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March 2022

Spotlighting North Texans

50 And Better

Carol Clark Montgomery at Clark Gardens

Inside: Seniors from • Weatherford • Azle • Mineral Wells • Fort Worth

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

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Spritzin’ in The Girls’ Room Perfumatic Fragrance Chanel Fifties Automation Tabu Rose Coin Operated Eau De Toilette Paris Max Factor Floral English Lavender Cologne Vintage Musk Jean Patou Jasmine Coty

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Hoopla March 2022

Volume 6, Issue 3

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March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

Together they’re better Mike Edmonson has been on the area music scene for decades and even performed in Branson in the 1990s. He now leads Lighthouse Country Church between Weatherford and Azle. He and wife Elizabeth married in 1995 and adopted their daughter Loralee in 2004. COURTESY

Edmonsons use sweet music to deliver spiritual message by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Music has taken Mike and Elizabeth Edmonson many places in life, including to each other. However, their favorite place is serving the congregation at Lighthouse Country Church. Almost two decades ago in 2003 they came to the little church between Azle and Weatherford, which was on the verge of closing. An agreement to minister for a short while has turned into a permanent placement while not only bringing the church back to life, but to a thriving status today. “We sang professionally from 1995 until 2003 when this little church in the middle of nowhere called Mike to see if he would preach because they were without a pastor, down to 12 members and about to close the doors,” Elizabeth reflected. “One of those people knew Mike and felt led to reach out to him.” Mike had felt God calling him to preach again and agreed to minister to the small church for two weeks. He and Elizabeth sang for them and Mike preached, and they were asked to come back for three more Sundays, which was only the beginning.

“We agreed and have been here since. That was 18 years ago, and I know this is where we are supposed to be,” Elizabeth said. Mike is from Everman and Elizabeth grew up mostly in Eastland. They first met in 1991 when they were both doing the opry circuit throughout Texas. Mike was a pastor and married with three teenage children, though sadly on his way to a divorce in 1993. Through their stage performances they became friends, and in 1995 they got married. Mike made two albums before they got together that he sold at churches and stage shows. Elizabeth also made two (the first one in Branson, Missouri). Then they did two together, the first album being all original songs that they wrote together. Both on their own and together they have performed at some big venues. Elizabeth’s solo list includes the Arkansas State Fair and Branson, while Mike was a regular at the largest weekly stage show in Texas at the time, the Johnnie High Show in Arlington. He was the Male Vocalist of the Year there in 1993 and Entertainer of the Year in 1994, as well as Entertainer of the Year at the Burleson Jamboree and Cross Timbers Opry. She was the Female Vocalist of

the Year at the Grapevine Opry in 1994 and Female Vocalist of the Year for the Terry Awards in 1995. They’ve also shared the stage with some legends of the music industry, including LeeAnn Rimes when she was a 7-year-old working the opry circuit. They’ve opened for the likes of The Bellamy Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Johnny Rodriguez, John Conlee, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Don Williams, Rex Allen Jr., Susie McEntire, Hank Thompson, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Fairchild and many more. They even performed on a TV show with Donny and Marie Osmond. Mike graduated from Bible college in1979 and became lead pastor of a church in Haltom City in 1980 at the age of 25. Elizabeth started singing in churches in 1987 at the age of 20. Both come from musical families. Mike’s grandfather played guitar and Elizabeth’s grandfather played the fiddle. Mike’s sister sings in her church and Elizabeth’s mother also sang. But no one made it a career, until them. And while the church keeps them busy, they still find time to perform outside of its steeple. Their

