Anna Living Magazine Issue 7

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7

YOUR

HEALTH

MATTERS! Anna Family Healthcare is an independently owned practice that focuses on preventive care for your whole family through all stages of life. From diagnostic tests and sick visits to chronic disease monitoring and minor surgical procedures, Anna Family Healthcare serves as the first stop for your healthcare needs.

MISSION

OUR LOCATION

The mission of Anna Family Healthcare is to promote the health and well-being of the community’s needs by providing accessible highquality medical care for people of all ages.

Anna Family Healthcare 813 West White Street #100 Anna, Texas 75409 T: 972.924.8224 F: 972.924.8226

SERVICES • • • • • • • • •

Annual Wellness Exams Child Exams Diabetic Care Dietary and Nutrition Guidance Hypertension Immunizations Newborn Care Weight Loss Hormone Replacement

OUR HOURS Business Hours Monday: 8:00-5:00 Tuesday: 8:00-5:00 Wednesday: 8:30-5:00 Thursday: 8:00-5:00 Friday: 8:00-5:00 Clinic Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:15 Lunch Hours: Monday-Friday 12:00pm -1:15pm

Debra S. Howerton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C Please help us welcome Debra Howerton, MSN, APRN, FNP-C to Anna Family Healthcare. Debra comes to us from McKinney. She has been a nurse for more than 30 years, graduating from Grayson County College in 1992 with her RN and from UTA in 2006 with her BSN. She has been a Nurse Practitioner since 2008, graduating from Texas Woman’s University with her masters. She worked for Medical City McKinney for several years before becoming a NP working along side Dr. Taysir Jarrar as well as many physicians in the hospital setting. Dr. Taysir Jarrar has retired, and Debra has agreed to come to Anna and provide healthcare to the community. Debra is excited to care for all ages of the family. She brings her knowledge, experiences, and laughter to the practice. We are excited to have her here. Debra is married with two grown children with grandkids. She loves to travel, read, and spend time with her grandchildren.

Janet S. Wheat, DNP, APRN, FNP-C Dr. Jan Wheat has been a nurse practitioner since 2006. She received her Masters and Doctorate from Texas Woman’s University, where she is also on faculty in the Masters and Doctorate programs. Dr. Jan opened Anna Family Health Care in 2013, with this being the 8th year for the practice. Her mission has always been to promote the health and well-being of the community’s needs by providing accessible high quality medical care for patients of all ages.

813 West White Street #100, Anna, Texas 75409 T: 972.924.8224 F: 972.924.8226

ALL OFFICE VISITS ARE

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

CONTENTS 3 6

18 20 24 26

New Church to Open Soon South of Anna

New Methodist church on State Highway 5 south of Anna places emphasis on gathering and its coffee shop has drive-through window.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 7

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Anna Boys Baseball & Anna Girls Softball

Danny McFadden captures action photos for AHS varsity baseball and softball.

Chamber Sets Date for Banquet

The annual awards banquet for the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce has been set.

Anna High School Film Team Wins State

Anna High School students walk away with top honors in the UIL Young Filmmakers — first in the state

Jessica Larriviere Joins Anna Living Magazine Jamie’s Kitchen

“Jamie’s Kitchen” gets a little help from Christi Webb Mahon.

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6 ABOUT THE COVER

IN EVERY ISSUE 4

A BIT OF ANNA HISTORY

24 WORDS OF INSPIRATION

11 BUSINESS DIRECTORY

26 JAMIE’S KITCHEN

14 EMOTIONALLY SPEAKING

28 MOVIE REVIEWS

16 ALL ABOUT THE YARD

Cover Photo by Joyce Godwin / Anna Living Magazine

Anna High School Filmmakers class stands in front of the green screen amid the studio filled with equipment that helps the group produce awardwinning videos under the direction of Randall Kramen. From left on the back row are Matthew Campbell, Tyler Erovick, Camden DeMetrovich, Gabe Silva, Dallas Meader, Dorian Ruffin and Mr. Randall Kramen. Front row from left are Emma Godwin, TeMyjia Jemison and Macie Boone.

This group has won its competed all the way to State winning UIL State honors.

from the

EDITOR Thank you Anna residents and businesses.

We at Anna Living Magazine have received great feedback from you about our magazine and it inspires us to do more. Starting our second year of publishing stories about Anna residents, we continue to love what we’re doing. Your comments are always welcome.

This issue has wonderful action photos of high school baseball and softball players. They were taken by Danny McFaddin who goes to most school events and takes beautiful pictures of Anna ISD students. Then he posts them on line so the youngsters can download them for free.

We also have a story about the new United Methodist Church on State Highway 5 just south of Anna a short distance. And we are telling a story about the high school film makers who won first place at the state UIL competition. It’s a great program and one of which Anna ISD can be proud.

Be sure to visit the pages for “Jamie’s Kitchen” where we have a visiting chef sharing recipes you won’t want to miss.

In other news, Anna neighbors will be voting very soon on important issues for the city involving a library and a parks program. Wherever you stand on the issues, please don’t pass on your right to have your voices heard in this and every election. Don’t forget to vote!

When you get a chance, would you please like us on Facebook, and if you don’t receive the magazine in the mail, pick it up at one of our distribution points: Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce at 218 W. 4th St., Premier Pawn at 1002 S. Powell Pkwy., Crow’s Country Cafe at 1143 W. 4th St., The Gar Hole at 106 Houston St. in the Westminster Community or My Estrella at 810 W. White St., Suite 700.

Remember to shop local and please start with the advertisers in Anna Living Magazine.

Enjoy your spring!

PUBLISHER

Joyce Godwin EDITOR

Joyce Godwin AD SALES

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

Danny McFadden, 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

Don Eldredge, Jamie Roubinek, Jimmie Gibson, 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.

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

New Church to Open Soon South of Anna

Construction on the new church is nearing completion.

