Wow! What a memorable year 2022 has been for all of us. Our incredible neighborhood continues to evolve and improve thanks to the amazing people who live here, to the businesses who choose to locate here, and to the city for investing in our infrastructure.
As this year draws to a close, we look forward with anticipation to celebrating you in future issues of Canyon Creek Life Magazine. My husband Trey and I chose Richardson as our home back in 2005. We have loved knowing so many of you through Scouting, Sweet Firefly, Canyon Creek HOA, Aldridge Elementary, Canyon Creek Moms Club, National Night Out and other community activities. I am so thankful to have met Mike and Kyla, the publishers of this magazine, because I receive so much joy from sharing your stories with our community.
Speaking of stories…in this issue you’ll meet Susan and Hector Reyes, whose version of “retirement” looks nothing like it at all! We’ll also introduce you to five lovely young high schoolers who dance in Company, Sway Dance Center’s elite performance group. And maybe you’ve met Denson, a beloved Prairie Creek golden retriever, who loves walking his young neighbors to school and happily wags and barks hello to anyone who walks by his yard on the way to the park.
Looking for a good book to read during the cold wintry months? Laurie Garvey and Jessica Cashiola, Richardson Reads One Book Board members, and local resident Carol Gallman suggest some of their favorites in our Book Lovers' Corner…and their lists are fantastic!
As always, some of our best articles come from your suggestions, so please keep sending them! We love to hear from you. And thanks again for your continued support and investment in our community. Aren’t we lucky to have each other?!
Happy New Year!
PattiPublisher Kyla Obert
Ad Sales
Mike Obert
Designer Open Look Business Solutions
Contributors
Wilson Allen, Lisa Parelli-Monaghan, Angela Green, Ryan Amerson, Warren Caldwell and Patti Otte
Editor Patti Otte
Photographer Kyla Obert
Special Thanks
Susan and Hector Reyes, Laurie Garvey, Jessica Cashiola, Carol Gallman, Pamela and Gene Tomasello, Emma Mullen, Stella Defoor, Anna Reid, Emme Schaefers, Harper Roth, Sandra Taylor-Moore and Clay Eiland
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Tell us your names and the name of your pet.
We are Pamela and Gene Tomasello. Our dog is named Denson Tomasello.
What type of pet do you have?
Denson is a golden retriever.
How long has Denson been a part of your family and what was your inspiration for his name?
He was named by Missy Griffy to honor the Denson family, who were puppy raisers for Southeastern Guide Dogs. Denson was being trained as a guide dog and had to change careers when a physical revealed he had potential hip issues. So far, he’s eight years old and has had no problems. Fingers crossed!
Tell us about your pet(s): fun tricks, unique talents, quirky personality, etc.
Denson loves to lay half in and half out of our deck door so he can keep an eye out for his friends. He stretches out in a pose we call “the splat.”
How long have you lived in Canyon Creek?
We’ve lived in the neighborhood thirty-two years.
What do you love most about living in Canyon Creek?
We designed and built our house when we moved here in 1990. At the time it was considered a new house in an old neighborhood. We had two-year-old twin boys when we moved in and can’t believe we’re still here. We’ve enjoyed the established trees, the park and the best school in RISD (Prairie Creek Elementary School). Our deck overlooks Prairie Creek Park and it is beautiful year-round. We have an open fence, allowing us to visit with the many neighbors who walk this park.
Please share with us a funny or awesome story of living in the neighborhood.
Denson is privileged to know all the dogs and kids in the neighborhood. He knows who brings him treats and who will pet him. His favorite is to walk to the school with our neighbors, the Snitkers. The kids come up to the door and grab his leash. If he’s not outside, he comes and gets me to let him out.
Is there anything else you would love for your neighbors to know about you or your pet(s)?
We live on the southern corner of Prairie Creek Drive East and High Canyon Court. Please stop by and pet our sweet pup. We’d love to meet you. Feel free to bring treats!
by: Lisa Parelli-Monaghan
If you haven’t already done so, getting your home ready for the coldest season ahead may be the last thing on your mind, but now is the perfect time to tend to these chores that will keep your home safe, warm and dry once the cold air starts settling in for the next few months.
