Community Life

Page 1

C

Life

ommunity The magazine for Johnson County and surrounding areas January-February 2014 Vol. 9, No. 1

Joshua High School’s Naval Jr. ROTC program among the best

Brides 2014

Special 17-page inside look at planning your special day.

Actor and writer Jay Cornils

•

Crime Scene Investigator Sam Thomas

•

Pastor Karl Jones

2

Community Life

Eric Reynolds, AuD

Dr. Ted Benke LV DQ (17 (DU 1RVH 7KURDW VSHFLDOLVW DQG D )HOORZ RI WKH $PHULFDQ &ROOHJH RI 6XUJHRQV

8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m., M - F

0RVW LQVXUDQFHV DQG 0HGLFDUH DFFHSWHG

(817) 641-3750

*OHQZRRG 'ULYH _ &OHEXUQH 7H[DV www.DrBenke.com Community Life

3

Editor’s Note Welcome to the first edition of Community Life magazine in 2014. Since our

last issue of Community Life, we have turned over a new year. This is the ninth year we have published Community Life. I can hardly believe it has been that long. It seems like yesterday we were attempting to create our first magazine. We managed to do it one month, which looking back seems impossible. But it all worked out. We are newspaper people and doing a magazine was completely new. But it was fun and exciting. It gave us a new way to reach readers and provide them with entertaining stories and information. Community Life is a rare publication. Why? Because it was one of the few publications I’ve been a part of that never receives negative reviews. But I digress. Let’s get to the stories in this issue. Tammye Nash spoke with the officials at Joshua High School about its Naval Junior ROTC program. It was one of the most recognized in the state and one of the most successful. The program gives young men and women the chance to excel at an early age.

Matt Smith had double duty in this edition. He brings us stories about Jay Cornils and Sam Thomas. Cornils had a career in education, but a move to Cleburne allowed him the chance to hone his community theater skills. Thomas served in various capacities in law enforcement but has since found his niche in crime scene investigation at the Cleburne Police Department. And Monica Faram writes about Karl Jones, who is starting his 30th year as pastor of Burleson Church of Christ. Faram also tells us how to create a Facebook page in our regular technology column. Also in this edition is our annual bridal section, chock full of stories about what to do when looking to get married.

— Dale Gosser, managing editor

Publisher

Kay Helms khelms@trcle.com

Managing Editor Dale Gosser dgosser@trcle.com

Graphics Director Ashley Garey

Business Manager Lynn Coplin

Staff Writers Monica Faram Matt Smith Tammye Nash

Photography Tammye Nash John Austin Chris Gill Matt Smith Monica Faram

Copy Editors Dale Gosser Monica Faram

Advertising Account Executives Eric Faught Tammie Kay Barbara Smith Lisa Russell

Classified Account Executives Teresa Slade April Bradshaw

108 S. ANGLIN ST. CLEBURNE, TEXAS P.O. BOX 1569 CLEBURNE, TX 76033 PHONE 817-645-2441 817-558-2855  Metro FAX 817-645-4020  Advertising

Community Life, the magazine for Johnson County © 2014 by Cleburne Times-Review. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Community Life is inserted into the Times-Review and distributed around the county free of charge.

4

Community Life

3

Table of Contents STORIES

6

Joshua High School’s Naval Junior ROTC program is one of the tops in the state. By Tammye Nash

16

45

How to choose the right music, the right venue, etc., is in the annual Bridal edition.

Little did Jay Cornils know after 31 years in his previous life he would end up acting in community theater in Cleburne. By Matt Smith

28

Karl Jones is celebrating 30 years in the pulpit at Burleson Church of Christ.

38

Crime Scene Investigation on TV is not the same as in real life. Just ask Cleburne’s Sam Thomas.

By Monica Faram

By Matt Smith

COLUMNS

25 Monica Faram

How to set up a Facebook page.

CLEBURNE CHAMBER 34-37

The latest and greatest information from the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce. Community Life

5

6

Community Life

Building better

citizens Joshua HS Naval Jr. ROTC cadets say program prepares them for success

STORY BY Tammye Nash

T

he Joshua High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps — JROTC — program is best known for its championship rifle team, followed possibly by its armed and unarmed drill teams and its color guard. Those are the “flashiest” aspects of the organiza-

tion, the public hears about and sees at events like football games and Veterans Day services. There is also an academic team, a physical fitness team, an orienteering team —and more. But at its core, Junior ROTC is about building better citizens. “The sole function of the JROTC is to foster good citizenship and love of country,” Lt. Col. James Davidson, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), wrote in a letter to the Joshua Chamber of Commerce. “They just happen to do it with old retired military personnel.”

Community Life

7

Davidson and Master Chief Charles Linville, U.S. Navy (retired), are the “old retired military personnel” who teach those skills with the Joshua JROTC. Davidson is the senior naval science instructor for the Joshua JROTC program, and Linville is the naval science instructor. Together they lead one of the most successful Naval JROTC programs in the country. But both shy away from the limelight themselves. Because, as Davidson said, “It’s all about the kids.” And while Davidson is more than reticent in talking about himself, he has plenty to say to talking about his JROTC cadets. Davidson said Joshua’s Naval JROTC has been named a Distinguished Unit for the last 14 years, and a Distinguished Unit with Academic Honors for the last four. Joshua JROTC cadets scored in the top 5 percent on the President’s National Academic Examination, he added. Davidson said that as of a year ago, four former Joshua cadets were attending the U.S. Naval Academy, the Coast Guard Academy and West Point, and a fifth cadet had just been accepted into the Naval Academy. The Joshua JROTC also had former cadets on “full ride” scholarships to Texas A&M University, the University of Texas, Tarleton State University and Norwich University. And five of the last six Joshua High School valedictorians were JROTC cadets, Davidson added.

Naval JROTC history

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program was established in 1926 “to provide a broad base of citizens knowledgeable in the arts and sciences of naval warfare,” according to the NROTC website. The Marine Corps entered the NROTC program in 1932, the website notes. The Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps were created with the passage of the National Defense Act of 1916. Its focus was on secondary schools authorizing the loan of federal military equipment to the high schools and the assignment of active or retired military personnel as instructors on the condition that they followed a prescribed course of training and maintained a minimum enrollment of 100 8

Community Life

students more than 14 years old. The Naval Junior ROTC was established by public law in 1964, according to the Naval JROTC website. According to the website, “The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, by instructors who are retired Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel. The NJROTC curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage, the significance of sea power and naval topics such as the fundamentals of naval operations, seamanship, navigation and meteorology. “Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by community service activities, drill competition, field meets, flights, visits to naval activities, marksmanship training and other military training. Uniforms, textbooks, training aids, travel allowance, and a sub-

File photo

The Joshua High School Naval Jr. ROTC unit holds regular formal inspections, with the next inspection scheduled for Feb. 5. On May 7, the unit will hold its last formal inspection of the school year, and at that event the new staff for the 2014-15 school year will be installed.

stantial portion of instructors’ salaries are provided by the Navy.” In his letter last year to the chamber, Davidson noted that contrary to popular belief, JROTC programs are not designed as recruitment tools and recruitment is mentioned nowhere in any JROTC mission statement. The programs, he said, are all about building better citizens.

Discipline, confidence

Now in her fourth year as a Naval JROTC cadet, 18-year-old Joshua High School senior Sheridan Beene is commanding officer for the Joshua program. She said the program has given her the confidence to reach for her goals. In joining the NJROTC, Beene said, “I got bold. I got a voice. And I learned about lead-

ership and what that really means.” That voice helped her earn the Bronze Cross of Achievement, awarded during the organization’s annual Navy Ball celebration marking the anniversary of the U.S. Navy. She said that she was a freshman and her brother was a senior when they moved to Joshua with their parents. Her brother decided to join the NJROTC at Joshua because he met some of the cadets and was intrigued by the program. She decided to join with him. As a senior and the NJROTC commanding officer, Beene said she is on several of the teams, including orienteering, academic, PT, color guard and rifle. “There’s also a lot of community service that we all participate in, too,” she said. Over the last four years, Beene said the program and Davidson have helped build her confidence and set her on the path to a career in the military and as a medical professional. “Colonel has helped me a lot,” she said of Davidson. “He really pulled me out of my shell and helped me find my voice.” Beene is captain of the championship sporter rifle team, too. Beene said she hopes to earn acceptance to the University of Texas at Austin and hopes an ROTC scholarship in nursing will help pay her way. She plans to join the Naval ROTC at UT then go to medical school to become a pediatric surgeon. “I have changed my career path a few times over the years,” Beene said. “But all of them included ROTC and a stint in the military.” Austin Parrish, a 16-year-old JHS junior, who is a platoon commander for Joshua NJROTC, said Davidson is teaching the cadets skills that will help them if they choose careers in the military, but also skills that will help them lead successful civilian lives. Parrish said he joined the NJROTC as a sophomore because his father, a Navy reservist, “kind of pushed it.” But, he added, “Once I got here, I loved it.” Parrish said that he plans to attend the Naval Academy after high school and study aeronautical engineering. He also hopes to attend a week-long summer seminar held at the Naval Academy as well as an eight-week sciCommunity Life

9

ence engineering program, sponsored by the Navy and held at the academy. He said the NJROTC is getting him ready for the years ahead because it is “keeping me organized and teaching me better ways to do things. The biggest thing, though, is that it is refining my leadership qualities.� Parrish said he was “big into football� before he joined NJROTC, and at first thought he would go back to the gridiron after staying in the NJROTC long enough to satisfy his dad. But now, NJROTC is where he wants to stay. Tyler Lindsey, a 17-year-old senior, was another jock who chose to give more focus to NJROTC than to sports. “I’ve been in JROTC for four years now,� said Lindsey, this year’s command master chief. “I decided to join when they came to the middle school to recruit [for the program]. I was more of a jock, and I had planned on going into sports. But I decided on this instead.� It was the rifle team that “really stuck out� as a deciding factor for Lindsey, and now he is captain of the program’s championship precision rifle team. He said he was also drawn in by the personality of Davidson, who has become “more of a mentor and a friend� instead of just another teacher. Lindsey and Parrish also have something else in common: Both have been taking flying lessons since last summer. Lindsey has his private pilot’s

Photo by Tammye Nash

Members of the Naval JROTC armed drill team performed at an event honoring veterans living at Santa Fe Trails assisted living facility on Veterans Day last year.

license, and Parrish will get his as soon as he turns 17 and is eligible. Lindsey said he enjoys flying because, “I’m kind of a daredevil and [flying] is really cool.� It is also a step down the career path he has planned for himself. “I am going to Texas A&M. I have a scholarship. I am going to join the Corps [of Cadets] there and then I am going to become a pilot in the Marine Corps,� Lindsey said. Although the daredevil in him responds to the thrill of the fighter jets, Lindsey said, “Right now, I am leaning more toward helicopters, because that’s what Colonel [Davidson] did.� Lindsey said he has always felt a sense of pride in being part of the NJROTC and in “getting to wear the uniform� of the cadet corps. “But as I have gotten older, it means so much more,� he continued. “Before, it was a requirement. Now, it is a privilege.� JHS senior Mitchell Moore, 17, comes from a military family. Both of his grandfathers served, and he had planned long ago to follow in their footsteps. Joining NJROTC, he said, “was my step in the door.� His experience in JROTC, he said, has taught him how to be a leader, and to be a follower. He has learned about military history, U.S. history, current events. “I’ve learned to be a better person all around,� Moore said. “Naval Jr. ROTC is probably the only place in Joshua where you can get all of that,

&KDQJH 7KH :D\ <RX 7KLQN $ERXW /RQJ 7HUP &DUHĂž

$5( <28 +$9,1* 685*(5<" $5( <28 ,1 1((' 2) 3+<6,&$/ 7+(5$3<" ‡ $ +ROLVWLF DSSURDFK WR 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ XS WR GD\V D ZHHN ‡ ZDUP PHDOV HYHU\ GD\ SOXV VQDFNV

‡ +RXVHNHHSLQJ /DXQGU\ VHUYLFH ‡ ,QGLYLGXDOL]HG 7KHUDS\ 3ODQ ‡ $1' KRXU VNLOOHG 1XUVLQJ &DUH

1

ÂŁ

$UH \RX KDYLQJ $// ,1&/86,9( VKRUW WHUP UHKDE

3DUNZD\

10

Community Life

%XV

1 3DUNZD\ ‡ $OYDUDGR ‡ ‡ ZZZ DOYDUDGRPHDGRZV FRP

4EGO 2 1EMP ¡

¸

0ȨȽȇǸ

=SYV SRI WXST JSV 947 ERH *IH)\ 4EGOMRK 7LMTTMRK 'STMIW *E\ 'EVHW 'ERHPIW ERH WS QYGL QSVI JnZebmr ''' <hgo^gb^g\^ ''' <ahb\^ '''

2 'EHHS 7X 'PIFYVRI 8< %GVSWW JVSQ Âľ,MWXSVMGÂś 'SYVXLSYWI

Z[L^HY[

ÂŽ

[P[SL UVY[O [L_HZ *SLI\YUL ;LHT

36990 3(5+,96:

)YHUJO 6WLYH[PVU 4HUHNLY ,ZJYV^ 6MĂ„ JLY

*(93( 469.(5 ,ZJYV^ 6MĂ„ JLY

Ma^ Lnglabg^ <en[ & : Li^\bZe L^glhkr ikh`kZf ikhob]^] _hk hnk e^ll \h`gbmbo^ k^lb]^gml hg Z ]Zber [Zlbl' ;b[e^ Lmn]b^l =bl\nllbhg `khnil Fhgmaer ;bkma]Zr IZkmb^l <hg\^kml Li^\bZe >o^gml Fhgmaer ?b^e] mkbil ;bg`h Zg] hma^k `Zf^l

-9(5*,: )9(5+; ,ZJYV^ (ZZVJ

)(9)(9( 96),9;:65 :/(5565 6Âť5,(3 ,ZJYV^ (ZZVJ

6MĂ„ JL *VVYKPUH[VY

T: 817-558-1961 F: 817-558-3761 www.stewartnorthtexas.com \ 106 Hyde Park, Ste. 100 Cleburne, TX • (NYSE:STC)

Community Life

11

File photo

Lt. Col. James Davidson, U.S. Marines (ret.), left, is senior naval science instructor and Master Chief Charles Linville, right, is naval science instructor for the Johsua High School Naval Jr. ROTC program.

all in one place.” Moore said he plans to attend the University of Oklahoma and join the ROTC Corps of Cadets there, but he has also applied to the Coast Guard Academy. After graduation from college, he plans to fly V-22 Osprey helicopters for the Navy.

