Author: Inegaleri

Wills Point Depot Museum

Old Downtown, Photography, Wills Point

Wills Point, Texas.

1927 Wills Point Train Station (Depot)
Wills Point Depot Museum
Entrance to the Depot Museum

Wills Point Depot Museum is a historical museum that houses a collection of artifacts, documents, and photos from the city’s old businesses, institutions, households, agricultural and railroad industries. The exhibits are mostly donated by Wills Point residents and the museum is maintained and operated by Wills Point Historical Society. The brick building itself was not the first depot, or train station, that operated in Wills Point. It was built in 1927. The main entrance of the museum leads to what used to be the waiting room.

1926 Majestic Theatre Backdrop
Artifact from 1873 Rose Dry Good Co.
Advertisement on 1926 theatre backdrop
Bookkeeping from an old business in Wills Point
Exhibits from old Wills Point schools
Foot impressions on the flooring of T.Z. Woodhouse Mercantile Store
Assorted artifacts from local businesses
An artifact donated by local residents
The office and ticket selling booth of the old depot
Agricultural exhibits
Handmade boots froom 1950s
Teeth pulling plyers from late 1800’s
From Dr. Harry T. Fry’s office, 1880’s
Medical exhibit area
Pictorial Room
One of the exhibits in the Quilt Room
Heritage Days Quilt commemorating 100 years of Wills Point in 1974

The main wall in the room is the eye-catcher. It is covered by old business signs that used to flourish in Wills Point and a painting in the middle. Haberdasher, millinery, how often do we hear or see these words nowadays? Look closely and notice that those are actually painted on one piece of huge cloth that used to be the theatre backdrop in the 1926 Majestic Theatre across the railroad. What used to be the depot’s restroom area on the east side, now hosts artifacts from Wills Point schools. The original ticket-selling booth and depot’s office on the west side, holds various memorabilia such as old cashier machines, typewriters, and many more. In the further west rooms, agricultural and medical artifacts are exhibited. Pictures from the old “golden days” are displayed in the Pictorial Room. Centennial Quilts, vintage clothes, and turn of the century furniture, are the main attraction in the Quilt Room.

The museum is currently open by appointment only. It is located at 210 W. South Commerce St (on US HWY 80), Wills Point, Texas 75169. For enquiry and appointment call Pat Mitchell, (903) 873-4568.

For those who like to flick through history of the city and the county, several copies of Van Zandt County Genealogy Publications and 1954 Wills Point Chronicle (hardbound) are available for browsing at the museum. Or, travel two blocks north from the Depot Museum to West High Street, between 5th and 4th Streets, to gain Wills Point’s history in a glance through six panels of wall murals. These murals were lovingly and painstakingly created with inputs from a number of citizens and painted by a local artist, Dan Fogel.

Photos © Ine Burke / Inegaleri 2013

Published in County Line Magazine July/August 2013 issue.

Chimney Swifts’ Maneuver against Majestic Texas Sky

Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Summer

It was the first sunset in July.

Chimney swifts maneuvering against the majestic Texas sky before settling down back in the chimney for the night.

ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-1 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-2 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-3 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-4 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-5 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-6 ChimneySwifts-IneBurke-7Photographs © Ine Burke / Inegaleri 2013

See more Texas sky photos in my book: On the Edge of the Piney Woods

My Northeast Texas

Black and White, MySpread
Photos in the book, My Northeast Texas

Photos in the book, My Northeast Texas

Initially, there was a simple plan: pairing photographs. The photographs were taken in random places, during random journeys of running random errands, random events, and of random subjects. The intent was to intuitively pair this randomness based on visual cues, not by specific chronology or place.

The order it somewhat follows is the geography of where these photographs were captured. Texas. Well, a little tiny corner of this gargantuan state, to be exact. The corner some call North Texas, Northeast Texas, East Texas, or Upper East Side of Texas. No matter which it is called, my Texas centers at the intersection between two important highways, US Highway 80 and Texas Highway 19, in the city called Edgewood, in Van Zandt County.

