From the Editor | June & July 2023
Summer is nearly here and Bell County is in full bloom, not just in wildflowers but in growth and development throughout the area. Find out what’s been happening in Killeen on page 50, Temple on page 46, Belton on page 54, and Salado on page 42 in our special feature entitled Bloomin’ in Bell!
Being Central Texan both bemoans and celebrates this boom and bloom on page 66 with a wistful look at what was once pastureland and is now proof of urban and suburban developments.
Neighbor tells you about Dr. Rosie Montgomery and TAMRA Learning Academy on page 10. The school serves students with learning differences including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and language processing disorders.
Faith introduces you to J.A.I.L. Ministry which now serves thousands of inmates not only in Bell County, but across the nation on page 18.
This Girl’s Garden features adventures in wildflower gardening on page 38.
Entrepreneur spotlights The Wick and Burn Candle Bar as owner/operator Denise Tilmon shares her business inspiration and life’s story on page 61.
Flavours visits Rio Salado for Tex-Mex con sabor on page 20 and Spirits takes you to the Shady Villa Hotel poolside for cocktails on page 22.
The Review explains how book clubs bring people together on page 26 while Teen Review takes a look at We Were Liars, a psychological horror young-adult novel by E. Lockhart, on page 28.
CenTex Past visits Camp Hearne, a World War II prisoner-of-war camp on page 68. Commissioned in 1942, Camp Hearne was one of the few camps that housed prisoners from all three Axis powers during the conflict.
Daytrippin’ takes you to Blue Hills Resort in McGregor on page 72 where you can hang out in a hot tub with otters, among other things.
CenTex Ed teaches us about fun, educational summertime stops around Central Texas on page 70.
Scene stops by Celebrate Killeen, The Contemporaries High Class Blue Jean Night and Temple College’s Derby Day fundraiser on pages 12-16.
Health & Wellness lays out the importance of staying hydrated while explaining sweat and water loss on page 64.
It’s a full issue and we learned a lot putting it all together for you.
In other news, this is my last issue of Tex Appeal as editor. I have enjoyed my time as editor, but now it’s time to take a step back and enjoy writing for the magazine rather than the grind of decision-making chores on top of the fun of storytelling. I’ll still be present, but it’s time for someone else to take the reins for a while. I’m not leaving entirely, just taking a deep breath and reprioritizing my life. I look forward to telling your tales with a little less stress and a whole lot more time for my family.
Happy trails, y’all. I’ll see you in the next issue as a regular contributor.
Janna Zepp
Tex Appeal editor