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Hoopla June 2021

Crowning achievements

North Texas seniors competing in area pageants encourage others to join the fun 70-year-old hiker heading to Appalachian Trail Master guitarist releases four albums in four years © ALAN MERCER PHOTOGRAPHY

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DeeAnna Krier

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

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PHOTOGRAPHER: JOE CLARK, 194X; UNT LIBRARIES, THE PORTAL TO TEXAS HISTORY, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

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Hoopla June 2021

Volume 5, Issue 6

© 2021 Hoopla. All rights reserved. Hoopla is published monthly and available at more than 55 locations in Parker County and Western Tarrant 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 • Johnathan David • John English Rick Mauch • Mary H. McDow • Neil Sperry Janet Standifer • Dick Wolfsie

Copy Editor

Jean Henderson

Answer: John Goodman of ‘Roseanne’ fame

ame: _________________________________________________

This Missouri native headed for the bright lights of New York City in 1975 after an injury ended his college football career. We don’t know if he would’ve made a bigger name for himself on PUBLIC DOMAIN the field since he found work doing voice-overs, commercials, and plays. You might remember him as the person who slapped himself (uttering the tagline, “Thanks... I needed that!”) in an iconic television ad for Skin Bracer by Mennen. But you’re more likely to know him from a certain sitcom that was popular in the 1980s and 90s. Remember this face? The answer is upside down below the Hoopla masthead on this page.

June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Crowning Achievements

CYNTHIA HENRY

Dr. Syntha West with many of her awards and trophies. She won her first senior pageant at age 62 and now works as the pageant coordinator, helping others win their crowns.

Senior pageants allow contestants to refocus on themselves by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Janet Standifer’s quote for the day is, “You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream.” That quote, by Les Brown, is descriptive of why she is competing in this year’s Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant on July 24 at the Doubletree Hotel by the Galleria in Dallas. “I chose to compete in this pageant for many different reasons. One is that the platform represents my passion – it promotes healthy aging, mental well-being and focuses on the senior women,” the 62-year-old from Weatherford said.

“Second, it gives me a sense of achievement and fulfillment, adventure and an experience that will be unforgettable. The journey alone provides so many opportunities to make amazing new friends – ones that I would ordinarily not meet.” “Third, on a lighter note,” she added, “it gives me the opportunity to do the things I enjoy so much, such as singing on stage, dressing up in beautiful clothes, but more importantly, developing new relationships with others who have similar goals, which results in a sisterhood of sorts.” The matriarch of that sisterhood is 82-year-old Syntha West of Aledo, a former pageant winner who is now a coordinator. She is thrilled about the pageant’s return to live competition as the world

works to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic. She recalled taking over as coordinator in 2014, when the pageant had fallen on hard times. It has since seen a consistent resurgence. “I’m so excited, I’m about to burst,” Syntha said. “Every year it has grown, grown, grown to where it’s now like a Broadway show.” Pageants aren’t new to Janet, one of Syntha’s recruits. Janet competed in her high school pageant and was one of the five finalists. She participated in the Ms. America pageant sector during her junior and senior years while an undergraduate student at Louisiana Tech University. And she was selected as second runner-up to Ms. LouisiSee PAGEANTS, P. 4

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

PAGEANTS

“It gives me thrills to know that I can continue to sing, which I love to do. I’ve been singing since I From Page 3 was 5 years old in a church,” she said. In fact, Janet was in a band when she was youngana Tech, winning the swimsuit and evening gown er. Herself, her sister, her brother, his girlfriend competitions. And while those were a while back, she has nev- and another friend comprised the Catastrophe Five. She remembers traveling the country with er forgotten the excitement that goes along with them in high school and her in middle school. being a pageant competitor. “Probably the most memorable part of my sing“I am having one of the best times of my life!” ing career was at my mother’s wedding,” she reshe exclaimed. “It is a privilege to be part of this pageant as a candidate because it follows my own called. Both Janet and Syntha are here to tell you that life purpose. I also feel like a young girl again…trypageants are not just for ing on beautiful dresses younger ladies. and gowns, playing with “The pageant is dehair and makeup, taking signed to innately bring voice lessons and making forth each contestant’s new friends.” ability to celebrate their Likewise, Syntha reouter and inner beauty, called the wonder of beelegance and achievement ing a competitor – and senior women through what it takes to win. Ms. Texas Senior America as different competi“When you get in those Coordinator Dr. Syntha West the tions, ” Janet said. “For the top five, you’ve got to community, the particido something different, pants demonstrate the make them realize there’s positive aspects of aging with a positive outlook something special about you,” she said. As part of her talent competition, Syntha threw on life, and be a role model for women over 60, which is a valuable contribution to the community some glitter in the air. Then, she fell on the floor, through the appearances at nursing homes, retiretotally blacking herself out to blend in with the ment centers, schools, parades and anywhere our stage by covering herself with a cape. winner can exhibit strong role models for all ages.” “Then I jumped up. Nobody else did that,” she Syntha added, “You ask yourself, ‘I’ve been the said. “You’ve got to show that you own the stage.” best mother, best wife, what do I do next?’ This is Even her philosophy on life stood out above all others. She said, “When I part this earth, even the what you do!” And while the minimum age for the pageant is undertakers will be sorry.” 60, there is no maximum age. “There’s a lot more to it than being drop-dead “I was in a pageant where one of the contestants gorgeous,” Syntha added with a chuckle. was 100 years old,” Syntha said. “I know I have Janet’s talent is singing, something she has maybe two this year in their 80s.” loved to do her entire life.