Annual preventive maintenance on your heating system will not only lower your utility bills and increase your system’s efficiency but will also help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks. A qualified HVAC technician will perform a multi-point tuneup on your system, including tightening gas and electrical connections, sealing damaged ducts, testing the accuracy of the thermostat and lubricating the motor. This is also the ideal time to stock up on air filters. Clean filters ensure proper airflow, remove particles such as bacteria and viruses from your air
and prevent damaging dust buildup inside your system. Check your filter every month and replace it when you can no longer see through it.
Discovering problems with your roof is bad enough in warm weather, but once it’s subject to constant moisture during the rainy season, finding and fixing problems can be a nightmare. You can schedule a roof inspection with a reputable roofing company, but if you’re so inclined, get a pair of binoculars and hop on a ladder. Look for loose and missing shingles and inspect the ridge shingles for cracks and other damage. Check the metal flashing around vents and chimneys for curling and loose joints. Inspect the debris in your gutters—if you see a lot of granules, your roof may be losing its protective coating, which means you can expect problems sooner rather than later. And, in the event of snow/ice, make sure to check for ice damming in your edging!
The typical home’s gutter system prevents thousands of gallons of water from cascading down exterior walls, damaging the foundation and seeping into your home. One of the best things you can do for your home is to have your gutters cleaned annually. Consider the small added expense of having them covered with mesh to prevent debris from settling and obstructing the downspouts, especially if you have them cleaned before the last of the leaves have fallen from the trees. If you have a high-quality ladder and aren’t afraid of heights, cleaning your gutters is a straightforward DIY project.
Even if you light just one fire a year, it’s a good idea to have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional. Over time, creosote builds up in your chimney and is a major cause of winter house fires. A qualified chimney sweep will remove the creosote and check for blockages in the flue, ensure the damper is working properly and inspect the interior of your chimney for loose bricks and broken joints.
Air leaks in your home allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter. They lower your comfort level and make your furnace work harder to compensate, resulting in higher energy bills and a shorter life expectancy for your system. Use caulk to seal around doors and windows where they meet the wall, install weather stripping between movable parts of doors and windows and use expandable caulk to seal gaps around vents and pipes that poke through exterior walls. Install precut foam gaskets behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls.
One of the most important winterizing tasks is to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Use fresh, new batteries and push the test button after you install them to ensure each detector is working properly. If you don’t have smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, you should install them before you begin operating your furnace for the season. Place one on each floor, as close to the ceiling as possible. Make sure one of each type of detector is installed near the main sleeping area in your home.
When a neighborhood like ours boasts generations of families and residents choosing to call it home for decades, you know we’re living in a very special place. The Reyes family has made Canyon Creek their home for thirtyfive years…and are looking forward to making many more memories in the years to come.
Susan and Hector just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary. They met through a mutual friend at Texas Instruments. Susan and Tank (the aforementioned friend) went to the University of Wisconsin together and both accepted jobs at TI. Hector and Tank worked in the same TI department. Being new to Texas, Tank wanted to explore the Padre Island National Seashore and invited Susan and Hector to join him. It was on that trip that the two met and subsequently fell in love. They were married twice on back-to-back weekends: one wedding in Wisconsin and the other in Dallas so that family members from both places could easily attend.
Although they were only dating at the time, Susan helped Hector pick his first Canyon Creek house on Robin Way. The following year, the couple married and Susan moved into the home, where they lived happily for twenty years. When they decided to upsize, Susan and Hector purchased a home just a couple of blocks away on Fall Creek. They tore it down and built their dream home, where they still reside today.
While at TI as an engineer, Susan worked in the Consumer Products Division on projects such as the TI Speak & Spell and other speaking toys. Later, she worked on graphing calculators such as the TI-83/84/85 that, according to Susan, most children use in school today. Hector worked for years at Raytheon (Texas Instruments sold their Defense Systems division to Raytheon). While there, he was the Chief Engineer for Raytheon’s Land Warfare Systems Division. Hector was responsible for the targeting systems for the Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He was also in charge of all the Army’s shoulder-launched missiles and
launchers such as the Javelin, TOW and Stinger Missiles.
