1 hometown living at its best
2 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group
3 hometown living at its best
4 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group 8 A MAN OF COMPASSION The Vessel of Compassion and Humanity–and it’s volunteers–bless hundreds of Amarillians children each year. 16 4-H SPOTLIGHT: KATIE LITTLEJOHN Daughter of Brett and Amanda Littlejohn and member of Blue Ribbon Club, Katie shares about her time of service, showmanship and life experiences learned. 20 PANHANDLE PLAINS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE A very special section to highlight the many hats worn by women. 30 STILL PAYING DIVIDENDS The unlikely, and unbreakable, bond between an Amarillo family and young airmen stationed nearby. 38 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Super Shoot 2023 42 HEALING HEARTS AND HORSES At Dove Creek Ranch Laurie Higgins-Kerley guides others through their healing experiences, and in turn rescues herd animals who desperately need help from people. 50 HOMETOWN COOKIN’ Healthy Pecan Bars 52 TAKING IN THE HOODOO Andrew and Lauren Hall founded the HOODOO mural festival, a celebration that provides educational outreach and broad expanses of colorful artwork across the city. 60 24 THINGS TO DO IN AMARILLO IN 2024 Year-round area events and activities for the whole family. 66 BACK TO THE COMMUNITY The Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Rodeo celebrates its 100th year. Contents 16 30 52
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6 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group M Amarillo Living Magazine© is published semi-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 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. WRITERS Sara Hook Martha Mobley Rebecca Sanchez Don Thompson Emery Mask PHOTOGRAPHERS Henry Bargas Adair Photography Ashley Ray Photography Matt & Heather Martin Executive Publishers “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT My name is Lawton, I was born and raised in Canyon, but have always considered that synonymous with being an Amarilloan. I am so excited to introduce myself, and the newest issue of Amarillo Living. A little about me: I am happily married to my wife of 6 years, we have a son, and our family is still growing. I enjoy teaching my son new things every day, and playing games with my family or watching movies with my wife. Growing up here I always told myself I would leave, and find somewhere to live that had more things to do and more people to see. My little bubble of the panhandle felt so small. However as I traveled and visited new cities and new places I began to realize that nowhere else had sunsets or sunrises as beautiful as here. No place on earth had residents as kind, peaceful and understanding. Long story short, I decided to stay, and I ended up working in just about every field you could imagine. Changing oil at Toot N’ Totum; delivering and selling appliances at Circle N Appliance; driving an ambulance around town to respond to 911 calls, and the list goes on. In the time I have spent here and with all the things I have done, I am most proud that I not only found a beautiful, smart woman and convinced her to marry me, but I have gotten a chance to know—even if briefly—a large portion of the residents of Amarillo. All of these people have helped shape me into who I am today, and helped me discover the two things I need to be fulfilled in my career. The first is getting to continually meet these new people, and the second is to have tools at my disposal to help those people. As your new marketing specialist for Amarillo Living Magazine and our digital arm, Hometown Media Group, I get to do both of those all day, every day. During this time I have also gotten to see my “little bubble” expand into something so vast it is difficult to track anymore. I find myself constantly running into people I have never met, and seeing businesses that I could have sworn weren’t there last week. I love seeing all this growth and rejuvenation coming to our little slice of heaven. I hope to meet each and every person reading this, and if you see me around town, feel free to come over and say hello! Hello Amarillo! Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Taylor Grimm Marketing & Client Relations taylor@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Lawton Wilkerson Sales Account Executive lawton@hometownmedia.group ON THE COVER Photo by Bailey Alexander With Love, Lawton Wilkerson Marketing Consultant 806.220.1797 photo by adair photography Emery Mask HMG Marketing Intern Hometown of Amarillo; attending Tarleton State University
8 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group Compassion WRITTEN BY MARTHA MOBLEY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF TREMAINE BROWN A MAN OF
9 hometown living at its best I THE VESSEL OF COMPASSION AND HUMANITY–AND IT’S VOLUNTEERS–BLESS HUNDREDS OF AMARILLIANS CHILDREN EACH YEAR. In 2018 Tammy Durley was raising six children. Three were grandchildren and three were foster children whom she later adopted. The foster children had come into her home in September. Before Christmas, Tammy became quite ill, and was unable to provide gifts for the children. A man named Tremaine, who operates a nonprofit The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion heard of this need, contacted Tammy. He said, “Don’t worry, I’ll make Christmas happen.” Now, coming full circle, Tammy now volunteers with The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion when she can. She said, “We are blessed to be a blessing.”
