Flower Mound Town Life Magazine October 2020

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020

Future OF DENTISTRY The

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 3

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TABLE OF Contents

ASK THE EXPERTS

18 Gardening with Complete Solutions 25 Travel with Terri Guthrie 32 Organizing with Cloud Nine Organizing 51 Edit This with Steve Gamel BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS 11 Experience Your Life with A New View with New View Optometry 42 Champions of Radical Change with Connections Wellness Group 37 Your Oral Surgeon For Every Facial Emergency with DFW Oral Surgeon CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT 55 Mayor Pro Tem Sandeep Sharma FLOWER MOUND PHOTO PAGES

26 Resident Photos 50 Resident Photos Continued

12 Inside Community and Education

14 8 Halloween Movies You Must See Again 16 The Boston Marathon Goes Virtual 20 Community Corner 21 Pumpkin Decorating Without Carving 22 Galactic Gallery Is Out of This World 24 Medical Profiles 27 I Love My Children, But They Came At A Cost 30 Turn Expands North To Fight Food Waste 31 My New Hobby In A Nutshell 34 Halloween Snack Recipes 38 Flower Mound’s New Author 16-Year-Old Advika Raeev 40 Texas Monarch Farm Where Sharing Is Truly Caring 44 Your Uniqueness Is Never A Weakness

57 Resident Photos Continued

46 8 Tips On How To Choose A Local Primary Care Doctor

ARTICLES

48 Save Your Pumpkin Recipes

08 What To Look Out For Over 40

52 Sick Of Being Sick

10 Texas Chef of The Year

56 Sheriff’s Corner

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28

Future OF DENTISTRY The

Cover Image Country Lakes Dental Team

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 5

Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors

Gourd OR

GO BIG

HOME!

E

veryone loves a good pun, right? I sure do! This time of the year is my favorite; cooler weather, pumpkins everywhere, the anticipation of neighbors passing out full-sized candy bars, and a good Halloween pun. Just a basic Internet search led me to a few good ones I had to share with you.

I hope these Halloween puns don’t drive you batty. Ha! Get it?

Want to hear some skeleton puns? They’re very humerus!

It’s going to be a great Halloween – I can feel it in my bones!

If you’ve got it, haunt it.

I have a few vampire puns, but they suck.

Ghosts make the best cheerleaders. They have lots of spirit!

Pumpkin’ out Halloween puns like it’s nobody’s business!

Use these puns with friends and family and see if you get a laugh. With all the seriousness going on these days, smiles are everything. I hope this helps get you in the spirit of this ghoulish holiday.

However Halloween and trick-or-treating looks like this year for you and your family, we would love to see pictures!

Pumpkin patch photos and ones of your littles dressed up in their best costumes are always fan favorites.

Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Brooke Ezzo

Diane Ciarloni

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Caroline Brock

Alyson Modene

Cayla Thompson

Photography

Your Candid Memories Photography

What’s That Guy’s Name? Guy T Photography

Letters

Flower Mound Town Life invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments.

Email artwork@murray-media.com.

All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group.

Editorial Inquiries Call 972.899.3637 or email editor@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 Flower Mound Town Life 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. Flower Mound Town Life 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. © 2020 Murray Media Group

We hope you enjoy this issue. And don’t forget to carve out some time for pumpkin decorating!

Have a spook-tacular Halloween!

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 7

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR OVER 40 A

by Contributing Writer

s a woman, your health risks change with the passing of time. What was a concern at 20 may not necessarily be a concern at 40. That’s okay as long as you know what to look out for. Here are the top 10 health risks facing women over 40. With knowledge comes power, so read on and become more powerful!

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HEART DISEASE Did you know that heart disease is the

leading cause of death in women over the age of 40? This is a serious issue, ladies!

We need to know the signs and causes of

heart conditions to be able to prevent this from being a major risk. Factors such as

poor eating habits and smoking can cause heart disease and greatly increase the

risk of heart attacks! To learn more about

women’s heart health and preventive care,

your chances of developing breast cancer, and can aid in early treatment if it does develop.

ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY Yes, ladies! You can still get pregnant over 40! Many women believe that once 40 hits, birth control is not necessary anymore. Not true! Every woman’s body is different, and there is no set age when a woman can’t get pregnant.

check out Go Red for Women.

BLOOD CLOTS

VITAMIN DEFICIENCY

Again, blood clots can be an issue at any age. Women over 40 have a greater risk of developing them, and many of us don’t recognize the signs until it is too late.

If you have swelling or pain in your calf, you should get it checked out as soon as possible. Especially if there is redness and

Vitamin deficiencies can be an issue at any age, particularly with the common

American diet. However, as women age, vitamin deficiencies become even more common and can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions. Vitamin D

and osteoporosis can all develop in

conjunction with menopause. So pay close attention to your body, and talk to your

doctor regularly to ensure that you do not have any serious medical concerns.

OSTEOPOROSIS Osteoporosis is by and large a woman’s issue. Of all osteoporosis cases in the

United States, 80 percent are in women.

Bone loss is a part of getting older for women and immediately following

menopause can be at its peak (up to 20

percent bone loss in less than a decade).

The key is to take good care of yourself going into menopause, make sure you

get your vitamin D, exercise and eat right,

and if you have risk factors, get your bone density tested.

ADULT-ONSET ASTHMA

to women naturally but a deficiency in

warmth to the touch as well. If this is the case, get to the E.R. or the doctor as soon as possible just to make sure. Better safe than sorry! If you wait and it is a blood clot, it can be life-threatening!

osteoporosis. Low vitamin D has also

DIABETES

menopause) can contribute to the onset of

deficiency is particularly prevalent and

can contribute to increased bone-mass loss (over the age of 40, this happens

vitamin D accelerates the problem) and been linked to depression and seasonal affective disorder. Other potential

deficiencies include iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B.

BREAST CANCER The risk of a woman developing breast cancer increases dramatically between

the ages of 30 and 40. Many factors such as diet, overall health, and environment can contribute to the likelihood of

developing breast cancer, but age is also

a factor. At age 30, the chance of a woman developing breast cancer is significantly

lower than at 40. In only 10 years, your risk grows by leaps and bounds. This means regular breast exams either that you

perform yourself or that are performed

by a doctor are very important. Beginning annual mammograms can also reduce

The risk of developing diabetes has increased exponentially in all age groups in recent years. However, women at 40 or older have an increased risk. Weight and diet also play a role. Diabetes is the number six killer in women 45 to 54, so get tested! And get active! A healthy diet and regular exercise can help reverse the effects of pre-diabetes. Getting tested is easy, so don’t wait too long.

MENOPAUSE This one is pretty well-known. At some point over 40, all women go through menopause, and we also go through perimenopause (pre-menopause).

Perimenopause can affect your body in many ways and it is important to know what you can do to help with symptoms. Also, heart disease, diabetes,

Most people think if you have asthma, it

developed during childhood. This is not

the case! Hormonal fluctuations (like those occurring during perimenopause and

asthma. If you have a nagging persistent

cough, get winded, and cannot catch your breath for a long period of time after or are wheezing, seek medical attention.

Asthma is treatable, and once diagnosed,

that cough and shortness of breath will be manageable or gone entirely.

STROKE Women have more strokes than men. And most women are not too worried about

having a stroke. Sad but true. Women over 40 are at a greater risk, especially if they

have HRT (hormone replacement therapy such as taking estrogen) during and following menopause.

There is a “golden hour” in stroke

treatment and treatment within that first

hour of symptom onset is most effective for survival and recovery!

These are top 10 of the biggest health risks women face over the age of 40. Keep in mind, they are not the only risks. Remember to take care of yourself and to consult a medical professional if you notice anything out of the ordinary. It is always better to be safe than sorry! www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 9

TEXAS Chef of the Year

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of Stacey Miller

M

orris Salerno might need to invest in a bigger trophy case. The longtime Executive Chef and owner of Bistecca steakhouse and Salerno’s restaurant was named Texas Chef of the Year on August 8 by the Texas Chefs Association.

Six previous winners cooked dinner for

member chefs throughout the year,

Country Club.

Chef of the Year has been named every

him and his friends and family at Denton At the end of the night, Salerno was

awarded a giant trophy to commemorate his win.

I love being a Chef,”

Chef Salerno said. “It is such an honor to have been chosen Chef of

the Year and to be the keeper of the trophy

until the next Chef of

the Year is announced

next year! There are so many GREAT chefs in

our state; I am humbled to be among some of the very best!”

including Salerno’s latest honor. A Texas year since 1968.

Last year’s winner, Dean Sprague, traveled from Corpus Christi to honor Salerno.

“I LOVE COOKING AND MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY. IF I’M REMEMBERED FOR ANYTHING, IT SHOULD BE THAT I MADE PEOPLE HAPPY AND THAT I HAVE A BIG HEART.”

While this is a huge

honor, being recognized for his culinary skills is nothing new to Chef

Salerno. He began his culinary career in the

1970s at the Fairmont

Hotel in Dallas and later joined the prestigious

Lowes Anatole Hotel in

Dallas when he was only 27. In 1989 and 1991, Morris earned “Dallas

The Texas Chefs Association (TCA) is

Chef of The Year” by the Texas Chef

Federation and is comprised of 14

of the Top 10 Young Chefs of Dallas by

and regions throughout Texas. The

numerous awards with the World Master

a chapter of the American Culinary

Association. He was also selected as one

dynamic chapters operating in cities

The Dallas Times Herald. He has also won

organization proudly recognizes its

Chefs Society Team USA in competitions

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in France, England, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Sweden, and Thailand.

And yes, his food is off the charts.

Bistecca offers fine dining in the heart of Highland Village. That includes everything from savory pastas to fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and high-quality steaks. With its inviting atmosphere, the restaurant is regarded as one of the more romantic restaurants in Denton County. Bistecca is perfect for the local couple who want to get away and celebrate a special occasion.

Salerno’s moved down the street from Bistecca in 2019 and continues to offer many of the Salerno family classics, including Carolyn’s Manicotti, Bob & Sue’s Seafood Linguine, and Chuck’s Chicken Mogia, as well as some new innovative menu items created by Chef Morris.

Clearly, this is a mecca of great food by one amazing family, and now, loyal customers won’t have to travel far to get the best of both worlds — from the Texas Chef of the Year.

“I love cooking and making people happy,” Morris said. “If I’m remembered for anything, it should be that I made people happy and that I have a big heart.”

www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

Experience Your Life With A

Business Spotlight

NEW VIEW

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of New View Optometry

D

rs. Jennifer and Chad Schirner had the perfect life plan. The happy couple met in optometry school, got married, and even moved to Flower Mound eight years ago. Everything was rolling along smoothly, and after several years of working for other people, they decided it was time to open their own practice. So that’s exactly what they did in February.

