DENTON County Meet your 2019 Best of Denton winners!
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Spotlight on Argyle Denton’s DIME Store A Bartonville Mainstay Reborn
INFLUENCERS & INNOVATORS
Get to know Texas Woman’s University Chancellor Carine Feyten and University of North Texas President Neal Smatresk plus 16 other top Denton County leaders
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KOONSFULLER: From L to R: Nicole Carroll, Sean Abeyta, Charla H. Bradshaw, Sarah Darnell and James Logue
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DENTON County
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JULY/AUGUST Volume 2, Issue 4
DE PA RTME NT S 20 Community Spotlight: Argyle Collage: top left courtesy of Denton ISD; top center by Wesley Kirk; top right by Rob Chickering; middle left courtesy of John Pearson; middle courtesy of Linda Eaddy; middle right courtesy of Jay Rodgers; bottom left courtesy of Orison Holdings; bottom middle courtesy of Eric Swayne; bottom right by Jake King, Denton Record-Chronicle. Bottom pasture photo by Anita Anderson
Wide-open spaces, great schools and small-town roots
28 Dining: The Bartonville Store & Jeter's Meat Shop
Breathing new life into a 137-year-old community staple
36 Shopping: The DIME Store
Denton's unique marketplace of handmade products
FE ATURE
41
Influencers & Innovators
18 incredible people that every Denton County resident should know
COUNT Y LINE
What defines our county today
11 Ms. Wheelchair Texas
Lauren Taylor's advocacy for disabled Texans
12 Six Summer Safety Tips
Crime prevention advice from Corinth's chief of police
14 Shooting for the Stars
Three UNT students' plan to help astronauts with space walks
17 Time Machine
A spin in Denton County's first automobile
IN E V E RY ISSUE 6 About This Issue 76 See & Do
20
On the cover: Texas Woman's University Chancellor Carine Feyten and University of North Texas President Neal Smatresk. Photo by Brittanie Marion, Eagleton Photography J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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A BOUT THIS ISSUE
Movers & Shakers
T
hey say that nothing worth doing is easy, and the influencers and innovators profiled in this month’s issue prove that maxim true. They have started businesses, advanced the arts, changed lives and shaped our county in innumerable ways. Along the way, they have taken chances, made mistakes, overcome obstacles and pushed past adversity. In the end, it’s that tendency to never give up that has elevated them to the community leaders they are today. On the cover, we are honored to feature Texas Woman’s University Chancellor Carine Feyten and University of North Texas President Neal Smatresk. Read all about them and nine others who are changing our county for the better starting on page 41. You’ll also read about seven other influencers through history and their impact on our region. The 2019 Best of Denton section starting on page 64 showcases a different type of mover and shaker: the top businesses in Denton, as voted on by readers of the Denton Record-Chronicle. Take a look to find your new favorite car dealer, restaurant, salon or bank. This month, we are turning the community spotlight on Argyle, shopping at the DIME Store and seeing the new incarnation of The Bartonville Store. Some of your most fascinating neighbors also have stories to share this month: Corinth’s chief of police offers helpful summer safety tips. Three UNT students work toward modernizing NASA’s spacesuits. And Ms. Wheelchair Texas advocates for disabled Texans and goes for the national title. As always, we welcome your thoughts, story ideas and letters to the editor. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing editor@dentoncountymagazine.com. Also, did you know that you can have this magazine delivered to your home six times a year for just $25? Visit dentoncountymagazine.com today to subscribe. Thank you, as always, for your feedback and support. Have a wonderful summer!
PUBLISHER Bill Patterson
EDITOR Kimberly Turner
M AG A Z I N E CO N S U LTA N T Rich Alfano
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sean McCrory
S A L E S M A N AG E R Shawn Reneau ACCO U N T EXECUTIVES Becci Hendrix Joanne Horst Danielle Thompson Shelly Vannatta MAILING ADDRESS 3555 Duchess Drive Denton, Texas 76205 EDITORIAL 940-566-6879 A DV E R T I S I N G INQUIRIES 940-566-6843
DESIGN DI RECTOR Ben Carpenter DESIGNER Phil Lor CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Kristy Alpert, Abigail Boatwright, Mary Dunklin, Annette Nevins, Paula Felps, Lisa Ferguson, Nicole Foster, Rachel Hedstrom, Kylie Ora Lobell, Marshall Reid, Ellen Ritscher Sackett, Leslie Thompson, Kimberly Turner CO N T R I B U T I N G PHOTOGRAPH ERS Abigail Boatwright, Brittanie Marion (Eagleton Photography) C R E AT I V E PA R T N E R madison/miles media
SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to Denton County magazine for $25/year. Subscribe online at DentonCountyMagazine.com or mail a check or visit us at 3555 Duchess Drive, Denton, Texas 76205. For subscription questions, call 940-387-3811. S T O RY I D E A S editor@dentoncountymagazine.com LETTERS TO TH E EDITOR Write to editor@dentoncountymagazine.com. Please include your full name, city and phone number. Denton County magazine reserves the right to edit for length and clarity. L I K E U S FAC E B O O K Facebook.com/DentonCountyMagazine FIND US ONLINE DentonCountyMagazine.com
© Copyright 2019: Denton County magazine is published by Denton Media Company, publishers of the Denton Record-Chronicle. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Editorial content does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher.
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D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
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$
61.8 MILLION Dollars in scholarship money for the District.
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS
1
2
Finalist
Semifinalists
15
$
AP SCHOLARS 71
Total AP Scholars
2
Commended Scholars
National AP Scholars
3.9M
26
AP Scholars with Distinction
18
in local scholarship money awarded to graduating seniors
AP Scholars with Honors
81 1
%
UIL State Academic Qualifiers
of the Class of 2019 from Denton ISD will be attending a two (39%) or fouryear (42%) college or university
UIL State Qualifying Academic Team Spelling and Vocabulary Team
34
UIL Athletic State Qualifying Team or Individual
Texas State German Top Ten finishers
9
National Spanish Exam Medalists
41
Individuals at the National Business Professionals of America Leadership Conference
Eagle Scouts
Parliamentary Procedure Teams
Special Olympians
Texas Dance Educators Association All-State Dance Ensemble Members
TASSP All-State Academic Team members
Texas Music Educators Association
5
IB Graduates
196
Members of the National Honor Society
5 7 10 12 15 3 7
Teams of Business Professionals of America who medaled at Nationals
4
2
National Hispanic Scholars
All-State Band Members
3
All-State Orchestra Members
graduates with professional or industry-standard licenses or certifications in a variety of technical fields
Three –Year Graduates
2
4 46
National Hispanic Recognition
1,392
13 19
1
State Visual Art Scholastic Event (VASE) Qualifiers highest rating in visual art
3
All-State Choir Members
Texas State Solo & Ensemble
19
Choir Qualifiers
9 3
Orchestra Solo Gold Medalists
3 3
Orchestra Solo Qualifiers
Orchestra Solo Silver Medalists
Orchestra Gold Medal Ensembles
24
Band Gold Medal Ensembles
Qualifiers for the International Thespian Festival
82 34
Members of the AFJROTC
Ivy League Acceptances
103
Student Athletes signing Letters of Intent
1
Enlisted or Military Commitments
Senior Band Member Selected to March with Drum Corps International
to the Braswell, Denton, Fred Moore, Guyer and Ryan High School graduates! All 1,913 of you are amazing and the stats prove it!
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What defines our county today
INSIDE: u u UNT students’ plan for a new spacesuit for NASA u u Crime prevention tips from Corinth’s chief of police u u A ride in Denton County’s first automobile
COUNTY LINE NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
More Than a Crown Lauren Taylor is representing Texas in the Ms. Wheelchair America competition — and representing disabled Texans every day. BY KRISTY ALPERT
R
eigning Ms. Wheelchair Texas Lauren Taylor has had her sights on the crown since she was little. Taylor, 22, was born with congenital muscular dystrophy and, while growing up, had access to countless adult friends and mentors who had been involved with the Ms. Wheelchair program.
Deeper Than Beauty Despite its name, Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation is not a beauty pageant. Contestants are judged solely based on their ability to be the best advocate for Texans with disabilities. They earn points for public speaking and professionalism because the winner will communicate the needs and accomplishments of her constituency to the public, business community and legislature. “Advocacy for people with disabilities has always been my passion,” explains Lauren Taylor, a junior at the University of North Texas studying Rehabilitation Counseling. “I figured this platform could take my advocacy to a whole new level and really do some good for others. I hope to lessen the line between ‘us’ and ‘them,’ allowing just one equal population.” In her role as Ms. Wheelchair Texas, Taylor makes appearances throughout the state. She also volunteers at the Special Olympics, speaks at events, educates school children on disability awareness and advocacy and is working toward her Licensed Professional Counselor certification. The National Title Taylor, originally from Flower Mound, is gearing up to represent Texas at the national Ms. Wheelchair America competition in July.
Flower Mound native Lauren Taylor, 22, is the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Texas.
“Advocacy and equal rights for people with disabilities has been practically my whole life, so, for me, everything necessary for this competition comes very naturally and from the heart,” Taylor says. “I had to prepare a platform speech that I will also be using for nationals, and there is quite a bit of fundraising involved. I’ve been told [the national competition] creates a sisterhood among the titleholders like nothing I’ve ever heard of before. I’m expecting to have a really good experience, meeting all the other titleholders, getting to learn from them and just learning how to be the best I can be in the disability community and how to help others along the way.” Ms. Wheelchair America was founded in 1972 to promote the needs and achievements of disabled Americans. The nonprofit, which has grown to include programs in more than 30 states, is staffed by volunteers across the nation. Follow along as Lauren Taylor competes for the crown, book her for a speaking engagement or find out how to donate to her mission at facebook.com/mwtx2019. J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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COUNT Y LINE
6 EXPERT ADVICE
Summer Safety Tips
Corinth Chief of Police and veteran law enforcement officer Jerry Garner offers his best crime prevention advice. BY JERRY GARNER
I
t’s the time of year when a lot of us think about getting away, but while you are at it, don’t help a criminal get away — with your stuff. There are simple but effective steps you can take to help keep yourself, your loved ones and your property safe and secure.
1
Be your neighbor’s keeper. The old Neighborhood Watch program is one of the most effective tools we have for crime prevention. It counts on neighbors looking out for each other and calling police when things don’t look right. If you see something suspicious and cannot quickly satisfy your curiosity that everything is all right, call your law enforcers. We don’t mind getting a few false alarms, as we are well aware that this is how our community helps us catch a lot of evil-doers.
2
Beware porch pirates. I am not a salesman for doorbell cameras, but I know that some recent, high-profile cases, including at least one child kidnapping, have been solved with the assistance of porch cameras. More and more of us are having our purchases delivered to our homes, and opportunistic criminals are taking advantage of that. You might consider adding video surveillance to your crime prevention efforts.
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3
Keep an eye on your youngsters. In the summer, parks and swimming pools look mighty attractive to children and parents. Enjoy the beautiful parks we are blessed with in this area, but keep track of your children. Bad guys sometimes see spacious public places as a target-rich environment for their depredations. Be alert to what is going around you and your family.
4
Watch out for scam artists. These knuckleheads are with us year round. That age-old advice is still applicable: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t bite. If scams didn’t work on at least some intended victims, they would not still be in use. Be suspicious anytime somebody you didn’t reach out to reaches out to you. The pitch, whether made over the telephone, email or in person, may be perfectly legitimate, but beware. Again, do not hesitate to contact law enforcement if you think someone is trying to scam you, or has succeeded in doing so.
5
Secure your home and vehicle. At vacation time, sometimes we get a little lax about safety and security. But a crook may be waiting to pay for his or her vacation with your stuff. Lock your car doors, even in
D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
Jerry Garner retired after 12 years as the chief of police in Greeley, Colorado, but it took less than a year for him to miss law enforcement. In February, he accepted a position as chief of police for the city of Corinth. During his nearly 50 years in policing, he has published 12 books and over 200 magazine articles on law enforcement topics. He holds a master’s degree in Administration of Justice and has instructed for the FBI National Academy and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
your driveway. Thieves simply go down the streets, checking doors until they find one unlocked. Unfortunately, that often doesn’t take very long. The problem is compounded if you leave valuables in your vehicle, which way too many folks do. The same advice applies to your garage and residence too. Open garage doors are an especially attractive target for nighttime thieves.
6
Don’t hesitate to call your uniformed guardians. Our job is to serve and protect you and yours. We take that responsibility very seriously. But we need your help to do our job well. Please don’t hesitate to call us when things just don’t look or feel right. Crime prevention really isn’t rocket science. Your common sense will take you a long way toward keeping yourself, your loved ones and your property safe. Your law enforcement officers will do our best to help you.
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COUNT Y LINE
BIG IDEAS
Three UNT students hope to change the way astronauts work. BY KRISTY ALPERT
W
hen Juan Ruiz heard about NASA’s spacesuit design challenge, he knew he had two calls to make. “It was mid-August of last year when I called Timothy Stern and David Woodward, asking them if they wanted to be part of the project,” Ruiz recalls. “[They] are some of my closest friends, and I knew how passionate they were about anything related to space, so it was a no brainer.” The Challenge The trio of Texas natives set to work developing a proposal. The NASA Spacesuit User Interface Technologies (SUITS) Design Challenge tasked participants with creating an interface that would help astronauts finish spacewalk tasks more efficiently by providing instructions on an augmented reality (AR) display in their helmet visors. Only a few select teams were invited to test their designs in front of engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Photos courtesy of Juan Ruiz
David Woodward, Juan Ruiz and Timothy Stern
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D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
The team referred to their design as “The Dome” and tested it by performing real-world tasks in the AR glasses.
In December, Ruiz, Stern and Woodward got the call. They were one of 16 teams chosen to help develop the next generation of spacesuit systems for NASA. They began building a platform that would overlay digital content such as telemetry notes and mission instructions over a real-world background to aid astronauts and significantly reduce communication delays during Extravehicular Activities (EVA) missions. Houston, We Don’t Have a Problem… When the trio arrived in Houston in April, they were given an additional challenge: “We had to incorporate QR codes into our design,” Ruiz explains. “We, however, had already designed a navigation system a few weeks before. We were on the fence of whether to use their QR code navigation system or our custom navigation system. We ended up going with our navigation system. Fortunately for us, it paid off. The EVA expert and the engineers running the program told us that our design was the smoothest, easiest and fastest system.” The EVA expert also told the talented team that he could see their design being used for lunar missions someday. Next Stop: Orbit “It was such an incredible and eye-opening experience,” says Ruiz. “To be designing a cutting-edge technology for the biggest space administration in the world — the same administration that put a man on the moon. We felt like were walking next to giants.” As the trio prepares to enter their senior year at the University of North Texas, they are already planning their next challenge together. “We want to leave with a bang,” Ruiz says. “We are hoping to design, build and launch a satellite into orbit as our senior design project!”
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J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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COUNT Y LINE TIME MACHINE
Photo courtesy of Denton Public Library via The Portal to Texas History
Engine of Change Gentry Thompson and his beloved pup ride in Denton’s first automobile in this photo taken sometime between 1900 and 1903. Thompson was a mechanic, cotton gin owner and automobile enthusiast who “fancied diamonds, cars and his pet bulldog.” He drove this early auto — believed to be either a Stanley steamer or single-cylinder gasoline engine vehicle — using a tiller-type steering mechanism. While operating the car, he was always decked out in proper driving attire and, according to an early Denton Record-Chronicle from 1953, Thompson was “shocked when a lady he took to Krum did not wear a duster.” Horse and carriage drivers pulled aside when they saw the loud contraption to let it pass.
