PK Magazine - April-May

Table of Contents Day Tripping - Mineral Wells The restoration of the historic Baker Hotel and Spa began two years ago and will cost an estimated $65 million. That's not the only project going on in the town of 15,000.

Read all about it and enjoy the photos.

17

Pictured here: Cody Jordan shows a secret compartment in the butler's pantry where booze might have been stashed during prohibition.

11 Don't mess with the Texas Flag House An interview with owners Doug and Ann Brown Outdoor Recreation Business Thriving at PK Read what boat dealers and marina owners have to say about what's driving business

Other features: PK Real Estate News: Page 20 Ground Breaking News: Page 22 PK Pure Honey - The Accidental Entrepreneurs: Page 26 Elevate your next picnic with our jarcuteries: Page 30 Palo Pinto County's own 'Field of Dreams": Page 32 Business Spotlight - The Trading Post: Page 34

37 On the cover, pictured front to back, left to right Katie Hastings, Jack Harris, Hannah Hill, Chase Bonar Rachel Rainwater, Isabel Russey, Jason Small, Carly Hughes, Joel Foster Darbie Deck, Reagan Rainwater Sarah O'Neil, Riley McCabe Photo by Melinda Rainwater

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7

Meet Dustin and Sara Trevino They're bringing Texican Style Barbecue to PK. Find out about their made from scratch sides, what inspired the business and where to find their food truck.

All of this, plus MORE INSIDE

Publisher's Note

Welcome to PK Magazine!

Do you remember that big snow storm we had in February? The one that left us trapped in our homes for days, many without water or electricity?

I remember it all to well, I was bored out of my mind - the electricity would come on for 45 minutes and not return for hours. When I get bored, I start thinking, - over the course of that week, I brainstormed with my husband, Steve and PK Magazine was born!

In 45 minute intervals, I started designing the media kit - just as I would get going on a good thought, the electrical outage would take my work with it. Somehow we powered through and here we are, with our first issue!

This issue is all about local people and PK business happenings. While COVID-19 took the world by storm, it also led to more people yearning for a simpler life, a PK Lake life, More and more have decided they can work from home and there's no place better than PK! I'm one of those - after a 37-year career in the newspaper industry, my job was eliminated last April. I had to pick myself up and figure out my next path, so here I am, owner of The UPS Store and continuing my passion for publishing with this magazine.

When Doug and Ann Brown lost their Texas Flag home to the 2011 fires, they rebuilt it, only bigger - it's a fascinating story that I hope you enjoy. Our boat dealers and marinas are thriving, touting 2020 was their best season yet. You'll hear the same from our local realtors in our Real Estate news section.

Not only are businesses growing, new ones are coming in. We caught up with Dustin and Sara Trevino to learn more about their new food truck that will be next to Bubba'z and The Trading Post. Speaking of The Trading Post - that store amazes me - where else can you go buy all your groceries and pick up a window unit, a green egg, helium, a life vest for your dog and Veuve Champaign?! Heck, they'll even carry it out to your car for you! I hope you enjoy the Q&A with owner, Cory Gentry.

Yes, PK is growing - we're even getting a new Emergency Station and Medical Clinic, a joint project of Palo Pinto General Hospital and the county's Emergency Services District 1, We'll take you behind the scenes of that deal. Lastly, we hope you enjoy our local accidental entrepreneur story on Chris and Erika Carter, as well as Palo Pinto's own little field of dreams that delivers 14,000 people a year to our lake, and our Day Trip to Mineral Wells! Enjoy!

Kim

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Vol. 1 | No. 1 April/May 2021 Publisher: Kim Nussbaum Contributing Editor: John Jarvis Digital Editor: Danny Reagan Contributing Writers: Loretta Fulton Steve Nussbaum Larry Zelisko Contributing Photographers: Erika Carter Melinda Rainwater Distribution: 1,200 copies mailed 1,300 distributed through strategic rack locations Digital replica edition can be found on our website pk-magazine.com Questions about advertising, content, distribution? info@pk-magazine.com 940-573-7170 PK Magazine is produced by The UPS Store 7355 KSN Family Investment, Inc. 101 N FM 2353 Unit 101 Graford, TX 76449 940-573-7170 Next Issue: June/July 2021

Outdoor Recreation Business

THRIVING at PK

Story by Loretta Fulton "We sold out last year" is not the official motto of Possum Kingdom Lake, but it's a comment heard often enough that it could be.

Felicia Ongley, chief operating officer of VIP Marinas, which manages The Cliffs Marina at Possum Kingdom, made the comment, which was repeated in some form by people all up and down the lake, especially owners and managers of marinas. Most will tell you that 2020 was one of the best sales years they ever experienced. And, it was all thanks to COVID-19, the worldwide pandemic that still lingers but is declining.

By the end of March 2021, a year after the virus first made its way into headlines, almost 3 million people had died from the disease globally. Countless numbers of small businesses closed, schools shut down, and lives generally were turned upside down.

Photo by Erika Carter

But one industry thrived - the outdoor recreation industry. Staying away from large crowds was one of the top protocols that health officials advised for staying healthy. What better way to do that than to be on a lake in a boat with family? "They could limit their exposure to the ones that they trusted," said Ronnie Lackey, who with his wife, Tammy, owns Bonita Shores, which features boat rentals, RV sites, a ship store, and restaurant.

All around Possum Kingdom Lake, signs of life and growth are evident, from new housing construction to long waiting lists to rent a boat slip or to buy a new boat.

Many of the people who rented or bought watercraft in 2020 were first-timers to the lake and most vowed to return after experiencing the lake’s beauty, recreational offerings, and community events. “PK has always been a hidden treasure,” Ongley said. Her husband, Dan Ongley, 7 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

is general manager of both The Cliffs and Bluff Creek Marina, also managed by VIP Marinas on Possum Kingdom Lake.

Marinas that sell or rent watercraft weren’t the only businesses that saw a huge uptick in 2020. So did the manufacturers, and many are six months to a year behind in production, said Clint Burkett, general manager of Sandy Creek Marina. The marina’s website features a banner that says, “New Inventory Finally Arriving.”

That’s welcomed news for Burkett and other boat retailers. Sandy Creek, like other marinas, sold out of boats in 2020 and manufacturing is lagging behind, creating a “slim pickings” situation for this season.

Burkett, who has been general manager of the marina since 2000, has seen the ups and downs of the industry, but nothing could compare to the highs and lows he experienced between the booming business he did in 2020 and the devastation that hit him in February 2021.

The big freeze that started on Valentine’s Day caused plumbing damage at the marina. No sooner had that been repaired than a fire destroyed the business.

Customers are being served in a temporary office while a new facility is under construction.

Even though the building was a total loss, much of the inventory was salvaged. Sandy Creek also has a marina on Hubbard Creek Reservoir near Breckenridge. The Hubbard Creek store carries mainly fishing boats and the Possum Kingdom store sells primarily skiing and pontoon boats. Both facilities offer accessories and service.

"A month like February, with its damaging freeze and destructive fire, might have spelled the end for a lot of people, but not Burkett. He has been with the marina since it opened. Last year was one of the best ever for sales and many are predicting continued success. Burkett vows to be a part of the promising future. "We're going to start over and come back better than ever," he said.

Other marinas on Possum Kingdom may not be starting over, but their owners and managers are just as enthusiastic as Burkett. Ronnie Lackey, who has owned Bonita Shores for 12 years, saw his best year in 2020.

He's not happy about a global pandemic, but he realizes his good fortune that came because of it. Families were forced to get outdoors and socialize together, rather than with individual friends. The sight of kids playing together on the dock and engaging in conversation with their parents was thrilling. "That's the part I enjoyed the most," Lackey said.

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Normally, the Fourth of July weekend is the biggest at the lake, but in 2020, the first weekend after COVID interrupted daily life equaled it. Bonita Shores has boat slips to rent but does not sell boats. It does rent a full array of boats and other watercraft like kayaks, paddle boards, and towable tubes.

