Enjoy the adventures of one woman as she experiences the sites and sounds of Texas Forest Country. There's never a dull moment as each visit offers plenty to see and do, often with surprising twists!
Awash in Hope and Oats
Curiosity recently spurred a day trip to San Augustine. Spring roared in like a lion this year, flooding a number of homes and businesses in the historic community. I wanted to see how the folks were faring. A quick survey showed the Chamber’s “log cabin” will be out of operation ‘til June, but the town is alive and well and has lots to offer.
On Harrison Street, a block off the Courthouse Square I stumbled upon Pinto Pony. Sammye Morgan Johnson, her brother Mike Malone and her husband Tom recently revitalized her Daddy’s old newspaper building and started a business they hope will provide an economic stimulus for their beloved hometown. Their recipe for success - a corporate gift business with a crunch! Yes, they’re cookie makers. Step aside Mrs. Fields or Famous Amos - the Pinto Pony has just galloped into cyberspace. Johnson quips, “The internet levels the playing field. We have just as much a chance at being successful as any merchant in Dallas or Houston. The difference is we’re living where we want to live and we’re contributing to our hometown’s economy.” Pinto Pony’s hallmark is cookies made with heart healthy oats with zero trans fat. The recipe comes from Tom’s Grandma Maude Mitchell of Whitewright. As a matter of fact, Sammye says Tom courted her with cookies 44 years ago. The Johnsons did plenty of research before settling on a variation of Grandma’s recipe. They found most “mail order” cookies were undercooked and gooey. Theirs are crispy and crunchy. I can attest to that. They sell them from their storefront location and package them beautifully in varying quantities and themes (El Camino Trail, Forest Trail, Lunker ) for their mail order and corporate business. I ordered three to ship while I was there! Even the regional television station sniffed out the story - On May 20th, the Pinto Pony will be featured on KTRE-TV’s 99 Things to Do or Eat in Texas Forest Country.
Let me assure you that The Pinto Pony’s not the only storefront drawing folks to San Augustine. Bogart’s on Broadway has an incredible inventory of antiques. Heartstrings Florist, Red Dirt and Roses, Yesterday’s Treasures, and the Wax Wagon (candles and scents!) offer a great variety for lookers. A don’t miss is the San Augustine Drug Store. I sat myself down at the soda fountain and was treated to a grapefruit high ball! If you let them know you’re new to town they welcome you with this concoction based on a 100-year-old recipe. Now that’s hospitality - in the midst of recovery from a rocky start to spring. Mosey over to San Augustine in far East Texas Forest Country. It’s a visit that will make you realize what community is all about.
What’s your favorite cookie or soda fountain concoction? I’d love to know! Just enter a comment below.