My Jarrell Monthly Magazine • June 2021

We B u i l d C o m m u n i t y • U n i t i n g 7 6 5 3 7

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JARRELL MY

LUXURY SET IN STONE

Quality, Selection & Customer Service Define the iTile Experience

Ed Foundation Grants

JISD Teachers of the Year

Back in the Saddle

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Page 12

Page 22

$20,000 for JISD Programs & Innovation

Shaping Minds, Stewarding the Future

WCSP Rodeo June 25-26

FEATURES 6 JARRELL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

INSIDE

Inside Look Into the Celebration of the Class of 2021

10 EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS JISD Educators Awarded Nearly $20,000 for Programs and Innovations

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12 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR Tara Granberry and Michelle West

22 WILCO RODEO

The Sheriff's Posse Is Back!

FAVORITES 4 16

MEET & GREET My Jarrell's New Community Liaison - Janet Hage

Local "green thumb" Crystal Zaniewski shares her best tips and tricks to make your garden a success!

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT iTile Is For You!

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HOME & GARDEN Tips & Tricks for Gardening Success

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76537 LIFE Sonterra Swimming Pool

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NEIGHBOR LEIGH Deus Ex Mayberry

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SHOP LOCAL MARKETPLACE

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22 After the 2020 Covid hiatus, the Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo is back in the saddle for 2021—right here in Jarrell!

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Congratulations, JHS Class of 2021 Graduates!

Everything you need to know to enjoy the Sonterra pool and splashpad this summer.

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EDITOR'S NOTE | CAMY REYNOLDS PUBLISHER

Cathy Payne

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ann Marie Kennon

COMMUNITY EDITOR Camy Reynolds Camy is a native Texan and mom of three who has lived in Jarrell since 2009.

She serves her community as a director on the Sonterra MUD Board, is on the board for the Jarrell Education Foundation, is the PTO President for Igo Elementary, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has over 700 members.

June has always been my favorite month of the year. My family looks forward to lazy mornings and relaxing in the sun on our ridiculously large water slide. While my kids are attempting to bounce as high as possible down the slide, I’m secretly soaking up their little giggles while reflecting on their accomplishments over the last school year. It’s always rewarding to remember where they started and relish all their victories.

Our community had several victories this month that showcase just how far we’ve come in a year. Jarrell’s Education Foundation awarded their first teacher grants for creative and innovative classroom ideas. The surprise and excitement that erupted when the 18 winners were announced filled the room as we all realized what a momentous day this was for our children and community. I can’t wait to follow up with the winners and see the impact the grants have on their classrooms and our schools.

COMMUNITY LIAISON

Janet Hage

SENIOR WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Charlotte Kovalchuk Karina Cuenca Greta Bauer GRAPHICS & DESIGN Zion Pistole • Ann Marie Kennon CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rudy Ximenez • David Valdez • Todd White SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR • Jenny Campbell ACCOUNT SERVICES • Debbie Tolliver DISTRIBUTION • David Schumacher IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel ADVERTISING Jenny Campbell 254-251-9167 (Cell) 512-598-6538 (Direct) jenny@myjarrell.com

My Jarrell Monthly is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication.

Copyright © 2021 All rights reserved. My Jarrell Monthly is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in the 76537 zip code. Mail may be sent to My Jarrell, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537.

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Jarrell ISD honored Michelle West and Tara Granberry as the teachers of the year for the entire district. These stellar educators were selected by their peers, colleagues, and community members in recognition of their hard work and dedication during this roller coaster of a school year.

Another huge victory was being able to celebrate the JHS Class of 2021 in person at the graduation ceremony on May 27. I couldn’t help but smile watching all the proud parents, family, and friends of our 117 graduates as we celebrated their successes together as a community.

You will also enjoy reading about the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo, meeting My Jarrell Monthly’s new Community Liaison Janet Hage, and getting the pro-tips on Texas gardening from local green thumb, Crystal Zaniewski. After chatting with her, I’m almost convinced that even I can grow something—and thanks to her suggestions, you will be too!

Parents, teachers, family, and friends, let’s also celebrate the fact that we, together, successfully made it through this crazy year and we can now enjoy the relaxation and reset that summer brings.

