1 hometown living at its best ABILENE 325.677.6007 NMLS493828 Find the piece of land that brings you peace of mind. The land isn’t just made for working.It’s ripe for playing, too. Everybody needs that balance. Whether you’re a hunter, fisherman, four-wheeler or simply a nature lover, there’s land all around suited for those pursuits.There’s also one lender who specializes in helping people obtain such land. At Capital Farm Credit, we’re here for you, to offer guidance and expertise in securing recreational land with flexible terms and competitive rates. Because we want you to be just as content with your loan as you are with your new land. To learn more, visit CapitalFarmCredit.com.
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4 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Contents 8 A FAMILY CAMPAIGN OF LOVE AND ADVOCACY The Henderson family of five is an outdoor and sports-loving family, who adapts to the challenges presented by Down Syndrome and lends a hand to others through their advocacy and support group involvement. 14 PEACE AND POPSICLES These simple, yummy recipes can be made with the kids in your life to talk and be creative together. Kids in the Kitchen offers some simple, yummy recipes that can be made with minimal mess (that they can help clean up), simple ingredients, and an extra serving of sweet summer memories! 20 OPPORTUNITY IS KNOCKING Abilene students are being invited to engage in their future careers right now, while they are still in high school. 8 24, 40, 48, 49, 56 Enjoy a variety of HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS showcasing the people, places, and events occuring in the Big Country area. 43 58 26 BIG ART FOR SMALL TOWNS Muralist Calina Mishay is sparking energy throughout the Big Country with works of art that command attention. 34 4-H SPOTLIGHT The Stephens family of Jim Ned 4-H Club share their experiences in 4-H. 43 BE THE LIGHT Long-time Abilene resident, Betty Self, strives to be the light for those around her. 50 INSPIRING OTHER THROUGH ART Evynne Caffey is using her artistic talent to bless others. 58 WILDLY SEEN TOTALLY LOVED As a teacher, coach, wife and now podcast co-host, Betsy Spraberry has connected with many people.
SPRING 2024 EXHIBITIONS The Artistic Legacy of Buck Schiwetz Bill Wright’s Texas: Luminous Landscapes Texas Landscapes from The Grace Museum Permanent Collection 102 CYPRESS STREET | ABILENE, TX 79601 OPEN TUESDAY SATURDAY FOR LOVE OF THE LAND PAINTING THE TEXAS LANDSCAPE Julian Onderdonk, Dusty Road, 1915, oil on canvas, Nancy and Ted Paup Early Texas Art Collection 5 hometown living at its best
6 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Abilene Living Magazine© is published bi-annually by Hometown Media Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 Weatherford, TX 76086 | 817.599.6167 PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA PHOTOGRAPHERS Paul White Photography Kaci Stuart Images by Rebecca Rister ON THE COVER Calina Mishay Photo by Full Strut Media Matt & Heather Martin Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Taylor Grimm Marketing & Client Relations taylor@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design WRITERS Rebecca Sanchez Jessica Wesson Ellen Slater Emery Mask Hannah Turner SALES Johnna Page Elizabeth Watson Diane Lundgren Public Relations Dear Readers: It is hard to believe I am writing my LAST publisher’s letter... Matt and I are excited to have begun a new adventure together in investment real estate after 15 years in publishing. While we have been able to tackle both marketing and real estate for approximately 5 years now, we have had an opportunity to sell our portion of the Hometown Media Group marketing firm to a longtime business partner who will continue to steer HMG into the future. As an Abilene native he knows firsthand the many strengths and the pride that our corner of West Texas boasts. The theme of each publication has always been Hometown Living at its Best and Abilene residents {plus the Big Country borders beyond} have showcased this theme easily. Our first magazine was around 2009 in Stephenville, Texas: Erath County Living. We quickly branched out and began Abilene Living Magazine with the iconic Roy Helen Akers on the over - which is still one of my favorite issues to this day. We have been blessed to share coffee table quality publications promoting hometown people, places, and things with a Christian perspective with over 14 towns these past 14 years. I have loved reading and even writing stories about Abilene. What a gift it has been to do something you truly love. THANK YOU for your support these past years; for advertising and for reading Abilene Living Magazine. Blessings to you & yours, Matt & Heather Martin Farewell Abilene! Publisher's Letter “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12: 28-29
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8 abilene living | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HENDERSON FAMILY The Henderson family of five is an outdoor and sports-loving family with parents who head off to their jobs and three boys who must get up for school every day. They are a family who adapts to the challenges presented by Down Syndrome and lends a hand to others through their advocacy and support group involvement. A FAMILY CAMPAIGN OF Love and Advocacy
9 hometown living at its best WWhen Leah and Hondo Henderson welcomed their first child, they faced many unknowns like all new parents but with an added challenge, their new baby had Down Syndrome. As the years passed, they grew into being advocates and supporting other families in Wylie and Abilene. “When we had Jaxon, it was a complete surprise,” Hondo says. “We didn't know he was going to have Down Syndrome until the day that he was born. That night we found out. We had a little pamphlet at the hospital that had a little story, and it was from Dee Dee Baker who also has a child with Down Syndrome, but, there was no information on it for where parents could understand what's going on, what to do next.” The homemade pamphlet was the first resource that Leah and Hondo encountered, but they joined Baker in helping to grow the Upside Down Club, a support group for families with Down Syndrome. [Covered in our Spring 2023 issue.] The Henderson family also continued to grow. Kyson, their second oldest, was born as a typically developing child. Their third, Cooper, was born with Down Syndrome and faced some of the health risks that accompany the chromosomal condition. “Both had congenital heart defects,” Leah says about Cooper and Jaxon. “Cooper had to have heart surgery, but Jax did not. Cooper was three months old when he had open heart surgery. They also have a higher risk of leukemia, thyroid disease and other health concerns.” Despite the challenges, Leah and Hondo are joyful about the love they see among their three boys as brothers.
