Alvarado visitors guide

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2018

Visitor’s Guide

alvarado texas

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6-INDEX

Publisher

Features

Lisa Chappell | publisher@heraldbanner.com

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Managing Editor

Dale Gosser | dgosser@trcle.com

News Editor

Monica Faram | editor@trcle.com

Bonnie, Clyde & Ardeen

Alvarado’s freewheeling funeral director

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Alvarado Police

officers begin to sport cowboy hats

Circulation Manager

Toscha Vaughan | circulation@trcle.com

Writers | Photographers | Contributors

Monica Faram Matt Smith Jessica Pounds Ashley Rose Tommy Brown Cleburne Times-Review file photos

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Advertising Account Executives Renae Alexander Barbara Smith

Classified Account Executive Teresa Slade

Music runs deep in the heart of Alvarado

108 S. Anglin St., Cleburne, Texas Phone: 817-645-2441 Fax: 817-556-0879 Alvarado Texas 2018 is produced by the Cleburne Times-Review. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Alvarado Texas 2018 magazine is distributed by the city of Alvarado.

List of Advertisers A-Z Adara Luxury Homes................................................................Back Cover Alvarado Independent School District........................ Inside Back Cover Alvarado Meadows Nursing & Rehabilitation.........................................39 Apos Boot Outlet.......................................................................................50 Apos Floors................................................................................................50 Burleson Nissan..........................................................................................8 Cactus Jacks Boots..................................................................................51 Clayton Kay Vaughan Funeral Home.......................................................45 Comfort Inn & Suites.................................................................................17 D-Lectric Quality Electrical Service.........................................................27 Dairy Queen...............................................................................................13

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Darrell Whitsel Florist...............................................................................53 Edward Jones/Scott Darragh...................................................................27 First Financial Bank..................................................................................17 Fort Worth Surveying, L.L.C.....................................................................21 G&L Enterprises.................................................................................. 28-29 Grandview Bank........................................................................................54 Hewlett Office Systems.............................................................................49 Holiday Inn Express..................................................... Inside Front Cover How Sweet it is Cake Shop.......................................................................54 James C. Neathery & Associates, Inc......................................................23 Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion............................49

La Quinta Inns & Suites............................................................................49 M7 Arena....................................................................................................53 Motel 6........................................................................................................41 Nick Stewart Lumber Co...........................................................................39 Pinnacle Bank............................................................................................21 Rocky Biggs Insurance.............................................................................25 The American Legion Family....................................................................15 Turkey Creek Bar & Grill...........................................................................12 Twiztid Ink Tattoos & Piercings................................................................44 Welborn Auto Repair................................................................................51 Whataburger................................................................................................3

7-INDEX

Contents

8 10 12 16 18

City

Alvarado no place like home

Economic Development Alvarado is open for business

History

of Alvarado

Chamber of Commerce Education

Community Driven

21 30 36 38 44

County

Alvarado Sub-Courthouse offers county convenience

Veterans Services Opportunities

VFW, American Legion posts

Things to do While you’re here

Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion Continuing tradition

Parks

46 48 49 50

Hotels and Motels

Home away from home

Civic Clubs

Alvarado Lions Club

Sports

Alvarado Youth Sports Association

Directory

Alvarado Chamber of Commerce members

Outdoor fun

alvarado, texas

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8-CITY

Alvarado c ity

no place like it

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here’s no other place like it, Alvarado Mayor Dewayne Richters said of his hometown Alvarado.

“Everyone wants to live somewhere with charm, warmth and a family appeal,” he said.

“For me, that’s what the past 26 years have felt like in Alvarado. Our neighbors are family.”

The city, which dates to 1854, making it Johnson County’s earliest city, retains a proud history and tradition while gazing forward toward a bright future.

From its agricultural beginnings to the present day mix of mom and pop shops to industrial base, Alvarado is business friendly and poised for growth, Economic Development Director Emile Moline Jr. said.

Interstate 35W and U.S. 67 intersect the town, providing easy access to the rest of Johnson County, the Metroplex and beyond. U.S. 67 also ties into the Chisholm Trail Parkway just down the 8

alvarado, texas

road in Cleburne.

Add in Alvarado’s first-rate school system, not to mention its proximity of numerous nearby colleges and universities, and it’s easy to see why the community is such a great place to live and raise a family.

With a population of about 4,170, according to U.S. Census numbers, Alvarado remains rooted in small-town Texas atmosphere but offers the best of both worlds being but a short distance removed from the attributes of the Metroplex’s larger cities.

Fort Worth sits about 10 miles to the north, Dallas about 35 miles to the northeast, Cleburne and Burleson nearby.

With growth already heading Johnson County’s way, thanks in large part to the recent opening of the Chisholm Trail Parkway, Alvarado too sits poised for a new wave of population and economic development.

Although Alvarado, at 3.9 square miles, re-

9-CITY

mains a small town in area the city hardly lacks for activities, events and sites, which offer something for everyone from families to history buffs to lovers of the outdoors.

Lake Alvarado, several city parks and Percifield Park, the Alvarado Youth Association Sports Complex, offer recreation, sports and the opportunity to commune with nature.

One of the largest events of its kind in Texas, the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion in Alvarado traces its beginnings to 1892, when John James, a local farmer and newspaper correspondent, proposed the idea to “reunite the citizenship which was divided” to some of his neighbors.

“At that date and for several years prior, our citizenship was divided, strifes and in some instances bitter feelings had been endangered by political agitation,” James said in a Venus Times article. “Friends of long standing had taken opposite sides in political matters, and many of them

for the time had become political and social enemies.”

Through the years, the reunion has grown to attract more than 10,000 participants to such events as carnivals, parades, queen and baby contests, fiddle contests and music concerts.

A recently launched monthly music festival brings a mix of country, rock, pop and R&B music to town. Equestrian events draw residents and tourists throughout the year as does the annual Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion, the Fourth of July car show and downtown’s Christmas Parade of Lights. A museum covering Alvarado and area history compliments Alvarado’s historic downtown square, cemeteries, churches and homes.

Richters likens Alvarado’s panoply of attributes to the hub of a wagon wheel and invites everyone to pay a visit whether it be to set up residence, open a business or simply to enjoy a day of fun. alvarado, texas

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10-ECON DEVELOPMENT e conomic development

J

Alvarado is open for business

ohnson County is growing beyond all expectations and Alvarado, with ready access to two major freeways, is perfectly located to benefit greatly.

“The business climate in Alvarado is great!” Alvarado Economic Development Director Emile Moline Jr. said.

The city’s population, according to recent North Central Texas Council of Governments numbers sits at 4,170 and growing. County population totals about 155,000.

“Approximately 10-15 businesses joined us last year and I expect that growth to continue,” Moline said.

The crossroads of Interstate 35W and U.S. 67 passing through the city offer easy access to the DFW Metroplex and the rest of Johnson County.

“We are a business friendly community using team leadership to facilitate business opportunities and business development,” Moline said. “We are a community of partnerships between the city, business, education and residents and we welcome those willing to invest in our community for the betterment of all.”

Alvarado has a large labor pool and customer base to pull from. The county’s labor force has an unemployment rate of 4.1 percent, according to December 2016 Texas Work Force Commission data. State and national unemployment numbers for the same period by contrast were 4.6 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.

The city offers a great place to live, work and play, City Manager Clint Davis said.

“Alvarado is a city of quiet country atmosphere and closeknit community that also is within close proximity to everything,” Davis said. “It offers a great school system and is within 30 minutes of a whole range of colleges and universities.”

While the city is excited for the growth ongoing and hoping for more, city leaders are also planning ahead, Moline said.

“Alvarado recognizes that growth is happening now, and that’s a beautiful thing,” Moline said. “We’ve used our available resources ethically and responsibly while planning for the future. We continue to invest in infrastructure projects such as street, water and sewer, and quality of life areas like our parks.”

City officials employ multiple options to attract new business.

“We use a variety of platforms including digital marketing, collaborative partnerships and incentive programs available through the office of the governor, the city of Alvarado and the Alvarado Economic Development Corporation.”

Such strategies have paid off in attracting a range of small businesses to corporate companies to town covering a range of services and industries.

“I also live in Alvarado and enjoy the opportunity to op-

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alvarado, texas

erate a small business in my hometown,” How Sweet It Is Owner Teresa Fallon said.

The bakery, 904 N. Cummings Drive, specializes in cakes, everything from birthday to wedding and in between, ice cream, cookies, cupcakes, pies and other baked goods.

“Alvarado’s a good place to be,” Fallon said. “And it’s because of the support of the community that we’ve enjoyed success.”

Other recent business additions include Express Sand and Gravel, Nicky’s Saucy Italian, Starbucks, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Smayda Aquatics.

McDonald’s recently remodeled their building. Adams Tack expanded, and Eagle Auto Parts rebranded with a new name recently.

A cross-section of Alvarado’s larger employees includes Sabre Industries, Halliburton and Alvarado ISD. Colorado River Concrete, Quikrete and Johnson County Pipe Inc. all specialize in concrete products and employ hundreds from throughout Alvarado and the county. Motor Home Specialist, an RV park and sales center, is rated the No. 1 volume selling dealer in the world.

Sabre Industries, 8653 U.S. 67, provides support structures used in the transmission of electricity and communications, renewable energy and government infrastructure, according to the company’s website.

Sabre’s four manufacturing facilities provide manufacturing as well as engineering, design and testing services.

Sabre’s Alvarado location serves as the company’s testing facility, providing structure testing of lattice towers, tubular steel structures and wood and concrete poles as well as manufacturing.

Colorado River Concrete, 8820 U.S. 67, supplies readymix concrete throughout the Metroplex and a service area extending into West Texas.

