From the Editor | December 2022 & January 2023

Ho! Ho! HOMG! The holidays are here, and I’m not sure where the time went. I’m not prepared for Christmas, but Tex Appeal is, and this issue is full of seasonal stories from in and around Central Texas, not to mention a celebration of our 10th anniversary in print.

We expanded our Neighbor feature to shine a light on the good works of the Temple Community Clinic and Priceless Beginnings.

Faith introduces you to Neika Daniel, a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, who is a social work major active in student leadership on campus. In December, Neika will be leading a group of fellow students on a weeks-long trip to serve disadvantaged populations in both Romania and Hungary.

CenTex Ed gives you some great gift ideas for your student’s educators.

Meet Skeebo Reichert, one of Tex Appeal’s regular photographers in Meet the Makers to learn how he got involved in professional photography.

This Girl’s Garden looks at handmade gifts you can make out of your own garden.

Scene is huge this issue. We went to several Central Texas events, and you can see who’s who, where they went, and what they did here.

Grab a beer at Bold Republic Brewing in their new location.

The Review is all about giving the gift of great reads in this issue in the Christmas gift guide.

The Teen Book Review brings you romance in 1920s Ireland in What The Wind Knows.

Being Central Texan takes a new direction in which I respond to readers’ questions and comments, as well as your constructive criticism about things we’ve published. I have been rightfully corrected about some missing information regarding the late actor, Rip Torn.

In Tex Messages and in honor of our decade in print, I’ll take you on a tour of my favorite Tex Appeal covers.

CenTex Past takes us back through the many years of Santa Claus’ coming to our hometowns.

Daytrippin’ explores the annual Salado Christmas Stroll and BLORA Nature In Lights.

Learn about the Central Texas Regional Advisory Council and what the mission and vision are for the health care community in our area in Health Care.

Test your knowledge about safe food handling over the holidays in Health & Wellness.

We look at old and new friends in local businesses in time for your holiday shopping in the gift guide.

And meet one of Central Texas’ youngest published authors, Ja’Nay Ratcliff who recently wrote about essential workers and their great importance to us all.

After putting this issue together, we’re all ready for a long winter’s nap and a much-needed break before we get back to the grind working on all that 2023 has in store for us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Kwanzaa, Season’s Greetings, and a very Happy New Year, y’all.

Janna Zepp
Tex Appeal editor