PROSPERTIMES Friday August 18, 2017 | Prosper, Texas
VOL. 1 | NO. 16
Prosper Profiles Meet Janie Tucker Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com Janie has lived in Prosper since 1991 — more than 26 years. If that name sounds familiar it’s because she is married to the ever-popular Prosper Fire Chief Ronnie Tucker. Janie said they lived in Allen when they married and Ronnie was a volunteer fire fighter there. “We wanted to move out of the city,” Janie said. Ronnie cleaned pools as a side job and met Randy White by cleaning his pool. Randy talked Ronnie into looking at Prosper after Randy moved to Prosper. So, the Tucker’s gave it a look and liked what they saw. They found a really cute house they liked and moved to Prosper. Janie is an artist who likes to work in acrylics. She took up the paint brush before marrying and continued off and on throughout her adult life. She has been more serious about it at different periods. At one time, Ronnie would say Janie would paint anything that moved and he would hide his tools to keep them from getting painted. But Janie says she also loves painting her house and decorating her home. In fact, she said she helped with the interior design when Prosper’s Central Fire Station was new. “I did the leather looking walls,” she said. “I plan on picking up my crafts again.” Janie says the Tucker family has one cat named JC and that is the extent of their current pet population. “We used to have a black poodle and a Dalmatian but they both passed away. It got to us so much we just haven’t got another dog yet.” But plans are to move to Sadler to live out of town and on property they have owned there for a while and Janie thinks they might get another dog then. They hope to build a “barndominium” (yes, that’s a real thing) on their property and live there while building their dream home. Janie says the barndominium is a combination of a condo with a barn in one building and will allow them to have a place to live while building their home and also, she said, they will have a chance to experience life on their property to make sure they really like living there. Janie graduated from Princeton High School in 1978, although she was born and raised in McKinney until her parents moved their family to Princeton when she was in middle school. After graduation, she wanted to be with children so she went to work at Allen Meadows Day Care Center. She tells the story of meeting Ronnie but she warned it starts out with a tragedy. She said her cousin was killed in an accident on U.S. Highway 75 in 1979. Ronnie worked as a paramedic in Allen and he went on the run for her cousin. “I went with my aunt to the fire station to get the accident report and met Ronnie,” she said. “He asked me out and we have been together ever since.” See JANIE TUCKER, pg 3
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Prosper ISD Teachers Start Back to School with Convocation PROSPER ISD
Prosper ISD kicked off its 20172018 school year with a bang on Monday, August 7. Welcoming back more than 1,100 returning teachers and staff, along with more than 250 new employees, Prosper ISD Superintendent Dr. Drew Watkins wanted to show them how important and valued each person is, no matter their role. Each campus opened at 7:30 a.m. with a Blue Mesa-catered breakfast, sponsored by Pogue Construction. After enjoying time with one another, teachers and staff piled into district buses and rode together to Prestonwood North Baptist Church to meet with the rest of the district. Everyone was greeted by the lively music of the Mighty Eagle Band, and the air was electric! Reynolds student Samantha Wlodowski opened Convocation with a goosebump-inducing acapella version of the National Anthem, and Prosper’s Suzuki Strings orchestra performed for the staff. Dr. Watkins, along with Associate Superintendent Holly Ferguson and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Greg Bradley, spoke to the crowd, speaking about grit, challenging each person to be positive and dedicated to our district students. They honored the current district Teachers of the Year, celebrated employees with perfect attendance, and presented service pins for those completing 5, 10, and 15 years in Prosper. One highlight of the morning was when Dr. Watkins called up all employees who are expecting babies and presented them with Prosper onesies and diapers. Then came the door prizes! Valued community sponsors and donors made it possible for the district to give out a number of impressive door prizes to the staff, many of which drew oohs and aahs from the crowd. The moment that drew the whole crowd to its feet was when the YouTube sensation and Baker Elementary student Dane Miller video was shown, and Dane himself came out onstage to belt out his now-famous rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Prosper ISD staff members are now ready to start the school year and thrilled to meet the nearly 12,000 students in the district. Dr. John Burdett, new principal at
Prosper High School, saw his first Prosper convocation. “It pulled back the curtain on how incredibly well the district supports our teachers and staff,” he said. “It also highlights the ingenuity of each campus as we compete for bragging rights during Roll Call.” Watkins said Prosper was excited to welcome more than 150 new staff members to join the PISD staff of over 1,200 for the annual convocation kick-off. “Sometimes we do not have complete control over the facility demands in our fast-growing school district, which is why we strive to recruit and hire the best possible people to serve our students and families to best insure a great experience,” he said. “We are looking forward to a wonderful school year! “We are thankful to all of the corporate and business sponsors supporting this great event to help our teachers and staff have a positive start to an exciting new school year.” Convocation could not have happened without the generous support of our sponsors. Major sponsors were Pogue Construction, the Prosper Education Foundation, Huckabee Architects, Credit Union of Texas, and RTS Enterprises. However, many more district and local partners contributed to the district’s biggest event. To see a complete list of Prosper ISD Convocation sponsors and donors, please visit the district website or Facebook page.
Students Meet Teachers at Prosper ISD schools Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com
Addison Solheid, a first grader, meets her new teacher Amber Rose at Folsom Elementary. With her is her mother Leslie Solheid who said Addison is looking forward to the school year.
It was difficult to find a parking place no matter which school was attended on August 10 for Meet the Teacher night in Prosper ISD. For many it was the first look at a new classroom and the teacher with whom each student would be spending the school year. On hand at each campus throughout the district were the Prosper Talonettes decked out in their green and white sequins, fringe and the traditional cowboy hat. They were passing out brochures and other handouts or holding the door for students and their parents to get in the school or they were simply there with beautiful smiles to say welcome and greet young students as they entered the front door. Ella Wingate, a second grader, shyly clung to her dad Tim Wingate, as the two discussed the school year with music teacher Alejandro Juarez at Light Farms Elementary.
Also on hand at several schools were representatives of the Prosper ISD Police Force. Chief Chad Vessels had his post at Light Farms to meet as many of the students as he could along with their parents. Vessels talked a little about the changes in his department ramping up for the 2017-2018 school year. Like most of the people, Vessels said the summer seems to have flown by. “We are gearing up to take on 1,800 new students in the district,” he said. Officers also have new mobile data terminals and body cameras this year and the department is adding two new officers — one on two legs and one on four. Yes, this year a police dog will be a common site roaming the halls of Prosper ISD schools. “The district is growing like crazy,” Vessels said. “When I started, we had four officers and 4,800 students. Now we have six full-time officers, four part-time officers and almost 12,000 students.” In addition to police officers, principals and other administrative staff were visible with welcoming smiles, shaking hands and welcoming as many folks as they could, making a strong effort to have information available for any who needed it.
