Holly Lake Area News - March 2025 : simplebooklet.com

1 2March 2025Table of Contents About Us Our mission is to promote our community and the small businesses who serve us. Please note that to the best of our knowledge, the content of this publication is intended for entertainment purposes only. Content should not be taken as legal advise and we will not be held accountable for any legal action the reader may take. While we love our sponsors, we make no promises abou the results of products or services advertized. Holly Lake Area News 972-740-7070 Editor@HollyLakeAreaNews.com Facebook: Holly Lake Area News Dear Readers and Small Business Owners, It is with immense excitement that I welcome you to the inaugural issue of our community magazine! In this first issue, you will find a rich tapestry of content that we hope will inform, inspire, and entertain you. From articles exploring local history and culture, to profiles of talented individuals who are making a difference, to practical advice on everything from home gardening to emergency preparedness, there is something for everyone within these pages. At Holly Lake Area News, we are dedicated to promoting our community and the small businesses who serve us, with the hopes of being a positive influence for our area. We also recognize that a truly great community magazine is one that is shaped by the community itself. That is why we are committed to engaging with our readers and encouraging your active participation. We invite you to share your stories, ideas, and feedback with us. Send us a photo about that great fish you caught, special events, or other photos highlighting east Texas. In addition to celebrating the people and culture of our community, we also aim to provide practical tips and advice that can enhance your everyday life. From expert gardening tips to coping with a dementia patient, to holiday recipes, we are committed to offering valuable insights that you can put into practice. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our sponsors for your support and enthusiasm. The sponsors on the pages of the magazine enable us to create and distribute a hard copy as well as a digital copy at no cost to the community. Please mention that you saw their ad on Holly Lake Area News. Buying local helps all of us! This magazine is for you, and we are excited to see where this journey will take us. Happy Spring! Linda Gasaway Editor Welcome March 2025 2 Important Numbers 3 Upcoming Events 4 Emergency Preparedness 6 The Fish Whisperer - Kathy Dean 8 Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day 9 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions 10 Fire Department Volunteers Needed 12 Interview with Candace Sessums 14 Are You Good Enought to Get Into Heaven? 16 Early Settlers of Wood County 17 List of 75765 Churches 18 How to Create a Backyard Fairy Garden 20 Punny Side of Life 22 St. Patrick’s Day Fun 23 Meet Tigger 24 It’s Time to Get Your Hands Dirty! 26 The Yellow Season 28 March Word Search 29 April Fool’s Day Ideas

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3 2 March 2025Upcoming Events 11 Fairy Garden Workshop https://www.visitpalestine.com/f/110 14 Camping 101 - Camping Essentials, 4-5:30 in the Ampitheater, Tyler State Park 15 Paddle Around Tyler State Park, 11-12:30 guided trip 21 Start of Texas Dogwood Trails Celebration https:www.visitpalestine.com 25 Hawkins Chamber of Commerce Dinner 28 Wake Up Yogi Bear Weekend, 6 pm 29 Longview Gun Show, 9-5, Maud Cobbe Exhibit, Longview 29 Hot Air Balloon Rides and Glow - Gladewater Round Up Rodeo 30 Rovers and Clovers Benefit for Therapet, 11-3 ETX Brewing March April 5 90’s Country Rock Experience, Rowdy Creek Ranch, 6:30-9:30, https://rowdycreekranch.com 5 Woodville Dogwood Festival,12 Moo Market, 11-6 at Udder One in Hawkins18 Good Friday 20 Resurrection Day - Easter Sunday May 5 Cinco de Mayo 10 Mother’s Day Tea, The Grand Empress Tea Room, 2-4 pm, Kilgore https://grandempress.com/index.html 11 Mother’s Day 17 Hawkins Pancake Festival https://facebook.com/HawkinsPancakeFestival/ 17 Armed Forces Day 26 Memorial Day March 2025 Important Numbers Emergency 911 Wood County Sheriff’s Department 903-763-2201 Hawkins Police Department 903-769-3628 Holly Lake Ranch Security 903-769-2164 Hawkins Volunteer Fire Department 903-769-2444 Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department 903-769-4341 Poison Control Center 800-222-1222 UTILITIES Upshur Electric 800-259-2536 Liberty Utilities 903-769-2095 ETEX (Phone, Cable Internet) 903-797-2711 Optimum (Fiber Internet, Cable) 877-794-2724 SCHOOLS Harmony ISD 903-725-5492 Hawkins ISD 903-769-2181 Jarvis Christian College 903-730-4890 Trash, Waste/Dump and Recycling Hawkins Landfill 903-769-3645 CR 3940 north of 14, Open Tuesday - Saturday 8-4, Fee is based on the item and volume, paid by cash or check. They accept most everything except hazardous items. Brush Collection Site CR 3540 south of FM2869, brush, leaves and limbs only. Usually the 2nd Saturday of each month, 8 am - noon. Supports Holly Lake Area Fire Department. East Texas Region Recycling Center 903-531-1388, Located at 418 N. Bois D’Arc in Tyler. Facility has a free self-service drop off center open 8-4 M-F and 8-noon on Saturday. Check their website for specics as there is a fee for some items. Only cash or check.

