book,” she said. “It’s okay to not just go through that box and get out of those four corners; it’s okay to follow your dreams because they can become reality.” While Kimble has learned obtaining a dream is possible, there are challenges along the way, and sometimes the hurdles are the things in which you are able to grow and become more successful. One of the biggest lessons that has been taken from the hurdles in her cakemaking career is that not every order has to be accepted and not every job is meant for you.
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“You can’t please everyone. Every customer is not for my business and with that comes a lot of thick skin and having to be okay with it,” she said. In addition to learning that the right customers will find you, Kimble has also embraced the fact that in the pursuit of her dream she doesn’t have to follow a cookie-cutter blueprint. While many bakers have the desire to open up a storefront or move quickly to set up a shop, she is rolling with the flow and embracing her creativity in the comfort of her own home as a licensed home baker. In addition to pouring her creativity into her cakes and desserts, over the last several years she has launched a retreat that helps her connect with other bakers to help train them,
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432.263.6514
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direct them and encourage them in their own journeys. “For many years I was a Wilton instructor, but that was a limited arena and eventually I branched out on my own and taught at the local community college,” she said. “With that I learned more and have since traveled around the world and received training from different cake decorators. I took my education into my own hands and just worked it into my own business.” She continued, “I was at an era of cake decorating when Duff (Goldman of Charm City Cakes) and Buddy (Valastro of Cake Boss) had really been popular, and wasn’t afraid. I wasn’t afraid to go there; I’ve never been afraid to be forward with my designs. I don’t prefer to do plain. I’ve always been someone that is okay to go there and I think that had a lot to do with the attention that I was able to draw in.” Over the past 15 years Kimble has seen growth in her business and growth in herself. She has embraced her creative side and let’s it flow. She has taken every opportunity and learned a lesson from it regardless of the end result.
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A year of healing during Covid ByTIFFANY CRAWFORD
The Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine Center compromised skin grafts and flaps and wounds that at Scenic Mountain Medical Center is working to raise haven’t healed within a reasonable time frame. People awareness of the chronic wound epidemic, and the ad- with wounds that have not improved with traditional vanced modalities available to those living with chronmethods of treatment may benefit from a visit to the ic, non-healing wounds. The center for Wound Healing center for Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine. and Hyperbaric Medicine has access to a vast network of tools, education and ATTENTION PARENTS! expertise. With a growing number of chronic EXAMPLE wound cases in the United States, advanced wound care has never been more important. Delivering specialty wound are for patients can result in better outcomes, including faster healing to times and fewer amputations. We are so proud “Identified through global publicaof your tion research, COVID-19 has led to an increase of 40% to 50% in amputations accomplishments! nationwide. It is important now, more than ever to take care of our health We can’t wait to Include your including wounds! We are here to raise see what the graduate in the awareness and stress the importance of seeking proper treatment for your future holds! Big Spring wounds and preventing uncessary Herald’s amputations.” said Tiffany Crawford, Director. The Wound Healing & Hyperbaric Medicine Center offers an evidenceEdition on based, systematic approach to advanced wound care. A patient’s indiSUNDAY, vidualized treatment plan may include MAY 30TH specialized wound dressings, debridement, compression therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, advanced cellular prodFor your convenience, ucts and topical growth factors, edema you can email your management and/or non-invasive BRIAN pictures & message, then vascular assessment. These treatments JONES pay with credit/debit are the result of a team approach becard by phone! tween the Center’s physicians, nurses Sr'21 and the referring physician. A treatment This Size plan is developed and scheduled based Email: ut Only Ask abo on the patient’s needs. Once treatment angela@bigspringherald.com er our larg ! is complete, the patient will return to or ns their primary physician for routine care. size optio bmiller@bigspringherald.com Likely candidates for treatment at the Center are those suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections, arterial ulcers, late effects of radiation,
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