Argyle Living Magazine April 2016 by Murray Media Group

APRIL 2016

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4 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

Argyle RESIDENT

Liberty Christian Events

Contents Table of

Featured Stories and News 08 11 13 15 17 19

Friday Jeans Day with $3 Donation April 22nd

Lower School Achievement Tests April 25th - 29th

The 22nd Annual Artist’s Garden “Juke Box Saturday Night” April 30th at 6:30pm

Teacher Appreciation Week May 2nd - 6th

US Academic Awards Convocation May 17th at 7pm

Last Day of School May 25th

Class of 2016 Graduation

May 27th at 7pm

Want to feature your school’s or organization’s event? Contact us at artwork@murray-media.com

Pg 20 On the Cover: Liberty Christian School Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic

Photos from Argyle

You Submit We Print

22 25 26 28 29 32 36 37

Inside Community Argyle UIL Program Hay Fever Argyle School Board Argyle Baseball Fail to Plan? Then Plan to Pay

Liberty Christian School Mission Trip Inside Education Makeover of the Month All Star Girls & Coaches Mayor’s Corner Dallas Nationals Argyle Director Elected Common Myths about Law Shoot for the Stars

Ask the Experts 07 10 12 16 18 27 28 34 35

From Your Editor Real Estate Learning Nutrition Gardening Body and Soul Life Coaching Dr. Matt Sidelines

ArgyleLivingMagazine.com

Full Plate

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray Administration Managing Editor Jana Melton

A Message from The Community Editor

Sub-Editor

y definition, parenting is: “the process of them throughout their lives. A mother offers taking care of children until they are old support and we should be our child’s biggest enough to take care of themselves”. Parents supporter. Being a mother means being there have a sacred duty to rear their children in love to teach my boys important rules and roles in and righteousness, to provide for their physical life, from being an empathetic human being, to and spiritual needs, to teach them to love learning how to be responsible for their actions. and serve one another and to be law-abiding Every woman possesses the sacred citizens wherever they live. responsibility to provide loving nurturance It’s the time of the year in the spring, when so that others may develop toward their we celebrate and honor the one who nurtured us, highest potential. To me, mothering is among scolded us, raised us and loved us. The nurturing the most complex and demanding and most person in your life may not wonderfully exhausting work have given birth to you, yet imaginable. Pure fatigue is a she is your mother. She may universal experience among not have been in your life, us mothers. The role of a nor nurtured you, but she is mother is not an easy one. A still your mother. Whom you mother’s plate is never empty. call family has nothing to do We are mom from the time with bloodlines. Likewise, we wake up until we go to whether you are a mother or bed, and sometimes even not, you have the ability to after we go to bed. We are Kathryn Flores, encourage, equip, inspire and Community Relations and awakened in the wee hours Advertising Consultant invest in the lives of the people of the night by the crying of Argyle Living & Lantana Living around you. Your influence can a child that needs its diaper Kathryn@murray-media.com directly affect the direction of 214.734.5783 changed, or a sick child that someone’s life and lead her moans at 3AM. Frankly, into her calling. Perhaps there are other children it is impossible to list all of a mother’s duties, in your life that you can encourage and tell them and motherhood never ends, even after the how important they are. Even adults need that child is grown. love, support and inspiration that comes from To all the nurturers who have invested so a mother’s heart. Remember, your words have much in the lives of children, may you be blessed, power. Your words of faith and hope make great strengthened and empowered and may you deposits into the hearts of others. This celebrated know the greatness of the gift that you are to day ahead of us, Mother’s Day, is a reminder of this world! May your plate of love and blessings those to pay tribute to in our lives…those role be forever overflowing and never empty! models and forever guidance and support figures. In that vein, giving birth to a child does not As we celebrate Mother’s Day and look ahead to make you a mother. A real mother is a leader, an Father’s Day, we all have the memories that have advisor and a protector. No matter the species, shaped our heart and soul. Be open with your heart a mother will always be there for children under and your soul to your children. We are leaving a any circumstances. It is in our DNA. We love legacy and those little feet will grow into responsible unconditionally and offer proper guidance to feet firmly planted on the ground. We shape and education, manners and morals. Mothers also mold that. Enjoy your celebrations and forge many discipline our children, a skill that will benefit memories this summer!

Contributors

Bobbi Byrne

Steve Gamel Susan Neuhalfen

Advertising

Kathryn Flores kathryn@murray-media.com Kelly Murray kelly@murray-media.com

Production Graphic Designers Liz Wallace Stephanie Hansen Whitney Hill Caroline Brock

Photography

Scott Young 972.899.3536 ScottYoungPhoto.com Karen Foust 214.850.3417 FoustPhotography.com

Letters

Argyle Living invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email artwork@murray-media.com. All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group. Editorial and Advertising Inquiries call 972.899.3637 or email artwork@murray-media.com Address: 1011 Surrey Lane Building 100, Ste. 101 Flower Mound, TX 75022 Argyle Living is published monthly by Murray Media Group. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Argyle Living is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2016 Murray Media Group

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 7

Argyle Tennis Club Starting Its Second Year Do you have a 5th - 8th grade Argyle Eagle

who might be interested in learning more about tennis? Then reserve your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spot now for the Argyle Tennis Club. This four week after school tennis club will work on basic tennis skills, games and drills

with volunteer instruction provided by

pros from the Denton Country Club. Racquets

will be provided for use if your child does not have a racquet. Classes meet Mondays 4:45-5:45 starting April 11. Space is limited. For more information contact info@argyletennisclub.com

Pack 192 Annual Scouting For Food Successful

food collection as a way to give back to the community and promote citizenship. The food was collected at various locations including

Argyle Middle School, Hilltop Elementary and Point Bank. Many boys went door to door in neighborhoods collecting

from the community in groups. Over

at www.ArgyleYouthSports.com.

Argyle Eagle Classic Golf Tournament Set For May The 13th Annual Argyle Eagle Classic Golf

1.600 pounds of food was collected in

Tournament will be held May 6 at the Golf Club

the food bank located at First Baptist church in

Texas Motor Speedway. The tournament will

the Argyle Community and donated to

Argyle. After collecting the food in trucks, the boys weighed the food and helped stock the shelves at the food bank.

Argyle Youth Association Announces Fall Registration The Argyle Youth Association Fall Sport

Argyle Cub Scout Pack 192 sponsored by

and Spirit Registrations will open May 1

in the 2016 Scouting for Food Drive annual

and May 12 for youth cheerleading and

Argyle United Methodist Church participated

youth volleyball. Online registration is required

for youth football, and youth drill team

at Champions Circle located at the Marriott by benefit the Argyle Athletic and Band Booster Clubs. Contact Shannon Llewellyn at

sllewe9393@aol.com for sponsorship and registration information.

Neighbors Nominated For Argyle Pride Do you have a neighbor who keeps his or her

yard beautiful? Nominate your neighbor or an

address for the Argyle Pride award. Keep Argyle

Beautiful sponsors the award which will be posted in the yard of your neighbors that should

be recognized for the diligence and hard work of keeping their yard beautiful. To learn more go to

www.keepargylebeautiful.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Argyle Spring Clean Up Scheduled For April 16 The annual Argyle Spring

Clean Up is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 from 8am until 11am at the Argyle Town Hall. Bring your household waste,

hazardous

electronics

and

white

goods (freon must be removed) for proper disposal. also

have

on-site

They will

document

destruction and tire recovery (no

more than four per household). Argyle Spring Clean Up is open

to Argyle residents only. Make sure you have proof of residency

8 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

as it is required to participate.

