PK Magazine Summer Issue

The Legend of The Hell's Gate 'Helicopter House' Night Skies 'Possum Kingdom Pirates' Ready to Set Sail A PK Love Story Plus More!

SUMMER ISSUE | 2021

Table of Contents

22

11

'Possum Kingdom Pirates' Ready to Set Sail Where did the pirate ship that debuted Memorial Day Weekend come from?

The

behind the scenes story of the making of a Pirate Ship!

53

The Legend of Hell's Gate 'Helicopter House' An interview with owner Harlan Leeds

Summertime Side Dishes & Appetizers

20

Refreshing favorites for summer entertaining

A House Built for Stargazing Yes, there is a house in The Hills Above PK,

8

with a retractable roof for stargazing!

We Remember: Ten years ago...

All of this, plus MUCH MORE inside.

A look back at the Wildfires of 2011

4

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

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

Publisher's Note

Welcome to the summer edition of PK Magazine!

It seems like we just sent our first edition of PK Magazine to print and here we are, with our second edition. Your response has been overwhelming and makes us want to work even harder to bring you great content, which is always 100% local!

Special thanks to Hysight Photography for contributing the great cover photo from last year's 4th of July Fireworks Show put on by our local PK Chamber of Commerce and supporting sponsors. We have a story you won't want to miss inside about everything it takes to put that show on - I was amazed, I think you will be, too. Speaking of 4th of July, I stepped into my kitchen and cooked up some of my favorite summertime recipes and appetizers - I only brought out the family and friend favorites for you so I hope you enjoy! While we're talking about food, we invited all the restaurants around PK to participate in "Our Best Dish Forward" take a look inside and see what locals consider to be their best dishes and capture some fun facts about each one while you read. Trust me, you'll be hungry when you're done!

For our feature story, we caught up with the owner of the 'Helicopter House' in Hell's Gate.

Harlan Leeds gave us a great tour of his home and answered our question to "what happened to the helicopter?" Thanks for your hospitality, Harlan - PK Is going to love your story!

Night skies have been a big topic around the lake lately, we spoke with two local residents that have a real passion for stargazing. Each provided some great tips as to how all can enjoy our beautiful night skies. I found it to be not only a great read, but educational as well.

Two stories inside will bring you great inspiration and tug at your heart strings - find out how Sam Ozier and his supporting cast built a Pirate Ship you'll find cruising PK and you have to read the PK Love Story featuring Tom & Sheri Reid, lots of twists and turns with that one!

Vol. 1 | No. 2 June/July 2021 Publisher: Kim Nussbaum Contributing Editor: John Jarvis Digital Editor: Danny Reagan Contributing Writers: Loretta Fulton Steve Nussbaum Danny Reagan Contributing Photographers: Erika Carter Hysight Photography 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

And who can forget the fires of 2011? As you read our look back, please consider making a donation to our local fire department, details are within the story - I underlined them in hopes that our readers can help them achieve their goal to purchase the ladder truck and building to house it.

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

There's a lot more to read in this edition - including Lake Toys, PK Business News, Camping, Real Estate/Homebuilding News, Discover the Upper Brazos and a new feature that's one of my personal favorites.....Say Cheese! We hope you enjoy! Keep the feedback coming, we consider it a gift!

Story Ideas?

Send them our way! info@pk-magazine.com

Kim

Next Issue: August/September 2021

6

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

We Remember Ten years ago....

Wildfires of 2011

Story by Loretta Fulton | Photos contributed by Doug Brown | Illustration on page 9 by Kim Nussbaum Even after 10 years, Ronnie Ranft remembers exactly what he was thinking and feeling as wildfires ravaged the area around Possum Kingdom Lake, destroying homes, scorching the landscape, and leaving total misery in the aftermath.

The Cliffs Resort was hit hard on Aug. 31, destroying 39 structures, including the sales office, and nine recreational vehicles, according to a report compiled by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, with an office in Graford.

Ranft was chief of the Possum Kingdom Volunteer Fire Department in April 2011 and spent weeks alongside other volunteer and professional firefighters battling what would become known as the Possum Kingdom Fire Complex. As he watched the massive destruction, Ranft kept feeling the punch in the gut.

By the time the April fires were deemed contained, they had left a trail of destruction. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which governs the National Weather Service, has a division called the National Centers for Environmental Information. That division compiled a mountain of numbers (see illustration on page 9) that help describe the devastation. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but many were altered for the worse.

“It hits you in your heart and in your soul what everybody is losing,” he said.

For three weeks in April 2011, life as usual came to a halt in Palo Pinto and adjoining counties as one of the most destructive acts of nature ever to hit the area roared through. Wildfires struck again in August and September of 2011, before anyone had time to recuperate from the April wildfires.

8

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

What can’t be measured in numbers is the emotional toll that the disaster took on the lives of area residents. Most businesses shut down for an extended period and an evacuation order was issued by the Palo Pinto County judge. Ranft, who served with the PKVFD for 30 years, including 16 as chief, recalled that an estimated 500

firefighters were involved over a three-week period.

Before it was over, volunteers and professionals from twenty-four states would assist.

Included was the Texas Forest Service, which already was set up in the area due to other fires. Ranft remembers when “bad” turned to “worse.” It started when a 180degree wind shift spread the fires even further.

“It just blew up on us and got away from us,” Ranft said.

Ranft is retired from the PK Volunteer Fire Department but current members are encouraging donations to help purchase a ladder truck to supplement the fleet of seven trucks owned by the department. The ladder truck is needed to rescue residents from top floors of condos that have sprung up around the lake and stranded hikers on cliff tops.

The volunteer fire department wants to purchase a used ladder truck from Mineral Wells, which is buying a new one. Cost for the used truck alone is $75,000, said Dale Marsh, president of the PKVFD board. Another $25,000 is needed to construct a building to house it. Donations can be made on the VFD website, https://pkvfd.com/donatenow-truck-needed The volunteer fire department receives about $40,000 a year from Palo Pinto County, Marsh said, but that’s only enough to cover utility bills and insurance. Funds for additional equipment must be raised through donations.

The department’s auxiliary has pledged $50,000 toward the total cost of the ladder truck and building.

The department needs the funds by mid to late June in order to purchase the truck. But Marsh said even if the needed amount is raised before then, additional donations will be put to good use.

“Our department is always in need of money for equipment,” Marsh said.

The need for firefighting equipment was never more evident than in 2011, when the “fire season” started early and stayed late. It was definitely a year to remember for longtime residents like Ronnie Ranft and for newcomers.

The Ranft family has owned land at the lake since 1945 when Ranft’s father was stationed at Fort Wolters. Ranft was born in Mineral Wells, and his current home is close to the original family home. The 2011 fire got within 900 feet of the Ranft home. Ranft, his wife, and a son all were firefighters and had to evacuate their home with nothing but the firefighting gear they were wearing.

people affected also was evident. Many businesses that employed the volunteer firefighters paid them while they battled the fires. Ranft’s own employer, an oil company in Cleburne, was one of those. When it became evident that the fires were going to take weeks to contain, Ranft called his supervisor, who was 100 percent supportive.

“Do what you gotta do,” he told Ranft.

Donations poured in for firefighters whose employers didn’t compensate them when they were on duty. Supplies were donated, too, everything from toothbrushes and eye wash to chainsaws. Businesses and individuals chipped in, donating whatever they could--money, goods, their time-to aid the firefighting effort. That effort didn’t go unnoticed.

“When I saw that,” Ranft said, “It hit me really hard how much people really helped.”

2011 Wildfires, by the numbers:

4

number of fires that merged as the Possum Kingdom Fire Complex (Possum Kingdom West, Possum Kingdom East, Hohertz, Jackson Ranch)

2

churches destroyed

150 124

126,734 acres that burned

million (estimated) monetary damage

outbuildings

167

destroyed

90

homes destroyed

percentage of land burned at Possum Kingdom State Park

11

(no structures were lost)

The situation was dire, but the generosity and spirit of the PK

million (estimated) cost to fight the fires

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

9

The Legend of The Hell’s Gate ‘Helicopter House’

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Each issue of PK Magazine features a behind-the-scenes peek at some of the most iconic and interesting homes on Possum Kingdom Lake. These are the homes folks have seen from the water and heard rumors about, but want to know more about the stories behind them.

For Leeds, PK is a special place. He’s been coming to the lake since 1964 with his dad, and he stayed at Camp Grady Spruce as a youngster. Those who meet him quickly learn that he has many interests and is passionate about a wide variety of things.

In this issue, we focus on the famous “Helicopter House” in Hell’s Gate. Visitors know which one it is: It’s the one that sits right on the point, with a front-row view to everything that happens there.

Helicopters and Possum Kingdom Lake are two of those passions.

The “Helicopter House” was finished in 1994, and it’s still owned by its original owner, Harlan Leeds. Leeds bought the land for the home in 1992 and finished building the structure on Memorial Day two years later.

Leeds, who was intrigued with the flying machines at a young age, eventually got his pilot’s license but never dreamed he’d be able to afford a helicopter of his own.

But as an entrepreneur and owner of seven different companies, he’s been able to own not one, not two, but three helicopters during his 25 years of flying.

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

11

It was during a helicopter ride in 1992 that Leeds spotted the notable property where his home now stands. At that time there were only a couple of homes in Hell’s Gate, and what caught his eye was an incredible piece of real estate, with a promontory jutting out from the shore. After studying the property from the air, he contacted a real estate agent and requested help to buy it.

Fortunately for Leeds, the landowners were ready to sell, and he spent the next two years designing and building his house there, even though its location posed a challenge to its construction.

The home is a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home with a loft, and it’s designed to take advantage of its incredible front-row views of Hell’s Gate. All of its beautiful exterior stone – five 18-wheelers of it – was brought in from Arizona, giving the home a unique look and color. It also took more than 200 dump-truck loads of dirt to build the road down to the home.

Leeds designed most of the interior himself, and visitors can see his other passions in the attention to detail – and love of Indian architecture – that he used throughout the home. The home has several doors and architectural pieces from India, and the rugged, heavy pieces fit in well with the natural Texas feel of the home. Each piece has a story, and Leeds has a fascinating tale to pair with each of them.

The outdoor patio was expanded a few years ago and finished with a beautiful outdoor kitchen, with a cover anchored by imported Indian columns. Leeds also has a home in the Dallas area, but he spends as much time as possible at his PK locale.

So how did the “Helicopter House” earn its moniker?

The outdoor kitchen is anchored by two carved columns from India.

Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Every room in the house features spectacular views of Hell's Gate.

Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Interior features a collection of unique art and rugged doors from India. All selected by Harlan Leeds.

Photo by Kim Nussbaum 12

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Those who have been coming to Possum Kingdom Lake for many years might remember seeing a helicopter setting on the helipad hanging over a cliff on the property.

