Hunters and guides gather up with their bay and catch dogs to hunt feral hogs during the Big Country Celebrity Ultimate Hunt, an annual fundraiser for Disability Resources Inc. About 60 hunters — including 21 celebrities, plus 40 guides —signed up to participate in the three day hunt.

Merkel Middle School sixth-grader Avery Scott carries her rabbits, Foo Foo, Fee Fee and Fefers to the judging area at the Taylor County Livestock Show on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Expo Center.

“Windy days can be really aggravating,” Micky Taylor said. Gusts pulled his long locks up and set them into a miniature whirlwind as he waited for his father to pick him up from school on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Taylor, 16, has kept his hair long for most of his adolescent years. “I come from a family of hippies,” Taylor said.

Planned Parenthood supporters welcome the arrival of a Planned Parenthood bus tour called The Women’s Health Express on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at the Abilene Perini Center.  Planned Parenthood staff is on a tour across 16 cities in 10 days to raise awareness of the program’s health care for women.

Bangs Middle School seventh-grader Dustin Bostick,12, combs through the hair on his red brangus hefer, Bella, at the Sixtieth Annual Brown County Youth Fair on Friday, January 13, 2012.

Jonathan and Heather Simmons begin one of the first projects they will tackle as a married couple on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. They bought, “Rusty,” a 1964 Volkswagen bus with plans of restoring it and making it their camping bus. As Jeremy completed fixing a door hinge he high fived Heather to celebrate one repair down. The couple expects to have their bus ready for the road in the coming months.

Jeremy Varner dips Leigh Black during the finale of their waltz to “Moon River,” by Andy Williams on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at the Dancing with the Abilene Stars at the Civic Center.

Bennie Bible holds the beating heart of a western diamondback snake after cutting off his head in front of spectators during the 48th annual Lone Star Fair & Expo and Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Perry Dale Lamb, 19, places a the beating heart of a western diamondback rattlesnake on his tongue before swallowing it in front of a fascinated crowd at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Sisters Trisha Russell, 11, left, and Brooke, center, are horrified as the head of a western diamondback rattlesnake is cut off at the Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood on Saturday, March 17, 2012. “Do it again,” some spectators shouted to snake handlers.

Snake handler Dustin White lays in a sleeping bag as fellow snake handler Bennie Bible places four western diamondback rattlesnakes into the bag with him during the 48th annual Lone Star Fair & Expo and Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood on Saturday, March 17, 2012. The events will continue today between noon and 5 p.m.

Abilene Garden Club members Carolyn Hollingshead, left, and Irma Amber gather around a freshly transplanted red oak tree on Friday, January 20, 2012 at the Ben Richey Boys Ranch. About 20 members of the club join them to celebrate Texas Arbor Day by planting the tree in honor of Herb and Miriam Roberts.

Abilene Podiatrist Patrick Bruton kicks back for a nap in the shade of his vehicle on Friday, March 23, 2012 in Redbud Park. “I just finished a surgery and it feels so good outside, I am going to take a nap,” Bruton said.

Evelyn Sleeper sits among a garden of tropical flowers including hibiscus, center, talking with Philpott Florist & Greenhouse manager Sammy Smith at the Business EXPO on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at the Civic Center. Philpott’s was among about 200 businesses to show off their services at the EXPO.

Miss Frontier Texas semi-finalist Katie Hinton puts up her canvas tent along with 11 other semi-finalists during their overnight stay at Frontier Texas on Friday, March 23, 2012. The students also learned to square dance and played parlor games before heading to sleep.

Members of the Chameleon Performing Arts Company perform “Voice of Strength,” during a rehearsal on Tuesday, March 27,2012.

The historic Matera Paper Co. building is consumed by fire on Monday, February 20, 2012. No cause of the Matera fire was given, firefighters were not able to save the 105-year-old building.

