Life In Castle Hills Magazine January 2020

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO

GET YOUR

HEART RATE UP

LET’S GETAWAY

FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

BROOKE’S BOOK CORNER

JANUARY 17, 2020 FEBRUARY 21, 2020

Fitness Issue

Organizing Your Life CLOSETS BY DESIGN

ONE CLOSET AT A TIME

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

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JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 3

CastleHillsMagazine.com

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Alisha Tran

Writers & Editor Steve Gamel Brooke Ezzo

Advertising Manager

Lizzy Hoffman 972.900.7302 lizzy@murray-media.com

Production

Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene

Photography

Nick Allen Photography 307.254.0451 www.naphoto307.com

Letters

Life in Castle Hills 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

Life in Castle Hills 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. Life in Castle Hills is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2020 Murray Media Group

TAKING BACK YOUR

FITNESS GOALS

T

he holiday season is long gone, and hopefully, that means no more cake, candy, and kitchen tables loaded with food we shouldn’t be eating but do it anyway. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Just the sound of all that is making me hungry. But now is the time to start thinking about what we can do to better ourselves — and start anew.

Naturally, a great place to start is by recapturing your fitness goals.

Everyone is talking about it, so much that we’ve even made fitness the theme of this month’s magazine! This issue is chock full of words of wisdom from fitness experts and new places in town to work up a good sweat. There’s even a feature article that lists alternative activities that can get your blood pumping and boost that heart rate. Did anyone say rock climbing? How about a game of basketball with the kiddos?

I’m a big fan of health and fitness. I mean, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never look like 54-year-old actress/model Elizabeth Hurley, who is bikini-bod ready

12 months out of the year. But that’s not my goal, anyway. I workout at Jesse James Fit three to four times a week with my closest friends, eat right, and do everything in moderation.

For me, that plan works. I look and feel great, and I stick with it, which is the secret ingredient for any health and fitness plan. Wishing for a better life isn’t going to get you one. You have to have a goal in mind and be able to put it into action.

Learning your strategy is half the battle — the other half is taking action.

Thank you for picking up a copy of this month’s magazine. We hope you enjoy it.

Sincerely, Kelly Murray

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

4 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

FITNESS ISSUE LOOK FOR THE ICON

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS On the Cover is Lisa (left) and Jay (right) Hemby

09 Connections Wellness: Protecting The Patient And Employee ARTICLES 06 Alternative Ways To

Get Your Heart Rate Up

10 Inside Community & Education 12 Tax Time Is Coming

FEATURED ARTICLE

16

Organizing Your Life One Closet At A Time

14 Hebron & The Colony

All-District 2019 Teams

15 Be A Hero 18 Let’s Getaway For Valentine’s Day 20 The Big Game Must Have Snacks 22 Brooke’s Book Corner 25 Community Corner 27 Foodie Friday DFW with Jay Marks Real Estate

28 When Should You Definitely Take

EDITOR’S PICK

15 Be A Hero: Help Spread The Word About Hallie’s Heroes www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Down Those Holiday Lights?

30 Sheriff’s Corner With

Sheriff Tracy Murphree

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5

Fitness

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO GET YOUR

by Steve Gamel

T

he higher your heart rate is, the more calories you burn and the more weight you lose. It seems pretty simple, right? For many of us, that means making sure we hit the gym for some strength training, CrossFit, and a few miles on the treadmill or

elliptical machine. But what if that’s not your thing? Or even if it is, what if you don’t have time to go to the gym this week or simply need a break from the normal routine?

Luckily, there are plenty of alternative activities out there that can keep your heart rate elevated and improve your cardiovascular health. Here are a few alternatives to consider as we enter a new year:

ICE SKATING

Even though we are in Texas, there are places like the Galleria or the Children’s Health StarCenter that not only offer a great experience for the family but also help you get in a killer leg and cardio workout without even realizing it. Ice skating is great for joint and muscle health, improved balance and coordination, and stress management.

STROLLER SPEED WALKING

It can be difficult for new moms to find time to get to the gym. Stroller speed walking is the perfect alternative; simply put the little guy or gal in a stroller and speed walk around the neighborhood or a local mall? Believe it or not, this is a form of high-intensity interval training that pushes your heart rate into the batburning range.

6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

SWIMMING

Swimming is a highly underutilized form of cardiovascular exercise to get your heart rate up. Swimming is also great in terms of recovery from a tough workout. Several places in town offer an indoor pool experience so that you can still get your swim on without having to make an icy plunge.

BOXING

To piggyback off the previous alternative workout, there are tons of gyms in town that offer everything from a simple punching bag to go a few rounds with or a full-blown boxing and kickboxing cardio workout.

