Issuu

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

CONTENTS 6 10 20 22

Historic Anna Church lost to fire

First Response Photography provided photos to show what happened the night the ANNA UMC was lost to fire. Read how the congregational is healing from the tragedy.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 6

Living Happier, Healthier, and Naturally

Chiropractor Caleb Braddock is sharing his expertise for healthier living with Anna Living Magazine readers. Braddock will be submitting regular articles for future issues.

Basketball Scrapbook

Girls and Boys teams had an exciting basketball season this year playing in a district with a high level of competition. Check out our basketball scrapbook.

Spring Sports at Anna High School

Track and Field, Wrestling, Tennis and more are starting up for Spring at Anna High School. Here are some photos of some of the athletes involved. Watch Anna Living Facebook page for more photos of High School and Middle School Athletes.

IN EVERY ISSUE 3

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

13 LIBRARY JOURNEY

A BIT OF ANNA HISTORY

14 LIFE A LITTLE SIDEWAYS

CITY OF ANNA NEWS

16 ALL ABOUT THE YARD

BEHIND THE BADGE

26 JAMIE’S KITCHEN

11 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

28 MOVIE REVIEWS

ABOUT THE COVER In celebration of boys and girls basketball, we blended two great photos for the cover of this magazine. On the left is a photo of Val Ndofor about to shoot for a score taken by Danny McFadden and on the right is a photo Reese Snodgrass high off the floor for a rebound taken by Griff Servati.

from the

EDITOR Welcome to Issue 6. It hasn’t been easy getting this issue together, but it’s been rewarding and fun. Telling the stories of the people of Anna is a worthy endeavor for us. If you are not receiving the magazine in the mail, send us your address and we will make sure you’re on the mailing list. Other options are to pick up a magazine from the racks at Crow’s Country Cafe, CBD American Shaman, Premier Pawn or The Gar Hole Restaurant in Westminster. As we finalize this issue to get it to the printer, Anna and North Texas are paralyzed by snow and ice, record cold temperatures and loss of electricity. This is one for the history books. We got out and took some snow photos which we shared on our Anna Living Magazine Facebook page. We found some beautiful sights from above using the drone and from the ground using our Canons. There are endless stories on Facebook about Texans helping Texans and multiple instances of Anna residents posting stories of help received from other, caring Anna residents. We truly live among heroes and good Samaritans. We are proud to be Texan and proud to be in Anna. In this issue we are introducing a new contributor for 2021, Dr. Caleb Braddock from Braddock Chiropractic. He will be sharing in each issue about keeping a healthy diet for a happier/healthier life. We are looking forward to his contributions sharing great information. We continue to be interested in your stories. If you know of a good story about Anna residents, we want to hear from you. We won’t be able to do all the stories but the ones that fit our parameters, we want to get out there. Watch for us out and about in the community with cameras in hand. We are working for you.

PUBLISHER

Joyce Godwin EDITOR

Joyce Godwin AD SALES

Jessica Larriviere, Amy Jukes, Jamie Roubinek, Joyce Godwin PHOTOGRAPHERS

Danny McFadden, Griff Servati, Michael O’Keefe of First Response Photography, Joyce Godwin DESIGNER

Open Look Business Solutions DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Amy Jukes 469-389-2636 amy@annalivingmagazine.com

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND SALES

Jessica Larriviere 469-748-7848 Jessica@annalivingmagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS

Claude Webb, Don Eldredge, Jamie Roubinek, Jimmie Gibson, Lynette George, Alexia Swanepoel, Jamie Roubinek, Caleb Braddock SPECIAL THANKS

Anna Area Historical Preservation Society, Kimberly Winarski of the city of Anna, President and CEO of the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce Kevin Hall, Baseball Coach Joey Hector at AHS, Brett Smith pastor at United Methodist Church. FOR ADVERTISING QUESTIONS OR EDITORIAL REQUESTS Please email joyce@annalivingmagazine.com MANAGING OWNER Joyce Godwin 903-815-0044

P. O. Box 341, Anna TX 75409

Remember and Rejoice!

s sparse as they may seem sometimes, one of the blessings of social media is the effort by certain pages and posts to offer positive quotes, encouraging words, and new perspectives for our daily lives. What has also been a recent realization is the number of notifications to remember a life moment with a friend, or someone famous, or a historic event in our world. Realizing when some of these events happened can leave us asking, “It’s been that long ago?” We remember, we reflect on that connection that crossed our path. With all of these posts about life and the things we might have to make our experience better, it appears that our culture is trying to define and to seek a deeper meaning of life and even post-life. Of course, there are life changing events we remember from years past and some are only days and months old. In any case, we desire to be united with something greater than ourselves whether our circumstances are full and overflowing or we experience struggle in our day-to-day. Take heart, God is with us. We are only a few weeks from the celebration of Christmas and birth of the Christ Child. God gives us hope through Paul, a follower of Jesus, who wrote a letter to one of the churches in his missionary journeys. Paul encourages us by saying, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will

of God in Christ Jesus for you. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, 23-24. The words of our Scripture say to “Rejoice always.” How can we rejoice always? That seems like an impossible ask and task and maybe even inconsiderate to think about, given the year, months and even in the last days what we have experienced. For us to see God’s Hope, we must look through and above our present circumstances to see what God wants us to see. The best way to see what is meant by “joy” is to see what the bible says about it. The New Testament book of James has this to say, “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it pure joy. James 1:2. So there is a differentiator here between joy and being happy with no conflict. Being happy is a temporary state of mind. It can come and go like a social media notification. JOY, on the other hand, is a continual decision in our waiting where God leads us to a deeper sense of personal holiness and connection with God. Rejoice! We need to remember to Re-JOY-ce! The Scripture also says that trials are not optional in this world. Everyone has them. But God does not leave us there. There is purpose in the trial, “because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, Anna Living Magazine

and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:3-4. No problem, right? This still may sound a little insensitive. In our trials, you can find comfort and know that God is drawing us near. With God’s amazing grace, we do not have to walk alone and on our own strength. Through the power and presence of God given through Jesus Christ the source of all true joy along with the power in prayer, Holy Scripture and the Holy Spirit; we can REMEMBER that are we created for relationship with God that has been present from the beginning. No matter what we go through, in the midst of our struggle, grieving, and pain, we can REJOICE for the presence of God in our lives. Amen. BRETT SMITH is a Licensed Local Pastor working bi-vocationally in a sales and merchandising position with the Hershey Company. He attends Course of Study School through Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. The foundation of his call to the pastorate comes from the joy of living into the adventure that God through the risen Christ has presented the last twenty years. Brett has an instrumental music background and previously served as the District Director for Lay Servant Ministries in the North Central District for four years. He has been married to his wife, Elnora, for eleven years and they have two cats who are litter mates, Bella and Elliott.

