Community Life, Jan-Feb 2015 by Community Life

Cleburne Yellow Jacket soccer team â&#x20AC;˘ Dr. Pamela Boehm â&#x20AC;˘ Burleson HS Principal Wayne Leek

Peter Svendsen:

Promoter of acts like Keith Urban, Svendsen is Cleburne's hitmaker

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Community Life

cover story: Cleburne Peter Svendsen hitmaker

Table of contents 38

Yellow Jacket soccer team

boys share bond through years of playing together

also TECH colly

Chamber

2015 events planned, yearly schedule, banquet

Pamela Boehm

president of Hill College worked her way up the ranks

what you need to know from the 2015 CES

Bridal

Everything wedding related

Wayne Leek

BHS principal brings experience from serving at West High

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➡

Working her wayup the ranks Hill College President Pam Boehm’s journey to the top Story by Nicole Luna

ill College President Pam Boehm has had an interesting career at Hill College for more than 30 years and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Boehm juggled school, work and family to get where she’s at, and, as she says, she is a driven person who sets out to finish what she starts. That is a value she hopes to instill in all Hill College students. Boehm was born and raised in Hubbard in Hill County. After she graduated from Hubbard High School, she went to Hill College to receive a one year secretarial certificate. In ’74 she received her certificate and decided to pursue her associate’s degree in sociology from McLennan Community College in Waco. She then decided to work for Mary Kay Cosmetics. She later returned to school, graduating in ’78. “After graduating from McLennan, Hill College hired me as an administrative assistant and switchboard operator, if you can believe that, for the dean of instruction,” Boehm said. Her job consisted of clerical duties and handling teacher’s textbook requests and scheduling. As switchboard operator she assisted callers by answering the line and connecting the caller to the correct person or department. Boehm was in that position for 10 years. During that time is when she began juggling. “While I was secretary I was taking one class at a time at [Tarleton State University], so I was going part time taking classes at Tarleton while also working,” she said.

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Pamela Boehm worked her way up to Hill College President. Her first position with the college was administrative assistant and switchboard operator. Photo by Monica Faram

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Pam Boehm leads a high school superintendent workshop.

She was working toward her bachelor’s degree in applied sciences in general business. She graduated in 1988. While she worked and studied she thought about a career in education. “When you’re working at a educational institution you’re allowed a lot of oats that are teaching and that kind of thing and education kind of gets in your blood and that’s kind of what happened to me,” she said. “I thought eventually that I would probably like to probably teach but I really wasn’t sure so I was taking classes trying to get my bachelor’s degree but I kind of thought about teaching. I had a vision of doing that.” After receiving her degree, Boehm quit work, got married and enrolled in Tarleton’s graduate program to earn a master’s of education degree in counseling. She spent that time studying and raising a family. As she entered her last semester of graduate school, Hill College called her again and asked if she would be interested in 8

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becoming a counselor. She went back to work as a vocational counselor as she finished her last semester at graduate school. Her main position was to work with students who were in similar situations as hers. Boehm worked with a lot of non-traditional students — single parents, displaced homemakers, individuals who had been laid off and were going back to school for retraining. Her duties included a lot of advising and providing support services to help these students be successful. “It was very rewarding because I was a non-traditional student as I had gone back to school after I had children,” Boehm said. “It really gives you an appreciation for what some of these non-traditional students are going through because I had gone through it myself, having to juggle working and going to school and raising a family. It was very fulfilling.” Boehm received her master’s degree in ’91

Courtesy photo

and was a counselor for a year before the college promoted her to her first administrative role as director of counseling for the college. It was in that position Boehm realized the changes she could make that would improve student learning. She hired additional staff and started new programs like a testing center for students and providing more services for students with disabilities. Boehm said because community colleges don’t receive a lot of state funding, she had to write a lot of grants. One of the grants she wrote was a first-generation grant which allowed the college and her department, which was also in charge of advising, to attract students whose parents never went to college. She was director of counseling for 12 years before she was promoted to dean of students. That position required her to be over discipline, housing, student activities, registration, testing and advising at both the Hillsboro and Cleburne campuses. When she became dean of students,

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Boehm once again decided to go back to school and started taking classes toward her doctorate degree at Texas A&M University at Commerce. She earned her doctorate in education degree in 2006. After a year as dean of students, she was promoted to vice president of student services, where she served for 12 years. In that position, she was influential in adding more support services for all students. Susan Gann first came to Hill College to work for student services under Boehm. Gann said Boehm has a certain attitude toward her job that excited her. “I was brand new and her enthusiasm to start every semester never changed. She is a very positive person,” Gann said. “Whatever

she said. So, when the college had a psychology position become available, Boehm applied and started teaching full time. “Teaching is just so wonderful and that’s the best way I can describe it,” she said. “Every class is different and I love my teaching field. I love psychology and helping students realize their potential and realize how the mind and body work together. I love to see students get turned on about psychology; I like to see the light bulb go off when they realize something.” Gann said it wasn’t a surprise that Boehm wanted to teach, because she is always up for something new and learning more. One thing Boehm did ask of colleagues was to not

students in total and now we have approximately 4,400 to 4,500 students. So, I’ve seen a tremendous growth in enrollment. “We’ve added lots of services for students and added a lot of new programs, especially technical programs. One of the most significant things has been the vast increase of programs and courses and in enrollment.” One question that Boehm gets asked often is how could she stay at one place for such a long period of time? Her answer is simple: She likes helping people. “Every position I’ve had I’ve got to help students in some way but every position has been totally different,” she said. “When you’re in administration you’re able to help

Pam Boehm, right, served as a counselor for Hill College for a year before being named to her first administrative role: director of counseling. Courtesy photo

she takes on she takes on 100 percent.” Gann said her attitude to this date continues to be consistent and she is always thinking of the students. “One constant with her is how can we help the students no matter the position,” Gann said. But in 2008, Boehm felt something was missing and it was time for a change. She felt it was time to pursue something she wanted to do since she began at Hill College. “I loved my job in administration but there was an area of the college that I just felt I needed more experience and that was being on the front lines with the students,” 10

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treat her any different from any other faculty member just because she was an administrator. “She just dove right into it and was very professional,” Gann said. “She saw an opportunity to do more for Hill College students.” Boehm taught psychology and was coordinator of the social and behavioral science department. She was also the college’s crisis counselor for five years. Boehm said she’s seen and learned a lot during her time at Hill College. “Oh gosh, I’ve seen a lot of change for one thing,” she said. “When I first started at Hill we probably didn’t have but 600

them because you can write policies and procedures that will help them be successful. But when you’re in the classroom you’re right in front of them and you’re teaching and helping them learn. “I guess if I was in one position for 30 years it would be difficult but all the positions I’ve had have been totally different.” Boehm said she always enjoys working at both the Hillsboro and Cleburne campuses because the student populations are so different. At Hillsboro, there are more athletes and international students. In Cleburne, there are more non-traditional students. After teaching for five years and as much

off guard because they made such a fast decision,” she said. “I feel very honored and blessed and I really believed this happened for a reason and this is where I need to be in this time in my life. I love this college, I love the community, I love the people.”

“

[Teaching] was very rewarding and it’s a great experience and I think I’m a better president because of the fact that I’ve been on the front lines with the students. I know about their struggles and I know what it’s like to have trouble learning or if they’re raising a family or go to work. Pam Boehm

Vice President of Administrative Services Billy Curbo has worked with Boehm in several capacities since she’s been at Hill College.

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as she loved it, Boehm found herself on another venture. In spring 2014, President Sheryl Kappus announced her retirement and the board of regents decided to do a national search for the new president. Boehm said she had a tremendous amount of faculty and staff that kept pushing her to throw her name in the hat. “They would tell me that I’ve been here for so long and that I know the college and the communities so well,” she said. “So I had a lot of encouragement and I think a lot of it was because I had that encouragement from faculty and staff and the community that I applied.” Boehm said she never had aspirations early on to be president but when she taught a leadership class she thought maybe it could be something she could do as well. She was one of the last people to be interviewed so she expected the board to take three to five days to make a decision. However, they called her the night after her interview and offered her the position. “I was very surprised and it caught me

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He said she is meticulous in her learning and record keeping, adding that if you ask her something specific she can tell you the time and place. Her moving job positions isn’t something Curbo is surprised about. He said it makes her a better leader. “She is an agent for change. She is always looking for change and constantly working to improve student services,” he said. “It did not surprise me that she applied to be president; I think she had a lot of encouragement.” Since she began as president of Hill College in July, she has gone full speed ahead putting together her staff, getting reacquainted with the community and joining civic organizations. She’s even come up with a master plan for the future of Hill College, including expansion of the Johnson County campus and renovation of downtown Cleburne. “[Teaching] was very rewarding and it’s a great experience and I think I’m a better president because of the fact that I’ve been on the front lines with the students,” she

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said. “I know about their struggles and I know what it’s like to have trouble learning or if they’re raising a family or go to work. It helped me to understand what kind of students we’re teaching.” Juggling school, work and family wasn’t easy, Boehm said. “But I’m the kind of the person that’s driven and I set my standards high and I push myself to accomplish what I want to accomplish. You make sacrifices and I have a very supportive husband that would take care of the kids while I studied. And it’s difficult because when you work all day, you’re tired and you don’t feel like studying but you just juggle and you learn to have good time management. I always put my family first, work and then school.” Boehm said that the support she received from colleagues and family was helpful, but she also had to learn to not be afraid to ask for help. Her husband, Allen Boehm, also worked for the college as vice president of instruction and research. He retired about seven years ago. Boehm made it clear she has no plans to retire. Together the couple have three sons, Tim, 40, Shane, 34, and Aaron, 29. While Boehm said she rarely has free time, any time she gets she’s booked with her two grandchildren, gardening or spending time with family on Lake Whitney. Given her varied job positions, Boehm said she truly feels like she’s a servant leader. “I had someone once tell me, ‘You just prepare yourself the best you can because you never know when you’re going to use the information that you’ve

But I’m the kind of the person that’s driven and I set my standards high and I push myself to accomplish what I want to accomplish.