PLAY BASKETBALL WITH THE KIDS

For the competitive dads in their 40s and 50s, there is nothing like trying to recapture your youth by trying to beat your 12-year-old son or daughter in a game of pickup basketball. The cardio benefits are numerous, not to mention the ability to regain some of that long-lost endurance and coordination.

DANCING

ROCK CLIMBING

If you do have time to get to the gym but crave something different, consider yourself blessed if they have a rockclimbing wall. Places like Summit Climbing in Denton or Lifetime Fitness offer indoor rock climbing, which is perfect for cardio along with improving grip strength, coordination, and strength.

Plus, it’s just fun! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

Take a dance class or bring your spouse out for a night on the town. If you’re planning on attending a wedding, get out on the dance floor and cut a rug. There are even interactive dancing games you can play with your kids on Xbox or Playstation.

Bottom line, dancing is perfect for getting your heart rate up and requires zero workout equipment.

This is just a shortlist of alternative ways to get your heart rate up and keep it in tiptop shape. Remember that as you keep your heart rate up, you are naturally burning calories, improving stamina, and even building yourself a strong immune system. Did we leave anything off the list? What are your favorites?

Please share with us so that others can join in on the fun.

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 7

8 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

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Business Spotlight

Protecting The

PATIENT AND EMPLOYEE

by Steve Gamel

A

wstin Gregg and his team preach to patients all the time the importance of putting health and wellness at the top of their daily to-do list. And what Connections Wellness Group is doing better than anyone else is making sure that when those patients ask for help from a professional, they’ll always receive the best healthcare possible — all under one roof.

Not surprisingly, Awstin expects his

Officer to learn what each employee likes,

advice he gives his patients.

they want to receive praise.

amazing employees to heed the same From Day 1, Connections

“The idea is that we want

Wellness has been rethinking the way

they pay and retain healthy and happy employees. At

the top of the list was the decision

to pay employees

an entirely separate stream of income

how they prefer to be rewarded, and how

happy and healthy

...to pay employees... simply for taking care of themselves mentally, physically, and emotionally.

on top of their normal

employees. So, if you go home and cook a healthy meal for

yourself, we’ll pay you to do that. If

you go to the gym

after work, we will

pay you for that, too. If

you can prove you get

eight hours of sleep every

salary simply for taking

night, we will pay you,” Awstin

care of themselves mentally,

physically, and emotionally. Awstin also hired what he calls a Chief Happiness

said. “We are taking what we do here

at work and carrying it over to a lifestyle perspective for our employees.”

“My job is to keep a forever employee.”

Awstin added. “Our employees are provided a guideline of what healthiness is, and how to achieve it forever. And to back up the sentiment, our employees are paid to be healthy outside of work.”

And it’s working. Connections Wellness Group has a less than 1% turnover rate for the entire year. To sweeten the deal, they’ve created engagement committees, employee satisfaction committees, and instituted unique new-hire packages, vacation packages, and even available mental health days. All of this combined means that their employees are not only living healthy lives outside of work, but when they are at work, they aren’t stressed to the brim. They love coming to work.

“It’s my obligation as a leader to invest in the health of our team,” Awstin said.

“I want a forever employee. And, that is something our organization will earn one day at a time, one healthy activity at a time, and one employee at a time.”

940.222.2399 | ConnectionsWellnessGroup.com | 2701 Shoreline Dr., Ste. 151 • Denton, TX 76210

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 9

INSIDE COMMUNITY DENTON WINE WALK

FIRST FRIDAYS Fri., Feb. 7 | 6 - 10pm Main and Mill Association 135 W. Main St. • Lewisville, TX 75057 First Fridays in Old Town Lewisville is back and bringing you more in 2020! This event is a collaboration of local businesses, pop-

Wed., Jan. 22 | 6 - 9pm | Downtown Denton | 110 W. Hickory St. • Denton, TX 76201 This month’s wine walk theme is Neon Glow Wonderland, dress in your best neon and come join us for wine sipping, shopping, and exploring Downtown Denton while enjoying live music and art. Tickets can be purchased online for $10 or $15 day of.

You’ll receive your glass, passport and wine guide. To purchase tickets, visit www.dentonwinewalk.com.

up artisans, the City, and vendors bringing you a night of food, fun, shopping, and entertainment. Come engulf yourself in the Entertainment District, there is something for everyone here! To become a vendor or see the calendar for the year, visit www.mainandmillassociation.com/ first-fridays.

INSIDE EDUCATION

SCIENCE NIGHT ARTS AND CULTURAL NIGHT Thurs., Jan. 23 | 6pm | Castle Hills Elementary Cafeteria 1025 Holy Grail Dr. • Lewisville, TX 75056 One of Castle Hills Elementary’s most popular annual events is here! Join the CHE PTA, friends, and family as they congratulate all of the Reflections Participants and check out a Kindergarten Art Display. Food, music, and dance performances by our own CHE families as they share in a fun way the cultures represented at the school.

