WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Section B

A pair, Family offers hope to horses not two By SHANNON LOWRY When Hurricane Harvey slammed into south Texas in of a kind August 2017, Georgetown eques- trian Amber Kurkowski and her imble and husband, Chuck Witt, felt com- Nola were pelled to help rescue horses and chasing one livestock left behind in the mas- another sive flooding. around their They were four days into their Npen in the dusky eve- trip in the Beaumont area, as- ning, bucking and sisting horse and cattle rescues, twisting, charging when Ms. Kurkowski got a call at each other. When from the head of the Bluebonnet they got a little out Equine Humane Society, asking of breath they faced if they could pick up an emer- off, nose to nose, gency seizure. The couple had snorting, tails wag- planned to return to their ranch ging, before they EGGS IN that evening because they were began the chase low on supplies, but stayed an- again. They stopped MY POCKET other night so they could pick up dead when they no- the horse. ticed me standing at Mary Fenoglio They met the county sheriff at the fence watching a ranch north of Beaumont, who them, then ambled told them he didn’t think the pal- Shannon Lowry over to check out the possibility of something omino had the strength to make it Zinnia has regained her health after suffering in Hurricane Harvey’s torrential rains last year. The good to eat. It wasn’t time for their bottle and all the way to Georgetown. sweet-tempered mare has recovered and found a home with Georgetown equestrian Amber Kurkowski. I had no bread, so they licked my hands a cou- “When I first saw her, my heart ple of times and began a game of “touch the sank,” Ms. Kurkowski said. “I water with my nose and jump back in sur- felt absolutely devastated for this prise.” It’s one of their favorites, but they’re poor, sweet horse. her a forever retirement home.” tion and get back to good health. no longer show. She doesn’t walk very young and easily amused. They are, of “Zinnia was experiencing Two weeks later, Ms. Kurkows- During that recovery, she won with a limp. Remarkably, this course, the Holstein heifers Papa is raising on severe starvation, was in poor ki picked up the horse. “It took us our hearts through her sweet, gentle soul has somehow trotted a bottle. shape, could barely walk and she a few months for all the rain rot to gentle disposition and she will away from her terrible past. When he brought them home and opened had been standing in a mud pit go away, and a few more weeks of have a forever home with us for Ms. Kurkowski and Mr. Witt the trailer gate, their personalities were al- for almost a week. She had open wound care to get her wounds on the remainder of her life.” are Iraq war veterans with two ready plain and very different. Nimble was wounds on her legs where her her legs to heal,” Ms. Kurkowski In the last year and a few tours of duty under their belts. noticeably smaller as well as being mostly skin was sloughing off and she said. “It took seven months for months, Zinnia has come a long They met at Fort Hood after Ms. black with white patches, finer boned, with had severe rain rot on her back. her to recover from the starva- way. Her coat gleams. Her ribs Continued on 2B a small, dainty head and bright eyes that She also had a hard time walking missed nothing. She stuck her head out of because her muscles were so de- the trailer, scoped out the place, gauged the pleted.” drop and hopped out at once. Nimbly. Right Mr. Witt and Ms. Kurkowski Horse rescue needs donors, volunteers then she became Nimble. Nola was bigger, gently loaded Zinnia into the slower, mostly white with some black splotch- trailer and immediately took her By SHANNON LOWRY was coarse and unhealthy. He horses. Routine veterinary care es, and much more cautious. She, too, poked to a veterinarian. The vet gave is gaining weight and looking alone for a single horse can cost her head out, surveyed the place and retreat- her a 50 percent chance of surviv- Bluebonnet Equine Humane better each day. But recovery around $400 per year, which ed into the depths of the trailer. While Nimble al. Because of how emaciated she Society took in its 1,000th horse takes time. doesn’t include farrier care — was poking around outside, taking note of the was — neglect that clearly began November 7. peacocks and geese with dropped head and long before the hurricane arrived “I really hate that we’re hoof care — or other expenses. splayed forelegs before moving on, Nola was — he didn’t think she could sur- BEHS primarily works with needed,” says Dr. Jennifer The rescue group also needs moving around anxiously in the trailer, maa- vive the trip to Georgetown. He law enforcement agencies Williams, Bluebonnet’s executive more foster homes for horses. ing once in a while for her trailer mate. She gave Zinnia some antibiotics and to take in abused, neglected, director. “I wish every horse, “We know we’ve set an wouldn’t be coaxed or cajoled into taking the said he could not offer to hold her stray and abandoned horses donkey, mule, pony and ambitious goal,” Dr. Williams short hop