Dr. Chad used to be an optician for 15

years and worked for a refractive surgery office. He is the person to see if you’re into glasses previously.

“He is involved with selecting the frame lines we bring in and the lens designs

“What a wonderful year to open a business,” Dr. Jennifer said with a laugh.

“Suddenly, you’re having to immediately adapt.”

“We don’t want a practice where patients are coming and going every 10 minutes,” Dr. Jennifer said. “We take our time with everyone. These are our friends, neighbors, and people who live in

children who are near-sighted. Secondly,

considering Lasik or had trouble being fit

A month later, they had to temporarily shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thankfully, New View Optometry didn’t stay closed for long, and the Schirners are quickly becoming the preferred eye doctors for residents and families who crave that extra personal attention from a team that truly takes eyesight seriously. These are eye care professionals who specialize in understanding how the human eye really works, as well as identifying risk factors, diseases, and other conditions that can affect your vision.

also provides myopia management for

we offer to patients,” Dr. Jennifer said.

“We keep lenses in stock, and we have an edger here to cut glasses and have them to you on the same day.”

Lastly, New View recognizes that many pictured above is Dr. Jennifer and Dr. Chad Schirner and the team at New View Optometry our community. They deserve personalized care.”

New View Optometry does all the traditional things that most optometry offices do, whether it be eye exams, fittings for contact lenses, selling glasses, and treating conditions such as dry eyes, allergies, minor traumas, and more.

So, what separates them? For starters, Dr. Jennifer specializes in specialty contact lenses, which are perfect for people who can’t wear regular soft contacts because of a previous injury or infection, etc. She

people hate having their eyes dilated or having air puffed into their eye. While these procedures are important, their latest technology allows them to take a retinal photograph instead and use different less-irritating instruments to check eye pressure.

Experience life with a new view. Visit New View Optometry today.

“We are just trying to make coming to the eye doctor more convenient and more

comfortable,” Dr. Jennifer said. “We want people to enjoy the experience, which

is why we do so many different things to care for our patients.”

972.635.0943 | www.newviewoptometry.com 4151 Cross Timbers Rd., Ste. 140 • Flower Mound, TX 75028

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 11

INSIDE COMMUNITY

THRIVE IS NOW OPEN FRONT PORCH CONCERT AT THE FARM Sat., Nov. 28 | 5pm | Silverthorne Farm 8036 CR 2412 • Quinlan, TX 75474 Cross Timbers Rotary and Ginger Cunningham Eads are hosting a Front Porch Concert at the Farm featuring Tina and Walt Wilkins. Grab your friends and jam out while enjoying music and fellowship. Meet and mingle at 5pm and dinner at 6pm. There are limited spots so reserve yours for $40 today! Pay by Venmo to @Giner-Eads or PayPal to ginger@gingereads.com.

INSIDE EDUCATION

1950 S. Valley Prkwy.

Lewisville, TX 75067 Thrive is a multigenerational recreation center that offers a wide variety of activities and events for all ages, preferences, and abilities. This is a place where you can accomplish fitness goals, develop a new skill, and make new friends.

Pay daily or sign up for month-to-month or an annual prepaid membership.

For hours and membership information, visit www.LewisvilleThrive.com.

2020 ENGINEERGIRL AMBASSADOR MEDICATION DISPOSAL DAY Sat., Oct. 24 | 10am - 2pm | Flower Mound High School 3411 Peters Colony • Flower Mound, TX 75022 Lewisville ISD and DEA have set up locations for medication disposal day to prevent pollution and abuse. Bring expired or unused over-the-counter or prescription medications to FMHS. This event is for the adult community to bring items to dispose, not the students. Marcus High School is a secondary disposal location.

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Congratulations to FMHS sophomore Kaylee Pfister on being selected as a 2020 EngineerGirl Ambassador. The National Academy of Engineering has selected 23 ambassadors to participate in a yearlong program designed to build leadership skills in female high school students by helping them promote engineering to younger students in their community. photo courtesy of Greg Weghors

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TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOX ART CONTEST The town of Flower Mound’s traffic signal box art project is back! Artists are invited to submit proposals based on two themes; “the Flowers of Flower Mound,” can include any type of flower, with all ranges and style welcome, and “Celebrating Cultural Diversity,” can include images of culturally specific celebrations or imagery that reflects the unique beauty of cultures represented in Flower Mound. Submissions will be accepted until Jan. 19, 2021. For details, visit www.flower-mound.com/trafficbox.

CHALK THE WALK Sat., Nov. 7 | 1 - 4pm | Heritage Park | 600 Spinks Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75022 In honor of November Arts Month, Chalk the Walk is back for another season of friendly chalk art competition. All ages and levels of artists are able to participate and the first 75 to register will receive their own set of chalk. To maintain social distancing practices artists will create their original work of art on every other square on the sidewalk. Prizes will be awarded to artists in each age group. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3iWZoZt or visit the Flower Mound Parks and Rec website. photo courtesy of Brinley Ash

COLOR ME MCKAMY Fri., Oct. 23 | Virtually October 23rd is officially COLOR ME MCKAMY day. Although the Color Run looks different this year, all students are encouraged to participate and have fun.

Proceeds from the event will help the McKamy PTA with student programs, campus grants, staff appreciation, and more. Participants will take pictures or video in their COLOR ME tee tossing their color with siblings or teammates. These will be complied into a colorful U-KNIGHTED montage! Send your pictures and videos to ColorMeMcKamy@gmail.com. www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

MARCUS BLACK HISTORY CLUB The Marcus Black History Club held its first virtual meeting Wednesday, October 7th. There are some exciting opportunities this year and everyone is invied to join the club. A group that will learn and have fun together. Please see the website www. marcusblackhistoryclub.com or contact Mrs. Sistrunk in Room B211 for more information. photo courtesy Elizabeth Haas OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 13

HALLOWEEN MOVIES YOU MUST SEE AGAIN

by Steve Gamel

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SCARY MOVIES FOR ADULTS

Edward Scissorhands A scientist with good intentions creates an animated human being (Edward) but dies before he can finish. This leaves poor Edward with scissors for hands as he tries to live in an average suburban neighborhood. Another mustwatch classic by Tim Burton that is great for the entire family.

Scream (all of them) “What’s your favorite scary movie?” — Ghostface. Say what you want about Scream, but there’s something about this series of four slasher films that are funny, clever, and scary. The films follow Sidney Prescott and her war against murderers who adopt the guise of Ghostface.

Halloweentown If you’re looking for something light for your small kiddos to watch, Halloweentown is a great choice courtesy of the Disney Channel. The series consists of four films that ran between 1998 and 2006.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula Everyone loves a great movie about Count Dracula, and this is perhaps the best one out there.

This is a perfect movie to watch on Halloween after the kiddos have finally gone to bed.

Hocus Pocus This is a funny tale starring the hilarious and odd trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

Just like Beetlejuice, word on the street is there’s a sequel brewing.

Poltergeist Another Steven Spielberg flick that became an instant classic. There’s just something about that small, blonde-haired girl that will instantly creep you out for weeks. “This house … is clean.”

Gremlins Never feed a Gremlin after midnight. If you do, they may just take over your entire town. Kids and adults will definitely get a kick out of this 1980s masterpiece directed by the great Steven Spielberg.

Exorcist Out of all the scary movies you could watch this Halloween, this is one you must fit into your movie marathon.

The Exorcist (1973) is one of the most profitable horror movies ever made and is based loosely on actual events. www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

photos courtesy of IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/)

H

alloween is almost here.

To get you geared up for the big night, we compiled this list of must-see scary movies that have managed to stand the test of time.

Some are the type you’d be OK with having the kids watch while others are cult classics that are definitely on the adult side. Either way, why wait until Halloween when you can grab some popcorn, turn the lights off, and start a chilling movie marathon throughout the month of October?

SCARY MOVIES FOR THE KIDDOS

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 15

THE BOSTON

MARATHON GOES VIRTUAL

by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Jennifer Patterson

T

he Boston Marathon has been a tradition for thousands of runners every year since 1897, bringing people together from all over the country to race the 26.2 miles. For Denton County resident Jennifer Patterson the marathon course looked a bit different this year.

It is customary for the marathon to be

“Jason put a lot of thought into it,” Jennifer said. “He made sure we had a good time.”

of April. But due to the coronavirus, the

The Denton Area Running Club and the Thursday Night Club from Highland Village came out to support Jennifer and the other runners. They set up three aid tables with just a few people each to supply fluids along the route. Normally, Jennifer is used to crowds of people cheering from the sidelines, but this year, the group practiced social distancing and it made for a quieter run.

held on Patriots’ Day, the third Monday

Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) had postponed the 124th Boston Marathon until September. The Association

eventually canceled the in-person race

and announced that this year it would be ran virtually.

“They gave us from September 7-14 to run it,” Jennifer said. “Then we submitted our run to the association. Once they verify it they will send us our medal and t-shirt.”

in Flower Mound,” Jennifer said. “One of the other runners Jason Short put the

Jennifer has been an avid runner since

course together for us. We did four loops

in several marathons along the way.

With a 6:30 a.m. start time on Saturday,

her junior year of high school, running This year is her third Boston Marathon and first virtual run.

around town that totaled the 26.2 miles.”

September 14, the course was designed for the runners to face away from the

“There were five of us from the area who

rising sun, to bypass intersections, and

marathon, so we just did it together here

running in the streets.

were supposed to travel to Boston for the

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| OCTOBER 2020

to have a path of sidewalks instead of

“The crowd support in Boston is amazing.

There is camaraderie with the runners and everyone is super supportive,” Jennifer said. “The feeling of running the marathon in Boston is different than running the marathon virtually.”

Running a marathon can be mental as well. In Boston, the marathon starts 26.2 miles from the finish line, and runners race through six towns back to Boston. www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

“WITH THE

FLOWER MOUND COURSE, RUNNING LOOPS WAS A DIFFERENT CHALLENGE. HOWEVER, IT WAS A NICE CHANGE OF PACE... I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE COURSE.”

“When you are running a course, and you are 13 miles away, it can be mentally challenging because you are thinking about how far away that is,” Jennifer said.

“With the Flower Mound course, running loops was a different challenge. However, it was a nice change of pace because I wasn’t thinking about how far away I was from the finish line. I thoroughly enjoyed the course.”

It took Jennifer and her group roughly 3.5 hours to complete the course. Afterwards, they met up for pictures and then went on their way.

Jennifer said a fun thing about being in Boston for the race is that the marathon is an event and everyone celebrates for days.

“When you walk into a restaurant or pub wearing your medal, everyone cheers,” Jennifer said. “Obviously, doing the race virtually made the experience different.”

