Late Summer Edition 2023

Inside:

·Iconic Home Feature: King's X

·A Tribute to Grace Russell

·Hills Above PK Neighbors share their emotional journey on recent Honor Flight, Plus Much More!

A First Date That Never Ended

Whatasummer! Ifeellikeitwentwaytoofast,butitalwaysdoes. I'mnotreadyforitto cometoaclose,butIcan'tsayIeveram.

I'minlovewithourcoverstory! IjustmetKevinandCheneyCrooksthisspring,theyare aninfectiousduo. I'mnotsuretheyeverrest;talkaboutacouplethatliveslifetothe fullest! Imean-theyareeverywhere! I'llseethemoutinHell'sGateandgohome exhaustedfromthedayandlookatmysocialmediaandseetheyarestillatitatalocal event,oftendressedupincrazyoutfits. You'llseewhatImeanwhenyoureadtheirlove story.

Speakingoflove,checkoutouriconichomefeature: King'sX. Ididn'twanttoleavethe photoshoot. Thehomeisawesomeandthegroundsarejustincredible.

Imustadmit,Igotchokedupquiteabitputtingtogetherthismagazine. Therearethree storiesthatwilllikelymakeyoumisty-eyed,butatthesametime,gratefulandthankful. WehaveamazingneighborshereatbeautifulPossumKingdomandtheirstoriesneed to be told. A Tribute to Grace Russell, the story on two local veterans and their emotionaljourneyonrecentHonorFlightandAPKSalutetoCharlesV."Charlie"Selfare amongthosestories. Sograbatissuebeforeyouturnthepageanddiveintothe magazine,butdon'tworry,you'llbegladyoureadthem,eachwillinspireyouintheir ownways.

TheCliffsaremystompinggrounds,we'veenjoyedtheimprovementsthathavebeen madethispastyear,andmoreareontheway. WecaughtupwithKevinBurns,the generalmanageratTheCliffsforthepasttwoyearstobringyouanupdateonthe improvements,aswellaswhat'sinstore. WealsocaughtupwithTheCliff'sgolfpro, MikeHammondandhavehisstoryinsideforyou.

Localteen,Lillian"Lilly"Klapper'sartrecentlycaughtmyeye. She'squitethedoodler! Checkoutherartinside,alongwithwhatinspiredeachpiece.

Lastly,wehavelotsoflocalphotosinsidefromvariouseventsaroundthelake,aswellas oneofourreaderfavorites,SayCheese.

Thankyoutoallofouradvertisersandreadersforyoursupport.Bewell!

Kim

Vol.3|No.3

LateSummer2023

Publisher: KimNussbaum

ContributingEditor: JohnJarvis

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ContributingWriters: MichelleInce,PhD KimNussbaum SteveNussbaum

ContributingPhotographers: ErikaCarter

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NextIssue: October2023

A First Date That Never Ended

The COVID-19 pandemic, friends and Facebook combined to make a Possum Kingdom love story a reality for Kevin and Cheney Crooks

Cheney Crooks described their official first date on April 12, 2020, this way: “We met at PK for our first date, and I never left ”

Kevin Crooks, a rancher in West Texas, first came to PK in 2005. He had heard about how beautiful Possum Kingdom Lake was, so he and his late wife, Ann, decided to check it out for themselves. They fell in love with the lake at first sight and went to Sandy Creek Marina to buy a boat that same weekend.

The couple bought a condo at The Escape in Sportsman’s World They still lived full time on their ranch near Tulia but visited PK with their three daughters as often as possible In 2010, Ann Crooks was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and in 2012 her desire was to move to PK full time Kevin Crooks

sold his ranch in Tulia and bought another near Crowell, as well as a home in Sportsman’s World called “The Cantina,” where he and his wife would hold a yearly “Cantina Fest” for their neighbors and friends

Ann Crooks passed away in 2017 after a seven-year battle with Alzheimer’s, after which Kevin Crooks sold the home in Sportsman’s World before buying a condo at The Harbor He continued ranching in Crowell, though, and has since bought another ranch near Throckmorton.

Cheney Crooks, meanwhile, moved to Texas in 2011 and started working for Standard Meat Co. in Fort Worth, which has been in business since 1935. She is the senior customer service representative for four plants serving numerous large distributors and restaurant chains, working from home and traveling to her home office in Fort Worth a few times a month

The Idaho native, who said she didn’t know a soul when she

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photo by Kim Nussbaum

At home with PK locals, Kevin and Cheney Crooks The couple recently expanded their 1,800-square-foot home into a 3,500 square-foot dwelling with the help of local home builder Mark Anderson, taking it from a modest lake cabin to one customized for entertaining.

moved to Texas, started coming out to PK in 2018 with friends from Fort Worth. The following year, she and some friends were at a lake party that Kevin Crooks helped host The two of them discovered they had several friends in common and ended up becoming friends on the social media site Facebook (now called Meta) themselves

In March 2020, one of those friends, Holly Brown, mentioned to Cheney that Kevin Crooks was single, right as the COVID19 pandemic sent the world into lockdown Parties and socializing came to a halt, so Cheney Crooks and some of her friends joined a Facebook group titled “Whatchu got in that glass?” She invited Kevin Crooks to join the group, and the two of them seemed to hit it off in their online chats.

Kevin Crooks eventually invited her to get out of the DallasFort Worth metroplex and come for a date at Possum Kingdom, since folks were flocking to the lake at that time as a way to escape the confines of the city He told her he had a three-bedroom condo at The Harbor and added that she was more than welcome to bring a change of clothes, since it would be a late-night drive back to her home in Saginaw

“I never went back, and we ’ ve been on our first date ever since,” Cheney Crooks said.

Fortunately for her, she was able to work from PK, and travel to his ranches out west. As their relationship began to take off, so did the activities at the lake, with 2020 being the year of the “never-ending summer ” at PK.

In 2021, Kevin Crooks sold his condo, and the two of them stayed on his boat on the weekends, which is when they began looking for a house With the help of local real estate agent Maggie Burgess, the couple found an 1,800-squarefoot home on the south side of the peninsula that was nestled near a quiet cove and had mature oak trees on the property.

Pictured left: Kevin Crook's surprise proposal to Cheney along the banks of the North Wichita river that runs through their ranch.

Pictured below: The Crook's first official family photo. Nikki, Kevin, Cheney, Bristol (Christopher's girlfriend), Christopher, Ashley, Kelsi, Chance (Kelsi's husband).

