Life in Castle Hills Magazine July 2018

How to Stay on Track

TO GO BACK

Resident &

PET SPOTLIGHT

Check Out The NEW SHERIFF’S CORNER

JULY 20, 2018 - AUGUST 17, 2018

EVERY DAYIs a

SPA DAY at

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 3

SUMMER

PHOTOS

Photos were submitted by area residents.

If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

4 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5

CastleHillsMagazine.com

Publisher & Editor

SURVIVING

Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Writer & Editor Steve Gamel

Advertising Manager

Lizzy Hoffman 972.900.7302 lizzy@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Stephanie Hansen Savannah Halfmann

Photography

Kim Ortiz Photography 972.814.9642 www.KimOrtiz.com

Letters

Life in Castle Hills invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments.

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.

Editorial and Advertising Inquiries Call 972.899.3637

or email artwork@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com

Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 Life in Castle Hills is published monthly

by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Life in Castle Hills is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2018 Murray Media Group

Summer W

ell, we survived the first month of Summer Break! For many of us, it’s a challenge to

balance work with the added stress of

needing additional childcare, keeping the kids busy and not bored and also

not breaking the bank while doing so.

Gone are the days when children left the house after breakfast on their bikes for

a day of Summer shenanigans with the

only instruction being to make sure they were home before the streetlights were

on. Today’s kids expect to be entertained, and I don’t know about your kids, but

mine do not seem to find it funny when I

say “if you’re bored I have a list of chores you can do.” It does seem to buy me a

few extra minutes before they’re asking

what they can do, but it certainly doesn’t

buy me the time I need to get everything done. Summer brings a whole new level of stress. There are a lot more chores

like the extra house cleaning from them being at home to the what seems like 100 extra loads of laundry thanks to

swimming towels, endless sleepovers

with friends, oh, and have I mentioned

my three dogs that seem to like to jump in the pool for some fun too!? In this

issue, we are focused on Education, and maybe it’s because after a month and a bit of these kiddos at home many of us

are already starting to long for the days of

school, where structure and order rule our days. July is always a great time to start considering things like daycare options for the Fall, after-school activities, and

for many the move from Public school to Private school or the other way around.

This month’s issue is full of articles to help you on your journey and also packed

full of tips to keep you entertained this

Summer. And although I may not paint the best picture of Summer, it really is tongue and cheek because some of my best

memories over the years come from late

night campfires, family vacations, weekend boating, and just the laid-back vibe that comes from the Texas sun on your face.

Sometimes, you just have to pause from the madness to see the blessings you have around you. Till next month!

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

Publisher of Murray Media Group

6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

16

On the Cover is Christina Williamson, owner of Salon Bellus

FEATURED:

Everyday Is A Spa Day At Salon Bellus ASK THE EXPERTS

ARTICLES

10 Gardening with Complete Solutions

08 Inside Community

14 Reading with Reading Ranch

11 Resident & Pet Spotlight 12 8 Ways Parents Can Prepare for Back to School

26 Edit This with Steve Gamel

18 Foodie Friday DFW with Jay Marks Real Estate

04 Castle Hills Resident Photos 09 Castle Hills Resident Photos

EDITORS PICK: There’s a T-Rex Walking Down the Street

09 Inside Education

22 Counseling with Lifeworks

PHOTOS FROM CASTLE HILLS

30

20 Where Perfect Customer Service Is In It’s DNA 24 How to Stay on Track to Go Back

THIS MONTH:

We’re focusing on education.

Look for the icon to get to know your local / private schools & daycares, and ways to keep your child on track.

27 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree 28 All-District Baseball & Softball JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 7

INSIDE COMMUNITY The Hall family brought The Colony community together with their unique patriotic display for 4th of July. They erected a tribute steel replica of the Iwo Jima Memorial where the community could write the names of veterans and first responders to thank them from their service. It wasn’t long before the display was covered with the names of patriots who sacrificed much, even their lives, for our country. The Hall family plans to

photo courtesy of www.NBCDFW.com

A FAMILY OF PATRIOTS donate it to local veteran’s organization after the Fourth of July holiday.

CRAFT CAMP FOR KIDS

There will be an Arts and Crafts Camp for Kids from July 23 - July 26. The camp will

take place each day from 1pm-3:30pm and is hosted by Crafting Camp for Kids with Casey and The Colony Parks & Recreation Department. During the workshop, artists ages 5-12 will learn to create 2-D and 3-D projects, and most of all, have FUN while creating wonderful summertime memories alongside other young artists! There is an $80 class registration fee and a $40 supply fee. Visit The Colony Parks & Recreation Department’s Facebook page for more details.

After The Gravley Hardware Store closed its doors permanently in 1987, the sign continued to hang from the building as a piece of Carrollton History, up until this year. The original

Gravley sign was constructed in 1924, making it nearly 100

years old. The sign was taken down after the historic building

was purchased by the O’Hare Law Firm. Gary Gravley hopes to have the sign restored, or maybe even donate it to the city of

Carrollton as a reminder of the historic building that once sat in the Downtown Carrollton Square. photo courtesy of Gary Gravley 8 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

LIBERTY BY THE LAKE PARADE Congrats to the winners of this year’s Liberty by The Lake Independence Day Parade! Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with the community and a special thanks to all the participants and volunteers.

Most Creative Float: Ridgepointe Dental Outstanding Marching Group: Cub Scout Pack 281 Best Non-Float Entry: Lone Star T’s Most Original Entry: Boy Scout Troop 281 Best Of Show: American Legion Post 21

photo courtesy of Colony Parks & Recreation Facebook page

GRAVLEY SIGN COMES DOWN

INSIDE EDUCATION BACK T0 SCHOOL FAIR The LISD Back to School Fair will be held on Saturday, August 4 from 9am-2pm at Lewisville High School. The event is expected to help over 4,000 economically disadvantaged students get the supplies and recourses they need to start school. Students attending the fair will receive a backpack filled with supplies, vision exams, sports physicals, immunizations, and haircuts.

