Brick & Elm | September/October 2023

100years

THE AMARILLO SYMPHONY AND TRI-STATE FAIR CELEBRATE THEIR CENTENNIALS

Yo u r F o r e v e r N e i g h b o r h o o d

Center for

As a specialized clinic for residents of the Texas Panhandle, the Center for Mental Wellness provides a warm and welcoming environment for addressing a wide variety of mental health conditions. The licensed providers there use evidence-based treatments to help decrease symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Conditions may include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Personality Disorders

• Grief and Loss

• Postpartum Depression

121 Westgate Parkway, Suite 40 Amarillo, TX 79121

WEEKEND OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD

Shopping from 12 PM - 8 PM

RED’S EARLY BIRD SHOPPING

12 PM - 2 PM

Refreshments and giveaways to the first 100 shoppers!

THE AMoA ALLIANCE PRESENTS

43 ANNUAL RD

Christmas Roundup

A HOLIDAY MARKET

NOVEMBER 3-5, 2023

Shop two full halls!

AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX $10 Weekend Ticket, Children 12 and under FREE

SPONSORED BY

COCKTAILS & SHOPPING

5 PM - 8 PM

Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, select merchant specials, and door prizes! Plus, Art in Action live event!

Shopping from 10 AM - 6 PM

PICTURES & CRAFTS WITH SANTA

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

Shopping from 11 AM - 4 PM

SILENT AUCTION CLOSES AT 2 PM

PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE AMARILLO MUSEUM OF ART

amoa.org

AMARILLO’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

PUBLISHERS

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

AMARILLO’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

PUBLISHERS

DESIGNER

Michele McAffrey mm@brickandelm.com

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

Jason Boyett jb@brickandelm.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Adam Baker

Kait Bradford Bellmon

DESIGNER

This is our third September/October issue. Two years ago, we published the “too big to mail” issue. That 2021 magazine was so big we got our hands slapped by the USPS, and we had to hand-deliver it locally. (It was early, and we were still learning.) Our failure of planning turned into an opportunity for our readers and friends to rally around us. They volunteered to spend a Saturday driving across the city, overwhelming us with support I will never forget. We figured out the mailing element, and this issue is larger than that one.

When I look back over the past few months, it feels like ages since I last wrote an editor’s note, and then at other times the weeks have flown by. In the middle of January, it seemed my days of typing up my last-minute thoughts prior to printing a magazine were over. And then … a miracle.

Venice Mincey

Kayla Morris km@brickandelm.com

Shannon Richardson

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jon Mark Beilue

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Chip Chandler

Angelina Marie

Meaghan Collier

Andy Chase Cundiff

Scott Thomas

Rebecca Gonzales

Shannon Richardson

Ruthie Landelius

Mason Dudley

Patrick Miller

Gray Gillman

Wes Reeves

Karen Welch

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

In addition to five wonderful feature stories, we’re delighted to partner with Amarillo Little Theatre and its production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which runs Sept. 7-24—and a few local restaurants to present decadent desserts inspired by the play (see page 77). The vision of my friend and ALT Director Jason Crespin, this exclusive partnership features the creations of some of Amarillo’s best pastry chefs, and you’ll have the chance to try them yourself! Visit our restaurant partners during the run of the play to satisfy your chocolate cravings. And trust me: We tried each one, and I’ll definitely make the rounds again so that I can experience more than one bite (without sharing).

My longtime writing partner Jason Boyett became my new business partner and Brick & Elm was born. This “hyper-local” magazine was created in meetings at our respective homes, and it’s the compilation of everything we’ve ever hoped a Panhandle-focused publication could be. The community outpouring for our new project has been overwhelming in the best way. My friends and local businesses have sent streams of encouraging messages of support. Now I truly know what it means to say my cup overflows

This is the first of many fantastic Amarillo-centric issues created by a true dream team—Jason and the incomparable Kayla Morris. I’m thrilled beyond measure to share Brick & Elm with you. Thanks for reading.

We’re so proud of this beautiful product. It continues to grow, and pivot, and catch the attention of more and more readers. At the same time, we are learning to grow, and pivot and learn how to best relay the stories of this city that we love—without getting in trouble with the post office. Thanks for reading.

Chip Chandler

TO SUBSCRIBE: brickandelm.com

Andy Chase Cundiff

Print subscription: $34.99/year

Wes Reeves

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: mm@brickandelm.com

806.414.5235

TO SUBSCRIBE: brickandelm.com

Print subscription: $14.94/year

Digital subscription: $8.94/year

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: mm@brickandelm.com

All the best parts of my career began in the Amarillo College Journalism Department. There, in the mid1990s, I learned to write fast. I learned to edit. I learned desktop publishing, design and photography. But what I learned most of all is that I really liked magazines. I ended up the editor of AC’s award-winning campus magazine, AC Current, and fell in love with the process of creating a publication, start to finish.

Ifirst interviewed Hayden Pedigo in 2019 for a live recording of my Hey Amarillo podcast, right after he ran for City Council. There’s a private, thoughtful sincerity behind his public persona, and I left that interview thinking he was on the cusp of something really interesting. Four years later, his legend outside Amarillo has skyrocketed— but his hometown may still not fully understand him. As Hayden’s tour with Jenny Lewis ended, we sat down and talked about who he is, what drives him, and how Amarillo continues to define his story. I’m particularly grateful to our friends at Wonderland Park for letting us conduct a fun photo shoot there.

Here I am again, more than a quarter-century later. For years, Michele and I have worked together telling stories about our city. A few months ago we decided the time was right to launch a new, sophisticated, independent magazine about Amarillo. It feels appropriate that our first issue covers topics like trail-building, business reopenings, creative problem-solving and breathing new life into historic structures. We feel like all of those are metaphors for Brick & Elm, and maybe for print magazines in general.

The rest of this issue is just as interesting, from Wes Reeves’ cover story about the history of the Tri-State Fair and the Amarillo Symphony—both celebrating their centennials—to Jon Mark Beilue’s profile of the Hill quadruplets. As Pedigo pointed out, Amarillo may have its flaws and frustrations, but it continues to produce fascinating art, culture and people. What an honor it is to be able to celebrate the city in these pages throughout the year.

So here’s to fresh starts and a new way to shine a spotlight on the city we love. Thanks for reading. We’re honored that you’re here with us, at the beginning.

KAYLA MORRIS

Kayla has been designing professionally for more than 10 years. She was raised in the Panhandle and graduated with a design degree from West Texas A&M University.

SHANNON RICHARDSON

Shannon has been a commercial/advertising photographer for almost 35 years. His work can be seen at shannonrichardson.com.

KAIT BRADFORD BELLMON

Kait is the owner of Three Feather Photo Co, a local lifestyle and wedding brand that specializes in destination elopements. See her work at threefeatherphoto.co.

ADAM BAKER

Born and raised in Amarillo, Adam graduated from the University of North Texas School of Fine Arts in 2009, and spent the following decade as a commercial photographer in the Metroplex. After the pandemic brought him home to Amarillo in 2020, he began offering tintype photography via Perry’s Tintypes. See his work on Instagram at @perrys_tintype_studio and @adam_baker_photography.

VENICE MINCEY

Venice is a natural light photographer, specializing in senior, family and child photography. Venice has been taking photos for more than 20 years. See her work at veniceminceyphotography.com.

KAREN WELCH

Karen is the senior content producer for Panhandle PBS. She is the winner of a Regional Emmy Award and more than a dozen individual or team reporting awards. Karen is a local, born and raised in Amarillo, and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from West Texas A&M University.

JON MARK BEILUE

Jon Mark worked at the Amarillo Globe-News from 1981 until his retirement in 2018. Beilue received 16 statewide and national awards for his work. Beilue is a native of Groom and graduate of Texas Tech University. He and wife Sandy have two adult sons.

WES REEVES

Wes was raised in Wellington and has lived in Amarillo since the early 90s. He serves as chairman of the Potter County Historical Commission and as a member of the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission board of directors. Through his writing and community involvement he seeks to help people appreciate the Texas Panhandle experience, past and present.

MEAGHAN COLLIER

Meaghan works in communications and marketing for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Amarillo and spent 15 years as an anchor, reporter and producer in local television news. Meaghan is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. She and husband Cody live in Amarillo with their dog, Bradford.

TAs the heat outside (hopefully) fades, Amarillo’s entertainment scene really starts to boil in September and October. The centerpiece will be the 100th year of the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo (see page 38), along with fun from upstarts like the Hoodoo Mural Festival. Arts organizations are back in full swing after a summer off, including centennial concerts from the Amarillo Symphony, a regional premiere from Amarillo Little Theatre and more. Fans of live music have several good bets, including some country greats and continued outdoor options. Movie studios will hope the Barbenheimer phenomenon will remind folks to continue to patronize their local theaters, as we enter a slight lull on the way to more serious fare (with a lot of horror along the way).

Check out these highlights, and don’t forget to subscribe to the free Brickly and Flavorillo newsletters for my entertainment picks every week.

September:

AMARILLO TRI-STATE FAIR AND RODEO: One of the region’s most beloved traditions celebrates an amazing 100 years this year. The fair’s back Sept. 15 to 23 at the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 SE 10th Ave. Also celebrating 100 years in 2023 is the Texas State Parks system, and you can join in on the party at Palo Duro Canyon State Park with Prairie Palooza on Sept. 16, featuring free park admission, vendors, booths and more. The much-newer but already well-established Hoodoo Mural Festival returns with new artists and one heck of a dance party on Sept. 30 in downtown Amarillo. Other event highlights include the wrap-up of the Amarillo Sod Poodles’ regular season with games Sept. 1 to 3 against the Midland RockHounds and Sept. 12 to 17 against the Frisco Rough Riders; the 15th Annual Crime Stoppers Car Show on Sept. 2 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St; the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame Induction & Reunion Celebration on Sept. 15 at the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum, 2601 I-40 East; Echoes of the Past on Sept. 16 at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, 2301 N. Soncy Road; the Wings of Hope butterfly release for The Hope & Healing Place on Sept. 16, Memorial Park, 26th Avenue and Washington Street; Opportunity School’s LIPS 2023 fundraiser on Sept. 23 at the new A.J. Swope Performance Plaza at Arts in the Sunset; the Great Epilepsy Cookout on Sept. 30 in the Civic Center Grand Plaza; and the kickoff of the Amarillo Wranglers’ hockey season on Sept. 29 and 30 in the Civic Center Coliseum.

DWIGHT YOAKAM: The country great straps on his guitar and brings his hillbilly music back to town for a Sept. 1 show in the Civic Center Auditorium. Other musical highlights will include Uncle Lucius with Ryan Culwell on Sept. 1, Kolton Moore & The Clever Few on Sept. 2, Gary P. Nunn on Sept. 8, Roger Creager on Sept. 9, Paul Cauthen on Sept. 14, Tanner Usrey on Sept. 16, Mark Chesnutt on Sept. 22, Flatland Cavalry on Sept. 23, and The Casey Donahew Band on Sept. 30, all at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive; Matt Hillyer on Sept. 1, The Venomous Pinks on Sept. 2, The Wilder Blue on Sept. 8, Grant Gilbert on Sept. 9, Ross Cooper on Sept. 15 and Jesse Daniel on Sept. 29, all at The Golden Light Cantina, 2098 SW Sixth Ave.; Los Huracanes del Norte on Sept. 2 in the Civic Center Auditorium; the annual Friends of Fogelberg concert on Sept. 8 and country stars The Mavericks with Joshua Ray Walker on Sept. 21, both in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.; DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia on Sept. 2, Hacienda La Grandeza, 10695 U.S. Highway 287; Michael Martin Murphey on Sept. 9 at Buffalo Grass Music Hall, 123 Main St. in Panhandle; The Tejas Brothers on Sept. 8, Gunner Fore & The Interstate on Sept. 16, and Triston Marez on Sept. 29, all at Hoots Pub, 2424 Hobbs Road; and Dear Marsha and Mike Fuller on Sept. 30, Starlight Canyon Bed & Breakfast, 100 Brentwood Road. Plus, don’t miss the Amarillo Tri-State Fair’s 100th-anniversary concert featuring hometown boys Aaron Watson and Kevin Fowler on Sept. 16; the Patriot Day Celebration with Bart Crow, Micky & The Motorcars and Seth Ward & The Silence on Sept. 9 at the Piehl Barn,

1000 FM 2381; and the “Ain’t Goin’ Down” tribute to Garth Brooks featuring Seth Ward, Mike Chism and more on Sept. 23 at Hoots Pub.

AMARILLO SYMPHONY: The orchestra opens its 100th anniversary season with a pair of masterpieces: Aaron Copland’s Rodeo and George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring pianist Michelle Cann, on Sept. 15 and 16 in the Globe-News Center. Plus, ALT opens its MainStage season with its premiere of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Sept. 7 to 14. Other arts highlights will include the First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 1, Arts in the Sunset, 3701 Plains Blvd.; Broadway Spotlight Series’ Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert on Sept. 6 and The Book of Mormon, both in the Civic Center Auditorium; Chamber Music Amarillo’s Passionate Music on Sept. 9 at Sharpened Iron Studios, 1314 S. Polk St., and Winds of Change on Sept. 30 at AmTech Career Academy, 3601 Plains Blvd.; and West Texas A&M University Theatre’s Once Upon a Mattress from Sept. 28 to Oct. 8 in the Branding Iron Theatre.

A HAUNTING IN VENICE: Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot in this all-star adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Hallowe’en Party, set to spook audiences beginning Sept. 15. Other new films opening in September are scheduled to include action sequel The Equalizer 3 on Sept. 1, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 and The Nun II on Sept. 8, horror film Satanic Hispanics on Sept. 14, Amerikatsi on Sept. 15, Dumb Money and Expend4bles on Sept. 22, and The Kill Room and Saw X on Sept. 29. Special theatrical engagements include 35th-anniversary screenings of They Live on Sept. 3 and 6; 40th-anniversary screenings of Christine on Sept. 10 and 13; romance After Everything on Sept. 13 and 14; Renée Fleming’s Cities that Sing: Venice on Sept. 17; 35th-anniversary screenings of Rain Man on Sept. 17 and 20; and anime classic Howl’s Moving Castle from Sept. 23 to 27.

Visit brickandelm.com for Chip’s expanded event coverage and movie reviews. Better yet, subscribe to our email newsletters for breaking entertainment news every week!

October

AMARILLO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GOOD TIMES CELEBRATION

BARBECUE COOK-OFF: One of the region’s biggest food festivals returns Oct. 5, at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. If you don’t get your fill there, sample the Amarillo Margarita & Taco Festival on Oct. 14 at Starlight Ranch. Other events highlights, in addition to Halloweentime haunted houses and corn mazes, include the Hispanic Heritage Luncheon

CHIP CHANDLER

Chip is the city’s arts and entertainment expert, having covered area events since 1998. Stay up to date on local happenings with Chip’s Can’t Miss picks in every issue.

on Oct. 12 in the Civic Center Grand Plaza; Amarillo Wranglers hockey matches against the Odessa Jackalopes on Oct. 13 and 14 and the Oklahoma Warriors on Oct. 20 and 21, both in the Civic Center Coliseum; West Texas A&M University Homecoming festivities on Oct. 14; the Hope for Our Heroes Gala with “Lone Survivor” Marcus Luttrell on Oct. 14 at Embassy Suites Amarillo, 550 S. Buchanan St.; the Amarillo Out of the Darkness Walk for Stand Against Suicide on Oct. 14 in Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street; Amarillo Symphony’s Vintage Amarillo fundraiser on Oct. 21 at the Amarillo Club, 600 S. Tyler St.; Amarillo Public Library’s Books to Broadway fundraiser on Oct. 24 in the Civic Center Heritage Ballroom; medieval good times at the Cottonwood Faire on Oct. 28 at Thompson Park, 2401 Dumas Drive; the Lone Star Reptile Expo on Oct. 28 and 29 in the Civic Center Complex; the Monster Bash on Oct. 28 at Don Harrington Discovery Center, 1200 Streit Drive; and the 6th Street Creepy Crawl on Oct. 31 at various locations along Historic Route 66 on Sixth Avenue.

THE ELI YOUNG BAND: The Texas country stars close out the concert season at Starlight Ranch on Oct. 27. Other musical highlights for the month include the Jazztober concert series on Tuesdays from Oct. 3 to 24 on the grounds of the historic Bivins Home at 1000 S. Polk St.; Autumn Ragland on Oct. 6, Under the Rug on Oct. 14 and Snailmate on Oct. 28, all at The Golden Light Cantina; tribute band Red NOT Chili Peppers on Oct. 14 and Mike & The Moonpies, both at Starlight Ranch; and The Great Divide on Oct. 27 at Hoots Pub.

CHEMICAL IMBALANCE: A JEKYLL AND HYDE PLAY: Amarillo

Little Theatre celebrates the spooky season with this darkly comic

adaptation of this favorite, on stage from Oct. 19 to 29 in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle. Also getting into the Halloween mood are Lone Star Ballet with Dancing with the Macabre: A Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe on Oct. 21 in the Globe-News Center and WT Theatre’s She Kills Monsters from Oct. 26 to Nov. 5 in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre. Other highlights include an art exhibition by Katie Tuttle from Oct. 5 to 28 in WT’s Dord Fitz Formal Gallery; First Friday Art Walk on Oct. 6 at Arts in the Sunset; the WT Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 6 in Mary Moody Northen Recital Hall; Amarillo Opera’s Tosca on Oct. 7 in the Globe-News Center; Amarillo Symphony’s Celebraciones on Oct. 13 and 14 in the Globe-News Center; the WT fall choir concert Oct. 19 in Northen Recital Hall; Broadway Spotlight Series’ presentation of Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience on Oct. 30 in the Civic Center Auditorium; and WT Concert and Symphonic Band concerts on Oct. 31 in Northen Recital Hall.

KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON: Martin Scorsese’s latest epic, which explores the conflict between Osage tribe members and greedy white interlopers, opens wide Oct. 20. Also opening: drama Ordinary Angels, horror sequel The Exorcist: Believer and animated film Inspector Sun and the Curse of the Black Widow on Oct. 13; and Five Nights at Freddy’s and Priscilla on Oct. 27. Special engagements will include 50th-anniversary screenings of The Exorcist on Oct. 1 and 4; environmental activism documentary Into the Weeds on Oct. 3; 20th-anniversary screenings of House of 1000 Corpses on Oct. 8 and 11; 60th-anniversary screenings of The Birds on Oct. 22 and 23; The Met: Live in HD’s staging of Dead Man Walking on Oct. 21 and 25; and anime favorite Spirited Away from Oct. 28 to 31.

CHAMBER OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT

On July 20, the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Chamber Open at Ross Rogers Golf Complex. Teams competed in two flights for top bragging rights, with AgTexas Farm Credit Services Team 1 and Whitney Russell Printers winning First Place. (Provided Photos)

28TH ANNUAL ORIGINAL HARLEY PARTY

Amarillo National Center at the Tri-State Fairgrounds was home to this year’s Original Harley Party. Hosted annually by Family Support Services, this year’s event featured music by The Buster Bledsoe Band, Touching Voodoo and Too Far Gone. (Provided Photos)

Burrowing Owl RECOMMENDS

Ordinary Grace

“That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.”

New Bremen, Minnesota, 1961. The Twins were playing their debut season, ice-cold root beers were selling out at the soda counter of Halderson’s Drugstore, and Hot Stuff comic books were a mainstay on every barbershop magazine rack. It was a time of innocence and hope for a country with a new, young president. But for thirteen-year-old Frank Drum it was a grim summer in which death visited frequently and assumed many forms. Accident. Nature. Suicide. Murder.

Frank begins the season preoccupied with the concerns of any teenage boy, but when tragedy unexpectedly strikes his family—which includes his Methodist minister father; his passionate, artistic mother; Juilliard-bound older sister; and wise-beyondhis-years kid brother—he finds himself thrust into an adult world full of secrets, lies, adultery, and betrayal, suddenly called upon to demonstrate a maturity and gumption beyond his years.

Told from Frank’s perspective forty years after that fateful summer, Ordinary Grace is a brilliantly moving account of a boy standing at the door of his young manhood, trying to understand a world that seems to be falling apart around him. It is an unforgettable novel about discovering the terrible price of wisdom and the enduring grace of God.

social seen

AMA-CON 2023

The annual Ama-Con Convention was held on Aug. 5-6 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex. Presented by Friends of the Public Library, the event celebrates pop culture and featured special guests, art, cosplay and a “Geek Prom.” (Provided Photos)

ALL THINGS ARTFUL ART FESTIVAL

On Aug. 11, Amarillo Art Institute hosted its annual art festival at Arts in the Sunset. The fundraiser featured a silent auction, interactive art activities, and the Best of the Southwest Art Show. (Provided Photos)

social seen

BOOTS VS. BADGES

BURGERS, BOOTS & BREWS

Saturday, October 28th @ 9:00AM

After Party to follow with music, food, drinks, and After Party to follow with music, food, drinks, and family fun...costumes welcome! family fun...costumes welcome!

Register Now: Sign up to run, walk, or skip:

- In person 5K on Oct. 28 -$55

- 1 mile walk: -$35 or $15 for kids

- Virtual 5K (until Nov. 6) -$45

- “Stay in bed” and get a shirt -$35!

Registration Includes: Race Entry

Sunshine for Charlotte long-sleeved T-shirt

Official Race Bib

Finisher Medal (5K only)

Donation to Ronald McDonald House

Admission to After Party

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS 10/13!

THE VESSEL OF HUMANITY AND COMPASSION

Amarillo knows Tremaine Brown and knows him well.

Locals may not recognize, however, the name of his nonprofit: The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion. Brown isn’t new to community service. He’s prepared hot meals for thousands of children, warmed them with winter coats and gloves, and supplied families with Christmas gifts for more than a decade.

But in recent years, he formalized his charitable work under an official 501(c)(3) designation as The Vessel of Humanity and Compassion, realizing it was easier for donors to give to a formal organization rather than to an individual.

“Once I saw it was going to get bigger and bigger and [serving the community] became my mission, I wanted to put in place a watchdog, if you will,” says Tremaine, who with his mom, Charlotte Brown, is proprietor of Shi Lee’s Barbecue & Soul Food Cafe. “You want to build trust on one side and your integrity on the other side.”

Brown’s reputation in the community is already built. At Palo Duro High School, he was an honors student and heavily recruited linebacker who played for the University of Texas. But most kids in the community know him because he gave them a backpack last school year, or because they ate one of the 90,000 free lunches he gave

away during the early weeks of the 2020 pandemic.

The fall is one of the busiest seasons for Tremaine and his organization. October brings his eighth annual community “Trunk or Treat” celebration at Bones Hooks Park. He and his volunteers will hand out candy, while also giving away brand-new coats, hats and gloves. “It’s a great marriage with having all the kids present [for Halloween candy], and then having coats available for them to try on. It takes them into the winter,” he says.

Brown prepares hundreds of family dinners in November and December. These include main courses, all the sides and even dessert to serve a family of eight, he says, “delivered in time for a nice Thanksgiving meal and then a repeat effort around Christmas.”

December brings the organization’s 11th annual Christmas Toy Drive. Local businesses will have Vessel-branded boxes available to the public for toy donations. In addition to toys, winter gear, and candy donations, the organization always accepts financial gifts and loves volunteers for the fall events.

Beyond meeting local needs, Brown hopes his work lowers the city’s temperature. How much crime or violence can be prevented by giving people clothing, a hot meal or a helping hand? “We want Amarillo to be on the news for good things,” he says. “We want scholars and CEOs talking about the love they received here in Amarillo. That speaks volumes.”

Volunteer or donate to Brown’s organization at beblessedbythevessel.org.

Hispanic Heritage Luncheon and Awards

Thursday, October 12, 2023

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Amarillo Civic Center

Grand Plaza

Keynote Speaker: Rodrigo “Rigo” Zapata

Assistant Vice President

Business Loan Officer Amarillo National Bank

Catered By:

Enjoy entertainment by Nayelli Peña and Trio Los Reyes (Mariachi)

Honoring:

Business Community Service

Hispanic Man of the Year

Hispanic Woman of the Year

Young Rising Star

Celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans losbarriosdeamarillo.org

Lifetime Heart of the Barrio

Employees of Xcel Energy recently selected The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center to receive funding through the new initiative, Xcel Energy Foundation Employee Choice Grant. Xcel’s employees are making it possible for five Panhandle children who have suffered abuse to share what has happened to them in a safe, neutral environment.

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Jason Herring as District Attorney of the 47th Judicial District in Potter County to fill the remainder of retired District Attorney Randall Sims’ term set to expire Dec. 31, 2024.

Laura Pratt, an attorney at Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC, was sworn in June 23 as president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA). Pratt will serve as president from June 2023 to June 2024. She is the first female president of TYLA from Lubbock.

The Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, which are managed and operated by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), along with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Production Office (NPO), were recently honored with all four of the annual NNSA security awards.

The Youth Success Project announced its new Executive Director in July, Kayla Storrs

WTAMU veterinary student Ali Olsen-Gerlach was among the 13 students from around the world to be selected for a Veterinary Student Research Fellowship (FFAR Vet Fellows).

Education Credit Union Foundation announced its newest Board of Director Members Adrian Alejandre, ECU Senior Vice President of Lending, and Tiffany Sharpensteen, ECU Marketing Manager.

most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. BSA also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll award.

BSA Harrington Cancer Center has been designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology. The ACR Lung Cancer Screening Center designation is a voluntary program recognizing facilities that have committed to practice safe, effective diagnostic care for individuals at the highest risk for lung cancer.

