College seniors need to listen to what Samantha Baker has to say. “Network!” is her one-word advice for soon-to-be graduates and recent graduates of Abilene’s three universities. Samantha knows what she’s talking about. After graduating from Garland High School in 2006, she enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University and earned a bachelor of business administration degree in … [Read more...]
A Greek-Inspired Summertime Supper
Like most everyone, I love the simplicity of a charcuterie board, especially during the summer. The last thing most of us want to do after a day by the pool or lake is cook. I found the ideas for these recipes in an entertaining book and thought I would give it a try. I’ve tweaked each of these to our liking and love the fact that the only thing you really have to do prior to … [Read more...]
Food as Medicine
Chef Creates Functional Nutrition Program You wouldn’t believe it now, but the founder of cordellFit – “a functional lifestyle” – got his start making white gravy and French toast in his grandmother’s farmhouse kitchen. Jason Cordell Beard looks much too fit these days to imagine that he once craved white gravy and French toast (not at the same time). But he got his first … [Read more...]
Belt Buckle Distillery
History lessons aren’t often found at the bottom of a bottle, but at Belt Buckle Distillery, every sip tells a story. The name itself is a tribute to Abilene being the “buckle of the Bible belt,” said co-owner and founder Keith Sanders. “Everything we do revolves around Abilene and the Big Country,” he said. The gin is called ”Paint Creek” and is a tribute to the … [Read more...]
Tales of Sugar Plums: Candies by Vletas puts the Candy in Christmas
Every year right after Thanksgiving, the downtown section of North First Street is magically transformed into the North Pole, with Christmas lights and sounds and, of course, Santa’s Workshop. That may not be the official name of the store at 1201 North First Street, but anyone who has shopped at Candies by Vletas during the holidays will tell you that’s exactly what it is. … [Read more...]