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Hoopla May 2021

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Azle husband, wife perform throughout the Metroplex as Hippies Gone Silver Also inside: Parker County’s historical archives get a new home Western Hills educator helps hungry families throughout year

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

Spring Creek Musical includes teen bluegrass group The next Spring Creek Musical will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 14. Performances include BJ Davidson, Clark Weddle, Dan Gooley, Stewart DeSteiguer and Five Dusty Strings, a group of five teenage bluegrass musicians. The monthly event is held at 104 Spring Creek Road, just south of Weatherford. The tabernacle offers open air seating, so dress appropriately. As always, admission is free.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SPRING CREEK MUSICAL

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Hoopla May 2021

Volume 5, Issue 5

© 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. Cover: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-vector/grunge.

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For more information or to schedule an appointment: Janet Standifer, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, CDP, CADDCT Certified Dementia Trainer & Consultant janet@jstandiferconsulting.com | (817) 901-4658

“To increase knowledge is to improve care.”

Cynthia Henry

Contributors

Lara Cook • Bob DeLaurentis • John English Rick Mauch • Mary H. McDow • Neil Sperry Janet Standifer • Dick Wolfsie

Copy Editor

Jean Henderson

May 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Hippies Gone Silver Husband and wife spread happiness everywhere they perform by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent Duane Johnson and his wife Mary Lynn are proud to be hippies. But don’t call them old. The Azle couple prefers the term silver, as in the name of their band, Hippies Gone Silver. “Well, we are of the original 60s/70s hippies. We are hippies whose hair has gone silver,” Mary Lynn explained. “When we retired from our ‘real’ jobs we thought it would be fun to perform again as a duo. We are loving it so much. We have fun. What more could we ask?” What more indeed? For Duane, it’s a continuation of a love affair with music that began when he first started playing guitar at the age of 10. “My brother put his guitar up in the closet before going into the Air Force and told mom not to let anyone touch it. When everyone was gone out of the house I would go into the closet and get that guitar down and put my fingers where I had memorized my brother putting his to play the chords,” Duane recalled. “By the time my mom caught me, I had figured out how to play ‘The Old Gray Mare.’ She came in the room and said, ‘Duane! I didn’t know you could play! You have to show your dad when he gets home!’ I’ve been playing ever since.” Mary Lynn’s history as a musician doesn’t go back as far. In fact, it started at the prompting of Duane when they still lived in Minnesota and were newlyweds. “When Duane and I had been married a couple of years we bought a bass guitar. Duane showed me how to play three chords, put me on stage with a country band he was in, and that’s where I pretty much learned to play,” she recollected with a laugh.

COURTESY

Duane and Mary Lynn Johnson “After playing bass about four years, I switched to a six-string acoustic guitar. We formed a band called Sundance and played around Minnesota. We spent nine years playing a variety of rock ‘n’ roll and country music of the 50s, 60s and 70s in bands before quitting to get ‘real’ jobs and raise our family.” Now the kids are grown, and while Duane and Mary Lynn have retired from their respective ca-

reers, they’re doing what they’ve always loved – playing the music that inspired them through life. Both sing, Duane is lead guitarist, and Mary Lynn accompanies him playing rhythm guitar. “We perform the music we grew up on and performed in our early years, the music we love – rock ‘n’ roll and country music of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. We even throw in a polka and waltz here and See HIPPIES, P. 4

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

HIPPIES From Page 3

there,” Mary Lynn said, adding that they’ve even tried their hand at writing – once. “We wrote one song and performed it back in the day, but no, we are not song writers,” she said with a smile. Duane and Mary Lynn grew up about 10 miles from each other near Mora, Minnesota. Although their dads had worked together for a time, they didn’t meet until after high school. “We met in March, started dating in May, moved in together in July, got married in October, and here we are going strong 48 years later,” Mary Lynn said. They moved to Fort Worth almost four decades ago – in true hippie fashion. “In 1984 we said, ‘There has to be more to life than Minnesota.’ Being the hippies we were, we opened up a map, pointed to Texas and said, it’s got to be warmer there, and Texas has to be fun!” she said. “So we sold everything we had – which wasn’t much – and moved to Fort Worth, with our three little kids ages 9, 8 and 4.” Duane, 69, is retired after working 27 years in the Azle School District in maintenance. Mary Lynn, 66, worked in senior living, most years as an activity director, along with being an assisted living executive director. Their daughter, Sheri Lopez, is a professional artist. She specializes in murals. Their son, Ryan Johnson, is assistant chief engineer with City Center Management in downtown Ft. Worth. Another daughter, Dana Pollard, is a realtor at Dana Pollard Group in Southlake and is also a pastor at Grace For Eternity Church. They also have eight grandchildren ranging in ages from 22 to 8. And, of course, like their parents and grandparents, they are musical. “Yes, we have a pretty musical family. Most everyone plays instruments and sings, and we have some very talented songwriters in the family,” Mary Lynn said. Sheri, in fact, custom painted her mother’s guitar, designing it specifically for her “hippie girl momma.” “It represents me perfectly!” Mary Lynn said with excitement. Both Duane and Mary Lynn came from somewhat musical families of their own. “My dad played some guitar and he was good on the harmonica. My mom played some piano. When I was young, my older brother would come pick me up from the home place and take me to the local bar to play with him so he could get gas