CCA SCHOLARSHIPS Christian Community Action is offering 3 scholarships: a Health Care Scholarship and two Winners For Life Scholarships. The Health Care Scholarship will be presented to a college student who is currently enrolled in a health care program, the winner will receive $1660. The two Winners For Life Scholarships will be given to at-risk youths entering their first year of college, recipients will be granted $1500 each. Applications are due July 31.

HEBRON PTSA SCHOLARSHIPS

BRIAN SEO “MR. LISD”

Congratulations to the following 2018

The LISD Student Councils and the

Hebron High School Seniors who were

Superintendent’s Student Advisory Board

awarded PTSA Scholarships through LEF:

hosted the Mr. LISD pageant to benefit Pedi

Allyson Lux, Bennett Holley, Brandon Slate,

Place and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Colin Kiesling, Conor Milligan, Katherine

The event consisted of an opening dance,

Elam, Madeline Turner, Megan Smith, Payton

talent portion, swimwear and formal wear.

Snyder, and Trifeena James. Applications will

Hebron’s Brian Seo was crowned Mr. LISD.

open for juniors this fall so make sure you

In addition to the title, Seo was also awarded

join PTSA when school starts!

a $500 scholarship. Congratulations!

photo courtesy of Hebron High School PTSA Facebook page

photo courtesy of www.LISD.net

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 9

Ask The Expert: Gardening

Grass QUESTIONS

G

rass seems to be the hot topic lately. With the heat starting to set in, everyone’s wondering what’s going on in and around those shade trees, along the concrete walks where the grass is thinning, or asking about the dead spots in the lawn. We thought it would be a good idea to highlight our TOP 3 kinds of grass for this area, give you some information on what to plant, where to plant it, and what you should expect. If you’re looking to replace some damaged areas, or you’re tired of fighting a struggling lawn and looking to change out turf types, check out the information below. It’s always best to consult with a specialist, but the information below might help guide you in the right direction or give you a place to start.

BERMUDA Bermuda’s great for a sun-exposed lawn (at least 7 sun hrs per day). It’s aggressive growth habit gives it excellent weed resistance. That same trait can be a problem when Bermuda invades flower beds-planters-gardens. Bermuda is pretty wear-resistant and drought-tolerant. It spreads by both stolons and rhizomes, which helps it to form a thick, dense turf.

If you’re looking for a green lawn yearround, overseeding with rye will provide that color through winter. Roughly 1/2”3”is the recommended cut height so you can keep it short for the summer months but let it get taller to help retain moisture.

Blade: Sharp, Pointed, 1/8” Wide Color/Texture: Deep Green, Dense Growth: Close Cut, High Quality Water: Frequently ST. AUGUSTINE St. Augustine is the turfgrass of choice in warm climates where sandy soil is prevalent and water doesn’t stand around.

The broad blades will hold color into the fall season, unlike other warm-season grasses. It can thrive with at least five hours of sunlight per day and consistent watering. It can be more susceptible to fungus and disease than other types of grass and won’t take as much traffic. But if maintained properly, it is a great option.

10 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

Cut height should be 3-4” for optimum thickness and longevity.

Blade: Broad with Rounded Tip, 1/4” Wide Color/Texture: Dark Green, Coarse, Spongy Growth: Slow, From Sod or Plugs Water: Frequently ZOYSIA Zoysia prefers a warm, sunny and welldrained growing site. BUT, some varieties can take as little as three hours of light per day. This makes it a great option in our warmer climate with most of our lawns containing both sun and shade areas. It takes more care than most turfgrasses, but when its needs are met, the reward is a thick, green lawn. It’s a very slow-growing grass, and it can take more than a year to establish fully. It has stiff leaf blades and will produce numerous seed heads if not kept cut. Cut height can vary but we typically recommend at around 1”.

BERMUDA

ST. AUGUSTINE

Blade: Narrow, Needle-Like Color/Texture: Prickly, Stiff, Carpet-Like Growth: Slow Water: Average

by PJ Kratohvil of Complete Solutions completesolutionsdfw.com

ZOYSIA

Resident & Pet Spotlight

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

T

he Adam’s family was chosen as resident spotlight for Life in Castle Hills magazine. Get to know your local residents and read about the Adam’s family.

Q: What made you decide to move to Castle Hills?

A: We lived in a neighborhood near by, and we were always running to Castle Hills to eat or visit friends. We wanted a lower maintenance life style, which we found in the Villas. The community is awesome. We love the club, gym, family activities photography by Kim Ortiz Photography

and our neighbors. Castle Hills is well maintained, organized, and has lots of family friendly activities.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do as a family?

A: Our favorite thing to do as a family is to spend time at our cabin in Lake City, CO. There we like to fish, jeep, hike and enjoy the slower pace and fresh air.

Q: What are some fun facts about your family?

A: Bert can’t see well enough to play golf, but some how manages to tie a good knot at the end of his fly fishing line. Devon will become instant friends with

anybody who has a bottle of Veuve Clicquot in their refrigerator. Payton is our only kiddo, and will be a Red Raider in the fall, following in her Dad’s footsteps. Gus is

our seven week old black lab and he is more well known than any of the humans in Top photo from left to right: Devon, Payton and Bert Adams

our house. Every neighbor knows Gus!

PET SPOTLIGHT

O

wner and Castle Hills Resident Susan Randall owns two beautiful Golden Retrivers, Mysterie and Tempo. Below are a few questions about these adorable tail waggers.

Q: How did they become a part of your family?

A: When we lost our furry family members my friend Kendra showed us Golden Retrievers for my husband, Taylor & I. Q: Describe their personality?

A: Tempo is psycho for retrieving the tennis ball every waking hour; Mysterie guards our CH home from backyard squirrels and rabbits.

Q: Do they have any special talents?