See FAMILY, P. 4

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

FAMILY From Page 3

repertoire includes gospel and country. “On Wednesday nights we do Facebook Live, where we sing and take requests that usually end up being mostly classic country. I do love some other music, such as Elvis, The Eagles, Bob Seger, etc., and often perform songs from those artists. Mike is strictly classic country,” Elizabeth said. At the church they give traditional hymns and modern praise music a country twist.They have a band of professional country musicians, including a fiddle player, a mandolin player, sometimes a drummer and Mike plays rhythm guitar. They both sing. “Whatever we play, it ends up sounding country. We just can’t help it,” Mike said with a laugh. “Actually, it’s easier to make the old hymns sound country because they usually have a straightforward simple chord progression, whereas the contemporary songs are a bit more complex. “We usually speed up the slow songs and add a peppy, almost honky-tonk feel.” Mike also sings classic country songs before church starts on Sunday, and a lot of people come early just to hear him. The church is billed as “the perfect church for imperfect people.” They take pride in not condemning or judging, something Elizabeth said they endured themselves, opening their eyes. “I think Mike realized when he went through his divorce how mean, judgmental and hateful some Christians can be,” she said. “I got married at the age of 20 because my home church at the time made me believe that was the only way I would be worth anything,” she added. “When I went through a divorce after two years, they turned their back on me, and it was even worse

for Mike because he was a pastor when he and his ex-wife broke up. People he thought were his friends turned their backs on him.” So, when they got married, they prayed for a chance to serve God and treat people better. And that’s exactly what they are doing. While Mike pastors, Elizabeth is a licensed professional counselor with an office onsite. The couple performs at restaurants, fairs, opry shows and private events. They stay busy, and only slowed down to adopt their daughter Loralee. Elizabeth called Loralee their little miracle. She was adopted in 2004 after surviving a mother who

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was doing drugs, had no prenatal care and wanted nothing to do with her after birth, Elizabeth said. “I know what drugs and alcohol can do to a developing baby, but Mike said he felt like God had sent this baby to us for a reason and he wanted to do it. I prayed all the way home and by the time I got home, I felt it was meant to be,” Elizabeth said. Loralee, a junior in high school, performed with her parents for a brief time when she was younger. She now prefers rodeoing – goat tying to be exact. But if she ever decides to hit the stage again, she’s got two back-up singers and a built-in audience ready and waiting.

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March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

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Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

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March 2022

by Margie E. Burke

(Puzzle solution is on P. 19)

1 2 3 4 ACROSS 1 Stadium 14 souvenirs 17 5 Have ___ on (claim) 20 21 9 Fraternity letter 14 Declare 24 15 Lie next to 27 28 29 16 Nobleman 17 Fix up 34 35 18 Sparkly mineral 37 19 "____, Don't Shop" 41 20 Former 43 44 22 Every so often 24 Ever and ___ 48 26 River 51 52 53 embankment 27 Life imitator 58 29 Company owner, e.g. 62 34 Table in chemis65 try class 36 Kate of "The Martian" 37 Epson product 64 Salazar of TV's 38 Ripple "Undone" 41 Strong desire 65 Silent performer 42 Like some traits 66 Rough guess 43 Put on a show 67 Sports award 47 Foot the bill 48 Jockey's DOWN controls 1 Find fault 49 Close in on 2 State positively 51 Swear words 3 Bunion healer 55 Signs of 4 Go gaga spoilage 5 Reservoir maker 58 Went wild over 6 Wading bird 59 Kind of ring or 7 Pastoral swing 8 Flower part 61 Translucent gem 9 Drops off 62 Accustom 10 Smooth 63 Plead operators

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44 Kindle user 45 Vintage toy material 46 Ill will 50 Love to pieces 51 Stiffly formal 52 "Doctor Who" villainess, with "the" 53 Egg, to a biologist 54 Class with mats 56 Coarse file 57 Do in, as a dragon 60 Center of a ball?

1. Hank Williams 2. Patsy Cline 3. Minnie Pearl 4. Dolly Parton 5. Garth Brooks 6. Roy Acuff 7. Dedford Bailey 8. Loretta Lynn 9. Johnny Cash 10. Willie Nelson 11. The Carter Family 12. Grandpa Jones 13. Elvis Presley

