LGL Magazine Fall 2016

FIRST DOWN

First-year Granbury head football coach, Chad Zschiesche, has a magnetism that was too strong to be ignored.

Homebrew for Heroes

Craig Gilbreath along with fellow brewers gives a warm welcome to returning soldiers.

The Art of Conversation

How the addition of the smartphone has changed the landscape of parenting.

How to Get Involved

A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step.

You’re good at sports, and we’re good at helping you get back in the game. When you’re facing a sports-related injury like a sprain, strain, fracture, break, dislocation or other issue, bring it to us. Our medical professionals provide a wide range of treatments and services close to home, including physical therapy and minimally invasive surgical procedures for your hip, knee, and shoulder.

To

with a member of our

team, visit LakeGranburyMedicalCenter.com.

Change is in the Air

We welcome fall in Texas, the air is crisp and cheery as the autumn sun seems brighter and the sky more blue. A season of community and family traditions is in full swing. For this year’s Fall Issue, we introduce a new look to Lake Granbury Living (LGL). Our team has achieved this style to stay competitive, and in a perpetual e ort to keep our print and online media consistent for our readership. e LGL reader is intelligent and engaged in the community. In keeping with this and tradition, we aim to uphold a high standard with exceptional writing and photography.

Like the nature of our community, tradition keeps us strong and innovation keeps us relevant. We’ll continue to spotlight the beautiful seasons of Granbury and we’ll always aspire to impress you. I hope that you enjoy this new issue and, as always, I look forward to your feedback.

"We would like to thank you and your sta for the very nice article in your Spring issue of Lake Granbury Living that featured Pecan Plantation and our family’s participation in the development of the community… We want to compliment you on such a high quality publication… we hope that this venture proves successful for you and that LGL will continue to grow as our area grows.”

- Jim, Ben and John Anthony

"Thank you for the beautiful piece in the most recent issue of LGL. I know you receive so many story ideas, we are humbled and delighted that Camp El Tesoro was one that made the cut. You have an extremely talented team - a joy to work with - wottelo!”

- C. Jones

Melissa McGavock MANAGING EDITOR

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contents

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First Down

BY MARK WILSON

Coach Chad Zschiesche's magnetism was too strong to be ignored.

Homebrew For Heroes

BY JONATHAN HOOPER

Craig Gilbreath with fellow brewers gives a warm welcome to returning soldiers.

The Art of Conversation

BY MELISSA MCGAVOCK

How the addition of the smartphone has changed the landscape of parenting.

Who Rescued Who

BY CONNIE LEWIS LEONARD

Get to know Sergeant Kelly and the local Hood County Animal Control.

You Learn Something New Every Day

BY CLAIRE WILKISON

Granbury is one of many cities where homeschooling has become a trend.

Building Legacies

BY MARK WILSON

Home builder, Ann Whitecotton, learned the way from her mentor, Gerald Boggs.

Free As A Bird

BY BRANDY HERR

Visit Acton Nature Center and observe up to 150 bird species outdoors.

Road Trip

BY LM JOHNSON

Globetrotter and local chef takes pleasure in organizing the production of food.

Return To Camelot

BY JAN BRAND

Sonny’s handshake with JFK was one of the last photos taken of the President.

Hometown Happenings

Highlights of this summer's Last Saturday Gallery Nights.

Hometown Happiness

A celebration of love in our hometown.

Bundles Of Joy

Welcoming the newest additions to Hood County.

Hometown Happenings

This summer's production of Seussical the Musical Jr.

How to Get Involved

Philanthropic happenings to look forward to this season.

Autumn, the Year’s Last Loveliest Smile

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year and organizing a fall issue brings about so many wonderful memories. When I think of fall, I think of pumpkins everywhere, snuggling on my porch swing with my pugs and a blanket sipping my hot co ee and football on television. e smell of a replace lit on a cool crisp evening calms my spirit and relaxes me.

One of the bene ts of publishing Lake Granbury Living is that I can walk down the o ce hall and see what is happening around town at a glance. Long before magazines are distributed, the creative team is busy designing away for the next issue. Photos are compiled, stories are assigned, layouts are started and countless meetings are held. Everyone is excited with anticipation of what we have planned, and being fall (our favorite season), this issue is no exception.

e beginning of this issue is centered around family, from Friday night lights, to appreciating our veterans, to animal adoption. Also, we look forward to upcoming non-pro t events and feature how to build a brighter tomorrow. We end with a look at special journeys, great accomplishments, and life-changing moments.

For you, our reader, I hope we captured this special time of year for you. I pray that we brought back many good memories for you, too.

Rachelle Pritchard, CEO

FIRST DOWN

First-year Granbury High School head football coach Chad Zschiesche has a magnetism that was too strong to be ignored. Despite being a rookie in that position, GISD Athletic Director Dwight Butler said Zschiesche has the "it factor" he was looking for to lead the Pirates.

Zschiesche was named on June 24 from among 89 applicants to replace Scotty Pugh. A er back-toback 1-9 seasons, Pugh ended his eight-year stint at the helm of the Pirates' ship to become head coach at Orange Grove.

At Wichita Falls High and Mans eld Summit, Zschiesche spent 10 valuable seasons as an assistant to his mentor, former Southlake Carroll assistant

coach, Travis Pride. Carroll won three state championships with Pride as o ensive coordinator under Todd Dodge, and Pride trusted Zschiesche enough to make him his o ensive coordinator at Summit. With his young protege guiding the o ense, Pride's Summit teams quali ed for the playo s ve times in his seven years there.

"He (Zschiesche) had that 'it' factor," said Butler, who recommended him to the Granbury ISD board of trustees a er 10 of the applicants were interviewed. Butler said he learned Zschiesche had a reputation of being a "kid magnet." "Everywhere he's been, kids have been drawn to him," Butler said. "You've got to have their trust."

Rookie head football coach brings magnetic personality to GHS Pirates.

Words by Mark Wilson | Photography by Stevo Torres

Back To His Roots

This isn't Zschiesche's fi rst experience with Granbury. In 2001, while completing his degree at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, he was a student teacher at GHS and served as a volunteer coach with the Pirates.

"There's no shortcut to success... You've got to put in the time, you've got to put in the work to get there. Chemistry is a big deal. Trust, dedication, perseverance, commitment, integrity, character. Those are all big to our program."

- Coach Zschiesche

As Zschiesche put it, "We're in the kid profession, and I spend a lot of time with these kids o the eld and I think that's big for any coach or teacher to do ... to spend time with them outside the classroom and outside the eld to get to know them."

Naturally, putting in hard work is also essential to football success. " ere's no shortcut to success," the new coach said. "You've got to put in the time, you've got to put in the work to get there. Chemistry is a big deal. Trust, dedication, perseverance, commitment, integrity, character. ose are all big to our program."

Butler said he was drawn to Zschiesche as well – by his work ethic and enthusiasm. "And working for coach Pride was de nitely a plus," Butler added. "(Coach Pride) is very well-respected in our profession, and he basically turned over the o ense to Chad Zschiesche."

Asked to describe himself, Zschiesche says besides being competitive, he is a disciplinarian and a Christian believer. When not enjoying the simple things in life with his family, he said, they are o en involved in church activities. He enjoys golf and

hunting when football season is over, but indicated that his top priority o the eld is his family. He and his wife, Deidra, have two young daughters at home, 10-year-old Keily and 7-year-old Kambry. Daughter Morgan, 19, is enrolled in cosmetology school. His wife Deidra, a native of Holliday who was a standout track and eld athlete at Tarleton when she met Zschiesche, is also a teacher and coach. "First and foremost is spending time with my family," Zschiesche said. "( ings as) simple as playing board games or jumping on a trampoline."

Zschiesche said that his focus on winning games only has changed over the years, and now he realizes there are more important priorities in life – such as how you treat people.

“I still want to win,” he said. “Let's make sure we clarify that. But there's more to it than just wins and losses and X's and O's. In any walk of life, if you're not growing and striving to be better, then you're dying. Take coaching out of it, just as a person, I've been through some stu in my life that humbled me... And having gone through that, your outlook

Finish Strong Sr. Running Back, Michael Mulholland, dives for the score against the Stephenville Yellowjackets, capping o a long drive with a touchdown.