Rentals were so good last year that Lackey could have rented twice the number of boats he has. Business was up 25 to 30 percent over normal, Lackey said, with more than 600 rentals over the boating season.

“Most weekends we were sold out until it got too cold to come out,” he said. Lackey bought two additional boats to rent and expects that he won’t have any trouble renting them this year. Many newcomers from a year ago have called to check out rental availability.

And that good news is shared by other marina owners who “sold out last year,” as Felecia Ongley said. The Cliffs Marina rents and sells boats and Bluff Creek Marina, managed by Ongley’s husband, Dan, also carries SeaDoo watercraft and Can-Am utility vehicles and ATVs. All did well in 2020, with visitors pouring in. “It’s like spring break started and never ended,” Felecia Ongley said. The 195 boat slips at Bluff Creek and the 178 slips at The Cliffs are filled, and the waiting list is long for an opening.

With boating sales and rentals soaring in 2020, and new housing construction booming, life is good at Possum Kingdom Lake. Ongley and many others who make their living off the lake and the opportunities it provides are keeping their fingers crossed that the boom is sustainable.

No one is happy about COVID-19, but it is a reality. For some, like Bonita Shores owner Ronnie Lackey, it’s best to make the most of it. “PK is going to be better off for it,” he said.

"The sight of kids playing together on the dock and engaging in conversation with their parents last season was thrilling".

-Ronnie Lackey

*Maggie is ranked in top 10 Local REALTORS, Office Highest Selling Agent

Don't Mess with the Texas Flag House The Texas Flag House in Hell's Gate is almost as iconic as Hell's Gate itself.

Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Story by Steve Nussbaum It's been posted on social media thousands of times and probably is one of the most photographed homes in Texas.

In fact, one morning the current owner, whose first name is Doug, was down by the lake when a fisherman floated by in his boat and asked him, "Is that your house?" When Doug replied in the affirmative, the fisherman told him, in a serious and somber tone, "Don't mess with that roof."

The fisherman's quote had to be "cleaned up" a little, since this is a family magazine, but you get the idea. It's just one of many humorous stories overheard while researching the

Texas Flag House.

There are many urban myths and ghost stories about the house that have circulated over the years. It's been rumored that former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman owned the home, as well as country music legend Willie Nelson and even former President George W. Bush. One of the more humorous ones was it was owned by singer and actor Miley Cyrus. People from the water wave at guests on the balcony and ask, "Where's Willie?" and say other things such as, "I see you, (former Cowboys quarterback) Tony Romo!" continued....

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Doug happened to be outside one day as a UPS truck driver was delivering packages. The UPS driver asked if he owned the house. Doug told him yes, then saw the visible disappointment on the face of the driver, who thought it was owned by the former president. Doug jokingly says the UPS deliveries then went from once a day to once a week!

The current owners get a kick out of the stories, which they believe may start over at Camp Grady Spruce as campfire stories, since the house is in direct site of the YMCA facility. It’s all great fun, and a part of the mystique of this beautiful home.

The current owners are Doug and Ann Brown. Doug is in the oil and gas business in Dallas, and Ann was a computer programmer. Together, they have owned the home the past 17 years, and they now manage royalties in the oil and gas industry as well. The Browns have two 20-something boys, Rowen and Renner, who grew up in the house and have hosted many school friends at the home.

Doug and Ann love Possum Kingdom Lake and spend as much free time at their beloved lake home as possible. Doug grew up in Tyler and graduated from the University of Texas, while Ann grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from Texas A&M. The couple’s sons attended Georgia Tech and Texas A&M, so one can imagine what Saturdays in the fall are like at their house.

Owners Doug & Ann Brown in front of the drawings that represent the three versions of the Texas Flag House.

They have a fun tradition with their large flagpole on the side of the house. The flagpole is set in a large boulder that hangs out over the cliff, and they have a flag rule: The U.S. flag is always on top, followed by the Texas flag. After that, whoever has the most university graduates at the home that weekend gets to hang their school colors. Since Ann and the couple’s youngest son are both Aggies, the A&M flag has dominated as of late.

Doug also likes to fly the flags of the U.S. military branches, and those who have spent time at PK may have noticed a wide variety of military planes flying over the lake from all across North Texas. The pilots love to fly low and slow over Hell’s Gate and can be seen tipping their wings as they pass the Texas Flag House.

The original two-bedroom home, which measured about 2,200 square feet and was built in 1982, was one of three homes in Hell’s Gate. The Browns, who bought it from longtime owner Rosemary Acton, were looking for a lake cabin to make lifetime memories with their two young boys. They looked at the Texas Flag House and fell in love with the spectacular views of Hell’s Gate, but the home needed some work.

Longtime PK real estate agent Mike Powell suggested they make an offer on the house and the Browns ended up purchasing it in 2004. By 2009, the couple decided they needed more space for family and friends so with the help of architect Mark Anderson of Lubbock, they began the process of turning the original home into a spectacular 5,200-square-foot family retreat.

The home features stunning views of Hell's Gate.

Photos by Erika Carter

Knowing the history of the house, they made sure not to “mess” with the roof and kept the integrity of the original home.

The remodel was completed in August 2010, but just eight months later the unthinkable happened: the wildfires of 2011.

Along with more than 150 other homes in the area, The Browns’ newly expanded lake home burned to the ground. The couple set a one-year goal to rebuild and began work again on their lake home just two weeks after the fire.

It’s at this point that Ann tells a story of being in Dallas at one of her boys’ sporting events in April 2011 and hearing about the fires. In jest, a nervous Ann sent a text message to her architect: “I hope you still have the plans, in case we need them.” The very next evening, she watched the news videos in Dallas about the wildfires. As she watched a video shot from a helicopter of her newly renovated lake home in flames, tears filled her eyes. She then started contacting her lake neighbors about the disaster.

For her and many others at Possum Kingdom, the loss was overwhelming.

Ann was a mathematics major at A&M, and she had kept track of every dime the couple had spent on the home. Just a few days after the wildfires, the couple met an insurance adjuster at the home. It took the adjuster about 15 minutes to declare the home a total loss – and with Ann’s meticulous spreadsheets, the rebuild began. Within two weeks the property was being cleared, and a new Texas Flag House was emerging - the third home on the property. The Browns found old metal

The TV Room features a massive record collection and signage from The Red Bull Cliff Diving event at Possum Kingdom Lake.

grates in the rubble and repurposed them into the rebuild, figuring that if those grates had survived the fires, they must be worth salvaging for the new structure.

The rock retaining wall and cedar timbers along the cliff of the home survived, and to this day burnt markings can still be seen on the cedar timbers of the fence – an ever-present reminder of that horrible day at Possum Kingdom.

The Browns draped a large canvas Texas flag over the retaining wall during construction as an inspirational reminder that the entire lake area would rebuild and overcome the tragedy. It symbolized their determination to show that not even those historic fires were going to “mess” with the Texas Flag House.

One year later, the new house was completed. The Browns tweaked its design, and today the structure has more than 6,200 square feet of living space, in addition to 2,500 square feet of patios and decks.

The home is designed for large events and gatherings. On the first level are large living, dining and kitchen spaces, in addition to a master bedroom and another large bedroom. All the bedrooms have their own attached bathrooms, and the couple have an office on the main level as well.

According to Ann, the two biggest delays to wrapping up a great weekend stem from doing dishes and laundry. In the new house,

The lower level bunk room features ten bunk beds (two not pictured)

the couple installed two large dishwashers and built a large laundry room with three sets of washers and dryers. Even so, Ann says she sometimes wishes she had a fourth set of washers and dryers!

She asks guests to give her 20 minutes so she can clear the bedding and begin the process of washing all the linens. Ann says this small request saves her about six hours of time in clearing and making beds.

