2021 Vol. I by RedFin

Vol. I 2021

TR AVE L TE X AS In a state filled with beautiful landscapes, people of all backgrounds, festivals to celebrate every occasion and unique sunsets painting every evening skyline, one never has to leave the state of Texas to create memories that last forever.

WI N N I NG TE N

Ask anyone affiliated with the Aledo dynasty what sets the Bearcats apart from the pack, and you will get the same answer: time and dedication.

The Voice of Recognized as the voice of professional rodeo, the acclaimed announcer Bob Tallman has earned more honors for telling stories than most people could recount. He is a thirteen-time winner of the PRCA Announcer of the Year and has announced more than 18,000 rodeo performances spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Contents 10 18 26 28 36 42

CASA: HOPE FOR CH I LDR E N There is never a reason for a child to suffer abuse of any kind. That’s where CASA Hope for Children comes in.

H E ROE S I N B LU E When you see an officer out in the weather directing traffic or standing in the street protecting a pedestrian, send swift prayers toward heaven for that officer. Thank the Creator for their lives, ask for their protection, and don’t forget to say thank you to the heroes in blue.

If there is anything that stands in stark contrast to the Christian life, it is perfectionism. God wants us to be uniquely ourselves, not a clone of someone else’s ideal. Breaking the mold isn’t easy, but when we do, what takes shape is a messy, crayon-scribbled face that God wants to hang on His fridge

TH E VOICE OF PAR KE R COU NT Y Recognized as the voice of professional rodeo, the acclaimed announcer Bob Tallman has earned more honors for telling stories than most people could recount. He is a thirteen-time winner of the PRCA Announcer of the Year and has announced more than 18,000 rodeo performances spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

F ROM MAR I N E TO MAYOR Jay Hamilton has traveled the world, but one thing he always knew is he'd make it back to the place that captured his heart as a child: Brock, Texas, where he is now the mayor of the still little town that is growing in popularity - and population.

H E R E TO S E RVE OU R COM M U N IT Y Freestanding ERs play an important role in the fabric of emergency medicine in the state of Texas and other states that have opened their borders to freestanding ERs. Surepoint ER is equipped to handle almost every type of medical emergency imaginable.

B E LI E VE BOLDLY: PAR ALY Z E D PE R F EC TION IST

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

H E ART WOR M PR E VE NTION

WI N N I NG TE N

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month. Riverstone Veterinary Hospital has tips to make sure your pets are protected from heartworm.

Ask anyone affiliated with the Aledo dynasty what sets the Bearcats apart from the pack, and you will get the same answer: time and dedication. The time commitment doesn’t just begin when an athlete reaches the high school level. Players as young as the age of 6 put on a Bearcat uniform and spend their Saturdays in the fall preparing for their turn in the spotlight. To get a full picture of the Bearcat tradition, you have to start at the beginning.

About the Cover Cover photo is of Bob Tallman, the voice of professional rodeo. To read more about the acclaimed announcer, turn to page 36.

Contents

MAKI NG S E N S E OF YOU R I N SU R ANCE

A LI F E LONG LOVE AN D CAR E E R

72 78

There’s no question that insurance can be a challenge to understand. State Farm agent Ryan McDonald is here to help.

A DAY J UST FOR MOM : MOTH E R 'S DAY CE LE B R ATION S AN D G I F TS S H E 'LL TR E ASU R E The role of mothers in shaping their daughters' and sons' lives is unsurpassed. Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest, and be the best we can be. Mother's Day is just around the corner. So, this year give her the gift of your heart and time and make it a special day she'll treasure.

E DUCATIONAL AC TIVITI E S FOR YOU NG E XPLOR E RS Does it seem like every time you turn around; your home has been taken apart by your little explorer? Don't despair. It may only result from an extraordinary desire to learn. Who knows, your child may be a future scientist, inventor, or leader in the making.

A PASSION FOR TH E FATH E R - CH I LD CON N ECTION Mike Hall, founder of Strong Fathers-Strong Families, a for-profit organization that focuses on family engagement programs for schools and Head Start programs, is a man on a mission.

84 6

What started as a high school ag co-op work opportunity has led to a life-long career for not only Blaine Peacock, but also his wife, Tamara.

FOR CARTE R LE E On April 20, 2020, the world lost a light but gained an inspiration whose influence has only grown and continues to grow and touch lives since his loss. Carter Sharp’s legacy lives on.

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

SU M M E R F U N I N PAR KE R COU NT Y

TR AVE L TE X AS

While summer is long anticipated by adults and children, the thought of how to entertain your little ones during those months can be a challenge. For those needing child care in the summer months only, it can be even more difficult to find constant activities that are educational, fun and helpful to your working schedule.

In a state filled with beautiful landscapes, people of all backgrounds, festivals to celebrate every occasion and unique sunsets painting every evening skyline, one never has to leave the state of Texas to create memories that last forever. Join us as we explore Texas towns and what makes them so special.

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Hello!

appy Spring Parker County! The last couple of months have flown by, and we are excited to bring you the first edition of Parker County LifeStyle for 2021! We hope this year is better than the last. Take time to catch up with friends and spend time with your family. We know the busyness has returned, but we hope you schedule a night to gaze at the stars, catch the sunset, and take a walk. We ask you to sit and read a magazine, preferably this one, and be inspired by someone who is doing something great for others. Better yet, do something great for others! We tell you with every issue how much the people of Parker County inspire us. In this issue, you will read about the Aledo High School football team’s historic 10th state win! You will also read about Parker County’s own, the voice of professional rodeo, Bob Tallman. Be inspired by the people of CASA, who are helping the children of Parker and Palo Pinto counties daily. We want to thank our advertisers for making this publication possible and free to the community! Help us express our gratitude by shopping local and visiting their establishments to pick up your complimentary copy.   This publication is about you! Please feel free to email us photos of your events to add to our Hometown Happenings or any stories you would like to read in the next issue. We would love to hear from you! We give thanks to God for our many blessings and look forward

to a great year to come! Until the next edition, wishing you many blessings

Justin and Hayley Six

Kyle and Halsey Clark

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

PARKER COUNTY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER

RedFin Publishing

Justin & Hayley Six

Kyle & Halsey Clark

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Hayley Six

CREATIVE | DESIGN

GreenFox Marketing

CONTENT COORDINATOR Hayley Six Hayley.RedFin@gmail.com

Marybelle Gomez

Marybelle.RedFin@gmail.com

PROOF READER

PHOTOGRAPHERS

COVER PHOTO

SALES

Jennifer Cabbage Eric Priddy Photography Sass & Soul Images Photo by Eric Priddy Photography Lori Stephens

Kyle Clark

Justin Six

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lindsay L. Allen

Kimberly Blaker

Peggy Purser Freeman

Tricia Hackfeld

Jannette Halliday

Martha Helton

Rick Mauch

Cassidy Robinson

Erica Willis

Riverstone Veterinary Clinic

CONTRIBUTORS

Surepoint Emergency Center

Parker County LifeStyle© is published semi-annually by RedFin Publishing.

www.redfinpublishing.com P.O. Box 1239 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817-618-9465 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher.

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www.ParkerCountyLifestyle.com 8

PA R KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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In The Life Of A Child, Casa Brings Hope

HOPE FOR CHILDREN

By: Rick Mauch

HERE IS NEVER A REASON FOR A CHILD TO SUFFER ABUSE OF ANY KIND. THAT’S WHERE CASA HOPE FOR CHILDREN COMES IN.

PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

That's where the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), or CASA Hope for Children comes in. The nonprofit has helped thousands of children in Parker and Palo Pinto Counties, including 420 last year, according to Executive Director Kathy Meyer. "That number will fluctuate, but we serve 100% of children who are placed into state custody," Meyer said. CASA works with children of all ages, from newborns to those about to turn 18.

CASA WORKS WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES, FROM NEWBORNS TO THOSE ABOUT TO TURN 18. HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I T S B ES T

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

"We recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers who serve as Guardians ad Litem for neglected and abused children who have been placed into the custody of the state, Meyer said. "When a child is removed from their home, the judge appoints CASA as Guardian ad Litem, and we are assigned the case and the child. One of our 80-plus volunteers will take that case. Their responsibility is to remain in contact with the child(ren) monthly, as well as maintain contact with the family, attorneys, the permanency specialist assigned by the state, and any other individual who has responsibility for the care and security of the child(ren)." The court process can take 12 to 18 months to resolve, she continued, and during that time the CASA advocate will make monthly visits, attend court hearings and report to the judge on how the child(ren) is/are doing. It takes 15 to 20 hours a month for advocates to perform their responsibilities. "Our role is to be the objective third party observer who reports to the judge," Meyer said. As for herself, Meyer has been associated with CASA for four years. She served two years on the board of directors and has been the executive director for the past two.

Like everyone associated with the organization, she simply wants to help children move from a life of abuse and neglect to a happier atmosphere, one of hope and happiness. And she's always ready to brag on CASA's advocates. "One of our advocates stayed with a case for years while all siblings were adopted except one. Finally, after many years the final child was adopted and found a loving home," Meyer said. "This advocate remained with that child all the time until the adoption was finalized. "Another advocate was the only one the child would call when they ran away from their placement, and even though it was in the middle of the night, this advocate went to pick them up and return them to safety. "A third flew with a child across the country to their new adoptive home just to be sure the child felt comfortable during the trip. These are just a few examples." In other words, advocates become a part of the children's lives. They not only follow them through court, but also to make sure that life is working out for them, that they have found a better life than the one from which they were rescued. Meyer said children can be removed from homes for many reasons - and CASA has seen them all. However, one reason is most common, she said. "Each case is different,

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I T S B ES T

but the most common cause of neglect/abuse is substance abuse," she said. "Addiction, the presence of drugs and drug paraphernalia, is a factor in many of the cases that result in children being removed from their homes." Sadly, the cycle can be repetitive, she said, something else CASA is fighting to end. "In some cases, it is. There is no simple solution because there are so many factors that contribute to the problem, and so many levels of abuse/neglect. Addiction, substance abuse and mental illness are contributing factors. These are societal issues that much smarter people than me have been trying to address for years." While having to take a child out of a bad situation is what CASA helps do, Meyer said the ultimate goal is reunification - provided that is a possibility. "The goal of many removals is ultimately reunification with their parents, provided the parents/guardians comply with a written plan of action that the state puts in place," she said. "In many cases, completion of that plan of action on the part of the parent results in the child’s return. That plan can include education classes, counseling, drug rehabilitation and other action items that the court will review to determine if or when it is appropriate for the child to return home.

PARKER COUNT Y LIFE S TYLE

"EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT, BUT THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF NEGLECT/ABUSE IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE."

MEYER ALSO ADVISES FOLKS NOT TO STEREOTYPE WHO COMMITS ABUSE AND NEGLECT. “IT HAPPENS IN ALL SORTS OF ENVIRONMENTS.”