Quikrete, 1008 U.S. 67, was founded in 1940 in Ohio and is the largest manufacturer of packaged concrete and cement mixes in the U.S., according to its website. The company also offers mortar mixes, waterproofing products and other products and maintains more than 100 facilities in the U.S., South America and Canada.

Johnson County Pipe, which is owned by Thompson Pipe Group, manufactures reinforced concrete pipe for transmission of storm water, water, sewage and industrial applications.

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12-HISTORY h istory

A

History of Alvarado

s Johnson County’s oldest city, Alvarado is history rich and forward looking.

Both U.S. 67 and Interstate 35W pass through the city, facilitating easy access to the rest of Johnson County and the Metroplex.

William Balch got things started in 1849 when he staked a claim near an old 12

alvarado, texas

Indian trail and returned two years later to settle. Along with the Balchs, the Meyers and Billingsleys made up the town’s original families.

“They surveyed property in 1849 and returned in 1851 to claim their land grants and started building their homes here,” lifelong resident John Percifield said.

“The Myers’ cabin is still in existence.”

Abraham Hood Onstott, the community’s first sheriff, gets credit for the town’s name, having been stationed near Alvarado Veracruz, Mexico, during the Mexican American War. In 1853, Balch and G.H. Sigler laid out half-acre town lots and the city soon grew to 100 families, enough to earn its own post office.

13-HISTORY

Agriculture, particularly cotton, was king early on but soon enough the railroad and a host of businesses followed. Although the town’s agricultural heritage remains, industry and business now accounts for much of the city’s economy.

The city — which covers 3.9 square miles, according to the U.S. Census Bureau — was officially incorporated in 1885.

Historic photographs from the late 19th to early 20th centuries depict a thriving downtown business and activity-filled square and, apparently, have resulted in a bit of confusion at times.

“People often see pictures of a building in the middle of the downtown square and think, because we’re the oldest city in the county, that it must have been the county courthouse at one time,” Alvarado resident Michael Percifield said. “But no, it had nothing to do with the county. It was our city hall from 1880 until it was moved around 1920.”

Alvarado is also rich in color-

ful characters and events from a marker in Senterwood Cemetery commemorating a slave girl killed by a bear to outlaws Thompson and Bickerstaff who bullied town residents to the point that they finally shot them down in the town square on April 5, 1869. Both now lay buried in Balch Cemetery.

“The town’s people hated them so much that when they buried them they wanted to make sure there was no chance of them making it to the afterlife,” Michael Percifield said.

“That’s why they were buried north and south as opposed to east and west.”

Cousins of Clyde Barrow of Bonnie and Clyde infamy lived just outside of town on Nike Base Road, an area that later served as a missile base in the 1960s during the height of the Cold War. Charlie Harris, great uncle of John Percifield, was born in an Alvarado log cabin and went on to become a doctor and later founded Harris Hospital in Fort Worth.

“He was head of the hospital until 1948 when he retired and continued living there on the top floor of the old hospital until he passed away in ’58 or ’59,” Percifield said.

Terry Southern, author of “Dr. Strangelove,” “The Magic Christian,” “Candy” and other works, hails from Alvarado and continued to spend summers there with his grandparents after he and his parents moved to Dallas.

Southern also wrote for “Saturday Night Live” and contributed to “Easy Rider” and other films.

Present-day Alvarado offers parks, a lake, numerous social, civic and community organizations and events all the while retaining small town charm while continuing to grow.

“We’re a city that has close proximity to the larger cities but has a quiet country close-knit

alvarado, texas

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14-HISTORY

atmosphere at home,” Alvarado City Manager Clint Davis said. “We have a great school system and we’re close to several colleges and universities and we have a number of activities and events from our lake to Christmas and Fourth of July parades to equestrian events, the [Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion], music festivals, programs at our library throughout the year and much more to offer something for everyone.”

First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church Alvarado, 301 S. Spears St., carries a deep history traced back to the city’s founder.

In 1854, William Balch donated land for a structure to serve as a school, church and meeting house.

The Methodist settlers worshipped for several years in this crude log cabin. In 1864, the Methodist Episcopal Church South was officially organized at this log cabin site. In 188081, the congregation built their own church building on Bishop Street.

This building was destroyed by fire in 1885.

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In 1885, land was donated to the Methodist Church by the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad CO. 3. A Victorian-style building was erected in 1886-87 by J. Y. Baker and others. The foundation and siding were made of cypress brought from east Texas by ox cart. The 450-pound bell was forged by a company in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The interior of the building is of the “Akron Auditorium” style which was popular in church architecture from 1860 to 1920.

The church steeple was damaged during a tornado in Alvarado before World War I. When repaired, the style of the steeple was slightly altered from the original configuration. By 1940 more Sunday school space was needed. The vacant Truelove Baptist Church was attached to the east side of the church but was not completed until after World War II. By 1995 the steeple had become weakened by years of excess moisture and decay and was restored to its original appearance. Several former members have been instrumental in the development of the church.

Some of these were William Crawford, one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence; Marion Sansom, one of the founders of the Fort Worth Fat Stock Show; and I.A .

Patton, a delegate to the 18th Legislature of Texas in 1882.

Boy Scouts log cabin Behind the First United Methodist Church sits the Boy Scout hut, which has served Troop 217 since 1932.

“My great-grandfather, John Ott McLeroy, built the hut, which is in an octagonal log cabin style,” Michael Percifield said. “The Scout troop actually started around 1929. T. Wesley Hook, an Alvarado attorney and businessman, was the first Scoutmaster and that troop is still very active and going strong today and used by our Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.”

Both Percifield and his father were members of the troop in their younger days, John Percifield having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.

“The troop has also been continuously sponsored by First United Methodist Church since they began,” Michael Percifield said.

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16-CHAMBER c hamber

Chamber of Commerce S

ince 2012, the Alvarado Chamber of Commerce, which includes more than 120 individual and business members, has been working to revitalize the organization for the betterment of local businesses.

Membership with the chamber generates many benefits: You’ll become a part of an active cooperative of business people ranging from large corporations to successful mom and pops, all working together to help make Alvarado a lucrative place to live and work.

The board of directors and many dedicated members work to facilitate and maintain a dynamic, highly productive organization — you’ll always be able to count on the outstanding businesses that are part of the Alvarado Chamber.

The chamber is dedicated to positive change, includes a close-knit network of members, is a resource for the business community and an entry point for new residents and visitors.

One of the biggest changes in 2017 was the chamber moving into a permanent office inside the Pioneers and Old Settlers pavilion and hiring the first paid employee.

Alvarado Chamber Director Lanette Moline said the change of venue is great for both the

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alvarado, texas

chamber and area businesses.

“This opens up more of an opportunity to know what kind of facility we have here in Alvarado to host events,” she said.

“It’s been great finally having a chamber home.”

Past chamber meetings were held at the Alvarado ISD Administrative Building.

Alvarado City Manager Clint Davis said the new facility is in a good location.

“We are excited because it provides a place to direct visitors to our town, to house the administrative staff and most of all it will greatly expand our abilities to host different conventions and different events that want to come to town,” he said.

Marty Douglas, past president of the board of directors, said he felt it created a disconnect between members.

“For our small chamber, this is a great opportunity to network and hear from one another,” he said. “We will still continue the after hours socials and we’ll still continue to have the lunch and learns. But, we feel like we need to step up and go back to our monthly meetings.”

The chamber’s office is inside the Pioneers and Old Settlers pavilion, 111 Reunion Drive.

They can be reached at 817779-0399. Visit them online at welcometoalvarado.com.

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18-EDUCATION e ducation

Community Driven

A

Education

lvarado ISD covers about 98.17 square miles in Johnson County, employes a staff of more than 400 who serve about 3,700 students and is classified as a 4A enrollment institution by the University Interscholastic League.

Alvarado ISD has six campuses serving students from early childhood to adult education. They are Alvarado 18

alvarado, texas

High School, Alvarado Junior High School, Alvarado Intermediate School, Lillian Elementary School, Alvarado Elementary South School, Alvarado Elementary North School.

The Alvarado school system was established in 1908 on College Hill, which is where the current AISD administration building sits on Bill Jackson Drive.

The original school was just a log cabin.

Alvarado conducted school, church services and court hearings outside during fair weather.

The Masonic Lodge established the Masonic Institute, which later became Alvarado Normal Institute, and later Alvarado ISD in 1908.

AISD was the first public school district in the state to provide laptops for every fourth- through sixth-grade stu-

19-EDUCATION

dent, according to the district’s website. In August 2010, the program was extended to students in seventh and eighth grade.

AHS graduates represent three of the only 50 students in Tarleton State University’s Presidential Honors Program and a 2016 graduate was named a Gates Millenial Scholor — one of 132 in Texas. Lillian was recently recognized as a Title I Reward School for earning a distinction in reading while over 40 percent of its population is considered low income.

A new junior high school and Career and Technology wing at AHS were completed in 2015. Both additions came from a $38.2 million bond that was passed in May 2013.

Mascot history

When William Balch and his family came to Alvarado to stake the claim of their land in 1851, there was a Caddo Indian family living next door to the land. His family moved on the other side of the spring and lived in peace with the Indian family for many years.

Alvarado historian Michael Percifield said the community named themselves the Alvarado Indians not only because it sounded good, but also to pay tribute to the Caddo Indians that lived in harmony with the early settlers.

County schools

Johnson County features nine school districts and 10 high schools. Districts are Burleson, Cleburne, Joshua, Alvarado, Venus, Godley, Grandview, Keene and Rio Vista. Burleson has two high schools, Burleson High (5A) and Burleson Centennial High (5A). All other districts have one high school each. Cleburne and Joshua are 5A, Alvarado and Godley are 4A and Grandview, Rio Vista and Keene are 3A.

