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DISCOVER NORTH TEXAS MAGAZINE JANUARY 2024 | Issue Number 1

DENTON FREEDOM HOUSE Offering Hope & Rehabilitation To Those Struggling With Addiction

ALL IS WELL RESORT Unique Getaway In Saint Jo TX Offering Yurts & Bubble Huts

TIME TO GET YOUR AFFAIRS IN ORDER FOR THE NEW YEAR Doster Law Group LLC Has Many Options To Get You Ready

YOU HAD ME AT COFFEE Zera Coffee Offers More Than Just Coffee

HEALTH & WELLNESS Meet Alisha Mino, The Silent Trainer

ken willingham AT 76 YEARS OLD, AGE IS MERELY A NUMBER FOR HIM

DISCOVERNORTHTEXASMAGAZINE.COM 940-390-3911

Editor-in-Chief Laura Bradley

Marketing & Advertising Laura Bradley

About Discover North Texas Magazine, LLC

Content Director Laura Bradley

Art Direction Laura Bradley

Web: DiscoverNorthTexasMagazine.com Email: discoverntmagazine@gmail.com Phone: 940-390-3911 1217 North Saint James Circle Pilot Point Texas, 76258 1

Welcome to Discover North Texas Magazine, your online source for everything North Texas! Each monthly issue will be filled with local small businesses, Mom & Pop shops, local services, inspirational people and more. We aim to bring attention to North Texas businesses and events and the people behind them to keep you in the know! Our publication reaches thousands of subscribers and has new content every single month and subscribing is FREE! To subscribe and receive your free copy every month, head on over to our website and hit subscribe on the home page. You’ll be glad ya did! Let our advertisers know you saw them here. To be featured or to nominate someone for a future story, email us at discoverntmagazine@gmail.com

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FROM THE EDITOR THE BOOK IS CALLED OPPORTUNITY, AND IT’S FIRST CHAPTER IS NEW YEARS DAY ― EDITH LOVEJOY

I have never been one to make New Years Resolutions, maybe because I normally give up on them a few days after I make them. What I like to do instead, is have a word for the year. Last year my word was peace, because the two years before were filled with so much turmoil and chaos. I feel I achieved, for the most part anyway, a level of peace in my life that I needed at the time. For me, alcohol had been a cause of anxiety in my life so in September of 2023 I stopped drinking alcohol in an effort to bring more peace to my life. The word I am choosing for 2024 will be health. I will be focusing more on getting myself healthy, both physically and mentally. I plan on going into 2024 and seizing every opportunity I can to make myself a better more healthier version of what I am now. If you were to choose a word for 2024, what would your word be?

Laura Bradley Editor-in-Chief 2

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Call us for your free estimate 940-391-3264

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IN THIS ISSUE

KEN WILLINGHAM

See What’s In This Months Issue

At 76 Years Old, Age Is Merely A Number For Him

DENTON FREEDOM HOUSE

DOSTER LAW GROUP PLLC

PLACE TO STAY

FOOD & DRINK

Offering Hope & Rehabilitation To Those Struggling With Addiction

Helping You Plan For Everyone & Everything You Love

All Is Well Resort In Saint Jo Texas

Zera Coffee Denton

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EVENTS

TRAVEL & OUTDOORS

Local Events Happening In January

Saint Jo Texas, The North Texas Hill Country

SHOPPING Shopping At The Saint Jo Square

HEALTH & WELLNESS Alisha Mino, The Silent Trainer

FAITH & FAMILY

FINANCIAL TALK

New Year, New You!

Financial Stress & The Holidays

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ALLISWELLSTJO.COM 9214 FM 677, Saint Jo, TX howard@stjocabins.com

DHS REALTY (940-368-6196 taylorreyesrealtor@gmail.com

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IN THIS ISSUE

Ken Willingham

Happy New Year and welcome to our second issue of Discover North Texas Magazine, LLC! I hope you enjoyed our first introductory issue as much as I did creating it. In this issue: I will introduce you to Ken Willingham, a 76 year gentleman who is defying odds and not allowing age to keep him from accomplishing his goals. We will learn about Denton Freedom House a ministry located in Aubrey for men and women struggling with addiction We will talk about Estate Planning with Doster Law Group PLLC We will talk with the Owner’s Howard & Cinda Smith of All Is Well Resort in Saint Jo And so much more! I cannot wait for you to dive into this months issue with me and learn all about the wonderful people here in North Texas who give it its charm!

Denton Freedom House

Fon Doster, Doster Law Group PLLC

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WHAT IS DISCOVER NORTH TEXAS MAGAZINE? By: Laura Bradley

Like most of my ideas, they come out of nowhere, and are more often that not, crazy. Discover North Texas magazine was one of those crazy ideas that came to me out of sheer boredom and the burning desire to help others! One Saturday morning I was complaining to my husband Greg, about not being “busy enough” and begged him to help me come up with ideas on new business ventures (I am a serial entrepreneur by nature). While scrolling online, searching for “at home service industry businesses to start” an online magazine idea came to me! Not just any online magazine though, an online magazine that showcases local North Texas business owners and their inspiring stories. That is how Discover North Texas Magazine came about! Saturday I quickly went to work on a name and a logo, Sunday afternoon I started creating the content and by Monday afternoon... The first issue was 90% complete! Each month every issue will be full of EVERYTHING North Texas and will feature inspiring and hopefully thought provoking stories of our neighbors. I hope that these stories encourage you to reach out to them and their services and maybe even entice you to submit your own story or nomination for a future story. To be featured in our magazine, email us at discoverntmagazine.com or visit our website at DiscoverNorthTexasMagazine.com 8

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TAYLOR REYES PHOTOGRAPHY Taylor Reyes, Photographer Offering Family & Event Photography Cell: 940-368-6196

Hours of Operation Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 11 pm Closed most major holidays.