“There’s a lot more to it than being drop-dead gorgeous.” –

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Janet Standifer is one of dozens of ladies over 60 who will compete for the Ms. Texas Senior America title this summer. Competing at the pageant is only part of the work. More effort goes into the preparation for the pageant itself. Leading up to the Ms. Texas Senior America events, Janet had to: • Pay the non-refundable $150 entry fee to Ms. Texas SeniorAmerica. • Provide a copy of driver’s license for proof of Texas residency. See PAGEANTS, P. 5

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June 2021

PAGEANTS

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

active in their community, I knew I had found a new home. I have never From Page 4 looked back! These women have be• Complete the required judges come my mentors. My life now has pages for judges interview. purpose, and I’m living my best life • If a woman is a serious volunafter the age of 60.” teer for others, complete the Mary And what’s the biggest reward for Francis Hansen Community Service coordinator Dr. Syntha West? Award selected by Ms. Texas Senior “I awaken every day with this America Board. knowledge, I’m helping another perOnce the applicant is accepted, son 60 and better realize how great the fun and preparation begins sethey are,” she said. riously. While waiting anxiously to Janet agreed, “I’m a wife, a daughtake part in the events, participants ter, a mother, an employee, I own my select and practice their talent, obown company (J Standifer Consulttain the wardrobe for the interview, ing – Dementia in Perspective), I do talent and evening gown competiall these things, but this brought me tions, then search back to me. I’m for the approprivery comfortable ate attire to wear in my own skin.” to the pageant And Janet workshop and tea. wouldn’t hesitate The pageant at all to do it again. week begins on In fact, she is looka Thursday and ing forward to it, ends on a Sunshe said. day, which en“Absolutely! I compasses many plan to be part of meetings, rehearsthis pageant in als, the formal some capacity in interview, and, the future,” Janet of course, the onsaid. stage pageant. “I believe serThe current vice is most imporCOURTESY Ms. Texas Senior tant because what Reigning Ms. Texas Senior America America, Joyce we do for others is Joyce Brown from Flower Mound. Brown from Flowmuch greater than er Mound, will what we do for ourbe on hand to pass the crown to this selves. My life’s mission is to leave a year’s winner. She says the experience positive mark in the community by has been life changing. raising awareness and increasing “When I first decided to particiknowledge about aging gracefully pate in the Ms. Texas Senior Amerand improving the care for those livica pageant,” said Joyce, “I was still ing with dementia by providing desearching for what life could be after mentia education and training. age 60. “I plan to continue to dedicate “After working in corporate Amermy time and efforts to make a difica for 38 years, I knew I wanted to ference. The pageant provides that get actively involved in something opportunity to continue my journey after I retired but had no idea what and to accomplish my life’s mission.” that could be,” she said. “When I attended my first pageant For information on competing in event; I met all the beautiful womnext year’s Ms. Texas Senior Amerien, some in their 80s who were still ca Pageant, contact Dr. Syntha West performing (tap dancing, twirling at 817-349-0284 or email drsynbatons, singing, dancing, etc.) and thawest@yahoo.com.

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

Krier crowned Ms. Senior World North Texas DeeAnna Krier understands the excitement that accompanies preparing for a senior pageant. She’s preparing to compete in the Ms. Senior World Pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi in November. She qualified and was chosen to became a delegate to represent North Texas by the pageant executive producer and owner Sherry Strother. Some pageants are contests, where ladies go to a state pageant and win state and then travel to nationals (i.e. Ms. Senior America and Ms. Senior USA). Others use the delegate system where the owners and directors select the ladies who best represent their particular pageant objectives and the applicant is invited to nationals. Both systems are a competition at nationals. “I love it! This organization is Christian-based. It is about women supporting women,” said DeeAnna, who owns Baker’s Ribs in Weatherford, along with her husband Brian. “It is a sisterhood where everybody gets together and lifts each other up and encourages each of us to be full of energy, full of life, full of God, full of love, to have passion and purpose, to enjoy self care and give back to our community.” While this is a first for DeeAnna, her daughter HanDeeAnna Krier nah, aka Finn MacCool, competed in the All-American Miss Pageant in California in 2019. That gave DeeAnna a vicarious taste of pageant competition, and she was hooked. “I fell in love with the camaraderie. I thought, I can do this too!” she said. “I searched online for senior pageants, filled out applications and was accepted by two different ones. I chose Ms. Senior World. “My thoughts are if you are a senior woman and you have dreamed about this since you were a little girl, then find the right pageant for you and go for it. There are so many different pageants, Ms. Dr. World, Ms. Earth, Vision Pageants, Ms. Senior America, Ms. Senior USA, Ms. Universe. But they all have different viewpoints, different rules, different goals. You have to find the right one that’s for you.”

“It is a sisterhood where everybody gets together and lifts each other up and encourages each of us to be full of energy, full of life, full of God, full of love, to have passion and purpose, to enjoy self care and give back to our community.” –

ALAN MERCER PHOTOGRAPHY

DeeAnna Krier was crowned Ms. Senior World North Texas earlier this year. She will compete in the Ms. Senior World Pageant in Biloxi, Mississippi in November. And DeeAnna stressed that is does take a fervent desire to participate. “This has to be a passion, a desire to work hard, give back, travel, take good care of yourself and willing to invest in yourself,” she said. “For me, I have two grown daughters, a business that is still thriving 21 years after I opened it, an amazing husband and two dogs. I’m busy.” DeeAnna has actually been an entrepreneur for 41 years. She started her first company when she was 20 years old in Dallas, Mercer Events & Promotions. “I’ve never closed it. I just adjusted it to fit into Weatherford and Oink Oink, Inc. dba Baker’s Ribs,” she said. Her platform is Open Community, the Three C’s as to how to keep your business open. Commit, Contribute, Commerce. “I have found out the Bible is clear, love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:31,” she said. “It’s not a competition, it’s community. Help others be successful and you will prosper. Prosper your neighbor, Prosper yourself. I love what I’m doing now at age 60.” For information on competing in next year’s pageant, visit www.seniorworldpageants.com.

