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FEATURES
10 Back on Her Feet By Harry Shattuck Photos by Rick Patrick Longtime Galveston residents know well the stages of life on their beloved island: growth and prosperity; devastation and despair; determination and renewal. More than two years after Hurricane Ike, the cycle spins anew.
18 Texas-style Fiddlin’ By John Morthland Photos by Wyatt McSpadden Texans are fools for a fiddle, especially when it comes to the annual Fiddlers’ Frolics in Hallettsville. 1010 WEB EXTRA: Listen to old-time Texas fiddling.
DEPARTMENTS ONLINE
Footnotes by Clay Coppedge Charcoal City 29 TexasCoopPower.com The following April stories are available Recipe Roundup The Chickens and the Eggs 31 on our website. Focus on Texas Catch of the Day 43 Texas Reader by Shannon Oelrich Around Texas Local Events Listings 44 ‘As a Farm Woman Thinks’ Hit the Road by Jan Adamson Waxahachie 46 Observations by G. Elaine Acker Herman and Me: The saga of a lovable sourdough starter
29 31 46
TEXAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kendall Montgomery, Chair, Olney; Rick Haile, Vice Chair, McGregor; Ron Hughes, Secretary-Treasurer, Sinton; Randy Mahannah, Perryton; Billy Marricle, Bellville; Mark Stubbs, Greenville; Larry Warren, San Augustine
PRESIDENT/CEO: Mike Williams, Austin
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: William (Buff) Whitten, Chair, Eldorado; Melody Pinnell, Texas Co-op Power is published by your Vice Chair, Crockett; Roy Griffin, Edna; Bryan Lightfoot, Bartlett; Stan McClendon, Wellington; Gary Nietsche, La Grange; Anne Vaden, Corinth electric cooperative to enhance the qual- COMMUNICATIONS STAFF: Martin Bevins, Sales Director; Carol Moczygemba, Executive Editor; Camille Wheeler, Associate ity of life of its member-customers in an Editor; Suzi Sands, Art Director; Karen Nejtek, Production Manager; Ashley Clary, Field Editor; Andy Doughty, Production Designer; Sandra Forston, Communications Assistant; Suzanne Haberman, Communications Specialist; Kevin Hargis, Food Editor; educational and entertaining format. Rachel Frey, Intern
COVER PHOTO Restored historic homes in Galveston by Rick Patrick April 2011 TEXAS CO-OP POWER 3 TEXAS STATE PARKS
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Whether you live within the desert or above the treetops, a Mueller metal roof is always right at home. Our variety of panel MUELLER styles and color choices complement your natural landscape, providing both outstanding beauty and protection for your home. Drop by one of our 29 locations today to get the friendly, personal IS RIGHT service you deserve. 877-2-MUELLER (877-268-3553) AT HOME www.MuellerInc.com the U.S. House Judiciary Committee during the letters Watergate hearings. Following her words and listening to her speak was once again inspiring GRATEFUL FOR —and awesome. I forwarded WRITER’S SENSITIVITY your article and Jordan’s I do not have the words to POWERTALK speech to my 14-year-old thank you, Ashley Clary, for the granddaughter, who is early in TexasCoopPower.com article the process of developing her you wrote about my son Daniel THE ELOQUENT college, and we had our first “voice.” (February 2011, “In Midst of BARBARA JORDAN experience of integration. And Thank you for the impetus Tragedy, Family Gives Life”). Barbara Jordan. If you don’t then came the day I first to revisit Ms. Jordan’s It is especially meaningful, get chills hearing her name, heard Ms. Jordan. For me, integrity, her eloquence and and I consider it a gift from then you never heard the lady. she was always 10 feet tall, the power of her presence. God, that the magazine came I’m a native Texan. My school head and shoulders over all STAN SPEED today. Saturday, January 29, days were back when blacks the rest of us who meant no Navarro County Electric Cooperative marked the sixth anniversary had separate entrances to harm. We just didn’t under- of Daniel’s accident, and stand. When that lady opened Barbara Jordan was my friend February 5 is the anniversary her mouth, we understood. and a classmate of mine at of his death. READ MORE LETTERS Thank you, Kaye Phillis Wheatley High School You captured Daniel’s spirit See “Letters to the Editor” in Northcott, for your February in Houston. We shared a work- in your article! And we are so the April Table of Contents at 2011 article about the eloquent table in biology. All of us recog- grateful. Admittedly, this is one TexasCoopPower.com Barbara Jordan. It is good for nized that Barbara was an of our emotional times. And the us to remember that