A: Tempo is an AKC Champion.

Q: What is their favorite treats?

A: Strawberries, blueberries & apple slices in the morning; ‘Zuke’s Z-Bones’ in the evening.

Q: Where do they sleep?

A: Right outside our closed MBR door, waiting for us to open the door at 7am to begin a new day.

Above photo from let to right: Mysterie (4 yrs. old, female) and Tempo (5 yrs old, male)

Q: What is the funniest thing they do?

A: Every morning they go “on point” around a 1 mile radius in the neighborhood to scare off bunnies/squirrels, or they both give themselves a body rub several times a day; by leaning their bodies onto the sides of the couch while walking a circle around it.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 11

Education Article

Ways Parents Can Prepare for

BACK TO SCHOOL

by Steve Gamel

I

t seems like only yesterday that we were talking about how summertime is about

to be upon us. Now we are in the middle of summer, and it’s time to start thinking about preparing for back to school time.

Wait? What? School? But there’s still time to squeeze in another small vacation! We know, but we’re all going to blink, and it will be time to transition your kids – and yourself – for those first few days of school.

Will you be prepared? To help eliminate those concerns, make things easier on yourself with these 8 tips and tricks.

Start shopping for school supplies now This is an absolute must. Not only will you have a better chance of having the pick of the litter with backpacks, pens, paper, etc., but you won’t run into the dreaded task of having to drive all over Denton County and beyond trying to find that ultraspecific package of construction paper on your kid’s class supplies list.

Limit time spent on video games When they’re not outside soaking in the summertime rays, your kids are probably playing a ton of video games like Fortnite. With that comes an unbelievable culture shock when they realize they have to start scaling back. Rather than wait until the last minute to make them stop, slowly ease your child down from their video-game high.

Reestablish those sleep routines Look, getting up early on a school

morning is never easy for any kid or parent, but it’s always a great idea to get back into the routine by having your kids start going to bed at a reasonable time at least a week before the first day of school. If you do this, school mornings are guaranteed to be less stressful.

12 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

Get your kids involved You might be thinking that you’re a more efficient shopper when you’re doing it alone, but getting the kids involved creates excitement. They get to pick out their backpack, lunchbox, or new pair of shoes instead of hoping and praying you pick out the right one on your own.

Get your kids’ checkups done early Just like anything else when the first day of school is inching closer, there will be a mad dash to schedule doctors visits. Don’t be late to that party. Make sure your child’s immunization records are up to date and that they’ve had a checkup.

Make a homework station for your kids Ahhh, there’s nothing better than

making sure ahead of time that there’s a

designated spot your kids know they have to go to get their homework done. Make

sure it’s decked out with all their necessary supplies ahead of time.

Get organized

Everything on this list seems to have been leading up to this one, right?

Make sure you go through your kids’ nice school clothes ahead of time to

make sure they still fit. Go through any

paperwork that may have been sent to

you in the mail from the school district – especially if you’re enrolling your child for the first time.

Get ideas from your friends

We all have those friends who seem to

always be on top of their game. So pick

their brain to see what tips and tricks they have up their sleeve. You may even learn

they aren’t as on the ball as you originally thought. Now you can work together to help each other get prepared.

What tips do you have to make the first

day of school less stressful? Share them with us on our Facebook page. We’d

also love to see your first day of school pictures when the day finally arrives.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 13

Ask The Expert: Reading

Why I Love

TEACHING

Children How To Read

F

or me, helping children overcome their struggles with early literacy through the Reading Ranch® is an absolute blessing. As I’ve written time and time, I, too, lived those moments of self-doubt and falling behind in school. It was a difficult time in my life – so I know how uplifting it is to finally overcomes those obstacles.

There are a million reasons why I love teaching children to read.

For the sake of brevity, here are 10.

by Kim Southwell, Ph.D. Founder, Owner & Director Reading Ranch Tutorial Center www.readingranch.com

1. That moment when a child’s

4. I get to meet new children every day

8. The parents of our children

2. Even with a Ph.D., I’m still

5. I love the journey

9. It’s a chance to bring joy to a

eyes widen with anticipation learning something new every day

3. I can use my imagination, and so can the children

6. Every day is a different opportunity 7. I love that words are like puzzle pieces

value my ability to teach

child’s life and set them up for future success

10. I get to franchise and work with other like-minded teachers

Thanks for reading! Do you love to teach children how to read, too? Since 2006, The Reading Ranch has offered a phonetically-based program in reading, writing, and spelling enrichment. The multi-sensory teaching approach meets individual needs, giving students a strong foundation in reading, writing, and spelling while “filling the gap” for children who need literacy support. It’s the type of guidance I wish I could have received earlier in my education – and I consider each day I get to work with another child an absolute blessing from God. The program has become so popular that I decided to offer franchising. By partnering with other like-minded educators, the benefits of The Reading Ranch services can serve more children while providing a great business opportunity for people who wish to own their own business and help children. Call The Reading Ranch Today!!!

For more information on any of our convenient locations, or if you have interest in franchising opportunities with The Reading Ranch, visit www.franchisereadingranch.com or call (214) 436-5533.

14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 15

EVERY DAYIs a

SPA DAY

S

ummertime is just as busy as the school year if not more so. Between errands, family trips, camps and

work there isn’t much time to take care

of yourself. Before long, you look in the

mirror and realize that your “summer hair” has become unmanageable. That’s when it’s time for you to take a holiday of your own to Salon Bellus in the Austin Ranch community of The Colony.

Christina Williamson of Salon Bellus

believes that a trip to the salon should

be more like a vacation getaway from the

at

stress of everyday life.

“We want our customers to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience, more like a spa

by Susan Neuhalfen

experience within a salon,” said Christina, owner of Salon Bellus. “It’s important that our clients leave here feeling pampered and beautiful.”

