Johnson County Living Winter 2020

Be Well, JOHNSON COUNTY! From dental to chiropractic to elderly care, residents of Johnson County have a multitude of options for ensuring their wellness is covered. A few local providers tell us about their services and options for care in our area.

CRAZY8 MINISTRIES Crazy8 Ministries strives to attack local poverty one person at a time with options for obtaining long-term housing for residents of Johnson County.

ANDREW SEVENER: CROONING HIS WAY TO THE TOP Andrew Sevener put Alvarado on the map for millions of people during his tenure on Season 16 of NBC’s hit show, The Voice.

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Introducing our newest subdivision in Johnson County - Escondida Ridge in Rio Vista

The Southwest Fort Worth area’s premier home builder for more than 20 years providing quality and commitment to each and every project.

If you can Dream it, We can Build it!

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME? CHECK OUT OUR AVAILABLE HOMES IN GODLEY INCLUDING WILDCAT RIDGE AND GODLEY HEIGHTS

Special Incentives Available for: • Veterans • Active Duty Military • First Responders

WWW.PREMIERHOMES-TX.COM | 817-573-7652

YOUR HOMETOWN REAL ESTATE EXPERT

SPECIALIZING IN JOHNSON COUNTY

Cody Lee Realtor | The Lee Team

GENUINE & HONEST. RELENTLESS WORK ETHIC. INNOVATIVE MARKETING. If you have any real estate needs, please feel free to call, text or email me.

I would love to be of service in any way possible.

817.874.5385 | cody.lee@williamstrew.com | williamstrew.com

WE OFFER: • Largest GM inventory in Johnson County

• Transparency in our pricing

• A relaxing environment

• Service Loaners and shuttle when your vehicle is in Service

• Honest and up-front business

• State-of-the-art facilities

COME BY AND SEE US TODAY! 817-556-5900

www.ClassicCleburne.com

822 Walter P. Holiday Drive Cleburne, TX 76033

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ZOEY D.O.G (Director of Goodwill)

OFFICES 1647 W. Henderson Cleburne, TX. 76033 125 S Main St. Godley, TX. 76044 www.rodenrealestategroup.com

Tara Roden

Ricky Roden

Rhett Roden

817-202-7459

817-202-7458

817-202-4772

Realtor

Realtor

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CONTENTS FAITH & COMMUNITY

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C R A Z Y 8 M I N I S T R I E S : AT TAC K I N G P OV E R T Y O N E P E R S O N AT A T I M E

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W H E N L E S S T R U LY I S M O R E

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J O H N S O N C O U N T Y ’ S B E S T- K E P TSECRET: COMFORT FOOD WITH A SMILE

Crazy8 Ministries strives to attack local poverty one person at a time with options for obtaining long-term housing for residents of Johnson County.

Learning to lean on God and trust in His plan, rather than my own, has changed the idea of New Year's Resolutions for me.

Each day is a chance to be better.

Chisholm Restaurant in Godley may not have existed in the days of cattle drives and stagecoaches making their way along the Chisholm Trail, but this down-home, family-friendly, best-keptsecret humbly serves up some of the best comfort food along the Chisholm Trail and beyond.

WELLNESS GUIDE

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THREE DIMENSIONS IN HEALING

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N O N A R C O T I C S , N O S U R G E R Y, N O P A I N

Having three-dimensional technology is excellent — having a three-dimensional team of caring professionals is priceless.

Why suffer from that little pain that keeps you from enjoying life or from acute pain that is destroying your life?

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CHIROPRACTIC: A BENEFIT FOR MANY AILMENTS

In the last few decades, chiropractic care has become more mainstream and is covered by most insurance companies and can offer tremendous relief and help for many health issues.

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H E A LT H Y R E C I P E S

Transition to a healthier lifestyle with these lightened up versions of old favorites.

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A H E A LT H Y S M I L E I S A H A P P Y SMILEROUND

Benjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to your teeth.

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C U LT I V AT I N G C O N F I D E N C E A N D KINDNESS THROUGH DANCE

Dance is a beneficial exercise option for children because it mentally and physically strengthens students. It is an emotional outlet for many and promotes creative expression.

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The City of Godley has welcomed us with open arms and now we are welcoming you!

We are proud to announce that we are Godley’s 1st Title Company.

EXPERIENCE TRUE PERSONALIZED CUSTOMER SERVICE

OFFERING TITLE SERVICES FOR: • • • •

Residential Commercial Manufactured Housing Mobile Notary Services

Attorneys on Staff Ledford E. White, P.C.

682-245-9800

7701 N HIGHWAY 171, STE A, GODLEY TX 76044

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CONTENTS HOME & GARDEN

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LOST OAK WINERY

If you’re looking for a quick trip to a vineyard near you, Lost Oak Winery may be just the place to visit for your next event.

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P R E - O R P O S T- … . . E M E RG E N T CA R E F O R YO U R S P R I N G L AW N

Spring and summer are just around the corner and our lawns have had a tough winter! Find out how to control those pesky spring “weeds” that pop up un-invited in your lawn as it comes out of dormancy, and how to prevent them for next year!

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THE ANGLIN ROSE

Surrounded by 200-year-old oak trees at 808 South Anglin in Cleburne, Texas, a Victorian Queen Anne style home has stood proudly since 1892.

PEOPLE OF JOHNSON COUNTY

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A GIRL AND HER CROWN

While learning to tackle the ups and downs of being a teenager, Kelsey Harris has managed to simultaneously conquer academics, athletics, FFA, volunteering within her community and conquering the the pageant world. Meet Junior Miss of Chisholm Trail and find out what it takes to earn a crown.

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While many of us Texans are familiar with Alvarado and know it to be the oldest town in Johnson County, Andrew Sevener put it on the map for millions of people during his tenure on Season 16 of NBC's hit show, The Voice.

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ANDREW SEVENER: CROONING HIS WAY T O T H E T O P

J O H N TA B E R ~ V E T W I T H A B A G P I P E

After serving as a veterinarian in the US Army, Dr. John Taber shares the music and history of the bagpipe.

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GODLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL: W I L D C AT WA R E H O U S E

The Wildcat Warehouse at Godley Middle School, sponsored by FCA, is available to provide general toiletries and clothing items to any student to fulfill the needs of every Wildcat, no matter their situation.

T R AV E L A N D O U T D O O R S E D U C AT I O N

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S T U D E N T S S U C C E E D AT T H E S U M M I T

Inspired teachers create a new and unique learning environment at Keene Elementary.

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT STEP

Opportunity Resource Services of Cleburne is providing that opportunity to residents of Johnson County to work toward alleviating poverty by assisting with educational counseling and college entrance assistance, among many other services.

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D E D I C AT I O N , G R I T A N D D E T E R M I N AT I O N : C O N N O R PRINCE, GOLD MEDALIST

As his drive and dedication to shooting increased, Connor Prince’s competitive skeet shooting scores reflected his commitment—all the way to Suhl, Germany, bringing home a gold medal from the Junior World Cup.

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INTO THE WOODS, I GO...

Taking a few moments to get outside and find “the world away from human habitations”, check out some local areas to get away from it all and reconnect with nature, whether it be on foot or 2 wheels.

Hill College Continuing Education offers the training that results in personal and professional enrichment.

Healthcare Programs Nurse Aide Pharmacy Technician Medical Assistant Phlebotomy Technician Massage Therapist

For more information contact: 817.760.5820 | ceinfo@hillcollege.edu

www.hillcollege/continuingeducation H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T ITS B EST

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

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appy Spring, Johnson 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 Johnson 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.

Take time to read about how Keene ISD and Godley ISD are taking measures to make learning more fun and to provided necessities for those who need them. Check out two local boys making big news, Andrew Sevener’s music career is thriving after his run on The Voice and Connor Prince has recently brought home a gold medal! How many of us can say either of those things?

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

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

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JOHNSON COUNTY LIVING MAGAZINE RED FIN PUBLISHING

JO HNSO N CO UNTY LI V I N G

PUBLISHER

Red Fin Publishing

Justin & Hayley Six Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Justin Six

CREATIVE | DESIGN

GreenFox Marketing

CONTENT COORDINATOR Jennifer Cabbage Jennifer.RedFin@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Nikki Garrett

PROOF READER Jennifer Cabbage Hayley Six

PHOTOGRAPHERS Brazos Rose Photography DCollins Photography Eric Priddy Photography Thomasson Photography

SALES

Nikki Garrett

Bruce Racioppa

CONTRIBUTING

Kinzie VanHouten Joyce Block

WRITERS Larue Barnes Peggy Purser Freeman Martha Helton Jill Lain Connie Leonard Heather Rothrock

CONTRIBUTORS Godley ISD Keene ISD Texas Health Harris Methodist Texas Health Huguley

Johnson County Living© is published biannually by Red Fin Publishing.

WWW.REDFINPUBLISH I N G .COM P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 (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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FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

Attacking Poverty One Person at a Time

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by DCollins Photography and Provided by Crazy8 Ministries

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here’s no place like home, but what if you don’t have a good, safe, secure home? What if you can’t pay the rent and don’t have the money to move to another place? Imagine not knowing where you will sleep tonight or next week or next month.

Sadly, this is reality for many people.

Sadly, the phrase “there’s no place like home” doesn’t apply to everyone. Crazy8 Ministries strives to attack local poverty one person at a time with options for obtaining long-term housing for residents of Johnson County.

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In March 2011, Lisa Schwarz recognized the need for a long-term housing program in Johnson County. She founded Crazy8 Ministries to offer people “astounding new beginnings” and a chance to start anew. A spiritually based ministry, compelled by the love of Christ, to reach out and come alongside others to bring wholeness to the body, soul and spirit with healing for yesterday, help in today and victory in tomorrow.

“Our program is biblically based and focuses on spiritually transforming lives by the power of the love of Christ in order to transition those whom we serve from a place of surviving to a place of thriving in society.

We want to turn consumers into producers. To come alongside families in their broken circumstances by removing suburban poverty barriers, offering them hope and help in Jesus by fully equipping them practically and spiritually for complete rehabilitation and victorious living.”—Mission Statement

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Some people, products of generational poverty and/ or abuse, have struggled to survive and don’t realize they have the opportunity to rise above simply surviving and begin thriving. Lisa said, “A lot of people think they just need a few months to ‘get back up on their feet’ but once they enter into our community and see the opportunities offered through the empowerment program, they begin to see their possibilities and want to stay for the full 3 years—through empowerment and then stay to save. We have the greatest success rate, ninety-nine percent, with those who go through the entire three years.”

Crazy8 Ministries offers three phases. Phase I: Triage provides basic needs while considering God possibilities and the fullness of His design for their life. The main objectives during this 30-60 day phase is to provide safety and refuge, establish and meet basic needs, bring order, understand authority, assess and evaluate, present and consider possibilities and potential.

Phase II: Empowerment is broken into four six-month progressive semesters, each building on the previous one. Each resident helps develop their own Individual Spiritual Plan and works one-on-one weekly with both a counselor and case manager to ensure program success and victorious living. The main objectives are to establish mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial wellbeing; pursue education or career opportunities and advancements; establish parental health; secure reliable transportation and housing; and understand stewardship and basic life skills.

Phase III: Integration is focused on the Stay to Save function and helps people transition into a place of housing sustainability. The main objectives are to provide affordable housing, establish savings, work to establish payment record and credit and to understand financial independence.

Our program focuses on spiritually transforming lives in order to transition those whom we serve from a place of surviving to a place of thriving in society.

Free biblical counseling and discipleship is designated to attack the poverty barrier of mental, emotional and spiritual instability. The All Things New Resale Shop: Repurposing for a Purpose ‘busnistry’ attacks the lack of employability barrier by creating a business environment to organically teach, train and employ people who otherwise might be unemployable. The Healing Prayer Room Mission cultivates an atmosphere saturated with God’s presence and love where the Holy Spirit can move and minister to the body, soul and spirit.

Since its inception, Crazy8 Ministries has accumulated three additional campuses for housing and the housing capacity has gone from 12-15 residents to 55-75. They have between 15-25 regular volunteers. Each department head “screens” their own volunteers based on the needs of each department. Volunteers who do case management or counseling go through more rigorous training than people who volunteer in the resale shop, office or for events.

Lisa Schwarz, CEO, strives to offer spiritual support while meeting practical needs to those who are in broken circumstances. She is a Certified Biblical Counselor, a Certified Professional Life Coach, a Certified Brain Health Coach and an Ordained Minister.

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Other staff members are Tammy Murphy, Accounting/HR/Office Assistant; Michael Wallace, Facilities Manager; Morgan “Kyler” Peterson, Resident Case Manager/Biblical Counselor; Jeremy Moss, Biblical Counselor; Amy Theurer, Resident Case Manager. Six people are appointed as Board Members to work with Lisa Schwarz.

Lisa attributes the success of Crazy8 to GOD and TEAM. God brings the increase! The team stays unified by following His steps. “We have A LOT of community support… financially, we are completely funded by the people, businesses and churches in our community… but we also partner with multiple businesses, organizations, ministries, churches, the schools and city leadership.

We could not do it without them all! Monthly drives, volunteers, funding, room and resident sponsorships, community projects… tons of ways!”

According to Lisa, the most challenging aspect of working with residents is that, “You see the solutions but you can’t do it for them… our program is choice based, so we don’t tell them what to do and decisions to make… we just love them toward excellence.”

Kelly Rogers, Biblical Counseling Discipleship Ministry Director, is a certified Biblical Counselor. Paige Martin’s passion is to mentor, counsel and disciple others within a biblical framework. With a master’s degree in counseling, a Certified Community Coach, Certified Professional Coach, and certified in Crisis Prevention, Paige serves as Housing Programs Director.

Liz Hargrove uses her role as Outreach Ministry and Connections Coordinator to reach out into the community and serve them by the love of Christ.

Intercessory Ministry Director, Shirley Greenroy, serves as a “watchman” in prayer for the ministry, the staff, the residents in the home and the clients.

Brittany Detty, who has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, helps those in the community while working alongside the ladies in the program by managing the resale shop.

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A spiritually based ministry, compelled by the love of Christ, to reach out and come alongside others to bring wholeness to the body, soul and spirit with healing for yesterday, help in today and victory in tomorrow.

“The most rewarding parts are: 1. Seeing the outcome… seeing the residents being transformed daily

by His love. It is incredible and supernatural! When they come back years later and say things like, ‘this was the best time of my life’ or ‘I have been forever changed’ or ‘thank you for loving me so well!’ 2. Working with my team… I am so blessed to work with some incredibly gifted people who truly understand the power of love!”