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M EET AN D GREET My Jarrell Monthly's New Community Liaison

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long-time Jarrellinian, school district volunteer, substitute teacher, city assistant, development partner, consultant, good neighbor, and now community liaison for My Jarrell Monthly, Janet Hage is on a mission to unite the whole 76537 community. “I don’t look at Jarrell as, here’s old Jarrell and Sonterra. I want to look at it as a community of everyone coming together, no matter which side of the highway they’re on,” she says.

Having lived here and befriended newcomers, many who helped build Jarrell for nearly 30 years, Janet is excited to use those connections to help My Jarrell Monthly spotlight the people, places, and activities that make living in this community great.

Janet’s daughter, Abby, says those relationships evolved because “[Mom is] genuine with people and makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the room—like you matter. Everyone should have the chance to feel like they are truly important, and that’s exactly what she does. Serving the community of this once-tiny town is just a small percentage of all the people’s lives she’s touched.”

Jarrell was indeed a tiny town when Janet and her family moved here in 1994. All the kids in town went to the same school, and Janet remembers being able to walk for an hour down FM 487 with her children and never see a car. She fell in love with the tight-knit community, which reached out to her when she didn’t know anyone and led to her volunteer and professional involvement. She sees her new role as My Jarrell Monthly's community liaison as a way of giving back to that community. “Whether it’s for the My Jarrell magazine, the school district, or the mother next door who just moved in and doesn’t know anyone, I want every person when they come here, to feel like they’ve come home,” she says.

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Nurse Practitioner Jarrell Medical Clinic’s Newest Bilingual Team Member

eslie Casachahua is a bilingual, Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Jarrell Medical Clinic.

She was born in Lima, Peru, moved to the U.S. in 2010, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Southern Maine in 2015. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, and earlier this year, was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

With extensive nursing experience in family medicine, cardiology, women’s health, and pediatrics, she will be a great asset to Jarrell Medical Clinic. As excited as she was to be Dr. Peña's student, she is equally happy to be his Nurse Practitioner and says she is honored to follow Dr. Peña's steps serving the amazing community of Jarrell and surrounding areas.

Leslie’s goal is to be an essential team member in an environment where she can provide quality care, dignity, concern, kindness, and respect for the diversity of our community.

When she is not working you can find her spending quality time with family and friends. She enjoys biking, hiking, and camping with her husband.

Make an appointment with her today by calling 512.588.1501 www.jarrellmedicalclinic.com Para leer en español 4

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We've all heard of successful people who didn't graduate college. The Class of 2021 is the story of successful graduates, some of whom never actually went to school—okay, they didn't go to the school *building*.

These 117 Jarrell High School graduates are the first to graduate having spent a full school year under pandemic conditions and the community could not be more proud of them for their tenacity, perseverance, and characteristic joy as they walked across the field.

JHS Graduation

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But no matter what might be going on in the world, some things never change. Students grinned broadly, waved, and showed off mortarboard messages, leis, and cultural flair from start to finish. Congratulations, Graduates!

Note: Citing privacy and safety concerns, Jarrell ISD asked that My Jarrell Monthly not include students' names and not publish the "yearbook" style format featuring all the graduates as was done in previous years. My Jarrell Monthly was pleased to attend the graduation ceremony and still have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of the JHS Class of 2021 with the community.

MAY 27, 2021

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EDUCATION FOUNDATION INNOVATION CELEBRATION

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Pathways

to Success - $3,000, Kadie Tibbetts and Jocelyn

nd-of-year means many things to many people and, thanks to Jarrell Education Foundation classroom grants, for 18 teachers and instructors, it means greater resources in the next school year. On May 28, the Foundation awarded nearly $20,000 for 12 projects across the District for innovation in learning, arts, fluency, and sensory needs. Once these programs are set in motion, they will serve and benefit 90 staff members and 2,900 students.

The Jarrell Education Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2019 to enhance student learning through innovative opportunities that promote academic excellence. The board of directors represents many dedicated parents and partners in Jarrell who share a vision for excellence in our schools. The board is deeply committed to partnering with parents, teachers and the community to support and enhance the education of all students in the Jarrell Independent School District.

Foundation Board Chair Tammi Cooper explains, “The mission of the Jarrell Education Foundation is to enhance student learning through innovative opportunities that promote academic excellence.”

