SUMMER EXPRESS 2023

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Cover and interior photo of HPL mobile unit: Photography by Cecy

Introducing HPL on the GO!

BY JESSA McCLURE, HEWITT PUBLIC LIBRARY

If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling to far off places or taking your family on an adventure, then the Hewitt Public Library is the place for you this summer! HPL’s theme for its annual summer reading program this year is “Traveling Through the Pages,” and books are your ticket to exotic destinations.

Not only will patrons be able to find amazing locations for adventures inside pages of the books on HPL’s shelves, but they will also get the chance to participate in travel-themed photo opportunities and pick up weekly craft kits.

“We will have a large world map inside the library where patrons can mark the places they’ve traveled in a book, or in person,” said HPL Director, Waynette Ditto.

Some of your child’s favorite characters will also make appearances at the library this summer. Stop by and see Mickey and Minnie, Black Panther, Buzz and Woody, Paw Patrol characters Chase and Marshall, Elsa, the Minions, Sonic and Knuckles, and Cinderella. Appearances will take place June 6 through July 25, with visit times ranging from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Not only will there be fun happenings at the library, but thanks to a grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, HPL’s programs can now reach the community outside of the library’s walls with the help of a new bookmobile called “HPL on the GO”. “Bookmobiles are an important and perhaps the truest form of library outreach, as their role is to bring the library to the people,” Ditto said.

From the trailer, library staff will be able to create new library cards, create small crafts, give away free books and library swag, and participate in many other engaging activities. “We will be able to go to school-sponsored events, community events, as well as local block parties,” Ditto added, “Through donated books, we can go out into the community and deliver books to the areas that need them the most.” Ditto hopes that in the future, HPL on the GO will become a full-service branch of the library that provides programming and numerous materials for patrons of all ages.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! HPL will also host performances by a creature teacher, a magician, a Texas tall tales storyteller, and much more. These special events will take place at the library, Waco’s Mammoth National Monument, Cameron Park Zoo, Hewitt Park and Warren Parks on Wednesday mornings all summer long, so you won’t want to miss the fun!

For more information about summer programming and the new bookmobile, visit cityofhewitt.com, Hewitt Public Library’s Facebook page, or call (254) 666-2442.

Hewitt Public Library’s new mobile trailer

Each issue of Express magazine will feature an article submitted by a member of the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Watch for more great info in future issue!

Electrical safety tips for peace of mind

BY MIKE MUHLMAN, OWNER, MR. ELECTRIC OF McLENNAN COUNTY

Did you know there could be unknown electrical safety issues lurking in your home? Its age, installation issues, wear and tear, and overlooking safety devices could put your home and family at risk. Here are common electrical safety issues found in homes:

Insufficient or poorly maintained smoke detectors. Every year more than 3,400 Americans die and 17,000+ are injured in fires. Ensure your home is protected by installing smoke detectors on each level of your home near sleeping areas. Replace batteries annually at a minimum, and test monthly for reliability. Also check for expired smoke detectors. Mr. Electric recommends replacing smoke detectors every 8 to 10 years. PRO TIP: If your smoke detectors are at an age where they do not have a visible date, then you should replace them immediately.

No carbon monoxide monitors. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the #1 cause of poisoning deaths in the country. Why? CO is completely colorless and odorless, and naturally produced as a byproduct of all combustion appliances and heat sources. Installing CO detectors in your home is an important measure to protect your family. Install at least one detector near the sleeping areas of your home, adding more to each level of your home, and one in each bedroom for extra protection. CO monitors are recommended to be replaced every 5-6 years.

Electrical panel issues. Older electrical panels are insufficient for the array of gadgets and appliances in use in the average home today, and can easily be overloaded. Improper wiring from “DIYers”, oversized or undersized breakers, and defective panels (some installed as recently as the 1980s) could result in fire or shock. Upgrade your panel to a newer, well-designed option to prevent safety issues.

