February Complete by Grayson-CollinEC

FOR GRAYSON-COLLIN EC MEMBERS

Everybody Say Cheese

The choicest cheesecakes of Co-op Country

Throw Yourself a Bone

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Huntsman

From Posts to Pillars

By Eileen Mattei

By Martha Deeringer

Photo by Jason David Page

Photo by Tiffany Hofeldt

Illustration by Bonnie Hofkin

Photos by Tiffany Hofeldt

All-white sports leagues in the South became integrated within two years of Texas Western’s 1966 championship.

Significant Milestones

THE FIRST NEGRO HISTORY WEEK , the predecessor of Black History Month, took place 100 years ago this month, in February 1926. Its creator, Carter G. Woodson, is considered the Father of Black History.

March 19 will mark 60 years since Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) pulled off a landmark victory over basketball powerhouse Kentucky in the NCAA national title game. The Miners were the first championship team to start five Black players.

The first African American to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps is considered to be Texan Alfred Masters of Palestine, who was sworn in June 1, 1942—after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order to desegregate the armed forces. But in 1776, John “Keto” Martin, an enslaved man in Delaware, was recruited into the Continental Marines to fight the British.

Contests and More

$500 RECIPE CONTEST

Don’t Skimp on Shrimp

FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS Making a Splash

FINISH THIS SENTENCE

The perfect Valentine’s gift is ...

Tell us how you would finish that sentence. Email your short responses to letters@TexasCoopPower.com or comment on our Facebook post. Include your co-op and town. Here are some of the responses to our December prompt: Dear Santa, I would like ...

Every child in this world to get at least one gift from you and a warm meal.

SHERRY VEGA BLUEBONNET EC BASTROP

For every family to be together, safe and full of love this Christmas.

RAIHAN KHONDKER PEDERNALES EC LEANDER

A cheeseburger, tater tots and a frosty mug of A&W root beer from the Hi-D-Ho Drive In in Lubbock (1964).

TOMMY NOVAK SOUTH PLAINS EC SHALLOWATER

To be free of cancer. Can he do that?

SUSAN HOOLE DAUGHERTY VIA FACEBOOK

Visit our website to see more responses.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The Serendipity of TCP

The December issue blew my mind!

After reading The Best Food I’ve Ever Had at a Fair Is … [Currents], I told my wife about the Frito pie comment from Robin Perry. I described the Frito pie I used to buy for a quarter during school lunch as a kid in Levelland after walking to some department store. But I couldn’t remember the name of the store.

Genie Ballew’s letter on the next page mentioning G.F. Wacker rang that bell!

Gary Alan Henson CoServ Lewisville

Prayers Continue

I wonder what terrible memories these kind people have to live with after seeing what they’ve seen [Giving Thanks, November 2025]. I still pray for them.

Anita Frye Via Facebook

DECEMBER 2025 Turn of Fortune

“This has got to be my all-time favorite story. Gloria and Hector López have shown how life should be.”

MARTHA GARCIA NUECES EC EDINBURG

Brick by Brick

I spent over nine years (2013–22) traveling the state (all 254 counties) photographing over 5,000 old churches and schools. There were many that I didn’t have names for, and El Corazón Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesús was one of those. I photographed it in 2015 and labeled it “Ruidosa—old adobe church.” Thanks to The Dirt Church Down a Dirt Road [December 2025], I now have a name for it. Someday I hope to write a book, and you just made my research a bit easier. Perhaps someday I can participate in an Adobe Day.

Cheryl Schwartz Nueces EC Port Aransas

Breakfast Patrol

I discovered this delicacy on New Year’s Day 1986 as a rookie police officer [Our Kind of Weird, December 2025]. Each New Year’s Day, our chaplain and his wife invited officers to their house and treated us to a come-and-go breakfast. This was one of the delicious entrées we were served.

Joe Lasater

United Cooperative Services

Glen Rose

WRITE TO US letters@TexasCoopPower.com

Editor, Texas Co-op Power

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

TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Kerry Kelton, Navasota • Mark McClain, Roby • Zac Perkins, Hooker, Oklahoma

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COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER

SERVICES COMMITTEE

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Food Editor Vianney Rodriguez

Communications Specialist Erin Sinclair

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Communications Specialist Kelly Tran

Proofreader Louie Bond

TEXAS CO-OP POWER Volume 82, Number 8 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives. Periodical postage paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 76 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 4540311 or email editor@TexasCoopPower.com.

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ADVERTISING Contact Elaine Sproull at (512) 486-6251 or esproull@texas-ec.org for information about purchasing display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 26 sister publications in other states. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication.

COPYRIGHT All content © 2026 Texas Electric Cooperatives Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission. Willie Wiredhand © 2026 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Border towns sprang to life from Rio Grande fortifications that are still finding new uses

From Posts to Pillars

BY EILEEN MATTEI ILLUSTRATION BY BONNIE HOFKIN

When Anthony Knopp first came to the campus of Texas Southmost College in 1976, his office was in an old barrack, and some faculty members lived in single-story, 100-year-old former military buildings, recalls the retired history professor.

While the old structures lacked modern amenities, Knopp made the most of teaching at a historic site. “When studying U.S. history, particularly relations with Mexico and 20th-century wars,” he says, “I was able to connect students to what was here at Fort Brown.”

Today, a former 48-bed hospital houses the college president’s offices on the campus in Brownsville, in the Rio Grande Valley. Fort Brown’s hospital annex (built in 1868), commissary (1904), guardhouse and morgue (1870) support various college departments.

Fort Brown and four other U.S. Army forts, established along the Rio Grande in the years after Texas became a state in 1845, endured for decades as military installations.

Unlike Texas frontier forts of the 1800s, such as Fort Concho in San Angelo and Fort McKavett in Menard County, which were rapidly abandoned as the frontier moved west, the border forts in Brownsville, Rio Grande City, Laredo and Eagle Pass remained defensive posts, off and on, for nearly 100 years. Fort Bliss in El Paso is still in use.

Today—178 years after the Mexican-American War— repurposed buildings from these border forts contribute to the vitality and identity of those Texas towns. Retaining their 1800s ambiance, the former Army headquarters, barracks and hospitals serve as schools, colleges, museums and parks.

The border forts had much in common, each named for veterans of the Mexican-American War, fought immediately following Texas statehood. At Rio Grande crossings, most about 100 miles apart, each fort shifted locations several times before being rebuilt as permanent posts after the Civil War.

Troops at the forts alternately dealt with Mexican bandits and rustlers and rowdy revolutionaries from both sides of the border, protected travelers and settlers from raids by Comanche and Lipan Apache tribes, and trained troops for both world wars. The garrisons shaped the cities that grew around them, as Army suppliers set up shops that also catered to local residents.

Fort Brown

Count riverboat pilot Mifflin Kenedy among the early merchants who cashed in on Army contracts. He ferried troops and equipment from Fort Brown, near the Gulf Coast, up the Rio Grande during the Mexican-American War.

He later started a steamboat company, married a wealthy widow and acquired hundreds of thousands of acres. He is the namesake of the Kenedy Ranch, the town of Kenedy and Kenedy County.

Fort Brown evolved from a star-shaped earthen fort to a commanding presence after the Civil War, when 70 buildings were erected of locally made border brick. With wide arches fronting shaded breezeways, Fort Brown’s 1869 hospital (said to be the most beautiful hospital in the Army) was of crucial importance during epidemics of yellow fever and cholera as the only hospital in Cameron County until 1909.