10 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Hondo says, “In school one time they asked Kyson what he wanted for Christmas, and he said that he wanted a lot of money. Kyson said, ‘Yeah, that way I can open up the center for my two brothers, so they can learn to work and all that stuff.’ It was just out of left field. We see more emotional surprises than anything else, and we get to celebrate the little things like being able to put a little string through a little bead.” Highschooler Jaxon, middle-schooler Kyson, and second-grader Cooper, learn from each other and interact as most siblings do. However, these brothers also have added insight. Jaxon lives in the now, and his parents believe Kyson has picked up that trait. Kyson is more aware of kids with special needs at his school, makes sure he watches out for them, and his parents also credit the added message of inclusivity at school. “Our kids are just like any other kids,” Hondo says. “They have good days. They have bad days. They're funny. They just want to be included. They want to be part of everything.” Jaxon enjoys choir, agriculture class and likes to cook. Kyson is into cars already, and Cooper is reported to be loving life, playing and wanting to sing in a choir like Jaxon. After a typical school day, the boys come home to snack and play video games, and some afternoons are slated for Jaxon’s sports practice and Cooper’s occupational and speech therapy appointments. Hondo and Leah teach their children values equally while also accommodating each child’s developmental needs. They share similar woes as other parents; about whether they’ve done enough, or didn’t have success every time, but those aspects are amplified in a unique way. Nevertheless, they also make time for fun going camping, swimming and fishing. They do it all but on a different level. Jaxon has joined the Special Olympics and participates in basketball, swimming, bowling, track and bocci ball through the Unified Bulldogs program at Wylie High School. The Unified program pairs students with and without intellectual disabilities for extracurricular activities, thereby positively affecting students like Jaxon as well as students who are typically developing. Going forward, Leah says she hopes the program will bring more awareness, more inclusion. “I think Wylie is doing a good job with the Unified Bulldogs,” Leah said. “That's brought about some pretty good friendships and lots of
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12 abilene living | hometownmedia.group fun, and I think just growing that program is pretty exciting to see.” Hondo regularly works 48-hour shifts as a lieutenant paramedic for the Abilene Fire Department, and Leah is a paraeducator at the Wylie Early Childhood Center. Despite busy schedules, the Hendersons are active in their kids’ sports and in outreach. Abilene didn’t have a yearly public awareness event connected to the National Down Syndrome Society, so Leah and Hondo again joined Baker in growing the yearly Buddy Walk. The 20 to 30 participants who joined in the walk at the Henderson’s church each year, have increased to hundreds of people. “Everybody's struggling, doing something,” Hondo says. “It's just human nature, but for people that raise kids with special needs, the challenges are so much, and it's very difficult. It puts strain on the marriage, puts a strain on finances, puts a strain on everything, but we wouldn't trade it. If you see a parent of a special needs child, be understanding to them too, because their struggles are real, and sometimes it's a heavy burden, but I think it's made us a lot stronger.” Hondo and Leah willingly share their story and involve themselves in advocacy, and now the hospital hands out Baker’s letter to new parents along with a basket of resources. Jaxon and his parents are already discussing his first job and where he will have opportunities to learn workplace skills. In the meantime, the Henderson family is off to camp, hit the beach and visit the water parks this summer. †
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14 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Peace & Popsicles Summer is synonymous with childhood memories! Someone once said, “You only get 18 summers with them, make it count.” The kitchen is the perfect setting for you and the kids in your life to talk and be creative together. They will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment, learn valuable life skills, and busy hands tend to lead to talkative mouths. Kids in the Kitchen offers some simple, yummy recipes that can be made with minimal mess (that they can help clean up), simple ingredients, and an extra serving of sweet summer memories!