The B.B.A. has already come out and postponed registration for 2021 until more information about the coronavirus becomes available.

“I am already qualified to run next year,” Jennifer said. “So, if they do have the marathon, then I will run it [virtually].”

To learn more about the Boston Marathon, visit www.BAA.org.

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 17

Ask The Expert: Gardening

FALL HAS ARRIVED

by PJ Kratohvil, Owner of Complete Solutions

T

towards a shredded mulch vs. bark

hese cooler night time temps allow for a great start to the day if you’re out and about in the mornings! It’s a very exiting time of year to be in the business as everyone is getting “Fall Fever” Patio business is in FULL SWING & Landscape Teams have plenty to do!

or large cut. It will hold the best,

not float, and as it breaks down to

offer a great weed / moisture barrier (ensure the mulch is kept below

October is one of the most critical months when it comes to the exterior and landscape maintenance around your home. Here are a few things to contract out or add to your “To-do” list over the next few weeks: EXTERIOR: •

•

•

Ensure windows and doors are properly sealed. Restricting unwanted airflow will keep things comfortable inside and help reduce any unwanted guests.

All exposed wood surfaces are painted or sealed to ensure as the cold weather and rain moves in and out, things are protected and less effected by weather.

Check out your roof to make sure no shingles have come off during our last round of summer storms and that the gutters are clean and free of debris.

the brick line so you don’t chance having rainwater get in the weep holes during a rain event).

•

•

Cutback and prune this year’s growth. This will not only help to keep your beds organized but also promote new growth come spring.

Remove, cultivate, fertilize and add new 2” layer of mulch. We lean

plant larger shrubs and trees.

Allowing them to start rooting over

the winter months will make the heat of summer a lot less hazardous to

LANDSCAPES: •

Oct. thru Dec. is a great time to

their health.

•

Go ahead as things cool off and cut back on the irrigation. Watering a

couple of times a week and ensuring your rain sensor is operating

effectively should be sufficient and help your monthly spending.

214.735.1363 | COMPLETESOLUTIONSDFW.COM

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| OCTOBER 2020

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 19

MENTAL HEALTH

SERVICES

ARE IMPORTANT I n

D e n t o n

C o u n t y

struggles due to the risks of contracting

COVID-19. Thankfully, CARES Act funding allowed MHMR to receive funds as part of Operation: Connecting Lives to

purchase iPads to assist in connecting

with the elderly population, especially

those in nursing homes who have been especially isolated.

United Way of Denton County is another organization that has been on the

frontlines serving our residents in many ways including mental health. UWDC leads the Denton County Behavioral

Health Leadership Team, which advocates and facilitates for a collaborative personcentered behavioral health system to repair and restore lives.

Interested residents can attend a

free-8-hour course on adult mental

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads

health first aid to equip them with a

five-step action plan to respond and refer an adult who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

O

ctober is National Mental Health Month, which provides the perfect backdrop to stop and assess exactly, “How are you doing?” As stressful as life is normally, COVID-19 has magnified stressors in everyone’s life and pushed the boundaries of our mental health.

Another population in Denton County

Statistically, Americans rank high in the realm of mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 26.3 percent of adults 18-25 suffered from a mental health issue in 2018. During 2009-2017, adults 18-25 suffering from major depression increased 63 percent.

The senior population (55 and above) in the U.S. is estimated to have 20 percent of the demographic struggling with a variety of mental health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 40 million adults, around 18.1 percent of the U.S. population, suffer with chronic anxiety, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

The U.S. spent $187.8 billion on mental

Incarceration provides a plethora of

abuse disorders in 2013. An estimated

still being among a constant population.

treatments alone, according to a

this population and keep them healthy.

who has a great need for mental health

assistance is our inmates, juveniles, and the public in crisis situations.

health conditions and substance

restrictions, rules, and even isolation while

$70 billion was spent on depression

Our County recognizes the need to serve

SingleCare report.

Denton County has spent over $1.3 million

These statistics remind us that many of

to provide mental health assistance for

struggling with mental health, suffering

a mental health crisis through the Sheriff’s

the added pressures of life due to the

and the Denton County Public Health’s

our neighbors in Denton County are

our inmates and the public experiencing

in silence at an even deeper level with

Office Mental Health Investigative Unit

ongoing pandemic.

Jail Health Program.

Denton County’s MHMR has reported a

During this month of mental health

elderly population since the onset of the

these initiatives and assist each other

true struggle to remain connected to their

awareness, let’s do our part to continue

pandemic. People are not coming out to

in ensuring mental health services are

seek assistance with their mental health

available to all in need.

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you at andy.eads@dentoncounty.com or 940.349.2820 For more information, register for my newsletter at www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup.

20 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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PUMPKIN

F

without Carving

all is just around the corner and as you may have recently noticed during your most recent grocery shopping trip, pumpkins have returned once more. Soon it’ll be time to decorate your home with jack-o-lanterns and autumn decor however you may encounter an issue. You have no skills at carving a pumpkin. What makes it worse is that all the pumpkin carving kits have horribly flimsy tools that bend easily and barely make a dent in even the softest pumpkins. What’s worse is having to reach in and scoop out all the slimy seeds and try your best not to get it everywhere. After all that. . . the pumpkin lasts maybe a few days before turning green in the warm humid weather.

Luckily we have several alternatives that are not only easy but also free of pumpkin guts. Since they do not require damaging the pumpkin, it’ll ensure that they last much longer than your standard jack-o-lantern. There are several options to choose from to suit your skill level and talent so you won’t be stuck with a failed pumpkin (we’re lookin at you Pinterest). So take a look then head over to your local craft store.

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

2 pumpkins & 1 can of gold spray paint

1 pumpkin & 1 - 50 yard stool of straw ribbon (raffia)

1 pumpkin, paint brushes, black paint & pencil.

Wipe the pumpkin down with soap and

Start by choosing a pumpkin with a stem.

water to get off any oil and dirt. Once it’s

Tie the end of the ribbon around the

dry set it outside on paper or anything you

stem to anchor it. Use the grooves of the

don’t mind turning gold. Shake the can for

pumpkin to guide you, they will also help

a minute to ensure you get even coverage

keep the ribbon from slipping. Use the

before spraying a thin even coat around

stem to wrap the ribbon around it before

the pumpkin. Wait 20 minutes then apply

moving on to a different groove (hot glue

another coat then repeat 2 more times. Let

also does the trick). Once done secure it with a

dry for a day and viola! One can should be

knot and make a bow from the ribbon to

enough for 2 pumpkins.

place on top.

Draw small jack-o-lanterns around the pumpkin with the pencil. With a smaller paint brush paint the edges of the pumpkins first along with the face. Once all of them have been completed, finish painting the rest of the pumpkin black.

You may need 2-3 coats to ensure the pumpkin is fully covered. The end result will be a black pumpkin with cute mini pumpkins revealing the natural orange underneath.

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 21

GALACTIC GALLERY

IS OUT OF THIS

WORLD

by Brooke Ezzo | Photo courtesy of Ben Stevens

S

omewhere between a galaxy far far away and Diagon Alley, you’ll find a popculture art gallery that is bringing some of the most iconic movie moments to life.

Whether you want to travel Back to the Future or get advice from a lifelike Yoda statue, Galactic Gallery in Flower Mound is a destination spot for all pop art fanatics.

“It’s not your grandmother’s art gallery,” owner Ben Stevens said. “Think Batman, The Muppets, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and science fiction.”

The Copper Canyon resident has accrued an incredible collection of memorabilia and rare finds over his 20 years as owner

By the time he sold in 2014, the Dallas Comic-Con had become a major event, and operator of the ultimate comic book hosting nearly 50,000 attendees from all convention, the Dallas Comic Con. The fan over the world each year. expo is a playground for comics, anime, In his post-convention life, Stevens started gaming, cosplay, collecting pop culture and is a hub for art more seriously. celebrity sightings.

That turned into a Stevens was first desire to build a introduced to the gallery. The custom fascinating world of built 5,000-squarecomics at a young foot building opened age, going to his in September and first convention in houses hundreds the late 1970s with of original movie his father, who was posters, book a collector of many covers, promotional things including paintings, animation Disney comics from cells, reproductions, the 1940s. and vintage sci-fi movie posters from “It had an impact the 1940s and 1950s. on my life that I

“After being laid off from my tech job in 1994, I took that opportunity to start my own Dallas convention, which drew in a few hundred guests.”

wouldn’t realize until much later,” Stevens said. “After being laid off from my tech job in 1994, I took 22 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

that opportunity to start my own Dallas convention, which drew in a few hundred guests.”

“It’s really an extension of the things I enjoyed collecting at my own comic cons,” Stevens said. “Right

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to meet and get his autograph is how their friendship began. At first, Drew passed on the idea because he did not understand why fans would want his signature. But Stevens persisted.

now, 90 percent of the space is dedicated to Drew Struzan — an artist that few know who he is, but most have seen his work.”

Drew Struzan, a man George Lucas dubbed as “the only collectible artist since World War II,” is responsible for some of the most recognizable movie posters for classic films as such as “Hook,” “Star Wars,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Indiana Jones,” “The Muppets,” and dozens more.

“He literally painted most of the films I enjoyed growing up,” Stevens said. “It is an amazing thing to share. Building this gallery to show the world his work is my effort to seal Drew’s legacy as one of the great artists of my generation.”

Stevens said the desire to bring Drew to his comic conventions as a guest for fans

“I visited Drew in Pasadena, California and purchased an original Indiana Jones painting that was used for the movie poster,”

“How exciting it was as I look back to those visits,” Stevens said. “Our friendship grew, and I eventually got Drew to do a few Comic Cons all over North America.

Fans loved meeting him, and he enjoyed seeing their faces light up while they endlessly told him how much this or that poster art meant to them. It was the same feeling I had.”

The Galactic Gallery is currently open as “by appointment only,” but Stevens suggested the future may include open house days, special events, and celebrity signings.

“I visited Drew in Pasadena, California and purchased an original Indiana Jones painting that was used for the movie poster,” Stevens said. “Thousands, maybe tens of thousands of posters are printed, but there is only one original painting.”

After the initial visit and multiple dinners, the friendship between artist and fan was formed and continues today.

For more on Galactic Gallery, visit GalacticGallery.com www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 23

MEDICALProfiles

Get Acquainted With the Medical Professionals in Your Area BRYANT NGUYEN, DDS Dentistry Education

Baylor University Waco, TX Baylor College of Dentistry Dallas, TX Central Texas VA Hospital Temple, TX

About

Coming out of dental school, Dr. Nguyen was intent on not wanting to practice in a corporate dental atmosphere that pushed “sales”. Because of this, Dr. Nguyen started his own practice from scratch where he could practice in a manner that he felt was honest and truly in the best interests of his patients. As the owner and dentist at Prestige Family Dentistry, Dr. Nguyen is committed to taking a conservative approach to treatment with a strong emphasis on prevention.