In December of that same year, Kevin Crooks invited his wife-to-be’s family to Texas for their engagement, which took place by the river on his ranch It was the culmination of their 18-month courtship, and Kevin Crook’s whole family and Cheney’s dad knew what was happening, except for her mom Her dad said his wife would cry tears of joy if she knew in advance

The couple expanded their 1,800-square-foot home into a 3,500-square-foot dwelling with the help of local builder Mark Anderson, taking it from a modest lake cabin to one customized for entertaining. The two had planned to have their wedding at the house in September of last year, but when it came time for the wedding the renovations weren’t complete. Their wedding ended up taking place at Lush Resort at Possum Kingdom Lake, and the guest list included more than 250 people from California, Idaho, Montana, Texas and Washington

Kevin Crooks described the couple’s wedding weekend as “ a perfect wedding weekend retreat ” They were married at sunset on the back of their boat facing the resort’s large balcony and lakeside deck Their 50-foot Sea Ray, named

Story continues on page 10

Pictured above: Kevin and Cheney Crooks covered in red dirt, riding around their ranch in Crowell, TX.

Photos contributed by Cheney Crooks

the “Cantina Del Lago,” was the perfect backdrop for the lakeside wedding, with Randy Brown officiating and Sam Lewis providing the ceremony ’ s prayer and sermon

Cheney Crooks has several connections in the music industry, and the couple’s reception was a party to be remembered, taking over the entire resort It was a huge Texas country music “jam fest” featuring performers such as Austin Allsup, Zach Edwards, Blake Burrow, Randy Brown, Jordan Hendrix and Michael Webb Lush Resort provided all the food for the guests, and the ladies from Two Old Crows came in with late-night appetizers at the end of the affair.

The couple said they are always ready for a good time, and they’ve become known for their party costumes. Whether it’s Mardi Gras at PK, the neighborhood Oktoberfest or a themed party, such as a “Righteous Gemstone” soirée, the Crooks always are odds-on favorites to win “best dressed ” They love to have a good time, and it shows

“Kevin is a good sport when it comes to dressing up for these lake parties,” Cheney Crooks said The couple finished the large addition to their home this Memorial Day weekend and are now enjoying the expanded space. The centerpiece of the house is the indoor-outdoor kitchen space that would be right at home on an episode of “Food Network.” The space features a sliding garage-style door that can be raised so the party is right at the shore of the lake.

The custom bar anchors the space with a high-end grill, and it even has space for Cheney Crook’s favorite steamed hot dog machine, along with a commercial ice machine for the huge entertainment space

Kevin Crooks' three adult daughters, five grandchildren, and Cheney Crooks’ adult son all love to bring their friends and family to the lake – and between the couple’s 50-foot boat and their newly remodeled home, why would they want to go anywhere else?

May the good times that started with that first date never end.

KevinandCheneyCrooksattheCowboyHallofFame InductionatBillyBob's.

Picturedbelow: KevinandCheneyCrooksarealways readyforagoodtime,andthey'vebecomeknownfor theirpartycostumes. Whetherit'sMardiGrasatPK, theneighborhoodOctoberfestorathemedparty, suchasa"RighteousGemstone"soiree,theCrooks alwaysareodds-onfavoritestowin"bestdressed." Theylovegoodtimes,anditshows.

Kevin and Cheney Crooks were married at sunset on the back of their boat facing Lush Resort's large balcony and lakeside deck. Pictured above are wedding guests enjoying the nuptials.

Pictures contributed by Cheney Crooks

New Year's Eve

Octoberfest

PK Ice House 80s Night

Righteous Gemstone Christmas Party Mardi Gras at Lush Resort

King's X: A Garden Oasis

Every issue of PK Magazine features an iconic home, and this time around it’s a beautiful dwelling called King’s X that sits along the cliff line on Park Road 36 on the south side of the peninsula.

King’s X features Asian-inspired architecture, accompanied by lush, sloping cliffside gardens For the past 17 years it’s been the home of Richard A Rogers, his wife, Krista, and the couple’s two children: Blake, 25, and 22-year-old Kate The couple spends most weekends at their lake home from May through September.

This beautiful oasis on Possum Kingdom Lake has been the centerpiece of many family parties and events, and the Possum Kingdom area has been a part of Richard’s life since he was born

His family hailed from Wichita Falls but spent as much time at PK as possible When his mom, Ann Rogers, told his dad that she was expecting, he replied, “I guess we’ll have to get a bigger boat.” Richard’s mom would water ski even while pregnant, and his dad would have to push her up back up into the boat.

As a boy, he learned to water ski at age 4, and back in those days he and his family would travel from Wichita Falls and stay in Graham In 1960 his parents bought a small A-frame cabin in Hog Bend that had no electricity, and Richard said that cabin is still there today.

In 1970 his dad bought a unique cabin just down the street from King’s X, with a beautiful deck that extends over the water, and Richard and his wife still own it

Walking into the main living Space of Kings X feels like you are in a tree house with an incredible view of the lake

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos by Erika Carter

Kings X is filled with gorgeous trees and meandering paths to the various parts of the garden.

To say PK has been a part of the family’s life would be an understatement Richard grew up waterskiing on PK, and he and his wife get up most mornings at 6:30 a m while the lake is still calm

Even at age 65, Richard Rogers is an avid slalom water skier, and what started when he was still in the womb has continued his entire life. As a young man, he attended Jim McCormick’s Water Ski School in Florida for three years before going on to teach water skiing for another two summers at Camp Longhorn He still goes out water skiing as much as he can, jokingly adding that “I get Blake to go out with me on Father’s Day ” Like many other 20-somethings, Blake Rogers prefers to wakesurf, so the early morning sightings of a Ski Nautique boat pulling an expert water skier are probably of Richard and not his son.

Krista Rogers, meanwhile, is a transplant from Seattle, where the couple met, and she recalled her husband telling her about a place in the middle of Texas called Possum Kingdom Lake Being from the beautiful state of Washington, she was skeptical, but said the first time she saw the lake she was blown away by the beauty of Possum Kingdom.

In 1995 the couple took a small aluminum boat to Hell’s Gate and climbed Devil’s Island, where Richard Rogers made

his marriage proposal. The two relocated to Dallas soon after and have come to the lake most summer weekends ever since.

King’s X was built in 1970 on the side of a steep cliff by Buford King, the house’s namesake It later was sold to Wichita Falls businessman Ray Clymer and was his family retreat for many years

The home was one that Richard Rogers watched being built in 1971, and he’s always admired it. Before buying it, he had shown his wife the home and the beautiful, lush grounds that surround it many times.

