February 2020

Hoopla February 2020

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020

Aquarena Springs and Ralph the Swimming Pig

The glass-bottom boats gliding through San Marcos’ Spring Lake offer a glimpse into what seems like another world. The delicate ecosystem is home to endangered species, like Fountain Darter and Gambusia. Despite its beauty, you may find it difficult to forget this was once one of Texas’ most unique roadside attractions. If you catch yourself looking for a mermaid, you’re not alone. Many of us recall Aquarena Springs and the star of their show, Ralph the Swimming Pig. The curly-tailed performer entertained thousands over the years. As spectators, we cheered from the underwear theater as the piglet leaped from rocks and dove deep to visit an underwater clown named Glurpo and their mermaid friends, who bottle fed Ralph several times a day. Ralph’s final performance was in February of 1996. The mermaids moved on. Aquarena Springs is now The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, and they do continue to offer glass-bottom boat rides. It’s worth stopping to take in nature’s wonder.

Still…we do miss Ralph.

COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO LIGHT PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION

n Guess Who

n Pop Culture Quiz Sweet memories remain though things went sour for drive-in theaters during WWII when patrons traveled less due to the _______ crisis.

This is also when daylight saving time was introduced, forcing owners to start their movies one hour _______.

Several vintage drive-ins still exist in the Lone Star state, including San Antonio’s Mission Drive-In, the Last Drive-In Picture Show in Gatesville, the Brazos Drive-In in Granbury, and the The Corral Theatre in Wimberley.

Most drive-in theaters were forced to convert to _______ projectors in the last few years due to the elimination of traditional movie _______.

Answers: snacks, sugar, Duds, Ruths, popcorn, television, Sullivan, Berle, energy, later, digital, reels.

Before World War II, drive-in theaters were becoming quite popular in Texas. Owners found the easiest way to increase profits was to offer a wide variety of _______. However, during the war, _______ was rationed, so Milk _______, Jujyfruits and Baby _______ took a backseat to _______, which was practically sold as a health food at the time.

When the war ended, drive-in theaters were threatened by the popularity of _________. Popular variety shows, like Ed _______ and Milton _______ meant the average Texan didn’t need to leave home to be entertained.

However, drive-in theaters remained popular until the 1970s,

Hoopla February 2020

Volume 3, Issue 4

COURTESY PHOTO

Members of The Four Speeds had dreams of making it big, but only the drummer from the East Texas town of Linden (pictured second from left) would go on to become a household name. In 1969, the band (re-named Shiloh) was discovered by fellow Texan Kenny Rogers, who helped members relocate to Los Angeles. After the group split due to creative differences, the drummer went on to join Linda Ronstadt’s backup band in 1971 before forming another four-member band that would go on to play stadiums for decades. Recognize the face of this living legend? The reveal is on P. 13.

© 2020 Hoopla. All rights reserved.

Hoopla is published monthly and available at more than 45 locations in Parker County. For a complete list of distribution points, go to our website at www.hooplamagazine.com. We no longer offer home delivery. You can contact us at Hoopla, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086.

817-894-1822

seniors@hooplamagazine.com

Publisher

Cynthia Henry

Contributors

Lara Cook • James Carroll Martin Rick Mauch • Neil Sperry

Copy Editor

Jean Henderson

Circulation Debra Galvan

February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Kelly Graham next to the bronze memorial he sculpted at Texas A&M in the Hildebrand Family Courtyard.

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COURTESY

Kelly Graham

The local sculptor captivating the cutting horse world

by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Kelly Graham never intended to become a famous artist – or even an artist, for that matter.

Oh, sure, his father is renowned artist Lex Graham, inventor of the famous “Back Forty” cartoon calendar. But Kelly never dreamed of following him into the art world.

“He’s an artist. I’m just trying to make a living,” Kelly said with a laugh.

Fact is, Kelly makes a pretty good living and is renowned himself these days. But for the first half of his life Kelly was a strong competitor in the cutting horse world – a world he now immortalizes quite a bit with his sculptures.

“I had been showing cutting horses my whole life, and there just came a point where I wanted to pursue what was in my blood,” he said.

Kelly, now 62, was 31 years old when he made that decision in 1988. It came on the heels of his greatest success in the cutting industry, reaching the National Cutting Horse Association Open Finals at the annual NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth that same year.

“I threw brain surgeon, auto mechanic, and sculpting out for something different, and it made the most sense to be a sculptor,” Kelly said, chuckling. “Honestly, even though I grew up around a great artist, I’d never even thought about it before, but I knew I was ready to try See GRAHAM, P. 4

COURTESY

A different perspective of Graham’s memorial at Texas A&M shows the details of his work.

