Life in Castle Hills Magazine November 2021

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 - SHALL WE SHOP ISSUE

N O T

Y O U R

EVERYDAY LIQUOR STORE

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

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Things 5 TO HAVE

STOCKINGS Nothing screams Christmas more than stockings hung by the chimney with care.

Where else will Santa put your holiday stuffers? Not only do they serve a very important purpose come Christmas morning, they also make for great décor.

You can choose a more traditional pattern, or you can go with something that represents each person. Don’t forget when Santa comes to town, if you don’t believe, you don’t receive.

GARLAND Garland is a fun way to decorate this holiday season. You can use it to decorate any room in the house. You can wrap it around the banisters on your stairs, hang it from your mantel, or even display it on your bed frame. It’s a beautiful and easy way to make your house feel festive.

RED VELVET RIBBON BOWS If you’re finding yourself on a decoration budget, then red velvet ribbon bows are perfect. Just take the red velvet ribbon, tie it into bows, and wrap them around all of your household items. This is an easy and affordable way to decorate this holiday season.

CANDLES There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than surrounding yourself with festive Christmas aromas. You can choose anything from gingerbread, sugar cookie, or even a Christmas tree. With the smells of the season filling your home, you’ll be ready to wrap and celebrate all Christmas long.

WRAPPING PAPER Did you know that you could use wrapping paper for more than just wrapping gifts this holiday season? An amazing way to decorate your space is by taking hanging pictures and wrapping them with festive paper so that they look like Christmas presents hanging on your walls. It’s a cute, fun and easy way to decorate with items that you already have.

TABLE OF

Contents BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

11 A Peek In The Attic: There’s More Than Antiques To Be Found ARTICLES 04 Keeping Motivated To Run Outside During The Winter 07 LISD Career and Technical Education 08 10 Hot Christmas Destinations in Texas 12 Inside Community and Education 14 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree 20 In It To Win It 26 Ringing In The Challenge Bells

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Y O U R

EVERYDAY LIQUOR STORE

Cover Image Owners of

Worth The Pour, Brenda & Michael Reyes

@CastleHillsMagazine www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

NOVEMBER 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5

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

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Shop Local T H I S

HOLIDAY SEASON

S

omeone asked me recently to pick my favorite local small business. It was an honest question, but I couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of choosing just one.

It’d be like asking a parent to choose their favorite child.

I can’t! I love all of them!

I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir on this one, but I mention this because it’s the holiday season. The calendar has officially flipped to Thanksgiving, and before you know it, Christmas will be here. So, please do the right thing and shop local. I know it’s our job here at Murray Media to highlight small businesses in the pages of our neighborhood magazines and during Best of Denton County time. Still, I’ve always looked to my fellow smallbusiness owners for any of my needs. It could be something as simple as picking up donuts for the family on a lazy Saturday morning, grabbing a cup of coffee on the way into work, or gifting myself a long-overdue trip to the local day spa.

And yes, it also includes buying Christmas gifts.

The personal attention I receive is out of this world. These are my friends, neighbors, and even family. They work hard, and in almost every case, you can find what you’re looking for without having to go to a big-box store.

As luck would have it, our local business scene is overflowing with the best of the best, and they’re all committed to a servant attitude. We should be supporting them during the holiday season. I know I will. Will you?

Administration

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Editor & Writer Steve Gamel

Writers

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

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Michele Cunningham-Scott Cayla Thompson Arynn Tomson Caleb Tynes

Photography

Miranda Longoria Photography Your Candid Memories Photography What’s That Guy’s Name? Guy T Photography

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 Inquiries Call 972.899.3637 or email editor@murray-media.com www.Murray-Media.com Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 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. © 2021 Murray Media Group

Thanks for reading our latest issue!

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | NOVEMBER 2021

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HOT IN TEXAS CHRISTMAS DESTINATIONS

1. Grapevine Grapevine residents love Christmas, and they definitely know how to celebrate.

Festivities begin from mid-November and go through the beginning of January. With over 1,400 events spanning over their 40 day celebration, there’s events and fun to be had for the whole family.