10 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group Helping Amarillo’s diverse population is the heart of the not-for-profit, The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion, (The Vessel) founded by Tremaine Brown. He realizes that, regardless of race, there are families throughout the city who need assistance. People recognize Tremaine as who they turn to for help. Sometimes he can direct a person with a specific need, such as assistance in paying a utility bill, to an agency or organization that specializes in meeting that need. However, it is not always that simple. Tremaine leads by example as a single-father raising a 10 year old daughter, Shilah. He says she is his inspiration and motivation. “It’s all because of my daughter,” he said. “I wanted to raise her to be a compassionate and giving person, rich with blessings, knowing giving is always better than receiving.” She seems to have learned this very well. Being a child herself, she knows what kids like and helps Tremaine in selecting gifts. In 2013, he began his first Christmas toy drive, assisted by family members and other volunteers. That year, he and the volunteers delivered toys to about 30 children in each Amarillo hospital. He took gifts to the Ronald McDonald House for siblings of children in these hospitals. He also got requests from Martha’s Home where each child made a wish list. As much as possible he selected items on these lists. He hand-delivered gifts to the homes of other children whose mothers had requested his assistance. After delivering these gifts he took the remaining toys to the Ronald McDonald House to use as they saw fit in the months to come. Little did Tremaine know that a few years later, his daughter, Shilah, would be a recipient of this loving kindness. When she was 3 years old, she collapsed when he got her out of bed. Her
11 hometown living at its best speech, balance, and other motor skills were affected. He took her to the emergency room where the doctor diagnosed her with a virus affecting her brain. She spent five days in ICU and then moved to a regular room. The Ronald McDonald House brought her toys every day. Now, The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion also helps the Salvation Army, transitional homes, families with foster children, and CASA. They also provide gifts to hundreds of addresses in Amarillo and the surrounding towns. In the past 10 years they have distributed 750,000 toys. Following Christmas is a short break in January, then Tremaine’s community activities begin again. In February he has speaking engagements during Black History Month. Next come the spring and summer events for children. Using every opportunity available to meet a need or enrich the community, the Vessel of Humanity hosts seasonal events throughout the year. During Spring Break, he focuses on fun and food at Bones Hooks Park. This eight-day break begins with and ends with a Sunday Funday with bounce houses, games, and food. Most importantly during all eight days Tremaine’s organization provides food for the children, serving a total of 18,000 lunches. For many children it is their only meal of the day.
12 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group At the annual Easter Egg Hunt, children search for the 50,000 to 75,000 hidden eggs containing surprises. Volunteers stuff these eggs, with candy, small toys, and colored tickets. Different colored tickets represent various categories of toys, that the children excitedly redeem. One color is for riding toys like bicycles and hoverboards. The other color is for smaller prizes like Barbie dolls and action figures. While the war against hunger rages nationwide, during the summer Tremaine coordinates with Snack Pak 4 Children to provide lunches. The Vessel provides lunch at several of the Children’s Learning Centers, Eastridge Baptist Church’s basketball camp, several city parks, and low-income housing complexes. They also help provide hot lunches for the North Heights Senior Citizens Association. This is helped made possible by many in the community with local businesses like Plains Dairy, Tendercrust Bakery, H&R Foods, Affiliated Foods, and Tyson donating much of the food for these meals. Sometimes, Tremaine takes his grill to the park and grills hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken legs.
13 hometown living at its best The back-to-school event is the continuation of the Braids and Fades haircuts in honor of Mary Lou Hazelrigg. This tradition now includes distribution of backpacks and school supplies. Tremaine often enlists the help of local civic organizations to help with the collection and distribution of these items. Of course, Halloween’s Trunk or Treat event is more than candy. The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion uses this event to distribute winter coats, gloves, scarves, and hats. Whether it is Christmas, Easter, back-to-school,or Halloween, Tremaine’s home is stacked high with goods to distribute. Next thing you know, it’s time to start gathering gifts for Christmas, again! † For more information on the Vessel of Humanity and Compassion, visit their website beblessedbythevessel.org.
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KATIE LITTLEJOHN photos provided by the littlejohn family 4-H SPOTLIGHT NAME, AGE: Katie Littlejohn, 14 PARENTS: Brett and Amanda Littlejohn 4-H CLUB: Blue Ribbon Club WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Amarillo, Texas
17 hometown living at its best HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN 4-H PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS? This is my 5th year in 4-H. WHAT 4-H ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? My main project is showing pigs but I also participate in livestock and soil judging. ARE YOU AN OFFICER? IF SO, WHICH POSITION? I am currently the president of the Blue Ribbon Club and the vice president of events and programs as well as vice president of service for the Potter County Council. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AND LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR 4-H PROJECTS? My favorite thing about showing is when all the preparation and hard work come perfectly together resulting in success. My least favorite part is when no matter how hard you try and no matter how much work you put into your project it just doesn’t turn out like I hoped. HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4-H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE? There are so many opportunities in 4-H. Careerbuilding experience, leadership, public speaking, and record keeping are just a few of the skills that will continue on with me in the future. WHY IS BEING IN 4-H IMPORTANT TO YOU? I think it is important because it provides me with many opportunities to further my knowledge of agriculture which will benefit me throughout my life. WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT JOINING 4-H? I would tell them that there are lots of areas to explore in 4-H. It’s not just livestock projects. There are lots of areas of interest like photography, food, clothing, archery, and shotgun. There is something for everyone!