Bridget Jarrett, who received $3,000 to sponsor An Amazing Day with author Chris Barton said, “I can’t wait to bring an author—in person—after a year of Covid regulations. As a kid, my school had authors visit yearly and it was always such a memorable experience. I want to provide those same types of memories for our students.

I want them to realize that authors were kids like them once who grew up to love stories and want to share them with others.”

Mahaley Walker won a $2,500 grant for new picnic tables for outdoor learning. She says, “Everything we do is for our kids and having this grant will help us give them a comfortable, relaxing place to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally. It will be great to have an alternate location for learning that includes fresh air and sunshine.”

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2021 Grant Awardees

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Zajicek, Igo Elementary • This unique project will provide students at Igo Elementary with appropriate outlets to self-regulate their emotions and sensory needs.

An Amazing Day with Author Chris Barton - $3,000, Bridget Jarrett and Jennifer Nachtwey, Igo Elementary and Jarrell Elementary • This grant will pay to bring the award-winning author to Jarrell ISD for assemblies with 2nd , 3rd , 4th and 5th grade classes.

Efficiency

Apartment for FAC Students – $2,541.00, Mary Ellen Burton and Yanelis Mora, Jarrell High School • This grant will help create a furnished apartment-like environment for students to learn independent living skills.

New

Picnic Area – $2,500, Mahaley Walker, Jarrell Elementary • This project will add additional outdoor seating in the Jarrell Elementary garden area, allowing for more outdoor activities including classes, lunches and community building time.

Dyslexia

Fluency Program – $459.40, Dina Mellor, Jarrell Middle School • This program addresses online curriculum with reading fluency strategies specific for students with dyslexia.

Sensory

Smart Space to Learn – $589.64, Carrie Klepac, Occupational Therapist, Igo Elementary and Jarrell Elementary • This project provides fun and educational outlets for self-regulation and skill-development in a special education setting.

Music

Notation Software – $1050.00, Ashton Jung and Stephen Grant, Jarrell Middle School • These funds will provide software that will allow music instructors to create improved lesson illustrations, exercises, and rehearsal aides.

Don’t

Think Inside the Box - $1,899.99, Wes McCarley, Jarrell High School • This grant will provide additional support for gun safety instruction as part of the Jarrell ISD wildlife, fisheries and ecology management courses.

Flexible

Seating – $350.00, Karen Massar, Jarrell Middle School • This grant will provide flexible seating and create unique reading spaces in classroom settings.

Choir

Microphones – $800.00, Ashton Jung, Jarrell Middle School • This project will fund condenser microphones for choir performances, enhancing the experience for choir students and audience members.

Pre-K

Class Traveling Reading Buddy and Its Journey to Literacy – $ 929.00, Aubrey Custodio, Jarrell Elementary • This grant will fund a project that promotes literacy and fluency at home to raise ready readers.

Creating

Leaders – A Cut Above the Rest $2,374.01, Kaila Coolidge, Carissa Adkins, and Angela Dismukes, Jarrell High School • This grant will fund Cricuts and supplies for students in the Family and Consumer Science classes.

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Shaping Minds, Stewarding the Future Jarrell ISD Names Teachers of the Year

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eing named Teacher of the Year may not be why most choose the profession, but the distinction is a clear validation of years of personal sacrifice and hard work in the classroom by those who receive it. It is also the highest honor the State of Texas bestows upon teachers. It recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching—going above and beyond regular duties to truly make an impact on a school, district, or community.

Each spring, Jarrell ISD campus staff vote on campus-level Teachers of the Year. A committee of community volunteers then reviews the finalists.

Nominees are typically experts in their fields who guide students to achieve excellence; collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success; deliberately connect the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong community at large; demonstrate leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that embody lifelong learning; express themselves in an engaging and articulate way.

This year’s recipients, announced by Jarrell ISD Superintendent Dr. Toni Hicks are:

TARA GRANBERRY

SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR Tara Granberry has taught at Jarrell High School since February of 2020. She also taught and led the theatre program in Greenwood ISD. Dr. Hick’s said, “Ms. Granberry has already made a mark at Jarrell High School with her positive attitude and cheerful demeanor. Her first turn at directing the UIL One-ActPlay, And They Dance Real Slow in Jackson, made Jarrell ISD history and advanced to Regionals. One of the reasons she’s so special is that she goes out of her way to support students involved in other activities, as well as her JHS colleagues.