down onto the ground to join Nim- because of how severe her starva- from throughout Texas. miniature horse in our state had said. “But we want to be able to ble. Finally Papa took hold of her and gently tion was. Rescued horses are placed in loving homes. But since so many help as many horses as possible, forced her out into the open. The couple trailered Zinnia to foster homes, where they are Nimble came to her at once, touched noses, a friend in College Station, who equines are starving, abused and that’s going to take a lot rehabilitated by experienced then continued her investigation of their new took in the horse and got her the and abandoned each year, I’m of help from the community. digs. Nola stood rooted to the ground where immediate care she needed. The horsemen and professional glad we can help them.” We hope that our campaign she landed, looking around as if bewildered, mare, estimated to be about 20 to trainers until they are healthy Amber Kurkowski and Chuck will not only raise donations to which she probably was. They were 5-days- 25 years old, went through two and ready for adoption. Witt of Georgetown took in the help more horses, but that we old. That’s not long in a world that doesn’t weeks of intensive care. Their 1,000th rescued horse, 1,001 Bluebonnet horse, Patton, can also raise awareness and treat the helpless with any particular inter- “After we had dropped Zinnia a gelding, was removed from who is being fostered by Ms. recruit more foster homes and est or care. They had come from a dairy near off, all we could think about was negligent owners by law Kurkowski. volunteers. Working together, Waco. The dairy business by its very nature how much she needed a loving enforcement. When he arrived doesn’t treat the small and helpless with any home and how heartbreaking Bluebonnet has launched we can make a huge difference special consideration when it comes to a nat- her situation was,” Ms. Kur- at Bluebonnet in College a campaign, 1000 Donors for for needy horses.” ural life. Lucky calves are allowed to nurse kowski said. “On our drive back Station, he was emaciated, his 1000 Horses, to raise funds to To learn more about BEHS their dams for a day or two because the first to Georgetown, we decided we skeletal structure was visible provide veterinarian and farrier or getting involved, visit www. milk — called colostrum — while loaded with wanted to adopt her and see her beneath his skin and his coat care and feed to the next needy bluebonnetequine.org the mother’s antibodies and essential to the through her recovery and give future health and well-being of any newborn, is not commonly consumed by humans. There are a few people who believe it’s beneficial to their health and for sure it won’t do them any harm, but it’s completely seasonal and not of- ten available. Ziti and Italian meatball soup warm a cold day Good dairymen, concerned with the future of the calves that are taken from their dams his week I quently, until fra- 1 can diced tomatoes greased mini-muffin tins and at only a few days old, see to it that they have have an as- grant, about 1 min- 2 cans beef broth bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 min- that first milk, and these babies did. They sortment of ute. Season with salt Cook onion and garlic in oil un- utes. If using regular-size muffin were healthy, but orphaned and now depen- great recipes and pepper to taste. til softened. Add broth, tomatoes, tins, baking time will be a little dent upon humans for their lives. Nola took it that I’ve gath- Stir in tomatoes spinach and oregano. Bring to a longer. — Janet Woods harder than Nimble. She followed the smaller Tered up over the last and bring to a sim- boil. Add meatballs and reduce n heifer’s lead and seemed to have little initia- several weeks. This mer until slightly heat to low. Cover and simmer un- I wrote a column recently on tive of her own. first one comes from thickened, about 8-10 til meatballs are heated through. a Woman’s Club meeting in my Nimble had enough for both of them. To- Gillian, who made minutes. Stir in pas- — Karen Pfiester home, and mentioned Claudia gether they swigged down the bottles they got it for dinner when I ta and 3 cups water. n Buster bringing these green chili four times a day, rich goat’s milk cut by one- was up in Sherman Bring to a boil; cov- squares, but didn’t have the reci- third at first with water. Gradually the feed- a month or more er, reduce heat and Tuscany Rice and Bean Soup pe yet. Well, here it is. These are ings decreased to three as they increased to ago. It is creamy and simmer until pasta 8 oz. Italian sausage, hot or mild, slightly spicy little cheesy bites all milk. delicious, perfect COOK’S is cooked through, casings removed that are great for any party. Nola scoured but we expected that. We’ve with just a salad and about 13-16 minutes. 3 (16 oz.) cans chicken broth never had a bottle calf that didn’t. Even care- bread, maybe a glass CORNER Remove from heat. 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes Claudia’s Green Chili Squares ful bottle feeding isn’t like on demand from of red wine. She Laurie Locke Stir in Parmesan 1/2 t. salt 3 (4 oz.) cans diced green chiles, the mother, added to the stress of separation said it is good with and heavy cream. 