2. Fredericksburg If you want to experience the Christmas traditions of Germany, look no further than the Texas Hill Country of Fredericksburg. They honor their German heritage by including unique festivities such as lighting the German Christmas Pyramid and Christmas tree at the Veriens Kirche at Marktplatz.

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3. Galveston Galveston Island brings Christmas to life every year during the holiday season. They

offer multiple fun and festive attractions such as the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens

and the annual 5K and marathon, the Downtown Lanterns and Lights at the Santa Hustle.

You can also enjoy the “Dickens on the Strand” festival.

4. New Braunfels You can experience a world of holiday cheer this holiday season in New Braunfels. You

can enjoy their Christmas Market Days and Cowboy Kringle in Historic Gruene. And you can’t forget the twinkling light displays at Santa’s Ranch. You can bring the whole family to enjoy their Hometown Holiday Christmas Parade.

5. Grand Prairie Grand Prairie is the place to be for family-fun holiday celebrations. You can enjoy the

Grand Prairie Holiday Tree Lighting, a Christmas Candlelight memorial service, and the

Traders Village Holiday Market. However, they are most famous for their incredible light

display, where you can drive for two miles surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights.

8. Austin Our state capital is a memorable place to celebrate Christmas. The annual Trail of Lights runs through Zilker Park. The Holiday Sing Along and the Downtown Stroll leads the way down Congress Avenue. Austin is also the prime spot for all of your holiday shopping with their Armadillo Christmas Bazar.

9. San Antonio

6. Jefferson

The city that is home to our beloved Alamo knows how to get you in the holiday spirit. San Antonio offers several parades including Light the Way, and the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Festival. They also observe many holiday traditions, including the Holiday Festival.

Christmas on the Bayou is what the Jefferson locals refer to as their holiday festivities.

10. College Station

They offer a range of traditions, including the annual Rail of Lights Christmas train and the downtown wassail walk. People of all ages can enjoy the holiday parade and the candlelight tour of homes.

7. Marshall The city of Marshall’s Wonderland of Lights Extravaganza is the highlight of their

Christmas Celebrations. They’ve celebrated this event for the past 28 years, and it

continues on until New Year’s Eve. This festive event features thousands of white lights that turn downtown into a winter wonderland. www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

College Station is a hot spot for Christmas festivities. They offer events the whole month of December, such as Christmas in the Park, the annual Holiday Concert, and the Downtown Lighted Christmas Parade. Don’t forget to check out Santa’s Wonderland, where you can experience actual snow, as well as classic Christmas movies on a large outdoor screen.

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There’s More than Antiques to be Found at

A PEEK IN THE

Business Spotlight

ATTIC

by Mark Miller | photos courtesy of Steve Pool

I

ts name may convey something old, but at A Peek in the Attic in downtown Carrollton, there’s plenty of new, too. A Peek in the Attic is owned by mother and son duo, Yvette and Mike Tooke, and their long-time friend and fellow Lantana resident, Steve Pool.

It’s not your typical retail antique shop. It’s a personalized place where you can find a versatile line of products to fit every budget and taste.

“One of our customers said, ‘You come in here, and you are transported to a different time and place,’ ” Mike said.

“That’s what we want, a very personable experience. We want everyone to feel like part of the family – like it’s a little vacation.

The 1940s music is playing. It’s kind of a departure from everything else.”

and drinks like canned goods, olive oils,

The trio opened the store in May 2019 after retiring from their previous jobs.

Yvette previously worked at a local Kroger corporate office. Steve was previously a frozen food and produce executive, and Mike was in pharmaceutical sales. All had been interested in antiques for many years, including having booths at the Finishing Touch Antique Mall next door.

said. “We try to maintain an inventory of

“I’d rather be doing this than sitting at home,” Pool said.

Top items include interchangeable doormats, candles, greeting cards, collectible glassware, jewelry, and furniture. There are also various foods

honey, bubble taffy, and peanut brittle

that's thin enough not to break teeth. On weekend mornings, there’s a front-porch farmer’s market. For the holidays, there

are ornaments and other seasonal items.