One evening while dining in Dallas, Krista Rogers picked up a real estate book with a Possum Kingdom listing It didn’t show the outside of the home, but it did show a picture of the view and the iron railing that surrounds the house From the view and the picture of the railing, she knew exactly which house it was: King’s X. She then showed the listing to her husband, and he traveled to PK the next day to look at the property He put an offer on the house, but with an option to back out while he did his due diligence

After seeing the property and the incredible grounds, he said he almost turned down the opportunity because he thought “there was no way I could keep up with all this and still be a good steward of the home.”

Story continues on page 16

It just so happened that the wife of the property manager next door, Carol Wallace, told Richard she would take care of the house if he bought it That was 17 years ago, and Richard Rogers said it’s been a great arrangement. To meet her, he said, is to understand the pride she takes in caring for the property

Krista Rogers said her favorite part about arriving at King’s X for a weekend is to see what Wallace, who is a master gardener, has done that week Along with full-time groundskeeper Michael Walker, Wallace keeps the place looking spectacular, and both constantly work on upgrades and projects to make the home the showplace it is.

King’s X sits on a steep lot, with tiered gardens from Park Road 36 down to the water’s edge The home has a garage space at the top that leads down a tiered path to the main house Inside feels like being in a treehouse, with an incredible view of Hell’s Gate and Gaines Bend.

The star of the show is the landscaping, with the incredibly lush grounds surrounded by meticulously manicured trees, beautiful plantings and bursts of color from all the flowers The property rivals that of a five-star resort, with each path leading off toward something new

The grounds are surrounded by shaded, intricate steps, and the paths make their way down to a huge dock that houses three boats and several personal watercraft. Each step along the way provides a different grouping of landscaping and plush St Augustine grass

The huge dock has two levels, with the top being the site of many of the Rogers’ lakeside parties

The main house is a two-level home built with supports that go deep into the cliff line. Walking through the front door reveals

an incredible view, with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a 270-degree view of the property and lake The home is situated in a forest of mature oak and cedar trees, which provide the treehouse illusion.

The main floor sports a well-appointed kitchen, as well as the dining room and main living space, all of which is surrounded by a scenic terrace

The 52-year-old home has been remodeled several times, with a style and architecture that are timeless. A spiral staircase leads to the lower level, where there is a large master suite and guest bedroom, both featuring huge floor-to-ceiling windows This level has an exit onto another terrace that leads to a hot tub that seems like it’s dangling on the edge of the cliff, with views of the lake and exquisite grounds

A stone path leads to the guest house, where there is a “bunk room ” for children. It’s where Krista Rogers would play host to “Camp Blake,” a weeklong camp for her son and his friends. This tradition, which started when Blake Rogers was in the fifth grade, lasted until he graduated from high school, and many of those who attended are still coming back to the house as adults

The tradition of King’s X has been a notable part of the Rogers family for years, and many family events have taken place there. This summer the family will celebrate Richard’s 65th birthday party at the home, with a band and all the festivities taking place on the upper level of the huge dock The family plans to have around 90 guests from across Texas to help celebrate his milestone birthday

King’s X is a special place, and the way the family takes care of this property makes it an iconic PK lake house. It’s an emerald oasis in the middle of West Texas.

The distinct custom railing is what caught the eye of Krista in the real estate magazine. The picture of railing is what led the couple to realize the home was King's X, The home Richard had admired for years.

As you make your way down the majestic stone steps to the main house, you get a small peak of what you can expect to see while visiting King's

A rock lined path and bridge leads guests to the guest house

The hot tub on the back deck seems like it's dangling on the edge of the cliff, with views of the lake and exquisite grounds

X.

The lush grounds of King's X give you a feeling of being at a luxury Resort

Carol Wallace creates colorful points of interest around every corner of the landscape at King's X.

No corner of the property is left untouched Carol Wallace and Michael Walker keep the property looking immaculate

Meettheowners of King's X

The boys from "Camp Blake" enjoying PK

Even at age 65, Richard A. Rogers is an avid slalom water skier, as pictured here, skiing along the cliff line at PK.

When at PK, Richard and Krista Rogers get up most mornings at 6:30 a m to ski while the lake is still calm

Richard and Krista Rogers enjoying a beautiful sunset at King's X

Richard A. Rogers and Everette enjoying a little wake surfing.

Photos contributed by Krista Rogers

A Tribute to Grace Russell

Story by Steve Nussbaum |

Possum Kingdom is one of the most beautiful places in Texas, and the spirit of the community is helping one family heal after a tragic loss

Last fall, 12-year-old Grace Russell was fatally injured in a one-car accident on Highway 16, just before the entrance to The Cliffs Resort. Her parents, John and Melissa Russell, have been part-time residents of the resort since 2018 and became full-time residents in 2021, and her grandmother, Linda Russell, is a full-time resident there

John Russell is a 24-year veteran pilot for Southwest Airlines, and his wife has worked for the airline as a flight attendant for 25 years. Grace had been homeschooled since the fourth grade prior to her family moving to Texas from Florida, and Melissa Russell noted that her daughter loved being homeschooled so much that she told her mother that she never wanted to go back to traditional school

Living at Possum Kingdom Lake allowed the Russells to maintain their successful careers while allowing their daughter to enjoy all the outdoor activities she loved. Grace loved spending time with her grandmother, who kept Grace when her parents were flying It was a great arrangement for this busy family

The Russells’ world changed forever not quite a year ago, though, on a drive home Oct 12 It was a warm fall day, and Grace and her mom were returning home from extracurricular activities in Breckenridge.

Russell

As they approached the entrance to The Cliffs, Melissa Russell saw an aoudad sheep on the side of the highway These wild animals have large, rounded horns and are found in several areas near the lake, but most commonly in The Cliffs and up in the hills by the Morris Sheppard Dam.

The sheep struck the car next to where Grace was riding, in the passenger-side back seat. Melissa Russell experienced no physical injuries, and their vehicle was not severely damaged, but the 12-year-old suffered severe head trauma from the collision

In the aftermath of the wreck, Good Samaritans and local emergency crews helped clear an area on the highway, allowing space for a medical helicopter to land before transporting Grace to Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth Grace spent the next 21 days there, with her family and friends at her side, before passing away Nov 2

Grace’s interests differed from most 12-year-old girls in this day and age, and Melissa Russell described her daughter as an “old soul.” Grace had been designing her own costumes and clothes since she was 6, and she also had become quite adept at playing the kazoo Grace was witty and fun

Grace also loved living at the lake, and being out in nature was her special place She had a patience and love for animals, even befriending and taming a feral cat that was destined to be euthanized. She eventually named it “Marshmallow.” Grace also participated in 4-H activities, and

Photos contributed by Melissa

she loved attending the YMCA’s Camp Grady Spruce, with equestrian camp being her favorite week She also attended a sewing camp at Weatherford College

Living at PK allowed Grace to pursue other interests, too, such as art, design, photography and cooking She was always drawing, with her room full of art and pictures of sheep and rams that adorned the walls, and she frequently could be found with a book in her hands.