16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

When Christina started Salon Bellus a year ago, the concept was to open a

high-end salon with a price point that

suited everyone’s budget. She wanted the luxurious feel of a spa to help her

customers feel relaxed. So she added some extra services that did just that.

“Every customer gets a scalp massage with their shampoo to help them relax

from the moment we start,” said Christina.

“Then, while the conditioner is setting, we apply a hot towel for a wonderful steam wrap. Our clients love it.”

Salon Bellus makes you feel like you’re on

vacation from the moment you walk in the

Follow us on

@salonbellustx

door. It’s beautiful and bright décor boasts lots of blue abstract ocean elements

making way to a very relaxed atmosphere.

It’s very calming and Christina, a native of

Florida, said she wanted her customers to

feel like they were getting away from it all.

She’s even found a way to make the

most mundane hair treatments more

enjoyable. Have you ever sat under a hot dryer after getting highlights or a perm?

Boring, right? Not at

Salon Bellus. They offer a

paraffin hand conditioning treatment while clients are processing. Not only will your hair look beautiful,

your hands will, too. And

talk about soft! After all of photography by Kim Ortiz Photography

the work your hands do all

even just surprise your husband for date

night. When you think about it, this would also make a great gift.

Christina also believes in keeping up

with all of the latest trends. She offers her staff continuing education courses and they train together to keep up on the

latest trends.They also attend hair shows together which are not

Salon Bellus makes you feel like you’re on vacation from the moment you walk in the door.

summer, they deserve a break, too.

Salon Bellus also boasts a dry bar or

“blowout”, meaning that clients don’t

have to get their hair cut in order to get it styled by a professional. Clients may get the shampoo and scalp massage

followed by a blowout, styling it perfectly for any event. Clients who purchase four

blowouts can get a membership card that includes no extra charges for one deep

only fun, but help them to keep up on what’s next in their industry.

“We want our clients to have the latest services

available to them,” said

Christina. “I’m lucky. I have a staff that loves to learn.”

For example, they offer balayage, the hottest

hair coloring technique where the stylist

free hand paints color onto the hair. This technique can be used to create several different looks. From a natural “sun-

kissed” blend of color, to a more defined piecey look.

“I love trying new techniques with clients,” said Christina. “Sometimes changing your hair can lead to all sorts of possibilities.”

conditioning treatment, additional curling

In fact, helping people to make

prepare for a party or important event, or

Christina has loved the most about her

and iron work. This is the perfect way to

improvements and changes is what

job. She’s been styling hair over a dozen years and the majority of her clients are either referral or they’ve been with her for several years. They’re family to her.

She recently had a long term client who had gone through a dramatic weight loss and Christina had witnessed it all. The woman brought Christina a picture of a short, edgy pixie cut, which was a daring move for her. Christina said she asked her at least three times if she was sure (it’s not like she can put it back once it’s cut).

When Christina finished with her hair, she was crying.

“She really scared me because I thought she was unhappy with the result,” said Christina. “As it turns out, she loved it and couldn’t believe what a remarkable change it made. It’s really moving to see how you can affect someone and make their day brighter. That’s why I do this.”

469.892.6749

www.bellushair.com

5805 Saintsbury Dr., Suite 111 The Colony, TX 75056 Tues-Fri 10am-7pm Saturday 9am-6pm

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 17

Foodie Friday DFW: J2 Steakhouse

Partaking in History at

J2 Steakhouse IN LEWISVILLE W

ithin the walls of the old Lewisville Feed Mill now lies an incredible, new, rustically-elegant restaurant called J2 Steakhouse.

Owner and Developer, Jim Murray, a resident of Hickory Creek and owner of the Prairie House Restaurant in Aubrey, took on the challenge of restoring the feed mill after it had been closed for more than five years.

The Lewisville Feed Mill closed in 2010 after being a hub of Old Town Lewisville for 124 years. It was originally opened as the Lewisville Feed Mill Livery Stable

Nearly everything is created in-house -

from their Worcestershire sauce to their

house-made pretzel bread and their dryaged meats.

Some of the signature dishes Chef

Pauley has created include: a Peach and Burrata Salad, Seared Scallops served

with a stone fruit chutney and balsamic gastrique, Baby Boar Chops, and their Akaushi Ribeye topped with a Meyer

in 1886 by J.W. Degan and served as a

Lemon Compound Butter.

centerpiece of the city for over a century.

To compliment their incredible food, J2

Jim and his team worked diligently to preserve the unique history contained within the walls of the feed mill. At the back of the restaurant, you can still see the original mills. Serving as the focal point of the well-stocked bar is a gorgeous mantlepiece that was crafted in the 1800s.

And if you look up at the light fixtures, you’ll notice their eccentric craftsmanship.

That’s because they were created using items found around the feed mill as they were restoring the building.

Steakhouse also has a fantastic lineup of cocktails, wines, and beers. Two of their signature cocktails include the Duke’s

Old Fashioned made with cherry, brown sugar, bitters and orange zest and the

Texas Mirage made with silver tequila, a

cucumber and jalapeno puree served with an ancho chile salt rim.

J2 Steakhouse is also the perfect place to host your private events. They have

a stunning VIP room that seats 16 at the

custom-made table made from one piece

of wood that came from a live water oak off the Neches River in Central Texas. And it is stunning!

The entire restaurant is really a sight to see. Jim says that the building in and of itself is a show and has a life of its own that he was honored to restore and showcase to the community again.

So, head down to J2 Steakhouse to view all the beautiful updates and upgrades Jim made to the old feed mill.

You’ll feel like you’re taking part in a little piece of history!

972.537.5547 119 E. Main St., Lewisville, TX 75057

And as far as the food goes, Jim has brought on an incredible Chef to create a unique farm-to-table style menu. Chef Johnathan Pauley brings a straightforward approach to cooking and affinity for seasonal, market-sourced ingredients to

972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealestate.com

J2 Steakhouse, resulting in approachable

jay@jaymarksrealestate.com

yet innovative Texas-inspired cuisine.