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 9

Real Estate

The location and price point are also impacting

MULTIPLE OFFERS, SOLD IN 1 DAY,

SOLD ABOVE LIST

WHAT IS GOING ON? by Will Woods of the Woods Group, Keller Williams Realty

the local housing markets. In some price points

and areas, homes are still taking quite a bit of time to sell. Even in hot areas you will see some

homes take an above-average time to sell. In some areas there is just not enough demand for the inventory of available homes.

Fortunately for us, our Argyle and surrounding

areas are incredibly desired areas to live in. We

have great schools, reasonable home prices, a fantastic quality of life, and a very accessible

location to most anything in the DFW area.

ou find yourself on Facebook late one Saturday evening and you see a friend post a note saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wow, we sold our home in 1 day and had 10 offers! We are so excited our home sold above the list price!â&#x20AC;?. If this was a one-time occurrence you might not think much of it. However, we are seeing and hearing this from multiple sources such as friends, social media, advertising, and the media. The Dallas/Fort Worth area is experiencing

an incredibly strong housing market. It might surprise you to know that the DFW area is

This is not just a general rule meaning that any

home, no matter the price, location, or condition, will have the same experience. The sellers that

are experiencing these results typically are working with an experienced real estate agent

or team, have staged and prepared their home to

sell, have priced the home close to market value, and have prepared their home well for showings. These sellers are being rewarded with quick

transactions by focusing on pricing the home

right and making the presentation of the home a priority.

Our area is currently seeing record results in the housing market. The forecast for DFW is

continued strong growth for the next 3-5 years. Most economists believe we are insulated against a significant slow down due to strong job growth and the fact that we never had an unreasonable appreciation in home values.

Please let us know if you are interested in

receiving a free home valuation and market

analysis. We believe your home will be worth more than you think it is. Please contact The Woods Group at 214.733.9239.

currently the 2nd fastest growing city in the

United States with over 12,000 people a month moving to the DFW area. Why is our area growing so fast?

Why are so many families

choosing to move to our area?

Here are some additional insights into why

our area is growing so fast and attracting so many people. On a general note, Texas is a prime

destination due to moderate weather, low taxes, options.

Dallas/Fort Worth is experiencing

unprecedented job growth and relocation of

large employers to our area. These employers

know it is advantageous to be able to offer potential employees the opportunity to live in an

area with a low cost of living, lower housing costs

than most of the nation, no personal income tax, good schools and great quality of life. Between

now and 2019 the DFW area is forecasted to add over 300,000 new jobs. This is a staggering number. Combine the quality of life, central

location of our area, large job growth and low housing costs, and you will have a formula for a strong housing market.

We are consistently seeing homes receive

multiple offers, sell for above list price, and sell

very quickly. There are a couple of caveats to this.

10 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

Argyle RESIDENT

conservative politics and reasonable housing

ARGYLE HIGH SCHOOL

Sweeps UIL Documentary Awards by Susan Neuhalfen

or the first time in the history of the University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition, Argyle High School won first, second and third place in the Division 1 Documentary category. It was the first time any school has won all three top slots in the state.

Director of all three films, junior Annabel

Thorpe, could not contain her excitement when

she told about her experience at the UIL Young Filmmakers Festival at the Paramount Theater

in the film. “The judges announced third place first and I was very excited it placed in third but I couldn’t help but wonder who beat me.”

The speaker asked her to stay on stage as he

in Austin.

announced her film More than Music as the

really wanted to do well on that one,” said Thorpe

Morning News Intern Program received first

“Pointe of the Spotlight was my baby and I

who used to take ballet with the dancers featured

second place winner and again as The Dallas place. More than Music was a documentary

about Argyle resident turned country music star Abbey Cone. The Dallas Morning News Intern Program was a project she’d done as part of her internship with the Dallas Morning News, showing the day to day workings of the intern program and interviewing interns in all different departments of the newspaper. What’s more impressive than the sweep, is the way in which the students came about creating these documentaries. What started as a UIL writing class two years ago, turned into something so much more. In addition to working on writing, the students came up with the idea to create documentaries for the new UIL Division 1 Documentary category. “It was a natural manifestation of what we do,” explained advisor Stacy Shore who coaches the journalism writing team. “We have the writing basics down and started exploring broadcast journalism. It all works together.” The ideas and writing came easily, however there was little to no equipment available to them. Their advisor Stacy Shore asked for a grant to start a studio and they received enough money to purchase two computers and a good camera. Then she and her husband and son set out to build a makeshift studio on their own time. “The principal gave us a room and we built a desk to suit the equipment,” Shore said, describing the studio the students now use. “We all learn in life that we have to work with what we have and that in itself is a great learning experience.” The cameras, computers and programs were all self-taught with Shore there to guide them all the way. All of the students, as well as Shore, put in many extra hours to put these films together and all outside of class time.

A few of the students that worked on the projects this year included: Micki Hirschorn who conducted the interviews Blair Bowman acted as idea manager for More Than Music. Caleb Miles contributed football clips for the piece Faith Stapleton props manager for Pointe of the Spotlight Most importantly, points out Shore, is that students are learning that hard work pays off. After four wins in two years, Thorpe has certainly learned that lesson. When asked how she planned to top her wins from this year, she had to laugh. “I’m still so overwhelmed and grateful for what has happened,” she said. “I do have some ideas floating around for next year and I’m going to try to get a head start on them.” APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 11

Learning

Preparing Young Children for

EMERGENCIES

Planning and Teaching Basic Life Skills Help Keep Children Safe by Erin Lundie M.Ed, Franchise Owner, Primrose School of Lantana

n a daily basis, 69 million children in America are separated from their parents during the work day while in school or child care for an average of nine hours. As parents and educators, what can we do to ensure that our children are protected in case emergency strikes during the school day? Does your child know your home address and phone number? Does he know the name of his school or teacher? Does your family have emergency supplies and an evacuation plan at home? Does his school have an emergency safety plan in place? The safety and well-being of students is a top priority at Primrose Schools®. Every school has a Safe School Plan in place in case of emergency, which includes extensive emergency preparedness training for staff, step-by-step guidelines for emergency response and teaching essential safety skills to children. Primrose students also build a solid foundation of abilities and skills through the Primrose Life

12 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

Skills Program, which is woven into Primrose’s exclusive Balanced Learning® curriculum. Every

Primrose student learns to recite her name, address and phone number, as well as the name

of her school and teachers. By creating a fun and engaging atmosphere for learning and reinforcing

safety lessons through songs and games, children retain necessary skills and are better prepared for

potential emergencies. Primrose believes children

should begin learning these skills at a very early

age and appropriately tailors the curriculum for each age group.

Younger Primrose students, including toddlers

and early preschoolers, learn to avoid dangerous objects, including cleaning products, hot stoves and

electrical outlets. Additionally, younger learners practice the “stop, look and listen” mantra, which

means stop walking or running, listen to the parent, teacher or caregiver present, and look around before taking another step. Over time, this method helps

children become more aware of their surroundings, which is an important step as they continue to practice safety in a variety of settings. Primrose early preschool through kindergarten students learn the basics of first aid and emergency preparedness through the Primrose Life Skills curriculum including how to dial 911, identifying medication versus food or candy, etc. For this age group, Primrose teachers also expand on “stop, look, and listen,” teaching students traffic safety, including the meaning of traffic lights and the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street at crosswalks. “At Primrose School of Lantana, it is our duty to keep our students safe and prepare them as best we can for the unexpected,” said Frank Lundie, Franchise Owner of Primrose School of Lantana]. “By teaching age-appropriate life skills, we feel our children are better prepared for emergency situations and real-world interactions with adults.” At Primrose Schools, while children are busy playing, learning, singing, painting and growing, parents can take comfort in our commitment to provide a safe environment and equip children with essential life skills to help keep them safe no matter what the situation. To learn more about life skills and emergency preparedness activities at Primrose School Lantana, please visit primroselantana.com or call 940.455.2550 to schedule a tour.

