• Rosa Coss
• February 1, 2021

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Texas Treasures: Tinsel Time in Texas

Texas Talent: Raising a Hand for Rett

Business Focus: Fabric Carousel

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More than 17 years ago, Kevin and Dave set out on a mission to raise awareness for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that most often affects females. When children with Rett reach a year to 18-months of age, their social and motor skills begin a state of regression, and they live the rest of their lives similar to an infant. Kevin knows all too well how Rett can impact a child and a family. His daughter Cortney passed away from Rett in 2003 when she was 16 years old. 

In 2016, Postcards Magazine sat down with these two talented photographers and shared their journey in creating a book, Raising a Hand, that showcased their photography of famous singers, each with a hand raised. Their mission was to sell these unique coffee table books to raise money for Rett syndrome awareness and research, and they did just that – selling over 10-thousand copies. 

While some would call their success a happy ending to a tale of two dads, they’ve decided to add another chapter to their story, or in this case another book – Raising a Hand, Volume 2.

So, first things first, which one of you said, “Let’s do Volume 2?” 

Kevin: It wasn’t me. (laughs) In fact, after Volume 1, Dave and I were getting out of the book business. We weren’t gonna stop the mission, we were just gonna change direction and find another way to raise money and awareness. It took three years to do the first book, and three years is a long time. 

Dave: It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. It was a stressful experience to do the first book. 

Yet, you felt motivated to do it all over again… why is that? 

Dave: My motivation has really been to help keep other families from having to do what my friend Kevin and his family had to do… and that was bury a 16-year-old girl. The day of Cortney’s funeral pretty much changed my life – not because I knew Cortney – and not because I knew about Rett syndrome. Both my wife Cathi and I stood in the shadows that afternoon watching a family bury a child, and my thought was – I couldn’t imagine doing what Kevin had to do…our daughter was the same age as his daughter.

Kevin: Dave was the person who energized me to be more useful than walking away from Rett and other families and to do something to honor Cortney’s name and her life; so that’s how we got into this 17-year, action-packed journey. We’ve been raising money in all kinds of different ways since 2003. 

It took three years to create the first book. What did you learn from creating Volume 1 that made the decision to do Volume 2 easier? 

Kevin: We are just two dads who weren’t in the book business and didn’t know anything about it. We had to learn along the way and ask questions. Then we were going into self-publishing, not being in the publishing business. Initially it was a struggle, but then we thought we had a wonderful book that showed so much respect for the artists who let us use their likeness and their brand for our cause. We thought we had something special. 

What can you tell us about Volume 2? 

Dave: First, I can say we are ahead of schedule. Part of the reason is we had the template – Volume 1. We learned how to get in touch with artists more effectively, and we’ve become better photographers. Put all that together – we are well on our way with the new book and months ahead of schedule. The good news is we have great artists who have said yes to being in Volume 2. 

Who said “yes?” Can you give us some hints? 

Kevin: Garth Brooks is one of the biggest names in the music industry, and he personally said yes and chose his picture. Gene Simmons with KISS personally said yes, and so did Lionel Richie. 

Dave: A big one for us is Tom Petty. To get an estate – the family of Tom Petty – to agree… that’s a big deal. The good news is we have every genre covered. We have the state of Texas covered. We have Conroe covered, and we have 30 more artists than we had in Volume 1 – 234 in total. We have some famous actors, too – Dennis Quaid, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Costner, and Steve Martin. 

I understand you have a new section in Volume 2, kind of a “behind the scenes” look… 

Dave: Yes. Kevin said, “We need Volume 2 to look a little different than Volume 1.” So, we ended up writing a section called “Stories from Behind the Lens.” It includes stories of our interactions with the artists. I wrote some, Kevin wrote some – the idea was so good that I couldn’t say no. 

Kevin: Yeah, we have some really cool stories about how we met the artists and what happened. It’s a real special section of the book. 

What are your hopes for Volume 2? 

Dave: Early on in our process, we met a guy named Tom Brown, and he was able through a family trust he managed to make a $250-thousand donation annually to Texas Children’s Hospital in the spirit of Rett syndrome – as a result of hearing Kevin’s story. So, we don’t know what will happen with Volume 2. If there is another “Tom Brown” or “Thomasina Brown” out there that is touched by this story, who knows the impact it could have. What if it’s an artist… we don’t know. But, if you’re not doing anything, it stops. 