She’s phenomenal.”

As district winners, Michelle and Tara may also submit applications for the regional recognition program, with the opportunity to advance to State and receive even greater accolades from the Texas Association of School Administrators. Best of luck, Ladies!

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MICHELLE WEST

ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR Michelle West has taught in Jarrell ISD since 2006. Before coming to Jarrell ISD, she supported her family’s business and taught at the Episcopal School in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Dr. Hicks said, “Ms. West is one of those special, dearly loved elementary teachers no one ever forgets.

She’s sweet and treats everyone, students and staff alike, with the utmost respect. She radiates joy and impacts everyone in her orbit. At Jarrell Elementary, she’s known as a servant leader and is willing to take on any challenge with her characteristic grace and humor.”

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BU SINE S S SP OTLIGHT

iTile is for YOU

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nlike other home design elements, stone and tile trends change quickly, and outdated designs are, well... still set in stone. Fortunately, iTile’s Margarito Espinoza is not only an expert on the stone and tile business, he is also a creative genius. According to his wife Claudett, Margarito spends as much time coming up with new ideas and designs as he does cultivating a satisfied client base.

A LIFETIME Margarito grew up around quarries and, as a young man, worked part-time in several of them. Over the last 25 years, he has gained experience selling, designing, and installing beautiful and natural materials. He recently partnered with fellow stone and tile experts José “Chalin”* Rosalio and Victor Alvarado to open an iTile store in Round Rock.

The idea of iTile was born in early 2019. The combination of Margarito’s experience and relationships in and around the stone business, along with Victor and Chalin’s 30-plus years of experience and connections in the tile business enabled the successful opening of their first store in Houston later that year. Their hard work and ded-

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ication, and the high demand for their products allowed them to open a second store a year later in Webster, Texas.

Both stores have provided and maintained unbeatable prices for customers thanks to relationships each had carefully cultivated and individually nurtured over the years with manufacturers and suppliers prior to opening their first store.

THE iTILE “MUSEUM” Margarito, Victor, and Chalin are determined to make their showroom a unique experience. The partners, along with the iTile team, want to provide every customer with expertise and creativity that will elevate and enhance any project with quality and design.

In other stores, customers may be overwhelmed by the number of choices, but iTile customer care includes talking about needs, education about stone types, as well as pros and cons for different uses, waterproofing, or how to best care for it, so customers can make an informed decision. “We are the perfect place for people who know what they like, what fits their aesthetic, and feel comfortable trusting expert advice.”

ADV E R TO R IAL photos by Callie Hickman

UNIQUE IN THE MARKET

Margarito says, “Our store is a beautifully designed gallery for the homeowner, architect, and designer looking to be inspired through different colors, textures and patterns. All to bring your visions to life!”

Victor says “Our top priority is maintaining a strong relationship with our customers and community.

We have personal relationships with the manufacturers and, in return, our customers are able to avoid middleman fees. They get the best prices and exclusive products, perfect for any budget, found only at iTile.”

All three partners are, as Chalin says, “A partnership that has merged three families and created a strong team.” Customers will enjoy being served by a team of professionals who are ready and excited to guide every person as they come through the door.

While iTile has plenty of inventory for every need, the current trend is large format tile, light colors, decorative tiles, and backsplashes. Thanks to great market sense and planning, they have all colors and sizes available for interior and exterior products.

Team members are available to guide customers through every selection; ceramic vs. porcelain, matte vs. polished, and all the benefits natural materials provide for the home; longevity, home value, cooling, etc.

“ I WA S LO O K I N G F O R Q UA L I T Y AT A F F O R D A B L E P R I C E S . I WA S LU C K Y E N O U G H TO F I N D I T I L E . YO U W I L L N OT F I N D B E T T E R P R I C E S ANY WHERE ELSE. A L F R E D O A N D V I C TO R H E L P E D M E S E L E C T T H E M O S T B E AU T I F U L TILE FOR MY ENTIRE HOUSE. THEIR C U S TO M E R C A R E I S E XC E P T I O N A L .