Hay Fever

pring has sprung and allergy medications and tissue boxes are filling your shelves. I am sure you are tired of hearing about and suffering from one of the most common ailments, hay fever.

It may be hard to distinguish colds, seasonal allergies, and more serious infections. Hay fever symptoms are usually cold symptoms such as:

Congestion or sinus pressure • Runny nose • Itchy, watery eyes Scratchy or sore throat • Cough • Swollen, bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes Reduced sense of taste or smell One way to tell the difference in a common cold and seasonal allergies is the duration of symptoms. Cold symptoms typically last 7-10 days and then gradually resolve completely. We may get several different cold viruses in a row that can prolong symptoms and confuse the picture even more. Seasonal allergy/hay fever symptoms persist for months and can sometimes be complicated by sinus infections and contribute to poor quality of life. With cold viruses your child may experience fevers, body aches and pains that are more characteristic of a viral infection.

How do we help our children who may suffer?? The best way to combat hay fever is to avoid the particular allergen but, at certain times of year, that may be impossible. Having allergy testing done to determine specific triggers can be helpful in avoidance therapy. This is not always possible so here are a few things you may do if you know your child is allergic:

Prevention

• Keep your child indoors on days that are both dry and windy • Don’t ask your child to do yard work or other outside chores during peak allergy seasons • Remove and wash clothing that your child has worn outside • Have your child shower or bathe when coming in from outside • Keep doors and windows closed when pollen counts are high (check your local weather) and use air conditioning to keep your car and home cool • Change air filters regularly • Avoid opening windows and keep the humidity low (<50%) • Invest in a HEPA filter Vacuum and use it often • Use a damp mop once weekly on all hard floors and a damp cloth on all hard surfaces

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Medications

Because hay fever is so common, there are plenty of medications available to treat its symptoms. If high pollen counts are in the forecast, start giving your child allergy medications before symptoms begin. Medications to treat hay fever symptoms include: • Antihistamines - Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra • Decongestants - Afrin and Sudafed (age specific) • Nasal steroids - Nasocort, Flonase, and Nasonex • Nasal irrigation - a squeeze bottle or neti pot can help flush pollens from your child’s nose as well

NEW EXPANDED HOURS

Mon-Thurs: 7:30am-6:30pm • Friday: 7:30am - 5pm • Saturdays: 9am - 12pm Call to schedule appointment with Dr.Butler or our NEW Nurse Practitioner, Melanie Bitzer.

Dr. Rebecca Butler is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is proud to be a resident of Lantana and the owner of Lantana Pediatrics. For more information on Dr. Butler or to schedule an appointment, call 940.455.7200.

940.455.7200 www.LantanaPediatrics.com

74 McMakin Road, Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226

14 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

AISD School Board Candidates:

In Their

Own Words

rgyle ISD will be holding school board elections on May 7th. One position is open and five candidates, including the incumbent, are running. In their own words, the candidates explained why they are running and why they are the best suited for the position.

Brad Lowry I currently serve on the Argyle High School Campus Leadership Team, a committee charged with recommending new ideas for the school. I believe that my experience as a parent of four AISD students gives me a good understanding of issues and challenges at all levels of the district. Additionally, I have spent most of my professional career as a facilitator of complex transactions. That typically involves bringing together two or more sides with differing interests and sometimes strong emotions, which will help me tackle the challenging issues that come before the board.

Jennifer Pakebusch

I have been a substitute in Argyle for the past two years. I’ve been in the trenches with our teachers and have seen what our students experience everyday. I know the challenges and rewards our teachers, administrators, and students go through from day to day. Unlike any other candidate or current board member, I have the unique advantage of seeing our schools as a mom, volunteer and substitute teacher. For me, serving as a board member is a small way I can give back and, most importantly, to help the teachers and administrators guide our children towards a bright future.

Brian Ratcliff (incumbent)

I am seeking reelection to help preserve continuity on this board as we enter uncharted waters. My wife and I have 4 girls that range from Kindergarten to 7th grade, and we sincerely love this district. I have no agenda other than

to continue doing the things that bring success, and to push for improving in areas that aren’t as highly publicized. AISD is a great district, and I am committed to help us continue to improve as we enter this new phase of growth.

Wes Timmons As you may already know, my family and I uncovered some serious issues that called into question the safety of the practices within the Argyle High School Athletic Department. I have proven that I will stand up for the students in Argyle, no matter the cost. Next year, my wife and I will have a child at each of Argyle ISD’s four campuses. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that our students are safe and have a successful educational experience.

Jeff Williams I have been in and around AISD since August of 2001 when I was hired as a classroom teacher and coach. I feel I have a unique perspective to bring to the board being involved in the district as both an educator and as a parent of two students. I want to do my part to work with the board, the leadership of AISD and the community to continue the excellence that is expected and achieved.

AISD School Board Candidates Question & Answer Forum Tuesday, April 19th, 7:00 pm Hilltop Elementary Cafeteria

Early Voting: Monday April 25th- Saturday April 30th 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday and Tuesday, May 2nd & 3rd 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Election Day: May 7th, 7:00 am -7:00 pm Argyle Town Hall, 308 Denton St.

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 15

Nutrition

Dear

Annette,

How are herbs good for my health? I would like to know more about them.

erbal medicine is as old as time. Even King Tut was buried with herbs and oils. Every herb is a little gift to our health and they are at their best in spring. Texas has great weather for growing herbs. To have a true clinical response from an herb you need to consume large amounts or create a tea or tincture. Most of us just need to keep things in balance so a little regular use of herbs in our diet can help us in many ways. Chamomile tea, for example, can help you sleep or a feel a little calmer. Herbs can be digested as is, made into teas, tinctures or concentrated oils. To make a tea, simply place leaves in a tea ball and let steep it in hot water for 7-10 minutes. I love to add fresh herbs to my cooking as they add a burst of flavor and variety. Here is a list of 8 common herbs and their properties:

16 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

• BASIL—a common household herb that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Basil is a strong anti-inflammatory and a great protector. It helps support a healthy liver. Basil is known to kill a host of bacteria such as staphylococcus including drug resistant strains. Use it on cheese, eggs, fish, chicken, pesto sauces or for any garnish. • DILL—cell protection and new cell growth. Dill has compounds that helps us form glutathione. Glutathione is essential for getting rid of free radicals or bad cells in our bodies. Dill is also high in calcium. It is particularly good on fish and eggs. • OREGANO—anti-inflammatory and heart health. Oregano has compounds that help reduce cholesterol levels and artery plaque. • PARSLEY—high in vitamins K and C. It has

compounds that help flush extra fluid out of the body and therefore can help with high blood pressure. It is also great for cleaning the breath. • THYME—calming herb. It traditionally was used to eliminate bedwetting. It helps with colic, and calms the whole digestive system. It has anti-diarrheal properties. • LEMON BALM—Lemon balm grows abundantly in Texas. It is great to sooth cold sores, induce sleep and calm agitated nerves. • CHIVE—part of the allium sulfur plants, chives help protect blood vessels from stiffening. They help with cholesterol and all cardiovascular health. • CORIANDER—thought of as the anti-diabetic herb in Indian medicine. It offers great protection against bacteria like salmonella.