Call (940)-239-8002 420 E. McKinney, Denton, 76209 Tx Zeracoffee.com

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Ken willingham

10 Photography by Taylor Reyes

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AGE IS MERELY A By: Laura Bradley

Number

“I would rather be the oldest guy in the gym than the youngest guy in the nursing home.” Cameron Davis

The Day Ken Earned His 3rd Degree Blackbelt In Krav Maga

Ken & Wife Nancy

Ken, Nancy & Family

While I was pondering on what to put on the cover of January’s issue, I knew I did not want to go with the standard “New Years Resolution” theme, I wanted someone inspirational but someone who not many people knew about. Someone who does not just wait until January to start reaching goals and new achievements. I wanted someone others could look up to and say, “If they can do it, I most definitely can too!” That is how Ken Willingham came to be on our January cover. You see, Ken does not fit the stereotypical image of an older gentlemen. He is not frail nor weak and he does not use his age as an excuse to not do something, he uses it to push himself to do more. I met Ken in the summer of 2023 when my husband and I joined the Martial Arts gym he was a member of. At first glance, I assumed we needed to be extra careful when it came to doing drills with him, but I quickly learned just how wrong I was. I believe I can add the famous phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” here. At 76 years old, age is merely a number to him, and he can roll around on the ground sparring with the twenty to thirty year old’s and never tap out. The strength and determination this man has

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intrigued me. I wanted to learn more about who he was and the life he lives, and I knew I wanted others to know him as well. Ken grew up in Farmers Branch Texas, and now lives in the North Texas town of Valley View with his wife of fifty years, Nancy. Their beautiful family consists of three sons, six grandkids and six great grandkids. In 1965, around the age of eighteen, a friend invited Ken to join him for a Judo class at Tamura’s Judo. This is where his love of Martial Arts began. Since 1965, Ken has only stopped training long enough to get his college degrees and for the ten years he served in the US Navy. At the age of 76, Ken now proudly holds a Fourth Degree Blackbelt in Taekwondo, Third Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, and a Brown Belt in Judo. He trained in Taekwondo for over twenty five years and has also kickboxed for around six years. He has over fifty years of Martial Arts Training under his many belts. He is now a certified teacher of Krav Maga and highly trained in Israeli Combat Shooting methods.

In October of 2023, my husband and I personally watched Ken test for and obtain his most recent rank in Krav Maga, his Third Degree Black Belt. The testing consisted of two grueling days of training and testing with one of those days being high level instructional training. Cameron Davis, Owner of Davis Martial Arts & Fitness and Ken’s current Instructor, brought in some of the best Krav Maga Blackbelts around to judge and spar with Ken during his testing. While watching Ken test, I sat in pure amazement at the resilience this man has. He never once gave up, backed down or took a rest. He was truly in it to win it, and he did.

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Growing up, Ken was a hardcore Atheist and lived a party lifestyle during his time in the Navy. When he was in his thirty’s one of his close friends in the Navy overdosed on LSD and almost died. This friend decided he needed to change his life for the better and he accepted Jesus Christ as His Savior. Ken sat back and watched how this man’s life, his wife’s life and his entire family was changing by his decision to follow Christ and he wanted to know more. He started reading his bible while at sea and learned about Jesus by reading and watching his friend. The more he watched and learned, the more he knew Jesus was the real deal and he made the decision to become a Christian as well and allow God to change his heart into a heart for servantship. Around fifteen years ago, Ken’s servant heart was aching to find a local charity to become involved with and a friend told him about the Denton Freedom House. Denton Freedom House is located in Aubrey and offers housing and rehabilitation for men and women struggling with addictions. At the time, Ken was still working as a full-time Engineer with Raytheon Corporation, so he was only able to help financially at first. After retiring seven years ago, he became more actively involved by teaching a personal finance class to the residents, then serving on the Board Of Directors to his current positions of Chief Financial Officer & Chairman Of The Board Of Directors.

I think we can all learn a lot from Ken. Age is truly a mindset, and we determine what mindset we will have at each stage in our life. So often we fail to take advantage of the ability we have to live a healthy lifestyle and we find ourselves making excuses instead of setting and accomplishing goals. Ken does not allow his age to dictate his life, he dictates his life. When Ken is not busy martial arts training or serving with Denton Freedom House, he enjoys riding his Harley, bowling, golfing, and practicing Israelite combat shooting.

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PilotPointKravmaga.com 8620 HWY 377 Pilot Point TX

940-305-3965 davismartialartstx@gmail.com

Real Estate, Probate, Estate Planning Elder Law, Corporate Law, Guardianship

DOSTER LAW GROUP Tel: 940-382-8200 525 S. Locust St, Ste 400, Denton Tx info@dosterlawgroup.com 14

Fontaine Doster Attorney & President

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By Laura Bradley Photography Courtesy Of Denton Freedom House

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Chad Eskew and Ken Willingham where I learned about a ministry they serve with, called the Denton Freedom House in Aubrey Texas. Chad serves as the Director of Growth and Development and Ken serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chairman Of The Board Of Directors of The Denton Freedom House. This ministry brings men and women in off the streets and teaches them the tools and biblical principles needed to help them turn their lives around. Denton Freedom House is a 501c3 ministry founded in 2004 by Jeremy and Karen Adams and offers housing and rehabilitation to men and women struggling with drug and alcohol addictions. The Christian based ministry is based off biblical principles and was created after Jeremy’s history with drug and alcohol addiction. After years of struggling, Jeremy realized he needed to change, so he started attending AA/NA 14 programs. It wasn’t until a year later when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and 15

