TJ Phillips at a tiny home at Langetree Retreat and Eco Center near Liberty.
Laura Jenkins
Dreaming Big, January
This was such an inspiring story of community members—students, teachers, and local nonprofits and businesses—coming together in a way that helps not just the veterans moving into these tiny homes but everyone along the way.
—Alex Dal Santo, assistant production manager
Blasingame and Lucy, who he says was the first dog to visit every Texas state park.
Anna Mazurek
Trailblazer, June
I enjoyed reading about Dale Blasingame’s quest to visit all the state parks in a year. Trailblazer showcases the beauty and diversity of Texas’ parks and makes me want to explore them myself.
—Samantha Bryant, communications specialist
Felton Cochran’s store is clutter comfortable, with a collection that seems as vast as his beloved state.
Dave Shafer
Texas Book Man, July
I’m biased. I love the late author Elmer Kelton. And I love this old gent, Felton Cochran, who can tell you as much as you want to know about Kelton and pretty much all the greats in Texas literature—no small feat.
—Tom Widlowski, associate editor
Shaw Nielsen
Vegan Panhandlers, July
W.F. Strong’s story about what Texans call themselves and why made me laugh out loud more than once. It’s a fun way to get to know the people of our great state that much better.
—Claire Stevens, communications specialist
Kevin Howdeshell
Friends in High Places, August
I’ll never forget the first story I read before joining the TCP staff. Friends in High Places tells a short story of a courageous act that left me thinking, “Wow, this is a place that truly values the power of storytelling.”
—Erin Sinclair, communications specialist
Nathan Hawkins with a rattler recovered from a crawl space outside San Angelo.
Russell A. Graves
A Good Snake, November
Informative, eye-opening and insightful, A Good Snake puts how we view these critters into perspective. It’s a piece that slithers into your heart.
—Caytlyn Calhoun, digital media specialist
Mike Harrell enjoys a game with friends in Florence.
Eric W. Pohl
Tara Chapman has become focused on beekeeping education.
Eric W. Pohl
Tricks for Enduring, November
Everybody’s Beeswax, December
Two uplifting stories about helpers—a blind mechanic and dominoes virtuoso who helped himself and eventually accepted help from others and the story of how Texans are helping each other help bees help all of us—will help you start 2025 right.
—Chris Burrows, editor
