LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE EDITION AUGUST 2005

RussellRussell Graves:Graves: PIED PIPER OF AG SCIENCE

PLUS: Exotic Orchids Microwave Cooking Cisco Pool It’s time for another hot Texas summer. Time to enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. Take a little extra time to take precautions so you and your family can enjoy every day.

Hot Weather Keep cool—you could save a life • Take frequent cooling-off breaks in the shade or air conditioning. • Drink plenty of water before starting any outdoor activity, and drink water during the day. Drink less tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes. • Limit your physical activity dur- ing the hottest part of the day. • Kids, cars and heat make a deadly combination. Never leave a child—or pet—in a vehicle, even for “just a few minutes.” COOLCOOL TIPSTIPS That’s long enough for a closed vehicle to heat up to dangerous levels, even on a 60-degree day.

If someone has heatstroke- FORFOR HOTHOT related symptoms—nausea, fatigue, muscle cramps, confu- sion, dizziness—act rapidly: Remove excess clothing and lower the person’s temperature WEATHERWEATHER with cold, wet sheets or a cool bath. Call a doctor immediate- ly and transport the person to the nearest hospital—this is an emergency. This summer, don’t sweat it. Keep cool.

This public service message is brought to you by your local electric cooperative. For more information, visit your local co-op. AUGUST 2005 In This Issue

A MAGAZINE ABOUT TEXAS LIVING Hooray! Back to School!

I was one of those kids who always loved school. For me, this time of year brings memories of my favorite teach- ers. Long after graduation, they remain an important part of my life, because they made such a deep impression. They are models for me, even today. Helping someone to realize their potential is one of the greatest tri- THOMAS TERRY umphs that a teacher—or anyone— Kammie McKeever and Russell Graves prepare to transplant a can achieve. Our August feature shines cottonwood tree. the spotlight on a very special Texas teacher, Childress High School’s Rus- FEATURES sell Graves. In this small West Texas town, the “awesome” ag teacher is Russell Graves: known for his innovative teaching Pied Piper of Ag Science ...... 6 methods and his boundless enthusi- By Joe Nick Patoski, Photos by Thomas Terry asm. His agriculture research projects The “Home of Champions” sign in front of not only educate students, they benefit Childress High School refers to its National FFA the landowners in the community.The Organization chapter, not the football team. One world needs more teachers like him. of the reasons for the agriculture program’s success I hope you will enjoy Shirley Raye is that teacher Russell Graves has led his ag students Redmond’s story about Elisabet Ney, a out of the box ... way out of the box. sculptor and independent thinker who lived in Hempstead and Austin during Orchids: the late 1800s. Ney is another example In the ’30s, IDA of the kind of unique character attract- GARONZIK, shown Romantic, Exotic and a Challenge ...... 14 ed to Texas because of its independent here, and her husband, By Ann Anderson and open spirit. SYLVAN, started Movie Orchids are not as easy to grow as begonias or Our microwave recipes are easy and Snaps, a company that geraniums, but with such spectacular, long-lasting delicious—but more importantly, they made snapshot postcards blooms, the rewards are much greater. help keep the kitchen cool in our con- that sold for 25 cents tinuing August heat! And, for our gar- each (or three for 50 DEPARTMENTS deners, we have a recipe for growing cents).“I’ll bet many old-time members still Texas Living ...... 26 beautiful orchids. Microwave cooking. New Boston Pioneer Days. Finally, you can honor your ances- have some of his work in tors at New Boston’s Pioneer Days, our their scrapbooks,”writes CoServ Electric member Focus on Texas ...... 37 featured festival, as well as relive your “Those were the days, my friend. We thought and son ALLAN childhood in this month’s Focus on they’d never end.” Texas:Those Were the Days. GARONZIK. For more “Those Were The Days” Enjoy! Texas, USA ...... 38 photos, turn to page 37. By Carlton Stowers Before Six Flags, Cisco Pool.

Peg Champion COVER PHOTO:TEACHER RUSSELL GRAVES AND STUDENTS (FROM LEFT) VP, Communications/Publisher SHELBY CLARK,JANA KAY WALKER,JESSICA SMITH AND MOLLY FUSTON. BY THOMAS TERRY. SUBSCRIBE TODAY! ORDER FORM Send a 12-month subscription to:

Name ______VOLUME 62 AUGUST 2005 NUMBER 2 Address ______Texas Co-op Power is published by your electric coopera- tive to enhance the quality of life of its member- ______customers in an educational and entertaining format. TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES City, State, Zip ______BOARD OF DIRECTORS Debbie Robinson, Quitman, Chair Gift Subscription Sent by: ______Audie Morris, Decatur,Vice Chair A gift subscription lets you John Herrera, Mercedes, Secretary-Treasurer share Texas Co-op Power Include $15 check made out to Texas Co-op Power. Charles Castleberry,Tulia with a far-away friend Mail to: Subscriptions, Texas Co-op Power, Gerald W.Lemons, Itasca or family member. 2550 South IH-35, Austin, TX 78704 Mark Rose, Giddings Carl Thompson, Roby

PRESIDENT/CEO Mike Williams, Austin

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS Because many pieces of farm ADVISORY COMMITTEE equipment reach heights of Rick Haile, McGregor, Chair Roland Witt, Coleman,Vice Chair 14 feet or higher, always John Q. Adams, Bellville remember to look up when Barron Christensen, Douglassville entering fields and barn lots Bill Harbin, Floydada Kim Hooper, Bluegrove to make sure there is enough Larry Oefinger, Hondo room to pass beneath electric Audie Morris, Decatur, Board Liaison

lines. Electric contact acci- COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

Farm Safety Farm dents can result in loss of Peg Champion,Vice President, Communications/ limbs or even death. Publisher Kaye Northcott, Editor Carol Moczygemba, Managing Editor Farm Safety Rules: Suzi Sands, Art Director Martin Bevins, Advertising Director • The number one electrical farm Louie Bond, Copy Editor/Writer hazard is the potential contact Andy Doughty, Production Designer from a grain auger to a power Sandra Forston, Communications Assistant Irene Good, Communications Assistant line. Always look up before rais- Jo Johenning, Production Assistant ing or moving an auger. Karen Nejtek, Production Coordinator Shannon Oelrich, Food Editor/Proofreader • The same is true of metal irriga- Alex Sargent, Production Artist tion pipe, often stored along Ellen Stader, Proofreader fence lines under an electric Heather Thompson, Communications Coordinator Cheryl Tucker, Field Editor line. Never raise or move irriga- Issue Designer: Kathy Marcus tion pipe without looking up. A few seconds of caution can Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560) is published monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC). Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, mean the difference between life TX and at additional offices.TEC is the statewide association repre- and death. senting 75 electric cooperatives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is www.texascooppower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or e-mail • Be sure hand tools are in good [email protected]. working order and use them Subscription price is $3.72 per year for individual members of sub- according to manufacturers’ scribing cooperatives. If you are not a member of a subscribing coopera- instructions. tive, you can purchase an annual subscription at the non-member rate of $15. Individual copies and back issues are available for $3 each. • Ensure that the wiring in your POSTMASTER Send address changes to Texas Co-op Power workshop is adequate to handle (USPS 540-560), 2550 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78704. Please your tools. And never operate enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op Power showing old CULTIVATE address and key numbers. CULTIVATE any electric tools near water. • Read labels and handling ADVERTISING Advertisers interested in buying display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in instructions carefully and follow FARMFARM other states, contact Martin Bevins at (512) 486-6249. them when using chemicals and Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. herbicides. The publisher neither endorses nor guarantees in any manner any product or company included in this publication. Product satisfaction SAFETYSAFETY and delivery responsibility lie solely with the advertiser. Direct questions or comments about advertising to Martin Bevins,Advertising Director. © Copyright 2005 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of it is expressly prohibited without This public service message is brought written permission.Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2005 National to you by your local electric cooperative. Rural Electric Cooperative Association. See your local co-op for details.