The Amarillo Symphony has appointed Yara Haddad as its new Development Director. Haddad is a classically trained coloratura soprano with a master’s degree from The Manhattan School of Music in Classical Vocal Performance and Opera.

Amarillo Little Theatre announced the addition of Annika Spalding as Community Relations Director, Raquel Marasky as Marketing Director, and Harrison Stringer as Academy Director.

ADC Endoscopy Specialists was named among Newsweek’s Top 50 Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) in Texas. Newsweek based these annual rankings on survey results from more than 4,000 medical professionals and performance data from more than 5,000 ASCs.

Xcel Energy has completed a $7.6 million substation upgrade and new power line project at Farmers Substation to serve customer growth in southwest Amarillo.

The Xcel Energy Foundation has granted $50,000 to disaster relief funds at the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon and the Amarillo Area Foundation to help Texas Panhandle residents affected by severe weather events during June.

Education Credit Union opened two new branches in Borger and Stinnett, Texas. ECU and H&H Federal Credit Union have combined efforts to serve a greater portion of the Panhandle.

The Paul F. & Virginia J. Engler Foundation donated $350,000 to The Don Harrington Discovery Center to support the completion of the Discover Through Time exhibit. The exhibit will showcase the ecological history of the Panhandle.

BSA Health System received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the

Former WT Vice President of Finance and Business Gary Barnes and WT Professor Emeritus William E. “Bill” Semmelbeck were selected as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni for West Texas A&M University.

Dr. Lorna Strong, assistant professor and head of the Department of Sports and Exercise Science in WT’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, has been inducted into the Texas State Athletic Training Association Hall of Honor and received the Eddie Wojecki Award from the Southwest Athletic Trainers Association.

Dr. Holly Jeffreys was named the new dean of WT’s College of Nursing, Health Sciences Jeffreys took over on Aug. 1.

Dr. Gary Bigham was named Dean of WT’s Rogers College of Education, Social Sciences Bigham began his duties Aug. 1.

WTAMU was awarded $6 million to continue establishing the Center for Advancing Food Animal Production in the Panhandle—$3 million per year over the next two years. CAFAP enables WT students to specialize in animal health, animal care, animal nutrition and pre- and post-harvest food science/food safety.

Dr. Robert Hansen, WT’s Regents Professor of Music, stepped down Aug. 1 as director, and Dr. B.J. Brooks, professor of music theory and composition, stepped into the position.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System was named by U.S. News & World Report to its 2023-2024 Best Hospitals as a High Performing Hospital for Heart Failure, Heart Attack and Kidney Failure This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for the publication’s Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.

NWTHS has been verified by the American College of Surgeons as a Level II Trauma Center, providing the highest level of care for Amarillo and surrounding region.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health opened its new Center for Mental Wellness on July 11. The Center is a specialized clinic offering group therapies for those struggling with anxiety, depression, grief/loss, and trauma.

Northwest Texas Healthcare System presented Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation’s 24 Hours in the Canyon with a $3,609.60 donation check as selected by employees of Northwest.

NWTHS Emergency Department on Georgia was recognized by The American College of Emergency Physicians, with support from The Gary and Mary West Health Institute and John A. Hartford Foundation, as a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation. The program recognizes emergency departments that provide excellent care for older adults.

AC Regents formally accepted the resignation of longtime President Russell Lowery-Hart on Aug. 15. His resignation will be effective Sept. 30.

Bell recently celebrated 25 years of the Amarillo Assembly Center. As of 2021, the partnership with Amarillo and the AEDC’s investment has resulted in Bell driving $2.1B back into the local economy.

The United Family donated more than $40k to Amarillo Area Foundation, raising a total of $70k for Panhandle disaster relief.

The Big Texan Steak Ranch has made Southern Living’s list of legendary steakhouses in the South.

Cpl. Jeb Hilton is the new school liaison officer for West Plains Junior High School

Alessio Miceli was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer at AutoInc

Haley Matlack has joined Ronald McDonald House Charities as Family Support Coordinator, connecting families with the tools and resources they need.

Sonja Gross has joined the Public Involvement Section of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division for the Texas Department of Transportation. Gross will support Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Odessa and the Multimodal Statewide Transit Plan and the Ports-toPlains corridor.

The Amarillo College Board of Regents recently gave $50,000 to Amarillo Area Foundation’s disaster relief fund.

Sprouse Shrader Smith announced the addition of new Associate Attorney Trevor Shoels. Shoels received his J.D. from Texas Tech School of Law and joined the Amarillo office where his primary focus is to assist clients with civil litigation and business and commercial litigation.

We want to hear from you! To highlight your business, promotions, awards and ribbon-cuttings in this section, email a press release or your business brief to mm@brickandelm.com.

JaNeil Anderson

Wayne Baize

Joni Beinborn

Don Bell

Teal Blake

Rachel Brownlee

participating artists :

Mary Ross Buchholz

Kaye Burian

Shawn Cameron

Maria D’Angelo

Mikel Donahue

J.C. Dye

John Fawcett

Harold Holden

Sherry Cobb-Kelleher

Mark Kohler

Earl Kuhn

Shannon Lawlor

Kathryn Leitner

Jan Mapes

Kevin J. McDonald

Bill Nebeker

Sheri Greves-Neilson

Julie Nighswonger

Darcy Presiloski

Jason Scull

Jack Sorenson

Edgar Sotelo

Don Weller

RIBBON-CUTTINGS

Amarillo College was named co-recipient of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.

CUSTOMER SERVICE STARTS WITH A HAPPY ATTITUDE

Some say customer service these days is poor at best. Others say it’s dead. Whether it’s bad customer service or non-existent service, customer encounters that bring negative attention to your business are bad for your business. Why has serving customers changed so dramatically? What can be done to improve it—and how?

The change in customer service may come from the change in a desire to work. When employees desire to engage with customers by providing a service or product others need, they will naturally be inclined to take interest in or “ownership” of their job. When this is done in a trusting and positive environment, both customer and employee win—and so does your business. The positive rapport builds confidence in customers and trust in your company.

Most employees with a desire to be productive at work are happy individuals with positive attitudes. Happy employees are more motivated to take an active interest in the company, focusing on their work and work accomplishments. They want to learn about the business, its history and its future. They are also more likely to come prepared to work every day, to apply what they know and what they continue to learn. Job satisfaction is a top priority for their happiness.

When employees are trained and informed well, it gives owners and senior managers more freedom to build their business.

Job ownership is taking responsibility for helping customers find a product or service, answering questions about the business and

making helpful suggestions to the customer. Employees don’t have to have all the answers, but should be empowered to know enough to do their job and feel good about their accomplishments within the company.

Education and training are also important to job ownership, from learning specific duties to knowledge about the overall business and industry. Ongoing training could include simple stories about how the company developed and evolved. Early learning experiences help employees understand why and how things are done.

Empower your employees to say yes to your customers. When they are given the responsibility to respond to a customer with a resolution, they feel more qualified and able to develop relationships that grow repeat customers. When they can say yes to your customer’s needs, it improves the customer/ company relationship.

Define limits to resolve minor problems or address special requests; more complicated issues can be brought to a senior manager. Employees who are empowered to do their job are more confident, happier and able to take ownership of their position within the company.

Happy employees are always ready to serve your customers. When the desire to get the job done is first and foremost in the minds of employees, their success in the company becomes top of mind.

• Studies have shown that 70% of customers don’t return because of bad customer service.

• Service is more than 50% of the reason customers spend their money with you, even more important than price.

• Most applicants are hired primarily for their attitude. Attitude reflects self-esteem.

• It costs up to 20 times as much to win a new customer back than to retain an existing one. When you’re given that opportunity, be ready to win back your customer by having solid employees who care about your business.

THE UNDEFEATED SEASON

Somewhere in my youth, in the mid-1970s, mid-football career, mid-healthy years, pre-arthritis, pre-injury, there was a shining moment. Like most shining moments, it was in the past before I recognized it.

I always loved football. American football. My brother and I had played the other football (soccer) with the Turkish kids when we lived there. It was screaming fun, but it seemed more to me like a mixture of wind sprints and the board game Chutes and Ladders—run all day just to lose the ball. Besides, back in those days, just about any Turkish kid could smoke the living daylights out of any American kid on the soccer field. No, it was American football for me. I started when I was no bigger than a bobble head. That’s exactly what we looked like—I’ve seen the pictures. I played football there until ninth grade, then Uncle Sam abruptly sent us home to the States. I was sad, but then I remembered where American Football was invented.

When we got back to the USA, I couldn’t wait to see what our football team would look like. The Maconaquah Braves of Bunker Hill, Indiana, Mid-Indiana Conference, somewhere between Indianapolis and the Great Lakes on the map. Red, white and Columbia blue were our school colors. I wanted to wear number 76 because that was my class. How cool would that have been? The bicentennial year of our country, red-white-and-blue school colors, and the number 76 on my jersey!

“You can’t wear 76, it’s already taken. How about double zero?” DOUBLE ZERO? What an insult, what an outrage, what a … “Next!”

At least I had made the team. Besides, 00 had a certain kind of mystique to it, I figured.

I worked year-round, lifting weights, running bleacher laps, staying after school in the off season. I wanted to play inside linebacker on our defense—the old “4-4 stack”—and linebackers had to be considerably faster, and lighter, than the “down” linemen, which I was.

After a solid year of grueling work and studying the game (and I wasn’t the brightest player on the horizon, I can assure you), the coaches gave me a shot at my dream position, inside linebacker.

Sometimes, we played at home, sometimes away. It was always in the chilly, early Autumn of north-central Indiana, on evenings that saw hints of reds and yellows starting to sneak their way into the trees around the fields. Stands filled with boosters, parents and fans, pretty cheerleaders with earmuffs and pom-poms, and band music that celebrated no matter who was winning.

Our quarterback was a kid named John Porter. He was so poised and confident that the whole team carried his attitude. Tony Fowler (I thought of him as Superman) was our best running back, and you

could count on him for any needed yards. But there were a couple of other guys that got on a tear every now and then. Once, in the third quarter of a game, one of our running backs—a skinny buddy of mine named Thierry Martell—looked up at the scoreboard. We were behind. I watched him set his jaw, and from that point, every time he touched the ball he got us a first down. He scored twice in that game, I think, and we wound up winning.

Our defense was a brick wall. In those days, the game wasn’t as complex as it is now, and the 4-4 stack was just like it sounds. Four guys down front, and four linebackers right behind them. Try running into that. Even the tricky teams didn’t get by with a lot against us, because our team worked to exhaustion on the basics: speed and tackling. My season was perfect. I don’t remember strong stats or trophies or award dinners, though I’m sure all of that happened. What I do remember is that my coaches believed in me enough to let me try out for what I really wanted to do.

As the last game of the season ended, none of us quite realized what had happened. We had just played a season of football without a loss.

We came home on the bus, congratulating our star players, swearing we would never lose track of each other for life.

When we got back to our home field, some guys hit the showers and some just sat there, savoring that split second in time. “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and the Pips was playing in the locker room. I looked around, unable to believe that a perfect season could so quickly become history.

Epilogue: I’ve never since in my life been undefeated. John and Tony were Air Force brats like me. They wound up gone the next season. I had a muscle injury that slowed me back down to the defensive line. But, my last season at Maconaquah, they let me wear number 76, and become a placekicker.

Thierry Martell is on Facebook. He still looks pretty tough.

ANDY CHASE CUNDIFF

Andy is an artist, singersongwriter, music producer and musician. In every issue, his column explores the parts of his life that don’t always make it into his songs, accompanied by his own illustration.

By the time you read this, public schools across Texas will have opened once again for the business of training our scholars for future success. Preparing to teach students from various backgrounds—and with diverse learning styles—is an underappreciated task. It requires public school teachers to internalize lessons, gather materials, attend regular professional development sessions, and collaborate with their Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in order to ensure their approach is relevant, rigorous and enriching for students. This important work yields benefits far beyond a particular grade level assignment. Authentic learning occurs when our next generation is exposed to a guaranteed, viable curriculum, along with the critical thinking skills that go with it. It unleashes their comprehension of complex subject matter.

Post-secondary success starts with the knowledge students learn in public schools. These schools and teachers serve all students inclusively, regardless of race, religion, creed, socio-economic status, learning ability, native language, or any societal label. Our world is always changing, but this approach helps foster an academic environment conducive to learning. When students learn and collaborate alongside people from other cultural backgrounds and diverse ideologies, they are also preparing for what is sure to become a far more diverse workplace and society in their future. Consider what this looks like when students engage with assignments, projects and assessments. Their teachers track their progress from one school year to the next. The progress measures employed by our teachers provide quantitative data to support quality assessments, which they then use to develop academic interventions for every student served in our public schools. Students who excel on one particular standard are allowed to have an extension activity to further hone their skills. But if a student does not immediately demonstrate mastery of a particular standard, they receive a variety of skill-specific interventions to

support their learning.

The objective is to always ensure our students are provided with a plethora of opportunities to demonstrate progress toward their learning goals and overall comprehension of each standard. Teachers aren’t working alone in these efforts. They collaborate with paraprofessionals, tutors, instructional coaches, curriculum assessment specialists, learning leaders, administrators, and various personnel who desire to see each child succeed. In fact, our public school teachers implement the Individualized Education Program (IEP) with integrity, while also ensuring Emergent Bilingual (EB) students’ needs are met.

Every scholar who enters the doors of a public school in Texas is being served—without reservation—by these professionals.

Parents of public school students even receive the option to submit transfer paperwork for any applicable school of their choice. This increases the likelihood that students will be able to acquire the knowledge and skills in classroom settings they might not have otherwise known. Public schools remain the preferred choice of the parents of more than 5.4 million Texas students for a variety of reasons. Speaking for myself and for all public school educators: We are thankful for your continued trust.

At the end of the day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words still beautifully encapsulate our mission as educators: “Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”

“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

SEEK the Good, SHARE the Good

Dear Diary,

Today I pondered, What does it mean to be happy? Sometimes, I need to remind myself of what makes me happy, so I do not get stuck in the “what ifs” or “whys” of life. I think of my husband, my children, and my grandchildren. I remind myself how lucky I am to have them and how fortunate I am that they are healthy. I have a job I enjoy and coworkers I love.

Sometimes, I remind myself of my happiness. It helps to list the good things in life as a way to evaluate our accomplishments, blessings and overall well-being. You can write these in a diary. Some experts recommend keeping a gratitude journal. Or you can reflect on these things as a form of positive self-talk.

What does happiness mean to you? How do you define it?

Think about the things or people that bring you joy. What was your first thought? Often, we spend our time and emotional energy thinking about the whys and what ifs, losing our focus on the here and now. We lose the ability to be present in the moment and with the people around us who bring us joy. What can we do to be present, to find moments of happiness that turn into hours of happiness and then days of happiness? Take a moment to consider these things. How can you discover—even rediscover—these things and people that bring you joy?

I believe most people want to be happy. For some, it is not always easy. For others, it seems so natural. Is happiness found within the perfect job, finding love, helping others, time with family, financial stability, or getting what one desires most? If these things equate to happiness, what are you doing to accomplish these goals? Don’t let this question scare you, because some things are done in smaller steps and that is OK.

How can you find happiness in everyday moments? Let’s examine the things that frustrate or upset us. Imagine you are on your way to work. You get stuck in traffic or hit every red light and run late. Now, you are feeling annoyed. Now imagine your drive was easy. There is no traffic on the freeway, or you get a green light every time. Does this make you smile? Do you allow yourself to feel this moment? When we allow ourselves to pause in the moment, it becomes easier to find other moments in which we can be happy.

Happiness is not just about you. It can also come from the people

you surround yourself with. Find positive people who can support positive emotions. Cultivating a support system of people who support your well-being is an important piece of discovering or rediscovering your happiness. Finding happiness is like developing a good habit. We practice it daily—like writing in a diary or journal— and work to maintain it. When you find it, even a small piece, build on that piece to make it bigger. Continue to focus on the things and the people that bring you joy.

If we can be happy, then how can we help other people find happiness? What do others need that we possess the ability to give to them? These things can be as simple as kindness, compassion, love and acceptance.

Remember: When we surround ourselves with happy people, this happiness spreads. If we share the things that help others find happiness, then we experience more of it in our own lives. This isn’t a selfish act, but a way of making sure we prioritize emotional health for ourselves as well as for others. If we spread happiness to others, they will share it with others. This concept is not new, but is easily forgotten when negativity consumes us.

Make this a life goal: Seek more happiness in your daily life. Look for it. And when you find it, share it with others.

REBECCA GONZALES

Rebecca is a licensed professional counselorassociate. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from WTAMU. She received a master’s degree in psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Amridge University. Rebecca serves as the Family Support Services battering intervention coordinator. Rebecca has previous experience working as a mental health caseworker, working with a diverse population of people.

BOVINES AND Beethoven

The Tri-State Fair and the Amarillo Symphony celebrate 100 years

In 1923, Amarillo was a teenager on the cusp of adulthood. She was the debutante shucking her braces and shopping for a ball gown, or the young buck with a bottle of cologne and change in his pocket. Amarillo was growing up and deciding what kind of city she would be.

Centennial Plaza.

The witnesses to Amarillo’s high-flying 1920s have passed on, but two long-lived civic institutions celebrating centennials this year and next provide a few clues as to what Amarilloans of a century ago hoped to leave behind. One organization is the earthy and dusty Tri-State Fair. The other is the elegant Amarillo Symphony. These two different institutions cultivate two different visions, but both tell a story about who we were, who we are, and who we might still become.

BUILDING IN THE BOOM YEARS

By that point in the city’s history, the oil and gas industry had become ascendant, flooding the city with newfound wealth and a taste for the finer things. Not long after the first TriState Exposition, the Amarillo Philharmonic Club organized a symphonic performance that launched what would become the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra.

This fall, as the Tri-State Exposition celebrates its centennial year, the Amarillo Symphony begins its 100th season.

Beth Duke, executive director of Center City of Amarillo, spent three decades chronicling both organizations during her time at the Amarillo Globe-News. She says the Fair and Symphony reflect Amarillo’s multifaceted personality. Both show the city’s willingness to make things happen without help from the outside.

In the summer of 1923, a group of civic leaders chartered the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition, hoping to draw on the successes of earlier regional fairs that were held in the city and establish a solid framework for an annual event to celebrate and promote the region’s agricultural expertise. The first Tri-State Fair took place in September that year on Buchanan Street, in and around the old Municipal Auditorium. Today, it’s the site of the city’s

“The 1920s were boom years for Amarillo,” Duke says. “Many of our great historic buildings downtown were built in that era. The city’s prosperity encouraged leaders to establish traditions that grew into the quality of life that we enjoy today.” Those traditions included our agricultural heritage, she says, but farming and ranching weren’t the only things on local minds. “At the same time, women created clubs such as the Amarillo Philharmonic Club, which established the Amarillo Symphony, and the Just Us Girls club, which founded Amarillo’s public library. They knew that

if Amarillo was going to have these cultural traditions, they would have to start them on their own.

“Some institutions have come and gone. Some big cities have lost their symphony orchestras, but Amarillo’s pioneer spirit keeps our Symphony and the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo going strong,” Duke adds.

This creative drive has only gained momentum over the past century as both groups work to stay relevant at a time when entertainment and cultural enrichment is so readily available from multiple sources. And though they’re selling different experiences, leaders from the Fair and Symphony count on the same sense of community to stand apart from the rest.

LIVESTOCK AND A FOOD COURT

The railroad allowed local ranchers to ship cattle to big cities back east, but also attracted a generation of farmers eager to tap into our abundant land. This railroad town quickly grew into an agricultural powerhouse, and a little more than a decade after its founding, Amarillo was dreaming of a way to promote this agricultural bounty to a wider world.

“There was a recognition by citizens that this area needed a fair, a place to display, show off, gather and share that sense of community,” says Brady Ragland, CEO of the Amarillo Tri-State

Exposition. Area leaders gathered in Tulia to determine where to host the fair. “There were representatives from both Lubbock and Amarillo—and we won,” he says.

It wasn’t the first local fair, however. According to regional historian Lana Payne Barnett of Tulia, the precursor to a regional fair was a livestock show held in Amarillo in 1897. The AmarilloPanhandle Fair and Livestock Association formed two years later, and Amarillo’s first true fair arrived in 1903, on land where Llano Cemetery is now located.

In the following years, fairs were held only sporadically until a string of successful events at Glenwood Electric Park in 1913 and 1914 proved fairs could not only be popular with the public but also financially viable. But World War I undercut these efforts, until civic leaders got serious in 1921 about funding an organization that could stage annual events at an established location. In 1923, the Amarillo Tri-State Exposition was born.

Ragland points out that the Exposition has survived intact since that time, though the World War II years and the early months of the pandemic in 2020 saw fairs canceled or postponed. Today’s Fair looks different than it did even 25 years ago, but something about it remains comforting and timeless.

“The sense of community and sense of togetherness that fairs across the country still bring to people is something that is

more and more unique to our current way of life,” Ragland says. “As much time as everyone spends glancing at a nine-inch screen, and learns their news in whatever political channel they take it in, fairs have a unique way of bringing together the fabric of the community.”

Looking ahead, Ragland says the Fair’s leadership is placing a strong emphasis on education and scholarships. Its youth shows enjoy record participation rates and the organization is on track to award $100,000 in scholarships to around 130 youth in the tri-state area. Competitions in veterinary science, culinary arts and even robotics now stand alongside traditional livestock shows. What hasn’t changed is the Fair’s ability to cut across social and political divisions through a shared community experience.

“It may be that we have a more unique opportunity now than we had before,” he says, alluding to the mysterious power of taking action through non-action—achieving success by limiting change. He points out: “People still feel connected when they share in the

A DECADE OF Milestones

Amarillo’s boom years established multiple local organizations that still exist, which means the next few years will bring several major community milestones.

• THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF CLARENDON COLLEGE (CURRENT)

Established in 1898, Clarendon College is the oldest institution of higher education in the Panhandle, and the current academic year is its 125th.

• THE 115TH YEAR OF FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES (CURRENT)

This nonprofit traces its roots to the 1908 formation of Associated Charities, Amarillo’s first charity.

• THE 100TH AMARILLO TRI-STATE FAIR & EXPOSITION (CURRENT)

This year’s fair and rodeo are September 15-23.

• THE 100TH SEASON OF THE AMARILLO SYMPHONY (CURRENT)

The current season is underway, and the next performance is September 15-16.

• THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF PANHANDLE-PLAINS HISTORICAL MUSEUM (CURRENT)

The largest history museum in Texas first opened its doors to the public in 1933.

appreciation of a livestock show, a carnival and a food court.”

In other words, the Fair cuts through our digital focus with real sights, sounds and smells—truly tangible moments that bring families together.

A VISION FOR THE FINER THINGS

Downtown in the Amarillo Building, seemingly far removed from the dusty barns of the Tri-State Fairgrounds, Larry Lang also has relevance on his mind. He’s describing plans not just to celebrate the 100th season of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, but to remain viable long after the celebrations end. As with the Fair, the Symphony owes its start to the wealth generated from Amarillo’s vast resource of land.

It started in 1924 with a ladies music club. “They were the wives of the cattle and oil barons here at the time, and they were interested in having the finer things in life, and interested in the arts,” Lang says, emphasizing that these visionary women had to

• THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED WAY OF AMARILLO & CANYON (IN 2024)

The local history of this community nonprofit dates back to 1924.

• THE 115TH ANNIVERSARY OF WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY (IN 2025)

West Texas State Normal College opened its doors to 152 students in September 1910.

• THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE (IN 2027)

One of the oldest continuously operating little theaters in the country, ALT began in 1927.

• THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMARILLO COLLEGE (IN 2029)

The first classes of what would become Amarillo College took place in September 1929.

act because they knew no one else would do it for them.

“David Palmer, our artistic director for Chamber Music Amarillo, often says since we’re remote, we have to do things ourselves, to create things ourselves,” Lang says.

Grace Hamilton, an Amarillo piano teacher and member of the Philharmonic Club, was the first director of the Symphony and played a leading role until her death in 1958. Her work launched a century of seasons that have been uninterrupted by economic distress, war and, most recently, the COVID pandemic. In 2020, the Symphony presented concerts online and in the open air of Amarillo’s Hodgetown baseball stadium with members of the audience sitting several seats apart.

“We’ve never had a season where we weren’t playing, which is really remarkable when you consider what has happened during these past hundred years,” Lang says. “A lot of that comes from the community. People love the arts here. They go to the museums, they support the ballet, the Nutcracker and the opera. It’s stunning, really.”

Throughout its existence, the Symphony’s resident players have largely come from the faculty of Amarillo College and West Texas A&M University, which by 1924 was called West Texas State Teachers College. But Lang points out that the Symphony regularly brings in guest artists, and through its history has featured world-famous musicians such as violinist Itzhak Perlman, composer Percy Grainger and many others.

These names mean something to a classically trained musician or lover of symphonic music, but the Symphony’s challenge has always been to make its music meaningful to the general public, just like the Fair connects urban dwellers with the rural way of life. Relevancy is key.

“We’re working very hard on that, especially myself and our new conductor George Jackson,” Lang says. “George and I came at the same time a year ago and we’re committed to being relevant to the community and representing the community.” (More about Jackson on p. 43.)

The Symphony’s centennial season promises to be a showcase of relevancy. The first program was held at Hodgetown last month, featuring country and western artist Randall King, a native of Hereford. In October, Hispanic Heritage Month, the Symphony presents Celebraciones, featuring mariachi vocalist Nayelli Peña and Trio Los Reyes along with the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra. A November program features a symphony by Johannes Brahms that culminates with a bluegrass ensemble playing with the orchestra.