No surge protection. Power surges can enter your home unexpectedly during a stormy night, a random power company disruption, or operation of a heavy-duty electrical appliance. Surges destroy electronic devices, and may cause fires. It’s unfortunate when your laptop dies, but even more so when your photos, documents, music and more are lost along with it. To reduce damage from power

surges, have a whole house surge protector installed at the electrical panel by a licensed electrician. Additionally, install a multi-outlet power strip surge protection for delicate circuitry, telephone and cable lines to ensure both main and secondary zone surge protection absorbs any excess power that seeps through the primary protection.

Code and Wiring Updates. U.S. wiring codes are updated every three years to ensure electrical safety across the country. As a result, families living in older homes are at an increased risk of electrical safety issues due to:

Ungrounded outlets Two-prong ungrounded outlets are not safe, as electricity has no emergency exit. Threeprong outlets should be installed—and wiring issues addressed—for safety.

Outdated or exposed wiring Exposed wiring, knob and tube wiring, and aluminum wiring all pose dangerous safety issues.

GFCIs A GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protects you from shock and is designed to operate before electricity can affect your heartbeat. They are required for home safety in all areas of your home, especially near water sources.

Childproof outlets Spring-loaded cover plates on these outlets protect electrical contacts from the insertion of foreign objects by children, 70% of which occur in the presence of an adult. They are a simple, inexpensive solution required in new homes since 2008.

Extension cords Often overlooked, extension cords are unsafe for permanent use. Avoid overloading outlets, and never use extension cords as permanent outlets. Consider adding additional circuits and/or outlets in order to avoid the use of extension cords.

Proactively address your home safety issues. Contact  Mr. Electric today at (254) 666-9100, or visit us online at MrElectric.com/Waco. Our professional and trusted electricians are dedicated to your safety. We live by our Neighborly Done Right Promise.

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Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion

BY JIM SWANSON, HEWITT LIONS CLUB

The Hewitt Lion’s Club is a service-oriented organization dedicated to help improve the lives of our local communities. From fundraisers such as raffles, pecan sales, two golf tournaments and the generosity of local support, HLC was able to purchase two hand-held digital SPOT vision machines. Lion vision screeners are trained in the use of the machines to provide free digital vision screenings—enabling us to provide FREE vision screening to Midway ISD—focusing primarily (but not exclusively) on Pre-K and Kindergarten-aged children. If a vision problem can be detected before a child reaches the first grade, chances are very good that it can be fixed. Screenings are also provided to other local school districts, health fairs and at Mission Waco’s health clinic. To date, we have screened over 17,000, of which among 16,000 children, over 20% have been found to need further examinations by eye professionals.

HLC also serves by participating in MISD’s Special Olympics, sponsoring diabetic and “differently-abled” children to attend Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville at

no cost to their families, collecting food for Food for Families and Central Texas Food Bank, Toys 4 Tots, funds for scholarships for Midway ISD students, collection of school supplies for Hewitt Elementary, collection/recycling of donated eye glasses to be used in third-world countries, and promotion of recycling aluminum cans and batteries.

HLC members also volunteer for various church causes, Meals on Wheels, Caritas, Salvation Army and Historic Waco. We have provided support for the Hewitt Public Library in their quest for helping the visuallyimpaired, provided volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, and assisted with spring maintenance at the Texas Lion’s Camp.

Our club is aging and could sure use younger help and ideas. If serving others is something that interests you, please contact jswanson@hot.rr.com or send a text to (254) 716-4712. We’d love to have you visit us!

In order to ensure the perfect work placement, our personnel service does our best to match specific types of jobs with employees who have the desired skill set. We have job counselors on site who are consistently interviewing candidates, which allows us to choose from a large employee base. We can be your temporary staffing company as well as your source for permanent and as-needed positions.

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Awardees honored at GHCoC Banquet

BY ALISSA CADY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREATER HEWITT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Business of the Year

Clint

Allen - State Farm Insurance

The Business of the Year award demonstrates all-around support to the Chamber, its mission, and the community’s development. The committee uses a weighted rubric to help identify finalists based on financial support, volunteer support and leadership positions filled by the business within the GHCoC. Congratulations, Clint!