Pam Boehm

learned,’” Boehm said. “That really stuck with me because if opportunity knocks, even if you don’t think you can do something, you should give it a try and that’s how I’ve looked at all my positions at Hill.” Curbo said Boehm is really the poster

child for Hill College students since she had a similar background. “It doesn’t matter where you start out the key is surrounding yourself with good people and good mentors,” he said. Curbo adds that Boehm is an inspiration for students to realize they can achieve success no matter their situation. “My story is really one from rags to riches, not that I’m rich but I started out as a secretary and switchboard operator,” Boehm said. “I just love this school, our community, our faculty and staff and I’ve had to have loved this to [be] here for so long. If I wasn’t happy I would have left a long time ago. I think we should be missionaries about education.”

Photo by Monica Faram

Pam Boehm splits her time between the Hillsboro and Johnson County campuses.

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Cleburne hitmaker 14

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story by matt smith

Cleburne's peter svendsen has spent a lifetime in the music and entertainment industry. although he could live anywhere, he chooses to keep Cleburne home as he prefers small-town living.

t’s probably safe to say that Peter Svendsen is the only Cleburne resident whose father met Christian X, the former king of Denmark. “This is one of my most prized possessions,” Svendsen said, holding up a striped arm band. “The king of Denmark gave these to my father and grandfather for their efforts in the Danish resistance during World War II.” Svendsen, 68, was born in Odense, also the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen.

“The movie ‘Frozen’ is his you know,” Svendsen said. “That is the film is based on his story called ‘The Snow Queen.’” Svendsen’s Danish roots run deep. A moving company his great-grandfather, Sven Peter Svendsen, founded more than 100 years ago still operates. Svendsen still speaks Danish though he jokes that the need to do so hardly ever arises in Cleburne. Any accent he may have once had is long gone. “Well, we came to Utah when I was 5 and I’ve lived in Texas for years,” Svendsen said. “So I don’t know what I sound like. I can say y’all.” His parents’ and grandparents’ conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints prompted the relocation to America and in large part awakened a passion that follows Svendsen through today. “When you do what you love and love what you do, you never have a hard day at work,” Svendsen said. Svendsen’s wife of 44 years, Vicki Svendsen, couldn’t agree more. “It’s been an exciting life for us,” she said. A Cleburne native, Vicki Svendsen, the daughter of Cleburne Dr. William R. Whitehouse, met Peter when she transferred from Texas Christian University to Brigham Young University. They attended a Neil Diamond concert on their first date, and music has played such a large role in their lives since.

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“From the time I can remember the first thing that I ever wanted was records, 45s,” Svendsen said. “And I had the little square record player that I could stack 45s on. When the other kids were out playing baseball and basketball I was down in my room listening to music. So I always had a great love for music.” Perhaps he inherited it. Svendsen’s parents performed as professional dancers before the war. His father, Svend Svendsen, later taught ballroom dancing in Provo, one of three jobs he took to support the family. “Oh, I love jazz,” Svendsen said when asked about his musical tastes. “I grew up in a home where my dad listened to Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck and all that.” The Beatles’ 1964 arrival in America further rounded out Svendsen’s musical palette as did B.B. King, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and the Eagles later on. “And I went through a period of learning to play guitar by listening to Peter, Paul & Mary, the Kingston Trio, Joanie Baez and all that folk era,” Svendsen said. Vicki Svendsen never got the fuss for the Beatles, but said she still loved music early on. “Bob Dylan,” Vicki Svendsen said. “A lot of soul music, Otis, Aretha, Sam Cooke.”

Courtesy photo

Peter Svendsen, shown with a record player he received for Christmas as a child, said his love of music started at a young age.

Svendsen jokes that he kind of plays guitar, but not really. He felt the calling of music, however, from a young age. “I got on what was called the central dance committee at BYU right after I’d finished my mission,” Svendsen said. “I’d hire bands to play the weekends and take them to BYU one night and to play the Steel Workers

Hall the next night and vice versa. I’d hire security, the hall and everything and we’d just split the profits 60/40. As a young kid I was making some pretty good money.” Svendsen also interviewed bands on BYU’s radio station. “Vicki and I love listening to music together, that’s one of our favorite things,”

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Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something that goes way back for me. I loved listening to radio as a kid. I remember, as a teenager, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d drive up to this place that overlooked, cause thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mountains in Utah, and would sit up there and we could listen to WABC in New York, Coleman in Oklahoma City. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be listening to Wolfman Jack and, trying to remember the call letters of the station in LA, all of these because they were 100,000 watt signal stations.â&#x20AC;? In between all that, Svendsen secured work as a ski instructor at Robert Redfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ski lodge in Sundance, Utah, and worked as maitre dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at The Tree Room, Redfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurant. Svendsen later organized the premiere of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kidâ&#x20AC;? for Redford. He also worked for his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s auto parts business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a job, not something I loved,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. Opportunity via the job he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much care for and Let me tell you what was so a night class in salesmanship cool, what turned me on to at Utah Valley Community country music, one record. College, where Svendsen ... It was Sammi Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Help had signed on for night Me Make It Through The classes, was about to knock. Night,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; a big, big crossover A professor convinced hit. From there I started him to enter a Distributive listening to country and Education Clubs of America I bought a Charley Pride competition in salesmanalbum, a Tammy Wynette ship. Sticking with what he album and I was hooked on knew at the time, Svendsen country music. did his presentation on auto parts. He won the school Peter Svendsen competition, did the same at state and went on to place first nationally. Newspaper stories and job offers followed. Enter the Osmond Brothers. Svendsen said he knew the Osmonds, especially Alan Osmond, because they â&#x20AC;&#x153;were around.â&#x20AC;? Alan and his girlfriend even double dated with Peter and Vicki a time or two and stayed in a rent house Svendsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father owned. Through Alan Osmond, Svendsen met Mike Curb. Curbâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is a story in itself but at the time he was an executive with MGM Records. He also tried to hire Svendsen several times. Svendsen initially thought Curb was kidding or simply being polite but soon enough realized a job in the music industry might just be â&#x20AC;&#x153;really cool.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I told Mike Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d interview with the guy running his company, his name was Bud Frazier, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want [Curb] just to give me the job, Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to go through the interview process.â&#x20AC;? Frazier hired Svendsen for a position in record sales, which prompted Svendsen to ask Frazier why he hired him.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;And this I want young men, especially young men in Scouting, to hear,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frazier told me, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Look, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve served a mission. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been to college. But you know what? The fact that you are an Eagle Scout made me want to hire you because I know by you being an Eagle Scout, whatever you start you will finish. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the kind of person I want to work for me.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Newly hired, Svendsen transferred to Atlanta, a city so â&#x20AC;&#x153;roughâ&#x20AC;? at the time his wife refused to go to the grocery store unless he accompanied her. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was boot camp for me,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never having worked in record store sales or music, they all gave me a bad time. The branch manager, it took three months for him to even give me an office. A promotions guy there was really nice though, the pop promoter. He traveled a lot and just told me to use his office.â&#x20AC;? Svendsen persevered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d go into these marketing meetings with sales figures and what we were trying to attain,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d always leave a motivational thought with them, to inspire them.â&#x20AC;? Relations between Svendsen and the branch manager thawed eventually. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He came to me confidentially one day and said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hey Peter, look, I know I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t treated you exactly right but I was listening when you were talking and I respected what you did. Is there any way youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d give me a copy of some of those motivational ideas and thoughts that you had?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Absolutely,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and things changed then.â&#x20AC;? Things changed for the worse when Polydor bought MGM and â&#x20AC;&#x153;some guyâ&#x20AC;? Svendsen had never heard of called and fired him. Svendsen told the guy he accepted being fired but added that the guy would be sorry for firing him because he was good at his job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Well, that may be so, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a buddy I want to give this job to,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;OK, but remember my name.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And you know what? Six years later that same guy called and tried to hire me.â&#x20AC;? Unsure what to do, the Svendsens moved to Cleburne. Curb called again not long after and hired Svendsen again, this time to work promotions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Which is what I really wanted to do anyway, go out and get records on the radio,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made 40 years of doing, getting airplay on radio stations and in â&#x20AC;&#x2122;77 I started my own [independent promotion company].â&#x20AC;? Somewhere in there, Svendsen experienced a musical epiphany. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me tell you what was so cool, what turned me on to country music, one record,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m listening to the pop station and I hear a record

that just blows me away, and I think this is just the greatest record. It was Sammi Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Help Me Make It Through The Night,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; a big, big crossover hit. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From there I started listening to country and I bought a Charley Pride album, a Tammy Wynette album and I was hooked on country music.â&#x20AC;?