2624 Long Prairie Rd. | Flower Mound, TX 75022

18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 19

Perfect Where

General Motors named Eldorado Chevrolet in

McKinney to its exclusive Chevrolet Dealer of the Year list. The program honors 50 Chevrolet dealers from

across the country, 10 per region, based on exceptional

performance in sales, service and customer satisfaction.

Eldorado Chevrolet has now been the recipient of this

CUSTOMER

award for 2 consecutive years.

by Steve Gamel

SERVICE IN T

DNA Its

Is

he ability to provide superior customer service is a critical differentiator in business these days.

That’s especially true in the car industry, where dealerships are a dime a dozen and consumers want more than just a good deal on their next dream car.

In North Texas, there’s only one dealership that exceeds those expectations every time.

photography by Your Candid Memories (yourcandidmemories.com)

20 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

“The best way we can provide PERFECT CUSTOMER SERVICE is to keep our employees happy,”

El Dorado Mazda in McKinney has served the local community for more than 25

years and measures everything they do from the customers’ perspective. They

actively go beyond what is considered

routine, and the payoff has been huge.

“It’s all about the customer here,” said

general sales manager Jas Gill. “I know that a lot of places say that, but it really

is the way we feel. We want to handle all their needs, no matter how big or small.

So, rather than just talk about it all the

time, we’ve put it into action and made it part of our fundamentals. That’s the way we feel.”

When Gill visited with Life in Castle Hills

magazine, he was almost late because he was busy standing side-by-side with his employees greeting customers in the

front lobby. Rather than getting bogged down with staffing, sales, inventory,

finance, contracts, and putting out fires, Gill and his staff at El Dorado focus on short wait times, no-pressure sales, no surprises, a neat and clean lobby, a

family-focused approach, and happy and knowledgeable employees.

That’s an everyday thing for Gill, who

prefers to run his store from the front

end rather than from the comfort of his

office. He didn’t start by talking about their high-line vehicles, their sales numbers,

or touting all the lofty awards El Dorado’s family of dealerships have won. Instead,

he took us down the hallway and around a corner to their training room.

In that room on a large dry-erase board was a myriad of standard customer service goals with the phrase, “good service is not a sign of weakness” spelled out in large block writing. And that mantra clearly wasn’t relegated to the customer only. While there is a deliberate focus on maintaining perfect customer service, Gill said making sure his employees are happy ties together everything they are trying to accomplish.

time, ‘I’ve never worked so hard in all my

“The best way we can provide perfect customer service is to keep our employees happy,” Gill said. “I want them to feel like they have the support they need and that they can’t wait to come to work every day.

Yes, you have to have people to take care of the customers, but you also have to take care of the salespeople.

improving new vehicle sales and the

Gill added, “Guys like Rusty McDonald, Michael Domenico Jr., Rusty Drake, and Jason Lawing, they all care. We keep an extra manager on every sales desk, we have two receptionists to greet the customers, and we make the best deals.”

Since 1993, El Dorado Mazda’s goal

Lawing agreed, saying that he’s never been in an environment like El Dorado’s in all his year’s working in the car industry.

the flexibility to sort model inventory by

“The big thing is that we believe in perfect service for everyone, including employees,” said Lawing, a sales manager at El Dorado’s Chevrolet store on the same property. “If you take care of the employee, then they are going to take care of the customer. It doesn’t feel like work when you walk in the door here. I’ve got employees here who tell me all the

Their dealership offers a wide variety of

life, but I’ve also never had so much fun.’

Everyone wants to be a part of this team. “[The Mazda store] has found the secret

sauce. They’ve got a great crew, and they live and breathe customer service.”

And like we said, the payoff has been

huge. El Dorado Mazda is consistently

rewarded as a top-performing dealership for its focus and commitment to

customer experience. This includes

meeting rigorous customer satisfaction requirements, sales-loyalty goals,

maintaining a quality dealership image, and ensuring the sales and service staff

adhere to Mazda training requirements on an on-going basis.

has been to make the vehicle-buying

experience second to none. Some of their newer inventory include the 2018 Mazda CX-3, CX-5, and the MX-5 Miata, and

their online showroom gives customers vehicle trim options, body styles, price, drivetrain, and more.

new and used cars – they have the largest inventory in North Texas – incentives, service specials, and parts savings.

Which is why at El Dorado Mazda, cuttingedge inventory and perfect customer service is the new standard.

“It’s who we are,” Gill said.

888.484.0114 | www.eldoradomazda.com | 2150 N. Central Expressway | McKinney, TX 75070 JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 21

Ask The Expert: Counseling

STOP, DROP, and

Really LISTEN!

L

isten! Can you hear it? The squealing of delight and splashing water as kids jump into the pool, sizzling burgers

on the grill amongst the

laughter of friends and family at cookouts, chirping cicadas and crickets that serenade the setting sun…

The sounds of summer surround us, but how

often do you slow down to notice them? Most

families are busy doing fun

yell in frustration, thinking that no one cares about what they have to say.

What they want is for someone to show they care by stopping and listening.

THIS IS HOW:

Family members often yell in frustration thinking that no one cares about what they have to say.

things but miss out on the full experience because they are always going.

Unfortunately, the same thing happens in relationships. We get busy and miss

out on opportunities to love each other

through listening. Family members often

22 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

•

•

STOP what you are

doing. You may not be

able to stop immediately when a loved one needs to talk. If the timing

is bad, then suggest

another time to talk

and make it happen.

DROP what you are

holding and look at the person who is talking. Turn off the tv, put down

your devices, and look at each other.

Parents are just as guilty as teens for passively listening while playing on their phones.

•

REALLY LISTEN. Summarize what you heard so your loved one can clarify anything that was miscommunicated.

Then, use feeling words to convey empathy. This is especially true with kids who may not have the skills to express how they are feeling. If you are unsure, guess. Kids have no problem telling you if you are wrong.