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020

GRAHAM From Page 3

something different. My wife said, ‘What?’ She married a cutting horse trainer. But she’s so supportive of me.

It’s been great having her by my side.”

Donna, Kelly’s wife of 33 years, also has a history of success in the cutting industry with numerous awards, including one from the Western Pleasure competition at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

Kelly has since dabbled in showing cutting horses now and then, though his last time was in 2014. His biggest connection to the industry now is through his art, which includes his latest creation, a life-size statue of cutting horse legend and long-time friend Buster Welch that is outside Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

“To be able to sculpt that guy after all the things he gave me for so many years was one of the highlights of my life,” Kelly said. “That sculpture, for me, wasn’t about his accomplishments, though they were great. It was about his ideas. Buster has meant so much to the cutting horse industry. That whole Futurity concept was Buster’s.”

Indeed, Welch and some fellow competitors started the NCHA Futurity in

1962 in Sweetwater. It moved to Las Vegas and eventually to Fort Worth.

Kelly does not operate out of galleries. The cutting world is his gallery.

“I never looked at the gallery as something that would fit me,” Kelly said. “In cutting you have a lot of dead time, sitting around grandstands, you get to know those folks pretty well.

It’s been fun and advantageous to me.

When someone like an Alice Walton or Jerry Durant calls, well I owe that all to the horse business.”

Kelly recently created a sculpture of Walton’s dog that is outside the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth.

Durant has a pair of bronze bulls at his automobile dealership in Granbury.

Kelly is also known for creating the world’s largest belt buckle, which is at Billy Bob’s nightclub in Fort Worth. It stands about eight feet tall, and he created it when the Dallas Cowboys hosted Super Bowl XLV (45) in 2011.

“I used a reflector from the side of the road. At that size, it looks like a ruby,” he said.

Kelly also created a sculpture of a search and rescue at Federal Emergen-

COURTESY

Buster Welch with the lifesize bronze statue created in his likeness at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth

COURTESY

Kelly Graham finds inspiration for his bronze statues while at home on his ranch in Parker County. cy Management Agency in the Washington D.C. area. He was asked to do so after 9/11.

“This guy just called me one day on my cell phone and asked me,” he said.

Kelly’s work can be seen all over the U.S. From his local work that includes a life-size statue of Weatherford native actor Larry Hagman outside the Doss Cultural and Heritage Center to the man on a horse outside the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce, the coyotes on a hill at a roundabout near Weatherford College, to having his work featured in the movie “Lonesome Dove,” (a man and woman on a picnic with a horse tied to an oak tree), his work is in a lot of places, and very popular.

In fact, actor Richard Farnsworth bought a copy of that “Lonesome Dove” piece of art in an unusual fashion, Kelly recalled.

“He saw me taking it out of my car and was across the street. He yelled, ‘How much?’ I said $2,500,” Kelly said.

“He only had $1,300, but said he’d pay me the rest at party he invited me to that night. Not only did he pay me the rest, by midnight he sold two more pieces for me.”

Kelly remembered another

party that turned out quite profitable and memorable when he visited the Hollywood home of Bernie Taupin in 1998. Yes, that Bernie Taupin, lyric writer for pop legend Elton John.

“Bernie wanted to cut. His wife was really good at it. He put on an art show for me,” Kelly said. “He said there’s not going to be very many people here, but those who are here, you’ll know them.

He was right. There was John Forsythe (“Dynasty”), Bob Eubanks (“Newlywed Game”). Everybody bought something.”

And yes, Kelly did get to meet Elton – sort of.

“Bernie had a recording studio under his house. As we walked down the stairs I could hear Elton working on a song. We sat there all night listening,” Kelly said.

Elton was in a little booth and focused on his work, though he did nod to his friend and Kelly. He never came out of the booth, however, Kelly said.

“It was still a very cool experience,” Kelly said.

Also, Kelly said that evening led to Bernie helping him get the assignment to do a life-size statue of multi-champion Adriano Morales on the bull Little See GRAHAM, P. 5

February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

GRAHAM

Jigsaw puzzles - perfect for ‘me’ and ‘we’ time this winter

From Page 4

Yellow Jacket outside the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. headquarters in Pueblo, Colorado.

Kelly’s personal favorite piece of art? Without hesitation he said, “I’ve got a drunk cowboy swinging ( from a wagon wheel chandelier) in a casino in Vegas. It’s unique. How many bronzes do you see hanging from a ceiling?”

