PROSPER - Life & Luxury Magazine | March 2024

P ros P

Trinity, Tammy, Luke & Ethan Elliott

Entertaining on Easter

5 Tips to Make Holiday Hosting Simple

Easter signals springtime and provides an opportunity to gather with loved ones to celebrate. However, hosting the get-together – whether brunch, lunch, or dinner – requires planning and preparation to ensure the event is enjoyable. From the guest list and menu to the decor and activities for the kiddos, consider these steps to get ready for Easter hosting duties.

Make a Guest List

When planning your gathering, first think about how many people your space can accommodate. Ensure there’s a place for everyone to sit and eat, even if that means bringing in extra tables and chairs or designating a “kids table” so all the adults can sit together. Once you know how many people you can invite – and have a plan for seating – send out festive invitations or create a group on social media with your preferred guests to gather RSVPs.

Take Inventory of Necessities

Once you have your guest list set, take inventory of serving dishes, utensils, linens, and glassware. Depending on the number of guests, you may need to invest in extra supplies or borrow from a friend or relative to ensure you have everything you need. If you don’t have enough of one set of plates and flatware, mixing and matching is a trendy move and can serve as an additional aspect of your decor.

Plan the Menu

When setting your menu, traditional favorites like ham or lamb are almost always a hit but remember to consider any diet accommodations that may need to be made for any vegan or vegetarian guests. Dishes featuring eggs, carrots, ginger, and other ingredients that call spring to mind like quiches, soups, galette and more can be a perfect complement to the traditional main course. Serving the meal family-style with platters and bowls for everyone to share or hosting a potluck with guests bringing assigned dishes can help reduce the stress of trying to prepare the entire meal yourself.

Decorate in Advance

From a seasonal wreath on the front door to a well-dressed table complete with place settings and a festive centerpiece, getting your decorating done early can not only reduce stress on the day of your event but also get you into the proper mindset for the celebration. A pastel or light-colored hue can add to the springtime vibes, and flowers, seasonal fruits in bowls and decorated eggs can all add to the tablescape.

Keep the Kids in Mind

While the meal is likely a highlight of the event for many, the younger guests often look forward to the activities, such as decorating eggs or an Easter egg hunt. You can hard-boil eggs in advance and set up a decorating station, complete with dyes, markers, stickers and more. Or while you’re finishing up inside, designate another adult or older children to hide pre-filled plastic eggs around the yard (weather permitting) and manage the hunt.

Find more ideas for hosting Easter festivities at eLivingtoday.com.

The History of Prosper, Texas

Farming began to gain momentum around the turn of the century. Keep in mind that farming was the most popular way to make a living during this time. Ranching was beginning to fade and there was no industry in the area. The only jobs available were working in the communities that had business establishments and there were not many of those. So, farming was basically the only revenue available. Cotton was the major crop from the late 1800’s and was “king” for about one hundred years until the 1990’s. Wheat, oats and corn were also grown in the area but not as much as cotton. Maize was also grown but not as popular as cotton, corn, wheat, and oats.

Life on a farm was not easy. It was a solitary life. These farmers worked six days a week from sunrise to sunset. Sometimes they even worked seven days a week if a crop had to be harvested. Most farmers grew most of their own food and had vegetable gardens with all types of vegetables, such as potatoes, peas, green beans, onions, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, lettuce, cabbage, etc. In addition, they had fruit and pecan trees, some of which were native and some that were brought from the east when they came to this area. The wives canned many of the vegetables and fruits to be used for a later time. The farmers (both husband and wife and children who were old enough to do the chores and work in the field) started very early before sunrise. Each one in the family had certain chores to do each day. Most farmers had cows, pigs, chickens, and horses to feed and care for. The cows supplied milk and cream (for butter) and also beef for food. The pigs were a major source of food as “hog killings” were held about the time the first cold snap hit the area. Chickens supplied the eggs and a source of food. Basically, the horses were used to work in the field and for transportation to and from town, church, or family gatherings. During the early years the horse and buggy was a major transportation mode until the train and automobiles came into the area in the early 1900’s.