Leaders to remember

All the cadets pointed to Davidson and Linville as being more than just instructors. The two are, they said, an inspiration. “Colonel has gone beyond what the ROTC requires” of an instructor, Moore said. “He and Master Chief both have.” Lindsey added, “This is where they are every weekend, taking care of us.” “This is their second home,” Beene chimed in. “Sometimes their first 12

Community Life

home.” Davidson said he was home on leave from Iraq when he first visited Joshua High School and saw the NJROTC program there, and learned that the instructor was retiring the following year. He was so impressed with the program that after returning to Iraq, he sent in his application to take over as senior naval science instructor in Joshua the following year, when he would be out of the service. Davidson started the job in the 2006-07 school year, but had to take off in 2009 when he was called up and sent to Afghanistan. He rejoined the Joshua NJROTC when he returned. Linville served 30 years in the U.S. Navy. Joshua ISD Superintendent Frank Marek praised both Davidson and Linville as “great instructors” who are “very dedicated” to their jobs. The men and the students they lead, she said have built a program that is a credit to the district as a whole. “The Junior ROTC program is a great source of pride for our whole district,” Marek said. “The program builds students of high character. It teaches them a great work ethic, and they go on to be very productive in their lives. For six years, now, we have qualified students to the national military academies.” Joshua High School Principal Mick Cochran agreed, pointing to the championship rifle team and its accomplishments as an example of the program’s value overall. “We are extremely proud of our Junior ROTC program,” Cochran said. “It’s a great opportunity for all our kids. And the rifle team makes us look good all over the country. They are doing great things, and the students on that team are continuing to achieve in the high school so that they remain eligible to compete.”

*HW +HDOWKLHU

12:

ZLWK

/RVH XS WR WR OEV SHU ZHHN VDIHO\ DQG ZLWKRXW IHHOLQJ KXQJU\ %HFRPH <RXUVHOI ³ RQH VWHS DW D WLPH

:LWK 0HGLIDVW \RX·OO HDW VL[ PHDOV D GD\ ORVH ZHLJKW TXLFNO\ DQG OHDUQ KHDOWK\ HDWLQJ KDELWV WKDW ZLOO UHPDLQ ZLWK \RX ORQJ DIWHU \RX UHDFK \RXU JRDO 0HGLIDVW KDV SODQV IRU WUDQVLWLRQ DQG PDLQWHQDQFH WZR FULWLFDO SKDVHV WR HQVXUH \RX NHHS ZKDW \RX·YH ZRUNHG VR KDUG WR DFKLHYH D KHDOWK\ ZHLJKW IRU \HDUV WR FRPH

&DOO &ULVV\ :HOFK )13 %&

2WKHU :HLJKW /RVV 3URJUDPV $YDLODEOH

Community Life

13

Lasting effects

JHS graduate and former NJROTC Commanding Officer Collin Becker, now a student at the University of Texas at Austin with a “full-ride scholarship� from the Naval ROTC and a Texas Armed Services Scholarship, was home in Joshua over the holidays and stopped by for a visit with Davidson. Becker’s older brother Dylan was also a NJROTC cadet at Joshua. He graduated in May from the Naval Academy and is now a second lieutenant in the Marines. Collin Becker has committed to five years of service in the U.S. Navy and hopes to be a service warfare officer on a surface ship. He said his years in NJROTC helped create a solid foundation for the future, both as a member of the U.S. military and as a citizen of his country and his community. “Nobody who comes back here and puts in the effort will leave here without improving themselves,� Collin Becker said, “back here� referring to the NJROTC offices and classrooms behind the main JHS building. Joshua’s NJROTC program “really is a self-improvement engine,� Collin Becker continued. “You learn discipline, citizenship. If you are willing to put in the effort, you will walk away a better person than when you started.� Although he really wants to be on a surface ship rather than a submarine during his days in the Navy, Collin Becker said he considers all other op-

File photo

The Joshua High School Naval Jr. ROTC unit includes a color guard, as well as an armed drill team, an unarmed drill team , an academic team, a championship rifle team and more.

tions open. “I just want to do the job that is out there for me to do,� he said. That, Davidson said, is the perfect attitude to take. “He’s hit it spot-on,� Davidson said. “The thing is, the military is pretty darn good about putting a round peg in a round hole, and a square peg in a square hole. “We tell the kids all the time that the main thing is to serve. It’s not what you do, but that you do it,� Davidson said. “That’s what it’s all about —being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself.�

CLEBURNE

EYE

CLINIC

,Q $IĂ€OLDWLRQ ZLWK

3UHPLHU (\H &DUH <RX 'HVHUYH %ODGH )UHH $OO /DVHU /$6,. %ODGH )UHH &DWDUDFW 6XUJHU\ ZLWK /LIH6W\OH /HQVHV 5H6725Š 7HFQLVŠ $1' &U\VWDOHQVŠ &RPSUHKHQVLYH H\H H[DPV &DWDUDFW OHQVHV DQG JODVVHV *ODXFRPD 'LDJQRVLV DQG 0DQDJHPHQW 'LDEHWLF 5HWLQDO DQG +\SHUWHQVLRQ ([DP DQG 0DQDJHPHQW &RUQHDO 7UDQVSODQWV $VN DERXW RXU ÀQDQFLQJ XU ÀQD

+XUVW 1RUZRRG 'U 6XLWH + W 1 G ' 6 LW +XUVW 7; )W :RUWK /RFNH $YH 6XLWH )W :RUWK 7;

.DUO :HGHO 2' +HDWK %XOODUG 2' 7UDFL .X\NHQGDOO 2' &RU\ %URZQ 2' -RH 0DUWLQ 2'

&DOO WRGD\ WR VFKHGXOH DQ DSSRLQWPHQW 7HO &OHEXUQH (\H &OLQLF : +HQGHUVRQ 6W ZZZ JUHDWH\HGRFWRU FRP

3529,',1* &/(%851( $1' 6855281',1* &20081,7,(6 &203/(7( (<( &$5( 6,1&(

14

Community Life

NJROTC Rifle Teams aiming to win

T

he Joshua High School Naval Junior ROTC Rifle Team is already again this year one of the best teams in the country, both at the precision level and at the sporter level, JHS Naval Science Instructor Lt. Col. James Davidson said recently. This year, though, the Joshua cadets plan to be not just one of the best. They intend to be the best. On Feb. 1, Joshua NJROTC hosts the Area 10 Rifle Championship on the range at the JHS campus. Davidson said his precision and sporter teams are expected to take the top places in that competition, and if they place, they will advance to the Navy Nationals competition Feb. 12-16 in Anniston, Ala. Winning at the Navy Nationals would qualify the teams for the All Service National Championships on March 19-23 at Camp Perry, Ohio. The teams will also be competing in the Texas All Service Cup Match in San Antonio on Feb. 21-22, the TSRA Junior Olympics 3P match March 8 at JHS and the Civil Marksmanship Program (CMP) Championship on April 2-6 in Anniston (both teams qualified by winning last October at the Bordeon Cup Match in San Antonio). Davidson said the Joshua teams have come close to winning the big national matches in the past. But have been thwarted by fluke accidents. One year, the vehicle transporting part of the team to a match was involved in an accident and several shooters ended up in the emergency room. Another year, the team’s top shooter broke his arm in a fall at Anniston, just before the match started. This year, Davidson said he is praying his shooters stay healthy and uninjured. But he acknowledges that another circumstance out of his control could be a problem — finances. “The more successful the kids are, the more they cost,” Davidson said. He said the U.S. Navy used to reimburse the NJROTC programs for their expenses in attending meets. But since the government sequester last fall the teams have gotten no funds at all to

STORY BY Tammye Nash

Courtesy photo

The Joshua High School Naval Jr. ROTC Precision Rifle Team is one of the best in the country. Joshua will host the 2014 Area 10 Rifle Championship on Feb. 1. The precision and sporter teams hope to earn a spot at the Navy Nationals competition later in February and then to advance to the All Service National Championships in March.

cover their costs. Davidson said the Joshua NJROTC members knew that funds were short and have been holding fundraisers to try and fill the coffers. Still, the costs of attending meets is higher than the program’s bank balance. For that reason, he said, the rifle team has had to limit the number of meets it has been able to travel to for competition. And when they do travel, Davidson said, they have to cut costs wherever possible. For example, if the teams qualify as expected for the Navy Nationals next month, they will drive straight through from Joshua to Anniston instead of making it a two-day trip with a hotel stay. Once there, the cadets will stay in the Navy barracks, which will cost considerably less than paying to stay at a hotel. It’s an added stress, but Davidson believes his teams can handle it. “As long as we qualify and as long as the kids can stay healthy, I really think we could have that championship year,” he said. Rifle Precision Team Captain Tyler Lindsey and Sporter Team Captain Sheridan Beene both said their teams are ready to compete and ready to win. They, too, believe they can overcome the lack of finances, but they also said they would gladly accept any donations people in the community wanted to make to help pay their way. For information on donating to the Joshua NJROTC Rifle Teams to help cover the costs of traveling to competition, call 817-202-2500. The rifle team is divided into two categories — sporter and precision. Both teams use rifles powered by compressed air. Each shooter shoots three positions — prone (laying down), kneeling and standing. Targets are scored depending on how close each shot is to the bullseye, with the bullseye being 10, nontarget being 0. There are 10 targets per position for a possible total of 300 points. The bullseye is about the size of a sharpened pencil point. Community Life

15

tes ug i n g i e re cting b n r u Cleb ornils’ a Jay C

laza Theatre Co.’s recently wrapped production of “White Christmas” marked Cleburne resident Jay Cornils’ 40th play, most of those appearances at Plaza or The Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players. Cleburne, Cornils freely admits, has been good to him. It’s where he met his wife and revived his passion for acting, an interest he’d earlier placed on hold for what he refers to as his other life.

16

Community Life

Community Life

17

“That’s a good question, I don’t know where I ever got the bug to be quite frank,� Cornils said when asked how he became interested in acting. “Probably elementary school. Yeah, and middle school. I was in the drama club and had a knack for it, little bit of a ham perhaps. That’s where it starts.�

Born near Chicago, Cornils’ family moved to Colorado when he was about 6. Cornils played football in high school and “did some acting.� After graduation, he returned to his home state to attend Concordia University Chicago. “It’s not a school known for its theater program by any stretch of the imagination,� Cornils said. “I kinda put together my own speech and drama major along with English and education.� After college, Cornils briefly hired on as a director at Concordia’s sister college in St. Paul. “I really didn’t like directing,� Cornils said. “I did not like being the head of the program, and I was too young to be doing something like that.� Cornils moved back to Colorado, taking a job as an English teacher. During that time he also taught a few drama and speech classes. English soon gave way to athletics. Cornils began coaching volleyball and

went on to coach and officiate football, basketball and track. “Most of my teaching career in Colorado was based around athletics,� Cornils said. “From the classroom I became an athletic director and then became involved in leadership of the official’s association at the local and state and even national level.� Cornils’ love of acting lay mostly dormant during that time. “The only theater I did in those 31 years, we had ourselves a little Gilbert and Sullivan society in our school district,� Cornils said. “We did six shows and that was all the theater I did, and it kept the acting bug alive.� Cornils now calls his educaCourtesy photo tion and athletic career days a Jay Cornils presents a plaque of appreciation to a totally different life, “very much corporate sponsor during halftime of a football game in removed� from what he does Colorado’s Pueblo School District 60. Cornils worked in now. But, looking back, one education and athletics in Colorado for more than 30 parallel occurs to him. years before moving to Cleburne. “The difference between an athlete, actor, member of the band, there’s no difference,� Cornils said. “The kids do the exact same things. They work together. They compete. Actors compete when they audition with each other. “Just everything they do, goal setting, working together, spending time together doing something other than going and bumming around after school. You know, the kids I work with at Carnegie and Plaza, they’re committed. They work hard. If there’s any connection between my world today and then, it would be that.� Cornils said growing up he always assumed he would become a teacher, and he loved working with students but, after 31 years, it was time for a change. “If I had it to do over again I wouldn’t become a teacher in this day and age,� Cornils said. “Not because of my experience but because of what kids had to go through in this day

Cataract & Eye Center

presents

Cleburne Optical

12 1((' 72 '5,9( 72 7+( 0(7523/(;

6LQFH EULQJLQJ VPDOO LQFLVLRQ H\H VXUJHU\ WR &OHEXUQH 'U 6XUUDWW KDV SHUIRUPHG RYHU FDWDUDFW VXUJHULHV ORFDOO\ 6SHFLDOL]LQJ LQ 12 6WLWFK KH RIIHUV VWDQGD VXUJHU\ DW &/(%851( 685*,&$/ &(17(5 &/(%8551( 685*,&$/ &( 51( 685*,&$/ &(17 (17(5 12 6WLWFK KH RIIHUV VWDQGDUG RU PXOWLIRFDO OHQV LPSODQWV DQG SHUIRUPV RXW SDWLHQW VXUJHU\ DW

$&&(37,1* 1(: 3$7,(176 176 &RPSUHKHQVLYH (\H ([DPV &DWDUDFWV ,Q 2IILFH /DVHU 6XUJHU\ *ODXFRPD 'LDEHWHV 0DFXODU 'HJHQHUDWLRQ 2SWLFDO 'LVSHQVDU\ &RQWDFW /HQV )LWWLQJ

6WHYH * 6XUUDWW 0' 6W * 6 WW 0'

%RDUG &HUWLILHG (\H 3K\VLFLDQ DQG 6XUJHRQ

18

Community Life

12: $&&(37,1* 0267 9,6,21 3/$16 W :RRGDUG $YH ‡ ‡ ZZZ FOHEXUQHFDWDUDFW FRP

55REHUW 6DOGDQD 2' REEHUW 66DOGDQD DOG OGDQD 2' 7KHUDSHXWLF 2SWRPHWULVW

/DQFH 0LWFKHO 2' //DQFH /DQF DQFH 0 0LWWFKKHOO 2' 0L 7KHUDSHXWLF 2SWRPHWULVW

and age, and the politics of education is just, I would never do it again. “Plus, as time went on and I got into administration, I wasn’t even in the school anymore. I got further removed from the neat things in education, which are the kids and hopefully being a good quality teacher. I got out at a point where I was just glad to be getting away from that atmosphere.”

Cornils’ sister and her husband moved to Cleburne and, several years later, so did he. “Dad died in 1995,” Cornils said. “He was a prisoner of war in World War II and I still think he lost about 10 years of his life because of that.” Cornils moved his mother in with him but made the move to Cleburne in 2004 to allow his sister and her family to assist with her care. A visit to his sister two years before that once again kick started Cornils’ acting bug. “I saw my first Carnegie show,” Cornils said. “It was “Fiddler on the Roof.” Jay Lewis played Tevye just like

Photo by Matt Smith

Pictures on the wall of Jay Cornils’ study display advertisements for several of the many local plays Cornils starred in.

Community Life

19

Cornils as Harry Archer in Plaza Theatre Company’s 2009 production of “Kiss & Tell.” Cornils has starred in more than 40 plays staged in Cleburne and surrounding areas.