For more than 20 years, Leeds flew his helicopter from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to his home at Possum Kingdom.

“I hate traffic,” Leeds explained.

Those folks who spent any time at all in Hell’s Gate during the 1990s or early 2000s probably saw Leeds and his guests cruise Hell’s Gate and land on the small helipad, which is adjacent to the property. That just added to the mystique and atmosphere of Hell’s Gate.

It was during these years that the home also earned a reputation for huge parties and a wild atmosphere. During this time, the home sometimes sported a huge Budweiser banner, with Bud girls out on the patio and large groups enjoying the festivities.

Harlan Leeds standing on his Helicopter Landing Pad. Photo by Kim Nussbaum

Leeds recalled playing host to up to 400 people on the patio during some weekends, with plenty of food and adult beverages. He would fly his helicopter around the lake, and folks in Hell’s Gate would wave and cheer.

The most people Leeds remembers ever spending the night in his home was 38 at one time. He joked that they “used every nook and cranny” to find a spot to sleep.

The Hell's Gate 'Helicopter House' at night.

Photo contributed by Lisa Mooring

Harlan Leeds and Lisa Mooring enjoying the 'front row seat' in Hell's Gate.

Photo by Kim Nussbaum

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

13

He said that those wild party days are way behind him now, and he is content these days enjoying the beauty and serenity of his front-row view.

Every iconic home at PK has both a story and an urban myth, and it’s those myths that make the homes so interesting. The No. 1 question for Leeds was, “What happened to the helicopter?” It’s been absent for several years now, and the stories for its disappearance continue to grow as time goes by.

One theory is that the helicopter’s owner crashed in Hell’s Gate, while another says the pilot miscalculated the landing, and the helicopter ended up in the lake.

The answer?

It turns out that the helicopter actually did end up in the

Iake years ago, but not in the way the story goes. A storm that came across Possum Kingdom sporting 110-mph straight-line winds blew the helicopter, which had not been secured or tied down, off its helipad and into the lake.

Leeds enlisted the Grapevine Fire Department’s dive team to recover the helicopter and used a huge crane to pull it out. Back in those days, not everyone had cell phones to record video of the recovery, and Leeds purposely did the recovery “under the radar” so as not to attract a crowd.

Leeds hasn’t flown over PK with his helicopter for a while now, but the house is still known as the “Helicopter House.” The helipad is still there, with a huge “H” on it, which Leeds jokingly noted does not stand for “Harlan.”

Dispelling the myth: What happened to the helicopter...

The Grapevine Fire Department's dive team works to recover the helicopter.

Photo contributed by Harlan Leeds 14

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

The “Helicopter House” also can’t be mentioned without talking about the horrible wildfires in April 2011. One evening a decade ago, Leeds was in Dallas having dinner with his attorney and got a call that his beloved lake house was burning to the ground. The news shocked him, but he finished his dinner before making plans to go check on his home the next day. He got a special flight clearance to go inspect the livestock in the area with his helicopter.

Due to the firefighting effort, Leeds couldn’t fly over his home, but he was able to observe it from a distance – and, to his surprise, it had not burned down. It was one of only a few in Hell’s Gate to survive the wildfire.

It turned out the person who told Leeds his home was lost in the blaze couldn’t get a clear view of it because of the smoke and flames that surrounded the structure. The flames made it to the front porch of Leeds’ home, but stopped there.

Leeds attributes the home’s escape from a fiery end to its narrow drive – and the island-shaped lot it sits on, too.

Even though Leeds’ home is not “party central” anymore, it’s still the command center for most major events held in Hell’s Gate. His patio is the coordination site every year for

the famous Hell’s Gate fireworks show on the Fourth of July, and for five years the energy-drink company Red Bull used his home as the production center for its Red Bull Cliff Diving event. Leeds praised the Red Bull people and how great they have been to work with, and said he hopes the event returns to PK soon.

Leeds also has offered his home as a venue for the Possum Kingdom Muscle Boat Association Poker Run concert, which will take place June 12, and the “Poo Live Crew” will be performing from Leeds’ patio to entertain the crowds in Hell’s Gate. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Possum Kingdom Lake area fire departments.

Anyone who’s owned a house for 27 years knows how the use of the structure can change over time. For Leeds, the helicopter and the huge parties may be things of the past, but his love of Possum Kingdom and being in the middle of all the things Hell’s Gate has to offer has not. After all, Leeds has the best front-row view of everything going on there, and he has no plans to stop enjoying his beloved home and lake.

As he jokingly put it: “It’s not like someone is going to build a house in front of mine.”

Boats lined up in front of Leed's home enjoying the view and atmosphere of Hell's Gate.

Photo by Hysight Photography

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

15

The artistic interpretation of what Hell's Gate might have looked like 50 years ago.

Night Skies

Story by Danny Reagan | Photo and illustrations contributed by Steve Kennedy

Steve Kennedy, an attorney with offices in Dallas, recently moved into his second house at Possum Kingdom and has been a resident at the lake for 12 years.

As an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, he has noticed light pollution increasing during his time at the lake, and he has a few ideas on how to darken the skies again.

Kennedy’s love for the night sky began 50 years ago, when he was a young boy of 8 looking up from his viewpoint on Lake Erie. He was awestruck by the Milky Way, with all of its various colors visible with the naked eye.

These days, a decent view of our galaxy and its core 18

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

is getting harder to find. A recent article in National Geographic noted that “a third of humankind cannot see the Milky Way, including nearly 80 percent of North Americans.”

“I’ve been interested almost all my life in stargazing,” Kennedy said in a recent interview. “Once you see the Milky Way in a dark sky, the experience is really aweinspiring.”

Kennedy’s images of the Andromeda, Whirlpool and Triangulum galaxies have been featured on the NASA and SpaceX channels on YouTube, and many of his cosmic photos can be seen on his Instagram account (link at end of story).

“I love studying and sharing astronomy,” he said. “Anyone who wants to download my images and promote astronomy and science, that’s just fine with me.”

Kennedy’s house on Bluff Creek Point faces west by northwest. He said he can detect a small “light dome” from the city of Graham, Texas.

Kennedy said he doesn’t need the eastern view of the sky for the majority of his photography, and he explained why: Within 5 degrees of the northern and eastern horizons, stars just “fade away” when they hit that area of the night sky.

Kennedy found a light pollution map online (see illustration and link below) that indicates how bright or dark any location on Earth is using what’s known as the “Bortle scale.” A location that registers a Class 1 Bortle scale rating means it’s an “excellent dark-sky site,” such as Big Bend National Park. A Class 9 rating is an “inner-city sky” that has hardly any stars visible. Possum Kingdom falls between Class 3 and Class 4 on the Bortle scale (rural sky to rural/suburban transition). Kennedy’s own house is near the Possum Kingdom landmark The Lighthouse, and his sky’s Bortle rating falls in the Class 3-4 range.

The state park near the western end of the lake is the darkest area at a low Class 3. All state parks are designated “dark skies” locations, and steps are taken to lessen the sky glow in them.

To a degree, the increased lighting around the lake in recent years also has affected Kennedy’s avocation.

“There are just a lot more lights on everything now than there was when we moved here,” he said. “And they’re on all night long.”

Kennedy said he has seen some “really amazing” dock lights – and though they’re impressive, artistic and beautiful, he isn’t sure why they have to be on all night long.

“Of course, we all want boaters to be safe at night,” he said. “But I think there would be a time when most of the extra lights could be turned off, with just a few lights left on for safety purposes.”

Kennedy also thinks the increased landscape illumination could be curtailed.

Story continues on page 64

LightPollutionMap.info A website that measures light pollution across the globe shows Possum Kingdom Lake with the darkest areas near the State Park, and the brightest to the east.

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

19

A Home Built for

Stargazing

The view of the Milky Way from Peter Gottschling and Lynne Aldrich's built-in observatory.

Story by Danny Reagan | Photos by Peter Gottschling © Peter Gottschling, a retired chemist, and his wife, Lynne Aldrich, a retired hospital administrator, have been bird watchers for 40 years, but living at Possum Kingdom has allowed them to train their sights a little higher.

Millions of light-years higher, to be precise.

The couple have lived in The Hills Above Possum Kingdom for 11 years, and they may be the only residents of the lake that purposely had their house built with a big hole in the roof – more specifically, a 10-by-12-foot section of the roof facing the back yard that retracts for stargazing.

Gottschling said it’s all his wife’s fault.

20

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

“My wife bought the first telescope when we lived in Columbus, Ohio,” he explained recently, “and when we learned how to use it, we got very interested.”

Fast-forward a few years to their life in Grand Prairie, when the couple met a builder at a Fort Worth show. After touring the builder’s houses, the subject of designing a house with a built-in observatory entered into the conversation.

After considering a few options, such as a backwardsliding roof or one that popped up like a jack-in-the-box, the couple opted for a roof with a section that slides down

with a room built under it in the attic.

“We were looking for a place with dark skies,” Gottschling said. “Otherwise, it’s pointless to have an observatory.”

shining on neighbors would probably make nights 75 percent darker,” he said.

Another big factor for the couple’s unusual alteration to their house was convenience.

Gottschling also pointed to a study of oil field workers (link below) that showed improved safety when their bright lights were shielded downward.

“One reason we wanted something like that is because it’s a hassle to take your telescope outside, assemble it, then disassemble it and bring it in when it’s late,” Gottschling said. “This was going to be our retirement home, so we wanted to build a house where we wouldn’t have to do that anymore.”

“We were the 12th house built in The Hills, and the number is now approaching 200,” he said. “There are more bright spotlights, causing more skyglow in the local area. If we can keep that from happening locally, then the effect might spread to other communities around the lake.”

He said midsummer at the lake is the best time to see one of the sky’s most impressive night spectacles: the Milky Way. Gottschling also recently viewed a galaxy called “M87” or “Messier 87,” a supergiant elliptical galaxy with a diameter of 240,000 light-years that’s 16.4 million parsecs (53 million light-years) from Earth. It can be seen in the southern part of the sky on clear nights.

Gottschling and his wife have another reason for advocating for a reduction on the skyglow at Possum Kingdom: They’re bird watchers, and they want to preserve their feathered friends as well.

“I saw detail I’d never seen before,” Gottschling said, adding that viewing the newly found Comet Leonard recently was “exceptional.”

Back in 1984, Gottschling and his wife saw the last seven wild condors in California just before they were captured in an effort to save the species.

An 11-inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector and a 5inch Explore Scientific refractor are the two telescopes set up in the couple’s attic observatory that measures 17 feet deep by 10 feet wide. The opening provides a 180-degree viewing area, with the North Star visible to the north and the complete horizon to the south. Toward Weatherford and Dallas-Fort Worth, “the first third of the sky is blanked out because of light pollution,” he said.