June 2021

Crossword

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+ 7

(Puzzle solution is on P. 16)

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Applies lightly 15 16 14 5 "Dancing Queen" 18 19 17 quartet 9 60's sitcom, 22 20 21 "Green ____" 14 Cambodia's 23 24 25 continent 28 26 27 15 Squander, slangily 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 16 ____ change 38 39 40 36 37 17 Bruce of "The Hateful Eight" 43 44 45 41 42 18 Home of the 46 47 48 49 NBA's Spurs 20 Dude ranch woe 53 50 51 52 22 Word in a 54 55 56 57 58 Golding title 23 Captain Queeg's 61 59 60 ship 24 Budget item 63 64 62 26 Swiss dwelling 66 67 65 28 Prefix with "state" or "act" Copyright 2021 by The Puzzle Syndicate 29 Car nut? 30 "Cheers" role 64 Impassioned 10 Ill-tempered 37 Vitamin A 32 A bit lit 65 Bit of evidence 11 Talk a blue source 36 One of the 66 Bull's-eye hitter streak 39 Slumlord's Baldwins 67 Oscar-winning 12 Mideast leaders building 38 Unsettled feeling Jared 13 Fine china name 42 High ball 40 Kind of salmon 19 Counter call 44 Skywalker's 41 Twangy21 Fudged the facts mentor sounding DOWN 25 Teacher's fave 47 Stereo knob 43 Like a busybody 1 A&W competition 26 "The ____ of the 49 Property defacer 45 Removable locks 2 Between ports Cave Bear" 50 Off the mark 46 Sci-fi droid 3 Pet shop items 27 Waikiki wiggle 51 Spiral shell 48 Nine-day prayer 4 Open shoe 28 Fort Knox bar 52 Revolving part 50 Circus performer 5 In ___ (not 31 Like many 53 Supply party 53 Closet wood present) bibliographies food 54 Not relevant 6 Far from 33 War-plane 56 Hot stuff 55 Lizard's relative enthused maneuver 57 Radiate 59 Trucker's turf 7 Pro __ (gratis) 34 Runner's sore 58 Give a facelift to 61 FDR's coin 8 Cognizance spot 60 Johnny Bench 62 Bakery treat 9 Be in a cast 35 Lotus-position was one 63 Type of keel discipline

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Legal Ease: Pet trusts by Jonathan David Guest Columnist Reader: I updated my estate plan, which includes a will, a revocable living trust and durable powers of attorney for financial and health care matters, a couple of years ago after my wife passed away. However, it recently dawned on me that my estate plan does not address what is to happen to my two dogs and my cat upon my death or even if I am unable to care for them for a period of time. What do you recommend? Jonathan: Generally speaking, a pet trust can be designed as a stand-alone trust or it can be included as part of a revocable living trust such as the one you prepared. Either way, a pet trust allows you to: • Name a caregiver or caregivers of your choice to assume responsibility for the care of your pets. • Provide a monetary sum to be held in trust which is to be used by your caregiver(s) for your pets’ care after you are gone. • Instruct your caregiver(s) regarding the care to be given to your pets, including such things as what types of food your pets like or are required to eat, whether your pets require any type of supplements or medications, and where you would like to have your pets groomed or boarded, just to name a few. • Instruct your caregiver(s) as to what is to happen to your pets after they have died, i.e., whether they should be buried or cremated. • Direct where any remaining funds in the pet trust are to be distributed after your last pet passes away. In addition to creating a pet trust, I also recommend that you create a separate durable power of attorney for pet care or revise your current financial durable power of attorney and add specific provisions in that instrument which gives your agent authority to take certain actions on behalf of your pets. Those actions can include making sure that your pets receive the same care, medical treatment, food and shelter, that you would normally provide for them if you were able to. In that durable power of attorney you could also prohibit the euthanization of your pets except upon the recommendation of the pet’s veterinarian.

June 2021

That was the week that wasn’t “Doesn’t it feel like Sunday?” asked Mary Ellen they were on their way. a couple of weeks ago. “Dick, today is Sunday,” said Bob. “Our picnic “Yes, come to think of it, it does seem like a is Monday. Although, for some reason it does feel Sunday,” I said. “Why do you ask?” like a Monday. I wonder why that is?” “It’s just less confusing if we both feel like it’s “Because today IS Monday!” I said. “So this the same day, even though it’s the wrong day,” happens to you guys, too?” said Mary Ellen. “All the time,” he said. “A couple of weekends Later as we were watching TV, I asked Mary ago, we stayed up until 11:30 to watch Saturday Ellen if it wasn’t time for 60 Minutes. Night Live because it felt like Saturday, but it was “It’s Saturday, Dick. 60 Minutes is on tomorreally Friday. Actually, it was Good Friday. That row night,” she said. should have been a clue that it wasn’t Saturday.” “Then why did Brett come for All things considered, I called dinner tonight? He always comes our friends, the Murphys, to be sure over on Sunday night. That’s we were all on the same page about by Dick Wolfsie having dinner later that month. what’s confusing me.” “I know. I keep thinking we “Jane, it’s Dick. We are supposed Humorist missed our Zoom church service to visit you and have dinner in a this morning. But it’s tomorrow. That’s the last couple weeks, correct?” time we feed our son on a Saturday,” she added. “Yes, Wednesday the 28th. Why? Is that a bad “Mary Ellen, when should I do my laundry — night for you?” when it IS Sunday or when it feels like Sunday?” “Well, we always watch Chicago PD on “Consider this, Dick: If you do your laundry on Wednesdays. Never miss it. If we record the a Saturday, it will feel like Sunday, and then the show and come to your house that night, then next day you’ll think it’s Monday. You’ll be out of we will have to watch it on Thursday night. Then sync the rest of the week.” all day Friday we’ll think it’s Thursday.” She then reminded me that we were going to Jane was very understanding. She changed the have a picnic in the park with Bob and Cathy at dinner date to the following Sunday so the rest noon on Monday. of the week would seem right. Sunday will now We got to the park on time that day, but Bob feel like Sunday…as long as the Murphys invite and Cathy hadn’t shown up, so I called to see if Brett for dinner, too.