15 hometown living at its best FRUIT POPSICLES Ingredients 1 cup fruit of your choice 1 cup liquid (juice, coconut milk, greek yogurt, kefir…) 2 tablespoons honey (unless using juice) Directions 1. Combine ingredients in a blender until smooth (can leave some fruit unblended). 2. Pour into popsicle molds (leave ¼ inch for expansion during freezing). 3. Freeze at least 4 hours TIP: Run mold under warm water to loosen them up to remove. NUTELLA FUDGESICLES Ingredients 1½ C milk ½ Tsp vanilla 1 Tbsp cornstarch 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder ¼ C (heaping) hazelnut spread Directions 1. Add milk and cornstarch to saucepan, stir until cornstarch has dissolved. 2. Turn on medium heat and add cocoa powder and hazlenut spread. Stir continuously, and heat until well combined. (approx. 5 min). DO NOT BOIL! 3. Remove from stove. Add vanilla and let cool, while stirring (aprox. 5 min). 4. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for a minimum of 6 hours.
16 abilene living | hometownmedia.group BREAKFAST YOGURT POP Ingredients 1 C Greek yogurt 1/2 C milk 2 tsp honey 1/2 C granola 1 C blueberries or any chopped fruit Directions 1. Mix milk, yogurt and 1 teaspoon honey. 2. Pour mixture into mold. 3. Add berries to each mold. 4. Mix last teaspoon of honey with granola and top each popsicle. 5. Freeze for minimum of 4 hours. PEACH LEMONADE Ingredients 2 C water 3 Tbsp honey 3 Tbsp lemon juice 2 fresh ripe peaches cut into small pieces Directions 1. Blend all ingredients until smooth. 2. Pour into popsicle mold and freeze approx. 6 hours or overnight. NOTE: For a twist to this recipe, substitute peaches for approx. 2 heaping cups of strawberries. You can also try swapping maple syrup for honey. And for a creamier popsicle, substitute 1 cup of Greek yogurt for 2 cups of water.
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BOOK YOUR STAY ON AIRBNB LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Honeybee Bed & Breakfast The NEST 10 miles north of Abilene 18 abilene living | hometownmedia.group
“Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 These quaint homes have been renovated displaying gorgeous hardwood floors, honeycomb tile, clawfoot bathtubs and outdoor living spaces. Each home sleeps 6+ The HIVE The HONEYBEE
20 abilene living | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ABILENE ISD Opportunity is knocking, and Abilene students are being invited to engage in their future careers right now, while they are still in high school. The LIFT Center offers students four years of getting a head start by engaging in real-life, hands-on learning in an actual career field and leaving with the skills that enable them to leap into the next phase. OPPORTUNITY is Knocking
21 hometown living at its best SSince opening for the 2021- 2022 school year, interest from students and curious business and manufacturing industries hasn’t slowed for the Abilene Independent School District Leadership & Innovation in Future Technologies program, also known as The LIFT Center. Students everywhere are eager to participate in real-world applications of ideas. What better motivator is there than to have them engage in, learn about and apply industry knowledge while they are in high school as a springboard to their future? A dozen programs at LIFT prepare future innovators for certifications, colleges and careers. This tugs at the heartstrings of tour guests who are happy to see a 21st century transformation of the bygone days of wood shop and home economics. Life tools and launch points, vocational and technical courses get students connected and motivated through early experiences. Jay Ashby, director of The LIFT Center and principal of the on-site ATEMS school, says that the days of vocational programs being aimed at kids who don’t plan to go to college are long gone. Now in their third school year, the tours and interest from those in the economic development industry hasn’t slowed. “Abilene is a hub of business,” Ashby said. “Our community and our industry leaders have expressed interest in enhancing and investing in our career technical education programs and the programs that align with a lot of the industries we have in this area. With that interest and support came the vision for us to invest. One of the ways that we could do that as a school district was passing a bond, and we constructed this new facility. A lot of the design and implementation of what we’re doing here involved some industry partners that went on tours of other CTE facilities.” Learning outcomes at the LIFT are threefold. Students can indeed enter the workforce with employable skills right after high school. They are also equipped for technical colleges and universities. They will ultimately gain skills for life such as repairing their own vehicles, keeping their homes safe and feeding their families nutritiously.
22 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Attending LIFT is both similar and yet wildly different than attending traditional high school. State of the art technology is abuzz with activity from 1,000 students each day. The automotive program may be listening to a guest speaker, culinary hosting a demonstrator, and graphics design preparing products in their senior level practicum for a local business client. Opportunities with community partners have been welcomed. Ashby said, “When they were in the construction process they had their team of engineers eat in our cafe, and they would allow our engineering students to just come sit in on their meetings. We had these high school engineering kids sitting there with an electrical engineer, structural engineers… all different backgrounds, and the kids were able to ask, ‘What did you major in during school?’ ‘Where’d you go to school?’ or ‘How did you get to Great Lakes Cheese?’ It was just such a cool experience, and I love that story.” When students are provided experiences to engage, they take off. Graphic design students at LIFT arranged meetings with elementary school principals about rebranding their school mascots. Students of the credentialed welding instructor at the LIFT finish their program having completed two-thirds of the Texas State Technical College welding program before they even graduate high school. Recently two students completed coursework in cybersecurity and tested for CompTIA Security + certification.