Quartermasters negotiated contracts with local businesses for goods and services such as beans, flour, coffee pots and hay for horses. Although a brick wall separated the town from Fort Brown and its palm-lined parade grounds, traffic flowed between them.

“Interactions resulted in marriages,” Knopp says. “Married soldiers either stayed in the area or returned.”

Fort Brown provided several forms of entertainment for the town: parades, concerts and sporting activities. Sunday afternoon polo matches, a cavalry favorite, drew locals as did concerts at the post bandstand, held twice a week.

A tree-shaded “lovers’ lane” curled between the fort and the river. Troops marched in local parades and Charro Days celebrations. Off-duty troops ate at local restaurants. The officers’ club hosted dances while enlisted men attended dances on the patio of El Jardin Hotel. Soldiers’ sisters and daughters met and married local men, too.

Deactivated in 1944 when the last U.S.-based mounted soldiers left, Fort Brown almost immediately started a new life as part of what is now Texas Southmost College. New campus construction echoes the border brick architecture of bygone days.

Fort Brown tours, arranged by the Brownsville Historical Association, link the past to its visible remnants.

LEFT Much of the Fort Brown site serves as the campus of Texas Southmost College in

Fort Ringgold

Upriver at Rio Grande City, Fort Ringgold followed Fort Brown’s trajectory. Veterans of the Mexican-American War went into business, not always successfully.

Capt. Forbes Britton and partners failed at making their Rio Grande City riverboat landing a major stop for Kenedy’s steamboats. But construction booms after the Civil War and continuing through World War I boosted the local economy.

At Fort Ringgold, barracks, a jail, an arched brick hospital and officers’ quarters surrounded a parade ground, which was larger than a football field.

“The parade ground gives a real picture of what Fort Ringgold looked like 150 years ago, about 1870,” says Aminta Reyna Alaniz, a Rio Grande City historian and tour guide. The post bugler played reveille and taps in front of a megaphone longer than 5 feet on the parade ground, signaling the troops as well as townsfolk.

Alaniz identifies 17 fort buildings—from the guardhouse and bakery to warehouses and six barracks—that are today used by the Rio Grande City Grulla Independent School District.

The school district purchased the fort’s 325 acres and buildings in 1947 with plans for an education complex and park. Along F Troop and 12th Cavalry streets, tan- and white-painted brick buildings house registration, curriculum and instruction units.

Near a two-story enlisted cavalry barracks that once housed about 100 soldiers (and later was used as an elementary school), girls played softball on a recent Sunday afternoon. The expansive parade ground hosts marching band practice and school Christmas displays.

Until recently, Alaniz says, an electronic sound system broadcast a digital bugle call morning and night. But even those echoes have ended.

Fort McIntosh

Fort McIntosh was built at a long-established Rio Grande crossing in 1849, opposite a former Spanish presidio. Laredo grew along with the fort, which held as many as 400 soldiers

ABOVE Troops perform drills in the late 1800s at Fort Ringgold in Rio Grande City.

Brownsville.

on over 400 acres with a requisite hospital, jail, barracks and cemetery.

In 1946, the International Boundary and Water Commission and the city of Laredo divided up the former fort. The city created what is now the Fort McIntosh campus of Laredo College in 1947.

Inside the Fort McIntosh Historic District, streets are named for post commanders and soldiers. The brick hospital has become Laredo College’s purchasing department. The former officers’ quarters houses the campus student ministry, and the old commandant’s house became a museum furnished with Victorian-era pieces.

The bakery is occupied by a customs brokers association. Other refurbished McIntosh campus buildings are used for classrooms. The cemetery is empty, the remains relocated.

Fort Duncan

In Eagle Pass, Fort Duncan, constructed across from what was then a tiny Mexican village, was home for infantry troops in 1851 and a mounted rifles unit in 1856.

Buffalo soldiers, all-Black units created after the Civil War, were assigned to Fort Duncan, considered a safe stopping point for travelers on the California road. Before and during World War I, some 16,000 troops trained at Fort Duncan.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT

A colorized postcard from the early 1900s shows barracks at Fort McIntosh in Laredo. An 1850s engraving of Fort Duncan near Eagle Pass. Fort Bliss in El Paso, with the Franklin Mountains in the background.

The town of Eagle Pass took over the fort property in 1938, creating a public park and loaning it back to the Army during World War II. Today the post headquarters is the Fort Duncan Museum, and seven other original buildings have been restored and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Bliss

In 1848, more than 400 miles up the Rio Grande, a fifth border fort was established at El Paso. It too moved locations multiple times as El Paso flourished around it.

Hoping to remain prosperous, the residents in 1890 purchased and donated land for a permanent Army post, which remains active today.

Unlike the other forts in this list, Fort Bliss grew after World War II. It now covers 1.1 million acres of Texas and New Mexico and is among America’s largest Army posts, home to about 20,000 troops.

Replicas of Fort Bliss’ early adobe buildings were constructed for the fort’s centennial in 1948 and house a museum, which is open to the public.

But at the other four border forts, troops and time marched on. Swords were beaten into street signs. Some of those streets are named for the soldiers who shaped those towns’ histories. D

BY MARTHA DEERINGER PHOTOS BY TIFFANY HOFELDT

GIVING A HOOT

Texas’ sick and injured critters depend on a corps of passionate volunteers

One night in 2024, a couple traveling a Panhandle highway couldn’t avoid hitting a coyote that darted in front of them. The animal was alive but wedged in the car’s grille.

After the couple called 911, the sheriff, fire department and Texas Highway Patrol all responded. They could do little more than use their vehicles to shield the car until a wildlife rehabber arrived and carefully removed the injured animal.

It had sustained a minor pelvic fracture and a broken hind leg, which required surgery. But the coyote made a full recovery and has since been released—thanks to a village of kindhearted people, including the team at Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo.

We’ve all had our encounters with wildlife.

Maybe a bird just flew into your patio door and fell to the ground, looking dazed. Or maybe you discovered a tiny spotted fawn nestled among the zinnias in your flower bed. Did your dog bring you a gift of a baby bunny?

If so, passionate and knowledgeable people scattered around Texas know just what to do.

Wildlife rehabilitators are folks with big, soft hearts. They’re volunteers who do not receive a single dime for their work and spend countless hours administering special diets and medications, most of which they pay for themselves. Wildlife rehabilitators cannot legally charge for their services, relying instead on donations and fundraising. Their reward comes when a recovered animal returns to its place in the natural world.

A recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department study found that 40% of fawns brought in for care were actually uninjured and an even larger percentage of baby birds are “kidnapped” by animal lovers who are only trying to help.

LEFT Captain Jack, an Eastern screech owl, is a permanent resident at Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Amarillo. He can’t be released into the wild because of his limited vision.

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Polly is a badger who refuses to return to the wild whenever staffers release her. Stephanie Brady, the director at Wild West, holds Magee, a skunk who serves as an ambassador for the facility. Stella, another ambassador, is a Virginia opossum raised by humans. A 3-month-old bobcat that was part of a litter of five abandoned by their mother and awaiting release.

DJ (last name withheld to protect her privacy since she works out of her home) has been licensed since 1999 and owns a rehabilitation facility in North Texas. Her whole family helps out with critter care.

“I have paid my kids in popcorn and Popsicles to go out and capture grasshoppers, june bugs or moths for the insect-eating animals in our care,” DJ says with a laugh.

She cautions fellow Texans.