Kayla Chowning, 16, reigns over the rattlesnakes of West Texas as the 2012 Miss Snake Charmer at last weekend’s World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup. When she jumped into a holding pit of 300 hissing and quivering rattlers one week ago, she looked over her shoulder at her father, Wayne Chowning, before beginning her duties.

“She was shaking pretty good, but not near as bad as I was,” Wayne Chowning said. With his experience as the 1996 president of the roundup, Chowning talked his daughter through their mutual jitters.

“Squeeze tight, K-K,” Chowning said as his daughter placed her thumb and index finger on the head of an angry rattlesnake in the research pit. The Sweetwater High School sophomore gained confidence quickly, learning how to hold a snake, measure it, sex it, weigh it and count its buttons, in front of an audience in awe.

“You go girl,” a man shouted from the crowd as Kayla charmed a 56-inch-long rattler. Some would say Kayla is still a girl, a high schooler, barely old enough to drive. But after her display of courage at the roundup, she proved that with determination, she can overcome any petrifying challenge. After all, the role of Miss Snake Charmer is unlike that of any other scholarship pageant winner. Kayla’s sash was covered in rattlesnake urine, her shoes smeared with blood and her manicured nails chipped.As she faced one of the more gruesome tasks at the roundup — snake skinning — Kayla described the process as “gross, disgusting.”

She tangled with the corpse of a freshly executed rattlesnake. “It’s still moving, I hate that,” Kayla said.

Photos by Joy Lewis/Reporter-News Spectators peer into the milking pit as Kayla Chowning, 16, prepares to milk the venom from a rattlesnake at the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundupon March 10.

Wayne Chowning seals his daughter’s chaps with duct tape before she returns to the holding pit to catch rattlesnakes during the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup on March 10. Chowning, a past president of the roundup, stayed near Kayla as she completed the duties of Miss Snake Charmer at the roundup. “He reassured me that he’s always going to be there for me,” Kayla said. “I feel like I made him proud.”

Kayla Chowning lifts one of the larger rattlesnakes in the holding pit of about 300 at the roundup a week ago. As the 2012 Miss Snake Charmer, Kayla made her way through every side of the roundup, from the research pit to the skinning area.

2012 Miss Snake Charmer Kayla Chowning completes the messy task of skinning a rattlesnake at the rattlesnake roundup on March 10.

Everywhere Kayla Chowning goes at Sweetwater’s rattlesnake roundup she is surrounded by a crowd of fans. As the 2012 Miss Snake Charmer she is now a role model for young girls.

Feature Hunting GOLD.  Yes, on a random feature hunt in the town of Brownwood, TX Hannah Boen and I stumbled across these twin brothers that run a mechanic shop together. We learned upon return to the office that the Reporter-News has written several articles on the twins in the last decade.  The editors chose not to run Hannah’s story and my portrait but the image made  it’s way into our print edition at the end of the year in a special section of photography.  And now some information on these brothers-  Twins Orus, left and Odus Stokes have spent their entire lives side by side in Brownwood. They are 86 years old and have worked at their auto body shop, Stokes Brothers Garage, since 1941. Their shop is located on the corner of Main and West Mayes streets, the brothers are  proud to say they learned about mechanics on their own. They say the secret to their longevity is hard work.

“Remember, it’s always technique, speed, then power,” Don Chandler said. Chandler shows Marissa Smith, 6, how to aim her elbow to break a board during their practice on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Abilene Mixed Martial Arts studio.

To read Jeremy’s fantastic story click here

Billy Blanks leads a Tae Bo fitness class at Fit By Faith gym in Brownwood, Texas on Friday, October 7, 2011. Blanks, the internationally known celebrity fitness instructor led three classes on Friday to help raise money for deployed U.S. troops. He will offer more classes on Saturday during Tae Bo For The Troops in Brownwood.

Yes. West Texas has a talented football team called the “Blizzards”

Winters High School cheerleaders take the field with the school mascot, the Blizzard, to start the game against Goldthwaite High School in Winters on Friday, October 21, 2011.