The second level features a large card and game room, surrounded by more bedrooms and a large bunk room for girls, while the third level contains the family room and media room, as well as a very large bunk room for boys, with two very large bathrooms.

The entire house projects a very comfortable, rustic elegance that makes guests feel comfortable. There also are several custom-made furniture pieces that add to the rustic look. The home, though beautifully decorated, is not overdone. It has some unique art, including one notable piece: a wall of record covers in inexpensive frames that can be found in the lowerlevel game room. The records came from Doug’s collection, and everyone in the family helped decide which ones should be displayed. Guests walking through the home can tell it was designed for fun, family and entertainment.

The Browns have been fortunate to be the hosts for many large gatherings at the home, including one year when they held an after-prom event with 34 youths and 10 adult chaperones.

A canvas flag was displayed as a symbol that not even the devastating fires of 2011 can mess with The Texas Flag House.

They also have been the hosts for 31 people in the house for three days.

Every time a group stays at the home, the Browns take a large group picture to remember the event. Doug has made hosting the SMU tennis team an annual event – a fun occurrence because many of the players are from foreign countries, and the players get a kick out of the Texas-sized home and painted roof.

The tennis players’ favorite part is going down onto the boat in Hell’s Gate and taking pictures with the house in the background. It’s a Texas memory the players will remember their whole lives.

During the first Red Bull event, the host company rented out the home as an event headquarters. Playing host to VIPs and shuttling folks from the house to the diving events at the Hells Gate cliffs were all part of the deal, as was a full weekend of catered events and parties. At the end of the event, a Red Bull executive told Doug and Ann to check one of their storage closets. The company had left the couple the event sign that was posted at the front of Hell’s Gate. These memorable items now reside in the lower-level TV room.

The Possum Kingdom Lake community thanks the Browns for keeping this unique property a true PK icon. It’s place that just exudes fun – and the Texas spirit, too.

Photos contributed by Doug Brown

The remains of The Brown's home after the 2011 fires prior to the rebuild.

Firefighters struggle to contain the massive fires surrounding PK Lake in 2011.

Photos contributed by Doug Brown

Day Tripping exploring Story by Larry Zelisko

Mineral Wells

There’s something in the water – and something in the air – responsible for revitalization happening throughout Mineral Wells.

Something in the water sparking development are the Brazos River and three nearby lakes, Possum Kingdom included.

Mineral Wells, about 25 miles southeast of the PK dam, hopes to capitalize on water recreation to attract visitors.

Something in the air causing excitement is the restoration of the Baker Hotel, the 14-story mammoth that towers over the city as a reminder of its heyday when people flocked here for mineral water baths.

The Baker Hotel and Spa, however, is not the only project in this town of 15,000.

Opening later this year will be the refurbished Crazy Water Hotel – a smaller, older hotel than the Baker. Boutiques and shops, restaurants and bars, and venues for weddings and other occasions are popping up around town. Plus, the National Vietnam War Museum is working on a new visitor center, and the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is under development in the western part of the county.

Meanwhile, other attractions – the Clark Gardens, Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway and Mineral Wells Fossil Park – remain as popular as ever.

"We’re primarily an outdoor destination adventure,” said Rose Jordan, director of tourism for the Chamber of Commerce.

“Throughout the county we have three state parks, the river access, and tons and tons of trails.”

Another 4½ miles of biking trails have been added and more are planned, she said. For people who would rather paddle than pedal, work is underway to get a portion of the Brazos certified as a Texas Paddling Trail by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Because of its location many of the city’s visitors are from the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth area.

“We want to make Mineral Wells a tourism destination stop,” said Cody Jordan, CEO of community development for NSC Properties and no relation to Rose Jordan. “Everyone who travels to the lake comes by here, but no one had a reason to stop and shop years ago."

Giving people a reason to stop – and stay – is essential.

“People knew with the renovation to the hotel, we have to provide something for visitors to do.” she said. “We want to create an experience for them when they come to Mineral Wells.” continued...

Makeover for the

Grand Old Lady

The restoration of the historic Baker, nicknamed The Grand Old Lady, began two years ago and will cost an estimated $65 million.

Hotel magnate T. B. Baker built the hotel for $1.2 million. The Spanish Colonial Revival hotel was designed by architect Wyatt C. Hedrick based on the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Ark. Originally, the hotel had 440 guest rooms, but the number is being downsized to about 150 by knocking down walls and upsizing the amount of space in the rooms.

The hotel won’t be finished until 2024 but don’t expect to get a room then. "The first year is completely booked, " Cody Jordan said. "The waiting list is huge. People booked sight unseen."

The Baker opened in November 1929, days after the Stock Market Crash that started the Great Depression – yet the hotel thrived. Over the years guests included Will Rogers, Judy Garland, Clark Gable and many other notables. It closed in 1972, though some ground-floor businesses remained for a few years.

“The project has a huge national following,” Jordan said. “Many people want artifacts from the hotel.”

The Baker’s Facebook page has more than 57,000 followers.

General contractor Mark Rawlings is leading the restoration, “saving or restoring everything.”

For the most part, the hotel is being restored to its original condition – using original fixtures, original doors and the like as much as possible. Some things, however, are being modernized such as phone booths, which are becoming charging stations.

Relics not able to be reused might end up in a museum in the hotel. The community has been interested and helpful in the project. For instance, the original shoeshine stand was donated back to the hotel.

It took six months to take photos of everything for historical documentation. Even graffiti painted by vandals after the hotel closed has been archived.

“All of the graffiti in the building that’s something we’ve taken pictures of. It’s part of the history of the building,” Jordan said.

“The whole building has a story. On the coffee table in every single suite, we will have the story of the hotel.”

Demolition has been completed with some 1,500 rollout containers having been hauled off, Jordan said. Work on the roof is next.

“The amount of stuff they have had to haul out of here to get to this point is unbelievable,” she, said, “You would not even recognize it from what it was two years ago.”

Strangely enough, Jordan said, trash that covered the floor helped preserved it. Workers didn’t know some of the ornate tile flooring even existed until they cleaned off debris.

Once finished the Baker will have restaurants and a coffee shop, retail stores, a spa, and ballrooms and meeting rooms for banquets, conventions and weddings.

One of the goals is to make Mineral Wells a destination for weddings.

“We have so many beautiful places here,” Jordan said. “We have hundreds of miles of shoreline. There are so many awesome event places you can have outdoor weddings. And there are places you can have indoor weddings, too. So. this will be a destination wedding venue, both in the Baker Hotel and the Crazy Water Hotel.”

The Crazy Water Hotel was in use until 2012 so its condition was not as bad as the Baker’s. It will have retail space, a med spa, salon, tasting room and more. Restoration of the Crazy Water is a true community effort with 88 local investors.

And with a community effort, Mineral Wells is well on its way to becoming a tourist destination.

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For more on Mineral Wells, see pages 44 - 49

PK Real Estate News Story by Steve Nussbaum It’s not a stretch to say March 2020 was a month for the history books in the Possum Kingdom Lake area.

COVID-19 lockdowns blanketed the entire country that month, and stay-at-home orders were in place across the United States. Almost overnight, millions of people lost their jobs because of the pandemic, and oil prices sank to levels not seen since 9/11. The economic future of our country – and the entire world – looked bleak. Economists and experts predicted massive foreclosures across America, even to levels that could exceed those of the 2008 housing crisis.

But that’s not what happened at Possum Kingdom. The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates to almost unprecedented levels, and by May 2020 people started buying houses again. Real estate agents, meanwhile, pivoted to virtual tours and kept on making deals.

“Having started my real estate career just before the 2008 financial crash, I expected a similar situation last March when this worldwide pandemic started,” says Jo Lynn Miller, a Realtor with Lake Homes Realty. “No doubt our lives have all been affected, and we’ve all seen so many changes – but, surprisingly, the impacts weren’t all negative. Those of us in the real estate market at PK Lake were preparing for a downturn, when instead we suddenly had to switch into high gear.