10 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

Thurs., Jan. 30 | 6 - 8pm Castle Hills Elementary 1025 Holy Grail Dr. • Lewisville, TX 75056 Castle Hills Elementary and Hebron High School National Science Honor Society present Science Night! There will be STEM related hands on experiments and educational fun. Tikiz Snowcones available for purchase!

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photo courtesy of Bryon Garvey

CASTLE HILLS TRAVEL 2560 King Arthur Blvd., Ste. 240 Lewisville, TX 75056 Christmas break is over but Spring Break will be here before you know it.

Castle Hills Travel is a premier leisure travel agency, and owner, Bryon Garvey has over 25 years of travel experience and has a passion for making travel dreams become reality. Call him today at 972.325.6315 or visit www.castlehillstravel.com to plan your next adventure.

THE TOURING CHOCOLATIER Denton County resident, Kay Thibodeaux is your local cocoa expert. Wanting to increase the community’s knowledge of great chocolate her company, The Touring Chocolatier, offers incredible chocolates, and truffle-making and candy-making workshops. Visit Kay’s website at www.touringchocolatier.com or email her at Kay@TheCocoaExpert.com to order your Valentine’s Day chocolate or to host a class! Come for the chocolate, stay for the adventure!

Pictured above is Dylan Joseph winner of the Spelling Bee. Photo courtesy of Mary Joseph.

SPELLING BEE CHAMPION Congratulations to Dylan Joseph, a 5th grader from Independence Elementary. As winner of the Spelling Bee, Dylan is moving on to compete and represent Independence in the next level of competition at the Hebron Feeder Spelling Bee at Coyote Ridge Elementary School in Carrollton on Thursday, January 23rd.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

HAWK FEST: CELEBRATE CULTURE Sat., Feb. 29 | 12 - 2pm | Hebron Cafeteria 4207 Plano Pkwy. • Carrollton, TX 75010 Join the Hebron Highschool for their very first Hawk Fest! The school is excited to show off their culturally diverse community with finger foods, desserts, games, artifacts and entertainment! They’re also in need of volunteers to ensure this event is fun for everyone. Sign up by January 24 at www.tinyurl.com/HHSFest, the school would greatly appreciate the support and participation.

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 11

TAX TIME IS COMING

by Steve Gamel

W

e’re barely through the first month of 2020, so let’s talk about taxes, shall we? You’re probably saying to yourself that it’s way too soon to talk about that, and, in many ways, you’re right – tax day isn’t until April 15, and even then, you can always file an extension. But waiting until the last minute only makes things worse. So why not start now?

Here’s a simple, yet important list of five common tax items everyone should be rounding up right now:

ALL DOCUMENTS T H AT P R OV E W H AT YO U M A D E I N 2 0 1 9

A D E TA I L E D L I S T O F A L L YO U R DEDUCTIONS

This includes everything from

income, social security benefits,

This is a perfect example of something that will take some time, especially if you are relying on crumpled up receipts between the seats of your car. Be mindful

PERSONAL I N F O R M AT I O N

of anything that can help out your case, including childcare and educational expenses, property tax and mortgage interest, retirement accounts, etc.

W-2 forms to unemployment income, investment income, rental property and even 1099s.

If you’re doing a single filing, this is as

simple as knowing your social security number. But if you’re married and

have children, you will need the same information for each person in your family. If you’re relying on a CPA to

handle your tax return, make sure they

have birthdates, etc., and have previous years’ tax returns available.

12 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

A LIST OF ALL YO U R C R E D I T S Credits are another great way to lower your tax burden, but you need documentation to prove you deserve them. Examples of common credits include child credit, premium tax credits, and lifetime learning credits.

“THE HARDEST THING IN THE WORLD TO UNDERSTAND IS THE INCOME TAX.” — Albert Einstein

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D I R EC T D E P O S I T I N F O R M AT I O N Assuming you are one of the lucky ones to get money back on your taxes, make sure you have your bank account information handy. This includes routing and account numbers.

These tips are all fine and dandy, but what about the procrastination part?

After all, even if we know how to get our hands on all the information above, most of us see it as too big a chore and ignore it for as long as possible.

We’d be silly if we didn’t add in here that Murray Media Group are not tax advisors.

This is merely a basic list of information you should consider pulling together now rather than waiting until the last minute.

There are plenty of qualified CPAs in and around Denton County who can help answer specific tax questions as they relate to your situation. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

SOME TIPS TO HELP WITH PROCRASTINATION INCLUDE: BLOCK OUT TIME

CREATE YOUR OWN DEADLINE

Maybe a few weekends are coming up where you can spend an hour at a time getting all your ducks in a row. Starting earlier and in smaller doses makes tax prep and easier pill to swallow.