“If someone finds wildlife on the ground,” she says, “I tell them to observe it from a distance first. If there is obvious blood or the animal is weak, it probably needs help, but if it is sitting normally and is bright-eyed, it’s best to leave it alone.”

Some baby birds leave the nest as fledglings and hop around on the ground, where their parents continue to feed them for several days before they take flight. Fawns are stashed somewhere safe by their mothers, who will return at dusk to feed them.

In Texas, as in almost any other state, wildlife rehabilitators are required to have state or federal permits issued by the TPWD and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Applicants in Texas must complete training and submit a letter of recommendation from a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. The TPWD website lists 160 licensed rehabbers across the state.

DJ lives with dozens of animals she has taken in plus her children, several of them adopted. Some of these children have been through their own traumas.

“Kids who have survived trauma and then help with hurt

or orphaned animals find that these rescue efforts are therapeutic and beneficial to their own normal trauma responses,” DJ says. “Our entire family pitches in under my supervision to help with caring for the animals and with the rewarding moments when they spread their wings and soar again.”

Since she has children at home, DJ doesn’t rehabilitate animals at greater risk to contract rabies, such as bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and skunks. One of her main concerns for wild creatures is damage done by insect spray and rat poison, which can end up killing or injuring beneficial animals, such as songbirds and owls.

Haley Caswell, general manager of Buck Wild Rescue in Ingram, has been overrun since the catastrophic flooding there in July 2025. The small clinic has outdoor enclosures, and the owner, Katie Buck, lives on the property so someone is always there.

“One of the greatest challenges we face in rehab is determining an animal’s true need for help, pertaining mostly to baby animals,” Caswell says.

Another challenge is people who hurt themselves trying to help an animal.

“The first thing someone should consider if a wild animal needs help is personal safety,” Caswell says. “Wildlife can carry zoonotic diseases and may pose a risk of injury through bites, kicks and scratches. Some general signs to look for are parasites, animals covered in bugs and symptoms of dehydration—dull/dry fur, wrinkled skin and emaciation. If a baby animal has been picked up by a dog or cat, we always recommend bringing it [baby animal] in for antibiotics.”

Buck Wild is one of few rescues licensed to take in and rehabilitate most types of wildlife. They serve several counties spanning hundreds of miles. Each year they take in hundreds of orphaned, sick and injured critters, providing them with a safe environment and around-the-clock care. They also care for surrendered pets, which are kept separate from wildlife.

All donations go directly to animal care; they have no paid employees. Buck Wild requires three shifts of volunteers

LEFT A gray fox named Lincoln has bonded with Brady.

each day to meet the needs of their animals. They strive for minimal human contact with wildlife to ensure successful integration back into nature.

“Every species has different milestones through our rehab program,” Caswell says, “from the hand-feeding incubator stage, to an intermediate weaning enclosure, to a fully outdoor enclosure where we ensure it has met the speciesspecific requirements of self-sufficiency.”

Wild West in Amarillo was formed after founder Stephanie Brady rehabilitated over 200 animals in five months. Her 17 years of experience as a veterinary technician led her to realize that a home-based operation would not be big enough to handle the demand.

In 2016, a donated double-wide trailer on 5 acres made it possible for her to open the first wildlife rehabilitation center in the area. The venture has grown like broomweeds in a wet Texas spring. In 2024, with the help of 51 volunteers, Wild West cared for 3,128 wild animals—porcupines, coyotes, bobcats, a marmoset, and countless other mammals and birds.

“All rehabilitators are in constant need of medications, species-specific formulas, feeding syringes and nipples, blankets, towels, and further training,” Brady says.

Caring for wildlife is an endless challenge, and unlike pets, they don’t necessarily show appreciation for your help or love you back. It’s a one-sided labor of love with nature’s wild creatures.

“Releasing wildlife is altruistic,” DJ says. “Your patients bite, scratch, vomit and poop on you in thanks, but the soar, the hop, the scramble and climb away is life-giving to the world we want to gift to our children. After all, this is God’s world.” D

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

If you find a wild animal that you suspect is sick or injured, don’t approach it unless you know it’s safe. Most mammals in Texas can carry rabies.

Observe from a distance: Does it appear to be injured or bleeding? If not, it’s probably best to leave it be. Either way, don’t give it food or water. Leave that to the pros.

If the critter does appear to need help, find a list of licensed wildlife rehabbers in your county by visiting tpwd.texas.gov/ huntwild/wild/rehab/list. They may be able to pick up the animal without you having to do so yourself.

ABOVE A litter of bobcats discovered in a shed that was being torn down.

TOP Jessica Hammonds cuddles Polly, who came to the center from Oklahoma.

Heart of Texas

WOMEN’S DIAMOND PENDANT

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Beware of Indoor Winter Safety Hazards

FIRES CAUSED BY home heating peak during winter months, with nearly half of all U.S. home heating equipment fires occurring between December and February.

Space heaters and stoves are involved in nearly one-third of house fires, accounting for about 8 out of 10 deaths and 7 out of 10 injuries. Cooking-related fires are the leading cause of home fires year-round.

Here are some tips to reduce the risk of home fires and associated hazards during the winter months.

Heating Safety

Make sure all heating equipment is in good working order. Heating systems and chimneys should be cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

Keep flammable items at least 3 feet away from all heating equipment, including furnaces, fireplaces, woodstoves and space heaters.

Always use the manufacturer-recommended fuel for fuelburning space heaters and follow their directions for safe use.

Make sure space heaters are in good working order, and turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Electrical Safety

Only plug one heat-producing appliance (like a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) into an outlet at a time.

Check electrical cords to make sure they aren’t running across doorways or under carpets, creating a tripping hazard.

Extension cords are intended for temporary use. Have a qualified electrician add more outlets so you don’t have to use extension cords. Call an electrician or your landlord if you have frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, a tingling feeling when you touch an appliance, a discolored or warm wall outlet, a burning or rubbery smell from an appliance, flickering or dimming lights, or sparks from an outlet.

Carbon Monoxide

Choose a CO alarm with the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home and in other locations where required. For the highest level of protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

Test CO alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If the trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.

If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh-air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a safe location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.

If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled motor indoors, even if garage doors are open.

A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.

Smoke alarms, which reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half, must be installed in all required locations and work properly. People may have as little as two minutes to escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing what to do when the smoke alarm sounds and using that time wisely can save a life. D

Celebrate the Super Bowl Safely

THE BIG GAME is an event that brings together friends and family across the nation. Having a safety game plan in place will ensure that your Super Bowl party is a hit with guests.

No matter who you’re rooting for, or if you’re just in it for the commercials, make sure electrical safety is in your lineup this Super Bowl Sunday—and always.

Offensive Line

You might need extension cords to power slow cookers or electronics. Never attempt to extend the length of an extension cord by connecting it with another extension cord, and make sure cords are not pinched. Do not place cords in high-traffic areas or under carpets, rugs or furniture, and don’t nail or staple them to anything. Don’t overload circuits; avoid plugging too many devices into an outlet. Use a surge protector and keep all liquids away from electrical items.

Don’t Fumble Safety

Save your risky bets for the game. Smoke alarms should be on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergencies. Ensure that any appliances, space heaters and extension cords have a safety label from a recognized testing laboratory.

Kicking It in the Kitchen

In your efforts to create the perfect Super Bowl spread, don’t forget that safety is crucial. Even if it means missing a play or two, stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stovetop, and turn off burners if you have to leave the room. Make sure all countertop appliances are not near the sink and keep cords, pot holders and towels away from hot surfaces.

