Erath County Living - Spring 2018

SPRING 2018

Candles with a Purpose Little did the Cagles know that the seemingly small choice to carry a candle with a purpose they appreciated would lead them on such a new path full of new relationships and avenues to encourage the lives of those thousands of miles away.

Hometown Li v ing At Its Best

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Contents

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With a big smile and a couple of bouncy pigtails, three-year-old Harper Lee dances and sings like she’s auditioning for a TV talent show. There was a time when the Lees were afraid that might not be a reality for their little girl.

Every first-time hiker needs a few start tips, and we have those here.

But whether you’re a newcomer to outdoor adventures or are a pro, check out several of the areas mentioned for nature lovers in Erath County.

HARPER’S HEROES

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TRAILBLAZERS

Jean Stone encouraged boys and girls ages 10 to 18 and in school, to join a western style group named “The Trailblazers,” and soon there were seasoned performers participating in every parade within a hundred miles and becoming a part of local rodeo performances by setting pivots and riding in the Grand Entry.

26

HURRICANE HARVEY HAPPY TAILS Family and clinic responsibilities prevented Doc Adams from going to Houston, but that didn’t keep her from making a tremendous impact on animals stranded and separated from their families after Hurricane Harvey.

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Erath County Living

TAKE A HIKE

48

FLASHBACK TO GOOD, OLD CUSTOMER SERVICE Pleasing the customer is thriving in Dublin, Texas.

56

LOOKING UP!

Like a seed lies dormant waiting for rain and sunshine, Dublin Municipal Airport – under-utilized and underappreciated -- was waiting. Finally, the “rain and sunshine” of the past year have fed a promising community asset and the future is literally and figuratively looking up.

64

TRADITIONS OF EASTER: FAMILY, CHURCH AND THE CROSS

Teach your family the truth of the cross the eyes of love this Easter.

76

STEPHENVILLE MUSIC CLUB

Stephenville Music Club is the oldest continuously active club in Stephenville.

When it began in 1933 during the depth of the Great Depression, big bands, jazz and swing dominated the music world.

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SPRING CLEANING FOR THE DIRTY SOUL Cleaning, de-cluttering, and organizing can have a two-fold effect. Not only will your home be more clean and orderly, you can feel more orderly in your life. It may trigger the desire to "spring clean" on the inside as well...like a heart purge.

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Contents

92

FAME, FORTUNE AND A FOURYEAR DEGREE: CRESS AND TASH RIDING HIGH Riding hard, they came to Texas seeking fame, fortune, and a four-year degree. Four years later, Brody Cress and Michael Tash have it all—each earning a degree, professional and intercollegiate rodeo awards, plus over a quarter of a million dollars in prize money.

100

SPRING GARDEN GUIDE

124

LIVING THE COWBOY WAY

Winning is what Trent Walls is all about. He likes to stand in the winner’s circle and have the satisfaction that comes with success.

136

CANDLES WITH A PURPOSE

Little did the Cagles know that the seemingly small choice to carry a candle with a purpose they appreciated would lead them on such a new path full of new relationships and avenues to encourage the lives of those thousands of miles away.

The only way to know for sure where our food comes from is to grow our own. And growing an edible garden is easier than ever!

About the Cover SPRING 2018

108

ART FROM THE HEART

The art program at Gilbert Intermediate School gives students a creative outlet and healthy form of expression while working with a wide variety of art media.

116

VISION BOARDS

92

Seeing Your Island: a DIY guide to creating a vision (and a vision board) for your life and why everyone needs one.

Candles with a Purpose Little did the Cagles know that the seemingly small choice to carry a candle with a purpose they appreciated would lead them on such a new path full of new relationships and avenues to encourage the lives of those thousands of miles away.

Hometown Li v ing At Its Best

The cover is a picture of Shannon and Eric Cagle, who were able to serve a Honduran orphanage through a mission trip sponsored by the Bridewater Candle Company. Read the full story on page 136.

HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS 34 Stephenville

Chamber Banquet Awards

44 Dublin Irish Festival

72 Stephenville

Football Semi Finals

106 Cross Timbers Fine Art Council

122 Sundown

on the Square

132 Choices Annual Banquet

71 HOMETOWN SENIORS

131 `

SCENES OF ERATH

121 HOMETOWN HAPPINESS

135

BUNDLES OF JOY

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Erath County Living

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Hometown Living At Its Best

7

From the Publisher

PUBLISHER

Red Fin Publishing Justin & Hayley Six

Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Justin Six

CREATIVE | DESIGN

GreenFox Marketing & Design

CONTENT DIRECTOR Hayley Six

Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

H

appy Spring Erath County! If anyone knows anything about how busy this time of year is, it’s us! As much time as you’re making for spring cleaning, tax planning, and baseball practices, don’t forget to also make time for…absolutely nothing! Build margin in your lives, time to catch up with friends, make dinner with family, or learn something new. Schedule a night to gaze at the stars, catch the sunset, and take a walk. We ask you to sit and read a magazine, preferably this one, and be inspired by someone who is doing something great for others. Better yet, do something great for others!

Pray. Breathe. Love. Repeat.

We tell you with every issue how much the people of Erath County inspire us. We pray that with their stories you are given joy, hope, encouragement, and rest—from the momentary busyness that is calling to you even at the very moment you finally sit down.

We promise that you will encouraged and inspired when you read about little miss Harper Lee, a true miracle baby whose life was saved thanks to the research of March of Dimes. The Lee family has made it a mission to raise money for the organization that helped their baby girl. You will also read about Lauren Adams, DVM, and her staff at Cornerstone Animal Hospital in Stephenville, who, with the help of volunteers, rescued around thirty pets from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Their efforts helped get many of those pets back to their owners or in new homes. And if you are truly into making time for Spring Cleaning, maybe you will appreciate our take on the idea!

We want to thank our advertisers for making this publication possible and free to the community! Help us express our gratitude by shopping local and visiting their establishments to pick up your complimentary copy.

This publication is about you! Please feel free to email us photos of your events to add to our Hometown Happenings or any stories you would like to read in the next issue. We would love to hear from you!

We give thanks to God for our many blessings and look forward to a great year to come!

Until the next edition, wishing you many blessings-

Justin and Hayley Six

Kyle and Halsey Clark

Justin.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 301-3828

Kyle.RedFin@gmail.com (817) 304-1044

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

CONTENT COORDINATOR Jennifer Cabbage

Jennifer.RedFin@gmail.com SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Halsey Clark

PROOF READER

Halsey Clark Hayley Six

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ally Lynn Photography

Brazos Rose Photography Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Cross B Photography Dudley Barker Photography

KL Photography Mary Kaitlin Artistry

Taylor’d Photos

COVER PHOTO by Cross B Photography

SALES

Bruce Racioppa Justin Six Kyle Clark

CONTRIBUTING

WRITERS

Leah Edwards Peggy Purser Freeman Eren Hayes Martha Helton

Connie Lewis Leonard Jessa McClure Tori Mortenson

Rebecca Parvaresh

Joyce Whitis Erica Willis Karen Wright

CONTRIBUTORS

Choices of Stephenville Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council Dublin Chamber of Commerce

Stephenville Chamber of Commerce

Stephenville High School

Erath County Living© is published semi-annually by Red Fin Publishing.

www.ErathCountyLiving.com P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086

Erath County Living Magazine | Red Fin Publishing

www.ErathCountyLiving.com 8

Erath County Living

(817) 301-3828 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein.

Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Harper’s H E RO E S With a big smile and a couple of bouncy pigtails, three-year-old Harper Lee dances and sings like she’s auditioning for a TV talent show. While her parents are happy that she’s expressing her personality, they are even happier that their miracle baby is enjoying life outside of the hospital.

By Jessa McClure | Photos by Taylor’d Photos

T

here was a time when the Lees were afraid that might not be a reality for their little girl. The trouble began at just 14 weeks gestation when it was determined that Ashley Lee’s uterus wasn’t strong enough to support her growing baby.

“I went on strict bed rest for a week after an ER visit and a doctor’s appointment,” Lee said. “This is when the anxiety started kicking in.”

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Erath County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

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After this second trimester scare, the couple had a few weeks of elation where they learned their long legged, squirmy baby was a girl. But it wasn’t long before complications reared their ugly head once more.

“On July 20 my uterus was getting very weak due to Harper’s growth,” Lee said. “I was allowed to work since I had a mostly sit-down job, but I had to be on bedrest when I came home. Although it wasn’t easy with a very active three-year-old boy at home, with the help of my husband, family and friends, I was able to follow doctor’s orders.”

But despite Ashley’s best efforts, her condition continued to worsen. On Friday August 16, the young mother awoke and realized her water had broken.

“We went to the ER in a mass panic,” she said.

“We live 30 minutes from town, so there was no calling 911 and waiting for an ambulance.”

The hospital immediately called Care Flight and transported Ashley from Stephenville to Texas Health Resources Fort Worth. As the helicopter climbed into the air toward the Metroplex, paramedics gave the scared mother a steroid shot to help mature her baby’s lungs. “[Doctors] determined that I not only had a tear in my amniotic sack, but I also had a placental abruption,” she said. “So now my weak uterus was not able to hold the baby and the sack was tearing away from the uterine wall.”

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Erath County Living

“I was finally going to meet the little girl who I had fought so hard for.”

Even though she knew her condition was dire, Ashley felt secure under the care of the doctors and nurses. They told her the new plan was to keep her on bed rest until she was 34 weeks along. With her three-year-old son, Heston, taken care of and a plan in place, Ashely felt as though things were going to be okay.

But a few days later, Ashley’s body began to shutdown from the medication they were giving her to slow down her labor.

“When the night nurse came in at shift change and realized I couldn’t take a deep breath, it was determined that I had magnesium toxicity,” she said.

While the nurses were able to get her stabilized, they were unable to put her back on the medication that was keeping her from going into labor. Ashley and her family crossed their fingers, prayed and hoped that she would be able to stay pregnant a few weeks longer. But, two days later, Ashley started experiencing strong contractions.

“They drew my blood, and I’ll never forget [the doctor] coming back into my room when the lab results came back,” she said. “He came around the corner and said, ‘Well, I think we are going to have a baby today.’ I of course tried to argue with him and tell him we were absolutely not having a baby.”

Despite Ashley’s protests, the doctors explained that if they did not deliver their little girl soon she would soon feel the effects of the infection that the placental abruption had caused.

“I was scared because it was too soon, but I was also happy because I was finally going to meet the little girl who I had fought so hard for,” she said.

On August 20, 2014, at 26 weeks gestation Harper came into the world, looking like a miniature newborn.

“While we were waiting patiently for the doctor to do delayed cord clamping, I got a glimpse of my beautiful baby girl,” she said. “She was nothing like what we had prepared for. She had rolls and long legs.

Her first little cry sounded more like a pig squeal and actually made me laugh.”

Ashley said that because of the March of Dimes research team, the doctors and nurses were able to perform APGAR scores on the infant, check her blood sugar, and give her surfactant to help her immature lungs.

“After all of that, they placed Harper in a Ziploc bag to keep her warm on her way to the NICU,” she said. “Harper likes to tell people that she was a Ziploc baggie baby.”

Even though Harper’s APGAR scores were good, she was still considered a micro-preemie and would

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Erath County Living

need constant care. Ashley and her husband Heath weren’t even allowed to hold their baby in the first few days and were only allowed to touch her certain times of the day.

“Our times were 10, 2 and 6 around the clock,” she said. “So, every day at those times we would go to the NICU to see her.”

Ashley was discharged three days after giving birth and moved into the Ronald McDonald House for the duration of Harper’s NICU stay. It was just a three-block walk to the hospital.

“She soared through the weeks, meeting each milestone at her own speed,” Ashley said. “At one point [the doctor] said she wished she could take Harper around to all the other NICU babies and show them how to be a ‘textbook’ preemie.”

After two-and-a-half months in the NICU, Harper was released with a portable oxygen tank, 50 feet of tubing and a slew of monitors. Although it was an adjustment for the family, they soon found a new normal. Harper went through nine months of therapy to make up for her developmental delays.

And by the time she was two-years-old, she was breathing room air and had caught up to her peers in developmentally.

As the Lees watched their little girl get stronger every day, they realized that they wanted to not

“We want to keep raising money for the March of Dimes because it’s their research that saved our baby.” – Ashley Lee

only give back to an organization that helped save their little girl, but they also wanted to help other families who were going through the ups and downs of parenting a NICU baby.