Today, bald eagles are a familiar sight for some residents who live close to the lake, and just recently the couple saw their first golden eagle flying over their house. Both species of eagles are no longer endangered, but they are protected under federal law.

Gottschling doesn’t have any scientific measurements, but he can tell on a very clear night that the sky is definitely full of more skyglow than it was when they moved to the lake.

“You see less of the Milky Way,” he said. “The star clusters and other galaxies are not as easy to find, and you really can’t see as much anymore.”

“Doing something like that would also help migrating birds that sometimes get disoriented because of such lights,” he said.

The couple hopes the starry sky over Possum Kingdom isn’t endangered, and they look forward to more people choosing to protect it.

Related Links: Texas Parks & Wildlife State Parks article: https://bit.ly/3gWJIXU Improving Oil Field Lighting for Safety: https://bit.ly/33ceRyu

For tips from Gottschling on how to minimize light pollution, see page 74

Artificial lighting outdoors alters natural conditions, but it isn’t the main culprit in light pollution, according to the International Dark-Sky Association (http://darksky.org).

The association singles out the “excessive, misdirected or obtrusive” use of lights as the biggest problem.

Gottschling acknowledges that modern society uses outdoor lighting for safety, aesthetics and commerce, and said he would never ask people to turn off their lights. But he has a few alternatives to suggest for them if they don’t.

“Shielding outdoor lights from going up in the sky or

The couple's house under construction in The Hills 11 years ago, showing the retractable roof for stargazing.

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

21

'Possum Kingdom Pirates' Ready to Set Sail Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos contributed by Sam Ozier

Have you heard the Aggie joke that asks, “How many Aggies does it take to build a pirate ship?”

The answer, it turns out, is two – as in two determined entrepreneurial Aggie siblings and a team of their supporters.

Sam and Bill Ozier are brothers from Wichita Falls, Texas, who attend Texas A&M in College Station. Sam’s a senior, while Bill’s a sophomore, and the two share a strong family bond to the lake. After all, they’ve been coming to Possum Kingdom Lake since they were born.

The young entrepreneurs are the sons of Dr. Gary and Andrea Ozier, and the brothers have two sisters, Catherine and Jennifer, who are Aggies as well. The Oziers have owned a home at PK for more than 30 years, and Possum Kingdom has been a part of almost every important family event for this tight-knit group.

The idea of a pirate ship at PK was something that the two brothers and their dad had talked about for years. It was always kind of a joke among them: If they hit it big in the stock market, they would build their ship.

That stock market ship never came in, but Sam and Bill kept the dream alive. On one night during a trip to the Mexican beach resort city of Puerto Vallarta to celebrate their sister Catherine’s engagement, the boys shared their idea with their future brother-in-law, Peter Ryan. Ryan loved the idea and spent the rest of the night with the brothers brainstorming a list of people that could help build the ship and assist with marketing ideas.

Whether it was the Mexican moon or something in the water, the three were ready to make the “Possum Kingdom Pirates” a reality.

The Santa Maria Taking Shape:

Sam Ozier standing proudly in front of the finished 'PK Pirate Ship' Photo by Torin Halsey, Wichita Falls Sam, an industrial engineering major at A&M, knew they needed some help, and he and his brother weren’t shy in asking people for assistance. They created a Facebook page and a YouTube video to promote the pirate ship.

Just as all this planning was going on, though, the COVID-19 pandemic struck – but it didn’t stop these young men from moving forward with their idea. The two brothers essentially moved to the lake when their classes went online last year. Sam worked on an internship with Dell Technologies and tended to his online schooling during the day, then turned around and worked on the pirate ship idea at night. His routine continued throughout the summer as the team sought help with their plan.

Sam and Bill found the perfect partner in Sean Choate, owner of Falls Truck Center in Wichita Falls. Choate had all the capabilities to bring their idea to fruition, so at the end of the summer Sam and Bill returned to Aggieland with the goal of making the Possum Kingdom Pirate ship happen.

In the fall, Sam found the perfect boat to convert to a pirate ship: a 42-foot pontoon boat, but there was one slight problem: It was located 700 miles away in Marion, Illinois.

Those trying to accomplish a goal often say it’s the journey that’s the most rewarding. For Sam, the journey started when he met the boat’s owner in Marion. The man insisted that Sam come to Marion and see the boat for himself. Not wanting to miss an opportunity, Sam booked a 10-hour flight to Marion. The last leg of his trip was completed in a single-engine plane flying out of St. Louis, with Sam as the only passenger.

When Sam finally arrived in Marion, he found that the boat’s owner was a somewhat scary-looking guy – and a former Hell’s Angel, no less – who went by the nickname “Cowboy.” Cowboy was eager to sell his boat and get his money, but Sam felt he needed to contact Sean back in Wichita Falls.

Sean’s reply was, “You take care of it.”

So later that day, Sam became the owner of a 42-foot pontoon houseboat that Story continues on page 24

needed a lot of work. He also had no place to sleep that night, so he slept on the boat, with Cowboy and his stepdad keeping Sam entertained with war stories and Hell’s Angels adventure stories. It was an awkward night for Sam, but he enjoyed their stories, even if he admits that he may have slept with one eye open. When he left, Cowboy said, “Good luck – and the Hells’ Angels have got your back.”

The boat arrived in Wichita Falls a few weeks later, looking a little rougher than what Sam remembered. The bottom was completely rusted out.

Sam and Bill were disappointed, but still determined, so they began construction with the help of many family members and friends. The brothers enlisted their Aggie engineer future brother in-law, Cameron Knauth, to help with design, and family friend T.J. Johnson, who Sam describes as “the best redneck engineer I know; T.J. can build anything!” also pitched in to help. The boat turned out to be a total rebuild, leading to the next part of the journey.

Their pirate ship received its final touchups in the latter part of May, and the young entrepreneurs harbored plans to launch the boat on the Memorial Day weekend. They said they are anticipating Brazos River Authority approval of the ship, and they plan to offer sunset cruises and private parties with a certified boat captain.

Sam and Bill deserve a lot of credit for having persevering to bring their dream to PK, and they thank the following individuals for their help in making that dream come true: “Mr. Cristian” and Jackie Adamson; Bo and Gelasia Bennett; Mike Benson; Chris Blaschke; Tanner Burke; Todd Burns; Sean Choate; Tanya Choate; Trell Coleman; Mark Cusenbary; Andrew Ernest; Danny Foix; Andrew Freeman; Jay Guy; Peggy Mae Holcomb; Jesse James; T.J. Johnson; Paul Knox; Andrew and Thomas Koch; Rodney Martin; Cody Maxton; Joe Nichols; Andrea Ozier; Bill Ozier; Gary Ozier; Andrea Ozier; Hayden Richards; Mike Richards; Glenn Rogers; Peter Ryan; Chelsea Shine; Danny Shine; Garrett Shine; Wasiq Siddiqui; and R.D. Wegmann.

For more information, visit the website www.pkpirates.com.

24

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Hemmingway's Craft House Brings Old Friends Back Together Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos provided by Jilene Foust

Pictured to the left:

Front entrance covered in green ivy, with a neon sign

featuring the restaurant's name to create a sense of whimsy and fun.

This

natural look carries through other strategic spots in the restaurant as well.

Pictured top right:

Seating is a combination of tasteful, tucked-leather

sofas, with both high- and low top tables.

The comfortable sofa seating

areas are strategically located to provide great spots to relax comfortably with small or large groups.

Todd and Jilene Foust, the original owners of Boondocks, and current owners John and Jan Verdi are joining forces again to breathe new life into the old Scenic Point Grill, an eatery that has been in and out of business for the last several years.

The new venture is called Hemmingway’s Craft House, and the two couples aim to recreate the same recipe for success they perfected at Boondocks.

The Fousts, who opened Boondocks a decade ago, hired the Verdis as managers of the popular local restaurant and bar. The business took off, and the Verdis eventually bought Boondocks from the Fousts, who live in Midland but have a vacation home at the lake. So the two couples, who have remained friends and seem like a match made in heaven, figured they could do business together again.

In an effort to get the former Scenic Point Grill location back in business, the owners of the building offered up $1

a year rent to anyone who had the experience – and the vision – to make it work.

It just so happens that Jilene Foust is a designer who had a vision for what Hemmingway’s could be, and the Verdis have the experience of running a high-volume restaurant/bar at the lake with the challenges of the different seasons.

“We would never do anything that might hurt Boondock’s, and we wouldn’t take on this project without John and Jan,” Todd Foust said.

A total remodel of a building and a complete change of atmosphere takes plenty of time and patience to begin with, though, even without Mother Nature adding hurdles to overcome. The historic freeze in February set their plans back six to eight weeks, with almost five dozen water leaks that needed fixing, as well as repairs to the ceilings,

floors and drywall.

The new business is located on a peninsula right on the edge of the lake, adjacent to The Harbor Marina. The existing building – a beautiful rustic log cabin design with a huge stone patio overlooking the lake – can be considered one of the top patio locations on the lake, and the “bones” of the building provided plenty of design inspiration.

The building features huge wooden beams that the original builder brought in from an Amish farm in Pennsylvania, and the incredible view combined with the beautiful stone fireplaces and rustic ambience provided the setting for Jilene Foust to work her magic.

Both Jilene Foust and Jan Verdi describe Hemmingway’s as “fine dining, but casual dress.” The whole design maximizes what already existed in the building and tweaks it to match their vision.

From the entrance, guests can either go out to the large patio bar space, or into the large and inviting indoor space.

Once inside, visitors won’t be able to miss the beautiful bar area with its 20 large, comfortable bar stools. The space is anchored by two large stone fireplaces at the front and back, and large-screen TVs make for a great spot to enjoy the next big sporting event.

Seating is a combination of tasteful, tucked-leather sofas, with both high- and low-top tables, but one unique feature is that not everyone will be seated at a table. The comfortable sofa seating areas are strategically located to provide great spots to relax comfortably with small or large groups. It’s purposely set up for people to move between different groups, and the design is what visitors might see in the Dallas area at an elegant hotel.

Story continues on page 52

The first big change was the removal of three walls to create a huge bar in the middle of the restaurant. The large open space expands the view of the lake and adds more room for patrons to enjoy the elegant, relaxed atmosphere. After all, the lake is a place to create memories with friends and family members alike, and Hemmingway’s provides a wonderful setting to do just that.

Visitors entering Hemmingway’s will be greeted by an entrance covered in green ivy, with a neon sign featuring the restaurant’s name to create a sense of whimsy and fun. This natural look carries through other strategic spots in the restaurant as well.