COURTESY

Hippies Gone Silver performs throughout the region. Follow them on Facebook for performance dates. money,” Duane said. “He played accordion, I played guitar. I liked it because I got paid, too.” Mary Lynn grew up singing in church. Often she would sing duets with her dad. “He had a wonderful tenor voice. Some of my sisters and brothers sang, too. I took piano lessons when I was young, but I didn’t stick with that because I would mix reading music with my own feel of the music,” she said. “My teacher didn’t like that and would make me do it over. I got frustrated and quit. “I play some piano by ear at home. Duane plays piano at home, too, much better than I do. Everything Duane does is by ear. He doesn’t know a lick of music theory, notes, or anything else. It all just

naturally comes out of him. He’s amazing.” The two are ramping up and playing again after the COVID-19 pandemic slowed them down. They regularly play at Mas Salsa Tex-Mex Restaurant, west of Springtown. “We are currently seeking more opportunities to play at establishments that want fun, live music. We also enjoy going into senior living facilities to entertain. They love hearing our upbeat music,” Mary Lynn said. “It brings back many wonderful memories for them.” Being hippies, they are always open to new ideas, so when they are not performing music or being loving grandparents, their hobbies cover a wide variety.

May 2021

“Actually, we will try just about anything we think of,” Mary Lynn said. Duane built a cedar table and benches for Mary Lynn from scratch. He took cedar logs and milled them using his chain saw. They built and painted their own Hippie Peace Chair. They wanted a covered area in their yard to hang out and have jam sessions, so they built what they call “The Hippie Shack” using old telephone poles, used wood pallets, leftover pavers, and salvaged roof tin. The only new products were planks for the roof decking and beams. They also made some tables for the Hippie Shack out of used whiskey barrels. “It’s a great hang-out place that we very much enjoy,” Mary Lynn said. Mary Lynn loves cooking with cast iron – especially over an open fire outside. She has a 10-gallon cast iron pot in which she loves to cook campfire stew in for a crowd. “We have also been known to pop a big pot of popcorn in it, too. And

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

n See Them Live Friday and Saturday, May 14 - 15 6-9 pm. Mas Salsa Tex-Mex Restaurant 5500 W. Hwy 199 (west of Springtown) there’s nothing better than my homemade pizzas made in my 17-inch cast iron skillet,” she said. “Our family gatherings are always full of lots of music, good food, fun, and laughter.” And now that they are back to performing regularly, they have no intentions of stopping anytime soon. “Our goal is to provide fun, upbeat musical entertainment for as many people as we can for as long as we can,” Mary Lynn said. “We love music and we love entertaining – we do what we love and we love what we do.”

COURTESY

Mary Lynn loves cooking over a campfire out by The Hippie Shack.

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Crossword

Baked Lemon Donuts Yield: One dozen 2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup buttermilk 2 eggs 2 tablespoons butter, melted 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon zest Lemon Sugar Topping: 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 cup butter, melted 1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. 3. Add buttermilk, eggs, butter, lemon juice, vanilla extract and lemon zest. Stir until combined. 4. Pipe batter into donut pan. 5. Bake 9 minutes. Cool on wire rack. 6. To make topping: In bowl, combine sugar with lemon zest. In separate bowl, place melted butter. 7. Place donut face down in melted butter then face down in lemon sugar topping. Repeat with all donuts.

(Puzzle solution is on P. 16)

May 2021

by Margie E. Burke

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Fare with chips 14 15 16 5 Eighty-six 18 19 9 Tiresome ones 17 14 Storybook start 22 20 21 15 Vicinity 23 24 25 16 Cooking smell 17 Way off 28 29 26 27 18 Burro, for one 20 Mail from a 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 sweetheart 39 40 41 37 38 22 Horse's stride 23 Musical 44 45 46 42 43 composition 47 48 49 50 24 For the most part 26 Pay no heed to 51 52 53 54 28 Place to wash 55 56 57 58 59 60 up 30 Word with bang 61 63 62 or band 65 66 31 Striking success 64 33 Harder to find 68 69 67 37 In a dead heat 39 Food on a stick Copyright 2021 by The Puzzle Syndicate 41 Etna output 42 Make a copy 68 Peppy 12 Modern 45 Nicholas II, for 44 Send money 69 Office furnishing message one 46 Con's confines 13 Like French fries 48 Paper purchase 47 Hitchcock clasDOWN 19 Weapons 50 Warned, sic, with "The" 1 Farm young 21 Artificial bait cat-style 49 Hanes product 2 Part of FYI, 25 Cause of 51 Street talk 51 Put on hold briefly inflation? 52 Kind of roll 54 Restrained 3 Type of hunt 26 Alpine goat 53 Fluid 55 Valuable deposit 4 Regarding this 27 Hand over accumulation 56 Holds oneself point 28 "___ in Toyland" 54 Use choice accountable 5 CD player's 29 Molecular bit words 61 Weather station ancestor 32 Cooking fat 57 Famed loch gadget 6 Speak from a 34 Like some 58 Escalator part 63 Place soapbox questions 59 Redding on the 64 Bedouin, for one 7 Religious faction 35 At any point radio 65 Airtight closure 8 Japanese wine 36 Carry on 60 Stink to high 66 Buffalo's lake 9 Put an end to 38 Duke or Earl heaven 67 Word before 10 One of a kind 40 With resentment 62 Eccentric slam or piano 11 Ancient numerals 43 Half of XXVIII