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5 4 March 2025 We’ve all watched the scenes from the hurricane flooding in North Carolina to the fires in California. An emergency situation can creep up on you at any time, and the time to prepare for an emergency is when you aren’t in one. If you wait for an emergency before you think about preparing for it, chances are you are too late. Since we live in a forest, we are just as susceptible as the families in Palisades, CA. We are one careless cigarette or lightning strike away from a disaster. We don’t have fire hydrants, and if your house does catch on fire, the fire departments will be hosing down your neighbor’s homes with the precious water in the pump trucks to keep the fire from spreading, as your home will most likely be consumed. Emergency Preparedness It was interesting to watch those who where taking out their valuables and setting them in the yard. One guy was hauling out his big-screen TV. I can imagine why he might be second-guessing his selection now in light of the total devastation that occured. How many sets of clothing, shoes, blankets, and food did he displace by using his vehicle space to “save” his television? Having a plan in place will take the panic out of an emergency situation. If you have to run to the hardware or grocery store prior to a storm, then you aren’t prepared. Being prepared enables you to “laugh without fear of the future” (Proverbs 31:25). Recent fires and floods have shown how important it is to have a “go bag” ready in your vehicle at all times. March 2025When an emergency happens where you need to evacuate your home or business it’s difficult to think beyond your family members and pets. Once you get them all in a vehicle, could you manage for several days with what you took with you? As the traffic slowed to a halt and the people in California were forced to leave their cars behind, a back pack full of supplies might have been extremely helpful in getting through the next 24 hours. Prepare your back pack now and leave it in your vehicle. Check the contents when we change our clocks or seasons for expired medications for food. Things to pack in your “GO BAG” In the next 24 hours, take your phone and go throughout your home, workshop, boat house, tool shed, garage and carport and take photos of everything. Open up each drawer in your cupboards, hutches, TV stand, closet, under the bed, in the attic, etc. and take a photo. It would be best to upload it to cloud storage on something like Google Photos so you can access them anywhere, anytime for free. Thumb drives are great as a back up, but would need to be kept on your keychain so they don’t get left behind in an emergency situation. Also, take photos of ALL your prescriptions and any medical documents, wills, stock information, etc. that your your family may need to be aware of should you pass away. Be sure to “Share” your photo files with a family member so they can access the information if you are not able to. Don’t put this off till “someday.” Do it now. It may be called a Bug Out Bag,72-hour kit, Grab Bag, Ready Kit or Emergency Kit, but whatever you want to call it, you should have one in each of your vehicles. TAKE PHOTOS OF EVERYTHING YOU OWN! In case of a tornado or fire, you will not be able to remember everything unless you have it documented with photos. Each issue of Holly Lake Area News will focus on a different aspect of preparedness. This issue will provide information on how to prepare a “go bag” and the importance of taking photos of your home. PUT TOGETHER A “GO BAG” FOR EACH VEHICLE. Comfortable Shoes Cotton Socks Tooth Brush Tooth Paste Tissues First Aid Kit Lip balm Allergy Medication Anti-Itch Cream Mosquito Spray Pen Pencil Paper Flashlight Small Soap Small Hand Sanitizer Whistle Compass Small Map Liquid Bandage Medications Old Glasses Swiss Army Knife Scissors Tweezers Toilet Paper Hygiene Supplies Pain Medications Kids Books, Games Trail Mix Type Snacks Small Bottles of Water Pet Food/Chews