It’s an ordinary place, at first sight. Just two highways slicing through small towns, pastures, ranches, quiet communities, bumpy county roads. Trains towing industrial cars. There is no grand canyon or enormous rock monuments. No wide rivers with magnificent old steel bridges. There are no bustling boulevards, nor arrondissement. No modern architectural marvels. No central park dotted with art installations.

Nevertheless, I take a great deal of photographs. Random subjects, random places. I just did that out of the love of the work itself, intriguing subjects, and curiosity. Then, the curiousity started to make things became a little bit more complicated. I started wondering how certain subjects or places came into being. When, how, and why did they all start, end, or change.

So, I did some reading and research on the history of my photographic subjects, and discovered many interesting tales from bygone days. It took me wandering from century to century, to places which no longer exist, and to events that shaped the communities today. I started to better understand the subjects in my photographs and developed a deeper respect for the places and people. It helped me to see beyond the ordinary. The initial intent was not to write a history book. Historical background or facts presented -also randomly- in the book are there just to help illuminate the subjects or the places.

In pairing this randomness, two by two, spread by spread, I see things and matters that embody Texas and Texans. At least, for now it is my own view on this little corner of Texas.
My Northeast Texas.

I also found some subjects are so independent, eloquent, and almost too arrogant to be paired. So I left them alone.

I just want to keep it simple. Simple with knowledge.

~

Preview the entire book at this link:
My Northeast Texas

~

The book is available for preview and sale at:

(1) Edgewood Heritage Park Office and Gift Shop, downtown Edgewood, Texas – (903) 896-4448 or 4358 – Open Thu-Sat, 9am-2pm

(2) The Lumberyard Cafe, 809 E. Pine Street (HWY 80), Edgewood, Texas – (903) 896-7766 – PREVIEW ONLY

(3) Nutty’s Peanut Butter Store, 233 N Main Street, Grand Saline, TX 75140 – 1-877-NUTTYSPB – www.nuttyspeanutbutter.com

(4) Means Home Centre, 1912 W. Frank Street (HWY80), Grand Saline, Texas – (903) 962-3861

(5) All Through The House, Antique/Gifts/Home Decor, 410 E. Lennon (HWY 69 East), Emory, Texas 75440 – (903) 474-9150

(6) Online at my online store (CLICK HERE)

Sale price: $40 (tax included) + Shipping for online purchase

Reviewed in March 2013 County Line Magazine and Rains County Leader (Click here)

The 82nd Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion 2013

Athens, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Spring, Upper East Texas

June 1st, 2013 – Athens, Texas

The state’s longest running contest was held at the square of old downtown Athens, Texas, on the last day of May and first day of June, this year.

I don’t know enough about fiddlers and fiddling, but I can feel the old Texas atmosphere around the square by listening to the tunes played and sung.

The tunes date back older than the reunion itself, I heard.

Young and seniors fiddled in harmony. Ladies played bingo. Spouse guarded the instruments. Toddler watched in the shade of a big ol’ oak tree.

The youth, 18 years and under, practiced, waited, watched, competed.

Concession booths stood by.

Apple Blossom. Brilliancy.

The spectators swayed.

Kids played puddle. Teens wandered around.

© Photographs by Ine Burke / Inegaleri.com 2013

Attention Span of a Two Year-Old – By Ine Burke

Black and White, Family Affair, My Graphic Work, MySpread, Photography, Portrait

This is a photo essay made to record how long a two year-old with a big outdoor spirit can stay focus in one activity. Dressing up in tutu dress is the first thing she asks for to match with one of her stuffed toys. The idea then leads to make-up. Eyeshadow that is. That’s where this photo essay starts. In the end, her outdoor spirit reigns supreme. She spends about 30 minutes playing eyeshadow and more than one hour exploring the gardens with her own personal guard. What a wonderful day.