After breakfast, there were always chores to be done, slopping (feeding) the pigs, feeding the cows horses and chickens. Then it was off to the fields to work all day, except for lunch. The wife would cook breakfast, complete her chores, go help in the field, return home to prepare lunch, and then go back out to the field. She would come home in enough time to prepare supper. Afterwards, they had additional chores such as gathering eggs and feeding all over again. They also had a garden to maintain, and this took time. They essentially had no social life. First of all, they had no time and second it was so far to the neighbor’s home.

The only type of social life was church activities and Sunday was normally set aside for church. Most of the farmers were very religious and believed in God and set aside Sunday for a time of worship. Church would be an all-day affair. They would come to church in the morning on their horses or horse and buggy, attend church service and then they would have lunch. Every family would bring food and they would spread the food and have a large social gathering. In the afternoon, there would be games for the children. The women would sit around and talk, and the men would socialize by playing games such as dominoes, horse shoes, washers or baseball. They had to leave early enough to return home in time to do the evening chores. There were some school activities but not as many as church.

For water, most farmers dug a well. They also put gutters around their house to catch the rainfall and the water from the roof flowed into a cistern. They had to heat the water for baths and for washing dishes and clothes. Most houses had a fireplace that was used for heating the house and for cooking. Later on, cook stoves became available and wood would be placed in the cook stove. There was no electricity, so lamp oil was used for lighting and then kerosene lamps were used.

Washing clothes was done outside in a large cast iron pot. This was heated by wood and lye soap was handmade. The clothes were rinsed and usually hung on the fence to dry or if you were lucky, you had a clothesline. This was two poles in the ground a few feet apart with a

clothesline (cloth or steel) running from one pole to the other and the clothes were hung on this line. I can remember clothes being hung out to dry on a cold winter day and the clothes freezing on the barbed wire fence.

The only post office was in Rock Hill. Rock Hill was a community that was just beginning and was located at the intersection of Preston Road and Rock Hill Road. This was about two miles south of Prosper, although you must remember that Prosper was not founded until 1902. So, people to the north of this intersection had to travel miles to get mail and news from the outside was slow coming in. In 1893, Prosper finally got a post office and it was located at the corner of Coleman Street and Prosper Trail.

Written by the late Bill Hays and originally published in PROSPER Magazine in January 2017.

• Lighted Baseball Fields

• Restroom & Concession Bldg.

• Tennis & Pickleball Courts

• Signature Playground

• Multi-Use Fields

• Accessory Restroom Buildings

• Trail Loop

• Landscape Improvements

Site Plan Lighted Ballfields

Existing Pond

Existing Tree Line

Existing Pond Restroom & Concession Bldg.

Restroom Bldg.

Boardwalk Trail Loop 300’ 300’

Prospering Farms Parking (114 Spaces) Parking (159 Spaces) Parking (132 Spaces)

225’ 190’ Restroom Bldg.

Adjacent Residential Batting Cages

Covered Dugout Covered Spectator Seating Tennis & Pickleball Courts

Prosper Parks and Recreation Holds Groundbreaking Ceremony for Raymond Community Park

The community came together in honor of the Raymond Community Park groundbreaking ceremony on February 22. The celebration was held at the northwest corner of First Street and Coit Road in Prosper. Raymond Community Park, spanning approximately 67 acres, is named in honor of the late Dudley Raymond, who served as Prosper’s Parks & Recreation Director from 2016 to 2021. Raymond Community Park will feature a large 400-space lighted parking lot, a lighted baseball 4-plex facility with restroom and concession building, pickleball and tennis courts, a playground, and multi-use practice fields.

“Raymond Community Park will be an extremely important component of the Town’s park system. The park fills a need for the southeast part of Town and the additional athletic fields will help our youth sports organizations to be able to offer more opportunities to Prosper’s youth,” said Dan Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation.

Construction on Raymond Community Park began in December 2023 and is expected to continue for approximately 15 months, with completion anticipated in Spring 2025. The project’s Design Consultant is Dunaway, based in Fort Worth and Dean Construction serving as the Construction Manager.