4 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 LETTERS

PEC Employee to the Rescue Keep Those Calls Coming Administration]. Some months later, On May 26, I was driving down High- Thanks to Texas Co-op Power and Jody we got a go-ahead to have our house way 306 toward Canyon Lake when a Horton for the nice article about our wired. … We read our own meter; our trailer truck hauling rocks passed me farm [“Peaches: Ripe Off the Tree,” bill was $2.50 a month because lights going south, and a large rock fell off June 2005]. A thanks, also, to the were all we had. What a good thing the uncovered load and crashed into many readers who visited our farm when REA came to Marvin, which my windshield.This was on the pas- and for all the telephone calls we have now is in Lamar County Electric senger side where a friend was sitting. Cooperative [territory]. We’re still … We were covered with shattered with them 63 years later. glass and I praise the Lord I was able MRS.L.CROOK, Lamar County EC to pull off the road to safety.We both sat there frightened when a nice gen- Gipson Got Married in the Morning tleman stopped to help us. He intro- Your article about Fred Gipson, in the duced himself as Gabriel Casas, an June 2005 issue, brought back memo- employee of Pedernales EC. He was an ries. On January 22, 1940, Fred, my eyewitness to this accident and he had dad and I went deer hunting. ... The followed the rock truck and written next day we went back into town. We down the license number, the time of later learned that Fred had married day, and the location. Mr. Casas helped Tommie Eloise Wynn on that day we us, brushing the glass off us so we went back into town. During a long could get out of the car. He checked to conversation around the wood heater see if we were injured and waited the previous night, Fred had not said with us until further help came.Thank one word about getting married the you so much, Mr. Casas. next day. I wonder if he knew it. DOTTIE HOLMES, Pedernales EC received. We have tried to return every DON ZESCH, Pedernales EC call left on the answering machine, Bucher Brings Adventure to Life although some were garbled, some Let us have more stories from Isabel accidentally deleted, and some callers Bearman Bucher [“Big Bend á la did not give their area code.To those WE WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR READERS. Canoe,” June 2005]! Her style of callers, please call again. We appreciate Send letters to: writing in her Big Bend story is every call received. Editor, Texas Co-op Power, fantastic. She keeps you hooked with RUSSELL AND LORI STUDEBAKER 2550 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78704. her use of words. I enjoyed the story Central Texas EC Please include the name of your immensely, since our family did a raft trip through Santa Elena Canyon Electricity Was $2.50 a Month town and electric co-op. Letters last August after a great late-night As I sit here today, my thoughts go may be edited for clarity and length thunderstorm over the park! back to when we signed up with what and will be printed as space allows. JOHN M. KREIDLER, Magic Valley EC was then the REA [Rural Electrification

SAFE LIVING Thunderstorms and Computers urge protectors for your sensi- For even more protection from no such thing as a “whole house” Stive electronics—computers, electrical surges, a protective device protector, the very best protection monitors, televisions,VCRs, satellite should also be installed at the elec- against lightning is to unplug any systems, telephones and microwaves tric meter or main electrical panel to sensitive electronic equipment until —are invaluable, especially during divert most of the surges.These act the danger of lightning has passed. thunderstorms. Each item should as a first line of defense against Also, keep in mind that surge be protected with its own individ- surge damage, and can specifically protectors can wear out over time. ual surge protector. Insurance claims protect electro-mechanical equip- After many small surges—or one big are usually not considered unless ment, such as refrigerator and freez- one, such as a direct lightning equipment and appliances have er motors. strike—surge protectors lose their surge protection. Remember, even though there is effectiveness.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 5 RUSSELL GRAVES ...... Pied Piper of Ag Science

Graves ushers his Childress By High School students out of the box and into the field for Joe Nick Patoski sophisticated research projects on plants and animals...... Graves leads (front row, right to left) Emily Morgan, Kammie Photos by McKeever, (back row, right to Thomas Terry left) Carter Wilson and Travis D’Ewart on a field trip.

6 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 7 F THE WALLS OF RUSSELL GRAVES’ USSELL GRAVES, THE BURR-HEADED, cultural Resources classes, where classroom could talk, they would goateed, 35-year-old ball of radio telemetry, global positioning Ipractically scream, “This is no run- Renergy in jeans and work boots systems, surveying instruments, of-the-mill ag science class!” responsible for much of the above, fiber-optic endoscopes and remote On one wall, a reprint of a New doesn’t initially strike a visitor as an viewing cameras have supplanted Horizons (magazine of the National out-of-the-box thinker. But after cows and plows, he sure comes off Future Farmers of America, or FFA) spending a couple days with his Agri- like one. article cites Childress High student “Take your scripts, read through Kyle Christopher and his use of the them,” he says to a group of students Internet to research FFA projects. sitting at desks arranged in a semicircle Above the reprint is an oversized Above: Ty Moore and as he fidgets with wires connecting a check to the Childress Independent Graves cut a piece for a digital video camera to a computer. School District for $48,000. A nearby Ten students are working on the time- article from The Dallas Morning News prototype car to study line to a video documentary on the describes how the check came from alternative energy sources. history of Childress County. the National Fish and Wildlife Founda- Next page: From left, Emily He reminds the class to show up at tion to purchase land for a black-tailed Browning, Denise Manley, 7:45 the next morning for Ag Day, a prairie dog enhancement program. Tracee Cummins, Jaqlyn show-and-tell for fifth graders in Chil- But most telling are the blue ban- Watson and Kimberley Sims dress and surrounding communities. ners with gold lettering that crowd The following week, many of the stu- two walls above the classroom, espe- work in front of a board dents will be heading to the FFA cially the big ones with the words displaying some of the high National Agriscience Fair in Louisville, “First Ag-Science Fair,” “Texas” and school’s many agricultural Kentucky.Three projects from Chil- “National.” awards. Bottom: The school dress have qualified for the nationals. The “Home of Champions” sign in owns a prairie dog town. One details the correlation between front of the school refers to Childress white-tailed bucks in rut and the deer High’s National FFA Organization harvest. By pinpointing the dates, chapter, not the football team. Childress County businesses could

8 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 have a secondary boost in deer season of the Texas Department of Criminal organization. An interpretive nature business. Another investigates the Justice have erected a fence. trail, wildlife feeders, bat houses, sev- impact of prescribed burns. Freshly But the teacher has found other eral experimental V-shaped antler traps burned pasture greens up quicker in uses for the land, too. A wetlands is and grass planting were done with the springtime, accommodating cattle being created in a hollow, which volunteer help. “Because of our part- grazing earlier in the season. Graves hopes to restore more rapidly ners, the school system hasn’t spent “All research projects we do have a with funding from a playa lakes $500 in three years,” he says proudly. community service aspect to them,” Wielding a yardstick, Graves Graves explains. “We need to be doing explains how and why the students projects that people in the community are recording the height of recently can benefit from. Everything we’ve planted triticale grass. Primarily, they learned can be applied by landowners.” want to determine how much is being After the bell rings, Graves counts foraged by wildlife, particularly white- the heads in his next class and issues tailed deer. “Each food plot has three marching orders for the period: kids on it,” he says. “They’ve done soil “Come on, let’s go to the country!” testing and seed testing. Now they’re trying to get a handle on how much WO MILES NORTH OF THIS WEST TEXAS wildlife activity the food plots attract. town, Graves and his nine stu- We’ll be able to figure that out by Tdents veer off Highway 83 into measuring outside the cages and 88 acres of prairie brush.The land, inside the cages, where wildlife can’t owned by the school district, was pur- get at the grass.” chased with that $48,000 grant Graves hustled for a black-tailed prairie dog ARGE URBAN AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS habitat.The Texas Department of Trans- such as James Madison High portation has already paved a pullover LSchool, an agriscience magnet off the highway for public viewing, school for San Antonio’s Northeast

and inmates from the T.L. Roach Unit RUSSELL GRAVES Independent School District, domi-

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 9 nate secondary agriscience education farm or ranch. I hope I’m giving Above: From left, Jana Kay in Texas. Childress is a small-town them the tools and skills to succeed in exception. Out of 290 students whatever they do.” Walker, Jessica Smith, Shelby enrolled at Childress High School, Clark, Amanda Browning, Molly 150 are in the agriscience program, RAVES GREW UP IN THE EAST TEXAS Fuston, Jared Session, Brittany 110 under Graves’ tutelage. A nontra- town of Dodd City (population Moore and Graves gather ditionalist, he doesn’t do show ani- G350). After graduating from around a protected food plot. mals. “I don’t teach ag production at East Texas State University, now Texas Below: Travis D’Ewart, Carter all,” he says. “Not that there’s any- A&M-Commerce, in 1993, he decided thing wrong with it. But as an educa- to stay in Texas, preferably in a rural Wilson and Jared Session tor, I believe you’ve got to give the area where he and his wife, Kristy, squeeze into a pickup. kids what they need. Most of the kids could raise a family.They found what in Childress aren’t going to work on a they wanted in this tidy commercial center on the Rolling Plains. With the help of a supportive administration and high school coun- selor Liz Jones, Graves integrated wildlife study into the realm of agri- science and has since tried to intro- duce something new every year. He shares ag teaching duties at the school with Roy Novak. “My first big project was in 1995, when we lobbied the state’s legislature to make the longhorn the state mam- mal,” Graves said. “Ten kids decided on the longhorn, contacted our legis- lator, and learned a bunch about how the process works.” After reading about a huge buffalo kill near Childress in an old Western

10 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 Don’t be all wet. Remember these rules for safe pool-time fun this summer:

• Keep electric radios, TVs, clocks, COOLCOOL Swimming barbecues, lights and other electrical appliances at least 10 feet from a pool and wet surfaces. Use battery-powered appliances whenever possible. SUMMERSUMMER • Electric appliances should not be used outdoors unless they are equipped with a heavy-duty cord and three-prong plug. • Swimming pools should be well SAFETYSAFETY away from electric wires to avoid the risk of hitting the wires with long-handled cleaning equipment. • All outdoor electrical outlets should be weatherproof and TIPSTIPS equipped with a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This is especially important in damp locations where more protection is necessary. • Check with your electric co-op before you dig to make sure you know the location of buried electrical lines. • Label power and light switches for pool, hot tub and spa equipment. • If you think you are being shocked while in the water, move away from the source of the shock. Get out of the water, if possible, without using a metal ladder.

Stay safe this summer. Don’t swim with shocks!

