Lake Cities Living March 2022

MARCH 2022

We FIX HOLY ROOFS HALO STORM RESTORATION

10 HOT

BAC HE LORE T T E PARTY VE NU E S

5 THINGS

TO S E E P H OTO S P OTS

Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas

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contents

HALO STORM RESTORATION

TA B L E O F

10

WE FIX HOLY ROOFS

ARTICLES

08

14

10 HOT BACHELORETTE PARTY VENUES

INSIDE COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

12

16

FIVE THINGS TO SEE: PHOTO SPOTS

NETFLIX & CHILL: FAVORITE SERIES WITH A LOVE INTEREST

22

27

FASHION GUIDE

FOODIE FRIDAY DFW: PRIMO’S MX KITCHEN

24

RACHELL POWELL STORIES FROM THE COTTON FIELDS

31

DENTON COUNTRY CLUB CENTENNIAL

FEATURED

18

SMALL-TOWN LIFE RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

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20

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

29

UIL REALIGNMENT

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

Administration

Count Your

BLESSINGS

A

good friend of mine was just telling me about a powerful moment during one of his Denton County small-business networking meetings. As the group slowly went around

the room sharing a little bit about their respective companies, a quiet but very nice dent-repair guy stood up and mentioned that he had moved here years ago from Ukraine.

It was clearly his first time to be at a networking meeting, and despite a slight language barrier, he did his best to explain who he was, what he did, and how he could help everyone in the room.

Before he could finish, this exchange happened: “I’m sorry to interrupt,” a guest on the other side of the room said.

“Did you say you’re from Ukraine?”

“Ummm. Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Well … I stand with Ukraine. We all do.”

The entire room erupted with support for this young man, who undoubtedly was trying to make a living here in America while still being worried about relatives back home in his war-torn country.

Even if you’re currently living under a rock, you know what’s going on over there. I won’t go into detail, but the bottom line is that it is very sad. And over the past few weeks, practically the entire nation has come together to support Ukrainians near and far.

Regardless of what we all have going on in our lives and which side of the fence we are on politically, religiously, etc., we should all be counting our blessings for the peace we do have here in the United States. Furthermore, we should all be standing for and sending our prayers to the innocent men, women, and children in Ukraine. On behalf of my team at Murray Media, we, too, stand with Ukraine.

Thanks for reading this month’s issue!

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Writers

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

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Mish Cunningham-Scott Cayla Thompson Arynn Tomson Hallie Preece

Photography

Miranda Longoria Photography Your Candid Memories Photography What’s That Guy’s Name? Photography by Guy T Live Beautifully Photography Penny Whistle 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 Caylie Howard at 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 Living 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. © 2022 Murray Media Group

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | MARCH 2022

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small-town life Coming True for Lake Dallas Resident

by Mark Miller | photos courtesy of Kristy Bleau

“I didn’t even know where the city hall was located in Huntington Beach and here I work with city hall,” Bleau said.

K

risty Bleau knew her dream of living in

recommendations, promote local businesses,

purchase a special bed for a 12-year-old autistic

the small-town atmosphere of a typical

and generally get to know the area better.

boy in Lake Dallas with epilepsy who had a

Hallmark Channel movie couldn’t

Today it has nearly 4,200 members.

stroke before Christmas.

That led to an annual water drive for first

“Probably the most fun thing we did this past

responders which collected more than 3,000

year was that we got Santa Claus to go through

water bottles to distribute to the four Lake

Lake Dallas and distribute gifts to children,”

Cities departments.

she said.

Other initiatives have included Adopt-a-Spot

Last year, she purchased a home in Lake Dallas

which has redone the planter and cleaned up

where she lives with her two small rescue

the area near the sign welcoming people to

dogs – Snickers and Oreo. Upset when the

Lake Dallas. The page promoted the farmers

city wouldn’t allow her to build the fence she

“I didn’t even know where the city hall was

market that grew from two vendors to 18 after

wanted, she decided rather than fighting it

located in Huntington Beach and here I work

moving from the Lake Dallas Library to City

she’d see how the city worked more and started

with city hall,” Bleau said.

Hall. The group initiated a plastic bag recycling

attending city council meetings.

happen in her hometown of Huntington Beach, California, but might in a place like Lake Dallas, Texas.

While her first attempt to find out a decade ago didn’t work out, the second try is on track. Now when she walks around town, people call her by name; something that never happened back home.

Since returning to Lake Dallas in 2018, Bleau has done her best to make the small-town

program which recently qualified Lake Dallas for its first recycled bench.

community feel through actions and not just

The group also created one fundraiser for a

words. It started in 2019 when she created the

Corinth family struck last year by lightning

Lake City Area Buzz Facebook page to share

and multiple others trying to raise $8,000 to

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“I wanted to understand the reasoning behind their decisions,” she said.

She attends about 70 percent of the bi-monthly gatherings where she often shares feelings

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about issues from citizens who contact her because they may be uncomfortable speaking for themselves.

“I try to act as a liaison between the citizens and the council,” she said.

She started the Get to Know the Candidates group for one centralized place for those running for city council or school board. She also has served on the Lake Dallas Library, Parks and Recreation, and Community Development Corporation boards but will be leaving them as she is running unopposed for city council in May. That’s a big change from when she originally followed her brother Jeff Belton here in 2010. But when one of her daughter Kaitlyn’s Lake Dallas Middle School friends committed suicide, they moved back home in 2012 where the support system resided.

“It wasn’t the right time,” Bleau admits now. She decided to try again in February 2018.

“I talked to my brother and it just seemed like the right time,” she said. “I was coming with a different plan. When I came out before I moved without a job. This time I was going to secure a job and do it a different way. I was mentally ready for it this time. After everything I’ve done, it seems like exactly the place I’m supposed to be right now.”

Her job was as a 911 dispatcher for the City of Grapevine Police Department which she has had ever since.

“It’s all about enjoying what you are doing and having fun – connecting people,” she said. “Rather than complaining about how bad the street looks, just go clean it up. There’s nothing worse than someone being a keyboard warrior and just complaining.”

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