“When we were in the hospital with Harper, it just hit us (me and my husband),” Ashley said. “The March of Dimes was where we needed to put our money and our efforts.”

The couple started their March for Babies Family Team, Harper’s Heroes, in 2015, and through the donations of family and friends raised more than $3,000.

“Since then, we’ve raised over $33,000, and this year we were asked to be the ambassador family,” she said. “The March of Dimes uses Harper’s story to show what their research funding has done.”

The family will even get the opportunity to film a commercial for the Fort Worth March for Babies.

“Getting to be the ambassador family means everything to us,” Ashley said. “We want to keep raising money for the March of Dimes because it’s their research that saved our baby.” ECL

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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Erath County Living

THE TRAILBLAZERS

By: Joyce Whitis Photos provided by Sherri Littlejohn, Cindy Watson, Jo Richardson and Tawnya Doggett

Jean Stone encouraged boys and girls ages 10 to 18 and in school, to join a western style group named “The Trailblazers,” and soon there were seasoned performers participating in every parade within a hundred miles and becoming a part of local rodeo performances by setting pivots and riding in the Grand Entry.

C

onnie Stone Walker remembers the beginning. She smiles thinking about that day in June 1963 when a group of young girls came to see her mother. She remembers Wanda Keeney, Cindra Lewellen, Jo Nell Richardson and maybe others, “I was just a little girl,” she said, “but I remember it just like yesterday.”

These girls wanted to form some kind of club where they would ride horses and maybe ride in parades and perform during rodeos. “They all had horses and knew how to ride but they were asking for someone to lead them and lead them my mother did!” Connie laughed.

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Jean Stone encouraged boys and girls ages 10 to 18 and in school, to join a western style group named “The Trailblazers,” and soon there were seasoned performers participating in every parade within a hundred miles and becoming a part of local rodeo performances by setting pivots and riding in the Grand Entry. Within a couple of years the group was locally famous and in demand for performance in western events.

“My mother grew up participating in rodeo in Atlas, Oklahoma, riding in the quadrille and living the hectic routine of changing clothes in service station restrooms and driving herself to be there on time. She worked her best with the kids to make them the best and I believe that they were,” Connie said.

Bill Oxford, or Little Bill as he was known back then to distinguish him from his dad, Bill Oxford (local well-liked attorney), was one of the first members of that group to participate in westernstyle activities.

“Seems like there were twenty riders in that first group,” Bill said. We didn’t have a lot of stock trailers back them. I had a Willis Jeep and I used to hook a wooden stock trailer onto that and carry a couple of horses. I remember one time there was a wreck on that curve by Hampton’s on 108. Cindra Lewellan’s

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Erath County Living

trailer broke loose from her pickup and turned over. That horse landed on his back in the ditch but escaped without major injury. But from then on that horse would load and lay down in the trailer.”

Everybody seemed to remember with fondness those fun rides to Six Flags.

“We’d pack ourselves in that cattle truck of Sleepy Walker’s,” Mike Stone laughed. “He’d fill it full of hay and we’d climb in. Sometimes it was really hot and that hay would get all over you, making you scratch and sweat but we didn’t care. We were going to Six Flags! Sleepy used to take us every year. We all looked forward to getting to go somewhere.”

The Trailblazers were trained in parliamentary procedure and had regular meetings with dues.

Officers were elected and dues were collected. The first list of officers located is listed here: President: Linda Spindor; V-President Johnny Hampton; Secretary: Margaret Crimmins; Treasurer: Wanda Keeney; Reporter-Historian: Linda McElroy; Parade Lieutenant: Richard Golightly.

“I like to think that we earned the respect of members of the community,” Bill Oxford said.

He took a letter dated January 28, 1964 from his scrapbook and passed it across the table. It was addressed to Miss Lonnie King, Stephenville and expressed appreciation to Miss King for accepting “Cowgirl Sweetheart” to represent Stephenville at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. The letter lists the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, which includes names of men that have been

instrumental in the growth and development of Stephenville. It is signed by Chamber Manager, Seth Moore, Jr. Following are quotes from the Stephenville DailyEmpire. “Miss King is a member of the Trailblazers Riding Club which will ride in the Grand Entry at the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show and Rodeo on January 30. Nineteen members of the 30-member club will take part in the square dance to be done during the afternoon performance. The Trailblazers will be the only amateur group taking part in the show. Since the club was formed in February 1963, it has participated in seven competitive parades and won six trophies. The object of the club is to promote interest in horsemanship, leadership and good sportsmanship.

“Members who will take part in the square dance routine are: Cindra Lewallen, Texas flag; Tulla Lewallen, U.S. flag; Wanda Kenney, Trailblazers flag. Performing couples will be: Linda Spindor and Johnnie Hampton; Margaret Crimmins and Ronnie Hampton; Lonnie King and Johnnie McKnight; Alta Keeney and Richard Golightly; Nika McNeil and Bill Parham; Bill Oxford and Kathy Blakney; Linda McIlroy and Ronnie Woolley.”

“Trailblazers will always hold a special place in my heart. It was not only a family thing with my parents as leaders and my sisters with me as members, but the whole group was family.”

– Sherri Pack Littlejohn

As time passed, boys and girls graduated high school and aged out of the club that they had helped form and earned a respected position in the community. Other younger boys and girls were eager to join the club. Jean Stone, whose skill had resulted in helping boys and girls learn, began to have thoughts directed toward helping older girls compete for the coveted “Miss Texas” title. She talked to Blackie and Jane Pack, parents of young daughters interested in becoming part of the Trailblazers, and they agreed to help welcome new members to the organization.

Sherri Pack Littlejohn remembers that she was too young to ride in performances so she was given the title, “Little Sweetheart.”

“I was so excited because we were going to be in the rodeo in Fort Worth. I was too little to ride so they put me up there in the announcer’s booth. I thought that was a lot of fun and then they put a spotlight on me and said that I was the Little Sweetheart, while everybody cheered.” Sherri’s face broke into a wide smile as she remembered that slice of childhood.

Members remembered those yearly overnight trips to the Fambro Ranch, enjoying eating supper beside a comfortable campfire, sleeping under the stars and then the trip to nearby Thurber Lake for a swim. Good times to be remembered by all.

Tawnya Pack Doggett said, “The Trailblazers desired to be a prestigious group well thought of

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Erath County Living

in the community. We didn’t just ride horses but we learned leadership, horsemanship, friendship, how to handle responsibility, to acquire organizational skills. We learned parliamentary procedure at our regular meetings.

We had a dress code and it was strictly observed. We learned how to take care of ourselves and foremost how to take care of our horses. Those were good years in which to grow up.”

“Trailblazers will always hold a special place in my heart. It was not only a family thing with my parents as leaders and my sisters with me as members, but the whole group was family. We supported each other and helped each other. When we performed, we felt like we were royalty and we tried to live up to that. When I was little and was Little Sweetheart, the older members made me feel included in everything. They always took care of me and made me feel as big as they were. The group was a huge part of many of our lives and you can still hear the excitement in our voices when we start remembering the way it was.” ECL

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Erath County Living

HURRICANE HARVEY

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Cross B Photography

Family and clinic responsibilities prevented Doc Adams from going to Houston, but that didn’t keep her from making a tremendous impact on animals stranded and separated from their families after Hurricane Harvey.

T

he entire world watched the heart-wrenching pictures of Hurricane Harvey as it ravaged the Texas coast, devastating man and animal alike. Thousands of pets were stranded and separated from their families. Scared. Confused. Wet. Tired. Hungry.

Lauren Adams, DVM of Cornerstone Animal Hospital in Stephenville, said, “God has blessed me with this practice in this amazing community. The hurricane hitting in our Texas ‘neighborhood’ made me want to pack up and head that way to help.”

Hometown Living At Its Best

27

Family and clinic responsibilities prevented Doc Adams from going to Houston, but that didn’t keep her from making a tremendous impact. She sent medical supplies to a former classmate who was helping on the frontline. The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) partnered with the Houston SPCA to Launch Operation Reunite to link displaced pets with vets, fosters and, ideally, their owners. This program provided the perfect opportunity for Adams to jump in and play what she considered a small role in all the efforts. People could come forward and find their displaced pets during the 45day foster period. The Houston SPCA had an online database with search criteria and facial recognition software so owners could search for their fur babies. Facebook pages were dedicated to posting pictures of the animals and trying to reunite families with their pets as well. Cornerstone originally took in 19 dogs, followed a week later by 10 more.

P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Worth Saving) of Stephenville stepped up to the plate to help.

Adams said, “Anytime we needed anything— from volunteers to bedding, food, and crates— they made it happen. We couldn’t have done it without them. They were there when the first

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group of dogs arrived, and they continued to help us care for them throughout. They were crucial in putting the word out and rallying fosters. The community was amazing as well.

We had all of the towels, food, and supplies donated. Some of the donations came from other states, too. People connected to our posts on Facebook calling for help, and sent donations and supplies from as far away as Virginia. Between monetary donations, supplies, dog walkers, fosters, etc., we had well over 100 people, conservatively, involved in this project. The compassion displayed from people all over was so humbling and inspiring. “We started fostering out dogs to clients and people in the county about a week after they first arrived on September 9th.

We wanted to be sure they were stable and outwardly healthy. We had a few people that stood out. There were a handful of volunteers that came to help walk and care for the dogs day in and day out. They kept coming when the newness wore off and the hype died down.

They would look at the sign-up sheet and

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There was an amazing response to the Harvey pups and we apologize if we leave anyone out. A special thanks goes to: • P.A.W.S. Lisa Scroggins, Rita Cook, et al. for taking this project on with us. You were always there to help find volunteers, supplies, foster homes, donations and anything else we needed.

• Our wonderful volunteers and fosters! You were amazing! Special shout out to Helen Mabery and Jon and Karen Parker.

• The Lesleys for letting us borrow your cooler, rallying the troops, treating the Cornerstone crew to the Purple Goat, and everything else!

• Everyone who donated supplies, money, and their time to feed, water, bed, house, bathe and everything in between to make these refugee puppies comfortable while they stayed with us.

• Our wonderful vendors/reps/friends: Roddy Riddles w/Patterson and John Sutton w/ Purina for providing open house grub, Betty Manning w/Merck for Bravecto (flea/tick control) for the Harvey dogs, leashes, goodies bags and more. Scott Gryder w/Zoetis for ProHeart (6 month heartworm prevention) and leashes. Brenden Benson w/Elanco for goody bag swag, MWI for bandanas and more.

• Tarleton State Communications students for selecting the Harvey dogs as their project for the semester. Helping plan, promote, and man the adoption event.

• The Littlejohns for cooking the great burgers.

• Jarrod Brown for your fantastic videography skills and video (stay tuned!!). Jesse Brown for volunteering Jarrod.

• Allison Ballinger and Cross B Photography for amazing pictures.

• And last, but most definitely not least...

• Our wonderful families who thanklessly pick up the slack at home, show up and get dirty, and provide the support we need to undertake big projects like this (along with the rest of the busy days year round). We love you.

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“In my eyes, the unsung heroes are my staff. They showed up, worked their rears off, took care of Harvey dogs, kept the clinic running, and made it possible for all of this to happen.”

– Lauren Adams come in when they knew we were shorthanded. They became part of our Cornerstone family!”

Two of the “Harvey Outfit” were happily reunited with their owners. Many were adopted by their foster families. The rest were featured at a Pet Adoption Day on November 5th. “We organized the event ourselves with the help of everyone around.

One of the communications classes from Tarleton helped out. They wrote Facebook posts for us and created flyers. They also volunteered the day of the event. Our vendors and pharmaceutical reps for the clinic provided food, donations, and gift bag items for the people who attended. All of the adoptees that day had their flea/tick, heartworm, vaccines, and upcoming spay/neuters taken care of. On top of all the work they did throughout, P.A.W.S. did a fundraiser to help offset some of the cost of care as well.

“In my eyes, the unsung heroes are my staff.

They showed up, worked their rears off, took care of Harvey dogs, kept the clinic running, and made it possible for all of this to happen. The crew here at Cornerstone is amazing. They have so much heart and so much give. They worked and worked and worked some more and never complained. When I asked if they were ok with doing this, they jumped right in, with maybe one exception. The one that stayed hours later than everyone else and knew that every one of the dogs would work their way into her heart. We stay busy as it is. I’ll always be grateful to them for making this happen. Their families as well as my own deserve a lot of the credit for their support. In the end, I didn’t do much. I just provided the location. This Cornerstone family and the community did all the work.”

