"In A Place Like This"
In a Places Like This
Jim Lutz and Alex Carrillo have lived on the outskirts of Manor, Texas for over thirty years. Their large, rambling farmhouse is more than just a happy home - it's a spiritual retreat, a place where children are born, friends and family celebrate birthdays, weddings...even the summer solstice. The 50 acres of land they nurture is home to chickens, goats, dogs and peacocks. After years of struggling to protect it, the area was officially certified as wildlife preserve.
Quicksand Farm, as the property is affectionately known, is also a local landmark. Lasse Hallstrom's awarding-winning What Eating Gilbert Grape, was filmed here, as was an episode of the Simple Life. Each summer, the farm plays host to a rollicking summer square dance open to the entire town. Over the years, a cast of colorful characters has long gathered on the front porch - singing, strumming and sharing in the peaceful atmosphere that this place provides.
But the Lutz-Carrillo home is also a symbol of a laid-back, rural style of living that many fear will become obsolete. As cookie-cutter strip mails and rows of track houses invade small town America, the warmth and spirit of places like Quicksand Farm face an uncertain future. In a Place Like This is a pleasant reminder of the joys close to home...we may want to protect.
Jim Lutz and Alex Carrillo have lived on the outskirts of Manor, Texas for over thirty years. Their large, rambling farmhouse is more than just a happy home - it's a spiritual retreat, a place where children are born, friends and family celebrate birthdays, weddings...even the summer solstice. The 50 acres of land they nurture is home to chickens, goats, dogs and peacocks. After years of struggling to protect it, the area was officially certified as wildlife preserve.
Quicksand Farm, as the property is affectionately known, is also a local landmark. Lasse Hallstrom's awarding-winning What Eating Gilbert Grape, was filmed here, as was an episode of the Simple Life. Each summer, the farm plays host to a rollicking summer square dance open to the entire town. Over the years, a cast of colorful characters has long gathered on the front porch - singing, strumming and sharing in the peaceful atmosphere that this place provides.
But the Lutz-Carrillo home is also a symbol of a laid-back, rural style of living that many fear will become obsolete. As cookie-cutter strip mails and rows of track houses invade small town America, the warmth and spirit of places like Quicksand Farm face an uncertain future. In a Place Like This is a pleasant reminder of the joys close to home...we may want to protect.