What are you most proud of in your journey to help Rett families? 

Dave: What I’m most proud of is not that we’ve raised so much money, but we’re giving a lot of Rett families hope. We’ve provided a lot of joy. A lot of people love music, and when they see our photos, it brings back their personal stories about these artists, and it tells the Rett community there are a lot of pretty famous artists that know enough about their child’s disease to agree to be in the book. 

Kevin: For me, it’s when a Rett family says “thank you” – because it means so much more. These families work hard to take care of their children. They often have multiple children, and life changes for the other children. My two boys didn’t get to grow up the same way they would have if they had had a sister without Rett syndrome. Life changes for everyone in the family, and because I am a Rett father, when they tell me their story, I can say, “I understand what you’re going through,” and I feel so bad for them. My heart breaks when I go somewhere and there are Rett families, because I know they are still going through it. All I can recommend is for them to hold on, get as close as they can to their spouse, set their problems aside, and figure out how to love one another. 

Dave: Every day Kevin makes a difference that I can’t make, because he walked in their shoes. I take my hat off to him, because I have not let him bury his daughter emotionally. She guides us – she intervenes in what we are doing — that’s a blessing and a curse for Kevin; and it’s a motivational factor for me. By his presence and his daughter’s spirit – the project will help people we will never know about. 

What do you think the future looks like for the two of you and your journey to raise awareness for Rett syndrome? 

Dave: Our whole mission is to raise money and awareness so other families don’t have to go through what Kevin’s family had to go through. Until there’s a cure, we are committed to doing everything in our power within reason to raise money and awareness for Rett syndrome. 

Kevin: I know at some point Dave is gonna say, “What about Volume 3?” 

Dave: I do think that when Kevin gets to the end of his time on earth and reflects back on his life – high on that list will be what he gave back to a community that desperately needed him. So, I have no qualms about it. 

“Raising a Hand, Volume 2” can be preordered on raisingahand.com. The book is $35. Visit the website to learn more about Rett syndrome and how you can make a donation to help bring awareness to this disorder. 

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 Fredericksburg: German Christmas Pyramid (Nov 12-Jan 6) 

Wooden Christmas Pyramids are a traditional German decoration dating back to the 16th century. It is an art form that many believe evolved into our current custom of a Christmas tree. Artisans would create figurines depicting each part of a story and arrange them in order on the tiers of the pyramid. Typically, Christmas pyramids tell the Nativity story of Jesus’ birth and include angels blowing their trumpets, shepherds visiting the stable, and magi bringing gifts. While still a storytelling form of art, Christmas pyramids serve a mainly decorative purpose today. Most are table-top size and used in homes as a holiday decoration—filling children and adults alike with holiday cheer as lighted candles spin the windmill round and round. 

Fredericksburg’s 26-foot Christmas pyramid, handcrafted in Germany, was first displayed at Marktplatz during the 2009 holiday season. It is illuminated each year in November, kicking off the Christmas season in Fredericksburg, and remaining lit through the first week of January. It was the first large-scale German Christmas Pyramid in the United States and stands every holiday season symbolizing the town’s lasting German heritage. 

 San Antonio: River Walk Christmas Lights (Nov 9-Jan 4) 

San Antonio River Walk or Paseo del Río is 15 mi long. Its major highlights include the Arneson River Theatre, Marriage Island, HemisFair Park, the Tower Life Building, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the city’s five Spanish colonial missions, which are listed as World Heritage Sites. 

Christmas Lights display on the River Walk features over 100,000 lights arranged over the trees and buildings lining the River Walk. The lights on the river stay on from 6 pm to 8 am. The River Walk is a public space and visiting the display is free. However, you can take a paid river cruise on an illuminated boat to fully experience the light’s magic. 

