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McKinney Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE
May 2016
Vol. 2, Issue 5
Feature
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mckinney national airport
McKinney is home to one of the most successful small airports in the region. These small airports play an important role in the local and regional economy.
Feature
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putting down deep roots For over 40 years, McKinney’s own Neil Sperry has offered gardening suggestions and solutions through his popular radio program and many publications.
special sections
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Bandari and Gumbo
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13
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE around town 8
Summer Music Intensives in Downtown McKinney
10 Run for Cover
education 14
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16 Writer’s Life Lends Realism to His Fiction
Arts in Bloom
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McKinney ISD Sports
Style
Sweet Repeat
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Tour de Coop
12 Tucker Hill’s PorchFest
McKinney Community Concerts
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Cruizin’ for a Cause
How to Dress Maternity Basics Up and Down
dining in 28
Soup’s On
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14 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy
managing editor Carrie McCormick
graphic designer
22 contributing writers Kirk Dickey Deborah Dove
Subscriptions are available to residents outside the delivery area at a rate of $2.50 per issue—$30 per year.
Peggy Helmick-Richardson
Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to:
Caitlin Skidmore Nora Bollman
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McKinney Image © 2016 by Moonlight Graphics. All rights reserved. McKinney Image is published by Moonlight Graphics and individually mailed free of charge to the residents of the McKinney area.
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around town
Summer Music Intensives in Downtown McKinney Making music together is one of the greatest creative joys. Dedicated young musicians share this experience with professional musicians during the Summer Music Intensives, July 25-31, in downtown McKinney. This full-day, one-week program is designed to give middle and high school music students an opportunity to explore orchestra, chamber music, improvisation, music history, theory and a variety of musical genres in small groups under the mentorship of exceptional performers. The week of intense work is held in the HUB (Youth Center, FUMC, 102 W. Lamar) and culminates in a concert performed by students and faculty on stage at the Church Street Auditorium. The Summer Music Intensives is offered by the Arts and Music Guild, with generous support from the McKinney Arts Commission, the McDermott Foundation and the Prothro Foundation.
Director Jason Lim performing with a studentfaculty ensemble Large ensemble in theory class The director of the camp, Jason Lim, has gained a reputation as the creative director and conductor of the award-winning Odysseus Chamber Orchestra of North Texas. Mr. Lim also worked for ten years with the Abilene Summer Music Festival, building it into a reputable summer camp. When he took the reins of the Summer Music Intensives in McKinney, Mr. Lim saw the potential in its emphasis on improvisation, theory, different musical genres and the small student-teacher ratio. Last summer, he added a strong classical element to the world music blend, and raised the expectations for the final performance. The student response was very positive.
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Members of Student Chamber Ensemble Motivated by the excitement and inquisitive nature of the young musicians, Mr. Lim has invited professional musicians to create a curriculum this summer, which can be customized to meet each student’s interests. Special emphasis will be on Intermediate and Advanced Orchestra (conducted by Mr. Lim). Classes also will be offered in Celtic fiddle, folk, music theory, music history, and an ensemble that blends guitar, electric bass and strings. Students may choose to be part of a chamber music ensemble, or have private lessons designed to help the students with All-Region and All-State orchestra music.
Mr. Lim summarizes the value of the Summer Music Intensives by emphasizing the creative esprit de corps that develops during the week. “Any opportunity for a student to spend a week with like-minded students to work on a skill or a craft gives a lesson in collaboration. And participation is not limited to young students; adult students and professionals are invited to attend as well. The faculty collectively works to provide diverse experiences for our future generation of musicians as well as fostering pride in their own professional work.”
Improvisation Class with William Foley
Scott Conway, a participant last year, commented enthusiastically, “The camp exposed me to things I never thought about. I play the cello and I had never thought about improvising on a cello. But the class showed me how to take a simple theme and play around with it. I made music from scratch without notes or anything. That’s really cool. We also were part of chamber music ensembles. I’ve never played in a string quartet before and this experience absolutely blew my mind. It was so exciting.”
Violinist Florence Wang with violist Sara Lipscomb and cellist Scott Conway
Violist Sara Lipscomb, a graduate of McKinney High School, enjoyed the challenging nature of the camp last year. “We were thrown into learning a bunch of difficult kinds of music, and by the end of the week I realized it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a music camp,” she said. “I loved playing in the chamber ensembles. The experience taught me music theory and the basics of what we do.”