J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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COMMUNIT Y SP OTLIG HT
Argyle residents enjoy great schools, wide-open spaces and small-town roots. BY MARY DUNKLIN
ARGYLE A
n acclaimed school district, large wooded lots and a closeknit community are just some of the reasons Argyle is enjoying a surge in popularity. But despite all the relatively new attention on this town of 4,175, officials hope its down-home Texas roots remain. “Argyle still feels small, even though it’s growing,” says Town Manager Kristi Gilbert, adding that the tree-lined roads and open spaces give the town a more established feeling. “You get the sense
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D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
that it’s a community that has been here for a while. It’s a place where people still know their neighbors.” Driving through Argyle, the town’s love of agricultural and equestrian activities are obvious. In fact, it has one of the largest concentrations of horse farms in the country. “Argyle still has a lot of working farms and ranches,” says David Hawkins, director of community development. “I see those staying in place even as the town grows.”
Photos courtesy of the Town of Argyle
Strong Schools and More Not so long ago, this equestrian’s paradise may have been considered an out-of-theway destination. Now its location — 10 miles south of Denton and 30 miles north of Fort Worth — is a popular area with new subdivisions and services popping up regularly. This growth is attracting residents who are eager to have larger lots or newer homes in close proximity to strong schools and multiple employers. For many families, moving to Argyle is all about the educational opportunities. The area is served by the Argyle Independent School District and includes Liberty Christian private school, which offers pre-K through 12th grade classes. “We see so many people coming here because the school district is fantastic,” says Gilbert.
Award-winning school sports teams and academics make many in the area Eagles fans as soon as they arrive. Page Austin, lifestyle director of the 1,200-acre, 3,200-family Harvest by Hillwood community, says “The Argyle Eagles spirit runs deep in Harvest.” About half of Harvest’s student population attends Argyle schools, and even though the subdivision is partly located in the town’s Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ), Austin describes the schools and community as a “close-knit family.” The fact that some still see the town as more rural doesn’t hinder most homeowners and, in fact, most who choose to live in the area see it as a plus, she says. “Most people love that it’s remote, and they love the small-town feel.”
While the 11.4 square miles that make up Argyle have plenty of space for equestrian activities and farming, residents also enjoy a strong school system (go, Eagles!), unique dining and great shopping such as Gypsy Caravan (left).
J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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Lines are not uncommon at Bumbershoot Barbecue.
Dining Destination It’s worth a visit to Argyle just to enjoy the unique eateries located at the foodie corner of FM 407 and Highway 377. The pedestrian-friendly area includes Bumbershoot Barbecue, Earl’s 377 Pizza, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Kimzey’s Coffee and Gnome Cones. “Our goal was to get in here and be the true neighborhood go-to,” says Jason Ramey, who oversees Argyle operations for Radical Hospitality Group. “We own the whole corner; we don’t know the meaning of the word no.” Guests are encouraged to linger in the outdoor picnic-table area, listen to live music on Fridays and Saturdays and paint the picket fence while they wait. They’re also able to order across any of the restaurants’ menus while dining outside, says Ramey. Shade tents, fan misters and a cooler of clean wet washcloths keep the area pleasant even when the temperatures heat up.
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This customer-service attitude encourages guests to slow down and enjoy the relaxed family-friendly setting — and unique food options. Bumbershoot Barbecue draws visitors from across the region. Ramey says people from Dallas, Granbury, Burleson, Austin and all points in between rave about the barbecue. Billed as a “barbecue outpost in the trees” because of its outdoor location in a 32-foot Avion trailer, the popular restaurant serves 3,000 pounds of loaded tater tots a month as well as candied ribs, turkey and more. For a cooler treat, try Gnome Cones, the world’s only gnome-shaped snowcones. Made without dyes or artificial flavors, these all-natural shaved-ice treats come in fun flavors such as Goblinberry (mixed berries) and Sweaty Yeti (vanilla and coconut). Just steps away in the old Argyle fire station is Earl’s 377 Pizza, which recently celebrated its third anniversary.
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While the first settlers started calling the area home in the 1850s, the town of Argyle was not formally founded until 1881, when the Texas and Pacific Railway Company built in the area and added a stop at Hickory Hill Road. (It had previously been known as Pilot Knob and Waintown.) To learn more about the fascinating history of this growing town, visit the Yvonne Jenkins Memorial History Room at Argyle Town Hall. There, you can browse historic photos, scrapbooks, ledgers and other treasures donated by Kay Teer, daughter of former Mayor Yvonne Jenkins. Jenkins, who served from 1980 to Yvonne Jenkins with 1984 and 1991 her mother, Georgia, to 2001, is and daughter, Kay credited with having a deep historical knowledge of the area and the foresight to plan for the growing town’s future. Her 1976 book, Argyle Community History, is available in the research room at the Courthouseon-the-Square Museum in Denton.
Photos courtesy of the Town of Argyle
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Lakes of Argyle, 5T Ranch and others. The Waterbrook mixed-use development is slated to have about 290 residential lots as well as commercial and retail space. Nearby developments, such as Harvest and Lantana, which are in Argyle’s ETJ, also signal how popular the area is, especially with families. More restaurants and retail are also planned for the area, including a fast-casual burger place and a Cajun restaurant, says Ramey. The expansion of Argyle’s food-court corner excites Gilbert because the owners always “put a quirky, different spin on things.” The influx of new residents is creating changing needs in the community, and officials are committed to serving the needs of both new and long-term residents. “What I hope to see is a lot more economic development and growth. Good sales tax base, smart growth on both sides of I-35,” Hawkins says. He also hopes all of this will happen “while maintaining a country feel.”
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Photo courtesy of the Town of Argyle
Out front, the fire department’s first water tanker pays tribute to the firefighters of the past. The menu offers creative pizza combinations, including a Spirit of a Hero pizza featuring Bumbershoot’s chopped brisket. The décor blends the owners’ love of Italy with unique salvage finds and homemade creations. “Everything tells a story inside,” says Ramey. “People always say, ‘The last time I was here, I didn’t notice that.’” Across the parking lot, Kimzey’s Coffee is housed in an Instagram-worthy cottage straight out of a fairytale. Inside, guests will find whimsical décor, plenty of seating and an attentive staff that encourages guests to linger and enjoy drinks, pastries and other small-bite items.
On Labor Day weekend 1969, over 120,000 hippies and cowboys came together to watch live pe performances by the biggest names in pop, rock, and blues
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music of the day. Just two weeks after Woodstock, an open field near Dallas International Motor Speedway staged iconic performances pe for three days under the Texas sun. Curious locals gawked as Lewisville became flooded with freaks from all over the country spreading peace and free love. Lake Lewisville served as the temporary home to fe festival-goers who recalled the event as a life-changing experience. Now, fifty years later, we take another look at this groundbreaking festival through rare photographs, archival video footage, oral histories, and artifacts that share a glimpse into that unforgettable weekend.
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BUSINESS PROFILE
Jackson Hagen Criminal Law
J
ackson & Hagen was founded in Denton in 1912 by Brent Jackson, former Denton County Judge. Brent’s son, Hal Jackson, took over the firm after serving in World War II, where he was a member of the famed Navy fighting squadron The Jolly Rogers. Jackson was elected State Representative and practiced law until his passing in 2008. Rick Hagen joined the firm in 1993 and partnered with Cary Piel in 2012. Both Hagen and Piel are board
Cary Piel and Rick Hagen
certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Hagen and Piel have over 50 years of combined criminal law experience. Hagen is a past President of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, a former briefing attorney on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, and a frequent lecturer on the law and trial techniques at legal seminars across Texas. Piel was a prosecutor for 12 years. At the end of his
career as a prosecutor, Piel specialized in cold case murders. His victories as a prosecutor have been featured on Dateline, Snapped, and the Oxygen channel. Both lawyers are active in the community. Piel is on the Board of Directors for Refuge for Women, a nonprofit providing shelter to victims of sex trafficking, and serves on the Denton County Veterans Treatment Court program, as well as serving as a precinct Chairman for the Denton County Republican Party. Hagen is active in the Republican Party, is Chairman of the area State Bar grievance committee, and serves on the State Bar disciplinary rules committee. The firm pays special attention to clients with substance abuse issues. “Our clients are required to seek treatment if they have a substance abuse issue. We require attendance at 12-step programs and oftentimes a rehab program,” states Rick Hagen. “Sometimes you don’t have a defense and the issue is whether you go to prison or receive probation. If a client isn’t willing to follow our instructions and put in the work necessary for recovery, we won’t represent them.” This is one of the reasons prosecutors, Judges, and law enforcement officers respect Jackson & Hagen. The results of their last six homicide cases speak for themselves: two not guilty verdicts, one hung jury, one case no-billed by the grand jury, and two cases where the client received probation. Recent courtroom victories also include acquittals for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault, driving while intoxicated, and interference with the duties of a public servant.
Aggressive and skilled criminal defense lawyers. to and training other lawyers,” Piel says. “We are invited to speak regularly and consider this a duty to our profession.” Hagen adds, “We never stop evaluating our cases. We spend countless hours game planning and analyzing the facts. When it’s time for trial, no one is more prepared than we are.”
Winning doesn’t just mean acquittals. Because of their success in the courtroom, prosecutors are willing to make offers that sometimes cannot be refused. “As a direct result of the success we have had in major cases, we get settlement offers for substantially reduced sentences,” notes Cary Piel. “We frequently get misdemeanor offers on cases that started out as a major felony.” “Rick and I are both students of the law. We spend enormous amounts of time understanding the law and the theories behind it. We enjoy both speaking
The Texas Building | 100 W. Oak St., Ste 302, Denton, TX 76201 • 940-566-1001 | www.jacksonhagenlaw.com
DINING
TRADITION WITH A TWIST
The Bartonville Store & Jeter’s Meat Shop modernizes a 137-year-old community staple with high-end meats, hand-crafted cocktails and live music. BY ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT
od put him in my life so he and I can have fun,” says Chef Michael Scott about his business partner, Tim House. Their version of fun will soon breathe new life into the old Bartonville Store with a concept the two entrepreneurs call the Bartonville Store & Jeter’s Meat Shop.
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Opposite page and top right photos by Helen Chouinard/Helen’s Photography; Standout Dishes photos by Chef Walter Bandt
An Anchor of Bartonville The original Bartonville Store — a general store founded in 1882 — has been the town’s anchor ever since Bartonville (then called Barton’s Mills) was founded. The shop survived several fires before burning down around 1944. The store was soon rebuilt at Jeter Street and McMakin Road, close to the original location, and served customers through 2013 when it was sold to the town. Tim, a semi-retired real estate professional, lives in Double Oak, just a mile from the store. He has fond memories of dropping by to grab a bite, chew the fat with then-owner James Price and hear the local hubbub. He’s always had a soft spot for the place, so when it went up for public auction, he knew he had to save it from big developers who would likely bulldoze it. Tim joined a long line of owners intent on carrying on the vision of the store’s founder: making the location a central site for local commerce. Michael also lives nearby, just down the street. Before buying the building, he regularly drove past to go to the grocery store, and he says it reminded him of a little store in Carmel, California, a few hours from where he grew up. “I had a little romance for this place,” he says. A Fortuitous Meeting The two future partners were introduced at a party two Christmases ago. Tim was considering opening a barbecue joint. “Good luck with that!” Michael said in jest, noting that Dickey’s Barbecue Pit was close by. “What about my meat shop concept?” he suggested. They discussed a high-end, Europeanstyle market like The Meat Shop on Lover’s Lane in Dallas, which is a retail outlet for Rosewood Ranches’ wagyu beef, and decided that it made perfect sense. There was nothing like it near Bartonville. “Let’s go for it!” Tim said.
“I BELIEVE THIS IS MY TIME TO SHINE AND ALSO TO PUT
BARTONVILLE ON THE MAP.”
— CHEF WALTER BANDT
Standout Dishes
The Tender Belly
Tuna Poke Salad
Start your meal off with smoked pork belly braised with an Asian-style sauce.
For lighter fare, try the Tuna Poke Salad: blue fin tuna in an orange-ginger soy sauce on a bed of tricolored quinoa salad with avocado.
Stir-Fry Steak Chef Walter’s South American flare is reflected in this wagyu beef dish sautéed with ginger, garlic, tomatoes and onions on top of French fries, with a Peruvian-style sauce.
Durock-Stuffed Pork Chop Hungry diners can indulge in this pork chop stuffed with pork sausage and herbs that’s served with country-style mashed potatoes and grilled veggies.
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COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO MAKE THEM PROUD.” — CHEF MICHAEL SCOTT
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Photo by Helen Chouinard/Helen’s Photography
“I LIVE IN THIS
The concept grew. Michael is an award-winning executive chef with four decades of culinary experience. He is also the corporate chef and sales manager for Rosewood Ranches, owned by the Caroline Hunt Trust Estate, on which grass-fed, grain-finished wagyu cattle are raised. “Tim’s passion is music, and we wanted a bar,” Michael recalls. “First it was just beer and wine, and then this thing evolved into a full bar. I put in a full kitchen. Now we are a restaurant, a meat shop, a bar and music venue” with a stage for live bands. Tim has been heavily involved in the renovation and built much of the interior himself. He kept many elements from the old store — the original door, a bar made from repurposed shelving and an old Fina sign now in the deli area, for example. Reminiscent of the store’s days as a place to fill ’er up, the front door handle is made from the nozzle and grip of an old gasoline pump.
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Walter Bandt, who was handpicked by Michael to run the daily kitchen operations. “I’m doing a lot of my fusion-style cuisine here. I want to bring some different flavors to the table,” says Walter. “There will be some traditional items as well, but elevated to a different level.” Some of their Asian- and South American-inspired cuisine can be found on the daily specials. Both chefs have spent extensive time developing their skills in other countries. Michael trained with Master Chef Shoji Yano in Tokyo, Japan. He is part of the Epicurian World Master Chefs, vice president of the World Master Chefs Society and a member of a team that won three medals at the Culinary Olympics in Germany. Walter earned a culinary degree in Santiago, Chile, and formed a company there that catered to stars such as Paul McCartney, Madonna and Shakira. The Dallas-born chef was invited to cook
Going green is also part of their model, which includes presenting food on disposable bamboo plates to save on water consumption. They installed a $500,000 septic system to align their business with the town governance’s mandate to “keep Bartonville rural.” While the system poses unique challenges, Michael has it covered. “I’ve calculated every drop of water,” he says. Culinary Prowess Lunch is fashioned after a walk-up European deli, with menu items listed on chalkboards behind the counter. Diners can also pick up partially prepared take-home meals and side dishes. Michael explains, “You can come in, order a rib-eye, get your truffle mac ‘n’ cheese, your twice-baked potato, French beans with wagyu with almond butter, then go home, grill your steak and heat up your sides.” The eclectic menu reflects the diversity and versatility of Chef Michael and Chef
on the Queen Elizabeth, the third ship in Cunard Cruise Line’s fleet. He lived in Columbia, South America, before he returning to Texas, where he connected with Michael, who lured him from Houston to Bartonville. This Is Real “My family and I fell in love with Bartonville,” Walter says. They were thrilled to escape Houston’s traffic and experience a more “countryside-style of life.” He is excited about the possibilities that the new venture offers. “I believe this is my time to shine and also to put Bartonville on the map.” “I live in this community,” Michael says. “I want to make them proud. I think we can provide an experience that people are hungry for. This is real.” The Bartonville Store & Jeter’s Meat Shop 96 McMakin Road, Bartonville, 254-736-3287
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The One for You. Which four-year university in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the one for you? Maybe it’s the one tied for 6th in the nation for diversity. Maybe it’s in one of the top college towns in the country. Maybe the one for you is Texas Woman’s University. TWU prides itself on providing students with a quality education in a diverse campus environment.
