February 2016 | Little Elm Magazine

LITTLE ELM ™

February 2016 Little Elm’s Community Magazine Since| $2.50 2015 Little Elm’s Community Magazine Since 2016

LittleElmMagazine.com

Little Elm’s Community Magazine Since 2015

February 2016 VOL I, Issue 2 Executive Publishers Jason & Heather Reynolds Editorial/Marketing Director Heather Reynolds Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com Production/Creative Director Jason Reynolds Jason@CedarbrookMedia.com

13

Featured St ories

4 Big Easy 5 Fire Academy Opens 15 Little Elm Sweethearts

In Every Issue

6 Events In & Around Little Elm 8 LEISD News

Cover

On The

Contents

LITTLE ELM ™

Little Elm Magazine

Photography Contributors Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Chris Fritchie Studios Production/Design Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Design@CedarbrookMedia.com Editorial Please send editorial considerations to Stephanie@CedarbrookMedia.com Advertising Information For our current media guide, contact Advertising at

972.347.6231

or Sales@CedarbrookMedia.com Little Elm Magazine 221 N. Preston Rd., Suite C, Prosper, Texas 75078 972.347.6231 | www.LittleElmMagazine.com A Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Publication www.CedarbrookMedia.com

Connect | Engage | Prosper

14 In His Presence

2

Editorial Contributors Matt Mueller | Dr. Lowell Strike Stephanie Cornelius | Alicia Gray | Celso Martinez Cecelia Jones | Chris Fritchie | Marc Farnell

CedarbrookMedia

12 Dining

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Little Elm! For up to date news, events and web-exclusive content, visit www.LittleElmMagazine.com

Associate Editor Stephanie Cornelius Stephanie@CedarbrookMedia.com

FOLLOW US!!

LITTLE ELM Magazine is wholly owned and published by Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. LITTLE ELM Magazine is published 12 times a year. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or copied whole or in part without expressed written permission from the publisher, Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. © 2016. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

The title and all material are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. Although the greatest of care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at time of going to press, neither LITTLE ELM Magazine nor Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.

February 2016

Edit or

From The

“Little Elm, Big Heart”

Happy Valentine’s Day to our great town! We are blessed to have so many big hearts in Little Elm and Oak Point full of our wonderful citizens and business owners alike. We would like to once again recognize all of the amazing teachers and business owners who were honored and presented awards during the January Little Elm Chamber Awards Luncheon…

Teachers of the Year: Heidi Summers, Mary Anderson, Vanessa Griffin, Rochelle Manz, Kori Byrd, Callie Masai, Melissa Reed, Michelle Sparks, Tom Parker and Darryl Butler Community Hero of the Year: Sandy DeVauld New Member of the Year: Keep Little Elm Beautiful Home Based Business of the Year: Little Elm Air Conditioning & Heat Member of the Year: Luis Rios Community Partner of the Year: Farrell’s Extreme Body Shaping Retail Business of the Year: Hula Hut These teachers are true superheroes to their students, and these business owners share their hearts with our community by giving back in large ways. Also, thank you to our Board Members who were honored for Board Appreciation Month during January…

We have also dedicated several pages to them in this edition, so be sure to have a look!

Congratulations and thank you to Dena Meek of Oak Point who was awarded the Oak Point Citizen of the Year by the City Council! All of these incredible people impact what our town looks like today and what it will become tomorrow. As we continue to grow, we look to all of you as a model to our town and are optimistic that your big hearts and selflessness will continue to shape all that is yet to come!

Thank you to all of the Big Hearts of Little Elm!

StephanieCornelius Until next month,

LittleElmMagazine.com

3

Town Matters

Matters Big Easy

Coming to Little Elm Soon!

By Alicia Gray, Festival & Events Coordinator

Crawfish, beads, a one-mile fun run and a light up 5K are all part of the annual Big Easy in Little Elm! Sponsored by First Choice ER, this festival combines the Cajun flare of New Orleans and southern Louisiana. Traditional Cajun food including fresh crawfish, bread pudding, boudin and catfish help to bring New Orleans to North Texas. With live music from the Zydeco Stingrays, runners and patrons can relax and enjoy a beer at the outdoor amphitheater.