“The number of families and investors who flocked to our ‘Paradise in Texas’ was like a continuous loop of activity normally seen on summer holidays. But this time many of the visitors stayed to become full-time PK residents. The last 12 months have been an incredibly blessed, busy market, made even better because we get to share the PK lake life with so many. And it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.”

Real estate sales at PK ended up being better in 2020 than they had been since the devastating fires in 2011. The chart accompanying this story shows how home sales at Possum Kingdom grew by more than 41 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019. The chart shows a slight lull in sales in early spring 2020, but sales really took off by May of last year. (Ric Hayward, a local real estate professional with Coldwell Banker, provided these statistics from the Multiple Listing Service, or MLS.)

influx of COVID-19 refugees played a major role in the lake area’s economy. People flocked to their vacation homes and got out of the cities, and many soon learned that they could make this a permanent arrangement. Their vacation homes at the lake became their permanent homes, and local businesses said the summer season started in April and never stopped until late fall.”

Hayward isn’t the only real estate expert who noticed the change.

“I am in my ninth year of living full time at The Hills Above Possum Kingdom, and in my sixth year of selling real estate out here,” says Sabrina Sparkman, a broker associate with Coldwell Banker. “Wow, how times have changed out here in real estate since 2015! It used to be primarily a buyer’s market in every arena in 2015, with a glut of lots and homes. Now, unbelievably, the mid-to-end months of 2020 saw the housing market at PK Lake becoming more of a seller’s market than I have ever experienced.”

Home sales at Possum Kingdom grew by over 41% in 2020 as compared to 2019

Hayward, who describes last year as his best ever, sells all around the lake but specializes in homes sales at The Cliffs.

Hayward describes the PK real estate market as a “bubble,” adding that “many factors go into the PK market that are different than other markets across the state.”

“Our market is unique,” Hayward says. “Last year, the large

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MLS Stats provided by Ric Hayward, Realtor

A seller’s market, Sparkman notes, has an “absorption rate” (total sales/month) of about one to three months.

“With the COVID-19 situation allowing many people to work out of their homes, a great number of people are choosing to live out here where there are stars in the sky, open spaces and freedom from traffic jams,” Sparkman says. “Fewer houses are going up for sale everywhere due to the fact that more and more people are deciding to keep their homes in this tranquil area instead of selling. These are no longer just vacation or secondary homes, and younger people are moving in full time, not just those retiring.”

“The Possum Kingdom real estate market has seen some amazing changes this past year,” adds Realtor DeeDee Jordan of Clark Real Estate Group. “What we typically see to be a niche second home, the resort market has seen demands increase for more full-time buyers. Inventory has decreased as homeowners are now working from home and using their lake homes more. Who wouldn’t want to live and work from home at PK Lake? Being a full-time resident and being able to live and work here is one of my greatest blessings.”

Jan Johanson, a Realtor with EXP Realty, is another expert who calls this place home.

“I’ve been blessed to live in the area for 20 years, 15 of those in The Cliffs,” Johanson says. “The friends I’ve made are my favorite part of being at PK. The growth I’ve witnessed is nothing short of impressive, to say the least. What I’ve never seen before is our market, starting last year, become a sellers’ market. It’s so hot right now. I’ve helped one couple, who I’m lucky to call friends, with six transactions in nine months.

They’ve bought three gorgeous cliffline lots to build their new home on, and I helped them sell their home they built in 2010 and buy their transition home as well – and an extra lot.”

“We are fortunate to have many experienced real estate agents who not only live at Possum Kingdom but are very active in our local community,” Hayward says.

This year, sales are comparable to the first few months of 2020.

As of April 1, 77 homes had sold in the area despite available inventory being way down. As an example, as this article was going to press, Hayward noted that there were 11 homes for sale in The Cliffs this year, while there were 34 at this same time last year.

“Homes at PK tend to turn faster than those in other markets due to our unique market,” Hayward notes. “The average is about five years, but it appears for now people are holding on to their homes longer. The outlook for 2021 is a very robust real estate season, with high demand. As of now, it appears demand is exceeding availability and could be a good time to explore selling or trading up.”

Real estate broker Mike Powell echoed Hayward’s assessment.

“My first real estate transaction was an improved lot over inside Hell’s Gate and sold for $22,500,” Powell says. “It was a great day. My, how times have changed! That very lot today is valued at $400,000. I have seen several changes all over Possum Kingdom Lake in my 30 years in the real estate business, and today’s market is as good as it’s ever been. Ten years from now, you’ll wish you would have bought this year.”

“In this competitive, fast-paced market, it makes sense to sell your property when buyers are so eager to scoop up properties as fast as they are being listed,” adds Linda Fewell, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Pondera Properties. “Spending time and money on renovations prior to selling might mean you miss out on your selling opportunity in this hot market. While certain repairs on your home may be important, your best move right now is to work with a trusted real estate adviser to determine which improvements are necessary and which are not likely to be deal-breakers for buyers.”

“There is a land rush the likes of which I have never seen before,” Sparkman notes. “Land, lots and houses are flying off the shelf, and I’m selling land sight unseen. There have only been two houses for sale this year at The Hills, where there are approximately 110 homes and 12 under construction at the moment. Amazing growth and low inventory.

“There are also investors coming in looking to buy property for commercial purposes, like putting in RV parks, tiny houses, affordable housing at $200,000 or under, commercial storage units, etc. There are new businesses opening up, and competition is increasing in almost all markets. If you’re looking to sell your property here, now is the time. If you’re looking to buy, it’s wise to make a quick decision when you find something you like.”

“With the towns and metroplex areas east of Palo Pinto County steadily growing and expanding westward, and with more families seeking a way out of the city and back to nature, Possum Kingdom Lake has become even more popular over the past months,” Miller says. “Although we’re experiencing low inventory like most of the nation is, I’m thinking positively and looking forward to helping buyers search for a lake place that will meet their needs. For any sellers who may be ready to pass their beloved lake home on to a new family, now might be just the time to consider getting it on the market.

Powell has one final word of advice: “Make your plans now to become part of the Possum Kingdom Lake family.”

21 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Lunch meeting brings

Ground Breaking News

Possum Kingdom Emergency Station and Medical Clinic Coming Soon

Story by Loretta Fulton

Look around Possum Kingdom Lake at all the new housing construction and it’s evident that people are discovering they like living at PK full time, not just in the summer or during holidays. What’s just as evident is that a growing population needs full-time medical services, and that is what residents can expect in a few months. Ground was broken Feb. 24 for a new Possum Kingdom Emergency Station and Medical Clinic, a joint project of Palo Pinto General Hospital and the county’s Emergency Services District 1.

Like a lot of great ideas, this one was born during a lunch meeting. ESD 1 was wanting to build an ambulance station on the east side of the lake and when that proposal was presented over lunch to the hospital’s chief executive officer, Ross Korkmas, he was thrilled. The hospital has clinics in Gordon and Santo and wanted to expand to the lake.

too. About a year and a half ago, ESD 1 was charged with finding a suitable location for an ambulance bay close to the lake. The location selected is ideal, Land said, because residents in any direction can be reached within the 15-minute response time that is considered ideal.

The need for a permanent family clinic was evident, too. Palo Pinto General Hospital provided a mobile medical bus for half a day each Wednesday, Land said. But in 2020, people started flocking to the lake because of restrictions on indoor gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suddenly, people who had never been to Possum Kingdom were arriving in droves.

“You could just tell there were more people at Possum Kingdom,” Land said.

“We want to do the exact same thing,” Korkmas told the lunch group. “Let’s do this together.”