Pick an earlier date as your own personal deadline. Mark it on your calendar and make sure it’s listed as a big deal.

PRIORITIZE Ask yourself, “what’s the one item I can accomplish today?” Once you know the answer, then do it.

HIRE A BOOKKEEPER The benefits of having a bookkeeper are numerous. Perhaps the biggest one is that they can do all the heavy lifting for you and then give you a pretty package of tax documents for your CPA.

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 13

HEBRON & THE COLONY DISTRICT 6-6A ALL-DISTRICT

DISTRICT 5-5A (DIVISION I) ALL-DISTRICT

2019TEAMS

DEFENSIVE MVP: Darius Snow FIRST TEAM: Carson Harris Jaylon Lott Nick Frazier Donovan Tubbs Myles James Jeremiah Simon Carter Norrie Kai Clincy William White Vinson Miller Mason Williamson Kayden Carter

SECOND TEAM: Trent McCown Joel Suarez Ian Langford Isaiah Broadway Jordan Haney Ben Rutherford Honorable Mention Luciano Sweet Wesley Douglas Jaddai Henry Nick Harris Brayden Beck Exodus Bryant Mykell Sutton Saxon Lewis Justin Burton

OFFENSIVE MVP:

Myles Price

ALL-PURPOSE MVP:

Christian Gonzalez

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR:

Marcus Moore

SECOND TEAM:

Kamden Wesley Pablo Hernandez Kevin Albarran Dom Puentes Kyair Warner Jose Escobedo Shafiq Taylor

FIRST TEAM:

Mikey Harrington Keith Miller III Stephen McCollom 14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

BE A HERO Help Spread The Word About Hallie’s Heroes

by Steve Gamel

S

tretched across the Hallie’s Heroes website homepage are the words, Be A Hero. But it’s far from a catchy slogan or hollow marketing ploy — it’s a state of mind, and it’s the way Hallie Beatrice Barnard continues to live her life.

“Plenty of people have heard Hallie’s

is that a patient needs an exact DNA

others first and doing what she can for

member is not a match, patients rely on

Hallie, a cute-as-a-button 11-year-old from Denton County better known as Hallie Bea, was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia when she was 13 months old. After nine years of waiting, Hallie beat the disease thanks to a life-saving bone marrow transplant but is now battling cancer and had one of her legs amputated. Rather than feel sorry for herself, Hallie founded a non-profit six years ago called Hallie’s Heroes to raise money and inspire as many people as possible to help other

the other kids who are in the

children who continue to fight the same battle.

In Hallie’s mind, no child should have to wait for a life-saving treatment because of lack of money or donors.

story, but she’s always thinking of

them,” said Alisha Barnard, Hallie’s aunt and the organization’s VP of Social Media. “She thinks of

hospital with her and making them smile. She’s built some pretty strong relationships,

especially in Denton County.”

That’s certainly an

Hallie got her transplant, but she had to wait nine years.

Hallie has since joined forces with fraternities, policemen, firemen, and many other groups to help advocate

the cause of finding more

life-saving donors. Hallie’s

understatement. Hallie’s resume already

Heroes continues to set up countless bone

Denton County Sheriff’s Office as well

So how can you BE A HERO?

includes being named a deputy with the as Cook Children’s Ambassador of Joy

and Promoter of Hope. And that’s just for starters.

She is currently the youngest spokesman for DKMS, a non-profit bone marrow

marrow drives to find matches.

• Join the Bone Marrow Registry — You

can simply take a swab of your cheeks and mail it to DKMS.

• Donate Money — Every dollar helps a

donor center.

family cover the mountainous medical

According to Hallie’s family on

treatment. Your donations also help

Facebook, she is alive today because of her indomitable spirit. She’s received

medicines over the years while being in

and out of the hospital to undergo several surgeries. Each time, she had a smile on her face and was as optimistic as ever.

The key, however, is making sure other children don’t have to face the same

process. DBA is a rare disease where

the person who has it cannot produce

enough red blood cells, which are pivotal

expenses that can occur during

support pivotal research for DBA and childhood cancer.

• Spread the word — The more the

message is spread, the more children are helped.

“Once people hear Hallie’s story, they

want to do more,” Alisha said. “She has strong relationships everywhere, and I

can’t tell you how much we appreciate everyone who has stepped up and helped Hallie.”

for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

To learn more about DBA and Hallie’s

DBA affects about seven in every 1 million

situation, visit www.teamhalliebea.

According to St. Louis Children’s Hospital,

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

total strangers to step in.

“Once people hear Hallie’s story, they want to do more,”

countless blood transfusions and

photo courtesy of Hallie’s Heroes Facebook

match for the transplant to work. If a family

babies, and the only cure is a bone

marrow transplant. The problem, however,

efforts to support other children in her org. Hallie’s Heroes can also be found on Facebook @teamhalliebea.

