Lake Cities Living Magazine July 2021

JULY/AUGUST 2021

Italian and Argentinian Cuisine

SIMPLY THE BEST IN TOWN! Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas

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TABLE OF

Contents ARTICLES 08 10 Hot Budget Friendly Day Trips

10 Inside Community and Education

PAGE

16

Italian and Argentinian Cuisine

SIMPLY

THE BEST IN TOWN!

Cover Image Walter Bandt. owner of Bella Maca

12 When Nutrition Wasn’t Cool

15 Foodie Friday DFW: 8 Local Sushi Restaurants You Should Know About

18 Step Into Flutterby Garden 20 5 Things To Try 23 Instant Pot Blackberry Iced Tea 24 Running Into The Sunset 27 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

28 Dog Park Project

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JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 5

Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

IS IT MY TURN FOR THE Mommy Crisis?

O

ur theme for this month’s issue is family and education, which naturally got me thinking about my kiddos and how Scott and I are almost emptynesters. Some parents might see that as a good thing, and who knows, maybe we’ll adjust quickly.

But there’s this unshakable feeling in my mommy gut that’s telling me I might not handle it all too well.

Our oldest son Konnor is 23 and already out of the house.

Zach just graduated from high school and will be off to college next month. Meanwhile, Courtney is headed off to law school.

That’s three kids … out on their own to spread their wings.

All that’s left is our baby girl, Maddie. It won’t be long for her, either. We’re going on a family vacation at the end of July. How complicated will it be after this summer to get all of us in the same place?

Our community magazines, Best of Denton County, and all the other amazing things we do here at Murray Media Group can only keep my mind off the reality that my kids are leaving me for so long. Pretty soon, it’s all going to hit me hard. Will it be some sort of existential crisis? Will I gain a bunch of depression weight?

They say family is never far away. So I know deep down that everything is going to be fine. They’ll always need their momma. And I will always need them. But in the meantime, I’m so proud of the men and women they have become.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, everyone! And be sure to hug your kids tight. I know I am!

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Editor & Writer Steve Gamel

Writers

Caylie Howard, Diane Ciarloni Jade Kensington, Jean Eisenmann Leena Duwadi, Mark Miller

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Cayla Thompson Michele Cunningham-Scott

Photography

Miranda Longoria 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. © 2021 Murray Media Group

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

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HOT

BUDGET FRIENDLY

DAY TRIPS

1. DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK Take a walk down the lane of history at Dinosaur Valley State Park. This day trip is very kid-friendly. You can find dinosaur tracks, camp, have a picnic, mountain bike, swim, fish, and even paddle the river. You can also have fun watching for wildlife, looking for geocaches, or even riding your horse. This gem of a state park is located in Glen Rose, Texas, which is just a short drive from Fort Worth and makes this the perfect family day trip.

2. TURNER FALLS Fall into a fun time at Turner Falls. This is the perfect place to cool off in these hot summer Texas months. Turner Falls is a waterfall on Honey Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma. You can cool off by taking a swim in the refreshing water, or you can take a hike to see the famous rock castle. Turner falls is 8 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

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just six miles south of Davis, Oklahoma and about an hour and a half drive from Denton County.

3. FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS Experience where the West begins at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Nothing embodies

western heritage better than the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. From

the original brick walkways to the wooden corrals, every inch of the Stockyards tells the

true history of Texas’ famous livestock industry. You can enjoy good food, live music, and a fun environment – all just a short distance from home.

4. DAVY CROCKETT NATIONAL FOREST It’s fun for the whole family at Davy Crockett National Forest. This Texas local destination contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas,

and a wildlife habitat. You can enjoy camping, swimming, picnicking, an amphitheater,

an interpretive forest trail, as well as fishing and boating. Located in Houston and Trinity counties, this is the perfect little day getaway for all to enjoy.

5. LAKE TEXOMA Cool off for the summer at Lake Texoma. This is the perfect place for people of all ages.

Lake Texoma offers horse trails, golfing, fishing guides, camping, hunting, hiking and biking trails, and even casinos for adults. There truly is something for everyone. And

if you fall in love and decide to make it more than a day trip, they offer cabin rentals, resorts, and hotels. It’s a great summer day trip destination.

6. BEAVER’S BEND STATE PARK Become one with nature at Beaver’s Bend State Park. This destination is located in the

mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and

the Mountain Fork River. Here, you will be able to find adventure, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities inside the state park. The scenic beauty of Beaver’s Bend State Park makes this one of Oklahoma’s most popular destinations.