Savior that his life dramatically changed for the better and he finally experienced sobriety. After giving his life to Christ, Jeremy attended Moody Bible Institute with plans of moving to and starting a church in Florida, but God spoke to him and told him He had other plans for his life. God told Jeremy and Karen that He wanted them to start a ministry here, in Denton Texas, and it would consist of taking men off the streets into their home and sharing the gospel with them. Denton Freedom House began in Jeremy and Karen’s three-bedroom home and quickly outgrew the space. Around 2006, Denton Bible Church learned of Denton Freedom House’s need for a new home and allowed Jeremy, Karen, their three boys and the eleven men they were serving, to move out to a seventeen-acre property they had just outside of Denton but were not using.

Jeremy & Karen Adams

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In 2007, Denton Bible Church saw the impact the ministry was having on the men they were serving and decided to sell the entire property to them for ten dollars. The ministry now has a permanent home in Aubrey Texas and will be celebrating twenty years this year.

Chad & Rachel Eskew

MENDING BROKEN LIVES

Chad became affiliated with Denton Freedom House in 2015 after being arrested and facing ten years in prison from theft and drug charges. While in jail, Chad became saved, and freed from twenty years of drug use. His charges were reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor, he was released from jail and called Denton Freedom House the same day. Chad told them he needed help and had no where else to turn, they told him he was the exact person they were looking for, the lost and broken looking for a heart change, and they took him immediately in. Chad completed his six-month discipleship program in 2015 and he felt God calling him to help other men like him, so he applied to do an internship to become more involved. His internship started him out in the kitchen where he met his now wife Rachel who was volunteering there and they have been married since 2018. Rachel also serves on the Growth and Development team. Denton Freedom House originally started as just a

home for men, but they saw a need for a home for women struggling with the same addictions and added the women’s home three years ago. Both homes have the same discipleship programs and classes. They take men and women in off the streets and out of prison, house them, introduce them to the gospel, teach them biblical principles,

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how to manage money, life skills and give them a new foundation, all for free. Their mission statement is: To liberate the broken from their bondage of sin and addiction through the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Once set free, they strive to train and equip them to become prosperous disciples of Christ with kingdom vision purpose and direction. The ministry Vision is to see “Every Broken Life Mended”. They look for broken people who are at their rock bottom and ready for change. The program is one hundred percent volunteer based, no one is forced to go or

Prospective residents must agree to a six-month commitment and agree to comply with the rules of each phase. If residents leave during the first six months, they cannot return until after waiting a thirty-day waiting period. The program offers three different phases with the first phase being a free sixmonth period where the residents stay on site and work at the ministry’s coffee shop, Zera, or their food pantry. During the first phase families are invited to visit every Sunday and may attend the Denton Freedom House Church services. The residents are not

stay. Everyone who resides there is there on their own free will, they are there because they choose to be.

employed during the first phase and the

The requirement for attending is very simple. All you must do to apply is go to their website dentonfreedomhouse.org and complete the online application.

16 17

DiscoverNorthTexasMagazine.com “We aim To liberate the broken from their bondage of sin and addiction through the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ” Chad Eskew

and the ministry pays for all their food, lodging, clothing, doctor appointments and many other expenses. The residents are there to focus on their healing and recovery. They are to attend classes Monday through Thursday from around 8:30 am to 2:00 pm where they are taught biblical teachings, anger management, biblical relationships, and finance. Ken described a heart-breaking moment when he was teaching a finance class about how to create a budget to the residents. A twenty-eight-year-old resident told him “I don’t even know where to start, I have never had a job before, I have always been homeless.” In order to enter the second and third phases of the program, residents must qualify and complete one hundred and eighty days of the first phase. During the second phase, residents are allowed to get a job and during phase three, residents can move in to and rent a Denton Freedom House property off site, to prepare them to transition back into life. The current men’s home can hold around sixty individuals, which includes staff and the current women’s home can hold no more than twelve individuals including staff. There is a very imminent need to 18

build a new women’s home but that would require the property to have a new wastewater treatment plant built which will cost roughly around $750,000. The ministry has plans to start a capital funds campaign in the near future to help come up with the five to six million dollars needed for these very dire needs. As with most ministries, around ninety percent of Denton Freedom House’s funding comes from private individual donors. All donations are 501c3 tax deductible and any dollar amount is appreciated. To give financially, volunteer or apply to become a resident go to dentonfreedomhouse.org. Denton Freedom House would also like to formally invite you to join them every first Tuesday at Zera Coffee from 12:00pm to 1:00pm for their free community luncheon. Here you will hear testimonies from past and present residents and learn more about the impact this ministry is having on the community.

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By: Laura Bradley

Every adult, regardless of age, wealth, or marital status, can benefit from an estate plan. This may include powers of attorney, a simple will, or even a complex trust plan. Because of this, Doster Law Group PLLC in Denton is uniquely equipped to handle the intricacies of estates involving real property. No matter your circumstances, their attorneys will strive to protect and preserve your legacy through a comprehensive estate plan. For thirty years Doster Law Group PLLC has been committed to helping you plan for the two most important things in your life: Everything you own and everyone you love. The team at Doster Law Group has The month of January offers all of us a month of new beginnings, opportunities, and a chance for fresh starts. January gives us the reminder we need to make sure all our affairs are in order for the year to come. When it comes to getting our affairs in order, most of us do not know where to begin. Most of us do not like talking about Wills, Estate Planning, and all the other conversations that come with those, therefore we don’t take the time to do any of them. This can lead to a lot of pain and heartache for our loved ones in the tragic event something should ever happen. It is always best to be prepared and make sure our loved ones are taken care of than leaving 18 them a mess to go through while they are 20 trying to grieve their loss.

