Lake Cities Living Magazine September 2019

SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 - OCTOBER 18, 2019

CREATING

A SENSE Of

Community

SIGNS OF A

STROKE

PUMPKIN PATCH

Corinth - Hickory Creek - Shady Shores - Lake Dallas

EVENTS

BEST LITTLE

BREWFEST

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

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 3

LakeCitiesLiving.com

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Leanne Yocum

Advertising

Kelly Murray Kelly@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene

Photography

Cover photo supplied by The City of Corinth

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 and Advertising Inquiries call 972.899.3637 or email

artwork@murray-media.com www.murray-media.com

Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 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. © 2019 Murray Media Group

4 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

CHEERS TO

WOMEN T hank you for picking up our latest monthly magazine. If you’re a longtime reader, perhaps you’ve noticed that each month features a specific theme. For example: last month was Women in Business, and our July issue focused on Back to School.

Our theme for the September issue is Women’s Health, which is quite an undertaking if you think about it.

Women’s health includes everything from pregnancy and childbirth to staying on top of breast cancer screenings, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even menopause (hopefully, I’m not old enough to worry about menopause just yet). We’ve focused on many of these topics in previous years, and hopefully, you will find additional articles of interest this year. Perhaps a few of them will open your eyes to a few things you didn’t already know.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share a few inspiring quotes from women that relate to this topic. These quotes were pulled from various sources on the Internet.

“Communities and countries and ultimately the world are only as strong as the health of their women.”

— Michelle Obama “Processed foods not only extend the shelf life, but they extend the waistline as well.”

— Karen Sessions

“I appreciate health care that gets to the root cause of our symptoms and promotes wellness, rather than the one-size-fits-all drug-based approach to treating disease.

I love maintaining an optimal quality of life - naturally.” — Suzanne Somers “You always have to remember to take of yourself, first and foremost. Because when you stop taking care of yourself, you get out of balance and you really forget how to take care of others.”

— Jada Pinkett Smith “Sedentary people are apt to have sluggish minds. A sluggish mind is apt to be reflected in flabbiness of body and in a dullness of expression that invites no interest and gets none.”

— Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy “As I see it, every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself.” — Adelle Davis

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

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

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

16

On the Cover: Band playing at Pumpkin Palooza. City of Corinth’s biggest community event.

FEATURED:

Creating A Sense Of Community

ASK THE EXPERTS

ARTICLES

20 Fitness with Outlaw Fitcamp

06 Sheriff’s Corner With Sheriff Tracy Murphree

25 Real Estate with Make the Move Team

07 8 Halloween Movies You Must See Again

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

08 Foodie Friday with Jay Marks Real Estate

27 The Goddard School of Corinth: Ready, Set... Goddard

10 Signs Of A Stroke 12 Inside Community

21 EDITORS PICK:

Best Little Brewfest Is Coming

Women’s Wellness

ISSUE Take a look inside the health issues affecting women in this issue.

19 2nd Annual Harvest Festival 22 5 Natural Tips To Help You Deal with Menopause 26 The Spirit Of Christmas Events

PHOTOS FROM LAKE CITIES

13 Inside Education

24 The 6th Annual Back 2 School Fair

14 Pumpkin Patch Events

28 Community Corner with Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell

18 Boys & Girls Clubs Of North Central Texas Close Their Doors

30 Take Medication Or Should You Not?

29 Back to School Photos www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 5

SHERIFF ’S

CORNER with Sheriff Tracy Murphree

TIPS FOR PARENTS DEALING WITH KIDS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

T

he Denton County Sheriff’s Office is focused on keeping children safe from internet predators. We work closely with other agencies to conduct Joint Online Solicitation Operations.

Here are a few tips that parents can use when dealing with kids and social media.

•

•

Get up to speed on social media so that you can communicate with your kid and monitor their social media.

Set limits on how much time is spent on social media.

6 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

• •

Teach your kids how to recognize and report abuse.

Embrace the benefits of social

media and teach your kids how it

is a powerful tool if used effectively.

•

Teach your kids what is and what is not appropriate to post on social media.

•

Take advantage of safety controls and monitoring apps to protect them from harm.

WE ARE HIRING

DETENTION OFFICERS! 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 $37,623.00 per year. Visit our website to apply.

www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ dentoncounty

ACTIVE SHOOTER CLASSES We are now doing Active Shooter

Classes for businesses and groups.

If you are interested in this presentation please email Deputy Godi at

Joshua.godi@dentoncounty.com.

WOMAN’S EMPOWERMENT CLASS

9am - 12pm at Denton Bible Church Woman’s Empowerment Program (WEP) is a self-defense class offered once a

month. This program is free and open to

females 15 years and older. Registration is required at WEP@dentoncounty.com.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

HALLOWEEN MOVIES YOU MUST SEE AGAIN

by Steve Gamel

H

alloween is almost here.