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Kathy Dean holding an 11 pound bass caught in Holly Lake The Fish Whisperer 7 6 March 2025 Kathy Dean proves is not about your boat or equipment, but it is about patience. Once upon a time, this avid angler was a water skier, but these days you’ll find her sitting patiently waiting for the bobber to move. Even though they have a boat, they prefer to fish off the dock. Even though they have lures, they prefer to use minnows. Even though they could go to Lake Fork and fish in one of the premiere fishing lakes nearby, they choose to fish at Holly Lake. The Deans moved from Lubbock to east Texas four years ago, and love it here. Kathy’s largest catch so far is an eleven pound bass, which was half as long as she is tall! And she didn’t just catch one whopper - she catches them all the time. While the excitement of hooking a huge fish is a big reason for her early mornings on the water, it’s also the beauty of the surroundings - the trees, the water and the ripples created by the bobber going under! The Dean’s have taught their grandchildren to fish as well, and gifted them this past Christmas with their own tackle box and fishing gear. They also attended the local Fish Camp where Easton (age 8) won for catching the largest fish. When their grandaugh-ter Riley was ten, she caught a six-pound bass, and regularly cathches four+ pounders. Kathy is also proud of a two-pound croppie caught in Lake Greenbriar, and you’ll be happy to know that all of the fish they catch get released back into the lake to be caught another day. We don’t often see women as anglers, but this lady has earned the title “Fish Whisperer!” March 2025 Early in the morning as you cross the dam on Holly Lake you’ll often see Kathy Dean and her husband Robert sitting with their fishing poles, waiting for the big ones to bite, and they usually do!

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9 8 If you’ve ever tried to make your own green beer to go along with your corn beef and cabbage dinner, you’ll know that green food color is NOT the color to add to your yellow ale! Create that traditional green color by adding a drop of blue food coloring. Remember what you learned in art class? Yellow plus blue = green. If you add green food coloring you’ll most likely end up with a bluish colored ale - not quite the St. Patrick’s vibe! Besides green beer or a pint of Guiness, Irish whiskey is another fan favorite. There’s also a warm cocktail known as Irish coffee which is a combination of coffee, whiskey, sugar and cream. Put on your green clothing or there’s a good chance you’ll get pinched, because according to Irish folklore, wearing green make you invisible to leprechauns and leprechauns are known for pinching anyone they can see! On St. Patrick’s day you’ll find streets painted down the middle for community parades. Not to be outdone, some cities such as Chicago, San Antonio, Savannah, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Tampa and even Washington D.C. dye their rivers green for a few hours to celebrate all things Irish. This tradition started in Chicago when the plumbers union dumped green dye into the Chicago River to find leaky pipes. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the three-leafed clover or shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people. Today shamrocks are worn as a symbol of the day. St. Patrick’s Day Traditions March 2025This is a great day to play your fiddle, tin whistle, or bag pipes, watch “River Dance,” listen to “The Celtic Women,” or the “Irish Tenors” and sing “Danny Boy” (but be sure to have a hanky close by.) March 17th is the one day a year where we can all dress in the same color as our food, kiss a blarney stone standing by a green river and be seen as perfectly normal. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Now, where did I put that blue food coloring? Everyone’s Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! March 17th is a day filled with a deep appreciation for Irish culture. One of the best ways to celebrate is by indulging in a traditional Irish recipe. Corned Beef and Cabbage Ingredients• 4 pounds corned beef brisket with spice packet • 10 small red pototoes • 5 carrots, peeled and cut into 3 inch pieces • 1 head of cabbage cut into small wedges March 2025 Instructions 1. Place the corned beef in a large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water. Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound, or until tender. 2. Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender. Add cabbage and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the meat and let it rest for 15 minutes. 3. Place vegetables in a bowl and cover. Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the pot) as you want. Slice the corned beef across the grain.