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SHOPPING
If you want something that says “Denton,” you can find it at The DIME Store, including T-shirts, prints, postcards, pillows and retro key fobs.
BY ELLEN RITSCHER SACKETT
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Y
ou never know what might strike your fancy at The DIME Store in Denton. It might be a laser-cut air-plant holder or a bold framed woodcut that speaks to your heart. Perhaps you’ll discover a delicate bouquet of felt flowers, your new favorite line of skincare or a ceramic mug that feels just right in your hand. One thing’s for sure: If you’re looking for something that’s unique, handcrafted and locally made, you’ll find it here. The Makers DIME is an acronym for Denton Independent Maker Exchange. Before opening the now popular shop six years ago, owner Shelley Christner felt a calling to build a supportive community for Denton creative entrepreneurs.
Photos by Diana Barns
Denton’s unique marketplace of handmade products allows makers to focus on what they do best: creating.
Called “makers,” these artists and artisans not only hone their craft but also create companies, and frequently, livelihoods from their work. Shelley creates a line called Home Again Home Again that includes tea towels, aprons, pillows, coasters and other goods designed to make the home feel cozy. She also carefully curates about 60 makers who sell at the DIME Store, many of whom have strong ties to Little D or North Texas. Just a few of the many Denton County makers who sell at the shop include Anna Tovar, who crafts beautiful handmade art with a botanical theme; Diana Barns, who returned from a six-month pottery apprenticeship in England ready to create a refined line of hand-crafted ceramics; Shawna Smyth, whose whimsical enamel pins and greeting cards uplift buyers in stores as far away as Oregon and Washington; Katelyn Hanf, who makes unique geometrical jewelry under the name Tetrakate; and Caitlin Crawford, whose Austin Street Skincare line nourishes with high-quality natural ingredients. The DIME Store is more than just a marketplace to the makers who call it home. Crawford described the community to Store Manager Marissa Castilleja as “a constant source of creativity, inspiration and encouragement.” Creating Community It all started 10 years ago, following the Denton Community Market’s inaugural year. “At the end of that season, we all realized, as makers, we were like islands. We didn’t even know each other existed within the same city,” says Shelley, who designed up-cycled furniture at the time. “We wanted to form a community where we could support one another. We had no intention; it was just ‘let’s get together and hang out and talk.’” And talk they did. That led to the genesis of Etsy Denton and a one-day public barn sale in 2009. That first event was a rave success. They could barely accommodate the turnout. Etsy Denton’s next sale, six months later, was also a huge success. The events continued twice a year and grew support from both shoppers and makers, who came from across the region to participate.
Lauren Meyer learned to make felt flowers through DIY videos on YouTube and by trial and error. In addition to working full-time, getting a doctorate and building her business, Zella + Kay, she teaches others how to make felt flowers through workshops.
During that time, Denton city councilman Kevin Roden hosted a mixer to encourage Dentonites to leverage the emerging creative economy so that it did not dry up. During that mixer, Shelly had an a-ha! moment. “I got chills,” she remembers. She talked with her friend Rachel Aughtry, creator of RACHELelise handbags. “We both had the same feeling — that this was the time to open a brick and mortar. I felt super confident in that,” says Shelley. They also knew that they should be the ones to do it. They found a space, just south of the Square, and their vision became a reality in April 2013. Their new endeavor was filled with locally made J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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The DIME Store owner and co-founder Shelley Christner applies block prints, appliqué and quilt designs to natural fibers to create her Home Again Home Again goods.
Savannah Kurka is the maker behind Savvie Studio, whose laser-cut products, such as this plant hanger, have been featured in numerous magazines, including Southern Living, Martha Stewart Living and My Modern Met.
Staff from The DIME Store are (left to right) Shawna Smyth, Allie Biddle, Shelley Christner and Marissa Castilleja.
creations, sold on consignment and purchased wholesale from the makers. Shelley and Rachel ran the store and eventually created a co-op, bringing other makers on board to take shifts so they could create and spend time with family. The Next Chapter Eventually, Rachel moved out of state, and Shelley became the sole owner. A few makers were hired as part-time staff as DIME transitioned into its next chapter. “DIME Mama,” as Shelley is frequently called, evolved into both mother figure and friend to the makers. “People who come in here want local. They want to support handmade. I say I do this because I have 60 children I’m trying to feed,” says Shelley. “I think Shelley’s heart is to have the makers be makers,” Marissa explains. “She wants their loyalty to lie with their own business before the DIME Store. Shelley spent years cultivating that in the
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Denton community. It’s something we take really seriously here.” Marissa, who is the only non-maker employed at the store, enjoys her role as manager. “I can take [administrative tasks] off of the makers’ plates, to set them up well to do what they do in the ways that I can’t.” The hotbed of creativity moved to its second home last November. The new space, a block northeast of the Square, is airy and inviting with high tin ceilings, hardwood floors and artful product displays. It continues to focus on its mission to support makers and also hosts workshops, held at nearby Denton County Brewing Company, for aspiring makers. Shelley and the DIME Store team also organize the Handmade Harvest, held every fall at the Denton Convention Center. “We don’t have a five-year, long-range plan. It’s been so organic thus far,” Shelley says. “It gets better every day.” The DIME Store 118 E. McKinney St., Denton, dimehandmade.com, 940-381-2324
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Nothing defines a place like its people, and Denton County can boast some of the most innovative people in the nation. In this issue, you’ll get to know 11 entrepreneurs, philanthropists, artists, community leaders, educators and dreamers who are making their mark on North Texas as well as seven influencers through history who played pivotal roles in shaping our county into what it is today.
BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT, MARY DUNKLIN, PAULA FELPS, NICOLE FOSTER, KYLIE ORA LOBELL, ANNETTE NEVINS, MARSHALL REID, LESLIE THOMPSON AND KIMBERLY TURNER
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FEYTEN Chancellor and president of Texas Woman’s University
S
ince Carine M. Feyten’s became chancelor and president of Texas Woman’s University (TWU) in 2014, she has administered more than $200 million in construction projects, almost doubled annual giving, championed a 57 percent increase in the endowment and started new degree programs to meet the needs of transfer students and regional industries. But her accomplishments don’t stop there.
Chancellor Feyten has taken the largest university for women in the nation to new heights under her leadership.
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AUTHENTIC AND DIVERSE VOICES Feyten has also been praised for her connection with the student body. She initiated student meetings to talk with students face-to-face or online. Occasionally, she has rolling meetings in bicycles, hosts Tea With the Chancellor events or holds Tweet-ups to chat with Twitter followers so that she can hear the unfiltered voices of the university’s students. “It was during one of these meetings that a student said, ‘Texas Woman’s has the feel of a private school at the cost of a public school.’ I have learned that we cannot assume that we know what our students think and feel and need,” says Feyten. “Sure, there are researched trends on behaviors of Gen Z, Millennials, adult learners and other populations, but sometimes, our students don’t fit the trends, so I just want to hear from them myself. I really do put students first, and truly, the only authentic way to do that is to listen to them.” While TWU is 90 percent women, the student
Photo courtesy of TWU
CARINE M.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS Under Feyden’s leadership, The Economist ranked TWU 45th out of 1,275 institutions in the country and second in Texas when it comes to adding value to graduates’ earning potential. Feyten says the school achieved this by focusing on degrees in fields where credentialed students are in high demand to meet the needs of the workforce. TWU, says Feyten, subscribes to “the notion that ‘learning by doing’ is, in itself, a great teacher, and [we] strive to help our students gain additional skills through internships, clinical opportunities and community projects. This makes our students more valuable. If I have done anything, it is to ‘remind’ the greater DFW community how special a Texas Woman’s graduate is.” Another way this remarkable leader has prepared her students for success is by creating a campaign to establish the state’s only Institute for Women’s Leadership, which prepares women to succeed in public service and business roles. “[The institute] aligns with our mission and is something for which Texas Woman’s is eminently positioned to lead,” she says. “You’ve probably heard the ideas from Reshma Saujani and others about how boys are socialized to bravery while women are socialized to perfection. “At Texas Woman’s, our environment is well suited to socializing women to bravery and to take risks. But understanding how to appropriately take risk is not a skill that is inherent but, in reality, needs practice. Being a competent risk-taker is an important key to successful leadership, and Texas Woman’s is a place where risk-taking can be practiced.”
body is highly diverse: U.S. News and World Report listed it among the most diverse schools in the nation. Feyten, who is fluent in five languages, is well positioned to serve a dynamic student body. She attended an all-girls boarding school in Belgium, spent time abroad in Mexico and earned her PhD in Interdisciplinary Education with an emphasis on Second Language Acquisition at the University of South Florida, Tampa, before working in that school’s foreign language education program.
Photo by Brittanie Marion, Eagleton Photography
THE VISON-KEEPER Her previous experiences prepared Feyten for her current position, but today, she brings many others into the fold to help make TWU the best it can be. “I’ve honed my ability at putting together pieces of a puzzle,” she says. “It’s like progressing from a 50-piece to a 1,000-piece puzzle, and now it is as though I have the vision for a much more complex puzzle with more pieces. The technique, though, is the same. The biggest difference is that now the number of collaborators is greater.” Bringing together a multitude of voices, listening to every person’s perspective and recognizing the power that diversity offers in solving previously obstinate problems sets TWU apart. “This is the competitive edge that Texas Woman’s can cultivate for Denton County and is our model for the state and even the nation,” says Feyten. “Helping individuals in our communities to adapt to the ever-evolving environment requires education, the ability to think critically and to problem solve. A community inspired to pursue life-long learning is a healthy community and will prosper.” Feyten recognizes that her mission is bigger than herself and that she has the opportunity to inspire others to join her. “I think the key is be relentlessly focused on the vision and the ‘why.’ Let each individual figure out the ‘how’ and ‘what,’ but as CEO, you are the vision-keeper and must always keep the ‘why’ we do what we do as our true north.”
These stories, Feyten says, underscore the real value of the university, and she hopes that TWU “can continue to be seen as a source of highly qualified individuals with great potential so that the value of the institution will speak for itself.” “That would make Denton County well known around the nation a s that place where Texas Woman’s flagship campus is located. Again, the name recognition is purely an aside. It’s t he outc ome of ou r mission [and] the economic impact that our distinctive population offers the state. That’s what will define us. It’s already happening, but we have miles to go before we sleep.” — KYLIE ORA LOBELL
MILES TO GO Her vision has had a huge impact on TWU in just a few short years, but she is far from finished making her mark. “We’re already the largest university in the nation primarily for women, but many people don’t really understand why that matters,” she says. “That is an important part of our brand, and who doesn’t want to brag about being the biggest and best? Our county is certainly happy to brag about us. But it is the many stories of our pioneers and leaders, our faculty and alumni, that I want to tell.” J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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President of the University of North Texas
NEAL J.
SMATRESK
President Smatresk has increased enrollment and National Merit Scholars, started work on a Frisco campus and developed partnerships with major employers.
DENTON AND BEYOND Smatresk has been busy during his five-year tenure. In that time, UNT expanded public-private partnership programs, brought in 76 National Merit Scholars (up from a class of four) and increased enrollment to more than 38,000. The school has also been designated a Tier One research facility by the Carnegie Classification and had 72 of its 227 academic programs ranked in the top 100 nationally.
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He also began establishing another location in fast-growing Frisco. That campus, which will open in 2023, will offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees to at least 5,000 students. “Frisco is one of the booming areas of the country,” says Smatresk. “Toyota and PGA are relocating there, and the Dallas Cowboys are there. We are planting ourselves in the middle of that environment, which will lead to great opportunities for students. We’re building a student population in an area that is underserved with universities.” Frisco’s cultural similarity to Denton also factored into the decision. “They have a thriving innovation culture, and they celebrate the arts and entertainment, which are things we are really good at,” says Smatresk. SMART PARTNERSHIPS Smatresk is also developing partnerships. UNT is working with Toyota on a lean manufacturing project and producing online courses for PGA. “We are custom building curriculum to help employees in specific companies gain the skills they need to move up the corporate ladder,” he says. “If a company says to us, ‘We need a mix of data science, hospitality and business,’ we deliver that through a mix of online and face-to-face learning opportunities and provide them with a qualified workforce.” The school also has a strong partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, and students in UNT’s sports management program have the chance to work with the team. Such partnerships bring more recognition to UNT and create stronger relationships between the companies and the university, helping students with internships and job placements.
Photo courtesy of UNT
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eal J. Smatresk — who studied at the University of Texas at Austin and worked for 22 years at the University of Texas, Arlington — has always been a big fan of his state. Though he left to accept positions at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), he was pleased to return to in 2014 to become the 16th president of the University of North Texas. “When I had a chance to move back to a great university and a place that felt like home, it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” he says. “Once Texas gets its hooks in you, it’s hard to give it up. I love the great people, the can-do attitude and the robust economy. And I especially love the fact that I have three grandchildren that live 10 minutes away.” The university itself was, of course, also a huge draw. “UNT is the most creative place I have ever been. The population is great, and the campus is welcoming and very inclusive. People really have a deep-seated belief in how we can transform students’ lives. That’s why we love getting up every morning and coming to work. That characteristic of this campus is powerful. It makes you feel as if we are here trying to make a difference. We are here to listen to the world around us so our students can get the best education possible.”
UNT is also collaborating with online learning platform Cousera to offer one of the site’s first online bachelor’s degrees. Smatresk hopes to have the program up and running in a year or two.
in the Mean Green family I have never seen in any other place. There is that feeling of warmth and inclusion and sense of purpose to build a better campus and provide better opportunities.” — KYLIE ORA LOBELL
Photo by Brittanie Marion, Eagleton Photography
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE “We don’t just change our students’ lives,” he says. “We want to transform North Texas and the entire state of Texas through what we do.” He hopes Denton County will stoke development by attracting high-tech companies. Tech growth will ensure that the university can continue offering programs in subjects such as data analytics, digital merchandising, cyber-security and material science and finding local opportunities for its students. “We have very forward-looking programs, and we’re not afraid to be different and break the mold,” he says. “We are not afraid to embrace the manufacturing environment around us and ideas like autonomous vehicles and the supply chain. Employers are saying, ‘We want more of what you’re bringing.’ I’m excited to add value to the region around us.” THE MEAN GREEN FAMILY This is just the latest phase in a long history of success for Smatresk. While at UNLV, for example, he led a $537 million fundraising campaign to create the school’s largest active scholarship program and secured approval for a medical school. At Manoa, he helped the university become one of the top 25 federally funded institutions in the nation. His important research on respiratory neurobiology of vertebrates led to the creation of more than 50 book chapters and papers. His undergraduate alma mater, Gettysburg College, named him the 2011 Distinguished Alumni of the Year. Still, the president is humble. Rather than an “influencer,” he’d rather be known as a “synergistic partner” for the work he’s done. “Here at UNT, we want to engage with the world around us and be better for our community,” he says. “We want to enhance social services and the environment and [look at] how we can supply the future workforce, given the incredible growth rates.” Smatresk knows UNT has a bright future — due in no small part to the spirit of the school itself. “UNT is the most caring campus I have ever been to,” he says. “There is a great sense of community J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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CATHERINE COLEMANBELL Civil rights advocate, school namesake, community leader
Catherine Coleman Bell worked with a women’s fellowship to help lead the way for desegregation in Denton County. On the far right, she is shown with her husband, Harry Dean Bell, and son, Larry.