Reticent Author Finishes Lengthy Journey Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com Anyone who pays attention to the business of the Prosper Independent School District should be familiar with Jim Bridges because he’s held a seat on the Board of Trustees for eight years. But recently, Bridges has completed a five-year project which, from its very nature, makes him an author. He has written and published
a book “Of Whom I am Chief” which may be purchased at Amazon. com or on bookbaby.com either in hard back or digital. The story is one about a true-life experience that happened to Bridges and it takes the reader through the underworld of financial scams. “I wanted to write something fun for my friends to read,” Bridges said. “It was my first and only, I think only, project.” Bridges says he’s not really
an author and doesn’t want to be perceived as tooting his own horn because he has written a book. He used an on-line publishing firm and published it himself so he doesn’t feel he should be called an author. Couple that with his sentiment concerning a follow-up project of this type, and he feels his writing days, at least for novels, are finished. See BRIDGES, page 3
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Friday August 18, 2017
PT C o m m u n ity C a l e n da r Friday, August 18th
Gifted and Talented referral window for students NEW to Prosper ISD in grades 1st – 5th: GT referral window for 1st – 5th grade students NEW to PISD for the 2017-2018 school year. Referrals must be submitted by Friday, August 18 at 3:00 p.m. No late referrals will be accepted. The referral can be completed at https://secure.infosnap.com/family/actionforms. aspx. Lady Eagles Volleyball: Justin Northwest High School Varsity Tournament Eagles Tennis: Varsity vs. Frisco at PHS – 4:00 p.m. Lady Eagles Volleyball: 9(A) and JV vs. Marcus at Flower Mound Marcus HS – 5:30 p.m. Lady Eagles Volleyball: 9(B) vs. Marcus at Flower Mound Marcus HS – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 19th
PHS Talonettes Mini Dance Clinic: Join Prosper’s Sweethearts for a fun morning of dancing with the Prosper Talonettes Drill and Dance Team! The dance clinic will be held at Prosper High School from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register online at www.ProsperTalonettes.org or walk-ins will be accepted as well! Lady Eagles Volleyball: Justin Northwest High School Varsity Tournament Lady Eagles Volleyball: McKinney High School JV Tournament Meet the Eagles: Please come out to the Prosper High School outdoor practice field at 8:30 p.m. and support our
Please email calendar submissions to Admin@Cedarbrookmedia.com
Eagles! We will introduce students from Volleyball, Cross Country, Swimming & Dive, Band, Talonettes, Athletic Trainers, Cheerleaders and Football. The event will conclude with a firework display around 10:00 p.m.
Monday, August 21st
PISD School Board Meeting: The PISD School Board meets at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Central Administration Board Room located at 605 E. 7th Street in Prosper. Prosper Ladies Tennis Club: Plays Monday nights for all 2.5 and higher players. Contact Michele Williams for more information at m19williams@gmail.com or 469-583-1051. Residential Bulk Trash Pickup: From Preston to Coit Road. Call 469-452-8000 or email Prosper@WasteConnections.com by 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 18th to be placed on the schedule. Rogers Middle School Choir Parent Meeting: 6:30 p.m. in the Rogers Cafeteria Reynolds Middle School Choir Parent Meeting: 6:00 p.m. in the Reynolds Cafeteria
Tuesday, August 22nd
Lady Eagles Volleyball: JV vs. Richardson at PHS Arena – 5:30 p.m. Lady Eagles Volleyball: 9(A) vs. Richardson at PHS Arena – 5:30 p.m. Lady Eagles Volleyball: Varsity vs. Richardson at PHS Arena – 6:30 p.m. Lady Eagles Volleyball: 9(B) vs. Richardson at PHS Arena
– 6:30 p.m. Prosper Chamber of Commerce: The Prosper Chamber networking meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Lighthouse Christian Fellowship at 7:00 a.m. This week’s sponsor is Baylor, Scott & White. All members are invited to come and bring a guest. Prosper Town Council: Town Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month at the Prosper Municipal Chambers, 108 W. Broadway at 6:00 p.m. Prosper 5-0 Club: Games and dominoes every Tuesday, 9:30am to 11:30am, in the basement of First Presbyterian Church, 300 S. Coleman. ALL ARE INVITED! Speech and Debate Parent Meeting with Booster Club: 6:00 p.m. in the LGI Room at Prosper High School Rogers & Reynolds Orchestra Parent Meeting: 7:00 p.m. in the Reynolds Middle School Cafeteria
Thursday, August 24th
The Prosper Rotary Club: The Club meets Thursday afternoons from 12 - 1 p.m. at the Prosper Independent School District Administration Building (605 E. Seventh St., Prosper, TX 75078). Everyone is welcome. Lunch is $10. Please RSVP by emailing Melody Lehmann (melsmailbox73@gmail.com) if you plan on attending.
PT IN HIS PRESENCE
All the Way Around swing by myself I will never get “all the way around” ... I can only go so high. Yet, if I invest in others, if I take time to build relationships with those around me, if I live in community ... the sky is the limit. This lesson is reinforced in Mitch Albom’s book, “Tuesdays with Morrie.” The book is a series of conversations where Morrie, an aging professor, passes on important life lessons to his former student, Mitch. The book sums up one of Morrie’s lessons this way: Morrie, true to these words, had developed his own culture ... Discussion groups, walks with friends ... He read books to find new ideas for his classes, visited with colleagues, kept up with old students, wrote letters to distant friends. He took more time eating and looking at nature and wasted no time in front of TV sitcoms or ‘Movies of the Week.’ He had created a cocoon of human activities — conversation, interaction, affection — and it filled his life like an overflowing soup bowl (30). Morrie invested a considerable amount
PT I n O th e r W o rds How do you define quiet? Can you describe it in words or is it more an element of a place or situation? Ask someone else what quiet means to them. I think we would all be surprised at the variety of answers we receive from these questions. I know what quiet is, we all do, but it’s interpretation and applications vary and there lies a new situation and opportunities. Libraries have a history of being generally known as quiet spaces. Notice I said they have a history, as in the past. But this is another changing element in libraries in the past decade. Some of the reasons for the transformation is that libraries have evolved to become a space for the community to gather,
Quiet
Bo Thompson is pastor at Rhea’s Mill Baptist Church.
am I intentionally investing in relationships? Am I growing personally so I have help to offer others? Am I scheduling dinner with friends, engaging people in conversation, looking for opportunities to encourage others, writing letters? Am I creating a “cocoon of human activities”? It’s vital I do so ... because I need help to “go all the way around.”
Leslie Scott
Prosper Times contributor
socialize or be entertained. Libraries are no longer a place to spend time isolated in silence or be alone. I can’t remember the last library I was in that wasn’t bustling with people of all ages, workers busy making noise doing their jobs, children laughing, talking or yelling, phones ringing, and machines buzzing a melody of their own noises. I don’t think I consciously thought about the lack of quiet, nor did I notice the volume of noise. People do still seek out quiet and solitude in the library for many reasons, however. And libraries are successful in accommodating those wanting a space where they require no interfering noise. Study rooms and small enclosed study carrels are two ways this may be addressed. Some libraries are large enough to have entire floors dedicated to quiet. And now a new trend in libraries is to have “whisper” spaces. Apparently calling it a quiet space is too open to interpretation, but we all know whispering requires us to lower our volume. If you are whispering, then it seems unlikely you will get a shhhhh from others in the area. I find it humorous that in 2017 we are changing our vocabulary from “quiet” to “whisper.” Perhaps this is another
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of time building relationships; relationships “filled his life like an overflowing soup bowl.” Consequently, he soared high. As was true in midlife, so was it true in his sunset years ... he was going “all the way around” because he had a jet pack — people there to help. The Bible concurs. Take for instance the waning verses of 2 Timothy. As Paul closes out his final letter, he writes to his friend, “Make every effort to come to me soon (4:9).” A few verses later, “Pick up Mark and bring him with you ... (4:11).” Couple these two requests with the 38 unique “one another” commands in Scripture, and the point becomes clear. God intends for life to be lived in community, not isolation. I need you ... you need me. “No matter how hard you kick, no matter how high you get, you can’t go all the way around” ... unless we cultivate relationships and invite others to help us. Perhaps you’re a student beginning a new school year. Maybe you’re further along in life. Regardless, I encourage us to ask ourselves ... Am I squandering away time in isolation, or
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situation blamed on millennials, but I believe it’s more about the loud world we live in. I hear noise almost all-day long. Even at night while sleeping I hear noises in the weather, the refrigerator’s hum, the air conditioner, and many other noises when it’s supposed to be the quietest time. There are a couple of books about the power and need of quiet, but I don’t see us placing a lot of value in it in the future. We live in a loud world and it is us and our vocabulary definitions that will adjust. I’m not sure how we will define a quiet area in the new Prosper Library. Perhaps a “quiet space,” “whisper zone,” or “low volume study area,” but we will be sure to offer a place where those who need quiet are provided that space. Hopefully, this will also cut down on any of that dreaded librarian shushing we are known for. We truly do not live for those moments like the stereotype implies. Maybe that’s another idea — the “shhhhhh space.” Leslie Scott is the Director for the Prosper Community Library.