“We want to provide a little bit of

happiness at moderate prices,” Mike locally-made products.”

Yvette added.

“We also create personalized gift

baskets for the holidays,” she said.

Plus, the front of the store sports an oldtime front porch. This is where they host a bluegrass sing-along on the

third Saturday of every month (weather permitting).

“We have a lot of fun together,” Mike said.

“Customers have said we are short on space but long on product line and hospitality.”

972.245.1045 | 1002 4th Ave. • Old Downtown Carrollton, TX 75006 Hours: Wed - Fri 10am - 4pm | Sat 10am - 6pm | Sun 12pm - 4pm www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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INSIDE COMMUNITY

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ELENA LUSK RECEIVES OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY AWARD Denton County would like to extend huge congratulations to our very own Elena Lusk.

Elena is the Director of Housing Initiatives and she was selected by the Texas Homeless Network to be the recipient of the Outstanding Community Service Award at their 2021 THN Awards that happened recently. Photo Courtesy of United Way Denton County Facebook.

OLD TOWN LEWISVILLE’S HOLIDAY STROLL Enjoy Lewisville’s Annual Old Town Holiday Stroll. It’s a family-friendly event in partnership with the Main & Mill Association. You can enjoy Selfies with Santa, the Motorcycle Toy Run, the Huffines Christmas Parade, an Elf Scavenger Hunt, as well as the Lewisville Lights! Tree Lighting ceremony. The event is being held on December 4th from 8 am – 9 pm.

INSIDE EDUCATION

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LHS HIRES FIRST WOMAN ASSISTANT FOOTBALL COACH Lewisville High School’s Assistant Football Coach is making history with the Fighting Farmers football team as the first woman assistant offensive line coach. She is doing an amazing job and has a very bright future ahead of her under LISD’s Friday night lights.

171 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HONORED FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS Lewisville ISD is proud to announce and celebrate the 171 students who have been honored for their academic achievement by the College Board National Recognition Program. Formerly known as the National Hispanic Recognition Program, the College Board National Recognition Program recognizes and honors students with African American, Hispanic or Latin, and Indigenous heritages for their outstanding academic achievements.

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WINE DOWN WITH THE GRINCH If you are 21 or older, you can enjoy Wine Down with the Grinch. On December 10th, from 6 pm – 8 pm at Doubletree Ranch, you can enjoy musical entertainment, adult beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and a special appearance from the Grinch himself. Tickets are $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents. Photo Courtesy of highlandvillage.org.

CHRISTMAS AT THE RANCH On Saturday, December 11th from 10 am – 2 pm you can come out to Doubletree Ranch Park for Christmas at the Ranch. There will be activities for the whole family to enjoy such as Santa’s workshop for the kids, a special visit from Santa and his reindeer, tubing snow hills, and even more. Photo Courtesy of highlandvillage.org.

WELLINGTON LEARNS ABOUT HYDROPONICS AND VERTICAL GARDENING Wellington Elementary School teacher Gina Alday’s science class students are receiving a hands-on approach to a unique way of gardening and chemistry. Because of the Lewisville ISD Education Foundation, a $2,500 grant was donated to Ms. Alday’s class to go towards hydroponics and vertical gardening. The LEF grant money purchased seven hydroponic stations for Ms. Alday’s students. Photo Courtesy of lisd.net.

HEBRON BAND INVITED TO 2022 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES’ ROSE PARADE The award-winning Hebron marching band received the opportunity to perform in the 2022 Tournament of Roses’ Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. This is an invitationonly event. The Hebron band is one of only six Dallas-area high school bands invited to perform in over 50 years. Photo Courtesy of Hebronband.org.

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D E D I C AT I O N F O R N E W D E N TO N C O U N T Y

A D M I N I S T R AT I V E

COURTHOUSE

by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads

The new Administrative Courthouse,

which covers 95,794 total square feet,

sits on 10 acres in a larger complex that includes Denton County Public Health, Facilities Administration, Election/

Technology Services, Emergency Services and Adult Probation.