Crazy8 Ministries is an independent 501 c3 organization. If you would like to come alongside them, check out their website: crazy8ministires.com. JCL

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FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

When Less Truly Is More

By Heather Rothrock

Learning to lean on God and trust in His plan, rather than my own, has changed the idea of New Year's Resolutions for me.

Each day is a chance to be better.

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ver 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians promised their gods at the start of each year that they would pay their debt and return borrowed items. The concept of self-reflection and forgiving our wrong-doings, and doing better in the New Year, has continued over the years, regardless of culture or religious preference. Eventually, the term New Year's Resolutions was born.

In the 44 years of my life, I've made and broken countless resolutions because I caved to the pressure of promising to be better and failed to see it through. The concept of change is a good one; if only we are focused enough to stuck to it and see things through. Over the years, I promised (and failed) to: lose more weight, eat healthier, quit smoking, be less stressed, pay off my debt, save more money, volunteer more, and a dozen other things, I'm sure.

I have lost weight on and off over the years, but never because I resolved to on New Year's Eve. I managed to quit smoking 19 years ago, but only after visiting a friend in the hospital who suffered from a smoking-related ailment; "that could be me" is what I felt, and I decided then and there that I would no longer smoke. Probably my most ridiculous broken resolution is "be less stressed" - it's laughable at best. Seriously, so many circumstances beyond my control feed into stress, so it's near impossible to resolve to "be less stressed."

Learning to lean on God and trust in His plan, rather than my own, has changed the idea of New Year's Resolutions for me. Each day is a chance to be better - I don't have to wait for the end of the year. We can take action to spur change in our lives now while listening to God and waiting for Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 provides us with triedand-true words to follow: (Make this a pullout in the section)"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths str aight."

A few years ago, I heard a K-Love DJ talking about one word for the New Year, and I was captivated by this concept - forget resolutions and focus on one word for the year.

Now, this was something I could do, and I've successfully managed to carry terms such as trust, volunteer, dedication, intentional, and gratitude with me for 365 days at a time. I've learned that focus is needed to change, and one word helps me stay focused.

Some years I've prayed and taken time to choose my word for the upcoming year. This year was different, and in the last few weeks of 2019, I started hearing God tell me what my word would be. The term "less" has repeatedly echoed in my head, and frankly, I have been wondering a lot about what exactly "less" looks like for me in a world where "more" is typically the word thrown around?

My living-with-less journey began in 2017 when my apartment flooded, and that process continues regularly. I keep only clothes I wear in my closet, encourage my family to do the same, and buy used whenever possible.

So what else would be included with the "less" concept, and how can I use the ideal of "less" to bring more peace and more love into my home and life? I honestly don't know, and I'm looking forward to figuring that out!

The trek towards "less" continues, and I'll add to my "less list" regularly. While I'm still working on understanding God's purpose behind telling me "less", I know that I want less distraction, less conflict, less debt, less screen time, and fewer things. I'm working on judging less and ignoring less.

One of the hardest things for me is to be still - slowing down and doing fewer things frees up time for me to do precisely that - to be still — less of me and more of Him. Society conflicts my "less" way of thinking, but His word to me was loud and clear, and I'm choosing not to ignore it.

While I focus on less, I know that everything God promises and does for me is more than enough. His grace and mercy are more than I deserve. His love and power are more than we can imagine. In return, God is more than worthy of my praise, and so I continue to run towards Him. JCL

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Community Coffee Hour ON

SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY’S CAMPUS

By Brianne Michalski

A

round 100 Johnson County area business leaders and community members attended the University’s Community Coffee Hour on Thursday, January 16, 2020, at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. Though the weather outside was cold and rainy, the atmosphere in the University’s Larry R. Moore Nursing and Administration building was warm and welcoming. Guests, which included local business leaders, representatives of local nonprofit organizations, current and former university faculty, and other interested community members, were treated to an exquisite spread of delicious breakfast items while they chatted with old and new friends.

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Guests had the opportunity to meet with and hear from University President, Dr. Ken Shaw, who spent his morning at the event and shared welcoming remarks.

Before embarking on campus tours, where they had the opportunity to see the university’s Dinosaur Science Museum, state of the art nursing labs, and new studio for 88.3 The Journey FM, attendees were given a stunning preview of the upcoming concert event “A Night at the Meyerson”, to be performed on February 9th, as the hall was filled with melodies from the university’s talented choir and saxophone ensemble.

When asked about the event, Jonathan Seitz, the University’s Director of Advancement, explained, “It is about getting the local community on our campus and helping them experience and get to know this amazing institution. Johnson County does not yet understand how incredible our campus is. My mission is to make sure they find out!” Embracing and building community is important to Southwestern Adventist University. The university’s vision is to be a supportive community - not separate from the greater community of Johnson County, but an inclusive and integral part of it. This vision can be seen in the university’s community projects such as the Center for Wellness Integration, the Dinosaur Science Museum, and various service projects.

Southwestern Adventist University is seeking to expand this community vision by introducing a new $5,000 scholarship for freshmen coming from Texas and the surrounding states, including Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. This scholarship can be applied in addition to any other merit award or scholarship the freshmen may receive, up to 100% of their tuition! This fall, the university hopes to welcome many new local students on campus to explore their passion and prepare for their future.

To learn more about the upcoming concert event, “A Night at the Meyerson”, visit swau.edu/Meyerson. To learn more about the university’s $5,000 scholarship, please visit swau.edu/5000.

SOUTHWESTERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY WELCOMES THE JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY ON TO CAMPUS. For over 125 years, Southwestern Adventist University has offered Christian education. A small comprehensive university, the beautiful campus is located in Keene, Texas, about 20 minutes south of Fort Worth. Southwestern Adventist University offers personable professors, numerous programs including business, music, education, nursing, master’s programs, and many ways for students to get involved both on campus and abroad. With a diverse student body that includes international students from dozens of countries and an average student/teacher ratio of 12:1, Southwestern Adventist University offers a uniquely diverse and personal college experience.

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FA I T H & C O M M U N I T Y

JOHNSON COUNTY’S BEST KEPT SECRET:

Comfort Food with a Smile

By Martha Helton Photos by Thomasson Photography

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hisholm Restaurant in Godley may not have existed in the days of cattle drives and stagecoaches making their way along the Chisholm Trail, but the restaurant has been a relic since sometime in the 1960’s, albeit changing owners four or five times. No matter, this downhome, family-friendly, best-kept-secret humbly

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serves up some of the best comfort food along the Chisholm Trail and beyond.

Situated in historic downtown Godley on Main Street, a stone’s throw away from State Highway 171, the chalkboard sign on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant announces what the special of the day is, beckoning potential patrons to venture on in.

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Advertisements for their infamous buffets adorn the windows, interesting those short on time but not on appetite. Inside, the diner adorned with simple décor flavored with western accents; the light fixtures are little wagon wheels. Old timers share that the salad buffet used to be housed in an old wagon wheel. Deer heads hang on the walls, the fruit of owner, Jeff Bachhofer’s, hunting days.

Local owners, Jeff and Pam Bachhofer, met years ago when they were 18 years old while working at a Winn Dixie grocery store. At work the amiable Jeff enjoyed visiting with frequent customer and then-owner of Chisholm Restaurant. He announced to Jeff one day that at 75-yearsold it was time for him to shut down the restaurant or sell it quick. The opportunity intrigued Jeff.

Even though he’d never owned a restaurant, he thoroughly enjoyed being the family cook. Plus, weary of the 20-plus years in the grocery industry, Jeff made the leap and bought it. That was 19 years ago.

Jeff admits that the restaurant was in poor shape, with holes in the floor, when he bought it. He estimates the couple spent nearly a million dollars renovating the place.

But that outlay of cash was generously recouped from 2004

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– 2008 when the restaurant was the sole source of food for workers in the oil and gas industry boom in the area. But that boom came to an end, explains Jeff. “When Obama took office, the oil fields went kaput. And we were directly affected.”

The Bachhofer’s feature a fresh-from-scratch repertoire of entrees—honed by years of trial and error. “Over the years people tell me what they like and I just developed them and went with it,” says Jeff. In fact, he adds, “If I’ve got the ingredients and you want it, I can do it.”

Waitstaff deliver the cuisine with a friendly word and a smile. The couple have 14-15 employees that keep the place humming. Some of the cooks have been working there since the beginning. “We don’t even have to say anything but ‘hi’ every day and everything gets done,” says Jeff.

From 2:00 to about 6:00 the employees know to clean and get ready for the dinner rush.

Their popular, must-have specialties are delicious hand-battered chicken fried steaks, hamburgers and breaded catfish. Jeff uses real cube steaks for the chicken fried steaks. Of course, all good Texas diners are judged by how tasty their chicken fried steak is, right?

THE BACHHOFER’S FEATURE A FRESH-FROM-SCRATCH REPERTOIRE OF ENTREES, HONED BY YEARS OF TRIAL AND ERROR. “IF I’VE GOT THE INGREDIENTS AND YOU WANT IT, I CAN DO IT.”

items on Sunday about 10:30 and put up a lunch buffet for the Sunday lunch crowd, then they close at 2:00 on Sunday.

Monday is “anything I want to do on the buffet,” says Jeff. Tuesday is always hamburger steaks and Wednesday is always fried chicken with salmon patties. Thursday is rib day and grilled pork chops, and Friday is meatloaf, gumbo and catfish. Saturday there is no lunch buffet is offered.

“On Sunday I try to do what you would after church--like fried chicken or meatloaf or roast.”

Lunch buffet is $9.99; Friday nights is $14.99; Saturday night is a steal at $16.99 for ribeye. Jeff buys the angus choice ribeye and cuts them himself and marinates them… he boasts you don’t even need a steak knife to cut them, they are so tender. Sides include baked potatoes, okra, corn nuggets, pinto beans, green beans, fish, butterfly shrimp, grilled shrimp and there is a big salad bar as well. Desserts are only available on the lunch buffets, They currently have specials on chicken and dumplings and beef stew. The specials are rotated seasonally. “In summer I’ll do something totally different…like barbeque and chilidogs. Really, if you can’t find anything to eat here, you’re not looking hard enough,” Jeff laughs. “We have Mexican food—we have everything. When we first came here, we were the only ones in town, so I did everything like that. But now that they’ve put in a lot of restaurants, a lot of this stuff doesn’t really move anymore.”

The restaurant really steps up to the plate with the Big Tex Chicken Fried Steak entrée: it comes with two steaks almost as big as your plate, drenched in thick, delicious homemade cream gravy. The breading on the steak is nice and crispy and the steak is very tender. Add some mashed potatoes with cream gravy, bacon-flavored green beans and a homemade roll and its complete comfort food heaven!

They feature breakfast buffets, lunch buffets, dinner buffets and breakfast all day long. “I always keep two to three meats on the buffet besides chicken fried steak, which is always on it,” shares Jeff. “I make stuff out of the clear blue and if you don’t like it, you can always eat a chicken fried steak.” And if the buffet doesn’t appeal to you, you can always order off the menu.

Lunch buffet is from 10:30 to 1:30 daily. Dinner buffet on Friday night is from 5:00 until 8:30 with two kinds of catfish, four kinds of shrimp and all the other fixings.

Saturday night is ribeye with fish. There is a breakfast buffet on Saturday and Sunday. They pull the breakfast

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If you have room for dessert, Pam and her daughter Cassie create a large, homemade selection of pies every morning, complete with homemade crusts. Customer favorites include coconut cream, chocolate cream and pecan. They also make delicious, mile high meringue pies. Cheesecake is also available.

Running the restaurant seven days a week for 19 years proves to be a labor of love for Pam and Jeff.

However, customers know they take a well-deserved vacation the week of Christmas through New Year’s.

The restaurant’s longevity is due to not only serving tasty food, but the staff’s friendly, family atmosphere is what keeps customers coming back. Jeff says he knows everyone in Godley.

“It’s growing now but I still try to get out there and meet people. We’re also friendly with the kids…my wife keeps coloring books for them. She also hands out quarters to the kids so they can go buy gum and candy out of the machines.”

Besides enjoying meeting new people, Jeff is thrilled when he hears from customers when they like some new menu item he whips up or praise a known favorite.

Another perk that keeps him loving his job: “I’m my own boss—except for the customers. And they’re pretty easy on me.” JCL

IF YOU HAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT, PAM AND HER DAUGHTER CASSIE CREATE A LARGE, HOMEMADE SELECTION OF PIES EVERY MORNING, COMPLETE WITH HOMEMADE CRUSTS.

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Be Well, JOHNSON COUNTY! From dental to chiropractic to elderly care, residents of Johnson County have a multitude of options for ensuring their wellness is covered. A few local providers tell us about their services and options for care in our area.

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BLAINE FARLESS, MD BRADEN MOORE, DPM

BRAD HARMAN, MD D. BRADLEY MINOR, MD

ORTHOPEDICS, SPORTS MEDICINE, JOINT REPLACEMENT & PODIATRY 2010 W. KATHERINE P. RAINES ROAD, SUITE 300 CLEBURNE, TX 76033

6900 HARRIS PARKWAY, SUITE 310 FORT WORTH, TX 76132

817-556-3212 WWW.CHISHOLMTRAILORTHOPEDICS.COM

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Nothing goes with a healthy body like a healthy

mind and spirit.

When it comes to your health, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne is here when you need us. We offer a range of services from 3D mammography and robotic surgery to wound care and hyperbaric medicine.

So whatever health concerns you may have, you can count on Texas Health Cleburne to be here for you.

Emergency Care ■ Digestive Health Services ■ Diabetes Care ■ Neurosciences ■ Breast Care Imaging ■ Minimally Invasive Robotics ■ Orthopedics ■ Rehabilitation Women & Infants Care ■ Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine ■ Heart & Vascular Services

1-877-THR-WELL | TexasHealth.org/Cleburne

Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. © 2020

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THREE DIMENSIONS

in Healing

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by Eric Priddy Photography

Having three-dimensional technology is excellent — having a three-dimensional team of caring professionals is priceless.

W

riting this article has taken me on a journey of memories. The saga began in 1979 when my best friend, my sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Losing my sister hurt deeply. Seeing her suffer and then die, leaving behind three young children, produced a lingering fear in me. In the next twenty years, I lost the rest of my siblings most from lung cancer, but I never smoked, therefore I thought I was safe. When my sister passed away because of breast cancer, I felt overwhelmed. If only she hadn’t ignored the lump; if only she could have found it sooner.

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I hate mammograms. They hurt, but because of my family history I get one each year. A little more than two years ago, I had my first three-dimensional (3D) mammogram. The technologist didn’t have to take multiple pictures, which meant less pain. Best of all, this mammogram was so clear and showed details in the dense breast tissue. Unfortunately, there it was— ductal carcinoma breast cancer, however it was all contained in the milk duct. I had a double mastectomy and implants placed —no chemo, no radiation. I’m so thankful for the 3D mammogram. I no longer have breast cancer and never will.