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THE DENTON WOMEN’S INTERRACIAL FELLOWSHIP When Bell moved to Denton in 1959 with her husband, Harry Dean Bell, housing was difficult to find for black people. She and Harry lived in a duplex with a shared bathroom on a road that the city refused to pave. There were no parks where they could go. “It was so uncomfortable,” she recalls. A group of black and white mothers who wanted something more for their children began to organize. In 1964, just a year after Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the first gathering of the Denton Women’s Interracial Fellowship (later called the “Denton Women’s Christian Interracial Fellowship”) happened in Jean Kooker’s Denton living room.
Photos courtesy of Denton ISD
“H
i, Mrs. Bell! I remember you!” “You taught me how to read.” “I remember! You used to help me with my math.” Catherine Coleman Bell, 82, is frequently met with these sort of enthusiastic greetings from those she’s helped over the years. For 28 years, she worked with kids with special needs at Denton ISD, where she helped shape a generation of students of all races, abilities and backgrounds. She feels especially fortunate to have done so because she vividly remembers a time when that would not have been possible. A time before integration. A time when she could only dream of giving her son a better life without limitations.
The women’s brand of activism was different. Rather than marches and sit-ins, they opted for interracial social get-togethers — though at the time, even that was seen as a bold step forward. “We would go to different places that did not serve black people,” Bell recalls. “There would be a black and white door to go in.” The women of the fellowship stuck together and “they served us, but I never shall forget, some places did not want to. Everything was so different.” COMING TOGETHER FOR CHANGE “There were white women and black women working together for change,” she says. And it was effective. So “when it came to the schools, we did the same thing. Our work became so noticeable that other people started joining in. “We did lots of good things to help Denton not have problems at schools. It was women like Ann Barnett, Pat Cheek, Dorothy Adkins, Euline Brock, Betty Kimble, Mae Nell Shephard, Carol Riddlesperger, and all of us were just working together. When we integrated, we made sure that the black children were going to be treated equal and that our children and the white children would have friends in school.” As they changed the community, the group built strong friendships. “We would go to each other’s houses and churches. The white women would come to the black churches. Then the black women would go to the white churches. We worked together to have equality in Denton,” Bell says. “I’m not saying there were no problems. There were problems, but we were determined to make it work. We worked together to make sure that whoever came into Denton, they would not be turned away and they would have a place to go to be comfortable. We wanted our children to have a better education and be treated right and equal. That’s the reason why I still volunteer with the school. Because I want to make each child feel welcome at school and everywhere else.” SERVICE AND RECOGNITION Bell’s work for the community continues to this day. She and her husband, Harry, who passed away in 2014, started the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Remembrance March with the help of George Edwards. She also served as the president of the Denton NAACP in 2005 and is a lifetime member. She has been recognized for her contributions to with Keep Denton Beautiful as well as the Denton Parks and Recreation Board, but the biggest recognition she has received for her tireless work came in 2015 when she got a call telling her that a local elementary school would be named in her honor.
“I was so surprised!” she says. “I thought, ‘Why me? There are other people who deserve it,’ but I devoted my life to help children.” This inspirational woman — who lost her only son, Larry, to a tragic aneurysm in 1985 when he was just 27 — continues to be uplifted by her volunteer work with children, both at the school and in the Foster Grandparents program. She and her husband also raised her niece Shentá as their own from a young age.
When we integrated, we made sure that the black children were going to be treated equal and that our children and the white children would have friends in school. WORDS OF WISDOM During a lifetime as a dedicated advocate for equality, mentor for children, community volunteer and civic leader, Bell has earned some wisdom to share with the younger generation. “Be willing to donate your time and volunteer,” she says. “Parents, make sure you go and support your children at school. You have to set good examples for the young people. Parents have to let kids know that you don’t get paid for everything — well, you do get paid; the Lord pays you — but you should volunteer in your community. Be concerned and take care of your neighborhood.” “I tell the kids when they are 18: Make sure you go register to vote. It’s very important to be concerned about your community. No matter who’s running, read up on them and make sure you vote. My dad used to say, ‘Make sure you vote, even for the dog catcher.’” She also lets every young person know that they have the ability to make good life decisions. “We’re all gonna make mistakes, but you can pick it up and keep going. Just because you fall one time, you’re not gonna stay down in the mud. Pick up and keep going and make something out of your life. Set examples for the people coming behind you.It doesn’t matter if you wash dishes, just make sure you wash dishes good. If you’re a waiter, makes sure you are the best. Be the best that is given to you.” Her biggest hope for the future of Denton County is simple, yet difficult: “I hope that we can come together and stay together.” — KIMBERLY TURNER
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Founder of OUTreach Denton and PRIDENTON, associate director of TWU’s Counseling and Psychological Services program
CRUZ
CARMEN
Dr. Carmen Cruz has dedicated her life to standing up for marginalized and oppressed populations.
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Photo courtesy of Wesley Kirk
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y heart has always been into raising the voices of people that have less of a voice in our culture,” says Dr. Carmen Cruz, founder of OUTreach Denton, the largest LGBTQ+ organization in the city, and PRIDENTON, the city’s annual Pride event. Cruz initially moved to Denton from her hometown of Miami for what she thought was a one-year doctoral internship at Texas Woman’s University. Now, 22 years later, she has become a vital part of the community she calls home. “What made me stay was mostly TWU and the potential for growing the [counseling] program here,” says Cruz, who is now associate director and director of training at the schools’ Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) program. She is also on the clinical faculty of the psychology and philosophy department and has a private psychology practice. “I saw that I could grow the diversity initiatives within the campus because there were very few.” As a Cuban-American and out lesbian, Cruz understands diversity challenges well. She realized that she had the experience to move the marker of acceptance a little farther in the right direction while satisfying her natural tendency to stand up for those who are marginalized or oppressed. “It wasn’t something I was taught, so I’ve thought about it a lot,” she says. “I’m not sure where it came from, but I always felt like I had to speak up for others.”
O’Neil Ford photo courtesy of Denton Public Library via The Portal to Texas History
SERVING THE UNDERSERVED Cruz began by creating an ally program to train the teaching faculty and staff how to be sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ+ students. “At that time, there really was not much in terms of resources for that community, so from there, it became people asking me, ‘Can you come present on this topic?’ And, through that process, I started meeting people.” The people she met joined her in creating resources for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2000, Cruz started the TWU Pride group. Eleven years later, she met Reverend Pam Watt — then pastor at Denton Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, and the two began talking about the how they could make a difference. “We held a town hall meeting at the church, and something like 90 people showed up, so we knew there was an interest,” Cruz recalls. “From there, we started an organization called OUTreach Denton, which is now the largest LGBTQ+ organization in the city. Through that, we also started the first queer youth group.” That work led her to start PRIDENTON, which held its first major event in 2017. “We had done a few smaller things, like a Valentine’s Day event, but I thought, ‘Let’s just have a Pride event and see what happens,’” she says. “We called it Big Pride in the Little D, and we had a whole week of Pride events. We didn’t know what to expect but, honestly, the only bad part about it was that we had too many people and only one space.” SUPPORT IN TUMULTUOUS TIMES Cruz says the change in political climate since the 2016 election has helped galvanize minority communities. “You know, for any minority, the last three years have been difficult,” she says. “People are looking for a safe space, and I think that was why we had so many people come out even in that first year. It was right after the election and people really needed that.” While Cruz continues working to improve the lives of all minority groups, her primary focus is the LGBTQ+ community. “You have to pick your topic because you want to try to save everyone,” she explains. “But if I was trying to do stuff for racial and ethnic minorities and people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people and turtles and ducks and dogs — you can’t do it all, so you have to find your passion. Then you find your group, and if there’s no group, you create one.” The changes she has helped create have permanently changed Denton County’s LGBTQ+ community and provide invaluable support for those who were previously underserved. But there’s much more work to be done.
“My vision behind PRIDENTON is to raise enough money to leave some sort of cultural legacy center where people from marginalized groups can get together. That is my big dream for Denton,” Cruz says. “But I also want to see a Denton where same-sex couples can walk hand-in-hand around the Square and not feel anxious. I mean, I want that for the entire world: a place where people can just be themselves.” — PAULA FELPS
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
O’Neil Ford
RENOWNED ARCHITECT
So significant are O’Neil Ford’s contributions to architecture — in Texas and beyond — that he became the only human being to ever be named a National Historic Landmark. The influential architect moved to Denton in 1917 to attend North Texas State Teachers College (now UNT). While living in Denton, he designed the First Presbyterian Church on South Elm under the guidance of Dallas architect David Williams. His next project, in 1929, was the home at 1819 North Bell Avenue. As his European-modernism-meets-Texas-traditionalism style became increasingly popular, he expanded outside the confines of Denton County and was appointed to the National Council on the Arts by President Lyndon B. Johnson. But his influence on the identity of our region can’t be overstated, and he continued working on local projects through 1969. Just a few of his contributions to our county’s landscape include the Little Chapel in the Woods at Texas Woman’s University, the Denton Civic Center, the Denton Municipal Building, several buildings at the Selwyn School and an addition to the Emily Fowler Public Library. — KIMBERLY TURNER
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Martino’s projects have helped shape Denton County’s landscape.
Managing partner of Orison Holdings
BRANDON
T
ake a drive around Denton county, particularly downtown Denton, and you’ll probably notice the handiwork of Brandon Martino’s companies. The Aubrey native is a managing partner of Orison Holdings. Comprised of several real estate, construction and development companies, the group has played an important role in growing and developing many parts of Denton County, with the overarching goal of improving the community. DENTON PROUD Martino’s family business was Denton-based Russell Newman, one of the most successful sleepwear manufacturing plants in the country during its time.
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He says watching his grandfather, father and uncles work hard to make the company a success inspired him to pursue business as a career, so he attained a degree in business management and started the Martino Group property management company in 2007. Skilled in real estate investment and management, Martino began working with commercial construction expert Lee Ramsey to form a team that capitalized on both their strengths. In 2012, Martino and Ramsey formed Orison Holdings, bringing their portfolio of companies and real estate partnerships under one umbrella. Starting with just two companies, they have grown the group to encompass eight businesses.
Photo courtesy of Orison Holdings
MARTINO
“Whether it’s winning local and state recognition or expanding our business outside of the state, it takes each part of our team working to reach goals — not for the awards, but to make our communities better and to make our companies a place where people want to work,” Martino says. When asked why he decided to focus his businesses in Denton, Martino praised the area’s potential to flourish. “I’ve always been fond of Denton,” he says. “Even growing up here, when it looked nothing like it does now, I could see the potential in its people and its economy. I knew once the tides shifted, and we became a more development-friendly community — which all thriving communities are, by the way — it would be an even more welcoming and accommodating city.” OUR CHANGING LANDSCAPE One of the crowning achievements for Martino and Orison Holdings is its contribution to the development of downtown Denton. Martino and Lee’s teams have made an indelible impression on Denton’s landscape of businesses and homes with projects such as the East End Lofts, a high-end apartment development in a unique location. “When we built East End Lofts, there across from the police station on Hickory, some people told us we were crazy, that a large multi-family apartment across the train tracks wouldn’t work,” Martino says. “Not only were we right, it only took six months to have it at 100 percent capacity.” Martino’s team is working on exciting projects, like the First State Bank Exchange Campus of North Central Texas College, which is being built where the Denton Record-Chronicle was once located. Although the college portion isn’t owned by Orison, Links Construction is doing the remodel, and Martino’s group retained the west side of the complex, which is also being renovated and will be leased to eateries and other tenants. Their efforts are focused on the city and their companies. “Lee and I don’t think about it as making an impact — that’s just the outcome of hard work, strategic planning and investing, not just in Denton but in the people that we employ,” Martino says. “We develop places in Denton and beyond where people live, work, play and pray. Making an impact is just the result of successful development.” BUILDING A LEGACY Martino has more in mind for his hometown — not just growth for the sake of it, but smart growth that will enrich the lives of the area’s residents. “We may think that we’ve grown all we can grow, but we aren’t done yet, and there’s really nothing any
of us can do to stop it,” Martino says. “If we don’t find a way to make this growth as easy as we can on the public, the developers and the city employees who handle the processes — we aren’t only going to experience growth spurts but an increase in growing pains to go along with it. My hope is we come out the other end of all of this with a stronger community and economy.” In the end, Martino follows his own advice when it comes to making a difference in the community: “Just stay true to who you are and why you desire to make that difference. If you are just in it for yourself, the recognition or the titles and accolades, don’t bother. [If that’s your goal] you might make a difference, but it may not be a positive one, and it certainly won’t last. Think of yourself as just a part of the whole, and you’ll be fine.” — ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Yvonne Jenkins HISTORY DOCUMENTARIAN
If you’ve come across meticulously preserved documents while researching Denton County’s history, you have the late Yvonne Jenkins to thank. Tireless in her appreciation for the region, Jenkins served as a longtime member, and eventually chairman, of the Denton County Historical Commission (DCHC). She also filled the role of director of the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum and even became mayor of Argyle (twice!) from 1980-1984 and 1991-2001. Jenkins attended a course called Research and Writing the History of Denton County in 1975 with the goal of ensuring that the history of Argyle, her hometown, was included in literature written by the class. In addition to helping author the book, Jenkins learned to read funeral records and decipher signatures on documents. A year after the class, she penned Argyle Community History. As the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum was coming to fruition, Jenkins compiled newspaper clippings, photographs, documents and handwritten letters. Her preservation efforts won her second place at the Texas Commission Convention. Jenkins passed away in 2010, but her memory lives on in every piece of history she helped collect. Argyle established the Yvonne Jenkins Memorial History Room in its town hall to commemorate her dedication to and love for the community and its history. — NICOLE FOSTER
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Jay Rodgers is seen here with his pup and wife, Bettye, who is an entrepreneur in her own right. Rodgers has built and sold more than a dozen companies.
Texas millionaire maker, business mogul, entrepreneurial mentor
M
anhattan business moguls office out of lofty skyrises with panoramic views of the Financial District. Silicon Valley tycoons work in shiny glass buildings around sunny Santa Clara, while Hollywood’s movers and shakers congregate in film studios and five-star restaurants. But here in North Texas, multi-millionaire Jay D. Rodgers prefers to set up shop in a nondescript steelroofed building, tucked away on a quiet country lane just outside of Flower Mound. “I had a corporate dude ranch over here, called Ranchland,” recounts Rodgers, pointing west toward Roanoke as he leans back in his chair. Framed posters from the Calgary Stampede cover the walls of his cozy two-room office, along with various knick-knacks and his prized possession: a letter signed by John Wayne on the actor’s letterhead. His chocolate brown Labrador, named Chain, snoozes on a nearby pillow.
