Creative Elements
Creative Elements
Thinking about making some changes in your home? Dreaming about a new kitchen or bathroom you saw on Pinterest or Houzz? Whether it is changing your current look for more modern, clean lines, updating the traditional to more transitional,or simply making your space more functional, Creative Elements is ready to make your next step a reality
Good times,
Good times, great food
From breakfast to burgers, merlot to margaritas, from Asian & Argentine to American & Texan. New: A chocolate shop and a Thai restaurant have been added to the mix. Come join the fun!
To the Fathers
Hello Friends and Neighbors,
Have you ever wondered, “Do fathers matter? What differences do I make in my home as a dad?” Let’s start with the simple answer — the importance of a father is tremendous! Fathers make countless differences in their home and family. However, how much impact you decide to make as a dad is entirely up to you!
A father’s gifts of quality time, life-giving words, and positive actions have a long-lasting impact on his children.
As I reflect on fatherhood this month, here are just a few of the ways dads can build up their home:
• A father’s strength can be powerful
• A dad’s words can be fueling and inspirational
• Hugs from a dad can be deeply comforting
• A dad’s smiles can instill joy and confidence
• Time with a dad can be fun and productive
• A dad’s physicality can be challenging
• A dad’s guidance can be life-changing and foundational
• A father’s correction can be life-saving and life-giving
• Adventures with a dad can be exciting and memorable
Let your father or a father figure in your life know how much he matters to you. And if you are a dad, let us be the first to say - thank you. You are invaluable to the people who know and need you as well as the community around you.
Happy Father’s Day!
Love,
RACHAEL FENTON AND THE CROSS TIMBERS LIFESTYLE TEAM
June 2025
PUBLISHER
Rachael Fenton | rachael.fenton@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Mallory Newell | mallory.mckeever@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Ashlynn Roberts
STAFF WRITERS
Sophie Betzhold, Isabella Van Trease, Amy Young
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Pixel Perfect Rose | rose@pixelperfectrose.com
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
3:5-6
Books for Boys
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-4: The kids of Primrose School of NE Flower Mound and Old Orchard loved celebrating Spring events such as Easter and National Picnic Day! 5: Keep Flower Mound Beautiful celebrated Eco Action Day with wonderful citizens! 6: Cross Timbers Rotary Club celebrated Rotary Action Day by serving at Christian Community Action! 7: The Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce had a great Leads Power Networking event sponsored by Christian Community Action!!
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NE FLOWER MOUND
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NE FLOWER MOUND
ARTICLE BY MALLORY NEWELL
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PIXEL PERFECT ROSE
Men of Influence
5 LOCAL MEN WITH A HEART TO HELP
These local men pour themselves out for their community. Some of them are not native to Denton County, some were born and bred here. Real estate, servicemen, tragedy, sales, retirement... not all service looks the same. But what do all of them have in common? They have followed the calling God has placed in their heart. They fail, make mistakes and fall short. But aren't we lucky to have men in our midst who strive so humbly and devotedly to serve others for a cause bigger than themselves?
“From a mission point of view, we look through a lens of how God made us and why we're on earth.”
Paul Venter
Each area of Paul’s life is founded in what God has called him to do, both in terms of service and business. Alongside his brother, Paul founded Seedwell Capital, a private equity firm focused on investing in middle-market, consumer goods businesses in Southern Africa.
Seedwell and Paul’s other businesses are not just businesses however, it’s a personal calling for Paul. Though Paul, his wife, and three kids now live in Southlake and they are grateful Americans, Paul is also 11th-generation South African, his family’s roots there going back to the 1600s.
Paul’s passion for serving South Africa and for pursuing excellence in the business work is clear even through his modest demeanor. Seedwell is a for-profit business, but its structure is unique. The majority of the investment portfolio is owned by the Seedwell Foundation, ensuring that a portion of the profits is reinvested into causes such as poverty alleviation and education projects in Africa. Paul explains, “We believe that acting like good stewards and delivering great returns, then true impact happens.” This sustainable model creates long-term value without fostering dependency to create change.
This sustainability is rooted in a desire to be a good steward, Paul says, which in turn, is rooted in his deep desire to use what God has given him. This is what drives Paul’s passion to grow businesses that are not only excellent in what they do but are good for humanity and society. “Our faith leads us in everything that we do,” Paul says, “We don’t see ourselves as owners of those resources.”
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
Raised beside the fire station where his grandfather was chief, Flower Mound Fire Department Captain Jody Bruce began hitching a ride on the big red wagon at the age of 15. “I fell in love with it. I lived and breathed it. I wouldn’t even go to town, afraid I’d miss a call,” Jody remembers. By the age of 18, he was going on more emergency calls than the volunteers.