Prestige Family Dentistry

972.539.2820 | PrestigeFamilyDental.com 4251 Cross Timbers Rd.| Flower Mound, TX 75028

SAIRA JAMAL, MD Doctor About

Dr. Saira Jamal is Board Certified diplomat of Geriatric Medicine from Louisiana State University, and finished her Residency training from Methodist Hospital, Gary, Indiana. She is honored with the Futures Program Awarded form the Medical Directors Association. She is a member of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and was an Assistant Professor in Geriatric Medicine at Louisiana State University of Medicine in New Orleans She relocated to Texas in 2009 and joined Baylor Grapevine Family Medicine as an Attending Physician before founding FamCare Clinic of North Texas in 2014. Dr. Jamal is well trained to treat Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Falls, Poly Pharmacy, Urine Incontinence, CHF, HTN, DM CAD Afib.

FamCare Clinic of North Texas’ mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care on an as-needed or preventative basis. We have created a practice that we believe in and choose for our own family members.

Family Care Clinic Of North Texas

972.539.1600 | sairajamalmd.com 4320 Windsor Centre Trail, Ste. 300 | Flower Mound, TX 75028

24 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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TEXAS

Travel: Ask The Expert

Back R ad TRIP!

by Terri Guthrie

T

here’s no better time to take a little road trip down some scenic back roads. Get off the busy interstate and meander to Granbury. As you go south, you’ll be entering the Texas Hill Country.

We’ve taken this road trip many times and always discover something interesting and exciting!

- it’s legendary for fabulous musicals since 1886.

Texas landmark known for its delicious home cooking and blue plate specials.

Then work it off at Siloville, a converted grain silo turned climbing gym.

Marble Falls

This quaint town has several awardwinning wineries. But our favorite stop is at the famous Bluebonnet Café. They make amazing pies with mile high meringue. It’s one of the most famous pie joints in Texas!

Granbury

This is a charming place with nice shopping and great restaurants. Granbury has one of the best town squares in the state and is crowned by a beautiful historical courthouse. They even have horse-drawn carriage rides around town.

Be sure to see the Granbury Opera House

Texas charm definitely radiates throughout the streets of each of these little Texas towns!

Hico

This is a real Wild West town and even has a Billy the Kid Museum and Festival. The Koffee Kup is a family restaurant and is a

FOLLOW TERRI ON INSTAGRAM @TRAVELWITHTERRI AND HER TRAVEL BLOG AT TRAVELWITHTERRI.NET

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 25

26 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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I love my children,

BUT THEY CAME

AT A COST

by J. Drew Sanderson, MD | photos courtesy of Flower Mound Plastic surgery & Aesthetics Spa

A

marks last month, I recommend checking

When discussing recovery, I tell patients

that it is a rough first week and then every

day in your second week you will begin to feel increasingly better. Most patients are back driving and running short errands

in their second week after surgery. I try to

get patients to take two weeks off of work simply because most people do not feel

like getting back into the daily grind after only a week. A gradual return to exercise

begins at three weeks with walking. Many

of my patients will begin walking up to five mile distances in the third week following

The best long-lasting results occur when

people get motivated at week six and hit BEFORE

the gym.

I am frequently asked, “How long do I have to wait after giving birth to

changes nearly as much as her abdomen

have a tummy-tuck?” First, you want to

during childbirth. The rapid increase stretches the abdominal skin past its

skin removal.

six, you may resume all typical workouts.

it out. No part of a woman’s anatomy

in size over a nine-month period often

hides below your bikini line following the

the procedure. At postoperative week

s promised, today I am going to review the process of restoring a woman’s body after childbirth.

If you did not read my article on stretch

abdomen. You will have a scar that easily

AFTER

make sure you are done having children.

While getting pregnant after having a

elastic ability to return to the original

tummy tuck is not unsafe, it will ruin your

most women a month or two after giving

must wait after birth is six months to

beautiful results. The minimum one

shape. This fact becomes obvious to

birth. However, what may be a little less obvious is the fact that the muscles and

BEFORE

have a tummy tuck. Other factors come into play based on each individual’s

fascia (thick sheet of connective tissue)

circumstances, but six months is

way, likely the destroying the six-pack

Finally, I occasionally get asked,

the minimum.

under your skin gets stretched the same you may have proudly displayed at the

beach in your youth. With the weakened abdominal muscles, the distance from

your belly button to your spine becomes longer. There are certainly differences in

the way each person’s abdomen appears after pregnancy, but some “snap back” more than others.

Should you have excess skin, stretch

marks, or a weakened abdomen after

AFTER pregnancy, there are some great options that can fix this; such as an abdominoplasty (or tummy tuck). During an abdominoplasty surgery, your surgeon will remove all of the excess skin on your lower abdomen and re-tighten your abdominal muscles which can dramatically change the appearance of your lower

“Do I need this?” My answer is always that nobody “needs” what I do, but if

your abdomen bothers you, we can make safely make it better. Many of my patients have said that when they look their best, they feel their best! Please understand, childbirth is a miracle and a beautiful thing; I am humbled by the women I am fortunate enough to work with daily in restoring their bodies.

972.691.7900 | www.liveyoungspa.com www.flowermoundplasticsurgery.com 2931 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 100 • Flower Mound, TX

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 27

Future OF DENTISTRY The

A True Family Practice That’s Ahead of the Curve

by Steve Gamel | cover photo by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)

I

n a time when healthcare and wellness are becoming increasingly crucial, it is essential to consider care that goes beyond antiquated practices and looks to the future of medicine. Perhaps no one is more ahead of the curve in that department than Dr. Matt Artho and his team at Country Lakes Family Dental.

As a true family practice that sees patients as young as 9 months old to 90 years young, Country Lakes Family Dental has maintained its reputation as one of the most elite family dental practices in the area.

“The future of dentistry is upon us,” Dr. Matt said.

“It is up to us as a profession to determine what the face of dental care will be while also exceeding the expectations of our patients.”

As owner and general dentist, Dr. Matt, as he is affectionately known to his patients, strives to utilize the industry’s advancements to provide a comfortable dental experience with meticulous accuracy and a high standard of care. Considering his background, this is no surprise.

Dr. Matt’s profile boasts a wealth of experience. As a former electrical engineer, Dr. Matt credits his technical comprehension to his past education. However, as Dr. Matt explains, his desire to fulfill his vocation on a more personal level led him into the dental field. Graduating from Texas A&M College of Dentistry, Dr. 9 4 0 . 4 5 5 . 7 6 4 5 28 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

|

Matt furthered his education in an Advanced Education for General Dentistry (AEGD) residency. He also served in the Texas Army National Guard, achieving the rank of Major. He served in a combat unit and medical command company, receiving training in combat casualty care, among other medical training. He also completed his exam and was accepted as a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry this July.

This is a feat that only two percent of dentists nationwide achieve.

He is also a long-standing member of the ADA, TDA, the International Association of Orthodontics, and the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics.

Through this experience, Dr. Matt has continued to advance his office with furnishings that make the office both safe and comfortable, including water filtration systems, state-of-the-art dental chairs with individual TVs, and digital radiographs.

“It’s fantastic how technology allows patients to enjoy comfortable appointments, but it’s also important that dentists utilize the technology that is

C O U N T R Y L A K E S D E N T A L . C O M www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

available to also improve the actual dental care and enhance the outcome of the entire experience,” he said.

Safety efforts have been implemented to help in the preventative efforts of

COVID-19, including UV sterilization and air filtration in every treatment room,

aerosol evacuation during cleanings, and increased sterilization and PPE protocols.

Dr. Matt’s extensive education allows

him to truly be a one-stop practice as he is proficient in multiple areas, including cosmetic dentistry, pediatrics, implant

Lauren Smits in May. Dr. Lauren received her Bachelor’s degree Notre Dame and graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2013.

Dr. Lauren and her husband, Bryan,

have been married 10 years and have

three young children. She is so excited to continue providing comprehensive dental care to the families of Country Lakes Family Dental.

dentistry, endodontics, orthodontics,

The team at Country Lakes puts patients

impressions and 3D printing, patients

treating every patient with the utmost

and geriatric dentistry. With all-digital

enjoy the avoidance of uncomfortable

“goopy” impressions, allowing for more accurate, digitally pre-planned treatment of traditional and Invisalign orthodontic care as well as TMJ and sleep appliances.

His prosthetic scanners and milling equipment also allow for precisely

fitting same-day crowns without temporaries or

assistance of 3D digital x-rays, also allow for the fabrication of implant

surgical guides for meticulously placed dental implants.

With minimally invasive laser therapy, he can complete filling restorative

treatments on children, and in certain adult situations, without anesthesia.

He can also complete lip and tongue-

ties, clean implants, perform biopsies,

handle mouth lesions, whiten teeth, and provide other amazing care.

And speaking of enhancing the patient’s experience and care, Dr. Matt recently brought on a dental associate in Dr. M C M A K I N

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kindness and professionalism. They’ve

been named the Best of Denton County Family Dentist for eight years

“IT IS UP TO US AS A PROFESSION TO DETERMINE WHAT THE FACE OF DENTAL CARE WILL BE WHILE ALSO EXCEEDING THE EXPECTATIONS OF OUR PATIENTS.”

lab wait times and, with the

7 4

at their highest priority, focusing on

R D., S T E.

in a row!

“Each patient is a member

of a family,” said Dr. Matt, a devoted husband and father of nine children.

“It is important to us that

we treat each individual

as we would treat our own

family members.”

Dr. Matt makes very clear the

importance of using his vocation and practice as a beacon of community

involvement. A believer in education,

Dr. Matt consistently sponsors multiple

ISDs and school activities and currently

sits as a VP board member for the Argyle Education Foundation. Having a place in

his heart for the ill-treated and abused, he and his wife recently received The Hero Award from the local non-profit Ranch Hands Rescue.

Dr. Matt and the team at Country

Lakes Family Dental are heading in

the right direction. And so will you with one visit to their office.

2 0 0

•

B A R T O N V I L L E,

T X

7 6 2 2 6

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 29

TURN EXPANDS TO DENTON AREA

TO FIGHT

FOOD WASTE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BENEFITS LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ITS MEMBERS Press relase submitted by Cheryl Schuldenberg

D

ALLAS, TX – Monday, August 31, 2020 – Turn, a Dallas-based environmental service, has expanded their food waste recycling service northward to Denton and the surrounding cities in the region. Organic waste is a terrible problem for our environment when left to rot in a landfill. Turn solves that problem by beneficially diverting the waste to local farms, gardens and composters who turn it into a resource.

