< Previous80 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 DOWN THE HATCH MEET RYAN FATHEREE He never knows what to expect at Kemah’s Voodoo Hut story by TRACE HARRIS | photos by JENNIFER REYNOLDS K emah, at the northeastern-most point of Galveston County, is a playground for locals and visitors. The Kemah Boardwalk is a big tourist draw, but many seek out the locally owned shops and restaurants nearby. Among those popular local ven- ues is Voodoo Hut, 511 Bradford Ave., where bartender Ryan Fatheree slings drinks to big crowds. (Above) Ryan Fatheree, who has been bartending for more than 15 years, has been slinging drinks at Voodoo Hut in Kemah for almost a year. (Opposite) Power of Voodoo is a popular cocktail at Voodoo Hut. The drink with a kick features a pineapple and jalapeño tequila and jerk seasoning. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 81 How long have you worked here and what is your bartending experience? I have worked here for 11 months, but I have come here as a customer for years. I have been bartending for 16 years now and worked at seven or eight bars. I took a hiatus during COVID. Bartending is different in different places. You learn new drinks and concepts. How do you like working in Kemah and near the Boardwalk? It is really cool here. There is a large spec- trum of people from tourism. You never know what to expect. You have a bachelor- ette party one day and a family the next. Do you have any interesting regulars? It’s really unique because we have regulars who come in each day who live in their boats in the marina across the street. What makes this place unique? We have so much space and it’s still expand- ing. We have a dance floor and a stage and a whole outdoor area and bar for concerts. We can host over 3,000 people here. It gets really busy on holidays and weekends. At those times, we have 25 staff members here — 12 bartenders. What’s the most unusual drink someone has requested? It’s called the Ray Charles. I cover my eyes and throw three ice cubes, and whichever bottles they hit, you put in a glass with some Red Bull on top. I definitely wouldn’t drink that. POWER OF VOODOO 2 ounces Dulce Vida pineapple and jalapeño tequila A dash of Jamaican jerk seasoning 1 ounce pineapple juice 1 ounce pineapple puree Shake over ice and put in a Collins glass. Put a voodoo doll toy on side of glass. 82 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 83 GARDEN VARIETY MINT CONDITION Sometimes maligned, this plant is hardy, fragrant and perfect for cocktails story and photos by BARBARA CANETTI M int in the garden — you either love it or hate it. It’s easy to grow, stays green year- round, attracts beneficial insects, can withstand heat and cold and comes back even after freezes. But gardeners who don’t like mint contend it’s an invasive plant that readi- ly spreads over the garden and becomes a nuisance. There are several dozen types of mint, but the most pop- ular ones grown along the Texas Gulf Coast are spearmint, peppermint, mojito mint, chocolate mint and apple mint. When a mint species isn’t specified, it usually refers to spear- mint — Mentha spicata — the warm and sweet mint used in a variety of drinks and foods. “I keep my mint in containers such as grow towers, plant boxes and hanging baskets,” said Dickinson resident Tina Woods, who is training to be a Galveston County Master Gardener. “However, there have been times when I have planted mint in a place that I knew it would not matter if it spread.” There’s no difference in the cultivating, propagating and harvesting of mint varieties, Woods said. “One would handle or plant them the exact same way,” she said. Woods also enjoys an added perk of growing mint. “While working with mint or handling it, one of the ben- efits is it leaves a lovely fragrance on your hands,” she said. “Sometimes, I like to purposefully brush or rub my hands against the leaves and take in its aromatic scent.” For centuries, mint has been used as a health remedy with antibacterial