http://texasforestcountry.com/ en webcontact@texasforestcountry.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-12T16:08:00-06:00 http://texasforestcountry.com/site/awash_in_hope_and_oats/ http://texasforestcountry.com/site/awash_in_hope_and_oats/#When:16:08:00Z 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 feature 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. 2008-05-12T16:08:00-06:00 http://texasforestcountry.com/site/music_mecca/ http://texasforestcountry.com/site/music_mecca/#When:14:28:01Z Have you ever been to Crockett? If you haven’t, follow the sound of music and you’ll find this “upbeat” town in Houston County. I happened by during their 2nd Annual Country Western Swing Music Festival in mid April. For those of you who are too young to remember Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, let me explain. Western Swing developed in Texas and Oklahoma in the 1930’s and was enormously popular in the 40’s. It was the kind of music you danced to on Saturday nights - a little jazz, country, and big band swing mixed with the sounds of the Southwest. The Swing Fest line-up was impressive. I tapped my foot to Clyde Brewer and the River Road Boys on Friday the 18th. It’s such an intergenerational form of entertainment. Grandsons were dancing with their grandmas, and toddlers were swinging in their dads’ arms. Rest assured—all types of music can be heard year ‘round here. Crockett’s Camp Street Cafe is known for live music on the weekends. It’s 1930s juke-joint atmosphere recalls the days when the blues were born on Camp Street, and Lightnin’ Hopkins began to develop his style. Call 936.544.8656 for a schedule. The Pineywoods Fine Arts Association brings in national acts throughout its season and don’t miss the free Summer Nights performances - call 936.544.4276 for a list of events. The first Saturday of each month means it’s time for the Dennis Ivey Texas Opry! He was one of the featured bands at the Swing Festival. Down the road in Kennard you’ll find the Wright Family and their Auto Dulcimer and Shaped Note Singing. Plus—Salmon Lake has a Blue Grass Festival and there’s even the Wilma Foote Organ Club. If you can’t find some music you like in Houston County...then shame on you! Where do you like to hear great music in the Texas Forest Country? Share your favorites by clicking on the comments link below. 2008-04-30T14:28:01-06:00 http://texasforestcountry.com/site/wheeling_and_wildflowering_around_texas_forest_country/ http://texasforestcountry.com/site/wheeling_and_wildflowering_around_texas_forest_country/#When:12:52:00Z Whoever said the wildflowers were wilted this spring hasn’t traveled the back roads of East Texas.  With my bike on the rack, gas in my car, and water in my bottle, I took off to find them. It wasn’t hard.  Leaving Garrison on FM 95, I struck out for the “oldest town in Texas"—Nacogdoches.  From my bike, I caught some incredible views of Indian paintbrush and Mexican hat flower. When my legs gave out, I plopped myself down in the midst of them - loving the fact that Lady Bird Johnson cared enough to beautify our Texas roadways. Same day, about the same time, a friend was making his way on FM 1475 from Huntington to Lufkin.  He came upon an exotic game ranch.  From the road he reported seeing elk and deer grazing near the creek.  A site to behold, I’m sure.  For my town friends, there’s an excellent bike trail at Lufkin’s Kit McConnico Park. The Lost Arrow Trail is a project of DETTRAC - a non profit group committed to making nature accessible to all!  With its bridges and deep woods, you feel completely removed from civilization - yet it’s a city park!  The last time I biked it, a doe and two fawns ambled by - unruffled by my presence.  For me, riding is an ongoing sensory experience.  There’s always something different to see as new views unfold—even riding the same routes.  Try cycling in Texas Forest Country.  You’ll be glad you did! What are your favorite spring activites? I’d love to hear about them. Share them by leaving a comment below. 2008-04-25T12:52:00-06:00 http://texasforestcountry.com/site/the_nose_knows_when_its_spring/ http://texasforestcountry.com/site/the_nose_knows_when_its_spring/#When:20:33:00Z You can smell ‘em before you see ‘em. I’m talking about the honeysuckle-like flowers that recently drew me to the Wild Azalea Canyon in Newton County - and it is wild (don’t try it without closed toe, sturdy shoes!) The canyon, nestled on CR 1414, breaks out in flowers mid-March through early April. These flowers are spindly and delicate—not really what you’d expect in the thick o’ the woods. Though the trail is primitive, it’s passable. Bring water if you go exploring, and pack out what you pack in.  As my friends in Newton County say, “Don’t carry out the azaleas.” By the way, the azaleas aren’t azaleas at all.  They’re from the honeysuckle family—hence the incredible fragrance.  Speaking of...I followed my nose to the Jasper County Courthouse Square on March 15th for the 20th Annual Azalea Festival.  Is there any more picturesque place to gather on a Saturday in spring?  I don’t think so.  The azaleas were just bursting with color - a profusion of pink, fuchsia, salmon and red.  There was just enough bridal wreath and wisteria to break up the riot of color! Jasper truly rolls out the flowered red carpet for this festival to end all festivals.  The friendly folks of Jasper also used the showy weekend to unveil their latest blossom—The Jasper County Historical Museum on the square.  I’ll save it for a future visit. 2008-04-15T20:33:00-06:00