Lake Cities Living Magazine August 2020

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 Women In Business Issue

Resiliency

AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas

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

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TABLE OF

Contents ASK THE EXPERTS 13 Fitness with Outlaw Fitcamp 24 Travel with Terri Guthrie ARTICLES 08 Women in Business 10 Inside Community and Education 12 Community Corner 15 Foodie Friday of DFW: 1845 Taste Texas

18 Track & Field Player of the Year 20 If You Can Dream It He Can Make It

23 Sheriff’s Corner with

Sheriff Tracy Murphree

25 Masked Up! 26 Small By Choice 28 Close Encounter Of The Salamander Kind

29 Stressful Times Call for Positive Reinforcement

30 Sports Have Started Again at Least For Some

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RESILIENCY

And Your Mental Health Journey Cover Image The Connections Wellness Team

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

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors

Together We Are In This

T

he back-to-school madness looked different this year.

No long lines in the school supply aisles, and we weren’t in a rush to run out and purchase the latest trends in school fashion.

By now, we all know schools may or may not be delaying in-person instruction. I know our district has had their hands tied waiting on instruction from state and federal entities, and we are thankful for their transparency.

For some, this decision comes as another blow because many want some kind of normalcy back in their lives or households having two full-time working parents. We understand that. Scott and I are full-time small business owners, and we will have to make some schedule changes ensuring our children are staying on top of their virtual check-ins and daily assignments.

There are many questions to be answered, and I do not envy school and administrative staff and everyone else who is involved in making these tough decisions. As we continue to take it all one day at a time, I encourage you to remember we are all in this together. If you have a question or have advice for families in the district, reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.

In this issue, we are celebrating Women in Business. It is a perfect time to remind parents — looking to you Moms — that you are doing a great job. Many of the women in this issue spoke of being true to yourself and having strong allies in your corner. They spoke on balancing work and home life, how it comes with ups and downs, but to focus on the positive and find ways to do the things that make you happy.

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

Nick Allen Photography

Your Candid Memories Photography

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

Letters Lake Cities Living 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 Lake Cities Living 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. Lake Cities Livings 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

Happiness makes the world go round!

We hope you enjoy this issue, and we wish you and your family the best of luck as we start the new school year.

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

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Women in BUSINESS Inspirational quotes from successful businesswomen in Denton County

by Steve Gamel

Kimberley Shanklin, Kimberley Shanklin - Shanklin Law Hold onto your integrity even when it costs you relationships because your reputation is everything in business!

I learned early on in my career that it was easy to gain tons of clients with the lure of telling them what they wanted to hear and making false promises, but when clients asked me for my opinion I offered the truth- even when I knew it may cost me that client. Then suddenly I noticed those clients coming back to me after a horrible experience with someone who didn’t deliver. Then those clients referred clients who had bad experiences and didn’t trust lawyers and it was now people seeking me out based on reputation.

By knowing my worth I’m able to fight for my clients who trust me to help them with serious life-changing decisions and those clients spread the word that I am an attorney that will always be honest about what results I can deliver,

even when it’s not what they might not want to hear. The same holds true with how I handle work relationships. I know how to do my job well, I don’t compromise my integrity, don’t back down from a challenge, don’t tolerate being disrespected, and give God all the praise for the strength in tough times. I know that if I hold true to who I am as a person I will be successful.

I love working with positive people who encourage one another. I’m not concerned with the haters or their agendas because I honestly just don’t have time for it.

Luckily, I am blessed to work with some truly amazing men and women who spend countless hours trying to help people in need and these friends take me for what I am knowing I will always be there for them whenever they need me.

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“Hold onto your integrity even when it costs you relationships because your reputation is everything in business!”

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Kim Cloud Skidmore, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa I love being an entrepreneur! There are so many aspects of business ownership that bring me joy every day! I enjoy being behind the chair and making my customers look and feel beautiful. Strong relationships have been built over many years in the salon business.

My favorite part of being a business owner is leadership. Influencing the talented team at Cloud 9 and watching them gain momentum and success is delightful. My goal each day is to provide a stable environment for them to flourish in.

I believe that strong women in today’s business world are seen as movers and shakers! Consistency and persistence are keys to success in this modern world. Many great mentors have taught me nuggets of wisdom to encourage and motivate me. Leadership inspires me every day to share and duplicate. I want to make a difference in the business world!

Kim Gronberg, Gronberg Orthodontics “I think a roadblock is thinking that life is unfair and having a victim mentality.

First of all, life is not going to be fair, whether you are a man or a woman. So get over that! I feel like the biggest determinate of how “successful” you will be is your own attitude. I think the women who are truly successful don’t have time to talk or think about potential obstacles for them because they are too busy just doing what

needs to be done! If you have a goal and want to achieve it, just do it. You are the main person who can hold yourself back.”

“Just know it’s going to be a lot of work – but anything in life that is worthwhile is going to be a lot of work. Not everything is going to go 100% right – there will be a lot of tears. Just take each day as it comes, repeat the things that are working, and quickly re-evaluate and change the things that aren’t

working. Sometimes, we think we have to plan everything out perfectly before we get started. But I would say successful business owners many times are more of a “Ready, Fire, Aim” than “Ready, Aim, Fire.” Don’t waste years overanalyzing every small detail.”

Debbie Sardone, Buckets & Bows Maid Service “As a cleaning business owner, I had very few obstacles associated with being a woman. I think cleaning has always been perceived as “women’s work” so no one got in my way. But, when I was ready to invest in my growth, a local Flower Mound bank would only give me a business loan if my husband co-signed. I refused and decided to grow my business without the loan. It worked out.”