Designed with a traditional government building front complete with clock and a dome with the finial topping out at

132 feet, the building also features a

forward-looking design in the back with

glass as a nod to the future. On the back or north side of the Courthouse, the

grounds feature an outdoor amphitheater with outdoor restrooms for public use in

addition to a large grassy area, an outdoor pond complete with a recycled iron

bridge featuring memorials to fire and police and areas for the public to sit under trees.

“The new Denton County Administrative Courthouse includes features from the

O

original Courthouse-on-the-Square along

n Nov. 4, Denton County Commissioners Court held a dedication and grand opening

for the new Denton County Administrative Courthouse at 1 Courthouse Drive just

off Loop 288 in Denton. The public was invited to join Denton County in the

dedication, refreshments and tours that began at 1:30 p.m.

As part of the Denton County

Administrative Complex, the new

of the Peace Precinct 1 and Precinct

with an eye to future growth,” Judge Eads

and Aide to Commissioners Court. Also

100 years with room to expand

1 Constable, Economic Development

said. “We designed this building to last

included is the 2020 room on the third

as needed.”

floor, which will be available for use by

the public through a reservation via the

Aide to Commissioners Court. The room features seating for 186 at tables and

chairs with a podium, electronic screens

for presentations, a food service area and access to a balcony.

four-story building brings a number of

The new facility not only consolidates

Denton County Courthouse-on-the-

allows Denton County to expand the

staff together in one location from the

Square and the Carroll Courts Building.

county administrative personnel, it also judicial system, which continues to grow.

The four-story building houses the

“We are repurposing the Carroll Courts

County Administration, Budget, County

it is under renovation, the 367th District

County Judge, Commissioners Court, Auditor/Accounts Payable, County Treasurer, Purchasing, Community

Relations, Human Resources, Justice

Building to house additional courts. While Court will relocate to the second floor of the Courthouse-on-the-Square,” Denton County Judge Eads said.

“We also incorporated features that would

make this an attractive place for the public to plan outdoor and indoor events in the months and years to come,” he said. “It

has been enjoyable seeing the brides and families having photos taken on the grounds.”

Funds to pay for the building, estimated at $45 million, were part of a 2008

bond election. Construction began in

November 2018, continuing at a slower-

than-expected pace during the COVID-19 pandemic with labor and material

shortages and weather delays including the significant freeze in February 2021,

with substantial completion prior to movein in September 2021.

CONNECT WITH US

If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you.

940.349.2820 | andy.eads@dentoncounty.com | www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup 14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | NOVEMBER 2021

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N O T

Y O U R

EVERYDAY LIQUOR STORE I

by Steve Gamel | photos courtesy of Miranda Longoria Photography

magine for a second that you need to make a quick trip to your neighborhood liquor store to grab a bottle of wine and some vodka for a party. As soon as the door jingles and you peek your head inside, an unmistakable feeling comes over you as you realize this isn’t your everyday spirits store.

“IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT, ‘GIVE ME YOUR MONEY AND MOVE ON.’ WE WANT TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU’RE TAKING HOME.” 16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | NOVEMBER 2021

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Sure, the place looks like what you’d

expect at first glance. And judging by the stocked shelves and cases, they’re going

to have what you came for. But this place feels different. It’s bright, friendly, and

the store owner knows your name. They greeted you the second you walked in

and offered to help find a specific brand.

And after ringing up your purchase,

they followed with, “See you next time!”

Everything about the experience was perfect.

We don’t know about you, but that

sounds fantastic. And all you have to do to experience it is visit Worth the Pour.

Worth The Pour is the newest addition to The Realm at Castle Hills in Lewisville. And judging by the overwhelming response from nearby residents, owners Michael and Brenda Reyes have succeeded in creating a neighborhood liquor store that bucks the impersonal style of many other liquor stores you may have been relying upon over the years.

If you’ve been there already, then you know exactly what they’re talking about. If you haven’t — what are you waiting for?

“We are quickly becoming everyone’s neighborhood store, and that was our vision from the very beginning,” Michael

said. “We never wanted to be the typical liquor store. We want to create an

experience from the second you walk in.”

Brenda agreed.