Grace expressed her faith in Christ through worship at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Graford and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Mineral Wells, and her mother said Grace would chastise the adults in the family if they tried to skip church.

One of Grace’s favorite reading topics was learning about saints, because she was fascinated with the various saints and why they were noteworthy Her favorite was Saint Bernadette, the patron saint of Lourdes, France, and Melissa Russell said Saint Bernadette was her daughter’s patron saint

The Russell family is coping with the loss of Grace by using her inspiration and faith to keep going. Melissa Russell described the accident as a tragedy for the entire family, but she added that “Grace’s life was truly a love story,” even though there will always be a hole left by Grace’s death

For Melissa Russell, the 12 years she got to spend with her daughter were the best years of her life, and Grace’s life brought tremendous joy to their family

Since the accident, John Russell has returned to flying for Southwest, and he is restoring an old plane with their adult son, John Russell Jr., who finished his year at a flight school at Southeastern Oklahoma State University with his best academic performance ever. Melissa Russell, meanwhile, is planning to return to flying on a limited basis for Southwest in August

The future ahead for the entire family won’t be easy to navigate, but with God’s healing and a strong faith the Russell’s celebrate Grace every day. And their support from their family has been tremendous.

The PK community also has been an inspiration for the family, with Melissa Russell noting the support they have received from the PK community The volunteers at St Francis and Our Lady of Lourdes have provided great support for the family, she said, and complete strangers have reached out to the family to offer their words of encouragement and prayers.

The Russell family also cannot say enough about how supportive Southwest Airlines and their airline co-workers have been

Story continues on page 29

The Russell Family

Pictured top left: Grace and her brother John Russell Jr.

Pictured above: Grace flying with her dad, John Russell, who is a 24-year veteran pilot for Southwest Airlines

Pictured bottom left: Grace and her brother John Russell Jr taking flight

Pictured bottom right: Grace with her mom, Melissa Russell, and dad, John Russell. Melissa has worked as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines for 25 years and is planning to return on a limited basis for Southwest in August

A Tribute to Grace Russell

Story continued from page 26...

“It’s true what they say, ” Melissa Russell said. “Texans have big hearts.”

To remember her daughter, Melissa Russell decided to hold a golf tournament to honor Grace and show support for the Cook Children’s Health Foundation Conducting a golf tournament takes hours of organizing and gathering support, and Pam Hammond, the wife of The Cliffs Resort’s golf pro, Mike Hammond, has stepped up to help.

The two women are putting together the first “Boots and Hearts” Golf Classic to take place September 16th at the resort All proceeds will support the Cook Children’s Health Foundation, and Melissa Russell has started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable foundation to aid families at the foundation who might need financial help during a medical crisis.

Melissa Russell described Cook Children’s as “ an amazing organization” and said the people who work there “ can’t be thanked enough ” She and Pam Hammond are working hard to put on a tournament that celebrates Grace’s spirit, and both are thankful for those who have helped during the Russell family’s challenging time.

Every day is a struggle for Melissa Russell and her family, but she shared a religious passage that is helping her cope with the circumstances of Grace’s death In it, the bighorn sheep is a symbol of adaptability and strength It can live in harsh conditions and survive with little food and water, and it’s a powerful animal that the Native Americans respect This animal is seen as a symbol of strength, power and grace, and in Christianity the bighorn sheep is a symbol of resurrection, with the sheep’s ability to climb steep rocky slopes being a metaphor for Jesus’ resurrection

How beautiful that Grace was so called to this animal, and that it was this animal that paved her way to heaven The hope is that Grace’s love of life is remembered and celebrated

REGISTER TODAY TO PLAY IN THE BOOTS & HEARTS GOLF CLASSIC!

FIRST ANNUAL EVENT

September 16th

The Cliffs Golf Course

In memory of Grace Russell Proceeds benefit Cook Children's

Member $85

Non-Member $125

$200 Flat Donation to Cook Children's Includes:

Breakfast Burrito, Snack Bag, Dinner, 2 Alcoholic Drinks

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Please contact:

Melissa Russell: 850-294-7792 rusellbmelissa@gmail com or Pam Hammond: 817-937-6424 pross92@yahoo.com

Sweet, smart, witty, Grace loved living at the lake. Being out in nature was her special place. She loved to read, and enjoyed art, cooking, design, photography, sewing, and she loved animals and her church!

Story by Michelle Ince

Photos contributed by Tommy Johnson and Tommy Harveston

Military veterans often hear the phrase, “Thank you for your service,” and while it’s a heartfelt sentiment, one group exists to put those words into action.

Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Jeff Miller and retired Air Force Capt Earl Morse to provide all-expenses-paid trips for U S military veterans to the memorials dedicated to their eras of service

For those who haven’t heard of this program, you ’ re not alone In fact, retired Navy veteran and Possum Kingdom resident Tommy Johnson discovered it by chance.

Johnson, a Vietnam-era veteran, said he happened to hear about the Honor Flight Network one day and decided to check it out Once he became aware of what the program offered, he sent an application to the organization, then shared his newfound knowledge with his nearby Hills Above PK neighbor Tommy Harveston, who also is a Navy veteran.

Retired Navy Veterans and Hills Above PK Neighbors, share their emotional journey on recent Honor Flight

“I said, ‘OK,’ Harveston said, so I signed up for the thing and I got it. I was surprised they called me before they called (Johnson).”

Harveston, a Korean War veteran, said the network takes veterans who are older first, so that put him higher up on the priority list than his friend When he called to inquire about how the process works, Harveston kept asking for his friend Tommy Johnson – but Honor Flight said it didn’t have anybody by that name listed.

Harveston said he then flatly told the Honor Flight personnel that unless his friend went, he didn’t want to go The impasse eventually was resolved when it was discovered that Johnson’s first name was listed as “Joe” instead of “Tommy ”

With that settled, their adventure soon got underway

Story continues on page 35

Pictured above: Retired Navy Veterans and Possum Kingdom residents, Tommy Johnson (left) and Tommy Harveston (right).

Flight, story continued from page 32...

The two men were booked on an Honor Flight tour with 41 veterans, including a 94-year-old who had served in World War II, eight others who had served in Korea, and the others being Vietnam-era veterans

Both explained how the Honor Flight system works: Once the veterans’ applications are accepted, they’re booked for a trip, with the organization covering the cost of the trip. Each veteran also is paired with a personal assistant or guardian. Johnson noted that the chaperones were not allowed to be spouses, but they could be children or other relatives

Both men said they could not have asked for better guardians, with Johnson describing his guardian, Carolyn Stewart, as “absolutely perfect.”