Courtesy photo

On a recent visit to London, Peter Svendsen, right, recreated the Beatlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; famous crossing of Abbey Road with his son and grandson.

Although Svendsen said he still listens to all sorts of music â&#x20AC;&#x201D; except rap, which he never got â&#x20AC;&#x201D; country music has largely remained his mainstay since. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It just spoke to me,â&#x20AC;? Svendsen said of his attraction to Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Have you ever had a song thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Wow.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; I remember saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I like this. I like this sound.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Cleburne businessman Dan Taylor summed up Svendsenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musical savvy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s told me that he loves music, canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sing a note but has an ear

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country music programmers. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an honorâ&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be hard pressed to find an artist for music and can always recognize new talhe didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work with in some capacity,â&#x20AC;? Vicki ent,â&#x20AC;? Taylor said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of course, he also told me able man in a business that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always Svendsen said. been known for honorable people.â&#x20AC;? that he passed on George Strait.â&#x20AC;? The list of music, and film, stars Svendsen He even worked for a time with Hitsville Joking that no oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perfect, Svendsen has worked with through the years is long Records, the country subsidiary of Motown. said that Strait had talent, but lacked the Svendsen was also instrumensongs early on when Svendtal in promoting the sound sen first encountered him. track to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every Which Mike Wilson, vice Way But Loose,â&#x20AC;? the 1978 president of promotions at From the time I can remember the first thing that I Clint Eastwood film. PromotBlack River Entertainment ever wanted was records, 45s. And I had the little ing to record to country in Nashville, has known square record player that I could stack 45s on. When instead of pop stations proved Svendsen for 25 years and the other kids were out playing baseball and basketto be a game changer for worked with him during ball I was down in my room listening to music. So I country stations, which had Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stints at RCA, previously been considered Columbia and now Black always had a great love for music. backwater at best in the proRiver. Together they worked motion game. That promoto promote Clint Black, Peter Svendsen tion led to the huge success of Miranda Lambert, Alabama later sound tracks and films and rising country star Kelsuch as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Urban Cowboyâ&#x20AC;? and sea Ballerini, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Electric Horseman,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great record promoter but foremost heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a man of faith indeed as pictures of him with Willie Nelson, Svendsen said. Through it all the excitement of being inTaylor Swift, Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, and I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say enough about him,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He brings a passion for music, a strong T.G. Sheppard and many more adorning the volved in music and helping others remained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like a baby for him, finding new walls of his Cleburne office attest. work ethic and has great relationships with

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talent,” Vicki Svendsen said. “A baby you’ve nurtured and taken care of and now they’re sprouting wings. That’s the whole goal, taking someone that’s an unknown and that has talent and watching them become a star.” It’s been interesting at times, Svendsen said, recalling an instance when a famous musician’s wife showed up unexpectedly, the musician at the time otherwise occupied with a groupie. Svendsen said his faith helped him avoid the pitfalls of celebrity life. “Oh yeah, drugs,” Svendsen said. “I made the decision to stay away from that long ago. I remember on Mel Tillis’ bus once some of the musicians started to smoke pot and I just told Mel, ‘As long as they smoke pot on the bus I’ll follow you in my car but I’m not going to ride on the bus.’ And Mel went and told them they couldn’t smoke pot when I was with him.” Offers to relocate to Nashville have been tempting, Svendsen said, but he prefers the tranquil-

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Photo by Matt Smith

Peter Svendsen was instrumental in organizing a concert benefiting victims of the May 2012 torndoes in Cleburne. From left are Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Cathy Marchel, Svendsen, show organizer Alison Stonecypher and chamber Executive Vice President Tara Janszen.

ity of Cleburne and the retreat it provides “The tornado benefit out at Buddy CISD. from showbiz. Stewart Park was a huge success,” Svendsen “When we came to Peter in 2013 we It’s also a community Svendsen and his said. “All that was really Randy’s idea. He wanted a fundraiser that was different than family care about and have given back to was wanting to know what he could do to anything else in town,” Castles said. “We from Svendsen’s involvement in Rotary to help after the tornadoes. And the reason didn’t want to do another golf tournament or playing an instrumental role in establishing that show went off so well came down to anything like that.” Cleburne’s chapter of Christmas in Action. [Cleburne Chamber of Commerce President Svendsen felt the same and didn’t want to Much of his community involvement, natuCathy Marchel and Executive Vice President simply organize another concert in the park rally, involves music. Tara Janszen] and all their hard work.” type event. Cleburne businessman “Vicki and I, one of Vance Castles lost his 15-yearthe things we love is going old son, Brandt Castles, to to what’s called guitar leukemia in 1982. As insurance pulls,” Svendsen said. benefits ran out, financial hard“When we go to country The tornado benefit out at Buddy Stewart Park was a ships ran up. music seminars we love huge success. All that was really Randy’s idea. He was “Peter stepped in and [guitar pulls] because they wanting to know what he could do to help after the organized a benefit concert and bring the songwriters in tornadoes. And the reason that show went off so well brought in T.G. Sheppard and and you get to hear their came down to [Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Janie Fricke, who were both songs and the stories of President Cathy Marchel and Executive Vice President big at the time,” Castles said. their lives and songs. And Tara Janszen] and all their hard work. “And we held it at Don Smith many of those people, Peter Svendsen Performing Arts Center at you don’t know them, Cleburne High School.” but you know their songs In recent years, Svendsen because they’re covered helped organize Cleburne and released by the more concerts to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Svendsen once again teamed with Castles famous names. Center of Johnson County and victims of in 2013, or more appropriately the Cleburne “So I thought about what we could do the 2013 Cleburne tornadoes. Both events Education Foundation, which Castles helped and I said to Vance, ‘You won’t understand brought country star, and Cleburne native, found in 2011. The foundation raises donawhat I’m talking about, but there’s some Randy Rogers back home, in addition to a tions to award grants to Cleburne ISD and magic in my idea. When people can sit down host of local, regional and national acts. work to increase community involvement in and hear songs sung by those who wrote

“

Community Life

Courtesy photos

As a music promoter, Peter Svendsen has worked with a wide range of artists, including, clockwise from top left, Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Willie Nelson.

them and also hear the stories behind the songs. So when we brought this idea to Vance and everyone else at CEF, it was totally a leap of faith on their part.” Castles and company nonetheless decided to run with Svendsen’s idea. “I thought, well, it’s different when Peter told us the idea,” Castles said. “I didn’t know what to expect but thought, maybe, because it was so different it just might work.” The concerts, two of which have been held so far, proved a 22

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huge success and brought several notable Nashville songwriters and up-and-coming performers to Cleburne in 2013 and 2014. “We’re glad people loved it and enjoyed it and got a chance to hear the magic of the creation of music,” Svendsen said. Castles said he hopes the event, known as Nashville Lights, continues in the years to come. “It’s a lot of fun,” Castles said. “It’s also the premiere

“

If you’re going to love something, music’s a good one to choose and since I was young music has been the heartbeat for me.

“

fundraising event for our foundation.” The excitement of being involved in the industry working in a field he loves has been a thrill, Svendsen said. In the end, however, it all boils down to faith, family, community and his lifelong passion. “Vicki and I were watching one of the Christmas specials with Andrea Bocelli, had the lights off and the speakers turned up and it was so beautiful,” Svendsen said. “My thought is that different music speaks to different people but in the overall the music we love speaks to our souls because we relate to the songs we love. “If you’re going to love something, music’s a good one to choose and since I was young music has been the heartbeat for me.”

Peter Svendsen

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Visit our Website at www.burlesonchamber.com Advertise your business in our newsletter contact: Cleburne Times-Review 817-645-2441

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a ce Arem er eson Burlr of Com be Cham hire Wil7s6028 . S.W X 104r4leson, T u B r.com1 e b m a 12 sonch817-2955--66192 e l r u : .b Phone 17-29 8 www Fax:

POWER OF HEELS LUNCHEON (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Sharen Wilson, Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney-elect, taking office on January 1, 2015 when she will lead the largest law firm in Tarrant County.