“We really want to do things that get people in the door, get them excited about what we’re doing and show them that it doesn’t have to be stuffy,” Lang says. “Sure, we can do [classical] music and we will. We’re going to play Brahms and Beethoven and Mahler, which we do very well. But we also want to play other things that catch people’s attention in a new way.”

LIGHTS, SOUNDS AND EMOTION

In a year when two of the city’s oldest institutions reflect on a century of service, that new way will continue to inform both organizations. The Fair will lean heavily on tradition as it opens up to the modern world for nine big days in September. The Symphony intends to use brass and stringed instruments and clashing cymbals to call up deep emotions in its audience members.

“The key is the balance for us,” Lang says, “because we don’t want to lose the connection to the music and the musicians by adding too much.”

With that in mind, the Symphony’s big finale next spring aims to elevate concert goers beyond that starry canopy of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. And if Ragland and team have their way, at some point during this year’s fair and rodeo, a kid who’s never seen a steer or a barrow hog is sure to marvel at an animal way bigger than the family pet.

In these moments, the ordinary aspects of life in Amarillo will join with a universal symphony of light and sound. Somehow, it’ll still feel like home.

Music & THE MIDWAY

Long before Amarillo native Kevin Fowler became one of Texas country’s biggest acts, before he wrote No. 1 Billboard hits for Sammy Kershaw and Mark Chesnutt, before he toured the nation with rock band Dangerous Toys, he was already making a mark at the Amarillo Tri-State Fair & Rodeo.

Just not on stage—then, at least.

“Some of my earliest memories while growing up are going to the Tri-State Fair,” Fowler says. “My parents actually ran a corn dog stand at the fair my entire childhood. It was my first job.”

Fowler’s first-ever concert experience was at the fair, too.

“My cousin and I snuck in to see Alabama. I thought it was the best thing ever,” Fowler says. “From then on I was hooked on live music.”

In its history, the Tri-State Fair has played host to several top Nashville and Texas country acts, dating back, at least, to “Hee-Haw” star and country icon Roy Clark in 1977. Countless Panhandle kids got their first exposure to live music on the fairgrounds, whether in the original Coliseum or in the Amarillo National Center or on one of several outdoor stages over the years.

“They had really big names go through there back in the day,” says consultant Linda Brown, who worked for the fair for about a decade beginning in 2002, returning in 2022. “There were lots of pretty big artists and lots of up-and-coming artists.”

Alabama, who Fowler sneaked in to see, was just one such act. This writer can remember the Oak Ridge Boys name-checking Amarillo in their hit song “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” in their 1980 concert to uproarious applause in the Rex Baxter Building, as well as blind country star Ronnie Milsap teasing that he was about to walk off the edge of the stage during his 1984 performance.

“I was coming over from Pampa with my Dad to see Conway Twitty (in 1983) and Merle Haggard (in 1986),” says Arcadio Rivera, a longtime Tri-State Fair board and entertainment committee member, who has booked several top Texas country acts to play the fairgrounds. “I even shook Conway’s hand.”

George Jones, old Possum himself, played the fair in 1987, followed by the likes of Ray Stevens in 1988 and The Statler Brothers in 1989. The ’90s were a more fallow period for country headliners, though: Legacy country star Pam Tillis performed in 1991, a decade after her father, Mel, first performed there. Martina McBride’s 1996 concert was one of the last big names for several years.

Brown’s arrival in 2002 changed things.

“When I came, things were very different,” Brown says. “The board changed a lot of things, upgraded a lot, built a lot of beautiful buildings—all done to serve the people of the tri-state area.”

That included a return to live entertainment featuring significant country acts.

“We had everybody from the Bellamy Brothers (in 2003) to Joe Diffie (in 2007),” Brown recalls.

Among them: “American Idol” host Luke Bryan in 2007 and The Band Perry in 2010.

“And lots of Texas country artists played there very early. Arcadio played a big part in that,” Brown says.

Among them: Ray Wylie Hubbard in 2012 and 2014, Jason Boland & The Stragglers in 2015 and Amarillo natives Cooder Graw in a reunion performance in 2016.

“Kevin was one of them, too,” Brown says. “And he has always loved the fair. In fact, when he was first starting out on the scene, he called me and said he’d gotten an offer to play in Amarillo during what he knew was fair week. He said he wouldn’t take it if I thought it would hurt the fair.”

No surprise there: “The fair is in my blood,” says Fowler, who headlined in 2003 and 2004.

“Saying it’s an honor to get to play at the Tri-State Fair is an understatement,” he says. “I think it’s awesome that the fair chose two local boys like me and Aaron Watson to play for the 100th anniversary of the fair.”

That hometown heroes show, set for Sept. 16 in the Amarillo National Center, is just the beginning, Brown says.

“Amarillo has had a lot of big names at one time,” she says. “I would like to see that return, if it’s feasible, and I think Brady (Ragland, the fair’s CEO) is interested in that, too … Our intentions now are to go back to bringing the bigger names, upping the concert experience for people.”

Rivera agrees such events are a crucial component of the fair. “People from all around the tri-state area come to the fair to let their hair down a little bit, to forget their woes,” he says. “Hearing live music helps them get away from their troubles a little bit. It really is medicine for the soul.”

MEET CONDUCTOR George Jackson

Over the past 100 years, the Amarillo Symphony has had exactly 18 music directors, and the 18th relishes the opportunity to lead the orchestra through a milestone season.

After the conclusion of conductor Jacomo Bairos’ tenure in 2022, a Symphony search committee passed the baton to UK native George Jackson for the 2022-2023 season. Audiences were quickly thrilled by Jackson’s approach. He’s a popular guest conductor throughout Europe, known for his enthusiasm and contemporary approach.

Jackson doesn’t have a traditional resume. He learned to play violin in childhood, he says, but “I spent most of the teenage years basically being in what you’d call a garage band, playing in friends’ living rooms and playing gigs and pubs and writing songs,” says Jackson, who was a guitarist and drummer. “The violin and classical orchestra was very much on the side and not as important to me as being in a band.”

Jackson grew to love live music, though, as well as live performance, upon joining an orchestra as a 16-year-old violinist. “It was really through that that I became interested in symphonic music. I didn’t really know anything about the background to symphonies or to composers or any history of music.”

He was a quick learner, however, and says big orchestra pieces became the soundtrack to his teenage years. In Dublin, Ireland, he studied musicology in college and that introduced him to conducting. “No musical background, no family background in music at all. Just kind of a curiosity and being a teenager, really, and finding my way into it from that,” he says.

That unconventional path has made him a conductor with a willingness to push the envelope—particularly with this centennial season in Amarillo, which began in August with a Hodgetown performance featuring country artist Randall King and local standouts Eric Barry and the Opera Cowgirls. Upcoming concerts include Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Copland’s Rodeo in September, October’s “fun and fiery” Celebraciones featuring Mariachi singer Nayelli Peña, and a concert titled “Brahms and Bluegrass” in November.

“It’s a bit of everything. I’ve tried to cover as many bases as

possible, because even if somebody comes [to the Symphony] just once, I think it’s almost a civic duty to offer something to everybody out there,” Jackson explains. “Live music is just live music. There doesn’t need to be a differentiation between a symphony orchestra and a band or a singer-songwriter.”

One year into his tenure in Amarillo, Jackson says he’s been overwhelmed by the audience response and the local arts culture. “What I’ve noticed about the average Amarillo audience member is that they’re incredibly curious and they’re incredibly open to anything new,” he says. Jackson has also noticed a local humility that surprises him—and challenges the global perception of Texans. “Everybody’s very humble. You know, ‘What are you doing coming here with this little orchestra and this concert hall at the Globe-News Center?’”

He says locals don’t seem to realize how esteemed are both the Amarillo Symphony and its concert venue—not just across the United States, but around the world. “The Amarillo Symphony is an incredibly well-regarded orchestra,” he says. “The Globe-News Center is one of the best concert halls of its size that you can find anywhere.”

Jackson regularly travels between Amarillo and Europe. He conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra in a performance over the summer and, earlier in the spring, led the Philharmonic Orchestra of North Macedonia. Next February, he travels to Paris to conduct at Maison de la Radio et de la Musique. His constant presence in international venues reminds him of the quality of his Amarillo gig.

“A lot of cities across the world would be very jealous of the setup there is in Amarillo. This is really special. This is a very special place for the arts,” he says.

Over the coming months, Jackson hopes more people will take a chance on the Symphony—especially those who have never attended a concert. “The centenary is a great year to come and visit us for the first time,” says Jackson. “We’re making a conscious effort to make sure we’re putting on good entertainment and hopefully a good evening out.”

Tickets for the new season are available at amarillosymphony.org

September 15-23, 2023

The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo is an Amarillo tradition, and its centennial season brings more fun, festivities and food than ever before. Here are a few highlights of the 100th Fair Week, September 15-23, 2023.

Crush Wine & Beer Garden

Open M-F, 4-10 p.m.

Sat-Sun, 1-10 p.m.

If you’re of age, get away from the Midway and enjoy local craft beer or wine flights at this hidden gem near the Rex Baxter building.

Michelob Ultra Outdoor Stage Lineup

9/15: Rhett Uhland

9/17: Mariachi del Sol América

9/18: The Buster Bledsoe Band

9/19: The Solano Project

9/20: Chad Miller and The Good Fortune

9/21: Tanner Lane

9/22: Travis Roberts and the Willing Few

9/23: TBD

Track local talent as some of the area’s top local bands and Amarillobased touring acts perform each evening at this outdoor stage.

Aaron Watson and Kevin Fowler

Amarillo National Center

Saturday, Sept. 16

Sponsored by Amarillo National Bank, this return of the “Dancin’ in the Dirt” concert concept features local favorites Aaron Watson and Kevin Fowler on the packed dirt floor of the rodeo arena. (Twostepping encouraged!)

PRCA Rodeo

Amarillo National Center

Sept. 21-23

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is the world’s largest rodeo organization, and this PRCA-sanctioned event is always a centerpiece of the Fair. Expect steer wrestling, bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding and more from the best of the best.

Commercial Exhibit Hall

Open M-F, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Sat-Sun, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

Check in and cool off among local vendors and innovative products across the nearly 15,000 square feet of this air-conditioned facility.

Sea Lion Splash

M-F, 4 and 6 p.m.

Sat-Sun, 1,4, and 6 p.m.

Located south of the Midway, this traveling show makes a splash as California and South American sea lions clown and perform stunts for the crowd. (Sponsored by Xcel Energy.)

Swifty Swine Pig Races

M-F, 3:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Sat-Sun, Noon, 3:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Who’s the fastest pig at the Fair? Get your answer near Kiddie Land, where these high-performance pot-bellies and other piggies take over the Pork Chop International Speedway.

Midway

Open Weekends, 12 p.m.-midnight; weekdays, 4 p.m.-midnight

Thrill rides, colorful lights and classic carnival games will catch the attention of all ages in this bright and bustling section of the Fair.

Food Court

Open daily, 11 a.m.-midnight

Giant turkey legs, corn dogs, funnel cake and extravagant fried whathave-you are on the menu in the concessions area.

Petting Zoo

Opening Day, 3-10 p.m.

Open daily, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.

Kids (and parents!) can interact with cute animals in a safe, controlled setting—including goats, sheep, miniature horses and a few surprise guests.

Rex Baxter Education Building

Opening Day: 3-10 p.m.

Open daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Creative arts are a big part of the Fair and its history. Admire the winners of this year’s competitive categories, including textiles, food, photography and more.

Finding Time for Everything

Greg Lusk, the executive director of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens, was delighted when he learned the gardens would become home to a new Lyman Whitaker sculpture installation.

“You can put almost any type of art in a garden, and it just kind of fits,” Lusk says joyfully.

The large, intricate dancing metal structures are perfect for breezy Panhandle days. Their movements are calming and meditative. “These are different,” he says. “We have metal art, but nothing with motion. The art itself is first-class and super well-built.”

Whitaker is an American artist who, for the past three decades, has primarily created wind sculptures. As a master in the kinetic sculpture discipline, his work is represented at fine art galleries and in private collections throughout the United States and abroad. Naturally, he’s garnered many fans during his career. Linda Kersh is one of them. It just so happens she is also a big fan of the Amarillo Botanical Gardens.

“I just hope that it gives people a sense of, I guess, tranquility and peace,” she says. “You know, take them away from problems or whatever might be going on in their lives. I think a lot of people go to the gardens just to step out of time.”

You’ll have to take a step back in time, though, to understand why Kersh—who lives in Tyler, Texas—made this beautiful gift to the Amarillo Botanical Gardens over the summer.

Her grandparents, John and Earline Armstrong, lived in Amarillo for more than 50 years. John graduated from Amarillo High School in 1916 and was employed by Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company until 1969. He served on the Amarillo City Commission for two years and was elected mayor in 1957. Kersh says John was involved with improving a number of municipal services that Amarillo residents benefit from today. He served on committee after

committee and board after board. He was a steward of Polk Street Methodist Church.

“John Armstrong believed in Amarillo, wanted to see it grow and prosper, and was willing to devote himself to the task,” Kersh says. “He didn’t need or want the plaudits of his fellow men. He believed he was simply doing his duty.”

Kersh’s grandmother, Earline, was active in the Amarillo Garden Club, one of more than a dozen garden clubs and societies that advocated fiercely for the formation of the Amarillo Garden Center in the 1960s. These clubs wanted to prove gardening was possible on the High Plains despite difficulties like drought, hot summers,

cold winters and gusty winds.

“Each neighborhood had its own club,” Lusk says. “There was a rose society, orchids, just all kinds of clubs, so they needed a place to meet to show off what you could grow here in the Panhandle.”

Decades later, the space has grown and evolved into today’s Amarillo Botanical Gardens, where the Armstrongs’ dream of having a beautiful space to showcase Panhandle horticulture continues to be fulfilled. The gardens are supported entirely through the generosity of private donors and community volunteers. Lusk says it’s one of the most visited spots in Amarillo, with tens of thousands of local visitors and tourists every year.

“It’s amazing how many local people came here first on a field trip, and they remember an edible plant, something that smelled wonderful or they remember the bees,” Lusk says. “Several thousand kids come through each year on school field trips.”

Lusk says expanding the gardens is on the horizon, but for now, he and the team stay busy hosting beloved events like Pumpkin Fest in the fall, Christmas in the Gardens during the holiday season, and Music in the Gardens during the summer months. He credits a strong volunteer network with the garden’s continued success.

“We are built by the community,” he says. “As you go through, you see people’s names from our community everywhere. We were built

by the community’s generosity, and that’s going to continue to be the focus for us.”

On Oct. 21, as the Lyman Whitaker sculptures are officially unveiled at a reception, another family will have its roots planted in the garden’s history. Linda’s son, Ben, will travel from Boston with his jazz trio to provide the soundtrack for the evening. In a nod to Armstrong’s former role as the mayor of Amarillo, Lusk has invited all the city’s living mayors to attend, along with some current and former city council members. After what has felt to most like a bitter season of local politics, he hopes the sculptures will bring people together.

“We can move forward,” he says. “People don’t come here to be mad. I think it’s a good place to do some healing.”

The Armstrong legacy is one of quiet, yet bold leadership, and Linda Kersh is proud of what her grandparents represent. “They were just givers; they were outstanding human beings,” she says. “Even if you took away everything that they accomplished for the town, just as human beings, they were just extraordinary people.”

Kersh says John would often say, “If everyone slowed down, they would find time for everything.” Strategically, she had the quote etched on a plaque placed in front of the sculptures. She hopes visitors will take time with the art in the gardens, and, like her grandfather, listen deeply.

“To really appreciate the art, you have to take a moment,” she says. “They just completely encapsulated what my grandparents stood for.”

just hope that it gives people a sense

MAKING WOLFPRINTS AT WEST PLAINS

A Year-Two Photo Tour of West Plains High School

Afew days before the start of the 2023-2024 school year, Principal Eric Gomez leads a group through the halls of West Plains High School. The floors are sparkling. The abundant glass surfaces are clean. Images of the school’s wolf mascot adorn multiple walls. The space even smells good—like a high-end hotel or conference center.

But Gomez is telling a story about elephants. A visitor passed through an area where elephants were being trained, the educator explains. He saw these enormous creatures held in place by a thin rope staked to the ground. The elephants were strong enough to break free from the rope whenever they wanted, but the rope kept them there.

“What keeps the elephants in place?” the visitor asked a trainer. As the story goes, the elephants were confined from

an early age by the smallest rope necessary to hold them. As babies, they couldn’t break the rope, so they stopped pulling against it. The rope held them back when they were small, so they assumed it would still contain them as five-ton adults.

In other words, the elephants learned helplessness.

“They stop trying,” Gomez says. “I told our staff at the very beginning that we want to break the rope.”

Within earshot of the story, someone else says of the West Plains facility, “This just doesn’t feel like Amarillo.”

Gomez agrees. That’s what happens when you break the rope.

In 2018, Canyon Independent School District voters, who live in Randall County from Canyon into the southwest part of Amarillo, approved a nearly $200 million bond election. Passing the bond set off a flurry of new construction within the district,

Students entering the school are met with an enormous, open stairway and grand entrance next to a prominent display of the West Plains school song. During the school year, Gomez used the central, mid-stairway landing to celebrate students and athletes signing university letters of intent. “We put them right here [on the landing] and all our students gather around. It’s a really neat spot in the school,” he says.

including two new elementary schools (Heritage Hills and Spring Canyon), substantial renovations to Happy State Bank Stadium, the construction of a career and technology center, and other infrastructure investments.

The Randall High School West Campus saw major renovations and expansion, and the former Randall East Campus was transformed into Randall Junior High School.

But the shining gem of the new funding was the brandnew West Plains High School. Located at 10576 Arden Road—right outside the Loop and still mostly surrounded by empty space—the new high school was the result of

several years of planning and construction.

It left Gomez, a 17-year educator, with the task of launching the city’s first new high school in decades. Everything, from hiring staff and faculty to deciding where to put the trash cans, fell under his authority. “No one had been on campus yet,” he says of the 2022 start of the first year. “No freshman should have been nervous [last year], because everyone was new.”

With year one under his belt and the second West Plains school year about to begin, Gomez guided Brick & Elm through his favorite parts of the still-new campus.

Gomez wants West Plains teachers to think beyond the typical four walls of a classroom. These collaboration spaces are located throughout the building, providing gathering places between classes and environments for team-teaching. “Our students love it,” says Gomez, who tries to spend time in these spaces during the day. “These are my favorite parts of the campus.”

The enormous West Plains auditorium serves as a natural gathering point for the student body. “When the kids come in, when the community comes in here, it feels like home,” Gomez says. Last year, with an inaugural enrollment of nearly 900, the school hosted a “Wolf Camp” to establish the school’s culture before its first full school year. “We brought them all in here and sat here first. We took a second to think about what was going to happen here. It was the most exciting moment,” he says. “I was new. They were new. We were going to do this together. It brought our school and the student body together quickly.”

This year’s West Plains enrollment has grown to more than 1,100.

Highlights of the cafeteria include bright natural lighting and multiple seating opportunities for students. Like the rest of the campus, West Plains branding is prominent throughout this space.

“Where I grew up in Dalhart, you only saw the logo of the mascot on the gym floor,” says Gomez. “But if you walk our school and pay attention, you see the brand everywhere. It’s one of my favorite things about this school.”

Gomez calls the gym the school’s “living room,” noting that it’s where students and faculty come together to celebrate. “We meet here for competition, for pep rallies, sometimes for class meetings,” he says. The 360-degree wraparound seating—with a maximum capacity of 1,550—is unique among local high schools.

“It brings a lot of atmosphere and energy,” he says.

Last year, the West Plains Lady Wolves volleyball team, coached by Kaitlyn Cornelius, finished the season 32-9 and were regional quarterfinalists. They enter the new season with high expectations.

The band hall and choir rooms are spacious, but the most interesting parts of the music suite are much smaller private practice studios. Students rehearse or take private lessons in these rooms, each of which is equipped with a Wenger Virtual Acoustic Enhancement System. The VAE interface uses advanced audio technology to mimic the sound of performances in different environments—from a cathedral to an arena.

“They can practice anytime they want to, record it and play it back,” says Band Director Heath Nall, who pushes a button on the interface and snaps his fingers. Despite the tiny, sound-proof environment, the snap resonates as if echoing off the stage and walls of a recital hall. “It’s really nice.”

Despite a half-dozen seniors and plenty of freshmen starters, inaugural West Plains football coach Adam Cummings guided the team to a competitive 6-4 regular season and a victory in the first round of the playoffs. Building on last year’s success, the Wolves benefit from a massive practice facility, which includes indoor performance turf and a well-equipped weight room and locker room complex.

Gomez describes this central iConnect help desk as “our inhouse Geek Squad.” Fully staffed by students (with a teacher providing oversight), the iConnect team changes with every period but always features students helping students. “If a student walks up and a laptop or Chromebook isn’t working, we have a kid to see to that problem and assess it and fix the problem,” says Gomez. Along with basic tech support and problem-solving, the students learn valuable customer service skills.

“

We wanted to create a collegiate atmosphere,” says Gomez about the West Plains classrooms, which offer multiple seating options and desk sizes. All desks are glass-topped, allowing students to write on them with dryerase markers. Every classroom is equipped with a Promethean digital smartboard display, and teachers use laptops rather than bulky desktop computers. “Everyone can be completely mobile,” he adds.

The classroom pictured here belongs to English II Honors teacher Jennifer Aduddell, who was named the Canyon ISD Secondary District Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023. “Be prepared to be challenged when you come in here,” says Gomez. “Our kids love her.”

The West Plains drama department operates out of a traditional “black box” theater space, which allows space and flexibility for rehearsals and intimate performances. Like the rest of the rooms in the school’s performance wing, the black box is sound-proof.

HAYDEN PEDIGO IS VERY SERIOUS

For several weeks this summer, while opening for singersongwriter Jenny Lewis in multi-thousand-seat auditoriums from Chicago to Washington, D.C., Hayden Pedigo stepped out on stage, sat down with one of his guitars, and introduced himself this way:

“My name is Hayden Pedigo. I’m from Amarillo, Texas.”

He ended each set of spare, atmospheric fingerstyle guitar music with the same line.

In August, after the tour’s conclusion, Pedigo performed a solo show at Amarillo Museum of Art. More than two hundred locals packed the house.

Pedigo stepped out on stage and said, as he had for weeks, “My name is Hayden Pedigo.” Then, a little self-consciously, “I live in Avondale.”

His fans knew the Amarillo neighborhood. They laughed. Hayden Pedigo had returned home.

Local residents have likely encountered Pedigo in one of three ways:

First, he’s a talented guitarist with a career that’s very much on the rise. His sixth and latest album, The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored, has been met with broad acclaim, from Texas Monthly to Pitchfork and NPR. Previous albums Letting Go (2021) and Greetings from Amarillo (2017) also got attention for their ethereal, mostly acoustic soundscapes.

Second, Pedigo is a prodigious social media performance artist. His avant-garde Instagram account, @amarillohighway—a nod to a song by Lubbock artist and musician Terry Allen, one of Pedigo’s heroes— is littered with intentionally awkward, staged photos. Hayden in a bald cap and grease-paint beard in front of an attorney billboard. Hayden at a Lubbock Red Lobster wearing tights, cowboy boots and a chainmail headpiece. Hayden on a Los Angeles catwalk in the Gucci Love Parade fashion show (an actual, real-life event that happened because of the madcap fashion in his social media feed, but which confused his followers because it seemed like another stunt).

Third, Pedigo ran for Amarillo City Council in 2019. He was 25 at the time, and the campaign originated as a social media video, a bizarre montage in which he claimed to be running for city council. The video went viral on Facebook, and then Pedigo decided to actually run. He didn’t win, but the campaign was documented in the film Kid Candidate by Jasmine Stodel. [Disclosure: Jason Boyett helped

connect Stodel to several interview subjects for the documentary.]

Part character study and part snapshot of Amarillo politics, the film premiered at the SXSW Conference and was acquired by PBS. It streams on Apple TV and Amazon.

Explanations

From the outside, these pieces of Pedigo’s reputation seem disconnected. His music is quiet, beautiful and cinematic. A nervous performer, his discomfort is clear during a show. “I struggle with anxiety,” he says from the intimate garage apartment he shares with his wife, L’Hannah. “I have for 20 years.” During the tour, he informed every audience that his trembling hands could bring turbulence to his intricate songs. “That’s made such a big difference, being transparent about it. It’s helped my nerves, like I’ve given them a warning up front where I’m like, ‘This could get rocky.’”

In concert, Hayden speaks infrequently and lets his music do most of the storytelling. When he does talk, it’s almost apologetic. But audiences love the authenticity. “That’s probably the thing I’ve been told the most after every single show, is people going, ‘I love how you brought up stage fright.’”

Meanwhile, his approach to social media is anything but anxious. His photo ideas are bold. His outfits beg for attention. His manic captions stretch boundaries and push buttons.

To Pedigo, the music and the performance art represent two sides of the same creative coin. “Both sides of the music and the satire and the comedy and prankster-type [scenarios], to me, are perfectly blended because I take them equally seriously,” he says, clasping his hands together, interlacing his fingers. “Being funny and being stupid and provoking, to me, is very serious.”

He points out that his Instagram followers likely skew younger but a large number of older audience members attended his AMoA show. He sees the potential disconnect. “To me, my music is very classic. It’s something that would appeal to older people,” he says. But then that potential audience might see, for instance, the cover art for Letting Go. Painted by Amarillo artist Jonathan Phillips, it features Pedigo, in front of a semi-truck, wearing black-and-white KISS-style face paint. For some, the corpse paint is off-putting. That’s why he’s always encouraged upon seeing older fans at his shows. “They’re willing to look past this thing they don’t like because they actually do enjoy [the music].”