Car ing for Clients and Community
BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
A memorable line from a book I recently finished ... A teenage couple sitting in a playground. Their date — contemplating the connections between a swing set and life. The girl remarked, “... the most important lesson of all: No matter how hard you kick, no matter how high you get, you can’t go all the way around.” In an instant, my mind was flooded with scenes from my childhood. I am seated on a swing, vigorously pumping my legs, trying to go higher ... only to have gravity fail me as the tension on the chains relax. I could go only so high, but no higher. I wondered if the teenage girl was right? Is it true ... as with a swing set so with life - “... no matter how high you get, you can’t go all the way around”? And then it hit me ... she is correct but only if I swing alone. Give me a jet pack, give me some outside help, and mark my word ... I’m going all the way around! The life lesson for me is clear — To be the person I’m designed to be, to do the things I am called to do, I cannot swing alone. If I
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PROSPERTIMES
Friday August 18, 2017
BRIDGES From page one Bridges says he helps to manage a family foundation and was duped once a lot of years ago by a scam artist. “Years ago, I was caught in a scheme,” Bridges said. “I manage a Christian foundation and we invested some money with this guy. We recovered about 34 cents on the dollar which is better than most. Usually in these things, people don’t get more than five cents on the dollar. We were in a position that our exposure to him wasn’t high, but there were people who lost a great deal. This guy was a complete charlatan, and to think he could do that to people he knew so well is disturbing.” But for Bridges, the experience seems to have sparked a creative streak that ended up with a book. “I had this over-reaching idea in my head and it was fun to develop these characters and get into their heads,” he said. “I had interviews with a U.S. attorney who prosecuted that case, talked to a prisoner and a federal judge to get background information and it was a fun process.” He said, “In a moment of reverie I may sit back and think it a fun thing to be a writer, but this is a pretty kind of cut and dried kind of story and don’t think there is opportunity for a follow up story.” Bridges added that it was fun to sprinkle some friends’ names through the chapters. Born and raised in Houston, Bridges says his mother is still there. He said his dad had a successful
JANIE TUCKER From page one The announcement has been made that Prosper’s longest employee and longest fire chief is retiring at the end of August. Janie says she’s excited to start the next chapter in their lives beginning September 1. She says she’s a little nervous “because I’ve never seen anyone love a job the way he does. It’s going to be nice to be able to get out and travel. He’s such a different person when he can
career in the software business, took one company public and sold one to Haliburton. “When he sold to Haliburton, we started a Christian foundation that supports about a dozen ministries around the world. It takes very little of my time now.” Bridges children have graduated from Prosper High School, Cameron was in the class of 2012 and Abby graduated in 2014. His wife Sally is one of his biggest boosters. About his service on the school board, he says staying on the board will depend on how much he wants to continue and how much other people want to step up and serve. “We are very blessed with the composition of our board,” he said. “I couldn’t ask for a better group to work with.” Bridges said finishing his book after five years was an amazing feeling, but he still can’t call himself an author.
PT F i re D e pa rt m e nt i n c i d e nt re p o rts August 9: EMS call, excluding vehicle accident
with injury in the 900 block of South Coit Road; Motor vehicle accident with injuries at the intersection of Eldorado & Oak Grove, Little Elm; Smoke detector activation, no fire – unintentional at the 15500 block of Piedmont Park Drive, Aubrey.
August 10: EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 900 block of Bridgeport Drive; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 800 block of Quite Oak Lane; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1500 block of East First Street; Gasoline or other flammable liquid spill in the 600 block of North Preston Road; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 26900 block of East University, Little Elm; Smoke detector activation, no fire - unintentional in the 1100 block of Gee Road; Brush or brush-and-grass mixture fire at the intersection of West University & Gee Road; Gas leak (natural gas or LPG) in the 1800 block of Cattle Drive; Smoke detector activation due to malfunction in the 800 block of Somerville Drive. August 11: Dispatched & cancelled en route to the 26800 block of East University Drive, Little Elm; Motor vehicle accident with injuries in the 900 block of Preston Road, Celina; Public Service in the 2200 block of Nocona Drive; Motor vehicle accident with injuries on West University Drive and South Teel; Steam, other gas mistaken for smoke, other West University Drive and Dallas Parkway; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1400 block of East University Drive.
let loose.” But she admits to being a little worried Ronnie will miss the job. Janie says their only child and daughter, Brandy, has move back home with them for a short time and both the women of the house are looking forward to spending more time with Ronnie. She is also looking forward to building their dream home. Janie’s favorite quote comes from Roy T. Bennett in “The Light in the Heart” — “Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular.”
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August 12: EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1400 block of East University; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1000 block of Mystic Way; Building fire in the 6500 block of West University, McKinney; Odor investigation in the 200 block of Wilson Drive; Motor vehicle accident with injuries at the 3100 block of East Prosper Trail; Motor vehicle accident with injuries at East Frontier Drive & North Preston Road: CO detector activation due to malfunction in the 3000 block of Sugarberry Drive, Little Elm; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 300 block of East Second Street; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1000 block of North Preston Road; EMS call, excluding
vehicle accident with injury in the 900 block of South Coit Road; Lightning strike (no fire) on West University Drive and South Teel; Water or steam leak in the 1100 block of Gee Road; Building fire in the 3100 block of Lakefield Drive, Little Elm.
August 13: Lightning strike (no fire) in the 100 block of Wilson Drive; Dispatched & cancelled en route in the 1400 block of Rolling Hill, Celina; Dispatched & cancelled en route to the 1300 block of Jennings Court, Aubrey; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1100 block of Broadmoor Lane; Lockin in the 800 block of East First Street; False alarm or false call, other in the 400 block of North Preston Road; Assist police or other governmental agency in the 1000 block of South Coit Road; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1100 block of Broadmoor Lane; False alarm or false call, Other in the 400 block of North Preston Road; Assist police or other governmental agency in the 1000 block of South Coit Road.
August 14: Dispatched & cancelled en route to North Custer Road and East University Drive; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 2700 block of Twelve Oaks Lane, Celina; Assist police or other governmental agency in the 3500 block of Amberwood Lane; Dispatched & cancelled en route to the 1700 block of Navo Road, Little Elm; Motor Vehicle Accident with no injuries on North Preston Road and East Broadway Street; Public service in the 1300 block of Kirkwood Lane; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 900 block of South Coit Road; Alarm system sounded due to malfunction in the 1200 block of Saddle Creek Drive; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 1000 block of South Coit Road. August 15: Dispatched & cancelled en route to the 26600 block of East University, Little Elm; Lock-out in the 400 block of South Coit Road; EMS call, excluding vehicle accident with injury in the 500 block of East Broadway Street; Assist police or other governmental agency at the intersection of East University Drive & North Custer Road; Smoke detector activation due to malfunction in the 200 block of South Church Street. Editor’s Note: Information found on the Fire Department website at www.prospertx.gov/fire-department.
Area Business Women Hear About Importance of Communication
PROSPER COMMUNITY
PICNIC AT THE FRONTIER PARK PAVILION
sat. sept. 9th
4-7 PM fOOD AND FUN FOR ALL AGES!