“Give, give, give. Struggling business owners tend to be desperate, and giving is the last thing they have on their mind. If you want to grow beyond your wildest dreams become an authentic giver. This doesn’t always have to be monetary. Find ways to give and serve others, not sparingly, but in abundance. When you give in abundance you reap in abundance. When you give sparingly you reap in scarcity. Adopt the go-givers mindset and you will be successful. Just don’t mistake giving for being a door mat; there is a difference.” www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

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INSIDE COMMUNITY SUPPORTING CAPTAIN TROY HAMMONS

BLOOD SUPPLY IS LOW ACROSS NORTH TEXAS Carter BloodCare is experiencing a critical shortage in blood supply. All blood types are needed from all eligible blood donors. The blood center is showing their appreciation to those who are able to donate by providing no-cost COVID-19 antibody testing, for a limited time. To find a blood drive near you, visit www.CarterBloodCare.org.

Captain Troy Hammons is a 23-year veteran of the Lake Cities Fire Department and a founding member of the Lake Cities Firefighters Local 4231. Due to an infection he amputated his leg below the knee and spent two months in the hospital. There is a raffle benefitting the Captain that ends Sept 5. There are four prizes available to win and raffle tickets are $100. Call Adam Scott with any questions, 940-886-6494 or purchase your ticket on Venmo @LakeCitiesPFF-Association. photo courtesy of Riley Davis

INSIDE EDUCATION

GUYER FOOTBALL SIDELINE REPORTERS WELCOME TO LDISD, ANTHONY TOSIE! Anthony Tosie is very experienced in school district communications with years spent in

Denton ISD and Northwest ISD, and having lived in Denton County the past 23 years, he brings much to his new position. As the new Director of Communications at Lake Dallas ISD he will help to keep parents, community members, and staff up-to-date with the latest district information. Welcome, Anthony! photo courtesy of Anthony Tosie

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The Guyer Wildcats are looking for sideline reporters and production interns. You can be a current student, recent graduate, and a UNT student.

UIL is allowing a video stream this season as an exception due to COVID. If you are interested, email john@BehindTheDishMedia.com.

Go Wildcats!

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SKY-TASTIC TREATS Nine-year-old Wyatt Rollins spent three weeks part of a summer program that teaches young kids how to become entrepreneurs. Learning financial responsibilities, people skills, confidence, and giving back, Wyatt was one of 900 students selected out of the entire state for the program. Officially a small business owner, Wyatt makes homemade dog treats. To support Wyatt and treat your furbabies, visit www.SkyTasticTreats.com. photo courtesy of Cindy DeKeyzer

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL The City of Corinth is seeking enthusiastic, loyal, and hardworking teens to join the YAC. Members will work alongside city staff to learn more about municipal government.

Students much be between ages 14-18 and attend Corinth schools. This is a great way for teens to build leadership skills and serve in their community. For more information, email CommunityRelations@CityofCorinth.com. photo courtesy of Lee Ann Bunselmeyer

GUYER BAND FUNDRAISER

STAAR TESTING Governor Greg Abbott said in a press conference on July 27 that the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, also known as STAAR, test requirement for grade promotion for students in 5 and 8 grade has been waived for this upcoming school year.

Gov. Abbott hopes this waiver will provide greater flexibility for students and teachers.

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Each year the costs of running a marching band involves purchasing everything from equipment, food, transportation, and paying for staff to help provide a positive and enriching experience for high school musicians. This year’s fundraising campaign will go toward their fall marching production costs. To help them meet their goal, visit event.fanpledge.com/22659. photo courtesy of Oscar Ban

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NONPROFIT HOSPITAL

by Lewisville Attorney Delia Parker-Mims

photo courtesy by the Denton Public Library

F

ew in Denton County know that the county operated a nonprofit hospital called Flow Memorial Hospital from 1950-1987.

free- or low-cost wellness programs and services like Meals on Wheels’ lunches for housebound residents and emergency alert systems.

From a pioneering Denton County family, Homer Flow was born in Pilot Point in 1870. Homer worked in one of Denton’s first blacksmith shops and his brother Virgil ran the Denton Opera House.

In 1959, a new wing was added thanks to funds from Mrs. Ada Raley and the federal Hospital Survey and Construction Act (or the Hill-Burton Act). The Ed and Bess Forester estate provided over half a million dollars to fund the construction of another wing in 1972.

Blind during the last 25 years of his life, Homer Flow passed away in 1947 and donated his farm and home valued at $150,000 to a grant for Flow’s construction so citizens could receive medical care “not … limited to any group but that the hospital would be used as a city-county institution.” Denton County and Denton taxpayers approved two $150,000 bond issues to supplement Flow’s grant for the hospital’s establishment.

Flow Memorial Hospital, located at 1310 Scripture Street on Scripture Hill in Denton, opened in 1950.

Flow Memorial Hospital offered a 24-hour emergency room, plus an obstetrics unit with prenatal, postnatal and neonatal intensive care. The hospital also provided

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Flow Memorial declared bankruptcy in 1987 and the building became an office space before being torn down in 2002 to make way for the construction of a student housing apartment complex called City Parc at Fry Street. During the demolition, hundreds of heritage oak trees were destroyed. Denton residents were so mad that they developed a new tree ordinance in 2003.

When Flow Memorial Hospital opened in 1950, the population of Denton County was 41,365 but by 2019, that population had grown to 887,207 — a 2,044% increase.