"In other situations where the abuse/neglect is egregious or parents/guardians refuse to work with the state on rehabilitation, the parental rights may be terminated, and the parents/guardians no longer have a right or custody of their children. In criminal cases there would be prosecution and jail." Meyer also advises folks not to stereotype who commits abuse and neglect. It happens in all sorts of environments, she said. "Abuse/neglect happens in good neighborhoods and not so good ones. It can happen in an affluent family and a poor family, all locations, all ethnicities, all education levels," she said. "Also, do not blame the victims. These children deserve and need our support, and kindness - not the assumption that they did anything in life to deserve their situation."

And yes, the public can help CASA in a variety of ways. "First, if you see something – say something. Second, donate your time – CASA is always looking for volunteers who are willing to put in the time and get trained to be Advocates. CASA will put volunteers through 35 hours of training plus ongoing continuing education every year," Meyer said. "You can do this if you have a fulltime job, a part time job or are retired. We have teachers, principals, business owners, and retired individuals who all are members of the CASA Volunteer Advocates. "Finally, you can help financially. It costs $1,500 annually to support a child with a CASA. In addition, we often help individual families or children with specific needs such as getting them bed or clothes." PCLS

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I TS B ES T

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PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

HEROES IN

BLUE

By Peggy Purser Freeman Photos provided by Officer Holcomb of the Weatherford Police Dept.

WHEN YOU SEE AN OFFICER OUT IN THE WEATHER DIRECTING TRAFFIC OR STANDING IN THE STREET PROTECTING A PEDESTRIAN, SEND SWIFT PRAYERS TOWARD HEAVEN FOR THAT OFFICER. THANK THE CREATOR FOR THEIR LIVES, ASK FOR THEIR PROTECTION, AND DON’T FORGET TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE HEROES IN BLUE. From the Chief of Police, down to the rookie patrol officer, heroes in blue are here to serve our community.

n freezing temperatures, a family huddles in an abandoned car. Tired, without resources and afraid, they startle awake when headlights appear in the darkness. A flash of light beams through the window. A uniform appears and then a hero—a hero in blue. Behind this officer on patrol waits a Community Services Officer. The children might be scared, but if they had met the school’s Resource Officer, they would relax. “The reason for this kind of success comes easy. We all work together,” Officer Justin Holcomb explains. “This is

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I T S B ES T

going to sound like a cliché, but we are here to help you. When you boil it down, from the very top, the Chief of Police, all the way down to the rookie patrol officer, we are here to serve our community.”

In 2020 and 2021 Covid presented the most difficult moments for all departments. “Trying to connect with the community and build and keep relationships is difficult in a time where we are supposed to maintain social distance and not have face-to-face contact has been a challenge.” WPD is blessed to have Officer Holcomb finding innovative ways to stay connected. “Just like I tell everyone, I am blessed to work where I do. The Weatherford community is very supportive of law enforcement and I am so thankful to work and live in this community.”

“My job is to try and bridge the gap between the community and the police department.” – Officer Holcomb

OFFICER JUSTIN HOLCOMB A police officer for almost eighteen years, with eleven of those years in the Weatherford Police Department (WPD), Justin Holcomb recently accepted the new position as the Community Services Officer with pleasure. Every agency’s job description for their Community Services Officer differs. Officer Holcomb describes his job this way. “My job is to try and bridge the gap between the community and the police department. I connect citizens with the services the department offers while continuing to build and foster relationships with the community.” Justin Holcomb’s job has been on overload this year as he assesses the individual’s specific needs and then connects that individual with the corresponding resources. “My most rewarding moments as the Community Services Officer is our Homeless Outreach Initiative. I started this initiative to help people experiencing homelessness in the Weatherford area. I met with several of the resource groups in the area and asked them to take part in our initiative. By collaborating with these groups, we are better able to meet the specific needs.”

PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

SERGEANT JOHN RUDOLPH In twenty-nine years of service, Sergeant John Rudolph has received awards for being Officer and Supervisor of the Year several times. “These are some of the best moments in all my service years. I was very humbled.” Sergeant Rudolph added, “The most difficult moments came while working a murdered infant case.” These cases are especially difficult for officers with young children. Recent times have caused law enforcement officers to yearn for people to know their hearts. “I have always prided myself on treating people the way I would want to be treated or someone in my family to be treated. No one deserves to be disrespected, belittled or mistreated, no matter the circumstance.”

“I have always prided myself on treating people the way I would want to be treated or someone in my family to be treated.” -Officer Rudolph SERGEANT TODD RAYMOND Even as a young person, Sergeant Todd Raymond had a desire to help others. He started with the Weatherford Police Department in the fall of 1992. Most of that time he worked on patrol on all shifts. “Maybe 98% of the time it has been awesome and 2% is totally nuts, but all of it has been a blast. The best moments for me came when I worked as one of our department's School Resource Officers from 2003 until 2018. Undoubtedly, this is the highlight of my career—so far. Being able to see firsthand the outcome of the work we do is always rewarding. Some of the relationships I gained from that time will stay with me forever. If you really want to see me smile, be there when a kiddo from ten years ago crosses my path and we remember each other. It feels amazing to know that I had the opportunity to touch so many lives during those fifteen years.”

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Texans appreciate their law enforcement officers. All WPD officers feel like Officer Raymond does about the loss of life. No matter whose life or how they die, this is the most difficult moment. “The loss or serious injury of a child is devastating to families, the community and the officers that face that call. I suppose some of the most difficult times have been those moments when a child is lost or injured, whether by accident or intentional means. I am proud to be part of a community that loves children.” For any family, life can be difficult. Sergeant Raymond explained what it’s like for the families of officers. “Knowing your loved ones might leave home and never be seen alive again, is tough. Holidays and special events take on a special meaning for most of us. Life is precious and fragile, and regardless of who we are, we should guard it as a treasure and look out for each other. The City of Weatherford and Weatherford Police Department have made it possible for me to serve my community. God has blessed my life with people that taught me the important things in life. Helping those that cannot always help themselves and doing the right thing even when it's hard, are what makes a real community.”

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

"We all work together... we are here to help you. When you boil it down, from the very top, the Chief of Police, all the way down to the rookie patrol officer, we are here to serve our community.” - Officer Holcomb

CORPORAL JAMES ALLAIN Corporal James Allain, Patrol B Days and Parker County Regional SWAT, has served in law enforcement for seventeen years. Eight of those years have been at WPD and nine years at the Parker County Sheriff's Office. “My best moments in service came while organizing a Christmas party for the Parker County Gold Star families. We were able to make a special night for those families that have lost so much. The most difficult moments in my service have been losing friends and co-workers. For most of us, we have a strong family. Their strength, resilience, flexibility, and support sustain us. Without those we could not succeed in our profession. Our families are truly amazing.” When you see an officer out in the weather directing traffic or standing in the street protecting a pedestrian, send swift prayers toward heaven for that officer. Thank the Creator for their lives, ask for their protection, and don’t forget to say thank you to the heroes in blue. Office Holcomb summarized WPD, “This is going to sound cliché, but we are here to help you. When you boil it down, from the very top, the Chief of Police, all the way down to the rookie patrol officer, we are here to serve our community.” PCLS

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I T S B ES T

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

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Believe Boldly

Paralyzed Perfectionist: how to break the cycle of not-good-enough BY ERICA WILLIS

B E L I E V E B O L D LY. C O M

"Hello. My name is Erica and I am a paralyzed perfectionist."

he year was 1988. My friend and I playfully jumped on a tiny, Jane Fonda-type exercise trampoline. We decided to make the most of our time by multi-tasking, alternating between “feelin’ the burn” and the artistic expression of sequentially drawing a face using crayons and paper. One jump + one facial feature, repeated = a masterpiece. (Just call me “Rembrandt Simmons.”)

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

I drew a pretty, egg-shaped head. Nice. JUMP. My friend added the eyes. JUMP. I drew eyebrows. JUMP. She added a triangle-shaped nose. HOLD. UP.

If there is anything that stands in stark contrast to the Christian life, it is perfectionism.

Everyone knows a triangle nose is too harsh! A simple, rounded nose is what this image demanded! I was mortified at her lack of artistic ability and I shook my head disapprovingly. I couldn’t even hang this disaster on the fridge. It was then that I let her know just what I thought of her contribution to our work: I gave her a piece of my mind and tore the picture into tiny shreds. Now, some of you are mortified by my harsh reaction, worried for that girl’s feelings. The rest of you, my sweet darlings, nodding your head in sympathetic understanding of my plight, YOU are PERFECTIONISTS. I used to believe there was a “perfect” way to do everything. Yes, we all have different methods, but I believed only I possessed the “God-ordained, light-fromheaven, chorus-of-angels” plan for whatever we were all trying to accomplish. (It’s almost too ridiculous to write!) It’s no wonder I am paralyzed by perfection! This pressure, a virtual vise clamp around my goals, squeezing tighter until the perfect seal is created, stops me dead in my tracks. My good intentions to create the “best thing EVAH!!” turn into hard-hitting blows that knock the motivational wind right out of me. If there is anything that stands in stark contrast to the Christian life, it is perfectionism. God offers us freedom to color outside the lines and forge our own path. Perfection allows for neither of these! He wants us to be uniquely ourselves, not a clone of someone else’s ideal. Breaking the mold isn’t easy, but when we do, what takes shape is a messy, crayon-scribbled face that God wants to hang on His fridge, pointy nose and all. I have to believe His will is perfect for my life, not the one I create in my mind.

Some of you have big dreams but are paralyzed by perfection, so how do you overcome your fear and start moving? I always try and remember His grace, and extend it to myself. John 1:16 says, “God is full of grace. From him we have all received grace in place of the grace already given.” If God can forgive your imperfections, you can certainly forgive yourself. He doesn’t desire perfection; He desires connection with his daughter. God wants to remind us how small we are and how big He is, keeping us dependent on Him for all things. Our dreams and purpose should not be achieved apart from God. Can we all give up the need to be perfect, and instead be human?

Erica

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PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

The Voice of By Janette Halliday Photos by Eric Priddy Photography and provided by the Tallman Family

hen Bob Tallman was ten years old, before running water and electricity, he was a Nevada buckaroo guy. He was a “hand,” he could ride colts and make a living doing it. On a working ranch in Nevada, he made a name for himself as a buckaroo “I had never ridden a bicycle at the age of 10. But I could ride a bucking horse or a colt and was a buckaroo. And in those days that paid six bucks a day. I had my first truck when I was 14 years old with a rack on it to haul horses in. It’s the only way I ever hauled and with the drop gate so you can unload anywhere you needed to.”