The 5K race is chip-timed and winds through the park and trails.

The route is decorated and lit with scenes straight out of Louisiana.

Runners are encouraged to form “krewes� and dress in fun costumes.

In addition to prizes for placing in the race, prizes are given out for Best Dressed Krewe and Best Dressed King and Queen. Each 5K participant that is 21 years and older will receive 2 free beer tickets with their registration. A valid ID must be presented at the event to receive your tickets.

This race is family and dog friendly. Please make sure all pets are on a leash, and all owners are encouraged to clean up after your pet.

The event is presented by First Choice ER and is set for Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado Parkway, on Saturday, March 5 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information and online registration, go to www.littleelm.org/ specialevents.

4

Little Elm Magazine

February 2016

Citizens Fire Academy Opens Second Decade on February 8th Starting its second decade, the Little Elm’s Citizens Fire Academy has scheduled its next class, marking the program’s eleventh year of existence, says Deputy Fire Marshal Andy Sissney. The ten-week class starts on Monday, February 8, and runs until Monday, May 2. There is no charge to participate in the academy, but certain eligibility rules apply.

“Those of us in this profession, which gives us the opportunity to save lives and protect property, are exceedingly proud of what we do,” he said. “We often find that firefighters and paramedics are either continuing a family tradition or have always known they wanted to be in this line of work. The Citizens Fire Academy gives civilians an idea why people are so passionate about this profession.”

Classes are held on 10 successive Monday evenings beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending at around 9:30 p.m. with two Saturday morning classes held for field day programs. Seating for the class that begins on Feb. 8 is limited. Interested citizens may obtain more information from Fire Marshal Sissney by e-mail at asissney@littleelm.org or by calling 214975-0417.

“The Academy is one of our more popular activities within the department because it gives citizens a chance to see what we do on a daily basis,” he concluded.

The Academy is open to eligible citizens who wish to gain a greater understanding of the day-to-day operations of Little Elm Fire Rescue.

Applications for admission to the Academy can be obtained online by visiting www.littleelm.org/fire/cfa or by visiting the entry lobbies of the Town’s Fire Stations.

Citizen Fire Academy (CFA) participants learn about virtually every aspect of the Fire Department from the essential administrative duties to actually fighting fires. Participants are also invited and encouraged to participate in "ride-outs" with the fire fighters on real-world calls.

“The CFA has a hands-on approach and includes CPR training and demonstrations of various life-saving implements like the ‘jaws-of-life’ vehicle extrication system,” he said.

Turn your pictures into unique wall art We can print your pictures on

Order online or visit us at our retail showroom to see all we can do!

VividDecor.com 4920 Hwy 377 Suite A Aubrey, Texas

LittleElmMagazine.com

5

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

1 EDC Meeting – 6:00pm

2 Town Council Meeting – 6:00pm Lady Lobos Basketball vs. The Colony Lobos Basketball vs. The Colony Lady Lobos Soccer @ Heritage Lobos Soccer vs. Heritage

3

7

8

9 Little Elm Lion’s Club Meeting – 7:00pm @ La Casa Velez Lady Lobos Basketball vs. Heritage Lobos Basketball vs. Heritage Lady Lobos Soccer vs. Wakeland Lobos Soccer @ Wakeland

10

14

15 No School – Student Holiday

16 Town Council Meeting – 6:00pm Lobos Basketball @ Independence Lady Lobos Soccer @ The Colony Lobos Soccer vs. The Colony Lady Lobos Softball @ McKinney HS

17

21

22 LEISD School Board Meeting – 6:30pm Lobos Golf Byron Nelson Tournement @ Trophy Club CC

23 Little Elm Lion’s Club Meeting – 7:00pm @ La Casa Velez Lady Lobos Soccer @ Liberty Lobos Soccer vs. Liberty Lady Lobos Softball @ Frisco

