October & November 2026
Life and Style in Central Texas
CREATIVE CARVER KRISTINA MARIE PATENAUDE TRANSFORMS PUMPKINS & MORE
FAMILY FUN FOR FALL
INSIDE THE HAPPY PORCH PROJECT
TRUEHEART OFFERS HELP HEALING
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IN THIS ISSUE
26
Carving a Career Kristina Marie Patenaude transforms pumpkins, gourds and squash
36
Fun for All
There is so much to explore at Highland Acres Homestead
Nicole Brackett wants everyone to have a happy porch this fall. | 40 Photo by JANE GIBSON and gourds into works of ON THE COVER pumpkins art. | 26 Photo by BECKY STINEHOUR Kristina Marie Patenaude transforms
6 8 9 10 12 16 18
ADVERTISING INDEX EDITOR’S LETTER CONTRIBUTORS NEIGHBORS Meet Laura Cohn OUTREACH Peaceable Kingdom Retreat Center reopens SCENE Mary Shelley’s birthday bash SCENE Killeen Backyard Brew Fest
4 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
20 22 24 30 54 56 58
TEEN REVIEW The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires MIXOLOGY Pomegranate Margarita THIS GIRL’S GARDEN Passionflower vine IN THE SPOTLIGHT Temple holiday spirit SCENE Central Texas State Fair SCENE Bell County Comic Con SCENE Spazmatics concert
40
Does Your Home Have a Happy Porch? Nicole Brackett wants to decorate your front stoop for fall
44
Fall into Fun
Families can enjoy pumpkin patches, haunted hay rides, Scottish games, dances and more
50
Navigate Loss
Central Texas Woman designs app to help people who are hurting
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Life and Style in Central Texas
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254-778-4444 (Temple) 254-501-7500 (Killeen) Enjoy a visit to Highland Acres Homestead in Belton this fall. Read more on page 36.
ADVERTISING INDEX Acropolis Greek Cuisine & Lily’s Cakes................................. 3
Hall's Roofing...................................................................... 15
AdventHealth...................................................................... 59
Heart of Texas Goodwill...................................................... 38
Audionova........................................................................... 39
Keyrenter Property Management....................................... 15
Bentons............................................................................... 19
Lastovica Fine Jewelers....................................................... 25
Cameron Park Zoo.............................................................. 53
Lonesome Pine Nursery...................................................... 53
Central Texas College......................................................... 21
Temple Children's Museum................................................. 55
City of Temple....................................................30-35, 43, 47
Tex Appeal.......................................................................... 15
Corbin & Clapper Attorneys............................................... 57
Texas Senior Medicare........................................................ 19
Cultural Activities Center.................................................... 17
Tex-Rican Restaurant........................................................... 55
ExtraCo Banks....................................................................... 2
Training Center of Central Texas........................................... 7
First Texas Bank................................................................... 17
Veranda Bloom...................................................................... 5
Garlyn Shelton Auto Group.................................. Back cover
Young’s Daughters Funeral Home....................................... 52
Grigsby Farms..................................................................... 53
Z Medical Aesthetics........................................................... 17
Guiding Light Concepts...................................................... 19
Zootys.................................................................................. 23
The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions to this index. 6 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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FROM THE EDITOR
T
here is something special about fall that makes you want to slow down a little and enjoy the cooler weather as the holiday season approaches. We start pulling out decorations, making plans for fall festivals and outings with our families, and somehow convince ourselves to order a pumpkin spice latte when it’s still 85 degrees outside, as if begging the weather to cooperate and give us a reprieve from the heat. It’s a season filled with traditions, family, community and memories. In this issue of Tex Appeal, we celebrate the people who make the season a little more beautiful, meaningful and fun. Professional pumpkin carver and Temple resident Kristina Marie Patenaude is on the cover. Kristina transforms pumpkins, gourds and squash into incredible works of art. Her creations prove that with a little imagination and skill, a pumpkin can become more than just a jacko’-lantern. Read Kristina’s story on page 26 and find out where you can watch her in competition this fall. Inspired by her love for the autumn season, Nicole Brackett created The Happy Porch Project, page 40. She decorates porches with pumpkins, mums, scarecrows and other seasonal décor, helping Central Texans transform their spaces into beautiful BRANDY CRUZ celebrations of fall. editor@ Highland Acres Homestead in Belton is a small but texappealmag.com facebook.com/ beautiful farm that raises mini Highland cows, cattle, texappealmag chickens, pigs, goats, alpacas and even a kangaroo. The farm hosts all kinds of events for families and couples. Read their story on page 36. We know the holiday season can be difficult when a loved one is missing. A favorite tradition suddenly makes you sad, a familiar song brings back memories and the empty chair is especially noticeable during the holidays. That’s why I’m happy we are sharing the story of TrueHeart, page 50, an app created by a Central Texas woman who knows what it’s like to lose a loved one and uses her gifts to help people where they are in their grief process. No fall issue would be complete without a little adventure, so we’ve gathered plenty of ideas to keep your family busy this fall, page 44. From pumpkin patches to festivals, there’s plenty of ways to keep busy this holiday season, enjoy the season and make lasting memories. Although the leaves don’t really change much during the fall in Texas, the weather grows cooler, and the days grow shorter as another year begins winding toward its close. Somewhere between pumpkins, laughing at a fall festival and loved ones gathered around our tables, we’re reminded to appreciate what we have while we have it. So, go ahead and grab that pumpkin spice latte, enjoy the cooler weather and make lasting memories. Happy fall, y’all! Tex Appeal editor
8 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
Tex Appeal Life & Style in Central Texas
Published by FRANK MAYBORN ENTERPRISES, INC. KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
1809 Florence Rd., Killeen, TX 76540
TEMPLE DAILY TELEGRAM
10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501
Publisher SUE MAYBORN Editor BRANDY CRUZ Graphic Designer M. CLARE HAEFNER Contributors JANE GIBSON MARIA PAKUTKA AMY ROGNLIE BECKY STINEHOUR RACHEL STRICKLAND TONYA WARREN SHARON WHITE JANNA ZEPP Advertising 254-778-4444 in Temple 254-501-7500 in Killeen ABOUT US: Tex Appeal Magazine is published by Frank Mayborn Enterprises, Inc. 10 S. Third St., Temple, TX 76501. The cover and content of Tex Appeal Magazine is fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior permission. | 2026© SUBSCRIPTIONS: For the United States, $24 per year, 6 issues. Mail check to P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. For questions about subscriptions, call 254-778-4444. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Tex Appeal Magazine, P.O. Box 6114, Temple, TX 76503-6114. HOW TO CONTACT US: Advertising: 254-778-4444 or 254-501-7500. Editorial: Contact Brandy Cruz at editor@texappealmag.com
CONTRIBUTORS JANE GIBSON is owner of Jane Gibson Photography and has more than 30 years of experience in portrait, event/ wedding and travel photography. She is a native of Killeen and volunteers her time and her camera lens to many charitable organizations and community events. She is also a retired adjunct professor of Spanish and a Realtor for Native Real Estate. Find her at https://janegibson. zenfolio.com. MARIA PAKUTKA recently finished her English master’s degree. She works as a professional tutor while she writes creatively on the side; she mostly writes horror fantasy. Other than writing, she also likes to read and play Stardew Valley in her free time. AMY ROGNLIE is an author and middleschool teacher. Her newest series of cozy mystery novels, The Short Creek Mysteries, are set in Bell County. Amy’s articles have been published in national magazines and websites. She blogs on encouragement, hope and faith on AmyRognlie.com. Amy and her family reside in Little River-Academy. BECKY STINEHOUR is a portrait, commercial and event photographer who also loves shooting live music. Her work has been published in several regional magazines. She is a longtime Killeen resident who highlights her hometown connections through the lens of her camera. Find her at www.beckystinehour. com and www.candidimagesphoto.com.