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

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

All movie photos are presented for non-commercial illustrative purposes and is property of Artist/Promoter

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SCARY MOVIES FOR THE KIDDOS

SCARY MOVIES FOR ADULTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 7

Foodie Friday DFW: The Bartonville Store & Jeter’s Meat Shop

THE BARTONVILLE STORE & Jeter’s Meat Shop

T

ravel back in time with us to 1882 when Bentley B. Barton owned the 220 acres of farmland located between Denton Creek and Hickory Creek - what we now know as Bartonville.

After more than130 years, during which time the store changed ownership, burned down twice, and became a vital part of our local history, the Bartonville Store fell into the hands of now owners, Michael Scott and Tim House, who have vowed to restore the history of the building while also reimagining a new and exciting future for it.

The Bartonville Store pays homage to the store of the past with its Jeter’s Meat Shop, “a grass-fed, grain-finish Prime meat butcher shop,” which will feature Texasraised Wagyu Beef from Rosewood Ranch, where Scott is the Corporate Executive Chef and sales manager. In addition to the Wagyu, customers can also find Angus, pork, chicken and game meat from other local ranches.

We cannot begin to rave enough about Chef Bandt’s incredible menu. Just a few of the menu highlights include a Wagyu Pastrami Burger made with pastrami cured in-house, Stir Fried Steak served in a

8 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

Another feature of the Bartonville Store that cannot be overlooked is their incredible bar made with materials from the old store and where they serve signature cocktails like a Pisco Sour, a Whiskey Smash, and a Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita.

photos courtesy of Foodie Friday DFW

To offer convenience to local farmers who didn’t want to travel to Lewisville or Grapevine for supplies, B.B. Barton built a simple frame building that he kept stocked with items he knew the farmers would need. The store quickly became a local meeting place for residents - a place where they could stock up on supplies and catch up on the latest gossip.

Peruvian style sauce, their Duroc ribs, and a New York Strip that literally melts in your mouth. It’s so tender.

They’re planning to entertain their customers nearly every weekend with live music showcasing local favorite musicians like the Ryan Glenn Band. They’ve also has teamed up with Four Seasons Farmers Markets to bring a Farmers Market to their store every Thursday starting in September from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

So, is there any reason NOT to visit The Bartonville Store? Delicious food. Check.

A fantastic bar. Check. Live music. Check.

A farmers market. Check. A gourmet meat shop. Check.

All joking aside, we’re so glad Michael and Tim decided to restore this cherished piece of history and turn it back into the beloved gathering place it has served as for the last 130 years.

940.241.3301 www.thebartonvillestore.com 96 McMakin Rd. Bartonville, TX 76226

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

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SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 9

Women’s Wellness Article

SIGNS OF A

STROKE You Need To Recognize

by Steve Gamel

T

here are so many health conditions and risks to be mindful of as we age, and it’s safe to say some of the bigger ones affect men and women differently. Women, in particular, are affected by everything from menopause to breast cancer, heart disease, mental health, and osteoarthritis.

10 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

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And believe it or not, you can add strokes to that list.

A stroke occurs when blood supply is suddenly cut off from the brain. Think of it as a brain attack; it can happen at any time and is considered a medical emergency because the brain cells are being deprived of oxygen.

While heart.org states that someone dies of a stroke every 3.70 minutes (about 389.4 stroke deaths each day), stroke.org points out that strokes kill more women than men each year. In fact, one in five women will have a stroke, and some of the gender-specific reasons for the increased risks are likely due to: •

Shifting estrogen levels

•

Pregnancy

•

Preeclampsia

•

Birth control pills

•

Hormone replacement therapy

•

Frequent migraines

•

Atrial fibrillation

•

Having a thick waist, particularly if post-menopausal

With statistics like that, it’s important that we know what a stroke is and be able to act quickly when we recognize the warning signs. Immediate help is necessary to reduce the effects and avoid long-term complications.

Below are common warning signs and symptoms of a stroke, many of which are specific only to women:

SLURRED SPEECH AND TROUBLE SEEING A telltale sign that someone is having a stroke is when they slur their speech, cannot speak a simple sentence, and have difficulty seeing out of one or both eyes.

NUMBNESS OR WEAKNESS What most people experience is paralysis on one side of the body, on the face, or on an arm or leg. Some people experience pain or the sensation of pins and needles.

SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND DISORIENTATION Many women struggle to breathe properly and may even hallucinate or show signs of confusion and disorientation with their surroundings. Some may even faint.

SEVERE HEADACHES Headaches are a common condition, but if one suddenly pops up without warning and is debilitating in comparison with the run-of-the-mill headache, you should seek immediate medical attention.

DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, AND VOMITING These symptoms may be minor or appear to masquerade as vertigo, but they should not be ignored. This is especially true if you are experiencing additional symptoms.

Beyond these symptoms, additional risk factors — for women and men — include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, heavy or binge drinking, and using illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamines. Medical risk factors include diabetes, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease, among others.

Your friends at Murray Media Group want to remind you the best way to maintain overall health is to live a healthier lifestyle. Also, be aware of what your body is trying to tell you and always consult with your physician.

