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Time and Budget Stretching Tips for the Self-Employed

By
Megan Whitworth
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The ability to stretch a budget can help businesses or those who are self-employed weather lean times and flourish in good periods, and being efficient with time can mean surviving a busy season with your sanity intact. But these principles can be hard to uphold.

To help, here are a few tips to assist freelancers, entrepreneurs and small business owners to make more happen with existing resources.

Seek Out Resources

If you are looking to take your business to the next level, it’s important that you have a dedicated workspace where you can get stuff done.

Taking care of certain logistics is easier these days, as retailers like Staples offer resources for small businesses, such as their Small Business Hub, where you can design and order business cards, print marketing flyers and posters, get invitations, announcements, calendars and brochures, many on the same day that you place the order.

“When you are on a tight schedule, having one place where you can go that meets a bulk of your small business needs is extremely useful,” said Melanie Salinas, a photographer and the blogger behind “Story of Five.”

Salinas, who recently partnered with Staples as part of their #MakeMoreHappen campaign to help small business owners learn about resources to help them get things done, is a frequent user of both Staples’ online hub, as well as their in-store Copy & Print center.

Keep Expenses Organized

“Don’t mix business with pleasure. Easier said than done when you’re working from home, but it’s a must. Keep business expenses separate from family expenses,” said Salinas.

It may seem like an extra step now, but you can avoid accounting headaches and help make tax time a breeze by staying organized. Good organization will also help ensure you don’t overlook expenses that could lower your taxes.

Create a Workspace

If you are looking to take your business to the next level, it’s important that you have a dedicated workspace where you can get stuff done. Look to programs like Staples Rewards to get cash back on purchases, special coupons and deals.

“Even if it’s just a corner of your bedroom, creating a functional workspace will help you boost productivity,” said Kayla Buell, who runs “Gen Y Girl,” a Millennial career and lifestyle blog, who recommends sprucing up the area with supplies and décor that inspire and motivate you.

Use Time Wisely

Marketing yourself or promoting your business can be tough, especially if your days are full working for existing customers and keeping your business going.

“Promoting sounds like a lot of work when you’re bursting at the seams, but you have to communicate with people you want to hire you,” says Susan and William Brinson, who owns a thriving photography business and blog at “House of Brinson.” “We use the weeks where we’re slow — around the holidays for instance — to work on promotions.”

More business ideas to save time and money can be found by visiting Staples.com and by following #MakeMoreHappen on social media.

Give yourself a cushion – both on your calendar and in your wallet. Smart approaches to running your business will boost your productivity and stretch your budget.

(StatePoint)

Roadtripping East Texas: Gator Country

By
Sarah Shaw
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Sarah Shaw holds a Cuvier's dwarf caiman named Caiman.

https://youtu.be/0LpURWiRJyQ

Our adventure began on Route 69 South toward Beaumont.

After stopping at a Woodville gas station to grab some gummy bears, a road trip essential, Megan and I continued our journey toward Gator Country, singing along to every word of Kelly Clarkson’s 2007 hit “Since You’ve Been Gone,” and enjoying the open road.

When we finally arrived at Gator Country, we were welcomed with banners and flags all along the driveway. We pulled into a parking space and before we even got out of the vehicle I had spotted an alligator. As we got out of the car and approached an enclosed body of water, I spotted several more alligators.

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Megan holds Mango the albino Burmese python snake.

On the pathway to the main building we walked over a small wooden bridge that took us directly over the alligators. Once we crossed the bridge I noticed a “Free Gator Feed” sign on an ice chest located near the door. Curiously, I opened the ice chest to see what was inside and to my surprise was startled by a snake. I quickly screamed, dropped the lid of the chest, and backed away. Of course, the snake wasn’t real but at a quick glance it was enough to startle me. We then proceeded into the building, laughing about how scared I had become.

