we forget

Fort Worth personal trainer surprised by watercolor skills

Pam Johnston of Fort Worth retired in 2016, but that doesn’t stop her from working five days a week. The personal trainer now spends most of her time focusing on her art and helping others.

“I didn’t know anything about watercolor until I took a class at Hobby Lobby,” said the 70-year-old Fort Worth native.

It was roughly six years ago when a friend encouraged her to give art a try. She had recently retired and felt it was Pam Johnston discovered her talent for watercolor at age 64. COURTESY time for a new hobby, so she decided to try it.

“I loved it from the get go,” she said. “Thattalent was there and I didn’t know it.”

Some of her work has been featured on donor cards printed by the North Texas Humane Society, where she helps COURTESY out two days a week.

Johnston encourages seniors to stay active after retirement for better physical and emotional health. She also spends one day each week helping out at an area food bank.

If you’re interested in trying watercolor for yourself, you can join her and other eager students at the Benbrook Senior Citizens Center, where they gather to paint at 2 p.m. each Tuesday. Come join the fun. Like Pam, you may have a hidden talent.

Pam says she also enjoys card games at the center, which is located at 1010 Mercedes Street in Benbrook and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Rediscover Mineral Wells

Baker Hotel and unique downtown makes for a remarkable daytrip

by Rose Jordan

Hoopla Correspondent

In the moments before the electricity was turned off at the Baker Hotel before closing its doors in 1972, Eileen Stringer and her husband were moving their personal belongings out of the room they’d lived in for the last four years. Their final load, photo albums, were carried down the six flights of stairs to the lobby with only the light of a flashlight.

Eileen was the last one to lock up the Baker Hotel when it closed for business. She’s held onto her memories and the key to Room 612 all these years. In 2019, she gave the key to the Baker Development Team for the museum that will display the stories and artifacts they’ve uncovered during the restoration.

Mark Rawlings, general contractor, and partner on the Baker Team, recently shared the story on their YouTube channel. “She was the last one that locked the door and walked away. And she was so sweet, she gave me the guest room key to her room.”

The team located the original door from her room, #612, and restored the lockset. At the New Year’s Eve Gala in 2019, they presented the door and key, and Mrs. Stringer unlocked the very door she’d locked more than 45 years ago.

When the hotel reopens, the guest room door from Room 612 will have a place of honor in the hotel’s museum, along with the key, a photo of the couple, and their story.

Eileen’s is one of many stories that highlight the people that built the hotel, stayed or worked there, and celebrated special moments there. From Mineral Wells natives to the rich and famous, the hotel has captured the hearts of thousands, even millions of people -- according to the hotel’s TikTok account.

“The Baker Hotel is one of the most followed historic hotels in the country amongst all social media platforms. And of the top followed historic hotels, the Baker is the only one that isn’t operable at the moment,” said Remy Fairchild. Remy is the daughter of Laird Fairchild, lead developer of the hotel, and manages the Baker Hotel’s social media. She and Mark document the progress of the renovation for the hotel’s many fans around the globe.

And there’s a lot to document. Since the big announcement in June 2019 that the hotel had been purchased and begin renovation, the team has been hard at work. Even through the pandemic, supply shortages, and crew shortages, work has continued.

With general demolition complete, temporary utilities and construction elevator installed, the team has been able to restore all 997 windows, complete the tile roof, remove the old plumbing pipe, and prepare the electrical. “The building is fully prepped to undergo full blown construction,” Remy told us.

Restoring the 14-story Spanish Colonial Revival hotel is a painstaking process because it is indeed a restoration rather than simply a renovation. In fact, it is reported

COURTESY OF THE BAKER HOTEL

COURTESY OF THE BAKER HOTEL

A – Grand Arrival (R) B – Grand Lobby (R) C – Brazos Club Restaurant (R) D – First Floor Grand Ballroom (R) E – Outdoor Mineral Baths (NV) F – Elevator to 2nd Floor Spa and Fitness (NV) G – Wraparound Veranda (R) H – Family Pool Deck (R) I – Poolside Concession Stand (R) J – Olympic Swimming Pool (R) K – Baker Fountain (R) L – Outdoor Wedding Gardens (NV) M – Proposed Dog Park (NV)

(R) = Restored Area (NV) = New Vision Area

Daytrip Guide

by Cynthia Henry Hoopla Publisher

There’s more to do and see in Mineral Wells. Make a day of it and check out some of these unique attractions:

Famous Mineral Water Company

This town exploded in the early 1900s when the area’s mineral water was believed to cure many illnesses. It’s why the Baker Hotel was built. The mineral water is still bottled at this historic location. There’s lots of local history displayed and a gift shop as well. The century old drinking pavillion is located at 209 NW 6th Street. Open Monday through Saturday.

Happy Days Diner

This 1950s-themed diner serves breakfast and lunch all day. Devour classic menu items, like burgers, patty melts and steak fingers. Looking for something unique? Try the Chorizo Burger or the Twisted Biscuit. Located at 319 N. Oak Street, reviews credit them with outstanding food and service.

The Kraze Boutique

This shop offers a wide variety of souvenirs, plus retro candy, classic sodas in bottles, and an adjacent boutique with trendy women’s clothing. It’s located at 101 N. Oak Street right next to The Ritz, which is thee place to stop for a selfie. The funky movie theatre sign was installed in April.

The Laumdronat

This functioning laundromat is also a museum with dozens of antique washing machines, wringers, irons, washing boards and more. They’re open at 700 W Hubbard Street from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park

Go backpacking through the state park and enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery, wildlife, fishing, biking, rock climbing and watersports (rentals available). Campgrounds are available as well as guided tours. Day passes are $7 per day for those over 13. Call the park for more information at 940-328-1171.

There’s lots more to see and do in this area, including a ghost walk, a fossil park and a variety of antique stores.