Recognized as the voice of professional rodeo, the acclaimed announcer Bob Tallman has earned more honors for telling stories than most people could recount. He is a thirteen-time winner of the PRCA Announcer of the Year and has announced more than 18,000 rodeo performances spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Bob admits he was not an athletic individual. “I never was good at sports because I was a little guy. I tried high school football for three days and my friends beat me to death.” Onto college Bob went, attending San Luis Obispo in Cal Poly, California and then to the University of Nevada in Reno. He wanted to rodeo and aspired to be like world champions Jim Shoulders to Larry Mahan. It would not be a go for him as he realized the required effort and dedication was not something he wanted to do. But, he did discover he could earn $100 a day to tell stories and a rodeo announcer emerged. Recognized as the voice of professional rodeo, the acclaimed announcer has earned more honors for telling stories than most people could recount. He is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, The

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National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum, the Calgary Stampede Hall of Fame and was most recently awarded the 2020 Legend of Pro Rodeo at the Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala. He is a thirteen-time winner of the PRCA Announcer of the Year and has announced more than 18,000 rodeo performances spanning the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. He has announced more Wrangler National Finals Rodeos than any other announcer, with the 2020 event held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, marking his 26th time to bring the event live to the audience. Tallman doesn’t believe in having the spotlight on himself alone. He credits his bride of 51 years, Kristen for being a large part of his success. “When they gave me that Legends award the other day, I said I'll give this to Kristen for putting up with me for nearly 51 years. He added “I don't like- ‘I this, I that,’ because it should be ‘we’ and in the rodeo business, it'll humble you. Because if you think ‘I did this, I did that,’ you did not do any of that by yourself in that industry or lifestyle. “It's a team of people behind them, from family to sponsors, to trainers, to facilitators, and venues have lots of people that make the contest happen. And if you don't know how to win, and recognize the person who won second, third and fourth, equally as important as you are, you didn't win much. And all the saddles and trophies and buckles and plaques that winners get to have aren't worth, you know, aren't worth a nickel, if the memories that you have aren't worth something to you your family time. Yet, the business of bringing rodeo live to the fans is only one part of the legend that calls Parker county his home.

“In 1992, I was doing rodeo. I started in 1977 with Bob Watt that brought me to Texas. In Oregon, we ran 19,000 acres with 900 Braford cows with 1600 to 2000 yearling heifers,” explained Tallman. He had experience in the embryo transfer and artificial insemination business for cattle. “People trusted me to collect and sell embryos.” “I was doing cow business with a guy named Dr. Tom Atwood. Tom Atwood introduced me to a guy named Dr. Brad Stroud on Highway 51, who I think was the first big outside public embryologist that knew what to do in the cow business that could take us in the bucking bull business to go where we wanted to go,” explained Tallman. His connections to the rodeo business and raising bucking stock kept him in the embryo transfer

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business. He started the Rodeo Stock Registry that morphed into the Professional Bull Riders and American Bucking Bulls Incorporated. Tallman has switched gears and diversified at his business ventures at his Poolville address. On any given day, he will manage his herd of 150 black Angus cows, work on cattle embryo transfers, manage his 3T boxed beef business, take orders for Bobby T’s Jerky or set up a property showing with his real estate business. Tallman calls it being diversified. Tallman’s Reserve Beef is a boxed beef program he operates through Teel’s Custom Meats in Weatherford. Customers can order grass-raised quarters, halves, or a whole beef every six to eight months or annually and they serve clients from Rockwall to Oklahoma City to Odessa to Waco. “I hand raise the cattle. A lot of people don’t understand that concept. Their mother ate grass all the time that they were in her womb, she ate grass and gave them milk all the time that they were calves. They eat grass and are finished on grain, until they're 24 months old. People

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“And when I say I'm from Weatherford, Texas, I always say Parker County, because that's a Texas tradition.”

have no clue of what it takes to produce well marbled, lean beef, uninoculated on holistic pastures that we use chicken litter fertilizer on and no inoculations. They have no clue of what it takes to do that, from conception to birth to finish is 30 months.” “As a rancher/farmer, I pay retail all services I use, but we sell wholesale to make a living.” “And once you do business with me in the beef business, you become a part of the family. We call on people to check on every store that Bobby T’s jerky business is in coast to coast and border to border-Central Market, HEB, Boot Barn, Russell’s Feeds and more. I have a responsibility to maintain a quality product and it says what the label says.”

“When I say I'm from Weatherford, Texas, I always say Parker County, because that's a Texas tradition,” commented Tallman. “It's an old Texas tradition to be proud of where your roots in family came from. In my next generation of family, and next generation after that, come from Parker County, Texas. My grandkids are the first generation in our family that weren't born or raised in Nevada. So that's a big deal. My grandkids have been there and been well endorsed in where we all came from. And since we still live somewhat of that lifestyle. They get it. Education in country living, which is different than country lifestyle,” commented Tallman. “You can dress and participate in a country living environment by driving a truck having a tractor and some farm animals.” “I'd say I'm a Nevada buckaroo, frustrated living in Texas. I've never lost my roots where I came from. I'm a fifth-generation cow calf rancher, slash farmer operator. My grandkids are seven generations in the cow business. So, any way you look at it, whether it be Three T Angus beef, Bobby T's jerky, which is all guaranteed Texas meat, USDA-inspected, the calving business to the embryo business, the ranching, or the rodeo business. It all forms perfect to Weatherford, Texas.” “Well, I moved to Weatherford, Parker county and have been here off and on over lots of years. I loved it be-

cause it's easy to like Weatherford, but Weatherford has tripled in size and we service an area that is now 300,000 people. In the midst of all of this, all of a sudden, I realized I'm Parker County. And people in a lot of cases today don't identify with where they are or what they do in that locale.” His other venture as a real estate agent helps his customers embrace the Parker county experience. “There has been a development with an urban surge, they want the one thing we have in Texas-they want space. But to understand how to totally survive in the country, you have to understand the land, renewable natural resources and the harshness of Texas compared to any other place in the world,” Tallman explained. “If you've never lived on country property, and you’ve got one acre to 10 acres, 100 acres or 1000 acres-you need to be taught how to deal with that dirt. So, in the real estate business, we are teaching people.” “I know people that have floated in and out of Parker County, never, you know, raise an eyebrow about coming here, never raised the other eyebrow about leaving here. So, if you're gonna be here, I believe you need to try to make it a good place to live. So here we are.”

“Education in country living is different than country lifestyle.”

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“Hopefully, I gave some inspiration to some young people and hope that I created some courage in some people and at the end of the day, everybody's book balances by God's will. “

Tallman has a passion for giving back to the community and is adamant about helping children. His staunch belief in giving a hand-up and not a hand-out fuels his generous giving. “Based on one day, I made a commitment 30 years ago, that I would be involved. I want to be able to raise, create and distribute more than half of what I earn,” said Tallman. “The most defenseless object on the planet is a child. Besides protecting a child, clothing, or feeding them, I do believe that educating them is one of the most important things. You know, you can feed a kid till he's fat. But, if you don't educate him, he will never learn how to feed himself. You give your time and hands to produce and promote to help others. I am not big on ‘hands-out,’ I am big on ‘handsup.’” “Coaching to have self-esteem and how to utilize biblical standards to make other people to be better in thoughts followed by action…to fertilize the mind of young people and have to build character. Time is a non-renewable resource,” said Tallman. His primary charitable contributions go to Parker County Child Protection Services. He credits that relationship to Red and Gail Steagall, Cassidy Alexander and “the people that operate there is a group primarily of women that are the most loving, benevolent, hard-working people,” commented Tallman. His generous contributions also reach local 4-H clubs and FFA chapters as well as the MD Anderson Pediatrics Cancer Research Center. He is active with the Greenwood Baptist Church and John Hartman with the youth division. “You can only ride one saddle at a time or wear one buckle at a time. And, you couldn't wear many different hats within the realm of winning. But, when you hang that hat up that you're wearing that night, be cognizant of the ground you've covered that day and go back and say I didn't hurt anybody today by being me.” “Hopefully, I gave some inspiration to some young people and hope that I created some courage in some people and at the end of the day, everybody's book balances by God's will.” PCLS

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FROM MARINE TO

MAYOR By Rick Mauch Photos by Sass and Soul Images

Jay Hamilton has traveled the world, but one thing he always knew is he'd make it back to the place that captured his heart as a child: Brock, Texas, where he is now the mayor of the still little town that is growing in popularity - and population.

amilton is a native of Brock and a 1978 graduate of Brock High School. In 1980 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and moved away. While enlisted he lived all over the United States and was stationed overseas in Lebanon, Grenada, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. He was also in the first Gulf War. His return to Texas landed him in Southlake from 2000-14 before he came home. "We

"We moved back to Brock so my wife and I could raise our young children here."

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Among his many adventures, Hamilton participated in Operation Urgent Fury, the United States invasion of Grenada that began at dawn on Oct. 25, 1983. moved back to Brock in June 2014 so my wife and I could raise our young children in Brock," he said. "I have been fortunate to have traveled all over the world both with the military and professionally, so as a result I have a lot of experiences – some in combat, vacations, humanitarian support missions, etc.," he continued. Among his many adventures, Hamilton participated in Operation Urgent Fury, the United States invasion of Grenada that began at dawn on Oct. 25, 1983. The U.S. and a coalition of six Caribbean nations invaded the island nation of Grenada, 100 miles north of Venezuela. Codenamed Operation Urgent Fury by the U.S. military, it resulted in military occupation within a few days. "We launched a rescue operation to rescue college students who had been taken hostage a brutal Marxist regime in Grenada. We established a democracy in Grenada and rescued students," he recalled. "I went back to Grenada in 2008 for the 25th anniversary and met with the prime minister. It turns out he was imprisoned by the brutal regime in 1983 and was set to be executed on or around Oct. 25, 1983. "Twenty five years he was the prime minister, and Oct. 25 is Thanksgiving Day in Grenada." Hamilton, 60, is the owner of Presage Solutions, Inc., an information technology managed service provider. His company provides information technology services for companies that have between one to 100 employees. "This our 21st year in business and probably the most notable thing is that we participated with the FDA validation of the computer-aided manufacturing process for Mucinex back in the early 2000s," he said. He has been married to his wife Colleen for 11 years. They have two children; Faith is 8 and Dutch is 7. They were born in the same year, 2013, and are only 10 and a half months apart. Hamilton had never really been involved in politics until he ran for mayor of his beloved Brock.

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Well, first he was actually elected the first and only mayor of Brock West in a special election in 2017. Then, in 2019, after the two communities combined, he ran for and was elected mayor of all of Brock (he was already a city commissioner), replacing the city's inaugural mayor, Bill Cooper. "I was asked to get involved in the incorporation of Brock as a town to prevent Weather-

Hamilton said the priority long term goal for Brock is to develop a sustainable water plan for the community and town.