Southwestern Adventist University

Founded in 1893 and affiliated with the Seventhday Adventist Church, Southwestern Adventist University is at 100 W. Hillcrest in Keene, between Cleburne, Alvarado and Joshua.

Enrollment is about 814, with students from 31 states and 32 countries. As Johnson County’s only four-year university, students have a choice of 58 undergraduate majors as well as master’s degrees in education and psychology.

Departments include biological sciences, business administration, mathematics and physical sciences, communication, computer science, education, music, history and social sciences, modern languages, nursing, kinesiology, psychology, and religion. In 2014, the university began to offer a new fire science degree.

Southwestern is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Adventist Accrediting Association of SDA Schools, Colleges, and Universities, International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Texas Education Agency, Texas Board of Nurse Examiners and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For information, call 800-433-2240 or visit www. swau.edu. alvarado, texas

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20-EDUCATION

Hill College

Hill College, 2112 Mayfield Parkway in Cleburne, is a comprehensive community college that first opened in 1923 in Hillsboro and now serves more than 6,400 students annually with a fourcounty service area — Hill, Johnson, Bosque and Somervell, which covers 3,000 square miles. The college has facilities in Hillsboro, Cleburne, Burleson and Meridian. In addition to the facilities, Hill College offers many classes online.

Fifty-three percent of the students are residents of the service area. The student to faculty ratio is only 17:1, and 26 percent of the students are enrolled in dual credit courses.

Hill College offers career and technical certificates and degrees as well as two-year programs of study leading to admission at four-year universities. Hill College awards associate in arts and science degrees, associate in applied science degrees, certificates of technology, certificates of completion and up to 42 hours of state core curriculum courses.

With more than 60 fields of study, Hill College offers a variety academic curricula such as arts and humanities; business and industry; health and community services; and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Hill College features nationally recognized technical programs in such areas as nursing, cosmetology and fire protection technology. Noncredit and continuing education courses are also offered. Hill College provides more than $500,000 per year in scholarships to students.

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alvarado, texas

Since 1974, Hill College has provided post-secondary education to the residents of Johnson County. The Cleburne Extension Center became the Johnson County Campus when the residents of Alvarado, Cleburne, Godley, Grandview, Joshua, Keene, Rio Vista and Venus approved a local maintenance and operation tax for the purpose of supporting a branch campus of Hill College in the late 1990s. The Johnson County Campus overlooks Lake Pat Cleburne on U.S. 67 and consists of 32 acres of land, plus 15 adjoining acres leased from the city. The campus has an instructional classroom building, a library, a student center, a technology building, the Margie Faye Wheat Kennon Health Science Center, and the Tolbert F. Mayfield Administration Building.

In downtown Cleburne, the Snapon Automotive Technology Program is considered the most technically advanced automotive training center in the area, and one of the few of its kind in the state. Students are fully prepared upon graduation to take the Automotive Service Excellence certification exam.

This additional facility features stateof-the-art equipment and tools, a twostory lab area with 10 car stalls, classrooms, training and conference rooms.

It is one of the largest Snap-on educational facilities in the nation.

Hill College recently announced its new partnership with Trane HVAC systems, a global provider of indoor comfort solutions and services, unveiling an additional building of the Cleburne Technical Center, 319 E. Henderson St. This facility houses Lincoln Electric welding and Trane HVAC laboratories

that trains students to become technicians. The 9,000 square foot, state-ofthe-art facility holds three new laboratories: residential, commercial and a controls lab on the ground floor, and the second floor houses 16 classrooms.

These programs give students the opportunity to learn marketable skills and obtain a certification or a two-year degree in the three programs.

The Burleson Center is located on Renfro Street in Old Town Burleson serving over 400 students.

For information, call 817-760-5600 or visit www.hillcollege.edu.

Other universities

There are several universities within driving distance of Alvarado so residents can easily commute.

Located about 27 miles from Alvarado, Texas Christian University, 2800 S. University Drive, has an enrollment of about 10,489, with 8,891 undergraduates and 1,503 graduate students.

There are 119 undergraduate areas of study, 53 master’s level programs and 28 areas of doctoral study.

Located about 28 miles from Alvarado, Texas Wesleyan University, 1201 Wesleyan St. in Fort Worth, has an enrollment of about 2,619, with 31 undergraduate programs and 11 graduate programs.

Located about 37 miles from Alvarado, The University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S. Nedderman Drive, has an enrollment of about 39,714 students in campus-based and online degree programs pursuing more than 180 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad range of areas.

21-COUNTY c ounty

Alvarado sub-courthouse T

offers county convenience

he Johnson County Precinct 3 Sub-Courthouse, 206 N. Baugh St., affords residents access to several county services. The $2.7 million building, which opened in 2015, was paid for using county reserve funds. The building houses the Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Court overseen

by JP Judge Pat Jacobs and the offices of Precinct 3 Constable Mark White. Also convenient for Alvarado residents is the satellite location of the Johnson County Tax Office.

The new building replaces the previous office space in the downtown square.

The former building, though fine for its time, had grown too small for the needs of the city and county, Jacobs said. The new facility offers a larger courtroom and more office and storage space, she said.

“As the county continues to grow there’s more demand for services,” Precinct 3 County Commissioner Jerry Stringer said. “The Precinct 3 Sub-Courthouse is a huge convenience not just for Alvarado but for that entire east side of the county.”

Johnson County, like Alvarado, is growing fast.

Johnson County is one of the fastestgrowing counties in Texas, according to official U.S. Census Bureau numbers, which indicate the county has grown about 21 percent since 2000.

The county’s population in 2015 stood at 159,990, compared to 150,943 in 2010, according to Census Bureau estimates.

Economic growth in the form of new

business and home building has steadily increased in recent years, Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon said. All signs point to sustained and increased growth in those areas in the years ahead, Harmon added. And yet, much of the county remains rural, an oasis apart the larger nearby cities of Fort Worth and Dallas, but also easily accessible to those and other area cities thanks to the Chisholm Trail Parkway, Interstate 35W and U.S. 67.

Johnson County consists of 734 square miles.

The county is governed by the Johnson County Commissioners Court, which meets at 9 a.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the Johnson

County Courthouse, 2 N. Main St. in Cleburne.

Harmon is presiding officer of the commissioner’s court and judge of the county court.

County commissioners are Rick Bailey in Precinct 1, Kenny Howell in Precinct 2, Jerry Stringer in Precinct 3 and Larry Woolley in Precinct 4.

The commissioner’s court serves as the legislative and executive branches in the county and has authority over budgets of all county departments. Tax Assessor-Collector Scott Porter heads the county tax office. The office has locations at 2 N. Mill St. in Cleburne, 118 S. Friou St. in Alvarado and 247 Elk Drive in Burleson.

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Ardeen Vaughan, right, with his daughter, Anna Lax Vaughan.

Photo by Jessica Pounds

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23-ARDEEN

Bonnie, Clyde and Ardeen Alvarado’s freewheeling funeral director

By matt smith

A

born raconteur and character extraordinaire, Alvarado entrepreneur Ardeen Vaughan lives a life ripe for Hollywood treatment, or at least a full-on bio. True Texas tales share time with recollections most curious amidst Vaughan’s trip down memory lane, many of which are hardly fit for print. What remains is golden, however, and it’s probably safe to say that Vaughan is Alvarado’s only resident who can brag of having sold cars to Steve McQueen, Wonder Woman and Tom Selleck, or to have traded a ’54 Chevy for a Ferris wheel.

“Vaughan Trading Established 1929,” reads the sign atop Vaughan’s Alvarado establishment.

“My dad started that,” Vaughan said. “He and my mother went to the Rio Grande Valley in ’24 and he started the business, funeral cars and things related to that, basically the same thing I’m doing here.”

Vaughan’s father later expanded into funeral homes and produce, which inspired Vaughan to enter the funeral trade.

“I was an embalmer in the Army, ’61, ’62 during my time in Frankfort, Germany,” Vaughan said. “But I was already a licensed embalmer and funeral director before then.”

Vaughan’s other passion, a lifelong love of all things automobile, brought him to Alvarado in 1963 in search of a Model A Ford.

“This is strange, but it’s a true story,” Vaughan said. “I had a little old Thunderbird and I parked at an angle at a service station on the corner.

They had a Coke box with a water fountain at the end of it and it was a hot summer day. I got me a drink and thought, ‘This is the best water I ever tasted.’”

Vaughan’s wife at the time saw and fell in

love with the three-story house built in 1903 Vaughan still calls home and the couple decided Alvarado was the place to be.

Rumor has it the place is haunted.

“I’ve had people come over and spend the night, jump up in the middle of the night and leave,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan said the only spooky incident he ever encountered occurred after several Catholic priests performed an exorcism on the house.

“That night the table in my bedroom, held medicine and things like that, started to rattle and I heard a bouncing down the hallway, but that was it,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan also apparently subscribes to two strands of religion.

“There were only two other Catholics in Alvarado when I got here so I went to the Methodist church,” Vaughan said. “But I’m also a member of the Knights of Columbus.”

Vaughan reaches into his desk drawer.

“I’ve had this rosary since I was 12 but you can see it hasn’t been used lately,” Vaughan said. “But I want to be buried as a Catholic.”

Vaughan operated a funeral home in Alvarado, which he no longer does though he still owns funeral homes in other parts of Texas. His daughter, Anna Vaughan Lax, later purchased funeral homes in Alvarado, Itasca and Grandview, which she continues to operate.

“I grew up in the business,” Anna Lax said.

“We lived downstairs, the casket room was upstairs. Used to go on ambulance calls with my granddad and help my mom in the flower shop she owned. Dad was a great mentor and influence and helped me when I first got into the funeral business.”