Kelly has saluted legendary golfer Ben Hogan, also known as “The Hawk,” with a sculpture of a hawk at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth.

“That was a challenge, I mean a real challenge, doing those hawk’s feathers,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s work transcends national borders. For example, there’s also a replica of the drunk cowboy in Canada.

And, if you win a cutting horse competition in Australia, you win a trophy created by Kelly.

“He’s great at what he does, and he’s great with people,” longtime friend Lane Richardson said. “Everybody wants Kelly to create something for them, and why wouldn’t they? He’s about the best there is.

“But what impresses me most is that if he’s on your side, he’ll do whatever he can for you. No matter how famous he gets or who he’s been around, he’s just Kelly.”

Lane’s mother, Dee Richardson, said Kelly’s career is an example of what

5

‘Saturday Night’ by Kelly Graham

COURTESY

can happen when one gives in to their destiny.

“Isn’t that how they settled the west?

Go west young man, you’ll find your dreams and hopes,” she said.

“I suppose that’s true with me,” Kelly said. “Art can do so much more than we realize. It can bring people together. A bronze sculpture can do many more things for people than sit there.

It doesn’t matter your political beliefs, background, none of it makes a difference. Everyone’s just enjoying a fine piece of art.

“I’m glad I’m able to bring that to people.”

During the blustery cold days and cozy nights at home this winter, there’s no better time to rediscover the simple pleasures and quiet joys of indoor activities that help you relax and reconnect with family.

One great activity to help you do that is puzzling, which you can enjoy alone or with friends and family. Did you know that one in two Americans puzzle at least once a year? A study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Ravensburger found that American adults puzzle for a number of different reasons - from millennials looking for an escape from their digital world to seniors who like activities that help them stay mentally fit.

Perhaps also not surprisingly, 3 in 4 of those surveyed said that they puzzle most during the winter months.

Here are a few of the benefits of taking a little time in your day to work on a jigsaw puzzle.

“Me” time Puzzling helps you de-stress, improves your memory, and boosts your problem-solving skills Puzzling on your own lets you choose how often and for how long you enjoy the activity. Leaving a puz-

zle in progress on a kitchen or dining room table lets you complete your puzzle at your own pace and reminds you to pause and take a moment to slow down every so often.

“We” time In the Ipsos study, seven out of ten (69%) respondents who puzzle saw it as a family tradition.

Jigsaw puzzles can be a fun and effortless way to reconnect with family and friends of all ages. When everyone gathers around the table to puzzle together, it offers opportunities for relaxed conversations and connection with each other, away from the formality of a meal or structured activity.

Those who regularly puzzle said that their main reasons are relaxation (59%), fun (57%), stress relief (47%), and brain boosting (42%) - all of which are especially important to maintain during the short, cold winter days.

No matter your age, open up the experience of puzzling to your friends and family. No user manual, batteries or complicated directions required!

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6

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020

Prayers and Squares helps those seeking comfort, healing Prayers and Squares is an interfaith outreach ministry that began in California in 1992.

North Side Baptist Church began their chapter in 2007 and has dozens of members, but there’s always room for more.

The concept of Prayers and Squares is to make a quilt for those in need; but instead of quilting it, a heavy thread is used to take stitches through the quilt layers and the ends are left free to tie a square knot.

As each knot is tied, a silent prayer is said for someone in special need who then receives the quilt.

The North Side chapter has made well over 100 quilts. Each quilt that distributed is a special gift of love.

Prayers and Squares has three commandments: 1. It’s not about the quilt, it’s about the prayers.

2. They never accept monetary gifts

Call North Side Baptist to join Prayers and Squares or to request a prayer quilt for a loved one.

for a quilt. Prayer and love cannot be bought.

3. Surprises are not appropriate.

Each recipient must be asked before a quilt can be given to them.

Request forms for prayer quilts can be found in the North Side Bap-

tist office, foyer and other locations throughout the church.

If you know of an individual in need of prayer, simply pick up a request form, complete it, and turn it in to the church office.

The ladies of Prayers and Squares will make a quilt within a couple of

weeks for the congregation to tie knots and say a specific prayer for that one individual.

Individuals who need prayer do not have to be a member of North Side Baptist Church. The chapter has mailed prayer quilts all over the United States.

February 2020

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020

Praying hard prayers But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 In the ups and downs of life, we can look to God, seeking His direction through everything. Sometimes God has a word for us that is hard for us to hear. We all have had, have now, or will have people in our lives that hurt us. This could be a spouse or a son or daughter, or a co-worker - not acquaintances that are easy to avoid. Trying to not become bitter or resentful is difficult.