He continues exploring the divide between the musical art and his prankster art. “No one’s ever going to be offended by it,” he says of his fingerstyle compositions. “But I do all of these other things because, for one, I can’t just be a guitar player.”

In fact, despite the critical acclaim and concerts, Pedigo says he struggles to “feel” like a guitar player at all. He grew up an outsider, homeschooled in a devout religious family. The home environment clashed with his taste for provocative art, music, and absurdist filmmaking. Looking back, he sees that isolation as part of his evolution—not just as a person, but as a musician.

“For years, I was never really accepted as a guitar player, even in the local scene in Amarillo,” he says. “Which in hindsight was a really good thing. I needed to be ignored because I’m very much fueled by being ignored and being discounted or people not giving me acknowledgement.”

He admits some listeners might identify his music as contemplative background audio. But his social media presence is far from inconspicuous. Pedigo leans forward in his seat, uncrossing his legs. “I want to provoke. Try to ignore this now, right?”

Provocations

That’s when Pedigo brings up what he calls “the photo with the Realtors.” It got lots of attention locally. It got even more attention outside Amarillo. And, to him, it represents a culmination of everything he wants to do.

“That photo screwed me over because I can never top that, in my opinion,” he says. “It was perfect.”

Amarillo drivers are no doubt familiar with the aggressively pink billboards for Legends Realty Group. “Real Estate Needs? Call us!” reads the magenta headline. Below it are five women—smiling agents wearing pink, professional clothing. As a billboard, it works. It gets attention.

On May 19, Pedigo posted to Instagram a photo of him standing in front of that billboard. He wore a pink dress, the chainmail head covering, and a devilish smile behind corpse paint. “They told me I ‘wasn’t a good fit’ for their real estate agency?” he captioned. “I wear pink, I’m outgoing, I have a flair for style, and I SELL HOUSES.” The lengthy caption goes on to say he’s starting his own agency in retaliation and the women will eventually beg him to return.

It’s a lot.

“I was very careful with that,” he explains. “From the jump I was aware that it can be viewed as bullying or I was mocking these people and that was not my intention. I viewed them as—they’re exactly like me. They were doing something intentionally provoking.”

While Pedigo’s social media followers loved it, the Amarillo real estate agents didn’t quite get it. “Honestly, I didn’t know Hayden or know what was going on. I was a little confused,” says Tia Van Ryn, owner of Legends Realty Group and the agent at the center of the billboard photo. Then she saw the photo beginning to go viral. She looked at his Instagram account and saw he’d taken that approach with other billboards and public signage. At the same time she started

to understand the joke, she also saw the marketing opportunity.

She reached out to Hayden and invited him to the opening of their new office later that week. Hayden had another idea. “I was like, what if instead we meet at the billboard, I wear the corpse paint, y’all wear the suits and we do a photo together there?”

Van Ryn said yes. “I wanted in on the joke,” she says. “No one can make fun of me better than myself.” Besides, she says, the goal of a billboard is to get attention, and Hayden had brought them attention.

The follow-up photo—shown below with Hayden, Van Ryn, and her real estate team together in front of the billboard—is even better than the first. His caption? “UPDATE: I GOT THE JOB!”

Pedigo didn’t take the first photo intending for the second one to happen. Like his city council run and the documentary, it was an accident—but one that ended up being transcendent. “The first one is the ‘knock-knock.’ The second is the ‘who’s there?’” The punchline completes the joke.

“That’s my whole thing,” he says. “That’s why stuff like that is almost more important to me than music. How many things in life transcend our reality, the things we see every day? When you do something like that, you shatter an element of reality where it’s like, there’s no way this should be happening right now, but it does. And that is probably my favorite thing on earth.”

He takes the idea a step further.

“As silly as it sounds, the photo with the realtors, it’s like, that’s a reason to not kill yourself. And that’s so dark, but I just mean it like that. Life can get so boring and nasty for everyone that you need something really to break that.”

For her part, Van Ryn was taken aback when she met Hayden in the real world. “He’s the total opposite [of his social media feed],” she says. “He was genuinely nice, and quiet.” She remembers him being embarrassed about wearing the gaudy makeup in public.

Inspirations

At the same time Pedigo embraces his own shyness and anxiety, his performance art and music push against what he describes as the “boring and nasty” parts of life. He says Amarillo plays an important role in both those realms. “Being from Amarillo—in my experiences here—is all of my persona,” he says. “In good ways and bad ways, on every level and every aspect. If it were all pleasant, I don’t think I would have much to say or much to do.”

And that, he says, is ultimately a good thing.

Musically, his songs are spare. Some pauses are long enough that he warns his audience, ahead of time, not to start clapping too early because the song might not be finished. “It’s my audio representation of when you are on the edge of Amarillo: that’s a giant pause. There’s nothing. Just nothing and everything. It’s just huge. I like to show that in the music.”

Pedigo describes his melodies as a way of conveying loneliness— “I’m a less lonely person now, but it’s always been in the music,” he says—but also points out that this area drives his visual pranks and

jokes. In Amarillo’s isolation he sees pockets of frustration and dissatisfaction, which have always driven local creativity within the art scene. It might look like the Dynamite Museum sign project funded by Stanley Marsh 3 or Ed Ruscha’s stark, Amarillo-inspired Standard Station-themed paintings.

“It can make people antsy and maybe frustrated or angry,” Pedigo says of growing up in Amarillo. Those are excellent tools in art, he adds, because they fuel creativity. “I’ve been a very bitter person. I’ve let my anger and frustration get out of hand. But it’s this weird, fine line. How do I use bitterness to create something?”

At the same time, he views living in Amarillo today—between tours, between fashion shows, between photo shoots for international culture magazines—as a way to detox from the world of celebrity. “I believe dopamine and ego and things like that are a drug that you can experience literal withdrawals from in your brain,” he says. “I come back and I go through withdrawals. And I feel nasty, because that’s not real life. You’re experiencing something [on the road] that’s not real life, and you come back here to ultra real life. The difference is jarring.”

He comes home to the small studio in Avondale he shares with L’Hannah. He comes home to convenience stores and gas stations and chain restaurants along I-40. He comes home and it fuels everything he wants to do with his life.

“I was at the grocery store today, shopping for detergent, thinking about nothing,” he says. “And I’m disappointed in myself that I allowed myself to be that boring in that moment. Great art makes you disappointed in yourself. Completely.”

It’s an unhealthy mindset, Hayden acknowledges. But the drive to provoke is urgent. “When that stuff hits you, when art is that potent, it makes you disgusted by how we don’t treat it seriously enough,” he says.

Identifications

Hayden’s father, Terry, is a long-time local graphic designer and advertising professional with G&P Associates. As a kid, Hayden spent a lot of time at the office, and remembers a sign his dad kept at the agency. “It said ‘A business without advertising is like winking at a girl in the dark,’” he remembers.

“You know you’re doing it, but she doesn’t,” Hayden says. “I saw that from a very young age. I don’t know if that necessarily directly inspired me, but I still bring it up to this day, so it’s interesting.”

Watching his dad help local companies sell their products or services, Pedigo implicitly understood that you have to package a product through storytelling. Otherwise, it’s hard to get noticed— for your business, for your music, or for your art. “People don’t like conceptualizing themselves because they view it as narcissistic. And it is a little bit narcissistic. But you have to be the one that tells that story,” he says. “I have to be willing to view what I do as a product.”

The product is Hayden Pedigo himself. He creates and performs music. He creates provocative visuals and performs absurdist stunts. He appreciates Amarillo because the city’s lonely, open spaces inspire his melodies. He appreciates his Amarillo upbringing because the personal bitterness and isolation inspire his art. He appreciates Amarillo right now because it helps him unwind and loosen his grip on everything he’s doing outside Amarillo.

Amarillo is his muse and Amarillo is his anchor and Amarillo is

his identity.

“Warts and all, Amarillo is very difficult, but I’m damn proud of it,” Hayden Pedigo says, and that’s why he opens and closes every show by telling his audience he’s from Amarillo, Texas.

“No one cares if you’re from Austin, Nashville or L.A. Genuinely, no one cares. But when you tell somebody you’re from Amarillo, Texas, there’s power in that. That’s an identity. Hell, yeah, I’m from there. I think it makes me different than everyone else. And I wear it as a badge of honor.”

The Setting: Wonderland Park

We photographed Hayden Pedigo at Wonderland Park on a cool, cloudy Sunday night before school began for the fall. The combination of the weather, bright lights and childhood nostalgia were perfect. A few facts about Wonderland:

• The family-owned park was founded by Paul and Alethea Roads in 1951 as “Kiddieland.” It was renamed “Wonderland” in 1967.

• The park is still managed by members of the RoadsBorchardt families. Founders Paul and Alethea Roads were honored with a Lifetime Service Award from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

• Wonderland’s current land lease with the City of Amarillo extends through 2040.

• Former FDIC Chairman Donald E. Powell, an Amarillo resident and current AISD School Board Member, is a former high school employee of Wonderland.

• The Texas Tornado, which opened in 1985, was the first roller coaster to be designed by Hopkins Rides and is known nationally among coaster enthusiasts for its unconventional layout. The designer, Hopkins, specialized in water rides and got its start after designing the log flume for Wonderland in 1971.

• Wonderland’s Fantastic Journey has a national reputation among “dark attractions” enthusiasts. Paul Roads designed and built the ride himself. The site Dark Attraction & Funhouse Enthusiasts (dafe.org) calls it “one of the best classic dark rides” in the United States.

FOUR OF A KIND

Amarillo’s first quadruplets turn 40

No one could remember the last time Brent Hill, Chase Hill, Ryan Hill and Charlie Hill were in their dad Randy’s vehicle together. Suffice to say, it had been a long time since the early 1980s when Randy and JoBeth carefully strapped all four boys into four car seats. Later, they graduated to piling in themselves, climbing over one another, accidentally kicking someone in the face, and probably squeezing poor Sarah, their little sister by 2 ½ years.

By high school, the four boys had their own modes of transportation, so traveling elbows to knees was less frequent.

Yet here they were, the first quadruplets born in Amarillo, now grown and piled into their dad’s extended cab Chevy Silverado on July 10 of this year. Randy and JoBeth blindfolded the men, taking them on a twisting and turning ride from their childhood home on Renegade Trail in the Rolling Hills neighborhood to … somewhere.

It was the night of their 40th birthday. Four decades earlier, four boys weighing less than three pounds each arrived minutes apart by Cesarean section on July 10, 1983, at Northwest Texas Hospital.

“We obviously knew something was going down,” the oldest, Ryan, says about the blindfolded drive. “We got three crammed in the back seat and one in the front with my parents. My dad was driving erratically trying to confuse us, and I’m getting a little bit of motion sickness hoping this ends pretty soon.”

They finally stopped at JoBeth’s sister’s home. Lyn Anderson is the

boys’ aunt. Fittingly enough, she owns Parties & Events in Amarillo. The parents led the four into the backyard for a truly one-of-a-kind party and event.

More than 200 guests gathered in Anderson’s backyard, some of whom the Hill quads had not seen for 20 years. There would be few expenses spared. After all, it was a unique and historical birthday celebration, the recognition of an event Amarillo had never seen.

“Let me tell you,” Ryan says, “It was pretty epic.”

FIRST THREE, THEN FOUR

JoBeth Wanderscheid and Randy Hill knew each other while at Palo Duro High School in the 1970s. Randy was two years older, graduating in 1975. JoBeth graduated two years later. They soon began dating and, in 1978, they married.

After a stint with United Parcel Service, Randy found work as an electrician at Pantex, where he would spend the next 40 years until retiring in 2018. JoBeth served as the secretary for the director of nursing at High Plains Baptist Hospital.

They weren’t in a hurry to start a family. “We wanted to have kids,” Randy says, “but we rocked along for about four years and it was just not happening. We both were tested and they couldn’t determine if it was me or JoBeth that was the issue.”

Dr. Daniel Schwartz, JoBeth’s OBGYN, suggested a fertility drug— and not an especially strong one.

“Dr. Schwartz told us that there wasn’t much more of a chance of having multiples than I would if I got pregnant naturally,” JoBeth says. “Randy’s dad was an identical twin, but we didn’t think it was worth mentioning. It was just something to help us get pregnant.”

The pregnancy happened in the winter of 1982. Within a month, JoBeth was showing enough to wear maternity pants.

“I didn’t know if that was unusual,” Randy says, “because I had nothing to compare it to. I thought, ‘Well, she’s pregnant and starting to show.’ Looking back, it seemed kind of quick that she was showing, but at the time, it didn’t seem odd.”

At 20 weeks, JoBeth had a routine sonogram, and its results were anything but routine. There were three fetuses in her womb, three distinct heartbeats. Schwartz put her on complete bed rest.

Randy and JoBeth’s minds spun with joy and anxiety. Triplets? Whoa. About five weeks later, another sonogram brought another surprise. Someone had apparently been hiding in the first sonogram. This one revealed conclusively that JoBeth was carrying a relay team. There were four little Hills inside.

At that point, Schwartz escorted JoBeth through a tunnel that, at the time, connected High Plains Baptist Hospital and Northwest Texas Hospital. Bed rest at home was no longer enough. She’d get hospital care until the delivery.

“They showed Randy the fourth one on the sonogram and it was pure adrenaline,” JoBeth says. “You could see my heart beating through my shirt. It was just a complete and total surprise.”

She was excited but not worried. “I knew that God would take care of them, and everything would be fine. I had what I considered the best obstetrician in Amarillo.”

Ignorance is bliss, and a renewed reliance on God propelled the couple forward. “The blessing is we didn’t have a clue as to what we were in for,” Randy says. “We started going back to church regularly. It made me turn to God and pray that everything would come out all right.

“We had an excellent doctor and great support system. We both had good jobs. So that part of it was great. But we were still a little bit insecure. We didn’t know what we needed to do,” he says.

Schwartz, in fact, specialized in high-risk pregnancy. “It was so good I had him,” JoBeth says. “I just did every single thing he told me to do and didn’t do one thing he told me not to do.”

Tragically, Schwartz, 45, was among several Amarillo doctors and nurses killed four years later in a plane crash in Rwanda. Nine of 14 who perished in the 1987 crash were Amarillo medical professionals who had gone to study the habits of African gorillas in hopes of learning more about the development of human infants.

“It was just so hard,” JoBeth says. “We adored him.”

MAKING HOSPITAL HISTORY

At 30 ½ weeks, it was time for the birth by C-section. On July 10, 1983, the Hills made history with the first quadruplet birth in Amarillo. According to the organization Mothers of Super Twins, twins represent one out of 83 births. Triplets are one in 6,889.

Quads? It jumps considerably to one in every 571,787 births.

A birth between 29 and 33 weeks is defined as “moderately preterm,” and the boys were definitely premature. Ryan Neil arrived first, weighing in at 2 pounds, 11 ounces. The rest came within minutes and in descending weights—Chase Phillip at 2 pounds, 6 ounces, Charles Dale at 2 pounds, 2 ounces and Brent Daniel at an even 2 pounds.

Randy got a quick look at each of his four sons before they were whisked away to the neonatal care unit, NICU. The Hills hadn’t learned the babies’ gender in advance, and had some girls’ names selected just in case. The names were assigned from oldest to youngest— Ryan, Chase, Charles and Brent.

The boys weren’t identical, not that it would have mattered to a mother and father. “To others they might look the same, but we never got them confused,” JoBeth says. “Their cries were different. There was just enough difference that we could tell.”

There were health concerns, as there would be with any baby born small and premature, but the four of them came through each stage like they had places to go and things to do. But, boy, were they tiny.

“I was a little apprehensive at first to hold them because they were so small,” Randy says. “I’d never been around a whole lot of babies to begin with. When you think about a human who is 2 pounds, their little old legs were about the size of my finger, and I’m not a big guy.”

JoBeth spent a week in the hospital after delivery, which was as long as insurance would cover. It was hard to leave her babies behind, but each of the quads had to reach 4 pounds and pass other health markers before they could leave. Ryan, the oldest and largest, came to his new home on North Osage within a week. Charlie and Chase joined them a couple weeks later. Brent developed an eye issue and had to be flown to Dallas for treatment. Once that cleared up, the last of the Hills came rolling home.

That’s when the fun really began.

90 DIAPERS A DAY

Before the birth, Randy and JoBeth and their families had begun planning like the Allies getting ready for D-Day. Fortunately, both sets of grandparents lived in Amarillo—Dale and Lee Wanderscheid and Neil and Karalee Hill. Though a little older than average grandparents, they were eager to commit financially and physically. “Our parents were around and helped us all the time,” JoBeth says. Her sister, Lyn, was also at the ready, but Randy’s siblings lived elsewhere.

“MY PARENTS DESERVE A MEDAL, LIKE THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL THAT CIVILIANS RECEIVE. YOU’VE BEEN MARRIED FIVE YEARS, AND BOOM, YOU BRING HOME FOUR BABIES FROM THE HOSPITAL.” BRENT HILL

Local stores donated baby beds and mattresses. Pleasant Valley Methodist Church volunteers came to the home at different times to help, and the church took a specific offering for the young family. Pantex arranged a plant-wide push for financial donations, plus an extra one through the electrician’s union in which Randy belonged. Other businesses contributed, too.

“I don’t remember the sum of money. I just remember it being a big help,” Randy says.

The story soon spread across the city and Panhandle. The Amarillo Globe-News had a front-page story on the quads. KAMR produced a special report. Even legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey mentioned the births on his national radio show.

Time became a challenge. There are only so many minutes in a day—or a night—and most of them had to be devoted to the care of four babies. The boys had to be fed every four hours, around the clock, and it took about an hour to feed all four. At some point, the parents had to find a few hours of sleep. “For Randy, that was tough after being at a job all day,” JoBeth says.

Finances were another issue. Through a sales rep, Dr. Nathan Goldstein, their pediatrician, was able to get them free formula for an extended period. Goldstein also gave the Hills a 75 percent discount on visits, charging only one visit for the four.

For a long time, thanks to some formula-based stomach issues that took time to resolve, the quads went through 90 diapers a day, 600 diapers a week, and more than 30,000 diapers in the first year. Those numbers will make any parent’s head spin.

At the same time, the couple’s little Honda wasn’t going to be able to fit four car seats and two parents. Randy traded it for a 1977 Plymouth Gran Fury, a small tank on wheels. A “Blues Brothers car,” Randy called it. It soon gave way to a passenger van, which reliably took Ryan, Charles, Chase and Brent to the doctor or church in those early years.

Home was initially a three-bedroom on North Osage near Travis Middle School. The house had a converted attached garage as a living room and an added bathroom. The cribs for Ryan and Chase went in one room and Charlie and Brent in the other, an arrangement that remained until they all left home.

The family settled into a routine—often hectic and challenging but

one that JoBeth and Randy managed with help. In July 1984, the quads celebrated their first birthday. On the cake were four playing cards, aces of the four different suits, and the words “Four of a Kind.”

Less than a year after the quads’ first birthday, JoBeth became pregnant with Sarah. “Yeah, can you believe it?” Randy says. A fifth child had the Hills house-hunting. They bought a lot in Pleasant Valley and built a bigger home on it when the boys were 2 years old. JoBeth’s parents were just around the corner, and Lyn lived nearby.

“We were like The Waltons,” Randy says.

NEVER A DULL MOMENT

It may not have been fully established how the Waltons washed clothes back in the 1930s, but the amount of laundry took an early toll on the Hills. The family went through three washing machines in two years. They ended up buying a commercial washer.

The boys began school at Pleasant Valley Elementary, splitting into two classes of two brothers. Other than a matching set of childhood Dallas Cowboys jackets with embroidered names, JoBeth refused the allure of matching outfits. “No, they were different people with different personalities,” she says. “You could tell they were brothers, but they were different.”

“Thank God we never dressed alike,” Brent says. “My mom had the wherewithal not to dress us up like four Twinkies.”

When the boys were in fourth grade, the family moved for the third and final time to a larger house on Renegade Trail. From there the boys, and later Sarah, attended Willow Vista Elementary, River Road Junior High and River Road High School.

A full household meant no one was ever lonely or bored. “I’m not going to lie,” Brent says. “It was not like any other experience. Whether it was cops and robbers or turning our bedrooms into WWF wrestling and jumping off the top rope that was the bed frame, it was really neat. It was always a lot of fun. Never a dull moment.”

There was always something to do. “You always had teams for sports by default. Everyone was always doing something different. You could always relate to everyone, mainly because we were all exactly the same age,” Chase says.

The boys’ different personalities and interests became clear in high school. Charlie and Brent wrestled at River Road. Within two weight

“THEY WERE DIFFERENT PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES. YOU COULD TELL THEY WERE BROTHERS, BUT THEY WERE DIFFERENT.”

—JOBETH HILL

classes of each other, they often went at it during practice. The others participated in cross country and basketball.

“Growing up and doing everything together, they could not be more different,” Sarah says. “All have wonderful big, loving hearts and would give you the shirt off their back if they had to. That’s the way our parents raised us. But they really are different.”

REACHING ADULTHOOD

As the little sister, Sarah had her own interests and friends, and was a cheerleader at River Road. Her brothers offered built-in protection. “In high school, I was just starting to date, or at least be interested in boys,” Sarah says, “and there was this one boy they didn’t like. One time in the cafeteria, one of my brothers opened up one of those chocolate milk cartons and poured it on his head and walked away.”

Not surprisingly, Sarah didn’t date regularly until her brothers graduated.

“We were all super close to her,” Ryan says. “You would think when you are the youngest sister of four older brothers, you’d be the ultimate tomboy. It was the opposite with her. She was about as girly as it got.”

The four all went first to Amarillo College and branched out from there. Sarah ended up at Oklahoma State University, where she met her future husband, John Bennett. Today, they have a daughter and live near San Francisco.

“I was always known as the ‘Quad Sister,’” Sarah says, “because everyone knew them as ‘The Quads.’ It’s a title I’m lucky to have. It’s pretty cool.”

Ryan is an Amarillo chiropractor. He and Vanessa have three children—Mason, Oliver and Eleanor. In an oddity in a family that leans to the unusual, Chase’s wife is also named Vanessa. They have Ashlyn and Avery. Chase is in the HVAC business in Amarillo.

Charlie and Brent are single. Charlie is a mechanic in the aerospace industry in Fort Worth. Brent is in the insurance business in Amarillo, but was planning a move in late summer to the metroplex. And, no, those two won’t be sharing a bedroom.

Four adult quadruplets, one adult sister. All with careers, all productive citizens and three of them having given Randy and JoBeth six grandchildren. That doesn’t just happen by accident.

“It’s really indescribable what they did,” Charlie says. “I hope to have a family one day, and I hope to be half the parents they are.”

“I joke about this a lot, but really it’s not a joke,” Brent says. “My parents deserve a medal, like the presidential medal that civilians receive. You’ve been married five years, and boom, you bring home four babies from the hospital.

“To see my mom constantly washing clothes, making meals, running errands, that was a full-time job. My dad working overtime to make ends meet, it was just a huge amount of sacrifice. It was blood, sweat and tears for them and I have nothing but respect for the job they did in raising us.”

A PARTY TO BE REMEMBERED

The 40th birthday party will be remembered as long as the Hill family has memories. Lyn Anderson’s backyard teemed with people. Some had helped Randy and JoBeth with the boys when they were young. Some were friends from high school. Everyone there had a hand in the lives of Ryan, Charlie, Chase and Brent Hill.

Music from local band Velvet Funk filled the summer night. “I’ll put it to you this way—it’s that one party you have in your lifetime that you never want to leave,” Brent says. “I don’t get choked up too much, but I did that night. I hope I never get dementia, but even if I do, I won’t forget that night.”

The party was a celebratory reminder of a special birth, an unusual bond, a sacrifice, and how the community came together for Amarillo’s first quadruplet birth.

“It’s incredibly awesome to be a quad,” Charlie says. “It doesn’t come up often, but every now and then, I’ll be asked about growing up. When people find out you’re a quad, they just think it’s amazing and make you show a picture or tell a story. I’m proud to be a quad. I can’t imagine not being one.”

No birthday party is complete without a cake. Birthday cake number 40 was a fitting nod to the past, with the same message that appeared on their cake as 1-year-olds in 1984. Four aces, four suits. Four of a Kind.

In a One of a Kind way.

PRODUCING SUCCESS SINCE 1916

Farmers and ranchers aren’t just the economic heart of West Texas, but also drive our culture and way of life. AgTexas, a lending cooperative, provides credit and crop insurance to its members through various branches across the state, including its Amarillo location, which serves producers in Potter, Randall, Armstrong, Carson, and Oldham counties. The financial specialists at AgTexas know the area and its needs. They live and work here, making lending decisions based on a deep knowledge of this community and the West Texas landscape.

The co-op’s roots run deep. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson founded the Federal Land Bank, an early farm credit system that began as a network of 12 regional banks dedicated to providing low-cost financing to farmers and ranchers. As the Great Depression gripped the country in 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal legislation created the

Farm Credit Act to offer assistance to farmers. That legislation led to the establishment of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) and Production Credit Associations (PCAs), which provided loans to farmers for operating expenses including equipment, seed and livestock.

The legacy of AgTexas ties directly back to the Lubbock PCA and Amarillo PCA. These rural lending cooperatives began to provide short- and intermediate-term loans. Additional legislation in 1968 reinforced the idea that the Farm Credit System should be owned and controlled by its borrower-members.

The Amarillo and Plainview PCAs merged in 1999 to become Great Plains Ag Credit. Meanwhile, the Lubbock PCA merged with the Stephenville PCA to become AgTexas. And in 2015, those entities combined to form the new AgTexas—a rural

lending cooperative that now serves 43 Texas counties. Within the next few years, AgTexas surpassed $2 billion in loan volume.