18 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group WHERE HAVE YOU COMPETED AND WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON? I have been very blessed to have placed with my pigs at many major stock shows as well as jackpots and my local county show. Some of my favorite awards have been the premiere swine exhibitor and being selected as the intermediate swine showman at the Potter County Livestock Show. This year I was honored to receive the Gold Star Award for having the first place swine record book in my district. I have also been very fortunate to be a part of a livestock judging that has earned many high accomplishments. WHAT OTHER GROUPS/ORGANIZATIONS YOU’RE INVOLVED IN? At school, I am the historian for the National Junior Honor Society, a member of LEAD council, participate in UIL events, and play volleyball. WHO IS YOUR MENTOR? When I was little my grandpa, John Harshbarger, raised show pigs and that’s where the idea of showing started. He has been gracious enough to let me use his barn and always offers a helping hand. Chris Fischbacher is essential to my swine project. He has raised all my pigs and taught me so much about feeding, care, showmanship, and what to look for in a quality show pig. He also takes the time to coach my livestock judging team. I definitely couldn’t do any of this without my parents. They spend countless hours supporting me in all of my projects. WHAT TO DO YOU WANT TO DO WHEN YOU GROW UP? I still have a while to decide but definitely something in the agriculture field. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS? When I am not showing pigs I show reining horses. My aunt, Jennifer Harshbarger, is my trainer and is currently training my new horse. I also have another horse, Reno, that I have been showing for several years now. COMMENTS, WORDS OF WISDOM OR ADVICE: Get involved in 4-H! There are so many things to learn and so many opportunities. 4-H is a place to make lifelong friends and a great place to prepare for the future.
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20 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group PANHANDLE PLAINS omen W Influence of AAmarillo Living Magazine would like to highlight a few of the many women at the heart of not just their workplace, but in our community. These ladies have shared tips on combating issues that we can all relate to and offer a fresh perspective on balance and growth. Check out their Q&A’s to hear their thoughts on being a WOMAN IN BUSINESS and celebrate their accomplishments—not only professionally, but how they did it while juggling marriage, motherhood, community involvement and more. Striving for balance in life is something we all strive for. So join us in commending our advertsing partners as PANHANDLE PLAINS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE PANHANDLE PLAINS WOMEN OF INFLUENCE for continuing for continuing toward this goal. We hope their experience, work-ethic and wisdom encourages you in your own path.
21 hometown living at its best PERSONAL PROFILE: Bonnie has been married to Jim Morrison since 2016, who also dedicated his entire career to the funeral profession. She has an amazing daughter, Cheyanne and two incredible grandchildren, Mazzy Morrison and Aslan Hawks. Bonnie says she has an affinity for travel, and there is so much to see and experience in the world. She also has a passion for animals of all types, but especially her rescue pups, Monkey and Murphy. Bonnie says she is immensely blessed with a very fulfilling life. CAREER OVERVIEW: Bonnie has been working in the funeral industry since 1997, starting her career with Schooler Funeral Home in Amarillo. In 2017, she moved to North Carolina to run a firm there, but in 2021 had the opportunity to return and again lead the team at Schooler. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Texas and North Carolina. Additionally, she holds a crematory operator’s license and she is a Certified Funeral Celebrant. In 2023, she was honored to be selected as the Panhandle Funeral Director of the Year. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS A FUNERAL DIRECTOR? “As a funeral director, I have had the privilege of meeting people during some of the most challenging times of their lives. It is my responsibility to guide and support them during their journey of grief. Despite the difficulties, I consider it a blessing to be able to serve families during their time of need. I make myself available to offer a listening ear, acknowledge their grief, and sometimes just sit with them. To me, funeral service is not just a job, but also a ministry; it is my ministry and one that I am proud to be a part of.” Women OF INFLUENCE Bonnie Morrison MANAGING PARTNER, SCHOOLER AND ANGEL FUNERAL HOMES
22 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group CAREER OVERVIEW: Katelyn has been working in the hockey industry for the last two years. Her role at the Amarillo Ice Ranch is typical of a General Manager over seeing day to day operations, driving the zamboni, scheduling weekly and monthly events. On the Amarillo Wranglers side of things, She is reaching out to the community for partnerships, arranging local school choirs to sing the national anthem and groups to attend their games. PERSONAL PROFILE: Katelyn and her husband Blake have been married for 13 years. He is a USMC Veteran, so they moved around a bit before settling down in Amarillo. They have a son, Gunnar, he is the reason she got into hockey in the first place. He has played on Amarillo travel teams since he was 6 years old. ON BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS, WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE OVERCOME? “I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge but earning the respect of others in the role you’re in. I’ve always found myself in a male-dominated industry. I was a golf professional for the last 20 years prior to stepping into this role. I think once you find that respect among colleagues and customers everything falls right into place.” WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR ROLE AS A MOM? “My favorite thing about being a mom is watching my son grow and learn daily. It’s always fun to see him excel in school, as well as in sports he is participating in. Hockey has taught him a lot of life lessons; his coaches have shaped him into the person he is today and I’m forever grateful for all of them.” WORDS OF WISDOM: “Do what makes you happy, never apologize to anyone for how hard you work or making your career a priority. Don’t let anyone tell you just because you’re a female you can’t excel in a certain industry.” Katelyn Anderson GENERAL MANAGER, AMARILLO ICE RANCH DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, AMARILLO WRANGLERS