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When he's not working in some capacity with his company or his city, Hamilton likes to take time out to golf and spend time with his family. ford from involuntarily annexing the community of Brock," Hamilton explained. "I believe in our town and community and I didn’t want to see it get swallowed up by the involuntary annexation by Weatherford in 2016. There was a committee of Brock residents who pulled to get to get petitions signed and the application completed so that we could get the proposition for incorporation as town on the 2016 election (a year later Brock West was successfully incorporated.)" Hamilton said the priority long term goal for Brock is to develop a sustainable water plan for the community and town. They currently have two sources of water, depending on where you live. Parts of Brock are serviced by the Parker County Special Utility District, and other parts of Brock have ground water (wells) as their source. "The ground water is a finite resource and will have an impact on our growth and property values," he said. When Hamilton returned, it wasn't the same tiny Brock in which he grew up. While it's still not a metropolis by any stretch, it has become a destination for many families looking to relocate out of the big city, and Brock's growth has astonished Hamilton, among others. "I, like most people here, would like us to stay small town Texas. However, we have a wonderful community and a great school district, so it is very attractive for a lot of families, and we are only going to continue to grow," he said. "As a result, we need to embrace the growth and plan for it through build-

ing and implementing a vision for what the future of Brock looks like. "We have a planning and zoning committee that consist of community volunteers, and we welcome all volunteers who want to participate helping craft and implement a community vision." As for what his beloved town will look like after another decade, Hamilton can only imagine - but he imagines a lot. And he's using the example of a neighbor up the interstate as part of his vision. "I see where there will be a lot of commercial development on the 1189 and I-20 corridors over the next 10 years," he said. "Our goal is to attract retail and direct to the consumer business’, such as restaurants. Our goal is to use the Hudson Oaks model and support our town through sales tax revenue with no city property tax." When he's not working in some capacity with his company or his city, Hamilton likes to take time out to golf and spend time with his family. Oh, and he loves flying - and building, yes building - airplanes. However, another thing that goes hand-in-hand with living in Brock is participating in sports, which his children now do. "I am licensed instrument-rated pilot with single and multi-engine rating," he said. "I have built 21 experimental airplanes, but now that our children are into sporting activities, I no longer have the time or energy to build airplanes." Meanwhile, the future of Brock is flying high with him at the helm. PCLS

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HERE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY Provided by Surepoint Emergency Center

reestanding ERs play an important role in the fabric of emergency medicine in the state of Texas and other states that have opened their borders to freestanding ERs. The recent ice storm in February 2021 was a major blow to the state of Texas and left many in the state without water, power, and other basic needs. Texans, in some cases, found themselves cut off from the basic necessities that they were accustomed to, and in one extraordinary case, Padre Island, no means in which to get off the island as the only bridge was closed for nearly 48 hours. When nurse manager, Lianne Bowman, sensed that an emergency plan was needed for the Padre Island Surepoint Emergency Center, she reached out to local first responders and the Coast Guard to start formulating a plan. If the bridge closed, ambulances would not be able to transport patients to the hospitals for treatment. This left a dire need for a contingency plan as to what could be done for those patients in life-threatening conditions who needed emergency medical care immediately. Surepoint ER is equipped to handle almost every type of medical emergency imaginable. Still, there are limits to this, as some patients need specialty care or longer-term

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care than what a freestanding ER provides. In these extreme cases, we can stabilize the patient and arrange transport to a higher level of care, which is beneficial to the patient as they receive, in many cases, life-saving intervention when needed most. Time in an emergency is one of the biggest enemies, and freestanding ERs reduce this waiting time to mere minutes. Bowman and the first responder team reached an agreement where the two local fire and EMS groups would transport patients to the facility. The facility would be the defacto hospital for Padre Island while the bridge was closed. For any critical patients, Surepoint ER arranged with the United States Coast Guard and HALO-Flight in partnership with Republic EMS, a local private EMS provider, to transport patients to the appropriate hospital facility for further care. A total of five medivac flights were flown out of the Padre Island facility in a 36-hour period for conditions ranging from a stroke, a spinal cord injury, to third-degree burns from a patient suffering carbon monoxide poisoning who fell unconscious onto a running generator. Through it all, we never closed. Teams rotated in and out over the course of 4 days while the storm gripped the state. Because of a

good plan ahead of time, the staff could save lives and be a rescue beacon to Padre Island during a dark and cold time. Surepoint Emergency Centers has 14 locations in Texas, 12 in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and two in Corpus Christi. The storm did not discriminate. We lost power in some facilities, having to rely on emergency backup generators. Some facilities lost their water service for periods of time, and nearly all lost telephone and Internet services. Through all of this, we never closed. At times we had to pivot to simply being first aid stations, as we lost power completely in some areas for a time, even still we never closed. We are here to serve our community. Doctors, nurses, radiology technologists, registration, and even corporate office staff all came together to keep the doors open when it would have just been easier to close until the storm blew over. Plans were made ahead of time, and hotels, meals, and transportation was arranged to respond when difficult. The staff worked hard seeing over 600 patients over the 14 locations the week of the storm. We are health care workers; it’s what we do. We were proud to serve our communities. We are all in this together.

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Vet Spotlight April is National Heartworm Awareness Month! Are your pets protected? Here is what you need to know.

Heartworms Are Transmitted By Mosquitoes. Heartworms are long, spaghetti-like parasites that live in the heart or pulmonary arteries. These worms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels, resulting in reduced blood supply to other organs, such as the liver, kidney, and lungs. But how do they get into the heart? When an infected mosquito bites a dog or cat, it deposits heartworm larvae into the body. The larvae migrate for several

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months before arriving in the heart or pulmonary arteries. Once the larvae mature, they begin to release immature heartworms, known as microfilaria. Microfilaria live in the pet’s blood for about one month and may, in turn, be ingested by mosquitoes feeding on the pet. Because of this life cycle, it is necessary for a dog or cat to be bitten by a mosquito to be infected with heartworms. Heartworms cannot be transmitted directly from one pet to another.

Heartworms Are Everywhere.

Heartworm infection in pets occurs all over the world, particularly in areas where mosquitoes are prevalent. In the United States, this disease was once limited to the South and Southeast regions; however, it is now found in most areas around the U.S. Indoor pets can get heartworms, too. While pets who go outdoors are more likely to be exposed to heartworm disease, keep in mind that indoor pets are not immune. In fact, about 25 percent of cats diagnosed with heartworms are reported by their owners to be indoor-only! The best way to protect your pet—whether he/she spends time outdoors or not—is to use monthly heartworm prevention.

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Heartworms are 100 Percent Preventable. Heartworm infection is a serious and potentially fatal disease. Treatment is possible in dogs, but can carry some degree of risk, depending on the severity of the infection. There is no approved treatment available for cats. Fortunately, this disease can be easily avoided. We recommend Heartgard, Proheart, or Sentinel for heartworm prevention in dogs. Sentinel is an oral medication that protects against fleas and intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hook worms and whipworms. Heartgard, is a beef flavored chewable that protects against heartworms and intestinal parasites as well. And Proheart is an injectable heartworm prevention that comes in both a 6 month or 12 month option. In addition, we recommend annual heartworm testing for all dogs. A simple blood test will ensure your dog is not infected. This is especially important before starting or restarting monthly heartworm medication. For heartworm prevention in cats, we recommend Revolution. In addition to heartworms, this topical medication also protects against fleas, ear mites, and intestinal parasites. Unfortunately, oral heartworm prevention for cats is not available currently. Remember, it is much easier to prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it! For more information about heartworm disease in dogs and cats, contact us at either one of our locations today!

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By: Tricia Hackfeld Photos provided by Ellman Photography/Aledo ISD

he August air in Aledo is thick with the energy of a new season. The Bearcat Regiment band can be heard the moment you turn down Buchanan Drive toward the high school. The football stadium lights have been on since long before dawn, and suddenly the question about the secret of the Aledo football program’s success isn’t a secret anymore. Ask anyone affiliated with the Aledo dynasty what sets the Bearcats apart from the pack, and you will get the same an-

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swer: time and dedication. The time commitment doesn’t just begin when an athlete reaches the high school level. Players as young as the age of 6 put on a Bearcat uniform and spend their Saturdays in the fall preparing for their turn in the spotlight. To get a full picture of the Bearcat tradition, you have to start at the beginning. If you ask longtime Coach Tim Buchanan, this story begins with the first state championship in 1998: “We weren’t even supposed to get out of the district that year.” They finished the district in third place barely securing a spot in the playoffs. According to Coach Buchanan, “every win was a dog fight, and we fought hard.” Coach Tim Buchanan began his 28-year stint as head coach at a much smaller 3A Aledo high school in 1993. “At the time, my wife and I hoped to stay here a few years, but it quickly became home,” Coach mentions with a hint of nostalgia. It would be nine more years before his next State championship season. During that time Coach Buchanan said he worked to build a winning program, and he didn’t do it alone. He attributes a large part of the success of the program to the stellar coaches he has on staff. One staff member that has played a large part in this winning tradition is, now athletic director, Steve Wood. Coach

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Wood has been calling plays and molding young men for 39 years, and 19 of those have been as a Bearcat. Coach Wood said his career decision was simple: “My dad died when I was only 12 years old. My coaches cared for me and helped me grow into a man -- what a difference they

Aledo football history, helping them win this year’s record-breaking 10th championship. The six touchdowns and 255 rushing yards help secure the 56-21 victory in the Class 5A Division II title game. The Lamar University commit gives the credit to his offensive line. “I wouldn’t score anything if they didn’t make a way for me; they do all the work and seldom get noticed,” the humble running back says. Roberts says, “Aledo football is a family.” “We have each other’s back, and we work hard together, so we can play hard together on the field. What people don’t understand is that everyone that plays Aledo brings their ‘A’ game, so we can never let up because some team is always preparing to take us down.” Offensive lineman Brady Wood echoes this statement: “Above everything else, we work together,

made in my life.” He has spent the majority of his doing the same for others. “We have the opportunity to have a positive impact on young people, we want them not only to be better football players but better men, future husbands, and fathers. You can coach them hard if you love them just as much.” It is evident in the success of the program that coach Buchanan and Coach Wood have done just that. These coaches will also be the first to admit that they have a dedicated group of athletes in the program who make their job look easy. Johnathan Gray 2012 graduate was one such individual. All-American running back Johnathon Gray broke the all-time touchdown record with 205 TDs. As a junior in 2010, Gray rushed 323 yards and scored eight touchdowns to secure the state championship. This wasn’t his swan song either -- he went on to secure his place in Aledo football history winning three consecutive state championships during his high school career. “It is all about attitude, time, and effort that sets Aledo football apart from other programs,” Gary states without hesitation. The heavily recruited and sought-after running back went on to have significant success at the University of Texas in Austin before two Achilles injuries prematurely ended his football career. This year’s state championship cast included a few star athletes as well. The offensive MVP of the game DeMarco Roberts made his own place in

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"It takes this whole community to make Aledo the powerhouse that it is.”

