Romantics everywhere still enjoy the 1982 film "An Officer and a Gentleman" with Richard Gere and Debra Winger as an unlikely couple but one everyone was cheering for, especially in the end scene where the officer/gentleman goes back for her and carries her out of her dreary factory life. That scene is backed by the music of "Up Where We Belong," written by East Texan Will Jennings. It's a soundtrack for many that believe in the power of love and our need to keep it alive.
Today we honor our good fathers and all the gentlemen in our lives. All those honorable men that give us love, a good sense of trust and security, encouragement, patience and kindness, respect for our mothers and all women, and show us their playful side from time to time.
In this issue, get to know the "father of Austin country music;" take a summer dive into a photography exhibit by Will van Overbeek at Longview Museum of Fine Arts; meet a family that found each other earlier this year; learn about the inviting Redlands Hotel in Palestine, Texas; meet the uplifting artists at the Edom Art Emporium; and find a delicious recipe for mini blueberry pies — a good way to enjoy local berries this week.
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Longview Museum of Fine Arts presents "24 Summers at Barton Springs" through June 27. A collection of photographs by Will van Overbeek shows a good time by all at the famous watering hole in Austin. See LMFA executive director Tiffany Jehorik interview the artist in this
VIDEO
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Every year on her birthday for the past 52 years, Mary Garza Stark's wish as she blew out the candles on her cake was that she would find the baby girl she gave up for adoption. This year, the very next day, her wish came true.
Debbie Sallee from Ben Wheeler, Texas, was that baby girl and for years she wished to meet her biological parents. Never did she imagine that she would find them both, married, and complete with a full-sibling brother. Their story is inspiring and their time together so far is filled with love and laughter and their plans for a journey of a lifetime are fully underway.
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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
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The iconic Threadgill’s on North Lamar in Austin closed down for good a few weeks ago as it faced an uncertain future amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The restaurant and musical hotspot opened in December 1981 by Kenneth Threadgill, known as the "father of Austin country music." Formerly the site of an old gas station, he turned it into a venue that carried his name and was a second home for musicians who became famous.
Born in Greenville, Texas, Kenneth Threadgill's native hometown honors him with a music series in his name — concerts take place throughout the year.
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The Redlands Hotel in downtown Palestine, Texas, is a great destination any time of the year. At the hotel are nice suites overlooking the quaint town, a fun patio lounge, an inviting bar, an art gallery, a boutique shop, and the delectable Queen St. Grille. Close by are more shopping and dining opportunities and attractions that combine into a wonderful destination package.
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
Happy birthday to Kilgore/Tyler native and award-winning songwriter Will Jennings on June 27.
Think of Eric Clapton’s song "Tears in Heaven." Think of Steve Winwood’s "Higher Love" and "Valerie." Or Dionne Warwick’s "I’ll Never Love This Way Again," Barry Manilow’s "Looks Like We Made It," and Whitney Houston’s "Didn’t We Almost Have It All."
He co-wrote "Up Where We Belong" for the movie "Officer and a Gentleman." And Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On," from the movie "Titanic," a song said to be the most-played ever on radio.
Jennings has won four Grammy Awards, three Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award, and a whole slew of nominations.
He spent his youth fishing at lakes from Gun Barrel City east to the Louisiana border, and believes the freedom from those days contribute to his songwriting success.
"We lived mainly in the country, near town, and spent a lot of time fishing and hunting," he said. "You don’t say it was real beauty when you look back on it, but there was a certain freedom in everything that was going on with that. I appreciate almost everything that goes around, and has some beauty to it."
Read the full interview in the archives.
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Edom Art Emporium packs an eclectic selection of art by area artists into their little shop located in a renovated old gas station in downtown Edom, Texas.
Three artists head up operations of the emporium — soapmaker Trystan Rhys, painter Kerian Massey, and metal sculptor Randy Martin.
They have a large gallery, a showcase room for smaller fine items and a full pottery and art studio. They hold classes in a variety of mediums including creating copper lilies, leaves or water fountains; pottery, vases, and mugs; basic and advanced illustration, watercolor and acrylic painting and scratchboarding; soapmaking; and succulent care and arrangements. Other classes in the works include jewelry making, stained glass, sculpting, weaving, knitting, sewing, and creative workshops.
Get to know many of the artists and their works found at the emporium in this article.
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Covering the Arts Across the Upper East Side of Texas
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Fresh Blueberries Make Delicious Mini Pies
By Lyndsay Caldwell
The best time of year for berries has finally arrived. If you are like me, this is a highly anticipated time of the year. I love to forage wild blackberries, blueberries, dewberries and anything else I can find growing along a fence line this time of year. Check our article on picking farms in the Upper East Side of Texas and go grab yourselves a bushel.
I prefer individually portioned desserts for several reasons. The most important reason is that no one judges the size of your portion. There’s nothing worse than the wide-eyed judgment coming from the person next to you as you slice your perfectly portioned piece of dessert. If it is done for you, no one gets to raise an eyebrow. These blueberry pies can easily be shared if you so choose but there’s no shame in eating one all by yourself.
Mini Blueberry Pies
Makes 4 servings
1 pkg. refrigerated pie crusts
1 egg white, lightly beaten
1 ¾ cups fresh blueberries, divided
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. orange liqueur or orange juice
1 Tbsp. orange zest
Pinch of salt
4 Tbsp. whipped cream
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly coat 4 muffin cups with nonstick spray. Cut 4, six-inch circles from the pie crusts and transfer to muffin cups. Fold the edges over and pinch or crimp as desired. Pierce the bottoms and sides of each crust with a fork. Lightly brush egg whites on each crust and bake until golden brown, 13-15 minutes.
For the filling combine 1 cup of blueberries, sugar, corn starch, liqueur, orange zest, and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer for 2-4 minutes until mixture thickens. Stir as necessary. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir remaining blueberries into the cooked mixture. Divide filling among the baked pie shells and top with whipped cream if desired.
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Feel free to send story ideas, poems, letters, and beautiful photography from the region to
editor@countylinemagazine.com.
Let us know what you enjoy most about this area.
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HOW TO REACH US
County Line Magazine
PO Box 608
Ben Wheeler, TX 75754
Office: (903) 963-1101
Text: (903) 312-9556
info@countylinemagazine.com
www.countylinemagazine.com
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