And that was that. The two entities joined forces and the result will be seen at the intersection of FM 2353 and Park Road 36 by late summer or early fall. ESD 1 purchased the land and is building the facility. The hospital will lease space on one end for its clinic. The 8,000-square-foot building will house a family clinic and 24/7 ambulance service.

Carolyn Land is a commissioner and board secretary for ESD 1 and lives on a spot on the north end of the lake that she has owned since 1987. But her familiarity with the lake goes back much farther. “I grew up on this lake,” Land said. She has watched Possum Kingdom grow into the hotspot that it is today, not just for vacationers but for permanent residents,

22 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Groundbreaking photo provided by Megan Hudson

That influx of people, many of whom plan to come back, coupled with new permanent residents meant the mobile medical service would no longer be sufficient. That’s when the lunch with Korkmas, who was new at the time, was planned.

The new facility will have living space for four emergency medical staff, Land said, plus two ambulance bays and an ESD 1 office. The medical clinic will be staffed by advanced practice providers, Korkmas said, with a supervising physician who isn’t required to be on-site. Four to five new people will be hired to fill those slots.

The three-acre site that the facility is being built on has room for expansion as the need grows. At first, the clinic will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Korkmas said, but with an eye toward expanding to Saturdays during the peak summer season.

Land and Korkmas both are pleased by the joint venture.

Palo Pinto County commissioners allotted more than $200,000 of the county’s emergency medical service budget to help with the project.

County Judge Shane Long was quoted in the Weatherford Democrat’s coverage of the ground breaking, expressing his enthusiasm for ESD 1, the hospital district, and the county working together to serve the people. “I love to see different taxing entities come together to co-op instead of doing all of this individually,” he said.

For people like Carolyn Land, who grew up on Possum Kingdom Lake and lives there permanently, the new medical services are just one more indication that life is good at PK. Outdoor recreation gained a new popularity in 2020, with many indoor activities curtailed or shut down entirely. A beneficiary was Possum Kingdom lake and the business owners who thrive off its popularity. “So far,” Land said, “everything has been just so positive.”

23 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

PK Pure Honey: The Accidental Entrepreneurs Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos provided by Erika Carter Everyone knows the uplifting saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Well, for one local couple the saying might be, “When life gives you bees, make honey.”

That’s exactly what Chris and Erika Carter have done on their beautiful 20-acre property in The Hills Above Possum Kingdom. In 2015, the Carters were building their home there when Chris got a call from the builder, saying, "My guys refuse to come back to the job site until you get rid of these bees.”

Chris and Erika were living in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex at the time and had no idea they had bees at their Possum Kingdom home.

Chris, who has been in the agriculture business his whole life, knew about the importance of bees, but after the call he began researching how to remove them without using a pesticide to kill the swarm.

He eventually contacted Jason Smith out of Weatherford, who agreed to extract the hive. The hive was about five days old, and the bees had already created a large comb. Smith scraped the comb, vacuumed up the swarm and transported the bees to their new home in Weatherford.

This close encounter with the bees inspired Chris to begin researching how to raise bees and extract their honey. Chris convinced Erika to let him order two packages of bees and see what would happen next, so the couple ordered the necessary bee housing equipment.

When the bees arrived in the mail, the Carters were officially in the bee business.

Erika admitted she wasn’t interested at first and didn’t really care much about the bees – or for honey, for that matter. She knew she and Chris had 20 acres of property, though, so she thought it might be kind of interesting to pursue their original intent to have just a few bees.

From that initial foray into beekeeping, Erika soon learned the difference between locally produced honey and store-bought honey, but she had no idea she would soon become the “PK honey lady.”

The Carters’ first crop of honey was collected in 2019, weighing in at more than 700 pounds. Their bees produced about the same amount in 2020, but with twice as many hives. This year the couple expects a larger production, both from having more bees and from learning to be more efficient with their hives.

The Carters have about 20 beehives in a small canyon area on their property. The bees tend to forage about 20 to 30 yards from their hives, and the Carters have planted a wide variety of wildflowers in the area for the bees to pollinate this spring.

The Carters found it necessary to add a “honey house” on their property. It’s become their production space, with all the supplies and equipment to extract, filter and bottle their honey products. Chris built an observation hive for education so anyone can see the entire workings of the hive and the queen – and how hard the bees work to keep her safe.

Erika quickly became interested in the bees – and the marketing aspect of their product – as the “accidental” business grew. Last year the couple shipped their products to California, Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma and all over Texas. Erika is now able to produce various-sized containers of honey, too.

As people are becoming more aware of the health benefits of honey for the body’s digestive and immune systems, Erika emphasizes the importance of buying local honey to get all of the health benefits. During the bottling phase of honey production, honey is heated to 80 -90 degrees for better flow, but never to the pasteurization point of 140 degrees which would remove all the flavor and health benefits.

Chris and Erika have now become bee experts, and people from the area have been calling them to extract swarms they find on their properties.

The Carters harvest their honey in August and September, and last year they were sold out by the holidays.

This year they lost a few hives during the historic winter storms in February, but they still expect a bumper harvest – and Erika has added different products from the bee’s wax, such as lip balm, soap and candles.

PK Pure Honey is a small example of some of the unique businesses being developed in the Possum Kingdom Lake area.

The Carters may have started this business almost by accident, but it’s not just a hobby any longer.

So if you see the PK honey lady rolling down the highways surrounding PK in her turquoise Jeep, make sure to wave and order your locally sourced honey today!

Photos of Chris and Erika Carter tending to their bees.

28 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

s e i r e t u c elevate your r a J next picnic Toss me a salad brings on a whole new meaning with these simple and fun jarcuteries. Imagine the possibilities you can bring to your spring and summer picnic affair and boat outings just by adding a jar!

Mason jars are the perfect vessel for appetizers, salads and desserts.

They come in a variety of sizes, you can even find them in plastic.

Make sure to get the wide-mouth variety so you have plenty of room to add your layers without a fuss. All reusable, so no waste and they fit perfectly in your cooler over ice.

These salads are so fresh and delicious and perfect for friends and family that are on "lake time." Everything can be made ahead, allowing you to serve up a perfect appetizer, fresh salad or dessert when your guests are ready and clean up couldn't be easier.

I've shared a few of my favorites in this edition, but you really don't need a recipe, just follow the guidelines to the left and layer in your favorites!

The secret to success is your creativity and fresh, clean vegetables that you can easily find at The Trading Post or the pop-up weekend fruit and vegetable stands.

Pictured left to right: Taco Salad, Fish Street Taco Salad, Chopped Broccoli Salad with Cranberries & Nuts See recipes on pages 39 & 40

Story and photos by Kim Nussbaum

30 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

All the goodness of a beautiful charcuterie board tucked inside a pint size Mason Jar and ready for one!

Charcuterie boards are fun to make and guests love them. With Jarcuteries, you can bring that bite size freshness to the lake with you and enjoy them at your picnics or on your boat.

They aren't complicated to make, just browse your favorite grocery aisles and pick up what you know your friends and family love.

Start with a mix of cured meats such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni and then make your way to a blend of soft and hard cheeses such as brie, Havarti, gouda, mozzarella, provolone, blue cheese and cheddar. The next stop is the produce section where you can choose from fresh grapes, carrots, celery, peppers, tomatoes, pears, etc. - you can't go wrong if you pick up your favorites. Then toss in your favorite nuts and dried fruit, lastly you'll need crackers and/or pretzels and if you like them, olives.

This is where the fun begins. Wash and clean all your fruits and vegetables and cut them to size.

With all your fresh ingredients ready, open up your meats, cheeses and crackers and begin filling each jar with each guest in mind. I usually start with grapes at the bottom. I like to thread tomatoes and mozzarella on a long toothpick, I do the same with olives for about 50% of my jars and then I fill in with nuts, cheeses, meats and for the jars, I like to use pretzel sticks and dried bread sticks. I typically serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

For picnics and boat rides, tightly place your jars in a deep rectangular Tupperware type dish and place over ice. Be ready to wow your guests with these after a few hours on the lake!