May 2021

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

Surprised to see me? Please call to confirm. People always act surprised to see me. Not happy to see me — just surprised. This started back when I was young. I remember walking home from elementary school and coming in the door about 3 p.m. My mother would say, “Oh dear, are you home already?” I must have lived closer to school than I thought. During the years when I was on TV every morning, people who ran into me at the supermarket seemed shocked. “Dick Wolfsie! What are you doing here?” I had a list of answers that began with eggs, bread, and 2 percent milk. The staff at my dentist’s office was stunned to see me the other day, but I can’t figure out why. True, I had not been to the dentist in a year due to COVID, but I made an appointment in January

pointment. Could you call us back and let us know if we have been successful in embarrassing you into not missing your check-up?” I returned the call, but I got their answering machine, so I left a message: “Hi, this is Dick Wolfsie and first I want to say that I can’t wait to see all of you again. Could you please call me back to confirm that you got my message confirming that I will be there? If I don’t hear from you, I’m not going to bother driving all the way over there.” Of course, the dental office called me back, but I wasn’t home. They left a message: “Dick, this is June at Dr. James’ office. Yes, yes, we expect you. But, please confirm you got this message, which confirms we received your last message, confirming you will be here. We can’t wait to dig away at that plaque.” As you can see, this could have

Carry On by Dick Wolfsie Humorist for late March, assuming I would be vaccinated by then. Ten minutes after I made that appointment, I got a text asking me to confirm the date. Then, two weeks ago came a postcard in the mail reminding me that at 2 o’clock on Wednesday, March 31, I was to see Dr. James about my pearly off-whites. Then a few days before the appointment date, I received both an email and a text on my phone, all not-so-subtle hints to be sure I arrived at my scheduled time. And for good measure, I also got a message on my answering machine that morning. “Hi, this is Yolanda from Dr. James’ office. We are confirming your ap-

gone on indefinitely, so I just decided to show up. I walked into the office, sat down on the couch and started flipping through pamphlets featuring horrifying photos of people with gum disease. The receptionist finally noticed me. “Oh, if it isn’t Dick Wolfsie! What a nice surprise! We are always so happy to see you. Are you on today’s schedule?” Right after my dental appointment I checked my phone and there was already a text message from Dr. James’ office confirming my next appointment that I had just made…for August. When I got back to my house, I opened the front door and there was Mary Ellen. “Oh, it’s you again” she said. After 42 years, at least there are no surprises.

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

Tech Talk: How to manage your photo collection by Bob DeLaurentis Guest Columnist

services like Dropbox and Google Drive can also be helpful. Especially when copying the photos off of older devices. Shoebox storage has been good enough for family But if the cloud is not an option, traditional alternatives such as an external disk drive, a USB jump photos for generations. Then came the explosion of digital photography and smartphone cameras in our drive, or a computer, are your only choices. Unfortunately, the older the device, the more chalpockets. Because photo management software has evolved lenging it can be to copy the photos off of it. If a device is old enough, you may slowly over the last decade, you may need to rescue photos from older devices. And although newer need expert assistance. devices are bundled with photo management tools, With all the possible they may not be set up for maximum advantage. combinations of hardware and software, you The key to a good digital shoebox is that it stores may need to try a few all your photos in one place. The three best choices for digital shoeboxes are Apple Photo Library, Google different approaches to find one that works for Photos, and Adobe Lightroom CC (Creative Cloud). you. The cloud options built-in to these tools is so useful that they should be a key part of your workflow If you have access to a whenever possible. Mac, try attaching it to the device with an appropriate cable. Apple iCloud Photo Library is the best choice for All Macs have an app named “Immost people. It requires at least one Apple device, age Capture” already installed that may and there is a modest monthly fee for online storage recognize the device and offer to move the space. However, once established, you can upload images onto the Mac. photos from just about any device, including Android. You can also upload photos from any Mac or In that case, the only other thing you will need is Windows computer. Log in to your iCloud account enough storage space. I recommend using an external hard drive or a large USB jump drive to store the with a Web browser to upload files. images. Image Capture will permit you to choose a Google Photos is also excellent, but it requires an destination folder for the images it copies. always-on Internet connection. On the plus side, it If you have access to a Windows computer, try the may be less expensive for larger collections, and it can also accept photos from Android, Windows, and File Explorer/Windows Explorer app to copy the images off of the device. Apple devices. The point is that mixing and matching device Adobe Lightroom CC is a bit more complex, and types can work. Most devices will connect with both may be a bit more expensive in the long term. Mac and Windows computers. Less useful than photo management tools, cloud

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Without a cloud connection or a computer, the options narrow sharply. The latest iPhone and iPad models can use a standard USB drive to move files between them, but most older models do not. For older iOS devices, consider SanDisk iXpand drives. Android models are more flexible when moving files, although moving from Android to iPhone/iPad will require Wi-Fi networking and Apple’s “Move to Android” app from the Google Play Store. PhotoStick (along with its counterpart PhotoStick Mobile) is a specialized USB jump drive that will automatically copy all the images it finds. This approach makes it very simple to use, but there is always a chance that it will not find all the images. Do not assume it will work perfectly. There are no error messages if it skips an image. It will be up to you to confirm the your image collection is complete. I want to leave you with a few words of encouragement amid these many options and cautions. There are few things more precious than family photos. This should be a one-time project. It will take time and expense to set up your digital shoebox, but once complete there are plenty of benefits. Your photos will be searchable, backed up automatically, and easy to share via email and social media. Perhaps best of all, they will protect your memories for future generations. Bob has written about technology for over three decades and can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.