lady. extraordinary person. She article will be one we treasure OLIVE LOHRENGEL was voted “Most Likely to as giving meaning to Daniel’s some establishments, and Pedernales Electric Cooperative Succeed.” And she did. life for years to come. Thank whites had the main entrance. NILA HILL you for your time and your sen- Honestly, I never thought Thank you, Kaye Northcott, Fayette Electric Cooperative sitive interpretation of what about it, because that was for your very well-written organ donation means to us. just the way things were. My article on Barbara Jordan. I TIME WELL SPENT CARMEN POLHEMUS first awareness that blacks was prompted to go back to Writer Sheryl Smith-Rodgers did Pedernales Electric Cooperative felt left out was when I was in her July 25, 1974, speech to an outstanding job of encapsu- lating who we are, what we do and how we operate (“Five-and- Dime Happy Times,” February RATTLED ABOUT ‘NEW’ RATTLER 2011). It is with the support of publications like yours and the I noticed with great interest the picture on Page word-of-mouth reputation you 10 in the January 2011 issue in the “Emergency enforce that allows us to stay in Call” cover article about rural veterinarians. Is business. I invite you to come take a firsthand look at one of this the new type of rattlesnake I’ve heard about? the last remaining “dinosaurs” Friends have told me it’s called a hybrid because in the industry. it was the result of some irresponsible fool cross- TIM DOOLEY breeding a rattlesnake and a water moccasin. I’m Owner, Dooley’s 5-10 & 25¢ store, told it’s yellow in color, with some markings, but Fredericksburg I’ve never seen one. Is this the one I should look out for? A friend of mine said he saw Central Texas Electric Cooperative one on my place, so I wanted to know for sure. Thanks! Editor’s note: The story did not Michael Nickerson, Coleman County Electric Cooperative appear in all print editions of Editor’s note: The above photo of the plastic rattlesnake display that appeared in the Texas Co-op Power. Find it at TexasCoopPower.com. January 2011 issue of Texas Co-op Power resides in Dr. Larry Brooks’ veterinary office in
Junction. This fang-bearing Western Diamondback is a reminder to patients to get their We want to hear from our readers. dogs vaccinated against rattlesnake bites. As for any crossbreeding between a diamondback Submit letters online under the Submit and Share tab at TexasCoopPower.com, e-mail us rattler and a water moccasin, that, according to Brooks, is a myth. However, he says, it’s pos- at [email protected], or mail to Editor, Texas Co-op Power, 1122 Colorado St., sible that the Mojave rattlesnake is migrating to far West Texas. For now, there is no evi- 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please include dence to support the notion that the Mojave and diamondback could someday crossbreed. the name of your town and electric co-op. Letters may be edited for clarity and length and are printed as space allows.
6 TEXAS CO-OP POWER April 2011 HAPPENINGS Conroe is virtually surrounded by rich Lone Star State history: To WHO KNEW? the north is Huntsville, where Sam Houston died in 1863. To OFFICIAL VEGGIE the west is the Washington-on- While there’s no clear consen- the-Brazos State Historic Site, sus on the origins of the where the Texas Declaration of onion—researchers differ on Independence was signed in 1836. whether it was first grown in To the southwest is the Stephen F. Central Asia or Iran and west- Austin State Park that marks the ern Pakistan—there’s no doubt home of Texas’ first Anglo- that it’s the perfect comple- American colony. To the southeast ment to many Texas native is the San Jacinto Battleground foods. The origin of Texas State Historic Site, where Texans sweet onions dates to 1898, won their independence. when Bermuda onion seed was And now Conroe is giving itself a bigger dot on Texas’ historical map with the opening planted near Cotulla. The of THE LONE STAR MONUMENT AND HISTORICAL FLAG PARK. Unveiling Legislature designated the ceremonies are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. April 21. Texas sweet onion the official The park proudly displays 13 one-of-a-kind flags that flew over historic battles, along state vegetable in 1997. with descriptions of the volunteers who fought during the Texas Revolution. Of special historical interest are the sketches done by Charles B. Stewart, who in 1997 was officially recognized by the state Legislature as the Lone Star flag’s designer. For more information, visit www.texasflagpark.org or call 1-877-426-6763.