Top Charitable Business of the Year

H-E-B Woodway

The Charitable Business of the Year award constantly demonstrates all-around support to the Chamber, its mission and the greater Hewitt community’s development. This business has established a strong reputation of being community-minded by providing leadership on committees, donations to several other local non-profits and community needs. H-E-B Woodway is active in the Chamber’s annual Student of the Year contest, Operation Thank You, Nacho Daddy Car Show, Hewitt Public Library’s Hewitt Day, GHCoC’s Express Classic Car Show Sponsor, Hewitt’s National Night Out, and Hewitt’s Christmas Treelighting. H-E-B’s Rhonda Featherston accepted the award.

New Member of the Year

The Bushman Law Firm

This award is chosen from among Chamber businesses or individuals who have been dues-paying members less than one year. Drew Bushman has demonstrated support and enthusiasm for the Chamber and shows potential for future leadership within the Chamber.

Ambassador of the Year

Aaron Gustafson, Computers N’ Stuff

A Greater Hewitt Chamber Ambassador serves as the face of our organization, increases member activity, and displays a high degree of professional community involvement. Finalists are determined by the number of points accumulated during the calendar year by attending meetings, volunteering, connecting and serving our organization. Congratulations to Aaron Gustafson for winning this award this year.

Clint Allen Rhonda Featherston (R)

Drew Bushman Aaron Gustafson (L)

Volunteer of the Year

Andy Westra, Christ Our Refuge

Lutheran Church

The Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Andy Westra, an individual who combines a strong vision for furthering the Chamber’s mission with leadership skills to organize fellow volunteers to see that vision to fruition. He has excelled at encouraging community members and Directors to be involved in Chamber activities and committees, as well as answering the challenges that face our community and supporting Chamber staff.

Board Service Award

Suzi

Pagel (16 years of service)

The Greater Hewitt Chamber is proud to recognize exemplary service within our Chamber, as well as in our community. It was a great honor to present Suzi Pagel with our Outgoing Board Member Award for 16 years of service. We wish you all the best in your retirement!

GHCoC Marketing Package Winner

Arrowhead Chiropractic

The Greater Hewitt Chamber is proud to serve small businesses in our community. Beginning in January 2020, the Chamber launched an initiative allowing members in business for less than three years (and employing less than 20) to apply. The winner—Arrowhead Chiropractic—received a $2,000 marketing package, customizable to fit its business needs in order to boost small business efforts. Arrowhead Chiropractic demonstrated a unique drive and determination in establishing business growth in the greater Hewitt area. Dr. Taylor Webb happily accepted this package.

Tokens of Appreciation

Lindsey Skinner/Treasurer (8 years)

Cassie Thomas, Secretary (9 years)

2022 Outgoing President’s Award

Diana Crow

Andy Westra

Dr. Taylor Webb

Lindsey Skinner (R)

Cassie Thomas Diana Crow

Suzi Pagel (R)

Chapel Road Lending Team

It doesn’t matter if it’s a new home purchase, home construction or an improvement project, the lending team at Community Bank & Trust can help you with a loan that matches your vision. Whether you’re working with a builder to construct your dream home or purchasing an existing home, the way we start the loan process is the same as it’s been for almost 70 years. We still get to know each customer personally—exactly what you’d expect from the oldest locally owned independent bank in Waco. Call us today at 254.753.1521 or apply online at cbtwaco.bank by clicking the LoanLink button.

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We’re here to help you make it home.

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REGISTER. VOTE. LOVE.

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I n t o d a y ' s f a s t - p a c e d w o r l d , y o u n e e d a r e a l e s t a t e t e a m t h a t u n d e r s t a n d s t h e l a t e s t t e c h n o l o g y a n d m a r k e t i n g t r e n d s . T h e O n w a r d R e a l E s t a t e T e a m u t i l i z e s i n n o v a t i v e t o o l s a n d s t r a t e g i e s t o h e l p y o u b u y , s e l l , o r l e a s e y o u r p r o p e r t y q u i c k l y a n d e f f i c i e n t l y . F r o m v i r t u a l t o u r s t o t a r g e t e d o n l i n e a d v e r t i s i n g , w e u s e t h e l a t e s t t e c h n i q u e s t o h e l p y o u g e t t h e m o s t o u t o f y o u r r e a l e s t a t e e x p e r i e n c e

C o n t a c t u s t o d a y a n d l e t ' s s t a r t y o u r j o u r n e y i n t o t h e m o d e r n w o r l d o f r e a l e s t a t e .