The patio features another large bar area with seating for 20,

The new beautiful bar area features 20 large, comfortable bar

and tabletop seating for another 80. The beautiful stone patio,

stools.

built around large Texas oak trees, features an incredible view

the front and back, and large-screen TVs make for a great spot

of the lake.

to enjoy the next big sporting event.

The space is anchored by two large stone fireplaces at

A PK Love Story Tom and Sheri Reid Story by Kim Nussbaum | Photo by Jan Verdi

Years ago, Sheri Reid and her husband at the time, Ron Smith, bought a lot at PK for $1,000. It was a waterfront lot with a well, and the couple built their home on that lot.

Sheri and Ron thoroughly enjoyed raising their three children at Possum Kingdom Lake, all attended Graford ISD. Sheri owned a T-shirt shop called Sheri’s Custom Designs. After a while, though, Sheri knew she needed to find a job with insurance benefits, so she went to work in the sales department at The Cliffs.

Then in 1989, after 28 years of marriage, her husband passed away.

Sheri applied for a school nurse position at the Carrolton Independent School District. She was hired for the position and moved in March 1990, but she kept her PK home to come back to on the weekends. Her kids were all married, with her daughter living in Wichita Falls and her two sons remained at the lake in their own homes.

One day real estate agent Tresa Berry (now deceased) called and asked if Sheri was interested in selling her house because she had someone interested in it. Sheri said she couldn’t believe what she was hearing, because she hadn’t even listed her home for sale.

But, sure enough, a single dad with two teenage boys wanted to know if she would finance it, so Sheri decided she’d take the “mailbox money” and sold her house. The sale didn’t last long, though, as she had to repossess the house because of a lack of mortgage payments on the buyer's part.

After she got the house back and cleaned up, Berry called 28

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

her again and said she had another buyer. The prospective buyer’s first name was Tom, and he was in the process of getting a divorce. Sheri decided to let her show it – and, the next thing she knew, Tom was buying her house.

Tom had just moved from Amarillo to run PK Ready Mix. Sheri would occasionally make her way back to the lake to visit old friends, and one weekend she had a date with a pharmacist from Graham whom she had met at Gary’s Silver Dollar (now Boondocks). Her friend Ruth McCracken was sitting at the first table next to the shuffleboard table and told Sheri she had someone she wanted her to meet.

When Sheri mentioned she was on a date, Ruth insisted that she at least come say hello.

Needless to say, her date didn’t take too kindly to all this.

As they were leaving, her date told her, “Well, you’d better go meet her friend.” Sheri’s date then left, and she made her way to the bar to meet Tom Reid.

Sheri said she couldn’t stop gazing into Tom’s blue eyes.

After chatting a bit, he asked if Ruth had her number – and, if so, could he call?

Of course, Sheri said yes!

Sheri didn’t renew her contract with the school district, but instead took her job back at The Cliffs and moved to Pickwick Drive.

During the process of moving, Tom called and asked her out.

He picked her up for their first date and asked if she

minded if he stopped by his house to let his dog out. As he turned north toward FM 2353 and put on his blinker to turn left, Sheri told Tom: “You're not going to believe it, but I used to live in the first house on this street.”

His reply: “I live in the second house.”

When he pulled into the driveway of the second house, Sheri broke into a cold sweat and started shaking and crying before somehow getting these words out: “Tom, my husband passed away when we lived in this house. This is the house we raised our family in.” (The house is now the second house because someone built on the other side after Sheri sold it.)

Seeing Sheri was visibly shaken, he asked, “So do you not want to go in?”

She finally answered, “Yes. I need to see what you've done with it since I left.”

Sheri was shocked that Tom hadn’t done anything to the house. She remarked that it was like déjà vu, as all the memories started flooding back.

When Sheri asked Tom why he hadn’t changed anything, he replied, “Well, I like the decorating.”

Those words really got to Sheri.

“I fell hard for him,” she said. “I really did.”

Tom then confessed that McCracken had “spilled the beans,” and he knew that Sheri had owned the house, so he had an ulterior motive. He then jokingly asked, “Do you know where the lateral lines are?”

“Yes,” Sheri replied. “But it’s going to cost you.”

He picked her up for their first date and asked if she minded if he stopped by his house to let his dog out. As he turned north toward FM 2353 and put on his blinker to turn left, Sheri told Tom: “You're not going to believe it, but I used to live in the first house on this street.”

It’s at this point that Sheri’s boss, Crystal Cameron, asked Sheri if she would consider transferring to their company’s White Bluff resort on Lake Whitney. Sheri knew she was in love, but she didn’t want to risk a broken heart, so she accepted the transfer.

In her mind, she was worried that she was falling too fast for Tom – and, with his divorce not yet final, she feared that Tom and his soon-to-be-ex-wife would get back together.

Tom helped Sheri move to White Bluff, and he visited her every weekend.

“You have to get this out of your mind,” he told her. “She’s not coming back.”

Both of their children also tried to convince Sheri that Tom’s ex-wife was not coming back.

The White Bluff resort shuts down from after Thanksgiving through February for the offseason, which meant Sheri’s time there was limited, so she applied for a nurse position and moved back to PK full time.

Sheri and Tom were married on Christmas Day 1999, and they will be celebrating their 22nd wedding anniversary this year.

Sheri’s mom told her the Lord intended for this to happen, and that “he didn’t want you to sell that house anyway.”

Sheri and Tom still live in the house – and other than the home value and property taxes skyrocketing, not much has changed. They’ve since bought the property and built a barn across the street, as well as a new deck and garage.

Tom and the children were right: Sheri did need to get it out of her head that his ex-wife was coming back. What she didn’t know at the time is that she and Tom’s ex-wife, Cathy, would become dear friends.

And that’s a PK love story!

His reply: “I live in the second house.”

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

29

Lake Toys

Local merchants work hard to bring the latest toys and adventures to Possum Kingdom Lake. Here are a few fun items we found around the lake. Show your support to our local business community by shopping local.

hydrofoiler xe-1

The XE-1 is manufactured by Manta5 out of New Zealand.

A hydrofoil bicycle with electric assist.

Demo lessons available, call for appointment. $8,990 + $495 Shipping

Riverstyle Sports 940-256-0769 gail force saddle floats Saddle Floats provide floating fun for every member of the family whether out for a day at the lake, or relaxing, and socializing with your friends and family in your backyard pool.

2" Thick Available in a wide array of colors $54.99

slalom shop 940-779-3302 liquid force magic carpet

18' X 6' - will hold up to 6+ friends Super Strong 30mm 3 layer PE foam sheet Unsinkable design with non-inflatable foam 4 Plastic grommets for secure tethering Two webbing straps with buckles for easy roll up storage Other sizes available $569.99

bonita shores ship store 940-779-2203

kayaks

The most complete fishing kayak ever, the Shearwater 125's unrivaled speed and stability is only exceeded by its limitless options for angling customization and its incomparable choices of pedal, power, or paddle acceleration - Vibe X-Drive pedal system, Bixpy Jet motor, Vibe Evolve paddle, or the unique combo of all three at an unmatched price to build the fishing kayak of your dreams to fit any and all budgets.

Own the water. Own the Shearwater 125 Wide array of colors and styles $399 - $1,799

possum kingdom tackle company 940-229-1605 liquid force wake-surfer boards 3 Fin beginner to intermediate One Wake Boards Ride a single for a true skim feel Ride a twin for a "skatey" feel Available in a variety of sizes and colors with a great price range! $499 - $740

slalom shop 940-779-3302 FOIL - ELECTRIC HYDROFOIL SURFBOARD

The eFoil is manufactured by Lift Foils out of Puerto Rico Four board sizes, multiple wing combinations Leverages advances in lithium battery technology and wireless communication to create an experience that's a mix of surfing, flying, and deep-powder snowboarding.

A powerful electric motor, a state-of-the-art battery, and high performance carbon-fiber boards, foils, and wings combine to create the world's smallest watercraft. Riders of all athletic capabilities can glide above any body of water, without needing to be propelled by wind or waves.

Demo lessons available, call for an appointment $12,000 + $350 shipping.

Riverstyle Sports 940-256-0769

PK NEWS Business

Story by Loretta Fulton | Photos by Kim Nussbaum

The east side of Possum Kingdom Lake along FM 2353 is bustling with new construction and renovation, but that’s just half the story.

sawdust settles, there will be something for everyone, ranging from the basics to the unusual to a quiet place to unwind with a glass of wine or craft beer.

Kerri French wants everyone to know that there is a “west side story” to be told, too. The setting for that story is FM 1148, where French is building a convenience store and turning an old building into a new grocery/general store.

The name of the larger store on the lake’s west side tells customers exactly how French and her husband, Leddy, feel about their location: The Best Side Mercantile and Storage.

Here are some capsule looks at what’s on the horizon:

East side or west side, it makes no difference, because the sounds of saws and hammers are everywhere. When the

CORK AND TAP ON THE BRAZOS Owner: Kory Casler (940) 329-0010 309 N. FM 2353 https://corkandtaponthebrazos.com/ The name “Cork and Tap on the Brazos” doesn’t quite tell everything about a new business owned by Kory Casler, but it’s pretty close.

Story Continues...

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

33

The new wine and craft beer lounge also will offer low-key live music once the new establishment gets going. The 900-square-foot space is one of three in a small shopping center on FM 2353. A blurb on the Cork and Tap website sets the tone for what you can expect.

FABULOUS FINDS Owner: Donna Ethridge (432) 638-4903 313 N. FM 2353, Suite B https://fabulousfindspk.com/

“Cork and Tap on the Brazos is a wine experience with craft beers on the side,” Casler said. “We aim to be a warm, comfortable, cozy destination to enjoy your favorite wine or craft beer and maybe try something new.”

Fans of Fabulous Finds PK don’t have to worry about being able to find their favorite place to shop once it moves to its new location.

Three to six craft beers will be offered on tap, plus bottles and cans. Growlers in 32- to 64-ounce sizes, which can be refilled with the craft beer of your choice, also will be available. Wines will be selections from Texas and California vineyards. Casler also plans to add selections from area wineries and breweries.

The idea for Cork and Tap on the Brazos came from looking around Possum Kingdom Lake and seeing all the new housing and businesses going in. Casler, who is retired, decided what was missing was something the Cork and Tap aims to be: a quiet place to unwind with a fine wine or craft beer.

“It looked like something people needed,” Casler said. “We just want to offer something a little different.”

34

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

“It’s just across the street and down a little bit,” owner Donna Ethridge explained in true small-town fashion.

The “street” is FM 2353, a main thoroughfare for lake residents. It’s the site of a lot of new construction and renovation, including the new Fabulous Finds PK store that Ethridge expects to be open in early June. The address of the current store is 338 N. FM 2353, but the new location’s address will be 313 N. FM 2353, Suite B – “just down the street a little bit,” as Ethridge explained.