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Become a Holly Lake Fire Department Volunteer The HLFVD serves Wood County Emergency Fire District #1, including Holly Lake Ranch, Brookhaven Estate, Mineola Mail Route #1 and Hawkins Mail Route #2. They provide the residents with fire, medial and rescue service across 58 square miles! They need 10 new recruits who will... • Answer the call • Complete the training • Run to a neighbor’s rescue • Show courage in danger Support and administrative opportunities are also available. Volunteer Requirements: • Be between the ages of 18 and 70 years old • Be physically and mentally fit to meet the demands of the department • Have a valid Texas driver’s license and a clean driving record • Cannot have a felony • Able to meet time commitments • Attend meetings 1st and 3rd Tuesday’s at 6:30 pm and training on the last Saturday of the month. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, come to a meeting on the first or third Tuesday to meet the firefighters. There is an application on their website at https://hol-lylakevfd.org/volunteer. 11 10 Estate Planning Elder Law Special Needs Planning Guardianship Wills Trusts Pet Trusts Probate PROTECT YOUR LEGACY O’Connor Gordon Law Margaret O’Connor Hallie Gordon Call 214- 695-2488 to schedule your consultation. O’Connor Gordon Law is a family-owned Estate Planning and Elder Law boutique located in Rockwall and serving clients throughout North East Texas. Margaret O’Connor received her BS in Business Administration, Cum Laude from Texas A&M University - Commerce and her JD from Southern Methodist University. Margaret O’Connor is Board Certified in Estate Planning and Probate Law and is a Fellow of the Texas Bar College. Hallie Gordon received her BS in Psychology from Texas A&M University and her JD from the Texas A&M School of Law. OGLawTx.com March

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Candace: Well, I published my first book in 2011 with the start of a paranormal romance series and the next day I saw that I had actually sold one and thought, “This is it. I’m a writer!” Editor: Do you write with a pen name? Candace: Uhm, a lot of pen names! I started my career as “Olivia Hardin” writing paranormal romance and contemporary romance. It was a name I’d picked out back in high school because my middle name is Olivia and my maiden name is Hardin. But about five years ago I decided I wanted to try out mysteries and created the pen name “C.H. Sessums.” Under that hat I blend my love for history and my Texas roots into historical and contemporary cozy mysteries featuring strong, spunky female sleuths. But then I felt a calling in my heart from the Lord to explore sweet, wholesome romance, which is how I began writing as “Corilyn Holloway.” I guess you could say I’m a teeny bit “extra!” Editor: Tell us about your most recent release: Candace: Last month the sixth book in my bestselling J.D. Pierson Series hit shelves. I just love this series! Jenny Dee is a young woman in 1930s Texas. Her father is a renowned investigator, but when he begins hitting the bottle she has to step into his detective shoes to help save the business and his good name. There is so much to love about Jenny and her dad! Their relationship is heartwarming and complex as they navigate tragedy, brokenness and lots of mysteries! And there’s even a bit of romance as Jenny finds herself courted by two different suitors. And did I mention the super-cute corgi named Dolly? Candace: Right now I’m putting the final touches on rewrites of a previously released contemporary romance under my pen name Olivia Hardin. But most of my focus is on my first solo Christian nonfiction book which I hope to release later this year. It’s something the Lord put on me a long time ago and I finally stopped resisting Him! Editor: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about? Candace: Well, if reading isn’t your thing, you might enjoy my podcast. My Soundbox podcast is available on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts and each week I give a little info about the story, the writers or the actors. I’ve even started having fellow authors on the show and it is so much fun! If you love the old series like Dragnet or Gunsmoke or even The Adventures of Sam Spade, you’ll enjoy The Soundbox. Editor: Well thank you so much again for telling us about yourself and your projects. Where can people find you online?Editor: For aspiring writers out there, what advice would you offer based on your own experiences and successes in the publishing world? telling us about yourself and your projects. Candace: I have websites for each of my pen names: www.olivia-hardin.com, www. chsessums.com and www.corilynholloway. com. Plus you can find me on Facebook and Instagram too! 13 12 March 2025 “An Interview with Local Writer Candace Sessums “ Holly Lake Ranch Resident Makes USA Today Bestselling Authors List March 2025 Last month the sixth book in her best selling J.D. Pierson Series hit the shelves! Editor: Thank you so much for sitting down with me today. So you’re a resident here at Holly Lake Ranch and you’re also a USA Today Bestselling Author, under the pen name Olivia Hardin. Tell us what you write. Candace: Yes, thank you for the interview! What do I write? A lot! I dabble in lots of genres and subgenres including cozy mysteries and romance as well as some inspirational Christian works. Editor: When and why did you begin writing? Candace: I had no choice! It all started in my teens. I would have these vivid, movie-like dreams that begged to be turned into stories. I was rarely without a spiral notebook, capturing every mental rambling. Deep down, I knew I was destined to be an author. Editor: When did you first consider yourself a writer? Editor: What makes your stories unique? Candace: I write lots of family and found-family dynamics with side-characters who are vital to the storytelling. Great dialogue is my favorite and since I can literally hear the characters talking in my head I think it makes for vibrant tales. I also like to include historical and trivia snippets in a lot of my books and readers really enjoy that. Candace: Wow… it’s hard to believe but I’ve been doing this for more than a decade. So much has changed in all of that time, but one thing hasn’t… people’s love for great storytelling. So I think if you have a story or many stories in your heart, don’t give up. Find a mentor or a group and dive into how to make your stories a reality. Editor: What are you currently writing?