Having reached their professional and career goals, both Susan and Hector retired early to begin their “second chapters.” They are now spending time pursuing exciting hobbies, travelling and volunteering. One of Susan’s hobbies is also her postretirement business. After she left TI, Susan went to culinary school for a degree in Pastry Arts. She is now the chef/owner of Fall Creek Bakery. The Texas Food Cottage Law allows for the sale of baked goods direct to the consumer from home kitchens as long as the chef has a food handling certificate, list of potential allergens on packaging and no offering that requires refrigeration. Susan specializes in crusty breads (ciabatta, baguette, sourdough) and pastries (Danish kringle, pain au chocolat). She bakes to order through her website at http://fallcreekbakery.net. In addition to baking, Susan enjoys traditional rug hooking, reading, sewing, golfing, and walking.
Hector’s hobby is also his post-retirement business. He is the photographer/owner of Hector’s Images Photography. A fashion photographer who shoots new and established models for local modeling agencies, he specializes in fashion editorials and lifestyle images. Hector’s former colleagues poke fun at him, saying he’s gone from “missiles to models.” His images can be viewed on his website at http://hectorsimages.com or on Instagram @hectors.images.
In addition to their “retirement” businesses, Susan and Hector love to contribute by sharing their gifts and talents with others. Hector volunteers at Texas Boosting Engineering, Science & Technology (BEST) promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through robotics competitions at local elementary, middle and high schools. Susan has volunteered for several years at the Richardson Adult Literacy Center (RACL), where she teaches English fluency. The goal of the program is to help transform lives by providing English as a Second Language, workforce readiness and citizenship programs to adults in Richardson and surrounding communities.
When Susan is not baking for clients, Hector is not on a photoshoot, and they aren’t volunteering, you can find the
couple on the golf course. Both played in high school and, after a long hiatus due to “life” getting in the way, they have both picked up the game again and love playing together. They try to play different courses each time they go out. According to Susan, “Our approach is slightly different…Hector counts strokes while I count pars.”
The couple also loves seeing the world outside Canyon Creek. They’ve been all over the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Bora Bora and, most recently, Norway.
Susan and Hector have one grown son, twenty-four-year-old Alec, who went to Carpe Diem pre-school, Prairie Creek
Elementary, North Junior High, JJ Pearce High School and then the University of North Texas. Susan stated, “You might have seen Alec, when he was younger, placing flags in your yards as he was active in the Boy Scouts with Troop 1001.” Alec decided to defer his last year at UNT and enlisted in the Army. He just completed his first year in the Army with the 25th Infantry Division based in Honolulu, Hawaii.
When asked to share a favorite neighborhood memory, they reminisced about one Halloween evening many years ago. When the family moved from Robin Way to Fall Creek, Alec decided he was too old to go trick-or-treating, so he helped hand out candy instead. Later that evening, when the sky was nearly dark, a couple of Alec’s female classmates rang the doorbell. They were surprised when Alec opened the door because they didn’t know who lived at our house. Relieved to see him, the girls asked Alec to come with them because “there was a creepy guy in a mask” following them. The friends all had a good time walking and talking together in spite of the spooky presence of the guy with the “Jason” mask. It turns out that the scary young man was not so scary after all…he was just another Canyon Creek high schooler out trick-or-treating and having some frightening Halloween fun!
One of the Reyes’ favorite family traditions is their annual Christmas Day Soup & Cheer. Susan comes from a very large family. For Christmas, all of her family, aunts, uncles and cousins gathered at their grandparents’ house. When Alec was three, he began worrying that Santa wouldn’t find him if they were visiting family in Wisconsin or south Texas. Hearing his son’s concern, Hector decided they needed to start making their own traditions at home for the holidays. Susan said, "OK, but we have to have a party. I can’t do Christmas with only three people!” The decision was made to resurrect a Christmas party idea from some other friends. They now invite all of their family and friends who don’t have anywhere better to be to their Fall Creek home on Christmas Day for soup, breads, desserts and cheer. They generally serve four types of soup, at least two kinds of bread and a table full of desserts.
