Erin Riley: The Five Question Interview

December 13, 2024December 13, 2024Leave a comment

Erin is a South Carolina native who moved to the Central Texas area in 2018. She lives in Elgin with her husband and 3 kids. Together, with her business partners, she opened the Lightnin’ Bar in downtown Elgin with the goal of creating a welcoming space that features live music and helps to create a more vibrant downtown. In addition to running the bar, Erin works at a long-time Austin print shop and community space, Feels So Good, helping to host music festivals, vendor markets, and more.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

When we were looking for a house to buy, we started checking out Elgin because we had a lot of friends that were moving out here. We loved the architecture and the close knit community of creatives that was beginning to form. It seemed like a great place to raise our kids while still being close to the city and our family in Austin.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

We saw a need in the community and felt that we could fill that need. Our original plan had a lot more to it, including a small grocery store and deli by day with a bar by night. We quickly learned that we should start small and once we started looking for spaces and found the right one, the Lightnin’ Bar was formed.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

That despite the growth Elgin is seeing, getting people downtown is a challenge. I started working with the Main Street Board to do my part to change that!

I’m originally from an island off the South Carolina coast and I’ve struggled with not being close to the ocean, but I’ve learned to love rivers, lakes, and have discovered some pretty great beaches in Texas.

In the last five years, I went from having 1 kid to 3 kids. I can’t even begin to express all that I’ve learned in that time, but I will say that 3 kids is way harder than 2 and we are still trying to figure out a balance. It truly takes a village, but we are lucky to have support here in Elgin and we are VERY excited for the new splash pad downtown.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I do a lot of driving into Austin for work and I’ve been listening to a podcast called “Sounds like a Cult” that dives into all the fringe or even mainstream obsessions that we all follow that can feel very cult-like. Things like the Cult of Disney Adults or the Cult of Lululemon. It’s funny and easy to listen to, which is exactly what I need. And – anyone who has talked to me long enough has probably heard me go on about The Nightowl Podcast. It’s a local (Austin) podcast that visits haunted places in the region with different mediums. The stories that come out of it are wild. I’m secretly always hoping that the bar is haunted, but we haven’t had any weird experiences yet. I’d love to hear of any Elgin hauntings, though!

5. Cake or Pie?

I don’t think I’ve come across a cake I didn’t like. But I have had pies I don’t like. So…. CAKE!

Lightnin’ Bar Follow for information about music, events, and holiday hours.

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Sing Like Nobody’s Listening

February 15, 2023Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about dusting off the ukulele I asked Santa for three years ago and learning to play it. Three years ago I attended an Austin Ukulele Society meeting and it was so much fun. It was Valentine’s Day so everyone learned “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. I can’t remember the last time I felt so completely lost in what was going on and enjoying every moment, without a hint of self-consciousness.

My lack of skill and the fact that my ukulele was not properly tuned (or at all) were of no bother to the two kind souls who sat on either side of me. The man on my left suggested I could always just strum in on the first beat if the fingering was too hard for me. I felt like a 3 year-old who’d been handed a toy steering wheel so I felt I was driving too. Whatever, I felt part of, and I guess that was the point. He must be a kindergarten teacher.

So there I was, singing “Can’t Help Falling in Love” like nobody was listening with 139 strangers. It was amazing.

Also, the woman on my right with the blue ukulele and a rose tucked behind her ear sang like an angel.

Austin Ukulele Society

Holy guacamole this podcast is pure gold. I sure do hope there is a second season on the horizon. Host Tyler Mahan Coe’s stories about the truth behind some of country music’s tallest tales make each episode a wild ride.

You may ask yourself, “Why are there three entire episodes about “The Harper Valley PTA”? I can tell you now that it’s not the story you thought you’d hear. Not even close.

I come by my affinity for 1970’s country when my family ran called the Golden Spike Inn, a kinda sorta truck stop in Byers, Colorado in the mid seventies. I’d spend the weekend pumping stolen quarters from the cash register into the jukebox to hear Charlie Pride, Dolly Parton, and The Kendalls until it was time to head back to our real life. Stop what you’re doing now and listen to this gem. Heaven’s Just a Sin Away

Oh, be sure to listen to these in order. After the first episode, you’ll see Ernest Tubb in another light, and also be back for more.

I should mention these stories are often violent and of an adult nature so probably not appropriate for a family road trip, unless your family is like my family. In that case, roll down the windows and enjoy.

Cocaine & Rhinestones

Friday Favorites: Glenda Jackson, a fun Spotify game, and those mittens!

January 22, 2021February 11, 2021Leave a comment

Glenda Jackson is simply fierce in the new PBS Masterpiece Theatre presentation of “Elizabeth is Missing“.

Those Mittens! I mean who could resist creating a meme out of Bernie Sanders photo from the inauguration? Even better is the story of those mittens and the woman who knit them.

One of my favorite things to do is to choose a song on my Sonos (or insert favorite subscription music service here) and listen to all the different versions. Two of my favorites are “Here Comes the Sun” and “This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)”

I think Nina Simone’s “Here Comes the Sun” my be favorite. Listen here

I saw this tea cozy on Instagram and immediately downloaded the Simply Crochet app for the pattern.

To get your copy of issue 106, Order your copy today in our online store or download our app to get a digital issue.

While searching for the pattern info I discovered that If you subscribe to Apple News+ (and you should) be sure to subscribe to follow Gathered to read issues of Mollie Makes and other craft magazines.

The return of compassionate leadership.