This 3D mammogram technology waits for women at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne Women’s Breast and Wellness Center. Located inside the medical plaza on the hospital’s campus, the 5,000-square-foot design was built with comfort and relaxation in mind.

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Several community members participated in the focus group to design a space that welcomes women with relaxing decor. Entering the center, patients are greeted by volunteers at a hospitality-style check-in area. The volunteers are a big part of this team. Their kindness, warmth and calming influence put patients at ease.

“Our approach is about looking at the needs of those we serve,” said Ajith Pai, president of Texas Health Cleburne. “It’s not about what’s best and easiest for us.

We’re looking at everything we do from the perspective of the women who choose us for their care. When we do that, we create a partnership and bond that will carry on throughout their health and well-being journey.”

When your heart is pounding and fear twists your thoughts in different directions, acronyms can be confusing. Women and their families need to understand what is available. Texas Health Cleburne’s Women’s Breast and Wellness Center is an American College of Radiology (ACR) accredited facility in both digital

and 3D Mammography Imaging and breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided biopsies. “The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety,” Pai added. “We’re proud of the recognition because it lets us know we’re doing the right thing for women in our community.”

The center provides screening mammogram, diagnostic mammogram, stereotactic breast biopsies, needle localizations, breast ultrasounds, breast ultrasound biopsies, bone density tests and pelvic floor therapy.

“Our goal for the creation of this breast center was to provide a place for women in our community to have all available breast imaging services in one location,” Olga Ingram, radiology technician (R)(M), and a long-time technologist at the Breast and Wellness Center said. “Thus allowing them to stay close to home and not have to travel a long distance for specialized breast procedures, making this center a choice for all their breast imaging needs.”

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“We promote a spa-like setting where women can relax and enjoy the atmosphere before, during and after their tests,” Lisa Hammonds radiologist technician (R) (M), manager for radiology and mammography said.

“We offer full-length luxury robes for our ladies, courtesy of the Black & White Gala, along with coffee bars in the main waiting room and dressing area.”

During the opening of the Breast Center, the 2015 Gala Chairperson, Pat Beavers, shared her excitement, “The atmosphere gives women more of that upscale feel where they can relax and get ready for their tests without feeling like they’re in a hospital setting. The goal is to help so many women in the community be healthier and stay in our community by not having to drive a great distance to get a check-up.”

“I feel the same way today,” Beavers said recently.

The ongoing generosity of the Black & White Gala funded a new, second 3D mammography unit in 2018. “It’s been a joy having 3D mammography here in Cleburne,” Chris Cain, the 2018 Gala chairperson, said. The Black & White Gala’s 2020 chairperson is Lori Lyness.

“This unit offers the smart-curve paddle to improve patient comfort, along with a software upgrade allowing us to perform stereo breast biopsies in 3D if needed,” Denice Black, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, and director of Outpatient Programs & Emergency Services, said. “With the addition of our new unit, we have been able to increase appointment availability and staffing to accommodate our patients’ needs.”

The Texas Health Cleburne staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about breast imaging and helping our patients in the community. “We are lucky to have such a qualified team of professionals,” Hammonds, added.

“With all of us combined, we have over 50 years of experience in breast imaging.

Radiologist Ryomin Kim, M.D. joined the Texas Health Cleburne medical staff this past summer. A great asset to the women’s center, she brings experience, knowledge and attention to detail.”

Dr. Kim understands the need for patient history.

“It is imperative for women to start annual screening mammograms at age 40,” Kim said. “If a patient has had a prior mammogram at a different facility or in another state, patients should obtain their prior imaging records for comparison and continuum of care.”

Texas Health Cleburne doesn’t leave you searching for previous films in long-gone imaging centers. Your records are in your community. This helps reduce the number of callback mammograms. Callbacks can create anxiety for patients, and our goal is to alleviate that stress for our patients.

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A good way to remember to schedule your mammogram is to make it your birthday gift to yourself.

Breast Cancer Awareness month in October is the busiest month. The Women’s Breast and Wellness Center cares for Johnson County and area residents (both men and women) all year long.

Hammonds said Texas Health Cleburne is a selfreferral center, which means patients do not need an order from their physician to have a screening mammogram.

“If you are age forty and older, and it’s time to schedule your annual exam, we would love to care for you and your breast imaging needs.”

A mammogram can be your best friend. Don’t wait.

Early detection and treatment can save your life and the lives of those you love. Schedule an appointment by calling 817-556-5400.

Having three-dimensional technology is excellent — having a three-dimensional team of caring professionals is priceless. JCL

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SERVICES • Treatment for a variety of illnesses and injuries • Allergy testing and treatment • IV Therapy • X-Rays • Splinting and Sutures • DOT Physicals • Pain management • Diagnostic Bloodwork • Flu Shots and Vaccinations • Pregnancy Testing • Preventative Screenings • Pediatric • Diabetes Testing • School & Annual Physical Exams • STD Panels • Workman’s Comp

ONLINE CHECK-IN AVAILABLE WWW.URGENTCARETX.COM 682-549-8200 H O MET O W N L I V I NG A T I TS B EST

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Come see us at one of our conveniently located Dallas-Fort Worth area offices (Addison, Arlington, Cleburne, Fort Worth and Plano) Visit us online at OPTIMALDFW.COM | Call us at 817-558-4600

Dr. Michael Phillips was the first doctor in Dallas Fort Worth to perform Autologous intradiscal stem cell (BMAC) injections for lumbar disc disease and also the first to perform cervical spine intradiscal stem cell injections. He was the first doctor to implant the Medtronic MRI compatible Spinal Cord Stimulator system in the North Texas region and the first doctor in Texas to ever implant a gold-plated Medtronic Stimulator system for a patient with a Titanium allergy. Dr. Phillips was the first doctor in the North Texas region and second in Texas to implant the St. Jude/Abbott Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) stimulator system for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. He was also one of the 1st 50 doctors in the country to be trained on and implant the Superion Vertiflex indirect decompression spacer device for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Dr. Tibor Racz completed a fellowship under the tutelage of his father, Dr. Gabor Racz, who is an internationally recognized specialist in the sub-specialty of pain management. Dr. Racz has a special interest in neuromodulation for pain and intrathecal pump therapy for both pain and spasticity. He is board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine. Dr. Racz looks at the most difficult patient cases as opportunities, not challenges.

He is committed to helping patients navigate through pain to improve functionality and livelihood with cutting-edge medical care and exceptional service.

Dr. Scott Berlin opened and developed the pain management clinic at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas. He was the first practitioner in Dallas to implant a fully implantable dual lead spinal cord stimulator system, which has now become the standard of care.

He continues to offer state-ofthe-art solutions for unusual and difficult painful diseases. Dr. Berlin is board certified in anesthesiology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Upon moving to the Dallas area, Dr. Andrew Cottingham performed all varieties of anesthesia including pediatric, neurosurgical, cardiac, vascular, orthopedic, otolaryngology and obstetric. He has been the Director of the Post Anesthesia Care Unit at a major teaching hospital and the Medical Director of a surgery center in the Dallas area. He is board certified in anesthesiology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine.

Dr. Cottingham has been providing cutting-edge therapies around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex since 1996.

IS REGENERATIVE MEDICINE THERAPY AN OPTION FOR YOU?

“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you.’ “ -Luke 10:9

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H O M ETO W N LI V I N G A T I T S B E S T

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No Narcotics, No Surgery, No Pain

By Peggy Purser Freeman

G

randma suffers from lower back pain. Dad complains of chronic neck pain. daughter has a torn rotator cuff and granddaughter suffers from several sports injuries. Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine offers one-stop pain relief.

Active people need help with various problems and they don’t want to search and search for answers through a maze of different specialists. The danger of opioid addiction makes finding the right specialists for your family mandatory. Optimal’s staff of experienced, expert physicians combine advanced medical knowledge, technical expertise, and compassion to diagnose and treat patients with acute and chronic pain.

“A lot of people get spine surgeries, but only about 8-10 percent of them actually need surgery.” Dr. Michael Phillips, one of the four pain relief specialists at Optimal said. “We try to address each individual's pain. Our goal is to get people off of narcotics by treating their pain.

Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine currently provides treatments for multiple medical conditions using the most advanced pain procedures as well as regenerative medicine/ stem cell therapy, including: • cancer • neck pain • back pain • disorders of the spine • arthritis • neuropathy • spinal stenosis • headaches • joint pain • soft-tissue injuries • sports-related injuries

Pioneers of several existing pain relief procedures, doctors at Optimal offer state-of-the-art biologic treatments that have changed the way medicine is practiced today. They simply help you and your family work to stop your pain, offering minimally invasive procedures, such as: • Injection therapy • Spinal Cord and Dorsal Root Ganglion stimulator implantation • Intrathecal pump therapies • Regenerative medicine – including stem cell injections with ( BMAC) bone marrow aspirate concentrate and (PRP) platelet-rich plasma treatments • Nerve burning procedures ( Rhizotomy) • Minimally invasive spine surgeries/ procedures

“Our latest procedure is Disc-FX,” Doctor Philips explained. “The Disc-FX technique is a minimally invasive, image-guided and endoscopically assisted therapy used for treating pain caused by discs protrusions. It’s performed without a surgical incision, only a surgical cannula inserted through the skin into the surgical site. The position of the needle is monitored by live x-ray.” JCL

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT OPTIMAL PAIN CLINIC: "The Doctors, PAs, nurses, and all others who work here are the best. They are all so very helpful and really make me feel that my medical concerns are important" ~Deanna W.

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WE HAVE MOVED!

Come see us at our new location, very close to the southwest edge of Mansfield city limits!

12619 FM 917 Suite A, Alvarado

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS! SERVICES • Chiropractic • Applied Kinesiology • Sacro-Occiptal Technique • LineLine Technique • Neuro Emotional Technique • ASA Balance • Be Strong for Life (BStrong4Life)

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CALL OR BOOK ONLINE 817-930-0600 www.healthbyhandswellness.com

CHIROPRACTIC: A Benefit forMany Ailments Common and Not-So-Common Conditions Explained

By Martha Helton Photos by DCollins Photography

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painful “crick” in the neck usually can’t be fixed by popping a pain reliever or a trip to your doctor for yet more pain pills because these solutions only temporarily mask the pain. Neck pain requires a look at the core reason there is pain and a chiropractor is a logical source of help. In the last few decades chiropractic has become more mainstream and is covered by most insurance companies and can offer tremendous relief and help for many health issues.

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Chiropractic is “hands on healing,” says Dr. Kathi Perry from Health By Hands WellnessCenter/Strong for Life chiropractic practice in Alvarado. “The body is controlled by the central nervous system which controls the outlying peripheral nervous system. When the body under stress does go into ‘fight or flight’ mode, healing can’t occur.

“The body in a state of ‘fight or flight’ creates subluxations--shifting of the vertebrae which puts pressure on nerves that go to various areas of the body to tell it what to do. These subluxations can be adjusted/ manipulated to decrease the firing of the nerves, therefore allowing the body to de-stress. Simply stated, chiropractic adjustments take pressure off nerves allowing them to ‘fire and re-wire’ more appropriately to achieve a balanced state of health and well-being”.

D.D. Palmer was the founder of chiropractic when in the late 1890s he manipulated the spine of Harvey Lillard, who was deaf in one ear. After two treatments, Lillard could miraculously hear. Palmer went on to open the first School of Chiropractic. Today there are 20 chiropractic schools nationwide and 40 world-wide.

The following are some common—and not so commonly known--conditions that are helped by chiropractic:

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SCIATICA

Sciatica is pain that runs down the back of your leg/ legs and starts in your hip muscle. It may go to your knee, your calf or your foot. The vertebrae in your low back have nerves that go to the areas where you feel "sciatic pain".

Adjusting these segments can be helpful in resolving these symptoms. The traditional medical schools are now teaching that manipulation of the lower lumbar region (low back) over a 6-week period is more beneficial than drugs, injections or surgeries, in the absence of a true herniated disc.

LOW BACK PAIN AND NECK PAIN

Sitting at an ergonomically incorrect desk at work or sleeping on an unsupportive mattress can commonly bring on lower back or neck pain. Chiropractic adjustments reduce the pressure on the nerves and allow healing to occur.

In a 2003 study published in the British Medical Journal, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly chosen to receive either manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) over the course of a 52-week period.

The clinical outcome measures showed that chiropractic adjustments resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care. Moreover, total costs of the chiropractic-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care.

HEADACHES (TENSION AND MIGRAINE)

Second only to back pain, headaches — both tension headaches and migraine headaches — are one of the most common conditions regularly managed by chiropractors.

Headaches are often caused by subluxations to the cervical vertebrae (there are 7).

Dr. Perry says headaches “can also be caused by problems with the TMJ (temporal mandibular joint on the jaw), hormonal issues, allergies, sleeping positions (don't fall asleep on the couch or have pillows that are not "adjusted" correctly).”

A group trial found that 22 percent of participants who had chiropractic treatment saw the number of attacks drop by 90 percent. In that same study, 49 percent said they had a significant reduction in pain intensity.

Compared to most medical treatments, few interventions can initiate headache relief naturally, without the risks of taking drugs long-term, like chiropractic adjustments can.

COLIC AND/OR ACID REFLUX IN CHILDREN

Nerves located in the stomach and brain are quite sensitive to neurological insult caused by vertebral subluxations. By realigning the spine and reducing pressure on placed on certain nerves, the gut-brain connection is improved.

Infantile colic symptoms as well as acid reflux in children have been greatly helped through chiropractic adjustments. A healthier, “happier” gut at any age can help increase immune function, reduce inflammation and reduce pain in various parts of the body.

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NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Exciting research is currently being conducted via upright MRI scans showing how upper cervical adjustments affect various brain-based conditions. Not only are MRI scans revealing that cerebral spinal fluid and blood flow are markedly increased after a chiropractic adjustment, researchers are observing that cerebellar invagination (when the cerebellum drops down below the skull line) is being reversed and brain plaquing (common in multiple sclerosis patients) is disappearing!

Additionally, there’s evidence supporting the use of chiropractic treatment to help to correct vertebral subluxation that contributes to epilepsy and seizures.

One study found that when 15 pediatric patients were treated with upper cervical care all reported positive outcomes as a result of chiropractic care. The conclusion of the study was that “Chiropractic care may represent a non-pharmaceutical health care approach for pediatric epileptic patients.”