March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

(Puzzle solution is on P. 19) Aledo artist Patricia Harder has bigger vision of local art group Patricia Harder was introduced to watercolor in an art class at Taylor University in Indiana. She knew she had the skills but not the time. It wasn’t until she had married and had a child in middle school that she chose focus on her craft. That was 30 years ago. She prefers still life or flowers, but she has a fan base to appease. “Although I love the flow and bright, clear colors of watercolor, I do large paintings in acrylic (mainly abstracts) because our daughters love those,” she said. “My husband and sons prefer watercolor landscapes and western paintings.” Patricia hones her skills by attending classes. She’s studied all over the United States, including The Art Institute of Chicago, UCLA and California State, Fullerton College, plus she studied watercolor

with Barbara Pascalini of Hallmark Cards in Missouri. “I had my own interior decorating business (before retiring), now my main interests are painting, grandchildren, and teaching the Bible,” said Patricia. When she and her husband Jim retired, they moved to Aledo to be near their son and his family. “Our other children live in Minnesota, Iowa and Virginia – all too cold for me,” she lamented. Patricia spent 10 years in the art department at the Fort Worth Woman’s Club. Fifteen years ago, the late Becky Glasgow introduced her to Weatherford Art Association. Patricia has served as president, vice president, and program/ workshop chairman of the Weatherford organization. “Nationally recognized artists attend our monthly meetings and

demonstrate their skills in various mediums,” she said. There’s also a monthly art competition. But Harder believes the organization could grow larger and become more influential with the right nudge. “I think, with some encouragement, recognition and backing by our governing body, Weatherford Art Association could grow and bring constructive, visionary people to our area, as well as increase tourism and community pride.” Patricia noted that several businesses display works of local artists, including The Doss, which hosts the association’s yearly shows, which draw artists from several states. Entry fees go towards cash prizes. For more information on upcoming shows, go to COURTESY the association’s website at www. Harder with one of her award-winning paintings. weatherfordart.com.

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Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

It’s not just a garden to Carol Clark Montgomery Clark Gardens is where she grew up by Rose Jordan Hoopla Correspondent Not many people dream of leaving behind good dirt, but that’s the legacy Carol Clark Montgomery wants to leave for Clark Gardens Botanical Park. “I wanna know when I leave the garden, I left it in better condition than I found it,” Carol shared. “I want people to look back and say, “she really worked hard on building a good, strong organic soil.” Carol wasn’t born in this area, but her family moved to Mineral Wells in the late 1950s when she was only five years old. She grew up here and like many young adults leaving for college, Carol never thought she’d move back home, “I was a typical ‘I gotta get out of here,’” she said. She made it as far as Tarleton, where she earned a biology degree. “I went on to be a medical technologist at Dallas St. Paul’s Hospital and eventually was a microbiology supervisor for that department,” she added. While in Dallas, Carol met her husband Mark. The two would later move to Bryan College Station, where they raised their three children. Carol’s family visited her parents in Mineral Wells frequently. “We brought our kids to this land a lot. They camped here. They learned to fish and swim here,” Carol shared. “It was just a tank then, but it was the only water on the property and the ducks found the water. So, we lovingly call it Duck Poop Pond,” she said referring to what is now known as Lake Pavillion. “My mom was a fastidious house cleaner, and she really didn’t like all of us in her house because we made it messy. So, every Saturday we were here, there was a weenie roast – and then that night she would cook barbecue ribs out by Duck Poop Pond. So, my kids really identify this as their home even to this day,” she continued. “It looked nothing like this. It was a mesquite pasture really.” It wasn’t until 1973 that the “mesquite pasture” started to transform into the botanical gardens we see today. “Neither of my parents had a background in horticulture, neither went to college. So, they earned their money with a lot of hard work. So, when the time came that they sold their con-

ROSE JORDAN | HOOPLA MAGAZINE

Carol Clark Montgomery lingers in the Weenie Roast Sculpture Garden at Clark Gardens. The garden was started by her father, who had no experience in horticulture. The once private land was opened to the public in 2000. struction business, my dad was not ready to retire. He had to be productive. He loves to be busy. He loves to build things,” Carol said. “So, he just started building the gardens.” “The first area he did is an area not a lot of people see. It was for my sister’s wedding,“ Carol recalled. “She wanted a garden wedding.” “We would come back after being gone a month or six weeks and there would be a new building,” Carol shared. “They were really in a kind of a manic building phase. Then in 2000, they opened the gardens to the public.” “About 2005 my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Carol said. “She got to where my dad needed help.” Still living in Bryan College Station, Carol split her time between there and Mineral Wells to help with her mom and to help with the marketing for the gardens. “I was a paid employee, part-time but it quickly became a full-time job when the former director left. In less than a year I was the director and have been since,” she shared. Today, she maintains the gardens, oversees the marketing, offers educational programs, and introduces new initiatives like the three pollinator islands and the cutting gardens. But she wasn’t always comfortable working in the gardens. “It took me a long time to develop where I felt the confidence to make changes inside the garden.