AttentionSpan-1 AttentionSpan-2 AttentionSpan-3 AttentionSpan-4 AttentionSpan-5 AttentionSpan-6 AttentionSpan-7© Ine Burke / INEGALERI.COM 2013

Stroll along a Texas Main Street City: Mineola

Architecture, Historic Site, Main Street City Texas, Mineola, Old Downtown, Upper East Texas

Mineola, which site is located at the center of East Texas timber belt, is a town that sprung up in 1873 with the construction of the southern transcontinental railroad. The train station in Mineola today is a designated daily stop, served by the national railroad passenger system’s Amtrak Texas Eagle which connects Chicago (Illinois), St. Louis (Missouri), and Los Angeles (California). Mineola is a Texas and National Main Street City. Its historic downtown has been revitalized and holds many attractive community events all year round. An acoustic music jam is held every third Saturday by the railroad, along the streets and in the alleys downtown.

These photos are taken from S Johnson Street and Commerce Street, Mineola, Texas. May 2013.

First Baptist Church and Select Cinema at N Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Beckham Hotel viewed from the gazebo at the end of S Johnson St
Stores along S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Mineola Train Station and Museum
Broad Street (US Hwy 80), Mineola, Tx
The east corner of S Johnson and Commerce St, Mineola, Tx
Mural in an alley off S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Mural at an antique shop on S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Mural in an alley off S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
A memorial plaza at W Commerce St, Mineola, Tx
Steps on Texas & Pacific train car exhibit
1992 Mercy’s Mural, off S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Looking north from S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Looking North to Johnson St from the gazebo on Commerce St
Beckham Hotel, Mineola, Tx
Mineola Chamber of Commerce, Mineola, Tx
The east corner of S Johnson and Commerce Street
S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Crossing of US Hwy 80 and Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Looking north from S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Mural in an alley off S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
The old Beckham Hotel neon sign
From the gazebo at the end of S Johnson St
Mural in an alley off S Johnson St, Mineola, Tx
Beckham Hotel, Mineola, Tx

Photographs ©INEGALERI.COM 2013

All American Affair

Black and White, Canton, Festivals, Photography, Upper East Texas

It’s an American affair. Classic American car show, American food vendor, and American band performance. All in one event in Canton, Texas, last weekend.

Photographs ©INEGALERI.COM 2013

Life Festival organized by Driven Life Church, at the First Monday Ground, Canton, Texas. I was informed that the band is Covey Thedford and the Broken Soul.

 

County Line Magazine on the other Side of the World – by Ine Burke

Beyond, Beyond Upper East Texas, My Graphic Work, MySpread, Travel, Upper East Texas
CLM in INDONESIA 1

County Line Magazine in Indonesia – Page 1/3

CLM in Indonesia 2

County Line Magazine in Indonesia – Page 2/3

County Line Magazine in Indonesia - Page 3/3

County Line Magazine in Indonesia – Page 3/3

Flying Fish Gallery

Ben Wheeler, Old Downtown, Photography, Travel

Flying Fish Gallery, an art gallery nestled in the heart of revitalized old downtown Ben Wheeler, Texas, is operated by husband and wife, Randy and Sherri Martin. The art pieces shown and sold here, are created by artists who lives around the area, including Randy and Sherri’s. Sherri repurposes objects made of metal, wood, or sometimes paper, she found in a flea market, garage sale, or estate sale. She would work with an object by observing it first until she sees a new object comes out of it. Then she would start dismantling, combining, and adding elements to it and go toward where her initial instinct told her to go. For Sherri, animal is the object she loves to make. Randy’s artwork are also shaped by used metal comes from old farm implements or other industrial material. His artworks are displayed outdoor, some mobile, as garden ornaments. Take a peek of Sherri and Randy’s work and gallery through my photos below. The whole art gallery is an art by itself. It’s welcoming, warm, bright, but tranquil at the same time. Sherri Martin was featured in the County Line Magazine in June 2012. Click here to read the coverage. The Flying Fish Gallery is located at downtown Ben Wheeler, along FM279 Artisan Trail, connecting Ben Wheeler and Edom, Texas, off Hwy 64.