MidwaywillsellALLSPORTSSEASONPASSES

goodforALLMidwaysporting eventsforMidwayHighSchool,MidwayMiddleSchoolandRiverValleyMiddleSchool (excludingVarsityfootball)beginningAugust1,sogetyoursbeforetheysellout! Visithttps://www.midwayisd.org/athletics

Get to know your Midway ISD teachers

Amy Smith • Midway High School • TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Amy teaches Honors Biology, and is in her 24th year in education (and her 19th year at Midway). She has been on the MHS Professional Development School (PDS) Steering Committee for the past five years, and currently serves the Baylor University School of Education by hosting their senior-level interns—13 interns over the past 16 years. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys working out with her CrossFit 15:10 family in China Spring, playing Frisbee golf, participating in Spartan races around Texas, watching Netflix, and any outdoor activity. She has been married for 20 years and has three beautiful children. She’s also been lucky enough to have taught two of her three children in Biology. Some of her favorite teaching moments have been sharing her love of what she does with them in class.

Lori Johnston • Woodway Elementary

Lori teaches kindergarten and is in her 13th year of teaching (and 11th year at Midway). Outside the classroom, she loves watching her childrens activities, Baylor sports, doing things with her family, and her grandson! Lori and her family are also involved at First Baptist Church Woodway. She and her husband, Alan have been married for 30 years and have four children: Bailey, Audrey, Cal, and Ava. The older three graduated from Midway, Ava is currently a junior at Midway, and Bailey is now a teacher and coach at Midway High School. Her favorite part of teaching is getting to see the growth and maturity of her students throughout their kindergarten year.

Jill Kuykendall • Speegleville Elementary

Jill teaches first grade at Speegleville Elementary. She taught for nine years in Lockhart ISD, and this is her second year at Midway. She is a proud Speegleville and Midway alumni. Jill and her husband raised two children in Hays CISD, and when their daughter graduated, the family returned to Waco. In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends. They love to travel and see new places they’ve never been. The Kuykendall family is strong in its faith and loves going to church. Jill has always loved teaching early elementary because her students are so eager to learn new things. She tries to instill a love for learning, especially reading, and teach them they can become anything they dream!

Hewitt Happenings

Special thanks to Raising Cane’s on Hewitt Drive for sponsoring Greater Hewitt Chamber’s 2023 ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

1 Battle of the Burgers volunteers get ready for the big event 2 GHCoC members are wonderful at supporting ribbon cutting events 3 CODA Canine greets guests at Battle of the Burgers event 4 Officials break ground for the New Era Apartments coming soon off Panther Way Drive 5 Happy Hour with the GHCoC President at Top Golf 6 D1 Sports & Fitness gives out prizes at Battle of the Burgers 7 Hewitt Fire Department first responders at Battle of the Burgers 8 Merle Norman Cosmetics ribbon cutting event 9 Knox Cady enjoys winning a prize at the D1 booth at Battle of the Burgers 1 0 Martial arts demonstration at Warren Park 11 GHCoC networking luncheon held at La Fiesta in May 1 2 Judges enjoy sampling burger entries at Battle of the Burgers 13 Dave’s Burger Barn takes home People’s Choice Award at Battle of the Burgers 1 4 Ribbon cutting event for Redeemed Chiropractic held in April 15 Kennedy Cady enjoys the wares at Waco Surf 16 Terry Flick, owner of Republic Gun Club, greets guests at his Business After Hours event 17 Welcome event for MISD Superintendent, Dr. Allen 18 Battle of the Burger sponsor Republic Gun Club gets ready for guests at the event 1 9 Skate Waco offered fun for all ages in the Kids Zone at Battle of the Burgers 20 GHCoC’s Alissa Cady and Misti Smith greet new Hewitt Police Chief Jim McGrath at event held in his honor at The Donut Hole in Hewitt 21 The Grandson celebrates with a ribbon cutting in June 22 It’s summertime and time to head over to Waco Surf for fun, sand and lots of water!