When people feel heard, their attitudes soften. Relationships flourish when everyone knows their perspective matters.

If you would like help living well, we encourage you to start the conversation.

Live well. Let us help.

by Amanda Owen, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S Lifeworks

businessoffice@lifeworkscc.com

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 23

Education Article

by Madison Reed

24 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

I

s your child ready for the new school year? Specifically, have they stayed up to date with their reading and math skills

this summer? If so, make sure to give them a nice pat on the back. If not, don’t panic.

There’s still plenty of time to make up some ground as we inch closer to the first day of school. Here are a few tips to help them get it together.

Make the library your new friend.

When I was a kid, my mother encouraged me to make a list of 12 books that I would like to read over the summer. Once I was finished with a book, we’d go to the library the next day so I could get another book.

I was required to bring this book with me wherever we went – the dentist office, weekend trips to the lake, my parents’ work office, my brother’s wrestling tournaments, choir practice, baseball practice, etc. I liked reading but I also wanted to be outside riding my bike or playing on a softball field. But at the end of the day, my reading continued. And I couldn’t be more thankful.

Make sure the books they pick are what they want to read.

It’s important to let your child pick their own reading material. If you force what you think is best, it’s likely to push them in the opposite direction because it’s more of a chore than actual fun. Some books that I picked were super boring and some were fantastic, but the point was that it was my decision. One of the best books I read was Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Holy cow, was that a good book!

I remember reading it when we were at the lake one summer and my brother got the book wet, I mean soaking wet.

He was goofing around and I went nuts.

I had to wait a whole 10 minutes for the pages to dry so I could continue. This was the moment that I understood how much reading meant to me. This “reading task”

Pick a “homework spot”.

We are all creatures of habit, and we tend to gravitate to what makes us most comfortable. A few weeks before school actually started, my parents would ask us to pick a “homework spot.” It could be a spot wherever we wanted in the house, or outside, and that’s where we would do our homework for the year. It couldn’t be a room with a TV or the game room that had video games, or even our bedroom (too many distractions). It had to be a spot where we would focus and dedicate our time to just homework. My place was typically the same spot each year, it was in my Dad’s office closet. He had an old wood desk that I would set up shop.

I always felt like it was “my office” and I would pretend I was some bigwig at a corporate company “working” when I was actually doing 3rd-grade math problems.

Anyway, my parents would also set up a “homework night,” the last few weeks of summer where one night a week we would have to spend an hour without TV or playing outside, typically reading a book or practicing our multiplication. This is a great tip to help gear you and your kids up for the upcoming school year.

Get back on a routine.

A few days before school actually started, our bedtimes would change.

It was supposed to help ease us back into our school sleep schedule, but WHATEVER! I’m totally kidding, this really did help and I actually still use this concept today. These are a few ideas to help to regain structure in your household, not to mention a fresh start for the new school year.

Challenge your child to finish a few more books before summer ends; they’ll thank you down the road. There’s still time to tackle some summer reading, there’s about 5-6 weeks left of summer so get

always helped me hit the ground running

yourself and your kiddos over to the local

when the school year actually started.

library and find some good reads.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 25

Ask The Expert: Edit This

T

here are plenty of reasons why you as a small-business owner should outsource work

to a quality writer. Maybe it’s

that blog you’ve been meaning to get to but never can, or you

have an outdated website and need fresh content to engage

better with customers. We all have

stuff to do, and it’d be nice to have someone you can trust to take a few things off your plate, right?

The good news is that writers are literally around every corner if you look hard enough.

But how do you know who the best writer

for your business is?

Before you hire

a writer for your business, ask yourself these

seven questions: 1. Was there a connection?

Connecting with a writer is a

2. How badly did they want to understand my business?

You want a writer who wants to know what matters most to you, and what you need to

have written. It’s also big if the writer makes suggestions for content you haven’t considered yet. Writers who understand that can capture the culture of your business in whatever they write.

3. What does their

portfolio look like?

A portfolio that

includes a variety of projects (blogs, website content, press releases, etc.) for different industries gives you peace of mind knowing you have one writer who can do it all.

big deal, whether it’s a one-

4. Are they local?

relationship. Look for chemistry,

they’re easily accessible and

time project or a long-term

Working with a local writer means

their passion for their work, and

probably know or have worked

ideas. Did you feel comfortable?

If everyone else likes them,

the back-and-forth sharing of That’s where you start.

26 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

with your key business partners. maybe you found your writer.

5. Did I have trouble reaching them?

If you jump through hoops to make contact with a potential writer, then that’s a red flag for your future working relationship. A writer dedicated to building trusting relationships will be easy to find.

6. What’s my budget?

Know how much you can spend and what that writer’s fees are. It may trim your list of finalists if one or two of them are simply too expensive.

7. Do I have time to do it all myself?

Business owners have a lot to keep track of. If you are struggling to keep up in areas like your communication strategy, then it’s probably time to outsource.

Give Edit This® a call today!!!

With more than 20 years of award-winning industry experience, Edit This can handle all your writing and editing needs. We are local, affordable, and our passion for what we do shows in the quality of our work.

by Steve Gamel Edit This 469.360.3611 EditThisLLC.com

SHERIFF ’S

CORNER with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

WELCOME TO THE NEW SHERIFF’S CORNER. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SHERIFF TRACY MURPHREE

S

heriff Murphree was born and raised in Yoakum County Texas. Where he attended McMurry University, majoring in History and Political Science, and graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety Training Academy in 1988.

Sheriff Murphree worked as a Highway Patrol Trooper in West Texas and Denton, from 1988 to 1994. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1994 and was stationed in Pecos, as a Highway Patrol Sergeant, where he was responsible for 5 counties and 12 Troopers.