Fontaine Doster

DiscoverNorthTexasMagazine.com decades of experience in the fields of estate planning, probate, and real estate law. They provide personalized and professional services that meet your specific needs. Their mission is to develop a strong relationship and to be your attorney for life. Attorney and Owner, Fontaine Doster, was born in Sanford, Florida. The daughter of a navy pilot, Fon moved fourteen times before the fifth grade, when she finally settled in Texas– which ended up being her favorite place. Fon received her Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University and has been practicing law for thirty years as the owner of Doster Law Group. In the past, Fon has been the President of the Denton Bar Association, the President for Lakes Cities Chambers, has earned the Citizen of the Year award in both Lake Cities and Aubrey, and won AQHA Reserve World Champion in Amateur Trail (a horseback riding competition). Doster Law Group PLLC has recently added Attorney Leslie Lenckus to the group, and she brings an extensive amount of experience and knowledge. Leslie graduated Pepperdine University School of Law and was admitted into legal practice in 2015. Leslie was recently selected to Rising Stars for 2021 - 2024. This peer designation is awarded only to a select number of accomplished attorneys in each state. In addition to the Law side of Doster Law Group PLLC, they also have an in-house Title Company, Fair Texas Title. Michelle Neely, Director of Title Operations, brings over 28 years of title experience and specializes in both commercial and residential transactions. Michelle is a “Dentonite” and second generation to the Title Industry. She was raised in the title business and started her career in the industry at the age of 17. Her years of experience include title and escrow in California, mass builder accounts and foreclosure properties. Michelle is dedicated to her work, but when she is not in the office, you can find her in the bleachers cheering on pride and joys, her children, Saylor Pearl and Dutch Rockmoore. 21

Leslie Lenckus

dosterlawgroup.com 940-382-8200 525 South Locust Street, Suite 400 Denton, Texas 76201

Michelle Neely

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111 N Elm St, Denton, TX

940-387-7706

CHANCE KIRBY BROKER / OWNER 1255 S HWY 377 Pilot Point, TX 22

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FLOWERS, TREES SHRUBS & SEEDS

12804 Pelzel Road, Pilot Point TX 972-954-8580 RootedIn.com

Places To Stay

By: Laura Bradley

LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE GET AWAY? FIND YOUR REST BUTTON AT

All Is Well Resort Saint Jo Texas

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Tucked away on the outskirts of the small North Texas town of Saint Jo, hides a very unique overnight get away that is sure to impress the most adventure seeking enthusiasts. Nestled amongst the trees sits All Is Well Resort, a breath taking 65 acre escape from reality owned by Howard and Cinda Smith. The Smith’s bought the 65 acre barren property three years ago and have spent countless hours creating and making it what it is today. Howard, a retired software developer, bought the property during the pandemic with no real plan in place other than to have a legacy property they could leave to their three children and seven grandchildren. When he started looking for property to buy, he had never really thought about Saint Jo until a friend of his mentioned it to him. The friend told him he needed to look at land in the North Texas hill country and Howard, living in Dallas, was not sure what he was talking about until he and Cinda took a drive out to the area to do some exploring. The Smith’s have driven through Saint Jo numerous times over the last 45 years while traveling to Wichita Falls (where Cinda is originally from) to visit her father, but never ventured far off Highway 82. Once they drove down Highway 677, they instantly knew they had found the area they would buy land in and started actively looking and came upon this beautiful property. All it took for Howard to decide on this property was the view of the amazing creek that runs through it.

Places To Stay

Once the land was purchased, Howard started speaking with the local wineries and realized that guests who visit the area have no place to stay and the idea of a resort was born. His original plan was to build ten Broken Bow style cabins, but as he was presenting his business plan to the bank, his banker asked him if he had ever thought of Bubble Huts. Howard was looking for something different and unique and had already thought of Yurts, therefore the Bubble Hut idea caught his attention. He decided on building three Yurts and three Bubble Huts and so began his driving back and forth to Dallas where they were living until, he found a camper to stay in on the property. It took Howard right around two years of hard work to get the property ready for guests and Cinda coming out on the weekends to visit and stay. Cinda enjoyed coming to the property so much that she started spending more and more time out there. While Howard was busy handling all the outdoor projects, Cinda and her daughter took on the responsibility of creating the beautiful interiors of each space. Each Bubble Hut and Yurt have a unique theme and they make sure every detail is carefully thought out.

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January 1st, 2023, with four structures complete and it being 32 degrees outside, Howard decided it was time to make the property live on Airbnb. Much to their surprise, within a very short period of time, the property was fully booked for the following weekend and has remained fully booked every weekend since then. January 2024 will not only mark one year of the resort hosting guests but will also mark 44 years of marriage for Howard and Cinda. The property features a walking trail that follows the creek which runs through the property. Along the wooded trail, you will find sign markers letting you know where you are, different cleared picnic areas and places to stop, rest and enjoy the view and quietness of nature. The Smith’s are almost always on site when guests are there or just a phone call away and Howard makes sure to have the firepits and grills ready. All Is Well Resort is located minutes from local wineries and the Saint Jo Square and can be found on Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com and their website alliswellstjo.com.