Cooper High School sophomore Michael Johnson has an attitude to match his costume as he gathers with the marching band before their opening performance during the annual “Boo Bowl,” football game against Midland High School at Shotwell Stadium on Friday, November 4, 2011.

Gloria Lopez gently touches her mother’s cheek as she visits with her at the Kent County Nursing Home in Jayton on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. Maria Sauceda,79, moved to the nursing home after suffering a stroke that left her unable to speak. Sauceda has daily visits from her children that live in the area.

Abilene Christian High School Head Coach Mark Coley screams in victory over the 66-44 win against The Covenant at Moody High School on Saturday, December 3, 2011.

At first glance, these yard sale clothes reminded me of gigantic ornaments hanging on a Christmas tree.

The age-old art of ballet caught on in the United States in the late part of the 19th century. It became popular in West Texas around 1983 when Nancy Gore opened her studio, Ballet Abilene. Gore has taught the graceful dance of ballet to thousands of children over nearly three decades. On Dec. 14, she directed her 7- and 8-year-olds through an hour of practice in the lofty studio. Mademoiselles obeyed her commands as they fluttered across the dance floor.

“Tendu,” she said, using the French term for stretch.

“Pick it up, touch, close the door,” Gore said. Gore has a lifetime of experience to share with the youth. She began ballet at age 3. In her generation, girls rarely played sports, but she needed exercise and a creative outlet throughout her adolescence.

“I immediately loved the ballet. It’s been a passion of mine all my life,” Gore said. Gore said dancing is about more than physical performance. Dance teaches children that hard work and discipline are required to reach their goals.

“I absolutely love to see how children learn and change and begin to feel good about themselves,” Gore said. Her students remember how they changed too. Today she teaches a second generation of dancers. Her former students bring their own children to be taught by Gore.

Her “ballet family” is flourishing. The young ballerinas showcase their abilities during annual Abilene Ballet Theatre performances including “The Nutcracker” and “Coppelia.” Their shows often draw a full house to the Paramount, adding to Abilene’s reputation as a city devoted to the arts. Gore said children need to be exposed to beauty and art. “It’s good for their souls.”

On any given work day, Misty Garcia might jump into a pond full of alligators, grapple a feisty bird or flee an angry hog.

Of course, being the veterinarian at the Abilene Zoo, she also might spend the day drudging through paperwork and managerial tasks.

Garcia’s work is unpredictable because she, along with the entire zoo staff, is responsible for the health and well-being of more than 600 animals.

“It’s a unique position,” Garcia said. “I get to work with animals that some people never get to touch.”

Along with that privilege comes the challenge of understanding how to take care of all those exotic creatures.

Garcia earned an undergraduate degree in biology, followed by four years in veterinary school and three externships at zoos across the nation.

She said that although she grew up enjoying her family pets, she never envisioned herself to be a veterinarian.

During college, she developed a passion for zoo medicine and quickly discovered the difficulty in landing a job at a zoo.

“It’s a hard field to break into because there aren’t many zoos,” Garcia said.

“Zoo medicine is one of those paths where it is all about experience. You have to keep getting experience until a door opens up,” Garcia said.

The Abilene Zoo opened its door to Garcia in February. Since then, her mending hands have come in contact with scales, feathers, manes, whiskers, beaks, bristles, quills, fangs and more.

Garcia’s intentions are always in the animals’ best interest, yet they fear her.

“I’ve got a bad reputation with the animals. They know me when they’re sick. It’s not the same kind of interaction that the keepers have with the animals,” Garcia said.

Although the zookeepers build a trusting relationship through positive conditioning such as bringing fresh food and water, Garcia is the one poking and prodding them when they are ill.

Garcia said she practices zoo medicine because she loves it, even if the animals don’t appreciate her work.

She said her goal is to have a healthy animal collection at the Abilene Zoo. She treats the sick, works to prevent disease and maintains a comfortable environment for all of her patients.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/dec/23/animal-magnetism-abilene-zoo-veterinarian-has/

George and Diana Shaffner are pleased with their family of 23.