Dallas: The Trains at NorthPark Mall 

(Nov 14 – Jan 3) 

This holiday tradition has been in place for 33 years. The model train exhibit includes 1600 feet of track on a journey across America. The trains travel from the autumn foliage of New England to San Franciso’s Golden Gate Bridge, with stops along the way in New York City, Washington DC, Dallas, the Grand Canyon, and more. The event is an annual fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and has raised over $13 million to date. 

Galveston: Dickens on the Strand (Dec 5-6) 

For more than 46 years, Galveston Historical Foundation has hosted Dickens on The Strand in downtown Galveston to experience the architecture, sights, and sounds of a Victorian holiday. This year finds the beloved annual event in a new configuration while addressing the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Each of five Dickens themed squares will feature entertainment, pubs, and food options with a specially designed holiday market on Pier 21 while adhering to local, state, and federal guidelines on public gatherings. Guests in Victorian attire will receive a limited-edition commemorative keepsake.

Galveston: Moody Gardens (Nov 21-Jan 2) 

Enjoy a festive stroll along this mile-long trail featuring more than two million lights and lighted scenes themed to holiday music that take you around the Moody Gardens property with spectacular views of Galveston Bay. See Star the Dancing Tree of Light. Measuring in at 4 stories tall, this magnificent digital dancing tree of light shines brighter than any Christmas tree in Texas! 

Marshall: Wonderland of Lights (Nov 25-Dec 31) 

Conceived in 1987, Wonderland of Lights rivals the best Christmas lighting events in the country. Millions of white lights illuminate the historic Harrison County Courthouse as downtown Marshall is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. 2020 will be a modified year observing limited nightly activities and amended special events. There will be no ice skating, carousel, train rides, or traditional Santa’s Village this year as a COVID-19 precaution. 

Christmas Tamales 

The custom of making tamales originated with the native American people who lived in Texas and Mexico and interacted with Spanish explorers, sharing their cuisines. Like most Tex-Mex corn-based dishes, the name tamale was derived from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec people, who lived in Texas during the time of the Spanish exploration. 

The first Spaniards to arrive in Texas encountered a variety of Native American groups who ate different diets. Sedentary groups, such as those at La Junta de Los Ríos, cultivated such crops as corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, sunflower seeds, and peppers. 

In early times, the Native Americans ate corn in one form or another at almost every meal. In its tender (roasting ear) stage, it is eaten fresh as elotes or boiled and dried for future use. In its mature stage, corn is toasted on a comal and ground into a fine powder. Early in the twentieth century, corn tortillas were made almost daily. 

The Spanish word for “dough,” masa is made with sun- or fire-dried corn kernels that have been cooked in limewater. After being cooked, then soaked in the limewater overnight, the wet corn is ground into masa. Masa harina, available in many supermarkets across the state, is flour made from dried masa. These days, most people here buy masa flour at the supermarket to make their tamales. 

A century ago, tamale-making was such a time-intensive process that tamales were considered a special occasion dish, made only for celebrations and solemn offerings. Today, Christmas, Easter, and saints’ days are often honored with tamales. Well worth the time and effort, every tamale is a delicious gift waiting to be unwrapped. 

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Sebastian Patterson

Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: John Wick 3

Favorite Music/Artist: Rap

Favorite Food: Hamburgers

Favorite Quote: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” –Vince Lombardi

Sebastian is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of Janet and Bradley Patterson. His activities include football. Following graduation, Sebastian plans to attend college, play football, and study criminal justice. He believes the advice from Coach Lombardi and plans to work hard.

Sarah Nan Duncan

Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Selena

Favorite Music/Artist: Kacey Musgraves

Favorite Food: My Honey’s Roast & Taters

Favorite Quote: “Be the light.” – Matthew 5:14

Sarah is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Kirk and Shannon Duncan. Her activities include golf, student council, and class council. Following graduation, Sarah plans to attend Sam Houston State University, pursue a career in criminal justice, and eventually have a family. She believes, “When you focus on the good, the good gets better.”

Nicole Kohers

Alpha Omega Academy

Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap

Favorite Music/Artist: Reckless Love

Favorite Food: Honey Baked Ham

Favorite Quote: “You are who you are, so thrive in it.” -Sadie Robertson

Nicole is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy and is the daughter of Gerald and Suzette Kohers. Her activities include volleyball and softball. Following graduation, Nicole plans to attend Texas A&M University. She believes, “Every day is a chance to get better.”