Although all the Cornerstone Harvey Crew were adopted, many great animals sit in shelters, scared, confused and lonely, waiting for their forever family to rescue them. If someone has “a spot in their heart and in their home,” the Erath County Humane Society is always full, often beyond capacity. Doc Adams said, “There are so many neat animals here in our community in need of a loving home. We have a litter of Doberman mix puppies and their momma at the clinic now, under P.A.W.S.” ECL

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2018 Annual Banquet The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce thanks its members for a successful banquet!

The Chamber’s “Totally 80’s Mix” was an unforgettable evening as our talented members showcased their amazing products and services in a unique way and raised funds to help the Chamber continue investing in programs and resources that benefit businesses, residents and visitors alike!

Member Awards: Presented by Chamber Board Chair John Baxter

RISING STAR AWARD: GREER’S RANCH CAFE

SHINING SPUR AWARD: DR. DAVID STANPHILL

BLAZING BOOT AWARD: H-E-B GROCERY

Visit Stephenville Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for more photos of all the amazing table decorations and fun 80’s themed costumes!

Agriculture Awards: Presented by Chamber Board Chair John Baxter

ENTREPRENEUR OF AGRICULTURE BRAZOS VALLEY EQUINE HOSPITAL

FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE: STEPHENVILLE EVENING LIONS CLUB

Volunteer Awards:

Beulah Brown Ambassador of the Year:

Past Chamber Ambassador President:

Presented by Past Winner Shelley Gilliland

Presented by Ambassador President Spencer Sligh & July Danley

JAMES CHILDRESS

Best Totally 80’s Themed Table: VB ORTHOPAEDICS – DUKES OF HAZZARD

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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By Leah Edwards Photos provided by Mary Kaitlin Artistry

EVERY FIRST-TIME HIKER NEEDS A FEW START TIPS, AND WE HAVE THOSE HERE. BUT WHETHER YOU’RE A NEWCOMER TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES OR ARE A PRO, CHECK OUT SEVERAL OF THE AREAS MENTIONED FOR NATURE LOVERS IN ERATH COUNTY.

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Erath County Living

W

anting to get outdoors as the weather is warming up, the birds are singing some spring melodies, and you just feel an itch in your step to get to moving? Every first-time hiker needs a few start tips, and we have those below. But whether you’re a newcomer to outdoor adventures or are a pro, check out several of the areas mentioned for nature lovers in Erath County.

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• Let’s start with some helpful hints: • You’re gonna need comfortable hiking shoes or tennis shoes. Don’t let your hike be the first time you wear this particular pair of shoes.

Blisters are not going to be enjoyable the day or two after!

• Research the weather. Take it from someone who’s had to hike the second half of a trail in the rain because there weren’t many options once you were part-way through the hike. It’s always good to know before you go.

• Layer your clothes. Dry-fit shirts are the best for keeping you dry while hiking. I would suggest a dry-fit short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt (complete with a fleece if colder), and either wearing or carrying a rain jacket.

You’ll also want some fast-drying hiking pants or shorts. Never ever wear jeans! Wet jeans are incredibly heavy and never amount to a good time.

• Bring water or snacks for longer hikes. You don’t want to get dehydrated, and some trail mix with nuts for protein can be a helpful snack when you’re needing some extra energy.

• Know where you’re going. Make sure you grab a map or snap a picture of the trail map for future reference if you end up needing it later on the trail.

• A flashlight or one on your phone might be helpful if you find yourself hiking and nearing the dusky time of day.

Now that you have some essential knowledge, here are a few spots to get outdoors in Erath County. For more intense hikes, you can look for day trips in the surrounding counties. Taking a buddy or letting someone know that you’re going is always a great idea as well.

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Bosque River Trail This is an accessible hiking, walking, and biking trail in Stephenville that follows the north bank of the Bosque River. While it is open in some areas, it also provides some wooded areas for those who like a more nestled in nature feel. An easily-marked trail, this route is about one and a half miles long and complete with native plants that line the trail.

The Bosque River trail provides a connection to the Historical Museum in downtown, City Park, and the Boy Scout area as well. There are various lookouts including river views and realistic animal tracks sandblasted into the trail will be enjoyed by children. They can see the tracks of animals that might be seen while walking the trail.

For those traveling to the Bosque River Trail, there are benches for taking your time, ample lighting at dusk, trash receptacles, rest stops, and bike storage. There are also plenty of opportunities to see native wildlife including turkeys, deer, opossum, raccoons, birds, and armadillos. This trail is also near restaurants, shopping, hotels, and even the Historical Museum for out-oftowners who want to make a full day of it!

Parks There are two public parks in Stephenville for those who want a quick jump out into nature.

Jaycee Park and Stephenville City Park are available for any newcomers or regulars who might want to soak up a little nature on their quick lunch break from the office. Jaycee Park has an entrance off N. Harbin Drive and provides wide open spaces for outdoor enjoyment. There are gorgeous trees, covered picnic areas, and a playground for the tiny tikes.

Stephenville City Park has wide open green areas with lovely trees and provides a great spot for bringing a picnic lunch and the family. There is also a small pond with ducks to observe from an overlook area.

So, this weekend, why not make the decision to spend more time outdoors? Throw on some comfortable shoes, check the weather, pack a lunch, and enjoy some hours under the blue skies and Texas sun in Erath County! ECL

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Erath County Living

Leader.

Attorney At Tarleton, Brady Pendleton exhibited leadership skills, serving as president of the student body and of Alpha Rho Fraternity. He was also a member of the iconic Purple Poo spirit organization and part of a national championship meat judging team.

As an attorney based in Stephenville, Pendleton now serves clients in an 11-county area and is Dublin’s municipal prosecutor, as well as the City Attorney in Glen Rose. Additionally, he volunteers with Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels and the Dublin Library.

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DUB L I N

DUBLIN ST. PADDY’S FESTIVAL 2018 Photos by Mary Kaitlen Artistry and Provided by The Dublin Chamber of Commerce

Green Glow Dublin Go- Always fun to be found in Dublin, the Irish Capital of Texas!

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Erath County Living

Hometown Living At Its Best

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Erath County Living

First National Bank of Dublin Helping you reach your financial success!

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Hometown Living At Its Best

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DUB L I N

Flashback to

GOOD, OLD

Customer Service

by Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

PLEASING THE CUSTOMER IS THRIVING IN

DUBLIN, TEXAS. emember pulling your best ride into the local gas station? You cruise in with your '57 Chevy, Mustang, or GTO and before you can turn off your engine, the gas station attendant rushes up to the driver's window with a smile and a window-cleaning squeegee in hand. You say, “Fill 'er up!” and you lean back and relax.

Then this custom-care professional asks, “Can I check the air in your tires?”

R 48

Erath County Living

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HOT COFFEE AND GOOD TEXAS GRAVY, HOW TO FIX A PROBLEM, REAL HANDS-ON PHOTOGRAPHS, SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER—ALL DELIVERED IN DUBLIN.

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Erath County Living

While driving through the past, enjoying memories, you pull back out on the main drag and head to the hardware store. You need to talk to someone about how to fix that fence where the dog keeps getting out. Then you remember the wife wrote you a list of things to get at the local drugstore. But your growling stomach reminds you it's always time to stop by the DQ and have a cup or two of the fresh coffee they keep piping hot—maybe some chicken strips and homemade gravy, too.

You get back home and tell your honey how nice it was in town today.

The wife looks at the sacks and asks, “Did you forget to go to the drug store?”

Relax! It's the good old days. They deliver.

That was a nice dream.

Like me, you may think the good old days of customer care have vanished, but on a recent trip I realized customer service is thriving in Dublin, Texas. In Dublin, customer service is still delivered with a smile. In today's fast paced world, beyond the latest app, smartphones, and

the newest tablets (not Big Chief), what people really want is good old-fashioned customer service. Dublin offers examples on almost every block. Here's only a few.

“Full Service gas station—you bet. It's what brought us to the dance.” Marvin Curry at M&M Service Station on Blackjack Street has been asking, “Fill ‘er up?” for thirty-four years. Marvin grew up in Dublin and raised his kids here. “I know half the town and my wife knows the rest.” As the owner for twenty-one years, he and his staff have made Dublin's world brighter, not only through a clean windshield, but even better by brightening the customers’ spirits. “When people drive up we help them in any way we can and hope they smile when they leave. Maybe we made their day go better.”

Recently, a friend suggested I visit Brooke Mendenhall, a photographer who offers full-service photography. In addition to her studio and on-site shoots, she offers consultation in her studio prior

to sessions, sits down with her clients to go through the proofs in person, and also offers a "reveal" with prints and such in her studio. My ears perked up. No “Take a number to wait and then hurry.” or “Go to our website and use the code (which I quickly forget).” I asked Brooke to explain.

Raised in Lubbock, Brooke came to Erath County in 2005, and in 2008 found Dublin was perfect for her growing family. She took her time in her study of the art of photography before officially going into business in October of 2015.

“My friends would see pictures I had taken of my children and began asking me to do theirs. Soon enough, I fell in love with delivering the best possible portrait experience and I switched from digital delivery to in-person reveal meetings. I believe there is a huge difference between a customer and a client. A customer is someone who simply buys a product or service from you. The term client originally denoted a person under the

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protection of another. That is one of the reasons I don't let those under my protection make purchase decisions until they actually SEE their portraits in a personal reveal meeting. I get to see the look on my clients' faces when they experience their images for the very first time. I usually shed a few tears along with them. In this fast-paced, digital world I know my clients will have beautiful, physical portraits to hold in their hands— to touch.” Brooke creates the portraits and albums that children and grandchildren will love forever. “I believe that great customer service has everything to do with loving people and truly wanting to make them happy.”

Higginbotham Brothers Hardware store goes beyond the norm. They do much more than just provide hardware. They talk with their customers and offer assistance to get the best product for their project and they price match all their competitors to be able to give their customers the best price.

Mike Newton has been serving the area at Higginbotham Brothers since February of

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1990 and in Dublin since 2010. He grew up most of his life over in the small community of Gustine, where he started working for the company. He recently shared the reasons he stresses service to the customer’s needs.

“Most of my knowledge has been gained from on-the-job training, so to speak, just asking questions and learning from others as I moved around to different stores. I listened to what others tried and learned from the mistakes and experiences they shared. I have always been interested in building and fixing things. For me, good customer service begins with product knowledge. In order to best serve your customers, a salesperson needs to have the best understanding of the products. They need to know how products are made and what specific use they serve.

Most people come to us when something is broken, so you need to be able to know how to fix the problem. Anyone can stand at a cash register and sell you a product and make small talk, but being able to interact with the customer and get to know their problem and understand how to fix it is key. If I don’t know

SMALL COMMUNITIES IN TEXAS ARE BLESSED

BY PEOPLE KNOWING EACH OTHER, WANTING TO PLEASE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

how to fix a problem I will tell them up front and try to point them in the right direction. Just making a sale is not doing the customer right if it doesn’t fix the problem.”

There is no better customer service than a pharmacy that delivers when you’re sick. Best Value Pharmacy provides one-on-one consultation and delivery service, and much more.

Manager Angelee Gibson and her crew strive to know their customers by name and treat them like they are family, and the very best part is—they deliver.

Angelee explained, I grew up in Dublin and went to school here since kindergarten. I've worked for Best Value Pharmacies, Inc for almost five years as a pharmacy manager. I observed in different pharmacies but have always loved the Best Value way where customers are put first above all else and always taken care of. We strive to help each and every customer that comes through our door and to care for their individual needs.”

Small communities in Texas are blessed by people knowing each other, wanting to please your friends and neighbors. Hot coffee and good Texas gravy, how to fix a problem, real handson photographs, something to make you feel better—all delivered in Dublin.

Like Marvin at M&M Service Station says, “Great customer service? It's what brought us to the dance.” ECL

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Engagement • Senior • Wedding

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Stephenville Evening Lions Club

Upland Bird Extravaganza

Shooting Events

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Saturday, April 7 Registration at 8:00 am, Shooting Starts at 8:30 am

Wild Game Dinner and Auction City Hall at City Limits, Stephenville

Friday, April 13 Doors Open at 5:00 pm, Serving Line Opens at 6:00 pm

www.EveningLions.org 54

Erath County Living

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DUB L I N

By Brandynn Stanford and Karen Wright Photos by Mary Kaitlin Artistry and provided by Dublin Municipal Airport

L

ike a seed lies dormant waiting for rain and sunshine, Dublin Municipal Airport – under-utilized and under-appreciated - was waiting. The little airport, known to pilots as 9F0, had seen good times and bad times in its 50-year existence, but the good times were nearly forgotten.