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May 2021

Happy Mother’s Day

H N R E T S G N I V I G C L L E T U N A F R A I D I A O R O L E P R E C I O U S R O A E V P A R E V A R B T E C E C V A F C O N B L E S S E D S H I B U H T P E E U G R E A T E T L L I E S S R L N V H I N R R E U N C E T T R O E O K E I O L F G T L B E T R V P I I S P B R N I F E E A T U E N T H P A E I V L D W I S E T D A E U R D Z E E T S E N O H I P D S O N A F S G N I T O D U O R P M O M U S L H E A R T F E L T E W A T C H F U L A N R E T A M

Find The Hidden Message

Enter To Win A Pedicure at a Salon Near You!

Win a pedicure!

o celebrate Mother’s Day, a Hide-N-Seek puzzle has been designed for Hoopla readers by Dr. Morris Maniscalco of Hudson Oaks. This puzzle consists of 38 adjectives expressing characteristics of mothers. When the puzzle is complete, there will be unused letters. The puzzle designer has hidden two adjectives. When the unused letters are read from left to right and from top to bottom, the two identifying traits are revealed. To enter a drawing for a pedicure at a salon near you, write the hidden words in the form below and mail it to Hoopla Magazine, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, TX 76086 or email seniors@hoopla magazine.com START BY FINDING THESE WORDS IN THE PUZZLE: Amazing Cares Doting Honest Memorable Selfless Teaching Wonderful Beloved Cherished Giving Hope Patient Stern Trust Best Cool Great

Kind Precious Strong Unafraid Blessed Dear Heartfelt Lovable Protective Supportive Watchful Brave Devoted Helpful Maternal Proud Sweet Wise

Name:___________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Hidden Words: ________________ and ________________

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

m B i h

p P c b z

C 2 p o a b t d m

h n o s “ t t b

COURTESY

A unique view of the Parker County Historical Commission’s new space, taken by Donna McCauley through a side window. The courthouse is reflected in the window.

a t t S i o t l t t g t a

May 2021

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

History coming to life Parker County’s historical archives moving to old Citizens Bank location

by Rick Mauch Hoopla Correspondent The Parker County Historical Commission is moving into some new digs. But then, it just wouldn’t seem right if the new home didn’t have a piece of history connected to it, would it? After all, that’s what the PCHC does, preserve the history and culture of Parker County. So what better place to call home now than one of the oldest buildings in Weatherford, the old Citizens Bank on the square, built in 1882? Parker County historian Donna McCauley, a member of the PCHC since 2017, said she and her group, a nonprofit organization (they operate solely on private donations and fundraising), are waiting on the finishing touches to be put on and then they will move into their new home. She noted that it is indeed a most appropriate place for their mission. “We are thankful for this beautiful historical building, and for us to fiCitizens National Bank on Weatherford’s courthouse square in 1882. nally have a place we can have everyone to come in and do research and The Parker County Historical Comdisplay all of its archives so people can see historical items,” McCauley said. mission is an arm of the local county come in, sit down at tables and re“The PCHC will be on the west side of search. They will also have archive regovernment and the State of Texas, the first floor. The entrance will be at cord books from the 1880s. and its members are appointed by the double doors on the left side of the county commissioners. “We are hoping later we could put building.” McCauley said it is simply important a few museum items in, but the space The PCHC was established in 1956, for people to know about the history of is still kind of small to have big items. and ever since members have devoted where they live. We will be mostly archive records,” Mcthemselves to preserving Parker Coun“People know what happened in the Cauley said. ty’s history for all to see and learn from. past by looking at things from the past, Among recent additions are Parker Some of the programs the Commission including sources like books, newsCounty Sheriff Department archive implements include the preservation papers, letters and artifacts,” she said. records. of area cemeteries, identification, pro- “Family members have the opportuniMcCauley noted that along with the tection and maintenance of historic ty to look up history about their family. preservation work comes some special locations, while providing information “Through history, we can learn how memories and stories. to the public and educational institupast societies, systems, governments, “All of them are interesting,” she betions on Parker County’s legacy. The gan. “My favorite would be about the cultures and technologies were built, group also researchs historical locahow they operated, and how they have Curtis mines. Carl Curtis spent many tions, applies for historical markers, years digging tunnels all over Weatherchanged.” and helps others apply for markers. ford – I think about three miles – lookIn their new home, the PCHC will

COURTESY

ing for hidden gold. He fell ill for a few months and later passed. The story lives on. Supposedly, $12 million in gold was hidden by Santa Anna somewhere south of Weatherford around the time of the Texas Revolution. “We will never know if he found the gold – but the family did donate a lot of land for a Curtis cemetery.” And, as time goes on, more stories will emerge for future generations. That, McCauley said, is why continuing the work of the PCHC is important. “We have a wonderful group of people that is with the Parker County historical commission,” she said. “As a group we work very hard preserving the history of Parker County.”