Students are asked to contribute only $160 and encouraged to register early. All string (including guitar) and wind orchestra instrumentalists are invited to participate. When registering, a student is encouraged to indicate if he or she would like to bring multiple instruments for study. Limited scholarships are available upon application. For registration forms, the camp schedule and specific questions, please visit http://summermusicintensive.wix.com/music. u
McKinney Image | May 2016
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Run for Cover The 16th Annual Run for Cover is Saturday, April 9 at Craig Ranch beginning at 7:45 a.m. Run for Cover is family fun! We have food, music from KLAK and events for the kids. Some participants come to set a personal best at their chosen distance, but many come to walk, push a stroller or pull a wagonload of kids. Some even bring their dogs—all are welcome. The event is hosted each year by 3e McKinney (3emckinney.com). The race benefits Shiloh Place and Samaritan Inn, who provide shelter to those in need in our community. Run for Cover is the oldest 5K run in McKinney. The event began at Towne Lake in 2001 and later moved to Stonebridge Ranch and expanded to include a 10K and a 1K Fun Run. We make our home now at Craig Ranch Registration and the start-finish line are at the Play-Tri store across from the McKinney Veterans Memorial in Craig Ranch. You can register online to participate or volunteer at: https://3emckinney. com/run-for-cover/. u
Arts in Bloom
Stroll through the colorful sidewalks and streets of Historic Downtown McKinney on Saturday, April 9, for McKinney’s annual spring arts festival, Arts in Bloom. Experience art in all forms as it blossoms throughout the historic district with art, music, food, shopping and fun for the entire family. Over 7,000 guests will visit more than 100 local and regional painters, sculptors, jewelry-makers, photographers and musicians showcasing their artistic talents throughout the streets of Downtown McKinney. In addition to great food and family activities, visitors may enjoy wine tastings from 10 local wineries. Historic Downtown McKinney is nationally recognized as one of the most vibrant and thriving historic downtowns in the country with an extraordinary creative community. Arts in Bloom is the perfect opportunity for visitors from across North Texas to relish the best of what our community has to offer. u
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Sweet Repeat April marks the beginning of spring. The garden is alive with pollinating insects and it is time for gardeners in Collin County to plant vegetables, herbs, annuals and perennials to give them a chance to establish before the heat of summer sets in. Another sure sign of spring is the Plant Sale, presented by The Collin County Master Gardeners Association. Savvy gardeners know the CCMGA Plant Sale offers some of the best plants at the best prices! The 13th Annual Plant Sale will be held at Myers Park and Event Center on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Attendees can expect to find hundreds of varieties of beautiful plants recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension that will include annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, roses, vegetables, herbs and grasses that thrive in sun, part-sun and shade. There will also be an opportunity to tour the research and demonstration gardens. Collin County Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions and offer timely tips to help homeowners plant with confidence and success. You may purchase these proven performers by cash, check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). Bringing your own cart or wagon is encouraged. Children ages five and up can participate in environmentally-friendly activities at the Children’s Discovery Area. The plant sale will be held indoors, rain or shine, hot or cold, inside the stall barn at Myers Park, 7117 County Road 166, McKinney. To find out more about the plant sale visit www.ccmgatx. org or call the CCMGA Information Center at 972.548.4232. u
Tour de Coop
Every year in April, McKinney hosts its annual chicken coop tour where you can get an up-close look at what it would look like to incorporate hens into a small scale, urban selfsustainable garden. Not only is having backyard hens a gratifying and rewarding hobby, simply put, the better one treats and feeds the hens, the healthier and more productive the hens become. Owning backyard hens is also a great way to teach young children to become more involved in their environment and become a responsible caretaker. Owning a small quantity of precious laying hens that a child helped raise from a baby hatchling will quickly teach a very valuable life lesson of “cause and effect.” Imagine the joy your child will experience when he runs to the coop to see if hens have laid any eggs. At 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Cathy Gleason, owner of Gleason Super Chicks and associate superintendent for the state fair poultry show with 20 years of showing and breeding heritage poultry, will present “Chicken Keeping Class 101 and Exhibition.” Then, at 10 a.m. and noon, John Ramos, owner of Urban Chicken, a business providing various services to help the backyard poultry enthusiast be successful, will present “Learn How to Nurse Your Sick Hen Back To Health and Bio Security Tips.” The tour begins at Chestnut Square Historic Village, 315 S. Chestnut St., rain or shine. Tickets are now available online at mckinneytourdecoop.com. u McKinney Image | May 2016
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Tucker Hill’s PorchFest Mark your calendars for PorchFest—a unique live music festival hosted by Tucker Hill on Saturday, May 7, from 5 p.m. until dusk. This free event will feature musicians staged on several of Tucker Hill’s quaint front porches that surround the community’s central park area, known as Founders Square. The evening highlight is a concert on the lawn featuring Infinite Journey, a Dallas-based Journey tribute band who opened for Loverboy and Kool and the Gang at the 2014 Wildflower Festival in Richardson. Tucker Hill’s event is modeled after the extremely successful PorchFest held annually in Franklin, Tennessee. Bands and acoustic singers will showcase their talent during PorchFest on residents’ front porches. Residents volunteer their porches as a way to support the local music scene and interact with their neighbors. Porch band performances and all activities will begin at 5 p.m. Infinite Journey will be closing out the evening with a concert on the lawn beginning at 7 p.m. and concluding at dusk.