Dudley Raymond’s dedication to enhancing Prosper’s Parks and Recreation system has been instrumental in building an outstanding parks system. Raymond’s belief in the power of parks to build great communities and enrich lives will be honored through the development and enjoyment of Raymond Community Park for generations to come.

Signature Playground Multi Use Fields Multi Use Fields E. FIRST STREET

225’ 190’ 360’

N Entry Drive Entry Sign Entry Sign Gateway

Kids ‘R’ Kids of Prosper

Open Space 360’

Key features of Raymond Community Park include:

• Large 400-space lighted parking lot

• Lighted baseball 4-plex facility with restroom and concession building

• Pickleball and tennis courts

• Playground

• Multi-use practice fields

For more information about parks and trails in Prosper, please visit the Parks & Trails page on the Town of Prosper website. Construction updates for Raymond Community Park can also be found on the Capital Improvement Program Dashboard page at prospertx.gov.

ProsPer - Town Matters

Reeling in the Fun at the Prosper Fishing Derby

Prosper’s 2024 special event schedule kicked off with the annual Prosper Fishing Derby youth fishing competition at Frontier Park on February 17 from 9-11 a.m. The event, located at 1551 Frontier Pkwy., was a funfilled morning for kids ages 14 and under, featuring prizes for Most Fish Caught across various age categories. A special thank you to Title Sponsor, Pond Medics, for sponsoring the Prosper Fishing Derby since 2018 and providing this year’s fin-tastic prizes!

The Prosper Fishing Derby offers a fantastic opportunity for children to experience the joy of fishing while showcasing their skills. With the support of the Prosper High School Bass Fishing Team, participants received expert guidance and assistance throughout the event.

Registration for the Derby was not required and is free for the entire community. Participants were encouraged to bring their fishing gear, bait, cooler and chair. Complimentary coffee was provided to take the chill off the morning.

“The Prosper Fishing Derby has become a staple of the Town’s offerings and truly is a great community event,” said Dan Baker, Director of Parks and Recreation. “It doesn’t matter if you are brand new to fishing, or you are an experienced angler, it’s great to see kids of all ages come out and have an opportunity to catch fish and win some prizes.”

The competition began promptly at 9 a.m., with judges stationed around the pond to record catches throughout the morning. Winners were announced at an award ceremony held at the pavilion near Windmill Playground. Prizes were awarded across six age categories: Ages 1-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14.

To ensure a successful event, the pond was stocked in advance by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, predominantly with rainbow trout. Anglers are reminded that the Derby is catch-and-keep for trout only, with a limit of five per person. Additionally, all anglers aged 17 years and older must possess a valid Texas fishing license, available for purchase online or from a license retailer.

Following the Prosper Fishing Derby, the Town of Prosper invites residents to participate in the P-Town Throwdown Pickleball Tournament on March 23. Team registration is now open at prospertx.gov/ptownthrowdown.

Landscape Design | Arbors/Patio Covers

Outdoor Kitchens/Fireplaces | Flagstone Patios

Outdoor Living Areas | Stamped Concrete Specializing In Cedar Fencing Stone Landscape Borders

www.LandscapeDesignGroupTX.com

Get Creative with Easter Sweets

Kid-Friendly Crafts that Bring Loved Ones Together

Holiday hams and deviled eggs may take center stage at Easter gatherings, but edible crafts offer a reminder of the magic of the season that’s found in moments spent together. Simple recipes that call for a dose of creativity are perfect ways to bring the kids to the kitchen, made even easier when all that work leads to sweet treats.

While plastic eggs may have led to a decline in good, old-fashioned egg-dyeing, there are still fun ways to bring crafts back to Easter celebrations. Consider these Kids Krafty Easter Cake Pops, which call for little ones to help dip seasonal shapes in chocolate, use cake molds and more.

Children of virtually any age can relish in the joys of using cookie cutters and decorating Easter Sugar Cookies, all with a little supervision and short list of instructions. This version shows how to make the cookies and homemade icing so you can create any color you desire for maximum creativity.

Remember, these delicious crafts don’t have to be perfect – having fun and making memories that last a lifetime are what make Easter truly special.