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

Covering the bases Former Western Hills

scorekeeper organizes food drive for students by John English Hoopla Correspondent When a winter weather event hit North Texas in mid-February, Patty Pressley went to work. The West Fort Worth resident serves as Executive Director of the Western Hills High School Cougar COURTESY Pride Foundation, and when inclement weather Patty Pressley and her team have been building food bags for students since Christmas of December 2017. took out power and shut down schools and businesses for several days, she knew her organization had to act. WHHS), and student volunteers would build food WHHS alum) and Yorkie, Alfie, have lived in Fort “During the ice storm, many of the faculty and bags each week to hand out to our student famiWorth most of their lives. counselors, as well as myself, were getting messages lies, which included a bag of groceries with hygiene Her devotion to helping others started years ago, from students saying that they didn’t have water and but was really put to the test this last year as the CO- products and toilet paper. We did this from March food,” Pressley said. “Some of the faculty organized through July of 2020—every week, multiple locaVID-19 outbreak placed the communities to which who needed what, and made a route. We made tions.” she and her organization provide assistance in dire sandwich sack lunches for those with no power, purPressley and her fellow alums started the Couneed. chased water and gave out food gar Pride Foundation in 2017 when the city of Fort “When the pandemic began bags—we used everything we had Worth was trying to revitalize the west side, includlast March, our students were ing the area around Las Vegas Trail where many to give.” ending Spring Break,” Pressley Western Hills students live. Pressley, 57, who moved to Fort said. “Twice a year (Christmas The area used to be military housing for Carswell Worth from the Rio Grande Valand Spring Break), we build over Air Force Base, but when the base closed, the area ley in 1976, is a 1982 graduate of 350 food bags for those students began to decline. Western Hills High School, where that might need help with food Two weeks before their 35-year reunion, Pressley she played soccer and was on the over the week-long break.” cheer leading squad. But providing for others during and her friends began thinking of ways to help the school and its students. She was also the scorekeeper for the Coronavirus pandemic pro“The Chairman of our board, also my dear friend the Cougars baseball team all four vided its own set of challenges. and classmate, Shawn Doherty, and I had no ideas years of high school. “I started shopping like crazy,” on what to do,” Pressley said. “So two other board “Baseball is my passion and has Pressley said. “I’d go to five or six members, also my classmates, Karen Lindsey Landbeen since I was in the second stores every day to find enough on and Saralyn Vance Carrillo, and I attended the grade,” Pressley said. “I never miss food to build food bags. Stores first Las Vegas Trail Revitalization meeting just days Opening Day at the Ballpark. I’m a had set limits almost immediafter our reunion. huge Rangers fan.” ately. We took all of the food out “The moment I heard the coaches from Western RALPH LAUER Pressley, along with her long of Cougar Corner (a food pantry Patty with her dog Alfie. See PRESSLEY, P. 13 time partner Ralph (a fellow the foundation established at

May 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

PRESSLEY From Page 12

Hills speak on students who were hungry, I knew what we needed to do. We needed to feed these kids and help them in any way we could.” Western Hills football coach Blake Moilan said that Pressley has been a Godsend to the Cougars athletics program. “Patty and the Cougar foundation have been instrumental in helping our kids at Western Hills,” Moilan said. “The access to food for all of our students, including our athletes, has proven to be a huge factor in the way that our kids are being fueled. They now do not go home hungry and don’t have to wait until the following day at school to eat. Our kids call her their ‘school mom,’ and she loves everyone one of them. Her love and support for our kids is unwavering.” Pressley and the foundation started by procuring freezers for the boys and girls field houses, along with microwaves and frozen meals. “Any student who was hungry or who had no food to go home to could

come by and get something to eat,” Pressley said. It blossomed into additional freezers and microwaves in the gym and band hall and eventually a renovated building that houses a clothing and shoe closet, along with a food pantry. Pressley said that while there are many accomplishments she is proud of, providing food, water and hygiene products during the pandemic may be the most rewarding. She also has no intention of slowing down any time soon. “My proud moment as a ‘school mom’ is that these students are learning how to give back,” Pressley said. “They always want to do the heavy lifting or help build lunch sacks for sports and student organizations. We have many volunteers who build food bags and hold food drives. I am anticipating how much I will miss this senior class. We have learned a lot together. But as someone recently said to me, there is another group of students coming in who will fill my time.”

COURTESY

Tiffany Bils (alumni) and student volunteers prepping lunch sacks.

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

n Live Theatre Is Back!

THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY

by Jones, Hope and Wooten Popcorn Players 114 Porter Dr, Azle Ticket Info: 817-238-7529 Tentative Dates: June 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 Synopsis: In this delightful, laugha-minute comedy, four unique Southern women, all needing to escape the sameness of their day-today routines, are drawn together by Fate – and an impromptu happy hour – and decide it’s high time to reclaim the enthusiasm for life they’ve lost through the years.

BOB: A LIFE IN FIVE ACTS

by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb Theatre Off the Square 114 N Denton St., Weatherford Ticket Info: 817-341-8687 Tentative Dates: June 4 – June 20 Synopsis: Bob takes an epic journey across America and encounters inspiring generosity, crushing hardships, blissful happiness, stunning coincidences, wrong turns, lucky breaks, true love and heartbreaking loss. It’s a comedic exploration of mythology, values, the treacherous pursuit of happiness, and discovering what it means to be truly “great.”

A SOLITARY MAN – THE MUSIC OF NEIL DIAMOND

Off Broadway Casa Manana 3101 W Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth Ticket Info: 817-332-2272 Tentative Dates: June 15 – June 19 Synopsis: Selling over 10 million records world-wide with 38 top 10 hits, Neil Diamond’s career has spanned six decades and reaped dozens of awards. Enjoy cocktails served tableside, while you listen to your favorites, intertwined with stories about this remarkable artist.

DANCING DREAM: A TRIBUTE SHOW TO ABBA

Granbury Theatre Company Granbury Opera House 133 E. Pearl St., Granbury Ticket Info: 817-579-0952 Tentative Dates: May 14-15 Synopsis: This tribute to the greatest pop supergroup from Sweden electrifies audiences of all ages with hits like “Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance,” “Fernando,” and many more. Take a nostalgic trip back to the glitz and glamour of the 70s.