Of Denton County’s 2019 population, 104,244 or 12% lacked health insurance.

Unfortunately, since many of those uninsured citizens didn’t qualify for indigent health care, they had to travel to Dallas County’s Parkland Hospital for health care treatment. From Denton, Parkland lies 36 miles away, making the travel time 40 minutes.

If Denton County operated a nonprofit hospital like before, these citizens would be able to receive health care nearby.

I believe the community would benefit greatly if Denton County operated another nonprofit hospital like Flow Memorial Hospital.

Construction of Flow Memorial in 1950 www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Fitness: Ask The Expert Small goals are easy to attain, meeting

ESTABLISHING

A FITNESS

ROUTINE

by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit & Outlaw Fitcamp

T

3. Write it out.

Use a planner or a calendar to write down your routine. Having it written in front of you will help you stick to it.

4. Be consistent with time.

To make exercise a new habit, it helps to do it at the same time every day.

5. Try to make it fun.

Put a new workout playlist together, find a group, do whatever you can to make

your routine more enjoyable. Our Outlaw FitCamp classes are lots of fun!

6. Track your progress.

Have a calendar or planner where you can

here’s one thing you can do that will increase your productivity, give you more free time, and help you meet your goals. So, what’s the secret that almost all successful people use? It’s this simple: having a daily ROUTINE.

For most people, the key to meeting goals is to develop a routine and stick to it! It takes self-discipline, but with a few simple tactics, it can be done.

Routines limit having to make decisions all day on which task you should tackle next.

It also limits the stress from feeling guilty for not getting things done.

Having a planned-out, daily routine does the following:

Here are some things you can do to help you stick with your plan.

•

Makes you more efficient

•

Creates structure in your life.

10 things to do for success with a daily routine:

•

Encourages good habits and eliminates bad ones.

•

them gives you momentum to keep going.

Forces you to prioritize things that are important.

As an example, it can be hard to make the decision every day to go workout. But if exercise becomes part of a routine you already have in place, it’s much more likely you’ll follow through.

1. Prioritize what’s important when planning your routine.

Think about just one or two things you really want to change when starting a new daily routine, and give those priority in your plan.

2. Set small goals.

Don’t immediately go from hardly any exercise at all to exercising an hour a day.

check off tasks as you complete them.

7. Reward yourself.

Set small goals and have a reward in mind for when you get there.

8. Start each morning with a plan.

Make a habit of looking at your calendar or planner first thing each morning.

9. Give yourself time for your new routine to become automatic.

Keep in mind that it takes most people

about 90 days of doing something before it becomes a habit.

10. Don’t get caught up in perfection.

Remember—progress, not perfection!

Establishing a good daily routine will

make you feel great about yourself and

proud of your increased productivity. We

can help you easily fit scheduled workout sessions into your routine. Give us a call and we’ll discuss options with you.

972.355.2639 • JESSEJAMESFIT.COM | 940.497.6002 • OUTLAWFITCAMP.COM

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1845 Taste Texas: Foodie Friday of DFW

1845

TASTE TEXAS

by Jay Marks | photos courtesy of Nick Allen Photography

D

id you know that the year 1845 was when Texas allowed all of the other parts of our nation to join it? That’s what 1845 Taste Texas owner, Marty Bryan, told us.

And you know what? We believe him!

So, at 1845 Taste Texas, they celebrate all things “Texas.” From the food, to the music that’s played, to the decor of the restaurant. He says it’s “designed like Dallas and tastes like Fort Worth,” so it’s the perfect combination of all the best parts of the Metroplex.

There is so much incredible food at this new Lakeside DFW restaurant that we can’t waste any more time before talking about it. You really can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Here are some of the highlights.

Off the Appetizer menu, you need to try their Smoked Wings. Their 1845 Salad is a great healthy alternative if steaks aren’t your thing. They have so many great

comfort food options too - we love the Lockhart Fried Quail and the Prime Rib French Dip. Since 1845 is a steakhouse, let’s pause to really talk about their incredible cuts of meat. The show-stopper since they opened has been the 36-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye. Sure, it could feed a family of six, but eating it yourself sounds so much more fun. Our other favorite (and another one that’s sure to turn heads when it comes by) is the 30-ounce smoked pork chop.

All of 1845’s cuts of meat are hormone and antibiotic-free, are humanely-raised, and are fed an all-natural diet. All of that makes a huge difference in the quality of the food they put out.

Like we mentioned, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the food at 1845. They also have amazing burgers, fried foods, seafood, and desserts. Their bar seats 26 people and serves wine, beer, and signature cocktails like the Davey Crockett and Clyde Barrow.

Sitting on their outdoor patio is a great idea any day of the week, but especially on Thursdays and Saturdays when they’ll have live music out there. Fridays are a great evening to sit out there too so you can enjoy music from the Lakeside Music Series across the street.

And if you’re looking to host a bigger event, 1845 has you covered with their private banquet rooms that can accommodate up to 40 people each with large screen TVs, WiFi, and beautiful scenery!

There’s no shortage of amazing details at 1845 Taste Texas. Owners Marty and Alan have truly thought of everything and we are so excited to have them now in south Flower Mound as well with another fantastic restaurant.

We can’t wait for y’all to give this one a try!