RACHEL STRICKLAND is an adjunct English professor at Temple College and the founding editor of the literary magazine, The Raven Review. She earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M University-Central Texas in 2021. In her free time, she’s usually reading, crocheting, or trying to keep her houseplants alive. TONYA WARREN has been a registered nurse for 33 years with Ascension Providence Healthcare in Waco and a lifestyles writer for a few years. She lives in Waco and enjoys reading, writing and taking her grouchy German Shepherd on walks. SHARON WHITE is an award-winning author who lives in Temple. Her writing has been featured in the New York Daily News, Huffington Post, AdvancingWomen. com and FashionBible.com. Her weekly lifestyle blog, QStyleTheBook.com, is based on her book, Quintessential Style: Cultivate and Communicate Your Signature Look. JANNA ZEPP is a native Texan. Her career in mass communication includes writing for film, TV, radio, and print media. She spent four years writing for the Fort Hood Sentinel and two years as a III Corps Public Affairs television producer, anchor and writer for Fort Hood On Track and three years as the editor of Tex Appeal.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Tex Appeal is looking for local photographers and freelance writers with newspaper or magazine experience. Send a resume and three to five recent published samples for consideration to editor@texappealmag.com.
CONNECT WITH US
Find us on Facebook/texappealmag and read older issues at TexAppealMag.com. TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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NEIGHBORS
Improving Sales BELTON’S LAURA COHN OFFERS TIPS FOR SMALL-BUSINESS OWNERS IN NEW BOOK By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of LAURA COHN
'P
eople who run small businesses have a significant impact on the people in their communities. If a small business owner doesn't enjoy having sales conversations, it’s going to hurt their business,” said Belton’s Laura Cohn, author of a new book entitled Sales Without Being Pushy. “I can help them change that.” Cohn knows what she is talking about. A long and successful career in internet marketing sales has prepared her to teach others how to represent their own company well. “The reason I was successful in internet marketing sales and was able to do it for over 14 years was because I loved talking to small business owners about their marketing and used a sales system I developed from my experiences in life,” Cohn said. “I enjoyed listening to them and I learned so much. Selling a service was a solution I was happy to offer.” Caring about the client and getting to know what each individual customer needs or wants is at the core of Cohn’s approach. As a successful salesperson and also a certified mediator, Cohn has learned the art of listening to her clients. “Not every business owner thinks about what a conversation with a customer sounds like to the customer. They just want to sell their product,” Cohn said. “You have to listen. You have to care and genuinely want to help that person.” Cohn’s new book, Sales Without Being Pushy: Write a Simple Sales System You Will Actually Use, is a workbook for small business owners who are struggling with sales. The book was recently included in the Global Business Development Association’s Top 10 Business Development Book list on LinkedIn and was written in conjunction with 416 Sales, Cohn’s sales and marketing consulting firm located in Belton. Both her sales company and her workbook provide practical resources, so
10 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
service professionals and small-business owners in Central Texas and the U.S. can learn to do sales without being pushy or fake. Her drive to pursue this mission and help other business owners comes from a strong belief that what she has learned and what she can provide will truly help business owners who are willing to try to think about sales in a different way. “There are sales tactics and closing lines and all kinds of gimmicks that people learn to try to sell a product. But business owners need to be themselves and understand that that is what will attract people to them, not a certain phrase or closing technique,” Cohn said. “My workbook will help business owners to sit down and get clear
about their company mission and what they are truly selling.” Cohn’s workbook is designed to help struggling business owners stop, regroup, and find a new perspective that can give them better results. In the workbook, she shares stories about her life, what she learned, and how she applied those experiences to sales. The exercises in each section ask questions so a business owner can really think about how their business serves their target market, because Cohn posits that you can’t sell something that you are not sold on yourself. She says that salespeople have to feel good about what they are selling and what they are doing to make people feel good about buying from them. “Sales can be fun,” Cohn added. “When you love what you do, understand how you can help people, and why that really matters, a sales appointment becomes a caring conversation about what that person needs. Then you get to explain how you can help them and do the best you can to make it work for their budget.”
Starting in January 2027, Cohn will also be doing group sales training and private sales coaching for the Biblical Business Mastermind group that has started on Facebook. “Being able to share my faith and how I put God’s promises into action in my work is something I am really looking forward to,” Cohn said. “My core values are grounded in focusing on God for everything I need, so I'm not concerned about money first in a business conversation. That allows me to focus on what my customer needs and what will bring the best results. Once the goal and the solutions are established, the money part is worked out.”
GET IN TOUCH
Email: Laura@416sales.com Website: https://www.416sales.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/416SalesTX/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ lauraanncohn/
TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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OUTREACH
Restoring a Retreat GROUP GIVES PEACEABLE KINGDOM A NEW START By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of PEACEABLE KINGDOM
'F
orty people showed up — in the rain — with chainsaws, trash bags and weed trimmers, ready to help. That’s when I knew this thing was much bigger than us,” said Dr. Blayne Alaniz, Peaceable Kingdom’s executive director. “We want Central Texas to know that Peaceable Kingdom is back!” A beloved part of Central Texas since it was founded by the Bowmer family in 1984, Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County has served Central Texas for more than 40 years as a place where children and adults with special needs can experience the outdoors. But when the camp was abandoned by its owners and put up for sale in late 2025, a group of local families — led by the Yowell family — decided that Peaceable Kingdom was worth saving. They believed that the mission and legacy of this camp were worth investing in, and they chose to invest locally and give back to Bell County so that many more generations of kids could experience the outdoors in a disability-friendly way. This generous contribution from the Yowell family made saving the camp possible, and today Peaceable Kingdom is once again a fully-functioning, state licensed youth camp and retreat facility on 115 acres in Bell County, offering an accessible campus built specifically for campers of all abilities. “The people leading PKRBC live here, know this community, and are invested in it personally. We are your neighbors and we want Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County to be a special place, just as the Bowmer family had intended,” Alaniz said. “Most of all, we believe in this mission. We are committed to this adventure, and we are in it for the long haul. This is not a short-term project for us. It is a lasting investment in Central Texas and in the families who call it home.” Their mission has not changed, and they are ready to serve people of all abilities. Whether
12 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
it be their summer camps, retreats, field trips, outdoor education, respite or special education programming, Alaniz and his staff are eager to bring Peaceable Kingdom back to what it once was. “Every part of our camp, from the pool to the ropes course to the archery range, is designed to be accessible,” Alaniz said. “Families who've been told ‘We can't accommodate your child’ have a place here and we are very proud of that!” The camp, which had lain dormant for almost a year, transitioned owners in March. Alaniz was hired in April and they hosted a camp in June. Alaniz believes that the state licensing process, the support from the community, and the success of our summer camps were a testament to the impact of this camp and the desire our community has to bring it back and continue its legacy. “We offer a safe, welcoming place for families and individuals with disabilities and differences — a space where they can experience the outdoors, build friendships, and be included,” Alaniz said. “For many of the families and organizations that serve people with disabilities that we work with, places like this are difficult to find.” The Peaceable Kingdom organization also hopes to continue building and rebuilding relationships with local stakeholders, including schools, hospitals, and disability-serving organizations across the region, reaching families who might not otherwise know they are here. “Strong partnerships are how we reach the families who need us most,” Alaniz said. The organization also plans to keep investing in the camp by improving the grounds and infrastructure, which is a long-term investment for both the board and Alaniz personally. More than anything, they desire Peaceable Kingdom to be a place Central Texas is proud of — a camp where Continued
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children with special needs and their families feel they belong, and where the community sees the impact firsthand. Peaceable Kingdom’s programs provide inclusive, outdoor experiences designed for individuals of all abilities. Through recreational activities and structured programming, participants build confidence, develop independence, and form meaningful connections. But the camp also offers retreats and respite programs, giving individuals and families a peaceful setting to rest, recharge, and connect and providing caregivers with reliable, short-term support while ensuring participants enjoy a safe, enjoyable, and supportive environment. Field trip and day camp experiences are also available, providing hands-on outdoor education experiences that encourage exploration, learning,
14 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
and environmental awareness. These programs are designed to be accessible, engaging, and aligned with educational goals. The retreat center also provides a beautiful and unique setting for corporate groups to gather, collaborate, and build stronger teams. Through customized experiences, organizations can connect with their team while experiencing nature. Over the years, Peaceable Kingdom has become a trusted resource for families across Central Texas, serving thousands of children and caregivers. Today, made possible by the remarkable generosity of the Yowell family and supported by the Bass and Dorroh families, Peaceable Kingdom Retreat of Bell County continues this legacy — building on a strong foundation of compassion, inclusion, and community while creating meaningful outdoor experiences for individuals of all abilities.
