Cross Roads Podcast
Cross Roads Podcast
Artist, actress and great friend Justine Wollaston
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Justine Wollaston from Pilot Point shares how she came to Texas from South Africa and the wonderful world of theater, art, and the importance of volunteering.
Cross Roads Podcast for those who want to be in the know. Good morning Cross Roads. This is your host, Steven Killfoil, bringing you the news from across the land and locally. We want to welcome to the show today, my good friend, actress and artists from Pilot point. Justine Walleston. Thank you for coming on the show today. Justine, would you tell our listeners a little about yourself and some of the wonderful things you do for the community?
Justine Wollaston:Well, that's a big question, Steve. And it's great to be here. By the way, this is a lot of fun. I love your setup. But the big thing that we've got going on which course you are a part of, playing the mayor, is "The Great Mural Fiasco," which is a play I wrote about painting Eve 20 years ago in Pilot Point, and it caused quite a furor. So the play will debut in Pilot Point, the Garage Door Theater on November 3, so very excited about that.
Steven Killfoil:It is always a pleasure to treat and work with you on stage. So you wrote this play, and it will be performed, like you said on November's third, fourth, 10th 11th, and 12th, would you please tell our listeners how you managed to get involved with such a challenging and fun task.
Justine Wollaston:It's been a long time where I've been working with a garage to a theater, which is a fabulous little gem in Pilot Point. If you haven't come to a play there, folks really need to come to a play there. We do plays we do musicals. And I think it's been around for about eight or nine years. And we've gradually really developed it into a unique space. It's about a 90 seat theater. So perfect size. Is it small enough intimate enough, you can really get a feel for live theater. And it's a terrific way for community members to participate in theater. And I think we've actually got 18 of us, Steven on this cast and crew. Probably be 20 before we're over with Lord knows how we're all going to fit
Steven Killfoil:But it'll be fun. It's going to be a blast. backstage. Yeah. Well, you're originally from South Africa. How did you manage to get all the way to Texas? And how long have you been living in pilot point, Texas?
Justine Wollaston:I've been here a long time about 20 to 28 years. Now in the country. It was horses, of course, that brought us out to horse country, USA. But I was born in South Africa, my dad died. And so my mother brought us back to Dallas where she had been from and, and then as I say, horses brought us out to this area, the wonderful sand Of course, it's great for their feet. So then I gradually got involved with Pilot Point because I was up there substitute teaching. And before I got a full time job working in Addison as a teacher, and it was during that time that I got involved with starting Main Street, and we're actually now on Main Street designated city. In Texas, this is quite a big, big deal. And so I was one of the people that was working on the design committee. And that's how I got to know a lot of the folks in town and got involved more and more with what we were doing in our historic downtown.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, that's great. So when did you decided to start your journey in the wonderful world of art?
Justine Wollaston:Well, it was either get that or get a real job. So look, I taught for years and I still coach, I coach, the AC T I coach mathematics. It's something that everybody needs some help in at some point or another. And it's a wonderful way to really connect with young people by doing that. But with art, it was about you know, self expression and how do you express these wonderful ideas and you know, some of us just a naturally geared towards that. And so I got very lucky with being able to paint murals, paint signs. Heck, I've painted fences. I mean, it's fun to be outside. It's fun to be on different kinds of jobs, not doing the same thing every day. Really trying to solve a problem for somebody. So they've got a design problem or they've got an ugly wall and they need it fixed. And it's like, alright, you know what, we'll help you. What's your vision or how can I help you create this vision and that's a heck of a lot of fun to the art. It's not just what I do for myself, I do my own paintings I do. Like I do pet portraits for people. And so it's like capturing the feeling of you know how with our pets, there is always like a they have these expressions that we just love, you know, Oh, yeah. And so if you can capture that, it's a lot of fun. So just over the years, getting into doing murals, doing large scale works for people. One of the fun things I recently did for a guy, he's got a, he's got a collection of neon signs. And he's got one Coca Cola sign, Steven, that's, I mean, it must be 30 feet across, it's gorgeous. So he built this barn, so to speak, to house the collection, and has a huge 12 by 12 garage door. So the problem is on the inside, it's ugly. It's just got the vinyl right the vinyl pieces that you fill in. So he got me over then he's like, I want the Dallas Pegasus lit up at night with the night scene. So that's what we did for him. So now it fits like it's its own sign, and you walk in the door, because that's the first thing you see. And and so no longer is it this ugly, white necessity. It's now a remarkable part of the environment of the signage of the whole collection. And that's what's really cool, because with paint, we were able to create something really beautiful, that works with the rest of what he's got going on there. So that was a lot of fun. And of course, then getting into the theater. And the neat part is you get to take what we're going to be doing is taking words off a piece of paper and bringing them to life, bringing a story a 20 year old story to life, because it was 20 years ago that this happened. And I'm excited and of course terrified what we're going to be doing.