Carry On

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June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

The Long Trail

Area hiker preparing for another adventure on the Appalachian Trail by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Many folks celebrate retirement by relaxing with a cool drink and a comfortable sunset, or perhaps a round of golf on their favorite course. Bill Alspaugh, at the age of 66, hiked the Appalachian Trail, more than 2,100 miles. Already a long-time hiker, it was then and still is, at age 70, the longest distance he has ever hiked. “It was the most difficult and challenging thing I have ever done in my life. It was also the most rewarding thing I have accomplished,” he recalled. “It is not just a physically challenging trip, but an even harder mental challenge. In the first three states (Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee) it is a physical challenge. This is where you get your “mountain legs’ – you learn how to deal with blisters, bug bites, and all your muscles hurting at one time. COURTESY “But it is all new and exciting. You Bill Alspaugh at the end of the Appalachian Trail at age 66. He’s preparing for another hike in the area at age 70. are away from the rest of the world and of foot and knee issues but also illness,” “By this time all the people you started its problems and hassles. Life is simple: change when you attempt something like the long trail, and I have seen it he said. “By the time you get to Viryou eat, sleep, hike, and repeat. You with back in Georgia are getting spread in myself. I cannot explain it, but it is ginia, you are fairly confident that you out and you are not seeing them as meet new people with the same goals can make it to Maine. But Virginia is and problems – pain. Best way to put it there.” often. When you do see them, the first Among the interesting notes convery deceptive. There are no really high thing you talk about is who fell off the is – it is fun. You keep seeing the same nected to hiking the Appalachian Trail, mountains. I remember young hikpeople who you would never get to trail (gave up). ers in Tennessee saying they were sure Bill said no one goes by their given know in the real world because of age “I remember one young girl left bethey can do 20 miles a day in Virginia. name. You either bring an alias with differences, political and other issues cause it wasn’t fun anymore. I know I Well, that didn’t happen.” you or someone will give you one. that separate people. On the trail you had to keep telling myself: ‘Don’t quit The Appalachian Trail goes along “Mine was Ski Poles. I used cross all experience in the joys and hardout here in nowhere – at least get to the ridge line of the mountains and country skis poles. My sister’s was ships as one.” Harper’s Ferry.’” is very rocky. Pointed rocks at that, Meatball, as that was what my father Why do it? As Edmund Hilary once Harper’s Ferry is considered the which make it hard to put your foot called her when she was a baby,” Bill replied when asked why he wanted halfway point. That is also where down flat. said. to climb Mount Everest, “because it is his youngest daughter lived, so Bill “I would say Virginia may be the Sadly, Bill’s adventure with his sister, there.” But Bill said it’s so much more stopped and stayed there for a few days who was 69 at the time, became a solo hardest state because here you have than that. to catch his breath, replace his back“You get out in nature, you have physical pain, but also mental pain be- pack and refresh himself after having trek as she came down with pneumonia and had to leave the trail. cause Virginia is 570 miles of the trail. broken the bonds that hold you in the been on the trail for 86 days and 1,025 maze, the rat race, the walls we all put “Like I said, early on it’s the physical That is one fourth of the hike and it miles. up. They say you go through a mental Bill finished the hike on Sept 19, things that take you off the trail, a lot seems to go on forever,” Bill continued.

June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+ 11

2017 at Mount Katahdin at the 2,193mile mark. It took him 78 days to hike the last 1,168 miles. In all, he was on the trail for 164 days, carrying enough food for three or four days at a time, stopping in towns to replenish supplies along the way. He also arranged with his wife and two daughters to send packages that he would pick up in towns. “My oldest daughter who lived in North Carolina covered the southern half of the trail and my daughter in Maryland covered the northern half. I would figure out how many miles I would cover over a week’s time and which town would be the easiest to get to and have them ship a box of food ahead using the general delivery post office or the closest hostel,” he said. “The hostels were best because, in addition to the resupply you could get a shower, wash your clothes, and sleep in an actual bed at a cost of around $30. “At 66 years old that was a real blessing. Some hostels also gave you a free breakfast, or a pizza and pop and a ride

COURTESY

Bill takes a breather on the trail. from the trailhead to the hostel and back. These little things meant a lot! I was also able to exchange cold weather gear and summer gear.” As for being in danger, Bill said he never felt he was even though he saw many snakes, mostly rattlers and copperheads. Bears along the trail were also constant, but he said they were

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easy to scare away. “I worried more about the skunks and porcupines getting into my pack and food,” he said. “As I look back, I remember almost every night when I was setting up camp and my entire body was hurting I’d think, ‘Why am I killing myself?’ But every morning I’d wake up with the birds ready to hit the trail.” His wife, Marie, used to join Bill on hikes when she was younger. Now, though she is physically unable to keep up with the long distances he hikes, she remains his biggest source of inspiration, even as Bill fights through his degenerative discs from years of construction work and chores on his farm in Pennsylvania. “I enjoy and encourage Bill to go and do all the adventures he is able to with the physical limits he has,” Marie said. “I live vicariously through him on all of his adventures.” In addition to hiking, Bill surfs, paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes to the degree his body enables him.