Places To Stay

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“I wanted something different, where I felt like I was in nature and still comfortable. This hit all three aspects! “ Kennette via AirBnB

“This place is really neat! It’s definitely a unique way of glamping. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. On the drive there you go through typical north west Texas towns and then all of a sudden you are hit with amazing hill country views.” Tommy via AirBnB

FOR BOOKING INFORMATION:

All Is Well Resort alliswellstjo.com

Food & Drink

ZERA COFFEE

Ze-ra - ‫ זרע‬is a Hebrew Word that is usually translated into English as Seed

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 7:00 am - 11 pm Closed most major holidays. Call (940)-239-8002 E. McKinney, Denton, 76209 Tx Zeracoffee.com

Zera Coffee is a coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Denton, just off the Denton Square and offers many different types of coffee and frappe’s along with handheld breakfast and lunch items. Zera participates in the Denton Freedom House Program which offers residential programs for men & women. All profits from Zera go to support, and run, Denton Freedom House, a men and women’s residential program built on the hope of freedom from brokenness through community, love, service, and truth. Zera began in 2009 and is run by Denton Freedom House and gives the residents a place to work, gives the community a place to study and meet and offers a church service every Sunday. When it first opened, Zera began as a furniture restoration business for the residents of the home. The Residents would do woodworking and rehab on the furniture then resale the items with all of the proceeds going back into the home. One day they decided to put drip coffee out, people started coming in drinking the coffee and sitting on the furniture, that’s when they knew it needed to change into a coffee shop. From its humble beginnings in 2009 to the beautiful coffee shop it is today, the building offers lots of space and can be rented out for events. From their artisan roasted coffees, fine teas, bagels and sandwiches, live music, free WiFi and event space, there is something for everyone! Be sure to join them the first Tuesday of every month for their free community luncheon where you can learn all about them, Denton Freedom House and all of the services they offer.

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Pilot Point Coffee House 110 W Main St Pilot Point TX 940-553-0075 pilotpointcoffeehouse.com

200 S. Washington St., Pilot Point TX M-F 4pm-12am | Sat 11am-1am | Sun 11am-12am 27

940-200-1439 lowbrows.texas@gmail.com

104 W Main St., Pilot Point TX 940-367-8120 shop-notoriouslyyours.myshopify.com

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NORTH TEXAS EVENTS HAPPENING IN JANUARY

Events

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NORTH TEXAS EVENTS HAPPENING IN JANUARY

Events

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NORTH TEXAS EVENTS HAPPENING IN JANUARY

6655 Winning Drive, Frisco

January 24th - January 28th - Downtown Denton https://dentonbff.com/

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Helping families achieve their goal of home ownership.

MARTIN GENERAL STORE 101 S JEFFERSON ST PILOT POINT TX 940-324-6068

311 W Broad St, Pilot Point TX 940-324-6567

Sharkarosazoo.com

11670 Massey Rd Pilot Point, TX 940-686-4600

Travel & Outdoors

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Explore Saint Jo And It’s Square Every Town Needs A Town Square Story & Photos By: Laura Bradley

Located on Highway 82 just west of I35 sits the oldest town in Montague County, the small North Texas town of Saint Jo. Saint Jo is known as the North Texas Hill Country for its vast hilly regions and various wineries throughout. Visiting Saint Jo is like taking a step back in time when things were slower, more relaxed and Saturdays were spent visiting the Town Square. My husband Greg and I recently visited Saint Jo’s quaint and cozy square and every business we went into, we were welcomed and made to feel like they had known us forever. The people in this small town are so friendly and welcoming, they make you want to spend a whole day there!

Our first stop was Windmill Saloon and Grill. Walking through the front door was like taking a step back in time. Old creaky wood floors, classic country music playing, mis matched tables and chairs line the western mural covered walls, a small dance floor in front of a stage where live music is often played, and right in the middle of it all sits an old antique bar that will take your breath away. The atmosphere is dark and cozy and truly reminiscent of an old timey saloon. They offer daily specials and cold beer on tap and the best customer service you could ask for. After we ate our burgers at the Saloon, we ventured down the sidewalk to see

Travel & Outdoors

what the rest of the square had to offer and boy were we surprised! We have driven through Saint Jo’s square numerous times but never took the time to actually visit it until this day. There are so many businesses and shops scattered all around it. Panache Boutique - offering everything from trendy clothing, one of a kind home décor, gourmet kitchen goods and special unique gifts. It well known that Saint Jo’s newest residents, Terry and Tammy Bradshaw frequent here often. Red River Station – Live music venue that brings in well known musicians throughout their open season. Trailtown Treasures – Vendor booth resale shop The Vintage Market Store – Offering clothing, accessories, gourmet food items, kitchen ware, bath and body products, home décor and hard to find gifts. Stonewall Saloon Museum - Built in 1873 and recently refurbished as a museum featuring numerous photos and exhibits depicting Saint Jo’s history. We were given the history of Saint Jo by the sweetest lady named Billie Grigsby.

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Davis & Blevins, The Main Street Gallery Fine art and gifts, local and national artists and artisans including Donna HowellSickles Howell - Sickles Studio - The studio of Cowgirl artist Donna Howell-Sickles Rusty Nail Cafe - Offering home cooked brunch and desserts International Artillery Museum & Store Large private artillery collection open to the public. I encourage you to go see for yourself just how special Saint Jo’s Square really is then take a drive down Highway 677 and explore the North Texas Hill Country!