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Finally, the “rain and sunshine” of the past year have fed a promising community asset and the future is literally and figuratively looking up.

Half a century ago, the introduction of Dublin’s first “airport” in the summer of 1964 was met with tremendous fanfare. The Dublin JayCees formally dedicated a grass airstrip on South FM 219, which became known as JayCee Community Air Park. The entire business community closed its doors to attend the dedication ceremony, along with over 300 residents.

The keynote speaker was William Piper, founder of the Piper Aircraft Corporation. Mr. Piper landed his own Piper Aztec on the grass and brought a strong message that rural airports were the “foundation of aviation,” recognizing that “a predetermined length of smooth ground is necessary for take-offs and landings.”

The event was organized by JayCee president Jack Johnson, Dublin’s mayor pro-tem Dr. Harlan Raley, and master of ceremonies Dr. Joe J. Pate, who referred to the new airstrip as “Mr. Piper’s pet idea,” while crediting the JayCees for making the dream come true. The landing strip, used mainly for agricultural purposes, was described as the first of its kind in Texas, and Dr. Raley offered its new slogan: “Drop in Anytime.”

Four years later, in August of 1968, ground was broken

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Erath County Living

across the highway to create an official airport – a project made possible with grants from the Texas Department of Transportation and donations from the City of Dublin and the Dublin Industrial Foundation.

In that auspicious ceremony, the speaker, A.G. Thompson of Hamilton, who represented the Texas Aeronautics Commission, pointed out the importance of air transportation in the growth and development of a community, adding that 80 percent of the nation’s industries would not consider locating in a town that didn’t have an airport.

The Dublin airport enjoyed many early years of vitality and growth. Hangars were built, crop dusters came and went, and mechanics and fuel were in place. Local and area pilots maintained their aircraft there and the future looked bright.

However, at the start of the new century when city priorities shifted and several of the local pilots retired from flying, the airport slumped, signaling a period of minimal activity. Dublin 9F0 continued to be a public airport, but it had no real direction or long-range plan. It wasn’t mistreated; it was mostly forgotten.

Ironically, economic boosts are frequently born of crises that rattle a community to its core. The loss of the town’s namesake soft drink and the change of

traffic patterns with the opening of the Dublin bypass forced worried community leaders to focus on their assets, rather than bemoaning their losses. The eyes of the community turned toward resources that were under-utilized but showed promise – a list that included the airport.

The city scrambled to play catch-up. City Manager Nancy Wooldridge, along with Mayor David Leatherwood, set the pace for new activity at the airport with a matching TxDOT grant to resurface the runway, followed by another grant to repair landing lights. And, perhaps most important, along came volunteers willing to invest the time and effort to put the airport back on the map. Brad Stanford, Ben Pate, and the city council’s aviation committee, headed by former council member Sarah McCann, stepped up.

The movement went public, thanks to Stanford, town leprechaun-turned-volunteer airport manager. He’s been enamored with airplanes and flight ever since he can remember, likely influenced by growing up in an Air Force family. “When I was six, a movie called ‘The Winds of Kitty Hawk’ aired on TV. During that movie, I sat behind my dad’s chair and built my own Wright Flyer out of paper and tape. It was obvious I was wired for flight.”

Pate, who has become the unofficial “second man” at the airport, was also enamored, not so much by the open skies but by the potential for economic impact. “This little airport is waiting to be much more than it is currently,” Pate believes. “It is a resource waiting to be tapped.”

Stanford found a creative way to serve as on-site, unpaid airport manager. In exchange for maintaining the city’s website and being a presence at the airport (required for future grant possibilities), he moved his software development office to the empty airport building and became available to answer phones, greet pilots, and launch his best PR efforts.

Thanks to Dublin Bottling Works, he provides a cold soda to every pilot and passenger, touts Dublin, and even drives visitors to town when they want to dine, shop or visit a museum. He became a one-man promotional band for 9F0, even offering a prize drawing for pilots who fly in. And he began planning events to grab the attention of pilots and local residents.

Pate, retired after a career in Dallas television, became Stanford’s sidekick in all things airport – especially the mechanical aspects - and before long the airport drew a deep breath, came to life, and sets its eyes on the future. With the help of the city, long-range airport upgrades are being

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pursued while cosmetic improvements and signage tell town residents and pilots alike that good things are happening and to stay tuned.

The Stanford-Pate duo matches right brain creativity to left brain technical skills and the result is a formidable team. Both envision the airport as the eventual anchor to an industrial complex because of its location on a well-maintained road on the edge of the city limits and a stone’s throw from the railroad and two major state highways.

The duo’s first victory was to have the FAA update its condition status on the Dublin Airport. The city had used its TxDOT grant to resurface the runway, but the upgrades hadn’t been officially noted by the FAA, resulting in their listing continuing to show the runway being in disrepair when it had been fixed two years prior.

The city’s public works manager, Cory James, worked with the airport volunteers to repair and replace lights, replace the tattered windsock, revamp the airport office to become a comfortable pilot’s lounge, and help plan activities to build public awareness. Along came Dublin newcomer Ben Newton to brighten up the lounge with fresh paint and the Stanford family to add fresh flowers in pots and colorful accessories. Les Maxwell created a new Dublin 9F0 sign for the lounge.

The first public event, with the help of Flight Reach

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Erath County Living

Productions owned by Fisher Rinderknecht, was a modest but successful Dublin Drone Day which attracted 80 people of all ages for drone and model airplane demonstrations, a meet-and-greet with the local air ambulance service, and ice cream treats provided by Dairy Queen’s Curly Top. But it was the St. Patrick’s Day celebration that confirmed the viability of the airport. More than 40 pilots and their guests came from throughout Texas, as well as New York, Georgia, and Louisiana, for the fly-in activities which attracted a dozen gyroplanes and several fixed-wing aircraft for various activities which included games, a seminar, a movie about the life of stunt-pilot Bob Hoover (shown in pilot Mac Rust’s hangar) and, most important, the chance for pilots to “talk airplane.”

The availability of Swift Fuel added bragging rights for the airport, because it marked the first availability in Texas of the unleaded aviation gasoline known as avgas.

Swift representative Jim Simon from Indiana came to the fly-in to answer pilots’ questions about the fuel. The dream is that the Dublin airport will continue to sell the fuel and, although it will eventually be available in other Texas airports, the Dublin airport can always boast that it was first.

Certified gyroplane instructor Craig McPherson, a fifth generation Texas dairy farmer and rancher from

Blum who runs Blue Skies Gyros, was on hand to demonstrate the abilities and safety of gyroplanes.

He also took 10 people up for introductory flights before approaching storms ended the activity.

A highlight of the day was when several aircraft flew a pattern over the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in downtown Dublin. There was a mix of gyros and fixed wings, including a formation of three Van RV planes that flew down the parade route, certainly a first for the Dublin parade.

All the Dublin pilots were on hand to serve as greeters including Eddie Eiland, pilot of a Thorp T-18, and Greg Thompson, Mooney M20 pilot.

Pilot Brady Pendleton loaned his shuttle bus to transport visitors between downtown and airport activities.

Tom Duncan, a 1976 grad of Dublin High School and gyro owner, inspired the fly-in. He commented that he “had seen mature fly-in events that weren’t nearly this successful.”

Exhausted but sporting a huge grin as St. Patrick’s Day activities drew to a close, airport manager Brad Stanford commented that he “looks forward to the day when that ramp is full of aircraft, all visiting for their second or third, or umpteenth time, and when the community knows the airport as a place to be welcomed, to enjoy today, and to look to the future – a day that we can demonstrate beyond doubt that this little airport is a tool of economic development for Dublin.” ECL

“This little airport is waiting to be much more than it is currently. It is a resource waiting to be tapped.” – Ben Pate

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Traditions of Easter Family, Church, & the Cross

By Erica Willis

T e ac h your fa m ily t h e trut h of t he c ross t hroug h th e eye s of lov e t h is E a st e r 64

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s a young girl my personality was sugar, spice, and a touch of punch-you-when-you-aren’tlooking. Most days I was sweet one moment and sour the next. But Easter? Ah. Easter was time for fancy dresses and hats, beautiful baskets filled with painted eggs, and all my favorite foods arranged perfectly on our dining room table. Any punching would probably need to wait for another day, lest I wrinkle my dress.

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One year had been especially magical because my mother had sewn my Easter dress herself. The red fabric bibbed in front to create a sweetness I couldn’t muster on my own. I remember wearing tiny, white, elastic-lined gloves that pinched at the wrist. Those Minnie Mouse-like gloves signaled that Easter had finally arrived and I was ready! I’m pretty sure one of the Ten Commandments is, “Thou shall not let fancy clothes go to waste,” and Easter was the perfect Kodak moment.

Off to church we went!

My family belonged to a small Baptist church in town. I can still see the flannelgraph Sunday school teachings in my mind. The image of Jesus hanging on a brown, fuzzy cross was taught as we sat on the multi-colored rug in the musty church basement. I always loved the part of the story when Jesus rose again because that meant special treats for the class, i.e. cupcakes covered in green-dyed coconut and bubble gum eggs, meant to resemble an Easter basket.

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Yummy food, dress-up clothes, and plastic eggs.

This was Easter to me.

Some bonds of friendship are not easily broken. Come trial and test, they stay strong to the end. The disciples’ friendship was one of these. In a world of strangers and “each man for himself,” this small group of men had discovered an intense bond that was new and refreshing. It was clear they were different than others in the community simply by way they lived. They represented all that was vulnerable, and yet impossibly strong, sharing all they had with each other and loving others well.

The disciples, from various walks of life, were not perfect-- far from it—but the man they followed was. His name was Jesus, and he was the cement that held them together. At his request, they left everything to follow him and learn his philosophies. Why? Why sacrifice so much for a friend? To them the answer was multi-facetted: He was incredibly

The disciples, from various walks of life, were not perfect -far from it - but the man they followed was.

wise, especially for a carpenter’s son. He regularly performed miracles. He always did the opposite of what was expected, never following the crowd but standing in opposition to it. Jesus loved deeply and without reserve, and this love was what ultimately drew these men.

Everyone was “someone” to Jesus.

In a night like no other, they learned how strong this love truly was. While together in an olive grove, trying desperately to stay awake and pray, the disciples witnessed the beginning of the end. As Jesus prayed for those closest to him, he pled for mercy from God for what he knew was to come. It was then that Judas, one of his disciples, approached in the dark. With a simple kiss, he betrayed Jesus and handed him over to the Roman soldiers waiting in the shadows. Jesus stayed true to his character, even faced with certain death.

When they arrested him he didn’t fight back, even though his friends did.

When he stood before government officials, Jesus didn’t deny he was God, even though the soldiers did.

When a thief asked for mercy in his final moments of life, Jesus didn’t shame him, even though the cross did.

When Jesus took his last breath, the crowd didn’t weep…but heaven did.

The end.

This is Easter to every unbeliever.

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Three long days they waited. Three long days these men, the ones who gave it all to follow Jesus, sat in anguish over his death.

As the sun rose on the third day after Jesus died on a cross, two of his followers, both named Mary, ran to the tomb where he was laid. When they arrived, they felt the earthy quake beneath their feet. An angel appeared and rolled away the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb, sitting on top of it. He looked like nothing the women had ever seen!

His clothes were white as snow and he was shining. It was such a terrifying sight that the guards shook and froze.

Before the Marys could run away in fear, the angel spoke to them. “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where he lay.” He then urged the women to share what they witnessed. They were filled with awe and joy and ran to tell the good news.

On their journey to their friends, they were suddenly met by Jesus on the road. How was this possible? Jesus, the one they had seen killed only days prior, was standing in front of

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them. They could barely contain themselves as they clasped his feet and began to worship him. Jesus did just as he said he would: He died on the cross for the sins of every human being, and defeated death and sin by rising back to life on the third day. He was whole, completely restored, without blemish, and a man of his word.

This is Easter to the believer.