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SCENE: MARY SHELLEY BIRTHDAY BASH
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SCENE: KILLEEN BACKYARD BREW FEST
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1. Families enjoyed games and activities throughout the Killeen Backyard Brew Fest, including mini golf, giant Connect Four and other family-friendly attractions. 2. Leo Stewart won a pie-eating contest. 3. Kristen Wedgeworth, Cory Fisher, Maretin Centunzi and Torey Schmurrr smile after a competition. 4. Victor Rivera kept the music going throughout the Killeen Backyard Brew Fest, entertaining attendees with music and announcements. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR
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TEEN REVIEW
Supernatural Secrets IN THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES By MARIA PAKUTKA | Cover courtesy of QUIRK BOOKS
S
it with me for a little bit. No, please, make yourself comfortable; I believe the casserole is about ready. Over a plate of easy Southern food, let’s discuss this book club’s pick: vampires. Grady Hendrix has dominated the horrorcomedy genre as of late, with his most popular books winning or being nominated for many awards, such as his 2017 nonfiction novel Paperbacks from Hell scoring the Bram Stoker award, his 2018 We Sold Our Souls was selected by The Library Journal as one of the best books of that year, and more recently, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls won the 2025 Readers’ Favorite Horror Books for Goodreads Choice Awards. Enough of that, though, because I want to talk about one of his most well-known books: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires. We are placed in the rural, small town of Charleston, South Carolina, during the ‘90s. We will follow our main mom, Patricia Campbell, as she discovers her love for true-crime novels, and she develops strong bonds with the rest of the local moms. Despite this, Patricia yearns for something interesting to happen in her life. Unfortunately for her, Patricia’s fiction novels are as interesting as Charleston will ever be. Well, that’s what she thinks until a stranger from up North comes down to be there for his sickly greataunt. He seems nice enough, if a little standoffish, but maybe he’s just not used to the sweet Southern living? Or maybe this stranger is a bit stranger than Patricia was hoping for. Walk with Patricia as she goes through the struggles of mom life while facing off with her probably-definitely-supernatural neighbor. In Hendrix’s novel, you’ll uncover family secrets that have been buried for generations, the importance
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of female friendships, and even experience what happens when the beauty of your close-knit neighborhood is being destroyed and rebuilt to make modern homes. This book may hit close to home for those of us in a small community. Well, it at least hit me hard in the chest. With everyone knowing everyone, there’s both a lack of privacy, yet a strong sense of community. Yes, ol’ Miss Mary may see you essentially breaking into your suspicious neighbor’s house, but you at least have comfort in knowing she’d have your back. Probably. Patricia herself is the star of the book, and she’s like a friend you’d want in your life. She’s there for you, she’ll fight off vampires for you, and she’ll bake you the tastiest casserole you’ll ever have! Really, she’s everything you could ask for in a friend. I mean, who else in your neighborhood will raise her children and gather the local moms to fight unnatural beings of darkness? Patricia stands as a representation of what most women who are moms and wives go through, as she carries the emotional weight of what seems like her entire neighborhood. Learn how to balance day-today housewife life while slaying vampires with The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, where you’ll discover themes of feminism, motherhood, and even gentrification. This book is easy to read: the chapters are short and impactful, the story is gripping, and you may even finish it in one sitting. Even if you aren’t a mother, woman, or someone from a small town, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with the suspense and thrill this book entails. Plus, vampires. What could go wrong with that, really? So, go ahead and nab a copy of this book before HBO adapts it into a series.
MIXOLOGY
Toast to Día de los Muertos Story and photo by JANNA ZEPP
I
n honor of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) let’s make a Pomegranate Margarita. Why pomegranate? Well, two of many reasons actually. In Mexico, pomegranate seeds adorn the traditional dish chiles en nogada, representing the red of the Mexican flag in the dish with green (poblano pepper), white (nogada sauce) and red (pomegranate seeds). Pomegranates also represent the Greek goddess, Persephone, bride of Hades, god of the Underworld. In the Persephone myth, eating exactly six arils (pomegranate seeds) signifies her choosing to exist in the Underworld for half the year. Each seed symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, weaving her destiny with the changing seasons. Día de los Muertos celebrations traditionally happen on Nov. 1 and 2, but other days, such as Oct. 31 or Nov. 6 qualify for observation, depending on where they occur. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. Often, festivities take on a light-hearted, fun aspect to remember loved ones in joy and laughter. The festival is widely observed in Mexico and among people of Mexican heritage around the world. It falls during the Christian period of All Hallows (Allhallowtide). Joining the symbolism of the Afterlife with a representation of Mexican heritage for Día de los Muertos, this drink can be enjoyed in various forms, including on the rocks or blended into a frozen treat.
POMEGRANATE MARGARITA
Ingredients • Tequila • Pomegranate juice • Lime juice • Simple syrup or agave syrup • Triple sec or pomegranate syrup for extra flavor Steps 1. Prepare the Glass: Rim the glass with lime
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juice and dip it in black salt for added flavor and a seasonal vibe. 2. Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine: • 2 ounces tequila • 2 ounces pomegranate juice • 1 ounce lime juice • 0.5 ounce simple syrup or agave syrup 3. Shake well until chilled. 4. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge or pomegranate arils if desired. Variations • Frozen pomegranate margarita: Blend the ingredients with ice for a slushy version. • Non-alcoholic option: Substitute tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit or simply omit it for a refreshing mocktail.
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THIS GIRLS GARDEN
Growing with Passion VINE THRIVES AND FLOWERS IN CENTRAL TEXAS By AMY ROGNLIE
L
ast summer, I was driving down Adams Avenue in Temple, and I happened to drive by a sign that said “Plant Sale.” Well, you know what came next. I followed the cardboard signs like Hansel and Gretel following the trail of crumbs until I pulled up in front of a house with potted plants lining the driveway. The nice lady was practically giving away cannas, since cannas multiply like hamsters. I already own way more cannas than one person needs. But I digress. She had a lovely assortment of typical houseplants like spider plants and pothos, which I already grow in abundance. But then I noticed the purple passionflower vine covering her back fence and almost engulfing her shed, and the young passionflower vines she had for sale. Gleefully, I bought a healthy little vine at a way better price than one would ever see at a garden center. I schlepped it home (along with a few other finds) and planted it on my back fence, where it happily looped and twined through the fence and produced many large, intricate, purple blossoms throughout the summer. And though the blossoms each only lasted one day, there were new ones every morning. I took so many close-ups of photos of the flowers that I could make my own book. At any rate, as I enjoyed smelling and photographing the flowers on a regular basis, I soon noticed that ants also adored this vine. I observed them crawling all over the flower buds and leaves and figured there must be something that the ants were attracted to. I did a little research and learned that passionflower vines produce sugar from “extrafloral nectaries” on
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their stems and leaves. This attracts the ants, who then help protect the vine from predators like caterpillars. Who knew? I also learned that passionflowers have a special spiritual significance. According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center database, “The plants were given the name passionflower or passion vine because the floral parts were once said to represent aspects of the Christian crucifixion story, sometimes referred to as the Passion. The 10 petal-like parts represents the disciples of Jesus, excluding Peter and Judas; the five stamens the wounds Jesus received; the knob-like stigmas the nails; the fringe the crown of thorns.” So that’s pretty cool. Now you can imagine my disappointment when my passionflower vine didn’t make an appearance this spring. I knew it would ADOBE STOCK | Jay die back during the winter, but I had expected it to sprout from the ground early in the spring. It didn’t. I was a little sad, but what can you do? Then, a few weeks later, I noticed some vines coming up near the fence where I had planted the passion vine the year before. Had it seeded itself? Nope. Turns out that this vine spreads underground by suckers. So, now I have five purple passionflower vines taking over my fence and winding their way up my mulberry tree, their long tendrils grasping anything within reach including tree branches, other plants, and the hanging bird feeder. And now I know why the friendly plant lady in Temple was selling passionflower vines at a discount price. Anyone need one?