Story and photos by Joyce Godwin

If you travel south on State Highway 5 with any regularity, you have probably noticed the new church under construction.

It’s Melissa United Methodist Church and will be open soon.

Rev. Stacey Piyakhun is leading this group as it gears up to be a light for all. “We are so excited for this space,” said Piyakhun who has pastored this congregation since its beginnings in 2012. “It’s a new church start with a great partnership with members of the United Methodist Church of Mckinney,” Piyakhun said. Both churches are a part of the North Texas Conference.

Piyakhun said they have had the building design for the new church since 2016.

It has an emphasis on gatherings with rooms that can be versatile and meet a

variety of needs. She said the emphasis is on gathering.

One of the more unusual features of this church is its fully-operational coffee shop with its own drive-through window. Anyone can pull in during open hours to get a cup of coffee. Wifi will be throughout the gathering spaces in the building.

With an open turf playground, hang-out areas and a track around the perimeter, the facility can be used throughout the week and not just on Sunday. The building is expected to be ready in May and the congregation is excitedly looking forward to meeting in the new church.

Piyakhun says everyone is welcome.

“God is always calling you to grow in some way.”

Anna Living Magazine

Rev. Stacey Piyakhun, pastor of the new Melissa United Methodist Church on State Highway 5 chats with construction workers while they work on the new church.

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Coffman Community West of Anna Has Rich Farming History

By Jan Sherley Miller Photo by Joyce Godwin

Part of the Coffman Cemetery is seen here with a mixture of recent and very old grave markers. It is the only structure of any kind remaining from the historic Coffman Community west of Anna. It is located on the service road of U.S. Highway 75 south of White Street/ F.M. 455.

J

ohn Coffman (7-3-1804: 2-15-1880) was one of the earliest settlers of this area, coming in 1843. John met Elizabeth Witt in Jefferson County, Tennessee, and they were married on February 15, 1828. With their respective families, they migrated the following year to Illinois, likely Greene County on the Illinois River and two counties above St. Louis. Here, eight of their 12 children were born.

Obtaining some land in the Peter’s Colony in 1843, John brought his family to Texas to settle in 1844. John, an accomplished farmer, and Elizabeth established their home three miles west of the present town of Anna. Four more children were born there. Known to be a devout Christian, Elizabeth with her husband became charter members with six other people of a Baptist Church in 1850.

In the 1840s, John allocated some land on the southern boundary of his farm for a cemetery. There he and Elizabeth are buried, as well as his son George and his wife, Mittie Jane. John left his land to his sons, not without causing some resentment among his daughters.

Perhaps he reasoned that their husbands should provide for them, or that he desired above all, that the land they had struggled to acquire should be maintained by male descendants as “Coffman” land. Ironically and tragically, the male line expired on the death of Scott Coffman, 1965, grandson of John Hogan 4

(Coffman), but the farm has retained its name through descendants of Quincy, his granddaughter and daughter of his son George.

John would have been very pleased if he could realize that the Coffman farm still exists to this day. It is owned by his great, great, great grandchildren. The land was designated by the Texas Agriculture Department in 1974 to the Texas Family Land Heritage Program. This honor is “for century or more continuous ownership and operation as a family agricultural enterprise. To the dedication and perseverance of the founders and heirs of these lands, we owe the basis of wealth of Texas.” This is the oldest such farm in Collin County.

Coffman Cemetery is still “alive.” The oldest standing marker in the cemetery is that of Alfred Dupry (5-22-1852: 3-8-1876). There were earlier graves with wooden markers that have been destroyed. As one enters the gate on the east, there is a large bois d’arc post that is believed to be one of the earliest graves. The steel fence surrounding the cemetery is the original one put up many years ago. The cattle grazing in the area were beginning to present problems at burials. The Coffman Cemetery Association erected a new fence in 2009. Some of the old fence was sold in pieces to families of people buried in the cemetery to help pay for the new fence.

Pitt’s 1971 Original Survey of Burials, speaks Anna Living Magazine

of the cemetery as the Coffman-Rollins Cemetery. This is understandable since the majority of those buried are descendants of James Rollins (1-1-1837: 3-28-1910), who settled west of the Coffman Cemetery. All the early burials were conducted by Sherley Bros. of Anna.

The cemetery remains faithful to its beginning. There is no charge to be buried here, you must be a direct descendant of one of the original families or have married one. A historical marker was dedicated on Oct. 18, 1987. Alma Littrell, who had been secretary of the cemetery board for years and who wrote the history of the community and of the cemetery (in order to procure a marker), ironically was buried the same day as the marker dedication.

George Coffman, son of John, had a home to the southwest of the cemetery. His granddaughter Lorraine recalled what a well-kept, beautiful place it was with the house trimmed in gingerbread (style), the extensive barns so well-tended, and the garden and orchard that were so productive. George was one of the most successful farmers and livestock breeders of the county. He was a breeder of jacks and jennies (donkeys) and prided himself on raising choice big, heavy mules so necessary to farming and for use as draft animals. Mule buyers came many miles to his farm to supply their needs.

Before the railroad, many crops, such as cotton, were shipped to Jefferson, Texas by wagons,

which returned with needed goods for the area.

During George Coffman’s ownership of the land, he allocated land for a community store and a schoolhouse. The Coffman community was one-half mile west of the cemetery and consisted of a school and a store owned by W.J. Howell (10-30-1852: 1-18-1921).

Mr. and Mrs. Howell, fondly known as Uncle Billy and Aunt Lizzie, had a store at the crossroads known as King’s Trail. Running north and south was a portion of the King’s Trail, which extended from McKinney to Sherman, now known as Telephone Road. This joined the east-west road at the store. Across the road from the store was a a long row of mailboxes, the Coffman post office. This store was the community gathering place but remained rather quiet until the gypsies that traveled the King’s Trail made their yearly stop. As the gypsy men gathered on the store porch, the women swished their coin-ornamented braids about their shoulders and asked the local men to extend their hands to have their fortunes told. During all the excitement, Uncle Billy and Aunt Lizzie were keeping close watch on their goods, many in open barrels. The store closed at the death of Uncle Billy in 1921, after which the locals would travel to the store at Kelly, approximately two miles further northwest.