Culinary program students tested for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification. Students can earn industry certifications qualifying them for employment after graduation or advancement into a technical college program because many instructors in the LIFT programs are also credentialed to provide dual credit coursework or credentials through a specific industry training program. “We are very fortunate to have a number of teachers here that have industry experience,” Ashby said. “That allows them to bring that legitimacy and real-world experience that they can tap into when they’re teaching kids in their programs. That is part of what I think makes us unique.” Traditional academics are not to be sidestepped. In fact, full day students are also enrolled in the on-site Academy for Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (ATEMS) taking STEM-focused classes along with their core subjects. Advanced Placement courses provide dual college or university credit opportunities too. Ashby is proud of the many choices and how hard everyone works to make sure students can do all that they would like. With eight class periods and students from district high schools attending part time, choices don’t have to be made between playing football and welding or choose between computer science and choir. “I think a big part of what we are trying to do for our kids is give them as many avenues to get plugged in and enjoy high school, but also prepare them for their futures,” Ashby said. At the LIFT students are empowered with opportunities, and most importantly, choices about the next steps. From the dozen programs offered at the LIFT Center, students are getting their foot in the door as early as freshman year. Why wait? THE FUTURE IS LOOKING BRIGHT. †
HOMETOWN Happenings
25 hometown living at its best 2024 BARBIE Photos provided by RESCUE THE ANIMALS STAFF Rescue the Animals’ Annual Fur Ball was held February 17, 2024 at the Abilene Convention Center. Attendees and their pets came together to dine and dance in support of the organization’s mission to help homeless pets! The Fur Ball’s theme is different each year, with this year’s theme being the Barbie Dog Ball. It was a great event for an even better cause! If you would like more information on Rescue the Animals visit their website rescuetheanimals.org. Dog Ball
26 abilene living | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS BY FULL STRUT MEDIA BIG ART for Small Towns
27 hometown living at its best Mural artist Calina Mishay is sparking energy throughout the Big Country with works of art thatunfold before the eyes of curious onlookers, command attention of passersby and help bring life back to sleepy small towns. Cal’s artistic process brings the community together on many levels, and the work she leaves behind is one to which both she and the residents feel a connection. RRURAL, HOMETOWN ROOTS TAKE HOLD FOR LIFE— KEEPING A TENDER AND UNFORGETTABLE LIFELINE. Born and raised in Rule, Texas, recollections of running barefoot, climbing trees, cakewalks and jubilee celebrations are among Calina Mishay’s treasured memories. They are also underlying themes in her mural art, which has established a reputation for boldness and radiance in small Texas towns. After college and starting a career as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst working with children diagnosed with Autism and having traveled to Europe, she changed career paths and followed an artistic calling. Painting was not a new venture, she’d been painting canvases since 2011, however; her murals are commanding a spotlight. One of her first murals was in Haskell. The image began with a photograph
28 abilene living | hometownmedia.group of hands, those of a local, 90-year-old man. Backed by blue sky with puffy clouds hanging over a wheat field, fingers and knuckles in the foreground cradle handfuls of soil. It’s titled Deep Roots. The town of Eden asked her to come paint one of their city walls. In a play-off of the Garden of Eden, the mural is of a woman holding a guitar, framed in floral against a black background. A deep orange sun mural on brick in Abilene, barrel cactus and flowers along a stucco wall in Post and 12-foot-tall boots in Waco are just a few examples of her work. Each mural draws attention with a combination of rich hues and creative imagery. Different than an art installation unveiling and due to the nature of murals, the town has an open invitation to observe the whole transformative process. “It also encourages people to almost stop and give their opinion on every stage,” Cal says. “Public art isn't putting up a billboard. It's painting your picture for everyone to see constantly, and it's exciting for everyone because they can go to work in the morning, come back and then see the process. The community gets really involved and excited because it probably takes me until about day five of the mural and everybody's really seeing it… In the first part of it, people are wondering. Half the town is scared. The other half is bringing snacks and their lawn chairs, hanging out while you're painting it. But, once they have seen a mural go up, they get excited for the second one because they understand how the process goes.”