It is even harder to understand why people get away with some things and it seems that they escape all

Life in Grace

by Lara Cook North Side Baptist Church

consequences. How are we supposed to handle hurt or betrayal, and keep our hearts right and focus our prayers where they are supposed to be?

As much as God understands our pain, He tells us in Matthew 5:44 to pray for those who curse you, hate you, spitefully use and persecute you. God loves both of you, and if we are brutally honest here, God is for the sinner and the lost. He didn’t

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die for us to be happy – that was never a promise from Him. He died for the salvation of all and restoration is His plan. He uses us sometimes to help bring about restoration and salvation for the people in our lives.

God’s desire for all mankind is to be restored to Him if they are Christians, or to know salvation if they are lost. That will be His first desire of every broken heart and broken relationship. As hard as it is to do, God expects us to pray for them. We are not supposed to pray only for God to fix them or fix the situation, but we are to pray for their heart to be brought back to Him. We are to pray for restoration between them and God, no matter how our rela-

tionship with them ends up.

Remember to pray for God to work on you during this time. Shift the focus from fixing the other person to your own spiritual healing and growth. Pray for God to reveal to you what He wants you to learn from this situation. Ask Him to make your heart right towards the other person and to keep you from becoming bitter and discouraged. Ask Him to help you love that person like He loves us. Pray and release this situation fully to Him for His will to be fulfilled. It is hard to love people through some seasons, but pray for them rather than against them. It will be a part of your healing process as well.

February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

9

Show-stoppers

Country music show host Penny Gilley is at home in the kitchen and on stage Cooking is a lot like singing for country music star Penny Gilley. She puts a lot of love into both.

But the longtime Grapevine resident prefers to spend her time making music with friends on “The Penny Gilley Show,” so she turns to easy recipes and classic dishes.

Despite her busy schedule, Gilley’s spent more time in the kitchen than you might imagine. During the years she filmed her weekly RFD-TV show in Branson, Missouri, she opened a restaurant that fed many fans and a slew of her country mu-

sic friends, who include music legends Charley Pride, Johnny Lee, Ronnie Millsap and her second cousin Mickey Gilley.

Her show is currently filmed at Lil’ Reds Longhorn Saloon in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Check your local listings to find out when you can catch Gilley’s star-packed show on television, and check your pantry to see which one of these delicious dishes will be the star of your dinner table tonight.

COURTESY PHOTO

Country music artist Penny Gilley

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce 2 loaves of French bread, torn into small pieces 4 cups of sugar 2 sticks of butter, melted 2 cups of egg substitute 4 cups of milk Mix all ingredients in large mixing bowl until bread is soaked thoroughly.

Let it sit for 30 minutes in the bowl. Spray two half pans with cooking spray.

Evenly divide pudding mixture and bake it at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Cover and place in the refrigerator once cooled.

Rum Sauce CARSTOR

Penny’s Pipeline Chili 2 lbs. ground beef 1 can Campbell’s Tomato Soup 1 pkg. McCormick’s Chili Seasoning 1 can of beans

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce Salt Pepper

Brown meat and drain thoroughly. Add all ingredients (except salt and pepper), plus 1 1/2 to 2 cans of water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more water, if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with cheese and/or onions if desired.

Note: Leave out the beans to make great chili for chili dogs.

1 stick butter 1 cup of sugar 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream 1 tsp. rum flavoring Melt butter and sugar in a saucepan, stirring constantly.

Add heavy whipping cream and rum flavoring.

Remove from heat and cool. Then, pour into squeeze bottle and cool in the refrigerator. Drizzle sauce over bread pudding right before serving.

10

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020

What color is this conversation?

It began with a simple phone call to my friend Auri, a computer geek I asked to help me with my successful website, which right now is attracting up to three visitors a month. To have a strong online presence, you have to spend several hours a day using social media, like Facebooking, tweeting, and updating your blog. This means cutting yourself off from the outside world. But that’s the price you pay for being social.

Auri and I decided we would meet in a few days for coffee. I got out my trusty mini legal pad and wrote down the time and date.

Then I put a sticky note on my bathroom mirror. At my age, I know I will see it there several times the night before, reminding me of that early morning obligation. This system seldom fails, although one day I accidentally grabbed a list from the previous day and started repeating everything on it. I’m glad I have an honest barber.