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SHARING 50 YEARS OF KNOWLEDGE The wildly successful mogul — who has built and sold more than a dozen companies — came to Denton County in 1964. He was working at Eastman Kodak, where he apprenticed under top executives to learn every facet of the business, until he took the plunge into entrepreneurship in 1968. Five decades later, Rodgers has made it his mission to share his knowledge with other budding business owners to help set them on the path to success. “I wanted to devote the rest of my time to helping entrepreneurs grow their companies,” explains Rodgers. At age 79, he still is involved in various ventures but spends the bulk of his time promoting BizOwnersEd, a nonprofit entrepreneurial program that gives business owners tools and resources to take their company to new heights. He cofounded the organization in 2012 with five local professionals, including his wife, Bettye, each of whom boasts
Photo courtesy of Jay D. Rodgers
JAYRODGERS
an impressive a track record of starting and selling multi-million-dollar firms. BizOwnersEd accepts 12 candidates for each year’s class, which meets for four hours a week for ten weeks. “We want them to have at least a million dollars [annual] revenue in their company [and] be a major owner,” he says, listing two of the seven criteria for program applicants. “We also have to be convinced that they are serious about building a company that grows, hires a lot of people and creates jobs and opportunity.” Applicants who are not officially accepted into the class still can audit the program, free of charge. (The primary distinction is that entrepreneurs who are auditing the program cannot ask questions of the speakers and mentors during class, although they are free to contact them directly.) AN EYE FOR PROFIT Rodgers himself first got the entrepreneurial bug as a boy growing up in the Midwest. “When I was 10 years old, my folks bought me a Montgomery Ward saddle. They paid 50 dollars for it,” he recalls. Two years later, at age 12, he decided that he wanted a real saddle — “a man’s saddle,” he quips — and traded his parents’ gift for a refurbished stock saddle at a local shop. His parents were upset, until a week later when a gentleman offered him $90 for the stock saddle he had purchased. “When I made $40 profit against the price my parents had paid for that two-year-old saddle, my folks quit second-guessing me and turned me loose!” Rodgers says with a laugh. He went on to earn a degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa before being selected as a protégé at Eastman Kodak and eventually venturing out on his own. In 1984, he sold Ranchland to a group of Kodak employees and customers and started Healthcare Staff Resources with $3,000 in seed capital. Six years later, Rodgers sold the company for $4.5 million. Building on the positive momentum, he went on to launch several more companies — from staffing resources businesses to technology firms — while acting as an advisor and board member for other business ventures. Ten years ago, he cashed out of Smart Start, the nation’s largest manufacturer of breath alcohol ignition interlock devices and one of his most lucrative startups to date, and set his mind on mentorship, which he believes to be vital to business success.
Our whole program is focused on the people that have been successful giving back to help the people coming along do a better job to grow their business to more success.
pays the mortgage. “I would hope you would have a goal of growing your company to create more jobs in the community,” he says. Today, the veteran entrepreneur shares his strategic insights with other business owners and connects participants with other expert mentors. “The concept is Denton County influencers give back,” he explains. “Our whole program is focused on the people that have been successful giving back to help the people coming along do a better job to grow their business to more success.” “To be a mentor [in the program], you have to have taken a stagnant company and moved it to the moon, or started one that you took to the moon,” notes Rodgers. To date, 85 rising entrepreneurs have officially completed the class, while hundreds more have participated through auditing. Rodgers hopes to eventually expand BizOwnersEd to other states and offer the program online. Says the unassuming tycoon, “My goal in life is to see how many multi-millionaires I could leave behind, and I’ve got a pretty good track record.” — LESLIE THOMPSON
INFLUENCERS GIVE BACK He challenges business owners to avoid becoming complacent or settling for a “lifestyle business” that J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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SWAYNE Senior director of fan engagement at Funimation Productions
Swayne stokes the enthusiasm of fans at North America’s largest distributor of anime.
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HEADING FOR THE MAINSTREAM Anime — a Japanese animation style that has been gaining popularity in America for decades — is now a global industry valued at $19.1 billion, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Since it was founded in 1994, Funimation has been helping to bring anime from the fringes of popular culture to the mainstream. In 1996, it received the rights to bring Dragon Ball Z to the States. The show and its spinoffs have since become one of the most recognizable brands in the industry. In addition to the Dragon Ball series, the company is also home to Attack on Titan, My Hero Academia and, previously, Full Metal Alchemist. Funimation has become North America’s largest distributor of anime, and Sony Pictures Television
Photo courtesy of Eric Swayne
ERIC
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r ic Sway ne, sen ior dir ec tor of fa n engagement at Funimation Productions, is a big fish in a fast-growing pond. The Flower Mound-based company is North America’s largest distributor of anime and is responsible for bringing countless anime titles and classics to the English-speaking world.
acquired a 95 percent stake in the Denton County-based business for $143 million in 2017. Anime’s journey into the mainstream is happening fast, and its passionate fanbase is expanding every day. MEASURABLE HAPPINESS It is Swayne’s job to engage and amplify the excitement of that fanbase or, as he puts it, to make fans “measurably happy” by using any means available: email, PR, social media, Reddit, SEO, paid advertising, media opportunities, conventions and events. From the edge of his seat in a Denton coffee shop, Swayne oozes passion for his work while a Millennial dressed in a white Dragon Ball Z hoodie sits just behind him — such is the show’s ubiquity. “This is the first job I’ve had where people deeply love the thing that we make,” Swayne says. “And the challenge is not about getting attention for what we do. The challenge is: What are people going to do with the attention they give us?” At any given time, Swayne says, the company will have about 500 different titles with 18 new seasons of existing or new shows added each quarter, which roughly corresponds with the Japanese television cycle. “Of course, that’s a really, really long tail,” he says. “So there’s the big ones at the top and then many, many, many shows that you’ve probably never heard of — and that I’ve never heard of.” THE VOICE OF NORTH TEX AS These Japanese shows are dubbed into English for American audiences by about 480 voice actors, most of whom live in or around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, then released all over the world via the FunimationNow streaming service, home video and broadcast television. Swayne says four kids have visited the studios through the Make-A-Wish Foundation while he has been there. “All of them just want to meet the actors that work on the dub that they hear, and they want to be a part of a dub. I’ve never been a part of something that’s that beloved before.” ANALYTICS + CREATIVITY Swayne joined the company about four years ago. Before that, he worked as a data analyst and consultant for several startups. It was while operating in that world, roughly 10 years ago, that Swayne met Eddy Badrina, cofounder of BuzzShift. The way Badrina sees it, he, Swayne and a few others were forerunners for what is becoming a hot commodity in the industry: smart, data-informed marketing from a digital level.
“He is so analytically minded, but he also gets where ‘the creative’ matters,” Badrina says of Swayne, who, he says, combines “his smarts along with his personable nature and his skills with connecting with folks” to succeed. One of Swayne’s crowning achievements from that period survives in the form of a patent he holds for an algorithm he helped develop: the MVP Index. The Index was designed to help companies better evaluate celebrity influence and its impact on their brands. “Everyone knows the Lebrons and the Tigers of the world,” Badrina says, so companies are able to more easily determine if it’s worth it to offer them sponsorship deals. “What’s harder to define are the second-tier athletes — and I don’t mean ‘second-tier’ in a negative or pejorative sense. In the golf world, even though he’s the number-one golfer in the world, Brooks Koepka is not a household name like Tiger.” When the next big anime hits screens across the country, or Brooks Koepka stars in a commercial instead of Tiger Woods, Swayne’s name won’t appear in the credits, but his fingerprints — and those of his cohorts — will be visible if you know where to look. — MARSHALL REID
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Fred Moore
TEACHER, PRINCIPAL AND COMMUNITY LEADER
Named after a prolific social reformer and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass Moore was destined to be a leader. Born in 1875 to a Denton cook and housekeeper whose parents had been slaves, Moore was delivered by Dr. Louisa Mansfield Owsley (see page 61), who encouraged his mother to name himafter one of history’s most famous intellectuals, Frederick Douglass. Though his mother was illiterate, Moore caught on quickly in school, and by the age of 10, he was appointed secretary of his church’s Sunday school. Nine years later, he was elected superintendent. Moore owned a barbershop on Oak Street for nearly a decade before his wife urged him to pursue a career in education. He studied at home, earned a teaching certificate and became principal of Denton’s African American school in 1915. A park and Fred Moore School were named to honor this teacher, principal and community leader who prioritized the guidance of his town’s youth for nearly 40 years. Moore’s timeless rules of conduct influenced generations of students: Be kind in speech. Never gossip or speak unkindly of others. Never fear being laughed at for doing what is right. Be brave. A coward does not make a good citizen. They are lessons we can all still benefit from hearing. — NICOLE FOSTER J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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Eaddy is instrumental in expanding the arts in Denton County and promoting cultural diversity through creative endeavors.
LINDA
EADDY
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A REINVENTION While many retirees are slowing down, Eaddy is moving ahead full steam with big dreams to expand the arts in one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation. The 68-year-old grandmother of three wants people to know that it’s never too late to get started as one of Denton County’s rising innovators. Although she has nurtured a lifelong love for the arts, the Dallas native did not start volunteering
Photo courtesy of Linda Eaddy
Board president of the Greater Denton Arts Council, director of film programming for the Denton Black Film Festival
aintings, sculptures, music, dance, theater, poetry and film teach us about those who are different from us. For Linda Eaddy, there’s always something new to learn. “We live in a fragmented society, but no matter your political views or where you come from, the arts connect people,” she says. “They revitalize communities.” As president of the Greater Denton Arts Council board and director of film programming for the Denton Black Film Festival, Eaddy wants to inspire others to embrace diversity through the arts. “A black film festival is not just for blacks,” she says. “It celebrates black culture, and it builds bridges, creates safe spaces to provide better understanding of others.”
full-time until 15 years ago, when she retired from a 31-year career as a flight attendant and manager with Delta Airlines. During her travels, she fed her passion for art by visiting museums and attending plays around the world. She took her son and daughter to art exhibits and concerts and hopes to do the same for their children. “I’ve discovered my passion and re-invented myself,” she says. “I’ve grown personally by meeting new people. It helps me stay young. It energizes me.” Denton itself is energizing to her as well. Eaddy settled in Denton in the early 1980s after graduating from UNT, where she also met her husband, Harry. The couple owned a children’s shoe store in Denton for many years, and Linda promoted arts education as a PTA volunteer. In addition to volunteering with his wife in the arts, Harry also serves as president of the board for the Denton African American Scholarship Foundation and is the festival director of the Denton Black Film Festival. “Denton is a wonderful place to live,” Eaddy says. “Its rich arts culture brings vitality to its residents.” THE ARTS COUNCIL Carolyn Mays-Mohair, who has known Eaddy for 30 years and worked with her to uplift and support local communities, says her friend and colleague has set a benchmark for others to follow: “Linda is a phenomenal woman. Her passionate leadership, commitment to excellence and genuine interest in the concerns of others make her a mentor to many.” Eaddy is quick to share the credit with others. “You know anything I have accomplished has not been by myself,” she says. “It always takes a team.” Recently, as president of the board, she helped the Greater Denton Arts Council celebrate 50 years of service to the community with events such as 30 Under 30, which highlighted pieces by young artists, and KERA’s State of the Arts lectures on social conscience. The council provides support for local artists and arts organizations and has given more than $1.5 million in grants since 1980. Each year, 550,000 residents and 12,500 students attend an arts council event in galleries and venues such as its flagship Patterson-Appleton Center Arts Center in downtown Denton. ON THE BIG SCREEN One of the largest projects, this year’s fifth annual Denton Black Film Festival (DBFF), featured 64 films and nine venues as well as food, visual arts and panels on subjects like bias, social justice, human trafficking and mental health. Eaddy, who is the director of film programming, and her husband have
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Vivian Lou Anderson Castleberry
PIONEERING JOURNALIST
University of North Texas’s Castleberry Peace Institute was named for pioneering journalist and women’s activist Vivian Lou Anderson Castleberry, who was inducted into Texas Woman’s Hall of Fame at TWU in 1984. She broke ground at the former Dallas Times Herald when she became the paper’s editor of home furnishings in 1956. She knew women were interested in more than cooking, fashion and the country club, so she began writing about taboo topics such as breast cancer, domestic violence, child abuse and marriage counseling. Castleberry also insisted the Herald highlight events within the African American community. Until then, bridal announcements were reserved for white women. Castleberry repeatedly asked for the inclusion of African American women in the section but was refused. She eventually penned a five-page letter to the newspaper’s owner, addressing grievances that included the wedding announcements. Castleberry won her case, and the Herald began including white and black brides. During her time at the paper, Castleberry served as the first female member of the editorial board and one of the first female editorial board members in the nation. Following retirement, Castleberry engaged in initiatives to empower local and global peacemakers. She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame in 1984 and, four years later, led 2,000 women in the Peacemakers Incorporated Global Peace conference. It’s no wonder Castleberry is known as one of the godmothers of the women’s movement. — NICOLE FOSTER
been involved in the operations of the festival since its beginning. Aspiring and established creatives now have a place to connect with one another at the Denton Black Film Festival Institute. The next festival will be held on January 22-26, 2020. “This is not just a Denton festival,” Eaddy says. “We want to reach beyond our comfort zones to entertain, educate and inspire in the wider community. It’s exciting to watch us grow.” This year, DBFF was also involved in the North Texas Best of Fests, which featured films from each of the more than 20 film festivals in the area. Eaddy says the collaborative debut is unique in the competitive world of film. Other participants included Thin Line, Dallas International Festival, EarthX and festivals featuring Asian, Jewish, Veterans, Czech and other communities. — ANNETTE NEVINS J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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CEO of Zilis
STEVEN
THOMPSON S
CLEARING UP MISCONCEPTIONS CBD, or cannabidiol, has become one of the mosttalked about (and misunderstood) topics in recent years. Derived from the hemp plant, it is a safe, non-addictive, naturally occurring compound that was used medicinally for thousands of years. Hemp was grown widely in North America starting in the 1600s and used to make things like rope and paper (the Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper) but was outlawed in 1970 as part of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. However, in 2014, the Farm Bill allowed institutions to start pilot programs for hemp farming. CBD is used to alleviate pain, inflammation, anxiety, seizures and a broad range of other ailments in both people and their pets. Early research has also shown it to be an effective substitute for addictive pharmaceutical painkillers, which has raised interest in its ability to combat the mounting opioid crisis. Thompson discovered CBD around the same time the Farm Bill passed and launched Zilis the following year. The company’s first product, UltraCell, was an organic, full-spectrum
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Photo courtesy of Zilis
teven Thompson has spent his career in the health supplement industry, but when he “stumbled into the CBD world,” it opened the door to an entirely new calling. “I saw so much potential,” says Thompson, who founded the Argyle-based CBD company Zilis. “We decided to invest in the research and the science behind CBD, because we knew right away it was something special.”