8. FIRST MONDAY TRADE DAYS Shop ‘til you Drop at First Monday Trade

Days. Also referred to as “Canton” due to its location in Canton, Texas. First Monday began more than a century ago and has grown to become the largest outdoor vendor and flea market in the world. This event takes place each month on the four days preceding the first Monday of the month. You can shop while also enjoying the delicious food that First Monday has to offer. First Monday Trade Days is a great way to spend the day.

9. ARBUCKLE WILDERNESS Step into the wild at Arbuckle Wilderness.

This one-of-a-kind park is located in Murray County, Oklahoma. They offer an exotic animal park with self-drive car tours, along with a fun petting zoo, reptile center, and small rides. This is the perfect kid-friendly day trip that is sure to impress this summer vacation.

10. LAKE WHITNEY STATE PARK

7. GRANBURY, TEXAS It’s time to fall in love with Granbury, Texas. Granbury is located about 35 miles

southwest of Fort Worth, Texas. Here, you can walk the famous town square while

you shop in their boutiques and stores, dine in their local restaurants, and enjoy the

scenery of this historic square. You can also cool down and enjoy water activities at Lake Granbury. Granbury, Texas is the perfect day trip this summer. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

It’s a summertime blast at Lake Whitney State Park. If you are wanting a fun getaway for a day, this is the place for you.

Just a short road trip from DFW, you’ll find clear water, plenty of campsites, and a great place to relax with family and friends. You can enjoy fishing, swimming, boating and water skiing. You can enjoy the hiking trails, geocaching, and you can even enjoy the stars at nightfall. It’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.

JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 9

INSIDE COMMUNITY

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LAKE CITIES BICYCLE RALLY MYCORINTH MOBILE APP The City of Corinth has its very own app you can download on your phone today! This app is called MyCorinth and on it you will discover everything you need to know about city services, city council meetings, employment opportunities, special events, and more. You can even report non-emergency concerns like street lights being out, graffiti, and littering. To download the app on iOS visit https://buff.ly/31Q6uWr and for Android go to https://buff.ly/2KITQmm.

INSIDE EDUCATION

Help the Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce roll into fall with a Bicycle Rally.

On September 25th, you can participate in a 16/30/50 mile bicycle rally to raise funds for a number of schools in the Lake Cities communities. The cost will be $35 and will start and finish at the Lake Dallas High School rear parking lot. To register and to view the routes go to https://conta. cc/3jwgArT.

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LAKE DALLAS HIGH CHEER SQUAD CHAMPS

GUYER PITCHER NAMED TEXAS GIRLS COACHES ALL-STAR Along with leading the Lady Wildcats to the Class 6A Region I quarterfinals, pitcher Ranci Willis has also been named Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 5A-6A Legacy All-Star! Athletes are selected by the TGCA softball committee which is composed of softball member coaches of the association. Willis started 27 of Guyer’s 30 games posting a 22-1 record. We congratulate Willis on this incredible accomplishment! photo courtesy of American Freedom Softball social media page

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The Lake Dallas High School’s varsity and JV cheerleading squads won the Leadership Award, the Spirit Stick, and the Top Banana award at cheer camp this summer. On top of that the varsity team also earned the championship in camp routine and earned ribbons in crowd leading and camp routine. JV earned the championship in cheer and overall game day and earned ribbons in crowd leading and camp routine.

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JOURNEY TO DREAM CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER Journey to Dream and Kyle’s Place is hosting their last big fundraiser of the year! On August 19th at Sneaky Pete’s Monterey Ballroom, try your luck and support a cause at this Charity Casino Night. Admission comes with 2 drink tickets and $200 worth of casino cash. There will also be a raffle and an auction. To learn more go to https://www.facebook.com/events/512498933529612.

FREE LIBRARY SERVICES The City of Corinth and the City of Lake Dallas have partnered together to provide library services for the residents of Corinth for FREE! This partnership provides residents access to the Lake Cities Library where annual library cards may be obtained. Residency will be established based on the home address of applicants which can be proved by a photo I.D. or current utility bill. For more information go to https://www.cityofcorinth. com/community/page/lake-cities-library-0.