Tackle Securing the TV

An improperly anchored TV can pose a serious risk, especially with pets or children running around. To make sure it doesn’t tip over, use a wall mount or secure straps to secure your TV to the wall or a stable piece of furniture. Remember to tuck away cables and cords so they don’t create a tripping hazard. D

Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative

14568 FM 121, Van Alstyne, TX 75495

P.O. Box 548, Van Alstyne, TX 75495

Office Hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Local (903) 482-7100 Toll-Free 1-800-967-5235

Web gcec.net

Directors

Steve Robinson, President, Celina

Paul Kirkland, Vice President, Lucas

Jim Copeland, Secretary-Treasurer, Pottsboro

David Ellis, Tom Bean

Dennis Ferguson, Van Alstyne

ABOUT GRAYSON-COLLIN EC

GCEC owns and maintains more than 5,300 miles of line to provide electric service to approximately 72,300 members in Collin and Grayson counties.

PAYMENT LOCATIONS

GCEC Office

14568 FM 121, Van Alstyne Night deposit available

Independent Bank—Anna Highway 5, Anna

Cendera Bank Highway 82 East, Bells

Independent Bank—Celina 290 Preston Road, Celina

Independent Bank—Howe 100 S. Denny St., Howe

First National Bank 109 S. Britton St., Tom Bean

VISIT US ONLINE gcec.net Check us out

Grayson-Collin EC $1,000 Scholarships Available

Eligibility

The scholarship can be won only once by an applicant.

To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:

e Be a resident of the state of Texas.

e Live at the residence of your parents or legal guardians who are members of Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative and who receive electric service from the cooperative at their permanent residence.

e Graduate from one of the following high schools the same year the scholarship is awarded: Bells, Collinsville, Denison, Gunter, Howe, Pottsboro, S&S Consolidated, Sherman, Texoma Christian School, Tioga, Tom Bean, Van Alstyne, Whitesboro or Whitewright in Grayson County or Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, Celina, Lovejoy, McKinney Christian Academy, McKinney, Melissa, Plano, Princeton or Prosper in Collin County. Students who are homeschooled are also eligible to apply.

If you are selected to receive a scholarship, you must:

e Enroll in the first fall semester after receipt of the scholarship.

e Meet entrance requirements for the school to which you apply. Eligible schools must be four-year universities, junior colleges or Texas Education Agency-approved trade schools that offer an associate degree. The scholarship will be mailed directly to the registrar or financial aid officer of the institution where you have enrolled.

Guidelines

Please submit the application on the next page along with the following to Grayson-Collin EC:

e At least two personal letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s talent, financial need and seriousness of pur-

pose, written by someone unrelated to the applicant (i.e., a teacher, counselor, mentor, youth leader, etc.).

e An essay of approximately 200 words in response to the following prompt: Tell us about your electric cooperative.

e A headshot.

If your high school uses a standard scholarship application, you may submit it instead of the Grayson-Collin EC scholarship application, but please include your GCEC account number. There is no need to duplicate work already done.

Judging Criteria

Applicants will be considered based on:

e Financial need

e Seriousness of purpose

e Desire to improve and grow

e Support of community and family life goals

e Content of essay

The application deadline is March 20. Send your completed application to:

Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative

Savanna Chandler

P.O. Box 548

Van Alstyne, TX 75495

If you have any questions about the scholarship or the application, please contact Savanna Chandler at (903) 482-7198 or schandler@gcec.net. D

Scholarship Application

PERSONAL DATA

Name GCEC account number

Mailing address City

Physical address City

Phone Social Security number

FAMILY INFORMATION

Name of parent/guardian Phone number

Address

Father’s/guardian’s occupation

Place of employment

Mother’s/guardian’s occupation

Place of employment

Total number of family members living at home

Number of family members attending college in 2026

Ages of children in the family

Family’s adjusted gross income □ Under $20,000 □ $20,000–$40,000 □ $40,000–$60,000 □ $60,000–$80,000 □ $80,000–$100,000 □ Over $100,000

Other financial considerations that should be noted

Will you be able to attend college if you do not receive financial assistance?

Other scholarships for which you have applied

HIGH SCHOOL PROFILE

Name of high school

Date of graduation

SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT

(If necessary, attach separate sheet with all activities/honors/community involvement listed.)

School-sponsored activities in which you have participated

Honors received and offices held

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Nonschool community activities in which you have participated

WORK EXPERIENCE

Dates during which any jobs were held, with company name and name of supervisor

FUTURE

College, university or trade school choices

Intended field of study

Career goal

Statement of lifetime goals

□ Applied

Accepted

Accepted □ Applied

Accepted

Prevent Shocks and Burns

Install tamper-resistant power outlets

AROUND SEVEN CHILDREN a day, on average, suffer severe shock and burns when they stick items such as keys, pins or paperclips—into the slots of electrical outlets. It’s estimated that there are six to 12 fatalities a year related to this.

Located in practically every room in every house throughout the U.S., electrical outlets represent a constant and real danger wherever young children can gain access.

But tamper-resistant receptacles provide a simple, affordable, reliable and permanent solution to help prevent these kinds of injuries.

Automatic Protection

TRRs look just like ordinary outlets but are designed with spring-loaded receptacle cover plates that close off the receptacle openings or slots.

When equal pressure is simultaneously applied to both sides, the receptacle cover plates open to allow the standard plug to make contact with the receptacle contact points. Without this simultaneous pressure, the cover plates remain closed, preventing insertion of foreign objects and protecting children from painful, traumatic electrical injuries.

Although not widely used in homes until recently, TRRs have been required in hospital pediatric care facilities since the early 1980s. In fact, TRRs have proven so effective that the National Electrical Code was updated in 2023 to require them for all new home constructions.

Existing homes can be easily retrofitted with TRRs using the same installation guidelines that apply to standard receptacles. Unlike TRRs, plastic outlet covers are not tested for tamper resistance. TRRs should only be installed by a licensed electrician.

Learn more about how to stay safe at home on the Electrical Safety Foundation International website, esfi.org. D

Get the Most Out of Your Washing Machine

YOU’VE PROBABLY HEARD that one of the best ways to use your washing machine efficiently is to only wash full loads of laundry.

It’s true—your machine will use about the same amount of power and water to wash a full load of laundry as it will for a smaller or half-full load. By waiting until you’ve got enough dirty clothes for a full load, you’ll find yourself doing fewer washes, saving energy and money.

If you have a top-loading machine, you’ll probably find a maximum fill level line. This line indicates how full the machine should be while your clothes are dry.

If your washing machine loads in the front, it might be harder to determine what a full load is. As a general rule of thumb, fill the machine about three-quarters full, or make sure there’s enough space for the palm of your hand to fit between the top of your pile of clothes and the top of the machine.

You don’t want to underfill your machine, but overfilling can make it hard for clothes to move freely, resulting in poor cleaning or wrinkly clothes. Frequent overloading can also wear on your machine.

To make your machine even more efficient, try washing your clothes in cold water, and consider buying an Energy Star-certified unit when it’s time to replace yours. D

Member Market

Grayson-Collin Electric Cooperative does not endorse these individuals or services. Member Market ads are a form of member service.

For Sale

Building materials—Large barn full of building materials of all types, new. Also cedar fencing 8 ft. x 4 in., new. Call (972) 369-2068.

Antique rifles—Winchester 1886 octagon barrel, caliber .40–82, very good bore and action, very good wood, 100% original, $2,650. Also 1886 .33 WCF, $1,850, full magazine. Call (214) 533-1415.