Steven Killfoil:I think we're gonna have a lot of fun with this. I've, I've read a little bit about the whole story. And Mady was grilling me on what about this? And what about that? And I said, Well, honey, I don't know. I'll just have to ask her. And I said, and I don't want to put it on the podcast because I don't want to ruin the plank is the place what it's all about. And it's bringing in a light, a situation that was probably quite stressful at the time and flipped it and made it a comedy.
Justine Wollaston:Very well put sir, absolutely.
Steven Killfoil:Without putting a spoiler in there. I'm just gonna leave it at that. I don't want to mention anything. Everybody come out and see the play.
Justine Wollaston:And they get to see you as the man.
Steven Killfoil:I get to be the mayor. Yes. All right. I'm looking forward to that.
Justine Wollaston:But that is what it will do is so many people know some of the story. They don't know all of it. And they don't know all the perspectives and all of the argument and that's what this will in an end, hopefully in an entertaining manner. And it is funny. We have some terrific original songs too. It's designed to entertain at the same time tell you the whole story of what happened 20 years ago with Eve? Absolutely, absolutely.
Steven Killfoil:Well besides the theater, what other amazing adventures do you participate in there and Pilot Point and in the surrounding area?
Justine Wollaston:Let's see. I mean over the years has been a bunch of different things but it's it's great that I've been able to paint so many murals in town that's a big part of it. It's just fun. You know, almost anywhere you look in town, there's something I've painted, which is just great. And I've been lucky because friends of mine in like the 19th century club, they let me put one of my lovely blue horse sculptures up there and they're beautiful garden that's on the square. And so it's fun to participate with them in that and then got another blue horse added Eric real estate there on the highway. So that's kind of fun. So you know, they've sort of become somewhat mascots of Pilot Point in a way, which is great. Certainly been involved in Main Street and volunteered Bonnie and Clyde. I helped start Bonnie and Clyde way back when that's when we had it as Hooverville and I remember one year I dressed up as one of the people because Hooverville in the 30s was where people who were destitute went to live, I mean that they were homeless. And so Bob and I had Lowbrows, we had this opposite, Lowbrows where the city had recently torn down the Raglan building. So it was just this empty space and it was bloody cold. And so I was pretending to be a Hooverville resident and we started a fi and we made a fire. And then we had a big black pot and we got some water boy link and then we had, we made vegetable soup. And I had kids there. I mean, good Lord Justine I had kids that helping make the vegetable soup, you know, and they put potatoes in and carrots in. And of course, then we let it, you know, cook for two hours. And the kids came back and they all wanted to try it, which was just so much fun. So we don't do that. Now we have food trucks.
Steven Killfoil:It's also a little safer.
Justine Wollaston:It has a starring role, which is pretty cool.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, yeah, definitely. Well, with regards to painting, I have it on good authority that you paint great horses. How can someone get in touch with you to participate in one of your painting classes?
Justine Wollaston:Well, I have on Facebook, I'm Justin Scott on Facebook or the house of Justin and, and certainly if anybody's interested in in, in doing some painting. We do these wonderful painting evenings at the Palatine Coffee House, the pbch for short, terrific spot, by the way come by for a coffee and we've got musical evenings, we do movie nights, we do open mics, game nights, things like that. So we're actually going to have an art show opening on the 29th. So we try to have an art show every couple of months. And we're always looking for local talent for people who either show regularly and want to show locally, or have not shown before. And it's always about highlighting what locals are all about, you know, the more we all participate Steven, in what our little towns are about, the better the experience for everybody, we all have talent, we all have perspectives, we all have crucial understanding and it through our work through what we've done as parents, whatever, everybody has something that they can offer. And so one of the things we love to do is is is offer these art shows, and I think I've got five people lined up for that. So that'll run for six weeks. So come on by on the 29th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. And it's the art reception there. And so people are welcome. And they know me there. So if somebody wants to get to know more about arts, they'll certainly give them my name and number there. And or look me up on Facebook, as I say Justin Scott on Facebook, and or through the Pilot Point Coffeehouse. And every now and then yeah, we'll do sort of a painting, community painting session, almost like that, you know, painting with a twist concept, except we'll actually start from fresh and you know, you can draw it and then paint it and it's always watercolor. It's very easy. And so will offer one pretty soon, I'm sure.
Steven Killfoil:Well, I'll definitely need you to show me how to do it. Because every time I've tried watercolor, I wind up using too much water and not enough color. And I get a wrinkly piece of paper. It's kind of a blur on it. So I'm like disappointed. And I'm like, I know I can do better.