We were greeted by an intern named David. He got us all set up with real gator feed, and we were excited see what was next. We were assigned to a tour guide, an intern named Diana, where we were then escorted into a room full of Burmese python snakes. The room also contained a few small alligators and a Cuvier’s dwarf caiman named Caiman, which s a small crocodilian from northern and central South America. A fun fact we learned about Caiman is that the species is able to climb trees. After getting some more information and hands on action with a few of the animals, we were taken into another part of the building. Here, Megan and I got a hands-on experience with a baby alligator.

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A photo of Sarah Shaw holding an Argentine tegu named Betty.

After we held the baby alligators, we were taken into another portion of the building where we got to hold a Argentine tegu lizard named Betty. This lizard was very gentle and had a forked tongue. We were informed by Diana that the lizard liked to be held like a baby. As I held the lizard, I noticed it weighed a lot more than I had anticipated. Its skin was black and white, and it had a beaded feel to it. Diana told us that tegus can be litter box trained and can also be trained to learn their name if one becomes a pet.

After Megan and I held Betty, we got to hold a few other types of lizards such as the leopard gecko named Echo, crested gecko named Sir Lancealot, and vence chameleon named Cato. We then rounded the corner to an area filled with venomous and non-venomous snake enclosures. The right side of the hallway was where the non-venomous snakes were held, and the left side was where the venomous snakes were. Megan was brave enough to hold Rosie the rose boa, but I, on the other hand, was not. Even though I have an extreme fear of snakes, I did manage to pet a few.

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A photo of Big Al, a 13 foot 4 inch alligator.

After we finished seeing the snakes, we were taken to our last indoor location where we were shown a tarantula. Neither Megan nor I held the tarantula, but Diana did get it out and show it to us. We quickly moved on.

Once we had seen all the indoor animals, we were taken out a side door where we were able to see two raccoons, which are owned by Arlie Hammonds, Gator Country Owner. The raccoons were inside a tall, wired enclosure. They were hiding inside a small wooden house, like object inside the fence, but our tour guide managed to lure them out.

After seeing the raccoons, we made our way along a wooden pathway toward a few ponds out back. We passed the enclosures where Big Tex, a 13 foot 4 inch alligator, and Big Al, a 13 foot 8 inch alligator, were kept. We made our way to another fenced in pond that was holding a few medium sized alligators. After tossing some of our gator feed to the alligators, we were then taken back up toward Big Al’s enclosure where we watched a small show. We watched as Hammonds tried to lure Big Al up on the banks of the pond. After the show was over, we had a small chat with Hammonds. He told us he jumped his first alligator when he was seven and, “I’ve been doing it since.”

After speaking to Hammonds, we were allowed to roam the property and feed any of the outdoor animals. Megan and I made our way toward a large body of water that had a dock stretching out over some large alligators. There we gave the rest of our gator feed to the alligators. After we were done there, we went over to an area where some tortoises were being kept. This area had a small border around it to keep the tortoises in while allowing tourists inside. After looking at the tortoises, Megan and I headed inside to see what the gift shop had to offer. Gator Country has a nice gift shop full of t-shirts, stuffed animals, and a small section of jewelry.

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A photo of Owner Arlie Hammonds with Big Al during a show.

After purchasing a few souvenir items, Megan and I grabbed our things to leave. There sat Hammonds on a stool near the exit. We thanked him for our time at the rescue, and we told him about the article we planned to write about our adventure. We asked him if he wanted us to tell our readers anything specific, and the one thing he said was, “The next time you come, bring me a sandwich.”

We made our exit, said goodbye to the alligators, got in the car, and turned on the radio to Kesha’s “We R Who We R” for the trip back home.

Gator Country is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit gatorrescue.com.

https://youtu.be/VJQrpX-4V3Y

AC Teams Split Pair of Thrillers

By
Megan Whitworth
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Angelina College’s Angel Darkus (11) drives around San Jacinto’s Eryka Sidney (3) during Wednesday’s game at Shands Gymnasium. The Lady ‘Runners upset the Lady Gators 48-46, while the Roadrunners dropped a 78-77 heartbreaker to Lamar State College-Port Arthur. (AC press photo/Marcy Flores)

A packed house at Shands Gymnasium on Wednesday’s “Coaches vs. Cancer” night witnessed back-to-back thrillers, but only one of the outcomes went in favor of the home team.