24

28

29 Lobos Baseball vs. Sherman – Senior/Parent Night

6

Little Elm Magazine

February 2016

Friday

Saturday

4 5 Planning & Zoning Meeting – 7:00pm Lady Lobos Basketball @ Centennial Lobos Basketball @ Centennial Lobos Tennis Tri Meet @ LEHS and Lake Dallas

6

11 Little Elm Toastmasters Club Meeting – 7:00pm Lady Lobos Powerlifting @ S & S Consolidated HS Meet

12 Lobos Basketball vs. Frisco Lobos Soccer vs. Frisco

13 Lobos Powerlifting @ S & S HS Meet

18 Planning & Zoning Meeting – 7:00pm Little Elm Chamber Networking Luncheon & 2 Ribbon Cuttings – 11:30am Lady Lobos Softball LE Tournament

19 Lady Lobos Soccer vs. Centennial Lobos Soccer @ Centennial Lady Lobos Softball LE Tournament Lobos Powerlifting @ Commerce HS Meet

20 Chamber of Commerce Daddy Daughter Dance – 6:00pm Lady Lobos Softball LE Tournament Lobos Powerlifting @ Commerce HS Meet Lobos Track @ Trojan Inv. @ Standridge Stadium

25 26 Little Elm Toastmasters Club Meeting – 7:00pm Lobos Baseball @ James Taylor Classic Lady Lobos Powerlifting Regional Meet @ Princeton HS

February

Thursday

27 Lobos Baseball @ James Taylor Classic Lobos Track Lion Relay @ Castleberry HS

DELIVER A POWERFUL MESSAGE DIRECTLY TO YOUR TARGET MARKET! FREE Custom Graphic Design 5” x 7” Postcards as low as $0.33/each Design, Printing & Mailing included

CedarbrookMedia Connect | Engage | Prosper

221 N. Preston, Suite C | Prosper, Texas 75078 469.481.2935 | www.CedarbrookMedia.com

Call to get your campaign started today!

Wishing you

in Frisco showroom Visit our of Main & FM 423. r at the corne

ew Year!

a Happy N

Your a Part of Let Us Be s Resolution! ar’ New Ye

5

Dr. Trevor P. Bodine DDS,MS

874

Your Smile,Your972-432-6 Life, Your Orthodontist.

e 800 Rd., Suit 2650 King s 75034 Frisco, Texa mercial

15.pdf 1

iles-PC-Jan

Prosper_Sm

tial | Com struction Residen Con ment | New Replace mise Compro Without s or doors. g window Quality all come when selectin

and more, From you have choices quality, design confidence.

ATX knows performance, wants to earn your quality products t Function, s. the highes eration. ATX into consid customer service and your satisfaction matter outstanding d installation team to our certifie

rantee

Our Gua

high preswithout any out e consultation unication though Comm met the e a free in-hom gimmicks. to ensure we have We provid tactics and sure sales . A final walk-through Start to Finish.

Service your project rds. White-Glove highest standa

9:40:46 AM

Call today to schedule your complimentary Orthodontic or Invisalign exam.

972.347.1700 CHILDREN + TEENS + ADULTS 821 N. Coleman, Suite 110, Prosper, T X 75078 | 972.347.1700 | www.bodineorthodontics.com

m

s.co window

4 | ATX

214-382-921

1/2/2015

• Individualized Treatment Plans • Orthodontic Specialist • Invisalign and Invisalign Teen • State of the Art office • In-Network with most dental plans

LittleElmMagazine.com

7

LEISD News

L I T T L E E LM Independent School District

Engage

Equip

Empower

LOBO Board Appreciation

By Cecelia Jones, LEISD Assistant Director of Communications

L

ittle Elm ISD has more than 7,000 students in its public schools. That is 7,000 young minds starting from preschoolers to 18 years old, and our District continues to grow. On average, our student population increases approximately 200 to 300 additional students every year.

These impressionable young people depend on the adults in our community to provide for them. They count on them for shelter, food, nourishment and an education. They count on these adults to step up to see that every child, not just the ones in our own households, have what they need in our schools. Because at Little Elm ISD, “We embrace all of our kids… as all of our kids.”