In 1996, he became a narcotics agent, with the Texas DPS narcotics division and was stationed in Houston. Sheriff Murphree conducted numerous narcotic investigations, including working undercover. In 1998, he was selected to be a Texas Ranger and stationed in Denton, conducting major investigations including homicides. As a Ranger, he served on the protective detail for Gov. George W. Bush during his Presidential Campaign.

940.349.1600 127 N.Woodrow Lane Suite 300 Denton, TX 76205 dentoncounty.com/ Departments/Sheriff.aspx photo courtesy of the Denton County Sheriff’s Office

RETIRED FROM TEXAS DPS IN 2011 WITH 23 YEARS, 13 OF THOSE YEARS AS A TEXAS RANGER. Twenty-four hours after retiring from DPS, he was hired by the Denton County Sheriff’s Office as the Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division. Sheriff Murphree supervised and was responsible for Criminal Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, and crime scene.

In 2014, Sheriff Murphree left the Sheriff’s office to work for Paladin, a company developing technology for Law Enforcement. In 2016, Sheriff Murphree was elected Sheriff of Denton County, first term 01/01/2017.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 27

ALL-DISTRICT District 5-6A All-District Baseball 2018 MVP: Blake Mayfield, Marcus Newcomer of the Year:

Hudson White, Byron Nelson Pitcher of the Year:

Nicco Cole, Southlake Carroll Offensive Player of the Year: Blake Covin, Marcus

Defensive Player of the Year: Grant Plunkett, L.D. Bell

Utility Player of the Year: Michael Betrus Co-Designated Hitter of the Year: Nate Santiago, Southlake Carroll; Landry Choate, L.D. Bell

Coach of the Year: Paul Gibson, L.D. Bell FIRST TEAM: Cade Bell, Southlake Carroll; Cole

Johnson, Southlake Carroll; Demeitri

Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Ziegler, Southlake Carroll; Ashlyn Lerma, Marcus Ornelas, L.D. Bell; Justin Kleinsorge, Marcus; Jimmy Crooks, Euless Trinity.

Utility Player of the Year:

SECOND TEAM:

Newcomer of the Year:

David Van Vooran, Southlake Carroll; Nik Millsap, Southlake Carroll; Zach Jordan, Marcus; Nike Tratree, Euless Trinity; Brad Hallock, Hebron; Aiden Davis, Hebron; Joseph Angelone, Hebron; Will Quillen, Southlake Carroll; Beau Windebank, Byron Nelson; Dan Childs, Euless Trinity; Alan West, Lewisville; Austin Wallace, Flower Mound; Landon Muzzy, Hebron; Ethan Thomas, Byron Nelson; Johnny Sifuentes, L.D. Bell; Ryder Smith, Euless Trinity; Josh Caraway, Byron Nelson; Mitchell Dickson, Marcus.

Mckenzie Lucio, Euless Trinity

District 5-6A All-District Softball 2018

Adriana Nash, Lewisville; Billie McFadyen,

Petrides, Marcus; Michael Bernhardt,

L.D. Bell; Nico Baumbach, Euless Trinity;

Co-MVP: Megan Lesko, Flower Mound; Kendall Jennings, Flower Mound

Yealex Lopez, Lewisville; Braten Matthews, Hebron; Marcus Hill, Southlake Carroll;

Pitcher of the Year: Audrey Faulks, Hebron

Ryan Hunt, Marcus; Blake Empkey, L.D.

Catcher of the Year: Gabby Garcia, Southlake Carroll

Adam Stephenson, Southlake Carroll;

Bell; Caleb Vuono, Lewisville; Matthew

Bailey, Byron Nelson; Javier Luna, Byron Nelson; Reece Gould, L.D. Bell; Mason 28 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

Kennedy Hernandez, Hebron

Offensive Player of the Year: Lexi Benson, Marcus

Coach of the Year:

Tim Stuewe, Southlake Carroll FIRST TEAM: Kaitlyn Sadler, Flower Mound; Bailey Brenek, Flower Mound; Grace Meador, Flower Mound; Michelle Hollon, Flower Mound; Kayla Wallace, Flower Mound; Sarah Diessner, Byron Nelson, Gigi Rasmussen, Byron Nelson; Kallie Erwin, L.D. Bell; :Peyton Newman, L.D. Bell; Marcus; Emma Barr, Marcus; Mikaela Kenney, Marcus; Abigail Stuart, Southlake Carroll; Riley Carter, Southlake Carroll; Maddy Usey, Hebron.

SECOND TEAM: Macey Neuse, Hebron; Mattisyn Brown, Euless Trinity; Cecily Thompson, Hebron; Katie Gee, Southlake Carroll; Allie Nuenke, Southlake Carroll; Lauren Huff, Marcus; Angel Espinosa, Lewisville; Alicia Marion, L.D. Bell; Savvy Hornbaker, Byron Nelson; Jordan Lorenzini, Flower Mound; Randi Castillo, L.D. Bell; Haven Grider, Lewisville.

BASEBALL & SOFTBALL District 145A All-District Baseball 2018 MVP: Jordan Olivera, The Colony Pitcher of the Year: Mason Meeks, Lake Dallas Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Depperschmidt, Lake Dallas Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Jackson, Prosper Newcomer of the Year: Jorge Aldrete, Little Elm

Catcher of the Year:

Bailey Zornes, Prosper Utility Player of the Year: SECOND TEAM: Jacob Cosner, Prosper; Carson Cox, Little Elm; Chase Lewis, Carrollton RL Turner; Dylan Salinas, Little Elm; Jack Gee, McKinney North; Jared Lee, Carrollton Newman Smith; Trenten Lee, Carrollton Creekview; Tate Starks, Prosper; Dawson Zey, Prosper; Avery Burgess, Carrollton RL Turner; Ezra Gore, McKinney North; Ryan Hull, Lake Dallas; Matthew Mallory, Carrollton Creekview; Wesley Peerson, The Colony; Zach Emminizer, Little Elm; Connor Perry, Lake Dallas; Santiago Sanchez, Carrollton Creekview; Reece Parrott, Carrollton Newman Smith.