Non-profit exhibits, food drive mark Community Picnic Town Of Prosper As communities like Prosper expand and grow, adding residents, rooftops and retail, many begin to leave behind the events and activities that call to mind the old-time charm and charisma of small towns. In contrast to that trend, the annual Prosper Community Picnic continues as a hometown tradition that recalls those simpler days, occupying a warm place in the hearts of residents. The popular picnic is set for Saturday, September 9 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Frontier Park, 1551 Frontier Parkway. Instead of gathering to help a neighbor raise a barn or bring in a harvest, Prosper residents are invited to attend the free event to meet friends, make new acquaintances, and express those old traditions in new ways. In addition to free hot dogs, drinks, and dessert, attendees will enjoy music, fun, games and attractions for all ages. This year, in an effort to assist Prosper-based non-profit agencies and organizations get the word out about their services, a limited number of booth spaces are available at no charge. Interested non-profits should contact Julie Shivers, Recreation Coordinator at julie_shivers@ prospertx.gov or 972-569-1064 to reserve a space. The event will retain the popular tradition of residents being
personally served by Mayor Ray Smith and members of the Town Council. As usual, the generosity of the members of local churches and service organizations helps defray the major costs of the picnic, making it a truly community-based celebration. For example, the membership of Lighthouse Fellowship Church is providing the hot dogs and fixings; the Prosper Ladies Association is furnishing and serving dessert; and members of Prosper United Methodist Church will provide and serve drinks. As in previous years, Bethlehem Place, Prosper’s only food pantry, will conduct its traditional “Hunger is No Picnic” food drive. Residents and guests who bring items may elect to place those items in the collection bins for their favorite school, helping that school win the traveling trophy, awarded to the Prosper ISD campus that has collected the most donations throughout the contest. “Inviting the non-profits to our event this year gives local organizations an opportunity to introduce themselves and their missions to the public,” said Shivers. “It will be inspiring to see numerous organizations represented this year.” More information on the Prosper Community Picnic will soon be available at www. prosperparksandrec.org.
Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com Close to 50 women and one lone male met in the upstairs meeting room at the Texas Health Neighborhood Care and Wellness for the monthly Ladies in Leadership meeting. Hosted by Amanda Thrash, Administrator of Texas Health Prosper and one of the founders of Ladies in Leadership for Prosper, the meeting wound up with a large number of questions from attendees which is often a sign it was a good topic. The lone male in attendance was the meeting’s featured speaker. He is Doug Eroh, Executive Vice President of the Penske Motor Group, and talked to the women assembled about good communication and its importance. He said when he is hiring someone and interviewing for the position, he cares mostly about the candidate’s communication skills. So much so that he might forego
10710 Eldorado Parkway Suite 140 Frisco, TX 75035
requiring other skills in favor of communication abilities. He used Kara Brinley, Vice President and General Manager of the new Longo Toyota of Prosper, as an example. He talked about her communication skills and how that helped him make the decision to offer her the new position in Prosper. Questions from attendees sparked more conversations about the challenges for women to communicate with male counterparts in their companies, retaining customers through communication and different styles of communication that are effective. The subject for this month’s talk was determined from feedback received from women who wanted to attend. Thrash, Brinley and Cassie Ram, now with Longo Toyota, are the founding members of the Ladies in Leadership monthly get-together which seems to be picking up steam with each meeting. It is organized by the Prosper Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber at www.prosperchamber.com to reserve a spot for the September meeting.
Zarmin Lalani, DDS MS Board Certified Diplomate American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
PROSPERTIMES
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Friday August 18, 2017
Maher Maso Guest Speaker for Rotary Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.com
Maher Maso, Director of Prosper Economic Development Corporation, speaks to the Prosper Rotary Club at its last meeting.
Prosper Economic Development Corporation Director Maher Maso, third from left, takes a moment with Rotary members following the meeting last week. From left are Sarah Peterson, Marisol Trautmann, Maso, Nelson Hewitt and David Huck, this year’s Rotary president.
Prosper’s new Economic Development Corporation Director, Maher Maso, stopped in at the Prosper Rotary last week and gave those in attendance an overview of what he sees for Prosper. He referenced the past 15 years of Prosper’s phenomenal growth. “If you told the story of Prosper to anyone outside of this area, they would not believe you,” he said. “It’s not normal what is taking place here. So where Prosper will end up is vastly different from where we are today as a community, both in quality of life, jobs and the things a community wants to have in it. Prosper will be a different place. Some people won’t like it because they want things to stay the same. But the reality is, it is growing.” Maso said Prosper is in what he calls the golden corridor — Preston Road, Dallas North Tollway, the U.S. Highway 380 corridor. It is all very attractive to corporations for relocations and tourism. “Prosper is known for quality of life and that’s why you have that growth,” he said. He pointed out several things about the growth pattern. The thing that is most important, he says, is to have a master plan. And it can’t be something someone decided to sit down and create. To be effective, it must have input from different entities throughout the community. “How a community succeeds is everybody working together,” he said. “It really isn’t one entity. It’s not just city government or Economic Development or Rotary or Chamber of Commerce. Each entity has something to add. Each organization is of value. The community is a living entity and every part has a role to play. One of my goals here is to really help bridge some of those gaps and give the resources to those
organizations that are growing. It’s a journey.” Maso also talked about the importance of public safety and transportation. He said public safety transcends any border and transportation is a key component. People want to be able to move around. The third thing that helps all of this is a superior education system including schools of higher learning. These are the components corporations are paying attention to today when considering a move. “They are all key components in the quality of life,” he said. About Collin County, Maso said there is currently a population of about 900,000, but in 2010 the population was reported to be 786,000. Buildout numbers projected for Collin County are around 2.5 million people. “They will be driving on Prosper streets,” he said. In other Rotary business, badges were passed out to appropriate members. Sarah Peterson received the red badge which means she is a probationary member until she fulfills a few easy requirements and Nelson Hewitt received his permanent blue badge after transferring from another club. Marisol Trautmann also received her pin for having just finished her term as president. Also, there was a brief discussion and report on the flag lease program. Joey Womble reported that flags will be put out before the fourth of September and picked up after the September 11. The flag program is a service provided by the Prosper Rotary members to give houses a U.S. flag for each patriotic holiday. Anyone interested in participating in the flag program as a volunteer or a client should visit the website at www.prosperrotary.org/flags/ to get involved.
PT A B it of W is d o m … Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com
Outlaw Dog Still Lives in Our Hearts
“What in the world is going on here?” That, or something like it, was my exclamation when I saw the mess created by our black Labrador Retriever, Allie, who saw herself as queen of our environment. Allie has moved on to a better life — a story for another day — but our memories of her linger and continue to bubble to the surface on a regular basis. For Allie, short for “Allie Oop,” the things I “thought” were mine, were really hers unless she didn’t want them, and then they were mine. It seemed to be only my possessions with which she took that attitude. As a matter of fact, from the time she came to live with us in 1995, carried into the house in my sister’s handbag, she destroyed my Ryrie Study Bible containing 20 years’ worth of notes, the handle on my Dooney & Bourke purse, my kitchen wallpaper, an oak coffee table, an
Parks and Recreation Department moves into their next season Joyce Godwin Joyce@CedarbrookMedia.Com Now that school is back in session, things will change a bit for the Parks and Recreation Department at the Town of Prosper, but not much. Julie Shivers, Recreation Services Coordinator, said, “We just go into our ongoing classes for fall and winter and spring.” Shivers said the department is limited on what they can offer right now because of space availability. That will change some after the new Town Hall and multi-purpose building is built, but for now, lack of space directly limits what services the department can offer. During the summer, the Parks &Rec Department is able to use
space in some of the area churches, but now that school is back signaling the end of summer, they can’t offer as much. “We focus now on our year-round outdoor programs,” Shivers said. She is working now on the community picnic scheduled for September 9 and work has started on organizing the Christmas festival. Also, It’s Time Texas will come around again in January and the fishing derby will be held in the spring. The adult men’s softball is starting up and registration is going on now. They will play on Sunday afternoons, Shivers said. Anyone interested in services of the Parks and Recreation Department should email Shivers at julie_shivers@prospertx.gov.