I have the honor to be one of the artists whose work is made available for sale through Flying Fish Gallery. My second photography book, My Northeast Texas, is presented beautifully among other local artists’ work in the following photo. The County Line Magazine reviewed the book in March 2013 issue, Artist Publishes Book of Her Northeast Texas Views (Click here to read the review online).

My book displayed with other art pieces and painting in Flying Fish Gallery
The painting is by Anup Bhandari

For more information about my book, go to MY NORTHEAST TEXAS.

A Wedding in Fruitvale, Texas

Black and White, Family Affair, Fruitvale, Photography, Upper East Texas, Way of Life, Wedding

Fruitvale, Texas – Spring 2012

In a little tiny corner of this gargantuan state, the corner some call North Texas, Northeast Texas, East Texas, or Upper East Side of Texas, about a mile east of the intersection between two important highways, US Highway 80 and Texas Highway 19, there’s a tiny city called Fruitvale. It’s an ordinary place, at first sight. Just two highways slicing through small towns, pastures, ranches, quiet communities, bumpy county roads. Trains towing industrial cars. There is no grand canyon or enormous rock monuments. No wide rivers with magnificent old steel bridges. There are no bustling boulevards, nor arrondissement. No modern architectural marvels. No central park dotted with art installations.

It is a community that came into being with the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1873. The town site was initially a railroad switch, which is where the rail track diverges from the main track into a short branch or spur. The switch was called Bolton Switch. One of its early endeavors was cord wood and cross ties, cut from local timber, and used in the construction of the rail lines. In 1903 another industry was thriving and gave the town its current name. About 20,000 fruit trees had been planted and even more in the following years. Berries and other vegetables such as potatos and corn were also blossoming. The local fruit growers filed petition to change the town name to Fruitvale and, obviously, it was granted.

My fellow Texans who live here are very proud of their heritage and celebrate that with a plethora of festivals, parades, rodeos, fairs, barbecues, hoe downs, and other friendly get-to-gathers. When they aren’t having a festival of one kind or another, they are getting together to trade or to swap stuff. They are artists and artisans. They make horseshoes into hat racks. Wine bottles into wind chimes. Oil barrels into barbecue pits. The sheet metal from junked automobiles can become a pink elephant yard ornament or a huge lone star hanging over a gateway to a cattle ranch.

And a life celebration, such as wedding, is observed in an honest, free of pretense, and genuine way of their everyday life.

(Part of the essay was quoted from My Northeast Texas)

Edgewood Christmas Parade

Edgewood, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Upper East Texas, Winter

12.12.12

The Clock – Downtown Edgewood
The bank on the corner
Anticipating
The first float
An observer and the gift boxes
The marching band
Excitement
Passing train
The riders
Jesus
Santa
Ambience
Carney Creek Cowboy Church
A sled rider and the Christmas tree

Ben Wheeler Book Fair 2012

Ben Wheeler, Book Fair, Fall, Festivals, Photography

I will be participating in this event, this Saturday, December 8th, 2012, 10am – 4pm.

Both of my books, On the Edge of the Piney Woods and My Northeast Texas will be available for preview and sale, as well as some photo prints and note cards.

Ben Wheeler Book Fair 2012

From County Line Magazine, December 2012 issue

Twenty-five authors from all over the Upper East Side of Texas and a couple of “outsiders” will share their books and writing experiences at the Ben Wheeler Book Fair on December 8 as part of the Second Saturday 279 Art Jam.

Genres represented at the book fair include general fiction, historical fiction, Christian mystery and fiction, mystery, suspense, western, romantic mystery, humor, inspirational/self help, poetry, short fiction, music criticism, essays, romance, detective, children’s fiction and poetry, photography and more.

Authors will sell, sign, and talk about their books and the writing and publishing processes. It’s free to attend, and it’s from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the historic and beautifully restored Elwood School House, 5475 FM 858 in downtown Ben Wheeler.