“It’s not just about, ‘Give me your money and move on.’ We want to know that

you’re happy with what you’re taking home,” she said. “There has to be a personal connection.”

And every bottle has to be worth the pour.

Michael was previously a partner with

another successful liquor store in Dallas called Kindred Spirits. But after selling

the store in 2020, he and Brenda wanted

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to take what they had learned — the successes, failures, and everything in between — and open a new store that was different from the rest.

They’ve achieved that with Worth the Pour, which also offers stemware, glassware, bar sets, personalized items, gift baskets, and a humidor with a full selection of cigars.

The entire facility is 3,000 square feet, including a 500 square foot walk-in beer cave that is always kept at 34 degrees for the coldest beer in town.

They also spent a considerable amount of time creating a friendly vibe that simply doesn’t exist in other liquor stores.

Not sure what to get for your next gathering? Let Brenda or Michael help you decide.

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just ask, and they’ll get it for you.

“It’s not your typical head-down-behind-theregister thing like other stores, and I credit Brenda for that,” Michael says. “From the

design to the aesthetics, everything is warm and friendly. Brenda is always here running everything and taking care of people.

Brenda makes sure everyone is greeted and taken care of, and it’s reached the point now where we have our regulars. We know who they are, and they know us.”

Because of that, they know what their customers like and have those items

available. Sure, they sell the typical stuff like Tito’s, Bacardi, Jack Daniels, and more, but they also have local crafts and specialized brands.

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“WE KNEW THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WAS EXACTLY WHERE WE WANTED TO BE.”

“We’ve left plenty of room for customer requests. After all, when you’re the neighborhood liquor store, you want to carry what people drink,” Michael said.

“They’ll say, ‘Do you have this?’ And I’ll say, ‘No, but let me get it for you.’ They are completely wowed when we call them to let them know that their order is here.”

Brenda said they even try every new item to ensure the quality fits what their customers want.

Simply put, you’d be hard-pressed to find another liquor store that matches Worth the Pour’s dizzying selection, variety, location, and neighborly atmosphere.

“We knew this neighborhood was exactly where we wanted to be,” Michael said. “Being in this community means everything to us.” www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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IN IT TO WIN IT

by Mark Miller | photos courtesy of Karen Molnar

S

he’s only 16 and has dealt with cerebral palsy since birth. Yet Olivia Molnar hasn’t let that challenge stop her from succeeding in sports.

The Colony High School junior proved that this year when she was selected to the U.S. Paralympic Triathlon Junior/U23 Development Program. She learned about it in an email while sitting at an area restaurant and immediately started screaming.

Originally from Valparaiso, Indiana, the Molnars lived in India for nearly five years before moving to Castle Hills in early 2018 when Olivia’s father, Jacob, was transferred here for work.

“The whole family has been swimmers [including sister Paz, a 7th-grader at Killian Middle School],

“USAT LOOKS FOR SWIMMERS BECAUSE IT’S EASIER TO TRAIN A SWIMMER TO BIKE AND RUN THAN IT IS TEACHING A RUNNER TO SWIM.” and she has always competed against able-bodied people,” said their mother, Karen. “From birth to eighth grade, she never participated in para sports.

We weren’t plugged in, being that we were overseas.”

Olivia was introduced to paralympic sports soon after moving to Texas by Darlene Hunter, a 2016 paralympic gold and 2020 bronze medal-winning basketball player who is also a professor at the

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University of Texas-Arlington. Olivia started in basketball but at Hunter’s

nudging switched to swimming when she

started high school. She eventually took to the track, as well.

“She quickly learned she’s not good at team sports,” Karen said.

Olivia disagreed.

“It’s not that. It’s that I’m not good at handeye coordination,” Olivia said.

Karen admits that Olivia is not the fastest,

but she is definitely one of the few athletes

who compete in both track and swimming.

Olivia competed in her first junior triathlon when she was 8.