Thank you, Parker County! Honored As

Business of the Year by East Parker County Chamber of Commerce

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plus Chips and 16 oz. drink (Regularly over $10)

When it comes to BBQ, there’s a new legend in town! 1921 South Main Street Weatherford

Valid thru May 31, 2021 at Baker’s Ribs Weatherford, Texas

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May 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Help protect your family’s inheritance to a Roth IRA over your lifetime, so your You might contribute to your IRA for decades to help pay for your retirement. heirs would receive the Roth IRA. They But if you don’t need all the money, you would still be required to withdraw the may want to leave what’s left to your assets within 10 years, but unlike with children or grandchildren. However, if a traditional IRA, Roth IRA withdrawyou want to ensure they get the most als are generally tax-free. These confrom this inheritance, you’ll need to do versions are taxable, so you’ll want to UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS LIBRARIES some planning. consult your tax professional in addition Here’s a little background: Up until a to your financial advisor, to determine if couple of years ago, when you left the this strategy can help you achieve your The “Ben Hur” motor car is shown on Mesquite Street in Mineral Wells. This new and proceeds of your IRA to your benefilegacy goals. ciaries, they could choose to “stretch” larger gasoline-powered car joined two “dinky cars” (named Esther and Susie) on the Another option is required withMineral Wells Lakewood Park and Scenic Railway in 1908. The railway ceased operato purchase life insurdrawals over a long tion in 1909. It is said that Mineral Wells was probably one of the few cities in the United ance, which can proStates which had gasoline-powered street cars. It has been reasonably conjectured that period, based on their life expecvide a specific dollar the “dinky cars” had been developed from gasoline-powered inspection cars that the tancies. These amount to your heirs railroad used to maintain its tracks. One of the boys shown standing beside it is said to required withby Mary H. McDow or be used to help covbe Russell Whatley of local automobile fame. The Scenic Railway, on which the “dinky drawals were Edward Jones Adviser er additional taxes. cars” operated, was owned by banker Cicero Smith and Ed Dismuke, owner of the generally taxable, This may be especially Famous Mineral Water Company. It carried passengers every quarter-hour from Mineral so this “stretch IRA” allowed your benadvantageous if you are 72 or older, in eficiaries to greatly reduce the annual Wells around the south flank of West Mountain to the recreation area of Lake Pinto. A good health, and taking withdrawals – taxes due, while benefiting from longer round trip fare was 15 cents. technically called required minimum tax-deferred growth potential. And the distributions – from your retirement youngerby theMargie beneficiary,E. theBurke longer the Edited accounts, such as your traditional IRA life expectancy and the lower the with(Puzzle solution is on P. 16.) and your 401(k). If you don’t really need Difficulty: Easy drawals, so this technique would have the money, you can use these withdrawbeen especially valuable for your grandals to pay for some or all of the insurance children or even great-grandchildren. Changes in laws affecting retirement premiums. Life insurance can’t replace accounts have significantly limited the an IRA as a means to save for retirement, stretch IRA strategy. Now, most nonthough, so you should consult with your spouse beneficiaries must withdraw all financial advisor to make sure you are assets from the IRA within 10 years of working toward all your goals. the IRA owner’s death. The beneficiary In any case, if you have a sizable IRA generally does not have to take out any or you don’t need the funds that you’re money during that 10-year period, but at required to take from your retirement the end of it, the entire balance must be accounts, you may want to start thinkwithdrawn – and that could result in a ing about what you want to do with the pretty big tax bill. money. The more thorough your legacy The stretch IRA strategy can still be used for surviving spouses, beneficiaries planning, the better your chances of meeting your legacy goals. who are no more than 10 years younger than the deceased IRA owner, and beneficiaries who are chronically ill or disabled. Minor children of the original account owner are also eligible for a stretch IRA – but only until they reach the age of majority, at which time the 10(Answer appears elseyear rule applies. where in this issue) This article was written by Edward So, if you want to leave your IRA to Jones for use by your local Edward family members who don’t meet any of Jones Financial Adviser, Mary H. the above exceptions, what can you do? McDow, 102 Houston Ave., Suite 203, One possibility is a Roth IRA conversion. You could convert a traditional IRA 817-598-0882. Member SPIC

The ‘Ben Hur’

May 2021

Money Matters

nSUDOKU Sudoku 4

8 3 2 1 4 8 2 6 7 1

4 9 7

9 2 1 8 4 3 6 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: Karen Cook Last position and school: 4th grade teacher, Austin Elementary,Weatherford Years active: 1968-1974 and 1990-2010 (I was off for the years between because our family lived in Taiwan serving as Southern Baptist foreign missionaries.) What is something valuable you learned from your students? Learning is fun, especially when they are learning from each other out of their various experiences! If you hadn’t become an educator, what profession would you have chosen? This is so funny because as a child, I wanted to be a chiropractor. My dad went for adjustments which helped him so much. In high school I worked with my mother typing the information on newcomers that moved into Weatherford that went into a newsletter for local businesses. I thought I’d love to be a secretary and work in an office from that experience, too. Favorite and least favorite subject (as a student): Favorite: Geography and Math (elementary). English (high school). What’s your favorite thing about retirement: 1) Availability and time to volunteer. 2) Walking my dog two times a day for exercise. I get to know many of my neighbors. I can take time to stop and chat. We live in such a busy and COVID-scared society today. It’s nice to walk, relax and enjoy our surroundings and our neighbors. Favorite pasttimes: Volunteering, singing in my church choir, and researching ancestry.