GUYER THEATER & ORCHESTRA STUDENTS WIN TOP HONORS Dallas Summer Musical (DSM) announced the 2021 winners of the 10th Annual DSM High School Musical Theatre Awards and Guyer garnered 10 nominations! This resulted in two Guyer students and one staff member being recognized for their work in the school’s production of “The Phantom of an Opera”. Parker Jackson was named Best Actor, Emily Langley earned a theater scholarship award of $2,500, and Chris Crotwell the theater musical director was named Best Musical Direction.

5K & FUN RUN FOR DYLAN DORRELL Guyer student Isabella Lohr is organizing a 5K & Fun Run in honor of Dylan Dorrell on November 6, 2021. This event is designed for the whole family and will benefit the #runforDylan foundation whose main focus is to provide heart screening and CPR training to athletes. The event will also have food trucks, music, sponsor tables, face paintings, raffles, cardiac arrest awareness, and more! For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/events/884099638981520.

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JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 11

WHEN

NUTRITION

WASN’T COOL

by Diane Ciarloni | photos courtesy of Kathy King

“We’re really at an exciting crossroads, where we’re seeing medicine become integrative as well as functional.”

O

nly 10 to 24 hours of a doctor’s five to eight years of medical school are devoted to food and nutrition, the very core of our health and the key to preventing many acute illnesses. Kathy King of Hickory Creek knew years ago, when she was just a freshman at Colorado State University, that a barely noticeable 10 to 24-hour nod to nutrition was ridiculous.

It was, however, also the time when western medicine concentrated far more on a prescription pad to treat the symptoms of illness rather than focus on what went into

our bodies in an effort to prevent the root causes of those same illnesses. After all, eliminate the cause and the effect, or the symptom, will never be a problem.

It was actually King’s mom who suggested nutrition as a course of study for her daughter.

“She’d been in 4-H,” King said, “and she knew the importance of good food. She thought nutrition was practical, with a good mix of science and food that would allow me to pursue a variety of directions.”

Neither mother nor daughter knew what an adventure the choice would set into motion; an adventure filled with “firsts” and commendable accomplishments over more than 50 years.

King graduated with a degree in nutrition and dietetics, serving her internship in Boston.

“It was my internship that opened up so many questions for me,” King recalled.

“It seemed diseases were the only things we studied. The more I read, the more I asked myself why we didn’t study ways to prevent the illnesses from ever happening. Why did we wait until there was a diagnosis before we intervened? It just didn’t make sense to me.”

It was 1976 when King logged her first “first ever.”

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“There was only one book about sports nutrition in the early 1970s,” King explained. “I decided to send questionnaires to Olympic participants.

My goal was to find out how these people stayed well during 80 to 85% of their lives.

I needed to learn what they did to remain healthy.”

Remember, King assumed this information gathering on her own. No one assigned those questionnaires to her as a project.

For her, it was simply the way she lived life, then and now. Wasting time on figuring out how to go around a challenge is not how she operates. She prefers to meet it head-on because that offers the deepest learning experience.

be part of an NFL team. Her name will forever hold the position of first nutrition consultant in professional football.

“I was president of the Colorado Dietetic Association in 1979,” King remembered. “I was chosen to travel around the country, speaking to other dietitians and teaching them how to open private practices.

“I took the information I gathered and pitched it to the Denver Broncos,” she said. “Teams back then weren’t geared to nutrition, body fat percentages, or aerobic capacity. Those areas were just emerging, and it was exciting.”

“A colleague and I were at a convention in 1992 when a gentleman from Harper & Rowe walked up and asked if I would like to write a book! Just like that! I eventually self-published it, which led to other people approaching me about publishing their books. I later moved to Texas and established my own publishing company in Lake Dallas in 1991. I’ve been here ever since. I’ve always wanted to be an agent of change because I’ve never accepted the status quo, especially with medicine and with food. I’ve never believed in the ‘This is the way we’ve always done it’ philosophy.”

King was at the head of the line. Instead of confining her developing career to a clinic, she hung out her private shingle.

She spoke. She traveled. She taught. She wrote. And, for three years, she was the only female and the only nutritionist to

King contends we all need air, food, and water. “Our ancestors knew that,” she stressed, “but we’ve pulled away from so much of that old wisdom. There’s no difference between

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nutrition and medicine, but medicine has separated from nutrition and let pharmaceuticals take over. We need to return to the enjoyment, common sense, and camaraderie of food.”

King’s publishing in 2021 is different from 1991. Giants such as Amazon entered the picture, forcing her to rethink her role in order to remain viable.