This month’s issue features several more articles on women’s health, so be sure to check them out.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 11

INSIDE COMMUNITY DOG DAYS OF DENTON Oct. 5 | 9am - 3pm | North Texas Fairgrounds 2217 N Carroll Blvd. • Denton, TX 76201

Free Admission (All dogs must remain leashed and owners must provide proof of current vaccinations.) Jazz, the 2019 Spokesdog for Dog Days of Denton, will be wagging with the barkalicious events he has planned for all his furry friends and their persons. Enjoy a Canine Couture fashion show and costume contest, Dancing with the Dog contest and a dog singing contest, pet tricks, Glamfur Photos, handcrafted arts/crafts for pets and people, dog and disc demos, agility course with Zoom Room, scrumptious festival food and so much more! For more details, please visit www.dentondogdays.com/ or check out Dog Days of Denton on Facebook.

DAY OF THE DEAD Oct. 26 | 11am - 9pm | Downtown Denton

Industrial & East Hickory streets in downtown Denton, TX 76201 Free Admission The Day of the Dead is a joyous free multicultural family-friendly festival celebrating life. Ghoul and enjoy thrilling coffin races, walk in the bewitching twilight parade, play in the pumpkin patch, watch the captivating Cirque du Horror musical, and be mesmerized with the Flight of Souls - a mass release of live Monarch butterflies to remember and honor the souls of loved ones. Check out Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival on Facebook or visit dentondayofthedeadfestival.com.

Photo courtesy Liz Wallace

DENTON HALLOWEEN FEST Oct. 31 | 6pm - 11:30pm | North Texas Fair Grounds 2217 N Carroll Blvd. • Denton, TX 76201 Free Admission A spooktacular festival with chills and thrills for all ages! Enjoy fabulous events -

Halloween costume contest, costume catwalk, drag shows, games for the little goblins, bone-Appetit with ghoulishly delightful food, fang-tastic vendors, and spellbinding

raffle tickets! Hop on your broomsticks and visit www.eventbrite.com/ and search Denton Halloween Fest.

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| SEPTEMBER 2019

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INSIDE EDUCATION LDISD EVENTS

CONGRATS TO THESE TEACHERS FOR BEING AWESOME

VOLLEYBALL COACH HONORED FOR 100 WINS

Lake Dallas Independent School District has honored five incredible teachers as their Teacher of the Year 2019. Cheers to Carlajo Cancilla from Lake Dallas High School, Lezli Collins from Lake Dallas Middle School, Kendra Simpson from Lake Dallas Elementary, Robin Reeves from Corinth Elementary, and Mandy Badyna from Shady Shores Elementary. Thank you for your commitment to our students!

to the game but she is new to Lake

Coach Kristinn Holbrooks isn’t new Dallas and she is already showing us what the Lady Falcons are made of!

Players honored Coach Holbrooks with roses and a signed volleyball

High School Homecoming Dance Sept. 21 | 8 - 11pm LDHS Cafeteria LDHS 9-12 Graders Semi-Formal Dress LDE PTA Chick-fil-A Spirit Night Oct. 23 | 4 – 6pm Chick-fil-A at Kensington Square in Corinth

celebrating her 100 wins! Keep up the great work, Coach!

GUYER

EVENTS

Guyer Varsity Volleyball vs Southlake Oct. 4 | 6:30pm GHS Main Gym 7501 Teasley Ln. Denton, TX 76210

FALCON STADIUM NEW RULES It’s football season in Texas! Before you load up to head to the game here is a reminder about the new rules and regulations regarding entry into Falcon Stadium. To provide extra safety for

patrons and players the district is asking us to leave large bags, such as backpacks and coolers at

home. Frisbees, air horns, and drones are prohibited. For a full list, please visit lakedallasathletics. rankonesport.com and clicking Facilities on the top menu.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Homecoming Varsity Football Game vs Keller High School Oct. 18 | 7pm Collins Athletic Complex 1500 Long Rd. Denton, TX 76207 SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 13

Pumpkin Patch

EVENTS

by Leanne Yocum

I

t’s fall, y’all! The leaves are changing and there is a crispness in the air. Pumpkin Spice Lattes, pumpkin pies, pumpkin patches, and the other amazing pumpkin delights mark the beginning of the magical season of fand a gourd-geous time to take the kids to a pumpkin patch.

HALL’S PUMPKIN FARM AND CORN MAZE SEPT 27

THE FLOWER MOUND PUMPKIN PATCH OCT 1 - 31

PUMPKIN HOLLOW OCT 17 - 19

3420 Hall Johnson Rd. • Grapevine, TX

5100 Cross Timbers Rd. Flower Mound, TX

701 W. Eldorado Pkwy. • Little Elm, TX

Mon. - Thurs. 3 - 8pm • Fri. 3 - 10pm Sat. 10am - 10pm • Sun. 1 - 8pm 817.991.1052 | hallspumpkinfarm.net

Everyday from 9am - 7pm Activities are Free.