“The standard and culture of excellence is something that begins as soon as you put on that uniform.” we get better together. We are all in. From watching the film to team dinners to pre-game, the teamwork and dedication made this team what it is.” Brady Wood grew up knowing Aledo football and wanting to be a part of it for as long as he can remember. The program and the game itself had such a tremendous impact on Brady. He aspires to be a future coach himself. Preferred TCU walk-on, Sam Foreman who has played football in Aledo since he was big enough to hold up his shoulder pads had this to say about his hometown: “The standard and culture of excellence is something that begins as soon as you put on that uniform. We learn early that practice matters … and we aren’t talking about hour-long practices - I remember practicing long after the sun went down. I want people to know that Aledo doesn’t just have a history of excellence, it is an entire culture built on the backs of the administration, school board, coaches, teachers, trainers, band, and even our longtime locker room manager Ernst. We get too much credit. It takes this

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whole community to make Aledo the powerhouse that it is.”

MOM Squad One such group of unsung heroes is the mom squad. Football moms spend a significant amount of time supporting their Bearcats. These women can be seen wearing crazy orange hats and holding giant poster-sized images of their sons proudly in the stands. They come early and get loud. Reagan Foreman, (Sam’s mom) is almost weary as she described the season: “We decorate locker rooms, host team dinners/ breakfasts in our homes, bring homemade desserts and treats to coaches, players, and trainers while they watch film. It is a tribe of moms and some dads that just do whatever we can to help the athletes, coaches, and program as a whole. This year, due to Covid-19 restrictions we had to get creative and scale way back, but we were just happy to get to have a season.” In the past players have been able to have team dinners in homes by position. One mom described having the offensive line to her home for team din-

It is a tribe of moms and some dads that just do whatever we can to help the athletes, coaches, and the program as a whole.

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ner, and they ate so much pizza they had to order it from a variety of restaurants because each restaurant couldn’t make the whole number that they needed. This mom’s humble response is, “it is just what we do.” Mrs. Foreman says that she is forever grateful for the Aledo program because it instilled a determination and work ethic in her son that cannot be packaged. In short, Aledo football isn’t just the record-setting 10 state titles; it is a community and school district’s dedication to excellence. This season, in particular, is an excellent example of that. Superintendent Dr. Susan Bohn fought every step of the way to make sure Aledo was able to have a safe season. It wasn’t easy either - at one point during the season an entire group of linemen had to be quarantined due to Covid-19 exposure, but that didn’t stop the Bearcats. This year faced unprecedented challenges -- week to week not knowing if they would be able to have a game. Coach Tim Buchanan said the challenges of this season made this year’s record-setting victory even sweeter. The Aledo Bearcat program has a record of 291 wins and only 42 losses since 1998. They hold 2 three-peat state titles and too many trophies to count. This program is steeped in tradition and forced to be reckoned with, and next, the state will watch in anticipation, as they chase number 11. PCLS

ALEDO DYNAST Y STATS: Coach Tim Buchanan’s overall record: 255-55-3 7 Coaching 38 years. Coach Steve Wood 3 state titles and coaching 39 years. Program record since 1946 (I believe that's the first season): 547-242-9 More than 200 athletes have received college scholarships from the Aledo Football program

Year

Class

Opponent, Score

2020

5A Div. II

Crosby, 56-21

2019

5A Div. II

Fort Bend Marshall, 45-42

2018

5A Div. II

Fort Bend Marshall, 55-19

2016

5A Div. II

CC Calallen, 24-16

2014

5A Div. I

Temple, 49-45

2013

4A Div. II

Brenham, 38-10

2011

4A Div. II

Manvel, 49-28

2010

4A Div. II

La Marque, 69-34

2009

4A Div. I

Brenham, 35-21

1998

3A Div. I

Cuero, 14-7

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Making Sense of Your Insurance Provided by State Farm/Ryan McDonald

There’s no question that insurance products can be a challenge to understand.

here’s no question that insurance products can be a challenge to understand. But Brock State Farm Agent Ryan McDonald takes pride in helping his clients and the public understand exactly how insurance can benefit them. “My goal is to explain your insurance coverage in a way that’s easy to understand, so if you ever experience a loss, you will be prepared and can recover quickly,” says McDonald. “We specialize in comparing policies and coverages, and even if we can’t earn your business, at least you will have a better understanding of your existing coverage.” One of the common issues McDonald encounters is helping people understand liability limits. Auto liability limits are typically written out as three numbers like 30/60/25. The first number is the limit per person for Bodily Injury coverage ($30,000), the second is the total limit per accident for Bodily Injury, and the third is the limit per accident for Property damage. “With the state minimum limit being 30/60/25, most people don’t realize that if you get in an accident and exceed those limits you may be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket,” says McDonald. “That’s why it’s important to have a discussion with your insurance professional and make

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State Farm Agent Ryan McDonald is here to help. sure you have the limits that properly protect your family. With our rates as competitive as they are right now, we have been able to help countless families not only save but also get more protection for their money.” Insurance discounts are another area that McDonald specializes in. He constantly visits with clients about one or more of the many insurance discounts State Farm offers. Whether it’s saving money for being a safe driver, a student, or a family with multiple vehicles, McDonald enjoys helping policyholders find the best fit for them. One of the most popular and more traditional discounts is combining home, condo or renter’s insurance with your car insurance to save money. Having multiple lines of insurance with one company can be convenient and save time if you experience a loss. That’s one reason why so many people prefer doing business with a local State Farm agent. Discounts also apply to other lines of insurance. McDonald encourages the public to stop by for more information.

“With so many insurance options out there, I understand that I have to differentiate myself, so that is why my agency puts such an emphasis on taking care of our customers,” says McDonald. “I cannot always guarantee to save you money, but what I can do is promise a level of respect and service unlike any you have had from previous insurance companies. We would love the chance to earn your business here at Ryan McDonald State Farm, and we hope you will give us the chance!” The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm is the largest provider of auto and home insurance in the United States and is ranked number 36 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. If you would like to learn more about insurance, contact or come by the Ryan McDonald State Farm Agency at 1120 Fm 1189 Ste 107 in Brock or call 682-333-0242.

McDonald enjoys helping policyholders find the best fit for them.

“Helping Families Protect the Things that Mean the Most”

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Love & Career By Lindsay L. Allen Photos by Sass and Soul Images

What started as a high school ag co-op work opportunity has led to a life-long career for not only Blaine Peacock, but also his wife, Tamara.

Weatherford native and graduate, Blaine grew up on a small ranching operation and in high school began working at DairyMen’s Feed through the Weatherford High School work program, later known as Parker County Feed and Coconougher Feed. After graduation in 1976, Blaine worked full time as mill manager and continued his sport of rodeo as a Professional Bull Rider with the Central Rodeo Association (CRA) from 1975 to

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1987. Blaine rode his first bull in 7th grade, December 1970, and it became his passion. When asked what his best memory of his bull riding career was he shared, “In 1985 I participated in 76 rodeos and rode 70 bulls for eight seconds, bucked six bulls and won Reserve Champion of the CRA. Also, I won the Weatherford Rodeo in 1977, prior to being a Parker County Sheriff’s Posse member. I am humbled and blessed with those years and wouldn’t trade them for anything.” After more than a decade of riding bulls, it was time to retire his chaps and take on the new title of family man and business owner. Blaine purchased the feed store in 1996 and has since changed the name, diversified the offerings and sought to make a difference in the community. Tamara, an accountant by trade, works full time at Pete Bonds Ranch in Saginaw, TX, but spends all her extra moments at the feed store, where she manages the retail and boutique sales, store events and charitable giving. The couple met in 2008 and married in 2010, two years to the day of their first date. By 2012 Tamara jumped in full force with new ideas to diversify the store and help it become more viable. If you have not been to Peacock’s Feed & Boutique, then you are truly missing out. While you may think you would only go there to purchase livestock and animal feed, you can also refill your propane and shop their incredibly unique home and gift and women’s boutique items. Depending on what day you visit, you may be able to partake in one of their many events as well. “We needed diversification at our store. The agricultural industry has changed over the last two decades and by adding the retail offerings, along

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with other services, we were able to increase our margins and find new ventures we absolutely love.” Tamara continued, “While I would consider the retail section something I manage, Blaine is a huge advocate and supporter for that part of our business. He comes with me to the Dallas Market every quarter to find new treasures, and we love to roadtrip and find unique ideas to bring into the store. I don’t do anything with the retail side of the business without his input.” The shop also features and sells a private label jarred food line, many locally packaged items, such as Gilbert’s Pecan Co., JC’s Honey, farm fresh eggs and many other Texas products as well. The staff will prepare or display the dips, nuts, seasoned crackers, etc. for shoppers to try and enjoy daily. When asked what their favorite part of the business is, Tamara immediately responded, “Meeting

new people. Blaine and I are outgoing, fun-loving folks and enjoy visiting with our customers and getting to know them and finding out how they found our business and what they want from us. We hope we always stay small enough that we know all our customers.” Tamara shared, “I’ve said a million times, if I could get Blaine in front of every customer, we have we would be the most successful business in the world. If you don’t love Blaine, there’s something wrong.” With weekly events at the shop, like Wined Down Wednesday, where customers and friends can gather for a featured sip of a Texas wine, cocktail, or spirit while they shop and network to Saturday’s Sip ‘n Shop with coffee and cocktails to the many events throughout the year that support local charitable organizations, there are many opportunities to get to know the Peacocks. Their largest and most favorite event is Christmas on the Tracks with Cowboy Santa and Live Llamas that is hosted every first Saturday in December. It started about eight years ago as a last minute thought to have Santa come on Saturday and is now one of the largest events in the area. This year will be the 8th annual event and the Peacocks just keep finding more fun stuff to add to the day’s events.

The Peacocks are not located in Weatherford solely for the purpose of their business, but also to be involved in many civic organizations as well. Blaine is a long-time member of the Parker County Sheriff’s Posse, they are both active members of the Chamber of Commerce and Tamara is an active member of the Downtown Weatherford Business Alliance and sits on the Freedom House of Parker County Board as the events chair, among numerous other organizations they belong to. This year, in May, they hosted the Taste of Texas Grapes & Hops, benefiting Freedom House of Parker County, a resource for abused victims in the area. “This will be an annual event that we hope to see grow big!” stated Tamara. “This non-profit is an amazing organization that is a huge benefit for our community.” Peacock’s Feed & Boutique also coordinates events with the Parker County Frontier Days Rodeo in June, the Ranch Rodeo in September, the Peach Festival in July and more. “We try to support the entire community. If we can bring in vendors to our events or promote them on our social media, we will. If we charge a vendor fee for one of our large events, it all goes to an organization we support in the community. We love our youth and enjoy supporting athletic and livestock youth, attending their banquets, donating auction items and we enjoy volunteering also,” Tamara shared.