Bill refers to long distance as being abstract. What might be a long distance to some may not be to others, such as himself. “For example, I’ll go to the Eagle Mountain Park and do 10 miles in less than four hours, which is nothing to the younger crowd, but for many of my age it would be impossible,” he said. Most recently he was down in the Big Bend area taking on the trails there, and he then hiked the Guadalupe Mountains. He and his son-inlaw hiked to the peak at 8,749 feet at the summit, which is about 2,000 feet taller than anything on the Appalachian Trail. This was to prepare for July, when he is planning to hike a 32-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail that encompasses six mountains with eight peaks ranging in the 3,000 to 4,000-foot elevation. “That is this year’s goal,” he said with a smile. “Would I try to do a through hike (hiking the complete trail in one season) again? You bet, in a heartbeat!”

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

Six decades of picking Longtime DFW musician connects with audience through lyrics and sound by John English Hoopla Correspondent “I don’t remember a time in my life where I wasn’t enthralled by music,” Wayne Willingham said. “I was probably singing in the sandbox.” The Benbrook resident has worked in a variety of COURTESY jobs, including computer programmer, music store owner and founding member of the start up compa- Wayne Willingham has played the DFW music circuit for decades and is still going strong. In fact, he has released four albums in the last four years. ny Digital Alchemy. But of all of the professions Willingham has enadded that his first love and primary focus is as a “Full-time musicians always need side hustles,” joyed in his 68 years, singer/songwriter is by far his solo performer. Willingham said. “I taught guitar in my twenties, favorite. “There is nothing that connects the head to the and well enough to have a few students in profesWillingham recalls watching Elvis Presley and heart as completely as music,” Willingham said. sional ranks and with performing arts degrees. The Buddy Holly perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in “There’s a quote, ‘when you’re happy you enjoy the older I get, the more gratifying the late 1950s and the impact that music, but when you’re sad you understand the lyrthat is.” it had on his young life. ics. ’ That is so true. The same song can affect you Willingham said he tries “to “I grew up in Detroit,” Willingpaint a picture with lyrics,” prefers differently depending on your own state of mind. ham said. “So we got radio and TV to mix in cover songs with his own My experience is that music – hearing or playing – from Canada, and I heard a lot of puts me in a better place. If my performance or my music while performing live, and great music of all kinds. Whensong can affect people, I think I’ve done my job.” counts among his influences Peever I saw someone making music One person Willingham’s music has definitely after, Paul & Mary, John Denver, Bob live, and especially guitar, I was fected is Jerry Goodson, a fan and personal friend, Dylan, Paul Simon, Gordon Lightriveted. Mom rented an organ who met Wayne in December of 1994 right after foot, The Beatles, Stephen Stills, from a local music store when I joining the Army Reserves. (CSN&Y), Joni Mitchell, Leonard was about eight. That was okay, “I was only a couple of weeks from turning 18,” Cohen and The Eagles. but I made no secret that I wanted Goodson said. “But since I was issued my military ID The singer/songwriter moved to play guitar.” card, I was told I could get into Billy Bob’s Texas for to Benbrook in 2000 because he And play guitar he has, for more free. I went that Friday night, and that’s when I met fell in love with the area and said than 60 years, along with the keyit is the longest place he has lived Wayne. I was sitting in the Texas Room looking at board, banjo and bass, and for a the empty stage when music started coming out of his entire life. period of 26 years, Willingham the speakers. COURTESY Willingham has worked bookmade his living exclusively as an “Wayne emerged from the back of the bar playing ing other artists and managing entertainer, including studio/ses- Wayne, pictured here in 1972, is a an instrumental piece on his guitar, and it took me entertainment for DFW restausion work, playing on General Mo- member of the Dallas Songwriters See WILLINGHAM, P. 13 tors commercials and so forth. rants and clubs for ten years, but Association.

June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

WILLINGHAM From Page 12

a moment to realize it was his playing I was hearing through the speakers. After he played his first set, I went to the table where he was sitting and just started talking to him about his guitars, one of which he let me play on a little.” Goodson said from the moment he first heard Willingham perform, he was hooked. “What really appealed to me was Wayne’s playing skill,” Goodson said. “The man is an outstanding picker, not strummer, who can play the most complex pieces and can carry a tune to go with it. The drunks may not have appreciated the complexity in how Wayne played. It was more about what Wayne played. Having grown up around music, and playing music myself, I certainly recognized Wayne

was not just the typical dude who could play a lick from ‘Smoke on the Water’ at a party. Wayne could put on the whole show.” As far as shows are concerned, Willingham said he has one major objective for his performances. “I’ve learned that people take away from a song what they choose, not necessarily what the artist intends,” Willingham said. “If it’s positive for them in their own way, I’m happy. I’ve had people tell me how much my music has meant to them, how they were moved, and that’s a good feeling. I was taught a long time ago to sing like you mean it. So I try to write, sing and play with that in mind.” Visit www.waynewillingham.com to hear Wayne Willingham’s music or catch a livestream performance.

COURTESY

Willingham performing at Billy Bob’s in the 1990s.