Apparently, Mr. Howell’s marketing skills passed down through his family, as family owned Howell’s Furniture Store operated for many years in downtown McKinney and later on Hwy. 380 just west of Hwy. 75.

One-third of the children of school age in Texas were enrolled in schools 30 years after Americans occupied the territory. “We have as yet,” recorded a pioneer on a new frontier who “had but little leisure to think on anything beyond the calls of necessity.” First was the need for food and drink, then for security, next a desire for social acceptance and affection, and finally an urge for prestige.

As an observing French commentator noted, “He was obliged to occupy himself much more with the cultivation of the earth, than of himself. Back breaking tasks must occupy the pioneer’s time from morning until night if he was to fulfill his obligation to society and start himself along the road to affluence.”

There were numerous schools dotted over the area. Highland was established in 1871, Kelly in 1889, Throckmorton (?), Mantua in 1859, Melissa free school in 1880, and Anna free school in 1883.

The little Coffman School House was established about 1890. There were several teachers over the years, some teaching for only one year. Sometimes the teachers would stay in the

homes of local residents.

The one-room school, grades 1-7, was a short distance south of the Coffman store. Miss Sue Rattan, long time Anna schoolteacher for whom Rattan Elementary was name, began her long teaching career there. She was the great-granddaughter of Thomas Rattan, another early settler to the area. When Miss Sue began teaching in the 1920s, she enjoyed racing on horseback with some of her students. The ones living farther from the school would meet her at her home, and they would race the remaining way to school. It seems the boys would rather let her lead a bit because the wind would sometimes blow her skirt and expose her legs.

The school closed in the early 40s with Miss Sue and the students going to Anna. There she taught several generations of students.

There were possibly two structures. There is no record of the demise of the first school. The second building was acquired by George Apple in 1941. He was superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school on Lamar and Kentucky and employed L.L. (Lib) Riffe of Anna to tear down the building and deliver the lumber for Sunday School rooms at the Presbyterian church. Probably the only remaining item from the school is the merry-go-round.

EDITOR’S NOTE: There are no structures left to photograph to illustrate the community of Coffman except that of the Coffman Cemetery which is still in use today for individuals who descend from Coffman residents.

More of the story of Coffman will be shared in the next issue of Anna Living Magazine.

While verifying facts of this story, evidence of a murder story came to the surface. We will tell that story in our next issue.

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. The book may be found online at www.amazon.com or by contacting the historical society whose website is http://aahps.org.

Photo by Joyce Godwin The text on this historical marker at the front of the Coffman Cemetery states, “THIS CEMETERY, WHICH DATES TO THE MID-19TH CENTURY, IS ON LAND DONATED BY EARLY SETTLER JOHN COFFMAN (1804-1880). HIS SON, GEORGE W. COFFMAN (1940-1913), OWNED AND 0PERATED A HOMESTEAD ONE MILE WEST OF THIS SITE. THE OLDEST MARKED GRAVE DATES TO 1876.

DESCENDANTS OF MANY OF THE FAMILIES REPRESENTED IN THE GRAVEYARD STILL RESIDE IN THIS PART OF COLLIN COUNTY. THE PRIMARY BURIAL GROUND FOR THE COMMUNITY OF COFFMAN FOR OVER A CENTURY, THIS CEMETERY SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE AREA’S PAST.” — THE TEXAS SESQUICENTENNIAL 1836–1986

Anna Living Magazine

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Anna BOYS BASEBALL Varsity Sports Action Photos by Danny McFadden Danny McFadden attends almost every Anna High School sporting event and enjoys taking photos which he makes available to the students at no charge. McFadden is easy to spot at just about any sporting event in Anna. You will know him because he will be looking through the super-long lens of his Canon camera. Anna Living Magazine publishes these photos with McFadden’s gracious permission.

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8

Anna Living Magazine

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When You Need

An Advocate

P

eople tend to be uncomfortable in new situations or in situations where they do not fully understand the implications. Schools can sometimes inadvertently provide these confusing situations. The institution can seem intimidating, especially for parents of a child with special needs.

Added to the mystery of educating children with special needs is the federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA. Congress reauthorized the Education for All Handicapped Children Act in 1990 and changed the name to IDEA. The purpose of this law is to make sure that children with disabilities are given a free and appropriate public education, known as FAPE, and to prepare these students for the future. This entitlement is guaranteed by the IDEA law and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 is part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and it was actually the first civil rights law for people with disabilities. It specifically prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

It may appear to you after reading the preceding paragraph that you might need to be an attorney or hire one in order to be an informed parent. If your child has a disability, these laws and regulations are important since they provide protections for your child. Parents need to know that the school must identify children with disabilities and make appropriate accommodations to enable the child to progress. This requires some type of assessment or evaluation to determine the presence of a disability. The school must obtain your permission before evaluating your child, and they can also ask you to provide certain health, academic or medical information concerning your child Next, the school schedules an Individual Educational Plan meeting (IEP Meeting) or in Texas, an Admission, Review and Dismissal meeting (ARD meeting).

When you attend your first ARD meeting, you will hear many acronyms you may not understand. Some examples: IEP, LD, TBI, or APE. Many teachers may not be aware of a parents’ comfort level at these meetings and simply move through the agenda without giving the parents ample time to digest the information, clarify or ask questions. The 14

real purpose of these meetings is for the school staff and the parents to discuss, plan and formulate how to best meet the needs of the child with the disability. Parents can feel threatened and ill at ease in these meetings.