We have 7 generous people who have offered their help to our schools.

These are people who do not receive pay for their dedicated efforts.

These are people who not only volunteer, but go through the process of standing up for public education. They are our locally elected school board members. They are your neighbors, and they care.

These public servants donate their time and talents to ensure that every child has the best public schools we can provide. These people attend meetings, read detailed reports, listen to parents’ concerns, and do the hard work that benefits the students and the community-at-large. And make no mistake about it, the whole community benefits from good schools.

Each January, we pause in our regular activities to say thank you to these dedicated volunteers. We appreciate their generous sharing of time and energy on behalf of our children. Local school board members are truly heroes for our schools. As we celebrated School Board Recognition Month in January, please continue to join us in the celebrating by expressing your support and gratitude to our school trustees. We are indebted to them!

Now let’s get to know our board members! We asked each of them 3 questions about becoming a board member, and here is what they had to say:

8

Little Elm Magazine

LeAnna Harding, Board President:

Mrs. LeAnna Harding was elected to the School Board in May 2013. A Texas native, she has lived in Little Elm since 2008 and has four children currently attending Lakeside Middle School and Little Elm High School. She grew up in Lubbock before moving to the Dallas area in 1996.

Mrs. Harding believes education is important for the future of our children and serving on the school board is the best way for her to give back to the community. She was inspired by her husband, Frank Harding, who has played an active role in the Little Elm community for several years. Mrs. Harding began singing publicly as a child and performs with a local band on the weekends. She is a Human Resource Manager for Media Recovery, Inc. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Texas A&M Commerce.

1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

For me, my fondest memory comes from my time in fifth grade. My history teacher, Mr. Brown, was such an enthusiastic teacher. With every chapter, he would bring props or artifacts that he could use to teach us about history. He would take a chapter and turn it into a live action story that he would act out and each of us would play a part. He made history come to life. I can honestly say, he made going to school exciting. I looked forward to history class. Most of us did! And ever since his class, February 2016

I’ve had a love for history and desire to learn more. I know I have one teacher, in particular, to thank for that!

equip and empower” each student every day. LEISD has made huge strides this year in all areas, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for 2016.

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? Nothing happens as quickly as you’d like it to but when it does, wow!

LEISD is a wonderful place to be. I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful teachers and staff members who truly care and are passionate about helping our kids grow and become good adults. As a parent, you tend to be limited to your child’s school and teachers, but as a board member, I am fortunate to see a much broader picture. No, nothing is perfect, but from where I’m sitting, the future looks awesome for LEISD.

3. Why did you become a Board Member?

The main reason I wanted to become a Board Member was to be involved in the decision-making process. I wanted to be a part of those decisions that would directly impact the students and staff in a positive way. We are a growing district and need to make sure we are looking five or ten years down the road. We need to not only consider our growth but the diversity in our community. I have always been taught from a young age that if you see an issue or don’t like a situation, get involved, ask questions and make your voice heard. I wanted to become a board member so that I can say I did everything I could for my children’s education and to help make Little Elm ISD a great district.

3. Why did you become a Board Member?

There are many reasons I decided to run for school board, starting with a simple desire to serve my community, all the way to wanting to be a part of the future of LEISD. One of the biggest reasons I ran was to be an example for my children. I grew up with a family value that if you want something to change, you don’t wait for it to happen. You get up and do something about it.

Melissa Myers, Board Vice President:

Ms. Melissa Myers was elected to the School Board in May 2014.

Prior to being elected as a trustee, she served on the Town of Little Elm’s Parks and Recreation Board. She is also active in LEAYSA as a basketball board member as well as a founder of the youth volleyball league. Ms. Myers and her husband, Mike, have resided in Little Elm since February of 2002. They have three children attending school in the district. Ms. Myer’s received her Associates Degree from Interstate Business College. She is currently the Implementation Manager, for North America customers at Iron Mountain, Inc. 1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

My fondest memory is having my mom as the head coach of the volleyball team I played for in high school. My mom was also a teacher, and she started the high school volleyball program when I was a freshman. We were brand new to the sport, and she pushed us to become district and regional champions. I grew up in a small town where sports were a big part of the community. I loved game day because of the support we had from the community.