Visit Culinary.net to find more Easter inspiration and recipes from “Cookin’ Savvy.”

KIDS KRAFTY EASTER CAKE POPS

1 box cake mix

1 can frosting

1 bunny chocolate mold

1 cakesicle mold

Ice pop sticks

1 bag white chocolate chips or melting chips

Cake pop sticks

1 bag orange melting chips

2 tablespoons canola or coconut oil, divided

1 bag green melting chips

Pastel sprinkles

1 piece hard foam (optional)

Edible markers

Bake cake according to package instructions and let cool completely.

Crumble cake and mix with 1/2 can frosting until dough forms. Add more frosting, if needed. Using small cookie scoop, form dough into balls and set aside. Place dough in bunny molds then pop out and set aside with balls. Place dough in cakesicle mold, insert ice pop stick in each slot and freeze 5-10 minutes.

Melt handful of white melting chips. Stick tip of each cake pop stick in chocolate then insert into every cake ball and bunny until each has one stick. Set aside to dry.

Remove cakesicles from freezer and pop out of molds. In bowl, melt orange melts then mix in 1 tablespoon oil and transfer to cup. Dip cakesicles and scrape off excess using rim of cup. Place on parchment paper to dry.

In bowl, melt green melts then place in zip-top or piping bag. Cut tip off bag, pipe carrot leaves onto piece of parchment paper and let dry.

Melt remaining white melts and mix in remaining oil. Transfer to cup and dip ball-shaped cake pops and bunnies then tap stick on edge of cup to remove excess.

Over separate bowl, sprinkle ball-shaped pops with pastel sprinkles. To keep ball shape, let dry by sticking in piece of hard foam. Bunnies can dry face side up on parchment paper. After bunnies are dry, use edible markers to make face and color in ears.

When carrots and leaves are dry, remelt orange melts and place in piping or zip-top bag. Cut off tip and drizzle orange over carrots. Add small line of orange on each ice pop stick and place leaves on each stick. Let dry.

EASTER SUGAR COOKIES

Icing:

1/3 cup meringue powder

1/2 cup warm water, plus additional for thinning (optional), divided

3 tablespoons vanilla

1 bag (2 pounds) powdered sugar

2 tablespoons corn syrup assorted food coloring

Cookies:

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 dash salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

To make icing: Mix meringue powder, 1/2 cup warm water, vanilla, powdered sugar and corn syrup. Separate into bowls and add food coloring; mix with water, as needed, to thin for piping.

To make cookies: Heat oven to 350 F.

Cream butter and sugar. Mix in egg, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Mix in flour 1 cup at a time to form dough. Roll dough out to 1/4-1/2-inch thickness.

Cut into shapes, place on baking sheet and freeze 10 minutes. Bake 8-12 minutes. Cool completely before icing.

Place icing in zip-top or piping bags and cut off tips. Put cookies on parchment paper. Trace outline first then fill in middle. Use toothpicks to smooth out.

Let dry 6 hours and finish decorating with different icing colors or edible markers.

In Good Taste

Brunch Made Easy

Gathering friends and family doesn’t need to be fancy. With its prime positioning between breakfast and lunch, brunch is a more casual and lighter alternative to the typical dinner party. When charged with hosting a mid-day gathering, a little pre-planning can go a long way toward ensuring your brunch get-together is as simple as it is scrumptious.

Get creative with decor. When prepping your tablescape, think outside the box. Opt for unexpected serving dishes such as tartlet tins and vases, and transfer syrups and jams from their everyday containers to glass bowls or creamers. Fresh flowers and produce can add natural pops of color to the table and a bowl of fruit can make for an eye-catching centerpiece.

Plan a variety of dishes. Make sure you have a mix of both sweet and savory dishes on the menu that can please a wide variety of palates. Earmarking some recipes that can be made ahead, like pastries and casseroles, can be a simple way to avoid waking up extra early to prepare. Save the morning of your event for dishes that are best served fresh, like this Herbed Spanish Omelet, which features potatoes; fresh, spring herbs; and red onions, and packs protein, B-vitamins, and cancerprotective phytochemicals.