File photo of Anna’s United Methodist Church

Rich History of the Anna Methodist Church Submitted by Janet Smith for AAHPS

he history of the Anna Methodist Church was well documented in 1981 by Anna Laurie Slaughter and additional historical information was added by Chester Howell in his book “A Town Named Anna.” As families moved into Anna in 1883, they met in the Christian Church which was the only church in the town at that time. Captain Frances Henry Welch, a devout Methodist, said he could not live in a place where there was no home church. Captain Welch, with the help of such pio4

neers as Billy Guthrie, Milton Hornsby and Mr. Holt met for the purpose of organizing a Methodist Church in Anna. There were thirteen (13) charter members and by the time the building was completed there were thirty-two (32) members. In 1890, lots 1, 2, and 3 of Block 7 were purchased from the Houston & Texas Central Railroad for the church. The church was built on this land by Jon Goforth of Anna, at an approximate cost of $1,500. In 1908, a lot in Block 6, southwest of the church next to Highway 5, was bought, and Anna Living Magazine

a parsonage was built. This was later sold to Sue O’Neal Chandler. Lots 8 and 9 of Block 7, next to the church, were then purchased for $3,500 from the Isaac Wesley Hurst heirs on February 4, 1959. The present parsonage is built on this land. The original Methodist Church building began to deteriorate and in 1930-1931 a campaign for a new church began during the ministry of Rev. Roy Patton. To help with the finances, the women of the church organized what would later become the United Methodist Women. Money was

PHOTO BY JOYCE GODWIN

This is a photo of the United Methodist Church of Anna complex after the fire, showing the devastation to the property. The congregation is working through its grief for plans to rebuild.

raised by making quilts and selling them from Taiwan to New York. Early members of the Methodist Women were Ms’ Welch, Cadenhead, West, Cayce, Giles, Crigger, Howell, O’Neal, Burks, Mote and McCollum and others. Early music was played on a pump organ by Rebecca Welch, Willie Guthrie, Winnie Bates and Mary Lou Abernathy. An upright piano was added later and then followed by an electric organ purchased for $1,200 in 1955. Rev. Keith Kealing was pastor at this time. The carpenter for the second church structure was Grover Jones who also made and donated the pulpit stand. An additional 38 feet of land on the north side of the church was acquired from Ora Russell for $1,308 in 1976 and used for expansion of the existing structure. In 1987, The First United Methodist Church in Anna dedicated its new communion table in honor of longtime member, Miss Alma Littrell. After 42 yeas of teaching in the Sherman Independent School District and Grayson County College, Miss Littrell devoted much of her time after retirement to church activities. During the early 1990s, R.B. O’Neal, Jr. donated $60,000 for the building of the Fel-

lowship Hall located next to the west side of the Church. The building was consecrated on March 28, 1993 and was named as the R.B. O’Neal Annex. The Consecration service was during the pastorship of Rev. Mike Miller. Rev. Jim Pledger, District Superintendent of the Sherman/McKinney District and Bishop Bruce Blake participated in the service. R.B. O’Neal, Jr. dearly loved this church as did many of his ancestors who were among the charter members. R.B. died in 1998 and approximately $215,000 was gifted to the Anna United Methodist Church by his Estate. The gift was used for the purchase of additional real estate for possible expansion of church facilities and maintenance of existing facilities. In 2000 Lots 3 and 4 of Block 6, located south of the church, were purchased from Bobby Lynn Estep for $50,000 for a parking lot. More information can be found in Chester A. Howell’s book called “A Town Named Anna, A History of Anna, Collin County, Texas” and an article “History of the Anna Methodist Church,” by Mrs. Anna Laura Slaughter in 1981. Sue O’Neal Chandler has also added information from various newspaper clippings, property deeds, church bulletins and her memories. Anna Living Magazine

This story is reprinted here with permission from the Anna Area Historical Preservation Society. “The Spark that Ignited the Town of Anna” is a wonderful effort on behalf of the historical society that includes the stories of Anna’s leading families and efforts through the years. Anyone who may have had a curiosity about how things have happened in Anna, will likely find answers in this book. Families and descendants have shared their stories and pictures of early Anna and the result is spellbinding. The book may be found online at www.amazon. com or by contacting the historical society whose website is http://aahps.org.

In the News Historic Church a Complete Loss to Fire

By Joyce Godwin Photos from First Response Photography

he call came in what most would say is the middle of the night. It was 2 a.m. when the pastor of the United Methodist Church of Anna, Brett Smith, got the call that his church was on fire. And just like that, Smith’s pastorship of three months became one of leading his flock through recovery after heart-breaking loss. The fire at 100 West Second Street was called in at 12:30 a.m. Dec. 11. A resident across the street from the property just happened to look our the bedroom window and saw the fire, Smith said. Built in 1934, the structure was more than 80 years old and was fully engulfed by fire in a short time. “The fire marshal called me and it took us about 30 minutes to get there,” Smith said. 6

“And by then, the educational building had caught fire and it was also gone. Parts of the education building are still standing along with Fellowship Hall which was built in the 1980s.” Smith said the investigation revealed no criminal intent, and it’s believed the problem was old wiring in a closet. “We are blessed nobody was hurt and that was a huge relief,” Smith said. Before the fire, Smith said, the congregation was worshipping in Fellowship Hall because they were at the very end of the renovations on the church roof. For now, the congregation will meet in Van Alstyne in part of the VA Independent School District properties, The plan is to have 9:30 a.m. Sunday School and 10:30 worship. “The congregation is broken hearted,” Smith said. “But they have been fantastic. We are grieving and working through that. What happened is a shocking event, and because we can’t Anna Living Magazine

go back into Fellowship Hall, they didn’t have that place to rest, so when we come together in Van Alstyne, it will be like coming to the shoreline together and we will be able to grieve in a healthy way together.” The community outpouring of love and grace, prayer, emails, texts and love offerings have been amazing,” Smith said. “Anna has shined for this church. And now we want to continue to be a light for Anna. God not only provides but abundantly provides. He faithfully provides without question.” There is yet another part of the story of the Anna UMC. This congregation, with a rich history of development, began around 1883 and it’s history is laid out in this magazine in the Anna history section. It’s had ups and downs, and as if he was meant for this moment, Pastor Smith came to lead the congregation after years of struggling with his personal calling he feels he received in 2001.

“God has a sense of humor for sure,” Smith said. “If we continue to follow, He is faithful. I wrestled with it for a long time until I couldn’t any longer.” After he surrendered to the call, Smith said the daily callings stopped and the wrestling stopped. It seems that Smith Is the man chosen for this hour to lead a church in healing and overcoming tragedy. First Response Photography, Michael O’Keefe, provided the photos for this story and is dedicated to capturing the images of Americas heroes in action. O’Keefe is a professional photojournalist and commercial photographer working closely with a number of fire departments, medical helicopter programs and local media outlets across the nation. He is commonly referred to as a “fire photographer” as he is either dispatched and/or monitors emergency radio traffic 24/7. Anna Living Magazine

To find regular updates about Anna’s government, visit the website at www.annatexas.gov.

Joyce Godwin/Anna Living Magazine A new car wash on White Street is still under construction and expected to open soon. This is Freedom Flex Carwash and only one of the new businesses for Anna being built.