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And if all this is not enough to entice you to visit this one-of-a-kind store, let the property itself bring you through the doors. Peacock’s Feed & Boutique is located at the far west end of the property that is home to the T&P Depot built in 1900. Last used by T&P trains #26 and #27, which were discontinued on March 22, 1967. You can just imagine hustle and bustle of a public train depot in those early days! Although the depot is not open to the public, it is a grand historical building and the Peacock’s hope to someday be able to renovate it and offer it as a public space. Blaine and Tamara, both learning hard work ethic at a young age, have carried that trait into their careers and have no plans for slowing down at Peacock’s Feed & Boutique. And while they may work hard, they are proud parents of four grown kids and two grandkids who they enjoy spending time with and hope to someday have more time for. “It’s the hometown atmosphere, even though it’s ever changing and growing, along with the community charm that supports locals that we love so much here,” Tamara shared. “We love supporting locally owned businesses ourselves and try to always buy local and promote local.” PCLS For your next cute outfit, home décor or specialty gift needs, propane or livestock feed, be sure and check out Peacock’s Feed & Boutique at 122 W. Water Street in Weatherford, just north the courthouse a few blocks on the tracks!

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A Day Just for

Mom: MOTHER'S DAY

CELEBRATIONS AND GIFTS SHE'LL TREASURE By: Kimberly Blaker

The role of mothers in shaping their daughters' and sons' lives is unsurpassed. Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest, and be the best we can be. Mother's Day is just around the corner. So, this year give her the gift of your heart and time and make it a special day she'll treasure.

I realized when you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know.” - Mitch Albom

he role of mothers in shaping their daughters' and sons' lives is unsurpassed. Mothers teach us to love, be strong, be confident, persist, live life to its fullest, and be the best we can be. Mother's Day is just around the corner. So, this year give her the gift of your heart and time and make it a special day she'll treasure. Mother’s Day Brunch – Serve your mom a scrumptious breakfast or take her out for Mother's Day brunch. If you prepare it yourself, the following menu will be sure to please: fruit salad, juice, waffles or pancakes with her favorite blueberry or strawberry topping, Canadian bacon or fresh sausage, omelets or eggs benedict, homemade hash browns, and coffee cake or Danishes. Also, don't forget the fresh cut flowers for the table centerpiece. Spring Blooms - What better way to spend a spring day than together in your mother's garden? Pick up her favorite annuals and perennials: begonias, petunias, violets, morning glories, poppies, marigolds, snapdragons, or mums. Then enjoy a relaxing day together, planting and sprucing up her flower garden and catching up on old times. Mother/Daughter or Mother/Son Memories – Give your mom a keepsake that'll be dear to her heart. Purchase Mothers & Daughters: A Record Book

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About Us to fill out and share with her. Or create your own memory book with a scrapbook or journal. Include photos and memories about special times the two of you have had together; the most important things you remember about your mother from your childhood; how she has inspired you; and the times you look forward to in the future. The Main Event – Surprise your mother with tickets to an event she's been dying to see: the ballet, a concert, play or musical, the opera, a favorite sporting event, a comedy show, or dinner theater. Be sure to tell her you have something special planned (but not what), so she'll be all yours for the day. Train Excursion – Spring is the perfect time to tour the countryside. Take a train ride with your mom, and enjoy the vivid colors of spring, blue skies, beautiful blossoms, and other scenic sights. Family Portrait – If your family is like most, you're well overdue for an updated family portrait. What better time to have it done than on Mother's Day? Schedule to have your family's picture taken at a studio, or hire a photographer for a photoshoot in the park. Coordinate

Give your mother a special treat, a gift certificate for pampering at the spa where she can enjoy a Swedish massage, hair design, a sea spa manicure and pedicure, or a soothing facial.

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with family members in advance on the formality and color scheme, so outfits don't clash. Inform your mother how to dress for her special day, but keep the specific reason a surprise. The Power of Poetry – You don't need to be a poet to write a special verse for your mother. In your poem, share what it was like growing up with her, how she influenced your life, or tell her just what she means to you. Then print it on stationery, and matte and frame it. A Little Pampering – Mothers spend many years pampering their children giving bubble baths, washing hair, and caring for them when they're ill. Give your mother a special treat, a gift certificate for pampering at the spa where she can enjoy a Swedish massage, hair design, a sea spa manicure and pedicure, or a soothing facial. Weekend Getaway – Put together a weekend package designed especially for your mom. Choose a city that offers excellent shopping, art museums and cultural centers, or even a quaint historic town with neat shops, cafes, and parks. Leave the dates for the getaway open so she can make the trip at her convenience, or so the two of you can make plans together. Keep it Simple – Plan a relaxing day together, enjoying the outdoors. Head to a nearby park where you can meander along nature trails reminiscing or take a scenic bike ride. Especially for Mothers - Buy a book for and about moms. Consider one of the following: • Mother: A Cradle to Hold Me by Maya Angelou • I Love You, Mom by Amylee Weeks • Why a Daughter Needs a Mom by Gregory E. Lang • Why a Son Needs a Mom by Gregory E. Lang • Mothersongs: Poems For, By, and About Mothers by Sandra M. Gilbert et al. • Mom, I Wrote a Book About You by M.H. Clark • Real Poems for Real Moms: From a Mother in the Trenches to Another by Rachel S. Donahue • Mom, Tell Me Your Story: Keepsake Journal by Susan Branch • You Are One Amazing Lady: Special Thoughts to Share With a Truly Wonderful Woman by Douglas Pagels • Dear Mother: The Hot Mess of Motherhood by Bunmi Laditan

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Educational Activities for Young Explorers: Places, Activities, and Toys for Active Minds By Kimberly Blaker

Does it seem like every time you turn around; your home has been taken apart by your little explorer? Don't despair. It may only result from an extraordinary desire to learn. Who knows, your child may be a future scientist, inventor, or leader in the making.

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oes it seem like every time you turn around; your home has been taken apart by your little explorer? Don't despair. It may only result from an extraordinary desire to learn. Who knows, your child may be a future scientist, inventor, or leader in the making.

Make up a scavenger hunt. Make a list of easy to find items for your small children. Make it more challenging for older kids by providing them with a list of puzzles to solve to determine what items to find. Kids can also create a scavenger hunt for family or friends to try.

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Play restaurant. Have your child make up a restaurant menu with several simple dishes he can prepare. At dinnertime, he can seat the family, take orders, then prepare and serve the meals. (Suggestion: Bring along some reading while you wait).

When your child needs to occupy her creative energy, have her try some of these fun, educational activities. Put together a book of facts on a personal interest such as dinosaurs, insects, rock bands, sports, or astronomy. Clip pictures and descriptions from magazines and Internet printouts. Then trace drawings from books and write about personal experiences with the topic.

Recycling fun. Start a discard collection and teach your kids the importance of recycling and reusing disposable items. Then get their creative juices flowing. Save zippers and buttons from old clothing, plastic containers, fabric strips, packing materials, small scraps of wood, carpet and wallpaper scraps, and more. Then

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Play Thomas Edison. Save old kitchen appliances, computers, DVD players, and other electronics. Give your child a supply of tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, and safety glasses, and let him go to work. Kids love this type of exploration and learn by taking apart and examining the inner workings of electronics. As a word of caution, cut the electrical cord before your child begins to prevent any mishaps. And supervise for sharp parts or mechanisms that could pinch fingers. Create a video. Have your kids make up several humorous tv commercials using household items for props and dressing-up for the part. Once they've rehearsed their skits, set up a video camera and tape their production.

TOYS THAT TEACH

supply your kids with scissors, tape, and glue, and let them go to work. Offer ideas to get your kids started then let them come up with their creations. Make a United States puzzle. Purchase several colors of clay and a United States map. Clip each state from the map, place a state clipping over the rolled-out clay, and trace the shape into the clay with a toothpick. Cut out the shapes then write the name of the state with a pencil tip. Be sure to use a different color of the clay for each neighboring state, and then let the shapes dry or bake according to instructions.

Children can dig for ancient treasures from replicas of dinosaur fossils to Egyptian reliefs. 74

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Keep kids entertained with these educational toys that won’t quickly lose their appeal. Try K’nex, which puts a new twist on building blocks. With K'nex, there are endless possibilities of what a child can create, from dinosaurs and airplanes to roller coasters, space shuttles, and motorized cars. Find K'nex in educational toy stores. Go on a dig. Archaeology excavation kits are found in many educational toy stores or online. Children can dig for ancient treasures from replicas of dinosaur fossils to Egyptian reliefs. Kids also learn about the history behind

These science playlands are great fun for kids and adults alike.

the excavated items through stories included with the kits. Once kids’ interest has been sparked, parents can print out additional articles from encyclopedias or the Internet. Scientific Explorer kits have won several awards. These kits offer a variety of educational activities, experiments, and worksheets. They are available in the following themes: Ancient Greece: The Dawn of Modern Science, Galileo: Renaissance Astronomer and Physicist, Charles Darwin: The Life of a Naturalist, and many others. Look for these kits in gift shops at science museums and in other educational toy shops.

conduct Pre-show "play shops." Kids can explore the performing arts from puppet making to stage make-up and more. Ask about summer arts programs and more. Hands-on science. Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the country. These science playlands are great fun for kids and adults alike. They’ll keep your child mentally and physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, winding cranks, playing instruments, experimenting, and building. When everyone is exhausted, enjoy a fun, family science show, the observatory, an IMAX movie, or simulator rides, all commonly found in these museums.

EXPLORATION ON THE GO Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids? Try some of these spots. Art museums offer a variety of activities to spark your kids’ interest. Many offer art and craft workshops, traveling exhibits, book signings by children’s illustrators, and even musical performances and other arts. Head to a natural history museum where kids can discover the past from dinosaur displays and stuffedanimal exhibits to geology collections, ancient mummies, and astronomy. Also, ask what kind of workshops and educational programs are available for kids and any special events that are coming up.

Local places to consider visiting: Doss Heritage & Culture Center 1400 Texas Dr. Weatherford, Tx 76086 dosscenter.org (They also have a Facebook page you can follow for ideas on activities) Weatherford Public Library 1014 Charles St. Weatherford, TX 76086 (Also on Facebook with event list)

Youtheatre. Look for one in your region offering plays for child and family audiences. Area artists and educators

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F AT H E R - C H I L D CO N N E C T I O N Mike Hall, founder of Strong Fathers-Strong Families, a for-profit organization that focuses on family engagement programs for schools and Head Start programs, is a man on a mission.

By Martha Helton | Photos by Eric Priddy Photography and Provided by Mike Hall

ike Hall, founder of Strong Fathers-Strong Families, a for-profit organization that focuses on family engagement programs for schools and Head Start programs, is a man on a mission. A self-described “professional in fatherhood and father engagement,” Hall draws from his own rich legacy of faith and strong multi-generational family relation-

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ships, his own experience gleaned from raising two grown sons and his over 20+ years of professional experience in the fatherhood field to train educational professionals—as well as dads--to connect dads with their kids through curriculum he authored himself. This is his 18th school year, having worked with over 225,000 dads face-to-face in schools in over 45 states, and in between 500-600 schools.