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(11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Scott Lennox, LCSW, Program Counselor with Baylor All Saints Behavioral Health Services will discuss how to deal with stress in ways that are more manageable in the daily workplace. $15 Chamber Members/$20 Non-Members Sponsored by Baylor All Saints Medical Center at FW

TUESDAY 2/10 Citizens National Bank of Texas 130 NW John Jones Dr. Suite 232, Burleson

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS NETWORKING (5:30 – 7:00 p.m.) **Free to Burleson Chamber members Sponsored by Citizens National Bank of Texas

THUR. 2/19 First United Methodist Church

ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON (11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.) Honoring Recipients of the Chamber Legacy Awards for Service, ATHENA Woman of the Year and STAR Small Businesses of the Year; Keynote Presentation by Craig Couch Sponsored by Couch & Russell Financial Group STAR Award Sponsor: Citizens National Bank of Texas ATHENA Award Sponsor: Texas Health Huguley Hospital FW South

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Honda of Burleson (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) 632 S. Burleson Boulevard $15 Chamber Members/$20 Non-Members Comfort Inn & Suites 321 S Burleson Blvd., Burleson

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POWER OF HEELS LUNCHEON (11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) $15 Chamber Members/$20 Non-Members

RSVP Online for these events at www.burlesonchamber.com/calendar or call the Burleson Chamber, (817) 295-6121 for more information.

BURLESON NETWORKING GROUPS BURLESON BUSINESS CONNECTIONS / WEDNESDAYS 7:30-9am at Holiday Inn Express in Burleson For more information, contact Ruth Moor at 817-447-3476 BURLESON BUSINESS BUILDERS / FRIDAYS 8:30-9:30AM AT FRESCO’S For more information, contact Linda Molina at 817-447-7371

The Mission of the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce is to be an advocate for business members and the community by giving support, encouragement and promotion of local businesses through various avenues of networking to share ideas, grow business and help each other succeed.

Join the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce

550 Members strong, the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce offers networking, business education seminars and connections to business leaders in our community. Interested in learning more about the Chamber? Contact us at (817) 295-6121.

ELLEN LARIMORE Marketing/Communications Director

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Centennial High School | Burleson, TX

(817) 386-8170 1024 S.W. Alsbury, Burleson, TX 76028 (817) 558-0226 827 North Main, Cleburne, TX

Unexpected tragedy brings great leadership Principal Wayne Leek brings experience, positivity to BHS after serving at West HS

Story by Chris Duke

eing called to the principal’s office is sometimes a bad thing for students. But for Burleson High School seniors, it’s not unusual to get a text from their principal. Wayne Leek is in his first year as Burleson High School’s principal. He was the principal of West High School when the West Fertilizer Co. plant exploded April 17, 2013. Leek has been in secondary administration for 11 years and never expected the events of that day. No one did, but as a principal he is taught and trained to prepare for the worst. “I was standing outside after canceling an afternoon meeting, because we had heard the plant was smoking and were trying to decide whether or 26

Community Life

not to evacuate,” Leek said. “After initial reports of fire we decided to evacuate the school, at the same time the other principals did the same thing as we tried to get students as far away from the plant as possible.” As the fire continued into the night, Leek and others observed as the fire crews battled the flames. Then at 7:50 p.m., the plant exploded. The shockwave leveled buildings and knocked out windows up to seven miles away in the town of Abbott. “I had never felt something quite like it before. We all ducked worrying about debris,” Leek said. “Eventually we all began to frantically make sure we knew our loved ones were safe. Nothing else mattered.”

Principal Wayne Leek came to Burleson High School from West, where he was when the West Fertilizer Co. plant exploded in 2013. Left: Pictures of the damage in West. Photo by Chris Duke

Community Life

The blast destroyed the plant, along with several apartment homes, houses and four of the West ISD campuses. The damage to the high school was severe, forcing the administration to have to make tough decisions. In the end, 15 people were confirmed dead, more than 160 injured, and more than 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed. West was devastated. School was cancelled for more than a

week to give families time to grieve and let the healing process begin, Leek said. The district had to spend time and money to make repairs, as the people of West came out to help. The district’s total loss on the four campuses has cost millions of dollars to rebuild the buildings, said Dr. Jan Hungate, West High School principal and executive director of administration and compliance. “Wayne organized and designed all of

the portables that the students are still using today as we plan and start to rebuild a new high school and other campuses,” Hungate said. “Not many principals understand planning and construction; he really flexed his leadership muscles to get it done and we have benefited so much from it.” The school year was almost over as the community grew closer over the tragedy, and the rest of the state came out in support with

kids.” In the wake of the tragedy, Leek made an effort to keep the student body together, even though he admits he didn’t really have to try that hard. The students made an effort as they looked to the principal and the teachers to get them through the difficult time. “Students were making more of an effort than they ever had before, to keep themselves going they used school as an escape from the

explosion’s aftermath,” Leek said. “Everyone pulled together and we made it through.” Leek brought his experience and close-nit family ties to Burleson High School in 2014. With 23 years of public education experience under his belt, Leek has come back to his roots in north Texas to continue his career. Outside of being a principal, Leek is a family man that enjoys spending time with his wife, Patty, 15-year-old son Garrett and

Photo by Chris Duke

Wayne Leek puts an emphasis on senior success by displaying their accomplishments in the hallway at Burleson HIgh School.

money and needed supplies to help through the tragedy. “We caught a break from Connally ISD, as they made an open campus available to all of our students. In a week we took 750 students to the school and began getting things back to normal,” Leek said. “The first priority was keeping kids in school, we created a modified schedule to accommodate for our middle schoolers as well as the elementary 28

Community Life

13-year-old daughter Jessica. The family is sporty. They enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing and other activities. Patty Leek is a middle school English teacher in Mineral Wells, so it is easy to see how education runs in the family. As a teen, Leek was an avid athlete who never really considered going to college, until his coach changed his mind. “He said, ‘Wayne, you are going to

college. You can play basketball, and pay your own way through school.’ I had never thought about it and it wasn’t until an educator had told me I could, did I ever think about it,” Leek said. After graduating from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Leek got his first job at Crowley where he said that his love of teaching really started. After only one year, Leek moved to Plano and stayed there for six

years before moving to West where he stayed for 15 years as a high school science teacher and basketball coach. For 10 of those years, he entered administration as dean of students and eventually West High School principal. “The superintendent at the time asked him to take on the challenge of being head basketball coach, as well as principal,” Hungate said. “Wayne was always willing to take on a challenge.”

The experiences at West affected Leek personally and professionally in many ways. Leek said the stress of the tragedy made decision-making much more simple as he looked outside of the box to try and connect with all of his students. Professionally, Leek said, things were easier to decide no longer worrying about every detail and instead keeping an eye on the fundamentals. “I feel stronger and calmer in decision

making after a tragedy like that, it really makes you remember what is important,” Leek said. West administrators felt a loss when Leek chose to move to Burleson. “Wayne Leek was a huge asset to West ISD during his tenure here as a teacher, coach and high school principal,” Hungate said. “It was with such mixed feelings that we even let him leave us. We were excited

for him and his new adventure in a larger high school in Burleson, and we knew we were losing his experience and expertise, but we will never lose the friendships and bonds with Wayne that we formed in his many years here.” The only thing stronger than the call to stay at West was the call to serve as principal in a district that is trying to grow and innovate with the times, and the man leading it, Community Life

Superintendent Bret Jimerson. “I felt compelled to come here, once I met Bret and saw the vision he had for the district. It aligned with my own, and I jumped at the chance to work here once I was offered the job,” Leek said. “I want to continue building on the district’s tradition of success in academics and build up the relationship of teachers and students.” Jimerson said Leek has filled the position well. “Wayne has lived up to the expectations we had about him,” Jimerson said. “He is a great instructional leader that fits into the BHS culture perfectly. I am amazed at how well he bonds to the students and faculty so remarkably easy.” Jimerson’s said his goals for the students of BISD are to build on the tradition of success in Burleson and to educate students to be successful in whatever path they choose. “Critical thinking is important and so are tests; but skills and hands-on training in many fields are important to a student’s individual success,” Jimerson said. “Wayne surely has the experience to lead the educators at BHS and teach students to follow their dreams.” Leek’s said his vision for Burleson High School is putting the relationships of the students and faculty first; building a community that can pull together to increase attendance; and keeping the school ahead in advanced academics and career/technology training. The most immediate step he took

Community Life

Photo by Chris Duke

Wayne Leek visits with teachers in the library at Burleson High School. He has been well received by the BHS staff in his first year as principal.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