hemp oil extract that was an immediate hit with consumers. REVOLUTIONIZING AN INDUSTRY “We have a patent-pending technology that improves the absorption of our product,” Thompson says, explaining that while most CBD products are delivered in oil form, Zilis offers a water-soluble formula. Since our bodies are about 90 percent water, they absorb water more effectively than oils. “CBD is up to 30 times more available in water than as an oil,” Thompson says. “The cannabinoids in the oil are very powerful, but they don’t do you any good if they’re not absorbed. We’ve invested in creating a product with greater bioavailability, because it’s not how much you take, it’s how much you absorb.” Thompson’s business model for Zilis is as innovative as his company’s absorption technology. UltraCell is distributed through a direct sale model that has some 50,000 “brand ambassadors” nationwide and is also sold in more than 1,000 retail stores. “Our idea is to be the Uber of the CBD world,” he says. “Uber doesn’t own a single car; we don’t own a single store. We let retailers and brand ambassadors do the marketing and get the word out. We have physicians, salons and chiropractors that are selling it, and one of our fastest-growing areas is with pain management doctors.” Because CBD has shown to effectively alleviate pain and PTSD symptoms, Zilis’ Patriot Program donates thousands of bottles each year to veterans who were wounded in combat. “Our technology unlocks the power of CBD to a degree that hasn’t been done before,” he says. “CBD has the potential to balance health in a way that no other discovery has been able to do. It’s hard to believe unless you’ve actually experienced it.” BIG PLANS FOR ARGYLE — AND THE WORLD To help spread the word and clear up confusion about CBD, Zilis provided seed capital to help create the U.S. Hemp Authority — a certification program that ensures high standards, best practices and quality control in the making and distribution of CBD products. Thompson also is executive vice president of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a bipartisan coalition of hemp companies that leads grassroots campaigns to change legislation and promote education about hemp products. He works to change legislation at both the state and federal levels and to help people understand the benefits of CBD. Thompson envisions a day when Zilis is the premiere CBD health brand in the U.S. and would like
to become the biggest employer in Argyle. Even if those things happen, he has no plans of uprooting the business for the glass-and-steel jungles of Plano or Frisco. “We’re a family-owned company, and we’re all about family,” he says. “We like being able to do business where we live. I’m excited about the idea of job creation right here in Argyle, and we’re creating a product that can change people’s lives. That makes me the most blessed CEO in America.” — PAULA FELPS
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Edna Trigg PIONEER LEADER
In the early 1900s, Edna Trigg was an advocate for educating girls in both classrooms and gardens. She was the first person in Texas to become a home demonstration agent, a position that included teaching rural women how to bake bread, grow vegetables, can meat and raise livestock and poultry. She earned the role in 1916 and committed herself to helping Denton County’s agricultural community. Trigg’s efforts were particularly crucial when the country entered World War I. Due to shortages, Americans were encouraged to grow their own food, and Trigg worked vigorously to ensure the county could sustain and feed its residents. Under her advisement, local farmers agreed to sacrifice cash crops and dedicate larger sections of their land to grow vegetables. Trigg worked with county commissioners to purchase enough canning equipment to handle food preservation throughout each community and demonstrated how to use the machines every weekend to audiences of 300. She also hosted “Tomato Clubs” involving roughly 100 girls aged 10 to 18. Each member had to grow tomatoes, selling a portion and saving the rest for canning. She wanted the girls to start college funds and apply for scholarships. Trigg died in 1946 and was posthumously inducted into the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. She also has a historical marker on the lawn of the Courthouse-on-the-Square. — NICOLE FOSTER
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R Host of The Musers on Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket, philanthropist, vocalist and guitarist of The Bird Dogs
GEORGE
adio personality George Dunham has been a driving force for local charities for decades, but accepting praise for his work doesn’t come easy for a humble man like him. “There are so many other people in this community who I look up to because they really sacrifice their time and gifts,” says the Argyle resident. “I’m the guy who’s at least trying.” Judging by the funds he’s helped raise, he’s not just trying, he’s succeeding. “With our charity events, we always say, ‘Let’s make it bigger next year — not just money, but how many people we can influence.’ Luckily, I have the format.” MUSERS & BIRD DOGS Part of that format is his 5:30 to 10 a.m. show on Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket, which he co-hosts with Craig Miller and Gordon Keith. “The Musers,” as they’re called, have the longest-running morning show (with the same crew) in the Dallas-Fort
Photo by Rob Chickering
DUNHAM
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Worth area. It has also been the top-rated show in the market since 1995 and a five-time finalist for the national Marconi Award for best radio program in a major market. Dunham says the show’s popularity comes with a great responsibility to do something positive. He uses it to promote multiple causes and charity events where he often performs for free with his band, The Bird Dogs. Organizations he helps include Serve Denton; the LV Project, which promotes life vest use and honors the memory of Connor Kelly Gage; the Special Olympics; and Taylor’s Gift, which encourages organ donation in memory of Taylor Storch. Dunham’s advice to others who want to make a difference is simple: Start where you are. “Regardless of your platform, the important thing is what your focus is — whether it’s school, church, neighbors, do something to help someone.”
Owsley photo courtesy of Denton Public Library via The Portal to Texas History
PERSONAL CONNECTIONS He has a personal connection to most of the causes he supports. For instance, Dunham witnessed the struggle that families endure while caring for elderly relatives when his parents needed assisted-living and end-of-life care. “Even when I was going through it, I thought, ‘We are so lucky,’ because we had support and family,” he says, but he worried about others who may be facing that situation alone. “This is all of us someday.” As a result of those concerns, he teamed up with The Senior Source, a nonprofit that provides services for older adults. Through his annual Jub Jam music fest, he has helped raise $600,000 for the organization. The festival is also special to him because it lets his family gather to honor his parents’ legacy. A SHOOTING STAR A deep connection also drew him to the Alex Betzhold Foundation. When Alex, a seventh-grade Argyle student, died in 2012 from an undiagnosed heart condition, the tight-knit community was crushed. Dunham recalls a candlelight vigil where they witnessed a shooting star, a sign that comforted the crowd and made Dunham think differently about his show and band. “It was transformative, a life-changing experience,” he says. “I didn’t see the world the same. I saw the opportunity to use the band as a vehicle to do something good.” Since then, his band has headlined the Shoot For The Stars event, an annual basketball tournament that honors Alex’s memory, raises scholarship money for Argyle students and promotes heart screenings. The experience also inspired him to write the song “A Presence.”
ON AND OFF THE FIELD Dunham’s Denton County roots run deep. He graduated from UNT in 1988 and was the football play-by-play commentator for the school’s Mean Green Radio Network from 1994 until 2014. (He later wrote an ode to Texas football called “Til the Last Whistle Blows” with country artist Pat Green.) He earned membership in the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame for impact on Mean Green athletics and was the recipient of the school’s first Presidential Medal of Honor from UNT President Neal Smatresk. Twelve years ago, he moved to Argyle. At the time, he had to explain where the town was to people he spoke to, but he says that has changed and “people are a little more familiar with the area because of the athletic and academic success.” “Argyle has parents who really care about both athletics and academics,” he says. “Once you get that started in a community, you can keep it going. Good kids and good coaches.” One of those just happens to be his son, Blake, who is an assistant football coach at Argyle High School. — MARY DUNKLIN
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Louisa Mansfield Owsley DENTON’S FIRST FEMALE DOCTOR
During her 34-year career as a midwife and homeopathic doctor in Denton, Louisa Mansfield Owsley delivered more than 4,000 babies (including Fred Moore, see page 59). Owsley arrived in Denton in 1872 with her husband, Henry, who was a traditional physician — an approach the homeopath found objectionable — but it was a dramatic journey. A young Owsley and her family traveled to California by wagon train to take advantage of the Gold Rush. Along the way, they faced lack of food, illnesses, treacherous weather and, ultimately, capture by Native Americans. Her family was released unharmed after Owsley, who was then just 19 years old, successfully treated the tribe’s pinkeye outbreak and delivered the chief’s baby. They took the gold they got in California and bought a plantation in Missouri, which was burned down during the Civil War. After the loss of their home, Owsley and her husband had a traveling Medicine Show and eventually ended up in Denton in 1872. After setting in Texas, Owsley began treating women and children (with very few exceptions) with homeopathic treatments and working as a midwife for the community.
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JOHN “SPARKY”
PEARSON Cofounder of Radical Hospitality
J
ohn “Sparky” Pearson never set out to change the face of dining in Denton County. But when he learned that the renowned Denton County Independent Hamburger Co. restaurant was shuttering its original location on the Courthouse Square in 2011, he knew that something had to be done. And he didn’t know who else would do it. “I was worried that, after it closed, [the space] would turn into something that would detract from the Square,” says the Denton native, who had fond memories of eating burgers and hanging out with friends there. “So that was the catalyst for creating our own concepts.”
Photo courtesy of John Pearson
UN-CORPORATE AND UNPLANNED Pearson, who had built a career in commercial real estate, joined with fellow Dentonites Steve Watkins and Earl Herrington to create Lone Star Attitude Burger Co., giving Denton its first rooftop bar and restaurant and creating a scaled-down answer to chains like the Hard Rock Café. The combination
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of killer burgers, cold beer and Texas music was an immediate hit, and the restaurant paved the way for additional eateries that sidestepped the ordinary. The trio’s decidedly un-corporate, unplanned venture led them to create Radical Hospitality Group, which set out to provide Denton County with memorable dining experiences. They opened Barley & Board, Denton’s first brewpub, in 2015 along with actor Jason Lee and Midlake frontman Eric Pulido. Earl’s 377 Pizza and Bumbershoot Barbecue in Argyle followed in 2016 and 2017, respectively. None of the restaurants use a prescribed formula. Instead, they try to reinvent and move away from what’s typically been done. “We go in and look at what’s missing or what could be added, then make the best we can with what we’ve got,” Pearson says. “It’s been a neat process, even though it’s not perfectly mapped. We didn’t have a canned corporate strategy. It just kind of morphed, and we make stuff up as we go.” RADICAL CREATIVITY Each restaurant is approached as an isolated concept, which helps make each location unique. “It’s so awesome to walk through and see the uniqueness of it all,” Pearson says. “We get to go in and dream up the story for each place. All we’re trying to do is create the space for people to have a respite from whatever currents of life are pushing them along. We want their experiences here to add to their life a little bit.” Radical Hospitality Group is continuing to enter new territory as it plans a handful of new restaurants, including H2Oak and Sunago Bell in Denton, Bongo Beaux’s Bourre Palace & Cajun Kitchen in Celina and second locations of Lone Star Attitude Burger and Barley & Board at the 400-acre Grandscape development in The Colony. However, Pearson is quick to point out that the second locations won’t be mirror images of the originals. “We are not a rollout company that does things the same way twice,” Pearson explains. “As I tell my people all the time, we don’t do copies, we do sequels. So those new locations are going to be different experiences. We want people to have to drive to Denton to experience the Denton version. I want to make it an exclusive experience.” He’s so committed to that idea that he’s only allowing one item from each section of each menu to go to the new locations; the rest of the menu will be rebuilt from the ground up. “I appreciate the creative process and the time it takes,” Pearson says. “We didn’t know what we were doing when we started, but we’ve learned from every [restaurant]. We’ve just been fortunate enough
INFLUENCERS
T HRO U GH HI S T OR Y
Joseph A. Carroll JUDGE AND FOUNDING FATHER OF DENTON
It’s difficult to know where to begin when describing Joseph A. Carroll’s significant contributions to Denton County. The surveyor was instrumental in laying out the city of Denton. He was also appointed commissioner by the county court to sell the lots, practiced law, served as mayor for one term, was elected district judge in the 16th district and played a major role in developing North Texas. He was a member of a group of businessmen known as “the Syndicate,” which helped organize the Texas Normal College (what is now known as the University of North Texas) in 1890. Later in his life, he helped establish the Exchange National Bank, one of the region’s first financial institutions. He continued running the bank until he passed away in 1891. He married Celia J. Burrows, an orphan, and had three children with her, one of whom died in infancy. After Burrows died in 1869, he remarried to Martha Inmon. Today, his legacy is kept alive with the help of the eponymous Joseph A. Carroll Administration Building and Carroll Boulevard.
to do wacky, fun stuff that’s been well received by the community. We’re all Denton grads, so that’s been neat. We grew up in the community and just want to see what we can add that people will want to come see.” THE START OF SOMETHING BIG He firmly believes that Denton County is just getting started and has a bright, thriving future — one that he is happy to be a part of. “If it continues to be a place where people want to come and create things, people will be drawn to that. As long as we continue down that path and realize all the stuff here that’s worth preserving, we’ll be the county to come visit.” — PAULA FELPS
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Best of Denton
2019
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AUTO DEALERSHIP (NEW) Winner: James Wood Autopark Runner-Up: Classic of Denton Honorable Mention: Bill Utter Ford AUTO DEALERSHIP (PRE-OWNED) Winner: James Wood Autopark Runner-Up: Classic of Denton Honorable Mention: Bill Utter Ford AUTO INSPECTIONS Winner: Kwik Kar Runner-Up: James Wood Autopark Honorable Mention: North Texas Sticker Station AUTO SERVICE / REPAIR Winner: Tommy’s Hi-Tech Auto Repair Runner-Up: James Wood Autopark Honorable Mention: Kwik Kar CAR WASH Winner: The Wash Factory Runner-Up: Buc-ee's Honorable Mention: James Wood Autopark OIL CHANGE Winner: Kwik Kar Runner-Up: James Wood Autopark Honorable Mention: Tommy’s Hi-Tech Auto Repair
E
very year, Denton R ecord-Chronicle readers visit DentonRC.com to vote for their favorite local businesses. This year’s poll allowed residents to weigh in on everything from healthcare providers and grooming services to restaurants and entertainment. Here are the winners of the Denton Record-Chronicle’s 26th annual Readers’ Choice Awards.
BEER SELECTION Winner: East Side Denton Runner-Up: Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor Honorable Mention: Harvest House
POOL TABLES Winner: JR Pockets Runner-Up: Dusty’s Bar & Grill Honorable Mention: RT’s Neighborhood Bar
DRINK MENU Winner: Paschall Bar Runner-Up: East Side Denton Honorable Mention: 940’s Kitchen & Cocktails
SPORTS BAR Winner: East Side Denton Runner-Up: Buffalo Wild Wings Honorable Mention: RT’s Neighborhood Bar
HAPPY HOUR Winner: Chuy’s Runner-Up: East Side Denton Honorable Mention: Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor
WINE LIST Winner: Wine Squared Runner-Up: Steve’s Wine Bar Honorable Mention: Hannah’s Off The Square
KARAOKE NIGHT Winner: Crossroads Cocktails and Karaoke Runner-Up: Andy’s Bar Honorable Mention: Denton County Brewing Company
Beauty
LIVE MUSIC VENUE Winner: Dan’s Silverleaf Runner-Up: Harvest House Honorable Mention: LSA Burger Co. PATIO Winner: East Side Denton Runner-Up: LSA Burger Co. Honorable Mention: Harvest House
BARBER SHOP Winner: The Bearded Lady Runner-Up: Campus Barber Shop Honorable Mention: Salon NV HAIR SALON Winner: Denton Color Lab Runner-Up: Salon LaPage Honorable Mention: SoHo Salon MASSAGE CENTER / SPA Winner: Soma Massage Therapy Runner-Up: Massage on the Square Honorable Mention: Essentials Day Spa
NAIL SALON Winner: Bella Salon & Spa Runner-Up: Deluxe Nails & Spa Honorable Mention: Envy Nail Spa SPECIALTY SERVICES Winner: Lash Up Brow Down Runner-Up: Denton Color Lab Honorable Mention: Makeup by Krista Ann TANNING SALON Winner: Palm Beach Tan Runner-Up: Tantrum Airbrush Tanning Honorable Mention: Planet Tan
Denton Life & Fun
CHILD CARE Winner: First United Methodist Church (Children’s Day Out and FunStop) Runner-Up: First Baptist Child Development Center Honorable Mention: Countryside Montessori CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY VENDORS Winner: PJ's Party Rental & Essentials Runner-Up: Sign Gypsies Honorable Mentions: Joe's Jumps, My Repertoire Face Painting
PAINT AND BODY SHOP Winner: Caliber Collision Runner-Up: James Wood Autopark Honorable Mention: InDepth Customs TOWING & WRECKER SERVICE Winner: B & O Towing Runner-Up: Akers Towing Honorable Mention: Pro-Tow Wrecker Service
Photo by Jefferee Woo/DRC
Bars & Nightlife
BAR Winner: East Side Denton Runner-Up: Harvest House Honorable Mention: Paschall Bar BARTENDING STAFF Winner: East Side Denton Runner-Up: Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor Honorable Mention: Denton County Brewing Company Classic of Denton
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CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY VENUES Winner: Altitude Trampoline Park Runner-Up: Explorium Denton Children's Museum Honorable Mention: Water Works Park and Denton Natatorium COMMUNITY EVENT Winner: Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Runner-Up: Denton Community Market Honorable Mention: Denton’s Day of The Dead Festival DANCE STUDIO Winner: A Time to Dance Studio Runner-Up: Denton Dance Conservatory Honorable Mention: Denton Ballet Academy EVENT VENDOR Winner: 5 Star Rental Runner-Up: PJ’s Party Rental and Essentials Honorable Mention: Callie Gray Weddings and Events GYMNASTICS Winner: Achievers Gymnastics Center Runner-Up: Corinth Gymnastics Honorable Mention: Thunder Extreme Athletics HEALTH & FITNESS CLUB Winner: Planet Fitness Runner-Up: Camp Gladiator Honorable Mention: North Lakes Recreation Center
LIVE THEATER Winner: Denton Community Theatre Runner-Up: Denton High School Theatre Honorable Mention: UNT Department of Dance & Theatre
YOGA STUDIO Winner: Twisted Bodies Runner-Up: Karma Yoga Denton Honorable Mention: Denton Yoga Center
MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO Winner: Reding Martial Arts Runner-Up: Denton Taekwondo Academy Honorable Mention: Texas Isshinryu Karate Kai
Eats
MOVIE THEATRE Winner: Movie Tavern Denton Runner-Up: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Honorable Mention: Cinemark 14 PLACE TO CREATE ARTS / CRAFTS Winner: Painting With a Twist Runner-Up: SCRAP Denton Honorable Mention: Wildflower Art Studio PRIVATE / GROUP MUSIC LESSONS Winner: Bonduris Music Runner-Up: The Ghost Note Honorable Mention: UNT String Project RECREATIONAL VEHICLES & EQUIPMENT Winner: Cycle Center of Denton Runner-Up: McClain’s RV Superstore Honorable Mention: Camping World WEDDING & EVENT VENUE Winner: Little Chapel-in-the-Woods Runner-Up: Ashton Gardens Honorable Mention: The Grove
BUSINESS LUNCH Winner: Barley & Board Runner-Up: Greenhouse Restaurant & Bar Honorable Mention: Hannah’s Off The Square CANDY STORE Winner: Atomic Candy Runner-Up: Candy Haven Honorable Mention: Du Pop In Popcorn & Candy Co.