Continues on page 39

The Anatomy of a Good Jarcuterie - Cured Meats - Cheeses - Fresh Veggies & Fruits - Olives - Nuts - Dried Fruit - Crackers/Pretzels - Dressing

Handy Dessert Jars

Recipes on page 43 31 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Palo Pinto County's

own 'Field of Dreams'

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos contributed by Bart Byrd When Lance Byrd bought a small ranch in Palo Pinto County, he may not have actually heard voices telling him to “build it and they will come.”

But that’s what happened.

Lance and his wife, Lauren, have built their own “Field of Dreams” named the Rocker B Ranch, nestled near the Brazos River and surrounded by the Palo Pinto Mountains. This beautiful 320-acre baseball ranch is just a few miles from Possum Kingdom lake off Highway 16 headed toward Graford.

Lance, a businessman from Fort Worth, bought the ranch as a retreat for the family in 2005. Today that ranch is an economic engine for the area, with more than 20 youth baseball tournaments taking place there each year, in addition to wedding ceremonies and corporate retreats.

Lance built the original field in 2013 as a place for family and friends to play baseball, gather and have a good time while at the ranch. Lance played baseball at Baylor, and his kids became interested in the sport, but he never thought his love of the game would turn into what it is today: a multiple-use facility with three baseball fields.

Last year brought many challenges, but folks still needed ways to get outside and be safe. The Rocker B Ranch had a great year in 2020, and even had a major expansion. Lance and his family just put the finishing touches on their third field, as well as an expansion of the suites and clubhouse.

The original field is also the smallest, built for ages 12 and under.

It’s named after H.K. Bonds, Lance’s grandfather.

In 2017, Lance built the Byrd Family Field. This beautiful field can accommodate players up to age 13. It has an elevated observation area that can double as an outdoor concert venue.

The two-story clubhouse sits adjacent to this field, with a great viewing deck on the second level.

The gorgeous third field, completed this spring, is called Andrews Field and is large enough for high school players. It has a turf infield and a covered viewing area for fans. This field overlooks the beautiful rolling hills and is the perfect spot to watch a baseball game at night.

The property also has a covered training facility, with a practice field and batting cages.

The entire ranch is done in a tasteful modern Texas chic décor, and Lauren helped with most of the design. This place is for families to

32 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

enjoy their time with each other and have a chance to meet new people, too.

The entire resort can accommodate up to 100 guests, and those guests can rent cozy cabins or stay at the lodge, which has 10 rooms and two large bunkhouses for children.

The lodge is designed to encourage gathering with other families, and the newest additions are the 12 lakeside casitas. All the rooms feature brick showers, rustic walls and fixtures, and fun, funky art.

This is not about cramming the family into a hotel room; this is all about family bonding time and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Rocker B isn’t all just baseball, either. There is a large clubhouse for dining, gathering and playing games, and adjacent to the clubhouse is the Dugout bar – a scenic spot for adults to gather and enjoy an adult beverage.

In the middle of the resort is the signature pool, which features a huge water slide and a rustic-looking water tower. The property also has a fully outfitted gym, plus a space for spa and massage treatments.

When the youngsters aren’t playing baseball, they can enjoy the basketball/tennis courts, fully stocked fishing pond, and lots of fun games.

For those visitors who get hungry, the Rocker B has contracted with Magdelana’s out of Fort Worth this year to provide all the on-site catering. It’s definitely upscale concession stand food.

Notable sports figures have been known to drop in at the Rocker B. Legendary MLB Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriquez were on hand to throw out the first pitch for the opening of H.K. Bonds field, and many former NFL and major league players have shown up with their teams.

This year, teams from California, New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico already have signed up to play in tournaments at the ranch.

The Rocker B is a true example of Texans entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s a great addition to the area, as well as a wonderful venue for corporate retreats and weddings. Lance estimated the ranch attracted more than 14,000 guests to the area in 2020. That’s 14,000 people eating in area restaurants, staying in area hotels and enjoying the best lake in Texas.

Lance may not have heard any voices coming from the beautiful surrounding hills, but he built it – and they keep coming back.

Pictured top left to bottom right: The brand new Andrews Field has a turf infield, beautiful views of the Palo Pinto Hills and can host players through high school and up.

Team Rocker B Photo - Last year the Rocker B Ranch attracted over 14,000 people to the Possum Kingdom Lake area.

The Lodge is designed for families to gather and make lasting memories.

Palo Pinto County’s own Field of Dreams features fully lit baseball fields for all ages.

33 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Business Spotlight

The Trading Post Story by Loretta Fulton | Photos by Erika Carter

Full service grocery store?

Meat cut to order?

Full line of camping and fishing supplies?

How about a full array of wines and even your favorite champagne?

The Trading Post at Possum Kingdom Lake checks all the boxes and then some. In fact, owner Cory Gentry has a favorite saying about his store: “If The Trading Post does not have what you are looking for, you probably do not need it.”

Bryce Gentry custom cuts filets for customer

34 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

The 6,000-square-foot store, located on Park Road 36, is packed with everything you need, and a lot of stuff you just want, whether you need it or not. The Trading Post is open 365 days a year “no matter what,” Gentry says. Not even crippling weather or COVID-19, which brought many businesses to a halt last year, can close The Trading Post.

“During a winter storm or pandemic, this is the time that people need us to be open,” Gentry said.

The Trading Post has been around since the 1950s, first named Ray’s Trading Post for Ray Passons, who owned the store with his wife. Since then, owners have included Davy and Nancy Taylor, Martin and Tracy Collins, and Gentry, who purchased the store in December 2019. Over the decades and through various ownerships, The Trading Post has earned a reputation as the “go-to” store for permanent lake residents and for the throngs of people who visit the lake in the summer and over holiday weekends.

Magyn Whitaker, a volunteer, recalled stopping by The Trading Post a year ago when Charlie’s Angels reopened after being closed a month due to COVID. She remembers the stunning words she heard when she checked out with over $100 worth of groceries. “You don’t have to pay for any of it,” she was told.

Charlie’s Angels orders food and supplies in bulk but occasionally needs to supplement its stock. That means a trip to The Trading Post, where the reply is always the same: “You don’t have to pay for any of it.” As a payback, whenever Charlie’s Angels has leftover meals, they are delivered to the employees of the Trading Post.

Just about everyone who’s ever been to Possum Kingdom Lake knows what’s available at The Trading Post. But they may not know about the owner’s generosity with his neighbors.

Charlie’s Angels is a local agency that serves free meals twice a week, either on-site or by delivery. The agency, named for founder Charles Self, relies on donations.

35 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

with Cory Gentry Q: Who, or what inspired you to start your business?

A: I had known the previous owners, Martin & Tracy Collins, for over 38 years. I had always wanted to be living at the lake. I have been coming here ever since I was a kid.

Q: Why did you choose your specific location? What do you love about it?

A: The Trading Post has been here since the late 1950s. It is a great spot on the peninsula where most people have to drive by.

Q: Please share the moment when you thought to yourself, “Wow! I really have something here.”

A: We are the only full-service grocery store for over 30 miles. The lake is continuously growing. I bought this store near the beginning of a pandemic, and we have set records because of it. The pandemic was awful, but we know that the PK Lake community needs us here. Their continuous support of us over big stores is what makes us go.

36 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Q: How are you planning for the future of your business?

Any exciting new product lines, services, expansions, etc.?

A: We are a seasonal store. We plan by having very tedious and extensive records of previous years. We ramp up inventory by 10X just to get through the holiday weekends.

We are always adding as customers ask us to get something.

Q: What lessons have you learned along the way?

A: The majority of the people that come out to the lake are very appreciative to have us here.

Q: What advice do you have for others that may be thinking about opening or expanding a business at PK? A: Just be aware that most businesses are very seasonal.