While the location will be new, loyal customers can still expect to find their favorite items, just in a cool new setting. The store’s website explains it best: “We are an exclusive boutique and showroom filled with home décor, gifts, apparel, and much more. We are a fun place to

shop.”

our local business owners here at the lake,” Ethridge said.

Indeed, Fabulous Finds has been a fun place to shop since opening in 2018. Ethridge and her husband, Mike, have had a home at the lake for 17 years and moved here permanently a few years ago. That move prompted Ethridge to open Fabulous Finds so that she and other lake residents wouldn’t have to drive so far for fabulous finds.

“We are all here to make a better place to live and shop in our small but growing lake community.”

“I wanted to be able to find nice products here at the lake,” she said.

Among those nice products are “hobo chic” Johnny Was apparel with signature embroidered designs, and unique jewelry creations by Julie Vos. Ethridge is planning a grand opening celebration once the store has moved to its new digs, and said she and her husband were always eager to make Possum Kingdom their permanent home. Even before settling here full time, they were a part of the community and supported other local businesses. Opening Fabulous Finds in 2018, and now building a new store, provided the opportunity to be a part of the area’s growing business scene.

KENT KWIK CONVENIENCE STORES Owner: The Kent Cos., Midland (940) 779-3055 1400 Park Road 36 https://kentkwik.com/ Lake residents and returning visitors probably are noticing that the familiar Mr C’s convenience stores are getting a new look and a new name.

Before long, all the former Mr C’s stores in the Possum Kingdom Lake area will be remodeled and rebranded as Kent Kwik convenience stores. They will bear a look that is familiar to visitors from West Texas, Oklahoma and eastern New Mexico, according to Meredith Bright, director of corporate communications and brand development for The Kent Cos., which owns Kent Kwik.

“We’re grateful and excited to get to have them join our family,” Bright said.

“I’m proud of our lake community, and we need to support

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

35

to get to have them join our family,” Bright said.

For a sneak preview of what the remodeled stores will look like, visit the website https://kentkwik.com. In April, The Kent Cos., based in Midland, purchased six Mr C’s stores in the area: three in Mineral Wells, two in Weatherford and one in Graford. The purchase of the Connel Oil Corp.’s Mr C’s stores brought the number of Kent Kwik stores to 59 in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Two more are under construction in Odessa, in addition to another one in San Angelo.

The Kent name may be new to lake residents, but it’s been familiar to West Texans for decades. The business was founded in 1957 by Buck Kent (now deceased) as Kent Oil and Kent Distributors. It remains a family-owned business.

A recent vote by readers of the Midland ReporterTelegram named The Kent Cos., located in the heart of the Permian Basin, as the “Basin’s Best Employer,” with more than 100 employees. That high rating should be good news to local residents looking for a job. Kent Kwik is hiring, and an application can be found at https://kentkwik.com While the stores may get rebranded, they will still continue

36

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

to carry Chevron-branded products, Bright said, as well as expanded food offerings. The Mr C’s stores will be getting a new look and a new moniker, but locals can expect the same good-neighbor experience when the name changes to Kent Kwik.

“We’re really big in community support,” Bright said.

POSSUM’S CORNER Owner: Kerri French FM 1148 (817) 629-8609 Before long, folks living on the west side of Possum Kingdom Lake or traveling from the west won’t have to drive so far to refuel their vehicles, or to grab a six-pack or bite to eat.

In fact, they won’t have to drive out of their way at all.

They’ll just have to stop at the new Possum’s Corner convenience store owned by Kerri French.

To say that the store, located on FM 1148, is eagerly awaited would be quite an understatement. Its presence will mean that west-siders no longer will have to drive to Graham or Breckenridge for a few quick items.

Continued on page 40

Continued from page 36...

“There’s not anything like that over there,” French said.

The new store will offer gas and diesel fuel, food items, and most anything that other convenience stores carry. A pavilion with picnic tables that already was on-site will remain, and French also expects to get a food truck to make regular stops at the pavilion.

French said the convenience store and a new grocery/general store that she’s putting in, The Best Side Mercantile and Storage, will benefit people who are driving in for the weekend. They no longer will have to make a stop along the way to stock up on what they need.

Both the larger grocery store and Possum’s Corner are expected to be open for early summer visitors. People living in the area already are anticipating the convenience that the new stores will bring.

“Everyone is so excited,” French said.

THE BEST SIDE MERCANTILE AND STORAGE Owner: Kerri French FM 1148 (817) 629-8609 “Best side” and “west side” might cause a little confusion, but things will be cleared up soon when new T-shirts are available with the slogan, “The West Side is the Best Side.”

That’s a comment that Kerri French’s husband, Leddy, sometimes makes – and now it will be immortalized on Tshirts in conjunction with the opening of The Best Side Mercantile and Storage (located on the west side of Possum Kingdom Lake, of course). French expects the new general store, plus a convenience store down the road, to be open for customers by early summer.

With new housing and business construction booming on the lake’s east side, French decided the time was right to bring some new business to the west side. She and her husband also own The Toy Shop, a boat and ATV repair and rental business on the east side.

So what can customers expect from The Best Side Mercantile and Storage?

The new store will be a full-scale grocery store, with lake toys and other items that people now have to drive to Graham or Breckenridge to find. It’s located in an old convenience store that is being renovated.

“We want to offer as much as we can so people won’t have to go into town,” French said.

With the opening of Possum’s Corner and The Best Side Mercantile and Storage, expect to see those T-shirts flying off the shelves – the ones that say, “The West Side is the Best Side.”

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

40

From Camping

g n i p m a l G o t Story by Loretta Fulton

Rock Creek Camp and RV Resort proudly welcomes guests with a 30 by 60-foot Texas flag, which is just one of many additions new owner, Diane Wallace has made to the resort. Photo by Erika Carter Nothing says summer like camping by the lake, whether in a tent, an upscale RV, or a cabin, and visitors to Possum Kingdom Lake will find plenty of places to fit every need.

From commercial spots to Possum Kingdom State Park, campers will be able to find the perfect fit for a weekend or a week of lakeside fun, star gazing, s’mores and more.

Following are quick looks at some of the camping opportunities available at the lake. Websites are included for more detail: ROCK CREEK CAMP AND RV RESORT 940-779-2766 201 Rock Creek Road Graford, TX 76449 www.rockcreekrvresort.com/

42

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Rock Creek Camp and Resort is literally a “can’t miss” place. A 30 by 60-foot Texas flag flying overhead guarantees it.

But the bigger-than-Texas flag isn’t the only amazing thing about the resort. Diane Wallace took over ownership on Jan. 4 and began remaking the resort, which opened in the 1940s. She had the cabins, bath house and reunion hall renovated and an old storage building and mobile homes removed. Wallace is pleased with the progress and looking forward to the season ahead.

The camp is built on 30 acres of waterfront land. It includes 13 short-term RV slots and 16 cabins. Eight of the cabins have been fully renovated and the remaining eight

will be. The RV spaces are equipped with water, electric, and cable. Half of the spots have sewer access, and a dump station is close by. Another 15 spaces are available for full-time RVers.

Reunion Hall is a popular place for family gatherings, business meetings, and retreats. Amenities include heating and air conditioning, full kitchen facilities, bathroom, television, and tables and chairs for up to 100 people. An outdoor grill is available for grilling.

Besides the addition of the “ginormous flag,” as Wallace described it, Rock Creek also features new security lighting and a double-sided digital sign. Future improvements include a pavilion on the water for events, bands and weddings, a store, and swimming pool.

POSSUM HOLLOW CAMP 940-549-1873 4801 Possum Hollow Lane Graham, TX 76450 www.possumhollowcamp.net/

Brittany and Ted Douglas enjoy a game of cornhole at Fox Hollow Resort. Photo by Kim Nussbaum The “World Famous Fox Hollow Resort,” owned by Hank and Jennifer Erler, has plenty to brag about. Let’s start with the 11 cabins available for rent. Cabins range from one to three bedrooms and include large fenced in decks.

What’s cuter than a bright-eyed, big-eared charming little possum peeking out of a tree hollow?

“They’ve upgraded them like the Hilton Hotel,” said General Manager Koby Watkins. “They look brand new.”

That’s the picture that will greet you on the Possum Hollow Camp website. Hard as it may be to pull away from that cute little critter, try to look at the rest of the site for information on what’s available at Possum Hollow. For starters, there are 22 cabins, 29 RV slots, and 16 boat slips.

An additional six courtesy slips have been added to make restaurant access easy for boaters. Click on the menu button on the website to see what all is available at the full-service restaurant--everything from appetizers, soups and salads, mouth-watering entrees, to desserts.

The Erlers bought Fox Hollow in January and have been busy since then getting it ready for summer fun. Besides the cabin upgrades, the resort has boat slips available to rent, with easy access to the Hungry Fox Restaurant and Foxy's Cantina. The restaurant now is open for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays in addition to weekdays.

Mike McNallen has owned Possum Hollow since 1979 and has recently remodeled the cabins. A few years ago, 50 amp spaces were added to the RV park to accommodate today’s big rigs.

A special treat on Saturday nights is the prime rib and lobster dinner in the restaurant, served with the entertainment of Howard Lee on the side. Lee, a “one-man band,” has been a regular for 14 years, said Tracie Bittle, McNallen’s daughter. And for good reason.

“People love him,” Bittle said, “and we love him too.”

You'll find lots of fun in the shade at Foxy's Cantina including a large fire pit and games such as cornhole and a large jinga.

Everything on the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus sounds lip-smacking good, but Watkins says one dish in particular is the resort’s calling card.

“We still have our famous catfish, she said. “That’s what everybody comes for.”

The Erlers plan to add 30 covered boat slips in addition to the 30 uncovered slips (pictured below) they currently have on site.

FOX HOLLOW RESORT (940) 549-1801 4705 Fox Hollow Road Graham, TX 76450 www.foxhollowresort.com

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

43

PETEY’S RV RESORT AND MARINA Target opening date late August The lake’s newest RV park hasn’t opened yet but is expected to by late August, weather permitting.

Owned by Jordan-Anderson Ventures LLC (Bret Jordan and Justin Anderson), the upscale park will feature 82 slots and boat slips to rent. Among the amenities will be a restaurant, two swimming pools, WiFi, laundry room, shower facilities, and a clubhouse. The new park also will have a dog park, workout facilities, and a conference center.

Dee Dee Jordan, who provided information on the planned RV park, described it as a “high end luxury RV resort” as well as family-oriented.

“We look forward to the opportunity to provide a fantastic destination lake RV resort,” Jordan said.

POSSUM KINGDOM STATE PARK (940) 549-1803 3901 State Park Road 33 Caddo, TX https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/possum-kingdom https://www.possumkingdomparkstore.com/

44

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Entrance fees: $4 adults; Free for children 12 and under.

