51 Reasons No. 1 Waco International Airport. Option 1: Drive north to DFW or Dallas Love Field. Battle traffic. Curse I-35 road crews. Park a bus ride away and still pay $10/day for parking. Option 2: Drive south to Killeen or Austin. Repeat problems found driving north. Option 3: Drive 15 minutes from your home, park for free, be greeted by airline workers who know your name without seeing your driver’s license, get patted down by TSA agents who, nonetheless, do so with a smile and take a 17-minute flight to a connection anywhere in the world. — MH No. 2 Fish fries, BBQ dinners, tamales plates, spaghetti dinners and sausage links. Nearly every Saturday of the year, some charitable organization fries up a mess of perch, hand-rolls hundreds of tamales, smokes tons of barbecue, ladles of plates of spaghetti in VFW halls, SPJST halls, Catholic and Lutheran churches, kids’ sports leagues … and every single one of them great food at a great price for a great cause. — RD No. 3 Mission Waco. This umbrella organization has more groups impacting the marginalized sector of our community than most people realize. From the World Cup Café to the Clothesline, Mission Waco offers opportunities for needed employment as well as for Wacoans to benefit from quality products at reasonable prices. The group is continually striving to raise awareness of poverty — both in our area and abroad — and in the process provide basic food, shelter and training programs to those in need. — DA
No. 4 Elected officials who you can actually talk to and reason with. — JS No. 5 A well-stocked public library. While shopping for books is great, there is nothing like finding a fresh, intriguing book to take home for a test drive from the library. Since my kids were toddlers, I’ve made it a regular habit to drop by with my kids at the McLennan County Public Library closest to whatever other obligations we had that day. Being able to borrow, rather than having to wait to purchase, has increased our exposure to many more books than we could own ourselves. I always feel rich, and a little greedy, loaded down with one or two bags of books to keep for a few weeks. Also, when I’m there with three kids in tow, the library staff makes looking for resources a lot easier. I’m glad we don’t have to wait for a bookmobile to come in town. I prefer the luxury of a large library to randomly wander through whenever we can drop in. — AS No. 6 Texas spring air and April blooms. When the northeast is still clearing the last of the winter snow and ice from the streets, Waco is ushering in spring with warm sunny days, cool breezes and the fabulous bloomings of antique roses, wildflowers, irises, daffodils, azaleas and so many more! April is the perfect month in Waco. It is certain to enchant anyone who visits at that time. — MLD No. 7 Local theater. Taking our kids to the Waco Civic Theatre, Waco Hippodrome and “The Nutcracker” have stamped a lifetime of memories on our family. I will never forget the first time our daughter, Madeline, saw “Annie” at the Hippodrome. At 3, she was young enough to stand in her seat without bothering the person behind her. Her eyes sparkled when she watched the performance on stage. The next time she saw “Annie” was at the Civic Theatre. To Madeline’s delight, many of her friends were in the performance. Going to see “The Nutcracker” has now become a tradition that we enjoy with friends. Seeing mommies dressed up with their daughters to watch a ballet is pure pleasure. All venues are just the right size so you can really enjoy the performances. It is especially fun to stay after for the meet and greet to interact with the performers. Waco is truly blessed to have a variety of art venues that can be enjoyed all year long. — MJ No. 8 Austin Avenue. Interstate 35 or Franklin Avenue are usually the fastest ways for me to get downtown, but when I have the time, I prefer the leisurely scenic drive down Austin Avenue. Beautiful historic and new homes, Darwin the Gorilla, great giving trees and funky boutiques are just some of the Waco treasures you’ll encounter when you bypass the highway. — KM No. 9 Talitha Koum. If you want to hear some stories that will bring tears to your eyes, just listen to someone who works or volunteers at the Talitha Koum Institute tell you about the children they’re trying to reach. The tales of babies raised in poverty and often in an environment of violence are simply heartbreaking. Talitha Koum — Arabic for “my child, get up,” which Jesus said to a young girl in the book of Mark — provides a safe, nurturing place for these children. It’s located on Clay Avenue in South Waco, near the Kate Ross Apartments. It offers kindergarten classes, after-school care and help with parenting, and it depends heavily on volunteers and donations. It’s one of the most worthy causes around. — KT No. 10 Common Grounds and Starbucks. Really, now. Remember back to 1993, when there wasn’t a single coffee house in Waco? How did we exist? Now we have Common Grounds, which I frequent for its ambiance and quality drinks in spite of the fact that all the 20-something baristi call me ma’am. Plus we have Starbucks scattered all over, except for the one I loved so dearly that closed. You go to these places to work, to read, to visit, to connect, to disconnect, to drink strong coffee — or to drink dessert in a cup, if you prefer. We haven’t quite recreated the salons of Paris here, but it’s certainly a literate alternative to the Big O. — MH