“She’s going to be one of the best friends in my life,” he said. “I only knew her overnight, but she was an absolutely fantastic person and looked after me ”

Harveston said his guardian, Prissy Swindell, was “just amazing,” and added: “We’re hoping she’s going to get to come see us ”

Honor Flight chaperones accompany the veterans constantly, carrying whatever the veterans need. Their goal is to make sure each veteran is able to enjoy the experience as much as possible

Veterans arrive at their hub for their Honor Flight trips a day early for orientation, and Johnson and Harveston were part of the Dallas-Fort Worth hub that left from Love Field The organization strives to make sure their guests have as much knowledge about what’s happening as possible, and trained medical personnel also accompany the guests, since many are in wheelchairs and have medical conditions

Both men said they had an entire orientation process, which Johnson’s wife greatly appreciated

Their flight left at 5 a m the next day, and they said it was nothing like they had ever seen.

“I was a little bit overwhelmed,” Harveston said.

They said they weren’t expecting a sendoff that included schoolchildren and other former veterans lining the way and cheering as the Honor Flight group made its way onto a plane painted red, white, and blue Water cannons shot over the plane as it began to pull away from the gate

The fanfare for the heroes didn’t end there, either. When they arrived in Washington, D.C., they were greeted with another reception and more revelry Both men reflected on how emotional it was to walk among the many who lined up to thank them for their service to their country

According to the organization’s website, its mission is to celebrate America’s veterans by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials, and Honor Flight envisions a nation where all of America’s veterans receive the honor, gratitude and support they deserve

Harveston and Johnson we ' re both overwhelmed with the sendoff that included schoolchildren and other former veterans lining the way and cheering as the Honor Flight group made its way onto a plane painted red, white, and blue. Water cannons shot over the plane as it began to pull away from the gate.

Navy veteran, Tommy Harveston, and his Honor Flight guardian, Prissy Swindell.

Navy veteran, Tommy Johnson, and his Honor Flight guardian, Carolyn Stewart.

Both men shared emotional experiences they had on their trip Johnson said the tour took them to monuments from each state, and the Kentucky native noted that he got to visit the Bluegrass State memorial during his trip

For both of them, one of the most special monuments they visited was that of Texas native Audie Murphy. Johnson said Murphy’s nickname was “Two Bit” – and, in his honor, each of the men placed a quarter, signifying “two bits,” on his tombstone

Another significant memory of the trip for Johnson was visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Johnson, who served as an electrician, said his military assignment did not include a trip to Vietnam, but he did take the time on his Honor Flight trip to search the memorial for the names of people he knew, etching their names on paper from the stone walls. Someone captured a picture of that moment, and Johnson said his image was mirrored on the memorial alongside the names of his fellow servicemen, one of many “lump in the throat” moments for him on his excursion

For Harveston, his emotional journey began before the plane even took off. His son handed him a package as he was boarding the plane, and inside the package was a telegram from World War II that had been sent to his late wife’s mother It was a telegram that so many in World War II dreaded: a notice that her son had been killed

However, accompanying that sad telegram were many letters written by some who had served alongside her son. Harveston said all the letters were deeply personal in nature, with one even recalling how the writer, who was within feet of “her son, ” did all he could to come to his rescue

“I didn’t even think to look him up at the World War II Memorial, and I wish I had,” Harveston said He said everyone on the flight got to read the telegrams and letters and partake in a treasured moment that reminded them all of that brotherhood in arms.

Harveston also noted that Arlington Cemetery was overwhelming, at least to him

“I’ll bet there was 1,000 acres of heroes,” he said, adding that the cemetery reported that it still conducts more than 30 burials each day.

Other notable memorials for both men included the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where they were able to witness the changing of the guard and watch a ceremony where a wreath was laid at the memorial

When the group arrived back home, the veterans were again greeted by great fanfare Johnson said each veteran received “mail call,” a familiar term in the military for when mail arrives from loved ones from far away. Both men were shocked to find more than 100 letters each from family, friends and some schoolchildren whom they had never met

Story concludes on page 39

One of many significant memories of the trip for Johnson was a visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He took time to search the memorial for the names of peoples names he knew, someone captured a picture of that moment, and Johnson said his image was mirrored on the memorial alongside the names of his fellow servicemen.

One of the most special monuments Johnson (above) and Harveston visited was that of Texas native Audie Murphy. Johnson said Murphy's nickname was "Two Bit" - and, in his honor, each of the men placed a quarter, signifying "two bits," on his tombstone.

Honor Flight, story continued from page 36...

Upon landing back in Dallas, a bagpipe musician played many war hymns, including their beloved “Anchors Aweigh,” whichJohnsonsaidwasanother“lumpinthethroat”moment forhim.

JohnsonandHarvestonsaidtheyarelookingforwardtoan upcoming Honor Flight reunion, where they will have the opportunitytoreconnectwiththeveteransontheirflightand sharetheirexperienceswithothers Bothmensaidtheyintend totelleveryonetheycanabouttheorganizationandwhatit provides.

“Everyveteranshouldexperiencethis,”Johnsonsaid. Tolearnmore,visitthewebsitewwwhonorflightorg

Thank you for your service, gentlemen!

When the group arrived back home to even more fanfare, each veteran received "mail call," a familiar term in the military for when mail arrives from loved ones from far away. Both men were shocked to find more than 100 letters .

The airport was filled with people holding signs supporting the honor flight group both at DFW Airport and landing in Washington.

Tommy Harveston Tommy Johnson

Tommy Harveston and his new honor flight friend, Brooks Morris

Pictured below, Tommy Harveston in uniform (left) and Tommy Johnson (center) - the first time in his Navy flight coveralls since 1973.

A PK Salute to Charles V. "Charlie" Self

Story by Michelle Ince | Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Angel Selfless Servant Christian

These words were used at various times to describe Charles V. “Charlie” Self, a longtime Possum Kingdom resident and former owner of the North Forty who passed away June 27. But Self was more than just a business owner He also was a man of faith, and it was that faith that called him to serve the needy with what is now known as “Charlie’s Angels,” a food delivery service that began with modest roots Magyn Whitaker, the current director of Charlie’s Angels, said it was Self’s grandparents who raised him that inspired his plan to serve those who could not help themselves. Self initially went to local restaurants and asked how much they would charge for five meals He then delivered those meals himself to “shut-ins,” as he called them

But it was more than food that he brought on those visits Self knew that he might be the only link to the outside world for those he visited, so he would sit and talk about his faith, too

“He wasn’t pushy about his religion,” his son Andy Self said “But if the timing was right, he would share about Jesus ”

It wasn’t long until the local eateries realized what Self was up to, and soon they refused to let him pay for the meals. Whitaker said it was from this donation system that the meal deliveries went from one day a week to two, on Tuesdays and Thursdays

As many of the local restaurants began to donate meals, the outreach grew to a point where it was more than one man could do Ten meals a week grew to 30, and soon Self sought out a base of operations for his endeavor.