No! Not the Car Wash! CO-OP PEOPLE Enjoy the Moment … and the Art BY SHERYL SMITH-RODGERS The ideal art vehicle, Wade says, is one Many folks would cuss a dusty road. Not that’s been driven on a dirt road for about a Scott Wade. Thanks to his quirky genius, the week, with its dust-crusted rear window becom- Pedernales Electric Cooperative member magi- ing a natural canvas (although he typically won’t cally transforms the dirt and grunge on vehicles’ draw on someone’s vehicle unless asked). Texas Co-op Power (USPS 540-560) is pub- rear windows into impermanent works of art. For years, Wade and his wife, Robin Wood, lished monthly by Texas Electric Cooperatives Using his fingers, paintbrushes and other lived off a caliche road near San Marcos. They (TEC). Periodical Postage Paid at Austin, TX and at additional offices. TEC is the statewide tools, Wade sculpts dust into amazing images. now live in a paved subdivision near Wimberley. association representing 74 electric coopera- tives. Texas Co-op Power’s website is One masterpiece re-created Leonardo da Vinci’s But not to worry: Whether it’s drawing on the TexasCoopPower.com. Call (512) 454-0311 or “Mona Lisa” and Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry windows of their hatchbacks or on vehicles at a e-mail [email protected]. Subscription price is $3.96 per year for individ- Night” on the same window. festival or corporate event, Wade can dirty up a ual members of subscribing cooperatives. If you window quick with a method involving a light are not a member of a subscribing cooperative, you can purchase an annual subscription at the coat of oil and the blowing of dust. nonmember rate of $7.50. Individual copies and Wade has demonstrated his grimy gift of back issues are available for $3 each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas drawing on such TV shows as the History Co-op Power (USPS 540-560), 1122 Colorado St., 24th Floor, Austin, TX 78701. Please Channel’s “Modern Marvels.” He even starred in enclose label from this copy of Texas Co-op a music video with the Latin funk orchestra Power showing old address and key numbers. ADVERTISING: Advertisers interested in buying Grupo Fantasma. display ad space in Texas Co-op Power and/or in our 30 sister publications in other states, There is one place where Wade’s art doesn’t contact Martin Bevins at (512) 486-6249. fade: his website, www.dirtycarart.com. Advertisements in Texas Co-op Power are paid solicitations. The publisher neither endorses “Creating art that doesn’t last is a meditation nor guarantees in any manner any product or on the impermanence of things,” he says. “My company included in this publication. Product Scott Wade; detail from his ‘Mona Lisa/The Starry Night’ piece satisfaction and delivery responsibility lie solely
IMAGES COURTESY OF SCOTT WADE art reminds me always to enjoy the moment.” with the advertiser. Direct questions or com- ments about advertising to Martin The 52-year-old Wade has demonstrated his Bevins, Sales Director. self-described Dirty Car Art around the globe: Sheryl-Smith Rodgers is a frequent contributor to © Copyright 2011 Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. Reproduction of this issue or any portion of “When someone asks which of my pieces I like Texas Co-op Power. it is expressly prohibited without written per- best, I steal a line from Frank Lloyd Wright and Have a suggestion for a future Co-op People? mission. Willie Wiredhand © Copyright 2011 National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. say, ‘The next one!’ ” Contact [email protected].