Book fair sponsors are the Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, County Line Magazine, and Half Price Books.

Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, was created by Brooks and Rese Gremmels to serve as the vehicle for reconstructing not only the physical aspects of Ben Wheeler and returning a sense of community to the town by providing it with various outlets through music, art, history, education, entrepreneurship, basic civil service, and philanthropy. Its Elwood School House also hosts the Ben Wheeler Children’s Library, which provides free books for children.

County Line Magazine celebrates, presents, informs, and entertains the unique territory of the “Upper East Side of Texas,” focusing on the best people, places, culture, food, art, music, and entertainment, both in print and online, that enhances the Northeast Texas experience. Special editions provide in-depth coverage of the annual Best of the Upper East Side of Texas, Home & Garden, The Arts, Summer Fun Guide, and Farm to Market.

Half Price Books is the nation’s largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain, with 115 retail locations in 16 states. The chain launched its Million Book Donation Project in 2012 in honor of its 40th anniversary and has donated books to schools and non-profit organizations throughout the country. In addition, Half Price Books hosts its Half Pint Library book drive each year to collect and distribute children’s books to those in need.

The book fair is scheduled in conjunction with the Second Saturday 279 Art Jam that spreads along Hwy 279 from Ben Wheeler to Edom and beyond. All of the galleries and other shops and restaurants will be open, and there will be live music in both towns.

***

Also publicized in KERA Art and Seek’s website: Ben Wheeler Book Fair (CLICK HERE)

***

The list of some of the authors by town:

Headliners:
Joe Lansdale, Nacogdoches: horror, crime, mystery, western, science fiction
Joe Nick Patoski, Wimberley: The Dallas Cowboys: The Outrageous History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Football Team in America; and other Texas-related books

Addison: Pam Boyd; self-help
Ben Wheeler: Tom Geddie; poetry, short fiction, music criticism, essays
Ben Wheeler: Herb Marlow; children’s, western, clean adult
Ben Wheeler: Robert L. Stevens; historical fiction, young adult
Daingerfield: George A. Allen, children’s
Edgewood: Ine Burke; photography, nature, Northeast Texas, history
Frankston: Catherine Sellers; romance, women/s fiction
Garden Ridge: Bob Doerr; mystery, thriller
Greenville: Avon Acker; fiction and historical fiction
Hawkins: Jerry Clark; mystery, suspense, western, humor, poetry, fantasy, science fiction
Jacksonville: Patricia J. La Vigne; children, young adult
Linden: Holly Joy Bowden; adult romance, poetry
Mount Pleasant: Ann Everett; romantic mystery/comedy
Mount Pleasant: Galand Nuchols; children and young adult
Nacogdoches: Kasey Lansdale; horror, mystery, science fiction; also musician
Pittsburg: Elizabeth Baker; Christian fiction and non-fiction
Texarkana: William Carl, mystery, romance, detective
Tyler: Charles H. Hayes; history
Tyler: Melinda Richarz Lyons; children’s fiction and adult non-fiction
Tyler: Marvin S. Mayer; children’s picture and chapter books
Wills Point: Randal J. Brewer; literary, contemporary fiction
Winnsboro: James R. Callan; mystery, suspense, Christian mystery, humor, and inspirational/self help

Emory Heritage Park

Architecture, Emory, Heritage Park, My Graphic Work, MySpread, Upper East Texas

STEP BACK IN TIME TO 1900’s RAINS COUNTY, TEXAS

Earlier in the month I have the honor of exploring and taking photographs of the Emory Heritage Park, in Emory, Rains County, Texas. I first contacted Ms. Keeley Roan, the Director of Community Development of The City of Emory Development Corporation and she organized the meeting. On the beautiful day of shooting, I and my ‘troop’ (my husband and 1.5 year old daughter) were greeted by the President of Rains County Historical Society, Mr. A.B. Godwin, and his wife who is also a member of the historical society, Mrs. Loretta Godwin; Rains County Judge, Mr. Wayne Wolfe; and Ms. Keeley Roan herself. Mr. Godwin led us first to The Luckett House. When he opened up the front door and ushered us into the house the feeling of stepping back in the era of 1900’s rushing in. And that was just the start.