By chance at a Little League baseball game in Graford 23 years ago, Self ran into local business owner Scott Herring, who owned a building that had been a restaurant on FM 2353 The building had been sitting empty for a while, and Self wanted to know if he could rent a room there

Instead of just one room, Herring offered Self the entire building.

According to Whitaker, Self said that he couldn’t afford to rent the whole building, to which Herring replied that he didn’t want any money

Story continues on page 56

The late Charles V. "Charlie" Self bottom center, along with Charlie's Angels volunteers, Jeanne Powell (top left) and Letha La Salle (right). Top center is Magyn Whitaker, director of Charlie's Angels.

A PK Salute, story continued from page 42...

It was from there, Whitaker said, that Charlie’s Angels can trace its founding

After acquiring the building to house his meal service, Self’s community project began cooking meals in-house It still was receiving donations from local restaurants, but the service also began taking on volunteers and donations to fund its mission.

“From the time it started 23 years ago, we have had upwards of 75 to 100 volunteers,” Whitaker said The volunteers range from in-house cooks to delivery drivers, and it’s the delivery drivers that Whitaker said Self considered to be on the front lines of Charlie’s Angels, since they represent the face and voice of the organization. Self told the drivers to stop and visit if the people they were delivering to wanted to talk.

Since 1996, Charlie’s Angels has served over 318,000 meals These days the organization delivers 180 meals a week, has 30 to-go orders per week and serves about 30 meals a week onsite

Whitaker said Self would sit and visit when people came into eat, just like he had when he first began his delivery service, and she added that he got a real joy from it To know him was to know the most humble, modest, funny and

God-fearing man, she said, and everything he did was about his faith

“Charlie has his seat and he would just sit and talk about the old days,” Whitaker said These sentiments were shared by Dayna Coston, who had known Self since he first came to Possum Kingdom in the 1970s when he bought the North Forty convenience store. She said Self was known for his sweet, caring demeanor to all, which she said is shown in his legacy of work with Charlie's Angels

Said Andy Self of his father: “He helped a lot of people out here at the lake (He would) let them charge up a ticket or just give money. ”

Whitaker echoed that sentiment.

“If Charlie can be defined as anything, he was an angel,” she said, “and if you said that to him, he would stop you in your tracks and say, ‘This is not about me This is a God thing This is us feeding the community This is us offering a service to the community This is volunteers coming in and offering their time.’ ”

Volunteers are the heart of the organization, Whitaker said, including high school students from Graford ISD and a local homeschool group who uses Charlie’s Angels as an

opportunity for community service.

Even Self’s stepson, Tommy Brown, volunteers

When asked what he does, he jokingly replied, “The grunt work ”

Whitaker said Brown is much more involved than that, though, including doing all the outdoor cooking for when the organizations serves hamburgers or fried foods. Like Self, Brown is modest, and Whitaker said he helps when the group gets deliveries from Sysco, doing a lot of the heavy lifting and maintenance work – but, like Self, he downplays his role

Charlie’s Angels also began allowing the building to be used by community members who needed it for events such as memorial services and family gatherings. At one time, the organization even put together Thanksgiving meals for members of the community.

Whitaker said Self’s vision for his outreach effort was that all are welcome The organization never charges for meals, and it doesn’t keep up with who pays for the food There is a donation basket for those who choose to dine in, but it is strictly voluntary.

Part of Self’s legacy was his refusal to reach out to the government for assistance, a tenet Whitaker said he adhered to because he didn’t want to be told what to do

The organization is run with donations and prayers, and at one point it even housed a children’s daycare to help raise funds for the charity

Whitaker smiled as she recalled a day when the dessert freezer was empty She called Self to ask what to do, and his answer was to pray.

“And I’m not kidding you, by the time I got here Wednesday morning to lay out desserts for Thursday, our dessert freezer was full,” she said

She said he would say a prayer if funds ran low, “and it never failed that there would be a check in the mail or somebody would come by to make a donation ”

Whitaker said Self never asked for donations, and the organization didn’t have a Facebook page like it does now. She said he just relied on prayer, and somehow there was always enough money to keep Charlie’s Angels running “Yes, I know the ladies cooked it, and people supported his cause, ” Andy Self said “But it was God that moved on them He just left it to God ”

Charlie’s Angels has now grown to include three routes that deliver to the Graford and Possum Kingdom Lake area.

Story concludes on page 58

Before Self’s death, Whitaker said the organization had an “official” board meeting that was attended by Herring, who was curious about the future of the organization

Because of the growth of the organization and its issues with the current building, Herring offered them the adjacent land for a new structure to be built. Whitaker said Self’s vision was for this new building to serve as a community center for Possum Kingdom Lake residents. Charlie’s Angels could still cook and package meals there, but he also wanted it to be used for family gatherings, birthday parties and community meetings

“It’s going to be for anybody who needs it,” Whitaker said “He loved fellowship.”

She added that they have even come up with a name: the Charles “Charlie” V. Self Civic Center, Home of Charlie’s Angels, PK Mobile Meals, House of Praise

“This is in his honor,” she said “Charlie’s Angels is about the community ”

She said that Herring’s only request was that the new building have “ a big back porch ”

Whitaker said that just before Self’s passing, she went to visit him in the hospital and asked if there were any “must haves” for the new building He wanted a small office, she said, but he also insisted there be a coat closet, because he didn’t want folks to have to hang their coats on the back of their chairs. He was always thinking about others, she noted. As for funding the building, Whitaker says it will be built using donations and volunteers, and the goal is to have the structure built within a year to 18 months

Anyone interested in making donations to the building fund can contact Whitaker via the Charlie’s Angels Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/841571279985327/), or by stopping by the current base of operations. All donations are tax deductible and will help continue Self’s vision of community service and outreach

Local teen finds joy in what she calls doodling

Story by Kim Nussbaum | Photos by Erika Carter

Lillian “Lilly” Klapper is almost 14 years old, and she has enjoyed art all her life.

