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What happens when three lifelong Pflugerville residents with over two centuries of combined local knowledge gather in a historic Sears kit home to share stories? Pure magic.

In this special heritage edition of Pflugerville on Fire, I sit down with Vernagene Mott, Glenn Schiller, and David Gabert at the beautifully preserved Heritage House Museum. Together, they recall stories of Pflugerville's past, from the legendary 55-game football winning streak that put our small town on the national map to harrowing eyewitness accounts of the 1971 fire that nearly destroyed downtown.

The conversation takes us deeper as my guests reveal what it was like growing up speaking German at home, learning English only upon entering school, and how World War II changed the cultural landscape of Pflugerville overnight. You'll hear about government authorities monitoring German-speaking residents, families butchering their own pork and using "every part of the pig except the squeal," and the cultural traditions that shaped our community's identity.

The Heritage House itself tells an extraordinary story - built from a Sears catalog kit that arrived by train in 1912, assembled by community members, and now standing as a living museum filled with treasures. Each artifact holds personal meaning for my guests, from the pump organ that entertained generations of children to the morning gown that represented a family's status and to the Main Street bench where townspeople gathered every Saturday.

Whether you're a history buff, a longtime resident, or new to Pflugerville, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of our community. Visit the Heritage House yourself on the first Sunday of each month, and consider supporting the Heritage House Partners in their mission to preserve these irreplaceable stories for future generations. After all, as Vernagene wisely notes, "We're leaving a heritage and we are also living legacies."

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We kick off season two with the exciting launch of the Pflugerville Firefighters Foundation, a nonprofit created to make our community safer, support firefighters during hardship, and fund scholarships for firefighters' children.

• Partnering with Kati Coffee, a specialty roaster owned by scientists David McConville and Miriam Diop who donate 14% of sales from our custom blend
• Surprise announcement of a $10,000 donation to kickstart the Foundation's mission
• Behind-the-scenes look at the coffee tasting where firefighters selected the "Pfirehouse Blend"
• Visit to Kati Coffee's roastery to learn about the science of coffee roasting and brewing techniques
• First public CPR class already conducted with 14 community members participating
• Season two preview featuring upcoming episodes about Pflugerville's heritage and community connections

Check out the Pflugerville Firefighter's Foundation at pffirefoundation.org and order the Firehouse Blend at katicoffee.com to support our mission.

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Pflugerville is growing, changing and facing real challenges. In season 2 of Pflugerville on Fire, we go beyond the ballot box and out into the community. This season will be packed with insights into where we live. We will explore our history, common connection and what makes us strong.

This isn't just a podcast. It's a call to action.

Thanks for your support!