oak rocking chair, my den carpet, my hallway carpet and various other selected areas of carpet that lured her into pulling it up or chewing it into oblivion. Numerous Polly Pocket and Barbie accessories have also fallen victim to the carnage. She had a tough time those first couple of weeks at our house. Before becoming a Godwin, she had 10 siblings with which to snuggle and I wanted her to stay in a pen we fixed for her at night. It was too much for her. She squealed and howled until I got out of bed, pillow in tow, laid down next to her pen and put my fingers through the holes so she could connect with another living soul. It’s the only way either one of us could get any sleep. But Allie was a wonderful member of our family, helping to raise grandchildren from the cradle and serving as a loyal friend. Her 70-pound stature could be imposing when standing between a sleeping child and anything or anyone else. Throughout her life, she made
it her job to stand watch whenever sleeping babies were in the house, and for five years, it was her nightly station to sleep across the foot of our daughter’s bed or in the doorway of her room until Jamie left for college. Allie grew up with one of our adopted grandchildren, Raigan, for whom “Allie, out!” was one of her earliest phrases because Allie was always under foot. It was never unusual to turn a corner in our house and catch a glimpse of Raigan lying on her back to watch a favorite children’s video with her head resting on Allie who was curled up around her serving as a bean-bag chair. And anytime Raigan was outside, Allie was next to her, always on duty. With that kind of history, I could overlook the times when the mess I found was the remains of my lunch. Allie would dig it out of my bag and eat my hard-boiled eggs, shells and all, as well as the plastic bag they were in. I learned to find an elevated spot to leave my lunch while getting
ready for work. After Jamie left for college, I closed the door to her room to keep Allie from making it her den. But every morning I found Allie asleep either on Jamie’s bed or on the floor next to it. The scene was just too sad for all of us to watch as she pined away for Jamie. More than that, we couldn’t figure out how she was getting the door open to get into that room. One afternoon, I got lucky. I just happened to be at the end of the hallway to Jamie’s room when Allie decided she wanted in. I saw her do it or I wouldn’t have believed it. She placed the snout of her nose behind and under the door knob. One quick little boost up, and the door was open. Life with Allie had its special challenges but the special moments with her made up for all the inconveniences. Later, living without her became the biggest challenge.
PROSPERTIMES
Friday August 18, 2017
WeAreProsper.com | Page 5
PT I n G o o d Ta ste
Gochujang-Glazed Chicken
Learn why foil-packet cooking is hot, hot, hot
A
FAMILY FEATURES
7 STEPS TO THE
s the saying goes, big things come in small packages and that may explain the burgeoning popularity of foil-packet recipes. Minimal preparation and cleanup are easy trade-offs for the immense flavors you can create in these tiny containers, whether you prepare them in the oven, on the grill or over an open flame. The secret to successful foil cooking is locking in the layers of flavor from each ingredient. It’s surprisingly simple to create delicious, healthy dishes when cooking with foil. An ingredient like seasoned rice vinegar offers a wholesome alternative to many condiments and flavorings while giving your packet a big flavor boost. With no artificial preservatives, flavors or ingredients and no high-fructose corn syrup, Nakano® Rice Vinegars are the perfect solution for building better-for-you foil-packet meals. With organic varieties and easy-to-read labels featuring real, recognizable ingredients, you can feel great about layering delicious flavor into your next foil-packet meal with rice vinegar. Garlic seasoned rice vinegar delivers a boost of flavor to this Asian-inspired chicken, creating a sensational main dish. Add crisp fresh veggies tossed with organic rice vinegar and garlic as a side then finish the meal with a sweet take on a juicy fruit crisp. Find more inspired ideas for healthy meals at Mizkan.com/Recipes.
PERFECT FOIL POUCH 1. A 12-inch square piece of foil is a good starting point, but you may need to adjust depending on the recipe. Remember you’ll need plenty of extra room around the ingredients for the heat to build up and cook the contents to perfection. 2. Use heavy-duty foil to avoid tears or poor seals that can spill ingredients and precious seasonings and juices. 3. Spread foil on a flat surface and add a light nonstick spray, if needed. 4. Place ingredients and seasonings in the center of the foil. 5. Bring long sides of the foil together over the food. Pinch together and make 1/2-inch folds straight across at least twice for a strong seal. Remember to leave plenty of open space between the foil and food. 6. Make 1/2-inch folds on each short end, folding toward food but leaving at least 1 1/2-2 inches between the seam and food.
Gochujang-Glazed Chicken
Servings: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 45 minutes 4 tablespoons Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Roasted Garlic 2 teaspoons gochujang (chile bean paste) 6 tablespoons maple syrup 4 teaspoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons, plus 2 teaspoons, olive oil 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 8 chicken thighs 4 cups fresh cauliflower, riced (use grater or food processer so cauliflower resembles rice) 1 1/2 cups fresh scallions, sliced 2 cups fresh sugar snap peas 3 sprigs fresh cilantro, for garnish Heat oven or grill to 375 F. In large bowl, mix together vinegar, gochujang, maple syrup, soy sauce, olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper to form marinade. Dip chicken in marinade and toss lightly until coated. Lightly oil foil pouch and layer base of pouch with cauliflower. Add scallions and sugar snap peas then place chicken on top. Carefully pour remaining marinade over pouch contents (ensuring that liquid stays inside foil). Seal foil packet and bake or grill 30 minutes. Open foil to create 2-inch long vent then bake or grill another 15 minutes, or until completely cooked. Garnish with cilantro before serving. Chef’s tip: For best results and added flavor, marinate chicken 30 minutes before preparing pouches. Substitutions: In place of gochujang, red pepper flake paste can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes with a few dashes soy sauce and 1 dash sugar. Alternatively, substitute 2 teaspoons sriracha for gochujang.
7. Handle pouch with care to avoid piercing or tearing, and always use tongs to remove pouches from heat.
Bartlett Pear and Oat Crisp
Bartlett Pear and Oat Crisp
Mediterranean Vegetables
Servings: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes 4 cups fresh pears, medium diced 4 tablespoons Nakano Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Mango 3/4 cup quick oats 2/3 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup, plus 2 teaspoons, all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon 6 tablespoons butter, diced into 1/4-inch squares Heat oven to 375 F. Toss pears in rice vinegar and set into lightly greased foil pouch. Combine remaining ingredients in bowl and use two forks to combine ingredients until mixture becomes crumbly. Pour mixture evenly over pears, seal pouch and bake 20 minutes. Open top of foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Chef’s tips: For crispier crust, refrigerate crumbly mixture 30 minutes before baking. Serve with scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
PT K i ds S a y …
Katelyn, Preston, Luke, and Andy
Leslie Scott Special to the Prosper Times
They are two sets of twins, two going into third grade and two going into kindergarten. They each have the most adorable smiles and were not shy at competing for my attention. What order are your ages: Three tell me: “Katelyn, Andy, Luke and then Preston” Preston said “No, Preston and then Luke!” Three again said: “No, Luke and then Preston!” Katelyn: “Preston was born two minutes after Luke.” How old are you? Katelyn: 8. Preston: 4, I mean 5. Luke: 5. Andy: 8. Tell me something fun you did this summer. Andy: So my grandma was here and she buyed me a fidget spinner and for my birthday she buyed me three fidget spinners. I only use one at a time
Mediterranean Vegetables
Servings: 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes 3 tablespoons Nakano Organic Rice Vinegar – Seasoned 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon salt, plus extra, to taste 1/2 teaspoon pepper, plus extra, to taste 1 tablespoon, plus 1 1/2 teaspoons, fresh parsley, chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced 1 cup fresh zucchini, sliced into 1 3/4-inch long, 1/4-inch thick planks 1 cup fresh green pepper strips 1 cup fresh red pepper strips 8 fresh stalks asparagus, slicing off 1/4 inch from bottom of stalk 1 fresh portobello mushroom, sliced into 1/2-inch squares 1 cup fresh eggplant, diced into 1/2-inch squares Heat oven or grill to 375 F. In large bowl, mix together rice vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley and garlic to create marinade. Clean vegetables then place them in marinade in small batches. Toss to coat then place in foil pouch. Pour remaining marinade over vegetables and seal pouch. Bake in oven or over indirect heat on grill 25 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste, after removing pouch from heat. Chef’s tip: Open pouch after 20 minutes of cooking and allow vegetables to crisp slightly under direct heat for remaining 5 minutes.