23 hometown living at its best CAREER OVERVIEW: Laura’s father, John Beard, was an AKC judge, so she has been taking care of dogs, training or showing since her childhood. When the opportunity to buy the kennels came along, it was agreed that she should run it. Having been involved in the canine industry her entire life, the kennels were a natural next step. 25 years later Laura still co-owns the kennels with her mother, Starla Beard. She also remains hands-on in the day-today operations—whether it be playing or training the dogs, or checking in and out clients in the office. PERSONAL PROFILE: Laura enjoys training her own dogs and would love to eventually show them. She also says the business sees a lot more of her since both of her children are adults. She is an active member of Saint Stephens Church and helps parttime in their coffee shop and with activities throughout the year, including Vacation Bible School. BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS, WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE OVERCOME AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE IN THE SAME POSITION? “I know I struggle with control and want to be hands-on in all that I do. Therefore, I’ve had to learn to rely on my staff and let them take over so I can have the downtime I need. We have to have a balance and sometimes I do that well, but often I have to remind myself and really do things (like training my dogs) for me.” MY FAVORITE ROLE AS AN EDUCATOR: “Dog training doesn’t just happen naturally you have to educate the owner as well, so teaching them how to handle their dog is just as important to me. Also educating them on grooming techniques and educating them about different coat types and what they are meant for is as rewarding to me.” Laura Teichmann CO-OWNER AND MANAGER, WILLOW CREEK KENNELS Women OF INFLUENCE
24 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group CAREER OVERVIEW: Sherry has been operating SheShe cakes for 4 years. She is proud to own Amarillo’s only Cheesecakery. PERSONAL PROFILE: Sherry is a mother and grandmother, and considers those her favorite roles. She is very involved in her church and ministry for single women. BALANCING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Work/life balance is very important to Sherry. It’s a choice made everyday. She gives all to work during work hours and gives all to personal time after hours. Sherry does not answer calls or messages after hours and the shop is closed on Sundays. That day is for God and she puts Him first in everything she does. WORDS OF WISDOM: “Get involved in a good church. Know your value and identity in Christ early on! You are strong in Him and you CAN! Never let anyone tell you you CAN’T.” Sherry Heeter SHESHECAKES / OWNER / BAKER / SHESHE
25 hometown living at its best CAREER OVERVIEW: Robin graduated from West Texas A&M and spent several years teaching and coaching in public and private school. She became a licensed realtor in 2014 and has her GRI designation. She says she has a passion for walking people through the often hectic and ever-changing real estate market, and for providing the best service possible as they pursue the American dream of home ownership or of selling their current property and purchasing their next home. She loves the education aspect involved in a real estate transaction, as she gets to use teaching and coaching skills. PERSONAL PROFILE: She has been married to her husband, Todd, for almost 40 years. They enjoy spending time and traveling with their daughter, Sydnee, and her husband, David. Most of their family live very close by so they are able to enjoy big family holidays, game nights, and birthday celebrations. Robin has recently become an avid golfer and member of the Amarillo Women’s Golf Association. She also has a passion for The PARC and supporting the work to continue to provide a place for the homeless of Amarillo. Their office also supports The Mission, providing shoes to kids and Fill With Hope. BALANCING PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: “I truly believe this is a learned skill. It’s so easy to fill all of our time with job responsibilities, especially as a real estate agent. Early in my career, I felt that I had to be at the beck and call of each client. I learned very quickly that that is not sustainable. Learning to set boundaries and leave time for personal endeavors is very important to my psychological and spiritual well-being. One of the best aspects of working at ERA Courtyard is the amazing team I work with. We always have each other’s backs and everyone is willing to help and share when needed.” WORDS OF WISDOM: “Find a tribe that supports you, can speak into your life, and that you can trust with your business... but also with your heart. I am blessed to have a group of friends in my life who love me and my family and are there to hold me up and support me when needed. I’m also blessed to work with people who provide wisdom, support and encouragement in this crazy real estate world.” Robin Shurbet ERA COURTYARD REAL ESTATE Women OF INFLUENCE