Funeral homes used to run ambulance service and Vaughan said he had the first ambualvarado, texas

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Photo by Jessica Pounds

Ardeen Vaughan collects rare antique cars and other items.

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lance with an electronic siren in Johnson County. “I’ll never forget going into Cleburne to the hospital,� Vaughan said. “Boy, I’d turn that thing on and people would be running scared to death. They thought the Russians were coming.�

Vaughan sits on the Alvarado City Council — “Eighth term I think� — but says he doesn’t plan to run again. Otherwise he sells and leases hearses, restores and collects old cars and trades in a bit of everything and anything and was once featured on the TV show “American Pickers.�

Cars dating to the 1910s, including, Vaughan said, the oldest Model T known to exist, fill Vaughan’s facility along with a plethora of other items.

Vaughan at one point owned the hearse that transported President John F. Kennedy from Parkland Memorial Hospital to Dallas Love Field and, for an even shorter time, the ambulance that transported Lee Harvey Oswald’s body.

He also owns Lyndon B. Johnson’s Jeep. “I didn’t like Kennedy and I didn’t like Lyndon and every morning I’d have to walk out my back door and see those

Courtesy photo

Ardeen Vaughan, right, and his wife, Sonya, in their Alvarado house, where they once operated a funeral home.

[vehicles] and it would remind me of both [them],� Vaughan said. “But lots of TV stations and all came to interview me about those.�

The man who owned LBJ’s Jeep got it from his uncle, who had worked as a foreman on the former president’s

ranch, Vaughan said. That man came to Vaughan’s house one night saying he had to sell the Jeep because his wife had run off to Arkansas and he needed money to chase after her. “I told him I’d buy the Jeep but told him, ‘The best thing you can do, cause

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I’ve had a hell of a lot more experience with women than you have, is to take the money, put it in your pocket and go home. If she wants to come back she’ll show up.’

“Well, it was a month or so before I got over to get the Jeep. Sure enough his money was gone and she wasn’t there.”

Vaughan also provided cars to Warner Brothers for “Bonnie and Clyde,” parts of which were filmed in Venus and Maypearl. One of the cars was a 1934 Ford Vaughan had put a Chevrolet V-8 283 engine in.

“If the real Bonnie and Clyde had had that in their car they’d never been caught,” Vaughan said. “But that’s the car in the movie they get shot in. If you watch part of the movie where they go into town and they’re parked by the curb and crank it up you can tell it’s not a V-8 Ford motor.”

Vaughan said he also supplied cars to the films “JFK” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

As much as he likes cars, Vaughan dislikes flying.

“In 1949 my niece was born in the Cleburne hospital and I was riding my

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27-ARDEEN?

bike to see her,” Vaughan said. “Heard this horrible noise and looked up just about over the old Cooke hospital. It was a B-52 coming down and it crashed.

I saw all that. Some guy jumped out and went through the propeller. So that made me afraid of airplanes.”

In 1957 Vaughan said he decided to become a musician so he went to California and spent “a lot of his folk’s money.”

While walking with a friend near a schoolyard, a Douglas DC-7B collided with a U.S. Air Force Northrop F-89 and crashed into the playground area.

“You could see the pilot waving the kids off and I sat there and saw every bit of that,” Vaughan said. “Now they made that movie about Ritchie Valens years later. He was at that time just a name coming up. The movie made a big deal about him standing there watching the plane crash. He wasn’t there. I know. I remember that day well.”

Another time Vaughan said he traveled to Belize thinking he might buy a soap factory. He didn’t but he did briefly entertain the notion of running for president of the country before deciding it wasn’t worth the bother.

Music wise he enjoys songs and sounds of Sinatra, Harry James, Cole Porter, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday.

“I remember the first time, it was in Hillsboro in front of McCroys,” Vaughan said. “My little girlfriend was with me.

All the sudden she reached over and turned up the radio and said, ‘That’s Elvis Presley.’ I liked him all right.”

A decade later he drove past a park full of hippies in Albuquerque.

“I thought, ‘God, if I didn’t have that funeral home and all that stuff I’d be right in the middle of this,’” Vaughan said. “It’d be nice to just lay around and all from nothing. But I guess I’ve always been too motivated to work and stuff.”

For all that, Alvarado resident Michael Percifield said there’s another side to Vaughan.

“Ardeen’s a character,” Percifield said. “But I have a lot of respect for him. He’s always very personable and when he had his funeral home he did everything he could to look out for and make things as comfortable as possible for families in their time of need. He has a true sense of caring and concern that carries over into everything he does.”

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BRINGING BACK

THE SQU o

G&L General Store

is just the beginning for Greg and Lanna LaFountain This property was purchased in October 2015 and they have been renovating it ever since. The coupl own the south side of the square and plan on building it back up and putting in some businesse vital to the growth of the town and to the squar itself. They have a vision of the square thriving with businesses and the community growing and being able to sustain the growth of this little town. It would be nice to see everyone shopping local if possibl and keeping as much revenue here as possible to help with the growing population and the expansion going on in and around Alvarado. Greg and Lann both grew up in Alvarado, raised their children i Alvarado, and hope someday to have some of thei grandchildren brought up here as well. They want to invite everyone to stop by and see the new updated MHJPSP[` HUK `V\ TPNO[ L]LU ÄUK ZVTL[OPUN [OH[ `V\ can’t live without.

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30-LEGION/VFW V eterans of foreign wars and american legion

vfw, American Legion Posts

T

wo veterans organizations in Alvarado, American Legion Trueitt Bishop Post 426 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Hershal L. Miller Memorial Post 9299 serve both veterans and the community.

American Legion Post 426 is named after Cpl. Trueitt Brinkley Bishop, a member of a prominent Alvarado family, who was killed in action in World War I at Saint Mihiel, France, while serving with the U.S. Army’s 358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division.

He died Sept. 14, 1918, and is buried at St. Mihiel American Cemetery in Thiaucourt, France.

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alvarado, texas

Veterans services opportunities The post is open from 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Activities include Bingo from 7:309:45 p.m. Wednesdays and 3-5:45 p.m. Saturdays; a shuffleboard tournament from 6:30-11 p.m. Mondays; a pool tournament 7-11 p.m. Thursdays; karaoke from 8-11 p.m. every first and third Friday; and Texas Holdem from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

The post holds a Casi Sanctioned Chili Cook off every March.

VFW Hershal L. Miller Memorial Post 9299 is named after World War II veteran Cpl. Hershal Miller.

Miller, a Marine Corps veteran,

31-LEGION/VFW

fought in the Pacific against the Japanese. He was taken prisoner when Wake Island fell to the Japanese in December 1941 and remained a POW until 13 days after the war’s end in 1945.

The VFW’s regular hours are from noon to about 10 p.m. daily during the week and later on Fridays.

The post is dedicated to providing services for veterans, including having designated people to help get VA benefits started.

It is an open post and everybody is welcome.

Regular events include bingo and shuffleboard tournaments from 7-9 p.m.

Mondays; Boy Scout Troop 9299 meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays; and Bingo and pool tournaments from 7-9:30 p.m. Fridays.

The post participates in the Scout troop’s canned food drive to support Helping Hands for Jesus. To donate, contact Dustin Kinson at 817-240-7912.

The American Legion Legion Hours

Sunday 12:00 - 7:00pm Monday-Friday 11:00am - 12:00pm Saturday 11:00am - 1:00pm To Become a Member visit www.legion.org

Truitt Bishop Post 426 8500 FM 3136, Alvarado Texas

Bingo: Open to the public Saturday: 3:00pm-5:45pm Kitchen opens at 1:30pm Wednesday: 7:30pm-9:45pm Kitchen opens at 6:30pm

For information email alaunit426@gmail.com alpost426@gmail.com

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alvarado, texas

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32-ALV POLICE COWBOY HATS

cowboy hats Alvarado police officers begin to sport

By Jessica Pounds

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alvarado, texas

33-ALV POLICE COWBOY HATS

T

here’s something about wearing a cowboy hat that makes you stand a little taller, especially in Texas.

Officers with the Alvarado Police Department say they are proud to now be wearing them as part of their uniform whether they are out on patrol, conducting a formal ceremony or attending a community event.

The new budget year in 2017 allowed the

department to make the switch in their uniform standards.

“This links us back to Alvarado’s cowboy heritage,” APD Chief Brad Anderson said. “We felt this is much truer to our past as a rural city/ community and still gave a sharp appearance.”

The cowboy hat replaces the former “bus driver” style hat worn by traditional police departments.

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34-ALV POLICE COWBOY HATS

One of the benefits cowboy hats will provide officers is protection from the sun and inclement weather, as they are often exposed to the elements while out on patrol.

In the summer, officers will wear hats made of palm leaf straw to keep them cool. In the winter, they will wear felted wool hats.

The department chose to purchase their cowboy hats from Atwood Hat Company in Frankston, Texas, and cost $30 to $60 per hat.

Anderson said the idea to incorporate cowboy hats in the police department had been tossed around for awhile.

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alvarado, texas

“We asked how everyone felt about it and it was pretty much a collective agreement,” he said.

The cowboy hat will be the mandatory uniform cover while officers are wearing their Class A’s, which are often referred to as dress uniforms and mimic military ensembles.

APD Officer DeDrick Howard doesn’t wear a cowboy hat while off duty, but has taken naturally to it.

“It’s something I could get used to,” he said.

Anderson joked that APD Officer Dylan Mansell is so happy about the switch that he wears his to bed.

“I really love it,” Mansell said.

“They’re nice.”

Anderson said the department’s 17 officers have the option to wear the new cowboys hats, baseball caps or no hat at all while they are out on patrol.