We’re happy to call the Reyes family neighbors and friends!
photos credits by Margita, Calm Giant Tours photos credits by Hector Reyes photos credits by Ivan FloresPics courtesy of Dan Schulz and David King
These lovely Canyon Creek neighbors and friends are all members of Sway Dance Center’s elite performance group known as Company, an audition-based group of thirteen young women who perform in a variety of dance genres: ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and hip hop. When asked individually what each dancer loves about living in Canyon Creek, their answers were strikingly similar. They enjoy being in such a close-knit community where neighbors know one another and care about each other. Stella Defoor stated, “Every house is willing to reach out a helping hand and will be there for each family when needed…and there are so many events and fun things to keep everyone connected.” We’re proud to highlight these accomplished young women in this issue of Canyon Creek Life
Emma Mullen – Plano Senior High School senior
• Favorite school subject – math or science
• Favorite type of dance – tap, but I also love lyrical, contemporary and jazz
• Favorite Sway memory – Our Company lock-in last year! We stayed up all night watching past years' recital videos, singing karaoke, and venturing out to IHop at four in the morning!
• Fun/Hobbies/Work – I enjoy hanging out with friends, watching TV (my favorite show is New Girl!), and doing embroidery. I am also a part of the student ministry at The Heights Church.
Stella Defoor – JJ Pearce senior
• Favorite school subject – English
• Favorite type of dance – contemporary and jazz
• Favorite Sway memory – Being in the Company all four years of high school and travelling to Austin last year with the team.
• Fun/Hobbies/Work – I am part of the health program at JJ Pearce. I’m also a Pacesetter and have been a part of the National Honor Society, DECA, and HOSA all four years of high school. When I’m not in practice or class, I enjoy hanging out with my friends, baking, and pet sitting. I also work at the Nothing Bundt Cakes on Campbell.
Harper Roth – JJ Pearce sophomore
• Favorite school subject – creative writing
• Favorite type of dance – lyrical or contemporary
• Favorite Sway memory – End-of-year recitals. It’s fun and rewarding to put all your hard work to the best performance and get to share it with all my best friends.
• Fun/Hobbies/Work - I’m a JJ Pearce Pacesetter (drill team member). I love to travel with my family. I also love babysitting and getting to know all the families in Canyon Creek. I’m involved as a mentor with High Adventure Treks for Dads and Daughter.
Anna Reid – JJ Pearce freshman
• Favorite school subject – science
• Favorite type of dance – hip hop and jazz
• Favorite Sway memory – Act Week, when we run practices before recital and see each other’s dances for the first time. I love how supportive and encouraging all the dancers and teachers are to each other.
• Fun/Hobbies/Work – I like to hang out with my friends and family and play with my dogs.
Emme Schaefers – JJ Pearce freshman
• Favorite school subject – social studies
• Favorite type of dance – contemporary
• Favorite Sway memory – Going to the Tremaine dance conference/ competition in Austin because it’s exciting and full of adrenalin and we get closer as a dance team.
• Fun/Hobbies/Work – I’m on the freshman cheer team at JJ Pearce. I like to spend time with friends and drink bubble tea. I am in National Charity League and like volunteering with Feed My Starving Children.
vid reader Carol Gallman recently sent us an email suggesting that we include a short list of great books in an upcoming issue of Canyon Creek Life . We loved the idea and expanded it to include recommendations not only from Carol but also from two of Richardson Reads One Book’s Board members, Jessica Cashiola and Laurie Garvey, who also live in Canyon Creek. Happy reading!
• The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver: Told from Evangelical Baptist preacher Nathan Price’s wife and daughters’ points of view, Kingsolver calls forth deep thought and perspective from the reader.
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: An excellent winter fireside literary affair.
• The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett M. Graff: Personal accounts of 500 ordinary people whose lives were forever changed by that tragic day. ***Definitely recommend the audio version of this book.
• I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb: Forgiveness and reconciliation are big mountains to climb in this chaotic, heavy, heartrending story. Buckle up: this gripping novel is a whopping 928 pages!
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini: A historical fiction narrative spanning more than thirty years, more relevant now than ever as it highlights women’s rights under the Taliban.
My family has lived in Canyon Creek for five years. I dearly love the friendships born from our neighborhood and treasure gatherings, games and fellowship here. As a lifelong lover of reading, I have gained so many cherished friendships through book connections and conversations, with people I would have otherwise missed getting to know.
I am inspired by deeply human reading topics that dig into what is hard, but meaningful. In the wintertime, my picks are often what I call “slow cooked:” the more time that passes after I’ve finished the book, the more appealing it becomes. I particularly love literary fiction for its life lessons and deep meanings coupled with a character focus that leaves the reader guided to a potentially new perspective. With no guarantee of a nicely tied up ending, this genre can lead to lively book conversations.