I ’ M E X T R E M E LY H A P P Y W I T H M Y PURCHASE THERE. I W I L L R E M O D E L M Y K I TC H E N A N D B AT H R O O M S S O O N A N D W O N ’ T H AV E TO LO O K A N Y W H E R E E L S E .” ~ C U S TO M E R T E S T I M O N I A L Pictured at right, “Starry Night” in natural stone, and a luxury Doggy Bath.

iTileTX.com 120 SUNDANCE PKWY #200 • ROUND ROCK, TX 78681 AT LA FRONTERA • ITILETX.COM • 512-888-1212 OPEN MON-FRI 8AM-7PM • SAT 8AM-6PM • SUN 10AM-5PM J U N E 2 0 2 1  M Y J A R R E L L M O N T H LY

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HOM E & GARDEN

by Camy Reynolds • camy@myjarrell.com

Tips and Tricks for Gardening Success

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WHERE TO PLANT

rystal Zaniewski believes gardening is as much about when and where you are growing as the what and how. This is particuarly important given the unpredictable weather and varying soil types in Central Texas.

Crystal and her family have lived in Jarrell for five years, and, while her husband has always been the primary gardener of the family, her own love of it has grown over the past two years. "I've had a lot of personal transitions and the garden gives me a sense of purpose. It truly saved my life and keeps me sane."

Right now, Crystal is growing green beans, onions, herbs, zucchini, squash, blackberries, watermelon, artichokes, beets, peppers, tomatoes, corn, grapes, plums, figs, strawberries, lettuce, avocados, potatoes, and a variety of flowers.

Her intent is to minimize the family's need to visit the grocery store and eat only what they produce on their own land. Not only does she enjoy knowing where her food comes from, she is pleased that it is also healthier and cheaper.

WHEN TO PLANT She started with one raised flower bed and, this year, has expanded to 13. She prefers to plant in the Fall, despite most saying Spring is 20

Even within Central Texas, there are variations in soil, water, and environmental factors that can affect your garden. Crystal recommends checking with local nurseries, "Most typically carry plants that grow well where the nursery is located, particularly those that can sustain themselves in our hot summers."

the best time to start your garden.

"The guides may say full sun but that doesn’t necessarily mean full Texas sun. I recommend planting in the Fall so by the time the intense heat of Summer rolls around, your plants are well established and more likely to survive." She also cautions gardeners not to fall short by a lack of watering, which is extremely difficult to keep up with during the summer.

Crystal suggests those new to gardening start with lettuce and herbs, "It's best to start small and simple, being sure to grow things you know you will eat. Plus, I have grown to rely on the Texas A&M Ag Extension as a great resource to learn which fruits and vegetables are grown best in each season."

J U N E 2021  M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY

She adds that soil is key. "If you have rocky or caliche type soil, a raised bed would be your best option as you can pick your own soil.

You can purchase raised organic bed soil from a local nursery or large box stores like Home Depot, and give your flower beds the perfect base.

Over time, as you build your soil, it just gets better and better."

She also adds composite to her soil each year to increase the quality.

WHAT TO PLANT Crystal affirms we don’t have to have a green thumb to be successful.

"All it takes is a little bit of attention, good soil, and water. It’s very much trial and error and just figuring out what works best for you."

She says lettuce is a great choice for beginners. It only takes about six weeks to grow and, fun fact, you can cut off the top of it with scissors to make yourself a salad and it will continue to grow back, just like hair.

H O ME & G AR D E N

HOW TO PLANT Gardening can most definitely be a family activity.

Crystal’s children Kylee, Brenden, and Zoey enjoy harvesting and watering and get excited to choose what to plant in their own “kid” garden.

An herb garden is also a good beginner project and Crystal recommends starting with cilantro. "Something many don’t know about cilantro is that in the late Spring or early Summer it goes to seed or flower and turns into coriander. Rosemary is another great choice; it requires virtually zero attention and it will still produce well."

She recommends a good water, about 5-7 minutes for a raised bed. "A great perk to a raised bed," she says, "is that you can’t really overwater since the water is able to drain down like it does in a flower pot. It’s best to water in the morning, but if you choose to water in the middle of the day avoid spraying the leaves because the heat could cause them to burn." She adds, for best results, water at the base of the plants.

For those who are not ready to commit to a full flower bed, Crystal recommends beginning with a few five-gallon buckets. "Just choose a few vegetables and plant one to each bucket. You’d be surprised how much you can grow in such a small space. An added benefit to using the 5-gallon buckets is you can remove them from the sun when you need to."