USE HERBS FOR HEALTH!

Sincerely yours, Annette Doody, Savory Bistro Owner and Wellness Coach

ARGYLE BASEBALL Set To

DEFEND

CLASS 4A STATE TITLE

by Steve Gamel

he regular season is not quite over, but Argyle is close to setting itself up for a playoff spot and a chance to defend its state championship from a year ago.

Baring a horrible meltdown, the Eagles will be one of the four teams to represent District 9-4A when the playoffs begin the first week of May. Argyle (30-7 last year) won its first state title in 2015 with a 7-3 win over West Orange-Stark at the University of Texas’ UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.

Repeating as champs is never an easy task, but head coach Ricky Griffin still likes his team’s chances. “With the guys we have coming back, plus you add the young talent, I feel good about it,” Griffin said. “You just never know, it’s a matter of how it all comes together.” Argyle entered this season ranked No. 2 by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association and has six starters back from that state championship squad. Those returning include third baseman Tanner Boyzuick, left fielder Watson Timmons, second baseman Seth Green and catcher Ryland King. Another notable name is that of junior pitcher Connor Mushinski. Mushinski—the MVP of the state title game as a sophomore—dialed up 67 strikeouts last year to go with a 1.56 earned run average. He and Brett Lundy were listed as the top two pitchers coming into this year and should provide a similar 1-2 punch like Mushinski did last year with then-senior Rixey Boyd. Boyd and Mushinski were a combined 22-2 on the mound last year, and they both were first time starters. In 2014, the Eagles rode standouts Drew Gooch (TCU) and Parker Mushinski (Texas Tech) to the Class 3A title game, where they lost in extra innings to College Station. “I think we’ll have that again,” Griffin said of the strong pitching year in and year out. “The good thing is we have guys I haven’t mentioned that are good. We are probably the deepest we’ve been with pitching.”

One of the reasons why Argyle is a such a tough team to beat is because the coaching staff utilizes a ton of talent rather than relying on a select few, and Griffin has never been afraid to put younger guys in the spotlight. That could pay huge dividends once the playoffs come around. But again, no one said it would be easy, according to Griffin. “We’re young, we’re going to have some youngsters out there,” Griffin said. “But some of them have played in some big games, so they know what it’s like. Even the freshmen coming in have played some high quality baseball. We are going to find ways for them to help us, even as freshmen.” Griffin added, “It’s going to be interesting. But I like what we have out there.” APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 17

Gardening

Getting A

Happy Healthy Lawn

armer weather, rain, hail, stormy nights and even cold snaps…yep, it’s April in Texas! We hope everyone had a great Easter and is looking forward to getting outside if you haven’t already and getting your outdoor living and bed spaces put together. We are going to focus this month’s article on your turf areas, being that spring is such a transitional time, there’s a lot to keep in mind.

by PJ Kratohvil Complete Solutions 214.735.1364

As the weather begins to change so should the aesthetics around your property. Grass starting to turn is one of the most noticeable. To ensure you get a high quality, healthy lawn this year check out our TOP 3:

AERATION

With our terrible north Texas soils ensuring you aerate every third year at a minimum is a good practice. Not doing so will allow the soil to get hard, cutting off the amount of nutrients and oxygen resulting in your grass thinning and dying out. If you can’t remember or are new to the property the quickest way to tell if it’s time to aerate (besides the obvious thin grass/wide cracks) is by simply sticking a knife down into the ground. If it stops 1.5-2.5” down then call your grass guy. If it goes further in then you’re probably good for another year.

18 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

WATERING

A good rule of thumb is to ensure your grassy areas get on average 1 inch of water per week. Obvious water restrictions and weather conditions should be taken into account. If you have not done so NOW is the time to get the irrigation system on and evaluated. Broken pipes, busted heads and or clogged nozzles can all lead to under or over-watering. Either direction will have a negative result on your yard space.

FERTILIZATION

Another way to ensure your grass is thick and healthy this season is to establish a fertilization schedule and stick to it. Being consistent with this CAN offer immediate results BUT more often will take a few treatments before you really see improvements. Being realistic with your goals and paying more for quality products are two things to keep in mind. Cheaper chemicals will not treat as well typically and will wear out a lot faster than a name brand product with a slower release schedule.

We wish everyone a fantastic spring season and be sure to contact us with any questions.

FAIL TO PLAN? Then PLAN TO PAY! by Adam Burrows of The Law Offices of Dale Burrows, DaleBurrows.com, 972.304.6000 Many people mistakenly believe that estate

planning is only for the wealthy. In reality, a basic estate plan is essential for everyone regardless

of net-worth, income, or socioeconomic status

because we all want to minimize confusion, unnecessary costs, and stress for loved ones after we have passed. Unfortunately, a majority of

people have not considered participating in any

meaningful estate planning. Most will readily admit it is something they need to do, but they

keep putting it off. Why? Here are some of the top reasons why you should not procrastinate about estate planning:

they need money for living expenses. In addition,

believe that they are going to live forever.

expensive as well. These can both be alleviated

become incapacitated or die due to an illness,

probate proceedings after you pass away are through some simple estate planning.

Almost every day we read about someone whose

aged children if you should suddenly pass away?

in an instant.

Do you know what happens to your minor-

Would you rather the Court decide who raises your children in case of your untimely death or

do you want to make the decision? In addition, if you have ever gone through a divorce, you

understand that it takes a lot of time, money, and effort to get the divorce finalized. If you

have children of that marriage then it tends

to be even more complicated. However, if the ex-spouse is not a fit parent then a designation of guardianship is vital. If you leave a great deal of assets to your minor-aged child and your ex-spouse is the guardian of the

money lying around these days. But doing

the ex-spouse will have control of

much more than it would cost you to plan now.

until that child is no

incapacitated due to illness or injury, your assets

really what you want?

child because you passed away, then

nothing can end up costing your loved ones

the assets for the child’s benefit

If you own assets in your name and you become

longer a minor. Is this

and your care will more than likely be placed in

3.AGE:

will be paid from your assets, and your family will

just

a court guardianship. This is not free. All costs

probably have to ask the court for an allowance if

injury, accident or random act of violence.

2. CHILDREN:

1. COST:

Granted, a lot of people do not have extra

The reality is that any of us, at any age, can

Estate planning is not for

“old

people.”

Young people tend to

life was cut short or changed dramatically

Adam Burrows is a Licensed Attorney at the Law Office of Dale A. Burrows P.C. and he would love to help you plan ahead for your future. Mr. Burrows is the lead Attorney in Estate Planning for the law firm and has experience in drafting Complex Wills and Complex Revocable Living Trusts. Mr. Burrows will help you and your loved ones create an estate plan that is tailored specifically for your needs and desires. Most of all, Mr. Burrows will help provide the most efficient path to make sure your assets go to the right people with the least amount of delay, hassle, and expense and your desires regarding the care of your minor child are addressed. The information provided herein is given for general information only. The information presented should not be construed as formal legal advice or the formation of a lawyer/ client relationship.

DEVELOPING

FIRST

by Steve Gamel

efore online registration was big, the leaders of the Spiritual Life Department at Liberty Christian School relied on sign-up sheets for their annual mission trips. The idea was to come in early on the first day of registration – long before carpool lines began piling up – and have them posted and ready for the masses.

There was just one problem. They could never arrive on campus before the students did.