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Hall considers himself “blessed” to have had a good role model as a dad. “My dad was actually a fantastic guy." One of three children, Hall was born in Springtown, Texas. With his father’s career as a football coach, they moved around a lot. But they moved back to the 100acre family farm when Hall was in high school—a farm that was originally purchased by his great-grandfather in 1901. (His mom and sister and her family currently live there as well as Hall and his wife, Sabra, in separate houses on the property.) Hall considers himself “blessed” to have had a good role model as a dad. “My dad was actually a fantastic guy. Anything I’ve done well as a father over the last 29 years, a lot of it goes back to what my dad did. Now there are some things he did that I didn’t want to repeat—he would’ve told you the same thing,” shared Hall. “Even my grandfather who was a pretty tough, harsh guy loved his kids, although I don’t think he ever said I love you. And because of that, my dad always

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made sure that he told us he loved us, hugged us, disciplined us and had fun with us.” Hall’s dad quit coaching and started a fertilizer business and then ran hay and cattle on the farm—all because he wanted to put his family first. “He coached for 17 years and as I got into middle school he realized ‘I’m raising other people’s kids instead of my own.’ That realization had a trickle-down effect. “After I was a principal for four years, it was the same thing. I realized I couldn’t be a good principal and a good dad,” he recalled. ”So, when I quit being a principal, a lot of people talked about how it was heroic. It wasn’t that heroic because I watched my dad do it. I’m pretty sure my son, who was going to be a band director, when he got serious about maybe starting a family, he decided to change his major. He was a little more ahead of the curve. He’s an English teacher in Dallas.” While a middle school principal, the importance of father involvement peaked Hall’s awareness. “Almost every kid that came through my office had an academic problem or, more so, a behavior problem either had no dad at home or had a dad at home but he was not connected.” With this awareness, he became involved with the Center for Successful Fathering. When he quit being a principal, Hall taught for a year and continued to work with the organization on different events. The next school year, he was hired to work with them full time. When the company eventually failed, Hall launched Strong Fathers, Strong Families in 2003. Because there are federal initiatives to engage fathers in their child’s education, schools and Head Starts are looking for programs to fulfill those needs. Hall gains visibility through speaking at conferences and internet presence. He was honored as a 2012 White House Fatherhood Champion of Change, so he has gained positive recognition through his programs.

“At six weeks a child can tell the difference between their mother’s face and their father’s face…their mother’s voice and their father’s voice." Hall says that research shows how important fathers are to a child’s development. “At six weeks a child can tell the difference between their mother’s face and their father’s face…their mother’s

“After I was a principal for four years, it was the same thing. I realized I couldn’t be a good principal and a good dad.”

Because Hall is blessed with a strong legacy of faith and family, he enjoys being a mentor to the dads he encounters.

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voice and their father’s voice. If a child is distressed, they will respond quicker to the dad’s voice. When dads read to their kids they learn to read, they love to learn to read, they learn to love books and the child’s verbal skills can increase 15%, which doesn’t happen when moms read to them,” explained Hall. “I like to share that with dad because they commit to reading to their kids on a more regular basis.” Hall reaches out to dads by offering three “Bring Your Dad to School” nights. Math, science and reading nights feature activities dads and kids do together. This encourages dads to become more involved with their child’s education and hopefully, the child himself. “It’s got to be interactive. Dads want to do something with their kids. It’s just spending time together and although it’s not heavy talks, they can lead to those heavy talks.” When the COVID-19 virus hit last year, Hall scrambled to make everything virtual. Now he holds dad nights not in a school cafeteria, but on Zoom. “I do everything in English and Spanish, have overhead cameras. We’re using all kind of tricks and games to make it more in-

teresting, such as counting cards, dominoes, things that you have at home.” Being virtual has allowed Hall to reach dads without boarding a plane. Recently he worked via Zoom call with 200300 dads in Singapore. Since families were locked down because of COVID-19, he had a captive audience. He’s doing virtual programs almost every day. Also, being virtual will give Hall more opportunities to develop online coaching, for those who cannot afford it and those who can. Another part of Hall’s legacy that fuels his passion for connecting fathers to their kids is his faith. He is an elder at Springtown Church of Christ, where his dad, his grandfather and his great grandfather were elders as well. “My faith drives me. But science backs me up. People ask if we’re a faith-based business and I say, ‘No, but we’re run by faith-based people.’ We’re able to go into public schools and say the things we’re able to say without any problem because what I know about faith from my family is backed up by secular science.” Because Hall is blessed with a strong legacy of faith and family, he enjoys be-

ing a mentor to the dads he encounters. Even if some of the dads Hall has talked with have come from a tough family situation, he encourages them that they are the start of their own legacy. Hall has no plans to retire. “I seriously will probably do it till I die, at one level or another…whether that’s writing books or coaching other people to do it,” said Hall. He hopes the virtual contact will continue beyond the pandemic because he can reach dads in 45 states and three or four countries from a pasture in Parker County. “I hate driving out of the county when I can do everything right here.” And the legacy may continue. “Either one of my sons could do this work. I think if they thought the old man would step out of the way they both would be very good at it. I have not planned on this being a family business because it’s not something that I’ve ever asked them to do, but I could see that they could take it to the next level.” PCLS

For more information, log on to: www.StrongFathers.com

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I T S B ES T

PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

CARTER LEE On April 20, 2020, the world lost a light but gained an inspiration whose influence has only grown and continues to grow and touch lives since his loss. Carter Sharp’s legacy lives on.

“He was just a little boy, but he made our world go ‘round.” – Adam Sharp

BY CASSIDY ROBINSON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY VALERIE RANSPOT AND THE SHARP FAMILY

n April 20, 2020, the world lost a light but gained an inspiration whose influence has only grown and continues to grow and touch lives since his loss. Carter Sharp, son to Emily and Adam Sharp, was a “huge little boy, he totally skipped the baby phase and went straight to being a big boy,” his parents say. Adam says that until he was gone his family did not realize how much Carter did to hold their little family together. “He was just a little boy, but he made our world go ‘round.” Carter is one of the four children of the Sharp family. His two older brothers served as his role models, and he was especially close to Ty (9), the middle brother of the family. Adam says that Ty was his “ride or die” who Carter gravitated towards. His older sister Ella (13) and eldest brother Duram (10) all loved him dearly. Carter loved his siblings and loved his family.

Emily says that Carter was constantly smiling, constantly laughing and cracking jokes. Emily states, “Even a year later, I still have people come up to me and tell me little things that Carter did or said that impacted them. He was just so special, and everyone could sense that.” His motto and saying was “Be happy to me,” something his father and mother say constantly to put them in check. “Carter was special,” Adam says. “He was very spiritually and emotionally in tune with the Lord and the people around him. After a long day at work I could come home and be tired and irritable and Carter noticed. He would tell me, ‘be happy to me daddy,’” Adam said with a little break in his voice. It is this motto that characterizes just who Carter was: a happy, very loving, and God-fearing little boy. Emily says that Carter was the “missing piece… he is what completed our family.” His brown hair and big

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I TS B ES T

ISR’s mission and motto is “Not one more child drowns.”

eyes could win any heart, but it was his attitude towards life that has made a lasting impact on those that were able to be around him. In April, Carter was in a drowning accident that ultimately cost his life and left a gaping hole in the hearts of the Sharp family, but his legacy lives on strong. Carter’s loss has inspired family member and wife to cousin of Adam Sharp, Valerie Ranspot, to start teaching swimming lessons through ISR. Through ISR, Valerie has started teaching life-saving skills to children to prevent them from drowning. ISR™ stands for Infant Swimming Resource™ and was founded in 1966 by Dr. Harvey Barnett, Behavioral Psychologist. Dr. Barnett was a lifeguard at the local pool, and after his neighbor drowned, he realized there had to be a different way to educate young children about water safety. He asked God for wisdom to find a different way for infants to survive the water, and through research and effort, founded ISR in 1966. The #1 cause of accidental death in children (ages 1-4) today is drowning. Valerie stated, “We think it’s not going to happen to us, but unfortunately it happens to even the best parents,” and the Sharp family is a testament to that. Valerie said that after Carter passed, she was reminded of this fact and decided to take action. Valerie is a mother

PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

as well and said, “My youngest child is four and we had a pool, and although she loved the water and she was happy, I knew if she ever got to the water alone, she wouldn’t have a chance.” For almost six weeks Valerie drove every day to ISR for lessons and was amazed at how much she and her daughter learned. Valerie says that most parents are wary of swim lessons because of the horror stories behind them, such as babies being flung into pools, but this is not the case for lessons through ISR. She as a parent chose ISR because of the research and psychology that backs it. ISR has some of the highest safety standards in the industry, and parents and children go through a thorough review of the child’s history to ensure safe lessons. ISR bases their lessons on behavioral psychology and it’s just another safety net that ensures infants and parents get the most out of the program and do it safely. Valerie says, “It’s all about creating layers of safety. There is no way to fully prevent drowning, but we can prepare children to survive if they should happen to reach the water alone.” ISR’s mission and motto is “Not one more child drowns.” Valerie says, “We just want kids to be safe. Turning your back on a child for even a few seconds can result in drowning.”

Today, Valerie has taken the measure and intensive training to conduct her own ISR lessons and her mission and motto is, “For Carter Lee.” Valerie says that she was inspired to do this so that Carter’s death isn’t in vain. “We don’t want other families to go through this. It happens so fast and it’s so silent.” The Sharp family, through Adam’s work (Waste Connections™), is working on a foundation in honor of Carter. They plan to have the foundation up and running by Summer 2021. The main focus of the foundation will be to bring awareness to parents about the dangers of water and putting proceeds towards children being able to attend lessons through ISR. Emily says, “So many people go through this that don’t talk about it; we want to save those families from going through what we have gone through.” After Carter’s death, the Sharp family had several members commit their lives to Christ, and also because of him, many other children’s lives will be saved through the efforts of ISR. Carter’s legacy lives on. PCLS

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Summer Fun in Parker County’s Backyard By Lindsay L. Allen

hile summer is long anticipated by adults and children, the thought of how to entertain your little ones during those months can be a challenge. For those needing child care in the summer months only, it can be even more difficult to find constant activities that are educational, fun and helpful to your working schedule. Thankfully, you don’t have to look too far outside of Parker County to find options that fit a wide range of kids, interests and budgets!

Vacation Bible School While it may not be an option for those seeking a full day of care, Vacation Bible School, or VBS, through local churches is a great way to provide biblical instruction and fun for your kids ages three through sixth grade. VBS’ take place all summer long, meaning you can find several different ones to attend and/or ones that match your schedule. Some churches offer evening time VBS, which adds another option to your summer fun and schedule!