Parking Mon. - Fri. $5 | Sat. - Sun. $10

Little Elm Park

Thurs. 6 - 9 pm

Fri. - Sat. 6 - 10pm littleelm.org/1195/Pumpkin-Hollow

817.430.4536 flowermoundpumpkinpatch.com

14 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

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CORINTH PUMPKIN PALOOZA OCT 19 Corinth Community Park 3700 Corinth Pkwy. • Corinth, TX 10am - 8pm CorinthPumpkinPalooza.com

PUMPKINS ON THE PRAIRIE SEPT 28 - OCT 31

AUBREY PUMPKIN PATCH SEPT 28 - NOV 3

Grace Avenue United Methodist Church 3521 Main St. • Frisco, TX

1042 W Sherman Dr. • Aubrey, TX

Mon. - Fri. 1 - 7pm Sat.– Sun. 9am - 7pm *Activities do not begin until 12pm on Sunday.*

972.335.2882 graceavenue.org/pumpkins-onthe-prairie/

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Everyday except Mon. 10am - 7pm Admission $9 ages 2yrs and up Parking is free.

940.343.5155 teamfamilyfarms.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 15

s photo e court sy of the C ity of Corin th

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| SEPTEMBER 2019

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www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

W

hen the City of Corinth’s Pumpkin Palooza was rained out last year, City Manager Bob Hart and Director of Finance & Communication Lee Ann Bunselmeyer should have been grinning from ear to ear. Granted, no one wanted to see their signature event get canceled, but the fact so many residents were bummed out showed how connected this community had become and both were disappointed in seeing the event rained out.

“Of all the events we do, Pumpkin Palooza is the one we hear the most positive feedback from,” Bunselmeyer said.

“Everyone kept asking, ‘Can’t you just reschedule it?’ The community was really looking forward to it.”

environment, you have to create it,” Hart

She added, “We always wanted something that created a sense of community. We hadn’t had that before.”

bounce houses, face painting, pumpkin

Sponsored Content

Corinth has long been one of the top growth areas in Texas and the United States. But before 2016, the first year of Pumpkin Palooza, no other city event managed to bring everyone out in droves. In many ways, there was a feeling of disconnect among residents — all of whom were hungry to finally have a larger-than-life event in their own backyard. Over 9,000 people showed up that first year. Attendance ballooned to between 15-16,000 the next year, and it wasn’t just Lake Cities residents. There were visitors from as far away as Fort Worth and Dallas to Carrollton, Krum, and Sanger.

This year’s event, slated for October 19 at Corinth Community Park, is expected to bring in more than 20,000 people. And barring another appearance from dear, sweet Mother Nature, city officials are holding nothing back.

“If you don’t have that sense of community

said with a smile.

So what is Pumpkin Palooza? It’s a free

family event that caters to young and old alike with everything from amusement

rides and games to hot air balloon rides, carving, and a car show. Just a few of the

Dance, and National Night Out. Beyond events, Corinth offers an outstanding quality of life with great educational and recreational amenities. But in Hart’s eyes, there is always room for improvement.

Hart, along with the city council and staff, has been tirelessly looking for ways to not only build on the community’s timeless identity and small-town feel but also create an environment where residents feel they have input on what happens moving forward. With their strategic plan called Corinth 2030, the city hopes to attract quality residential and nonresidential development, increase citizen

rides include a zip line, euro bungee jump,

rock climbing, a pony

carousel, wagon rides, and more.

There will be live

music from Brave

Combo, Texas Flood,

Soul Patrol, Red Wine,

Corinth’s 4th Annual Pumpkin Palooza: Oct. 19th | 10am - 8pm Corinth Community Park

and Escape. And for

visitors who are ultra-competitive, there

will be a pie-eating contest along with a pumpkin derby and costume contest.

Approximately 15 food vendors and 60

additional vendors will also be on-hand selling food, drinks, and gifts.

Basically, anything and everything a

family could enjoy will be available at Pumpkin Palooza.

“I think back to the first year we did this

and had 9,000 people show up. We were thrilled with that,” Bunselmeyer said.

“The popularity has grown significantly.

It just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”

Pumpkin Palooza may be Corinth’s

signature event, but it’s one of several they put on throughout the year. Others that

continue to grow in popularity include the Annual Tree Lighting ceremony, Easter Egg-stravaganza, the Daddy-Daughter

engagement and proactive government, and focus more on regional cooperation among all the Lake Cities communities.

The city has redesigned its logo to play up its Corinthian architecture look and feel and will be inclusive of updates to all city paraphernalia and vehicles. The city also recently updated its website in June.

The website was organized and designed based on input from resident focus groups and what they wanted to see most.

“The events we are putting on are essential to community engagement, but then you follow that up with a better built environment,” Hart said. “We want to create a center city, and we’d like to think our residents want that. Our surveys indicate that, and the feedback we’ve received at meetings indicate that.”

He added, “Anything we can do to build a better community, we will do.”