Anna City Council Approved Bond Election for May 1 By Joyce Godwin

he Anna City Council voted February 9 in its regular council meeting to call a bond election for May 1. Three propositions will be included for a total of $58 million to ask for voter approval. If approved, the average home owner in Anna city limits could see property taxes increase by $8.27 per month. Proposition A will be to fund $8 million for Anna’s second fire station and necessary equipment. Anna’s population has grown over the past 20 years by more than 1,000 percent. It is ranked in the top ten fastest-growing cities in North Texas for three consecutive years, and all signs seem to point to a continuation of that trend, according to Joey Grisham, director of Anna’s Economical Development Corporation. Meeting the needs of such growth, the city proposes building its second fire station west of U.S. Highway 75 and north of FM 455 in the Villages of Hurricane Creek Development. The developers are expected to provide the land for this project. “As you can see by driving around town, several new businesses are under construction including Panda Express, Texas Bank, Deep 8

Roots Montessori School, Freedom Flex Car Wash, and more. The Villages of Hurricane Creek is also gearing up for single-family homes on the west side of U.S. 75,” Grisham wrote in his recent newsletter. This new bond recommendation is another confirmation the city of Anna is growing at an incredible rate. Proposition B will be for a long-awaited and long-desired Anna Community Library with a price tag of $22 million. The library will be located in the northeast corner of the future municipal complex currently under construction on State Highway 5 adjacent to the fire station. The plan was developed with public input and will include multipurpose recreation space as well as meeting and classroom spaces. Anna resident Alexia Swanepoel has been instrumental in leading an eager and enthusiastic group of residents on a journey for several years to bring the library to fruition. Swanepoel has started a Facebook page where people may keep up with library progress and news as well as community service information. Proposition C will cover $22 million for Anna Living Magazine

city parks and recreation improvements. It is intended to fund parks, trails, recreation and sports areas as recommended by the city’s parks and recreation master plan. That master plan includes a skate park, improvements to existing facilities, new parks currently not developed and some indoor recreational facilities. “We thank all of our neighbors for feedback provided through the council meetings, telephone town halls, and surveys,” Mayor Nate Pike wrote on his Facebook page. “Development remains strong in Anna,” Pike wrote in another post. “Construction underway on the new Panda Express, located north of Starbucks along U.S. 75.”

JOYCE GODWIN/ANNA LIVING MAGAZINE

Panda Express is one of the businesses currently under construction in Anna. This building site is just north of Starbucks.

Firefighter has Rich History of Public Service By Joyce Godwin

eet Mike Hundley, firefighter with the Anna Fire Department. He serves the folks of Anna as a firefighter and a member of the honor guard which he was instrumental in beginning. Hundley has been with the Anna FD for five years, beginning his service tenure as a volunteer. He was hired for full time service three years ago and attended the Fire In Texas Fire Academy in Sulphur Springs, Texas. “I like being able to serve the community where I’m raising my kids,” Hundley said about his service. Hundley worked at a cardiology company in McKinney training medical personnel to read EKGs and monitor heart behavior. “That was a skill set Anna fire was. interested in,” he said. But Hundley started his medical experiences in the U.S. Army where he served in the 101st Airborne Division as a combat medic. He deployed with his group to Iraq as a flight medic in 2005 and 2006. “I was in Tal Afar (northwestern Iraq west of Mosul and close to the Syrian border) and helping Iraqi civilians more than anything,” Hundley said. “It was my first and only deployment and was an eye opener. It gave me a lot of great experience regarding emergency and trauma-filled cases and dealing with traumatic injuries.” The city of Anna is benefiting from that military training and his work in the private sector. He serves on the fire department as firefighter and licensed paramedic. Not content to be just an employee, Hundley contributes in other areas of the Anna fire house. He was instrumental in beginning the department’s honor guard and, most recently, took the initiative to get an association of Anna firefighters started. “It’s good fellowship for the guys and we have had some pretty good cross communications between us and the police association,” Hundley said of the association meetings. “We are looking to kind of help raise funds to provide for additional training opportunities and help purchase equipment that maybe is outside our budget.” The membership association also makes it possible for the firefighters to join the international and state association and be members of a professional association for firefighters.

From left are Anna firefighter Mike Hundley, his father Bill Hundley, his sister Kristen Nygard and his step-mother Wendy Hundley with Texas Representavie Van Taylor to recognized the service of Sgt. Major Henry W. Hundley, Mike Hundley’s grandfather Nov. 11, 2019.

Community service is a family tradition in the Hundley family. He said his grandfather, Henry Hundley, was a survivor of the Bataan Death March in World War II. His dad, Bill Hundley, attended Texas A&M University in the Corps and was planning on a military career in the intelligence branch. But an accident resulted in a broken back and kept him from going further in the journey. He recently retired from the 911 service in Plano. In fact, the Hundley family was honored in Plano on Nov. 11, 2019 in a Veterans Day ceremony when Texas Representative Van Taylor recognized the service of Sgt. Major Henry W. Hundley in the U.S. Army from 1940 to 1965. Taylor said Henry Hundley fell captive to the Japanese and spent three years as a prisoner of war until he was released at the end of World War II. “While Sgt. Major Hundley has since passed, I had the privilege of presenting the Bronze Star Award to his son and grandson,” Taylor said. “Sgt. Major Hundley’s story is one of true bravery and I’m humbled as I remember his sacrifices this Veterans Day.” Hundley says he and his wife have never regretted moving to Anna from McKinney in 2014. He said they didn’t realize at the time that Anna would be the ninth fastest going city in North Texas. “It’s pretty impressive,” he said. He talked about the fire department and its Anna Living Magazine

challenges to keep up with the development of an ever growing community. “We keep trying to expand services making leaps and bounds trying to keep up with the city,” Hundley said. He added that one of the big traditions of the Anna firefighters is to always remember 911 with a flag-raising ceremony at Slater Creek Park. “It’s on our department patch to never forget,” he said. Like all the Anna firefighters, Mike Hundley enjoys serving others, They enjoy serving the residents of the city of Anna. They are building a legacy, 9

Escape the Fire

n 1949 severe wildfire broke out in Mann Gulch Montana. Things were getting out of hand so a team of 14 smoke jumpers were deployed to help contain the fire. The team was headed up by foreman, Wag Dodge. Shortly after jumping and beginning their ground assault on the fire, the winds shifted and picked up to dangerous levels. The wild fire began to spread at a speed of 600 feet per minute! The fire consumed everything in it’s path and the smoke jumpers quickly realized the fight was futile and began to flee. The fire was gaining speed and it was apparent to Wag that they could not out run the fire. He came up with a crazy notion to start a fire around them and allow it to burn up all the fuel in that area so when the flames reached them there would be nothing to burn and they may be spared. This had never been done before. His crew thought it was crazy and they chose to run for it. Wag stayed behind and started an escape fire. His plan worked, his life was saved. Unfortunately the other 13 perished in the fire. I share this remarkable story because wildfire of disease and illness is spreading rapidly in this country and I am not just talking about the recent pandemic. Also thints like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative illness are consuming people we know and love everyday. I see so many patients who’s strategy is to simply try to outrun the fire. As a matter of fact a lot of people feel like they are getting away with it until a gust of wind quickly has them swallowed up with illness before they even see it coming. The WHO (World Health Organization) recently ranked the United states 38th out of the top 40 industrialized countries 10

when it comes to health. The U.S. is the richest country in the world, the most technologically advanced country in the world and we have the largest and most expensive healthcare system in the world. Yet we are on a steady decline when it comes to health. This alone should tell you that there is a better approach. As a healthcare provider I believe at this point you really have two options. Run for your life. Try to simply avoid the fire for as long as you can. Unfortunately, a look at healthcare statistics for the United States will quickly let you know this is not working well for us. Set a “HEALTH FIRE.” Just like Wag did to save his life, we can do something incredibly similar when it comes to our health, and the good news is, it works! What do I mean by health fire? It’s simple really. Each day our actions and habits are either moving us closer to health or closer to disease. The goal is when we do the proactive things that drive us closer to health, there will be less room for disease! We live in a very reactionary healthcare system where, often times, action is only taken when it’s provoked by serious symptoms or a scary diagnosis. Being proactive and setting an escape fire means doing things like: 1. Optimizing your nutrition both with health food choices and nutritional supplements to fill the gaps. Whole food vitamins & supplements can make huge differences. 2. Regular exercise. Unless you live under a rock the data is clear that regular exercise has an enormous impact on your overall health. It’s a “move it or lose it” situation so get moving!!! 3. Reducing stress. Stress in your system is no Anna Living Magazine