“Today, we buy already published books and turn them into self-teaching courses for people who must have continuing education hours. We have expert writers who deep dive into the books’ content.

“We’re really at an exciting crossroads, where we’re seeing medicine become integrative as well as functional. We’re returning to some of that ancestral wisdom. Most importantly, we’re bringing back compassion within the medical field.”

Thanks to her mother’s advice, King’s life adventure continues full speed ahead.

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8 LOCAL SUSHI

RESTAURANTS You Should Know About

by Jay Marks | photos courtesy of Foodie Friday DFW Blue Ginger 2900 Wind River Ln. Denton, TX 76210

Piranha Killer Sushi has been a longtime Flower Mound favorite. They have a menu full of some amazing signature rolls as well as plenty of options for any non-sushi lovers out there. They also have

Sushi Yamazaki Bar & Grill 4130 Justin Rd., Ste. 114 Flower Mound, TX 75077

HERE Sushi & Bar 1050 Flower Mound Rd. Ste. 110 Flower Mound, TX 75028

Asahi Teppenyaki & Sushi 2300 Cross Timbers Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75028

Piranha Killer Sushi 5801 Long Prairie Rd. Flower Mound, TX 75028

Tsunami Sushi has a lot of signature rolls customers constantly rave about like their namesake Tsunami Roll and their Long Prairie Roll. They also serve bento boxes, poke, udon, and ramen.

Dine in with them or order online for carryout or delivery.

Located near Highland Village and Lantana, Sushi Yamazaki is another great option. Not only does it have a ton of amazing signature rolls (our favorite is the Justin Roll), but they also have an incredible bar where they serve tropical drinks, martinis, tequilas, sake and more.

Every time we’ve been to Blue Ginger, it’s always been packed! And when you see how delicious and affordable their sushi is, you’ll understand why! In addition to all of their tasty sushi selections, they have hibachi meals, bento boxes, and teriyaki dinners.

Asahi is well-known for its teppanyaki-style dining, but did you know they have an incredible sushi bar as well? They use only the freshest of ingredients and have some amazing rolls and sushi selections on their menu. And at the bar you can also enjoy their wide assortment of sake, wines, and cocktails.

Tsunami Sushi & Grill 3851 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 190 Flower Mound, TX 75028

an incredible cocktail menu - the perfect thing to enjoy out on their patio (which also happens to be dog friendly!).

During the week, you can find live music and they also host Ladies Night on Thursdays with specials on select wines, martinis and frozen drinks.

HERE Sushi first started out in Roanoke and then opened a second location here in Flower Mound.

They’re most famous for their signature 50 States Rolls and also have an amazing bar where you can order drinks, sushi, and watch the game.

Edohana Sushi 1900 Long Prairie Rd., Ste.142 Flower Mound, TX 75022

Blue Ocean Sushi & Asian Grill 533 State Highway 121 Bypass Lewisville, TX 75067

Edohana is one of our regular spots for sushi and we’ve become great friends with the owner over the years. We love their sashimi and their signature rolls, but they have plenty of other options as well.

You can enjoy them for carryout or dine-in Monday-Saturday from 5-9pm.

Blue Ocean has been open just off Highway 121 in Lewisville since 2002.

It’s one of our favorite spots for sushi and also has an amazing backstory. Not only do the owners produce amazing sushi, but they also own and operate an orphanage overseas.

972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com jay@jaymarksrealestate.com

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JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 15

Italian and Argentinian Cuisine

SIMPLY THE BEST IN TOWN!

H

ave one 15-minute chat with Walter Bandt, and you’ll learn anything you ever wanted to

know about this world-class chef — and

then some. Sure, there’s the typical stuff, such as his prized culinary degree, and that he can practically snap his fingers and create the most delicious Italian-

and Argentinian-fusion dishes you’ve ever tasted. But then there are the

details you wouldn’t expect — how he’s

lived everywhere from Dallas to several

countries in Central and South America

and back again, and that he once cooked

for Queen Elizabeth II for the inauguration ceremony for her ship, the QU2.

by Steve Gamel

And the Queen is just the appetizer. He’s

photography by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)

Metallica, and AC/DC. Chef Bandt has

cooked for Paul McCartney, Madonna,

been successful everywhere — and now we have him all to ourselves.

“I felt like it was time to come back and see if I can be successful here,” Chef

Bandt said. “The opportunity came up to open a restaurant here in Corinth, and

here we are — serving the great people of this community.”