Auri and I agreed to get together on the following Tuesday, at 9 a.m., at Starbucks. Auri entered our engagement on his Google calendar, which I soon discovered automati-

Carry On

by Dick Wolfsie Humorist cally synched to my AOL calendar, telling me the time and location of the appointment. I don’t like it when other people tell me where to go — but that was also happening way before computers.

A minute after our call, a “meeting alert” magically appeared on my computer screen. The message came with a selection of colors for this entry to distinguish it from other appointments on my calendar, except I didn’t have any. I had no idea what color a conversation at Starbucks should be. Brown seemed appropriate for java, but something more festive felt right.

Mary Ellen suggested taupe or mauve; I told her the color should reflect the importance of our gettogether, not match our bedspread.

I went with red.

The following morning, I got an “Invitation Update” in my email, as well as on my cell phone. It was

a request by Auri to change our breakfast from 9 to 8:30. I agreed to the new time, telling him in a comment box that I was changing the color of our meeting from red to green. Although I’m sure this didn’t matter to Auri, the Department of Homeland Security was probably relieved.

Included with the update was a link to MapQuest, informing me how long it would take to get there from my house, which was either 3 minutes away, 4 minutes away, 7 minutes away or 8 minutes away, depending on which nearby Starbucks I was going to.

On Tuesday morning, I got an-

other cell phone alert (an annoying ding) that my breakfast meeting was in half an hour. Then at 8:15, I was dinged again, warning that I only had 15 minutes to make it on time. I rushed out the door, afraid that if I were late, news of my tardiness would go viral.

I reached Starbucks at 8:25. Auri hadn’t arrived yet. I bought a coffee and waited. And waited. I called his cell phone just before 9 a.m. He answered right away. “Auri, where are you? I’m at Starbucks on 82nd,” I said.

He responded, “Oh my gosh, was that today?”

nSUDOKU Sudoku Difficulty: Easy

7

8

817-594-2612

103 W. Church St. • Weatherford Owners: Morris and Judy V (Kemp) White

Tank Sales • Leasing • Gas Grills • Gas Logs

HOW

6 5 6 8 1

9 2 3

4 PROPANE SALES & SERVICE

Edited by

(Puzzle solution is on P. 12.)

5 9 3 8 2 3

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1958

BUTANE CO. INC.

January 2020

4 8

9

7 1

4

5

Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must also contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9.

Each contain 1 to 9; must numbe each s boxes m the num

(Answe where

February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Campfire Stories

by James Carroll Martin

Old time homemade ice cream My father was a lay Baptist minister in a small country church in Parker County, Texas during the 1930s, 40s and early 50s.

After church services all the women would set up tables under some huge live oaks and bring out baskets of delicious food. (My favorite being fried chicken, which was a real treat back in those days.)

After stuffing ourselves with the scrumptious meal, us children would all play games until it was time to make ice cream.

My job as a small boy was to sit on the old time ice cream freezer to help hold it still while my father turned the crank.

Decades later, when my father got too old to live by himself, he moved in with me and my beloved wife.

One summer, my wife and I decided to make some good old, hand cranked ice cream.We got my father into his wheelchair and wheeled him under the shade of a giant live oak tree in our backyard.

Struggling to hold the freezer and crank it too, I looked at my father who was watching me with a smile on his face like he was remembering those days gone by.

Then it struck me. I said, “Father, do you remember when I was a little boy living in your house you made me sit on the ice cream freezer?”

My father had a stroke about a month before, so all he could get out was, “yee. . . aah.”

I said, “ Well, Dad, you’re living in my house under my rules now, so you get your rear-end down here and sit on this freezer.”

He thought that was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. After he got a good bit of his speech back, he told all his old friends about the time he was made to sit on the ice cream freezer.

nCrossword Crossword Puzzle

11

by Margie E. Burke

(Puzzle solution is on P. 12.)

1 2 3 4 5 ACROSS 1 Targeted, with 14 "in on" 17 6 Tub toy 10 Gold medalist 20 Lipinski 23 14 Immature egg 15 Heavy drinker 25 26 27 16 Desktop feature 17 Merchandise 33 movers 36 37 19 Reunion attendee 40 41 20 Mournful 44 21 Actresses Ralston and 47 Rolle 50 51 52 23 Guggenheim display 57 24 Not moving 60 25 Like Steve Austin of WCW 63 29 Lookout point 33 Sword handle 34 Hole-making tool 35 Mall attraction 61 Deck feature 36 Well-worn 62 Skin disease 37 Kristen or Patrick 63 Aardvark fare 39 Something to 64 Spot check 65 Intense feeling 40 Loathsome 42 Indignation DOWN 43 Massive 1 Firefighting aid 44 H.S. students 2 D.C. office 45 Harvard or 3 Eastwood Columbia, for played one in Obama 2018 47 Move like a top 4 Polished and 49 Cookie container posh 50 Salad ingredient 5 Covet 53 Street surface 6 Coalition 57 Wrapped up 7 1956 film, "___ 58 Emphasize Miss Brooks" 60 Gardener's 8 Move up the spring purchase ladder