The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners upset the San Jacinto College Lady Gators 48-46, but the Roadrunners dropped a 78-77, last-second heartbreaker to Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

Tyanna Barlow (15) of Angelina College scores over San Jacinto’s Eryka Sidney (3) during Wednesday’s game at Shands Gymnasium. (AC press photo/Marcy Flores)

Both AC teams play at Jacksonville College on Saturday.

Lady Roadrunners 48, San Jacinto College 46

AC’s Kennethah Harden hit a short, base-line jumper with just 13 seconds remaining to lift the Lady Roadrunners to a 48-46 upset of San Jacinto College Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium.

Harden’s big bucket came just seconds after the Lady Gators’ Alexus Jones hit San Jac’s only three pointer of the night, tying the contest at 46-46.

Harden, taking a pass down low, maneuvered her way around San Jac defender to lift up the game winner from 10 feet away. Harden then tied up a Lady Gator on a rebound, forcing a jump ball in favor of the Lady Roadrunners, who were able to run out the clock on the third-place team in Region XIV.

Angel Darkus came off the bench to lead the Lady Roadrunners with 17 points, going 8-of-9 from the field. Karley McHenry added 10 points and Harden eight in a defensive slugfest. The Lady Gators entered the game allowing an average of just 49.7 points per game.

San Jacinto got 14 points from Jasmine Jones and 11 from Ariona Gill.

The Lady Roadrunners (15-10, 8-7) moved into sixth place in the conference standings with the win. AC’s ladies will play at Jacksonville College on Saturday, with the game tipping off at 4 p.m.

Lamar State College-Port Arthur 78, Roadrunners 77

Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s John Comeaux put back his own miss with two seconds remaining in the game to lift the Seahawks to a 78-77 win over the Angelina College Roadrunners Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium.

Angelina College’s Robert Lewis (33) hits a baseline jumper over Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s Petar Radojicic during Wednesday’s game at Shands Gymnasium. (AC Press photo/Marcy Flores)

Comeaux drove the lane for a short jumper, and when his shot bounced off the front of the rim moved inside AC defenders for a putback and the win.

The Roadrunners had taken a 77-73 lead on a Jason Towery layup with 58 seconds to play, but turnovers on the last two AC possessions gave the Seahawks a shot. Comeaux converted a three-point play with 42 seconds to play to cut the AC lead to a single digit; then hit the game winner while leaving the Roadrunners no time for a potential buzzer beater.

Comeaux and teammate Petar Radojicic scored 20 each to lead the Seahawks. Travious Grubbs added 11 points off the bench.

Isaiah Bailey led the Roadrunners with 23 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Gary Blackston added 15, and Towery and Corinthian Ramsey finished with 10 points each.

The loss snaps a five-game Roadrunner win streak.

AC (18-7, 10-4) maintained possession of second place in the Region XIV South Division standings despite the loss. The Roadrunners play at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Jacksonville.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Central Texas Now Has an Airtanker Base to Help Fight Wildfires

By
Megan Whitworth
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Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp joined State Rep. John Cyrier and officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service on Thursday unveiled the newly established Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

The base is the first, state-funded portable airtanker base in Central Texas and is able to accommodate even the largest of aircraft used to drop fire retardant during wildfires. While it is based in Austin, it is portable in order to move to other parts of the state as needed.

The base, and the protection it provides, comes out of the Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Wildfire Protection Plan. The plan, approved by state lawmakers in the 2013 legislative session, has given the state more firefighters, additional equipment and the ability move assets around the state as needed.

Chancellor Sharp noted that by following the Texas A&M Forest Service Wildfire Protection Plan, the state saved about $20 million in the last wildfire season by pre-positioning in-state resources near fire-prone areas and not relying on costly out-of-state crews and equipment.