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? I would want people to know that we have a wonderful Administrative team that is making LEISD an exciting place to work and thrive in a positive environment. LEISD has wonderful teachers who have the support of the district to provide the best professional development out there to advance their learning and capabilities. They are being recognized more for outstanding achievements as they embrace our mission of “engage,

Alex Flores, Board Member:

Mr. Alex Flores was elected to the School Board in May 2014. Prior to being elected as a Trustee Mr. Flores served on the Realignment Committee in 2012.

He is also active in his church. Mr. Flores and his wife Marissa have resided in Little Elm since April 2001.

They have two children attending school in the district. Mr. Flores received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Amberton University.

He is currently employed at TXU Energy in Sales and Marketing.

1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

I would have to say that my fondest memory was playing on the basketball team in high school. Our high school team was small in terms of height compared to many of the schools in our district and certainly outside of our district. We were a scrappy bunch of kids, but we had heart. We not only made school history by winning the district championship, but we went all the way to the state finals playing in the final 16, only to lose to Fort Worth Dunbar. I will never forget the pride I felt my senior year.

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? Everyone who plays a role at Little Elm ISD has accomplished many great things over the past year. I think the one thing I would want others to know about our District is that we are investing in our people, which in turn will help the students in our district. Lots of training is happening, and we are now extremely competitive from a salary perspective. The teachers want to be here, and I believe that when your employees are proud of where they work, every student benefits.

3. Why did you become a LEISD Board Member?

I was not pleased with the direction that our school district was headed.

Many of my neighbors and close friends were leaving the district because they were dissatisfied as well. I was not leaving. I love my city and I knew, with the right people in place, we had great potential. I didn’t want to be the individual complaining and not doing anything, so we as a family decided I would campaign during the Board of Trustee election. The other LittleElmMagazine.com

9

reason is that my father taught me the importance of serving our fellow being. Although my family and I have always been service oriented, this was another way that I could give back to the community that I love and care about so much.

Christopher Williams, Board Member: Mr. Christopher Williams was elected to serve his first term on the School Board in May 2010. Mr. Williams calls Grenada, Mississippi his hometown. When he is not managing a call center for Intuit, he enjoys coaching basketball and cooking. Mr. Williams and his wife, Tracey, have resided in Little Elm more than ten years. They are raising two teenagers. He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Austin, and then attended Kaskaskia Community College and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

I think realizing that I was good in English and the written English language. I became a strong reader because of Mrs. Dare and Mrs. Reed.

They were my 3rd and 4th grade teachers respectively. They were both encouraging in their methods and helped me to realize the importance of English, writing, grammar and spelling. I don’t have one or even two favorite teachers. I can honestly say I found something to value and take with me from each teacher in elementary school.

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? LEISD is a school district on the move. The LEISD student today will feel comfortable engaging in the ever-changing world. The LEISD teachers and faculty are empowered to lead, nurture and teach our students to spark the inventors, doctors, lawyers and leaders of tomorrow. We are moving in a direction that will equip our students to be innovators and leaders in tomorrow’s global world. I am proud of my time serving this community and this district. I have grown to think of each student as my child because every decision I make impacts every student in LEISD. There is absolutely nothing more important than that!

3. Why did you become a LEISD Board Member?

I initially looked at serving on the school board as the purest form of politics. I aspired to go further; to possibly seek a city or state seat. Now my heart is with the children, teachers and administrators of our district because there has been a different lens added due to “serving” and seeing change at this level.