No. 11 Cameron Park Zoo. What a treat! I think Cameron Park Zoo is better than municipal zoos you might visit in larger cities. With a variety of animals and with also being a lovely wooded setting for an outing, a family membership is a good buy for families with young children. A number of exhibits incorporate elaborate water features, and the tree house in the playground has provided extensive entertainment for my kids. When they were smaller, I would regularly arrange for other moms and kids to meet us at the Cameron Park Zoo. Pushing strollers and visiting gave us moms a chance to get exercise and visit at the same time, all in the name of entertaining the kids. — AS No. 12 Baseball in all of its glory. Dozens upon dozens of Little Leagues and legions of pint-sized batters whaling away at batting tees, Pony League, American Legion, the primarily Hispanic leagues across La Salle, old boy softball leagues, high school teams big and small, girl’s softball, fast-pitch softball, MCC baseball with the backdrop of the Cameron Park woods, glorious spring nights spent under the lights at the beautiful Baylor Ballpark, munching nachos and watching the moon dazzle on the Brazos River between innings and a zillion pick up games in every vacant lot all summer long. — RD No. 13 Kurt Kaiser. This Wacoan is the composer of one of my all-time favorite hymns, “Pass it On.” I’ve been requesting that song at nearly every church “People Sing” service since elementary school. Back then I never imagined that one day I’d live in the same city or work for a magazine who profiled the talented musician. “It only takes a spark...” — DA No. 14 Downtown is getting groovy. — JS No. 15 Used stuff. If I were to give you a tour of our house and garage, I would point out many, many pre-owned things that we’ve acquired at various places around Waco. A card table from probably the ’50s that advertises local businesses, a small, colorful painting on the dining room wall and another piece of art in the hall bathroom are all finds of ours from Consignment Furniture Showroom on Bosque. We have objects from the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores and the flea market as well as some outdoor toys and yard tools we found from other local folks on the Freecycle email list. But most of the used items in our house are from Laverty’s. From a tea cart that does duty as a lamp table in our entryway to a couple of small bookcases in the den and living room to a brass plaque that reads “Brazos Room” on our son’s bedroom door, we could easily point out a dozen things that passed through the wonderful shop owned and operated by Pat Laverty. — KT No. 16 Dr Pepper Museum (and Free Enterprise Institute). On a hot summer day, I like to stop in at the Dr Pepper Museum. Where else can you get a freshly mixed Cherry Dr Pepper from the fountain, a frosty Dr Pepper milkshake or a tasty Big Red sundae made with Blue Bell ice cream? Not only is the Dr Pepper Museum one of my favorite places in Waco, it’s the whole reason my family lives here at all. In 2000, my father became the executive director of the Dr Pepper Museum and moved our family to Waco. I’ve spent a lot of time at the DP Museum over the years. I’ve visited Dad at work, hosted some of my birthday parties there and worked there for my first job. On weekends in high school and summer vacations in college, I worked as a gift shop clerk, a tour guide and a soda jerk in the old-fashioned soda fountain. I’ve served up countless delicious Dr Pepper floats and I know more useless soft drink trivia than the average person. Dr Pepper is a “Native Wacoan,” but the Dr Pepper Museum isn’t just something to love about Waco. It’s something to love about Texas and the United States. Travelers from as far away as Japan, Germany and Australia come to the U.S wanting to see the “real” America, and a popular stop is the Dr Pepper Museum. As a 1970s slogan used to say, it’s “the most original soft drink ever in the whole wide world,” and that’s something for Wacoans to brag about. — KM No. 17 KWBU Radio. My favorite radio station in Texas is the local NPR affiliate KWBU-FM — 103.3 on the dial. It carries the finest available programming including “All Things Considered,” “Fresh Air,” “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me,” “BBC World Service” and “A Prairie Home Companion,” and KWBU is increasing its production of local programming. Best yet, this is the people’s radio station — owned and supported by the public. My husband and I are Cornerstone members and give monthly to support this crown jewel of Central Texas radio broadcasting. All Wacoans should give regularly to ensure a healthy future for their station. — MLD