different than dry, brittle grass waiting for a flame. Things like chiropractics, prayer, breathing exercises, etc. can all help with this! 4. Optimizing your nervous system. This is one you may not know about. The nervous system is the master system of the body. Every other system (immune, circulatory, endocrine, etc.) is under direct control of the nervous system. The number one way to ensure your nervous system is free from interference and working optimally is to be evaluated and adjusted by a chiropractor. For the last 15 years, we have been helping patients live happier, healthier lives through chiropractic care. (We would love to help you and your family as well!) Finally, none of the recommendations above is advice for treating disease. That would be silly in light of the subject of this article. The above recommendations are actions that you can take to help build a healthier, more resilient level of health! Just like a garden, where there are no flowers, you can expect weeds to grow. Plant flowers! Start a health fire! Take small steps to give you and your family the best chance of surviving whatever may lie ahead. If you need help with this please visit us online at BraddockChiropractic.com or call us at 903482-1234. Let’s start a fire! DR CALEB BRADDOCK, DC. is the founder and owner of Braddock Chiropractic & Family Wellness in Van Alstyne. Dr Braddock has been able to help thousands of families live happier, healthier lives through chiropractic care. Braddock Chiropractic celebrates 16 years this year.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Your business card can be on this page in our next issue. For more information, email joyce@annalivingmagazine.com or call 903-815-0044.

Financial Focus

Estate Planning for Blended Families

f you’re in a blended family, you’re already aware of the emotional and financial issues involved in your daily life. But what about the future? When it’s time to do your estate planning – and it’s never too soon for that – you’ll need to be aware of the entanglements and complexities that can get in the way of your vision for leaving the legacy you desire. You can take comfort in knowing that you’re far from alone. More than half of married or cohabiting couples with at least one living parent, or parent-in-law, and at least one adult child, have a “step-kin” relationship, according to a study from researchers at the University of Massachusetts and other schools. That’s a lot of estate-planning issues. Nonetheless, the task does not have to be overwhelming – as long as you put sufficient time and thought into it. Here are some ideas that may help: • Seek fairness – but be flexible. Even in a nonblended family, it’s not always easy to be as equitable as you’d like in your estate plans – too often, someone feels they have been treated unfairly. In a blended family, these problems can be exacerbated: Will biological children feel cheated? Will stepchildren? Keep this in mind: Fair is not always equal – and equal is not always fair. When deciding how to divide your assets, you’ll need to make some judgment calls after carefully evaluating the needs of all your family mem12

bers. There’s no guarantee that everyone will be satisfied, but you’ll have done your best. • Communicate your wishes clearly. When it comes to estate planning, the best surprise is no surprise – and that’s especially true in a blended family. Even if you’re the one creating your estate plans, try to involve other family members – and make your wishes and goals clear. You don’t have to be specific down to the last dollar, but you should provide a pretty good overall outline. • Consider establishing a revocable living trust. Everyone’s situation is different, but many blended families find that, when making estate plans, a simple will is not enough. Consequently, you may want to establish a revocable living trust, which gives you much more control than a will when it comes to carrying out your wishes. Plus, because you have transferred your assets to the trust, you are no longer technically the owner of these assets, so there’s no reason for a court to get involved, which means your estate can likely avoid the time-consuming, expensive and very public process of probate. • Choose the right trustee. If you do set up a living trust, you’ll also need to name a trustee – someone who manages the assets in the trust. Married couples often serve as co-trustees, but this can result in tensions and disagreements. As an alternative, you can hire a professional trustee – someone with the time, experience and neutrality to make Anna Living Magazine

appropriate decisions and who can bring new ideas to the process. Above all else, make sure you have the right estate-planning team in place. You’ll certainly need to work with an attorney, and you may also want to bring in your tax advisor and financial professional. Estate planning can be complex – especially with a blended family – and you’ll want to make the right moves, right from the start. This article was provided by Edward Jones and your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones. Member SIPC.

Robert Franze is Anna’s Edward Jones Financial Adviser. He is passionate to help clients with retirement plans, setting financial goals, savings for education and more. He may be reached at robert.franze@edwardjones.com.

Realizing the Dream of an Anna Library Draws Closer

or the last few months, the Anna City Council has been considering the possibility of a May 2021 Bond Election to include the Anna Community Library as part of the referendum. At the February 9 meeting, the Council will review an ordinance to call the election and place three propositions totaling $58,000,000 on the ballot. Proposition A - Public Safety: Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $8,000,000 for the purpose of constructing and acquiring a fire station and related improvements and equipment. Proposition B – Community Library: Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $22,000,000 for the development of a public library and community center. This includes the design and construction with multipurpose recreation, meeting, and classroom space. Proposition C - Parks, Trails, Recreation

and Sports: Authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $28,000,000 for the purpose of acquiring, designing, constructing, and equipping parks and recreation facilities, including feasibility studies, park improvements, recreation and sports facilities, and trails. Since land acquisition is not a factor for either proposition A or B, both sites would enter a design phase immediately. The new fire station is slated to be housed in the new Villages of Hurricane Creek development while the library is expected to be part of the municipal campus complex along State Highway 5. Both projects should enter the construction phase within the next 12-18 months. Although Proposition C needs property acquisition to obtain some of its larger goals, the community support is strong. This is an incredibly exciting time for Anna residents. As our town continues to grow, there is a huge need for it to invest

Anna Living Magazine

in itself in order for businesses to invest in Anna and perhaps Collin College to dedicate a future campus in our town. It’s easy to take literacy for granted. Some of us don’t realize how much people have sacrificed to be able to just to read and write. Hopefully we will have an opportunity to break down some of the barriers that separate us and provide opportunities to gather, read, communicate, and learn to unite us. “Libraries were full of ideas — perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons.” American fantasy author Sarah J. Maas ALEXIA SWANEPOEL is the President of the Friends Of Board of the Anna Community Library and a published writer. You may join her writing page and learn more about her book Bohemian Swan by visiting https://www.facebook.com/ AlexiaSwanepoelAuthor/?modal= admin_todo_tour.