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Kristina Marie Patenaude has been featured on television and you can see her work at Pumpkin Nights in Austin.
Carving a Career
KRISTINA MARIE PATENAUDE TRANSFORMS PUMPKINS, GOURDS AND SQUASH By RACHEL STRICKLAND Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR, WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY and KRISTINA MARIE PATENAUDE
K
ristina Marie Patenaude loves carving pumpkins. No, really. She loves it. Not just in October, either. Pumpkin carving has become a passion, an art form, and a full-time career for her, and she quite literally stumbled into it accidentally. “My pumpkin carving story starts with me winning a culinary competition that I wasn’t even supposed to be entering,” Patenaude shared. Kristina Marie, who goes by KM professionally, calls it her villain origin story. She was studying graphic design in college in Las Vegas when, one day, she saw a pumpkin-carving competition happening on campus and thought it looked like fun. What she didn’t realize was that it was the college’s culinary students’ final competition — in other words, it was closed to the public. Not knowing this, Patenaude carved a pumpkin and ended up winning the competition, much to the judges’ confusion. This was the first pumpkin she’d ever carved. From then on, Patenaude was hooked. She began to experiment and realized that when you carve straight through a pumpkin, it dies rather quickly, especially in the heat. But she figured out that if you sculpt only the first layer of the pumpkin, it lasts longer. So, she made one with a funny face,
put it on the desk in the front office of her college, and everyone loved it. Unbeknownst to Patenaude, Ray Villafane, the “Godfather” of pumpkin carving, began creating similar pumpkin sculptures on the Food Network that same year. And little did she know, she’d soon be working alongside Villafane and making television appearances herself. Fast forward a few years, and Patenaude has been on several Food Network shows, including as a guest on season one of Carvers and Creators, a finalist on season two of Outrageous Pumpkins, the winner of season 13 of Halloween Wars, and a captain and finalist on season 14 of Halloween Wars: All Stars. Patenaude is best known for her hyper-realistic pumpkin carvings, focusing on pore and hair patterns as well as skin texture. In fact, her carvings are often so detailed and realistic that facial recognition technology on phones can recognize them. She also dabbles in mandala-style designs, chip carving and cartoon styles. She says she might be one of the few, if not the only, artists who have mastered every style of pumpkin carving at a professional level. Patenaude says her story is unique because her entry into the world of carving began with Continued
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The Skeletons, from right, Kristina Patenaude, Lily Halabi and Susana Mijares, work on a cake challenge during an episode of Food Network’s Halloween Wars. OPPOSITE PAGE: See Kristina Patenaude’s work at Pumpkin Nights at Pioneer Farms in Austin through Halloween. pumpkins, rather than ice or wood carving, as with many other artists. She says she had no other experience sculpting or carving before that day on campus. She now has her own business, KM Patenaude Studio, and along with her many television appearances, she has carved for big names, including ESPN, The Texas Longhorns and Hopdoddy Burger Bar. She attends Bell County Comic-Con every year and has become a full-time celebrity carver for Pumpkin Nights in Austin, an annual festival where spooky Halloween vibes meet art. Fun fact: Elon Musk loves Patenaude’s art and takes his kids to see her work every year at Pumpkin Nights. As a Temple resident, Patenaude used to enter local competitions and would donate her proceeds to food banks and Families in Crisis. But over time, she felt it didn’t seem fair to compete professionally against local hobbyists. Now she sticks to mentoring because she doesn’t believe in gatekeeping. She says she’s developed her own
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innovative techniques and she’s more than happy to share them with anyone who asks. “I feel like art belongs to everybody,” she added. One of the main takeaways Patenaude always tries to drive home is that people don’t realize how many special opportunities there are. She reminds us to leave our minds open to the weird, whimsical types of art because we don’t always have to go corporate to make money. “I make more money doing what I do now than I did when I had big, fancy, executive jobs. Of all the types of art I’ve done — I’ve done branding, I’ve done marketing, I’ve done design consultation, I’ve been an art director — I never expected pumpkins, of all things, to be the thing that stuck,” she laughed. “Just keep going and try to find your way in the art world.” Patenaude will return to the TV this fall for Halloween Wars on Food Network. Locally, you can catch her at Pumpkin Nights, which will be held through Oct. 31 at Pioneer Farms in Austin.
Get Your Holly Jolly On!
Discover the Holiday Spirit of Temple by: Courtney Pierce
Photos courtesy of Discover Temple 30 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS AT AT THE THE PLAZA PLAZA
It’s It’s beginning beginning toto look look a lot a lot like like Christmas, Christmas,
andand Temple, Temple, Texas, Texas, is gearing is gearing up to upbe to the be the ultimate ultimate holiday holiday destination destination in in Central Central Texas. Texas. Temple Temple will will transform transform intointo a holiday a holiday wonderland wonderland filledfilled withwith twinkling twinkling lights, lights, festive festive parades, parades, andand merry merry markets markets this this year.year. Don’t Don’t missmiss the the excitement excitement thatthat is Holly is Holly Jolly. Jolly. Whether Whether you’re you’re a local a local or visiting or visiting for for the the holidays, holidays, you you won’t won’t wantwant to miss to miss out out on this on this month-long month-long celebration. celebration. From From joyful, joyful, family-friendly family-friendly activities activities to live to live music, music, Temple Temple is pulling is pulling out out all the all the stops stops to create to create a holiday a holiday experience experience thatthat will will leave leave you you returning returning to Temple, to Temple, Texas, Texas, for for many many more more Christmases Christmases to come. to come. Whether Whether you’re you’re popping popping SHOP SMALL SMALL & MERRY & MERRY AT AT THE THE in for in aforweekend a weekend or staying or staying all season, all season, here’s here’s youryour SHOP guide guide to savoring to savoring every every sparkle. sparkle. SANTA SANTA FE FE COMMUNITY COMMUNITY MARKET MARKET GetGet a head a head startstart on your on your holiday holiday shopping shopping at the at the CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS AT AT THE THE PLAZA PLAZA Santa Santa Fe Community Fe Community Market, Market, where where locallocal makers, makers, IT’S IT’S THETHE HOLIDAY HOLIDAY SEASON SEASON vendors, vendors, andand small small businesses businesses bring bring theirtheir bestbest findsfinds to Downtown Temple. Temple. WithWith twotwo festive festive markets markets RingRing in the in the season season withwith the the CityCity of Temple’s of Temple’s newest newest to Downtown happening happening this this holiday holiday season, season, one one in November in November holiday holiday tradition, tradition, Christmas Christmas at the at Plaza. the Plaza. ThisThis magical magical another another in December, in December, there there are are plenty plenty of of evening, evening, set to setbegin to begin November November 28 at 282 at PM 2 PM at Santa at Santa andand chances to find to find something something special special for for everyone everyone Fe Plaza, Fe Plaza, promises promises to be to bigger be bigger andand brighter brighter thanthan chances on your list. list. Wander Wander through through the the market, market, discover discover everever withwith a holiday a holiday market, market, spectacular spectacular sights, sights, andand on your one-of-a-kind gifts, gifts, browse browse handmade handmade goods, goods, andand fun for fun all. for With all. With the the holiday holiday treetree lighting lighting at 7:30 at 7:30 PM,PM, one-of-a-kind support the the locallocal businesses businesses andand creators creators whowho watch watch the the night night sky sky come come alivealive withwith festive festive lights. lights. support make Temple Temple special. special. Whether Whether you’re you’re looking looking for afor a TheThe Santa Santa Fe Plaza Fe Plaza turns turns intointo a winter a winter wonderland wonderland make unique stocking stocking stuffer, stuffer, a thoughtful a thoughtful gift,gift, or aor little a little where where visitors visitors can can shopshop withwith locallocal vendors, vendors, decorate decorate unique something for for yourself, yourself, the the Santa Santa Fe Community Fe Community andand enjoy enjoy family-friendly family-friendly activities, activities, sip festive sip festive treats, treats, something Market is the is the perfect perfect place place to shop to shop locallocal andand soaksoak andand more. more. Bring Bring youryour family, family, friends, friends, andand holiday holiday Market some some holiday holiday cheer. cheer. Mark Mark youryour calendar calendar for for spirit spirit as we as we kickkick off the off the season season withwith music, music, lights, lights, up up November November 21 and 21 and December December 19 and 19 and make make a day a day of of andand lots lots of fun. of fun. it in it Downtown in Downtown Temple. Temple. Grab Grab a festive a festive drink, drink, explore explore locallocal shops shops andand restaurants, restaurants, andand findfind a few a few treasures treasures CITY CITY OFOF TEMPLE TEMPLE to tuck to tuck under under the the tree. tree. After After all, the all, the best best gifts gifts are are CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS PARADE PARADE the the ones ones with with a good a good story story behind behind them. them. WHERE WHERE MAGIC MAGIC MEETS MEETS MAIN MAIN STREET STREET Delight Delight in the in the magic magic of the of the 80th80th Annual Annual CityCity of of Temple Temple Christmas Christmas Parade, Parade, taking taking place place on Monday, on Monday, December December 7, in7,front in front of the of the CityCity of Temple of Temple CityCity Hall.Hall. ThisThis beloved beloved tradition tradition kickskicks off at off6:30 at 6:30 PM.PM. Enjoy Enjoy overover 100 100 dazzling dazzling floats, floats, cars,cars, andand participating participating groups, groups, glowing glowing withwith holiday holiday cheer cheer as they as they make make theirtheir wayway down down the parade the parade route route through through Downtown Downtown Temple. Temple. Stroll Stroll the the route route withwith a cup a cup of hot of hot cocoa cocoa in in hand, hand, wave wave at neighbors at neighbors andand performers, performers, andand don’t don’t blinkblink because because the the grand grand finale finale is unforgettable: is unforgettable: Santa Santa himself himself will will roll roll down down the the parade parade route route to to share share joyful joyful waves waves andand holiday holiday cheer. cheer.