This public service message is brought to you by your local electric cooperative. For more information, visit your local co-op. history book, Graves had students to take away your birthday if you research Frank Collinson, the buffalo mess up.’” hunter from England who killed 121 buffalo in one day on a site just north IS SECOND CAREER AS A PHOTOGRA- Above: Graves carries a of the high school.That led to a mar- pher/writer figures into the lens and tripod through ble marker installed in front of the Hcurriculum. A frequent contribu- Childress County Heritage Museum in tor to Texas Co-op Power and Texas Parks & the land granted to 1996.This year’s Childress County his- Wildlife magazines, he has authored sev- Childress High School. tory documentary is a legacy project eral books, including The Prairie Dog: that school kids will see long after Sentinel of the Plains (Texas Tech Press), Below: He adjusts a these students graduate. Next year, which prompted the grant application motion-sensing camera. white-tailed deer projects move to the for a prairie dog habitat. For the front burner. record, Graves thinks prairie dogs have “I’ve never been afraid to fail,” their place in the local ecosystem. Graves says of his teaching method. “Unfortunately, you’ve got two camps “Like my dad said, ‘They’re not going on prairie dogs,” he says. “One that thinks all of the Texas Panhandle should be one big prairie dog town, and the other that wants to kill them all.There must be some middle ground.”

NAGDAY, 165 FIFTH GRADERS from Childress, Paducah, Memphis and OTurkey Valley schools are bused into the Fair Park Auditorium (a block from the high school) where 60 high schoolers in identical blue Ag Day “All the Cool Kids Are Doing It ...” t-shirts, along with 40 adults from various agriculture agencies, are waiting.There are tractors to climb; a cow-milking demonstration to watch; displays devoted to beef, cotton, wildlife and soil erosion; a chuckwagon lunch; and

12 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 even show animals, with longhorns the dance by distributing individual Graves brought to town. Outside the and buffalo joining the usual assort- baggies with cream, vanilla and sugar box, straight into the tummy. ment of pigs, goats and rabbits. inside a bigger baggie filled with rock Three of Graves’ students explain salt and ice. After five minutes of Greenbelt, Lighthouse and South Plains ECs serve how ag science has changed their dancing to “Salt Shaker” on a boom- Childress County. lives. Rance Jeter, the FFA chapter box, everyone enjoys a cold dessert. Joe Nick Patoski has written biographies on president, says he’s improved his The unusual method for making ice Stevie Ray Vaughan and Selena,as well as two speaking skills and made a network of cream was clipped out of a magazine, nonfiction books: Texas Mountains and friends while earning scholarships and Graves added the dancing part to Texas Coast (fall 2005 publication). In that will help underwrite his pursuit jazz up the task of shaking. 2005 his byline appeared in the Los Angeles of a biology degree. Jeter probably Like a lot of things involving stu- Times, the New York Times, Field & could win scholarships for playing dents and agriculture in Childress, the Stream, TimeOut New York and Texas football, but, he says, “It isn’t some- Ice Cream Dance is an idea Russell Parks & Wildlife. He lives in Wimberley. thing I’m going to pursue in life. Biology is.” Amanda Browning and Alayna Siebman, two juniors manning the Any time a hurricane beef exhibit, won the agriscience approaches the Texas coast, nationals in 2003 and will return this you’re likely to be reminded year with an updated version of their to take precautions. But the prescribed burn study. Browning will time for planning should apply the scholarship money she’s begin well before hurricane won at Tarleton State University, season arrives. where she’ll study pre-med in hopes Follow these tips to prepare Hurricanes of becoming a plastic surgeon. Sieb- yourself and your home for man wants to take pre-law courses at hurricanes: Wayland Baptist University and per- • Remove weak and dead trees haps run an adoption agency to work and tree limbs on your property. with pregnant teenagers. Both say Graves’ ag program has prepared • Know whether your home is in a zone that could be flooded. them for those futures. “It’s taught me a bunch about • Have a “grab and run” bag ready interviewing, speaking and writing with important papers (like your homeowner’s insurance policy) papers,” Siebman says. “It’s made me and prescription medicines in so much more confident,” adds the event you have to evacuate. Browning. Besides, Siebman points • Have a plan in place for where out, no matter what they do, every- you will go if you evacuate, the thing goes back to agriculture. “It’s route you will take, and how where stuff comes from.” others can contact you. • Have a survival kit ready with ND GRAVES? “HE’S AWESOME,” THEY nonperishable food, water, a reply in unison.Their teacher first-aid kit and other things you Adoesn’t hear them. He’s with may need. another student who’s holding a digi- DON’TDON’T • Keep a battery-powered radio tal camera with a long zoom lens. handy. And don’t forget the extra “Just remember, don’t lose it, break it, batteries. loan it or give it away,” he tells her. BLOWBLOW OFFOFF “Russell is proof innovative teach- Keep this information ing and enthusiasm will draw kids,” readily available in case of Childress ISD Superintendent John HURRICANESHURRICANES the threat of a hurricane. Wilson says. “All around the state people are having to work to get stu- dents in vocational ag programs. With Russell Graves and Roy Novak teach- ing our program, we have to turn kids away.” The highlight of Ag Day is the Ice This public service message is brought Cream Dance. Following the chuck- to you by your local electric cooperative. See your local co-op for details. wagon lunch, Katie Morgan, Kammie McKeever and Meredith Simpson lead

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 13 FROM LEFT: CATTLEYA PHALAENOPSIS CYMBIDIUM

ORCHIDS Romantic, Exotic and a Challenge BY ANN K. ANDERSON • PHOTO BY RICK PATRICK

Since ancient times, the exotic, mysterious orchid has been treasured above other species of flowering plants. Confucius praised the orchid’s delicate beauty 2,500 years ago.The ancient Greeks dried its roots to use for medicine. And medieval cultures thought orchids had magical aphrodisiac qualities. In modern times, orchids have been associated with weddings, Mother’s Day or other memorable occasions. Once the sole province of expert growers, orchids are now available to everyone … as houseplants.

’VE BEEN GROWING ORCHIDS SINCE There are between 25,000 and cery stores and home improvement the 1970s with varying degrees 35,000 naturally occurring species stores, and are one of the easiest Iof success. I must be honest— of orchids.The size and shape of the orchids to grow and re-bloom. orchids are not as easy to grow as exotic-looking flowers vary even Phalaenopsis flowers can be 3 to 4 begonias or geraniums, but with within each genus. inches across and are flat with such spectacular, long-lasting Phalaenopsis (pronounced fowl-ah- rounded white, pink or vari-colored blooms, the rewards are much nop-sis) or moth orchids are the petals.The weight of such large greater. most common variety seen in gro- flowers can snap an unsupported

14 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 stem, so, if you decide to buy a enjoy in their natural habitat. Just Each species and genera has its Phalaenopsis orchid in bloom, be care- don’t let the pot touch the water. own special cultivation require- ful how you transport it. Though most orchids need fil- ments. That’s part of the fun and NCE HOME, CHECK THE PLANT tered light, your plants don’t have challenge of growing orchids. Let’s for dampness. Poke a finger to stay indoors hidden behind lace say you’ve done your homework Ointo the hole at the bottom curtains. Don’t be afraid to move and kept your plant healthy for of the plastic pot. If it feels cool orchids to a shaded spot in the over a year, but it still hasn’t pro- and damp, wait a few days before garden as soon as nighttime tem- duced a flower. watering. If it’s dry, give your plant peratures stay above 45 degrees. “It can happen,” Denny says. a good soaking in the sink. Allow According to Haase, most orchids “Each species has different needs. water to run through the planting love our hot, steamy Texas days and You have to keep Dendrobiums on the medium for up to a minute. Drain nights, as long as they’re protected dry side to induce them to bloom, thoroughly. from direct sunlight. since they bloom naturally in their Proper lighting is an essential “Fertilize your orchid weakly, dry season. And Vandas need a lot ingredient in orchid growth and weekly,” suggests Haase’s husband, more light than you’d think. Some- flowering. Phalaenopsis need moder- Denny, co-owner of Spring Orchids times all you need is a fan blowing ate light. To test if the light in your and the mastermind behind their near (not on) the plant to increase display area is adequate for these orchid-breeding program. Most the air movement.” beauties, hold your hand about a orchids are happy with a 7-9-5 mix There are no universal rules foot above the plant on a bright or even a sprinkle of dry, slow- when it comes to orchids.The day. If you see a fuzzy shadow, the release fertilizer, he says. If your Haases agree that Phalaenopsis are the lighting is about right. If you see a orchids are potted in a bark-based easiest for a beginner to start with. clear hand shape that allows you to mix, it doesn’t hurt to fertilize with They can reward you with two or differentiate fingers, it may be too a 30-10-10 solution at the begin- three flower spikes a year if proper- bright for Phalaenopsis but just right ning of the growing season. A tip- ly cared for. for other orchids such as Cattleyas, off that your plant’s growing season ERE IN TEXAS WE HAVE THE Dendrobiums and Oncidiums. has arrived is the appearance of added advantage of a cli- Renée Haase, owner of Spring new green-tipped roots. Hmate that mimics the natu- Orchids in Spring, north of Hous- Although I don’t approach ral growing conditions of many ton, says taking care of orchids isn’t orchid growing as scientifically as tropical orchids, so be sure to move difficult—it starts with watering the Haases, I’ve had great success your orchids outdoors in the your new plant properly to help keep by watering monthly with a commer- spring to give them a natural boost. the blooms lasting as long as possi- cial bloom-boosting fertilizer high in Experiment a little with different ble. Haase has grown orchids com- phosphate (10-52-10). A slipper light conditions and fertilizer.Try mercially for nine years. orchid (Paphiopedilum) brought into watering less often or more often, “Depending on the planting bloom using this method has held read a book on orchid care, or do medium, plants in bloom may need its showy maroon blossom for well some research on the Internet. Just to be watered two or three times a over two months. don’t give up. Re-blooming your week when in a dry home setting,” HILE PHALAENOPSIS ORCHIDS first orchid is an experience you’ll Haase says. “Back off to once a may be the most com- never forget. week when they stop blooming. Be Wmonly recognized and But be careful.You could get careful not to overwater. More peo- easiest to grow orchid, other vari- hooked. Renée Haase raised orchids ple kill their orchids with overwa- eties are now showing up for sale as a hobby for five years before tering than with underwatering.” in local stores. Dendrobiums general- becoming a commercial grower. If you find dark brown soft ly have 2- to 3-inch blooms and Before you know it, you, too, could roots, the product of overwatering, pointed petals in shades of purple, have three huge greenhouses, a cut them off and withhold water lavender, pink and white. Tall house and an office all full of from the plant for several weeks stalks of smaller, often yellow orchids. Such is the power of the until healthy white roots with green and brown spotted flowers with a romantic, exotic, and now readily tips appear. large “lip” and a swollen “psedu- attainable, orchid. To maintain blooms as long as dobulb” stem are possibly Oncidiums possible, Haase says, all orchids or Ondontoglossoms. Also seen for sale Writer Ann K.Anderson lives in Conroe. She appreciate being placed on a tray of are the classic corsage orchids, the has combed the countryside looking for pebbles filled with water. Evapora- sometimes-fragrant Cattleyas or the orchids in Europe, Crete, North Africa, Kenya, tion provides the humidity these tall, heavy-blooming, waxy the Seychelles, Madagascar and Peru, not to epiphytic (growing in trees) plants Cymbidiums. mention the United States.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 15 ELECTRIC NOTES