BLOOD PRESSURE

In 2007, George Bakris, the world expert on hypertension, published a study with a team of researchers in the Human Journal of Hypertension showing that one upper cervical chiropractic adjustment had the same effect as two blood pressure-lowering drugs. Even more fascinating, the effects of just one adjustment lasted more than six months.

Other studies have shown similar findings with hypotensive patients, and their low blood pressure was raised to normal levels after chiropractic care. This is exciting because it highlights the body’s ability to create a homeostatic balanced environment once vertebral subluxations are removed.

SURGERY PREVENTION

Chiropractic has long been trumpeted by natural health care providers as a natural alternative to prevent back surgery. In fact, the Journal of the American Medical Association published its low back pain guidelines and suggested that people suffering from back pain first try chiropractic before resorting to surgery.

Plus, chiropractic care is typically more affordable than surgery and offers less risk.

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SCOLIOSIS

“It is treatable by chiropractic if determined early,” says Dr. Perry. “All girls and boys as they approach puberty should be analyzed by a chiropractor and x-rayed to determine if they have any degree of scoliosis.

The older a body is, the more difficult it might be to achieve corrections. In our clinic, those people with scoliosis—even long term—are able to achieve less pain, better quality of life for much longer than they have been told by previous practitioners.”

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

“All athletic performance can be enhanced by regular chiropractic care,” says Dr. Perry. “This is why all professional sports teams make chiropractic care available to their players.” She observes that it would be “great to see all grade school, junior high and high school teams also require their players to be adjusted at least pre- and post-season and more frequently if they have an injury or start falling behind in their game.”

Chiropractic care not only helps when in pain, according to Dr. Perry. She says, “I believe that everyone should get adjusted a minimum of four times per year… as you have the oil changed in your car.” JCL Source: Dr. Axe: “Ten Researched Benefits of Chiropractic Adjustments”

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IN THE KITCHEN WITH

Dietitian Vanessa Abbood ABOUT VANESSA ABBOOD MS, RD, LD Vanessa Abbood MS, RD, LD is a clinical dietitian at Texas Health Huguley. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. Not only has she spent the majority of her career working as a clinical dietician, she also enjoys nutrition counseling and health promotion and education. She enjoys cooking and trying out new recipes. Vanessa lives in Fort Worth with her husband, 2 dogs, and 6 cats.

Mid-Day Makeover

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s much as we all love summer, we have to admit that school is just around the corner.....ditch the same old sandwiches for these upgraded recipes sure to please even the pickiest eaters. Using just a few ingredients you may already have in your pantry, you can whip up something new and unique that will be the envy of the lunchbox crew. Here are three new recipes to try this winter:

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Lightened Up Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon avocado oil • 1 cup finely chopped onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1-1.25 pounds lean ground turkey • 3 large sweet potatoespeeled, cubed and boiled • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese of choice, I recommend cheddar • 2 tablespoon shredded asiago cheese • 2 tablespoons reducedsodium tomato paste • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme • 1/4 teaspoon paprika • 1 cup unsalted beef broth • Kosher salt and ground black pepper • Canola oil spray

Nutrition: 430 kcals and 42 grams of protein

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 6- to 8-cup ceramic or glass gratin dish with canola oil spray.

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until slightly browned and translucent.

Add the turkey and cook until browned, break apart/ crumble the meat while cooking.

In a 2-cup measuring cup, add the broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, thyme, and paprika and stir together. Pour over the turkey meat and cook until the meat is cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with the plain Greek yogurt until smooth.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spread the meat mixture into the prepared casserole dish, and top with the sweet potato mixture.

Sprinkle with the Cheddar and asiago cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the potato topping is browned around the edges, 30 to 35 minutes.

Healthful, Veggie-full, Lasagna Ingredients:

• 12 oven-ready lasagna noodles *whole wheat if available* • 1-24 oz can of pasta/tomato sauce *look for one that is lowest in sodium* • 12 oz part skim milk ricotta cheese • 1 egg • 1 cup park skim milk shredded mozzarella cheese • 1 cup diced onion • 4 cups shredded zucchini, yellow squash, and carrots • 2-3 large handfuls of fresh spinach • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2-3 tbsp of dried Italian herbs • Canola oil cooking spray • 9x13 inch glass dish

Directions:

In a large sauté pan, add the olive oil and onions, cook lightly, then add the shredded zucchini,

yellow squash, and carrots. Sauté until tender. Strain off any access water from the veggies and set aside. In a medium bowl, take the ricotta cheese and combine with the egg. Add the dried Italian herbs and set aside.

Spray the 9x13 inch baking dish with canola cooking spray. Add a light coating of the pasta sauce to the bottom of the dish and place 4 noodles on top of the sauce layer to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread about a third of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles. Take the handfuls of spinach and place on top of the ricotta. Pour some of the pasta sauce on top of the spinach leaves and place 4 more noodles on top. Spread more of the ricotta mixture on the noodles.

Layer the sautéed veggies on top of the ricotta mixture. Add the last 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and remaining sauce.

Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour.

Makes 12 square servings. Nutrition: 214 calories, 7 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein.

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DEDICATED TO OPTIMAL ORAL HEALTH AND BRIGHTENING SMILES! Exceptional Quality and Value State-of-the-Art Dentistry Financing Available Discount plans available for non-insured Proudly serving the Godley and surrounding communities, including Cleburne, Burleson, Joshua, Granbury and Keene.

682-282-0806 | 8095 TX-171, Godley | www.godleyfamilydentistry.com Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/godleyfamilydentistry 46

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A HEALTHY SMILE IS

A HAPPY SMILE

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Thomasson Photography

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enjamin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to your teeth.

Did you know that tooth decay is the second most common disease after the common cold? Did you know tooth decay is caused by bacteria, which can actually be contagious by sharing food and drink? Did you know smoking is bad for your oral health and can cause halitosis (bad breath), stained teeth, gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer? Did you know that flossing is the most important thing you can do to prevent gum disease and tooth loss, even more important than brushing?

Did you know that flossing and brushing can reduce the risk of heart disease by removing harmful bacteria before it reaches the cardiac tissue? Did you know that medical researchers are studying the correlation between gum disease and Alzheimer’s disease? Did you know that gum disease, plaque and tartar can aggravate diabetes?

Did you know that the ADA Approved Seal means the American Dental Association’s board of dental science experts has studied and found a particular product safe and effective? Did you know that some whitening toothpastes contain harsh chemicals that can wear away the enamel and actually result in yellow teeth?

A good dentist can help you take care of your teeth, your gums and your smile. Dr. Marquez, of Godley Family Dentistry, is a compassionate and caring dental provider. He enjoys getting to know his patients and ensuring each one receives the highest standard of care throughout treatment. Dr. Marquez continues to grow through professional development and research.

Check out Godley Family Dentistry where the team works hard to ensure patient comfort and care in a relaxed, comfortable environment. JCL

Godley Family Dentistry offers the following services: • Preventative Dentistry • Regular checkups Don’t rush when you brush.

• Regular Cleanings Brush up and down and all around.

• Proper Diet Counseling Brush your teeth, crush your cavity.

• Dental x-rays Brush and floss or prepare for loss.

• Aesthetic • Whitening A beautiful Smile is always in Style • Veneers Improving lives, one smile at a time!

• Bonding Love your teeth.

• Pedodontics • A healthy smile begins with a child.

Cavities don’t scare us!

• Home fluoride treatments

Grow up with smiling!

• Regular checkups beginning with the first birthday • Peridontics • Fight gum disease.

Floss like a boss!

• Don’t smoke Better teeth, Better health.

• Keep your teeth.

How can you eat when you have no teeth?

• Restorative Dentisty • Crowns Beautiful teeth are always in style.

• Bridges and dentures It’s time to smile again.

• Implants Moving forward with a smile.

• Endodontics • Root Canal • Crown Smile: You’re with us now.

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Cultivating Confidence & Kindness Through Dance

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Thomasson Photography

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ance is a beneficial exercise option for children because it mentally and physically strengthens students. It is an emotional outlet for many and promotes creative expression.

When someone is dancing, they are simultaneously improving strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance.

Dancers must coordinate their entire body’s movements to convey a story or emotion to their audience. He/she must do this while also keeping in time with a song and possibly other dancers.

Older students see dance class as a stress reliever, while younger students see dance class as a chance to be themselves and burn off energy!

“I always promote kindness with my students by practicing it every class. For instance, I take time in class to have each student say something positive about themselves and also give a compliment to another student. I always thank my students at the end of class for working hard, and they respond with a thank you as well!

“We also just completed our first service project at IDC to invest in our community. The students collected hygiene and toiletry supplies to stock the shelves of the Wildcat Warehouse, a program that helps Godley ISD students in need,” stated Stefanie Fairbanks of Infinity Dance Center in Godley.

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Infinity Dance Center is your premiere dance studio offering classes for all ages ranging from toddler to adult classes. They offer a variety of classes to meet the needs of all dancers from the dancer who is just starting to break in his/ her shoes, to the advanced dancer that is refining his/her art.

The mission for Infinity Dance Center is to develop of community of students and faculty who are passionate about dance, growth, and kindness. We believe in educating the whole dancer. This means teaching proper dance technique, building a growth mindset, and instilling in our dancers a confidence in themselves and kindness towards others. JCL

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HOME & GARDEN

Lost Oak W I N E R Y

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By Joyce Block Photos by Brazos Rose Photography

re you dreaming of a quick, and easy spring or early summer get away? Maybe a oneday trip that isn’t too far away? How about a tour through wine country? No, I am not talking about a trip to the Napa region in California or even down to the Hill Country. Would a quick trip to a vineyard near Burleson work for you? Lost Oak Winery maybe just the place for you to visit or for your next event.

Texas is now the 5th largest wine producing state with over 420 growers of grapes and over 350 wineries.

This huge growth has just happened in the last ten years.

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But wineries have more happening than just grape and wine production. Tastings of wines, events with music, cooking classes, and many festivals to celebrate the seasons, the grapes and the wine.

Lost Oak Winery is located south of Burleson on 52 acres, of which five acres is in grape production, at 8101 County Road 802 on the banks of Village Creek.

When the first 32 acres of land for Lost Oak Winery was purchased, it had several abandoned cars and trailer houses on it and many trees. In 2004, the property that the tasting room was built on was purchased.

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Gene Estes is the founder of Lost Oak Winery. Gene has been growing grapes since 1989, which is when he and Roxanne Myers planted the first vines at the Lost Oak Winery. Lost Oak Winery was opened after Gene retired in 2006. Gene has studied viticulture at the Grayson County College in Dennison and through various correspondence courses.

Much of his training came in hands-on experience in dealing with the Texas climate and soil. The building that the Lost Oak winery started in is now the tasting room.

In 1979, there were only seven wineries in Texas when Gene Estes joined the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association. With the passage of Texas House Bill 892 in 2003, the wineries were able to start selling wines from their tasting rooms. This opened up more tourism and revenue for the state and for the wineries.

To understand what types of grapes would do well in that location, Lost Oak Winery planted an experimental vineyard. Comparing the different types of grapes, the staff of Lost Oak Winery were able to discover which grapes did the best in that soil and type of microclimate.

Among the grapes that were planted, a hybrid grape called Chardonel and Shiraz did the best. A second vineyard was planted in 2004 with a grape called Blanc Dubois joining Chardonel and Shiraz as the best.

Roxanne Myers said that in 2008 a third vineyard was planted using Chardonel and Petit Syrah.

Growing grapes in Texas requires some ingenuity.

There are many different types of pests, and diseases that can destroy an entire crop. Too much rainfall or not enough can affect the grapes up to the day of harvest.

At the Lost Oak Winery, they try to maintain a natural environment that has a population of hawks, spiders, lizards and the occasional snake to help control mice, moles and rabbits. By placing bird netting over the grape vines, it makes it more difficult for raccoons, birds and deer to eat the vines and the grapes that are needed to make the wine.

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Besides growing grapes for wine, Lost Oak Winery has the room and the space for your special events. High ceilings, a stained concrete floor and bay windows that overlook the pond and the vineyard are what you will find at the Lost Oak Event Center. Two hundred guests for a wedding, a private party or a corporate event can be accommodated here.

Wine Enthusiast magazine recently names Lost Oak Winery as one of the “10 of the Best Wineries and Vineyards in the U.S. to Host your Wedding”. This is due to their proximity to Fort Worth and Dallas and being able to offer an authentic wine experience to their guests.

In January of 2018, Lost Oak Winery was a wedding venue that was featured on the TLC show, Four Weddings.

Lost Oak scored 9 out of 10 for venue and the wedding that they hosted came in second overall. A clip of this is available to watch at TLC “Four Weddings and a Texas Showdown”, Season 7, Episode 1.

Roxanne said that they were aware of the taping of the show and assisted the couple with event coordinators.

The staff was very excited for this and the show was truly authentic.

Fungal diseases and a bacterial disease called Pierce’s Disease, carried by an insect called the glassy winged sharpshooter, can have a devastating effect on the vineyard. With proper care and maintenance of the vineyard many of these problems can be reduced.

But a vineyard needs assistance all year. During February, the grapevines are pruned, and again in late March to early April after the leaf buds break. Trellises are used to support the vines and the weight of the grapes that grow on them. A late frost can be a concern according to Roxanne, as the frost will damage the primary buds of the vines.

Once July, August and September are here, it’s time to harvest the grapes! White varieties of grapes are harvested in July and August, with the red grapes being harvested in August and September. With the amount of land that is included in the vineyard, Lost Oak Winery asks for assistance from volunteers to harvest the grapes by hand. You can fill out the volunteer form at their website, lostoakwinery.com, and you’ll be able to brag how you had a hand in making some wine.

Texas is now the 5th largest wine producing state with over 420 growers of grapes and over 350 wineries.

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Besides tours of the Lost Oak Winery, they also sponsor tours of other wine growing regions in the world, Chile and France. The Chilean tour covers many parts of that country’s wine growing region in the French tradition.

Horse drawn carriage rides and vineyards that look both to the past and to the future are just a few highlights of that tour. In France, you have the opportunity to explore the Bordeaux region of this country.

If the only travel you can afford this spring is a trip to the Lost Oak Winery, they have several options for you to enjoy at their location, at 8101 County Road 802, Burleson, TX. On Saturday, March 7th, there will be a blessing of the vines at the Winery. During Spring Break, March 16th to the 20th, live music will be available with a St. Patrick’s concert scheduled for March 17th.

Throughout the spring and summer; cookie decorating classes, cooking classes, a Kentucky Derby party and a Mother’s Day on the lawn event will be held. More information is on their website www.lostoakwinery.com.

There is even going to be an 80’s night in June followed by a 70’s night in September. A Family 4th of July is planned for this summer also.