The couple love, respect — and spoil — their 12 horses and 9 cats, most of whom were rescued. If it were up to the Shaffners, their 35-acre home, Rising Sun Ranch, would be large enough to sustain countless more animals in need of a good home.

When it comes to the spoiling, these horses have 35 acres on which to roam freely, and California-grown hay to chomp on. They are shown respect every day, when Diana trains them without any violence or emotional trauma. Love is evident because George and Diana devote their time and energy into providing a sanctuary for horses who have survived abuse and neglect.

Before dawn on Wednesday, Diana’s boots crunched along the frozen path to the horse barn where Arabians, mustangs, Belgians and other horses stood impatiently waiting for breakfast. She carried on a conversation with her horses while she prepared their food and removed their blankets.

For most of these horses, Rising Sun Ranch is the best place on earth. Almost all of them were abused, neglected or starving before finding their way to the Shaffners’ ranch, located on Highway 36 just east of Abilene.

Diana said she strives to understand their individual needs so that she can train them to trust people again.

Her interest in difficult horse cases started in her youth, when a family friend gave her the responsibility of training a rescued horse.

Diana said she learned that the goal is not to force a horse to do something. Instead, her goal became to get a horse to want to obey. She said she uses positive reinforcement in training rather than the more popular method of causing a horse discomfort when it doesn’t respond properly.

She said she never reaches a stopping point with rescued horses. They need thoughtful attention for the rest of their lives.

“You have to honor the horse as the being that it is,” she said.

But Diana said her approach is not mainstream in the equine culture.

“Really, the missing link is someone who devotes themselves to training rescued horses. I’m trying to provide that, but I’m only one person,” she said.

Many people in Abilene have taken up responsibility and saved horses that would otherwise perish, only to find themselves without the knowledge or resources to train their emotionally and physically scarred horse, she said.

Diana said she spends at least 15 hours a week doing training sessions with such owners. She wants to do more, she said, but maintenance of the ranch is time-consuming.

She said she works alongside the horse owners to teach them about the delicate system of communication between human and horse.

It can take a long time even to make small amounts of progress with rescued horses.

“The only thing that allows for success is if new owners have the ability to rejoice in the training process and not the end results,” Diana said.

“It’s often a rewarding experience for owners,” she said.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/dec/09/training-journey-is-a-destination-for-horse/

Most people think Ira Miller is a perfect picture of health for a woman in her early 70s. They are right about the physical condition, but short on her age by nearly two decades.Miller said she is having as much fun as she did in her youth, but at 88 she does everything a little slower.

On Tuesday morning she slowly bobbed in the warm water at the Redbud YMCA with about 20 other women. The ladies socialized and laughed as they warmed up for the water aerobics class.

Miller took the lead and shouted out, “Head to the deep end.”

“OK, now stop where you are and run. Run run run. Now lunge. I want you to lay on your stomach and flutter,” Miller said.

As the bathers circled the pool and completed corkscrews, shoot throughs, karate kicks, flutters, scissors, crawls, sidestrokes and breast strokes, Miller’s white hair remained just above the water while she led the workout. She recommends water aerobics for anyone, especially people close to her generation. Miller’s workout keeps swimmers’ heart rate up but doesn’t apply any pressure to joints.

“You’re a little motorboat. Move your hips, it’ll make you go faster,” Miller said.

The group swam calmly for an hour before stretching and cooling down at the conclusion.

Miller joined the YMCA in 1991. She said exercise keeps her mentally and physically well. Maintaining a daily exercise routine even into her senior years has been natural for Miller. She learned about dedication and hard work on her family’s farm in Sagerton.

Since the death of her husband and daughter in the early 1980s, Miller has lived alone in Abilene. Miller said she is never lonely because her four siblings live close and are all in good health.

Physical exercise is one key to Miller’s outstanding condition, another is a responsible diet. But most importantly Miller keeps a positive attitude about her life.