“The only issue is that while we are out on the highway and a big truck drives by they are easier to blow off our heads,” he said. “In that case, the officers will just leave their hats in their car.”

Deputies with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office are authorized to wear cowboy hats during their day-to-day operations, and several other North Texas police departments have switched to them as well.

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817-916-4490 Alvarado, TX 76009 • 6100 S IH 35 W

36-THINGS TO DO t hings to do

While you’re here A lvarado is ideally close to two cultural and economic centers of Texas — Dallas and Fort Worth.

While staying in one of Alvarado’s five hotels or motels situated minutes from Interstate 35W, go see a rodeo, visit an amusement park or experience

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city attractions.

You’ll find plenty of restaurants throughout the area, such as Villa Dianna Italian Restaurant, Benny Joe’s Italian Restaurant, Nickey’s Saucy Italian, Texas Teriyaki and Burger, Olive Garden and several fast-food options.

37-THINGS TO DO

From rodeos to biker rallies, nearby Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church is the place to be.

Fort Worth is an easy trip from Alvarado, so consider checking out the Fort Worth Stockyards for livestock shows, rodeos and country music performances.

Downtown Dallas, where you can shop, dine and watch professional sports, is a 40-mile drive.

For animal lovers and families of all ages, the Fort Worth Zoo and Dallas Zoo are both only short car rides away.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the natural beauty of Alvarado Lake and famous Glen Rose State Park, where they can check out fossils embedded in limestone and sandstone from over 113 million years ago.

Legendary venues like the “House That Doak Built” Cotton Bowl, AT&T Stadium, Texas Motor Speedway for NASCAR, and three beautiful area golf courses are here to delight sports fans.

Thrill seekers can revel in the worldclass rides of Six Flags Over Texas — the original park in the franchise — and Hurricane Harbor.

In Alvarado, you’re really near it all.

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38-PIONEERS

Continuing tradition Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion celebrates 125 years

F

rom the very first ride — a flying jenny pulled by two white horses — to week-long events of parades, contests and entertainment, much has changed since the Johnson County Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion was first held in 1892.

The reunion in 2017 had with more events on the lineup than ever before to celebrate the 125th year.

“It’s been 125 years in the making,” Reunion Association Director Jameye Jones said.

Throughout the years One of the largest events of its kind in Texas, the reunion traces its beginnings to when John James, a local farmer and newspaper correspondent, proposed 38

alvarado, texas

the idea to “reunite the citizenship which was divided” to some of his neighbors.

“At that date and for several years prior, our citizenship was divided, strifes and in some instances bitter feelings, had been endangered by political agitation,” James said in a Venus Times article. “Friends of long standing had taken opposite sides in political matters, and many of them for the time had become political and social enemies.”

Although he was initially met with rejection, James and his fellow news writers organized a picnic at Elm Grove in June 1983. Those in attendance voted to form an organization to oversee plans for an annual reunion.

The first official reunion was held from July 27-28 in 1893 at Gathings Park, just

northeast of Cleburne, with more than 2,000 people in attendance.

Subsequent reunions were held in Alvarado, Grandview, Venus and Cleburne, until the organization purchased land for a permanent site in Alvarado once used as a camping place of the Caddo Indians when the first settlers came into the county.

At the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds, the first pavilion built in 1906 was destroyed by a tornado and the second pavilion was burned in 1965.

A third, larger pavilion was built in 1966.

The grounds also feature a 8,100-square-foot pavilion, a 1,875-square-foot performing stage, a 1,875-square-foot conference room, small kitchen area and 18 acres for out-

39-PIONEERS

door activities.

Throughout the years, the reunion changed from two days of festivities to six days.

The carnival of those early meetings consisted of one ride — a flying jenny pulled by two white horses.

Today, the events and entertainment include a parade, beauty contest, baby contest, fiddle contest, various bands and a carnival that consists of many rides and games, attracting more than 10,000 visitors each year.

Renovations made to the pavilion this year include a storage room, two offices, indoor bathrooms and 3,000 more square space, a project that cost about $5,000.

Making memories Modern day reunions have been extended with festivities to last all week long.

One big change in 2017 was that the parade was on a Saturday, instead of during the week.

“We wanted to have it on Saturday instead of during the week so more kids could come out and participate and watch,” Parade coordinator Leanna Cowan said.

Parade participants make their way around the Alvarado square and continue on to the reunion grounds where the winners will be announced.

A barbecue cook-off with judging of brisket, pork ribs and chicken was also new in 2017, along with a bake-off that day, and sales of leftover sweets and barbecue.

“The judges never see who brings in what — they just see a number on a box,” she said. “The public votes on showmanship. So if the contestants wear outfits or act silly they can win a prize for that, too.”

The queen contest brings a $1,000 scholarship for the first-place winner.

Debra Stroud handled the queen contest for the first time in 2017.

“Ever since I can remember, my parents always had something for us to do, whether it was riding in the parade or being a contestant in the queen contest,” she said. “I always enjoyed the camaraderie made in that short amount of time.”

Stroud said the contest prepares the women for bigger things.

“Over the years, the dresses have changed, but the pageant hasn’t changed any other way,” she said. “My goal is to get these girls on to Miss Texas. This helps them get their foot in the door.”

Each year’s baby contest has two categories — walking to 2 1/2 and then 2 1/2 to 4 1/2. Each group is limited to 100 participants. Each winner will receive $25 and a trophy.

Nancy Owen of Alvarado said she was born into the reunion.

“I don’t think I have ever missed a reunion,” she said. “I used to help my mother who was the reunion secretary treasurer.

Both of my parents were association directors. When my mom died a few years ago, I kind of took on her legacy.”

Over the years, Owen said she has seen a decline in baby contestants.

“We don’t have as near as many babies entered,” she said. “I think so many moms work now. It used to be that moms stayed home and dad went to work. Now, both parents work and I think that might be a reason why we are seeing less babies each year.”

Another long-standing tradition is the fiddle contest.

Each year guests are asked to sign the reunion guest book, which is kept on a table near the northeast side entrance to the Pavilion building.

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40-MUSIC

Music runs deep in the heart of

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Alvarado

41-MUSIC

Photos by Jessica Pounds and R’D Water Photography

Kris Jones, left, of Alvarado greets a fan, Tracey Cameron of Mundford, England, during a shoot for his music video. Left: Brittany Oviedo is one of Alvarado’s fresh talents, well known for her singing and guitar skills.

O

ne thing for sure about Alvarado is that its residents love to kick back and relax during a good music show and Turkey Creek Bar & Grill, 8705 Farm-to-Market Road 3136, does not disappoint.

The bar’s owner, Adam Lee, has brought in a variety of artists ranging from Texas country singer Wade Bowen to hip hop star Coolio.

While most shows at Turkey Creek involve country, Lee said many were shocked when Coolio agreed to play in small town Alvarado.

“It turned out to be a great, fun and upbeat night for everyone,” he said. “He was entertaining and really cool and I’m certainly hoping to have him back.”

Coolio happened to make friends with several Alvarado residents while he was in town, including tattoo artist, Dell Stanely, who owns Twiztid Ink Tattoo Studio.

Other notable music artists who have performed at Turkey Creek include Aaron Tippin, Tracy Byrd, Marty Stewart and Kevin Fowler.

Lee works with Alvarado when they city hosts its annual music series.

“We realized Turkey Creek already

had musicians on a regular basis,” Alvarado Economic Development Director Emile Moline said. “Rather than creating a competitive event we figured why not partner with those already hosting concerts and provide support to the possibility of making those events bigger?”

Fresh talent

Two local musicians have recently put Alvarado on the map.

Kris Jones was just a working dad — and still is — when the world came to know him.

He went viral in 2017 when his daughter posted a video after catching him singing a cover of George Jones’ “Tennessee Whiskey” in his truck.

Since then he has landed appearances on radio and TV shows, including “The Ellen Show” and, most recently, “Pickler & Ben.” Through his endeavors, Jones said he cherishes all of the support he’s received from his hometown.

While filming his first music video for “Big Black Truck,” he asked fans to come out and pack Turkey Creek Bar & Grill in Alvarado for a free concert.

“Alvarado is a very small town, and alvarado, texas

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42-MUSIC

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this is a good thing for Alvarado,” he said. I would not be where I am today without you guys and I am truly, truly thankful.”

Longtime fan Tracey Cameron of Mundford, England, flew out to meet Jones and be part of the video.

“He was just saying, ‘You know, if you are in the area we really need you to come out for this shoot,’” she said. “I thought, ya know, I’m at a time in my life where I’m just going to do it so I looked to see how much flights were and they were really cheap. Within a half an hour I booked a flight.”

Like most fans who meet Jones, Cameron was beaming from ear-to-ear when she finally watched him perform in Alvarado.

“The biggest quality he has is he is a staunch family man,” she said. “And that’s what most women love about him.”

Influenced by the sounds of George Jones, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks and Vince Gill, Jones shared his voice at every opportunity.

You can sometimes catch him singing at the Pioneers and Old Settlers Reunion alongside Brittany Oviedo, who is :f^gbmb^l Bg\en]^ '''

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43-MUSIC

also one of Alvarado’s up-and-coming artists.

When she was about 11 years old, she sang in Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue, a weekly variety show held at the Arlington Music Hall. Since then she has signed a record deal with RTM Records.

When she first started performing live, Oviedo admits to being a little nervous.

“Now I feed off of it,” she said. “When I first walk into a crowd, you kind of have to judge them a little bit. I’m always talking to the crowd. I want to know what they want. It’s the best feeling ever.”

Influenced by artists such as Lee Ann Womack, Stevie nicks and Patty Loveless, feeding off the crowd comes in handy when deciding which type of music she will perform.

