Texas Co-Op Power • December 2016

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BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION DECEMBER 2016 Pioneer Yuletides Leaton’s Land Scam Short Stay in Longview

* holidayCONTEST WINNERS * Reader recipes celebrate the festive season

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FAVORITES Sherry Whitaker demonstrates 5 Letters the lap loom at Frontier Christmas 6 Currents in Palo Pinto. 20 Local Co-op News Get the latest information plus energy and safety tips from your cooperative. 33 Texas History Galveston’s Immigration Station By Martha Deeringer 34 Recipes 2016 Holiday Recipe Contest 39 Focus on Texas Photo Contest: Native 40 Around Texas List of Local Events 42 Hit the Road Short Stay in Longview By Marilyn Jones

ONLINE TexasCoopPower.com FEATURES Find these stories online if they don’t appear in your edition of the magazine. 8 Yuletide Out Yonder Texans rewind to pioneer days with Observations Christmas festivities Ode to Right Field By Gene Fowler By Clay Coppedge Texas USA One Man’s Bad Deeds Ben Leaton’s 19th-century fraud 14 Stepping Into the Same Stream Twice tops the list of land scams that bedevil Texas history By Craig Springer Story by Lonn Taylor | Illustrations by Jack Molloy

NEXT MONTH The Top Spot Competition and camaraderie make 42 the state’s official domino game. 33 39

34 42 FRONTIER CHRISTMAS: SCOTT WOMACK. DOMINOES: PZAXE | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ON THE COVER Stuffed Chicken With Mushroom Pan Jus by Karen Bergman of Trinity Valley EC wins the grand prize. Photo by Melissa Skorpil

TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Mark Tamplin, Chair, Kirbyville; Bryan Lightfoot, Vice Chair, Bartlett; Blaine Warzecha, Secretary-Treasurer, Victoria; Mike R. Hagy, Tipton, Oklahoma; William F. Hetherington, Bandera; Anne Vaden, Corinth; Brent Wheeler, Dalhart • PRESIDENT/CEO: Mike Williams, Austin • COMMUNICATIONS & MEMBER SERVICES COMMITTEE: Jerry Boze, Kaufman; Clint Gardner, Coleman; Rick Haile, McGregor; Greg Henley, Tahoka; Billy Marricle, Bellville; Mark McClain, Roby; Gary Raybon, El Campo; Kathy Wood, Marshall • MAGAZINE STAFF: Martin Bevins, Vice President, Communications & Member Services; Charles J. Lohrmann, Editor; Tom Widlowski, Associate Editor; Karen Nejtek, Production Manager; Andy Doughty, Creative Manager; Grace Arsiaga, Print Production Specialist; Chris Burrows, Communications Specialist; Christine Carlson, Communications & Member Services Assistant; Paula Disbrowe, Food Editor; Suzanne Featherston, Communications Specialist; Taylor Montgomery, Digital Field Editor; Jane Sharpe, Senior Designer; Ellen Stader, Communications Specialist; Shannon Oelrich, Proofreader

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Unsung Heroes I have, for years, been a mem- Lineman Pride ber of one co-op or another, I am so proud of my husband and how and I have nothing but the highest admiration for the linemen. dedicated he is to the cooperative We have suffered through way of life and work [Line of Duty and many storms living in Port Lavaca, and it seems that the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo, October 2016]. He has linemen who get the power back been a lineman for over 25 years. Such is the life of on are always on duty. I have seen them out climbing poles to a lineman’s wife—allowing another woman to call in the middle of the night saying, work on transformers when the “I need you.” It’s never bothered me. When the dispatcher calls, he goes—no matter lightning was still flashing and the rain still pouring. what time of day or night, the horrible weather, ice storms, hurricanes and torna- Thank you, thank you, thank does. It’s part of the dedication for these first responders, lifesavers, eyes in the sky. you—for these brave people and the wonderful work they do. The articles were very informative to many who just take it all for granted. JOYCE D. SCHAEFER | PORT LAVACA PEDERNALES, VICTORIA AND KARNES ECS DEBBIE REECE | HOWE | GRAYSON-COLLIN EC

The October issue was a truly great read. As an avid birder, I loved the short story of our A friend had told us about barn we first got electricity, with lineman taking care of the quilts, and, because I am learn- lights, electric stove, running owl that was stuck in the wire ing to quilt, we decided to try water and radio. [Currents, A Favor for a Feath- one. We live in Central Texas All these years later, I still ered Friend, October 2016]. and haven’t seen many here love my Bandera home with the Also noted was the fact that yet, but we hope it catches on. same Bandera Electric Coopera- linemen always attempt such DIANA REEVES | BLANCO tive electricity. rescues. PEDERNALES EC BETTYE JEANE MOORE | SAN ANTONIO Second, the article describing BANDERA EC the work of the linemen was XERF Blasting to Ohio outstanding. These men are our Border Radio [March 2016] was unsung heroes! They are brave first-rate, which is common for GET MORE TCP AT and unselfish. Keep up the Spreading Barn Quilts your magazine. As a teenager good work. Inspired by the barn quilts in in rural, early-1960s Ohio, I TexasCoopPower.com JUDY MORGAN | FREDERICKSBURG my home state of Wisconsin would tune in to 250,000-watt Sign up for our E-Newsletter for CENTRAL TEXAS EC and those we saw in Bonham XERF hailing from Del Rio late monthly updates, prize drawings and more! and in Honey Grove, my friend, at night, loud and clear. Anne Marie Bonzo, and I painted DARRYL V. HOLCOMB | DE KALB WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! four for our community center BOWIE-CASS EC ONLINE: [A New Trail in Texas, October TexasCoopPower.com/share EMAIL: [email protected] 2016]. We’re working on a fifth Powered by Bandera MAIL: Editor, Texas Co-op Power, for Weston’s old post office. I was born and raised on our 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, We hope they spread. ranch in the hills of Bandera. Austin, TX 78701 PATTI HARRINGTON | MAYOR OF WESTON Until I was 17, we had no elec- Please include your town and electric co-op. GRAYSON-COLLIN EC tricity, only oil lamps, and no Letters may be edited for clarity and length. running water, only spring My husband and I especially water. We moved into a new enjoyed A New Trail in Texas. house in 1948, and that’s when D FE Texas Co-op Power

TEXAS CO-OP POWER VOLUME 73, NUMBER 6 (USPS 540-560). Texas Co-op Power is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX, and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide association representing 75 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or email [email protected]. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE is $4.08 per year for individual members of subscribing cooperatives. If you are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the nonmember rate of $7.50. Individual copies and back issues are available for $3 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old address and key numbers. ADVERTISING: Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in other states, contact Martin Bevins at (512) 486-6249. 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. Product satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. © Copyright 2016 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without written permission.

TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 5 CURRENTS

CO-OP PEOPLE MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BREAK

STUDENTS look forward to winter break and so do teach- ers, though one says the respite is a great time to recharge and expand your love for knowledge. Brady High School’s MARTHA SAUCEDO—a Government- in-Action Youth Tour alumna sponsored by Southwest Texas Electric Cooperative in 1994—was named secondary teacher of the year by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Saucedo suggests these activities:

LEARN SOMETHING “Take a Find more happenings all break from education, but not across the state at learning, by participating in a TexasCoopPower cooking class—even if it’s with .com Mom or Grandma.” HAPPENINGS HAVE FUN “Make a bucket list Fredericksburg’s and let the adventures begin.”

German ERSTOCK.COM GIVE BACK “Maya Angelou said it best: ‘People will forget what Christmas Pyramid you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made The centerpiece of the holidays in FREDERICKSBURG is the wooden GERMAN them feel.’ Deliver food or gifts CHRISTMAS PYRAMID that lights up Marktplatz starting the Friday after to the less fortunate. There’s no better time than now to make Thanksgiving and continuing through the first week of January. people feel loved.” Called a Weihnachtspyramide in German, the carousel-like tower is 26 feet tall. Did you know? Pyramids are traditional decorations DURING THE REFORMATION from centuries ago in the country’s ; and up until the middle of the eastern mountains. They were created, in 1800s, Christmas often was not celebrated because merry- part, to teach children Bible stories. Some making was seen as unchristian. believe the custom of Christmas trees After about 1840, celebrating Christmas became more wide- evolved from this art form. WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com spread. December 25 was See more of Saucedo’s sugges- declared a federal holiday in tions for getting the most out a

INFO (830) 997-6523, visitfredericksburgtx.com the United States in 1870. of your winter break. | SHUTT JOSEF BOSAK COOKIES: SAUCEDO. MARTHA COURTESY CVB. SAUCEDO: FREDERICKSBURG BOURQUIN | COURTESY CHRISTIE FREDERICKSBURG:

6 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com FOOD FOR THOUGHT TEXAS and the eastern U.S. use A Churning Divide butter sticks called “Elgins”— pronounced EL-jins—named for THE BUTTER STICKS that Texans cook with differ from those the Elgin Butter Company of west of the Rockies. Butter was packaged in long, skinny sticks Elgin, Illinois. The Central Texas in the eastern part of the U.S. long before dairies in the West town of Elgin, known as the began packaging operations. When they did, they produced Sausage Capital of Texas, is short, squat sticks of butter called “Western Stubbies.” pronounced EL-gin.

ALMANAC WORTH REPEATING Texan’s Heroics at Pearl Harbor “Watson … if I can get a mechanism which will make a current of electricity vary in its intensity, as the air varies in density when a sound is passing through it, THIS YEAR MARKS the 75th anniversary I can telegraph any sound, of the attack on Pearl even the sound of speech.” Harbor, which forced the U.S. into World — ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL War II...... On December 7, – – – – – –– 1941, DORIS MILLER of Willow Grove was a mess attendant on U® L the USS West Virginia. Dorie, as his shipmates called him, was gather- SAFETY ALERT ing dirty laundry just before 8 a.m. when the CAN’T FIND UL? first bombs blasted his ship. DON’T U WORRY! As an African- American sailor lim- Most of us recognize the UL mark, an ited to servant duties emblem that stands for Underwriters Admiral Chester in the segregated Navy, he had not received gun- Laboratories and appears on packaging W. Nimitz pins nery training, but he went to the main deck during of electrical products that have passed the Navy Cross the attack, manned a 50-caliber Browning anti- tests in a safety certification lab. on Doris Miller aircraft machine gun and fired until he ran out at a ceremony of ammunition. But did you know that UL is not the at Pearl Harbor, “It wasn’t hard,” Miller said. “I just pulled the only emblem of safety for appliances— May 27, 1942. trigger, and she worked fine. I guess I fired her for just the best known? Besides the UL about 15 minutes. I think I got one of those … planes. emblem, safe products can bear any of They were diving pretty close to us.” 14 other certification marks from labs in He became the first African-American to receive the U.S. or Canada, including ETL from the Navy Cross, awarded for courage under fire. Intertek Testing and CSA from the On November 24, 1943, he was serving on the USS Canadian Standards Association. For a Liscome Bay in the South Pacific when it was torpe- complete list, visit osha.gov and search

BUTTER: STUDIO G | SHUTTERSTOCK. MILLER: COURTESY NATIONAL ARCHIVES. MEDAL: TEC. FACES: LILUYDESIGN | DREAMSTIME.COM LILUYDESIGN FACES: TEC. ARCHIVES. MEDAL: NATIONAL MILLER: COURTESY G | SHUTTERSTOCK. BUTTER: STUDIO doed. Miller was one of the 646 sailors who perished. for “safety marks.”

TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 7 Yuletide OUT

8 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com YONDER

Texans rewind to pioneer days with Christmas festivities

By Gene Fowler

oliday traditions are deeply embedded in Texas culture. Even though the gifts we place under Hour brightly decorated trees are likely to be high- tech gadgets of futuristic wizardry, we still treas- ure the customs of those who came before. Every holiday season, historically minded Texans honor the pioneers who lit candles of holiday celebration along the still-wild frontier. Old-time Christmas festivities take place all across the state. Last December, I joined folks in Palo Pinto for the ninth annual Frontier Christmas at the Old Jail Museum Complex. The grounds are anchored by the 1880 two-story jail, which held Palo Pinto County outlaws until 1941 and became the area’s history museum in 1968. These days, log cabins with period furnishings populate the site, along with the three-story Black Springs Fort building. During the holidays, the complex is decked with boughs of holly and mistletoe as fa-la-las and children’s laughter fill the air. Last year, the Jailhouse Band, an electrified country-western group, added to the yuletide spirit with lively renditions of Jingle Bells and other seasonal standards. Frontier Christmas is Decem- ber 8 this year. Posted inside cabins and on porches, re-enactors in period attire demonstrated quilting, spinning, dollmaking, storytelling, and other pioneer pastimes and crafts. Other frontier fashion- istas, such as county sheriff candidate Brett McGuire, strolled about the grounds. McGuire sported a cavalry captain’s uniform, while wife Gail’s blue gown would have made her the belle of any Old West ball. “When you put the clothes on and visit these buildings,” McGuire observed, “you really feel like you’re back in the days before we had electricity.” Making a rug with her lap loom, Sherry Whitaker of Weath- erford invented a persona for her re-enacting. “I’m Abigail

From left: The hurdy-gurdy is one of the featured instruments during Frontier Christmas in Palo Pinto. The First Christian Church is a centerpiece of the festival, which showcases folks, including Gail and Brett

BACKGROUND: IRAVGUSTIN | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. INSET PHOTOS: SCOTT WOMACK. ROCKING HORSE: ROBERT CERNOHLAVEK | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM CERNOHLAVEK ROCKING HORSE: ROBERT WOMACK. SCOTT INSET PHOTOS: | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. IRAVGUSTIN BACKGROUND: McGuire, dressed in period attire.

TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 9 Guthrie,” she said as youngsters gathered around her on a log Wandering farther into the museum grounds, I heard the high cabin porch. “My husband was a minister who was killed in the lonesome song of a Native American flute. “I’m of Shawnee her- Civil War. Folks call me Miss Abbie.” She explained that Civil itage,” said flute player Danica Alsobrook, known as Danica Lee. War-era Texans couldn’t import any fabric from St. Louis because “And I make and play my own Native American flutes, mostly of the federal blockade, so they gathered wool from sheep and from walnut and cedar woods.” Also a painter and sculptor, she dyed it with pecan shells. “You’d boil the pecan shells in water to creates and displays paintings and flutes in the White Indian make a butternut color.” Studio in downtown Palo Pinto. Quilter Tricia Hopkins of Lake Palo Pinto made me think of Frontier Christmas celebrants take hay wagon rides the half- the quilts my grandmother used to give us kids for Christmas. mile or so to the 1880s First Christian Church. Last year, one of the “That’s what everybody says; their grandmother used to make hayride mules was under the weather, so the ride was powered by quilts,” Hopkins commented. “Quilting skipped a generation, tractor. The church, restored after sitting vacant for a quarter cen- but it’s a time-honored tradition that hasn’t died. Surprisingly, tury, was filled with poinsettias and the spicy fragrances of scented the boys here are just as interested in it as the girls.” candles. “The bentwood pews and other furnishings are original,” Living-history interpreters Frank and Berta Molinets demon- said Joe Maddux, Frontier Christmas volunteer coordinator. strated how to make a doll using strips of clothing and acorns from In 2015, the Fort Worth group Buttermilk Junction provided a burr oak tree. He worked the fabric to create doll torsos, and she music in the church. A Palo Pinto perennial, the “unplugged” prepared the acorns to serve as heads. In another cabin, re-enactor ensemble supplemented its seasonal offerings with such historic Carla Hay-Perdue pedaled her spinning wheel to make bright green chestnuts as When Johnny Comes Marching Home, What Do You yarn. Asked where she learned the pioneer craft, Hay-Perdue Do With a Drunken Sailor? and the 1860s version of Yellow Rose paused a beat for comedic timing, then replied, “On the internet.” of Texas. Buttermilk Junction members played the banjo, wooden flute, guitar, shaker drum, concertina, washboard and harmonica. They also performed with an antique stringed instrument called Cowboys, quilters and other re-enactors strive to present Palo Pinto visitors with a genuine frontier experience. The pioneer-era buildings a “hurdy-gurdy,” which is played by turning a crank with the at the Old Jail Museum Complex in this North Central Texas town add right hand to drive a wheel that plays notes on the strings, while

to the ambience. simultaneously playing a keyboard with the left hand. WOMACK SCOTT INSET PHOTOS: FIERMAN MUCH | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. PAPER: | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. IRAVGUSTIN BACKGROUND:

10 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com During the holidays, Palo Pinto’s Old Jail Museum Complex is decked with boughs of holly and mistletoe as fa-la-las and children’s laughter fill the air.

Buttermilk Junction’s Christmas concert in the historic the Southwest will be set up at the fort, most likely with the perfect church was dedicated to Elizabeth Ann Woodward Cox. The gift for that eccentric individual on your Christmas list. great-grandmother of band member Michael Lee Garrett, Cox The Winter Rendezvous during Christmas at Old Fort Concho was a pioneer schoolteacher in Palo Pinto County. Seeing her promises campsites with a large cast of re-enactors and period photograph at the altar got me thinking about my own gone-but- traders who bring the 1800s back to life with music, drills and not-forgotten folks and how they must have marked the festive historic displays. Crafts, rides and other activities will keep the occasion on the Texas frontier. kiddos occupied, along with a variety of musical entertainment onstage and on the grounds. The more Christmas the merrier, so I might also set my ven without direct familial ties, your Christ- compass for the Christmas Open House at the Panhandle-Plains mas spirit will be merrier and more meaning- Historical Museum in Canyon, which will be festooned December ful with a visit to a pioneer-themed holiday 2–3 à la Christmas 1890s. The celebration will include caroling, celebration. One of these Christmases, I might storytelling and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. mosey out to Anson for the Texas Cowboys’ One story told at the 2010 open house grew up to be a book, E Christmas Ball, which takes place this year The Christmas Potato (Tate Publishing, 2011) by West Texas A&M December 15–17 at historic Pioneer Hall. The University professor Paula Schlegel. “My oldest son was in fifth hall was built in 1940 especially for the ball, originally held in grade at the time and commented that the stories were too young Anson’s Star Hotel back in 1885. for him,” Schlegel said. “He wondered why there were no sus- Cowboy singer Michael Martin Murphey is scheduled to per- penseful Christmas stories. Within moments, the story came form at the ball, and you can bet the ranch he’ll do his version of into my brain and out of my mouth.” Larry Chittenden’s classic poem, The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball. And that’s the best kind of Christmas gift. I’d also like to head out to San Angelo for Christmas at Old Fort Gene Fowler is an Austin writer who specializes in history. Concho, taking place December 2–4. The celebration sprawls over all 40 acres and through 24 buildings at Fort Concho National His- WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com See a slideshow from Palo Pinto’s toric Landmark. Merchants and artisans from across Texas and Frontier Christmas.

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TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 13 One Man’s Bad Deeds

BEN LEATON’S 19TH-CENTURY FRAUD TOPS THE LIST OF LAND SCAMS THAT BEDEVIL TEXAS

ews stories about fraudulent internet-based land Gov. Angel Trias of Chihuahua, in a letter of complaint to U.S. auctions in West Texas remind us that land fraud Army Maj. Jefferson Van Horn about Leaton’s trade with Native N has been part of Texas life since the beginning of Americans, called him a man “who does as he pleases, without settlement here. In response to the modern-day respecting either the authorities of the Presidio or the laws of scams, Jeff Davis County lawyer Bart Medley told the country.” a USA Today reporter that “much of the property STORY BY Leaton’s fort occupied the only acreage in the was advertised with photos showing things like LONN TAYLOR river valley suitable for agriculture, and there were running water, green trees and green grass—things several Mexican farmers growing crops on it. Leaton that simply don’t exist in that particular location.” ILLUSTRATIONS BY dispossessed the farmers by paying Cesario Herrera, Medley’s words echoed similar ones spoken by JACK MOLLOY the alcalde, or mayor, of Presidio del Norte, to forge Texas pioneer Noah Smithwick when he described a title to the land for him. a gang selling counterfeit Mexican land certificates to settlers Then he convinced Herrera to forge a grant of 225 leagues coming to East Texas in 1831. (about 1 million acres) of land in what is now Brewster, Presidio Both groups were peddling something that did not exist. and Jeff Davis counties. The grant was backdated to 1832 and pur- The biggest of all Texas land scams took place in the Big Bend, portedly made by Herrera to a Mexican army captain, Jose Ygnacio where everything is bigger, and it involved some bigger-than- Ronquillo, who had been living at Presidio del Norte and had been life characters. At the heart of the story is Ben Leaton, a former killed in a battle with Apaches in 1834 or 1835. Herrera also forged scalp hunter who traveled north from Chihuahua City in 1848 field notes for a survey of the grant and a chain of title that involved with a woman named Juana Pedraza. Leaton moved his outfit transfers of the grant from Ronquillo to Hipolito Acosta and from into the ruins of an old Spanish fort on the north side of the Rio Acosta to Pedraza, Leaton’s common-law wife. Herrera and Leaton Grande about 4 miles downstream from Presidio del Norte (now were careful to ensure that all the people named in the forged doc- Ojinaga, Chihuahua). uments, except Pedraza, were dead. He transformed the ruins into a 40-room, walled adobe trading Leaton intended to have his million-acre grant confirmed by post, which he called Fort Leaton. There, he exchanged guns and the Texas Legislature, but he died before he could complete the ammunition with the Apaches for stolen livestock. John Caper- process, and his heirs failed to follow through on it. Everyone ton, who spent several days at Fort Leaton in 1849, described Leaton forgot about the Ronquillo Grant until 1884, when silver was as “a remarkable man who had been all of his life in the moun- discovered at Shafter, and the Presidio Mining Company opened tains, knew nothing of government or law, was a law to himself.” a mine there.