When the parents leave, they may realize they did not ask enough questions.

This is a typical scenario: you are the parent of a child with a disability, and at the ARD you may have neglected to ascertain who would assist your child at lunch. You then call the school, and the teacher says she does not have the staff to sit with every child during lunch. Your child cannot feed himself due to his disability. After speaking with the principal about your concern, she may say that her school is fostering independence and lunch is a good place to start. Next, you try calling the counselor who tells you to send food prepared in such a way that your child can eat independently.

She also suggests that you are welcome to come every day to assist your child at lunch.

You have tried talking to the people at school without success. The school has said it is best for your child to learn independence. Your child elects not to eat while at school, and he is embarrassed. What do you do? You do not want to make the school staff mad for fear they might further ignore your child. This is the sort of scenario where you need an advocate!

Or consider this scenario: your child is not able to keep up in math class. Your child has always struggled with numbers. You think things will improve with more time, but your child starts to hate math class, is called out in front of the other students and is failing. You call the teacher to ask for help. The teacher says your child is not trying. She suggests you Anna Living Magazine

work with the child at home. Again, you need an advocate!

An advocate fights for the rights of the child.

An advocate can also help parents understand testing, their parental rights, along with the technical acronyms, in addition to preparing the parents for the ARD meeting. Advocates can attend ARD meetings with the parent and are able to assist the parent in negotiating with the school over any differences of perspective.

Finally, an advocate will make sure that all of the federal regulations and timelines are being followed. An advocate is a partner with the parents to ensure that the child’s needs are being met, and that the child is making progress in his education.

As a parent you have many options for educational advocacy, but one of the best is a non- profit company called Anam Cara of North Texas in Prosper. They can provide an advocate for you at a very fair price. Please feel free to look at their website. Contact them anytime you have a question, concern or need.

Anam Cara is here to help parents navigate the muddy waters of special education, and they can provide the right partner for you.

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The Attention Your Landscape Needs (Especially after that Extreme Weather Event!)

T

he calls for “Please help us everything looks dead” have been well overwhelming to say the least! That once in a lifetime (or maybe about every 30-40 years) snow and ice storms did not feel like the Texas we are all used to around here! What to do now? PLEASE DO NOT GO CRAZY CUTTING BACK AND RIPPPING EVERYTHING OUT! The absolute best advice I will give and have been giving to literally hundreds of our clients is to FEED EVRYTHING with a good Nitrogen Base Food! Something similar to what you put on your yard to fertilize. Things are in complete shock (Imagine if you stood out there that whole week what we would all look like!

Good Lord.Ha-ha!) A name brand tree and shrub food will help tremendously! Place a handful of granules around under each shrub, continue your normal inch a week watering (rain counts if your lucky enough to get some) and simply wait 3-4 more weeks. You will be surprised what defoliated and defoliates and will come back to life! Anything that doesn’t turn lemons into lemonade you can freshen with a few new plants here or there for a new look to add some curb appeal. If you need suggestions you can always email a few pictures and I always email everyone back. (It may be 2 a.m. but I will email you back!!) Now, on to my regular column!

Part of the joy of landscaping is the care and maintenance you give to your yard.

Depending on the type of plantings and the size, some gardens can require constant fulltime care. If you’re not a big fan of yard maintenance, it might be wise to design a yard that’s easy to care for. The first thing to remember with any “yard scape” is that it’s a living, breathing entity. Even the simplest, easy-to-care-for yard will need watering, feeding, cleaning, and disease prevention.

Consider the following list of projects around the yard: Flower Beds and Planting Areas The amount of time spent here will depend on your plantings. Some plants require constant attention; others are relatively maintenance free.

16

Most flowerbeds contain perennials, which are plants that come back year after year — expect some to die off over the winter. Check the condition of plants during spring, and replace dead plants with new ones.

Cover ground with an organic mulch. This will help the soil retain moisture and keeps weeds to a minimum. Many flowers do best when you dead-head them (pinch off spent blooms), which encourages more flower growth. After the first hard freeze, cut back all the branches of your plants. And cover plants with mulch to protect them during the cold winter months.

Refuse Removal During the fall, many plants lose their leaves.

This leaf material makes a great natural mulch to cover and protect your plants against the cold winter. Remove all leaves from the lawn areas. The layer of leaves can restrict the amount of light reaching the lawn and trap water near the roots.

Hedge and Tree Trimming Shrubs and trees need seasonal trimming.

Get a pruning instrument and cut off any dead branches. You may also need to prune back live branches that are getting out of control. Many hedges need to be re-shaped several times a year. Electrical hedge sheers reduce a lot of arm strain on larger hedges. Do not prune or trim during the fall. This will stimulate growth during a time when the plants should be starting their dormant phase.

Anna Living Magazine

Insect Control Nature has a cycle of life, and insects are a part of that. Most healthy plants stay relatively insect-free. For the occasional infestation, consider using natural methods of removal.

Sometimes a plant can be washed down with a strong stream of water. Or many garden centers sell other insects (like ladybugs) to get rid of bugs and worms. Chemicals are also a choice; however, you should use extreme caution when applying them. They will not only harm “bad” bugs, but “good” bugs too. They can also harm household animals, birds, children and adults when applied incorrectly. Consider using household “natural” chemicals to control insects. (For example, placing a shallow plate filled with beer in your slug-infested garden often will attract then kill the slimy critters who chew holes in leaves.)

Spring Clean-up This rite of spring signals the start of the growing season. Most gardens will need a good raking to clean out the leftover leaves and trash that have built up over the cold months. Consider applying a fresh layer of mulch to protect the fresh shoots from a late zapping of frost.

This mulch will also keep the ground moist and cool during the summer months and keep weeds at a minimum.

Weeding Ughhh! They just keep coming back! Removing the entire unwanted “weed” by its roots is the surest way to get rid of it. Herbicides do

work, but use extreme caution when applying.