If there is one plea, one cry of my heart this Easter, it is that you begin to look to the heart of the cross. Look past the eggs, fancy clothes, and lunch waiting at your grandmother’s house. Stop questioning the truth of Jesus in facts and figures and begin to believe through the eyes of His love. No matter what Easter has meant to you in the past, will you look at it anew? Will you embrace the love of one who offered everything you? One who didn’t spare his own life in exchange for yours, but offered it up for you so you could live a life that never ends? Today is the day.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” –Jesus (John 11:25) ECL

“ I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”

– Jesus (John 11:25)

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Graduates Jackson Mendenhall

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Saria Flores

Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Jeremiah Martinez

Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Tori Greene

Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Caleb Hooper

Photo by Mary Kaitlin Artistry

John Terpstra

Luz Manriquez

Photo by Brazos Rose Photography

Photo by Mary Kaitlin Artistry

Crystal Lena Martinez

Photo by Brazos Rose Photography

Jordan Wilson

Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Ashlie Crosswhite

Photo by Brooke Mendenhall Photography

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HOMETOWN HAPPENINGS

STEPHENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL STATE SEMI-FINALISTS

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C

ongratulations to Stephenville High School for advancing all the way to state semi-finals!

WAY TO GO, YELLOWJACKETS! Photos provided by Susan Caylor

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Stephenville

Music Club

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Taylor’d Photos and provided

by Stephenville Music Club

S

tephenville Music Club is the oldest continuously active club in Stephenville.

When it began in 1933 during the depth of the Great Depression, big bands, jazz and swing dominated the music world. Duke Ellington’s orchestra introduced “Sophisticated Lady.” Bing Crosby crooned hits like “Temptation” and “You’re Getting to be a Habit.” Ethel Waters belted out “Stormy Weather” and “Supper Time.”

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”

- Maria Augusta von Trapp

The dreary days of the Depression did not suppress the desires of a group of young women to hear and perform good music. Mrs. Robert Stramler hosted the initial meeting in her home. The club affiliated with the National Federation of Music for over 40 years.

It sponsored concerts and gave scholarships to an upperclassman at Tarleton State University, a tradition that continues to this day.

Each year, the club opens with a picnic in September welcoming new members and their spouses. On holiday occasions, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, the club furnishes special programs and provides music for churches and other organizations. The annual Valentine Musical is one of Stephenville’s most popular events that is free to the public.

In April the club awards a $500 scholarship to a Tarleton State University music major. The TSU Music Professors nominate students for consideration, and the scholarship committee selects the recipients. Memorials, donations and dues fund the scholarship program. Since 1990, the club has showcased the Stephenville High

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"We take great pleasure in the purity of the time proven traditions we keep and relish in bringing joy through music whenever we can.”

School Band and choir students who compete at the State University Interscholastic League competition, as well as the recipient of the Music Club Scholarship.

Kelijon Nance has been a member of the music club for twenty-five years. She said, “When I got in, there were mostly older ladies in the club—retired music teachers and musicians of all kinds. There was an elegance and grandeur to them. I had so much fun getting to know them and learn from them. The meetings/luncheons were always at homes, and the propriety was so special. Music

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was valued as something educated and interesting people (ladies) cared about. Glass luncheon plates and linen napkins were always used. I loved it. We only do that one time a year now at our annual Christmas party at Marion Cole’s house.

All other meetings are in the Methodist church multipurpose center.”

Currently, forty members belong to the club.

Anyone can become a member as long as they pay their dues—no need to be a musician, just enjoy music. The club meets the second Monday of every month at First United Methodist Church multipurpose center at noon. A Program Director presents interesting facts and background material related to the program’s theme and introduces the performers. Potluck follows the meetings with hosts and hostesses serving the covered dish luncheon. The club breaks during the summer months of June, July and August.

The Program Committee chooses themes each year, and individual members choose songs for the monthly meeting, which may include short biographies of the artists along with the performances. Past themes include: Enriching Life with Music, Celebrate America, Music from the Heart, Six Flags over Texas, Great Composers, Golden Age of Broadway, A Musical Journey to Favorite Places, Fabulous Forties and Fifties, The Music of America’s War Years, Stephenville Music Club Goes Country, Texas Music on the Move and Music for all Seasons.

With the “Weather” theme, the sky was the limit. The rainy month was a booming success with songs like “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” and “Rhythm of the Falling Rain.” The windy month blustered in the songs “Four Strong Winds” and “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The hot songs “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and “In the Good Old Summertime” shone brightly during the summer months. “Let It Snow” and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” burst through the wild winter months. The 2017-2018 theme is Dynamic Duos.

Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George and Ira Gershwin, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, Carol Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlisch were featured artists.

“Our purpose is simple: Making and enjoying music and each other.”

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“Whatever you do, wherever you go, ALWAYS Make a Joyful Sound With Music from the Heart” —Stephenville Music Club

Members of the club feel it is more than an organization—it’s family. Kelijon said, “Our purpose is simple: Making and enjoying music and each other. The club is a small glimpse into a time and culture that harkens back to a simpler time of community involvement, camaraderie, values and purpose, and has survived the fast paced world of instant entertainment and ingenuous fabricated relationships. We take great pleasure in the purity of the time proven traditions we keep and relish in bringing joy through music whenever we can.”

It has been the aim of the Stephenville Music Club in the past, and will be in the future, to express gratitude for the blessed legacy of music that is shared by all mankind, bringing the spiritualizing force of music to the inner life of our nation. The following quote appears on their Facebook page: “Music is a shared experience that connects us to people we might not ever meet otherwise. And music helps us become a village for one another.”—MusicIsLove. com ECL

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Cleaning

By Martha Helton

B

reak out the Lysol, toss the Tupperware containers without lids and throw open the windows to air out the house. Spring has sprung and with its arrival, the desire to clean, shine and de-clutter seems to spring up as well. But, then again, you may share the perspective of Erma Bombeck: “My theory on housework is, if the item doesn’t multiply, smell, catch fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares.

Why should you?”

In any case, cleaning, de-cluttering and organizing can have a two-fold effect. Not only will your home become more clean and orderly, you can feel more clean and orderly in your life. It may trigger the desire to “spring clean” on the inside as well…like a heart purge.

New beginnings seem to beckon on the sun-drenched horizon of a spotless, organized kitchen. Why not go with that desire, perhaps after you spiff up your physical surroundings? Let’s examine some ways to thoroughly scour your insides.

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Sweep away negativity

Do you see the glass half-full or half-empty? It’s easy to be pessimistic or critical, trapping hope in a corner, screaming to get out. Count your blessings; ask God to give you a grateful heart. In the Bible, Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message version) says, “…you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

Get rid of worry

Finances that are tight, a teenager who is withdrawing from family and friends or a scary medical diagnosis can leave you riddled with worry. There’s a place to get rid of worry. Look up. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-8, The Message version)

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Throw away regret

Don’t drag yesterday’s baggage into today. “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) is perfect go-to daily prayer request. Our Creator offers us the wherewithal to sustain us for today--not for tomorrow and not yesterday, but today, as you have need. He also promises that we can have a fresh start because His mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Wipe away guilt

Nothing can sap our energy like lugging around guilt.

There is a way to wipe it away. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Not only is it good for your mental health to apologize to God, it is also a good idea to apologize to a loved one for your bad attitude or a sarcastic comment you may have said. Apologizing is a key ingredient for a good spring cleaning.

Remove grudges

In the same mop bucket, carrying a grudge against someone--whether it’s against your dad who ignored

you when you were a kid, or a co-worker who made an insensitive comment—needs to be removed. We are exhorted not to let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26). If we’re not careful, we can hold onto bitterness against others and, left unchecked, it can pollute our lives, steal our joy and even thwart our life’s purpose. You may even need to forgive God for, say, allowing your mother to die when you were a child, or not letting you get that promotion at work. Don’t forget to forgive yourself as well.

Share your Hefty bags

Isolation can wreak havoc on our mental health.

Sharing your struggles or secret vices with others, inviting them to pray for you, can yield not only clean souls but assurance that you’re not alone in the load you are carrying to the curb for garbage pickup. “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Flush away the “shoulds”

Don’t “should” on yourself. Flush those “shoulds” down the toilet where they belong. One day I counted eight “shoulds” I was carrying around with me (i.e. “I should call her”, “I should do this”, “I should help with that…”). Challenge those “shoulds” to see if they are really true, so you’re not letting the mildew of false guilt spread. The “should” can change to I “get” to do this, or, you may realize you’re piling on responsibilities that aren’t yours.

Clean, but not perfect

Excellence is one thing, but driving yourself to exhaustion and crippling, neuroticism in the pursuit of perfectionism is another. “Perfectionism is slow death,” writes Hugh Prather. Just do your best and God will take care of the rest. Embrace your humanity.

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Give yourself away

The cure for incessant self-analysis paralysis that clogs your life chi flow is…giving to others. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45); we can adopt this servant mindset also. Giving can be a simple act of opening a door for someone, to taking a pot of soup to a sick friend, to cleaning the house of someone who just lost their spouse. The wonderful secret to this mindset is…the blessings splash back on you. “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:25)

Enlist help

Deep spring cleaning can seem so overwhelming that you don’t know where to begin. Solicit help from a friend who can listen, give advice, encouragement, lend a hand or give a hug, when needed. God is your friend as well. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) May these tips inspire your inner and outer spring cleaning endeavors! ECL

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By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos provided by Kurt Mogonye of Tarleton State University, Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune newspaper and Michael Tash

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SPRING GARDEN GUIDE

By Eren Hays of TENDED Garden | www.tendedgarden.com

The only way to know for sure where our food comes from is to grow our own. And growing an edible garden is easier than ever!

W

e all want to feed our families the best food we can afford. But a simple stroll down the produce aisle of the local grocery store can be full of difficult decisions to make.

Organic? Local? Seasonal? GMO or non-GMO? Which foods are more nutritionally dense? What do these new labels mean? And can we even trust what we are reading?

The only way to know for sure where our food comes from is to grow our own. And growing an edible garden is easier than ever! And not having enough room for a large veggie plot is no longer an excuse. Many edibles grow in containers and are just as happy...and delicious.

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Grow edible plants in pots or existing flowerbeds.

Containers for vegetable gardens can be almost anything. Plastic or clay flower pots, galvanized buckets, baskets, window planters, old wash tubs, large coffee cans and even old dresser drawers are great garden containers. Make sure your container has a few drainage holes in the bottom. If not, a hammer and nail will help you create a place for extra water to escape your container.

You can use regular soil in your containers, but potting mixes specifically mixed for gardens are much better. Mixing one part compost to two parts planting mix will increase fertility.

Raised beds are a great way to start your edible garden.

If you want to grow a bit more than a few pots will hold, raised beds might be the best option for you. It will amaze you how much produce can be grown in two small 4ft x 6ft beds. Use cedar for the side boards and wood screws to make your bed last longer. To keep weeds and grass from growing up into your raised beds, line the bottom with landscaper’s cloth.

Get your hands dirty!

During these early months of spring, the soil is just beginning to warm up. And here in Texas, we can still get a late season freeze. So watch the weather and have an old bed sheet ready to throw over any tender plants if it looks like it might freeze overnight. Most of the plants listed below tolerate cooler temperatures well, but it’s always good to be ready.

Start with making a short list of the fresh fruits and vegetables your family eats. Then pick a few of the foods listed that you and your family eat the most. For example, if your family eats pizza every Friday, fresh vine ripe tomatoes would be a superb choice for your garden. You might love the look of purple okra and think you should grow green peppers, but if your family won’t eat them, it’s not

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economical to put the time and money into growing them.

This time of the year, local nurseries and home improvement stores are full of healthy seedlings ready for their new home in your garden. Seedlings purchased at discount stores or hardware stores can perform just as well as those purchased from local nurseries. Just make sure your new plants get adequate water until their root systems are established.

March into April

Early spring is salad season. This is the time of the year to grow most of your greens, or what gardeners call cole crops. The plants listed below tolerate cooler temperatures well, but always keep an eye on the weather. Plants to consider include: Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Collards Cucumbers Herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage Kale Lettuce Mustard Spinach Peas Radishes

April into May

This is the season we’ve been waiting for! The average last frost date for Texas is April 10th - not that we couldn’t get a frost after that date, this is Texas after all….you never know. But for the most part, the soil is warm and the danger of frost is behind us. So, now is the time to plant all of the good stuff most of us have been itching to grow. As we get into the hotter days of May, make sure everything stays adequately watered, especially if you are growing in containers. Plants to consider include: Green Beans Black Eyed Peas Carrots Cucumbers Eggplant Herbs Melons Peppers Yellow Squash Zucchini Tomatoes

Last thoughts on growing

Growing your own veggie garden can seem a bit overwhelming, but do not get discouraged. There are many books at the library to assist you and online sources are invaluable. Just make

sure you are reading about growing in Texas specifically. Growing seasons vary greatly even within the South. Growing in Arizona is very different than growing here in our area.