GRANBURY

on life changes and your priorities in life change."

is isn't Zschiesche's rst experience with Granbury. In 2001, while completing his degree at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, he was a student teacher at GHS and served as a volunteer coach with the Pirates. He took his rst o cial coaching job in 2002 at Hico, where he was o ensive coordinator in football, as well as head baseball coach.

When Zschiesche heard about the GHS job opening, he had completed his seven-year stint as o ensive coordinator at Summitt. Pride was hired by Trophy Club Byron Nelson High School in January, and Zschiesche was going to come along as part of his sta , maintaining his o ensive coordinator title. But having a chance to be a head football coach for the rst time proved to be an irresistible opportunity. "When the opportunity knocks, you have to be willing to walk through the door," Zschiesche said. "I wasn't even looking (for a di erent job). We knew the day was coming that I was going to be looking hard. It was sooner than we expected. It was late for (Pride) to lose an o ensive coordinator, and he handled it better than anyone could expect." Zschiesche maintains that Pride not only groomed him to be the right kind of leader, he also learned crucial lessons

from his own mistakes along the way. "Dealing with budgets, learning how to coordinate kids. He (Pride) is a very humble man, very so -spoken. But at the same time, he demands excellence."

e one-back spread o ense that made Southlake Carroll so tough to stop – and which Zschiesche learned under Pride - will continue to be used by Zschiesche at GHS. ere will be a few new wrinkles in the scheme, he noted. "From a fan's standpoint, it's going to look very similar," Zschiesche said. " ere are a few tweaks we're going to make. From a formation standpoint, we will be very simple. From a scheme standpoint, I'll let the opposing coaches describe whether that's simple or not."

Because he was brought in relatively late, as head football coaching hires go, Zschiesche had to hit

"When opportunity knocks, you have to be willing to walk through the door."

the ground running. He faced a few challenges that turned his world into a whirlwind. is included having to catch up in the basic process of assessing his players' abilities. " e biggest hurdle is not being able to implement your o -season program," he said. "You can tell a lot from a kid's dedication level when we’re not in season."

Other important tasks, such as hiring a few new assistant coaches, had to be completed at an accelerated rate. But, Zschiesche said, he embraced the challenge. "I'm truly blessed to be here, and I look forward to impacting young men [moving] in a positive direction," he said.

Zschiesche said he learned from raising his daughters that there is no cookie-cutter method that works in motivating or disciplining youngsters. "And so, multiply that by 50 or 60 kids on a team,” he said. “ ese coaches have to develop strong relationships o the eld with their players so they know what these kids are going through. Ultimately if those kids know that you have their best interest at heart, they're going to do whatever they can for you."

It’s evident that Pirate fans are eager to see how the young coach relates to the players on and o the eld -- and to see that translate into more victories in 2016.

"You can tell a lot from a kid's dedication level when we’re not in season."

SPORTS

Spread the Field

The one-back spread o ense that made Southlake Carroll so tough to stop – and which Zschiesche learned under Pridewill continue to be used by Zschiesche at GHS.

Last Saturday Gallery Night

Photography by Stevo Torres

For the last Saturday each month, residents and visitors are invited to explore the arts in Granbury. The Galleries of Granbury open their doors to patrons offering new art exhibitions, opportunities to meet the artists, as well as treats, libations and entertainment. Follow the Galleries of Granbury Facebook page to be informed about upcoming Last Saturday Gallery Nights. www.facebook.com/galleriesofgranbury

Homebrew for Heroes

Words by Johnathan Hooper | Photography by Stevo Torres

Few events in American culture resonate in our hearts like the celebration of loved ones gathered around the table at Christmas. Families dress in their traditional holiday garb, with smiles and laughter surrounding the table, peppered with conversation as each family member slips into their time-honored birth order status, from Junior to crazy Uncle Billy. Nothing less than a vintage Norman Rockwell setting will su ce.

Eventually, ever so gently, one nervous family member will drop the anticipated bombshell of a conversation stopper, changing their lives forever.

So it was at Christmas 2012, in Granbury, at the Gilbreath home, older brother Scott Gilbreath informed the household that he would be leaving shortly for his third tour of active duty with the Texas National Guard, this time to Afghanistan.

So it was that Christmas, Scott’s younger brother, Craig Gilbreath, as a long-time homebrewer of various types of beers, had the germ of an idea to honor his older brother and fellow soldiers.

And so. “Homebrew For Heroes” (HB4H) was born.

Craig grew up in Granbury, earned a degree in Industrial Technology from Tarleton State University, and has worked as a dra er, designer, metallurgist, quality control o cer and back to designer again.

He recently returned from a mission trip to Kenya with Five Crowns International Ministries where he spent his time “just talking about Jesus” with the kids of a small village called Kyuso. “Yes, many of them spoke English. We also met a couple of local witch doctors… that was a di erent and informal dynamic, I can tell you!”

“Sometimes, the best way to make a di erence to someone is to just say thank you,” says Craig. “Maybe the world can be changed in small ways, one person at

a time, with a little idea. God gi ed me with a big beard and a tiny idea, so I am making the most of both.”

e rst “Homebrew For Heroes” distribution came to fruition on Super Bowl Sunday in 2014. Scott’s unit had returned from Afghanistan to Fort Hood, and was reconnecting with their families at the Texas Guard Heliport in Grand Prairie. Following their exit ceremony, more than 80 soldiers were each given a 12-pack of homebrew.

“Maybe we made a great day even better. Maybe we just saved them a little time on their way home—you know, so they wouldn’t have to stop at the store for some beer before the Super Bowl. And maybe we just said ‘thank you’ for doing what you do. at was the plan, anyway. And that’s all we were trying to do.”

It takes more than one guy brewing beer in his garage to brew, bottle, label, and deliver more than 100 gallons of beer. e three other board members of Homebrew For Heroes join Craig: Houston Fullerton of Burleson, Kyle LaPointe from Richland Hills, and Granbury resident Zech Swendson.

At rst, all of the beer was bottled at Fullerton’s professional landscaping

facility. “I had some space, Craig needed a space to bottle the brew, and there you go,” says Houston as he laughed. “We also put on the labels and crimp the caps by hand. We have a counter-pressure bottle ller that uses CO2 to purge the O2 in the bottling process—oh, never mind. Don’t get me started talking about the process! is is not exactly a high-tech operation.”

All four are members of e Cap and Hare Homebrew Club in Fort Worth. A er the Christmas day announcement, Craig posted a thread on the Cap And Hare forum, and fellow members joined to donate their beer and their time.

Fritz Rahr, Fort Worth master brewer, has been instrumental in the

like to think we’re just some good guys who are making a difference in other good guy’s lives.

growth and development of Homebrew For Heroes. “He has donated materials, bottles, ingredients, and a ton of advice.” Additional assistance has come from Brenden “Stubby” Stubble eld at Texas Brewing, Inc. Fort Worth’s homebrew supply shop, who has donated home brewing equipment, beer ingredient kits, and merchandise.

Since that Super Bowl Sunday in 2014, more homebrew has been given to returning soldiers. e response from the returning soldiers has been positive every time. ere are usually several Army veterans at these events, and their response has also been very supportive. “One Vietnam vet told us that this was a whole lot better than the reception he

received when he got o the plane. He thanked us, and told us it was a great idea,” said Fullerton.

ey are working on a new model for acquiring larger amounts of beer from additional brewers, and extending their distribution model to include the Police, Fire ghters and EMS. ey have achieved a 501(c)(3) organization status to hopefully increase donations of all kinds.

HB4H is attending regional beer events to enlist new donations to the cause. Included in these are the Bluebonnet Brew-O in Fort Worth, the Big Texas Beerfest in Dallas, and the Texas Beer Camp in Princeton.