though. Luke: Same as Andy. I just played with a fidget spinner. Preston: This year we went to Preschool and it is very close to us. And I played on the play set. Katelyn: I played with Shoppie doll and her tea set. What do you want to be when you grow up? Katelyn: A home mom. Preston: Batman. Luke: A fishing guide that catches sharks. Andy: A ninja. Preston, Luke, and Andy all begin telling me about American Ninja Warrior and they explained it’s not a video game, but a show you watch. Then some ninja moves were demonstrated for me. What is your favorite color? Katelyn: Maroon. Preston: Dark green and light green and red Luke: Orange and dark blue. Andy: Blue and orange. What are you really good at? Andy: I’m really good at climbing (and proceeds to climb over a chair and
leap to another)! Luke: karate kicking (and shows me a couple of kicks). Preston: I’m good at kicking and climbing too (gives an example). Katelyn: Mainly Shoppie dolls, organizing them and making them pretty (and is actually holding one during our interview and shows me). What do you hope to learn at school this year? The boys all talk at the same time to answer this question – a bus was mentioned and who they would see at school and then there’s an outbreak of standing on their heads on the couch and Katlyn says, “maybe you should start this over.” I say I think it’s ok, they are just moving around some. Katelyn replies: “Maybe we should go get mom because this is not going so well!” I tell her I think there’s just a lot of energy going on and Katlyn replies, “Too much energy!” EDITOR’S NOTE: Prosper Community Library Director Leslie Scott has a unique opportunity for candid discussions with youngster of all ages. She is sharing these experiences through the Prosper Times.
PROSPERTIMES
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Friday August 18, 2017
Eagle HYPE
TM
Dedicated to Prosper Sports
T h e Ye a r O f T h e E a g l e i s U p o n U s Todd Kaufmann Special to the Prosper Times Almost three years ago to the day, the Prosper Eagles gathered towards mid-field to talk to firstyear head coach Chris Ross after a tough, some would say heartbreaking, loss to Frisco Lone Star in the first round of the 2014 Texas high school football playoffs. If you weren’t there, you missed a moment that to this day I still have not forgotten and I’ll never be able to ‘unsee.’ There wasn’t a dry eye among any of the players. All of them emotional because they knew it was their game to win and they weren’t ready to be done with the season. For the seniors especially, it was a hard game to accept. I remember walking down to the field and the first person I wanted to get the reaction of was Ross. Someone I had grown to really respect, and someone I’m honored to call a friend. I was surprised to see the emotion on his face. This emotion wasn’t something you could fake. This was the kind of emotion that any coach would have when he had to see the heart-breaking looks on his player’s faces. So many injuries when they couldn’t afford it, so many plays that could have gone their way, so many situations that should have gone differently. In the end, they just didn’t. It’s been three years since that evening. Three years since the looks on faces of players who would never again wear the white and
green. Three years since those players walked away from Prosper and on to the future that awaited them. What the town of Prosper can look forward to is the future isn’t three years behind them. In fact, it’s a lot closer. The talent that the Eagles have from top to bottom might be better than the team that was bounced out of the playoffs in back-toback seasons. That talent has the ability to run the table in their district and, with most of their starters healthy, could make the kind of run in the state playoffs that this town has looked forward to since they celebrated a state championship team with Prosper baseball just two years ago. Look at the depth this team has on offense,
know who to key on. Especially when all three have different things they can do well and three guys who can make a big-time impact with the ball in their hands. On September 1, the journey begins for a Prosper Eagles’ team looking to be the ones who change the future of the program as it heads into an amazing time in school history. But the game can’t be played on paper. You can look up and down the roster and make any kind of prediction you want. But don’t be surprised if that prediction falls apart four to five weeks into the season, or just ask the Texas Rangers how things have gone for them this season after what they’ve done in the American League West each of the last two years. You can’t play it on paper. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t make a prediction based on what you already know and what you’ve Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES already seen. There might be some newcomers to this roster but, for the most look at the position players and who they have at the important positions and the kind of part, there are a lot of returning seniors who talent they will run out on to the field in just a made impacts last season as well as returning few short weeks. That’s the kind of depth this starters who made people take notice early in team has been looking to have for a long time. the 2016 season. That’s the information you take with you Watch them defensively. Watch guys like senior linebacker, Justin Benvie, and senior and put together a coherent position on how you feel any given team will finish the season. free safety Blake Harrington. While I certainly am not ready to call a Watch them offensively and the arm they have at quarterback in junior Keegan complete sweep through district play, I will Shoemaker, and the three-headed monster call them for the team I believe them to be. What kind of team is that? the Eagles have in the backfield with up and An eight-win team. coming sophomore Reid Applewhite, junior Yes, I believe they are that good and that ready Wayne Anderson Jr and senior Kaleb Adams. There isn’t a team across the state of Texas to make their mark. It’s the year of the Eagle. that wouldn’t love to have that kind of talent in And this Eagle team will do a lot more than their backfield because the defense will never just spread their wings and fly.
Shining Gems Shine Light on Special Athletes Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com
Being a part of a team is something all children desire, whether it's baseball, football, dance, or cheer. But for Prosper second graders Alyvia Acevedo and Dominic Henriquez, even though they've always wanted to participate, there hasn't always been a place for them. Until now. A local cheer gym, Prosper Athletics, has created a special athlete cheer team called the Shining Gems that will practice once a week starting in September and will attend 4 competitions. The Shining Gems program, directed by Prosper Athletics head coach Jimmy Flood, will be customized for each athlete depending on physical and/or developmental limitations. “We want our special athletes to have a place where they can come and just be a part of something, where they can forget about the doctors and treatments and things for a while,” said Flood. Alyvia's mother, Cristen, said she is looking forward to the opportunity for her daughter
to cheer, something she has wanted to do for many years. “She loves the bows, the uniforms and just all of it,” said Cristen. “She's ready to be one of the cheerleaders.” Alyvia suffers the effects of a traumatic brain injury caused by bacterial meningitis at just 3 weeks of age. She wasn't supposed to ever be able to talk or walk, but she has surpassed expectations. She does have some balance and cognitive developmental delays but none of that will stop her from being a Shining Gem. Cristin also hopes the activity and motion will help Alyvia with some of her flexibility and balance issues. “Her favorite color is green, so I think she's hoping for a little green in the uniform or bows for sure,” said Cristen. Dominic's mother, Jeanette Espinola, is wanting the same for her son. Dominic, age 7, was diagnosed at 22-months old with a rare genetic disorder called Hunters Syndrome, or Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II), for which there is no cure. Hunters Syndrome affects Dominic's joints, breathing, heart and brain. In 2015, Dominic had a complicated surgery to implant a medication port on his abdomen that has a catheter inserted into his spine as part of a clinical trial in Chicago. One week out of every month, Dominic and Jeanette travel to Chicago for the treatment.
regarding Dominic's joints and mobility. Despite his condition, Dominic is happy and can usually be seen dancing around wherever he's going. “He absolutely loves performing and dancing,” said Jeanette. “I know he's ready to get out there with the Shining Gems and get moving.” Cara Sorenson, owner of Prosper Athletics, says she is looking forward to getting it started and feels she has a great staff in place to make it an incredible addition to their program.