properties. A cup of mint tea can aid in Dickinson resident Tina Woods, who is training to be a Galveston Coun- ty Master Gardener, likes to grow her mint in containers. She also likes the fragrance mint leaves on her hands. (Opposite) Spearmint, or Mentha spicata, is a warm and sweet mint used in a variety of drinks and foods.84 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 GARDEN VARIETY There are several dozen types of mint, but the most popular ones grown along the Texas Gulf Coast are chocolate mint (clockwise from left), mojito mint and peppermint. (Opposite) Orange mint tends to be stronger in flavor than many other varieties of mint with notes of citrus and spice with lavender undertones. COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 85 digestion, relieve headaches or help build immunity. Mint also can be used in recipes and essential oils, aroma- therapy and mint oil insecticides. And, of course, mint is a special ingredient in several adult beverages. Debbie Espinosa, who lives in Webster, has been growing spearmint in her yard for 15 years. Even after freezes, her 3-foot-by-3-foot plot comes back with no problems, she said. “I actually do not do anything to pro- tect it,” said Espinosa, a Galveston Coun- ty Master Gardener. “It has withstood years and years of freezing temperatures and always comes back. It is very hardy.” She likes to prepare palomas, a drink popular in Mexico and made with tequila, grapefruit juice or soda, lime juice and agave nectar. It’s gar- nished with sprigs of mint leaves. “In Texas, we like our libations a little spicy, so I add a slice of jalapeño for a little jolt,” Espinosa said. The leaves of a mint plant are either shiny, smooth, fuzzy or crinkled. They are bright green and produce tiny purple, pink or white flowers. It’s a good accent plant in the garden, pro- vided it’s confined, or it can be used as a ground cover. It loves the sun but grows well in the shade and prefers well-drained soil. Mint is propagated from cuttings or runners, which can be rooted in water or soil. The new plants rooted in soil tend to be stronger than those that start in water. Keep new plants at least 2 feet apart because they grow fast and spread. They grow about 2 feet high. Seasoned gardeners also like to plant mint near members of the brassica family: kale, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, as well as tomato plants. They say it improves the flavor of the vegetables and its pungent scent deters cabbage loopers, serious pests of cruciferous plants. DEBBIE ESPINOSA’S PALOMA 1 lime wedge 2 tablespoons kosher salt ½ cup grapefruit juice 2 teaspoons superfine sugar ½ cup tequila ½ cup club soda 1 slice jalapeño pepper 2 sprigs fresh mint Coat rim of glass with lime and dip in plate of salt. Stir grapefruit juice, sugar and tequila. Top with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint and slice of jala- peño pepper. MOJITO 1 dozen mint leaves 2 slices lime 1 teaspoon sugar ¼ cup ice cubes 1½ ounce light rum 4½ ounces lemon-lime soda Put mint, lime slices and sugar in glass and muddle with spoon. Fill with ice cubes. Pour rum and then soda over the ice and stir. PHOTO: CO u RT e SY D e BBI e e SPINOSA86 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 The Galveston County Country Club celebrated its 125th anniversary with a two-night event April 14-15. More than 200 guests came out to celebrate and enjoy a decadent menu of surf and turf with delicious desserts to top it off. A band played as guests danced the night away. Photos by Carla Peoples GALVESTON COUNTRY CLUB 125TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Cynthia Smith, Vickie Lewis, Jenny Senter, President Jackie Fluke, Dixie Messner and Suzanne Little. 2. General Manager Nick Elton with former general manager Knute Lund. 3. Kathy and Knute Lund with Harry and Mary Maxwell. 4. Ron and Dixie Messner with Jo Ellen and Bob Dietz. 5. Jim and Jodie Bevill with Pam and Kerry Bennett. 6. David and Tanua Kennard with Cindy and Robert Smith. 