Camping at a state park might seem like roughing it to some, but for others it’s the perfect getaway venue.

Possum Kingdom State Park escaped major damage in 2011 when wildfires swept through the area. No structures were lost, but vegetation was scorched.

“We were one of the lucky ones,” said David Fischer, who has been superintendent at the park for a year.

Grasses and flowers have grown back, creating a lovely setting by the lake. The park is divided into four campgrounds and features seven cabins and one lodge that sleeps eight people. Of the 115 RV slots, 60 have water and electricity. None has sewer hookups.

The park also features 10 primitive walk-in spots for tents and five bath houses, including four with showers. The park has a swimming beach and boat launch.

A park store carries some food items and plenty of gear for lake activities. For dry-landers, the park features two miles of hiking trails and a courtyard with games.

Continued on page 72

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

45

w a r r o d F h s i D t s e B r u O

We invited restaurants on and around the lake to show off their best dish - here you have a wide array of goodness to feed you and your lake crew.

"We have a fun homey feel

and we never meet a stranger!

2 Old Crows

We opened The Crow with an

108 La Villa Drive | 940-779-3474 Summer Hours: Wed. - Sat 11-2

old beat up stove with only two working burners, we've come a long way."

Facebook: 2 Old Crows

Best Dish:

Seafood Gumbo w/side salad and house made Cajun Italian Dressing "All of our customers love it, even if it's 100+ degrees outside!

Cheryle has been making it since she was a kid. We feel this dish brings people together.

"We're family friendly, right on the water's edge. Large outdoor patio w/ games for kids of all ages. Be sure to say hi to Jimi Hendrix our tortoise & our hedgehogs, Sonic & Rose!"

Bonitaville 1800 FM 2951 | 940-779-3250 Summer Hours: Mon - Thurs 11-9, Fri & Sat 11-10, Sun 11-4

Best Dish:

Tortilla Crusted Tilapia Browned to perfection, topped with a sweet chili sauce & grilled bacon wrapped shrimp.

Served on a bed of rice with a side of tasty Bonitaville green beans.

"This dish is very common in the southern states. My wife gets most of the credit for bringing this dish to Texas. She made it for me at home and I decided to see how it would

The Chaparral Grille

do at The Cliffs. It easily became one of my top

225 Clubhouse Drive | 940-779-4505 Summer Hours: Wed - Sun 7am - 9 pm www.ddresorts.com/the-cliffs/on-property/dining/

Best Dish:

Shrimp & Grits Season Grilled Gulf Shrimp on top of creamy garlic cheese grits, garnished with fresh scallions.

46

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

selling dishes!" -Chef Harvey

a collection of best dish es from "Established as 'Fox Hollow Camp' in 1944, we are the longest surviving resort on the lake. One visit and you'll know why!"

PK Re staur ants ...

Hungry Fox - Fox Hollow Resort 4705 Fox Hollow Road, Graham, TX. | 940-549-1801 Summer Hours: Resort Hours Vary Web Address: FoxHollowResort.com

Best Dish:

Chicken Fried Steak As much as the World Famous Fox Hollow Resort would like to take credit for it's creation, we didn't - we only perfected this Texas staple!

"We have fun serving great food to great customers. We're not shy with our sauces - our customers love them."

Hot Cakes and Catfish 364A FM 2353 N | 940-779-2121 Summer Hours: Tues - Fri 11am - 7pm, Sat. 8am - 8pm, Sun. 8am - 2pm Facebook: Hot Cakes and Catfish

Best Dish:

Fish & Shrimp Plate This plate is our #1 guest choice.

"We're family owned and built from the ground up! Come find our food truck - we look forward to serving you!"

Overstuffed Burger Co. 107 North Main Street | 940-452-8244 Summer Hours: Hours vary based on food truck location Facebook: Overstuffed Burger Co

Best Dish:

Overstuffed Jalapeno Popper Burger A fan favorite of many for its spicy but flavorful combination.

Tenderized with a blend of special spices and is packing the heat!

Each bite reminds you of a delicious classic jalapeno popper with a cheeseburger spin

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

47

Owners Eric & Brandy are originally from West Texas. "I (Brandy) went from teaching school to flipping burgers! I'm known by many as the 'burrito or burger lady'. Eric has his role as the handsome 'bait boy.' We love our customers

PK One Stop

and enjoy watching their families grow."

1716 Park Rd 36 | 940-779-4021

Summer Hours: Sun - Thurs 7am-9pm, Fri & Sat 7am-10pm Facebook: PK One Stop

Best Dish:

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches & Fries w/Secret Seasoning!

Comes with bell pepper & onion; I add jalapenos & mushrooms. We had several people ask us to add a Philly to our menu. We finally added these to our menu after sampling several. This is one of our most ordered items. We've been told it's the best on the lake!

"We have great friendly, smiling faces. We like to listen

Pearls Restaurant and Bar

to all music and make drinks to perfection"

Main Street in Graford | 940-664-2160 Summer Hours: Mon - Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri & Sat 11am -9pm Facebook: Pearl's Graford

Best Dish:

New York Strip Steak Pearl's New York Strip, cooked and branded to perfection. Served with a loaded baked potato and a side salad.

"We're a family, friendly environment with outdoor games such as a Giant Jinga, Giant Connect 4 & Cornhole.

The Pizza Shack

We are a woman owned & operated restaurant."

457 N FM 2353 | 940-445-5182

Summer Hours: Sun. 11am-7pm | Closed Monday | Tues & Wed 11am-8pm Thurs 11am-9pm | Fri & Sat 11am-11pm Website: thepizzashackpk.com Facebook: @ThePizzaShackPK

Best Dish:

Lake Lovers

One of everyone's most favorite. It's a pizza with all the meats (Canadian bacon, pepperoni, Italian sausage, beef & bacon). It's a favorite for all Possum Kingdom Lake Lovers. Add all the toppings to our 12" Cauliflower Crust for a keto friendly option.

48

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Rockin S Bar and Grill

"We're the only restaurant

1784 FM 2951 | 940-779-3499

on the lake that has an upside

Summer Hours: Wed, Thurs, Sun 11am - 10pm;

down boat hanging in the bar w/a

Fri & Sat 11am-11pm

full cooler of beer on ice!

Website: RockinSPossumKingdomLake@GrafordTexas

Best Dish:

Good music, wonderful friendly staff, great customers!"

Pechuga Relleno Oven roasted bacon wrapped chicken breast filled w/cheese & green chiles. Served w/rice & grilled veggies. This dish is one of our top sellers. It's from Selina's. We have taken it off the menu, but had to bring it back due to the demand by guests.

Sweet Jesus Donuts, Deli & More 212 N Main Street | 940-329-1723 Summer Hours: Tues-Sat 5:30am-2pm

"We're two best friends who are moms,

Facebook: sweet jesus donuts deli & more

Best Dish:

wives & love to cook and serve the people. We consider our customers friends & family."

Grazin' Board (Charcuterie) Fun, festive special order - just one of the many things we make that fall under the "more" category

The Texican Cocina

"Our chef is culinary trained and we have an amazing team

208 B Main Street | 940-573-7173

that's full of passion. We're the only

Summer Hours: Wed & Thurs 11am-8pm;

Mexican Restaurant with Disney

Fri & Sat 11am-9pm

music playing!"

Facebook: Texican Cocina

Best Dish:

The Texican Fajitas Beef and Chicken Fajita meat, topped with three shrimp, Monterrey Jack cheese and bacon, - with sour cream, guacamole, Pico-de-gallo, rice, beans and tortillas.

Trevino's Craft Smokehouse 1706 Park Rd. 36 | 972-505-0433

"Our BBQ Food truck used to be an ice cream truck! Talk about a facelift !!!"

Summer Hours: Saturdays 11am - Sold Out Website: trevinoscraftsmokehouse.com

Best Dish:

Trevino's Wild PK Tacos Packed with all our favorites! Every bite is filled with flavor as you take in our prime brisket, pulled pork & picadillo sausage. To balance out the bold savory flavor of meats a fresh topping of house slaw, pickled onions & jalapenos, avocado salsa and cotija cheese bring everything together. This is a big meal so bring your appetite, did we mention it comes with our delicious Spanish rice?

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

49

Real Estate News: Homebuilders Experiencing One of their Best Years Ever Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photo by Erika Carter “How’s business?”

For real estate agents at Possum Kingdom, there’s only one answer to that question: “Busy!”

Inventory is low and demand for homes in the Possum Kingdom Lake area is high, and it’s not just real estate agents who are experiencing a boom; area homebuilders are, too.

It makes no difference if the location is on the east or west side of PK, either. Houses are going up as fast as possible, but their scarcity on the market has led to a surge in the sales of lots and undeveloped land.

The cost of acquiring available properties is determined, as always, by location. Buyers can get a small lot in The Cliffs with no lake view for $5,000, but a prime lot with some acreage and a sloping view of the lake can cost more than $300,000.

Land options at PK are varied, and the good news is that the lake area has a wealth of qualified real estate agents to help find buyers their perfect lot. There are properties available to meet every budget or lifestyle.

Longtime Possum Kingdom Lake builder Mark Anderson, who has been building homes for 33 years, said that 2021 is turning into one of his best years ever. The big surge in land sales has led to a corresponding boom in new projects for his homes, Anderson said.

He said his previous biggest year was 2012, the year after wildfires ravaged the area, when he rebuilt 11 homes. This year he expects to build up to a halfdozen new homes at PK. Anderson, who is building a home on the west side of the lake this year, noted that he has seen a recent uptick in development on that side of the lake.

Story continues on page 67 PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

51

Hemmingway's, continued from page 27 On the patio is another huge bar area with seating for 20, and tabletop seating for another 80. The beautiful stone patio, built around large Texas oak trees, features an incredible view of the lake and a large sail for additional shade and lighting.

Just below the patio area is a grassy area for people to play games, and there are firepits to enjoy the view of the lake and boats coming into the marina. There are nine boat slips for people to park their boats at and walk up from the marina, but the owners have plans to add Sea-Doo slips at a later date.

The menu at Hemmingway’s will feature a large selection of appetizers to enjoy while trying one of the house’s signature cocktails, and plans are in the works for beverage carts to be strategically placed around the restaurant. The menu also includes a large selection of sandwiches, burgers and salads, and gourmet pizzas have been added as another casual option.

The menu also will feature a selection of seafood options, pastas and steak, with the intent to have something for everyone, including children.

Even though Hemmingway’s will be a completely different type of restaurant than Boondocks, Todd Foust said both businesses will share one necessary ingredient for success: consistency. Both couples want locals and lake visitors alike to know it will always be there as a place to enjoy, and the vision for Hemmingway’s is for it to be a place guests can arrive by car or boat, then stay for as little or as long as they like.