But through the screaming sirens, Jody found his purpose. “You really have to care for people because we see them [on] their worst day. I still enjoy helping people. It makes my day when we go out and do a save and we get them back to the family. It’s very, very rewarding.”
“To be able to walk up to a mother and she hands me her baby, I walk away and she doesn’t know me…” That’s what being a firefighter is about, Jody says. It’s all about helping people. Unlocking cars. Replacing smoke detector batteries. Carrying in groceries left forgotten on the doorstep when disaster struck. “There’s so much [to] what we do. We do every aspect of service to the family while we’re there. ”
Jody’s love for his service is deep, and his love for his brothers alongside him is rich; some of Jody’s men have been by his side for over a third of his life. Jody says, “The fire service is just one big family. So when I go home, I leave part of my family here. I always look forward to coming back to work.” And not many people can say that after the incredible 42 years of serving seven days a week that Jody has under his belt, whether as a fireman, paramedic, policeman, or member of the Honor Guard.
Jody Bruce
“It was an idea that came out of a pretty rough time in my life... I felt compelled to try to help others...”
Jim Reid
In November of 2024, Jim Reid opened Little Joe’s in Argyle, a farm-to-table restaurant–but under the surface, it’s so much more.
In 2000, Jim’s 3 ½ year old son was diagnosed with cancer. The world of pediatric oncology and children with cancer opened wide and terrifying, with the rate of bankruptcy going up by 70% for families of children with cancer. He watched as families alongside his own struggled to keep up with the medical expenses, and thus came the inspiration for Little Matt’s.
With a dream to help these families like himself, and as a real estate developer in Houston, Jim bought an old auto garage and converted it into a restaurant and charity. Little Matt’s is a restaurant that was and is dedicated to supporting children with cancer by covering such expenses as chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, radiation and housing.
“[When] my son passed away three years ago, it kind of left a hole in me,” Jim shares. And his connection with the incredible community at Little Matt’s was broken by the distance of his move to Southlake in 2020. But Jim wasn’t done dreaming. Little Matt’s was reborn as Little Joe’s, with the hope that it would serve the same need Jim had felt in Houston.
Jim’s dream in Houston is now impacting countless families right here in Argyle. “I’m absolutely blown away by the reception and the quality of people… I have been completely renewed in my faith based on what I’ve witnessed with the kids, families, and faith. [They] have shown me that there is a hope and future with their kids today.”
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark
10:45
At one time, Brian White was a sales director traveling all over the US, his local community and family far away and detached from his heart. But in 2016, after years of the Lord softening his heart, Brian transitioned to local business. And the seeds of service he has sown in his home soil have grown so well.
Brian initially began to get plugged in as a way to network for business. But his heart for engaging with the community quickly grew into a heart for selfless service. “So often we start serving and doing something because we think it will be good for other people, when really it’s for our heart,” Brian shares. His heart is called to serve, even as a natural introvert, Brian shares that God sustains him in the calling, “When I’m living out my purpose, it’s joyful.”
Today, “giving, serving, and loving” to bring glory to God is at the center of everything for Brian, from his roles as co-founder of BlueFuse Realty and co-owner of Success Space Flower Mound, to teaching a class called Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, to leading a men’s group at Valley Creek Church, to serving with Journey to Dream, the Cross Timbers Rotary, and the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce.
“If Jesus wasn’t worried about being served, but came to serve others, and my desire is to be more like Jesus, then I should do that by making it all about somebody else and loving and serving them ,” Brian explains.
Brian White
“I try to live as Jesus taught. I fail more than I succeed, but my faith reminds me it’s not about perfection— it’s about grace.”
Will Carlton
Will Carlton may describe himself as “mostly retired,” but his fire to serve others seems to keep him busy. He has a heart to help, to care for the land, to learn about other cultures, to be a pilot, and so much more. His journeys have taken him far and wide, yet the common thread running throughout these experiences has been his belief that we are all made in the image of God worthy of dignity and love.
Will joined the Flower Mound Rotary Club in 2010 and later transferred to the Cross Timbers Rotary Club (CTRC) in 2016 as a charter member, where his passion for service has taken him across the globe. Through Rotary, his church, and as a volunteer pilot, he has flown earthquake relief missions to Haiti, supported HIV clinics and public health initiatives in Kenya, assisted with disaster relief after hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina and provided school equipment to children in Guatemala. “I love learning about local cultures and meeting people who, while living differently, share the same hopes and dreams we all have,” Will says, going into detail about each trip with affection and gusto.