For a getaway that’s close to home, but feels like you’re not, Lost Oak Winery is the place to check out. The winery is open to the public Wednesday from 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 9 pm and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. JCL

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Arlington • Burleson

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HOME & GARDEN

pring and summer are just around the corner.

Our lawns have had a tough winter; an early freeze over Halloween, some rain, but the rain is never enough and some weeds usually appear.

In our part of Texas, it is important to know what kind of lawn grass you have. Bermuda, St. Augustine and Buffalo are the three most popular types. Different types of weed control products will affect the lawn grasses differently. What will work on Bermuda may damage or kill a St. Augustine lawn and vice versa.

Please read the label of any product that you decide to use on your lawn or ask your local extension agent for advice. Also remember, the plant that you are calling a weed may be a native plant that can be left for the pollinators to enjoy.

There are two options for weed control in the early part of the year. One is a pre-emergent; this type of weed control keeps the seeds of a weed from growing or germinating.

The other type of control is called post emergent; this method kills the weeds once they have appeared in your lawn. For both types of control there are chemical methods and organic methods.

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Both of these methods work only on annual weeds.

Annual weeds are the type of weeds that have their growth cycle completed in one season. Dandelions, Crab Grass, Clover and Dollar weed are just a few. If you see these weeds in your lawn already, it is too late for pre-emergent control and you will need to use a post emergent for your weed control.

For pre-emergent weed control, both the chemical and the organic product need to be placed on your lawn in early March. The soil temperature should be around 55 degrees as that is what the seeds germinate at. Corn Gluten Meal is the choice for pre-emergent control for an organic lawn. It is also high in nitrogen which will help to green your lawn up. Corn Gluten Meal needs to be applied with a spreader either a hand held or a walk behind.

When you walk into the garden center you will see many different type of chemical controls for pre-emergent weeds. There are both liquid and granule formulations and it can be overwhelming. The item to remember is that you are trying to control the weeds before they start growing.

The main ingredient to look for to control grasses and broadleaf weed is either Dimension or Gallery. The granular product needs to be applied to the lawn with a spreader before being watered into the lawn with either a sprinkler, irrigation or rainfall. The liquid product should be used and applied to the lawn in a hose end sprayer and will need to be watered into the lawn the same as the granular product.

If you happen to miss those windows for pre-emergent, another option is a post-emergent weed control. Postemergent control is for weeds that are actively growing and have shown up in your lawn.

For the organic users, there are several options. A solution of 10% vinegar applied on a sunny day will cause the weeds to wither and die. With the vinegar solution it should be applied with a spray bottle, as it will damage any growing plant that it touches. Weeds can always be dug out by hand, a hoe, or a weed popper.

One of the non-selective chemical weed killers that is very popular has an active ingredient of glyphosate, also known as Round up or Clear all. Glyphosate will kill every weed and plant that it touches. If you are using it to kill certain weeds in your lawn, spraying this product directly on the plant you want to kill is the best procedure.

Make sure the wind is not blowing, and the temperatures are over 65 degrees, but below 80 degrees for the best use of this product.

A selective chemical post-emergent weed killer will state on the label what the product kills. The selective weed killer will only kill that particular weed, the label will need to be read as some the selective weed killers may adversely affect a St. Augustine lawn.

Please read the label of which ever product you are using. It is meant to keep you, your family, your pets and your lawn safe. JCL

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HOME & GARDEN

The

Anglin ROSE

By Larue Barnes Photos by DCollins Photography

Surrounded by 200-year-old oak trees at 808 South Anglin, in Cleburne, Texas, a Victorian Queen Anne style home has stood proudly since 1892.

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he has been lovingly restored by current owners, Milton and Saundra Williams and has been shared with bed and breakfast guests for 22 years. They named her The Anglin Rose.

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The Anglin Rose was the first home in Cleburne to receive a Texas Historical Marker. The Williamses have added period wallpaper, a tin ceiling, antiques, and a remodeled kitchen with custom, turn-of-the-century era cabinets by Aaron Newman of Cleburne. Milton Williams spent an entire year cutting out each board of the picket fence, painting it and placing it in the ground.

The gingerbread trim for the house was meticulously cut with a miter saw. The home is painted rose pink.

The structure’s most outstanding features are the 9’ x 9’ stained glass key window and an octagonal second floor turret which is topped with four half-moon windows.

The side patterns of the stained-glass key window sport a periwinkle fleur-de-lis design, encrusted with one-inch blue, emerald green and ruby red mock jewels—round pieces of molded glass with facets.

The front end of the home faces east and is anchored with an impressive near 40-foot rise to the top eave of the roof on the north end. The ornate wooden clapboards reach to a height of 15 feet, finished with fish-scale veneer that climbs to the top of the home. The fish scaling is boarded with two sunburst carvings bordered with a box pattern molding that separates the second floor from the attic floor, and then continues in the fish scales to the roof.

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Just above the front door, north of the turret, is a recessed balcony at the end of the second floor hall.

The balcony is finished with the same gingerbread ornamentation as the front porch. Two large carved sunburst cabals are fixed to the top ends of the balcony and connect the woodwork to the eaves of the roof above.

The balcony is furnished with table and chairs of the Victorian period style.

Along two-thirds of the front of the home there is a traditional one-story wrap-around porch, supported by eight large carved pillars linked together with gingerbread lattice that has been restored to a similar pattern to that of the original house. All the detailed woodwork was handmade by Milton Williams to ensure an authentic feel to the finish. The front door also has the original stained-glass transom and sidelights of beveled glass that was hand-cut and polished.

The two-and-a-half story, 4,500-square foot house was built in 1892, by grain dealer, John L. Cleveland, and wife, Annie, for a cost of $6,500. The Clevelands owned real estate in Cleburne as well as a hardware store. They helped finance and construct the First Methodist Church in Cleburne.

The two-and-a-half story, 4,500-square foot house was built in 1892 for a cost of $6,500.

The Williams have carefully researched the home builders. Saundra said, “Annie Cleveland was a remarkable woman. She was politically and socially active. John was a very successful businessman. They entertained and loved having guests in their home.�

Just over five-feet tall, and wearing a size 3 shoe, Annie Upshaw Cleveland bore 10 children, six of whom lived to adulthood. She was intelligent, headstrong, and feared nothing except storms. She and John Cleveland married in 1884.

Construction on the home began in 1892 and was completed in mid-March of 1893. Once completed, it was the center of a loving family that lived in the house for generations.

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Cleveland’s Cleburne Cottonseed Oil Mill burned in 1907. His hardware store, Sterling and Cleveland, located on South Main Street, was a definite success. He sold cars that had been picked up by his sons in Fort Worth, who reportedly loved to race them home. Highly spirited, one son is also credited with bringing his Shetland pony upstairs in the home.

The acquaintances of the Clevelands most likely included those within Main Street Methodist Church, the Knights of Pythias, City of Cleburne School Board (of which he was a member,) and those interested in bringing a railroad to Cleburne. Annie Cleveland often entertained William Jennings Bryan in the family home while he visited Cleburne. John Cleveland served as covice president of the Democratic Club of Cleburne in 1908.

Bryan’s last of three unsuccessful runs for president was in 1906.

John and Annie were sitting on the porch swing after church one Sunday when a young couple drove up, stopped and said they were thirsty. Annie, being a gracious hostess, went into the house and brought them lemonade and tea cakes served on a Havilland china plate. They refreshed themselves and left. Only later did they learn that they were famous outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde.

“During 2019’s Christmas Candlewalk Historic Home Tour over 650 people came through our home in seven hours.

While I stood on the landing of the staircase, looking happily at our guests, I gave some thought to how much the Clevelands had loved entertaining and having guests in this home. Maybe I had just made Annie proud.”

Saundra Williams said, “When the Asberrys owned the home, her sister and two children lived upstairs. At that time a balcony was filled in and a small kitchenette was made. That is used by our bed and breakfast guests.”

Inside the home, the entrance has a staircase, a gracious dining room and a formal parlor where the Williams’ lighted Victorian Christmas village is displayed all year.

The back of the house is warm and casual. The kitchen has an original brick fireplace. A master bedroom and a guest room are downstairs. Upstairs is for bed and breakfast guests featuring a Grandmother’s room, Uncle Sam’s Room and a bridal suite.

The bridal suite features a wedding cake topper collection and Victorian bridal bouquets under glass domes.

The Williams also operate Anglin Rose Estate sales with their partner, Susan Doty. Saundra said, “Anyone interested in holding estate sales needs to know that they are labor intensive—lots of hard work. People often ask me if I purchase things for my bed and breakfast at the sales. I rarely do, because the Victorian Period has required me to search antique stores for much of the furniture. One bed reportedly came from a madam’s room in a house of ill repute in New Orleans. A full-sized stuffed peacock is nearby.

Saundra Williams is the current president of Save Old Cleburne, whose members are dedicated to the preservation of the history of Cleburne, its structures and culture.

She said, “During 2019’s Christmas Candlewalk Historic Home Tour over 650 people came through our home in seven hours.”

She paused. “While I stood on the landing of the staircase, looking happily at our guests, I gave some thought to how much the Clevelands had loved entertaining and having guests in this home. Maybe I had just made Annie proud.” JCL

The Williams purchased the home 22 years ago from Louis “Buddy” and Carolyn Chapman, who inherited the home from Flow and Clyde Asberry after serving as their caregivers for 17 years. The Asberrys had purchased the home in 1941, from Annie Cleveland Smith, the daughter of the Clevelands, for $2,000. The gingerbread trim was later removed from the house and some of the stained glass was given away.

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PEOPLE OF JOHNSON COUNTY

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A Girl&& Her Crown

By Johnna Thomasson Photos by Thomasson Photography and provided by the Harris family

While learning to tackle the ups and downs of being a teenager, Kelsey Harris has managed to simultaneously conquer academics, athletics, FFA, volunteering within her community and conquering the the pageant world. Meet Junior Miss of Chisholm Trail and find out what it takes to earn a crown.

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nce, we were little girls with a love for anything that shimmered and shined, especially a crown. However, the movies taught us that to have our crown, it usually involved a prince climbing up and tangling our just washed and blow dried long, golden locks, to hand deliver our crown with a kiss.

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We may be older but we are still the same girls. We still like our crowns. Except now, girls all over America are learning that a crown shines brighter when it is earned based on work ethic and a love for humanity.

One of these particularly wise young women happens to be our very own local Junior Miss Junior Miss of Chisholm Trail, Kelsey Harris.

The only child of Josh and Kelly Harris, 14-year-old Kelsey is currently a Godley High School freshman.

While learning to tackle the ups and downs of being a teenager, Kelsey has managed to simultaneously conquer academics, athletics, FFA, volunteering within her community and the pageant world.

“As parents, we know the craziness that can come with being a teenager & how important it is to keep them busy.” explains Kelsey’s mother, Kelly. “We absolutely want to pull our hair out often from running around everywhere with school functions, sports, stock shows, volunteer work, etc. but we have done these things knowing that these activities have helped guide her into the young lady she has become.”

Kelsey’s love for pageants began at a young age.

When her Nanny, who Kelsey identifies as her biggest role model, bought her no less than 5 dresses each Christmas, Kelsey used every night she stayed over as the perfect opportunity to reenact her love for all the pageants she grew up watching and adoring.

“Nanny would introduce me to the ‘audience’ and then I would model through the living room like it was my very own stage.” recalls Kelsey. “She would ask

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me questions and pretend to interview the future Miss America.”

Due to this early passion for pageants, no one was surprised at Kelsey’s immediate interest when invited to enter NAM, the National American Miss Pageant.

Despite it being Kelsey’s first real interaction with the pageant world, she took to it very naturally, placing Top 5 out of 170 overwhelmingly gifted contestants in her first year.

After completing 2 years with NAM, where she was crowned Miss Personality 2015 and Miss Top Model 2015, Kelsey was introduced to RIM, short for Royal International Miss, a program that focused primarily on community service.

Being that community service has always been close to Kelsey’s heart, she knew that this was her next step.

“I try to volunteer as much as possible.” explains Kelsey “I hope through my works of community service I can inspire others, both young and old to get out and serve.”

Truly understanding that Jesus’ love is best shown through servitude, she models this behavior through many different outlets including: • Volunteering at Godley’s local food bank • Packaging and delivering meals for families in need with Mission Arlington • Packaging gifts for children all across the world with Samaritans Purse: Operation Christmas Child

I hope through my works of community service I can inspire others, both young and old to get out and serve.

• Collecting coloring books, crayons, and crafts within the community to deliver to Cooks Children’s Hospital. Last year alone, Kelsey and her community were able to collect and deliver over 1200 coloring books to the children of Cook’s.

• Organizing a Jean Drive for the past two years to help collect gently used jeans from within the community to help those within a local shelter.

After collecting over 50 pairs of jeans in 2018 & 2019, Kelsey was inspired to also organize a “Share the Warmth” drive this past Winter in hopes to collect to Jackets & Gloves for low income families.

Despite serving her community in a variety of unique ways, two particularly hold a very special place in her heart. Kelsey recalls one of the most rewarding ways she is fortunate enough to be able to give back is how her and her parents are able to “Adopt a Family” each holiday season.

By adopting a family, Kelsey, along with her parents, are given the chance to help relieve stress and brighten another family’s Christmas morning. However, it is Kelsey’s long-time advocacy for childhood cancer that stands out the most.

After a close family friend unfortunately passed away at the young age of 8 from neuroblastoma, Kelsey began to grow very passionate about childhood cancer awareness. Understanding that with her new role within pageants she now had the foundation to help bring to light the unseen struggle that many constantly battle, Kelsey decided to devote her service project to this fight for awareness.

Known as “Compassion for Cancer Patients”, Kelsey uses her new found position to hand-make awareness ribbons to hand out during all appearances and community service events. Along with raising awareness, Kelsey manages to be as hands on as possible by helping personally make and deliver “Brookes Blossoms”, flower head bows given to children losing their hair due to chemo treatment at Fort Worth’s Cooks Children’s Hospital.

With each blossom being made extremely colorful and fun to match the childrens’ personalities, it is often a small effective way Kelsey and others are able to brighten a hard and dark time for each cancer patient.

“The compassion she has for others is beyond amazing. She is always striving to be better and makes us want to be better as well,” Kelly explains, admiring her young daughter.

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While heavily involving herself within volunteer work, during her time with Royal International Miss, Kelsey was crowned “Miss Texas Role Model”, along with placing in the Top 5 in the Overall Division and 1st Runner Up in the Role Model Division during RIM Internationals in Florida, June of 2018.