1845 Taste Texas is located at 2401 Lakeside Pkwy, Ste. 150 • Flower Mound, TX 75022.

972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com jay@jaymarksrealestate.com 1013 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 102 | Flower Mound, TX 75022

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Resiliency

AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY

by Steve Gamel | photography by What’s That Guys Name? PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUY T (WhatsThatGuysName.com)

T

he team of clinicians at Connections Wellness Group was recently bowled over with excitement when one of its regular patients came strolling through the door with a big smile on his face. This was a young man who, from the second he joined the mental health program seven weeks earlier, had this profound sense of sadness about him.

The way he carried himself, his half-

Sydney Reece, LPC and the Director

him, and that he insisted that he didn’t

one of the more impactful things I’ve

hearted interactions with those around want to be there, made it clear that he was embarking on a potentially long journey. And yet, on this one day, he looked resilient.

“I remember saying, ‘Did he just smile?

I think I heard him laugh!’” said Vianey Reinhardt, LPC and Vice President of

Business Development.

“He made it clear that his parents were forcing him to be there; everything about him was heavy.

But you saw this incredible change as he moved

through the program.

ever seen.”

Real-life results like these are what this team of mental health experts churn out every day through their Partial

Hospitalization Program and Intensive

Outpatient Program — even in the face of COVID-19. Yes,

“...WE MODEL RESILIENCY AND HOW TO BUILD A TRUE SUPPORT NETWORK AROUND YOU. OUR CLIENTS SEE THAT DAILY.”

The community he built

and the connections he made became very valuable to him.”

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of Intake and UR, agreed, saying, “It was

| AUGUST 2020

Connections Wellness

Group is reinventing the wheel by consistently

delivering a full wellness model for its patients,

from family counseling to primary care, nutritional

wellness, and everything

in between. But its bread

and butter is championing

mental health. They’ve hired the best

of the best to handle the most clinically

challenging of circumstances, whether in-person or through teleservices, and the PHP and IOP programs have since become nationally accredited.

So when the most is on the line (feelings of loneliness, chronic depression, anxiety, thoughts of suicide), and your symptoms are so profound that you question your ability to come out on the other side, these people have your back.

“The work we do is fragile, and you have to be intentional about it every day,” said Baqi Martin, LCSW-S and VP of Outpatient Services. “We focus on our clients’ resiliency, spotlighting their strengths and abilities that they might not be able to see. We prepare them for the seen and the unseen.”

Reece agreed, “We make sure our patients have the resources they need to get the care they need. We model resiliency and how to build a true support network around you. Our clients see that daily.”

So how do they do it? They start by focusing on continuity of care. In a typical setting, a patient may be coming from a hospital to a private practitioner only to www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

940.222.2399 ConectionsWellnessGroup.com 2701 Shoreline Dr., Ste. 151 Denton, TX 76210

“It’s never a new experience as they go to the next level of care,” Martin said. “It’s the same mission, the same language, and the same approach to treatment. We go a step further than everyone else by asking what and where are the risk factors in your life, and how can we help you prepare?”

Nicole Hoffman, LPC-Intern, LCDC, helped launch the adult PHP program. She has been amazed by the results — even as medical facilities across the nation have been forced to adjust their services to meet the demands of social distancing and shelter-in-place orders.

“We did all of this during a pandemic,” she said. “You can still get the level of care you need, no matter the situation.” receive care from several entities.

At Connections, the client care is

consistent because everything is handled in one office as they progress through

different levels. Connections offers 4-hour programs per day for teens and adults that include a wide array of services in

one packaged approach: Process groups, psycho-educational groups, experiential groups, psychiatric evaluations, nursing www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

evaluations, and medication education.

Their therapies include cognitive behavioral, solution-focused, dialectical behavior, motivational interviewing, cognitive processing, rational emotive behavior, SMART recovery, and many other services depending on the need.

Each evening, the participants return home to practice the skills learned and return the next day.

The message on kicking the stigma on mental health has always been the same: it’s okay not to be okay. If you need someone to talk to, whether you’ve already been in a hospital setting or are just now struggling with problems a lot bigger than you once thought, give Connections Wellness Group a call.

With the right team in your corner, resiliency is not as far away as you think.

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17

Track & Field

Player of The Year

by Steve Gamel

T

he Dallas-Fort Worth area is known for producing top-tier high school talent in every sport. Track and Field is no exception, though one could argue the standard-bearer in recent years is Guyer High School’s speedy senior, Brynn Brown.

So it shouldn’t be a surprise that she ran

found a way to overcome those setbacks

in the country.

to her high school career.

down one of the more prestigious honors

and is now on track for a huge final push

“Brynn is no stranger to adversity. She has

Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year

unfortunate falls, and

on June 25. The award, which recognizes athletic excellence, high standards of academic achievement, and strong

character on and off the field, is in its 35th year. In winning this year’s award, Brown joins an elite list of alumni that includes Lolo Jones and Robert Griffin III to name a few.

endured multiple season-ending injuries, most recently, the loss of an outdoor track season

to the pandemic,” Guyer

coach Megan Sprabeary

told Gatorade. “However, she has handled it all with dignity and grace. She uses each disappointment as motivation toward her

next goal.” And she’s faster than lightning.

According to the Gatorade press release,

suffered an injury that could have ended

3,200-meter run at the Coppell Relays in

her career much too early. Clearly, she has 18 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

all-time in the event. She also recorded a time trial of 9:39.38 in the 3,200, which,

had it been official, would have shattered the national record by eight seconds. As a sophomore, Brown won the Class 6A in the 1,600 with a time of 4:48.37.

The Gatorade press release went on

AND SHE’S FASTER THAN LIGHTENING.