I prefer a hardback book but almost always carry a Kindle with me, which comes in handy while waiting in the carpool line or before an appointment. Audiobooks work well for me when reading a memoir or other nonfiction. You’ll most likely find me reading at home in my oversized comfy reading chair in the evening unless my husband has stolen it first. In that case, I read in bed until I force myself to put the book down and go to sleep!
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: This debut novel centers around the unlikely friendship between Tova and Marcellus, an octopus portrayed as a very literal, intelligent being. It’s a laugh-out-loud and utterly heartwarming debut novel.
• The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson: The first African American woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism, Wilkerson documents the historically accurate and previously unrecognized migration of close to six million black Americans from the South to northern and western cities in the United States.
• We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker: A crime fiction entrée with a side of thriller, mystery and twist.
• All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood: A highly controversial, paradoxical and morally challenging novel. Beware: dark, disturbing content - consider this a trigger warning!
• Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman: From the bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, this novel brings to life Britt-Marie, bitter and prickly, yet undeniably a human deserving of love. She’s ultimately as endearing as Ove.
My family has lived in Canyon Creek for twenty-six years. We love this neighborhood because of its strong sense of community and the lifelong friendships we’ve made. I learned to read at an early age and have always considered books my constant companions in life. It’s a gift to experience other cultures and to learn about any topic imaginable through the joy of reading.
I adore British mysteries so that I can “travel” to that part of the world anytime I wish. I particularly enjoy the Golden Age of crime fiction (1920’s-30’s). Even though I didn’t become Nancy Drew as I had hoped, I’ve enjoyed the challenge of solving mysteries for as long as I can remember. I typically read three to four books simultaneously and strive for a balance between various genres to mirror my mood. Beyond British mysteries, I enjoy classic literature, biographies, film books and many New York Times Best Sellers selections.
I prefer reading hardback books, though I often opt for audiobooks so that I can “read” while doing other activities. I have an Audible subscription and frequently use the Libby app through the Richardson Public Library. I typically read in my home library surrounded by my treasured books with my dog, Chester, curled up nearby.
• The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins: A Victorian-era mystery written in 1859. Told from multiple perspectives by fascinating characters in an eerie, gothic setting.
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: Austen’s novel captures the folly of judging by first impressions while poking fun at snobbery within the middle class.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde: Showcases Wilde’s superb writing and sharp wit.
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A quintessential expression of disillusionment with the American dream which reflects the inherent struggles between socioeconomic classes.
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett: This classic in children’s literature is a magical tale of transformation and empowerment.
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: An essential read for how it depicts the brutality of racism and the hope inspired by integrity.
• The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin: A fastpaced mystery and a humorous romp through Oxford. The unlikely pairing of “sleuths” adds to the charm and frivolity of this engaging story.
• The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz: The first book in a new series in which Horowitz cleverly reinvents the crime novel by depicting himself fictionally as one half of a mismatched crime-solving duo.
• A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: The story of a man’s struggle to bring purpose to his life following his imprisonment within a hotel.
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre: Set during the Cold War, the carefully-woven plot is a masterpiece within the spy genre.
• Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave: Based on love letters written by the author’s grandparents during WWII, this novel tells the story of life during the London blitz.
• Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen: A book about loss, love, and redemption…uplifting to read during these uncertain times.
• How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith: Smith writes about monuments and landmarks that offer stories about how slavery has shaped our country.
• The Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn: Flinn sets out to equip nine insecure home cooks with kitchen skills like using a knife and roasting a chicken. Along the way, she also guides them in making good choices about what to buy and what to eat.
• At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider: The story of Oxenreider’s young family who spent nine months circumnavigating the earth as they learn how to be at home in the world while far away from their home.
I love our neighborhood’s trees, curving streets and friendly folks. Plus, we have access to one of the best libraries ever right here in Richardson, and I love to support it. Being a lifelong reader has allowed me to be a lifelong learner. My favorite reading genre is fiction because it lets me step into the lives of other people, places and times.
I find ideas for my “To Be Read” list of books everywhere, but especially from a podcast called “What Should I Read Next.” And while I prefer reading actual books, I also read on a tablet and listen to audiobooks. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes.