20 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

“I’d get here at 6:30 in the morning and there’d be 30 or 40 kids waiting outside my office, and they had been waiting in line since 4 or 5 a.m.,” Youth Pastor Chris Searcy said. “They would have sleeping bags and their breakfast. As soon as online registration became a thing in 2009 or 2010, we knew we had to do that. Every year since then, we’ve filled up within 10 minutes.” Searcy added, “This past mission trip filled up in four minutes. And we had a waiting list.” All of this sounds more like the crazy lines of shoppers looking for hot deals on Black Friday, but it’s not. It’s a testament to the incredible buy in this local private school has from its faculty, parents, and students. In a recent survey conducted by Liberty Christian, officials found the No. 1 reason people are here is for the Christian philosophy. They believe an unwavering commitment to God’s Word coupled with award-winning academic excellence can be interwoven to provide unique spiritual development and growth. The Spiritual Life Department provides leadership and oversight for all aspects of spiritual life on campus, and leaders serve as mentors, role models, advisors, and guides to students, parents, teachers, and staff. They also attend student events to minister to each of them by sharing the truths of Scripture that affect their situation, and

help bring God’s answers to life’s questions. Not to mention, every time you turn around there is a special Spiritual Life event going on or being offered. Whether it’s the daily Bible class from preschool through 12th grade, chapel services, or mission trips, the popularity and impact of each continues to grow. The message: raise godly kids in an environment where academics and athletics are also second to none. “I teach a couple of Bible classes here, and it’s great to see all of these kids have the opportunity to talk about Jesus, the important issues in their lives, and talk about how that relationship with God helps,” teacher Suzanne Manning said. “It’s because of Bible class that we are able to go deeper into each of these kids’ lives, and they are able to love each other more.” The students want to know why they exist, who they are, and who made them. Spiritual knowledge is just as powerful and important as that of academics, and they are willing – no, they are craving – the chance to share what they are learning beyond the walls of this school. “We are pouring in truth, love, and the knowledge of God,” said Michelle Simms, Director of Marketing and Communications. “We expect them to pour out love and service to others.”

photos courtesy of Liberty Christian School

Sponsored Content

Liberty Christian School • www.LibertyChristian.com • 1301 S. Hwy 377 • Argyle, TX 76226 • 940.294.2000

Which brings us to the mission trips, and its impact on the school as a whole. On March 11–18, 200 high school-age students were accompanied by 30 leaders to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. This was the 20th year the school hosted at least one international mission trip, with the goal of spreading God’s Word while giving students an unforgettable experience. For the first two days, the students were split into 15 groups for various work projects in the community. They did everything from paint churches to build walls with their own hands, clean up other dilapidated areas, and dig ditches. Whatever work needed to be done, Liberty students took on the challenge. The next three days were devoted to biblical teaching, and they did so by visiting neighboring schools, parks, and local jails. The students performed a gospel drama called The Journeyman before again breaking off into smaller groups to meet individually with those in the community who watched the performance. Keep in mind, these were very long days involving a lot of work, time, and effort. And it all took place during Spring Break, a time where kids typically travel with their families or spend time at home. Their commitment to being involved in something bigger than themselves was amazing. “We stayed at a college there, with 70 kids in a room with bunk beds and a pallet,” Simms

said. “There was no hot water in the showers, just pipes coming out from the wall, but it was awesome because not one of them complained the entire time. It was different conditions, the food was different, yet they still kept going and having a blast. It was fun watching them interact and play games. Every night we would come back and have a worship night where the kids had a chance to share what happened and what God did that day.”

Preschool to High School is deeply involved with the mission.

“We are very mission focused,” Simms said.

“Every grade level goes on a mission trip, but they are more local in nature. The second graders will go to Good Samaritan to read and sing to

the elderly, and another class goes to Christian

Community Action to stock shelves. It’s a big deal for the entire school.”

Searcy agreed, and added another

powerful

anecdote

point home.

drive

that

“The original dates of the Dominican

“. . . raise godly kids in an environment where academics and athletics are also second to none.”

Republic trip had us go from Saturday to Saturday, but I found out I could

get 70 more tickets if we switched the trip from Friday to Friday,” Searcy

said. “We already had a waiting list, and that’s 70 more kids who had a

chance to go. I called our President, Dr. Rodney Haire, because it meant

missing a school day. He said for us While the international mission trips are only for the high school kids, it’s important to note the idea of mission trips is a big deal shared by everyone in the Liberty family. The lower school kids wrote personalized letters to each student signed up for the trip as an extra bit of encouragement for their journey. The letters were placed into packets for the students to read while they were on the plane. The younger kids also prayed for them daily in class. In short, every student from their

going

to do it. Where else is the President

for 70 kids?”

move

entire

school

day

The answer is in the godly environment

Liberty has established over the years. It’s a winning formula, and a life’s work that was well

worth the effort – and the massive lines of kids wanting to take part.

“This is very much a part of our DNA,”

Searcy said. “If we took it out, we wouldn’t be who we are.”

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 21

3rd and 4th Grade Fun Nights Coming to AIS Argyle Intermediate School will be hosting

Fun Night for 3rd and 4th grade students on Friday, May 13 from 6-9pm. Games, dancing

and other fun activities will entertain the kids. Drop your kids at the door or volunteer to be a part of the fun! Advance sales for only $15 date and time t.b.a. $20 at the door on Friday

at 6pm. To volunteer or have questions, contact ginabunnell711@gmail.com.

Liberty Christian Participates in Math Olympics Six Liberty Christian students went above

and beyond their classroom assignments by

Students were selected from a group of Liberty

students who took district level tests to qualify for the entry level competition. Olympians Included:

Tyson Casaubon (3rd grade) Avery Baller (3rd grade)

Amanda Blumberg (4th grade) Cal Genthner (4th grade)

Noah Cameron (4th grade)

Sydney Reardon (5th grade) Students in 3rd and 4th grade competed in

Computation and 5th grade students competed

in Math Reasoning with Noah Cameron placing first and Sydney Reardon placing fifth.

Hilltop Archery Team Qualifies for Nationals The Hilltop Archery Teams represented the

competing in the ACSI Math Olympics at

district with outstanding performances. They

February 16.

scoring their best scores and one team qualifying

Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano on

finished their tournament with all three teams

for the national tournament in Louisville, KY on May 12-14. They also had four individuals qualify for Nationals as well. The Hilltop Archery teams finished in 2nd, 12th and 14th place in the state of Texas.

Liberty Christian Band Students Earn Superior Ratings at TPSMEA More than 100 band students competed at the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) in Addison on March 5. 80% of the band students at Liberty Christian received a superior rating, performing in front of judges without the aid of their directors. “What is great about this competition is that the individual character, work ethic, and accountability each student must develop to success and perform well,” said Band Director Scott Himel. “I want to especially recognize five middle school students who took the extra challenge and played the hardest grade in high school level music and received a superior rating.” Band students form grades 5-12 competed and those who received a 1-Superior rating have the honor of playing at All-State on May 28 at Green Hill.

OBITUARY Dylan RitchieMarlow, 23, of Argyle, Texas, passed away on March 12, 2016 in Haslet, Texas. Dylan was a shining light in all our lives. His radiant smile and contagious laughter were unmatched, and will be truly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Argyle Youth Sports Association, PO Box 8, Argyle, Texas, 76226 and Whitewright Youth Baseball/ Softball Association, PO Box 178, Whitewright, Texas, 75491. 22 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 23

ARGYnLtEs’

Reside s Photo Yo u S e nd

t It rin P e It, W

24 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com

OF THE MONTH FREE MAKEOVER

Are you ready for a whole new look this spring? Just email us at cloud9salon@cloud9salon.com and tell us why you or someone you know deserves a makeover. We’ll select one lucky winner from our entries to receive the full hair and make-up treatment. ENTER TODAY!