No. 18 Picturesque water features. Water in any landscape is typically calming to the soul. Lake Waco, the Brazos and the Bosque rivers serve as picturesque, memorable landmarks in the Waco area that can compete with any in the state. You can enjoy a sunset sail on Lake Waco or a July Fourth celebration by the river. Ever driven over the Brazos at Waco Drive or I-35 on a Sunday morning? (We cross the Waco Drive bridge on our way to church). I’m always amazed by how few people are enjoying it — just one or two fishermen or boaters every so often. Maybe everyone else is going to church, too. Often, my husband and I comment about how underutilized this scenic portion of the Brazos River is. Thankfully, the strategic plan of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce includes revitalizing this portion of the Brazos. — AS No. 19 Poage Park. Just a bike ride away from our home is Poage Park. Just mention the word Poage to our kids, and they are instantly giddy. Our kids simply never get tired of going — perhaps because it’s just far enough away to feel like an outing but not too far where they are overwhelmed with the walk or ride. We always feel better once we have gone. It’s pure family time! — MJ No. 20 Chicken tortilla quiche at Amelia’s. If you’re ever lucky enough to catch this “quiche of the day” special, do yourself a favor and try it. It’s the perfect blend of spices with cheese and egg goodness. How I wish this dish could be a daily staple at the cozy restaurant inside Sironia on Austin Avenue. — DA
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No. 21 Kimberly Kelly. Is Waco aware that it has a homegrown, soulful, sassy singer-songwriter whose voice draws more people to the dance floor than will fit? I first heard Kimberly at the Elk Lodge in Axtell (don’t ask!), but she’s making her mark all over town — opening at HOT Fair & Rodeo, recording with the Texas Music Café and booking gigs at local joints. Her personality shines on stage, with her captivating Texas smile and even better Texas voice. It’s time to get off the couch, put on your boots and boogie on over to a show. — MH
No. 22 The Circle. Some people can’t handle the Circle, but I love it. Back in high school, a girl who had just gotten her license somehow got stuck on the traffic circle. She drove around it several times before she finally called her youth pastor, panicked and asking for advice. She didn’t call her father because he might have laughed at her or, worse, been angry since she probably wasn’t supposed to be driving in that area. Waco is where I learned to drive, so for me, the Circle is unique and interesting but also familiar. I’ve driven in Dallas, Austin, Houston and other large cities, and they can be scary to navigate. Here in Waco, the Circle is as confusing as it gets. I’m very thankful for that — and I think the girl from high school should be, too. — KM No. 23 Great churches. As I’ve lived in Waco for more than 20 years, I’ve had contact with many great church congregations in our city. I’ve heard that Waco has more churches per capita than almost any place in the world. That means there should be something for everyone! The community commitment of all these churches should be something Waco can appreciate. While being called “the buckle of the Bible belt” is not always meant as a compliment, having this distinction enriches us in more ways than we may always realize. It gives us a history and heritage of compassion, commitment and selflessness that gives us great shoulders to stand on. Both Providence and Hillcrest hospitals, which provide the people of our area excellent health care, were founded by religious people — the Sisters of Charity (Providence) and local Baptist churches (Hillcrest) — and continue a legacy of caring for the sick and hurting. — AS No. 24 Sunset over Lake Waco. If you stand at any of the various un-blocked high points on the east/south side of lake Waco during sunset on a clear evening, you are likely to witness a rare beauty that is seldom observed in the United States (aside from the West Coast beaches) — a fiery orange sunset over the water. It is spectacular! — MLD No. 25 Rock ‘n’ roll and everything else. Waco and Central Texas have always been great towns for country music — SPJST Linden, SPJST Elk, Geneva Hall, Wild West Waco, West Fraternal and a hundred boot-scootin’ dance halls gone but not forgotten. But in recent years, we’ve seen a welcome rise in live music of all kinds, at all kinds of funky, fabulous clubs and venues — the great stage behind Common Grounds Coffee House, Art Ambush, Hog Creek Icehouse, Austin’s on the Avenue, KD’s Smokehouse, Treff’s Bar & Grill, HOT Fairgrounds, Lakeside Tavern, La Fiesta, the Milk Bar, Ace’s Bar & Grill and many more. And don’t forget to tip your wait staff. — RD No. 26 Sports. Getting to see Big 12 sports in great facilities at great prices. — JS