Consult your nursery staff or visit the local Agriculture Extension Office for more help. Also, gardening is becoming so popular that many cities have garden coaches that are willing to guide you through the seasons for a small fee.

Just remember, gardening is a process and a learning experience. As in life, we never have it all figured out. Even the most experienced gardeners learn something new each season.

5 REASONS TO GROW YOUR OWN 1. Your kids will be more likely to eat veggies 2. Growing your own will save you money.

A 5ft x 5ft raised bed can grow enough food for your family.

3. Gardening is a workout.

4. Getting your hands in the dirt teaches us about our Heavenly Father, the real Master Gardener.

5. Unplugged family time outside!

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We at Moore Home & Ranch Realty specialize in providing quality homes, farms, ranches, acreage, and other commercial and residential real estate in Erath County and its surrounding areas.

TRIGG MOORE 254-396-5592 trigg@moorehomeandranch.com

DAILY SPECIALS EVERY DAY, ALL DAY ALL YOU CAN EAT SALAD BAR 254-918-5337 | 110 Morgan Mill Rd, Stephenville, TX 76401 Closed Monday, Open Tuesday thru Sunday; Tues - Thurs 11-8; Fri - Sat 11-9; Sun 11-3 Hometown Living At Its Best

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CROSS TIMBERS FINE ARTS COUNCIL Photography provided by Cross Timbers Fine Art Center

Lots of great things going on at Cross Timbers Fine Art Center, including September’s Evening with Don Edwards concert at Birdsong Amphitheater and December’s Piatigorsky concert featuring Evan Drachman and Richard Dowling, as well as an exhibit featuring the Henderson Junior High students at Texas Bank, and some candids from our Paint the Town events.

Art exhibit fea turin

g the Henderso

Opal Black Reception Paint the Town

Kids Paint the Town

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n Junior High

students at Texa

s Bank

Piatigorsky concert featuring Evan Drachman and Richard Dowling

Don Edwards concert at Birdsong Amphitheater

Shelby Culberson

Paint the Town Quilt Exhibit

Rodeo Heritage Exhibit

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Art Heart FROM THE

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Taylor’d Photos

THE ART PROGRAM AT GILBERT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GIVES STUDENTS A CREATIVE OUTLET AND HEALTHY FORM OF EXPRESSION WHILE WORKING WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ART MEDIA.

“Sometimes you have to meet your students where they are,” said Ms. Kay Meiron, the 6th grade art teacher at Gilbert Intermediate School in Stephenville. As an art teacher for 11 years, her goal is to provide young artists with the tools they need to be creative. Regardless of their artistic ability, concepts they learn in art can be applied to everyday life.

While growing up in Cross Plains, Texas, Ms. Meiron always excelled in classes that allowed creative demonstrations like illustrating, building a model, or designing a book or poster. “I learned through seeing and doing. As the creative kid in class, I had so much respect for the teachers that recognized my strength as an artist and gave me an opportunity put that skill to use. I even painted a couple murals for my high school.

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“So, when it came time to decide what I wanted to be when I grew up, I chose to be an art teacher and facilitate an environment for those visual-kinesthetic learners and give them a chance to learn concepts through their own learning style. Teaching is very rewarding, plus, I get to do what I love on a daily basis.”

Meiron loves the act of creating all types of art from the heart. “I’m constantly dabbling with new media and techniques that I can bring back to the classroom.

My favorite art medium is probably clay. It’s so fun to get my hands messy and build a ceramic vessel or wind chime, just the act of constructing something from nothing. Clay is also a student favorite, so we work with it as often as possible. It’s a medium that requires a lot problem solving, and it’s one of those projects that will last a lifetime. I always explain to the kids that they’ll show it to their grandkids when they are 90. They love my interpretation of them as old people.

“I also love photography, particularly portraiture.

It presents a challenge of capturing an individual in an artistic and meaningful way. And I get caught up for hours in the editing process playing with lighting and textures to create certain effects. In class we create selfportraits in a variety of media throughout the school year. This allows my students to reflect internally about who they are, how they perceive themselves, and how they choose to portray who they are to the world. It helps them to be more open to the fact that we are all different and have our own unique qualities that set us apart.”

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Meiron said, “Art gives students a creative outlet and healthy form of expression while working with a wide variety of art media including drawing, painting, printmaking, digital art and photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, and stop motion animation. The students do a lot of design work for our school such as yearbook, t-shirts, posters and publications and our school flag. But, they aren’t just learning about art, they are learning core content, problem solving, and how to collaborate through the creation of a product. They stretch their minds as they are forced to think critically and analytically. They become more aware of art in the world around them in the media and advertising, marketing, architecture, design and fashion. They develop an awareness of history and culture through art, and this exposure helps them view the world from a multiple perspectives.”

Meiron coaches UIL Oral Reading academic team and the Jr. Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) team.

“Participation in Jr. VASE is how my 6th graders can measure their achievement against the state standard of excellence and get to see art produced by hundreds of their peers from surrounding districts. We work really hard to prepare and always have a lot of students that advance to state. Their works and medals are displayed each year at the SISD Student Art Exhibit.”

Meiron’s heart goes beyond the classroom into the community. She works with CTFAC to coordinate summer art camp for kids ages 4-11 and she teaches art for

Tarleton’s Upward Bound program, which helps prepare low-income students for higher education pursuits. She leads painting groups for adults, as well as presentations at educational workshops.

This past fall, students exhibited their photography at the senior center. “We were able to take photography to a whole new level thanks to a grant from the Education Foundation. We learned about the history and science behind photography, as well as the artistic components such as composition, perception, concept and so on.

Each student was able to shoot a variety of cameras ranging from vintage Polaroids to new instant film cameras, Canon AE-1, FTb, A35F 35mm cameras and an assortment of digital cameras. We even had a digital camera donated that was only able to store one photo on its 3½ inch floppy disc. The kids were floored! It was interesting to watch the kids take a photo with the film cameras and check the back to see a preview of the photo they just took only to find that it wasn’t there.

AS AN ART TEACHER FOR 11 YEARS, KAY MEIRON’S GOAL IS TO PROVIDE YOUNG ARTISTS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO BE CREATIVE.

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our knowledge of photography to our unit of portraiture.”

On February 26-28, Meiron and Georgia Weil, the science teacher, took 200 6th graders on the annual field trip to Camp Grady Spruce on Possum Kingdom Lake. She said, “The outdoor education team at CGS leads our students on adventures tied to our science curriculum where they study things like conservation, orienteering, outdoor survival skills, lake ecology, and geology. The students work collaboratively to solve problems such as how to build a shelter and start a campfire. It’s something that many of our students wouldn’t get to experience otherwise.”

Each April, SISD Student Art Exhibit is displayed at Bond Auditorium. Students can win awards in different categories, and one student from each category is awarded best of show. Participants enjoy viewing the talent and the vertical alignment of the program.

One of the greatest rewards for Meiron is watching the students grow up and being a part of their life. “Stephenville has really accepted me to play this role, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this community. This role gives me a purpose. It’s a truly amazing feeling.”

Beyond art, other things that bring joy to Meiron’s heart include running and reading, supporting her children in their school and sports activities, and together they explore, travel, hike, camp and play at the lake. ECL

“We took our cameras around Stephenville and captured some really cool shots at Tarleton, the Historical Museum and the city park. After the excruciatingly long wait for the film to be developed, they discovered that one roll had accidentally been double exposed! Those photos actually turned out to be really cool.

“They were able to test their creative boundaries with the new instant film double exposure and bulb modes, plus it gave them an awareness of the origin of some of the apps and filters they use on their phones.

“The students were proud of their work and the exhibit where they demonstrated the cameras.

They sold their photography to raise money for our program, and, of course, they voted to spend their earnings to restock film and purchase more clay!

It was a huge success and now we will be applying

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Specializing in family, wedding, engagement, lifestyle, and senior photos.

B a s e d i n E r a t h C o u n t y, ava i l a b l e a ny w h e re .

Kaitlin Hooper | 254.485.4430

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1493 West South Loop | Stephenville, TX 76401

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2180 West South Loop, Suite 8, Stephenville Hometown Living At Its Best

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Seeing Your Island a DIY guide to creating a vision (and a vision board) for your life and why everyone needs one.

By Tori Mortensen

o let’s say you find yourself lost at sea, in a rowboat, surrounded by nothing but waves as far as the eye can see. You’ve been paddling for what seems like all the days ever, the sun’s beating down on you and you feel as though you can’t muster up even One. More. Single. Stroke. Suddenly, you spot a white sandy shore in the distance. Just like that, you have in your sights, something to row TOWARDS. You visualize yourself resting in the cool shade of a palm tree while drinking fresh coconut milk. Now, instantly, you are able to row harder than ever before, yet nothing at all changed within you physically.

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In order to live your perfectly full life, you have to define what that means to you. This can be done so many ways and there is surely no right way or wrong way, there’s just your way. One simple technique is by looking at your life as a series of categories: faith, family, friends, community, health, home, finances, career, entertainment, education, etc. and identifying those areas that are of most importance to you. Write these in a notebook, as you will refer back to them.

Ain’t it the truth though? Doesn't life sometimes seem just like that lost boat? Battling all sorts of adversity, you row and row, working hard, but never really getting anywhere or worse maybe, losing SIGHT of where you were even going in the first place. Losing your vision.

Reclaiming that purpose, remembering who you are, what you love or simply identifying (maybe for the first time) what life would look and feel like if all your wildest hopes and dreams came true can reinvigorate your entire existence. It’s your island.

When you’ve rowed just about all the strokes you are ever interested in rowing, your own vision for your life can be motivation to keep picking up the oar.

It may seem like an overwhelming task, defining what living your life on purpose would look like, but it’s really fairly simple.

Start by creating a visual aid to help. You know, “pic or it didn't happen,” “seeing is believing,” “a picture is worth a thousand words, ” etc. A vision board is a custom collage of images that represent the people, places, ideas, dreams, goals and aspirations, things that you would hand select to surround you on your perfect day. It’s a complete collection of what it would look like if all of your dreams came true... it’s a glimpse of the island which you want to row passionately toward!

And a vision board could be one of the most useful tools of all in helping to literally change the course of a person’s life. Brain studies now reveal that thoughts produce the same mental instructions as actions. So even just the thought process by which a vision board is put together is training your brain.

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Using magazines, Google, Pinterest or even your own photos, cut out or print any images that immediately make you feel something meaningful and see if they correlate to something on your priorities list. Choose things that represent what life would feel like; look like, if it were perfectly whole, fulfilled or complete in a particular area. Choose things that make you say, “Wouldn't it be amazing if life was really like that!”

If you had a perfect faith, would life feel like an image of a still lake? If you lived in a community that shared your values, would there be children playing in the street after school? If your home met the needs of your family, would it have room for a beautiful table where your whole family could sit to enjoy a meal? If your dream job were yours, would you have a beautiful corner office?

No need to focus much on specific “things” or items that you want (although it’s totally fine if you want to include your dream car, etc. too) but rather consider the emotions that would fill your heart if you were truly living out your dreams. For example, if you are single, yet you envision your fullest life with a partner, you don't have to find the perfect photo of J.J. Watt to add to your vision board. Maybe just choose an image of a man pulling out a chair for a woman. See, it’s possible that it is not actually the Houston Texan, himself, that you truly want, but simply someone who feels like a kind partner and a capable protector.

You may also want to include a favorite bible verse and key words which standout as terms you’d like to be used to define your life: financially free, confident, loved, joyful, healthy, calm, worthy.

Arrange and attach everything you've collected onto whatever type of board you have selected and in any way that makes sense to you. Some boards are divided evenly into quadrants with perfectly printed labels, while others look more like the cover of a varsity cheerleader’s science binder complete with quotes and overlapping cat pics. As long as your completed vision board seems true to your style and makes you want to look at it all the time, you've done it right!

