APRIL / MAY 2025
From cover to cover, TYLER TODAY has so much for you to discover! Read the best of Tyler SIX times per year. Each issue is filled with the BEST of TYLER! Enjoy articles that inspire, inform, and entertain. TYLER TODAY brings you the best of Tyler … today, tomorrow, and always
The APRIL/MAY 2025 issue is filled with TYLER and features: CALDWELL ZOO, LEGAL, MOTHER’S DAY, SUMMER PLANNER, and SHOPPING … plus Arts, Business, Dining, Education, Entertainment, Health, Home, Local, and so much more!
Enjoy TYLER through the pages of TYLER TODAY, Tyler’s oldest and only city magazine since 1989. Get your copy today!
10 From the Editor>READ MORE
22 Empty Bowls benefiting the East Texas Food Bank by Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
24 United Way of Smith County Leadership Dinner honoring Herbert C. Buie by Cause Creative Group and Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
28 East Texas Symphony Orchestra: The Spirit of America by Samantha Jane Photography>READ MORE
32 SUMMER PLANNER>READ MORE
34 Amazon River’s Edge: The Caldwell Zoo Legacy Continues by Paul Swen>READ MORE
44 26th Annual Summer Planner>READ MORE
54 MOTHER’S DAY>READ MORE
56 Rebecca Sanders: Filled with Love by Rebecca Sanders>READ MORE
58 Shannon Glenney: A Servant’s Heart by Rebecca Sanders>READ MORE
60 Erika Holland: Amazing New Vocation by Rebecca Sanders>READ MORE
62 Kimberly Lewis: Leaving a Legacy by Rebecca Sanders>READ MORE
64 Meela Mejia: Unconditional Love by Rebecca Sanders>READ MORE
70 SHOPPING>READ MORE
72 Mother’s Day Shopping Guide>READ MORE
76 Graduation Shopping Guide>READ MORE
80 LOCAL>READ MORE
81 A Writer’s Journey: The East Texas Writers Guild by Lydia Holley>READ MORE
82 Authors Among Us: Concessions by Libby James>READ MORE
83 Mah Jongg for Memory benefiting the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County by Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
84 Shades of Monet: Smith County Master Gardener Association 2025 Home Garden Tour by Roxanne Terrell, Ann Pattullo, Neysa Mueller, and Lynn McGinnis>READ MORE
90 Authors Among Us: Chasing the Great Retreat and Handstreich by Randal B. Gilbert>READ MORE
91 The Hospice of East Texas Annual Meeting & Appreciation Dinner by Francie Batten Hodges>READ MORE
92 BUSINESS>READ MORE
94 Connecting People, Growing Business: Celebrating 125 Years of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce by Megan Riaz>READ MORE
98 30th Annual Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Accelerate Business Expo 2025 by Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
100 How to Set Up an Allowance System for Kids by Brian Selph>READ MORE
102 Pre-Retirement Spring Cleaning Checklist by Jose A. Feliciano>READ MORE
104 Texas Tariffs by Dr. M. Ray Perryman>READ MORE
106 The Evolution of Tyler’s Housing Market: A Decade of Transformation by Manuel Reyes and Cecilia Cuellar>READ MORE
108 LEGAL>READ MORE
110 People’s Law School by Beth Filla>READ MORE
114 The Honorable Diane DeVasto: For the Pursuit of Justice by Beth Filla>READ MORE
120 LSAT: Perfect Score, Perfect Location by Claire Chiara>READ MORE
122 11th Annual Legal Guide>READ MORE
124 46th Annual Regional Mock Trial by Beth Filla>READ MORE
126 EDUCATION>READ MORE
128 Education, Leadership, and Legacy: The Bergfeld Family’s Tyler ISD Story by Jennifer Hines>READ MORE
132 Champions for Children Art of Chocolate: Peace, Love, & Chocolate by Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
136 Mapping Out a Future: TJC Surveying Grad Lands His Dream Job by Elise Mullinix>READ MORE
138 Tyler Tomorrow: Gabe Rogers by Daniel Anderson>READ MORE
142 UT Tyler Patriot Promise Scholarship: Making Education More Affordable by Beverley Golden>READ MORE
144 HEALTH>READ MORE
148 Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of the Sandwich Generation by Cyd King>READ MORE
150 Deep in the Heart of Tyler: Tyler Heart Ball benefiting the American Heart Association by Callynth Photography and Bowen Hardy>READ MORE
152 Pain-Free Again: After Four Joint Replacements, Joyce Kelly is Living Life Without Limits by Jimmy Epperson>READ MORE
156 The Entanglement Theory of Motherhood by Lisa R. Lowry, MD>READ MORE
158 From Patient to Physician: Noor Zabad’s Journey to Medical School by Elizabeth Wingfield>READ MORE
160 Doctor Luke Beloved Physician Awards Ceremony & Dinner benefiting Bethesda Health Clinic by Cause Creative Group>READ MORE
162 HOME>READ MORE
164 Building Dreams: Creating A Staycation Oasis by Eddie Clark>READ MORE
168 Inheriting Land in Texas: Future Opportunities for Women by Patricia C. Whitaker>READ MORE
172 Home Style: Star of the East Texas Mediterranean by Kristina Wrenn>READ MORE
183 ARTS>READ MORE
184 Art for All, All the Time by Caleb Bell>READ MORE
188 A Life in Music: Longtime TJC Professor Franklin Kimlicko honored by Young Audiences of Northeast Texas by Elise Mullinix>READ MORE
191 DINING>READ MORE
192 Dining Guide>READ MORE