Over the years, Kelsey has also displayed a love for many extracurriculars outside of pageants, especially FFA. “Funny story! So, the pigs [I raise] have to be fed twice a day,” starts Kelsey “and I remember, one year after receiving one of my first titles, I was so excited I did not want to take off my crown! BUT I had to feed the pigs. So I just threw on my jammies, and was outside cleaning pens and feeding pigs, all while wearing a crown!” she giggles.

Through these interests she has managed to obtain many titles. In 2015, Kelsey won First Place in Formal Photography in Distinguished Youth. She was a Star Junior FFA member in 2016. She won everyone over with her Pecan Pie as Reserve Grand Champion Junior Youth Fair in 2017. And throughout 2018, Kelsey was named Cross Breed Grand Champion, Hamp Breed Grand Champion, Grand Champion Swine, and 2nd place in District with her FFA Chapter Conducting Team, all of this along with Kelsey and her team becoming CoDistrict Volleyball Champions in 2019.

Currently, Kelsey holds the title of Miss Junior Miss of Chisholm Trail and will compete for the title of Junior Miss of Texas with American Pageants later this year.

“The compassion she has for others is beyond amazing.

She is always striving to be better and makes us want to be better as well.”

–Kelly, Kelsey’s mother

The American Pageants, founded in 1983 by Warren Alexander, was created with the goal to help young women reach their full potential. Unlike normal pageants, American Pageants are scholastically based. Rather than being judged for casual wear, evening gown, poise, walk, etc., these pageants center their criteria around 6 different areas; interview, achievement and service, personal development, scholastic record, personality and general awareness.

The young women are given a chance to not only win titles, but scholarships to assist in furthering their education.

Although this is Kelsey’s first year with American Pageants, she is very excited for the pageant family she is already beginning to form.

“Being an only child, pageants give me sisters. I am excited that there are so many girls involved who are also local and can go out to work in the community with me,” she explains. Choosing to continue with pageants, Kelsey plans to also expand her horizon by pursuing her love for makeup and fashion with cosmetology during her last two years of high school before attending college and pursuing a career in Psychotherapy with the hopes to continue to help others.

While there is nothing wrong with waiting on true love’s kiss to bring a girl her crown, Kelsey is the perfect example of how one can be uniquely themselves, pursue their interests, inspire others and have their crown too. JCL

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313 N. Pearson, Godley, TX 76044

817-592-4300

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PEOPLE OF JOHNSON COUNTY

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ANDREW SEVENER: Cro o n ing His Way to the Top

By Heather Rothrock Photos provided by Andrew Sevener

While many of us Texans are familiar with Alvarado and know it to be the oldest town in Johnson County, Andrew Sevener put it on the map for millions of people during his tenure on Season 16 of NBC's hit show The Voice.

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ompeting on The Voice was a defining moment for Sevener. "At first, I didn't think it was going to amount to anything—when my playing on the show first started, it was just an idea. Then I made it on the show, and the craziest thing happened—I made it to the finale! Even though I ended up not winning, I feel like things are going to go up from here," remarked Sevener.

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Andrew's musical roots run deep as he comes from a musical family and he steps naturally and humbly into his talent. "I grew up in Alvarado, and so much of my life was football and baseball. In intermediate school, a fifth-grade crush inspired me to ask my dad to teach me to play the guitar," explains Severer. "I started playing music with my parents and I was about 14 when I got my first real gig. My dad left home when he was 15 or 16 years old to tour and he has taught so much about the music business."  Sevener cut his musical teeth playing where and when could and describes his sound as "very Southern Rock Country—like 90's country meets Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers." Andrew's raw edge to his voice and heartfelt lyrics make his music relatable and down-to-earth.

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"I grew up in Alvarado, and so much of my life was football and baseball.

In intermediate school, a fifthgrade crush inspired me to ask my dad to teach me to play the guitar."

"Even though I ended up not winning (The Voice), I feel like things are going to go up from here."

"I opened up for Aaron Tippen and Tracy Byrd, and that was a great experience. We were very blessed to be able to recently play for the Texas Country Music Awards at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. It's always been a dream to play at Billy Bob's, and we played 'Rural Route Raising', my original song from The Voice. I want to return and perform a full show at Billy Bob's," stated Sevener. "My dream venue is AT&T Stadium in Arlington. I played peewee football in the old Cowboy Stadium, and in high school, I played in the State Championship football game at the new AT&T Stadium. It would be pretty special to be able to play music there too."

With the support of his family and loving girlfriend, Mallory, Andrew took a step in faith and is pursuing music full-time with his band. "Our main focus is building the brand. We are a tight-knit group and we have great chemistry. God willing, when we hit it big, we will take Nashville and the rest of the country by storm," explained Sevener.

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"There is so much I love about the music we are making! Writing and recording music, then having people come up to me and tell me that my music is touching their lives, or that they can relate to a song that I wrote, is incredible."

Sevener gains inspiration for songwriting from life around him. "My girlfriend Mallory inspires me, and so does life in general. When I see a buddy or someone in the band go through a heartbreak or something tragic, they often confide in me. That experience resonates with me and sometimes leads to songwriting. Interactions with my close friends and loved ones give me great material for my music. I'm blessed to have inspiration come at me from a bunch of different angles," explained Sevener.

The creative songwriting process is different every time. "Something hits me. I get an idea, or a melody stuck in my head, and I sit down and start grinding it out until I get it right. One song that I wrote that's coming out on the upcoming EP took me about a week to write. I got the basic idea down, but I wouldn't show it to anyone until I got it right, and it took me a long time to feel like the song was where it needed to be," said Sevener. "Sometimes, I'll be sitting in the car, and I'll get some words in my head - I might use those words as a base and go home and create a chord progression and go from there." JCL

When I see a buddy or someone in the band go through a heartbreak or something tragic, they often confide in me.

That experience resonates with me and sometimes leads to songwriting.

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Getting to know IF YOU COULD COLLABORATE WITH ANYONE, WHO WOULD IT BE?

"I have two answers for this one - Lynyrd Skynyrd because I love their sound and the songs they've written. They're timeless. In terms of modern-day music, definitely Luke Combs."

WHAT'S THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM YOU'VE HAD TO OVERCOME SO FAR?

"It's the fear of not knowing — the constant worrying. A lot of people are counting on me, and I'm having to overcome the fear of taking the leap.

Sometimes you have to have faith and take the leap - and that's exactly what I'm doing. God has helped me and pushed me in the right direction, and we are working on figuring out the next step."

IF YOU COULD OPEN A SHOW FOR ANY ARTIST, WHO WOULD IT BE?

"I have two answers for that too - one would be the band I grew up listening to with my dad - Steely Dan. Their music is way different than what I play but I've always dreamed of opening for. I would say Travis Tritt, but I've already gotten to play with him, so then I would say The Eagles."

ANDREW

WHAT ARE YOUR CURRENT HOBBIES?

"I've gotten on a health kick, and I've been working out again. I like going to dive bars and meeting the locals. I don't get to do it very often, but I like to fish and go duck hunting."

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEND YOUR FANS? "I want to thank them for their constant support and encouragement."

WHAT'S NEXT?

"We have a few shows that we are looking forward to - more studio work, a trip to Nashville to do some writing, and possibly some more recording. There will be some new music in the spring and the announcement of new shows."

FAVORITE SONG:

"Deacon Blues Steely Dan or Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde by Travis Tritt."

MUSICIANS YOU ADMIRE:

"Travis Tritt is an all-time favorite, and Blake Shelton is a close second."

BEST ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN:

"Honestly just to be yourself - don't try to change anything. Don't try to be something you're not. Blake Shelton was telling me almost that same thing - there's no reason to act like anyone different that you. If you are genuine, people are going to love you, and there's no reason to change to try and make people like you."

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PEOPLE OF JOHNSON COUNTY

John Taber Vet with a Bagpipe

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos provided by Dr. and Mrs. John Taber

After serving as a veterinarian in the US Army, Dr. John Taber shares the music and history of the bagpipe.

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tanding by the monument of Elizabeth Crockett, wife of Davy Crockett, I looked out over the cemetery. The bagpipe’s haunting drone floated on the crisp winter morning air.

Its melody transported the hundreds of students attending the Stroll Thru Texas History back to March 1836 when John McGregor piped and Crockett fiddled. Their tunes in that historic time inspired the Texans’ Army fighting the Mexican Army in the battle for Texas Independence.

The kilt-clad gentleman I saw before me wasn’t a ghost or an early morning aberration of the Texas hero. John Taber only portrays McGregor to make history come to life for over a thousand students each year at the Acton Cemetery. He volunteers at over a dozen veterans and historical events each year. It’s only one of the things that make John Taber a valued Johnson County resident.

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an immediate response to treatment, made a lasting impression on me,” Dr. Taber added. “The GI Bill went a long way towards funding my veterinary education.”

In the summer of 1987, Dr. Taber was commissioned in the United States Army. “I spent the majority of my career engaged in civil affairs operations and medical planning. It was interesting work that took me to some twenty-five countries. I was fortunate to command a forward-deployed veterinary detachment during Operation Just Cause - Panama (1989) and in Operation Iraqi Freedom - Iraq (2004-05). In those deployments, our soldiers provided routine and emergent care to military owned and contracted animals, ensured food safety and hygiene for US and allied personnel, and worked to control zoonotic diseases such as rabies. We conducted limited humanitarian and civic action operations."

“I was an Army brat,” Dr. Taber explained. “Born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines and by the time I was ten years old, I’d lived in Vietnam, France, Germany, Cambodia, and three states. Then I joined the United States Marine Corps in the fall of 1976. After my time in the Marine Corps, I attended the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.”

When John was eleven, he had visited his uncle, a veterinarian, in Patagonia, Arizona. Seeing what an integral role a veterinarian played in a small ranching community offered John a glimpse into his future.

“The combination of outdoor work, working with animals and seeing tangible results, and often

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It took us three blind dates over ten years, set up by our mutual friend and my roommate, Doug Perrine, to seal the deal.

Dr. Taber introduced me to his wife, Valerie. Valerie and John met while scuba diving near a beach dive off Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida.

“It took us three blind dates over ten years, set up by our mutual friend and my roommate, Doug Perrine, to seal the deal. Doug is not only a world-class underwater photographer but demonstrated exceptional tenacity as a matchmaker by setting Valerie and me up three times on a blind date.”

Valerie has traveled all over the world as a writer, photographer, copy editor, and freelance writer for a variety of publications and corporations.

“The Cayman Islands News Bureau was my career favorite,” Valerie explained. “Then I became an Army wife, moving every few years to interesting and not-so-interesting places for fifteen years. Heidelberg was wonderful!” Valerie spent a great deal of time as an Army wife volunteering.

“My favorite place to volunteer was the Natural Resources Department at Fort Hood. I was able to participate in deer and feral hog helicopter surveys, and ground-based plant and animal surveys on the extensive firing ranges when they were inactive.” Valerie explained, “It was a sanity saver while my husband and the soldiers in his command were deployed to Iraq. Every phone call for a year meant you hoped and prayed it was “only” a solvable problem from one of the young spouses needing help with something at home because their soldier was deployed. Thankfully, everyone came home. My best friend’s unit was not so fortunate.”

Today Valerie Taber spends retirement as an active volunteer for the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program, where she specializes in entomology and nature-themed education programs. She coordinates an annual mothing program in July at the Acton Nature Center as part of Moth Week and has an ongoing research project at the ANC on native bees. When volunteering at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth, she may be found in the Herbarium or the Pollinator Pathway Gardens.

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Just before he retired from active duty in 2008, John Taber started lessons on the bagpipe. “My first instructor was Bill Jones of New Braunfels. I met him when he piped at the funeral of a friend killed in Iraq. ‘Only nine notes—how hard can it be?’” John quoted a piper-themed t-shirt logo. “However, the bagpipe has a lot of moving parts. You have to play the notes correctly and you have to play embellishments well. Embellishments are what make those nine simple notes seem like much, much more. You must learn breath control and bag control.

This is important so the chanter doesn’t cut out, and so the drones make a steady, monotonous hum instead of a wavering, pitch-changing sound that assaults the senses and sounds like a large beast in pain. Musical skill notwithstanding, what separates the very good from the world-class pipers is tuning, getting that perfect balance between chanter and drones so that each chanter note comes out pitch-perfect.”

When you hear several pipers in a short time frame, you’ll understand what Dr. Taber means when he uses words like beginner, journeyman and world-class. You also understand his passion for the bagpipe.

“Like golf, where you don’t always hit the perfect shot, you don’t always have a perfect practice or performance.

However, every once in a while, when the pipes are going well, and I’m relaxed and piping at or near my full potential, I can get lost in the music. Scottish Zen. That’s what keeps me piping. Like that one great shot on the golf course, you are driven to try and repeat it.”

Musical skill notwithstanding, what separates the very good from the world-class pipers is tuning, getting that perfect balance between chanter and drones so that each chanter note comes out pitch-perfect.

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When Dr. Taber serves as a steward at competitions, he tries to put the first-time players at ease and to give them tips to help them get off on the right foot. His tips for would-be pipers include: “First, get the best instruction possible—it is easier to learn good habits than it is to unlearn bad habits. Next, make a long-term commitment. It takes several years to develop journeyman piping skills. The pipes are not the instrument for someone seeking instant gratification.”

Valerie also enjoys playing the Irish whistle, bagpipes, smallpipes and euphonium, plus quilting, knitting and gardening.

“I’m training (unsuccessfully) our Labrador not to start his own garden excavation projects,” she explained.

“And John took up Highland snare drumming a couple of years ago. There is one iron-clad rule in our house: NO drumming on the kitchen table with sticks, silverware or fingers during meals!”

I realized what makes this couple unique when John talked about excellence.

“Excellence in any discipline requires sustained effort and commitment. I owe the United States Marine Corps a debt of gratitude for teaching me that lesson, and I thank God for making all things possible in my life, my career and my marriage to Valerie.” JCL

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E D U C AT I O N

Inspired teachers create a new and unique learning environment at Keene Elementary.

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Students Succeed at the

Summit

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos by DCollins Photography

“I know I’m going to have fun when I walk in the door,” Keene Elementary

School fourth-grader, Lamar Franklin, bubbles with excitement about going to school. The program turning kids from passive to active, from failing to succeeding

is the Summit program. Lamar continued, “I love how my classrooms are decorated. I feel like I’m in a different world.”

According to KISD Superintendent Dr. Ricky Stephens, Keene Elementary School’s Summit program is part of the IGNITE initiative to ignite students’ imagination and create future-ready graduates using more and more hands-on learning with our students.

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“The Summit program at the elementary is a great example of how we have transformed how we teach.

Through kinetics, callbacks and music, we are striving to create a learning experience that will encourage our students to become makers of learning and not just takers. We are looking for greater and greater things to come from this program.”