AFFORDABLE Winner: El Matador Restaurant Runner-Up: Cartwright's Ranch House Honorable Mention: Oldwest Cafe
CATERING Winner: Metzler's Food and Beverage Runner-Up: Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Honorable Mention: Extreme Cuisine
ASIAN Winner: Mr. Chopsticks Runner-Up: Blue Ginger Honorable Mention: Komodo Loco BARBECUE Winner: Juicy Pig Barbecue Runner-Up: Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q Honorable Mention: Metzler's BBQ
COFFEEHOUSE Winner: Zera Coffee Company Runner-Up: West Oak Coffee Bar Honorable Mention: Seven Mile Cafe COOKIE / CUPCAKE / CAKE SHOP Winner: Ravelin Bakery Runner-Up: Nothing Bundt Cakes Honorable Mention: Candy Haven
BEST KEPT SECRET RESTAURANT Winner: Boca 31 Runner-Up: Seven Mile Cafe Honorable Mentions: Cartwright's Cafe, Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant
DELI / SUB / SANDWICH SHOP Winner: New York Sub Hub Runner-Up: New York Sub-Way Honorable Mention: McAlister's Deli
BREAKFAST Winner: Oldwest Cafe Runner-Up: Seven Mile Cafe Honorable Mention: Loco Cafe
DONUT SHOP Winner: Hypnotic Donuts Runner-Up: Denton Donuts Honorable Mention: Back Dough
BUFFET Winner: Chinatown Cafe Runner-Up: Double Dave's Pizzaworks Honorable Mention: Buffet King
61 61 g
n Celebrati
Carpet
Vinyl
Ceramic
Wood
Tile
Laminate
Prompt, Professional and Friendly Service
(940) 382-3232
HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30a to 5p I Saturday 10am to 3pm www.SmittysFloorCovering.com
1815 N. Elm • Denton, Texas 76201
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EATS & DRINKS ON THE DENTON SQUARE Winner: LSA Burger Co. Runner-Up: Barley & Board Honorable Mention: Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Soda Fountain FINE DINING Winner: Barley & Board Runner-Up: Hannah’s Off The Square Honorable Mention: Queenie’s Steakhouse
MEAT COUNTER Winner: Dan's Meat and Produce Runner-Up: La Azteca Meat Market Honorable Mention: Sprouts
PIZZA Winner: Mellow Mushroom Runner-Up: J&J’s Pizza Honorable Mention: Pizza Snob
MEXICAN / TEX-MEX Winner: El Matador Restaurant Runner-Up: Mazatlan Restaurant Honorable Mention: Milpa Kitchen & Cantina
RESTAURANT OPENED IN 2018 Winner: Torchy's Taco's Runner-Up: Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Honorable Mention: Ten:One Artisan Cheese
ROMANTIC RESTAURANT Winner: Hannah’s Off The Square Runner-Up: Giuseppe’s Italian Restaurant Honorable Mention: Queenie’s Steakhouse
FOOD TRUCK Winner: The Pickled Carrot Runner-Up: Dumpling Bros. Honorable Mention: El Taco Taxi FROZEN TREAT Winner: Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Soda Fountain Runner-Up: Mr. Frosty Honorable Mention: Gnome Cones
HOMESTYLE Winner: Babe’s Chicken Dinner House Runner-Up: Cartwright’s Ranch House Honorable Mention: Rooster’s Roadhouse ITALIAN Winner: Guiseppe’s Italian Restaurant Runner-Up: Luigi’s Italian Restaurant Honorable Mention: Don Camillo Italian Cuisine
DATCU Credit Union
Voted Denton’s Best Auto Repair 9 Times!
940-239-3952
620 Fort Worth Drive • Denton, TX 76201 Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30am-6:00pm | Closed Saturday & Sunday www.tommyht.com
Synthetic Oil Change
Includes a FREE seasonal check up!
DE-17093
Photo by Jefferee Woo/DRC
HAMBURGER Winner: LSA Burger Co. Runner-Up: Denton County Independent Hamburger Honorable Mention: RG Burgers & Grill
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$
97
*For faster service, please call ahead for an appointment. Some vehicles extra.
Shop supplies and taxes extra. Most cars/light trucks. Oil change includes up to 5 qts of motor oil and new oil filter. Cannot combine with any other offer. Limited time only.
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SEAFOOD Winner: Hoochie’s Oyster House Runner-Up: Frilly’s Seafood Bayou Kitchen Honorable Mention: Red Lobster
STEAK Winner: Texas Roadhouse Runner-Up: Queenie’s Steakhouse Honorable Mention: Outback Steakhouse
SMOOTHIES & JUICE Winner: Juice Lab Runner-Up: Smoothie King Honorable Mention: Harvest House
SUSHI Winner: I Love Sushi Runner-Up: Keiichi Japanese Restaurant Honorable Mention: Blue Ginger
TACO Winner: Torchy's Tacos Runner-Up: Rusty Taco Honorable Mention: Boca 31 VEGGIE FARE / HEALTH FOOD Winner: Spiral Diner & Bakery Runner-Up: Mr. Chopsticks Honorable Mention: Seven Mile Cafe
WINGS Winner: Wingstop Runner-Up: Buffalo Wild Wings Honorable Mention: BoomerJack’s Grill & Bar
For the Home
ARCHITECTS/BUILDING DESIGNERS Winner: Kirkpatrick Architecture Studio Runner-Up: Bates Martin Architects Honorable Mention: Design Services BUILDERS Winner: Key Custom Homes Runner-Up: Tim Beaty Builders Honorable Mention: Design Classics
CARPET CLEANING Winner: O'Bryan's Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Runner-Up: Denton County Carpet Cleaning Honorable Mention: Champion Carpet Cleaning CLEANING SERVICE Winner: Maid in America Runner-Up: Molly Maid Honorable Mention: Maryson’s Cleaning Services
Smitty's Floor Covering
We are Honored and Grateful to be voted Best of Denton
“Thank you Dr. Leatherwood and your amazing staff for helping me get the smile I’ve always wanted.” J.F.
Before
Dr. Samantha Leatherwood
DE-17139
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4400 Teasley lane suiTe 300 DenTon, TX 76210 940-220-5858 www.leaTherwooDDenTal.com
D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 8
Photo by Jefferee Woo/DRC
CARPET / FLOORING STORE Winner: Smitty’s Floor Covering Runner-Up: CW Floors & Lighting Honorable Mention: The Design House
ELECTRICAL Winner: Denton Electric, Inc. Runner-Up: C&G Electric, Inc. Honorable Mention: Terry Poeschl Electric, Inc.
NURSERY / GARDEN CENTER Winner: Calloway’s Nursery Runner-Up: Meador Nursery Honorable Mention: Dennis’ Farm Store
FENCING Winner: All Texas Fence, LLC Runner-Up: Texas Roof & Fence Honorable Mention: J&J Fencing Pros, LLC
PLUMBING Winner: Strittmatter Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Roofing Runner-Up: BCI Mechanical, Inc. Honorable Mention: AM Plumbing
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Winner: Work Environmental Systems Runner-Up: Strittmatter Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Roofing Honorable Mention: BCI Mechanical, Inc.
POOL COMPANY Winner: Gohlke Pools Runner-Up: Brakefield’s Pool Service Honorable Mention: Larsen Pools, LLC
HOME FURNISHING STORE Winner: Adams Furniture Runner-Up: Rooms To Go Honorable Mention: Home Zone KITCHEN / BATH REMODELER Winner: Imagine Renovations Runner-Up: Irwin Construction Honorable Mention: TriStar Repair & Construction LANDSCAPING SERVICE Winner: Frenchy’s Lawn and Tree Service Runner-Up: Meador Nursery Honorable Mention: Samuel's Tree Service, LLC
ROOFING Winner: Denton Trinity Roofing Runner-Up: Gillian Brothers Roofing Honorable Mention: TriStar Quality Roofing SPECIALTY SERVICES Winner: Longhorn Solar Screens Runner-Up: Samuel's Tree Service, LLC Honorable Mention: Finishing Touch Designs STORAGE FACILITY Winners: Bell Avenue Self Storage, Iron Guard Storage Runners-Up: Golden Triangle Storage, Macho Self Storage
Healthy Living
ALLERGY SPECIALIST Winner: North Texas Allergy & Asthma Center Runner-Up: Family Allergy and Asthma Care Honorable Mention: North Texas ENT and Allergy ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY Winner: Good Samaritan Society Denton Village Runner-Up: Vintage Health Care Center Honorable Mention: Willow Bend Assisted Living & Memory Care CHIROPRACTOR / CLINIC Winner: Spinal Decompression & Chiropractor Center Runner-Up: Denton Sports Chiropractic Honorable Mention: DeHart Chiropractic DENTIST / DENTIST OFFICE Winner: Leatherwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Runner-Up: Norman Pomerance, DDS Honorable Mention: DePalma Family Dentistry EYECARE Winner: Total Eyecare and Eyewear Gallery Runner-Up: Ragsdale Vision Center Honorable Mention: Advanced Eye Care Center
FAMILY PHYSICIAN / CLINIC Winner: Timothy McGuire, MD Runner-Up: Anna Burke, MD Honorable Mention: Stanley Evans, DO HEARING CARE Winner: Denton Hearing Health Care Runner-Up: Connect Hearing Honorable Mention: Livingston Audiology & Hearing Aid Center HOME CARE Winner: Living Well Senior Care Runner-Up: Visiting Angels Honorable Mention: Accolade Home Care & Hospice / Texas Home Health Group HOME HEALTH Winner: Heaven at Home Care Runner-Up: Accolade Home Care & Hospice / Texas Home Health Group Honorable Mention: DFW Home Health-Denton HOSPICE Winner: VNA Ann's Haven Runner-Up: Accolade Home Care & Hospice / Texas Home Health Group Honorable Mention: VITAS Healthcare MEDICAL CENTER Winner: Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton Runner-Up: Medical City Denton Honorable Mention: Minor Emergency of Denton
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REALTOR®
940-206-7555 CHRISSY@MSQUAREDTEAM.COM
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MEMORY CARE Winner: Willow Bend Assisted Living and Memory Care Runner-Up: Autumn Leaves Denton Honorable Mention: The Village Assisted Living and Memory Care
RETIREMENT FACILITY / INDEPENDENT LIVING Winner: The Good Samaritan Society - Denton Village Runner-Up: Dogwood Estates Honorable Mention: Senior Care Center
TRAINING Winner: CMC Dog Training Runner-Up: Quinntastic Dog Training & Grooming Honorable Mention: Paula's Canine Academy
OB/GYN Winner: Caring for Women Runner-Up: Women’s Health & Wellness Honorable Mention: Dr. Christina Dooley
SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION
VETERINARIAN Winner: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection Runner-Up: South Denton Animal Hospital Honorable Mention: Denton Veterinary Center
PAIN MANAGEMENT Winner: WolMed Runner-Up: Principal Spine & Pain Consultants - Arpan Desai, DO Honorable Mention: Premier Pain Care PEDIATRICIAN Winner: Cook Children’s Pediatrics - South Denton (Teasley) Runner-Up: Cook Children’s Pediatrics - North Denton (Scripture St.) Honorable Mention: Nuby Pediatrics PHARMACY Winner: Community Pharmacy Runner-Up: Drug Emporium Honorable Mention: S&J Pharmacy & Gifts PHYSICAL THERAPIST Winner: D&D Sports Med Runner-Up: Velocity Physical Therapy Honorable Mention: Denton Sports & Physical Therapy Center
Winner: The Good Samaritan Society - Denton Village Runner-Up: Denton Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Honorable Mention: Select Rehabilitation Hospital
Pets
PET BOARDING Winner: CMC Dog Training Runner-Up: Paula's Canine Academy Honorable Mention: Quinntastic Dog Training & Grooming PET GROOMING Winner: Beau’s Bath House and Doggie Spa Runner-Up: Pampered Pooch Honorable Mention: Quinntastic Dog Training & Grooming PET RESCUE ORGANIZATION Winner: Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center Runner-Up: Denton Animal Support Foundation Honorable Mention: Texas Coalition for Animal Protection
Real Estate
APARTMENT COMPLEX Winner: Urban Square at Unicorn Lake Runner-Up: UC Denton Honorable Mention: Timberlinks at Denton COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE COMPANY Winner: Keller Williams Realty Runner-Up: Scott Brown Commercial Honorable Mention: McKissack Realty Group MORTGAGE COMPANY Winner: DATCU Mortgage Runner-Up: Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Honorable Mention: First State Bank Mortgage
MOVING SERVICES Winner: Little Guys Movers, Inc. Runner-Up: Brown Box Movers Honorable Mention: Duryea Moving & Storage REAL ESTATE AGENT Winner: Chrissy Mallouf, M Squared Real Estate Team Runner-Up: Marla Carrico, Carrico & Associates Honorable Mention: Jeff Withers, Real T Team REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE Winner: Keller Williams Realty Runner-Up: Newland Real Estate Honorable Mention: Real T Team REAL ESTATE GROUP/TEAM Winner: M Squared Real Estate Team Runner-Up: McKissack Realty Group Honorable Mention: Real T Team REAL ESTATE SERVICES Winner: McKissack Realty Group Runner-Up: KAZ Surveying Honorable Mention: Arthur Surveying Co. TITLE COMPANY Winner: Freedom Title Runner-Up: Title Resources Honorable Mention: Stewart Title of Denton
TEACHING DENTON’S
Future Stars FOR OVER 30 YEARS!
Over 5,000 Clients Assisted Since 1982!
Specializing In All Real Estate Services Residential - New Construction - Acreage Farm & Ranch - Investment - Foreclosure & More We BUY Houses Too!