26 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group CAREER OVERVIEW: Pam and Rynn crossed paths in 2020 while both navigating career transitions and pursuing certification in yoga therapy. Bonding over a shared passion for trauma-informed care and community wellness, they teamed up in 2021 to amplify the reach of yoga therapy in West Texas. “Yoga therapy is person-focused, tapping into the inherent capabilities of the body and mind to promote optimal health. What sets the yogic model of health apart is its holistic approach, recognizing the entirety of a person and addressing all facets of life.” PERSONAL PROFILE: Pam has been married to her husband David for 36 years. She has three adult children and two beautiful grandchildren. Pam loves to cook, eat foods from other cultures, garden, ride dirt bikes, travel and study world religions. She’s a lifelong resident of Amarillo and has volunteered with many organizations; PTA, Junior League Booster Clubs, Hope and Healing, Heal the City. Rynn and Harrison have been married for 11 years, and have 3 wonderful children. She graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2011 and has lived in Amarillo since then. Rynn enjoys creating art, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and playing with her kids. She serves the community as a volunteer for Heal the City, Girl Scouts, and The Hope & Healing Place. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU BALANCE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES? Rynn— ”As a family of five, we’ve embraced “unbusy” as a core value, challenging the notion that constant busyness is inevitable. Less is truly more when it comes to creating a life that feels more peaceful and meaningful.” Pam— ”I make sure that during my day I have some alone time. I cannot be in constant motion with lots of stimulation all day and then show up as my best self. I need to have some alone time for silence. When I’m tired, I rest.” Pam Gallaway & Rynn Burkett INTEGRATIVE YOGA AMARILLO, CERTIFIED YOGA THERAPISTS
27 hometown living at its best PERSONAL PROFILE: Tiffaney is married to the absolute love of her life for almost 9 years, David Belflower and mother to three incredible humans. Sierra, ZJ and Eleanor. She is also an ordained minister and really enjoys performing wedding ceremonies. Love is my favorite word. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS YOU BALANCE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES? “I recently began homeschooling my 5-year-old. That has been the best decision for me as now I am not sacrificing time with her to continue to build on my career. My husband and I are a team so we conquer all the responsibilities together. Some weeks I do more and some weeks he does. I have an incredible staff beside me that helps with the professional responsibilities as well. I believe it matters who you surround yourself with. Personally, and professionally.” BEING A WOMAN IN BUSINESS, WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE OVERCOME AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE IN THE SAME POSITION? “When I first got my license, I became very sick. My lungs wouldn’t work and I lived in the hospital for the majority of that year. At this time I was a single mom of my two oldest children. They were 4 and 5 at the time. I was fully invested in Real Estate as my career and was my only source of income. Commission only. For the majority of the time I was in the hospital, I was unable to speak. I had learned of a vocal chord dysfunction that I had to live with and work through, so I did what anyone would do. I worked with what I had. Anytime I was back in a normal room from ICU, I would have buyer and seller appointments at the hospital. Sometimes I had to use the whiteboard to get thru the meetings and yet, because God was so good and sent me incredible and understanding clients, I went on to win Rookie of the Year even when the odds were stacked against me in a big way. God provided. What I would tell anyone finding themself in a hard spot, is find the good. Focus on it, embrace it, and don’t anyone tell you that you can’t. Because at the end of the day, ‘Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. ‘“ (Henry Ford) Tiffaney Belflower BELFLOWER REALTY GROUP BROKER/OWNER CAREER OVERVIEW: Tiffaney has been in the Real Estate industry for 18 years. She started in the title then went to marketing and flipping for investors, then became licensed in 2010. She is passionate about helping people with one of the biggest transaction in their lives. She has experience buying, selling, investing, property management, and now, development. God placed a mission on my heart to end homelessness for our area Veterans, and so I founded Homeless Heroes of Amarillo in 2017. We are a local non-profit with a vision to build a tiny home community to house these men and women, and create a path to permanent housing. Women OF INFLUENCE
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WRITTEN BY DON THOMPSON PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MORRELL FAMILY AND MARK COOK STILL PAYING DIVIDENDS THE UNLIKELY, AND UNBREAKABLE, BOND BETWEEN AN AMARILLO FAMILY AND YOUNG AIRMEN STATIONED NEARBY.
31 hometown living at its best M TOP LEFT: Bob and Ginger Thomason TOP RIGHT: Joe Williams MIDDLE: Mark Cook with his VW in front of the Morrells, 1968 BOTTOM RIGHT: Doyle Crow Marvin and Estalene Morrell were a typical all-American family in Amarillo back in the 1960s, happily married and raising a family of three daughters: Linda, Debra, and Patti. In 1966 Linda, the oldest, was a senior at Amarillo High, Debra was a freshman, and Patti was in the first grade. Marvin was a right-of-way agent for the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad, and Estalene worked afternoons at a children’s daycare center. One day at church they noticed a few new faces in attendance—young men they recognized as airmen stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base. It was a big congregation but they noticed the new guys continued attending church services almost every Sunday. The group soon grew to five airmen who attended regularly, so the Morrells talked to them and began to look forward to seeing them. The five airmen were Larry Farrell and Bob Thomason from Indiana, Joe Williams from Seguin, Doyle Crow from Houston, and Mark Cook from California. One Sunday in early 1967 Marvin invited them to lunch with his family for a homecooked meal. Anyone who’s served in the military or just traveled enough to be away from home for an extended time knows what a wonderful treat a real home-cooked meal can be. The “boys” as the Morrells called them, were well-mannered young men, so Marvin and Estalene continued the invitations on Sunday each week. The boys loved this reminder of home and looked forward to the weekly visit, which soon grew into lunch and dinner. They stayed as long as they could each Sunday. Marvin and Estalene soon became “Pop” and “Mom” to the boys. The Sunday visits turned into weekend visits, starting on Saturday morning and lasting until late Sunday when the boys had to go back to the base. Mom said, “We appreciated a lot about the boys, but if they weren’t in church, they didn’t have their feet under our table at noon.”