Brown’s rise to notoriety hasn’t come without adversity. As a freshman, she

as the nation’s No. 12 performance of

3,200 title in 10:09.91. She also won state

Brown, widely regarded as the top runner in Texas, was named the Gatorade Texas

the fastest girls time in state history and

to mention that Brown won

the two-mile run at the Texas A&M Classic this past winter with a time of 10:08.11—the nation’s No. 1 performance

among prep indoor competitors in

2020. She also maintained a 4.54 GPA and has volunteered locally on behalf

of a children’s camp for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit patients.

Brown broke the tape in the outdoor

Congrats to Brynn Brown on her latest

9:58.58 in late February, which ranked as

be the last.

award. We are confident this won’t

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Neighborhood Find Your Local Home-Based Business Here!

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AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 19

If You Can

DREAM IT He Can

MAKE IT

by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Christopher Lyle

H

e didn’t look like a magician. He needed a magician’s suit. Call it what you will, but when his grandmother purchased his first performance suit back in the 90s, it was either going to break him or make him. Luckily for us, the mustard yellow get-up and her maternal instinct made The Guy in the Yellow Suit a household name.

He also goes by Christopher Lyle, and he has been entertaining people with his comedic magic shows and balloon creations since his teenage years. After receiving his first magic set at the age of 7

and putting on shows for neighborhood kids, Christopher was hooked.

Growing up, he suffered from ADD and

an auditory processing defect; he didn’t comprehend information the same way

others did. He had trouble in school, but the one subject he could really dial into

was magic. He got his hands on as many

magic books as possible, and for whatever reason, those books just clicked for him.

“I felt pretty charged up that I was able to

interested in him if he also included

grown-ups couldn’t even do,” Christopher

“I wanted to work and get my magic

do something as a young kid that most

said. “It was empowering for me. I enjoyed being able to basically play around while blowing people away. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

out there, so I learned how to do a dog, a flower, and a sword. When I tried to book restaurants, and they asked if I did balloons, I was able to say, ‘Yes I

do,’” Christopher said. “It just grew from

performing for customers at local

were the only three balloons I could do.

restaurants. But booking magic gigs

were harder than he thought. It seemed

| AUGUST 2020

balloon art.

As he got older, he tried making his

way into the entertainment world by

20 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

as though each owner was really only

there. I got tired of telling people these

Three decades later, I probably do more balloons than I do magic now.”

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

By the time Christopher rolled around to learning how to create balloon art, the niche was small but growing. He reached out to a few clowns in his area and read about basic twists and shapes from books.

But had to expand on his own from there.

Booked to perform at a magic convention in Las Vegas in the early 2000s, Christopher would have a chance meeting that would help propel his career forward.

Call it serendipitous because when Christopher met fellow performer, Buster Balloon, the pieces quickly fell into place.

“I didn’t know there was a balloon industry at that time,” Christopher said. “I basically hung out with the rock God of balloon artists for a week. It was a turning point for me because it really showed me what could be done with balloons.”

From simple twists to incredible masterpieces, Christopher has completed some remarkable balloon creations for his clients. This talent has come in handy these past few months, when not even Christopher could control the cards we were all dealt.

Christopher ran his business. But, it’s not about the cards; it’s how you play the hand. And, The Guy in the Yellow Suit would be the only one pulling tricks out of his hat.

Due to the shut downs and stay-in-place order, Christopher was no longer able

“BALLOON ART HAS TAKEN ME PLACES MAGIC WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO TAKE ME.” to perform in restaurants, at parties, or for business events. So he stuck strictly to balloon creations. Not sure if it would be able to support him and his family, he

is loving it. Bringing smiles to people all over North Texas and creating some of the biggest and wildest balloon creations has given him a new kind of confidence.

“Balloon art has taken me places magic would have never been able to take me,” Christopher said. “If you can dream it, I can make it.”

Christopher lives in Justin with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters.

For your own balloon creation, follow Christopher Lyle on Facebook or visit his website, www.ChristopherLyle.com.

Christopher is serious about the safety and health of his clients. All balloons are manufactured in Dallas, sanitized, and delivered contact-free.

promoted balloon deliveries anyway.

Christopher is busier than he could have ever imagined, and the best part is that he

Like many other performers, the impact from the coronavirus changed the way

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 21

22 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SHERIFF’S W I T H

S H E R I F F

T R A C Y

Texas Commission

JAIL STANDARDS

T

he Denton County Jail was inspected by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards in July, and we are proud to report that once again, we passed the State Jail Inspection.

The Texas Legislature created the Commission on Jail Standards in 1975 to implement a declared state policy that all county jail facilities conform to minimum standards of construction, maintenance, and operation. It is the duty of the commission to promulgate reasonable written rules and procedures establishing minimum standards, inspection procedures, enforcement policies, and technical assistance for: 1. The construction, equipment, maintenance, and operation of jail facilities under its jurisdiction.

2. The custody, care, and treatment of inmates.

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

3. Programs of rehabilitation, education, and recreation for inmates confined in county and municipal jail facilities under its jurisdiction.

“Passing the State Jail Inspection is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our Detention Officers and Detention Staff. They do an amazing job every day to ensure the safety and security of the inmates under their care,” stated Sheriff Tracy Murphree.

940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.COM/DEPARTMENTS/SHERIFF.ASPX www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23

Ask The Expert: Travel

Montmartre T H E

B O H E M I A N

S I D E

O F

P A R I S !

by Terri Guthrie | photo courtesy of Terri Guthrie

I

f Paris is on your bucket list for the future, you probably will see the obvious iconic sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. But be sure and add the historic district of Montmartre.