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 15

Organizing Your Life ONE CLOSET AT A TIME

by Steve Gamel | photography by Nick Allen Photography

J

ay Hemby has always been one of those guys who can walk into any organization and instantly come up with a better way of doing things. To him, there’s always an opportunity to improve your business and personal life, whether it’s through streamlining processes, being aware of inefficiencies and fixing them, or simply being more organized.

So why is it that for the longest time

Organization 101. Jay and Lisa, who live

his office?

of Closets By Design, a unique company

he’d cringe anytime anyone would see “People would always tease me because my office was so disorganized,” Jay said with a sheepish laugh.

“Over time, stuff would just pile up, and they’d be like, ‘Wait! You’re supposed to

be the organized one who talks about continuous

improvement and lean this

in Flower Mound, are the proud owners

that prides itself on having

“HONESTLY, IT WAS A MESS. AND I NEVER WANTED ANYONE TO SEE IT.”

and lean that. But look at your office!’”

He added, “Honestly, it was a mess.

And I never wanted anyone to see it.”

Jay and his wife, Lisa, won’t have to

worry about catching grief ever again, as they are now the living embodiment of 16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

innovative solutions to all your home storage and

organization needs. Closets

By Design specializes in

designing and remodeling attractive storage spaces

for any area of your home, including everything from that packed closet in the

master bedroom to home

offices, kitchen pantries, and garages.

They have 60 employees, including a

full-service design team that will measure your space and offer a myriad of custom

options as if their showroom was right in

your home. They also have 10 installation

vans that allow them to service all of DFW

better and faster than anyone in the industry.

Their vast collection of floor-based organizing options such as shelves, drawers, cabinets, dividers, lighting, desks, custom finishings, and more look like they were an original part of your home once installed.

“When we go meet with someone, they already have a need. And, obviously, closets are the lion’s share of what we do,” Jay said. “What most people have is a builder-grade closet with a single rod and a shelf above it. It’s useable, but over time, everything starts piling up because you don’t have shelves or drawers. Before you know it, your closet is a disaster. We will come in and redesign that space to optimize storage capacity and help people get organized.”

But don’t just take Jay’s word for it. Lisa says that ever since they purchased the 19-year-old company in April from another husband-wife team, they’ve been addicted to getting their home totally organized — including Jay’s office! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

“We have these products in the

office, in our two kids’ rooms, and

our entertainment room,” Lisa said.

“We’re also planning on doing our

garage. You put it in your home, and

it’s amazing how much more organized it makes you.Honestly, these products really do change your life.”

Jay agreed.

“We didn’t know how it all worked until

we tried it for ourselves, and we love it,”

he said. “We’ve had people call us up and

tell us, ‘I had it in my last home, and I don’t want to live without it in my new home.’

It makes everything simpler.”

Putting Jay’s previous office mess aside, having them take over a budding

company like Closets By Design with the goal of taking it to new heights couldn’t www.naphoto307.com

have been a better fit. Jay’s background is in engineering consulting, while Lisa’s

is in interior decorating and design from 10 years of flipping houses with Jay on

“ WE WILL COME IN AND

the side. So while they didn’t know the

first thing about how Closets By Design products worked, their background

helped them get up to speed quickly.

And they appreciated all the benefits the

REDESIGN

products provide.

THAT SPACE

They wanted one that provided real

They didn’t want just any business. value to its customers.

TO OPTIMIZE

“We had looked at all types of businesses

STORAGE

said. “We found this one, and we felt like

CAPACITY AND HELP

972.361.0010 www.closetsbydesign.com 4125 Billy Mitchell Dr., Ste. 100A Addison, TX 75001

— fast-food chains, car washes, etc.,” Jay it was a great fit. Another husband-wife

team was running it, and we all had similar backgrounds. But after 19 years, they

were ready to retire and be grandparents.

We have literally stepped right into their shoes.”

PEOPLE GET

Lisa agreed.

ORGANIZED.”

moving parts, but it’s really worked out

“It was a perfect fit. There are a lot of well,” she said.

Especially for Jay’s office! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 17

Getaway for VALENTINE’S Let’s

Day

by Brooke Ezzo

V

alentine’s Day falls on a Friday this

year, creating just

enough time to take your

honey on a long-weekend getaway. It isn’t too late to

plan the romantic trip, either.

Whether you’re looking for

secluded and private to city

strolls and adventures, there are a few different ways to celebrate each other this Valentine’s Day. There is

something for everyone

on this flower-smelling and chocolate-eating holiday, and we have found a few

places you may enjoy for a

few close-to-home escapes this February.

GRANBURY, TEXAS

1.5 HOURS AWAY

photo courtesy of The Grandbury Square facebook

This charming old town offers plenty of romantic options for a long getaway.