Justine Wollaston:Well, yeah, we can always all do better. But the key thing is to do it. I think it's very important and fortunate in our society. People have the notion that unless they can be really, really great at it from the word go, it's not worth it. And I picked up the ukulele about two and a half years ago and only get to practice a few minutes a day. I tried to make it about 10 minutes a day. So I'm not gonna go anywhere fast. But I finally got the confidence up to go ahead and I've written a couple of songs and sing them at our variety shows. And you know, it's it's to friends and family and and friendly acquaintances. And I've found such a tremendous outpouring of support about that. I'm no singer, but it's fun. And I'm learning and inspiring other people to do it too. And I get inspired by people who have their guitars out and who give it a shot. And so I think it's very important that we try our hand at painting and we try our hand at music and thoughts and things like that. We are naturally creative beings. And unfortunately, we are so wrapped up in what we have to do on a regular basis in terms of being, you know, this adulting concept, shall we say that we don't allow ourselves to have fun like we did when we were kids? And I think it's very, very important that we, as community get back to that kind of thing. Definitely, definitely.
Steven Killfoil:Well, how do you manage to keep it together with so much on your plate? I think you truly are a wonder woman?
Justine Wollaston:That's very kind of you say you don't live with me. So you had no idea? What it would? was what was gonna say shit, but I think you'll have to bleep that one out. I am at home. No, it's, you know, I think that when you're happily engaged in what you do, and I'm very grateful and so fortunate, I don't make a lot of money. But I get to live the way I want to a great extent. And I'm, I'm very privileged to be able to do that. And it is a privilege, indeed. And so I tried to make every day count. And you know, that's, it's a great way to approach life. I think. I agree. I just count myself a blessing to have met you. Well, that's because you have such a warm heart. And you always make me smile. I mean, God never met if I could have a bad day, and I come to play rehearsal, and you're there, and you'll do something and pull out my bad day just went away. Oh, that's lovely. Yes, I'm actually really serious at rehearsals, as you've noticed.
Steven Killfoil:Oh, yes.100% agree,
Justine Wollaston:I take it very seriously. I gotta say to your listeners, Steven was in the last play was in The Importance of Being Earnest with me, and he played the butler. And just fabulous because I would be so concerned about missing my cue, you know, my entrance, and you would delight, you'd always set me up a few pages before because you knew I like to come backstage, and sit there and get ready. And then. And of course, I had my lovely umbrella parasol that Eileen had done for me. And that was very much a part of how I was going to make my entrance as Lady Bracknell. And Stephen would always have it, you know, right then on cue, ready and available, and then I'd do my bit, my scene come off, and he take it and put it back in its rightful place. And, you know, being able to trust each other behind step off stage and on stage is absolutely essential. And that's going to be so important for the team that we get together. And it's one of the reasons I chose the people that we've got that are playing with us, is because I know we're going to bring a passion and a sense of responsibility and a sense of team play to this. And you know, while what I just said sounds really simple. It made a big difference to me doll. So I really appreciate how you helped me out on on that. With that play.
Steven Killfoil:My pleasure. It was an honor. And like I said, I love working with you all the time. I ask all my guests this, especially the ones that volunteer their time to share with our listeners about the importance of volunteering in your community, as some of the rewards that come along with that volunteering, could you share that, on your perspective?
Justine Wollaston:It's absolutely essential that we volunteer that we contribute to our communities, we need to get our young people more involved in our communities as well. communities thrive when people contribute their efforts to it and I mean, this is from doing cleanup, this is to governance. This is to creativity This is to volunteering, serving on city councils participate, it's absolutely essential because that's how we create a unique space to live. It is all our personalities is our vibrational energies contributing to the common good. And I know so many fundamentally amazing people in pilot point who work on cleanup, who serve on city council who deliver meals for Meals on Wheels. A friend of mine, Cynthia Ferris actually started to help start the program in pilot point recently, people who certainly you know, community choir, and and they regale us at certain holidays. The It is none of the festivals happen without volunteer efforts. So my feeling isn't in terms of the benefit, Steven, the benefit is you you a Get to know your town better. You also get to participate with some of the most remarkable people in your town, who have incredible energy and a desire to give, and you will benefit, we all benefit from the friendships and the connections we make when we participate in our communities.
Steven Killfoil:Definitely, well, is there anything that you would like to add or tell the audience more about?
Justine Wollaston:No, I'm just really excited about the play. And so I highly recommend that they get their tickets, go to pilotpoint operahouse.org. And you'll see "The Great Mural Fiasco," and where you can click on the right top to get tickets. And so opening night, the world premiere of "The Great Mural Fiasco," will happen November 3, and then we're running the fourth and then we run the following weekend. The Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Fantastic.