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The Early Settlers of Wood County, Texas The pioneers arrived in Wood County and stayed due to the fertile land, rolling prairies and dense pine forests. When Texas was transitioning from a Republic to a state, people began arriving from Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia in their ox-driven wagons along with their families and livestock. Despite the challenges and hardships that occurred, the families became self-sufficient with the abundant game available and small settlements started to dot the landscape. The early settlers understood the importance of community, and built schools, churches and trading posts, which became the centers of social life and commerce. In 1850, Quitman was established as the county seat. Later, with the construction of roads and then the railroad, Wood County continued to grow into what it is today. James Stephen Hogg, began a career in law and politics when he moved to Wood County and would eventually become the first native-born Governor of Texas, serving from 1891-1895. Governor Hogg Shrine State Park is located in Quitman. Around the 27-acre park you’ll find nature and hiking trails along with tours of the Quitman Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. There are also three museums; the Stinson House, the Honeymoon Cottage and the Ima Hogg Museum. Find out more information about the early settlers of Wood County by visiting the park in Quitman on State Hwy 37, 1/2 mile south of the Wood County Courthouse. List of 75765 Area Churches If your church is not listed, please send the name, address, time of service and website or Facebook link to editor@HollyLakeAreaNews.com Fellowship Church, Sunday Service at 10:30, 2302 Private Road # 7850, https://www.fellowshipchurch.com/locations/allaso-ranch First Assembly of God, Sunday Service at 10:45 am, 102 Harris St., https://www.facebook.com/HawkinsFirstAssembly First Baptist Church Hawkins, Sunday Service at 10:15, 210 E. Forest St., www.fbchawkins.org First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Sunday Service at 11:00 am, 229 Henry Circle, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571406831548 First United Methodist Church, Sunday Service at 10:00 am, 229 E. Blackbourn https://hawkinsfumc.org/ Holly Brook Baptist Church, Sunday Service at 9:30 & 11:00 am, 3219 S. FM 2869 https://www.hbbc.live Holly Lake Church of Christ, Sunday Service at 10:00 am, 3173 South FM 2869 https://hollylakechurchofchrist.org Holly Tree Bible Church, Sunday Service at 10:00 am, 1620 South FM 2869, https://www.hollytreebiblechurch.com Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Sunday Service at 9:00 am, 1612 FM 2869, https://www.holyspirithollylake.com Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sunday Service at 10:00 am, 176 PR 7869 Summit Heights Fellowship, Sunday Service at 10:00 am, 2340 South FM 2869, https://shf.church Trinity Lutheran Church, Sunday Service at 10:30 am, 3718 South FM 2869, https://www.tlctyler.org/trinity-hawkins Whispering Pines Church of the Nazarene, Sunday Service at 10:30 am, 170 County Road 3811, https://whisperingpineschurch.org 17 16 March