Dustin & Sara Trevino are ready to serve PK their

"Texican style" barbecue Story by Steve Nussbaum Photos contributed by Dustin Trevino Dustin Trevino and his wife, Sara, moved to Possum Kingdom Lake last fall. They’re one of the many new sets of families that came out to the lake during the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to stay.

That population influx led to 2020 being a record year for many businesses at Possum Kingdom, and the noticeable surge has enticed several new entrepreneurs to the lake. Longtime established businesses also are expanding their operations and making improvements to their existing locations, so it seems like almost everyone is looking forward to a great 2021 season.

The Trevinos are part of that new entrepreneur set with their Trevino’s Craft Smokehouse barbecue food truck at the lake. Dustin’s unique twist on Texas barbecue opened in mid-April.

Dustin says he always has considered himself a “foodie.” He and Sara love trying new recipes as well as old family staples, and Dustin has been tinkering with his family’s culinary creations over the past 10 years, putting a modern twist on some traditional dishes.

Dustin grew up in a large Hispanic family where food was the heart of everything, and he says there was one rule at the family gatherings: Stay out of the way if you want to be treated to a great meal.

Dustin had numerous aunts who would jockey for position in the kitchen while creating these meals, so he took notes and wrote down recipes as he absorbed food knowledge from these wonderful women. He and his wife, in turn, hope to pass along a little part of his big “Texican” family to everyone who visits their food truck.

Their idea of a barbecue food truck wasn’t conceived overnight, though. It was years in the making, but not until recently did the timing finally seem right. Dustin says his first “wow” moment came at his first catering job. The positive feedback he received for his food – and the smiles on people’s faces – gave him the inspiration to move forward with his business concept, so he began putting together his business plan and researching suppliers that could supply the highquality ingredients he wanted.

The road hasn’t been easy, and the Trevinos have dealt with many delays, but they’re confident that their hard work will pay off. To them, patience equals progress, and they hope to share their “Texican” style of barbecue with everyone at PK. Continues on page 38 37 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Trevino’s Craft Smokehouse features prime brisket, Compart Farms Duroc premium pulled pork, homemade sausage links, pork spareribs and made-from-scratch sides. All menu items come with Trevino’s barbecue sauce, pickles, onions, avocado salsa, cotija cheese and homemade beef fat tortillas. Each meal will feature that “Texican” spin that Dustin says he grew up with and can’t wait to share.

mouthwatering social media posts. The results led to a very successful launch for Easter catering, plus several large catering jobs this coming season.

The Trevinos started sharing samples of their food with folks at the lake in March, combining a little guerilla marketing with some

“The PK community has been amazing,” Dustin says, adding that he’s looking forward to a successful first season.

Prime brisket with homemade tortillas and made-fromscratch sides are always on the menu.

38 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Their food truck can be found at 1706 Park Road 36, next to The Trading Post and Bubba’z shaved Ice. A large sail shade and picnic tables have been installed in front of the food truck.

Trevino’s Craft Smokehouse barbecue features Compart Farms Duroc pork, the most tender all-natural pork available.

Continued from page 30...

Fresh Taco Salad

Your Favorite Dressing* Finely Chopped Purple Onion 1# Ground Beef 1 C Cherry Tomatoes (quartered) 1 Pkg. Taco Seasoning 1 C Mild Cheddar Cheese (shredded) 1 C Whole Kernel Corn (Drained) 4 C Mixed Greens 1 C Black Beans (Rinsed/Drained) 1 C Packaged Tri-Colored Tortilla Strips Brown beef and season with taco seasoning, set aside. Begin layering four onequart Mason Jars with 1/8 C of your favorite dressing - I use 1/4 cup of ranch dressing coupled with 1/4 cup of salsa stirred together, any dressing will work.

Layer in 1/4 of the following ingredients: Taco Meat, Corn, Black Beans, Onions, Tomatoes, Cheese, Mixed Greens. If you like avocados, add before serving. Top with your tri-color tortilla chips and enjoy! Eat it right out of the jar, or pour it all out onto a serving plate. Yields 4 1-Qt. Jar Salads. Enjoy!

More on page 40

39 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Street Fish Taco Salad The Ingredients:

1/4 C Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing 1 Filet of Fish (Tilapia, or other white fish) 2 C Shredded Cabbage 1/2 C Diced Red Onion 1/2 C Drained Corn 1/2 C Diced Tomato 1/2 C Diced Bell Pepper Spices for Fish Filet: 1t Salt 1/2t Pepper 1/8t Cayenne Pepper (more if you like it spicy) 1t Cumin Powder 1/2t Garlic Powder 1/2t Oregano 1/2 Lime (Juiced) Tri-colored tortilla strips for topping Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Sprinkle them over both sides of the fish and gently rub to thoroughly cover in spices. Lay the fish on baking pan covered with foil. Broil for 4 - 7 minutes. Begin checking for doneness at 4 minutes when fish reaches desired flakiness, remove from broiler, squeeze lime on top, chop and set aside to cool.

- In 1 Quarter Mason Jar, start layering in your ingredients: Dressing, Cabbage, Onions, Peppers, Corn, Fish Tomatoes.

- Seal jar. Shake to mix ingredients prior to serving.

- Prior to serving, top with tri-colored tortilla strips.

- For variation, add guacamole or black beans.

40 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Broccoli Salad with Balsamic, Walnuts and Cranberries

2 Bunches Broccoli

1/2 t Salt

3T Balsamic Vinegar

3T Dry Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2T Pure Maple Syrup

1/4 C Dried Cranberries

2T Smooth Peanut Butter

3/4 C Walnuts / Coarsely Chopped

3 T Olive Oil Place walnuts in 325 degree oven on a baking sheet for 4 - 6 minutes.

For the broccoli: Fill a large pot with enough water to completely immerse both heads of broccoli. Bring water to a boil. Fill a separate, large bowl with ice water. Place broccoli into boiling water for 2 - 3 minutes. Remove and place in ice water to blanche it for 30 seconds.

Set aside to cool. Once cool, chop to desired sizes and remove stems.

For the balsamic sauce: Combine balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, peanut butter, olive oil and salt in a small bowl. Microwave ingredients for 20-30 seconds or until peanut butter is smooth. Whisk to combine.

For assembly: Layer broccoli, cranberries, nuts and pumpkin seeds in pint jars and seal. Prior to serving, add balsamic sauce, toss and enjoy.

More on page 43

41 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

42 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Handy Dessert Jars Continued from page 31...

Why not carry the jar theme out and end with dessert!

These are also a homemade bite of goodness and pack & travel well! Just throw them in your cooler over ice and your guests have a wonderful dessert ready for them in a moments notice. After they devour your dessert, just toss the jar back in the cooler and throw them in the dishwasher when you get home.

The Recipes...

On the Go Friendly Fruit Salad This salad will last for days in the refrigerator, add bananas to freshen it up!

1 21-ounce can of peach pie filling 1 20-ounce can of pineapple tidbits, drained 1 11-ounce can of mandarin oranges, drained 1 10-ounce carton of frozen strawberries Thaw strawberries. In a bowl, mix the peaches, pineapple, oranges and strawberries.

Add 2 bananas if you like, but not until just before serving.

This recipe is one you can always have the ingredients on hand, which is great because fruit pairs well with weekend brunches and lunches. Yields 12 quarter pints

The Best Banana Pudding 1 8-ounce block of cream cheese (softened) 1 14-ounce can of sweetened, condensed milk 1 5-ounce pkg. of instant vanilla pudding 2 1/2 cups cold milk 2 t vanilla 1 8-ounce container Cool Whip 4 bananas sliced 1 box of mini Vanilla Wafers Mix cream cheese & sweetened condensed milk together until smooth, about 2-3 minutes at medium speed.

Add in the dry pudding mix, milk & vanilla. Begin mixing on low, adjusting to high speed for 4 - 5 minutes. Fold in half of the Cool Whip.