In her second year as Principal of Keene Elementary, Kelly Turnage is more passionate about educating children than ever. “When I go into Summit classrooms, all students are on task, actively involved in the lesson and focused on their activities. These students talk about their learning with each other, do more problem solving and take ownership of what they are doing. The teachers are active in front of and all around the room. They are providing exciting content and the classroom is ALIVE!” The Summit program began in the fall of the 20182019 school year with all third graders. Each year a grade level is added, and by 2021-2022, the Summit will include all third through fifth grades. The district plans to extend the Summit program as these students’ progress into junior high.

Keene Elementary named the program the ‘Summit’ because the word means the highest point and this name personifies their goal: “Teach to the top and expect all students to rise to that level."

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This is the sixth year at Keene Elementary for Tapley Shoup, and her second year of teaching math in the Summit program. Recently she shared a few of the theme elements she uses to teach math.

“In my class, we use all the of the Summit as well as technology and room transformations. In January we used a LEGO theme to learn about fractions and our classroom was decorated to look like LEGOs. All of our activities included playing with LEGOs, but the students learned important fraction concepts.

The LEGO theme also made reading more fun as the students read and evaluated non-fiction articles related to LEGOs. The Summit student review times included themes like “Carnival Review” for carnival-style games to review concepts in all areas.

Throughout the year, teachers in all subjects incorporates numerous themes. In Ms. Shoup’s Math Summit, students enjoyed a Rodeo Roundup where students learned how to round fractions with a western theme. There’s a Decimal World theme and a Star Trek theme which introduces a completely new world of decimals. Also, the students participated in the Diner theme, learning about counting and calculating bills and coins. In 2019, before the STAAR test, the entire Summit team did a review for the math and reading state assessment test with a Creative Camping theme.

“I truly think our kids enjoy coming to school more,” Ms. Shoup said. “They never know what their teachers are going to do next. We have consistent routines and procedures, but the way we present our content is unique and engaging. The first thing my kids say when they enter my room is, ‘What are we going to do today?’ They are truly excited to see what comes next.”

Through kinetics, callbacks and music, we are striving to create a learning experience that will encourage our students to become makers of learning and not just takers.

Another third-and fourth-grade math teacher, Leta Pugh, added, “This is my first year in the Summit. The students always comment on the classroom arrangement and the decor. They appreciate the more relaxing atmosphere, flexibility of seating and that it doesn’t look like a typical classroom.”

The Summit is not just about teaching content. It creates confident leaders by incorporating the Summit into a set of rules used district-wide to help students become better citizens. Students even clean up after themselves.

Fourth-grader, Kenley Moore, echoed that concept, “The Summit helps us be more respectful and be confident in what we do. I’ve learned skills and now know how to greet people better, look them in the eye and speak to them politely. Things are more fun in the Summit. We learn through lots of games and have more fun experiences.”

Along with Ms. Shoup, Eileen Ortiz has been with the Summit program since it started, “Not all kids learn the same way, therefore different teaching strategies help all students. My students enjoy learning with songs and dancing. As I teach science, I use many different songs that are content-related. It’s easier to teach them the material with a song. At the same time, the callbacks help me get my classes back on track without wasting any time. It’s amazing to see my students' excitement every time they know we have a new song. I believe that kids learn faster and retain more when they can move around in between a lesson or as part of a lesson.”

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Anytime the teachers do a transformation in their room, the kids know beforehand and they eagerly await the day of the transformation. “I can definitely say that students are more engaged in my classroom,” Ms. Ortiz continued. They always come into my room with the excitement of something new.

It is amazing to see their joy whenever we do things new or introduce a new song. Some kids tell me ‘Ms. Ortiz, this was the best day ever. It was super fun.’ or ‘Can we do this again?’, and others say, ‘You are the best science teacher ever!’”

In her first year at the Summit, writing teacher, Anabella Lopez, loves how interactive and creative the program is. The Summit also proves students can learn in fun, different ways. “The students get to create, not just sit and listen. Plus, I have enjoyed teaching more. With this program, I have grown a better relationship with my students. Best of all, I’m teaching the students to love writing in many interactive ways.”

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The Summit is not just about teaching content. It creates confident leaders by incorporating the Summit into a set of rules used district-wide to help students become better citizens.

Fourth-grader Cailyn Polk said, “My Summit classes are never boring. We learn songs that go with our lessons and that help me do better in my subjects. Being in the Summit is so cool!”

Assistant Principal, Julie McKintosh, explained, “The Summit Academy is a ‘campus within a campus’.

Students engage in callbacks during direct instruction and teachers orchestrate songs, chants and whole-brain movements. These classrooms also support students through small-group instruction and intervention level work. The overreaching ‘why’ of the Summit is to raise student engagement in grade levels that usually experience a decline due to standardized testing, coupled with building the socio-emotional skills needed to compete in a connected global society.”

Principal Turnage added, “Part of our vision is creating classrooms and learning spaces that excite students, motivate them and make them want to learn.

We invite students to take ownership of their learning.

We know all children at Keene Elementary are capable of more. We not only want them to rise to our expectations, but we want to inspire them to soar even higher.”

Join Keene Elementary in their great journey to reach every child...every need...every day. JCL

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Photographers & Writers Wanted!

If you or someone you know takes fantastic photos or writes compelling pieces let us know!

Johnson County Living MAGAZINE

Please submit a link of your portfolio or gallery to

Jennifer.RedFin@gmail.com

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE NEXT STEP

By Rick Mauch Photos by Thomasson Photography and Provided by Opportunity Resource Center

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SOMETIMES A PERSON JUST NEEDS AN OPPORTUNITY. AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT COMES NEXT, AND HOW TO TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD THAT “NEXT”. THAT'S WHERE OPPORTUNITY RESOURCE SERVICES IN CLEBURNE COMES IN.

^

O

pportunity Resource Services in Cleburne was founded in 2010 by James Jesse and Dustin Phillips with the goal of alleviating poverty in rural communities by providing more opportunities for education, access, and exposure for first-generation, low-income youth. Today, that goal and those values have expanded to serve more people who are underrepresented in programs of higher education.

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"Our mission is to connect Texans to higher education opportunities and lead them out of generational poverty," Jesse said. "Most of our staff come from low-income families. Many were the first in their family to go to college."

Their efforts to accomplish this through an Educational Opportunity Center for adults and Upward Bound program for high school students includes: • Partnering with high schools throughout the county • Assisting inmates in a local prison, Sanders Estes Unit in Venus, with educational counseling and financial aid applications for the those who are about to be released into the community • Academic counseling • After School Program at four local high schools • Six-week college prep program in the summer hosted at a local college/university • Financial aid applications • College applications • Scholarship research • GED resources • Career exploration

ORS WAS FOUNDED WITH THE GOAL OF ALLEVIATING POVERTY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, ACCESS, AND EXPOSURE FOR FIRSTGENERATION, LOWINCOME YOUTH.

Along with U.S. Department of Education grants, the ORS accepts donation to help with their cause. Also, ORS grants several scholarships to participants annually in both the EOC (2) and Upward Bound programs (4).

"James and I had experience working in similar programs at a community college. Since both of us are from low-income, first-generation college families in rural areas of Texas, we noticed that these federally funded programs typically went to urban centers," Phillips said. "We both would have killed to be in one of the Upward Bound programs as high school students, and our parents could have benefited from an Educational Opportunity Center.

"Johnson County made sense for ORS because it was easy to access from our homes, it's growing by leaps and bounds, and we were able to establish epic partnerships with visionary educators. Hill College and the school districts of Venus, Alvarado, Keene, and Rio Vista have been incredible to work with in serving our Upward Bound participants."

Ikisha Cross, College Access Advisor for the EOC, said, "I love what we do here. We literally get people coming from all situations looking for a way out. We're hope dealers. We give people hope."

Cross cited an example of a young lady who had lost her job as a cook at a school. She had no GED and her future looked bleak. The EOC at ORS helped her get her GED and now she is enrolled at Hill College.

"She walked in crying," Cross said. "She was totally lost and scared to death."

Assistant Director Hannah Sutton recalled helping a young, first-generation American with parents from Mexico get into college. He wanted to be a pilot but was concerned the process of filing for financial aid would affect his parents' status as citizens.

"We did his FAFSA and he was fully eligible for a Pell Grant," she said. "Coming forward was a big piece of the process for him, but his parents' citizenship status was not a part of the puzzle."

Robin Mayhew, also a college access advisor in the EOC, remembers coming from a low-income family and navigating her way through the FAFSA process to get a degree from the University of Texas-Arlington. She taught for many years in the Burleson School District before coming to ORS. "When people come in with stories about how hard it is, I understand," she said. "But it can be done, and we help them accomplish it. From abusive situations to having tried college and not knowing how to pick it up again, it can all be overcome, and we're here to help."

And, there are those who wonder if college is worth the "hassle".

"Is a college education worth what it used to be? Is it still needed to be competitive? The answer is yes," Jesse said. "Also, a lot of jobs are now requiring certifications to keep that job. So, education will always be important."

Hannah added, "My dad worked at Bell Helicopter, and when he started, he only needed a high school diploma to do his job. Now you need an engineering degree."

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UPWARD BOUND

The Upward Bound program helps high school students from low-income families avoid the pitfalls of the aforementioned adults that come into the office for help. The program is in place in Alvarado, Rio Vista, Keene and Venus and serves almost 300 students.

"A big part of what we do is mentoring. How do they get into college? And what do they do beyond college?"

Upward Bound Assistant Director, Robin Brockinton, said.

Though the students in Upward Bound are from different campuses, there is a unity, said fellow Upward Bound Assistant Director, Alyssa Cantu. This past summer the students even chose their own mascot, a panda.

"We had some creative options, a dragon, a chicken, an otter," Cantu said with a laugh. "It was a way to unite them. We're all Pandas now."

Daniel De La Pena, who coordinates the math/science division of Upward Bound at Alvarado High School, said the program has sent students into careers in nursing, engineering, social working, teaching, computer science, firefighting, EMTs and more.

"Three students at this moment are applying to medical school, so we'll have doctors soon," he said. "The greatest benefit is looking at your students and seeing them become professionals."

Maria Guillen, who coordinates math and science for Upward Bound at Venus, Keene and Rio Vista, came through the program herself. She recalled how helpful it was for her when she was a confused teenager.

"I definitely did not know where I wanted to go or how to get there," she said. "I didn't know how to apply for college, or if it was even an option for me."

“Of course, helping folks get into college is only part of the equation,” Jesse said. "We don't do society or anyone a service if we get them an education that costs too much. Our clients need a plan for an affordable path in higher education and we help them make one.”

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WE'RE HOPE DEALERS. WE GIVE PEOPLE HOPE. ~IKISHA CROSS

PRISON SERVICES AT SANDERS ESTES UNIT

The prison/jail program works with inmates who are close to being released.

"Our work at the prison is some of our most fulfilling," Jesse said. "They present a tough exterior, but when you get them to talk about their hopes and dreams, it's wonderful.

They'll tear up, cry, say it's the first time anyone has talked to them about what to do with their life."

ORS began in a small office in a church in Fort Worth working with 10 youths and is now in two office spaces in Cleburne totaling about 2,800 square feet serving around 1,500 people.

"I think beyond a bit of luck, most of our success

comes from our epic partnerships through Johnson County," Phillips said. "There are so many amazing schools, businesses, and community nonprofits that want to make an impact on the lives of those that live in their communities.

"Another critical factor is our staff. They work like crazy to provide the best services possible to our program participants. They give up time with their families, they work long hours, and always go above and beyond. They are incredible educators."

Now, Jesse said they are thinking of expanding back into southern Tarrant County in the next few years. Also, they are looking at taking the Upward Bound program to other campuses.

"It's definitely been a good 10 years, a great 10 years," he said. "But there is still a lot to be done." JCL

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E D U C AT I O N

GODLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL:

Wildcat Warehouse

By Connie Lewis Leonard Photos by Ruffled Cabbage Photography

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FAITH + SPORT = FCA. “Unite your two passions, faith and athletics, to impact the world for Jesus Christ. We’ve been on one mission for over sixty years.”

THE WILDCAT WAREHOUSE AT GODLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, SPONSORED

BY FCA, IS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE GENERAL TOILETRIES AND CLOTHING ITEMS TO ANY STUDENT TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF EVERY WILDCAT, NO MATTER THEIR SITUATION.

Don McClanen conceived the idea of Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1947, while he was a student at what is now Oklahoma State University. He believed that athletes could use their platform of influence to present Jesus Christ to the entire culture in a powerful way. McClanen officially began FCA in 1954. The first FCA Camp was held in 1956 at Estes Park, CO, with 256 athletes and coaches. Now there are 88,317 camp attendees with14,474 Certified Huddles in eighty-four countries. A Huddle is a certified small group Bible study/devotion for coaches and athletes.

Godley Middle School FCA began their huddle last year with eight students. A year later, they average between 85-100 seventh and eighth graders who attend meetings every Friday during homeroom (9:41-10:12) in the gym. The meetings are student led, with fourteen officers who have specific jobs and obligations to make FCA successful. The Godley Middle School FCA reaches out beyond athletes to include anyone and everyone who wants to attend.

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FCA: TOUCHING LIVES . . .

ONE HEART AT A TIME The students come from all backgrounds: athletes, non-athletes, students who have a church home, and for some, the FCA is their church home. No questions are asked when you attend a meeting, and there are no requirements. This organization truly unites the students, and they are changing and helping others in a positive way.

That’s what the whole FCA program here at Godley Middle School is about—just being there for one another whether it is a toothbrush or a prayer. The students set up two prayer lockers that both students and staff take advantage of. Students can write in their prayer requests anonymously, or they can have it announced at a meeting.

It is another way for FCA to say we are here for you, and you are not alone.

Sponsor Kristin Armstrong said, “This is the first year that we have had the warehouse. It started out as the basic toiletries needs because we have so many students, especially with it being the age that they are learning about personal hygiene. So, we wanted to provide them a resource that would help with all those needs. The school nurse was the one that had mentioned expanding it to the clothing because she saw a different need from her perspective and the concerns that come through her office. We know that our students are at an age where they have many of the same responsibilities as adults, but so many things are out of their control. We as an organization decided that we wanted to fulfill the needs of every Wildcat no matter their situation.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40 NIV

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“We have had only two major fundraisers so far. One was the teachers and staff of Godley ISD could pay $20 to wear jeans the entire month of December. In the teacher world, this is a very big deal, so we had a lot of support through that. The second was that Godley Middle School hosted the UIL competition this year and helped facilitate the concession stand. The money was divided up between ours and four other organizations evenly.”