No. 27 Summer camps for children. Waco has a wide variety of summer camps offered each year. Being a working mom, our kids need fun and exciting places to go each week. Besides Camp Grandma, which tops them all, my kids have learned to scrapbook at Crop-Paper-Scissors, make sculptures at Art Center Waco, play better tennis at Waco Regional Tennis Center and Ridgewood Country Club, feed giraffes at Cameron Park Zoo, build inventions at Baylor’s University for Young People, play baseball at Baylor’s Baseball Camp and jump to their hearts’ content at Young Champions. — MJ No. 28 Museums. One of the best investments we’ve made in the last couple of years was the family membership we purchased at the Mayborn Museum. A membership — prices start at just $30 — allows us free admission to the museum for a year. That way, if my wife and kids have just an hour to kill before picking me up from work on campus, they can pass the time at the Mayborn and not worry about getting enough bang for admission price buck. And Waco is chock full of other museums, some well known and others more obscure. There’s the Dr Pepper Museum, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Texas Sports Hall of Fame, which we all know about, as well as the less-well-known Red Men Museum, Lee Lockwood Library and Museum and the Helen Marie Taylor Museum dedicated to the history of Waco. For fine art, there’s Art Center Waco and the Martin Museum of Art. Waco’s historic homes — operated under the umbrella of the Historic Waco Foundation — are all museums unto themselves. And though technically not in Waco, there’s always the dog museum located in the Antiquibles Antique Mall in nearby Elm Mott. — KT No. 29 The Texas Collection at Baylor University. This is a one-of-a-kind collection of books, photographs, maps, newspapers, state documents, oral memoirs and archives filled with an array of unusual finds including oral memoirs perfect for research into all phases of life in Texas. If you are a fan of Texana and want to research your favorite topic, this would be an excellent first stop. It is a beautiful building, and the gorgeous Old World reading room will transport you back in time. All materials are used within the single reading room area located on the main floor of the renovated Carroll Library Building at the heart of the Baylor campus. — MLD No. 30 World Hunger Farm. Last year I started getting resentful of the kale. Every week, kale. Kale. More kale. And then I discovered dehydrated kale seasoned with almond butter. Suddenly, raw roughage tasted like healthy potato chips. Almost as soon as I became friends with my overabundant harvests of kale, it stopped. In its place came yellow and orange and red tomatoes, skinny eggplant, white eggplant, fat eggplant, okra so fresh you could eat it raw, eggs still warm from the chickens and enough fresh herbs to bring any dish to life. — MH No. 31 Big enough. I’ve lived in places other people never thought much of, but I’ve always found things to enjoy. Except for the swanky stores that most people can’t afford to shop at anyway, Waco has all the shopping one could want within easy driving distance. And of course, traffic is never a problem. If you’re ever running late, you certainly can’t blame it on the traffic. And if you really want to get away to a bigger place for a while, it’s easy enough to drive to Austin or Dallas. Just having those options is enough for me. — AS No. 32 A community who cares. I’m thankful to live in a place with not only a large number of nonprofit organizations, but also an equally large number of citizens who enthusiastically volunteer their time, money and talents to ensure their success. In a time where national news presents a dire and uncertain future, we can take comfort in knowing our community cares. — DA No. 33 Free music each spring and summer. McLennan Community College’s Bosque River Stage in the great open air auditorium by the confluence of the Brazos and the Bosque. Live music at the Carleen Bright Arboretum in Woodway. Brazos Nights next to the Hilton in Indian Spring Park. Now, if somebody could revive the Shakespeare in the Park in Cameron Park … — RD No. 34 Biker stuff. On assignment from the Wacoan last summer, I took a beginning motorcycle riding course offered by Harley-Davidson of Waco. I wrote at the end of that article about a 2004 Triumph America motorcycle I purchased at Euroshop. When I left the dealership with my new bike, it had 350 miles on the odometer. Just recently, it went over the 5,100-mile mark, so I’ve obviously embraced the riding lifestyle, as has my family. Our kids dressed as little bikers for last Halloween, and many Christmas gifts were biker-themed. (A great leather jacket and Harley sweatshirt for me, a helmet and boots for my wife, for example.) And we got all that stuff in Waco. Several purchases were made at the Harley shop while others were from Jim’s Cycle Shop in Axtell. I still make frequent stops at Euroshop to drool over new Triumph, Victory and Ducati bikes, while other shops in Waco offer several other brands of motorcycles. And there’s lots of good riding in this area. On the days I have free for riding, I simply head out in any direction and then turn off a highway when a small road looks inviting. One of my favorite rides was a farm-to-market road that leads from Axtell — the home of Jim’s shop — to Elm Mott, where another