32 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group On Saturday mornings, the boys would show up early. First, they watched “George of the Jungle” cartoons with the girls. Mom remembers the young Air Force soldiers sitting in their living room with the girls singing the cartoon theme song… “George, George, George of the jungle, friend to you and me…” Then Pop and Joe would work on his car in the driveway. Working on their cars was something Pop and the boys enjoyed, and sometimes it was necessary to keep them running. Mark had an MG convertible that was hard to start—at times they had to push it a block to get it started. Doyle’s car was an old clunker that used a lot of oil, so Pop joked with him, “You have to put oil in that car more often than the guys at the base change their socks.” And of course, being active young men, the boys loved to eat. Mom said, “They didn’t care what it was, as long as there was enough of it. They loved potatoes, so we fixed a lot of potatoes, and it took a lot. Pop was coming home one day from working out of town and stopped in Hereford and bought a 100 lb sack of potatoes. It didn’t take ‘em long to eat the whole sack.” The girls thought of the boys as their big brothers. Patti’s first-grade teacher once assigned the students to talk about their families. When it was Patti’s turn, she proudly announced she had two sisters and five brothers. “Oh, my goodness,” Mom said. “I had to let the teacher know the boys were kind of adopted. We just took them under our wing.” As far as Patti was concerned, she had five brothers. Patti would ask Mark if she and her friend could sit in his MG. Mark always agreed and the girls pretended they were driving the sporty little car. Mark and Larry were Debra’s protectors. They would check out her dates and let her know whether she should go out with them or not, but she would make up her own mind. At a banquet for the senior class, Linda asked Mark to be her escort, and he was glad to do so. Those boys meant the world to the Mark Cook, Bob Thomason, Larry Farrell, daughters Debra, Linda, and Patti
33 hometown living at its best Morrells, and the Morrells meant the world to them, but as the norm for the military, after a couple of years, the boys were transferred to other bases. Life changes and goes on. Bob left first for Illinois, then soon shipped out to Okinawa. Doyle met a girl at church in Amarillo and got married. Joe got married and then was transferred to Vietnam. Larry and Mark were the last two to move on. The day Mark and Larry left, Debra was cooking a skillet of fried potatoes with tears rolling down her cheeks. Mark recalls that in March 1969, it was 6 degrees at the base as it was closing, and he was one of the few left. He had a 1965 Volkswagen and drove to Los Angeles with everything he owned in it. On April 1, 1969, he was shipped to Vietnam and luckily ended up at the same base as Joe, in Bien Hoa, about 30 miles northwest of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). When the first three boys left Mom said they took one leaf out of the dining room table. Then the other two left, and it was sad to take out the other leaf. There were a few tears shed, but as you can guess, the boys found a way to stay in Linda, Mark, Patti & Debra in 2007
34 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group contact with Mom and Pop. It seems odd now with today’s technology, but calling from Vietnam back then was not a simple operation. There was radio-type equipment at the Vietnam base that allowed them to connect special phones in the USA, which then could call to another phone in the USA for only the cost of a long-distance call within the country. They often connected with the Barry Goldwater ranch in Arizona. Goldwater was a major general in the Air Force Reserve and served 30 years as a US Senator, so Goldwater would pay for the long-distance call to Amarillo. The only trick was that they had to speak as if they were on a radio and say “Over” each time they stopped talking. Mom soon learned the lingo and became accustomed to saying “Over” after each sentence. “How are you doing, boys? Over.” “We’re good Mom, how are you and Pop and the girls? Over.” Goldwater would say “No charge, boys.” Everyone appreciated and respected Goldwater for this little-known service he performed for military personnel. Mom did her part to keep in contact with the boys too. She baked cookies, cakes, banana bread, and other goodies to send and wrote letters to the boys almost every day. Some people told the Morrells the boys were just taking advantage of them, “You’ll never hear from them again”, but that was not the case. The boys never forgot the two years from the spring of 1967 to the spring of 1969 that the Morrells took them in. They have kept in touch, often surprising them with visits. One morning Mark called Mom and said “I’m in Colorado, sorry I can’t make it to Amarillo this trip.” Later that afternoon, he called again and said “Oh Mom, open the door,” and he was there on the doorstep in Amarillo. One Father’s Day, Bob, Mark, and Larry showed up for a surprise visit at the door, each holding a 5 lb bag of potatoes. On their 45th wedding anniversary, the girls took Mom and Pop out for dinner. At the restaurant, Bob, Larry, and Mark were waiting to surprise them. Larry and Mark also came for the Morrell’s 50th anniversary. Bob called to say he couldn’t make it this time as he had to attend his in-law's 50th anniversary, but he would come there soon. Larry Farrell, Bob Thomason and Mark Cook the last time they saw Pop.