Cut and Style by Sam Spencer Brow Tint by Pauletta Collins Amy’s brows were tinted brown so that she wouldn’t have to fill them in everyday!! The brown color helps to accentuate her blue eyes. Clothing from the Boutique: We selected a fun Spring dress for Amy with a crocheted top to add some pizzazz! Her jewelry adds the perfect touch.

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AMY VAUGHN Makeup by Pearl Maldonado: I wanted her eyes to really pop and when I was talking to her she told me that she liked neutral colors so I decided to do the smokey gold eyeshadow with a very subtle clear golden lip gloss. Color by Cindy Ogle For Amy’s color I decided to directionally foil her hair, enhancing her natural color by using medium auburn low lights along with some soft and noticeable light caramel colored hi-lights with a hi-lift color in order to avoid bleaching from root to end.

Before

After photography by Caroline Simpson

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Area Coaches Named

COACH

of the Year by Steve Gamel

26 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

fter leading both their teams to state titles last month, Liberty Christian girls basketball coach Ken Burroughs and Argyle’s Skip Townsend were named coach of the year for their respective classifications.

Burroughs was tabbed by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches as its TAPPS Class 5A girls coach of the year. Townsend, whose Lady Eagles compete in the UIL, won the same award in Class 4A. Townsend was also named the 1A-4A coach of the year by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Both coaches led their teams to back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016. For both coaches, it was only a matter of time. Neither team was challenged this season while being ranked No. 1 in their respective classes. Burroughs just wrapped up his 10th season with the Lady Warriors and led the program to state title wins in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016. Their latest title came on the heels of a 48-43 win over Plano Prestonwood Christian on March 5. Liberty Christian has played in eight state tournaments over the last 10 seasons. On the same day as Liberty Christian won its state crown, Townsend notched his eighth career state championship win in 10 tries with a 53-43 win over Waco La Vega. Argyle has competed

in three straight state title games, winning two of them. The Lady Eagles lost in the 2014 state final before winning its first title since 2006 last year. Argyle returns the bulk of its roster next year and again should be a force to be reckoned with. Liberty Christian was a senior-heavy team this season, but judging by the number of championship trophies they have earned over the years, reloading for another run next year doesn’t seem like too much of a stretch.

Both coaches led their teams to back-to-back state titles in 2015 and 2016. In other postseason awards news, both the TABC and TGCA announced their all-state teams and a trio of Argyle girls were recognized. Argyle juniors Vivian Gray and Madison Ralston were named to the TABC all-state team while Gray, Ralston and sophomore Gabby Standifer made the TGCA’s squad. Gray — one of the top forwards in the nation — averaged 22.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season while Ralston averaged 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists as the team’s second-leading scorer. Standifer averaged 8.67 points, 3.96 rebounds and 2.46 assists.

Body and Soul

STRIVING 2 SHARE

WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT?

t is safe to say that we have all experienced that awful sensation when someone inadvertently grabs you by the top of your shoulder. “Ouch! Oh my gosh that is so tender!” you exclaim. That tender spot in the muscle is known as a myofascial trigger point (MTrP). The upper trapezius muscle is a very common site for myofascial trigger points. MTrP’s affect up to 95% of people suffering from chronic pain. Likewise, they are a common finding for those with an acute neuromuscular-skeletal injury such as hamstring pulls, headaches and tennis elbow, to name a few. A trigger point (TrP) is defined by Travell and Simons as hyperirritable nodules found within taut bands of skeletal muscle. When touched they produce pain and even a twitch response. A trigger point is only identified in dysfunctional muscle tissue. A normal, healthy muscle will not have trigger points. Trigger points can be active or latent. An active TrP is very tender to touch and reproduces spontaneous pain often referred to another region of your body. Additionally, an active TrP will cause stiffness of a joint and loss of range of motion. Latent TrP’s may also be the cause for stiffness or loss of range of motion, but they do not produce spontaneous pain When a muscle is damaged, it releases a lot of chemicals into the area. The nerve endings in the muscle, known as nociceptors, then send alerts to

the brain that something is WRONG! Our brains

perceive this as pain. The problem with those nasty TrP’s is that they create a vicious cycle of

information. When the brain perceives that pain, it sends more signals to release more of those nasty

chemicals! How can we interrupt that cycle? I thought you would never ask… Medications

only

provide

minimal

and

transient relief because they cannot directly

affect the problem. Hence, a recent study was published declaring the poor outcomes of opioid use for chronic pain. The good news is that

research has discovered that if you can manually illicit a local twitch response, the muscle resets

itself and reverses the out-pouring of the

deleterious chemicals.

Physical therapists (PT) in the state of Texas have it within the scope of their practice to utilize Functional Dry Needling techniques to illicit that local twitch response. After a thorough neuromuscular-skeletal examination, the PT will determine where and how many potential TrPs are affecting a person’s dysfunction. Then through a quick and easy procedure, the physical therapist inserts a needle into the TrP to allow for a muscle reset and improved healing of the tissue. Many times people will have an immediate increase of range of motion and freedom to move! At S2S, our interdisciplinary team of licensed physical therapists, certified personal trainers, certified Pilates instructors and certified performance enhancement specialists are striving to share with you the most current evidence in maintaining a healthy, energetic and injury-free lifestyle! From preventative to restorative, we’ve got you covered! “Train to Live Healthy, Energetic, and Injury Free.” – Meredith S. Tittle PT, DPT, OCS Call us or visit our website for more details! www.s2sperform.com www.facebook.com/s2sperform/ Instagram @s2sperform Twitter @s2sperform

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 27

Life Coaching

After the

GOAL W

e live in a success-oriented society where there can be significant rewards for personal achievement such as high self-esteem, money, fame, a long life, deep spirituality, a lasting legacy, and so on. It all starts with having clear, challenging goals for yourself (or your company if you’re a business owner). As the old adage goes, If you don’t know where you’re going… Goals provide you with a clear map. But you’re probably as sick as I am of hearing about goal setting. “Set 3 – 5 goals for yourself !” “Write them using S.M.A.R.T. criteria!” “Put them in a place where you can see them every day!” “Create a dream board and harness the energy of the universe!” “Rewrite your goals every day because you become what you think about most of the time!” The goal setting mantra is a constant drumbeat, for good reason, even if it does get annoying. Even I find it tiresome at times.

MAYOR’S

CORNER

by Mayor Peggy Krueger

am proud to announce that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Commission has just awarded the Town of Argyle a Non-Urban Outdoor Grant consisting of a 50% matching grant ($500,000) to go towards the essential renovations and improvements to park and ball field facilities located at the Argyle Intermediate School,

28 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

But honestly, setting the goal is the easy part! The hard part is execution: the day-in day-out work that has to be done to achieve your goals. So how do you get from point A to point B as efficiently as you can? Here are 5 proven tips for achieving the most important goals in your life:

Cultivate a success mindset.

You’re going after something you want that could change your life and the lives of those around you. Eliminate negative self-talk. Even if you come up short, the journey will be fulfilling and you’ll have grown as a person.

Define the specific activities that must happen to achieve your goals.