NATURE NATURE IN IN LIGHTS LIGHTS A DRIVE-THRU A DRIVE-THRU SPECTACLE SPECTACLE
For For a holiday a holiday experience experience like like no other, no other, taketake a trip a trip to BLORA to BLORA for for the the enchanting enchanting Nature Nature In Lights In Lights attraction. attraction. Drive Drive through through milemile afterafter milemile of vibrant of vibrant holiday holiday lights lights andand setups setups thatthat turnturn the the scenic scenic nature nature areaarea intointo a holiday a holiday fantasy. fantasy. Perfect Perfect for for families, families, couples, couples, or anyone or anyone looking looking to experience to experience the the wonder wonder of the of the season, season, this this is one is one holiday holiday outing outing you’ll you’ll wantwant to add to add to your to your list. list.
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DEC 5
Christmas at the Plaza
Santa at the Depot
HOLIDAY MARKET & TREE LIGHTING
DE C 4
Jingle Jam DEC 4
Kringle Krawl
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DEC 1 1
Rink on the Rails Opens DOWNTOWN ICE SKATING
DE C 7 - 14
Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Contest
DEC 1 1 - 1 3
Nutcracker Ballet CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
DEC 7
Temple Christmas Parade
DE C 1 9
Sounds of the Season DEC 1 9
TEMPLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Home for the Holidays CHRISTMAS MARKET
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OH, CHRISTMAS TREE, OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!
RINK ON THE RAILS
MERRY & BRIGHT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR
What’s Christmas without twinkling lights? Hop in the car and tour Temple’s most festive homes and businesses with the Merry & Bright Christmas Lights Tour. In its fourth year, this dazzling display will have you oohing and ahhing at every turn. Grab your digital map, start your tour, and experience Temple’s festive holiday lights.
RINK ON THE RAILS GLIDE INTO THE HOLIDAYS
It’s time to lace up those skates and make some frosty memories. The Rink on the Rails is bringing real-ice skating to Downtown Temple this holiday season, at the MLK Festival Grounds. From December 11 through January 3, visitors and locals can experience the magic of skating under the lights. Visitors of all ages can come and discover the excitement of dancing on ice. Perfect for date nights, family outings, or friendly holiday hangouts, this rink promises winter fun for everyone. Warm up between spins with hot cocoa from nearby vendors, snap a photo with the glittering lights, and soak in the cheerful music filling the area. Whether you’re practicing your twirls or just trying to stay upright, Rink on the Rails is your ticket to a classic holiday experience, Temple style. Grab your mittens and skates and glide into the joy of the season.
JINGLE ALL THE WAY DOWNTOWN!
Downtown Temple is where holiday festivities begin in Temple, Texas. With many significant events and happenings in this district, it should be no surprise that Downtown Temple is a place you’ll want to explore and learn more about this season. From decorated window displays to festive menus and events like the First Friday Kringle Krawl and Jingle Jam happening on December 4, Downtown Temple comes alive with the spirit of joy and beloved holiday fun. Find yourself in Downtown Temple this festive season. H O L LYJ O L LY T E M P L E . C O M
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Capture the holiday spirit with Discover Temple’s Holiday Photo Contest. Each year, Discover Temple hosts a photo contest for locals and visitors to submit photos of themselves experiencing Temple to the fullest, and, in this case, showing off their holiday spirit and how they celebrate the beloved season out and about in the destination. Grab your loved ones and photograph one of the beautiful Christmas trees across the city. Don’t forget to tag Discover Temple on your posts to be featured in the next Holiday Issue of The Temple Ticket.
THE HOLIDAY FUN DOESN’T STOP HERE
Temple, Texas, is brimming with Christmas magic this year, and it only gets better from here. From special holiday market opportunities and carols to theatrical plays and family fun, you won’t want to miss all the holiday cheer. Enjoy performances at the Temple Civic Theatre and special holiday events at the Cultural Activities Center.
PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY ESCAPE TO TEMPLE
Head to hollyjollytemple.com or Discover Temple’s events page to view the full calendar, RSVP for events, and stay in the loop on any surprise activations. With full hearts, bright lights, and community spirit, Temple is becoming Central Texas’s ultimate Christmas destination. Bring your people. Bring your cheer. Bring your camera. Whether it’s your first Holly Jolly or your latest, come experience the wonder, make new traditions, and fall in love with Temple all over again. See you under the lights!
CHRISTMAS AT THE PLAZA
NOV 28 Christmas at the Plaza 2-8pm • Santa Fe Plaza 7:30pm Tree Lighting
DEC 4 Kringle Krawl
5pm • Downtown Temple
DEC 4 Jingle Jam
6pm • Arcadia Theater
DEC 5 Santa at the Depot*
10am - 3pm Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum
DEC 7 Christmas Parade 6:30pm • Downtown Temple
DEC 7 - 14 Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Tour & Contest Check out our website for an interactive map and voting instructions
DEC 8 Senior Christmas Dinner 6 - 8:30pm Mayborn Civic & Convention Center Tickets on Sale Nov 6
DEC 11 - JAN 3 Rink on the Rails Ice Skating MLK Festival Grounds
DEC 17 Wilson Winter Workshop 6:30 - 8pm • Wilson Recreation Center
DEC 18 Winter Water Wonderland*
6:30pm • Sammons Indoor Pool
DEC 19 Home for the Holidays
9am - 1pm • Santa Fe Community Market *Registration required
For your complete guide to holiday fun around town visit:
hollyjollytemple.com
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Fun for All
AT HIGHLAND ACRES HOMESTEAD
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By TONYA WARREN | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of HIGHLAND ACRES
ow that the Texas sweltering heat is teasing us with cooler weather, gather your herd off their digital devices and head over to Highland Acres Homestead in Belton. Perfect for family outings or a special date night, come learn about the farm’s engaging, and often hilarious, resident animals in a relaxed environment. Perhaps enjoy a cup of fair-trade coffee and a freshly made muffin on the large airy deck area while gazing at the animals munching their own treats. Owners Frank and Anja LaGrange have called the farm home for a couple of years now. They’re more than just home and business owners, the LaGranges are also visionaries. Overgrown with brush, thorns, thistles and whatever else Mother Nature could conjure up, Anja said, “we bought the property extremely distressed and remodeled everything.” That’s another way of saying they worked their fingers to the bone to fulfill a dream come true of having an agritourism business for others to come, learn, and appreciate a different way of life.