20

Community Life

Courtesy photo

he did again this last summer.” As he drove home to Colorado, Cornils considered his post-retirement options. “I was thinking of the quality of that [Carnegie] show,” Cornils said. “That it’d really be neat to be able to audition for a community theater. “But I also didn’t know how in the world my life would take such a dramatic turn that I would be in that situation.” Retirement, the loss of a friend to cancer and the care needs of his mother prompted Cornils to relocate to Cleburne two years later. He worked for a time at Office Max and continued to officiate football for a couple of years. About a year after moving to Cleburne Cornils landed a role in Carnegie’s production of “South Pacific” and later secured his first leading role in “The Foreigner,” also at Carnegie.

Carnegie gained competition in 2006 with the arrival of Plaza. “It was a shock to the Carnegie community at first,” Cornils said. “They weren’t sure exactly why another company would come to Cleburne. “But the Plaza people extended a hand and Carnegie met with them. And, obviously there’s still some people with hard feelings. For the most part though, those of us who have worked with both companies really enjoy it. “But yes, I’m shocked a town this size has full-time theater.” In the end, the two theaters compliment each other and the community, Cornils said. “By [Carnegie and Plaza] giving the community 14 shows a year, you don’t have to go to Bass Hall, don’t have to drive to Dallas,” Cornils said. “And both companies do really quality work.” Cornils, Plaza Artistic Director JaceSon Barrus said, plays a large role in the success of both theaters. “Jay’s always willing to do whatever it takes to make a show work,” Barrus said. “He’s a great ambassador for Cleburne theater for both companies. “He helped us greatly when we came to town having been around and having great access to other theater people in the area. When he’s working on a show or working with people just

Courtesy photo

Jay Cornils, left, in “Beauty And The Beast,” a Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players Production that staged in 2009. The show marked Carnegie’s last production staged at Cleburne High School. Also pictured is Cleburne actor Luke Hunt.

Community Life

21

getting into acting, he has a lot of experience and it shows.”

Cleburne brought Cornils back to the stage and changed his life in other ways. “It also brought me Corlis,” Cornils said. “She was in the audience the first time I did ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ We met after, hit it off and we got married a year later.” In addition to photographs, another of Cornils’ passions, several crosses hang on the walls of one corner in his house. One was a prop in a college play Cornils acted in, others gifts from friends and family or acquisitions made during his and Corlis’ travels. “The small one above is our wedding cross given to us by the pastor who married us,” Cornils said. The couple’s first meeting almost didn’t happen. “I didn’t really feel like going that night,” Corlis Cornils said. “But my mother wanted to see the show so I took her.” Corlis already knew several Carnegie people, because her daughter, Emily, participated in the theater during her elementary school days. Meeting Cornils brought new involvement and Corlis soon joined him on stage. “Mostly though I’m in the background,” Corlis Cornils said. “Working backstage, with props, in the sound booth, keeping the home fires going.” The couple wed in 2008 in a chapel in the Wisconsin woods. “We say we met during ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and enjoyed a wonderful life ever since,” Corlis Cornils said.

Overlaying Cornils’ education career in Colorado and acting career in Cleburne was his love of writing. Cornils has published two books, “The Cross of Lorraine” and “A Litany of Angels.” The first is about the French Resistance during World War II. A 1980s visit to a friend in France and a trip to a museum dedicated to the resistance prompted the idea. “Walking through that museum it 22

Community Life

Photo by Matt Smith

A collection of crosses in Jay Cornils’ Cleburne home includes a cross from a college play Cornils took part in, the cross used during he and his wife, Corlis Cornils’, wedding and crosses given to the couple as gifts or picked up during their travels.

Courtesy photo

Jay Cornils plays Capt. Keller with Stacy Cook as Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker,” staged by the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players who were then at their former home in the Layland Museum.

6HDWHG 0DUJDUHW +HFNOHU %UDQGL *UHHQH 6WDQGLQJ $QQ 0HOYH 5RELQ 6RWR %DUEDUD +LFNV

&OHEXUQH 2I¿ FH : +HQGHUVRQ 6W &OHEXUQH 7; 3KRQH ? )D[

&h>> t < E K& Dh^/ s Ed^

&526,(5 3($5621

&/(%851( )81(5$/ +20( &ĞĂƚƵƌŝŶŐ ŽǀĞƌ ϱϬϬ ĂǁĂƌĚͲǁŝŶŶŝŶŐ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚ ŵƵƐŝĐŝĂŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ Ăůů ŽǀĞƌ EŽƌƚŚ ŵĞƌŝĐĂ͕ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵŝŶŐ ƚŽŐĞƚŚĞƌ ŝŶ Ă ĨĞƐƟǀĂů ĐŚŽŝƌ͕ ƐLJŵƉŚŽŶŝĐ ďĂŶĚ ĂŶĚ ƐLJŵƉŚŽŶLJ ŽƌĐŚĞƐƚƌĂ͘ Showcase Concert, Scholarship Finalists Ͷ &ƌĞĞ ĂŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͊ tĞĚ͘ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϲ͕ ϳ͗ϯϬ Ɖŵ ͮ DĂďĞĞ ĞŶƚĞƌ͕ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĂŵƉƵƐ Festival Concert Ͷ &ƌĞĞ ĂŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͊ &ƌŝ͘ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϴ͕ ϴ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ͮ <ĞĞŶĞ ^ ŚƵƌĐŚ Festival Faculty Concert Ͷ &ƌĞĞ ĂŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͊ ^Ăƚ͘ DĂƌĐŚ Ϯϵ͕ ϳ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ͮ DĂďĞĞ ĞŶƚĞƌ͕ <ĞĞŶĞ ^ ŚƵƌĐŚ

E d, 'Z E &/E >

Meyerson

2IIHULQJ FRPSDVVLRQDWH VHUYLFH DQG DGYLFH GXULQJ WKH PRVW GLIß FXOW RI WLPHV Ý 'HGLFDWHG IXQHUDO GLUHFWRUV Ý 3UH DUUDQJHPHQWV Ý &RPSOHWH VHUYLFH Ý )LOLQJ RI LQVXUDQFH YHWHUDQV FODLPV

Ý %HDXWLIXO IDFLOLW\ ZLWK FRPIRUW Ý &RQYHQLHQW ORFDWLRQ ZLWK DPSOH SDUNLQJ Ý )DPLO\ 2ZQHG 2SHUDWHG

a night at the

^hE z͕ D Z , ϯϬ͕ ϳ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ DŽƌƚŽŶ ,͘ DĞLJĞƌƐŽŶ ^LJŵƉŚŽŶLJ ĞŶƚĞƌ ŝŶ ĂůůĂƐ dŝĐŬĞƚƐ Ăƚ ǁǁǁ͘ƐǁĂƵ͘ĞĚƵͬDĞLJĞƌƐŽŶ ďĞŐŝŶŶŝŶŐ ŽŶ &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ ϯ KƌĐŚĞƐƚƌĂͬK͘ dĞƌƌĂĐĞ͗ ΨϮϬ ;Ψϭϱ ƵŶƟů DĂƌĐŚ ϭͿ ͮ ƌĞƐƐ ŝƌĐůĞ͗ Ψϭϱ &Žƌ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ƚŚĞ KĸĐĞ ŽĨ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĚǀĂŶĐĞŵĞŶƚ Ăƚ ;ϴϭϳͿ ϮϬϮͲϲϲϮϴ

1 5LGJHZD\ &OHEXUQH ZZZ FSFOHEXUQH FRP Community Life

23

Courtesy photo

Jay Cornils, right, as Judge Harry Wilkins, in this year’s Plaza Theatre Company production of “Dear Ruth.” Also pictured is fellow actor Jonathan Netting.

struck me that, you know, I don’t know anything about this,” Cornils said. “You watch ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ growing up and they always talked about the resistance, but other than that it was just a silly show. But, walking through the museum, you see pictures of these people, the forged papers and the guns and for some reason it became very personal to me. “Oh, and that was the summer Klaus Barbie was on trial in France. So that was the big news when I got to France along with the French Open.” Cornils already had several characters in mind for a short story he wanted to write and thought he would toss them into France and begin writing. “And I quickly discovered not only do I know nothing about the resistance,” Cornils said. “I also did not really have a good idea of what World War II was about. “You know, I’m a boomer. So I kind of put writing on the back 24

Community Life

burner for over a year and tried to immerse myself into everything World War II.” That meant trips to bookstores, libraries and video stores in those pre-Internet days. “And then the fun of creating characters,” Cornils said. “What historical characters did I want my characters to meet? What characters would I put into similar situations that historical characters went through? “Back in those days I wrote the whole novel on my Apple 2E with floppy disks. At the end I had 14 floppy disks.” Cornils began the book in 1987, finished the first draft in 1991 and it was published in 2002. “Almost 15 years exactly after the trip to Europe I got my first copy from the publisher,” Cornils said. “A Litany of Angels,” which involves Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years War, was a quicker endeavor. Also published in 2002, Cornils said he “basically wrote it” in 2001. Since then Cornils has not written anything, save a couple of adaptations for drama and reworking “A Litany of Angels” into play form for a production company that, unfortunately, ran out of money. “I don’t know,” Cornils said, followed by a long pause, when asked if he plans to write another book. “I don’t have a story. There’s a location where I would like to set a novel, but I don’t have a story to put there yet. “That’s Monument Valley. I’ve been there a couple of times and it just feels so, it’s spiritual. The Native Americans treated it like holy land and I understand why. I can feel that, but I don’t know what story to put there.” Although future writing endeavors remain to be determined, Cornils said he’s content to focus on acting for now, both excited that a city the size of Cleburne supports two vibrant theater companies and eager to play a role in the futures of both.

Using Facebook to benefit your business

I

f you own a small business, you might serve anywhere from 500 to 1,000 customers a day. Imagine reaching 1 billion people daily. That is how many users are on Facebook. Do you have a Facebook page for your business? If not, you’re missing out on a huge potential audience. Our Cleburne Times-Review Facebook page has more than 10,000 followers, including many who interact when we post. Creating a Facebook page for your business is both easy and beneficial. The No. 1 benefit is that it is free. Free advertisement, you can’t pass that up. You can create one from your login and add employees to administrate the page from their logins. However, your personal information never appears on the page. Creating a page To create a page, visit www.facebook. com/pages/create. You are given several options for the category of the page. If you would like to include your store’s address on the page, choose local business or place. Otherwise choose company, organization or institution. Fill out the basic informa-

By Monica Faram Technology

tion asked for and click “Get Started.” The next step is to upload a profile photo and fill out the “about” section on your page. Ideally, the profile photo should be your company logo. The dimensions of the picture are 180 pixels by 180 pixels. It will appear smaller on your page. The about information is two to three sentences describing your business. It appears on the main page when people visit it so it should be short but informative. A good rule of thumb is also to include your website link. Once your page is created, you control the page from the admin panel. There you can update information and manage roles of page administrators.

One of the most important things is to create a custom URL. You do that by clicking edit page and update public info. Under basic information, choose change username. Once you have 25 fans, you can create a simple link that is easy to advertise. For example, our link is www.facebook. com/ctrnews. Creating content So, you have a Facebook page. Now what? That depends on your business. It is important to post daily or a few times a day to keep your fans interacting with the page. Write posts that encourage them to comment and participate in discussions on your page. The more active users are on your page, the more of your posts will appear in their news feed. Post pictures, website links, questions, anything that will cause someone to click on your page and leave their thoughts. If you click the star on the upper right of any post, it will highlight the post and spread it all the way across your page, making it stand out to those who view your page. Be careful not to post too many posts every day or you might turn off fans when you flood their news feeds. A good rule of thumb is three posts a day — a status, a link and a photo. The posts should be spread out throughout the day. Suggested times are 6-8 a.m., when people are on before work; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., during their lunch time; and 6-9 p.m., when people are home from work and online before bed. Posting during those times will maximize the amount of views and increase the chances of interaction.

Community Life

25

Visit Our Website at www.burlesonareachamber.com Advertise your business in our newsletter contact: Cleburne Times-Review 817-645-2441

What Can The Chamber Do For You?

FRIDAY 1/31 At Victory Family Church (455 NW John Jones Dr, Burleson)

POWER OF HEELS LUNCHEON SPEED NETWORKING (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121. Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members Exhibition Tables & Sponsorships Available – Contact the Chamber

FRIDAY 2/7 At Honda of Burleson

LUNCH & LEARN (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to Tami at Couch & Russell 817-295-2236. Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY COUCH & RUSSELL FINANCIAL GROUP

TUESDAY 2/11 Location TBA

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS NETWORKING (5:30-7:00pm) Free to BACC Members Co-Sponsorships Available – Contact the Chamber

FRIDAY 2/14 At Lost Oak Winery

THIRSTY FOR BUSINESS (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP online at lostoakwinery.com/calendar; Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members SERIES SPONSORED BY CHARTER BUSINESS & LOST OAK WINERY

THURSDAY 2/20 At First United Methodist Church a e r A merc e

eson Burlr of Com e amb

CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCH HONORING RECIPIENTS OF THE CHAMBER LEGACY AWARDS FOR SERVICE, ATHENA WOMAN OF THE YEAR AND STAR SMALL BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121. Cost: $20 BACC Members; $25 Non-Members Reserved Seating Available, contact the Chamber for details. TITLE SPONSOR: COUCH & RUSSELL FINANCIAL GROUP STAR AWARD SPONSOR: CHARTER BUSINESS ATHENA AWARD SPONSOR: TEXAS HEALTH HUGULEY HOSPITAL

TUESDAY 3/11 At Community Bank

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS NETWORKING (5:30-7:00pm) Free to BACC Members SPONSORED BY COMMUNITY BANK & MEALS ON WHEELS OF JOHNSON & ELLIS CO.

FRIDAY 3/28 Location TBA

POWER OF HEELS LUNCHEON (11:30am-1:00pm) RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121. Cost: $15 BACC Members; $20 Non-Members EXHIBITION TABLES & SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE – CONTACT THE CHAMBER

THURSDAY 4/10 At St. Matthew Cumberland Presb. Church

BACC QUARTERLY MEETING – STATE OF THE STATE (11:30am-1:00pm) Keynote Speaker: Representative Rob Orr and Senator Brian Birdwell, Texas Legislature RSVP to the Chamber at 817-295-6121. Cost: $20 BACC Members; $25 Non-Members Reserved Seating Available, contact the Chamber for details. TITLE SPONSOR: TEXAS HEALTH HUGULEY HOSPITAL AFFILIATE SPONSORS: ATMOS ENERGY & STAR BANK OF TEXAS

BURLESON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS / WEDNESDAYS / 7:30-9am at Holiday Inn Express in Burleson 13250 Jake Court, Burleson, TX 76028 Contact: Ruth Moor 817-447-3476 BURLESON MAKING IT HAPPEN NETWORK CONNECTION / THURSDAYS / 11:30-1PM AT SAMMY’S 225 Exchange St., Suite A, Burleson 76028 Contact: Neal Jones 817-343-2589 BURLESON BUSINESS BUILDERS / FRIDAYS / 8:30-9:30AM AT FRESCO’S 112 S. Main St., Burleson 76028 Contact: Linda Molina 817-447-7371

Ch

hire Wil7s6028 . S.W X 104r4leson, T .com Bu ber 21 m a h c a 61 onaree: 817-29955--6192 s e l r 2 n .bu Phoax: 817www F

The Mission of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate for business members and the community by giving support, encouragement and promotion of local businesses through various avenues of networking to share ideas, grow business and help each other succeed.