They will not only kill the “weed” but also other nearby plants. In planting beds, you can keep weeds to a minimum by covering the soil with an inch or two of mulch.

Mowing The frequency depends on how much you water and feed your lawn. Mowing once a week is typical. Don’t cut the blades of grass too short. Longer grass is healthier and retains water better. Many mowers come with “mulching” option that cuts the grass into tiny bits and returns them back to the lawn. This returns important nutrients back to the soil and reduces the amount of fertilizer you need. It also eliminates the need to bag the grass.

Sprinkler Maintenance A well-designed, professionally-installed sprinkler system should need little maintenance over time. However, you will need to “winterize” it during the fall and start it up during the spring. Your system has several pipes that can freeze and burst during winter. Drain or “blow out” the water from the pipes in mid fall when

your yard has gone dormant. Also turn off the timer so it can’t accidentally start during the winter. In the spring, you’ll need to re-start the system by turning on the timer and possibly turning on a master valve. (Check your system guide for details.)

Feeding Your yard needs food! Your lawn may need two to five feedings per growing season. And your growing beds could also use some food.

Chemical fertilizers work, however there are several natural, organic options too.

Weed Prevention An inch-thick layer of mulch will keep your planting beds relatively weed-free. The best weed-prevention for lawns is a healthy lawn. Grass is a plant that grows thick and bushy when healthy. This usually will choke out any other “weeds” that could grow there.

Exceptions are plants like crabgrass. These grow from seed every year. Some chemical fertilizers come with a “pre-emergent” which kills the seeds in the spring when the plants are dormant.

Perennial or Annual When planning your flowerbeds, remember that a perennial plant is one that, once planted, will come back year after year, while an annual is one that is planted for only one season.

I Promise to allow more time and space for your questions in my next column, I have been extremely busy at work helping our Anna clients! 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.

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Anna Living Magazine

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Chamber Sets Date for Banquet

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Chamber Business Person of the Year - Dr. Jan Wheat

Chamber New Business of the Year - Frazzy’s Gourmet Popcorn

he annual awards banquet for the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce is set for 6 p.m. May 22 at the Anna High School Cafeteria. It gives its members the opportunity to come together to honor citizens and community leaders in a number of categories.

This year’s categories are: Board Member of the Year, Ambassador of the Year, Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Citizens Award, Community Partner of the Year, Educator of the Year, Innovation Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, New Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Chamber President and CEO Kevin Hall says nominations for awards should be sent to him. Following is a link to the banquet-specific information on the chamber’s website: https:// bit.ly/2RI5VhN. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Professional photos during the banquet by Texas Red Productions will be included with each ticket

Chamber Innovation Award - Anna Area Historical Preservation Society

Chamber Business of the Year - Pin Oaks Christian Fellowship

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Anna Living Magazine

purchase. There will also be a silent auction, a raffle and grab prizes available during the banquet. Proceeds will help support the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce mission and scholarships given each year to graduating Anna ISD seniors.

Location: Anna High School Cafeteria 1107 W. Rosamond Pkwy. Anna, TX 75409 Contact Information: Kevin Hall GACC President/CEO, kevin@greaterannachamber.com Fees/Admission: Single Tickets: $50 Table of 6: $300 Investment Opportunities Available, contact us at 972-924-8533 to learn more.

Photos from last year’s banquet are courtesy of the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce.

Anna High School Film Team Wins State

By Joyce Godwin

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he halls of Anna High School buzz with pride for one of the school’s latest achievements. Mr. Randall Kramen’s filmmakers’ group took top honors at the University Interscholastic League State Competition. With the Division-One gold medal from the 2021 UIL Young Filmmakers contest, the AHS filmmakers have assurances their team is on the right track. For the next year, they are top of their division for the state of Texas with their film “Justin Yuso Saves the World.”

It’s a goal for which the program has taken aim through the past six years since it’s dawning.

But this year’s accomplishments are made even more special because of the extra challenges imposed on AHS students this year.

With so many extra requirements caused by the COIVD-19 pandemic, these students would not be denied and took matters into their own hands. “In years past we were allowed to travel off campus for production,” Kramen, AHS audio/visual teacher said. “Due to Covid, all of that was off the table for us. Sixty percent of the script had scenes that called for off-campus locations. So what did my kids do? They sacrificed their own time, pooled their resources for camera and lighting equipment, coordinated shoots ... they did it completely on their own.”

Kramen says he started the program six years ago and has been able to phase in a little more content each year to advance the instruction.

As students move through the curriculum, the information gets deeper.

Kramen said the program experienced a breakthrough last year when the team placed second in the state UIL competition with its film “Tommy Superstar.”

Senior student Gabe Silva, co-writer-director and actor, says his group was able to make history with the win. “That feeling is the great-

These photos capture production scenes through filming.

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est feeling in the world,” he said. “I think we won because our film was a comedy and it was vastly different from any other story. …In a time where life has become harder for many and people have lost so much, they can at least enjoy themselves with the best medicine: laughter and joy.”

Macie Boone is a junior this year and serves the project as a colorist-editor-assistant camera. “This film has pushed the limits farther than any other film to come out of this program,” she said. “So the fact that it came out on top, clearly demonstrates just how well our team was able to accomplish these new feats even given our circumstances.

Boone also commented on the time requirements for producing a short film. “It takes so many more hours and behind-the-scenes moments than you’d expect to complete a seven-minute film,” she said. “The script writing process is so in-depth ...the sheer amount of versions and revisions that same script has gone through is truly insane. You can’t have a good film without a good script.

“The way our team was able to communicate was so efficient and effective, and without it this film could have crumbled. Our team is also very well rounded in terms of our skill sets and abilities, and having these different perspectives on each shot really helped us make this film the best it could possibly be.”