WHEN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES WEAR OUT THEIR WELCOME

Take advantage of local recycling opportunities. Before throwing away electronics, check on programs such as those that collect and repair SAVE METER READERS unwanted phones and computers for SOME HASSLE contribution to charitable organiza- tions and schools. Many communities Clear Shrubs, Keep Dogs Away sponsor collection events that accept electronic appliances. eter readers trudge through the Mrain, snow and summer heat to Guidelines for safe appliance disposal: make sure you get an accurate bill • Have a qualified professional from your electric cooperative. Return remove Freon, PCBs and mercury the favor by making your reader’s job switches from old appliances. For a bit easier. assistance, contact your local public • Ask your electric cooperative when works department or appliance service a meter reader will drop by. If you’re provider. not home when the reader arrives and • After removal of unsafe materials your meter isn’t accessible, the coopera- and components, arrange to have the old tive may have to estimate your electrici- appliance taken to a scrap yard where ty use for that month’s bill. the metal can be salvaged for recycling. • Keep dogs and other pets on a High steel prices have made old appli- chain or indoors when your reader is ances attractive to scrap dealers. scheduled to visit your home. afety and environmental consider- • Never leave or store an unused or • Clear trees, shrubs and plants Sations must be taken into account damaged appliance in an open, unse- from around your meter, and shovel when disposing of old electrical cured area. Discarded appliances are a snow out of the way in winter.The household appliances, according to safety hazard, especially for children. meter should be easy to reach and the experts at Safe Electricity. Computers, In addition, discarded appliances may clearly visible so a reader won’t have televisions, stereos, refrigerators, water provide shelter or a breeding place for to search for it. heaters and many other smaller elec- vermin. Some electric cooperatives are trical appliances are wonderful, life- • Before disposal, remove electrical installing digital meters, which the enhancing conveniences, but when cords from damaged items so they utility can read remotely.That will cut the time comes to replace and dispose can’t be recycled or reused by some- down on the number of times a meter of them, they should be discarded one else. reader has to come to the homes of properly. • If larger household items—such their member-consumers—and it will “Unfortunately, many unsafe sec- as washers, dryers, stoves and refriger- reduce the number of estimated elec- ondhand appliances wind up in other ators—need to be replaced, have the tricity bills those member-consumers people’s homes as electrical shock or dealer remove the old appliance. receive. fire hazards,” says Safe Electricity Execu- “Don’t keep old, inefficient appli- Different kinds of digital meters tive Director Molly Hall. ances that are costly to operate and work in different ways. Some contain Never attempt to use a malfunc- will pose a future disposal problem,” small transmitters that can send infor- tioning or previously discarded elec- says Hall. “Replace old, worn appli- mation about a home’s electricity use tric appliance, and beware of old ances with new, high-efficiency mod- to a specially equipped power compa- appliances sold in flea markets and els, and make certain that all new ny truck driving through the neigh- garage sales. “Such appliances may electrical equipment you purchase is borhood. Meters using “turtle” tech- pose a fire or electrocution hazard, safety-tested and bears the Underwrit- nology transmit figures on electricity and may be no ‘bargain’ in the long ers Laboratories label.” use from the home to the electric run,” cautions Hall. However, many For more information on electrical cooperative over power lines. Others reliable repair shops offer good, used safety, visit www.SafeElectricity.org. use a customer’s telephone lines to appliances. Source: Safe Electricity send data to the utility’s computers.

16 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 PROTECT PETS FROM SWELTERING SUMMER WEATHER Just as you try to keep yourself cool on sunny summer days, you should make sure your pets are comfortable, too.

any of the same summer rules 85-degree day can heat up the interior dogs, and those with snub noses, like Mfor humans apply to your furry of a car to 120 or 130 degrees in less pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers, Lhasa friends as well: Don’t exercise when than 30 minutes.That kind of heat can apsos or Pekingese, indoors in the air it’s too hot outside; drink plenty of kill a dog or cat in a hurry. conditioning as much as possible. water; avoid overexposure to the sun; • Pack plenty of cool water for • Bring outdoor pets inside where and find a shady outdoor spot or your pet before heading to the beach it is air conditioned during the worst move indoors to enjoy the air condi- or out for any day-long trip. A dog heat of the day. Make sure they have tioning when the temperature spikes. can drink up to three times its nor- ready access to shade and cool water mal amount of water on a hot day. when they’re outside. Here are some tips that will help • Pets suffer from heat exhaustion • Groom animals more often dur- keep Fluffy or Rover happy and and heatstroke, just like humans. ing summer. Cut long hair to within healthy this summer: Don’t exercise your animal when it’s no less than an inch of the skin so • Do not leave your pet in a parked really hot. your pet will be cool but still have car, even for a couple of minutes. An • Keep old, overweight and sick protection from the sun.

COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY:A TIMELINE

omputer technology has come tons and needed a Freon-based cooling Projects Agency) came out in 1969. Ca long way since the first personal system. Essentially, the Cray-IA had the Integrated circuits (ICs) allow com- computers hit the market in the mid- equivalent of an 80-MHz processor puters to fit on our desks. Before ICs, 1970s. and eight megabytes of storage. computers used vacuum tubes, followed NASA’s Apollo 11 guidance com- A top-of-the-line desktop computer by transistors. Even the smallest of these puter weighed 70 pounds and had a today has a processor more than 40 computers could take up an entire room. 2.048-megahertz (MHz) processor. By times faster, with upwards of 12,000 The IC came into use in the early comparison, an original Nintendo times the storage space. 1960s.The first ones had a transistor, entertainment system, released in The Internet was invented so military capacitor and three resistors, and were 1985, had a 1.79-MHz processor. computers in distant locations could the size of a finger.Today an IC can fit The Cray-IA, one of the first com- share information.That early Internet more than 120 million transistors and mercial supercomputers, weighed 5.5 precursor, ARPAnet (Advanced Research is smaller than a penny.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 17 FOOTNOTES IN TEXAS HISTORY