Golf carts—2018–20 electric and gas Yamaha and Club Car Tempos. Can be refurbished and personalized to your needs or wants with accessories. Call or text TGCG at (469) 424-4042.

Various—Tiger Club equipment, lawn mowers, Cub Cadet, Toro, in Whitesboro. Free crate wood. Call (903) 564-7901.

Various—Hoverboard for sale, in very good shape and has new batteries, $550. Left and right taillights that fit a 2019 Dodge Ram truck, in very good shape, $50. Call (903) 487-9784 or (903) 337-8250.

Boat—18 foot, lake ready, completely rebuilt with more than $5,000 spent on the rebuild. Call (972) 369-2068 with offers.

Tupperware—New microwavable bowl, $8; new bowl, $8; small container, $5; rectangular container, $10; spaghetti dispenser, $5; pitcher, $8; sandwich container, $3; large freezer container, $10. Call (903) 482-4252.

House—3-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranchstyle home on 7 acres with 4-stall pole barn, detached garage and other structures. Located on the corner of FM 1897 and Dugan Chapel Road at 6294 Dugan Chapel Road, Bells, $674,900. Must see to appreciate. Call Kenny at (903) 821-3566.

Various home items—Full-size antique brass bed, $125. Montgomery Ward gas wall furnaces, 30K–50K Btu/hour, $69–$99. Space heaters, $39. Dearborn, $99. Interlocking rubber floor mat squares: 40 multicolor 2’x2’, $75/160 sq. ft.; five thicker blue 2’x2’, $15/20 sq. ft. Call (972) 837-2243.

Baby swing—4Moms brand MamaRoo multimotion baby swing with smart connectivity. Used only twice as baby did not care for the swing. $175 OBO. Text (313) 350-8518, will provide photos.

Antique mirrors—One oval wood frame beveled mirror, $50. One long, very old mirror, 16x4 ft., very pretty above mantle, $150. Call (972) 569-6992.

Mirrors—2 mirrors, antique wood, Depres-

sion or earlier, 33”x36”, $110. Metal frame 30”x36”, $40. Pictures available. Call (217) 341-6232.

Truck parts—1957–59 Chevy truck cabs, big window, little window. Lots of parts: fenders, doors, hoods, grilles and supports, emblems, most everything. Call David at (214) 543-9639.

Tractor—Kubota M105X cab tractor with loader. 105 horsepower, 4-wheel drive. Shuttle shift, self-leveling bucket, less than 700 hours, $39,500. Call (903) 818-8674. Motorcycles—1973 Honda 750 4-cylinder, less than 2,000 actual miles driven. 1977 Yamaha 80cc. Both need work. Call (972) 672-3533.

For Rent or Lease

Lodge—5,000-sq.-ft. facility. Available for family reunions, retreats, weddings, etc. Overlooks private lake. RV spots available. Sleeps 24. Full kitchen. Email innkeeper@ crescentmoonlodge.com or call (214) 538-0513.

Executive RV storage—In Celina, full service. Fully enclosed, 50-amp series, heated, gated and 24-hour access as well as a water and dump station. Call (972) 3823936.

Hall—2,000-sq.-ft. facility available for reunions, weddings, receptions, luncheons, meetings, etc. Available every day of the week except Fridays. Also RV spots for lease by day or week. Inquire by phone at (903) 482-9360 or come by American Legion Post 376 at 293 Jay Road in Van Alstyne.

Chapel—Getting married or renewing vows? Historic chapel, beautifully restored, overlooks private lake, seats 100-plus. For an appointment, call (214) 521-2937 and leave message or (214) 522-8000. Sadler Community Center—Five-hour rental, fee includes space for up to 100 people with tables, chairs and full kitchen. Call or text (903) 819-7918.

Trailers—Enclosed cargo/car hauler, utility/dump, open car haulers, horse trailers. Winches & hitches offered for no additional cost. Visit towrar.com, call 1-877-701-1477 or email rightawayrentalsllc@gmail.com. Trailers—Enclosed cargo (CellTech), utility and car hauler trailers (TopHat). Financing and rent-to-own available. Call Open Road Trailers at (972) 565-1972 or visit buycelltechtrailers.com.

RV spots—Close to Tom Bean. All utilities included. Call (903) 546-2168.

Wanted

Knives and watches—Old pocketknives and pocket watches. Call (972) 658-6082. Gas pumps—From 1920s–50s. I also sell them restored. Call (214) 808-4621.

Services

Professional cleaning—Kiki’s House Cleaning delivers top-notch cleaning services for homes and offices in North Texas. Our dedicated team ensures every nook and cranny is spotless, providing you with a fresh and inviting environment. We take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to customer satisfaction, transforming your spaces into pristine areas that you can enjoy. Here’s what sets us apart: personalized service, trustworthy team, topnotch results and eco-friendly products. Call (469) 905-0969.

Farmers Insurance—Auto, home, life, umbrella, recreational vehicles, commercial. For a policy review or no-obligation quote, call Cindy at (469) 625-1239 or email Janice at jcross-white@farmersagent.com.

Weston Land Co.—If you’re looking to buy or sell real estate in the Grayson or Collin counties areas, give us a call at (972) 3828980 or (903) 482-4026.

LaFollett Tree Service—Trees trimmed and removed in the Van Alstyne area. Also British white cattle available. Call (214) 7331055.

Retired cabinetmaker—45 years’ experience designing and building kitchens, baths, offices, barn doors, entertainment centers. No job too small or too big. Call Tim at (619) 944-2873.

Striper fishing guide—Have been a professional fishing guide since 1979 and furnish everything. Call Ed Fowler at (903) 267-2311.

Eva’s All-Seasons Glass—Serving Grayson and Collin counties. Owner/operator with over 30 years of experience in the glass industry. Residential and commercial services. Visit evasallseasonsglass.com or call (214) 223-9691.

Guitar amplifiers repaired—Vacuum tube and solid-state amplifiers, musical instrument amplifiers repaired and restored. All makes and models. I specialize in vintage amplifiers. Visit crossfireelectronics.com or call (903) 436-1683.

Patterson Real Estate—If you’re looking to buy or sell property in the Grayson and Cooke counties area, please give me a call at (903) 814-3439.

Tractor work—Small to large acreages.

Mowing, post holes, bucket work, rolled hay moving, level driveways, fence repair, tree removal, fence row clearing and trash removal, fertilizing and seeding. Call (972) 832-0120.

Garage door and opener services— Residential and commercial, since 1982. Having door problems? Call Glenn at (903) 819-6064.

Chimney and fireplace services—Hale’s Chimney Cleaning and Repair. Chimney and fireplace services for all of North Texas since 1993. Repairs, inspections, cleaning and chimney caps. Dryer vent cleaning also. Call (972) 562-6851 or visit haleschimney.com.

Décor hanging—Former museum couple will hang your pictures, plaques, mirrors, etc. Great references. Call Connie at (214) 735-6187.

Scott’s CNC & Laser—We do custom wood signs, engraving and plastic 3D printing. Call (903) 741-8320.

Handyman—Scott’s Home Remodeling and Handyman. Bathroom remodel, deck,

painting, flooring, cabinet maker. Small or big. Contact Scott Randolph at (903) 7057009 or scottshomeremodeling.com.

Violin and piano instruction—Dr. Rand Certain, owner of Certain Music Studios, offers violin, piano and music theory instruction. Contact (469) 671-6078 or certainmusicstudio@gmail.com or visit certainmusic.net.