35 hometown living at its best On Mom’s 90th birthday, Bob and Mark took out a full-page ad in the Amarillo Globe News, with heartfelt words and wishing her the Happiest Birthday. The grandkids brought her 12 newspapers and when she saw the ad, she said “Oh my lands! I know Mark wrote this!” Sadly, time takes its toll on every family. Pop passed away suddenly in May of 2008. Mom said, “I had a pity party for a while and realized what great friends I still had. I gave myself a good talking-to. I told myself to appreciate and remember all I had been blessed to have. We were married 61 years and I still had my girls and the boys.” When Pop passed away, Mark came to town and escorted her down the aisle at the funeral. Bob could not be there that day, but came in June and escorted her down the aisle for her granddaughter’s wedding. Of the boys, Doyle passed away first, around 1980. Joe passed away in Levelland. Larry was lost to cancer in 2020. Mark and Bob still keep in contact with Mom by phone and visit when they can. The girls all keep in touch frequently. Linda and her husband Charley live in Abilene. Patti and husband Daryl live in Lubbock. Debra lives in North Richland Hills. Now turning 95 years young in August 2023, Mom said, “Those two years were some of the most important, most fulfilling times of our lives. I had the feeling that’s what I was supposed to do while those boys were here. I’m still blessed with their phone calls and visits. So many memories.” † Mark and Patti after Pop's Funeral 2008
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HOMETOWNSuperheroes
PHOTOS BY ADAIR PHOTOGRAPHY 39 hometown living at its best OOnce a year a variety of sponsors come together to create a superhero-themed photoshoot! The concept for this yearly shoot was conceived five years ago by Jen Brown for children who are all current or past pediatric cancer patients. It’s a fun way to honor them, their strength and their journey battling cancer! The children choose their favorite superhero, or star to dress up as and a local photography studio pitches in to make some magic happen. Christina Thompson with Hey Buddy Hey Pal has worked to back the event financially for the past few years, but prior to that her family was on the receiving end of these images. She said, “My son was a cancer patient, so we were offered the shoot and initially became involved that way and it was amazing. The first year he did it he did it alone, he was 6 or 7 and just thought it was the coolest thing, because you know they don’t just take your picture, you’re dressed up and they put all the graphics behind it and make it look like you’re actually in a movie scene. So that was really special for him. Then we started including the siblings, so that makes it even more special because it’s not just affecting the one child going through cancer, its affecting the sibling too.” Christina said her family has fun shopping together for their costumes and shoot props. They also try to keep costumes on hand to offer children who may not already have one they’d like to use. To make the shoot even more realistic and memorable, some years local salons even volunteered to do hair and make-up. For more information on sponsoring services or materials to the project, or being included in the next supershoot, email nina@heybuddyheypal.com.
hpch.org Love. ...the greatest of these is and Family Services, Inc. High Plains Children’s Home 40 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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HORSES and Healing Hearts 43 hometown living at its best
44 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group GGRIEF, PAIN AND FEAR CAN ALL DISORIENT. Gaining footing again happens in different ways for different people. One beacon of hope has four legs, endearing eyes and a heart five times larger than our own—a horse. After Laurie Higgins-Kerley found solace through time spent among her horses, following the loss of her husband, she opened her arms to a few rescue horses. Giving horses a place to recuperate and rehabilitate was just the start of more far-reaching convalescence at her Dove Creek Ranch, in the beautiful Tierra Blanca Creek Canyon. Laurie founded the nonprofit Dove Creek Equine Rescue in 2012 and the equine assisted coaching program Led by horses five years later. With a barn and 500 acres of canyon land for horses to roam, she had the facilities and the space to move forward. Focusing on the unwanted horse population, Laurie’s aims to rescue, rehabilitate, retrain and rehome them. While she had experience primarily with horses in the show world of competition and performance, she was committed because the number of horses in rescues is staggering—an estimated 200,000 nationwide. Unlike Therapy animals, horses included, connect with people in a seemingly magical and symbiotic way and provide miraculous personal growth beyond conventional methods. At Dove Creek Ranch Laurie Higgins-Kerley found that kind of healing. She guides other people through their own healing experiences, and in turn rescues horses and other herd animals who so desperately need help from people. WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURIE HIGGINS-KERLEY
wild horses, unwanted horses are domestic and come from owners who can no longer care for them. Rescue horses, as well as other rescued grazing animals, might arrive with little or no background information and can be suffering from severe health problems. “Most of the time they just need consistent, loving and compassionate interaction,” Laurie says. “Every adoption is a huge success. We have a strong volunteer program. We have volunteers here every day…probably anywhere from three to seven volunteers a day, and every volunteer who lays eyes on a horse is rooting for that horse.” Laurie attributes her healing to physically being around horses. “I knew horses healed humans because they helped heal my heart, which is why I started the rescue,” she says. “They helped me to learn to be okay with my heavy feelings and release them while in their presence. Every time I left the ranch, I would feel better.” Research grows in effort to analyze and measure the positive interchange between horses and humans. Researchers have observed the electromagnetic field of horse hearts—which is five times stronger than the electromagnetic field of a human heart— and the synchronization of horses’ variable heart rates when they are physically close to each other and to humans whom they trust. 45 hometown living at its best
46 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group Known for their sensitive nature, horses are highly aware of people’s emotions and reflect them back. “When we enter their field, they start to regulate our nervous system,” Laurie says. “They help us start coming into a centered state, more aligned with our emotions and thoughts because those are often not aligned. We often don’t like how we feel or are even aware of how we feel. Most of us are not taught how to navigate our emotions; therefore, we avoid or deny our emotional state, and horses help us come into more of an acceptance of our emotions.” Equine assisted coaching is sometimes the saving grace for a person working to process mental health challenges. Individuals dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or neurodivergence also benefit from equine assisted activities. Laurie earned certification in Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching (EFLC), and in 2017 she started Led By Horses guiding people in individual and group sessions. Clients work on teambuilding, leadership and Laurie’s women’s retreats focus on what it means to be strong and to establish healthy boundaries. One woman, who was of smaller stature, gained