I was very curious about this area of Paris that is rich in artistic history.

Now, Montmartre is always on our Paris itinerary!

We wandered the cobblestone streets and marveled at the bohemian vibe.

This hill is the highest point in all of Paris!

There are fascinating legends and lots of colorful history in Montmartre!

and was founded in 1793. It’s one of the oldest restaurants in Paris.

As we walked to the top of this steep hill in Montmartre, we finally saw the breathtaking Basilica of Sacre-Coeur as it sits like a white crown overlooking Paris. It’s truly a masterpiece of grace and grandeur!

Do like most tourists and enjoy simply sitting on the massive steps in front of Sacre-Coeur. It overlooks the entire city. It is absolutely one of the most spectacular views in all of Paris…and is not to be missed!

I would recommend starting your sightseeing at Moulin Rouge. This is the famous cabaret that began in 1889 and is still running today.

Many famous artists were nurtured here and had studios or worked in or around Montmartre. All these artist homes and some film locations are fascinating to see.

A local tour guide is always a good idea.

Or try the Little Train of Montmartre. It loops around the hill taking visitors on a 40-minute tour with commentary.

While exploring, we found a new favorite place to eat. It is restaurant “La Mere Catherine,” and it is right in the heart of Montmartre. We enjoyed delicious authentic French cuisine in a charming dining room. It’s “The First French Bistro,” FOLLOW TERRI ON INSTAGRAM @TRAVELWITHTERRI

24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

MASKED

Up!

by Diane Ciarloni

R

emember the old days, when we did all kinds of crazy stuff? One of the craziest was going to birthday parties. There we were, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a closed room with very little ventilation. And that wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part came when the birthday person stood at a table, staring at his or her cake.

It was always beautiful, decorated with flowers made from that butter cream frosting that leaves the roof of your mouth slick. Then, the celebrant sucked in a deep breath and spent the next 60-seconds blowing directly on the cake to extinguish the flames on the tiny candles. But even that wasn’t the worst part!

The worst part came when we all walked

All of that is well and good, but it’s not

virus/bacteria-covered cake. And we ate it!

against COVID-19. It is, instead, the

to the table to claim our piece of germ/ And licked the fork!

The reckless, seriously risky birthday

tradition may, or may not, return. It’s too soon to know.

Local government-mandated face masks, or face coverings, have become the law of the land in most states in an effort to stop, or at least slow down, the spread

the printed design that offers protection manner in which the face-covering is worn.

CDC and WHO say:

Wash hands thoroughly and pick up

mask is in place, do not touch it again until it’s time to remove it.

over your ears. It should be snug against

It’s highly recommended that you do not lift the mask away from your face (nose and mouth) while in public to catch a breath or to take a drink.

mask by the ear loops, slipping the loops the sides of your face, with no gaps that

welcome COVID-19 contaminants wanting to enter your space.

of COVID-19. As a result, an entirely

The mask should cover your nose, mouth

economic system.

Is it hot? Yes. It is. Wearing it for two or

new cottage industry now feeds its own Mask-makers offer an endless variety of

designs. Easily-recognized paintings by

the Old Masters wrap around some masks.

and chin. Is it comfortable? No. It’s not. three hours will increase your respect

for the people who must wear it eight to 20-hours per day.

Others are beautiful patterns, sassy sayings,

A wire or metal strip over the nose is

dogs, cats, even a photo of your very own,

better seal that area. The pleats on pleated

famous quotes, animals, rhinestones, lace, personal pet companion. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

MASK SHOULD BE SNUG AGAINST SIDE OF FACE, NO GAPS. MASK SHOULD COVER COMPLETELY THE NOSE, MOUTH AND UNDER THE CHIN.

good. Bend it to the shape of your nose to masks should open downward. Once the

After returning home, remove your mask by the ear loops without touching any other part. Either wash it immediately or place it in a plastic bag and store in a cool, clean place.

Finally, wash your hands for a full two minutes. By the way, two minutes is how long it takes to sing “Happy Birthday.” So just wash and sing, since this may be the closest you’ll get to one of those wild and crazy parties for a very long time.

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 25

Small

By Choice

by Diane Ciarloni

N

owhere in the definition of “community” is there a mention of tiny homes. That’s certainly not

surprising, especially since we live in the

age of BIG. Who in the world chooses to

to be allowed within city limits. The sense of community binding together these

13 tiny houses is stronger than anything

society has seen since the disappearance of America’s front porches.

live small? And why?

Answer: 13 couples/

families who reside in

the Tiny Home Village of Lake Dallas in tidy, well-constructed

homes of 400 square feet or less.

Since moving into the Village, conceived

THE RESIDENTS INSIST THAT WHITTLING DOWN THEIR LIVING SPACES HAS GREATLY INCREASED THE RICHNESS OF THEIR OVERALL LIVES.

and developed by

native son Terry Lantrip, the residents insist that whittling down their living

spaces has greatly increased the richness of their overall lives. This, by the way, is

the first tiny home project in the country 26 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

Jake Pasch-Cooper

and his fiance Caris are high school

sweethearts as well as the only Lake Dallas

natives in the Village.

Covid-19 postponed

their wedding plans and made Jake especially cautious around his

neighbors. His job puts

him in contact with many people and he

does his best to not bring anything back to the Village.