The student body was around to make the community closer 750-800 students at West High was having all of his seniors Wayne has lived up to the expectations School, while the size at Bursign up for his text messaging we had about him. He is a great leson High School doubled to system, where he gives them eninstructional leader that fits into the around 1600 students. couragement and thanks them BHS culture perfectly. I am amazed at â&#x20AC;&#x153;The difficulty lies in taking for their leadership everyday. how well he bonds to the students and the extra time to get to know This has made a difference as faculty so remarkably easy. everyone personally and making seniors are noticed making an â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BISD Superintendent Bret Jimerson an effort to affect their lives in a extra effort, Leek said. positive manner,â&#x20AC;? Leek said. The While walking the hall of best positive in the change from Burleson High School, Leek West to Burleson is the amount expressed his fondness for comculture, where grades are important but not of resources Burleson ISD has munity he is trying to build the thing we spend the most time on,â&#x20AC;? Leek over the much smaller West ISD. Leek said within the school and the support he had said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OK to be fun and engaging.â&#x20AC;? that he saw the Burleson community as being received thus far from the teachers. Senior leadership is an important part a strong one that would allow him to make a â&#x20AC;&#x153;So far all the teachers have given me of the school unit, the seniors often get the greater impact in student development. their full support in trying to build relationâ&#x20AC;&#x153;It takes a community to be successful. ship with students. Grades are important but most leeway but they need to be the ones to set the standard for the kids in the grade This community is very supportive, even as it they come after you have built a connection below, Leek said. grows larger. It is exciting to be apart of and with the students during their later formaâ&#x20AC;&#x153;I always get asked if the job is harder to espouse the vision of Dr. Jimerson and the tive years; they have to know you really care,â&#x20AC;? now that I have almost double the kids in school board that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;kindness mattersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in all Leek said. things.â&#x20AC;? His experiences at West High School have one school, the answer is simply they are fundamentally the same. It is always about Leek plans on making efforts to bridge given Leek an outlook on education that is building relationships: staff/student and staff/ the relationship gap to all students and focus very student focused. staff,â&#x20AC;? Leek said. on their collective and individual success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to cultivate a student centered

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Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

Cleburne chamber planning new events for 2015 and expanding current ones STORY BY Monica Faram

he Cleburne Chamber of Commerce recently closed out another successful and busy year and is looking forward to several new events this year. The last order of business for the 2014 year is the annual awards banquet to be held Jan. 29. Themed “Blazing New Trails,” the banquet begins at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour at the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce.

Summer Concert Series The Summer Concert Series will return to Market Square for the third year thanks to the support of the community and visitors that attended last summer. The chamber is working on the schedule and booking the talent for this summer’s line-up. The concert features well-known and local talent.

Photo by Matt Smith

The Summer Concert Series draws residents to Market Square each summer.

Shakespeare in the Park One of the new events the chamber has planned for this year is “Cleburne’s Shakespeare in the Park”

to be held this summer. In partnership with the Plaza Theatre Co., Shakespeare in the park will be held July 17-18 at Byron “Buddy”

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Expo. Last year’s was one of the year’s biggest yet, drawing over 3,000 people. This year’s event is Oct. 3. The event is held annually in October and is an opportunity for residents to see what the businesses in Cleburne offer. There is even a Kid’s Zone so families can attend.

File photo

The chamber golf tournament is May 29 at Cleburne Golf Links.

Stewart Park. The production will be “Hamlet,” written by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is a tragedy that dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet is instructed by his father’s spirit to enact upon his uncle Claudius. The performance will begin at dusk. Further details about the event will be coming soon at www.cleburneshakes.com. Chamber golf tournament The 16th annual chamber golf tournament will be May 29 at Cleburne Golf Links. It is a fundraiser for the chamber and a great opportunity for members to promote their business while having fun. The chamber also plans to bring back the “Shot in the Dark” night golf event in August. Business Expo One of the biggest events each year is the Business

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Young Professionals of Cleburne A new organization was formed in 2014 geared towards business professionals younger than 40. Young Professionals of Cleburne meets monthly for a breakfast meeting. An extension of the chamber, the organization’s mission is to connect, develop, and engage Young Professionals in Cleburne to have a positive impact on the future of the community. They strive to engage young professionals in leadership development, networking, finding voice in the community and community service. Guests are welcome to attend one meeting for free, but RSVPs are required. Cost for the year is $75, which covers breakfast at the monthly meetings.

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Cleburne Chamber of Commerce

Annual banquet to be held Jan. 29 STORY BY Nicole Luna

ecause of the overwhelming positive response to the 95th annual Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Banquet, this year those who attend the 96th annual banquet can expect a similar atmosphere. The chamber is offering an opportunity for attendees to mingle and network while they await the annual chamber banquet awards at the Jan. 29 banquet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With having entertainment people didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really have opportunity to visit with each other and we wanted to provide that opportunity for our members and all attendees,â&#x20AC;? chamber President Cathy Marchel said. The event draws 400-500 people, which Marchel said is a good number for people to get to know one another and network.

The theme this year is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blazing New Trails.â&#x20AC;? Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:15 p.m. and awards at 7:15 p.m. The event will be filled with an evening of celebration along with awards and special recognitions of people with outstanding service to the chamber and community. Incoming and outcoming directors are recognized, volunteers and committees are recognized for their accomplishments and for their contribution of time, talent, and/ or money. The awards will be the same, including the Community Service Award, ATHENA Award and Wall of Fame Award. However, Marchel said she hopes for 2015 the chamber will be able to award a Lifetime Achievement Award and Young Business Professional Award â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two awards with strict criteria.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give awards just to give awards,â&#x20AC;? Marchel said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are very special awards that this year nobody fulfilled the requirements.â&#x20AC;? Ambassador award recipients are chosen based on a point system and the number of hours of volunteer work completed during the year with the chamber. An ambassador team and individual are chosen for this award. Other awards are chosen by a committee of five past winners. The ATHENA Award is chosen by a group of as many past recipients attending the award presentation meeting. The event is expected to end by 8:30 p.m. Individual banquet tickets are still $45 and corporate tables are $1,000. For more information on becoming a sponsor or for tickets, call the chamber at 817-645-2455.

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2015 Calendar of Events JANUARY 29 Chamber annual banquet 30-31 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “The Wizard of Oz” FEBRUARY 5-28 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “The Wizard of Oz” 6-7 Songbird Live! presents Tom and Pam Burchill 13-14 Songbird Live! presents Sara Hickman 20-21 Songbird Live! presents Me and My Monkey 27-28 Songbird Live! presents Beyond the Pale MARCH 5-7 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “The Wizard of Oz” 6-7 Songbird Live! presents Miss Devon and the Outlaw 13-14 Songbird Live! presents Cleburne Riverdance 13-28 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “42nd Street” 20-21 Songbird Live! presents clarinetist Sharon Deuby 25 Chamber quarterly luncheon 27-28 Songbird Live! presents Hale Baskin 30-31 Community Holy Week services APRIL 1-3 2-18 3-4 10-11 17-19 24-25 25 28

Community Holy Week services Plaza Theatre Co. presents “42nd Street” Songbird Live! presents Rhythmators Blues Band Songbird Live! presents Dave Walser and Friends Antique Alley & Yard Sale Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Kiss & Tell” Cowboys for Kids PBR bull riding Brazos Chamber Orchestra spring concert

MAY 1-16 1-2 2 8-9 15-16 22-30 29

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Kiss & Tell” Songbird Live! presents Emily Elbert Springfest Songbird Live! presents Colin Campbell Jazz Organ Songbird Live! presents Victor Cager Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Hairspray” Chamber golf tournament

JUNE 4-27 5-27 10-13 19-28

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Hairspray” Songbird Live! Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse PRCA Rodeo Carnegie Players present “Les Miserables”

JULY 2-31 3-31 4 17-18 25

Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Little Women” Songbird Live! Fourth of July celebration/fireworks display Shakespeare in the Park Goatneck Bike Ride

AUGUST 1 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Little Women” 1-29 Songbird Live! 11-27 Carnegie Players present “The Odd Couple” 11-26 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Pollyanna” TBA Chamber Night Golf Tournament 26 Chamber quarterly luncheon SEPTEMBER 3--5 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “She Loves Me” 4-26 Songbird Live! 11-27 Carnegie Players presents “The Odd Couple” 11-26 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Pollyanna” 18-20 Antique Alley & Yard Sale OCTOBER 1-3 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Pollyanna” 2-31 Songbird Live! 3 Chamber Business Expo 9-31 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “The Addams Family” TBA Brazos Chamber Orchestra fall concert 28 Chamber quarterly luncheon NOVEMBER 5-13 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “The Addams Family” 6-28 Songbird Live! 20-21 Pioneer Days 20-28 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Sanders Family Christmas” 23 Whistle Stop Christmas lighting DECEMBER 1-31 Whistle Stop Christmas lights in the park 3-23 Plaza Theatre Co. presents “Sanders Family Christmas” 4 Christmas parade 4 Whistle Stop Christmas in the Park 4-26 Songbird Live! 4-13 Carnegie Players present Christmas play TBA Brazos Chamber Orchestra Christmas concert Community Life

time tested The Cleburne Yellow Jackets celebrate winning the Boswell Tournament last season. The Jackets then went undefeated in District 15-4A play to win the district title before going three rounds deep into postseason play. Courtesy photo

Community Life

Soccer seniors have grown up together on and off the field

he 2014 Cleburne Yellow Jackets captured the District 15-4A championship with an undefeated record and went three rounds deep into the playoffs. It was one of the most successful seasons in Cleburne boys soccer history. And a special bond the group of juniors on last year’s team had was an integral reason for that success. Now, that special bond is a driving force behind the Jackets’ goals and hopes for 2015. That group of juniors, now seniors, has been forged through years

and years of playing together and being a tight-knit group off the field. Fourteen of the seniors at one point in their little league days all played together, and the majority of them stayed together on the same team — the Sharks — since they were 9 or 10 years old until they started playing as freshmen for the Jackets. Now in their final year together, the Jackets look to end their playing days alongside each other by going out on a high note and surpassing last year’s success.