For more info visit www.corinthpumpkinpalooza.com www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 17

Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Texas

CLOSE

by Steve Gamel

THEIR DOORS

W

hen Rick and Babs Troutman took over the Boys & Girls Club in Lake Dallas nearly 15 years

ago, their vision was to make a positive impact on area youth.

While the Troutmans more than accomplished those goals, sadly, all good things come to an end.

Citing declining student enrollment and financial difficulties, the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Texas reluctantly voted last month to suspend service in Lake Dallas and Sanger until further notice. The Lake

Dallas location, in particular, began serving the families of Lake Dallas 25 years ago. In the time they’ve operated that location, Rick, Babs, and their volunteers made it their life’s work.

“One of our board members said, ‘I reluctantly vote yes [to close].’ But here’s the thing I told them and everyone else, let’s not focus on the fact we’re closing,” Rick Troutman said. “The organization has been around almost 25 years, and since we’ve been here, we’ve literally had hundreds if not thousands of kids and families come through our doors. We’ve had a huge impact on the youth in Denton County, and that’s what I want to focus on.”

The Boys & Girls Clubs is unlike other non-profits in that they are a proactive organization. They keep things from happening and ensure a child won’t go down the wrong path. Their mission is predicated on helping children reach their full potential

18 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

through everything from character development, education, health, leadership, and acceptance.

It’s like a mini-city, and the kids who spend time there don’t care about color, culture, or how much money you have.

“We take in some really good kids,” Rick said in a feature article with Lake Cities Living earlier this year. “Do we have people who live in low-income housing? Sure. But we also have kids who come from good households.

People volunteer and they expect to see these rough kids with torn shoes, but what they get are sweet kids who say yes, ma’am and no, ma’am.”

Rick declined to go into specifics on the decision, but it’s no secret that local clubs

like Lake Dallas and Sanger need a lot of community support and donations to keep the doors open. That became a bigger struggle in recent years. Together, the Troutmans did everything from hiring employees, seeking out donors and sponsors to keep the clubs running, raising money through various events like their annual golf tournament, keeping tabs on the clubs’ books, buying supplies — and oh yeah, making sure kids are being raised to be quality human beings and feel loved every step of the way.

“Did I want it to end this way? No. Babs and I wanted to leave this for someone else,” Rick said. “But like anything else, the club had its time.

And we have a pretty strong legacy to leave behind.”

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

2ND ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL Oct. 19 | 10am - 2pm The Village at Valley Creek 2505 Brinker Rd • Denton, TX 76208

Hotdogs & Hamburgers • Cotton Candy • Auction RSVP to 940-323-1710 by October 14. www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 19

Ask The Expert: Fitness

Your Fad

DIET

NIGHTMARE

by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit & Outlaw Fitcamp JesseJamesFit.com | OutlawFitcamp.com

H

ave you noticed how people jump on board with a popular fad diet, lose 5, 10, or even 20 pounds, and then gain it all back and then some? It’s actually a simple concept, and once you understand it, you will be forever saved from the tortures of yo-yo dieting.

Fad diets saddle you with unsustainable calorie restrictions, and some even cut

out entire food groups just to produce

that short-lived drop in weight. The fad

diets also ignore one major component in shaping up: exercise.

are eating their normal pre-diet portions.

to do?

amount of food consumed, the fad dieter

The solution to your fad dieting nightmare

| SEPTEMBER 2019

great question, and the answer is actually easier than you might think.

Most people who are unhappy with their bodies are really only holding on to a few bad habits. Once these destructive habits are identified and replaced with healthy habits, their body naturally transforms into one that they are proud of.

Here are the most prevalent unhealthy habits: •

is a lifestyle change.

To change your lifestyle means to replace

unhealthy habits with healthy ones, and to do so consistently. It isn’t something you do for a week or two.

Failing to exercise on a consistent basis.

•

cut calories. By restricting the type and

20 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

So how do I change my lifestyle? That is a

Consuming calories in excess of your daily caloric needs.

Filling your diet with foods that hold little to no nutritional value.

begins gaining weight even though they

age-old premise: cut calories, cut calories,

eating habits — with one major difference

with amazing results.

In practical terms, this means the dieter

result in pounds gained. So what’s a dieter

and the fad dieter returns to their pre-diet

I help people make this change every day

have gotten smaller.

of their routine, the unneeded calories will

But it doesn’t stop there. Life continues,

best thing that you ever do for yourself.

•

You see, most fad diets operate on one

If only it stopped there…

unhealthy to one that is healthy will be the

in their body — their calorie requirements

And since exercise hasn’t become a part

usually sees an immediate drop in weight.

Changing your lifestyle from one that is

•

The habit of procrastination.

You can lose weight and improve both your appearance and your health.

Take action now. Call or email me today, and together, we will recreate your lifestyle and redefine your body.

You can look and feel great.

You can transform yourself into the person that you’ve always wanted to be.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Best Little Brewfest IS COMING

by Steve Gamel

I

f you’re a craft beer lover and want to partake in some rare and occasionally unusual brews, then put the Best Little

Brewfest in Texas on your calendar.