14 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com TexasCoopPower.com September 2016 Texas Co-op Power 15 Crews and Fitzgerrell jointly sold the whole grant to Ernest Dale Owen, a Chicago investor representing something called the Chicago and Texas Land and Cattle Company, for the incredible sum of $4.5 million. Owen bought Ochoa’s claim, which got Teel out of the way, and in 1892 filed suit against the Presidio Mining Company. The case ended up in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, and the testimony given there provides insight into conditions around Fort Leaton in 1850. Depositions were taken from everyone who knew Leaton, Pedraza and Herrera. As historian Jefferson Morgenthaler puts it in his book The River Has Never Divided Us (University of Texas Press, 2004), “Owen got pounded at the trial. … Witnesses testified that Ben Leaton was a scoundrel, that Cesario Herrera had been taken to Chihuahua in shackles for forging land grants, Leaton’s grandson, Victor Ochoa, revived his family’s claim. that enormous land grants were illegal, that the conditions to A picturesque figure who inherited some of his grandfather’s the purported grant had never been met or waived.” characteristics, Ochoa launched a revolution against Porfirio Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, a highly respected Methodist min- Diaz from El Paso in 1893 and as a result ended up in the federal ister whose signature as chain carrier was on the field notes of the penitentiary in Brooklyn for violating the Neutrality Act. He survey filed by Leaton in San Antonio in 1850, testified that he invented and patented a streetcar brake, a fountain pen, an knew the surveyor whose name was on the field notes, R.A. Howard. adjustable wrench and a flying machine he called an ornithopter, described by one writer as looking like “two bicycles being “WITNESSES TESTIFIED THAT BEN LEATON WAS A SCOUNDREL, that attacked by a pterodactyl.” Ochoa was also Cesario Herrera had been taken to Chihuahua in shackles for forging land deeply involved in the Mexican Revolution of 1910–1920. grants, that enormous land grants were illegal, that the conditions to the David Romo, in his history of El Paso dur- purported grant had never been met or waived.” ing that revolution, summed up Ochoa’s career by calling him a “revolutionist, federal prisoner, inventor, corporate president, writer, arms smuggler, narcotraficante, currency counterfeiter, Rodriguez said he carried the chain for Howard on many surveys, secret service informant and mine owner.” but that he could not remember walking around a 2,345.5-square- Ochoa hired Trevanion Teel, a flamboyant San Antonio lawyer mile tract of land with him in the summer of 1850. who once won a murder case by swallowing the indictment and John W. Spencer, a neighbor and one-time business partner then challenging the state’s attorney to produce it, to sue the of Leaton’s, testified that even though the grant was supposedly mining company for $1 million plus $6,000 a month rent. made in 1832, no one around Presidio had heard about it until While Teel was preparing his case, another claimant appeared, 1849. Victoriano Hernandez testified that he was 76 years old a Juarez attorney named Estanislado Ronquillo, who said that and had lived at or near Presidio all of his life, that he had first he was the grandson of Capt. Jose Ygnacio Ronquillo and thus met Jose Ygnacio Ronquillo in 1824 and knew him well, and that the legitimate heir to the grant. Teel had attorney Ronquillo he had not heard of the Ronquillo grant until long after Ron- arrested for asserting a false land claim and was able to prove it quillo’s death. The court concluded, in Morgenthaler’s words, in court. He demonstrated that even though Ronquillo’s grand- that “the Ronquillo land grant had been a scam from start to father was indeed named Jose Ygnacio Ronquillo, he had never finish,” and Owen was left holding the bag for $4.5 million. been a captain in the Mexican army and had never lived at Pre- The theme of this tale is that it is possible to make money out sidio. Therefore, he was not the man to whom the grant had of land anywhere in Texas if you can find the right sucker to pass allegedly been made. it on to before the bottom drops out of the deal. Before that arrest took place, however, the faux descendant Historian Lonn Taylor writes from his home in Fort Davis. had already sold his claim to James T. Fitzgerrell of Las Vegas, New Mexico, for $100,000. Fitzgerrell, in turn, sold two-thirds WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com Leaton’s fort is now the Fort Leaton of his interest to Seth Crews of Chicago for $150,000, and then State Historic Site.

16 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com

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By Ed Crowell ust like people, towns have names that carry origin stories. Some town names honor a person, celebrate a landscape feature or commemorate an event. Others, however, involve surprising twists of fate. A state as big as Texas Jhas plenty of odd, whimsical and intriguing place names. Here’s a sampling of noteworthy town names declared more than a century ago in and near what is now Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s 14-county service area.

IN THE 1870S, settlers of an area north of Giddings included Joseph S. Brown, who opened a sawmill. A box at the mill was used for mail sent out under the name of Brown’s Mill. Residents would put a dime in the box with their letters to cover the delivery cost. Trouble was that return mail sometimes was misdirected all the way to DIME BOX the similarly named Rio Grande Valley border town of Brownsville, 350 miles to the south. The solution was to name OLD DIME BOX the town something else — so why not Dime Box? That worked ﬁne until 1913 when the Southern Paciﬁc Rail- road built a line three miles away and much of the community moved closer to the railroad station. Those who stayed in the original settlement referred to their location as Old Dime Box. Dime Box received national publicity in 1944 when the March of Dimes health-care campaign Jay Godwin photo seized on the name for its annual fundraising kicko and Life ABOVE: A giant dime in a magazine photographed the transparent box in front of town. And the 1982 best-selling Prosperity Bank commemorates the book, Blue Highways, included a town of Dime Box. LEFT: In 1918, few pages on visiting Dime Box, Noah Albers installed the town’s where author William Least water system. Heat Moon received an expla- nation of the funny town name as well as what he described as his best haircut ever.

20 Texas Co-op Power BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE December 2016 bluebonnet.coop

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 16 11/7/16 9:38 PM LEXINGTON

WHEN A LEE COUNTY settlement got its ﬁrst post oce in 1848 it called itself Shaw after the local DIME BOX? MULDOON? postmaster and school teacher James Shaw. Inside Two years later the residents had a grander New York Public Library name in mind when they changed the name Digital Collection THE BEHIND BLUEBONNET-AREA to honor the ﬁrst battle of the American THIS MONTH SOLVING MYSTERY Revolution in 1775, which was in Massachusetts ABOVE: A stylized 1815 at Lexington (and hours later at nearby engraving depicts the Concord). YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES HISTORICAL AND UNUSUAL TOWN NAMES Battle of Lexington Apply now for scholarship, youth tour in Massachusetts on 26 April 19, 1775. LEFT: CO-OP BOARD ELECTIONS The R.M. Dickson Information, deadlines for 2017 available 26 store supplied groceries and clothing THANK YOU! in Lexington, Texas, in Sponsors of scholarship golf tourney 27 the early 1900s. MONTHLY MEETING

Lexington Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors will meet at 9 a.m. Nov. 15, Log Cabins at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio, 600 E. Market Street, San and Heritage Antonio. Find the agenda and last-minute updates Nov. 11 Society at bluebonnet.coop. Hover your cursor over ‘next board meeting’ on our home page. OFFICE CLOSINGS

Bluebonnet’s oces will be closed Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 for the Christmas holiday and Jan. 2 for the New Year’s Day holiday.

THE NAMESAKE of this growing town (and county) is Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel, born CONTACT US in 1759 in Paramaribo, in what was then Dutch Guiana. His family moved to Holland when he was 5 and he grew up to become a tax collector and a supporter of the aristocracy. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative He also may have been a thief. In 1793, he was accused of embezzlement and fled from P.O. Box 729 Europe to Louisiana. Bastrop, TX 78602 Bogel proceeded to Member services: 800-842-7708, Monday through call himself Felipe Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enrique Neri, the BASTROP Baron de Bastrop, and Email: [email protected] represented himself as a Dutch nobleman. OUTAGES He persuaded the Spanish governor of Louisiana to give him 12 leagues of land in northern Louisiana, promising to Call 800-949-4414 if you have a power outage. Keep attract 500 settlers. He called his settlement Bastrop. up with outages 24/7 at bluebonnet.coop. Hover your Following the United States’ purchase of Louisiana in cursor over ‘outage report’ on our home page. You 1803, the Baron headed for Texas to start a colony there. can also send us a text message. To get started, text First, he went to San Antonio, established a freight BBOUTAGE to 85700 and follow the prompts. Save business and cozied up to ocials. that number in your contacts, perhaps as “Bluebonnet Joe Stafford photo Among his contacts was the Mexican governor. When Outages.” If your power goes out, text OUT to that Moses Austin, the father of Stephen F. Austin, sought a ABOVE: A monument at the number. Download our free mobile app for iPhone land grant to start the first Anglo-American colony in Bastrop County Courthouse or Android and you can report an outage on your Texas, the Baron interceded with the governor on Austin’s in Bastrop honors the town’s smartphone. behalf. namesake, born Philip Hendrik Moses Austin died in 1821, just months after getting the Nering Bogel, who dubbed land grant, but the Baron then supported Moses’ son in himself ‘Baron de Bastrop.’ ABOUT THIS ISSUE his eorts to grow the colony. Three hundred families settled the huge grant area encompassing the lower Colorado and Brazos rivers. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative produced the blue- bordered pages 20-27 in this issue of the magazine Stephen F. Austin honored the Baron in 1827, the year the Dutch expatriate died, when he with content that is of specific interest or relevance to established his “Little Colony” for 100 families to the northwest of the original colony. He called the principal town site Bastrop. Bluebonnet members. The rest of the magazine’s content is distributed statewide to any member of an electric The Mexican government promptly renamed it Mina for one of its heroes. But in 1837, the cooperative in Texas. For information about the magazine, Republic of Texas incorporated the town and contact Janet Wilson at 512-750-5483 or email janet. restored the name Bastrop. [email protected].

bluebonnet.coop December 2016 BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Texas Co-op Power 21