She said she likes to look at different pictures and landscapes to see the colors in them before recreating them on paper Although her maternal grandmother was a local charcoal artist, Lilly hasn’t had any formal art lessons yet, but she said she’s thankful that her mom, Daisy Klapper, helps critique her work Lilly’s paternal grandparents, Valerie and Tony Klapper, proudly display many of their granddaughter’s art pieces in their home at Possum Kingdom, and Lilly said she hopes to have her art displayed in more homes someday

Lilly said her art is just a hobby, not a career goal, and she works on most of her creations on the floor of her bedroom She said there’s a place in the room that lends itself to a lot of sunshine, and that’s where she finds her inspiration.

Lilly said she’s always been a doodler, and she especially loves working with watercolors and sketching with pencils. Her career goal is to go into interior design.

Lilly said she feels that if she aspired to be an artist it would ruin her love for her craft

When she isn’t doodling, Lilly spends time in Devil’s River and Big Bend hunting with her dad, Cody Klapper A hunting video of hers went viral on social media platforms when she was 7 years old, reaching close to 70 million views at the time.

Lilly attends First Baptist Church, where she is painting a mural on one of the walls, and she’s also involved with Vacation Bible School and other church endeavors where she can assist She also enjoys archery, theater and performing in one-act plays, and it should also be noted that she’s an award-winning thespian.

Follow Lillian D art on Facebook

"I was sitting by a friend and asked her to describe her dream dress. This was the result."

"I got really into watching dancing shows and created this drawing."

"I was sitting in class and found inspiration from Cruella de Vil."

"I love drawing eyes and freckles." The beach with water colors and salt water! "I thought it would be so cool to paint on the beach with water straight from the ocean, so I did."

"I love the way dancers move and the challenge of getting that onto paper. "

A sampling of recent art created by Lillian Klapper, along with her inspiration behind each piece of art...

The Cliffs:Making a comeback

For almost three decades, The Cliffs Resort at Possum Kingdom Lake has been a driving force behind the development and growth of Possum Kingdom

Double Diamond Resorts bought the gated residential community in 1995, and the company ’ s aggressive marketing during the 1990s and early 2000s brought thousands out to PK from across Texas.

Before then, people who had never been to Possum Kingdom could be forgiven for thinking anything west of Fort Worth was just flat land filled with ranches and oil wells Those who visited were blown away by the beauty of the area – and that, in turn, led to a surge in sales not only at The Cliffs, but all around the lake as well

There always have been beautiful homes at PK, but the marketing for The Cliffs is what jump-started the luxury building boom.

The crown jewel of the development is its golf course, which also is a huge asset to the entire area The course was built in 1986 by renowned designers Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge, and the rugged terrain of the area makes it one of the most scenic courses in the state. Almost every hole has some kind of beautiful view of the lake, cliff line or vast canyons. Many golfers consider the course challenging to play, but picking the correct tees can make it enjoyable for all skill levels

Story by Steve Nussbaum Photos Courtesy of The Cliffs Resort

Golfers on the front nine play along the ridge overlooking the Brazos River valley, with spectacular views of the canyons leading down the river The ninth hole is a par 3 along the cliff line overlooking the lake below, and it’s one of the best views in the entire state

The back nine winds through the canyons of the development, with more spectacular views and challenging shots. The 15th hole, a short par 3, is especially notable: Golfers tee off on a cliff above the hole toward the green, which sits down in a beautiful little canyon

Kevin Burns, the general manager at The Cliffs for the past two years, has been tasked with burnishing the club’s image Burns has been in the club management business for more than 30 years, and he aims to bring the facilities up to the same level as the five-star golf course. The resort suffered major damage in 2011 when wildfires ravaged the development, destroying the sales office, administrative building and several homes, as well as causing significant damage to the surrounding terrain

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 also hit the hospitality industry hard, but the golf course segment saw significant growth during that time, because people could get out on the links and still maintain a safe distance from each other.

On top of those two economic challenges, a fire last year destroyed two of the hotel buildings and caused

The Cliffs villas have been completely remodeled with a new modern luxury decor.

major damage to the third The Resort Villa condominiums on the property already were in the early stages of remodeling, so most of those were not available.

This year has brought a resurgence and recommitment by Double Diamond to restore The Cliffs to its former glory The company spent the entire winter rehabbing the pools, remodeling the sales office and finishing up the villas, which now have a contemporary look and have been remodeled inside and out.

“The goal is to get the entire resort up to a five-star level,” Burns said.

The remaining hotel space is being rebuilt, with Double Diamond in the process of converting all the suites to luxury “king” suites and adding a new lobby space The end goal is to have The Cliffs outfitted with 30 modern hotel rooms and 20 luxury villas. The improvements already are paying dividends, with business up significantly this year.

For the resort, the golf course always has been the star of the show, but the upgrades in other areas should improve the overall experience for guests and property owners alike

In the next few months, plans call for the dining facility to be shut down for remodeling The spectacular views at The Chaparral Grill at The Cliffs have always offered a great spot to enjoy a drink or meal, and that dining experience should be even better after the restaurant reopens.

Other notable improvements also are planned for the golf and event spaces on the property, and a golf simulator has been added at the golf shop, which allows guests to practice their

swings at some of the world’s most famous courses The room is very spacious and is a great spot for an indoor golf outing.

Beginning late last year, Double Diamond reopened its sales office, and Curtis Eubank is the sales manager at The Cliffs. Along with a sales assistant and three salesmen, Eubank plans to jump-start land sales on the property The newly remodeled sales office is open Thursday through Monday and offers tours year-round The resort has an inventory of about 500 lots, which range in price from $30,000 to $150,000.

“They have several golf-course lots, and lots with valley views, available,” Eubank said. “Those with lake views are limited, but they have some ”

The company has a referral program for current property owners that includes a $500 gift card, which increases to $1,000 if the referral leads to a purchase Double Diamond also offers free rounds of golf when people book a tour.

Eubank and his team have been the hosts for several dinners in West Texas communities and as far east as Houston. Interest in The Cliffs has been strong from all parts of Texas, as well as out of state, as people continue to be in the market for weekend retreats and retirement properties

The Cliffs Resort, with its extraordinary views and convenient amenities, offers the best in Possum Kingdom living, and the commitment by Double Diamond to improve and restore the resort’s facilities is good news for the entire PK community. Area residents always have enjoyed The Cliffs and can look forward to the upgrades yet to come

The course was built in 1986 by renowned designers Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge, and the rugged terrain of the area makes it one of the most scenic courses in the state.

Almost every hole has some kind of beautiful view of the lake, cliff line or vast canyons.

OUT OF THE OFFICE

Scenes from The Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Business After Hours. Q2 was hosted by PK Ice House. Q3 will be hosted by Boondocks Bar & Grill. The event is open to all Chamber Members.