t’s a new year and a lot has changed. There are, however, some things that always stay the same, like the annual resolution by lots of folks to get in shape. Saying you’re going to drop those 75 extra pounds that snuck up and glued themselves to your body during this past year of hibernation and pizza delivery is easy. Actually doing it is a whole different ball game. Prior to Covid 19, fitness centers would be overrun on January 2 with swarms of sweats-clad people. All had the same goal — to get back their glory days’ bodies by swimsuit season, even though some of those “glory days” were about 30 years and 2,495 cheeseburgers ago. For $20 a month, give or take, they’d pedal, push, pull, lift, shove, and stretch themselves into sweaty balls of mush, side-by-side with like-minded folks. They bonded in their shared torture routine, offering encouragement, suggestions and trips to the nearest ice cream (Excuse me. Frozen yogurt.) shop immediately after the workouts. For a majority, this grueling ordeal would last about two months max or until they injured some body part they didn’t know they had in the first place. Such is not the case today. Following the “Stay home. Stay safe,” warnings, many people are trying to stay or get in shape from their living rooms. In an effort to add some semblance of the camaraderie people formerly had at the gym, fitness equipment developers have come up with some new fangled things that, frankly, make me downright scared. Have you seen that mirror thing? Apparently, it just hangs there until you turn it on by hitting a button or saying “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” or something (The commercial isn’t real clear.). Just like magic, a physical fitness trainer pops up, knows your name, and works out with you. Sounds good, right? Nope! Not gonna happen with this old gal. How do you know if that thing is really turned off? What if that trainer is watching you 24/7? What if that mirror happens to be in your bedroom? He or she has probably seen you in your under drawers for goodness sakes! There are those stationary bikes and treadmills with computer screens inside of which yet another physical fitness trainer lives. Not only does the trainer encourage, push, yell and com14

pliment when required, he or she, with the help of a computer, allows you to do your workout in all kinds of outdoor venues. The idea is to give you the feel of riding in the beauty of the mountains or jogging through forest trails or along sandy beaches, that is until you look away from the screen and realize your house looks nothing like the mountains, forest or beach. Talk about taking the wind out of your workout sails. And, again, how can you be so sure that trainer isn’t using your house as a workout location for his or her other workout buddies when you’re sleeping or whatever? For all you know, there could be a herd of joggers trekking right through your bathroom during your morning shower. I think not! Of course, to avoid the possible computer window peeping tom, you can always turn to that plastic board thing that the Shark Tank blonde promotes. It’s simple, she and the ad spokesperson promises. Just step onto the corn chip-shaped board, start doing the old dance favorite, the Twist, and without ever breaking a sweat, the pounds and inches fall off by the second. Trust me. The only thing falling off, at least in my case, would be me. Besides all this new workout equipment, you can aid your “at home” weight loss activities by never, ever having to buy groceries or put together a healthy meal for yourself again. That’s right. Just hop on the nearest computer, maybe even the one on your workout equipment, and tell whomever answers that you’re hungry. By Anna Living Magazine

the time you finish riding through the towering Redwoods, taking a run through Death Valley or twisting your backside off, there will be a small box on your porch containing what they claim is a month’s worth of good-for-you meals ready to eat in seconds. I can’t vouch for the taste, but just from looking at the portion size via the TV screen, I can guarantee you’ll lose weight because a flea would still be hungry after eating one of those meals. Explains how they can fit a whole month’s supply into a shoe box. Aside from all the above, I suppose these at-home workouts and diets may help the few dedicated enough to follow through with them. But on the bright side, at least you’re closer to the fridge and that secret stash of snacks you swear you don’t have. Plus, I hear they now offer home delivery of that “frozen yogurt” you used to treat yourself to after a trip to the gym. LYNETTE GEORGE is the former lifestyles editor and some times reporter for the Herald Democrat (DenisonSherman, TX) for about 20 years. Her sometimes zany outlook on life gives her an enviable sense of humor like no other. She lives in Denison and her love of animals prevents her from ever passing an animal in need. She may be reached at nettiegeorge79@gmail.com.

Want To Know The Latest Trend In Backyard Renovation? Put down that IPAD and get off the couch!!

t is official... we live in a world of technology at our fingertips! Our cars, homes, phones, tablets, online shopping, chip card readers, smart this and smart that...!! So smart that we have gradually changed our lifestyles to accommodate the technology. One recent study showed that children and families in general now spend more time watching, listening or texting each other from all these devices than they do actually spending time and speaking to each other! With most of us at home these past few months we have seen a very powerful trend in our industry taking shape over the past few years and now we actually have an entire, full-time division dedicated to keeping up with the demand! Well, all that being said, it seems that parents are doing their absolute best now to reverse the technology trend and incorporate the latest trend in outdoor renovation. Residential Sports Construction is now being integrated into their backyard designs more than a swimming pool or outdoor living area. You can now easily incorporate a half basketball court, putting green and custom batting cage for you and your kids for less than half the cost of a pool...! Once installed there is little to no maintenance involved and provides year-round use. Fun, family fitness is the new trend. Parents are liking the fact they can get the kids out of their rooms or off the couch, put down that video game and get back to having quality fun family time. Many are now encouraging their youth sports teams to get that extra practice in before the next big game or tournament! Their backyard has become “the cool” place for the neighbors’ kids to hang out.

ATHLETIC COURTS Technology has advanced in these backyard courts also. The safest surfaces have now been incorporated into the latest available court tiles which actually have scientific studies proving less youth injuries than your traditional basketball courts we grew up playing on. They can also be fully customized now to play a variety of sports on the same court based on options that are available to install. Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Pickle ball, Court Hockey, Futsal for the soccer enthusiast, Hopscotch, Four Square and yes even Shuffleboard! So, there is something available for small children to grandparents! We are seeing this trend growing

at a rapid pace.

PUTTING GREENS Avid golfer? Another big trend in outdoor renovation is people installing custom putting greens in their backyards, just like the ones you see on the best golf courses around. Undulating greens with different height custom fringe around the edges. Want to add 20 feet away spot to chip on to your green? Done. Want 10 different angles and holes installed into your putting green? Done. Not only do you no longer have to maintain that grass area in the backyard but they require no water so virtually maintenance free! Something again the entire family can enjoy.

BATTING CAGES Youth Baseball and Softball season is here and all the pros are in spring training getting ready for their upcoming seasons. This is another Sports construction element we are seeing implemented into residential backyards. That neglected side yard or that long stretch across the backyard people get tired of mowing or paying to maintain is a perfect space to convert

Anna Living Magazine

for this. Custom Batting Cages have come a long way, They can now be constructed with custom thick piping type poles and thick custom netting to contain all the baseballs being hit. The higher end ones will stand up to the straight-line winds and storms we frequently get, verses the less expensive prefab ones on the market from the big box stores. We are now seeing custom colored artificial turf installed inside these that designates the raised pitching mound area with state-of-the-art pitching machines, fully marked batters’ boxes, even a separate interior turf section with drop down netting that also allows someone to go in and drive golf balls inside it! So your select or recreational baseball or softball youth participants can actually train like the pros at home! All these trends are leading to fun family fitness once again and if you think about it, we only get so much time with our kids as they grow up fast and eventually leave the nest. So, the next time you see your children on that video game, Ipad, phone or sending you a text from 10 feet away.... Something to think about! Question: Jimmie, when should I exactly be

feeding my landscaping? I have heard many different answers from the people at Home Depot, Lowes, and local nurseries. They also can’t seem to tell me what to feed with? Or how often. I have been reading your column for years and I cannot tell how much I have learned over the years from you. I hope to run into one day around Prosper and personally thank you myself! I know you are a busy guy so whenever you get around to it let me know your thoughts. Thank you again!!! Samantha L. in Anna. Answer: Hi Samantha, thank you for the kind words and I hope We run into to each other sometime so I can thank you for reading! Okay, down to your question. Best time to feed your landscaping is early spring and once again in early fall. Our plants are constantly taking nutrients from the soil so they can grow, bloom and generally be healthy and thrive. Therefore, we must put those nutrients back into the soil or our soil will become depleted over time and our plants will gradually decline. Best to use a granular tree and shrub food available at most higher end nurseries that slowly releases Nitro-

Anna Living Magazine

gen into the soil over time. If you have Acidic plants then they need to be fed Acid type food. You can simply save a gallon milk jug, pour a cup of vinegar into it and fill rest of way with water and pour around root system of plants, another excellent source is coffee grounds for acidic plants. Until next time...Happy Gardening!! Jimmie. Send your landscaping and gardening questions to Jimmie Gibson Jr. at http://www.absolutelybushedlandscaping.com or jimmie@absolutelybushed.com JIMMIE GIBSON is a Prosper resident and the owner of Absolutely Bushed Landscaping Company, an award winning, family and veteran owned and operated business created in 1980 to provide the highest quality custom Outdoor Renovation available to homeowners in the Dallas Ft. Worth area.