See, learn, and experience The Emory Heritage Park yourself through my pictures, presented with some background information. And if you are interested in visiting the park, the next event will be “Back to School Bash”, August 4th, 2012. All buildings / structures will be opened for public.

For more information, contact: Ms. Keeley Roan, Director of Community Development of The City of Emory Development Corporation, 903-473-2465 x 112, email: keeley@emorytx.com, website: www.emorytx.com.

Read the article in County Line Magazine‘s August 2012 issue.

Mr. A.B. Godwin & Mrs. Loretta Godwin from Rains County Historical Society, Mr. Wayne Wolfe -Rains County Judge, and Ms. Keeley Roan -Director of Community Development of The City of Emory Development Corporation.

The Gallery View

Battle of the Neches Memorial 33

The Battle of the Neches Memorial 2012

Historic Site, Memorial, Nature, Photography, Redland, Summer, Upper East Texas

Battle of the Neches Memorial Ceremony, July 14th, 2012

Excerpted from “Remembering the Battle of the Neches, Cherokee Chief Bowles, Other Victims” by Shea Gilchrist, published in County Line Magazine, July 2012 issue, page 16:

“… Texas Cherokee and 12 associated tribal bands under the leadership of Chief John ‘Duwa ‘li’ Bowles, Chief Big Mush, and six other tribal chiefs were slain July 16, 1839. The massacre by the Republic of Texas Army, under the direction of President Mirabeau Lamar, took the lives of many innocent men, women, and children along with the burning of a Delaware village. The associated Indian tribal bands were Cherokee, Shawnee, Delaware, Kickapoo, Quapaw, Choctaw, Biloxi, Ioni, Alabama, Coushatta, Caddo of the Neches, Tahocullake, Mataquo and possibly other groups.

In 1936, the State of Texas erected a marker to honor Chief Bowles on the land. It is believed that Bowles died 20 feet in proximity to the marker. When visiting the land, there is a definite feeling of peace, the mystical, and the sacred.

… The most important event they hold on the land each year is the Battle of the Neches memorial ceremony held this year on July 14th.”

The land and historical marker is located at Redland, from Hwy 64 between Edom and Tyler take CR 4923, keep left on a split, keep going and look for the signs “Chief Bowles Memorial”.

Visit their website at www.aics1839.com.

Battle of the Neches Memorial 3

Battle of the Neches Memorial 9

Battle of the Neches Memorial 17

Battle of the Neches Memorial 30

Battle of the Neches Memorial Day 36 - Double Rainbows at the Site 1

Rains County Founder’s Day Festival 2012

Emory, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Summer, Upper East Texas, Way of Life

Rains County Founder’s Day Festival, May 5th, 2012
The festival is celebrating the heritage and pioneer spirit of Rains County. This year’s festival coincides with Cinco de Mayo. This post covers the Founder’s Day Parade in front of Rains County Courthouse, Ford Model A Car Show, Tonantsi Dance by Rains High School Spanish Club, and Radio Control Airplane demonstration.

RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-20

Tonantsi Dance by Rains High School Spanish Club

RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-1
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-2
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RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-5
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RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-8
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-9
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-10
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-11
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-12
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-13
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-14
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-15
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-16
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-17
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-18
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-19
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-20
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-21
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-22
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-23
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-24
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-25
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-26
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-27
RainsCo Founders Day | May 2012-28
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 02

Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion 2012

Athens, Black and White, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Spring, Upper East Texas, Way of Life

“East Texas was noted for fiddlers from the time of Sam Houston and Dave Crockett.  Every house raising, log rolling, quilting bee and corn husking was followed by a night of dancing, the square, waltz and the schottische till dawn.  Fiddlers were in demand and plentiful.  Every young swain had to learn to play for the popularity and a small amount of cash.” – Excerpted from Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion’s website.