For example, break an annual goal down into quarterly objectives, which in turn can be broken down into monthly objectives, weekly objectives/ activities and then into daily activities. Get as specific as you can about what has to be done, by whom, and by when. Establish clear responsibility for each team member, in writing if necessary, and hold him or her accountable to executing against the plan.

One of Steven Covey’s Seven Habits is to “Put first things first.”

It was his way of saying to not fall victim to “the tyranny of the urgent”. Once you apply priorities to the actions that are needed, schedule them into calendars and hold that time sacrosanct. Use technology to help you stay on-task and

encompassing approximately fifteen acres. Improvements will include, but are not limited to, additional playground/ recreation equipment and facilities, walking trails, benches, picnic tables and pavilion enhancements. We have been looking for land and money for a park in Argyle for years. We worked with the Argyle School Board to entertain a partnership with the school and Town to enter in a long term lease for a park. Councilwoman Marla Hawkesworth and Councilman Joey Hasty worked with our Town staff to find a location that would work. The grant is subject to at least a 25 year lease with the school and an equal dollar match by the Town or individuals. We are so excited to have a place to have our community events. Our vision is to connect a hike and bike trail to the park that will eventually take you to the new school located in Canyon Falls. This is our dream and at least a portion of it is reality. Music in the Park will be fabulous.

on-schedule. Schedule your toughest action first thing in the morning (Eat that Frog!) when you have the energy to knock it out. It will propel the rest of your day.

Schedule regular reviews of progress with the people involved. On track? Great! Off-track? What can be done (by whom, by when) going forward to get things back on track? The more complex or critical the goal, the more often progress reviews should be scheduled – daily if necessary.

Create a support system of people who believe in you and what you’re trying to do. People who regularly share their progress toward goal achievement with a mentor are 77% more likely to achieve their goals than people who don’t. Goals are necessary for success, but they’re words on a page. Develop the skills and tactics you need to conquer the real-world challenges that stand in the way of you and the success you deserve. by Art Locke, Focal Point Coaching, ArtLockeCoaching.com

The Easter Egg Hunt was a huge success

with over 10,000 eggs! The community event was the result of local churches, the

school, and town coming together to make

this an event for the entire family. The band was exceptional! The Poor Kings provided music that was enjoyed by everyone. A beautiful day, great music and food trucks made the event perfect. A special thanks

goes to the Argyle School Assistant

Maintenance Director, Wayne Work. After everyone had enjoyed the beautiful day, Wayne continued his work while

cleaning the parking lot to have it ready for school the following Monday. We don’t

often think of who does the lifting to make

these events happen. If you see Wayne, please thank him for all of his hard work. I

can’t say enough about what he did for us. Thank you, Wayne!

Please check out our new web site.

www.argyletx.com. We are very proud to have something that is user friendly.

Dallas Nationals are

RESTORING FAITH

IN BASEBALL

by Susan Neuhalfen

hours a day, 7 days a week, the field at the Dallas Nationals is open to its players to practice. They may seem like any other team in select baseball complete with training facility, coaching staff and parents helping out. However, there is a distinct difference in what they are teaching their players.

Every Friday night the Dallas Nationals open their doors to the players and families for a Bible study. Since January of this year, the study has grown from six kids to over 30. Dads, coaches and outside coaches from schools like Liberty Christian have come to speak to the students and help the kids bond with each other as well as their families. “We want to bring Christianity to the forefront and teach the kids what’s really important in life,” says Dallas Nationals owner Richey Jones.

Currently they are studying the Book of John and will continue this study throughout the year at the Backyard Dugout where the Dallas Nationals practice. The fellowship lasts about 20-30 minutes and then the families are treated to a pizza party. Player father Stirling Vineyard echoes Jones’ sentiment about the Bible study’s impact on the families. “These kids and their families are learning about each other on a deeper level,” said Stirling about the Bible study. “By sharing our faith it helps us care more about the kids on the field and their families in the stands.”

Both Jones and Vineyard mentioned that the excitement and interest level of the parents have trickled down to the kids and the studies are now including parents and siblings. The kids enjoy the fellowship and fun while the parents have

“The most important thing is that we are growing future adults, fathers and husbands through baseball.” something more to share than small talk. The bond formed has driven deeper relationships on and off the field according to Vineyard. According to Jones, the Dallas Nationals are dedicated to helping young players prepare for life both on and off the field. Jones and his coaches came together to build a program that would be respected, and produced not only a great team, but also players who would be role models for the community. “We want these kids to achieve their highest potential in the sport and in life,” explains Richey. “The most important thing is that we are growing future adults, fathers and husbands through baseball.” “At the end of the day, isn’t that what this is all about?” added Vineyard.

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 29

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Argyle Director Elected to the

AMERICAN

BANDMASTERS A S S O C I A T I O N by Pamela Arrington

ho is the leader behind the direction of one of the states most recognized high school bands? On any given Friday night during the fall at an Argyle High School Football game spectators have the pleasure of watching the four time back-to-back state champion high school marching band perform at half time. The neatly pressed uniforms, perfect formation, and pride that is exuded from the band members is evident when they step on the field. Argyle ISD takes great pride in the Argyle High School Band and knows the dedication it takes to build such a successful program.

32 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

Behind every great band there is an amazing leader and that leader is Mrs. Kathy Johnson. Her eye for perfection, expectation for high standards, and strength in leadership have led her to mold a high school band into an award winning state title band year after year. Johnson is completing her 10th year as the director of bands at Argyle High School. Mrs. Johnson started her career out at The University of North Texas where she earned both her Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music Education. Throughout her career she has had the honor of being a part of many prestigious organizations and groups including the following; The Texas Bandmasters Association (Region Representative), Texas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu (an honorary music fraternity where she serves on the board representing the small schools), the Association of Small School Bands, Women Band Directors International, the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and she is a founding member of the Dallas Winds, a professional Wind Ensemble. Mrs. Kathy Johnson has set a name for herself and the Argyle High School Band. While under her direction, the AHS Band has earned four state marching championships

(title held for 8 years). The concert equivalent of that is the Texas Music Educators Honor Band, and they have held that title once. The National/ International concert equivalent is performing at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic which they have done once. “The honors we have earned are simply a byproduct of a high standard of performance,” explained Johnson. She also stated that the most rewarding part of all is the journey. “To be a part of the musical growth of a student is indescribable,” said Johnson. Mrs. Johnson was recently elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Membership in this organization is by invitation only and recognizes the significant accomplishments and contributions of its members to the advancement of the Wind Ensemble and its literature. The association was founded in 1929 by famous band directors Edwin Franko Goldman, John Philip Sousa, A.A. Harding, Charles Benter, Victor Grabel and Arthur Pryor. With fewer than 300 members, membership in this organization is considered a great honor and is only offered to leaders in the profession of band conducting.

This election to the ABA represents a multiple year examination of work, artistry, teaching, and contributions to the advancement of music. This great honor reflects the significance of Johnson’s career as well the quality of the band at Argyle High School. When asked about her philosophy in regard to teaching she stated that as an educator, her goal is to facilitate lifelong lovers of music and the arts. She works to instill an uncompromising work ethic in her students as well as strong moral character. Mrs. Johnson strives to teach her students how to apply the knowledge they have to every situation. She believes that teaching the application of knowledge is something that is sorely lacking in the educational system. It is apparent that Mrs. Johnson’s love for learning is portrayed in her students’ desire to excel as well as the Argyle High School Band’s achievements and high standards. “How do I put into words the goose bumps you get when a perfectly shaped phrase is executed or when you sense the audience holding their collective breath after a soft, beautiful passage of music is complete?” contemplates Johnson. “Those are the moments of which I am most proud and the moments that I live for!”