BY SHIRLEY RAYE REDMOND Carving an Independent Life BY SHIRLEY RAYE REDMOND,ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION BY ALETHA BY ALETHA ST. ST. ROMAIN ROMAIN

he terms “daring” and “vision- dent studying in Heidelburg. Ney said died at age 2 from diphtheria, and Ney Tary” have been used to describe she was instantly attracted to the tall kept her younger son, Lorne, dressed in the statues of Texas heroes Sam Hous- young man with flowing blond curls so many frills that for years the neigh- ton and Stephen F. Austin at the state whom she described as “like a hero bors were unsure of his gender. capitol in Austin. The words could just stepped out of the pages of some Her career resumed in 1891 when also be used to define Elisabet Ney, splendid book!” Independent and the committee women of the World’s the saucy German-American sculptor proud of her aristocratic and artistic Fair Exhibit Association asked her to who created them. When critics heritage, Ney kept her maiden name create statues of Sam Houston and pointed out their differences—Austin and introduced her husband as “my Stephen F. Austin for the 1893 Chica- is considerably shorter than the tow- friend, Mr. Montgomery.” go World’s Fair. Ney decided she ering, robust Houston—Ney remind- needed her own studio, purchased ed them that she had merely repro- land in Austin’s Hyde Park district, duced their likenesses. “Any dissatis- and began building Formosa, a struc- faction should be taken up with ture that combined the elements of a God,” she said. Greek temple and a German castle. Born in Munster,Westphalia, in Even before it was complete, Ney 1833, Ney once declared that she did started working on the statues. She not intend to be like her mother, liv- collected photographs and engravings ing “the sweet, uneventful life of a of the two famous Texans and again German hausfrau.” She shocked her raised eyebrows when she began her conventional, middle-class Catholic quest for a human skeleton to help parents by proclaiming she would be a her better understand anatomy.The sculptor. Ney’s father was a stonecut- Houston sculpture made its way to ter, so Elisabet had grown up playing the World’s Fair, but a disappointed with clay and sculpting tools. Ney did not complete the Austin com- Nineteen-year-old Ney went on a mission in time for display. hunger strike until her parents relented. At Formosa, Ney sculpted “Lady Ney’s skill soon earned her a place at Macbeth,” a supposed self-portrait the prestigious Munich Academy of Art considered by many to be her greatest as the first woman to study sculpture at masterpiece, now on exhibit at the the academy. Smithsonian.Traveling to Formosa Two years later, she became one of became a pilgrimage for many young the favorite pupils of Berlin’s Christian artists, and Ney’s studio became a Rauch, one of Europe’s foremost salon where Austin’s elite gathered for sculptors. Her talent earned commis- Ney and Montgomery fled political intellectual stimulation. sions from famous men of the day, intrigue in Europe, finally settling in Ney died of a heart attack in 1907 including King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Texas in 1872, where they purchased at the age of 74 and was buried at Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck, fairy- the dilapidated Groce plantation near Liendo. Four years later, friends tale collector Jacob Grimm, and Hempstead, renaming the property founded the Texas Fine Arts Associa- philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. Liendo.The eccentric “Miss” Ney tion in her honor. With her intelligence and zest for raised eyebrows from the moment she Today, her magnificent Austin stu- philosophy, art and politics, she arrived in the Lone Star State. Her dio is the Elisabet Ney Museum. Her became a beloved confidante to many clothing—a black Prince Albert frock memorials for Austin, Houston and of her favorite subjects. She coddled coat, white britches and knee-high Albert Sidney Johnston can be seen at the impatient King Ludwig II, reading boots—were considered as unfemi- the state capitol. A marble copy of her him poetry when he became restless. nine as her shocking habit of riding Austin statue resides in the National The two would often talk long into astride rather than sidesaddle. Because Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. the night. When Ludwig offered her she did not share her husband’s last jewels, Ney declined and requested name, many assumed the couple were The Elisabet Ney Museum is located at 304 E. flowers instead.The “mad” king filled “living in sin.” 44th Street in Austin. Call (512) 458-2255 her studio at his court with fresh Ney took a two-decade hiatus from for more information. flowers every day. sculpting while she practiced what she Shirley Raye Redmond, who lives in Los In 1863, Ney married Edmund called “the more important art of mold- Alamos, New Mexico, writes books for children Montgomery, a Scottish medical stu- ing flesh and blood.” Firstborn Arthur and adolescents.

18 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 KIDS Whoa, Marvin! arvin, it’s never, ever OK to Mstick anything except a plug into an electric outlet. Surely, everyone besides you and your gullible assis- tant, D-Wayne, knows that. Those funny-looking holes in the wall are not for conducting goofy experiments.They are only for deliver- ing electric current to the appliances around your house: lamps, radios, toasters, vacuum cleaners, etc. Sticking something else in them—something that isn’t a plug—can result in a shock, a severe electrical burn or even death! That includes fingers.The human body is about 70 percent water, which makes us excellent con- ductors of electricity. It’s a good idea to keep unused out- lets covered with a protective device made for that specific purpose.These covers are especially important if there are small children around the house. Also, if the outlet and wall around it are warm to the touch and you notice a burnt smell, or if a plug doesn’t fit tightly into the wall outlet, it may be time to repair or replace it. A loose-fitting outlet can overheat and present a real fire danger. Have your parents call a qualified electri- cian to inspect the outlet and repair or replace it if necessary.

Cartoonist Keith Graves is a popular artist and author of children’s books.Among his greatest hits are Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance, Uncle Blubbafink’s Seriously Ridiculous Stories and Loret- ta: Ace Pinky Scout. He lives in Austin with his wife, Nancy,and the twins, Max and Emma.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 19 BAD SPORTS

BY MELISSA GASKILL • ILLUSTRATION BY A.J. GARCES

y first glimpse of the problem I think we are taking youth sports ed to move on to another sport rather Mcame when I walked to the way too seriously. Programs like Little than quit. My dandelion-picking son neighborhood Little League field to League and Pop Warner Football were seems to have let all that yelling go in watch a friend’s son play baseball. originally founded on the principles one ear and out the other (an annoy- Prominently attached to the fences of letting every kid play and having ing skill in so many arenas), going on were signs stating, in essence, that fun, but many youth leagues now from baseball to soccer, basketball, anyone yelling at the umpires would resemble miniature versions of profes- football and, finally, lacrosse. My old- be asked to leave. sional sports.The frightening “do est daughter has dabbled in a variety Things hit closer to home at one whatever it takes to win” mentality of sports as well (her favorite: Ulti- of my oldest daughter’s kickball includes yelling at children, playing mate Frisbee, a game that defies rules games a year or so later, when the through pain, and even trying to and organization). game screeched to a halt while the injure other players. Winning has I’m glad about this. I’m not against grown-ups huddled around a thick become more important than the kids sports or competition, just against rule book, trying to decide whether having fun, more important than the taking them too seriously.Too much to call a player out for some minor kids themselves. competition sucks the fun out. An infraction I can’t even recall, like tak- Maybe we need to be reminded that undue emphasis on winning and ing 5 seconds too long to step up to these are just kids. Our kids. I remem- losing—and not on teamwork, self- bat. I didn’t remember kickball hav- ber T-ball—my son and his teammates improvement and good sportsman- ing so many rules when I was 10. spent their time in the outfield pulling ship—takes away from the benefits After a couple of years of fairly up dandelions or digging in the dirt. sports can offer, like cooperation, low-key recreational soccer, my son The grown-ups often hollered at these respect for teammates and opponents, made a “select” team. Not every kid 5- and 6-year-olds to pay attention. even compassion for the loser. I want gets on these teams.The coaches are Now I wonder why.We shouldn’t have my children—and their future co- paid professionals, the rules strict. It’s cared who won, just that the kids were workers, neighbors and spouses—to costly, upwards of $1,000, plus uni- outside and having fun. have exposure to those things, too. forms and travel, which can be exten- Finally, I don’t think we should sac- sive.The first indication that the ante figured I was alone in my alarm rifice the fun of childhood. No one had been upped was when the team Iuntil I read Why Johnny Hates Sports by should know better than my success- mom handed out lollipops to keep the Fred Engh. Engh says 70 percent of all oriented generation that you only get parents quiet. youngsters drop out of organized to be young once. I don’t think my There were teams with matching sports by age 13 because of unpleasant kids will look back from that vaunted bags precisely lined up on the side- experiences. Seventy percent. By age front-porch rocking chair and say, lines, games where parents berated 13! Frankly, that seems to me about the “Gee, I wish I’d won more soccer officials the entire time (obviously, age kids should start team sports, not games when I was 11.” I know I won’t. they hadn’t brought lollipops), coaches already be burned out and quitting. who positioned parents at intervals Sports, and team sports in particu- n addition to the emotional and along the sidelines to yell at their play- lar, have a lot to teach children—when Ipsychological consequences of our ers. When my youngest daughter made they’re ready. Let’s face it, 11-year-olds overzealous attitudes, there are poten- one of these teams, she sometimes can get distracted or tired. So can 15- tial physical ones. Stress fractures, came home from practices and games year-olds, but they usually have the growth plate disorders, cracked in tears, devastated by the comments developmental ability and maturity to kneecaps, frayed heel tendons and of a teammate or because she’d disap- push through it and give that extra back problems were previously seen pointed her coach. A particularly rainy effort.That feels like a real accom- only in adults. Now injuries like these fall left the team of sixth graders trying plishment, and teaches perseverance. are reaching epidemic proportions in to make up games well into December. But pushing an 11-year-old to act 15 young teens, as more kids play one I asked if we couldn’t just let those won’t make her develop or mature any sport year-round and focus on single games go (hello, it’s almost Christ- faster. It might, however, make her skills like kicking or throwing.Their mas!), and was told that would mess drop out of sports. still-growing bodies simply can’t take up season statistics. Fortunately, my youngest has decid- it. Some parents justify pushing their

20 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 winning has become more important than the kids having fun, more important than the kids themselves.

kids for scholarships, but a kid with wrote Just Let the Kids Play, didn’t even (maybe the only time) they can and injuries probably won’t be able to play basketball until high school. should try many things—a variety of play, scholarship or no. World Cup star Mia Hamm didn’t sports, musical instruments, dance, The American Academy of Pediatrics focus on soccer until age 16.That horseback riding, camping, biking, even issued a formal statement: “Those gawky 10-year-old who can hardly run scouts. I don’t know about you, but I’m who participate in a variety of sports and breathe at the same time could just darned bored watching yet another and specialize only after reaching the grow up to be the next Mia if given a soccer game. I could go for a little soft- age of puberty tend to be more consis- chance. A lot of kids never discover ball for a change, or a picnic, a game of tent performers, have fewer injuries, their talent because they’re told at age cards, or a hike in the woods. and adhere to sports play longer than 9 or 10 that they aren’t good enough. In short, let’s lighten up and let our those who specialize early.” kids be kids while they still can. We’ll Kids won’t acquire skills faster just emember that old saw about vari- all have more fun. because they start younger. A lot of Rety being the spice of life? I don’t skill and ability is a function of age want my children to spend their youth Melissa Gaskill’s most recent contribution to and development, not more practice. hammering away at one thing, no mat- Texas Co-op Power was the May 2005 Former NBA player Bob Bigelow, who ter what it is.This is the time of life cover article,“Rhinos at Fossil Rim.”