Jason Olson, Board Member:

Mr. Jason Olson was elected to the School Board in May 2015. In addition to being a Trustee, he also serves as President of the Little Elm Economic Development Corporation (2010 to current) and his homeowners association (3 terms). Mr. Olson has also served as President for the Little Elm High School Athletic Executive Booster Club (6 years), President of the Little Elm Board of Adjustments (2 years), member of the Little Elm Planning and Zoning committee and a baseball coach in the Little Elm Area

10

Little Elm Magazine

Youth Sports Association (LEAYSA). Olson has a Master’s degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in Recreation and Leisure Studies.

He and his wife have resided in Little Elm since 2004. They have one daughter who graduated from LEISD (currently attending the University of North Texas) and one son who attends LEISD. He is currently employed

by AT&T as a Strategic Account Manager in the Global Client Business Group.

1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

My fondest memories from my time in public school were the friendships I created. I still communicate with a core group of high school friends on a regular basis. Every time we get together, we always reminisce on our memories of what events happened during those years.

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? Little Elm ISD is committed to becoming a destination district. We are well on our way to reaching our goals, and it is evident in the quality individuals we currently have at our district and all the interest we have generated in people wanting to come to our district to work. OUR STUDENTS are OUR FOCUS! 3. Why did you become a Board Member?

I became a Board member because I wanted to find another way I could be involved in our community. I have a passion for community service and felt my passion and experience in facilities and finances would be an asset to the current board. I, like all board members, want to make sure we provide the best experience and opportunities for every student.

DeLeon English, Board Secretary: Mr. DeLeon English was first elected to the School Board in May 2014 filling a one-year term. Prior to being elected as a Trustee, he served two terms with the Town of Little Elm’s Planning and Zoning Commission as Vice Chair and one term as Town’s Charter Review Committee as Committee Chair. His community involvement includes Little Elm Area Youth Sports Association (LEAYSA) coaching basketball, Charter Member of the Denton County Toastmasters Club and Party Delegate in Denton County.

February 2016

After serving our country in the United States Marine Corps for four and a half years, English attended the University of Southern California and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business and Information Systems. Currently, Mr. English works as an Engagement Lead for Slalom Consulting. He and his wife, Yolanda, have resided in Little Elm since 2002 and have three daughters.

David Montemayor, Board Member:

Mr. David Montemayor was appointed to the School Board in 2015.

In addition to being a Trustee, he also serves on the Board and is Treasurer of a non-profit in Dallas (Our Friends Place) that assists young women transition out of poverty, neglect and abuse. Montemayor has coached youth soccer and currently coaches youth football through the Frisco Football League. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife have resided in The Colony since 2013 and have 3 young boys (7, 6, and 4); the 7 and 6 year-olds attend Prestwick STEM Academy and the 4 year-old attends Spanish Schoolhouse in Frisco but is looking forward to joining his brothers at Prestwick. He is currently employed by Accretive Solutions as a Senior Manager of Consulting in the areas of Accounting and Finance.

1. What is your fondest memory from your time as a student in a public school?

I loved all the activities that I was able to participate in at my high school. I was on the football team, marching band, concert band and number sense.

I loved that I did not have to pick only one area of interest. I remember thinking at the time, that I couldn’t wait to grow up so that I would have more time to do what interested me. Those were some good times!

2. What do you want people to know, from a board member’s perspective, about Little Elm ISD? I wish more people knew how many good things are happening within our District. It is easy to focus on the bad and completely miss the good. We have hurdles to overcome and areas in which to improve, but there are so many things to be proud of at LEISD right now. The future looks bright for our District and we need more people to get involved to see us through the positive direction we are moving.

Let Us Design

Your Next

Move CedarbrookMedia Connect | Engage | Prosper

972.347.6231 | www.CedarbrookMedia.com

Hooves & Paws Pet Hospital aims to provide high quality veterinary care at competitive prices to the Highway 380 corridor for horses, dogs, and cats.

Please stop by to visit the friendly staff at the new hospital located on Highway 377 just 1.5 miles north of Highway 380.

3. Why did you become a Board Member?

To make a positive impact on the district and the lives of every child that it services. I would often hear how bad things were and actually had a couple people try to convince me not to move into the district because of the schools. Instead of getting all my information from others, I started attending the board meetings and talking to people that were involved in the areas my kids were involved. After a while, I was motivated to think the best way for me to give back was to try for a seat on the Board.