Aaron Thomas, Largemouth Bass, 7.2 lbs

Eric Underdown, Largemouth Bass, 6.9 lbs

Team Homebrew For Heroes

All four are members of The Cap and Hare Homebrew Club in Fort Worth. After the Christmas day announcement, Craig posted a thread on the Cap And Hare forum, and fellow members joined to donate their beer and their time.

Endless Possibilities

Included in their new model are plans to take Homebrews For Heroes to a national level.

With more than 1.5 million homebrewers in the United States, the possibilities are considerable.

Some of these events also have multi-level competitions. Homebrew For Heroes will partner with local brewing competitions to give heroes a chance to judge and sample beers that did not make the nal round of competition. And in turn, that beer will be donated to Homebrew For Heroes. Craig explains, “It is perfectly good beer. We aren’t giving the returning soldiers lousy beer! Beers that don’t make the Top Ten at a competition like Bluebonnet Brew-O may be a nalist at the next competition. We hope to receive several thousand bottles of ne beer for our Heroes through this partnership.”

Included in their new model are plans to take Homebrews For Heroes to a national level. With more than 1.5 million homebrewers in the United States, the possibilities are considerable. Local distributions would be established wherever there is an interest. Each of these distribution owners would handle their own acquisition and distribution to the rst responders as they see t. By using this model, HB4H will remain a 100% volunteer e ort.

Bryson & Mandy Adams Est. 08.08.08

photos by Ellen Ashton

Randy & Ionara Rodgers Est. 06.11.16

photos by Shad Ramsey

Max & Kim Swarmer

Est. 04.18.15

photos by Shad Ramsey

Andre & Krystle Haynes Est. 06.19.16

photos by Shad Ramsey

The Art of Conversation

Parenting in the Age of the Smartphone

Words by Melissa McGavock | Photography by Ellen Ashton

Born in the 1980s, I experienced life before and a er the advent of the internet, mobile devices and certainly smartphones.

I’ve witnessed my family and peers’ everyday habits shi over the years, from Key Maps to Google Maps, handwritten birthday cards to Facebook birthday posts, drugstore photo pick-ups to digital galleries, desk calendars to Outlook calendars, and so on. Habits changed by the onset of the smartphone seem to evolve rapidly, even more so than the arrival of the internet. What used to be available only at desktop computers (at a turtle pace to boot), was now available at our ngertips using speedy data or wi anywhere at anytime.

Increasingly, it seemed like a quick email, social media post, or multiple calendar checks were taking precedent over real time situations. Sometimes the convenience is great for work or play. For example, when waiting for hours at the doctor’s o ce, quickly nding directions to our next destination, or communicating with friends abroad, and all the while seemingly able to manage work and life balance more e ciently. However, I can’t help but notice there are integral moments missed in our personal relationships, speci cally parent to child relationships. As a new parent myself, this conclusion was intimately startling; like when you notice a parent’s nose in their phone during their child’s recital, or while at the dinner table, or even worse, while driving.

Furthermore, our idea of a well-rounded childhood is changing, as youngsters are using smartphones to purchase apps, play games, and post to social media; nearly every moment recorded, not one moment bored, ever entertained by a four inch screen. Busy posting their current mood on Instagram, the newer generation seems to have an entirely di erent idea of social cues and how to carry a conversation face-to-face. And why shouldn’t they? ey’ve been surrounded by internet media their entire lives, both in their hands and taking notice of adults’ habits around them.

is realization spurred the inspiration for my article where I interviewed four generations of parents, Baby Boomer to Millennial, as well as Generation X, and Z (I count as the dubious Generation Y). I asked each local Granbury parent the same questions: how smartphones have changed their lives, how they create boundaries, and if they agree or disagree that smartphones ironically create distance within interpersonal relationships.

of smartphone owners say their smartphone is something “they couldn’t live without,” compared with 54% who say that their phone is “not always needed.”

The share of Americans who own a smartphone has substantially increased since 2011. Today, nearly two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults own a smartphone, up from 35% in 2011.

Provided by the Pew Research Center www.pewresearch.org

BABY BOOM 1946 - 1965

Latchkey Kids

This overlooked generation currently ranges in age from 34 to 49, which may be one reason they’re so often missing from stories about demographic, social and political change.

GENERATION Y 1980 - 1994

Gen Next

The values survey finds that young Americans are far less conservative on traditional and social values — including attitudes toward homosexuality, women’s roles, and censorship.

Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are the most talked about generation in the country. At approximately 77 million people, they're also the largest (“Millennials” are a close second).

1966 - 1979

Millennials

Most Millennials resist the Millennial label. 33% – mostly older Millennials – consider themselves part of the next older cohort, Generation X.

X 1995 - 2016

Z

BABY BOOM GENERATION

"Baby Boomers"

Starting with Baby Boomer, Peggy Jones, mother of three, as well has seven grandchildren. As an added bonus, recently retired Peggy had been a practicing child care specialist for nearly a decade. Peggy maintains that smartphones have lent to the decline of conversation as she noted, “when the conversation lulls, everyone whips their phone out and exits the conversation at hand.” For this reason, she feels smartphones are terribly intrusive and isolating. Despite the trainwreck

she sees for face-to-face communication, Peggy enjoys the added convenience and security of a lifeline, as well as sharing photos and quick texts with her family and the moms whose children she cared for. When asked about using her phone's camera and social media for documenting moments, Peggy said she still loves hands-on scrapbooking and a good ‘ol Polaroid photograph. As many Baby Boomers will tell you and Peggy contends, “just because it’s modern, doesn’t mean it’s the best.”

On This Day

Jan 1st, 1962: Rwanda granted internal self-government by Belgium.

GENERATION X

"Latchkey Kids"

F or the Generation X position, I interviewed local winery operator, Josh Winters. Josh is an interesting candidate as he’s father to four children, in addition to one on the way. e eldest is in college, age 21, and the youngest, a stepson, age six. He and his wife, Amy, do an excellent job juggling the lot, one moment running to a graduation, the next teaching a driving lesson, on to dance lessons and nally homework interrupted by a formidable game of living room army men with the whole family. In response to the e ect of smartphone technology, Josh answered, “It’s convenient because people can always get a hold of you and inconvenient

because people can always get a hold of you.” Like Peggy, Josh agreed that the smartphone has ironically made relationships less personal. He said that he and his eldest son text more than they talk on the phone. “It’s a give and take,” Josh explained. He sees positive results due to this technology, too. His daughter, age nine, is shy and her smartphone helps her to express herself when she may not be able to otherwise. However, Josh and Amy keep rm phone policies for their household that seem to help balance it all. ese include: designated phone time, no phone at dinner and no phones in the car.

On This Day September 25, 1979: "Evita" opens at Broadway Theater NYC for 1568 performances.

GENERATION Y

"Millennials"

Millennial parents, Matt and Reagan Deming were next. eir daughter is Arianisa, “Ari”, age eight. I spoke with Reagan for the portion of the interview. She shared that owning a smartphone has a ected her family in positive ways such as having FaceTime with family members that live outside the U.S., also hardly ever getting lost while driving with the use of smart navigation (a resounding plus shared by all the parents I interviewed). Reagan and Matt put to use educational apps for Ari that seem to be very e ective. eir situation is an atypical one as they do not own a television, all entertainment in the home is had via a phone or tablet... a direction I think a lot of Millennials are moving toward. Ari has access to a Kindle for internet sur ng, however Reagan

makes use of a parental setting that requires Ari to read for two hours before sur ng. Parental controls like this, make it easier for Reagan and Matt to set media boundaries. As for smartphones creating a gap in intimacy and lending to parental negligence, Reagan felt this was less a smartphone problem and more of a parenting choice. Lastly, I asked how she felt about the ability to record her child’s every move via smartphone cameras and social media apps, a convenience not shared by our parents. To this she said, “...when I was younger, there was no cloud, the photos were far between and poor quality, but I’ll admit they seemed to be a more honest re ection of my life and my parents’ lives.” at said, she still enjoys the convenience of documenting Ari’s life in fun and modern ways with her smartphone.

On This Day June 10, 1989: "Tales From The Crypt" TV Anthology debuts on HBO.