“Don’t let anyone steal your joy because you can be what you want to be,” Miller said.

The things that bring Miller joy at 88 are her family, friendships and faith in God.

Miller devotes her days to singing with her church choir and leading songs as a volunteer during a church service at Care Inn nursing home.

“It’s wonderful to be in your 80s,” Miller said.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/dec/02/88/

In an East Texas cotton field in 1928, Edna May Cassidy’s life work began with a song. She said God put a hymn in her heart while she sowed cotton alongside her grandfather.

Cassidy was eight years old. Since then she has devoted her life to serving others and spreading the gospel.

“I’m 91 years young. And I have had a wonderful time with the Lord,” Cassidy said.

In 1968, she began traveling to preach, leaving her husband and three children at home on the weekends. She drove to surrounding towns to pray and give sermons at neighboring churches, never taking money for her ministry.

“The Lord has his hands on me,” she said. “I’ve been in some of the most dangerous places but I’m still alive.”

As the decades rolled by, Cassidy continued her work. Eventually everyone in her generation was gone. After her son, Pervis, died in 2004, Cassidy has lived alone in Abilene. All of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren live in the Dallas area.

“I’m just kind of alone. But still carrying on the work for the Lord. God takes care of me,” Cassidy said.

A timeline of Cassidy’s long life rests in her old Bible. The book is stuffed with family photographs, handwritten sermons and letters from friends. Cassidy carries on her lifelong goal to serve others and grow closer to God. She is a guest speaker every few weeks at Ash Street Baptist Church.

On a recent Sunday, the Lord lead her to preach on Chapter 37 of Ezekiel, Cassidy said. Her delivery was stern and rhythmic. Her words flowed with the familiarity of a favorite tune. She praised God for bringing the congregation together and for the opportunity to worship Jesus.

Members of the congregation describe “Mother Cassidy” as a prayer warrior.

“She’s a powerful speaker. She’s touched my soul every time she speaks,” Curtis Barrow said.

Her sermon was merely the start. Cassidy proceeded to roam through the pews and stir the congregation with individual prayers for members. Applause and shouting followed Cassidy as she addressed personal needs and concerns with prayer.

Freckled, petite Cassidy has no intentions to retire. Old age cannot hinder her eagerness to be a minister for her faith.

“I’ve had no regrets, I’m just living for the Lord and helping others,” Cassidy said.

http://www.reporternews.com/news/2011/nov/25/god-takes-care-of-me-abilene-woman-spends-gospel/

Judy Tiedemann is the captain of a small, earnest crew of volunteers in Brownwood. She commands the vessel with a balance of authority and praise for a meal well prepared five days a week.

Tiedemann is the kitchen manager at the Loaves & Fishes food kitchen at the Salvation Army, but most volunteers call her “Mama.”

Tiedemann and her team cook meals to feed between 90 and 137 people daily. Forget bags of chips and cold cut sandwiches, this kitchen provides a hot, complete, balanced meal five days a week.

“Some people have nowhere else to turn for a hot meal,” Tiedemann said.

She is a woman who knows what it feels like to be in hard times. When Hurricane Rita destroyed her home in Lumberton in 2005, Tiedemann and her husband, Russell, had no choice but to evacuate to Brownwood to live with their daughter. The 66-year-old woman still tears up at the memory of the warm welcome she and Russell received when they arrived in Brownwood. She wanted to do something to give back and show her appreciation for their generosity. She began to volunteer at the Salvation Army’s Loaves & Fishes kitchen in January 2011. Six months later, she was offered a temporary paid position when the previous kitchen manager had to take a short leave.

Tiedemann was well equipped for the role. Mother of five children, grandmother to 15 children, and great-grandmother to two little ones, she has honed the skill of feeding large groups.

Her maternal tendencies go far beyond filling empty bellies. She tries her best to show some unconditional love to the community service volunteers working with her.