Kelsey Drane

New Waverly High School

Favorite Movie: The Happiest Millionaire

Favorite Music/Artist: Any music

Favorite Food: French Fries

Favorite Quote: “I’m not so good at advice…can I interest you in a sarcastic comment?” -Chandler Bing (Friends)

Kelsey is a senior at New Waverly High School and is the daughter of Jennifer and Kristopher Drane. Her activities include volleyball, wrestling, National Honor Society, Beta Club, FFA, Walker County 4-H Horse Club, New Waverly 4-H Food Club, Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, and UIL One-Act Play. Following graduation, Kelsey plans to attend Texas Tech University to major in animal science with a business concentrate, then attend veterinary school to become a large animal vet. She believes, “The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson.”

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“The quilting industry has been so good about including everybody.”

Although the town of Huntsville has experienced phenomenal growth in the past several years, the downtown square preserves a rich legacy of long-time storefronts. A quaint little store on the corner of University Avenue and 12^th Street carries on this tradition of heritage. Fabric Carousel marries modern-day innovation with the long-standing craft of quilting. In 1984, Karl and Doris Collins purchased this business, which has occupied this location since 1969. While Doris was attending SHSU majoring in Fashion Merchandising, she thought her summer job at this store would be temporary. Little did she know that, over 45 years later, she and her husband would still be helping many in the community satisfy their creative desires. 

Since its inception, this store has sold and repaired BERNINA Sewing Machines. As these machines have evolved from the simple mechanized equipment of 1893 to the highly-computerized machines of today, Karl and Doris have educated themselves so as to meet the needs of their clientele. “These sewing machines have touch and drag screens now. The bigger machines have about six computer boards that control their operations. I have to stay up-to-date with training to be certified to work on the machines. I have been working on BERNINAS for about 30 years,” Karl shared. Although they only sell and service this brand, they have a contract with someone who picks up and services other models. The Collins also proudly shared that BERNINA is the last completely family-owned sewing machine company in the world. “We have been fortunate to earn three incentive trips to Europe; two of those were to the factory in Steckborn, Switzerland. The Swiss are methodical in their manufacturing process. As a product goes down the assembly line, an assembler will check the work of the last assembler before he does his task, so every step is double-checked,” Doris mentioned. “BERNINA still supports ‘major wear’ parts for 35-year-old machines. They are famous for their 20-year warranty on main gears, which is twice as long as a lot of machines on the market.” Recently, a BERNINA owner from south of Houston called crying, saying she could not get her machine fixed. She and her husband came to this store. Karl, even after calling the company and trying all they recommended, was unable to make the repairs himself. They told him to send the two-year-old sewing machine to them. BERNINA paid for shipping both ways; they fixed the machine and did not charge for any labor. “This lady was so appreciative that she wrote a two-page letter to BERNINA and Fabric Carousel for helping her. That is the way we treat our customers. If they walk in with an issue, we can help them,” Karl enthusiastically stated. It is not unusual for customers from Waco, Bryan/College Station, the Houston area, and even as far as Louisiana to bring their BERNINAS to this store to be serviced. 

Fabric Carousel caters to hobbyists who are interested in quilting. “The quilting industry has been so good about including everybody. If you want to make an old-fashioned quilt like your grandmother’s, you can do that. If you want to do a modern quilt, you can do that. You can find patterns to do an art-quilt. There is something for everyone,” Doris commented. “Quilters know where every quilt store is in their area. They plan trips around the quilt stores. During ‘Airing of the Quilts,’ quilt guilds from all over Texas would charter buses to come here,” Karl proudly shared. 