Beyond that deep agricultural legacy, what sets AgTexas apart?

It is member-owned. People make the difference in any cooperative, with each stockholder or member-owner having a voice in the business of the co-op and a vote in director elections. As members, these producers and ag business owners receive a share of AgTexas’ profits according to their business—boosting their bottom line. AgTexas has distributed more than $110 million to customers since 2018, including $30 million last year alone.

It is member-focused. More than a tagline, the phrase “Your SUCCESS. Our PURPOSE.” explains the AgTexas mindset when it comes to decision-making. “For us, the customer comes first,” says CEO Kayla Robinson. “Big to small, young to old, from

traditional farming operations to hunting leases and cotton gins, we understand financing needs when it comes to agriculture and rural living.”

It is community-connected. Because the lending experts at AgTexas live and work in the areas they serve, their interests are closely aligned with those of the rural customers that call the Texas Panhandle home. With personalized service and loan decisions made locally, AgTexas offers flexible loan programs for every kind of agricultural financing, from livestock purchases to irrigation development and feedyard inventory. “Agriculture is always a challenging industry, but our member-owners are resilient. They feed and clothe the world,” says Robinson. “The strong financial backing they receive from our co-op helps make sure that they can continue that important work for decades to come.”

FALL VEGETABLES IN VOGUE

Fall and winter are fast approaching. These are my favorite seasons of the year. Being born on the first day of winter, it only makes sense that I worship cold crisp days until spring begins to bud. The things I love most about this time of year are the vibrancy and sophistication of fashion and food. Yes, food can be sophisticated! Like fashion, a menu can be created and expressed through various degrees of complexity. And, let us not forget the vibrant colors vegetables provide to our eyes. Just as I anxiously await the September Issue of Vogue—always the thickest one of the year—I dream of all the ways I will connect with the season’s bounty.

VEGETABLES IN VOGUE

Food and fashion intersect because they both tell a story. The beauty and craftsmanship within each is born from a labor of love. Beautiful, artisanal and traditional elements can be cultivated through the designer/ creator. Those elements push people to experience and invent or reinvent ideas.

I see the connection going even further when I think of where and what I should eat and excitedly decide what to wear; sneakers or heels, sous vide or steamed, pearls or costume jewelry, wine-braised or deep-fried. It is so much fun curating outfits or a fabulous meal to fit our mood. For me, I especially enjoy working with fall vegetables to design appealing compositions onto plates.

VEGETABLES IN SEASON

Beets are a trendy vegetable during the fall/winter months, and are wonderful roasted and tossed in salads or baked into chocolatey desserts. Broccoli and broccolini are available year-round but taste best when harvested in colder temperatures. Other gorgeous winter vegetables to enjoy are Belgian carrots, cauliflower, celery, fennel, sunchokes, kale, leeks, parsnips, radicchio, rutabaga, Swiss chard, turnips, and winter squash. The flavor profiles and combinations are endless and quite inspiring to create!

STEPS IN CURATING A DISH

As a designer designs or an artist composes, a cook can create in an equal manner using the same thought process. Before I begin developing a recipe, I ask myself a few questions: What do I want, how do I want to prepare it, how difficult do I want the execution to be, what tools do I need, and what flavor profile do I want to use? If you can answer these questions yourself, you have just created your very own recipe.

The fall-focused recipes I include here showcase seasonal vegetables in a salad and a soup, all while keeping presentation in mind. After all, doesn’t a great meal taste even better when it looks marvelous?

PURPLE DAIKON, CITRUS, AND SPINACH SALAD

¼ purple daikon, sliced into thin rounds, then into quarter pieces (If you can’t find purple radish at the farmer’s market, any radish will equally shine.)

2 large grapefruits, peeled and sectioned

1 handful fresh spinach

1 small cucumber, sliced into thin rounds

2 tablespoons harissa (Storebought is fine.)

1 to 2 tablespoons water

Fresh dill for garnish

Vegan parmesan (processed almonds, garlic powder, salt and pepper)

The beauty of this salad is that it’s so simple to put together AND you can create your very own composition. I assembled the mixture to one side of the dish for an “uptown aesthetic,” which can make for a great dinner party first course. Once you have curated your salad, mix the harissa in a small bowl with water to thin for dressing. Lastly, drizzle harissa over the dish with a spoon before serving.

Makes 4 salads

RUTHIE LANDELIUS

Ruthie owns Black Fig Catering and is proprietor of a food blog at blackfigfood.com. Learn more about her online classes at blackfigfoodprograms.com.

ROASTED DELICATE SQUASH AND POTATO SOUP

2 to 3 delicate squash, sliced into rounds and de-seeded

½ red onion, chopped

10 to 12 mini Yukon potatoes, sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 sprigs fresh thyme

Kosher salt

Fresh cracked pepper

4 to 6 cups water

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon curry powder

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons Kosher salt

1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk

¼ teaspoon garam masala

1 bunch lacinato kale (or curly kale), rough chopped

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Toss squash, red onion and potatoes with thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Place vegetables on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, or until softened and slightly crisped. Pour water into a Dutch oven or stock pot. Add roasted vegetables, ginger, curry powder, nutmeg, salt, coconut milk, and garam masala. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove soup from the heat. Ladle a third of the soup into a blender. Puree until all vegetables and broth are smooth. Pour the mixture back into the pot along with the kale and stir. Simmer for 5 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 to 6 servings

A Taste for Tea

When you’re starting out, you don’t want any setbacks,” says Jamie Roberson while pouring hot water into a delicate teacup. “That was a setback.”

He’s talking about this summer’s catastrophic flooding around Duniven Lake. Jamie and Valerie Roberson opened Golden Rose Tea Room at 3314 Olsen Blvd. in February, fulfilling a dream that had been brewing for the couple since their first encounter with the traditions of British tea service. Golden Rose had only been open for a few months when the rains came.

“We had about four inches of flooding inside the building,” he says. The couple closed for more than a month, remodeled the space and reopened later in the summer. They’ve landed on their feet, and with the coziness of fall and the holiday season coming up, are feeling optimistic.

“We’ve had people travel here from all over to try this, because we’re the only tea room in the Panhandle, to my knowledge,” says Valerie. And tea room people, she says, are tea room people. “When they go out of town, they find a tea room wherever they go.”

She and her husband are focused on serving customers who already know the ins and outs of a delicate tea service, and on introducing newbies to a tradition they both adore. Several years ago, when friends talked them into attending a tea house with them in Albuquerque, they were hesitant. “We thought a tea party was a weird concept for adults, but once we left, we saw that it was superspecial,” says Valerie, who comes from a background in food service and senior care.

Jamie spent two decades as a wine vendor. Both say hospitality comes naturally to them, and they love serving new and regular customers. “We have a lot of returning guests. Once we get them in the doors, they’re hooked. They want to do it every day,” Valerie says.

The hospitality aspect has proven to be incredibly fulfilling for the couple. “Pouring the tea and seeing people smile and giving them that gift,” Valerie says. “I want to be out here watching those special moments. That blesses my heart. That’s why we love this place.”

We asked the couple to guide us through a proper afternoon tea.

A Few Suggestions

Etiquette is part of the charm of traditional tea service, and in a casual culture like the Panhandle, the Robersons enjoy educating locals about the finer elements of the experience. They aren’t rigid about it—the Robersons would never turn guests away or shame anyone—but traditional tea houses tend to have traditional expectations.

For example, most afternoon tea spots maintain a “smart casual” dress code. The two-hour tea service itself is elegant. The Victorianinspired decor is elegant. Participants’ dress and behavior should lean toward elegance, as well. The Robersons recommend a bit more formality than usual. (Avoid the tights-and-flipflops look.) And to embrace the experience, keep distracting phones off the table.

Teaspoons are relatively foreign in this region, so they offer specific recommendations for that utensil. Stir up and down—not in circles— gently folding in the sugar or milk. Try not to clang your teaspoon against the side of the teacup. Then, after stirring, put your teaspoon on the saucer. Refrain from drinking with your teaspoon still in the cup.

The Tea

Many tea houses will ask a patron or even a whole table to choose a specific tea, which will arrive in a pot. Golden Rose prefers giving customers more choice. “We pack our own tea bags so everyone can have what they want without sharing,” says Valerie. “Most tea rooms don’t do it this way.”

They offer three pours per meal, balanced alongside a three-tiered food service. “Most people like to have a different tea with each tier,” she explains. Some will pair a black tea with the savory sandwiches and work their way up to fruitier teas with dessert. Others do the exact opposite. “It’s totally up to you.”

Jamie recommends black tea with savories, blended tea with scones, “and a peppermint tea or Organic Northwest Sunset with dessert,” he says. That last tea, a blend, combines peppermint, spearmint, rosehips, and hibiscus for bright notes of flavor, with lemon verbena and rooibos adding a subtle citrus finish. “But it’s just a preference.”

Nor are they sticklers on whether or not to add cream or sugar— Brits typically add both—or how long to steep tea. “People ask us all the time. We usually say three to five minutes, but it’s just a preference thing, too. How dark do you like your tea?”

“We have a lot of returning guests. Once we get them in the doors, they’re hooked.”

—Valerie Roberson

The Tea Tradition

The tea service tradition dates back to England’s Anna Maria Russell (below), the seventh Duchess of Bedford. In the early 1800s, she proposed afternoon tea as a way to stave off hunger during the gap between lunch and dinner, which came late, after 8 p.m. According to her design, tea and small-bite foods would be served around 4 p.m., between the two meals.

“We use ‘afternoon tea’ and ‘high tea’ interchangeably in America,” Valerie explains. “If we were being really authentic, high tea would be later in the afternoon.” High tea tends to be heartier, with meats and cheeses in addition to the sandwiches and scones.

Technically, the three-course, savories-scones-and-dessert service at Golden Rose is a form of afternoon tea, served by reservation only beginning at 1:30 p.m. Prepare for a leisurely two hours at the table. Walk-ins are welcome for tea alone, tea-and-salad combinations, or tea and dessert. A brunchlike morning tea service at 11 a.m., “Elevenses,” is also available Wednesday through Sunday, as are bookings for private events.

Our two hours at Golden Rose both relaxed and invigorated us. The food, drink and hospitality engaged all five senses. The soothing environment felt like wrapping up in your grandmother’s quilt, offering a warm, calming retreat from the outside world.

The Food

The food menu changes weekly, but the tea service Golden Rose served Brick & Elm began with a light Greek or house salad. “Normally, you’ll come in and have your salad, and then we do the first pour,” says Valerie. “After the pour, we prepare the three-tier trays.”

They remove the salad plate and replace it with a plate for savory sandwiches—an egg-salad croissant with spinach as well as a traditional cucumber sandwich with cream cheese. “It’s a staple in British culture,” she says.

Our second food tier was lemon-curd scones with raspberry preserves. Valerie tells us the dough for the scones is prepared by Girasol Cafe & Bakery, then baked by Golden Rose.

Dessert was a pistachio-flavored pudding in a jar, plus French macarons. A lot of tea rooms serve strawberries and cream. “But we like to switch it up,” Valerie says.

They point out that the quantity of food ends up exceeding expectations. The Robersons know the Texas Panhandle market and have increased portion sizes to accommodate heartier appetites. “You don’t expect it, but you’re full by the end,” Jamie says.

Tea at Home

Your kitchen may lack the adorable dishware and cozy confines of Golden Rose, but the Robersons definitely encourage customers to experiment with their own tea service at home. Most of the loose-leaf teas they serve are also available to purchase and take home. The type of tea is a preference, but they steer guests toward a high-quality tea such as Earl Grey, a classic English Breakfast tea or organic Masala Chai.

Black tea should be served with freshly boiled water— Golden Rose uses reverse-osmosis water rather than tap— and green tea is traditionally prepared with a cooler water temperature of 175 degrees.

Fine china teacups add to the experience, as do accompaniments like scones or finger sandwiches. But don’t let the details keep you from enjoying fine tea.

At the Amarillo EDC, we know you want to be confident in the future of your business while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You deserve to live where you have both a thriving career and family.

There’s no better place than Amarillo. For more than 30 years, the Amarillo EDC has supported hundreds of businesses in their relocation, growth, and expansion process.

We want to make Amarillo a place where businesses and individuals can prosper.

Learn more about how Amarillo can help you succeed at amarilloedc.com.

Fantastically Delicious

In anticipation of Amarillo Little Theatre’s musical production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this month, we were approached with an idea: What if we challenged some of the best chefs in Amarillo to embrace their inner Willy Wonka and create a magical, chocolatey confection? What could they come up with? Of course, we wondered after we photographed it for Brick & Elm, could we eat it?

Thankfully, these restaurants jumped at the opportunity and the results are just as tempting as we expected. We recommend trying them yourself: Most of these desserts will be available at each location throughout the run of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (The white chocolate panna cotta at OHMS will only be available September 12-16.)

Golden Ticket Croquette

Chef Tyler Ryen

Savór Tapas Bar

7669 Hillside Road

Ryen says this graham-cracker-encrusted chocolate ganache with a marshmallow cream, graham-cracker bites and chocolate chips is his take on campfire s’mores. He rolled the chocolate ganache in graham-cracker crumbs, then fried it in what he describes as “almost like a pancake batter.” The result was rich, smoky and decadent.

TWENTY606

Wonka Bar

Snead called this delicacy an “adult take on a Wonka bar,” which appears in the book and musical and which were even sold as promotional merchandise for the 2005 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The chocolate bar contains a pretzel crust with caramel filling, and was topped with house-made stout-and-pretzel ice cream.

Juanita Campos Crush Wine Bar & Grill

627

Chocolate Willy Wonka Cake

The rich, moist texture of this decadent chocolate cake is offset by the whimsical exterior color—which includes candy sourced from the Candy Palace at Westgate Mall. Juanita Campos created the drip cake by carefully pouring melted chocolate buttercream frosting onto the top center of the cake and letting it flow down the sides, a technique that works best when the cake is chilled before icing.

Chocolatey Expertise

Since these extravagant, complex confections aren’t necessarily the kinds of things a home cook can successfully tackle, we asked our expert participants to provide a tip for working with chocolate at home.

1. Splurge on

chocolate.

“Spend the extra and use a higher quality,” says Leslie Meier. “That is my tip for chocolate.” Rather than relying on household names like Hershey’s or Ghirardelli, OHMS swears by three brands: the American-based Guittard Chocolate Company, Belgium’s Callebaut Chocolate, or France’s Cacao Barry. “The texture, the overall flavor, everything is just nicer,” she says of these company’s products, which are available from WorldwideChocolate.com.

2. Learn to temper.

Properly tempered chocolate is what allows a chef to turn a crisp bar of chocolate into something moldable or even saucy. As part of this multi-step process, Ryen added small amounts of cream to manage texture and appearance.

“That’s how we achieve the runny chocolate versus it just being a gloopy ball of hot chocolate,” says Tyler Ryen of Savór. Tempering allowed him to scoop and batter the chocolate for his take on s’mores.

White Chocolate Blueberry Panna Cotta

“I knew nobody would cover the blueberry aspect, but it’s a big part of the story,” says Leslie Meier, head baker at OHMS. (In the book and musical, the character Violet Beauregard turns indigo and blueberry-round from experimental gum.) White chocolate can be overly sweet, but pairing it with the tart blueberries made for a crisp, refreshing dessert, garnished with a white-chocolatechip-and-lemon cookie.

3. Pay attention to the heat.

“Always use the best chocolate you can find,” says Marcus Snead of TWENTY606. He recommends anything 65 percent cacao and above. Then pay attention to the heat. “You can’t really work in a hot kitchen,” he says. To melt chocolate at home, he recommends a double boiler, which uses steam from simmering water to heat the contents of an upper bowl. “That way you’re not going to burn the chocolate. Chocolate’s pretty forgiving … until it’s not,” Snead says.

4. Keep it fresh.

Crush first hired Juanita Campos as a dishwasher. Then General Manager Seth Quinn began hearing she was an amazing baker. It wasn’t long before Campos became responsible for all the restaurant’s desserts, other than the crème brûlée. To ensure a moist chocolate cake, Campos says to “pay special attention” to the instructions. Overbaking can dry out any cake, so use the toothpick method to monitor doneness—start checking several minutes ahead of the final baking time. Then don’t let it sit too long, she says. “Always bake the day of.”

EXPERTS

In a close-knit community like Amarillo, you’re never more than one or two degrees of separation from someone who really knows their stuff. We are surrounded by experts in all kinds of subjects, and word-of-mouth is typically how we meet them. In fact, nine out of 10 people are more likely to use a service provider when that person comes recommended by a friend, family member, or their favorite local lifestyle magazine. With that in mind, this special section is dedicated to the local experts who are always available to help. It’s our honor to introduce them to you.

Amarillo National Bank

ADRIAN MEANDER

My specific areas of expertise are: My expertise is in bank operations and branch management, however all of us at Amarillo National Bank are experts in customer service. We do our best to meet our customers’ needs and help them meet their financial milestones and goals—like buying a first car or house, saving for the future or establishing their credit.

How long have you been in business? I’ve been in banking for more than two decades. I started at ANB in 2000 as a teller at our Hillside branch. Now, I work as a Vice President and the Branch Manager for our North Branch, located at 712 N. Taylor St.

What sets ANB apart from its competitors? There are very few bankers in Texas who can say they’ve had the opportunity to work for a financial institution that has been serving its community for more than 130 years. But that’s the reality at ANB. We are family-owned, which means we make fast decisions without all the red tape. And we are known throughout the state for the way we serve customers.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? My team maintains knowledge and specialization by tapping into the wealth of experience and knowledge at ANB, including training and networking. We have regular training sessions on our products and services. Once you have a solid base of knowledge, the best training is working directly with customers.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? People in this area really value locally owned businesses, and being the largest family-owned bank in the nation gets attention. Everywhere you go in the city, every business and community member has heard of Amarillo National Bank. That legacy of service and success attracts our customers, and what brings them back are the relationships we build and the attentive customer service they receive from every member of our team.

Why does ANB’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? In the Texas Panhandle, people want to do business with someone they can trust— someone they know on a personal level. In order to work with the people, I believe one needs to live with the people. Decisions at ANB aren’t made on Wall Street but right here in the Texas Panhandle, to benefit the people who live here. It doesn’t get any better than that.

ART RESTORATION Art Restoration by Leah McLain

My specific area of expertise is: I am an art restorer. I clean, repair and restore oil and acrylic paintings. Artwork should be preserved regardless of its monetary worth, especially if it has personal or sentimental value.

Restoration techniques may involve removing layers of dirt or varnish, filling in surface cracks, and retouching damaged areas to match original colors and textures. In some cases, more invasive techniques may be required, such as adding a new canvas lining to address damage or deterioration.

How long have you been in business? I began working in art restoration in Amarillo in 2016 after training with Adele Pruitt, a legendary art restorer in Ukiah, California, and DiAnna Tindell of Tindell Restoration Services. Prior to working in restoration, I painted and created collages, which were sold at Artists Inside Circa 1857 in Baton Rouge as well as various art fairs, including one in conjunction with SXSW in Austin. While at the University of Texas, I studied art history as part of my degree and have had a passion for art ever since.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I get excited every time clients bring in a new piece, and I love seeing the relief and satisfaction they experience when their paintings are whole again. I’m always fascinated by the story of how these paintings ended up in my studio, and I have a deep respect for the original artists who created the work.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I’ve restored a wide range of paintings with historical value by artists such as H.D. Bugbee, Bert Phillips, and several 19th century English painters. Some of my favorite pieces have been sentimental treasures, often painted by a relative. I love hearing the stories of the artists and what they mean to the family members who entrust me to preserve their paintings for generations to come. It’s a privilege to trace over the same brushstrokes an artist made long ago.

How do you maintain your knowledge or specialization? I have a good resource library and a community of experts I consult when I encounter something challenging. Every painting has different properties and sometimes there are big surprises like unusual materials used for the painting. I keep extensive notes on every project and with each new piece I gain knowledge that helps me with future work.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? When working with clients, I make every effort to communicate with them clearly so they know what to expect. I provide free estimates and my price will never exceed the amount quoted.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Amarillo natives have always had a strong appreciation for beautiful art, but our climate can be hard on it. Artwork without obvious structural or surface damage can benefit from a thorough cleaning and fresh application of varnish. Any painting exposed to cigarette smoke or dust (hello, West Texas) needs a periodic cleaning to prevent long-term damage. Art restoration services are an important way to preserve and protect our cultural heritage and ensure that future generations can continue to appreciate the beauty and historical significance of our art.

BUSINESS CONSULTANT Canyon Rim Consulting

Our specific area of expertise is: Canyon Rim Consulting specializes in delivering end-to-end IT management services. From expert software recommendations to seamless implementation, we provide complete solutions tailored to your needs. Trust us for strategic IT planning, efficient ERP and CRM system implementation, seamless data integration, and customized development, ensuring your success in the digital landscape.

How long have you been in business? Two years.

What sets Canyon Rim Consulting apart from its competitors? We gained invaluable experience building world-class business systems on a macro scale at Merrick Pet Care. Through this incredible process, we honed our expertise in crafting innovative and scalable business solutions that not only adapted to the company’s ever-evolving needs, but also consistently exceeded industry standards. We understand firsthand the intricacies and challenges businesses face in growth and expansion. However, every organization is unique and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to success.

What do you enjoy most about your field? What truly ignites our passion is the human element of the work. We get immense fulfillment from interacting with clients, understanding their aspirations, and witnessing their “aha” moments when they see the potential of a tailored technology solution. Helping businesses reach their full potential and thrive in today’s competitive landscape is what drives us every day. We relish the chance to dive into the intricacies of their operations, to understand their pain points, and to envision transformative solutions that can elevate their entire business.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Continuous learning is ingrained in our team’s culture. We encourage knowledge sharing among team members, organize regular workshops and brainstorming sessions to exchange ideas, and stay informed about industry trends.

Our partnership with NetSuite empowers us to deliver exceptional results to our clients. By maintaining that knowledge and specialization we can always offer cutting-edge solutions that align with our clients’ unique needs and drive their success. As a result, our team remains a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive NetSuite implementations and expert consultancy services.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? When clients first engage with us, they are captivated by our ability to quickly grasp the complexities of their operations and offer insightful solutions tailored to their unique requirements. We identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement, empowering businesses to optimize their processes, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance.

Our clients consistently return to us because we deliver tangible results. The solutions we implement not only resolve their immediate challenges, but also position them for sustainable growth and success in the long run.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle?

Building strong business foundations in this region has a profound impact. It contributes to the growth and prosperity of not only individual enterprises, but also the entire community— and ultimately, the future of all Texans. A sustainable future for all Texans is at the heart of our mission. Strong businesses lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity and stability, benefiting current and future generations.

Mariner Wealth Advisors

SUZANNE WHEELER

How long have you been in business? I have enjoyed working in the financial services area since 1997, when I co-founded a registered investment advisory firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My colleagues and I had a passion for helping clients achieve their goals by providing investment and planning advice. In 1997, the financial service area in Tulsa was dominated by broker-dealer relationships and men. We wanted to see change in both areas. We later joined Mariner Wealth Advisors in 2012.

What sets Mariner Wealth Advisors apart from its competitors? At Mariner Wealth Advisors, our in-house teams, including estate planning, trust services, insurance, retirement solutions and investment management, collaborate with our wealth advisors to create coordinated wealth plans for clients. We limit the number of clients per advisor to provide clients with a personalized experience. Our mission is to put our clients’ interests first in everything we do. We also believe in caring about the communities where we live and work. That’s why we created the associate-led Mariner Foundation, offering grants to families and children in need.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? Most clients come to us to assist them with their portfolio allocation and investment/financial planning needs, but there are many other services we provide to our clients, such as cash flow planning, insurance analysis, estate planning review by our advisors, as well as our in-house estate planning attorneys, tax planning and wealth transfer planning. We can also provide family office services and business succession and valuation planning.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? I attend several conferences throughout the year to maintain designations, and Mariner has a dedicated team to provide online, in-person and webinar training on a weekly basis. If you think you have learned it all, you are mistaken. I continue learning everyday through the areas mentioned above, as well as from colleagues and fellow business leaders.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I love people and the thought of helping them navigate from accumulation to financial independence, where they can enjoy retirement and create memories along the way. I enjoy collaborating with our clients through building their careers and families to traumatic transitions, such as divorce or loss of a loved one, and working with them emotionally, not just in a technical form. Seeing clients through successes and challenges fills my heart with gratitude.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? A common misconception in wealth advice is you can do it on your own. I was blessed to have a mentor early in my career that pushed me to do my best, be my best, and continue growing and learning with a team. While many feel they can perform the full scope of services on their own, I feel a team approach is better for professionals. Having a second eye on all decisions is something all clients deserve, and clients appreciate when someone is available and ready to meet their needs, rather than waiting for their advisor to return to the office.

FAMILY MEDICINE Northwest Physicians Group

KOLEY PACK, M.D.

My specific area of expertise is: I am a board-certified family medicine physician, originally from Spearman, who is focused on the health care of the entire family, from newborn to mature adults.

How long has the Care Center been in business? The Northwest Physicians Group Primary Care Center opened in 2022, but I personally have been practicing for many years.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I enjoy the patient-physician relationship and the shared decisionmaking process. My patients and I get to have a conversation about the best approach for their health. This allows patients to have some autonomy in their care and some responsibility in it, too. When you are my patient, I see you, but most importantly if you need to be seen immediately, I also have a team of board-certified physicians available to see you at the clinic.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I enjoy my young patients and watching them take their first steps, then become teenagers, and grow into young adults. I love that I get to visit each patient room and see a young mom, then in the next room, a grandmother.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Medicine is one of the most important fields where maintaining information about current technologies and medications is critical.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? Patients often begin their journey when they are ill. Once we have a chance to establish a relationship, they come back to discuss other issues or get an annual checkup to make sure everything is going well. Catching up on my patient’s lives is the best part. Did they have a new baby or get a new job? These questions are helpful and lead to open discussions about their health.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Studies show that many people in the Texas Panhandle do not have adequate access to care. I wanted to meet that demand by becoming a physician who allows friends and neighbors access to good health care services while keeping them close to home.