Serve it buffet-style. Setting your spread out on the counter and allowing guests to help themselves not only makes it easier for the host to mingle, but it allows guests to customize their meals as they wish and gives the gathering a more casual vibe. Try themed stations, such as a coffee or mimosa bar, parfait bar or bread bar, in addition to more traditional dishes to let guests take the customization to the next level. For more brunch ideas and recipes, visit Culinary.net.

HERBED SPANISH OMELET

1 pound potatoes, peeled and diced or shredded Water

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup diced red onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 large whole eggs, lightly beaten

2 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives

Salt, to taste (optional)

Fresh herb sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Place potatoes in large pan. Cover with water. Bring to boil and cook, uncovered, 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Drain well.

In deep, 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add potatoes and cook 5 minutes.

Combine whole eggs and egg whites. Stir in parsley, basil, and chives. Season with salt, to taste, if desired. Pour mixture over potatoes in hot skillet. Reduce heat and cook, uncovered, about 10 minutes, or until bottom of omelet is golden. If desired, brown top under toaster oven. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs.

Trendy Takes on Kitchen and Bath Design

Designing a new home, remodeling your own or simply rethinking aesthetics and decor all require a little imagination and a lot of inspiration. A quick online search brings up hundreds if not thousands of thoughtful ways to make your kitchen or bathroom match your desired style from modern to traditional or anything in between.

All those results can be slightly overwhelming, however. Rather than having a go at it alone, rely on the professionals to guide you toward looks that are all the rage and fit a variety of budgets. Consider these on-trend design ideas from the kitchen and bathroom experts at Wellborn Cabinet, whose whole-home solutions double as functional and beautiful.

KITCHEN TRENDS

Let it Flow: Open concepts have become quite common as it allows the kitchen to feel like one large room where loved ones and guests can intermingle as opposed to an enclosed space. This flowing openness lends continuous visibility to the area ranging from the (seemingly) always active kitchen to gathering spaces in the dining and living rooms. An open floor plan also helps connect design aesthetics from each room to the next.

Opt for Concealed Storage: Pots, pans, knives, and all your favorite kitchen gadgets need hidden somewhere. Rather than taking up valuable pantry space, turn to a stylish storage solution from Wellborn Cabinet’s line of pullout cabinets that give you the room you need. With options ranging from pullout peg boards to sleek tray dividers, these clever contraptions can help you stay organized while making functionality beautiful.

Incorporate Smart Tech: Trends aren’t exclusively about aesthetics – practicality via technology is equally important for those looking to update their kitchens to the 21st century. Devices like smart refrigerators that allow you to take inventory from an app, smart lighting that brightens and dims to save on electricity and voice assistants that help you keep track of recipes are all trendy paths toward a top-of-the-line kitchen.

Bring in Organic Touches: Organic modern is in, which means adding organic touches using natural materials like stone and wood in your cabinets, countertops, flooring and more. Achieve a warm vibe with these organic elements paired with a neutral color palette (soft whites and earthy tones) and natural light.

BATHROOM TRENDS

Add Accents that Pop: Obvious accents like bold pops of color and unique patterns come to mind, but you can also make your bathroom stand out by experimenting with materials, accessories, and shapes. Think eye-catching cabinet hardware, fun mirror shapes and open-shelf decor that grabs attention without overdoing it.

Show Off Wood Vanities: As an important area you’ll use to get ready for each day, vanities should be purposeful and practical but can also brandish your personal style. Types and sizes may vary but one look seeing an upward trend, according to Wellborn Cabinet’s design experts, is the use of natural tones and textures like woodgrain to complement the rise in popularity of warm colors in recent years.

Go for Decorative Lighting: The same tired light fixtures in bathrooms can feel drab and dreary. Evaluate the amount of natural light available (often at a premium in bathrooms) and decide if you can go more subdued or need to effectively and efficiently illuminate the area. Bellshaped, wall-mounted sconces next to mirrors are in vogue, as are glass globes to complement ample natural light. For a true touch of modern flair, consider dramatic accent lighting like underlights on a floating vanity that do double duty as a convenient nightlight.