May 2021

n Highly-Anticipated BookSUDOKU Releases - May 2021 THE LAST GREEN VALLEY: A NOVEL

BY MARK SULLIVAN

This historical novel is inspired by one family’s incredible story of daring, survival, and triumph. In 1944, as Stalin’s forces push into Ukraine, Emil and Adeline Martel must make a terrible decision: Do they wait for the Soviet bear’s intrusion and risk being sent to Siberia? Or do they reluctantly follow the wolves—murderous Nazi officers who have pledged to protect “pure-blood” Germans? THE ONES WE’RE MEANT TO FIND

BY JOAN HE

Cee has been trapped on an abandoned island for three years and seventeen days without any recollection of how she arrived, or memories from her life prior. All she knows is that somewhere out there, beyond the horizon, she has a sister named Kay. Determined

toDifficulty: find her, Easy Cee devotes her days to building a boat from junk parts scavenged inland, doing everything in her power to survive until the day she gets off the island and reunites with her sister.

8 3 2 1 4 THE SOULMATE EQUATION 8 2 6 Jess Davis is a data and statistics wizard, but no 7 1 amount of number crunching

BY CHRISTINA LAUREN

9 2 1 8 4 3 6

can convince her to step back into the dating world until she hears about GeneticAlly, a new DNA-based matchmaking company. Finding a soulmate through DNA? The reliability of numbers: This Jess understands.Until her test shows an unheard-of 98% compatibility with a stuck-up man she already knows.

4 9 7

n Find The Frog Nancy Richards of Weatherford found him. Did you? The frog on page 10 of the April edition. It is on the far right of the picture of the Community Caring staff and volunteers. Nancy will receive a $25 gift certificate to Baker’s Ribs. 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:

F O A L

I N F O

I B E X

G I V E

S C A V E N G E R

S L A N G

H O N O R

E D E M A

H T A E R P E L E T U D O R E E C K N O X B I R L V E E A M O M A D N D

O R A T E

S E C T

L A R D

B A B E S

N E S S

S T E P

S A K A E R M A S T O B M I T S T W E E R A L R Y

B O R E A R O M N I M A G A I A I N L I N R A R E L A V T P E S H I R A I D R S F O S I T E R I D E S

S A L T Y R A N T R E E K

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:

6 9 2 1 7 4 5 3 8

4 7 1 8 3 5 6 9 2

3 8 5 2 9 6 4 7 1

2 3 4 6 1 8 7 5 9

8 1 9 4 5 7 2 6 3

5 6 7 9 2 3 1 8 4

1 2 8 5 6 9 3 4 7

9 5 3 7 4 2 8 1 6

7 4 6 3 8 1 9 2 5

May 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

ignore God’s conditions and still be blessed along with everyone else, but Edited by Margie E. Burke it didn’t turn out too good for him. Instead, no one got blessed because of him. by Lara Cook North Side Sometimes we do this same thing HOW TO SOLVE: Baptist Church to ourselves. We pray, and we wait, Each row mustwondering what is taking God so long. We want His blessings, but we contain the numbers don’t want to follow His rules, or at least not ALL His rules. Our disobe1 to 9; each column dience will stop the work of God contain Take care lest must you forget the Lord the in our lives. Disobedience to God your God by not keeping his comnumbers 1 to 9; and causes an obstacle between us and mandments and his rules and his set 3 byGod 3 and receiving His blessings. It statutes, which I each command youof today brings judgement into our lives and -- Deuteronomyboxes 8:11 must contain

Life in Grace

Take care 8

9 2 Have you everthefeltnumbers like you are 1 to 9. own worst enemy? We expect 8your blessings to rain(Answer down, andappears when elsedon’t, we often fail toinsee thatissue) where this 4 they we are the obstacle to making our own lives better. The story of the of 6battle 5Ai is a story from the book of Joshua that teaches us a lot about

how we can make some self-defeating choices in our own lives. Israel was seeing military victories, one after the other, just as the Lord had promised them. However, after the battle of Jericho, one man, Achan, broke their agreement with God.

And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. -- Joshua 6:17. Achan kept some of the loot from Jericho for himself, going againstGod’s agreement with them. God was the only one who knew that Achan had taken the things and buried them under his tent floor. Therefore, God judged them by not giving them the next victory, Ai. Joshua did not understand, and he cried out to God. God explained why they had not been given that victory. Achan thought that he could

trips us up so that we are thrown off track. Obedience will not necessarily earn us God’s special favor – He expects it of us! But it will certainly place us in a position to receive the blessings God has planned for us. Achieving victory in our lives is easier than maintaining victory. Disobedience and sin are deal breakers in our own personal covenant with God and will keep victory at bay. Just like Israel, we often lose battles to our Ai. Have you looked under your tent and seen what you have buried that you know God has said you should not have? We tend

to hand our idols over to God – except that one – the one that we don’t want to let go of completely. The things that we cling to that we know we should not, do not bring lasting joy, only lasting guilt. So, are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Turn it over completely to Him today to receive the victory and abundant life He will give in return. No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. -- Joshua 1:5