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 17 11/7/16 9:38 PM RIGHT: A quarry in Muldoon THE FIRST PERMANENT German settlement and was granted the league of land from in Texas was on a league of land (4,428 acres) in the Mexican government in 1831. Ernst provided Austin County granted to Johann Friedrich Ernst. built a house and called it Ernst’s Place, ‘Muldoon Blue’ welcoming immigrants and travelers on sandstone used In 1829, Ernst, the main 90-mile road from Bastrop to on buildings his wife and San Felipe along the Brazos River. throughout the INDUSTRY five children region. At one fled Oldenburg, One of the first crops Ernst planted was time the quarry, Germany. tobacco and he made cigars to be sold in Rightly or Houston and Galveston. shown in this wrongly, he had been charged with embezzling undated photo, money from the post oce he operated there. Ernst began selling lots on his land in 1838 was operated by Fayette County Heritage and a post oce was established. The convict labor. Museum and Archives After running a boarding house in New York City town name was declared Industry as a for a couple of years, the family sailed to Texas nod to the industrious residents and the THE SMALL BURG in southwestern Fayette County began as part of an 1831 Mexican land grant to the Rev. Michael (Miguel) Muldoon, an Irish Catholic priest who ministered to Stephen F. Austin’s Texas colony in 1831- 32. Muldoon immigrated to Mexico a decade earlier and became the only priest appointed to serve non-Hispanic and largely Protestant Texans. Many colonists simply accepted the MULDOON Catholic faith because the Mexican government made it a requirement for securing their land. Those “converts” came to be called Muldoon Catholics. Father Muldoon remained a confidant of Austin’s even after Muldoon returned to Mexico. He visited Austin when the future “Father of Texas” was imprisoned in Mexico City for a year and a half and tried to get him released. ABOVE: A detail from a stock certificate of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Co., which Muldoon never moved back to Texas after it won independence from arrived in what would become Somerville in 1880. Mexico in the Texas Revolution that ended in 1936, and his land was sold through Austin. RAIL LINES BECAME the lifeblood of many new communities in the late 1800s, so it’s no surprise The town of Muldoon grew slowly after a railway reached it in 1888. that several towns wound up named for railroad Local quarries produced rock for the jetties built in Galveston. But the executives. community peaked in the 1940s at about 200 people and today is home to half that many. The Gulf, Colorado SOMERVILLE and Santa Fe Railway Co. BELOW: This aerial view depicts was chartered Brenham some 30 years after its in 1873 to build a railroad from Galveston to Santa namesake, Dr. Richard Fox Brenham, Fe, N.M. In 1880, one spur passed through the died during an attempted escape from area that would become Somerville. Three years captivity in Mexico. later a second spur ran there from Navasota. A surveyed town site, train depot and railroad yard soon followed. The town was named for the first president of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe — Albert Somerville, a former mayor of Galveston.

HAD THE NAMESAKE of this town proved suc- control of Mexico. They expected a friendly reception, cessful on a Republic of Texas expedition into New but instead were met with a hostile governor and Mexico in 1841 it is possible there would have been a a bigger army. The Texans surrendered and were Brenham, N.M. named in his honor. marched o£ to prison, where they spent several months before being released. Dr. Richard Fox Brenham But that was not the last ill-fated expedition for was born in Brenham. Soon he joined yet another expedition, this BRENHAM Kentucky in 1810 one a raiding incursion into Mexico at Ciudad Mier, and moved to across the Rio Grande between Laredo and McAllen. Texas to join its war for independence as a surgeon. Later, as a The Mier Expedition resulted in the capture of Brenham doctor in Austin, he was befriended by Republic of and 175 other Texans. They were being taken to Mexico Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar. In 1841, Lamar City when an escape attempt at Salado, Mexico, on Feb. chose Brenham as a civil commissioner for Lamar’s 11, 1843, left Brenham dead. attempt to persuade northern New Mexico to join — or at least trade with — the Republic of Texas. The Washington County town of Hickory Grove decided the following year to rename itself Brenham to honor Brenham was among 321 soldiers and diplomats this hero of the Texas revolution and republic. He never called the “Santa Fe pioneers” who set out on an got a chance to enjoy peacetime amid the town’s expedition to Santa Fe and other towns under the bountiful trees and bluebonnets.

22 Texas Co-op Power BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE December 2016 bluebonnet.coop bluebonnet.coop

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 18 11/7/16 9:38 PM THE FIRST PERMANENT German settlement and was granted the league of land from developing cigar industry. in Texas was on a league of land (4,428 acres) in the Mexican government in 1831. Ernst Austin County granted to Johann Friedrich Ernst. built a house and called it Ernst’s Place, In a letter to friends in Germany, he extolled TOP 10 TOWN NAMES welcoming immigrants and travelers on the virtues of Industry: “Each settler builds...a In 1829, Ernst, the main 90-mile road from Bastrop to blockhouse. The more children the better The U.S. Postal Service reported these his wife and San Felipe along the Brazos River. for...field labor. Scarcely three months work town names as the most common in five children a year. No need for money, free exercise of the United States in 2012: fled Oldenburg, One of the first crops Ernst planted was religion and the best markets for all products Germany. tobacco and he made cigars to be sold in at the Mexican harbors.” 1) Clinton 6) Marion Rightly or Houston and Galveston. 2) Madison 7) Greenville wrongly, he had been charged with embezzling The economy of the area moved on from money from the post oce he operated there. Ernst began selling lots on his land in 1838 tobacco to cotton crops to ranching. The 3) Franklin 8) Springfield and a post oce was established. The town now claims fewer than 400 residents, 4) Washington 9) Georgetown After running a boarding house in New York City town name was declared Industry as a but it proudly boasts of its place in Texas 5) Chester 10) Salem for a couple of years, the family sailed to Texas nod to the industrious residents and the history where Germans first settled.

WHEN IT WAS FOUNDED along a large bend of the Colorado River in 1837, La Grange could just as easily have been dubbed The Meadows. That’s because The Meadows is the English translation for La Grange, the name of an estate in France owned by the Marquis de Lafayette, a nobleman and military hero of both the French and ABOVE: A detail from a stock certificate of the American revolutions. Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Co., which The Republic of Sarah Beal photo arrived in what would become Somerville in 1880. Texas government ABOVE: Like some other towns in the region, thought so much Giddings’ name is closely linked to the railroad — RAIL LINES BECAME the lifeblood of many new LA GRANGE of Lafayette that communities in the late 1800s, so it’s no surprise it named Fayette in this case, the Houston & Texas Central Railroad. that several towns wound up named for railroad County in his honor executives. and La Grange as the county seat three years after JABEZ D. GIDDINGS was one of four broth- Lafayette’s death. ers from Pennsylvania who were Texas railroad The Gulf, pioneers and business leaders. The town of Gid- Colorado Lafayette was revered because he left his comfortable dings was founded in 1871 as a shipping point by and Santa Fe estate in France to serve as a general in George the Houston & Railway Co. Washington’s army, helping to win several key battles Texas Cen- was chartered of the Revolutionary War. He also persuaded the king ABOVE: This 1791 portrait tral Railroad in 1873 to build a railroad from Galveston to Santa of France to send more war aid to the Americans and depicts Gilbert du Motier, (in which J. Fe, N.M. In 1880, one spur passed through the GIDDINGS later organized trade agreements between France and the Marquis de Lafayette, D. Giddings, area that would become Somerville. Three years the United States. a Brenham later a second spur ran there from Navasota. A as a lieutenant general. lawyer, was a surveyed town site, train depot and railroad yard Although Lafayette never visited Texas, the young A decade earlier the stockholder). Most historians say the town was soon followed. The town was named for the ﬁrst republic’s leaders greatly respected his heroism and Frenchman helped George named for him. Others, however, say his brother president of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe — willingness to lead ﬁghts against tyranny. Their own Washington defeat the Dewitt C. Giddings, also a railroad investor and U.S. Albert Somerville, a former mayor of Galveston. revolution against Mexican rule was not so dierent. British. congressman from Brenham, was the namesake.

HAD THE NAMESAKE of this town proved suc- control of Mexico. They expected a friendly reception, cessful on a Republic of Texas expedition into New but instead were met with a hostile governor and Mexico in 1841 it is possible there would have been a a bigger army. The Texans surrendered and were Brenham, N.M. named in his honor. marched o to prison, where they spent several months MCDADE before being released. Dr. Richard Fox Brenham But that was not the last ill-fated expedition for was born in Brenham. Soon he joined yet another expedition, this TO THE WEST OF Kentucky in 1810 Giddings, settlers of the one a raiding incursion into Mexico at Ciudad Mier, community that be- and moved to across the Rio Grande between Laredo and McAllen. Texas to join came McDade wanted its war for independence as a surgeon. Later, as a The Mier Expedition resulted in the capture of Brenham the railroad, too. So doctor in Austin, he was befriended by Republic of and 175 other Texans. They were being taken to Mexico in 1869 they named Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar. In 1841, Lamar their town for James W. City when an escape attempt at Salado, Mexico, on Feb. McDade Historical Museum chose Brenham as a civil commissioner for Lamar’s 11, 1843, left Brenham dead. McDade, a major stockholder in the Houston & Texas attempt to persuade northern New Mexico to join — Townspeople show off or at least trade with — the Republic of Texas. The Washington County town of Hickory Grove decided Central Railroad who lived ABOVE: the following year to rename itself Brenham to honor in Brenham. He never lived their finery in this 1907 photo of Brenham was among 321 soldiers and diplomats this hero of the Texas revolution and republic. He never in McDade, but two years downtown McDade. The 2010 U.S. called the “Santa Fe pioneers” who set out on an got a chance to enjoy peacetime amid the town’s after the town’s founding the Census put the town’s population expedition to Santa Fe and other towns under the bountiful trees and bluebonnets. railroad reached there. n at 685.

bluebonnet.coop December 2016 BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Texas Co-op Power 23

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 19 11/7/16 9:39 PM Latest gadgets not only make life easier, but are cool family toys, too ozobot.com

nside your home, there are new options for those who can’t get enough television. Two companies Ibased in the Midwest are among those specializing in vanishing TV mirrors, which serve as decorative mirrors until they are turned on and become screens. “It’s a definite wow factor,” said Cindy Petersen, of ClearView TV Mirrors from the Chicago suburb Elk Grove, Ill. The pricey VANISHING TV MIRRORS are designed to be a more aesthetically pleasing option for home décor, whether for living areas (where some consider a flat screen television to be unsightly) or for bathrooms (where a vanity mirror