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31 hometown living at its best She deliberately goes to small towns because she enjoys being part of the community while she is there and even invites people to spray a bit or help with large sections. It’s a win-win situation because Cal knows that community involvement creates a personal connection to the art. Area newspapers let everyone know she is coming to town to create a mural, and soon she is up on scaffolding or high on a lift making marks for her outline and setting things in motion. Mural designs originate from sometimes the building owner, a combination of their vision and Cal’s representation of it or her own inspiration for the physical space and locale. Planning old-school style, sketching with paper and pencil, she plans lightly, keeping the ultimate details and color scheme decisions for the right moments. From that point forward, Cal rides the wave of mystery, creativity and trepidation with her audience, watching a building-sized painting come to life. She’s leaving in her wake beautiful art and an experience that towns love. “It’s pretty scary for people when they hire me and then I come and do my general sketch on the wall,” she says. “It just looks like marks of things, and it looks really terrible for the first three or four days, which is pretty funny because you have to think some artists paint, and then when it looks terrible, they don’t show anyone, and they keep it in their studio. If I stop at a
32 abilene living | hometownmedia.group point where something looks terrible, I might have to leave it up like that for three or four days, and people are driving by taking pictures of it, posting it and going like ‘What is this girl...? Who is this terrible artist we hired?’” Taking the leap from day job to dream job is a scary prospect. Questions loom about making it as a sole proprietor. Leaving an office job to become a full-time artist is an even bigger leap. While many point to art time again for having rejuvenating effects on individual mental health to the health and vitality of an entire community, making a living with those God-given talents has traditionally been rare. Cal followed the true calling in her heart, and she has not only established a career and reputation for herself, but she noticed a common thread, a metaphor in the layered, vibrant art that is her style and the layers of life’s adversities. “Life is full of mistakes,” she says. “We keep the ones that we love, and we just keep working over the whole thing until it's something that we're proud of. That's always been my motto and my style. That's why I love color. I love imperfection. I love when someone says they look at my stuff and they feel something. I feel like it's a success.” Cal’s murals quicken the pulse of small towns and foster community pride. Interactions with residents and the colorful, edgy art she leaves behind on brick and stone canvases kindle the same energy she remembered from her own hometown. Her social media is full of colorful photos, videos of the transformations and of course heart-warming comments and thank you remarks. Her energy is a catalyst for dreaming, inspiring and empowering, and her murals emit the same long after she has begun painting in the next town. Going forward, Cal plans to keep challenging herself with each new project. Grain silos have been catching her eye, but in an even broader reach, she has a television show in the works. Be on the lookout for what town she will paint in next. If it’s yours, pack the lawn chair and snacks, take some time to observe the process and go say hello. She’s loves to meet the community. †
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STEPHENS photos provided by the stephens family 4-H SPOTLIGHT NAMES: Isaac, Seth, Samuel, and Sarah Stephens PARENTS: Jeromy and Karla Stephens 4-H CLUB: Jim Ned 4-H Club HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN 4-H PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS? Sarah: 6 years Samuel: 8 years Isaac: 9 years Seth: 10 years WHAT 4-H ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? Samuel: I participate in the Jim Ned and the Taylor County Livestock Shows, poultry and leadership workshops, and the 4-H Petting Zoo Sarah: My projects are poultry and photography. I also volunteer at the petting zoo. Isaac: I am involved in photography and poultry projects, and I also have participated in food shows and several leadership events. Seth: I am involved in poultry, food and nutrition, and leadership.
35 hometown living at its best ARE YOU AN OFFICER? IF SO, WHICH POSITION? Samuel: I am the Parliamentarian of the Taylor County 4-H Council. I am also a Livestock Ambassador for Taylor County. Sarah: I am a Junior Leader at Taylor County and the community service officer for the Jim Ned Club. Isaac: I am the Jim Ned Club Secretary and a Taylor County Livestock Ambassador. Seth: I am currently serving as the Taylor County Council President. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT SHOWING? Isaac: My favorite part of showing is going to the show and competing with others. My least favorite part is cleaning out the chicken pens so they stay clean. Seth: My favorite thing about showing is seeing how my time and dedication in raising the broiler pays off. My least favorite part is how dirty it is. Let’s just say you don’t want to bring your church clothes. HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4-H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE/GOALS? Samuel: Being part of 4-H has helped me develop my leadership and public speaking skills. It also requires time management skills and responsibility, which helps me also get my homework and chores done on time, as well as extracurricular school activities. Sarah: Being a part of 4-H programs has prepared me for the future by improving my public speaking, helped me to learn how to persevere to accomplish my goals, and improved my ability to lead others.
36 abilene living | hometownmedia.group WHY IS BEING IN 4-H IMPORTANT TO YOU? Seth: 4-H has helped shape who I am. It has taught me several valuable skills and given me experience in public speaking, service, livestock, and other important aspects of life. It has caused massive amounts of change within me, and I cannot imagine where I would be without it. Sarah: Being in 4-H is important to me because it is fun and it allows me to connect with other people with other backgrounds that I may not know. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT JOINING 4-H TO PERSUADE THEM TO JOIN? Isaac: 4-H is a beneficial organization where you learn about leadership, teamwork, and many other good things, as well as meet new people and compete in entertaining events. Samuel: It is a great experience, and it helps you grow as an individual and a team member. You also get to meet other great people.
37 OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU’RE INVOLVED IN? Samuel: National Junior Honor Society, Jazz Band, Band, and Sports at Jim Ned Middle School, as well as being an altar server at Holy Family Catholic Church. Issac: I am in cross country and track, as well as UIL academic teams (calculator and mathematics). WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? Sarah: My mentor is my dad because he is always positive and always willing to do hard work and has taught me how to persevere and help me with my public speaking. Seth: My parents have both been my biggest supporters and mentors. My dad started the family’s chickens, though my mom encouraged me to take up the poultry project. Both have always been a positive force in my life, providing advice, motivation, and help in my projects. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS? Samuel: I enjoy reading, shooting a basketball, electronics, and video games Seth: I enjoy making sourdough, raising chickens, and spending time with my family. We often play dominoes, watch movies together, or being in nature.