EDITOR’S

PICK 2016

photos courtesy of Argyle ISD

Pictured above is Mrs. Kathy Johnson, Director of Bands at Argyle High School.

APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 33

Dr. Matt

s ’ y a d ToDental Insurance

s The Basic

f you ventured an outing at Chuck E Cheese recently, you may have observed the loss of the vintage novelty that is the manifestation of merriment itself: the token. Yes, that cup of tarnished mouse engraved coins has been substituted for a plastic card, and like similar cards, it comes with a false sense of security as the freedom of continual swiping comes to an abrupt halt without warning or discretion. This experience is all too analogous with your dental insurance card, as well. Understanding your dental insurance benefits and how to manage them can help avoid any undesired surprises. The first thing to know about dental insurance is that the common association of protection that comes with insurance is a concept that is simply immaterial today. As opposed to working as a safeguard against unexpected calamity or unforeseen expenses, dental insurance now acts more as a discount coupon for routine

34 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

services and the occasional necessary treatment. According to one expert, “If car insurance were designed like a dental plan, an oil change and tune-up would be covered at 100%; shocks, tires, and batteries would be reimbursed at 80%; and accidents would be reimbursed at 50%, with an annual maximum limit of $1,000.” Most dental insurances provide a maximum payout, typically between $1000 and $2000, that is used towards all or a percentage of various dental treatments after a small deductible is met, depending on the plan’s coverage. Some routine treatments like cleanings and x-rays are covered at 100% and may not require a deductible, but other treatments are categorized by your insurance and coverage is variable from 50% to 80% or not at all. For in-network dentists, the dentist has an agreement with the insurance provider to adhere to negotiated fees. The dentist is obligated not only to adhere to these fees, but to collect any

copays associated with them. This is to avoid any discrimination between patients under the same plan. Only if an office is out-of-network or if a service is not covered by the insurance plan can the fee be altered. Of course, though understanding dental insurance is the responsibility of the patient, the reality is most dental offices offer services for verifying, estimating, and submitting your insurance. This is beneficial as not only is insurance complex and perplexing, but so is the dental terminology associated with the treatment. However, it is most important to understand that it is your dentist that makes recommendations toward your dental health and that your insurance coverage should never dictate your treatment and prevent you from receiving the care you need and deserve. There is definitely more that can be said of dental insurance, and, as always, if you ever need help understanding your plan, call your dentist or feel to contact me for any questions at info@ countrylakesdental.com. Happy smiling! Dr. Matt is a practicing dentist and owner of Country Lakes Family Dental

www.CountryLakesDental.com

Sidelines

by Steve Gamel

Are Feelings Changing on

ARTIFICIAL FIELDS?

early a year ago, I wrote an article for the Denton Record-Chronicle investigating the need for more artificial turf fields in high school baseball and softball. If not to combat the record-setting rainfall that washed out most of last season, then to at least trim hours and money spent on maintaining more common traditional grass fields during droughts. I thought it was a thought-provoking topic at

Suffice it to say, most area coaches and school

the time. Turf fields are conducive to any type

officials were divided at the time of my article.

Texas weather can be—and eliminate the need

who you ask.

re-sodding. All expensive procedures.

yet—we had last season, so some think there

who believe the game should be played on grass.

bumped into an official for one area softball team

of weather—we all know how finicky North for mowing, watering, irrigation, pesticides, and But there are baseball and softball purists

Not to mention making the switch to turf is an up-front cost some school districts can’t afford.

Have their feelings changed? It depends on We haven’t had near the amount of rainfall—

is no reason to rush to judgement. But when I during Spring Break, he was gawking over the

turf facility at Eaton High School in Fort Worth.

His team was forced to play a district game at Eaton that previous week because both home grass fields were unplayable due to heavy rain. By the time the game started at the neutral site, the turf was apparently bone dry. I also happened to bump into an old baseball buddy of mine whose team was supposed to be hosting a tournament that weekend. It was canceled because the grass fields were too sloshed. When I asked if the school district would consider switching to turf, he hinted it was a possibility. I’m not going to pretend these two people speak for the majority, or that I have any further inside knowledge on the situation, because I don’t. But my opinion is there will be plenty of new schools built across North Texas in the next few years, and the majority of them should be outfitted with turf facilities from the start. The schools that have them or have played on them, swear by them. Argyle’s new complex, which cost approximately $2 million and opened just before last season, was a one-of-a-kind complex in the Denton area—and may still be—since both its baseball and softball fields are 100 percent artificial turf. Many others have one or the other, or partial turf. Not only did Argyle, which won a state title in baseball, get most of its games in last season because of it, but the fields were also used as a revenue generator since teams from around the area were willing to rent it to get games in or hold practices.

Teams were willing to drive out of the way to play on a field designed to withstand the elements. All I am saying is that the conversation isn’t over on this one. In many ways, the momentum is just starting to build. We won’t see a massive shift since many larger school districts like Denton and Lewisville have multiple schools to think about. But it’s a price tag worth considering if it means saving money – and games – in the long run. Until next time, I’ll see you on the sidelines. APRIL 2016 | ARGYLE LIVING | 35

about

t is not uncommon in today’s society for unmarried couples to live together. They often combine their resources and may even purchase property together. Many unmarried couples who live together think they have a special legal relationship by virtue of living together, but this is not the case. And for some, they are afraid of common law marriage.

36 | ARGYLE LIVING | APRIL 2016

type of agreement; therefore, these agreements are generally governed by basic contract law. And with regard to property, by Texas property law. This type of agreement could be made by unmarried couples who live together and want to make it clear, by contract, that they are agreeing that they are not married under any circumstances. And who wants to have agreements with regard to their property? Such an agreement is simply a contract between two individuals. It is yet to be seen whether these agreements will be enforced, but a written contract may be better than no agreement. Another possible benefit for this type of agreement is for the couple to have a clear understanding of how things will work between them. Some examples of topics that we usually see in Non-marital Cohabitation Agreements are as follows: • An agreement not to be married under any circumstances • That neither person will hold out to others as being married to the other person • They agree not to be married on any future date • No actions by either party could be interpreted as or result in creating a common law marriage for example purchasing a ring, using the other person’s name, etc. • Any future marriage between them must be by formal ceremonial marriage • Who owns what property • Property purchases together in the future • Payment of debt existing at the time of the agreement and in the future • Future business transactions

• Payment of household, living and personal expenses • Waiver of any type of support from the other person • That neither person will inherit from the other person Couples should understand that the legal implications of buying property together are just like any other people buying property together, and that property law, and possibly a contract between the couple, rather than family law, will most likely apply. For those that are married, State law regards any property acquired by a married couple during the marriage as community property, and in the event of a divorce, the community property is divided. It is highly advised that when living with someone that each person keep separate bank accounts and buy property in their own name using their own money. The point is, a cohabitating couple should not mix their money and property or they are just asking for problems. We are seeing more of these agreements being executed between couples living together. These agreements may be beneficial for later-in-life couples who want to live together, but in order to try and avoid inheritance issues for their families, also want to make it clear that they are not married now and don’t intend to be in the future.

www.koonsfuller.com Southlake

181 Grand Avenue Suite 225 Southlake, TX 76092 (817) 481.2710 (817) 481.2637 fax

Denton

320 West Eagle Dr. Suite 200 Denton, TX 76201 (940) 442.6677 (940) 442.6671 fax

Principal Office in Dallas