A NOTE TO OUR READERS:
"40 Things I Love About Texas" is from the November 2006 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.
When the initial issue of Southern Living came off the press, the first word under the title on the cover read "Houston."
Ever since that day, 40 years ago, this magazine has loved the Lone Star State, with 2 million of my fellow Texans as readers returning the affection. How much do I love Texas, my family's home since 1848? In honor of the 40th anniversary of Southern Living, here are 40 reasons, in no particular
order except for the first and last.
Kilgore.
My hometown provides perfect symbols of our state. Our oil helped win World War II. The Rangerettes high-kicked the halftime show into a national symbol. Pianist Van Cliburn grew up here, and this is the home of the Texas Shakespeare Festival, proving both genius and
culture thrive in small towns. For pretheater dining, we like the bard with brisket and ribs at Bodacious Bar-B-Q, Boomtown BBQ, and Country Tavern.
Kilgore. 