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Specializing in metal buildings & custom homes

DOUBLE B BUILDERS Brandon Beaty 940-395-6441 Gage Beaty 940-391-0701 600 HWY 377 Pilot Point TX brandon@doubleb-builders.com gage@doubleb-builders.com

UNCLE BETOS 34

940-686-0143 108 HWY 377, Pilot Point TX

NICK’S ITALIAN 940-686-2520 1340 HWY 377, Pilot Point TX

Shopping

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Shopping At The Historic Saint Jo Square by

laura Bradley

Built on rich history, the City Of Saint Jo’s Historic Square is well over 100 years old and offers many shopping, food and drink experiences for everyone to enjoy. The Courtyard on the square is is most often occupied by locals selling handmade items or just getting together to visit. With all of the shopping opportunities scattered throughout, you are surely to find something you just cannot live without! all Photos Courtesy Of saint jo chamber of commerce

Panache boutique

Main Street Gallery

Howell-sickles studio

The Vintage Market Store – Offering clothing, accessories, gourmet food items, kitchen ware, bath and body products, home décor and hard to find gifts. Panache Boutique - offering everything from trendy clothing, one of a kind home décor, gourmet kitchen goods and special unique gifts. It well known that Saint Jo’s newest residents, Terry and Tammy Bradshaw frequent here often. Davis & Blevins, The Main Street Gallery -Fine art and gifts, local and national artists and artisans including Donna Howell-Sickles Howell - Sickles Studio - The studio of Cowgirl artist Donna Howell-Sickles

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Health & Wellness

The Silent Trainer Alisha Mino, Certified Health & Wellness Coach BY ALISHA MINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY LANEY SKIDMORE

Alisha Mino

Alisha and Laura Bradley

The world will tell you who you are. God will tell you who you are. But who you tell yourself you are, is the driving force in your life. Our internal truth ultimately creates our external expression. We have the ability to negate the negative and absorb or create the positive. Then, speak it into existence with healthy self-talk. Our self-talk is our personal silent trainer from within. My Mam-maw, who was my rock, would always tell me as a little girl I was destined to be a storyteller. She’d say I was long winded and could talk the ears off of the masses. Communication was most definitely my favorite past time and still is to this day. Fast forwarding to this pivotal point in my life today, I can see where what she saw lined up with a piece of my purpose. A journey of twists and turns that led me right here, to the story of my untold awakening. At the young age of seventeen I became a “teen mom.” My son was born one day before my eighteenth birthday and there I was, blowing out the candles on my cake in the hospital and feeling like I was on cloud nine. Not scared or regretful to have had him so early, only elated to be a mom. Just a few months later I would complete the backwards trek by getting married to the father of my son. I was so in love and thought my life was complete. Finding myself excited and ready to dive into the life of a wife and mother. Something I had always wanted early on.

Health & Wellness Shortly after our marriage began the honeymoon phase was over. A twisted tale and not at all the love story I had hoped for. From year one to year fifteen our marriage was sprinkled with questionable activity, affairs, alcoholism, physical, mental and emotional abuse. I did not know the depths of who I had fallen in love with and married, but now understand that hurt people, hurt people. About three years into the marriage, I gained the courage to separate and tried to leave. The separation lasted about three to four months and during this time we dove into counseling. My heart was hopeful for reconciliation, yet in the back of my mind I was still apprehensive. Shortly after him coming home we were expecting our second child, a little girl. The tools we learned throughout counseling only stretched over a short season and the bandaid quickly fell off. His drinking and partying flooded back in like a tidal wave, alongside of the physical abuse. I can remember being nine months pregnant and pinned up against the wall by my throat, balancing on my tippy toes thinking I was the most stupid woman in the world. How did I get back here … again. My ex-husband was a grand apologizer, and his excuses ran deep. He would make all the promises that my heart wanted to believe, then follow up with handbags, puppies and family vacations. As soon as just the right amount of time passed, the roller coaster of events would begin again. Over the next decade it seemed to happen like a quarterly time bomb. A vicious cycle of love, abuse and forgiveness that seemed to have no end. I found myself in a habitual pattern yet with in each new season a piece of my light grew more and more dim. I had conformed to living a life of eggshells and ticking time bombs. As a people pleaser, I often took responsibility of the mistakes he would make and thought to myself, if only I can be “better,” then x, y and z wouldn’t occur. I found a new level of survival in pacifying the

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Our internal truth ultimately creates our external expression beast and attempted to “control” every environment to achieve perfection for a “happy” home. No matter what I attempted to do, the issues tended to occur like clockwork. If only I knew then what I know now, and that is that we are not responsible for other people's actions. I was a spirit beaten down to the core and I believed almost every ounce of what he said. Embarrassed of the lifestyle I’d accepted in the name of love; I had slid into a pit and couldn’t seem to find my way out. I wanted so badly to be married and coming from a broken home myself, I wanted to give my children more. Despite my heart of hope, I only did more damage than good by the longer amount of time I stayed. I knew we were stuck, and when the abuse was felt by them directly and indirectly, I begin to wake up. If I didn’t have the desire to make a change for myself, I had to crawl out of this hole for them. They were watching me. I began going to school and dove whole heartedly into to church. Still resting on a glimmer of hope that my husband would attend church with me but no longer waiting around or holding my breath. The deep love I once had for him had ended and I was scavenging for a way out for good. I had to rescue my children and rescue myself at that point in time. I can remember sitting in church one day and the pastor preaching a message on letting go. He gazed into the audience, looked directly into what felt like my soul and said, “it’s time to go.” I was sitting between my two children, and they simultaneously looked up at me and said, “Mom, he’s talking to you.” I broke. Immediately following that service on Monday morning, I filed for divorce. A divine moment of impact, it was beyond time.

