Best Seats on the Planet for Star Gazing

During the clear, crisp nights of winter, there is no better time to bundle up and head outdoors to take in the spectacular star-dotted skies of the Upper East Side of Texas. Because the atmosphere during colder weather is usually calm, the stars at night appear even brighter than normally seen during the more turbulent summer.

By Elizabeth Branca

Craftsman Captures History

A photograph captures a memory, preserving a perfect place in time. Akin to bottling the sound of laughter, it holds fast a burst of beauty that has inevitably faded into the ether.

By Elizabeth Branca

The Word is Out About the Bigsbys

In 2010, Alex Smith, at 29, surveyed the Texas music scene, saw a void, mapped out an album, three men joined him, and the Bigsbys began

By Joseph Drew

Edgewood Heritage Festival Offers Day Of Shows, Crafts, Local History

The Edgewood Heritage Festival is marking its 37th year as one of the premier annual festivals in Northeast Texas. The 2013 festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November 9 at the Heritage Park Museum of East Texas and downtown Edgewood, which is located on US Highway 80, 50 miles east of Dallas and 50 miles west of Tyler. Admission to the festival is free.

Space Artist’s Work is Displayed

Born and raised under the wide open skies of Greenville, Texas, Pat Rawlings gained an appreciation of art and science at an early age.

By P.A. Geddie

Church and State Agree On Furniture

Smooth, hand-sanded, Appalachian hardwood pew ends stacked high waiting for custom bench seats welcome visitors to Hall Furniture‘s work shop in Henderson, Texas. The company has produced custom church and courthouse pieces since 1939.

By Patti Light

Beyond Glory is Lang’s Labor of Love

An intense mix of cerebral cool and red-blooded bravado, Stephen Lang’s physique and chiseled jaw have parlayed him into one of Hollywood’s most memorable character actors.

By Elizabeth Branca

Artist Daniela Matchael

The theme of returning to first loves is a common one. For some time after Daniela Matchael got away from that, she tried one thing after another.

By Tom Geddie

East Texas’ Groom Still Tickling Ivories

Tyler native and keyboard wizard Lynn Groom is a respected fixture of the Texas and national music scene for more than 40 years now. He’s showcased his unique style of “Cat House Ivories” (also the name of one of his CDs) to a virtual “who’s who” of music and entertainment legends. Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Andy Warhol, Dudley Moore, and even Walter Cronkite are just a few who’ve been entertained by him.

By John Wilson

Richard Bowden is “America’s Most Famous Unknown Entertainer”

Richard Bowden admits to, once upon a time, in the wee hours of the morning, walking into the lobby of a Washington hotel nude except for the shaving cream on his face.

By Tom Geddie

Cork Food and Drink

Some restaurants belie their surroundings, and Cork, in the heart of Tyler, is no exception. Located in the same vicinity as Times Square Cinema and Double Dave’s Pizza, Cork offers exceptional appetizers, entrees — both for dinner and brunch — and drinks not commonly found at other establishments.

Review by Jeremy Light

Couple Brings Class to Goat Creamery

The beautiful city of Longview is known for many things. Aside from being a major hub of East Texas, it is the go-to destination for hundreds and thousands of tourists. And now there is even one more reason: freshly-made cheese from Haute Goat Creamery.

By Jeremy Light

Paul Michael Launches Online

The Lake Village, Arkansas, company, with retail stores also in Canton and Monre and Lafayette, Louisiana, recently launched its brand new website and online store.

Meaningful Holiday Gifts Await Shoppers in Edom

As an artists community for more than 40 years, Edom is a great place to spend a few shopping hours to find hand-crafted functional art as well as antiques, clothing, and other gift items. Many of the downtown shops are open seven days a week.

East Texas Golf, Lands End

One would be hard-pressed to find a more unlikely setting for a top-level golf course than off a pasture-laden, one-lane country road in Yantis, Texas. Yet its quaint, if inauspicious, surroundings are a distinct part of the charm that makes The Links at Land’s End easily one of the most unique golf courses in the Upper East Side of Texas.

By Kevin White

Get Away From It All At Caddo Lake

If you are looking for a place with quiet water and amazement, head on over to beautiful Caddo Lake near Jefferson.

By Cindy Anne Duncan

Visit Texarkana for Art, History, and More

A recent visit to Texarkana made me wonder why I hadn’t made this staycation trip before and it certainly sealed the deal for a return trip soon. It was also the perfect mid-way spot to meet friends from Little Rock.

By P.A. Geddie

There’s Room at the Inn in Jefferson

Make plans this fall to step back in time, to slow down the fast pace and simply enjoy the pure romantic magic of Jefferson, Texas. This lovely little town has kept its rich history and beautiful antebellum and turn-of-the-century homes, many of which are now bed and breakfast inns.

By Cindy Anne Duncan

Wilhite Lights Up East Texas

Wilhite Landscape, in business since 1983, not only designs professional landscapes, but they also have a Christmas Décor franchise providing holiday decorating and design services for East Texas homes and businesses each year.

Country Cultured

When you’re raised in the city and retire to an expected easy, laid-back pace in East Texas, the lessons comes quickly. People are eager to help, look you right in the eye and say what they mean. What you see is what you get. This alone threw me right away.

By John Wilson

City Folks Just Don’t Get It

You may have seen or heard of the on-line dating service named FarmersOnly.com. They have TV commercials. Lots on RFD-TV. You know, with Ma and Pa holding the pitchfork?

By John Wilson

Tis the Season... To Combat Stress

The holidays are rapidly approaching, it is time to take a big, deep breath and come up with a game plan to help bring true peace and joy to the remainder of your year. I would like to say that I have a magical cure for eliminating the stress that comes along with such a busy season, but the best I can do is share some reflective observations that I have made over the years.

By Gina Simmons

Discover Living on Lake Bob Sandlin

Choosing the right lakefront property involves many factors. Family-run BG Development Group searched every possibility near Dallas to find exactly the right situation for families in need of a peaceful lakefront retreat.

Tyler, Longview, Texarkana Listed in Improving Markets for Homes

Tyler is now among 23 Texas cities – including Longview and Texarkana – on the March National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI).

East Texas Golf, Lands End

One would be hard-pressed to find a more unlikely setting for a top-level golf course than off a pasture-laden, one-lane country road in Yantis, Texas. Yet its quaint, if inauspicious, surroundings are a distinct part of the charm that makes The Links at Land’s End easily one of the most unique golf courses in the Upper East Side of Texas.

By Kevin White

Artist Kenneth Allen

Kenneth Allen is the kind of guy it takes two hours to go in to WalMart to buy a T-shirt. It's not that he's picky. It's just that he has to stop to chat with eight or 10 people between his truck in the parking lot and the clothing department. People are drawn to this man with sparkling eyes, a friendly smile and open generous nature, a far cry from the little boy he says he was.

P.A. Geddie