38 abilene living | hometownmedia.group TELL US A FUNNY STORY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED WHILE CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL OR DURING A COMPETITION. Sarah: One time we were cleaning out the coop for our egg-laying chickens. My older brother tried to get a chicken out of the nest box, but it wouldn’t move so he just left it there. Then, without warning, it suddenly jumped out of the nest box onto his head and then jumped down and ran off. Isaac: When you raise a broiler, you are trying to raise the largest chicken possible. This usually means that the chicken that you take to the show is very slow and not very agile. At the last chicken show one of the chickens I was showing spent a solid minute studying me like a hawk then unsuccessfully tried to flop away. It severely overestimated its’ speed and agility. COMMENTS/WORDS OF WISDOM OR ADVICE: Sarah: Don’t make chickens mad because they can start chasing you. Seth: Life is full of opportunity, and everyone needs to try new activities. There will always be a risk of failure that accompanies these endeavors, but failure is just another teacher. And once you let go of your fear of it, you will find that its lessons can completely change your life and show you sources of happiness that you never imagined.
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HOMETOWN Happenings MEAT ME Photos provided by PERINI RANCH STEAKHOUSE “Meat Me in The Gap,” showcased the flavors and pairings of unique wines and fabulous foods. The tasting was held April 19th & 20th in Buffalo Gap, Texas, at the Perini Ranch Steakhouse. This year’s summit kicked off on Friday with a “Meat and Greet Fiesta” at 6:30 pm. Then, on April 20th at 11 am, Jess Pryles, the Australian-born food and cooking personality, hosted The Carnivore’s Cuvee, where attendees had the unique opportunity to taste flights of beef, paired with wine. Later that evening, there were cocktails and dinner where attendees indulged in a carefully curated dinner from the hosts’ favorite beef masters and makers of wine. in the Gap
42 abilene living | hometownmedia.group WRITTEN BY HANNAH TURNER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SELF FAMILY
43 hometown living at its best RRaised in Hamlin, Texas, Betty enjoyed growing up as part of a tight-knit community and family. After graduating from high school, Betty attended Lubbock Christian University before marrying the love of her life, Bobby Self, and moving to Abilene, 40 miles south of her hometown, for his job in the oil industry. “I’ve been in Abilene for nearly 50 years,” Betty said. “I love the people. You know when you go out, there is not going to be a stranger because everyone is friendly. It is a great place to live; a great place to raise your kids.” After moving to Abilene, Betty spent 12 years working with 4-year-olds at Young Children’s World before attending Cisco College where she received her associate’s degree in child development. After earning her degree, she became the assistant director then associate director of Rainbow Bible School where she continued to impact students for 12 years before retiring. Betty’s passion for working with children continues to impact both she and her former students even today. “A fun thing about being with the kids so many years is I still get invitations to their graduations, weddings, to see them play baseball,” Betty said. “It is fun that with that many kids through the years to get to still have a connection. They remember you.” Be the Light WRITTEN BY HANNAH TURNER | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SELF FAMILY LONG-TIME ABILENE RESIDENT, BETTY SELF, STRIVES TO BE THE LIGHT FOR THOSE AROUND HER.
44 abilene living | hometownmedia.group Though no longer in a formal education setting, Betty uses her education background by preparing materials and helping teachers get supplies ready for their Sunday School classes in the church resource center at University Church of Christ in Abilene, having served in this capacity for the past 35 years. In addition to her church involvement, Betty enjoys travelling with friends and family, a love that was fostered going on yearly family vacations growing up. She has made many special memories travelling throughout the years, but one of her favorite trips was a trip with her husband for his job to Africa, then Paris and England. “When you go with someone you love, that’s really special. That’s a memory that will hold in my mind forever,” Betty said. After 46 wonderful years of marriage, travels, and life adventures, Betty’s husband Bobby passed away in 2013.
45 hometown living at its best “The hardest experience I’ve gone through, possibly, is losing your mate, but you have so many people that surround you and get you through the bad times. It’s what you hope to do for somebody else,” Betty said. “I try my best “I have a favorite scripture,” Betty said. “The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still, Exodus 14:14. And I’ve had to live by that one.” After Bobby’s passing, Betty missed the daily activity and comradery of working life. That’s when some friends approached her about working at Casa Authentique, a women’s clothing, accessory and gift boutique in Abilene. “I had never done anything like that before,” Betty said, “but that was a perfect spot for me. I love to talk to people and help people.” Over the years working at Casa Authentique, Betty formed special relationships with her coworkers and customers.