ILLUSTRATIONS BY JOHN MARGESON April 2011 TEXAS CO-OP POWER 7 Above all else, follow the manufac- POWER CONNECTIONS turer’s instructions. Once you have a cool-roof coating on your mobile home, and you appreciate the difference in summertime comfort, you’ll never go A Cool Roof back to the old-fashioned coatings. Author Chris Dorsi is a managing part- ner with Saturn Resource Manage- Over Your Head ment. He is a Building Performance Institute-certified building analyst, a Elastomeric ‘cool-roof’ coatings turn down the heat in mobile homes heating professional and envelope pro- By Chris Dorsi fessional, a Residential Energy Services Network certified home-energy rater, obile homes tend to overheat immediate benefits. Many homeowners and is retired from the American in summer because they don’t note that their home is cooler the same Society of Home Inspectors. For more have a large attic space to pro- day that a cool roof coating is applied. information about improving energy Mvide a buffer between the hot Cool-roof coatings can be sprayed efficiency at home, go to www.srmi.biz. outdoors and the living space inside. In on or applied by brush or roller, just many mobile or manufactured homes, like traditional black or silver asphalt Stop the Leaks from Manufactured the space between the interior ceiling coatings. Their performance is superior Homes—and Your Wallet surface and the exterior metal roof is to these coatings, however, because If the utility bill for your manufactured or mobile less than a foot. Though a thin layer of their reflectivity (ability to reflect the home seems too high, it could be the result of insulation is installed in this cavity, the sun’s heat) and their emissivity (ability leaks. Here are some tips that can stop the heat of summer tends to transmit right to release the roof’s heat) are far leaks from your home—and your wallet. down into your living quarters. greater. In one sense, the liquid appli- Older manufactured homes, especially One of the best ways to slow this cation of cool-roof coatings is like the those built before 1994, may have leaking ducts heat flow into your home is to apply a difference between wearing a white and inadequate insulation. Leaky ductwork can white elastomeric “cool-roof” coating shirt and black shirt on a blistering hot reduce the efficiency of your heating and cool- that, thanks in part to its elastic, day: You’ll be cooler in the white shirt ing system by as much as 20 percent. A good stretching qualities, forms a weather- because it reflects more sunlight and time to check for leaks is on a windy day, when resistant, protective membrane. With absorbs less heat. you’ll be able to find drafty spots in your home. this coating in place, homeowners can Cool-roof coatings are available on Experts recommend going after the big expect to see lower electric bills, lower numerous websites and at a variety of leaks first. That means plugging all holes roof maintenance costs and longer lives stores, including The Home Depot, around chimneys, vents, water pipes and for air-conditioning systems. Lowe’s and Ace Hardware. heating-system ductwork. Leaky ducts can be Metal mobile-home roofs are easy to To ensure that your cool-roof coating sealed with mastic sealant. Avoid the use of recoat. In fact, many homeowners do so adheres properly, the roof surface duct tape, which can dry out and disintegrate every few years to ensure their roof’s should first be washed and any loose when used on ductwork. Adding insulation to longevity and water tightness. You can previous coatings scraped away. Be- floor, wall and ceiling cavities can improve apply a cool-roof coating when your cause cool-roof coatings are water- energy efficiency, but may be a job for a pro- mobile home next needs to be recoated, based, they should be applied when no fessional contractor. or you could do it right away to reap rain is expected for at least one day. Once you’ve sealed the major leaks, look for smaller ones—around windows, doors, electrical outlets and light switches. Seal gaps around windows and doors, using caulk on nonmoving parts. And replace any worn weatherstripping. Caulk or expanding spray foam can be used where plumbing, wiring, vents and ducting penetrate through walls. Installing foam outlet gaskets in electrical outlets and light switches—especially on out- side walls—can save energy, too. And for safety’s sake, make sure that all combustion appliances, such as furnaces, stoves and water heaters, are properly vented.
Source: National Rural Electric Cooper - ative Association’s Cooperative Research Network
8 TEXAS CO-OP POWER April 2011 ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN MARGESON “With God, All Things Are Possible”
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