“We can’t socialize as much one-on-one,”

says Cooper, “but I still know we can reach www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

out if we need anything. There’s a spirit of

helping one another and a strong sense of belonging that we like.”

Their home is 233 square feet. They and cat Daisy love it. “We’re 22 and 24 years old,” said Caris. “We didn’t want to rent

group chats, when we find out if anyone needs anything.

“I know how debt feels and I don’t want that for Ryan. The house becomes hers when she’s 18, so she can begin her adult life debt-free.”

but we knew we couldn’t get a home loan. There were only two spaces left in the

Village and there was a tiny home builder who

wanted to be part of the development. The plan came together and we

feel we couldn’t be in a better position, either financially or feeling of community.”

Anyone doubting the versatility and adaptability of a tiny home should speak with “THE PLAN CAME TOGETHER AND WE Zack and Kaitlin Schraub.

They share 310 square FEEL WE COULDN’T feet with four-year-old Lila BE IN A BETTER and 18-month-old Hollis.

POSITION, EITHER They wanted to own a home and, now, they do.

FINANCIALLY

OR FEELING OF COMMUNITY.”

Micah Eady, 10-year-old daughter Ryan, a dog, and a cat live in 390 square feet.

“We love the close-knit community ties,”

she says. “We had movie nights until the heat hit. We share a garden, cook out.

There are social trips and we all look out

for the Village kids. COVID-19 stopped a

lot of our activities but we still have nightly

They were careful to design dedicated spaces for everyone, with separate bedrooms for Lila, Hollis, and mom and dad. Zack is an elementary school teacher, faced with changes when COVID-19 crafted the new normal. Indigo River, the Schraubs’ builder, stepped up with modifications.

“We built-in a desk for my computer and I set up a whiteboard. I finished the school

year as well as summer school. Everything about these homes, as well as the

outdoor areas, is such a great utilization of sustainable space,” said Zack.

Kaitlin agrees. “I need seven minutes to

vacuum my entire house,” she chuckles,

“and I do it all from one plug! That gives me more time for my family and neighbors.”

Two larger-size dogs, 10-year-old son

Jakub, six-year-old daughter Cora, six-

foot-three-inch husband Richard (Rick)

and wife/mother Katherine all live in the 375 square foot home designed by the

Schon family and built by Richard. Jakub is very proud of his dad.

“I home school the kids and this is a perfect arrangement for spending

quality family time,” insists Kathrine.

“We have tight communal ties but we’re also respectful of everyone’s space. We

know if someone wants to share a bag of ice or whatever else. One of the biggest

benefits of the Village is it allows our kids to grow up feeling safe and secure.”

“WE LOVE THE CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY TIES”

WE HAVE TIGHT COMMUNAL TIES BUT WE’RE ALSO RESPECTFUL OF EVERYONE’S SPACE. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 27

CLOSE

ENCOUNTER

Of The Salamander Kind

by Jean Eisenmann | photo courtesy of Jean Eisenmann

L

ast week my husband and I had a taste of Texas. It wasn’t a culinary event, but a face-to- face encounter with a Central Texas Salamander. Not the vivid green gecko with big brown eyes and endearing British accent, but the slimy, flesh-colored creature that looks like a large gummy worm. My new candy-of-choice is Skittles.

One night we fell asleep early and I

Salamanders are nocturnal, so I felt comfortable using my office in the daytime. For a week, when darkness In warm months salamanders are fell I closed off the room and stuffed everywhere, lurking around windows a bath towel under the door to keep it and garage doors, waiting for the from touring the house, using our chance to become home dwellers. bathrooms and raiding the refrigerator.

We like to call them geckos because it That became routine, as well as my sounds cute, and again, it relates to the daytime habit of darting my head all insurance spokes-critter. In truth, around the room to ensure I was working the two are very different: Geckos in a salamander-free are lizards and zone. Van was kind Geckos are lizards salamanders are enough to point out that and salamanders amphibians.

I had adopted the very are amphibians.

That concludes my head-darting mannerism That concludes my lesson for today. of my nemesis! I think Pop quiz next lesson for today. that triggered something issue. One evening Pop quiz next issue. (besides a headache), I walked into my for my repulsion turned home office, turned on the light, and there to compassion for the beast. Sort of. He on the wall, up-close-and-personal, was might even have squatter’s rights by now. a salamander. I judged it to be about 4 ft.

Then I named him...wait for it...SAL. Not long, a veritable king of salamanders. But too many creative juices needed to flow Van, my husband, said it was more like 3 for that one. There are subtle ways to inches long and perhaps just on the king’s distinguish males from females, but I’ll let royal court. you look that up yourself.

that he must have used the guest

If you live in Texas, odds are you’ve

been exposed to the same incident.

28 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

neglected to cordon off my office.

I awoke at 3 a.m., stumbled to the

kitchen and there was Sal, on a wall

off the kitchen. My first thought was bathroom and raided the refrigerator.

My next thought was that he needs to return to the great outdoors!

Van was in REM stage of sleep and

didn’t even move when I nudged him.

You’ve heard of stories where a human

being lifts an automobile off the ground

to save their child’s life? I moved a 170-lb. king mattress off the bed with him in it. If you ever need a bouncer....

Trap in hand (plastic cup), the great white (haired) hunter faced his prey. At least he

managed to put on undershorts first. Van, not Sal. I’ll never forget his big black eyes looking at me as the cup went down. Sal, not Van.

As my hunter gently eased Sal onto the

grass in our front yard, he caught site of our two female neighbors enjoying the show. I’m glad he had the cup.