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19 18 March 2025 How to Create a Backyard Fairy Garden Benefits of Creating a Fairy Garden These miniature landscapes often include small plants, miniature furniture and charming decorations. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you desire. Creating a fairy garden allows you to: • Unleash your creativity by designing a unique space. • Add an element of enchantment to your yard. • Engage in a relaxing and therapeutic activity. • Inspire children with the magic of storytelling. • Encourage a love of nature and gardening. Fairy Gardens have captured the imaginations of garden enthusiasts and dreamers alike. These miniature, whimsical landscapes offer a delightful escape into a world of enchantment right in your own backyard. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a newbie, designing a fairy garden can be fun for you, your children or grandchildren and your backyard guests. Location, Location, Location! Select a spot that receives the appropriate amount of sunlight for your plants. Fairy gardens can thrive in garden beds, containers or even tree stumps. Designing Your Fairy Garden Sketch a rough draft of your garden to visualize the placement of plants, decorations and pathways. Be sure to consider adding following: • Miniature houses or cottages. • Tiny benches, tables and chairs. • Steppingstones made of pebbles or shells. • Natural elements such as rocks, moss and twigs. • Water features such as birdbaths or small ponds. March 2025Once your plants are in place, add the final touches to your fairy garden. This may include: • Placing fairy figurines or statues in strategic locations. • Adding tiny furniture and accessories to create a lived-in vibe. • Incorporate natural elements like twigs, moss and stones for a rustic look. • Sprinkle glitter or “fairy dust” to enhance the magical atmosphere. Use Your Imagination We all remember Tinkerbell from “Peter Pan” as one of the first “fairy tales” as both a story and an animated feature length film. Whether it was “The Complete Book of the Flower Fairies” by Cicely Barker, “Good Night, Fairies” by Kathleen Hague, or the “Finding Tinkerbell” series by Kiki Thorpe the good-natured fairies were a source of fantasy and fun. As Peter Pan declared, “I don’t want to grow up!” And perhaps you don’t have to by creating your very own “fairy tale” in your personal fairy garden! Start by planning the larger elements first, such as miniature trees or shrubs, at the back or center of your garden. Gradually add smaller plants and decorations, arranging them to create a balanced scene. Use pathways and stepping stones to guide the eye through the garden and create a sense of exploration. Choose plats that are suitable for the amount of sunlight in your garden. Popular options include: • Moss, for creating lush ground cover. • Succulents for texture and variety • Miniature ferns for woodland charm. • Herbs such as thyme and oregano. • Miniature flowering plants such as alussum, lobelia and violas. Recommended Plants Arranging Your Garden

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25 24 March 2025 Is It Worth It? In financial terms, no. When you add up the cost of the compost (which you’ll need because most of the soil here has too much sand or too much clay), the seeds, tools, raised beds, and water - not to mention the months of carefully tending to them, you’ll be better off going to Brookshires and buying your carrots. Then there is the problem with local critters. I’ve had beautiful blooms on my zucchini plants, only to have them devoured overnight by either a racoon, a possum or armadillo - or all of the above since we have seen all three in our backyard. The deer love this time of year when gardeners provide a bountiful buffet of fresh plants and flowers for them to devour. That’s why Hobby Lobby is the best place for colorful yard plants. However, there is nothing quite like going out in your yard and cutting some fresh basil and rosemary along with some home-grown lettuce. Those of us with hobby gardens have a special appreciation for the local farmers who grow enough to sell their excess at the community markets and fairs. A tomato or strawberry from a grocery store is tasteless compared to their home-grown counterparts. Digging in the dirt, looking at the various sizes and shapes of seeds and watching them grow gives us pause to think about the wonder of it all. It’s magical and therapeutic and I’m in awe of our Creative God each year when we start our garden, even if the blooms are eaten off my zucchini’s! It’s March, and it’s time to get our hands dirty! Back of seed packet shows Hardiness Zones Preparing a raised bed for square foot gardening March 2025 Leafy Greens • Lettuce • Spinach • Kale • Swiss Chard Root Vegetables • Carrots • Beets • Radishes Legumes • Peas • Beans Herbs • Mint • Oregano • Cilantro • yme • Dill • Parsley • Oregano Flowers • Pansies • Petunias • Snapdragons • Daisies • Daylilies • Hostas These Are Safe to Plant in March (Maybe!) It’s Time to Get Your Hands Dirty! It’s March! You decided that this is the year that you’re going to plant fresh herbs, tomatoes and peppers for your salsa garden. You’ve also heard how easy it is to make your own tea, so why not give that a try as well? You’ve ordered your non-GMO heirloom seeds collection which has 90 seed packets containing a mere 51,915 seeds. You now have enough seeds for all of Wood County, but how do you know when we have the “all clear” to plant our garden without the threat of a frost? That’s where knowing about Hardiness Zones may keep you from unintentionally killing your baby plants by planting them too early. Hardiness Zones have been established to help guide us as to when our plants have the best chance of survival based on the average coldest weather temperatures. The USDA Zip Code Zone Search for 75765, states that we are in 8b. However, Horticulturist Neal Sperry (those of you from the Metroplex will recognize his name) states we should subtract one number from their suggestion based on the 2022 Snowmagedden event, which killed Indian hawthorns all across Texas and damaged live oaks. The live oaks were classed as winter hardy for the area – but they weren’t hardy enough for those cold temps! That means that we really don’t have a hard and fast rule, but if you stay within the 7-8b range you’ll have a better seedling survival rate.