Story by A.J. Crisp

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According to Sharks “Team Mom” Gina Horton, the group of players who have been together since the third grade when include Adam Banda, Ronald Cabello, Chris Flores, Zane Horton, Mario Juarez, Luis Lopez, Armando Villegas and Aaron Webb. Jesus Moreno joined the Sharks in the fourth grade, and Luis Suaste, Jacob Rodriguez and Diego Silva all joined in junior high. Joseph Paez had several brief stints with the Sharks. And Zach Long came on later during the Sharks’ final three or four seasons. The Sharks, coached by Brad Horton and James Robbins, had an impressive run of success in their little league careers that carried into last year’s run. After the spring season in 2008, the Sharks went on an astonishing stretch over the next five years as they compiled a 92-1111 record from 2008-13. Despite their success, the Sharks never went to play in national tournaments or big state-wide tournaments because of travel and tournament costs, but they played in — and usually dominated — the competition in as many local tournaments around the region they could enter. “We weren’t a big traveling tournament team,” Gina Horton said. “We just kept the boys together and just let them play soccer. We did a lot off the field. We had a lot of slumber parties, a lot of camping trips, and a lot of birthday parties. We just raised those kids together. There are a lot of good parents and a lot of good kids in this group.” The Sharks got so good that they eventually played in an age level above them. “We really didn’t have the money to take them on big tournaments or play select,” Gina Horton said. “We just bumped them up to the age group above us in the Arlington Soccer Association to get a little bit better competition and play against We just raised those older kids. That made it a lot more competitive kids together. There are for them and kept them a lot of good parents on their toes. It got them and a lot of good kids ready for high school in this group. since they were already — Team Mom Gina Horton used to playing against older, bigger guys. “We just wanted to keep them together. We knew we had some really good players and they always had a blast playing together. And that was the most important thing.” The Sharks won a number of tournaments, including the local Thetford Tournament in 2009. All of the success on the field at an early age combined with the team bonding off the field has been a big key in what the Jackets have been able to accomplish recently, several players said. “It’s great because we’ve had that chemistry since we were young,” Paez said. “It rolls over to where we are now and I think that’s why we were able to do so great this last season.” “We really didn’t know who all we would have our senior year but amazingly most everybody is still here,” Flores said. “I think it speaks volumes to our chemistry. We knew in ourselves we were capable of it. I think we went out and proved what we knew we could do. We hope to continue it this year. Considering we have most everybody back, we hope to build on it this year.”

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“I think [team chemistry] is important because we’ve been playing with each other since we were 9 or 10, and you don’t need to see each other to know where you are on the field,” Zane Horton said. “You just know they’re there because we’ve played together so long. That’s one of the things we always looked forward to was once we got in high school, we’d be a dominant team. We won our first varsity tournament [last year] and went undefeated in district and went three rounds deep in the playoffs, and that’s something that Cleburne hasn’t really ever done. “It’s surprising because when we were in eighth grade, we had a coach come down and tell us that by our junior year we’d have a lot of people out of athletics,” Zane Horton continued. “For soccer, that really hasn’t happened. We started together at a young age and we’re all still here.” Not only was team chemistry on the field important, but the bond the group built off the field at birthday parties and camping trips when they were younger helped them build strong relationships off the field as well. “Team chemistry is everything for us,” Webb said. “We’re like brothers on this team. We make fun of each other and joke around, and we all know we’re just joking so leave,” Walker said. “They hang around and said. “We have a lot of returning seniors who nobody gets their feelings hurt.” talk. When I’m not coaching them, they’re started last year. Everyone’s used to the presCleburne Coach Will Walker said he’s hanging out and going out to eat together. sure. I think we all can go out there and play never seen such a big group of players who They do a lot together away from school and off of our success from last year.” have been together for so long. practice, and that helps, too.” “We’re hoping for a district champion“I had some guys at Crowley who played Now the Jackets are ready to move on ship once again,” Flores said. “Last year we together some but for the most part they from last year’s success and hope to surpass it were talking about it after we lost, and a state came from a lot of different club teams,” championship isn’t Walker said. “I’ve had teams that had the out of the quessame type of experience as far as playing tion. We’ve got the at high levels, but never something where We’ve got the talent, the mindset talent, the mindset you have them playing on the same team and the chemistry and the chemistry — — it’s all there, growing up. It’s very unique. Having played — it’s all there, so so you never know. We just together for so long, they just know each you never know. We have to keep working and other so well. It makes it easy for them to just have to keep not get ahead of ourselves.— be creative on the field because they’re used working and not get Senior Zane Horton to what each other can do. They expect the ahead of ourselves.” passes and plays they make to each other. It Cleburne got off definitely helps that they know each other’s this year. to a rough start to the season as they began styles.” “Last year felt really good,” Webb said. the year with a 1-3-0 record as of Jan. 13. Walker said while the chemistry on the “It’s something we’ve been working towards But Walker said he wasn’t concerned with field is unique and special, their bond off pretty much our whole lives. ... I think it’s the slow start, in part because of the team’s the field is just as strong. very possible we could do it again this year.” chemistry and experience. “When practice is over, they just sit “This year, I think that we can go a lot The Jackets open play in District 8-5A on around and I sometimes can’t get them to farther than we did last year,” Zane Horton Jan. 27 at Crowley. 42

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“

Courtesy photos

The Sharks won the 2009 Thetford Tournament. Eight members of the Yellow Jackets were on that Sharks team. Below: The Cleburne Yellow Jackets captured first place in the Boswell Tournament in January 2014. It was the Jackets’ first varsity tournament win in several years. Cleburne’s success in 2014 was due in large part to the team chemistry and many years of playing together from last year’s junior class. Left: Sharks “Team Mom” Gina Horton said the group of boys not only enjoyed playing together, but there were numerous birthday parties, camping trips and slumber parties together from when they were in the third grade.

Community Life

What you need to know from CES

echie nerds like me and our new reporter Chris Duke were in heaven this month watching the new technology advances announced during the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show. CES is a huge tech show that draws several hundred thousand to Las Vegas annually. With 170,000 attendees and 3,600 exhibitors, it’s safe to say there was a lot happening. So what can the average consumer take away from the show? There are several new technologies that were introduced and trends that seem to be forming in the technology world. Here’s some of the highlights you need to know from the CES: 1. The Internet is taking over the world. Samsung Electronics CEO Boo-Keun Yoon said that 100 percent of its products would be connected to the Internet within five years, according to a VentureBeat.com article. “These devices will connect to the Internet and have their own IP addresses. They’ll get smart enough to capture data from sensors and process it in a way that can be delivered in an understandable way to our smartphones or the web,” according to the article. 2. Wearable electronics are also taking over the world. VentureBeat’s Harrison Weber gave a complete rundown of 56 wearables he tried at CES. Perhaps the most anticipated is the Apple Watch, but with a $400 price tag, consumers might want to try a cheaper one. 3. Drones, too, will soon be taking over the world. With Amazon employing drones as delivery agents and the government using them for border patrol, drones are becoming more commonplace in daily life. Ascending Technologies showed off its Firefly drones during the Intel keynote. The Firefly drones can navi44

Community Life

By Monica Faram Technology

gate a dense forest without human control and manage to avoid hitting anything. Intel has a wide range of drones offering everything from entertainment to selfies, according to VentureBeat. 4. Cable TV is on its way out the door. Perhaps the biggest announcement of CES was from Dish Network, which announced Sling TV, an overthe-top video service. We have Dish Network and already use their hopper feature to watch our DVR shows. The Sling TV, however, completely eliminates the need for any cable provider. Subscribers can — for a starting price of $20 a month — watch shows from ESPN, CNN, Food Network,

etc., on a large array of devices such as iOS and Android devices, Fire TV, Roku and Xbox One. 5. New television technology is going to save you money and energy. The 4K television was one of the hottest topics this year. Samsung, Sony, Netflix and others are working together to standardize Ultra High-Definition technologies. Sony’s X900 C Series 4K television is the most impressive and even features voice search capabilities. Quantam dots technology was all the buzz as well. Quantum dots are nano-sized crystals that increase the range of vivid colors massively. Layered over the LCD layer in televisions, the picture output is unmatched. Overall, as technology advances, prices will be high at first as retailers work out the kinks. You can plan on things becoming more affordable as the newer TVs, computers, wearable electronics and other items become more common and widely used.