Health & Wellness Growing into that moment I had begun my journey from being a victim, to having selfawareness of myself, my needs and my children’s situation. I had taken responsibility for the mistakes I personally had made and pulled a level of boundaries out of my back pocket that I never knew existed, with the strength from the man upstairs. I was running on a newfound “healthy” hope. When he found out I had filed for divorce I was told no one would ever love me again, no one would want me me because I was overweight, no man would want to raise another man's kids, I was a terrible wife, poor lover and overall undesirable. He reminded me that if I got away, I would be the last one to ever leave him. Yet with every trembling bone in my body, I proceeded. I already knew what that life was filled with for the kids and I if I stayed and that God had promised a more abundant life ahead if I just let go. So, I did. In the midst of our divorce my daughter was a beacon of redeeming love. I walked into my bathroom one Sunday morning after church and she had written on every ounce of the mirrors all the goodness she saw in me. “You are beautiful. You are strong. You are capable. You are courageous. You are my hero.” A magic spell of memory loss gently began, and a newfound spark was lit inside of my heart. I allowed her pure God given words to enter and her fathers to exit. My child’s truth began to become my truth and a seed of self-love and

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positive self-talk was planted. A seed planted and an everlasting garden of health and wellness would begin to grow within. Looking back now it all seems so foreign. I want to hold that twenty-year-old girl who went back over and over again and tell her her worth. I simultaneously want to shake her and wake her up from the intoxicated state of her twisted reality. But the truth of the matter is, no one is ready for change … until they are ready for change. The life I was growing through had purpose. He uses all things for good right? Absolutely. The journey leading up to the final push of the divorce forced me to muster up all the strength I had. And no matter how deep I dug, it wasn’t enough. I was at rock bottom. I called on God. I call it my “green carpet moment.” I found myself sobbing all alone in the middle of my dad’s living room floor, surrounded by green carpet. I had hit my knees and surrendered it all to God. I remember telling God,“If there’s purpose in this journey I’ll keep going, but right now I am exhausted and want to quit.” As clear as the audible voices they portray in the movies … God spoke to me. He said, your purpose will be in your testimony, and it will be shared to the masses on a stage. That moment of impact birthed the new journey I walk out today. Three days later my phone rang, and it was my friend Melissa from Oklahoma City. She called and asked me to share my testimony in OKC and to help build an event for women we later titled “Warrior Cry.” I had a reason to keep going and I plan to never stop again. When we step out in Faith and surrender all we have to God, He shows up and shows off. He just needs us to be the hands and feet, to be willing to move and He will take care of the rest. You are beautiful.

You are strong. You are capable. You are courageous.

Health & Wellness

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We have one body that must last us a lifetime. Today I am just as long winded as ever. Imagine that. I help my son and run our 501c3 nonprofit titled Roses Giving Back. He started it at the young age of eighteen, (same age as when I birthed him) to help single moms who suffered from abuse and/or illness make ends meet during Christmas. We recently celebrated our 9th annual fundraising event in Tennessee with a concert performed by my son pka, John Rose. Full circle moment. My daughter Logan is double majoring in criminal law and forensic psychology at the university and is a force to be reckoned with. She has a heart for justice and is a business owner as well. Another full circle moment. I recently launched my very own woman’s retreat known as The Big Open Space. It’s a space where the mind, body, soul and spirit find rest and are reset. A place where The Silent Trainer gets to tell her story and encourages others to do the same. Just a safe open space to simply, “talk about it.” Here we practice mindset therapy, to inspire healthy self-talk as well. We discuss our God given purposes and have fun celebrating the life He has gifted us! Ten years in the making for a time such as this. Our next retreat will be February 2024 in Van Texas and we will end the year in Tuscany, Italy. Another full circle moment. Throughout my journey I learned that not only was allowing God to lead me important, leading myself in spiritual, emotional and physical health was of high value as well. We have one body that must last us a lifetime. In order to keep myself accountable in this season of life, I reached out to Get Shelby Strong. Shelby is a physical trainer and life

coach, who he helps me mentally and physically stay on track. I’m committed to being a lifetime learner and evolving into whatever it is God calls me to be. To do that, you need community and partners in life. To the girl who once thought taking care of herself first was selfish, I now realize it’s simply proper order. If I take care of myself first … I will have the endurance to care for others and run my race well. I didn’t know I’d have a testimony and a story to tell. But my Mam-maw did, and she was right. I’m a storyteller. The Silent Trainer was planted within me as a little girl. Birthed out of me as a woman who would peel her way out from a cocoon of abuse. Sprinkled with just enough courage and tenacity to tell anyone who will listen, in hopes of encouraging and inspiring.

🦋

Alisha Mino can be reached at TheSilentTrainer.com and on Instagram @thesilenttrainer and @thebigopenspace

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FAITH & FAMILY

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New year, fresh start

It’s that time of year again! The beginning of a new year, also known as New Year, New You! We hear it all the time, and we often make those famous New Year Resolutions that can leave us feeling like a failure if we do not stick to them. We set expectations of the new year as we go into uncharted waters, not knowing what the next year will bring but hoping for the best. I have heard the definition of resolutions as: an admission that we have failed, and a resolution is an expression of a desire to change. The reality is it has been found that 90% of resolutions fail in the first month. The new year has us looking for new beginnings, a new you, new goals, new life, new jobs, new friends, the list goes on. With the new year we look forward to a clean slate, a starting over with positive change, which is probably why there are more marriage proposals on New Years Eve and Day than any other day of the year. What we often fail to realize is, God says He makes all things new, not us. Revelations 21:5 “I am making all things new”. If we surrender ourselves to Him, He will make us new. We can’t just jump in a phone booth like Clark Kent does and come out like a Super Christian.