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

n Live Theatre Is Back!

THE GREAT ICE CREAM SCHEME OR ROBIN BASKINS TO THE RESCUE

by Billy St. John Popcorn Players 114 Porter Dr, Azle Ticket Info: 817-238-7529 Tentative Dates: July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, Aug. 1 Synopsis: Pop Sicle’s Ice Cream Parlor serves the best ice cream in town thanks to a secret recipe known only to him, his sister, Nana Peel, and his adopted son, Robin Baskins. When a cold-hearted villain decides to steal Pop’s recipe, things get a little sticky.

THE RAINBOW FISH MUSICAL

by Austin Zumbro Theatre Off the Square 114 N Denton St., Weatherford Ticket Info: 817-341-8687 Tentative Dates: July 23-Aug. 1 Synopsis: This large-cast musical features a variety of charming school and sea-creature characters who admire the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in all the ocean. When Rainbow Fish refuses to share his vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature.

BONNIE & CLYDE

Off Broadway Casa Manana 3101 W Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth Ticket Info: 817-332-2272 Tentative Dates: Aug. 6-8 Synopsis: At the height of the Great Depression, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went from two smalltown nobodies in West Texas to America’s most renowned folk heroes and law enforcement’s worst nightmares. Fearless, shameless and alluring, it’s an electrifying story of love, adventure and crime. This show is suitable for mature audiences.

GREATER TUNA

by Williams, Howard and Sears Granbury Opera House 133 E. Pearl St., Granbury Ticket Info: 817-579-0952 Tentative Dates: June 18 – July 4 Synopsis: A comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. The eclectic band of citizens that make up this town are portrayed by only two performers, making this satire on life in rural America even more delightful as they depict all of the inhabitants of Tuna -- men, women, children and animals.

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June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Even ‘singles’ need estate plans If you don’t have a spouse or children, self, outside a trust. Plus, if you itemize, you might think you don’t need to do you may be able to claim a charitable much estate planning. But if you have deduction on your taxes. With the proany assets, any familial connections, any ceeds, the trust can purchase incomeDEGOLYER LIBRARY, SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY interest in supporting charitable groups producing assets and provide you with – not to mention a desire to control your an income stream for the rest of your own future – you do need to establish an life. Upon your death, the remaining estate plan. trust assets will go the charities you’ve In evaluating your needs for this type named. At first glance, you might think this bill, printed by the Republic of Texas in the midof planning, let’s start with what might Aside from family members and char1800s, was worth 25 dollars. It was actually worth 25 cents – and only in theory since happen if you die itable groups, there’s the bills were rarely worth face value. The truth is that most residents in those times only intestate – that is, a third entity that’s used the notes to pay their taxes because they were not accepted in most places of without a last will central to your estate commerce. President Sam Houston approved the new currency in 1842. Only $150,490 and testament. In plans: yourself. Evin notes were printed. The notes, which were only used for three years, were burned this scenario, your eryone should make upon redemption, making them an even more scarce and valuable as a collector’s item. assets will likely by Mary H. McDow arrangements to proSome notes were never redeemed. In 2011, a couple purchased an old box of books for have to go through Edward Jones Adviser tect their interests, the probate pro$10. Inside, they found a 25-cent note. It sold for over $63,250. It is widely believed that but, in the absence of cess, which means Sam Houston signed every note, but his secretary actually signed the bills on his behalf. an immediate family, they’ll be distributed by the court acyou need to be especially vigilant about cording to your state’s intestate succesyour financial and health care decisions. sion laws, essentially without regard to And that’s why, as part of your estate your wishes. Even if youE. don’t have chilEdited by Margie Burke planning, you may want to include these dren yourself, you may have nephews (Puzzle solution is on P. 16.) two documents: durable power of attorDifficulty: Easy or nieces, or even children of cousins or ney and a health care proxy. friends, to whom you would like to leave A durable power of attorney lets you some of your assets, which can include name someone to manage your finances not just money but also cars, collectshould you become incapacitated. This ibles, family memorabilia and so on. arrangement is especially important for But if everything you own goes through anyone who doesn’t have a spouse to probate, there’s no guarantee that these step in. And if you become incapacitatindividuals will end up with what you ed, your health care proxy – also known wanted them to have. as a health care surrogate or medical If you want to leave something to fam- power of attorney – lets you name anily members or close friends, you will other person to legally make health care need to indicate this in your last will decisions for you if you can’t do so yourand testament or other estate planning self. documents. But you also may want to Estate planning moves can be comprovide support to one or more chariplex, so you’ll need help from a legal table organizations. Of course, you can professional and possibly your tax and simply name these charities in your will, financial advisors. You may not have an but there may be options that could pro- immediate family, but you still need to vide you with more benefits. take steps to protect your legacy. One such possibility is a charitable remainder trust. Under this arrangement, you’d transfer appreciated assets –(Answer such as stocks, mutual funds or other appears elsesecurities – into an irrevocable trust. in this issue) Thewhere trustee, whom you’ve named – in This article was written by Edward fact, you could serve as trustee yourself Jones for use by your local Edward – can then sell the assets at full market Jones Financial Adviser, Mary H. value, avoiding the capital gains taxes McDow, 102 Houston Ave., Suite 203, you’d have to pay if you sold them your817-598-0882. Member SPIC

Republic of Texas Exchequer Notes June 2021

Money Matters

nSUDOKU Sudoku 8

4 6 7 2 8 7 9 4 8 2 2 1 4 3 8 3 4 2 7 5 5

HOW TO SOLVE:

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

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

By The Book

Spotlighting retired educators Name: Sandy Bourdon Last position and school: Weatherford High School Library Years active: 1970 to 2006 What is something valuable you learned from your students? I learned to be patient with people – not everyone matures and learns at the same rate. If you hadn’t become an educator, what profession would you have chosen? If I hadn’t gone into teaching, I would have been a CPA. In a crazy world, columns and rows can always balance. Favorite and least favorite subject (as a student): My favorite subject was English, least favorite was science. What’s your favorite thing about retirement: I love retirement! No alarm clocks! Favorite pasttimes: I have time for many enjoyable passtimes, including reading, gardening, spending time with grandchildren and exploring new restaurants. The last book you read that you’d recommend: I have read many enjoyable books but highly recommend Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian.