PK Ice House owner, Dr Shawn (Pecos) Clark

Clint Burkett & Jay Naylor

Justin Burney, Hannah and Merit Holstein

The local business community enjoyed Chef Bueno's huge spread of Mexican food, dessert, margaritas, sangria, beer and wine

Photos by Kim Nussbaum

OUT OF THE OFFICE

F. Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO of First Financial Bank hosted the local real estate community at his lake home in Gaines Bend for a happy hour and hors d'oeuvres

Lisa Neal, Jackie Fewell, Kathy Lanpher, and Lorin Buck Daisy and Cody Klapper; Judy and Dave Smith

Photos by Kim Nussbaum

OUT OF THE OFFICE

F Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO of First Financial Bank hosted the local real estate community at his lake home in Gaines Bend for a happy hour and hors d'oeuvres.

Shelda Nichols, First Financial Bank; Valerie Klapper; Brandie Winters, Capital Title; Candi Kanady, First Financial Bank; Melanie Deen.

Lars Hanssen, Keith Hanssen, Vee Hanssen and Matthew Renfro, all from Possum Kingdom Real Estate.

Photos by Kim Nussbaum

The golf program at The Cliffs Resort at Possum Kingdom Lake is led by longtime golf professional Mike Hammond, whose extensive background in golf management pairs well with his successful PGA and pro golfing career

Hammond, who grew up in Joplin, Missouri, became the golf pro at The Cliffs in 2018 after seeing an ad for the position. He said he was familiar with the course and its stunning, beautiful vistas

Hammond said he was 10 years old when his dad taught him how to play golf, but it wasn’t until he was 13 that he started getting serious about the game As a 6-foot-4-inch high school student, Hammond participated in multiple sports until an injury playing baseball steered him to the links full time. He earned a scholarship to play golf at the University of Oklahoma, where he competed in two NCAA national championships

During his junior year at OU, Hammond decided he wanted to give a professional golf career a shot After graduation, he obtained his PGA Tour Class A card, then got a master’s degree in business golf. He worked as an assistant pro in Ardmore, Oklahoma, before moving to Sugar Land, Texas, where a member of the golf club there was willing to sponsor him on the PGA Tour

Hammond started playing on the Canada Tour and won the Saskatchewan Open in 1987 In 1988 he earned his PGA Tour

Meet local golf pro, Mike Hammond

Card and also played in the U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts He also played on both the Australian and Asian golf tours

In 1990, Hammond moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, and helped open Chenal CC for two years, then got his first Head Pro job in Winfield KS at Quail Ridge Golf Course for 13 years. In 2005, Hammond opened the golf operations at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, before accepting the position as golf pro at The Cliffs Resort five years ago

Hammond said he loves the resort’s unique course, but added that the challenges of running a seasonal course are numerous His favorite part of the job is running the many golf tournaments at the club, especially the ones that benefit charity.

Speaking of which: Hammond's wife, Pam, who’s a weekend volunteer at the course and chips in where needed for all the group and tournament events, has taken on the task of helping PK resident Melissa Russell with the first-ever Boots and Hearts golf tournament, which is planned for Sept 16 at The Cliffs The tournament will benefit Cook Children’s Hospital and honor Russell’s 12-year-old daughter, Grace, who passed away last November. Grace spent her final 21 days under the expert care of the kind folks at Cook Children’s.

Pam Hammond’s expertise comes from a long history with ClubCorp (now called Invited), a Dallas-based company that manages more than 200 private clubs across the country She isn’t an expert golfer but was always encouraged to play while working for ClubCorp.

“I love being around the course and running into old acquaintances,” she said.

Mike and Pam Hammond actually met online, and their first date was a fishing trip and dinner at Boondocks PK Bar & Grill They married in 2018 and bought a home in The Hills Above Possum Kingdom community, where they enjoy being hosts for visiting family members and friends, including their three children and five grandchildren. The couple will celebrate their five-year marriage anniversary in November

The Hammonds’ passion for golf and helping the PK community are truly a gift for The Cliffs

Mike and Pam Hamond

OUT OF THE OFFICE

Jo Lynn Miller, Lake Homes Realty; Brandie Winters, Capital Title, and Jan Johanson, exp Realty

Mindy Holloway, Teresa Kidwell, Terrie Hays and Melanie Deen, all from Clark Real Estate Group

The Klapper Team: Cody Klapper, Daisy Klapper, Valerie Klapper and Tony Klapper.

Photos by Kim Nussbaum

OUT OF THE OFFICE

F Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO of First Financial Bank hosted the local real estate community at his lake home in Gaines Bend for a happy hour and hors d'oeuvres.

Tiffney Lakey, Rachelle Sem, Kristin Lindenbusch and Brandie Winters from Capital Title

Ashley Diethrich, Candi Kanady and David Bailey, all from First Financial Bank welcome local Realtors®, Brokers, and Title Companies to event

Photos by Kim Nussbaum

S Cheese!

Bonnie & Dub Crumley, heading to enjoy some pool time at The Cliffs Resort.

Photo by Hannah Holstein

Neilee and Blakelee Hutt - Granddaughters of Mark and Barbara Vinson of Gaines Bend

Clay and Amy Springer hosted several PK families and friends at their home for the annual July Fireworks show, which was held July 8th and produced by the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce. A good time was had by all.

SayCheese!

Maggie Ranft enjoying the lake

Photo taken by Diane Ranft

Merit & Hannah Holstein in Hells Gate before the fireworks

Photo submitted by Hannah Holstein

SayCheese!

Many local friends and families enjoyed the Annual Fireworks show produced by the Chamber of Commerce This year the show was held July 8th Pictured above, are Jenna Hutt, Pat Murchison and Kayla Vinson at the home of Clay and Amy Springer located in Gaines Bend. Photo submitted by Barbara Vinson. Next year ' s fireworks show will be held on July 6, 2024.

Pictured above: Jett Strickland, 11, from Oklahoma, enjoying wakeboarding on beautiful Possum Kingdom Lake Jett is the grandson of Jan Strickland of Sportsman's World. This is Jett's third summer at PK. Photo taken by Laryn Strickland over the 4th of July holiday.

Pictured above: Rynleigh Kennerly getting her first haircut at Lake Country Salon & Barbershop by Whitney Hurst. Photo taken by Cynthia Kennerly.

Neilee Hutt, Rynleigh Kennerly, and Blakelee Hutt getting ready to enjoy the beautuiful Fireworks show put on by the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce. Clay and Amy Springer hosted many PK families at their beautiful home in Gaines Bend for the popular fireworks extravaganza.

SayCheese!

Bentley Holstein enjoying his backyard at PK.

Photo submitted by Hannah Holstein

Kayla and Tyler Vinson - daughterin-law and son of Mark and Barbara Vinson