Despite being asked multiple times to serve as president of the CTRC, Will initially declined, believing others were more suited. But with encouragement from respected friends, he finally accepted the challenge in 2022. “It’s been the best experience of my life!” he says. “I’m so proud of our members and the work they do in our community and around the world.”
“I’m a person with a deep faith, I feel that we’re called to serve our fellow man and put others before ourselves,” Will says. This pure desire to help comes from the transformation God has done on his own heart, he works only “to be reflective of the forgiveness I’ve received.”
Become your Best
6 podcasts for men and boys to bring out the best version of yourself
THE DAD EDGE
Being a father isn’t easy. Founder of the Dad Edge podcast, Larry Hanger, knows this firsthand which is why he created a community that shares the challenges of parenthood and offers advice to all Fathers. Strive to become the best version of yourself to inspire your family to do the same with advice from fellow parents about juggling marriage, kids, and everyday life.
JOCKO PODCAST
If you seek structure and discipline in your life, there are few better to advise how to achieve it than retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. In his podcast, Jocko mixes his own experiences from life and time in the military with fellow veteran guests to inspire listeners to own their lives and live with purpose.
THE RICH ROLL PODCAST
Dive into all aspects of wellness with ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll’s inspiring podcast. Each week, hear discussions about trends in health, fitness, and overall well-being in this thought-provoking podcast with the goal to “unlock your best self.”
MEN IN THE ARENA
The “#1 Spotify ranked podcast for Christian men,” Men in the Arena discusses relevant issues men face in everyday life while seeking to follow God. Hear first-hand
ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BETZHOLD
accounts from notable authors like John Elredge and Gary Chapman that advise on juggling family and religion.
10% HAPPIER WITH DAN HARRIS
Everyone goes through difficult times and experiences painful emotions. Dan Harris creates an open narrative for men to feel heard and seen, changing the narrative on self-help. Listen to working-class insight and practices to deal with emotions and become mentally stronger.
STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW
In an increasingly information-forward age, knowledge and facts can be easily overlooked or forgotten. The Stuff You Should Know podcast discusses key historical moments in depth to broaden awareness of important events. Expand your knowledge of the world and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition in this insightful podcast.
ARTICLE BY AMY YOUNG
BOOKS FOR BOYS
Turning your resistant reader into a passionate page-turner
Turning a young boy into a reader can sometimes be a daunting task. Choosing the right books can be the solution. Here are some recommendations from librarians and young boys themselves for inspiring selections to turn reluctance into enthusiasm.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
Barnett
Picture book for ages 3-6
These two boys are on a quest to find something spectacular. Unfortunately, their quest takes a turn in the wrong direction - literally. Fueled by chocolate milk and animal cookies, Sam and Dave find themselves tired, dirty and without a treasure. But what boy can resist playing in the dirt? Dig deep into this book to find an unexpected discovery. I can hear them screaming “It’s right there!” already.
Dogtown
Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko
8-10
A boy and his dog are quite attached. Until they’re not. Dogtown is a place for both strays and unwanted robot dogs who are estranged from their owners for poor puppy behavior or the owner’s recently developed lack of interest in the pet. Award-winning author Katherine Applegate writes a fantasy story that follows two unlikely companions in finding a forever home as they learn some things about kindness along the way.
How They Croaked
and
When I saw this title on my son’s summer reading list a few years ago, I wanted to read it, too. This gruesome guide to the awful ends of nineteen historical figures is not for the faint of heart. Using cartoon drawings and diagrams to enhance visual intrigue, boys (and moms) will delight in the gory stories and ugly mess of long-ago medical treatments. And be forever thankful medicine has come a long way.
Mac
Chapter book for ages
Georgia Bragg
Kevin O’Malley Ages 10-13
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF NE FLOWER MOUND 972-691-3815
PRIMROSEFLOWERMOUND.COM
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF OLD ORCHARD 972-315-9495
PRIMROSEOLDORCHARD.COM
Weekend Warrior
ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BETZHOLD
For some, change can seem like more of an obstacle than an opportunity. Though it may be easier to stick to a routine and stay inside in the heat, there are plenty of exciting adventures that await in the area. Mix things up this summer and grab a friend (or even your kids) to try any of these exciting spots around DFW. Whether you’d prefer trying a new restaurant or are seeking a complete change of scenery, there are countless adventures that will result in lasting memories just a short drive from home.