Guitar lessons—Available for any age. I will come to you, or come to the studio on Liberty Road off U.S. Highway 377 in Gordonville. Text (469) 418-6600.

Howe Metal Works—Custom CNC and welding. Fences, gates, awnings, etc. Call Zach at (903) 815-3353.

Landscape/irrigation install—Consultation, landscape design. Plant material broker. 25+ years’ experience. Residents of Anna Town Square receive 10% discount. Contact Ken with Northshore at krhellwig@ gmail.com or text (214) 912-8399.

Medicare plans—Final expense insurance and more. Call your hometown agent for expert, no-cost help. Resident of Grayson

Member Market Advertising Form

Category (check one): ○ For Sale ○ For Rent or Lease ○ Free ○ Services ○ Wanted

Type or print your ad below and mail to:

Savanna Chandler, Grayson-Collin EC, P.O. Box 548, Van Alstyne, TX 75495

NAME

PHONE ( )

Advertising Policy

Advertising in GCEC’s Member Market is a free service offered to our co-op members. As we have more than 40,000 members, we often have more ads submitted than we have space to print. Please limit ads to 25 words or fewer and submit only one ad per month. Ads will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis. Ads must be submitted before the 28th of each month to run in the next possible Texas Co-op Power (i.e., February 28 for the April issue). We reserve the right to refuse any ads. Ads must be resubmitted each month to run more than one month. Do not submit ads on the back of your payment stub. These stubs are processed automatically because we receive hundreds of payments daily. Ads for commercial businesses will be printed only if space allows after all other ads are placed.

County for 17 years. Call Chuck Moore at (972) 979-9221.

Church—Faith Kids Academy/Faith Healing Chapel is a safe, faith-based learning environment combining academic excellence, moral development and creative learning for children in the community. Open enrollment. Call (917) 532-9962.

Woodworking—Muddy Dog Woodshop. Mail boxes, pullout kitchen shelves, built-in shelves, closets. Located in McKinney. Call (214) 566-1441.

POWER TIP

The dryer lint trap is an important energy saver, so make sure to clean it before each load.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Thomas Edison’s Birthday Wednesday, February 11

Valentine’s Day Saturday, February 14

Presidents Day Monday, February 16

National Random Acts of Kindness Day

Tuesday, February 17

Love Your Pet Day Friday, February 20

$5 Gold American Eagles at COST! It's that simple. These Government issued coins are the easiest and safest way to protect your money and your family! A 5 minute call can change everything. DON'T WAIT!

• Portfolio Diversifier.

• Free of dealer Markup.

• Inflation Proof.

• Ultimate Safety Net.

Order online at TexasCoopPower.com and put The Best of Typically Texas Cookbook in your kitchen for only $29.95 (price includes tax, shipping and handling).

To order by mail, send a check or money order payable to TEC for $29.95 to Best of Typically Texas Cookbook, 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701.

Boots Across Texas

The best jazz musician, arranger and bandleader you’ve never heard of

BY CLAY COPPEDGE • ILLUSTRATION BY KIRSTEN ULVE

MOST DISCUSSIONS OF the Temple jazz scene in the early 20th century—if indeed there are such discussions or there was a jazz scene to discuss—begin and end with Scott Joplin.

Joplin, a Texan and the acknowledged king of ragtime music, was in Temple for at least a short while in 1896 as a member of the Texas Medley Quartet and published three of his very early compositions while in the Central Texas city.

But the discussion ought to include Clifford “Boots” Douglas, who was born in Temple 12 years later. Douglas took up the drums when he was 15 and would go on to become the best jazz musician and arranger you’ve never heard of.

In 1926 he took his talents to San Antonio, where his first gig was with Millard

McNeal’s Southern Melody Boys. He formed his own band, Boots and His Buddies, soon after.

“Although born the same year as fellow San Antonio bandleader Don Albert, we know far, far less about Boots Douglas and his band than we do Albert. That’s because Boots made the mistake of being born in Temple, Texas, instead of New Orleans,” wrote a blogger for Wired for Sound. “The fact that Boots’ early Bluebird sessions were sometimes as good or better than Albert’s Vocalion session from the same time frame was of no apparent concern to jazz historians.”

The band was usually billed as Boots and His 13 Buddies, though sometimes circumstances reduced him to 11 Buddies. The name very likely came from

a popular comic strip of the day called Boots and Her Buddies. Boots’ band was what’s known as a territory band—dance bands, usually consisting of a dozen or so musicians, that crisscrossed specific regions of the U.S. from the 1920s through the 1960s, performing popular songs of the day. They played one-nighters six or seven nights a week, at venues like meeting and dance halls and hotel ballrooms.

Jazz historians have called these bands the cover bands of their day and credit them with bringing popular music to places that national booking agents ignored.

In this era, San Antonio was a regular stop for the major record labels’ field trips to record regional artists and genres. Boots and His Buddies recorded 42 sides for the RCA Victor/Bluebird Records label in San Antonio between 1935 and 1938.

Texas writer and jazz scholar Dave Oliphant, who is responsible for much of what little we know about Douglas, notes that Boots and His Buddies was unlike other jazz groups or individual artists from Texas because they “never left the state for fame in Kansas City, New York, Chicago or Los Angeles.”

But the band did occasionally play outside the state. A Paris, Texas, newspaper from July 1937 noted, “The Douglas band comes to Paris from engagements at the Kit Kat Klub, St. Louis; the Grand Terrace Café, Chicago; and from recent fill-in spots in Dallas’s Chez Maurice.”

Boots and His Buddies continued to tour, almost exclusively in Texas, through the 1940s before Douglas called it quits and moved to Los Angeles in 1950.

He continued to play part time in California, until he didn’t. The Handbook of Texas notes that Social Security death records list a Clifford Douglas, who was born September 7, 1906, in Texas and died October 27, 2000, in Los Angeles. D

Cheesecake

Massively delicious delights that are well worth the effort

BY VIANNEY RODRIGUEZ, FOOD EDITOR

This is everything I want in a cheesecake. I want a buttery crust, a thick filling and a pop of tartness from citrus. I topped mine with freshly whipped cream, but lemon curd, fresh berries, a jam or candied lemon would all be delicious too. Please note: Cheesecakes take a lot of time. Allow yourself a day and a half from start to serving.

Lemon Cheesecake

CRUST

2 cups shortbread cookie crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted

FILLING

4 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened

1 cup sugar

½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

8–10 drops yellow food color

5 eggs, room temperature

1 cup whipped cream, for topping

1 lemon, thinly sliced, seeds removed, for garnish

1. CRUST Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, combine cookie crumbs, sugar and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes, then allow to cool.

3. FILLING In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until smooth. Reduce speed to low and beat in heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, flour, and vanilla and lemon extracts. Add food color, starting with 8 drops, but adding up to 2 more to achieve desired color. Add eggs and beat on low until just combined.

4. Place springform pan on a baking sheet. Carefully pour filling over crust. Bake 60–70 minutes or until center is almost set.

5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate overnight.

6. Run a knife around edge of cheesecake to separate from springform pan, then remove side wall. Gently run a knife between bottom crust and base of pan to separate cheesecake. Place on a cake stand or serving platter.

7. Top with whipped cream and lemon slices.

SERVES 12

Follow Vianney Rodriguez as she cooks in Cocina Gris at sweetlifebake.com, where she features a recipe for Mexican Chocolate Cheesecake.