He added, “I wanted to create something new in this area that people haven’t had before.”

That “something new” is Bella Maca.

The Italian and Argentinian Cuisine

opened on March 26 in Pinnell Square

to rave reviews because of a menu that

includes original dishes and recipes such

940.498.2730 | bellamaca.com 1400 N Corinth St., Ste. 103 Corinth, TX 76208 16 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

PAIR THOSE DISHES WITH A BOTTLE OF EXQUISITE...WINE AND DIVINE DESSERTS OR FRESHLY BREWED ITALIAN COFFEE, AND YOUR PALATE IS SURE TO DO A FEW CARTWHEELS IN YOUR MOUTH www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

as the Bruschetta Di Bufala Caprese, Steamed Mussels, Steak Chimichurri Pizza, Braised Short Ribs, Steak Pincho, Penne Quattro Formaggi, and more.

Pair those dishes with a bottle of exquisite Empson and Mexcore wine and divine desserts or freshly brewed Italian coffee, and your palate is sure to do a few cartwheels in your mouth.

Empson has been a leading Italian wine exporter for almost 50 years and is a favorite of Chef Bandt. It was founded

by Neil and Maria Empson, who now have a portfolio of quality wines from all over Italy, Spain, Chile, and New Zealand that are produced using traditional Old World techniques combined with contemporary knowledge. Their daughter, Tara Empson, grew up in Milano and is a huge part of the business, too.

The icing on the cake is that rather than being another corporate chain, Bella Maca follows a similar path in terms of being a family-owned and inspired restaurant through and through. Chef Bandt partnered with his father, Walter Emilio Bandt, to bring a taste of Italy and South America to Denton County, and the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name is Chef Bandt’s grandmother.

“The name Maca comes from her. No one in Bolivia knew her by her real name; they just called her Maca,” Chef Bandt said.

“My grandmother always believed that when she had guests at her home, she’d never go buy food. Everything had to be

...QUALITY WINES...THAT ARE PRODUCED USING TRADITIONAL OLD WORLD TECHNIQUES COMBINED WITH CONTEMPORARY KNOWLEDGE.

how to cook. Beyond deriving inspiration from his grandmother, who helped raise him, he also spent time under the wing

of his aunt, Carusa Bandt. Carusa was an

amazing chef and restauranteur, and she

didn’t hesitate in teaching everything she knew to 8-year-old Walter. From there,

Walter and his family traveled across the globe, and he continued to perfect his craft every chance he could get.

By the time he was 23, Chef Bandt was

a culinary instructor in Rhode Island. He then moved to Chile to get his culinary

fresh and cooked by her. That mindset

degree at Johnson and Wells University

Everything is a scratch-fusion kitchen.”

in the inauguration of the Queen’s ship.

Before Chef Bandt became the culinary

Chile and opened a catering company.

plays heavily into what we do here.

marvel that he is now, he was just young

Walter. And boy, did Walter love learning

and was immediately invited to participate After about a year, he moved back to

With Bella Maca, he hopes to continue

taking everything he’s learned over the

years and deliver an unparalleled dining experience for Lake Cities residents and

beyond. If you need to see proof, there’s a dish waiting for you right now.

“With my culinary background and the

inspired fusion that happened after World

War II when Italians migrated to Argentina,

I’ve come up with a concept to bring those flavors to our local community knowing

that no one has that style of fusion in this area,” Chef Bandt said. “This is a really

neat restaurant that is only going to get better with time.” www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17

S T E P I N TO

FLUTTERBY GARDEN

by Diane Ciarloni | Students standing and posing with their stones picture by Anthony Tosie, LDISD Director of Communications, all other pictures courtesy of City of Lake Dallas.

pollinator-friendly garden at the City Park entrance. Visitors can learn the history behind the native plants by scanning the barcode on the garden’s sign.

“Everyone was still observing social distancing and wearing masks when the city staff started tossing around ideas, asking one another what kind of project we could come up with while still observing those restrictions.”

He added, “That led us to focusing on Flutterby Garden. City Park has always been community-driven, and we thought it would be a good idea to figure out a way to involve a contribution from some of our younger residents. We discussed our ideas with Parks and Rec, as well as with the Keep Lake Dallas Beautiful committee.

Lake Dallas Middle School joined us and selected 15 students from its art class to paint stepping stones for Flutterby Garden. The results are absolutely beautiful.”