Emma Godwin, a junior and colorist/assistant camera, talks about the group’s achievement at UIL. “Winning a state title means that all of our hard work and overtime and frustrations and obstacles are recognized,” Emma said.

“I was already proud of Justin Yuso [the film] and how amazing our team did and the product we came out with, but having a state title means everyone else recognizes it as well.”

Emma mentioned teamwork from the students and the life lessons learned throughout the project. “The pains of production may cause conflict and friction, but at the end of the day, nothing is better than getting to share your success and pride with a group of people who worked just as hard alongside you, she said.

“I learned that all of the overtime, the prep, the late nights and early mornings, and all the grueling tasks are so worth it. Watching the finished film after all of the hard work makes it all so worth it.”

Emma also had good things to say about the Anna Living Magazine

Randall Kramen’s filmmakers’ team learn of its new status as state champions in this year’s UIL contest.

team’’s teacher. “Mr. Kramen felt a lot more like a team member than just a teacher,” she said.

“From technical difficulties and on-set frustrations, to morale and off-set issues, Mr. Kramen was there to guide us and allow us to learn and grow as not only filmmakers, but as people.”

Senior Jonathan Chih, producer for the film, summed it up well. “The keys to success on this production were the creativeness and strength of the concept, the determination of the crew, and the relentlessness of the creative leads.”

Dorian Ruffin, another senior student and this with the title of Dolly Grip. She praises team leaders for their success. “Gabe and Jon’s commitment and attitude towards creating this film was an inspiring thing to see,” she said.

“I have never seen people this young pour this kind of love and effort into what they do.”

Tyler Erovick, senior and boom operator, said he also learned the importance of being a team. “I learned that working as a team can lead to a great outcome and that creating bonds with people around you can enrich the quality of your film.”

Junior student Dallas Meader served as cinematographer/editor/special effects on the project. He said there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a finished product after months of hard work. “Being able to be proud of such an amazing end product is the best feeling, and seeing it propelled to the top is even better,” Meader said.

“Winning a state title is a testament to the constant innovation and amazing talent that our program puts forward. It symbolizes the endless potential yet untapped.”

And that untapped potential will have a chance to come out next year as Randall Kramen’s young filmmakers work through the program. Expect to see the best of another unique production.

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Latest car safety features becoming must haves

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oday’s new cars are packed with safety features. But which are most important?

Today’s new cars are packed with safety features that help protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. But which car safety features should you look for when buying a new auto?

Here are some of the safety feature must haves you’ll want to consider for your next vehicle: Standard vehicle safety features Some important safety features are now required on new vehicles. These include front airbags, electronic stability control, safety belts, and the LATCH child safety seat system.

Side-curtain airbags, while not required by regulation, have become standard on many new cars in recent years. Review additional safety features at Safercar.gov.

New car safety technology to consider Once exclusive to luxury vehicles, crash avoidance technology is now available on many new models. These can include: • Forward collision warning • These systems use forward-facing sensors to monitor distance and relative speed between vehicles. If the system senses an impending crash, it will alert you with sound, visual cues or physical sensations such as a vibration of the steering wheel. “Systems with autonomous braking also back up warnings with an automatic application to the brakes,” says David Zuby, chief research officer for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and its Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). “Our research shows that both help reduce crashes.”

• Adaptive headlights • These headlights pivot toward the direction you’re traveling and are great for improving visibility around curves. When the HLDI studied adaptive headlights offered on Acura, Mazda, Mercedes, and Volvo models, it discovered that they lowered property damage liability claims by as much as 10%. For added safety, Zuby also recommends HID headlights, adaptive high-beam assist and night view technology.

• Blind spot detection • When you’re driving, vehicles behind or beside you are sometimes hidden in what’s called a “blind spot.” This can lead to a 22

• •

• •

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collision if you try to turn or change lanes.

Blind spot monitoring systems visually alert you when a vehicle is traveling in your blind spot. Those alerts become brighter or louder if you signal to change lanes. Some systems even activate the brakes or steering controls to prevent a crash. Though less research backs up the benefits of blind spot detection, Zuby recommends it. “Whether or not it’s effective, when we’ve talked to vehicle owners with cars equipped with blind spot detection, they universally agree it’s a good thing,” Zuby says.

Lane departure warning A lane departure warning system, which often uses a camera near the rearview mirror, keeps track of your vehicle’s position in a lane. Any movement to leave the lane unintentionally, including merging without signaling, creates an alert-a sound, steering wheel or seat vibration, and visual cues on the dashboard. Some systems also use light steering or braking to correct a lane departure.

Backup cameras These help drivers avoid collisions when parking or reversing, using sensors in backup cameras to alert you of objects behind your vehicle. Some backover protection systems may automatically brake to avoid collisions and prevent backover accidents.

Learn which vehicles are equipped with crash avoidance systems.

Additional auto safeguards When shopping for a new car, review the crash performance of various models provided by the IIHS vehicle safety ratings.

Anna Living Magazine

Keep in mind that safety features aren’t a substitute for safe, defensive driving. If you need to brush up on your skills, consider taking a driver safety class.

Need more incentive? Taking a class may make you eligible for discounts on your auto insurance.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.

This article was provided by State Farm and local agent Rod Walnofer.

ROD WALNOFER has been serving Anna for over 22 years helping our community with their insurance needs. He may be contacted at rod@ walnofer.com

“28 Steps”

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n Rome, there is a place people visit called the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs. It is one of the most important and renowned sanctuaries in the Roman Catholic Church. The sanctuary gets its name from the 28 marble steps of the Holy Stairs, better known as “Scala Sancta.”

In the 4th Century A.D., the stairs were transported from Pontius Pilate’s palace in Jerusalem to Rome, and in 1589, the stairs were placed in front of the Sancta Sanctorum.