Contact Us at 817-295-6121

w

President

sherris@burleson.org

SAVE

ELLEN LARIMORE Director of Community Outreach

elarimore@burleson.org

THE

w

SHERRI SECHRIST

DATE

1 2 2014 Power of Heels

Specializing in Orthodontics for Adults & Children

Sheila T. Birth, D.D.S., M.S.

Diplomate American Board of Orthodontists

Charles Stewart, D.D.S.

Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

817-546-0770 109 W. Renfro, Burleson TX

Schedule of events

We’re Happy to Be YOUR HOME TEAM BANK

March 28 Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. May 30 Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

817-447-3065 308 East Renfro Street, Suite 100 Burleson, Texas 76028 www.anbtx.com

July 25 Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. September 26 Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Fresh Food - Best Margaritas!

November 15 ~ Holiday Bazaar

w

Speakers, topics & other details to be announced

w

Chamber Annual Awards Lunch

Open Tuesday - Sunday Closed Monday 817-426-9990 112 S. Main St. Old Town Burleson, TX

11:30AM, Thursday, February 20 First United Methodist Church, Burleson Contact the Chamber to RSVP

STAR Small Business of the Year Awards Sponsored By:

Title Sponsor:

LEGACY Chamber & Community Service Awards

ATHENA Woman of the Year Sponsored By:

(817) 386-8170 1024 S.W. Alsbury, Burleson, TX 76028 (817) 558-0226 827 North Main, Cleburne, TX

Three

Decades

of ministry

28

Community Life

Burleson’s Karl Jones reaches monumental year with congregation

T

STORY AND PHOTOS BY Monica Faram

his year Karl Jones celebrates 30 years as pulpit minister at Burleson Church of Christ. There’s a reason he’s been at one congregation for so long. Like most ministers, Jones goes above and beyond serving the role of his title. He can be seen serving communion

on Sunday, visiting an elderly shutin, dressing up in crazy costumes for Vacation Bible School or building a church in Mexico. The last is a huge part of his life. Since his arrival in Burleson in 1984, Jones has traveled to Mexico 71 times on mission trips.

Community Life

29

Photo by Monica Faram

Pulpit Minister Karl Jones preached his first sermon at Burleson Church of Christ in September 1984. In June 2012, he preached his first sermon in the congregation’s new building at 1150 N.W. John Jones Drive.

From farming to preaching Jones grew up on the south side of Dallas on a farm. “It was a very neat experience because it was in the city limits of Dallas but we were on a farm and all around us was farm land,” he said. The farm belonged to his grandfather who moved there about 1915 after getting married. “My grandad was a very significant influence on my life,” Jones said. “I loved being with him. Of course he was a hardworking, old farmer, a plain simple guy who didn’t make a fuss about anything. “Whatever he was doing I wanted to be right there with him. I think from him I 30

Community Life

learned or absorbed maybe the hard work ethic. He was something of a perfectionist, which I tend to be myself. If you’re going to do something, you do it right. You do the very best that you can and do something that you can be proud of. “A lot of that, I realize, is part of the fiber of who I am. That work ethic and not cutting corners. It’s not about trying to impress anybody. It’s just be who you are, be content with who you are and do the best you can with what you have.” Jones felt so close to his grandfather that he always thought he’d grow up to be a farmer himself. That is, until he was asked to give his first sermon. At age 15 he was asked by an elder at his

church to give a sermon with several other teenagers. He asked his principal at Dallas Christian for advice on what to talk about. “I was terrified in anticipation of getting up to talk,” Jones said. “But people were so complimentary and encouraging. It was a very satisfying feeling. “It wasn’t long before they said, ‘Why don’t you do that again?’ and I said, ‘Sure, I can do that.’ I just kind of gradually began to realize this is what I want to do. “It seemed to come naturally to me. The little church we were going to the people were so positive, so affirming. The lessons may have been OK but there was no way they were great but they made me feel like they were.” By the time Jones graduated from high

school, he knew preaching was the career path he would take. He attended Lubbock Christian University and received a degree in Bible. While in college he was practicing, whether it was teaching a Sunday morning high school class or preaching to a congregation. He also met his wife, Jayne, at LCU. She was also a Bible major and was, Jones said, very ministry-oriented. “There’s no way that I could ever have been as successful in what I do without her,â€? he said. “She has enabled me. Wherever I’ve needed to go, whatever I’ve needed to do, she never complained.â€? After Jones graduated in 1978, they moved to Davis, Okla., where he undertook his first preaching job at East Main Church of Christ. “That was a wonderful place to begin,â€? he said. “People were so encouraging and affirming. I think the fact that we were young and in love kind of emanated positive feelings. “I know the first year or two, the sermons were probably not great, because I remember them. Preaching every Sunday, morning and night, and Wednesday night, there’s a learning curve on that. Those folks were patient, they were kind, they were affirming.â€? In 1981, he started working towards a master’s degree in Bible, which helped teach him how to preach and minister better, he said. Beginning a legacy Troy Burnett was an elder at BCOC when a young Jones turned in his rĂŠsumĂŠ for the

pulpit minister position. “We had absolutely no intentions of hiring a 28-year-old for a congregation this size but he was the cream that rose to the top,� Burnett said. “Not many people can come and stay for 30 years but he can actually stay longer.� The choice to hire Jones proved a successful one as he enters his 30th year with the congregation. “He’s a unique individual,� Burnett said. “He’s probably my best friend. I think of him sometimes as my best friend, sometimes as my son, sometimes as my brother. We’ve been down the road a lot. He’s exactly what you see. That’s him. When you meet him, that’s him. There’s no pretending about him.� T.F. Cheshier has been a member of BCOC since Jones’ arrival. “I think one of the best qualities of Karl is that he is a people person and wants to know people,� Cheshier said. “That’s why people like him so. He’s not just a pulpit minister. He’s an all-around person. He’s with the sick, anyone in need, he’s there to help them in any way.� Since Jones stepped in as minister, the congregation has doubled in size and built a new building from the ground up. “That is due to the team effort,� Jones said. “I’m convinced church growth is a result of having the right number of the right people in the right places, everybody doing good things together.� One of the memories that sticks in his mind is a fundraiser the elders conducted in

1992 to pay off the mortgage on the church building they were in at the time. “The elders decided to have a drive to raise $200,000 to pay off our mortgage,� he said. “In the early ’90s that was a very significant challenge. We were successful and then they took the mortgage payment and applied all of that to missions and benevolence.� The congregation held a groundbreaking for their new building in 2011 and moved in a year later, holding the first service on June 3, 2012, with a record-breaking attendance of 1,408. “Being here, this positions us to continue growing for many years to come,� he said. A Phase 2 is planned for a Family Life Center sometime in the future. Missions to Mexico One of the biggest aspects of Jones’ life and career has been missions. Since he arrived in Burleson he has taken 71 mission trips to Mexico. But he almost missed out when he was tempted to pass the opportunity on to someone else. Shortly after arriving in Burleson, some of the church leaders were planning a trip to Mexico to visit one of the missionaries they supported. One of the elders said he wanted the new preacher to go. “I really didn’t want to go because it was out of my comfort zone,� he said. “I didn’t know any Spanish. I had heard a lot of scary stories.� He did go, however, in December 1984,

:KHUH 5HOLDELOLW\ 0HHWV $Ó˝ RUGDELOLW\

:H $OZD\V +DYH $Q ([FHOOHQW 6HOHFWLRQ 2I &OHDQ /DWH 0RGHO 9HKLFOHV

2WKHU 6HUYLFHV $YDLODEOH

7XQH XSV ‡ 5HSODFLQJ +RVHV %HOWV )LOWHUV %DWWHULHV ‡ (PLVVLRQ 6\VWHP 5HSDLUV IRU 6WDWH ,QVSHFWLRQV ‡ :KHHO $OLJQPHQWV ‡ $LU &RQGLWLRQLQJ ‡ %UDNHV ‡ )XHO 6\VWHPV ‡ (QJLQH 7UDQVPLVVLRQ 2YHUKDXOV ‡ 6XVSHQVLRQ 6WUXWV 6KRFNV

1 0DLQ &OHEXUQH 7; 3KRQH ZZZ MHÓ˝ HQJODQG QHW

Community Life

31

Karl and Jayne Jones met at Lubbock Christian University where they were both Bible majors. Courtesy photos

to Leon, Guanajuato, and had a wonderful experience, he said. The second trip, in 1987, proved much easier as he knew what to expect. “I remember doing kind of a self crash course on Spanish, learning a few words, greetings and things like that,” he said. “I remember being impressed with just a few words it was kind of like it opened the door. People would interact much more.” Somewhere along the way Jones began picking up more Spanish and now is quite fluent. He even preaches in Spanish during his visits. Jones has baptized many people during his trips to Mexico, but one in particular stuck in his mind — the father-in-law of the preacher at one of the churches he visited — because he reminded him of someone else. “We really bonded,” he said. “Part of the reason is because he reminds me of my grandad that was such an influence on my life. They were about the same stature, same size, very physically strong individuals. “We encouraged him to be baptized and then he wanted to. That’s just such a unique and wonderful experience and I’m very thankful for that. “I would have missed that if I had said, ‘I don’t want to go.’” Burnett, who has traveled with Jones on most of his trips to Mexico, remembers the man as well. “He was the father-in-law of the preach32

Community Life

er but he wasn’t a Christian,” he said. “[The church members] looked up to him. They were intimidated by him and couldn’t really talk to him about his salvation but we could. “Karl did in the best Spanish he could and told him that he didn’t want to go to heaven and him not be there. One day he decided he wanted to be baptized.” In 1989, the church began expanding their missions. At the height they supported nine different missionaries in seven different places. Trips have been made to most of them. One of the ones he is most thrilled about is a preaching training school in Torreon, Jones said. The school trains preachers and church leaders. The trips have ranged from small to large groups over the years, with projects ranging

from passing out flyers for a church meeting to building churches. A youth group trip scheduled in 2009 was cancelled when the violence broke out in Mexico and there hasn’t been another large group trip since. Jones’ last trip to Mexico was in 2012. Last year was the first year since 1987 he did not take a trip to Mexico, but he said he hopes to return in the future. “Part of it is the violence,” he said, “but in all honesty the church is bigger here, there’s more going on, it’s harder to get away to make those trips.” A little family time Outside of the church, Jones spends time with his four children and several grandchil-

dren. Kella, the oldest lives in Phoenix, Ariz., while Dayna and her husband and three children live in Edmond, Okla. The Jones also have two adopted children, Lindsay and Alex, who both live in Burleson. “Before we got married we thought [adopting] would be kind of a neat thing to do if opportunity allowed,� Jones said. “We’d always thought it’d be kind of neat to have our own children and then later on to help give a good home to somebody that needed one.� After the arrival of their first two children, the thought resurfaced. Finances and other things worked out and the Jones adopted Lindsay and Alex through Christian Homes of Abilene. “Beforehand we always wondered, ‘Would you feel different between adopted and your natural kids?’� Jones said. “There was never any difference at all. They were as much ours.� All four children attended Burleson schools and graduated from Burleson High School. Jones’ other hobbies include gardening and traveling for hiking trips with his wife. They enjoy visiting all the national parks. As for the future, Jones said he likes to live “one day at a time.� “I am incredibly blessed,� he said. “To have a really good marriage and home is a wonderful blessing. To have been at one church for 30 years and still be happy is rare.�

Photo by Monica Faram

Karl Jones spends Sunday and Wednesday behind the pulpit but the rest of the week he works with his congregation in other ways.

Cataracts? Insist on Berry Eye Center

„ The Premiere Eye Center in Burleson and the surrounding area „ No stitch, no pain, quick recovery „ Offering astigmatism-correcting and bifocal lens implants

%HUU\ (\H &HQWHU 2790 S.W. Wilshire Boulevard In the Texas Health Medical complex

www.berryeyecenter.com

Nathan Berry, MD

Adam Stewart, MD

Community Life

33

Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

2014 Calendar of Events JANUARY 30

Chamber Annual Banquet

1--28

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “The King and I”

1--8 7--23 14--30 26

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “The King and I” Carnegie Players Presents “The Fantasticks” Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Kiss Me, Kate” Chamber Quarterly Luncheon

JULY 4 3--19 4--13 26

FEBRUARY MARCH

AUGUST 9 15--30 27

3--12 12 14 14--18 18--20 18--26 26 26 29

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Kiss Me, Kate” General Pat Cleburne Birthday Celebration Johnson County Annual Iris Show Community Holy Week Services Antique Alley & Yard Sale Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Enchanted April” “Cowboys for Kids” PBR Bull Riding & Celebrity Team Roping Springfest Brazos Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert

1--10 9 16--31

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Enchanted April” Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Camelot”

5--14 11--14 14 20--28 27--29

4--13 19--27 12--28 19--21

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Father of the Bride” Carnegie Players Presents “Pump Boys and Dinettes” Antique Alley & Yard Sale

OCTOBER 2--11 4 17--30 TBA

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Father of the Bride” Chamber Business Expo Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Little Shop of Horrors” Brazos Chamber Orchestra Fall Concert

1--15 21--22 21--29 24

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Little Shop of Horrors” Pioneer Days Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “A Christmas Carol” Whistle Stop Christmas Lighting

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JUNE

Chamber Night Golf Tournament Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” Chamber Quarterly Luncheon

SEPTEMBER

APRIL

MAY

4th of July Celebration/ Fireworks Display Plaza Theatre Co.Presents”Steel Magnolias” Carnegie Players Presents “Titanic, The Musical” Goatneck Bike Ride

1--31 5--23 5 5 5--14 TBA

Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Camelot” Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo Johnson County Daylily Show Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “Steel Magnolias” Carnegie Players Presents “Titanic, The Musical””

Whistle Stop Christmas Lights in the Park Plaza Theatre Co. Presents “A Christmas Carol” Christmas Parade Whistle Stop Christmas in the Park Carnegie Players Presents “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” Brazos Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert

James Hardie. The Making of a Dream Home.

-DPHV+DUGLH A Great Place To Work. www.jameshardie.com

34

Community Life

April 12

th

May

General Pat Cleburne Birthday Celebration Taking place at Byron Stewart Park off U.S. 67 on the west side of town the last part of March or the first week in April, this event helps celebrate the birthday of General Pat Cleburne for whom the town was named. Festivities include music, food and beverage vendors, a classic tractor show, performances by western re-enactors, a replica Confederate army encampment with cannons firing periodically and much more. Contact 817645-2455 for exact dates or visit www.cleburnechamber.com.

The 15th annual golf tournament held at the Cleburne Golf Links

Summer

 July Summer Concert Series in Market Square Dates and performers to be announced. Under the stars of Cleburne’s downtown town in Market Square. Music venue, family friendly in a relaxed atmosphere.