By Sharon Jayson ibaro Home Intelligence, a company wo very new portable scene controllers he ultimate luxury — at a minimum of $50,000 — is a high- based in Poznan, Poland, is marketed from Fibaro are THE BUTTON ($49.99) and end golf simulation product that allows users to play 15 ad- hether you’re mostly in Asia and Europe, said spokes- the KeyFob (not yet priced). The Button, ditional sports on the same system. Toronto-based company searching for the womanF Monica Dolecka. But now, “we’re Twhich comes in eight colors and can run up to five TVisual Sports’ SWINGTRACK offers a truly customized product, said perfect present slowly tapping into the American market and scenes, just became available in the U.S. last marketing manager Chris Lee. are targeting more of a DIY market.” Its prod- month. KeyFob is not officially Basements or media rooms are typically needed, with minimum or want to treat ucts work mainly with Z-Wave, a wireless com- launched but is expected to be space requirements of 9.5 foot ceilings and rooms at least 12 yourself this munications system used for home automation. available in early 2017. feet wide with a depth of 15-to-20- feet, Lee said. holiday season, there are some cool The FIBARO SWIPE is a gesture-control pad “This would be best for “You tell us the size of the space and our team of designers gadgetsW and luxury items among the ($149.99) equipped with a 3D motion-detecting somebody who’s always on will come up with a simple drawing and send that off to you latest innovations for the connected sensor. It looks like a picture frame and can the go and they’re trying to for your approval,” he said. “Once it’s approved, it takes six to hang on the wall, sit on a counter or be hidden simplify their life because they’re eight weeks for us to manufacture all the custom components.” home. from sight. It pulls double duty by displaying busy,” the Fibaro spokeswoman A team of specialists would “install everything you need in Companies worldwide are photos while recognizing six hand gestures that said. “This is for the mom or the space — everything from the turf flooring, the projector, the creating these connected products. control various connected home devices. Pro- dad before they’re arriving home sound system — all of our technology that makes all that possible, gram it for lights, window blinds or any number who wants to have their garage door and train you at the same time.” Some market their ﬁbaro.com of actions. Swipe to the left to prepare coffee; open and doors unlocked The sports simulation options include baseball, basketball, bocce, convenience while move your hand to the right and the bathtub so they don’t have to The Button, a light, cricket, football, hockey, rugby and soccer. “It’s not just for mom others are designed fills with hot water. It’s also marketed as an fumble for their keys. portable battery-powered or dad,” Lee said. “You’re using real sports equipment and you’re to impress with a easy solution for some older adults who have This is essentially a key scene controller, fits in the physically running around with a soccer ball or throwing a “wow” factor. difficulty navigating technology but can do the replacement.” palm of your hand. baseball. It turns our product into a family product.” Products designed hand gestures. to simplify life include controllers hen visitors arrive, for a variety of pre-programmed the video doorbell is home “scenes,” which are ways that particularly handy becauseW you can see or speak to consumers can set into motion a va- anyone from your smartphone riety of actions that affect more than or tablet and don’t need to be one electronic system. Examples there. The RING VIDEO DOORBELL include a “goodbye” scene to turn ($199) can replace a current doorbell or be used in a spot where off lights, lock doors and set a ther- ﬁbaro.com one wasn’t previously located. mostat temperature or a “goodnight” Fibaro Swipe looks and acts like a Each doorbell is equipped with scene to turn off lights, lock doors picture frame but can control connected an HD camera with night vision and activate the security system. devices. and smart motion detection.

24 Texas Co-op Power BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE December 2016 bluebonnet.coop

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 20 11/7/16 9:39 PM or the little ones, smart gift FAR LEFT: options include EDWIN THE Consider Ozobot DUCK ($99.99) for newborns, Bit, an app- toddlersF and preschoolers and OZO- connected smart BOT BIT ($59) for ages six and older. toy, for children 6 Edwin is an app-connected smart toy and older. with a built-in night light that can also be tossed into the tub to measure LEFT: Edwin water temperature and it can play the Duck is a hit music or bedtime sounds. The Bit with newborns, is a programmable smart robot for toddlers and playing and learning that can build preschoolers. ozobot.com creativity and coding skills. edwintheduck.com

nside your home, there are new can also serve as a TV.) Neither com- options for those who can’t get pany sells directly to consumers. Their enough television. Two companies products are available through designers, Ibased in the Midwest are among those architects and installers. The mirror- specializing in vanishing TV mirrors, screens come in custom sizes but also which serve as decorative mirrors until some standard sizes. they are turned on and become screens. “This is a really nice framed mirror “It’s a definite wow factor,” said when it’s off and it reflects the room. Cindy Petersen, of ClearView TV You don’t see a TV,” Petersen said. “You Mirrors from the Chicago suburb Elk don’t know there’s a TV unless you click Grove, Ill. on your remote.” The pricey VANISHING TV MIRRORS Séura, based in Green Bay, Wis., are designed to be a more aesthetically offers a 19” TV in a 33 inch x 36 inch pleasing option for home décor, whether size mirror with no frame for $3,299. seura.com for living areas (where some consider The cost for a frameless entertainment Vanishing TV mirrors, like this one from Séura, aren’t yet a flat screen television to be unsightly) mirror for living areas with a 55” 4K sold directly to consumers but can be purchased from or for bathrooms (where a vanity mirror UHD TV is $8,499. designers, architects and installers.

he ultimate luxury — at a minimum of $50,000 — is a high- end golf simulation product that allows users to play 15 additional sports on the same system. Toronto-based company TVisual Sports’ SWINGTRACK offers a truly customized product, said marketing manager Chris Lee. Basements or media rooms are typically needed, with minimum space requirements of 9.5 foot ceilings and rooms at least 12 feet wide with a depth of 15-to-20- feet, Lee said. “You tell us the size of the space and our team of designers will come up with a simple drawing and send that off to you for your approval,” he said. “Once it’s approved, it takes six to eight weeks for us to manufacture all the custom components.” A team of specialists would “install everything you need in the space — everything from the turf flooring, the projector, the sound system — all of our technology that makes all that possible, and train you at the same time.” ﬁbaro.com The sports simulation options include baseball, basketball, bocce, The Button, a light, cricket, football, hockey, rugby and soccer. “It’s not just for mom portable battery-powered or dad,” Lee said. “You’re using real sports equipment and you’re scene controller, fits in the physically running around with a soccer ball or throwing a palm of your hand. baseball. It turns our product into a family product.”

These are only a few Ring Video Doorbell lets of many new options you welcome available to consumers as guests even when away the smart home industry from home. — now in its infancy — takes o in a big way and

visualsportssys.com sets out to change our A luxury item for the home, the day-to-day lives. SwingTrack offers sports simulation and ring.com equipment for the family.

bluebonnet.coop December 2016 BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE Texas Co-op Power 25

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 21 11/7/16 9:39 PM Scholarships, government tours available for Bluebonnet youth luebonnet Electric Coop- erative believes in its youth and offers local high school Bstudents several scholarships and opportunities to become tomorrow’s leaders. The co-op has two programs for students in the co-op’s service area, which covers all or parts of 14 counties stretching from the suburbs of Austin to the outskirts of Houston and south to San Marcos. The Government-in-Action Youth Tour offers two high school students I am thinking about New Year’s (in 10th, 11th or 12th grade) the op- Q:resolutions to simplify my life and portunity to travel to Washington, save money in 2017. Are there things I D.C., to tour our nation’s capital. Each student live in the home of a parent or legal guardian can do to interact with Bluebonnet more selected to represent Bluebonnet on the June who is a current Bluebonnet member with an e ciently and save energy? 7-16 Washington tour will visit the U.S. Capi- active account and who whose primary resi- tol, meet members of Congress and see histori- dence is in Bluebonnet’s service area (including You came to the right place. Our member cal sites. They also receive a $500 scholarship city limits that are within Bluebonnet’s service A:service representatives brainstormed and during their senior year. area). Graduating seniors in accredited home came up with a list of changes you can make in Applicants must live in the home of a parent extended study programs are eligible to apply. 2017 to make your life more manageable and or legal guardian who is a current Bluebonnet The application must be signed and delivered to save money. You can resolve to: member with an active account and whose pri- a Member Service Center or postmarked by 5 l Sign up for a recurring Bluebonnet account mary residence is in Bluebonnet’s service area p.m. March 3, 2017. so your electric bill always will be paid by a (including city limits that are within Bluebon- Scholarships of Excellence requirements and bank or credit card draft and your bills are paid net’s service area). applications are available through area high on time. This will help establish good credit Students in accredited home extended study school counselors and vocational instructors, and help ensure your Bluebonnet deposit is programs are eligible to apply. The deadline is at Bluebonnet’s five member service centers returned. approaching. Applications are due by Jan. 27, in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and l Keep thermostat on 78 during the summer 2017. Manor and online at bluebonnet.coop. Hover and 68 during the winter to conserve energy and Bluebonnet also offers Scholarships of Excel- over the Community tab, and click on Scholar- save money. lence for students pursuing a trade and technical ships. l Caulk and weather strip doors, windows certificate, an associate degree in a vocational For more information, call 800-842-7708 and and electric outlets. field or a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must a Bluebonnet member service representative be a graduating high school senior and must l Reduce water heating costs by lowering can help. temperature setting to 120 degrees F. l Maintain heating system to ensure it is efficient. l Reduce energy by using natural light when Bluebonnet Board seats up for election possible. l Open curtains on south-facing windows luebonnet Electric Cooperative mem- district and be a co-op member in good stand- during the day to allow sunlight to warm the bers will elect four directors to the co- ing. They also must agree to a background house. op’s Board of Directors during Blue- check and meet other qualifications outlined l Bbonnet’s Annual Meeting on May 9, 2017. in Bluebonnet’s bylaws, which are available Close fireplace flue when not in use. The deadline to apply to be a director is Feb. at bluebonnetelectric.coop. Hover your cursor l In warm months, grill or use a slow cooker 8, 2017. over the About tab on the home page, click on to avoid heating the house with the oven. Bluebonnet’s Board is made up of 11 direc- Leadership in the drop-down bar and then click l Dry clothes on outside line. l tors who serve staggered three-year terms. The on the Becoming a Director link. Lower the cost of holiday lighting by using four seats up for election in 2017 represent Dis- Application for nomination forms are avail- LED lights. trict 3 for Bastrop County; District 4 for Lee, able at the co-op’s member service centers in l Read Texas Co-op Power magazine to learn Milam and Williamson counties; District 6 for Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and how to conserve energy and keep up with the Austin, Colorado and Fayette counties; and Manor and online at bluebonnet.coop, under latest Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative news. District 7 for Washington County. the About tab and then Reports & Forms in the l Visit Bluebonnet’s Eco Home in Brenham Candidates can be nominated either by pre- drop-down bar. All candidates’ petitions, filing to learn about the latest green-building senting an application for nomination with at fees and application for nomination forms must technology. least 50 signatures from co-op members in their be submitted at any Bluebonnet member ser- Questions? Call 800-842-7708 and a member respective districts or by paying a $250 filing vice center by 4 p.m. Feb. 8, 2017. service representative can help. fee in certified funds. For more information, call a Bluebonnet — Barbara Seilheimer, Bluebonnet To run for the Board, candidates must be at member service representative at 800-842-7708 member services manager least 21 years old, be a primary resident of their or email [email protected].