GENERATION Z

"Gen Next"

The nal interview was with Generation Z-er, Taylor Holland. Taylor is a hairdresser and a mother of two, Raelyn, age eight, and Triston, age ve. Her responses were unexpected in comparison with the other candidates. Besides the added convenience for communicating with her clients, Taylor doesn’t have much use for a smartphone. As well, her kids don’t own them and won’t until they’re well into their teens. However, like the rest of the focus group, Taylor enjoys recording precious moments instantly with her phone’s camera. Also, she laughed as she told me, that as a teen, she once got lost driving to Ridgmar Mall and ended up in Dallas. As a result, she much appreciates Google Maps for it’s easy navigation app. Otherwise, Taylor looks forward to being away from her phone and spending time with her family and friends faceto-face, in the moment.

DID YOU KNOW?

The frequency of teens’ phone chatter with friends – on cell phones and landlines – has fallen. But the heaviest texters are also the heaviest talkers with their friends.

Conclusion

According to the information I collected, it seems the youngest adult generation has less of an infatuation with mobile technology. ey are regularly active on social media, but less interested in being accessible all the time. Perhaps this is a move in a direction where society refrains from living life through a screen and begins to look up to actively participate again.

Like most things in life, it seems that with the smartphone, moderation is key. It is important to create space and time regularly, where we put the phones down. Worry less about recording the moment and more about living it. Aim to have a healthy understanding of where technology can and cannot take you.

e art of conversation continues with us.

WHO RESCUED WHO?

Words by Connie Lewis Leonard Photography by Dawn Skinner

Hood County Animal Control (HCAC) is not a dog pound. Sergeant Kelly McNab and her sta are not the mean dog catchers portrayed by Hollywood. ey are committed and compassionate about caring for animals, going above and beyond the call of duty to give animals a second chance at life.

Poppy was placed in the quarantine room for observation. Every time someone would walk into the room, he would scream, defecate, curl up in the corner and shake. For some unknown reason, Kelly couldn’t give up on him. She said, “It wasn’t fair because he was so scared.” She wrapped him in a towel, carried him to her o ce and placed him in a crate with the door open. About two hours later, while sitting at her desk working, Kelly felt something scratching on her leg. Looking down, she saw Poppy begging to be picked up. He trembled as she cradled him in her arms.

The director of Hood County Animal Control, Sergeant Kelly Mcnab, with her rescued Chihuahua, Poppy.

at’s when it all began. Poppy chose her. She kept him in her o ce for about a week, taking baby steps toward his rehabilitation and trust. When she took him home, he stayed close for reassurance because she was his “dog mom.” Gradually he became part of Kelly’s pack. Poppy wasn’t the rst dog Kelly has rescued, and he probably won’t be the last. She said, “I am happiest helping animals. at is my joy.”

Kelly began volunteering at HCAC in 2011. She did everything she could— cleaning the kennels, bathing and socializing animals and transporting them

to rescues. When a position opened in December 2012, she became a full-time employee. In February 2013, the director resigned, and she became Sergeant Kelly.

Her eyes sparkle as she says, “I was very excited to be promoted to Sergeant of Animal Control. ere were programs I wanted to implement to help the community and animals. I have always been an animal lover. Animals have always been a part of my family. I have a passion for helping them. We are their voices. If we don’t help them, who will?”

Kelly and her sta are the designated enforcers of the Hood County Animal

Restraint and Rabies Control Order as well as state laws. e employees I have observed as a volunteer do so much more than the basic requirements of providing food, water, and a clean kennel. ey name the unclaimed strays. ey call them by their names, acknowledging their identity, they love on them, try to develop trust and play with them when time allows. ey get to know the animals so they can talk about each one to prospective adopters.

HCAC works with rescue organizations all over the United States. Locally they have great partnerships with HALO,

Friends for Animals and Second Chance Farms. ey work with humane societies throughout Texas and the region. I was quite surprised to learn that animals from Hood County go to rescue organizations as far away as Colorado, Michigan and New York. Some rescue organizations are breed speci c: herding dogs, terriers, retrievers, boxers, even basic black since some people are reluctant to adopt black cats or dogs.

Our interview was interrupted several times as Kelly diligently answered regular calls while working to schedule transports to various rescue groups. Some cities have strict spay and neuter ordinances and require license and registration for breeders, resulting in fewer available rescues in their area. HCAC also works with fosters, people who take care of an animal, o en a momma with a litter of babies, keeping them until they are ready for adoption. Fosters also train and socialize animals to prepare them for their forever home.

e HCAC sta stays busy with clerical work, manning the front desk and phones, making eld calls to check on loose dogs, animal bites (including scratches that break the skin), welfare checks, rabies control and picking up trapped animals. Although their jobs are rewarding, some days are tough. Vol-

unteers can help ease the load for the o cers and make a positive impact on the lives of homeless pets. ey can help with administrative duties, working special events and help with day to day tasks including laundry, grooming, walking, talking to and exercising the animals. Volunteers can also help network for foster, rescue and transport.

Kelly said, “I don’t know where we’d be without our volunteers. e average time spent with dogs in a facility is 15 minutes a day, but we don’t want to be part of that statistic. Dogs are pack animals. People are their pack. ey need one-on-one time because the more socialized they are, the more adoptable they are.”

When I began volunteering at HCAC, the old facility was small, outdated and not easily accessible. With support from the community, the sheri , County Commissioners and judge approval, the new facility was opened in October 2014. It is a beautiful, secure, state of the art facility. e individual kennels are larger, with a door so each dog can be inside or outside. Cats now have their own separate area. Prospective adopters can get acquainted with the animals in the enclosed meet and greet room, or they can take dogs for walks or to play in the fenced grassy area. It also has a holding area where dogs

(L-R) Kimberly Jordan, Kaleigh Greer, Kelly Mcnab, Lt. Lynn McDonald, Sheri Roger Deeds, Frank Hackett, Lori buchholtz, Lauren Fegan

“People that say ‘money can’t buy happiness’ have never paid an adoption fee.”

HCAC worker, Tracy Davis, with Dolly. On average, 130-140 dogs and 120-130 cats come into HCAC per month. Many are reclaimed by their owners. Those that are adoptable are networked through the rescue organizations.

are evaluated for adoptability and housed for 72 hours, giving owners an opportunity to claim their pets before they are put up for adoption.

On average, 130-140 dogs and 120-130 cats come into HCAC per month. Many are reclaimed by their owners. ose that are adoptable are networked through the rescue organizations.

A group of local businesses provided an adoption/rescue trailer following the tornado which displaced over 200 pets. Fosters and local veterinarians stepped up to house many of these animals. e trailer with built-in kennels is now used for o -site adoption events, usually scheduled for the third Saturday of each month. Sometimes these events are held more o en if businesses call and invite HCAC to their location.

Hood County Animal Control is located at 1550 Weatherford Hwy, Granbury, TX. 76048. If you are interested in adopting, volunteering, or donating, please call 817-573-4277.

“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”

- Anatole France

Becky Davis, playing with a kitten during her volunteer time.

Volunteer, James Finlay, helping with

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EDUCATION

You Learn Something New Every Day

Words by Claire Wilkison | Photography provided by Ashley Keith

There are currently 79.9 million children living in the United States of America. In 2015, CNS News reported that 1,773,000 of those children were being homeschooled. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of students who are homeschooled has jumped by 61.8 percent since 2003. “Texas leads the nation in the number of families who home school,” as stated by the Texas Home School Coalition Association. “We estimate that more [than] 300,000 children are being taught at home.” e questions that arise from these statistics is why? Why are parents choosing to teach their child at home instead of choosing the more traditional route? Another major question that public school teachers should be asking is, will this number continue to rise?

Granbury is one of the many cities in Texas where homeschooling has become a trend. Ashley Keith, a native to Granbury, used to be a typical parent who believed that public education was the only route to take. It wasn’t until she was blessed with four high-energy and passionate children that she consideredteaching them at home. When discussing

her purpose in choosing homeschooling, she mentioned that learning shouldn’t be con ned in a classroom. She further explained that learning should “take place all day long as we do life together, in our home or wherever we happen to go that day. Since a primary goal of education is to prepare a child for real life, it’s nice when the setting for that education can be real life.”