“I would definitely say I have a very unique voice,” she said. “When you talk to me, you’d think I’d sing a different way, but I have a very mature voice. It’s a little bit deeper and kind of has a rock ‘n’ roll vibe.

“You can definitely tell I’m country no matter what I do. No matter what I’m singing, if I’m singing a rock song or an

Turkey Creek Bar & Grill.

R&B song, you can still hear my hick.

You can hear my Alvarado, Texas, coming out a little bit.”

One day, Oviedo hopes to perform in front of millions of fans, but for now she enjoys performing in her hometown.

File photo

“Alvarado is a very supportive community,” she said. “It’s such a small community. When they see somebody that’s trying to make it, they support you. It’s what I like most about being from a small town — the support.”

alvarado, texas

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44-PARKS p arks

F

rom climbing monkey bars and going down the slide to challenging each other in a game of basketball, a new park in Alvarado was well received by children of all ages during a grand opening ceremony in August.

George Washington Carver Park, 405 S. Baugh St., sits on about 1 acre of land and features a swing set, playground equipment, basketball court and covered picnic area.

Alvarado City Manager Clint Davis said creating a park in the area had been in the works for many years.

“This has been a vision a long time coming, I understand about 15 years in the making,” he said. “We are very excited that we are to this point of opening this park. Our parks board played a very important part in bringing this together.”

More than 100 residents came out to see the new park on Wednesday, including Alexa Jones, 6, who said she loves it.

“The blue slides are my favorite,” she said. “I raced my brother and I won.”

Pastor Calvin Jenkins of A Change For Christ Church in Alvarado said the park was built with loving hands.

44

alvarado, texas

“A few steps away from here is a building that was a school building that was the George Washington Carver Negro School,” he said. “And that’s who the park is named after.”

Davis asked the community to do their part in keeping the park nice for the children.

“I want to ask you to help us keep an eye on our park,” he said. “We want to

take pride in our community and we are so proud of this today. So if you see something, please call us. We want to keep this park in the best shape that we can. I know the community is going to give immense support in that.”

Other parks and outdoor activity opportunities are plentiful throughout Alvarado and the surrounding area.

The city lies in the Blackland Prairie of

45-PARKS

north central Texas, an area of significant historical and environmental character.

Native blackland prairie vegetation, an increasingly rare ecosystem, was once abundant here.

Parkway Park 100 S. Parkway Parkway is the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most highly developed park including 1.59 acres with a walking trail, swings, playground and covered picnic areas with grills.

Alvarado resident Michael Percifield said Parkway Park, also known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the city park,â&#x20AC;? is the oldest park in the city and was established around the time U.S. 81 came through Alvarado. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the early days, there were concrete picnic tables, a swing set, a slide and a small pond,â&#x20AC;? Percifield said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the early 2000s the city came in and renovated it and developed it into the beautiful park that it is today.â&#x20AC;?

Moore Park at Burnett Drive Moore Park is primarily used for baseball and includes 10.75 acres with swings and picnic tables and a baseball diamond.

Concepts have been developed for turn-

ing the park into a major sports complex.

Moore Park was established after Alvarado resident John Moore set aside land for a park in that portion of the community.

Lake Park at Park Lane Lake Park offers 5 acres of land and a public boat launch on the north edge of Lake Alvarado. Limited picnic facilities and a grill are available in an attractive wooded setting.

A renovation is planned for the installation of a new boat ramp, paved parking and a restroom facility.

Lake Park has been there as long as the lake has.

Percifield Park The Alvarado Youth Sports Association Sports Complex at Percifield Park contains three baseball fields, one of which also serves as a football field.

By providing supervised competitive athletic programs, the AYSA seeks to grow stronger youth through the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and reverence so that they may be stronger and happier.

Sports offered by AYSA include base-

ball and softball, cheerleading, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball.

Parks under development Alvarado, although a small city, is largely undeveloped, offering the community a wide variety of options to consider in developing parks and preserving open space.

Parks slated for development include Heritage Park and Stonegate Park.

Stonegate Park 701 Stonegate Blvd.

Stonegate Park, which includes an existing conservation lake, will host 21 acres of land and have walking trails, picnic tables and open space for football and soccer.

A portion of the site is an attractive pond and the potential exists to expand the site to include the entire water feature.

Heritage Park 102 W. College St. Plans for Heritage Park include a museum, log cabin, carriage house and miscellaneous items from the prior century.

Rick Hickman, RPLS 817-819-7391 rick@fwsurveying.com

Chris Bradley, RPLS 817-819-7392 chris@fwsurveying.com

September 12-15, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ 126 th Annual Event begins at 6:00 PM, Wednesday Sept. 12 with the parade.

Activities planned for the week include Queen Contest, Baby Contest, Fiddle Contest, Car Show, and Vendor Booths. The Heart of Texas Carnival runs Wednesday 9/12 through Saturday 9/15. This 126th celebrations ends with a concert by award winning, American country music group â&#x20AC;&#x153;Asleep at the Wheelâ&#x20AC;? at 7:30pm on Saturday 9/15.

All of the above events take place at the facility located at 111 Reunion Drive, Alvarado, Texas.

The event facility and 18 acre surrounding area is also available for rent for various activities. Amenities include Pavilion area (8100 sf), stage area (1875 sf), and Conference Room with small Kitchen Area.

For information on any of the above, please contact 832-202-4148

107 E. College Ave. Alvarado, Texas 76009

www.fwsurveying.com 2IĂ&#x;FH )D[ alvarado, texas

45

46-HOTELS

Home away from home

W

ith five hotels and motels all situated near Interstate 35W, Alvarado offers easy access to the city and surrounding area, whether you are in town for business or pleasure.

Each offer rooms from budget price to more extravagant with amenities aplenty for single lodgers and families.

All five offer free Wi-Fi and TV with cable channels.

Several offer mini fridges, microwaves, private Jacuzz-

is, free continental breakfast, separate living areas and free parking. Additional amenities include indoor and/or outdoor swimming pools, fitness centers and guest laundry.

Several offer free stays for children 17 and younger with an adult.

From the helpful staffs to the creature comforts, all are equipped to enhance the positive experience of your stay in Alvarado.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites 325 Village Park Drive 817-783-7573 HIExpress.com/alvaradotexas

This contemporary lodging features modern rooms that come with desks and flat-screen TVs, plus mini fridges, microwaves and premium cable channels.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also free Wi-Fi and highpressure shower heads in the bathrooms, while kids 19 and under stay free with an adult. Suites add separate living spaces with pull-out sofas, kitchenettes and dining tables.

Amenities include a free breakfast bar, an indoor pool and a whirlpool, as well as a fitness center and free parking.

Comfort Inn & Suites 400 Village Park Drive 817-783-2900 www.choicehotels.com/ ComfortInn/Alvarado

Each basic room and suite at this three-story hotel includes free Wi-Fi and has en suite bathrooms with showers, as well as flat-screen TVs, microwaves and mini fridges.

Upgraded rooms and suites are available with pull-out sofas and whirlpool tubs.

The hotel offers a computer for guest use and a meeting room. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a seasonal outdoor heated pool and hot tub, and an exercise room.

Other amenities include a complimentary breakfast, guest laundry and free parking for cars and buses.

46

alvarado, texas

47-HOTELS

Super 8 Alvarado 5445 South Interstate 35 817-790-7378 www.wyndhamhotels.com/Super-8/Alvarado

At this no-frills budget hotel off Interstate 35, all rooms include en suite bathrooms, TVs with cable channels, desks, coffee makers, mini fridges and microwaves. Suites also come with private Jacuzzis.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free Wi-Fi in every room and kids 17 and under stay free with an adult.

Amenities include a free continental breakfast in the dining area and free parking for vehicles of all sizes.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a seasonal outdoor pool with hot tub, plus fitness and business centers.

La Quinta Inn & Suites 1165 U.S. 67 817-783-8700 laquintaalvarado.com

At this casual hotel, the subdued rooms include pillow-top mattresses, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, plus mini fridges, microwaves and coffee makers.

Upgraded rooms with whirlpool tubs are available, while suites add separate living areas with sofa beds. Kids 18 and under stay free with a parent or grandparent.

The property features an outdoor pool, picnic area with barbecue grills and a fitness center.

Amenities also include a free hot buffet breakfast, plus guest laundry facilities and a business center.

Motel 6 1185 West U.S. 67 817-783-2277 www.motel6/com/Alvarado

This recently renovated motel is conveniently located off Interstate 35 near area dining and features free WiFi and Micro-fridge units in all guest rooms.

Other property amenities include a coin laundry facility, truck parking and an outdoor pool.

alvarado, texas

47

48-CIVIC CLUB c ivic clubs

T

Alvarado lions club

he Alvarado Lions Club works to provide service to people in the city and surrounding areas.

The Alvarado Lions Club meets at noon the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Alvarado ISD Central Administration Office, 110 Bill Jackson Drive.

Lions Club International empowers volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage

48

alvarado, texas

peace and promote international understanding through local Lions clubs.

Through SightFirst, Lions are restoring sight and preventing blindness on a global scale by raising more than $346 million since 1990 for this initiative.

SightFirst targets the major causes of blindness: cataract, trachoma, river blindness, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

The club also hosts back-to-school bashes, helps deliver meals to seniors

through Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties and hosts a golf tournament every May to raise money for scholarships to award Alvarado High School seniors.

Several projects the club hosted this year was a Back to School Bash for Alvarado, Grandview and Itasca ISDs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more than 300 kids had their eyes checked, Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Helpers Fajita Dinner and the 21st Annual Lions Club Golf Tournament.

49-SPORTS s ports

Alvarado Youth Sports

Association

A

lvarado offers plenty of opportunities year-round for its youth to hit a home run or score the gamewinning touchdown.