• We are Called to Rise by Laura McBride: Based on a true event that happens in Las Vegas when three lives come together in a single shocking moment. 2015 RROB selection.
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger: A classic work of literature about a family’s trip across the Dakota Badlands in the 60’s that focuses on family, faith, and spirit.
• News of the World by Paulette Jiles: A historical fiction set in a post-Civil War Texas, this novel centers around the difficulties faced and bonds formed between characters when Captain Jefferson Kidd delivers a young orphan girl to her relatives after the war.
• The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls: A true story of Walls’ dysfunctional family who barely managed to scrape by as they moved from place to place as she grew up. 2007 RROB selection.
• Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved by Kate Bowler: Bowler, a Duke University professor diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 35, learns about living when life isn’t pretty and shiny. She writes about the pain and joy she finds as she lives without certainty.
Clay Eiland knows coffee. He loves coffee. And Eiland Coffee Roasters, his passion and livelihood, is the delicious result of this decades-long love affair. If you haven’t already stopped by their newest location in II Creeks, it’s time. I met Clay there for a chat and was blown away not only by the beauty of the artfully redesigned space, but also by his in-depth knowledge of coffee and the delicious Thailand honey-processed coffee he introduced me to—all I can say is WOW!
During the hours I spent at Eiland, students from UTD quietly studied their computer screens while a neighborhood couple read the paper and drank coffee in “the nook,” a favorite spot inside the space. Groups of local businessmen came in laughing and talking and left with coffee cups in hand. A neighborhood mom brought her kids in; the youngsters had Sweet Firefly in hand, but she was opting for something warm and delicious. Another customer purchased bags of beans for personal use and to give as gifts.
Clay comes by his love of coffee naturally; his parents owned a coffee shop in the Plaza of the Americas building in downtown Dallas back in the mid-90’s. In 1998 Clay started working for the DFW Coffee Exchange. A natural “tinkerer,” he experimented with a variety of methods to control exact temperatures for coffee extraction. One result was a PID controller which a friend of his installed to get a precise temperature for espresso, a standard in the industry today. Clay also introduced microfoaming, the process of adding finely textured steamed milk to espresso-based coffee drinks, and ristretto shots to Dallas back in 1999.
The road to Clay’s success as a coffee roaster was a winding one: “I attended the ‘school of hard knocks’ for ten-twelve years before joining EO, an entrepreneurs’ organization in Dallas, hiring a business coach, asking lots of questions, and finding mentors with thriving businesses.” His original coffee roastery was housed in a custom-built barn on his property with a roaster, a table, a couple of grinders, high quality beans and bag sealers. Fast forward twenty-plus years and Eiland now has two retail stores, a busy Internet business, a booming wholesale business (they’re in more than fifty WalMart specialty coffee sections alone!), and some “top secret” developments on the horizon.
What makes Eiland unique among coffee roasters now that serving temperatures are standardized and controlled by modern technology? According to Clay, it’s Eiland’s 1969 German-made PROBAT cast iron roaster, the “Beast” of coffee roasters. Cast iron heats the beans molecularly, faster than roasting in steel. As a result, the heat transfer occurs more efficiently within the bean and the resulting coffee tastes the same regardless of serving temperature, a key requirement for highly graded coffee. If not roasted properly, the beans cool before finishing and become abrasive to the taste.
Another key to Eiland’s success is the fact that Clay is one of only 400+ certified Q Graders in the nation. According to the Coffee Quality Institute, Q Graders are internationally recognized professionals, highly skilled in sensory evaluation of green coffee. Clay grades approximately 200 coffees per year and can detect intensity and uniqueness much like a sommelier does with wine. Coffee grades are based on aroma, taste, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, and overall texture. Based on his coffee expertise, Clay establishes partnerships with some of the finest coffee farmers in the world. One such farm is La Minita in Costa Rica, which produces highly rated coffee and spares no expense in ensuring that only the finest beans survive the sorting process. Clay will be taking a team of Eiland employees to La Minita in January.