“We hope firefighters from the Texas A&M Forest Service and other agencies won’t be needed to battle dangerous blazes,” Chancellor Sharp said. “But if they are called upon, they will be ready with the tools they need to save lives and property.”

Development of the base took a lot of collaboration. Texas A&M Forest Service, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the Austin Fire Department, residents and local officials supported the project, with Rep. Cyrier helping bring all parties together to make the base a reality.

The Austin Airtanker Base will allow for quicker set up and mobilization of aviation resources in times of wildfires especially along the historically active I-35 corridor. In times of high fire danger, the base will be manned by trained and qualified Texas A&M Forest Service, Austin Fire Department and USDA Forest Service firefighting personnel.

“The establishment of this tanker base is an historic moment in our collective task to protect Texans,” said Tom Boggus, Director of Texas A&M Forest Service. “We know that we are stronger together — and in a state this size, it takes us all.”

More than 60 municipal, county and state officials attended Thursday’s announcement at the ABIA.

For photos of the event please visit https://flic.kr/s/aHskUzFXmt.

Easy DIY Sign with Cricut

By
Ginger Bowie
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0

Today, I am back sharing this easy DIY sign tutorial with you using a cute image from the Cricut Design Space Library. Let’s get started!

Easy DIY sign with Cricut at GingerSnapCrafts.com #madewithCricut

love you more sign

explore-air-header_thumb

Just as a reminder the Cricut Explore Air is an electronic cutting machine made especially for DIY projects and crafts. It can cut a huge variety of materials from paper to iron-on vinyl to vinyl lettering (my fave!) to even thicker materials like leather and burlap!

Some other features of the Cricut Explore Air™ include:

  • Embedded Bluetooth for wireless cutting
  • Dual carriage for cutting and writing or cutting and scoring in one step
  • Upload your own images for free (.svg, .jpg, .png, .bmp, .gif, .dxf)
  • Cut over 60 materials from vellum to leather
  • Smart Set dial for easy material settings
  • Free Cricut Design Space online software and iPad app
  • Cut Smart precision cutting
  • Works with all Cricut cartridges
  • Integrated storage compartments

Alright, let’s get to that project.

For this project you will need:

1×12 cut to 9 inches
(2) 12 inch trim pieces cut from a 1×2 with 45° angles on each end
(2) 10 1/2 inch trim pieces cut from a 1×2 with 45° angles on each end
White paint
Black paint
Sand paper
1 1/2 inch nails
Hammer
Black vinyl
Cricut Explore Air

First, paint your wood pieces and then distress them with sand paper, if desired.

life-storage-hot-cocoa-bar-sign-1

Next, nail your frame on using a hammer and nails.

life-storage-hot-cocoa-bar-sign-2

Next, I found the perfect image in Cricut Design Space. They have a ton to choose from!

cricut2

Then, I inserted the image into Cricut Design Space and sized it to fit my board.

cricut

Then, I turned to dial to vinyl. (I love this feature!)

cricut cutting machine

I loaded my vinyl. Tip: I don’t use a cutting mat with vinyl.

cricut machine

I sent my design to my machine to cut out. So easy!

vinyl

I took the vinyl sheet out of the machine, and then I removed the excess vinyl. (aka weeding)

vinyl cutting

I used this handy hook tool to remove all of the little pieces that were inside the letters.

love you more quote

I put a piece of clear transfer tape on top and cut it out.

vinyl with cricut

Then I took off the white backing leaving the vinyl letters on the transfer tape. I placed it on my sign. Then rubbed it on using this handy tool.

applying vinyl

I carefully removed the transfer tape leaving my vinyl lettering behind. Perfection!

for the home

If you are thinking of tackling your first project with a Cricut, I would definitely recommend vinyl.

sign

It’s hard to mess up a vinyl lettering project. The results are almost always amazing!

love you more sign

Check out Cricut Design Space and let me know what design you’d like to start with.