Performance schedules and a map are available on www.TuckerHillPorchfest.com. Up-to-date event information may also be found on the Tucker Hill Facebook (www.facebook.com/TuckerHillTexas) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/TuckerHillTX) pages. Tucker Hill is located in McKinney, just north of Hwy. 380, between Ridge and Custer Roads. u
McKinney Community Concerts Now is the time to sign up for McKinney Community Concerts’ 2016-2017 season, including seven new shows starting Friday night, September 16. Having just concluded a successful series last month, MCCA is proud
The Equinox Littl
e Big Band
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to open its 43rd season with a real show-opener—The Equinox Little Big Band. Since they are known for their diversity and professional entertainers from around the country and the world, McKinney Concerts again offers their loyal members all seven shows for only $95/adult and $35/student (K-12). Hosted again in the excellent venue at Christ Fellowship off of Eldorado, performers and audience alike are thrilled with the Bose sound system and in-house coffee shop, along with ample lighted parking. Other season shows include the Doo-Wah Riders, Ronnie Kole Trio, Tenoré, Let’s Hang On (Frankie Valli mega-hits), Kubecca, and the popular Matt Davenport Production of Birth of the Beat—a season of entertainment not to be missed. Visit mckinneycommunityconcerts. org or call 214.548.4384 for a brochure. Don’t miss out. u
Cruizin’ for a Cause The Stonebridge United Methodist Church Men’s group will host their third annual “Cruizin’ for a Cause” car, truck and cycle show on Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to noon, 1800 S. Stonebridge Dr., McKinney. This year’s beneficiary will be Family Promise of Collin County. “Family Promise is truly a program of the community we live in. Its existence, strength and success lie within the support of local faith congregations, their volunteers and community volunteers,” said Sheila Miller, Director of Family Promise. “There is power in volunteers walking alongside a family struggling with homelessness; sharing a meal and conversation allowing moments of normalcy; and providing a safe refuge where the families and their children can truly rest. Every volunteer and donor who donates a gas card, cooks a meal, provides for immediate needs or shares their lives with our guest families, also shares in that family’s success as they move back toward self sustainable independence.” “The Stonebridge UMC Men’s group, along with about 50 volunteers from the congregation, host the event. A core team of volunteers began meeting six months prior to the event to begin planning,” said Todd Adkins, Stonebridge UMC car show coordinator. “We have been blessed to have so many of our sponsors return for this year. This speaks to their
willingness to generously give of their time and resources to support a great cause and it also speaks well of the team of volunteers that run the event each year. The fact that we can help a family go from homeless to sustained independence through the funds raised at events like this, inspires our team to make this show the best yet.” One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly to support Family Promise. Stonebridge United Methodist Church is one of 12 host congregations in Collin County that support Family Promise throughout the year and they are extremely excited to continue their support through the car show event. Admission and registration are free and the show is open to all years, makes and models of cars, trucks and cycles. Registration will take place the morning of the show and the first 100 to register their vehicles will receive a commemorative dash plaque. Awards for show participants and door prizes will be given throughout the show. The event is free, but donations will be accepted. Come to the show hungry, as there will be on-site concessions available. For more information, visit www. mysumc.org and select “events.” u
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education
McKinney ISD
Sports by Kevin McPHERSON
The 2015 regular season of football for McKinney ISD schools concludes on the first Friday in November, while the new basketball season kicks off a week later. The 2015 cross country season ends and new wrestling season also starts this month, with all three schools returning promising wrestlers.
ifer Santos
Photo: Jenn
y
Photograph
Football Key district games wrap up the 2015 regular season, with two of them at home. McKinney Boyd, a state playoff qualifier a year ago, hosts
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Hebron on Thursday, November 5. The Broncos advanced to the second round before losing to eventual state champion Cedar Hill last season. McKinney North, which advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs for the first time in school
history in 2014, is at Wylie in an important 10-5A matchup at Wylie ISD Stadium on Friday, November 6. McKinney will host Lovejoy on November 6, in the Lions’ regular season finale. At least one MISD school has qualified for the state playoffs in football for the past 11 seasons.
Cross Country The 2015 cross country season wraps up with the state championships on November 7, in Round Rock. McKinney Boyd’s Aaliyah Miller, who has won multiple gold medals at the state track and field meet, could be one of the individual favorites. She finished fourth at last month’s Dallas Jesuit Classic. McKinney North’s boy’s teams also could be a factor. The Bulldogs finished third overall out of 29 teams at last month’s Round Rock McNeil Invitational (running in the 6A division) at the same course where the state meet will happen. Rishi Doolabh, Jose Torres and Cole Duncan all medaled (7th, 8th and 10th) and ran fast enough to earn National Elite status.