Stay in the Garden Cottage with a private patio and fireplace at the Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast, which is minutes from the historical Granbury Square. You can also spend your days on the square with a variety of restaurants and bars, a unique art scene, live shows, museums, and shopping. The New Granbury Live at the opera house presents a Blue Brothers Tribute and a Valentines dinner on the 14th. Don’t forget the lake, as there are a few services that offer moonlight dinner cruises out on the water. A great way to end an enchanting weekend away together. With a list of B&Bs, restaurants, and tickets to the opera house, visit www.visitgranbury.com.

BROKEN BOW, OKLAHOMA

3 HOURS AWAY

photo courtesy of www.TravelOK.com

18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | JANUARY 2020

If you are looking for a nature adventure, Broken Bow has it all. Take a quiet drive to a log cabin you booked on Airbnb, where you are surrounded by the soaring pine trees and secluded in your own romantic world. If you want to leave the cabin, there is still plenty to do. Spend a day at Beavers Bend Resort Park where you can hike a variety of trails, go fishing, and even zip-line through massive trees and over the water. Make your way to a wine or brewery tour, stroll through the wildlife museum, go horseback riding, or meet some furry new friends at the petting zoo. Last but not least, try your luck at the Choctaw Casino. For more ideas for your scenic getaway, visit www.travelok.com.

www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

4.5 HOURS AWAY

photo by Trish Rawls, www.visitfredericksburgtx.com

FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

Everyone talks about Fredericksburg, but have you ever experienced the Hill Country? Known for its wineries and peaches, you’ll also be drenched in its German history, natural beauty, and rustic charm. With hundreds of bed and breakfast options, you’ll be sure to find one that fits your tastes. Take a chauffeured tour on the 30-mile stretch of road that is home to over 40 wineries and tasting rooms. Beautiful Main Street offers unique shopping and German-inspired foods. Take a historical walking tour, stroll

through the Herb Farm, and explore Enchanted Rock. And, of course, only 14 miles away in Luckenbach, end your weekend in this two-building town listening to country music and dancing the night away. To see what else the Hill Country has to offer, visit www.visitfredericksburgtx.com.

You don’t have to travel far to wine and dine your love this Valentine’s Day! www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

JANUARY 2020 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 19

The Big Game

MUST HAVE

Snacks

Diabla Avocado Dip 3/4 c. Plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 c. Finely Chopped Red Onion 3 tbsp. Chopped Fresh Cilantro 1 tbsp. Finely Chopped Seeded Jalapeño Pepper

Spicy Sausage and Cheese Dip

2 tbsp. Fresh Lime Juice

2lbs of Processed Cheese

1 tbsp. Ground Cumin

1lb Spicy Pork Sausage (For a mild option you can do a regular pork sausage)

1/2 tsp. Salt 3 Ripe Peeled Avocados, Pitted and Coarsely Chopped 1 Garlic Clove, Minced Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, and process until smooth. Serve with Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips or Simple 7 Quinoa Chips.

24oz Hot Salsa 1/2 cup Hot Pepper Sauce 3 Large Jalapeños Chopped (For a mild option don’t include) Melt processed cheese in a lined crock-pot . While the processed cheese melts, cook the sausage in a large skillet. After the processed cheese has melted and the sausage is cooked, mix all of the ingredients together in the crock-pot and let cook for 2 hours.

Submit your recipe to artwork@murray-media.com. If there’s a story behind it, make sure you let us know. We LOVE stories.

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Brooke’s

BOOK CORNER

G

by Brooke Ezzo

rowing up, I spent days and nights in the back of my closet cuddled up with a big blanket, a small lamp, and a book. I loved reading each story and being taken away to a far off place with characters I felt I knew. I’ve left the comfort of my closet behind, and now you can find me at a bookstore, a coffee shop, or my living room enjoying a bestseller or unknown author.

This past year was packed with top reading lists and must-reads, so I have brought you a few of my favorites.

Get cozy, and get to reading.

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING by Delia Owens This book was a major talking point this past year in most online forums and book clubs, and I understand why.

The author’s writing style delivers small punches of information at a time, leaving your mind to find and discover the imagery and mystery on its own. The story is delicately and poetically written, with descriptions so beautiful you can almost smell the sea and hear the sounds of the marsh. Following the life of Kya Clark, also known as the Marsh Girl, the novel spans several decades in a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. Where the Crawdads Sing is a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, a tale of murder, and an ode to the natural world. Kya, abandoned by her parents, siblings, and what feels like the whole world at a young age, is forced to survive alone in the marsh. It’s a place that becomes her life and livelihood — and ultimately, her mother. The reader is taken on a journey of examining the importance of human connection and the secrets that nature keeps. You’re taken back to a time where prejudice is real, where social status matters, but love and kindness prevail. photo courtesy of Target.com, Penguin Group USA, Delia Owens.

BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate Although this book was published in 2017, I didn’t jump on the bandwagon until this past year. I had heard it was a great read but never made it a priority. Well, all good things come to those who wait, and as I finished the last page, I was sure this historical-fiction novel was a literary gift. Wingate tells the tale of a real-life American scandal involving Georgia Tann and the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage involved in kidnapping and selling poor children to wealthy families all over the country. The novel alternates between the fictional lives of the Foss siblings who grow up living on a shanty boat with their parents in 1939 and present-day Avery Stafford who stumbles upon a dark family secret and her mission to expose the truth. The story takes your heart on an emotional roller coaster, pulling at every string. photo courtesy of BarnesandNobles.com, Random House Publishing Group, Lisa Wingate.

GIRL, STOP APOLOGIZING by Rachel Hollis Every girlfriend I have has posted something related to Rachel Hollis and her girl-power books. I don’t necessarily always go with the tide, but here I am, telling you to read all things Rachel Hollis. Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals was a Goodreads Choice 2019 Winner. The book is about making goals and following them without apologies. Hollis writes that women should be proud of their accomplishments, should have some goals to look forward to, and be encouraged to stick to them. She offers great tips and ideas, and killer pep-talks to start the New Year off with a little more confidence and positivity. photo courtesy of Amazon.com, Harper Collins Leadership, Rachel Hollis.

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COMMUNITY

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS

CORNER I

n 2020, we also want to continue to make our county services more accessible to everyone – whether it is our veteran services for the more than 40,000 who live in Denton County or ensuring that residents can easily register their motor vehicles.

by Denton County Commissioner Precinct 3 Bobbie Mitchell photo courtesy by Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell

ELLEN M. PAINTER TO RECEIVE HUMANITARIAN AWARD

I

n January, a longtime volunteer and philanthropist will be recognized as the seventh recipient of the Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award.

Ellen M. Painter will receive the special award during United Tribute gala, an annual event benefitting United Way of Denton County.

Ellen, who has worked with Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton for years, has served on numerous boards from the Denton Chamber of Commerce to the

Texas Woman’s University Founder’s Day luncheon committee not to mention her 25 years with our local United Way. Ellen has long been known for her commitment to excellence, her passion for helping the community and for being a fun person to have around.

The Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award was established by the board of directors and lifetime members of United Way of Denton County in 2014 to recognize the highest level of community leadership and philanthropy. Past recipients include Dr. Bettye Myers, Janet and Joe Mulroy, Stan Morton, Debbie and Mark Merki and Bill Patterson.

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.

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We will also continue to improve on our Denton County roadways and, this year, I’m looking forward to completing road projects for Hickory Creek and Lake Dallas. In particular, we’ll be working on Shady Shores Road.

In support of the Denton County sheriff’s initiatives, we will continue to provide resources to the sheriff’s department in the opioid and human trafficking prevention efforts as well as other crimes.

And, finally, we hope to provide a better education to the State Legislature and the public on the value of county government. We also will work with our legislative delegation to ensure that local governments continue to have the tools necessary to work in partnership with the state in building and maintaining our infrastructure.

These are just a few of the initiatives I will be working on as the calendar year rolls into a new decade – a decade where Denton County will continue to be the best place to work, live and raise a family.

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Old Town Market: Foodie Friday DFW

Old Town Market’s

NEW LOCATION W

hen we featured Old Town Market 2 years ago at their Old Town Lewisville location off of Mill St, they were our most-watched episode of 2018. If you’re a customer of theirs, you know why that’s the case!

Owner Shawn Knowles and his wife,

which we love, ready-to-eat sides like okra,

community and have worked hard to

upon jars of pickled items.

Sharon, are beloved members of the

continue on the “customer-first” tradition and philosophy of the original meat photos courtesy of Foodie Friday DFW

market which was opened by Shawn’s father, Bob, and Dickie Grant.

an assortment of spices and rubs, and jars Of course, the showpiece of the store

is the meat counter which is constantly being restocked with only the highest-

quality meats Shawn can find. Whether

Hanging in the new location of the Old

you need steaks, hamburger patties, roast,

original carving knives, there to serve as a

can help you out. And if you don’t see the

Town Market in Double Oak are Bob’s

fajita chicken, or ribs, Shawn and his team

reminder of the past 43 years of service to

cut of meat that you need, let them know

the community.

and they’ll cut it however you need!

The new location is absolutely beautiful

You can find specials running throughout

and is jam-packed with all kinds of

incredible products like the Amish butter

the year for holidays, etc. But their most popular deal is most definitely their

all the meats. It truly is an art form and is fascinating to watch. Now at the new location, you can watch them at work through the big, open windows behind the meat counter.

