Roney inspires others one painting at a time

Just holding a paintbrush is difficult at times for her. That’s because the 30-year-old Ellisville, Mississippi resident Daphne Roney is battling a rare genetic disease called A-T. But she won’t let it stop her from doing what she loves most…painting.
For years, she has shared her abstract painting with family and friends in her community, but she is excited to announce her artwork is featured in a book!
The book, “Art from the Heart: A 30-Day Devotional” features her striking artwork on every page, set amongst inspirational and Christian quotes. The book was designed and published by newspaper editor Kayleen Holder, of Devine, TX, whose niece Audrey Capps is also battling A-T, like Daphne.
On the back of her paintings, Roney often leaves a message that was shared with her years ago when she was having a hard day.
“It’s my favorite scripture: ‘I can do anything through Christ, Who strengthens me,’” Roney said.
Even better, all profits from the book will go to The A-T Children’s Project, to help find a cure for the many children battling the neurological disorder Ataxia telangiectasia, or A-T for short.
To support this worthy non-profit, and this inspiring artist, you can find the book on Amazon by searching for “Art from the Heart” by Daphne Roney and Kayleen Holder.
You can also purchase the book locally at The Devine News office or Country Gals Market.

 

Continue reading “Roney inspires others one painting at a time”

Showtime

Baylee Boehme 11 New Zealand Black rabbits 6th place CMYK

Local kiddos have been working hard raising their animals and now bringing them to the stock show this past week. Look for results in a future edition of The Devine News. Look for dozens of photos in this week’s edition of The Devine News.

Surviving the 70s – To Catch a Thief

 “The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.”

William Shakespeare (Othello)
In the foolishness of my youth, I spent a number of years employed in the grocery business. It was a good job for young man and allowed me the ability to purchase a brand-new Chevy truck. My time was spent evenly between the check stand, the produce department, and the grocery isles in between. Duties included filling the milk box, pop isle, stocking shelves anywhere and everywhere as needed, and catching shoplifters, purse snatchers, and other miscreants. It was a wild time!
In recent years, it has become apparent that retail thieves these days have an easier time executing their wicked deeds. In some states, laws against shoplifting and theft have been relaxed to the point that bad folks have no fear of the law and seem to steal as they please. It is common in some stores to see many goods locked up, accessible only by summoning a high school kid with a key ring. This is because of the fear of legal issues. Now, if you chase a shoplifter, you can get sued, or fired, or both. It didn’t use to be that way.
In my day (I’m pretty old), as part of our grocery work, we would hunt shoplifters. Always ready to sprint into action when needed, we were on constant patrol. Shoplifting, and the robbery of our customers, was considered a personal offense. And chasing and fighting bad guys was fun, if a bit dangerous.
Note – I am not advising anyone practice these methods today.
Back in the 70s, the stores that I worked in had two-way mirrors around the perimeter of the store. Behind these mirrors was a catwalk, accessible through a back hallway in the breakroom. From the catwalk we could spy on customers and employees in the store below. It was a common practice to stay alert and when observing the furtive movements of potential thieves, we would hit the catwalk and observe. Often shoplifters could be simply confronted by the store manager just outside the door, but this was not always the case. Most fun were the runners. I can’t count the number of times we chased thieves in full retreat across the parking lot headed for freedom. These chases were thrilling. Usually, when caught, the bad guys gave up. Rarely were punches thrown.

Continue reading “Surviving the 70s – To Catch a Thief”

