EDITOR'S NOTE | CAMY REYNOLDS Dear Readers, PUBLISHERS
Cathy Payne
Mike Payne
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 vice-president of the Jarrell Education Foundation, is on the District and Igo's Educational Improvement Committees, was a director on the Sonterra MUD Board for 5 years, and founded the local Facebook group Mom Tribe Jarrell that has just under 2,000 members.
COMMUNITY LIAISON Janet Hage Janet Hage has been part of the Jarrell community for almost 30 years. She has been involved in community fundraisers, campaigns, and committees; volunteered with JISD, and worked for the City for more than seven years. She is a development partner of NW Wilco, LLC and serves on the Community Library Board of Directors. Janet focuses her energy on serving, giving back, and uniting the community in positive ways.
SENIOR WRITERS/COPY EDITORS Ann Marie Kennon • Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Linda A. Thornton • Rachel Strickland GRAPHICS & DESIGN Sandra Evans • Zion Eaton CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christianna Bettis DIRECTOR OF SALES • Allison Smith IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel ADVERTISING INFORMATION info@myjarrell.com 512-746-4545 My Jarrell Monthly is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper. Copyright © 2023 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.
Email: info@myjarrell.com
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D E C E M B E R 2023 M Y JA R R ELL M O NT HLY
The holiday season tends to be more chaotic than my typical day-to-day life, but at the same time it seems to slow down and allows me to enjoy small things I tend to take for granted. I find myself making extra time to read a Christmas story to my kids by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, actually sitting down to drink my coffee (if you are a mom, you get it) while listening to the crackling fire and pausing more often to dance around the house with the kids while belting out Christmas songs. While some aspects of the Christmas season are a cause for pause, other pieces continue moving ahead full force. Sonterra MUD Parks and Recreation wasted no time getting involved in the community since the department’s creation in August. Along with the several community events they have hosted, they recently launched their first youth basketball league. The affordable price to play in the league will allow all kids in Jarrell the opportunity to participate, made possible thanks to the wonderful relationship with our JISD. Jarrell ISD’s police department is rapidly growing with the addition of three new deputies, plus the first-ever K-9 in Jarrell! You will meet Sergeant Wolf, Officers Champion and Adams, and K-9 Nosek in our story, “Beyond the Badge.” The Jarrell Education Foundation continues to award more innovative and creative grants each year to teachers using funds raised solely by the foundation. This year 16 lucky teachers received a total of $35,000 in grants. You can read their story on page 10 to learn more about the different grants and how they will positively impact the students of Jarrell ISD. If you are searching for activities to get you into the holiday spirit, look no further! The City of Jarrell is hosting its first annual Christmas festival complete with an ice skating rink and train rides for the kids. You can also visit the most festive town squares around or drive to see some of the best decorated homes in the area. The holidays are not complete without tasty foods so check out our international recipes to see what you might want to take to your next holiday party. From all of us here at My Jarrell Monthly, we want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