bike shop was located before it recently closed. Another good ride is from Highway 36 on this side of Gatesville through the community of Mound back toward Waco. And the ride from Waco to Clifton to Cranfills Gap for a lunch at Horny Toad Bar and Grill is a good way to spend part of a day. — KT No. 35 Bangkok Royal. Just about every writer at the Wacoan is addicted to Bangkok Royal, and I’m not the exception. On particularly stressful days, I always find that fresh springs rolls, a bowl of Tom Kha Kai soup, beef Pad See Ew and fried bananas with coconut ice cream are just what I need to unwind and relax. And the food isn’t the only reason to love Bangkok. The new location is peaceful and elegant and while not always the most adept of servers, the quirky staff provides a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Before Bangkok Royal, my family always had to travel to Dallas or Austin to get our fix of Thai cuisine. Now, we’re thankful that such delicious food is right in downtown Waco. — KM No. 36 Local traffic. There are no traffic reports on local radio stations and none are needed. — JS
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No. 37 “A great place to raise a family.” People often say that about Waco, and I’ve wondered what they meant. But as I’ve thought about it and lived here myself, this is why I think it’s a great place to raise a family: good churches and schools, walking parks and playgrounds and exceptional medical care, along with unparalleled opportunities for kids to learn from the abundance of athletic and arts programs available because we are a university town. Live Oak Classical School, the Cameron Park Zoo, the libraries, the Waco Symphony and the Mayborn Museum — all have enriched the education of my children. And then, whatever career paths they choose to follow, our college students have three excellent higher education options right here at home: Baylor University, MCC and TSTC, all of which fit a unique need in today’s economy and for tomorrow’s workforce. In the meantime, as our children grow, we benefit from the educational and community-building influences of these fine institutions. — AS No. 38 Poage Library at Baylor University. The W. R. Poage Legislative Library is a unique research facility with an extensive collection of congressional, political and personal papers related to the political history. The collection includes letters, manuscripts, books, photographs, media, cartoons and campaign materials. Not to be missed are the fabulous political exhibits, which generally happen about twice each year and run for several months. Currently, the Poage library is featuring a timely exhibit on Abraham Lincoln. Poage Library is located on the University Parks side of the Baylor campus behind Moody Library and beside the Jones Library. Visitors can park at the Weithorn Visitor Center and walk approximately one block to the libraries. — MLD No. 39 HEB. Has an almost-monopoly ever been so good? No, it’s not Central Market or Whole Foods, but it is an outstanding selection of good food, including loads of high-quality meats, cheese, butters, produce. And have you checked out the yogurt lately? We now have a choice of three Greek yogurts! What’s next?! Serrano ham? Caperberries? Duck fat? I can only lick my lips and hope desperately! — MH No. 40 The Bill and Eva Williams Bear Habitat. I had never heard about the Bear Habitat until I had moved back to Waco after college. I thought it was one of the strangest and coolest things. I was in a special spirit organization during my time at the University of Oklahoma and I was one of the lucky few who got to see the ponies, Boomer and Sooner, up close and actually ride the Sooner Schooner. But what about the thousands of fans who weren’t in the same spirit group as I was? Between games, the ponies and the schooner are kept at a ranch more than 100 miles from Norman. The University of Texas mascot, Bevo, is also kept away from the UT campus at a ranch outside Austin. Baylor students are lucky. They have the opportunity to view their beloved mascots and be a part of a tradition when they are just walking to class. — KM
No. 41 Nonprofit organizations. Waco has hundreds of organizations you can put your heart into and know you are making a difference. Whether you are volunteering in the Junior League of Waco by stuffing backpacks for children at Talitha Koum or serving on a committee that is raising money for the American Cancer Society, Waco has a spot for you. The Wacoan provides a link on our website (wacoan.com) for organizations to upload their wants and needs. Also at MyWacoEvents.com, there is a calendar listing of events around town to help you find the right fit. Waco, now more than ever, needs your volunteer efforts or donations. — MJ No. 42 MOPS. Since I embarked on the remarkable and exhausting journey of motherhood 20 months ago, I’ve discovered entire support networks and resources I never knew existed. One of those is MOPS, and thankfully, there are three Mothers of Preschoolers groups in the greater Waco area. I have loved every moment of time spent