South of Houston, find a wildflower wonderland rivaling Hill Country
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South of Houston, find a wildflower wonderland rivaling Hill Country

THE CHRON - Just 30 minutes south of Houston, the charming city of Alvin is quickly becoming Southeast Texas’ secret for experiencing Texas wildflowers without the Hill Country crowds. Part of the reason is HarBet Lodge, a 200-acre family ranch that opened to guests just two years ago. HarBet offers front-row seats to sprawling fields of golden blooms and scattered bluebonnets that transform the landscape into a photographer's dream.

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How Texas wolfdog sanctuaries give another chance at life to special animals
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How Texas wolfdog sanctuaries give another chance at life to special animals

The Chron - Across North America, wolfdog sanctuaries are fighting an uphill battle against time, money and human nature. About 90 percent of wolfdogs are euthanized before age 2, with countless others victims of unprepared owners or unscrupulous breeders. That means sanctuaries like Twin Rivers  represent their best chance at survival.

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A Trail Runs Through It
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A Trail Runs Through It

OUTDOOR X 4 - On a similar fall morning in September, my adventure buddy Lyle and I stood at that same spot where hundreds of thousands of emigrants traveling the California Trail through Idaho saw their first glimpse of City of Rocks National Preserve. After miles of flat plains with mountains smoky in the distance, to go over a hill to see a landscape of weird, towering rocks and formations had to have been mind blowing. It certainly was for us.

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Melvin Moran: Seminole’s oil man with a heart of gold
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Melvin Moran: Seminole’s oil man with a heart of gold

Melvin Moran has spent a lifetime proving true riches lie not in the black gold beneath the earth, but in the philanthropy that elevates a community.

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Moran’s journey to becoming an Oklahoma icon began when his family moved to Seminole in 1940 when oil derricks dotted the landscape like steel forests. Over time, the dusty brick streets of the small town would lead Moran to establish a legacy of philanthropy, civic engagement and unwavering optimism.

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Head north from Texas to this new $400 million resort destination
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Head north from Texas to this new $400 million resort destination

THE CHRON - When travelers think of a beach vacationwith swim-up bars and real sand between the toes, Oklahoma City probably isn't the first destination that comes to mind. That's about to change with the Feb. 21 opening of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, a $400 million development from the Chickasaw Nation that's bringing a slice of coastal luxury to the Southern Plains.

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Inside the Chickasaw Dream Weavers of Mahota Textiles
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Inside the Chickasaw Dream Weavers of Mahota Textiles

Cowboys & Indians Magazine - April 24, 2024 - The store is modern, but the story of Mahota Textiles reaches far back into the threads of Chickasaw history. It begins with the kidnapping in 1736 of a young French girl in the Southeast who was known as French Nancy. She eventually became the bride of the Chickasaw warrior Alikuhlo Hosh, and they had a daughter.

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Exploring Hidden Idaho
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Exploring Hidden Idaho

Cowboys & Indians Magazine - June 2024 - “We don’t want any more people moving here,” Bikini Woman said. “They ruin everything.” I couldn’t quite tell how she meant it, but there was reason to take her at her serious tone. The “everything” she referred to could only mean the rugged and mountainous landscape of Idaho, its multitude of hot springs, its still-wild open spaces, and the curious geological wonders that drew me to explore this state to begin with.

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Skydiving and Blackwater Swamps: Overcoming Fears in South Carolina’s Olde English District
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Skydiving and Blackwater Swamps: Overcoming Fears in South Carolina’s Olde English District

World Footprints - June 15, 2024 - Tucked along the border of North Carolina, and just mere miles from Charlotte, the Olde English District of South Carolina promises a relaxed and surprising journey. Here you’ll find a blend of small-town charm, outdoor adventures and rich history. Spanning seven counties—Chester, Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Union and York—this region unveils a fascinating past and celebrates trailblazers.

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Boise’s Basque Culture: An Old World Treasure Thriving in the New World
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Boise’s Basque Culture: An Old World Treasure Thriving in the New World

World Footprints - June 28, 2024 - The Basque Block in Boise, Idaho, stands as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage of one of the state’s most distinctive ethnic communities. This historic stretch of Grove Street, once home to some of Boise’s earliest and most prominent families, now serves as a thriving center of Basque culture and cuisine.

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A Culinary Odyssey- JK by Chef King blends Asian flavors with French flair

Oklahoma Magazine - July 28, 2024 - In the heart of Oklahoma City’s bustling Midtown, a new restaurant burst onto the scene like a fever dream of pink velvet and wisteria blossoms. JK by Chef King, the brainchild of culinary mavericks Josh Balan and King Dey, opened its doors in August of last year, bringing a dash of Miami glitz and Asian-French fusion to the Sooner State.

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The secret sauce for successful corporate events: Hiring a professional emcee
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The secret sauce for successful corporate events: Hiring a professional emcee

Idaho Business Journal - As any corporate meeting planner knows, putting on a successful event requires a dedicated amount of preparation and attention to detail. While professionals focus on booking the venue, lining up the speaker and arranging the catering and A/V, one element often gets overlooked that can take an event from good to great: Hiring a professional master of ceremonies (MC or emcee).

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