Although the stairs probably wouldn’t catch your eye, they are significant for a unique reason. They are the exact steps that Jesus walked on his way to trial with Pontius Pilate. The 28 steps are made of white marble and are encased in wood for their protection. These steps are so holy that visitors are only allowed to climb on their knees.

For me, there were only 14 steps. Fourteen steps separated downstairs from upstairs in the home I grew up in. On that staircase, I expe-

rienced countless memories, both good and bad. On that staircase, my brothers and I rode boogie boards, pushed, shoved, and raced each other up and down. I marched up those steps numerous times after hearing “go to your room” by my parents. We gathered at the bottom of those stairs on Christmas morning. We tied our shoes on those stairs and cried on those stairs. On those stairs, I began to wonder if my dreams would come true. The older I got, the more I walked those 14 steps wondering where in life I was going.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Most of my young adult life was contaminated by my poor choices, an apathetic attitude, and no appetite for discovering my purpose.

When Jesus walked those 28 steps that led him to trial with Pontius Pilate, he knew all too well that the verdict would be death. Regardless, he selflessly walked those steps that would end

Jessica Larriviere

joins Anna Living Magazine

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hat cute little girl who looks like she is 16 is around town making a mark for Anna Living Magazine. She has joined our group as director of Marketing and Sales. Watch for her in your offices and businesses. She can help your business with advertising and marketing.

But as much as Jessica Larriviere loves meeting people in and around Anna, her first love is 8-year-old son, Landon. He is the most important person in her life and she loves spending as much time as possible with him.

After graduating Cum Laude from the University of North Texas with a major in photojournalism, she went to work in Colorado as Media Coordinator for Uncharted Waters Sports Ministry.

“The coolest part of my life, of course, was becoming a mom in 2012,” Larriviere says of 24

her experiences. “I have a heart to tell people’s stories and that is why I love marketing so much. It gives people a voice for who they are, what they do and what they offer to society. I love it!”

Larriviere is also a local girl. She grew up in Van Alstyne, the second of five children, where she and her family attended the First Baptist Church and now she’s a resident of Anna.

Jessica Larriviere is on a path to do great things through marketing and advertising and Anna Living Magazine is excited to have such a talented sales director. She can make a difference for the businesses that advertise with the magazine.

She may be reached at 469-748-7848 or by email at Jessica@annalivingmagazine.com.

Anna Living Magazine

with pain, suffering, and judgment but walked tall, trusted God, and proudly answered the upward call to lead the way for us all.

Jesus courageously pursued you and I through the cross because of His great love and passion for an unhindered relationship with us. It is hard to believe that God called me to climb steps that led me to the altar where I gave my life to Christ eight years ago. How amazing is his love that he chose to climb steps to his death so I could climb steps to be saved?

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 BRYCE RUNGE is a former Division-1 football player and professional Rollerblader. He is an educator of 16 years with a passion for culture development, Motivational Speaking, and Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Bryce and his wife, Suzanne, live in Prosper with their three children. For more information, visit brycerunge.com or follow @hebrycerunge

We have a guest chef for this issue. Instead of Jamie Roubinek, Christi Webb Mahon is providing her recipes.

Texas Caviar

Over the years I’ve searched for an easy Texas Caviar recipe. They normally have too many ingredients and take too long to prepare for my liking.

A few years ago, a friend shared this recipe with me and it’s one of my favorites, it’s easy and tastes so fresh. I call it Texas Caviar. You feel like you’re eating healthy even if you’re scooping it with crispy tortilla chips. I hope you’ll give this one a try and let us know if you like it.

• • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS: 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed 1 can of sweet corn, drained 2 cans of Rotel Original recipe, not drained 1 medium onion, chopped 1 bunch or to taste, cilantro, stems removed and chopped 1 lime, juice 1 Avacado, peeled, cubed 1 teaspoon of salt, might need more

DIRECTIONS: 1. Drain and rinse black beans in a colander.

2. Pour sweet corn in the colander after the beans have been rinsed.

3. Chop onion and cilantro while the beans and corn drain. Mix the first 6 ingredients together, stir gently.

4. Cut the avocado into little cubes add on top of the mixture and squeeze the lime over the avocado. Add about a teaspoon of salt and stir gently. The recipe calls for a “good amount” of salt. It may take more than a couple of teaspoons to get the flavor right, taste as you go with tortilla chips. It’s important to rinse the black beans or your salsa will look gray and unappealing. I like to serve with Tostito Scoop chips. Enjoy!

Buttermilk Pancakes

When I make pancakes for family or friends they want to know how I make them so yummy. Simple… Buttermilk. If you’re ready to put in a little more effort than an “add water” pancake mix you’ll be rewarded with delicious fluffy pancakes.

They’re so good sometimes I don’t even use syrup.

INGREDIENTS: • 2 eggs • 2 cups of Buttermilk, low fat or full fat • ¼ cup of melted butter or margarine Add: • 1 ¾ cup of un-sifted flour • 2 tablespoons sugar

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• 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt

Anna Living Magazine

Potato Salad

In the south we like our potato salad. I’ve been on a quest the past few years to find that go-to recipe. My grandmother’s recipe was never written down so I struggled with trying to duplicate it. I’ve tried at least ten recipes and this one is my favorite. I found it online and made a few adjustments. I hope you enjoy it as much as our crew.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

INGREDIENTS: 2-3 lbs. russet potatoes, about 5-7 medium 1 cup thinly sliced celery ½ cup finely chopped onion Dressing, mix together in separate bowl 1 ¼ cup mayonnaise or salad dressing (I use mayonnaise) 1/3 cup sweet pickle relish 2 teaspoons each: Prepared mustard Sugar Celery seeds Apple cider vinegar 1 ½ teaspoons salt 2 to 6 hard boiled eggs, I like eggs so I use at least 4, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS: 1. Boil potatoes until tender, drain well. Peel and cut into cubes into a large bowl. Add celery and onion and toss. Pour dressing over potatoes and stir gently. Fold in eggs. Chill thoroughly.