Cura Aesthetics kicks off new year with new Med Spa in Devine

Weight loss consultations, Wellness injections, infusions, facials and more

Cura Aesthetics is excited to announce they have expanded and opened up their own shop in Devine! They are now located at 508 West Hondo Avenue in Suite B, right next to Dairy Queen in Devine.
They offer several services including facials, chemical peels, wellness injections, and weight loss injections. They also offer IV infusions, lash lifts, and a variety of services designed to make you look and feel good.
Founder Brittney Burns, FNP worked in the medical field for years before ultimately deciding to return to school and get her Nurse Practitioner’s degree. She is following her dream of opening up- a chain of med spas, and we are lucky to have one right here in Devine.
“Even in today’s fast-paced, results-driven world, the truth is that you can’t look your best if you don’t feel it first — and that a little caring can go a long way,” Burns said.”Wellness is inextricably linked to our ability to find beauty in the moments that matter.”
She transitioned into the world of wellness and aesthetics care with a goal of shaping “the course of a client’s care — instead of just reacting to it.” That combined with her passion for aesthetics led her to where she is today: Cura Aesthetics.
“It’s not about how many appointments we can inject into a day, but rather how much of a difference we can make in the lives of every client who walks through our doors,” Burns said.
Her sister Heather Thompson is also very passionate about the services they offer, and they are both excited to share a little bit more about their products and services.
They offer several wellness injections, including: the Meyers Cocktail, Tri-Immune Boost, and LipDelux, and Vitamin D3. As opposed to pills, injections offer more immediate effects, she noted.
“Our Vitamin injections are phenomenal,” Thompson said. “One of the most popular is the Tri-immune Boost, which is the ultimate immune system enhancer. It also has inflammatory properties,” Thompson said.
If you are concerned about weight, “The LipoDelux is very popular to maintain weight and gives you energy,” she adds.
“Vitamin D is the underdog. Most of us don’t get enough sun to have enough Vitamin D. It affects sleep. It affects depression, and it even affects regulatory hormones. So many of us have a Vitamin D difficiency.”
They also offer Tirzepatide and Semaglutide shots which they call “the fit shots.”
“The goal is to lose 1-2 pounds of fat per week,” Thompson said.
When it comes to facials, everything is custom.
“The first thing we do is analyze your skin,” Thompson explains.
They offer firming peptide facials, lip and eye treatments, chemical peels and more.
“Our oxygen facial is extremely popular. It is great for people who have sensitive skin. It’s also great for teens and acne prone skin,” she adds.
Future plans include adding services such as hormone replacement therapy, join restoration, and lab services.
Meet the Team…
Brittney Burns, DNP, FNP-C:
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the intersection of wellness and artistry. Even as a kid growing up in San Antonio, I recognized the impact a person’s health could have on the quality of their life and the lives of the people around them. Although I had yet to define the connection, the concept of wellness always seemed to be inextricably linked with the ability to find beauty in the moments that matter. The way I saw it, helping others, was (and still is) an artform. It was a purpose that only flourished with age, and I took meaningful steps to pursue it. First attending Nursing School and landing a job in Critical Care where I gained an abundance of wisdom in many different roles from pediatrics to cardiac intensive care to trauma and beyond for the first 10 years of my health care career. Despite igniting my passion for problem-solving, this made me wish I was more proactively involved in a patient’s treatment from day one, I returned to school to get my Doctorate of Nursing Practice – Family Nurse Practitioner degree and transitioned into Wellness and Aesthetics care. From my perspective, a person’s well-being is greater than the sum of its parts, and it is only through an integrated approach that we can each feel — and look — like the best possible version of the whole package we are.”
Heather Thompson, LE-C:
“I have worked alongside my sister (Brittney) for several years, including 2 years in Devine, TX. This close collaboration has allowed me to expand my expertise in the medical aesthetics realm, igniting my passion for helping people. With over 15 years of experience in the public sector, I have learned the power of how a warm and kind nature ensures every client feels comfortable, cared for, and welcomed from the moment they walk through the door. It brings me great pleasure to work with Cura Aesthetics offering high end services to our neighbors here in South Texas.”
Check each week for their weekly ad.

Medina County Jr Livestock Show kicks off this week

Tuesday Jan 21 marks the kick off of the 2025 Medina County Jr Livestock Show in Hondo, and it will be a cold one! Over 1,100 entries have been made by area youth, so get out and support these kiddos.

As of Monday morning, leaders planned to proceed with the show the same day with a short 3-hour delay due to expected weather. Check their Facebook for updates.