We were all sensitive to how my mom would have it. I don’t think that anymore. I know she would have continued to expand and make things different,” Carol said. “My mom was definitely the beauty of the garden. That’s how she contributed.” “My real focus at work these days is to educate myself more, be in the community more, and then get people to really know we’re here and know what we’re about,” Carol shared. “What I hope is that my lasting legacy is that I held it together. I got it economically sound, and I left the soil happy and healthy. Both of those are a big job.” Clark Gardens Botanical Park is open to the public March 1 through July 4 and Labor Day through Thanksgiving. This month, the gardens will open while introducing a brand new, monthlong event, The Grow Festival. Week 1 focuses on wellness and features yoga, healthy cooking classes, and wellness workshops. Week 2 is all about art with demonstrations and exhibits, including the traveling Dreaming Blooms Exhibit. Week 3 will focus more on floral gardening and flower arranging. Week 4 will be about backyard farming with talks about bees, aquaponics, and even chickens. For more information about Clark Gardens Botanical Park, The Grow Festival, or park memberships, visit ClarkGardens.org

March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022 INSTITUTE OF TEXAN CULTURES

The drought of the 1950s

San Antonio farmer Sam J. Smith celebrates the end of a severe drought on Easter of 1951. The drought affected the entire state and is considered one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history. The photo was taken by former San Antonio Light photographer Harvey Belgin and was considered for a Pulitzer Prize in 1952.

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Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

y p p a H s e t o N Happy birthday to our director, Shirley Anderson! —The Klassy Kloggers

March 2022

they give to support our community. The countless hours of service that you give is incredible. Blessings to all of you! —Cathy Kosikowski, a board member Hats off to Brookdale resident Jo Sneed for her positive posts and e-mails. We all enjoy them. —Nadeen Murphree Happy 95th birthday to Lupe Medina! She enjoys cooking, baking and embroidery. —Palo Pinto Nursing Center

Happy birthday to one of our favorite bingo players, Lolieta Kunce! —Santa Fe Health & Rehab

Win a $20 gift certificate to an area store or restaurant! Enter by emailing to tell us where you found the frog hidden in this issue (example at right)! Email entries to seniors@hooplamagazine.com. All contestants receive a free e-subscription to Hoopla and will be entered into a drawing for the gift card. 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. —Hoopla

Submit Happy Notes by emailing seniors@hooplamagazine. Ken Wieser, we hope you have a wonHappy 100th Birthday, Opal Carter! com or send a letter to Hoopla, derful birthday (March 11) and pray God’s We wish Gene Cotter, Nell Alexander P.O Box 305, Weatherford, Texas richest blessings are yours! and May Williams happy birthdays this —Dennis and Judy Brown 76086. Please note that the cut-off month as well. God bless you all! Happy Birthday, Pat Fulfer, who turns —North Side Baptist Church 86 on March 1! for next month’s issue is the 15th. Congratulations to William BurleHome Ministries —Cynthia Henry We welcome all types of notes. son and Britney Rowlett who married Just keep it positive! 2/22/2022 at 2:22 pm. Happy birthday, Tommie Copeland! A big thank you to all of the volun—Roberta and Cheryl

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March 2022

Say hello Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

...to your next daytrip Carroll Estes, owner and curator of Roadside America, relaxes with his some of his roadside statues on exhibit at the museum in Hillsboro.