“Jimmy is really great with the kids. He's worked with Special Olympics as well as similar programs in Florida before he joined us almost two years ago. The kids are already responding to him very well, and he's loving it,” said Sorenson. If you would like information about the Shining Gems program, please contact Coach Jimmy Flood at jflood@prosper-athletics.com or call 972-347-3444.
Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES
Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES
Dominic Henriquez smiles as he dances on the floor at Prosper Athletics’ meet and greet for Shining Gems.
Jeanette, like Cristen, is optimistic about the positive impact Shining Gems will have
Alyvia Acevedo jumps on the tumble track at Prosper Athletics during a meet and greet for Shining Gems.
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Senior Fall Photo Package
Get professional ACTION photos of your Senior from the entire season! Includes: Games, Pep Rallys, Homecoming Parade and more
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Prosper’s Cross Country team prepare for their first meet by completing timed trials at Erwin Park in McKinney on Saturday morning. The team also announced the big/little brothers and sisters program for the 2017-2018 year. Prosper will travel to Mansfield this Saturday morning for the first meet of the season.
Package B
Action photos of your child in personalized online download gallery
Action photos of your child in personalized online download gallery
Ten (10) 5x7 lab quality professional prints of your choosing from the season
Ten (10) 5x7 lab quality professional prints of your choosing from the season
Football/Volleyball/Cheer $350 Talonettes/Band $250
Senior Photo Session including Two (2) outfit changes, Two (2) local locations and Eight (8) High-Res Images
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Friday August 18, 2017
WeAreProsper.com | Page 7
Prosper Tennis Season Begins Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com
The Prosper Varsity Tennis team opened the season Tuesday afternoon at home versus Frisco Centennial High School. The Eagles fought hard but came up short in the last match, falling 9-10 to Centennial. Friday, the Eagles traveled to Lovejoy where they suffered another tough loss. “We are very proud of our athletes” said Prosper Tennis Coach Mandy
Bowling. “These first couple of losses have motivated us all to work even harder.” The Eagles will play at home both Thursday and Friday against Liberty and Frisco with the action starting at 4:00 p.m. both days. (below) Junior Neha Madhira “The kids are working very hard and we are excited for our matches this serves in a match at home against week and can't wait for district matches to start,” Bowling added. Frisco Centennial High School on August 10, 2017.
(left) Senior Brandon Bonaparte stretches for the return in a match against Frisco Centennial High School on August 10, 2017.
(right) Sophomore tennis pairs Brock Ladenhoff and Hutch Dunn in a match at home against Frisco Centennial High School on August 10, 2017.
Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES
Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES
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Get “Lost” in the Mighty Eagles Marching Band’s New Show Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com
Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com Last week, I was scheduled to cover the Varsity Prosper Volleyball season openers. I played a little rec volleyball in my day in the 80's and 90's. And was the best server on the team, for the record, so I pretty much knew what to expect. Fast-forward a few years (give or take), and I am now a “boy mom” times three so you can imagine my excitement to sit in a gym full of girls and watch them bobble a ball around for a few hours. I arrived about 15 minutes early to get my place situated and get my camera gear all set up. The game, excuse me, match before ours was going into a tie-breaker. I glanced up a few times when I heard the crowd cheer or someone hit the floor, which happens substantially more often than I anticipated. Match over. Let's do this, Prosper. Out comes the team for warmups. My first impression: Every one of them looks like they stepped off the red carpet, but could still take you in a dark alley. Think Angelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The first set of the first match starts and I find my spot behind the Prosper bench. I think I took 40 photos in the first minute of play just trying to keep track of the ball. Because a player cannot touch the ball twice in a row, the team must work together. Kayla to Madi, Madi to Hope, Taryn or Haley, like a choreographed ballet that quickly turns into a mosh pit with girls hurling themselves onto a wooden floor or leaping into the air to jam the ball in the other team's face. I would sure hate to be on the other side of that net. These girls have
Eagle HYPE
some power. Ok, I could watch this, but I am not staying for the entire second match, I said. Prosper easily overpowered Waxahachie, so I figured I'd stay for the first set against Frisco Wakeland just to get a few more photos. Prosper lost the first set 20-25 and I knew I couldn't leave with them behind, so I decided to stay for the second set. They killed it, winning 25-17. I know enough about superstitions to know that since they won, I can't leave now so I had to stay for the third set, at least. Prosper won that one by an even larger margin, 25-14. Obviously, it's because I stayed. Now if Prosper can just hold out on the fourth set, it'll be lights out for Wakeland. But Frisco wouldn't go down without a fight and won the fourth. By this time, I am an emotional wreck. I have chewed my finger nails and pulled my hair out of the ponytail. I'm truly invested in this match. We would be going to the tie-breaker. The last set was a true challenge. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to “Facebook Live” what I hoped would be an exciting Prosper win, or if I should just focus on taking photos. But I also actually wanted to watch. Ah, the conundrum. In the end, Prosper prevailed in a 15-6 victory in the fifth set. I packed up my camera, walked to my car and thought to myself, This 'ain't your mother's volleyball. If there is something sports related you would like to see explained or mentioned “Inside the Locker Room” please email Renee at Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com.
The approximately 300 members of the Mighty Eagle Marching Band have been working diligently over the summer on a show that they previewed to the Town on Friday evening. The show title is “The Lost World” and according to Prosper High School Director of Bands, John Alstrin, it's a mix between Avatar and The Lost Boys from folk. “It's a musical journey with imagery that includes 21 props to create huts and a village where 40 kids become the list tribe,” says Alstrin. “We want the crowd to feel like they are watching a movie, a real cinematic journey.” Every other year the band can qualify for State marching competition. This is a State year for Prosper and Alstrin feels this year they have a real chance. “I think we are ready. We will have to qualify at region, then area, but out of the 8 areas in the State, I think we have a real shot. Our show is 8 minutes that pulls you in and makes you want to see it again,” Alstrin says. The Prosper band will also be traveling to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the Bands of America competition where they will compete against 90 other programs. “Again, this is a competition we feel we are ready to take on and we are excited to see what we can do in Indianapolis,” says Alstrin.
The Brass section awaits the start of the show preview on Friday night.
Seniors Abby Riley (Drum Major) Taylor Hasz (Woodwind Coordinator), and Emily Ray (Drum Major) smiling after Band Preview on Friday night.
Drum Majors from front to back - Abby Riley (Senior), Emily Ray (Senior), Molly Leonard (Junior), and Morghan Flannigan (Senior)
Members of the color guard perform at the show preview on Friday night.
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Hosted by: Prosper High School CHEER & the Eagle Touchdown Club
Dedicated to Prosper Sports
Athlete of the Week Hope Gramly
Senior, Prosper Volleyball Gramly was a force to be reconed with at the John Turner Invitational Tournament last week. She racked up an incredible 18 blocks and 42 kills in play. Against McKinney, she had 4 blocks. Keep it up, Hope!
*** Brought to you by ***
Join in the excitement of the upcoming 2017 Season as we recognize PHS Students from Cross Country, Volleyball, Swim & Dive, Talonettes, Band, Trainers, Football and Cheer
Saturday, August 19th 8:30-10:00pm Prosper HS Practice Field Evening’s event schedule: 8:00-8:15 Gates open, PHS Students arrive for line up 8:30-9:30pm Meet The Eagles Pep Rally 9:30pm Firework Show! Concessions will be available along with the Kona Ice truck! Seating is open in the stands at the practice field. You are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs and sit on the track behind the students being recognized.
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We hope you will come out for this special event and show your support for the 2017 Prosper High School Eagles!