Hold your vision board in your hands and visualize a present day life like the one you’ve designed. Believe that a life that feels complete is possible and is part of what God wants for you. Acknowledge His divine role in your vision. Be grateful for the things on the board that are already a part of your story and for those things that soon will be. See your reflection in that still lake.

Hear the sounds of those children playing. Smell the food at that family table. Feel the leather of that office chair. Read those key words out loud. Begin and end the day by looking at your board and by remembering the preciousness of the gift that is your life.

This is not voo-doo witchcrafty stuff. This is wellresearched science. Simply visualizing processes, actions and preferred results, actually has a proven impact on many real cognitive functions in the brain, influencing stuff like motor control, attention, perception, planning, even your memory.

The fairly basic mental exercise of creating in your mind a clear picture of a desired result has been shown to produce REAL motivation and GENUINE confidence.

If you make and use your vision board correctly, you could get just the second wind you need, inspiration to keep rowing the boat toward the “white, sand-covered island” that is your best life!

See it? It’s just right there. ECL

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KL Photography Capturing Life!

Emily Kelley Lewis Stephenville, TX 817-475-4166 | f captureKLphotog

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os ro se Ph ot og ra ph y, Ph ot os co ur tes y of Br az Ma ry Ka itl in Ar tis try & cr os s b Ph ot og ra ph y

Brad Hulce & Cassandra Gonzales

Photo by Cori Garcia

est April 2018 Photo by Brazos Rose Photography

Photo by Mary Kaitlin Artistry

Kallie Newman & Quentin Bearden Shayne & Amber Spears est November 2017 Photo by Cross B Photography Hometown Living At Its Best

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SUNDOWN ON THE SQUARE Photography by the FLASH and David Swearinger

Stephenville held its annual Sundown on the Square event on October 14th. Everyone enjoyed music, food and drinks from local vendors, games and activities for kids of all ages, wine tasting, an art exhibit, and shopping!

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Tejas Brothers

Randall King with fans

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LIVING THE COWBOY WAY

By Joyce Whitis Photos by Dudley Barker Photography

Winning is what Trent Walls is all about. He likes to stand in the winner’s circle and have the satisfaction that comes with success.

In his lifetime he has earned success in several ventures.

T

he sun had passed the midpoint in a pale blue Texas sky and was making a slow retreat toward that high ridge in the west. There wasn’t much time left to push that dozer through a hedge of green cedar growth and clear a path toward that arena slowly taking shape back there. Trent Walls clasped and unclasped his hands and rocked back in the comfortable porch chair.

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“I’ve been really fortunate to do what I wanted to do through the years,” his voice was soft and pleasant without hesitation. “I got to play basketball in high school at Huckabay, back then that’s all I really wanted to do. I wanted to play really great ball and graduate and go to college and become a coach.

That was it! Basketball consumed me for years and now, so much later, it is after me again. This time it’s my nephew, Flint Creacy and his team the Knights.

Do you know about the Knights? They are a group of homeschooled kids. They wanted to play basketball but didn’t have a coach so I volunteered and they won their championship this winter. Winning is always fun.”

Winning is what Trent Walls is all about. He likes to stand in the winner’s circle and have the satisfaction that comes with success. In his lifetime he has earned success in several ventures. He has also known defeat but for Trent, losing once only means there is victory next time.

Growing up on a ranch and living the cowboy way, Trent and his sister, Schelli learned early on how to ride and rope. They competed in youth events as their friends did. Their father was Terry Walls, widely known and appreciated for his knowledge

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of cattle and horses. Terry produced rodeos around the country and always had several hundred head grazing in a dozen different pastures. Trent’s mother, Delia, has served many years as secretary for various rodeos and was kept busy during rodeo season, which is most of the year. (She will be inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth on April 7th. Terry was voted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2017.)

After graduation from Huckabay High School, Trent enrolled at Tarleton College, now Tarleton State University. While in college he roped on the rodeo team and was often there in the winner’s circle claiming his award, but still he wanted to be a basketball coach and had that goal in his mind.

Then one day in early December of ’93, Trent went to Vegas. He got invited at the last minute by friends Jo Nell and Gary Richardson. Once in Las Vegas, Gary asked Trent if he wanted to go to the rodeo with them. “I’ve got tickets,” Gary said. “If you’ve never been, it’s a good show. Come on with us.”

“Well, what the heck,” Trent thought. “Might as well.”

Their seats were high up, not uncommon in that

small venue but Trent said it didn’t matter where the seats were because all seats give an uncluttered view of the action below. For Trent that Grand Entry was like a match had been struck somewhere deep in his soul and the flame burst into a roaring fire as the contestants rode their beautiful horses into the arena with colorful flags streaming and here CAME THE TEXAS DELEGATION! THE MOST CONTESTANTS FROM ANY STATE!!!

“I jumped to my feet and I was just carried away on that cloud of pride in my state and in performing in the rodeo!” Trent said. “‘This is IT!’ I said. ‘This is what I want to do!’” And as soon as we got back home, I started serious practice sessions. I just roped all day. Riding and roping consumed me.

Results were that I won the last three college rodeos I entered. I bought a card in ’94 won my first PRCA rodeo in Phoenix. Then I won $4,000 in San Angelo.

I was raring to go. Life was good. By ’98 I was ranked 5th in the world and was married to champion barrel racer, Charmayne James.”

THE FOLLOWING IS PRINTED IN THE 2003 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE :

Trent Walls 2002 World Standings place 9th Tie Down Roping Born: June 17,1973 in Waco, Texas Residence: Stephenville, Texas Joined PRCA 1994 Event: Tie-down roping Wrangler NFR qualifications 1998, 2002 ProRodeo Tour Finale qualifications: 3 Education: Tarleton State University Awards: Owner of 1998 AQHA Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year, Merry Two Bar Personal: 5-10, wife Charmayne; Trent helps with family’s rodeo business. His horse Topofthemarket ‘Topper” was voted AQHA Tie-Down Roping Horse of the year in 2003 and again in 2005 ridden

by Stran Smith and later owned by Smith.

Life put a wide grin on the face of this young cowboy. Life was good for Trent Walls.

In 2002 Trent was ranked number 7 and riding a great horse that he recently purchased named Topper or Topofthemarket. Topper defied his birthdays that added up to 20. He looked and performed like a horse half his age. He was deep chested, hindquarters up under him, not a big horse but built solid and in good condition. His blaze face and four white stockings just set him off. Trent was especially proud that noise didn’t bother Topper. “He knew his job and he just did what he was supposed to do every time,” Trent said.

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Trent rode Topper and won something over $140,000 that rodeo season. A million had been won on that horse before Trent bought him from Roy Cooper. Then there was $50,000 Fred Whitfield earned riding him and another $20,000 Stran Smith collected riding him in Dallas. All together Topper had carried competitors to the money box to collect a million and a half in rodeo dollars.

And so when 2003 began, so began a change in the life of Trent Walls. He and his dad Terry had always been close. Terry was a man up hours before dawn and still working long after the sun set. He operated a successful rodeo business, in that he understood animals and knew what it took to provide “good” performance calves and bucking stock. His business demanded full attention the year ‘round with no provision for ‘sick leave.’ He had passed on his great understanding of the animals in his care to his son, and so when early in ’03 when that first tumor invaded Terry’s healthy body and got all their attention, Trent began to spend more time helping with the rodeo business.

There was a young cowboy, a neighbor out on highway 108, a basketball player at Huckabay not unlike Trent had

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been. It seemed only natural that Trent and Marty Yates would become friends, and Trent found a willing student eager to learn whatever he had to teach about roping calves. That friendship grew almost like father and son so that Trent accompanied Marty to Las Vegas and became interested in the way that livestock at the National Finals were housed and otherwise cared for. This interest provided an opportunity for a new job: Livestock Director at the NFR. “I gave up that job after the Finals this year,” Trent said. “I think that I was able to make some positive changes in the way the roping calves are handled so that the ropers and livestock can perform better.”

Trent leaned back in one of the comfortable chairs scattered across the porch. The old Boxer sprawled on the padded bed provided for his comfort. With a little effort he was able to get up and walk the short distance to stand before Trent’s chair.

He laid a massive head on Trent’s knee and stood there waiting.

“You must be ready to go back to work, Champ,” Trent said to the dog. At his voice, Sam the sleeping Border Collie was up off his mat and standing beside Champ. “Sam was my dad’s dog and he likes being with me now that dad is gone. Champ’s been with me a long time. Trent got up from his chair and stood for a few seconds staring out across the land so recently freed from a thick growth of cedar trees. There was a smile on his face as he looked at the parked dozer where he had left it.

Trent Walls was geared up for another successful project. ECL

“I’ve been really fortunate to do what I wanted to do through the years.”

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Bluff Dale Animal Hospital

CASH ONLY • BYOB

u

Open April 6 through October 7 Friday, 6:30-11:00; Sat/Sun, noon-11:00

28601 US Hwy 377 N, Bluff Dale | 254-728-3238

SERVICES Preventative Care • Surgery • 24 Hr Emergency Care • Boarding • Small Animal, Large Animal, and Exotic Medicine • Ambulatory Services • Dental Care • Grooming

bluffdaleah.com | 254-728-3650 132 FM 2481, Bluff Dale, TX

STEPHENVILLE

Since 1973, in partnership with our auction donors and auction buyers, WE HAVE RAISED MORE THAN

$1,000,000

FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS BENEFITTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY. Now, we are working on our second million!

NOW OPEN Josserand Trailer and Equipment Repair About us Born out of the need to maintain our own construction equipment, we have opened up our shop and services to the public. Come see us and let us help you maintain, or upgrade your trailers and equipment.

COME OUT FOR OUR NEXT AUCTION!

Our products

May 4th, 2018 at City Hall (Agave Restaurant)—6 p.m

• • • • • • • •

Sand blasting Paint Wheel and brake service Lighting and wiring Welding Hitches Flooring Accessories for towing needs.

We stock basic inventory. Special order items and parts usually have next day or second day availability.

Let us help you keep your asset in top condition. Need a new trailer?

Let us quote a restoration of your existing trailer customized to your specifications.

254-413-0145 | 27763 N Hwy 377 Bluff Dale, TX 76433 130

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This year is a ‘new and improved’ auction with live entertainment by Courtney Patton and the Immediate Blues Band. There will also be free food available and door prizes throughout the night along with online bidding.

A big

Thank you

to our community for continuing to support our

annual Stephenville Optimist Club Auction.

For more information on donations or questions, call 254.592.4435

HOMETOWN SCENES

Bluff Dale Photos courtesy of Brazos Rose Photography

What makes Erath County a great place to live?

Right now it’s the anticipation of new beginnings surrounded by springtime blooms, a world of color and endless possibilities.

Take a look at a few more reasons why we love

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CHOICES ANNUAL BANQUET Photography by Ivonne Zuniga and Stefanie Lewerenz

Choices was blessed with beautiful weather and wonderful evening for our 23rd Annual Banquet.

Attendants enjoyed a live auction and heard from speaker, Kirk Cameron. The event brought upwards of $104,000 after expenses to help the ministry continue providing services in the Cross Timbers Area!

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Ser ving for 7 0 Y E AR S !

Est. 1948

Jake & Dorothy’s Cafe 254-965-5211

406 E. Washington Street, Stephenville

The Salon is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

401 A. Lingleville Stephenville, TX 76401

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Jacey Garcia Parent: Celina Garcia

Bentley Spears Parents: Kayleigh Blake & Cody Spears

H OM ETOWN W e lco m i n g E r at h C o u nty ’ s

NEWEST RESIDENTS Photos courtesy of Brooke Mendenhall Photography

Briella Ann Joslin Parents: Karem & Dw ayn

Vayla Little Parents: Lisa Little & Domingo Romero

e Joslin

Ian Emery Parents: Kellie & Clint Emery

Candles with a

Purpose

By Rebecca Parvaresh Photos by Cross B Photos and provided by Shannon Cagle

L

ast November 9th through the 13th, as the world continued to turn at her shop Blue Flamingo in Stephenville, shop owner Shannon Cagle was rambling down dirt roads through small Honduran villages. She was happily taking in the beautiful countryside and having her heart strings tugged by the smaller and smaller huts she witnessed as she approached her destination. The destination on her agenda was Good Shepherd Children’s Home (GSCH), about an hour’s drive from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Her mission for this trip was simply to bear witness to the cumulative good works and dedication to a cause she and her customers had been assisting for years. Shannon’s journey to Honduras started long before the plane touched down in Honduras and long before her husband drove her to the airport and kissed her goodbye. This trip began with a candle company and her desire to support a cause through her own local business years ago.