Easy DIY sign with Cricut at GingerSnapCrafts.com #madewithCricut

Top 10 Things People Want You To Know As They Age

By
Megan Whitworth
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As we get older, our needs and desires change. We know what we want, our preferences, dislikes, what makes us feel comfortable, etc. Do other people really know and understand what matters most to us? Do caretakers and family members know the wishes of those closest to them? What is it that most people want others to know as they age?

Kurt Kazanowski is author of “A Son’s Journey: Taking Care of Mom and Dad.” He has more than 30 years of experience in senior and hospice care. He says that what someone truly wants later in life can vary from person to person, but in general, there are many similarities he’s noticed from all the patients he has worked with.

Kurt’s top 10 list of what people want you to know as they get older:

We don’t want you to baby us: While it’s true that as we age many of us need some help with things like climbing steps or bending down to pick things up, our independence is very important to us. You don’t need to do every little thing for us.  We will ask for help when we need it.

We want you to spend more time with us: We remember what it was like to be young, active and out exploring the world with friends, but we want you to come visit us frequently and spend time with us, too. We thrive on hearing about your adventures, successes and failures. Whether we can get out for a short walk or meal, or simply sit and spend time with you, it’s all meaningful and appreciated.

Whether we can get out for a short walk or meal, or simply sit and spend time with you, it’s all meaningful and appreciated.

We thrive on memories: We love to recount the good old days. Looking back at old photos and sharing memories touches our hearts, invigorates our spirit and puts a smile on our face. When you take the time to listen to our stories no matter how many times you’ve heard them before, it makes us feel good.

Please respect our wishes: As we get older and perhaps have to face more medical challenges, please respect our wishes. We are always open to your thoughts and opinions, but it’s our life, our body and we want you to always respect our decision even if you disagree.

We are not invisible: Occasionally, people act as if we’re not present. Just because our physical ability might be limited in some cases, many of us are as with it as we’ve ever been upstairs. We are fully aware of what’s going on. We hear what people say. We have not lost our mental abilities. Please include us in things and not separate us from what’s going on.

We want nothing but happiness for you: As we get up there in years, we realize that happiness really is everything. Money, material possessions and having a high-ranking job are all superficial. The only thing that matters in this life is being happy as much as you can.

We want you to know that laughter is the best medicine: We don’t like to see you stressed out or upset, and by now, we’ve learned to role with the punches. Sometimes you can’t control the world around you, but you can control your response to it. We want you to stop taking things so seriously and have a good laugh at your own expense from time to time.

We prefer to spend our final days at home: When the end is near, we don’t want to be laid up in a hospital bed hooked up to machines. We are most comfortable in our own home and bed surrounded by the people who are nearest and dearest to us.

We don’t want our passing to sadden you or make things more difficult: Keep us deep in your hearts and honor our memory. Share stories about us with younger generations and pass down the traditions we passed down to you. We don’t want you to fight over inheritance or anything else.

Don’t ever say ‘I wish I had:’ Live the life that’s in front of you to the fullest. Regrets and lost opportunities will never reappear. So when the opportunity comes knocking, walk through the door even if you feel scared, intimidated, unsure and confused by what awaits you.

Angelina College Hosting Duo Art Exhibition

By
Megan Whitworth
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Angelina College will host a duo exhibition featuring the work of Michael Dane Morris and Beverly Morris in the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery Feb. 28 through March 22. A reception will be held Feb. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the ACA gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Artists Beverly and Michael Dane Morris (pictured here at the South Pole) will exhibit their works in the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery Feb. 28 through March 22. The artists will attend the opening reception Feb. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the ACA gallery to discuss their work. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Michael Dane Morris’s portion of the exhibit, “Out of Context,”  is a group of photographs from his treks at the North and South polar regions. Michael is a retired software engineer who has long practiced the art of photography and studied at Stephen F. Austin State University in the 1980s.