RICK MAUCH | HOOPLA MAGAZINE

Hillsboro’s Roadside America is packed with pop culture history by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Carroll Estes just needed more room to put things. A lot of things. “Believe it or not, I had about 85 percent of this stuffed into about a 1,600-square-foot house,” he said. “It was time to move. Plus, I always wanted to live in a place downtown in a small town.” So, in 2005, he found an old auto dealership just off the square in Hillsboro and started the Roadside America Museum. It’s a collection of memories he’s glad to share with anyone who stops by. Just be sure and call first. The museum has no scheduled hours. But he lives on the property, so it’s not hard to catch him for a tour, which he loves giving.

“I’m here 99 percent of the time. If I’m not, I’m five minutes away,” Carroll said. If you have to wait a few minutes for him to return from the grocery store or a nearby coffee shop or cafe, it’s worth it. Carroll’s museum is a just an hour or two away for most of our readers, but the place itself will take you quite a ways back in time. It was actually on a short road trip that Carroll started his collection in 1978. He bought the first of what he believes is the world’s largest Grapette soda memorabilia collection in the world. “It was my favorite drink growing up,” he said. “I bought this picnic chest at a Pate swap meet (the now defunct Pate Museum near Granbury), and I just kept collecting.” The museum does indeed feature Grapette memorabilia throughout. Carroll pointed to an item and said, “This is the Holy Grail of my Grapette collection, a penny scale. There were only 26 of these ever built.” Carroll’s statue collection numbers 73, he said. It includes

numerous iconic figures, including not one, but two Big Boy figures representing the famous hamburger joint. One is from Bob’s Big Boy in California. “I’ve had this 35 or 40 years. I found out he came from one of the first two Big Boys in California,” Carroll said. The other is even more rare. It’s from Frisch’s Big Boy, based out of Ohio. “According to the guy I bought it from - and he’s an authority on this - there were only about three of these known to exist,” Carroll said. In the middle of the front exhibit area are two old-timey jukeboxes. Both work, of course, and Carroll proved it by playing an old Elvis song, “Marie’s the Name of His Latest Flame.” “It’s pretty much all oldies in there, and I play them a lot, too,” he said. What would a nostalgic trip be without visiting an old soda fountain? Carroll has one, replicated to such degree that it would fool someone right out of their bobby socks. “I try to give my displays personality,” he said. “Others might just have things on display, but here See DAYTRIP, P. 12

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

DAYTRIP From Page 11

you’re going to get personality, a feeling of actually being there.” You’ll also find statues of old friends, like the Pillsbury Doughboy, Buster Brown’s shoes children mannequins, the Esso Oil Drop Man, the Esso Tiger (put a tiger in your tank), and an original Jack In The Box head. There’s also a classic phone booth, a display of miniature classic cars in a case constructed out of the back of a 1959 Cadillac. Among his prized items is a 1933 Scamp pull wagon. It’s complete with a headlight. “That was a rich kid’s wagon in 1933,” he said. “If you had one of those, you had money.” And yes, the museum has cars. One up front is an attention-grabber, a 1967 red Corvette Stingray in mint condition. It’s next to a vintage 1958 Cushman Eagle motorcycle. “Those are part of my pride and joys. I have a few cars,” Carroll said as he leads the way to another area that includes numerous rebuilt classic vehicles, such as a 1929 Pontiac Coupe, a 1935 Dodge car hauler and a 1955 Pontiac wagon.

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Carroll Estes, owner and curator of Roadside America, relaxes with his some of his roadside statues on exhibit at the museum in Hillsboro. “They were crusty old cars. You start at the frame and build them up,” he said. A popular thing to do way back when was to take those great cars on a trip to the movies. Carroll has

movies playing in the museum, along with a flashing marquee telling folks “The Blob” and “Them” are now playing. “I have tons of old movies, all on VHS,” Car-