46 abilene living | hometownmedia.group “I helped people pick clothing for weddings, funerals, celebrations. It was just the best,” Betty said. “While you’re helping them find the right apparel for all these events, you get to find out about them. I had some of the neatest customers that grew to be great friends.” “Everybody was in the Casa family, so you got to know everyone you worked with and what was going on in their life. We just had the best time working together.” Betty worked at Casa Authentique until the boutique closed in January of 2024. Now retired, Betty enjoys spending extra time with her son, daughter in law and three young adult grandchildren who live in the Austin area. She continues to enjoy travelling, gardening, baseball, being involved in church and in the Abilene community. †
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HOMETOWN Happenings ABILENE Photos by STAN WEST and submitted by TAMMIE BAYOUTH Junior Cotillion
49 hometown living at its best Thank You Rodney Goss for the many years of hard work, dedication and time delivering this publication. We appreciate you! HMG Team The talented Big Country youth had a chance to display their creative efforts at The Grace this spring! SCHOOL OF ART Grace HOMETOWN Happenings
50 abilene living | hometownmedia.group ART WRITTEN BY ELLEN SLATER AND EMERY MASK | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CAFFEY FAMILY Inspiring Others Through
51 hometown living at its best WWhen Evynne Caffey attended Hawley High School, she wanted to study art. However, at that time, Hawley didn’t offer an art program. Little did administrators realize that Caffey would change that years later. After graduating from high school Evynne attended Abilene Christian University (ACU) and studied accounting. However, she quickly realized that accounting wasn’t for her and switched her major to Art. “I’ve always loved art and creating, since I was very young,” Evynne said. “Some of my earliest memories are of coloring pictures of mountains. My family lived in Colorado at the time.” In 1991 Evynne approached Hawley High School about creating an Art Department. The first semester she taught was only half days, but the students responded so well that by the next semester Evynne was teaching full time. During her 32-year career as an art teacher Evynne made an impact on many lives thanks to the personal approach she took to teaching, “I know that I made a difference in a lot of lives because they (her students) always ended up calling me mom.” She treated those students as if they were her own children. From looking at their grades to checking in on them, every student that came through Evynne’s program became family. During Evynne’s time at Hawley High School, she taught art and photography. Her art students had great success at Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) each year, winning at the state level for at least 20 years. A few of her students also had the opportunity to hang their art in Washington D.C. displayed as the best in Texas. “To me the success of the students was a measurement of my success as their teacher,” Evynne said. FROM PIONEERING AN ART DEPARTMENT TO TEACHING OUTREACH PROGRAMS, EVYNE CAFFEY USES HER ARTISTIC TALENT TO BLESS OTHERS.
52 abilene living | hometownmedia.group While teaching photography for Hawley’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program, Evynne was introduced to infrared photography. This medium of photography quickly became one of Evynne’s biggest passions in life. “I think my ability to create art and take artistic photography is a gift and something that lives in my heart and soul,” she said. “I’ve worked as a professional photographer for the past five years and really enjoy it.” After she retired from teaching last May, Evynne began her role as ARTREACH Coordinator at the Center for the Contemporary Arts. In her new role, she teaches art to school-aged children during the summer months through a variety of camps. During the rest of the year Evynne teaches many outreach programs that benefit veterans, elderly, and other groups throughout the Abilene area. Evynne finds it rewarding teaching art to veterans through the ARTREACH program called ARTHEALS. “I work with many military veterans, so I collaborate
53 hometown living at its best with the Veteran’s Department,” she said. No two veterans’ classes are the same because each experience with a veteran is unique. During her collaboration with the department Tremaine Hubbard came up with the Big Country Veterans Tool Kit. Evynne said, “Many vets move to Abilene since there are so many programs in place there to benefit them and so when they move into their new homes there isn’t anything on the walls.” The Big Country Veterans Tool Kit comes with all the needed materials to help veterans create their own art to hang in their new houses. Evynne also teaches art to the elderly who are experiencing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. She incorporates memory care into her projects, and that helps her patients begin to remember things. As they begin to remember their creative energies flow and their hands are able to work better. “It’s very rewarding to watch the creativity and their memories go back in time,” Evynne said. Caffey works part-time at the Center for the Contemporary Arts. This allows her time to work on her photography. “When I was an art teacher, I assigned each student a research presentation on a different style of
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hometown living at its best photography,” she said. “What I realized since delving into Infrared Photography is that it uses art and science together to showcase unique and dream-like scenes,” she said. “It allows the artist to transform the light spectrum - most dark green colors become pink or red. I feel that using a different spectrum of light allows my viewers to see ordinary images in a surreal way.” The programs that Evynne teach are impactful not only on her but also on the community. “It’s very touching and overwhelming to see God work in people’s lives. I just wished everyone would take a little bit of their time each week to share their gifts and attention and time with others because it is so rewarding as a human.” Evynne and her husband David have four children— Kindrah (who is also an art teacher), Joshua, Candice and Jacob and nine Grandchildren. Along with experiencing life with her family Evynne says her future goals include continuing and expanding the ArtHEALS program. “I want to continue to teach all age groups that people have the ability to create beautiful images,” she said. “I do believe that God gave me a gift through my art that I’m required to share.” Evynne’s first art show entitled “Through Their Eyes” opened March 1st 2024 at the Center for the Contemporary Arts. The opening reception was both a rewarding and exciting experience for Evynne. The exhibit featured animals, landscapes, flora and fauna all using infrared as well as some mixed art media pieces to tie all of Evynne’s artistic gifts together. †
HOMETOWN Happenings
57 hometown living at its best WESTERN HERITAGE Photos provided by LAUREN CALHOUN The first part of each May people near and far come to take part in the Western Heritage. One portion of the festivities is the Chuckwagon Cook-off. Participants are judged based on food flavor and authenticity of their chuckwagon. This evaluation also includes equipment and campsites customary to the cattle drive era. Take a look at Cooper Calhoun and his amazing team who participate each year in this culinary program. Cook Off
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59 hometown living at its best WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ PHOTOS BY PROFESSIONAL SHOTS, CHELSEA PARSONS PHOTOGRAPHY IN STUDIO, DARON PACHECO W/ FLIGHTS AND SLIGHTS MEDIA As a teacher, coach, mother, wife and now podcast cohost, Betsy Spraberry has connected with many people. She is rallying women of the Big Country to step up to the podcast microphone and share their life and faith journeys so those stories can reach the homes and hearts of other women on similar journeys.