Beverly Morris’s portion of the exhibit is an experimental film, “Chasing my DNA,” which chronicles her search for her Native American roots that has taken her across Russia and Mongolia. Much of her work deals with the lives of Native Americans. She co-produced the well-received 2004 production, “Looking Toward Home,” an educational film about urban Indians who were forced to leave their reservations in the late 1950s by the government’s relocation act.

The artists divide their time between Santa Fe, New Mexico and Umbria, Italy. They will be present at the opening reception on Feb. 28 to discuss their work.

For more information about this event, call the Fine Arts office at 936-633-5233.

Alternative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

By
Grace Baldwin
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0

When is a good time to talk about the spirit of Valentine’s Day without talking about Valentine’s Day? The day after Valentine’s Day, of course!

While Valentine’s Day is loved by many across the country, many others choose not to celebrate the holiday or to celebrate it in a non-traditional manner. For this story, several people in the Texas Forest Country Region chose to share how they spend Valentine’s Day.

Emily G.

“Do something good for your heart? Visit somebody who is lonely or needs help? My mom used to get Valentine’s gifts for all of us, and the ones you’d put in each other’s bags as kids it was more fun! Before I met [my husband] Stephen it was scary movies and chocolate with my best friend. As adults, Stephen and I have never made a big deal so it is a big surprise if we actually do!”

A night of movies and pajamas? That sounds like a fun way to spend any Valentine’s Day!

Shelby C.

“I like to sit down in my pjs, cuddle with a good pillow, drink hot chocolate and watch ‘Book of Life’ or whatever might interest me on Netflix or Hulu.  “

Emily L.

“I celebrate by getting really drunk and watching horror movies while eating ice cream.”

Megan H.

“This may not be what you’re expecting, but here’s what I am going to do this year. I’m going to celebrate my great grandmother. She passed away last year on Valentine’s day, and I miss her a lot. I’m going to make her special chocolate cake and take a slice to everyone on my family’s property because I know they miss her too. I’m hoping to have her spaghetti that night, too. And I might even try to find out from my grandma (great grandma’s daughter) what her favorite movie was, so I can watch it.”

Henry W.

The past is the past, but sometimes, especially in Texas, you need to release some steam. Going to the shooting range on Valentine’s Day may not be a common practice, but it sure sounds like fun!

“This may seem darker, but it helps for those who are single during a couple’s oriented holiday. Scratch the name of what we’ll call “Bad Memories” into bullets, go to your favorite practice location, and let ’em fly.”

Dawn G.

“I used to have Valentine’s adult sleepovers. Those who wanted could stay, others could leave whenever. We had food, movies, karaoke, games. It was so much fun. Everyone used to come over in their pjs (or just bring them) and bring their fave snack. We would stay up late/all night and had the best time.”

Jonathan B.

“Don’t go the day of out to eat because who cares if you do it on the actual day.”

Jenae Z.

“I always made Valentine’s treats for my close friends, usually Oreo truffles and cakes for those that might not have someone to celebrate with.  “

Kristen W.

“I take my daughter out to have our ‘dark day.’ Type 1 [diabetes] diagnosis day. This year will be year 11 years.”

Roses and other flowers are common gifts for Valentine’s Day gifts, and they don’t have to be simply for lovers! Give a flower to a friend or family member this month.

Ashley J.

“You could celebrate Leslie Knope style with Galentines day!”

The answers seen here range from light to dark, Valentine’s related and not so Valentine’s related. I personally love to hand out a single flower to many of my friends in school because I love Valentine’s Day, and I believe it is about more than romance. See my article on the history of Valentine’s Day for more of an idea why I think Valentine’s Day was meant to be more than a day to give gifts.

As each person in this article demonstrates, Valentine’s Day can be used to celebrate anything, and each type of celebration has value. You can choose how best to honor yourself, your loved ones, and the people who came before you by remembering what love really means this Valentine’s season and next.

AC Theatre Presents “Brecht on Brecht”

By
Megan Whitworth
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The Angelina College theatre department is presenting “Brecht on Brecht” Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Temple Theater. All seating is reserved and tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children. AC students get in free with their student ID.