Courtesy photo/CES

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich sharing one of Intel’s newest products during Intel’s keynote address.

Community Life Magazine

BRIDES

Community Life

How successful to...ly negotiate with wedding vendors 



he average wedding tends to be one of the most costly ventures in a couple’s life together. Many couples seek ways to cut costs, and negotiating with prospective vendors is one way to do just that. Too often couples overlook haggling for better prices because they may be intimidated by the process or simply want to plan the most memorable day regardless of cost. Many vendors build some wiggle room into their prices, and the key for cost-conscious couples is to find the right strategy to unlock that lower price. ◆ Explore your options. Weddings are big business for vendors, and the competition is stiff. Visit a variety of vendors and compare their services and prices prior to making any decisions. This will give you an accurate range of costs and information for future negotiations. Vendors may be willing to match competitors’ prices, so knowing what the photographer down the street charges can provide you with some negotiating leverage. ◆ Dress modestly for meetings. It’s tempting to want to dress to impress, but very often wedding vendors judge potential clients by their appearances. If you walk in with a designer handbag and driving the latest model luxury vehicle, a vendor may get the impression you have extra money to spend. While you do not have to play the pauper, dress modestly so your appearance doesn’t hurt you at the negotiating table. ◆ Never take the first offer. A good business person will tell you there always is room for negotiation. Avoid the loaded question of “What can you spend on this?” by

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the vendor. Instead, let them bring up a price first, and realize that this first quote can almost always be negotiated down. Inform the vendor that you would really like to work with them but he or she needs to lower the price. See if they can offer a different package or provide a discount. ◆ Negotiate the big-ticket items first. Discounts on big-ticket items, such as the reception venue, will save you the most money. For example, you will save more by getting 20 percent off at the catering hall than if you save 20 percent on your wedding gown. Once you free up extra money, you may find you don’t have to negotiate as hard with smaller vendors. ◆ Walk away if need be. Always have a Plan B in place. This way if you tell a vendor that their price is too expensive and you have to pass, you really have a fall-back option. Some vendors will sweeten the deal, but others will actually let you walk out the door. And remember, you’re more likely to get a better price by being amenable and wellmannered than making threats or arguing. ◆w Some deals aren’t actual discounts. A vendor may be able to work with you by offering additional services in lieu of actually taking money off of the price tag. Extra photo prints, a dessert bar and an extra hour of time in the limousine may seem like great deals, but that’s only the case if you truly need these bonuses. Even if it’s a great deal, you’re still spending more than you had hoped. Wedding prices can be overwhelming. However, negotiating for lower prices is always an option for cost-conscious couples.

Hidden expenses

that can sink your wedding budget

n the days of yore, the responsibility of paying for a wedding fell to the bride’s parents. But that tradition has largely fallen by the wayside in recent years, when more and more couples have used their own savings to finance their weddings. Few couples enter the process of planning their weddings unaware of just how expensive weddings can get, but costs can easily begin to escalate if couples are not careful. Couples know that certain wedding expenses, such as the cost of booking a reception hall, will eat up a large portion of their budgets. But there are some hidden expenses that couples must build into their budgets to avoid finding themselves in debt as they walk down the aisle as husband and wife. ◆Taxes: Sales tax might not seem so significant when you’re buying everyday items, but the taxes add up quickly when paying for a wedding. Depending on where you live, state and local sales tax can exceed 9 percent in the

United States, and some Canadians pay as much as 15 percent in combined sales taxes depending on where they live. Before signing contracts with any vendors, couples should get the price including sales tax written into their contracts, as failing to do so may result in a several thousand dollar surprise when the time to pay up arrives. ◆ Gratuities: Gratuities are another potentially hefty expense that often takes engaged couples by surprise as they start to plan their weddings. Some reception halls build gratuities for staff into their estimates, and these tips for the staff can be as high as 25 percent at some venues. But even if gratuities for reception hall staff are already accounted for, don’t forget to include tips for additional vendors the day of the wedding. Couples may be expected to tip the florist, photographer, band or deejay and even the reception hall maitre d’ if his or her gratuity is not included in the aforementioned staff tip. Brides-tobe typically tip their hairstylist and makeup artist on the day of the wedding as well. ◆ Postage: Couples who plan to invite guests via email or online invitations can skirt the cost of postage. But many couples still prefer traditional paper invitations, which include return envelopes that tradition suggests should also be stamped. Save-the-date cards have grown in popularity as well, and these cards must also be stamped and mailed. Depending on the size of your guest list, postage can cost several hundred dollars before you mail your last invitation. And don’t forget to save some money for postage to mail thank-you cards once the big day has come and gone. ◆ Overtime: Overtime fees for reception hall staff and additional outside vendors are typically written into contracts, but few couples imagine needing more than the predetermined allotment of time noted in their contracts. But it’s better to be safe than sorry, as unanticipated events such as a misplaced wedding license or heavy traffic on the way to the venue can force the party to start late and thus extend past its deadline. Set aside some money for overtime so you don’t find yourselves scrounging for dollars or charging the extra few hundred dollars on your credit cards. Weddings are expensive, and even more so when hidden fees start to make their presence felt. Couples who build such fees into their budgets will find it easier to avoid breaking the bank than those who don’t.

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How buildto... a wedding registry 

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any once-popular wedding traditions have fallen by the wayside. But one wedding tradition that has withstood the test of time is the wedding registry. Couples about to tie the knot still build a wedding registry so their guests know what to buy them as wedding gifts. This saves guests the trouble of agonizing over what to buy the couple getting hitched and also ensures that couples won’t receive two or more of the same item. Building a registry can be fun, as couples can act like kids in a candy store and add items they might otherwise not be able to afford. But there is a method to building a registry that can ensure the process of giving and receiving gifts is comfortable and convenient for everyone involved. ◆ Choose a national chain. Many stores will allow couples to establish a registry, but it behooves couples to choose a national chain or chains for their registry. A local boutique store might sell several items you would love to have, but that store may only be accessible to guests who live nearby, and such stores may be more expensive than larger national chains that can afford to charge less for similar products. Choosing a national chain ensures all of your guests will be able to access and purchase a gift from your registry, and make those purchases without breaking the bank. ◆ Choose a store with an online presence. When choosing a store for your registry, it also helps to choose a store with an online presence that’s user-friendly. Ideally, pick an online retailer you have 48

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already had positive experiences with. This not only will make it easier for your guests, but also for you should you decide to return items down the road. ◆ Choose more than one store. You also want to choose more than one store when building a registry. Some guests will prefer to shop in-store rather than online, so you want to give them some options so they don’t have to drive far and wide to find the lone brick and mortar store for your registry. ◆ Visit the stores and do your homework. Though some stores allow you to develop a registry entirely online, it still helps for couples to visit the store together and build their registries in the more traditional way. Visiting a store as opposed to browsing the store website allows you to touch and feel products, which can give you a more accurate idea of their quality. In addition to seeing the products in person, read online reviews of products before putting them on your registry so you can ensure you’re getting quality items. ◆ Choose items that vary in price. Many couples are sheepish about putting expensive items on their registries. That’s not surprising, as the cost of attending a wedding, especially one that features lots of out-of-town guests, can be substantial. But some guests, such as the bride and groom’s parents and siblings, may want to give a more high-end gift, so don’t be afraid to include items in a range of prices, from the inexpensive to the more costly, on your registry. ◆ Don’t abandon the registry after your big day. You won’t end up getting everything you include on your registry, but that doesn’t mean you should just forget about those items that never made their way into your home. Many retailers offer couples significant discounts on items from their registries that were never purchased, and those discounts may extend for as long as a year after the big day. Revisit your registry after the wedding to see if you can find great deals on those items you never received, and continue to do so until the registry expires. Building a registry can be a fun activity for couples about to tie the knot. But there are some guidelines to follow to make the process go smoothly for guests and couples alike.