SEAN ANDERSON, M.D.

My specific area of expertise is: I am a board-certified Family Medicine physician practicing with Northwest Physicians Group.

How long has the Care Center been in business? The Northwest Physicians Group Primary Care Center opened in 2022, but I have been practicing for many years.

What sets you apart from your competitors? I tend to get to know patients on a personal level. I enjoy bringing some humor because I believe that laughter is the best medicine.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I enjoy getting to know my patients and that they get to know me as well. I truly enjoy the uniqueness of every interaction.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? I do research and talk to my colleagues about the latest in medicine. Today’s health care is ever-changing and that is what makes it exciting.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? I work hard to earn the trust of my patients so they feel comfortable to tell me anything. They know everything I recommend is for their best interest.

Every new doorway is a new patient, and every old patient is a new interaction.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle?

Much of our community is not aware of the importance of having a doctor who knows your medical history. Although you may not be someone who needs a doctor very often, it is important to establish with a doctor who understands your family’s medical history and how it might impact your future. In the Panhandle it is said that we live in a “physician desert” and I want to be sure I am bringing a solution to this crisis.

Glass Doctor of Amarillo

Our specific areas of expertise are: We offer auto, home and business glass repair and replacement services, as well as window tinting, headlight restoration and custom shower doors.

How long have you been in business? Wayne and Edythe Robinson opened Wayne’s Quality Auto Glass in December 1986, and bought the local Glass Doctor Franchise in 2006 to expand their business from auto glass into a full-service glass shop.

What sets Glass Doctor apart from its competitors? We always hope the service we offer our customers sets us apart! We offer a 12-month guarantee on all our windshield replacements, which includes free rock repair for one year. We recently purchased equipment to manufacture our own insulated glass units, so instead of a two- to three-week lead time, we can take care of our customers much sooner.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Helping our customers is what we enjoy most! Most of our customers have had something bad happen—a broken windshield, broken glass, vandalism—and we are able to help take care of them. When they are remodeling a bathroom or building a home, we get to help with a custom shower door, mirrors, or cabinet glass.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? The glass industry is always changing, so we do our best to keep up with technology and make sure our techs are trained on the newest techniques. Almost every new vehicle comes equipped with cameras and sensors. Most are in the windshield. These have to be recalibrated, and we are trained and able to take care of recalibrating new vehicles.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? All the services we offer are what initially bring customers to us, but what brings them back is our customer service! We have the best employees. They do an amazing job of taking care of our customers’ needs and treating them like family. We are a local, family-owned business and we hope that comes through in everything we do.

Why does Glass Doctor’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? We serve most of the Texas Panhandle. This summer, that mattered when storms hit several small towns in the Panhandle. We were able to send technicians to Perryton, Pampa and other communities. We love the Panhandle and have loved watching everyone come together when other communities were trying to pick up the pieces. 2515 BRITAIN

COSMETIC DENTISTRY Windmill Dental

How long have you been in business? My wife and I opened Windmill Dental in 2019 as a private, start-up dental office.

What sets Windmill Dental apart from its competitors? There is something special about the western way of life. Growing up on my family’s cattle ranch in New Mexico, I learned to wake before the sun rose. I understood that the animals needed to be cared for before myself, that helping a neighbor was second nature, and working hard until the job was completed was the only way to do something. The beauty of the western lifestyle is reflected within Windmill Dental. Windmill Dental is also always on the leading side of technology and patient care.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I receive the most enjoyment in life through spending time with my wife and three kids. Being a practice owner and dentist is fantastic because it allows me the privilege of time. Coaching their sports teams, going to school programs, and being a big part of their lives is the biggest joy I can get out of life—dentistry and Windmill Dental allow this. My second favorite is a new smile reveal, something that cosmetic dentistry at Windmill Dental specializes in. The look on a patient’s face when a big case is completed and they see their new smile in the mirror for the first time—that is a great feeling.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? We have a consistent drive to always improve. It is something that can be felt when you walk into Windmill Dental. The office has a culture of trying to be the best. This is something that requires education, training and accountability. Every year, our team goes to multiple continuing education courses, learning skills that help better serve our fantastic patient base. We put this into action, because at Windmill Dental, we want our patients to expect the best technology and treatment. The only way we continue to hold this expectation is to continue to grow.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? When Windmill Dental started, my wife and I would gather the kids every evening and walk neighborhoods, knock on doors, and introduce ourselves. Every morning, we would go to different businesses and bring doughnuts with business cards. Now, Windmill Dental is an award-winning, highly sought-after dental practice with the latest and greatest technology. We are a highly-skilled team and have a mission to create relationships with our patients built on trust and friendly Texas small-town feel.

Why does Windmill Dental’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Cosmetic dentistry at Windmill Dental is there to revive a smile that has been lost over the years. It can also help fix any trauma that has occurred to restore a smile to its natural beauty. Windmill Dental utilizes cutting-edge technology and advanced knowledge to diagnose and develop a plan that matches the patient’s vision. Once completed, this ideal smile is delivered and the impact on both physical and mental health is indescribable. Not only does this service help improve self-confidence and happiness with one’s own appearance, but it can also improve oral health and, in trauma cases, restore teeth to their best form.

Casey Carpet One Floor & Home

Our specific area of expertise is: We specialize in floor-covering materials and installation for residential and commercial applications.

How long have you been in business? Our grandfather, Larry Doyle, opened for business in 1947 in Lubbock. He opened our Amarillo location shortly thereafter, in 1949. We are the longest operating flooring company in the Texas Panhandle and still family-owned after 76 years!

What sets Casey Carpet One apart from its competitors? We have a beautiful showroom, full of the latest products and designs. We have expert salespeople focused on making sure customers experience top-notch service. But what sets us apart most of all is our 76 years of serving the Texas Panhandle. A lot has changed over those 76 years: Tape measures have been replaced with laser distometers; hand-sketched drawings on paper have been replaced with CAD drawings on an iPad. But our everyday values of honesty, integrity and gratitude for our customers haven’t changed. We are grateful to the community for keeping us around this long.

What do you enjoy most about your field? We love the relationships we get to build with our customers. What we do is unlike any other sales transaction. When we work in someone’s home, we’re in their bedrooms, bathrooms and closets. These are intimate spaces, usually reserved for family alone. Our customers show us tremendous trust by inviting us into their lives, and we don’t take that lightly.

Because of that, by the end of the job, we have genuine friendships with our clients that produce long-lasting business relationships.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? We have THE most professional sales team in our industry! We work closely with our vendors to stay up to date on the latest products and technology. Whether you come into our showroom to remodel a bathroom or build a new home, you will get an extremely knowledgeable salesperson whose number-one concern is making sure you find a product that is right for the application and that will make you glad you decided to do business with Casey Carpet One.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? Our clients know the value of working with a family-owned business that’s been around for 76 years. We treat people the way we want to be treated, and we do what we say we’re going to do. When we mess up, we fix it. People in the Panhandle value our ethics and come back to see us because they feel safe buying from us.

Why does Casey Carpet One’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? We joke that “everyone’s a customer.” Whether it’s a home or business, everyone needs flooring at some point along the way. We hope you choose Casey Carpet One for your next project. Come experience a level of customer service that you didn’t know existed in the floor-covering industry!

LPT CPAs + Advisors

PLLC

Our specific areas of expertise are: At LPT, we thrive by helping clients in a variety of industries—including construction, energy, law, health care, real estate, and agriculture—deal with complex tax, business, and accounting issues. Perhaps most importantly, we help them navigate the rapid and continual changes in all of these categories. While reporting and compliance are important elements of our work, we are passionate about coaching and planning with clients.

How long have you been in business? Rooted in the Texas Panhandle, we have offered a full suite of accounting, tax and advisory services since 1996. We are excited to be celebrating our 27th anniversary.

What sets LPT CPAs apart from its competitors? We believe that true financial success requires more than just doing taxes. Ultimately, our success is tied to our clients’ success. We measure our achievements based on the positive outcomes and tangible results we deliver for our clients, helping them meet their financial goals, and thrive in their respective industries.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Watching our clients succeed is one of the most gratifying aspects of the profession, whether it’s helping a business flourish or guiding individuals to protect and preserve wealth. Being a part of our clients’ multi-generational success journey is incredibly fulfilling.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? CPAs are required to earn 40 hours of continuing education annually. Frankly, keeping up requires much more than meeting those requirements. There are myriad sources for training and information, but sometimes the best option is walking down the hall to a colleague’s office.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back?

Most new clients learn about LPT via a referral from an existing client or colleague. We are greatly honored by these referrals and seek to earn them. New clients have typically heard about our reputation, expertise and personalized service. Often, a client chooses us for a simple reason— like our reputation for responsiveness via phone, email or text. Every day, we strive to deliver exceptional value to our clients by offering trustworthiness and proactive support.

Why does LPT CPAs’ expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? The Texas Panhandle is our home, and we are here to stay. Our local expertise enables individuals and businesses to address their financial challenges effectively, make informed decisions, and thrive in the region’s unique economic environment.

FirstBank Southwest

MATT MATHIAS, AMARILLO MARKET PRESIDENT

Our specific area of expertise is: At FirstBank Southwest, our passion is providing the highest level of customer service. Banking is a commodity, so the only difference is how a bank makes you feel. Therefore, we strive to make our customers feel appreciated and respected.

How long have you been in business? This year we’re celebrating 116 years of being a local community bank.

What sets FirstBank Southwest apart from its competitors?

We’re all fortunate, as a community, to have some great local community banks in Amarillo. I believe what makes us different is our commitment to the Panhandle. While other banks are distracted elsewhere, we are focusing here on our own community. We interact personally with the customer to provide the best possible commercial banking experience, including commercial loans and lines of credit.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Offering commercial banking services is a great profession. We get to learn about and help

grow different industries in The Panhandle. There’s absolutely never a dull moment.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? We live our jobs all day, every day. So, whether we’re at work, church, or the grocery store, we are living our bank values: Faith. Family. Bank.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? Our customers are very loyal because we show them that their relationship means something to us as an organization. Being a relatively small bank has its advantages in that we take the time to really know our customers.

Why does FirstBank Southwest’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Our expertise is relationships, and the Panhandle is one of the most relationship-centric communities we’ve ever seen. Because of that, the people here can spot a fraud a mile away. So, if you don’t genuinely care about this community, you won’t last long.

Michelle and Andy Justus

Our specific area of expertise is: We thrive at helping buyers and sellers navigate the local market to get the best results possible. Our primary focus is on residential real estate and investment properties. How long have you been in business? Combined, we have more than two decades of experience in real estate. Michelle got her license in 2005, and Andy jumped into the profession in 2015. Together, we form a great husband-and-wife team, fueled by our shared love for real estate and achieving remarkable results for our clients.

What sets you apart from your competitors? For us, it’s not about a transaction, it’s about building relationships. We excel at helping our buyers and sellers through every step of the process, including working with banks, title companies, insurance agents and contractors. Our goal is to provide quality service and expert negotiating, which leads to repeat clients and referrals.

What do you enjoy most about your field? At our very core, we love people. We believe our real estate work provides an avenue for us to be able to bless our friends and family. It also helps that we really love looking at homes. It’s the best of both worlds.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? It’s about staying connected. We actively collaborate with numerous professionals in the real estate market, which presents us with a constant stream of problem-solving opportunities and valuable learning experiences.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? We strive to create positive experiences for our clients, fostering an environment where they not only feel satisfied with our services, but also genuinely enjoy working with us. By forging authentic connections, we hope our clients will feel compelled to share their positive experiences with others.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? In our local area, relationships are paramount. Both of us have deep roots in Amarillo, having been born and raised here, and we have dedicated decades to nurturing connections within the community on the High Plains. This region is not just a place of business for us; it is our home. Our clients are our neighbors, our friends, and our family. By leveraging our local expertise and relationships, we strive to deliver exceptional service and guidance, helping our clients navigate the unique landscape of the Amarillo real estate market.

Education Credit Union

MELISSA GUTIERREZ DIRECTOR OF RETAIL OPERATIONS

My specific area of expertise is: Member Services and Branch Operations. Our line of work is member experience and thorough knowledge of our products and services. I assist the teams to ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to serve our membership to their fullest capabilities. I enjoy helping our teams discover their talents and developing them to be the future leaders of our organization.

How long has ECU been in business? ECU has been around for 88 years and I have been here for 14 years.

What sets ECU apart from its competitors? Education Credit Union prides itself on helping our community Learn More to live their most fulfilling lives. We offer a wide variety of products and services that span our members’ entire lives. We can teach our youngest members the importance of developing smart savings skills, and help our members reach the next level of car ownership or a mortgage loan. We also offer services for those members who need financial counseling, free of charge, to help them get back on track to financial prosperity.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Helping people. I am proud of ECU’s community involvement and investment in growing the Texas Panhandle. Our team searches for the best products and services, and is always ready to lend a helping hand.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Education is the core of who we are. We have ongoing developmental training for our teams and believe in transparency and helping our team understand the “why” behind everything we do. Building the next generation’s leaders is vital to our organizational growth and continuing our mission.

What attracts your members initially? And what brings them back? Our products, services and rates are a driving force to engage members to do business with ECU. Our friendliness and caring nature bring our members back to us time and time again. We appreciate our membership trusting us to help them through all the stages of their financial journey.

Why does ECU’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? We put people first and want to make a lasting impression on the lives of the great people of our community. ECU strives to empower people of all ages through financial education. Our membership is open to anyone who lives, works or worships within 10 miles of any of our branches. Our recent partnership with H&H Federal Credit Union in Borger and Stinnett allows us to reach an even larger area. We look forward to serving these communities and making a lasting impact. 806.358.7777

PRIVATE SCHOOL/ COLLEGE PREP Ascension Academy

Our specific area of expertise is: We maximize the potential of each of our students in grades 6 to 12 for success as scholars, artists, athletes and leaders. At Ascension, students learn and master the tools and skills to become confident, collaborative lifelong learners who are prepared for success in college and in life.

How long has Ascension been in business? Ascension Academy began as the shared vision of a group of concerned parents and educators in the 1990s. They recognized the need for an independent secondary school that would provide a safe, nurturing, faith-respecting and academically challenging environment for young people in Amarillo and the surrounding areas. The Ascension Academy Board of Regents welcomed the school’s first group of students in September 2000. In August 2006, Ascension Academy moved into its permanent facility off Soncy Road.

What sets Ascension apart from its competitors? We have a dedicated group of faculty and staff who support our diverse student body, who range across social and economic status, athletic ability, artistic expression and academic skill. An Ascension student has the opportunity to be involved in everything that Ascension has to offer. Students can explore and discover their passions by participating in a variety of fine arts, being part of an athletic team, serving in leadership groups, competing in academic and STEM competitions, and so much more. We also have a dedicated College Guidance Counselor to help older students identify the best fit for their college career and coach them to maximize scholarship opportunities, internships and dualcredit programs.

What do you enjoy most about your field? We enjoy watching our students mature and grow from the first day they arrive on campus to the day they graduate. It is our honor and joy to work with prospective students and their families as they begin their journey with Ascension. We celebrate each student as they develop their unique gifts and talents, and then watch them head off to college as confident young people ready to conquer the world. It’s truly a rewarding experience.

What attracts your students initially? And what brings them back? Parents entrust their children’s education to us for a number of reasons. At Ascension, you’ll find a close-knit community that recognizes each student’s individual gifts and talents. Small class sizes provide a more individualized learning experience in a top-tier, success-proven college preparatory program. We also offer customized tuition plans to help make an Ascension education affordable for families of every financial profile.

Why does Ascension Academy’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? We are the only true college preparatory school in our area. An Ascension education is an investment in your child’s future. Our graduates receive thousands of dollars of meritbased scholarships to jump-start their college careers and often begin college with 1-2 years of college courses already completed. Our alumni then have the opportunity to leverage time and money for early graduation or a headstart on an advanced degree. It is our hope that Ascension graduates bring the knowledge and expertise that they have gained in college back to the Panhandle’s professional industries, to benefit the entire community.

Street Volkswagen of Amarillo

Our specific area of expertise is: We are Amarillo’s one-stop automotive dealer. We search for industry innovations we can bring here and offer our customers and community.

How long have you been in business? Ten years! We are excited to celebrate 10 amazing years in the Texas Panhandle. We opened in 2013, and spent two years at a temporary location off 45th and Georgia. It taught us to think outside the box. One of our favorite events is our Calling All Slug Bugs Car Show and this year’s event, on September 16, is our tenth annual. We’ll have more than 100 classic Volkswagen cars and thousands of spectators will visit.

What sets Street VW apart from its competitors? We put our community, customers and employees first because we wouldn’t be in business without them. We take our jobs seriously. We aren’t just selling or working on vehicles. We are creating positive and lasting experiences with each individual who visits us.

What do you enjoy most about your field? We can all honestly say we enjoy coming to work every day. We also love our commitment to the community. It’s a great feeling when people stop us and say, “Thank you for supporting the organization that I am passionate about.”

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization?

We are proud members of the Amarillo Chapter of the American Advertising Federation. We have been members for several years, because our Marketing Department learns so much from its programs and other club members. We are excited to attend the Digital Dealer Conference this fall, where we’ll talk about our success these past 10 years.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back?

They know we are honest and will do anything to help with their automotive needs. But more than that, it’s about being present for anyone who needs us. When our community calls, we are there to answer.

Why does Street VW’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle?

Everything we do is focused on giving our customers the best experience possible. Whether it’s taking a picture of each customer with their vehicle and posting it on social media, or going “old school” and mailing them a calendar, customers love it all. At the end of the day, we are in the people business and we love every moment of it.

Good Dog Pet Ranch

Our specific area of expertise is: Good Dog Pet Ranch is a lodging, day care and training facility in Amarillo, Texas, for dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds.

How long have you been in business? We opened our doors in June 2019, after years of preparation and planning. Owner Jim J. Brewer is known for training and breeding Labrador retrievers and English cocker spaniels. His love for dogs is at the heart of Good Dog Pet Ranch.

What sets Good Dog Pet Ranch apart from its competitors? At Good Dog, we’re focused on providing a healthy, happy environment for all the dogs in our care. We have several large play yards and make sure every dog—whether with us for lodging, day care or training—gets plenty of outdoor activity and one-on-one attention.

When approved by the dog owner, we assign new dogs to a play group based on size and temperament. We find them friends to play with as we get to know them. Our day care dogs, who come every day, develop best friends over time, and their interactions are pretty adorable to watch.

The owners of the dogs we care for are just as important to us as their pets, and we want those owners to feel reassured their dogs are receiving the best care. As part of our service, we provide free daily report cards to all pet parents via email or text, with photos of their dogs having fun at Good Dog.

What do you enjoy most about your field? We love dogs and taking care of them. Providing a safe, clean, happy environment for them and reassurance for their owners is our daily goal. We take great pride in seeing a shy or timid dog become part of the family, running and playing with new friends while his owners are away.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? We reinforce our team’s knowledge of animal care through training. Our team is motivated by their love and appreciation for dogs. The work can be demanding but the wagging tails let us know when we’ve done our jobs well.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? New customers often tell us they heard about us from a friend or family member. We appreciate new clients and know their dogs will tell them whether they like staying with us. Repeat customers say their dogs get excited as their cars approach, realizing they’re going to Good Dog to play and see friends.

Why does Good Dog’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? West Texans love family, friends and their dogs. Leaving them is never easy, so having a fun place to take your dogs while you’re out of town or at work is reassuring for everyone. Good Dog Pet Ranch was designed from the ground up with West Texas values by people who love dogs.

Gaut Whittenburg Emerson

Our specific area of expertise is: Our company focus is commercial real estate, including land, retail, office, multi-family and industrial—both sales and leasing. My primary focus includes land sales/development and industrial sales/leasing. In 2022, I completed more than $30,000,000 in land sales, including three high-density residential developments from 150 acres to 550 acres. I also completed a 15-acre sale west of Sam’s Club on I-40 for a future 100,000-square-foot medical center.

How long has GWE been in business? Our firm has been in business in Amarillo since 1899, and I have been with the group for 24 years.

What sets GWE apart from its competitors? As a company, we have the largest staff in the area completely dedicated to commercial sales, leasing and management, which is a major advantage. Being in commercial real estate for more than 24 years, I strive to remain focused on developing lasting relationships with my customer base, while keeping their long-term objectives as well as the city’s growth plans in mind with each project.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Our profession allows us to work with virtually every type of business, and we interact with individuals and companies both locally and from around the country. It’s especially satisfying to assist in bringing new businesses and services to Amarillo and seeing them succeed and prosper. Helping Amarillo grow, expand and improve is our primary mission statement and our staff finds it very rewarding to be a part of the growth of Amarillo and the Panhandle!

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Staying active in the market keeps us sharp. Our industry changes daily, so we must keep up with national trends that will have an effect on our trade. We attend regional and national trade conferences, and stay current on the Texas Real Estate Commission’s evolving curriculum and expanding state regulations. Also, many of our team members have trade designations specific to their specialties, including CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS).

What attracts your clients initially? Our 120 years in business have enabled us to develop and retain a large client base. We have had a majority market share of listings for the past 15 to 20 years, which creates brand recognition. We stay active with Amarillo city leaders, economic development organizations, regional developers and banking institutions, keeping us in the loop for new commercial activity in the area.

What brings your clients back? We provide professional, personalized service with results-based goals, and push our group to create long-lasting relationships.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Being a lifelong resident of the Texas Panhandle and in the commercial real estate business for almost a quarter century, I have been able to help our area grow strategically by keeping a close eye on the needs of our community.

Our specific area of expertise is: We offer comprehensive, clientcentered legal services across a wide variety of practice areas, including business and commercial disputes, wind, water, taxation, wealth planning and probate, real estate, agribusiness, labor and employment, appellate law, bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, family law, securities, nonprofits, governmental entities, commercial, industrial, and more.

How long has Sprouse been in business? Since its founding in 1990, Sprouse has grown to include more than 40 attorneys with offices in Amarillo, Austin, Dalhart, and Victoria, Texas, serving clients across the country.

What sets Sprouse apart from its competitors? Sprouse is equipped to help clients with any legal issue. Our attorneys are here to guide them in major life decisions, from setting up a new business entity to helping make educated decisions regarding their last will and testament. We are dedicated to helping our clients find solutions.

What do you enjoy most about your field? The most rewarding aspect of practicing law is the people. Building relationships that start out as attorney-client and end up becoming lifelong friendships is one of the most rewarding aspects of being an Amarillo attorney. Our community works to support local businesses and support each other.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? We support our attorneys and staff in exploring educational

Sprouse Shrader Smith PLLC

opportunities. Internal practice group meetings to discuss changes in the law or prospective concerns on the horizon—as well as Continuing Legal Education (CLE), seminars, and conferences pertaining to client industries—all assist our group to become better, more well-equipped attorneys.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? Our firm believes in spoiling the client. We continue to expand our services through experienced attorneys and staff who share the firm’s dedication to providing effective legal services to clients. Applying their wide-ranging services and multi-disciplinary knowledge, our lawyers continue the Sprouse Shrader Smith tradition of excellence through leadership in various bar associations and professional organizations. Our members, associates, and staff contribute their time, knowledge, and talent to the community by serving a variety of nonprofit and civic organizations.

Why does Sprouse Shrader Smith’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? We are knowledgeable in the areas that affect our local economies as well as the day-to-day lives of individuals. The capacity to provide assistance in a way that makes people feel safe and heard is one of the core components of Texas Panhandle values. Whether they are a CEO, a cowboy, a banker, a mother, or a friend, that is our aim.

Leslie Massey Farmers Insurance

My specific area of expertise is: My agency helps clients with auto, home, life and business insurance. We design plans with protecting our clients in mind so that they can navigate the uncertainties of life with greater confidence, knowing they have a safety net to fall back on in time of need.

How long have you been in business? 14 years

What sets you apart from your competitors? We are local and committed to the community. When you need to make a claim or ask a coverage question, we’re available and ready to help. We take the time to explain policies to our clients so they can make informed decisions about their insurance coverage. We are also very hands-on during the claims process.

What do you enjoy most about your field? I love getting to know my clients. In this industry, we are able to celebrate with them in good times and provide support in the bad times.

How do you maintain your knowledge or specialization?

In the insurance industry, experience is the best teacher. Things are always changing, so keeping up with product training as new policies are rolled out is very important, as well as attending seminars and conferences. Keeping up with insurance industry trends is a must so we can help our clients understand the latest happenings.

What attracts your clients initially? And what brings them back? We are friendly and genuinely care about our clients. Insurance is still a “who do you use?” kind of business, and people trust recommendations from their friends and family. We do our best to provide the kind of personal service that will result in a recommendation.

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Having good insurance protection is important anywhere in the country. My agency is successful in the Texas Panhandle because we take the time to explain coverage and get to know our clients. We also look for ways to help our community and that resonates with local people.

SERVICE EXPERIENCE Street Toyota

JASON REED PARTS AND SERVICE DIRECTOR

My specific area of expertise is: I oversee the Parts and Service Departments at Street Toyota. We specialize in vehicle maintenance, repairs and helping customers make decisions about the needs of their vehicles. This could include routine maintenance or unexpected mechanical problems.