DIRECTIONS: 1. Mix wet ingredients, then add the dry ingredients, I mix dry together before adding to wet ingredients. Don’t use electric mixer or overmix the batter, I use a large spoon. It may be lumpy, that’s okay. Let the batter sit about 5 minutes before using, stir again when ready to use.

2. It’s important to get the pan hot, but not too hot. I use a non-stick pan and pour a little cooking oil in the pan and use a paper towel to remove excess. After each batch I wipe the pan out with the paper towel with a little oil on it. Use low to medium heat for the rest of the batch.

3. Spoon the batter into the pan, spread out a little if they seem too thick. Once the batter bubbles use spatula to turn. You want them golden brown, not too dark on the outside and done in the middle. It might take a little practice to get the heat right.

4. Butter them as they come out of the pan, serve hot.

Anna Living Magazine

CHRISTI WEBB MAHON Christi Webb Mahon began helping in the kitchen at an early age. She learned to cook by watching her mom and grandmothers. Their dishes were not fancy but, were always tasty and made with love. Grandmother Pebble told Christi she loved watching people enjoy their food, and Christi says she feels the same. Christi may be reached at christi. easyrecipes@yahoo.com.

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.

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“And the best picture Oscar goes to …”

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ore often than not, among movie fans, great angst follows the next word/words uttered on a late night between February and April (depending on the year) during what has traditionally been among the most watched annual awards ceremonies in the world. Motion Picture Academy Awards viewership was down sharply in 2020 and could fall further in 2021. Much of the blame can be attributed to the Covid pandemic.

It’s trendy these days to argue the sinking viewership is due to politics, but the fact is, give ‘em what they want and interest is revived.

That has been proven by years of popular films among the favorites vs. years dominated by a gaggle of little-known and/or respected titles nominated for best picture, actor, actress, etc.

It seems safe to say that although “Parasite” was a deserving best picture a year ago, it had a pretty meager following when the awards were distributed in late February. It was the first foreign language film ever to win best picture and it was nestled in the nominations among several other low performers at the box office.

A year earlier, blockbusters “Black Panther,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “A Star is Born” led to higher interest and higher ratings, even though the less-than-stellar “Green Card” was named best picture.

Five years earlier, “Gravity” was such a box office sensation, and Matthew McConaughey (for “Dallas Buyers Club”) was a popular favorite, bringing an increase in viewership over previous years. McConaughey prevailed, but although “Gravity” won seven Oscars, it was “12 Years a Slave” that claimed the best picture statue. High hopes left many disappointed both years.

None of this really means anything, as has been proven over the 93 years the Oscars have been around. Among this year’s 23 categories, there surely will be fan disappointment, but the best pictures, winner or otherwise, will live on and be watched for years to come. It has always been so.

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The term “best” is obviously subjective. Movie buffs have argued for years that in 1941, best picture winner “How Green Was My Valley” was hardly as good as “Citizen Kane;” in 1944, “Going My Way” was no match for “Double Indemnity;” in 1947, “Gentleman’s Agreement” was no “Great Expectations;” in 1952, “The Greatest Show on Earth” was an embarrassment compared to “High Noon” or “The Quiet Man;” and while in 1978, “Rocky” was a popular choice, it may not have been better than “All the President’s Men,” “Network” or Taxi Driver,” all falling short that year.

And then there are the popular pictures, “Star Wars” losing to “Annie Hall” in 1977; “Raiders of the Lost Ark” dropping behind “Chariots of Fire” in 1981; “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” bowing to “Gandhi” in 1982; “Fargo” dumped by “The English Patient” in 1996; “Avatar” stopped by “The Hurt Locker” in 2009; “Life of Pi” ignored for “Argo” in 2012; and “Hidden Figures” falling to “Moonlight” in 2016.

Many of those also-rans show up regularly on cable TV, as do such popular pics as “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “A Few Good Men” (1992), “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994), “Jerry Maguire” (1996), “Erin Brockovich” (2000), “The Blind Side” (2009), and “Get Out” (2017) — all best picture nominees and losers.

Rabid movie fans often decry the many great films failing to even receive a top nomination. In fact, some highly regarded movies have been totally ignored by the Academy, even though they show up on Sight & Sound magazine’s list of all-time best films, as judged by the world’s film critics and updated the second year of each decade.

“Singin’ in the Rain” (1961) is considered by many as the best-ever film musical. It is ranked No. 20 (leading all other musicals) in the 2012 critic’s poll. It placed fifth in the 2007 version of the American Film Institute’s “100 Anna Living Magazine

Years … 100 movies” poll. It received only two Oscar nominations — best supporting actress ( Jean Hagen) and best original musical score, winning neither.

Three pictures in the Sight & Sound top 10 of 2012, including the one chosen greatest of all time, were not Oscar-nominated for best picture. “Vertigo,” Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 classic, knocked 2002 poll leader “Citizen Kane” from No. 1 on the list but received only two minor Academy nominations, losing both. “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Stanley Kubrick’s controversial science fiction epic of 1968, was nominated for four technical awards, winning one. It was chosen by critics as the sixth best film in history.

“The Searchers,” which many now call director John Ford’s masterpiece, was not Oscar nominated at all but landed in the No. 7 spot in the 2012 Sight & Sound poll. Ironically, Ford, well known for his Western films, is the most honored director in Academy Award annals, winning four times. However, none of his four winners (“The Informer” in 1935, “The Grapes of Wrath” in 1940, “How Green Was My Valley” in 1941 and “The Quiet Man” in 1952) were Westerns.

There is no intention here to condemn the Academy Awards. For years, some have suggested proclaiming all nominees winners. Then, classics like “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962), “Chinatown” (1974), “Apocalypse Now” (1979) and many more would not be officially listed as failures. It’s unlikely to happen.

So it goes for the Oscars.

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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