DE-16791
OFFERING MUSIC LESSONS ON ALL INSTRUMENTS FOR ALL AGES
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940.320.6023 D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 8
McKissackRealty.com | (940)383-6683
Thank you, Denton.
For voting Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton the Best Medical Center. At Texas Health Denton, we’ve grown with our growing community, bringing you the same technology found at major metropolitan hospitals. We offer advanced medical technologies close to home, like robotic surgery and the area’s only low-dose 512-slice CT scanner. Plus, you will find over 300 physicians on the medical staff representing more than 45 specialties ranging from neonatology, for our tiniest citizens, to cardiology, for every beat of your heart. So when you and your family need it most, the care you need is right here in your own backyard. Heart & Vascular Services ■ Electrophysiology ■ CT Cardiac Imaging ■ Robotic Surgery Neurology ■ Weight Loss Surgery ■ Endovascular Surgery ■ Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Neck & Back Program ■ Women & Infants Care ■ Neonatology ■ Cancer Care ■ Emergency Care General Surgery ■ Critical Care ■ Wound Care & Hyperbaric Treatment Center ■ Stroke Care
1-877-THR-WELL | TexasHealth.org/Denton
Doctors on the medical staffs practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health hospitals or Texas Health Resources. © 2019
Services
ATTORNEY / LAW FIRM Winner: Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP Runner-Up: Sawko & Burroughs, PC Honorable Mention: Leigh Hilton BAIL BONDS Winner: Shawn Cagle-City Hall Bail Bonds Runner-Up: Webb’s Statewide Bail Bonds Honorable Mention: Big Bubba's Bail Bonds BANK / FINANCIAL INSTITUTION Winner: PointBank Runner-Up: Wells Fargo Honorable Mention: Chase Bank BED AND BREAKFAST Winner: The Wildwood Inn Runner-Up: Locust Street Inn Honorable Mention: Old Irish Bed & Breakfast Winner: Techvera, LLC Runner-Up: Austin Lane Technologies Honorable Mention: Local Circuit COMPUTER SERVICE REPAIR Winner: Techvera Runner-Up: Local Circuit Honorable Mention: Geek Squad
PointBank
TWICE AS NICE PURCHASE WITH A PURPOSE 413 E. OAK ST. & 420 E. MCKINNEY MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 5PM TWICEASNICERESALE.COM
THANK YOU To our faithful volunteers & supporters for voting us in a BEST OF DENTON category for 8 years in a row!
2019 BEST THRIFT & BEST RESALE
DE-16952
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Thank You for voting for us.
Winner for Best Hair Salon | Top 3 Best Specialty Services
513 S. Locust Street | Denton, TX 76201 | 940-320-4247
Photo by Jefferee Woo/DRC
BUSINESS IT SERVICES
u o Y k n a h T for nominating us
Best of Denton. At DFW Home Health, formerly 1st Choice Home Health, it’s all about helping people. Our local professionals work together every day to deliver the high-quality home health care you need.
SHPBEST
HOME HEALTH
PATIENT SATISFACTION 2018 WINNER TOP 20% SUPERIOR PERFORMER
940.387.4594
DE
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Thank you to all our customers that have supported us through the
ality insta g qu ll a ti o
ns
Pr
DENTON ELECTRIC, INC.
years. We at Denton Electric, Inc. truly value your loyal support and look forward to working with each of you again in the near future. Denton Electric, Inc. constantly strives to provide for our customers’ electrical needs in a prompt and efficient manner, whether it be lamp repairs, service and maintenance work, or electrical construction.
h
int
egrity since
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VOTED #1 BEST ELECTRICAL COMPANY 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
We are always here to serve you. The entire staff at Denton Electric, Inc. says “Thank You.” 4205 MESA DRIVE | DENTON, TEXAS 76207 940.387.1312 J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9 8 D E N T O N CO U N T Y
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CREDIT UNION Winner: DATCU Runner-Up: Life Credit Union Honorable Mention: Neighborhood Credit Union
PEST CONTROL Winner: Adams Exterminating Co. Runner-Up: A Smart Pest Control Honorable Mention: Denton County Termite & Pest Control
DRY CLEANING Winner: Marky's Dry Cleaners Runner-Up: Denton Cleaners Honorable Mention: Zenith Dry Cleaners
PHOTOGRAPHER / PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO Winner: Timeless Images Photography Runner-Up: Anna's Photography TX Honorable Mention: Eagleton Photography
FINANCIAL PLANNING Winner: Edward Jones Investments Financial Advisor Kyle A. Nayfa Runner-Up: Soulier Financial Group Honorable Mentions: Raymond James Financial Services, Stocker Woods Financial Inc. FLORIST Winner: Denton Florist Runner-Up: Holly’s Gardens and Florist Honorable Mention: CoCo Fleur Events HOTEL Winner: Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center Runner-Up: Best Western Premier Crown Chase Inn & Suites Honorable Mention: Hilton Garden Inn INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCY Winner: Ramey King Insurance Runner-Up: Hutcherson Insurance Services Honorable Mention: Tim Shoopman, State Farm Insurance Agent
PRINT / COPY SHOP Winner: Cooper’s Copies & Printing Runner-Up: AlphaGraphics Honorable Mention: Impress Graphics PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS Winner: Groggy Dog Runner-Up: Pan Ector Industries Honorable Mention: AlphaGraphics
Shopping
ANTIQUE STORE Winner: Downtown Mini Mall II Runner-Up: Vintage Bleu Home Honorable Mention: Shop the Barn BEER STORE Winner: Total Wine & More Runner-Up: Midway Mart Honorable Mention: Applejack's Liquor BOOK STORE Winner: Recycled Books, Records, CDs Runner-Up: Barnes & Noble Honorable Mention: Mardel Christian & Education
CLOTHING STORE Winner: The Palm Tree Boutique Runner-Up: J.T. Clothiers Honorable Mention: Circa 77 Vintage GIFT SHOP Winner: Sleeping Lizzards Runner-Up: DIME Store Honorable Mention: Garden Gate HEALTH FOOD STORE Winner: Sprouts Runner-Up: Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Honorable Mention: Drug Emporium JEWELRY STORE Winner: First People’s Jewelers Runner-Up: Nasr Bros. Jewelers Honorable Mention: Sleeping Lizzards LIQUOR STORE Winner: Total Wine & More Runner-Up: Applejack’s Liquor Honorable Mention: Spec's Wines, Spirits and Fine Foods
SPORTS STORE Winner: Denton Second Hand Sports Runner-Up: Denton Bicycle Center Honorable Mention: Sprockets Bicycle Shop STORE ON THE DENTON SQUARE Winner: Recycled Books, Records, CDs Runner-Up: Atomic Candy Honorable Mention: McNeill's Appliance THRIFT STORE Winner: Twice as Nice Resale Runner-Up: Denton Thrift Honorable Mention: Thrift Giant VAPOR SHOP Winner: Vaporescence Runner-Up: Denton Vape Shoppe Honorable Mention: Mad Lab's Vapor VINTAGE SHOP Winner: Rose Costumes Runner-Up: Downtown Mini Mall II Honorable Mention: Circa 77 Vintage
MUSIC / MOVIE / GAMING STORE Winner: Recycled Books, Records, CDs Runner-Up: Freaks & Geeks Honorable Mention: Movie Trading Co.
WESTERN WEAR Winner: Foster’s Western Wear & Saddle Shop Runner-Up: Cavender’s Boot City Honorable Mention: Duluth Trading Co.
RESALE SHOP Winner: Twice as Nice Resale Runner-Up: SCRAP Denton Honorable Mention: Denton Thrift
WINE STORE Winner: Total Wine & More Runner-Up: Wine Squared Honorable Mention: Steve's Wine Bar
SPECIALTY STORE Winner: Atomic Candy Runner-Up: Rose Costumes Honorable Mention: The DIME Store
INTEGRITY • HONESTY • TRUST It’s How We Run Our Practice. It’s Who We Are. • Diagnostic Hearing Evaluations • Pre-School Hearing & Vision Screenings • Balance Testing • Auditory Processing Screening • Hearing Aid Evaluations & Fittings
ONLY $20* *Price valid April 1 through August 31, 2019
JUDITH A. CAUDLE, AU.D. CHRIS D. CAUDLE, AU.D. KATIE L BESSENT, AU.D. DOCTORS OF AUDIOLOGY
Open every day The Doctors You Have Trusted For Over 35 Years
2540 Lillian Miller Pkwy Ste 100 Denton, TX 940-387-0550 • www.dentonhearing.com
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Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm | Sat: 8am-8pm | Sun: 8am-5pm
Two Locations in Denton
Find your closest location at CareNow.com
LIVE THE SIMPLE LIFE!
WINNER
The Village offers the best combination of a luxury community, highly trained staff, personalized activities and programming, resort-style dining, and a location in the center of it all. Whether you are looking for a new residence, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care or short-term respite, our family at The Village is ready to serve you.
TOUR TODAY AND ASK ABOUT OUR 2,000 WAYS TO SAVE! For a Limited Time Also Enjoy a Free Custom Designer Closet in Your New Home ($1,500 value). License # 148121
1919 Brinker Road, Denton, TX 76208 | TheVillageAssistedLiving.com | 940-859-0410
See&Do YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST UPCOMING EVENTS IN DENTON COUNTY
Sanger Sellabration
When: September 14, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Bolivar Street, Downtown Sanger, TX Sanger’s Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 41st Annual Sellabration. The festival includes live music, food, vendors, activities for kids and teens, the Little Miss and Mr. Sanger Pageant, an art show and more. There’s even a pie-eating contest and a wiener dog race. This fun, family-friendly event is free to attend.
North Texas Fair & Rodeo
When: August 16-24 — Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Friday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Sunday, 1 to 11 p.m. Where: 2217 N. Carroll Blvd., Denton Denton County’s biggest event is back with nine days of activities for the whole family. Enjoy carnival rides, eat some fair food, participate in the BBQ cook-off, watch livestock and horse shows and take in some rodeo excitement. There are contests galore, from arts and cooking to pageants and parade floats. This year’s musical entertainers include Parker McCollum, Easton Corbin, La Zenda Nortena, Jake Hooker, Kody West, Ned LeDoux, Flatland Cavalry, Pat Green and Tracy Lawrence. All revenue generated is reinvested into various youth, agriculture and community programs, scholarships and facilities.
Expert Advice
N OT YOU R AV E R AGE F E E D S TO R E ! Come in today for fresh feed, friendly faces & service with a smile! LARGEST SELECTION OF POULTRY BREEDS IN NORTH TEXAS...YEAR ROUND!
• Hay • Feed • Bedding • Live Poultry • Lawn and Garden Supplies • Organics • Pet Food • Animal Health • Organic & Soy Free NON GMO Feed
Farm and Home Denton 3105 Fort Worth Dr., Denton, TX 76205 940-891-0100 | www.dandldenton.com
Owned and operated by local Argyle family
Serving ALL of Southern Denton County! Same day delivery!
DE-9449
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When: August 16-18 Where: Unity Park, 2200 Briarhill Boulevard, Highland Village As one of the largest annual events in Denton County, this festival encompasses much more than the 20 hot air balloons that provide nighttime lights and daytime launches. Throughout the festival, attendees can listen to live bands, sample food, enjoy a car show, visit arts and crafts vendors and visit exhibitor booths. Vision screenings will also be offered on site. Entry is free, and there is a recommended $5 donation for parking. Bring chairs.
The Big Fake Wedding Dallas
When: July 11, 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Monroe Pearson, 421 E. Oak St., Denton Looking for an alternative bridal show that’s more than booths? Brides- and grooms-to-be can watch a big fake wedding and reception to see potential wedding vendors in action. Attendees will see a vow renewal ceremony, enjoy a cocktail-style dinner and get down at a dance party reception. The $25 tickets include light bites, a signature drink and a swag bag. More info can be found at thebigfakewedding.com
Balloon Festival photo by Gail Whittaker Photography
32nd Annual Highland Village Lions Balloon Festival
C
CHRISSY MALLOUF REALTOR®
940-206-7555 CHRISSY@MSQUAREDTEAM.COM
Best of Denton Winner 2015, 2016, 2017, Your go to Denton Realtor.
201 ,201
Best of Denton County 2017
#dentonrealtor
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See&Do Denton Beer Walk vnatexas.org
Helping North Texans Age With Dignity Since 1934 VNA Hospice Care • Focus is on quality of life and comfort • Symptom management experts • Patient and family-centered care approach • A comprehensive clinical team dedicated to meeting the goals of the patient and family VNA Care Choices • Symptom management expertise with compassionate in-home nursing visits • Patients can continue to consult with physicians and seek treatment • Comprehensive clinical team dedicated to patient-centered goals • Assistance navigating the medical system
To schedule your free in-home informational visit, please call Sarah (214) 535-2615, email gethelp@vnatexas.org or visit vnatexas.org
When: July 17, 6 to 9:15 p.m. Where: 111 West Hickory St., Denton Come experience this new event that combines live music and tasting craft beers. Grab a collectible glass and a sampling map to stroll through the downtown area and enjoy craft brews at 15 stops. Enjoy live music, shop pop-up vendors, score freebies and enter for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. The Denton Beer Walk benefits a new nonprofit each month.
Micro:bit Coding Camp
When: July 22-26, 9 a.m. to noon Where: Explorium - Denton Children’s Museum, 5800 I 35N, Denton This camp lets experienced kid coders ages 9 to 12 take on the challenge of learning a real professional use programming language. Children will interact with Microbits and use Python coding to create animations, scrolling signs and more. Registration is required, and the cost is $159 per child. Contact Melissa Haas at 214-405-2167 for more information.
Wine and Whiskers 2019
Instantly transform the look and functionality of your back patio with Rollaway Screens!
When: July 12, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Where: Applejacks Liquors, 345 E. Hickory St., Denton Join the Denton Animal Support Foundation for an evening of wine tasting and fun to benefit the City of Denton Animal Shelter, provide care for area pets in need and support other DASF programs. Hear live music and bid on silent auction items such as vacation packages, gift certificates and jewelry. Tickets are $35 at www.dentonasf.com.
Denton • 940-514-1118 Dallas/Fort Worth • 940-565-8200 LonghornScreens.com 1100 S. Woodrow Lane Denton, TX 76205
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Photo by Brook Scoggins
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D E N T O N CO U N T Y J U LY/AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
See&Do Little Skynyrd: Evenings on Oak Street Concert Series
When: August 8, 7 to 8 p.m. Where: Austin Street Plaza, 221 N. Oak St., Roanoke Spend an evening with the sweet sounds of this Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. Evenings on Oak Street is a free concert series with a covered stage area, green space, picnic area and restrooms. Nearby parking is available.
Denton Back-to-School Fair
When: August 10, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: University of North Texas Gateway Center, 801 N. Texas Blvd., Denton The second annual Denton Back-toSchool Fair helps families in need acquire school supplies and connect with needed services. Attendees can receive free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, vision exams, health screenings, immunizations and more. Register at bit.ly/ DentonSchool.
First Friday Free Community Yoga
When: August 2, 6 to 7 p.m. Where: Parker Square, 1400 Cross Timbers Road, Flower Mound On the first Friday of every month from May to September, bring your yoga mat, towel or blanket to the Parker Square gazebo to get in a free yoga sesh. Adventure Kids Playcare Flower Mound will have free childcare during the class for kids ages 2 and up, and the class is taught by Heidi Axelrod of Over 40 Personal Training. All classes are weather permitting.
THE INNOVATION INCUBATOR UNT is a Tier One research university where caring faculty collaborate with students to cultivate new solutions and make groundbreaking discoveries — fueling the creative economy.
unt.edu/innovation