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Wedding andinvitation postage tips W

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hether a couple is planning a lavish wedding or a more low key affair, the wedding invitations are an essential part of keeping guests informed about the big day. While couples can now share details of their wedding through email or even digital invitations, many still prefer to go the traditional route and send paper invitations. In addition to the cost of the invitations themselves, couples need to factor postage into their wedding budgets. It may not seem like much, but the cost of postage can add up quickly. The following are a few postage pointers for couples about to tie the knot. ◆ Choose envelopes wisely. The size of your envelopes contributes to the cost of the postage necessary to mail your invitations. Postal services have specific size and shape parameters that govern postage. Envelopes that are oddly shaped or fall outside of these strict measurements are usually susceptible to additional postage charges. That’s because the envelope cannot run through standard sorting machinery and must be hand-processed. ◆ Consider the weight. Mailings that exceed one ounce will require additional postage, even if they are in standard envelopes. Invitations, with their various components and thick card stock, typically weigh more than one ounce. Never purchase postage in advance, as you will not know what the completed invitation costs prior to mailing. Always weigh the invitation with all inserts included to get an accurate estimate of postage. Then purchase stamps accordingly. ◆ Get to know your local postal employee. Many postal employees, especially those who work at the 50

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smaller branches, grow accustomed to seeing the same customers over and over. They can be very helpful and good resources when it comes to saving money on postage. Strike up a conversation with the person behind the counter and ask advice on the best way to mail invitations and ensure they arrive looking beautiful. Choose an off-peak time so the postal employee can give you his or her full attention and will not feel rushed by a line forming behind you. The employee may suggest hand-canceling envelopes, which means the invitation will be processed by hand rather than run through machinery to avoid damage. ◆ Stamp the return envelope. Invitations typically include response cards that guests will send back to confirm if they will be attending the festivities. To facilitate the RSVP process, stamp the response card. ◆ Prep invitations six to eight weeks in advance. Invitations should be mailed nearly two months prior to the wedding. This allows guests to plan and respond accordingly. ◆ Double-check envelopes before sending. Ensure that postage is sticking well and that envelopes are well-sealed. In addition, verify that you have the most current addresses for recipients. If invitations get returned to sender, they can cost you even more time and money to resolve any issues. ◆ Consider custom postage. The post office should carry several attractive options for wedding invitation stamps. However, you also may be able to go online and purchase custom postage that features a graphic or an uploaded image to make the invitations even more special. ◆ Do a test run. You may want to send a complete invitation to yourself just to see how it arrives in the mail. This way you can check the level of damage and have an opportunity to make any changes, such as adding a piece of vellum to prevent ink from smudging or to place bows or adornments in another area. ◆ Give your mail carrier a heads-up. Let your assigned mail carrier know that response cards will be on the way. They tend to be small and can get lost in among other letters and mail. A small token of gratitude, such as a gift card, for your mail carrier may ensure all of your response cards arrive. A wedding just isn’t the same without the guests. Make sure friends and family are well informed about the wedding by sending out invitations in advance and ensuring the proper postage will get those invites where they need to go.

Popular and modern first dance songs

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coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first dance as man and wife is a cherished wedding tradition. While the first dance can help set a positive tone for the reception, it also can negatively impact the festivities if a poor song is chosen. Couples may feel pressure to choose the perfect song. Yes, this is a song that the couple has selected to represent their love for each other, but it also should be one that will speak to the masses and can be thoroughly enjoyed by all. Couples want to avoid a song that does not seem to fit with the festivities. For those couples who need a little musical inspiration, turn to many of the modern hits youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re bound to hear on the radio which may help you to shine in that first dance.

â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Thousand Yearsâ&#x20AC;? by Christina Perri: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twi-hardâ&#x20AC;? fans enjoyed this romantic song during the pivotal wedding scene between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in the popular â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twilightâ&#x20AC;? movie â&#x20AC;&#x153;Breaking Dawn.â&#x20AC;? Couples looking to recreate the magic of these starcrossed lovers can embrace Perriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delicate tone and tender lyrics. â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of Meâ&#x20AC;? by John Legend: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been hard to escape this popular love song by R&B artist John Legend. An ode Legend wrote to his wife, this song has quickly become a popular choice for a coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first dance. â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Choose Youâ&#x20AC;? by Sara Bareilles: This peppy song by singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles is a good choice for couples who prefer being nontraditional. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s faster paced and less sentimental than many other wedding songs. â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Better Togetherâ&#x20AC;? by Jack Johnson: Johnson is known primarily for his soft rock and acoustic guitar work blended with catchy lyrics. Also an accomplished surfer, Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work is enjoyed by many but may be especially prized by couples who want to their reception to be a laid back affair full of fun and whimsy. â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Give Upâ&#x20AC;? by Jason Mraz: Another acoustic ditty, this song has a country influence and talks about not giving up and staying in a relationship for the long haul. â&#x2014;&#x2020; â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Danceâ&#x20AC;? by Lee Brice: Speaking of country influences, couples who want a little twang in their first dances can choose Briceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakthrough hit. Romantic lyrics about spinning his partner around in circles despite not liking to dance illustrates what one partner will do for the other when in love. Couples can make that first moment on the dance floor a special experience by choosing modern classics for their first dances.

Beautiful flowers for Weddings, Simplistic Affairs and Elegant Events

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Community Life

Cake-cutting etiquette and guidelines

he presentation of the wedding cake marks the culmination of the day’s festivities and a final symbol of a happy couple’s new partnership. Many people eagerly await the cake as much as they may anticipate catching a glimpse of the bride in her beautiful gown. While the cake in all its finery can be a beautiful sight to behold, a cake can only last so long before its fate as a delicious dessert is sealed. As is the case with many wedding traditions, there is some established etiquette with regard to cutting and serving wedding cake. If you plan on putting your cake on display, be sure it is made with a frosting and filling that can endure room temperature. Certain creams may sour if not refrigerated, and you do not want anyone becoming ill. If you have your heart set on perishable fillings, keep the cake refrigerated and then have the big reveal right before it is cut. The cake cutting usually comes 52

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near the end of the wedding reception. Schedule the cutting so that older guests or young children can leave without feeling as if they would be offending anyone. The emcee of the evening typically announces the cake cutting, and the band may play a quirky tune or revisit the wedding song while the first slice is being cut. A bride should hold the cake knife with her right hand, while the groom places his right hand over hers before they proceed to slice down together. If the cake has a foam or cardboard support, be careful not to cut through it. Use a cake server to grab the first piece. Traditionally the newly betrothed will feed each other a bite of the cake to symbolize their first meal as a couple. Couples can feed each other a small amount, taking care not to spill any. Many couples no longer embrace the once-popular tradition of smashing cake in each other’s faces, but whether or not couples follow this tradition is up to them. Some couples like to serve their parents a piece of cake. Traditionally the bride should serve the groom’s parents and the groom the bride’s parents. If there is a groom’s cake, guests may prefer a slice of both cakes. Guests may also want to take home a slice of the groom’s cake. Tradition states that a piece of the groom’s cake should be presented to an unmarried woman attending the wedding. The woman is not expected to eat the cake, but rather to put it under her pillow. Superstition held that this tradition would help an unmarried woman find a husband. Make arrangements for proper packaging of the groom’s cake, so guests can take home a slice if they so desire. The waitstaff typically handles the slicing of the cake. The uppermost tier is reserved for the couple to save, and the remainder of the cake will be served. Recognize that not all guests like cake, but it’s better to err on the side of caution and have a cake that will feed all of the guests. You also may want to offer a dessert bar for guests who prefer another type of sweet treat. However, this is a luxury, not a necessity. The cake-cutting ritual at weddings has withstood the test of time, and many couples still prefer to present the cake with fanfare and excitement.

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Community Life

7 tips for a great honeymoon 

couple’s honeymoon is their first real chance to relax and unwind after the hustle and bustle of wedding planning. Couples who want to make sure their first getaway as husband and wife goes off without a hitch might want to heed the following advice.

1. Start saving early.

Honeymoons are expensive, so to afford the vacation of your dreams it’s wise to begin saving for the honeymoon as early as possible. It may be well worth it to compromise and make sacrifices in other areas to ensure you have enough funds for your dream honeymoon getaway. Do not expect cash gifts at your wedding to pay for your trip. If you do, you may be sorely disappointed when the time comes to take off. 54

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2. Read online reviews. Online reviews can paint an accurate picture of a potential honeymoon destination. Look at vacationer-supplied photographs to see how the accommodations match up to the resort’s own marketing materials. You don’t want too many surprises, such as service fees, dirty rooms or a lack of beach amenities, to ruin your trip. 3. Plan at least one exciting outing. While on your honeymoon, be sure to go on at least one adventure. Try an activity you have never done before, such as snorkeling, traveling a zip line or swimming with stingrays. 4. Pack early. After a long wedding day and reception spent dancing into the wee hours of the morning, you probably do not want to spend time packing. Pack your suitcases and travel essentials in advance of your wedding day so you have more time to sleep in before you depart for the airport. Also, remember not to over-pack. You want to have room for the souvenirs you purchase along the way. 5. Enjoy your surroundings. Put down the smartphone or tablet enough to truly enjoy your surroundings. A honeymoon is an opportunity to relax, and that may not be possible if you’re tied to your devices. Friends at home can wait for your status updates and wedding pictures. 6. Splurge on something expensive. Whether it’s an ultra-fancy dinner or an exotic souvenir, indulge. 7. Leave your itinerary open. After scores of wedding appointments and watching the clock, it’s nice to fly by the seat of your pants.

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