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 21 TEXAS LIVING

RECIPES IN REVIEW BY SHANNON OELRICH Treats in a Hurry icrowaves are great for a num- Mber of things: defrosting, reheating, baking potatoes, popping popcorn ... but not so great for other things. I tried a couple of recipes from different books for this column that I was not impressed with, especially one for a coffee cake made in the microwave.Yuck. However, I did find two really good recipes to pass along to you.The first is from our new com- munications assistant, Irene Good. Her mother used to make caramel corn in the microwave as a special treat. We made it for Irene’s birthday, and we agree that it’s fantastic. It’s fast and easy, and there’s almost no cleanup. The perfect recipe! Plus, the kids can have fun passing the bag around and shaking the popcorn—just make sure they use pot holders because that bag gets pretty warm. The second recipe is for a peanut butter and chocolate fudge made in the microwave. Again, it is almost too easy, but really tastes good. Either of these would be a fast way to make treats for an impromptu gathering of kids. I’m glad to have the modern con- venience of a microwave, but I also

make sure mine knows its place. I’ll CHANDLER PRUDE never again try to bake a cake in it, but if I need to melt chocolate for the popcorn in sack. Shake bag well. Microwave Peanut Butter Fudge icing, I know just where to turn. Microwave bag on high for 1 1/2 1 1/2 cups smooth or crunchy peanut butter minutes. Remove bag and shake again. 1 bag (12 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips Microwave Caramel Popcorn Return to microwave and heat for 1 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk 4 quarts popped popcorn more minute on high.Take bag out Line 8x8-inch pan with wax paper. (plain or butter flavored) and shake really well. Cut open bag Set aside. In microwave-safe bowl, 1 cup brown sugar and allow to cool. Loosen pieces (or combine chocolate and peanut butter 1 stick margarine make balls) and eat! Makes 8 servings. and melt by cooking in microwave on 1/4 cup corn syrup Note: Experiment with light or high for 3 minutes. Remove and stir. 1/2 teaspoon salt dark brown sugar and light or dark Add sweetened condensed milk, stir- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda corn syrup. Light will make a more ring until well blended. Pour into Put popcorn in large paper grocery traditional caramel corn, and dark 8x8-inch pan and refrigerate for 1 sack. Put brown sugar, margarine, corn will make something more like hour. Cut into small squares. Makes syrup and salt into a large microwave- Cracker Jacks. 25 squares. safe bowl and bring to a boil by cook- Serving size: 2 cups. Per serving: 260 calo- Serving size: 1 square. Per serving: 197 calo- ing 2 minutes on high in microwave. ries, 2 grams protein, 12 grams fat, 38 grams ries, 5 grams protein, 12 grams fat, 20 grams Stir, then cook 2 more minutes. Stir in carbohydrates, 365 milligrams sodium, 0 mil- carbohydrates, 85 milligrams sodium, 5 mil- baking soda. Dump hot mixture over ligrams cholesterol ligrams cholesterol

22 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 HOME COOKING RECIPE CONTEST WINNERS

he subject for November’s Butter, sent in by Rita Blanca EC Trecipe contest is Cooking With member and employee JENNIFER Wine. Some of the best sauces, GERGEN. Her recipe is an easy way to marinades and even desserts need make those end-of-summer peaches that specific flavor that only wine last a little longer. It’s delicious can impart.The inclusion of wine spooned it over ice cream or spread gives dishes an air of elegance, so on toast. Jennifer will receive a copy they’re often special occasion dishes. of the Texas Co-op Power Cookbook, and a Send us your best recipes in which gift pack compliments of Adams, wine is an ingredient by August 10. which the runners-up whose recipes Add sugar and mix well. Microwave The top winner will receive a copy appear below will also receive. on high for 6 more minutes, stirring of the Texas Co-op Power Cookbook and a after 3 minutes. Stir again and gift pack from Adams. Others whose Microwave Peach Butter microwave 1 more minute, then recipes are published will also 8-10 fresh peaches, peeled and sliced ladle into 4 clean 8-ounce jars. Cool receive a gift pack from Adams. Be 3 tablespoons fruit pectin slightly and refrigerate. sure to include your name, address 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon Note:You may substitute 2 16- and phone number, as well as your 1/4 teaspoon allspice ounce cans of peaches for fresh co-op affiliation. Send recipes to 2 1/4 cups sugar peaches. Drain the peaches and cut Home Cooking, 2550 S. IH-35, Purée peaches in blender or food the sugar down to 1 3/4 cups. Austin,TX 78704.You can also fax processor. In a 2-quart microwave- Serving size: 2 ounces. Per serving: 145 recipes to (512) 486-6254 or e-mail safe bowl, combine peach purée, calories, trace protein, trace fat, 38 grams car- them to [email protected]. pectin, cinnamon and allspice, mix- bohydrates, 6 milligrams sodium, 0 milligrams The winning recipe for this ing well. Microwave on high for 6 cholesterol month’s contest is Microwave Peach minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Continued on page 28

Holiday Baking Contest Save 55¢ $5,000 in Total Prizes! ON ANY ADAMS PRODUCT LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE SPONSORED BY ADAMS EXTRACT GRAND PRIZE WINNER TAKES HOME $3,000. FOUR RUNNERS-UP WILL EACH WIN $500.

This coupon good only on product indicated. Any other use constitutes fraud. COUPON CANNOT BE BOUGHT, TRANS- FERRED, OR SOLD. LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE.VOID IF TAXED, RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. e’re looking for the best baked goods from your holiday celebrations. Retailer: You will be reimbursed for the face value of the coupon plus $.08 if submitted in compliance with Adams All recipes must be original and the ingredients must include an Adams Extract Extract & Spice L.L.C. Coupon Redemption Policy, incorporat- flavoring. Winners will be announced in our December issue. ed herein by reference. Cash value 1/100th of a cent. FOR REDEMPTION MAIL TO: Adams Extract & Spice LLC, P.O. Box Up to three entries are allowed per person. Each should be submitted on a separate piece of paper and 880465, El Paso, TX 88588-0465. include your name, address and phone number, plus the name of your electric cooperative. All entries must be postmarked by September 10, 2005. Send entries to Holiday Baking Contest, 2550 S. IH-35, Austin,TX 78704, or fax to (512) 486-6254.To enter by e-mail ([email protected]), you must include “Holiday Baking Contest” in the subject line and submit one recipe per e-mail, not an attachment. For official rules, visit texascooppower.com and click on Baking Contest Official Rules, or send a self- addressed, stamped envelope to the address above. MANUFACTURER’S COUPON EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 23 TEXAS LIVING

Four Star Fare for the Lone Star State Mouthwatering recipes from the heart of Texas

Continued from page 27 Microwave Banana Pudding microwave. Add red hots and cook 1 cup sugar until apples are tender and red hots 1/3 cup flour dissolve (about 6-10 minutes 2 cups milk depending on microwave power). 3 egg yolks Store in refrigerator. Great with 2 tablespoons butter ham. Makes about 2 pints. 1 teaspoon vanilla KATHLEAH OWENS, Navasota Valley EC Vanilla wafers Serving size: 1/2 cup. Per serving: 170 1 or 2 bananas calories, trace grams protein, trace grams fat, Order copies Mix together sugar and flour in 44 grams carbohydrates, 3 milligrams sodi- microwave-safe bowl and set aside. um, 0 milligrams cholesterol for you and your Combine milk and egg yolks and mix, then add to sugar/flour mix- Potato-Sausage Casserole friends today. ture. Microwave on high for 5 min- 1 package (14 ounces) smoked sausage utes. Remove and stir well. Micro- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and wave again for 2 minutes. Remove cut into 1/2-inch squares Order form and stir. If not thick, continue to 1/2 medium onion, diced cook in 1-minute increments until 1/2 bell pepper, chopped Please send me _____ cookbooks at desired consistency is reached. When 1 can (15 ounces) cream-style corn done, add butter, let melt, then add 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese $18.75 each, for a total of $______1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well, then Salt and pepper to taste Name ______pour into bowl lined with vanilla Spray a 2-quart microwave-safe wafers and bananas. Serve warm or casserole dish with nonstick cook- Address______cold. Makes 8 servings. ing spray and set aside. Cut the ELLEN GRAHAM,Trinity Valley EC sausage into 1/4-inch slices and cut ______Serving size: 1 small dessert bowl. Per those into halves or fourths. In a serving: 301 calories, 5 grams protein, 10 bowl, combine the sausage and the City______grams fat, 50 grams carbohydrates, 108 mil- rest of the prepared ingredients. State ______ligrams sodium, 96 milligrams cholesterol Pour into casserole dish. Microwave on high for about 25 minutes or Zip ______Kathy’s Candied Apples until potatoes are done. Stir every 8 8 tart apples, peeled and sliced minutes. Serves 4. Make checks payable to Texas Water SUSAN MONTRY, Pedernales EC Electric Cooperatives and mail to: 1 package (8 ounces) red hots Serving size: 1/4 of recipe. Per serving: Cookbook Put apple slices in a microwave- 573 calories, 21 grams protein, 35 grams Texas Electric Cooperatives 2550 South IH-35 safe dish. Add just enough water to fat, 45 grams carbohydrates, 1,337 mil- Austin, TX 78704 cover. Cook about 4 minutes in ligrams sodium, 85 milligrams cholesterol