Basketball McKinney’s boys and McKinney North’s girls each advanced to the regional tournament last spring and both teams return several players from those teams. The Lady Bulldogs, who advanced to the 4A state title game in 2014, return four starters including Northwestern (La.) State signee Jocelyn Scott, point guard Breah Powell, forward Tia Wright, guard Stephanie Jackson and post Mikayla Foy. The Lady Bulldogs open their season against perennial 6A power Duncanville on November 10. The Lions return the dynamic backcourt duo of E.J. Clark and Alex Vilarino, but must find replacements for most of its frontcourt. McKinney should get an early test, as they are scheduled to travel to Pasadena, Texas, for the McDonald’s Texas Invitational Tournament in late November. McKinney’s girls and McKinney North’s boys, also playoff qualifiers a year ago, return most of their squads from last season. The Bulldogs are led by 6’7” junior post Jared Pearre and 6’2” guard Jayvion Williams. They open November 14 at home Photos.com Photo: www.Buzz against Frisco Heritage. McKinney Image | May 2016
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Writer’s Life Lends Realism to His Fiction
At one point in his story “Pourover” for Outside Magazine, Peter Heller describes being trapped upside down in a kayak on the Cotahuasi River in Peru. An experienced kayaker, Heller had tried to follow another paddler down a section of river that seemed difficult, but doable.
by Kirk DICKEY
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isjudging a drop, he fell sideways and went upside down in a hole. Looking up through the frigid water, he realized he was in trouble. Nothing happened when he tried to roll free, and as his lungs started aching for breath, he began to think “Is this how it ends? Is this it? Dang. “I wasn’t scared or non-accepting, just baffled,” the writer recalled. Unable to work the kayak free, he unsnapped the spray skirt from the cockpit and swam for his life, coming up nearby to see the movement had freed his kayak as well. Heller said that after beating himself up for about an hour, he realized something important. He was alive. He’d been reminded to respect the power and beauty of nature, but that lesson hadn’t come at the cost of his life or health. Affable and thoughtful, Heller has spent much of his career as a travel and adventure writer with stories that have taken him from the Antarctic coast where he lived with “eco-pirates” trying to disrupt Japanese whalers, to the mountains of Colorado where he learned to fly and got his pilot’s license in just under three weeks. He is no stranger to the thin line between life and death, and to the possibility that the things that you love can kill you. His experiences inform The Dog Stars, his debut novel and Collin College’s “Book in Common” selection for 2015-16. Set nearly a decade after the world was ravaged by a flu-like plague that killed off 99 percent of the earth’s population and which is well into the effects of global warming, there are just a few pockets of humanity left in the world. Society has broken down and it seems like the only people left are those who will do anything to survive. The story’s main protagonist, Hig, had a leg up on many people in the apocalypse thanks to a youth spent in the woods and an ability to
adapt when necessary. When society started to crumble and he had lost the people closest to him, Hig moved out to a place he thought would provide him and his dog Jasper with the best protection possible, a remote airport. Publisher’s Weekly called the book, “The world’s most poetic survival guide,” which seems fair since it is packed full of helpful tips for anyone preparing for the end of the world. Heller, though, laughed when asked if that is what he set out to write. The story feels real because much of it is— with notable exceptions like the super flu and everything that it brings. That realism is a trait Heller’s writing shares with the work of one of his writing icons, Ernest Hemingway, one of the fathers of adventure writing. Heller said he was first introduced to Hemingway’s work at age 11, when a librarian gave him a copy of In Our Time. “I mean, my jaw just dropped,” Heller said. “Hemingway was an interesting model for me. His life was so full of action and adventure, but he was also this great writer. I wanted to be like that.” He said his love for adventure and writing about it have been intertwined ever since, leading him to time on an offshore lobster boat and working with loggers on the Canadian border of Vermont. He worked construction and has served as an outdoor guide. “All of that was in the service of the writing,” he said. “I just thought, whatever experiences I collect will help me with my stories.”
That outlook seems to have worked for him so far. Heller is the author of three non-fiction books and two novels with a third on the way. He also gets to travel the world on someone else’s dime and write about it—although he said he has mellowed some since that time on the Cotahuasi. Heller will talk about his life, his work and his writing process in a series of “Book in Common” lectures at Collin College, March 15-17. The lecture series is the culmination of a yearlong program in which students throughout the college are encouraged to read the same book and discuss its themes. The lectures are free and open to the public. For more information about the lectures including times and location or to learn more about “Book in Common,” visit https://www.collin. edu/academics/bookincommon/. u Kirk Dickey is a public relations associate for Collin College. McKinney Image | May 2016
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feature
McKinney National Airport A Regional Asset Taking Off for All of Us by Ken WIEGAND
When most North Texans think about an airport, they envision DFW Airport and Love Field where they board commercial flights. But there are several smaller airports close by that play an important role in the local and regional economy. McKinney is lucky to be home to one of the most successful in the region—McKinney National Airport.
Taking the Load from Commercial Airports There are eleven regional airports in the four counties that make up the Metroplex. These airports help reduce
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aircraft traffic and thus help decrease commercial airline delays at the busy commercial airports. Because they are considered to be “reliever” airports, these General Aviation (GA) airports do not typically have commercial airline service, but provide services that most commercial airports do not, like aircraft sales, flight training and aerial utility patrols. They also attract and promote business and commerce in their communities and defined regions. McKinney’s airport began with roughly 5,000 annual operations and has grown to become one of the top eight GA airports in Texas with more than 100,000 annual operations in 2015.