26 Texas Co-op Power BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE December 2016 bluebonnet.coop

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 22 11/7/16 9:39 PM Thank

You!to the platinum-level sponsors of the 2016 Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT Your generosity — and a great day on the greens at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa — will allow us to award 50 scholarships to deserving high school graduates throughout the Bluebonnet service area

bluebonnet.coop

BLUEBONNET MAG DEC 2016.indd 23 11/7/16 9:39 PM Own the “Gem of the Century”

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LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

8750 PEAK/ 1500 LB. CAPACITY HEAVY DUTY • SUPER 7000 RUNNING WATTS Lift range: SUPER HAND TRUCK SUPER 5-1/4" to 17" MOTORCYCLE LIFT SUPER COUPON13 HP (420 CC) GAS GENERATORS COUPON COUPON COUPONCustomer Rating ITEM 68530/ 63086 ITEM 69995 shown 69671/63085 shown ITEM 95061 shown SAVE 60536/61632 SUPER ITEM 68525/69677 SAVE 62775/62776/62973 QUIET Customer Rating EMERGENCY 63087/63088 • 600 lb. $65 CALIFORNIA ONLY 41% capacity 39 LED TRIANGLE SAVE Wheel kit and battery Customer Rating WORKLIGHT sold separately. $469 Customer Rating $ 99 ITEM 62158 shown $ 99 69 $ 99 62417/62574 comp at 34 $ 99 2 SAVE comp at comp at $ 99 8989 Batteries $ 99 $999 $ 99 $59.99 $ 99 76% 529 5995 41 comp at $135 3 $12.80 included.

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON 3-IN-1 PORTABLE Customer Rating WOW Customer Rating POWER PACK WITH LOW-PROFILE WOW SUPER COUPON 26", 4 DRAWER SUPER SUPER COUPON JUMP STARTER COUPON CREEPER T PANEL TV MOUNT Customer Rating TOOL CART • 300 lb. TILTING FLA SAVE ng • 176 lb. capacity Customer Rati capacity SAVE ITEM 61634 75% 65% 61952 SAVE 40" SAVE 95659 shown ITEM 69262 ITEM 62289 $ • 580 lb. ITEM 38391 69094/61916 61807 shown 219 62376 20% capacity 2745 shown 62306 shown 99 $ 99 $ 99 $ $ 99 19comp at 99comp at 19" 19 comp at at screen TVs $ 99 $57.37 $ 99 $319.01 47 $59.99 Tools sold $ 99 Fits ﬂ 159 comp at separately. 27 $79.99 from 37" to 70". 29

y calling or HarborFreight.com or b m or by calling - Good at our stores upon or prior res or HarborFreight.co LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 5 ith other discount or co 4 - Good at our sto r coupon or prior 567. Cannot be used w original receipt. LIMIT ed with other discount o 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2 riginal purchase with 23-2567. Cannot be us with original receipt. after 30 days from o upon must be 800-4 from original purchase purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases on-transferable. Original co rchases after 30 days riginal coupon must be ood while supplies last. N r customer per day. pu last. Non-transferable. O Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer g 7. Limit one coupon pe ffer good while supplies per customer per day. ted. Valid through 4/1/1 O 4/1/17. Limit one coupon presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presen presented. Valid through EVERY Go to HarborFreight.com 700+ Stores 3 DAYS For Locations Nationwide

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3/8" x 50 FT. 10" PNEUMATIC TIRE 3 PIECE DECORATIVE WIRELESS SECURITY Customer Rating ITEM 69385 SUPER Customer Rating ALERT SYSTEM SUPER HEAVY DUTY PREMIUM SUPER SUPER SAVE SOLAR LED LIGHTS SAVE 62388 ITEM 60561 COUPON COUPON RUBBER AIR HOSE COUPON 62409 COUPON shown ITEM 62890 shown 70% 69462 shown ITEM 93068 33% 62698 69590/61910/62447 61939/62884/69580 SAVE 30900 shown Customer Rating SAVE 73% 60% $ 99 Not for $ 99 $ 99 19 highway use. comp at 3 8 comp at comp at $ 99 $242 99 $29.98 $ 99 $14.99 $ 99 $29.99 11 5 11 $ 99 comp at 161 $29.99 LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 7 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. 29 PIECE TITANIUM 4 PIECE ANTI-FATIGUE Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be SAVE presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. SUPER 42" OFF-ROAD/ SUPER NITRIDE COATED SUPER FOAM MAT SET COUPON FARM JACK COUPON 78% HIGH SPEED STEEL COUPON 1.51 CUBIC FT. ITEM 60668/6530 shown ITEM 61607 DRILL BIT SET 62389 SUPER SOLID STEEL SAVE • 3-1/2 ton capacity SAVE ITEM 62281 94635 shown COUPON DIGITAL 23% 61637 shown 61% Customer Rating Customer Rating FLOOR SAFE ITEM 91006/62678 SAVE 62977 shown $ 99 $ $ 99 190 Customer Rating $ 99 comp at $ 99 191 Customer Rating • Each pad 6comp at $ 99 $59.99 comp at $59.97 measures $ 99 $17.97 45 57 12 25" x 25" 9 $9999 LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling comp at 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. $ 99 $289.99 Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be 129 presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day. presented. Valid through 4/1/17. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

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32 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com Texas History Galveston’s Immigration Station

Hundreds of thousands of newcomers passed through the “Ellis Island of Texas”

BY MARTHA DEERINGER

The windswept shores of Galveston Island greeted an estimated 750,000 immigrants from all over the world between 1839 and 1920. “Here in Galveston,” wrote nov- elist Edna Ferber in A Kind of Magic (Dou- bleday, 1963), “the humidity was like a clammy hand held over your face. Yet the city had a ghostly charm.” Many new arrivals must have agreed. During the second half of the 19th century, Galveston transformed itself into the commercial and shipping center of Texas, yet Quarantine station on many newcomers were not allowed to see Pelican Island, circa 1910 the city until after a period of quarantine. In 1839, Galveston instituted the first maritime quarantine system in the Repub- 1919, the city’s station merged with federal disease, the ship could proceed to port. lic of Texas. Officials believed that the operations at a facility on Pelican Island, “My great aunt, Jessie Flowers Naylor, influx of immigrants contributed to the which continued to operate until 1950. worked as a nurse at the Galveston Quar- spread of contagious diseases, particularly The first large groups of Europeans to antine Station while she was taking her yellow fever, which caused more than arrive in Galveston were Germans drawn training at John Sealy Hospital in Galve- 1,100 deaths in 1867 alone. How mosqui- to Texas by the promise of cheap land ston in 1917,” says Julia Newbury of Belton. toes transmit yellow fever was not yet and religious freedom. The 1850 census “She boarded ships with the rest of the understood, and businesses complained showed that more than 40 percent of the medical team to examine people who that quarantines disrupted travel and city’s population had German surnames. wanted to go ashore. It must have taken commerce. “My mother, Anna Klasek, and her fam- courage for her to go aboard foreign ships Galveston built its first quarantine ily arrived in Galveston in July 1914, on and deal with illnesses and all kinds of per- station on the eastern tip of Galveston the ship Neckar,” says Robert Johnson of sonalities and languages.” Island in 1853. Ships suspected of contam- Brenham, a member of Bluebonnet Elec- Immigration through Galveston slowed ination were not allowed to enter the port tric Cooperative. “She was 4 years old and after World War I when U.S. laws set strict until the quarantine officer inspected the the second youngest of seven sisters. They quotas for each immigrant group. By the vessel. If the officer discovered any infec- were from Austria, and I understand that middle of the 20th century, the need for tion among passengers, or if the ship had they were aboard the last ship of immi- maritime quarantine lessened. The last traveled from an infected port, a 20-day grants to leave the German port of Bremen Galveston quarantine station was demol- quarantine was imposed. before war was declared.” ished in 1972, and the site is now the home A larger quarantine station, built by the When a ship arrived and was safely of Pelican Island’s Seawolf Park. city in 1870, was severely damaged by hur- anchored offshore, the master of the vessel In his book The Galveston Immigration ricane winds and replaced by new facilities signaled the quarantine station so a sur- and Quarantine Stations (University of in 1879 and again in 1885 when the state geon could sail out aboard the station’s Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 1994), took over quarantine operations. These sta- launch, Seaway. The surgeon and his author Harrold K. Henck Jr. notes the tions were at Fort Point on the south side nurses checked for contagious diseases impact of the port. “The legacy of Galve- of the entrance to Galveston Bay. and examined the ship’s papers to ensure ston’s immigrants not only influenced the Locations for the centers changed that a clean bill of health had been issued growth of the city but drove a wedge of Euro- slightly over the years. One was built on at the last port. Anyone who showed signs pean culture through the heart of Texas.” Pelican Spit, and, in 1902, another was built of disease was removed to the quarantine Martha Deeringer, a member of Heart of

COURTESY GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION’S PRESERVATION RESOURCE CENTER PRESERVATION FOUNDATION’S HISTORICAL GALVESTON COURTESY at the site of the original 1853 station. In station. If the surgeon found no sign of Texas EC, lives near McGregor.

TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 33 $500 SWEET WINNER Pecan Caramel Apple $500 Cheesecake Pie With SAVORY Snickerdoodle Crust WINNER Zucchini and Spinach Lasagna

$500 SWEET WINNER New Year’s White Chocolate Strawberry Cheesecake

34 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com TexasCoopPower.com Smoky Mac WINNER and Cheese SAVORY $500

FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY: MELISSA SKORPIL winners—for twosweet andtwosavory $500. dishes—eachget Jus fromKaren BergmanofTrinityValley ElectricCooperative. (and thismonth’s cover star) isStuffedChickenWithMushroomPan ¼ cup sliced shallots sliced cup ¼ parsley flat-leaf Italian fresh cup ¼ leaves,chopped basil fresh cup 1 pepper cracked teaspoonblack ⅛ salt coarse teaspoon ⅛ Provencede herbes tablespoon 1 cheese cream ounces 8 oliveoil cup ¼ clovesgarlic 8 peppers bell orange or red 3 STUFFING at longlast—we agreedonthebest ofthebest, yieldingahandfulofwinners. inboxes. Weeks ensueduntil— oftesting andmultipleroundsofvoting, andtasting, response, hundredsofcherisheddishesandpoignantanecdotes floodedour weaskedreadersfortheirbest holidayrecipes. In To inspireyour table, 2016 Holiday Recipe Contest with lavender with process makes your kitchen smelldelicious. to create anincredible flavor. Bonus:The and garlicthatroast for anhourandahalf filling isflavored withlusciousred peppers favorite attheBergman house. Thecreamy worthy ofaholiday dinnerandisafamily This richanddeliciousentrée isdefinitely KAREN BERGMAN Mushroom Pan Jus Stuffed Chicken With GRAND PRIZEWINNER PAULA DISBROWE, Bergman wins$3,000 forherdeliciousentrée.Four additional The Texas Co-op Power | TRINITY VALLEY EC FOOD EDITOR 2016 Holiday RecipeContest grandprizewinner 8 ounces grated pepper jack cheese jack gratedpepper ounces 8 chopped spinach, fresh ounces 8 2 tablespoons flour tablespoons 2 butter,sticks) (2 cup softened 1 stockchicken or mushroom cups 2 as (such wine white dry cups 2 Cracked blackpepperandcoarse salt thyme tablespoons 2 rosemary tablespoons 2 clovescrushed large garlic, 2 slicedmushrooms, bella baby ounces 16 butter stick) (¼ tablespoons 2 oliveoil tablespoons 2 MUSHROOM PAN JUS oliveoil tablespoons 2 more,(orbaconthick-cut slices 8 chickenskinless boneless, large, 4 CHICKEN sauvignon blanc) sauvignon taste to breasts)of size on depending butterflied breasts, December 2016 With Mushroom Pan Jus Texas Co-op Power $3,000 GRAND PRIZEWINNER Stuffed Chicken Recipes 35 BERGMAN KAREN Recipes