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021

Prepare to be dazzled! As we go to press, 2021 has been tumultuous in the lives of gardeners in these parts. Extreme cold. Late cold. Who knows what’s to come next! But eternal optimists that we gardeners are, we look toward our future knowing that great things are probably about to happen. Plant • New lawngrass from sod, plugs, seed or by hydromulching. Know the best type for your needs. Do your research before you start planting. • Summer color. Best plants include copper plant, firebush, lantana, angelonia, fanflower, pentas, periwinkles (Cora series), zinnias (Profusion or Z. linearis), moss rose, hybrid purslane, Gold Star esperanza and others. Be sure to include color plants in pots on your balcony or patio. It’s an easy way to enjoy gardening even when space is limited. • Nursery stock. Supplies are limited due to all the replacing folks have been doing after the cold. Buy from local independent retail garden centers where you can find accurate information for our soils and our climate. Prune • Remove dead and damaged branches from shrubs. Winter damage can be removed now. If a plant hasn’t offered to put out new growth, it’s not going to do so from this point on. • Lower branches from shade trees if they’re casting excessive shade or blocking lines of sight

NEIL SPERRY

Bloodleaf is perfect for patio and poolside pots. along roadways. • Mow lawn at recommended height and mow regularly. Mowing discourages weed growth and keeps turf growing low and dense, better able to crowd out weeds that do try to start.

food each time that you water them. Supplement that with encapsulated timed-release food.

Fertilize • All-nitrogen fertilizer with upwards of half of that N in slowrelease form to promote steady regrowth of plants that were hurt by the cold. Repeat every 6-8 weeks this summer. • Same type of fertilizer to shrub and groundcover beds, also to flower gardens and even vegetables unless a soil test suggests otherwise. Surprisingly, Texas A&M research has shown that most of our soils have excessive amounts of phosphorus already and that we should not be adding any more. • Patio pots and hanging baskets with water-soluble, high-nitrogen

Timely Tips

On the Lookout • Take all root rot is causing St. Augustine to develop pale patches of yellowed grass, even when we try to change it with nitrogen fertilizer. Upon inby Neil Sperry spection we can Gardening Expert see stubby, dark root systems. The fungicide Azoxystrobin will stop the disease. • Crape myrtle bark scale. These are the white insects that line the stems of crape myrtles, then cause sticky, shiny residue that is followed by black, sooty-looking mold. Prevent all of that with soil drench of Imidacloprid systemic insecticide applied in mid-May. • Broadleafed weeds, including poison ivy, dichondra, dollarweed, clover and others. Apply a broadleafed weedkiller containing 2,4-D

n About Bloodleaf

This little-known herbaceous beauty has been one of my favorites for decades. It’s called “bloodleaf,” and its equally colorful sister with yellow variegation is called “chicken gizzard plant.” Odd names for such pretty little gems. They’re cheerful, and they ought to be used much more often. Let me tell you a bit more. The pertinent facts… • Iresine herbstii, commonly known as “bloodleaf” or “beefsteak plant.” • Annual to 18 to 24 inches (taller in South Texas when grown in frost-free areas). • Commonly grown in pots where it can be kept at 15 to 18 inches. • Great poolside or in pots near entries. • Needs morning sun for best foliage color, but protection from burning afternoon sun in the summer. • Keep consistently moist for best growth. • Pinch growing tips out to keep plants compact and full. • Protect from temperatures in low-30s and colder.

May 2021

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

‘Do I have dementia?’ Frequently I am asked “I can’t remember include language, speech, attention, judgment, things like I used to…do I have dementia?” reasoning, decision-making, and critical thinThe number of Americans over the age 65 is king skills. Other deficits may include reduced projected to more than double in the next 40 awareness and insight regarding their own deyears, increasing from 40.2 million in 2010 to ficits, impuslivity and/or dishibitition, diffi88.5 million in 2050, according to Clinics in Ge- culty determining and selecting personal goals or priorities, decreased initiation, difficulty riatric Medicine (Caroline N. Harada, Marissa with planning, difficulty C. Natelson Love, and Krisseeing other points of view, ten Triebal). limited ability to consider As we age gracefully, alternative choices, approchanges with our cognitiby Janet Standifer on occur along the way. It aches, or plans to successParker County is important to understand fully complete a task or Dementia Care Trainer the differences in “Normal appropriately interact with Aging” vs. “Not Normal others, reduced time maAging,” how the changes affect our daily functi- nagement, self-monitoring and ability to stay focused on a task. on, and when they are no longer considered Other causes for “Not Normal Aging” may be “Normal Aging” changes. It is imperative to understand what is consi- related to underlying medical conditions that mimic dementia and require immediate medidered to be normalcy with aging vs. an actual disease process. The normal aging process can cal attention. The acute changes may be due start as early as age 30. Progressive changes to delirium or depression, which could be life begin with areas such as memory and thinking, threatening. The acute changes may be caused however, the changes allow us to remain infrom infections, vitamin B-12 deficiency, stoke, dependent if they are part of the normal aging high stress, hard of hearing, medication and interactions, pain or psychological issues, such process. as depression. “Not Normal Aging” creates an acute or So if you or a loved one is experiencing acuprogressive decline with cognitive-communication skills depending on the etiology. “Not te or progressive changes that are considered Normal Aging” may be caused from various “Not Normal,” seek medical assistance immeconditions, including dementia. Age alone diately to receive the appropriate diagnosis does not create dementia. If the decline is due and intervention. to dementia – there are over 84 types – it will Send your questions/comments about gradually affect the ability to live independent- Aging Gracefully or Dementia Care to janet@ jstandiferconsulting.com or call 817-901-4658. ly safely. Areas usually affected by dementia

Dementia In Perspective

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Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

May 2021