“USAT looks for swimmers because it’s

easier to train a swimmer to bike and run

than it is teaching a runner to swim. Most

specialize in sprints, but I prefer distance,” Olivia said. “Everybody who knows me

knows I hate the track. I’d much prefer to be out on the road. It suits me to a T.” www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

NOVEMBER 2021 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 21

Paralympics consists of a three-level

She then competed in an event in

national. USA Triathlon annually partners

adult division but was hampered by a

pipeline – developmental, resident, and

with the Challenged Athletes Foundation to select the developmental team.

The 2021 squad consisted of five girls

after including two girls and three boys in 2020. For Olivia, the paralympic triathlon

features a combination of swimming, hand cycling, and wheelchair racing.

Olivia needed to submit a race resume

application based on times from previous events to qualify for the developmental

team. Her acceptance earned her a weeklong trip to the U.S. Olympic Training

Center in Chula Vista, California, which wrapped up July 2. Nine days later,

she competed in Tri Waco and won her

division. On Aug. 1 at the Junior Nationals in Winchester, Ohio, she finished fourth

McKinney on Aug. 30 to qualify in the cold. Regardless, the three previous

events made her eligible for the 2022

developmental team. But she still needs to apply again. USAT told the Molnars she is too young for the 2024 Olympics in Paris but would be of age for 2028 in Los Angeles.

When not swimming for The Colony,

Olivia swims for Metroplex Aquatics Swim

Club and Texas Regional Para Sport, which conducts junior events. On weekdays,

she spends anywhere from four to five hours at The Colony’s Aquatics Center between high school and club practice. Then she and Jacob often work out for an hour or so at 24-Hour Fitness.

overall in female PC, sixth overall in male/

“It wasn’t until her high

wheelchair division.

she found the joy

female PC, and second in the

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school years that

in sports,” Karen said. “From the parents’ side, we are proud of her. But it’s a challenge with the schedule – homework and practice and everything else. It is truly hectic. But I would not change it.”

“IT WASN’T

UNTIL HER HIGH SCHOOL YEARS THAT SHE FOUND THE JOY IN SPORTS.”

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RINGING

Challenge Bells IN THE

by Caylie Howard | photos Courtesy of Mayor Charlotte Wilcox

S

alvation Army’s Red Kettle began in 1891 by Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee. McFee became distraught at the thought that so many citizens of San Francisco were going hungry during the holiday season. His solution? Provide a free Christmas dinner to the destitute and poverty-stricken locals. His only major bump in the road was how to find the funds to make this happen.

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McFee couldn’t sleep at night as his heart filled with worry. He thought and prayed to develop a solution on how to financially fulfill his commitment to feeding 1,000 hungry citizens of San Francisco on Christmas Day. After many tireless nights of prayer, he was taken back to his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. McFee remembered that at Stage Landing, where the boats came in, there was a large iron kettle called “Simpson’s Pot.” People who passed by would simply toss in a coin or two to help the less fortunate.

The very next day, McFee took that idea and used it for his own cause. He placed a similar kettle at the Oakland Ferry Landing at the foot of Market Street. He put a sign next to the pot that said, “Keep the Pot Boiling.” It didn’t take long after that for him to receive the funds he needed to feed the hungry people on Christmas Day. Six years after that, the kettle initiative spread from the west coast all the way to the Boston area. That same year, the www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

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combined effort nationwide resulted in 150,000 Christmas dinners.

The Salvation Army now assists more than four and a half million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Captain McFee’s kettle idea launched a tradition that has spread worldwide. Kettles are now used in places such as Korea, Japan, Chile, and more. But in our home area of Denton County, our elected mayors take that tradition one step further with the annual Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge.

The Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge involves the mayors of Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village, and is a friendly competition to see which town can raise the most money for the cause. “I could not be prouder of our Tri-City residents in Denton County for all they’ve given in the Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge over the past three years. I look forward to seeing what we do this year,” Highland Village Mayor Charlotte Wilcox said.

For the past three years, the Mayoral Red Kettle Challenge has successfully brought our local communities together for an incredible cause during the holiday season. But no matter who wins this year’s battle, there will be joy and applause coming from each mayor and citizen. Mayor Wilcox added, “Friendly competition aside, the Salvation Army is the real winner for all they do to help those in need, and I know we are all grateful to have such an incredible organization in our communities.”

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