7. Richard and Cathy Rush, Jerry Feld, Judy Breitenbach, Becky Jones, Belinda and Paul Thibault. 8. Robert and Sally Kline, Marie and Chris Robb and Cathy and Chris Abernethy. 1 2 56 43 7 8 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 87 In Independent Living you can be who you were meant to be.... It’s never too late to discover new hobbies, start an exercise program, and make new life-long friends. Choose The Meridian Independent Living and let us take care of the little things ~ so you can live big! Enjoy our fine dining, coffee bar, on-site library, fitness room and movie theater. Spend some quiet time in our chapel. Participate in scheduled activities. Take a walk on the beach. Your days can be filled with all of this and more! The Beach House Assisted Living & Memory Care gives the residents the support they need while they maintain their dignity and independence. On our Post-Acute Skilled Unit we provide Skilled Nursing and Therapy after a hospital stay where Medicare and Insurance will often cover your stay. We also offer Long-Term Care. At The Meridian, we are not just community... we are Family. Call us today or Book a Tour here! We can’t wait to meet you! www.themeridian-galveston.com Call today 409.763.6437 2228 Seawall Boulevard, Galveston Island, TX 77550 The Meridian is a Senior Living Community $ 500 Credit88 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 Better Parks for Galveston hosted its annual fundraiser A Party for the Parks on April 20 at the Historic Galveston Water and electric Light Community Center. This year’s baseball- themed event honored coach and mentor David O’Neal, the longest tenured trustee for the Galveston Independent School District. Photos by Carla Peoples A PARTY FOR THE PARKS PARTY PICS PICTURED: 1. Edwin and Alma Bamberg, Coretha and David O’Neal, Melinda Taylor and Brian O’Neal. 2. Barbara Sanderson, Annette Scott, Dr. Vivian Hernandez and Dyann Polzin. 3. Seated: Avis Reynolds, Stella Rayon and Elnora Williams; standing: Dr. Baruch Williams and the Rev. Lorenzo Williams Sr. 4. Lindsey White, Pricilla Files, Maryanne Termini and Mary Cooper. 5. Joanie Steinhaus, Paul Courville Morgan and Jeff Steinhaus. 6. Nancy Freudenburg, Barbara Sanderson and Henry Freudenburg. 7. Kimble Anders, Jimmie Batiste, David O’Neal, Alvin Stevenson and Robert Washington. 8. Betty Massey, Angela Brown, Tom Schwenk and Jayson Levy. 9. Seated: Evelyn and James Gulley with Robert Washington; standing: Alvin Stevenson and David Edwards. 10. Mark Kelso, Joesph Pillar, Dr. Vivian Hernandez and Frank Brown. 11. Marc and Jeffrey Hill with Nancy Greenfield. 12 543 678 11109 COASTMONTHLY.COM | JuNe 2023 89 OTHER WALLS GALLERIES & ARTIST STUDIOS NONPROFIT ARTS SPACES SATURDAY JUNE 3 | 6 9 PM QQ Artspace 3622 85th St. qqartspace.com Regina Lee Gallery 2201 Market St #105 reginaleegallery.com René Wiley Gallery 2128 Postoffice St. renewileygallery.com The Proletariat Gallery & Public House 2221 Market St. #100 proletariatgallery.com The Pink Foyer 2215 Mechanic thepinkfoyer.com Antiques on 23rd 513 23rd St. antiqueson23rd.weebly.com Eatcetera 408 25th St. velvetcheftx.com Eatcetera at the Whistle Stop Cafe 123 25th St. @Galveston Railroad Museum MOD 2126 Postoffice St. modcoffeehouse.com Tsunami Exotic Tequila Emporium 2314 Strand yagascafe.com/tsunami Affaire d’ Art Gallery 2227 Postoffice affairedart.com From the HeART Gallery 2201 Postoffice fromtheheart.gallery Bienville Social 323 23rd bienvillesocial.com Galveston Fishing Company 2509 Market mac-elliot-media.myshopify.com G.Lee Gallery 2217 Strand, Suite 107-B gleegallery.net Elizabeth Punches Studio & Gallery 410 23rd St. elizabethpunches.com Galveston Arts Center 2127 Strand galvestonartscenter.org Galveston Art League Gallery 2117A Postoffice galvestonartleague.com Galveston Artist Residency 2521 Ships Mechanic Row galvestonartistresidency.org Galveston Ballet 2301 Market galvestonballet.org scan for more info PRESENTED BY *participating spaces as of 4/19/23Next >