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March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

roll said with a laugh. “I still watch them.” A replica of an old general store is also part of the tour. Upon opening the door and stepping inside, you’ll find a plethora of goods ranging from pharmaceutical to soda pop. “It’s completely stocked (with replications). It’s got a little bit of everything, even a post office and toys,” Carroll said. The museum offers more than tours and displays. There’s a banquet room Carroll said is used for parties, corporate meetings, and especially class reunions. “We get quite a few,” he said. “Folks just like feeling nostalgic.” And, indeed, they get that at Roadside America. Not only are the items in the building classic, Carroll spent six years remodeling the old Ford dealership. “About 95 percent of it is recycled materials. I wanted it to look old,” he said. “It just makes it all more

authentic and enhances the experience.” Carroll has long since retired from his previous business, a classic auto body shop in Cedar Hill. He’ll give tours to anyone who stops by, gladly sharing his wealth of knowledge about the memorabilia. It’s not that he doesn’t have things to keep him busy. The museum sponsors Hillsboro’s annual Elm Street Rod Run. The museum has been awarded the Community Partnership Award by the Hillsboro Department of Public Safety, along with the Must See Hillsboro Award from the Chamber of Commerce. But for Carroll, the best part is being able to share it all with visitors. “I love to see them get lost in their imagination as they see everything,” he said. “For kids, it’s a world of wonder. For adults, it’s a trip back in time.”

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When you’re driving these days, it’s later than you had originally planned. pretty hard to get lost because your Your financial strategy can also exsmartphone’s Global Positioning press “warnings” about events that System (GPS) can get you just about could hinder you from reaching your anywhere. And as an investor, you can goals. These obstacles might include have a similar experience by employan illness or disability that could keep ing another directional tool – a peryou out of work for a while, or the need sonalized financial strategy. for some type of long-term care, such Let’s look at the as a nursing home parallels between stay or the services your GPS and this of a home health type of strategy. aide. Your financial To begin with, strategy can not by Mary H. McDow only identify these your GPS pinpoints Edward Jones Adviser threats, but with your exact location at the start of your the guidance of a fitrip – in other words, it tells you where nancial professional, suggest potential you are. And when you create a finansolutions. cial strategy, your first step is to evaluIn addition to providing warnings ate your current situation by answerabout things such as heavy traffic ing these types of questions: What are and road construction, your GPS can your assets? How much do you earn? change your route if you miss a turn or How much do you owe? How much are if you decide, for whatever reason, to you contributing to your IRA, 401(k) go a slightly different way. Your finanor other retirement accounts? Once cial strategy can also show you alteryou’ve got a clear picture of your finatives, if it’s comprehensive and overnances, you’ll be ready to begin your seen by a financial professional, who, journey toward your long-term goals. using specialized software, can create Once your GPS has identified your hypotheticals – illustrations that prostarting point, it will then show you vide alternative outcomes for different where you want to go and the routes steps, such as retiring at various ages, to help you get there. And it’s the same investing different amounts each year with your financial strategy – you want or earning different rates of return. it to help lead you to a particular place These hypotheticals can be quite helpin your life. In fact, a well-designed ful to you as your chart your course tostrategy can show you the steps you ward your goals, especially if you need need to take to help reach more than to change your plans along the way. one destination – to a place where you Your GPS and your financial stratcan send your children to college, a egy are two great tools for helping get place where you can retire comfortyou where you want to go. ably, a place where you can leave the type of legacy you want, and so on. Here’s another element of your GPS that applies to your financial strategy – the warnings. You’re certainly familiar with those thick red lines your GPS This article was written by Edward shows to indicate traffic slowdowns Jones for use by your local Edward ahead. And while they’re annoying, Jones Financial Adviser, Mary H. they’re also useful in cautioning you McDow, 102 Houston Ave., Suite 203, that you may arrive at your destination 817-598-0882. Member SPIC

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on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Cigna cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad or sexo. English: ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available