Cinnamon

MARIJA DIMITROVSKA NUECES EC

This one is for my cinnamon roll lovers. All the flavors of the delicious pastry baked into a cheesecake is simply genius. I’ll be whipping this one up regularly.

CR UST

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

CI NNAMON SWIRL

1 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup flour

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup (2/3 stick) butter, melted

FILLING

4 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

½ cup sour cream

4 eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon salt

Cream cheese frosting (optional)

1. CRUST Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Stir in melted butter. Press mixture into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

$500 WINNER

Lime Cheesecake With Caramelized Mangoes

ROSE M. DAILEY HOUSTON COUNTY EC

Dailey developed this recipe when she had a surplus of mangoes, and it is a delight. I had never caramelized mangoes before—what a pop of flavor!

CRUST

11/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 tablespoons sugar

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

FILLING

3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened

1 cup sour cream

1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

2 tablespoons lime zest 1/4 cup lime juice

$500 Recipe Contest

DON’T SKIMP ON SHRIMP DUE FEB 10

CARAMELIZED MANGOES

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon (1/8 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 5 cups chopped mango

1. CRUST Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press crumb mixture evenly over bottom and up the side of prepared pan. Bake 5–6 minutes, then allow to cool.

3. FILLING Reduce oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually add sweetened condensed milk, beating until smooth. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat on low until combined, scraping down sides of bowl. Add lime zest and juice, and beat on low until combined. Pour into prepared pan.

4. Bake 1 hour. Remove from oven and place pan on a cooling rack for an additional hour. Refrigerate at least 6 hours, until firm.

5. Run a knife around edge of cheesecake to separate from springform pan, then remove side wall. Gently run a knife between bottom crust and base of pan to separate cheesecake. Place on a cake stand or serving platter.

6. CARAMELIZED MANGOES Combine sugar and water in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until sugar dissolves. Continue cooking 3 minutes or until golden; do not stir. Add butter to pan and stir to combine.

7. Reduce heat to medium. Add mango to pan, gently stirring to coat. Cook 10 minutes or until mango is lightly browned, stirring frequently. Allow to cool and serve cheesecake topped with mangoes.

SERVES 12

No state produces more shrimp than Texas—2 million pounds a year. How do you like yours? Our favorite shrimp recipe will win $500 and appear in the July issue.

UPCOMING: AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS DUE MAR 10

Roll Cheesecake

2. Bake 10 minutes. Allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, wrap the bottom of the pan with a few layers of foil.

3. CINNAMON S WIRL In another bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir in melted butter. The mixture will be thick and gooey. Set aside.

4. FILLING Beat cream cheese on medium speed 2–3 minutes, until smooth. Add brown sugar and sugar, and continue beating an additional 2 minutes, scraping down sides as needed. Add sour cream and beat until incorporated.

5. Add eggs one at time and beat on low until combined, scraping down sides of bowl. Gently stir in vanilla and salt.

6. Pour 1/3 of filling over cooled crust. Gently spread 1/3 of prepared cinnamon swirl over filling. Repeat this process until you have poured all the filling and top off with the last of the swirl.

7. Place springform pan in a large roasting pan. Add hot water to roasting pan halfway up side of springform pan to form a water bath. Carefully place in oven and bake 60–70 minutes. At this point, the cheesecake will be slightly jiggly to the touch, but the edges will be set. Turn off oven and allow cheesecake to cool in the oven 30 minutes. Then remove roasting pan from oven.

8. Allow to cool completely before removing cheesecake from water bath. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, run a knife around edge of cheesecake to separate from springform pan, then remove side wall. Place on a cake stand or serving platter.

9. Top with cream cheese frosting, if desired.

SERVES 12

Chocolate Amaretto Cheesecake With Raspberries

GLENDA PEIRSOL PEDERNALES EC

Chocolate + Amaretto + Raspberries? Sign me up! This cheesecake can be enjoyed all year. It’s perfect for date night, Valentine’s Day, entertaining or a girls’ night in.

CHEESECAKE

1½ cups crushed chocolate cookies or chocolate graham crackers

3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened

1½ cups sugar

1 cup cottage cheese

1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup amaretto, or 2 teaspoons almond extract

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 eggs, room temperature

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

½ cup raspberry jam 1 pint raspberries

1. CHEESECAKE Preheat oven to 315 degrees. Coat bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle crushed cookie crumbs on bottom of pan.

2. Beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, cottage cheese, cocoa powder, flour, amaretto or almond extract, vanilla, and salt. Beat on low until smooth. Add eggs and beat on low until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. Slowly pour mixture over crumbs in prepared pan. Bake on middle rack 75 minutes. Remove from oven, allow to cool on a rack and refrigerate overnight.

4. FROSTING In a large bowl, stir together melted butter and cocoa powder until evenly mixed. Add in powdered sugar and milk. Beat on low until smooth and easily spread. Stir in vanilla.

FROSTING

½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

6. Spread raspberry jam on top, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edge. Pipe frosting to make a border around the top and bottom of cheesecake. Top with raspberries.

SERVES 12

SpiritualityMee

“I never expected it to be so beautiful that it takes your breath away.”

— Kaya C., on Stauer Opals

n a quaint village, nestled between rolling hills, lived a young woman with a deep appreciation for gemstones. Her grandmother gifted her a delicate cross pendant adorned with opals. The opals shimmered with a mesmerizing play of colors, reflecting hues of blues, greens, and fiery oranges. Her grandmother shared the legend of the opals, believed to bring hope, purity, and luck to those who wore them.

Using this story as inspiration, Stauer brings you the Opal Spirit Cross Pendant. With over 2 total carats of Kyocera lab-created opals set in .925 sterling silver encased in yellow gold, this pendant is a radiant celebration of beauty and craftsmanship. Each opal captivates with a kaleidoscopic dance of fiery oranges blending into oceanic blues, streaked with flashes of vibrant green that seem to come alive with every movement. The shimmering opals are skillfully arranged to create an enchanting, otherworldly glow, embodying the spirit of hope and harmony.

This breathtaking combination of color and craftsmanship is available as a limited availability of

only 930 pieces, making it a rare and treasured addition to your jewelry collection. Plus, when you order today, you’ll receive the gold-finished sterling silver chain—a $69 value—absolutely free!

Don’t miss your chance to own this exclusive tribute to timeless elegance and meaningful symbolism.

Necklace Specifications:

• 2 1/2 ctw. Kyocera lab opals and DiamondAura® accents

• Yellow gold-finished .925 sterling silver setting

• 18" gold-clad .925 sterling silver chain

Opal Spirit Cross Pendant plus FREE Chain

$499 $59* + S & P Save $440

*Special price only for customers using the offer code. 1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: OCR329-01

Honky-Tonk Heaven

The humble dance hall in Helotes where legends broke in their boots BY CHET

GARNER

IF TEXAS DANCE HALLS had a Mount Rushmore, this iconic honky-tonk would be chiseled in. From the outside, it looks like the kind of roadside stop where you’d grab a cold Coke and a bag of pork rinds. But step inside, and you’ll quickly realize you’ve entered a shrine to Texas country music that’s been making boots scoot since 1942.

John T. Floore’s Country Store—known to most simply as “Floore’s”— sits near the north end of the Helotes historic district just outside San Antonio. It isn’t so much a “store” as a dance hall that’s hosted everyone from Hank Williams to Kacey Musgraves. In fact, the legend of “Shotgun Willie” Nelson was born on this stage, where he carved out his new persona and found a lifelong following.