Do You Know Larry Tharpe?

id you see the young poet, Amanda Gorman, at the recent inauguration? Impressive! Now, I don’t hang out with many poets, but after watching her, I did remember a famous poet I once knew, the 2007 Poet Laureate of the State of Texas, Steven Fromholz. And how did I know Steve? The phone rang in my dorm room. It was Dad, just checking on me. He asked what I was doing that weekend. “We’re going to a concert – some guy named Steve Fromholz.” Dad replied, “Steve Fromholz? Your Uncle Larry used to play with him.” “You must be mistaken,” I tell my Dad. He persisted, saying, “He grew up a few miles from us, and he and your Uncle Larry played in a band together.” At that point, I just let it go, and the thought didn’t cross my mind again … until that weekend. One of my closest friends, Ray, drove up from Dallas for the show and joined our group near the stage. The show was great, with Fromholz playing this new genre of music called Progressive Country. After the encore students began to slowly file out. I noticed the side door, next to the stage, opening and you could see the band inside. It was then I remembered what my dad had told me. I blurted out, “Hey, my Dad told me that my Uncle Larry used to play in a band with Steve Fromholz.” As expected, my doubting friends raised their eyebrows and sarcastically said, “Yeah, right.” For some reason, even though I had thought my dad was crazy for saying that only a few days earlier, I was now convinced that what he told me was true. I persisted. My friends doubted. I headed toward the side door. Ray followed. No one seemed to mind when our group barged in. And there, in the middle of the room drinking a beer, was Steve, so I walked right up to him and asked, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?” “LAAARY THAAARPE?” he replied. “Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe! Who are you?” “Claude Webb,” I answered. He immediately inquired, “Claude WAYNE Webb?” You see, I’m actually Claude Wayne Webb, Jr. Everyone in Bosque County called my dad Claude Wayne. Steve not only knew Larry

Tharpe, he remembered my dad, as well. Ray stared in disbelief as Steve gave me a big hug, asking me how my mom and dad were doing. And the next thing I know Ray and I are at the after-party near campus. A couple of weeks later Ray calls. “Fromholz is going to be in Dallas this weekend.” Ray tells me he met two girls that are big fans, and when they found out we were personal friends with the singer, they were eager to go to his show with us. Ray had a talent for meeting attractive girls and this was no exception. We arrived in plenty of time to get a table near the front. As he played, Steve would look toward our table. I was pretty sure he recognized us, so I tapped Ray and said, “Steve knows we’re here. We’ll go talk to him when he takes a break.” After about an hour of music, Fromholz tells us he’ll be back in about ten minutes. Ray and I excuse ourselves from our dates and head over to talk to him. As he’s about to head into the green room, we catch up to him. “Steve!” I cry out. He stops and turns and I reach out my hand and ask how he’s doing. He responded with a quick handshake, mumbled, “Pretty good, bud,” and then quickly turned away. I called his name several times, but he continued to walk away. Desperate, I shouted, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?” He spun around and said, “LAAARRY THAAARPE? Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe. Who are you?” “Claude Webb,” I answered, to which he immediately inquired, “Claude WAYNE Webb?” Realizing he didn’t remember us, we went through the same histrionics as we had the first time. Our dates, seeing Steve enthusiastically talking to us, were impressed. When the show ended, we not only went back stage, but Steve invited Claude Wayne and his friends onto his bus. It was another wild night. The story doesn’t end there. A few weeks later Ray’s at a bar and strikes up a conversaAnna Living Magazine

tion with an attractive SMU coed. Somehow Steve Fromholz’ name comes up and she says, “I love his music.” Ray knew that Fromholz was going to be in town that weekend and tells her, “He’s a friend of mine. You wanna go see him with me?” Ray and that pretty Pi Phi went to see Fromholz that Saturday night and, when the show ended, they headed for the stage area. Ray called out Steve’s name several times, but he continued to walk away. Finally, Ray shouted, “Do you know Larry Tharpe?” Steve spun around and said, “LAAARRY THAAARPE? Hell yeah I know Larry Tharpe. Who are you?” “Claude Webb,” Ray answered, “Claude WAYNE Webb.” And you know the rest of the story.

UNCLE SPIDER calls North Texas home, but has traveled all over the world, seeking adventures that might make for a good story. He’s also one of the owner/ operators of the GARHOLE in Westminster. Stop by and see him there, or email him at spider@garhole.net.

Providing Comprehensive Gastroentestinal Consultation, Diagnosis & Treatments Common Diagnosis Acid reflux Peptic ulcer disease Abdominal pain Pancreatic and biliary disorders Irritable bowel disease (IBS) Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Common Procedures Endoscopic ultrasound Upper endoscopy Colonoscopy Video capsule endoscopy Endoscopic ultrasound with fineneedle aspiration and biopsy

Three Offices to Serve You! Anna - 813 W. White Street, Suite 100 | Anna, TX 75409 Allen - 981 SH 121 Suite 410 | Allen TX 75013 McKinney - 6210 Virginia Parkway | McKinney, TX 75071

Deepti Dhalvaleshwar, MD

Phone: 469.697.5100 Fax: 469.697.5105 www.dhat.com

ANNA BASKETBALL VA RS I TY M E N

VA R S I T Y WOMEN

ANNA W RESTLING BOYS SCHEDULE March 3, Wed Highland Park & RL Turner @ Highland Park (Varsity)

March 19, Fri Highland Park, Colleyville Heritage, Winnsboro @ Anna (JV)

April 2, Fri District 9 JV Championships @ Whitesboro (JV)

March 5, Fri Arlington Seguin, Frisco Lone Star, Grapevine @ Grapevine (Varsity and JV)

March 20, Sat Colleyville Heritage, Lancaster, Frisco Memorial @ Anna (Varsity)

April 7-8, Wed-Thurs District 9 Championships @ Carrollton Creekview

March 9, Tues Arlington Seguin, Frisco Lone Star, Grapevine @ Grapevine (Varsity and JV)

March 24, Wed Wylie East, Gunter @ Melissa (Varsity)

April 16-17, Fri-Sat Region 3 Championships @ Pflugerville Weiss

March 13, Sat Argyle, Winnsboro, Frisco Reedy @ Reedy (Varsity)

March 27, Sat Argyle, Midlothian, Frisco Liberty @ Frisco Liberty (Varsity)

April 23-24 , Fri-Sat UIL 5A State Championships @ Berry Center-Houston

March 17, Wed Lovejoy, Whitesboro @ Anna (Varsity)

April 1, Thurs Creekview, Newman Smith @ Newman Smith (Varsity)