June 2021

n Highly-Anticipated BookSUDOKU Releases - June 2021 THE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF LENNI AND MARGOT

BY MARIANNE CRONIN

Seventeen-year-old Lenni Pettersson lives on the Terminal Ward at the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Joining the hospital’s arts and crafts class, she meets the magnificent Margot, an 83-year-old, purple-pajama-wearing, fruitcake-eating rebel, who transforms Lenni in ways she never imagined. As their friendship blooms, a world of stories opens for these unlikely companions who, between them, have been alive for one hundred years. Though their days are dwindling, both are determined to leave their mark on the world. OUR WOMAN IN MOSCOW

BY BEATRIZ WILLIAMS

In the autumn of 1948, Iris Digby vanishes from her London home with her American diplomat husband and their two children.

Difficulty: Easy Ruth MacalFour years later, lister receives a postcard from her twin sister. Within days, Ruth is on her way to Moscow, posing as the wife of counterintelligence agent Sumner Fox in a precarious plot to extract the Digbys from behind the Iron Curtain.

4 6 7 2 7FOR A WOMAN’S HEART:9 4 8 HOPE 52 ENCOURAGING DEVOTIONS 2 1 4 Weekly game changing devotions from Tim Tebow’s 8 mom. Sharing powerful biblical insights and delightful personal stories, this3 wise, 4 world-traveling mother and grand- 2 BY: PAM TEBOW

mother encourages you to trust God in the midst of challenges; live with joy, contentment, and thanksgiving; receive Jesus’ comfort and share it with others; prioritize time in God’s Word and prayer; and more.

n Find The Frog Carol Denning of Weatherford found him. Did you? The frog on page 14 of the May edition. It is located on the Garage Sale ad for the Weatherford Senior Center. Carol will receive a $25 gift certificate to Target. Do you like winning prizes? Enter this month’s contest! Simply submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief description of where you

Solution to Crossword:

D A D S

A S E A

C L A N

H U L A

B I R D C A G E S

A M I S S

C O N C H

R O T O R

S A A B N S D L E A I N L E T D I C A A L R O B O B A T S E R S N E E D

B L A S E A N N O T A T E D

B O N O I N G O T L A V A

A W A R E N E S S C A T E R

A C R E C H U M N T O N I E L O R X P E N S T E R T I P S T C O H E Y W I N O V E N E D A R M A N D E E D I M N A V I T L E T

S P O D E Y O G A R E D O

find the hidden frog (not the frog at right) to Hoopla, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086 or e-mail seniors@ hooplamagazine.com. Contestants will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to Target. Make sure you pick up next month’s issue to see if you’ve won! Winners must contact Hoopla within 90 days to claim their prize.

Solution to Sudoku:

1 9 4 7 6 8 3 2 5

5 2 6 1 9 3 4 7 8

8 3 7 5 2 4 9 1 6

4 8 5 9 7 6 1 3 2

3 1 2 4 8 5 6 9 7

6 7 9 3 1 2 8 5 4

7 5 3 8 4 9 2 6 1

9 6 8 2 5 1 7 4 3

2 4 1 6 3 7 5 8 9

June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Life in Grace

by Lara Cook North Side Baptist Church

Contentment But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. - 1 Timothy 6:6-8 The dictionary defines contentment as being “easy of mind, to be free from worry, from guilt, to be satisfied.” It is a beautiful place to be, but it seems so hard to find. How content are you? Do we really understand true contentment? It seems like we are constantly in pursuit of the “next thing”, or the “one more thing I need and that’s it.” Lots of people seem to have all the pieces of contentment — career, health, family, wealth — but are still profoundly discontent. Historian Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., observes that our society is marked by “inextinguishable discontent.” Our quest is “what is better and what is next.” We want a better job with better pay and a better boss. We want better relationships, a better car and a better backhand in tennis or a longer drive in golf. We have a propensity to live endlessly for the next thing — the next weekend, the next vacation, the next purchase, and the next experience. We are never quite satisfied or content, and envious of those who have what we have not attained or accumulated. The Bible tells us an amazing truth about contentment - that whether you have enough money or not, whether you have abundance or are in very strained circumstances, you can still have contentment because the secret of contentment is not in what you have or don’t have. Contentment comes from someplace entirely different.

Contentment isn’t denying our feelings about wanting and desiring what we can’t have. It is freedom from being controlled by those feelings. Contentment isn’t pretending things are right when they are not, but instead it displays the peace that comes from knowing that God is bigger than any problems and that he works them all out for our good. Contentment isn’t a feeling of wellbeing contingent on keeping circumstances under control, but instead it promotes a joy in spite of circumstances, looking to God who never varies. Contentment is not based on

external circumstances, but rather on an internal source. Contentment is of the heart. Contentment is a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is a good God and wants to give good gifts to his children. We willingly accept from God’s hand that which he gives, and trust Him because all that is needful He will supply. In other words, contentment and joy must be sought within us. No amount of money or possessions will bring us the state of joy and peace that is contentment. True contentment is found in our

hearts by trusting God and looking to Him instead of material things. What about your spirit and the spirits of those around you? Do you know people who are really content or are they still searching for that some thing or some person they think will bring them the peace of contentment? We can spend our whole lives chasing contentment and if we never look to Jesus, we won’t ever find it. We will only find temporary contentment in earthly things that disappoint and leave us emptier than ever. Look to Jesus today and find true and lasting contentment.