60 abilene living | hometownmedia.group BBetsy Spraberry has been moved by women’s stories of walking through the seasons of life and becoming attuned to God’s plans. After all, they are seasons through which she too has traveled. Having grown up in Wylie, graduated from Jim Ned High School and been blessed with coaching, teaching and people-to-people church interactions, she has met many people and knows the power of sharing stories. Choosing to stay home and raise two children meant stepping aside from the busy life of teaching seventh-grade science and coaching sports in Anson and stepping into the sometimesisolating role of mother and household manager. Listening to podcasts featuring women narrating the seasons of their lives in which they sought direction through their faith was grounding and enlightening. “I have listened to faith-based podcasts for years and they have always helped me renew my mind in the middle of tough seasons, like transitions, motherhood and marriage.” Betsy said. Throughout her life Betsy has interacted with numerous families, young women, professional women and many mothers. In addition to all those connections, she met more people as the wife of a pastor. Betsy’s husband is pastor of Bethel Assembly in Albany where they live. She re-engaged with sports and leadership serving as an ambassador with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Working with the Albany girls’ volleyball and basketball teams, Betsy bonds with them before games to pray over them, tell them how awesome they are and that she is there for them. Eventually her two passions met, her connections to people and stories of resilient women, when she started a podcast called Wildly Seen Totally Loved. Betsy said, “No matter where they are in their lives I want women to hear these testimonies and be encouraged to walk out their faith in their own lives.” For the past five years Betsy has helped lead and plan FCA’s Weekend of Champions, which is a grade 8-12 girls retreat. The event hosted another successful event this year serving 150 young ladies with a team of 50 women. “It was easy to see the testimonies that were shared and the impact they had on the
61 hometown living at its best students. How could I stop there?” Betsy said. One woman’s narrative in particular that inspired bringing stories of the many to the masses is Hagar’s story from the Book of Genesis. Driven into the desert alone, pregnant and abandoned, Hagar sees an angel of God who tells her to return to the place of her struggles and that she will be greatly rewarded in the future. “She is the picture of the most unwanted woman in the world. I just can't imagine anybody feeling any lower than she probably felt in that moment. Thinking about that wilderness season, in that very moment, God sent an angel to care for her. She refers to God as ‘the God who sees me,’ and that is really the inspiration for the whole podcast. No matter where we're at in life. No matter what our story is. No matter what woman would be listening, they would know that they were wildly seen even in the wilderness and totally loved by God in that moment,” Betsy said. Wildly Seen Totally Loved is a listener-supported podcast featuring women sharing their journeys through seasons of challenge and uncertainty through which their faith grew, paths became visible and were ultimately met with reward. Betsy hadn’t planned on recording a podcast, but it was something she felt called to do since she is connected to so many people and sees among them a need. She raised funds for recording
62 abilene living | hometownmedia.group and got help from her technologically-gifted friend Daron Pacheco, owner of the Abilene podcast studio Flights & Sights Media. Betsy and her co-host Christina Daugherty asked themselves why they wouldn’t be telling stories of what the Lord is doing in their lives and discussed how it could only help people. “I'm in awe of the stories that women carry and want to have a space for them to share what the Lord has done in their lives,” she said. Betsy firmly believes that THE MORE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT JESUS, THE MORE THINGS CHANGE. Furthermore, hearing from women who are one’s own community members is uniquely powerful. Guests include Abilene Youth Sports Authority Volleyball Director Sabrina Bingham; Professor Lindsay Spindler from Hardin-Simmons University, who is originally from South Africa and attended Abilene Christian University to run track; and, therapist Cindy Young. Betsy understands that the power of these stories is very tangible, making the experiences of listeners relevant and validating their current journeys. In spring 2024, Betsy began interviewing, asking guests about the wilderness seasons God has walked them through, what their favorite verse is and how God grew their confidence. Guests talk about their career paths, about the gifts God gave them along the way and even answer lighthearted questions such as, “What’s in your purse?” They are mothers, pastors’ wives, coaches, a psychotherapist and all, mighty women who are real women, women of faith who have faced the desert, listened for God’s direction and followed. Wildly Seen Totally Loved will be available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube with new episodes each Monday throughout June, July and August. †
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