5J Venue

Conveniently located between McGregor and Waco, 5J Venue is the perfect location for your wedding, corporate party, special event, reception, retreats, non-profit events and more! With a rustic farmhouse feel, our main 5J Hall features a large, open concept, large dance floor, bar area, lavish restrooms, and separate Bride and Groom Suites/dressing rooms. For more information visit 5jvenue.com.

ARMSTRONGdesign Custom Screenprinting

Armstrong Design Screenprinting & Custom Apparel is here to help you look good! We specialize in creating custom apparel products that will help your organization stand out. We will use your idea, or you can collaborate with one of our artists to fulfill your vision. We offer high-quality name brand apparel and hats with quick turnaround time and free local delivery. Our services include screenprinting, embroidery, custom patches, heat press transfers, and art/logo design. Everything we do is custom made. Apparel products: oh, so many! If you can wear it, we can put your logo on it! Let us help you look good! For pricing and availability, give us a call at (254) 855-9268.

We are Generational Family Chiropractic, a MaxLiving Health Center. We’re here to empower you with the knowledge and understanding that your body is designed to heal naturally. We do this by utilizing the 5 Essentials that focus on a foundation of corrective chiropractic care, as well as quality nutrition, effective exercise, positive mindset, and detoxification. Our mission is to create a healthier world, and it starts here in Waco. We help patients from all walks of life—newborn, child, parent, athlete or senior. No matter what health obstacles you face, we’ll make sure you’re equipped with the necessary tools to achieve your health goals. Call (254) 310-6291 for more information.

Lake Air Pool Supply is the premier pool store and spa dealership in Central Texas. We’ve served Waco and surrounding areas for nearly 65 years and are experts in the industry—but we’re so much more than just pool boys! Our staff is made up of trained chemists and certified service technicians with years of experience who make pool and spa ownership a breeze for our customers. Visit us at 3342 Franklin Avenue and check out our top-of-the-line hot tubs and Endless Pools (and say hello to the dogs), or call us at (254) 754-4551. We want to help you make every day a great day!

You can make a difference in Central Texas by joining forces with Waco’s The Shepherd’s Heart—the largest faith-based food bank in the region. Together, we can help address poverty and eradicate hunger in our community. With partnerships from local organizations, schools and businesses, we have the food and resources to feed families and change lives. Waco’s poverty rate is twice the national average—leaving 47,000 Wacoans wondering where their next meal will come from. Let’s take action and work together to make a positive impact on those affected by food insecurity. Join us in our mission to end hunger in Central Texas. Contact us at (254) 213-7833 to learn how you can help.

Waco Bear Crawl is Waco’s first locally-owned beer tour, guiding guests into a professional yet playful tour of Waco’s finest breweries. We provide an un-ordinarily satisfying experience, exposing you to extremely unique expressions of the Waco brew scene. We look forward to meeting you and becoming your favorite beer tour in Waco! COME CRAWL WITH US! For more information visit wacobearcrawl.com.

Waco Surf—located just outside of Waco proper at 5437 Old Mexia Road is one of the largest human-made wave lagoons and outdoor recreational facilities in the country! Our resort features the Waco Surf Hotel, cabins, RV hookups, surf houses, and our massive Cable Park, the world’s longest lazy river (allegedly), and our huge Wedge Slides. You and your family will never be far from fun while you’re at Waco Surf! Whether you’re looking for a fun day at the water park, or trying to up your surf game, our quirky park offers experiences for the whole family! Visit wacosurf.com for all our info.

White Label Realty is a real estate brokerage that focuses on growing the communities and people we come into contact with. We understand the community you choose to live in will have a significant impact on your family’s lifestyle—especially if you plan on staying in your home for a long time. Whether you plan on buying or selling your home, you can count on our team to provide great service combined with years of experience through each transaction. We pride ourselves in having the most knowledgeable, skilled and caring agents in the communities we live and work in. Contact our team today to determine the next steps in making your listing and sale of your home a rewarding experience. Located in uptown Waco, we also serve Austin, San Antonio, TempleBelton, New Braunfels, Houston, Giddings, and Dallas areas. Give us a call at (254) 870-4044 and let’s get started.