When Keith and her husband were debating about whether to homeschool their children, they took many reasons into consideration. A majority of their reasoning was their relationship with God and the sheer amount of time they are given with their children. Keith also explained that “parents are designed to truly make great teachers of their children. ey know their kid’s best andwhether they recognized it as such- they have already been teaching them since the day they were born.”

Despite personal reasons, research shows that homeschooling does have many bene ts to not only families, but to the community as well. e Education Research Institute explained that, taxpayers don’t seem to pay any money towards homeschooled students due to

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of students, nationally, who are homeschooled has jumped by 61.8 percent since 2003.

the simple circumstance that they’re not enrolled in a public school system. is is mainly due to families not needing taxpayers to fund the education for their children. e research institute also made note that “homeschool families spend an average of $600 per student for their education.” Other bene ts of homeschooling include; improving family relationships, guided social interactions with other children and adults, providing a controlled environment and an individualized curriculum. Others decide homeschooling is important for the values and beliefs they can bestow on their children that public school cannot do. Ashley Keith mentioned that she hears from homeschooling families that “they have a

strong desire to slow down and savor life with their children, not over-schedule and rush through it.”

e public education system was created to form statewide and national standards. ere are in fact many positive outcomes by enrolling a child into public education. But in recent years, there has been an outcry in the Texas’ public education system because of all the assessments that students have to undertake. As many know, Texas has a long history with mandated testing starting in 1980 with the TABS test. But since 2003 when they began with the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the amount of children who are homeschooled has risen. If you agree with the saying, “there are no such

things as consequences” then you’re probably on the right track as to why more and more families are choosing to enroll their students in homeschooling. Audra Cain, a fellow homeschooling mom from Granbury, explained that she preferred to have a primarily parent led system. “Currently, parental access and involvement is very limited in a public school setting. is is ultimately what has led us to our choice for home education.” When asked if she was concerned if her children were missing out on characteristics only found in public school she explained, “I don’t believe that children were created to require a setting like that of a public school in order to become high functioning, capable and knowledgeable adults.”

Public school teachers worry for children who are introduced to homeschooling purposely because of social settings. For some homeschooling families in Granbury, they have found a solution to this problem: co-op activities in the community. In Granbury

alone, there are several social opportunities for children who homeschool. Ashley Keith explained “we’re a part of Classical Conversations chapter that meets her in Granbury once a week. is has been an invaluable encouragement to our family on this homeschooling journey.” Classical Conventions is a group that supports homeschooling parents all around the world. e purpose of the group is to “cultivate a love of learning through a Christian worldview through fellowship and other families.” Other co-op options in the area include FAITH and Hood County Homeschoolers. As for Keith’s family they participate in regular community service by visiting nursing homes, participating in ministry fundraisers and food drives. As for Fine Arts, her kids participate in weekly piano lessons at the Travis Academy of Fine Arts located in Fort Worth. ey also o er a series of ne art classes to homeschoolers in the metroplex area. In the Granbury area, other great ne art options include the Granbury eatre

Mother and homeschooler, Ashley Keith, explains learning should “take place all day long as we do life together, in our home or wherever we... go that day. Since a primary goal of education is to prepare a child for real life, it’s nice when the setting for that education can be real life.”

Granbury is one of the many cities in Texas where homeschooling has become a trend.

Academy at the Opera House and Club Music Art and Drama (Club MAD) at Acton United Methodist Church. For athletics, Keith’s family participates in a program called Upward which is the world’s largest Christian youth sports provider.

Depending on your situation and your family, homeschooling could be something that you are capable of managing. It has many bene ts and within the Granbury area, they’re plenty of groups and activities that your child can be a part of in order to develop their social skills. Audra Cain le me with an important message that I must pass on to readers, it is a “true blessing to have this breadth and depth of options for education our children. at cannot be said for most of the world, and it is truly a prob-

lem of privilege to be faced with making [such a] choice.” With that in mind, she is correct. According to World Vision, “57 million primary-school-age children are not enrolled in school. 53% of those are young girls.” ese are the children that are faced with “exploitation, early marriage and early income earning potential.” e truth of the matter is, we are lucky to live in a country where we have so many options toward earning an education. From a public school teacher perspective, it’s nice to see parents taking initiative to teaching their own children the ways of life. I know from a personal stand point, some students aren’t so lucky. No matter the choice you choose, always choose education.

Bundles Of Joy Hometown

9

Welcoming Granbury’sNewest Residents

9. Greer Smith Parents: Micah & Lindsey Smith

10. Kamdynn Rose Parents: Corey & Kelsey Rose

11. Matthew Sharp Parents: Toby & Valerie Sharp

12. Hayes Hutchison Parents: Barrett & Krista Hutchison

13. Kinley Uhyrek Parents: Tim Uhyrek & Lacy Davis

14. Annabel Hansen Parents: Sean & Nicole Hansen

15. Hannah & Liam Oliver Parents: BJ & Shantyl Oliver

16. Cap Plaster Parents: Colt & Julia Plaster

17. Beau Hooper Parents: Cameron & Blaize Hooper

Building Legacies

Gerald Boggs had no relatives interested in taking over his successful home building business when he was ready to retire, but he did have the next best thing. Boggs had hired Ann Whitecotton in 1991 as his o ce manager and she showed she had a knack for the business. "I took care of everything in the o ce right away," said Whitecotton, whose rst experience in the workforce was with Porter Abstract & Title, when she was still a student at Granbury High School.

Ann o en shares with her clients this story of mentorship, which she calls inspirational. Boggs & Whitecotton Custom Homes initially was a 50-50 partnership. Boggs shi ed into semi-retirement, then later moved quietly and turned over every aspect of the company to Whitecotton. e name of the company was formally changed to Ann Whitecotton Homes in May of this year.

Home builder, Ann Whitecotton, learned the way from her mentor, Gerald Boggs.

Words by Mark Wilson | Photography by Shad Ramsey

Ann felt she knew o -the-bat that she wanted to be in the home building business for the rest of her life. Like a sponge, she soaked up knowledge from her mentor. She explained that Boggs was happy to share his wealth of knowledge of not only key structural fundamentals, but also the nancial aspect of the business. It was an incredibly rare o er and opportunity, conveying not only trust and mutual respect in the business sense, but also on a personal and spiritual level. Of this opportunity, Whitecotton said it's "a de nite God thing, and added that Boggs told her, " at's what makes the world go ‘round. You will do this for someone someday and it'll just keep going and going and going."

Boggs, who began his experience as a builder nearly 53 years ago in Amarillo, had all the answers to her questions. He saw that she could be trusted to maintain the exemplary reputation he had gained

in Hood County for quality and integrity. In 1997, he surprised Whitecotton by asking if she wanted to step into his shoes to head the company.

"I just look at Ann as my adopted daughter. Her and her husband are just like my kids," Boggs said. "I have a lot of con dence in her. Ann is honest, always up front and truthful, and she does good work. She always treats people right."

Ann and Mike were teenage sweethearts at Granbury High School. ey celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on August 6th. ey consider their three dogs – two Jack Russell terriers and one French bulldog – as their children. " ey are our babies," said Whitecotton, who loves nature and camping, and recently discovered a love for sculpting and pottery. She even enjoyed motorcycle riding until she sold her bike a few months ago.

COMMITMENT

Ann and Mike were teenage sweethearts at Granbury High School. They celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on August 6th.

ROAD TO SUCCESS Ann has been successful despite the fact she's a woman in what has traditionally been a male dominated industry.

Ann said she has been a multi-tasker since she was a child. "I'm pretty hyper, and I'm not a sit-down person," said Whitecotton, a former all-district basketball player at GHS. "Mike calls me P.M. - perpetual motion."

Whitecotton said that Boggs explained to her that some day, she would be able to do the same for someone else when she is ready to retire. "Everything is a test, and you've got to be able to pass the test," Whitecotton said. "If (an employer) is looking for a successor, they're testing you. You've got to be willing to work hard. He saw that I had the drive to do it. You've got to show that."