This year’s event is set for October 19 from 1:30 pm to 7 pm and will again

be held in Old Town Lewisville at 151 W. Church Street. It will feature

there will be light and summery options

on the east end of Ferguson Plaza will

The list of breweries is still being lined up,

platform. The acoustic stage at the west

all the way to the exotic and barrel-aged. but you can expect around 80 or more

with about 300 offerings. Of course, there will also be meads and ciders as well as wine and distilled spirits to have all the bases covered.

everything from beer and wine to food, gifts,

amazing music, and fun for the entire family.

As always, all

proceeds from North Texas’ best beer

festival benefit Cloud 9 Charities, a local

nonprofit that seeks

to provide temporary shelter for homeless

families in Denton County.

end hosts great talent with an acoustic,

singer/songwriter feel. Last year’s lineup of performers included Trevor Douglas,

Melissa Ratley, the Tennessee Stiffs, and Ricky Russell.

Last year’s event brought

As always, there will be light and summery options all the way to the exotic and barrel-aged.

host full bands on a professional sound

in breweries such as

TUPPS, True Vine, Oak

Highlands, Hopfusion, Oskar Blues, Red

Gap, Deep Ellum

Brewing Company,

and Denton County

Brewing Company.

Many of those are

expected to be back

this year.

Once you’ve got your drinks, stick

There’s also a one-of-a-kind shopping

experience for visitors to cruise various

vendor tents for gifts, decor, and so much more. Adult tickets include a souvenir

tasting cup, tasting card for 12 samples

(2 oz. each per TABC rules), access to 25 retail vendors, two stages of live music,

and tasty food trucks! VIP tickets get you

in an hour and a half early and admission to the VIP Lounge.

A full list of participating breweries,

bands, vendors, and other information

OK, so let’s talk about the beer. Get ready

around and have some fun. According to

– including how to purchase your

beer, wine, and spirits around. As always,

for great local music. The main stage

bestlittlebrewfestintexas.com.

to experience some of the finest craft

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

the event website, there will be two stages

tickets in advance – can be found at

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 21

Women’s Wellness Article

5 NATURAL TIPS

TO HELP

YOU DEAL

WITH

MENOPAUSE

by Steve Gamel

Y

ou may be thinking you are too young to have to worry about menopause, which is the period of time for women where hormones are raging in all the wrong ways as their bodies transition out of the childbearing years.

“That’s something my great grandmother has to, unfortunately, deal with — not me!” you say to yourself. And yet, you just turned 52, and you’re suddenly experiencing random mood swings, night sweats, weight gain, insomnia – and ohhhh, the hot flashes. Luckily, menopause is a normal sign of aging and will pass. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, there are practical tips out there to help you deal with menopause.

22 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

1. AVOID HOT PLACES Hot flashes are the absolute worst.

While you can take estrogen pills and other medications, a natural solution is to make sure you are always in a cool environment. This may mean turning the home thermostat down to 65 degrees at night, drinking lots of cool water, and avoiding hot or spicy food. Another cool tip is to start your day dressed in layers.

As you feel hot, remove layers to regain a comfort level.

2. MANAGE STRESS

When you are stressed, your body releases hormones that can cause everything from hot flashes to mood swings, weight gain, and insomnia.

Keep a diary to track what stresses you out (hint: it may also be the foods you are eating) and then slowly remove those stressors from your life. Meditation and low-impact exercises such as yoga can also help you regulate breathing and keep you in a constant state of peace.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

3. EAT RIGHT Reduce refined sugar and processed foods. Also, eat protein-rich foods and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your day. All of this will help balance your hormones and curb weight gain, depression, and even the occasional bout of forgetfulness. Drinking at least 8-12 glasses of water a day can also help reduce bloating, increase your metabolism, and avoid dryness.

4. TALK WITH YOUR PARTNER One symptom of menopause that most women would prefer not to talk about is a decreased sex drive. Not only is the desire not there, but vaginal dryness may be causing pain that further disrupts their sex life. To combat this, have open conversations with your partner about needs and expectations.

Vitamin E and flaxseed oil have also been known to provide relief for vaginal and urinary symptoms.

5. MAINTAIN REGULAR EXAMS WITH YOUR DOCTOR As they say, you can’t treat problems you don’t know about or fully understand.

Keep up with routine exams such as pap smears and mammograms and talk openly with your doctor about any nagging symptoms of menopause that are disrupting your quality of life. Together, you can explore natural treatments or those that involve stronger medication.

The takeaway is that menopause is not a disease. It is a sign of aging that will eventually pass. Having the right mindset and a plan to tackle any temporary symptoms you do face will go a long way toward helping you stay happy and healthy. *This article is not meant to be a replacement for medical advice. If you are experiencing symptoms of menopause, please consult a doctor about your specific symptoms.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 23

The 6th Annual

BACK 2 SCHOOL FAIR

photos courtesy of Diane Barton and Kyra Warren

T

his was yearly fun family-friendly event on August 8th for the entire Lake Cities community. It was hosted at Lake Dallas Middle School and ran from 5-9pm. The fair focuses on increasing awareness of educational, health, and social services available in our area. It was also a great opportunity to get to know the local businesses, churches, and organizations.