47 hometown living at its best confidence by interacting with a horse. Laurie says, “She had a belief around what it meant to be assertive, which wasn't really okay in her conditioning growing up. In the presence of the horse, she realized that she needed to be the leader since they are prey animals and always look for the leader for safety reasons. Once she learned how to be more assertive, through deeper intuitive listening of herself and the horse, her confidence soared. She found her power. So, I find that many women have limiting beliefs about being assertive.” At Dove Creek clients begin in a pen with horses nearby, discussing their goals. Laurie facilitates a round pen reflective session with the horse and client in the pen and she, or another certified coach, is just outside. Guided reflection leads the clients in observing their thoughts and breathing, learning to be in the
48 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group present moment, a key element because that is where horses live, in the moment. Interaction with the horse is at-will, meaning the horse approaches the person when the horse is ready. From there, first steps begin. Equine assisted coaching and facilitation organizations stretch across the globe. Laurie and her team of trainers, coaches and volunteers at Dove Creek play a part of the cycle of healing, growth and support, an ongoing outreach to help both humans and horses heal. Rescue continues, and while the goal is not always to bring a horse to a ridable condition, healing and a new home are. Dove Creek has some heartwarming successes that came all the way from devastating physical conditions to a healthy state, and 10 of the elder horses enjoy being part of the Led By Horses equine program. “Our dream is that every horse has a good and loving home and that they're treated compassionately,” Laurie says. “We give them dignity. We see them as sentient beings that deserve our best care. I feel that it's a lofty vision to heal the heart of humanity through authentic partnership with horses, but for each horse and human that comes to Dove Creek, I believe we're realizing that one hoofprint and heartbeat at a time.” †
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50 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group HEALTHY Pecan Pie Bars These Healthy Pecan Pie Bars are paleo, gluten-free, and taste exactly like real pecan pie! They are simple to make and have a delicious pecan filling on top! Courtesy of erinliveswhole.com Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare an 8×8 inch pan with grease or parchment paper. 2. In a small bowl, mix together almond flour, coconut flour, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt until well combined. Press into bottom of pan. 3. Bake for 15-17 minute or until slightly golden brown. 4. Let crust cool completely. 5. In a saucepan, heat coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla until boiling (about 3-4 minutes), stirring consistently. 6. Once boiling, constantly stir and let bubble for two minutes and then turn off heat. Cooking longer will result in burnt sugar, but sugar should be starting to thicken. 7. Stir in almond milk and pecans. 8. Pour mixture over cooled crust and bake in oven for 20-22 minutes. 9. Let cool on counter for 15 minutes and then in the fridge for at least two hours before serving or cutting. Ingredients 1 ½ cups Almond Flour ¼ cup Coconut Flour ½ cup Maple Syrup ⅓ cup Coconut Oil (melted) 2 teaspoons Vanilla ¼ teaspoon Salt ½ cup Melted Coconut Oil ⅔ cup Coconut Sugar 1 tablespoon Almond Milk 2 cups Pecans (chopped)
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52 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group D WRITTEN BY REBECCA SANCHEZ | PHOTOS BY GUNNAR WIDOWSKI AND DUSTIN RATHEAL Named itself the sandy layered spires in Palo Duro Canyon, the HOODOO Mural Festival embraces one particular art form that generates amazement, murals. Founded by Amarillo native Andrew Hall and his wife Lauren, the festival reaches beyond its yearly celebration through educational outreach and broad expanses of colorful artwork that drape the city structures year-round. Dancing with your headphones on, lost in silent disco music, that’s experiencing art. Gaping up or out across 50 feet of mural art, that’s experiencing art. Being there as it emerges from a speaker or the canvas, is to be present in its creation. Amarillo embraces the art experience, and a range of styles and mediums dot the city. Public art has a long history here from citizens painting their doors yellow in honor of the city's Spanish name to Cadillacs nosed into the West Texas soil. Galleries, studios, the Amarillo Museum of Art, and the Amarillo Art Institute are all a testament to the creative pulse in town. HOODOO TAKING IN THE
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54 amarillo living magazine | hometownmedia.group Amarillo native Andrew Hall, his wife Lauren, and a team of supporters founded the HOODOO Mural Festival. Andrew noticed that people had moved away, and while knowing that some might not return, they wanted to draw in the next generation. From their travels to Denver and Miami, the Halls reflected on the impact public art makes elsewhere, and they are cultivating a similar effect in Amarillo. “We are always thinking of ways that we can bring more quality of life to Amarillo,” Andrew said. “Whether that is teaming up with other organizations or through our festival, we are always trying to find ways to make Amarillo more fun. Amarillo is a growing place. We used to say it was in the middle of nowhere, and based on the companies that are coming here, we are saying it’s in the middle of everywhere, logistically. When employers are looking at our city, or people are looking for a place to live, they can see a beautiful place and a fun clean environment that people want to live, play, sleep, and eat in, the whole thing.” Debuting in 2019 the festival resulted in beautiful walls, which then raised a question for the Halls of how to celebrate them. After an unexpected year off due to COVID-19, they returned in 2021 asking themselves how to bring the community back together. They brought in a variety of art and music to the traditional country and western scene, aiming to bring diversity to Amarillo, and the community responded. The HOODOO is a celebration not only of the art itself but a call to draw out the people of Amarillo and bring them together. Named in reflection of hoodoos of geological nature, a celebration of mural art also has people gazing up to admire an amazing formation. Also similar to geological hoodoos, art withstands the winds of time, retains its beauty, and stands as an inspirational spectacle for the world to see.
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