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Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate

9 This one and this one 10 Use a torque wrench 11 One to grow on?

12 Engine sound 13 "No ifs, ___ …"

18 Tycoons, slangily 22 Blue eyes or baldness, e.g.

24 Bitter feeling 25 Photo session 26 Diacritical mark 27 Any Platters platter 28 "I ___ you one" 30 Contradict 31 Likeness 32 Raring to go

35 Brahma, in Hinduism 37 Raw fish dish 38 Hand holder?

41 Moving ahead 43 Trackman's transit 45 Combat zones 46 Bad atmosphere 48 Condition 50 Civil Rights figure Parks 51 Chef's need 52 Get together 53 Trust, with "on" 54 007 55 Hence 56 Bucks and does 59 Party bowlful

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Be aware of social security myths Social Security can be one source of retirement income for you and your spouse.

To maximize your benefits, you’ll need to make some key decisions and be aware of some common myths.

every $2 you earn. But during the year you reach full retirement age, you can earn up to $48,600 without your benefits being withheld. If you exceed this amount, $1 will be deducted for every $3 you earn during the months before you attain your full retire• Myth 1: Always take Social Security earment age. Social Security will increase your ly. You can file for Social Security benefits benefits when you do reach full retirement as early as 62, but you age to adjust for the precould get 25% to 30% vious work-related withmore if you wait until holdings. So, if you plan your “full” retirement on working and receivage (likely between 66 ing Social Security, it may and 67). You can receive

by Mary H. McDow not make sense to file if even more if you wait Edward Jones Adviser most of your benefits will until 70, at which point be withheld. Once you your benefits will “max reach full retirement age, you can earn any out.” However, there’s no right time to file amount without losing your monthly benfor everyone – it depends on your situation, efits, although your benefits could still be including factors such as your life expectantaxed. cy, employment, financial need and spousal considerations.

• Myth #4: Social Security will provide for • Myth 2: When you claim Social Security all my needs in retirement. Social Security won’t affect your spouse’s benefits. This is will provide about a third of pre-retirement not true. How much you receive in Social income, on average, according to the SoSecurity can affect your spouse’s benefits cial Security Administration. Consequently, while you are alive (spousal benefits) and afyou’ll probably still need other sources of ter you’ve passed away (survivor’s benefits). retirement income because Social Security Your spouse could receive up to half of your alone most likely won’t be enough to meet retirement benefit, offset by his or her own your needs. So, throughout your working benefit, so the longer you work before colyears, contribute as much as you can to lecting Social Security, the greater the poyour IRA and your 401(k) or other employtential spousal benefits. For survivor beneer-sponsored retirement plan. Combining fits, your spouse would receive 100% of your these income sources with Social Security benefit or his or her own, whichever is largcan help improve your chances of enjoying er, so when you file affects how much your the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. spouse would receive if you pass away early.

In any case, you’ll want to consult with the Social Security Administration about how much your spouse can receive, as his or her own benefits can also affect your decisionmaking.

Money Matters

• Myth 3: You can’t work during retirement and collect Social Security. Yes, you can. But if you start receiving Social Security before your full retirement age (likely between 66 and 67), you can only earn up to $18,240 in 2020 and still get your full benefits. Once you earn more than this, Social Security deducts $1 from your benefits for

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Adviser, Mary H. McDow, 102 Houston Ave., Suite 203, 817-598-0882.

Member SPIC

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February 2020

Solution to Crossword: Crossword: Solution to

H O S E

O V A L

M U L E

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E D B O A T T A L E L U S H I C E S F O R C E G R G I A C E S T H E Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate A R T I N E R T S T O N E C O L D A E R H I L T A W L C I N E O L D S T E W A R T B O D I O U S I R E H U A L M A M A T T E E N S W H I R L T I N R O M A I N E R O A D B U N D E R S C O O V E R R A I L M A N S E E D E S P Y A R D A N T S

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Solution to to Sudoku: Solution Sudoku:

5 8 7 1 6 9 4 2 3

9 4 2 3 5 7 6 8 1

3 1 6 2 4 8 5 9 7

7 5 1 8 9 3 2 6 4

8 3 4 5 2 6 1 7 9

6 2 9 4 7 1 8 3 5

2 6 5 9 3 4 7 1 8

1 7 3 6 8 5 9 4 2

4 9 8 7 1 2 3 5 6

Where is that frog?!