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

24 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Real Estate :Ask The Expert

REALTORS VS

iBUYER PROGRAMS

photography by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)

by Beth Caudill Make the Move Team 940.320.2777 www.MakeTheMoveTeam.com

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

I

t’s an interesting time in the real estate market with interest rates declining as we enter what is typically a slower part of the buying and selling season. If you are thinking of making a move, consider partnering with a local realtor instead of the growing number of iBuyer programs out there. And here is why.

roughly $24,000 in fees right off the top.

Buying a home is overwhelming for a lot of people, and many times can be a long and stressful process. After all, there is so much to keep track of, whether it’s listing the home, ordering inspections and appraisals, keeping track of offers, getting the home ready to show, going through the closing process, etc. We’ve reached an age where people are looking for savvy ways to speed things up — especially if they need to get out of the home quickly.

they give advice, education, around-the-

On top of that, there’s no one there to answer questions, give advice, ensure

you’re not leaving any money on the table, and more.

A real estate agent represents the

traditional way of buying or selling a

home. But beyond the transaction itself,

clock service, money-saving tips, and act as a valuable resource for any additional connections you may need. They are a

wealth of market knowledge, and you get all of that for roughly half the cost of an iBuyer program.

When you put realtors and iBuyer

programs side-by-side, it suddenly makes having a realtor look like a steal.

This makes iBuyer programs an extremely popular option. Programs like Opendoor and Offerpad will estimate the value of your home and instantly make an offer.

If you accept, the benefit is a faster sale and more control over when you move.

Why wouldn’t you want someone who is

That sounds convenient enough, but if you look deeper, iBuyer programs charge anywhere from 10-12% in fees to do what they do. So for a $200,000 sale, that’s

do with the Lake Cities or surrounding

easily accessible in your community to

take care of you and walk you through the buying or selling process? If you have any questions when it comes to real estate, education, or anything else that has to

communities, give my team: Make The Move Team at eXp Realty or me a call.

We will have your back at all times.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 25

The Spirit of T

he Spirit of Christmas provides a Thanksgiving meal and Christmas gifts, which includes shoes, clothes and gifts, to children in families that fall below the poverty line. Here in the Lake Cities area we have several events and volunteer opportunities.

CALENDAR

OF EVENTS Sponsored By

CHRISTMAS COAT DRIVE Sept. 15 - Nov. 15 Take gently used coats to Daisy, Classic, or Corinth Cleaners and tell them they are for the Spirit of Christmas. The cleaners will handle the rest.

To donate a new coat call 940.594.4417 or email SOC@ThereHasToBeMore.org

26 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

HERO 1M/5K FUN RUN Oct. 5 | 8am | Sycamore Bend Park Come dressed as your favorite hero to support this amazing LOCAL cause.

Visit www.aSpiritOfChristmas.org for more details and how to register.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

Ready, Set …

Business Spotlight

GODDARD

by Steve Gamel

T

here’s a running joke at The Goddard School of Corinth that owner Elizabeth Aune never leaves

the school grounds. After all, she’s one of the first smiling faces your kids see when the doors open for another

fun-filled day of learning, and she and the staff are always waving goodbye at the end of the day.

“I practically live here,” she said with a laugh. “Parents say all the time,

‘You’re always here — you never go home.’ I take that as a compliment.

It’s easy to be passionate about this place.”

Truth be told, Elizabeth lives down

the street in Corinth with her loving

husband, Jeremy, and three children.

But if you have a child attending Goddard, it’s easy to see why she can’t wait to get to work each day. The Goddard School of Corinth is an early childhood learning center for kids as young as six weeks old to six years old. But unlike traditional daycare, their program consists of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) fueled by a play-based curriculum where children are encouraged to discover their interests through play.

felt there was a glaring need to have a

For more than 30 years, The Goddard School has been a trusted name among parents and families, with more than 500 locations across the country. It was because of that growing footprint that Elizabeth and Jeremy — whose daughter graduated from a Goddard school —

careers for teachers.”

location in the Lake Cities.

She and Jeremy opened their school in June to a groundswell of support.

“We couldn’t wait to build a school in our own community,” Elizabeth said.

“It was an opportunity to provide an amazing educational environment for kids while positively impacting

parents and our community by offering She added, “We are teaching children

every minute they are in the classroom, but because it’s so hands-on and funbased, they think they are just having

fun. What they don’t realize is that they are learning the alphabet, math, etc.

A fun-based learning style will grab a

child’s attention and encourage them as

they learn. Another key is that all my lead photo courtesy of Elizabeth Aune

teachers have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Those qualifications really set

us apart and give our students the best education possible.”