1/4 t. black pepper with juice and travel. sautéed mushrooms Top with mozzarella 1/2 t. oregano 2 cups grated Monterey Jack Nimble came down with scours a few days added, too, for some- and put in 350 degree 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice cheese later, but it wasn’t that hard to get them back thing extra if you like. oven until cheese is melted and 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can Great Northern 2 cups grated sharp Cheddar on track. Papa’s done it plenty of times. Once all is heated through. Top with beans, undrained cheese they felt better, Nimble led Nola around the Gillian’s Baked Ziti basil if you like, to serve. Serves Brown sausage in Dutch oven 1/2 t. black pepper pen and then out into the big world for day 1 T. olive oil 6-8. — Gillian Locke or large saucepan over medi- Splash of hot sauce trips. They never went far from the barn and 1 lb. Italian sausage, casings n um-high heat. Stir in all remain- 1/2 t. salt were always ready to follow the bottle into removed I went on a fun vacation to ing ingredients, bring to a boil, 6 large eggs, beaten their stall at evening feeding. 4 cloves garlic, minced Kauai a few weeks ago with some reduce to simmer, cover, and cook Heat oven to 300 degrees. Spray When the cold rainy weather moved in they 1/4 t. red pepper flakes, or more friends. While I was there, I got an until rice is cooked, about 30 min- a 12x8-inch baking dish with oil were kept up. Wet and cold together are the en- to taste email from Karen Pfiester with utes. — Karen Pfiester or Pam. Spread out the green emies of baby things, and like the dairy goats Kosher salt and freshly ground two new recipes. She and her sis- n chiles evenly in the bottom of are different from the bigger meat goats, so black pepper, to taste ter had been in Chicago and had These little muffin-biscuits the pan. Mix the cheeses together the dairy calves are different from the hardi- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes come home with these two reci- would be wonderful served with and spread evenly over the chil- er beef calves. The heifers curled down into 12 oz. ziti pasta pes from her cousin, Donna. It’s one of the above soups. Janet es. Add the salt, pepper and hot their bedding together and waited for the sun 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese nice to have friends helping me Woods served them at book club sauce to the beaten eggs. Pour egg to show its warm face again. Day by day they 1/2 cup heavy cream out even when I’m away playing. a few months ago, and I’ve always mixture over the cheese and pat have grown well; though Nimble is still dainti- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese loved them when she’s made the mixture down with the back er than Nola she has pretty much caught up in 1/4 cup basil leaves, chiffonade Donna’s Italian them. Easy and so tasty. of a spoon. height. Nola is more lively and curious on her (optional) Meatball Soup Bake for 45 minutes until the own now, but they are still always together. Heat olive oil in large skillet 1-2 T. olive oil, or vegetable oil Janet’s Delicious center is firm. Allow to sit for They make a great argument for raising two over medium high heat. Add 1 cup chopped onion Muffin-Biscuits about 10 minutes and then cut of any kind of babies together, and a fascinat- sausage and cook until browned, 1 1/2 cloves garlic 2 cups self-rising flour into small (1-inch) squares. Serve ing study of babies born in the same place and making sure to crumble sausage 2 t. oregano 2 sticks salted butter, softened warm. — Claudia Buster raised the same way yet being so different. as it cooks. Italian meatballs … purchased, 1 cup sour cream n Once again, there’s a lesson in there some- Stir in garlic and red pepper and as many as you want Mix flour, butter and sour It’s a great time of year to be where. flakes, and cook, stirring fre- 10 oz. chopped spinach cream together. Spoon into cooking. Enjoy. 2B The Williamson County Sun, November 28, 2018 Family offers hope for horses

Continued from 1B cued her first horse, Lulu, an Kurkowski’s first deploy- off-the-track thoroughbred ment. They also own K&W that was starved and abused. Engineering in Georgetown, Through Lulu’s rehabilita- specializing in structural, tion and retraining, Ms. Kur- mechanical and electrical kowski found her passion. engineering. She got involved with Blue- The couple have adopted bonnet in 2016. four horses rescued from Her first foster horse, Per- terrible situations through cy, a paint with one blue eye, Bluebonnet Equine Humane ended up a foster-failure so Society (BEHS), a Bell Coun- the horse joined Ms. Kurkow- ty rescue group that takes ski’s family. Daughter Nor- in horses, donkeys, mules, ma, age 7, has started to ride ponies and miniature horses him. Both Norma and young- from across Texas. er sister Beverly, age 6, have They currently are foster- been riding since they were 2. ing three Bluebonnet horses. Next year, the