4th of July Extravaganza The event includes a patriotic parade and a fabulous evening fireworks display, all taking place at Lake Pat Cleburne. Call 817-645-2455 for more information.

 December

 October Business Expo 16th annual chamber event that gives businesses the opportunity to showcase their goods and services in a booth display. The publicized event invites people from Cleburne and neighboring cities and counties to see what Cleburne businesses have to offer. More than 2,000 to 3,000 people are in attendance. This event is held at the Cleburne Conference Center.

Whistle Stop Christmas Annual event celebrating Christmas time in Cleburne. Hulen Park is magically transformed into a winter wonderland with over 3 and a half million Christmas lights and beautiful lighted holiday displays throughout the 9 acre park. Lights can be viewed every evening from Thanksgiving until the end of December. Along with the lights there is the annual Christmas parade and Candlewalk Tour of Homes, featuring several of the historic homes in downtown Cleburne. For more information call 817-645-2455, or visit www.whistlestopchristmas.com.

E9JK@9DD QGMF? AFKMJ9F;= 9MLG DA>= @GE= @=9DL@ ;GEE=J;A9D =IMAF= DAN=KLG;C >9JE J9F;@

:H 5HDOO\ $UH

³+HUH :KHQ <RX 1HHG 8V ´ ,QFOXGLQJ (YHQLQJV :HHNHQGV

&OHEXUQH +RXUV 0 7K )UL ‡ 6DW ‡ 6XQ -RVKXD +RXUV 0 7K ‡ )UL

1 5LGJHZD\ ‡ &OHEXUQH 7; ZZZ FOHEXUQHIPD FRP

6 : :LOVKLUH %OYG ‡ -RVKXD 7; ZZZ MRVKXDIPD FRP

7KRVH KDUG WR Ă&#x; QG YHKLFOHV DUHQĂ–W VR KDUG WR Ă&#x; QG DQ\PRUH 4XDOLW\ &DUV 7UXFNV Ă? )LQDQFLQJ $YDLODEOH 2 1EMR 7 1EMR

2QH VWRS VKRSSLQJ IRU \RXU .,7&+(1 RU %$7+ 352-(&7 1 1RODQ 5LYHU 5G 6XLWH ) ZZZ WKHFDELQHWU\W[ FRP

LYdc lg gf] g^ gmj Y_]flk lg\Yq 1*0&/-*&+.,0 *-0) P' A^g]^klhg% <e^[nkg^ MQ ppp'fZklaZeerhng`'\hf

Community Life

35

Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

Cleburne prepares for Chisholm Trail Parkway By Matt Smith

M

uch has been done and much remains to be done, but city officials believe Cleburne is prepared for the upcoming opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway, a toll road linking Fort Worth and Cleburne. “Late spring is still the target opening date,� said Jerry Cash, executive vice president of the Cleburne Economic Develop-

&RPSOHWH ([DP ; 5D\V 5HJXODU

´12 ,1685$1&( 12 352%/(0 ´ 23(1 )5,'$<6

6 2OG %HWV\ 5G .HHQH 7;

36

Community Life

ment Foundation. “We began positioning the city for its arrival around December 2012 with the creation of the TIF district to help fund water, sewer, streets and other infrastructure for the area where the highway’s coming in. Then things like the overlay district in that area to help control development coming in and the comprehensive plan for the entire city. Part of that also includes the city’s plan to hire a person to recruit retail development.â€? “And interest continues to grow in the area where [the toll road] is ;kZ]e^r EZp ?bkf ikhob]^l Z _nee kZg`^ h_ e^`Ze k^ik^l^gmZmbhg3 K^Ze >lmZm^ Hbe Zg] @Zl <bobe Ebmb`Zmbhg coming in. We’ve had three or four large tract developers looking at 100 Hnk Ă› kf Zelh ikhob]^l i^klhgZe e^`Ze k^ik^l^gmZmbhg bg fZgr Zk^Zl to 300 acre parcels between here and the Tarrant County line.â€? bg\en]bg` Pbeel% Mknlm% Ikh[Zm^ Zg] ?Zfber EZp' Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain agrees that the city comprehensive plan, steps to renovate downtown and last year’s voter approved changes to )+ =& @]f\]jkgf Klj]]l$ ;d]Zmjf]$ LP /.(+) ' 0)/%.,-%+11+ ' af^g8ZjY\d]qdYoq]jk&[ge

0$5*$5(7 +(&./(5 6U 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW %UDQFK 0JU

%5$1', *5((1( %XVLQHVV 'HYHORSPHQW

> /LUKLYZVU :[ *SLI\YUL ;? 6MMPJL! ‹ -H_!

WE GET DIRTY, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO

:LOOLDPV $YHQXH &OHEXUQH 7;

0DWV a /LQHQV a 0RS 5HQWDOV

the city charter have helped prepare Cleburne for the growth and development city and county officials predict to follow the Chisholm Trail Parkway’s arrival. “We still have a lot of work to do,” Cain said. “But in the last year and a half or so we’ve undertaken steps to put us well on our way. “The important thing is to stick to the plan. If we’re going to succeed our community is going to have to prepare to invest in our schools and infrastructure to attract growth. People will come here no so much on what we are

right now, but based on where we’re going. Rooftops follow schools and retail follows rooftops. The key is to emphasize all those aspects in addition to industrial growth and growth and improvement to all areas of the city.”

OPENING SOON

New development is already underway, Cash said. Holt Caterpillar recently purchased about 20 acres in Cleburne’s Industrial Park area and, after remodeling and renovating a building on the site, plans to open in April. “They anticipate about $30 million annually in sales of new and used equipment and services,” Cash said. The company plans to hire about 41 employees the first year and about eight the year after, Cash said. Construction of the Kris Brown Chevrolet/Buick/GMC dealership is underway with the facility scheduled to open in April or May. They plan to hire about 60 employees, Cash said. Other projects, including construction of the new H-E-B grocery store, are underway or soon to begin. Elsewhere Cleburne appears to be on the rebound, Cash said. Sales tax revenues have improved in recent months as have hotel/motel tax receipts, trends Cash credits to an improving economy. The latest numbers show unemployment rates at 5.3 percent for both Cleburne and Johnson County, a slight improvement over the previous month’s numbers of 5.5 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. Community Life

37

2

Community Life

CSI: CLEBURNE In-house investigation team gives Cleburne Police Department an edge in solving crimes

C

STORY AND PHOTOS BY Matt Smith

rime scene investigation is not like on TV, but it certainly has moments, Cleburne Police Department Crime Scene and Property Manager Sam Thomas said. Thomas can’t help but chuckle recalling a burglar who broke into a pawn shop through the roof late one night. While dropping from the ceiling to the floor, the bungling burglar’s cellphone slipped loose. In a twist tailor fashioned for an episode of “America’s Dumbest Criminals” the robber also, apparently when he pulled a pair of wire cutters from his pocket, dropped his driver’s license on

the floor. It gets better. Later the same day, the guy, no doubt a card carrying Mensa International member, texted his gone astray phone requesting anyone finding it to contact him so he could retrieve it. Cleburne police were more than willing to reunite the man with his phone and equally happy to arrest him. “I wish it were like that more often,” Thomas said. “But even when it’s that easy our job is to make sure we follow up with everything, collect any prints and evidence and go through the steps.” Community Life

39

Preacher to seeker Born in East Texas near Palestine, Thomas, the son of a pastor, said he spent his childhood traveling across the state, including early visits to the area he now works and calls home. “Because of Keene we’d come up here a lot as far as the Adventists,” Thomas said. “Most of my childhood I was in and around the Austin area though.” Thomas followed in his father’s footsteps, earning a degree in theology and, for a time, serving as a pastor in Tennessee. A divorce prompted a move. Thomas settled in Keene in 1988 and was hired at the police department as a dispatcher and an animal control officer. He later became a reserve police officer. Relocating to Austin, he attended the Travis County Sheriff’s Office Academy and became a police officer in Cedar Park.

He moved back to the Johnson County area in 2002 and got a job with CPD dispatch, hoping eventually to land a job as a police officer. “Dispatch is probably the hardest job I’ve worked; it’s very stressful,” Thomas said. “The people that call are usually in the worst situation they’ve ever been in, or they’re very angry. Officers, you know, are wanting all the information right now and you don’t always have it. “There’s stress in every job at the police department, but dispatch is not one I’d want to go back to.” He faces stress of a different kind now considering his current job often brings him face to face with dead bodies and requires he remain on call 24 hours a day. Thomas even spent part of Christmas Eve working a burglary scene. It comes down to maintaining compassion, he said, but realizing the need to put that

aside to do the job at hand. “I was, lucky’s not the right way to put it. The first murder scene I worked, I don’t want to play it off as something that wasn’t horrific, it was,” Thomas said. “From previous experience I had seen so many fatality accidents, death investigations, suicides. I’d seen bodies that were dead for several days so, by the time I worked my first murder scene, it wasn’t something as shocking as it might have been otherwise.” Career detours Although he joined CPD hoping to become an officer, Thomas said he became interested in crime scene when he learned that Curtis Jones, who now works in the city’s code enforcement department, announced his intentions to move on. Then-Cleburne Police Chief Terry Powell encouraged Thomas’ inter-

Photo by Matt Smith

Cleburne Police Department Crime Scene and Property Manager Sam Thomas cuts into one of several guns confiscated by the department and tagged for destruction.

40

Community Life

Photo by Matt Smith

Fingerprinting, be it for job applicants or suspects, is one of the many duties carried out by members of the Cleburne Police Department’s Crime Scene Department.

est. “It wasn’t a shoe in,” Thomas said. “I had to apply with several other people but I think having a bachelor’s degree and having been a police officer before that maybe helped, and I started in late 2006.” Initially, Thomas oversaw the crime scene and property departments solo. “Which, as Curtis can attest, is really difficult,” Thomas said. “Trying to handle everything is difficult for one person because you’re not only working crime scenes and handling property coming in from 50 something officers and all the detectives, you’ve also got the county and district attorneys calling for videos and stuff for trials and to review evidence, and I have to testify at trials about what happened at the crime scene and chain of custody of evidence. So it was pulling me every direction. Finally [Powell] was able to convince the city council to give me

someone else.” Kim Burris, who worked in CPD records before moving to crime and property, said she never envisioned such a career path. “Absolutely not,” Burris said. “Growing up, even right through high school, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian.” Burris, who transferred over to help get a handle on the department’s backlogged property room, jokes that she inadvertently landed in a crime scene. “There was a fire fatality and I asked [former CPD Deputy Chief Tony Vidaurri] if I could go with Sam to observe what he did,” Burris said. “And, at the scene, Chief Powell introduced me to the firefighters as the crime scene tech. So, I showed interest and wound up here.” The pair’s duties range from the mundane — fingerprinting residents for jobs and other requirements — to maintaining CPD’s property rooms to responding

to scenes. “Our main job is to process crime scenes whether it’s a burglary, murder, robbery, death or murder,” Thomas said. “We go and process the scene for evidence looking for fingerprints, try to recover any possible DNA, and sometimes just looking for stuff that they left behind.” Thomas and Burris are civilian employees of the department. They don’t make arrests or get to drive the police cars with the sirens blaring. “It would be fun,” Thomas said. “But, no, they don’t let us do that.” Thomas said the officers, as far as he knows, seem glad to have him and Burris around. “They like it when we come to the scene and work it with the [fingerprint] dust and they don’t have to,” Thomas said. “That stuff can get where you’re sneezing dust and cleaning it out of your Community Life

41

ears. “[Officers] will do that sometime, and they do well at it, if it’s a small scene that’s contained and they can determine, ‘OK, I can throw some dust here and look for prints but pretty much there’s nowhere else that’s going to be fingerprints.’ But if it’s a big scene we don’t want to take them off the street for any extended period of time, we’ll respond.” Other scenes can be quite grisly. Murders are, fortunately, rare in Cleburne. Thomas’ first murder-scene investigation occurred Dec. 27, 2012, when police discovered a Mesquite man shot to death in a downtown Cleburne building. The trial of his alleged killer, James Anthony Sample, is scheduled for later this year. Nonetheless, Thomas said he and/ or Burris respond to seven to 10 death investigations each year, which include suicides, traffic accidents and found bodies. “When I’m working a scene like that I try not to think about the person from the perspective of being someone’s family member because I think doing that would connect it to my own family or people I know,” Thomas said. “I try to stay detached so I can concentrate on doing what I’m supposed to do, look for evidence. “I noticed it once when we worked a scene out on West Henderson Street where someone basically knelt down and put his head even with the bumper of a semi, which hit him and tore him up all over the road. “And I remember taking pictures at the scene that night but not really seeing, you know. I saw what I was taking pictures of but I didn’t really pay attention. I got more nauseous the next day looking at the photos than I did working the scene.” Burris also handles such scenes well and professionally, Thomas said. “First time I had her going in we 42

Community Life

Photo by Matt Smith

Cleburne Police Department Crime Scene and Property Manager Sam Thomas investigates a piece of evidence in his office.

had a guy over on Border Street who had been dead three or four days and, I hate to use the word, but was pretty ripe,” Thomas said. “I gave her what we call the puke mask but she handled it like a trooper. I’ve never seen her squeamish and we’ve had to stick our hands down in brain matter and stuff like that to try to locate the expended round.”

Burris said she, too, keeps her focus on the job. “You have feelings for the victim and family,” Burris said. “But I have to go in with the mindset of not making it personal, because I think that would make it harder to process and deal with. I go in with the mind set of keeping the scene separate and concentrate on collecting evidence.

*- G>>

9DD :J9C= BG:K

Ahg^lmr% Bgm^`kbmr L^kob\^ bl hnk pZr h_ eb_^

,1)) G' FZbg% <e^[nkg^ MQ 1*0&/-*&)--* oblbm nl hgebg^ Zm ppp'\e^[nkg^_hk]'\hf

2SHQ ([WHQGHG +RXUV

7SPMH 7YVJEGI 5YEVX^ 7XSRI

Southern Granite & Marble Inc.

6 : :LOVKLUH %OYG -RVKXD 7;

1 5LGJHZD\ &OHEXUQH 7;

+VERMXI 1EVFPI 0MQIWXSRI

6MGO )QFV] 3[RIV 3ZIVLMPP (V 'PIFYVRI 8<

ZZZ MRVKXDIPD FRP ZZZ FOHEXUQHIPD FRP 0 7K ‡ )UL ‡ 6DW ‡ 6XQ 0 7K ‡ )UL +HUH ZKHQ \RX QHHG XV

WKQ $]ELSS GSQ 1SFMPI

3JJMGI *E\

Life

C

ommunity

Published every other month For more information or to advertise call 817-645-2441

Connect to the Cleburne Times-Review from anywhere with

e-edition.