THE TRIBUTE GOLF CLUBS
For the golf lovers, if you have yet to visit the Golf Clubs at The Tribute located in The Colony, now is the time. If you are familiar with the legendary courses in Scotland, you’ll feel miles away at the links course that is modeled after the most notable courses from the home of golf. If you seek a more modern approach, the “Old American” course offers gorgeous lake views on the back nine. After hosting a U.S. Open qualifier, The Tribute has gained much notoriety in the past few years.
ADRENALINE ADVENTURES
If you seek a truly adventurous outdoor experience, look no further than Go Ape in Plano for your thrill-seeking needs. Fly across the skyline on multiple ziplines, face your fears climbing through a ropes course, or leave your feet on the ground while axe throwing. Spend the day challenging yourself and friends competing against each other in the various unordinary pastimes they offer. No matter the adventure you seek, it’s sure to be satisfied just less than an hour from home.
FOOD TRUCK TOUR
Arguably some of the most authentic and appetizing food is found at local food trucks. Many trucks offer interesting flavor combinations you may not come by in a traditional brick-and-mortar. Expand your taste buds and try a local spot like Feta’s Lone Star Greek serving Mediterranean or Street Bites that offers endless street food options. If you want more options, head down to any of Truck Yard’s three locations in DFW to have a drink, listen to live music and sample delicious food from a variety of rotating trucks.
AQUATIC ADVENTURE
Escape the Texas heat this summer by cooling down while paddling across the lake with friends. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at places like Bluet SUP on Lake Lewisville and enjoy exploring the waters for hours. For the thrill-seekers, Bluet offers an additional challenge in a 10-mile tour from Pilot Knoll to Old Alton Bridge. Push yourself for the four-hour trek and enjoy watching the sunrise with fellow adventurers or opt to go at your own pace - the choice is yours.
BARBECUE HEAVEN
For foodie lovers, the options for classic Texas barbecue are endless. Though you may have heard of more popular spots like Terry Black’s, there are plenty of more lesser-known options to explore. For example, Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery in Garland offers the same high-quality brisket as more popular chains with easier parking and house-made beer. If you’re willing to wait for it, get in line at Goldie’s in Fort Worth before the sun comes up for an unforgettable culinary experience or sample any of the local food trucks that offer exquisite barbecue, freshly smoked in front of you. Take a risk and try someplace new for a change!
Though it may be easier to stick to a routine and stay inside in the heat, there are plenty of exciting adventures that await in the area.
Whether you’d prefer trying a new restaurant or are seeking a complete change of scenery, there are countless adventures that will result in lasting memories just a short drive from home.
FLY FISHING
Though you may have gathered friends for a chartered fishing trip before, mix it up by trying something new and more challenging like fly fishing. You don’t need to be an experienced fly fisher to have fun with the help of the guides at Texas Fishing Adventures on Lavon Lake. If you’d prefer to stay closer to home, book a trip with Phill or Clint’s Fishing Guides on Lake Lewisville. No matter the experience you seek, there are plenty of options around that will supply you will all the tools needed for a memorable fishing trip with friends.
Michael Moore President Stephanie Moore CEO
CARVING Out Time for CONNECTIONS
Men are busy people. Juggling family and work responsibilities can leave very little time for much else, but research shows that remaining connected to other men can lower stress and improve well-being. Surrounding yourself with a group of uplifting men can be helpful in navigating a stressful existence.
A breakfast meeting can start the day in a positive way. Snooty Pig is a popular breakfast location for friends to meet for coffee and the most important meal of the day. The meal may be important, but the friendships are the focus.
Awesome Times is a neighborhood restaurant in Highland Village that boasts “great food served with integrity.” From the Deadwood Dog to Loaded Tots, men can eat well and meet friends in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
My husband speaks highly of Market Street as a great place to gather - yes, the grocery store. They offer an on-site Starbucks, a bakery with many sinful choices, counter service for breakfast food and plenty of space to sit with a friend or group. And the bonus is being there to pick up a gallon of milk when your wife calls.
Call a friend or text your group. Plan on meeting and growing together. My husband will not give up his time with friends, nor would I ask. But I do send him out the door with a gentle reminder, “Make good choices.” And he does.
ARTICLE BY AMY YOUNG
Meeting with friends in fun places around town
Awesome Times
SIX STRINGS TO THE SPOTLIGHT
Musician Hayden Haddock talks holding his hat high in the country music scene
ARTICLE BY ISABELLA VAN TREASE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY HAYDEN HADDOCK
Living in Texas, it’s difficult to escape the power and influence of country music. It’s everywhere - dripping steadily out of the speakers of restaurants, grocery stores, honky tonks, even gas station intercoms into the subconscious of each lone star resident.