Turn now hosts a food waste “drive-through station” in the parking lots of Whole Foods Market Highland Village and Armadillo Ale Works. Turn subscribers drop-off their full bucket of food scraps at the Turn truck, and receive a clean, sanitized bucket in return.

As part of the $20/month Turn subscription, members also receive a monthly perk and a quarterly household impact report on their diverted organic waste. Subscribers have

30 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

the option to keep their perk, or donate it to a local school or community initiative.

Turn’s two north drop-off locations at Whole Foods Market Highland Village [4041 Waller Creek, Highland Village 75077] and Armadillo Ale Works [221 S Bell Ave., Denton, TX 76201] are on alternating Saturdays between the two locations. The list of drop-off dates and times for each location are listed on Turn’s website, http:// www.turncompost.com/calendar.

Local businesses interested in recycling their food waste with Turn can contact them for more information at info@ turncompost.com. Turn currently services a wide range of commercial clients including restaurants, small businesses, and global corporate offices.

The UN Environment says that, “Nearly 30 percent of the food produced worldwide

is lost or wasted every year. This waste contributes to biodiversity loss through habitat change, overexploitation, pollution and climate change. Food is the primary source of landfill gas and the largest component of materials sent to landfills, which leads to methane emissions that cause climate change.” [Source: http://web.unep.org/ environmentassembly/waste] According to the USDA, “In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply. This estimate, based on estimates from the USDA’s Economic Research Service of 31 percent food loss at the retail and consumer levels, corresponded to approximately 133 billion pounds and $161

billion worth of food in 2010.”

[Source: https://www.usda.gov/ foodwaste/faqs]

“We’re passionate about nourishing people and our planet,” says Grayson Trygar, Regional Facilities Program Administrator Southwest Region for Whole Foods Market. “This is a win-win partnership for our local DFW customers and our environment.”

Turn Founder Lauren Clarke said, ”I think it is important to make positive environmental behavior changes as convenient and fun as possible. I love the Denton area so much; three generations of my family (including myself) have graduated from UNT. We’re grateful to Whole Foods Market and Armadillo Ale Works for hosting us!”

About Turn: Turn is an environmental service with a vision to help consumers rethink and reuse their urban environment. They offer organic recycling to consumers and businesses across DFW, and they educate consumers on sustainable food cycle practices. For more information, visit www.turncompost. com, or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @turncompost. www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

MY NEW

Hobby IN A Nutshell

by Jean Eisenmann | photo courtesy of Jean Eisenmann

I

have a new hobby. Ever since Covid-19 forced us to become semi-homebound, I’ve had more time to be, well, bored. Yes, I’ve worked remotely, experimented with new recipes, and increased my housecleaning regimen (is my nose growing?). But I’ve lacked having a passion — such intense interest in something that I want to learn everything about it to escape the stresses of pandemic life. Quite by accident, I found it — squirrel watching.

Building, gently picking gnats, ticks, or some such whatnots from their coats. Adorable.

One squirrel, in particular, was my favorite and could be identified by a dark brown ring around his nose and mouth, much

It began innocently enough, with me

believe this critter was a male, and if you

like a COVID-19 face mask. I named

the window at the many varieties of birds

please consult the internet. Anyway, I

surrounded our birdbath and would lie

didn’t disturb the birds as they picked the

like an hour. Then, Corona would bury

idling on the couch one day, staring out

that our feeder and birdbath attract. Over the next several days, I set aside time to observe how

interesting birds are, and how they all

have personalities

akin to their species.

Of course, I made sure the intense

daily housecleaning

wonder how I came to that conclusion,

him Corona. He dug up the flowers that

became captivated by his manners, for he

prostrate on the cool soil for what seemed

THE ENSUING WEEKS FOUND MY PASSION FOR THE SQUIRREL WORLD INTENSIFIED. I WORE A

was completed first.

LOT OF BROWN.

Then, at 2 p.m. on

ground for dropped seed

some edible treasure reserved for a late-

He waited his turn, and

where his buttocks had been. Tears filled

from the feeder above.

night snack in the very same soil, right

with a nod to the flock as

my eyes.

they flew away, ate the

spoils. What a gentleman!

I was hooked.

Bye-bye, birdies.

I’ve met a few squirrelly

guys in my time, but this

a Friday, to be exact, it appeared. No, not

four-legged variety quickly became the

bounded into the yard. It was brownish

weeks found my passion for the squirrel

Sasquatch. And not a UFO. A squirrel

rust with big brown eyes and a fluffy tail,

which are very unusual characteristics for a squirrel. Of course, I had seen squirrels

in the yard before, but my focus had been on the feathered friends. All those five hours wasted that I’ll never get back. I www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

new object of my affection. The ensuing world intensified. I wore a lot of brown.

They had such endearing mannerisms:

holding food with their little hands and

I asked my husband, Van, if we could put together a play area for them with a tiny slide, sandbox, and trampoline. If not,

how about a teeny-tiny bounce house?

Van slept in the guest room that night and called me “Rodent Mom.”

Rodent? Then it dawned on me. My

thoughts traveled back to fifth grade,

where I learned that squirrels were part

of the – gulp – RODENT family. Corona’s cousin could be a field mouse!

menacing claws, hanging upside down as

Let the squirrels live their lives. I’m

feeder like Godzilla on the Empire State

housecleaning regimen before I go nuts.

they wrapped their feet around the bird

getting back to concentrating on my

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 31

Ask The Expert: Organizing

the time and not being consistent with where you keep things confuses and frustrates everyone.

Next, a Family Command Center should be fairly simple, visually speaking. If you

have too many notes, agendas, calendars, and to-do listed posted all over the place, you may create information overload and add to the chaos.

Finally, tailor your command center

to fit the current needs of your family.

The Center of Everything

E

Remember to update the information as

it changes. Here are a few ideas for what

you could add to your command center: •

A family calendar with

•

Baskets for each family

As your children grow, they start school, develop new interests, and become involved in extracurricular activities.

All of these things are fun but can take some adjustment. You may need to start coordinating carpool schedules, preparing school lunches, and keeping track of homework. How do you keep it all straight without losing your mind?

As your children enter high school and college years, they are almost fully grown.

On top of that, they have developed agendas of their own — agendas independent of your agendas. This can be freeing for both of you, but you still need to be in the loop about the big events. How do you effectively keep track of your grown children’s schedules without being invasive?

Maybe you and/or your spouse have a heavy workload, so you don’t get to see each other as often as you would like.

How do you coordinate your schedules so you can meet in the middle more often?

You can use one of my favorite organizing tools to stay on top of it all: A Family Command Center.

This is simply an area, in your home, designated to hold everyone’s schedules, important dates, and frequently used household information.

member’s current projects/ school papers/misc.

by Crystal Nerpel, Owner of Cloud Nine Organizing

very stage of a family’s lifecycle brings with it special scheduling challenges.

Keeping up with the busy lives of all family members can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t have the right tools in place.

everyone’s schedules

•

Shopping lists

•

School lunch calendars or school

•

A dry erase board for

•

Household binder with important

lunch ideas

special reminders

information such as contact

numbers, school information, pet/house sitter info, etc.

•

An extra set of keys

•

A secret stash of emergency cash

•

Adding a family motto to your command center is another

Here is how I suggest creating a simple Family Command Center to calm the chaos.

fun idea. Print up your favorite

First, select a centralized location where everyone will know to look for important information, such as the kitchen or den.

Once you’ve chosen the location, stick to that spot. Moving stuff around all

each other.

inspirational quote or create your own family motto as a reminder

of why you want to keep up with Visit CloudNIneOrganizing.com/

Free-Stuff for more of Crystal’s favorite organizing tools.

CLOUDNINEORGANIZING.COM

32 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 33

Halloween Snack Recipes APPLE MONSTERS Ingredients

STUFFED JACK O’ LANTERN STUFFED PEPPERS

1 Green Apple (Makes 4) 2 Tbsp. Sunflower Butter or Peanut Butter Sliced Almonds (Buy at Store)

Ingredients 1 lb Ground Turkey

1 Cup Chicken Stock

Edible Eyes (Buy at Store)

7 Orange Bell Peppers

1 Cup White Rice (Cooked)

Directions

2 Garlic Cloves (Minced)

1 Cup Monterey Jack Cheese

1. Cut apple into quarters.

1/2 Cup of White Button

Olive Oil, Extra-Virgin

Mushrooms

Salt and Pepper

1 Onion (Chopped)

Any Other Desired Seasonings

2. Take two apple slices and smear sunflower butter on one side for each slice. Make sure to apply a generous amount.

Directions 1. Cut off (and reserve) the top of each pepper. Remove and discard the cores and seeds. Using a sharp paring knife, carve a Jack O’Lantern face into each pepper. Drizzle the inside of each pepper with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Place the peppers upright in a large baking dish along with the pepper tops. Set aside.

3. Grab a few sliced almonds and arrange on each apple slice to look like teeth.

4. Stick slices together using the sunflower butter side.

5. Grab edible eye. Place a dot of sunflower butter on the apple and place edible eye on.

6. Repeat the process.

2. Preheat oven to 350°.

HOT DOG MUMMIES

3. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Sauté onions and mushrooms until soft. Add garlic and cook until

Ingredients

fragrant, about 30 seconds.

1 Packet of Hot Dogs | 1 Can of Crescent Roll Dough

4. Add ground turkey and sauté until cooked through. Add any desired seasoning. (We used an Italian mixed seaoning, red pepper flakes, chili powder and salt and pepper).

Directions

5. Pour 1/2 cup chicken stock, cooked rice and 3/4 cup of cheese.

Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.

6. Pour rice and turkey mixture between the hollowed out peppers.

Top with cheese.

7. Pour remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock into pan. Cover with foil and bake for about 25 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted.

34 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Take hot dog and slice hot dog at the bottom and on each side.

3. Slice the crescent roll dough with pizza cutter into thin strips.

4. Grab a strip of crescent roll dough and wrap around the hot dog.

5. Placed wrapped hot dog onto flat pan. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until dough is golden brown.

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GRAVEYARD CHEESECAKE Ingredients 1 Box of Jell-O No-Bake Classic Cheesecake Dessert Mix 2 Tbsp. Sugar 4 Tbsp. Butter (Melted) 1-1/2 Cups Cold Milk 1 Packet of Oreo Cookies 1 Packet of Millano Cookies 1 Black Tube of Decorating Gel Directions 1. Combine crust mix, sugar and butter.

2. Press onto bottom and up the side of pie plate.

3. Beat filling mix and milk with

mixer on medium speed for 3 min.

(Filling will be thick.)