The 81st edition of Athens Old Fiddlers Reunion was held on May 25th, 2012. It took place all day at Henderson County Courthouse yard in downtown Athens. A fairground was also set up across the courthouse.

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 02

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 04

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 08

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 19

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 - 25

Ms. Pearl Cantrell, playing her ukulele, accompanied by daughter, Malia Cantrell, from Seven Points, Tx. Ms. Pearl Cantrell has brought Hawaiian music programs as a visiting instructor to Kemp Primary students two years in a row.

Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 01
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 02
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 03
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 24
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 25
Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 04
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Athens Fiddlers Reunion 2012 – 07
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Panorama

Countryscape, Photography, Spring

Each of these panorama pictures consist of at least three shots taken with Leica M9 that were stitched together to make one panorama photo.

This year hay were baled early and they are abundant | Emory, Tx

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Salt flat behind Morton Salt Mine, Grand Saline

A friend of ours who works for the county and has been working on reconstructing the road by our farm told us about salt flat near the salt mine, so here it is

Grand Saline, Tx

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Crooked Creek Vineyards, Edgewood

A vineyard right by the Crooked Creek in Edgewood looks pretty after being manicured | Edgewood, Tx

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Van Zandt County Balloon Festival, Edgewood & Canton

The participants of Balloon Festival were getting ready for the balloon glows | Tailwind Airpark, Edgewood, near Canton, Tx

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Tara’s Seating

Athens, Black and White, Countryscape, Photography

Our recent trip to Athens brought us to Tara Vineyard and Winery, not too far from downtown Athens. Sitting on the foreground of the vineyard is the historic Murchison home, built in 1880; and the winery is seated high on a hill overlooking the whole scene.

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 6

TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 1
TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 2
TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 3
TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 4
TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 5
TARA VINEYARD & WINERY – 6

Tara Vineyard & Winery website, click here.

Van Zandt County Balloon Festival

Canton, Edgewood, Festivals, Photography, Skyscape, Spring, Upper East Texas

Van Zandt County Balloon Festival was held last weekend (May 19th, 2012) at Tailwind Airpark in Canton, Texas. About a dozen hot-air balloons participated and specked the sky over Canton with colorful bubbles early Saturday, and also Sunday, morning. Airplane flying demonstrations entertained the crowds during the day until it’s time for balloon glows near sunset. Everybody seemed to have tons of fun in this event. The sight of giant glowing bubbles and the sound of hot air being blown into the balloons, plus children screaming of excitement, left me with happy feeling. I am looking forward to next year’s Van Zandt County Balloon Festival!

Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-1
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-2
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Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012B-34
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-4
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Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-8
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Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012B-31
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-13
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-14
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012B-33
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012B-32
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-17
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-15
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-16
Balloon Fest | 19 May 2012-18
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-19
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-20
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-21
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-22
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-23
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-24
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-25
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-26
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-27
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-28
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-29
Balloon Fest | 20 May 2012-30

Tailwind Airpark wesbsite click here.

Leap Year Day Sky

Edgewood, Nature, Photography, Skyscape, Winter

“Here in East Texas, we are blessed with a big, beautiful, ever-changing sky.  A sky free of  the smoke-belching pillars of industry and the noxious fumes of urban clutter. Someday, that may change; but for now, the only thing out of place in our sky is the occasional contrail of an overflying jet, and the only noxious fumes are generated by the resident skunks.

When we were children, we would lay in the cool grass of summer and try to find familiar shapes in those puffy white clouds. As our appreciation for more abstract beauty grew, so did our wonder in the beauty of our sky.”

-Excerpted from my recently self-published photo book, On the Edge of the Piney Woods.-

Texas Sky

These pictures of gorgeous, dramatic sky were taken on the Leap Year Day 2012. I was eager to find something to photograph that day. I missed the golden light in the morning and there was nothing that caught my eyes during the day. Then, early evening just before the golden hour, while I was cooking dinner with stoves and oven burning, from my kitchen windows I saw puff and puff of clouds. That was it! Perfect object, not so perfect time, but I managed to accomplish both tasks.