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27 26 The Yellow Season a.k.a The Pollen Explosion! Most newcomers to the Piney Woods are in awe of the beauty of their surroundings and peace and quiet that comes with living in a forest. Then suddenly, as March rolls in, the flowering dogwoods, budding oaks, pines and cedars all explode at once with flowers and release their pollen coating everything with a coat of yellow. You’ll begin to notice it when your car has a coat of dust. Pretty soon you’ll have to use your windshield wipers to clear it off. Those that have lived here through a pollen season know that you have to prepare for it in advance. Anything that is outside is going to get covered in a thick coat of yellow pollen. If you have a screened-in porch, everything on the porch will have a coat of fine yellow dust. Just when it becomes warm enough to put the lawn chair cushions out, the pollen explodes and everything becomes coated. It’s best to resist the urge until April. How to Prepare for Pollen Season • Stock up on allergy medication. • Keep eye-wash handy. • Keep cough drops available. • Keep your windows closed to reduce the pollen in your house. • Have air filters available and change them often in March and April. • Check the air filters on your vehicles. • Cover your golf cart, tractors and mowers. • Check the pollen counts on the weather reports. • If you are working in the yard, change your clothes afterwards and shower. Otherwise the pollen in your hair will end up on your pillow at night. • Get to know a neighbor who owns a power washer. 

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29 28 G X P A T R I C K D F B G M L E R K Y G T E I I A A G B S E L D E O H G L M I T O Y R N P D P L E A T D R S H L S A I R D D K B N M Y J T I I E N K E I E B E T A T S M S R I C W C F A N S S E N I U G T I H A H C T L R X T F K B C F O L H A D R F A O T E I R E L A N D U O G K O K C E W Z A K E P E N H O L L Y E B E G E P E Q O M I R I S H N E D R A G F K W T Z B L A R N E Y X T P F W A M A K S H A M R O C K S O O D L R A I R B E N E R G W C F P S Beef Cabbage Fiddle Green Hawkins Ireland Kilt Ranch Beer Celtic Garden Greenbriar Hogg Irish Leprechaun Patrick Shamrock Stew Blarney Stone Coffee Fairy Gold Guiness Holly March Word Search Words can go in any direction and can share letters. 6264 S. FM 14 Hawkins, TX 75765 (903) 769-1606 Fax: (903 796-2707 Hawkins@hdp.dental Owner 214-564-7001 Sparky’s Mobile Rv Repair James Sparks 208 Evening Shadows Trail Holly Lake Ranch, TX 903-539-05 James@Sparkysrv.com Visit HollyLakeAreaNews.com April Fools Day Ideas Since April Fool’s Day is coming up, we wanted to give you some ideas on how to make some memories! BTW - we’ve done all of these! 1. Switch the sugar bowl and the saltshaker. This is an old one - but it’s very effective. 2. Petroleum jelly on the toilet seat. 3. Petroleum jelly on the car/truck handle. (This was pretty funny when we did this to our teenage daughters.) 4. Wrap your supervisor’s office supplies with aluminum foil. 5. Buy several large blocks of sticky notes and blanket your supervisor’s office with them. 6. Set clock alarms to go off at different intervals. 7. Secure a rubber band around the spray nozzle of the kitchen sink - the first person using the sink gets sprayed! 8. Place a poster on the back bumper of a vehicle which states “Honk - I’m an April Fool!” 9. Tell your family you can’t wait till April Fool’s Day because you’ve got some new pranks - and then do nothing and watch them squirm all day. 10. Short-sheet your kids beds so they’ll have one more prank before the day is over!

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Holly Lake Area News - March 2025

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