The stock show is schedule includes:

 Jan 21- Sheep, goats, and poultry,

Jan 22-Halter Heifers, steers and rabbits,

 Jan 23-Market Swine, Ag Mechanics and Commercial Heifers,

Jan 24- Gilts, yearling ranch colts (9am show, awards and sale at 2pm), youth showcase (public display of showcase projects 2-3pm), and commercial heifers (awards at 4:30 and sale at 5:00pm).

January 25th-Buyers breakfast kicks off at 8 am, followed by Youth Showcase Silent Auction 10am-2pm, and Premium Auction at 11 am.

47th President Trump inauguration

January 20, 2025 marked Inauguration Day for 47th President Donald J Trump and Vice President JD Vance who took office this week promising, “Every single day I will be fighting for you with every breath in my body. I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America.”
Among his priority promises are: ending inflation, tax cuts for American workers, securing the borders, American energy independence, military readiness,and stopping the crime epidemic.

Continue reading “47th President Trump inauguration”

MIA for 25 years….Soldier Pfc. Clifton to be laid to rest this January

In the Winter of 1950, Korean War soldier U.S. Army Pfc. Arthur A. Clifton, 17, was reported missing in action on Dec. 11 after his unit was attacked by Chinese Communist Forces near the Chasin Reservoir, North Korea.
After over two decades of being MIA, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced this January that the soldier has been identified and accounted for, and is now back in Texas where he will be laid to rest this January.
Pfc. Clifton’s nephew, Wade Holland, contacted us this week to give us the news. Holland’s mother (Arthur’s sister), Lydia Holland, lives in Devine.
“Department of Defense personnel came to our house to tell us of the identification and provided a lot of information on the events that lead to Arthur’s death and how the identification process unfolded,” Mr. Holland said “My mom and I have been actively working with DPAA for 25 years to get to this point.”

Continue reading below

Continue reading “MIA for 25 years….Soldier Pfc. Clifton to be laid to rest this January”

Respiratory Virus Season and Vaccines for Older Adults

Coughing, sneezing, fever, and chills. Let’s not forget body aches, sleeping in the recliner and trying to sort through your medicine cabinet for cough syrup, ibuprofen and cough drops. Oh, and where did I put that humidifier? Here are a couple of ways that may help you feel not so sick or miserable this time of year. Let’s look at some of the available vaccines for older adults. We have a few good choices. The RSV vaccine is one. It helps protect against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which is a common cause of coughs and colds. RSV usually gets better by itself but in some people, especially babies and older adults, it can cause illnesses like pneumonia and bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies). Also, RSV can make some conditions worse, like people who have COPD. The vaccine is recommended for adults ages 75 and older. If you are ages 60-74 and may be at increased risk of severe RSV disease, your doctor may recommend it. It is not currently an annual vaccine like the flu shot is. So, if you have received an RSV vaccine, like last year, you should not get another one at this time. Additional data is still being collected to see how long protection will last. You can get an RSV vaccine at any time but the best time to get it would be in late summer and early fall.

Continue reading “Respiratory Virus Season and Vaccines for Older Adults”

Veterans Honored and Remembered at Devine’s Third WAA National Ceremony Day

“We are not here to ‘decorate graves’. We are here to remember not their deaths, bur their lives.” Executive Director of Wreaths Across America, Karen Worcester
On a cool December 14th morning, people of the Devine area came together to participate – to remember – in the 3rd National Wreaths Across America Day at Devine Evergreen and St. Joseph Catholic cemeteries. The Mission: to Remember the fallen; Honor those who serve; and, Teach the next generations the value of their sacrifice for freedom for us all. Months of planning by the Current Events Club and Location Coordinators Linda Kreinhop and Martha Wall culminated in a program that morning. A grateful community of family, friends, and volunteers of all ages concluded the morning by placing wreaths on over 660 veteran graves at both cemeteries.
After the Prelude of “America the Beautiful,” Martha Wall opened the ceremony by reading Scripture from I Peter 4:10* and introducing VFW Post 3966 Commander Gary Saathoff, Retired USAF, who led the program. Retired USAF veteran and Devine City Administrator David Jordan welcomed all in attendance. He recognized the reason we gathered, the importance of veterans and their families who answer the call to…

Read the full story by subscribing at www.devinenewsmembers.com