It would not be the success that it is without the support of the community. All of the clothing has been donated and even some of the toiletries items as well.

People have also contacted Mrs. Armstrong to see if there is a specific need in the clothing closet they can help with.

One example was a student at a varsity football game who was not dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. Several people contacted Mrs. Armstrong about the same student. Through community support, FCA was able to provide that child with shirts, jeans, socks, shoes and jacket for him and for his sister as well.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 NIV

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The Warehouse provides all the basic toiletry needs: toothbrush, toothpaste, brushes and combs, shampoo/ conditioner, deodorant, body spray, soap, laundry detergent, socks, shirts, pants, coats, etc. The funds raised go toward keeping the stock there for the Wildcats, but is also used for specific requests, such as clothing or shoes in a particular size for a certain student. There have also been several students who have attended FCA meetings regularly and have requested Bibles. The FCA was able to fill all the requests they have had so far!

The Warehouse Clothing Closet is located in the commons area, or cafeteria. The windows and doors stay open so students have access to it at all times.

Mrs. Armstrong said, “We have always established a judgment free environment, and we have made it clear that this is not necessarily for those in a financial need.

This is for anyone who forgot deodorant because you were running late, spilled something on your shirt, or any other situation. We all have those days where things do not go according to plan, and we can all use some help from time to time.”

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

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If you would like to help, there are a couple of different options. You can donate any toiletries or new/ gently used clothing or shoes at any time. You can also become a monthly sponsor of FCA. This money will be used to purchase back stock toiletries, so we always have what someone needs. The money will also go towards purchasing specific requests from the Wildcats, such as specific clothing or shoes size. You can also make a one-time donation as well. FCA appreciates any and all support so they can continue to help anyone who needs the extra support.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

Mark 16:15 NIV JCL

IT WOULD NOT BE THE SUCCESS THAT IT IS WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY. ALL OF THE CLOTHING HAS BEEN DONATED AND EVEN SOME OF THE TOILETRIES ITEMS AS WELL.

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DEDICATION, GRIT & DETERMINATION:

Connor Prince, Gold Medalist

By Jill Lain Photos by DCollins Photography and Provided by the Prince Family

As his drive and dedication to shooting increased, Connor Prince’s competitive skeet shooting scores reflected his commitment—all the way to Suhl, Germany, bringing home a gold medal from the Junior World Cup.

I

n July 2019, a relatively unknown skeet shooter quietly stalked his competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany. Conner Prince was so new to the international skeet scene at that time the ISSF didn’t even have his photo or bio on its website. That quickly changed when the 19-year-old college sophomore bested a field of 60 by shooting a nearperfect round in the finals and emerged as the Junior World Cup Gold Medalist in Men’s Skeet.

When Conner tells people he shoots skeet, they typically say one of two things: “What is skeet shooting?” or “Oh, I’ve been out to the range to shoot a few times myself.” Regardless of the reaction, people have no idea the dedication, grit and determination it takes to get to such an elite level of competition.

A lifelong resident of Burleson, Conner tried baseball and soccer during elementary and middle school, but neither held his interest for very long. When it was time for high school, Conner’s parents, Greg and Becky, wanted him to join some type of student group. During the 2014 freshman camp at Centennial High School, Greg and Conner found a group that would impact the Prince family in profound ways. Greg and Conner had gone out a handful of times to shoot sporting clays at a local range, so when they saw two members of their Pathway Church family at the Spartan Clay Target Team table, they wanted to learn more about the high school shooting teams.

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“Because we knew so little about the sport, I started practicing the summer before my freshman year,” Conner said. I knew I would need time on the field to be competitive, but I had no idea just how much time it would take.”

As a freshman in the Spartan Clay Target Team, Conner learned about shooting, gun safety and how to cheer for teammates at the same time trying to beat them. He viewed shooting as more of a hobby in the beginning, especially since there were several on the team who had much more experience than Conner. The next year, however, Conner’s competitive spirit started to emerge.

“After the first few matches, I realized I liked the pressure that came from competing as an individual,” Conner said. “I never felt that pressure when I played team sports, and it drove me to work harder. In shooting, I’m competing as an individual, but I’m also part of a team. You cannot be shooting solely for yourself.”

As a freshman in the Spartan Clay Target Team, Conner learned about shooting, gun safety and how to cheer for teammates at the same time trying to beat them.

Conner’s parents noticed a difference in his commitment to practice after his first year in high school, and their chauffeur duties amped up when he was a sophomore. He increased his number of practice days from a couple of times a week to almost daily in order to gain an edge over his competition.

As his drive and dedication to shooting increased, Conner’s scores reflected his commitment. In July 2016, Conner won the Youth Target Foundation High Overall award for the state of Texas after just two years in the sport. Shooting against competitors at that level further fueled Conner’s desire to improve, so he made sure he was shooting against people who challenged him both mentally and physically.

“His win at state was a sweet surprise for our family,” Becky said. “We never expected it, so when I look back, that was the time the switch flipped for Conner. After that state win, Conner realized he wanted to be shooting more competitively instead of just for fun.”

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Under Dustin’s watchful eye, Conner became more confident in his ability and started thriving in competitions instead of letting the mental aspect consume him.

Once Conner made the decision that he wanted to work toward being competitive on a national level two important things happened. First, Greg and Becky made the decision that shooting would be a family affair. By this time, their daughter, Sydney, had joined the team and was competing in shooting as well, so the time spent practicing and at competitions doubled.

“When you have children that are goal-driven and willing to sacrifice their time and energy to pursue something, how can you not support them,” Greg said.

“This sport requires big commitments both in time and

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money, so Becky and I decided if we were going to do this, we would do this as a family. We travel together to support our kids, and if we can’t all go, we don’t go at all.”

The second thing that happened was meeting a young man who would change the trajectory of Conner’s shooting career -- Dustin Perry. Dustin is a former international skeet shooter who was the 2015 Pan American Games silver medalist and fourth-place finisher for 2012 Olympic Team consideration as a junior.

Dustin was new to Johnson County and was looking for a place where he could help other young shooters.

Dustin quickly saw Conner’s potential had ahead of him. In 2017, Dustin became Conner’s coach and mentor, spending countless hours with Conner at the gun range working on technique and the mental awareness Conner would need to compete on a national level. Under Dustin’s watchful eye, Conner became more confident in his ability and started thriving in competitions instead of letting the mental aspect consume him. That confidence allowed Conner to set a goal for himself to make a USA Shooting travel team, and then a bigger goal of bringing home a gold medal in a world competition.

In March 2019 Conner earned a spot on the Junior World Championship Team to represent the United States in Italy and Germany, thanks to all the hours practicing at the range and his determination to push any negative self-talk out of his head. With Dustin’s help in 2018 and the addition of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Vincent Hancock as his coach in early 2019, Conner’s success at the 2019 USA Shooting Shotgun Spring Selection propelled him to his Junior World Cup Gold Medal last year in Germany. Conner’s biggest fan, his 16-year-old sister Sydney, was with her family in Germany. She was so nervous for her brother that she sat in the car until the finals. As a competitive skeet shooter herself, Sydney understands the emotions and pressure Conner deals with on the field.

“It’s so hard to watch Conner,” Sydney said. “I know what it’s like to be on that field waiting for the targets to fly, but I can’t do anything to help. I can’t control if Conner hits his targets or not, so I’m usually helping my dad run scoring scenarios to see how close Conner is to the top of the leaderboard. We have to stay distracted to keep our nervous energy down.”

During that event, Conner had a dominating finals performance that put him ahead of the silver medalist by a whopping nine shots. He scored a 56 (60 is a perfect score) in the finals, which was just two targets away from the Junior World Record.

MORE GOALS So what’s next on Conner’s list of goals? He has three: Make the World Junior Championship travel team again during the 2020 USA Shooting Shotgun Spring Selection in Tucson, Arizona in early March so he can compete in Germany this summer Make an open Men’s travel team (he will age out of the Junior division in January 2021) And the ultimate goal...to earn a coveted spot on the USA Shooting’s Olympic team In preparation for this next phase, Conner has ramped up his preparation. He is currently putting in three hours per day, six days a week practicing. Where the future takes Conner is still be seen, but with his dedication and the unwavering support of his family and friends, he is on the right path to continue making Burleson proud of its Golden Prince. JCL

If your child is interested in learning more about shooting, USA Shooting recommends finding a shooting club or taking a shooting class to learn about safety and how to shoot. At the beginning levels, USA Shooting, the National Rifle Association, the Civilian Marksmanship Program, 4-H, American Legion and the Scholastic Clay Target Program, all offer junior programs that will provide the initial training and guidance to begin the process.

USA Shooting

https://www.usashooting.org/ Two local resources are Spartan Clay Target Club on Facebook https://www. facebook.com/spartan.t.club and 4-H groups in Johnson County https://johnson. agrilife.org/4-h/

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T R AV E L & O U T D O O R

Into the woods, I go...

By Heather Rothrock

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I

stumbled upon my love for hiking years ago when my ex-husband worked the night shift. Our kids were young, and I was determined to both let him sleep and entertain our daughters. The first hike I took with my kids had two goals - first, to spend a few hours away from the house so my ex-husband could sleep, and secondly, to ideally tire my kids out so they would nap! Hiking was something I would do with the kids to accomplish those two goals. However, the concept of hiking evolved for us, and it quickly became something about which we are passionate.

The second part of the definition of hiking is what resonates most with me - "...the world away from human habitations...". There is an incredible feeling that comes with going out into the outdoors, specifically green spaces. The scientific health benefits of spending time outdoors range from uplifting mood and improving attitude, to lowering blood pressure and heart rate.

Only he who wanders finds new paths.

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Hiking and spending time in nature is hardly a new concept. While technology and the hustle and bustle of modern-day life may lead us to think otherwise, our country was primarily rural well into the mid-1800s.

Most people resided near fields and trees and walking in nature was a part of daily life until the onset of industrialization, which changed lives drastically. Town and cities grew, and as automobiles became a part of people's lives, the concept of walking in nature became a distant memory for many.

Nowadays, hiking is considered a treat for many, including myself. Like most of you, my life is busy, and it takes intentionality to carve out some time for hiking and to be outdoors. It's become a luxury of sorts simply because the idea of getting away from daily stressors is attractive and appealing. A successful hike is achievable by following some simple guidelines: • Share your hiking plans with someone - let them

know where you are going and when you anticipate being back • Research the difficulty of hiking trails and choose one that your family can handle (we love the AllTrails app and the Texas Parks and Wildlife website https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/parks/ things-to-do/hiking-in-state-parks).

• Check the weather and plan accordingly.

• Dress appropriately and wear the right shoes.

• Use sunscreen and wear sunglasses.

• Stay hydrated - your body can't perform as it needs to if you don't drink enough water. Carry water in a backpack, or a Camelbak, and monitor how much everyone is drinking.

• Carry your trash out - my family carries Ziploc bags when we hike, and we pick up trash as we see it and ensure that we properly dispose of our waste.

I go to nature to have my spirit soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.

- John Burroughs

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In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks - John Muir

Johnson County is home to plenty of opportunities to embed yourself in nature, and here are a few to consider.

• Cleburne State Park: State Parks provide fun for the whole family for an afternoon or the entire weekend, and the 13 miles of hiking and biking trails offer plenty of space for wandering and connecting with nature. The 116-acre Cedar Lake is host to a covered fishing pier, and a fishing license isn't needed to fish there! You can even borrow fishing gear onsite. The trails vary in difficulty from easy to strenuous, and the Spillway Trail leads to a carved three-step spillway, which looks like a waterfall after it rains. The wooded trails form a six-mile loop.

• McGregor Park: (in Cleburne) M.Frank Scott, a longtime Cleburne resident, gifted the land and a financial contribution to the city. The 10acre park features a pond, walking paths, native plants, and a children's area.

• Bailey Lake Park: This 8-acre lake in Burleson is stocked with catfish and perch. A fishing license

is required for anglers age 17 and older. This park features short walking trails and a picnic area.

• Lost Oak Hike and Bike Trail: Lost Oak Winery features hiking and biking trails.

• More hiking spots can be found online. Check out some of my favorites resources: https:// www.alltrails.com/us/texas, https://www. only inyourstate.com/texas/15-epic-hik ingspots-in-tx/, https://texashighways.com/ things-to-do/hiking-biking/nine-divine-texashill-country-hikes/, https://tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/ Spending time outside has proven positive effects. It lowers heart rate, reduces blood pressure, releases muscle tension, lessens the production of stress hormones and contributes to the overall physical well-being.

What's challenging to put into words is the mental and emotional effects that connecting with nature has on us - my oldest daughter says that hiking is good for her soul. Maybe that's it - the fresh air and time outside cleanses our soul and opens up our minds. JCL

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Adams Tack................................................Back Cover

Infinity Dance Center............................................... 49

Beaumont Ranch....................................................... 112

Johnson County Living............................................96

Benage Dental Care................................................. 49

Keene ISD.................................................................... 126

Berry Stewart Eye Center...................................... 49

Modeana, Texas...........................................................89

Brazos Rose Photography......................................96

Mug on the Square..................................................... .9

CASA of Johnson County...................................... 112

My Living Waters Day Spa..................................... 50

Chicago Title.................................................................. 5

Optimal Pain & Regenerative Medicine.............36

Chisholm Trail Orthopedics

Pathway Church...........................Inside Back Cover

and Sports Medicine................................................. 27

Pinnacle Bank............................................................ 128

Classic Chevrolet Buick GMC Cleburne.............. .2

Premier Homes...........................Inside Front Cover

Cleburne Railroaders............................................... 80

RedFin Pools............................................................... 113

DR Horton................................................................... 128

Real Performance Physical Therapy....................51

Dr. Malouf Dermatology..........................................34

Roden Real Estate Team........................................... 3

Educational Opportunity Center........................ 126

Southwestern Adventist University...............18, 97

Edward Jones - Andrea Kelly..............................104

Texas Health Harris Methodist

Enviroscapes Nursery & Landscaping............... 113

Hospital Cleburne......................................................28

Family Toyota of Burleson...................................... 57

Thomasson Photography....................................... 121

First Financial Bank...................................................88

Top Texas Realty....................................................... 128

First United Methodist Church Joshua............105

United Way‌.............................................................. 120

Fly By Night Cattle Co Steakhouse...................104

Urgent Care TX...........................................................34

Godley Family Dentistry......................................... 46

Wild Birds Unlimited............................................... 128

Godley ISD.................................................................... 72

Williams Trew - Cody Lee.......................................... 1

Health By Hands Wellness Center.......................38

Zimmerer Kubota and Equipment.................... .120

Hill College...................................................................... 7

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