ANNA W REST L I N G

GIRLS SCHEDULE

March 3, Wed Highland Park & RL Turner @ Highland Park

March 24, Wed Wylie East, Gunter @ Melissa

March 5, Fri Arlington Seguin, Frisco Lone Star, Grapevine @ Grapevine

March 27, Sat Argyle, Midlothian, Frisco Liberty @ Frisco Liberty

March 9, Tues Melissa, McKinney North, Princeton @ Princeton

April 1, Thurs Creekview, Newman Smith @ Newman Smith

March 17, Wed Lovejoy, Whitesboro @ Anna

April 7-8, Wed-Thurs District 9 Championships @ Carrollton Creekview

March 13, Sat Argyle, Winnsboro, Frisco Reedy @ Reedy

April 16-17, Fri-Sat Region 3 Championships @ Pflugerville Weiss

March 20, Sat Colleyville Heritage, Lancaster, Frisco Memorial @ Anna

April 23-24 , Fri-Sat UIL 5A State Championships @ Berry Center-Houston

Anna Living Magazine

ANNA HIGH SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD 2021 DATE

MEET

SITE

TEAMS

START

February 11

Dual-meet

TBA

JV & Varsity

February 25

Anna Coyote Relays

Anna

JV & Varsity

3:00

March 4

Panther Relays

Van Alstyne

JV & Varsity

10:00

March 18

Denison Yellowjacket Relays

Denison

JV & Varsity

March 19-20

Texas Distance Festival

Southlake

Qualifying Runners

March 25

S&S Ram Relays

S&S

JV & Varsity

March 24 - 27

Texas Relays

UT-Austin

Qualifying Runners

March 26-27

Jesuit-Sheaner Relays

Dallas Jesuit

Invite only

March 31-April 1

11-4A District Championships

Aubrey

JV & Varsity

April 15 (TBA)

UIL Area Championships

Dallas-Kincaide (TBA)

Qualifying Varsity

April 23 - 24

UIL Regional Championships

TAMU-Commerce

Qualifying Varsity

May 7 - 8

UIL State Championships

UT-Austin

Qualifying Varsity

1:00

ANNA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD 2021 DATE

MEET

SITE

TEAMS

START

Februasry 23

Anna Coyote Relays

Anna

7th and 8th

4:00

March 2

Panther Relays

Van Alstyne

7th and 8th

March 16

Denison Yellowjacket Relays

Denison

7th and 8th

March 22

S&S Ram Relays

S&S

7th and 8th

March 29

11-4A District Championships

Sanger (TBA)

7th and 8th

T R A C K A N D F I E L D C O A C H I N G STA F F Scott O’Connor - Head Girls Jeremy Patton - Head Boys Tomika Crosby Joshua Hill Brandon Powell

James Lane - Head Boys JH Crystal Powell - Head Girls JH Brad Walker Justin Baldia Kristen Massey Anna Living Magazine

Brittney Fredrick - HS Trainer Terry Miller - MS Trainer Lauren Mioton Kyle Phifer Kyle Stevens 23

School News

Spring Sports Take Off at Anna High School By Amy Jukes

pring sports is alive and well at Anna High School. Tennis, wrestling, track and field, soccer, baseball and softball are all underway in Anna.

Track and Field

The Anna Independent School District Track and Field coaches have an infectious excitement for a prominent season, even with all the conflict faced this year due to Covid-19. Women’s coach Scott O’Connor and men’s coach Jeremy Patton have found ways to make sure all their students have the opportunity to be involved with as many events as possible with creative scheduling. When asking the coaches what makes Anna Track and Field, O’Connor quickly responded they have “great athletes from such a diverse background.” Coach Patton added, «Our kids are a little more homegrown, we know we have to put in the hard work, and that’s what the kids do.” The coaches enthusiasm also extends to the middle school Program.

Baseball

By Joyce Godwin

Head Baseball Coach Joey Hector tweeted his sentiment on the first day of baseball practice for 2021 with this picture. He wrote, “Today is our last 1st day of practice together. I am his coach, he is my player....but there is so much more to it than that!! The pleasure has been all mine!!! Let’s Go 5.” Hector’s son Rawley, who wears the No. 5, is in his senior year, so this is the last year the two will be in partnership as coach and player. Next year Rawley will likely be on the Texas A&M roster unless he accepts an offer from one of the major league baseball teams during the draft in July. Yes, he’s that good. But before all that, Rawley Hector and Joey Hector have one more season together right here at Anna High School and their goal will be to enhance the Anna baseball team while cherishing the bonds with Anna Coyotes established through the years. Rawley and his dad will be the first ones to say, Rawley Hector, No. 5, is not the only great player on the 2021 Coyotes team. This is going to be a great year.

Soccer The best word to describe Soccer Coach Marlon Madrigal may be family. A passion for coaching the girls comes across in his voice as he talks about the soccer program and the school. He has coached girls’ soccer for three years with Anna Independent School District. Madrigal uses the family acronym in every context when talking about his program. The team mantra is: “It’s a F.A.M.I.L.Y thing, which stands for ‘Forget About Me I Love You.’” Also Madrigal credits Alyssa Resmini, his assistant coach, as the expert in soccer. Madrigal still keeps track of students as they leave for college. With pride, he tells us about Caitlin long, who went off to Arkansas Rich Mountain to play soccer. Coach Madrigal is excited about the 2021 season. “We have a great group of girls, and they are amazing doing everything I ask of them.”

Catie Chavez, Krista Valdez and Kaitlyn Long

Anna Living Magazine

Wrestling The 2020-2021 Wrestling season has not been a traditional season with delays and rescheduling. This team is ready to go with Coach Kyle Stevens in their corner. They face teams from Carrolton, Lovejoy, and McKinney. Anna High School Wrestling may be the new kids on the scene, but they are not afraid to give it their all on the mat. “We will get a good mix of competition and showcase our wrestlers,” Stevens said with excitement. Coach Stevens’ love for wrestling and mentoring extends past the Anna School District. He also serves as the President of the Coaches Association and volunteers his time with USA Wrestling. Stevens started volunteering as a coach more than 20 years ago in Kansas. He is no stranger to opening a new wrestling program, coming from Frisco’s Heritage High School, where he started the wrestling program. Stevens’ says paying attention to routines and placing wrestlers in small groups has helped keep his wrestlers in top shape. Extra cleaning of mats and other equipment has also been another measure taken by the team to keep everyone healthy. Stevens reports that having the prolonged season has given the wrestlers an advantage to get in extra training.

Anna Living Magazine

Recipes for Healthy Eating and a Little Comfort

he beginning of the year brings excitement for new beginnings for most. This new year is certainly no different and may have been anxiously anticipated more than any other new year. For me, I’m always thinking about things I want to change and ideas for self-improvement. As you may have guessed, it starts in the kitchen for me. I’ve started tracking my macros, which means I am planning out my foods for the day that fit the recommended proteins, fats, and carbohydrates for my body. No foods are off-limits (my favorite thing about the plan) but they have to fit in my macros for the day. Macronutrients are the three types of nutrients that provide you with most of your energy: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Micronutrients are the nutrients your body uses in smaller amounts, like vitamins,

minerals, antioxidants, etc. If you’re interested in learning more about this way of eating I love so much, I encourage you to do an internet search for “If It Fits Your Macros.” You are sure to find a wealth of information. And if all else fails, send me an email and we can chat about it. :) This way of eating has forced me to look at my recipes a little differently and put a new spin on some of my old favorites. This Chicken Lettuce Wrap recipe is no different. I had planned to cook some to eat and some to save, however, my kids loved it so much they took care of the “to save” part. What started as a healthy meal idea for me has now turned into a family favorite and now I must share it with your family.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps • • • • • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 pound ground chicken 2 tsp minced garlic 1 yellow onion, diced ¼ C Hoisin sauce 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar ¼ tsp ground ginger 2 green onions, thinly sliced Salt and pepper to taste 12 butter lettuce leaves

DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. 2. Add ground chicken and cook, breaking up, until browned. Drain excess grease. 3. Add garlic and onion. Saute for two minutes. 4. Add Hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger and green onion. Cook for two more minutes, then season with salt and pepper. 5. Divide chicken mixture evenly among the lettuce leaves. 6. ENJOY!