McKinney’s Unique Tradition of General Aviation McKinney National Airport is the only airport of its kind in Collin County. The other 10 regional airports are scattered across Dallas, Tarrant and Denton Counties. The airport is located about two miles southeast of historic downtown McKinney at the eastern-most end of Industrial Boulevard. The City of McKinney constructed the airport in 1979, and has owned and operated it since. Initial costs were paid in part with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants. The FAA continues to provide financial assistance from its user-fee-based Airport Improvement Program for expenses such as professional services, control tower
and pavement construction and land acquisition costs. McKinney National Airport began as a small GA airport primarily serving single-engine aircraft. Today, the airport accommodates corporate executive jets, pilot training aircraft, individually owned small aircraft, cargo delivery airplanes and medical air transportation.
A Growing Airport in a Growing Region McKinney’s airport began with roughly 5,000 annual operations and is now one of the top eight GA airports in Texas. During 2015, the airport facilitated 107,140 annual operations with an average daily passenger count of 250 including flight crews. These operations are
managed safely by professional air traffic controllers who operate a modern, state-of-the-art control tower. An attentive airport staff and the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency provide security.
Building International Business
McKinney National Airport is one of only four GA airports in the Metroplex with on-site U.S. Customs. Since 2002, customs at McKinney National Airport has processed international passengers, flight crews and cargo arriving on private aircraft from widespread locations throughout the world, enabling passengers to conduct business in the city and in the region. Local businesses highly prize the ability to
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fly directly to international destinations without the delays and stress of commercial airports.
Always Improving the Experience McKinney National Airport has expanded since 2002, from 441 acres to 745 acres, and is planning toward about 1,145 acres at full build-out. The city opened a new runway in 2012 to enhance the airport’s operational safety and capability. The seven-year construction project was funded from grants provided by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation (TxDOTAviation), the FAA and the McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). MEDC provided additional funding needed to expand the runway’s size beyond that eligible for federal and state funding. This was to prepare for commercial air service should it come to McKinney—a service that has been supported by McKinney’s business community for years. The new runway project was recognized as the largest single GA airport construction project in TxDOT aviation history. Other improvements to the airport include the following:
• A state-of-the-art air traffic control tower that enhances safety at the airport and in the air • Aircraft taxiways to access parking spaces and storage hangars • An expanded fuel storage area and storm water management system to make the airport environmentally secure • Rehabilitation of the oldest pavement to extend its life and save taxpayers millions in future replacement costs • Establishment of an Airport Perimeter Access Management and Control System to enhance airport security that exceeds Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for GA Airport Security.
A First Step Toward Offering Commercial Service Texas Air Shuttle of Conroe, Texas, recently announced that it will provide scheduled charter service between McKinney and Houston via Conroe’s Lone Star Executive Airport. The membership service is offered to anyone, but would best serve those who make frequent visits to the Houston or Dallas areas. Its members
can fly as many trips as desired between McKinney National Airport and Lone Star Executive Airport and vice versa for a monthly fee. Single membership prices range from $1,895 to $2,850 a month. This is the first time this type of service is being offered to McKinney and the Dallas region, and the hope is that it will lead to more commercial passenger service at McKinney National Airport.
A Self-Supporting Regional Benefit The city purchased the airport’s Fixed Based Operation (FBO) in November 2013. The purchase was intended to achieve financial selfsufficiency and catapult airport development through the next several decades. Before this, the city invested $500,000 to $700,000 a year in airport operations and maintenance on top of its 10 percent share of grants provided by the FAA, which will continue to be funded by the city. Today, the airport operates with a balanced budget. The FBO provides passengers and flight crews of home-based and visiting aircraft with concierge service, aircraft fuel and flight line services through an attractive and functional terminal that is becoming busier every day. The airport, terminal and services can be a passenger’s only impression of McKinney and the region. Corporate decision-makers passing through may be searching for the best place to relocate or expand their businesses and find it right here in McKinney.
Economic Generator One of the unique advantages the airport brings to our regional community is the ability to attract business and high-paying jobs. Companies looking for places to relocate or expand arrive on business or chartered aircraft from all over the world. Regional companies house aircraft at McKinney National Airport and use them as business tools, visiting
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existing and potential customers, competing and closing deals. One of the unique advantages the airport brings to our regional community is the ability to attract business and high-paying jobs.
Benefiting the Region and the Community
Business aircraft owners with aircraft based at McKinney National Airport pay ad valorem taxes to four taxing entities in McKinney and Collin County. The following taxes have been generated since 2003.
Tax Collection Statistics
Tax Year 2003 thru 2015 (13 years) The total collected is $26,397,728 or an average of $2,030,594 per year. The City of McKinney has collected a total of $6,041,902, which could pay for eight police cruisers every year; the MISD has reaped the benefit of $16,985,456, which could educate 157 children at Fannie Finch Elementary School each year; Collin County has received $2,486,459, which could pay for needed road repairs; and Collin College has collected $883,991 in taxes, which could be used to pay debt service on new building construction. Every aircraft housed at McKinney National Airport generates additional tax revenue for these entities.