4600 Highway 377 | Aubrey, TX 76227 940.365.9430 | aubreyvet.com LittleElmMagazine.com

11

Dining

By Chris Fritchie

J

ust a few minutes north of Little Elm and west of Prosper is one of my favorite local places to grab a great meal. Serving the locals, as they say for over 25 years, Prairie House is just “good ol’ hometown cooking.” On this night, we decided to make it a family night. It’s not always easy with so many options to find a place where everyone is happy, but at Prairie House it does get a little easier!

With a menu that is full of mesquite grilled favorites, smoked ribs, catfish, burgers and yard birds, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular place!

Upon entering, the décor easily makes one fill right at home. There are plenty of memories from simpler times hanging on the walls! With 3 large dining rooms and a huge bar, there is plenty of room. It’d be good to keep this in mind for large parties or corporate get togethers.

We were quickly greeted by a friendly, young lady and shown to our booth in the main dining room. Within a couple of minutes, our waitress came right over and took our drink order. It was refreshing to see quick and friendly service.

The menu was rather extensive, so we thought we’d start off with a sampler.

Ours included the Torpedoes, Fried Cheese and Fried Mushrooms. The Torpedoes were our favorite; Next time we’d probably just order these, as they didn’t last very long!

It didn’t take long for the girls to decide on the burger. The first burger option they pondered was the Bison Burger which is a full ½ lb. of lean Bison, mesquite grilled and loaded with all the fixins. Ultimately, they chose the Texas Wagyu Beef Burger… This is a ½ lb. of Texas Kobe Beef, loaded with all the fixins, and of course they both added bacon and cheese!

For the wife, there were many options tantalizing her taste buds. The Pork

12

Little Elm Magazine

Chops and the 8oz filet both seemed very appealing to her, but ultimately she decided on the Chicken Fried Chicken with a side of Fried Okra, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy on the side.

It took a bit longer for me to decide, as I was immediately drawn to the Cowboy Special. It’s a large plate of cowboy beans topped with chopped beef and BBQ Sauce, garnished with onions, jalapenos and served with cornbread.

Of course you’d have to add cheese and sour cream. I also gave strong consideration to the Sliced Beef Plate, but ultimately it came down to either the Chicken Fried Steak or Baby Back Ribs… How could you go wrong with either of these options?

The friendly waitress had been waiting long enough, so I decided on the ribs. As for my sides, I decided on the Cowboy Beans and the Fries.

February 2016

Frontier Cooking Mesquite Wood Grill Finest Ingredients That’s What We Are All About

We enjoyed some relaxing conversation; the atmosphere was relaxed, not stuffy or overly quite.

It had just enough ambiance where we could cut-up and have a little fun, but not loud where we couldn’t enjoy a bit of family time. After what seemed just a few minutes, our order was delivered, everything came out perfectly, and the portions were much larger then we expected.

The burgers were cooked perfectly; The buns were fresh and the fries hot. The Chicken Fried Chicken that my wife ordered was huge, so now you know why I didn’t select the Chicken Fried Steak. I’d surely get some of hers!

Now my ribs were really good…They were sticky and had lots of mesquite smoked flavor, they were very tender and would easily be a favorite on our next visit. But I’ll be honest, the Chicken Fried Chicken was fantastic! The breading had that perfect crunchy texture, and the chicken was moist and tender, cooked to perfection. The seasoning in the batter and on the chicken gave it a light, fresh taste. Sometimes these batters can be a bit heavy, but Prairie House’s is just awesome! I would have to say, this might have been the best Chicken Fried Chicken I’ve had.

We finished up as best we could and asked the waitress for the desert menu. Tonight we tried a little cobbler and some banana pudding. The cobbler of the day was peach. It was fresh and had a good heaping of crust. The banana pudding was also great and didn’t disappoint.