How long have you been in business? 15 years

What sets Street Toyota apart from its competitors? Street Toyota is proud to serve our community. We strive to build a long-term relationship with each and every customer. Their voice matters to us, good or bad. We appreciate feedback, as it allows us to grow in areas we have fallen short, or to know when we have gone above and beyond. In addition, we stay up to date with Toyota products and continuously grow to be competitive in the local market.

What do you enjoy most about your field? Getting to meet and know my customers, while also helping them resolve their vehicle’s issues.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Our team goes through continuous education with Toyota. Parts and Service employees attend both web-based and in-person training annually in order to maintain their certifications.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? Our wide variety of products initially attract our customers. Our exceptional customer service and ability to take care of our customers’ vehicle needs efficiently, precisely and as cost effectively as possible keeps them coming back.

Why does Street Toyota’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? The Texas Panhandle has a diverse range of vehicle and transportation needs. I want our community to know that Street Toyota is always there for them when their unique vehicle requires attention, and that we can be a trusted resource for them.

JEWELER Barnes Jewelry

Our specific areas of expertise are: We provide a full range of service for jewelry customers, unmatched knowledge and expertise, competitive pricing and value, and the best quality products. We understand the local market and the specific preferences and tastes of customers in the Texas Panhandle.

How long have you been in business? Mr. Barnes opened the original store in 1956. After Mr. Barnes passed away, his son moved the store in 2006 from Wolflin Village to its current location on Westgate Parkway. Barnes Jewelry has been in operation for more than 67 years.

What sets Barnes Jewelry apart from its competitors? Our longevity and experience. Barnes Jewelry has been serving the Texas Panhandle since 1956, which demonstrates our long-standing commitment to the community. With more than six decades of experience, we have built a strong reputation and gained extensive knowledge in the jewelry industry. Barnes Jewelry values its clients and strives to provide exceptional customer service. Our love for our clients is evident in our dedication to meeting their needs and ensuring a positive and personalized experience. Barnes Jewelry prides itself on maintaining the highest level of integrity in our business practices. We also have an in-house jeweler, which allows us to offer one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect a customer’s individual style and preferences.

What do you enjoy most about your field? It doesn’t matter if it’s an engagement, birthday, anniversary, or even finding out someone is cancer-free, we love to help “celebrate your moments.” The relationships we’ve built are very special to us and we treasure each and every one.

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization?

Barnes Jewelry maintains membership with The American Gem

Society, an esteemed organization that promotes ethical practices and high standards in the jewelry industry. This membership helps our team stay informed about the industry’s latest trends, technologies, and ethical guidelines. We encourage our team members to obtain GIA certifications, which provide in-depth knowledge about gemstones, diamonds, jewelry design, and grading techniques. They also attend conferences to learn from industry experts, gain insights into emerging trends, and expand their knowledge base. Barnes conducts internal training programs covering various topics, including new jewelry design techniques, gemstone identification, customer service, and sales strategies. Investing in our employees ensures that our team stays wellinformed and specialized in the jewelry industry—and that helps us provide the exceptional advice and service our customers deserve.

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? We are a one-stop shopping experience for our customers, whether they’re looking for custom jewelry design, jewelry repair and restoration, jewelry appraisals, jewelry sales, or cleaning and maintenance. With our spacious, warm and inviting showroom, we hope our customers feel that they have a place to browse with no pressure.

Why does Barnes Jewelry’s expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Because it allows us to cater to the specific needs, preferences, and values of the local clientele. Our knowledge, reputation, customization options, personalized service, and commitment to integrity make us a trusted and sought-after jewelry store in the region.

CARPET CLEANING/ RESTORATION Carpet Tech

Carpet Tech, a family-owned floor care and restoration company, started from humble beginnings and is built around a heart for service. After growing in its Lubbock location, Carpet Tech expanded into Amarillo in 2008, bringing with it a dedication to hard work and personal service.

Amarillo Manager Colton Long attributes Carpet Tech’s success in the Panhandle to the people he and his team serve daily. “We owe the Amarillo community a debt of gratitude,” Long says. “They have welcomed Carpet Tech with open arms, trusted us in their homes and businesses, and supported our growth and success.”

Carpet Tech’s IICRC-certified technicians use truck-mounted equipment to serve commercial and residential customers, cleaning all floor types including carpet, tile, stone, concrete, and hardwood. Additionally, Carpet Tech is on call 24/7 for water emergencies that happen when a pipe bursts or a toilet overflows. Long says Carpet Tech can usually arrive on-site within the hour to begin the water clean-up process.

“Water emergencies are stressful for the homeowner,” he says. “We see these jobs as an opportunity to show care and compassion, walking a customer through the restoration process, including working with their insurance company.”

Carpet Tech serves from the heart because it’s who they are, not just what they do. Additionally, Long says he and his team have a strong motivation to give back, regularly volunteering their time and skills to help those in need across the Panhandle.

“It’s really something to work for a company that does what it says and does everything with a peoplefirst mentality,” Long says. “That’s what makes us special, and that’s why people trust us.”

Champion BBQ Supply

Our specific area of expertise is: We are active in the BBQ community and always learning new techniques, finding hot new products, and bringing what we have found back to our customers. We and our award-winning staff pride ourselves as experts who can educate customers how to smoke or cook and enjoy better BBQ.

How long has Champion BBQ been in business? We are excited to be celebrating the six-year anniversary of Champion BBQ Supply. We have been in business since 2017 and have been competing in the BBQ community since 2014. We are blessed to have so much support from the Panhandle. We opened our second location in Oklahoma City in 2021. What sets Champion BBQ apart from its competitors? Owner Robby Staggs is a Steak World Champion and competes in BBQ and Steak competitions throughout the country. He travels to educate others on BBQ techniques every year. Owner Jennifer Staggs also competes and has qualified for World and State competitions. James Teachout, Area Manager, is an award-winning BBQ competitor who has competed in State and World Championships. Dirk Mullins, OKC Manager, is an award-winning BBQ Pitmaster and has competed in many World and State Competitions in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. We leverage our business and our love of competing to increase our expertise for our customers. We sponsor many BBQ teams in Amarillo and Oklahoma who give us feedback and help us promote our stores. We sponsor events and give back by supporting local charities and raising awareness in our community.

What do you enjoy most about your field? We enjoy sharing the love of BBQ and helping others create that togetherness with their family and friends. We have introduced many people to the competition world and enjoy sharing tips and techniques for others to find success—whether on the competition trail or as a backyard cook. Nothing makes us happier than to see others excel in what we love. We like to hear about their last gathering and what they cooked. We love our customers and appreciate their support over the past six years!

How does your team maintain its knowledge or specialization? Our team competes in BBQ and Steak competitions throughout the year and continuously learns new techniques and methods. This helps us give others the confidence to enter into their BBQ competitions!

What attracts your customers initially? And what brings them back? We take pride in our customer service and helping everyone cook better, sharing our recipes and what we have learned over the years. Our team will go above and beyond for our customers to make sure they have a good experience. We’ve built the largest seasoning wall in the country—and our grill assortment—by researching the best in the industry. Our customers know they can find amazing products in our stores. We bring in new seasonings and grilling products every month so you find something new every time you enter!

Why does your expertise matter in the Texas Panhandle? Purchasing quality smokers and grills is an investment. You not only want to be educated on your new smoker and grill, but also know how to prepare the food you smoke on it. Our team helps with every aspect of the grilling process. From our unique selection of ribs, steaks or sausage to the techniques used to ensure a perfect cook, our team can provide step-by-step instructions.

pam is on the menu at Aloha Kitchen, an authentic Hawaiian eatery located inside From 6th Collective in Bushland. Owner and chef Lisaann “Aunty Lisa” Rhodes grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii before arriving on the mainland more than two decades ago to attend West Texas A&M University, where she earned an accounting degree.

In 2015 she launched a food truck in Canyon, where a growing population of Polynesian-born students were seeking a taste of home. She opened the physical location at the Collective earlier this year. “It’s a way for me to share where I’m from,” she says.

Spam-based dishes aren’t common in the beef-rich Panhandle, but it’s a staple of Hawaiian cuisine thanks to the island chain’s difficulty obtaining fresh meat during World War II. Versatile, inexpensive and shelf-stable, the canned meat became extremely popular in Hawaiian households. It’s central to Aunty Lisa’s menu, too.

“We’ve done mac salad with Spam, we can do eggs for breakfast with Spam, we can make it with so many different variations,” she says. “Every store on the entire island, we fight over it when it’s the last one.”

Along with other breakfast items, Brick & Elm enjoyed Moons

Over Spammy, a breakfast sandwich with Spam, egg and cheese on delectable malasada. A type of frybread, malasada made its way to Hawaii via 19th-century Portuguese cane-field laborers. It’s similar to a doughnut without a hole, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Aunty Lisa cuts the malasada in half, using it as the bread for the breakfast sandwich.

The savory Spam, egg and cheese combined with the malasada is the perfect merger of salty and sweet. “My family’s gonna flip out when they hear” about this sandwich, she says.

In another malasada dish—this one is a “secret” dessert (shhh!)— Aunty Lisa tops the fried bread with a Tahitian vanilla-flavored ice cream and drizzles it with bourbon syrup.

Perhaps the most quintessentially Hawaiian dish on the menu is Spam musubi, a popular lunch food. It’s essentially a slice of grilled or fried Spam on a block of rice, wrapped in nori (dried seaweed) like a giant piece of sushi. This fusion food owes much to the influence of Japanese cuisine on the islands and can even be found in convenience stores across the island. But Aloha Kitchen is likely the only place serving this delicacy in the Texas Panhandle.

“There are regulars [from Bushland] who will get musubi every day I’m open, Thursday through Sunday,” Aunty Lisa says. “They’re like, ‘I can’t say it but I’ll try it.’”

The Aloha Kitchen menu changes frequently as Aunty Lisa introduces new foods from regions of Hawaii. She recently arranged for Southwest Airlines to ship a few specific fresh ingredients from the islands, and promises those additions will show up on the menu soon. “I want to make sure you get it from my island so it’s exactly the way it’s supposed to be,” she says.

Aloha Kitchen is open Thursday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Breakfast is served each day until 10:30 a.m.

18100 I-40 West, Bushland

806.557.8036 for call-ahead orders facebook.com/AlohaKitchenBushland

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ROUTE 66 · OLD WEST HISTORY DINOSAURS · RAILROADS

Amarillo

THE 806 COFFEE + LOUNGE

Art meets coffee—and a surprisingly delicious vegetarian and vegan menu—at this locally owned, atmospheric shop on Sixth. (The brunch is especially good.) Time it right and you’ll catch live music or an art show. If you’re ready to ditch the minimalist coffee scene, start here. 2812 SW Sixth Ave., 806.322.1806, the806.com $

80/20 MEAL PREP

Healthy meals to go. Build your own meal using already prepped foods, or choose from a flexible menu of options based on diet needs, whether vegan, trying to manage diabetes, or wanting enough protein to add muscle. Gourmet meals and meal-prep using highquality, whole food ingredients. 2511 S. Georgia St., 806.282.5434, eightytwentymeals.com $

ASIAN BUFFET

Everyone was worried about buffets during 2020, but this diverse 34th and Bell buffet pivoted to offer pickup, delivery and extra sanitization practices. Not interested in a buffet? The Mongolian Barbecue feature—prepared fresh, right in front of you—is unique to Amarillo. 3347 Bell St., 806.803.9588 $

ASPEN CREEK GRILL

This comfort casual chain has very few locations, but ours on I-40 is constantly busy. The appetizers are great for sharing and the popular Happy Hour is ridiculously affordable. Each location offers a signature menu. Try a Black Angus steak or pizza. 4110 I-40 West, 806.398.2776, aspencreekgrill.com/amarillo $$

BANGKOK RESTAURANT

In a city known for its Thai food, Bangkok is truly authentic—and a legit Amarillo Boulevard dive. Take it from patrons with experience: If they say it’s “spicy,” they mean it. Get ready, and make sure you’ve got plenty of water. 5901 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.383.9008 $

BEEF ‘O’BRADY’S

Amarillo is not exactly a haven for Irish food or drinks. But this familyfriendly chain offers the closest thing to it—at Beef ‘O’Brady’s, the pub food is “Irish-inflected”—all wrapped up in a sports bar atmosphere. There’s a sizable party room, too. 7306 SW 34th Ave., 806.358.0997, beefobradys.com $$

BUTTERLOVE BISCUITS

Come explore Tucumcari’s four iconic interactive museums which showcase the town’s old west history, Route 66 Americana heritage, railroad roots, and its role in the ‘Age of Dinosaurs’.

Yes, the entire restaurant concept is built around biscuits and isn’t that all you really need to know? Biscuits are the ultimate comfort food and these are heavenly, with savory and sweet options and brunch cocktails in a fun environment—owned by the sweethearts behind Ruffled Cup. 3440 S. Bell, Suite 130, 806.418.8966, butterlove.com $$

This is not a comprehensive list of local restaurants. From issue to issue, we will try to include a wide variety of dining options based on the space available. If you notice an error, please email mm@brickandelm.com.

$ $$ $$$

Most entrees under $10

Most entrees $11 to $20

CADA VEZ COCINA MEXICANA

This always-reliable Town Square restaurant continues to get raves for its classic Tex-Mex fare. The savory birria tacos are wonderful, and so are the salsa selections—with 22 beers on tap and excellent margaritas to wash it all down. Try the weekend brunch! 9200 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1000, 806.418.6976, cadavezamarillo.com $$

CECIL’S LAST CHANCE BAR & GRILL

If you’ve driven from Amarillo to the Metroplex, you’ve passed this wood-paneled dive right after exiting I-40 for 287. It’s open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays, and serves dinner until 7:45 p.m. on Fridays. The chicken-fried steak is highly rated, and the portions are huge for weekly specials like enchiladas and meatball subs. 12800 S. US 287, 806.335.1938 $

COYOTE BLUFF CAFE

It’s located in a little shack. It’s been featured on national TV shows. It’s one of those places locals love to take visitors. This tiny, iconic burger joint has a big reputation for its green chile burgers, its ribeye steaks, and—if you can handle it—the mouth-blazing Burger from Hell. A true Amarillo dive. 2417 S. Grand St., 806.373.4640, coyotebluffcafe.com $

DOÑA JUANITA RESTAURANT

The Boulevard is home to some of Amarillo’s oldest and best little dives, and few are as authentic as this one. The traditional Mexican dishes include homemade corn tortillas and some of the best refried beans in the city. Doña Juanitas is family-owned and has been around forever. Try the coffee with cinnamon! 2208 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.220.2610 $

EL CHARRO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

The prominent I-40 location probably negates the title “hidden gem,” but we suspect a large percentage of Amarillo’s Mexican-food aficionados haven’t visited El Charro. That’s a mistake. The freshmade salsa is wonderful and the food flavorful and authentic. Travelers and locals alike rave about the friendly service. 4207 I-40 East, 806.373.4555 $

EL TEJAVAN

Plenty of locals identify El Tejavan as their favorite Mexican food restaurant in Amarillo, especially the original location on east I-40. The guacamole and salsa are fantastic, along with homemade tortillas, tacos and barbacoa made from recipes passed down for generations. 3801 I-40 East, 806.372.5250/3420 I-40 West, 806.354.2444, eltejavanmexican.com $$

FIRE SLICE PIZZERIA

A little hard to find—this pizzeria is hidden on the back-alley side of the Summit Shopping Center—but it’s definitely worth the discovery. We love the fun atmosphere, calzones, paninis, craft beer and shareable starters. The brick-oven pizza toppings are inventive, too. 7306 SW 34th Ave., Space 10, 806.331.2232, fireslice.com $$

FUN NOODLE BAR

A relative newcomer to the city’s Asian restaurant scene, this is one of just a few places with decent ramen, dumplings and bao in Amarillo. The lunch specials are served until 3 p.m. and the orders arrive fast. Like most new restaurants around here, it stays busy. 2219 S. Georgia St., 806.803.2219 $$

GIRASOL CAFE & BAKERY

We are huge fans of Girasol, where the weekly specials are always creative, filling and delicious. The Saturday brunch never disappoints either, especially in the new outdoor dining area on a sunny morning. Girasol is lunch-only, so grab some baked goods or bread when you leave.

3201 S. Coulter St., 806.322.0023 $

GOLDEN WAFFLE COMPANY

One of the proprietors of this womenowned business also owns the Golden Light, so its local heritage is already strong. This strip-mall spot features sweet and savory waffles with toppings. Its weekend brunch is extremely popular, along with its creative mimosas and micheladas. 6017 Hillside Road, Suite 250, 806.367.8141, goldenwafflecompany.com $

GREEN CHILE WILLY’S GRILL

This iconic location on I-27, tucked away between Amarillo and Canyon, is worth the short drive if you’re a fan of chicken-fried steak, country music, and a homespun family

restaurant feel. The green-chile gravy is amazing, as are the hand-cut grilled steaks, burgers, and grilled chicken. 13651 I-27, 806.622.2200, greenchilewillys.com $$

HAPPY BURRITO

A good burrito always makes people happy, and this small dine-in and takeout restaurant on the Boulevard does it right. Almost everything on the menu is less than $5, and loyal customers tend to order online and pick it up. Interestingly, we hear a lot about the burgers here. 908 Amarillo Blvd. East, Suite B, 806.379.8226 $

HOOK & REEL

This Cajun/Creole seafood franchise offers mix-and-match seafood boils, allowing customers to pair a favorite catch (think crab legs, lobster tail or crawfish) with their favorite sauces, spices and add-ons. The breaded-and-fried baskets are also made to please, including fresh flounder, catfish, oysters and more. 5807 SW 45th Ave., Suite 205, 806.803.3133, hookreel.com $$

HUMMERS SPORTS CAFE

Hummers is an Amarillo landmark dating back to the early 1980s, before sports bars were all the rage. This institution and its environs on Paramount have evolved since then, but the burgers are still fresh and delicious, the beer is still icecold and the good times are still really good. Our tip? Order the steak bites. 2600 Paramount Blvd., Suite B2, 806.353.0723, hummerssportscafe.com $$

IT’S A PUNJABI AFFAIR

Indian food is hard to find in Amarillo, but this hut across from Sam Houston Park takes a friendly, youthful approach to Indian-style street food. Our go-to orders include the butter chicken, lamb curry, and marinated and fried tilapia—plus options for vegans and vegetarians. 4201 Bushland Blvd., 806.414.2114, itsapunjabiaffair.square.site $

JOE’S PIZZA & PASTA

Technically, this venerable Bushland restaurant isn’t in Amarillo, but it’s absolutely worth the drive. You’ll be surprised at the quality of this Italian food, from the New York-style pizza to the hot subs, pasta, lasagna and even the steak. The sauce is homemade and you can tell. 19151 I-40 West, 806.356.8191 $

KABUKI ROMANZA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI BAR

The first true Japanese steakhouse in Amarillo—vintage Amarilloans remember it from way before the move to the boatshaped dining room on I-40—Kabuki always pleases. If you like flamboyant fried-rice prep interrupted by rain and light shows, this is your spot. Dinner only, with 2 p.m. openings on weekends. 8130 I-40 West, 806.358.7799, kabukiromanza.com $$

LA FRONTERA

This neighborhood eatery has been open for more than 30 years and has a well-deserved reputation for extra cheesy Tex-Mex. Seriously: Everything’s covered in fresh grated cheese and that’s a good thing. (So is La Frontera’s generous community support.) Try the unique hot sauce! 1401 S. Arthur St., 806.372.4593 $

LONE STAR BAR & GRILL

“No small steaks, no hot beer” is the motto of this Texas-style hideaway on the road out to Lake Tanglewood, and its steaks and burgers

never disappoint. In fact, the steaks are quietly some of the best in the Panhandle. Plus: Pool tables! Avoid the big chain steakhouses and try this one, in business for more than 30 years. 935 E. FM 1151, 806.622.9827 $$

MAC JOE’S KITCHEN & CELLAR

Always a popular date-night choice, Mac Joe’s is an Amarillo institution known for elegant ambiance and attentive service. The menu relies on Italian dishes but also offers fantastic steaks— with one of the best wine lists in all of the Texas Panhandle. 1619 S. Kentucky St., Suite D1500, 806.358.8990, macaronijoes.com $$-$$$

MITCH’S TEXAS STYLE BBQ

You may have seen Mitch’s big black BBQ trailer at local events, but the brick-and-mortar Mitch’s—located inside Toot ‘n Totum complexes—serves up food way better than anyone expects of “barbecue from a convenience store.” The portions are huge. We love the Meme’s fried pies. Traveling? You can also find Mitch’s in Plainview and Clayton, New Mexico. 8507 I-40 East, 220.0978, mitchstxbbq.com $$

NAPOLI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT

This downtown favorite offers live music, a full bar and a spacious private patio with views of one of the 2021 Hoodoo murals. Expect to become addicted to the house-baked bread knots, and to find something you love on the traditional Italian menu. The calzones are huge and worth sharing. 700 S. Taylor St., 806.220.2588 $$

OHMS CAFE & BAR

The Fuller family has operated this eatery for more than 30 years, and it consistently offers Amarillo’s best fine dining. We love the bar area and outdoor patio, as well as its buffet-style lunch and weekly chef specials from Chef Josh Fuller. Pro tip: The Bar Burger is the best burger in town. 619 S. Tyler St., 806.373.3233, ohmscafe.com $$-$$$

PANCHO VILLA RESTAURANT

Amarillo’s other restaurant with “Villa” in the name, this small place in River Road has exactly as much legacy and character as the fauxwood paneling suggests. Locals rave about the chips and salsa, along with the authentic barbacoa, enchiladas, menudo and low prices. 4601 River Road, 806.381.0105 $

PESCARAZ ITALIAN RESTAURANT

This locally owned Italian place is very involved in the community, has a full bar, and serves up the most irresistible free bread twists in the city. You’ll eat so many, you won’t be able to finish your pasta, pizza or calzone. In the evenings at Pescaraz, you’ll almost always hear live music. 3415-K Bell St., 806.350.5430, pescaraz.com $$

THE POTATO FACTORY

Think potatoes aren’t exciting? Then you’ve never had one of the gigantic spuds at this local institution, where you can load your tater with one of more than 20 unique toppings. The prices are affordable and the hot dogs are good, too. (Surprise: There are hot dogs!) Decadent and delectable. 4631 S. Western St., 806.463.7783 $

RISE ‘N’ SHINE DONUTS

The doughnut wars are a thing in Amarillo, and we’re ready to proclaim at least one victor: Rise ‘N’ Shine has the best doughnut holes in the city. Really! Beyond the usual glazed, cake or filled doughnuts, you can grab fresh pastries, kolaches and croissant breakfast sandwiches. 3605 SW 45th Ave, 806.398.9622; 5901 S. Coulter St., 806.437.1511 $

ROLL-EM-UP TAQUITOS

Located on 45th across from United, this SoCal chain advertises itself as “the only taquito-focused franchise in the world.” If that doesn’t draw you in, the variety will. Choose among a half-dozen taquito ingredients (shredded beef, marinated chicken, avocado, etc.), then pair the crispy rolls with fresh toppings, dipping sauces, and sides.5900 SW 45th Ave., 806.803.2925, rollemup.com $

ROOSTERS CAFE

This coffee, breakfast and lunch stop near 34th and Bell is quietly one of the best dessert places in the city. (That apple pie:

Whoa.) But the quiche, sandwiches, soups, and salads are also worth an order. Be advised: the dining room fills up quickly for lunch, but we love the cute outdoor area. 3440 S. Bell St., Unit 110, 806.353.7309, silver-fork.com $

SAM’S SOUTHERN EATERY

This Louisiana-based chain has been around for more than a decade, but the Amarillo location is still pretty new. The portions are big and the prices are low for shrimp or crawfish po’boys, catfish, crab, seafood platters, shrimp and more. Our city may not be known for seafood, but Sam’s is. 4317 Teckla Ave., 806.437.1349, samssouthernamarillo.com $$

SHARK BEACH BURGERS

The FM 1151 location south of town isn’t particularly convenient for Amarillo residents. But this takeout-only shack is worth the bite. The big cheeseburgers are amazing, as is the busted-egg sandwich. (For a side, get the cheese curds.) Then grab a cherry-lime or Mexican Coke and enjoy it on the nice, sunny patio. 1505 E. FM 1151, 806.335.5644 $

SINALOA HOT DOGS AND MEXICAN FOOD

If you’ve never had a Mexican hot dog, then stop reading and head over to the Boulevard right now. This is a small place but the flavor is huge. We also love the fire-grilled chicken, tacos, tortas, carne asada, quesadillas, burritos, and mulitas. But that hot dog! (You’ll need napkins.) 2618 Amarillo Blvd. East, 806.367.8935 $

SUNDAY’S

KITCHEN

Everyone loves Chef Ron, but they especially love his West Texas twist on Gulf Coast and Cajun cuisine. This downtown dive is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday. It’s closed on Saturdays, but don’t miss the Sunday brunch. Try the Pit Master Mac & Cheese. 112 SW Sixth Ave., 806.418.6477 $$

TAQUERIA EL TAPATIO MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Most locals assume the most authentic Mexican food is on the city’s east side, but this joint serves authentic Jalisco-style Mexican food near 34th and Coulter. The menu is huge, but we love the breakfast, massive parrillada meals and seafood. (There’s also a Dumas location.) 3410 S. Coulter St., 806.331.6248; 5630 Amarillo Blvd. West, 806.803.3220, tapatiotx.com $

TOOM’S RESTAURANT

Experts know that a lot of “Thai” food actually has origins in Laos, and that fusion is on display at Toom’s, one of our favorite spots on the northeast side. The family owners are super friendly, the space is incredibly clean, and the authentic flavors pop. Get the sticky rice and beef jerky. 3416 NE 24th Ave., 806.381.2568 $

YCSF CRAFT

It started as a “food truck without wheels” and now this street food experiment is one of the city’s favorite restaurants, and one of the only vegan/vegetarian places in town. Definitely try the animal fries and diablo shrimp tacos. The burgers, craft beer and wine list are all wonderful. 2916 Wolflin Ave., 806.353.9273, yellowcitystreetfood.com $

X– STEAKHOUSE

The name is a play on cattle brands—say “X-Bar”—and this Town Square steakhouse definitely knows beef. It’s locally owned, has a full bar, and the prices are extremely reasonable for such a swanky atmosphere. We hear great things about the weekend brunch, too. 9181 Town Square Blvd., Suite 1311, 806.322.4227, xbarsteakhouse.com $$-$$$

Canyon BUFF’S

This small, locally owned spot advertises itself as an “old-school diner with a new school touch.” That’s a great description. The college crowd and Canyon families love the homestyle comfort food, including burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials. Try the breakfast burritos. 2201 Fourth Ave., 806.655.2833, buffscanyon.com $

CANYON STEAK COMPANY

Classic steakhouse fare in what was once home to Imperial Taproom. Locals love the daily promotions and specials at this family-friendly sports bar, as well as its reasonable pricing. There’s a full bar, and we hear rumors live music and karaoke may be happening there soon. 410 15th St., #100, 806.452.7269, canyonsteakcompany.com $$

HONEY BUZZ WINERY

The honey is made onsite from Creek House’s hard-working bees, and those fresh, sweet flavors find their way into homemade items from cheese boards to salads, sandwiches and baked goods. Check social media for daily specials, and definitely try the impeccably brewed mead. 5005 Fourth Ave., 806.381.3446, honeybuzzwinery.com $

HUDSPETH HOUSE COFFEE HOUSE

Georgia O’Keeffe once lived in this historic boarding house, and the newly opened coffee house has become a beloved weekday spot for light breakfast items, quiche, baked goods, sandwiches and soup, and even afternoon tea. The scones are almost as amazing as the history here. 1905 Fourth Ave., 806.655.9800, hudspethhouse.com $

RANCH HOUSE CAFE

Every bit what you’d expect from a small-town, home-cooking restaurant. This is comfort food at its best, with all-day breakfast, chicken-fry and steaks, Tex-Mex specialties and desserts made from scratch. You didn’t hear it from us, but whole pies are available to order. 810 23rd St., 806.655.8785, theranchhousecafe.com $

SAYAKOMARN’S RESTAURANT

This traditional Thai and Laotian place is extremely popular with locals, who mostly have given up trying to pronounce the name and instead call it “Soccer Moms.” (It’s … close.) We love the pretty dining area and separate to-go pickup entrance. We also love the Boba tea. 421 16th St., 806.655.2698, sayakomarns.com $$

Thursda y, November 2, 2023

5:30 - 7:45 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 1600 S. Georgia in partnership with the Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee

5:30-6:00 - Viewing of the ofrendas

6:00-6:30 - English and Spanish language service

6:30-7:45 - Reception featuring the Glenwood Elementary Dancers

ARTS

Prior to her death in 1998, influential Amarillo philanthropist Sybil Harrington once told the New York Times that “art has to have freedom.” Rather than relying on government support, she wanted arts organizations to depend on private philanthropy, which would allow them to express themselves in ways that contributed to local culture.