HATCHING THE BIG IDEA
What started as a simple idea of selling their chicken eggs blossomed into what would eventually become a full-fledged business. “We’d always planned on getting animals and selling eggs.” Anja explained. “Suddenly, after we started selling eggs, neighbors and our egg clients asked to come visit the animals.” After researching various breeds of cows, the LaGranges decided to purchase some Highland 36 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
cows to start the business rolling. “It takes Highlands three years to reach breeding age,” said Anja. “So, we decided to begin meet and greets and bottle feedings as a way to offset feed costs.” This idea just continued to blossom and grow as more folks visited and enjoyed some good oldfashioned analog outdoor activities. Being good stewards of the land and other resources, Anja said she researched animals whose temperament allowed them to coexist well with their barnyard mates. “Our property is smaller,” Anja explained, “temperament is huge and most are dual purpose for wool, meat or dairy.” She likes for the animals to have more than one purpose, if needed. Goats, alpacas, and a baby kangaroo round out the menagerie. Some livestock is also available for purchase if you feel you need to scratch that living-off-the-land itch.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
If you think animals don’t communicate with one another, think again. The pigs are known to trick new farm employees by distracting them so others can escape through a barely opened gate. When they were fenced with the cows, the pigs learned they could hog the treats by biting the cow’s ankles causing the bovine to beat to another less competitive area. Then, there’s Tito, the sneaky donkey who just waited for some unsuspecting person to accidentally leave the pasture gate open so he could explore the world on his own. Extra vigilance is the order of the day for keeping Tito in his place. Sometimes cows get themselves trapped with their horns, and the peacocks can get trapped under Continued
Anja LaGrange says there is never a dull moment at Highland Acres Homestead, where she has cows, a donkey, sheep, goats, ducks, peafowl and more.
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various farm life implements while attempting to plume their beautiful feathers. The petite quail are content to watch life go by and produce delicious little eggs to make that breakfast plate very tasty.
DATE NIGHTS AND MORE
Anja feels a sense of pride when couples visiting for date night enjoy the peaceful farm setting. Unhurried, loving on the animals and watching them graze, or napping in the shade, the farm has had three marriage proposals, with more on the books. In addition to weekly meet and greets and monthly date nights, the couple also hosts first Saturday monthly markets with night markets held every few months. Guests enjoy a wide variety of artisan and craft vendors offering handmade soaps, candles, jewelry, leather gifts and much more. It’s never too early to start thinking about holidays gifts. Anja also bakes on site in her pride and joy, a professional bread oven. She says her sourdough bread is always the most popular, especially the gouda and herb flavor. Homemade muffins, cookies, banana bread and more are also available. The yummy honey is local, and Anja makes pancake mixes and various seasonings to experiment with in your own kitchen.
GOOD TO KNOW before you go
A pumpkin patch and Halloween Market open Oct. 3, and a Christmas tree lot is on the calendar this fall. Anja said the farm also hosts a car show twice a year. Plans for movie nights are in the works as well as adding pens for more small animals, a raised bed garden, a playscape, and more.
So, take a break from traffic, bosses, and other modern day stress points, and enjoy getting back to the basics of life. It will all be waiting for you when you return from the farm. Learn more at www.highlandacrestx.com.
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Nicole Brackett helps families have a happy porch.
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DOES YOUR HOME HAVE A
HAPPY PORCH? N
By SHARON WHITE | Photos by JANE GIBSON and courtesy of NICOLE BRACKETT
icole Brackett simply lives for the autumn season, which begins very early for her. On the first day of August — with temperatures soaring to a blistering 100 degrees — Brackett excitedly told her husband: “It's August ... Do you know what that means?” For Brackett it means preparing to decorate her porch — and many others — for fall. Last year she launched her porch design and decorating business, The Happy Porch Project. Brackett said she got the idea when she saw similar services advertised in Dallas, but realized there wasn't anything like it around the Temple area. After growing up in Lorena, Texas, Brackett moved to Colorado for college. Never having experienced a true fall, she fell in love with the cozy autumnal days and seasonal colors in nature that were more magnificent than she ever imagined. Brackett also fell in love with (and married) her husband, Mike. They lived in Denver for six years before returning to Temple to be closer to family. And, along the way, she brought her love for all things autumn back to Central Texas. But, how could this busy mom with two young children get the word out about her new business? “I put ads on Facebook and created a website,” Brackett said, “I even went door to door with flyers, toting my two kids with me.” After accepting several jobs, her work began. She searched out autumnal décor from thrift shops and estate sales. She found a wholesale business where she was able to source her pumpkins. And, she went crazy after discovering a retail barn with a trove of treasures called Sarsaparilla Chic. Brackett admits decorating porches is not a onewoman show. She gets her entire family involved, including her husband and children. “Last year, my 4-year-old was helping bring pumpkins up steps and my husband was hauling hay bales.” She also gets inspiration from her mother, Patty Wendt. “I think I got a lot of my love of design from her,” Brackett said. “Mom had tubs and tubs Continued
TIPS FOR DECORATING YOUR PORCH • • • • •
Decide on a style (traditional, chic, fun, kidfriendly). Find fall decorations at estate sales and flea markets. Stick with a color scheme. Add layers, texture and height using crates, buckets, rocking chairs, etc. Most of all, have fun!
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Nicole and Mike Brackett relax on the porch with their children. Nicole has helped decorate hundreds of porches for the holidays. of decorations she brought out for every season and holiday. And she always let me help. So now, if I'm stuck on a porch design, she's always there for me.”
THE PROCESS
After contacting Brackett through her website, a client can set up an appointment. She will come to your home and evaluate your space. She says, “I have to get my eyes on the porch. Every one is different in height, length, width, so every porch design is individual.” She discusses specific styles, showing clients sample photos: traditional, farmhouse, modern, boho, etc., allowing clients to incorporate their own decorations into the design. She asks about the budget and usually recommends two packages. When all is determined, she plans a date for the setup. On the day, she brings all the décor (including hay bales, pumpkins, rocking chairs, rugs, wreaths, etc.) and is finished within hours. Finally,
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the client lets her know when to clear off the porch and take everything away. “When you decorate your porch, it really is a gift to the neighborhood,” said Brackett, whose designs can include up to 50 pumpkins, followed by additional items like scarecrows, lanterns, buckets, crates and mums, which add color, texture and layers. And, as she puts it, “brings warmth and personality to your steps.” Her decorated porches can stay in place for weeks since the autumn season is quite long, even encompassing Halloween and Thanksgiving. When asked if Brackett would consider growing her business to include decorating for other holidays — with baby number three on the way — she reflects, “I might expand eventually, but for now I'm sticking to fall.” And, she promptly adds, “This is the fruition of a literal dream of mine — to bring pumpkins to porches.” You can find Nicole Brackett at thehappyporchproject.com
Friday, October 17 • 5-10PM Join us for an evening of live music, food trucks, craft brews from local breweries, and festive activities for all ages. Cheers to good times in the heart of Downtown Temple!
DISCOVERTEMPLE.COM
Fall into fun
THERE’S A LOT TO DO IN CENTRAL TEXAS
T
By BRANDY CRUZ | Photos courtesy of ROBINSON FAMILY FARM, SWEET EATS, IDLE CREEK FARMS, SWEET BERRY FARM, PARRIE HAYNES RANCH, BARROW BREWING AND SALADO SCOTTISH GATHERING AND GAMES
here is something about fall that makes us want to get out of the house. Maybe it’s the promise — however optimistic in Central Texas — of cooler weather. Maybe it’s the pumpkins piled high at local farms, the smell of festival food or that first glorious morning when stepping outside doesn’t feel like opening the door to an oven. Whatever puts you in an autumn state of mind, there are plenty of ways to celebrate. This fall, you can wander through a corn maze, pick the perfect pumpkin, watch a pig race, hoist a stein, learn Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" dance dressed as a zombie, meet local authors, cheer on strongman competitors or spend a weekend surrounded by bagpipes, kilts and Highland athletes. And that’s before Thanksgiving arrives. So grab the family, call a few friends and make some room on the calendar. Fall fun is waiting.