4. Spoon filling over crust.

5. Refrigerate 1 hour.

6. Separate Oreo cream from cookie. Then crush to desired consistency.

(The more the better.)

7. Spread Oreo cookie crums on top of cheesecake.

6. Decorate Millano cookies with black decorating gel and insert into cheesecake.

7. Preserve in refrigerator until ready to serve.

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 35

36 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

Business Spotlight

YOUR ORAL

SURGEON For Every Facial Emergency

by Steve Gamel

A

s a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. John Shillingburg has heard it repeatedly where patients will come in with jaw pain and say, “I think I have TMJ.” In reality, everyone has TMJ, or a jaw joint — two to be exact. The correct terminology is Temporamandibular Disorer, or TMD, which can range from mild discomfort to headaches and severe popping and clicking in the jaw that makes it difficult for someone to open their mouth or even chew certain foods.

Regardless of the confusion between TMJ and TMD, those patients have come to the right place. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the body, and if you’re experiencing any pain in this area, Dr. Shillingburg and his team at DFW Oral Surgeons in Flower Mound want to help.

or a seven to a one or a two. If someone

tells you, ‘I’m going to completely get rid of your TMD,’ then that’s someone you need to avoid.”

“I always tell patients that I’d prefer to see them first for a thorough evaluation,” Dr. Shillingburg said.

“If there are no major abnormalities or anything like that, then your TMD can be managed conservatively. The goal of the treatment is not to eradicate someone’s

pain. It’s to help someone know what the triggers are and take their pain from a six

out tumors or anything else that would

necessitate surgical intervention. If none of those issues exist, Dr. Shillingburg

has close relationships with dentists in the area who can get you fitted with a

professionally made TMJ night guard.

“Patients will work with the dentist in a

conservative manner,” Dr. Shillingburg

said. “In rare cases where their symptoms

You don’t have to worry about anything with Dr. Shillingburg. He is trained

If someone tells you, ‘I’m going to completely get rid of your TMD,’ then that’s someone you need to avoid.”

X-rays, and a thorough evaluation to rule

and credentialed in

dentoalveolar surgery,

facial cosmetic surgery,

do not improve, the patient would

come back to me. Depending on their

situation, we would look at other options, including a joint flush out or a total joint

replacement in extremely rare instances.”

implant surgery,

Dr. Shillingburg’s facility is a true

facial reconstructive

treating any mouth and jaw condition.

orthognathic surgery, oral surgery, and dental anesthesiology. This allows him to treat

everything from a simple

tooth extraction to replacing every tooth in a patient’s mouth.

A quick visit to DFW Oral for your TMD

symptoms includes a CT scan, MRI, other

outpatient surgery center capable of

When you have an emergency, there’s no

reason to go anywhere else because DFW Oral Surgeons is equipped for it all.

Dr. Shillingburg is proud to serve

the residents in and around Argyle,

Bartonville, Highland Village, Lantana, Double Oak, South Denton, Denton County, and surrounding areas.

972.539.1491 | www.dfworalsurgeons.com | 4421 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 100 • Flower Mound, TX 75028 www.FlowerMoundMagzine.com

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 37

FLOWER MOUND’S

New Author 16-YEAR-OLD

ADVIKA RAJEEV

by Steve Gamel | Photo Courtesy Rajeev Govindan

A

dvika Rajeev vividly remembers the night she finally uploaded her finished novel, All the President’s Horses and All the President’s Men, to Kindle Direct Publishing. It was 1 a.m., hardly an ideal time for a 16-year-old girl to be hard at work in front of a computer screen. But there she stood, with her parents and two sisters by her side, ready to push send.

“It was very exciting,” Advika recalled. “We

In Advika’s case, she’s only a junior at

the button.”

took mere seconds to

took a celebratory photo as I pushed

The nostalgia from that moment hasn’t

worn off, even two months after the book’s release. And who can blame her? Any

novelist will tell you that writing a book

is hard work. There are many emotional ups and downs as you carefully choose

each word to advance the story, develop

characters, and create unpredictable plot twists. Some days, you can write several

chapters nonstop, and on others, you can barely complete two sentences. Writing a book is a massive accomplishment, and

it’s something most writers don’t achieve until much later in life.

38 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

Flower Mound High School. While it only push a send button to upload it to KDP, she

spent two years getting to that point. She wrote

a few chapters here and there in her spare time.

When she began to

slow down, her parents decided to step in and

help keep her motivated.

“A long time,” Advika said of finishing the book. “I’d

President’s Horses and All the President’s Men is an urban fantasy/mystery novel

for young adults and is about a group of

teens with uncanny abilities who go to the White House to find out who is targeting the President. It is approximately 400

pages and is currently rated 5 stars on

amazon.com. It retails

“She has always had teachers and family supporting her creative spirit and has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember.”

write for a while and then stop. I needed someone to push me.”

The results are impressive. All the

for $14.99.

“In my family, and my

wife’s family, there has never been anyone who has written a

book,” Advika’s father, Rajeev Govindan

said. “She is the first to come up with

something concrete, and we couldn’t be

more proud of her. Two

years ago, she went through a bunch of

situations where she’d write two or three

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“I really enjoy writing, so it’s not like it is work for me.” chapters and then kind of stall out before picking it up again. It was my wife who pushed her to complete it. We set a goal of getting it published before summer vacation, and Advika did a great job of doing that.”

This isn’t the only writing Advika has done. She has always had teachers and family supporting her creative spirit and has enjoyed writing for as long as she can remember. She is currently the lead editor and a writer for an independent, bi-weekly newsletter with several other young writers her age. The newsletters focus on current topics and can be found online at thinkerschronicle.wixsite.com/ thinkerschronicle.

“It’s giving her real-life experiences,” her father said. “It’s interesting to read through the articles they write.”

Like any aspiring novelist, Advika doesn’t plan to stop with just one book. She said she is already planning on writing two more books: a short story/poetry collection and a second book that will likely be the first in a series of novels.

She is already planning on writing two more books: a short story/poetry collection and a second book that will likely be the first in a series of novels.

“I really enjoy writing, so it’s not like it is work for me,” Advika said.

“It’s giving her real-life experiences.”

www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 39

TEXAS

Monarch Farm W H E R E S H A R I N G I S T R U LY C A R I N G

by Diane Ciarloni | photos courtesy of Texas Monarch Farm

N

ick Shah insists that he’s never seen a child “leave here without a smile on his face. ”The “here” he’s referencing is a 5-acre private farm in the heart of Flower Mound, owned by himself and his wife, Puja.

The Shahs are originally from India, and they have two daughters, Naomi who is 15 and Nirali who is 12.

a realtor, and it was easy for me to keep

The Shahs could see the American dream in front of them, but it took them a while to decide how they wanted to latch onto it. They worked hard and, seven years ago, vistas of that dream began opening. They decided to sell their house when the girls were eight and five.

One day, Nick saw five acres available in

Now what?

a horse, so we’re

“We didn’t want to go out and just buy a big house,” says Nick. “What would that do for us? Just spend our time cleaning it. The girls wanted a horse, and we really wanted to establish something for them.

a farm and let them

“We found a place, but the deal fell through. We moved forward again. I’m

track of property as it came on the market.”

Flower Mound. Both he and Puja liked the area and felt

they had roots there.

“Okay, we said. This is it. The girls want

going to give them grow up at least

a little old school.

They could learn all the things kids, and most adults, aren’t

A couple of horses arrived at the minifarm. Goats and chickens showed up.

“They could learn all the things kids, and most adults, aren’t even exposed to today – how food is grown, how animals are born, how it feels to be with greenery and wildlife every day.”

even exposed to today – how food is

grown, how animals are born, how it feels day.” Some of the things they learn are on the edge of shocking. For instance,

did you know a hen can produce eggs

without the help of a rooster? Quite a lot of eggs, actually.

structures began

dotting the compact acreage. Open-air paddocks. Stalls.

Housing for the

chickens, where

the ladies could

lay their eggs with no meddling from

noisy roosters. It was beginning to look

more and more like

a farm — hobby farm,

technically speaking.

Nirali and Naomi grew with the farm.

There were no haphazard choices when putting together Monarch Farm which,

essentially, is a goat dairy farm. The Shahs’ chosen breed is the high-volume milk-

producing American Lamancha. First bred

There were plenty of friends and

by Eula Fay Frey in 1927, it’s a formally

may have wandered off track when they

from humans.

associates who wondered if the Shahs

| OCTOBER 2020

what they were doing?

Dogs. Various

to be with greenery and wildlife every

40 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

heard their plan. Did they honestly realize

recognized breed that loves attention

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“We breed the goats to sell,” says Puja Shah. “Every spring, our goat population goes from around 15 to 40, including the babies. We sell them to other farms who market and sell the products, such as milk and cheese.

“The baby goats are so much fun. Because we’re small and not commercial, there’s plenty of room for us to become emotionally involved with our animals.

That was our objective from the beginning.”

“One day, they asked if they could invite their teachers, along with their children, to spend the day at the farm. We agreed, and it was amazing.”

Today, Nirali and Naomi’s animal husbandry skills have grown to a level of proficiency that allows them to administer shots and other medications to the animals when needed, to breed the goats, and to help deliver babies when necessary.

The goats need protection from marauding coyotes. That job goes to two fearless Turkish breeds; the Akbash

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and the Kangal. Both breeds are very large, calm, loyal, and protective. They bond well with humans and animals. The Akbash, also known as the “Wolf Killer,” is the National Dog of Turkey. The Kangal is also known as the Anatolian Shepherd.

In addition to their other qualities, the Shahs chose the Turkish breeds because they felt they were the best suited to Texas’ climate.

There are also populations of bees and chickens at Monarch.

Sharing farm experiences actually came about unexpectedly, ushered in

by COVID-19.

“Our daughters like to give their teachers a little gift at the end of the school year,” explains Nick. “Everything was different

this year, and they weren’t even in school.

One day, they asked if they could invite their teachers, along with their children, to spend the day at the farm. We agreed, and it was amazing.”

Dogs and chickens were petted and fed. Goats were milked, and eggs were gathered. Kids, and their parents, learned about the life cycles of eggs and chickens and how there can be eggs with no roosters. Three or four little boys and girls at a time were lifted onto the broad backs of gentle horses. The concrete sidewalks were left behind, while parents and children walked on dirt trails and paddled through shallow streams. It was like a mini National Geographic-sponsored tour.

The parents marveled at how much they and the children learned. By the end of the day, they were so enthused that they encouraged the Shahs to think about having regularly scheduled tour days for the public.

The Shahs’ answer? They’ll take it into consideration. Stay tuned.