March 2022

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

Life in Grace

by Lara Cook North Side Baptist Church

Keep your focus And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” –Matthew 14:28-31 After a long day of working with Jesus, the disciples were making their way home in the boat as there was a storm brewing. Waves were tossing and the water spilling over the side as they fought to guide the boat across the lake. They looked up to see Jesus on the water walking towards them. They were terrified, thinking they were seeing a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid. Peter is the one who spoke up and challenged Him saying, “If that is really you, can I come to you on the water?” Jesus told him to come. Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm raging around him, he lost his faith and began to sink. When he looked at the circumstances, he started believing that the storm was going to defeat him. Jesus told Peter to come simply because he asked. None of the other disciples asked. Peter asked for permission, and then he waited for the Lord to say come. He didn’t jump immediately out of the boat. Faith that walks on

water is faith that waits on God until He answers. Too many times we impatiently step off the edge right into the stormy sea, but real faith waits on the Lord and takes all of God’s word into consideration. When Peter heard Jesus say come, he stepped out in complete obedience, in spite of fear or the rolling waves. God did not quiet the storm so Peter could step out onto a calm sea. He had to step out into the tempst with

complete trust. God will be with us always, but that does not mean that He will quiet the storm. It does mean we don’t have to be defeated by the storms! Just like Peter, if we take our focus off Jesus, we can let the storms of life cause us to sink. If we keep our focus on Jesus, we can do mighty things for God by faith. He will be there as the waves crash against us and the lightning strikes.

Peter knew that on his own he could never walk on water but with the help of God, all things are possible. Don’t be afraid of the storms – in life they are unavoidable – but God’s grace is sufficient for us. He isn’t expecting us to do anything on our own. If we keep our focus on Him, He will amply supply us with all the grace and strength we need to stay above the crashing waves.

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

COURTESY

Chef Bruce Pollett and his wife Pam work out of Woman’s Club kitchen.

Delicious success

COURTESY

Couple delivers gourmet options in Fort Worth area

by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Things are definitely cooking in the Pollett household. Well, actually the Woman’s Club of Fort Worth, but the delicious results are from the talent of

Bruce and Pam Pollett. A year ago this March, they moved their food delivery business, Southern Provisions, from Dallas, where they were for seven years, to the kitchen at the Woman’s Club. Despite being amidst a pandemic,

business is booming. Likewise for their quality family time, Pam said. “Oh goodness, it has made a huge difference in our family life. The stress of driving to Dallas ( from their home in Fort Worth) every day and night was just too much. We would of-

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March 2022

would leave and if you got caught in traffic. “While the majority of our clientele lives in Dallas, moving the kitchen to the Woman’s Club has allowed us to expand our Fort Worth catering business, and now we only drive to Dallas once or twice a week.” Bruce is the official chef of the family. Pam, who does help in the kitchen, calls herself the official “taste tester” and also handles most of the public relations for the company. “It is actually a running joke in our family for 20 years now because so many people only see me, so they think I am the chef. I promise you would not want my cooking,” Pam said with a laugh. “I try to focus on the front and let Bruce focus on the back of the house. “Unfortunately, with the labor shortage I have been having to help more in the kitchen. I have been watching him for 20 years, so I know where I can help and where I can’t.” They got started in the food industry in Florida, where they lived for 14 years. Bruce was in the financial industry and Pam was a part-time preschool teacher and stay-at-home mom before they opened their first gourmet market called Chives in 2003. “Neither one of us had ever worked one day in the restaurant business. If we knew then what we know now, we definitely would have never had the courage or the sanity to open up a restaurant,” Bruce said. “It is a crazy business with such small margins where sadly an epidemic or stock market crash can cause you to lose your business in a short time.” But they continued to find success – through both. Following the stock market crash of 2008, they moved to Dallas and started FM Provisions, the original name of their food delivery

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

business. Following the move, he said they saw the need for bringing the food to the people instead of people coming to the food. “When we moved back to Texas [they met at TCU], we saw a need for prepared ready-to-eat meals delivered to your door. I felt there was a desire for a restaurant quality meal and not your typical casseroles so, we decided to give it a try and it just kept growing,” he said. “Of course this was before all the meal delivery businesses began shipping to your door.” Admittedly, there was a decrease in their sales at that point. But the quality of their food brought them back to the top, Bruce said. “I think people grew tired of the subscription based meals, and/or didn’t like the flavors and having to cook them and not just reheat them, so eventually our business picked up again,” Bruce said. Then, there was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which COURTESY they have also not only survived, but thrived. Of course, lots more folks are eating at home these days. “When COVID started in March of 2020, people obviously could not go out and eat at a restaurant and most didn’t even want to go the grocery stores. People were scared and lots of them didn’t have any options. We increased our deliveries to two days from one and put out two menus each week so that everyone would have plenty of options for meals for the week,” Bruce said. Business grew by word of mouth. People were asking their neighbors and friends, and some living in other cities and states started ordering for their older family members who lived in Dallas and Fort Worth. Once the scare was over, the new customers who found Southern Provisions during that time remained