Speaking of employees, the Eiland crew of friendly and knowledgeable employees is a foundational piece of the Eiland Coffee Roasters success story. Creating a positive company culture has always been a priority for Clay, even when the concept of culture was an unfamiliar one. Eiland’s culture is founded on four principles: be servant-hearted, possess a passion for excellence, do the right thing and have fun! That commitment to customer service is on display at their II Creeks location and the neighborhood response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Before our meeting ended, I asked Clay what we could look forward to in the coming weeks and months at their II Creeks location. In addition to the beer and wine already being served, he’ll be adding food options in the evenings to complement the existing beverage menu. Clay truly wants Eiland to become the neighborhood place you think of when you want to sit down and slow down, to enjoy visiting with friends and family and sharing life together in a comfortable, relaxed environment. He’s created the space…let’s enjoy it!
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TThe mission of Energy Attic is so simple it’s brilliant. Transform attics. Transform lives. They operate by doing what’s right, loving people, and working humbly to make an eternal difference. Based on Micah 6:8, that vision has been the driving force behind this Christian-owned and operated business since 2005. Energy Attic Owner Ryan Amerson begins and ends each day asking himself how he can make life better for his clients, his employees, and his community. “Our efforts have resulted in 10x growth over the years, and lots of positive impact on our industry!” Ryan said. “We do our part by making your home more comfortable, improving your indoor air quality, and saving you money on your utility bills. Put simply, we want to transform your attic space which will transform your living space, so your home can be all that it should be”. It’s something they’ve done for over 10,000 happy families, creating environments where people can love others through a comfortable and safe home. “There’s a Mother Theresa quote we love,” Ryan said. “If you
he mission of Energy Attic is so simple it’s brilliant. Transform attics. Trans-form lives. ey operate by doing what’s right, loving people, and working hum-bly to make an eternal di erence. Based on Micah 6:8, that vision has been the driving force behind this Christian-owned and operated business for 13 years. Energy Attic Founder and Owner Ryan Amerson and COO Guy Charles be-gin and end each day asking themselves how they can make life better for their clients, their em-ployees, their community, and their world. And their e orts have resulted in 10-fold growth over the years.
“We want people to live their best life at home,” Ryan said. “We do our part by making your home more comfortable, improving your indoor air quality, and saving you money on your utility bills. Put simply, we want to transform your attic space which will transform your living space, so you can live your best life.” It’s something they’ve done for over 10,000 happy families, creating environments where people can love others through a comfortable and safe home.
want to change the world, go home and love your family.” He added, “we’re all about creating healthy, comfortable homes so our friends and neighbors can do just that. What could you accomplish if your home was comfortable and dust and allergies were not an issue?”
“ ere’s a Mother eresa quote we love,” Guy said. “ ‘If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.’ We’re all about creating healthy, comfortable homes so our friends and neighbors can do just that. What could you ac-complish if your home was comfortable and dust and allergies were not an issue?”
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(A few may remember that the following is a reprise of last Christmas’ Echoes From the Canyon. This is for two reasons. 1) I am on a Canyon Creek Life printing deadline. 2) And more importantly, we truly need to lower the volume on that which divides us as Americans.
We are not going to be able to mend the rift all by ourselves but each one of us added together can make a difference. Let’s resume the ability to disagree and still be miserably happy together as friends as we watch the Cowboys again disappoint.)
In December 1914, during the Great War (later to be known as World War I), German and British soldiers were engaged in brutal trench warfare on the western front of a war-torn Europe. At 8:30 on Christmas Eve, an Irish Officer reported that the Germans were singing and wishing the British Troops a Merry Christmas.
The air filled with a German version of Silent Night and was met with a British chorus of The First Noel. Men began to exit the trenches and small gifts of whiskey and cigarettes were exchanged. An impromptu soccer match followed. One Brit became friends with a German artilleryman who spoke English. As they parted, the German said, “Today we have peace. Tomorrow, you fight for your country, I fight for mine. Good luck”.
Sadly, the Christmas Truce ended, war senselessly resumed and went on to wound and kill 25 million people.
If it is possible for the Season to inspire men fighting a monstrous war to lay down their arms and seek companionship with their fellow man, it should serve as an inspiration for us to lower the volume on that which divides us as Americans.
Beware of those who profit from our division. If we do not readily discern their motive, then as long as discord is profitable, there will be discord.
Regardless of one’s Faith tradition, there resides a spirit in each of us that the modern cacophony subsumes. Unplug and listen with unfettered ears and an open heart. Miracles occur much more frequently than our myopic vision views.