L

ake Dallas City Park is the main artery for the city’s outdoor heartbeat. Youth sports, including six soccer fields, account for the park’s primary focus. Seasonal games for youth football and baseball teams also have a home at the field.

Fourth of July festivities are traditionally held at the park, along with a variety of carnivals and other special events.

Recent improvements to the park came via a $50,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife that was awarded to the city. A butterfly garden, added lighting and sidewalks, a new basketball court, a renovated Veterans Memorial, and horseshoe pits were all included in the list of improvements made possible by the grant.

The park is truly a community activity hub and, as such, manages to touch a broad spectrum of people connected to

18 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

the city – including Lake Dallas City Hall staff members.

“Keep Lake Dallas Beautiful has affiliate status with Keep Texas Beautiful,” said Hayden Scarnato, the management assistant at City Hall. “The program hit a milestone on February 3 when we reached Silver Star status. It was based on several benchmarks that we achieved in 2020, including beautification events, volunteer support of our Adopt-A-Spot program, recycling plans, and staff training.”

A part of the beautification effort is Flutterby Garden, which is a native,

Scarnato’s description is correct. First, a great deal of research went into the selection of the actual stones, which were provided to the students by the city. They wanted to use the most durable materials they could find. After all, this would be the students’ first experience with giving back to their community. It needed to be something lasting to increase their sense of pride — something they could still see and touch and show off weeks, months, and even years down the road.

The selected stones were delivered to the art students, who transformed them into a riot of colors bursting with joy and enthusiasm. Created by the youth of the city, they provide a look into Lake Dallas’ future.

The 14 stones winding through Flutterby Garden tell a story of hope and happiness through pure, primary colors depicting animals, plants, fantasy figures, and symbols.

Installation of the stones – instillation of hope and happiness - was done during a ceremony on May 10. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 19

Things 5TO TRY OAK HILLS SPLASH PARK 1225 Royal Palm Ln. | Carrollton, TX One of two splash parks in Carrollton, the Oak Hills Splash Park offers tons of aquatic fun. All the water features run from 9am8pm daily from May 1 - October 15 and include a slide, spray grounds and tipping water buckets. There’s also a pavilion, tables and grills available on a first-come, first-served basis.

HERITAGE SPRINGS SPLASH PAD 600 Spinks Rd. | Flower Mound, TX Heritage Park is the center of fun and events in Flower Mound, and it’s now home to a 2,000 sq ft shaded splash pad including sculpted concrete features and 14 unique water features including Misty Mountain, Over N’ Under, and a Touch ‘n Go Activator.

CARL GENE YOUNG SR. PARK 327 S Wood St. | Denton, TX The spray ground is a new amenity at Carl Gene Young Sr. Park and is open from 9am-8pm from May 10 - September 30, 2021. The popular splash pad features a water-spinning flower and several other sprayers. After you’re done cooling off, you can also enjoy the playground, basketball courts, and picnic tables.

DOUBLE RANCH PARK 310 Highland Village Rd. | Highland Village, TX

Kids and parents alike are going to love Doubletree Ranch Park, where you can walk almost a mile of trails, enjoy a family picnic at the pavilion, and then cool off by playing in the splash pad. While you’re there, you can also watch a soccer game and enjoy snacks from the concession stand. The splash pad was designed with a natural creek look and flow.

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LITTLE ELM BEACH 701 W. Eldorado Pkwy. | Little Elm, TX Little Elm Park is located on Lake Lewisville in Little Elm, Texas. Located along the western shoreline of Little Elm Park is Little Elm Beach. The public swim beach provides swimmers a safe, enclosed sand beach area that does not allow boat traffic. You’ll also find sand volleyball and a playground at this park. The beach is an open sand and has a family-friendly play area. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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I N S TA N T P OT ®

BLACKBERRY ICED TEA PREP TIME: 5 minutes | COOK TIME: 5 minutes active (+ time to come to pressure) | NATURAL RELEASE: 10 minutes | SERVES: 4-6

TIP TO REDUCE BITTERNESS, ADD A PINCH OF BAKING SODA PRIOR TO BREWING AND REMOVE TEA BAGS AS SOON AS THE PRESSURE HAS BEEN FULLY RELEASED.

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

8 c. water

1. Add water, tea bags, and a half cup blackberries to Instant Pot® and stir to combine. Add lid and lock into place. Switch the vent to “Sealing” and set the “Manual” setting to 5 minutes.