Her choice for bucket planting is tomatoes. "They require a lot of sun but they have a tendency to burn in our hot Texas sun. That's where the beauty of the buckets comes in; you can move easily them around to get some shade when they need it."

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by Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@myjarrell.com

SHERIFF'S POSSE

RODEO IS BACK

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odeo fans will relish the return of the Williamson County Sheriff's Posse Rodeo to Solana Park later this month (See ad on page 13). Thanks to a generous donation of 20 acres by the Micheaux “Solana Ranch” family, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse relocated to Jarrell in 2019 and delighted a sell-out crowd with dozens of cowboy events and entertainers.

Until 2018, the rodeo was held at the San Gabriel arena in Georgetown, and COVID brought about a cancellation in 2020, but that didn't stop the Sheriff's Posse from keeping a 77-year tradition in motion, and tickets are on sale now.

A LITTLE HISTORY The Posse was formed in 1943, and during WWII, the WCSP members helped out the Williamson County Sheriff’s office as so many of the men were off to war.

As the years passed and the WCSP was not needed as much to support the Sheriff’s Department in their official duties, the direction of the Posse changed. More recently, the WCSP helped during the Jarrell tornado recovery, search and rescue efforts for missing Rachel Cooke, and animal relief during the Bastrop fires.

Photo courtesy WCSP Rodeo

Photos by Nancy Wilkins Spur of the Moment Photography

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2021 RODEO Posse Sergeant Michael Cooper says 2021 is special not only because they are able to enjoy a sell-out crowd again, but also because it will be held in a brand new, permanent arena. Plus, the ropers, racers, and busters scheduled to appear include some of the top cowboys and cowgirls from Texas and Louisiana.

The arena attractions also include open riding events—Mutton Busting for youngsters who want to get a taste of the cowboy life, and Saddle Steering for teams 16 and older.

Once the gates open, there will be live music, plenty of food by 5T BBQ and El Pitayo Mexican Kitchen, and a mix of food trucks to choose from; bounce houses, clothing and craft booths, and a wonderfully kitschy jail provided by the Jarrell Community Library for fun photo ops. There will also be tractors from Ewald Kabota on display.

Michael says the Posse is also very pleased to be partnering with Austin Fire Protection, Tejas Meat Supply, Mesquite Creek Outfitters, and Golden Rule Restaurant, all helping to give Jarrell a taste of the Old West for the weekend.

Schedule and ticket details on Page 13.

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7 65 37 L IFE "76537 Life" is Q&A that is all about municipal details and information that will, over time, add to our knowledge base and help readers understand the differences living in various locations in Economic Jarrell. We will address things readers may like to know about the variables within.

Sonterra Swimming Pool WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR POOL PASSES? All Sonterra residents are required to receive a new pool pass each year.

Household HOA/COA fees and COA dues must be paid and current to receive passes.

Residents must prove residency. Applicants must present a current MUD bill and driver’s license displaying their current address.

Every member of the household must present a pool pass to enter the pool.

When applying for passes, children must be accompanied by a parent.

Pool passes are available all summer long. New residents and those unable to get a pass before Memorial Day may visit during office hours (Tues-Sun, Noon-9pm) to apply.

Public use—non-Sonterra residents—is allowed for an entry fee of $5. This includes those who are guests of Sonterra residents.

WHEN CAN MY FAMILY USE THE POOL? The pool opened Memorial Day weekend and is open Tuesday through Sunday 12pm- 9pm.

Family Swim and Adult Swim, Tuesday through Sunday 10am to noon, is reserved for Sonterra residents in the toddler pool and lap lanes, respectively.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE POOL? This year a new splash pad has been added to make the facility more fun and engaging for younger children. Kids will enjoy various water features and pour buckets, guaranteed to delight all summer.

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JARRELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE June Networking Luncheon WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021 @ 11:30 AM ANYTHING FUN FOR GROWNUPS? The Clubhouse at the pool is available to rent, with a lower rate for residents versus non-residents. Email sonterrpool@gmail.com for rates and availability.

Water aerobics is offered at the pool every Tuesday and Thursday for $2.50 per class. Check the website for times and updates.