loyal customers. “Most of our customer base has been with us for a long time and orders on a regular basis. We try and change things up so they don’t get bored with the same food,” Bruce said. “I enjoy putting a southern spin on all of my food, even Mexican and

Asian inspired dishes.” Bruce said they hope to expand the meal delivery business to areas they do not currently serve. In the meantime, they are working hard to get meals out to folks. To receive weekly menus, sign up for their newsletter at www.southernprovisionsfw.com.

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Have questions? Let Humana help you get Medicare-ready!

For your transition to Medicare, talk to Humana There’s a lot to know about Medicare, which means you may have a lot of questions. Some of the basic ones might be these:

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Ask about Humana’s Care Highlight™ program A more human way to healthcare™ At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal Civil Rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, marital status or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese): 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-320-1235 (TTY :711) 。

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022

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Theatre Off the Square 114 N Denton St., Weatherford Ticket Info: 817-341-8687 Tentative Dates: April 8-10 Synopsis: You’ve heard Nellie Bly’s story before in exaggerations and dramatizations, but few know her name. Even fewer know Anne Neville, Tillie Mayard and others who were locked away without a say.

Popcorn Players 114 Porter Drive, Azle Ticket Info: 817-238-7529 Tentative Dates: March 25-27 and April 1-3 Synopsis: An aging couple is visited by their daughter at a summer home. The plot explores their turbulent relationship and the difficulties they face in their later years.

THE MUSIC OF LAUREL CANYON

LITTLE WOMEN

Casa Manana 3101 W Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth Ticket Info: 817-332-2272 Tentative Dates: April 5-16 Synopsis: Laurel Canyon became a nest of creativity, immortalizing artists like Joni Mitchell, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and The Mamas and the Papas, who called the neighborhood home.

e W

Broadway on the Brazos Granbury Opera House 133 E. Pearl Street, Granbury Ticket Info: 817-579-0952 Tentative Dates: April 8- May 1 Synopsis: A musical adaptation of Louisa M. Alcott’s novel, a story that never will grow old for its treatment of a mother’s love for her children and their appreciation.

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March 2022

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Difficulty: Easy

n Guess 5 Who 4 3

Do you recognize this face? You’ve no doubt seen it thousands of times. His first job was selling guidebooks in Disneyland. You probably missed seeing him there, but he gained more attention as a writer for the Smothers Brothers PUBLIC DOMAIN Comedy Hour in the 1960s. It’s no wonder he was chosen as one of the first hosts on Saturday Night Live. He went on to star in a slew of movies, including one with SNL comrades Chevy Chase and Martin Short. His name is on the bottom of this page.

7 1 9 4 5

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Solution to Crossword:

C A P S D I B S A L A B U T B A A V O W R E D O M I C A A D Copyright Syndicate O M E T I P R I 2022 O Rby TheSPuzzle A N O N L E V E E A R T B U S I N E S S M P E R I O D I C W A V E P R I N T E R L U S T D O M I N E N T E R T A I N E D R E I N S N E A P R O F A N I T Y O D M O O D O R A V E D U R G E R I N U R E S T A B E M I M E R

P R O M

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Solution to Sudoku:

2 4 7 9 5 1 8 6 3

5 3 1 4 8 6 9 2 7

8 9 6 3 2 7 5 4 1

4 6 8 5 1 3 2 7 9

3 7 5 8 9 2 6 1 4

9 1 2 7 6 4 3 5 8

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Guess Who: Among many honors, Steve Martin has received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center Honors, and an AFI Life Achievement Award.

www.nowmagazines.com

SUDOKU

WeatherfordNOW February 2022

1 8

Hoopla: Spotlighting North Texans 50 And Better

March 2022