I recently read that Central Texas

salamanders could be faced with extinction. Take care, Sal.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

“When children are in a stress response, their brains are basically offline and in a 100% emotional state at that time,” Dr.

Trotter said. “The parents’ job is to help

their child calm down. Once they are calm, then use reasoning to try and talk about the issue.”

Signs to Look For: • If a child consistently tells you they

have a stomachache or headache, or

Stressful Times Positive Reinforcement

CALL

FOR

A

by Brooke Ezzo | photo courtesy of Dr. Kay Trotter

• If a child all of a sudden starts avoiding people or places.

• Refusal to go anywhere or leave the house.

• Meltdowns and tantrums.

• Hard time winding down before

s the founder of Kaleidoscope Behavioral Health in Flower Mound, a published author, international conference speaker, and a pioneer in the research of Equine-Assisted Mental Health, Dr. Kay Trotter, Ph.D. is an incredible resource to the community. Over the last few months, adults and school-aged children have been feeling stress and confusion over the impact of COVID-19.

With the uncertainty of the economy, businesses closing, tough decisions being made about starting the school year, and the shelter-in-place order, the rise in questions about our mental health needs to be addressed.

to school stress is normal. What I want to

“Right now, there is a lot of stress and anxiety. And because of that, it means that our window of tolerance is smaller. We are not as patient; even our children are on edge,” Dr. Trotter said. “But, going back

We react to the hormones in either a

help people to understand is how they react to all the stress.”

When we are anxious, our body has a

stress response — like an alarm that goes

off. We are flooded with stress hormones. fight, flight, or freeze response, and it is

important to know which one you are so you can identify the response in your children.

3 Stress Responses: Fight- This would be aggressive behavior, both physical and verbal. In children,

this looks like talking back, name calling, becoming angry, and being enraged.

Flight- This would be avoidance behavior.

In children, this looks like procrastination, retreating to their room, or hiding under something.

going to bed and difficulty with transitions.

The spectrum of worry is broad, but Dr. Trotter hopes to ease some of that with

some advice for parents as we enter a new school year.

Helpful Tips to Reduce Stress and Anxiety:

• Increase the connection with your

children. Using mirror neurons, like

“if I yawn, you yawn,” helps to refocus the emotion. If you are calm, they tend to be calm.

• Be consistent. This creates

predictability and increases the

sense of control. Start with a bedtime routine, as most children respond to schedules.

• Provide boundaries. It provides

structure and guidance on what is acceptable. The structure equals safety.

“Parents are the most important thing to a child, no matter the situation,” Dr. Trotter said. “It is important as parents to first

Freeze- This would be detachment

know who you are, then you can respond

like shutting down and depression.

them navigate their own responses.”

behavior. In children, this looks

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

a change in appetite.

appropriately to your children and help

AUGUST 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 29

SPORTS HAVE STARTED

AGAIN At Least For Some

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of UIL

T

he fall sports season has started. Well, at least for some. The University Interscholastic League announced a tiered 2020-2021 athletic calendar on July 21 that would allow some schools to start fall practices on-time on Aug. 3 while delaying others until Sept. 7.

As part of the plan, Class 1A-4A fall sports programs like Argyle started volleyball games Aug. 10. Cross Country and team tennis started on the 17th. The Eagles’ football team plays its season opener on the 27th. Meanwhile, Class 5A and 6A schools can’t start practicing until Sept. 7, with games starting in the weeks after. This new start date for the UIL’s two highest classifications is roughly five weeks later than normal and is in direct response to COVID-19 concerns. For Murray Media’s coverage area, the 5A/6A schools affected are Guyer, Lake Dallas, Marcus, Flower Mound, Hebron, The Colony, and Justin Northwest. provide a path forward for Texas students and schools,” UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt said in a press release. “While understanding situations change and there will likely be interruptions that will require flexibility and patience, we are hopeful this plan 30 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| AUGUST 2020

school and every school district around the state.” Webb was spot-on. The new plan changes the entire makeup of the

allows students to participate in the

typical athletic calendar. Not only have

way that prioritizes safety and mitigates

schedules to fit the new plan, but playoffs

education-based activities they love in a

teams been forced to alter their game

risk of COVID-19 spread.”

and state championship games also have

There haven’t been any games at the

high school level since the UIL suspended practices and games in mid-March as concerns over the coronavirus were

running rampant. The UIL allowed schools to begin strength and conditioning and sports-specific training in early June,

but questions continued to linger over whether or not athletics would resume in the fall. That all changed with the

latest announcement, though the UIL made it very clear that this is a fluid

“Our goal in releasing this plan is to

be impossible to make it ideal for every

significant date changes.

The state title games for 1A-4A in volleyball and football remain Nov. 18-21 and Dec. 18-19, respectively. But the larger school playoffs begin in early December for football — as opposed to November. The title games will be in January. Meanwhile, the volleyball state tournament for 5A and 6A schools will be Dec. 11-12 rather than before Thanksgiving.

process and that plenty can change

As you attend games, you may notice

coronavirus cases.

also to limit spectators to a 50% maximum

if there is another spike in confirmed “At some point in time, we’ve got to

set dates, and we’ve got to say, ‘These are the dates. We’re playing,’” Guyer

football coach Rodney Webb told the

Dallas Morning News. “It was going to

fewer spectators. Part of the UIL’s plan was capacity for each stadium or gym to allow for social distancing to continue. Everyone must wear face masks.

A calendar provided by the UIL is included with this article. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com