Make it Spa-Like: Lavish luxury is the goal with a spa-like bathroom in the comfort of home. Organic materials, natural light, traditional decor and, maybe most importantly, an oversized soaking tub are at the core of this look. While it may sound counterintuitive, you can actually create your own oasis with some simple, budget-friendly aesthetics. The first step for many is to incorporate more storage using sleek cabinets, shelves, and wall-mounted hooks to achieve a decluttered look. Next, simply replace your old showerhead and faucet with spa lookalikes and stock up on plush, fluffy towels for that luxurious appearance without a complete remodel. Find more design inspiration by visiting Wellborn. com.

4 Alternative Uses for Kitchen Cabinets

If you love the look of beautiful kitchen cabinets and appreciate their functionality, try incorporating them throughout the house with these ideas.

Home Office – As working from home continues to rise in popularity, you might need that extra storage space around or above your desk whether it’s in a full-blown office or a nook in the den.

Laundry Room – Uppers and lowers alike can help you stow away detergents, cleaning products, laundry baskets and even last season’s wardrobe.

Mud Room – All those shoes and jackets need space somewhere, and kitchen cabinets in the mudroom can help you contain the mess.

Garage – Whether your garage serves as a secondary entertainment area, home gym or simply storage for outdoor tools and toys, cabinets allow you to organize (and hide) that equipment.

Find Your Perfect Spring Escape

Whether you’re a family with kids or a young professional looking for a getaway, it isn’t too late – or out of budget – to plan a memorable spring trip. All you need is a full tank of gas and your furry best friend to make an unforgettable getaway.

Data from online travel agency Booking.com shows that half of traveler’s plan to choose vacation destinations where the cost of living is less than their hometowns in 2024. Exploring lesser-known destinations with a variety of outdoor activities, opting for a road trip with your pet rather than a large group and traveling outside of peak season can all help make adventures more affordable.

To help travelers feel confident selecting their road trip destinations this spring, Motel 6, where pets always stay for free, and Bert Sperling’s Best Places recommend these undiscovered destinations that offer sight-seeing, access to dog parks, cultural experiences, green spaces, authentic cuisine, dog-friendly restaurants, and affordable lodging.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Dive into desert culture in Santa Fe with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Pueblo-style architecture, historic landmarks, and pet-friendly dining patios. With near-endless activities like shopping for handcrafted jewelry, visiting the Museum of International Art Folk or walking the Santa Fe Plaza, there are entertainment options for everyone to enjoy. There are also plenty of affordable lodging options within walking distance of downtown attractions.

Branson, Missouri

Situated in the iconic Lake of the Ozarks, Branson is a dream small-town getaway for family vacations with a plethora of dining and entertainment options such as Silver Dollar City, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and the Titanic Museum. The city has a dog-friendly culture with plenty of parks and outdoor activities. Located just two miles from many of these local attractions, Motel 6 Branson welcomes the whole family, including those on four legs, at no additional cost. This location also offers amenities like free Wi-Fi, an expansive cable channel selection, a microwave and refrigerator in each room and guest laundry facilities.

Tempe, Arizona

If you’re seeking sunshine and fresh air, look no further than Tempe, a vibrant city located just south of Phoenix. From festivals and outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, kayaking, or stand-up paddle boarding on Tempe Town Lake to visiting the Tempe Center for the Arts or local petfriendly eateries, there are plenty of things to do in the low desert valley.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

For those looking to escape fast-paced city life with an outdoor getaway, Chattanooga is a perfect destination to enjoy outdoor activities, such as exploring Lookout Mountain or walking along the Tennessee River. In a city full of culture and history, visitors can enjoy local artwork at the Hunter Museum of American Art or go sightseeing in the historic Bluff View Art District. As the temperatures rise, embrace the rays at the seasonal pool alongside pet-friendly lodging at Motel 6 Chattanooga.

Emergency care is 24/7

Our expert team at Cook Children’s Medical Center – Prosper is ready to serve you and your child. You’ll find all the services you need under one roof, and caring hearts as big as Texas!