6 organic black tea bags, paper tags removed 1½ c. fresh blackberries, divided 2 T. fresh basil, chopped ½ c. honey, preferably local ½ c. water 2 T. fresh lemon juice Optional garnish: Fresh blackberries Fresh basil sprigs www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

2. While the tea is brewing, add remaining blackberries, basil, honey, and water to saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, gently pressing on the blackberries to release their juices while continually stirring the mixture to combine, for 4-5 minutes.

Once honey is completely melted and the mixture starts to thicken, remove from heat and set aside.

3. When cook time on Instant Pot® is complete, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.

4. arefully strain hot tea mixture with a fine mesh strainer. Pour the reserved liquid into a large, heat-resistant pitcher and sweeten with the blackberry honey simple syrup, to taste. Add fresh lemon juice and stir to combine.

5. Serve immediately over ice with fresh blackberries and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish. Enjoy!

JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23

RUNNING INTO I

by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of Denton ISD Social Media Page

n her four years at Guyer, Brynn Brown ran her way to numerous state titles in track and cross country, shattered more

state and national records than most

people can count, and hauled in accolade after accolade. In her

decorated high school careers you’ll ever see. The resolution provides a summary of Brown’s blistering times, state titles, and various high honors and formally

congratulated her as she closed out her

final high school race —

“I DON’T THINK

fastest time in the United

[I’VE FOUND MY

the 1,600 — she ran the

States this year at 4:41.29.

Clearly, Brynn Brown

LIMIT YET]. I THINK

everyone has been lining

THERE IS A LOT OF

is pretty darn fast, and up to shower her with praise. That includes

officials at the House of

DIGGING TO DO. I

87th Texas Legislature

THINK THE CEILING

Representatives of the in Austin.

HASN’T BEEN

Representative Lynn

Stucky led that charge

in passing HR 1164 on

May 24 to honor Brown

REACHED YET.”

and her many accomplishments during

what was undoubtedly one of the more

high school career and prepares to run

for the University of North Carolina.

Brown and her family

were there in person to accept the honor.

“It was exciting on the

House Floor today! I was able to recognize Guyer

High School senior Brynn Brown on her amazing accomplishments in

Cross Country and Track throughout her high school career,” State Representative Lynn

Stucky said in a Facebook

post on May 24. “Sharing this young

woman’s success with my colleagues was

truly an honor for me — as there has truly been no other like her.” Representative Stucky wasn’t wrong about that last part. Brown proved to be one of the more dominant distance runners Texas has ever seen. She ended her high school career with five state championships — including winning the 3,200 and 1,600 on consecutive days at the UIL state meet on May 8 and 9.

She was named the 2019-20 Gatorade Texas Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year and the 2020-21 Gatorade Texas Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

“I just love seeing where that limit lies,” Brown told the Denton Record-Chronicle just before the state meet in May. “I think running can be viewed as a selfish sport, because it’s just about you out there, especially in track. But I think at Guyer, I learned a lot about the team aspect and my why, which incorporates my family.

I just love representing Guyer and that community aspect of running.

“I don’t think [I’ve found my limit yet].

I think there is a lot of digging to do. I think the ceiling hasn’t been reached yet.”

Brown’s rise to stardom didn’t come without adversity. As a freshman, she suffered an injury that kept her sidelined and could have ended her career. But true to form, she spent the next couple of months rehabbing and was as good as new by the start of the 2018 track

24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

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THE

SUNSET

season. According to the Denton RecordChronicle, Brown became the first female cross country runner to clock a time of under 16 minutes, 20 seconds in a 5-kilometer race more than once in the same season last October. Fast forward to March at the Texas Distance Festival, Brown turned in a blistering time of 15:56.89 to set the record for the fastest 5,000-meter high school race in Texas history.

All the while, Brown maintained high marks in the classroom and spent her time off the track volunteering locally on behalf of a children’s camp for Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit patients, per a Gatorade press release.

“She’s in a different league than most,” Guyer girls track coach Megan Sprabeary told the DRC. “But that’s what makes her so good. Those exceptional athletes have to have something that is different about them. It’s not just their abilities. Those can only take them so far.”

It should go without saying that while Brown has officially graduated from high school and is moving on to her days as a Tar Heel, all of her fans back home can’t wait to hear the news of her next record-shattering performance.