PUMPKINS, HAYRIDES & FARM FUN
Robinson Family Farm | Temple You could go to Robinson Family Farm just to pick out a pumpkin, but good luck convincing the kids to leave it at that. The Temple farm turns fall into a full-blown festival each weekend through Nov. 1, packing enough activities into the property to turn pumpkin shopping into an all-day adventure. Zip lines? Check. Mega slide? Check. Axe throwing, archery and mini golf? Check, check and check. There are farm animals, jumping pads, a corn pit, giant swing, playground, corn cannons and photo opportunities scattered throughout the farm. A tram helps visitors make their way around the property, while food trucks and a wine and biergarten offer an excuse for the grown-ups to slow down. Halloween has its own celebration Oct. 31, complete with candy, while supplies last, and nighttime fireworks. Oh, yes, there are also pumpkins — a lot of them!
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When: Weekends, through Nov. 1 Where: 2651 Bob White Road, Temple Website: www.therobinsonfamilyfarm.com Sweet Eats Adventure Farm | Georgetown If your idea of the perfect fall day involves
pumpkins — I mean a lots of pumpkins — Sweet Eats Adventure Farm in Georgetown is ready for you. The farm’s 2026 Fall Festival runs through Nov. 8 and features a Texas-sized pumpkin patch with more than 40 varieties of pumpkins, along with a 4.5-acre themed corn maze. But pumpkins are only the beginning. Families can catch the daily pig races — where competitors have names such as Hoggy Potter and Snoop Hoggy Hog — visit the petting zoo, take a pony or wagon ride and test their aim with an apple cannon. More than 30 farm activities are included with general admission. October brings even more reasons to stay after dark. Friday and Saturday nights, except Halloween, include fire, falconry and animal shows. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when 80 pounds of candy is launched into the air, there’s a candy cannon for that, too. When: Through Nov. 8. Where: 14400 E. State Highway 29, Georgetown Website: www.sweeteats.com Idle Creek Farms | Kempner For a fall outing with a little more country charm, point the car west toward Kempner. Idle Creek Farms has become a favorite seasonal destination for families looking for the classic pumpkin-patch experience with plenty of ways to burn off some energy along the way. Continued
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The farm combines pumpkins and a corn maze with the sort of attractions that can keep children happily occupied for hours. Past fall offerings have included hayrides, a corn pit, petting zoo, jump pad, barrel rides and even a glow maze party. When: Weekends in October Where: 10049 U.S. Highway 190, Kempner Website: Check idlecreekfarms.com for pricing
FALL EVENTS
Oktoberfest at Barrow Brewing Co. | Salado Why celebrate Oktoberfest for one weekend when you can celebrate it for six? Barrow Brewing Co. is bringing a little Bavaria to the banks of Salado Creek every Saturday through Oct. 31. The weekly celebration pairs authentic German food with German-inspired Texas craft beer brewed right in Salado, plus games and the laid-back atmosphere that has made the creekside brewery a popular gathering place. For adults, it’s a chance to grab a pint and settle in with friends. Families can enjoy the outdoor setting, food and festivities. Prost! When: Saturdays through Oct. 31 Where: 108 Royal St., Salado Website: www.barrowbrewing.com/Oktoberfest CTX Strongest Team | Belton Forget lifting pumpkins. These competitors are moving some serious weight. CTX Strongest Team comes to the Huntington Bank Expo Oct. 3 for what organizers are calling the first team strongman event of its kind in Texas. Teams of three will take on events including a relay medley, team stone load, truck pull and maximum deadlift, turning strength into a team sport. Whether you know your deadlift from your dumbbell or simply want to see exactly what the
human body is capable of moving, this may be one of the most unusual additions to your fall calendar. When: Oct. 3; competition begins at 10 a.m. Where: Huntington Bank Expo, 301 W. Loop 121, Belton 65th Annual Salado Scottish Gathering & Highland Games | Salado If you hear bagpipes echoing through Salado in November, follow the sound. The 65th annual Salado Scottish Gathering and Highland Games takes over the village Nov. 13-15 for three days celebrating Scottish heritage. And this isn’t an event that does anything halfway. Expect Highland dancers, pipe and drum competitions, Scottish athletics, clan tents, Celtic music, food and shopping. Whether you have Scottish ancestry or simply appreciate bagpipes, tartan and watching very strong people throw very heavy objects, the Gathering offers one of Central Texas’ most distinctive fall traditions. When: Nov. 13-15 Where: Events are held at locations including Barrow Brewing Co., Salado Museum and College Park and Inn on the Creek in Salado. Website: www.saladomuseum.org/scottishgathering-and-highland-games The Enchanted Book Festival | Belton Fall isn’t only for pumpkins and costumes. Sometimes the perfect autumn day calls for a good Continued
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Christmas Market Magic • Made Local Live
Music
Nov 21 Dec 19 9am-1pm
Cooking
Demos
sfcmtemple.com
book. The Enchanted Book Festival brings a cozy, slightly spooky literary celebration to the Harris Community Center in Belton. Presented by The Little Flower, the free festival brings together local authors, vendors, books and activities in a seasonal setting designed for readers. For bookworms who would rather get lost in a story than a corn maze, this one deserves a spot on the calendar. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Oct. 24 Where: 401 N. Alexander St., Belton
SPOOKY SEASON
Boo Ball | Temple Dust off the leg warmers, tease up that hair and prepare for a totally tubular trip back to the decade of big hair, neon colors and some seriously scary movies. The Temple Civic Theatre Guild is turning back the clock for its Boo Ball on Oct. 17 with an ’80s-themed Halloween party made for grown-ups who still believe dressing up shouldn’t be reserved for kids. Guests are invited to come dressed as their favorite ’80s horror character or simply raid the fashion archives for their best 1980s attire. Think Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees — or Madonna, Miami Vice and enough neon to be visible from space. Prizes will be awarded for Best Couple, Best Costume and Best Witch’s Hat. Grab a date or a group of friends and celebrate spooky season with an unmistakably ’80s twist. When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Where: 2413 S. 13th St., Temple Website: templecivictheatre.com/special-events
MAKE A FALL BUCKET LIST
Central Texas may not always give us blazing red maples, crisp 50-degree afternoons and the sweater weather shown in the movies. October has been known to arrive wearing shorts. But what we lack in predictable autumn weather, we more than make up for in ways to celebrate the season. So pick a pumpkin. Get lost in a corn maze. Drink a German-inspired beer beside Salado Creek. Put on zombie makeup and learn the "Thriller" dance. Buy a book. Cheer for a strongman. Listen to the bagpipes. And maybe — just maybe — wear that new sweater. Just bring a T-shirt to change into. 48 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
Fall Fest & Thriller | Temple Temple Civic Theatre is proving that the stage isn’t the only place for a little drama this fall. The theatre’s Fall Fest returns Oct. 24 with four hours of food, local vendors, live entertainment, pumpkins, face painting, pony rides and a rummage sale. But the real showstopper may be what happens when the zombies arrive. For $10, participants can learn the choreography to Michael Jackson’s iconic "Thriller" while the theatre’s makeup artists transform them into suitably undead dancers. It’s part fall festival, part dance class and part zombie apocalypse — which sounds like a pretty good Saturday to us. When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 24 Where: 2413 S. 13th St., Temple Website: templecivictheatre.com/special-events
Second Sunday Trunk or Treat Spooky Market | Belton Halloween and shopping join forces at Sanctuary in Belton this October The Second Sunday market gets a spooky makeover Oct. 11 with a Trunk or Treat theme. Come browse local vendors while adding some Halloween fun for families. It makes an easy addition to the fall calendar for anyone who likes supporting small businesses almost as much as they like candy. When: Beginning at noon Oct. 11 Where: 1010 S. Wall St., Belton Texas Trail Halloween Roundup | Killeen For families looking to squeeze every possible bit of fun out of spooky season, add the Texas Trail Halloween Roundup to the list. The Killeen event offers another opportunity to break out the costumes and celebrate Halloween closer to home — because, really, if you spent that much time deciding on a costume, you might as well wear it more than once. When: Oct. 29-Nov. 1 Where: Parrie Haynes Ranch Equestrian Center, 13816 Maxdale Road, Killeen Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Trail Ride | Killeen Who says trick-or-treating has to be done on foot? Instead of knocking on doors in search of candy, saddle up for a Halloween adventure at H.E.L.P.’s sixth annual Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Trail Ride. Riders will head out on horseback along an approximately 4-mile trail, searching for Halloween-themed items hidden along the way. The three riders who collect the most scavenger hunt items will take home prize buckets.