We shared our experience with a few friends, and one in particular said if you liked their dinner, it’s a must-have for breakfast! There is just too much to list, but I can promise you if the breakfast was as good as the Chicken Fried Chicken and the Baby Back Ribs…We will be back!

Breakfast Lunch Dinner HOURS Monday - Wednesday: 8:00am - 9:00pm Thursday - Friday 8:00am - 10:00pm Saturday - Sunday 7:30am - 10:00pm PHONE (940) 440-9760 ADDRESS 10001 Hwy. 380, Cross Roads, TX 76227 Email crossroads@phtexas.com Catering email www.phtexas.com

LittleElmMagazine.com

13

In His Presence

One Sunday a pastor asked his congregation to consider giving a little extra to the offering. A reward would be given for the top giver. The person who gave the most would be able to pick out any three hymns they wanted to hear. After the offering was received, the pastor announced that someone gave $1,000. He was so excited that he wanted to thank the individual personally before the service was over. He asked the top giver to come forward. An elderly widow stood up and slowly made her way down to the front. The pastor thanked her for her gift and asked her to pick out three hymns. The widow’s eyes lit up as she scanned the congregation.

She pointed to the three most handsome men in the congregation and told the pastor, “I’ll take him and him and him.”

Unfortunately, many relationships operate with this motto: I’ll take, take, and take. This motto is a recipe for relationship disaster! Love and relationships take center stage in February with the emphasis placed on Valentine’s Day. God’s Word points us in the right direction when it comes to love and relationships.

The Bible tells us that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to this earth to rescue us from our sins. Jesus demonstrated His great love for us as He gave His life for us on the cross. Jesus loved us with a sacrificial, selfless love. We receive forgiveness of sins and we enter into a relationship with God as we repent of our sins and place our faith in Jesus.

14

Little Elm Magazine

God wants us to love others the way He loved us. God wants us to love others with a sacrificial, selfless love that gives and gives and gives. This is the love God has for us. This is the love Jesus showed to us on the cross.

This is the love God produces in us. This is the love God wants us to show to others. When we love others with a sacrificial love our relationships will soar. Does this mean all our relationships will work out perfectly?

No. We are all imperfect people. Loving others with a sacrificial love like Jesus does means that we and others will be blessed. We love others with a sacrificial love as we trust Christ day by day.

A little boy was excited because his grandmother was coming to visit them. His grandmother arrived and she grabbed him and said, “Are you glad to see me?” The little boy said, “Yes, I am! Now maybe Dad will do the trick he has been promising us.” Next, the grandmother asked, “What trick is that?” The little boy said, “Well, I heard Dad tell Mom that he would climb the walls if you came to visit.” Don’t let your relationships drive you up the wall. Love others sacrificially like God loved us. If you do this, you and your relationships will be blessed.

Marc Farnell, Senior Pastor CrossRidge Church of Little Elm 1701 Walker Lane, Little Elm, TX 75068 www.crossridgelife.org 972.292.1953 Join us for Sunday services at 9:00 am and 10:30 am February 2016

Little Elm Sweethearts

Jon and Sandy Pomeroy “Trusting in each other and being fully committed to your relationship is mandatory in making any marriage work. Having a positive attitude along with a sense of humor helps every aspect of our lives as well. Sandy always encourages me to pursue my passion with motorcycles and I do the same with the hobbies that she pursues. Also, taking time to help and listen to others will do wonders to enrichen your life. Be extra nice to your neighbors, you can't choose which ones you have.”

25+ Years

Duane and Joel Olsen “Stay best friends. Be patient and willing to meet half way...often.

Remember that one does not need to win all the time. Also, remember the small things that matter to your other half. Say, "I love you" a lot!”

LittleElmMagazine.com

15

Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE PAID Prosper TX Permit #68

CedarbrookMedia Connect | Engage | Prosper

Advertising | Community Publications | Graphic Design | Direct Mail | Website Design Social Media & Brand Management | Photography | Video Production

221 N. Preston Rd., Suite C | Prosper, TX 972-347-6231 | www.CedarbrookMedia.com