Over the last eight years, Whitecotton had six homes that won rst place awards in the Hood County Builders Association's (HCBA) Tour of Homes. She was voted “Builder of the Year” in 2012,

2013 and 2015. As well, Ann was elected president of the HCBA every year since 2012, a er serving as vice president in 2011.

Whitecotton said that in the early years working for Boggs, she felt intimidated by this tall man with a deep voice who commanded respect. But as she got to know him better, she thought of him as a wise father gure. "He's like a dad. He could be our dad, Mike and I both," Whitecotton said, "Gerald has a lot of wisdom and (is) not too pushy with his advice."

Ann has been successful despite the fact she's a woman in what has traditionally been a male dominated industry. "It's hard being a woman in a man's business because you don't ever want to fail," Whitecotton said. "In a male-dominated business, I was able to let that passion show through."

Whitecotton has multiple letters on le written

"You've got to be willing to work hard. He saw that I had the drive to do it. You've got to show that." -Ann

DEDICATION

by satis ed clients praising her work. One letter in particular, from Hood County residents, Rusty Wall and his wife Iris, indicates that she le no doubt about her skills as a woman in this industry. It states, in part, that her competence as a home builder is enough to win the approval of even the most discerning client.

While Boggs contracted custom homes, as well as "spec" homes (speculative houses with no speci c buyer in mind), Whitecotton chooses to specialize in only custom-designed homes. Also, Ann says she isn't interested in becoming a "volume" builder and and as such, she will continue to do business in only Hood County.

It is evident that she uses some of her feminine instincts to her advantage - with an eye for detail to make the building process a more personal experience with her clients. is includes assisting them in

selecting elements such as ooring, granite and even lighting. "I go to every job site, every day," Whitecotton says, "...there is a great feeling about helping someone put together their dream home."

While her attention for detail creates satis ed clients, it also gives her a reputation for being a being a pain in the posterior for contractors when things aren't done to her speci cations. "I won't overlook things," she says "...putting time in prevents a lot of frustration (among clients). I throw 150 percent into anything I do."

Even still, Ann maintains close contact with her mentor. "Gerald calls me about every other day," she said, noting that she and Mike o en meet Boggs to talk over breakfast. ey've even taken some trips with Boggs and his wife. Whitecotton said she is proud of what she has accomplished, and also remains grateful to Boggs. "It's something Mike and

I think about every day," she said. "If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be doing what I love."

Of course, not all young professionals are fortunate enough to have a mentor as successful and knowledgeable as Gerald Boggs, as was the case with Whitecotton. ose who do, she noted, need to take advantage of the opportunities they nd.

At age 51, Whitecotton said she hopes to nd the right kind of employee to learn the business from her – and start what she referred to as the "circle of life" all over again. "I am looking for my Ann – that person I can do the same thing for," Whitecotton said. "I was so blessed. I would like to give back to someone what was given to me." But, she emphasized, that person will need to match the passion and work ethic that she and Boggs had in making their business a success.

Over the last eight years, Whitecotton had six homes that won fi rst place awards in the Hood County Builders Association's (HCBA) Tour of Homes.

Seussical The Musical Jr.

Photography by Shad Ramsey of Red Door

All of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters come to life for the Seussical Jr. experience. Produced by the Granbury Theatre Academy, this summer's musical was brought to us by all the young, aspiring Granbury actors and dancers, many who are regular students of the Granbury Theatre Academy. The performance, headed by Academy Director Shannah Rae, was nothing short of a complete success. This family favorite was enjoyed by all in attendance. Find out more by visiting the website: www.granburytheatrecompany.org/academy

Free As A Bird

The

Few animals embody the American spirit more than birds. eir ability to soar majestically through the air with the ultimate freedom is a constant source of inspiration. Found even in Ancient Greek mythology with the tale of Icarus, humans have longed for the gi of ight that only birds truly possess. You can nd this dream everywhere in Americana. Our country has many symbols, from the national tree to the national ower. Yet it is the bald eagle, our national bird, that has reached iconic status, so much so that it is impossible to see even a picture of one without immediately thinking of America.

e Acton Nature Center has embraced America’s love for birds, a love that spans approximately 47 million birdwatchers, or birders, nationwide according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For many

years, they have hosted a monthly bird census and backyard bird counts. However, they decided to take it one step further.

e brainchild of the Rio Brazos Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Organization, the Acton Nature Center’s new bird blind celebrated its grand opening in February of 2016 a er about a year and a half of planning. A fully enclosed room complete with chairs, an air conditioning unit, and a windowed wall overlooking a beautiful natural habitat, the bird blind allows bird enthusiasts to enjoy nature while retaining an air of comfort. It allows people to spend more time observing the birds when it would otherwise be too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. In addition, the small building can be used as a classroom for introductory lessons or for more in-depth bird studies.

Words by Brandy Herr | Photography by Stevo Torres

Acton Bird Blind

A fully enclosed room complete with chairs, an air conditioning unit, and a windowed wall overlooking a beautiful natural habitat, the bird blind allows bird enthusiasts to enjoy nature while retaining an air of comfort.

Dave and Wendy Moore, members of the Rio Brazos Chapter, were instrumental in volunteering to make the bird blind a reality. “We wanted a way to encourage people, especially young people, to spend more time with nature,” Dave explained. “And less time staring at their phones.”

e bird blind, now run by the Acton Nature Center, includes various feeders to attract a variety of birds, a serene water xture, various plants and other foliage. e brush pile lining the area acts both as a blockade against people wandering into the enclosure and also as shelter for birds who may feel they need a place to hide.

For Dave and Wendy Moore, the study of birds has been a lifelong passion. His grandparents were avid birders. Her father was an ornithologist and a professor at the University of South Florida. Togeth-

er, it was a match made in heaven. “We’ve been married for 41 years,” Dave said. “But we’ve been birding much longer than that.”

e hobby of birding, or the observation of birds in their natural habitat, appeals to a wide variety of people for an equally wide variety of reasons. When asked why people enjoyed birding, the Moores rst echoed the sentiments of the American dream. Birders are attracted to the lore of birds and are fascinated by the ability to y. “Birds are the epitome of the outdoors,” Dave said.

According to the Moores, people also enjoy observing birds because they can delight in their beautifully bright colors and melodious songs. Most birds tend to do well amongst humans, making them easier to observe as so many live in our backyard. In fact, of the approximately 800 species of birds

DID YOU KNOW?

The bald eagle was chosen June 20, 1782 as the emblem of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks, and also because it was then believed to exist only on this continent.

www.baldeagleinfo.com

found in the United States, nearly 150 of them can be spotted at the Acton Nature Center. Texas is also one of the best birding states, boasting 600 species of birds alone. Year-round, it is not uncommon to see any number of birds in the Granbury area, such as cardinals, mockingbirds, Bewick’s wrens, Carolina wrens, house sparrows, roadrunners, great blue herons, turkey vultures, black vultures, red-tailed hawks, and Canada geese. ese numbers are also an attraction for birders. At just 12,000 species of birds worldwide, they are much easier to learn and categorize than, for example, the millions of species of plants or insects. is allows them to challenge themselves, to try and learn and di erentiate between as many di erent species as they can.

e hobby of birding is versatile and can be enjoyed by anyone. Wendy Moore likes that it takes her outdoors, yet she can also observe birds from the comfort of her kitchen window if she chooses. She also enjoys studying the behavior of birds, as there

is a lot to birds’ behavior that humans o en don’t notice, and you can sometimes identify the species of a bird simply by noting its actions.

While the Acton Nature Center is the best location for birding enthusiasts in Hood County, other spots throughout the North Texas region can be popular for observing a variety of species. Because the Acton Nature Center is not located on the water, birders might want to try other spots more adjacent to Lake Granbury for observing waterfowl. Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose is another excellent location for spotting birds and various wildlife. For a slightly longer drive, South Dallas is home to the Trinity River Audubon Center, a nature center located in the Great Trinity Forest.