Unfortunately, nobody was able to locate the frog in last month’s issue. We received a lot of guesses, but he was so well hidden on P. 2 that nobody spotted him. We promise to make this month’s a little easier.

To enter this month’s contest, submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief description of where you saw the hidden frog (not the frog on this page) to Hoopla, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086 or e-mail seniors@ hooplamagazine.com. Contestants will be entered into a drawing for one of three $25 gift certificates.

Read next month’s issue to see if you’ve won.

Winners must contact Hoopla within 90 days to claim their prize.

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February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

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‘Do Well Be Well’ classes address hypertension Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will offer Do Well Be Well with Hypertension Lunch and Learn Series in February on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12 and 26 at the Parker County Extension office, located at 604 N. Main Street in Weatherford.

Lessons will provide adults with information on how to prevent and manage high blood pressure. The series promotes Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating

pattern. The lively and informative lessons will be delivered in a casual social atmosphere.

Each session will include information sharing, goal setting and a practical tip to reduce blood pressure. The lessons will include: The free classes are from noon to 1 p.m. Participants may bring their lunch to come learn.

For more information or to register for the class call 817-598-6168.

Burgers & Bingo benefits Meals on Wheels Tickets for this year’s Burgers & Bingo are now available by calling Michelle Hernandez at 817-596-4640.

For only $10 you get dinner and two bingo cars. Additional cards are available for $2 each.

Prizes from area businesses

are sure to delight players and all proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels here in Parker County.

The event will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Senior Center, located at 1225 Holland Lake Drive.

Hoopla Artist of the Month: Cheryl Viaille 12-inch heart glass weave

Henley still touring when he’s not fishing in Texas Eagles front man Don Henley has been a conservationist and wildlife advocate for decades, but some East Texas residents are still surprised to see him on a fishing boat when he visits his hometown.

Henley’s roots in Linden brought him back to Texas after many years in California. He and his wife, Sharon, live in the Bluffview area of Dallas and have three children.

In 2015, Henley released “Cass County,” what many call a country album. When questioned about the supposed change in course, the musician said, “There are a lot of people making country albums who really didn’t grow up in the country,” he said. “But if we’re having an authenticity contest, I think I’m in good shape, because I am defi-

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Don Henley on drums

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After the death of Glenn Frey in 2016, Henley said he’d only tour with the Eagles again if Frey’s son, Deacon, filled in for his father. The new lineup is touring now and are scheduled to play at the American Airlines Travel Center in Dallas on March 1.

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Get ready for spring gardening We look with toward the beginning of another growing season here in Parker County with great anticipation. I’m going to outline the critical details to help you succeed.

Plant: • Finish transplanting trees and shrubs that need to be relocated from one part of your landscape to another. It must be done while they’re still dormant.

• Plant vegetables at their appointed times.

Onions as early in February as possible. Irish potatoes, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower in midFebruary. Leafy and root vegetables late in month.

• Cold-hardy annuals, including pansies and violas, pinks, snapdragons, English daisies, ornamental chard, sweet alyssum and petunias. Wait to plant warmseason annuals until late March and April.

• Nursery stock as trees and shrub become available. Early planting gives them longer to get established before summer.

Prune: • Finish pruning summer-flowering vines and shrubs before their buds start to swell. Remember: Do not top crape myrtles!

There is no justifiable reason to do so.

• Shade trees to remove damaged or dead branches. Finish all oak pruning immediately and

seal all their cut ends with pruning paint to prevent entry of oak wilt fungus in spring.

• Peach and plum trees immediately, and certainly before they start to bud out and bloom.

Your goal is to maintain them in a bowl-shaped habit by removing vertical shoots each winter.

• Scalp lawn toward end of month by lowering mower blade one notch. Remove clippings and use in compost pile or as a mulch beneath shrubs. Do not send

by Neil Sperry to landfill.

Timely Tips

Gardening Expert

Fertilize: • Asparagus plantings immediately with 210-0 to promote vigorous new shoots.

• Cool-season color plantings with high-nitrogen, water-soluble food weekly to promote vigorous growth as temperatures warm.

• Fescue lawns and overseeded rye turf with high-nitrogen or allnitrogen fertilizer.

On the Lookout: • Dandelions, henbit, clover, chickweed and other non-grassy (broadleafed) weeds can be killed with application of a 2,4-D herbicide. Read and follow label directions carefully.