After functioning separately for nine years, the Alvarado Youth Association and the Alvarado Youth Sports Association merged together in 2015 to form one organization.

By providing supervised competitive athletic programs, the AYSA seeks to grow stronger youth through the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and reverence so that they may be stronger and happier.

The AYSA Sports Complex at Percifield Park contains three baseball fields, one of which also serves as a football field.

Sports offered by AYSA include baseball and softball, cheerleading, basketball, football, soccer and volleyball.

AYSA board meetings are held the second Wednesday of every month and are open to the public. Meetings are held at the field house beginning at 6:30 p.m.

New in 2018 is the AYSA Warrior Program for ages 6-18 with special needs.

Available sports in this program include vollyball, baseball, football, cheer and basketball.

For more information, visit www.leaguelineup.com/ayasports.

Directions zx From Interstate 35, take U.S. 67 towards Cleburne. zx Go about a half mile, passing Hallman Equipment Rental and turn right at Percifield Trail. Grandview Bank will be on the right. zx Make an immediate left at the gravel road in front of Saint Anthony’s Episcopal Church and follow back it back to the fields. zx Address is 109 Percifield Trail.

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4740 E. Hwy 67, Alvarado TX 76009

043501290174761

alvarado, texas

49

50-CHAMBER c hamber of commerce members

Chamber of Commerce Members A Change For Christ 817-402-5047 achangeforchrist.org

Alvarado Lions Club

A&V Development 8179393369

Alvarado Meadows Nursing and Rehab 817-790-3304 www.alvaradomeadows.com

Adams Tack 817-916-4490 www.adams-tack.com

Alvarado Pharmacy 817-783-2727 alvaradotxrx.com

Allied Waste 254-221-4414

Alvarado Veterinary Clinic 817-783-2257 www.alvaradoveterinaryclinic.com

Alpha and Omega Pest Control 817-426-4445 www.alphaandomegapestcontrol.com Alvarado Associates, LLC. 817-929-5235 mhrent2own.com Alvarado Chiropractic Health and Wellness 817-783-3500 alvaradochiro.com Alvarado Christmas Charity-Santa’s Helpers 817-790-3577 www.facebook.com/Alvaradosantashelpers/ Alvarado Family Dentistry 817-783-6700 www.alvaradodentist.com Alvarado HS Project Graduation 817-999-7383

Alvarado Youth Sports Association 817-819-7378 www.facebook.com/AlvaradoYouthAssociation American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 426 817-790-0997 www.facebook.com/AmericanLegion-Auxiliary-Unit-426-AlvaradoTexas-152690358726 Ann’s Hands Massage 817-526-1799 Apos Floors LLC 817-645-0460 www.aposfloors.com Atmos Energy 817-375-7911 Awards by Mastercraft 817-295-7363 www.awardsbymastercraft.com

Children’s Advocacy Center of Johnson County 817-558-1599 www.childadvocacycenter-jc.org

Beth Lytner 817-447-5007 www.edwardjones.com

Christa Owen 682-564-3398 www.jobapb.com

Bootin’ Out Cerebral Palsy 817-704-8529 www.bootinoutcp.org

Christina Weiss 817-205-2263 www.expresssandandgravel.com

Brittney Fritts 469-478-8214 www.facebook.com/ LularoeBrittFritts/?fref=ts

City of Alvarado 817-790-3351 www.cityofalvarado.org Clayton Kay-Vaughn Funeral Home 817-783-3062 www.claytonkayvaughanfuneralhome.com

Brookshires Grocery 817-790-6427 Buckstop Outdoors 817-783-2212 C M Jackson Enterprise 817-8462590 conrad.daviddevries.com Carol’s Attic 682-459-4925 Catherine Moak 817-517-3145 www.cowboylegacyreunion.com Centramatic 817-783-6396 www.centramatic.com Charles Mitchell 817-648-9946 Lonestarplumbingtx.com

ERINA R

CL

EST.

INIC

ALVAR

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AVC

Cleburne Railroaders 817-945-8705 www.railroaderbaseball.com Clio Club 817-641-0453 Cody Weiss 817-478-2141 www.adaratx.com Comfort Inn & Suites 817-783-2900 www.choicehotels.com/texas/ alvarado/comfort-inn-hotels/ txf48?source=gglocaloz1 D Caterers 817-456-4742

Y

D

Alvarado ISD 817-783-6800 www.alvaradoisd.net

Alvarado Worship Center 817-296-3322

Benny’s Restaurant & Bar 817-783-7400 www.facebook.com/BennysRestaurant-Bar-142195105841087

1981

Paul Finley, DVM • Clint Calvert, DVM • Kevin Beam, DVM • NAAVOS - Orthopedic Surgery • Monte White, DVM • Jeremy Mitchell, DVM • Jake McCabe, DVM • Spencer Godfrey, DVM • Kayla Livengood, DVM • Laura Schwartz, DVM • Caitlin Smith, DVM •Blanca Camacho, DVM •Savannah Beauregard, DVM •James Figgie III, DVM • Anna Harrison, DVm • Bryana Mitchell, DVM • Barret Morrison, DVM

Treating large & small animals (Scan this code to be directed to our website)

6800 E. Hwy 67 Alvarado, TX 76009 fax: 817-783-3641

817-783-2257 Day or Night

www.alvaradoveterinaryclinic.com 50

alvarado, texas

51-CHAMBER

Dairy Queen 817-645-3495 www.dairyqueen.com/us-en/locator/ Detail/?localechange=1&&store-id=11575 Danny Clampitt 817-689-8650 www.dkgeneralconstruction.net Darrell Whitsel Florist 817-335-9363 www.darrellwhitselflorist.com Denise Paruolo 214-307-4688 www.shoutbroadband.com Dennis Mark 817-558-9595 www.farmersagent.com/dmark Diversified Employee Benefits Services 210-558-3377 EXT 107 www.debsinsurance.com Domino’s Pizza 817-790-6000 www.dominos.com/ en/?redirect=homepage&utm_ source=locallistings&utm_ medium=loclist&utm_ campaign=localmaps Dr. Jerry Hidlebaugh D.D.S. & Associates 817-783-2173 www.drhidlebaughdds.com/ Eagle Auto Parts 817-790-5557 partsplustx.partsplus.com/ Edward Jones 817-790-0106 First Financal Bank 817-774-5161 www.ffin.com

Five Points Church 817-706-8255 www.facebook.com/5PointsLife/ Fort Worth Surveying 817-790-5900 fwsurveying.com

Huguley Medical Associates, Inc. 817-551-2695

Four Seasons Cleaners 817-783-7020

IESI 817-790-0311 www.wasteconnections.com

Fuzzy Wuzzy Pet Salon & Boarding 817-783-7771 Grandview Bank 817-790-1400 www.grandviewbank.com G&L General Store 817-790-0110 Hallman Equipment Rental, Inc. 817-790-0755 www.hallmanrental.com Hearts & Flowers/Time Out Massage 817-783-3682 www.heartsflowersmassagealvarado.com Hewlett Office Systems 817-645-1571 www.hewlettofficesystems.com/ Holiday Inn Express 817-783-7573 www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/alvarado/ftwal/hoteldetail Home Instead 817-933-8234 www.homeinstead.com/742 How Sweet It Is...

817-783-2423 www.bakingyourdreamscometrue.com

I 35 Liquor Depot 817-790-0425 www.facebook.com/I35LiquorDepot/

James C. Neathery & Associates, Inc. 817-790-0405 jamesneathery.com Jameye Jones 817-614-6574 Jay Rapp 817-235-9534 jayrapp.kwrealty.com

Johnson County Pipe, Inc. 817-783-3444 www.thompsonpipegroup.com Johnson County Soapbox Classic 817-307-3362 johnsoncountysoapboxclassic.com Joshua Community Center YMCA 817-645-9622 ymcafw.org/locations/joshua-ymca Kathleen McCrory 832-202-4148

Jeff Hensley 817.783.3100 barcross.org

Kathy Machalica 817-578-6556 www.rootedlifemontessori.com

Jerry Payne 817-996-9445 Jerry Pritchard Insurance 817-790-3577 biggsandpritchard-health-insurance.com Jerry Stringer 817-790-5333 Jet Research Center Halliburton 817-761-2000 www.jetresearch.com Jim Loftin 817-715-4494 JJ’s Hometown Expo 817-614-6574 John Percifield 817-980-9141

Johnson County PioneerS and Old Settlers Association 817-538-2337 www.alvaradopubliclibrary.org/ johnson_county_pioneers.htm

Kathy McClure 817-558-6995 Kenzee’s Korner Rockin Resale 817-783-3332 www.facebook.com/Kenzees-KornerRockin-Resale-144491449087810/ Lake Posada RV Park 817-691-3600 www.lakeposadarvparkandresort.com Larry Woolley Johnson Co. Commissioner Precinct 4 817-866-3866 www.johnsoncountytx.org Legal Shield 817-995-3132 wbnelson.legalshieldassociate.com

APOS BOOT OUTLET

4LU»Z ࠮ >VTLU»Z ࠮ *OPSKYLU»Z *OPSKYLU»Z

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated Linda Neeley, Broker/Owner 111 S. Friou, Alvarado TX Office: 817-790-6611 www.realtyexecutivesnt.com

Tony Lama Justin - Nocona 110 E. Chambers St. Cleburne, Texas

alvarado, texas

51

52-CHAMBER

Lifeway Dental 817-587-8888 lifewaydentistry.com/ M7 Arena 817-832-9763 www.m7arena.com Martin Greer Distillery 817-507-5912 www.facebook.comjohnsoncountydistillery Marwa Alwahban 817-716-3224 www.facebook.com/Alvaradofitnesscenter Mary Percifield Matt Rhidenour 817-304-3061 McDonald’s 817-790-5721 www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us.html Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties 817-558-2840 www.mowjec.org