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 41

Business Spotlight

CHAMPIONS

Of Radical CHANGE

by Steve Gamel

W

e’ve all had that family member or friend who struggled with mental health problems growing up. We were always there for them to offer support, but we couldn’t help but notice other people looking at them differently. They categorized them as weird, shamed them for asking for help, showed a lack of patience, and perhaps even told them to “just get over it.”

behavior, SMART recovery, and many

other services depending on the need.

“I was seeing adults and looking into their history to find that a lot of their issues

started when they were children,” Nizami

said. “Those issues were never addressed,

The team at Connections Wellness Group knows there is a stigma surrounding mental health, from depression and anxiety to thoughts of suicide, etc. — and it’s preventing more children and adults from getting the help they need.

adolescent psychologist and the medical

“Mental health impacts people of all ages, whether they be 6 years old or 70 years old,” said Amber Gould, the Chair for the Champions of Radical Change Committee. “With school starting and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to be able to help everyone in the community at any stage in their life.”

to simply not fitting in and difficulties

She added, “We want to make it easier for people to ask for help and 100% know it is okay to do so.”

old. Connections also offers 4-hour

Gould agreed.

programs per day for teens and adults in

“I had family, friends, and even myself

No one does that better than Connections Wellness Group. While they consistently deliver a full wellness model for their patients, their bread and butter is being champions for radical change when it comes to kicking the stigma on mental health. Dr. Syed Nizami, a child and

director for the PHP and IOP programs, said the first key is getting to individuals at an earlier age. We live in a comparison culture, and children as young as 4 and 5 years old face everything from bullying at home.

As they get older, eating disorders, social media, school, and other issues make managing their issues more challenging.

Connections Wellness has services that assist patients as young as 3 years

a packaged approach: Process groups, psycho-educational groups, experiential groups, psychiatric evaluations, nursing evaluations, and medication education.

Their therapies include cognitivebehavioral, solution-focused, dialectical behavior, motivational interviewing, cognitive processing, rational emotive

and you wonder, ‘Why didn’t they get help sooner?’ If we can work with someone

sooner, we can change the trajectory of their life.”

Tiffany Godwin, the team’s dietician, also stressed the importance of nutrition.

“There are people I talk to who only eat once a day because that’s all they can

handle,” Godwin said. “They are dealing with body image issues and eating

disorders. You don’t have to be scared to come to talk to us about those things.”

who grew up dealing with various

issues, and it’s interesting how you’re

automatically thrown into situations where you’re told to just get over it,” Gould said.

“That’s not something you just get over.

It’s something you must keep working

on and get help for. We want to help as many people as we can.”

940.222.2399 | ConnectionsWellnessGroup.com | 2701 Shoreline Dr., Ste. 151• Denton, TX 76210 42 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 43

Your Uniqueness

IS NEVER A Weakness

by Diane M. Ciarloni

photos of Haleigh by Sheldon Smith and photo of Haleigh with Christian Liberty School cheerleader courtesy of the Hurst Family

H

aleigh Ryan Hurst, a 17-year-old senior at Liberty Christian School in Denton, is familiar with challenges. She lives in a small town between Denton and Decatur.

Actually, it’s a very small town. But its geographical limitations do nothing to restrict Haleigh’s dreams, which are big. Actually, they are VERY big.

Haleigh is beautiful, talented, smart, crowned the winner of multiple beauty pageants, and out-going with a full circle of friends. Life sounds idyllic for her, but that wasn’t always the case.

She was bullied and taunted in school about her teeth that “bucked” over her bottom lip. Braces pulled them back into perfect alignment, but that did nothing for her severe speech impediment. She could not master the pronunciation of the letter “r” and, on top of that, she suffered a lisp that made her speech sound something like the babble of a pre-schooler.

“I was different, and kids don’t know how to deal with different,” says Haleigh. “But I was really different! I was 5’10” in the sixth grade and wore a size 10 sneaker in the fourth grade. My hair was curly, and I was unbelievably clumsy. And don’t forget the speech impediment.”

Haleigh hated her differences. She was called names, made fun of and, sometimes, things even became physical, such as the instances when she was shoved into lockers. She couldn’t help but wonder why God made her so different and allowed her to feel so worthless.

She was called names, made fun of and, sometimes, things even became physical...

Kids are often cruel. It’s not always pre-meditated, but that doesn’t change the pain and the humiliation.

44 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

The unpleasantness was overwhelming at times. But something inside Haleigh continued dreaming.

Haleigh’s parents bought 90 acres of land along with some horses. This would make most kids think they’d been transported to heaven, but Haleigh and her older brother....well....they just weren’t interested in the horse world. Instead, Haleigh, the tall, clumsy kid with the lisp, had turned her head toward beauty pageants. How? Why? www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

“I don’t know,” sighs Sara, Haleigh’s

mother. “I hate to say this, but I think she may have watched Tots and Tiaras on television. I refer to that as a “bling” pageant, and we weren’t going to

allow that. I thought if I let her be in one pageant, it would be enough, and she’d move on to something else. I was wrong.”

Haleigh began competing in what are called “natural” pageants, no

make-up allowed until 13. A judge

spoke with her after one pageant and said the only thing he found “wrong”

“Do not give someone power over your life,” she says. “Stand up! Use your voice to impact those around you! Use your words to spread encouragement.

Your differences should never be a weakness.”

with her was her inability to communicate easily because of her speech problem.

She told her mom and dad that she wanted to fix it.

The speech therapist they visited told them it would require two years to correct Haleigh’s speech patterns.

Haleigh did it in six months. Today, there is no trace of that problem.

Life moved on for Haleigh. Dance and

cheerleading became two more passions, eventually becoming captain of her

cheering team. Volunteering at Christian charities was another. She also added

working with children to the list, along with writing. She’s never forgotten the

harsh, hurtful words thrown at her during the days of bullying. There were no

books, then or now, that gave her hope,

so she sat down and wrote and published her own, titled Shine Your Light. Don’t

tell Haleigh “words will never hurt you”

because she knows they do hurt – badly.

That’s why she decided to use words for good and for healing.

Haleigh is a member of seven clubs at school, is president of her class, and

makes straight A’s. She doesn’t date a

great deal because, really, there just isn’t

time. She believes strongly that pageants, which she began at the age of nine,

helped make her a stronger, better, more confident person. The competitions have

even deepened her faith in God, teaching her to wait for his timing as to whether or www.FlowerMoundMagazine.com

not she won. Sometimes, she left without a crown.

Haleigh’s most recent pageant accomplishment is the Miss High School America Pageant, a national event she qualified for by winning her state title. She competed against girls from every state and territory in the United States.

Her pageant success allows Haleigh to engage in public speaking at schools and various organizations. In turn, it provides her a pulpit for spreading her antibullying message.

“Do not give someone power over your life,” she says. “Stand up! Use your voice to impact those around you! Use your words to spread encouragement. Your differences should never be a weakness.”

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 45

8

ti ps o n

HOW TO CHOOSE

a local Primary Care doctor

F

inding the right primary care doctor can be extremely overwhelming, especially if you haven’t found the right one or have moved and don’t know where to begin. But there’s no denying that you need one. This is the one doctor who is

supposed to know you the best. They should know your medical history inside and out as well as your lifestyle, personality, and where to send you if they can’t help. If you’re with them long enough, you will develop an uncanny level of trust.

Basically, choosing the right primary care doctor is the most important health decision you could ever make. So if you’re in the market for one, where do you start? How do you narrow your search? Start with these 10 tips:

Ask for referrals

Perhaps there is no better stamp of approval than a referral from a friend, family member, coworker, or even another healthcare professional. Anyone who has been a patient can fill you in on everything from wait times to the quality of the office staff and the doctor’s bedside manner.

This doesn’t guarantee that you and that

46 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

| OCTOBER 2020

primary care doctor will be a good match.

But a referral is a great place to start and will help you proceed with confidence.

Look at where their office is

You could get five or six quality referrals from friends and family, but make sure they are all close to where you live or

by Steve Gamel

work. People tend to visit their primary care doctor more than any other medical professional, so if possible, seek out convenient options.

Check which insurance they accept Just like no two doctors are the same, not

every doctor’s office is structured the same

in terms of what types of insurance they take.

Obviously, you will pay less out of pocket with an in-network doctor, so do your research or even call the office and ask the front desk.

This will help you avoid any surprises.

Look at hospital affiliations

To piggyback off the previous tip, it’s important to know which hospitals the doctor uses. While the doctor accepts your insurance, the hospital may not.

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You may also not feel comfortable at that particular hospital should the need arise. Knowing this will help narrow down your search.

Conduct online research In today’s age of social media, you

don’t have to rely solely on friends and

a meet and greet with the doctor and his or her nurses. This will give you the chance to see with your own eyes how the facility is operated, how long you have to wait, how busy the doctor typically is, and if your personalties match. Compatibility is huge; your local primary doctor and his or her staff should put you at ease when in their presence.

family to point you in the right direction.

Search reviews on Yelp and Facebook

or on the doctor’s website to see what

other patients have to say. You can also see if the doctor has written anything

that’s been published or if they have a

evening and weekend appointments.

This may be a deciding factor for you if you work long hours and can only get in during odd hours.

Working as a team Rather than dictate a set of instructions with every visit, your primary care doctor should want you to be just as much a part of the

Research accessibility

Many doctor’s offices nowadays are going beyond the typical 9-5 shift to provide

treatment program as they are. They should encourage questions, listen more than

they talk, and when they do speak, do so in language that you can understand.

professional bio online.

Pay the doctor a visit

If you’ve checked off every box above, now is a great time to drop in or schedule

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What did we leave off? Do you have any tips for your fellow neighbor when it comes to choosing a quality primary care doctor? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.

OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 47

Pumpkin Save Your

Recipes

A

re you finding yourself failing once again at pumpkin carving? Don’t just throw it away – while you might have intended it to only be a decoration, you can easily turn it into a great dish or a sweet treat. Here are two great recipes that will recycle your sad jack-o-lantern attempt. So ditch the pumpkin spice latte, and get into your kitchen to whip up a bit of fall flavors in your own home (or don’t ditch the latte, we won’t judge).

ROASTED SPICY PUMPKIN AND SQUASH INGREDIENTS

PUMPKIN COOKIE DOUGH INGREDIENTS •

1/2 cup pumpkin pureed in blender

•

1/2 cup vanilla flavored protein powder

•

1/2 cup gluten-free oat flour

•

1 tablespoon of maple syrup

•

2 tablespoons of almond butter

•

1 tablespoon of almond milk

•

dark chocolate chips

2 pounds fresh pumpkin, peeled & seeded

•

1 tablespoon salt

•

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

•

3 whole yellow squash

•

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

INSTRUCTIONS

•

1 onion

•

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

•

4 tablespoons olive oil

•

(optional) sprig of thyme

In a bowl, combine the pumpkin, protein powder, flour and maple syrup.