Cyan Yellow Magenta Black

InsIde

thursday

January 26, 2012

Master Gardener Page 4

10 paGes â?š VoluMe 103 â?š no. 19

By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

sports â?šx Burleson and Cleburne will battle at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Gym. page 6

Johnson County’s daIly newspaper

Parents want ISDs to be aware After two bus stops moved away from sex offenders’ homes, GISD parents say work not done

Stephanie Falter and Lisa Chambers, two concerned Godley ISD mothers, said they are pleased their children no longer wait for the bus in front of sex offenders’ homes. “I wanted to know why my children were being dangled in front of

InsIde â?šx A 53-year-old Burleson woman reporting for jury duty was charged with trying to take a loaded .32-caliber handgun into a Fort Worth courthouse. page 3

a sex offender like a piece of candy,� Chambers said Wednesday, two days after her childrens’ bus stop was moved from across the street — where a registered sex offender lives — to in front of her house. There was not always an issue with the bus stop, Chambers said. Up until two years ago, it was in front of her home. But when a neighbor placed large trash containers near the original bus stop, the district abruptly changed the stop to the sex offender’s driveway, she

said. The man is charged with indecent sexual contact with a 7-yearold child. The district’s reasoning, Chambers said she was told, was that the bus driver did not have a clear line of sight when students entered or exited the bus because of the containers. Transportation Director Joe Danna said he did not recall the reason for moving the original bus see aware, page 5

Visit our website to subscribe www.cleburnetimesreview.com.

75¢ weekdays — $1.50 sundays

Number of sex offenders increases More than 7,000 names added since June By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The

drought no more

survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders. The numbers represent a 23 percent increase over the last five years, with about 7,555 new names added since June. California had the first registry in 1947 and today has the most registered offenders. Texas has the secondhighest number of offenders, topping out at 68,529, followed by see oFFenders, page 5

Automated system about six months away By mAtt smith msmith@trcle.com

April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes. The average rainfall amount across North Texas measured 4 inches. However, Cleburne Municipal Airport reported about 3.78 inches of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, a little less than the amount collected in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said he believes the rain will snap the county’s drought that has lasted for more than a year.

City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night. Cleburne City Council members the same night approved the purchase of garbage trucks and trash containers for residents through the Texas Buyboard at a cost of $1,045,805.34. That cost includes a $500,000 down payment funded through the city’s equipment fund. The remainder will be financed over five years through Community Bank at a rate of 2.46 percent. The price also includes purchase of equipment to retrofit two of the city’s existing garbage trucks into automated trucks. After the new system is enacted, trash collections will drop from six routes to three citywide. Esquivel said the city will probably phase the new system in one route at a time. Under the system residents will place their city-supplied containers curbside to be collected by the automated trucks. Changing from a manual to an automated system will improve worker safety as only one worker will be required per truck, city officials said. That worker will rarely have to get out

see raIns, page 5

see trash, page 5

John D. Harden/Times-Review

about 4 inches of rain in Johnson County on wednesday turned Buffalo Creek in hulen park into a miniature raging river. the rain, which lasted for almost 24 hours, brought much needed relief to Johnson County creeks, rivers and lakes, Johnson County Judge roger harmon said. Below: water in a creek near Bainum Field in keene almost flooded a bridge after receiving heavy rainfall on tuesday and wednesday. In fall, the creek was nearly dry, but now sits above normal levels.

Heavy rains raise water levels

By John D. hArDen reporter3@trcle.com

Rain related incidents mild, Cleburne rescue workers say

InsIde

After two bus stops moved away from sex offenders’ homes, GISD parents say work not done By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Stephanie Falter and Lisa Chambers, two concerned Godley ISD mothers, said they are pleased their children no longer wait for the bus in front of sex offenders’ homes. “I wanted to know why my children were being dangled in front of

Johnson County’s daIly newspaper

a sex offender like a piece of candy,� Chambers said Wednesday, two days after her childrens’ bus stop was moved from across the street — where a registered sex offender lives — to in front of her house. There was not always an issue with the bus stop, Chambers said. Up until two years ago, it was in front of her home. But when a neighbor placed large trash containers near the original bus stop, the district abruptly changed the stop to the sex offender’s driveway, she

said. The man is charged with indecent sexual contact with a 7-yearold child. The district’s reasoning, Chambers said she was told, was that the bus driver did not have a clear line of sight when students entered or exited the bus because of the containers. Transportation Director Joe Danna said he did not recall the reason for moving the original bus see aware, page 5

sports

â?šx A 53-year-old Burleson woman reporting for jury duty was charged with trying to take a loaded .32-caliber handgun into a Fort Worth courthouse. page 3

Page 4

10 paGes â?š VoluMe 103 â?š no. 19

Parents want ISDs to be aware

Council approves trash truck purchases

$

Cyan Yellow Magenta Black

InsIde

Master Gardener

thursday

January 26, 2012

â?šx Burleson and Cleburne will battle at 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Gym. page 6

75¢ weekdays — $1.50 sundays

Number of sex offenders increases

survey showed 747,408 registered sex offenders. The numbers represent a 23 percent increase over the last five years, with about 7,555 new names added since June. California had the first registry in 1947 and today has the most registered offenders. Texas has the secondhighest number of offenders, topping out at 68,529, followed by

More than 7,000 names added since June By AmBer WAshington reporter@trcle.com

Now might be a good time to talk with your children about stranger danger. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an updated list of the country’s sex offenders this week. The

drought no more

see oFFenders, page 5

Council approves trash truck purchases Automated system about six months away By mAtt smith

msmith@trcle.com

John D. Harden/Times-Review

about 4 inches of rain in Johnson County on wednesday turned Buffalo Creek in hulen park into a miniature raging river. the rain, which lasted for almost 24 hours, brought much needed relief to Johnson County creeks, rivers and lakes, Johnson County Judge roger harmon said. Below: water in a creek near Bainum Field in keene almost flooded a bridge after receiving heavy rainfall on tuesday and wednesday. In fall, the creek was nearly dry, but now sits above normal levels.

Heavy rains raise water levels

By John D. hArDen reporter3@trcle.com

April showers arrived a couple of months early, bringing much needed rain to Johnson County rivers and lakes. The average rainfall amount across North Texas measured 4 inches. However, Cleburne Municipal Airport reported about 3.78 inches of rainfall between Tuesday and Wednesday, a little less than the amount collected in Tarrant and Dallas counties. Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said he believes the rain will snap the county’s drought that has lasted for more than a year.

City plans to switch trash collection from a manual to an automated system should begin in about six months, Cleburne Assistant City Manager David Esquivel said Tuesday night. Cleburne City Council members the same night approved the purchase of garbage trucks and trash containers for residents through the Texas Buyboard at a cost of $1,045,805.34. That cost includes a $500,000 down payment funded through the city’s equipment fund. The remainder will be financed over five years through Community Bank at a rate of 2.46 percent. The price also includes purchase of equipment to retrofit two of the city’s existing garbage trucks into automated trucks. After the new system is enacted, trash collections will drop from six routes to three citywide. Esquivel said the city will probably phase the new system in one route at a time. Under the system residents will place their city-supplied containers curbside to be collected by the automated trucks. Changing from a manual to an automated system will improve worker safety as only one worker will be required per truck, city officials said. That worker will rarely have to get out

see raIns, page 5

see trash, page 5

Rain related incidents mild, Cleburne rescue workers say No serious injuries reported By mAtt smith msmith@trcle.com Heavy rainfall Tuesday and Wednesday spurred several calls to the Cleburne police and fire departments, but resulted in no serious injuries or damage, officials said. “We had some vehicles off the road, motorists stranded and calls of tree limbs down,� CPD Deputy Chief Amy Knoll said. “But no major incidents.� Cleburne firefighters responded to as-

sist Alvarado firefighters on a swift-water rescue at 6:38 a.m. Wednesday near county roads 607 and 508. A car washed off the road with people trapped inside. Alvarado firefighters managed to safely extract the people from the car before Cleburne firefighters arrived. Cleburne firefighters responded about 8 a.m. the same morning to Pipeline Road after a woman’s car became stuck in high water. The car stalled after being driven into high water, CFD Assistant Chief Randy Jenkins said. The woman suffered no injuries and firefighters removed her without incident.

817-558-6997 • 817-296-4890 www.darryllackey.com

InsIde

The Johnson County Emergency Services District No. 1 dispatched six weather-related calls as of 11 a.m. Wednesday. Three involved vehicles stuck in high water, one involved a tree in a roadway, another a transformer fire and the last the loss of power in Lillian. None of the calls involved injuries. Another Wednesday morning vehicle accident was not weather related. Cleburne police and firefighters responded at 5:43 a.m. to the intersection of East Henderson and Oran streets. The

Call Today For Your FREE Roof Inspection & FREE Estimate!

LOCAL.

a sign warns drivers to turn around as water from Buffalo Creek rushes over the lowwater crossing on smith street. rescue workers reported several street closures on wednesday because of high water. Matt Smith/ Times-Review

see MIld, page 5

S P R I N G S TO R M S ARE COMING SOON‌ TRUSTED.

Member of Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Since 1998! 8!

EXPERIENCED.

CLASSIFIEDS 8-9 // OBITUARIES 2 // COMICS 7 // SPORTS 6

to suBsCrIBe or adVertIse 817-645-2441 or 817-558-2855

oFFICe hours: Mon.-FrI 8 a.M. to 5 p.M.

INSURED.

5 per month for non-print subscribers

Print subscribers 12 months for $3.65

It’s the whole newspaper... without the paper computer, smartphone, iPad and more!

Community Life

43

Photo by Matt Smith

Cleburne Police Department Crime Scene and Property Manager Sam Thomas, left, and fellow crime scene investigator Kim Burris pose in front of boxes of evidence to be used in an upcoming murder trial.

Handling property The Cleburne Police Department is bursting at the seams, badly in need for expansion or a new facility. And property storage is no exception. Several rooms, all quite full, fill the need as best they can for now. The department’s holding cells, which have not held arrestees for years, still have their toilets but are otherwise packed with items ranging from bicycles to stereo equipment to other items confiscated or collected at crime scenes. Some remains stored until no longer needed, after trials and investigations wrap. Some are returned to owners provided they can be located. Thomas motions toward a large padlocked chest freezer occupying space in one room. “We tell people that’s where we keep 44 44

CCommunity ommunity L Life ife

the body parts,” Thomas said. “Actually, that thing hasn’t worked in years.” A standoff between police and a man barricaded in a house several years ago ended with several volleys of teargas through a window. “Couldn’t get the smell out of all that [evidence] so we finally put it in the freezer and sealed it up,” Thomas said. “Pretty soon we can get rid of that and we’ll probably get rid of the freezer at the same time.” CPD contracts out for services such as DNA and drug testing. They’re one of the few departments in the county, however, to have their own crime scene workers. In smaller departments officers perform some of that work and the department relies on other agencies for the rest. “We’ve helped Alvarado and Keene,

helped Somervell County with fingerprinting,” Thomas said. “We tell all the area agencies, if they need assistance, we’ll be glad to help.” Cleburne Police Chief Robert Severance, who worked crime scene early on during his time with the Grand Prairie Police Department, called Thomas and Burris an asset to CPD. “They’re certainly an integral part of the department and, in our meetings, we keep up with what they’re doing,” Severance said. “Evidence and what we learn from crime scenes often play the make-or-break role in solving a crime or not.” It’s an odd job perhaps, but rewarding as well. “It’s always something different,” Thomas said. “This is definitely not a boring job.”

Community Life

45

Choosing a wedding date wisely

M

any couples find themselves bombarded with questions the moment they become engaged, and perhaps no questions is more common than, “When is the wedding?” Although a number of couples would prefer to bask in the excitement of their engagement, some couples feel pressured to rush into picking a wedding date. Choosing a wedding date without giving it much consideration may make things more difficult down the road. Rather than jumping head first into any decisions, couples should give thought to any and all dates and decide if there are certain times of the year they want to tie the knot or avoid. Season When thinking about potential wedding dates, it helps to have a place to start. Some couples find it helpful to start with a particular season and then narrow it down from there. Decide if you prefer the lush greenery of summer or the amazing color spectrum of an autumn afternoon. Perhaps you envision arriving at the ceremony with a snow-packed landscape amid twinkling holiday lights? Think about the season when you feel most happy and then determine if that time of year is doable. Month Certain months may seem perfect, but not for busy professionals or those with limited vacation time at their disposal. For example, early spring may not be good for accountants tallying year-end numbers. Teachers may feel most comfortable tying the knot in the summer when they already have days off. If you run a pool business or a lawn maintenance company, then the summer might not be so good. Keep these factors in mind. 46

Community Life

Holidays Some people would like to tie their wedding day to a particular holiday. Valentine’s Day is popular for weddings thanks to the romantic sentiments synonymous with the holiday, while some couples prefer Halloween or Christmas weddings. Holiday weddings can be exciting, but they also produce significant obstacles that couples who choose to get married during other times of year don’t have to worry about. Guests may not want to travel or spend time away from their families to attend a holiday

may be slightly more convenient, but those who have to get back to work on Monday may be tired from late-night festivities. Couples should anticipate some guests not making it to their weddings when those weddings are not on Saturdays.

wedding. Having a wedding during a holiday may mean competing for vendors and reception spaces. Prices on everything from food to flowers to airline tickets could be higher as vendors cash in on customer demand.

to consult with a church, synagogue or mosque before booking any other components of the wedding so that you are certain your chosen day is acceptable.

Day of the week It’s less expensive for couples to get married on Fridays and Sundays than Saturday afternoons or evenings. Couples may think that the money saved will be well worth it, but they also should think about how this decision may affect their guests. A Friday wedding requires people to take off from work or school. Sunday weddings

Religious constraints Couples having religious ceremonies should consult with their houses of worship as to which dates are acceptable. Some will not have weddings on days of religious observation. It is wise

Any available dates Your wedding date may be dictated by your caterer or wedding hall. If you have a particular venue in mind, you may be limited by their availability. This is a concession you will need to make if your heart is set on this particular location. Planning a wedding can be exciting. But the ball cannot get rolling until couples first choose the day they will tie the knot.

Wedding dates to avoid

S

ome couples are excited by the prospect of hosting their weddings during holiday weekends. After all, having off on a Friday or a Monday provides an extra day for recovery or planning the wedding. But holiday weekends might not be embraced by potential guests. Travel costs and accommodations could be higher around holiday weekends, and some people have family traditions or other plans they may not want to miss during a holiday weekend. In terms of obstacles for couples, reception sites and vendors may charge higher fees to book a holiday weekend wedding, or they may be full on the dates you request. Looking ahead to 2015, here are the prominent holidays and when they occur, so you can plan accordingly. Easter: Weekend of April 4 Mother's Day: Weekend of May 9 Memorial Day: Weekend of May 23 Father's Day: Weekend of June 20 Independence Day: July 4 Labor Day: Weekend of Sept. 5 Columbus Day: Weekend of Oct. 10 Halloween: Saturday, Oct. 31 Remembrance Day/ Veterans Day: Nov. 11 Thanksgiving: Nov. 26 Christmas: Dec. 25

GROW Dz DzDzDzDzDzDzDzYOURDzBUSINESS

SPOT

ONEDz

ATDzADzTIME

We provide print and online marketing solutions. Be a part of the leading community news source, where our readers become your customers when you advertise with us.