Mental Health Community Connection of Johnson County 817-487-3279 www.johnsoncountymhcc.org/about Metro PCS 214-715-3526 www.facebook.com/people/Francisco-Va/100013801561236 Mike Powell 817-235-5584 mikepowell2016.com Miranda’s Fresh Mexican Food 817-447-4700 www.facebook.com/Mirandas-Mexican-Restaurant-181134715243333/ Motor Home Specialist, LP 817-790-7771 www.mhsrv.com Murphy Scott Resources, LP 817-866-3413 O’Reilly’s Auto Parts 817-587-5023 www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/home.oap

Paparazzi Accessories 817-876-0067 paparazziaccessories.com/82749

RE/MAX Associates 1-817-447-3777 www.remaxassoc-1.com

Pat Jacobs 817-558-0111

RE/MAX HEARTLAND 817-866-3000 www.remax.com/realestateofficerealtor/grandview-tx-76050-remaxheartland-id60140306.html

Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins Mott 817-505-4736 www.pbfcm.com Pinnacle Bank 817-202-7020 Pit to Palace Cleaning 817-395-2136 pittopalacecleaning.com Printing Plus 817-332-2310 www.printingplustexas.com Providence Title 817-289-2500 protitletx.com Rancho La Rosa 817-718-1660 new.rancholarosa.org

Realty Executives North Texas 817-790-6611 www.realtyexecutivesnt.com Revolution Real Estate 817-447-8500 jameslike.com Rocky Biggs Insurance Co 817-783-8114 Sabre Industries 817-852-1700 www.sabretubularstructures.com Sharon Reynolds 817-694-1318

We Understand Commitment You can rely on Edward Jones for oneon-one attention, our quality-focused investment philosophy and straight talk about your financial needs. Contact an Edward Jones financial advisor today.

Eddie Yancey Scott Darragh

Financial Advisor .

809 Hwy 67 E Alvarado, TX 76009 817-790-0106 52

alvarado, texas

www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

53-CHAMBER

Shepherd Valley Cowboy Church 817-790-8898 www.shepherdsvalley.com Sid Pruitt 817-790-8333 Starbucks 469-785-9990 www.starbucks.com State Representative DeWayne Burns 512-463-0538 www.burnsfortexas.com

Texas Exes Johnson County Chapter 817-894-3126 www.texasexes.org/chapter/johnson-county Texas Farm Bureau Insurance 817-558-2848 www.facebook.com/MarcLancaster-Texas-Farm-BureauInsurance-Agency-Manager-782103545205176/ Texas Health Huguley Hospital 817-293-9110 www.texashealthhuguley.org

Traci Cook 817-932-2318

Wayne Bridewell 817-556-6825

Turkey Creek Bar & Grill 817-783-2121 www.facebook.com/pages/TurkeyCreek-Bar-Grill/53430877599

Wells Fargo Bank 817-790-3555 www.wellsfargo.com/locator/ bank/611__N__PARKWAY__DR_ALVARADO_TX_76009/

Twiztid Ink 817-783-7677 www.twiztidink.com

Wes and Cheryl Schram 817-300-8239 www.texasadventist.org

Uhaul 817-783-7838 www.uhaul.com

Stoneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Liquor 817-783-6003

Texas Rebel Backyard BBQ 817-907-1739

Underwood Law Firm 817-885-7529 www.uwlaw.com

Sweet Serenity Massages 817-521-2238 www.facebook.com/sweetserenitymassages

The Fountains of Alvarado 817-783-3388 fountainsofalvarado.sitey.me

United Cooperative Services 817-782-8326

T & T Rock Distribution

The Star Group 817-295-0486 www.thestargroup.com

United Way of Johnson County 817-645-9153 www.uwjc.com

Teresa Ustanik 682-553-4901 www.bullseyestrategygroup.com

Tom Stroko 724-466-1826

Vintage Market Days 918-606-2254

Whataburger 817-783-5500 locations.whataburger.com/tx/ alvarado/708-north-parkway.html William Ballinger 817-226-8580 Yellow Rose Propane 870-648-8241 www.yellowrosepropane.com Zimmerer Kubota Tractors & Equipment 817-645-9106 www.zimmererkubota.com

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David Pilcher Master Electrician Pho: 817-825-3374 E-Mail: david@d-lectric.com Fax: 817-790-6196 Alvarado, TX 76009-5541 TDLR # 32059 visit d-lectric.com for a full list of services alvarado, texas

53

54-EMERGENCY NUMBERS e mergency numbers

Important Numbers Amtrak Intermodal Transportation Center............817-641-1800 206 N Border St., Cleburne, TX 76031 Boating Registration information...................................800-262-8755 alvarado Animal control........................................................817-239-4401 alvarado police department.................................................817-790-0910 alvarado fire department.......................................................817-790-8884 alvarado city hall..........................................................................817-790-3351 alvarado code enforcement.................................................817-790-3351 alvarado economic development.....................................817-790-3351 alvarado public library............................................................817-783-7323 alvarado senior center.............................................................817-783-8481 alvarado water department..................................................817-790-3351 Cleburne Regional Airport Hazlewood Field.........817-641-5456 Cleburne Times-Review.................................................................817-645-2441 Cletran......................................................................................................817-641-1800 DFW Airport...........................................................................................972-973-8888 Emergency Preparedness Jamie Moore 810 E. Kilpatrick St., Cleburne, TX 76033............................................817-517-2306 Family Crisis Center........................................................................817-641-2343 Johnson County Human Resource Office Randy Gillespie 2 Main St., Cleburne, TX 76033..............................................................817-556-6350 Johnson County Humane Society.......................................817-517-5111 Johnson County precinct 3 sub-courthouse...........817-558-0122 Johnson County Sheriffs Posse..........................................817- 645-6643 Poison Control.............................................................................. 1 800-222-1222 johnson county Sheriff ADAM KING 1102 E. Kilpatrick St., Cleburne TX 76033..........................................817-556-6060

State Health Department 108 E. Kilpatrick St., Cleburne, TX 76033............................................817-517-2306 Texas Department of Public Services Cleburne office . ...............................................................................817-202-2650 ...................................................................................................1-877-643-3108 (toll free) Texas Road Conditions............................................................ 1 800-452-9292 Texas Parks and Wildlife Deparment U.S. Post Office....................................................................................817-783-3384

For Non-emergency

Alvarado.................................................................................................. 817-783-3344 Burleson................................................................................................... 817-447-5300 Cleburne................................................................................................... 817-645-0972 Godley........................................................................................................ 817-389-2500 Grandview............................................................................................... 817-866-3399 Joshua........................................................................................................ 817-558-3194 Keene............................................................................................................ 817-641-7831 Rio Vista...................................................................................................... 817-373-2600 Venus........................................................................................................... 972-366-3348 Johnson County Sheriff’s Office............................................ 817-556-6058 Johnson County Crime Stoppers............................................. 817-469-8477

For Emergency Service

DIAl 911

Helpful organizations • American Cancer Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-227-2345 • American Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-558-2329 • Children’s Advocacy Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-558-1599 • Child Protective Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-202-2200 • Family Crisis Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-558-7171 • Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Cleburne . . . . . . . . . . . 817-641-2551 • HOPE Medical and Dental Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-641-5858 • Huguley Memorial Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-293-9110 • Meals-on-Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-558-2840

Animal Control 602 S. Parkway / 817-790-0910 The city of Alvarado’s Animal Services is a division within the Alvarado Police Department.

Animal Services is responsible for all animal related issues occurring within the city limits.

This includes: zx Ensuring compliance with all municipal codes. zx Pet adoption services. zx Addressing animal complaints. zx Animal control/compliance.

Fire Department and EMS 205 S. Friou St. / 817-790-8884 The quality of life in the city of Alvarado depends on a partnership between the citizens, business community, elected officials and city employees who are committed to the following: zx Emergency medical services — Deliver professional life-saving techniques. zx Fire suppression — Deliver state-of-theart fire equipment and services through training.

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• North Central Texas Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-641-6201 • Operation Blessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-645-8511 • Outreach Health Services – WIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871-641-7211 • Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-558-1296 • Texas Crime Stoppers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-252-8477 • Texas Department on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-252-9240 • Texas Neighborhood Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-556-3752 • United Way of Johnson County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-645-9153 • Veterans Service Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 817-556-6351

zx Fire prevention — Improve the quality of life through fire prevention education, inspections, prosecution of arsonists and construction plan review. zx Fire administration — Manage departmental activities and promote professionalism and education.

Police Department 600 S. Parkway / 817-790-0910 It is the mission of the Alvarado Police Department, in serving the people of Alvarado, to strive to reduce crime and provide a safe city by: zx Recognizing that its goal is to help people and provide assistance at every opportunity. zx Providing preventative, investigative and enforcement services. zx Increasing citizen satisfaction with public safety and obtaining community cooperation through the departments training, skill, and efforts. zx Realizing that the police department alone cannot control crime, but must act in concert with the community and the rest of the criminal justice system.

Public Works 104 W. College St. 817-879-1246 for work orders 817-301-4947 for after hours The Alvarado Public Works Department is a team of dedicated employees focused on maintaining upkeep of our city’s water and wastewater systems, streets, parks and public facilities in a proactive manner. Their goal is to work with citizens to bring a satisfactory solution to concerns and respond to complaints in a timely manner.

Water Department 104 W. College St. / 817-790-3351 The mission of the Water Utilities Department is to insure that safe and pleasant drinking water is delivered to the citizens of Alvarado at an adequate volume, pressure and at a reasonable cost; to provide safe, reliable, and efficient disposal of sanitary sewage; and to protect the public health and environment through the elimination of water pollution wherever possible.