Bryson Lyro, The Colony; Isaiah Rhodes,

District 145A All-District Softball 2018

McKinney North; Caden Bonds, McKinney

MVP: Jayda Coleman, The Colony

Coach of the Year: Rick Carpenter, Prosper FIRST TEAM: Braden Carmichael, Prosper; Shay Hartis, The Colony; Connor Jackson, Prosper;

North; Logan Cowart, Lake Dallas; Logan Hohler, Little Elm; Keegan Sueltz, The Colony; Braden Webb, Prosper; Kyle York, Lake Dallas; Kendall Foster, Prosper; Azani Henley, Little Elm; Cam Hill, The Colony; Taylor Pendley, Prosper; Joseph Whitaker, The Colony; Luke Johnson, Prosper; Cade Irwin, The Colony; Jakob Machuca, Lake Dallas.

Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Colclaser, Prosper Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Lauren Ledbetter, McKinney North Offensive Player of the Year: Lauren Lucas, Little Elm Pitcher of the Year: Rachel Eckrote, Prosper

Madison Hirsch, The Colony Newcomer of the Year:

Natalie Morton, McKinney North Coach of the Year: Staci Jackson, Prosper FIRST TEAM: Lauren Orozco, Carrollton Creekview;

Kaylee Culpepper, Carrollton Creekview; Katelynn Larkin, Carrollton Creekview;

Alexus Hazlewood, Lake Dallas; Maddy Breckenridge, Lake Dallas; Aubrey

Meyers, Lake Dallas; Izzi Fielder, Little Elm; Paige Cappell, McKinney North;

Cierra Faubion, McKinney North; Lindsay

Garner, McKinney North; Autumn Paredes,

Carrollton Newman Smith; LaCara Skelton, Carrollton Newman Smith; Karlie Charles, The Colony; Zariya Stiner, The Colony;

Jacee Hamlin, The Colony; Marina Karnes, Prosper; Jessica Malan, Prosper; Abbey

Beasley, Prosper Julia Bumford, Prosper; Lexie Bell, Prosper.

SECOND TEAM: Kennedy Dugan, Lake Dallas; Kaitlyn

Derheim, McKinney North; Taryn Huston, McKinney North; Kaity Adams, Little Elm;

Elexus Favors, The Colony; Jodee Duncan, The Colony; Rachel Pivonka, Carrollton

Newman Smith; Skylar Phillips, Prosper; Nora Burns, Prosper; Shelby Lantz,

Prosper; Marisa Mejia, Prosper; Michelle

Tillapaugh, The Colony; Madison Adams, Little Elm; Alyssa Adams, Little Elm.

JULY 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 29

T-REX

There’s a

photo courtesy of DSW Productions/Jurassic Events

WALKING Down The Street

by Steve Gamel

L

ast month, Lake Dallas resident Dalles Wielenga put on a family event in front of The Original Joey O’s in

Corinth. Similar events are put on all the time by companies and local

versatile enough to cater to the average consumer for everything from kids’ birthdays to grand openings and various other social or corporate events.

businesses looking to spur

So when Wielenga unveiled

foot traffic, but this one didn’t

March, it was no surprise that it

community involvement and

his “toy” in front of Joey O’s in

have the traditional rides and

was such a scene-stealer.

games you’re used to.

“It’s random, isn’t it? And

“People were on their phones

you’re right. But it looks like

saying, ‘There’s a dinosaur

walking down 2181! You have to come see this,’” Wielenga

said with a laugh. “There were

Dalles Wielenga

people in their cars stopped at

the light taking pictures. I’m just

glad I didn’t cause an accident.”

Allow us to introduce you to DSW

Productions/Jurassic Events, a new

Three years ago, he came across several comical dinosaur videos on YouTube

where people were pranking innocent

victims. The pranks were harmless and very popular, which made Wielenga

wonder if he could formulate a similar

concept and use it on a kid-friendly level.

“Those dinosaurs were larger, so I

wondered why can’t I take the same

concept and break it down to cater to the average consumer in the community?”

the community is warming up

Wielenga said.

to it,” Wielenga said. “We did

Since that first event in March, DSW

one event, and the Mayor of Lake Dallas showed up and was

literally there all day long interacting with the people and the dinosaur. I love being in the community and meeting people. It’s my passion. This dinosaur gives me a way

Productions/Jurassic Events has spread like wildfire and plans are to eventually

add more dinosaurs to the mix (can you say Raptors?). DSW was there for the

grand opening of Legacy Boxing Gym

in Lake Dallas on March 24 and has also

to do that.”

been asked to do a similar event for

based production company. It features a

Wielenga’s out-of-the-box idea adds even

Police Department, Liberation Coffee, and

roars, and is so lifelike that Denton County

company. DSW Productions specializes

it and business owners are searching for

videography for weddings, sporting

division of Wielenga’s Lake Dallas-

mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex that walks,

more flavor to his existing production

residents are falling head over heels for

in high-quality photography and

excuses to have it in front of their store.

events, major competition events, and

Wielenga’s man-operated baby T-Rex can

more. Wielenga’s passion is capturing

13 feet in length (from head to tail). And

smile and sometimes cry. In his words,

talking about a movie-quality dinosaur

door into another life and adventure.”

get up to 9-feet tall and is approximately

moments in people’s lives that make them

keep in mind this is NOT a costume. We’re

“Each client I work with is a story and a

30 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JULY 2018

another local business. The Lake Dallas

the Palestine Police Department have also expressed interest.

“I love to see people’s faces warm up

when they see the T-Rex, and I have to say thank you to Lake Dallas Mayor Michael Barnhart and his wife, Suzanne. Without them, we wouldn’t have generated as

much traction as we have,” Wielenga said.

“I am incredibly thankful for all the support we have received.”