Three pictures from this sky collection had been chosen to be included in my photo book, the last one in the gallery above even made the cut for the front cover.

Edgewood Heritage Festival – Heritage Park

Edgewood, Fall, Festivals, Heritage Park, Photography, Upper East Texas, Way of Life

This is the second part of my posting on Edgewood Heritage Festival. This part covers the festival activities that took place in Edgewood Heritage Park area, in 2009 and some 2011. The Heritage Park is founded in 1976 by Edgewood Historical Society. It represents the rural life in Van Zandt County around 1900. The very nicely restored and furnished structures are divided in two main blocks. The first block, located just across Edgewood Post Office, contains old log cabin, barn, barber shop, printing house, cafe, general store, and band stand. The second block, separated by a small road from the first block, an old school, church, gas station, carriage house, and train station. For more detail insight, please visit Edgewood  Heritage Park Museum.

The beautiful park, local artisan exhibits and reenactments, senior and children dance session, gorgeous weather, music performances, filled the air with such a lively and happy atmosphere and really took me back to the 1900 Texas rural life.

Link to Edgewood Heritage Festival’s website.

Edgewood Heritage Festival – Downtown

Edgewood, Fall, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Upper East Texas, Way of Life

On the second Saturday of Novembers, the annual Edgewood Heritage Festival takes place. The lively festival spreads around the main blocks of the old downtown and in the Heritage Park outdoor museum. Among the attractions are classic car and old tractor show, quilt show, live music, and a lot of others. The festival is so rich with history and we can feel how the community comes together, participates, and enjoys this festival. For that reason I split the coverage on two different posts. This post covers the festival -in 2009 and 2011- around the block of downtown Edgewood, and the next post the Heritage Park.

Link to Edgewood Heritage Festival website.

Rains County Fair 2009

Emory, Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Spring, Way of Life

Rains County is one of the smallest counties (in population) in Texas. It is known as the Eagle Capital of Texas. The county holds several festivals every year, from Eagle Fest in February, Rains County Founders Day Festival in May, Rains County Fair and Classic Car Show mid September, and Christmas on the Square in December. The city of Emory, “Land between the Lakes” -Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni that is-  is where all these festivals being held. These are the pictures from the old-fashioned county fair in September 2009, featuring parade, pageant, and classic car show, around the old downtown of Emory, Texas.

Car Show in front of Majestic Movie Theater

Wills Point Bluebird Festival

Festivals, Old Downtown, Photography, Spring, Upper East Texas, Way of Life, Wills Point

Wills Point Bluebirds Festival, an annual event, held on Historical Brick Street of downtown Wills Point, Texas. This year, it was held on April 14th 2012 with some activities occurred couple of days before the street event. Wills Point was founded in 1873 and named after its first American settler, William Wills. The city was declared as the Bluebird Capital of Texas in 1995 after the Annual Audobon bird count reported that this city hosted more bluebirds than any other area in Texas for 11 years in a row.

Majestic Movie Theater, opened in 1926, is family operated and still running.

This is the link to Wills Point Blue Bird Festival’s website.

Highway 80 Sale

Black and White, Edgewood, Fall, Photography, Spring, Texas, Trading, Upper East Texas, Way of Life

Each year, on the 3rd weekend in April and October, a sale along US Highway 80 is being held. The historic US Highway 80 stretches from Savannah, Georgia, to San Diego, California. The sale, however, is a three-state-event, starts from Mesquite, Texas, through Louisiana, and ends in Jackson, Mississippi. Antiques, flea-market items, plants, ‘this-and-that’ are among the sale items. This is one of the sale spots called Redhaw Creek Trade Days, at the crossroad of Highway 19 and 80.

Link to US Highway 80 Sale website.