Small, handheld coolers (only) are permitted, and limited concessions are available for purchase. Snacks include pre-packaged foods, water, and soft drinks.

Jarrell ISD Annex Training Resource Center Former JISD Library | Corner of 5th St & Avenue C 502 N 5th St. | Jarrell, TX 76537 Featured Speaker Mary Poche’ - Executive Director Jarrell Economic Development Corporation

JOIN THE CHAMBER TODAY! Visit our website to apply

www.JarrellCOC.com • info@JarrellCOC.com • 512-677-5501 www.JarrellCOC.com

WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT POOL RULES? All children younger than 12 years must be attended by an adult over 18 years while at the facility. Pool management have offered to administer swim tests to children age 10-11 years, which will be administered by a veteran lifeguard and one parent must be present.

Scan the code for special events and updates.

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NEIG HB OR L EIGH

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Deus Ex Mayberry

t’s Father’s Day and I can’t help thinking about how often I get “God from Mayberry.”

The older I get the more I have appreciated the TV Land channel and all the memories of my childhood it evokes. Most specifically, all the shows I watched as a kid because they were what my dad watched. Since there was only one television in the house (What?! Said all the millennials in the world), everyone basically watched whatever Dad watched.

That also explains why I like a few typically non-female-demo things like Star Trek, Barney Miller, Sanford & Son, and Muhammad Ali. Although I did get to watch Brady Bunch when he wasn’t around.

My dad was predominantly Archie Bunker at times; Hawkeye Pierce some days, and a little John Wayne now and then. Definitely not a Mike Brady. When we were in trouble there were no sit-on-the-couch-to-share-feelings episodes. Just plain old run-for-your-life moments.

Those were good days with wholesome TV. I liked Andy Taylor then but, as a parent, I have a new appreciation for his kindness, wisdom, and the way he always defused the insanity around him without taking credit for it.

Opie once got his feelings hurt because Andy had a new girlfriend and he was worried his Pa wouldn’t like him as much someday. What Pa said stuck in my head word for word because of it’s brevity and profoundness.

“Come here a minute. I’m gon’ tell you somethin’ Ope and I want you to listen real carefully. You’re my young’un.

And I love you more than anything or anybody in the whole world. And nothing or nobody can ever change that. You know it’s hard for me to tell you just how much you do mean to me cause you’re a part of me.

Simple as that. You are my own and a part of me. You didn’t earn my love and affection because you didn’t have to, but they are there for you until I’m gone. I know it’s just a bunch of TV writers and a script but I get choked up every time I see that one.

Even more so than the time Opie had to give up his milk money to a bully and Andy told him to stand his ground without letting on that he knew his son was being mistreated.

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Again, even though they were actors, the scene where Andy looks Opie in the eye before he goes to school, presumably to be punched in the eye, is a true sense of a Father, loving his young’un enough to let him be a man, even if he’s only 6. Opie was so proud of his black eye and they shared a great moment.

I know life is not like TV but I like to think that dads really do love their kids like that, even if they can’t always show it. You know, because they’re big strong men who have to just wipe the dust from their eyes when they have an emotion.

Today, I know a lot of Andy Taylors. There’s Charlie, whom I secretly believe is a baby whisperer because his children are gentle, kind, and want to please him out of love and respect. There’s Bill, who shepherds pretty much everyone he comes in contact with, from a place of Godly love and genuine compassion, and he has that twinkle in his eye when he’s being clever, just like the good Sheriff Taylor. There’s Robert, who is a ‘father’ to hundreds of kids. He doesn’t divide his love between them, he multiplies it.

My own dad has been gone more than half my life and it’s odd to think I’m nearly as old as he was when he passed away. And while I feel confident I can love and protect my little boy like a bear and a good soldier, I hope he will always have a few good men like my dad to look up to as well.

Who else is going to share those priceless, “Don’t tell your mother we did this” moments, or slip a $20 bill in a handshake before a date or a trip? Dads are great to share the first sip of beer, the first worm on a hook, the first driving lesson, the first “girls/boys suck” conversation, and that last minute getaway offer (just in case) right before the wedding.

Dads, enjoy your special day, the comfy chair, the big piece of chicken, and sole control of the remote.

Happy Father’s Day! XXOO

J U N E 2 0 2 1  M Y J A R R E L L M O N T H LY

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