with an interesting mix of ladies who share this common bond. — DA No. 43 Cameron Park. While I’m not much of a hiker or mountain biker, one of Waco’s best-kept secrets are the trails for these activities in Cameron Park. From what I understand, they’re some of the best in this part of the country. But Cameron Park offers much more than that. There’s a playground our children enjoy, places to perch on the banks of the river to feed the ducks and lots of green space for picnicking as well as a disc golf course. And we can’t forget the Cameron Park Zoo, which — much like the Mayborn Museum — offers yearly memberships that are also great investments. But one of our favorite reasons for visiting Cameron Park is to admire some of Waco’s great homes. There are several small streets just off of Lindsey Hollow where old, grand homes are almost hidden within the trees. We drive by often, sometimes hoping to find a for sale sign dotting a front yard. We can always dream. — KT No. 44 The food. Chicken piccata at Baris, Oriental fries at Kitok’s, BBQ at Uncle Dan’s, combination fried rice at Magic China, everything at El Siete Mares, fajitas at Ninfas, chicken fried steaks at Cupps and Catfish King, hamburgers at Captain Billy’s, Kitok’s, Cupps and George’s, popcorn shrimp at Red Lobster, fried chicken at Bush’s, Tuesday and Thursday specials at Fazoli’s, the original blue plate lunch at Schmaltz’s. — JS No. 45 Comfortable climate. It’s been said that Waco has two seasons, winter and summer — it’s either damp-cold or blasting hot. But once you make Waco home, you learn to enjoy it. After a six-week study abroad trip when I was in college, I knew I had become a Texan when I actually enjoyed the hot blast of July air coming down the airport tunnel right into my face like the high setting on a hair dryer. Even after touring the castles and museums of Europe, that gust of air helped me feel at home again. Now that I’ve settled in Waco, the semi-tropical climate is something I am thankful for. No snow boots or snow shovels in the winter. And some years, like this one, spring and fall do seem to last longer than usual. Many beautiful, comfortable evenings and mornings, I can go for long walks, enjoy meals with the family on the porch or just sit outside watching the kids play. At times when the breeze is barely blowing or a warm summer wind wraps my shoulders just like a cashmere sweater, I think, “This must have been what the weather in Eden felt like.” — AS No. 46 Franklin Avenue. Yes, that Franklin Avenue. In the past I’ve saluted emerging neighborhoods (15th and Colcord, 25th Street and others), but now I want to pay tribute to the street that typifies the Small Business Person — the engine that drives the American economy. Up and down Franklin, used car dealers, potters, restaurateurs and manufacturers provide a thousand resources and jobs not found elsewhere. Here’s where you’ll find people making popsicles, binding books, building better bearings, educating kids, selling caskets, ordering wing nuts, printing newspapers, upholstering couches and hollering “Bingo!” When the economy turns around, it’ll be partly due to the bravery, foresight and elbow grease of the merchants, builders, cooks and creators who line up along one of Waco’s great commercial thoroughfares. — RD Top 5 Things I Miss about Waco [Editor’s note: Writer Megan Willome moved from Waco three years ago when her husband accepted a job in Fredericksburg. She tells us the longer she is gone, the more she misses home. We asked her to list what she missed most, and her comments might surprise you.] No. 1 The water. Seriously. My tap water is so limestone-infested that it corrodes every appliance it touches. I long for good ol’ lake water. Waco’s beloved editorial cartoonist, Vern Herschberger, suggested adding a packet of Kool-Aid to improve the taste. If only my water problems could be solved as easily! — MW No. 2 The shopping. Fredericksburg may be nice if you need a kitschy gift, but not if your kid needs basketball shoes. I live 67.3 miles away from any decent retail. When I lived here, I did not appreciate our chain stores and specialty shops. — MW No. 3 Affordable restaurants. I live in a tourist town where lunch for two runs about the same price as dinner for four in Waco. We save eating out for special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries and when Baylor plays on national television at the pizza parlor. — MW No. 4 More movies. I used to complain that Waco didn’t have enough screens and that the movies didn’t stay long enough. Now I have all of three screens to choose from. Regular movies stay one week; blockbusters, two. I drove to San Antonio to see “Slumdog Millionaire,” and then it finally came to town after it swept the Oscars.. — MW No. 5 The college atmosphere. The youthful energy from almost 30,000 students across three campuses stimulates a city and makes it fun. I also miss the cultural and educational events the schools bring to the general public and the quality faculty who become friends and neighbors. — MW |
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