Angelina College students from left, Josh Robinson, Lexi Hodges, Leandra Wills, Mauri Mitchell, Nicholos Trusclair, Mackenzie Hortman, and Kalysta Chunn in the middle, all rehearse a scene from the play “Brecht on Brecht.” The play runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Temple Theater. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children.

The play consists of pieces written by the famed playwright Bertolt Brecht and arranged in 1967 by George Tabori. Brecht is known for a kind of theatre called Epic Theatre which is designed to lead the audience on an intellectual journey rather than an emotional one. The majority of content in Brecht on Brecht is anti-war and anti-totalitarianism in its message.

“What ‘s unique about this production, besides the material, is the collaborative process the actors and director have used to stage the play. We have ‘workshopped’ content and movement during the rehearsal process. Meaning everyone has equal creative input with the director as arbiter of the artistic process. We have also used theatricality in the staging even the seating in onstage…literally,” said Kary Raine, AC theater instructor and director of the play.

The ensemble cast includes Kalysta Chunn of Lufkin, Lexi Hodges of Diboll, Mackenzie Hortman of Hull, Mason Lowery of Crockett, Eric Manis of Nacogdoches, Mauri Mitchell of Liberty, Josh Robinson of Lufkin, Nicholos Trusclair, also of Lufkin, Kase Vann of Cleburne and Leandra Wills of Bremond.

Crew members are Kary Raine, director; Kase Vann, assistant director; Sara Flowers, stage manager and sound board operator; MacKenzie Hortman, projection designer; Andrew Reed, lighting designer;  Mauri Mitchell, costume and makeup coordinator; Lauren Hight, projectionist; and Chris Denman, light board operator. The cast design collaborated to create the scenic design.

For information about tickets or to become a Fine Arts season subscriber, call (936) 633-5454.

Tips to Look Your Best When Dressing Casually

By
Megan Whitworth
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0
Photo from merricksart.com.

From fitness conscious consumers to busy moms who are always on the go, casual athletic attire is becoming a socially acceptable and on-trend style. In fact, it’s so popular, it carries its own name: “athleisure.”

Athleisure is a style that is breathable and functional – just in case you wanted to sneak in a light workout during the day!

It may sound like a piece of cake to dress in casual and relaxed clothing. However, avoiding a “just rolled out of bed look” is not so simple. If you find that comfy yoga pants or joggers are increasingly becoming a staple in your wardrobe, consider these tips to ensure you always look put together when sporting them.

The right shoe goes a long way: Forgo the traditional or “core” running shoe for this look. Such brands as Adidas, Converse, Nike and Vans have introduced updates to their classic offerings. While still inspired by an athletic lifestyle, variations in color, height, patterns and textures accommodate the growing trend for casual wear. In addition to looking good, they are breathable and functional – just in case you wanted to sneak in a light workout during the day!

For example, the popular Adidas Baseline still comes in a classic white. However, this year they introduced a version in peach, a fun and new spring color.

Get the family involved: Did you grow up loving your Chuck Taylors? The good news is that new athleisure wear is available as a full family offering, so that infants, tweens and teens can also enjoy comfortable, yet stylish, shoes. In response to this trend, family-friendly retailer Rack Room Shoes recently introduced The Athletic Shop, a shop-within-a-shop concept that highlights nationally recognized name brand products for those with an active lifestyle.

“As we see the athleisure trend continue to grow, we’re continually adding new introductions from athletic brands for the entire family,” said Adam McDermott, senior project manager of The Athletic Shop, Rack Room Shoes.

Polish off the look: Consider taking some extra time to do hair and makeup on the day you select a casual outfit from your closet. Or try pairing joggers and athleisure footwear with a nice handbag, statement scarf or leather jacket. This will help put the look together nicely.

With all this in mind, the experts at Rack Room Shoes are focusing on comfortable, functional and stylish athleisure-inspired footwear. More information is available at rackroomshoes.com.

To look your best when dressing casually, be sure to craft your outfits with care.

(StatePoint)

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