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021

Summer Spectacular It hardly seems possible that it was less than four months ago that we had temperatures at or below zero. And now we’re still trying to figure out what to do with some of our plants. Plant: • New turfgrass from sod or seed. Keep the new grass moist at all times until it’s well rooted – generally the first couple of weeks. Then you can gradually cut back on the watering. • Heat-tolerant annual color such as Cora vincas, hybrid purslane, moss rose, angelonias, lantanas, gomphrenas, cleomes, copper plants, firebush, purple fountaingrass, pentas and others. Buy plants that have been growing in lighting similar to where you’ll be planting them, so they’ll be acclimated. • You can still plant shrubs to replace those damaged by winter, although supplies in nurseries are running thin. It may be better to tidy your beds up, then wait for inventories to build up by fall. Prune: • Spring-flowering shrubs and vines to restore natural shape. • Blackberries to remove all canes that have just borne fruit. They will never bear fruit again. Trim them flush with the ground. • If you have chosen to let colddamaged plants regrow from sprouts farther down on their stems, prune out the dead wood.

NEIL SPERRY

Now is the time to plant heat-tolerant annual color, like these gorgeous pentas. • It’s OK to wait to prune oaks and palms. Some are still gearing up to send out new growth. Fertilize: • Turf early in month with highquality, all-nitrogen fertilizer with as much as half of that N in slow-release form. Water deeply after you apply. • Shrubs, annual and perenby Neil Sperry nial beds with that same fertilizer. Gardening Expert • Patio pots and hanging baskets each time that you water them. Use a water-soluble, high-nitrogen food.

Timely Tips

On the lookout: • Bagworms will show up early in month on junipers, arborvitae and other cone-bearing plants. Watch closely for them and spray at first signs of their feeding. • Early blight turns bottom leaves of tomato plants pale yellow. Spider mites turn bottom leaves tan, and they usually follow early blight by 2-3 weeks.

n Perfect for the patio: Angel’s trumpets If you’re looking for something other-worldly beautiful – a plant that defies belief when it flowers, I think I have the answer. Brugmansias, also known as “angel’s trumpets” (cousins to the whiteflowering native West Texas plants of the same name) produce giant white, yellow or pink flowers 10 to 12 inches long. What makes them seem all the more dramatic is that the flowers hang straight down on their stems. Blooms last only one day, but they’re produced by the dozens, so the show continues all summer. Buds open late in the afternoon, and they’re closed by mid-morning. But that means they’re striking additions to a party patio or back deck where light from the house spills out to highlight their blossoms. If you’re interested in using your Brugmansia as a patio plant, it will need a very large pot – 40 inches or more in diameter. Most varieties grow to 6 to 10 feet tall, and if they’re rootbound they won’t bloom

NEIL SPERRY

Brugmansias, aka “angel’s trumpets” nearly as well. It will need protection if you’re going to try to hold it from one year to the next. You can also feature it much as you would a small banana tree, grown in the ground and allowed to freeze in late fall. However, they’re not as hardy as bananas, so there’s a good chance you’ll need to replant each spring. Brugmansias are rooted from cuttings, and many gardeners start their own plants well in advance of the first freeze. They’re grown indoors to be ready to plant in the spring.

June 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Aging gracefully: What does it mean? Well, I look at it in different ways. It could healthy as possible as we age. mean growing older while we move forward in I believe that being active physically and life or can be our attitude towards aging and mentally are two key factors with aging gracehow we choose to go through the different sta- fully. How do we achieve this? ges of our life. There are five areas to focus on to help maintain this healthy balance in our lives: mind Each phase of our life develops new memories and adventures. I try to accept the (cognitive, language), physical/body, spirituachanges that occur with aging and have a sense lity/value, creativity, and social/relationships. Be active which may include being active in of humor in the process! your community and learn new skills. Aging is inevitable. I believe our attitude is When you choose activities, incorporawhat makes us enjoy each moment, making it te these five important the best it can be. Happiness is a choice and I elements to make every choose to be happy! effort to achieve this balance. Vary the activities With aging, especially and increase the level of after turning 60, there are by Janet Standifer complexity to make the many thoughts about retiParker County ring and changing directiactivities challenging. Dementia Care Trainer ons in our new phase of Your quality of life will life. Maybe we have more improve when you exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, stay time for ourselves with a great desire to make mentally alive and remain socially involved. these changes. Good luck on your journey to aging gracefulPart of the challenge of aging gracefully is ly! It’s the beginning of a new phase in your life that you have to continue to find things that so embellish it. are important to you and keep active! Please feel free to contact me if you have Not normal aging issues including memory and cognitive loss are affecting more people as any questions or would like more information about aging normally vs. not normal aging or the population ages and as people live longer. In 2021, 5.7 million people in the United States recommended brain exercises. are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Janet Standifer The World Health Organization expects this Dementia In Perspective number to triple over the next three decades. 817-880-9220 Even though there is not a cure for Alzheimer’s www.jstandiferconsulting.com yet, we can continue to strive towards being as janet@jstandiferconsulting.com

Dementia In Perspective

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

June 2021