Phil. 3:13 ”Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But

one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,“ Philippians 3:13 NIV Look forward and not behind as Paul speaks about in this scripture. Paul was a man that had a horrible past, until he had an encounter with God. Don’t be looking back at your failures and disappointments. Don’t let your past define who you are! You need to keep looking forward and get into His Word and find out who the Bible says you are. ”“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.“ Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

FAITH & FAMILY

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Again we are told to not look back because once we repent those things are gone in God’s eyes. In God’s eyes the slate is clean, all things are forgotten. That doesn’t mean that things won’t come back up but it’s what you do with it when it does. Don’t dwell on it just keep looking forward. There is a newness that He gives us and we have to hold on to that. We must hold on to the peace of knowing that God makes us new if we just ask. In Col 3:12-17 it tells us things that we need to practice to gain peace in our lives. One of these is forgiveness, which is sometimes not easy, but we must practice it if we want to have peace in our hearts. Forgiving others, yourself and sometimes even God. Keep bitterness out and put a song in your heart to God with gratitude to Him. These instructions come from His word. Read it, practice it, and plant it in your heart this New Years and see what new change it makes. Phil. 3:18-20 tells us that if we press forward you take on the heart of God. Let us make the resolution for a new you by doing these steps to help us look forward 1. Worship God daily - it changes your atmosphere 2. Pray daily, talk to Him, and build that relationship 3. Read His Word daily even if it’s just one verse. Read what you are to God and what He is to you Let’s do this for the NEW YEAR AND NEW YOU! Greg Bradley and his wife Laura, pastored The Diffrence (spelled wrong on purpose) church in Pilot Point from 2012 - 2019. They now attend Northrock Church in Aubrey and do online devotionals and YouTube videos.

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Financial Talk

One of the cardinal rules of investing is to have a well-diversified age-appropriate portfolio of investments. This simply means “not to put all of your eggs in one basket”, and as we age the less risk we can assume because we have less time to recover from setbacks. The idea behind diversification is to manage risk. When it comes to investing in the stock and bond market there are basically three types of risk that must be managed. First there is market risk, this is the risk that comes from general market corrections where most stocks will decline with the market. The second risk is the industry risk. Certain industries go up and down based on the current phase of the business cycle. The third type of risk is the individual stock risk. This is the risk that comes from owning an individual company where the stock will go

“

DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

“

THE BASICS OF EVALUATING ETF’S

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By: Ken Willingham

up or down based on factors that could affect the earnings of the company. One way to reduce individual stock risk is through the use of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF). ETF’s work a lot like mutual funds but are bought and sold on the stock exchanges like stocks. When you buy an ETF, you are buying a basket of stocks that usually but not always tracks an index. For instance, the ETF SPY tracks the S&P 500 stocks, The ETF QQQ tracks the biggest 100 stocks on the Nasdaq exchange. Currently there are over 3000 ETF’s available to buy. There are also actively and passively managed ETF’s and “leveraged ETF’s”. Actively managed ETF’s have managers that try to beat their index

Financial Talk

by buying and selling stocks, while passively managed ETF’s just hold the same stocks as the underlying index. Typically, the passively managed ETF’s will have lower costs. Leveraged ETF’s use borrowed money, options, or other ways to leverage the assets and will move 2 to 3 times the underlying index. With all of these ETF’s available how does one narrow down those ETF’s that would be appropriate to purchase for their portfolio? There are several factors to look at that would help reduce the list to a manageable number. What index are they trying to track? There are indexes that follow almost every industry or sector. How long has the EFT been in existence? I would like at least 10 years of history to evaluate their performance. What has been their 10-year average return? The stock market in general has given around 8% returns of the long term but can several periods of negative returns. What is the standard deviation of those returns? The standard deviation of returns (SD) provides a measure of risk, the higher the SD the more risk. For example, one ETF

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has a 10% return with a 10% SD. In any given year there is about a 68% probability the return will be between 0% and 20% return. There will be a 95% probability the return will be -10% and 30% return. A different ETF has the same 10% average return but has a 20% SD. In a given year there is a 68% probability that the return will be between -10% and 30%, with a 95% probability it will be between -30% and 50%. It is possible for any ETF to have multiple years of negative returns in a row, this can be traumatic if you are close to retirement. If the ETF is leveraged these number expand dramatically What is the Sharp ratio? The Sharp ratio is a measure of how much return was achieved for the amount of risk assumed. Would like to see this ratio above 1. What are the fees. Passively managed ETF’s have lower fees than actively managed ETF’s. Does the actively managed ETF have high enough average return to offset the higher fees? How liquid is the ETF? Typically, the higher assets undermanagement the more liquid the ETF, also close bid-spread prices, and high daily volume would indicate good

Financial Talk

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liquidity. What is the tracking error? Tracking error indicates how close the returns of the ETF match the underlying index. For instance, if the index returned 10% in a given year, but the ETF only went up 9% that would be an issue. Does the ETF have to distribute capital gains? This can have significant tax consequences. The above are just a starting point for evaluating an ETF. If you want to learn more, you can get more information from most of online trading platforms. Ken Willingham Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended for investment advice. The author is not a professional financial advisor. He has been an individual investor for over 40 years and holds a BS in business and finance.

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Discover North Texas Magazine | January 2024 | Issue 1