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“I’ve been carrying the Bridgewater Candle Company line in my store for a few years, and my representative from the company knew where the next trip was planned and my love for Honduras,” Shannon said. “My representative nominated me, and then I was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in this Bridgewater brand experience. I was overwhelmed and so grateful to have the opportunity to see the orphanage supported by their ‘Light a Candle-Feed a Child’ program. It was just amazing to see first hand something that was made possible by my customers purchasing the candles all these years and supporting this organization’s mission.”

The Bridgewater Candle Company, based in Spartanburg S.C., is a candle and home fragrance manufacturer who began a program in June 2010 called “Light a Candle – Feed a Child” by partnering with Rice Bowls™, a nonprofit whose mission is to feed orphaned children worldwide. With each purchase of a Bridgewater Candle Company candle, a donation is made to Rice Bowls™ and with that donation they are able to provide three meals to a hungry child from the purchase of just one candle.

Since its inception, the program’s partnership has been met with an awesome amount of participation and is on track to provide its 7 millionth meal.

Shannon took part in the company’s 7th annual trip, this year to the orphanage in Honduras whose meals are supplied

by Rice Bowls™. The inaugural trip to visit one of the orphanages supported by the program took place in 2011 when Bridgewater employees, along with four authorized dealers, visited an orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They continue to visit orphanages throughout Haiti, Nicaragua, and Honduras that are supported by Rice Bowls™.

Each yearly trip taken by the Bridgewater employees and their hand selected authorized dealers has continued the mission to meet and share their time with the children benefiting from the program. The orphaned population has risen steadily through the past decade and with that, the loss of children to the effects of malnutrition. Those effects were seen in the faces of many children Shannon saw along the roads and through the villages on her way to the orphanage.

“We made the trip to the orphanage

in an old school bus with the windows down. This was my first trip to mainland Honduras, so I was glued to my window soaking in all the sights... as would anyone who’s seeing something for the first time. As expected, the city was crowded, busy, and full of life. It wasn’t until we’d traveled into the rural countryside, that I felt jolted by the high level of poverty I was witnessing. I saw salvaged materials pieced together as housing in small villages. People were afoot traveling the roads instead of by vehicle. There were huge mounds of garbage along the roadsides where children for some reason gathered. Some of the children I saw were visibly neglected; as in they had open sores, hair loss, and were scantly clothed. Needless to say, the road trip to the orphanage was an eyeopening experience that filled my heart with sorrow. Between my preconceived

notions of what an orphanage located in a country that struggled with immense poverty would look like, and the visuals from the bus trip, my expectations of the facility were low to say the least.”

Shannon’s heart was quickly lifted after passing through the armed gates to the orphanage. The scene she found as she exited the bus was the opposite of all she had seen along her journey.

“I was astonished. The orphanage was absolutely beautiful. There were around 15 cinder block casitas painted in bright colors. The casitas were built in a large circle beside one another with a playground in the middle. Children of all ages were outside laughing and playing.

You could feel the sense of love and happiness all around. I felt relief and an immense sense of gratitude that such a place existed. Each casita is overseen by a least one “Tia.” These nurturing women

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are a constant in the children’s lives, providing them with love and stability. The care given by the Tias on a daily basis to the children there is a true blessing.

“Young children are housed by age and as they get older, they’re separated by gender. Also housed on GSCH are a school, medical facility, church, cafeteria, and other housing for teachers and administration. My impression was that everyone living there was related to one another as family and went about their daily lives as any large loving extended family would.”

Together, the ‘Tias’ and the administrators in the facility have created a family atmosphere for the children within the orphanage. Creating a blended family from a place of love is something Shannon and her husband Eric are familiar with themselves. Together they have a blended family of 5 children ranging in ages 18-28. Upon arriving at the orphanage, Shannon connected with many of the children including the older residents closer to her own children’s age. As the children in the orphanage reach age 18, they are considered “aged out” of the system. Those children then leave the orphanage to make it on their own in the outside world or some have the option to live in transitional homes. These homes provide the opportunity for these older children to continue their education or learn a trade

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for use in their adult lives.

One 17-year-old in the orphanage, Ariel Gonzales, immediately related to Shannon on her trip. The visiting group talked with the children to learn about their lives, their interests, their hopes, and their dreams for the future. Ariel expressed his desire to one day join the Honduran Air Force and Shannon, who has two sons in the military herself, connected by showing him pictures of her boys. “This really facilitated the connection to Ariel,” Shannon said. “My husband and I know a thing or two on helping children make the transition to adulthood and since Ariel was in that transition, it just came as a natural connection. On my trip, he shared his interest in joining the Honduras Air Force and we have two boys in the military, one in Hawaii with the Navy and one in Japan with the Marines. So, I showed him pictures of my boys and for those three days of my trip he stayed by my side. By the end of my trip, I knew we would be making a commitment to sponsor Ariel and stay connected as he made his transition to the Jeremiah House.”

While connecting with Ariel, Shannon learned that at the age of 5, Ariel and his younger brother were brought to the GSCH home by his family.

They no longer had the means care for them and the children were severely malnourished. Ariel’s

“I have no answer as to why the Lord has filled my heart with such a special love for Ariel or the country he lives in. I just trust in His plan and have faith it’s a perfect one.”

– Shannon Cagle

younger brother has Down’s syndrome and lives in a group home. In February, not long after her visit to the orphanage, Ariel turned 18 and moved to the Jeremiah House where he resides with 8 other boys. Together the boys learn various trades and continue their education. Unfortunately, to continue their education, they have only had one laptop to share between them. Shannon and her husband Eric, who works in IT, returned to Honduras during the “Holy Week” there from March 25th to April 1st. They took 4 additional laptops that Eric set up for the boys to use for pursuing their certifications and furthering their education.

“You don’t really expect to travel to another country and come home with a lifelong relationship,” Shannon said.

“But we talk to Ariel everyday through FaceTime or messaging back and forth.

We want to be supportive figures in his life, more of a permanent fixture in his life.” While on the return trip, Eric was able to meet Ariel in person and the couple also met the directors of the Jeremiah House. This was an opportunity for Eric to experience some of the programs supported by Rice Bowl.

After he set up all of the donated laptops,

the couple took Ariel on his first “Family Vacation” to the island of Roatan, as Ariel had no concept of vacations. “I have no answer as to why the Lord has filled my heart with such a special love for Ariel or the country he lives in. I just trust in His plan and have faith it’s a perfect one,” Shannon said.

Though Shannon and Eric have visited Honduras prior, this recent trip was full of such a deeper purpose for the couple. “We live in a big world with big problems, making it easy to question our ability to facilitate true and meaningful change as individuals,” Shannon said.

“My hope is that this article encourages readers to seize and seek the daily opportunities we’re gifted with to simply give of ourselves to others. I want people to feel inspired to simply put forth the efforts to foster the relationships and opportunities in our world and community to better the lives of others around them who might be struggling.”

Little did the Cagles know that the seemingly small choice to carry a candle with a purpose they appreciated would lead them on such a new path full of new relationships and avenues to encourage the lives of those thousands of miles away. ECL

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Index of Advertisers Ace Hardware......................................................................................3 Allied Body & Frame Co............................................................... 83 Ally Lynn Photography.................................................................54 Associated Well Services, Inc.....................................................99 Barbara Hampton & Associate Realty...................................... 91 Barefoot Campus Outfitter......................................................... 24 Blue-Eyed Buffalo........................................................................... 83 Blue Flamingo..................................................................................90 Bluff Dale Animal Hospital........................................................ 130 BMY...................................................................................Inside Front Bradberry’s Best.............................................................................. 47 Brazos Rose Photography........................................................... 74 Brooke Mendenhall Photography............................................. 47 Buckhorn Pumps, Inc.....................................................................42 Clark Tractor & Supply................................................................ 104 Clay’s Processing and Smokehouse......................................... 55 Cross B Photography…................................................................ 105 Coldwell Banker…............................................................................99 Cross Timbers Family Services.................................................. 33 Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council...............................................70 Cross Timbers Orthopaedics.........................................................5 Cross Timbers Plumbing............................................................ 144 Del Norte Tacos................................................................................. 9 Dickerson Real Estate................................................................... 33 Dovetail Kennels…...........................................................................54 Dowell Water Well Services...........................................................3 Dublin Best Value Pharmacy...................................................... 55 Dublin Chamber of Commerce..................................................46 Dublin Economic Development Center..................................46 Dublin Insurance Agency............................................................. 55 Dublin Realty.................................................................................... 55 Dudley Barker Photography….....................................................99 Easter Heat & Air............................................................................ .83 Edwards & Stokes............................................................................ 91 Erath Plumbing….............................................................................70 First National Bank of Dublin..................................................... 47 Fit Body Boot Camp...................................................................... 83 Fraser Agency, Inc.......................................................................... 36 Fraser, Wilson & Bryan, P.C..............................................................1 Furniture Mart.................................................................................. 37 Gifford TV Electronics...................................................................115 Heritage Roofing.............................................................................115 Jake and Dorothy’s Cafe............................................................ 134

Josserand Trailer and Equipment Repair............................. 130 KL Photography............................................................................. 120 King Title............................................................................................ 74 Lone Star Ag Credit....................................................................... 82 Lovell Counseling............................................................................ 37 Mary Kaitlin Artistry...................................................................... 114 Mattressville.........................................................................................7 Members Trust Federal Credit Union.................................... 120 Mike’s Westside Rental.................................................................98 Moore Home & Ranch Realty................................................... 105 Paradise Pools................................................................................... 16 Peacock’s Restaurant....................................................................98 R&R Bar-B-Que.............................................................................. 105 Ranger College—Erath County Center................................. 144 Rare Orchid Salon...........................................................................99 Rocky Creek Builders..................................................................... 16 Scott’s Flowers on the Square................................................. 144 Security Storage.............................................................................. 32 Star Arms............................................................................................ 17 State Farm.........................................................................................115 Stephen’s Health Care...................................................................43 Stephenville Chamber of Commerce.................... Back Cover Stephenville Family Dentistry.................................................... 25 Stephenville Funeral Home......................................................... 82 Stephenville Optimist Club........................................................ 130 Steven’s Flooring and Design...................................................... 91 Sueann Porter, CPA, PLLC......................................................... 142 Taylor’d Photos................................................................................ 63 Tarleton State University..............................................................43 Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital................ Inside Back Texas Pump Systems.....................................................................42 Texas State Optical....................................................................... 104 Texstar Ford Lincoln....................................................................... 75 The Branded Pearl..........................................................................115 The Hay & Feed Ranch.................................................................. 75 The Home Place..................................................................................2 The Salon.......................................................................................... 134 Upland Bird Extravaganza...........................................................54 Veldhuizen Cheese......................................................................... 62 Walking Horse Estates................................................................... 16 Wilfong’s Cajun Shack and Oyster Bar................................. 130 Woods Furniture Mattress Gallery............................................90

PLEASE THANK THESE ADVERTISERS FOR MAKING THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE! Hometown Living At Its Best

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Erath County Living

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49th Annual

Cowboy Capital of the

World PRCA Rodeo

September 28-30, 2018

Lone Star

Arena

Stephenville, Texas Friday: 7 PM ‘American Hero’ Night

$60,000

Saturday:

Added Money

7 PM ‘It’s Gonna Get Western’ Night

Tickets Available At:

Sunday:

Capital Hatters, Chick Elms Grand Entry, The Hay & Feed Ranch, Saddle Rags, Stephenville Chamber, Twisted J

Rodeo Heritage Week Festivities: Downtown Parade and Kickoff Celebration McCoy’s Mutton Bustin’ Competition Miss Cowboy Capital Rodeo Pageant Fashion Show with PRCA Contestants Western Art Exhibit at Clark Field Airport Cowboy Gathering with Don Edwards Dancin’ in the Dirt Live Music Concert with Jake Hooker & The Outsiders Lone Star Barbecue Society Cook-Off

2 PM Featuring ‘Future Stars of ProRodeo’ Produced by Pete CARR Pro Rodeo Title Sponsor

Offififfiificial truck sponsor

Stephenville Chamber of Commerce | 254.965.5313 | www.cowboycapitalprcarodeo.com