It will happen sooner rather than later — because Brynn Brown is that darn fast. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

“SHE’S IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE THAN MOST, BUT THAT’S WHAT MAKES HER SO GOOD. THOSE EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETES HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THEM. IT’S NOT JUST THEIR ABILITIES. THOSE CAN ONLY TAKE THEM SO FAR.” JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 25

26 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

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SHERIFF’S W I T H

S H E R I F F

T R A C Y

M U R P H R E E

SUMMER LAKE SAFETY

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.

M

any Denton County residents look forward to our area lakes during the summer months. Denton County Sheriff’s Office patrols Lake Ray Roberts and Lewisville Lake, and our Lake Patrol Unit recommends the following to stay safe on the water.

www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/dentoncounty

Boater Education - Enjoy boating in Texas • Take a boater safety course - https://tpwd. texas.gov/education/boater-education/?fb clid=IwAR0XuuGKXTELH_hMjVT3 soEL4gMYI0rWldwNF2hNd ppNq7JKk1JBrRGXkQ • Life jackets for everyone (anyone under 13 must have one on)

• Have a plan – A person you can depend on should know where you are, when you are departing, and how long you plan to be there

• Avoid alcohol • Watch children closely • Use an engine cut off safety switch

940.349.1600 | 127 N. WOODROW LN., STE. 300 • DENTON, TX 76205 | DENTONCOUNTY.GOV/707/SHERIFF www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

JULY 2021 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 27

D g Park

PROJECT

S

by Diane Ciarloni | photos courtesy of Bryce Swihart

ixteen-year-old Piper Davison admits she was very shy as a child. That’s an interesting admission for two reasons. First, anyone who has met Piper never thinks of the word “shy.” Secondly, she’s still a child. That means her transformation into the creative, confident, out-going, focused, goal-driven, articulate, poised, and super-positive teenager she is today must have happened quickly!

In the event Piper’s last name sounds familiar, it’s because last month’s magazine featured a story on younger brother Luke.

“I feel I have a sense of self now,” the young Girl Scout said. “I know who I am and what I want. I give most of the credit to my 10 years in Girl Scouts, including the time working with horses.”

Piper gained her equine experience through a Girl Scout camp that focuses year-round on the care, maintenance, and training of nearly 100 horses.

“I love all animals, but horses are a

passion,” Piper clarified. “Most of the ones at the camp are rescues, and many have

special needs. I’ve ridden for 13 years, and I know, for sure, horses will always be an important part of my life.”

That life includes a future career as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Piper’s love of animals was the

springboard for her Gold Award dog

park project in Corinth. Started in 1916

as the Golden Eaglet of Merit, the name

was simplified in 1980 to the Gold Award.

Annually, less than 6% of all senior Girl Scouts achieve this highest available

honor, which requires a minimum of 80 hours of hands-on involvement.

The idea for the park definitely fit two of the basic requirements of a Gold

Award project. Those are that it must be sustainable, and that it must benefit the community.

parking. It was unused, and it was perfect for a dog park. The city agreed.

The land was allocated, and the park was placed in the five-year plan as well as in the budget. Piper (the self-professed shy child) was designated as Project Manager. She printed color brochures for car dealerships, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, banks, etc. She started a GoFundMe page, which has raised $7,000. She scheduled meetings with plumbers, electricians, architects, and more. The architectural firm drew plans valued at $5,000 and presented them to her for Christmas.

Piper planned to nail down three quotes for the needed fencing, benches, waterers, and waste stations.

“Strangers handed me checks for $500 and $1,000,” Piper said. “The community support is awesome, with amazing feedback from Corinth residents. Also, the business experience I gained is incredible.”

She added, “The overall plan is divided into three parts, with the first portion more than enough to earn my Gold Award. I’m not sure what role, if any, I’ll have in the second phase, but I’d love to follow the project to the end. It’s exciting to think about my own family dog using the park!”

The original estimate to complete the park was $186,000. With donations and a variety of well-researched, cost-reducing strategies, Piper has shaved that figure to $60,000!

You may still donate through GoFundMe and follow the project on Facebook at Corinth Dog Park.

The timing was perfect. Corinth was

preparing an updated five-year plan. Piper made the necessary contacts and was

invited to speak at the meeting. Naturally, the wheels in her head began turning.

Corinth has two football fields, but one is only 80 yards long rather than the

standard 100. The land is flat, and it has lights, water, electricity, and adequate 28 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | JULY 2021

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www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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