Amarillo’s thriving art scene is part of her legacy, and those institutions—from performing arts to visual arts to higher education—have all benefited from that generous mindset. The arts organizations in the following pages are critical parts of Amarillo’s quality of life and depend on this community for support.

Amarillo Symphony

In 1924, the Amarillo Philharmonic Club produced a 12-piece concert conducted by influential local piano instructor Grace Hamilton. This continued, year after year, until 1950 when the organization changed its name to the Amarillo Symphony.

Celebrating its 100th season this fall, the Symphony continues to thrive as the largest and most active performing arts organization in the Texas Panhandle. It survived the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, World War II and other economic challenges—including the 2020 pandemic—without reducing its level of artistry or community programs.

In addition to a seven-concert subscription series, the 70-piece Symphony performs two Holiday Pops concerts and a Hodgetown Community Concert each year. It facilitates the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra program for 300 area students, while other annual education programs reach more than 16,000 students across the Panhandle. Every December, the Symphony partners with the Lone Star Ballet to present The Nutcracker

Recently, the Symphony brought two stalwart Amarillo organizations into its family: the Greater Southwest Music Festival—since 1971, one of the Southwest’s largest and most recognized music festivals—and Chamber Music Amarillo, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year.

Guided by conductor George Jackson, the Amarillo Symphony performs orchestral classics as well as popular music from films, Broadway, and other mainstream genres. More intimate performances through Chamber Music Amarillo reach and serve an even broader audience.

“The Amarillo Symphony is the only professional orchestra within a 120-mile radius of the city,” says Executive Director Larry Lang. “Amarillo, Canyon and the Panhandle communities are proud of their culture. They understand what the arts mean to the quality of life here on the High Plains, whether that’s music in the schools, religious institutions, on the professional stage, or out in the community.”

The Symphony reflects that cultural investment and seeks every year to represent the area’s diverse communities through relevant programming.

Amarillo Little Theatre

Amarillo Little Theatre is just a few years away from turning 100. Established in 1927, it began when Oma Link Rowley and Eloise Gibson opened a production of Frederic Isham’s 1920 Broadway play, Three Live Ghosts, to a small audience at the Amarillo Municipal Auditorium downtown. Today, ALT is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the country, guided for 38 years by Allen Shankles before the actor and director handed the reins to Jason Crespin in late 2020.

ALT operates out of two locations: The Allen Shankles Mainstage Facility (2019 Civic Circle), which includes a 453-seat auditorium and administrative offices, and the ALT Adventure Space (2751 Civic Circle), which seats 180 in a flexible, “black box” theater space. The upcoming season will include four Broadwaystyle productions in the Mainstage facility and four contemporary, Off-Broadway plays and musicals at the more intimate and experimental Adventure Space.

Upcoming productions include the modern musical remake of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in September, followed by Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play in October.

At ALT Academy, the theater nurtures the next generation of both performers and theater-goers. It offers theater and voice instruction to more than 300 students each semester, giving them a chance to perform throughout the year. In fact, current Managing/Artistic Director Jason Crespin started out in the Academy when he was just 15 years old.

“We are so grateful that the Amarillo community believes in ALT and our mission to produce high-quality theater with local talent right here in our city. Our volunteers include doctors, teachers, bankers, small business owners, moms, etc., who come together for one common goal: to tell stories to a supportive community who deserves to hear them,” says Crespin. “The only thing little about us is our name.”

Amarillo Opera

“Few know that Amarillo had a Grand Opera House in the early 1900s,” says Mary Jane Johnson, an acclaimed opera singer and the general director of Amarillo Opera. That building was destroyed by a fire in 1919—Crush Wine Bar & Grill and Six Car Pub & Brewery stand at its original location—but the history shows the community’s appreciation for the art form. That’s why, in 1988, former Amarillo College Opera Workshop and Vocal Professor Mila Gibson founded the company.

Amarillo Opera has grown artistically, financially, and administratively in the 35 years since. The organization is recognized by Opera America as a professional United States opera company in good standing.

“People want to hear good singing and see believable stories and Amarillo Opera strives to accomplish this goal,” Johnson says, pointing out that, as an art form, opera incorporates all aspects of visual and performing arts, celebrating the voice while also highlighting orchestral music and scenic artistry.

Amarillo Opera presents five events a year, including two mainstage operas, a fundraiser, and two standalone concerts. This year’s productions include Puccini’s dramatic and emotional Tosca on October 7. One of the world’s most beloved operas, this tragic story of passion and jealousy is set in Rome against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars. “The music is fantastic,” Johnson says, describing Tosca as a wonderful opera for firsttime attendees.

Meanwhile, the company’s Fairytale Opera education outreach program educates elementary-age children with well-known stories set to classical tunes. Amarillo Opera also offers free Senior Care Concerts during the season for residents of senior living facilities.

“The Texas Panhandle is one of the luckiest places in the world to have so many choices of entertainment,” says Johnson. “The local arts community is thriving, and Amarillo Opera is happy to be a part of it.”

Amarillo Art Institute

The late philanthropist and artist Ann Crouch and several other local artists joined together in 2004 to create a place for local artists to grow their skills while using art to inspire and enrich the community. The Amarillo Art Institute’s original focus was to bring in Master Artist instructors to teach workshops. Since then, the Institute has grown to include ongoing classes, workshops, camps, and studio opportunities for all ages.

Today, the Institute oversees the 120,000 square feet of the newly renovated Arts in the Sunset, including its artist studios, community gallery and event spaces. With more than 150 members, Amarillo Art Institute served more than 4,000 individuals in 2022—even during the building’s renovations.

Despite that growth, its mission is still educational. “Most of the programming offered at the Amarillo Art Institute is not duplicated anywhere else,” says Rachel Flores, executive director. “There are few opportunities in the city to grow art skills without being in a degreeseeking program.” AAI offers classes and workshops in ceramics, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, oil, drawing, glassblowing, encaustic, weaving, and other media. Its studio spaces create an atmosphere for artists to thrive. “Their art can be made, shown and sold all in one location,” adds Flores.

AAI broadened its reach over the summer by hosting the traveling Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, which brought in a diverse group of attendees. It also has expanded programming for younger artists, with art classes after school and on Saturdays. The Institute partners with organizations like The Place, The PARC, The Hope & Healing Place, and Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum to provide classes. Community members love the free, monthly First Friday Art Walks.

“Every day we see artists grow their work, experiment with mediums and invest in one another. That’s what makes the art scene in Amarillo so strong,” says Flores. “The creativity among our artists is incredible.”

ARTS

West Texas A&M University

The upcoming arts season at West Texas A&M University includes a full slate of art exhibitions, concerts, recitals, dance pieces and theatrical and operatic performances during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“This season will show the sheer breadth of talent exhibited by our students and faculty,” says Anne Medlock-Ely, head of the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance. “Audiences will find something to love throughout the year among our stunning art exhibitions, wide-ranging theatrical productions and thrilling dance performances.”

Students and faculty in the School of Music and the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance will be featured in dozens of on-campus events. “In addition to providing worldclass entertainment for on- and off-campus audiences, our arts season offers hands-on educational experiences for our students,” says Dr. Jessica Mallard, dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts.

Highlights include classic musical “Once Upon a Mattress” from Sept. 28 to 30 and Oct. 5 to 7 in the Branding Iron Theatre, a Sept. 28 performance of the Opera Cowgirls, the WT Symphony Orchestra on Oct. 6 and WT choirs on Oct. 19.

The popular Live Cinema series will return Oct. 26 and 29 with a screening of Buster Keaton’s “The General,” with a newly composed score by WT’s own Dr. B.J. Brooks performed by the orchestra.

The new drama “She Kills Monsters” will be staged in the Branding Iron Theatre from Oct. 26 to 28, and the WT Concert and Symphonic Band will give free performances on Oct. 31 in Northen Recital Hall. A full list of planned arts events can be found at wtamu.edu.

“Our commitment to excellence in education and artistry resonates not only within our walls but also throughout the community,” says Dr. B.J. Brooks, director of the School of Music. “We remain steadfast in our mission to not only entertain but also educate and contribute to the thriving artistic landscape in our region and beyond.”

Amarillo College

In 2023, Amarillo College received the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College excellence, and that pursuit of excellence includes the approximately 275 students majoring in Art, Music, Theatre, Photography, and Graphic Design.

But students are not the only community members who benefit from AC’s commitment to the arts. “Amarillo College not only provides entertainment, but it provides high-quality instruction for students from age 3—in our Suzuki music program—through adults of all ages,” says Camille Nies, Music and Theatre Department chair. Ongoing programs like Master Chorale, Community Band, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz, Piano Ensemble, Opera Workshop, and Chamber Ensembles, for example, are open to almost everyone, including music majors, non-music majors, pre-college students, adult students, and members of the community who are not seeking degrees at AC.

“These performance groups allow musicians to continue their love of creating good music throughout their lifetimes,” adds Dr. Nathaniel Fryml, AC’s director of choral activities.

AC Theatre is currently developing its slate of fall plays and musicals. Theater performances are affordable and concerts and on-campus art galleries are always free. This year’s creative arts activities include the Art Force presents AC Piano series from October to March, with the concert Classic Hymns and Pop Rocks scheduled for October 3 at the Concert Hall Theater. Other events include holiday concerts, spring concerts and recitals, June Jazz, the recent summer contest Chalk It Up, and more. Amarillo College recently started a Latin American Orchestra and expects that ensemble to grow.

Meanwhile, community members are known to take visual arts classes several times at AC, using college studios and equipment to create. “Part of the reason that Amarillo College has such a strong arts community is that AC has helped artists develop their skills for generations,” says Dean of Liberal Arts Becky Easton. “Because we have a long-standing commitment to arts education, our people are the past, present, and future of Amarillo’s creative arts scene.”

806.371.5000

Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum

Locals recognize Panhandle-Plains as the largest history museum in Texas, but its collection also includes more than 8,000 art objects, including the most comprehensive historic Texas art collection in the state. Its permanent collection includes galleries devoted to Frank Reaugh, H.D. Bugbee and representatives of the Santa Fe and Taos art colonies. Current special exhibits tie into this creative landscape. Lots of Love, Gisella features the whimsical Austro-Hungarian folk art traditions of Taos artist Gisella Loeffler, while On the Edge of the Plains explores depictions of Palo Duro Canyon over the decades—including work by Georgia O’Keeffe. Both exhibitions are open through January 2024. A traveling exhibit, The Art of Texas State Parks, arrives at PPHM in late October.

“We live in a vast rural area and our biggest challenge is making the arts approachable to those who are just becoming curious about this topic,” says Director of Finance and Business Heather Friemel. “PPHM is dedicated to meeting this challenge head-on. We want to give children and adults access to arts, history, and science to provide a better quality of life for those in the Texas Panhandle and beyond.”

ELEVATE AT ELLWOOD!

Elevate Amarillo has an exciting announcement!

Through Amarillo’s Parks and Recreation Department, Elevate Amarillo has adopted Ellwood Park!

Ellwood Park is located at 1100 S. Jackson St., off of Washington and across from St. Mary’s Cathedral. Elevate is thrilled to give back to the community and keep this park beautiful so that it may serve local families for years to come. Supporting Amarillo’s green, public spaces sits firmly in Elevate’s mission to connect and develop emerging leaders to be better equipped to serve our community.

Future plans for Ellwood include public events, clean-up days, and a potential capital improvement project or two.

Become a part of this communitychanging organization!

KNOWLEDGE. CONNECTIONS. OPPORTUNITIES.

Elevate Amarillo is an organization of emerging leaders rooted in Amarillo and rooting for Amarillo. Our community of young professionals, ages 20 to 40 are the future leaders of Amarillo. We enjoy unique experiences, grow professionally and personally, and make a difference in the community. Our members are involved in a wide variety of Amarillo’s business, civic, and service endeavors. For more information or to join, visit elevateamarillo.org .

Mobeetie, Texas Population 86

On State Highway 152

Wheeler, Texas: population 1,462

Jericho on 66

Where in the 806 can you learn about an old Texas fort, see an Apollo 12 flight log, and visit a Mother Road ghost town?

You can do it in a one-day trip to the eastern Panhandle, with three stops. First up:

Mobeetie, Texas

Mobeetie began in the late 1800s at the intersection of cavalry units, buffalo soldiers, hunters, settlers and Native Americans.

This Panhandle “Mother City” in Wheeler County is history itself. The oldest town in the Texas Panhandle, it began as Hidetown, a trading post in 1874. The town moved closer to Fort Elliott in 1875, and then moved two more miles north around 1930 to meet the new railroad line—the reason there is an “Old” Mobeetie and a “New” Mobeetie.

Residents there maintain the Old Mobeetie Jail Museum, a one-room schoolhouse and other buildings that evoke an earlier time. Irish stonemasons built the old jail in 1886 with rock from a nearby quarry.

Upstairs, you’ll find artifacts unearthed from the fort site, tools used by buffalo hunters, and biographies of Black cavalry troops, often called “buffalo soldiers.” Other displays depict life in the notoriously rough and rowdy young settlement. The ground floor shows how the sheriff worked and lived beneath the jail.

Southwest of Mobeetie lies Wheeler, Texas

The Wheeler Historical Museum also shares the history of the county. But it surprises visitors with a collection of photographs, artifacts and artwork by the late Apollo astronaut and painter, Alan Bean, who was born in the town.

A gallery of Bean’s artwork, in which he incorporated moon dust, also displays written personal memories he wanted the pieces to convey about his time in space.

Slightly south of I-40, you can visit Jericho on 66, a ghost town on the old alignment of Route 66. A few years ago, Amarillo couple Blair and Blanca Schaffer purchased a site containing the bones of an old motor inn and have been cleaning it up for Mother Road devotees who stop to take photographs.

Blair Schaffer’s family history traces back to a time when Jericho was an active town, complete with a schoolhouse, hotels and other businesses. Check out the Jericho on 66 Facebook page for information on future plans and occasional camping opportunities.

Visit Panhandle PBS—panhandlePBS.org and the station’s social media—for video highlights of these locales.

B&E Recommends

Brick & Elm offers these insider tips to make the most of your visit to Mobeetie, Wheeler and Jericho. Fuel up and grab snacks for the road at an Amarillo Pak-a-Sak before your adventure!

EAT HERE:

Cowboy’s Oasis Restaurant (14810 Hwy. 152, Mobeetie) is surrounded by fields and cattle in the middle of nowhere, but open for breakfast and lunch. Diners rave about the breakfast, hamburgers and fries, and friendly service.

Maxey’s Steakhouse (7789 US Hwy. 83, Wheeler) is owned by a Wheeler native and dates back to 1984. Locals love the Thursday Fish Fry (an all-you-can-eat shrimp and catfish meal) and the Maxey’s Special (sirloin chunks deep-fried in curry-flavored sauce).

Mel’s Diner (704 W. Oklahoma Ave., Wheeler) has a hometown diner atmosphere locally famous for its large menu and comfort food (chicken-fried steak, rolls, philly sandwiches and onion rings). Don’t miss the pie.

Soto’s Family Restaurant (708 E. Oklahoma Ave., Wheeler) is a beloved neighborhood Mexican restaurant. Reviewers say the service is great and the burrito supreme is fantastic.

STAY HERE:

Baymont Inn and Suites (1414 S. Alan Bean Blvd., Wheeler) is a standard chain hotel located on Highway 83 on the south side of town.

The Hill House at Quail Creek Ranch (6 miles north of Wheeler) is a cute, quiet three-bedroom home available on Airbnb, located on a working ranch.

PLAY HERE:

The Castaway Intersection (FM1268, Mobeetie) is the rural crossroads that serves as the final scene of the Tom Hanks film Castaway. It was filmed at the intersection of roads 48 and 1268, nine miles north of Mobeetie.

Custer on the Sweetwater Historical Marker (7795 US-83, Wheeler) notes the place along Sweetwater Creek where, in 1869, George Armstrong Custer rescued two Kansas women who had been kidnapped by Cheyenne and Sioux tribes.

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site (18555 Hwy 47A, Cheyenne, Oklahoma) is worth a 45-minute drive northeast of Wheeler into Oklahoma. This loop trail is serene and popular with birders, and takes hikers near the location of a controversial attack on a southern Cheyenne camp in 1868 by Custer’s 7th U.S. Calvary.

FUEL HERE:

Pak-a-Sak (1701 N. Hobart, Pampa) serves as a convenient restroom and fuel stop on the way back to Amarillo.

ROBERT BUTLER

Itend to be attracted to scenes that aren’t naturally beautiful,” says Robert Butler. “As a photographer, I’m looking at nature, the way light interacts with various surroundings, curious characters, or beautiful and dramatic places that we see everyday but never pay much attention to.”

For Butler, photography is a hobby he shares on Instagram while he finishes up graduate school in pursuit of a counseling degree. He describes his work as “dark, colorful and painterly,” combining bold colors with enough grunge and grit to give otherwise familiar urban scenes a post-apocalyptic feel. Inspired by the ways Albert Bierstadt and other Hudson River School artists evoked emotion with their American landscapes, Butler edits his photos with that emotional element in mind. “I longed to create photography that had the same effect with my viewers,” he says. “There is an element of surrealness to my work, with a touch of reality.”

He’s learned to embrace what the city offers. “To be honest, I wasn’t always inspired by the Amarillo urban landscape. Especially on social media platforms, it was easy to become envious of people who lived in New York or Chicago,” he says. “But as I continued to photograph in Amarillo, something magical began to happen. I began to see how uniquely beautiful the city of Amarillo is.” Walking block after block in the city, seeking beauty beneath the surface, has generated plenty of inspiration.

See more of his work on Instagram and Threads under the moniker @rob.framez. (“My birth name is generic and it was already in use,” he explains.)

Waking up on the first day of school was always a disorienting and somewhat disturbing experience.

The birds, unconvinced that anything had changed, chirped in tune with the bright morning, but the tone in my parents’ wake-up voices was frighteningly different. The Cap’n Crunch less crunchy, the orange juice bitter on my tongue. Nothing felt right. It was still summer. Why was this happening?

Looking back, I think this dissonance was caused by forcing kids to start school in August, which has been a thing here in the Panhandle for many years. One day we were running free until the twilight call of moms (who only bothered to stand halfway outside the back door screaming our names), and just like that we were being yelled at by women who weren’t anybody’s mama and threatened by coaches wielding long paddles that had been given names like “the Equalizer.”

And that heat. Back in my day, if we had air conditioning, it was of the swamp variety and present only if the teacher bothered to have one installed on his or her dime. There were two or three seats in the habitable zone between the frigid air directly in front of the vent and the plasma of hot gasses beyond. But they’d always tell us the weather would break come September (so quit whining), and sure enough it would. The heat couldn’t muster its August mojo long after Labor Day, as the daylight dwindled just enough to take the edge off.

This is when school began to feel less punishing. In the cool of evening, strains of the school fight song would drift from the practice field back in my hometown of Wellington, punctuated by coaches’ whistles as “our boys” perfected the new offense. And invariably, someone would already have made contact with the Equalizer in just a few days’ time—which was always funny when it happened to someone else.

The time-honored tradition of starting school in late summer’s inferno and gradually easing into September’s temperate embrace is rooted in our farming past. As writer Morgan Cutolo points out in an August 2020 Reader’s Digest article, rural schools operating before mechanized farming would take long breaks in the summer so kids could help plant and nurture the crops. And in many places—including the Panhandle—smaller schools would break again in September and October to bring in the harvest, especially in the cotton country where bolls were once picked by hand.

And while Panhandle folks were eager to get their kids educated, I’ve sometimes wondered if starting school was just an excuse for getting the football season underway. The farm boys back home were pretty stout by the time August rolled around, having spent the summer tossing hay bales and moving irrigation pipe. Once they survived heat exhaustion from two-a-day practices (morning practices were only in the low 90s in the southeast Panhandle), they were ready and able to settle old scores on the gridiron. And there was nothing better to stoke school spirit than imagining a righteous comeuppance for the Memphis Cyclones, infusing the first weeks of school with a bellicose tension.

Football and the start of school are inseparable experiences in most parts of the U.S. The game was apparently played in some fashion in the Panhandle in the early years of the 20th century. A 1907 clipping from a local paper announced that a team of Amarillo footballers was being assembled to play an exposition game at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. The team was under the direction of Coach Ralph Hutchinson, “one of the most thorough football men of the South” who played for Princeton in the late 1890s. Unfortunately, the game was canceled because of scheduling difficulties, but football fever was soon endemic nonetheless. By the next year, Amarillo High School was fielding a squad that took on the likes of Clarendon College owing to the dearth of organized high school teams outside of town.

While schooling and sports have changed a great deal since those days, the scents associated with the start of school are much the same. Library books (if there are any left), freshly baked through summer’s torpor, emit an odor strangely akin to the scent of certain brands of beard oil, stimulating a love of knowledge in a way a cabinet full of iPad Airs can’t. Kids still sweat, air conditioning or not, and locker rooms still exude victory’s salty musk and defeat’s agonizing stank. And that Panhandle air, so crisp beyond the hellish August heat, still fills our lungs with the oxygenated possibilities of youth no matter how old we are. It’s all great to remember, but I’m also glad I’m old and don’t have to do it over again.

SHERMAN BASS

FILM COMMISSIONER

GREATER AMARILLO FILM COMMISSION VISIT AMARILLO

The best advice I ever heard is: One of the most individual characteristics is stick-to-it-iveness—if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

My three most recommended books are: The Bible; Black’s Picturesque Tourist of Scotland by Adam and Charles Black; and 100 Things to Do in Amarillo Before You Die by Eric Miller.

To me, success means: Love. Loving others and being loved brings me great joy, and joy breeds success.

People who know me might be surprised that I: Am a two-time cancer survivor. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma more than 30 years ago and prostate cancer last year.

My biggest pet peeve is: Vehicles speeding in construction zones.

Everyone in Amarillo needs to experience: Getting your kicks on Historic Route 66 and at Texas Outdoor Musical Drama.

If I could change any one local thing it would be: Amarillo being home to an annual film festival— stay tuned!

This city is amazing at: Supporting nonprofits and people in need.

My favorite place in Amarillo is: My home with my wife and family.

A local organization I love right now: Education Credit Union Foundation and its Pocket Change Grants for teachers. Teachers can apply for the grants at ecu-foundation.org through Sept. 15, 2023. The 2024 grant application will open in the summer of 2024.