And don’t put away the costumes just because you’re wearing riding boots. The day includes a light breakfast, full lunch, snacks, swag bags and a silent auction. Riders will also have an opportunity to learn something new with a presentation on the Masterson Method by Asli Topaloglu of Sacred Strides Equine Services. Best of all, there’s a good cause behind the spooky fun. The event is hosted by Horse Empowered Learning Programs, or H.E.L.P., a therapeutic riding center that uses horsemanship and horseback riding to help people with disabilities and other challenges build confidence and independence. Proceeds from the trail ride benefit Phoebe’s Scholarship Fund, which helps families who might otherwise be unable to afford the organization’s services. When: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 Where: Parrie Haynes Ranch Equestrian Center, 13816 Maxdale Road, Killeen
FAITH, FOOD & THANKFUL HEARTS
Harvest Festival | Killeen Fall festivals don’t have to be all pumpkins and costumes. First United Methodist Church in Killeen carries on the season with its Harvest Festival, a longtime church tradition centered on fellowship and community. It’s the kind of event that reflects another side of fall in Central Texas — neighbors gathering together, sharing food and enjoying traditions that have been passed from one year to the next. When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 24 Where: 3501 East Elms Road, Killeen TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
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CENTRAL TEXAS WOMAN DESIGNS APP TO
Navigate Loss S
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and courtesy of TRUEHEART
’
ometimes a person does not need to be told to cheer up or move on,” said Melyssa Thompson, creator of a new app called TrueHeart. “Sometimes they simply need a safe place to say, ‘This hurts, and I don’t know what to do with it.’” TrueHeart is a trauma-informed AI companion designed specifically for those navigating heartbreak, relationship loops and emotional recovery. The app was thoughtfully developed with the help of mental health professionals and is governed by ethical, traumainformed guidelines. Unlike other AI platforms, TrueHeart will not simply agree with everything a user says. Instead, it learns your emotional patterns over time. It recognizes when you are cycling, tracks your attachment responses, and reflects your growth back to you. It also contains builtin “interceptions” and guided prompts to help the user stop a downward spiral. The app will even export organized notes from your reflections so you can take them to your next in-person therapy session. “TrueHeart is not designed to replace your therapist,” Thompson said. “Think of the app as the best friend who never tires, the journal that talks back, and the support system that bridges the gap between your therapy sessions and your 2 a.m. moments. I wanted people to have somewhere to turn in those moments too, not only once a week at a scheduled appointment.” Thompson spent 14 years working as an intuitive counselor, talking with people through more than 10,000 sessions. Some were over the phone, and some were in person. Before that, she earned two associate degrees from Central Texas College, one in Criminal Justice and one in Psychology. She has also experienced her own share of loneliness and heartache, all of which led her to want to help others.
50 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
“My education taught me a great deal, but so did the people who trusted me with their stories. Over the years, I began to notice that the hardest moments rarely happen at convenient times,” Thompson said. “Loneliness does not wait for office hours. It can find someone at midnight, alone in the car, or sitting in a quiet house after everyone else has gone to bed.” Those feelings can become even heavier around Christmas or other holidays. The season is supposed to be joyful, but for someone who is grieving, missing family, or facing the first holiday season after losing someone they love, it can feel unbearably lonely. The holiday season has a way of making an absence feel more noticeable. “It might be an empty chair at the table, a loved one whose stocking is no longer hanging up, children who are far away, the end of a relationship, or a home that suddenly feels much too quiet,” Thompson said. “I wanted TrueHeart to feel warm and welcoming for anyone carrying that kind of ache.” Thompson also cares deeply about the loneliness many men carry quietly. In fact, when she first introduced her app at South by Southwest in March of this year, she was surprised to find how many men were interested and wanted to try it. “Men are not always given the same permission to admit that they are hurting or that they need someone to talk to. Many have been taught that they are supposed to stay strong and keep everything to themselves,” Thompson said. “I hope TrueHeart can help change that, even in a small way. Needing support is not weakness. It is part of being human.” TrueHeart is a free web-based app (available at trueheartapp.com) that offers many tools to help those who are struggling with heartache of any kind. A paid subscription, offering more functionality is also available, but at both levels, the app was created to Continued
Melyssa Thompson created TrueHeart, a trauma-informed AI companion designed specifically for those navigating heartbreak, relationship loops and emotional recovery.
Melyssa Thompson hopes TrueHeart becomes an app that people turn to when they are hurting and do not know who else to call for help. sit with people gently, not simply hand them advice or rush them toward feeling better. As Thompson reminds us, healing does not happen on a schedule, and grief does not disappear because of the holidays. Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can offer another person is a place where they feel heard. “I love that folks in Bell County are already good at doing this,” she said. “I appreciate the way people in this community show up for one another. Someone brings food when a family is grieving. A church
Planning Ahead
collects Christmas gifts for children. A neighbor notices that someone is struggling and checks on them. So much kindness happens quietly here.” But Thompson’s hope is that when no one else is around, TrueHeart becomes one of the first places someone thinks to turn when life feels heavy and they do not know who to call. She wants it to be another lifeline to help support people through heartbreak, grief, loneliness, family struggles and all the complicated emotions that come with being human.
We Salute You! Veteran Owned Business
Not everyone likes to plan ahead, but pre-planning your funeral arrangements alleviate some of the stress and burden your loved ones are Burials (traditional or green) going through as they experience the grief associated with the loss. Water or Fire Cremations The staff of Young’s Daughters Funeral Home is happy to assist you with your Funeral Travel funeral pre-needs by helping you make decisions about your funeral service in advance and guide you in helping eliminate some of the unnecessary stress brought on by a loved one’s death.
Career Opportunities Parting Stones Grief Classes
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Scan the QR code to purchase tickets or visit cameronparkzoo.com
1701 N 4th St, Waco, TX
*21+ only, no exceptions. All guests must have valid ID* TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
53
SCENE: CENTRAL TEXAS STATE FAIR
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4 1. A professional bull rider hangs on as the bull charges out of the chute during a rodeo at the Central Texas State Fair. 2. From left, Stanley Durbin, Kevin Fowler, Johnny Elliott, and Roger Creager smile after Fowler’s concert. 3. Austin Renko rides a mechanical bull on the fairgrounds. 4. Fans cheer during the rodeo at Huntington Bank Expo. 5. People wait in lines for rides on the midway. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR 54 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
5
NOW OPEN ON SUNDAY!
11 N. 4th Street, Temple
254-500-7617 | templechildrensmuseum.org
LEARN
A safe indoor space where families can come together to learn together
EXPERIENCE
Tues - Sat. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Sun. 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math programming and experiences
PLAY
Opportunities to develop cognitive, language, motor skills, and more!
Sparking creativity and curiosity through hands-on learning and interactive play! TEXAPPEALMAG.COM
55
SCENE: BELL COUNTY COMIC CON
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4 1. Meeting Bumblebee was a highlight for young fans at Bell County Comic Con at Huntington Bank Expo in Belton. 2. Spider-Man fans stop for a photo. 3. Iris Evatt takes a photo with Amy Jo Johnson who portrayed Kimberly, the pink ranger, on Power Rangers. 4. Pac-Man and Blinky greeted attendees. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR 56 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
SCENE: SPAZMATICS
Families have fun with The Spazmatics at First Friday in Harker Heights. The band brought the fun — and the ’80s — to the city. Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR 58 OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 | TEX APPEAL
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