The walls are lined with photos that make up a who’s who of country music spanning nine decades, while the boots hanging from the rafters whisper the stories of generations of Texans who’ve danced the night away.

When I visited, the street was filled with pickup trucks as the smell of brisket drifted on the Hill Country breeze. Inside, I ordered a plate of tamales (a Floore’s specialty) and an ice-cold longneck, served just the way Texas law requires.

By the time the band struck its first chord, the dance floor was packed with folks two-stepping like they’d been practicing for years. I tried to keep up but mostly looked like a confused armadillo on roller skates.

What makes Floore’s special isn’t just the music or the food—it’s the feeling that you’re standing in the middle of Texas history that’s still alive and kicking. It’s a place where past and present two-step together under the same neon lights. D

ABOVE Chet grabs a prime parking spot at John T. Floore’s Country Store.

Watch the video on our website and see all of Chet’s Texplorations on The Daytripper on PBS.

Know Before You Go

Call ahead or check an event’s website for scheduling details, and check our website for many more upcoming events.

FEBRUARY

Grand Prairie [6–8, 13–15, 21–22] Lunar New Year, (972) 975-5100, asiatimessquare.com

North Zulch Volunteer Fire Department Chili Cook-Off, (979) 488-9214, northzulchvfd.org

Palestine Mardi Gras Parade, 1-800-659-3484, visitpalestine.com

Fort Worth [10–15] Six, (817) 212-4280, basshall.com

Boerne [13–14] Chocolate Walk, (830) 248-1635, ci.boerne.tx.us

Chappell Hill Wine & Chocolate Stroll, (979) 337-9910, chappellhilltx.com

Grapevine Sweetheart Wine Train, (817) 410-3185, grapevinetexasusa.com

Valentine Valentine’s in Valentine, valentineinvalentinetx.com

Fredericksburg Lindsay and Jason, fredericksburgmusic club.com

Brenham [16–21] Fortnightly Club Used Book Sale, (979) 525-7414, facebook .com/thefortnightlyclub

Brenham [20–21] Friendship Quilt Guild Quilt Show, (979) 525-1128, friendshipquiltguild.com

Spicewood Stars, Spurs & Illusions: The Art of Texas Magic, (512) 264-2820, spicewoodarts.org

Gonzales 100th Anniversary Organ Concert, (830) 6723521, gonzalesprestexas.com

La Grange [27–28] Colorado Valley Quilt Guild Quilt Show, coloradovalleyqg.com

Washington [27–28] Texas Independence Day Celebration, (936) 878-2214, wheretexasbecametexas.org 28

Boerne 1940s Night at the USO Gala, (512) 693-8382, vfw688.org

Conroe Arbor Day, (936) 539-7824, mcmga.com

MARCH

Corsicana Living History Event, (903) 875-7438, pearcemuseum.com

Corsicana Divas of Soul, (903) 874-7792, corsicanapalace.com

Spicewood Blue Water Highway, (512) 264-2820, spicewoodarts.org

LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT, LOWER YOUR BILL

Conserve electricity and avoid higher winter energy bills.

Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees when home—and lower when away—saves money. Each degree you decrease can save 3%–5%.

Save even more with these tips:

Turn off and unplug unused lights and appliances.

Close shades and blinds at night to reduce heat loss.

Open them to capture solar heat on sunny days. Avoid using electric space heaters.

Change furnace filters.

Weatherstrip or caulk doors and windows.

Your electric cooperative encourages you to use energy efficiently.

From the Oil Fields

It’s dangerous work. Those who choose this profession are bold, risking their own safety to fuel the world. Their tireless pursuit energizes homes and businesses, keeps trucks delivering goods across the country, and provides a wide variety of products. This month we salute those in search of black gold.

CURATED BY GRACE FULTZ

1 JAMIE VAZQUEZ

PEDERNALES EC

“The sunset on a few jack-up rigs waiting for work in Galveston.”

2 MIKE PALMER FORT BELKNAP EC

“My grandfather Tobe Palmer, center, far back, pulling an oil well near Electra around 1918.”

3 GARY BAKER

MIDSOUTH EC

“Looking for Texas tea in the moonlight.”

4 DAFFANA GRAY

PEDERNALES EC

“My youngest brother, Eric Gray, operations supervisor for a major oil and gas operations company.”

Upcoming Contests

DUE FEB 10 Making a Splash

DUE MAR 10 Seasoned Snaps

DUE APR 10 Underwater Life

Enter online at TexasCoopPower.com/contests.

See Focus on Texas on our website for many more From the Oil Fields photos from readers.

What Love Looks Like

In sickness and in health— in a tiny Hill Country cabin

BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS ILLUSTRATION BY PETE LLOYD

FOR MANY OF THEIR nearly seven decades together, Cicero and Olla Rust lived in a comfortable home on their Blanco County ranch.

But when Olla became sick in her last years, caring for both her and a large house became too much. So Cicero sold the house and moved a one-room cabin onto their land.

“That’s one good woman!” Cicero exclaimed after I arrived for an afternoon visit. In bed lay his wife, a mere shadow of the strong woman she’d once been. A woman who had chopped cedar, corralled cattle and worked their land as good as any ranch hand.

Now she lay on her side, knees drawn, arms across her stomach, her head on a pillow. A cotton sheet lay tousled to one side.

Cicero and Olla met in 1935 in the Hill Country. Her father forbade the romance, but a year later, Olla told Cicero that she wanted to get married.

Secretly, they agreed to meet in Johnson City on a stormy night in May 1936. But Olla’s father kept her after dark doing chores. By the time the couple finally arrived at the judge’s home, it was 11:30 p.m. So Cicero had to “run the JP out of bed” to perform the ceremony.

During their first nine years together, the couple lived in a run-down, one-room sharecropper’s cabin. To make money, they chopped cedar and sold three stacked cords for $5. Determined to do better, they saved their money, bought two milk cows and sold cream.

“That Depression learned me a lot,” said Cicero, 90, dressed in his trademark denim overalls, his white hair bare of the usual gimme cap. “It learned me that you can live without some things.”

In 1947, the Rusts bought 160 acres in Blanco County. Two years later, they purchased 117 more. In 1950, Olla bore their only child, C.A. Rust III.

While we visited, I glanced now and then at Olla, 91, who lay staring at the wall. Three times a week, a home health care worker bathed and fed her. A physical therapist came, too. But it’s Cicero— her devoted partner in life—who tended to all her needs.

For a while, Olla lived in a nursing home. But when staff used restraints to keep her in bed, Cicero brought his wife back home to the one-room cabin. He learned the correct way to lift her, bathe her, what to feed her and when.

“I can take care of her myself,” Cicero said. “And I still ranch, too.”

As I drove away, my eyes teared up as I thought about Olla and Cicero—about the vastness and strength of a love that endures and refuses to give up. That tenderly cares and nurtures, even when the caring can’t be returned. That selflessly trades the luxuries of a spacious home for a simple cabin.

Now that’s true love straight from the heart. D

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Morgan Silver Dollars Are Among the Most Iconic Coins in U.S. History

What makes them iconic? The Morgan Silver Dollar is the legendary coin that built the Wild West. It exemplifies the American spirit like few other coins, and was created using silver mined from the famous Comstock Lode in Nevada. In fact, when travelers approached the mountains around the boomtown of Virginia City, Nevada in the 1850s, they were startled to see the hills shining in the sunlight like a mirror. A mirage

caused by weary eyes? No, rather the effect came from tiny flecks of silver glinting in the sun.

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