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PROSPERTIMES
Page 8 | WeAreProsper.com
Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com Once an Eagle, always an Eagle, right? That's certainly the case for 2014 Prosper graduate Tyler Webb. Webb is gearing up for his senior year at the University of Memphis where he is a proven leader on the baseball field. While at Prosper, Webb was a three-time All-State football player and a two-time AllState baseball player, despite going through two knee surgeries. He played wide receiver, defensive back and punter for the Eagles football team. He played all four years on the varsity baseball team at both third base and
shortstop. “Whatever we needed he did,” said Prosper baseball coach Rick Carpenter. “Not only was he a great player, but he was a great leader also; one of my favorite players of all time.” Carpenter became emotional reciting a story about Webb's play in a district championship game. “Bases were loaded with two outs and we were down a run playing for the district championship. Our hitter belted a one hop missile at their third baseman, who only had to run a short few steps and touch the bag. I admit, I already registered defeat in my mind. While their kid was jogging to third, Tyler somehow slid into the bag a split second
Friday August 18, 2017
before theirs, much to the shock of everyone, including myself. This tied the game. Our next hitter chopped a slow roller to the same third baseman, who was spooked by now and he booted it and we won the game. Gives me chills,” recalled Carpenter. When asked about Carpenter, Webb said, “That man made me fall in love with baseball, I was a football kid and he really opened my eyes to another world and I can't thank him enough.” After high school, Webb traveled south to Galveston College where he would continue to impress for the next two years. In his final year with the Whitecaps, Webb hit a team-best .424 in 50 games and led the team in total hits (70), doubles (14) and runs scored (47). Webb was also named an All-American while at Galveston College. “My post-high school successes are a credit to my coach in Galveston, Chris Joblin. I arrived in Galveston an athlete, he made me an All-American baseball player.” In 2016, Webb signed a letter of intent to transfer from Galveston College to the University of Memphis for baseball. In his first year with the Tigers, Webb had a batting average of .305, with 43 runs on 65 hits, 16 doubles, 1 triple and 5 home runs. In a game against Murray State, Webb drove in three runs in the bottom of the ninth and two more runs in the 12th inning to give Memphis
an 11-10 win. The Tigers were trailing 8-5 in the ninth before Webb cracked a double into left center to clear the bases and tie the game at 8-8 and would trail again in the 12th before Webb's game-winning hit. “We aren't able to make every game, but we sure watch them,” said Tori Webb, Tyler's mother. “We are just so thrilled to be able to watch him out there. We are definitely proud parents,” added his father, Denny. Webb, who is studying business management, was also named to the Dean's List at the University of Memphis. Webb's sister, Logan Bass is a 2009 graduate who is currently teaching at Prosper High School while his younger brother, Braden, who also plays varsity baseball, will graduate in 2019. Denny, coincidentally, was a member of Prosper's 1984 State Championship baseball team. The Webb's hail from a long line of Prosper graduates dating back to the 1950's. His great-grandfather, Charles Webb, worked for PISD from 1954-1958 and his grandmother, Pam Webb, has worked in the Superintendent's office at PISD for 33 years and will be retiring this month. “My family has been a solid source of support and encouragement. My little brother, Braden, is a better ballplayer than I was at that age and I look forward to seeing what he does and repaying some of that support,” said Webb. With his last year for College baseball in his sights, Tyler says, “I've been playing baseball for so long that it's really a part of me and I am working everyday toward my goal of getting drafted.” A little-known fact about Webb is that in fifth grade, he was considered one of the top cup-stacking champions in the entire world! Good to know he has a backup plan in case his baseball doesn't work out.,.but I wouldn't get out those red solos just yet, I think we are in for a lot more baseball from him.
Prosper Volleyball Starts Season Strong With Tournament Best Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com
Hope Gramly led the offense in kills and digs and junior Madi Whitmire put up 84 assists. Friday's pool would put Prosper against Hays and Deer Park, both of whom the Eagles swept 2-0. The wins on Friday put Prosper in the Gold Bracket on day three, which was a first for the Prosper program and solidified a top-8 finish for the team. Saturday would be rough for the Lady Eagles as they lost to both The Woodlands and Clemens, which ended their tournament run, tying for 6th place. Coach Erin Kauffman said, “What impressed me the most about our team is that we had a lot of unforced errors and our blocking needed improvement, yet, we still finished in the Top 8. We are competing with the elite teams in the State and we haven't even touched our ceiling yet.” Prosper played McKinney in McKinney
It was a long week of play for Prosper volleyball as they traveled to Pearland for the Adidas John Turner Pearland Invitational. The tournament is the largest in high school volleyball. Prosper was seeded 12th going into play with over 80 teams being represented. Prosper played seven matches and finished tied 6th overall, making it the best ever finish for the Prosper program. Prosper opened the tournament on Thursday with matches against San AntonioJohnson, Westbrook, and Kingwood. Prosper easily beat out SA-Johnson (25-23, 25-18) and Westbrook (25-13, 25-15). Kingwood took it to 3 sets, but Prosper would ultimately come out ahead (22-25, 25-14, 25-12). Senior Haley Killinger, Taryn Webber and
on Tuesday night where they defeated the Lions 3-1. Killinger once again led the team with 16 kills while freshman Sami Jacobs followed closely with 12 kills and only 1 error. On the defensive end, Macy Waltercheid came in huge with 18 digs while Chloe Hancock and Gramly added 4 blocks a piece. “One of our returning 6 rotation is out, but she should return within the next two weeks and we are still sitting at 8-2 for the season, which isn't too shabby,” Kauffman added. The Eagles will appear next in the NISD Tournament this Thursday through Saturday.
Renee Marler/PROSPER TIMES
Members of the Prosper varsity volleyball team celebrate a win on August 10, 2017 in Frisco.
PISD Athletic Director Holds Convocation to Kick-Off School Year
Jason Reynolds/PROSPER TIMES
Prosper Athletic Director, Valerie Little, speaks to the Prosper coaches during the 2017 Coaches Convocation on Friday, August 10, 2017.
Renee Marler Renee@CedarbrookMedia.com All 75 members of the Prosper ISD coaching staff
congregated at the arena for the PISD Coaches Convocation held by Athletic Director, Valerie Little. The two-day event, held the Thursday and Friday before school started, was a kick-off to the 2017-2018 school year and featured a presentation from PISD Superintendent Dr. Drew Watkins, Coach Little, and a motivational speaker. During the convocation, coaches were certified in CPR and were photographed for the athletic directory. During Friday's session, Coach Little presented the “Year in Review” and “Setting the Tone for 17-18”. Friday afternoon, Coach Little and head Prosper football coach, Brandon Schmidt drew for door prizes, valued from $15-200 each, donated by local businesses. Athletic department partners, such as PISD Transportation and Cedarbrook Media, publishers of Prosper Times and PROSPER Magazine, were also invited to share information with the group. Jody Woolverton, PISD Transportation Director gave each of the coaches instructions on bus safety, as well as information on acquiring a CDL Driver’s License. Renee Marler with Cedarbrook spoke about the importance of a close partnership between media and coaches in highlighting the successes of the kids and the program as a whole. Cedarbrook Media reiterated its dedication to PISD athletics and announced some exciting
additions to coverage starting this fall. Cedarbrook Media, in conjunction with Bodine Orthodontics and TripleG Group will be hosting a tailgate party, complete with food, games, and even a live pre-game podcast starting 2-hours before all home football games. More information will follow soon with the details. At the close of the convocation, the group got a taste of the tailgate menu with BBQ from TripleG Group, courtesy of Cedarbrook Media.
Jason Reynolds/PROSPER TIMES
Cedarbrook Media Operations Manager, Renee Marler, addresses PISD Coaches regarding media partnership for the 2017-2018 school year.
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