Sewage treatment plants can also be hotspots for observing birds. Locations that contain large settling and puri cation ponds provide plenty of plants and a ready water supply for a great variety of bird species.

If you’re interested in bird watching, but you

Texas is one of the best birding states, boasting 600 species of birds alone.

would prefer to do it from home, its possible to turn your own yard into a bird-friendly paradise. Any plants native to the area, especially those that are owering or fruit-bearing, will attract birds. e Moores also recommend you nd plants that will attract caterpillars as those are a good food source for birds, as well. Even birds that feed primarily on seed in adulthood will still feed caterpillars to their young. Supplement your landscape with hummingbird feeders and other bird feeders throughout the yard. e couple recommends black oil sun ower seeds to be used in the feeders, but any wild bird seed mix you nd at feed supply stores will work as well. For those just starting out in the birding eld, Dave and Wendy Moore have a few suggestions to get the most out of your experience. Make sure to secure a good eld guide to help you identify the species of birds. ese can come either as a book or a mobile application. Using an app has its bene ts as it can play birdsongs, allowing you to learn how to identify them through their unique call. You will also want to invest in a decent pair of binoculars that allow you to focus well from a distance. Wendy urges bird enthusiasts to join with other like-minded hobbyists to

share in each others’ experiences. e Acton Nature Center organizes Bird Walks on the rst Saturday of each month at 7:00 AM. ese are open to everyone, from rst-timers to advanced birders.

ough we may never be able to soar through the heavens, birding allows us to live vicariously through our feathered friends. From songs like Steve Miller’s “Fly Like an Eagle” to “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the freedom embodied by birds has found its place forever in our lore and pop culture. During troubled times, either personal or from the world at large, when we wish we could escape, we need only to look to the birds to nd our peace.

EXPERIENCE

The hobby of birding is versatile and can be enjoyed by anyone. The Acton Nature Center organizes Bird Walks on the fi rst Saturday of each month at 7:00 AM.

Though we may never be able to soar through the heavens, birding allows us to live vicariously through our feathered friends.

email: gg@ggelectricservice.com

email: gg@ggelectricservice.com

Road Trip

More roads lead to Rome—or for that matter, Dallas—than will get you to Granbury, Texas. And, all things considered, Rome and Dallas were both more likely nal destinations for someone like Chef Wolfgang Weichert (Wol ), whose half-century plus career as a food meister has taken him from jungle trails in Viet Nam, to the now contested borders of Syria, to the foot of Mt. Rainier and the posher environs inhabited by the likes of American presidents and British nobility.

But Granbury, speci cally Granbury’s Inn on Lake Granbury lucked out. Retirement at the age of 70 did not agree with a man whose career began in his native Germany. Five years ago, the chance of a friendship brought Chef Wol and his American born wife, Victoria, to Granbury where boredom propelled him to the post of the Inn’s resident chef.

In his teens, Wolfgang (Wol ) embarked on an unsatisfactory foray into toolmaking. “I didn’t like it… [then] my mother suggested cooking.” Training begun in trade school at the age of 15. A few years later, a certi cation in Culinary Arts launched a career that would span several continents. is would, in time, close the circle opened in Normandy when his father, a German soldier, was captured by American soldiers in the a ermath of D-Day.

(Wolfi) embarked on an unsatisfactory foray into toolmaking. “I didn’t like it… [then] my mother suggested cooking.”

by

Chef Wolfi

The end of a lifelong and fascinating road trip has found him comfortably ensconced on the banks of the Brazos, but for a man who is arguably a citizen of the world, all roads can only lead home.

Leading The Way

Wolfi has an aptitude for, and takes considerable pleasure in, organizing the production of food-the people, the raw materials, the delivery… He is like the conductor of a symphony who can play multiple instruments himself, but loves to command the greater e ort.

But, coming to America was not a straightforward business. “I was living in Africa, and I had a girlfriend, a Swede, who moved to America. So, I put an ad in the New York Times and a guy hired me. When he found out I was still in Africa, he said, “You had some balls putting up that ad,” Wol chuckles. e romance, once transplanted, failed to thrive. Not so with the budding chef’s career. e job, a spot in the kitchen of a hotel, was the rst of many, although there was that detour to Viet Nam.

At the time, dra eligibility kicked in at 6 months of residency for foreign nationals of the appropriate age. Of his time in the central highlands, Chef Weichert observes, “ ey sent me o in the wrong direction.” e Army, while o cially noting and appreciating his culinary talents, considered them secondary to the logistical and organizational skills that would see him shepherding convoys of supplies over mountain trails in the face of a di cult climate, rough terrain, and incoming re. A tour of duty lasting from 1966 to 67 netted an Army Commendation

Medal for Specialist Four E-4 Wolfgang D. Weichert, 4th Infantry Division. And then, back to e World. e World would bring, among other things, the blind date that would become a marriage to Victoria, a native of Long Island with an MA in nursing. ere would be unlikely opportunities as well, like the job on Wall Street that morphed into weekend gigs cooking for orthodox synagogues across NYC. Executive chef positions would follow at the Sheraton Hotels and the Playboy Club-Hotel in Great Gorge, NJ, positions that sometimes entailed organizing and cooking for gatherings of more than 30,000.

Wol has an aptitude for, and takes considerable pleasure in, organizing the production of food--the people, the raw materials, the delivery. He is like the conductor of a symphony who can play multiple instruments himself, but loves to command the greater e ort.

A long-running position with Meri-Makers Caterers of New Jersey proved an especially good app for a man with a gi for organizing the creation and

As far as the style of cooking he most enjoys, Wolfi said, “What I like to make is whatever tastes good. And I like to make people happy.” can only lead home.

delivery of great food. “It was simple: hire me and you make money. I’m good at controlling costs.” e same military grade logistical skills that dependably got loads of supplies over contested terrain in Viet Nam made catering a natural t for a chef whose work is largely unencumbered by deep philosophical concerns. As far as the style of cooking he most enjoys, Wol said, “What I like to make is whatever tastes good. And I like to make people happy.” at happiness has been bestowed on the ordinary and the famous. An outdoor event in New Jersey that required 450 port-a-potties saw the serving of 10,000 hot dogs. A wedding for a former Miss Universe featured a fountain running with Dom Perignon (“Most expensive wedding I ever did.”). For a function held at the Playboy mansion in Chicago, Hugh Hefner insisted on unlimited Russian caviar. “We wound up with so much le over that I took a few cans home and my wife and I couldn’t eat it all… we threw a lot of it away. I was giving it away to friends. Caviar’s over-rated anyway.”

FOOD HAVEN

e Inn on Lake Granbury (205 W. Doyle St) o ers a more intimate setting for Chef Wol ’s passion for cooking. Centered around a two story main house built in 1880 by Dr. James Doyle, Jim Leitch and Cathy Casey’s invitingly personal interpretation of a retreat for guests features 15 individually unique accommodations on meticulously landscaped grounds that overlook Lake Granbury, formerly the Brazos River. e addition made to the main house means the Inn can accommodate up to 34 guests for overnight stays and up to 150 on the grounds. Two or three times a week, the Inn’s kitchen is witness to Chef Wol ’s gourmet plated lunches and dinners that continually delight the taste buds of the Inn’s guests. Chef Wol ’s e orts extend to fundraisers for church functions and other non-pro ts, as well as corporate retreats. And there are the weddings, about thirty a year.

ere are always people to cook for, sometimes by accident. “What I do when I’m not here, I like to

INN ON LAKE GRANBURY Centered around a two story main house built in 1880 by Dr. James Doyle, Jim Leitch and Cathy Casey’s invitingly personal interpretation of a retreat for guests features 15 individually unique accommodations on meticulously landscaped grounds that overlook Lake Granbury, formerly the Brazos River.

invite people to my home to eat. Like the other day I made too much gazpacho, so I invited the neighbors in. Everybody loved it.”

And many roads still untraveled. Filling a “Kick the Bucket List” entails as many as ve cruises a year “ ey always have good bread. I try to keep the carbs down, but I love good bread,” Wol remarks. Still in planning is a rst ever visit to China, but a recent solo trip to Seattle served as an opportunity to visit one of the many boys, now grown, for whom chef Wol served as Big Brother.