24 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 Your safety is a top priority at your electric co-op. And it’s even more important when it comes to our kids. They don’t always know—or remember— what can be dangerous, so it’s up to all of us to watch out for their safety. Tree Climbing Tree Safety Rules for Trees: • Don’t plant trees or install tall playground equipment under or near power lines. • Don’t build tree houses in trees near electric lines. • Don’t allow children to climb trees growing near electric lines. • Teach your children always to look up to check for power lines before climbing trees or any tall objects. • Keep children away from ladders, DON’TDON’T GOGO poles or work equipment that may be near power lines. • Set a good example by following these rules yourself. OUT ON And the Number One safety OUT ON rule for everyone to remember is this: Don’t touch a power line or anything that’s touch- ing the power line. No one can A LIMB! tell simply by looking at a line A LIMB! whether it is energized or not, and contact with a power line can be deadly. Remember, electricity always seeks the eas- iest path to reach the ground, and, unfortunately, human beings are good conductors of electricity. Look up and live!

This public service message is brought to you by your local electric cooperative. For more information, visit your local co-op.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER TEXAS LIVING

AROUND TEXAS

5-7, 12-14. “Jake’s Women,” play, Greenhouse 8. McDade Jamboree, McDade, (512) 273-2307 Theatre, Wimberley, (512) 847-0575 8-13. Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion, August 6. Market Day, Port Lavaca, (361) 552-0917 Alvarado, (817) 790-3503 2. Brush Country Music Jamboree, Three Rivers, 6. Eastern Star Arts and Crafts Show, Bastrop, 11-13. Sutton County Days, Outlaw Pro Rodeo, (361) 786-3334 (512) 303-5733 Sonora, (325) 387-2880 or www.sonoratx 2. Abendkonzerte, free band concert, Boerne, 6. Brother-In-Law Roping, Athens, chamber.com (830) 537-4367 (903) 677-6354 11, 25. Pea Pickers Square and Round Dance 2-6. Wood County Old Settlers Reunion, 6. Ice Cream- and Lemonade-Making Club, Athens, (903) 675-1665 Quitman, (903) 763-4411 or www.quit- Demonstrations, Varner-Hogg Plantation, 12. Fish Fry Fundraiser, Livingston, man.com West Columbia, (979) 345-4656 (936) 327-8711 4. Aggie Family Fun Night, Brenham, 6. Concert Under the Stars, Bowie, 13. Globe of the Southwest Theatre 30th (979) 830-7338 (940) 872-6246 Anniversary Opree, Odessa, (432) 580-3177 4. Concert in the Park, Conroe, (936) 539-4431 6. Vintage Car Show, Denison, (903) 892-2379 12-13. Good Ole Days Festival, Hitchcock, or www.cityofconroe.org 6. Market Day, Wimberley, (512) 847-2201 (409) 986-9224 4. Presidential Libraries Commemorative Stamp 6. Ole Time Music, Pearl, (254) 865-6013 or 12-14. Auto Swap Meet, Hico, (254) 796-4422 Unveiling, College Station, (979) 691-4038 www.pearlbluegrass.com 12-14. Trade Days, McKinney, (972) 562-5466 or bushlibrary.tamu.edu 6. Market Day, Kyle, (512) 268-4220 12-14. Flea Market, Jewett, (936) 348-5475 5. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, 7. Holy Cross Church Celebration, D’Hanis, 12-14. Trade Days, Livingston, (936) 327-3656 Dripping Springs, (512) 894-4470 (830) 363-7268 or www.cityoflivingston-tx.com/tradedays 5-6. East Texas Sacred Harp Singing Convention, 7. Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Festival, 13. Market Trail Days, Castroville, (830) 741-5887 Henderson, (903) 657-4303 Frelsburg, (979) 732-3430 13. Texas Open Chili Championship, Conroe, 5-6. Kids’ Fishing Tournament, Port Aransas, 7. Biscuits & Gravy Road Race, San Angelo, (713) 475-1660 (361) 749-4096 or www.portaransas.org (325) 949-4757 13. Market at Drinking Swamp Farm, Kempner, 5-7. Highway 290 Trade Days, 3 miles west of 7. Annual Blessing of the Fleet, Kemah, (281) (512) 556-8000 Burton, (979) 249-3501 334-9880 or www.kemahboardwalk.com 13. American Music in the Texas Hill Country,

FESTIVAL OF THE MONTH BY JIM GRAMON Pioneer Days: New Boston,August 17–20 ur hectic lives make it easy to nights, antique car and motorcycle stopped there. Farmers were no Oforget the past and the people shows, fiddler’s contest, “42” domi- longer able to get their products to who helped shape our present. For no tournament, gospel singing, art and from markets. Trains were the 35 years, New Boston has taken show, and plenty of arts and crafts business lifeblood of early Texas, time to honor their ancestors with booths. and also influenced the history of Pioneer Days. New Boston is located just off New Boston. The festivities include rodeos and I-30, on U.S. Highway 82, 21 miles In the summer of 1876, when street dances on Friday and Saturday west of Texarkana in central Bowie the railroad was being constructed County.The town four miles north of the town of is on the Missouri- Boston, it was clear to many busi- Pacific Railroad nessmen in Boston (now Old Bos- route, which ton) that their town would wither played a significant without the railroad. So those role in New Bos- industrious folks packed up, moved ton history. four miles, and created the town of Legendary New Boston. singer-songwriter The New Boston Pioneer Days Steven Fromholz Festival will be at the T&P Trailhead wrote beautifully Park in downtown New Boston.Tell in his epic “Texas ’em Jim says, “Hi.” Trilogy” about the town of Kop- New Boston is served by Bowie-Cass EC. If perl, particularly you need additional information, please contact the negative the New Boston Chamber of Commerce, impact on this (903) 628-2581 or www.newbostontx.org. agricultural com- Jim Gramon is the author of FUN Texas Travel back to the days of the pioneers with food, fun and fiddling in munity when the Festivals and Events. [email protected], New Boston this month. trains no longer www.JimGramon.com.

26 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 Fredericksburg, (830) 997-2835 or www.pioneermuseum.com 13. Martin Memorial Open Car Show, Junction, (830) 634-2698 13. Gospel Music Concert, Whitney, (254) 694-2582 13. Indian Artifact Show, Lampasas, (512) 556-5172 13. Fun Run Car Show, Waxahachie, (972) 291-2958 13. 87 on 87, garage sales from Abernathy to Canyon, (806) 584-4069 or 839-2642 13. Texas Open Chili Championship, Conroe, (713) 475-1660 13-14. Farmers & Artisans Market, Johnson City, (830) 868-2711 14. Second Sunday Summer Serenade, Kerrville, (830) 257-0809 or www.kfumc.org 14. St. Michael’s Harvest Feast, Weimar, (979) 725-9511 17. Campfire Concert, San Angelo, (325) 481-2646