• Aphids on tender new growth of plants. They are always pearshaped, and they will be present in masses. Most general-purpose insecticides will eliminate them, or you can usually knock them off with a hard stream of water.

February 2020

n Plant of the Month: Forsythia You certainly don’t see this plant as much in North Central Texas as you do in the Midwest. That’s a shame, because it’s well suited to our area, and it brings brilliant golden yellow flowers to celebrate the return of gardening to our lives.

I did a big part Forsythia of my master’s degree research using this plant.

I’ve loved it all of my life. There are some wonderful hybrids new to the marketplace now. Keep your eyes open for them.

• Scientific name: Forsythia x intermedia (many hybrids are sold today) • Common name: Forsythia • Height/width: 6-8 ft./5-6 ft.

• Deciduous/evergreen: Deciduous

NEIL SPERRY

• Flower color, season: Bright golden yellow, early spring • Sun/shade: Sun or part sun, but not shade • Best landscape uses: Toward back of landscape in shrub border While many flowering shrubs are somewhat unattractive when out of flower, forsythia holds its own.

Grows relatively quickly when kept moist continuously.

n Frequently Asked Question “How far back can I trim my shrubs? They are badly overgrown?”

That’s a much more complicated question than you might think. First of all, your question suggests that you might have the wrong shrubs planted there. If you’ve had to do serious pruning before, consider replacing them with new types that stay shorter at maturity. We refer to that as “landscape remodeling.”

However, occasional pruning to even shrubs up is certainly possible.

Most types can be pruned by 25 to 30 percent without major issues. It’s best to do so with lopping shears and handheld pruners rather than with gasoline or electric hedge trimmers.

Sometimes, however, that’s just not possible. Dwarf yaupon hollies are

a good example. I prune mine annually in early February with hedge trimmers to a rounded form, then I do not touch them again for another year. They grow out with a natural look.

We took about a foot off a large planting of Needlepoint hollies that backed up to our deck several years ago. They were blocking the view out our back windows. The plants looked pretty bare for a few weeks, but it wasn’t long until new growth filled in the voids. Soon you couldn’t tell that they’d ever been cut.

The most important tip I can give is don’t leave large stubs showing.

Those will be reluctant to branch out normally. When necessary, use loppers to remove those back into the canopies of the plants.

February 2020

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

n Neighbors We’ll Miss n Robbin Sue Opella January 18, 2020

n Christi Dianne Dickey December 31, 2019

n Michael Byron Patrick January 2, 2020

n Fred Buchanan January 16, 2020

n Sylvia Agnes Vance January 7, 2020

n Ronnie D. Hall, December 31, 2019

n Danny Joe Deel January 15, 2020

n Mary Ruth Harris January 9, 2020

n Joy Diane Holder December 29, 2019

n Loretta Jean Terrell January 11, 2020

n James “Sprinkler Man” Smith January 9, 2020

n Reagan Brent Holland December 20, 2019

n Darrell Donohue January 16, 2020

n Sandra Faye Lewis January 3, 2020

n Gary Don Isbell December 31, 2019

n John Edward Chase January 14, 2020

n Pat W. Henard January 3, 2020

n Carl Derwood Lester December 31, 2019

n Jean Ann O’Bannon January 15, 2020

n Fred Don Duncan January 3, 2020

n Jim D. Brown December 31, 2019

n Kenneth Lange Wilson January 12, 2020

n Butch Lewis Clutts January 3, 2020

n Garnett Naomi Scott December 23, 2019

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Twentieth Century Club celebrates 120 years with ribbon cutting Get a glimpse into Weatherford’s past by attending the Twentieth Century Club’s 120th birthday celebration on Thursday, Feb. 6.

A ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m., followed by light refreshments.

The club’s scrapbooks, including many old newspaper articles and photos from the past, will be on display.

Visitors can also tour the building itself, which has a rich history.

A country store with handmade items, pies, cakes, jellies and more will also be open inside the historic building.

The Twentieth Century Club is adjacent to CVS Pharmacy on Main Street in Weatherford.

“Serving every family as part of our own for over 60 years” “Serving every family as part of our own for over 60 years”

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817-594-2747 | 800-593-2747 913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, TX 76086 817-594-2747 | 800-593-2747

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Our newest additional location Galbreaith Hilltop location Chapel Our newestPickard additional 4941 I-20 Frontage Road | Willow Park, TX 76087

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4941 I-20 Frontage Road | Willow Park, TX 76087

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2020