Opal Lee Walks Juneteenth to Victory

By Lisa Tang As a child in Marshall, Texas, Opal Lee loved the playful joys of an elaborate annual summer community picnic at a local park. The older relatives called it “Juneteenth,” commemorating freedom for enslaved people. When she was 10 years old, Lee’s family...

Ancient Road Leaves Modern Tracks: Evidence of Trails Used by Caddo Indians, Spanish explorers, and Texas Heroes Remain Across Eight East Texas Counties

By Gary L. Pinkerton It is difficult to imagine the terrain of East Texas when there was almost nothing across the countryside. Finding places today where cell towers, high-voltage power lines, railroads, and ranches disappear from our field-of-view is a challenge to...

Celebrate Spring Along Flower Trails

The first day of spring arrives Sunday, March 20, just in time to welcome visitors to see nature’s most vibrant blooms across the Upper East Side of Texas. Parks and trails offer stunning views of perennial flowering shrubs and trees while wildflowers pop up along...

The Tall Tales of Ben King Green

By P.A. Geddie Ben King Green of Cumby, Texas, had a sly cowboy sense of humor and with a golden gift of gab told tales of his days with horses and cattle. Despite his need for an audience from time to time, the call for wide open spaces during his earthly trek ran...

Jesse Rogers Was Henderson’s Broom Man

Jesse Rogers was born in southern Rusk County February 11, 1913. He lost his sight during childhood but later achieved local fame and appreciation as the Broom Man of Henderson. At age 10 Rogers began attending at the Texas School for the Blind and Deaf in Austin...

Moving Figures: Martin Creates Captivating Metal and Kinetic Art

By Lisa Tang Graceful objets de art by Randolph Martin spin gracefully in the wind and create the illusion of flying in the air or floating on the sea. He attaches metal bats, dragons, mermaids, ravens, sailboats, and dragonflies to a steel bearing that allows the...

Kolstads Owned Oldest Jewelry Store in Texas

Born February 23, 1823, Soren Kolstad, a skilled artisan and clockmaker, migrated to Texas from his native Norway in 1852. He settled in Palestine, where he opened a jewelry store in 1853. The store has occupied four locations. Mahogany display cases, installed in the...

Blues Legend Floyd Dixon Hailed From Marshall

Blues legend Floyd Dixon was born in Marshall, Texas, on February 8, 1929. He taught himself to play the piano while growing up. He became known as a rhythm and blues pianist, often playing with big bands. Some of his songs include “Hey Bartender” (which was covered...

Hearty Beef Stew From ‘The Rose Table’ to Yours

By Katie-Rose Watson This Hearty Beef Stew is such an easy recipe. It’s perfect for entertaining, since it’s inexpensive, flavorful, and a one-pot wonder. A tablespoon of balsamic, bay leaves, and great wine (I used Marl, a Merlot and Syrah blend) transform this dish...

Savory Soups Warm Up Cold Weather Days

By Lauren Wacaser When the weather begins to cool, it’s tempting to fill our tummies with unhealthy processed snacks or fast foods. However with a little planning we can just as easily satisfy big cold-weather appetites with these healthy soups made at home. Soups...

Welcome Home Ceremonies Honor Vietnam Veterans

By P.A. Geddie In the 1950s most Americans weren’t familiar with a little country called Vietnam almost 9,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean from Texas. It borders China to the south, appearing on maps as a small slither of land with 2,140 coastal miles along the...

Try These Cool As Cucumber Recipes

Cool, refreshing cucumbers are delicious ingredients for salad and dip recipes. Cucumber Salad and Tzatziki-Greek Cucumber Dip are two of my favorites. Either of these dishes are great sides for grilled or spicy foods and the dip is good with raw veggies or as a sauce...