3POTDz/N ADVERTISING

The Choice is Black and White

6 $QJOLQ ‡ 3 2 %R[ ‡ &OHEXUQH 7H[DV ‡ 0HWUR ‡ )$; ZZZ FOHEXUQHWLPHVUHYLHZ FRP Community Life

47

W

Wedding invitation tips

edding invitations often provide guests with a first glimpse of a wedding’s style. Invitations also may serve as the means by which distant friends and relatives find out about a couple’s pending nuptials if a formal announcement was not made. Amid the flourishes of calligraphy and impressive paper stock is information that speaks to the importance of the day when two people will be joining their lives together. Guests will learn not only the time and the place of the wedding from the invitation, but also the formality of the event and the scope of the party that will follow. Couples should keep certain things in mind as they begin to design their wedding invitations. v Have a good idea of your potential guest list. Before shopping for wedding invitations, it is key to have a strong idea of just how big the wedding will be and how many guests will be invited. This way you will know how many invitations you will need. Invitations vary in price, so cost may

48

Community Life

be a consideration if your guest list is extensive. v Decide on the formality of the wedding. Will you be hosting a black tie affair, or will it be a casual gathering at the shore? Guests infer many things about the wedding from the invitations, which should match the formality of the event in style and

the sentiments expressed. An ornate invitation written with classic wording suggests a more formal affair, while a whimsical invitation with less formal wording could indicate a more laid-back event. v Dare to be different by playing with invitation sizes and shapes. Rectangular cards are standard for

wedding invitations, but you can explore your creativity by choosing more modern, artsy invitations. Circular invites or scalloped edges can add some whimsy to the wedding mood. Invitations that fold out or are embellished with ribbon or other decorations can be appealing. Just keep in mind that cards that are not the standard shape and size could be more costly to send. Always have the entire wedding invitation weighed and priced at the post office so you will know what the postage will cost. v Choose a legible font and text color. Your invitation may look beautiful, but it may prove ineffective if it is difficult to read. Do not risk guests misinterpreting the date or the location because they cannot read the writing on the invitation. Steer clear of pastel or yellow text colors, and remember to have a high contrast between the color of the invitation and the text you are using for easy reading. v Keep the invitation simple. It may be tempting to load the invitation with lots of information, but all you really need are the key pieces of information, such as the “who,� “what,� “where,� and “when.� Crowding the card will take away from its aesthetic appeal. Most stationers will suggest a separate, smaller insert in the wedding invitation for the reception information and response card. Never put information such as where you are registered or “no kids allowed.� This is material better reserved for word of mouth or on a wedding Web site. v Do some math. It is important to know your dates so you can receive the invitations on time, mail them out, and give guests enough time to respond. A good rule of thumb is to mail out the invitations at least two months before the wedding. Have an RSVP date of no more than three to four weeks before the wedding, giving ample time to the caterers and accommodating anyone who procrastinates in

sending in a response. You will need the final headcount in order to confirm seating arrangements and plan for centerpieces and favors. v Handwrite the envelopes. Your invitation will look more impressive if you address them by hand, rather than printing them off of a computer. If your handwriting is not very neat, consider hiring a professional calligrapher to write out your envelopes. v Make it easy for guests to respond. Be sure to place a stamp on the response card envelope and have that envelope already addressed with your home address so that guests will have no excuses not to mail a response back promptly. v Always order extra. Mistakes happen, and you may need to send out a few extra invitations that you hadn’t originally counted. Always order extra invitations just to be on the safe side. And don’t forget you will probably want to keep one as a keepsake for yourself.

:KLVSHULQJ &UHHN 5DQFK

PČŁČ? ǸÉ•ÉœČľČ? É„ȾȾČ?ČƒÉœȨÉ„Č˝

DQG &KDSHO

:HGGLQJV Ă? 5HFHSWLRQV Ă? 6SHFLDO (YHQWV

([SHULHQFH WKH 5RPDQFH

][ ,QGRRU :HGGLQJ &KDSHO

][ 2XWGRRU :HGGLQJ *D]HER

][ 5HFHSWLRQ +DOO

][ +RUVH &DUULDJH 6HUYLFH

][ 0DQ\ )UHH $PHQLWLHV

*UDQEXU\ $FWRQ 7H[DV ZZZ ZKLVSHULQJFUHHNUDQFK FRP

Bridal Registry Service ... ][ China, Dinnerware, Stemware & Flatware ][ Assorted Gifts ][ Lenox, Wedgewood, Vera Wang, Vietri, Spode, Many more major brands Visit us for a wonderful selection of wedding or shower gifts that the bride and groom have personally selected. We will happily gift wrap or ship if needed. 6 5LGJHZD\ &OHEXUQH Âł 0RQGD\ )ULGD\ D P S P _ 6DWXUGD\ D P S P ZZZ IDFHERRN FRP 7KH&DVWOH&ROOHFWLRQ Community Life

49

Choosing the right wedding favors

P

lanning a perfect wedding is no small undertaking. From scheduling venues and hiring vendors to tasting menus, lots of decisions must be made when planning a wedding. But when the pieces fall into place, the entire day can be magical. One of the final components of weddings are the favors guests will take home with them as mementos of the festivities. Though favors don’t require immediate attention, that does not mean couples should wait until the last minute to make decisions regarding their wedding favors. Brides- and grooms-to-be should not underestimate the importance of handing out wedding favors, a tradition with a rich history. A wedding favor is considered a symbol of good will to guests, and there are many different wedding favors on the market. Finding the right one can take a little work. It is usually a good idea to find something that suits the theme of the wedding and is both long-lasting and practical. Try to avoid anything that is too kitschy. A couple’s budget should be considered when choosing wedding favors. A couple may want to give their guests lavish gifts but should only do so if their budget allows. It may be challenging for couples to find favors that fit the theme of their wedding, as well as their own personalities and budgets. But it can be done. The following are some favor-finding guidelines. Be creative Wedding favors can be just about anything, so there’s no need to stick 50

Community Life

to Jordan almonds or wine bottle stoppers. The more creative couples are, the more receptive their guests will likely be. For example, for an autumn-theme wedding, fill Mason jars with the ingredients for a spiced cake and give the recipe directions on a tag. For a summer wedding, give guests a sun and surf survival bag, full of sunblock, a beach towel and sunglasses.

Go traditional Couples who opt for universally appealing favors can lean toward some popular options, such as silver cake servers, candlestick holders, decorative photo frames, or engraved keepsake boxes. Aim for favors that have utility. Otherwise, favors may end up collecting dust on someone’s shelf.

Complete the theme Some weddings follow a particular theme from start to finish, and wedding favors should stick with that theme. Couples who will showcase their love of travel on their wedding days may want to give guests keychains or purse holders that feature popular landmarks around the world. Those who are admitted beach bums may want to present a small fishbowl with sand and a goldfish inside, reminiscent of days at the seashore.

Food and beverage gifts are fun Food favors mean guests can enjoy their gifts and not have to worry about finding space inside their homes to display trinkets. Food favors can be lavishly decorated cookies, fine chocolates, petit fours, small bottles of champagne or cupcakes decorated like the wedding cake. Favors are often integral to wedding celebrations. Selecting a favor that will be appreciated and fit with the wedding is often a fun and stressfree part of planning a wedding.

Let us help you create a beautiful wedding day that is unique and creative in nature. Leave your guests speechless with our one of a kind bouquets and centerpieces. We offer the widest selection of fresh cut flowers from all over the world and in color palettes sure to meet your greatest expectations!

124 S. Ridgeway, Cleburne TX 76033 | 817-645-1701 | www.ambartreeflorist.com

L

LIBERTY HOTEL Elegance of the Past with the Luxuries of Today

1 1

Book Your Wedding With Us

in Historic DowntownCleburne 817-556-3700 GM.LibertyHotel@yahoo.com GM.LibertyHotel@yahoo. 205 S. Caddo St, Cleburne, TX

www.choicehotels.com/hotel/TXA57

G

Tips on purchasing your tuxedo

entlemen getting ready to tie the knot will have to make certain wardrobe choices so they look their best on their big days. Although many grooms-to-be rent tuxedos on their wedding days, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a tuxedo. Tuxedos are the ultimate formal wear for men. Worn at formal gatherings like proms, weddings and lavish parties, tuxedos have undergone several style changes over the years. Men interested in looking polished will find no option makes that impression more convincingly than the right tuxedo. Men frequently called upon to attend formal events may find purchasing a tuxedo is a wise investment. There are several advantages to owning a tux rather than renting one Tuxedo history The origins of the modern tuxedo remains a topic for debate, but one of the more widely known tales of the tuxedo’s beginning traces this classic look to a wealthy tobacco magnate of the 19th century. Pierre Lorillard lived with his family in a residential colony called Tuxedo Park, which was roughly 40 miles northwest of New York City. The Lorillards were popular in social circles, and Pierre helped establish the area as a prime hunting and fishing destination. Lorillard also developed a social organization called the Tuxedo Club, which regularly hosted balls. At the time, men wore dinner jackets with long tails to formal events. However, Lorillard wanted something different and modern, and he commissioned a tailless black jacket to wear to the Tuxedo Club’s Autumn Ball. Lorillard got cold feet in time for the ball and did not wear the shorter jacket. However, his son, Griswold, did wear the short jacket and received much praise. Soon the style was copied and worn invarious social circles across the country. The “tuxedo” was born, and soon became a timeless classic.

time and again. Tuxedos typically cost around $1,000, whereas renting tuxedos can be $200 or more each time, making it advantageous for men who frequently don tuxedos to purchase their own rather than rent. Another advantage to owning a tuxedo is the opportunity to wear a tux that is custom-made and tailored just for you. Instead of a rental that will merely be stitched temporarily to fit your measurements, a tuxedo you purchase will be tailored specifically to your body, increasing comfort and making you look better as well. Men who buy their own tuxedos also can choose the style, fabric, color, buttons, accessories, and type of lapels on the jacket. A tuxedo store may have more styles available for sale than for rent. If you desire something that fits your personality and your physique perfectly, buying your own tuxedo may be your best bet. Men worried about purchasing a tuxedo only to see their waistlines increase or decrease should keep in mind that many tuxedo shops offer free tailoring for as long as you own the tuxedo. When purchasing a tuxedo, men should choose classic styles and colors

so they can enjoy the tux for years to come. Opt for a slim-fitting white shirt underneath that won’t billow out when jackets are removed. Men who want to break from tradition can opt for a shirt that is a pale blue or light gray to wear under the jacket. This is still an understated look, but one with a hint of creativity. A classic, black bow tie is an ideal match when purchasing a more classic tuxedo. The bow tie is back in a big way, and men who want to spice things up can purchase more traditional neckties for those occasions when they don’t want to wear bow ties. Tuxedos come with different lapel styles, and it’s important to know the differences. Today’s most popular style is the notch lapel, wherein a triangular indentation is cut where the lapel joins the collar. This lapel mimics the shape of a classic suit. A peak lapel is the quintessential classic, featuring a broad, V-shaped lapel that points up and out just below the collar line. A shawl lapel is a smooth, rounded edge lapel. The shawl lapel reached the height of its popularity in the 1950s, but it can still look good today. Community Life

53

How to approach choosing music

M

usic often plays an important role on festive occasions, and wedding days are no exception. The right music can make a wedding day that much more meaningful, while the wrong music can make a couple’s big event memorable for all the wrong reasons. Though music selection might seem like one of the easier decisions couples must make, those about to tie the knot typically must make a host of music-related decisions regarding their wedding day, including whether to choose a live band or a deejay to perform at their wedding receptions. While the reception is when music might be most on display, couples planning their weddings must think beyond the reception when setting the musical tones for their weddings. Ceremony The ceremony itself often sets the tone for a couple’s wedding day. A beach wedding, for example, often creates a laid back atmosphere, while a ceremony held in a large church or temple often sets a more formal tone. Music played during the ceremony also goes a long way toward setting the tone

54

Community Life

couples hope to establish. When choosing music for the ceremony, couples should first consider the venue where they are tying the knot. Some, such as houses of worship, may have rules pertaining to what can and cannot be played inside the venue. Classical, hymnal or processional music often makes the best fit when weddings are taking place in more formal venues. Outdoor weddings tend to give

couples more leeway. But in general couples don’t want to choose any music that’s too loud or over-the-top for their ceremonies. Keep in mind that while the music played during the ceremony can set the tone for the day, this music can vary significantly from the music played during the reception. A favorite performer may not be appropriate during the ceremony, but that doesn’t mean the couple can’t

dance to that artist’s music during the reception. Live musicians can add a more elegant feel to the ceremony, but such performers also can be costly. Playing prerecorded music may not be as elegant as having a live performer, but it can cost a lot less and still make for an enjoyable day and evening. Reception Many couples prefer deejays to live bands for their wedding receptions. Deejays can play favorite songs as couples and their guests know them, while bands can only play their own renditions of those songs. Another thing to consider when choosing between a deejay or live band for the reception is the venue itself. Some venues are smaller and unable to accommodate a full band, while others may not have ideal acoustics, making it difficult for a live band to sound as good as they might in a more music-friendly environment. The formality of the event should also come into consideration when choosing between a live band or a deejay for the reception. Deejays spinning the latest top 40 hits may stick out like sore thumbs at especially formal weddings, while a classical orchestra likely won’t fit into the laid back theme of a

beach or destination wedding. Couples tying the knot outdoors need to consider equipment when choosing bands or deejays to play their weddings. For example, some venues do not provide equipment, such as microphones and speaker systems, to couples for their ceremonies. Renting such equipment can be costly, but couples can often skirt such charges by hiring deejays or bands who lend couples their equipment during the ceremony. Deejays or bands who will loan and set up the necessary sound equipment for outdoor ceremonies merit extra consideration. When discussing music to be played during the reception, couples must

consider their own musical tastes as well as those of their guests. A wide range of popular music tends to go best at wedding receptions, as guests are more likely to dance to songs they recognize. Avoid any music that has the potential to offend guests, opting for lighter, happier tunes instead. Whether hiring a band or deejay, couples should make a list of no-play songs or artists and make sure that such lists are included in their contracts. Music plays an important role on couples’ wedding days. Though choosing music for the ceremony and the reception is often fun, couples must take such decisions seriously.

For the bride:

Furniture, rugs, lamps, accessories & gifts.