Hayden Haddock marks no exception. Growing up in DallasFort Worth, and on his brothers’ and fathers’ music tastes, the infectious melodies of 90s country worked their way into Hayden’s own musical preferences. Though a musician’s spark didn’t catch until age 14, when Hayden attended a Kenny Chesney concert at AT&T Stadium.
Instead of obsessing over the headliner, Hayden found himself transfixed on the opener, Eric Church.
“After leaving there I told my parents that I wanted to take guitar lessons, and… the rest is history,” said Hayden.
Upon his first several requests, Hayden’s dad remained unconvinced, certain that money for a brand new guitar and adjoining lessons would be wasted on fleeting teen interest.
But with persistence, Hayden eventually received a $200 Yamaha and with it the foundational inspiration for what would become his career.
Secretly chipping away at his vocal and instrumental talent, Hayden kept his skills mostly to himself. He hardly sang for anyone, until his college roommate at Texas A&M goaded him into singing, as college freshmen do, to impress a girl.
Unbeknownst to Hayden, his roommate secretly recorded the 2018 mini-performance and posted it online. Suddenly, family, friends and complete strangers wanted to hear more.
Encouraged by demand from others to step into his confidence as a performer, Hayden began playing gigs across DFW and College Station. Through sharing his own songs and hard-practiced covers on stage, Hayden captured an audience and realized his future lay in country music.
He began balancing a fast-growing music career with studying construction science at Texas A&M. This feat proved challenging, especially with the pandemic interrupting both pursuits.
The same determination that earned him his first guitar landed him connections with vital bandmates and producers, and by graduation, he emerged with not only a degree, but two fully fledged records, First Rodeo and Red Dirt Texas.
Since graduating, Hayden has given music his full attention. He boasts more than 12 million streams to date, and earned his first Texas Country Music Chart No.1 this year with the single “Front Porch in The Rain.”
Hayden tours Texas heavily, playing over 80 shows a year and has shared the stage and collaborator status with notable names, such as Steve Wariner, Kevin Fowler and Trent Willmon.
Further sharpening his collaborative skills, Hayden even spent a year in Nashville, jamming with other artists in countless writers’ rounds. “Living there really helped me grow,” Hayden said. “I feel like my writing’s on a whole different level now.”
Despite his time in Tennessee, Haddock remains firmly rooted in Texas. He currently lives in DFW and frequently performs at local staples like Love and War in Plano and Rhinestone Saloon in Fort Worth.
The energy of Texas crowds, as he puts it, is “something special,” and his calendar reflects it — Texas cities make up roughly 70% of his tour lineup.
Musically, Hayden is focused on the road ahead. He recently signed a new management deal with Good Company Entertainment and is gearing up to release new music this summer. Studio time is booked for mid-June, and he plans to record three new tracks, including some co-written during his time in Nashville.
As he looks to the future, Haddock’s goals remain grounded. “I want to be able to hold my hat high on having a good live show and a great band,” he says. “I hope people connect with the music, have a good time at the shows and maybe even see a bit of themselves in the songs.”
With his boots planted in Texas soil and his eyes set on a wider horizon, Hayden Haddock isn’t just chasing country stardom — he’s building something authentic, one show, one song and one story at a time.
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Celebrating Faith & Family
Marty B's kicks off a month of events to bring families together
ARTICLE BY MALLORY NEWELL
The team at Marty B’s is kicking off a month in celebration of the two cornerstones of Marty B Ventures: Faith and Family.
Tuesdays will feature a Kids Movie Night. Marty B’s is the perfect location to have fun, relax and spend time with the kids!
Wednesdays are dedicated to supporting local charities. Be sure to stop by to hear about some of the impactful organizations in the Denton County area as we celebrate them. Bring your friends and family over to learn how these organizations are making difference in the local community.
Thursdays will bring Praise and Worship Night in partnership with local churches. This special event provides you
with an opportunity to come together with the whole family in a night of slowing down, taking a breath and taking the time to worship.
Fridays and Saturdays maintain the tradition of live music, where families can unwind and enjoy an evening of great tunes and good company.
Marty B’s is a place where families can come together, connect and celebrate life. In fact, it’s the heart behind it all, says owner Marty Bryan. “We’re celebrating commitment to being an amazing family. We want to honor people and create an opportunity for families to come together to celebrate the life God designed for us.”
“We’re celebrating commitment to being an amazing family. We want to honor people and create an opportunity for families to come together to celebrate the life God designed for us.”
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• Enhancements — Transform your space with production lighting, stage upgrades, and a luxury photo booth experience guests will love.
• Event Types — From company launches, galas, and award parties to unforgettable weddings, we bring the perfect soundtrack and atmosphere to every celebration.