Hemmingway’s plans to open by June 15, and this new venture will be completely different than any other establishment on the lake. With the new owners’ track record of success and their well-thought-out changes for the business, it very well could be a huge addition to the lake area.

End of story.

52

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Summertime

s e h s i D e d i S & s r e z ti e p p A Photos and Recipes By Kim Nussbaum

Avocado Bacon Summer Salad The Dressing:

The Salad:

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

10 cups chopped romaine

1/8 cup red wine vinegar

4 strips of bacon cooked and cut

3 tablespoons of PK Pure Honey

1 cup of grape tomatoes cut into fours

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 small red onion thinly chopped

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 avocados cubed and tossed in juice of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon of salt

3/4 cup of feta cheese

Put all ingredients in a jar and shake to mix

Mix all together & toss w/dressing, top w/cheese

Sweet & Spicy Deviled Eggs

Watermelon Jicama Salad

6 large hard boiled eggs

1 small, seedless watermelon

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 jicama (you may sub apples for jicama)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon Sriracha

tablespoon of fresh lime juice

salt & pepper to taste

dash of salt

thinly sliced green onions for garnish

peel and cube watermelon

Boil eggs, place in ice bath, peel, cut in half

julienne jicama

Place yolks in small bowl, add in remaining ingredients

add fresh cilantro leaves to taste

Spoon into egg white

toss all together with salt and lime juice

Top with VSOP Balsamic Glaze (Williams Sonoma)

keep refrigerated PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

53

Four Ingredient

en Salad k c i h C o en Jalap 2 cups of freshly cooked shredded chicken 1/3 cup of diced jalapenos from a jar 3/4 cup freshly grated mild cheddar cheese 3/4 cup of real mayonnaise Adjust ingredients to your taste palate (more

Side Kick Potato Salad

jalapenos, less mayonnaise, etc.) - serve with crackers.

This dish is a guest favorite - the perfect cooler item

2 pounds of mini gold potatoes

for your picnic or boat.

4 green onions, thinly chopped 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, finely chopped

Timesaver tip:

A fresh rotisserie chicken works

1/2 cup finely chopped English cucumber

perfectly for this dish, or use leftover grilled or

1/2 cup finely chopped dill pickles

baked chicken.

2 hard boiled eggs, chopped 4 radishes, julienne sliced

The Dressing: 1/3 cup of mayonnaise 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon stone ground mustard 2 tablespoons of juice from pickle jar dash of salt fresh ground pepper to taste Clean and boil potatoes in salted water until tender While potatoes cook, whisk together all dressing ingredients Drain and cool under cold water until completely cooled Cut potatoes in half or into bite size pieces Toss potatoes with remaining ingredients in a large bowl Add dressing and toss together until completely coated Garnish with extra chives, parsley and radishes

Mexican Street Corn 2 cans of fresh whole kernel corn (drained) 2 fresh jalapenos - seeds removed, cleaned and chopped small onion - chopped 2 tablespoons of butter tablespoon of sugar 4 ounces of cream cheese Sautee onions and jalapenos in butter, add corn and sugar, melt in cream cheese until bubbly. Salt and pepper to taste.

54

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

ta t e h c s u r B t s e B e h TStarts here with the freshest ingredients!

The Pesto: 2 cups of fresh basil (I grow basil in my backyard herb garden) 1 lemon (juiced, seeds removed) 2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced 1/3 cup of pine nuts 1/3 cup of freshly shredded parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste extra virgin olive oil In a mini food processor, start with 1 cup of basil and a tablespoon of olive oil, add second cup and continue to add olive oil to blend to desired consistency, add pine nuts, garlic, cheese and lemon juice and continue to blend - add salt and pepper to taste.

To prepare...

You'll need a loaf of small round French bread, olive oil, freshly chopped grape tomatoes, more of the freshly grated parmesan cheese you used in the pesto .... and the secret ingredient that brings it all together is Balsamic Glaze.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Lightly brush olive oil on

Spread pesto on freshly

Top with freshly cut

Top with freshly

thinly sliced bread and

grilled French bread.

tomatoes.

grated parmesan

place on grill to get grill

cheese.

marks.

Secrets to success....

Mini Food Processor (Start at $20)

from Williams Sonoma

ff o

Glaze

t i hs in iF

Balsamic

laze! ic G am ls a B / w

World-Famous

Possum Kingdom Fireworks

Story by Steve Nussbaum The reputation of the Possum Kingdom fireworks show extends across the country, and it takes a small team of dedicated experts – in addition to a huge amount of community support – to make it happen.

According to local author and historian Kevin VanDuser, fireworks displays of various types have taken place at PK since the 1960s. These early shows were sponsored by individuals and held at multiple locations around the lake.

Nowadays, the legend of the PK fireworks show is big enough to be mentioned in Texas country music artist Josh Abbott’s Texas bucket list song, “My Texas.”

This unique show features shooting fireworks from both sides of the cliffs at Hell’s Gate, and the synchronized performance makes for a dazzling spectacle for the boaters and onlookers below.

56

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

The Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce has been the organizer and supporter of the event since 1988. Each year, the PK Chamber must raise about $35,000 to pay for the show, and it does this with a network of community support that includes sponsorships and T-shirt sales. The show itself lasts less than an hour, but the organization of the event takes an entire year.

This year’s fireworks display will take place Saturday, July 3.

For the past 18 years, Jim Bittle of Possum Hollow has overseen the setup and production of the show. Last year, Bittle sold his company, Lonestar Fireworks Production, but the new owners partnered with him to keep putting on the show at Possum Kingdom.

Bittle, who describes the show as “my baby,” said it always

was his dream to shoot fireworks from both sides of the towering cliffs that create Hell’s Gate (see front cover).

The setup for the fireworks display is not for the faint of heart, though.

It takes three days to prepare for the performance, and the equipment has to be hauled up the side of the cliffs through rocks, tall weeds and cactus – and all in the summertime Texas heat.

Workers make hundreds of trips carrying loads of 60 to 80 pounds each – and, on the island side, the equipment has to be brought over by boat before it’s hauled up the steep slope. Bittle said he would round up about 15 or 16 workers to help him out with the task, adding that if they helped out the next year, he knew that they loved pyrotechnics.

Bittle said the production also requires the help of about half-dozen “shooters” on the night of the show.

Technological improvements now enable Bittle to set up the production on Harlan Leeds’ “Helicopter House” property and conduct the show with a wireless system.

When Bittle and his partner owned Lonestar Fireworks Production, they would attend the Pyrotechnics Guild International trade show, and people would say to them, “You guys are the ones that do that crazy show down in Texas!”

Bittle said it’s always an awesome sight to see all the fireworks and boats gathered to celebrate our country’s day of independence. He’s also proud to say that no one has ever gotten hurt by fireworks at the event, and added that his crew takes great steps to make sure all spectators and workers stay safe.

Bittle’s passion for the fireworks show, combined with the intense community support, are what make the performance so special.

You may also watch the fireworks from the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic.

YMCA gate will open at 6:30 pm and will close the gate for entry at 8:45pm. $5 per person (ages 3 & under free). No alcohol or pets. YMCA Camp area will not be accessible by boat. 3000 Park Road 36 (PK lake east side).

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

57

Discover The Upper Brazos Story by Steve Nussbaum

We all know that Possum Kingdom Lake is the best lake in Texas, but sometimes we forget where the lake started.

Possum Kingdom Lake is the star of Mother Nature’s show, but the Brazos River is the wise starlet in the production who just gets better with age. You can’t have Possum Kingdom Lake without the Brazos River, a sometimes-overlooked gem.

Morris Sheppard Dam

Any trip to discover the Brazos River needs to start at the Morris Sheppard Observation Point, home to the Brazos River Authority offices – and the perfect place to grab a picnic lunch or stop on a Sunday drive. The observation point is located at 291 Observation Road in Graford, located just off FM 2353 on the east side of Possum Kingdom Lake. The observation site gives all visitors a bird’s-eye view of the dam and the Upper Brazos River Valley. The breathtaking views also include views back to

58

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Morris Sheppard Dam | Photo by Erika Carter

the lake along the towering Cliffs development and the area known as The Ranch. Construction on the dam began in 1938 and finished in 1941.

Possum Kingdom is the first lake on the Brazos. The water in the lake starts in West Texas before making its way to the Gulf of Mexico, and the dam sits more than 100 feet above the river below. The view of a full lake and water spilling over the dam is awe-inspiring.

Highway 16 Bridge (possum kingdom stone arch bridge)

I have driven over the Highway 16 bridge thousands of times, but I never knew the architectural and engineering significance of the bridge. It looks like any other bridge from the road, but underneath is one of the largest masonry arched bridges in the country. The bridge spans just over 433 feet and was constructed right before World War II started, so steel beams were not readily available.

The bridge’s importance was heightened by the building of Morris Sheppard Dam, and its unique design is able to withstand large volumes of water released from the dam just above the bridge. Visitors can park next to the

Highway 16 Bridge (Possum Kingdom Stone Arch Bridge) Photo by Erika Carter

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

59

entrance to the bridge and walk down to the river when the water flow is safe, and it’s there they will find a beautiful piece of architecture amid the throngs of people enjoying the river. The masonry design continues up Texas State Highway 16 to the winding road and unique stone guardrails, and it falls into that category of “they don’t make them like that anymore.” The bridge is a great place for photographers, and it serves as the starting point for many activities on the Upper Brazos River.

Fishing the Upper Brazos

Fishing the upper Brazos has always been great, and it provides a different experience than fishing on Possum Kingdom Lake. Most folks fish below the Highway 16 bridge or at the base of the dam. During the winter months, the fish hatchery releases trout into the river, and observers will see many anglers trying their hand at flyfishing.

We caught up with Shane Davies of River Run Guide Service to give us an update on fishing the upper Brazos River. Davies, who has been a guide on the Brazos since 1994, conducts one-day trips that usually last six to eight Fishing the Upper Brazos with Shane Davies of River Run hours originating at the Highway 16 bridge. These trips Guide Service. | Photo courtesy of Shane Davies

60

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

aren’t about distance, but catching fish, and most of the activity happens right around the bridge. Davies recently set the smallmouth bass catch record on the Brazos. The fish came in at 22 inches and was released back into the river. (Those curious can see a great video at the website www.shanedaviesguide.com.) A guided tour with Davies usually consists of fishing for both striped and smallmouth bass. Davies provides all the equipment and kayaks to travel the river, and he also provides overnight trips down the Brazos. These trips consist of a 10-mile, two-day excursion down the Brazos starting at the Highway 16 Bridge, and all supplies and food are included. The journey includes views of some of the most beautiful river sites in Texas, and some of the more scenic points are Chick Bend, Dalton Bend and a few small rapids down by the Dark Valley Bridge.