Let’s close with the final stanza of The Christmas Guest. (The Johnny Cash version happens to be my favorite.)
“But as he entered his own darkened door
He knew the Lord was not coming today
For the hours of Christmas had passed away
So he went to his room and knelt down to pray
And he said, “Dear Lord, why did you delay
What kept you from coming to call on me
For I wanted so much your face to see.”
When soft in the silence a voice he heard.
“Lift up your head for I kept my word.
Three times my shadow crossed your floor
And three times I came to your lonely door.
I was the beggar with bruised, cold feet
And I was the woman you gave something to eat.
I was the child on the homeless street.
Three times I knocked and three times I came in
And in each time, I found the warmth of a friend.
Of all the gifts, love is the best.
And I was honored to be your Christmas Guest.”
May the Joy of the Season Overflow and Peace and Harmony Prevail,
Warren Caldwell Canyon Creek HOA President
September 26, 2022, was a very serendipitous day. I had posted several stuffed monkeys for sale on Facebook Marketplace. A woman contacted me, a call that fostered an unexpected community-wide effort. Jenn, the woman inquiring about the monkeys, is the house mom for a domestic violence shelter for women and children in our Richardson community called River of Life. When Jenn came to my home, I gave her not only the monkeys, but also some furniture. I asked her what she was going to do with soooo many monkeys. That’s when she told me about River of Life. Once I heard the story, I immediately wanted to become involved.
I visited the shelter and asked how I might be of help as a designer. They wanted to restructure the dining area into a working office. I applied for a grant through my church, Dallas Bible, and was able to secure the funds for the reconstruction. I then contacted local suppliers I use in my design business for their assistance. Wilsonart donated a countertop and Sherwin Williams helped supply the paint. My Life Group at Dallas Bible
Church and my Neighborhood Network Services group provided care packages for the women and children for a "Grateful and Thankful" donation drive. One of my fabric reps donated more than fifty Beanie Babies and Pathway to Victory, a worldwide ministry, provided devotionals for every room at the shelter.
As a Richardson community, we can gather around River of Life and meet some of the needs of this safe and accommodating space for women and children as they transition back to independent living. If you’d like to help, the shelter is in constant need of home repairs, lawn services, help with counseling, job searching, resume writing, tutoring and so much more. To share your gifts and talents with them, please contact me (Sandra) at 214-232-2276.
Our successful Flag Lease Program is available only to current dues-paying members. Subscribers get a 3’ x 5’ American Flag on a 10’ flag pole placed at their curb on four Patriotic Holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, 9/11 Observance Day and Veterans Day). The Flag Lease Subscription is $35 a year, and it can be paid with your dues payment (total $50.00). After each holiday, the Flag Lease Subscription charge is reduced, so check with our Membership and Flag Lease Headquarters in the Canyon Creek Postal Company at 508 West Lookout Drive for the exact amount after Memorial Day. The annual $15 Membership Dues is not reduced since it is based on a calendar year basis but must be paid to subscribe to a Flag Lease.
For volunteer information and other information about your Canyon Creek HOA. Please visit the CCHOA website at https://canyoncreekhomeowners.com.
www.CanyonCreekLife.com
photos courtesy of Meredith Embry Photography
2527 Big Horn Ln.- Lisa & Jim Staron
2009 Sage Valley Dr - The Hendon Family
415 Northview Dr - Michael Henderson
Keep an eye out for wildlife while driving in rural areas. During the fall and winter, animals are often traveling in groups from dusk till dawn. Being prepared and thinking ahead will reduce the chances that you will hit an animal. Please do not swerve to miss an animal because swerving has caused far more fatal accidents than braking. Swerving can cause head-on collisions, cause you to lose control and hit a tree or fixed object, or cause you to lose control and flip your vehicle. If you must use the brakes, do not slam on them. Slow down as much as you can without locking
up your brakes and check your rearview to see if anyone is behind you. You may be able to avoid hitting the animal but if you don’t, the chances of injury are far less. Another positive of braking is that hitting an animal would be a non-fault comprehensive claim, whereas swerving to miss an animal and striking an object would be an at-fault collision claim.
The Insurance Sheriff and the Canyon Creek Allstate team wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Information above was obtained from NTREIS. Properties were listed and/or sold by many Brokers between 10/1/22 - 11/30/22.