Mix together thoroughly.

•

INSTRUCTIONS Pre-heat oven to 200°C or 400°F. Carefully peel and seed the pumpkin. Cut pumpkin and squash into 2” cubes. Cut onion into several wedges.

Place pumpkin, squash and onion into a large roasting tray before drizzling olive oil over it.

Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper over the mixture to ensure everything is properly coated (you can add more or less cayenne depending on your taste and spice level).

In a small sauce pan, melt the nut butter with the maple syrup and add to the pumpkin mixture until fully incorporated.

Add almond milk to desired consistency. Leave in fridge for a day or so for best results.

Bake in the oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until everything is soft & also tinged brown at the edges.

Before serving sprinkle a bit of thyme over the top and garnish with sprig of thyme.

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| OCTOBER 2020

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 49

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Edit This: Ask The Expert

IS IT WRONG TO START A SENTENCE

WITH AND OR BUT?

by Steve Gamel, Owner of Edit This

A

s far back as I can remember, I was told that it’s wrong to start a sentence with and or but. In fact, I was told don’t start a sentence with any coordinating conjunction, including or, for, nor, yet, or so. The funny thing is that I was never given a good reason why.

Usually, the response was something like, “It’s grammatically incorrect.”

Says who? Where does it say this?

sentence fragment (incomplete sentence).

BUT if the situation calls for it, why not?

Starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction has benefits.

I’ll tell you where – nowhere.

As your friendly, neighborhood writer

and editor at Edit This®, I’m here to tell

you that it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with and or but. Just like

anything else, you never want to overuse

the privilege, which is probably why some uptight teacher way back when made this rule up in the first place. You also want to

be careful that you don’t end up creating a

• Your writing is easier to read.

• You can break up long sentences.

• You achieve a certain style or tone.

• Your writing becomes more impactful.

Examples of starting a sentence with and, but, or another conjunction

Here are a few examples of starting a

sentence with and or but, and other conjunctions.

Can I start a sentence with a conjunction?

And can you read this when I’m done?

Mike wasn’t feeling well. Yet, he still got on the Zoom call.

John could take the trash out and empty the dishwasher for his wife. Or, he could

do both of those things and also take her out for a nice dinner.

Alicia turned in her math test first. But she forgot to put her name on it.

It’s natural to get frustrated, show emotion, and feel the need to protect yourself

during this difficult period. But as long as

both sides are constantly fighting, the case will drag on.

469.360.3611 | EDITTHISLLC.COM

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OCTOBER 2020 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE | 51

Sick of

BEING SICK

by Steve Gamel

N

o one has time to be sick, right? Not only is being laid up in bed with the cold or flu a total bummer, but we’ve all got busy lives – kids need to get to school on time, that to-do list at work is getting longer, we’ve got an important meeting. So we keep pushing through, ignoring the early warning signs, until our body forces us to stop.

The flu season alone peaks between December and February, but can last as late as May. At the same time, there are a variety of other illnesses that can bog us down, from the common cold to respiratory infections, ear infections, and stomach bugs. So here we are lying in bed with two hoodies on, the blankets pulled up just below our eyes, and we’re watching re-runs of Dr. Phil. Whatever this is – the cold, the flu, or something else – just won’t go away.

So how do we get to feeling better?

There are plenty of well-known remedies, including getting the flu shot, being religious about washing your hands, taking medicine, eating better, and getting more than enough rest to recharge those batteries. Here are a few more options that might get you back on your feet even faster:

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USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR We’ve mentioned several natural remedies. Apple cider vinegar in water helps kill bacteria in the body. You can get the similar benefits from coconut oil, garlic, fermented cod liver oil, a spoonful of honey, and elderberry syrup.

USE A HUMIDIFIER Humidifiers put moisture back into the air, significantly reducing the ability of airborne viruses to cause flu infections. Using a humidifier while you sleep – whether you are sick or not – has a myriad of benefits including improved sleep, faster healing, and decreased sinus issues.

DETOX BATH AND HOT SHOWERS Try detox baths with a few dashes of Epsom salt even when you aren’t sick, as it is known to draw out toxins while easing stress, improving sleep and concentration, and reducing muscle inflammation.

SALINE OR WARM WATER WASH This may seem like an unpleasant experience, but using saline, a Neti Pot, or simply filling your hands with warm water every morning and inhaling the water, clears your nose and nasal cavities. This can help with general colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Give it a try.

GARGLE WITH SALT WATER Getting a large glass from the kitchen and gargling with salt water provides instant relief for a sore throat, sometimes faster than over-the-counter medicines or throat lozenges. It also has preventative benefits, so try it before you get sick or when you experience early warning signs.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR GUT If you want to be healthier next winter, start eating more foods that support a healthy gut. A healthy gut makes it difficult for bacteria that cause colds, the flu, and other viruses to gain traction and wreak havoc on your life. You can do this through probiotics/shopping or healthier foods.

PUT VICKS VAPORUB ON YOUR FEET, CHEST, AND NOSE Vicks VapoRub has been around forever, and everyone knows its benefits as a decongestant for your chest and throat as well as being a remedy for headaches and achy muscles. But have you tried rubbing it on your feet and covering them with warm socks? Do this before bedtime, especially if you have a nagging cough.

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Paid Advertisement: CANDIDATE SPOTLIGHT

MAYOR PRO TEM

SANDEEP SHARMA TOWN OF FLOWER MOUND | TOWN COUNCIL PLACE 2 photo courtesy of Mayor Pro Tem Sandeep Sharma

What was the catalyst for your civic involvement?

Having lived in Flower Mound for many years, I felt that the town was suddenly losing its appeal.

So, I volunteered to get involved in town’s boards and commissions. I served on Town’s Planning & Zoning Commission, SMARTGrowth Commission, Capital Improvements Advisory Committee, and Charter Review Commission.

Another thing that I firmly believe in is our Master Plan. It already allows for appropriate residential density and commercial developments for economic growth.

I was able to help prevent multi-

family residential developments, while

encouraging commercial/Class-A offices in designated areas.

While we continue to work on

synchronization of traffic lights in

I got elected to the Flower Mound Town Council in 2018.

Town and make infrastructural

What are your feelings about your current term on the Town Council?

concerns and get the FM2499 and

I feel satisfied, since I believe we made progress in what I was able to make happen and what we, thankfully, prevented from happening.

One of my major contributions on the Town Council included putting more money in the pockets of the Flower Mound residents. I voted to approve a 2.5% homestead exemption in 2018, which lowered the homeowners’ tax bills.

Then, in 2019, I championed and voted for reduction in property tax rate.

I am glad to say that I was successful in leading the effort to remove the discussion of Lakeside TIRZ from the table, which would have cost our taxpayers heavily. www.FlowerMoundMagzine.com

improvements using newer technologies, I was able to raise the residents’

FM3040 intersection improvement on our Capital Improvement Plan.

I will continue to support low-density and responsible growth. Flower Mound has a wonderful Master Plan and an enviable SMARTGrowth Program that will guide me.

I will keep encouraging town staff to enhance parks and open spaces. I will continue hold developers to the Town’s park land dedication requirement and stop waiving land dedication and development fees.

As we know senior citizens are a

I will continue listen to and engage with the residents. Ultimately, the biggest stakeholder in the Town, is its residents.

how do you feel about their needs?

How do you achieve work-life balance?

I felt really good about being the

Yes, with fulltime work, family and Town Council, it would be fair to say that I am testing my limits. Fortunately, with my company, I can make my own schedule, so conflicts are manageable.

wonderful part of our community,

catalyst and in collaborating with

Seniors in Motion Auxiliary, and the

town staff to start a wonderful program

this January 2020 to provide affordable transportation to seniors.

What can we look forward to

during your second term if you get re-elected?

During my current term, I stayed true to my promises, and you can expect the same from me again.

What do you like to do for fun?

Family movie time is the most relaxing, especially, after we have spent hours coming to an agreement on the movie.

I look forward to early morning jogs on the trail along the lake. At some point in time, I hope to get back to writing poetry.

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SHERIFF’S W I T H

S H E R I F F

T R A C Y

Intern to Captain DENTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPOTLIGHTS CAPTAIN KELLY FAIR

C

aptain Fair began her career at the Denton County Sheriff's Office as an Intern in 2005, where she shadowed Forensics and Patrol. In April 2006, she was hired full-time as a Detention Officer. She was hired in Patrol later that same year, where she worked various shifts as a Deputy Sheriff. In 2009, she was promoted to Patrol Corporal. In 2011, she moved into the Administrative Patrol Corporal position, where she assisted patrol shifts with supervisory duties, managed the Patrol Field Training Program, testified in grand jury hearings, and continued as the liaison to the water district and contract deputy positions. In August 2013, she was promoted to Sergeant of the Criminal Investigations Division assigned to Forensics, and in 2016 promoted to Criminal Investigations Lieutenant. In March 2017, she was appointed to Support Services Captain. Captain Fair currently oversees the Support Services Division, which encompasses the Professional Standards Unit, Quartermaster, Radio Services, Training, and Technical Services.

Captain Fair completed the Peace Officer Academy in August 2005. Later that same year, she graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas Woman’s University while interning with the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. In December 2012, Captain Fair earned her Masters of Business Administration Degree while working as a Patrol Corporal for DCSO. While working as Forensics Sergeant in August 2014, she completed the

University of North Texas Forensics Science Academy. Captain Fair currently holds an Intermediate Jailers license and a Master Peace Officer license. Captain Fair was awarded DCSO Officer of the Year in 2012 and 2017. She has also received the Academic Recognition award from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Captain Fair’s son, David, is currently an SPC serving in the United States Army in Ft. Hood. She resides in Denton County with her partner Joel.

M U R P H R E E

WE ARE

HIRING

If you are interested in a career in Law Enforcement, join our family and be a part of a great organization.

Detention Officer I positions start at $38,752.00 per year.

Visit our website to apply. www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty

“As a Texas Ranger in Denton County, I was introduced to Kelly Fair, a new intern for the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. It was apparent from the start that Kelly had a thirst for knowledge and an outstanding work ethic. Kelly was a “go getter” and learned very fast. I then watched as Kelly worked her way up in the organization and did a great job at each level with professionalism and integrity. After being elected Sheriff, an opening for Captain became available.

It was my honor to appoint Kelly to the rank of Captain. Kelly has continued to be the professional she has always been and serves the people of Denton County with ethical integrity-driven leadership.

I’m very proud of Kelly and her accomplishments and it is an honor to serve with her.” –Sheriff Tracy Murphree.

940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.COM/DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX 56 | FLOWER MOUND TOWN LIFE

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