Registry available in all stores ... 121 N.E. Wilshire, Burleson, TX 76028 817-447-3315 1663 West Henderson, Cleburne, TX 76033 817-641-8501 440 E Pearl. Granbury Texas 76048 www.accents-home.com Community Life

55

(RLERGI ]SYV WTIGMEP HE] [MXL XLI FVIEXLXEOMRK FIEYX] SJ SYV JVIWL ¾ SVEP HIWMKRW ;I SJJIV ER YRPMQMXIH EVVE] SJ ¾ S[IV GLSMGIW MR EPP XLI GSPSVW ERH FSYUYIX WX]PIW XS GSQTPIQIRX ]SYV [IHHMRK HE] XSS

$ /LWWOH %HQÖV )ORUDO DQG :HGGLQJ 6KRS

ˆ 2 1EMR 7X ˆ 'PIFYVRI 1SRHE] 7EXYVHE] E Q XS T Q

New times, new traditions: modern wedding trends

O

ctober is the new June. More and more, weddings are taking place in the height of fall foliage, heart of winter and prime holiday season, including the ever-popular New Year’s Eve ceremony to ring in the new year. But it’s not just the wedding season that has drastically evolved over the past decade, it’s everything from roles and responsibilities to gift-giving. As you gear up to celebrate the union of your beloved family or friends — or even your own — know what to expect from the changing tides of weddings. Lizzie Post, co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette, 18th edition” and great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, helps couples navigate the new traditions of weddings. The Post name has been synonymous with proper etiquette and manners for the past 80 years. As decades pass, so will traditions, but proper etiquette is timeless. Be prepared for the next wedding you attend and know what to expect from changes in the wedding landscape with these important pieces of advice: Pay it forward Finding the right gift for the newlyweds can be difficult. While registries help to point guests in the right direction, many couples are getting married later in life and already have all the household items that are common wedding gifts. To provide the couple with a small nest egg to use however they wish, a check is always a great and safe gift idea. Several financial institutions, like Bank of America, offer mobile check deposit through their banking app, allowing the couple the flexibility to deposit checks on-the-go to help cover outstanding vendor payments or use on their

honeymoon. Another new-age trend is contributing to a couple’s honeymoon fund. Temper tech use Even weddings are going hi-tech. There are numerous websites available that can help the couple to organize the process, communicate with guests and share photos after the ceremony. But a few things — like a handwritten “thank you” note — should steer clear of the hi-tech lure. In a gadget-driven society, everyone is carrying a smartphone. Couples can post a tasteful notice at the entrance of the ceremony location or in the program to remind guests to turn off their cell phone ringers and refrain from use during the ceremony. Some couples may actually encourage guests to take photos and share images via social media, but guests should respect their wishes and use phones only as a camera and upload images after the ceremony. Respect personalization Couples want their special day to reflect who they are and what is important to them. While previous generations traditionally wed in places of worship, many modern couples choose to tie the knot at a sentimental location, like where they had their first date. The decor, music and even the food and drink served at a wedding may have a personal story behind it. No matter how nontraditional the element may be, guests should eagerly partake in the festivities, acknowledging and respecting the couple’s individualization. Be all-inclusive In the past, bridal showers were strictly for the bride and bachelor parties were a men-only affair. Nowadays, these festivities are no longer gender-specific. Showers can be thrown for the couple in unison and include creative themes like “stock the bar” or “time of day.” Bachelor and bachelorette parties can also be conjoined to involve the entire bridal party in a destination event. And while these events are a celebration of joy, expenses can add up quickly. If you use a rewards card, like the BankAmericard Travel Rewards credit card, you can earn points on purchases to pay for all or part of your trip. This is great for both the bride and groom and guests traveling to the wedding. As trends and expectations shift, so will the way major life milestones are celebrated. It is important to celebrate these moments in life with grace and support for the happy couple — after all, it’s their day — and it should be as unique as they are. For further etiquette advice on navigating 21st century weddings, visit www.emilypost.com. Community Life

57

Jones Barn

The Jones Barn has the capacity to hold up to 400 people and has over 8,600 square feet of floor space. Vaulted ceilings and light structures are located through out the barn as it overlooks a beautiful pond outside.

Hilltop Barn

The Hilltop barn has the capacity to hold up to 250 people and has 4,800 square feet of indoor space. It also has 2,000 feet of balcony space.

817-800-5700 3348 West FM 4, Cleburne, Texas 76033

www.jonesbarn.com

Ranch offers two barns for weddings STORY BY John Austin

A

ll David and Carole Jones wanted was a place to store the tractors and hay when they laid the barn foundation on their Cleburne ranch. Turns out that the project was the foundation for a new business. While the family continues to raise hay and cattle, the barn — actually, two, big barns — has become a wedding destination for couples from all over the country. David Jones has been building up Willow Creek Ranch from the initial 50 acres that his dad bought for years, but he was looking for a way to diversify and someday retire. “The farming and ranching industry, unless you have a lot of land, it’s hard to make a living. So I had to come up with some kind of income,” he said. “This was something I felt like we could do.” Carole Jones said her husband, who has been a cabinet maker for decades, always hauled home old fence posts, barn siding and boards. And unlike a lot of guys, he actually used some of it. A couple of years ago, he decided to put the wedding venue business in the barns and used a bunch of his good junk to build them. O 8,600-square-foot monster big enough to hold 350 people. Materials include iron wagon wheels, century-old cedar posts and recycled tin. “He did have to use some new lumber, but a lot of it’s recycled,” Carole

Jones said. “It’s three stories tall. I call it Noah’s ark.” The smaller barn is on a hilltop with a view of the 175-acre ranch, air conditioning and room for about 150. There’s also a bath tub on wheels. “That tub used to be a flower bed for years,” Carole Jones said. “I came back one day and it was on wheels. We call it our redneck hot tub on wheels.” The Jones have lived on the place for 36 years. They’ve raised five kids. Fortunately, some of them have helped David Jones learn to use a computer. “I don’t know what got into my husband. This was his retirement plan,” Carole Jones said. “I don’t know if it’s a good one. We lost money the first year. We did it too cheap.” The Jones expect to make a profit

this season, which starts in March. “It’s interesting. We get calls from all over now,” David Jones said. “We signed some people up from New York a couple of weeks ago.” The good news is, they also got a place to store all four of their John Deere tractors when nobody’s having a wedding in the barns. But the man behind all the construction may have to buy new building materials if he ever needs to expand the barns: Lumber and tin from old farmhouses and barns is getting harder to find. “They want you to pay for it now,” David Jones said. On the web: www.jonesbarn.com

Community Life

59

Tips for newlyweds about to merge finances

N

ewlyweds often have a lot on their plates upon returning from their honeymoons. One of the more critical issues newly married couples must address is their finances and how those finances will be combined going forward. Combining finances can be a touchy subject for many couples, especially those who had not given much thought to their finances prior to tying the knot. But there are steps couples can take to make the process of merging finances go more smoothly. v Discuss finances early and often. Allowing finances to be the elephant in the room is a mistake, as couples do not want to begin their lives together treading lightly around an issue as significant as finances. Couples should discuss their expenditures and spending habits as early as possible, as one of the biggest hurdles newly married couples must clear is coming to grips with one another’s financial habits. If such habits have already been discussed, then developing a financial plan will be much easier once that time comes. When discussing finances, define both short-term and long-term goals and how each of

you can adjust your spending habits to make those goals come true. v Pay off any debts. The cost of weddings has skyrocketed over the last several decades, and many newlyweds find themselves in a considerable amount of debt upon returning from their honeymoons. When merging finances, couples should prioritize paying down such debt, as debt is a significant source of stress for newlyweds and longmarried couples alike. Newly married couples with little or no debt should avoid spending above their means in the months after they get married. Such spending is commonplace, as newly married couples often want to fully furnish their new homes or reward themselves for pulling off their weddings. But new debt can be just as stressful on a marriage as debt from the wedding, so avoid this potentially problematic pitfall by paying down existing debts with your newly merged finances. v Make note of mutual expenses and open a joint account to pay for those expenses. Mutual expenses like mortgage payments, food and utilities should be the responsibility of each partner, and a joint account should be established to

handle such expenses. When opening a joint account, discuss how much and how often each partner will contribute money. One partner might earn considerably more money than another, so work out a reasonable agreement that details how much each partner will contribute each month, and whether such contributions will be made on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. v Make concessions for one another. When merging finances, couples often discover that they don’t see eye-to-eye on how each person spends money. Couples who successfully merge their finances often note the importance of making concessions with regard to their partners’ spending on certain hobbies or luxuries. As long as those hobbies are not putting couples in debt or jeopardizing their financial goals, couples can make concessions so their partners continue to be happy and enjoy their favorite activities. Merging finances is an issue that looms for many newlyweds or couples about to tie the knot. Though it’s not always easy, merging finances early and discussing goals can ensure newlyweds get off on the right financial foot.

-=PNE?GgO HA>QNJA #HKN=H

a &ODVVLF VW\OHV DQG FXUUHQW WUHQGV a 'UDPDWLF ERXTXHWV a 5RPDQWLF FHQWHUSLHFHV a 9LQWDJH DQG EH\RQG )DPLO\ 2ZQHG 6LQFH 1 &DGGR ZZZ FOHEXUQHĂ€ RUDO FRP 60

Community Life

Wedding venue provides country wedding setting

STORY BY John Austin tarting a wedding venue isn’t necessarily a honeymoon. In Cindy Keeney’s case, the idea only came to her after a broken water line forced her family to live in the garage while repairs to the house were under way. Before it was all over and the family was back at home, her husband, Bart, had enlarged the garage and converted it into a 900-square-foot house. “My husband made it so big, I thought, ‘I gotta do something with it,’ ” Keney said. “I said, ‘I love to have parties.’ We like having parties outside. It kind of evolved.” The outcome, after a lot of landscaping; the addition of a custom stone backdrop/ wall and fireplace; fogging system to keep things cool; 14-foot bar; and pavillion adjacent to the pool, is BB’s Venue. The converted garage/ house, which is adjacent to the pool, now features a full

S

kitchen, as well as makeup area where wedding party members can pimp and prep before the ceremony. But Keeney said, the venue is “primarily outdoors. That’s where all the action happens. It all lights up real cool at night. It looks awesome.” The venue is on three acres and the next door neighbor has 100 acres. “It definitely has a country feel,” Keeney said. “It’s quiet and peaceful.” Apparently the combination of party potential and convenience and - the venue is near the intersection of Farm to Market 2280 and 3048 on the edge of Cleburne, near Keene - is working. “As soon as my website hit, I started booking weddings,” Keeney said. “June is totally booked up. I’m already booking September and October.” On the web bbvenue.com Community Life

61

The

CLASSIFIEDS Construction Pipe

PIPE & SUCKER RODS FOR SALE ~~Delivery Available~~ 3290 Ranger Hwy Weatherford, Tx

817-599-9590

Professional & Now Hiring for the Weatherford & Justin Yards

Transport Drivers Needed

• 22 years minimum age • 2 years verifiable driving experience or 1 year oilfield driving • Class A CDL • We pay you for your experience • Employee and Family health insurance • Night shift premium • Night shift bonus

Demolotion Clean-Up Services

Commercial & Residential

HERMAN JOHNSON CONCRETE Any Size Residential or Commercial Also

WE BUILD BUILDINGS!! Free Estimates Bonded & Insured

817-688-9668 PETERSON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES “Make your Dream Home A Reality”

All types of clean-ups and haul-offs ...

Repair - Remodel - Restore Interior • Exterior Design Services Available

Now N No w offering offeri Interior and Exterior painting

FREE CONSULTATION

Foreclosures, complete house clean-ups, land clean-ups, brush & trash haul-offs, fencing, mowing of any kind, appliance removal, carpet removal, old furniture, etc. pp

You Call, We Haul!

817-202-9662

www.ucallwehaulcleanup.com

Kirk Peterson

Cleburne resident since 2001

918-625-5547 psalm25kirk@yahoo.com

“Justin Yard Now Open”

Cleburne

817-925-5154 - Scott

Bridgeport

940-393-5525 - Danny

OSAGE RECYCLING

Free Haul Off Appliances, Washers, Dryers, Fridges, Stoves, A/C Units, Riding Moowers, Auto Parts, Any Type of Metal 24/7

817-558-9032 ENERGETIC Outdoorsey Married Texas Couple seeks to adopt a baby. Financially Secure. Expenses Paid.

866-575-9668

VINYL SIDING Windows, Metal Buildings Carports, Garden Rooms Dale Howard Construction

817-645-6472 Jobs Available Local Truck Driver Training

Tuition Paid & Other Opportunities. Call 24/7

877-626-5873

3, 4 & 5 Bedroom Homes New Construction on acreage Payments starting in the $800’s Free Pre-Approval Call Dianne 817-330-8610 TRI J CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC Complete Execavation Services Demolition • Dozer Backhoe • Execavator Ranch • Commercial Residential PO Box 1135 Weatherford, Tx. 76086 Randy Jenkins

817-718-1617

CLASSIFIEDS

Patio’s, Sidewalks Driveways, Slabs Etc. Free Estimates

817-517-3614

MIKE’S DIRT & DOZER LLC

Land Clearing Tanks Dug Clean mud out of old tanks Field Dirt & Gravel Hauled 817-940-4184

$10 off any $40 purchase with this ad

$10 off Shop Donate Volunteer

any $40 purchase with this ad

Discount Building Materials Open to the public Wed-Sat 9:30-5:30

1407 N. Brazos Ave Cleburne 817-556-2613

CONSTRUCTION “Previously Yes Construction”

2 Sisters Cleaning Service

AMAZING HOLIDAY SPECIALS 817-247-9710 All Work Guaranteed Serving the Parker, Hood & Tarrant Counties for over 15 years. Great References. Call now for Free Estimate

Now Hiring Mixer & haul Truck Drivers. Exp preferred. CDL required, prefer class A. Apply at 8820 E. Hwy 67, Alvarado

Tops In All Phases of Roofing & Remodeling

www.yesc anfix i

DARRYL W. LACKEY

Residential and Commercial Handyman Services Darryl Lackey Jr.

817-903-6997

Richard Williams

817-487-6512

www.yescanfixit.com

PARKERS TREE SERVICE Class A CDL Drivers Local/Regional Flatbed Home Every Night 3 years experience Clean MVR/Drug Health Insurance Dental & Vision

Call 817-225-0011

N ew Year Special $100.00 OFF*

Painting, Carpentry, Sheetrock Storage Buildings, Porch Covers Decks 36 Years Experience Call Bill Rosser Now for A FREE ESTIMATE

817-374-2566 866-374-3559

www.billrosserpainting.com

*$100 off any job of $1000 or more

Serving Johnson County Since 1992

• Trimming • Removal • Firewood • Stump Grinding • Cleanup Insured • Free Estimates

817-877-7202

m

Johnson Construction

t.co

The

parkertreeservicedfw.com

Roof

Darr

Keep on tickin’. Heart and Vascular Care Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne offers a range of heart and vascular services to help our community. We are an accredited Chest Pain Center, Level IV Trauma Center and implement the STEMI protocol to ensure rapid responses to heart attacks. In other words, if your heart starts giving you trouble, we’re your nearest neighbors. So when heart disease attacks, remember we’ll be nearby to help you beat it.

1-877-THR-WELL | TexasHealth.org/Cleburne

Doctors on the medical staff practice independently and are not employees or agents of the hospital. © 2014

Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.