Canoeing and Camping

Taking your canoe or Kayak down the Brazos can be a fun adventure. Buddy Rochelle, who co-owns Rochelle’s Canoes and Kayaks with his daughter Katie, describes canoeing the upper Brazos as “just like what the Comanches saw in 1860, except you’re in a canoe, not on a

Kayaking, Canoeing and Camping down the Brazos River Photo courtesy of Rochelle's Canoes and Kayaks

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

61

horse.” Rochelle’s is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that has been providing canoes and river transport since 1955. Buddy’s grandfather, Bud Rochelle, bought 50 acres along the Brazos in 1928 for $500, and the property is located just below the Dark Valley Bridge.

One day in 1955, two attorneys from Dallas saw Bud and offered him $20 to give them a ride to the Highway 16 bridge and back. Bud decided he could capitalize on the growing interest in the area and run a business doing that.

He partnered with another man who let Bud use some canoes and told him, “See if you can rent them.” That’s where Rochelle’s Canoes and Kayaks got its start.

Rochelle’s business offers one-, two- and four-day trips that take you down what might be the most scenic river trip in Texas. Because the area is isolated and the land along the river is almost completely private property, the trip really mimics what the Comanches – or cowboys during a cattle drive – could have seen in the 1860s.

More pictures (to the right) of canoeing and camping the Brazos River. Courtesy of Rochelle's Canoe & Kayak Rental For more details, visit the website: www.rochellescanoeandkayakrental.com

62

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

63

Story continued from page 19 Some of that lighting is very artistic and impressivelooking, but I question why it’s necessary for it to be on all night long,” he said.

Kennedy’s hope is that people around the lake will voluntarily adjust their timers so most of their outdoor lights turn off at 11 p.m. or midnight.

“I think what could really help is if business leaders we all know and respect promoted less lighting as part of their operation,” Kennedy said. “Marinas could say, ‘We’re voluntarily turning down lighting at midnight to open the night sky back up again.”

He thinks signs touting the slogan “We Promote a Dark Sky” would catch on with businesses around the lake.

“If we could get local businesses doing that, people would see them as true leaders,” Kennedy said. “Individuals around the lake would also join in.”

What Kennedy doesn’t want to see, however, is more government regulation.

“We should do this ourselves,” he said.

64

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Fighting light pollution anywhere on the planet is a formidable task these days. The invention of the light bulb more than 140 years ago probably made skyglow an inevitability, but Kennedy said he wants to do all he can to help the situation.

“I feel that we here on Earth are part of something special,” he said. “Out of all this incredible universe, we have this amazing blue planet. It makes me appreciate what God has created on this planet, and it makes me want to preserve it.”

That, he added, includes the ability to view and capture the cosmos in all its glory.

To see Kennedy’s space photography, http://instagram.com/occupyspacecreations.

visit

To see a map of the light pollution in and around Possum Kingdom Lake, visit https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/ and type “Possum Kingdom Lake” in the search window.

See page 65 for details on how Kennedy shoots the stars...

How I Shoot The Stars...

I have two different telescopes that I use. One is a William Optics 51mm refractor telescope for images that have a wider field of view. Examples include very large nebula, such as the Veil Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, the California Nebula, etc. I also use a William Optics 81 mm refractor telescope, which gives me a little more reach for some deep-space objects, including galaxies and smaller nebula.

Stephen A. Kennedy

For landscape photography, such as the image of Hell’s Gate, I use a 50mm Canon lens. For all imaging, I use the Canon EOS Ra camera body, which is specifically designed for astrophotography, as it includes special filters that capture the hydrogen-alpha emissions from colorful nebula such as the Orion Nebula.

I employ a German equatorial mount for the telescope and camera, which counteracts the movement of the Earth by rotating in the reverse direction so that my camera stays in the same position of the night sky for the entire evening of imaging.

To ensure that my camera and telescope are precisely tracking deep-space objects, I use a separate guide telescope and guide camera mounted on the imaging camera.

Kennedy's astrophotography rig with 81mm telescope.

The guide scope/camera is connected directly to my computer, and I use PHD2 software to send micropulses to the equatorial mount to make certain that the mount precisely and smoothly follows deep-space object as the Earth rotates. This allows me to take exposures of 10 minutes or longer to capture data for subsequent processing. Typically my exposures are from three to six minutes, but I have on occasion set the exposure time for as long as 10 minutes.

– Steve Kennedy

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

65

The Horsehead Nebula This is one of Kennedy's many Instagram photos. The Horsehead Nebula (in the right of the photo) is roughly 1.375 million light-years from Earth. The Flame Nebula (in the left of the photo) comprises several hundred young stars.

The image was taken December 2020 with a 51mm telescope and a Canon EOS Ra camera.

End of Night Skies Story

66

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Homebuilders continued from page 51 Anderson builds many of the high-end homes to be found around the lake, and his projects this year range between $1 million and $3 million. These big projects include lots of custom features, and the twin challenges of scheduling and sourcing materials have led him to turn down three jobs this year.

Bobby Wolfe, who has been building at Possum Kingdom Lake and all across the area since 1982, said the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t slow him down at all. Most of Wolfe’s projects start around $1 million and go up from there, and he noted that the first quarter of 2021 was his best yet.

Wolfe added that he also is seeing an uptick in remodels.

Lakefront homes are hard to come by, he said, and families’ usage of their lake homes tend to change over the years, which has led to a market for total rebuilds of homes on the same lot. Wolfe said he has four to five new homes planned around the lake in addition to a couple of total remodels.

4

Bret Jordan is another longtime builder in the area. Jordan, who has been building homes at Possum Kingdom for 22 years, said the lack of existing inventory, combined with pent-up demand from the COVID-19 pandemic and people’s ability to work from home, has helped accelerate the pace of local new construction.

Jordan said 70 percent of the homes he builds are vacation homes, but that percentage is shrinking as people are figuring out a way to work from home. In a normal year, Jordan said, he would build two to three new homes, but this year he’s planning to build up to a dozen.

Most of the homes Jordan builds start at $500,000 to $600,000, but they can range up to $2 million – and the majority of the new homes being built are for families from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, he said. Jordan added that the real estate opportunities at PK are attracting the attention of investment groups as well.

All of the builders noted the challenges facing contractors this year. Building costs are increasing because of a lack of production during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and this has led to many challenges regarding appraisals, budgets and schedules. One local builder mentioned that he is buying material months in advance, which is something he has never had to do before.

All told, the real estate market is experiencing a mini-boom at Possum Kingdom Lake, so whether buyers are looking to purchase an existing home or are ready to build their own, there are plenty of experts in the area ready to make those dreams come true.

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

67

e h e s C e ! y a S Snapshots of local PK Residents living their best life at beautiful Possum Kingdom Lake.

The Avidon three are all in for a beautiful PKL summer. Find these three frequenting the Harbor splash pad, cruising in the parking lot, and delighting in all things outdoors. Grateful to call this beautiful place home.

Photo submitted by Claire Avidon.

The Goodgion family is not new to PK Lake, but they are new homeowners at The Cliffs. They enjoy cruising around the lake and hanging out with friends in Hell's Gate. They also love the beautiful sunsets that PK offers.

Pictured left to right: Rustin, Olivia and Audrey.

Photo submitted by Rustin Goodgion.

Watson's first trip to PK! Pictured left to right: Jensen Strickland, Watson Wegmann, Cullen Wegmann.

Photo submitted by Angela Wegmann 68

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

Engaged! Reagan Rainwater and Hannah Hill Photo submitted by Melinda Rainwater

Rhogenia Howry and Peggy Pope welcome members to the PK Women's Club meeting on May 27th.

Photo submitted by Jo Lynn Miller

PK Women's Club May 27th meeting. Pictured left to right: Kay Lynn Bridges; Magyn Whitaker; Darlene Carnley; Bobbie Martin; Billie Day; Erika Carter; Jo Lynn Miller.

Photo submitted by Jo Lynn Miller

Katie, Sarah, Riley, Isabel, Hannah, and Natalie relaxing in the lake.

Photo submitted by Melinda Rainwater

Gracelyn, Mia, Calvin and Paislee had fun during the Wednesday evening children's ministry program at First Baptist Church Possum Kingdom. They decorated their cars for the drive-in movie night.

Photo submitted by Daisy Klapper

The Ozier Family celebrates the launch of The PK Pirate Ship.

Pictured in the front, left to right: Bill Ozier; Cameron Knauth; Jennifer Ozier; Peggy Mae Holcomb; Sam Ozier. Pictured back, left to right: Andrea Ozier; Gary Ozier; Catherine Ozier; Peter Ryan.

Photo submitted by Andrea Ozier PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

69

70

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

71

Camping, continued from page 44 CAMP GRADY SPRUCE 214-319-9944 3000 Park Road 36 Graford, TX 76449 www.campgradyspruce.org Camp Grady Spruce has a rich history, a thriving present, and a bright future.

The history dates to 1949 when the first summer camp was held on land donated

by Eugene Constantin, who had lost his only son during World War II. The camp was named in honor of H. Grady Spruce, a YMCA youth director and a summer camp director. The nearly 400-acre camp is operated by the YMCA but is open to the public.

Camp Constantin, a Boy Scout camp, adjoins Camp Grady Spruce on land also donated by Eugene Constantin but is not open to the public. Camp Grady Spruce has waterfront cabins and enough activities to make everyone happy. The website says it all: “Camp provides the facility, fun and beautiful grounds. You provide camping supplies!”

Among the many activities are sailing, water skiing, horseback riding, swim docks, climbing wall, zipline, archery, hiking, and much more. Summer camp director Chance Orton said space is available for summer reservations. The view from Camp Grady Spruce is one of its many selling points.

“You can see Hell’s Gate from here,” Orton said, referring of course, to the famed landmark on Possum Kingdom Lake.

72

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021

|

73

Tips to Minimize Light Pollution Courtesy of Peter Gottschling • Lights should only be on when needed. If you’re inside the house, you don’t need a yard light on.

There’s nobody out there but the coyotes and bobcats, and they hunt rats and rabbits better in the dark.

• Only light the area that needs it. Shield your lights so they don’t shine on your neighbors’ lot, or in their eyes when they look in the direction of your house.

Be considerate of your neighbors.

• Lights should be not brighter than necessary. Keep architectural vanity lighting muted; it looks better that way.

• Minimize bluish light emissions. They increase glare in human eyes, especially aging eyes, and disrupt circadian rhythms of our wildlife.

• Be fully shielded (pointing downward) so light does not leave your property.

74

|

PK

MAGAZINE

|

SUMMER

2021