Steven Killfoil:Okay, well, you heard it today from my friend Justine Walleston or Justine Scott. Everyone, mark your calendars for September 30. From 12:00 noon to 8pm. At the historical Pilot Point Square, there will be family friend fun activities like Dachshund races, a petting zoos to Stein hoisting, and costume contest. Mady and I have our costumes we are ready. Come on out to Pilot Point and celebrate Oktoberfest honoring German roots that Pilot Point was founded on for more information go to https://pilotpointoktoberfest.com. That's October fest with a k, the German way or call 940-367-0895 and before you head on out to Oktoberfest, be sure you stop by the park here in Cross Roads and visit the Boss Lady's Vendor Market from 8am to 12pm. Then finish off your evening after hoisting beer all day and come back to the park
around 6:30pm. In the evening for movie in the park. The featured movie is going to be Minions. The Rise of Gru The Untold Story of a 12 year olds dream to become the world's greatest supervillain Town Council. We'll be meeting tonight from six to eight. And now for a little update on the national news. The DEI racket transforms our colleges and universities but the tide could be turning by Jarrett Stedman September 13 2023. College campuses have been dominated by the left for generations. That's hardly news to anyone. But a recent news report sheds light on how higher education has been transformed from a general haven of left wing ideology to an engine of radicalism and revolution, in the name of de i diversity, equity and inclusion. California upholding its reputation for being at the cutting edge of anti civilizational lunacy and tyranny has predictably gone all in on the Diversity Equity Inclusion regime fealty to DEI dogma has become practically mandatory at all levels of higher education. The Times notes at the Faculty Senate at the University of California San Francisco urge professors to apply an anti oppression and anti racism lens to their coursework. On his website, UCLA Public Affairs school pledge to decolonize the curriculum and pedagogy and the Faculty Senate of California Community Colleges instructed teachers on their duty to "lift the veil of white supremacy" and "colonialism." Professoions of fealty to DEI ideology are ubiquitous to be meaningless. Daniel Sargent, a professor of history, and Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley told The Times, "we are institutionalizing a performative dishonesty." It's not just that school administrators enforce a pervasive left wing culture on campus. that's been happening for generations. These schools are also hiring with strict the DEI-style parameters to the near total exclusion of merit. In one study. According to the Times researchers found that at Berkeley, a faculty committee rejected 75% of applicants and life sciences and Environmental Sciences and management purely on diversity statements. This may be a racial test two from The Times report. That makes sense given that what's in the diversity statements, many schools including Berkeley, publicly post their standards online. Among the answers that were produced a low score is saying that you will treat everyone the same. To get the highest score. She needs to be explicitly racial in thinking and demonstrate that you've not only participated in or will participate in campus dei programs, but will be actively leading New initiatives. What's clear is that these schools aren't focused simply on weeding out conservatives, people anywhere vaguely on the right clearly don't have a ghost of a chance getting through the application process. Now these schools are about finding active devoted leaders of social justice causes. If you aren't dei revolutionary schools don't want you to teach about science, or engineering or anything else at their institution. Remember, when the left says believe the science what it's really saying is believed the left wing activist with institutional backing next to his her Xur name. Unfortunately, what started in California didn't stay in California, as many schools around the country copied the Golden State model. Among the methods schools use to promote dei goals is what John Saylor, a fellow at the National Association of scholars called cluster hiring. Universities hire applicants in bulk using dei statements to weed out most unwanted applicants. Sailor noted how in 2021, Vanderbilt University's Department of Psychology undertook a cluster hire that eliminated approximately 85% of its candidates based solely on the diversity statements. The federal government exacerbates this problem. The National Institutes of Health has allocated $241 million in grant money for cluster hires at universities around the country with the condition that every search committee must require and heavily weigh diversity statements that I wrote. The racket is a national phenomenon, but this bleak environment includes signs that change may be coming. It seems that some school systems are reconsidering their dei litmus test, for instance, Georgia's public university system eliminated dei requirements in July, it put out a statement saying that hiring decisions should be free of ideological tests, affirmations and oaths. I'd like to ascribe this change to a genuine change of heart. But it's telling that this policy shift came right after the Supreme Court's ruling that racial preference in college admissions are unlawful. It goes to show how much of a game changer that decision is. schools now have a reason to be concerned about lawsuits from applicants claiming discrimination. Creating ideological litmus tests that appear to discriminate and actually tell faculty that not discriminating is bad, surely won't help the cause of the colleges and universities. This small retreat won't exactly fix what ails higher education in America, but it does represent an opening for recalibration. Larger change will happen when more schools return to classical learning model and jettison the DEI regime altogether. That seems unlikely to happen without outside pressure, both outside pressures building as institutional trust declines. More states reject the California model, a genuine New Birth of Freedom in education may not be so far fetched as it seemed just a few years ago. Yeah, folks, I think a person should be hired upon their merit, not on their ideology. But that's just me. So stay tuned in next week for more amazing guests. And until next week, I'll see you at the top