Wolfgang Weichert still carries his German passport. “Maybe I’ll get citizenship now, maybe not. But, my wife wants me to.” His ambivalence is understandable. e end of a lifelong and fascinating road trip has found him comfortably ensconced on the banks of the Brazos, but for a man who is arguably a citizen of the world, all roads can only lead home.

A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step.

How to Get Involved

FEATURE EVENT:

Paluxy Playhouse Celebration June 25, 2016

All proceeds of this event go toward funding our local child advocacy non-pro t, the Paluxy River Child Advocacy Center. Each year, the Paluxy River CAC organizes a Playhouse ra e. Local builders participate by designing, building and donating a children's playhouse. ese playhouses are placed on the corners of our square for several weeks where the community can have the chance to explore them and purchase ra e tickets for their favorite or for all of them.

e grand drawing is given a proper nale with a Paluxy Playhouse Celebration complete with live entertainment, dinner and a silent auction. anks to the amazing support of this community, the PRCAC was able to raise an additional $78,000 for child abuse victims in Hood, Erath and Somervell counties.

e PRCAC remains to be an inspiration for families and supporters of wellness in our community. We look forward to another successful 2017!

LOOKING FORWARD:

Philanthropic Happenings this Fall

Saturday, October 1 Preserve Granbury Party on the Peak

Enjoy dinner by World Champion Chuck Wagon Chef Homer Robertson and entertainment by the Tejas Brothers Founded in 2005, Preserve Granbury is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to preserve and promote the historic integrity of our community. Purchase tickets at www.preservegranbury.org

Saturday, October 8 United Way Dueling Pianos Fundraiser

Have dinner and dessert and enjoy the fun of the dueling pianos along with other special fun features including a live auction. United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good. Ticket Information www.unitedwayhoodcounty.com

Saturday, November 12

Lake Granbury Area Beautification Council Jewel Ball

Black tie and bling, a holiday evening featuring cocktail hour, seated dinner, casino, and fabulous dance band.

The LGABC funds outdoor area projects that are enjoyed by our citizens and community guests. For information or to purchase tickets, email Jan Caldwell jcaldwell@luminant.com

Words by Melissa McGavock | Photography courtesy of Courtney Smith and 95.9 The Ranch

This picture of Sonny's handshake with Kennedy was one of the last photos taken of the 35th President of the United States.

Photo provided by Sonny Fisher

Return to Camelot

When had he had a better day?

ree hours ago Raymond “Sonny” Fisher had shaken hands with the President of the United States, and now he was about to sit behind the wheel of his new dream car that was sure to be a chick magnet.

Sonny’s father, Raymond Fisher, Sr., D.O. and his uncle, Roy Fisher, D.O. were the founding doctors of Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital.

Sonny’s mother made lunch for him and his dad most days, and this day was no di erent. During lunch, with a big grin on his face, his dad told Sonny they were going down to Ernest Allen Chevrolet to pick up his new car. at a ernoon, Sonny’s excitement went o the scale when he saw his dad had bought him a new 1963 cherry-red Chevy convertible.

Driving the car home, lost in thought, it took a moment to realize his dad, following in his own car was trying to get his attention, motioning for him to pull over.

“Turn your radio on,” his dad yelled.

Words by Jan Brand | Photography by Shad Ramsey

Sonny heard these words from a breathy reporter: “Shortly a er noon, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade drove through Dealy Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas.”

at was impossible. Just this morning, he had talked with the youthful President, who asked if Snu y was his horse, or issued by the county. e President seemed pleased Sonny owned the horse, and remarked what a ne animal he was, running his hand down Snu y’s forelock.

It didn’t matter which side of the political spectrum you were on. Anyone watching national television November 22, 1963, was deeply grieved at the sight of the handsome, young President being murdered, with a tearful First Lady le to raise

two children without their father. e entire nation mourned.

It was hard not to be disarmed by John F. Kennedy’s engaging smile. He was the youngest President ever elected, and he had the friendly look that made us feel he was one of us. He had friends in high places. e Hollywood Rat Pack were his cronies: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., and Kennedy’s brother-in-law, the famous actor Peter Lawford, added luster and star status to his celebrity.

Born into a family of Irish immigrants with a zest for power and wealth, it was no surprise that his youth and energy defeated the somber, sometimes described as unapproachable, Richard Nixon.

With style, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy swept

Sonny's personal JFK memorabilia room.

into her role as First Lady. All across America, women rushed to buy reproductions of her famous pillbox hats and Oleg Cassini designer suits being mass produced in the garment district of New York. “Jackie” was the new trendsetter in fashion, causing the look-alikes to y o the sales racks at Macy’s and Penny’s.

e preceding Eisenhower years were remembered for peace and prosperity. e middle-class exploded and the future looked bright. Churches seemed to spring up on street corners in every town. Shortly a er Kennedy took o ce, the CIA failed in a Bay of Pigs attempt to overthrow Castro and stop the communist in uence in Cuba. Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev sent ships loaded with

missiles to arm the new Castro regime. President Kennedy had a nuclear emergency nearly before he’d uttered the last words of the oath of o ce. He sent a Naval blockade to stop the Russian’s attempt. Kennedy’s response was: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

President Eisenhower had already integrated the schools, and heated passion among the races was rising to a boiling point.

Camelot, as the Democrats referred to the brief Kennedy years (1961-1963), came just as the opposing sides of the civil rights movement lled the

Sonny standing at his lake front home in Granbury.

cauldron of racial divide to the brim. In the streets, both turmoil and triumph prevailed. But America had found their rock: the dazzling Kennedys from Boston.

On June 11, 1963, President Kennedy gave a nationally televised speech calling for more active support of civil rights. Surrounded by such Hollywood luminaries as Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston and Sidney Poitier on August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. King was in uenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent civil disobedience movement in India in a bid for independence from Great Britain. Reverend King called for peaceful opposition to segregation. But an angry boiling pot was about to spill onto mainstream America, where people had to choose sides. Some of the tension was di used when men of faith like Reverend Billy Graham refused to hold meetings in towns that would not integrate the crusades.

Texas was an important Democratic state in the 1960s, and on that fateful day in November, 1963, President and Mrs. Kennedy arrived in Texas to broker a deal between two powerful Texans who were at war with each other, Governor John Connolly and U.S. Senator Ralph W. Yarborough, which was important before the 1964 election.

e President made his rst stop in Fort Worth and spoke at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast before his trip

to Dallas. Sheri ’s deputy, Raymond “Sonny” Fisher, rode his horse, Snu y, as part of the Fort Worth security detail assigned to President Kennedy.

On that November morning, the President came out of the Texas Hotel in Fort Worth. He talked with Sonny about his horse, Snu y, then thanked all the deputies for being there. A er he settled in the convertible, Sonny Fisher leaned down from his horse and shook hands with Kennedy, who was on his way to Meacham Field for the short ight to Love Field in Dallas. A photographer took a picture of Deputy Fisher and the President shaking hands.

Stunned by the news he heard on the radio that a ernoon, Sonny could hardly steady his shaking hands enough to drive his new car the rest of the way home. It was impossible to think the energetic, charismatic young President could be dead. e picture of his handshake with Kennedy was one of the last photos taken of the 35th President of the United States. e six o’clock news replayed scenes of the assassination like a movie shown in slow motion, with the crack of ri e re splitting the autumn day. at night, Sonny entered the pages of history in the most unexpected way, as the picture of him shaking hands with Kennedy was sent across the news wires.

At his house on Lake Granbury, Sonny Fisher has a room lled with Kennedy memorabilia that commemorates the President’s life and the day the lights went out in Camelot.

After he settled in the convertible, Sonny Fisher leaned down from h� horse and shook hands with Kennedy, who w� on h� way to Meacham Field for the short flight to Love Field in Dall�.

The President seemed pleased Fisher owned the horse, and remarked what a fi ne animal he was, running his hand down Snu y’s forelock.