And in an age where there is a daycare on every corner, The Aune family is proud to be setting a higher standard.

“I always wanted to make a positive

impact on someone’s life,” Elizabeth said.

“My vision is that every family will come to 940.278.2020 | www.goddardschool.com | 3531 Corinth Pkwy. • Corinth, TX 76208

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

know this brand and understand the value our teachers bring to their children.”

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 27

COMMUNITY CORNER

by Denton County Commissioner Precinct 3 Bobbie Mitchell

CONNECT WITH US: Facebook: DentonCountyTX | Twitter: @DentonCountyTX If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. My email is bobbie.mitchell@dentoncounty.com and my office number is 972.434.4780. photo courtesy by Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell

HIGHLAND VILLAGE, HICKORY CREEK OFFICIALS UPDATE COUNTY

O

fficials from the Town of Hickory Creek and City of Highland Village recently updated us about what is happening in their communities.

The presentations are part of an ongoing series where Denton County invites our cities and towns to give presentations

during the Commissioners Court meetings on Tuesdays.

Hickory Creek Mayor Lynn Clark told us their town has experienced 40 percent

growth since 2010 with more on the way.

Several residential developments will

begin building soon including Hickory

Creek Crossing with 90 new homes and Hickory Farms with 140 new homes.

The Town of Hickory Creek is experiencing commercial development along the recently completed Turbeville and

Point Vista roads. An 8,500-square-foot Angelina’s Mexican Restaurant will sport rooftop dining while the Elm Fork Tap House, featuring a silo from the former Lewisville Feed Mill, will provide patio dining. In addition, Don Camillo Italian Cuisine recently purchased property off Turbeville Road. The Adam’s Cliff shopping center planned in the area will feature several new businesses including The Learning Experience daycare.

Highland Village Mayor Charlotte Wilcox and City Manager Mike Leavitt shared a few interesting facts about their city. For instance, the average age in Highland Village is 43 and an estimated 56.7

DON’T FORGET...

LAKE DALLAS ANIMAL SHELTER NEEDS SUPPLIES If you like animals and want to help, the Lake Dallas Animal Shelter could use a few supplies.

With an abundance of kittens, the shelter immediately needs dry kitten food.

Other items on the wish list include bleach, Clorox wipes, canned adult cat food, canned kitten pate, 42- to 55-gallon contractor trash bags, Dawn dish soap, dishwasher pods and laundry detergent. The shelter is located at 687 N. Lakeview Drive. You can reach them at (940) 497-7090.

percent of the city’s residents are between the ages of 25 and 65. An average family

of 3.3 members has a median home value of $384,214.

City officials also shared how fast the

city’s property valuations have grown –

doubling in 14 years to $2.25 billion as

of fiscal year 2018-2019. In that period,

the city saw significant retail development with The Shops of Highland Village,

The Marketplace at Highland Village and much more. On one note, the sales tax

revenues paid for nearly 23 miles of trails spanning the city.

We were glad to have representatives from both communities visit

Commissioners Court and look forward to hearing from our other towns and cities.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BRINGS NEIGHBORS, POLICE TOGETHER Consider registering your neighborhood for the annual National Night Out in Lake Dallas from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 1.

The event also promotes partnerships between police and the community to create a safer, more caring place to live.

Register your neighborhood on the Lake Dallas Police Department Facebook page.

If you have room in your family for a new member, consider adopting a furry friend from the shelter.

28 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

| SEPTEMBER 2019

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

WE HOPE LAKE CITIES RESIDENTS HAVE A FANTASTIC SCHOOL YEAR! Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.

www.LakeCitiesLiving.com

SEPTEMBER 2019 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 29

Women’s Wellness Article

TAKE MEDICATION

OR SHOULD

YOU NOT?

by Audrey Christie, MSN, RN, FxNAP, Holistic Wellness Practitioner Essential Healing Lake Dallas

overuse of these medications.

There are three critical questions a patient should ask whenever it is recommended

that they take a prescription (or over-the-

counter) medication for an ongoing issue: 1. Are there any other options before trying this medication?

2. What are the intended and

unintended consequences of taking this medication?

(Hint: all medications have side

A

s a practitioner that specializes in autoimmune conditions, I have the honor of investigating the root

cause of hundreds of women’s chronic

health issues every year. Many times, we

can track it back to a root that may seem unrelated on the surface — commonly used medications.

Routinely using medications like Advil,

Ibuprofen, Aleve, and even some long-

30 | LAKE CITIES LIVING

about the consequences of the use and

| SEPTEMBER 2019

term prescription medications like birth control pills have

downstream consequences.

Rather than list the large bodies

of research for common medications and their consequences, I want to

give you some actionable information.

You should know that medications can be important and lifesaving in acute

situations, but we have to be realistic

effects, so don’t take “there’s not any” as an answer).

3. What is the plan to get off this medication?

Ultimately, you are responsible for your

own human suit. And being an advocate

for yourself is the best way to understand the risks, unintended complications, and

even the alternatives for medications that you are prescribed.

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