Anna Living Magazine

Butterfinger Protein Smoothie

Now before you start thinking my life is sad and full of lettuce, let me introduce you to one of the highlights of my eating plan. This is easy as can be and will surely knock your socks off after a nice work out at my new favorite gym, Workout Anytime. This Butterfinger Protein Smoothie not only tastes amazing but it’s super healthy, too! It tastes just like a candy bar. You’ll thank me later. Promise! • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS: 10 oz almond milk 1 C water 1 C ice cubes 1 scoop vanilla protein powder 1 tbsp peanut butter 2 tsp sugar free butterscotch instant pudding mix ½ tsp cocoa powder Combine all ingredients in blender and blend for about one minute. Enjoy immediately and don’t leave a bit behind! ;)

Baked Potatoes Jack

Now, all of the healthy eating talk aside, I have to share this comfort food with you. This is one of my tried and true recipes that I can put on repeat with my family and they will never complain. It’s so popular that we serve it for our extended family at Christmas and there is never even a morsel left to save. Not only do I love the people I serve it to, but thinking of

where the recipe came from brings me such joy each time I prepare it. My Uncle Patti (yes, I’ve always called her that) sent this recipe to me years ago as I was first learning to experiment in the kitchen while living on my own. My favorite part is, it’s easy and you just can’t mess it up! Perfect! Serves 6 to 8 • • • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS: 6 medium russet potatoes, baked and cooled ½ C butter, melted 1 C sour cream 1 ½ C grated Monterrey Jack cheese ½ to 1 C Miracle Whip Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash garlic ¼ C fresh parsley, chopped 1 ½ C green onions and tops, chopped Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 2. Peel baked potatoes and mash with a fork, leaving lumps. Place potatoes in a 13 ½” x 8 ¾” dish. Anna Living Magazine

3. Combine butter, sour cream, cheese, and Miracle Whip. 4. Sprinkle potatoes with Mrs. Dash garlic, parsley, green onions, and salt & pepper. 5. Spoon cheese sauce over top, leaving hills and valleys. 6. Bake uncovered in preheated oven until slightly browned on top or about 30 minutes.

I’m JAMIE ROUBINEK and I’m the girl behind this little corner of kitchen inspiration. I find great pleasure in always learning something new. I was never confident in the kitchen but I love learning new things and trying them out. Doing that experimenting has led to a lot of happiness around the kitchen table at my house. Fortunately, the key to my husband of 13 year’s heart is through his stomach and he is easy to please. With our five kids, on the other hand, that hasn’t always been the case. I love fine-tuning recipes and making adjustments to make everyone smile. I hope that I can help you see how easy it can be to bring that same happiness to your kitchen table! Submissions and suggestions from readers are welcome. Send to jroubinek@yahoo.com.

ritten especially for movie nerds — er, fans — the book was one of those that invariably show up in the bargain bin at used book stores. It was titled “Who Is That?” and featured page after page of photos of actors and actresses who seldom got credits but appeared in many old movies. For the nerds (er, fans), recognizing Dickie Moore, Frank Pangborn, S.Z. “Cuddles” Sakall, Spring Byington, Una O’Conner or Florence Bates gives a warm feeling that translates into a kind of knowledge about movies that only a real aficionado (er, nerd) can appreciate. Just inside the title page of the original 1967 paperback edition of the book was the notation, “Dedicated to Jack Norton and Bess Flowers.” Norton was a character actor, mostly uncredited, from Brooklyn who died in 1958 with, according to Internet Movie Database (IMDb), 198 movie and television credits. That’s impressive, but not compared to Bess Flowers, who happened to be born just up the road from Anna, in Sherman, TX, back in 1898. She died in California in 1984. Efforts to find any Texas survivors have not been fruitful, but putting together some facts from published interviews and short biographies, it appears she and her family moved to Oklahoma when she was young. Around age 22, breaking with the strict discipline measures of her father, she left Oklahoma, by train, for Hollywood, determined to be an actress. What followed was a film career that lasted 40-plus years and left her with a higher picture count, by far, than any other actor or actress in movie history. Around 350 appearances are labeled “Uncredited Extra,” but IMDb lists her

in 945 roles, combining movies, television and short subjects. Of those, 839 are in feature-length movies. No one else, actor or otherwise, has come close to such a number. “Who Is That?” author Warren B. Meyers aptly called her “The Queen of Hollywood Extras,” and her career backs up the worthiness of that title. Some subsequent publications have altered it to “Queen of the Dress Extras.” That makes note of the fact she most often provided her own costumes, reportedly gathered during her early days of making calls and then arranging to buy the clothes she was issued. Her 5-foot-8 stature and the fancy duds she accumulated while working most often led to her screen identity as “Party Guest” or “Restaurant Patron.” She said few words in those 40-plus years on screen, but she was often given parts that were noticeable, such as shaking hands or making an inaudible comment to the star who might be passing by. One of her major roles was that of Annette Whittemore in the 1929 silent film “Linda,” with a production and writing crew dominated by women. It’s available on Amazon Prime streaming. As talking pictures took hold, she worked primarily as a walk-on, even in her later television appearances. There is no reason to cry for her, however. She was no shrinking violet. “I made a good living,” she told interviewer Anthony Slide late in her life. “I never took anything that was hard. I was always good to Bess.” She worked with many great directors, including Charlie Chaplin, John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, Frank Capra, George Stevens, William Wyler, Ernst Lubitsch, Billy Wilder, Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Preston Sturges. She told an interviewer her favorite directors were Gregory La Cava, Capra and Mankiewicz. Ms. Flowers shared the stage with a galaxy of stars, including Gary Cooper, Fred MacMurray, Joan Crawford, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, Paul Newman, Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. The list goes on and on. As for television, she appeared on “I Love Lucy,” “The Jack Benny Show,” “My Three Sons,” “Leave It To Beaver,” “Thriller” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” She made 13 apAnna Living Magazine

pearances on “Perry Mason,” starring Raymond Burr. Her short subject co-stars included Laurel & Hardy and the Three Stooges, with whom she made 25 two-reelers. Among her most noted accomplishments, biographers point out, was co-founding the Screen Extras Guild in the mid-1940s, serving as both vice president and traveling secretary with the union. A more fun fact was that she appeared in five movies that won the Academy Award for best picture, and was in 20 more that were nominated for the top prize. Those, too, appear to be records for anyone in the motion picture business. Look for her in “It Happened One Night” (1934), “You Can’t Take It With You” (1938), “”All About Eve” (1950), “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), and “Around the World in 80 Days” (1956). She worked in better classics, including “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962), “Vertigo” (1958) and “Dodsworth” (1936). A couple of more pages are needed to really do her justice. Her last picture was “Good Neighbor Sam,” in 1964, featuring Jack Lemmon. For more details, look up her name at IMDb.com. How does one spot an extra in a film? In the case of Bess Flowers, just look for the tall, elegant woman, well dressed and usually with a bright smile. DON ELDREDGE is the retired editor of the Herald Democrat newspaper (Sherman-Denison, TX) and resides in Sherman. E-mail him at eldredgedon@gmail.com.

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