Line bottom of pint jars with mini Vanilla Wafers.

Top w/ 2 - 3 slices of banana, add two heaping spoonful's of pudding mix, top with Cool Whip and more mini Vanilla Wafers. Yields 12 quarter pints For chocolate version, sub chocolate pudding for bananas & mini Oreos for Vanilla Wafers.

PK Cups are back in stock!

Choose from a wide-array of colors, while supplies last Memorial Day, Fourth of July and other styles are also in stock or let us custom design one for you!

101 N FM 2353, Unit 101 | PK Plaza | 940-573-7170 43 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Day Tripping

Mineral Wells Continued from page 18 Story by Larry Zelisko

Don't miss these...

Don't just pass through Mineral Wells. There are numerous reasons to stop. Here are some of the city’s attractions: Clark Gardens 567 Maddux Road

One of Mineral Well’s most popular attractions are the Clark Gardens – an oasis of flowers, fountains and trees. Max and Billie Clark started planting gardens when they built their home here in 1972. Their labor of love kept growing over the years with more flowers, ponds, trees and landscaping. The private paradise eventually grew into educational and display gardens, opening to the public in 2000.

The gardens are known for their large iris collection, double-ruffle pink poppies and Historic Tree Trail, said Ansley McEntire, the garden’s assistant director. Irises typically begin blooming in mid-April, while the poppies peak in May. People can tour the tree trail with audio on their smart phones.

Clark Station is a G-scale model train exhibit that Max Clark built in honor of his father, a railroad worker. A model train show, featuring clubs from around the state, is held annually on Labor Day weekend. The event was canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic but is scheduled to resume this year.

The chapel on the grounds was designed by Billie Clark. The gardens are a popular wedding spot with eight venue options, McEntire said.

Max Clark is now 93 and still works in the gardens every day, particularly among the irises, a favorite of his wife’s. Billie Clark is buried on the grounds, and Max often leaves love notes on her grave, McEntire said, or bouquets for special occasions.

44 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

Phone: 940-682-4856 Website: clarkgardens.org

Famous Mineral Water Co. 209 N.W. Sixth St. Crazy Water is a longtime stalwart of Mineral Wells – since 1904.

“People come from all over the state,” said Crazy Water owner Carol Elder. “They buy Crazy Water in their grocery stores, but they make pilgrimages to Mineral Wells to get water straight from the source.”

People bring their own jugs to stock up on the mineral water, or they buy it at the gift shop, along with souvenirs. The shop sells body products and soaps made with mineral water, along with T-shirts, hats, pottery and other items with a Texas flair made here in the state.

The bath house next door offers mineral baths and massages. Especially popular are the package deals made up of a mineral bath, hot towel wrap (sprinkled with mineral water) and a massage.

The packages “are what they would have done in the 1800s,” Elder said. “We’ve kept them the same because it makes sense,” she said, explaining they assist the circulatory system, detoxify the body and are relaxing.

Phone: 940-325-8870.

Website: drinkcrazywater.com The National Vietnam War Museum 12685 U.S. Highway 180 Since the first of six gardens opened in 2007 at the National Vietnam War Museum, about 25,000 people a year have been visiting, said Jim Messinger, the organization’s treasurer.

Each year, something new was added to the complex with 2020 scheduled to be the opening of a two-story, 20,000-square-foot visitor center.

That was until the pandemic hit and halted construction.

Now, officials don’t know when the new center will open, Messinger said, and no announcement will be made until it’s done and a ceremony planned.

"We'll give plenty of notice.”

Until then, interior exhibits are housed in a story continues....

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building that used to house Secret Service agents at President George W. Bush’s Crawford Ranch. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the gardens, including a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., are open 24/7.

The new visitor center will allow the museum to expand exhibits presenting information on all branches of service, the U.S. allies and the home front during the war.

“One of our major efforts is to correct incorrect facts,” Messinger said, and the new facility will boost the museum’s efforts to do that.

A wreath sits alongside the half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. To the left is the new visitor center, which is not yet open, at the National Vietnam War Museum.

Phone: 940-325-4003 Website: nationalvnwarmuseum.org Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway 100 Park Road 71 The lake provides swimming, boating and fishing. Trails provide opportunities for hikers, bikers and equestrians. The trailway covers 20 miles from Mineral Wells to near Weatherford. The park also is known for its rock climbing.

David Shoffitt of Fort Worth holds a fossil he found at the Mineral Wells Fossil Park.

Fossils as old as 300 million years can be found at the Mineral Wells Fossil Park.

Phone: 940-328-1171 Website/reservations: texasstateparks.org Mineral Wells Fossil Park 2375 Indian Creek Road Erosion of the city’s “borrow pit” for its former landfill has revealed fossils documenting ancient sea species, some up to 300 million years old.

"We have people come in from all over the country to come to the fossil park,” said Rose Jordan. “Even through Covid, it remained popular. It’s a real treasure.”

The fossils are small and for personal collections only. Small gardening tools are permitted but shovels, hoes and motorized equipment are not.

Information: Mineral Wells Parks and Recreation Department: Phone: 940-328-7803.

Website: visitmineralwells.org

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A bicyclist on the Lake Mineral Wells State Park Trailway passes by the Meditation Garden at the National Vietnam War Museum.

Murals @ 76067 About 20 murals decorate windows and the sides of buildings downtown. A map is available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 511 E. Hubbard St., or just stroll around.

Shopping, eating and drinking Around town Numerous new shops have opened in recent years, with more on the way.

At The Market at 76067, 100 S. Oak St., more than 100 vendors sell their wares – including home décor, gifts, men’s accessories and women’s apparel – in the 12,000-square foot showroom. There’s also refreshments at Coffee and Cocktails.

Other additions to town include axe-throwing, a sports bar, a community garden/farmers market, and a bicycle shop to accommodate the growing mountain biking opportunities.

Other things in the works include guest accommodations in shipping containers and a possible distillery.

Plus, local attorney Zin Brown, who received a viticulture certificate from Texas Tech, plans to open the Bankhead Texas Wine Bar this summer, showcasing his own wines and those from winemakers from the area.

Mineral Wells has about 20 murals on windows and sides of buildings like this one on North Oak Street with the Baker in the background.

SO WHAT IS CRAZY WATER? The story of the Crazy Well goes back to 1881.

According to local legend, a woman suffering from dementia would sit by the well all day drinking the mineral water. As time passed, her mental health improved. The well subsequently became known as the “Crazy Well” and people from all around came for its healing powers. One of them was Ed Dismuke, who said drinking the water cured his ailing stomach. In 1904, he founded the Famous Water Co. and 100 years later people are still drinking Crazy Water.

Clark Gardens is known for their double-ruffle pink poppies.

Photo courtesy to Clark Gardens.

One of the first things visitors to the Clark Gardens see are the Channel Gardens.

More on page 48

47 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

A model train exhibit at Clark Gardens was built in honor of Max Clark's father. Photo courtesy of Clark Gardens

To advertise in our June/July issue, call Kim at 940-573-7170 48 PK Magazine | April/May 2021

People make pilgrimages to the Famous Mineral Water Co. to buy Crazy Water at the source.

Eighty-eight local investors have come together to provide money to restore the Crazy Water Hotel built in 1927.

Cody Jordan, left, gives a tour of the Baker to Phoenix and Danielle Rose, owners of Weatherford Music Academy.

Pictured left: One of the tiles along a wall at the Baker has been nicknamed the Trump Tile because of its resemblance to the former president.

All graffiti in the Baker has been archived to record the history of the hotel.

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SEEK AND FIND

Can you find all 33 advertisers from this magazine in the Seek and Find? First person to bring it in to The UPS Store located at PK Plaza with all the right answers receives a sleeve of PK Custom Cups.

50 PK Magazine | April/May 2021