Although Covid-19 halted the classes hosted at this fabric emporium, gatherings of craft-minded individuals have returned. “We love teaching about the BERNINAS or quilting! The groups love getting together to be a community. Whether it is a guild, a retreat, or a class, they love to sew together and share ideas. They love to improve their talents. The big-box stores can’t cater to their clientele with entertainment and community like the smaller boutiques can. These people are not just customers. They are our friends. We want this to be a warm, welcoming place,” Doris and Karl articulated. When Hobby Lobby initially closed at the beginning of the Coronavirus, people were turning to crafting to occupy their time. Walmart could not keep up with the demand for fabric at this time; thus, Fabric Carousel inherited new customers in need of materials to work on projects that had been shelved in the bustle of life. Also, during this chaotic time, many people were seeking repairs on their sewing machines. “The sewing-machine-repair business went berserk! People were pulling machines out that had been sitting on a shelf for many years. As well, ladies were putting a lot more pressure on their machines, as they were finishing projects over what they would normally do because they were at home and couldn’t do anything else. It was their therapy; it kept their sanity. They love sewing, so they found their happy place in their sewing rooms,” Doris and Karl explained. “So many of our customers are mothers and grandmothers who show their love with their quilts. They want to make something special, make it an heirloom item,” Doris added. 

“People have a misconception about quilts.” 

The quilt is your creation. It never goes out of style. You can lay it down for six months and pick it back up, and it is still in style,” Karl added. “There are so many different types of quilts. Let’s say that your dad or granddad was an executive, and he had 100 ties. If you want to remember him, we will show you how to make a tie-quilt. We have seen so many different types of quilts: camouflage quilts, flour-sack quilts, T-shirt quilts… It is not just a quilt to cover yourself up; it is art. It is always something that speaks to you and your family. If you don’t know how to sew, we can help you learn. We also have used machines where we can teach you how to sew.” 

Doris and Karl enjoyed participating in the Wine Down event which has been hosted by the Downtown Business Alliance, an organization of which Doris was not only a catalyst in helping to create, but she served as a former President and Treasurer. Local wineries set up tastings in various shops, and the stores on the square stay open until 9:00 pm. Since the community is important to both of these individuals, Karl, a Sam Houston graduate with a degree in Ag Mechanics, is involved in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Ag Mechanics Committee as well as serving as the Vice President of Walker County Farm Bureau. 

Rounding out the Fabric Carousel team is Jeanette Allen, who is the software and embroidery teacher, and Kristie Munson, who works on the sales side of the business. Hanging in the classroom of the store, you will see two intricate embroidery projects that Jeanette created from a couple of million stitches. 

If you want to stir up your creative juices, look up Fabric Carousel on their website, www.fabriccarousel.com, or keep up with them on their Facebook page where you will find new fabrics, classes, or maybe even show-and-tell of a customer’s completed project. 

Stay Calm and Quilt On! 

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1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and
halved
2 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs minced fresh thyme
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup fresh cranberries
2 Tbs pure maple syrup

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place Brussels sprouts in a bowl and toss with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread out evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries. Continue roasting for 10 minutes.
4. Place sprouts and cranberries in a serving bowl and drizzle with maple syrup. Toss to coat.

Cook’s Note: Add more maple syrup if you prefer things a little sweeter.

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10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 cup white sugar
1 Tbs all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup water
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
½ cup butter, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the sliced apples in a 9×13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.
3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

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½ cup butter
1 onion, chopped
1 head green cabbage, chopped 1 cup flour
½ cup water
salt to taste

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a skillet. Cook the onion and cabbage in the butter over medium-high heat until the cabbage is translucent.
2. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Mix the flour and water together into a dough. Drop the dough by small spoonfuls into the boiling water and cook until firm; drain. Add the dumplings to the cabbage mixture. Season with salt to serve.

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1 lb. lean stew meat
1 small onion (or dried minced onion)
1 can cream style corn
2 – 15 oz cans crushed tomatoes
2 – 8 oz cans tomato sauce
1 – 11.5 oz can tomato juice
3-4 potatoes, cut in cubes
1 can sliced carrots, drained
Large elbow macaroni – handful or two
Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, sugar

Directions

1. Brown stew meat and onion in 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a dutch oven. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Add about 1/2 pot of water and cook on low for 1-2 hours.
3. Add cream-style corn and cook another 15-20 minutes.
4. Add tomato products. Season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
5. Add potatoes and carrots (and any other veggies you’d like) and cook until potatoes are almost done. Final seasoning with garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and sugar – all to taste. (We are pepper people.)
6. Boil 5 minutes or until macaroni is done. Serve with saltine crackers.

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