Every walk of life comes through the kitchen doors to serve their community service hours, Tiedemann said. From felons to drug abusers, she shows them appreciation for their hard work.

“Sometimes a word of approval is all it takes,” Tiedemann said.

The highest compliment this kitchen manager can get has nothing to do with reaction to a meal. Instead, what she finds most rewarding is when a former volunteer who has completed community service hours comes back on his own time to help.

A pair of calipers measures West Texas Fair and Rodeo Bubble Gum Blowing contestant Hailey Moore’s masterpiece during the contest at the fairgrounds on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.  Moore,12, took Best in Show for her 6.5 inch pink air pillow.

Rancher Robert Doan bows his head in prayer as Dennis Laster prays aloud  asking God for rain at the Big Country Beef Conference on Thursday, August 25, 2011. Doan and about 170 other ranchers learned from Steve Lyons, Meteorologist in Charge at NWS San Angelo, as he explained the scientific reasons for this year’s drought. “Disaster is not a good enough word,” Doan said. His 1400 acres of grass is non-existant. “I’m fixing to go out of the cattle business it appears.” Doan said he learned valuable information about the upcoming planting season during the conference at the Taylor County Exposition Center.

A large fresh watermelon took second place in the horticulture contest at the 67th annual Fisher County Fair at the courthouse in Roby on Friday, August 26, 2011. Other entries included onions and okra.

Asja Leznina, right, takes a few minutes to play and dance with her classmate, Lily Assaad before the parade of flags at Abilene Christian University on Monday, August 29, 2011. Leznina, from Tallinn, Estonia, and Assaad, from Cairo, were among students representing 61 countries during the opening assembly of the school year.

“A sea of green is nice to see this year,” Winston Ohlausen said. “I feel good about this field.” Ohlausen walked through the thick green coastal hay in his 40 acre field on Monday, August 29, 2011. Ohlausen sells hay to  Jackson Brother’s Feed every year. This year he has will only sell half of the amount he has in the past.  Without enough rainfall Ohlausen could not plant his field hay grazer. Dustin Johnson, owner of Cedar Ridge Aviation, scouts out the hot spots for feral hogs as he flies over ranches in Knox County on Wednesday, August 31, 2011. Johnson has been preparing his helicopter and his four AR 15 rifles for Friday, the opening day of the season for feral hog hunting.

John Wayne movie fans sit in a field near the Snyder VFW to watch “The Searchers” on Friday, September 3, 2011. Movie fans can participate in a 72-hour marathon of 35 John Wayne films at the Snyder John Wayne Film Festival this weekend. The Ritz Theatre will be open around the clock to showcase the career of Wayne with proceeds going to benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

Abilene native Kellie Reid, 19, saddles up a horse as judges observe during the Hardin-Simmons University Six White Horses riding team. Reid was one of 12 students to try-out for the team that includes eight riders.

Abilene Regional Airport Operations Officer Thomas Lawler cools down after putting out a fire inside of an aircraft mock-up on Dyess Air Force Base on Friday, September 16, 2011. Lawler’s protective “silvers,” reflect 95 percent of the radiant heat he encounters while fighting fires.

Paskaziya Niyomungere, 10, left, springs out into the rain as her friends Francine Munezero, 9, center, and Riviya Manirumva, 9, dance and watch as the sky poured down a shower on Thursday, September 15, 2011.

Cody Jones, 17, left, and Todd Forrest, 17 close the day with a roping practice at James Peter’s Arena on Monday, September 19, 2011. They have been working on their skills everyday for about three weeks to prepare for Friday’s competition.  The United States Team Roping Championships Texas Plains Classic will be on Friday at the Taylor County Expo Center.

Barracuda trots through the silky sand carrying Cody Jones, 17, as he practices team roping at James Peter’s Arena on Monday, September 19, 2011. Jones works everyday with his teacher, Kerri McKee to prepare for the United States Team Roping Championships Texas Plains Classic. The event starts on Friday.