Reaching Toward the Future
The airport plays a key role in state and national airport systems. As mentioned above, the FAA identified McKinney National Airport as one of the top eight out of 183 GA airports in Texas and one of the top 84 out of 2,952 GA airports in the country. This gave the airport its national designation, which ranks it high on the list to receive federal financial assistance. An example is the $45 million runway completed in 2012 that can accommodate the largest business jets and many large commercial aircraft. In most cases, the city can be reimbursed for up to 90 percent of land and infrastructure cost for aeronautical use. These funds come from the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program that was created by Congress to ensure a safe and efficient national airport system. McKinney National Airport has identified adjacent land needed to protect it from encroachment and provide for future expansion and development.
Training Tomorrow’s Pilots Today McKinney National Airport generates taxes for education, but it also supports education in a more direct way. MISD offers classes through its McKinney Aviation Academy, currently with nearly 200
enrolled students who can earn an associate’s degree by the time they graduate from high school. Through a new partnership agreement, MISD high school students can take dual-credit courses at LeTourneau University to earn college credit. LeTourneau maintains a satellite campus at McKinney National Airport and students meet at the airport on a regular basis. Le Tourneau is also working with Collin College to enable students to transfer seamlessly to Le Tourneau‘s aviation bachelor’s degree program. Two airport businesses, Monarch Air and ATP Flight School, supplement these educational programs by providing flight training.
A Regional Asset McKinney National Airport provides services and amenities that attract businesses and jobs. It generates ad valorem tax revenue to pay for local road improvements and repair, emergency services, education and more. It benefits the community by the revenue it generates to help provide city services and education dollars. It benefits all citizens—even those who don’t fly. If you would like to learn more about McKinney National Airport, visit our website at www.flytki.com, or call 972.984.1200 to schedule a visit. u Ken Wiegand is the Airport Director at McKinney National Airport. McKinney Image | May 2016
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style
How to Dress Maternity Basics Up & Down by Caitlin SKIDMORE
Dress basics down for date night with a casual or edgy completer piece, like this ruffled leather jacket. A mono chromatic look will make you look long and lean, no matter what color family you choose. Pump up the impact of mono chromatic pieces by playing with a variety of textures, like we did with lace, leather and a sleek belt.
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Most women struggle with feeling like they have nothing to wear, but when you’re expecting, it can feel even more that way! Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your closet during your pregnancy. Make sure you have great basics for however you spend the majority of your time. Here, we’ve chosen pieces you can easily dress up for work or down for date night: a black top and a pair of black jeans. Both are classic and versatile, and black is on trend for spring and summer this year.
Dress your basics up by pairing a classic top and bottom with a blazer, add a pop of color, like we did with the belt and a touch of print, with these leopard pumps. The color, texture, pattern and shine combine to create a polished look perfect for a casual office. If you need a more formal look, swap the black jeans for a pair of dress pants or a skirt.
To look more polished and put together for any event on your calendar, add a completer piece or a third item. A completer piece can be an actual item of clothing, like the blazer or leather jacket, or if it’s too warm for an actual layering piece, try an accessory with enough visual weight to read as a third piece, like a scarf or a statement piece of jewelry.
Caitlin Skidmore is a McKinney-based writer and style coach. Photos: Katie Soyka Photography Model: Amy Minton
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feature
Putting Down Deep Roots by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON
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o the lush greens and bright colors of North Texas yards and parks this time of year leave you envious of those landscapes with the justperfect plants in the oh-so-ideal locations?
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Countless successful gardeners across our state credit not so much a green thumb but a good friend for the visual treats they cultivate. For over 40 years, McKinney’s own Neil Sperry has offered gardening suggestions and solutions through his popular radio program and many publications. This father of three and grandfather of seven also devotes much of his life to cultivating strong and healthy communities and families. And if you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him, now’s the time. Born in San Antonio and raised in College Station, Neil started college at Texas A&M in the early 1960s where his father was a professor. He opted
to leave the dwindling horticulture department at A&M after visiting horticulture professor Dr. D.C. Kiplinger at Ohio State during an intercollegiate flower judging competition. Impressed with the innovative studies Dr. Kiplinger’s students were involved with, he returned to Texas and sent the professor his transcript. Dr. Kiplinger’s response was to welcome him to the school and let him know that since school housing was already spoken for, he had rented his neighbor’s basement apartment for him. Neil recalls, “What a wonderful person and I couldn’t have been happier.” So much so, that after a brief stint at Colorado State University to work on his graduate studies, Neil opted to return to Ohio State to complete his master’s degree. In addition to his admiration for Dr. Kiplinger, there was another reason Neil chose to return to Ohio State. During his senior year, he had become engaged to his now-wife Lynn, a music and education student at the university. The Sperrys wed in 1967 and returned to Texas in 1970 when Neil McKinney Image | May 2016
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got a job with the Extension Service at the Texas A&M Center in Dallas. One of his responsibilities was to produce radio broadcasts for the Extension Service. First settling in Farmers Branch, both longed for a more rural environment to raise their family. That’s when Neil met McKinney resident and realtor George Fields at a Kiwanis Club meeting. After 39 years, the Sperrys still live in their McKinney home on 11 acres that George found for them. In 1978, Neil switched to commercial radio, first working for WFAA. That same year he began broadcasting his 5-minute “Plant Talk Texas” that continues to air on a number of stations across the state. Two years later, he moved to KRLD where he hosted a local weekend gardening talk show. With the growing popularity of this radio program, and later his “Texas Lawn and Garden Hour,” he quickly became the go-to gardening expert across the state.