kids may par- Ms. Kurkowski said they res- ticipate in the training chal- cued their other six horses, lenge, Ms. Kurkowski said. mostly from kill pens and “It’s great for the girls,” Ms. neglectful situations. Kurkowski said. “They learn Shannon Lowry “I participated in the responsibility from caring BEHS training challenge the Zinnia had been starved and neglected long before the Texas for the horses and learning last two years and both my coastal area where she lived was hit by Hurricane Harvey in Au- to ride. And it’s a confidence horses were adopted,” she gust 2017. Abandoned in the storm, she spent a week afterward builder.” said. “Also, I have assisted the standing in muddy flood waters. The couple’s ranch also is Williamson County Sheriff home to about 20 Boer goats, with seizures and transfers to Ms. Kurkowski, who was year. four unwanted rescued the rescue. I also help trailer raised in northern Nevada, She met her husband at sheep, five dogs, one cat and horses from the point of [law has been riding and taking Fort Hood after her first two rescued micro-pigs. enforcement ] seizure to their care of horses since she was tour of Iraq. Mr. Witt grew “I’m trying to stay under 20 new foster homes.” 8. As a kid, she showed hors- up in northern New Jersey horses,” Ms. Kurkowski said Ms. Kurkowski and Mr. es in 4-H and competed in and had never been around with a sheepish grin. “My Witt are enlarging their barn rodeos, riding western. After horses or livestock, but he’s main goal is to foster as many so they can foster more hors- high school, she learned how quickly adapted to ranching as I can. Through training, I es. Mr. Witt rides Cady, their to ride English and made the life. He supports Ms. Kurkow- can give fosters a fresh start. adopted quarter horse, who Army Equestrian team at ski’s work to help horses and If they are broke to ride, they was found wandering around the U.S. Military Academy at said he is grateful they are don’t traditionally end up in San Antonio and transferred West Point, serving as team able to do so. the slaughter pipeline.” to Bluebonnet. captain during her senior In 2011, Ms. Kurkowski res- Extension outlines upcoming ag events

By SHANNON LOWRY can Show and Food Show is n December 10: Private A&M Agrilife Extension Ser- open to any Williamson or Applicator Training is from vice, will be held in Cleburne, Several public events are Bell county resident with a 8 a.m. to noon, $60. This four- Texas. The seminar will pro- happening now through the pecan tree or a love for pe- hour training is required to vide participants with the first few weeks in December cans. Drop off entries No- take the private applicator opportunity to receive up to 8 at the Williamson County Ex- vember 29 at the Williamson license test. CEUs (continuing education tension office, 3151 SE Inner County Extension office. Any agricultural producer units). Loop, Suite A, Georgetown. n December 7: Lettuce or land owner who applies Registration fee is $50. This n November 30 and De- Lunch N Learn is from noon restricted use pesticides to includes breakfast, lunch and cember 1: Battleground to to 1 p.m. at the Wilco Exten- their own property needs a handout materials. Breaking Ground — a free sion office. Join the William- private pesticide applicator’s For more information workshop in Georgetown son County Texas Master license. on any of the events listed and farm demonstrations Gardeners Association for n December 13: D8 above, visit the Extension’s in Thrall are in store for the results and tastings from Farm and Ranch Seminar, website: www.williamson. military veterans and those their lettuce variety trial, a multi-county seminar for agrilife.org or call 512-943- interested in production ag- learn lettuce growing how- farmers and ranchers con- 3300. To register, visit www. riculture. to’s and enjoy a salad lunch. ducted by the counties in williamson.agrilife.org/pro- n November 30: The Pe- $5 at the door. District 8 through the Texas gram-registration History Gifts on SALE at the Sun! Land of Good Water by Clara Stearns Scarbrough “The Bible for Williamson County history.” — Bob Banta, Austin American-Statesman Winner! Best Regional History of 1973, Texas State Historical Association $ 00 Hardcover 30 +Tax (Regular price $35.00) Road, River, and Ol’ Boy Politics by Linda Scarbrough “One of the best books ever written about Texas.” — Dr. William Goetzmann, Pulitzer Prize winning historian Winner! Best Work of History in 2006, National Council on Public History Softcover (while supplies last) $2495 + Tax The ground is broken, the permits are filed, stand with us as we watch the walls raise on Georgetown Then & Now the Doug Smith Performance Center. by Donna Scarbrough Josey Brings the city’s history to life through this remarkable collection of vintage and contemporary photographs. Join us today by texting $ 99 ENVISION to 44-321 18 +Tax (Regular price $21.99) or visit our website Also, Images of America - Georgetown $ 99 georgetownpalace.com/envision 18 +Tax (Regular price $21.99) Discounted prices available at the Sun office only 707 S. Main Street, Georgetown • 512-930-4824