18. Third Thursday, Llano, (325) 247-3348 RODEO PRO COURTESY SUTTON COUNTY DAYS/OUTLAW 18-20. MDA Rodeo, Athens, (903) 489-2652 With this fun-loving committee leading the way, there will be good times for all at the Sutton County 18-21. Singles in Agriculture National Campout, Days/Outlaw Pro Rodeo in Sonora. Amarillo, (817) 598-1322 or www.singlesinag.org (903) 756-9934 or www.musiccitytexas.org 19. Bluegrass Show & Jam, Cleburne, 20. Jamboree, The Grove, (512) 282-1215 (817) 373-2541 20. Summer Model Train Show, New Braunfels, September 19. Country Opry, Victoria, (361) 552-9347 (830) 935-2517 19. Hot Art After Dark, New Braunfels, 20. Pineywoods Pickin’ Parlor Concert, Mineola, 1-5. Old Mill Marketplace, Canton, (903) 567- (830) 629-8022 (903) 569-8037 or www.pineywoodspickin 5445 or www.oldmillmarketplace.com 19-20. Last Chance Barbecue Cook-Off, parlor.com 2. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, Mt. Vernon, (903) 717-0328 20. National Homeless Animals Day, adoption Dripping Springs, (512) 894-4470 19-21. Balloon Festival and Fair, clinic, Schertz, (210) 658-6607 2-3. Oatmeal Festival, Oatmeal and Bertram, Highland Village, (972) 539-7158 or 20. Trent Willmon Party in the Park, Spur, (512) 355-2197 www.hvballoonfest.org 1-877-271-3149 3. ’50s, ’60s & ’70s Classic Car Cruise-In, 19-21. Big Bands Weekend, 20-21. Festival of Glass/Antique Show, Winnsboro, (903) 342-0684 Kerrville, (830) 792-9830 Rosenberg, (281) 342-4876 or 3. Market Day, Port Lavaca, (361) 552-0917 19-21. Trade Days, Fredericksburg, www.houstonglassclub.org 3. Market Days, Rockdale, (512) 446-0649 (830) 990-4900 or www.fbgtradedays.com 20-21. Old Gruene Market Days, Gruene, 3. Market Day, Wimberley, (512) 847-2201 19-21 and 26-28. Texas Hill Country Wine Trail, (830) 629-6441 3. Ole Time Music, Pearl, (254) 865-6013 or 1-866-621-9463 or www.texaswinetrail.com 20-21. Steel Drum Festival, Kemah, (281) 334- www.pearlbluegrass.com 20. Symphony of Horses, San Angelo, 9880 or www.kemahboardwalk.com 3-4. Westfest, Czech festival, West, (325) 658-5877 21. St. Louis Day, Castroville, (830) 931-2826 (254) 826-5058 or www.westfest.com 20. Community Fair, Doss, (830) 669-2325 26-28. Ballunar Liftoff Festival, Kemah, 3-4. Labor Day Rodeo, Mt. Vernon, 20. Texas Bluegrass Event, Linden, (281) 488-7676 (903) 632-0122 26-28. UKC Dog Show, Conroe, (281) 651-7211 3-4. Zydeco Festival, Kemah, (281) 334-9880 or www.rrrtc.org or www.kemahboardwalk.com 27. Market at Drinking Swamp Farm, Kempner, 4. Sacred Heart Church Picnic, Hallettsville, (512) 556-8000 (361) 798-5888 27. Texas Women Anglers Tournament, Port 4. Sausage Festival, New Berlin, Aransas, (361) 882-6000 or www.gofishtx.com (830) 420-3185 27. Trades Day, Coldspring, (935) 653-2009 4. St. Mary’s Festival & Homecoming, Nada, 27. Cultural Dance & Music Festival, Rockdale, (979) 758-3218 Indian artifacts will (512) 446-6680 4. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Bazaar, be on display in 27. Municipal Airport Fly-In Breakfast, New Waverly, (936) 344-6104 Lampasas on August 13. Granbury, 1-800-950-2212 or www.granburytx.com Event information can be mailed to Around 27. Skeet Shoot, Cisco, (254) 442-2537 Texas, 2550 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78704, faxed 27. Bluegrass Music Show, Quitman, to (512) 486-6254, or e-mailed to aroundtx (903) 763-4411 or www.quitman.com @texas-ec.org. It must be submitted by the 28. Anderson Mill Gardeners’ Open House, 10th of the month two months prior to publi- Volente, (512) 258-2613 cation. E.g., October submissions must be 28. Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church Picnic, received prior to August 10. Events are listed Marak, (254) 593-3021 according to space available. We appreciate 30-Sept. 3. Red River Valley Fair, Paris, photos with credits but regret that they can- (903) 785-7971 or www.rrvfair.org AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 27 FOCUS ON TEXAS PHOTOS BY CO-OP MEMBERS Those Were the Days ake a few moments to wax nostalgic as Tyou peruse this month’s images of times gone by.We’re sure you’ll identify with sever- al—if not all—of these readers’ photos … and find yourself thinking, “Yes, those were the days!” Pumpkin Patch is the topic for our October issue. Send your photos—along with your name, address, daytime phone, co-op affiliation and a brief description—to “Pumpkin Patch,” Focus on Texas, 2550 S. IH-35, Austin, TX 78704, before August 10. A stamped, self-addressed envelope should be included if you want your entry returned (approximately six weeks). If you use a digital It was a family tradition for the VINCENT and FRANCISKA SHILLER family and their friends to travel by wagon from Wood Hi to Indianola Bay where they would camp for a camera, e-mail your highest resolution images couple of weeks each summer. This photo shows the Shillers with their children, FANNIE to [email protected] (check your camera’s and JOHN, and unidentified friends. Victoria EC member MARTHA NICHOLS submitted operating manual if you have questions). this photo of her mother’s grandparents and friends.

Can you spot ELNORA PURSELL SCOTT in this Thanksgiving 1954 photo of her third-grade class? She’s an “Indian princess,” second from the left, wearing a paper-bag costume and two white feathers in her head- dress. Elnora and BARTON SCOTT are members of Taylor

Pedernales EC member GINA RONHAAR fondly recalls yearly trips to Port Aransas. “While the men Blanchard’s Grocery in South Mountain was a popular fished, we sat on the beach spot to stop after a hard day’s work for the “cinder and let the waves roll up block crew,” according to JUSTIN and AMY VEAZEY of and wash our worries away,” Hamilton County EC. From left, DON BLANCHARD, BILL she said. Beach beauties JACK BLANCHARD, BILL VEAZEY, CARL LACY and shown circa 1968 are, from Uncle ROLAND BLANCHARD are shown here in a left, JAMIE BURNAM, 1940s photo taken outside Uncle Roland’s store. Ronhaar’s best friend; TERI HAWSEY, her niece; Ronhaar; and NANCY FOWLER, her sister.

UPCOMING in Focus on Texas “Those were the days … ISSUE SUBJECT DEADLINE when gas was 42 cents a October Pumpkin Patch August 10 gallon!” writes Pedernales November The Big Hunt September 10 EC member MAE BETH HOOTER. The gas pump December Santa Claus October 10 photo was taken at the Nix January Windmills November 10 Store, a fixture in Nix, Texas, February Car Wash December 10 since 1875. March “Oops!” January 10

28 TEXAS CO-OP POWER • AUGUST 2005 TEXAS,USA BY CARLTON STOWERS Before Six Flags

t was a time before summer fun Imeant Six Flags, SeaWorld,Wet ’n’ Wild, multiplex matinees or shopping mall game rooms. In the carefree sum- mers of my childhood, the highest hope of West Texas youngsters was for a trip to the Eastland County commu- nity of Cisco.Three miles north of town, beneath what historians assured us was the world’s largest hollow dam, was Lake Cisco Recreation Park—Cisco Pool, for short. As a 13-going-on-14-year-old, I was awed by the pool’s grandeur. It was said to be the world’s largest con- crete swimming pool—700 feet long, 300 feet wide, and filled with 14 mil- lion gallons of cool, crystal-clear water. I clumsily demonstrated my timid version of derring-do on the diving boards and towers, swings and stone cabins at the base of a nearby required wading through waist-high slides, secretly hoping to impress the hillside. A 25-cent permit was all my weeds, and the iron bars that once pretty sunbathers lounging on the father needed to fish for perch, crappie housed the zoo animals are tangled small, grass-carpeted island that sepa- and bluegill on the backside of the and rusted, protecting nothing.The rated the shallow and deep ends. Pop- dam. On Fourth of July weekends, walls inside the dam are scarred with ular music blared from the adjacent visitors could attend the annual Miss ugly graffiti. two-story wooden building that Independence Day beauty pageant Cisco Pool’s ghostly legends are all housed dressing rooms, a concession sponsored by the park owners. Cisco that have survived the passage of time. stand and a roller-skating rink upstairs. was the place to go for family reunions, Some people still insist that a con- After swimming, there was minia- company picnics or school trips. struction worker helping build the ture golf on a challenging course, On summer Saturdays, cars would massive dam fell to his death, his minus the hokey windmill and clown- be backed up along Highway 183, body not retrieved but simply buried face hazards of latter-day layouts. For waiting to pay the $1 a head admis- beneath the tons of cement being smaller tykes, there were amusement sion and enter the rural playground. poured. And there are those who rides. A stone gazebo was the center- The park was built in 1929, flour- maintained that for years they could piece of the tree-shaded picnic area, ished well into the ’60s, and finally hear the plaintive screams of a black and a zoo with native wildlife ranging closed in 1975. By the time Cisco’s panther that escaped the zoo and from a panther to javelinas was tucked city fathers and the state Health wandered among the chalky cliffs. into the nearby bluffs. Department agreed that the pool was I take such tales with a grain of In adventurous moments, out of in need of a prohibitively expensive salt. Still, when one visits the old my parents’ protective sight, I climbed facelift, the glory days were already park and stands quietly, gently nudg- the steep steps of the entryway to the gone. So were the zoo, the amusement ing the imagination, he can hear the dam’s spooky interior and followed a rides, the celebrity entertainers—and laughter of children, the gleeful concrete concourse from one end to the crowds.The guest cabins were splashing, and the music wafting the other. In the privacy of the dark, boarded up. A few years ago, fire through the mesquites. And in doing damp tunnel, more than one first destroyed the building that housed the so, he can once more feel the carefree teenage kiss was exchanged. Or so roller rink. warmth of summers long past. I’m told. On a recent stop, I found only its At night, young and old danced skeletal remains.The pool now holds a Cisco is in the Comanche EC service area. under the stars to the music of legends few feet of murky water that feeds the Carlton Stowers lives in Cedar Hill. His lat- like Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. flourishing weeds and bushes. Snakes est book, Where Dreams Die Hard, a look Families wanting to make a week- sun themselves along the pool walls. at small-town Texas and the sport of six-man end of it could rent one of the small Finding the miniature golf course football, will be published in the fall.

AUGUST 2005 • TEXAS CO-OP POWER 29