We selfishly love that their new location is closer to us and are grateful for the years of dedicated service they’ve provided to our local community!

Anniversary specials in May which include the Bacon-Wrapped Filets. We always get some for ourselves and apparently lots of you do too, because Shawn told us they sold around 42,000 filets this past May!

One of our favorite parts about filming at the Old Town Market is getting to go in

the back and watch them cut and carve

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

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When Should You

DEFINITELY

TAKE DOWN Those Holiday Lights?

by Steve Gamel

W

hen it comes to the debate over when everyone should have their Christmas lights down and packed away for next year, we’re sure we are preaching to the choir. After all, the majority of folks — even the ones with the most holiday cheer — start taking lights off the house and letting the air out of the inflatable Santa during the first week in January.

So why is it that other people can’t take a hint? You know the ones… the neighbors who leave their lights up until mid-February or even March — as if there’s some sort of mythical award that goes to the one house still celebrating.

We’re willing to bet that if you were to stuff the family in the minivan and drive through four or five neighborhoods right now, you’d find at least a handful of houses with holiday lights still hanging from the eaves with pride.

The intent of this article isn’t to be mean-spirited, but as we approach Valentine’s Day and even Spring Break, this is your friendly reminder that it is perfectly acceptable to start taking those lights down. Here are a few practical reasons why:

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HOLIDAY LIGHTS AREN’T MEANT TO BE UP YEAR-ROUND While the idea of having Christmas lights still burning bright could help us all beat the gloominess of winter, they simply aren’t meant to be up year-round. Cords will dry out and crack even if they’re not plugged in, and bulbs and various strands of lights will burn out. Heck, you could run the risk of a fire hazard.

WHO WANTS A HIGH ELECTRICITY BILL YEAR-ROUND? All that extra lighting costs money, no matter how pedestrian or over-the-top you are with decorating. Most people would prefer to keep that extra expense tied directly to the holiday season, not year-round. www.CastleHillsMagazine.com

IT’S UNSIGHTLY — AND A TAD ODD Think of it this way: no one wants to be that one house that has its trash bin out by the curb all week. So why would you do the same with your lights?

Even if you don’t intend on plugging them in, the mere sight of seeing them still attached to the house or in your trees and shrubs is just weird.

YOU COULD GET FINED You could face a steep fine depending on how your Homeowners Association feels about Christmas lights. Some neighborhoods might have rules as to when decorations go up and when they are expected to be taken down. This includes those strands that aren’t even plugged in.

LIGHTS DON’T MATCH YOUR OTHER SEASONAL DECORATIONS As the seasons change, your interior and exterior decorations will also change, including plants, landscaping, different colors if you choose to paint, etc. Let’s be honest: nothing clashes more than an inflatable set of reindeer set up next to your soonto-be budding rose bushes.

“I usually try to joke around with my neighbor about his lights. I tell him, ‘Is your Rudolph going to be friends with cupid or the Easter bunny this year?’”

What do you think about Christmas lights staying up all year? Let us know!

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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

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 $38,752.00 per year.

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

DENTON COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS

D

enton County Crime Stoppers, Inc. celebrated 30 years of service to Denton

County, its citizens, and state and local law enforcement. In 30 years, Denton

County Crime Stoppers has certainly made an impact locally. A total of 10,731 tips

from the public have netted 4,096 arrests, 267 confiscated firearms, $4,754,776 in seized drugs, and $2,848,630 in recovered property. An estimated $1,534,760 in rewards have been paid to those who have taken the time to let law enforcement know of crimes that

have been committed. A partnership with the Denton County Sheriff’s Office, the public, and the media has created a winning combination.

Over the past three years, Denton County Crime Stoppers has been recognized by the Office of the Governor and the Texas Crime

Stoppers Advisory Council for the following achievements:

Productivity Award 2016 Most Cases Cleared for

Population of 500,001-1,000,000 Productivity Award 2016

Greatest Dollar Recovery for

Population of 500,001-1,000,000

Productivity Award 2017 Most Cases Cleared for Population of 500,001-1,000,000 Productivity Award 2017 Greatest Dollar Recovery for Population of 500,001-1,000,000 Productivity Award 2018 Most Cases Cleared for Population of 500,001-1,000,000 Productivity Award 2018 Greatest Dollar Recovery for Population of 500,001-1,000,000

The Safe School Program of Denton County Crime Stoppers is a program to expand Crime Stoppers operations, encouraging students to remain totally anonymous when reporting school crime. The program has no impact on taxpayers and relies on the collaboration of law enforcement, media, teachers, and students to provide a flow of information about crime and criminal activity.

Let’s continue to help them help law enforcement. Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 cash on tips leading to the arrest of an individual — and you remain anonymous!

You can call 1-800-388-TIPS (8477) with information or visit www.dentoncountycrimestoppers. com for more details.

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

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