V in the City

Ever been somewhere or perhaps been with a group of people and all of a sudden that old Sesame Street song pops into your mind? You know the one…

One of these things… is not like the other things…one of these things, just doesn't belong...Can you guess which thing is not like the other thing, before I finish my song…

When I feel like a fish out of water that song cranks up in my head. Such was the case when I moved from Detroit to San Antonio and then San Antonio to Tyler. But pretty quickly, the song's tune faded away as I managed to meet wonderful new people, became familiar with the area and made myself fit in.

Such is the case when I drive to the country. It has always been a bit foreign to me to be in a place where a Walgreens isn't at a major intersection or a mall isn't within a 5-to-10 mile radius of my home.

Since living in East Texas though, I have grown to appreciate and enjoy the simplicity and beauty the country has to offer. But, City-Girl always gets the best of me and manages to convince me that the “country” would be so much more fun if a touch of city life kissed it.

As if someone heard my loud mind rattling off, I came to know Mr. Brooks Gremmels (at left), a resident of Ben Wheeler, Texas who grew up in Tyler. He and his wife Rese made Ben Wheeler their home after living in Dallas for years, and together, founded Ben Wheeler Arts & Historic District Foundation, a 501 c (3) (non-profit) organization seeking to bring back Ben Wheeler's little downtown area off of FM 279 in Van Zandt County.

Less than three years ago, the downtown's only retail life was N&B Feed and Fertilizer store. The town had been nearly abandoned after G.I.'s returning from WWII moved their families to larger cities.

Ben Wheeler was brought back to life through Gremmels' continued and sustained revitalization efforts bringing it to its current-day form for the community to enjoy and take pride in. He has done so by putting on events like the now, popular, annual Fall Feral Hog Festival, World Championship Wild Hog Cook Off & Fall Feral Follies in October.

Additionally, he has renovated and restored old buildings in the downtown staying as true to original form as possible.

The buildings that are completed form a music, arts and shopping destination featuring: Flying Fish Gallery filled with works by Randy and Sherri Martin's kinetic metal art and collage art, respectively; Players, guitar and music shop managed and owned by resident musician Danny Hollis; Antiques & Texas Heritage, managed and owned by KLTV's long-time broadcast personality Joan Hallmark and her friend Carolyn West; WhimZee, women's and children's boutique managed and owned by Laura West; Harrison & Son Knifesmith, owned and operated by long-time custom knife maker Dan Harrison (who has created knives for President Lyndon B. Johnson and Sylvester Stallone); Edom Ranch Art by Craig & Jan Blackmon, both registered architects who house their architectural photography and metal sculptures inside Rave Art Gallery along with jewelry artisan Dyan Johnson's Studio Metal.

Other popular venues include Moore's Store, a restaurant and live music venue, originally, the town's general store established in the 30s; The Forge Bistro featuring, wines, beers and a simple, yet flavor-filled menu and acoustic music; and Scoots ‘n Scoops, a Blue Bell ice cream shop inside a gallery of new and vintage race and riding motorcycles.

It's also home to Wagon Wheel Forge & Gallery run by a family of blacksmiths, The Robinsons; Sojourn Gallery featuring fine art paintings by Mary Hortman; and business, the County Line Magazine.

If every country setting could be a little fun-filled haven like this, V in the City would always go to the country and that silly little song would stop playing in my head – because Ben Wheeler truly is a place where everyone belongs.