Sky Ranch Day Camp Sky Ranch is one of the leading Christian camping organizations in North America and offers day camps in the area for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Through positive, recreational fun and exposure to the truths of God, Sky Ranch is an unforgettable experience for youth. The day camps in the area are hosted at local churches and can be found on skyranch.org.

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

I.S.D. Camps During the summer months, your school age children can enroll in the I.S.D.’s sports and educational camps. Maybe it’s tennis, soccer or football they are interested in or perhaps it’s art, robotics or mathematics they want to explore. The options are wide ranging and can fit a number of interests. Usually these camps are led by the coaches and select high school students or teachers connected to the camp subject. For more information, visit your school’s website and see what the offerings include!

The Doss Heritage and Cultural Center Youth age 7 – 12 have the opportunity to partake in a series of themed camps at The Doss Heritage and Cultural Center in Weatherford! Each three-day long camp includes hands on history lessons and focuses on pioneer history, archeology or cowboy living. Doss Partners receive early bird registration and discounted camp rates. Each student receives a T-shirt and snacks throughout the day as well.

Camp Fire First Texas For children age 4 – 12, Camp Fire day camp offers fun enrichment opportunities and weekly field trips, swimming, games and hands-on experiments to keep your camper active and engaged all summer. Camp Fire day camp usually takes place at a local school, except for when the campers head out an adven-

PARKER COUNTY IS FULL OF FUN, TONS OF OPTIONS AND LIMITLESS WAYS TO MAKE MEMORIES. BE SURE AND FILL YOUR SUMMER DAYS WITH THE MANY OPTIONS OFFERED RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN BACKYARD!

ture to swim or on a field trip. Teachers and those already enrolled in Camp Fire First Texas receive discounted rates!

Weatherford I.S.D. Community Education Open to the county, Weatherford I.S.D. hosts various community outreach activities all year long, including the hot summer months! Visit their site to find out more and see if youth leagues, arts and crafts, foreign language or health and fitness classes will be best for your child. While the community education offerings are not positioned to be child care sources, they do have select courses open to adults and could even provide bonding time for your family.

Weatherford Parks and Recreation Check out the city of Weatherford’s parks and recreational department to see what fun activities are planned this summer – from day camps to movie nights at the pool to concerts at the amphitheater, there is always something fun going on at one of the local parks. Cherry Park Pool is the newly renovated pool off Main Street and one of the many ways you can spend your summer evenings. Their pool offers diving boards, a kid’s area and the surrounding park boasts a ¼ mile walking trail, lighted basketball court and outdoor stage, beautiful playground, pavilion and gazebo! It’s perfect for a picnic, a place to cool off or have some fun! Marshall Park is newly renovated as well and features a splash pad, which will satisfy any kiddo on a hot summer day! The playground and pavilion also offer a wonderful source of fun and a perfect picnic area. The Pasty Hook Dog Park offers two parks for you to take your four-legged friends and play. With one park designated for smaller dogs and the other for larger, it’s the perfect location for everyone to exert some energy and the surrounding Heritage Park has a newly built all-inclusive playground and trails for bikers, walkers or runners!

Don’t forget The Boardwalk at Lake Weatherford, which is the country’s longest floating boardwalk (4,313 feet long). Come bird watch, fish, enjoy nature or sit at one of the benches throughout the boardwalk to enjoy this perfect summer spot. The City of Weatherford has a host of other parks that have pavilions, parks and features that can help any family create memories and have some fun this summer. The parks offer the opportunity to rent a pavilion or community building too if you are looking for a larger gathering. Additionally, the Weatherford Parks and Recreation calendar is always full of fun activities like food truck nights, First Monday and more! Don’t forget to look for geocaches at each of the parks too!

Local Business Another way to enjoy the summer is through the various businesses in the county that specialize in fun! Film Alley is a great spot to watch a movie or bowl together as a family, Grand Adventure has mini golf, go karts and arcade games, while Splash Kingdom is the conveniently located and family friendly water park! Don’t forget to add UrbanAir, the trampoline park, to your list and check out the Parker County Axe Co. to see just who has the best arm in your family! The PlaySpace in Willow Park offers children and youth a place to hang out while parents take care of errands and local gyms and gymnastics facilities offer themed nights and childcare. While not a business per se, don’t forget that the Parker County Peach Festival, Parker County Youth Livestock Show and Frontier Days Rodeo will all take place in June and July as well – and worth adding to your family calendar! Parker County is full of fun, tons of options and limitless ways to make memories. Be sure and fill your summer days with the many options offered right here in our own backyard!

HO M E TOW N L I V I N G AT I TS B ES T

By Lindsay L. Allen

New Braunfels

t’s the perfect summer getaway. All ages are welcome in the town of New Braunfels and everyone is promised to receive a bronze tan during their stay. Half the fun of visiting this river town in the hill country is the journey there. For those driving south toward the river, there are plenty of stops that are almost required for any Texan wanting the full experience of heading to Comal County.

No need to grab a generic breakfast sandwich at a fast-food place on your trip to New Braunfels, the town of West has you covered. Their famous Czech kolaches will be advertised for miles before you reach the two most famous places to pull over and grab a bite. Both offer fruit and meat kolaches, along with cookies, fudge and other grab-n-go foods and sweets, but Slovaceks offers the best meat kolaches, while the Czech Stop offers the best fruit kolaches. Can’t decide? Don’t worry - Slovaceks is easier to access on your way to the river and the Czech Stop is easiest to access (and open 24/7) on your way back to the north Texas area. No one says you can’t stop going and coming – it is vacation after all! Make sure you allow time for a stop in the town of Buda to visit the Cabela’s, where everyone can find something. Once you are back on the road, you can start counting down till you hit San Marcos, located just a few miles ahead of New Braunfels. Fuego Tortilla Grill will offer a perfect and quick lunch stop to make sure ev-

PAR KER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

eryone is energized and fueled for the weekend ahead. While everything on the menu is noteworthy, the I-Chee-Wa-Wa, Fuego Steak and The King will be the tacos you want to make sure are on your order. It’s hard to pass through San Marcos and not stop at the Premium Outlets and the Tanger Outlets, located across from each other. Warning, the outlet malls are not your typical outlets and it is recommended that to best maximize your time you look at the mall directories and know what stores are a “must visit” and where they are exactly located.

New Braunfels is home to many options for family fun - many involving days in the water. Schlitterbahn has been voted the world’s best water park more than 20 times and boasts two options for visitors - the “old” and “new” sides of the park with a shuttle service between them. The “old” side will offer longer, more relaxing rides, while the “new” side can satisfy any speed demons’ desires. Both sides use water from the river to operate a majority of their water slides. For those planning on spending the entire day at the park, make note that an ice chest full of lunches and snacks can be brought in and to receive a discount on your entrance fee, visit the local grocery store where discounts can often be found on soda cans or coupons are located at the check-out. If you are visiting the water park, it’s worth looking into the Schlitterbahn cabins and resort stays, which allows you to stay on site overnight and have a totally different water park experience than most can claim. No trip to New Braunfels is complete without a float down the Comal or Guadalupe rivers either. Many river floating companies are ready to rent you a tube and offer shuttle rides to the drop in and pick-up locations along either river. One piece of advice – ask how long the float is when finding the company, you want to use. Floats can last anywhere from 60 to 120+ minutes; it just depends on where you get in at. If you would rather hang out on the banks of the river all day, visit Landa Park. The 51acre park offers access to not only the Comal River, but also Landa Lake. Paddleboats, trails, miniature golf, playground and a miniature train ride can all be part of your day at Landa Park as well. If you chose to sit on the riverbank of the Guadalupe River, public entrance and exits can be found at River Acres Park and Cypress Bend Park. Whether you chose to float with a river company, sit on the river banks all day or bring your own float, be sure and pack a cooler. Just remember that the river rules are clear that no glass is allowed on the water. For an even more unique experience on the water, visit The Float In restaurant where you can order a burger and beer, but also spend your time in the water while there.

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It’s hard to say you have been to New Braunfels if you overlooked the historic district of Gruene on your visit. The small area on the river has wonderful restaurants, shopping, hotels and entertainment. Whether your time is short or plenty, your time in Gruene must include dinner at the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar*, followed by a beer and dancing at Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall with live daily music. The Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar is located in the ruins of an old cotton gin and situated alongside the Guadalupe River with views and an atmosphere that words can’t describe. You may have to wait for a table, but the beer garden or surrounding shops will be the perfect past time until you can be seated. *You can’t go wrong with your order at the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, but the tomatillo chicken, chicken fried steak and onion rings are highly recommended.

PARKER COUNTY LIFE S TYLE

The New Braunfels area offers many accommodations, including your usual hotel offerings. But for a unique experience, consider renting a home or condo on the river, staying in the many tree houses or teepees available for rent or booking a stay at a historic hotel in Gruene. What are you waiting for? Grab your swimsuit and enjoy your perfect summer weekend.

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Index

OF ADVERTISERS

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PlainsCapital Bank..........................................................................60

BLT & Sons, LLC............................................................................... 35

Presage Solutions...........................................Inside Front Cover

Brock Lawncare...............................................................................96

RedFin Pools......................................................Inside Back Cover

Champion Fabrication................................................................... 77

Riverstone Veterinary Clinic.................................................44-47

Clark Gardens...................................................................................49

Runyon’s Fine Furniture...................................................................5

Clearfork Pharmacy....................................................................... 76

Sass and Soul Images..................................................................... 17

College Park Rehab and Care Center....................................... 16

Springtown Park Rehab & Care Center................................... 16

Comfort Kitchen..............................................................................94

Stacie Wallis/HBS Real Estate................................................... 77

Edward Jones Brent Gough........................................................ 35

State Farm/Ryan McDonald................................................ 58-59

Eric Priddy Photography.............................................................. 24

Stryker Unlimited...............................................................................3

Facial Cosmetic and Wellness Center.........................................1

Surepoint Emergency Center.............................................. 42-43

Farm Bureau.....................................................................................94

Texas Lighting Etc...........................................................................94

First Bank Texas............................................................. Back Cover

The Daily Grind................................................................................. 61

Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Home.............................................49

The Schoolhouse............................................................................. 25

Grote Veterinary Clinic...........................................................44-47

Trinity Bible Church...........................................................................7

Hilltop Park Rehab and Care Center......................................... 16

Trinity Christian Academy............................................................ 61

Kidd Wagner, LLC Custom Homes, Renovations,

Weatherford Christian School.......................................................2

and Cabinets....................................................................................... 9

Weatherford OB/Gyn....................................................................96

Magnolia Realty – Deborah Hulce.............................................60

Weatherford Truck Equipment..................................................96

Magnolia Realty – Wendy Rape.................................................48

White’s Funeral Home................................................................…48

Optimum Healthcare...................................................................... 16

Willow Park Rehab and Care Center........................................ 16

Parker County LifeStyle................................................................ 76

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