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a strips on top and bake 35 minutes. 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with olive $500 4. Remove dish from oven. Using oil or unflavored nonstick spray. SAVORY kitchen shears, carefully cut the bacon 2. STUFFING: Core peppers, removing WINNER into small pieces, then stir pieces into seeds and membranes, then slice each Smoky Mac the hot pasta. Sprinkle panko bread- and Cheese half into quarter strips. Peel and thinly crumbs over the pasta and bake an addi- slice the garlic cloves. Place peppers in tional 15 minutes. Allow the pasta to baking dish (insides facing up), sprinkle stand for 10 minutes before serving. with garlic, drizzle with olive oil, cover Serves 4–6. with foil and bake 1½ hours. Remove from heat, uncover and cool. 3. In a food processor, combine cream cheese, herbes de Provence, salt, pepper, basil, Italian parsley and shallots, and pulse until creamy. Add spinach and SAVORY PRIZEWINNER pulse until incorporated. The mixture Smoky Mac and Cheese $500 can be slightly chunky. Add the cooled REBECCA BRAUCHLE | BANDERA EC SAVORY peppers and pulse until combined but What’s not to love about copious amounts WINNER still chunky. Transfer the stuffing to a of cheese plus bacon? Brauchle’s Smoky Zucchini and Spinach Lasagna bowl, stir in pepper jack cheese, and Mac and Cheese is particularly swoon-worthy. refrigerate while preparing the chicken. The dish comes together quickly, so it’s a 4. CHICKEN: Coat a 10-by-16-inch roast- manageable weeknight dinner—but also ing pan and rack with nonstick spray. decadent enough for a holiday meal. 5. Spread equal amounts of stuffing on top of each butterflied breast, then roll 2 tablespoons (¼ stick) unsalted butter, into a snug cylinder. Starting on one end softened of the roll, wrap a slice of bacon around 1 package (16 ounces) cavatappi pasta SAVORY PRIZEWINNER the breast, from one end to the other, 2 cups heavy cream Zucchini and Spinach and then repeat with a second slice 2 cups whole milk Lasagna (starting where the first slice ended). 1 package (16 ounces) processed NICOLE CHISUM | WISE EC 6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over cheese product, cut into 1-inch cubes Using vegetables and creamy Alfredo sauce medium-high heat. Carefully place 1 tablespoon garlic salt creates a memorable spin on traditional chicken in skillet and cook 3–4 minutes 1 tablespoon salt lasagna. This dish is perfect for feeding a on each side, just until the bacon begins 1 tablespoon pepper crowd (just add a green salad and red to brown. Transfer the chicken, seam side 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese wine), and the unbaked lasagna freezes down, to the prepared roasting pan. Leave 2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese well (bake frozen 15–20 additional browned bits and juice from the chicken 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese minutes, or until bubbly), so it’s a great in the skillet to be used for the pan jus. ½ pound bacon way to get a jump-start on entertaining. Bake uncovered 35 minutes. While the 1 cup panko breadcrumbs chicken cooks, make the pan jus. 12 lasagna noodles 7. MUSHROOM PAN JUS: In the skillet used 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 1 pound lean ground beef for the chicken, heat olive oil and butter 11-by-15-inch or 5-quart baking dish ¾ cup chopped onion on medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms, with butter. In a saucepan, prepare the 1 bag (10 ounces) frozen chopped garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and salt, pasta according to package directions. spinach, thawed and sauté until slightly browned. Add Drain and transfer noodles to prepared 2 cups shredded zucchini white wine and cook, stirring to scrape baking dish. 1 jar (12 ounces) Alfredo sauce the browned bits off the bottom of the 2. Heat the cream and milk in a heavy, ½ teaspoon salt pan, until reduced by half. Add the stock medium-sized saucepan over medium- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper and again cook, stirring, until reduced by high heat until it begins to simmer. 2 eggs, slightly beaten half. Add the softened butter and stir Reduce heat to low. Add cheese product, until creamy. If the sauce seems thin, you garlic salt, salt and pepper, and cook, can thicken it by stirring in flour. stirring, until smooth. Stir in remaining 8. Serve the chicken breasts covered cheeses and cook until melted and fully with a generous portion of the mush- combined. room pan jus. Top with any remaining 3. Remove cheese mixture from heat chopped parsley, if desired. Serves 4. and pour over the pasta. Place bacon

36 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 APPLE LAYER $500 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese SWEET 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, 1 cup cottage cheese WINNER cored and chopped ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Pecan Caramel Apple ¼ cup loosely packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon dried parsley Cheesecake Pie With 1 tablespoon lemon juice Snickerdoodle Crust 3–4 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese ⅛ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon TOPPING 2 tablespoons water 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1 teaspoon cornstarch ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup Quick Caramel Sauce 2 teaspoons dried parsley CARAMEL CHEESECAKE LAYER AND TOPPING 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bring a 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 5 tablespoons powdered sugar, the lasagna noodles and cook until al SWEET PRIZEWINNER divided use dente, then drain. Pecan Caramel Apple 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2. Brown the beef and onion in a skillet, Cheesecake Pie With 4 ounces cream cheese then drain excess fat. Squeeze excess Snickerdoodle Crust 4 tablespoons Quick Caramel Sauce, water from spinach and add to the skil- MARIAN EVONIUK | PEDERNALES EC divided use let, then add zucchini and stir until mix- Don’t be daunted by this recipe—the steps come together quickly, and the results are ture is warm. Add the Alfredo sauce, salt 1. QUICK CARAMEL SAUCE: The day before and pepper. Cook, stirring, until warm, well worth the effort to create a truly special you plan to bake, combine cream, light then remove from heat. holiday dessert. It’s important to make the and dark brown sugars, and salt in a 3. Combine the eggs, ricotta, cottage Quick Caramel Sauce a day in advance so it small saucepan, stir to combine, and cheese, Parmesan and parsley in a has time to thicken in the refrigerator bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, medium bowl. overnight (the thicker sauce makes the stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to 4. Spread about ½ cup of meat mixture cheesecake easier to assemble). Note that medium-low and continue boiling in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking after baking, the cheesecake needs to chill another 2–3 minutes, stirring occasion- pan. Top with 3 lasagna noodles length- for at least 8 hours or overnight, so plan to ally and being careful that the mixture wise, and 1 widthwise. Evenly spread bake the day before your family feast. doesn’t boil over. Remove from heat and half the cheese mixture over noodles, stir in vanilla. Transfer to a heat-proof followed by half the meat mixture, then QUICK CARAMEL SAUCE glass container, cool uncovered, then half the shredded cheddar jack. Repeat 1 cup heavy whipping cream refrigerate overnight to thicken. with another layer of noodles, followed ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar 2. SNICKERDOODLE CRUST: Preheat oven by remaining cheese mixture, meat mix- ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix ture and cheddar jack. Top with remain- ⅛ teaspoon salt flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add ing noodles. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract vanilla and cut in butter by hand until 5. TOPPING: Sprinkle top with the moz- mixture comes together to form a soft zarella, Parmesan and parsley. Cover SNICKERDOODLE CRUST dough. (Alternately, mix dry ingredients with aluminum foil and bake 35 minutes. 1 cup flour together in a food processor and pulse Remove foil and bake another 5–10 min- ¼ cup sugar in butter and vanilla.) Pat dough into utes until edges are bubbly and top is ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan and bake slightly browned. Remove from oven and ⅛ teaspoon salt 20–25 minutes, until edges are a light allow to set approximately 10 minutes 1 teaspoon vanilla extract golden brown. Cool on wire rack. before serving. Serves 6–8. ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 3. PECAN LAYER: Place pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast 4–6 PECAN LAYER minutes at 350 degrees until lightly 1 ½ cups Texas pecans browned, stirring once. Cool slightly. ¼ cup honey In a food processor, process pecans 20– ¼ cup whipping cream 30 seconds, until finely ground. Reserve ⅛ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon for topping. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4. In a medium saucepan, combine remaining pecans, honey, cream and salt. Stirring constantly over medium-low heat, cook until mixture is hot but not

December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 37 Recipes

4. boiling (about 1–2 minutes). Remove $500 Combine cream cheese and remaining from heat, stir in vanilla and spread SWEET sugar in a food processor and process over crust. WINNER until smooth. Continue blending and add 5. APPLE LAYER: Place apples in a 10-inch New Year’s eggs one at a time, then add vanilla and nonstick skillet with brown sugar, lemon White Chocolate white chocolate sauce. Strawberry juice, salt, cinnamon and water. Cover Cheesecake 5. Pour half the batter mixture over and cook over medium-low heat until crust. Spoon half the strawberry pre- apples are tender, about 20 minutes. serves over the batter in small dots. Pour Add 1–2 additional tablespoons water if remaining batter into pan, and pour the necessary to prevent scorching. remaining preserves in a spiral pattern 6. In a small bowl or cup, whisk corn- over the batter. Use the tip of a paring starch with ¼ cup Quick Caramel Sauce knife to pull lines out from the center to until smooth. Remove apples from heat, create a marbled effect. add caramel-cornstarch mixture and 6. Place cheesecake pan in a large roast- mix well. Return to heat and cook SWEET PRIZEWINNER ing pan containing 2 inches of hot water. another 2–3 minutes, stirring con- New Year’s White Bake 55–60 minutes, or until the outer stantly, until mixture begins to bubble Chocolate Strawberry 2 inches are firm but the center jiggles and thicken. Remove from heat and Cheesecake slightly. spread over pecan layer; cool completely. SUZANNE CARAWAY | BANDERA EC 7. Carefully remove cheesecake from Strawberry preserves meld beautifully with 7. CARAMEL CHEESECAKE LAYER AND TOP- water bath and refrigerate 8 hours white chocolate and provide a burst of berry PING: With a hand mixer, whip cream, before removing from pan. Before 3 tablespoons powdered sugar and flavor in the middle of winter. This striking unbuckling the pan, run a knife around vanilla until soft peaks form; set aside. cheesecake is the perfect punctuation to a edges to loosen. After unbuckling, run a In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, special holiday meal. long, thin spatula between crust and bot- remaining powdered sugar and 2 table- tom of pan, then transfer to a serving spoons Quick Caramel Sauce until light ⅔ cup (1 ⅓ sticks) butter plate. Smooth sides of the cheesecake and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes. Spread 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with a wet, hot knife. Garnish with addi- over cooled apple layer. ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided tional melted strawberry preserves and 8. Drizzle 2 tablespoons Quick Caramel use grated white chocolate. Serves 10–12. Sauce over cheesecake layer. With the 2 cups white chocolate chips tip of a paring knife, pull lines out from ½ cup half-and-half WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com the center to create a marbled effect. 1 cup strawberry preserves See previous winners and recipes from the Top with whipped cream and sprinkle 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream Holiday Recipe Contest. with reserved chopped pecans. cheese 9. Refrigerate at least 8 hours, prefer- 3 eggs ably overnight. Before serving, drizzle 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pie with 1 tablespoon Quick Caramel Sauce and serve with additional drizzles 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Brown on serving plates. Serves 12. butter in a skillet, being careful not to burn. $100 Recipe Contest 2. In a medium bowl, mix browned but- May’s recipe contest topic is Picnic ter, graham cracker crumbs and ¼ cup Fare. Food just tastes better in the sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of a great outdoors—especially when it’s greased 9-inch springform pan. Wrap shared with friends and family! Send the outside of the pan with two layers of us your favorite recipe for potlucks, aluminum foil, covering the underside picnics or feeding a crowd. The dead- and extending all the way to the top. line is December 10. Bake 10 minutes, then cool. 3. In a double boiler over simmering ENTER ONLINE at TexasCoopPower.com/contests; MAIL to 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701; water, melt white chocolate chips with FAX to (512) 763-3401. Include your name, address and half-and-half, stirring often until phone number, plus your co-op and the name of the contest you are entering. smooth. Remove from heat and cool. In small saucepan on medium heat, heat strawberry preserves until melted. WOOD: ARIGATO | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. DECOR: SVETLANA KLEMENTYEVA | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. TAGS: QUANG HO | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM QUANG TAGS: | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. KLEMENTYEVA SVETLANA DECOR: | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. ARIGATO WOOD:

TexasCoopPower.com Focus on Texas Native

We love our transplants, but native Texans are a breed all our own—and proud of it! Whether Texas is your native soil, or you got here as quickly as you could, stick around to see the wildlife, objects and people with deep Lone Star roots. GRACE ARSIAGA

WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com Go native with us as we round up more Texas originals online.

g EMILY HOWARD, Jackson EC: A pine tree glows beneath a Texas sunset at Martin Dies Jr. State Park near Jasper.

d WILLIAM GARY, Bandera EC: Gary says he climbed an adjacent hill to get at eye level and used a 400-mm lens to photograph this red-shouldered hawk nestling, which was high in an oak tree on his property.

o GARY MCALEA, Pedernales EC: A male indigo bunting at South Llano River State Park

UPCOMING CONTESTS

APRIL BIRDS DUE DECEMBER 10

MAY TEXAS ROCKS DUE JANUARY 10

JUNE ROAD TRIP DUE FEBRUARY 10 o RON HASTY, CoServ: The pyrrhuloxia All entries must include name, address, daytime phone and co-op affiliation, plus the contest topic and a brief description of your photo. is a relative of the northern cardinal. ONLINE: Submit highest-resolution digital images at Texas CoopPower.com/ a MARK HOLLY, Bandera EC: “South contests. MAIL: Focus on Texas, 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX of Llano are many typical Hill Country 78701. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must be included if you want your entry returned (approximately six weeks). Please do not submit homes and ranchettes where you irreplaceable photographs—send a copy or duplicate. We do not accept find scenes like this quite often in the entries via email. We regret that Texas Co-op Power cannot be responsi- spring,” Holly says. ble for photos that are lost in the mail or not received by the deadline.

TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 39 Around Texas Event Calendar December 10 Llano Snow Day Pick of the Month December Candlelight Dallas December 10–11 2 (214) 421-5141, dallasheritagevillage.org San Angelo [2–31] Concho Christmas Celebration, (325) 944-4444, Dallas Heritage Village caps off its 50th conchochristmascelebration.com anniversary with 13 acres of decorated buildings, flickering candles lining paths, strolling carolers, carriage rides and crafts. 3 The village features 24,000 objects and Liberty Hill [3–Jan. 3] Christmas Fest and archival materials and more than 25 historic Parade, (512) 426-1178, lhchristmasfest.org structures depicting life in Dallas 1840–1910.

8 Coldspring Christmas on the Square, Palo Pinto Frontier Christmas, (936) 653-2184, coldspringtexas.org (940) 659-3573, palopintohistory.com Fredericksburg Kinderfest at the Pioneer 9 Museum, (830) 990-8441, pioneermuseum.net Christmas Craft Bazaar, Luling Cocoa & Carols, (830) 875-3214, Ledbetter discoverluling.com (979) 412-4167 Snow Day, (325) 247-5354, Mount Pleasant [9–10] Murder Mystery Llano Dinner Theatre, (903) 305-9239 llanochamber.org Montgomery Christmas in Historic Montgomery, (936) 597-7300, 10 experiencemontgomery.com Bulverde Living Christmas Drive-Thru, (210) 259-1946, redroofchurch.org Round Top Christmas at Winedale, (979) 278-3530, cah.utexas.edu

MULES:JOHN LEHMAN | COURTESY DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE. GIRL: MAYA KRUCHANKOVA | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM. SANTA: BIKERIDERLONDON | SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

40 Texas Co-op Power December 2016 TexasCoopPower.com Snyder Big Country Christmas Ball, (325) 660-8338, westtexasrehab.org 17 27 Crockett Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Amarillo Broadway Spotlight Series: Santaville, (979) 203-3710 Somerville Thunder, (936) 544-4276, pwfaa.org Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Vernon Christmas on the Western Trail, (806) 378-3096, panhandletickets.com (940) 553-3766 21 Washington Christmas on the Brazos, Uvalde Briscoe-Garner Museum Holiday 31 (936) 878-2214, wheretexasbecametexas.org Open House, (830) 278-5018, visituvalde.com Luckenbach New Year’s Eve Ball Ingleside [10–11] Renaissance Faire, With Dale Watson, (830) 997-3224, (361) 776-2906, inglesidetxchamber.com luckenbachtexas.com December 14–15 Fulton 11 Christmas in Fulton Garrison Christmas on the Square, January (936) 347-2316 1 14 Gruene Hair of the Dog Day, (830) 629-5077, Fulton [14–15] Christmas in Fulton, holidaysingruene.com (361) 729-2388, rockport-fulton.org 7 15 Kerrville Pops: The Very Best of Broadway, Big Spring [15–31] Festival of Lights, (830) 792-7469, symphonyofthehills.org (432) 263-8235, visitbigspring.com Monahans Resolution Run, (432) 943-2187, 16 monahans.org Blanco Christmas at the Buggy Barn, (830) 868-7684, lbjcountry.com Submit Your Event! Breckenridge [16–18] Breck Trade Days, We pick events for the magazine directly from (254) 559-2012, breckenridgetx.gov TexasCoopPower.com. Submit your event for February by December 10, and it just might be featured in this calendar. (;;,5;065 46)03,/64, 6>5,9: ,?7,9; 05:;(33(;065 30-,;04,>(99(5;@ 05*9,(:,+ 9,+<*,+ /64,=(3<, ,3,*;90* :;67 )033 3,(2: 05:<9(5*, *9,+0; 56469,966-9<4)3,

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TexasCoopPower.com December 2016 Texas Co-op Power 41 Hit the Road Short Stay in Longview Discover the leisurely heart of downtown

BY MARILYN JONES Longview Museum of Fine Arts

Loop 281 arches north across Long- view like a rainbow framing an East Texas shopper’s paradise. That is the only stretch of Longview I knew for years: national brands, restaurants and movie theaters. That is, until my friend Ellen asks me to join her for lunch at Deb’s Downtown Café. I walk along West Tyler Avenue, thinking how nice it is to enjoy slow traffic and join people making their way on foot. Over lunch, we catch up on life, our families and work. Then she asks me if I want to play tourist for the afternoon. “I want to show you the heart of the city,” she says. Ellen is a longtime resident of the area and proud of her hometown. West Tyler Avenue turns into East Tyler Avenue as we cross North Center Street. We stop in front of a Longview Heritage Marker I roam from a Victorian-era setting to into the whisper-quiet main gallery. Color- explaining that in 1870, O.H. Methvin an area dedicated to the oil boom. Placards ful pieces of contemporary and traditional deeded 100 acres to Southern Pacific Rail- state that the discovery of the largest oil art appear on two levels. The museum road in exchange for one gold coin. That field in the lower 48 states saved Gregg houses more than 400 paintings, etch- original 100 acres is now the city’s down- County from the Great Depression in ings, woodcuts, photographs, lithographs, town. “When Texas became a state in 1845, 1930. Almost half of the field’s 200 square sculptures, pottery and collages. farmers started homesteading,” says Ellen, miles lay in the western third of the “Most of the art is created by Texas a Texas history buff. “Before that, Caddo county. Kilgore and Gladewater were artists,” I recall my friend whispering. Native Americans lived in this area.” transformed into boomtowns. By the time As we walk back to our cars, past Standing under an awning to shade drilling slacked off in 1935, 15,000 wells photography studios, law offices and ourselves, Ellen points to the Longview and 95 refineries populated the field. restaurants, discussing all we experienced, World of Wonders. “That’s our new children’s In the basement, we find the Buddy Ellen tells me about some of the city’s museum,” she says. Calvin Jones Caddo Collection. Display cases other attributes: ArtsView Children’s Theatre, We walk the half block to North Fre- feature pottery, arrowheads and primitive Longview Ballet Theatre, Longview Symphony, donia Street and the Gregg County Historical tools, all donated by the Longview native. Theatre Longview and the East Texas Symphonic Museum, a stately, ginger-colored brick build- Jones, an archaeologist, made his first Band. “And, of course, the Great Texas ing with columns flanking its entrance. The discovery at age 7 and continued excava- Balloon Race held every year in June,” she museum is in the Citizens National Bank, a tions throughout his lifetime. In 2003, the mentions as we approach my car. 1910 building that is on the National Regis- museum acquired the Jones collection of I know now that, although I travel here ter of Historic Places. Its ornate interior 4,000 items. The collection includes items often, I didn’t really know this city at all. showcases the area’s history. excavated in northeast Texas in the 1950s Marilyn Jones lives in Henderson and writes Inside the bank’s vault, we see an ex- and 1960s, and date to 1700. about travel. hibit chronicling the 1894 Dalton Gang Outside, we head south on North Fre- robbery of nearby First National Bank. The donia Street. At East Tyler Avenue, we take WEB EXTRAS at TexasCoopPower.com robbery ended with the outlaws in jail, and a left to the Longview Museum of Fine Arts. . See a slideshow from the author’s visit

the original hold-up note is on display. We walk through the front doors and to Longview. JONES MARILYN

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