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Airing live from 11 a.m. to noon every Saturday in over two dozen cities, today “Texas Lawn and Garden Hour” offers his fans from Alpine to Bonham, Levelland to Victoria, an opportunity to get the answers to their gardening questions. In 2010, Neil moved to WBAP AM/FM. Fans now listen to his “Texas Gardening” and phone in questions to him from 8 to 10 a.m., every Sunday morning. Revealing that the show is broadcast from his home, he explains that the time and locale allow him the opportunity to still go to church with his family afterward. Taylor Publishing released the first edition of his popular Neil Sperry’s Complete Guide to Texas Gardening in 1982, and the revised second edition. Between the two editions, well over one million copies have been sold. In 1997, he wrote 1001 Most Asked Texas Gardening Questions. “Nobody
knows much about that one,” Neil notes. “That publisher went out of business three weeks after it was put on the market. After they declared bankruptcy, I ended up buying all the remainders because they were nowhere to be found.” Neil also published his popular Gardens magazine from 1987 until last year, and now Neil has opted for a free weekly e-gardens newsletter. His latest book, the self-published Lone Star Gardening released in 2014, has proved so popular with fans that it is now in its second printing. This feat is even more remarkable since the book is not available through Amazon or retail stores. If you want a copy, it must be ordered directly through Neil’s website or purchased at locations where he is making presentations. Explaining his dissatisfaction with his Complete Guide books because “they were done by committee with bottom line responsibilities,” Neil enjoyed the freedom to create the 344-page handbook he wanted. In addition, the 840 color photos were taken by Neil, and he was adamant the book be printed in the U.S. Neil has also directed his horticultural expertise to his own community. In 1991, he was savoring the blooming crape myrtles that adorned the medians of Stonebridge when a colorfully creative concept blossomed for him. A long-time admirer of Tyler’s Azalea Trail, that event inspired him to want to create something even more striking for McKinney. “Their azaleas are beautiful, but they bloom for only three weeks,” he declares. “Crape myrtles bloom for three months for crying out loud, so let’s do something like that!” In addition to the crape myrtles, the city is now home to the seven-acre World Collection Park. Dedicated in 2011, the park initially was home to all 125 identified varieties of crape
myrtles, but several of the varieties have been lost due to drought and harsh weather conditions and will need to be replaced. Neil estimates that the project boasts about 10,000 crape myrtles, and the park is now home to several hundred of these. Organizations and businesses regularly donate trees to the project. Over the years, Neil has also served on a number of boards and given his time and talents for countless efforts, but two that he directs his passion toward today are McKinney ISD’s Serenity High School and the Denton State Supported Living Center. So what trends is Neil seeing for North Texas gardeners? “Native Texas plants have been a fad of the last 15 years or so,” he replies. “My dad was a range ecologist and my Uncle John taught plant taxonomy, and they always said that it doesn’t matter if a plant is native, it needs to be adapted to where you are going to grow it.” One trend Neil enjoys now is the brilliantly-colorful hybrids being grown by small plant breeders and propagators now being offered through independent retailers. On his Facebook page he recently raved about a new Crazytunia petunia hybrid. “The Purple Kermit has a purplish flower with green around the edges,” he enthuses. “It’s very striking.” And the biggest mistake he sees amateur gardeners make is lack of planning. “They don’t anticipate the size of a plant when they plant it; and even before that, they don’t have a plan for their landscape,” he explains, “You wouldn’t just buy a chair you like and put it in the living room. You would match it up with the other things you have. But many people find a home for a plant rather than a plant for the home.” But no one needs to despair over their lack of gardening expertise because Neil is always ready to help. u
To learn more about Neil and his gardening wisdom, what he offers gardening aficionados, sign up for his weekly e-gardens newsletter, discover what stations run his Texas Lawn and Garden Hour, or order his Lone Star Gardening or handmade pens, go to www.neilsperry.com. For information on The Crape Myrtle Trails and World Collection Park, go to www.crapemyrtletrails.org. To ask Neil questions, tune in to WBAP 8-10 a.m. Sunday mornings and call with your queries to 800-288-WBAP (9227). To listen via streaming, go to www.wbap. com, or through the WBAP app or other streaming radio app.
Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer. McKinney Image | May 2016
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DINING IN
Soup’s On by Deborah DOVE
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nuggling up with a warm bowl of homemade soup is one of life’s simple pleasures. Soups are also the perfect dinnertime solution for the busy weeknights. Most soup recipes can be prepared in a slow cooker or made in advance so they’re ready when you are, and make enough for several meals (most soups are even better the second day). Plus, you can’t beat soup for a low calorie, one-dish, healthy meal as we look ahead to warmer months and time spent at the beach or pool. In fact, studies show that people who have soup before a meal or party
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consume twenty percent fewer calories. Chicken soup has even been proven to help fight cold and flu symptoms by acting as an antiinflammatory and relieving congestion by speeding up the movement of mucus. Although you may be tempted to open a can of Campbell’s, homemade soup is easy to make and much lower in sodium. Soup is also easy to make in large batches and freeze for those evenings when you don’t have time to cook. Freeze soup flat in heavy-duty zip-lock bags to make the most of freezer space, or freeze in muffin tins and then move to zip-lock bags so you can easily defrost and heat up single servings.
My oldest daughter in particular is a soup connoisseur and she and I both look forward to soup weather. One of her absolute favorites is so simple it doesn’t even have an official name or recipe—I make it with a couple of cans of chicken broth, cooked chicken (canned or rotisserie works fine), a can or two of cannellini beans and some cumin, and then I occasionally add whatever vegetables I have on hand and top individual servings with shredded cheese and tortilla chips. Over the years I have accumulated a repertoire of “go to” soup recipes that my family loves from hearty stews to simple, healthy vegetable based soups. Enjoy.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup 1-1/2 lbs. red, Yukon gold or russet potatoes 2 tsp. olive oil 1/2 c. chopped onion 1 1/4 c. chicken broth 3 Tbs. flour 2 c. milk, divided 1/4 c. reduced fat sour cream 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled (or purchased real bacon bits) 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese Green onion, thinly sliced
Pierce potatoes with a fork and microwave on high for 12-13 minutes or until tender. Cut in half and let cool slightly. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sautĂŠ 3 minutes or until translucent. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk and add to saucepan, followed by the additional 1-1/2 cups of milk. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, salt and pepper. Remove and discard potato skins. Coarsely mash potatoes into soup. Top individual servings with bacon, cheese and green onions.
Healthy ThreeBean Turkey Chili (can also be made vegan without turkey) 20 oz. ground turkey breast 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes 1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 (4.5 oz.) can chopped green chilies 1 (15 oz.) can red chili beans, undrained 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, undrained 1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, undrained 2 Tbs. chili powder
Brown turkey in skillet over mediumhigh heat until browned. Drain fat and transfer to a slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and mix together well. Cook on high for 6-8 hours. Serve over Fritos or on its own, topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
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Tomato Basil Soup 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 c. diced celery 1 c. diced carrots 1 c. diced onions 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained 1 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 Tbs. dried basil 4 c. chicken broth 1 bay leaf 4 Tbs. butter 1/2 c. flour 1 c. Parmesan cheese 2 c. heavy whipping cream Salt and pepper, to taste
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add oil, celery, carrots and onions; cook 5-6 minutes, or until golden. Add to slow cooker. . Add tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, chicken broth, bay leaf and cheese rind to slow cooker. Stir until combined; cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until vegetables are tender. Thirty minutes before serving, melt butter over low heat in a medium saucepan. Whisk flour into the melted butter to create a roux. Whisk mixture for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Whisk in one cup of soup from your slow cooker until smooth. Whisk in an additional cup of soup from the slow cooker. When smooth, add mixture back to the slow cooker. Add Parmesan cheese, whipping cream and season with salt and pepper. Let cook for 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve with grilled cheese or French bread and a salad for a delicious dinner.
Tuscan Beef Stew 1 can condensed tomato soup 1 can condensed beef broth 1/2 c. red wine 1 tsp. Italian seasoning 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1 can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs 2 c. carrots, chopped 2 lbs. stew meat 2 cans white kidney beans, undrained
Combine all ingredients except beans in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. Add beans and mushrooms. Cook on high for 10 minutes.
Deborah Dove is a freelance writer.
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pets
“Bandari” Bandari is a shepherd mix that is about four years old and he is looking for his forever home. He is a very sweet and loving boy that loves to play ball. He has been neutered, microchipped, has received age-appropriate vaccinations and flea/tick preventatives. Do you have a spot in your family for him? Drop by and see him—he’s waiting for you!
“Gumbo” Gumbo is a two-year-old Maine coon cat that is looking for his furever home. He is a gentle big boy that loves to be petted. He has been neutered, tested for FIV/ FeLV, microchipped and has received ageappropriate vaccinations. Come by and visit him—he would love to go home with you! If you are interested in adopting Bandari or Gumbo, they are waiting for you at Collin County Animal Services, 4750 Community Blvd., in McKinney. u McKinney Image | May 2016
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